Eight for a wish

Overview

Following the successful creation of the Apothecaries' Guild at the Winter Solstice, the Senate passed administrative motions approving the establishment of two additional Imperial sodalities: the Magpies and the Vallornguard. While the former has yet to be ratified by the Throne, Emperor Vesna did ratify the creation of the Vallornguard during the Spring Equinox.

Following the procedures developed for the Apothecaries' Guild, the Imperial Civil Service have done what they can to make people across the Empire aware of the manifesto of the Vallornguard, so that citizens can consider if they wish to join.

The first task is for all the new members to be inducted into the sodality. To assist with that, the Civil Service have prepared an arcane projection that will allow a large number of citizens to join. Once everyone has had a chance to join then the sodality can consider any response.

The Vallornguard are a sodality dedicated to ending the threat of the vallorn, based on the belief that cooperation between nations of the Empire can open the way to the destruction of the Empire's oldest and some say greatest enemy. Traditionally the burden of responsibility for destroying the vallorn has fallen on the Navarr but the truths revealed by the Great Library of Hacynian with the assistance of scholars both Imperial and otherwise have opened up the prospect that the complete destruction of the vallorn could be achieved in their lifetimes if the Empire focused on it.

Highguard, Varushka, and the League may be ready to step up to the mark and fight alongside the Navarr, but are the other nations willing to do likewise? The Vallornguard may be the answer to that question - if they can find a way to convince others to commit to the war.

Joining the Sodality

The civil service has prepared an arcane projection using Autumn magic of magnitude 20 to defray some of the costs of casting Mark of Fellowship on the number of people likely to wish to join

To aid the formation of the new sodality, the civil service has created an arcane projection that will allow everyone present who is willing to join. The magnitude 20 Autumn ritual is identical to the one provided during the creation of the Silver Chalice and will be presented to the incumbent Senator for Semmerholm Amicia of the Semmerlak. The aim is to reduce the costs required for a lot of people to join the sodality when it is newly created.

The civil service has reserved the use of the Senate chamber for the Vallornguard from 15:00 to 15:30 on the Saturday. The first order of business is likely to be performing the ritual, so a member of the sodality would need to find ten mana crystals and a coven prepared to cast it, if they intend to use it. After everyone has had a chance to join the sodality, the title of Speaker of the Vallornguard will be elected. If any legal powers have been delegated to the sodality, then they will be able to employ them by simple vote of the Vallornguard present following the appointment.

Scrutiny

Scrutiny of the sodalities manifesto has identified a number of titles that fall within the jurisdiction of the sodality The Imperial Senate could grant the sodality to power to request an appraisal

The Constitutional Court has scrutinised the manifesto of the Vallornguard and identified three national positions that fall within their jurisdiction given its remit to rid the Empire of the vallorn. They will raise administrative motions on the Saturday of the next summit to see if the titles can be amended to make them constitutional given the existence of the new sodality.

The Senate have confirmed that they want the Vallornguard to provide opportunities for Virtuous citizens to aid in the fight against the vallorn. The Constitutional Court suggest that the most effective way to achieve this would be to grant the sodality the power of appraisal.

There may well be other issues that will come to light in the future on further scrutiny or other powers that the Imperial Senate could theoretically grant the Vallornguard; the two legal issues listed below are only the ones identified by the court at this stage.

The Constitutional Court has identified a number of Imperial titles, which are focused on the vallorn. The majority of these titles are national positions appointed by the Navarr, although there are some in other nations such as the the Knight of the Greenwood (a Dawnish position) or the Greenwatcher (a Highborn position).

After a great deal of discussion, the Court has come down on the side of not ruling most of these titles unconstitutional; different members have different reasons for doing so. Chief Magistrate Abraham cited the disruption it would cause Senate and the Empire to make all these titles subject to appointment by a sodality, especially given they would retain their national character. Imperial Archivist Leontes on the other hand filibustered for nearly an hour about the historical roots of the Navarr, their cultural emphasis on fighting the vallorn, and the sodality's own manifesto point about "encouraging international cooperation on the matter (of the vallorn)." Starting out by stripping half a dozen established titles (including the newly constructed wayhouses) from the Navarr for dogmatic reasons seemed like a poor way to support that agenda.

