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[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:381YE]][[Category:Recent History]]
[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:381YE Summer]][[Category:Recent History]]
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==Interlude==
==Overview==
The Summer Solstice winds of fortune will come out shortly before the next event (which is 28th Jul to 30th Jul incidentally). However, there are a number of significant things arising from the Winter Solstice that may affect some players' Downtime actions - primarily effects on personal resources.
Over the past three months, several events have occurred which are of significance to the Empire and may require a response from her champions. You can also read about the progress of the Empire's military campaigns [[381YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war|here]].


As a temporary measure we'll be outlining, and offering some context for, these various effects on this page. In each case, there will be further information in the Summer Solstice Winds of Fortune - once they're ready, they'll replace this content.
In each case, we've tried to tag the Winds of Fortune entry with the nations, or political bodies, to which it is most relevant. We've done this to help people who are interested only in events that are especially relevant to them. In no way are these tags intended to be exhaustive; the Empire is a complex place and very little happens in isolation.


As always, these are quick OOC summaries to explain effects such as large-scale [[enchantment|enchantments]] and [[curse|curses]]. We'll cover all these and more when we start to present the Winds of Fortune for next event.
As always, how much or how little of this information you choose to know in character is up to you. Part of the purpose of Winds of Fortune is to maintain the illusion of the Empire as a living, breathing place where things happen - and to make players aware of things their characters 'should' know based on what their roleplaying says they have been doing for the past three months.
__TOC__
Many winds of fortune open with a short section of in-character text. In all cases, these pieces are intended to help create an atmosphere and provide a little entertainment. Where they contain opinions, those are the opinions of the fictional people depicted - and where they contain information or rumours the assumption is that the reader will create their own context for that information or gossip. They're mostly just a bit of fun and they tend not to contain anything vital to the understanding of the wind of Fortune.


==Warfare==
==Winds of Fortune==
As usual, players who control a [[military unit]] have several [[Military_unit#Downtime_Options|options]] to choose between. Anyone who chooses the option to [[Military_unit#Supporting_an_Army|support an army]] will be able to review the in-character orders given by each [[general]], as well as learning where each [[Imperial army]] is deployed over the downtime period.
===All Along the Watchtower===
* '''The Empire'''
The situation in the Mournwold is complicated, and getting more complicated by the day. A storm is brewing, and the kind that sends sensible people scurrying for shelter. And that's before we even get to the Jotun castles and armies! You can learn about the situation in the Mourn, and various things that might help improve it, [[All along the watchtower|here]].
 
===Changing of the Guards===
* '''Dawn'''
The National Assembly of Dawn passed a simple statement of principle during the Spring Equinox "''The Dawnish National Assembly recognises the Empress Lisabetta as Queen of Dawn. She is the ultimate authority in this life and her words should be followed above all others.''" The potential repercussions of that statement are ... profound. You can learn about them [[Changing of the guards|here]].
 
===Death Is Not The End===
* '''Imperial Synod; Highguard; Dawn'''
The schism in the Imperial Faith over the claims of Yael of [[Highguard]] (on her past life as the First Empress and the Land without Tears) is coming to a climax. Wintermark, Varushka, Navarr, Urizen, the League, the Marches and the Brass Coast have sent priests with liao urging their people to reject Yael and denouncing her as false. The Imperial Orcs have made clear that they have no part in this conflict over Human destiny. Highguard and Dawn have embraced Yael, though Dawn appears to have internal doubt on the matter. You can learn about the implications of these actions and the cracks that continue to spread through the Imperial Face [[Death is not the end|here]].
 
===Down Along the Cove===
* '''[[Fleet]] captains; the Brass Coast, the League, Highguard, and Urizen; and the Imperial Synod
Recent [[The_prime_colour_of_the_world|powerful Spring magic]] (not to mention all those [[Foam and Spittle of the Furious Sea|storms]]) is being credited with a major boom in the population of fish and other sea creatures. An slightly risky opportunity exists from the fisherfolk of the Bay of Catazar to fill their boats with valuable fish, whale meat, and other products of the deep water. The risk is that the Grendel see courageous fisherfolk in much the same way a hungry shark sees a drowning sailor .... You can learn about this potentially lucrative opportunity [[Down along the cove|here]].


