Season 2020 Progression World System Progression 17 - Festivals And Celebrations Harmonised With Shadowed Deceit And Schemes

[BillyTheScruffy]

Ariramorel

• Pays 15,000 regals to Goretaan.
• Allows Goretaan to Urlify the Ariramorel standing army.
• Complies with the State tax, setting their tax to 30% overall.
• Dedicates 1 Warship to the State.
• Ariramorel is offered 15,000 regals by a Latimer curate to be named to Ariramorel's Noble Court and assigned a position as 'Grand Alderman of Cotyr' and awaits their response.
• Ariramorel declares that Jimenista, their land to the South is now a 'Free Port' with customs almost entirely stripped aside from those forced by Empire Law, which was most, and no investigations are made into what goods come in and out. This essentially has two effects: Firstly, a loss of income of 500 regals for Ariramorel for that week and every week while this is in effect and a severe influx of stolen goods from areas all over the Southern Isles. For now, no benefit comes but this may change as time goes on.

House von Drachenburg

• House von Drachenburg funds 20,000 regals into the Kreiburg capital of Langthal to specifically repair damage done by recent vampire attacks from the aerial assault that occurred weeks prior. Despite this being intended to cause a shift in the province to Drachenburg loyalty, this does not occur. This is primarily because Langthal, despite leaning toward removing Kreiburg from governance of the region, actually wanted full autonomy and independence, not to be under yet another ruler who could potentially cause another crisis in their already torn area.
• Nevertheless, von Drachenburg sends an airship to guard the Langthal border from a vampiric attack which does not come, so all in all it has little effect save for casting a shadow over the locals who were unsure of if this was a threat or if it was a genuine gesture of good will. However, it did note that a combined Kreiburg and Reinard army attempted to attack the capital and was forced back by the rebels within after they declared independence.
• The second airship supports the siege at Bulgern and, after shadowing the defending garrison, Bulgern opens its gates and willingly surrendered as no Kreiburg aid comes from them; subjecting the province to Drachenburg occupation.

House du Triege

• House du Triege offers the Astronomer in Nomia 40,000 regals and a position as their House's Court Astronomer. The Astronomer accepts this offer and joins the du Triege Court for usage another time.

House Delmotte

• Places a bid of 35,000 on the proposed portrait piece by artist Gretel Schounhaser at auction.
• Pays Valentino Sangiovese 5,000 regals.

House Eledhwen

• Dedicates 5,000 troops to the State.
• 10,000 regals were spent on efforts in Hadar to curb the spread of Yellow Palement [See War Progression]
• Additionally, House Eledwhen utilises 20,000 of their bank to host an elaborate Leutz-Vixe province of Calestor, their home province, inviting citizens from all over the Eledwhen lands to come and experience the Leutz culture in all its magnificence. Minor nobles and aldermen from the provinces of Galladh, Oronth and Vulvarn were also invited but did not appear to enjoy the festivities as much as the home province aristocracy did. Hours were spent enjoying the Leutz Vixe cuisine that was expertly prepared with oversight from Courthen Eledhwen and the Old Ceardians seemed to be positively enthused with it all. Leutz sculptures, clothing, hunting, fishing and fencing shows were operated throughout the day to truly emphasize what the culture had to offer. The evening ended with a military parade through the capital city in Calestor which was essentially the cherry on top for the local aristocracy. Next week, there was a noticeable change in fashion at Court with the local nobility and aristocracy of Calestor wearing Leutz Vixe clothing and ordering Leutz styled art of themselves. Even the commonfolk were producing more Leutz inspired foods and peasant clothing. Calestor was now a bustling Leutz Vixe province, however Galladh, Oronth and Vulvarn remained Old Ceardian for the time being.

Goretaan Throng

• Quin urlifies the Ariramorel standing army.
• Quin sends the Urlified Pirate fleet he had gained the loyalty of some time ago and sends them off in the direction of the Hadar Warfront. After a couple of days, the flotilla of pirate vessels returns with very little of value and is heavily damaged. They managed to salvage some basic building flotsam from a couple of areas where the last few ships had sunk in the Latimer battle but didn't have much chance to do or find much else as both Sendrassian ships and Regalian Vessels opened fire on them when approaching anywhere close to their occupied regions. Even Allar vessels more North fired upon them because well, they were pirates. The overall venture had no payoff as a result.

