20th of Ashan
When given permission to continue, she switched to a military rest stance and started her proposal. "My proposal is simple in nature. As a Grand Warden of Lovalus, I can, once a season, bond with Lovalus and create a substantial amount of Brightgleam Water, roughly two miles of it. I can then add my blood to it, turning it into a Font of Life. These Fonts of Life revitalize the area around them, causing plants to grow, the soil to become useable for farming again, and bringing animals back to the area. In addition, as a unique property of my own steelblood, it will also create ore deposits. The blood steel ore it creates is as useful a solid metal as steel, though it becomes blood when hardened. I'm told the Order of Adunih has found some use for it in that state." she said, her tone still calm, though underneath it she was nervous.
"Now, I know that a single Font of Life, even one as big as a lake, will not be able to fully revitalize the Stormwastes. However, a single lake would be a start. In addition to the being able to create a seasonal lake, once per day, I can create smaller Brightgleam Oasis, and my blood will turn it into a Font of Life, with the same properties as the bigger lake, just on a smaller scale. My plan is that, early in the season, I create the lake as a starting point for the reclamation, then create several smaller pools over the course of the season to support the lake. Then, in the second season of the cycle, I create a second lake and repeat the process. Then, on the third season after the first lake, I manipulate the water I can create by binding with Lovalus to create either a single river or a river system linking the two lakes, to bridge the gap between the two lakes." she said, before pausing to catch her breath.
"Now, of course, all of this assumes I'm the only Grand Warden working on this project. If other Grand Wardens join me, the progress will be much faster. With a second Grand Warden, we could create two lakes in the first season, and both link them and create a third lake in the second season. With three, we could create three lakes in the first season, and link all three in the second." she said, before shrugging slightly. "However, to my certain knowledge, there are, at most, four Grand Wardens in existence. Myself, Vega Creede, Varlum Onarmus, and Faith Augustine. Faith is not member of the Lightning Knights, and Vega and Varlum are both on a well-earned leave. If any wish to join me on this endeavour, I will not turn them away, but I do not request they be assigned to me." she said, her tone sincere.
"Now, as to the repopulation of the Stormwastes. I propose the creation of a settlement at the site of the first lake, along the planned lines of the river between the first and second lake. Furthermore, I propose that the civilian portion of the settlement be largely made of volunteers from the Dust Quarter. If we work with the Institute of Innovation, they can be taught the necessities of farming and the trades needed to make a settelement thrive and grow into a proper town. However, I do not propose that we start the settlement with the civilians in tow. Instead, I suggest that we put out the call for volunteers to undergo training in the Institute either late this season or early next season. Then, I will take a military expedition into the Stormwastes and set up the first lake and begin construction on defenses that should, ideally, fully functional within a season." she said, pausing to catch her breath again.
"The reason for sending a military force out ahead of the settlers is simple. While the Nickels are destroyed and their creators are dead, we don't know what else has moved into the Stormwastes in their absence. If bandits or monsters or even just dangerous animals have taken up residence in the Stormwastes, sending a military force in first to establish defenses and clear travel routes will help keep the civilians safer and give the settlement a better chance of success." she said, before pausing as something occurred to her. "To further serve the establishment of the settlement, and to easier maintain the supply lines, I suggest we use Storm's Edge as the primary supply base for the expedition until a proper supply depot can be constructed at the settlement and the supply road between the settlement and Storm's Edge be firmly established and secured." she said, her tone calm.
Then, after a moment's hesitation, Vivian decided to voice what was probably the part of her plan most likely to be rejected. "In addition, I propose expanding the military high council. If we are successful in reclaiming the Stormwastes, it will greatly expand the territory controlled by Rharne. Given the strain the military command experienced during the Siege, and with all due respect to the high command, it is highly likely that the reclamation of the Stormwastes will be too much for a four-person council should there be another serious attack." she said, taking a deep breath.
"To rectify that, I propose expanding it to a twelve person council, three from each branch of the knights. One group to manage law and order within Rharne itself, another to manage the Stormlands, and a third to manage the Stormwastes. This will, I believe, severely lessen the strain on the high command, as each group will have a much more manageable territory to oversee." she said, her tone calm. "To ensure communication between the three groups, if this is taken on board, I also propose that the whole of the high command meet once per cycle. Each cycle would be in a different one of the three command areas. So in the Hot Cycle, they could meet in Rharne, in the Cold Cycle they could meet in Storm's Edge or Caervalle or Volta, and in the Rebirth Cycle they could meet in one of the Stormwastes settlements." she said, before deciding to wrap it up.
"If anyone wishes to look over the plan, I have a written copy of it, as well as maps of the Stormwastes from scouting missions conducted during the last arc, here. I am also aware that we'll likely need more than one settlement to fully reclaim the Stormwastes, but creating the lakes and rivers will set the foundation for more settlements beyond the first." she said, laying her papers on the desk before returning to a military rest position as she waited to see if the high command had any questions for her or until they reached a decision on whether or not to approve her proposed operation.
