Second Battle of the Striped Pass Two days after the Muster Order was posted, the hastily assembled Spire Militia arrived at its destination in the Striped Pass—the main route between the Southern Reach and the Faded Steppe. Three or four dozen militiamen, exhausted from the forced march and running on only a few hours of sleep, stood and blocked the passage of nearly a hundred raiders and mercenaries seeking entry to the Southern Reach. After hours of grueling battle under the sweltering summer sun, just one group remained in the pass.By nightfall, the victorious but battered Spire Militia returned to Sanshi encampment. Only the crows were left to pick apart at the fallen in the blood-soaked canyon.

  ON FIRSTIDE 24 OF 1642, Issued under the authority of the Deputy Steward and Council of the Spire,     Status of Albern Crossing I.  On Temporary Authority within Albern Crossing As of the 24th of Firstide, a month has passed since emergency measures were enacted in the village of Albern Crossing to prevent the spread of the Eldarhorn infection. On the advice of the temporary local leadership of Sgts. Drenmir and Eivor,  administrative authority of Albern Crossing is hereby transferred back to the local reeve, owing to the success of cleanup efforts and the waning threat posed by the infection. The local Spire Militia garrison will assist in the resettlement of residents back to their homes in a safe and efficient manner with the expiry of the evacuation order. II. On Future Developments The reeve of Albern Crossing will be provided 5,500 Valkian crowns from the Spire-town treasury to distribute as they see fit for the purposes of rebuilding efforts and compensatory payments to residents of Albern Crossing who have suffered damages from the outbreak. In the coming weeks, Deputy Steward Umeneri Helara will make a personal visit to Albern Crossing to speak on the events with the locals, as well as offer thanks to the efforts of the Spire Militia, medical professionals, and other residents of the Seneschalty for their sacrifices and tireless work in containing the outbreak.     On the Civil Unrest in the Republic of Fallstone Official Diplomatic Stance The Chancellery of the Spire officially declares itself neutral in the ongoing conflict within the Faded Steppes. It is understood that the current crisis is ultimately best resolved by Falstoners themselves per their own desire. As such, the present situation necessitates that the Seneschalty does not officially endorse nor sanction intervention on behalf of neither the Republic of Fallstone nor its security forces. Citizens of the Seneschalty of the Southern Reach are advised to work within this framework, and should note that any mercenary adventurism outside of it will be done at their own risk. With an official stance of neutrality, the Seneschalty remains open to providing support and supplies to any and all refugees fleeing the violence in the Steppe so long as they comply with Spire law. Maintenance of cordial relations, including trade connections, between the Spire-town and the participants of Fallstone’s civil conflict will also be pursued. Despite its stance of neutrality, the Seneschalty reserves the right to respond to any belligerent action by any party to the conflict with full force. The Spire will protect its interests in the event of any breach of its laws or sovereignty on its own territory, and may officially sanction action to secure these interests if its stance of neutrality should come in conflict with them.     Appointment of Exchequer Deputy Steward Umeneri Helara has appointed Tayde Martolod as Exchequer of the Spire to fill the vacancy in the office.  A restructuring of the ministry, as well as renewed focus on projects such as the Amafells road, is planned alongside this appointment.     Reform of the Southern Reach General Hospital Structure To ensure ease of medical administration and supply, and guarantee the quality of care in accordance with the Austell Doctrine, the Spire government is taking more direct control of the administration of hospital matters. The process should see no disruption in medical service for the citizenry of the Spire. The Southern Reach General Hospital remains a publicly funded institution directly  supplied by the Spire treasury and office of the Exchequer. Medical practitioners are free to use the space for their work, so long as they maintain the quality of care expected by local laws and Austell Doctrine. The right to work in the hospital building and right of all residents of the Spire to receive care there are both enshrined and protected. Additional clinics and private practitioners under the Seneschalty’s authority are able to work with the Southern Reach General Hospital to receive supplies and equipment should they so desire, as long as they remain in line with the stipulations of the Austell Doctrine.     