Ornella has joined the Seating for the Lyceum.

Flutter, a lovely passerine bird, Joan arrive, following Videl.

Sitting at the head of the audience hall, upon one of the two raised marble thrones, Jaenelle waits while people begin to enter the Velenosa estate and settle into one of the seating areas throughout the room added for meetings. Servants come around offering drinks, as with any Lyceum meeting alcohol is appropriate. Her voice rises from the throne, echoing into the room, "welcome to the Velenosa estate. Please sit and enjoy our hospitality while we come together to discuss the future of the Lyceum and what we can do do benefit all Houses."

Calypso strolls into the room with a long, masculine stride and a decidedly unhurried pace. She heads towards the Duchess benches, but stops before sitting to execute a bow to Jaenelle. The crisp motion of the bow stands in stark contrast with the way she was moving as she came in, and the way that she moves once she's done bowing and drops onto a bench, putting her feet up on another one.

Calypso has joined the Seating for the Duchesses of the Lyceum and their Voices.

Settled in on the seating reserved for Voices and Duchesses, the Lord Martino Malvici spreads folio over thighs. Leaning back against the seating, dipping his chin to Johannes having been red wine to drink. Swirling it for a moment, Martino's sharp greens crease afar at Jaenelle's introduction of the session and a dip of his chin to Calypso as she sits near-to.

Nurie enters the room quietly, though not timidly, her expression one of warm cheer and her steps light. The tall young woman curtsies artfully to Jaenelle upon the throne, her knee almost brushing the floor, but then she's quick to take a seat near the back of the section for Lycene citizens, and respectfully out of the way of the peers.

Domonico is dressed how he usually is, in his sculpted leather armour with his helm placed on the seat beside him. The new Count Magnotta had arrived earlier and was now sat down, eyes flicking between the others present and looking a little out of place in fact. So far he is quiet and occasionally fingers the prayerbeads wrapped around one hand.

Finding her way into a seat, Thea settles herself. Comfortably. Might as well--this may be a bit. But she bows her head, a smile appearing no matter how brief as she greets those also sitting.

Cerys arrived early with Dimitri and claimed a pair of seats before others arrived. She wears nothing special, certainly nothing that denotes her station beyond the signet ring of Velenosa. Still, when Jaenelle arrives, she stands and offers a sweeping bow towards the Archduchess before retaking her seat. Crossing her legs, she leans in and murmurs to her husband before straightening and giving her attention towards the front of the room.

Having settled himself beside Cerys, Dimitri is clad in an odd piece of attire for him; a seawool frockcoat. Jaenelle's entrance has him rising from his seat, to sweep a bow in her direction that's then followed by a wriggle of his fingers in a little wave. That done, he's settling back into his seat, leaning in to Cerys' murmur before murmuring something back to her.

Videl enters fashionably late, and moves forward to bow carefully to Jaenelle while leaning on her cane, before heading for a nearby bench; with confidence and apparent disregard for the fact that it's not a bench she's supposed to be seated at.

Videl has joined the Seating for the Duchesses of the Lyceum and their Voices.


Ornella traveled far across the estate to reach the audience hall, bending through corridors and passing windows over looking an Arx summer she can get along with much better than an Arx winter. Arriving at the door, it opens and she walks down the center of the hall a smidgeon before bowing towards Jaenelle and offering an "Afternoon Archduchess." Thankfully, she manages to snag a seat somewhere towards the back, affording her the luxury of stretching out and foregoing a bit of the decorum.

1 Malespero guard, Alberico, the Malespero aide arrive, following Pasquale.

Thea looks over at Videl and gives her a slight smirk, her gold-flecked green eyes appearing amused. Leaning back against her seat, she crosses her legs and takes a drink. This will be fun, as she watches Videl and mostly Martino.

