Bloom
Year 0021 in the Age of Kings
Aramane
- The first blooms of spring are collected and hung above doors in cities and rural communities alike. The people of Aramane welcome Spring into their homes. Temples of the Sisterhood open up their doors and provide a meal for the hungry and the homeless in their regions. Strict traditionalists, especially in rural communities, observe the day in silence, believing that they will be rewarded with a good planting time and rich harvest.
- The King doubles the offered bounty on any pirates captured during the season. The city is determined to restore its trade routes with the rest of the world as soon as possible as the weather turns.
- All farmland in Aramane is half price this season (Grassland is 400 krowns per acre instead of 800). The Bank of Aramane has capped loans at Ten Thousand Krowns with a fixed interest rate of 5% on a downpayment of One Thousand Krowns. All crops grown on any land purchased for this price enter into a two year fixed term contract to supply the capital with goods.
Clead
- On the first day of Bloom, a festival is held throughout the day, celebrating Astra, Goddess of Dreams and Fables. During this time, the Ecrede people come together to share stories and future aspirations, believing that a dream shared gives it life, that all good things are set in motion by sending positive thoughts out into the universe. It is traditional to erect a statue that they then send the day decorating with vines, flowers, crafts and paints. Traditional Ecrede attire is worn, with clans showcasing the best they have to offer in the way of design and craftsmanship. During the evening, the people come together to dance what is known in Clead as the Water Dance, performed on the beaches of Clead, Paleah, and Harte.
- A well known crime lord is putting bounties on up and coming criminal organisations he believes are attempting to make space for themselves on his turf. Getting involved with Ethan Jurr isn’t advised, but he has connections and ongoing contracts for anyone with a bit of loyalty and grit.
Crixus
- A rare white, wingless dragon, believed to be related to the bright flash in the sky the season before, has been captured by a group of villagers. The dragon seems sentinel, spending most of its time sitting and watching those who come to visit or pass by. Having twice escaped capture, only to be dragged back to the village, sympathisers are asking for the creature to be released.
- A new vein of gold has been discovered where two rivers meet within the depths of the jungle. The continuous erosion caused by the waterfall these two rivers merge into have revealed enough gold to fill the temple of Rhum. City leaders were concerned the news of the gold would bring trouble to their shores, but the gold lies so deep within the jungle, that few dare to venture that far.
Emanys
- Cattle rustlers have stolen a large herd of Emanys cattle and tracks lead west. The Spirit Clan are in the debt of any who can return their cattle to them. The rustlers were first believed to be from Aramane, but smaller tribes have reported witnessing cattle being loaded onto unmarked ships in the south west of Emanys.
- There is a root that grows in hilly terrain to the north of Emanys known as Baka root. It is famous for its healing properties, but taken in too large a quantity and it can act as a hallucinogenic, and can even be deadly. The root can only be harvested in the season of Bloom and fetches about 50 krowns per pound on the blackmarkets in Aramane, Nejem and Renmere.
Nejem
- Following the riots in Frost, a large number of wealthy homes in Nejem find themselves victims of burglary during Bloom. Gold, jewellery, artwork and fine clothes are stolen indiscriminately. No injuries have been reported following the crimes, but no one has managed to see or apprehend the thieves either. The City Guard, already under pressure to train new recruits and quell riots, find themselves facing additional anger from more powerful members of society.
- Rumours of a giant scorpion have spread from the east to the capital of Nejem. Researchers and Mercenaries are arguing over whether the creature should be studied or slaughtered. A third party, religious members of the temple have chosen to investigate without alerting either party. Little is known about the scorpion, other than the fact that it holds value to many people.
Rathos
- The seas are calm and the bounties to be had abroad are aplenty. For customised stories in Rathos this season, please discuss your ideas with a Storyteller (Rune).
Renmere
- Hector Andaris has been arrested and fined for importing a shipment of 5,000 slaves from Nejem with little means to house or care for any of the men and women brought over by his command. Hector is to spend the next year in prison and has been fined a quarter of a million krowns as punishment for this act. Dukes from all seven realms of the kingdom have been tasked with taking on 500 to 1000 slaves each, depending on their means. Crime in the capital is on a swift rise since the slaves landed at the beginning of the season and a curfew has been put in place until the swelling population is able to adjust to the abrupt change.
- Crops are worth double this season due to the sudden food shortage as long as they are shipped to the capital for distribution. More than half of these shipments are expected to meet trouble on the road with bandits and ordinary folk struggling to make ends meet. All shipments of goods should be sent under guard as any intercepted goods will not be paid for.
Weather
Blue
- Areas situated in the blue zones on the map will experience freezing weather in the form of wind chills, freezing rain, sleet, and snow. While blizzards are rare to occur in these zones during Blaze, it has happened.Green
- Areas situated in the green zones on the map will experience chilly weather in the form of cold, sometimes freezing rain, thunderstorms/monsoons, and occasional cloudy skies. Yellow
- Areas situated in the yellow zones on the map will experience mild, pleasant weather with gentle thunderstorms, rain showers, and clear, sunny skies.Orange
- Areas situated in the orange zones on the map will experience warm weather which trades off between clear, sunny skies, and tropical storms. Heated waters in these zones promote powerful storms that wreak havoc on coastal regions while inland areas might experience dry heat waves.Red
- Areas situated in the red zone on the map will experience hot weather so extreme, it is recommended to limit time outside or stay close to a source of water. This zone is known for producing violent storms that often sink vessels led by inexperienced hands.*** Note: While realism is our goal, the way we’ve developed our time tracking prevents us from having realistic seasonal cycles in the world. For this aspect of the game we ask that you allow your creative minds to take the lead and look the other way. While we don’t plan to explain why the weather and the seasons are the way they are, understand that this is a fantasy role-play and an environment your characters have always known. Thanks!