So for the time being the guidance of the Constitutional Court is that going forwards the well worn path for appointing any new Imperial title relating to the vallorn, or with responsibilities to fight or prepare for fighting the vallorn, would be appointment by the sodality rather than any other method. The Court will not ask the Speaker to raise administrative motions to "correct" the scores of titles that could be argued to fall within the new sodality's purview, but they note that the irregular election method should not be taken as an example of a well-worn path when Senate is considering creating or amending a new title.

A Senate motion could, of course, be used to change the method of appointment of any existing title whose responsibilities are to deal with the vallorn, just as it could be used to turn a national title into an Imperial title making it a better fit for appointment by an inter-nation sodality.

Role of the Advisor

The Advisor on the Vallorn cannot continue to be appointed in its current form There are a number of administrative motions that will be raised to help resolve this issue

There is however one title that the Constitutional Court are deeply concerned about, and that is the Advisor on the Vallorn. One of the first new titles created after the death of Empress Britta, the Advisor "is responsible for advising the Senate on matters relating to the vallorn, and protecting the Empire from the influence of this mysterious force or entity." It has the power to address the Senate, to advise them on matters relating to the Doom of Terunael.

Now that there is an Imperial sodality charged by the Senate to rid the Empire of the vallorn, encourage international cooperation on the matter, and provide opportunities to Virtuous citizens to aid in the fight, it places the Advisor at odds with the constitution. The title will need to change if it is to continue to be appointed.

The Constitutional Court has identified three ways forward, and the Civil Service will present three administrative motions to allow them to efficiently make a decision about the path to take. They will be presented at the Saturday evening Senate session, to give senators time to adopt a different solution if they prefer. Given the importance of the order they are presented in, the Speaker for the Senate will ask the newly appointed Speaker for the Vallornguard which order they will be raised in (although the Conscience of the Senate could invoke the precedence of virtue to move a different motion or administrative motion to the start of the session). This both provides opportunities for the Vallornguard to discuss with the Advisor on the Vallorn, and for a senator to present their own solution to the problem of the Advisor during earlier sessions if desired.

If one of the three administrative motions passes, any remaining will be removed from the Senate agenda.

Reassignment

The Advisor on the Vallorn could become a title appointed by the Vallornguard If this were done it would become an Imperial title responsible for advising the Senate The Senate could amend the title to give it the ability to address the military council

The Advisor on the Vallorn title could pass to the Vallornguard to appoint. If this vote passes, the title will become an Imperial position elected by the sodality. It will retain the power to address the Senate, but it could be given other powers, such as the ability to address the military council in line with its wider significance as an advisor chosen by the Vallornguard.

If this were done, the title would lose responsibility for protecting the Great Library at Hacynian, which would pass instead to the Singer of the Silence.

Redirection

The Advisor on the Vallorn would remain a title appointed by Navarr senators It would lose the power to address the Senate and the responsibility to advise the Senate and protect the Empire It would instead gain the power to address the Vallornguard and a responsibility to advise them

The Advisor on the Vallorn draws as much on the Navarr traditions and history for fighting the vallorn. Rather than advising the Senate separately to the Vallornguard, however, it could have its responsibilities and powers adjusted such that it was still constitutional to be appointed by the Navarr senators. Instead it would be responsible to advising the Vallornguard, drawing on the centuries of expertise the Navarr have in fighting Terunael's Bane.

If this path is chosen the title loses the responsibility to advise the Senate and protect against the vallorn. Instead it becomes responsible for advising the Vallornguard, and sharing the expertise of Navarr with the Imperial Sodality. They would lose the ability to address the Senate, and instead gain the power to address the Vallornguard - able to make a single, short address during a formal meeting of the sodality, even if they were not themselves a member.

They would retain responsibility for the Great Library at Hacynian - indeed, as the custodian of the greatest archive of information about the vallorn anywhere in creation this serves to reinforce their position as an advisor to the Vallornguard.

