[youtube]NPDCsi1mbhE[/youtube] The Harvest season has always been a time of busy, excited work, where the people of the land at last take the fruits of their labour, and hide it away from the Waiting cold, that they might have another safe and prosperous year. Curiously, this Harvest season was a time of bloodshed. The great army that Rone had amassed dissipated before the combined arms of all Diritania. Though many lives were lost in the Battle of Goldenfields Castle, it was a sure victory for the supporters of Helen. Bards and boasting soldiers have spread their own rendition of the battle's tale all over Lundland, where almost 10,000 did battle. There is talk among many of the Lords that perhaps Helen's claim is truly the one to support, for certainly God seems to lend his will to her. The Archbishop, as always, continues to stay out of such matters. "Politics," Innocent III said when asked to comment, "are for men in velvet, not men in cloth." This proved an inopportune time to make such a statement, for not a month later, Bishop Issa IV of Daisyfield was reported to have gone to Lord in his sleep. The man lived for 78 long years, and it cannot be said he didn't enjoy a full life. But the question now lingers on many's lips: who shall take the vacant seat? Currently, Father Heinrich Wolff, Pastor of the Parish of Attolia, is the most-liked candidate, with all but Bishop Arnulf I of Luke Church in agreement. Arnulf I has made it vocal that he would prefer Father Samuel Vealcook, the disenfranchised eldest son of the Vealcooks, to take the seat. This has caused quite a stir amongst the other Bishops, who are wondering what sort of game old Arnulf is playing. But one thing that can be agreed by every bishop is the pressing need to deal with the wayward Lord Of Therral, Solterra Behringer. The Lords of the land were, understandably, busy with the recent conflicts of late, and no-one took up the opportunity to attack Therral with their blessing. There is currently talk of proper mission against the vile blasphemer. Speaking of Therral, more disturbance still has been reported in the land. There were some good of late: an agreement was reached between the vassals of the land and the reigning Behringers, that they might keep alcohol in their land, and allow their churchlands to be unmolested. The only proof for this agreement is an apparent peace among the vassals, and the raising of a vast force of men from every corner of Therral. This, however, was the only accord. A large force of Behringer soldiers has been discovered to have invaded and captured the Mayor's Mansion in Falkwreath Township. The precise details of the battle are not well-known, but the results are clear: the small garrison of the Mansion had been defeated, and the Mayor of Falkwreath executed. The soldiers have gone about the land, gathering resources to repair the damages to the Mansion, and to ensure the loyalty of the local peasants, whom they expect to provide them with the taxes and crops that would have otherwise been due to House Trisch. However, their occupation proved to be not without troubles. A large shipment of good food was sent to the soldiers. On its way, however, the starving peasants of the beleaguered land assaulted those who were escorting the food, and attempted to take it for themselves. Though no soldiers were harmed, numerous rioters had to be killed, among them women and young boys. In Therral proper, unrest continues among the people. Former priests denounce Lord Solterra on the streets of Bellmoral and Falkirh, while itinerant preachers gather the faithful together to cause riots, and plead to the people of other kingdoms to free them from the grip of this blasphemous ruler. These riots caused yet more death and damage, but the people's anger is unrelenting. Characteristically, Lord Solterra attempted to improve things, by saying that a stipend be paid to all the recently deceased soldiers in the recent conflicts. This move won him back some lost favour, and many people are now not sure what to think of their suzerain. Last, but for horror's sake not the least, are the events surrounding the Ironstone Islands. Of late, the Lords have forgone conflict, in favour of seeking allies and arms. In actions surprising and damning in their timing, House Ealmund pledged vassalage to House Bloodsun, the rulers of The Wound, in a ceremony