After numerous assemblies, a noble retreat, and a huge Empire-wide effort to secure the blight for as long as possible, the internal politics of the Archipelago went back into full swing. Acting ahead of the rest, Grand Duchess Tuija Viduggla gathered a large number of young men and women in the province of Lundenes, offering to help every one of them who were interested in completing their Old Gods rite of Ellmår. Tuija offered to teach those who would serve in the Husgardet medical lessons but was advised not to due to the sheer number of youths needing such, with those kinds of lessons requiring weeks if not months of effort that would keep the Grand Duchess from other duties. The recently cured Lord took in a handful but no more than 5, in gratitude for the efforts that Tuija and co had made months prior in curing him of his dire illness. However, it was soon discovered that the bureaucratic cost of searching for a ruler or jarl to house and take on these young men and women was quite significant, even for one province and the Viduggla steward advised Tuija that more wealth would be required to secure spaces for those seeking to finish their rite (2 wealth tokens.)
Tuija also set the individuals Aksel Viduggla, Frejnir Viduggla, Nazareth, Barbossa Maz-Vyzal, and Tim Borros to task surveying the mountains in Kvengboten to locate areas for new mining ventures but no area of note was found suitable.
---
House Viduggla was seemingly not the only Noble House seeking to expand religious pursuits in the Archipelago, as the Duke Dorothios Spathous oversaw a plan to repair and construct places of Unionist worship all over the Duchy of Kappados. Architects including Paris Spathous met with the Duke, advising him alongside his kinsman Nikomedes that his plan would earn him religious fervor for sure, but the cost would be drastic. On the lower end, small shrines across the entire Duchy would cost a small fortune (4 wealth tokens) while a handful of notable temples would cost upwards of a Duke's income (8 wealth tokens). The populace would appreciate either, but the latter would obviously have more of an impact. Regardless, the plans were left with Dorothios to decide upon.
---
Within the Cadieux-owned provinces, the Grand Duchess Milena immediately set about capitalising on the recent legislation that had passed giving a monopoly on naming bubbly white wine from Vixhall 'champagne'. Proclamations loud and far sent the Grand Duchess's invitation to all winemakers around the Archipelago to come and help bask in this new notoriety, which was mildly successful. Most, if not all of the independent winemakers within Lorhauser looked to Cadieux lands with desire, with some up and leaving there and then to both avoid the effects of the 10% luxury tax that the Grand Duchess Amelina Peirgarten had imposed on her already struggling people at the assembly as well as the export struggles of having over 70% of the Archipelago blocking ALL exports from the region. The winemakers also wished to try to take advantage of the recently scorched land that Milena had seen to in an effort to combat the blight. The Peirgarten winemakers requested set up costs to move and re-farm the lands from Grand Duchess Cadieux of a small amount before setting up shop (2 wealth tokens).
Sporting silk outfits designed to appear like gold cracked marble and a wide array of body paint and makeup, the Grand Duchess Milena, Grand Duke Caius, and Duke Fabien Cadieux along with servants Lhoris and Alain tour the Vixhall vineyards to savour the produce and make apologies for the burning of various vineyards belonging to Knights who had fought in the Sendrassian war the few months prior. Milena temporarily lowered the land and sales tax on owners of the burned fields, which did nothing to alleviate the burning disdain they had for the Grand Duchess as, of course, lower tax is still a tax and with no income expected in the next few seasons thanks to the destroyed harvest, and made little difference. They were still pretty miffed and faced with significant financial problems in the near to far future. After the tour was over, a conference was held with invitations provided to all vineyard owners where the Grand Duchess announced legislation that would unify the Vixhall vineyards by providing them with a recognised brand to showcase that it was Vixhall quality. Moreover, the vineyards were requested to focus on champagne production to make good on the now exclusively Vixhall reserved term, using von Eisner merchant ships to ship whatever champagne they have stockpiled off around the Empire. Lastly, Milena sits down with her Feudal Lords to explain that the Iron Duke was not an issue which puts some of their worries to rest, on account of her position as Foreign Minister. Still, her eagerness to investigate the Cadieux military's readiness did mitigate some of the prior effort for sending mixed messages.
