Summer 611 After Odo

Trinsmyra

Rung

The use of Animist magic has uncovered new power nodes. Tapping into those, further fuels the magic (Mobilize).

Milacke

After the recent troubles in Paratorna, the fortress of Digeta Longa in Fam Kvalvi is suspected to be mostly abandoned. Rumours of where the agency might have moved their operations, and when they might return, are plenty. Popular theories are that they have gone south towards Karramak, others point at the increasing unrest in Milacke and suggest that the organisation might have its long finger poking about there (Raise Influence Success). If so, the Ranzine monks are oblivious to that presence, as they have gone to the library of the Piondermonks in Isakra for a long study session (Mobilize).

Palamux

Kargom

StartFragmentEnji's Trade Emporium meet with cannibal tattooist symbolists and provide them with powerful magical PurPur ink. This impresses the mystic tattooers to no end, and since Enji is the only supplier of this.... (Raise Influence success)EndFragment

Fokale Plains

Although literally out of place as pirates in a desert, the crafty and creating privateers loyal to Vemisca have entrenched themselves within the sprawling Huali tribal lands. Virtually unopposed, the privateers seize upon monopolizing the trade between the tribes and seem to be making inroads into solidifying a dominant hold upon the desert peoples despite the titular rule by the nobles in Fontra Cilor. However, it turns out be harder than expected. Apparently, there are trade routes the Privateers, out of their elements, know nothing about, so when they try to enforce their monopoly, the tribespeople simply vanish into the desert again (Raise Influence Fail).

Nastrôl

The Whispering Winds of Pazuzu sweep through the province of Nastrôl, guided by the powerful hands of the Eternal Storm itself. They whisper into the ears of the people not to trust their eyes, to recognize that the Illusions are fickle, without substance, pointless (Attack Illusions). At the same time, the Kisthate's So, Manzonla instructs his Mercenaries who are camped outside Nastrol to begin detaining and searching all incoming and outgoing merchants for traces of illusions. They seize the goods of any who seem impure. These goods are then offered as rewards for anyone in Nastrol who shows proof that they have destroyed an Illusion (Help Attack), while the bribed nobles of the Prince of Folda approach the powerful city council of Balgumél, trying to persuade them of the dangers of harkening to the illusions from HOXOH (Help Attack). They work in an uneasy alliance with the Agents of the Abzulva, who try to raise awareness among the peoples about the dangers of the Illusionists' Anti-Creationisms (Help Attack).

This is an unprecedented and coordinated attack on the interests of the Illusions, and Edwyl Hussler scrambles to defend his magic workings, and he does so with gusto and ingenuity. The illusions sweep through the province. The people who heard Pazuzu's whispering winds believe it was just a dream, another test from the Grand Syntald. Some of the disciples of HOXOH decide to start new academic work on the possibilities of cross fertilization between elemental wind magic and illusionism. The people of the province rebel against the mercenaries as the Illusions convince them that the swords for hire have burned down villages. Mobs chase them down the streets. The council of Balgumél don't accept the bribes, believing, falsely that the gold is Fool's Gold, and not caring the slightest for the sanctimonious words of the Abzulva. They are already corrupt, and care little for pleasing the gods (Successful Block).

Moskoria

Green! Reports of a small vegetation patch provided by the Great Syntald Edwyl Hussler himself have the people looking upwards in hope. In the aftermath of losses, people look to the slightest of hopes. As seasons change, and people look on in earnest, wondering what comes next, these reports have a blinding effect as well. For some, this slight hope makes it nigh impossible to believe otherwise. For others, it's a simple thought process set up as an assurance that all will be right. And yet further, mostly the nobles, who have lived on in the hardship of the present state of land, they seek the proof that there is indeed a change (Mobilize).

Lasemos-Bhannavil

Vemisca pours herself into asserting herself as the dominant political force in the area, and she more than willing to step on a few toes. Although she's careful to concentrate on undermining the schemes of Empress Heneguya as opposed to the machinations of Master Hussler... an omelete cannot be made without breaking a few eggs. Vemisca's political connections within the Council of the Nameless are entrenched but the political battle for supremacy within the balkanized and fractious province is far from easy. In the ensuing power struggle, the hereditary rights and interpretation of tradition becomes a key battle ground. The nobles turn to the Academy of Maravelda and Hussler's knowledge sources for answers. Lacking such lore to rely on, Vemsica's side fails (Raise Influence Fails).