"So it has been some time since we had one of these meetings," Jaenell begins speaking again after offering dips of her head and smiles towards each person who enters to sit. "The last meeting the birth of the watchtowers came to be. Now the Lyceum is safer for such, and the construction is completed. I wish to thank each and every one of you who assisted with this. It shows the strength of the Lyceum, and I have heard that other fealties have taken this idea and wish to do something like this of their own." She can't help the look of pride she gives each person due to this.

Leaning slightly to his side, Martino's chin dips to welcome Videl as she arrives to the benches. His sharp greens, flicking across to meet his sister Thea's eyes before back to Videl, "Good to see you Lady Videl. Why... is my sister looking at us like she's either hungry or like she is a shark?" Martino's voice hushes as he hears Jaenelle speak, straightening once more and drawing his stylus over the paper to take note.

"I'd think she had a prank planned," Calypso says to Martino in a lazy tone, unscrewing her flask, "except I know she's too smart to pull something like that here." It's a good thing Martino's taking notes, because she's not.

Pasquale has joined the Seating for the Lyceum.

"I'm not sure to be quite honest, my lord." Videl answers Martino, glancing towards Thea and winking quickly, before more quietly mentioning something that can't be overheard from tooo far; while also getting out the materials to start taking notes heself.

Looking over to Calypso, Martino, and Videl, Thea just grins. She doesn't have to do anything. Videl is her partener in most things like that, so she will sit here. INNOCENTLY! When Pasquale arrive, Thea bows her head and smiles over at him. She's not taking notes, but knows that Martino will be. The young Malvici does have some paper on hand for just in case though.

Domonico continues fiddling with the prayerbeads idly in one hand, the only real movement from the Southport Admiral as he leans forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees.

As others make their way into the hall, Dimitri is giving a smile and a little nod of his head in their direction. He's quiet now, though, simply listening to the others, though his attention does remain upon Jaenelle.

Pasquale offers nods to those who acknowledge him as he takes his seat in silence.

Nurie's hands are gently folded in her lap, though her gaze is bright enough that it may very well be that she is taking mental notes. Otherwise the delicate tailor might well be a statue.

Jaenelle glances towards the Malvici's and Videl, not overly concerned someone is going to go and blow up the estate or something. "It is the job of every house to maintain these watchtowers, so hopefully they will be used for scouting and gathering information. I encourage every House to use them to their advantage, for I have faith they are valuable and useful tools which we did not have before. Caravels" she then announces, moving to the next project. "We have officially raised the needed funds, all 135,000 resources and favors, to build all fifteen caravels which was the goal. I have reached out to the shipyards which have the abilities to build these ships, Houses Mavetti, Malvici, Corvini, and Hawkmour. I am hoping this will also increase income to those four houses with the use of these ship yards. It is also my hope that these caravels are used to increase trade in and out of the Lyceum as a whole and the benefits that comes from more money within the Lyceum economy."

Domonico gestures to a nearby servant for a goblet of wine and after recieving it, nurses it in his hand. The other continues idly toying the necklace and he nods at Jaenelle's words regarding the watchtowers and especially the caravels. Want to get an Admiral's attention? Talk about ships.

"Oh you can have a copy of these, Videl. Eyes can... roam instead." Martino's stylus dips into ink before etching the words from Jaenelle onto his parchment. The script, flowing and overly curly. Stylish. Not function. Why would it be functional. Wryly, there is a glance from Martino to Calypso before quietly commenting.

The mentioin of the caravels brings a spark of excitement to Nurie's dark eyes, but also just a little twinge of nervousness as well, before it's quickly smoothed away, as she brushes a wrinkle from her skirts and then refolds her hands in her lap.

Calypso takes a drink from her flask and listens. Mostly. There's some quiet conversation going on at the benches, but nothing important enough to make her sound especially engaged.

Videl laughs at something Martino says and shakes her head with a grin, before answering in turn. Despite his offer, she keeps taking her own notes. They're ... likely nigh unusable to anyone else, a shorthand so abbreviated with writing so stylized, it might as well be gibberish.

