O Esteem, grant me this stage, grant me your light and grant me your eyes. Witness me perform for your favour and lay upon me your judgement. See me now before you in all that I am worth and weigh my soul.
I spread Whispers of a fall from grace. A misstep so bathed in shame that one would think a man becomes a babe from their crawling form. O Esteem may we learn from their failings by quietly reminding each other of their dishonour behind their back.
I choose now to Speak only to your Heralds, for I am not worthy to Speak to you. Let my words Speak with ink on a page infused with my soul and carried to their ears by the wings of my faith. O Esteem, may I show poise to those who doubt me, and seek guidance from those who see through me.
I Promise to show my belief in action. I bring water to a man when he is thirsty, I attend council when I am called and I sanctify these mortal monuments to bring me closer to you. O Esteem, let me feel happiness in upholding my word and misery in falling short.
O Esteem, if I have performed for you well and pleased you truly, if I am worthy to make the Journey with your blessing, let all others see my Glory, and cast their votes in my favour once the Golden Ballot opens!
In the Sphere’s Light, we pray.
Honey And Wildfire Are Both The Colour Gold
In the mountainous foothills that rise from the rolling plains, a crystal-clear river flows freely. Along its banks, perfect rings of unusual flowers sway gently in the breeze. A nomad dressed in cayenne hues stands perplexed, his finger dripping crimson blood onto the razor-sharp petals that shine like stained glass.
~=~=~=~
In the verdant grasslands near an ancient estate, a series of newly erected posts cordon off one of a dozen small groves of very large trees. Their ash-coloured leaves provide welcome shade from the scorching sun as workers ready their tools. A logger in a flowing azure tunic swings hard towards the trunk of one such tree, and watches in surprise as his axe buries far deeper into the usually unyielding wood than he expected.
~=~=~=~
At the heart of the craterous pit mine, three workers swing at the earth with heavy pickaxes, breaking up the rock in search of new veins of mithril. With the clang of pick on metal, one miner pauses. Brushing away the rubble, he shouts in jubilation as the flickering torchlight illuminates the telltale sheen of the dark, flinty ore.
Three hours later, the miners stare in bewilderment at the strange sight before them. Half-encased within the long vein of ore is an immaculate cube of ruby-dark bloodglass, roughly a foot long in each direction. Incredibly smooth, impossibly perfect, and found far too deep to be natural, the cube glints mockingly in the firelight.
~=~=~=~
Above the vast moors of the once-forgotten land, half a dozen massive monoliths stand solemnly. Once, they bled in ocean-indigo hues. Now, they leak anew. From deep within the porous rock ooze the colours of sunset, shining with the richness of saffron and the sweetness of wealth.
~=~=~=~
Somewhere within the deep-dappled grove of titanic trees, a robin with too many eyes flutters onto the bough of one of the orchard’s oldest Nightswood trees. Its timber shaved down and carted off years ago, it serves as little more than a reminder; the deep-set arborglyphs of civilisation.
But no longer does the tree bear the scars of where careful hands had carved great slabs from its flesh. Once more, the great Thunder Oak stands mottled but whole, its trunk now a patchwork of pitch-black and carmine.
~=~=~=~
High in the western mountain range, a shepherd falls to her knees whilst tending to her flock of goats. As the handful of pebble-sized pale-blue stones in her forehead glint in the early morning light, her intricately embroidered tunic quickly becomes sodden with snowmelt.
She screams, clawing at her face as her skin begins to stretch. Her temples split with a wet squelch, sheets of blood pouring down her face as six long, pointed sapphire spikes break through like worms burrowing from the earth after rain. She breathes in one last shuddering breath before falling prone; the brilliant snow made incarnadine.
~=~=~=~
In the winding caves deep below black granite cliffs, a group of miners sprint back up a mineshaft as fast as they can move. Behind them, a huge shard of Kyanite begins to shine brighter and brighter, the forceful strike that uncovered the stone reacting and reverberating to a dangerous extreme.
But the expected explosion never arrives. Turning around, the workers look on as the light within the purple crystal shines violently for a moment more, then winks out, the mineshaft returning to its usual dimness.
~=~=~=~
In Wolstad- In Lerona Mere- In Weiland- In Obregon- In Brakkenloh- In Strivington-
In cities across all five nations of the Concord, in places of wealth, people, and culture aplenty, the Sphere of Panoply issues a challenge.
Over the winter months, every church across the Concord finds a small box clad sitting on their front steps, a small stack of paper slips beside it. Clad in the colours of the evening sun, the boxes are placed outside each building, inviting people to make their choice. Regardless of the weather, or however many people move through, the stacks of paper beside the boxes seem to always remain well stocked.
