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Rules Reminder
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The little things

"She wants what? Your notes? Yes, yes, fine. Why are you bothering me with this?" Runa sighed heavily. The scribe was exceptionally helpful, but more than a little irritating.

"Ah, well it will include all of my notes from that portion of the meeting." the scribe looked deeply embarrassed. But Runa did not wish to try and puzzle out the meaning from allusions and blushing.

"What, specifically, are you worried about? I don't recall anything from your report which would jeopardise our relationship with the Empire."

The scribe appeared to be unable to say whatever it was that was bothering him. Instead, he flicked through the sheaf of notes to the last page and circled an exchange, then handed it to Runa. The Speaker looked at it for a few moments, confused.

"But," he said, exasperated. "Those are her words! Of course you can send them!"
Kindra Surefoot.jpg
Kindra Surefoot, Ambassador to Otkodov

Overview

  • The orcs of Otkodov remain at peace with the Empire
  • The Thule are expanding their domain into the Forest of Ulnak, and are at war with the Druj
  • Kindra Surefoot of Wintermark is the Ambassador to Otkodov

The Thule of Otkodov live in cold lands to the north of the Empire. They share a long mountainous border with Wintermark, the Unshackled, and Varushka. Their magocratic nation is ruled by the five Dragons; allegedly immortal orc sorcerers. 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.

For now, though, peace endures. Dawn and Navarr send shipments 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; and ensure Imperial access to the Maze of Zoria (while sending their own 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.

The official ambassador to the Empire is Runa Who-Speaks-For-The-Dragons-Undivided. He is still somewhat new to his post, and something of an unknown quantity, but he speaks with confidence as the voice of the rulers of Otkodov.

Thule

Outstretched Hands

  • The Thule propose a joint effort to coordinate magical opportunities
  • The civil service could extend this to all Imperial territories where foreigners hold land
  • Tathenon the Gyre asks the Empire not to interfere with a Summer enchantment in Ossium, or else to give ample warning.

The Thule have expressed interest in working with the Empire to coordinate the casting of large-scale magic on the territories which the two powers share. They are especially keen that neither party miss out on special opportunities, where such magic may be affected by the stars or the actions of eternals, whilst not adversely affecting one another unnecessarily. Scribes from the office of the Speaker-for-the-Dragons-Undivided have been working closely with their opposite numbers in the civil service over the past few months, and have come up with a proposal.

Approach resident Foreigners about relevant opportunities
Motion Type: Administrative
Wording: Instruct the civil service to consult all foreign powers that control land in an Imperial territory whenever there is an opportunity to employ beneficial magic on that territory
Cost: None
Effect:
  • Would allow the civil service to incorporate a full assessment of the consequences and reactions by any foreigners living in Imperial territory to a briefing on Imperial magic used on that territory
  • Would make all affected foreign powers fully aware of any opportunity that could affect them, even if it was not pursued
Availability:

They suggest that when any such opportunity is identified, the prognosticators office would contact the Thule for input on it. This would allow for discussions about the benefits and drawbacks before the casting of the rituals, something which is currently next to impossible. It would therefore enable the civil service to prepare information about the Thule response to the opportunity, as well as any additional options which might be presented by cooperation.

The prognosticators office have indicated that, whilst this proposal is workable, they would rather generalise the principle. As such, if the Senate wishes it, they will approach all foreigners who hold land in an Imperial territory if a specific opportunity arises related to that territory. This assessment would provide information on the likely reactions of the foreigners, as well as any additional effects which might be available by coordinating with them. They caution, however, that preparing such a report necessarily involves informing the foreign party about the opportunity. If this motion is passed then it will not be possible to conceal such an opportunity from any foreign power holding land in an affected territory, regardless of whether it is actually acted upon.