Redefinition

Removing the responsibility and power of address would leave the Advisor Constitutionally valid as a Navarr title They would retain custodianship of the Great Library at Hacynian

It is the responsibility and power to address the Senate that causes problems with this title. With that in mind the third administrative motion simply strips those powers for the Advisor on the Vallorn and renames it. If this choice is made, the Advisor would lose the ability to address the Senate, would be responsible only for overseeing and protecting the Great Library at Hacynian, and would be renamed Custodian of Hacynian. They would remain a respected authority on the history of the struggle against the vallorn, and the fall of Terunael, but they would not have any legal powers.

Resignation

The Senate could choose not to pass any of these administrative motions The Advisor on the Vallorn would remain as it currently is but could not be reappointed once the current holder left the post

If the Senate chooses to do nothing, the title would simply continue as it is but it would not be possible to appoint anyone new to hold it. When the incumbent Nathair Autumngale leaves the position it would not be possible to appoint anyone else to hold it while the Vallornguard still existed in its current form.

Powers

The Constitutional Court has identified certain powers that could be passed to the Vallornguard to help them in pursuance of their responsibilities

As well as identifying the problem with the Advisor on the Vallorn, the Constitutional Court has presented some powers that could logically be given to the Vallornguard based on their manifesto.

In Search of Opportunity

The Imperial Senate could grant the sodality the power of appraisal to permit them to find opportunities to fight the vallorn

Part of the sodality's manifesto is "to provide opportunities to Virtuous citizens to aid in the fight against the vallorn". It is not clear what the sodality can do to devote themselves to this goal in a rigorous way. No doubt individual members will strive to pursue any leads that might provide a chance to catch the vallorn off-guard, but the only consistent way that the Empire has to ensure that an opportunity is found is through the use of appraisal.

At present, the Prognosticator's Office has the resources to conduct up to two appraisals each season. The Imperial Senate could use a Senate motion to grant the sodality the power to order one or two appraisals, or they could give them the power to direct all the appraisals conducted by the Empire. In all cases, the simplest way for the sodality to use that power would be by vote of the members.

When the work on researching the vallorn was completed, the scholars involved were clear that everything that could be discovered about the nature of the vallorn had been discovered. The Empire now possesses every scrap of knowledge that it is possible to have about the vallorn. There are no more ancient records, no more lost repositories of secret information. There is nothing more that can be learned about the vallorn now.

However, that doesn't mean a well-worded appraisal couldn't identify ways to attack the vallorn in a specific region or territory, or protect against its expansion, or identify opportunities to prepare forces to fight against it. The nature of an appraisal is that it is open-ended; it's not a search for missing knowledge. Rather, the goal is to identify where one or more chances exists to try and achieve a goal in a different way. The Empire already knows how to defeat the vallorn - but that requires a war. An appraisal could identify different ways to actually fight that war once it begins.

There is no requirement for the Senate to do this - there is no constitutional necessity for them to provide the sodality with the means to procure opportunities to fight the vallorn - it is simply an option that the Court have identified as being constitutional. If the Senate were minded to do this, they would need to pass a Senate motion to that effect.

A War of Words

The Senate could grant the sodality the power to appoint generals The Senate could amend the Advisor on the Vallorn or create a new Imperial title with the power to speak and vote in the Military Council

Much like the Advisor on the Vallorn, the general of an Imperial army is a national position appointed by the Senate. This appointment method is unusual, not least because senators are forbidden from entering the Military Council chambers during a session to ensure that the Council can operate without interference from the Senate. In theory, the Synod could be given the job of appointing generals by vote of national assemblies, but that change has never have attempted.

However, the Imperial Senate has charged the sodality with the task "to rid the Empire of the vallorn". That task explicitly demands massive military forces to accomplish, so the Senate have instructed the sodality to accomplish something that will need armies to achieve.

The Senate could use a motion to amend the general of a single army to make it be appointed by vote of members of the Vallornguard. The position must remain a national appointment - a general cannot be an Imperial position - but given the mandate they have been given by the Senate it would not be unconstitutional for the Senate to devolve the power to appoint generals to the sodality. That could be done piecemeal, by using individual Senate motions to change the election method of a single general, or the method could be changed for all armies using a single Senate motion.