House Sorenvik

• Sivrid Kensley attends the Ostyr festival for House Sorenvik, gifting them 2,000 regals overall as a gesture of good will toward the hosts and also 8,000 regals from House Sorenvik along with a written apology detailing that Kaya herself could not attend due to war efforts, however she intends on attending later that month and that if House Sorenvik had known about the festival beforehand, the gift would have been much more. Nevertheless, Sivrid was welcomed into the festival and was permitted to join other representatives from the North at the various games and activities throughout the course of that week. Sivrid did offer to sing at the festival as Valsung however the hosts politely declined as they had another already prepared to entertain. The gift would be remembered come the end of the festival no doubt as Sivrid noted that they seemed pleased with it, despite it being a modicum sum.
• Back in the Sorenvik homeland, Kaya Sorenvik addresses the concerns relating to the recent slave trading hub; explaining to her people firstly that the Hub is within Vladno lands, Tuva to be specific, far away from the Velheim in Drixagh. What's more, the Velheim could continue to go about their business as usual and keep to their traditions unimpeded and no laws would force the Velheimers to engage with this hub. There would also be no plans to build another slave trade hub in Velheim lands for the foreseeable future due to the expense related. Further explanation denoted that the Velheim should also expect improvements from the Northern Development Fund and House Sorenvik relatively soon. The response was slightly better this time, though the Velheim did voice concern that they were not content with slaves from the South, most notably slaves from Latimer, Hexenblood and other warm culture areas where slave trading is popular, integrating in their lands as those slaves are used to mistreatment and would not adapt well with the good nature slave culture of the Velheim as they were likely to rise up against their new, perhaps perceived too trustful, masters. As such, they made it very clear that Kaya would need to treat a very careful line with her future developments lest she lose their support.

House Avalorn

• House Avalorn places a 15,000 regal bid on the proposed portrait piece by artist Gretel Schounhaser at auction.
• House Avalorn also spends 15,000 regals on sending their intelligence agents to the province of Bastadon to search for information relating to the position or nature of the fleet of pirate Varran. They returned later that week with their results, delivering them specifically to Vivana personally. [See DM's]

House Latimer

• Submits 15,000 troops to the State.
• Dedicates an additional 5,000 standing army troops to the State.
• Latimer publishes his Manifesto which satiates members of his courts moderately but raises further issues. They wished for Latimer to explain his stance on Unionism once more, as some were under the impression that he may be supportive of the banned cults; Diviners and Vultar heretics for example. His stance on Government positions was also not exactly what they desired either, as most of the Etosians disliked the idea of stereotyped races that were not Ailor holding office. After all, they weren't even happy with Latimer being their liege to begin with. Finally, his stance on protests was scoffed at, as not only did he claim protesting non-violently was legal, he also claimed it was completely legal to send troops in to forcefully break them up. So what was it? Were they allowed to legally or not? It was a legal contradiction he was criticized for straight out of the gate. Abelhard was asked to fix these issues but for the time being, the Etosians would keep to their word and stop rioting, albeit remaining negative disposed to their liege.
• Latimer sends someone to check on the progress of the Citadel. A two week remainder marker was noted for construction to be fully finished.

House Harhold

• Harhold announces that she had consulted with House Reinard about the issue of the Adelgunde Fischer inheritance quandary and that the two had come to a mutually beneficial agreement. 70% of the inheritance would go to the firstborn son and 30% to the second. This netted Harhold a boon of 21,000 regals in taxation on the estates which filled the coffers nicely. The first son, while not entirely content as he believed it his birthright, accepted the deal as being 'good enough though not perfect' and he went about his business once more.
• 14,000 regals are spent on improving administration bureaucracy in the Breizh fiefdoms to ensure compatibility with the bureaucratic systems of Vlissinghelm. This barely does anything as the systems were not all too different, only the local laws were. As such it was something of a failed venture in terms of any payoff, but the Breizh were appreciative of the influx of regals into their systems nonetheless which were used to establish one or two new offices in the region.

Logistics Minister Ardige Viduggla

• The Logistics Ministry assigns the losses from this week's actions in the war:

10,500 men
5,000 - Peirgarten
2,000 - Typhonus
1,000 - Cadieux
1,000 - Lampero
1,500 - Viduggla​

House de Azciossia - [Hexenblood Circle]

• House de Azciossia sends one Sigrid Sterke-enn to represent them at the festival in Ostyr. Sigrid was met with some very queer looks as most of them either knew her as the failed Northern Baroness or the troublemaker in Regalia. As such, she wasn't well received but her gift was. Presented with a cinnochra bracer, featuring the wings of a Throatcapswald Owl wrapped around the band, and the owl's face centered upon it, the hosts of the festival were incredibly disposed to this gift and dedicated the gift to their Lodge Head to show off during the festivities, proudly proclaiming their newfound infatuation with the House de Azciossia as a result.
• Meanwhile in the province of Erendall, Sszaf'liz Lla'sviza and Imara Al Qahtani arrive at the behest of House de Azciossia to investigate the recent comet passing. Speaking with the townsfolk and checking in with local scholars, it was obvious that the people themselves were bewildered with the turn of events. It was not a celestial happening that was expected and nor welcomed given the happenings after. One thing that Imara did note was that when discussing the anomaly with visitors from other Cadieux neighbouring regions, they hadn't seen a comet at all. Not even a glimmer. Other than that, nothing else of interest was found about the nature or origins of the comet.
• 5,000 of the Azciossia standing army prepares itself in Bastadon for an attack from the Varran Pirates that does not come.
• Two research requests were made of the Magic Academy in Hexenblood lands however, without funding for experiments, expeditions or research, nothing is turned up on either venture.