The [[Imperial Senate]] has given the [[Quartermaster General of the Imperial Armies]] the [[Amend_Powers_of_the_Quartermaster_General_II|power to control]] where the [[military unit#Imperial guerdon]] applies and that power [[Announce_targets_of_the_Imperial_Guerdon_III|has been employed]]. Until and unless the Quartermaster amends the list ''only'' military units supporting the following armies will receive a share of the guerdon:
===In Virtue and Reason (Imperial Address)===
* Bounders
* '''All Imperial citizens'''
* Eastern Sky
The [[the Throne|Throne]], [[Empress Lisabetta|Imperatrix Lisabetta]], has used her power to [[The_Throne#Address_the_Empire|address the Empire]] to present a personal message to all Imperial citizens. You can read her message [[In Virtue and Reason|here]].
* Fires of the South
* Hounds of Glory
* Towerjacks
In addition, the Quartermaster General has announced that [[fleet|fleets]] who are [[Fleet#Supporting_a_Navy|supporting]] the following [[Imperial navy]] will receive a share of the guerdon:
* Freeborn Storm
The Imperial Senate has set the amount [[Set_the_Imperial_Guerdon|set the amount]] of the Guerdon to 150 Thrones. This means that this money will be shared out between all the military units (and fleets) who support an army or navy approved by the Quartermaster General (based on their total number of ranks). A military unit (or fleet) that supports any other army, or that chooses to [[Military_unit#Defending_a_Fortification|defend a fortification]] or [[Military_unit#Assisting_a_Special_Project|assist a special project]] such as a [[spy network]] will receive ''nothing'' other than their standard 18 rings personal incomet, and will not be counted in the guerdon calculation.


===The Support Problem===
===Not Dark Yet===
Due to the ongoing schism in the Way (see [[A_spiritual_prism#Repudiation|here]]), it is not a straightforward matter to assign military units or fleets to support this downtime. Armies and soldiers on opposite sides of the Yael question have their effective fighting strength reduced if they try to support someone on the opposite side.
* '''Varushka; Navarr; the Marches; the Brass Coast; Wintermark; and the National Assemblies thereof'''
* Players from the nations [[Wintermark]], [[Varushka]], [[Navarr]], [[Urizen]], [[the League]], [[the Marches]], and [[the Brass Coast]] have their ability to provide effective military aid to an Imperial army from  Highguard or Dawn halved.
The new Varushkan army, the Iron Helms, has been active in the field for barely six months and it is no stranger to controversy. During the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, several [[statement of principle|statements of principle]] were made regarding the army and its role (or lack thereof) in Imperial military strategy. These statements have lead to a series of controversial mandates which you can learn about [[Not dark yet|here]].
* Players from the nations [[Dawn]], and [[Highguard]] have their ability to provide effective military aid to an Imperial army from Wintermark, Varushka, Navarr, Urizen, the League, the Marches, and the Brass Coast halved likewise.
 
This halving of effective fighting strength ''will'' impact Guerdon shares as well (they will be based on the effective ranks of the military unit as always).
===Pay in Blood===
==Winds of Fortune==
* '''[[Spring magic|Spring magicians]], Imperial Conclave'''
===Grace of Balo===
Since the Spring Equinox, practitioners of [[Spring magic]] across the Empire have encountered problems performing certain types of rituals. It soon becomes apparent that the problem lies not in the magic, nor in the magicians, but in the [[regio]] aligned to the Spring realm. It appears to be impossible for Imperial magicians to draw power from Spring regio ... You can learn about the full effect of this magical catastrophe [[Pay in blood|here]].
The [[Feroz#The_Temple_of_Balo_and_the_Black_Bull|Temple of Balo and the Black Bull]] in [[Feroz]] is complete and has opened its doors. News has reached [[Asavean_Archipelago_ports#Nemoria|Nemoria]] in the [[Asavean Archipelago]]. Any Imperial [[fleet]] that [[Fleet#Trade|trades]] with Nemoria will receive an extra measure of [[Materials#Iridiscent Gloaming|iridescent gloaming]].