The civil service would prefer an approach where they have the permission of the Senate to approach every foreign power in a territory that is being considered for enchantment as that will ensure that there is no possibility for error. The civil service could operate this system just for the Thule, if the Senate prefer that - but they could not guarantee to avoid errors if there was a list of approved foreign powers and a list of unapproved foreign powers. The chance of error in that case would be too great. As a result, the Senate could grant this benefit to a single foreign power - such as the Thule - or to all foreign powers - or to nobody.

An administrative motion will be put before the Senate on the Saturday afternoon session at the next summit. If passed, it will instruct the Civil Service to liaise with all foreigners holding land in a territory if an opportunity arises to employ magic which affects the whole territory.

Thulebanner1.jpeg

The First Foray

  • Tathenon the Gyre has informed the Empire they intend to cast Three Blasts Upon the Horn of Victory on Ossium
  • The ritual will make it easier for heralds of the Summer realm to enter Ossium and easier for eternals to be employ their power there
  • The Dragon will accede to a request from the Thule Ambassador, the Throne or the Senator for Ossium to not cast the ritual if delivered before 6pm Saturday
  • The Conclave could disrupt the ritual by placing enmity on Meraud
  • Any coven could disrupt the ritual by putting an enchantment on Ossium after 7pm on Saturday

In the case of the Thule, if the motion is passed they will prepare their own team of bonded scribes to inform the Empire of any opportunities they encounter to affect the Imperial territories in which they hold land. Fortuitously, one such has presented itself this season, so they have put together a report as an example.

Tathenon the Gyre has struck a deal with one of the Lords of Summer which will empower the casting of an enchantment upon Ossium this season. This enchantment, apparently called Three Blasts Upon the Horn of Victory is of a form familiar to Imperial magicians. It infuses the territory with the energies of the Summer Realm, making encounters with heralds and regio from that realm more frequent and bringing with it a variety of unpredictable effects. In this instance the Lord of the Aurorae has offered a chance for the Jaws of Winter Lightning to improve their quality. They will be camped in Ossium this season, training and resupplying. They will be able benefit from the eternal's patronage gaining a superior quality if the ritual is cast this season in Ossium. Notably the Thule have not provided details of what that gain might be - only that it will happen.

The effects of such rituals are hard to predict. They can bring a variety of small side effects to the territory, in addition to the increased presence of heralds of the realm. There are occasionally positive benefits, rarely there can be drawbacks as well, but it is almost impossible to know in advance what they will be. Since the Empire still enjoys dominion over the territory, the conclave's decisions on the alignment of eternals will still hold sway, although at present no eternals of Summer are under enmity so no heralds will be barred from entering.

If the Empire is happy for warlocks of Tathenon the Gyre to enchant the territory, they need do nothing. At 7pm on Saturday, the Unbounded Tower of Feresh coven will cast the enchantment at a regio near the Silent Pines in Bonewood. If the Empire is not happy for the Thule to enchant the territory, then they should ensure that a winged messenger is sent to Runa Who-Speaks-for-the-Dragons-Undivided before 6pm on Saturday by either the Ambassador to Otkodov, the Throne or the Senator for Ossium. The Dragons will obviously be disappointed to lose out on this opportunity, and it will no doubt affect their response on future enchantments cast by the Empire, but they will abide by the Empire's request on this matter.

If the casting goes ahead, and Ossium is enchanted with this effect, but then a subsequent enchantment cast by Imperial citizens overwrites it then the Thule will be very angry. They have offered the Empire the option to decline, and will abide by that, but if the Empire accepts the offer and then reneges on it then that will be seen as a great affront, not to mention a waste of resources. If Meraud were placed under enmity before 7pm on Saturday, then the Thule will be unable to benefit from the ritual they have cast. As skilled magicians they are certain to know what has caused the failure, and will respond accordingly.

