[EMPIRE!] The International Council Summit

[Logic]

Propinlonge had been known for very little to people outside the Salterri Imperium for generations. With the death of Lady Ignewel, the people of Propinlonge had pledged loyalty to the Kingdom of Celero, and thus had expanded into the greater realm.

For nearly 50 more years, few had ever been to Propinlonge that were not from Celero or Aus-Teire, and Queen Amalia was dead-set on changing that.

To ask a random passerby, Propinlonge was a tropical peninsula that had little in the way of resources beyond pigs and citrus fruits, and was infamous for heat, mosquitoes, and humidity; all together an entirely unpleasant place to visit.

What had started as a local governors office had instead become the dream of an architect aspiring to make a name for himself. When Queen Amalia had seen the beginning of his work, she knew at once that the building he proposed would be no mere office; instead a grand meeting place for nations to convene.

Now, while Amalia would not be queen to see the project completed in its grandeur, she would host the first meeting, even if she had to bribe half the Lord and Lady Sovereigns in the known world to merely feign interest in such a rendezvous.

Though the building stood incomplete, many of the council chambers were finished enough to conduct the business of the day. Amalia was proud of what her people had accomplished in the time being. She hoped to see it completed before she joined her mother and grandfather in the great beyond. While she had accomplished much, a lasting peace had always been just out of reach of her forebears, and this Council of Nations could be what she would be remembered for.

It would be good to have a greater voice on the world stage again. Amalia mused. Celero hasn't been considered among the Great World Powers since the founding days of the Grand Coalition.

She traced the carvings and inlays of the curved mahogany table before her. Hopefully, someone doesn't take a dagger to this table in anger as others have in meetings past. It would be a shame to have this beautiful work go to waste.

She surveyed the room. It had tall ceilings, over 30 feet high, with banners of each nation on the perimeter wall. Even most vassals and subordinate provinces had their colors represented. There were to be chairs for each province to have a pair, but she knew the larger Empires would likely be bringing puppet-rulers to represent all their additional territories.

Such is the nature of things. All nations must have a say, but we cannot ignore that some nations have more weight than others. She looked over at the five seats set aside for her people. The Krolowa of Bereginia sat at her chair, visibly uncomfortable in the heat. She was wearing damp clothes, though it was not from her sweat, but from the cool water she demanded to be brought to her by a comely serving lad.

Amalia suspected that most of her allies in the Grand Coalition would make an appearance, and she had heard whispers that at least one ship from Woodwind had a massive royal escort, though if the rumors were true, the Guilderines had outdone themselves with 2 dozen zeppelins as the transports for their royal family.


A Celerii royal guard entered the room, and nodded at his queen.

"It's time." She said, before turning into the hallway to face her first guest.

[Rizban]

Qzare Zuida Rongyao was the first to arrive, accompanied by Chief Hierach Belauda Cistae the Matron and a small number of the other Patriarchs from the Priory. Rongyao briefly laid his hand on the shoulder of the guard nearest him, met his eye, and smiled as he entered.

With a curt nod that was almost, but not quite, a slight bow, the Qzare meets his host's gaze with a warm smile. "Queen Amalia, I presume."

[QuintonBeck]

The newly elected Speaker of the Senate, Aluic Shaeldtae, adjusted his tunic as he walked along the path leading to the grand building where this international meeting the Triumvirate had received invitation to from Celero was being held. This would be his first sojourn outside the Triumvirate as Speaker and as representative of the Triad Council. He didn't want to admit he was nervous, after all he had been the man who had prosecuted the traitor Xiu Zhuang Ignato, and had led the Senate for years in pushing for greater democratic freedom in the Senate, both of which had contributed heavily to his election to the seat of Speaker following the Trial fo Zhuang, yet here he was, fidgeting at the prospect of meeting with leaders from around Telluris.

It was an issue of legitimacy, he thought, what had occurred in the Triumvirate in the Constitutional Congress would likely be seen as treason in the majority of the other states. If it had not been for the support of Syana and the willingness of the other Triad Council members to forge forward and away from the stain that was Zhuang he had little doubt he would have found himself put on trial right after. An elected leader, with limits on terms, power in the hands of the people to elect Senators, power in the hands of Senators to elect their own Speaker. It was not the way things were done elsewhere in the world. It was not the way things were done in the Triumvirate, not for centuries, but it was now, and the rest of the world would simply need to come to accept that. Besides, he had an inkling of 'noble blood', he was the second son of the King, now Chancellor, in Aloren. Surely that would buy him some favor among the strict royalists of the foreign powers.

Suddenly he realized he had arrived outside the entrance to the meeting hall. There was no more time for doubt or internal thought. He stepped into the room and smiled at the Queen.

"Queen Amalia, it is a pleasure," he bowed respectfully.

Even if he disagreed with the notion of royal blood, he would not disrespect those who did.

"I'm afraid I may not be known to you, I am Speaker Aluic Shaeldtae of the Triumvirate, recently elected to lead the Senate and given authorization to carry out business for the Triad Council. I must say, I was most pleased when we received your invitation to this event as it could not line up more perfectly with the Triumvirate's own current desires."

After the discussion with the Celerese Queen the Speaker made a point to stop near the Priory delegation before finding a seat.

"Qzare Zuida Rongyao," he bowed as he had to the Celerese Queen, "Allow me to be the first to apologize personally for the actions against your nation by the mad Emperor Xiu Zhuang Ignato. It is the desire of the Triumvirate to see all the ill his actions caused if not reversed at the very least repaired. While we cannot restore the dead* we of the Triad Council would offer what reparations we can to the Priory and its followers. I would not wish to disrupt the Celerese Queen's introductions and meetings with such conversation but I would desire greatly to speak with you during a recess that we might discuss how the Triumvirate can repay your lands for the mistakes of the late Zhuang."

*Assuming anyone dies this round in the fighting

[Rizban]

"Qzare Zuida Rongyao," he bowed as he had to the Celerese Queen, "Allow me to be the first to apologize personally for the actions against your nation by the mad Emperor Xiu Zhuang Ignato. It is the desire of the Triumvirate to see all the ill his actions caused if not reversed at the very least repaired. While we cannot restore the dead* we of the Triad Council would offer what reparations we can to the Priory and its followers. I would not wish to disrupt the Celerese Queen's introductions and meetings with such conversation but I would desire greatly to speak with you during a recess that we might discuss how the Triumvirate can repay your lands for the mistakes of the late Zhuang."

*Assuming anyone dies this round in the fightingRongyao stares the man down as he speaks but nods stiffly. "Perhaps. We shall see."
Though he doesn't seem to hold anger towards the Triumvirate or its representative, it is clear that he has absolutely no manner of trust in them.

[QuintonBeck]

Rongyao stares the man down as he speaks but nods stiffly. "Perhaps. We shall see."
Though he doesn't seem to hold anger towards the Triumvirate or its representative, it is clear that he has absolutely no manner of trust in them.

Aluic bowed again and moved away from the delegation to find a seat further away from the Priory. Perhaps he had misjudged the reasons he would be reacted to poorly. It seemed he might stand as a figurehead to represent the crimes of the very man he had prosecuted and seen sentenced. He supposed he couldn't blame the Salterri man, the actions of a single man easily defined a nation for many outside it despite what it may truly be composed of. Yet another of the many problems with the autocratic methods of ruler ship, he thought to himself. He could only hope the Qzare might speak with him that he could at least be given the chance to fix the mistakes of Zhuang but it was beginning to dawn on Aluic that the phrase his old friend Syana so often said, that it was the friendship of leaders not the friendship of the people of the nations that made or broke alliances, might prove more true than he wished it were.

[lt_murgen]

The AQUA delegation arrived with little fanfare. It was easy to tell them, for they all wore the traditional breeches, vest, wide hat, and large collections of jewelry typical of their nation, and entirely appropriate for Propinlonge's hot and humid climate. Six of the group were clearly guards or assistants of some sort, easily dismissed. But the remaining three were clearly in charge.

The oldest was an Islander man of formerly dark hair and dark eyes. He walked supported by a singularly ostentatious cane of precious gems and metals. The man was well in his seventies, and his age was showing. Queen Amalia knew him by sight; Samhell Bellami Junior by name, Council-member by title, and “Junior Black” by reputation and rumor. He held sway over most of the traders and ships of AQUA. He was a frequent visitor to thier ports.

Next came a young Quill woman in her early thirties. The formal reply indicated that this was Fern Cascade, advisor of the Quill people to the AQUA Senior Council. She was also Opus Petrichor’s daughter, despite the dissimilar last name. Oddly, she wore a shirt and cape of Celerese style along with a red silk, weighted bracelet on her arm.

Finally cam Opus Petrichor himself, in one of his few expeditions beyond his homeland. He seemed unremarkable for a Quill- slightly shorter than average, slightly less muscular, and with a decidedy scholarly appearance. Quenn Amlia had been informed that he too was in his sixties, but that the Quill tended to remain healthy and active for decades longer than most. Still,he supported himself with a long staff, gripped in a hand bearing a bracelet similar to his daughter’s, but in black.

It was Opus that spoke to the Queen, “Greetings QueenAmalia! The AQUA delegation is greatly honored to attend such an important event. Your vision for a place for peaceful discussion between nations is as glorious as the building you have constructed to house it.” His voice was rather pedantic and flat sounding, more like that of a scholar than a leader.

[lt_murgen]

After exchanging pleasantries with the Queen for a time, the AQUA delegation found the opportunity to speak to the Pavonia delegation.
"Duke William Adolph Adam Wulfendyne, Greetings!" Opus greeted them in the traditional Islander manner, then went on briefly to introduce his two companions.

"How were your travels? We hear tales of the vast mountains surrounding your nation. Such magnificience!"


The AQUA delgation makes its way over to the delegation from the Priory. After exchanging introductions, Opus spoke consolingly, "We have heard much of the battles in the south. Such a great tragedy! If there is anything your people need- food, temporary accomodations, anything, we would be honored to help."

[Rizban]

The AQUA delgation makes its way over to the delegation from the Priory. After exchanging introductions, Opus spoke consolingly, "We have heard much of the battles in the south. Such a great tragedy! If there is anything your people need- food, temporary accomodations, anything, we would be honored to help."

The Qzare smiles warmly at Opus. "It has been awhile since our nations have spoken. I'm afraid there was some small bit of ill will when our supplies of fruit were cut off, but that has long since vanished. While I am grateful for your offers, the Imperium does well for itself. The Battle of the Mandate did little enough damage, and Zhuang was stopped before his forces could do too much damage.

Still, if you have something you're willing to offer in trade, I'm more than happy to discuss it with you. We're always interested in foreign goods and the latest ideas."

I'm interested in any resources and techs you're willing to share.
My Available Resources: Silver
Bracian Beer
Borterri Ale
Drum lizards (food source)
Grain
Longhorn Cattle
Wood

[Logic]

With a curt nod that was almost, but not quite, a slight bow, the Qzare meets his host's gaze with a warm smile. "Queen Amalia, I presume."
"You presume correctly, Qzare Zuida."

She shook the man's hand, still unsure how this man would treat her once the Salterri Civil War was over. She was wary, and rightfully so, as she did not completely trust the man who now claimed to be a Qzare in his own right.

"Now Qzare, if you would please find your seats on the west wall, I ahve made specific considerations to keep your delegation and that of the current administration of Salterri Imperium separate."


The newly elected Speaker of the Senate, Aluic Shaeldtae, adjusted his tunic as he walked along the path leading to the grand building where this international meeting the Triumvirate had received invitation to from Celero was being held. This would be his first sojourn outside the Triumvirate as Speaker and as representative of the Triad Council. He didn't want to admit he was nervous, after all he had been the man who had prosecuted the traitor Xiu Zhuang Ignato, and had led the Senate for years in pushing for greater democratic freedom in the Senate, both of which had contributed heavily to his election to the seat of Speaker following the Trial fo Zhuang, yet here he was, fidgeting at the prospect of meeting with leaders from around Telluris.


"Queen Amalia, it is a pleasure," he bowed respectfully.

Even if he disagreed with the notion of royal blood, he would not disrespect those who did.

"I'm afraid I may not be known to you, I am Speaker Aluic Shaeldtae of the Triumvirate, recently elected to lead the Senate and given authorization to carry out business for the Triad Council. I must say, I was most pleased when we received your invitation to this event as it could not line up more perfectly with the Triumvirate's own current desires."
"Speaker Shaeldtae, it is an honor to have you visit. My brother Andust, speaks highly of your country, if not of all your nation's leaders."

Her words stung, and stronger than she intended. Speaking tersely, it was obvious to all she was still fuming about Zhuang. Yet, Amalia herself wasn't sure if she had meant to insult the speaker before her now.

"Please sirs, take your seats, we are expecting many more soon."


The AQUA delegation arrived with little fanfare. It was easy to tell them, for they all wore the traditional breeches, vest, wide hat, and large collections of jewelry typical of their nation, and entirely appropriate for Propinlonge's hot and humid climate. Six of the group were clearly guards or assistants of some sort, easily dismissed. But the remaining three were clearly in charge.

The oldest was an Islander man of formerly dark hair and dark eyes. He walked supported by a singularly ostentatious cane of precious gems and metals. The man was well in his seventies, and his age was showing. Queen Amalia knew him by sight; Samhell Bellami Junior by name, Council-member by title, and “Junior Black” by reputation and rumor. He held sway over most of the traders and ships of AQUA. He was a frequent visitor to thier ports.

Next came a young Quill woman in her early thirties. The formal reply indicated that this was Fern Cascade, advisor of the Quill people to the AQUA Senior Council. She was also Opus Petrichor’s daughter, despite the dissimilar last name. Oddly, she wore a shirt and cape of Celerese style along with a red silk, weighted bracelet on her arm.

Finally cam Opus Petrichor himself, in one of his few expeditions beyond his homeland. He seemed unremarkable for a Quill- slightly shorter than average, slightly less muscular, and with a decidedy scholarly appearance. Quenn Amlia had been informed that he too was in his sixties, but that the Quill tended to remain healthy and active for decades longer than most. Still,he supported himself with a long staff, gripped in a hand bearing a bracelet similar to his daughter’s, but in black.