Though the boxes would become the subject of much scrutiny, their effects are still to be determined. One thing is for certain, however.
Each day brings only one vote.
Make it count.
Game Information
The Precipice has been aligned to Panoply this past Season. As such, Ceremonies of Panoply have had their magnitude reduced for this coming Summit:
| Ceremony Magnitude | Magnitude Reduction |
| From 1 to 10 | By 2 |
| From 11 to 30 | By 4 |
| From 31 to 50 | By 8 |
| From 51 and higher | By 16 |
In addition, the ceremonies ‘Coinmaster’s Superior Transmutation’, ‘Prominent Demands for Taxation’, and ‘Esteemed Voices Raised Loud’ may be cast.
Across the Concord, a variety of unexpected effects have occurred.
Strange occurrences have begun to take place across all of the Concordian Deeds. These effects are detailed below, and will last for as long as the Precipice is aligned to Panoply.
- Magli’s Gift has begun producing a small supply of both Green Sunleaf and Shimmering Scales in addition to its regular supply of Arcstone.
- The Opal Oasis, despite being out-of-commission for the last few months due to the disruptions in Civisello, has still managed to produce a full season’s worth of Wains of Thunder Oak.
- The Lake Ladure Quarry continues to produce Crystal Mana as if it was a Tier Two Leyline, in addition to its usual bounty of Arcstone.
- Aethemer’s Folly has excavated a seemingly stable form of Kyanite, at the cost of some of their usual supply of Mithril.
- The Rumwold Vastness has begun to excavate strangely perfect cubes of Essencite and Bloodglass from within its Mithril veins, providing them a small supply of each in addition to their Mithril supply.
- The Eisen Orchard has begun to produce a small bounty of Hartswood, in addition to its regular supply of Thunder Oak.
The Esterran Circle is O R A N G E.
All Aurums are affected by the following roleplay prompt: Your gems have been acting strangely; shifting across your face and growing at a considerable rate, they are likely far more prominent than usual. A few times, you have awoken to find that one of them has fallen from your face, only for a new gem to have erupted by sunset. They may be itchy or uncomfortable, but not painful.
Whether through selling these shed gems or through other unexpected windfalls, all Aurums will find they have earned slightly more this past season.
Strange gilded ballot boxes have begun to appear in Civil Service Offices and Churches across the Concord. Their effect is currently unknown. One will appear at Passage during the coming Summit. Each character will receive two voting slips, with one for each day. These voting slips are an In-Character item, and can be treated as such.
Be Not Blind to the Suffering of the Downtrodden
Years ago, a kind man in Wolstad looked upon the Concord and saw that its commonfolk suffered. Be it by plague, by war, or by simple greed, it was often the lowest that suffered the most. His words carried weight to the ears of those in great power, who leant him a mote of that power, and then leant him coin. In reward for his toil, the Spheres took from him his sight, albeit only for a short time.
Now, there is a gray stone monastery in The Hunters Wood. Already being enraptured by the crawling vines of the Weald, and there are already two pair roosting owls within its small stable for oxen. It is quiet and unadorned, as befits a place of contemplation. One would be forgiven for thinking it was abandoned were it not the holy workers that wander its grounds. For as much as this is a place of learning and discovery, it is also a place of work. Its cellars hold sacks upon sacks of preserved vegetables and flour, its toolshed is filled to bursting with carpenter’s tools, block-and-tackle, and cartwright’s business. The monks here are wise in the way of the Spheres and the way of the world. Their arms are tough and scarred from physical work, and their feet are well-worn from walking great distances. They have come far to travel further, bringing the aid and light of the Spheres to The Concord.
On the inside of the Monastery’s main hall, just above the redwood entry door read the following quote:
Be not blind to the suffering of the downtrodden.
They are owed your hand, your light, and your work more than any other.
Be not blind to the suffering of the meek.
They are often lost in the works of the great, where they are crushed underfoot.
Be not blind to the suffering of the poor.
They have within them greatness, even if the world stands against them.
Be not blind to the suffering of the lost.
They need only to walk hand in hand with a friend to find their path again.
Be not blind to the suffering of the soul.
As it sees true.
To the right of this door is a simple painting of a gray bearded man, his eyes covered with a strip of coarse cloth, and an easy smile on his face, his cheeks warm with mirth. A small plaque notes this man as ‘Father Ulrich Felstead, whose mercy saw this monastery raised’. The Blind Priest of Wolstad can still be found in its town square, preaching, or perhaps making his way to Passage. But his mark has been left on the world.
Game Information
The Order of the Sacred Journey has been completed in The Hunter’s Wood, sitting a distance to the west of Wolstad, a little over a day's travel among the paths and tracks of the Weald. The title of ‘Master of the Order of the Sacred Journey’ has been created.