"And now I turn the floor over to you" Jaenelle announces with a smile, sitting back once the reports are done on the larg Lyceum projects, "now it is your turn to give ideas on what you wish to see for your lands, the Lyceum as a whole, and any projects you wish to bring before the Throne. I am also still taking tours of the Lyceum as well, I have had the pleasure of visiting a few cities already and wish to see more. Should you wish aide on a specific project while I tour your city, it is guaranteed." She looks towards Calypso as a ducal house head, "Duchess?"

Calypso doesn't bother to stand up when she replies, and what she says doesn't sound like prepared remarks, so much as off the cuff spitballing. "Not for Malvici specifically, but what about an initiative to extend our influence in the countryside, maybe grab a couple of barrier islands off the coast? Our smaller Houses could probably use the help growing, and the Lyceum as a whole will be safer without pockets of Abandoned hanging around waiting for some abyss asshole to sell them on all that cultist crap."

Thea straightens then and looks over at Calypso. She takes a sip of drink first though, then listens.

Mmming along, Martino's head dips at Calypso's voice as right hand holding stylus wiggles for a moment while he adds, "We could even go in the opposite direction from the Saffon Isles. Everyone goes east... we could look west." Drawing his stylus down once more, he scribes in slow flows while his Lycene tones drag, "Marquessa Sabine also has a few ideas I sent for the current issues."


Ornella gets a servant to bring her along a glass of wine to sip on, but otherwise she's happy to lean back and listen.

Domonico perks up a little at the Malvici suggestions. "Currently the Cyrto Arch where Caer Morien is represents the furthest the Compact influence goes. However there are likely islands between the mainland and there that could be worthwhile exploring and settling? Perhaps some even further south and west from Magnotta's territory?"

Pasquale listens to the suggestions being put across with a rather thoughtful expression.

Jaenelle nods towards Calypso as she speaks, "we can certainly begin to prepare a fealty wide exploration," then she looks towards Martino, "to the west if that is the more popular direction. My only concern at the moment is that we might be spread thinly with the Mourning Isle concerns at the moment and the naval forces needed there. Would House Malvici like to spearhead this and speak with the other houses to gauge interest in venturing west?"

Videl speaks up herself to add, "I myself have been hoping to entice some of the shavs that live in lands that by rights are part of Igniseri territory to acknowledge our dominion and bend the knee. It's not just islands where this is important. So much of the Lyceum remains under the control of those who reject the compact" She asides something to those near her.

Calypso nods towards Videl. "That's what I was thinking of. Not moving west. Just filling in the gaps." She takes a drink. "If you'd rather it be a Malvici initiative, we can do that, too. Our army's not doing anything else right now."

Thea is listening to her family at this moment now, her eyebrow lifted. Her interest is already piqued because well--more travel. And that is something she's all for. As well as helping the Lyceum as well. Of course.

Cerys points towards Videl and gives a nod, "I have to agree with Lady Videl. The islands will only suit those Houses on the western edge of the Lyceum, it wouldn't benefit anyone else to try and claim land that they would have to go through someone else's territory just to reach. But there is a lot of land within the Lyceum that is still ostensibly under our control that practically speaking remains in the hands and control of those living on it. Gemecitta has made headway with their own 'trouble tribe' but there are others that still plague the stretches of land between large holdings. The Great Road itself is still prey to shavs and bandits displaced by its appearance that are harrying and harassing travellers. We could attempt a two-pronged approach, with naval efforts focused on the islands and ground forces focused on the spaces between the holdings?"

Pasquale selects a moment and then speaks up. "I was going to suggest that we consider constructing a number of bastion-ports to provide a secure forward operating position for our navies to operate out of when they are required to operate away from their home ports. If each was a fortress in its own right, manned by the owning house, any enemy forces would be forced to slow and tackle them of face leaving a threat in their rear." He looks to Jaenelle. "Such a base on, or near, Caith or Nilanza would make it far easier for us to support the Mourning Islands, such a base in or near Caer Morien would enable greater support for colonisation, and shav recruiting, efforts in that directions."