---
In von Eisner lands, the Duke himself organised for finances to be pumped into shipwrights to begin, assumably, building more ships. Some of the von Eisner Feudal Council were unsure, however, what the Duke was actually financing. Was it the construction of ships, or just the education of more shipbuilders? In the end, the money was prepared to be financed into the latter as that made more sense, with a bill being passed up the chain to the Duke for the amount required for some 200 new shipwrights in his region (3 wealth tokens).
This all occurred whilst the Duke and his relative Magnus attended an assembly of the Hanse Guildmasters who operated in the region. While they were content to entertain the Duke, money is what really lubed their hands and thus, if the beginning of friendly relations were sought, they'd undoubtedly need to be bribed (2 Wealth Tokens).
Finally, Handel von Eisner travels down to Vixhall with a small number of Hanse ships to export Cadieux champagne to the more notable ports in the Archipelago with no blight and no trade tariffs under the Hanse laws.
---
House Kassambara also appears interested in beefing up their shipyards. They gathered a collective of architects and financial advisors to discern what it would cost to upgrade their current harbors to house Joloffan vessels. Due to the size, it would cost a considerable amount to ensure that the ships could be maintained properly when anchored (2 wealth tokens.)
Next, the Kassambara family attempts to invest in the arts and crafts markets in Groumana with Maliyah Kassambara trying to set up the arrangement alongside Cagan Fasalor and Amara Kassambara. The goal was to attempt to set up a revenue split for Kassambara and the local economy, however, the family was advised that this was not feasibly possible due to the current Regalian Tax system without the split harming the Kassambara family in the long run. This was because the local economy was supported by the tax taken by the Noble family. Splitting the revenue any more than it already was by the tax set by the Government and Crown would mean less money for Kassambara but a small boon for the local government in their lands.
---
House Wulfmacht proceeds to invest in a large cultural festival to introduce the family to the wider New Regalian families. Alfred, Franz, and Benjamin set out to Charlotteburg to host a Beirgartenfest for the local lords from all of the New Regalian provinces along with commoners. A grand total of one lord attends but only because he mistakenly believed his family had ties with House Wulfmacht through a cousin's marriage and left soon after the mistake was rectified. Commoner attendance however boomed, so much so that there was nothing left of the beer and sausages provided. Cutlery was stolen and a few attendants complained of having been pickpocketed but otherwise, even with the marshal talent on show from Franz, Benjamin, and Alfred throughout the night, no violence occurred. With the Lords absent, the planned speech and private meetings could not be held. The Wulfmacht feudal council was left taken aback by the party which, firstly needed far more funding to attract the lavish and high-strung New Regalian Nobility (2 wealth tokens) but also the inclusion of commoners which naturally would offend these upper-class paragons of stoic poise.
---
Back in the North, Grand Duchess Sivrid Sorenvik organises a large religious pilgrimage gathering up swarms of Valsung and planning routes across cities for these small groups to tour, sing and encourage the devout to commit to a religious life of serving the Helbowen. Songs and prayer favoring Navner, Valsung, Skorda, and Staargir are sung to encourage the local populous to get themselves involved in, those positions, which does spark a modicum of interest but some are wary about joining and leaving their businesses behind, perhaps some monetary encouragement might shift those still on the fence (1 wealth token). Supporting the existing Helbowen, Sivrid gathers a list of supplies that could be used to ease the strain of the cost of repair and materials in some Helbowen, with the Sorenvik feudal council estimating an additional cost on top of what the new recruits might require (2 wealth tokens). Sivrid lastly leads a ceremony in Himmelgard, the largest Helbolwen alongside any newly oathed Velheim, teaching them how to mummify bodies, give offerings, upkeep the crypts and take oaths at the shrines there. Undead, the Draugr in Velheim culture, are rooted out from abandoned Helbolwen, and the names of those put to rest transcribed for the Navner before the crypts are permanently sealed and a shrine built outside -- albeit only a small one. The Sorenvik feudal council assumes that funding religious pursuits would greatly increase Sorenvik appreciation amongst the Old Gods followers in their region.
