Adventure Brunch #42 - July 18th, 2020 - Report - Bearing Witness & Machinations

General Summary

From the Journal of Efeendi Sahan al-Bakr:
Finally that Jurasco boy has seen the light and aligned himself with the interest of his people! It took far too long, but my patience and machinations have paid off. Members of House Jurasco in the Circle of the Sun are like jewels in our crown. Fortunately, the child decided to set up his healing house near district 12 aka the soon to be the sun gardens. We need to find a way to better include the healing house in our future plans for district 12. Perhaps House al-Bakr will become not so silent partners in the long term as the prestige of allocating some resources to doing some of the good works he is already planning on taking on will reflect well on both our houses. At least I can sell him the six property plots surrounding the healing house. I think a 40 % discount on the empty plots should be the beginning of a not so silent partnership. 470 gp should do it then he can upgrade at his leisure. The reasoning behind the bearing witness ritual is for new druids to know their community that expects good works of them and community to know this new druid and recognize them as such. In recent years the old tradition of bearing witness to new initiates of a new member to the Circle of the Sun has been only small affairs, with the ritual aspects falling out of favor. This time however I spent a considerable amount of resources and used the initiation of the boy efeendi as justification to summon the important locals to gauge “our” standing with them through the obligation of traditions of yesteryear. A return to old ways, reinitiation of contact, and a coming together of the "powers that be" will be would be useful for my future plans. As I told the boy:

Those that visit you are friends or would like to be. You should appreciate their interest and find ways to reciprocate.
Those that do not visit you are obviously not friends, they may be enemies, & you must find out why.
Those that send the first of their house either deeply respect us or need something from us, use that.
Those that send their children with representatives are respectful of tradition, but are only so interested, keep that in mind when negotiating.
Those that do not bring a gift of any sort is making a statement you should not ignore & a gift gone unreciprocated says more.
Lastly, use your chamberlain and find out the personal details of those sent to witness you who do not currently have a companion. They were likely sent with interests in an alliance of houses. Those that send their eldest are not interested in alliances of that nature.

Who visited and my suspicions as to why:

Arch-Druid Igneous of the Circle of the Elemental Warriors. Came to satisfy his honor and previous relationship with the Circle of The Sun. Perhaps when we are in a better position we should reinitiate the Ara'mente ritual where our honored druids visited other circles to bind us all in our shared responsibilities to the world and assist one another.
A Mystery Visitor of the Circle of the Scale. Came with a message. I very much dislike Wulmul’s games but they are entirely too powerful to disrespect. Best leave involvement with them to others that have more of a pallet for games.
Josephine from the Court of Pasha Barakus. Came to satisfy the obligation of the Pasha and his court and was generous. I will take it as we are currently in good standing and we should keep it this way. I look forward to the opportunity to deepen our bonds. I know the Pasha sees having a healing house as a point of pride I will have to keep my eye on it.
Farraj Iben Ghallanda of House Ghallanda. He is the most senior member of House Ghallanda in Veriscali. I suspect that they wish to be included in the future developments and would make themselves available if we requested their services. This is a very good thing.
Tariq Iben Orien of House Orien. He is the most senior member of House Orien in Veriscali. I suspect that they wish to be included in the future developments and would make themselves available if we request their services. This is a very good thing.
Imam Ame of The Scales of Damballa. He came as a representative of The Scales of Damballa at my personal request on behalf of the boy looking for unusual allies for his unusual projects. I’m glad they had enough respect for us to send a representative. The boy is going to have to figure out how to work with Imam Ame. We have little direct influence to obligate them further nor will I allow too dire an obligation from them. We cannot get too directly involved in the Iron Wyrms matters but we can spare resources for the boys project within reason.
Efeendi Haryk d'Deneith heir of House Deneith. He came as a representative of his house to satisfy obligations of old to the Circle of the Sun. “We” are in good standing but House Deneith is apparently not in favor of the boy… This is bad for him. He’ll have to try hard to mend that fence. The patriarch of House Deneith is a hard man to please and can be a major problem when offended. The circles direct interference would worsen the boys position.
Khanum Asad of House of Asad. The wife of Warlord Asad. An unexpected pleasure to meet with her. She is as much a leader of the tribe as is her husband, and her words carry the same weight as his. As such, she negotiates with other tribes and makes rulings in the warlord's absence. She graciously accepted my invitation for drinks and we spoke well into the night. I look forward to any opportunity to deepen a bond with their house; it can only do good for the Circle of The Sun.
The patriarch (Vamir), & matriarch (Thalia) of Clan Sandrunner came and presented their mating aged child (Bey Ima Vamir). We should continue to honor our bond of old and the boy would do well to take a companion of Clan Sandrunner. He could do better but they are a solid option as they have yet to find a place here in Veriscali. It could be good for both houses.
Aurae Ima Nasir of House of The Eagle. She came of her own interest in the boy. She very brazenly presented him with a long, diaphanous, red veil which shimmers with crushed amber shards, it dances like sultry flames whenever it's breathed upon. I applaud her gaul, as she very obviously and publicly indicated her interest in taking him as a mate but I don’t think the boy knows the old traditions (or is oblivious to such a gesture). Perhaps I will try to school him, and let him know this is how one offers interests among the Kanza to initiate a companionship. The veil is for the giver to wear for the recipient. Furthermore, the reciprocating gift of acceptance of the veil to initiate a companionship is a token of a love goddess to bless their companionship (Among elves a token of Lady Goldheart, Humans a token of Oshun). The Merchants of House Nasir have done well for themselves. If the boy can salvage this he should... I would...
Ghazi Ayarra of House Ayarra and the Sylvan Circle. She came as a representative of her Uncle Effendi D’Ayarra I’m sure. She does well to mind my request and undoubtedly her patriarchs orders. She is likely a good girl for paying heed to her elders. I will strive to be nicer to her because of that. It doesn’t hurt for the Circle of the Sun to be on good terms with the Sylvan Circle. I suspect her words may have helped sway the boy to make the right decision.
Duras of the Horizon Conclave. I am surprised he came as a representative of his house to satisfy obligations of old to the Circle of the Sun. Lacuda herself is not one to stand on ceremony, and her and I have some old bad blood. Perhaps it is time to change that. An alliance with her would only be good for the Circle of the Sun.
The Beauteous Tanila of the Summer Seldarine Clergy of Lady Goldheart. Less out of obligation and more of interests in opening a dedicated temple to Lady Goldheart. I know they can’t like being one of many gods represented in the Grand Ziggurat at the Seldarine. I’m sure they would like to stand apart and spread her beauty. Not an ignoble goal.
Amuniritis Ima Jorasco of House Jorasco & clergy of Babalú-Ayé. Came out of obligation to the Circle of the Sun and her family. It was quite a feat clearing all the roads and ritually cleansing her wake. An honor to honor her service and the awesome powers of her god. I must see to it that care packages are sent to alleviate the suffering of those in their care.
Efeendi Iben d’Cannith - the younger of House Cannith & Keladatu Iben Cannith forge master of the Bazaar of Arms. Came out of obligation to the Circle of the Sun. Good boys for minding their elders. This is acceptable but I really, really wanted The Immortal Ruffio Cannith head of is house to visit. He has been unseen for sometime and I desire to be on good terms with him for The Circle and personally.
Azariah of Faakhira’s Conservatory. Trying to sell the services of the Qiyān. Expected, but not unwelcome, I am just personally uninterested. Maybe the boy will want to make something of the introduction.
Darras Iben D’Tharashk of House Tharashk. He brought an entourage of Zannu Iben Tharashk, Shanaera Ima Tharashk & his chamberlain. I believe presenting the mating aged candidates to make acquaintances of the boy (not knowing his preferences, not that I know either, I tried the same thing…) and aired their grievances. It would do us all well to see that House Tharashk through to better circumstances, but I am not sure how yet...
Junael Iben Sivis of House Sivis. Trying to sell the services of the Great Library of Sivis. Expected, not unwelcome, and necessary for dragonmark wielders. The boy minds his father and I'd rather deal with the son then the father to be honest...
Imam Kelro of the Summer Seldarine Clergy of Tethrin Veraldé. I’m sure very much the same reason as the clergy of Lady Goldenheart. Not sure that it is the place of the Circle of the Sun’s interests or means to help them.
Bayt Iben al-Waswas of the House of the Whispers. The patriarch himself came and presented his children… Some gaul to think the boy would take a companion of such a lowly house! I did invite them, and they knew I would take offence to them not coming. Their services are undeniable, it harms no one to ignore the implications of the gesture. I will continue to use them for their expertise...