The first change would be a constitutional motion - it would be a clear change to the written constitution which explicitly mandates that the Senate appoint the generals of the armies. The constitution would need to be changed to make the new route explicit as part of the motion. If that were done, subsequent motions would only require a majority vote to pass.

A much less drastic change might be to create a new Imperial title, a position elected by the sodality that would sit in the Military Council and vote with the other members. The obvious parallel is the Warmage which is appointed by the Conclave but has a voice and a vote in the Council. This could be an entirely new Imperial title, or the Senate could choose to amend the position of the Advisor on the Vallorn to take make it an Imperial position that had the power to act in the Military Council instead of, or as well as, its existing power to address the Senate. Creating a new voting member of the Military Council would also be a constitutional vote.

Patronage

In recent years, a number of nations, or their leading citizens have been vocal about the need to fight the vallorn. Last season, Estella Lucati delivered a powerful sermon from Capodomus Cathedral, drawing on the influence of the true consecration of Ambition to urge the defeat the vallorn. Arguably the most powerful example was the decision by the Highborn nation to walk the trods, the pilgrimage of the grey pilgrims that lasted almost seven full years - one year spent walking the trods of the Empire for each of the virtues.

Highguard, the League, Varushka; all found a way to proclaim their support for the fight against the vallorn. If they threw their support behind this new sodality it could prove invaluable. Of course the most important support is likely to come from the Navarr themselves... if they chose to give it.

Blood Red Vallornguard (League)

The League could enact a mandate to permanently sacrifice the benefits of the Blood Red Gallery, Blood Red Museum, and Bloody Great Theatre to provide a bequest for the new sodality

Lorenzo La Volpe was one of the most prominent philanthropists in recent times. As part of the Bloody Butchers Guild of Temeschwar he made a fortune from rising bourse prices in the years between the death of Empress Britta and Empress Lisabetta. He used that money to fund projects all over the Empire, seizing any opportunity to erect massive monuments to his own munificence (arguably). For a while there was talk of having Lorenzo made an exemplar of Prosperity for the legacy that he left. It came to nothing, but the crossed cleavers that he insisted on putting on everything he built still cover some of the grandest buildings in the League to this day.

But is this really the best legacy possible for one of the Empire's richest benefactors? Lorenzo La Volpe might not have been an exemplar, but nobody ever denied he was not a canny and ruthless businessman - one who never failed to take advantage of an opportunity to put his name on something. Roads, theatres, museums, art galleries - all impressive. But what about putting his name on the destruction of the vallorn? Now that would be a legacy. They'd have to make him a paragon for that!

Regrettably Lorenzo is dead and gone and all that remains are the great works and ministries he commissioned. There are a group of Temeschwari bakers who claim that the old butcher faked his death and is even now masquerading as the so-called Rat King, determined to have his revenge on the League for failing to make him an exemplar. Most folk are not that foolish. His supporters - and there are more than a few - accept that he has passed, but they argue his legacy could still do one last thing for the Empire.

There are more than a few jokes about renaming the sodality, the Blood Red Vallornguard, but once people have sobered up, the kernel of an idea does surface. Three of Lorenzo's most iconic monuments are the Blood Red Quays Art Gallery, the Blood Red River Museum, and the Bloody Great Theatre. Patronised by artists and performers, the resplendent if gaudy architecture serves as a breathtaking showcase for some of the greatest cultural experiences in the League. Their presence swells the congregations of priests in Temeschwar, Tassato, and Sarvos, ensuring increased supplies of liao to the League's priests. What if they were repurposed - what if artists, musicians, actors and entertainers - and their wealthy patrons - were instead encouraged to donate to the Vallornguard? What might that achieve? While art in the service of virtue has a long and worthy tradition in the League, art in the service of money has existed significantly longer, and raised a lot more interest. Virtuous art inspires, but it is a sad truth that art that doesn't try to preach the virtues often sells a lot better.

