The Concord has a history of gambling, be that with the money held in its treasury, its reputation across the Mortal Sphere, or with the lives of its citizens. As the State of Emergency continues, The Concord knows that there is blood in the water, and even its supposed allies can sense that The Concord is weak. But it is in this pained thrashing that this would-be-empire is at its most dangerous. The Concord has held onto its existence for the past five years through gambling, and through winning.
Over the past winter The Concord has fought across its southern arc, it has reclaimed lost territory, and it has pushed forward from weakness to strength. But it remains to be seen if the pendulum’s swing against The Concord can be survived, or if they have simply raised up a higher tower of cards.
Welcome to the Winds of the World for Spring 226!
The Winds of the World detail the changes and progression of the world of Concord over the last season, detailing the wars, fortunes and opportunities that have arisen over time. These are intended to show how the world has moved, provide prompts and guides for characters as well as let you see the results of your actions.
This page will detail the Winds of the World as a summary, with a short introduction for each individual section of the Winds. If any particular section draws your attention or has game information that might affect you, click into it and read the full text which will be substantially longer and contain game information. These pages are in a slightly new format, broken up into subheadings allowing the Concord Team to focus information and provide a better cause and effect.
It is important to note that The Winds of The World are not an In-Character document. Rather, it represents a collection of documents, rumours, reports and tales that have swept The Concord. Any character is more than welcome to know as little or as much of the Winds as possible, reflecting how well informed they like to keep themselves. It is perfectly acceptable to arrive in Passage having heard nothing or to only seek out the Winds that apply to you. Particularly studious, influential or well-travelled characters may know all or most of it. When referring to the Winds in character, you are welcome to characterise it as 'rumours heard in tavern houses' or 'the latest report from Weiland!' rather than the idea of the Civil Service putting out a gigantic almanac of goings on and gossip.
We've attempted to tag each entry in the Winds in regards to who it affects - hopefully this will make it easier to navigate. Each sub-section will be updated as the Spring Summit draws nearer, with an entry being posted every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until they are all posted. The Winds will be posted in the order that they are listed here.
Wet Work - The War in Mancante Terra
- The War Chamber / Lerona Mere
The war against The Drowned has never been an easy one. Fighting these accursed creatures strains the body of a soldier, forces the mind to its breaking point, and tests the soul in seeing how such horrors can be possible. But the Concord has no choice. The western cape of southern Esterra is not only a dangerous thorn in the Concord’s side, but it is home to lands once held by Lerona Mere, lands that could be the Concords once again.
If these lands are still recognisable. If these lands are still habitable. If these lands still exist within the holy gaze of the Spheres. All of these things and less are guaranteed.
This past season the Concord has given the lion's share of its might to this war, battling the Drowned on two fronts, not only on the defence, but also in attempts to push these foul creatures even further from the Concordian heartland.
We pray for our soldiers, we pray for their souls.
In Victory: Magnanimity - The War in Mukarrem
- The War Chamber / Andash
The War in Mukarrem has become as ubiquitous as the weather, a constant that will always be present for empty, cursory discussion.
“It's supposed to rain tomorrow.”
“Are you going to see the new bard at the tavern?”
“Did you hear the latest news from the war in Mukarrem?”
And so on.
Of course, for the people living there it is anything but routine. The Trade Principality and their Artebazzani allies have been able to rotate their forces, bringing fresh warriors to the fight season after season, while The Concord has marched troops up and down the length of southern Esterra to simply hold onto what they have.
But the state of emergency hopes to change all of that by bringing fire and steel to the hearts of the Concord's armies. To push its people to the very edge of defeat in the name of victory.
Only time will tell if this has brought success.
Wickedness Where the Deep Water Starts - The War in Bolsterlee
- The War Chamber / Iron Valley
As an army emerges from the darkest depths, brine-covered and blood-hungry, The Concord marches to protect its shores. Against these foes most oceanic and obscure, Bordevar’s most vigilant and venerable veterans once more enter the fray.
But what weight will step upon which neck?
The boot of plated steel, or the one of sodden flesh?
How will The Concord fare against their fathomless foes?
Wild Men Caught and Sang the Sun in Flight - The War in Resinderholz
- The War Chamber / The Greenweald Baronies
Many in the War Chamber theorised that the Zekartaal would struggle to recover from the brutal blows The Concord dealt to them early in its existence. With such a wide warfront to hold, these ramshackle alliances of weald-bands had far too many territories to hold and far too few forces. The Zekartaal slowly retreated, abandoning territory in the west in the face of possible Trade Principality aggression.