The Parting Shot

  • The Dragons are not displeased by the casting of Regrow the Lands Heart on Sermersuaq
  • Ossium has been wreathed in darkness, cause travellers to become lost in the deep places
  • The Dragons are concerned by this turn of events and insist that they are not responsible for this ill-advised enchantment

On the subject of rituals cast upon shared territory, though, Runa has less pleasant news to discuss. Two enchantments were laid over territories the Empire shares with the Thule at the summer solstice; Regrow the Lands Heart in Sermersuaq and an unknown Night ritual in Ossium, likely of a similar type to the Summer ritual discussed above.

The Dragons are grateful for the warning they received about the enchantment on Sermersuaq. They are, as the Ambassador predicted, comfortable with this effect. They have not been able to make any particularly potent use out of it, but a little more vitality in the earth is no bad thing and what scars remain from the coalition against the Jotun are being gently washed away.

In Ossium, however, the situation is more serious. Runa would like to reassure the Ambassador that this working of night magic is nothing to do with the Thule. Presumably an Imperial coven is responsible for the decision to wrap the territory in concealing darkness, and cause travellers to become lost in the deep places. Given the dangers naturally present in the territory, particularly the wolves and other foul creatures, they feel that it is a particularly ill-advised use of spellcraft. Indeed, were it not for the fact that most of the territory is Imperial, this might be considered an almost hostile act. If the Empire is able to identify and deal with these reckless individuals, or at the very least prevent similar malfeasance in future, then the Thule will be most appreciative.

A Matter of Law

  • The Dragons do not anticipate any problems with Imperial citizens breaking their laws
  • Thule society is ordered by the oaths that every Thule swears

During the ambassadorial meeting last summit, there was some discussion of Thule legal structures, with the Ambassador requesting information on the laws of Otkodov so that Imperial citizens might be able to avoid accidentally breaching any such laws. The Thule do not have a consistent set of legal edicts that cover all their lands. Instead their use a set of oaths to order their society. Runa has compiled a brief primer on Thule law, which can be found on the Thule Lore page.

In Otkodov, life is governed by a series of solemn oaths, sworn to those above or below them in the strict hierarchies of Thule society. Visitors are required to obey any instruction given to them by any warlock, so long as it does not contradict one given by a person of higher status. Most warlocks will recognise the status of their foreign counterparts who hold an Imperial title.

Ulnak Military Map.png
Northern Mallum areas of control (artist impression)

Long march to victory

  • The general of the White Mountain Fire has sent a message to the Empire regarding aid against the Druj in Ulnak
  • The option to support Thule armies in Ulnak is no longer available

It appears the Thule have claimed Bonewall from Druj domination, and with it the Great Pit. The warlock messengers announce that victory was hard fought, and hard won, but it is nonetheless victory. The cowardice of the Mallum was heightened by the presence of a potent Sping curse laid on the orders of the Gyre, and it has left the opposing armies routed, and seriously damaged.

The Earthquake Drummers withdrew from Ulnak this season, yet they were swiftly replaced by the White Mountain Fire. This fresh force of orcs clad in blue marches under the command of Stürmherra. This general also led the Fire during the recapture of Sermersuaq, and remembers fighting alongside Imperials in northern Wintermark. Those of the Empire's soldiers who assisted the Thule army this season report an even warmer welcome than when they fought with the 'Drummers. The Thule are still a little standoffish, but there is noticable, apparently genuine appreciation even for this limited Imperial support. Thule warriors despise the Druj just as much as their Imperial counterparts do, and that shared hatered goes a long way towards establishing common ground.

It appears that Stürmherra has been given overall command of the forces in Ulnak by Tarthenon. Following the victory in Bonewall, she has chosen to cease military cooperation with the Empire. Stürmherra has asked Runa to pass along a message of thanks to the Empire for the support provided by a handful of military units in their shared war against the Druj, but it will not be required after the Autumn Equinox. As a result the opportunity to support Thule armies in Ulnak is no longer available.

Although the Thule had hoped for more, they have noted the response that the Dragons had not given the Empire sufficient cause to fight alongside their allies and taken steps accordingly.

Thule Further Reading

Winds


Click Expand to see a summary of various pages related to the Thule.

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