AstriaS

Mera Camian seated herself as her desk, and after reading over the missive, set to the task of penning a response. TO AEDAN, To begin, I will address your questions each succinctly, and in the order in which they were stated. Firstly, a Keeper is distinct from a Purifier in that they have the responsibility to fulfill the clerical duties of the office; they perform ceremonies, oversee conversions, and handle general administration. And the separation between Scholar and Castellan is not in rank but in assigned tasks. While both are charged with militaristic duties, they are specialized differently. The Scholar's focus is on research, archiving and studying, and the Castellan's is directly on combat. Though both are expected to be proficient fighter, one is not a soldier in a conventional sense. For your second inquiry, there is no prevention in place. It is quite common for Purifiers to choose to become Keepers later on in their careers with the clergy. To answer your third question, the responsibility of the Keeper and the Hearth Brother is to guide the Faithful in matters of piety, and the responsibility of the Scholar is to act as a supplement to the knowledge of their fellow Purifiers- in a conventional military, you would think of them as intelligence specialists. However, I have also heard, the assertion that the position of Hearth Brother and Scholar are similar. Having held the position of Hearth Sister for nearly thirty years, though, I can safely say that this is an untruth; we act as a supplementary rank to the Keepers, teaching and fulfilling tasks where they are unable to. The Scholars, again, focus their efforts on specifically matters being handled by the Purifiers. And as for mentoring, it is longstanding practice to allow Purifiers who choose to pursue a clerical path a greater degree of intellectual freedom. Now I will answer your last two questions as one. The Order answers to the Lord Purifier who, in turn answers to the High Keeper. On that, you are correct. However, you seem to have forgotten recent history, and failed to connect that since the Order's first reformation on Arcas- prior to its frankly idiotic dissolution right at the start of the Inferi War- the Lord Purifier has always been a Keeper, with the exception of the current Lord Purifier Viktor. Edward and Thorfinn Kursin both were Keepers, and Lord Purifier Viktor has been granted the privilege of being permitted to conduct a number of rites necessary for his duties. This is all to say, I believe you are seeing separate entities where, in fact, there are simply two strata of the same entity. The Purifiers serve the Faith as its sword and shield, while the Keepers serve as the maintainers of its works and structure. It seems to me that what you actually want is to raise the barrier of entry into the Faith's service so that all who wish to serve the Father's Mission are held to the same standard as a prospective Keeper. For your talk of wanting to strengthen the Faith by removing divisions, it seems you also wish to weaken it by depriving it of manpower. The simple fact is, any organization which must defend itself requires men willing to take up arms to serve that defense, and reducing that pool to those with the capabilities to serve as Keepers would leave us with, at most, a dozen or so men out of every thousand. However, because there are those who may wish to serve and my not have the ability- or the desire, even- to pursue clerical duties, there must needs be a separate hierarchy for them to exist within. This is the Order's purpose as an organization. That is not to say, of course, that I find the Order's current structure to be without its flaws. I simply believe you're seeing flaws that are based either on misunderstanding, or a personal bias towards a certain image of what a Purifier ought to be. Nonetheless, I commend your passion and willingness to commit your thoughts to paper. Signed, Hearth Sister Mera Camian