Foundation of the Pale Company of the Spire Militia [OOC: Some of this is just OOC flavour and justification, but it mostly concerns a subset of Militia characters and provides the Spirefolk with a proper mail delivery service.] By order of the Marshal of the Spire and the Deputy Steward of the Spire, the Spire Militia expands its operations with the foundation of the Pale Company. The Pale Company shall be a semi-professional cavalry formation responding directly to the Marshal of the Spire. Among its chief responsibilities will be acting as a proper, centralized, Reach-wide postal delivery service under arms. It is also responsible for the upkeep of the Seneschalty’s roadways from natural obstructions or wild beasts to ensure freedom of movement. Owing to the importance of the security of its work, members of the Pale Company are expected to be beholden to no guild nor organization beyond the Spire Militia, risking termination of employment should dual loyalties be discovered. In addition, members of the Pale Company are expected to maintain battle-readiness with training on every first and third Ashday of the month. The company will be led initially by Militia Sergeant Atal. To provide the funding for a semi-professional cavalry force, the Council of the Spire is enacting the Allotment System. Freeholders who make a living off farming or grazing land are able to, either alone or as a ward of no more than 5 working together, support a single cavalryman in the Pale Company by providing for them the means to pay for their equipment, shelter, and horse, and allotting them a small croft to work in peacetime. In exchange for these burdensome policies, the freeholders will be entitled to a significant reduction in the taxes levied against their estates and may in the future be given price reductions in negotiations for the purchase of more land reclaimed via the Begonia Leaf Program.     Enforcement of the Dinah Act The grace period for registration under the Dinah Act has elapsed, and enforcement of its articles will now begin. Vampires known to the Council of the Spire who are considered to be potential threats to public welfare will be marked with a bounty corresponding to their level of threat as a matter of security, safeguarding the populace by informing them of the risk posed by those afflicted with the curse and still at-large. The recent events surrounding the killing of Countess Petrova of the Northern Marches, a known vampire, exemplify the need for the Dinah Act and its provisions both for the welfare of the general populace and victims of the curse. The Countess was approached and warned that should she not bring herself into compliance with the Act when the grace period elapsed, her continued stay within the Spire would be seen as illegal and she would be marked for a bounty. Rather than comply, she chose to remove herself from the Seneschalty’s territory - thus withdrawing herself from any protections that the Common Law would provide.  Let it be known that none are above the law, then, as her death is no more than a consequence of her own choices and blatant disregard for the act. Those afflicted with the curse who wish for protection from the wanton violence of vampire hunters and criminals should bring themselves in compliance with the Dinah Act as soon as possible. The following is a list of bounties of known vampires still at large within the Southern Reach. It is expected that any pursuing such bounties will themselves be in compliance with the bounds of the Bounty Charter of the Spire.     Red Mark Bounty: Cosimo "Serpente" For being in breach of the Code of Conduct of the Dinah Act, unlawful spellcasting, multiple counts of assault, hostile dealings, and several counts of public disturbance, the vampire known as Cosimo is hereby Red Marked for 750 cr. The office of the Constable requests that Cosimo be brought to the Guardhouse in a secure manner for judgement. Description Early to mid 20s, around six feet tall Arsa Sidhe man. Olive skin and gold eyes with lighter brown hair. Sudvalkian in origin and speaks with an accent of said region. Generally "snake-like", hissing and unhinging of the jaw. Known to be able to walk on walls and ceilings. Frequents the Undercity and often hunts in the forests along the road. Known to be an experienced Ichor mage and considered extremely dangerous. Red Mark Bounty: Iseva "Manon Fournier" For being in breach of the Code of Conduct of the Dinah Act, multiple counts of assault, hostile dealings, and several counts of public disturbance, the vampire known as Iseva is hereby Red Marked for 500 cr. The office of the Constable requests that Iseva be brought to the Guardhouse in a secure manner for judgement. Description Late 20s, approximately six feet tall Arsa Sidhe woman. Long silver blonde hair with purple eyes, smooth pale skin; often wears fine but worn clothes. Sangifleurian in origin and speaks with a heavy accent of said region. Frequents the Undercity and usually hunts in the forest east of the Spire. Amber Mark Bounty: Breyta For being in breach of Section 2 of the Dinah Act Code of Conduct, the vampire known as Breyta is hereby Amber Marked for 100 cr. The office of the Constable requests that any information about Breyta’s vampiric capabilities be brought forward for a more accurate assessment of her threat level. In addition, information as to the whereabouts or reasoning for non-compliance with the Dinah Act may also be rewarded. Owing to the vampiric nature of the marked, the Amber level signifies uncertainty about Breyta’s capabilities and Spirefolk are encouraged to exercise an increased level of caution in pursuit of this bounty. Description Early 20s, approximately five feet and two inches tall Fey-Touched woman. Pale, freckled skin and solid red eyes with brown hair. Bark-like growths along her arms and legs. Falstoner in origin and speaks with an accent of