LADY NOCTIS’ RECORD
of
KNOWN PARTIES, PEOPLE,
& POINTS OF INTEREST

This collection of knowledge is not meant to be definitive, nor complete—but rather a foundation. I, Meriel Noctis, offer these gathered observations, encounters, and notes to those who may one day serve as Councilors of the Spire, or who simply seek to understand the web we find ourselves spun within.

It is based on what I have lived through, what I have seen, and what others have trusted me enough to share. There may well be truths I have yet to learn, corners still hidden in shadow. But let this stand as a preliminary guide—one written in the hopes that those who come after may walk into their roles with clearer eyes, and that the citizens of the Spire might feel less adrift in the ever-turning tides.

Should any ever seek to expand upon the information in my entries, please seek me out—I am always happy to amend them with what knowledge is provided.

This journal is an edition that is capable of being publicly read at the Spire's library. All information that is listed is as penned for reading, and serves to be a source that anyone can draw from for information. As time passes, more entries will be added to the journal for viewing.

KNOWN ‘GROUPS’

Knight Lictors of the Lampwood

Status: Inactive
Leadership: Templar Bethany (one of the Templar Knights)

The Knight Lictors became known to the Spire after an incident in which Ayana, Laurent, and Wayman—members of the group—attempted to extort protection money from Maarten, the tavernkeep of the Full Cask. Intervention by townsfolk led to their arrest. In response, Ser Garland appeared and offered a sizable payment for their release, which was denied by vote. Not long after, he and a group including a young squire kidnapped a girl from the Spire, prompting search parties. 

The Knight Lictors follow a prophecy that speaks of “green strakes” surviving a future calamity. This belief originates from Prophetess Taliana, who once traveled with the Templars but was later cast out and abandoned.

The Finns

Status: Inactive/Defunct
Leadership: The Finn Brothers

The Finns once operated as smugglers and back-channel lenders, providing financial support to certain Councilors who later died under suspicious circumstances. They were known for using bribery to secure influence. Their activity diminished after their leader died attempting to claim the Garden of Aedall. They are not presently active in Spire affairs.

The Ravens

Status: Active; highly dangerous
Leadership: Unknown

The Ravens are a group of highly trained assassins, mutated, with a reputation for removing political targets. They are suspected of involvement in the deaths of Councilor Leigh and Councilor Pip, and more recently, Dame Aylith Kessel. The latter followed her arrest of former Valkian Envoy Gregort Arctus. Their motivations in the Spire were previously to seek the Garden to cure their mutations, but nowadays is unclear following its  destruction.

**Presently, I am totally uncertain if Dame Aylith Kessel fits the typical modus operandi of The Ravens. Unknown involvement seems to be more fitting, at the moment.

Duchy of Rulan

Status: Politically strained vassal of the Valkian Realm
Leadership: House Silverbloom—Her Grace, Duchess Dahlia

The Duchy of Rulan, once a cornerstone of the Empire’s southern frontier, was historically responsible for the construction and maintenance of the Wall—an immense barrier meant to divide the continent from the Aedall. Yet since the Aedall’s disappearance fifty years ago, Rulan’s foundational purpose has steadily eroded. The late Duke made no attempt to adapt the Duchy’s role or economy, and the Empire offered no support. Now under the rule of Duchess Dahlia Silverbloom, Rulan is struggling to reassert its relevance and stability in a shifting political landscape.

Efforts by the Duchess to restore order have been hampered by financial strain and widespread corruption among the noble class. According to intelligence gathered through the Walljack gang known as the Finns, Rulan faces worsening shortages of food and essential supplies. Commonfolk have increasingly turned to cross-border deals with smugglers simply to survive.

Tensions with the Empire continue to escalate. At her debut, the King-Emperor publicly named Dahlia the “Guardian of the Southern Reach,” but offered no actual authority. The arrest of former Valkian envoy Gregort Arctus by the Spire Guard only intensified imperial scrutiny, prompting the installation of his replacement, Maximilian Beckett. Soon after, Dame Aylith was assassinated—an act speculated to be attributed to the Ravens—and Beckett’s subsequent moves to remove the Rulanites suggest a deliberate effort to limit Rulan’s influence in the Reach.