Who didn’t visit and my suspicions as to why:

The Dragonborn Clans - I don’t think enemies and not one for non dragonborn clans traditions. They are hard to make alliances with. I will have to try harder to make my way into their graces.
House of Golden Collar - Slavers... Who cares... The invitation was to not cause friction with the second greatest human military force. Best we all stay in our perspective lanes.
House of the Third Eye - Ascetics, probably couldn’t pull away from their daily meditations. I’m not concerned.
House of the Knife - The assassins guild, I just don’t want to be their enemies... I hope their lack of interest is not an indication of malice...
Sword Saints - Disappointing, masters of the blade and valiant warriors. Perhaps they were too deep in their cups. The Circle of the Sun could use allies like these. I must machinate further on them.
Sun Sentinels - Unsurprising that Effendi D’Ayarra denies us his presence or that of his direct line; it is his usual lack of social grace rather than a slight. We have and will continue to work closely with them. I simply find this behavior irritating and I think he knows it...
House Lyrandar - Ungracious and elitist, their lack of a response is offensive. The Clergy of the Tempest is dead to me! Let them call on the Circle so I can have the satisfaction of denying them!
House Kundarak - Surprising and concerning that they did not show. We must see why this house has animus or couldn’t be bothered. While not militarily powerful the coin of House Kundarak goes far and wide.
The House of Dust - Ascetics, I fault them not but I would have liked to see Mambo Angaju. I believe that our goals are mostly aligned - It is a shame there is no bond between our houses.
House Zannifer - That hag! She should have been honored to be invited and acknowledged by the Circle of the Sun. She is dead to me!
House of the Unseen - Surprising, the runemasters of the House of the Unseen are steeped in the magic of old but a house in decline. I am very surprised they would not join us as witnesses. This saddens me. Perhaps they have issues with House Jorasco?
Tower of the Magi - Wizards… (insert rude gesture)
Circle of the Shepherd (Elven) - House Vadalis, & Circle of the Shepherd (Human) - Iben Rabi. It saddens me they did not attend. We should reach out and embrace our similarities rather than dwell on our differences. The fact that there are three including the dragonborn Circles of the Shepherd is a problem we should help resolve.
Circle of the Land - Obeah Brother Vodoun should be brought to heel. Perhaps an ara'mente will lead him on the path of us all serving the greater good together.

Plans for the Circle of the Sun
The only item on the agenda for the time being is we NEED saplings of a Sun Tree. All other plans await this very necessary and sacred right of our circle. I’ve given the Sylvan Circle the location of the tree. I need to be patient with Zura as she needs it too and the reports from Ima Faoche indicate the child is trying, but is easily distracted. I think patience more than pressure is in order. For now... Maybe with the new initiate having proper druid abilities and training might get this done sooner rather then later. In the interim I do what I can to keep The Circle of The Sun relevant to our community... Somewhere else…. The thoughts of a random owlbear…
I smell wolves, griffin blood, elves and kitten! I eat them all! The kitten in the tree gives me owies! I will mangle it to mush and drink it from my claw! I shake the tree and he didn not fall! The elves make owies too. I leave!. Hungry, and angry I see them again another moon and I kill them dead then...