When Vemsica returns to her flagship that night, she is very frustrated and indulges in rum. Perhaps too much, because a group Scheming Nobles, loyal to the Empress, use this night to incite a mutiny in the crew of Admirata Vemsica’s flagship. With their immense wealth and connections, the Nobles tracked down Vemsica’s ship and had some of their agents drafted into the crew. Within weeks, the agents had found and bought out a handful of crewmates who were sick of Vemsica’s leadership. Although the pirates were nowhere near the number that would be needed to stage a full mutiny, there were enough to perform an assassination. The agents, spurring the crewmates on with tales of patriotism and the struggle for Lasemosi freedom, had the mutinous crewmates attack during the night while at sea. They quietly killed the guards to Vemsica’s chambers, then smothered her with her pillow and stabbed her several times in the stomach. When the morning dawned, Vemsica’s crew found the agents and mutineers were gone. Vemsica’s pirates found her bloody corpse splayed out on her bed, with a knife sticking out of her stomach and a pillow over her face (Heneguya Attack Shadow Actor Success)

The Kishate

"Help me!" A man, haggard by all appearances, pulls aside another. "My brother! He's dead! I know he's gone! Yet his ghost is here! Blaming me for killing him!" "Well? Did you?" "Well... ye- I mean no! Who would do such a thing?" His loud voice starts attracting attention. "What am I supposed to do?" "You can get off of me for starters." "There he is!" The beggars voice rises into a shriek, attempting to climb the man like a ladder. "Be silent you fool." The uncaring man looks at the incoming ghost with uncaring skepticism. Until he felt the smack across his face that sent him and the beggar stumbling sidelong. They watch, holding each other for dear life, as the ghost rushes at them suddenly, them dissipates into nothingness, leaving them both screaming for help. Unseen to the two victims, one illusionists pays his superior, the victor of the wager, as they walk away from the scene. "I can't manage to make more than one body part tangible. I dunno why..." (Mobilize). But just when the Psychosomatic Illusions grow stronger, Manzonla himself travels with the fleet to their rightful home, the Kishat, riding on the momentum from the Shamashi faithful in Moskoria joining in with the Raiders. Upon their arrival and the presence of heretic magics becomes clear, Manzonla addresses the raiders: "It was not the Storm that brought Moskoria to its knees, but the heinous lies of Edwyn Hussler. Here and now, we have our chance to purge these illusions with the glory of truth." Manzonla spreads the faithful throughout his raiders, and sends groups into the city to hunt down Husslar's agents in The Kishat. He motivates the faithful newcomers with the chance to prove themselves worthy to the holy city after their home fell. For the veterans, he appeals to their sense of pride: they witnessed Moskoria become overrun with Illusions - if they are successful in preventing the same happening to the Kishat then that is a powerful story to add to their resume (Attack Resource success).

Myxa

The weakening of government in Myxa leads to new opportunities for traders, which both pirates and slavers benefit from. Slaves there are running at a low cost, and with a little bit of bullying the Slaver Traders were able to buy them even cheaper. The Slave Trader’s supply of slaves increases immensely (Mobilize).

Ziddisbar

Jisha Mekeema this day of 610, Peace. A word scarce heard in our neck of the woods. I see my wife khareesa, smiling for the first time in many months as she uses her rolling pin for its intended purpose and not as a weapon. She makes the yummiest breads in all the continent! Not having to beat Bob - yes Bob (A simplistic name for such a simple person. Since his name came in the form of a grunt or growl, I find that even my bitterest of enemies should have a name), has improved her spirits incredibly, we have even been discussing the possibility of children! But back to Bob. I have seen him laughing and chatting with another of his new found friends ( I didn't even know he had friends! (Or that he could talk!)), and I wonder what on Trakoria is going on with this guy! But then I look at the bigger picture, and see that my family isn't the only one cherishing this peace. I also see others, mostly the tough guys wanting to start something from nothing. Only to have their rivals not fight back. It seems hard to get their "badges of honor" when only their knuckles get bruised ( though I did manage to laugh at Marc McThistle from across the street while he bragged about getting into the fight of his life! Perhaps someone shoulda mentioned it his stairs that put up the fight). As for me? I only want to scribe in silence (Mobilize Resources).

Paratorna

Ilibauria

Gozcana da Skugre returns to Illibauria and takes a firm hand in restoring order after the death of the oracle. An investigation is launched and it is discovered that the Oracle did not suffer from mere pneumonia, but was the victim of murder. "The death of our holy Oracle demonstrates two things," Gozcana announced to an assembly of DiFolt members as she presented the evidence. "First, that our knowledge has grown in leaps and bounds, allowing us to detect foul and insidious methods of assassination which might have been overlooked in the past. The second is that our enemies are willing to stoop to lowest levels to strike at our very heart. But know this: though we are healers, we will defend our own. We are not afraid of suffering." And thus, da Skugre introduces the new Oracle, a child whose skin is blue. And blue is the colour of innocence for the people of Ilibauria. Soon, the child is seen as greatest prophet seen in ages, and the faithful flock to get the blessings of the Innocent One (Raise Influence Success).