It was Opus that spoke to the Queen, “Greetings QueenAmalia! The AQUA delegation is greatly honored to attend such an important event. Your vision for a place for peaceful discussion between nations is as glorious as the building you have constructed to house it.” His voice was rather pedantic and flat sounding, more like that of a scholar than a leader.With the entrance of the party from AQUA, Amalia let her eyes linger on the younger Quill woman a bit longer than she had intended, and took stock in her father a moment later. She disliked nearly everything about the man's appearance; it all said pomp and circumstance, but there was no passion, no personality present in his attire. It would not surprise Amalia one bit if he had a humorless wife that had lain out his wardrobe for each day of his absence from home. However, he more than made up for his lack of character in fashion when he spoke, and Amalia began to recall why she had agreed to sign the Treaty of Wonders with him after all.

"Greetings, Sovereign Petrichor, it is good to see you as well. Please find your seats; we shall begin shortly."


The years had been good to Duke William Adolph Adam Wulfendyne. Though in his early forties, he retained the massive build of his lineage, at least a head taller than most humans and proportioned like a bear. Here in the warm northern regions, he had donned a light shirt in Wulfendyne crimson and silver, leaving the runes on his arms visible in all their intricate glory. Just behind him and to his left his Duchess stood, tall and slender and still beautiful even in approaching middle age. Like her husband, she had donned a long sleeveless dress, and the crimson and blue of her sigla was visible all up and down her arms.

William approaches Queen Amalia and gave her a fencer's salute with the cane in his right hand.

"Greetings, Aunt Celero. With all the wars that have been ravaging the north recently, it is welcome to attend a peaceful meeting."

"Aunt? I apologize, I am not familiar with your customs, Duke Wulfendyne." Amalia replied to the Duke, slightly confused before turning to his wife. "And may I say, Lady Duchess, you are ravishing. I am glad I did not bring my brother Prince Andust along, as he would steal you away in a heartbeat, and our peoples would be at war within the fortnight."

Queen Amalia was enamored with the couple before her. They were both striking specimens of beauty, and both had a strong degree of fashion sense.

"You'll find your seats under your nation's banners."

[QuintonBeck]

"Speaker Shaeldtae, it is an honor to have you visit. My brother Andust, speaks highly of your country, if not of all your nation's leaders."

Her words stung, and stronger than she intended. Speaking tersely, it was obvious to all she was still fuming about Zhuang. Yet, Amalia herself wasn't sure if she had meant to insult the speaker before her now.

"Please sirs, take your seats, we are expecting many more soon."



"Former leaders, your majesty," Aluic said, his voice thick with a disdain of being associated with Zhuang.

I thank you your majesty," he bowed again and walked to speak with the Priory before finding himself a seat.*

*Time bubble closed :smalltongue:

[TheWombatOfDoom]

Girard Serendel, no longer the young ruler (though still younger than many) arrived at the summit, eyeing the architecture admiringly. There were some elements of Lyradissian influence, likely from the flow of Craftsmen that long had been commissioned from Lyradis to Celero. It was good to see the resource had served well. He abled in, accompanied by Bekya of Wenyavuk (who was assisted by here daughter, Wendry. Also was a representative of the counsel in Domhan Abhile, Padric Sheenan, and (possibly Guilder and Raaneka's rulers). Girard gazed around at the attendence so far accumulated at the summit. A decent attendance thus far. He eyed the new Senate member that had replaced Zhuang, and took note to observe how he composed himself during the meeting. Perhaps at some point they would have the opportunity to talk...

Seperating himself from the other representatives from the Kingdom, Girard stepped before the Queen of Celero, Amalia Noth, and bowed his head in differance. "Greetings, Queen Amalia. My compliments in your organization of this event. It is an idea that is both bold and enlightening, and I hope it ensures the peace my family has dreamed of for generations, even as yours might have as well. Know you have a friend here in the Dawn, as ever."

[Rizban]

"You presume correctly, Qzare Zuida."

She shook the man's hand, still unsure how this man would treat her once the Salterri Civil War was over. She was wary, and rightfully so, as she did not completely trust the man who now claimed to be a Qzare in his own right.

"Now Qzare, if you would please find your seats on the west wall, I ahve made specific considerations to keep your delegation and that of the current administration of Salterri Imperium separate."

Rongyao kisses the back of her hand rather than take the handshake she offers.

"That was considerate of you, but I believe you'll find that there was no need for such considerations."

He moves into the position indicated anyway.

[Jeriah]

Visokral Amyntas arrives with three personal guards, looking slightly lost as to where to go. After all, this is his first time stepping out on an international stage.

Shortly behind him, three other men enter in old, traditional Salterri garb, clothes that have been out of style in the Imperium for some 100 years. They give the Visokral dirty looks as they push past him to address their host, bowing slightly to her as they do so.
"Thank you for the invitation, Queen Amalia. We are here to represent Rì Chūgǎng."

Clearing his throat, the Visokral steps forward.
"Queen Amalia, forgive their intrusion." He wrinkles his nose at the three men as if they have a rather pungent odor.
"I am Amyntas, Visokral of the Jomani Kralstvo, centered in Rì Chūgǎng."

[Aedilred]

As the Jarrland delegation arrived in the main chamber, Athelmere cast his eyes around the other attendees. The Priory, with whom he had so recently been at war and still would be had Tailong not lost his nerve; the Jewelled Cities, with whom he might as well still be at war; and Aluic Shaeldtae, a man who had no regard for the very notion of monarchy. For a moment, he was tempted to turn round and leave the way he came, but that would have been unforgivably rude. At least Girard was here. He sensed Tempest stiffen on his arm as she spotted Opus and Samhell, and winced inwardly. The meeting with Fern in Bordeux had been bad enough, but at least she'd had no direct involvement in the coup. It might be harder to inject some restraint into a conversation with those two, and he didn't even particularly want to. Hopefully they would have the sense to stay away.

He waved to dismiss his escort, and all but three of the soldiers accompanying him turned to head off and find some other way to occupy themsevelves, leaving the small group of royalty almost alone. Avoiding looking at anyone in particular, Athelmere led the party over to greet Queen Amalia.

He bowed to the queen. His hair had finally gone grey, not entirely, but noticeably so in recent years, though he still moved easily enough.

"My lady, what a pleasure to see you again, and my thanks for inviting us. You remember, I'm sure, my queen, Tempest, my daughter Eirwynn, and my heir Alfmark. I am sorry Lady Melhib cannot be here with us, but she is expecting a child."


Earlier

As the Jarrland delegation made their way from the docks to the council chamber, a figure moved out of a side alley to join the rear of the party. Initially clad in a hooded cloak, that was immediately shed to reveal a full-face helm, mail shirt and clan colours like the rest of the bodyguard. Perhaps once the equipment would have been identified as a little mismatched and battered, and his movements might have seemed to be more laboured than expected, but the wars in Farridon and Salteire had taken their toll and many soldiers carried injuries or had bartered, traded or lost portions of their kit, to be replaced with what alternatives they could find. He looked for all the world like any other warrior in the Jarrland group, and nobody gave him a second glance.


I assume Athelmere will have met Aluic at the trial before this, although if that thread is happening it's probably best to handle any initial interactions there.


I won't go through the hassle of introducing everyone IC, but:
Athelmere and Tempest
Alfmark
Eirwynn
Duke Radber and Duchess Talli of Vennland
Duke Wiltor of Sunder, the king's champion

[QuintonBeck]

@Aedil: That would be true. Aluic did lead the prosecution in that trial.

@All: Aluic is not the successor to Zhuang in any way. As Speaker he is more or less succeeding Irvest Ethmorl and Irvest is taking over the position with the most similarity to what Zhuang's was in the old Triumvirate system though even that is a stretch to call it the same as its intended to be a fair amount different from Emperor/Empress.

The entirety of the Triumvirate has gone through a somewhat drastic power shift, with the dissolution of the old states that formed the Triumvirate (Ignato Empire, Genivana, Hrathan-Tuor) and the full establishment of the Triumvirate as the one and only government over all the provinces beneath it. Essentially moving from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution in regards to Federal/State power.

And As Aedilred noted, Aluic is somewhat of an oddity/'dangerous' thinker as he (and many of his supporters) do not believe in the concept of monarchy/divine right to rule/etc. and are supporters of Democracy. He's not a cannons and muskets violent revolutionary, but he's definitely no friend to the concept of an elevated family line ruling purely based on history of ruling over everyone else.

Sorry if it seems like I'm running off, but I figure its better to get things out in the open and clear rather than having conflicting characterizations of the goings on in the Triumvirate.

[WaylanderX]

After a smooth journey over familiar roads, traveled dozens of times, the Hurosha delegation finally found themselves amidst rulers both familiar and alien. Wayve, leading the delegation, beckoned the Ambassadors to follow him, slowely making they way to the hosts of the Summit. Along his way, he saw faces who he liked. He knew Athelmere was a good man, and one who had stumbled over the achievements and tricks of his grandfather more than once. Wayve smiled at the thought.

He came across people wearing the symbol of what he heard were the Ascension rebels who were trying to take over the Salterii. Not that Hurosha had anything to do with it...yet. Maybe he ought to talk with them for a bit, see where they stood in comparison to Hurosha.

And there he saw Girard Serendel of Lyradis. Being a neighbouring large empire, the bonds between their people was strong, and he had no doubt their alliance was ment to last many years longer, barring any betrayal from within of course.

Finnally, he stood face to face with Queen Amalia. Wayve and the Ambassadors lined up and saluted in unison.

"Prowess light your spirit, Queen Amalia. I am sorry that my mother, Empress Nyllana Earthguard could not attend. However, I have been send here together with the Ambassadors of all of the Empire's provinces to observe that the voice of Hurosha is heard. I believe we have not met face to face before, I am prince Wayve Earthguard, heir to the Hurosha Empire."


*A while later at the Ascension delegation.*

After his Ambassadors spread out to mingle (As good as Grïend could mingle anyway), Wayve stepped towards Zuida Rongyao.

"Prowess to you, friend. I see you hail from the lands of Ascension. I am Wayve Earthguard, from the Hurosha Empire. Might I have a moment of your time, for I have a question we of Hurosha have been wanting to ask you for a long, long time."


*A while later at the Jarrland delegation.*

While Kenwyn wandered between the many foreign powers present, his eye fell upon King Athelmere and he recalled the stories his father Eleljak had told of those people. Well, a bit of small talk would not hurt anyone, he thought, as he approached the king. He made a classy bow, folding out his wings to make it even more flamboyant.

"Prowess light your path, King Athelmere of Jarrland. I am Kenwyn Jakson, Ambassador of Zargrim, province of the Hurosha Empire. Many stories have reached my ears about your lands. Including those of a terrible war raging in the Emperium itself. Alas, the whisperings that have reached us in the north have only been rumours or stories from one side of the conflict, distorted by pride. Could you shed some light upon this situation, for we of Hurosha might be able to help, lest we are sure to help the right side."


*A while later at the Lyradis delegation.*

Grïend scanned the crowd, towering a full three meters above most of the people present. Spotting Lord Girard of Lyradis, he made his way towards him, careful not to step upon anyone. I mean, that would certainly spark an international conflict.

"PROWESS TO YOU, Lord Girard." The Menhîrin greeted. "I am glad to see you are well. How are things going in your lands?"

OOC: If anyone wants to come into contact with Hurosha and work out some nice country relations, here is your chance! I'll be approaching some people during the course of these two weeks. However, I can't spend an action on this event, so unfortunatly official treaties and trades can't be arranged this round. If we can work out something this round however, I will accept it next round.

[Aedilred]

*A while later at the Jarrland delegation.*

While Kenwyn wandered between the many foreign powers present, his eye fell upon King Athelmere and he recalled the stories his father Eleljak had told of those people. Well, a bit of small talk would not hurt anyone, he thought, as he approached the king. He made a classy bow, folding out his wings to make it even more flamboyant.

"Prowess light your path, King Athelmere of Jarrland. I am Kenwyn Jakson, Ambassador of Zargrim, province of the Hurosha Empire. Many stories have reached my ears about your lands. Including those of a terrible war raging in the Emperium itself. Alas, the whisperings that have reached us in the north have only been rumours or stories from one side of the conflict, distorted by pride. Could you shed some light upon this situation, for we of Hurosha might be able to help, lest we are sure to help the right side."

Athelmere gave a grim smile. "I am flattered you ask for my report, Lord Kenwyn, but I fear I am as partisan in this matter as any. Still, I shall relate events as I have experienced them. Many years ago I - and many others, including some northern rulers - witnessed a miracle coordinated by the Priory in which a number of followers of their religion were blessed by the Silver Lady, the then Qzare's brother, Hanyeo, among them. Some years ago after my son's wedding, the Chief Hierarch, Zanper Fidious, announced that this blessing meant that Hanyeo, by now Qzare, had lost the divine mandate as had all his house, and when Hanyeo refused to surrender the Silver Throne to the Chief Hierarch's son, the Priory denounced him and declared independence.

"The Qzare led an army into Salteire to confront Fidious, but despite being outnumbered nearly two to one they had prepared the ground well. I suspect their "Ascended" gave them an advantage in observing our manoeuvres, and the Qzare was too enraged to follow a cautious strategy. Both the Qzare and Fidious were killed in the battle, and we fell back to regroup. Fidious's son Rongyao crowned himself as Qzare, and Hanyeo's son, Qzare Xiu Tailong, has apparently chosen not to continue the war.

"That is as neutral an account as I can give. I could further tell you of the deaths of a thousand of my people in the war, including my own brother, deaths which it seems may have been for nothing, or of the murder of my sister-in-law and cousin, the abduction of my niece, the luring away from my side of a man who has been as a brother to me all my life... but that might not be helpful."

[Rizban]

*A while later at the Ascension delegation.*

After his Ambassadors spread out to mingle (As good as Grïend could mingle anyway), Wayve stepped towards Zuida Rongyao.

