Invited with asperity
"Why, Mistress Tasya, the Castellan of Krevsatyzmei is always pleased to receive you and any tidings you bring from The King Beneath the Hill. Even when, uh, so unexpectedly."
The on-duty guard, Pallad, looked up to her colleague Mor in the nest for some confidence, but received nothing but a deeply concerned glance. She-Of-The-Black-Cloak is not someone you want to walk up to you at the best of times, let alone in the middle of a harsh Karskian blizzard in the small hours of the night where it is all too easy to interpret every sound as a monster sneaking up on you. They were south of the mountains, making it much more likely that something awful was prowling nearby.
"Given the hill you stand on and who you bought it from, Pallad-daughter-of-Rith, you and your Castellan should always be prepared to engage in the tradition of hospitality. Please tell Mors-son-of-Ganax to kindly remove his hand from his crossbow lest I be made to feel ... unwelcome"
Shit, how does she know our names? thought Pallad, trying not to let her fear show.
"Of course, ahem, honoured guest. May I offer you a pour of wine from my own flask, and perhaps some of this Holtfordian fruit?" The guard noted that while most of this small delegation were human, inasmuch as she could make out any details beneath their cowls and fur-lined cloak, one of them at least was a fellow orc. But not a Child of the Dragons, she through.
"That will do nicely," Tasya let a smile escape her thick hood as she slowly and clearly partook of the wine and dates, unbothered both to stand before a fully garrisoned outpost of the Thule and by the biting cold the guards were so heavily wrapped up against.
Mors regained his composure first and shouted down from the tower; "And what business does Irontooth bring to a Tower of the Dragons?" This was a Thule outpost. There was surely no doubt that the Dragons were more powerful than any Sovereign. Probably older too. There was certainly no need to be scared of a messenger! Even if she already somehow knew yours and your parents names? Right?
"Business?" Tasya crowed. "What business can there be between the Wolf and the Raven? Between the Warrior and the Grave? I am here to speak the words of the Charnel Lord, and I will do so, to your Castellan, without further delay."
Best not push it. This was clearly the Castellan's problem and the warlock would not appreciate the intervention of mere gate guards.
"Of course, Mistress Tasya, enter and be welcome in our hall in the names of the Five. I shall go waken the Castellan."
The gates swung open, and the delegation of the Broken Barrow swiftly disappeared inside.
Overview
The orcs of Otkodov - the Thule - live to the north of the Empire. They share a long mountainous border with Wintermark, with the Unshackled, and particularly with Varushka. Their magocratic nation is ruled by the five Dragons - allegedly immortal sorcerers of immense power who the folk of their nation treat as living ancestors or perhaps even gods. For much of Imperial history, they were at war with the Empire. In recent years a series of treaties have secured peace - mostly by ceding parts of the northern Imperial nations.
It is not a universally popular peace. There are grumbles from Wintermark that the Empire keeps surrendering to the orcs of the north, although they are subdued and rarely enter the public discourse. The Imperial Orcs of Skarsind keep the Thule at arms' length where possible. It is the nation of Varushka that has been most critical of the peace treaties - and it cannot be argued that they have been called on to sacrifice more of its northern lands to the Thule than any other nation. The priests of Varushka expressed a commitment to never hand over Varushkan soil to the orcs again - with judgement 57 in their own assembly, and Judgement 67 in the General. Neither achieved a greater majority however - hardly surprising for the General but perhaps unexpected in the Varushkan assembly. It seems that Lenochka Zabotovna Vypalse and Father Drakov may not speak with a single voice on this matter.
For now, though, peace endures. The treaty has been ratified; it is law. Two nations - the Marches and Navarr - are sending great amounts of food north to help feed the people of Otkodov and support their armies. It is illegal to preach the Way of Virtue in Otkodov to their citizens. For their part the Thule agree to share the white granite of the Night Quarry; pay for the food delivered to them; ensure Imperial access to the Maze of Zoria, in return for the right to send warlocks to study at the Icy Crag of the Eternal Sun. And, of course, to maintain their current policies for the reasonable treatment of Imperial citizens choosing to remain and live in ceded lands. All that remains is for the pageantry and theatre of a formal signing.