Ruhl

The stay in Ruhl seems like a perfect time for the displaced nobility of Paraltro to form close and personal alliances. Every eligible bachelor and bachelorette puts on their finest attire, throwing extravagant balls with the most enticing of treats and brews. Love (or at least, its drunken semblance) blooms everywhere and many betrothals are announced. Behind closed doors, power is negotiated and traded, always with a refreshing draught to seal the deal. (Raise Influence Success).

Paraltro

The manufactured illness seems contained, but flares up unexpectedly in various parts of the city. One such place is among the ranks of the 1st Imperial Lancers. Luckily, or perhaps by design, the leeches and wizards attached to the unit manage to quarantine it before any major damage is done. The Courtiers of Grigor Trimelda are happy to offer up lodging to the sick soldiers and officers to contain the afflication (Attack Resource Fail - Trimelda blocks attack).

Once the sickness has passed, the lancers fan out into the province to quell the damage that the recent conflicts and plague have inflicted on Paraltro. The Lancers hide and house several nobles, protecting them from the chaos in the city. Many of these nobles are willing to either join or help fund the regiment that saved them. The 1st Imperial Lancers became some of the most well-equipped soldiers in Trakoria, and whatever casualties the lancers suffered in protecting the fleeing nobles were made up by new, wealthy recruits (Mobilize).

StartFragmentThe Whig Maker thugs, meanwhile, try to retake their positions as corrupt guards, but are firmly rejected and have to keep a low profile to avoid getting arrested and brutalized by the Lancers (Raise Influence fail).

Tricilve

Dokella's agents work hard to strengthen their position in the capital. One by one, politicians and nobles are brought to submission and learn that Dokella's interests are in their best interests to support (Mobilize).EndFragment

However, even as they strengthen their ranks, Heneguya’s Court Wizards arrive at the outskirts of Tricilve at dawn and are immediately approached by a handful of Klamender’ Gomba's Nobles. The Nobles quietly whisk the Wizards through a secret passage that leads to a below-ground safe house. Once inside, a few of the Wizards and Nobles stand while the rest of the Wizards prepare themselves in a circle. After some preparation, the Wizards begin to cast their spell.

An enormous dark cloud slowly makes its way towards the city. It crackles loudly, with streaks of blue and white lightning highlighting the outside of the cloud’s black mass. As the cloud moves over the city, it blots out much of the sun. When the bulk of Tricilve is covered by the cloud, it stops moving. The citizenry look up, shocked in terror. The cloud floats there for a while, in a most innocently ominous way. A silence envelops the city. Then, slowly, the cloud seems to move downward. It appears as if the cloud is being pulled from its centre toward the city, funneling towards the town square. When the cloud hits the ground, it pushes aside many of the people standing in the square, though not all of them. From where the cloud hit the ground, the cloud begins to expand. Many people are unaffected by the cloud passing through them, but those who had rioted, the Whig Maker’s, and their supporters are forcefully affected by the cloud and are unable to pass through it. Slowly, the cloud presses its way outward from the centre of the city, and all enemies of the nobility are pushed away from the city. Some are crushed against walls and wagons, but most are simply pushed out of the city and then far into the country side. Once the cloud has pushed everyone out, it floats back into the air and dissipates. The city is Heneguya’s once again.

As the Wizards who had cast the spell rest, the other Wizards and the Nobles get ready fortifying and rebuilding the city. They arm and summon guards at the entrances to town, erect barriers and fix walls, and otherwise clean up the mess that the rioters had made. The populace was overjoyed with the re-establishment of order, and set about rebuilding their businesses and helping the Nobles rebuild (Raise Influence success).

At the Chronolab, the scientists are workinig around the clock, and suddenly screams of heureca, eccoes through the city, they have obviously figured something out, and now they are walking with their backs straighter, with more confidence, although noone knows really why (Mobiilize).EndFragment

Hiltre & Hoeja

The Duke holds a tournament is held to see who can bring the most Skeck ears. The winners get to join the men-at-arms, strengthening their ranks considerably with merciless sadists.