Sorenvik seemed to be on a spending spree this month, as the Duchess Kaya Sorenvik commences work on plans to create another Skagger lodge built specifically for Skorda in the province of Irvainvik where there is a high religious fervor. The cost of construction along with the inclusion of Union of Air iconography was delivered to Kaya (2 wealth tokens).
The Matriarch Kaya also enacted some controversial military policies for the Fridurfolk people in her lands. Acknowledging their pacifistic nature, the Duchess imposes a tax of food, lodging and equipment for each soldier the Duchess intends on sending to protect them from more military inclined provinces with the promise that the soldiers always being on patrol, drilling, and ready to defend the Fridurfolk when the time comes. The argument was that other cultures, like the Cielothar, also are provided protection to subsist by the Avanthar, but this argument falls on deaf ears. The Fridurfolk outright refuse to pay the tax because doing so would be supporting a military regime that could drag them into a conflict they do not want and could upset their way of life -- thus, they start peacefully protesting against Kaya within their provinces with some village elders refusing to eat until the Duchess rethink her decision. Tax continues to flow into Sorenvik coffers for now.
Finally, Sorenvik servant Thorom Hauksund is sent to survey the mountains in Hasledrepland for metals that could be mined but could not find anything that local miners were not already making use of.
---
Meanwhile, in Anglia, Grand Duke Jared Bancroft alongside Lady Rowena heads out to tour the Bancroft's duchies, inquiring into a number of matters primarily about the blight. The Dukes respond similarly as they had last time such questions were posed -- that if the blight affects wheat and Anglia gets infected this close to winter, starvation will set in quickly and the entire Archipelago will be in dire trouble. No stability issues for now. Heerepolder was asked about the surrounding duchies and they respond fondly that there are no immediate concerns.
Additionally, Gwenyth Zylmoira at the behest of her husband is sent to all three Duchies to plan the construction of various small Dragon Worship shrines. Women, mothers, and daughters are specifically given attention at these events with the Dragon Mother offering amiable treatment to them all to build a good repore, which is well received. Gwenyth correctly assumes that the cost of all of these small shrines would be moderately expensive (4 wealth tokens). During her time in Heerepolder, the Dragon Matron holding enigmatic speeches about the importance of community, life, and advancing towards a world built on harmony. The latter part raised a few brows. Nevertheless, the emphasized message of the speech was to strive for self-betterment, growth, and clutching to one's faith as a form of hope. She mimicked the same speech in each Duchy before returning home, reporting that turnouts and engagement were so-so, but there was obvious sentiment toward the Dragon Faith by those that did attend.
---
A relatively new name and face to the Court in Regalia, House Deceres seeks to host a large Imperial festival in their regions with special attention on Inne-Hart, celebrating the Prince Marshal Cedromar Kade as a hero of the Empire to attempt to sway the hardline Anglians to Imperial Culture, as well as promote Dragon Worship over Unionism. The cost of such a venture would hit the Deceres Coffers for a significant amount just for Inne-Hart and a couple of surrounding provinces due to how tightly the Anglians hold onto Unionism and their own culture (5 wealth tokens). The Deceres Feudal Council advises the Duke to also begin representing Imperial culture and fashion more appropriately, as leading by example tends to deliver a far more convincing narrative to the people.
A statue of Cedromar depicted in Imperial style, showcasing his Imperial military might is also considered for the province of Inne-Hart, to be sculpted and overseen by Beatrix of Ellador, which would set House Deceres back a small sum of funding (2 wealth tokens).
---
Elsewhere, House Minarith or rather specifically the Duke Laeroth Minarith invites the Duke of the Samänna Duchy and Duke of the Cëreleia Duchy to a feast so that the three Houses could better acquaint themselves however only the Duke of Cëreleia attends while the former Duke sends a letter thanking Minarith for the opportunity but politely declines. Still, the feast goes ahead, and both Duke Minarith and the Duke of Cëreleia exchange pleasantries. Here, Duke Laeroth proposes the idea of a partnership between the three Duchies, primarily culturally as the Duke then proceeded to present the idea of hosting some festivities in the three Duchies but the Duke of Cëreleia seemed dismissive of the idea for the time being. Perhaps something lavish might help sway the Duke, the feudal council recommending an example of the type of cultural festival Minarith wished to host (2 wealth tokens). The Duke of Cëreleia is thanked for his presence and sent on his merry way with some House Minarith premium tabacca.