Nurie listens with interest, her careful expression softening as trouble is spoken of along the roads and the mainland portion of the Lyceum. She nods once, as if in agreement, though wisely doesn't speak aloud.

"Filling in gaps suits." Martino's head dips as he adds aside, "It worked with several of the clans outside Southport before and, well, soon we should see so in the Crownlands as well bolster their ranks from the banner call. The Great Road does not reach Southport, as the sea moves product quicker."

Calypso glances at Martino. "We could help Saik out in that regard, though," she points out. "See if the Baroness is interested in sticking a fortress on the edge of her territory with an eye towards protecting people traveling the Great Road and expanding her domain."

"It has been something that we have been working on for a long time, filling in the gaps" Jaenelle agrees, "Prince Arman wrote me a very thick report on an idea he had regarding getting those who live outside the Compact to bend the knee. It also has some other benefits that I can not freely speak of though I would be more than happy to do so in private should any wish to hear of them. So then this would be more each house expanding the areas around their lands with other houses assisting if it is requested and asked for." Pasquale is nodded at then, "and with Nilanza and Caith being those houses far east, I would like to see that they have the aide they need to strengthen their holdings."

"We might find some benefit if we do it all at the same time though." Calypso takes a drink. "Show of force. SHow of unity. Makes us look like a way better bet to throw in with." (OOC: Ie, coordinating so that all actions reference all the other ones.)

Domonico nods his head in agreement. "What is more effective is working alongside the Abandoned that bend the knee and swear fealty becoming Prodigals. Brass Hawk by Southport is a prime example of Prodigals contributing to the Compact, something I am trying to to do with the native Cyrto'ani and Caer Morien. There has been... disruption on the isle recently from... disgruntled individuals and I think the Lyceum would do itself a service in securing the areas around our City States. Rubino-Zaffria for one is on the verge of it with Clan Stormstorm. Perhaps with assistance from the rest of the Lyceum they could secure their lands that much quicker?"

"If I'm remembering correctly, Gemecitta recently put out a call for economic and diplomatic aid in bringing Stormstorm into the fold. The, uh... Duke-Consort? I think is point of contact for it? At least, I remember him being the one to put out the notice," Cerys pipes up from the peanut gallery.

"But that would only work if each House's army is currently not expected somewhere else. I think it is a fantastic idea, as long as logistically it can be done. My only concern is the smaller houses who might not have the means or troops to see this through. We will have to work further on this, perhaps even bring in outside influences to assist should Houses wish to do something more diplomatically. Not all things require force" Jaenelle says.

Dipping his chin in agreement with Jaenelle, Martino adds after a sip of wine, "Hopefully without requiring force at all or the numbers of those who bend the knee merely fill in the gaps of what we have lost in people."

"Southport's army could use some exercise," Calypso repeats. "We can support our vassals, and I'm sure we're not the only ones who'd be willing to help their vassals grow. Inasmuch as a show of force is necessary, of course."


Ornella swirls the wine in her hand. "It was Duke Aiden and Duchess Grazia asking for help with Clan Stormstorm and Chief Wilbur. I'll take a trip that way and see what help I can be."

"They have not yet reached out directly to house Igniseri, but I was intending to talk to them about it soon. A good vassal is a proactive vassal, after all." Videl offers in regards to Clan Stormstorm.

Pasquale has been listening in that quiet, thoughtful, way again. What thoughts he has staying unsaid, at least for now.

"As not all houses are here to discuss this idea, I will reach out to each to discuss whether they wish to join this movement to secure more of the Lyceum for the Compact. Each house shall choose a representative to become the liason for this undertaking so it is easier to communicate between the houses to gather information and what each might require in the way of aide" Jaenelle says as she looks around the room. "It is important that each house has a voice, as some might not wish to join the efforts if they are dealing with other issues regarding their lands currently."

Mmming once more, Martino's fingertips guide and etch the words spoken during the meeting in his parchment before nodding low in agreement with Jaenelle.