Abigail Tucker

• Abigail travels to Basta where the Delmotte Magic Academy is based and requests a tour which she is denied as she is neither well known, of good repute or a student herself. Nevertheless, she throws a nice aberrant party on the grounds and raises the morale of the students and the general region; stopping any sort of riots for a riot though none really existed. Essentially, the college just has a massive session at Abigail's behest. Hangovers abound at lectures the next day.

House Black

• House Black pulls back its 10,000 troops and 4 ships from House Kreiburg as their Treaty comes to an end legally.
• House Black also pays 500 regals to Henrik Norrvakt for his fighting club.

The Gallovian Royal Court

• Dedicates 10,000 regals to House Cadieux to use to assist in investigating the recent comet over Erendall.
• An additional 10,000 regals are paid to House Viduggla to make up for the armor portion of the reward from the Highland Games not forthcoming as of yet [My bad, bros. My skinner is gone ]

House di Ortiz [The Golden Triumvirate]

• House di Ortiz denounces and issues warrants for the arrest of Augustin Mohren, Amdros Solzas, Alaric Keen and Kaelaenn Ruvair for espionage within their lands. Troops are roused at the borders also to ensure no foreign or non-Kade investigators enter the lands. None do come.
• Isola di Ortiz commands a fleet of 5 warships to pursue the Varran Pirate Flotilla that was last seen in Bastadon. When arriving at Bastadon, the pirates were already gone. Despite searching the area for some time, no trace was found to be able to pursue and thus, the fleet returned home.

Finance Minister Maximilian Black

• [First order bounced. You need to look into specific things, not just search for possible trade deals. Orders that ask for answers and opportunities are bounced.]
• Maximilian attempts to track unemployment rates and damages left from events earlier this year. On the former, he was advised that the Government doesn't track unemployment because such is irrelevant, as there is no income tax, only transaction tax. Moreover, damages have and are being dealt with by the general Nobility who should be approaching him, not the other way around.

House Typhonus

• 25,000 regals are used to purchase an airship.
• Crown Tax is set to 0%
• Places a bid of 30,000 on the proposed portrait piece by artist Gretel Schounhaser at auction.
• 10,000 regals are used to help alleviate the damages done by the Wardens of Purity to the Southern Minorities, leaving a total of 30,000 regals worth of damage remaining.
• 25,000 additional troops from the standing army are dedicated to the State.

House Kreiburg

• The Kreiburg blockade of 5 warships maintains itself around the two Drachenburg provinces of Berge and Frus.
• The combined army of 29,000 troops of Kreiburg and Reinard, commanded by General Deo dei Termini attempt to retake Langthal and liberate the Cantons there. However, when they arrive they find out that most of the Wardens had scattered and either joined the Pro-Canton militia (mostly to save themselves from most likely being executed) or fled to neighbouring provinces. The Pro-Canton militia had then released the imprisoned Cantons in Langthal on the premise that they would not face punishment and instead would fight against Kreiburg. When Kreiburg arrived with the Reinard army, the Cantons made it clear that Langthal was declaring full independence from Kreiburg rule. Despite Reinard and Kreiburg's attempts to recapture the city, they are repelled by the 20,000 force within the city's fortifications this turn. This effectively only left Kreiburg with one province: the occupied self proclaimed independent province of Bad.

House Peirgarten

• Dedicates 6,000 troops from their Standing Army to the State.

House Cadieux

• 20,000 regals are used by House Cadieux in investigating the comet's origins and the sickness that occurred subsequently within the House's province of Erendall. Aya Revis Navarre Nau'tiigo, Nyima Saidykhan, Dianne Black, Angelica Howlester and Tommen Howlester investigate the sickness. The troupe stop by the sick first and Tommen and Dianne are very apt to say, in front of everyone and with little hesitation, "This is unusual." to which the others face palm. They do however discover through investigation of some of the improving individuals that the freezing of the bodies was not a medical phenomenon and had to have come from some sort of magic or perhaps even a curse. Those affected are still alive, could be potentially suffering and number around 15 - 25 people. They are however, completely unresponsive but their heartbeats can be heard, implying that the frost on their skin is just that, and that their regular bodyworks were still functioning as normal internally.
• Milena and Angelica investigate the local libraries, looking into astrological history and local folklore and find that nothing similar to this has occurred and that the comet was the first seen in record in that area. Notably however, it was quickly discovered by the two when they started questioning witnesses and townsmen that other regions had not seen the comet at all. Curious.