===Tolerance===
===Rocks and Gravel===
J'zarr i Shartha i Guerra has been given a [[mandate]] to encourage the people of Feroz to "embrace the temple at Balo and the Black Bull. While those who worship there may be idolators, they are not Imperial citizens and their faith does not concern the Freeborn, so long as they follow our laws." This has an immediate knock-on effect of providing an extra rank of income to every [[business]] in Feroz owned by a Freeborn character - and the effect lasts until the start of the Winter Solstice next good.
* '''Independent [[Military unit|military captains]]; Navarr, Wintermark, the Marches, and Temeschwar; the Military Council'''
===Orcs of the Great Forest===
A "natural" disaster has struck the north-western Empire. Parts of [[Temeschwar]], [[Miaren]], [[Upwold]], and [[Hahnmark]] have been swallowed up by a massive sinkhole. Thanks to a timely warning by a band of [[Navarr]] [[Navarr_magical_traditions#Vates|vates]], major loss of life has been avoided - but a great big chasm now stretches from the site where Woodhall used to stand, to the orchards of [[Miaren#Goldglades|Goldglades]], and from a point dangerously close to [[Upwold#The_Eastern_Guard|Eastern Guard]] deep into the wild hunting grounds of the [[Temeschwar#Vardstein_Vale|Vardstein Vale]]. You can learn about this natural disaster, and its implications [[Rocks and gravel|here]].
We have ''temporarily'' applied a penalty to resources in [[Therunin]] to reflect the movement of the Great Forest orcs. However, we're still waiting for confirmation of some details so it is possible that this effect might disappear. Watch this space.


===Shimmering Forest===
===Series of Dreams (Winds of Magic)===
As described in the recent [[Forests_of_the_night#Shimmering_Forests|Wind of Fortune]], there was an opportunity to permanently alter the production of [[forest]] resources. Any character whose forest was targeted with [[Verdant Bounty of the Twilight Bayou]] during the Spring Equinox has been permanently diversified. Forest owners can now capture blue-green will-o'-wisps to provide them a regular supply of [[Vis#Crystal_Fire|night vis]]..
* '''Basically everyone, but especially people associated with the Freeborn Storm and the Mournwold'''
The Empire is an Empire of powerful magic, but not all powerful magic is of the Empire. The Winds of Magic collects a grab-bag of interesting or important effects and opportunities, including matters regarding magical castles; a burning plume of fire and shadows in Redoubt; peculiar cauldron shenanigans in the Mournwold; and the Empress of All Goats Theatre. You can learn about them [[Series of dreams|here]].


===The Schism===
===Shelter From the Storm===
Seven of the Imperial nations have sent priests to enact mandates denouncing Yael as a liar. They are encouraging the members of their nation that have gone to join the Congregation of the First Empress to return home. This will see a significant reduction in the number of votes and amount of [[liao]] that resource will provide.
* '''The Brass Coast, [[fleet]] captains, the Imperial Synod, the Quartermaster of the Imperial Armies'''
The Isle of [[Zemress]] is home to a "lost colony" descended from the crew of the ''Kraken's Bane''. For the last few years they have been in sporadic contact with their [[the Brass Coast|Freeborn]] cousins, but now their idyllic life of hard work and independence has been shattered. The [[Grendel]] [[orc|orcs]] have finally discovered their island hideaway, and the clock is ticking. Without outside help, they will all end their lives in the salt mines of [[Ports_of_the_Broken_Shore#Dubhtraig_.28Northern_Broken_Shore.29|Dubhtraig]]. Will the Empire intervene? You can learn all about this dire situation [[Shelter from the storm|here]].
===Too Much of Nothing===
* '''Wealthy folks; especially those with an interest in curious rarities'''
Since the demise of the Bourse Private Auction, entrepreneurs and the desperate alike have made their way to Anvil seeking to tap the rich markets that may be found there. This season, there is news of a Dawnish seneschal with rare seeds to sell to help feed their house's yeofolk-in-exile; old documents concerning the life of a historical Senator; a potentially dangerous Winterfolk knife; and an exotic Freeborn curio. You can learn about this handful of nothing [[Too much of nothing|here]].