The Ashwood Tree Patch 4.0, Astria Edition Origins A peculiar sight by any man’s reckoning, the ashwood is a tree which, oftentimes, is seen with its branches ablaze and growing in the most inhospitable of climates- contrary to the very nature of what a tree ought to be in nigh every regard. Most commonly, of course, ashwood trees are associated with Norland and her people, who quite famously consider themselves the trees’ protectors, often to the point of great contention. Indeed, many a conflict has been had over these hardy trees, due both to their rarity and their importance to the Norlandic people. With its armor-like bark and defiant inferno of a canopy, the ashwood is viewed as an image of resilience, willpower and boldness. To these northfolk, it is held as a symbol of their people and their culture as a whole, and as such, they will go to great lengths to defend their ashwoods, and rarely- if at all- tolerate any sort of foreign tampering. To the uninitiated, the Norlandic preoccupation with their beloved symbol is often mistaken for religious reverence, however this is little more than that, a misinterpretation. The truth of the matter is, it is naught more than a tree- albeit one that is as stubborn and troublesome as its protectors. The Life & Body of the Ashwood The ashwood tree is most famous for its alien appearance; gnarled branches, covered in roiling flames during winter and vibrant red leaves for a brief period in summer. Though many might make the mistake of assuming that the wood itself is burning, it is in fact the sap that catches flame, the wood itself being almost entirely fireproof. The burning itself, too, is more than just some aesthetic choice on the part of the Creator; it is an essential part of its annual growth cycle. Through the spring and summer, the tree produces great reserves of sap to maintain its nutritional needs through the winter. A portion of this viscous, highly flammable sap then, at the end of summer, is secreted by the tree’s bark, covering the majority of the canopy before the last of the summer sun can cause it to ignite, just as the leaves begin to shed from the boughs. This annual firing, much like the process of firing ceramics, hardens the wood over the years of its lifespan, and thus is necessary for the tree to mature properly. It is to this process that the ashwood tree owes its famed hardness and durability, with an exterior that most mundane tools can never hope to break. However, even once mature the firing must still occur. This is because the heat of the flames reduces the viscosity of the sap within the tree itself, allowing it to flow more freely through the densely packed, narrow xylem in the tree’s interior, and so allows the tree to transport its nutrients more easily. With bark akin to iron and being near immovable, the ashwood in its prime is often found growing alone in clearings of its own making, a solitary plant-form at heart. Other vegetation, save for grasses and the occasional flower, are often unable to take root in the tree’s vicinity, due to its high uptake of nutrients from the soil around it, as well as its intrusive, gnarled, weblike system of roots. Fond of cooler, semi-arid environments, the ashwood is most often found in boreal and tundra regions near small bodies of water, where they might reap the benefits of seasonal flooding. Notably, it cannot grow in hot, arid environments, where it will light prematurely and dry out, nor can it grow in overly humid environments- rainforests, for example- where the passive moisture in the air will prevent it from lighting at all. Trees that grow around it, should they not end up burned away by the ashwood’s annual blaze, will grow stunted and eventually wither away due to lack of suitable nutrients in the surrounding environment. Smaller plants, however, such as shrubs, flowers and mosses experience less trouble, but will often be seen to be less healthy and less vibrant than they would outside the Ashwood tree’s periphery. The Seed of the Ashwood The ashwood’s seed is an odd little thing. About the size of a cantaloupe and incredibly dense, it weighs anywhere from 26 to 30 pounds (11.8 - 13.6 kilograms). Similar in anatomy to a walnut, the fruit forms as a heavy core of a seed surrounded by a thick, fleshy husk and a hard, woody carapace of a shell holding it all in. When mature, this large fruit then falls from the branches above. Naturally, of course, this comes at great risk to anything below, as a thirty-pound ball falling from several feet in the air is a potential danger to anything it might hit- people and other soft targets especially. Fortunately, however, these falling menaces are rare, with any one tree only producing a single seed every four years or so. When the seed begins to form, it appears as a bud in the early spring, and rapidly swells to a baseball-sized, hardened ball by the end of its first summer. From that point, it slowly grows over the course of the coming seasons. Often, caretakers of the trees will spend a great deal of time observing the growing seed to ensure that its development occurs without incident. The seed can be collected easily enough by simply waiting for its fall at the beginning of the first spring after the seed finishes developing. The seed, then, will be incredibly hot to the touch, and must be handled with care, lest the collector end up with blistered hands. Once cooled, however, the seed can be utilized in a few ways. It can be planted, of course, in a suitable environment, but it is also perfectly capable of being harvested for eating, though doing so would be a less than pleasant experience. The flesh surrounding the seed is incredibly bitter, and the meat of the seed itself carries a sharp, spicy, flavor with only the slightest sweet undertone. If abandoned or neglected, however, the seed will simply wither away over the course of the following weeks. Ashwood Components As with any tree, the ashwood has a number of parts to it which can be harvested and utilized in many ways, ranging from medical use to the production of alcohol to dye-making. Of all the components of the tree, the most useful, as listed below, are the leaves, the sap, and of course the wood itself. Ashwood Leaves Description: The leaves of the ashwood tree, budding in summer and falling away at the beginning of autumn, are palmate in shape and take on an array of vibrant crimsons in hue when alive, however they lose much of their vibrance upon drying out. Harvesting: The leaves can be easily plucked from the tree, or picked up from the ground once they fall, assuming they do not burn away when the tree ignites. Applications: Apart from making good kindling, the leaves may be ground into a fine powder and made into a dark, blood-red dye, often used by Keepers of the Red Faith to color their garments and other fabrics. Redlines: It’s a leaf that can be used to make dye. That’s about it. If you can find a way to abuse a leaf, more power to you. Does not require ST signage. Ashwood Sap Description: A viscous, amber-colored sap which is dreadfully sweet on the tongue. Highly flammable, the sap will ignite simply from a high temperature, let alone open flame. Harvesting: The sap is remarkably simple to harvest, requiring one to simply scrape it from the tree’s branches before it ignites, or place buckets beneath the tree’s canopy to collect it as it falls. Due to the durability of the tree’s bark, it cannot be tapped by conventional means. Applications: Much like honey, the sap of the ashwood tree is noted for its ability to prevent infection in wounds, thanks to mild antibacterial properties. Additionally, (again like honey) it can be used to brew a drink known as ashwood spirits, a favorite in Norlandic taverns. One could also, if they wanted, use it to make a simple firestarter or use it to fuel a torch or lantern. Redlines: Ashwood sap cannot be weaponized in the form of molotov cocktails, or what have you. No fire tree napalm, please. Ashwood sap cannot be passively extracted via the use of a tap. Does not require ST signage. Ash Wood Description: A dense, dark grey, hardwood. When stripped of its bark, the wood is little different than any other after being left to dry out. However, if harvested while fresh and alive, the wood will be as hard and durable as the tree itself, albeit less so if taken from a younger tree. Harvesting: To collect a fallen branch from an ashwood tree is a simple thing. It is not often that these venerable trees lose a branch, but like any other tree they will. To obtain living ashwood, however, is a more troublesome task. One will either need to find a way to break or saw a living branch from the canopy of one of the fiery trees… or uproot a young sapling entirely. Applications: The dead wood of an ashwood tree, like any other wood, can be shaped normally, albeit with a bit more difficulty due to its increased density. Living Ash Wood, however, requires a more complicated process to refine and shape (detailed under Ashwood Crafting). Redlines: Fallen branches may be collected freely and will be considered dead wood. This wood may be worked by conventional means, and will behave as normal wood, except for being an ashy grey in color. Ash Wood cannot be used to grow new ashwood trees from cuttings or what have you. The only way to grow a new ashwood tree is from a seed. Living Ash Wood is as hard and fire-resistant as the tree itself and cannot be cut with mundane tools. Additionally, Living Ash Wood will expire and die 1 OOC week after collection, becoming dead Ash Wood thereafter. Ash Wood cannot be used to construct fireproof structures or vehicles. Ash Wood, living or dead, does not require ST signage. Ashwood Crafting To fashion any item with living Ash Wood is a tricky feat indeed, requiring practice and no small amount of patience. Not only is it a process with many steps, but it also requires one to possess a basic knowledge of woodworking, as well as a