Surprisingly, the forces loyal to the upstart ‘True Baron of Jaegerholz’, Maximilian Hanselvacht have not disadvantaged or disrupted the completion or operation of the monastery in any way. There will be additional information and decisions for the Master of the Order of the Sacred Journey regarding being a part of the Barony of Jaegerholz.
Hunters Wood has gained the following trait:
| Trait | Cas. Inf. | Cas. Suf. | Claim | Special |
| Monastery | - | -15% | +200 | Bonus Claim and Casualties suffered only applies to friendly forces. Hostile forces that conquer a territory containing a Monastery receive additional spoils of war. |
Divine Stars in a Sunless Realm
Echoes of countless voices and languages flit across dimensionless space, their sources are comets of light and power, Divine in their nature and blinding to those who gaze into the realm of the Journey. In Artebazzan, those who gaze through the Window look up in wonder as the three burning comets orbit around each other as they drift around the Mortal Sphere.
The smallest of the trinary system is a pale and beautiful white, shedding a mantle of midnight blue from its corona, orbited by a tiny flickering planetoid of one single soul. It pulses softly as the echoes of quiet promises and cold fury fill the void from end to end.
“Thank you for answering my call and meeting me. Notice has been given, marked and sealed in Divine blood as the Prominence demands.”
There is a hum that stretches throughout time - resonating from a Sphere both almost close enough to touch and also infinitely distant - before another entity speaks into the darkness.
“You have made your summon clear, and we have come as demanded, but we each have our duties, child of knowledge. Be brief - you ask much of us.”
This one pulses a harsh golden light, the myriad of voices that emanate from it bearing stern condemnation, universally applied over its many physical forms.
“Aban Ibn Wassar, I-”
“Do not speak that name as if you have earned the right to do so. I am here for my task, not out of any love for you.”
“...fine. Herald of Law, I have prepared my part in this. I have sown the seeds of Divine power, and embraced through my aspect this reaped harvest of authority to find the truth and punish those who mislead.”
“I have walked among them to deliver your missive, as well as by my own accord. I remain unconvinced of your assertions of their failures against the divine order - they are flawed as all mortals are, but they retain the capacity to learn and change. I will join you in accord and render judgement if that is the will of the Herald of Guilt and Doubt, but I reserve my judgement for the Spheric Council - do not ask me for summary judgement or you will earn my ire.”
The invisible pressure of the place seemed to build, almost as if the formless entities’ attention on the silent third member of their trio could be felt. Largest of the three, its surface a perfect reflective steel that reflected the light of the others in an iridescent halo, it orbited well out and away from the closely knit pair, slowly revolving in a balancing dance. When echoes resonated from it, there was no unity in it, overlapping voices and emotions flowing out to ripple through the twinkling lights of the souls flowing around them.
“They are…human. They err. Many are flawed, many remind me of memories of a life once lived. They do not know the Truth, but they cannot be blamed for that. As to the worthiness of their nation…I…have not made up my mind.”
A pulse of disquiet and frustration echoed forth from the smallest of the group - emotions made manifest in a wave which temporarily disrupted the souls in their Journey. A six-part chord resounded through all of reality and for a brief moment every light in the heavens was stilled. After a fraction of a moment, the souls continued on their appointed paths, and echoes once again rang out into the still pond of eternity.
“You have acted for more than a year, what further proof do you need!? Their nation is rotted through from the roots all the way to the canopy - they are a patchwork confederation of failures tied together to desperately survive, a motley shadow of past glories that achieve nothing. Better that they be cast down the road to ruin and have the deserving arise again in a new cycle.”
“And for the sin of past glories you would have us strip them of the blessing of three Spheres? A full half of creation? As Herald of Truth you know I speak truthfully when I say that would damn countless souls full of potential to oblivion! You waste my time and my teachings to the outer dark when they finally are showing promise. You will need to do better than that to convince me.”
“You will come though. You will hear from me the extent of their failures, and from their own mouths hear their pathetic mewling pleas for mercy that I will refuse to grant. The limitations of Vargo’s space will ensure that only their most deserving and worthy can even hope to attend - those who have been given the greatest opportunities of the Spheres, knowledge of the brilliance of their past lives. Even these blessed ones are unworthy, and will do nothing but prove my case.”
“We will see. Until then.”
Falling from the trio like a meteorite, the brilliant pulsing gold fell back to the Mortal Sphere, lighting up the skies as it drew a mortal shell back to itself. Seeing that the confluence was at an end, the largest of the three did likewise without a word, falling away back to its duties in the outer reaches of the Sphere.
