Orhan 2 Day 63 TE 6065

Oathar and Alynna go talk to Coran Maas about Itanis. As to the local laws, "Don't plan violence, or think seditious, etc." He reccommends the Boar's Head as a good inn to stay at. He says that envoys from the Alliance have come and been persuaded to not be unreasonable.

Orhan 2 Day 64 TE 6065

Oathar goes to meet the Grandmaster of the Thieves Guild. Divad arranges for a meeting. The end result is that Oathar buys the party Ardanian hit protection for 20k gold. Oathar takes Divad out for a nice dinner, but they encounter Sirius Tamminger, who snubs them because of the the Divad/Sirius continuing feud.

Divad and Oathar talk about House Mealora's coming out celebration scheduled for the next Kieronalia. Divad suggests fireworks.

Kyrik tries to work on sorting out his Zorian Duchy. He doesn't want to send his youngest brother, (Baron James of Santa Vallandra), and doesn't really trust the rest of them, except the one who is a priest. He decides to pay Marus, his eldest brother a visit. So he Oathar, and Haeraan all go to the Rakhanni court. Even Luna comes. Alynna stays home though.

Rumors at court:

• The empress has taken a contract out on Kyrik's life.
• Kyrik and Haeraan are blackmailing the emporer.
• Kyrik and Haeraan got their duchies from a djinni.
• The empress has ordered construction of voodoo dolls (mostly of elven women it seems).
• The emporer is in negotiations to buy a skyship from Selkai.

But otherwise, it's like the great homesteading to the north. People are all moving north to seek their fortunes.

The three dukes (archduke and two dukes). Behind the king is a curtain that the empress sticks her head out of but doesn't seem to find what shes looking for...

Oathar gets permission to investigate the Imperial Archives relating to Zorian history.

His majesty assures Haeraan that his father has been quite busy in Haeraan's duchy and has been most accommodating to his majesty. Mostly just accepting royal advice here and there. Haeraan looks forward to meeting his new counts and barons.

Kyrik wants permission to start constructing a castle/fortification in his duchy. But he mentions "grandchildren" so the emporer shoos Kyrik away quickly before any unpleasantness can occur. "Perhaps you should get going before the empress returns..."

Oathar finds some ancient agreements of mutual defense between Rakhan and Zor against Lorgalis. Oathar also looks into what Zor was exporting. It turns out it was magic items, finished goods, etc. Oathar looks for trade monopolies, or other ancient agreements. Exports of magic items were subject to a special category that only the crown could tax them, as opposed to anyone else. But in exchange the crown maintained a tighter control on such imports (inspections etc.). Nothing really jumps out as exploitable though.

Haeraan and Kyrik go looking for the general up in Zor to go talk to him about "their" troops.

Haeraan discovers that he has five barons and three counts, mostly from minor house families in Rakhan. A couple of names are familiar. Mostly houses that supported the emporer in the civil war.

Kyrik finds he has nine barons and four counts. Mostly from families the emporer owed money to.

Oathar brings a letter back to Alynna from the emporer. He burns for her and will be swooping down from his sky ship within a month. He tries to arrange a meeting for sometime next month. Pass words to the rakhani ambassador and he will set it up.

Kyrik talks to his brother who tells him about the great land grab of 6064. He talks his brother into taking over the duchy in his name. His brother agrees provided he talks the king into naming him first among all Marquis of... what is that place called anyways? Kyrik promises him 10k Gold now, 5k gold in a year, and 5k gold after that.

Meanwhile, Haeraan's dad is putting together a list of four more barons and a count they want to appoint. Haeraan accepts the list, but gets concessions out of the emporer to borrow half of his Zorian forces for the apocalypse in exchange of money.

Then we all get together and go on a Zorian tour. Yup, there's a lot of blasted wasteland up there.

Oathar becomes quite depressed. He goes to Nusmoi and gets her permission to ransack the ancient Noreki archive. He then does massive research. The original city of Norek was founded 3600 SE. Around 6600 SE - 75 TE Norek sealed it's gates (during the Wars of Dominion). Andraax, Tethior, Elor, and Krelij visited the city during that time.

Haeraan, Kyrik, and Alynna find the general. He's with the army on maneuvers. They're scouting out the inner borders of the duchies. It's pretty much a bummer there. But yeah, at least the troops are competent.

Kyrik goes prospecting for prospectors among the Orhanian Church and talks to an archbishop about it.

Kyrik names his duchy Laakh'Pn. Haeraan names his duchy Y'saaris. Oathar waits for futher inspiration... (and an orb of rebirth).