State Visit
- Rak Who-Speaks-For-The-Dragons-Undivided will attend the Senate Chambers at 18:00 on Saturday to celebrate the recent signing of the five-year peace treaty.
- Rak intends to retire soon, and he will be accompanied by a coterie of potential successors. This may present an opportunity to shape the tenor of Imperial/Thule relations for the next few years.
- The party will discuss the future of cooperation between the two great powers, the fate of the Druj, the vallorn, and other matters of import.
Last season, a delegation from Otkodov was waylaid and unable to make it to Anvil as planned to formally sign the treaty. They are now on their way to complete the intended state visit. Whilst a formal signing of the treaty is not legally required (indeed Rak is satisfied that everything is in order, and the flow of merchants across the border in both directions is testament to the fact that the treaty is holding) the Thule do consider the symbolism inherent in ink and parchment to be valuable.
More pressingly, there is much to discuss as regards making the most use of the period of peace. Cooperation between nations of such might and prowess could yield great benefits, so long as fair terms can be agreed. There is the matter of the vallorn to discuss, the fate of the Druj and their territories, and the ever-present Jotun in the west. There might also be opportunities for trade, for magical cooperation or simply for friendship between peers. It would not do to pass up this opportunity for the great and good of the Empire to liaise with the representatives of Otkodov. No actual agreements will be worked on at this meeting, such things are a matter for Winged Messengers or small private meetings, but the seed of discussion bears the fruit of cooperation.
Rak Who-Speaks-For-The-Dragons-Undivided has served as the Dragon's emissary to the Empire for several years now, and has decided that the time is coming to step aside. Not immediately, perhaps, but soon. To that end, he is bringing with him a selection of potential successors; apprentices and mentees who have worked with him on Imperial Diplomacy and may be poised to take up the challenge. Ultimately, the Dragons will make the final call as to who replaces Rak, but it would be foolish to assume that they will not be paying very close attention to proceedings to assess the candidates. Imperial Citizens who wish to shape the future of Thule foreign policy may benefit from attending the event.
They have informed the civil service that the Thule delegates will be:
- Rak Who-Speaks-For-The-Dragons-Undivided (he/him) - Ambassador to The Empire
- Runa, of the Circle of Thrice-Turned Stones (he/him) - An accomplished Night and Autumn warlock with an interest in trade.
- Hekla, of the Unbroken Chain of Gilded Fire (he/him) - A prodigious Summer warlock specialising in military matters.
- Galk, of the Sunken Orb of Brilliant Sapphire (he/they) - A studious Winter, Spring and Day warlock at the forefront of theoretical magic.
- Orn The Scribe (he/they) - a servant bonded to the offices of the Speaker for the Dragons Undivided.
The party will arrive in Anvil at 18:00 on Saturday and proceed to the Senate building. They have asked that any interested citizen be allowed to attend, but leave the facilitation of the event itself in the capable hands of the Ambassador to Otkodov, Kindra Surefoot. They expect to be in the Senate for at most an hour, but if there are still worthwhile discussions ongoing by that point, they may adjourn to the Imperial Offices for a short additional time.
A Cultural Exchange (Redux)
- Imperial storytellers are invited to meet with skuldyr in Otkodov to exchange and discuss cultural tales on the themes of Heroism and Duty.
- The High Bard of the Empire is tasked with arranging the conjunction to Leopard-Tooth Pass on Friday at 23:15.
- The warlock Hoosfa Mek offers to continue exchanging written records of folk tales in the Tome of Shared Lore.