number of ashwood-specific techniques. First, of course, one must acquire the wood to work to begin with. Ideally, this is accomplished by cutting branches from saplings- or, of course, using the young tree in its entirety. Then, to begin the crafting process, the worker must first begin by painstakingly chipping away the bark with a chisel, and then softening the wood by soaking the stripped length of wood overnight in a vat of diluted wood alcohol. And once softened, the more complicated work begins. Shaping The first step, as with any woodworking project, is of course to cut and bend the wood to shape. Of course, even in its softened state, the wood is still quite the beast to move, and so it can take a number of narrative hours and repeated softening in order to completely achieve the desired shape. Care should be taken as well to include more material than is desired, as the crafting process will result in minor shrinkage. In the case of compound items- that is, items which require the joining of multiple pieces of Ash Wood, such as a shield- the varying components must be secured to one another with a combination of iron nails and a special resin made with two parts pitch, one part powdered bone gelatin and one part ashwood sap- though cautious craftsmen will sometimes use a coat of their glue of choice as well, just to be sure. This resin, then, is dried over a low, distant flame to cure it. Filling When the piece has been cut and crafted to shape, the worker must then begin the process known as filling. First, a shallow vat wide enough to hold the item must be filled with the aforementioned resin, in volume enough to completely submerge the item. Then, slowly and very carefully, the mixture must be slowly heated to a low simmer, and the shaped item laid within. This vat, then, must be left to steep for an hour, with the occasional small splash of water mixed in periodically to prevent the resin from hardening or catching fire. What results, then, is the Ash Wood, once a pale grey, now turned a dark black, as it is coated in and its many pores filled with the resin. Firing The Ash Wood, once coated and filled with the resin can then be placed in a kiln to be fired, much like pottery, albeit more violent. Upon being raised to the sufficient temperature, the item will burst into flames, much like the ashwood tree itself, as the excess resin burns away and what remains is rapidly cured, and the wood itself hardened once more. Then, once the flames die down, the piece must remain in the kiln overnight to complete its cure. The resulting item, then, will be found to be wrought of something similar, yet new; what once was Ash Wood will then be replaced by a dark, black counterpart which is as heavy and as hard as wrought iron- Black Ashwood. Black Ashwood Description: An odd, blackened wood that is as hard and as heavy and iron and fixed in whatever shape it’s fashioned into. It looks like and has the texture of a dense hardwood but has the cool surface and heft of a piece of wrought iron. Properties: Black Ashwood, unlike the similar arboreal material Ironwood, cannot be honed to a cutting edge, or forged into a new shape. At most it can be shaped into a dull edge, or a sharpened, spear-like point- though this point will be jagged and harsh. This, of course, makes it a better material for shields, handles or pointed, thrusting weapons than it would for, say, an axe or a sword. Most notable, of course, is its durability, hardness, and fire resistance. Redlines: Black Ashwood has the same weight as an equivalent volume of iron. This cannot be reduced or mitigated. Dead Ash Wood cannot be used to create Black Ashwood. Black Ashwood cannot be crafted into swords or knives, at least not with honed blades capable of cutting. It is much better suited to making bludgeons, staves, and shields. However, it is possible to pair it with pieces fashioned from other materials (i.e., a guard/handle made from Black Ashwood, and a steel blade and so on). While it is possible to cut the ends of a rod into a point in the shaping stage, after hardening, the point will be rendered imperfect, jagged, and crooked. While Black Ashwood will not suffer damage from fire, it will heat up rapidly, specifically over the course of two emotes of continued exposure to flame or similar heat sources. This means, for example, that a shield fashioned from black ashwood would only be able to shield the user from two emotes worth of fire spells (or similar) in a row before becoming too hot to be held safely. For the sake of balance, the above cannot be mitigated with the use of athin or similar heat-proofing items. Further, Black Ashwood can still be destroyed by extreme temperatures (1800-2000° F). However, rather than catching alight or melting, it will crumble into what is more or less very expensive charcoal. Black Ashwood shares its living counterpart's vulnerability to magical flame. After three emotes of sustained contact with such flames, it will begin to weaken and become fragile, easily cracked with blunt force akin to a terracotta flowerpot in durability. Black Ashwood cannot be used to construct fireproof structures or vehicles. Black Ashwood does not require ST signage. General Redlines Anatomy: An ashwood tree takes 10 OOC weeks to mature. At this point, it will reach its full strength, and will begin producing seeds. Once rooted in the ground, the ashwood tree is very difficult to move, requiring several narrative days to uproot. Further, cutting down a mature, living tree by conventional means is a near-impossible feat with mundane iron tools. It is, however, vulnerable to blunt force, which can crack and flake away the bark, and dent the wood. An ashwood tree is simply highly resistant to flame, not immune to burning. It can still be burned by extreme means (i.e throwing it into magma). Though it will not burn, the wood will still get incredibly hot, and being quite dense will dissipate that heat slowly. Branches collected during the burning season will be hot enough to cause immediate second-degree burns if collected carelessly right after they drop from the canopy. Though resistant to mundane fire, magically conjured flame can still do harm to the tree. Should the tree be prevented from undergoing its annual burning or be planted in an unsuitable environment without proper care, it will become sickly after the first year. If prevented for a second year, the tree will die. This extends to environmental factors, as well. Should it be planted in an overly hot environment with little to no rain (i.e a desert) or in an environment where there is near constant rain (i.e a rainforest), this cycle will be interrupted. Ashwood best survives in a region where there is balance in humidity and nutrients in the soil for it to grow in, but will still allow its leaves to dry out and burn when that part of its cycle comes. After dying, the wood will lose its strength after 1 OOC week of decay, at which point it will be vulnerable to being felled by conventional means. Being a tree, it must be planted in… Well, tree-friendly places with sunlight and soil, unless kept alive by some other means. For balance reasons, ashwood can only be used as a substitute for metal plates for constructs and similar beings. (i.e no ashwood treants or what have you). Further, Ashwood cannot conduct resonance. All ashwood trees must be cultivated via legitimate roleplay. These trees or their swells no longer require an ST Signature. All ashwood trees from the sapling stage up should have a mechanical, in-world representation, if at all possible, and size, generally, should reflect the age and health of the tree. For the sake of space and build convenience, a tree needn’t be made much larger than its adolescent stage, however. What is important is that one does not have, for example, a sapling the size of an elder, or vice versa. All interactions with the tree must be done in #RP or above. As with any plant, an Ashwood tree can be interacted with normally by Druids, Shamans and the like. Seed: One seed can be collected from a single ashwood tree every OOC month (30 days). Harvesting the seed prematurely will both reset the above cooldown and render the seed inert. The exception to the above is in the case that it is collected by Druidic or other, applicable non-mundane means. If unplanted, the seed will expire after 1 OOC week, unless preserved by magical means. Components: All components must be collected via roleplay. Items made from dead ashwood do not require any special oversight or signage. Crafting: The process of crafting with Living Ash Wood, and subsequently the creation of Black Ashwood, are considered uncommon knowledge and require learning through roleplay with someone familiar with the art. Purpose The goal of this rewrite was to clean up the existing write, as well as to include aspects of the lore which were intended to be written with Nick’s lore, but which never materialized. In particular, an effort was made to touch up the actual biology of the tree to make it make a bit more sense (as much as can be done for a fantastical fire tree), as far as botanical matters go, as well as to do away with some of the more odd, gatekeep-y and superfluous aspects of the previous lore while still maintaining it as the Norlandic cultural staple it is. Additionally, the Ashwood seed itself has been rewritten to make it a touch less nonsensical (specifically in regard to its weight, size and carry requirements). Actual lore for the sap and leaves, and a means for crafting with Ash Wood have been added- all elements which the previous version of the lore was eventually meant to include. Overall, the goal was to produce a more complete and simplified piece of lore, coupled with the original, intended features. Old Lore: Credits: Astria, Writing DAENGIE, Proofreading & Idea Slave Vi, Proofreading & Feedback Bugman, Proofreading & Feedback A Handful of Others, Suggestions, Feedback & Support