At the Vernus Gala, a group of Rulanites, myself included, performed a traditional dagger-dance to honor their culture. The King-Emperor seized the opportunity to portray Rulan as archaic and destabilizing. That same night, he ordered the arrest of all Rulan attendees. I managed to escape, but all of the others were imprisoned.

Despite these pressures, Rulan retains considerable strategic value. It controls the Northern Road, serving as a critical barrier to unchecked southern expansion. The Duchy has stood with us in the past, notably during the Battle of the Aedall Garden, where they lost one of their own in defense of shared ideals. Maintaining peaceful and cooperative ties with Rulan remains not just a matter of principle, but a practical necessity in the uncertain days ahead.

The Imperials of Mariza

Status: Overextended, increasingly volatile
Leadership: His Majesty, King-Emperor Rayan IV

Once the indisputable authority of the Valkian Realm, the Empire now bleeds coin and authority in its drawn-out northern wars. King-Emperor Rayan IV appears focused on securing political victories to reinforce his position, and any disruption to imperial authority is treated seriously. Although the Spire is not directly controlled by the Empire, it remains under close observation. 

The arrest of Gregort Arctus led to a rapid response: he was replaced with Maximilian Beckett, who has since worked to reassert imperial interests. The Empire’s methods rely on diplomatic pressure and replacement of personnel, rather than military force given the northern wars, but they remain quick to react when they sense dissent.

The Spire must be cautious when engaging with the Empire. Showing due formality without overextending concessions will likely serve best. The Empire’s reach is long, but its foundation is currently less stable than appearances suggest.

The Hojos

A work in progress.

The Hangua Robes

Status: Inactive in the Southern Reach; one encampment active east of the Amafells

Leadership: Nuyuki Yama (Dead)

The Hangua Robes were a faction of Irians led by a disgraded member of Clan Nuyuki named Yama. Backed by members of the same clan and several others, both former and current, Yama sought to lead his army of roughly one-hundred fighters against the Spire-town to prove his worth to his clan; to prove that he was a worthy heir. He thought that by besting the Spire Militia and bringing forth the head of Captain Helara, he might earn their good graces again.

Nuyuki Yama's force, with only a few exceptions, was comprised entirely of those he had freed from slavery or indentured servitude. They were warriors, carpenters, builders, and even mages, all with varying levels of experience in warfare. They were all indebted to him in some way. Even after he had demonstrated his fanaticism during negotiations, he maintained the full support of his followers.

Yama and the majority of his army were defeated after a months long campaign by the Spire Militia, which culminated in a series of battles: the Battle of Autumnglade and the Siege of Sanshi. Yama himself was slain by Captain Helara at the Battle of Autumnglade. His remains were brought back to Ko'ram. 

Militia leadership attempted a more diplomatic end to the conflict, through the good will they fostered by exchanging prisoners and allowing captive Hangua Robes' members to be set free and return should they wish. Nuyuki Yama did not accept any terms that weren't his own.

By the war's end, the Hangua Robes' losses numbered almost a hundred. The Militia suffered no permanent losses. The remnants of the Hangua have likely fled through the mountain past into the Faded Steppe to their main camp, but they remain leaderless as of the 9th of Highsun, 1641.

The Drowned

Status: Active; highly dangerous
Leadership: The Drowned Mariner

Nearly gone generations of Mistan sailors have past down drunken tales of the Drowned, who are described to appear within boiling waters. They are cracked with coral, their bodies broken with sea matter. Most tales have been combined with stories of the Mariner, who has appeared alongside this undead and unhappy crew more than three times now in the Spire.

When they are slain, it is not long before their bodies themselves become seafoam. 

The Velvet Requital

Status: Active
Leadership: High Captain Virellian Dask, Formerly Captain “Wulf” Theodoric

The Requital is a fleet composed of exiled lords and master shipwrights from a once-proud Northern Kingdom, now fallen to the Valkians—whose conquest left bitter resentment in its wake. Operating far from their lost homeland, the Requital commands at least three sizable vessels, one of which is confirmed to be armed with a significant number of cannons. 