Last Winter, skuldyr from Otkodov attended the Wintermark camp in Anvil to exchange stories with the scops. The event appears to have been judged a success by the warlocks, as an invitation has been sent to the Empire, via the civil service. A conjunction of the Sentinel Gate has been identified that would allow up to 12 people to take the Thule up on this invitation by travelling to Leopard-Tooth Pass in Kógur, Skuld at 23:15.
Eirikur the skuld asks for the storytellers of the empire to bring no more than five tales, which should be focused on the themes of Heroism and Duty. Last year, Eirikur spoke with many scops in Wintermark, but also spoke to some Navarri. Since then, he has been learning more about the narrative traditions of The Empire's northern peoples. For this exchange, he would like the visiting party to be composed of Wintermark Scops, Varushkan Storytellers, and Navarri bards.
The Civil Service have assigned responsibility for this conjunction to the High Bard of the Empire, Mikael Reskovich. They would also like to remind any potential attendees that it is currently illegal to preach The Way in Otkodov. It is not clear how strict the Thule will be on this, but guests of the Dragons might do well to avoid overtly religious messages in their stories.
At the last meeting with the skuldyr, the warlock Hoosfa Mek gave a gift to the Ambassador, a book of Thule tales. They will be present at this meeting as well and have expressed that, if the Ambassador wishes, they would be happy to take custody of the book once again and have more stories added to it. They would be especially keen for this if their Imperial counterparts have been able to record some of their own tales in the tome.
A Northern Passage
- The Thule have responded negatively to a proposal to map the northern parts of the Sea of Snow and the coast of Otkodov
Ambassador Surefoot has carefully raised the matter of securing a sea-route to Otkodov through the north-eastern Sea of Snow. As they point out, there was a fleet mapping expedition of the frigid sea a few years ago. While it uncovered a great deal of information it did not manage to follow in the wake of the Sea Hawk and discover if there is a navigable passage to the coast of Nithoggir. There is an invitiation for cooperation between the Empire and Otkodov, with an eye toward developing a sea trade route.
Rak Who-Speaks-For-The-Dragons-Undivided explains that the Dragons recently permitted an attempt to find a trade route between western Otkodov and Wintermark, overland through the wastes of Tsirku, and it was an unmitigated disaster that cost many lives. They do not see that any attempt to open a sea route would be any more successful - there are beasts in the ice-strewn waters off the coast of Otkodov that are truly terrible even for the Sea of Snow. Weighing the risk and the reward, they see little advantage to allowing the Empire to create - and ultimately control - a maritime route to their shores. They would rather leave that door unopened at least for the time being. Rak goes further - not only will the Dragons not authorise cooperation in this endeavour they will not permit a trading post on their coast. Trade with Otkodov will continue overland, as it has done for the last decade or so.
Reading between the lines, it is very clear that no matter what Rak says, fundamentally the Dragons do not want the Empire to have a way to bring fleets to their coast. Relations may have thawed in the last decade, but not so much that the Dragons will tolerate Imperial ships sailing through open waters to the lands of the Thule.
Hinodir, Tathenon, and the Eastern Woods
- Reports from Varushka speak of Thule armies on the move
- An agent of the Charnel Lord is speaking to the Thule in Krevsatymei
- The Thule are preparing an invasion of the Forest of Ulnak and invite Imperial warbands to accompany them
- They also welcome Imperial armies provided the generals are prepared to follow the lead of Tathenon the Gyre
Following the Autumn Equinox, Thule hunters swept into the Forest of Ulnak, using the spy network there at the invitation of the Imperial Spymaster. One of the Dragons, Hinodir of the Bright Orb, negotiated access allowing the orcs of Otkodov to take advantage of existing framework laid down by the Empire. There are Imperial scouts using the spy network as well, but the Thule make no effort to cooperate with them. These hunters are fairly different to the warriors more often encountered by the Empire - bow and spear warriors with thick hide armour and dark blue hoods, accompanied by battle warlocks and practitioners of Night magic. The warbands are all shrouded by an enchantment that makes them hard to spot against natural landscapes and guides them through the wild woods of the territory. Their work completed, they return to Otkodov shortly before the Winter Solstice.