Malusa

A new and exciting travelling acting troupe arrives in Malusa, putting on a variety of increasingly popular shows for the populace (Mobilize). Their shows prove extremely popular, and, as it turns out, make for the perfect distraction for Heneguya's mercenaries, who raid the sylvoleum trading sites in Kamest, kidnapping some of the alchemists and making off into the swamp with the explosive oils. The Mercenaries have enslaved the alchemists and are forcing them to teach the Mercenaries how to use the oil as a weapon. The Mercenaries now have access to explosive materials, as well as knowledge of how to use them (Mobilize). During some intense summer weeksThey never do get the time to deploy these new resources, though, as Kamesti's Condottiers are on the alert. For a couple of weeks, there is almost open warfare on the street of Kamest, which decimates Heneguya's mercenaries (Attack Resouce success).

Meanwhile, the networks of snitches aren't forgiving of the attempts made on their lives. Neither is Dokella himself. An outright counter attack doesn't suit them, though. So they set to putting little birds into the ears of criminals,guards, soldiers, and nobles. Anyone who has weapons gets subtly aimed at those in power, and at other people with weapons. They blackmail warriors into dressing in the uniforms of other factions and carrying out attacks. Of course, they're also right there to assist the victims in tracking down their attackers. Dokella's men don't rest until there is so much chaos in the streets that even they can barely keep a handle on whats true. They don't let the dust settle until they've taken control of the city, replacing the defiant with puppets. One by one, Kamesti's people disappear. When the summer is over, the Whig Maker's guild is in control (Raise Influence Success).

New Mark

The Kastyki Priests leave Paraltro with the nobles, escorting them all the way to New Mark. So grateful are the fleeing nobles to the priests, that the nobles help fund the building of a Kastyki temple in New Mark. Some of the people of New Mark become inspired by the teachings of the Kastyki Priests, and engorge themselves on Kastyki doctrine. The ranks of the new Kastyki Priests swell (Mobilize).

Bralorge

The Knights of Trimelda keeps recruiting and acquires the best new horses and equipment. This is now an elite army (Mobilize) while StartFragmentDokella's smugglers strengthen their slave trafficking networks and work to hedge out their competitors (mobilize) and Kamesti's investments sees substantial returns and profits (Mobilize)EndFragment

Bretalva

EndFragment

While the Spinalunga's are exceptionally loyal to the throne, there is no such thing as uniformity in even the most loyal provinces politics. Some of Iaslop's movers and shakers formerly in the Capital arrive and seek to make contact with like minded folk and given the opportunity to voice some dissent there are certainly those within Bretalva who relish the opportunity presented, especially amongst the merchant class (Raise Influence Success).

While Kamesti's people walk among the halls of the rich, Duke Gomba's smugglers build their network of informants in the shadows, get to know who needs to be bribed, and where to park the boat so no one can see it (Mobilize). At the same time, rival Grigor Trimelda's Merchants bribe the city council of Grumm as well as every single road customs agent to strengthen their own organization (Mobiilize).

Karramak

Heneguya, furious at the calamity that has befallen her northern empire, has decided to reaffirm her complete control of southern Paratorna. Focusing her efforts on Karramak, she convinces the daughter of the Duke of Karramak to marry one of Heneguya’s nephews (or nieces, whichever the daughter prefers). As the wedding preparations take place, Heneguya and the daughter of the Duke plan a complete culling of the opposing forces in Karramak. The wedding was a magnificent affair, with nobles from across the land gathering and partying and giving gifts to the new bride. On the night of the wedding, as the daughter of the Duke and her new spouse consummate their marriage, Heneguya, her agents, and the Duke’s forces raid the holdings of every non-loyalist in the city. Many separation sympathizers are jailed and interrogated by Heneguya’s agents. From the information granted to her by these interrogations, Heneguya calls out and sentences to death several members of the Trakorian Navy who were potential New Order sympathizers. Finally, Heneguya supplants her own loyalists into the Trakorian Navy, forcing every naval officer to swear their allegiance to her (Raise Influence Success). The only snag is when a lynch mob in Melse accuses a man of having molested several young girls, and in the ensuing scuffle, there is an accidental death, but luckily, not the falsely person, who, it turns out, belonged to the Empress' guard. No one remembers who dealt the unfortunate blow (Attack Resource fails).

Saphyna

Ardahals

No news

Korjulme

StartFragmentThe PurPur worshippers are growing in numbers, something that is encouraged locally, and the religion is starting to form a philosophical agenda around purity of mind and clothing, only dressed in fine purple robes (Mobilize).EndFragment

Frimboline Plains

No news.