Tehrathel Avalorn

• [As your char was in the war, you will need to resubmit next week]

House Viduggla

• 10,000 regals are used to attempt to sway the Velheimers through their noble lieges to join him in condemning House Sorenvik's mass slave trade hub which fails for two reasons: Not enough funding to sway the nobility and secondly, House Sorenvik beat Viduggla to the punch, explaining the situation.
• Pays Sivrid Kensley 2,000 regals.
• Pays James Larkson 2,000 regals.
• Pays 10,000 regals to House de Azciossia.
• House Viduggla then invests 20,000 regals into gifts for the Ostyr Shieldmaidens, having such delivered to their festival. Among the gifts were a painting of the Former Great Three of the North in decent detail, a large wooden statue made from Drixagh local wood of a shield maiden with weapons drawn and a Throatscapswald War Owl and a stone with the velheim symbol for strength around the feet. The statue would further have written a message in Skodje around the edge of the statue's wooden base stating "Wisdom and honor triumph over all.", the creed of the Uglassjel Discipline, and a part of Shieldmaiden philosophy. These two gifts are well received by the Ostyr Shieldmaidens and they offer thanks to House Viduggla for their generosity. Meanwhile, Tuija Viduggla serves as a socialite with the Velheim Lords and Ladies there and generally upkeeps a decent relationship with the House Viduggla. Garth attempts to organise for a Helsang from Sivrid Kensley, but she seemed to be predisposed representing House Sorenvik. Ardige Viduggla also socialises with the military folk, keeping up appearances. Viduggla's attendance is noted and appreciated, and time will tell if they had left a positive impression.

House Reinard

• House Reinard agrees to the 70/30 split between the two brothers under the Adelgunde Fischer inheritance quandary. An announcement by House Reinard stated that "tradition and the law rests above personal gain; the collection of taxes was not the goal, but rather a just arbitration of the dispute. Hansel, being the traditionally-favoured elder son, is given the majority of the inheritance as it was willed to him. Nevertheless, recognizing his mother's second, conflicting will and the social importance of caring for parents, a smaller portion of it shall go to the younger son Adelmo. We are pleased to find House Harhold cooperative in this arbitration." The second son was not happy about this at all, but there wasn't too much he could do about it at this point in time. Nevertheless, the arrangement nets House Reinard 9,000 additional regals in taxation on the inheritance.
• The Reinard troops along with the Regiments of Humaira Reinard, Clarimonde Typhonus and Kuzmich Ustinra move on the province of Langthal regardless of Kreiburg's intent. They did however join up with the Kreiburg army and Reinard releases a statement to the people of Langthal for 10,000 regals "As the Lord Chancellor's actions appear to have been tainted by personal biases, House Reinard intends to preserve the Emperor's Order in the revolting provinces regardless of all outside factors. We remind all loyal citizens of the Empire that to rebel against the Authority placed above a region by the Crown, is indeed to rebel against and gravely insult the Imperial Crown itself. It is good practice for nobility to listen to the counsel and needs of those placed under them- but this counsel must be peaceful. Do not violate your part of the Feudal Contract, and the Sixth Creed. Return to your homes that this may be sorted this out through proper channels that do not reject the Imperially-manded Authority, lest it become necessary to exercise further force." The Cantons, who had already been released by the rebels returned a statement "The Feudal contract is between Kreiburg and the Emperor. Kreiburg has failed to provide for the betterment of our people, allowed us to suffer then stomped on our traditions. We declare full independence and refuse to bow to a tyrant." The combined army attempts to take Langthal but is repelled by the occupants rebels and militia within, numbering 20,000 and with pre-established occupied fortifications.
• 30,000 troops are dedicated to the State.
• 20,000 regals are used to host a massive and grand celebration of Godeffroy the Dutiful, Heron of Alderman by House Reinard and catered to by Saffrona av Fristadvlom. All of the Aldermen of Anglia were invited as well as notable clergy. However, 20,000 regals were not even close to being enough to cater for every alderman within the Anglian region as these numbered in the multiple hundreds. Nevertheless, all aldermen in the Reinard lands are given a 20% tax break for the week coming which are expected to be used towards bettering their local communities. Due to the event only being half funded, the festival itself was only moderately attended and praised, but noted nonetheless.

Gretel Schounhaser Portrait Bid Leaderboard

House Delmotte - 35,000
House Typhonus - 30,000
House Avalorn - 15,000​