Even as the hunters already sent out, the Thule are on the move. Eyewitnesses observe significant Thule military forces entering Ossium - moving into the Bonewood and Webwood. Both woodlands have apparently been woven with Spring magic; at first there is a concern this is an attempt to unleash the Thunderous Tread of the Trees. Rather than becoming mobile however it seems the forest is possessed of a magical awareness that causes the trees to attack intruders and trespassers in a manner more similar to Forge the Wooden Fastness. There's talk of other movements as well - Tasya of the Black Feathers, the mouth-piece of the sovereign known as the Charnel Lord - has been spotted visiting Krevsatyzmei, the Thule fortification in Karsk. At various points in the past the Charnel Lord has allied with the Thule, betraying them with equal ease when the tides of battle shifted. It seems another cycle of diplomacy may be beginning.
Ambassador Kindra has raised the possibility of a joint effort to attack the Forest of Ulnak, but Rak Who-Speaks-For-The-Dragons-Undivided politely requests that the ambassador keep the military strategists at arms length during the coming delegation. At the same time however, he issues an invitation from Tathenon the Gyre, Who Wields the Might of the Sky. Any Imperial warband that wishes is welcome to join the Thule in their assault against the Druj of Ulnak. Those who wish to do so may fight alongside the Earthquake Drummers, who lead the assault against the vermin of the Mallum. Any captain who brings their warband will be granted a gift of crystal mana. A standard military unit will be rewarded with 7 crystal mana, with an upgraded or enchanted military unit receiving proportionally more.
Furthermore any Imperial army that wishes to join the assault is welcome to do so provided the general acknowledges the sovereignty and strategy of Tathenon the Gyre. They will fight alongside the orcs of Otkodov, just as the orcs of Otkodov fought alongside the Empire to liberate Sermersuaq. Rak is aware that the level of secrecy requested may disincline the Military Council to support the attack but the Dragons have weighed that risk as being acceptable to ensure the Druj do not become aware of their strategy. Regardless, while the Empire fight to conquer Sarangrave, and fight along the border with the Salt Flats of Sanath, they help Otkodov achieve its goal even if no armies provide any aid in Ulnak.
The civil service believe there is no legal issue with Imperial military units supporting the Thule - they are foreigners and have in the past been military allies, and the Druj are definitely barbarians. They caution that sending armies into the Forest of Ulnak this season without agreeing to accept the strategy of Tathenon the Gyre will mean that the Empire's troops will act as a separate force. It's doubtful the Thule will fight the Empire directly, but depending on where a general launches their attack the possibility of Imperial and Otkodov forces clashing over the eastern Forest of Ulnak cannot be discounted - it is not feasible to predict exactly what might happen here. One thing they are certain of; even if a general does wish to support the Otkodov armies they will still be free to issue orders as to the conduct and tactics their army will employ. The only thing that will be determined by Otkodov is the order in which the regions of Ulnak are assailed.
Caridis, Sławomir, and the Face-peelers
- The Thule are prepared to have the Claws of the Dragon work with Varushkan warriors to root out the face-peelers
- This creates a raiding venture for Varushkan military units
- The consequence is disruption to draughir citizens of Karsk and Ossium
Another matter of a military flavour concerns the "face-peeling shapeshifters" known to exist in and around the Webwood, among other locales. Rak Who-Speaks-For-The-Dragons-Undivided stresses again that the Thule do not consider them to be a particular concern but they are also not by any stretch allies of Otkodov. Cleaning out a den of rabid wolves is usually a good idea; while they may favour attacking humans they might easily shift their depredations to orcs. With that in mind, Rak conveys an invitation from the Dragon known as Caridis the Binder of Runes and Oaths inviting Sławomir Rabovich Bolotstrazh to gather some bands of Varushkan warriors, sell swords, wardens and the like to work with the Claws of the Dragon to exterminate the "trudnik" in Ossium and Karsk. The Claws of the Dragon are a small fellowship of warlocks that serve the Dragons by rooting out magical threats to Otkodov - they have recently been involved with the folk of Wintermark in dealing with both cults of Blood-on-the-Snow and the monoliths of the Falconer. Caridis the Binder has instructed them to work with Sławomir to deal with the "face stealers" and so they have focused their efforts into eastern Varushka even as the armies of Otkodov begin to move.