"Prowess to you, friend. I see you hail from the lands of Ascension. I am Wayve Earthguard, from the Hurosha Empire. Might I have a moment of your time, for I have a question we of Hurosha have been wanting to ask you for a long, long time."Rongyao greets Wayve codially.
"And the blessings of Our Lady upon you. I am Zuida Rongyao. I am always open to hearing any questions you wish to ask."

[lt_murgen]

At some point during a gap in the proceedings, Opus will introduce himself to the new Speaker. After some pleasantries, he gets to his main point.
“We have heard much of the recent… restructuring of the Triumvirate. Your speeches and viewpoint are a most welcome breath of fresh sea air, pardon the colloquialism. AQUA’s council has always had members whose merit is more important than the circumstances of one’s birth. As allies in spirit, if not by treaty, feel free to call upon AQUA for any assistance or council. We may not be as great and powerful as the Triumvirate, but we have had decades to perfect our meritocracy.”


During some of the downtime, Fern Cascade finds a chance to talk to Eirwynn. She carries a plate of food in one hand, and a glass of wine in the other. Awkwardly, she realizes she cannot extend her hands in greeting, but she presses ahead anyway. “So glad to see you! I hope your choices have brought you blessings since the Frost Moon Festival.” Even with her wrecked voice, she did sound sincere.

[QuintonBeck]

At some point during a gap in the proceedings, Opus will introduce himself to the new Speaker. After some pleasantries, he gets to his main point.
“We have heard much of the recent… restructuring of the Triumvirate. Your speeches and viewpoint are a most welcome breath of fresh sea air, pardon the colloquialism. AQUA’s council has always had members whose merit is more important than the circumstances of one’s birth. As allies in spirit, if not by treaty, feel free to call upon AQUA for any assistance or council. We may not be as great and powerful as the Triumvirate, but we have had decades to perfect our meritocracy.”



"I had hoped we might get the chance to talk," Aluic smiled, "I've actually taken a fair amount of inspiration from AQUA's Council, having read much on your governance and history. There may be a few things we disagree on, but the desire to see the best fitted man or woman lead circumstances of birth and blood not withstanding is certainly a concept we share."

"Tell me though, from what I've read it seems the council members of AQUA are simply either granted the title by the existing council or take it from one who had it before, sometimes by force which seems counterproductive to the goal of avoiding the bloodshed inherent in the monarchical system. Have you considered the possibility of public elections? I know much of the world looks down upon the common people of their lands, or at best stand above them and gaze over tops their heads, but I have traveled amongst the people and I have found them just as capable of complex and intelligent thought as any of so-called 'noble' blood. The simplest of school systems Syana and myself worked on towards the end of her reign have only seen the ability of the common man rise and make me all the more certain any man or woman possesses the capability to lead or at the very least choose their leaders. Have you considered establishing a public school system in AQUA? It might surprise you the capability of the common man and let me assure you, the parents and the children who attend the schools do not forget who helped estabish them," he smiled knowingly, himself having been the public face of the Triumviral School System project among the provinces, an endeavor which had earned him much favor among the common people.

[lt_murgen]

[COLOR="#DAA520"]"I"Tell me though, from what I've read it seems the council members of AQUA are simply either granted the title by the existing council or take it from one who had it before, sometimes by force which seems counterproductive to the goal of avoiding the bloodshed inherent in the monarchical system.


Opus listened intently. "A school system would be very useful for Tar, where villages are clustered enough to make it worthwhile. But with a majority of the population of the Jeweled Cities actually scattered across the archipelago, I'm not certain how we would make that work. Still, the school system you have promoted so well clearly has reaped wonders.""

He looked about carefully before continuing. "As for voting, well, quite simply, our laws are a mess. In Tar, it was largely village driven and hereditary, with the eldest half dozen ruling by common consent. In the Jeweled Cities, ship's captains were supposed to poll their crews and cast a vote. City chiefs were elected by consent of the people living there. But most voting places are the taverns, so whoever bought the beer usually got the votes."

He sighed. "It worked for Jonas Grumby and Talon Char. And even Regina Amber was elected by popular consent- though the militia she trained the years before are suspected to have influenced the vote. She combined the two nations with little regard to how to successfully merge the two systems. Indeed, she used the wealth she gained from all the international trades to pack the council with her allies. Elections were more than just parties where people signed a paper to get their free food and beer."


He spoke more sagely, his voice taking on the tone of a weary scholar, "That is the great tar-pit trap of democracy. Food and entertainment can so easily displace thought and discourse. None of us wanted to do what we were driven to, and we take no pride in it. Tupelo, as our leader, paid for it with his life, and AQUA paid in four years of blood. But now, we do have a better system, I think. Not perfect, but better."

[QuintonBeck]

Opus listened intently. "A school system would be very useful for Tar, where villages are clustered enough to make it worthwhile. But with a majority of the population of the Jeweled Cities actually scattered across the archipelago, I'm not certain how we would make that work. Still, the school system you have promoted so well clearly has reaped wonders.""

He looked about carefully before continuing. "As for voting, well, quite simply, our laws are a mess. In Tar, it was largely village driven and hereditary, with the eldest half dozen ruling by common consent. In the Jeweled Cities, ship's captains were supposed to poll their crews and cast a vote. City chiefs were elected by consent of the people living there. But most voting places are the taverns, so whoever bought the beer usually got the votes."

He sighed. "It worked for Jonas Grumby and Talon Char. And even Regina Amber was elected by popular consent- though the militia she trained the years before are suspected to have influenced the vote. She combined the two nations with little regard to how to successfully merge the two systems. Indeed, she used the wealth she gained from all the international trades to pack the council with her allies. Elections were more than just parties where people signed a paper to get their free food and beer."


He spoke more sagely, his voice taking on the tone of a weary scholar, "That is the great tar-pit trap of democracy. Food and entertainment can so easily displace thought and discourse. None of us wanted to do what we were driven to, and we take no pride in it. Tupelo, as our leader, paid for it with his life, and AQUA paid in four years of blood. But now, we do have a better system, I think. Not perfect, but better."


The actions taken against the Regina Grant were certainly something that made me pause in my pursuit of study of the concept of true democracy and republic, and I cannot endorse what was done, but I can say I understand why it was deemed necessary. The former Speaker now Lord Chancellor Irvest Ethmorl and the Shahidi Mkuu both are luckily for me reasonable leaders and when Zhuang gave more solid grounds for the flaws and violence inherent in direct succession, first with the murder of his sister and then with his invasion of Bor-Teire, it did not take violent revolution to see a greater spread of democratic ideals," Aluic said, careful with his words but clearly not despising of Opus as many others would no doubt be if having this conversation.

"You are right that opening the vote also opens the door to bribes and misuse, but I would rather face such issues and try to prevent them than stand idly by while a man or woman simply born into the right family laid claim over the entirety of a nation without ever having to even speak with those they were deemed to have been given right to govern."

"Tell me Regent, what has the AQUA council decided in regards to the way you shall be succeeded? I regret my involvement with the matters of the Triumvirate has seen my readings of news and texts from beyond Triumviral borders lessened to a pace I would be ashamed of were I not already too tired from my duties to feel disappointed with myself," Aluic said with a friendly smile.

[lt_murgen]

The actions taken against the Regina Grant were certainly something that made me pause in my pursuit of study of the concept of true democracy and republic, and I cannot endorse what was done, but I can say I understand why it was deemed necessary. The former Speaker now Lord Chancellor Irvest Ethmorl and the Shahidi Mkuu both are luckily for me reasonable leaders and when Zhuang gave more solid grounds for the flaws and violence inherent in direct succession, first with the murder of his sister and then with his invasion of Bor-Teire, it did not take violent revolution to see a greater spread of democratic ideals," Aluic said, careful with his words but clearly not despising of Opus as many others would no doubt be if having this conversation.

"You are right that opening the vote also opens the door to bribes and misuse, but I would rather face such issues and try to prevent them than stand idly by while a man or woman simply born into the right family laid claim over the entirety of a nation without ever having to even speak with those they were deemed to have been given right to govern."

"Tell me Regent, what has the AQUA council decided in regards to the way you shall be succeeded? I regret my involvement with the matters of the Triumvirate has seen my readings of news and texts from beyond Triumviral borders lessened to a pace I would be ashamed of were I not already too tired from my duties to feel disappointed with myself," Aluic said with a friendly smile.



The elder Quill touched the man's shoulder, gently. "Our Goddess teaches us that we must be truly understand why we take the actions we do, and focus less on the wider results of our actions. If you are proud of why you are doing something, then disappointment at an unintended side effect is folly."

"But as for your question, we are still in somewhat of a transition. As it stands now, the Quill people get to select a councilmember through their village elders. The Elder Council of the Quill can select one from their ranks of sages. The Mercantile fleet selects a representative through vote by ship captains, and the Jeweled Cities themselves select one through voting from their Mayors- who are elected by the people. These four, then select one from their ranks to be the Regent, or Regina."

Again he looked about, as if to make sure he knew who might be listening. "I suspect Councilmember Bellami will be stepping down in the next few years. His health is failing. I know he has been sending his cheif aide John LaFitte to visit with the mercantile captains more and more. It is likely that when Samhelll announces he is going to step down that John will run unopposed."

[QuintonBeck]

The elder Quill touched the man's shoulder, gently. "Our Goddess teaches us that we must be truly understand why we take the actions we do, and focus less on the wider results of our actions. If you are proud of why you are doing something, then disappointment at an unintended side effect is folly."

"But as for your question, we are still in somewhat of a transition. As it stands now, the Quill people get to select a councilmember through their village elders. The Elder Council of the Quill can select one from their ranks of sages. The Mercantile fleet selects a representative through vote by ship captains, and the Jeweled Cities themselves select one through voting from their Mayors- who are elected by the people. These four, then select one from their ranks to be the Regent, or Regina."

Again he looked about, as if to make sure he knew who might be listening. "I suspect Councilmember Bellami will be stepping down in the next few years. His health is failing. I know he has been sending his cheif aide John LaFitte to visit with the mercantile captains more and more. It is likely that when Samhelll announces he is going to step down that John will run unopposed."


Aluic nodded at the Quill's explanation.

"I have read much of Councilmember Bellami in my studies of economics upon the Sea of the Golden Sun, in fact, it had been my hope to meet with the man to discuss economic matters before my first term was out, it saddens me to hear such a sharp mercantile mind should be stepping down and that a man of his renown should suffer the inequities of failing health. Of course, if he has chosen this LaFitte as his aide and groomed successor and he proves himself as capable I should be as glad to speak with him on expanding Triumviral and AQUA trade relations. As a matter of fact, a position within the Triumvirate might be more fitting to developing closer ties economically."

"While I know AQUA itself maintains the position of Baron-Administrator as a matter of course within Emerald City the position of Governor of Emerald City is a recently more well defined position and one which may be appointed by the Chancellor of Woodwind, currently the brother to the former Empress Syana, Dyamusan Ignato. While he is not the best administrator in his own right he has shown a willingness to listen to those whom possess more wisdom. I should much appreciate establishing a correspondence with yourself and Councilmember Bellami or LaFitte as his successor and discussing who might operate as an acceptable Governor of Emerald City on the Triumvirate side of things?"

"And of course, I would be happy to discuss further in such correspondences if you wished to pursue a school system, even in Tar alone. It would be my pleasure to help you in forging the foundations for learning which is a keystone of any evolved society. For now though I fear we may be drawing too much attention from the Celerese Queen's summit and no doubt the discussion between two such thinkers as ourselves will be poorly received by others present and its likely better we not disturb them overly much." Aluic chuckled, and extended his hand.

"It was a pleasure and I should look forward to speaking with you further Regent."

[lt_murgen]

Aluic nodded at the Quill's explanation.

"I have read much of Councilmember Bellami in my studies of economics upon the Sea of the Golden Sun, in fact, it had been my hope to meet with the man to discuss economic matters before my first term was out, it saddens me to hear such a sharp mercantile mind should be stepping down and that a man of his renown should suffer the inequities of failing health. Of course, if he has chosen this LaFitte as his aide and groomed successor and he proves himself as capable I should be as glad to speak with him on expanding Triumviral and AQUA trade relations. As a matter of fact, a position within the Triumvirate might be more fitting to developing closer ties economically."

"While I know AQUA itself maintains the position of Baron-Administrator as a matter of course within Emerald City the position of Governor of Emerald City is a recently more well defined position and one which may be appointed by the Chancellor of Woodwind, currently the brother to the former Empress Syana, Dyamusan Ignato. While he is not the best administrator in his own right he has shown a willingness to listen to those whom possess more wisdom. I should much appreciate establishing a correspondence with yourself and Councilmember Bellami or LaFitte as his successor and discussing who might operate as an acceptable Governor of Emerald City on the Triumvirate side of things?"

"And of course, I would be happy to discuss further in such correspondences if you wished to pursue a school system, even in Tar alone. It would be my pleasure to help you in forging the foundations for learning which is a keystone of any evolved society. For now though I fear we may be drawing too much attention from the Celerese Queen's summit and no doubt the discussion between two such thinkers as ourselves will be poorly received by others present and its likely better we not disturb them overly much." Aluic chuckled, and extended his hand.

"It was a pleasure and I should look forward to speaking with you further Regent."


Opus gladly shook the man's hand, the weights on his black bracelet jingling merrily. "We welcome such correspondence and look forward to long and profitable discussions upon the nature of peace, trade, and profit. Those have been three of our four guideposts for as long as AQUA has been around. I will try to manage our Council schedule so that Councilmember Bellami has plenty of opportunity to correspond with you. Good day, and may the Goddess of the Night find favor for you."
ooc: we can wrap up there, unless he wants to talk to Samhell, who is also at the event.

[QuintonBeck]

Opus gladly shook the man's hand, the weights on his black bracelet jingling merrily. "We welcome such correspondence and look forward to long and profitable discussions upon the nature of peace, trade, and profit. Those have been three of our four guideposts for as long as AQUA has been around. I will try to manage our Council schedule so that Councilmember Bellami has plenty of opportunity to correspond with you. Good day, and may the Goddess of the Night find favor for you."
ooc: we can wrap up there, unless he wants to talk to Samhell, who is also at the event.