with the somber, yet heavy way known well of the Bloodsuns. At the same time, the Suehan House Bloodhorn pledged vassalage to House Vasa, the Jarls of Jorvik, as it seemed a fitting unification of their peoples. House Reaver is currently neutral in matters, though for now, they are opposed to House Ealmund. This turn of events has made the already desperate situation in the Ironstone Islands even more so. With the lands formerly belonging to House Strongheart now in disarray, they will perhaps become the first battleground of the conflicts to come over the cold, unforgiving isle. And now as one annum ago, the nights grow longer, the sun dimmer, and the skies darker. Snow blankets fields not covered in frost, and the people of the land retreat into the safety of their homes, to feast, celebrate, and ignore the conflicts of late. They hope to reclaim the sanguinity of the last Growing season to have for all the next annum. The court of Bolgaz is silent. --- [b][i]It is now the Waiting Season, AU 108[/i][/b] --- [b][i][u]An annum has passed. . .[/u][/i][/b] [b][u]Trade and Tariffs[/u][/b] [b]The following trade routes were raided this annum:[/b] [ Waiting Season ] Coldport to Iceport, Coldport to Longspear, Coldport to Soarheight, Coldport to Pentiloch, Iceport to Longspear, Iceport to Soarheight, Iceport to Pentiloch, Longspear to Soarheight, Longspear to Pentiloch, Soarheight to Pentiloch, Giant's Bane to Calisii, Giant's Bane to Veara, Giant's Bane to Bellmoral; [ Working Season ] Coldport to All, Orgules to Fishmarket, Orgules to Bellmoral, Orgules to Sourwoods, Sourwoods to Fishmarket, Sourwoods to Bellmoral; [ Growing Season ] Iceport to All, Longspear to All, Soarheight to All; [ Harvest Season ] None [b]The following towns have gained in prosperity this annum:[/b] None [b]The following towns have lost their former wealth:[/b] None [b]The following towns have been sacked:[/b] None [b]The following towns have completely destroyed:[/b] Coldport, Iceport, Longspear, Soarheight [b][u]Characters[/u][/b] [b]The following characters have been married:[/b] Yngvar Vasa, younger brother of Lord Haraldr Vasa, to Bucgan Villsvin, eldest daughter and second child of Lord Askr Villsvin, during the Waiting season. Ragnvald Vasa, eldest son and heir of Lord Haraldr Vasa, to Emily Summer, the second daughter of Lord Eadric Summer, during the Growing season. Luccio Hastings, the eldest son and heir of House Hastings, to Elizabeth Abel, the eldest daughter and second child of Lady Carol Abel, during the Growing season. Vilajahmur Vasa, younger brother of Haraldr Vasa, to Maria Hastings, eldest daughter of Lord Hastings, during the Harvest season. [b]The following characters have been born this annum:[/b] Gustav Vasa, son of Yngvar Vasa and Bucgan Villsvin, in the beginning of the Harvest season. [b]The following characters have died this annum:[/b] Lord Kaine Abel, head of House Abel, assassinated in his bed at age 63. Bishop Issa IV, Bishop of Daisyfield, died peacefully in his sleep at age 78. [b][u]Land and War[/u][/b] [b]The following battles have taken place this annum:[/b] The significant Battle of Cold Harbour took place in the middle of the Working season, between House Sorensen and House Strongheart, in the fief of Cold Harbour, outside the town of Coldport. House Sorensen won a decisive victory, and it ended in their destroying Cold Harbour. The small Assault of the Mayor's Mansion took place in the late Growing season, between House Behringer's forces, and the garrison of La Famiglia de Meaux, in the fief of Falkwreath Township, at the Mayor's Mansion. House Behringer won a decisive victory, and it ended in the looting of The Mayor's Mansion, the execution of the Mayor of Falkwreath, and the occupation of the fief of Falkwreath Township. The Battle of Castle Goldenfields took place in the beginning of the Harvest season, between House Vearin and their vassals, against the forces of La Famiglia de Meaux, in the fief of Goldenfields, at Castle Goldenfields. House Vearin and their vassals won a close victory, and it ended in the consolidation of their forces, and a widespread boost in support for Princess Helen's claim to the throne. [b]The following fiefs have changed owners:[/b] Falkwreath Township from House Trisch of The Crownlands to House Behringer of The Kingdom of Therral. It was conquered in the Growing season.