Following the Winter Solstice, Varushkan military units will have the opportunity to undertake a raiding venture called Root out the Face-peelers. This will involve working with the Thule in Karsk and Ossium to track down nests of "trudnik" and, where they are found, employ axe and flame to destroy them. The Claws of the Dragon are a fairly small organisation, but they are supported here by a cadre of warriors and hunters. Regardless, the full success of this venture will depend on Varushkan involvement.
A standard military unit that undertakes this venture will receive six measures of forest materials, and a phial of Corrupt Blood. This latter is a vile potion brewed by the trudnik that infuses the drinker with preternatural strength and endurance. A military unit that has been upgraded or enchanted will receive proportionately more. Unfortunately, this raid comes with a cost. One of the problems is that the glamour the trudnik use makes it easy for them to masquerade as Varushkans with the draughir lineage. A thorough attack on the trudnik will cause trouble for the draughir of Karsk and Ossium; following the Winter Solstice they will receive a -1 penalty to the production of their resource unless it is a military unit taking the Root out the Face-peelers action. Even if few military units get involved, the inevitable suspicion and doubt that is seeded will be enough to unsettle the affairs of draughir in Karsk and Ossium.
If at least 7,500 strength of military units participate in the raid, the trudnik will be driven out of their lairs in Karsk and Ossium. The Empire will be able to expand their knowledge of these creatures, and finally get some reliable evidence of what they are and what they are doing. There may be some mopping up to do - at least one of the trudnik lairs in Ossium is apparently very old and extends into the earth - and if there is a dark spirit involved with the face-peelers it may fall to the Empire to deal with it. The matter of "spoils" however has already been set by Caridis - the Empire will claim whatever trudnik "loot" lies in Imperial Varushka, while the Thule will take custody of anything seized from the trudnik that lies in Thule lands. This would include Slomavetka, allegedly a lair of the trudnik set in a rich forest and with deep caverns carved into the hill beneath it, which lies just across the border in the Webwood.
Everything seems quite straightforward, at least in theory, but Rak is clear that if any problems do develop, it will fall to Sławomir Rabovich Bolotstrazh, with the guidance of the Ambassador to Otkodov, to negotiate with the Claws of the Dragon on behalf of Caridis the Binder.
Or rather, not entirely straightforward. While cooperation is being mooted, boyar Skandavitz Iskander Kastrioti points out that the Boyar's Hasta - an army that makes a point of working with sell swords and wagonraiders - might be an ideal force to help support the raid on the trudnik. The Thule have no particular objection - warriors are warriors as far as they are concerned. A brief discussion with the civil service lays out the logistics of how this might be done. The Boyar's Hasta would need to be in Ossium, where the trudnik are apparently most populous. It would need to use its Sell Sword quality to take the guard the gates order, and the general would need to specify in their orders that they wished to support the raid on the face-peelers. Finally, the army would need to be enchanted with the Autumn ritual Bound by Common Cause simply because that enchantment helps create bonds between the soldiers and the people of the territory. The civil service also caution that the Boyar's Hasta would not benefit from natural resupply while doing this - the trudnik will certainly fight back after all and the soldiers will be dispersed across Karsk as well as Ossium. But it would provide its full strength to supporting the raid the face-peelers action, making it much more likely the raids would be a thorough success.