The pale comet lingered for a moment, shedding a trail of beautiful blue as it danced among the worthy souls of the departed, shepherding them toward the vast Spheres beyond. From it rippled the shallowest echo, emanating not from its brilliant majesty but from the single soul trapped in orbit around it. This echo, so small, so easy to ignore - just as it has been ignored this whole time by the brilliant soul it orbits - a quiet voice speaking into an unhearing infinity.
“Forgive them, brother. This was my will.”
Game Information
The Magistrate, in its most recent visit to Passage, handed to the High Priest of Panoply a summons penned and sealed by the Fang of Inner Darkness, demanding the presence of a delegation of Concordians at what it termed a ‘Spheric Council’, where it proclaimed that a trio of Heralds would convene to pass judgement on the Concord based off their interactions in the last few years.
This will replace the Past Life Vision, occurring at the same time that occurrence normally would, but with some specific details. 6 heroes must be chosen to attend, all equally relevant, there as contributors not observers. Only those who have been on a Past Life Vision (as either Visionary or Guide), or bear a Graced form will be able to attend - there are no other requirements for those that attend.
While the information is in the hands of the High Priest of Panoply, the attendants will be finalized at the Council of Six meeting on Day 2 through unanimous consent.
An Animal that Writes Letters
The being appeared in a flash of darklight, casting shadows about its form and across the monolith at the peak of Goddream Pinnacle. The heroes intent on investigating the stars above Windholme stumbled backwards, some even reached for blades. The stooped figure had scales the colour of candlelight, and clutched far too many books in its far too long arms.
“Humanity, hear this message and heed it.”
-=-=-=-
With her right hand caked in blood, she stood on the vast battlefield, the legion on one side, and the horse lords on the other. Her voice rang out like the clash of steel.
“It is time for humanity to walk its own path, to seek the Spheres without the wisdom of the Eternals.”
-=-=-=-
His voice wove its way through the streets of Aprivano like a serpent of gold, finding hundreds of ears and thousands of hearts.
“For it is the suffering of humanity to strive against unknowing, to test their souls against the darkness that is existence.”
-=-=-=-
His footfalls on the deck of the rocking ship were even, easy, and confident, just as the blade in his hand danced with skill and lethality. His words shone, like dark steel in a new dawn.
“We remain your ever present watchers, herdsfolk, and wrathful minders. For it is the suffering of our task.”
-=-=-=-
Her shield was mighty to behold, even here in the coldest snow. It brought warmth and hope, even if her countenance did not.
“Go now and discover, live, and thrive, for you have no other option.”
Game Information
The presence of many divine beings across the Concord (and presumably the world) has heralded many changes to humanity's ability to communicate with them. While it has taken some time to understand what form these changes will take, they have begun to be felt.
Spheric Missives appear to no longer be able to contact Eternals. Any attempts to do so fail, with the crystal mana being consumed.
Spheric Missives to Heralds have gained additional effects. While responses from these capricious beings are still not ensured, responses of a kind have been noticed. The summit following a Spheric Missive, the Missive’s writer will receive a mechanical/roleplay effect that is particular to the Herald contacted. This effect will be either positive or negative, depending on the Herald’s interpretation, feeling, and conclusion about your missive. You may or may not receive a response.
As the Concord does not know these effects currently, they have not been added to the wiki. As they are discovered and experienced by Concordian characters, they will be added to the ceremony entries on the wiki.
The magnitude of all Spheric Missive ceremonies have been raised to 4.
The following characters will receive effects from Heralds regarding their missives from last summit:
- Valrick Thanshaw
- Ciaphus Barberan
There will be additional information regarding the appearance of a Herald at the Goddream Pinnacle for the heroes who were present at the time.
Tribulations of Crystal and Paper
You are not permitted you are not permitted you are not permitted you are not permitted you are not permitted you are not permitted. You are not permitted you are not permitted you are not permitted you are not permitted you are not permitted you are not permitted.
Sister Agatha looked down with consternation at the written script on the parchment before her before looking up with narrowed eyes, searching for any sign of deception in the eyes of her newest subordinate - his brown leather jacket fresh and still lacking the ink stains that it would inevitably obtain as the attire of a scribe in the Bureau of the Church.
“Last chance to confess to a lie. You’re not lying to just get out of the drudgery you’ve been assigned?”
“No ma’am, the man definitely said the words, and I’ve not been able to do my job since. Right pain it is. Said that it was a punishment from someone I pissed off when I was part of the Magistratum. Said he had no hard feelings, but he’d been paid to make it extra hard to get rid of.”
Agatha pinched the bridge of her nose and massaged her forehead as she mused about how to deal with the situation.
“Why were you even in Passage anyway? How did they know you were there? You would have had to have been within 15 minutes of the Square, and there long enough for them to conduct a Ceremony to boot.”
