About today

"That's it, very good Reyk!" The young orc beamed with pride at the compliment. Sometimes, Herfvja realised, that's all it took to encourage the young to do their best. "Now, I want you to focus on that shield not being in the way any more. Think of it as a door that's keeping you in. Feel about how it should be open, and then open it."Reyk took a deep breath and raised her rod. "I have the strength of Tathenon with me, and I will break this shield!" Splinters flew across the courtyard as Reyk smashed her rod hard on the wooden heater. Herfvja was surprised, no more than that. Herfvja was shocked, stunned even. That was only the third time that Reyk had tried that spell... Herfvja realised that the young orc was waiting, a single large cut on their cheek."Very good again Reyk! Why don't you go to the woundtender and get that looked at, and I'll see you tomorrow to practice your movements?" Reyk smiled again at the warlock and went off to clean up.

Overview

Each season the Civil Service prepares a summary of the Empire's relationship with the foreign nations, based on communications received from their ambassador, along with any useful intelligence gathered from other sources. While the Senate and the other houses of Imperial power may respond to these offers, it is important to note that it is the appropriate ambassador that the foreign power will expect to hear from. Their communication with the foreign power is the primary element that will determine the tenor of any response.

The Thule are ruled by their magicians. Almost all positions of authority are held by those capable of working magic. Ritual magicians - or warlocks - hold more power than those who focus on the performance of incantations, and the nation as a whole is ruled with an iron fist by potent, aged shaman-ritualists called the Dragons.

The Thule ambassador to the Empire is Rak Who-Speaks-For-The-Dragons-Undivided, a long-term appointment who has, at this point, served as the counterpart to four Imperial ambassadors. Rak serves to provide assistance and support to the Dragons of Otkodov, appraising them of information from their southern neighbours and relaying their edicts to the Empire.

On Treaties

The Empire is at peace with the Thule, but the peace treaty is due to expire at the Summer Solstice 387YE It is clear that the Thule expects the Empire to pay a heavy price to extend the existing peace treaty

Last season Rak Who-Speaks-With-The-Dragons-Undivided met with his Imperial counterpart Kindra Surefoot, the Ambassador to Otkodov to discuss the renewal of the peace treaty between Otkodov and the Empire. There is no official public report about how the meeting went; no Senate motions were raised nor any missives passed on from Rak. It seems as if there is a deep breath taken. If the treaty is not extended, then in six months the Thule and the Empire will be once again at war.

Given that the Thule have fortifications in every region they control in otherwise Imperial territories, and have had years to stockpile mana crystals and prepare for war, it seems likely that open hostilities pose a significant threat to the northern Empire. While some citizens welcome the chance to reclaim the lands ceded to the Thule over the years, others are concerned about what magic the orcs of Otkodov might unleash to secure their claims in the north.

A Cultural Exchange

A delegation of Thule 'skuldyr' will be at the Wintermark Moot Circle on Saturday at 18:30 They wish to regale scops, and other citizens, with five tales of Thule culture They would like to hear five tales of Wintermark culture from the assembled scops They would like to present a book containing the collected stories, and ask that their Imperial counterparts contribute their own tales

Responding to an inquiry from the Ambassador to Otkodov, Kindra Surefoot, a warlock acting independently of the official embassy channels has apparently organised a cultural exchange event for the coming summit. Hoosfa Mek will present themselves and a number of skuldyr, seemingly some form of bard in Thule society, by the moot fire in Wintermark from 18:30 until 20:00 on Saturday evening. Each skuld will be there to tell legends and folk tales of the Thule and to learn tales from the scops of Wintermark.

Per the request of the Ambassador, this event is to focus on morality tales, stories of civilian life, and stories of great deeds that do not concern war. The goal is to learn the depths of the other party’s culture outside of the military sphere which has, until now, so often been the focus. They have expressed that it would be fitting to hear five tales from the Winterfolk. In case it helps the scops to decide which stories are worthy of sharing, they present the themes of their five stories for consideration.

A tale about the dangers of deceitful eternals, and the importance of personal sacrifice for the good of the community. A tale of growth and development, about learning obedience. A tale of great magical prowess and the obligations that rulers have to their people. A cautionary tale about abusing power granted to you. A poem about love, anger, and the Endless Storm.

They have asked that stories be no more than five minutes long, so that there is time for discussion of the tale afterwards.

Hoosfa Mek would also like it to be known that they have prepared a bound volume of some of the tales, which they wish to present to Ambassador Kindra (or her appointed representative at the gathering) in person. They would appreciate it if the Empire is able to fill the remaining pages with their own stories to create a record of the two cultures bound into one volume.