Those who would like to see Lorenzo made an exemplar argue that if the League Assembly encouraged these cultural institutions to focus their efforts on raising funds for the war against the vallorn then rather than celebrating the League's Virtue, they could produce a valuable stream of income for the Vallornguard... a Blood Red Bequest! Given the endorsement of the Archbishop of Capodomus, all it would take is a simple mandate:

If this mandate is enacted by the League National Assembly then the level of investment provided by the Blood Red Quays Art Gallery, the Blood Red River Museum, and the Bloody Great Theatre will be removed. They will no longer provide 2 doses of liao to congregations in their territory. Instead they will create a single Bloody Bequest of 8 Thrones each season for the Vallornguard. If the mandate is enacted with the imprimatur of Estella Lucati, either raised by them or enacted by them, then it will produce 10 Thrones each season.

Regardless of how much was produced, the Vallornguard would be able to vote each season for a citizen to receive the money. It could then be used to fund the purchase of tools for fighting the vallorn - weapons, armour, potions, and enchantments for direct conflict; wains toward the establishment of armies or fortifications in preparation for that final war; or even (as the Freeborn would likely point out) to secure the support of others through bribery and gifts.

Whatever happens, the Curator of the Blood Red River would not be affected - that title would still receive donations and liao, even if their patrons were to direct their support to the Vallornguard. Likewise the structures themselves would still stand, and still attract audiences as they do today. The difference will be the emphasis on fundraising, rather than supporting virtue and the bishops.

Boyar and Burgher (Varushka)

The Varushkan assembly has been in favour of war against the vallorn, which encourages their people to support the Vallornguard

The Varushkan Assembly has not shied away from the fight with the vallorn. In Summer 386YE, they passed a judgement submitted by Vaclav Mladenovich Kosti with a greater majority urging the nation to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their Navarr cousins. They quickly enacted the ensuing mandate urging Varushkans to use their knowledge of the dark powers to fight the vallorn. Now there is another chance for the nation to put their measures where their mouth is.

Iron to Forge a Spear

The Senate could expand the powers of the Boyar of the Iron Roads to allow them to help the Vallornguard

The first group to step up are the people who support the Boyar of the Iron Roads. The Boyar is responsible for maintaining the Iron Roads of Varushka and boosting the Prosperity and Pride of its people. The Boyar has offices in every Varushkan territory and can draw on the support provided to commission a ministry anywhere in the nation each season. Currently the remit of the office is limited - the titles created must be Varushkan national positions elected by Tally of the Votes. There are plans afoot to expand the powers of the office to allow them to create sinecures as well, but those are not yet complete.

Inspired by the words of the Varushkan Assembly, the Boyar of the Iron Roads could have their powers extended by the Imperial Senate to allow them to build ministries (and eventually sinecures) anywhere in Varushka that could be appointed by the Vallornguard, provided they produced ingots or measures. Of course someone would still have to fund the commission, so some arrangements would have to be made, but it would make it much easier for the Varushkans to support the Vallornguard (and give the sodality access to the valuable materials needed to construct vital tools such as the Bloodfire Periapt, Abraxus Stone, or Scorpion's Sting. All it would take is a Senate motion to confirm the necessary expansion of legal powers.

A Two-bladed Knife

The Ketsov have asked the Senate to change the Burgher of Ketsov to be a Varushkan title appointed by the sodality

The other group that have expressed interest in helping the Vallornguard are, surprisingly, the Ketsov of Ossium. This divisive family grouping were one of the largest human factions in Ossium when the Druj were driven out and territory conquered. They are unpopular with many other groups in Ossium and though they embraced the benefits of becoming Imperial citizens they have faced inquisition by the Varushkan assembly and been given penance as a consequence.

If the Synod hoped that the Ketsov would accept the penance with good grace, then they are likely to be disappointed. It is clear that this rebuke has rankled some of the family. They seem to believe that there was a political element to their inquisition, something to do with a conflict involving face stealers where they believe the Synod sided with the monsters rather than the Ketsov. Crucially they are utterly frustrated by the representation by the office of the Burgher of Ketsov, which they feel is completely failing to look out for their interests or work on their behalf. They visited Anvil recently, to speak with the Varushkans, but it seems that the meeting brought them no satisfaction.

As a result, the Ketsov have decided to withdraw their support for the position of Burgher. They are adamant that the current system of election, Tally of the Votes, is picking Burghers who are only interested in the ingots, measures and magic items the Ketsov provide and are utterly disinterested in them or their well-being. They are no longer prepared to offer any support for the Burgher for as long as they remain appointed in this way. If this impasse continues, the title will not be able to gain any benefits from the Ketsov ministry or the Ketsov Mir Mozga. The title will effectively cease to have any beneficial legal powers.