Each ship is led by a Captain, though the flagship answers to their ruler, High Captain Virellian Dask—a man who holds both sovereign and command titles interchangeably. Until recently, his most trusted second was Captain Theodoric, known as “Wulf,” who met an untimely and mysterious end. With his passing, the fleet now gathers in solemn revelry to name a successor. 

Of the ships in their command, only one is publicly known: the Vice and Velvet.

They are currently seeking possession of the Cursed Chest, the same as many others. The Velvet Requital claims they possessed the Cursed Chest before it was taken by a man known as “The Bosun.” 

Alimony’s Due

Status: Unknown
Leadership: Formerly Stilwater

Early Firstide, the Alimony's Due crashed along the southeast shores of the Spire, caught in a horrid storm. The Spirefolk rescued multiple sailors from its collapsed form, though the captain, one Stilwater, did not manage to survive. However, the accursed cargo, the Iron Chest, was the main priority of the first mate of the ship - Hamish, also known as 'the Bosun.' It was recovered in due time, much to the dismay of the shipmen who did not recognize the first mate - this included one Pasquale who became quite hostile to all those rumored to have it.

SPIREFOLK ORGANIZATIONS

PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS

Militia of the Spire

Status: Active
Leadership: Captain Helara & Captain Kalibri

The Spire Militia exists to safeguard the town and its surroundings from external threats, including banditry, hostile forces, and beast or monster attacks. The militia operates distinctly from the town guard, focusing solely on defense and protection, with no authority to enforce the law or carry out arrests.

Reach Hospital

Status: Active
Leadership: Head Physician Siona & Co-head Physician Konrad

The Reach Hospital is a publicly funded medical facility that provides free healthcare to the townsfolk, as well as to travelers and strangers alike. Though it has stood in the Spire for several decades, its role has become increasingly vital in recent years, especially as the town’s population grows and conflict along its borders escalates. Staffed by trained physicians, alchemists, and volunteers, the hospital treats a wide range of injuries and ailments, from common sickness to battlefield wounds. 

It remains one of the few institutions within the Spire where aid is offered without expectation of repayment, and its continued operation has done much to sustain the town’s health and morale.

Spire Library

Status: Active
Leadership: Head Librarian Aralei Stardreamer

The Spire Public Library houses a collection of books, maps, music scores, atlases, and the like, donated by the Spire's citizens, from around the world. Many of the items were either donated upon arrival by new citizens, or written by Spirefolk themselves. The library also hosts many events to facilitate the public education of the town, such as book faires, poetry nights, and educational seminars.

Spire Guard 

Status: Active
Leadership: Guard Captain Yvonne

The Spire Guard is the town’s acting authority on matters of justice, responsible for upholding law within the Spire’s walls. They are the only body legally permitted to apprehend or detain individuals for criminal offenses. The Spire operates under a distinctive system of judgment known as Penances, which are magical afflictions imposed by the Guard Captain via something known as The Gauntlet. Each Penance is tailored to reflect the nature of the crime, often binding the offender with a curse that serves both as punishment and as a reminder of their wrongdoing. 

The guards themselves operate independently of most political bodies, and while they may take advisement from others, including the Circle of Four, arrests and judgments are carried out solely at their discretion. The Captain of the Guard is not appointed by the Circle or the people, but is instead chosen from within the ranks of the Guard whenever a vacancy arises due to retirement or death.

Circle of Four 

Status: Active
Leadership: Frequently changes

The Circle of Four serves as the primary governing body of the settlement surrounding the Spire. Though not a ruling council in the traditional sense, they are responsible for managing the town’s budget, directing resources toward infrastructure, trade facilitation, and local projects. Their duties include maintaining roadways, supporting merchants, posting bounties, and organizing public initiatives for the general welfare of the population. 

Members of the Circle are elected through an open ballot placed in a central town bin, with elections held annually or more frequently in the event of death or resignation.

