All I can do

Tibisi stalked back and forth across the hardwood floor of the small study. Pacing helped her gather her thoughts - useful in this case as she was eager to explain her idea to her exarch. "It's a simple idea really, but the donations we are collecting could be used to support the new basilica."

Saul hated to cut it, but Tibisi would never let him get a word in edgeways if he didn't. "You don't think the Council will agree to throw their support behind it - not even for a few seasons?" he asked.

She stopped pacing, pondering the question as if it was the first time she'd considered. Saul knew that wouldn't be the case though, she never came to him with an idea without considering every alternative first.

"I don't... " she shook her head to underline her point. "They never have - I don't think they ever will. Not until the Grand Inspiration is finished at the very least."

"It would only need to be for a year," Saul pointed out, "then they could go back to funding the Grand Inspiration."

"We've just committed to completing the Grand Inspiration in that year. It's our highest calling."

Saul couldn't resist it. "In that case, why would we support anything else? If it's our highest calling, surely everying should be directed to that?"

Tibisi threw her exarch a mock sneer. He was not being helpful and they both knew it. "Because it's our highest calling exarch, not our only calling. Now do you want to hear my idea or not?"

Overview

The city-state of Beoraidh continues to seek diplomatic and economic ties with the Empire, among others.

• The people of Beoraidh are recognised as foreigners by the Senate
• They continue to seek trade and diplomatic ties with both the Empire and the Grendel
• They have accepted the patronage of the Sarcophan Delves
• The ambassador to Beoraidh is the Highborn Melkior of Balthazar's Vineyard

Beoraidh

• Status: Foreigner
• Ports: Currently none.
• Ambassador: Melkior of Balthazar's Vineyard of Highguard
• Counterpart: Rubhart Kaltrin

Beoraidh was once the stronghold of the Grendel Salt-Lord Ehsan and his supporters. When the Empire moved to invade Mareave, Ehsan declared independence from the Grendel and sued for peace with the Empire. The city itself and the neighbouring region of Sinfoyard are recognised as a neutral state by the Senate; a free port where both Imperial and Grendel merchants are welcome. The canny diplomat has also secured the protection of the bedelaar huisbaas of the Sarcophan Delves. Anyone attacking Beoraidh - Grendel, Imperial, or otherwise - will incur the wrath of the Delves, their warships, and their economic sanctions.

Investment in the city appears to be proceeding apace. In Spring, the General Assembly upheld a statement of principle raised by the Ambassador themselves, Melkior of Balthazar's Vineyard. Elevated by the Cardinal of Loyalty, Dagon Barossa, it called on the faithful to assist in the completion and future operation of the Basilica of the Way in the independent city. Then, during the Summer Solstice Bloodcrow Rasp, Senator for Skarsind persuaded the Senate to go forward with investment in the docks of Beoraidh. Initial reports are that some money has been raised, but that the required wains of weirwood are still waiting to be delivered. The city-state is enthusiastic about this development, and the benefits they are confident it will bring themselves and their Imperial neighbours. A second motion to appraise ways the Empire could support the colosseum there failed to meet with Senate approval, but Ambassador Melkior has apparently offered assurances that this is only a temporary setback.

During the Autumn Equinox, the Ambassador to Beoraidh will receive an additional briefing prepared by the civil service. This briefing will be published following the summit.

The city state of Beoraidh may be small, but it represents a powerful opportunity for the spreading of The One True Way, the likes of which has ne'er before been seen. Our neighbours have marked off their land and opened their arms to a Basilica of the Way in the heart of their grand city. Amidst travellers and traders from all countries and walks of life, a shining beacon to our faith shall stand, built in the style of our Unshackled siblings and their fervent and beautiful expression of belief. We, the General Assembly of the Synod, note the opportunity that the construction of this Basilica offers, and urge the faithful of the Empire to do all they can to assist in its completion and future operation.