“No idea to the second one ma’am, but I suppose I’ve been…known to pass through there to enjoy a drink or two on my travels…”
He looked sheepish, and averted his eyes as she levelled an absolutely withering glare in his direction. Normally what he did on his own time when returning from the outer territories was his own issue as long as he was back on time, but this was going to make her work an absolute nightmare for the foreseeable future.
“He didn’t happen to mention just how much extra crystal mana he spent to make the Blindfold harder to remove? You didn’t get a view of his sect? Rough numbers?”
“No ma’am. Sorry ma’am.”
“Enough with the ma’am! You’re making me feel old! Spheres above…”
She sighed, then looked out the window, trying to figure out what to do with him that would still be useful for her office, already penning a letter to the office of the Curate in her head to ask for a replacement.
“Alright, I’m assigning you to field work then. You’ll carry this information to every sect you can find, and then just count them via a tally list on this board. We need accurate numbers for the new voting system, so make sure you don’t double up!”
“Yes ma…miss. You can count on me!”
Her young assistant eagerly grabbed the proffered materials and disappeared eagerly through the door, leaving her to collapse back into her chair with a deep sigh as she stared despairingly at the mounds of paperwork on the side desk she had been looking on offloading to him.
“One more season…just one more season…then things will be better.”
Her quiet promise to herself rang hollow even as she spoke the words. The upcoming improvements to bureaucracy just left more time for bureaucracy, and the paper trail never got any smaller. With one last sigh she picked up her next congregational report and got back to work.
Game Information
There is a significant change coming to Church Motions, which specifically affects Greater Majority motions. Going forwards, there are two possible conditions that will lead to a Greater Majority motion being passed:
- 1) The motion has more than 50% of all available standard church votes ‘For’ the motion
- 2) The motion has more than 66% of all available base tiers of Congregation voting in favour of the motion
If the second condition is achieved (which will be checked first), then the votes will not be counted, the motion simply passes.
The Church Bureau has also successfully argued for access to funds gathered from the State of Emergency. For so long as the State of Emergency persists, purchasing a Tier 1 Congregation from the Exchange is free, allowing individuals to change their Investments to better interact with the new voting method in the Church. However, it should be noted that characters who obtain a congregation do not gain additional votes and are not counted for greater majority motions until the following summit, as it takes some time for a congregation to be organised.
Lastly, while the rules on this have not changed, this is also a reminder that Ceremony Magnitude is the minimum cost, not the explicit cost. All Ceremonies can be performed at a higher Magnitude (and therefore higher Crystal Mana cost) if so desired, though many do not have any additional explicit benefits for doing so.
The important reminder is that for Curses and Enchantments, only the highest magnitude in effect on a target at any particular layer will be active. The other effects are still ‘on’ the target for the duration, but their effect is suppressed until the higher magnitude effect wears off or is removed.
By Fire and Starlight I Know the Spheres
Among Concordian lands and beyond, it is sometimes within the burning passions of priests to declare certain locations holy to the Spheres. Perhaps it is the site of some great miracle that changed the shape of the land itself, perhaps it is the home of a congregation that has wrought great goodness in the world, perhaps it is simply a place of such majestic beauty that it evokes the Spheres itself. Regardless of the why, these locations become of great importance to people throughout the faith, they become the site of pilgrimages, and others assume that miracles will appear here.
This past year has seen two new holy sites added to the records of The Concord, one in light, one in shadow.
‘The Roiling’ in Mukarrem has a troubled history. Once the sight of an arcane and esoteric experiment by the mages of the Idrian Cabal, the land was corrupted and strange, with blades of glass and miss-shapen beasts. The Concord with their Al’Mai allies threw out the Cabal, but the land remained as it was. But the Heralds had granted the Concord a boon in years past, an ember of Anarch which was carried into this unknowable contamination by one man and his allies. Once there, he cast the ember down, renting the land asunder, and banishing the arcane hubris. The land cracked, smoked, and flamed, raging wildly for seasons, before calming into scattered hillocks that still smoke, spontaneously burn, and occasionally roil with laval flows. That man was Daud El’Priado Del’Anarch Al’Sabre, and it was by his hand and bearing that The Roiling was recognised as a holy site to Anarch this past season by the Council of Six.
Far to the North East, within the lands of the Onyx Aristocracy that was once the Barony of Vassertal, there is a cathedral. A fine structure of iron and arcstone, it was once a grand place of worship and new life, where priests of Arcadian and Stallia made good the teachings of truth, strength, and righteousness. But it has not been within friendly hands for some time. Foul rumour has it that this church, known as ‘The Cathedral of the Iron Star’ is sick, caustic, and ensorcelled as much of the city of Hasselbach is. But its legacy still shines through time and distance. It is this legacy that inspired Houndspriest Wenche Vanatoure to champion its recognition as a holy site, which has passed this season. It’s starlight glow draws the Concord into Vassertal to reclaim what was lost, and see it brought high once again.