Treaty of the Ashwood and Dragon Issued 21st of the Grand Harvest, Year 45 of the Second Age Articles: -Non-Aggression -Trade Agreement -Recognition of Sovereignty -Duration PREAMBLE: This article serves as a formal pact agreement between the Kingdom of Norland and the Jade State of Yong Ping, hereafter referred to as the signatories. ARTICLE I: Defensive Alliance Signatories have agreed to the following terms regarding a Defensive Alliance: -Signing parties will agree to aid each other in a military capacity when either party has been offended or enters into a defensive conflict with an external nation. -Signing parties refrain from participating in any conflicts which put them at odds with one another. Further, there will be no conflicts between citizens or families of note within either state. -When visiting either signatories’ territories, citizens are expected to abide by the laws upon which soil they step foot on and respect the local customs. -Should an issue or conflict arise which breaches this article, the signatories agree to handle the matter via the appropriate, diplomatic channels. ARTICLE II: Trade Agreement Signatories have agreed to the following terms regarding trade: -Signing parties will be given a market stall free of rent in each other's cities. -Signing parties will agree to trade specialty goods free of tariff, in forms of both monetary exchange and/or bartering. -The signatories agree to the construction of a ferry between the city of Varhelm and the city of Yong Ping that will be paid for equally by the signatories. -A reasonable fee will be put in place for use of this ferry, the profits of which will be split evenly between the Norlandic and Yong Ping treasuries. ARTICLE III: Recognition of Sovereignty Signatories have agreed to the following terms regarding recognition of sovereignty: -Signing parties will recognize their respective Realms as independent lands ruled by their respective leaders, and will make no efforts to subvert those authorities in power. -Signing parties will recognize the true name of the continent of Nyrheim, or Xin Zhou, and abandon the old Brev name. ARTICLE IV: Duration This accord shall remain in effect for a period of eight years, with the option to renew its terms to be discussed at the time of its expiry. Signed, Mera Camian, Lady Emissary of the Kingdom of Norland Vane Freysson, King of Norland, Duke of Varhelm, Protector of Highlanders Signed, Tianrui Ren, Patriarch and Zhu of Yong Ping. Atsuki Waythe, Minister of Foreign Affairs