---
Back in the South, Grand Duke Abelhard Petrou brings together his Feudal Council to survey lands in Athos suitable for the construction of a large shipyard that could be properly utilised by the Regalian State's Armadas. Some land is found to be perfect for the build and thus is compulsorily acquired by the Feudal Council for the venture, architects valuing the proposed build as significantly high but with equal significant State favor payoff if used properly (7 wealth tokens). Experienced shipwrights are searched for and even the Citadel of Proagogi is broached to dedicate a team of engineers experienced in shipbuilding to the venture, to which there were very few. Two engineers claimed they could potentially work on improving a design, but they could not necessarily design an entire ship from scratch. Ultimately, they left the decision in the hands of the Duke. Finally, the Grand Duke Abelhard Petrou receives an invitation to a remote monastery island, as part of an exclusive viewing of a supposed and alleged relic from Theomar's reign. Abelhard is hardly shy about such an offer and quickly assembles a retinue of close servants and bodyguards for the journey. A lightly armed caravel takes the Petrou party across the seas for a whole five days before spotting the small, lush island tucked neatly behind a blanket of fog. The Grand Duke and his people are given a warm welcome at the all too small dock. The following days are filled with enlightening religious discussions and prayer, proving to be a relaxing reprieve from the busy city life in Regalia. Though the original occasion had passed, the Grand Duke chose to stay for a week or two more to enjoy the days of peace and piety among the fellow clerics. He is also treated to the 'best wine he has ever tasted', which may have affected his decision as well.
---
Remaining in the South for the moment, a few of the Duke Morathe's kin take a tour of the now Morathes ruled provinces by sea, beginning in Porte Pirtais and ending in the province of Mollarno. The troupe attempt to engage some of the local lords but instead are met with some stewards on account of the title holder not being present in their party and various efforts demanding their attention elsewhere, presumably related to the blight. Upon returning to the Morathes capital at the end of the journey, the group was able to report that yes, slavery was being practiced in the region in lieu of the Saffran law requirements, mostly. Additionally, it was blatantly obvious that the Rim Isles had some connections with the criminal underbelly in the city but from a surface level inspection, exactly to what extent and detail could not be discovered.
Tuija also set the individuals Aksel Viduggla, Frejnir Viduggla, Nazareth, Barbossa Maz-Vyzal, and Tim Borros to task surveying the mountains in Kvengboten to locate areas for new mining ventures but no area of note was found suitable.
---
House Viduggla was seemingly not the only Noble House seeking to expand religious pursuits in the Archipelago, as the Duke Dorothios Spathous oversaw a plan to repair and construct places of Unionist worship all over the Duchy of Kappados. Architects including Paris Spathous met with the Duke, advising him alongside his kinsman Nikomedes that his plan would earn him religious fervor for sure, but the cost would be drastic. On the lower end, small shrines across the entire Duchy would cost a small fortune (4 wealth tokens) while a handful of notable temples would cost upwards of a Duke's income (8 wealth tokens). The populace would appreciate either, but the latter would obviously have more of an impact. Regardless, the plans were left with Dorothios to decide upon.
---
Within the Cadieux-owned provinces, the Grand Duchess Milena immediately set about capitalising on the recent legislation that had passed giving a monopoly on naming bubbly white wine from Vixhall 'champagne'. Proclamations loud and far sent the Grand Duchess's invitation to all winemakers around the Archipelago to come and help bask in this new notoriety, which was mildly successful. Most, if not all of the independent winemakers within Lorhauser looked to Cadieux lands with desire, with some up and leaving there and then to both avoid the effects of the 10% luxury tax that the Grand Duchess Amelina Peirgarten had imposed on her already struggling people at the assembly as well as the export struggles of having over 70% of the Archipelago blocking ALL exports from the region. The winemakers also wished to try to take advantage of the recently scorched land that Milena had seen to in an effort to combat the blight. The Peirgarten winemakers requested set up costs to move and re-farm the lands from Grand Duchess Cadieux of a small amount before setting up shop (2 wealth tokens).