===Mournwold and Liathaven===
===Under the Red Sky===
Due to victory on the battlefield during the event, the region of [[Liathaven#West_Ranging|West Ranging]] has been recaptured by the Empire. The territory is no longer considered [[Resource#Conquered_Territories|conquered]], and so any remaining Navarr characters should be restored to full production.
* '''Imperial Conclave'''
The six [[Archmage|archmages]] of the Empire have the power to send a formal message to a single eternal each Summit. During the Spring Equinox, five such [[Archmage#Plenipotentiary|plenipotentiary]] messages were sent - and over the last three months each of the [[eternal|eternals]] contacted has made a public response. You can learn about these responses [[Under the red sky|here]].


By contrast the [[Mournwold]] has been completely conquered by the [[Jotun]]. Any Imperial citizen with a resource in Mournwold will see their production halved.
===When the Ship Comes In (Trade Winds)===
* '''Fleet captains; [[congregation]] leaders; ambassadors'''
International relations continue to develop - some improve, and some decline, like the ebb and flow of the tides. You can find a quick round up of things related to the current state of affairs, with an emphasis on trading - and a digression into the state of international relations between congregations of the Way - [[When the ship comes in|here]].

Latest revision as of 20:21, 31 January 2022


Fortune.jpg

Overview

Over the past three months, several events have occurred which are of significance to the Empire and may require a response from her champions. You can also read about the progress of the Empire's military campaigns here.

In each case, we've tried to tag the Winds of Fortune entry with the nations, or political bodies, to which it is most relevant. We've done this to help people who are interested only in events that are especially relevant to them. In no way are these tags intended to be exhaustive; the Empire is a complex place and very little happens in isolation.

As always, how much or how little of this information you choose to know in character is up to you. Part of the purpose of Winds of Fortune is to maintain the illusion of the Empire as a living, breathing place where things happen - and to make players aware of things their characters 'should' know based on what their roleplaying says they have been doing for the past three months.

Many winds of fortune open with a short section of in-character text. In all cases, these pieces are intended to help create an atmosphere and provide a little entertainment. Where they contain opinions, those are the opinions of the fictional people depicted - and where they contain information or rumours the assumption is that the reader will create their own context for that information or gossip. They're mostly just a bit of fun and they tend not to contain anything vital to the understanding of the wind of Fortune.

Winds of Fortune

All Along the Watchtower

  • The Empire

The situation in the Mournwold is complicated, and getting more complicated by the day. A storm is brewing, and the kind that sends sensible people scurrying for shelter. And that's before we even get to the Jotun castles and armies! You can learn about the situation in the Mourn, and various things that might help improve it, here.

Changing of the Guards

  • Dawn

The National Assembly of Dawn passed a simple statement of principle during the Spring Equinox "The Dawnish National Assembly recognises the Empress Lisabetta as Queen of Dawn. She is the ultimate authority in this life and her words should be followed above all others." The potential repercussions of that statement are ... profound. You can learn about them here.

Death Is Not The End

  • Imperial Synod; Highguard; Dawn

The schism in the Imperial Faith over the claims of Yael of Highguard (on her past life as the First Empress and the Land without Tears) is coming to a climax. Wintermark, Varushka, Navarr, Urizen, the League, the Marches and the Brass Coast have sent priests with liao urging their people to reject Yael and denouncing her as false. The Imperial Orcs have made clear that they have no part in this conflict over Human destiny. Highguard and Dawn have embraced Yael, though Dawn appears to have internal doubt on the matter. You can learn about the implications of these actions and the cracks that continue to spread through the Imperial Face here.