But all is not well. Each holy site the Concord recognises puts a great weight upon these locations, and lacking financial and logistical support by The Church, they can quickly fall into disrepair or obscurity. While this would be fine for a vale, crossroads, or valley of little note, the abandonment of these sites when they are of faithful importance is another matter. The Church has failed to consecrate any holy sites, and in adding more it is impossible to see to them all using the expected hands of volunteers.
A place of great history and once of great military concern, Deorling’s Citadel is seen as a holy site for all of the Spheres. It holds great reverence in the history of the Iron Valley’s conversion to the Spheres from their heathen history, and has been a redoubt of considerable importance. But as the fortress falls from notoriety through shifting borders, so does its religious significance. Only time will tell what new importance the fortress of Deorling will hold.
Game Information
Following significant work by Daud El’Priado Del’Anarch Al’Sabre Los Valientes and the approval of The Council of Six, The Roiling has been recognised as a holy site to Anarch. Civil Service workers within the Church have determined the consecration for such a chaotic place.
The Roiling
Cost: 7 Vaults, 5 Thunderoak, 3 Arcstone, 15 Bloodglass, 12 Suns Iron.
Construction Time: 1 Seasons
Income: 12 Crystal Mana
The Ember that Flares
The High Priest of Anarch is granted the ability to cast the ceremony ‘Burn the Ashes’ once per summit, as if they had the available magnitude, at no cost. The ceremony must be performed at the Sanctified Square or an Altar as required. The ceremony should include the target adorning themselves with images of flames, and include the idea that their soul blazes with a blinding light.
When Congregations based in the Priado Expanse take the ‘mysticism’ action, they grant themselves and the Church treasury, 2 Bloodglass.
Once per year, Congregations in the Priado Expanse may take the ‘Support the Army’ action, as if they were a Military Investment of the same tier. They still remain a Congregation for the purposes of Church Votes, enchantments, and all other purposes. These investments should submit downtime as a military investment and note The Roiling’s special ability in the notes section of their downtime.
-
Following significant work by Houndspriest Wenche Vanatoure, The Iron Star Cathedral in Vassertal has been recognised as a holy site. However, as it is not within Concordian control, the Civil Service has not determined the work required to complete its consecration.
-
Both the Priado Expanse and Zildora have gained the ‘Holy Site’ trait.
| Name | Casualties Inflicted Mod | Casualties Suffered Mod | Claim Mod | Special |
| Holy Site | +20% | +10% | - | This trait only affects armies that follow the faith of the Divine Spheres. |
-
Due to waning attention in Deorling’s Citadel and its shift from important fortress to overshadowed waystation, its holy elements have fallen into obscurity and disrepair. The cost of consecrating Deorling’s Citadel has risen from 4 Vaults and other costs, to 7 Vaults and other costs, and its construction time has increased to 2 seasons.
In addition, Iron Valley characters with Congregations may take the special action ‘Mark of the Salir’, which would involve them travelling to Deorling’s Citadel to remove the adornments of the Spheres common in more mainstream churches, and replacing them with adornments more befitting Iron Valley tradition. Sufficent undertakings of this action will result in a new set of consecration effects for Deorling's Citadel.
The longer holy sites remain unconsecrated, the more they will fall into disrepair and obscurity.
Blood Declares a Message of Change
Friar Raymond twisted and turned on the pew where he lay, his dreams filled with visions of dripping blood, iron nails and cold eyes. A brother in the chapel walked past and chuckled quietly, giving him space to keep sleeping, folding up the book of recitations he had been modifying with red ink to create his own devotions and mantras.
He will wake in a panic when the great bell of the church tolls above his head, and fall off the pew in a tangle of robes to smash his nose on the ground in a splatter of blood.
~ ~ ~ ~
Relucia’s eyes drooped and she bit hard on the inside of her lip as she struggled to stay awake in the evening. Her work in the scriptorum was long and arduous, and she had been at it all day - stopping only for a couple of quick breaks as she tried to create copies of all the complaints and demands for change from the many faithful who came through her chapel’s doors every week.
In an hour, sleep will overcome her, and her head will slip forward to her desk, her quill cutting a gash from her cheek where her blood will mingle with the parchment.
~ ~ ~ ~
Beckoner Signe traded blows in the training yard in the cold evening air, her eyes bright as her wooden training sword slashed out again and again in a well-trained pattern. She loved these moments to get away from her duties in the Congregation and simply feel the physicality of a fight. She missed this, and maybe one day she would take up arms again.