"And Blessings of the Great Ancestor upon you my friend."

OOC: I figure we can wrap up here and just have the rest of the stuff be the imagined IC versions of our PMs :smalltongue:

[Elemental]

Slightly late, the King of Ashenia entered the conference room accompanied by six others. Aside from two of them who resemble King Tansan closely, the rest were clearly a diverse group though they still entered as a group.

The first to enter was Chieftain Peshanal of the Ishanites who wore a long white robe that covered the entirety of his body, his face likewise concealed by a keffiyeh of the same cloth. Glimpses of intricate henna tattoos could be seen on the back of his hand, but they were for the most part concealed by his sleeves. Most would consider it odd that he chose such heavy attire for the weather of Propinlonge, but he was Kiranite, and the desert Sun was a fact of his daily life. At least it wasn't dry here.
Following closely was a tall woman of Kyaran descent, Thera Zeldaz of the Council of The Wise. She carried with her a fan that she used vigorously and walked with a cane of solid black ebony carved to resemble a flying eagle. Due to the heat, she had forgone the usual heavy robes of The Wise for something lighter she had purchased in Solus on the way South, a white cotton shirt and white trousers. It got warm enough in Kyaralath, but she didn't like the Summertime there and she was no match for the equatorial conditions.
Walking with her at her right was a man as short as she was tall, his dark brown skin identifying him as Draganan. He was Provost Shailkahâd of Meningath and despite his position as a leader among his people, and his own best efforts, his knowledge of the Langue de Argent was limited. As such, in a pocket of his purple silk banyan was a rudimentary phrasebook written in his own hand. Where the Anvale script was neat and refined, that of the common tongue and Ashenite was considerably less tidy.
Just behind them and to the left and towering over the rest of the party was a Lizardfolk clothed in a long hooded black robe. Jewellery set with carved pieces of shining adamantine ore indicated her as a Lacertian Priestess. Malthi Eteth-Pa was chosen by the King over the other Lacertian councillors in an attempt to keep the peace between the clans, but some worried that this would simply make them all angry.

Behind them all was the King of Ashenia flanked by his two sons. Tansan was dressed in a brilliant white robe embroidered with geometric patterns in gold and silver whereas his sons, Hazael and Lazarul, wore gleaming mithril mail and scarlet capes embroidered in black with images of galloping horses. The decision had been made not to bring the state crown for fear of it being lost in the depths of the sea, and so the King wore a plain silver crown instead.
The group strode up to Queen Amalia and the group, save for the King, bowed respectfully.
"Greetings to you Amalia. We were honoured by your invitation, and indeed, there was some dispute over which of my councillors would have this honour."

Ignore the middle section if you want, I'm not particularly fond of it. All you need know is that the delegation consists of the King of Ashenia, his sons, Prince Hazael and Prince Lazarul and four of his councillors, Chieftain Peshanal of the Ishanites, Thera Zeldaz of The Wise, Provost Shailkahâd of Meningath and Priestess Malthi Eteth-Pa.

[SamBurke]

The Guilder delegation shows up late, led by Humperdink. He looks worn down, sad, and, most notably: he is not wearing any of the royal regalia. It is an ancient Guilderene tradition to wear the bronze war-swords at any official event; yet there is not a weapon in sight on him or any of his delegation.

"I am only here thanks to the wonders of Steam Power... we traveled so quickly. Also here are the people of Tzaltecan." He bows and sits quiet.

[moossabi]

Arriving slightly before Guilder and for once entering without incident with the locals, Empress Nilata and two guards arrived in the hall (I think it's a hall :smalltongue:) with slightly dismayed expressions on their faces. The guards had been informed of the proposals to be laid out to the others, and were ready to draw their swords at a moment's notice. No doubt Nilata's Idea would be treated with scorn and harsh words, maybe even a micro-war in the meeting room. The group approaches a few of the delegations in turn.

Ignatio/Triumvirate Delegation

After taking a seat besides the Triumvirate delegation, Nilata begins to speak with Aluic. "Hello. I don't believe that we have met. My name is Nilata. I am here to discuss an updating of our alliance."

Hurosha Delegation

*Before meeting

Nilata approaches the Hurosha delegation's leader, still contemplating how she was going to present what she had to say. "Greetings. I assume that you are Wayve? I was wondering if we could have a discussion in private."

[QuintonBeck]

Triumvirate Delegation

After taking a seat besides the Triumvirate delegation, Nilata begins to speak with Aluic. "Hello. I don't believe that we have met. My name is Nilata. I am here to discuss an updating of our alliance."


"Empress Nilata, yes, I have heard of you from my friend Syana, please, join me," he gestured to an empty chair.

I am Aluic Shaeldtae, Speaker of the Triumviral Senate, elected in the first broad Senatorial election and given right to sit upon the Triad Council and discuss matters of state internationally."

"I should of course like to discuss the Ignato/Alydaxan alliance with you. With the recent restructuring of the Triumvirate I believe this should be the perfect opportunity to do such things. I had actually hoped to discuss such matters with a variety of those present once I had seen what the Queen Amalia had in store for us. You see, the Ignato Empire, and in fact the international states of Genivana and Hrathan-Tuor, are no more, and while the Triumvirate should gladly accept unto itself any agreements made previously by its provincial states re discussing them with those involved would be preferred, especially those concerning the former Empire as its lands are now once again locally governed independent of one another and rely on the Triumvirate for international representation."

"If memory of the terms laid out between the Dominion and the former Ignato Empire serve me right it is a treaty of trade, religious freedom for the Cult of the Sky, and military aid as requested. What is it you would wish to discuss? The trade is something I would think the Reserve should have my head if were cancelled but the rest I should gladly speak to altering if it were desired."

[moossabi]

"Yes, it is an opportune time to do so. I have a basic idea in mind. Feel free to expand upon it as you wish."

"Firstly, I propose a pact of mutual non-aggression and military support. Secondly, I propose a research agreement in which we agree to share all technologies acquired by either of us. Thirdly, we agree to not spread each of our religions in each other's lands. Although ours is actually correct."

[QuintonBeck]

"Yes, it is an opportune time to do so. I have a basic idea in mind. Feel free to expand upon it as you wish."

"Firstly, I propose a pact of mutual non-aggression and military support. Secondly, I propose a research agreement in which we agree to share all technologies acquired by either of us. Thirdly, we agree to not spread each of our religions in each other's lands. Although ours is actually correct."

Aluic laughed, "I should not wish to debate the validity of religions, Radurja teaches we should encompass and accept all forms of worship, being that they do not promote harm, as equal within the eyes of the Great Ancestor. Your sky spirit is a spirit just the same as the Lord of Fire or the Lady of Frost Yphinne. Telluris has seen miracles wrought on its face in the name of many gods, it would not be the desire of myself to discredit any as 'incorrect.' If you wish to remove the allowance for the Cult of Sky to spread in Nyroth then so be it, I am certain the Radurjic priests shall happily adopt the Sky Father as prime spirit for the lizardfolk of the province."

"As to sharing of technology, I'm afraid I must decline. I have reviewed the agreements made by the Empress Syana with her friends of Celero and Hurosha to give away our technologies for the promise of returned favors, and even these nations, often so active in science and scientific advancements, have failed to pay back the acquisitions the Triumvirate has garnered and shared. I would be loathe to sign another agreement that would see the advantages of the Triumvirate bled away further. That said, I should be happy to arrange a clause of mutual exchange, that any technology acquired by one nation be always made available for trade to the other for a fair and equatable price."

"As for military support," he paused, "Such is not entirely within my scope of authority, the Lord Chancellor having ultimate power over the militaries, but the discussions I've shared with the man we've both discussed a shared reticence in the amount of mutual aid agreements the former Ignato Empire signed. While I'm certain the Lord Chancellor and the rest of the Triad Council would be happy to agree to non-interference and goodwill between our armies I do not think we could in good conscience sign another agreement that promised our support to another foreign power outright."

[Aedilred]

During some of the downtime, Fern Cascade finds a chance to talk to Eirwynn. She carries a plate of food in one hand, and a glass of wine in the other. Awkwardly, she realizes she cannot extend her hands in greeting, but she presses ahead anyway. “So glad to see you! I hope your choices have brought you blessings since the Frost Moon Festival.” Even with her wrecked voice, she did sound sincere.

"It is good to see you too," she said with a smile. "I don't know whether you would count me blessed. The man to whom I was formerly betrothed is dead, my family has been struck with much strife, and I see increasingly little of my twin sister what with her spending so much time with her man. And tonight I am to meet a man for the first time with whom I am supposed to spend the rest of my life. I am permitted to refuse, though if I turn down two husbands I fear I will remain a spinster forever.

"Still, I cannot complain too much, since I and those closest to me remain well and prosperous. How have things been with you?"

[lt_murgen]

"It is good to see you too," she said with a smile. "I don't know whether you would count me blessed. The man to whom I was formerly betrothed is dead, my family has been struck with much strife, and I see increasingly little of my twin sister what with her spending so much time with her man. And tonight I am to meet a man for the first time with whom I am supposed to spend the rest of my life. I am permitted to refuse, though if I turn down two husbands I fear I will remain a spinster forever.

"Still, I cannot complain too much, since I and those closest to me remain well and prosperous. How have things been with you?"


Fern was shocked. Certainly Eirwynn and herself were well acquainted, but they were friends might be a stretch. Still, it stung her deeply to hear the despair in Eirwynn's voice. "I am well, thank you. AQUA prospers and the people are happy. I have been travelling almost non-stop, seeing the world. I find myself longing for the Blackadder Forest and its peace. But you! Oh my friend!" She gently extended a hand, touching the girl on the elbow. "I wish I was sage enough to speak solace to you. My words fail me."

[Aedilred]

Fern was shocked. Certainly Eirwynn and herself were well acquainted, but they were friends might be a stretch. Still, it stung her deeply to hear the despair in Eirwynn's voice. "I am well, thank you. AQUA prospers and the people are happy. I have been travelling almost non-stop, seeing the world. I find myself longing for the Blackadder Forest and its peace. But you! Oh my friend!" She gently extended a hand, touching the girl on the elbow. "I wish I was sage enough to speak solace to you. My words fail me."
"I have never been much of a one for travelling, I'm afraid. Ambryn is never happier than aboard ship, but I have always been too fond of my father's library. I did enjoy visiting Raaneka a few years ago, though, and Celero before that. I don't know how well I would get on in the Jewelled Cities, or in Tar, even if I could travel there safely. I suspect my character is not so well-suited to life there."

She smiled sadly. "Don't pity me too much, though, especially not after your own experiences. I have had my brothers for company, and I am sure Prince Hazael is a fine young man. If nothing else, I can at least lose myself in the library at Severikand. Really I personally have been very fortunate, and most of these terrible events have hardly impinged on my comfort directly at all. Still, I do worry about my poor cousin Seirwynn. It has been five years and neither Earl Dagr nor, um, cousin Martin, has been able to find anything like a substantial lead."

[lt_murgen]

"I have never been much of a one for travelling, I'm afraid. Ambryn is never happier than aboard ship, but I have always been too fond of my father's library. I did enjoy visiting Raaneka a few years ago, though, and Celero before that. I don't know how well I would get on in the Jewelled Cities, or in Tar, even if I could travel there safely. I suspect my character is not so well-suited to life there."

She smiled sadly. "Don't pity me too much, though, especially not after your own experiences. I have had my brothers for company, and I am sure Prince Hazael is a fine young man. If nothing else, I can at least lose myself in the library at Severikand. Really I personally have been very fortunate, and most of these terrible events have hardly impinged on my comfort directly at all. Still, I do worry about my poor cousin Seirwynn. It has been five years and neither Earl Dagr nor, um, cousin Martin, has been able to find anything like a substantial lead."


"If she is to be found, I am certain Earl Dagr and Martin Grant-Tremblor will find her." Fern said pleasantly. "Martin has quite the following amongst those who ply the sea, and those that buy and sell illegal goods- if half the rumors of his prowess are true. And Dagr, well, his ruthlessness at tracking of the Marrtyr Tupelo is a story common amongst my people." She finished, acedemically.

"However, I will offer you this caution. The Goddess teaches that WHY someone is doing something is as important as what is being done. With those two, their motivations may be... clouded."

[TheDarkDM]

In stark contrast to the King of Guilder, the Tzaltec delegation that arrived with him did so with grandeur. Nezetkhamun was attired in the golden crown of his office, the onyx scales polished to a mirror sheen, the ruby eyes brilliant in the sunlight. The robe that trailed six feet behind him was red silk, a train of scales, each one meticulously embroidered in gold and stitched atop a black underlayer. The belt that cinched the heavy garment was wrought gold in the shape of two dragons coming face to face, while underneath was a black tunic patterned with golden fire and black trousers. The sole concession to this modern gathering was the Teotlkan's boots, but even they betrayed the delegation's exotic origins, being black crocodile skin with golden buckles and a pointed gold plate at the toe. Beside him walked his daughter Maatkare, resplendent in a gown of crimson and golden fire, her beauty still striking despite her thirty years. Following the royal pair was a small army of attendants, translators, and bureaucrats. But peppered in among the throng were a few men and women, who drew the eye for no reason other than they lacked the opulence of the royal throng. They moved like dancers, never straying too far from the Teotlkan and his presumptive heir, and took up positions of ease around the compound as Nezetkhamun took a seat alongside Humperdink. Leaning close to the haggard looking monarch, the Teotlkan whispered in a low voice.

"My friend, what troubles you? There has been a pall over you ever since we departed the east."

[Logic]

"Greetings, to all. Now that we have a quorum present, I feel it is safe to begin.

"I have asked you all here to promote peace. While we have had a lasting peace in most of the world, there is no single governing body to check rogue states, to hold those proper accountable for their actions, and in general allow purely internal affairs to remain internal, and not interfered with by outside powers."

