The Gravelhearth Mission, also known as Gravelhearth's Visit, was an Ochebanian mission consisting of three ships which visited the Cuprien port of Yellow.

Motivation

In 401 b. OW, Ochebana was not a seafaring nation. The imperial navy was in its conception stages, and Ochebana had no means of projecting power beyond its coast. However, it already engaged in considerable trade into the archipelago, and did know of the broad layout of the world and the existence of the wealthy, seafaring state of Cuprien in the west - to Ochebanian eyes, at the other end of the world. There was also occasional exchange of news, and even (very costly) private mail.

Emperor Jonathan wanted to build a navy, and affirm Ochebanian strength to the world. As a first step, he decided to mount an expedition to Cuprien. This would be a great feat of seafaring, and would be a nice one-up against the Colupanian Federation, which was naming itself the east's greatest seafaring nation.

Constituent Forces

At great expense, the emperor could array three ships (in total, the number of seafaring ships on Balebu was not much greater than 100). He had three vessels, all of them expensive civilian vessels of goblinoid make, which were intended for travel in the Colupan Archipelago (mostly for diplomatic or trading purposes). The army also owned two goblinoid-made warships (as well as four prototype Balebu-made "battleships", which were however very unimpressive and would not be a good look in the expeditionary flotilla, if they even made it that far). Finally, the Archduke of Longhorn Bay leased one of his three merchant ships for the purpose of the mission.

The delegation would be headed by Duke Hertfelt Gravelhearth, and important persona in the imperial court with a great skill for words. His military pendant would be Major Irgend Jemant, named "first commodore" and adjoint superintendent of the budding Ochebanian fleet. The third member would be Countess Cassilda, another courtesan and a personal adivser of the emperor.

Gravelhearth and Jemant sailed together in the "flagship", the most pompuous vessel of the three: Marquise, the Archduke's ship, which for the occasion was decorated with plenty gold and red banners. Cassilda sailed separately on board of the Nymph, and flew a small banner of her New Winter title alongside the imperial flag. The military ship Stestim finally sailed as an escort.

The mission brought with it several presents, which were both lavish and symbolic: two gem-studded golden bowls, heavy tapestries depicting holy scenes from the Tempus faith, several barrels of salted badeep meet, amphorae filled with refined judeep, and some weapons.