In the fading light, she will soon miss a sword stroke thrown with fatigue rather than practiced care, and receive a sharp crack on her head, a brief bout of unconsciousness, and a trickle of blood for her troubles.
~ ~ ~ ~
On the church floor. On the writing desk. On a training sword. Across the Concord, blood dripped, carried from the heads of priests of Anarch, the devotees of change for the benefit of the nation. Not the red of wine or poppies, but the shining rainbow hue like a smear of oil on water.
Then, a moment later, the divine message began, amongst scenes of confusion: the blood began to whisper, resonating in a sibilant hiss that filled the air like a buzz.
“The plaintive gesture of denying a challenge does not please nor appease the Eternal of the Unchained Soul. By the divinity in your blood hear now the declaration of Anarch through my voice as Verator: your soul must not be held back by fetters - have faith in the judgement of the Eternals of Change, for they ask of you only what you can righteously achieve.”
The blood, no matter where it was found, twisted into the sigil of the Concordian Church, before beginning to evaporate away.
“Sir Escanor did not take the step given him in challenge, and failed to begin the cascade of blessings upon his house. The halls of faith that record those who dare stand before the Peak have gained another name, but not one that will be recorded in glory.”
With the last of the liquid drifting up into the night air, leaving only the scent of salt and a smear of rainbow in its wake, those witnesses across the Concord who heard the message looked around at each other in wonder and confusion. After a moment the spell broke and they dived for their books and pens, scribing down the words before they had a chance to disappear from their minds - a message received across the whole nation.
Game Information
News of the conclusion of Otherworldly Challenge has quietly passed throughout the preachers of the Concord, moving from the lips of those who have heard the voice of the Verator to their peers.
The Church historically passed a motion that someone would be labelled Champion of the Spheres, and conduct the Ceremony for Otherworldly Challenge. One way or another, this has come to a conclusion, and the Church now lacks a Champion. There will be decisions for the Council fo Six regarding the Champion of the Spheres 'title'.
Priests of Anarch may choose to experience the following roleplay prompt:
The colourful blood that dripped from your head whispered a message to you from Anarch, and inspired you with the beauty of the Sphere’s effects on this mundane world. You are drawn to be colourful and artistic - to create and improve in your own echo of the Sphere of Change.
I Reach Out to You, and Look Inside Myself
The flyer declares that The Concord has no desire to learn about the religion of The Zekartaal, but that we should seek to understand The Lost Clans.
In Abqala, a Patron prepares his convoy to take north. The caravans are fortified and barred to ward against attackers and laden with goods to trade, space for treasures and profits to fill on the return journey.
“Hola, Cómo estás? What can you tell me of this Hawk Clan that has passed through here? I travel northwards to trade with them and share the bounties of The Coinmaster and to learn of their culture!”
Asking around the pools, the Patron gets many of the same answers. They were polite and respectful, but private with their own traditions. You will have to learn from them directly in your travels over the coming season.
~=~=~=~
The flyer declares that we must work alongside the Drummondites, and accept our different Churches without conflict.
In The Relazione, the Embassy staff review the document alongside those passed down from the Church Bureau and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
“I suppose it makes sense, the Consular being part of the Foreign Service after all. But we’re already acutely aware of the agreement not to preach to each other and keep our Churches separate.”
“Perhaps it is intended as a missive for those who take their ships to Crownsport or Manacle Harbour? Notice and instruction to behave and disregard during their time in port and interacting with the Drummondites.”
The first Clerk takes the flyer and folds it into a small boat, placing it on the map spread over the table. As the two await the coming reports from Ambassador Demkó’s envoys, they take turns pushing the paper ship across the Explorer’s Sea.
~=~=~=~
The flyer declared that we should seek to understand the Balites, breaking bread with them and treating them with respect.
In Windholme, the flyer is thrown into a fire just as soon as it is picked up. The Chosen warm themselves around it as they celebrate the retaking of Baelag’s Holdfast, already drawing grand plans to seize their rightful Brotherslee.
“Friends with the Balites? I would sooner make friends with my pig!”
“We have the King’s Pass, Baile Fealtiori should be next! Who are these tree worshipping vagrants to stand in the way of the mountainfolk inheritance?”
The conversation in the room is drowned out by the stomping of feet and clanging of weapons, and cries of bloodglass inheritance.
“They seem more than comfortable walking through the streets of Lerona Mere. Maybe the western plains should be ours as well.”
~=~=~=~
The flyer declares that The Concord has no desire to learn about the religion of The Onyx Aristocracy, and that we must convince the Dendarri to take up arms against them.
In the Old Weiland Town Hall laughter erupts, the dry kind that begets the quiet anger of disbelief.