A Hearth Sister tossed a copy of the note into the roaring flames in the center of Varhelm's Hearth Temple. "Silence, atheist." With that, she went back to her day, unmoved by the individual's facts and logic like the proper, pious woman she was.

Velsyni Indoren read over the missive with a series of nods, before simply remarking, "Oh s***, Alyndel's not dead!" She then, for a moment, remembered her old ambitions and wondered- albeit only for a moment- whether it was a flame worth rekindling. Maybe one day, she concluded; a better day, a more promising day.

Mera Camian nodded singularly as she read over the small threat, "Good, someone's got to do the job, and the Father knows I'm too damn busy," Some other woman shrugged and tossed the missive aside. "Boy, I sure am glad nobody knows where I live... Hopefully." Vikne Kjeldsdóttir read over a copy of the threat she picked off some poor, dead passerby. "Vampires? An interesting development," The Svarling warmaiden remarked, folding the note and tucking it away. "I wonder..." Her voice trailed off, and she began the trek back to her camp to start concocting a new scheme.

Smoke and Sacrifice ♪♪♪ Through the icy darkness, a party of men traveled, foregoing even torchlight. Theirs was an endeavor of shadow and secrecy, and no interruptions could be had- not a man could be seen, lest the Norlandic scouts catch wind of them and warn the capital. The shroud of night had covered the frigid city of Varhelm, leaving only the lanterns and candle light flickering in the windows for a guide, and follow it these men did, led by none other than the Kjörnarling Warmaiden herself, Vikne Kjeldsdóttir. For months they had observed the city’s comings and goings, and they had identified one particular shortcoming of the city’s Guard; inattentiveness, the downfall of many a city. With their armor and supplies stowed in carried crates and covered handcarts, the Svarlings filtered into the city’s north gate in twos, each pair a number of minutes apart- and they even courteously dipped their heads to the night watchmen as they passed them. Nary a brow was raised. The Svarlings had never been a people known for subtlety, yet the plan for this night required nothing less than the utmost. A plan such as this would only ever work once, after all. In those wee hours of the morning, then, these infiltrators made their way down, through the streets and into the sewer tunnels below, and there they waited, donning their armor and holding out for the sun’s rising. With the dawn came the sound of horns followed by the peal of the city’s bells and the shouting of men; fighting had begun at one of the gates. And with their diversion in place and working as intended, Vikne and her comrades emerged into the streets below, making their way towards the docks and cutting down or capturing any civilians around them as they went. In the midst of the clashing of swords, those at the gate quickly realized the diversion, and sent for reinforcements as they slammed the gate shut to block the enemy- depriving one Norlandic soldier of his legs in the process- and made haste for the city center. There, in the freshly blood-spattered square, they did lock blades with the Svarling raiders once more, watching as Vikne and her men loaded up a ship in the harbor with loot and a handful of captives. As the Norlanders fought their way down the hill, the reinforcements from Fenn carved their way into the city from the east gate after arriving by ferry. Learning from the failures in Ikur’fiyem, the Svarlings had planned for reinforcements this time, and left a token force of men to distract any that may arrive. Vikne’s diversions and contingencies had worked to her favor, indeed, and she and the greater bulk of her men remained undeterred as they made ready to sail, cutting away the mooring lines and pushing the Norlandic ship away from the dock. As a final gift for their victims, the raiders had prepared the largest of the Norlandic ships for something of a lightshow; the deck had been packed with straw and flammables, oil and tar poured over the whole of the mess. And atop it all, they had lashed a lone woman to the mast. With the raiders in the plaza falling, the defenders watched with horror and great concern in their eyes as flaming arrows soared towards the ship, threatening to set the poor victim alight. Yet, as if blessed by a wind of luck, the captive was freed from her bonds by the Fennic Prince, the pair escaping the ensuing blaze by mere seconds with the help of a horsebound priestess. With the captive saved and the raid ended, all took a moment to breathe. The Svarlings, it seemed, had succeeded in their mission this day; they had come, taken their loot, stolen one ship and burned another, leaving behind a portion of their forces to keep the blood flowing as they departed.

Vikne Kjeldsdóttir looked over the destruction wrought upon the Skanarri with a hum of contemplation. This, she reckoned, was a good prelude to what was to come; a display of strength and will. And yet, there was no time to waste. Before the embers could even settle out of the air above Nueva Tierra, she collected a force of favored soldiers, and marched off to her next day's battle. . .

[!] Flyers are posted around Norland and the lands of friendly nations, pinned to bulletin boards, stuffed into mailboxes, and passed out by a cadre of particularly diligent couriers. The Feast of Sven the Bard, 44 SA An Invitation TO ALL WHO WISH TO ATTEND, A momentous occasion approaches! The time, once again, has come for the Norlandic celebration of revelry and song, Sven’s Day, otherwise known as the Feast of Sven the Bard. Held in honor of King Sven “The Bard” Eiriksson, the Paragon of Song and Festivity, the Feast is a long-held holiday filled with song, drink and food for all. Even in these dark times of war and strife, it is our hope that the people can come together and enjoy a night of merriment. All who have a mouth with which to eat and a hand with which to raise a glass are invited to attend, and join in the festivities. Specific invitations are extended to following friends of the Norlandic people: The citizens of The Jade State of Yong Ping The citizens of the Iron’Uzg The citizens of the Princedom of Fenn The citizens of the Duchy of Elysium ADVISORY NOTICE: It is well-known that Sven’s Day celebrations have, in the past, gotten out of hand. However, it is the request of the palace staff that chaotic behavior be kept to a minimum, so as to prevent the destructive mayhem of previous celebrations. OOC: Time and Date: Friday, October 1 @ 6:00 PM EST Location: Varhelm Palace

Far to the north, the Svarling commander known as Vikne Kjeldsdóttir watched as hilltop signal fires were lit and snuffed in sequence in the last night of the protracted battle. A small smile crossed her scarred, battle-worn countenance, and she turned to address those gathered around her. "The war begins in earnest, then. We mustn't disappoint," The woman observed, arms coming to fold over her chest. "Make ready to move with the dawn. I've an idea in mind, and it won't do to waste time."