Repaid Debts

Members of the Thule Five Fang Consortium will be coming to Anvil to repay bonds that were sold a year ago They will be at the Civil Service Hub between the hours of 18:30 and 20:30 on Friday of the summit The Consortium has advised that they are able to repay in full due the bounty of the mine The Five Fang Consortium advises that the mine is still open and producing mithril for the Thule A number of Imperial citizens visited the Consortium's mine in Autumn and may have additional information

The abolition of slavery in Thule lands has led to the emergence of small bands of Thule entrepreneurs, trying to make their initial steps into the world of commerce and free trade. One such group is the Five Fang Consortium, visited Anvil at the Winter Solstice last year, to raise investment money from Imperial citizens. Though the original plan of a frozen harbour didn't work out, the group found a mithril deposit in a mountain and has been exploiting the precious metal for the past few months.

The group have informed the Civil Service that, thanks to the output of the mine, they are able to repay bond holders in full, to the tune of one throne and two crowns as agreed. Any bond holders will need to bring their physical bond to be repaid as the group didn't take records of names. They've advised that they aren't looking to raise more capital currently, but could discuss minor matters of business and ethos with any interested Imperial citizens. They will be looking to meet with people at the Hub between 18:30 and 20:30 on Friday.

Conjunctions

To Be Alone (Miekarova)

A group of Thule have disappeared after leaving the Red Lantern This skirmish is a combat possible encounter The Custodian of the Gift of the Dwindling Star is responsible for finding and helping the Chosen of Samkǒma There may be innocent people present on this conjunction; magistrates advise caution must be taken to avoid innocent casualties

The Red Lantern, once the Red Lamb, in Void has three rooms set aside as offices of the Gift of the Dwindling Star. One room for the Thule visitors, one for the Varushkan who oversees the Gift, and one between them that is used for the passing of ilium from Otkodov to the Empire. The housekeeper responsible for keeping the three rooms tidy overheard mutterings from some of the orcs; of deals gone sour with Shadowcreeper, with Blackdamp, with the Night Below. Slasna Breznikov, the housekeeper, went to speak with the cabalists of Void, who spoke cryptically of deals gone wrong and of bargains misunderstood. The Thule, the Chosen of Samkǒma, set off back to Otkodov just before dawn a fortnight before the Winter Solstice.

Hekla of Samkǒma, warlock and authority of the town, has sent word to the embassy that the orcs have yet to return. Xe asks that the Custodian of the Gift of the Dwindling Star, Fretek Sargava Slavomiryn, find the Chosen Samkǒma and to help them in whatever way they can. The cabalists of Void caution that if the housekeeper is correct, and the Thule made a deal with Fly-the-light then Fretek should proceed with extreme caution if they do come across the orcs.

Within Patterns (Sermersuaq)

A group of Thule have crossed the border and are threatening the caravans of food from Wreck This skirmish is a combat highly likely encounter The Mediator of Wreck is responsible for soothing the Thule of Volham There may be innocent people present on this conjunction; magistrates advise caution must be taken to avoid innocent casualties

In northern East Floes, on the border with the Silver Peaks, a small band of Thule have crossed the border and begun to threaten the caravans bringing food from Wreck into Thule lands. Warlock Askja has disavowed the group, making clear that they are acting without her authority. The warlock has gone further and implied she believes that the rogue Thule are under the effect of some malign influence, dropping vague hints about incidents in Urdur.

Askja, as the warlock with overall responsibility for the trade, has asked the Mediator of Wreck, Halvind Brinegold, to go and help soothe the Thule of Volham. She maintains that the Thule might be reasoned with, calmed down, and could return back to Otkodov. But Askja also understands if that cannot happen, and the potential for necessary violence.

And Finally...

Rak thanks the ambassador for a diverting conversation and continue donations to the embassy They indicate that the main political concern is the extension - or lack thereof - of the treaty

In a formal message to Ambassador Kindra, Rak Who-Speaks-For-The-Dragons undivided thanks them for a diverting and information conversation, and especially for the gift presented to them which he says has made fascinating reading. On a more personal note he thanks the Ambassador for continuing to ensure that the Embassy, positioned as it is in one of the coldest spots in the entire Empire, continues habitable.

On the matter of Suaq hunting rights, however, he unfortunately cannot commit to anything at this time. Once the matter of the peace treaty is concluded at the Summer Solstice, however, he or his successor will be happy to continue negotiation in the matter of the Senator for Sermersuaq, or more likely the Mediator of Wreck. Although white granite is unlikely to be on the table, there is indeed every chance of negotiating for something other than mana. Assuming the peace treaty is extended of course; if it is war between Otkodov and the Empire, there will be no opportunity for such a discussion.