But they have not forgotten The Concord. Over the winter numerous small attacks are felt across Resinderholz, and the Weald appears to be turning its baleful eye on the Baronies in preparation for a sortie from Sister Oak. With the Baronial Household in Krezenberg close over the border, the danger is considerable.
With Concordian ambitions elsewhere, and the Legion of the Blackheart Bear deeply wounded, it remains to be seen what resources can be brought to aid this northern warfront.
I Cannot Save You From Yourself
- The Greenweald Baronies
The law of the forest of retribution; for each threat mitigated, two will inevitably take its place. For as much as Resinderholz may wish otherwise, life in the Weald does not wait for warfronts to close, and the tough choices that befall us hit all the harder in times of crisis.
For the first time in decades, the Baronies sits on the cusp of all five of its Guilds being functional once more. But not all of Resinderholz’s hallowed halls are filled with noise.
In some stretches of the Weald, the woods are quiet for the first time in years. In other parts, the forest shrieks at all hours of the day. The Wealders must wait, in equal parts peaceful and paranoid, to see what these strange silences and songs will bring.
What hopes and horrors, both fresh and long-forgotten, await the Greenweald Baronies?
Reach Forward as You Bleed
- Lerona Mere
Salve, come va? Oh my dear friend, how weary and glum you look! I suppose trudging through endless tales of war and dour forestfolk can do that to a person’s aspect. Such nasty business, but you’re in a much better place now hmm? Better, but not necessarily safer in any case. Come, gather close and I will pour you some wine.
Perhaps you’d like to trade in gossip for a glass? Let’s see, let’s see. Well, everybody knows about the shake up in the Parliament. A little bit of a sweep and purge shall we say. There’s disbanded rats running for the gutters, and gutters running for the hills. Students who are putting their cunning minds to purses rather than to spells.
What else, what else… ah! A merry band of Bailles have come to stay, by invitation of our very own Senatrice Triboulet no less. Hopefully they’re not too repelled by that odd business in the sewers. If that matter isn’t resolved soon they’d surely be sending that shiny new steel vanguard for a bit of spick-and-span.
Well, I suppose I should let you on your way amico. Ah, but do take off those gloves before you head inside my friend, they’re rather unseemly don’t you think?
Retaken from Hands Lost
- The Iron Valley / The War Chamber
Claiming Baelag’s Holdfast has meant many things to many people over the years that it has stood. For some it meant strength. For others it was simply a means to an end. Some crowned themselves as rulers atop its heights, and others simply took its stones to be used elsewhere when they had the chance.
As far as Valley history is concerned, the last ruler of The Holdfast was The Ninth. Their story is well known.
How shall The Tenth rule?
Fear is an Old Thing
- The Iron Valley
The Valleyfolk are renowned for making their sentiments known, loudly, often, and often louder. It’s good advice to steel one's ears before engaging in a spirited conversation with a citizen of the Iron Valley, lest you find opinions that aren’t yours rattling around in your skull.
But it’s more important to pay attention to the words unsaid during a Reeves Council. It’s far more important to pay attention when the Valleyfolk get quiet rather than when they shout “We stand together!”. And it’s even more important still to be concerned for a time when you enter the Valley and are met with silence.
Nomads Know No Borders
- Andash
The sun beats down.
In this land of buried history, the sun is an ever present reality. The people of sand travel the dunes from well to well, and the people of stone take shelter in their homes from the midday glare.
The sun beats down and the desert winds blow, uncovering things long thought lost. Ancient magics, valued treasures, and relics of the past. A people in two parts, pulled to understand where they came from to know where they go.
The sun beats down, but Andash beats back.
But Darkness was Here Yesterday
- The Kingdom of Bordevar
Our Steel! Our Blood! Our Souls!
That is the cry of The Barrow Hounds. The children of common Bordevar who have taken the fight to Draemoor. Who have pledged their lives to take back a Duchy of Royal Bordevar on behalf of The Concord, without the presence of an army. They have shed blood, they have forged loyalties, and they have gained and lost so much more than any could have imagined.
But their tale is not yet over. Their saga is not yet sung. Their souls still beat within their chest, like a hammer upon a burning anvil.
Will the tale end in sorrow and heartbreak? Broken steel, poisoned blood and fallen souls?