Calypso sits up and says something to the others at the duchess bench with her in a voice that sound more engaged than previously.

Martino has left the Seating for the Duchesses of the Lyceum and their Voices.

an immaculately dressed assistant named Johannes, a slightly embarrassed courier called Guido, Cosimo de'Malvici, the Southport banker leave, following Martino.

Domonico nods as he listens to the others. Quiet in his seat and seemingly deep in thought.

"If anyone wishes to bring up any other projects or proposals they have in mind, please do so" Jaenelle then speaks to the room. "But if no one else has anything else they wish to brin before everyone and would like to speak to me privately, then my doors are always open and I will be pleased to speak with you about anything you would like."

Nurie looks about curiously as the floor is opened, though she doesn't make a move to speak. Her expression is very thoughtful, however.

Pasquale gives a short shake of his head if eyes fall on him. Nothing to add.

Domonico raises a hand to speak, "Several years ago I led a series of naval exercises designed to make a more cohesive fighting force between different Houses navies and it saw considerable success. We had participants from many Houses, even from Valardin and Thrax. Pravus and their vassals contributed a lot to that also," he muses before speaking, "Perhaps we could do another such exercise and potentially have the whole Lyceum to participate? We have caravels now and learning how to efficiently use them alongside each other will be a valuable skill."

"We could certainly do another exercise like that, which might also be used to bolster and reinforce the houses who particpiate's navy and increase their numbers" Jaenelle tells Domonico, nodding her head. "I know you said you were very busy recently and I would not wish to cause you added duties so I can open up this idea to the fealty and find someone who wishes to lead it. If you wish?"

Domonico thinks carefully at Jaenelle's question before he speaks, "Such a task would more easily fall into place alongside my other duties such as Count and..." he gestures to Calypso with a respectful nod, "...my current position as Admiral of the Southport Navy. I could implement lessons learned from previous exercises and also... Gods willing... anything we learn at Sungreet." A pause before he adds, "I would definitely be interested in still leading such exercises again... either and or as Count or Admiral."

Dimitri had been relatively quiet through the whole affair, simply taking in the information that has been provided, his gaze playing between the different people that had gathered as they speak.

Calypso snorts. "I can't see Olivian wanting to be in charge of my fleet," she chuckles.

Hearing Calypso, Thea snorts. "He might if you buy him a new outfit."

Domonico laughs once at that, "Not sure he'd appreciate getting salt water on his clothes!"

Videl glances towards the various Malvicis, "Another Malvici Lord?" There's some kind of excitement in her voice.

"There would be a way to craft it so that the spray of salt water actually enhances the look of them," Nurie comments without thinking, almost dreamily.

Thea nods over to Videl,"He's a mix between Dom and Martino." Yes people. Picture that! "He's amazing with a blade, for Gods above, do NOT get him dirty!"

Jaenelle nods towards Domonico, "then I wish you all the best in leading another exercise of the Lyceum fleets. I am certain everyone remembers the last one fondly and will be more than happy to participate in the next. It is never a bad thing to learn from one another."

Pasquale says "I certainly look forward to it. Let me know if I can take some of the organisational work off your shoulders Count Domonico."

Domonico looks like he is about to protest Thea's assessment of Olivian before considering it and nodding a little begrudgingly. "He is very good it true." To Jaenelle he looks to her and nods once, "I shall wait until the caravels are built... if we can practice with nearly every caravel the Lyceum has we could explore and practice new ways of naval warfare we have not been capable of. To Pasquale he nods, "Of course. Part of the exercise will be logistical support again andany assistance? Very much appreciated."

Jaenelle rises from the Throne with a smile, "it seems we have our work cut out for us, and the planning phase has begun. I am certain we will come out stronger and better than we were before, as we have with every project the Lyceum has undertaken. We shall all speak again soon to discuss the needs of these, but until then, keep coming up with projects, and I will certainly see you all soon."