Icy Crags and Distant Peaks
- Thule warlocks have taken up residence in Miekarova, around the Icy Crag of the Eternal Sun
- Their spokesperson is Thania of the Blackstaff, an aged Thule warlock
- Thania is interested in acquiring certain ritual texts codified at the college and prepared to offer mithril for them
The contingent of warlocks have taken up residence at the Icy Crag of the Eternal Sun, studying with the Imperial scholars. Their presence makes some magicians uneasy; many of these orcs are veterans of the various wars with the Empire. Others bring an unnervingly intense reverence for the Dragons. For the most part though they are distant, reserved, and primarily interested in researching and discussing magical concepts alongside their peers. Their "leader" is a warlock named Thania of the Blackstaff, an aged orc who has made a study of all six realms of magic. She speaks on behalf of the Thule orcs on matters related to the Icy Crag, but indicates that any more political matters need to go via the Ambassador to the Empire.
A couple have attempted to introduce the Imperial students and professors to a ball-game from Otkodov that uses staves and offensive magic to keep control of a tempest jade sphere. The "excitement" of the contest comes from the fact the "ball" is enchanted to explode violently if it is struck too many times over a short period. It is very much an acquired taste but those who have participated say it is great for "getting the blood pumping" if nothing else.
The presence of the Thule reduces the costs to upkeep the Icy Crag by five Thrones each season, but they receive a copy of any ritual text codified there. They've also apparently had a thorough read through the stacks, looking with interest for details of magic previously worked on here. Having learned of the existence of Aid Once More, Bitter Mantle of the Leaden Crown, Heaven's Spear Sunders the Mountain, The Never-ending Lullaby, and Sermersuaq Fools the Orca with a Rasp of Her Knuckles, they are interested to find out more if the opportunity presents itself and eager to acquire ritual texts if the Empire will allow it.
For each of these rituals the Conclave is prepared to disseminate to Thania of the Blackstaff, she will provide 6 wains of mithril to the individual who raises the declaration after it passes, or should they specify in their declaration, to the Conclave (to later be distributed with a declaration of endowment). Alternatively she can provide 35 golden apples (again, to the person who raised the declaration or the Conclave for endowment). As long as the desired payment is clear, Thania isn't concerned what form is requested as she apparently has been assigned significant resources by the Dragons.
One problem the civil service point out is that three of the rituals - Heaven's Spear Sunders the Mountain, The Never-ending Lullaby, and Sermersuaq Fools the Orca with a Rasp of Her Knuckles - are not actually part of Imperial lore and thus can't be disseminated by the Conclave. There's nothing to stop whoever has those ritual texts entering into negotiations with Thania directly for purchase of the ritual texts but it is not a simple matter to create a new copy of a text.
Fraynir and the Black Waste
- The Thule have made preparations to defend Sküld from an active vallorn
- Fraynir, one of the five Dragons, wishes to acquire the Dreadful Ending ritual
- They are offering a ritual that already seems to exist in Imperial lore under a different name
Ambassador Kindra has provided some guidance regarding the concerns of Dylan Thornweaver and the vallorn. It is now common knowledge that there is a vallorn in Sküld - occupying the ruins of the ancient city of Emrys. Ambassador Rak offers reassurance that the Dragons' opinion on the matter has not shifted from where it was when the Great Library of Hacynian completed their research. Research he is keen to remind the Empire that the Thule supported. Otkodov remains enthusiastic about the reunification - the "ascension" - of the vallorn. They remain ready to deal with the vallorn of Sküld - but would appreciate a season of advance warning before the Empire completes the trods network and begins the transformation. They remain confident that their armies and their magic will be more than a match for it given its size and sluggishness. They've sacrificed a thousand years of prosperity in Sküld to keep it weak, after all. With the vallorn gone they would no longer need to keep Sküld under a shroud of Winter magic and could restore it to full fertility. There is also speculation that the Thule are eager to finally get at the treasures of Emrys which legends suggest was perhaps the most magically advanced city of the Terunael Empire; the warlocks refuse to be drawn.