+1 for vibroblade metal. Though even beyond just weapons, I can see it being used for some good, creative flavor and utility (for example, testing to see how loud something is with a resonant steel tuning fork; if the fork vibrates it's loud enough/too loud. Iunno). It would be a pretty cool image to have a group of warriors that use a bell, or a specially made horn or something to all activate their weapons. Cool imagery and fun flavor without it being unbalanced. Iunno, seems neat, seems creative. I like. +1

A Growing Threat ♪♪♪ Seven years had passed since the first scouting parties arrived in Almaris. And in that near-decade, the Svarlings had spread terror and bloodshed across the frozen north. When the first war parties came, they clashed with both Norlandic forces and the Skanarri tribes. So staggering was their brutality that the name ‘Svarling’ soon became a household saying, even among those who had never laid eyes on the foreign warriors. Many, if not most, had regarded them as just another nuisance. Yet, that was about to change. The entirety of the Svarlings’ host had arrived, and on this day they gathered in the center of their war camp to hear the words of their honored leaders. There, seated upon a simple wooden throne in the center of a raised platform, was the giant of a man known as Lord Zharteyr Rhykasson, the Chosen. And before him, addressing the gathered warriors, stood a figure the warriors knew almost as well- Vikne, the Kjörnarling warmaiden. Her voice rose to carry out over her battle-hungry audience, and her words rang with a hollow echo within her helmet. “Brothers, long has it been since we first set our boots on this southern soil,” She began her rallying speech. “Day by day, we have crushed the southlanders everywhere they have faced us. We have haunted their hills and forests, we have tormented their hunters and their scouts, and we have looted and burned their villages. And every time their blood stains this land, our legend grows; we have struck fear into hearts even beyond the King’s borders. Yet, these pitiful skirmishes are not a war. Not truly.” The giant of a woman then thrust a gauntleted fist skyward. “The real war begins today, my brothers! With our host finally assembled, the time has come to drown these southlings in a sea of blood! We will grind the tribals beneath our heels, reduce the King’s city to rubble, and give their souls as offerings to the Gods!” With that conclusion, the warband gave out a collective roar as cheers, whistles and the clashing of weapons against shields filled the air, and the orator turned to face the seated warlord behind her. “Your warriors stand ready for your orders, my Lord. What say you?” She queried, prompting the plate-clad titan of a man to rise to his feet and raise his own voice in answer. As the Chosen rose, the camp fell silent, cheers deafened in respect as the Svarlandic warlord spoke. “Brothers and sisters, warriors of my army. Each and every one of you has already reaped a bloody toll in the name of our masters, and they have not been left wanting. You have followed me to this wretched corner of the world to make war, and I only lament that thus far I have given you a slaughter without challenge instead. These Southlanders hide behind their walls, only venturing out when they can bring a score to bear against a single of our warriors, it is pitiful. We have delayed long enough. The Gods call us south, even now I hear them. They beckon us towards a destiny worthy of the sagas. The hillmen, the Nordfolk, the Snærálfar and the Westmen only delay us from our destiny. No longer. We will march, let the north burn in our wake.” Within moments, a cacophony of yells and warhorns sounded all throughout the crowd, chants and cheers ringing out in great volume. The Chosen had spoken, and a storm of blood would follow.

Alisa Camian regarded the announcement with a hum of contemplation as the it reached her. "Hmm. I quite liked that one. Hope his retirement treats him well." She commented to herself before going about her day.

A Small Disturbance ♪♪♪ From atop a high, rocky perch, a pair of figures stared out across the frozen landscape of the Norlandic hills. Before them, a mile or so in the distance, they could see the towering edifices of Varhelm’s northwestern wall. Yet, despite its imposition on the horizon, that was not their focus. Instead, their eyes focused on a collection of men in the valley below, whom they had been observing and tracking for a day’s time. From their colors, the scouts knew them as the King’s Men; the enemy. And so they followed at a distance, and observed from their mountaintop camps, making notes of their marks’ habits and travel patterns all the while. A plan was afoot, after all. Behind them, heralded by the crackling of frost beneath boots, a woman clad in dark plate approached, folding her arms across her front as she came to a stop. She, too, peered down at the patrolling soldiers in the valley below, and she let out a thoughtful hum. “You are confident in your plan, are you?” The large woman queried towards her men, giving them each an almost doubtful look- a cold one at that. Yet, the Svarling warriors remained unshaken, each offering a nod in turn. “Aye,” One of them answered her, “We’ve the upper hand if we strike while the iron is hot, I say.” In response, the woman placed her helmet onto her head and turned to leave. “Take something nasty from the kennels with you. This lot might need something a little more… savage than usual.” She recommended as she began to depart from the camp. “Make it bloody.”