Amalia glances in the direction of the Priory delegation as she says this, quickly looking at the Speaker for the Triumviate afterwards.

"What I am proposing, is an international body of governance, and law. And a place to settle grievances without resorting to war.

"I suspect there are many present that would not wish to create such a treaty, and not for lack of mutual goals, but due to perceived differences in ability to carry out and enforce judgements by such a council. However, if are so offended by my statements, please, leave the room the room so discussion can begin in earnest without disruptions. The gift I promised you will be delivered to you and your nation shortly."

[QuintonBeck]

Aluic met the Celerese Queen's gaze with a look of acceptance and apology, though he had fought against Zhaung, metaphorically, and had been the one to bring his crimes to light and justice it was only through the actions of Irvest and the Shahidi Mkuu that he had been able to do so. As she finished speaking the Speaker cleared his throat and spoke in return,

"That is a noble goal your majesty, and one which the Triumvirate might should gladly support, obviously we should need to hear more regarding the details but know you have the ear of the Triumvirate. I know the actions of former leaders has sullied the reputation of the Triumvirate for many, nearly myself included, but our new constitution and our new form of governance shall seek to see such stains cleaned and check the power of any individual from growing to great, having an international council to check the powers internationally would be a most welcome expansion of the Triumvirate's new ideals."

[Aedilred]

"It is a noble goal, milady Queen," Athelmere said, "though I am sceptical. What is considered an internal matter by those who undertake a course of action-" did his glance flicker towards the Jewelled Cities representatives? - "might in fact be a matter of international importance. Without a truly independent and impartial judge of such questions, justice could quickly become the preserve of a small, established oligarchy, as for so many years the Grand Coalition has itself been widely perceived. And who could be trusted to provide impartial judgment? Everyone here has an agenda of some sort. Still, I will hear you out."



"If she is to be found, I am certain Earl Dagr and Martin Grant-Tremblor will find her." Fern said pleasantly. "Martin has quite the following amongst those who ply the sea, and those that buy and sell illegal goods- if half the rumors of his prowess are true. And Dagr, well, his ruthlessness at tracking of the Marrtyr Tupelo is a story common amongst my people." She finished, acedemically.

"However, I will offer you this caution. The Goddess teaches that WHY someone is doing something is as important as what is being done. With those two, their motivations may be... clouded."
Eirwynn gave a slightly grim smile. "Tupelo's reputation in our part of the world is rather different, of course. And-" she nodded in the direction of the arriving Salterri delegation - "it might be wise not to refer to him as such in front of my sister. I must admit I don't know Dagr well, so I can't speculate too closely as to his motivations, other than I know my father tasked him with the role. As to Martin, I'm sure he is doing it for the right reasons."

[Morph Bark]

Shortly after Queen Amalia had opened the floor and begun the council summit, another delegation entered the hall. Noble metals and stones flashed on noble bodies, some dressed in flax and some in plate armor. The banners bore a smooth purple dragon on a white field alongside other banners that bore the Salterri white eagle on their golden cross and fields of blue and silver. The dark man heading the delegation wore his red hair long and bound and though his forearms and shins were covered in metal armor, the rest of him was dressed modestly, but with embroidery worthy of a noble, the same purple dragon on white snaking around on his torso, clad in silver flame. Beside him walked a swarthy woman with purple-black hair who wore pants rather than a dress, appearing as a gorgeous mixture of Jarr and Salterri culture.

"Please excuse us, honoured delegates," Tailong addressed them as he cast a quick look around and headed straight for empty seats he assumed were meant for them. "There was a delay in our travels caused by an illegal everlava trader. No need for concern, if I missed anything important you can always repeat it. Please," he raised his open palms at Aluic and Athelmere, whose voices he'd heard shortly before entering, "continue." And he seated himself, along with Ambrynn, a Salterri man in rich clothing and a hooded figure whose pale blue skin was cracked with yellow-white. Two banner-carriers in full plate stood behind them, their sword-sheaths empty.

If you wish to RP Ambrynn, here you go. You said you at least wanted to play her at the Games, but I doubt I could play her as well/accurate/fun as you have so far, at least so soon after their union.

[lt_murgen]

Opus stood to speak, then waited polietly as Tailong and his delegation arrived. Then he stood to speak again, his voice calm and sonorous, "King Athelmere is wise in his concerns. Across the face of Telluris we have dozens of different thinking species with widely differing cultures and tempraments. We have vastly different systems of government, from feudaism, to theocracy, to oligarchy, to meritocracy.

What you suggest is a noble goal. Peace, trade, and tolerance are the greatest of ideals. AQUA will support you in this. We only recommend a slow and cautious approach. We can either start with small agreements and build to larger priciples, or agree on principles and then address the details as they arise."

[lt_murgen]

Eirwynn gave a slightly grim smile. "Tupelo's reputation in our part of the world is rather different, of course. And-" she nodded in the direction of the arriving Salterri delegation - "it might be wise not to refer to him as such in front of my sister. I must admit I don't know Dagr well, so I can't speculate too closely as to his motivations, other than I know my father tasked him with the role. As to Martin, I'm sure he is doing it for the right reasons."


"I hope so, for her sake. Men so often act rashly for honor and glory, and the chance to be the subject of great stories. It is up to us, as the more rational gender, to guide them, I suppose."

"We should return now that the conference is starting in earnest. But please remember, despite the differences in our nations' past, I would offer you council, should you need it. As a friend."

[WaylanderX]

Hurosha Delegation

*Before meeting*

Nilata approaches the Hurosha delegation's leader, still contemplating how she was going to present what she had to say. "Greetings. I assume that you are Wayve? I was wondering if we could have a discussion in private."

Wayve nodded: "I am. And who do I have the pleasure of talking to? I do not think we have met at any point before."

After the introductions, Wayve beckones Nilata to follow him to a silent hallway.

"If you want to follow me, my lady."

*Time bubble initiate*

No idea if you want to do it in spoilers, but just in case, I'll do it like this.

"What did you want to discuss, your Highness Nilata?"


Athelmere gave a grim smile. "I am flattered you ask for my report, Lord Kenwyn, but I fear I am as partisan in this matter as any. Still, I shall relate events as I have experienced them. Many years ago I - and many others, including some northern rulers - witnessed a miracle coordinated by the Priory in which a number of followers of their religion were blessed by the Silver Lady, the then Qzare's brother, Hanyeo, among them. Some years ago after my son's wedding, the Chief Hierarch, Zanper Fidious, announced that this blessing meant that Hanyeo, by now Qzare, had lost the divine mandate as had all his house, and when Hanyeo refused to surrender the Silver Throne to the Chief Hierarch's son, the Priory denounced him and declared independence.

"The Qzare led an army into Salteire to confront Fidious, but despite being outnumbered nearly two to one they had prepared the ground well. I suspect their "Ascended" gave them an advantage in observing our manoeuvres, and the Qzare was too enraged to follow a cautious strategy. Both the Qzare and Fidious were killed in the battle, and we fell back to regroup. Fidious's son Rongyao crowned himself as Qzare, and Hanyeo's son, Qzare Xiu Tailong, has apparently chosen not to continue the war.

"That is as neutral an account as I can give. I could further tell you of the deaths of a thousand of my people in the war, including my own brother, deaths which it seems may have been for nothing, or of the murder of my sister-in-law and cousin, the abduction of my niece, the luring away from my side of a man who has been as a brother to me all my life... but that might not be helpful."

Kenwyn bowed his head in apology. "Forgive me for asking, my lord. I did not know your side of the story was so full of sorrow. However, your personal views on the war gives the impression that most of the war was not based on Prowess of mind or war. A useless war is like a murderer killing cattle for fun. It only bring sorrow for the ones involved, except those who thinks they are doing the right thing."

Kenwyn looked up, with a worried expression upon his face.

"Do you know if this pointless fighting is going to continue?"


Rongyao greets Wayve codially.
"And the blessings of Our Lady upon you. I am Zuida Rongyao. I am always open to hearing any questions you wish to ask."

Wayve made a small, polite bow before asking his question.

"We in the north have heard rumours of a grand war raging within the Salterri Imperium, harming allies and enemies alike. What I wanted to ask is an impression of your side of the happenings, if you would so please. Learning from hostilities and war is a must if one wants to avert civil war from within."

[TheWombatOfDoom]

After a smooth journey over familiar roads, traveled dozens of times, the Hurosha delegation finally found themselves amidst rulers both familiar and alien. Wayve, leading the delegation, beckoned the Ambassadors to follow him, slowely making they way to the hosts of the Summit. Along his way, he saw faces who he liked. He knew Athelmere was a good man, and one who had stumbled over the achievements and tricks of his grandfather more than once. Wayve smiled at the thought.

He came across people wearing the symbol of what he heard were the Ascension rebels who were trying to take over the Salterii. Not that Hurosha had anything to do with it...yet. Maybe he ought to talk with them for a bit, see where they stood in comparison to Hurosha.

And there he saw Girard Serendel of Lyradis. Being a neighbouring large empire, the bonds between their people was strong, and he had no doubt their alliance was ment to last many years longer, barring any betrayal from within of course.

Finnally, he stood face to face with Queen Amalia. Wayve and the Ambassadors lined up and saluted in unison.

"Prowess light your spirit, Queen Amalia. I am sorry that my mother, Empress Nyllana Earthguard could not attend. However, I have been send here together with the Ambassadors of all of the Empire's provinces to observe that the voice of Hurosha is heard. I believe we have not met face to face before, I am prince Wayve Earthguard, heir to the Hurosha Empire."


*A while later at the Lyradis delegation.*

Grïend scanned the crowd, towering a full three meters above most of the people present. Spotting Lord Girard of Lyradis, he made his way towards him, careful not to step upon anyone. I mean, that would certainly spark an international conflict.

"PROWESS TO YOU, Lord Girard." The Menhîrin greeted. "I am glad to see you are well. How are things going in your lands?"

OOC: If anyone wants to come into contact with Hurosha and work out some nice country relations, here is your chance! I'll be approaching some people during the course of these two weeks. However, I can't spend an action on this event, so unfortunatly official treaties and trades can't be arranged this round. If we can work out something this round however, I will accept it next round.

"Griend! A pleasure to see you." Girard bows to prevent the awkwardness of clasping hands with the rock man. "My lands are faring well, for the most part. I must say, I can't recall a time where you have been to my lands! This must be changed. You must be our guest, and we will show you the Lands of the Dawn. Perhaps we might even discuss this style of dancing you are rumored to be filled with a prowess for?"


"Greetings, to all. Now that we have a quorum present, I feel it is safe to begin.

"I have asked you all here to promote peace. While we have had a lasting peace in most of the world, there is no single governing body to check rogue states, to hold those proper accountable for their actions, and in general allow purely internal affairs to remain internal, and not interfered with by outside powers."

Amalia glances in the direction of the Priory delegation as she says this, quickly looking at the Speaker for the Triumviate afterwards.

"What I am proposing, is an international body of governance, and law. And a place to settle grievances without resorting to war.

"I suspect there are many present that would not wish to create such a treaty, and not for lack of mutual goals, but due to perceived differences in ability to carry out and enforce judgements by such a council. However, if are so offended by my statements, please, leave the room the room so discussion can begin in earnest without disruptions. The gift I promised you will be delivered to you and your nation shortly."

After a small conversation between Girard and his other delagates, he turns and addresses the queen. "The Kingdom will remain and hear you. But why do you make mention of this gift so often, and yet not even hint at its origin? It makes me wary - surprises. I need not a gift to hear of peace."

[Logic]

After a small conversation between Girard and his other delagates, he turns and addresses the queen. "The Kingdom will remain and hear you. But why do you make mention of this gift so often, and yet not even hint at its origin? It makes me wary - surprises. I need not a gift to hear of peace."

"I apologize for my concealment of the nature of the gift. I had to bribe a number of nations with a gift to attend these meetings." With that, the Celero Queen looks down, so as not to betray of exactly whom she speaks. "The obfuscation was necessary, unfortunately. And all who have attended these proceedings will receive the same gift. I only offered that the most disruptive delegates, or nations least receptive to the idea of an international body of governance the opportunity to receive the gift and then leave. I still do not wish to name it, as it may prove to undermine the proceedings."

"The details of the charter we may sign here at this summit may prove to beneficial to us all, but the details I leave in the hands of all the delegates here. What we agree to and how we choose to enforce such a charter is not up to Celero, but every nation represented here, as well as those not present that may wish to enact such laws in the future."

((OOC: discuss details in the OOC thread, and RP them here after hammering them out?))

[Kitsanth]

High Prince Vanya Nisakovich had entered the conference room mostly unnoticed some time earlier. As he was accompanied only by Branimir Korošec, that neither of them wore extravagant outfits and that they were not particularly acquainted with any of the other persons present, it is somewhat understandable that dignitaries from a state with little international power - such as the Sovereign Principality of Niskovia - would not have had much attention paid to their presence before now.

Anyone who had been paying attention would have noticed that Vanya, despite being sixty-three, looked to have barely aged since his first appearance at an international event. As usual he wore formal Niskan attire with his signature hair style. Branimir was similarly attired.


Having heard the various responses to Queen Amalia's proposal, Vanya spoke up. "My only concern is this, what power would back any decision made by this proposed council?"

I apologise for my tardiness in posting, I have been generally slack lately.

[WaylanderX]

"Griend! A pleasure to see you." Girard bows to prevent the awkwardness of clasping hands with the rock man. "My lands are faring well, for the most part. I must say, I can't recall a time where you have been to my lands! This must be changed. You must be our guest, and we will show you the Lands of the Dawn. Perhaps we might even discuss this style of dancing you are rumored to be filled with a prowess for?"

Grïend broke into a merry rumbling, startling some onlookers nearby, who perhaps thought the ceiling was collapsing.

"HA...I WILL...*ahem*...I will take you up on that offer, Lord Girard. And I would suggest you arrange a rather...SOLID...dancefloor. On another note though, Lord Wayve tasked me to ask you about the progress about a certain joint project. HE SAID...*ahem* he said you would know which one."