There is some concrete news on the matter of the vallorn, however, that may be of interest to the Empire. Rak Who-Speaks-For-The-Dragons-Undivided mentions that a project is underway to prepare for the vallorn's rise - it is just common sense. Rather than rely on a grand citadel, The-One-Who-Waits (likely the Dragon Fraynir, an acknowledged master of curses and shrouding magic) has decreed the creation of several rings of white granite stones around the outskirts of the vallorn of Emrys. When they are completed, they will be warded with Winter magic and star metal to create fortified camps that will catastrophically weaken any vallornspawn that ventures within. Given the nature of all such wards, the stones themselves will be unassailable by the creatures of the vallorn and as such offer a reliable defence against the vallorn's expansion. To magicians versed in such things it seems to be a version of Wardens of the Black Waste.
The reason Rak has raised this point, it quickly turns out, is that Fraynir has instructed him to offer a text containing the ritual - Walls of Starless Night - in return for a copy of a specific ritual created at the Icy Crags. Fraynir wished the Imperial Conclave to disseminate the ritual Dreadful Ending. This ritual destroys miasma pillars - nothing to do with the vallorn.
Fraynir is apparently unaware that Wardens of the Black Waste is a part of Imperial lore. This is understandable given the ritual was codified at the Lyceum by then-Dean Simargl the Empty One. It's possible that the Conclave may wish to go ahead with the trade. If they do, whoever raises the Dissemination will need to pay the traditional ten thrones, and will receive in return the ritual text of Walls of Starless Night. It's very unlikely that Walls of Starless Night will be an improvement over Wardens of the Black Waste, however. With that in mind, the Ambassador could facilitate negotiation on behalf of the Conclave, and perhaps the Vallornguard, given it is clear that Fraynir is keen to get their hands on this very niche ritual.
Orobus and the Bonewood
- The Dragon Orobus is keen to acquire living weirwood trees
- She specifically wants living trees from the Heartwood of the Great Vale and/or the Golden Trees of Seren
- She will pay 12 rings of ilium for the ability to collect some trees and transplant them to the Bonewood
- Agreeing to this arrangement will reduce the production of the weirwood forest by 1 wain each season, permanently
Fraynir is not the only Dragon interested in Emrys, and in preparing Sküld. Orobus the Chained, said to be the Dragon most adept at negotiation and binding magic, and wielding influence over the eternal realms has also placed a proposal before the Ambassador. Orobus wishes to purchase several living weirwood trees; specifically from either the Heartwood of the Great Vale in Hercynia or the Golden Trees of Seren in Miaren. The details appear to be straightforward enough. She plans to transplant the trees into the Silent Pines in Ossium; she is looking for trees that "remember" the vallorn, who will be able to "share" their experiences with the trees of the Bonewood.
This sounds fairly esoteric; there's no indication about what this will do if anything but Orobus is still keen. If the current holder of the Heartwood or the Golden Trees is interested, they can instruct the Ambassador to relay their agreement. Orobus will provide warlocks versed in Spring and Winter magic to ensure the trees arrive and that their transplantation is successful. It's estimated that the removal of the trees will reduce the weirwood production of the forest permanently by 1 wain each season. In return Orobus will provide 12 rings of ilium to the holder of the seat as payment for the trees.
The civil service have been unable to get a clear idea of exactly what Orobus is aiming for here. It's not possible to move weirwood production around, for example. The idea of trees "remembering" the vallorn appears to be a mystical or metaphysical idea rather than one rooted in magical theory. There are suggestions however that this is part of a deal that Orobus has brokered with an eternal designed to provide some sort of protection to the Bonewood against the vallorn. It might be possible to discover more through negotiation or diplomacy, but the Dragon is playing her cards quite close to her chest.
Both the Heartwood of the Great Vale and Golden Trees of Seren are due to be appointed at the Winter Solstice summit, via the Auction of the Seats. The decision about whether to take Orobus up on her deal will need to be made by whoever has control of the seat after the auction as the weirwood forests are their responsibility.