The Petitioners’ Forum

Status: Active
Leadership: Equal seats of registered organizations 

The Petitioners’ Forum is established as a recognized civil body within the bounds of the Spire, serving to convene the leaders of recognized factions, guilds, and orders. The Forum’s primary function is to hear, refine, and formally submit proposals, concerns, and recommendations to the governing body known as the Circle of Four.

The Forum is not a ruling entity, but serves as a conduit of structured petition and representative advocacy, encouraging political cooperation, civil engagement, and responsible stewardship of Spire affairs.

Envoys of the Spire

Status: Active
Leadership: Head Envoy of Internal Affairs, Meridy Illuma 

The Envoys of the Spire are a diplomatic body sanctioned by the Circle of Four to represent the Spire in foreign affairs, civic outreach, and internal guidance. Their mission is to represent the Spire in external dialogues, guide newcomers within the Southern Reach, and connect individuals to local institutions and opportunities. 

Envoys carry a Writ of Accord, which authorizes them to act within specific bounds as intermediaries and liaisons, though they do not wield legislative or military power. Chosen for their discretion, cultural fluency, and service-minded values, Envoys are expected to maintain professionalism and neutrality, acting as points of contact for guests, factions, and citizens seeking assistance.

ARTISANAL & SCHOLAR ORGANIZATIONS

Hermetic Assembly

Status: Active
Leadership: Headmistress Callista Fesyla

The Hermetic Assembly is an open scholarly organization based just outside the Spire, dedicated to research, innovation, and the responsible pursuit of knowledge. It welcomes alchemists, mages, historians, and curious minds alike, prioritizing study over status or combat. While members are free to explore any topic—from mundane flora to the Nocturne’s mysteries—the Assembly maintains internal boundaries to ensure dangerous knowledge is handled responsibly. 

The Atelier

Status: Active
Leadership: Brieze Martolod

The Atelier is the artisan and merchant guild of the Spire, formed to unify the many independent craftsmen, artists, and traders who make up the town’s economic core. While preserving each member’s autonomy, the guild fosters collaboration, mutual support, and healthy competition. It offers joint advertising, shared services, and event organization—such as markets and festivals—to showcase the skills and goods of its members. 

The Atelier supports a wide range of trades including blacksmithing, tailoring, shipbuilding, stonemasonry, jewelry, alchemy, leatherwork, and arcane crafting. Membership is open to any merchant or craftsperson in the Spire, and joining ensures one’s work is represented in a collective that seeks both internal cooperation and external recognition across the Southern Reach.

Alchemist Society

Status: Active
Leadership: Bridget Bellerose

The Spire’s Alchemist’s Society is a newly formed guild dedicated to the study and practice of natural sciences, welcoming alchemists, botanists, and medical practitioners alike. Its mission is to foster collaboration and shared knowledge among those interested in the properties of plants, potions, and physiological care.

Whilst it is still new, I consider the leader to be a bright, upstarting individual that provides great promise in becoming a core member of the Spire.

Arcanist Accord

Status: Defunct
Leadership: Rottjarnsmidar & Selene

The Arcanist Accord was once a formal coalition of mages within the Spire, created to establish shared standards of practice and public accountability. Members signed their names alongside declarations of their patronage and chosen branch of magick, pledging to uphold the principles of the Accord. Those who declined to sign were often viewed with suspicion or disdain, their refusal seen as a lack of transparency or commitment to collective norms. 

At the time, I myself was labeled a “rogue agent” by the Accord’s former leader—accused, without evidence, of consorting with the Fey and the necromancer Idris Austell. In recent years, however, the Accord has dissolved into irrelevance. Its influence has waned, and the responsibilities it once claimed have largely been assumed by the Hermetic Assembly.

OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

The Roots

Status: Active
Leadership: Meridy Illuma Aralei Stardreamer

The Roots is a cooperative organization within the Spire focused on fostering community, mutual aid, and social support. Founded by Meridy Illuma and Aralei Stardreamer, the group provides practical assistance to newcomers—helping them find housing, employment, and orientation within the town—while also offering basic education and organizing public events to uplift local morale. 