Sporting silk outfits designed to appear like gold cracked marble and a wide array of body paint and makeup, the Grand Duchess Milena, Grand Duke Caius, and Duke Fabien Cadieux along with servants Lhoris and Alain tour the Vixhall vineyards to savour the produce and make apologies for the burning of various vineyards belonging to Knights who had fought in the Sendrassian war the few months prior. Milena temporarily lowered the land and sales tax on owners of the burned fields, which did nothing to alleviate the burning disdain they had for the Grand Duchess as, of course, lower tax is still a tax and with no income expected in the next few seasons thanks to the destroyed harvest, and made little difference. They were still pretty miffed and faced with significant financial problems in the near to far future. After the tour was over, a conference was held with invitations provided to all vineyard owners where the Grand Duchess announced legislation that would unify the Vixhall vineyards by providing them with a recognised brand to showcase that it was Vixhall quality. Moreover, the vineyards were requested to focus on champagne production to make good on the now exclusively Vixhall reserved term, using von Eisner merchant ships to ship whatever champagne they have stockpiled off around the Empire. Lastly, Milena sits down with her Feudal Lords to explain that the Iron Duke was not an issue which puts some of their worries to rest, on account of her position as Foreign Minister. Still, her eagerness to investigate the Cadieux military's readiness did mitigate some of the prior effort for sending mixed messages.
---
In von Eisner lands, the Duke himself organised for finances to be pumped into shipwrights to begin, assumably, building more ships. Some of the von Eisner Feudal Council were unsure, however, what the Duke was actually financing. Was it the construction of ships, or just the education of more shipbuilders? In the end, the money was prepared to be financed into the latter as that made more sense, with a bill being passed up the chain to the Duke for the amount required for some 200 new shipwrights in his region (3 wealth tokens).
This all occurred whilst the Duke and his relative Magnus attended an assembly of the Hanse Guildmasters who operated in the region. While they were content to entertain the Duke, money is what really lubed their hands and thus, if the beginning of friendly relations were sought, they'd undoubtedly need to be bribed (2 Wealth Tokens).
Finally, Handel von Eisner travels down to Vixhall with a small number of Hanse ships to export Cadieux champagne to the more notable ports in the Archipelago with no blight and no trade tariffs under the Hanse laws.
---
House Kassambara also appears interested in beefing up their shipyards. They gathered a collective of architects and financial advisors to discern what it would cost to upgrade their current harbors to house Joloffan vessels. Due to the size, it would cost a considerable amount to ensure that the ships could be maintained properly when anchored (2 wealth tokens.)
Next, the Kassambara family attempts to invest in the arts and crafts markets in Groumana with Maliyah Kassambara trying to set up the arrangement alongside Cagan Fasalor and Amara Kassambara. The goal was to attempt to set up a revenue split for Kassambara and the local economy, however, the family was advised that this was not feasibly possible due to the current Regalian Tax system without the split harming the Kassambara family in the long run. This was because the local economy was supported by the tax taken by the Noble family. Splitting the revenue any more than it already was by the tax set by the Government and Crown would mean less money for Kassambara but a small boon for the local government in their lands.
---
House Wulfmacht proceeds to invest in a large cultural festival to introduce the family to the wider New Regalian families. Alfred, Franz, and Benjamin set out to Charlotteburg to host a Beirgartenfest for the local lords from all of the New Regalian provinces along with commoners. A grand total of one lord attends but only because he mistakenly believed his family had ties with House Wulfmacht through a cousin's marriage and left soon after the mistake was rectified. Commoner attendance however boomed, so much so that there was nothing left of the beer and sausages provided. Cutlery was stolen and a few attendants complained of having been pickpocketed but otherwise, even with the marshal talent on show from Franz, Benjamin, and Alfred throughout the night, no violence occurred. With the Lords absent, the planned speech and private meetings could not be held. The Wulfmacht feudal council was left taken aback by the party which, firstly needed far more funding to attract the lavish and high-strung New Regalian Nobility (2 wealth tokens) but also the inclusion of commoners which naturally would offend these upper-class paragons of stoic poise.