said region. Amber Mark Bounty: Perilla Ulesinski For being in breach of Section 2 of the Dinah Act Code of Conduct, the vampire known as Perilla is hereby Amber Marked for 100 cr. The office of the Constable requests that any information about Perilla’s vampiric capabilities be brought forward for a more accurate assessment of her threat level. In addition, information as to the whereabouts or reasoning for non-compliance with the Dinah Act may also be rewarded. Owing to the vampiric nature of the marked, the Amber level signifies uncertainty about Perilla’s capabilities and Spirefolk are encouraged to exercise an increased level of caution in pursuit of this bounty. Description Late 20s, approximately six and a half feet tall Arsa Sidhe woman. Beige skin and solid white eyes with long hair dyed pink. She has an arcane sigil tattooed on her left hand and various blue crystals seem to grow from her skin, sometimes taking up very little space, sometimes seemingly almost overtaking her skin. Often wears an oversized, wide brimmed hat with a point. She is a powerful and experienced Ether mage and can be considered potentially dangerous.     Signed, Deputy Steward Umeneri Helara Marshal Lily Odokhi Constable Raime Escher Chancellor Anwar Ibn'Fadil    

  ON SNOWMELT 25 OF 1642, Issued under the authority of the Deputy Steward and Council of the Spire,     Update on Albern Crossing Outbreak: Eldarhorn I. On Temporary Authority within Albern Crossing To address the worsening situation at Albern Crossing with regards to the Eldarhorn outbreak, the Council of the Spire transfers full administrative authority from the local reeve to the Spire Militia garrison of Albern Crossing on a temporary basis. The garrison is to be jointly commanded by Sergeants Fukuro and Drenmir of the Spire Militia, acting as the highest authority second only to the Marshal of the Spire. The Militia Garrison is placed in charge of all decisions relating to the defense, justice, and economy of the settlement for the duration of the crisis period, requiring the unanimous approval of both officers. In the event of the incapacitation of one officer, the other may act unilaterally to fulfill their mandate until a replacement can be found. II. On the ongoing Evacuation Decree Unless otherwise permitted by local leadership, all citizens of Albern Crossing are to immediately comply with the evacuation decree to minimize risk of further infectious spread. III. On Measures to Ensure Discipline and Security In light of continued disruption and undermining of authority during the Eldarhorn crisis at Albern Crossing, local leadership is granted extraordinary power to maintain security and stability throughout the evacuation and outbreak containment period; The Spire Militia garrison at Albern Crossing may detain without trial anyone found to be non-compliant with the previous decree’s Clause V. on research and gross negligence. Those found to be disrupting the Militia’s work in ensuring security may be sent back to the Spire-town for processing by the office of the Constable. In the event of continued disruption, local authorities may at their discretion use the harshest possible measures within the law against wreckers, saboteurs, and rabble-rousers to enforce compliance with the quarantine.     Status of the Office of the Exchequer The resignation of Kyrus Salada from the post of Exchequer and continued absence of Exchequer Samiylo, unable to fulfill his duties, has resulted in an extended vacancy for the post while criminal proceedings and investigations continue. Owing to the ongoing health crises around the Spire-town posing a public welfare hazard, and the nature of the two prior officials in the post having attained it through a popular electoral mandate despite being unfit for duty, elections for the position of Exchequer will not be held. A new Exchequer will be appointed by decree according to their merit following a thorough investigation and background check within a period of two weeks. Any citizens who wish to put their name forward as candidates are encouraged to speak to members of the Seneschalty Secretariat.     Begonia Leaf Program To combat growing food insecurity within the Spire-town and its environs, the Deputy Steward will be commencing a thorough, multi-stage agricultural reform within the Seneschalty known as the Begonia Leaf Program. The aim of the program is to reduce the Spire-town’s reliance on foreign imports during crises, reduce the price of foodstuffs for locals, provide work, and strengthen the Seneschalty’s independence by sustaining a growing native population. The program intends to use local advantages in arcana, engineering talent, and manpower to transform the landscape to make more ambitious agricultural projects more feasible in the future while improving productivity in the short-term. An 8-member committee jointly headed by the Deputy Steward and Doctor Tauza Erde has been established to investigate the feasibility of the program and project its costs. Scholars with advanced understanding of artifice, engineering, ichor, tellurgy, and agriculture are encouraged to reach out and put themselves forward to assist in the program.     Black Mark Bounty Update: Harrison Bellefuelle For the continued menacing of the Spire-town, its denizens, and others within the Seneschalty of the Southern Reach, the bounty upon Harrison Bellefuelle is being upgraded to 3,000cr.  