With an emphasis on kindness, accessibility, and collective well-being, The Roots aims to ensure that no one in the Spire feels isolated or overlooked. Whether one is seeking help or looking to contribute, The Roots remain an open and welcoming point of connection for all.

COMBATIVE ORGANIZATIONS

The Van Pelts

Status: Active
Leadership: Van Pelt & Ser Maliketh

The Van Pelt Gang is a rough-and-ready bounty hunting outfit formed on the outskirts of the Spire, known for their bold methods and relentless pursuit of targets both living and dead. Equal parts infamous and indispensable, they handle everything from escort missions and debt collection to hunting dangerous creatures and rogue criminals. Led by Van Pelt—the group’s reputation is built on results, regardless of collateral. 

Though their methods often skirt the edge of propriety, the Van Pelts have earned a place in the Spire’s landscape, feared by outlaws and respected by many locals.

Rhyfoddynion

Status: Active
Leadership: Harwyn ap Blaidd

The Rhyfoddynion are a mercenary group of monster hunters and challenge seekers located within the Spire, however currently without a base of operations. Members of all sorts are welcomed and encouraged to join, seeking to fill their ranks with more than exclusively warriors. They seek to keep the Spire safe from the dangers that lurk outside of it, whether they be mundane or supernatural, whilst also fostering a sense of community in their ranks. 

The Ember Swords

Status: Active
Leadership: Ser Falliren Rytelus

The Ember Swords are a reformed knightly order of Valkian origin, dedicated to the cleansing of undeath and the protection of the body’s sanctity. Fiercely opposed to necromancy and the defilement of the corpse, they believe cremation to be the only righteous passage for the dead—purifying the flesh in flame to prevent corruption or reanimation.

Under the leadership of Ser Falliren Rytelus, their newly founded Spire chapter seeks to recruit like-minded swordfellows, offering free cremations, coin for vanquished undead, and a welcoming hand even to mutants. The order blends ceremonial reverence with practical action, upholding their creed with quiet fervor and firelit steel.

NOTABLE INDIVIDUALS

SPIREFOLK

Maarten

A veteran of the Frostpeak Siege, he was one of the first settlers in the Spire that arrived from the Valkian Realm. Nowadays, he runs the Full Cask and tends to stay out of town affairs. However, he does occasionally have insight to offer into the various happenings he hears around the Spire from patrons. 

Laurent

Laurent is a former Knight Lictor of the Lampwood—worn down by the long years and the weight of his choices. He was first encountered alongside Wayman and Ayana after a confrontation with Spirefolk, in which they were found pressuring Maarten for protection fees. The altercation that followed led to their arrest.

During their time in the cells, I visited Laurent often, seeking some means of resolution. In our conversations, he spoke with a weary honesty, confessing that age had stripped away much of his resolve, and that he knew no life beyond the one he’d carved from force and habit. Yet even still, he expressed a desire to change—to resist old temptations and embrace something quieter. If given the chance, he said, he would take up the life of an innkeep, keeping his head low and his hands clean.

Moved by that sentiment, I petitioned Guard Captain Lachlann Morosely for Laurent’s release, offering my sponsorship within the Spire. Upon the opening of the Cat Nap Inn, I entrusted it to him to run. Since then, he has done so with steady diligence.

Anna

The caretaker assigned to the Valkian Envoy, and a lovely woman. She has cared for sweet Chestnut in the past, and is always polite company. 

Alonzo “Lonny” Sullivan

Once a cheerful young guard I often played cards with, Lonny was known for his cracking voice and awkward charm—an easy target for teasing, perhaps, but always a kind-hearted soul. Time and hardship, however, wore away at that brightness. The strain of duty, paired with the increasingly fraught politics of the Spire, gradually left him jaded and withdrawn.

His fate took a tragic turn during the controversial arrest of Idris Austell. When Councilor Rottjarnsmidar refused to release the prisoner, tensions culminated in a catastrophic explosion at the guardhouse. Lonny was among the casualties—severely mutilated in the blast. He survived, but at a steep cost: an eye, an arm, and much of his face. Since then, the young man who once laughed too easily has become quiet, distant. The uniform remains, but the spirit beneath it is worn thin.