---
Back in the North, Grand Duchess Sivrid Sorenvik organises a large religious pilgrimage gathering up swarms of Valsung and planning routes across cities for these small groups to tour, sing and encourage the devout to commit to a religious life of serving the Helbowen. Songs and prayer favoring Navner, Valsung, Skorda, and Staargir are sung to encourage the local populous to get themselves involved in, those positions, which does spark a modicum of interest but some are wary about joining and leaving their businesses behind, perhaps some monetary encouragement might shift those still on the fence (1 wealth token). Supporting the existing Helbowen, Sivrid gathers a list of supplies that could be used to ease the strain of the cost of repair and materials in some Helbowen, with the Sorenvik feudal council estimating an additional cost on top of what the new recruits might require (2 wealth tokens). Sivrid lastly leads a ceremony in Himmelgard, the largest Helbolwen alongside any newly oathed Velheim, teaching them how to mummify bodies, give offerings, upkeep the crypts and take oaths at the shrines there. Undead, the Draugr in Velheim culture, are rooted out from abandoned Helbolwen, and the names of those put to rest transcribed for the Navner before the crypts are permanently sealed and a shrine built outside -- albeit only a small one. The Sorenvik feudal council assumes that funding religious pursuits would greatly increase Sorenvik appreciation amongst the Old Gods followers in their region.
Sorenvik seemed to be on a spending spree this month, as the Duchess Kaya Sorenvik commences work on plans to create another Skagger lodge built specifically for Skorda in the province of Irvainvik where there is a high religious fervor. The cost of construction along with the inclusion of Union of Air iconography was delivered to Kaya (2 wealth tokens).
The Matriarch Kaya also enacted some controversial military policies for the Fridurfolk people in her lands. Acknowledging their pacifistic nature, the Duchess imposes a tax of food, lodging and equipment for each soldier the Duchess intends on sending to protect them from more military inclined provinces with the promise that the soldiers always being on patrol, drilling, and ready to defend the Fridurfolk when the time comes. The argument was that other cultures, like the Cielothar, also are provided protection to subsist by the Avanthar, but this argument falls on deaf ears. The Fridurfolk outright refuse to pay the tax because doing so would be supporting a military regime that could drag them into a conflict they do not want and could upset their way of life -- thus, they start peacefully protesting against Kaya within their provinces with some village elders refusing to eat until the Duchess rethink her decision. Tax continues to flow into Sorenvik coffers for now.
Finally, Sorenvik servant Thorom Hauksund is sent to survey the mountains in Hasledrepland for metals that could be mined but could not find anything that local miners were not already making use of.
---
Meanwhile, in Anglia, Grand Duke Jared Bancroft alongside Lady Rowena heads out to tour the Bancroft's duchies, inquiring into a number of matters primarily about the blight. The Dukes respond similarly as they had last time such questions were posed -- that if the blight affects wheat and Anglia gets infected this close to winter, starvation will set in quickly and the entire Archipelago will be in dire trouble. No stability issues for now. Heerepolder was asked about the surrounding duchies and they respond fondly that there are no immediate concerns.
Additionally, Gwenyth Zylmoira at the behest of her husband is sent to all three Duchies to plan the construction of various small Dragon Worship shrines. Women, mothers, and daughters are specifically given attention at these events with the Dragon Mother offering amiable treatment to them all to build a good repore, which is well received. Gwenyth correctly assumes that the cost of all of these small shrines would be moderately expensive (4 wealth tokens). During her time in Heerepolder, the Dragon Matron holding enigmatic speeches about the importance of community, life, and advancing towards a world built on harmony. The latter part raised a few brows. Nevertheless, the emphasized message of the speech was to strive for self-betterment, growth, and clutching to one's faith as a form of hope. She mimicked the same speech in each Duchy before returning home, reporting that turnouts and engagement were so-so, but there was obvious sentiment toward the Dragon Faith by those that did attend.