Information about the bounty target can be found in the Early-Snowmelt Stewardal Decree. Black Mark Bounty: Dorian Locke For the assault and murder of Caleb Citranitas, assault of Kitty Grenadine, collaboration with mercenary elements, and intentional spreading of sickness, the individual known as Dorian Locke is hereby Black Marked for 2,000cr. He is to be considered armed and highly dangerous.   Description Dorian Locke is a man of approximately 6’2” in height. He has light brown hair, often concealed beneath a wide-brimmed hat. His skin is tanned, with dark facial hair. Dorian Locke’s right arm is entirely replaced with a metal prosthetic, and he has been sighted dressing in brown clothes with a long trench coat and a green scarf. Locke’s most prominent feature is an uncanny set of glowing eyes. Previous encounters have seen him use a crossbow with intent to kill. Any confirmed sightings, information as to his whereabouts, or proof of his end are to be brought at once to the Stewardship, the Militia, or other proper authorities. Any who knowingly shelter, aid, or conceal him shall be treated as complicit in his crimes.     Signed, Deputy Steward Umeneri HelaraConstable Raime Escher    

Event Desired: Helara's OdysseyI want a long (1-2 weeks IC minimum) journey for Helara to just travel out to the mountains or the Steppe or even northward, meet or help people, forage, overcome both natural and man-made challenges on her own etc. Kinda Roadwarden-esque where there is no clear defined goal for Helara and maybe she will find it along the way; the journey is the destination. I'd like to consider it a pilgrimage for the purposes of her devotion to the Equinox and Phoenix. Beyond that any stories or challenges are entirely in the DM's hands. Number of Players: Just me, so it will be very simple. Timezone(s): EST right now but I can accommodate most. Special Requests: Not many. I'd like for her to barter for or find some starsilver eventually, it could be from this event or something else. I don't really want anything to do with fey or other high-supernatural things, I would prefer a more grounded journey.  Notes: I am willing to do this as a combination of events or even a discord RP if someone would prefer that medium; my only request is that it does not drag on too long in OOC time.

  GREENER PASTURES AN ESSAY ON CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT Umeneri Helara Published by the Chartered Charcoal Printing House “The noble King should primarily concern himself with his subjects, and his subjects’ primary concern is that of food.” A maxim penned by the father of the Korami classics, Saenike, which stands as a guiding principle for statecraft in the West—though it may at first seem rather simple, alike to a truism. It is undeniable that the procurement of food is at the heart of any nation’s interest. When there is plenty of food, a nation prospers and grows; when there is food but no surplus, a nation stagnates; and when there is a deficit, it is inevitable that it will suffer. Thus, it is the responsibility of any virtuous sovereign that seeks prosperity for his nation to secure a steady and sustainable supply of food for his subjects, even beyond a self-interested desire to placate them and affirm his own position. There is another element to the issue of food procurement, one going even beyond the notion of stability and growth for the body politic. It is the monumental question of survival, for there is no greater weapon known to mortals than hunger. Whereas a man with a blade can slay a handful, if he is skilled, such is dependent on the presence of a thing—namely, in this instance, the blade. A single man can slay thousands with the absence of a thing, namely, food. For its potency in absence rather than presence, food and hunger can act as a scythe to cull more than any one swordsman could in a lifetime. An independent body politic without control of its own supply of agricultural produce, enough for its stability and growth, can hardly be considered independent—and if it is, it will not be so for long. It shall be absorbed, or it shall be culled. For this reason, the bureaucrats and Emperors of the Great Odokhi in Uul’san Province take great pains to track agricultural productivity with grain ledgers and legal regulations. When there are imbalances, it is the role of the Sovereign and his ministers to set them right through whatever means available. Likewise, it is the civic responsibility of every subject of the Sovereign to conduct themselves with decorum and virtue; to not eat food that is out of season, nor to indulge except at mealtimes, and to always be austere and never eat more meat than grain, even when there is plenty. The nascent Seneschalty of the Southern Reach and its predecessor, the Circle of Four within the Spire-town, have stayed the course on this issue since the colony’s founding in the wake of the Disappearance. The management of food has been left decentralized, managed by free-holders or tenants of the city-state’s land who have been leased it on contract. The loose confederation of tenants and colonists around the Spire saw the nascent town as a perfect hub to rally around, inviting adventurous merchants from beyond to supplement whatever it was they lacked. While there have been minor incidents of crop failure or economic downturn leading to shortage, such as with the relative scarcity of beef products in the summer of 1641, this small-scale economy—mostly based on subsistence—has proven resilient and sufficient in the short term.  