Is there any other way it could end?
A Mortal Life in Pursuit of Legacy
- The Kingdom of Bordevar
Did you enjoy your evening meal, my lord? Fantastic, I shall pass your compliments to the local chef. Can I interest you in a complimentary wine, perhaps? Ah, the news instead? Certainly, we hear much of interest and are happy to oblige in what may be to your fancy.
Much has occurred here in our very own Weiland! Do you wish to hear of strangeness in Everguarde? The rise of fallen animals? Beasts and monsters that belong in The Weald but roam our Lake? The state of The Manor? Constructions happening along The Border Forts?
Hmm, no I think you are perhaps most interested in the result of Duke Vespera of Heartsgrave and her Mandates! Well, let me be the first to say how surprised I was to hear the result….
Power Makes All Things Right
- The Shardcircle
Magic is a peculiar thing. The special few who have learnt to wield it do so in a manner that draws wonder and suspicion in equal measure.
A studious mage in Lerona Mere pouring over scroll after scroll seeking knowledge with fervour. A Bordevarian waving a wand and speaking riddles to draw forward sorcery. An Andashi drawing runes into the sand, a Valleyfolk carving runes into their skin. And a Wealdsage drawing power from the very forest that seeks to consume them.
But misconceptions about the arcane are as bothersome as they are plenty. So often it is folk too mundane for magic who think that the answer to all of their problems lies in spells and enchantments. But far too often there are mages who cannot think past their teachings to find the logical conclusion.
It is important to not get too lost in the peculiar, lest we forget how to find our way home.
An Easy Life, or A Difficult Truth
- The Church
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.
To Watch Pretty Puppets
- Weird Events.
There is nothing simple to see here. You may think that you can explain it away as a mystery unsolvable. You may even declare it so unusual that you should have nothing to do with it. You might not even be given a choice between the two.
There are strange events occurring across The Concord. Far too many to allow the rumour-mill to turn accurately. But there are a scant few that cut through the chaff. Just enough to pique interest, or invite disdain.
Tell me, oh Hero, which is it for you?
First it is Done to Us
- Appraisals
Roads and halls. Mountains and woods. Both deserving of the circumspective eye of Civil Service Appraisers, and both rather simple in their innate request. A road is a simple thing. A hall for merchants is a simple thing. Nonetheless, it is the duty of The Civil Service (particularly its notable inventors, engineers and planners) to take a simple concept and find a way to make it cost an amount that causes various Senators a headache.
Then We Do Onto Others
- Foreign Nations and the Wider World
Across The Concord, there are likely more than a hundred taverns. Some are little more than roadside lean-tos, while others are settlements in their own right. Some have great legends, some are barely known to the people who live nearby. Some of these reputations are deserved, while others are bought with gold. The Edge of the World is all of these and more. It is barely known, as one must be a sailor who frequents Legend City to know how to find it. It is quite small, as it only caters to those crew who have completed ‘The Three Rigs’. But its legend is great, perhaps it settles as the greatest seaside tavern in The Concord, if not all of Esterra.
Quidano Porenza is a sailor through and through. The son of an Andashi Corsair and a Lerona Mere shipwright, for tonight he is your drinking partner, and as long as the spirits are flowing and the music is just quiet enough that he can still be heard, he’ll tell you every rumour that has fled to his ears across the sea. Now drink up, because the waves rarely bring good news.
Then We Order it Done, Such is the Way of Things
- Civil Service Report
The Civil Service report exists as the driest, least adorned, and most load-bearing of all documents within The Concord. It contains within it details regarding The Concord's wars, its finances, its titles, and its misfortunes in equal value. While it may be of no use to you at all, it might also be the most useful document you read this season. A gamble with only your time and boredom as a wager.
We Defy That What Threatens Our Downfall
- Conflux Report
Rumours are more common than fact when it comes to the actions of heroes during a Summit. Publicised documents, motions of the Senate and Church, orders given by Generals of The Warchamber; these are the things that are clear and well-communicated to the wider populace, where time and limitations allow. But what happens beyond the infamous Waystones? What is it, truly, that heroes accomplish through the magic of the portal? The populace will never know the factual and singular truth, but they will whisper and shout of rumours all the same.
What follows is a rough summary of last Summit’s Confluxes, defined in thematic tones that can be expected to be known by the wider Concord, as well as a simple table defining locations, results and the responsible party of each Conflux.