Melkior of Balthazar's Vineyard, General Assembly, Spring 388YE, Vote: Upheld 1635-204

A Proud Basilica

Basilica of the Way in Beoraidh

Commission Type: Sinecure

Location: Beoraidh, Mareave

Cost: 40 white granite, 20 mithril, 216 crowns labour costs, 20 Thrones land purchase

Time: Six months

Limitations: No building progress can take place until the agreed 20 Thrones is delivered

Special: If commissioned by an orc, 108 crowns in labour cost provided by Beoradhi investors An Imperial army enchanted with Bound by Common Cause could provide 108 crowns in labour costs If invited in the commission the weavers of Culwich will replace the need for mithril with ingots of weltsilver and measures of iridescent gloaming. The Cat's Graces could reduce the number needed. The Steward of the Ossuary could redirect the benefits of the Grand Ossuary to support the basilica, removing the benefits for six months and providing 10 wains of white granite The Aghnayadh Apothecaries will remove the entire cost to purchase the land if the Senate devolves the power to determine the legality of potions, drugs, and narcotics to the Imperial Apothecaries Guild

Availability: Standard. Unless something changes, available until the end of the Summer Solstice 389YE

Effects: Creates an impressive structure in Beoraidh Represents the largest religious structure in the city Establishes the title Preacher of Beoraidh' Creates the Preach the Way in Beoraidh congregation opportunity While it might be damaged or captured it would take significant effort over time to actually tear the structure down

Preacher of Beoraidh

Type: Imperial Synod

Appointment: General Assembly

Powers: Receives 23 crowns income each season

Responsibilities: To ensure the Temple of the Way in Beoraidh is preaching to the people; make decisions relating to the temple; deal with any threats to the temple or followers of the Way in Beoraidh

• The General Assembly has approved creation of a basilica of the Way in the city of Beoraidh
• This has refreshed the opportunity, and provided potential new avenues to provide the materials

The proposals put forward at the Spring Equinox laid out two possible commissions to honour the way in Beoraidh. The General Assembly favours the larger, more ambitious plan for a splendid basilica rather than a more modest temple. Since the judgement was upheld, groups have come forward with ideas for what could be done to support the funding and construction of a the basilica, with one surprising offer even coming from within the city-state itself.

As mentioned in the original proposal, the traders and merchants of Beoraidh are still keen to gain favour with the Empire and as such will donate gifts and offer subsidies that will cut the not inconsiderable 27 Thrones labour costs of actually building the basilica in half, provided it is commissioned by an orc. The choice to construct a temple with less grandeur is still available of course, but the opportunities presented here are only available if the Empire chooses to build the basilica.

Soldiers and Labour

• An army enchanted with Bound by Common Cause could provide half of the labour for the basilica
• The army would need to take a defensive order in the territory and would need to be eligible for natural resupply
• If a campaign occurred in Mareave that season, the army would not support the commission

Elsbeth di Sarvos has suggested that one of the Imperial armies could support the effort by providing some of the labour necessary to construct such a fine and splendid basilica. Elsbeth, mercenary and long-term supporter of the Empire's armies, bemoans the fact that it couldn't be achieved in one season, but has confirmed with the civil service that if an army were enchanted with Bound by Common Cause, it would contribute 108 crowns over the season. While the Beoraidh ambassador Rubhart Kaltrin is a little sceptical of the matter, he is confident that as long as everything remains above board there should be no problem with Imperial soldiers working the construction project within the city - although the Empire would presumably not cry foul should the Grendel undertake any kind of similar efforts in the free city.

The sodality exists to support and promote creatives, providing opportunities to exhibit their talents.

The weavers of Dawn are some of the finest practitioners of the arts of tapestry in the Empire, rivalled only by their peers in Varushka.

The general would need to issue a defensive order and make clear in their orders that the army were to aid in the construction efforts. The only downside is that if fighting were to break out during the season, the army would not be able to support the construction - which may be a major problem should the Grendel abandon their current defensive stance in favour of an aggressive one.