The Ketsov claim the impasse is an opportunity to meet the demands placed on them by the Varushkan Synod. They were instructed to find ways to build up their fellow Varushkans, so they will resume support for the Burgher of Ketsov provided the position is appointed by the Vallornguard. They are happy for the title to remain as a Varushkan national position; they simply want the sodality to elect a Varushkan who can represent their interests to other Varushkans. That way they can work to build up the Prosperity of Varushkan members of the Vallornguard, and represent the nation in the fight against the vallorn. They would presumably want a meeting at the Autumn Equinox with a Vallornguard-appointed Burgher to discuss what magic items will best serve the cause. But regardless, they are no longer prepared to be represented by a citizen chosen by the Varushkan Bourse.

Like the changes to the Boyar of the Iron Roads, the change to the Burgher of Ketsov would need to be approved by a Senate motion. This might be politically difficult and risks getting the Senate involved in a messy political situation in Ossium. That is likely not a coincidence. It is somewhat hard to imagine the Ketsov really care all that much about the threat of the vallorn, given it's likely no member of the family has ever seen or encountered it or its spawn in their life. Folks who know the Ketsov well suspect this is more likely to be a show of power to the Varushkan Assembly and others.

If no Senate Motion passes, or if it is vetoed, then the position of Burgher of the Ketsov will remain a Varushkan position appointed by Tally of the Votes, but it will no longer provided any ministry benefits. Whatever happens, the title is up for re-election at this summit, and presumably the first order of business will be to sort things out with the family regardless of how it ends up being appointed.

Shields and Cordials (Highguard)

An opportunity to help the Vallornguard defend against the vallorn has been identified by members of a retirement chapter The Benefactors of Highguard could take this opportunity to offer potential assistance to the Vallornguard There may be a possibility to persuade Lord Rain to support the Vallornguard

The Highborn were one of the first nations to identify the threat of the vallorn to people's souls and resolve to fight against it alongside the Navarr. They sent out the grey pilgrims to walk the trods, and when it became clear there was a chance to strike at the vallorn, they called them home again. While the grey pilgrims prepare for a chance to mount a military campaign against the greatest spiritual threat to the Empire, there are others who look to the defence of Imperial lives against the infinite hunger of the vallorn.

Stone Endures

The plans for citadels were developed to defend against the vallorn and it is believed might actually attract vallornspawn attacking a territory The sodality could be given the ability to commission a citadel each season If that happens the Stone Aerie chapter will ensure it won't count against the maximum number of commissions available

In 381YE, the Heirs of Lepidus discovered a connection between the foundations of the Silent Sentinel in Casinea and the paragon known as the Sentinel. The General Assembly had the great hall of the fortification consecrated with true liao by Rhesa, Exarch of the Scions of Ravensfell, and the Senate commissioned a great belltower to serve as a place of pilgrimage for dedicants of Vigilance from across the Empire and beyond. During the reign of Empress Lisabetta, the inspiration of the Sentinel was used to good effect to help defend the Empire against the barbarians that threaten it, especially along the Bay of Catazar.

Six years later, a chapterhouse has been founded at the fortification - the Stone Aerie. Composed of veteran adherents of the principles of Vigilance, they number several retired benefactors and more than a few siege engineers, former Highborn generals and two cardinals among them. They seem to have become fired up by the establishment of the Vallornguard - with particular emphasis on the importance of preparing for the coming war against the greatest spiritual threat to the Empire. The exarch of their chapter Ebechiah the Younger - a former Cardinal of Vigilance now well into his seventh decade - has members of the chapter talking to people across Highguard and beyond about a "vigilant and virtuous plan".

The League and Urizen in Spiral collaborated on a plan to defend the Empire from the vallorn. Their idea was to prepare for such a war by building the biggest possible citadel in a region next to each vallorn-infested territory. When the vallorn expands, it is certain to focus on the citadel, giving the Empire the best possible chance of blunting that assault. Citadels are expensive, but the Stone Aerie recall the heyday of Vigilance when the inspiration of the Sentinel saw enthusiasm for building defences reach fever pitch. They believe that with the help of the Benefactors Council, the Vallornguard might be able to find ways to raise enough citadels to serve as a serious defence against the vallorn.