The North’s Peace Issued 17th of the Amber Cold, Year 40 of the Second Age PREAMBLE After over a decade of conflict, and with ever-increasing hostile activity from foreign entities, the Kingdom of Norland and the United Skanarri Tribes have mutually elected to bring their war to an end. It is the signatories’ hope that through this peace, the peoples of the North may unite against a new threat- the Svarling Warband- and bring peace to our lands once more. CONTENTS I. Cessation of Hostilities II. Sovereignty III. On The Svarling Warband ARTICLE I: Cessation of Hostilities The Kingdom of Norland and the Skanarri Tribes hereby agree to a full and immediate cessation of hostilities, subject to the following terms: I. No armed force acting in the name of either signatory shall take up arms against the other. This includes militaries, militias, and families in power. II. The signatories will avoid taking part in external conflicts which may bring them into conflict with one another. III. Should it come to pass that this peace is broken by either signatory, both will commit themselves to finding a resolution via diplomatic means. ARTICLE II: Sovereignty The Kingdom of Norland and the Skanarri Tribes each agree to recognize each other’s sovereignty as entities with the right to self-determination. As such, the following terms are agreed to: I. The Skanarri Tribes will be permitted to remain in the village of Nueva Tierra. II. The Skanarri Tribes will be permitted to hunt the lands surrounding Nueva Tierra, so as to ensure the wellbeing of their folk. III. The village of Nueva Tierra will remain under the protection and dominion of the Kingdom of Norland, albeit with its residents granted the autonomy to conduct their own affairs. ARTICLE III: Cooperation Against the Svarling Warband In response to the increasing frequency of confrontations with the Svarling Warband across the frozen north, the Kingdom of Norland and the Skanarri tribes agree to full cooperation, militarily and logistically, as it pertains to combatting this foreign threat. Signed, Vane Freysson, King of Norland, Duke of Varhelm, Protector of Highlanders Mera Camian, Emissary of the Kingdom of Norland Grejon the Warrior, High Chieftain of the Skanarri Tribes

Alisa Camian read over the missive with mild interest, content to enjoy the idiocy of foreigners in her old age. And, of course, as she read over it, she had a series of thoughts, which she relayed to those around her at the time, as spiteful old women tend to do. "Well, the first issue I see is a fundamental misunderstanding of Norland's laws governing the tradition of dueling. The King was well within his rights to refuse as duels of honor are not to be used as a means to settle common arguments, or to determine the passing of lands or titles. So there's the first mistake." "Oh. Joy, the foreigners are taking an interest in the Faith," The Priestess then remarked with disdain. "Firstly, the word is spelled 'tenet', but I suppose I would be asking too much to expect literacy. Secondly, they're citing doctrine that is centuries old at this point as well as misunderstanding the definition of the word craven. Cowardice implies flight; fear. But, I guess someone whose range of social skill is limited to stabbing and whining would have trouble making sense of normal interpersonal interaction. Telling someone who is accompanied by a small retinue of armed soldiers 'no' a few feet from his face is not an expression of fear, it is a simple denial. But, again, this takes a degree of social awareness, which I shouldn't expect from illiterate, apparently-disabled children." "Finally at the bloody end of this thing. This would only come to pass if Vane were a mage- which he's not- possessed by a demon- which he's not- a creature of the night- which he's not- or the living embodiment of some immoral behavior- which he's not." With that, the old woman crumpled her copy of the letter and tossed it in the bin. "Poor bait. Try harder." She remarked in conclusion.

Taking her rest within the crumbling, frozen ruin she had come to call a temporary home, a behemoth of a Svarling woman by the name of Vikne read over an intercepted missive by the light of a crackling campfire. "More Southlanders to send to the Gods," She remarked simply and succinctly to the gathered scouts and warriors of her camp. Beckoning a group of her scouts closer, she then pointed a gauntleted hand towards the ruin's exit. "You lot, go out and spread some strife. We have been quiet for some time. We ought to remind the locals that we have not left." With that order, a small war party would depart from the crumbling edifice, marching across the frozen North with dark purpose. In the coming days, then, the North would become enveloped in a wave of chaos. The horned shadows of Svarling scouts would be seen on the ridges and hilltops, and horns would be heard echoing between the ice-covered mountains. And most unfortunate of all, groups of both Skanarri and Norlandic hunters- as well as those unwise enough to travel alone- would begin going missing, only to turn up again soon after- slain, flayed and dismembered, their remains decorating the north like monuments to bloodshed. The message was a clear one: The Svarlings seek blood.

Alisa Camian read over the letter with a quiet hum. "I seem to recall having this conversation fifty years ago. The Dragonkin have always been a problem. Not exactly news," She said in her usual displeased, elderly woman sort of tone, setting the missive aside to return her focus to her writing. "But they seem to not want our hands in the pot, so to speak. So I suppose I will just keep my counsel to myself."

Alisa Camian at the venerable age of 105 jumps from table to table with the stamina of a woman a quarter her age. In her younger years, after all, she was Norland's champion table jumper. Nowadays, of course, she just comes in second when the contests are held.