But how long can such a state of affairs last? It is no secret, firstly, that the vast majority of the Spire-town’s growth over the half-century can be attributed to immigration, rather than an increase of the native populace. To this day, those born in the Spire-town or its environs account for no more than half of the urban populace at best. They are equal in number to or perhaps even outnumbered by the exiles, adventurers, mercenaries, and other forms of wanderers who make this place their home. There is nothing wrong with this in and of itself—apart from, perhaps, a lack of core identity among the Spirefolk beyond a joint desire for independence—though it presents a number of questions for the future that ought to be addressed. For one, is this sort of growth sustainable? Craftsmen, mages, and mercenaries provide a service to the Seneschalty—but they do not offer as much as they take in the agricultural sphere. Not at present, at the very least. So, as it stands, not only does the Spire-town not produce enough surplus foodstuffs to foster its own native growth, but there is a very real possibility that it may soon hit an upper limit for the artificial growth that it can support. Signs of this have already been noted. The disruption of trade up along the Northern Road with the Seneschalty’s principle trade partner, the Duchy of Rulan beyond the wall, was caused by the collapse of the ancient bridge over Albern River. Likewise, raids by foreigners and bandits within the Faded Steppe have discouraged Falstoner merchants from making a perilous journey west to the Reach. The result of this has been a slow rise in food prices throughout the winter, and perhaps more alarmingly—a dip into the reserve granaries and emergency procurement funds. Despite acquisitions up at Albern Crossing, the Seneschalty will, in fact, eventually see problems as demand outpaces agricultural output.  Some might suggest that the solution is amending the aforementioned issues to rekindle lost trade links or find new ones. The most generous reading of this view is that it is naive. Is it really advisable to submit oneself to the interests of foreign commercialists, essentially a self-made vassal? Already mercantile families from across the sea have approached the council for rights to fish in their waters, but if the Seneschalty’s people can only be supported by the good-will and business acumen—or innate greed—of traders, then it would not be long before Valkian feudalists leverage their influence to impose their order through starvation, or Falstoner wholesalers to squeeze the last of the Spire’s silver to profit off a crisis. It would be in the interest of all Spirefolk, united by that independent frontier spirit, to oppose such measures and find alternatives. And yet, there is a distinct lack of movement on that front from private individuals. The town is blessed with institutions like the Hermetic Assembly which overflow with scholars of the arcane and natural sciences, but they occupy themselves with private matters such as skygazing into the ether rather than incremental, tangible change for the better:  Artificers create constructs as tools of war, but do not employ them to till the fields and revolutionize the labour of the farmer. Tellurgists shape mountains, but do not irrigate nor enrich the soils of the Southern Reach with minerals. Ichor-chirurgeons can command nature itself, but do not graft new, more efficient strains of grain. Alchemists can make poisons and life-giving tonics, but nothing to cull pests or increase crop resilience to blights.  If it is a question of capability, then it is one that would make anyone who has seen their power look with scrutiny at such a response. If it is a question of incentive, then inaction with survival and independence as the stakes can, most charitably, be considered treason. If the Spire-town wishes to not only survive but to grow—there is no question about the fact that it must become agriculturally independent, lest it fall into the sphere of another realm as a colony dependent on import of produce. There is no shortage of arable land in the Aedall Reach, nor is there a shortage of ways in which to improve yields otherwise.    For the Sovereign of the Seneschalty, once this issue is recognized, no effort should be spared in realizing the way to solve it: a top-down, well-organized ‘green revolution’ to make the Spire-town strong, healthy, and self-sustaining. Foreign interest in its food vulnerability must be rebuffed and tariff walls raised to encourage the development of the domestic agricultural sector. The untapped workforce of the Spire-town can be formed into ‘labour armies’ to build up canals and waterways for irrigation, and to develop and expand existing fields and pastures. The disparate industries and institutions of the Spire—should they fail to organize themselves into a cohesive whole working for the betterment of the body politic—must be regimented and made to work toward more practical goals for nation-building and growth. As in Uul’san, the King’s primary concern should be his people—and as his people’s primary concern is food, he must be the shepherd that leads them to greener pastures.