If the Imperial Senate is prepared to give the power to once each season commission, reinforce or repair citadels to the Vallornguard, the experienced veterans of the Stone Aerie will come out of their assorted variations of retirement and seclusion to help oversee that construction. Several of them have experience in the Civil Service, and others were adept in their more active years at organising groups of workers (or warriors). Their expertise would prove invaluable - any such work would not count against the limited number of commissions that the Imperial Senate has each year.

There is a downside of course - the Senate would need to foot the bill for upkeep on these structures. But if Highguard is sincere in its intent to fight the vallorn, then Ebechiah the Younger is confident that they will be able to use their political sway to secure this power for the Vallornguard.

Gold Empowers

A mandate supporting the Vallornguard could be passed Donations of white granite to the Benefactors Council would increase from ten wains to twelve wains

Since the death of Empress Britta, the Benefactors' Council have represented the economic leadership of Highguard. They've played a crucial role in the nation, driving investment for Virtuous reasons as they seek to lift up their fellow citizens. Their Prosperity and hard work have been crucial in enabling the nation to support projects such as the Grand Inspiration of the Way. As part of their work, the Council are the recipient of donations from various Highborn citizens, allowing them to direct a constant stream of resources towards whichever civilian commission the Council has elected to endorse.

The Vallornguard are seen by many in Highguard as a concrete step toward the destruction of the vallorn. Highguard has committed to the destruction of the vallorn and to seeking opportunities to support that lofty ambition - including the use of mandates. The following mandate has been proposed to support the Vallornguard:

If this mandate is raised and enacted by a member of the Scions of Ravensfell chapter - ideally the Castellan of the Silent Sentinel Rhesa - then it will cost only 25 doses of liao, and will have the additional effect of increasing interest in the place of pilgrimage they oversee. This will increase the donations from pilgrims visiting the shrines there to 1 Throne each season.

More importantly, regardless of who raises and enacts the mandate, it will encourage the people of Highguard to double-down on their support for the Benefactors. As long as the sodality has been given the power to commission a citadel, as described above, the ability of the Benefactors Council to support a civilian commission would be expanded to include any citadel commissioned in any region adjacent to a region with the vallorn quality. In addition, the white granite donations provided by Highborn citizens would increase from ten wains a season to twelve wains a season, reflecting the depth of support for a Vigilant approach to the war with the vallorn.

With thousands of grey pilgrims returned home inspired to take the virtuous fight to the vallorn, people in Highguard are eager to see the nation put their shoulder to that wheel, and would increase their support for the Council in the hope that they would choose to support citadels commissioned by the Vallornguard when the Council deemed it appropriate.

The mandate needs to be enacted at the Summer Solstice to be effective, as with any mandate, but the Stone Aerie know that securing political outcomes can take longer; as long as the sodality is granted the power to commission, upgrade, and repair citadels by the end of the Winter Solstice 387YE the Benefactors' ability to secure white granite for commissions will be increased at that point.

Water Purifies

The Greenwatcher has a unique connection to the eternal Lord Rain Lord Rain has indicated that he considers the vallorn a sickness that needs healing The Greenwatcher might be in a position to encourage Lord Rain to support the Vallornguard - assuming the eternal is still around

The Greenwatch was built in 385YE in Casinea as the result of a boon offered by Lord Rain. The eternal provides access to unique magic items designed to help the Highborn in their fight against the vallorn. A second opportunity was offered to the Navarr but they declined. Beckburn is not a warlike creature, but acknowledges the need for the vallorn to be ended.

At the moment, the relationship between the Empire and the Cupbearer hangs in the balance. The situation in Therunin is potentially disastrous. If the eternals requirements cannot be met, he says he will withdraw from the Empire. What that means for the Greenwatcher is not clear. Assuming the situation can be resolved, however, the current Greenwatcher Juliette might be in a position to encourage Willowbraid to offer patronage to the Vallornguard.