“Does the Consular think we’re Avalonians, needing to be told not to entreat with the Onyx? No true Bordevarian would allow them a second to speak of their faith. Onyx dogs are good for nothing but cutting down, and even then they blunt our swords.”
“Did you hear the traitor Leofric was spotted out in Draemoor? The Barrow Hounds are going to fuck him up good!”
The clerks cheer and bark to the otherwise empty room, wishing to be fighting alongside their fellow commonfolk instead of being cooped inside the Embassy. The second clerk pauses, turning back towards their coworker with flyer in hand.
“Do you think we ought to tell someone how often the Ambassador seems to be chatting with their Chancellor up north?”
~=~=~=~
The flyer declares that The Concord has no desire to reunify with Artebazzan and that their Church must atone for the sins of their State.
In the bowels of Loricazzo lies a non descript Church of… Anarch? Standing before its altar, two priests preach to their gathered flock. The first, the speaker, bears the symbol of an unblinking eye upon his chest and red ribbon tied around his neck, its tails flowing freely down his arms. The second is silent, gagged by the iridescent ribbon tied around her mouth. She bears a burning flame upon her chest, a hammer in one hand and a stiletto in the other.
“Listen now to these words of the Consular, who so suckled upon the teat of Artebazzan. Now that his beloved Cardinal has run home to the den of snakes and rats, he comes to us again and tells us how to feel.”
The assembled crowd jeers and yells, throwing all manner of uncouth names for Artebazzani, the Cardinal, and Consular Carstein into the air.
“They told us the split from their Church was righteous, then turned around to meet with them anyway! They cut down The First Anarchic, then told us to return to their welcoming arms that would hold us back and cover our mouths. But they are no match for the rage of the Second!”
The gagged priest raises her dagger high, brows furrowed and eyes fervent. The crowd cheers and whoops, calling out to lend Alexis De Rosa their support, wherever she may be.
“He tells us that if we are to hate Artebazzan – IF?! – then to hate them for their actions of the State or the inaction of the Church, but to remember that they are people too. If the Concordian Church calls us heretics, so too should they call the Artebazzani. I say the Artebazzani are not people at all, they are TYRANTS!”
In the bowels of Loricazzo, torches are lit.
~=~=~=~
In a quiet office at One Concordian Plaza, an Archivist of the Church Bureau reads over the flyer. She looks over the stacks of paperwork standing ready by her desk, to gather and supply priests from across The Concord, and to send them on whatever expedition the Council of Six decreed.
As the flyer drops into the wastebasket on the floor, she leans back in her chair and throws her feet up on her desk. The only expeditions likely to be organised would be ones of dreams.
Game Information
Word has spread through the congregations and meeting places across The Concord to share the recent words of the Concordian Consular. While not a formal Proclamation from the Council of Six, the Consular acts as their arm in dealings with foreign religions and is considered an advisory expert in such matters.
The following is a simplified summary of the opinions being shared regarding various foreign nations and their religions:
- The Zekartaal Wartribes and The Onyx Aristocracy: The Concord has no desire to learn more details of the faiths of these two peoples, except where such knowledge could be used to destroy them.
- The Clan of the Hawk, The Adanji Shahak, and The Kingdom of the Bailes: We must understand the unenlightened to help bring them to The Spheres. Seek opportunities to ingratiate ourselves with these peoples and treat them with respect, but do not tolerate the preaching of their religions on Concordian soil. See them as people and share a meal before preaching to them.
- The Dendarr Nations: Despite the worrying nature of the Chrisma, strengthening our bonds may encourage them to take up arms against The Onyx Aristocracy. Only then may we be able to preach on their lands to bring them to The Spheres.
- The Fealties of Drummond: Our Churches are more different than we are to the Artebazzani, but ultimately we both follow The Spheres. We should not fight them, or preach to their people, when non-Spheric enemies surround us. Instead help and respect them and trust that they will do the same.
- The Artebazzani Empire: The Concordian Church has not, does not, and likely will not harbour any desire to reunify with the Artebazzani Church. Our differences are so small that they do not consider us heretics, but they pose an existential threat to The Concord. Our war against their State is righteous, but does not necessarily reflect our opinion of their Church. Hate Artebazzan for the actions of its State, or the inaction of its Church, but do not forget that they are a Spheric people like us. If the animosity between our Churches is to abate, it is up to them to acknowledge and repent for the sins of their State.
As non-heroic priests around The Concord hear and spread the message that we should not preach in foreign lands until we improve our diplomatic relationships, willingness to depart on such missions has decreased. Until this opinion of the Church changes, by Proclamation or otherwise, the cost of establishing a new Expedition has increased to 5 Vaults. The cost of maintaining an Expedition has increased to 1 Vault per season, which is reduced to 15 Locks when supported by an Oraventure.