Dame Ayana of Clan Ayari

Once a dancer among the swaying grasses of Korami tradition, Ayana’s path was forever changed by the cruelty of Garland. Maimed by his hand, her grace gave way to grit, and she forged herself into a knight—one who would never again be left defenseless. Yet in honing her strength, others were wounded by the fury that guided her. Her arrest alongside Laurent and Wayman marked a turning point: not a condemnation, but an opportunity to abandon the life she’d been trapped within. Though still quick to violence, Ayana began to imagine something better. Even so, the past lingers like a shadow, and she has vowed that her peace will not come until Garland is her last.

I made her a promise once—to smile more, because she had forgotten how it felt. It’s a promise I intend to keep, even when the world grows cold and others choose to look away. And while it is difficult at times, I find it as part of my purpose to continue.

FEYFOLK

Quince & Thrice

A member of the Court of the Monsoon, Quince & Thrice is a Fey being who once assumed the place of Quincy Glover following a failed Tribunal initiated by three Spirefolk and overseen by Nyx. Their presence quickly became disruptive. It was later revealed that their true form was spider-like in nature—with a three and five legs—and during their time in the Spire, they kidnapped Petrus and continued to interfere with town affairs.

After their removal from the Circle of Four, Quince & Thrice issued veiled threats, implying that the Court of the Monsoon would not hesitate to bring war to the Spire should they be rebuked. To confront this threat directly, I issued a challenge—a formal debate, with terms: should I win, Quince & Thrice would be banished from the Spire and forbidden from approaching any Spirefolk in any form, whether glamour or true. 

The debate was resolved in my favor, on the grounds that Quincy Glover had been the properly recognized councilor, never having been voted out. Quince & Thrice, having assumed his place without consent or election, held no legitimate authority within the Circle of Four and no right to act on its behalf. They were thus formally cast out.

Clad in Silver

A work in progress.

UNDEAD

Idris Austell

Idris Austell is a necromancer of peculiar renown—an undead wanderer who offers his mastery of Ichor magicks to those willing to strike a bargain, all while cultivating a vision of a better world shaped by his own deliberate hand. A quiet but enduring presence, he is drawn to the scarred remnants of ancient Aedall battlefields, as though in search of forgotten truths or dormant potential yet to be unearthed.

He is perhaps best known for raising Veena from the dead after her murder at the hands of Edgard Phonquis. Since then, she has taken on his surname—a gesture that suggests a complex bond between them, part patronage, part kinship, and something stranger still. The full nature of that tie bears complications I will not speak to, out of respect for those involved.

More controversially, Idris is remembered for the destruction of the Guardhouse following his detainment by Councilor Rottjarnsmidar under questionable authority. Until then, he had posed no known threat to the Spire. But with the councilor’s refusal to release him, Idris turned to Tellurgy magicks to escape, razing his place of confinement in the process. From that moment, he condemned the Spire entirely—declaring it beyond redemption. Casualties occurred from the incident, forever setting Idris against the Spirefolk. 

He has walked the Realm since at least the 1430s, and his fate appears to be intricately bound with that of Facet—though the extent and meaning of this entanglement remain uncertain. Should any possess further knowledge of Idris Austell, I urge you to come forward. His presence is not merely a curiosity—it may well shape what is still to come.

The Drowned Mariner

An undead that seems to control the Drowned that constantly assault the shores of the Spire. They often appear on a mast that sinks and rises, returning to a ship graveyard under the waves. Along the ocean depths, there are veins that trail and run on into the depths. Utilizing an old saber, the Mariner has been visibly seen directing an “orchestra” that coincides with the heavy storms that the Spire has been faced with.

I suspect vague alignment with how the Aedall used to utilize song to ensure the tide was favorable for them, perhaps placing the Mariner to be an undead that evaded the Great Disappearance. 