"Greetings, to all. Now that we have a quorum present, I feel it is safe to begin.

"I have asked you all here to promote peace. While we have had a lasting peace in most of the world, there is no single governing body to check rogue states, to hold those proper accountable for their actions, and in general allow purely internal affairs to remain internal, and not interfered with by outside powers."

Amalia glances in the direction of the Priory delegation as she says this, quickly looking at the Speaker for the Triumviate afterwards.

"What I am proposing, is an international body of governance, and law. And a place to settle grievances without resorting to war.

"I suspect there are many present that would not wish to create such a treaty, and not for lack of mutual goals, but due to perceived differences in ability to carry out and enforce judgements by such a council. However, if are so offended by my statements, please, leave the room the room so discussion can begin in earnest without disruptions. The gift I promised you will be delivered to you and your nation shortly."

Wayve stood up and spoke when the other leaders were done voicing their opinions.

"Your proposals are sound and speak of reason, Queen Amalia. Alas, I can not sign any treaty just yet, for I have not been invested with the autority to do so. However, if the proposed laws are sound, I am sure her Highness, Empress Nyllana will not be against the notions. For the purpose of staying well informed, I will further attend this counsil, preferably until an suitable agreement is made for all nations here. We wouldn't want anyone to take advantage of this counsil.

Wayve's gaze lingered on the Ashenian and Salterri royals for a moment before he sat down once again.

"As for this "gift" of which you speak..."

A small amused smile formed around Wayve's lips:

"Hurosha does not need a gift to heed an allies call, except when friendship, Prowess and family ties are called in doubt."

Wayve looked at the Triumviral delegation for a moment before he sat down once again.

[lt_murgen]

Opus again stood, bowing to Wayve. "Such an august congregation! Surely anything decided here will be founded in prudence and wisdom. The Speaker for the Triumvarate hits upon a great truth. A body to help document and clarify lineage, to assist those realms who use family ties for succession, would be most welcome. A body to rule on claims of ownership and bond, when new nations and old change hands, would e most welcome.

But who among us needs an international body of law to come to the aide of an ally? For almost one hundred years, that has been the standard by which civil nations have been judged? No the question needs to be, who among us will put aside ancient hatred to help an old enemy- if this proposed body deems them in need of assistance? Should that even be a parcel in this discussion?

[QuintonBeck]

"I apologize for my concealment of the nature of the gift. I had to bribe a number of nations with a gift to attend these meetings." With that, the Celero Queen looks down, so as not to betray of exactly whom she speaks. "The obfuscation was necessary, unfortunately. And all who have attended these proceedings will receive the same gift. I only offered that the most disruptive delegates, or nations least receptive to the idea of an international body of governance the opportunity to receive the gift and then leave. I still do not wish to name it, as it may prove to undermine the proceedings."

"The details of the charter we may sign here at this summit may prove to beneficial to us all, but the details I leave in the hands of all the delegates here. What we agree to and how we choose to enforce such a charter is not up to Celero, but every nation represented here, as well as those not present that may wish to enact such laws in the future."

((OOC: discuss details in the OOC thread, and RP them here after hammering them out?))

"It's a fine proposal in concept your majesty, and one I'm sure the people of all nations would enjoy, but I have seen it is rare that the people of a nation decide its policy," he paused for a moment, keeping his eyes on the Celerese Queen a pleasant smile but his words lingering around almost all the other delegates, "How would such an International Council be governed, or represented? Would we assign a bearer of some noble blood to be Arbitrator International and his descendents to bear this title as well? Or would we have a representative from each country, and if so how would they be chosen? By the peoples of their countries? By appointment by a nation's most royal line? An allowance for any choice and then how is it determined that a fitting representative has been chosen for the betterment of peace and international cohesion?"

"Echoing the Niskovians," he continued, "How would any acts of force deemed necessary be carried out fairly? I have seen the acts of unchecked power doing what they thought was right, rarely is such an opinion of rightness shared by all but how would power be checked? Would the nations here assembled agree to put the commands of their armies under control of an international body above themselves? Doubtful. Would we then simply bind nations to support such a Council with words and pray that a larger power with a great army not break the vow of a name on a page perhaps four generations down the line when it no longer suits them to be bound by ancient words?"

Aluic stopped himself before he went on further, "The idea is a good one your majesty, but to work at it from nothing is a tall order, especially with so many disparate ideas as are present here today."

[Aedilred]

Kenwyn bowed his head in apology. "Forgive me for asking, my lord. I did not know your side of the story was so full of sorrow. However, your personal views on the war gives the impression that most of the war was not based on Prowess of mind or war. A useless war is like a murderer killing cattle for fun. It only bring sorrow for the ones involved, except those who thinks they are doing the right thing."

Kenwyn looked up, with a worried expression upon his face.

"Do you know if this pointless fighting is going to continue?"
"Whether it is truly pointless, I know not. It appeared to be a struggle for control of the Imperium itself, something it would seem worth fighting over. As to whether it will continue, I know not. I do not believe the Qzare wishes to do so, but there remain serious questions to be settled about the activities of the Priory and their status within the Imperium. Zhuang's invasion has also changed the situation rather. In some ways, I think it might be better for the war to continue and be ended now, rather than remain unsettled and lead to greater conflict in years to come."



"I hope so, for her sake. Men so often act rashly for honor and glory, and the chance to be the subject of great stories. It is up to us, as the more rational gender, to guide them, I suppose."

"We should return now that the conference is starting in earnest. But please remember, despite the differences in our nations' past, I would offer you council, should you need it. As a friend."
"Thank you," she said, with a smile, and went back to join the rest of the Jarrland delegation.

"What were you talking to her about?" the king asked, in a slightly suspicious tone.

"Nothing important."

"Hm. Well, just remember who she is."

Eirwynn glared back at him for a moment. "I do. She's not her father. Perhaps you could do with remembering that."


"It's a fine proposal in concept your majesty, and one I'm sure the people of all nations would enjoy, but I have seen it is rare that the people of a nation decide its policy," he paused for a moment, keeping his eyes on the Celerese Queen a pleasant smile but his words lingering around almost all the other delegates, "How would such an International Council be governed, or represented? Would we assign a bearer of some noble blood to be Arbitrator International and his descendents to bear this title as well? Or would we have a representative from each country, and if so how would they be chosen? By the peoples of their countries? By appointment by a nation's most royal line? An allowance for any choice and then how is it determined that a fitting representative has been chosen for the betterment of peace and international cohesion?"
Athelmere noted the unvoiced challenge in Aluic's words. The Aloren man troubled him. Such revolutionary, anti-monarchical sentiment was to be expected from time to time in unfortunate peasants and grasping nobles or merchants, seeking to alleviate or aggrandise their own condition as appropriate. There it was merely foolishness, or villainy. But Aluic was a royal himself, the son of a king no less, and for him to hold such views was downright irresponsible, and, since he had succeeded in using his position to topple his own ruler, albeit an unfit one by all accounts, potentially even dangerous.

He held his tongue for the moment, and glanced towards the Ashenians to see if they had noticed. They were less familiar with Aluic than he, but he knew the Toranaths took such things seriously.

[Elemental]

The King stood to address the gathered dignitaries.
"Speaker Shaeldtae raises a valid point. Our nations are governed through so many different systems, even those that one would assume are similar are so different to be nearly incompatible when it comes time to appoint those officials we delegate authority to. Tradition governs us all and we all have different traditions, how can we agree upon any one system of appointing judges to preside over the actions of sovereign states?
"Furthermore, we all follow different codes of law. What is accepted in one realm may be considered unconscionable in another. A court cannot be expected to judge every case on its merits alone without some form of guidance from established legal code. It is pointless to concern ourselves with how to enforce judgement when we are likely unable to agree on how to reach judgement in the first place.
"That which you desire is noble and enlightened Queen Amalia, but I fear we lack the ability to establish it."

[Jeriah]

"Greetings, to all. Now that we have a quorum present, I feel it is safe to begin.

"I have asked you all here to promote peace. While we have had a lasting peace in most of the world, there is no single governing body to check rogue states, to hold those proper accountable for their actions, and in general allow purely internal affairs to remain internal, and not interfered with by outside powers."

Amalia glances in the direction of the Priory delegation as she says this, quickly looking at the Speaker for the Triumviate afterwards.

"What I am proposing, is an international body of governance, and law. And a place to settle grievances without resorting to war.

"I suspect there are many present that would not wish to create such a treaty, and not for lack of mutual goals, but due to perceived differences in ability to carry out and enforce judgements by such a council. However, if are so offended by my statements, please, leave the room the room so discussion can begin in earnest without disruptions. The gift I promised you will be delivered to you and your nation shortly."The Visokral steeples his fingers in front of him and contemplates what this might mean. He refrains from responding.

However, the other delegation from Ri Chugang is no so ready to remain quiet.
"Our lands are already under oppressive, foreign rule. We seek to restore the proper order and return the rightful leader to our lands. Our greatest desire is to be independent and able to live our lives without foreign influence, following our own traditions and consciences.

You, however, seek to create an even larger foreign power with the purpose of ruling over everything. You wish to bring everything together under the authority of a single individual, robbing us of our heritage and self determination. This is absolutely unconscionable."

[lt_murgen]

"I do not believe that is the intent, honored one." Opus gave a bow of deference. "For no nation would willing give up its sovereign rights, no matter how noble the goal." He turned and looked at the Jarrow delegation. "But one must admit that the very nature of our differing systems of rule create conditions fraught with tragic misunderstanding."

He cast an eye towards the speaker of the Triumvarate and gave a nod, "On the coast of Woodwinds sits the Emerald City. A city built and administered by AQUA, sitting upon the land of another. Some say the Islanders have a rather poor concept of personal ownership, others simply call them a nation of thieves. Yet for decades now, that city has prospered and been an honest and pleasant tenant for the Imperiial landowners."
"It is proof that, with consideration and deference- and considerable effort- nations can address differences without losing thier own laws or cultures. I believe that to be the goal here, to create a place to discuss and debate, to explain and to negotiate."

[Logic]

Queen Amalia listened to the delegates, and was disappointed upon hearing the King of Ashenia speak. She understood why most would be opposed to the proposal of an international government, especially those from the Triumvirate. It was the words of her in-laws that stung the most, until the misunderstanding of the delegation that wounded the queen.

"Speaker Shaeldtae, and King Tansan, I understand your objections, and I do not fault you for expressing your doubts." Amalia turned to the delegates from Ri Chugang "However, I do not understand your objection. I suspect you misunderstand my proposal of governance.

"To answer High Prince Vanya: the resulting body will be given whatever powers we can agree to. It should have a limited scope, but some authority to step in and prevent abuses that would disrupt the well being of sovereigns, citizens, or nations. Perhaps I have too lofty a goal, but I hope to convince some of you to the validity of the need of this charter. Our current international laws are little more than guidelines to be ignored at a whim.

"For example, I seem to recall a certain Sovereign rising to power due to assassination. Other nations simply decided to pay him the same kindness without any kind of negotiation; no arrests, no trial, no jury. Simply put, he was killed without any proper protocols followed. That should not be allowed to happen.

Tupelo was a man. A man that deserved a trial. Something that should be guaranteed all people of Telluris."

Amalia's emotions were beginning to show through her veneer of etiquette, and it was obvious to most in the room that the Celerii Queen had realized she had lost the argument.

[Jeriah]

"And if no one is willing to cede their sovereign power, then the council is powerless and thus meaningless. Either we are meeting for the purpose of betraying our own peoples to some powerful world leader, or this very meeting is impotent. You speak of trials and rights, while I see only the attempt to remove independent governance. Perhaps we manage to unseat the Visokral dictators who have taken over our lands and our lives, would it then be the purpose of this "justice" of which you speak to come and slaughter us to return them to rule? Or, perhaps, it can only be called upon when all parties involved call upon it equally. Either you give this body the right to overrun sovereign power to enforce its edicts, or it is impotent against so much as one single nation refusing to participate. In either case, the whole endeavor reeks to me.

While it is 'kind' of our host to permit any dissenters to leave, I have no intention of simply walking away while others collude to strip away that which my people have fought to attain for generations."

[QuintonBeck]

"While the Westerners are perhaps overly caustic in their appraisal of your purposes Queen Amalia, there are points within their argument. Without authority and force to enforce laws an international body is meaningless, but to give it such power means trusting in it more than we would trust in our abilities to govern our own nations independently. The concept is not so preposterous to myself as it may be to others, for if such an international body were held accountable by the people of the lands it claimed dominion over and its leader or leaders were forced to keep the people of the various realms appeased and safe to preserve their power it could perhaps work, but even then to give so much power to a single entity without check begs for corruption and abuse."

Aluic's face turned sympathetic as he continued,

"A desire for justice and fair trial should be the concern of all nations, and Tupelo was indeed a man, an intelligent and sentient creature. What happened to him was no more justice than his own attack on the Grant family, itself being no doubt resolvable in a court with fair and proper hearing. That I was young as I was and did not yet command the power in the Senate to prevent the vote from falling on the decision to allow the Assassins Guild to take the contract is something I shall always feel a deep regret for."

"That said, just as the Westerners make point on how rulings might be enforced they make fair point on how legitimacy might be perceived. For what crime other than murder, would Tupelo have been tried of? Regicide? If such is true, than we admit the Grants were the proper family to lead the Jeweled Cities. How can we determine when a crime has been committed against a country if the crime was only against a ruling family? If it is simply murder Tupelo should be charged with while heinous, it would not, I motion, be the position of an international body to become involved, but it would be the individual state that should handle such matters. If it were to be regicide it would need determination why a leader was deemed ruler and in what way was it worked against by the criminal?"

"If a foreign invader, such as the orcs of the east, fall upon a nation how is it determined they were wrong? Would they not claim perhaps a right to the land and people they sought to take over? Would they not have right of ignorance of this council to excuse any hostilities they took? And what of colonization? Yourself Queen Amalia command a country built on the concept of colonizing foreign lands, would your family not be guilty of absorbing sovereign states under your own power without their volition or in limiting their freedoms as you pulled them into your own culture while they had yet lived peacefully without you? Are we to state then that things as they stand are to be status quo and any further changes shall be deemed radical enough to face international interference? If so I should be glad this conference takes place now and not one year prior where my own nation was in a different configuration than it is as it stands."