Several magisters believe that a plenipotentiary from the Archmage of Spring asking on behalf of the Greenwatcher either for an audience to discuss the Vallornguard, or simply requesting his support for the new sodality, might have greater weight than such a request from the Archmage alone. If Brother Harvest could be persuaded to provide some of the tools of healing and protection he provides to the Greenwatcher, or mentioned during his initial approach to the Empire, they might prove valuable tools in helping the Vallornguard do their duties.

Bound by Thorn (Navarr)

The Navarr could refuse to support the new sodality and boycott it as an insult to their heritage The nation could embrace the new sodality as the best opportunity to defeat the vallorn The third Navarr army could be amended to be appointed by the sodality If that happens then the sodality could chose one army each season to allow the general to replace their current quality for Thornbound at a cost of fifteen mithril

Some members of the Navarr are unsure what to make of the Vallornguard. More than a few are irked by the creation of the sodality. Their nation has been fighting the vallorn for the best part of a thousand years... and now the Empire wants to make a sodality to do it? It's easy to find that insulting. They argue that the Navarr should boycott the sodality to show their disdain.

Not everyone takes that view however. Most Navarr understand that they cannot possibly destroy the vallorn alone. That's why they supported the creation of the Empire - only a military power as strong as the Empire could hope to defeat the enemy. The Vallornguard could be the perfect opportunity to collaborate with Highguard, the League, the Varushkans, and other supportive nations - working together with them to defeat the vallorn or encouraging those nations that have other priorities to come around to their way of thinking. They argue that the Navarr should perform some grand display of support for the Vallornguard, to clearly demonstrate to the nation that this is the best route to pursue.

Such a dramatic gesture is certainly possible. The Navarr have just commissioned a third Navarr army - to be raised in Treji, in the Glen of Shadows. That army has been raised on the basis that the general will be legally appointed by the Navarr senators - but that could be changed. The Navarr could push the Senate to amend the title, so that the general of the new army would be appointed by the Vallornguard.

Such a change would require a constitutional vote, needing ratification by the Throne, but the biggest obstacle is likely to be other members of the Navarr. It is hard to imagine there would be much talk of the Navarr boycotting the sodality if they were also asking the sodality to appoint the general of one of the Navarr armies. There would be no point in doing this if the nation weren't intending to give the sodality their full-throated support. As a result presumably there would be a lot of members of the Navarr in the sodality to vote each year when the title came up for election.

Even so, it would mean accepting that members of other nations having a say over who leads a Navarr army. That requires a huge leap of faith - but it is hard to imagine a better way to convince the world that the nation stands fully behind the new sodality, willing to support it, joined with it in the pursuit of the vallorn's destruction. And who knows... maybe a general appointed by the Vallornguard would put a higher priority on fighting the vallorn than some other generals have to date?

If the Imperial Senate took the unprecedented step of amending the new Navarr army to make it appointed by the sodality, if they chose to place their trust in the Vallornguard in this way, then it would inspire many Navarr with experience of fighting the vallorn to do likewise. The Thornbound Steading are one such group. Formed by a handful of survivors who escaped the recent destruction of Isaella's Dance, they have come together with other like-minded warriors intent on finding ways to help the Empire fight the vallorn.

If the Navarr choose to commit to the new sodality and are able to persuade the Senate to put the Vallornguard in charge of the new army, then the Thornbound Steading will do everything they can to support the new sodality. Each summit the sodality could ask (by simple majority vote) the Steading and their allies to train an Imperial army. Any army selected by the sodality could swap their current quality for Thornbound using fifteen wains of mithril. To accept the help, the general of the army would need to place 15 wains in their inventory at the end of the event and email plot@profounddecisions.co.uk. Such an option would be unlikely to be appealing for an army whose quality is widely admired and appreciated, but it could help to develop armies that lacked effective focus into an effective force against the vallorn. It might also just be the start; a suitably worded appraisal might be able to identify other methods of fighting the vallorn, perhaps more suited to the strengths of individual nations when coupled with the expertise of Navarr's thorns.

Further Reading

Vallornguard Imperial sodality Vallorn Thornbound quality

Advisor on the Vallorn Boyar of the Iron Roads Burgher of Ketsov