OTHER

The Bosun, Hamish

The first mate of the Alimony's Due, who took on the responsibility of managing the accursed, damned iron chest. Hexed blood runs within him, from a deal that he had made with a Portent witch - he is to start a new chapter of his life upon every death, only to be forgotten by those in the previous ones. He is now being kept prisoner on the Velvet Requittal in a hostage exchange for one of the Spirefolk. If rescued, he must not touch the land at any cost.

THE MARVELLOUSLY MYSTERIOUS MERCHANT

A merchant that has recently arrived at the Spire’s docks, offering no name and revealing little of their origin. Yet there is no mistaking their command of magicks—their use of a barrel that functions as a pocket dimension suggests a strong attunement to the Ether, or perhaps something stranger still. They are known to trade in secrets and information as readily as they do crowns, and have acquired objects of significant value through undisclosed dealings with others.

Though I have personally bartered with them—securing much-needed resources for the militia encampment—I advise caution. There is an unease that clings to their presence, and whispers suggest a possible entanglement with the Fey. Whether opportunist or emissary, their intentions remain veiled. Deal wisely, until more is known about them. Anything you trade to them, I advise that you confidently do not mind others learning.

IMPERIALS

Gregort Arctus

Once the appointed Valkian Envoy to the Spire, Gregort Arctus arrived among the earliest waves of settlers, representing the modest noble House Arctus. His tenure was marked less by diplomacy and more by a keen pursuit of profit, often seen accompanied by his notably rotund tressym, Chestnut. However, his ambitions came to an abrupt end when the Duchy of Rulan publicly declared him guilty of financial misconduct, including tax evasion. He was swiftly arrested and stripped of his position. Since then, his whereabouts remain unknown, and no official word has surfaced regarding his fate.

Maximilian Beckett

Appointed as Gregort’s successor, Maximilian Beckett assumed the role of Valkian Envoy with ceremony—bearing gifts from the King-Emperor and requesting a private audience with the Circle of Four upon his arrival. During this meeting, he subtly proposed the removal of the Rulanite presence outside the Spire, citing it as a source of “discomfort and unrest” among the townsfolk. However, this was seen by us as a political maneuver rather than genuine concern, and the offer was declined—an outcome Beckett did not hide his displeasure over.

More recently, Beckett extended an offer of military support from the Empire, contingent upon allowing imperial forces to quarter within the Spire’s walls and receive supplies without restriction. This, too, was turned down, as the terms were seen as intrusive and politically charged.

THE LOCKHARTS

Ser Gwaine

A work in progress.

Dame Ana

A work in progress.

Taliana

A work in progress.

Dame Blanche

A work in progress.

Garland

A self-proclaimed knight and bard, once among the Knight Lictors of the Lampwood. Of all those I have known, few test my capacity for forgiveness as he does. His legacy is one of wounds—both visible and unseen—left upon those who crossed his path. It stirs something bitter in me to commit his name to writing, for he deserves neither recognition nor remembrance. Let him vanish into obscurity.

And yet, I sometimes wonder if turning away from him is my own failure. Whether, buried beneath the harm he’s wrought, there remains some fragment—however faint—still capable of redemption.

THE RULANITES

Lord Captain Pierre

A work in progress. 

Duchess Dahlia Silverbloom

A work in progress. 

Ser Kristoph of Katrinsa

A work in progress. A single heart seemed to be drawn next to the name. An unintended edit that had made it in through, and has yet to be struck out.

Lady Ma’ran

A work in progress. 

Reserved for Points of Interest

RELEVANT DOCUMENTATION

The governance of the Spire is underpinned by a small but important body of documentation that shapes its civic structure, legal expectations, and public order. While not exhaustive, the following documents form the backbone of how the town operates—and it would do any resident, traveler, or aspiring Councilor well to become familiar with them.

• The Circle of Four Structure outlines the composition, election process, and responsibilities of the town’s governing council.

• The Common Law of the Spire details the foundational legal code of the settlement.

• The Bounty Charter governs the issuance, pursuit, and rewards of bounties—whether on beasts or fugitives—ensuring consistency in how such tasks are sanctioned and compensated.