Every Summit, the great and good of the Concord make their way to Passage, a nowhere town in the Madre Campo that serves more as a symbol of being a passage, more so than being a place worthy of its duty. They come from afar, those nobles, rich men and powerful women, those puppet masters and those that would do violence on their behalf. And with them come all the rest, the predators that would prey on them, those scavengers that would feed on their offerings, those rare principled few who will stare into the coalface and try not to flinch their morals into a shadow of what they told themselves they would be.
These ‘Concordian Heroes’ are joined by hundreds of faceless additions; civil service bureacrats, locals eager to see the strangeness and the innumerable hangers on. Within are the identities of some of these folks, the gifts they bring and the blades in their hands.
My Unwillingness to Yield, My Eagerness to Fight
From far to the west comes the Al’Mai, at their head the illusive Magli El’Mukarem Al’Mai with a semblance of their clan around them. Wanted for treason, held as the face of the Andashi nomads, master of nearly half of Mukarrem and rarely seen, Magli comes to speak with Andash and see what can and must be done. They come not to answer Concordian law, but to write a future in stone for the people of the sands. They travel swiftly and it is likely that they will be camping near Passage before the Summit begins, but Andashi tradition demands that conversation of good things happens after night falls, and so they should be expected on the night of the second day, along with their companions; Cas El’Priado Al’Mai, commander of the Al’Mai forces while Kharas Al’Mai El’Mitricasa Del’Eastwind is imprisoned, Vasri Al’Mai Al’Shesti Del’Blood, a young Shesti warrior and guardian of Magli and Pathan Al’Mai El’Civisello, the steward of the Al’Mai and their coinmaster.
But matching their steps, the looming shadow on the wall, is Skaios the Winder, second apprentice to Themonar the Idiomancer, Archmagus of the Word. A strange man, Skaios is a force wreathed in blood and furs. A man from far and away with a magical power unrivalled within the Concord. He travels alone through a land that sees him as an interloper because he fears no other, his people walk with Mammoths and his hands have seen magic unmade. He is here to speak with humans, to trade knowledge and see that his work can continue, not to war, not to kill, not again. A simple man, he walks alone and you will see his arrival on the night of the second day.
From the East comes a regular occurrence, a knight in dour colours, something Passage is becoming used to. Ser Viktoria the Lance of the Order of Candlelight, comes with a singular purpose. The Wise Council of Bordevar, those very few who rule the Kingdom from an empty throne sometimes have missives that they cannot trust to just any Concordian messenger, when matters of the Kingdoms security and lineage are at stake, they entrust it to the knightly order that serves at the behest of the Wise Council, The Order of Candlelight. Ser Viktoria has no desire to leave her work undone and will be arriving on the first night of the Summit, eager to speak with the Ducal Council and the Royal Ranger.
Finally and perhaps most surprisingly is the docking of a ship in Lerona Mere, a sharp vessel that rides the waves with hungry purpose, its mast warning its allegiance with a twin banner, the first a personal affectation of the captain; a vicious hook on red and white quartered, the other a far more well known ensign; Yellow and Orange with a black skull, the Golden Fleet. This captain, one Usah Ondrevont of The Tempest Pact is making his way to the Summit while his crew rest and rearm in the City of Legends. While his purpose is unknown, the corsair will likely arrive for the Senate on the first day.
Of course, these are but the known and human forces that would approach the Summit. Beyond these simple envoys and their very human concerns, there could be a vast amount of unknown and unknowable forces at work at this Summit.
Game Information
Many non-player characters will be eager to attend the Summit and see to their business. While it can be hard to know exactly what their goals are, it is likely that they will leave their mark wherever they have travelled.
Tomorrow and Yesterday
Across The Concord, but particularly in Lerona Mere there is all manner of strange effects afoot. Chandlers report that their wares burn brighter than they should, a certain boon for trade. Sunsets are beautiful in appearance beyond simple nature and there is a sense of hope in the wind.
Beyond simply a changing of fortunes, Priests have agreed that a Herald of Lumos is bound to appear. Given recent times it is likely that such an occurrence will happen at some point during the Winter Summit and likely within the bounds of Passage.
Game Information
A Lumos Herald is expected to appear at Winter Summit 224. Being the Sphere of light and hope, it is likely that it will be during the day rather than at night.