Aluic paused, "I apologize if my words have grown too heated Queen Amalia, I do appreciate the concept you have brought, truly, but it is just that, a concept. I cannot see so many nations as are here, neverminding those who failed to show, should sit down and scribe a document that would be found agreeable to even a majority much less to all."

[Aedilred]

Athelmere nodded grimly towards the delegate from Ri Chugang, to signify agreement with his stance, and leaned forward as Aluic continued to talk.

"And how should Tupelo have been brought to justice?" he asked, eventually. "Are we to expect murderers, traitors and fanatics to surrender themselves for trial? Or was that sophistry he sent out to attempt to justify his actions sufficient to absolve him? Regicide is acceptable, so long as the assassin meant well, perhaps? Or is any traitor who murders their lord, or king, or speaker, to be accorded the dignity of the person they slew? If that is our conclusion then I shall certainly sleep easier." It was clear he was struggling to contain his anger, and sarcasm dripped from his voice.

"This is a fantasy. To have brought Tupelo to trial would have taken years, years of war even to present the charges, and more opportunities for him to profit from his deed, and can anybody tell me the conclusion should not have been the same? Or are there those here who will defend the slaughter of a head of state and their family on philosophical grounds, perhaps? Or were we to expect the authorities in the Jewelled Cities to bring him to justice, authorities he had murdered or usurped?

"Frankly, it thoroughly disturbs me that oblique reference is made to my deeds in this matter as illegal and disreputable, while the true crime, something that should horrify everybody present, is treated as a moot point! Speaker Aluic, you query when an act taken against a head of state is to be considered regicide - I ask, when should it not? How is the murder of a head of state not an action against the state in question? Admitting that Amber was the proper person to rule the Cities... as if there were any doubt of Amber's legitimacy! As if, were we to decide the Grants were not the 'proper family', it would justify all the actions taken by the assassins! Let us not forget the true circumstances of the event."

[QuintonBeck]

Aluic held up his hands defensively at the Jarrland King's words.

"I would not seek to absolve Tupelo of crimes, I would not seek to make the case against the late Regina that she was in any way deserving of her fate, but, King Athelmere, bear in mind that Tupelo believed Amber Grant was acting against the better interest of AQUA and took action against her for that reason. It was then determined unilaterally by forces of family and friends of the Grant family that Tupelo must die for his crimes, there was no input from other nations, no discussion between the aggrieved and the suspect, no trial or impartial judgement only the swift actions of furious vengeance."

"I do not think it was wrong, I do imagine in a similar position if my family had been threatened or killed I would seek with righteous indignation to pursue my own justice against those who had grieved me but it is the system of laws in place in most civilized nations preventing wanton murder carried out by its people in return for crimes against them that keeps order and civilization running. If every time an incident of international measure takes place the bereaved simply take it upon themselves to dole out justice as they see fit how are we any better than the very criminals we would seek to curtail in our own lands?"

"If a council such as the proposed of Queen Amalia existed perhaps Tupelo could have come to it to beg for intervention in the perceived crimes he saw against his people, a case could have been made and listened to by the world. Perhaps if such an institution existed then his refusal to contact it or work within its strictures could absolve him of his rights to trial, and allow a justified and legal pursuance of his death but without any such institution anarchy reigns between the civilizations purported to push back that very force."

[Jeriah]

After a brief conferral among themselves, the same man speaks again.

"We agree with King Athemere on this, for the most part. We of Ri Chugang believe firmly in the divine right of the king to rule; however, we also believe in the divine right of the people to be ruled fairly and justly. While we agree that all acts of regicide should be punished severely and immediately, that does not negate the fact that, on rare occasion when the ruler has become unjust and tyrannical, that he must be removed from power. That does not, however, absolve the guilty of their crime. Though it may become necessary for a leader to be removed, the ones immediately responsible for the rightful ruler's deposition are still guilty of treason, murder, and regicide and must be dealt with swiftly and appropriately.

All this, however, is and should remain a purely internal affair. That some international body would set itself above and beyond the reach of common governance and seek to impose its will in these matters is sinister, and that we would wish to capitulate to such authoritarian regimes is inane."

[QuintonBeck]

"You admit that at times a leader warrants deposition yet in the same breath demand any who would seek to do so, even in an event where it were deemed necessary, should pay for such an act with their life as if it were a crime? Would it not be a better course to allow a body to exist that might be petitioned by those people who felt oppressed such that they might receive assistance and forgiveness should their complaints be deemed reasonable?" Aluic glanced at the other Westerner who had come in with the Ri Chugang but had so far remained quiet.

[WaylanderX]

Wayve stood up, hands raised.

"If I may interject, it may be that we are going about this the wrong way. From my point of view, what happens in a certain nation must stay in a nation, for every law in every country is bound to be different. And in the case of Tupelo, there are two sides of the story indeed. Yes, it was regicide, but he also ruled unjust and acted like the tyrant he was. It would be unwise to keep pointing fingers at one another and bombarding others with a biased point of view. From past experiences, I can say that would lead to a long path, difficult and treacherous to walk upon. My grandfather, the Shinguard Marius Earthguard once said: "Those who are brave must compromise to accomodate for the craven". We can't lay our will upon one another just because they are unwilling to accept the best course of action. As such, I may have a proposal."

Wayve looked around the hall at all the rulers gathered there.

"Each interloper caught perpetrating in a country foreign to him or herself will be trailed by an international council, who weighs the severaty of the crime and punishes the criminal accordingly. In the case of regicide, the council will also take the actions of the deceased king into account to worsen or lessen the punishment. Of course, if the transgresion in question is considered more grave in one country than another, it might have consequences for the punishment given. As for the structure of the council, I would say that depends on the perpetrator. I would vote for a three person council per case: One hailing from the country in which the crime took place and two people hailing from two different countries neutral to the matter. This would not give the country in question total power, while keeping their point of view in tact. I would like to ask the rulers present in this room to voice their opinions on this idea."

[Rizban]

Earlier, in a Time Bubble
Wayve made a small, polite bow before asking his question.

"We in the north have heard rumours of a grand war raging within the Salterri Imperium, harming allies and enemies alike. What I wanted to ask is an impression of your side of the happenings, if you would so please. Learning from hostilities and war is a must if one wants to avert civil war from within." "I do not believe war should ever be referred to as 'grand.' War is abominable. In short, my forebear had a series of serious crimes laid against him specifically and his family in general. The late Chief Hierarch Zanper Fidious spent several years trying to suppress the rumors of these crimes, until such time that proof of them arose. He tried to confront Hanyeo about them personally, but Hanyeo refused multiple attempts at communication. After Hanyeo confronted Zanper directly and demanded that Zanper recognize his divine right to make war on the whole world to bring it under his personal control, Zanper refused and fled to preserve his own life. He then laud public charges against Hanyeo, who rose an army from his own lands and the lands of our outer provinces to wage war against the Priory to suppress the "rebellion" that was nothing of the sort. We did not rebel, rather, we insisted only that the laws of the land be followed and that the will of Our Lady be divined. The ensuing battle saw many lives ended, but it was much less brutal than it might have been. The people did not truly wish to war with their own, with only the will of the late Qzare driving them into it.

Zhuang sought to take advantage of the situation, and much of the situation as seen by those in the north seems to be colored be his manufactured deceptions. He sent his own armies south, claiming some measure of legal right to do so based on his father once being Qzare, though his father had authored and signed pacts that neither he nor any of his offspring should have any claim to Imperium lands or titles. The two "sides" of the prior battle worked together in unison to repel the madman's armies. Furthermore, I was under the impression..."

Rongyao's attention drifts as Tailong enters the room. He quickly ducks away from the conversation to approach Tailong.

"I apologize. If you'll excuse me for a moment."
Shortly after Queen Amalia had opened the floor and begun the council summit, another delegation entered the hall. Noble metals and stones flashed on noble bodies, some dressed in flax and some in plate armor. The banners bore a smooth purple dragon on a white field alongside other banners that bore the Salterri white eagle on their golden cross and fields of blue and silver. The dark man heading the delegation wore his red hair long and bound and though his forearms and shins were covered in metal armor, the rest of him was dressed modestly, but with embroidery worthy of a noble, the same purple dragon on white snaking around on his torso, clad in silver flame. Beside him walked a swarthy woman with purple-black hair who wore pants rather than a dress, appearing as a gorgeous mixture of Jarr and Salterri culture.

"Please excuse us, honoured delegates," Tailong addressed them as he cast a quick look around and headed straight for empty seats he assumed were meant for them. "There was a delay in our travels caused by an illegal everlava trader. No need for concern, if I missed anything important you can always repeat it. Please," he raised his open palms at Aluic and Athelmere, whose voices he'd heard shortly before entering, "continue." And he seated himself, along with Ambrynn, a Salterri man in rich clothing and a hooded figure whose pale blue skin was cracked with yellow-white. Two banner-carriers in full plate stood behind them, their sword-sheaths empty.Rushing up to Tailong just a little faster than appropriate for the decorum of the meeting, Rongyao wraps him in an unexpected bear hug.

"Tailong! My friend, it has been too long! I had hoped we could get together sooner, but the troubles with the northern threats to the Imperium and the ensuing chaos have been so time consuming."


Currently, at the Summit

"You admit that at times a leader warrants deposition yet in the same breath demand any who would seek to do so, even in an event where it were deemed necessary, should pay for such an act with their life as if it were a crime? Would it not be a better course to allow a body to exist that might be petitioned by those people who felt oppressed such that they might receive assistance and forgiveness should their complaints be deemed reasonable?" Aluic glanced at the other Westerner who had come in with the Ri Chugang but had so far remained quiet.Rongyao clears his throat before speaking.
"What the representative of Ri Chugang is describing, albeit not very eloquently, is the Silver Mandate which the Imperium follows. In short, Our Lady grants the Qzare the right to rule based on his ability to govern well, fairly, and justly. The Silver Mandate is a contract between three parties: the Silver Lady, the Qzare, and the people of the Imperium. So long as the Qzare is competent, just, and pious, the Silver Mandate rests on his shoulders. Upon the Qzare's death, the Mandate transfers to one of his heirs, the best equipped mentally, physically, and spiritually becomes the next Qzare. Still, there is another aspect of the Mandate. Should the Qzare become tyrannical, corrupted, or grossly incompetent, the Mandate leaves him. Should his fallacies extend beyond himself to his family, the Mandate may abandon the entire dynasty. In such a case, it is up to the people, be they royal, noble, or common, to depose the Qzare and determine who best can lead the Imperium as the new Qzare, establishing a new dynasty should the Mandate have left the family or simply finding the next heir should it have left only the one ruler.

The catch is that those responsible for the deposition and death of a Qzare are still guilty of the crimes, no matter how justified their actions may be. To take these steps to obey the Silver Lady and follow the rules of the Mandate, one must be convicted enough and have enough faith in the rightness of their actions to be willing to lay down his life for it. In this way, the Mandate is not abused on the whim of the people. Those guilty remain guilty, even if what they do is for the good of the Imperium. We are a land of laws, and not even the Qzare is above the law."

Seeing other members of the Imperium about to speak up, Rongyao raises his hand to ask for them to pause so he might continue.

"As to the recent changes in the Imperium and the office of Qzare, I assure you that these laws are being followed. Though I have given a blanket pardon to those involved in the battle itself, I am unable and unwilling to grant a pardon to those who took part in the actual overthrow of the Qzare. Zanper Fidious died of his wounds from the Battle of the Mandate at Anaphorica, or else he would have stood trial. Though a great man, he has been recorded in the annals as a traitor. Additionally, the four Patriarchs directly involved in the plots have been removed from their positions and incarcerated. One has already received trial, been found guilty, and executed as a traitor. The other three shall be tried once the chaos resulting from the Triumvirate's invasion of our lands has been adequately settled and the rule of law properly restored.

But I digress. I am in agreement with the representatives of Ri Chugang. I do not believe that the Silver Mandate and the will of Our Lady could be appropriately followed in times of distress with an international body having the power to intervene and force the people to accept a ruler who does not bear the Mandate or to depose a ruler who does. While I do believe that a flourishing international community is beneficial to all involved, I do not see the benefits of creating a powerful governing body and subjecting the Imperium to it."

[QuintonBeck]

"A fair proposal for cases in which a foreigner attempts something against a leader of a nation or the nation itself, but it addresses not the issues of internal rebellion or revolution which has been all that has been seen in recent years. Tupelo rose from AQUA itself, Zhuang from the Triumvirate. While the Triumvirate was capable of arresting and trying Zhuang AQUA erupted into civil war when Tupelo was killed by a foreign power. Would this proposed court then bring the killers of Tuplelo to face trial alone? What if no foreign power had acted against Tupelo? Would he have then been allowed to take over in violent revolution?"

"It is a fine thing to close one's doors and demand each nation take care of its own problems unless another nation becomes involved, but such is not the action of a caring or wise man who would recognize that to do so invites the spread of that which is deemed undesirable into another or even his own country from lack of action taken at the origin."

[lt_murgen]

"I would like to ask the rulers present in this room to voice their opinions on this idea."

Opus spoke quietly and as dully as always, "In matters of foreign individuals acting in a given nation, I support the ideas you present. Allow that person to be brought here, to have their case heard in front of a group of three. If the person has fled, allow the offended nation to present their case. Allow the council of three to decide if the person should be returned to their homeland or face punishment in the offended nation. When the original blazing avatar was killed, nations went to war. How better had an organization existed to bring the truth of the assassination to light, and prevent so much bloodshed.

As for succession and internal laws, I agree with the representative from the Salterri Imperium. It is not for other nations to interfere with the succession practices of other nations.'


"It is a fine thing to close one's doors and demand each nation take care of its own problems unless another nation becomes involved, but such is not the action of a caring or wise man who would recognize that to do so invites the spread of that which is deemed undesirable into another or even his own country from lack of action taken at the origin."