Tapestries and Grace

• A Dawnish weaver cabal has offered their support by creating tapestries in place of mithril pillars
• The motion or announcement to construct the basilica could call on the aid of the Weavers of Culwich
• Weltsilver and iridescent gloaming could be used instead of mithril

The Weavers of Culwich are a prolific weaver cabal from eastern Weirwater. Culwich produces some of the best flax and wool in the Empire, and the weavers make excellent use of it, creating works of beauty that are sought after across the Empire. The weavers are not strangers to the call of Virtue, having previously answered the call of the Dawnish Assembly to look inwards following the conquest of the Barrens. Now, they have welcomed the call of the General Assembly and have offered their skills to help spread the Way.

The Weavers of Culwich are well-versed in the use of weltsilver alloys and in the dyes produced with iridescent gloaming. The cabal have offered to create tapestries and wall-hangings depicting moments of Virtue to accentuate the grandeur of the basilica in place of the mithril that was originally planned. Instead of requiring mithril, the basilica would need a total of 400 ingots of weltsilver and 400 measures of iridescent gloaming. Rather than shining metal, beautiful vibrant tapestries would provide a feast for the eyes for any who visited. The cost is steep, at least in terms of ingots and measures, but additional support is also available in the form of the Empire's newest Imperial sodality.

If the Cat's Graces choose to use their power to refine the commission immediately after it has been approved by the Senate, then they can encourage the artists of the Empire to help the Weavers of Culwich create works of beauty to accentuate its grandeur. That would reduce the number of of ingots and measures required to 300 weltsilver and 300 iridescent gloaming, as virtuosos from across the Empire were drawn to Dawn and Mareave to help create the beautiful art. (OOC Note: if that happens, then any player who has an appropriate piece of art depicting a virtuous scene can email a copy to plot@profounddecisions.co.uk, and we'll add it to the page for the basilica and credit their character accordingly).

Faith and Finance

Vardas Sentinels Tower, Steward of the Ossuary

• The Benefactors Council could provide 12 wains a season towards the construction of the basilica in Beoraidh
• The Steward of the Ossuary could support the project for six months and provide the equivalent of 10 wains of white granite
• If the Grand Ossuary were put to this use, the Steward of the Ossuary would gain a seasonal income of four doses of liao

One obvious possibility for helping to fund the project would be for the Benefactors Council to throw their support behind the new Basilica. That could provide a steady stream of wains - almost certainly enough to ensure the commission could be built in good time. Of course it would mean pausing their support for the Grand Inspiration of the Way for a year, which is a tall order, not least because completing the great commission is the nation's highest calling.

If they are not available, then Tibisi of Shelah's Bounty, one of the Stewards of the Dead who tends the Grand Ossuary of Reikos has pointed out that there are other donations that could be employed for this purpose. Currently those donations are used to provide financial support for congregations across Reikos, but they could be directed to help establish the basilica in Beoraidh.

The Steward of the Ossuary, currently Vardas Sentinels Tower, could make an announcement to distribute the donations in support of the new basilica. Doing so would stop any benefit to the congregations of Reikos for six months, but would instead see the money used to purchase ten wains of white granite and other supplies to be shipped to Beoraidh.

Tibisi has pledged that if this is done, her chapter will provide the Steward of the Ossuary with four doses of liao going forward, in recognition of the steps they have taken to "spread the One True Way".

Apothecaries and Land

• The Aghnayadh Apothecaries ask the Senate to delegate the power of interdicting narcotics to the Apothecaries Guild
• The syndicate will provide five thrones towards the land purchase

The sodality exists to represent and support the interests of apothecaries and herbalists within the Empire.

The Aghnayadh Apothecaries is a prosperous syndicate of apothecaries and physicks in the city-state; established by an uncle of Lord of Salt Ehsan. Their prestige has been greatly enhanced over the last year, and they have absorbed most of the smaller concerns in the city. Visitors to Beoraidh with an interest in such things believe this is due to agreements made with counterparts in the Delves. They have unexpectedly come forward to help the Empire with the purchase of the land required to actually start work on the basilica.