Down Along the Cove

  • Fleet captains; the Brass Coast, the League, Highguard, and Urizen; and the Imperial Synod

Recent powerful Spring magic (not to mention all those storms) is being credited with a major boom in the population of fish and other sea creatures. An slightly risky opportunity exists from the fisherfolk of the Bay of Catazar to fill their boats with valuable fish, whale meat, and other products of the deep water. The risk is that the Grendel see courageous fisherfolk in much the same way a hungry shark sees a drowning sailor .... You can learn about this potentially lucrative opportunity here.

In Virtue and Reason (Imperial Address)

  • All Imperial citizens

The Throne, Imperatrix Lisabetta, has used her power to address the Empire to present a personal message to all Imperial citizens. You can read her message here.

Not Dark Yet

  • Varushka; Navarr; the Marches; the Brass Coast; Wintermark; and the National Assemblies thereof

The new Varushkan army, the Iron Helms, has been active in the field for barely six months and it is no stranger to controversy. During the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, several statements of principle were made regarding the army and its role (or lack thereof) in Imperial military strategy. These statements have lead to a series of controversial mandates which you can learn about here.

Pay in Blood

Since the Spring Equinox, practitioners of Spring magic across the Empire have encountered problems performing certain types of rituals. It soon becomes apparent that the problem lies not in the magic, nor in the magicians, but in the regio aligned to the Spring realm. It appears to be impossible for Imperial magicians to draw power from Spring regio ... You can learn about the full effect of this magical catastrophe here.

Rocks and Gravel

  • Independent military captains; Navarr, Wintermark, the Marches, and Temeschwar; the Military Council

A "natural" disaster has struck the north-western Empire. Parts of Temeschwar, Miaren, Upwold, and Hahnmark have been swallowed up by a massive sinkhole. Thanks to a timely warning by a band of Navarr vates, major loss of life has been avoided - but a great big chasm now stretches from the site where Woodhall used to stand, to the orchards of Goldglades, and from a point dangerously close to Eastern Guard deep into the wild hunting grounds of the Vardstein Vale. You can learn about this natural disaster, and its implications here.

Series of Dreams (Winds of Magic)

  • Basically everyone, but especially people associated with the Freeborn Storm and the Mournwold

The Empire is an Empire of powerful magic, but not all powerful magic is of the Empire. The Winds of Magic collects a grab-bag of interesting or important effects and opportunities, including matters regarding magical castles; a burning plume of fire and shadows in Redoubt; peculiar cauldron shenanigans in the Mournwold; and the Empress of All Goats Theatre. You can learn about them here.

Shelter From the Storm

  • The Brass Coast, fleet captains, the Imperial Synod, the Quartermaster of the Imperial Armies

The Isle of Zemress is home to a "lost colony" descended from the crew of the Kraken's Bane. For the last few years they have been in sporadic contact with their Freeborn cousins, but now their idyllic life of hard work and independence has been shattered. The Grendel orcs have finally discovered their island hideaway, and the clock is ticking. Without outside help, they will all end their lives in the salt mines of Dubhtraig. Will the Empire intervene? You can learn all about this dire situation here.

Too Much of Nothing

  • Wealthy folks; especially those with an interest in curious rarities

Since the demise of the Bourse Private Auction, entrepreneurs and the desperate alike have made their way to Anvil seeking to tap the rich markets that may be found there. This season, there is news of a Dawnish seneschal with rare seeds to sell to help feed their house's yeofolk-in-exile; old documents concerning the life of a historical Senator; a potentially dangerous Winterfolk knife; and an exotic Freeborn curio. You can learn about this handful of nothing here.

Under the Red Sky

  • Imperial Conclave

The six archmages of the Empire have the power to send a formal message to a single eternal each Summit. During the Spring Equinox, five such plenipotentiary messages were sent - and over the last three months each of the eternals contacted has made a public response. You can learn about these responses here.

When the Ship Comes In (Trade Winds)

International relations continue to develop - some improve, and some decline, like the ebb and flow of the tides. You can find a quick round up of things related to the current state of affairs, with an emphasis on trading - and a digression into the state of international relations between congregations of the Way - here.