[!] Flyers are posted around Norland and the lands of friendly nations, pinned to bulletin boards, stuffed into mailboxes, and passed out by a cadre of particularly diligent couriers. The Festival of Bjorn, 39 SA An Invitation TO ALL WHO WISH TO ATTEND, In honor of Bjorn Rayeckson, first Champion of the Red Brothers and the Paragon of Battle and Warriors, the Red Clergy announces that we will be hosting a celebration of martial skill, open to any and all who wish to participate. To be hosted in the main square of the capital city of Varhelm, the Festival will consist of the following events in the order they are listed. THE FEAST The first of the events on offer, a feast will be held in the Berserker’s honor. Food and drink will be provided to all attendees free of charge, and tales of Bjorn will be told by the Keepers alongside stories and legends of combat told by the Kingdom’s veteran warriors. THE TOURNAMENT OF BJORN Following the feast, a tournament of martial prowess will be had. Participants will engage in several rounds of fisticuffs until only one competitor remains, with the winner being recognized as the Champion of Norland. Additional prizes are as follows: First Place: The victor of the tournament, in addition to the title of Champion, will receive a prize of 200 Mina as well as a one-of-a-kind blade forged specifically for this contest. Second Place: The first runner up will receive a prize of 100 Mina. Third Place: The contestant who comes in third place will receive a prize of 50 Mina. Registrations for this tournament will be open until the commencement of the Feast, to allow ample opportunity for as many contestants as would like to participate. THE OLBARD CONTEST The final activity of the evening will be the opening of the Ashwood Tavern, and a traditional Norlandic Olbard contest. The entry fee for this contest will be 5 Mina, with the victor receiving one half of the house’s take. OOC: Time and Date: Thursday, August 26th @ 4:00 PM EST Tournament starting at 5:00 PM EST, Fights will be fist PvP Location: Varhelm Square

Edict of Outlawry - Rosalind the Kinslayer Issued 2nd of Sun’s Smile, Year 38 of the Second Age BY ORDER OF THE CROWN AND FAITH, Rosalind the Kinslayer is, for crimes which have just come to light, to be declared an outlaw within the lands of Norland. Of the statutes of our temporal and sacred laws, the accused is found guilty of the following: I. Murder, for the killing of her mother, Tullia Vildr. II. Violation of the Codes of Honor and the sacred laws of the Faith, by way of slaying one’s kin as well as desecrating and abandoning a corpse to rot. For these crimes, the guilty party is hereby declared an outlaw within the lands of Norland. Should she be sighted anywhere within lands governed by the Norlandic Throne, she is to be immediately put to the sword or apprehended and turned in for the bounty issued by Clan Vildr. May the Father have mercy on her soul. Signed, Vane Freysson, King of Norland, Duke of Varhelm, Protectors of Highlanders Alisa Camian, High Keeper of the Red Faith

The Elysium Agreement Issued the 10th of The First Seed, Year 38 of the Second Age Contents I. TERMS OF SEPARATION II. PACT OF NON-AGGRESSION III. TRADE AGREEMENT IV. DURATION ARTICLE I: TERMS OF SEPARATION Pursuant to a smooth and peaceful transition, the signatories agree to the following terms in regards to the Elysian departure from Norland. I. The residents of Elysium shall be allowed a period of two Elven Weeks to vacate their previous home. During this period, the Crown shall provide what aid is necessary in transportation and manpower to ensure swift departure. II. Following this two year period, the land where Elysium once stood will be disincorporated and will be returned to its undeveloped state, to be used as farmland as was the land’s original use. All titles and stylings pertaining to the name of the Duchy of Elysium will be kept by Duke Eugeo de Astrea. All equivalent titles within the Kingdom of Norland will be dissolved. III. Those residents of Elysium who may wish to remain within the Kingdom of Norland will be given a home in the capital city of Varhelm, to be exempt from tax for one Elven Week so as to ease the cost of resettlement. IV. The House of De Astrea shall be relieved of its status, responsibilities and privileges as a recognized Clan of the Kingdom of Norland. ARTICLE II: PACT OF NON-AGGRESSION With the goal of fostering a future of cooperation, the signatories agree to the following terms in regards to non-agression. I. The Kingdom of Norland and the Duchy of Elysium, as well as the families-in-power therein, will engage in no form of hostility against one another, nor will they partake in any military conflict which would put them at odds with one another. II. Should it come to pass that conflict does arise between the signatories, both will commit themselves to finding a resolution via diplomatic means. ARTICLE III: TRADE AGREEMENT To ensure the continued economic well-being of both the newly established Elysian municipality, as well as that of the Kingdom of Norland, the signatories agree to the following terms as they pertain to trade and commerce. I. The Kingdom of Norland will grant a stall within the Varhelm Plaza, free of tax, for the use of the Duchy of Elysium. In return, the Duchy of Elysium will give the same in an equivalent location. ARTICLE IV: DURATION The terms of this agreement shall last for a period of fifteen years, with the option of renewal upon its expiry. Signed, Vane Freysson, King of Norland, Duke of Varhelm, Protector of Highlanders Mera Camian, Emissary of the Kingdom of Norland Eugeo de Astrea, Duke of Elysium Aylin de Astrea, Former Chief Diplomat to Norland, Heir Apparent & Head Diplomat to Elysium

Mera Camian looked at the invitation her grandmother had received. "My title is Matriarch, and my grandmother gave it to me a decade ago..." The woman complained quietly to herself, lamenting that she is eternally doomed to live in her grandmother's shadow.

Alisa Camian briefly considered putting up another war betting board in her temple, but ultimately decided there was no point in betting on a conflict with a predetermined outcome. "I do enjoy a good lesson in humility."

Norlandic nativist and volatile agitator Mera Camian hissed in mild disgust as word got around to her. "I would much prefer if the Dwarves kept their war outside of our borders, whether they're moonlighting in the Northguard or not. Especially when they're threatening people we're meant to be allied with," She said offhandedly to those members of her family around her at the time. "Foreigners ought to be thrown out of Norland wholesale. Nothing but repeated headaches, the lot of them."