The syndicate apparently has considerable interest in the Imperial Apothecaries Guild and what the Imperial sodality could do for relations between the Empire and the city-state. They are keen to work with the sodality in the future, and apparently have a fair amount of wealth at their disposal. They are prepared to purchase the land needed to build the basilica, and lease it back to the Empire for one ring a season in rent. This would remove the 20 Thrones needed to purchase the land from Eshan, but they can only do so at the invitation of whoever commissions the construction - Eshan won't sell the land while the Empire is still considering the opportunity to build on it. There is, of course, a catch. They will only do this if the Senate devolve the power to determine the legality of potions, drugs, and narcotics to the Imperial Apothecaries Guild. It's rare for the Senate to actually make a drug illegal, but it does seem to hint at the kind of business the Aghnayadh Apothecaries want to do with the Empire.

Espionage

Expand Regario Dossier

Motion Type: Senate motion

Necessary Details: The motion must indicate whether the remit of the Regario Dossier is to spy on Beoraidh itself, or only on visitors

Cost: 12 Thrones

Effect: Places agents in Beoraidh able to contribute to the annual report provided to the Regario Dossier

Availability: One year (until the end of the Summer Solstice 389YE)

• The Senate could extend the remit of the Regario Dossier to cover Beoraidh
• This would also provide information about nations trading in Beoraidh, especially the Grendel

Ambassador Kaltrin has responded to Melkior's request relating to a way to gather information from the docks of Beoraidh. He concurs that traders gossip, especially when they are on land for the first time in months. Such information is valuable to everyone, and he mentions as an aside that the Sarcophan and the Grendel both know the value of gently plying visiting mariners for information. Beoraidh itself, of course, remains strictly neutral in such matters, but as long as gossip-mongers and those keeping their ear to the ground are discreet and don't break any laws it is no concern to Ehsan, Lord of Sand, who learns what about visitors to the city-state.

All of this is a politically deniable way of saying that the Empire is welcome to send spies to Beoraidh to keep an eye on the Grendel and the Sarcophan (and indeed anyone else visiting the city) as long as they don't rock the boat or threaten the good thing that Ehsan and his supporters have going on. And as long as they keep their noses out of Ehsan's own business, of course.

Albrecht von Holberg, Custodian of the Regario Dossier

Should the Senate wish to do so they could extend the Regario Dossier to cover Beoraidh. It would require a Senate motion and 12 Thrones to recruit suitable agents and help them secure positions in the city-state. As part of the motion the Senate would need to determine the remit of these nations - should they focus their efforts on visitors only or should they also work to find out more about Beoraidh itself? The former is unlikely to draw undue attention from the folk of Beoraidh itself, but the latter risks angering Ehsan and his court if the presence of such agents is discovered.

Regardless, the presence of agents loyal to the Regario Dossier here would provide a useful way to gather information about the Grendel and the Broken Shore. Mind you, the Regario Dossier has been having problems with agent retention of late, so the Senate may not wish to risk throwing good money at this.

Beoraidh Further Reading

• Beoraidh - a brief overview of the city state
• Ambassador to Beoraidh

Winds

• All I can do - 388YE Autumn wind of fortune about Beoraidh diplomacy
• Myth makers - 388YE Summer wind of fortune relating to diplomacy with Beoraidh
• A knock at the door - 388YE Spring wind of fortune dealing with Beoraidh
• Each age a lens - 387YE Winter wind of fortune
• All the night-tide - 387YE Autumn wind of fortune
• I wish you would - 387YE Summer wind of fortune
• Treaty - 386YE Spring treaty between the Senate and Beoraidh

• Sea-wood fed with copper - 386YE Spring wind of war outlining the initial approach to the Empire by then Salt-Lord Eshan
• Mission - 383YE Spring wind of war detailing the Imperial raid on Beoraidh to liberate slaves

Click Expand to see a summary of various pages related to the city-state of Beoraidh.