---
A relatively new name and face to the Court in Regalia, House Deceres seeks to host a large Imperial festival in their regions with special attention on Inne-Hart, celebrating the Prince Marshal Cedromar Kade as a hero of the Empire to attempt to sway the hardline Anglians to Imperial Culture, as well as promote Dragon Worship over Unionism. The cost of such a venture would hit the Deceres Coffers for a significant amount just for Inne-Hart and a couple of surrounding provinces due to how tightly the Anglians hold onto Unionism and their own culture (5 wealth tokens). The Deceres Feudal Council advises the Duke to also begin representing Imperial culture and fashion more appropriately, as leading by example tends to deliver a far more convincing narrative to the people.
A statue of Cedromar depicted in Imperial style, showcasing his Imperial military might is also considered for the province of Inne-Hart, to be sculpted and overseen by Beatrix of Ellador, which would set House Deceres back a small sum of funding (2 wealth tokens).
---
Elsewhere, House Minarith or rather specifically the Duke Laeroth Minarith invites the Duke of the Samänna Duchy and Duke of the Cëreleia Duchy to a feast so that the three Houses could better acquaint themselves however only the Duke of Cëreleia attends while the former Duke sends a letter thanking Minarith for the opportunity but politely declines. Still, the feast goes ahead, and both Duke Minarith and the Duke of Cëreleia exchange pleasantries. Here, Duke Laeroth proposes the idea of a partnership between the three Duchies, primarily culturally as the Duke then proceeded to present the idea of hosting some festivities in the three Duchies but the Duke of Cëreleia seemed dismissive of the idea for the time being. Perhaps something lavish might help sway the Duke, the feudal council recommending an example of the type of cultural festival Minarith wished to host (2 wealth tokens). The Duke of Cëreleia is thanked for his presence and sent on his merry way with some House Minarith premium tabacca.
---
Back in the South, Grand Duke Abelhard Petrou brings together his Feudal Council to survey lands in Athos suitable for the construction of a large shipyard that could be properly utilised by the Regalian State's Armadas. Some land is found to be perfect for the build and thus is compulsorily acquired by the Feudal Council for the venture, architects valuing the proposed build as significantly high but with equal significant State favor payoff if used properly (7 wealth tokens). Experienced shipwrights are searched for and even the Citadel of Proagogi is broached to dedicate a team of engineers experienced in shipbuilding to the venture, to which there were very few. Two engineers claimed they could potentially work on improving a design, but they could not necessarily design an entire ship from scratch. Ultimately, they left the decision in the hands of the Duke. Finally, the Grand Duke Abelhard Petrou receives an invitation to a remote monastery island, as part of an exclusive viewing of a supposed and alleged relic from Theomar's reign. Abelhard is hardly shy about such an offer and quickly assembles a retinue of close servants and bodyguards for the journey. A lightly armed caravel takes the Petrou party across the seas for a whole five days before spotting the small, lush island tucked neatly behind a blanket of fog. The Grand Duke and his people are given a warm welcome at the all too small dock. The following days are filled with enlightening religious discussions and prayer, proving to be a relaxing reprieve from the busy city life in Regalia. Though the original occasion had passed, the Grand Duke chose to stay for a week or two more to enjoy the days of peace and piety among the fellow clerics. He is also treated to the 'best wine he has ever tasted', which may have affected his decision as well.
---
Remaining in the South for the moment, a few of the Duke Morathe's kin take a tour of the now Morathes ruled provinces by sea, beginning in Porte Pirtais and ending in the province of Mollarno. The troupe attempt to engage some of the local lords but instead are met with some stewards on account of the title holder not being present in their party and various efforts demanding their attention elsewhere, presumably related to the blight. Upon returning to the Morathes capital at the end of the journey, the group was able to report that yes, slavery was being practiced in the region in lieu of the Saffran law requirements, mostly. Additionally, it was blatantly obvious that the Rim Isles had some connections with the criminal underbelly in the city but from a surface level inspection, exactly to what extent and detail could not be discovered.