A valid point. But one that touches back upon the sanctity of nations. When we heard the story of how the Duke Bloodfang of Sympol threw his own son, burning, of of a window, did we sanction him for his brutality? When Duke Ironfang returned and slew his father and seized the throne, did we intervene? No. Either we saw it as their way, and their right, or we simply thought the cost of intervention too high. Either way, the recognition of something as undesirable in one nation evidently does not invite the spread into other nations, nor motivate the caring and wise man to act to abjure it."

[WaylanderX]

"Whether it is truly pointless, I know not. It appeared to be a struggle for control of the Imperium itself, something it would seem worth fighting over. As to whether it will continue, I know not. I do not believe the Qzare wishes to do so, but there remain serious questions to be settled about the activities of the Priory and their status within the Imperium. Zhuang's invasion has also changed the situation rather. In some ways, I think it might be better for the war to continue and be ended now, rather than remain unsettled and lead to greater conflict in years to come."


"Better yet would be a compromise between the two parties, preventing any more casualties. The ground should not be painted red when alternatives methods are also available. But as a helpless bystander, I would not know if that was even a possibility. If not, continuation of this conflict may be for the better of the innocent people in the long run. I thank you for your time, your Highness. If you would excuse me."

Kenwyn made a deep bow and left Athelmere, walking towards Wayve.

"My liege, I have some information you might be interested in..."



Earlier, in a Time Bubble"I do not believe war should ever be referred to as 'grand.' War is abominable. In short, my forebear had a series of serious crimes laid against him specifically and his family in general. The late Chief Hierarch Zanper Fidious spent several years trying to suppress the rumors of these crimes, until such time that proof of them arose. He tried to confront Hanyeo about them personally, but Hanyeo refused multiple attempts at communication. After Hanyeo confronted Zanper directly and demanded that Zanper recognize his divine right to make war on the whole world to bring it under his personal control, Zanper refused and fled to preserve his own life. He then laud public charges against Hanyeo, who rose an army from his own lands and the lands of our outer provinces to wage war against the Priory to suppress the "rebellion" that was nothing of the sort. We did not rebel, rather, we insisted only that the laws of the land be followed and that the will of Our Lady be divined. The ensuing battle saw many lives ended, but it was much less brutal than it might have been. The people did not truly wish to war with their own, with only the will of the late Qzare driving them into it.

Zhuang sought to take advantage of the situation, and much of the situation as seen by those in the north seems to be colored be his manufactured deceptions. He sent his own armies south, claiming some measure of legal right to do so based on his father once being Qzare, though his father had authored and signed pacts that neither he nor any of his offspring should have any claim to Imperium lands or titles. The two "sides" of the prior battle worked together in unison to repel the madman's armies. Furthermore, I was under the impression..."

Rongyao's attention drifts as Tailong enters the room. He quickly ducks away from the conversation to approach Tailong.

"I apologize. If you'll excuse me for a moment.

"Apology accepted." Wayve said while Rongyao rushed away

Looking at the socalled "Qzare" bearhugging Tai Long, Wayve walked into the crowd. Some people were just too gullable or too blinded by faith. Not a very good measure of Prowess in his mind. Seeing Kenwyn walking towards him, he turned and waited till the Bucka closed the distance.

"My liege, I have some information you might be interested in..."

"Do tell, my friend, do tell. It is time to see what the intentions really are of both sides of this internal struggle."

After Kenwyn gave a brief overview of Athelmere's standpoints, Wayve chuckled, hiding his amusement in his fist. Two very different viewpoints upon the same war. It never stopped surprising him how faith and greed both could blind a man. Ideally, he should talk to Tai Long aswel, but maybe that was a job for Haruka or perhaps Myron. He did not particularly liked the, in his mind, real Qzare. Too informal for his tastes.


"A fair proposal for cases in which a foreigner attempts something against a leader of a nation or the nation itself, but it addresses not the issues of internal rebellion or revolution which has been all that has been seen in recent years. Tupelo rose from AQUA itself, Zhuang from the Triumvirate. While the Triumvirate was capable of arresting and trying Zhuang AQUA erupted into civil war when Tupelo was killed by a foreign power. Would this proposed court then bring the killers of Tuplelo to face trial alone? What if no foreign power had acted against Tupelo? Would he have then been allowed to take over in violent revolution?"

"It is a fine thing to close one's doors and demand each nation take care of its own problems unless another nation becomes involved, but such is not the action of a caring or wise man who would recognize that to do so invites the spread of that which is deemed undesirable into another or even his own country from lack of action taken at the origin."

"Alas, I can not agree with the notion of interfering with the succesion in ones own country. Other countries simply do not have the right to mingle, even if it is an agressive take-over. If the people of that country are against the take-over, they will rise up. Also, interfering could cause the internal struggle to escalate even more and break that country apart. What is Tupelo would have turned out to be a capable ruler after his hostile take-over? What if his cause was justified? Then Tupello would not be remembered as a tyrant, but as a hero. One cannot judge those of another nation whose intentions and mentality are not clear."

[Rizban]

"It is a fine thing to close one's doors and demand each nation take care of its own problems unless another nation becomes involved, but such is not the action of a caring or wise man who would recognize that to do so invites the spread of that which is deemed undesirable into another or even his own country from lack of action taken at the origin."

Rongyao does not react to the backhanded insults, mentally shrugging them off as being the way the Triumvirate does things.

"If a nation is incapable of handling its own problems, then that is usually a case of poor leadership. If the nation needs assistance from an outside ally, then it is that nation's prerogative to request such. However, it is not any nation's job to police the affairs of its neighbors, nor should it be. That will only increase resentment between nations, paranoia on the part of the nobles, and unrest on the part of the people. With every action under the scrutiny of an international government, nations will be forced to capitulate to it through political and social pressures and threat of potential military action. Even should every nation represented here and every person appointed by each nation have only the best interests of the world at heart, eventually one of two things will occur. One, the power of the council will be slowly and surely usurped by people within the nations who see an opportunity to impose their will on the world, leading to coalitions within the council vying for power and becoming a destabilizing element. Two, the council itself will decide that the "greater good" is best served by targeting certain individual nations and robbing them of their power and sovereignty, leading to, as King Athelmere mentioned, a small, powerful oligarchy with only their agendas and goals being followed.

Such a body has too much power, and whether power can corrupt or the corrupt seek power matters not. Eventually, its purpose and power will be corrupted. To rob it of its power to prevent such abuse also robs it of its effectiveness. To do that then removes any purpose it might have beyond propaganda and politicking, neither of which will be beneficial in the long run."

[QuintonBeck]

"And such is the nature of the debate Qzare, do any here trust a council above them to direct actions on a world stage? We inherently ask the people of our nations to follow us, but when asked to do the same of something new we cannot capitulate. I myself struggle to find reason to accept a higher director than national governance, though my concern stems from a concern on how such a directing body would be chosen and fairness maintained, even if they were elected by the people, national identities run so deep that, as you say, interest groups would form and their whims would direct such an organization."

"Queen Amalia, I'm afraid I don't yet see how your proposition might work and while I am willing to sit here and listen, I do not think a conclusion will be reached, most especially without even a springboard to begin from. I'm afraid I have no more to say at this time."

Aluic sat down, and folded his hands together, letting the rest of the delegates continue the discussion.

Backhanded insults wha? I don't mind if you took an insult IC cause that'll add an interesting dynamic, but I legit don't get where you got that or what you're referencing?

[lt_murgen]

Opus made an attempt to steer the conversation away from the most contentious issue. "And yet certain international conventions exist, more or less. Seventy five years ago, many nations came together to discuss navigation and safety upon the Sea of the Golden Sun. And while that too was contentious at the time, do not most nations now accept the idea of territorial waters and relevant measurement thereof? Are not the white for trade, red for diplomacy, and black for emergency as runners not common upon our seas?

Perhaps, instead of discussing the larger issue of nation soverignty versus international community, we should be looking for areas in which we can find common ground? A method for establishing technology rights, perhaps? I believe there was a great deal of contention around printing presses some time ago."


Yea, I took that as a shot at Tupelo killing Amber as being something other regents wouldn't want

[Rizban]

I didn't take it as an insult, but Rongyao would have seen using a phrase like "such is not the action of a caring or wise man" to describe what he just stated as being his actions as being indirectly calling him uncaring and unwise.

[Aedilred]

"Alas, I can not agree with the notion of interfering with the succesion in ones own country. Other countries simply do not have the right to mingle, even if it is an agressive take-over. If the people of that country are against the take-over, they will rise up. Also, interfering could cause the internal struggle to escalate even more and break that country apart. What is Tupelo would have turned out to be a capable ruler after his hostile take-over? What if his cause was justified? Then Tupello would not be remembered as a tyrant, but as a hero. One cannot judge those of another nation whose intentions and mentality are not clear."
Athelmere frowned. "In general, I would be in agreement with you, lord prince. But if I might be permitted to pose a personal, hypothetical question, were you to be assassinated following your succession, and your assassin claim the throne, having subverted, paid off or apprehended your generals, would you consider it just for him to remain on the throne as a legitimate successor, given no means remained in Hurosha to remove him? Would you entrust your survival to the will of the people and hope they would rise up in a bloody revolt to overthrow the usurper at risk of their own lives? Or would you rather your friends, family and allies in the Heartwaste, the Triumvirate, the Kingdom of the Burning Mountains, et al, took action to remove your killer, even if it meant interfering in internal affairs of the Empire?

"Of course, I regret the consequences of Tupelo's death. But to have allowed that situation to stand without objection or action from the wider world would have set an alarming precedent, and I was far from the only ruler to believe so, even if I am the only one present today."

[Morph Bark]

Time Bubble
"Tailong! My friend, it has been too long! I had hoped we could get together sooner, but the troubles with the northern threats to the Imperium and the ensuing chaos have been so time consuming."

Tailong was caught a bit off guard by the sudden hug by the man he'd always known as Gloriosis, who in many ways had been a brother to him--a brother who shared views on governance but who was wildly different in personality from him in many respects nevertheless. He patted Rongyao's back. "Too long for Tailong, eh? Indeed. We'll have much to talk of after this, both professional and personal."



Tailong slammed his hands flat on the table with force before another mention of Tupelo could be brought up, not only finding the matter of little use to discuss but also disrespectful to several present, including his wife, whom he feared might burst if the matter was pressed even further.

"My friends!" He stood from his seat and gestured around. "Well, not all of you, but certainly honoured in many ways. Quit this mewling! This quibble is beneath you all or it well should be. Matters of governance of another country are none of our concern, whether the power comes from ancestry, wealth or popularity--every system has its flaws as much as it has its benefits. However, there are things we all have in common: a thirst for justice, a hunger for virtue and a need for fairness.

"Me and mine have begun the creation of a code of law in matters civil and criminal that I wish to have implemented throughout the Imperium. My good brother Zuida Rongyao has been so generous to be of aid with that, proving for a second time that even those whose families and peoples may have clashed can stand together for justice, as we have stood against my cousin in the fields of Bor-Teire."

Tailong paused, letting the words sink in and once again making him realize that he would never again be able to speak to Zhuang now that the Triumvirate had had him killed. His eyes became wetter at the thought, but tears never came. As he blinked it back his gaze lingered on Aluic Shaeldtae. "It is therefore my hope that the Triumvirate shall be of assistance in its creation and shall likewise adopt it, to provide a unified code of law on civil and criminal matters throughout multiple large realms. This shall prevent many misunderstandings that occur across cultural boundaries when merchants and sailors traverse borders. This does not preclude the existence of specific local laws, especially pertaining to matters of faith, and the codex shall not touch upon matters of governance, but purely the swift execution and fairness of a unified legal system that has been sorely lacking in many nations.

"Further," and with this he licked his lips, for he would have to at least tangentially address the Tupelo matter, "I would like to include laws specifically about international matters that include certain things of import, most notably actions in a war, the deliverance of criminals to their country of origin and right of nations to bring foreigners to trial."

[lt_murgen]

"I would like to include laws specifically about international matters that include certain things of import, most notably actions in a war, the deliverance of criminals to their country of origin and right of nations to bring foreigners to trial."

"Certainly, we can agree to a standard for handling criminals from other nations, and for bringing foreigners to trial, as well as many other items of the same sort. Perhaps it would be best to start there, and then build to larger issues as the delegations insist." Opus agreed with the former speaker.

"As far as a codified set of common laws across all nations, it might be best to follow a similar pattern- start with what we can agree upon and build from there."

[QuintonBeck]

At being addressed Aluic looked over at the...what was he? Qzare? He didn't know.

If you should wish to discuss the establishment of civil laws I would direct you to the Shahidi Mkuu, she has been granted right within our constitution to handle matters of law and establishing a unified system of law, which are intended to incorporate the tenets of Radurja. That said I do not believe they shall be overly dependent on the Radurjic faith and as the Radurjic Faith is one of incorporation and acceptance I would imagine those laws you seek to establish could be worked into the Triumvirate's own if deemed reasonable and just but the actual details of your law code would of course have to be revealed to and reviewed by the Shahid Mkuu and her Radurjic judges and advisers before such commitment could be promised."

"As to the matter King Athelmere brings up," he paused, appreciating wryly that he had already been drawn back in, "Perhaps the wanton justice of foreign nations as situations arise should domestic powers be incapable of handling them itself is all we can hope for in which case addressing that issue further will not lead to any resolution that might be pursued by all present."

[Aedilred]

Athelmere listened to Tailong's intervention with a grim sort of amusement. He wondered if Tailong knew of the support provided by Wandao to the operation to eliminate Tupelo; it had been a well-kept secret and perhaps not even Hanyeo and his son had been informed. Still, the interruption had been timely, as he'd been on the verge of losing his temper, and he could sense without even looking Tempest quietly seething beside him. Perhaps Tailong had felt something similar from his own wife.

"I agree with my lord Qzare," he said, eventually: after all, Tailong was now both his liege and his son by law, and it was only right to support him. "It is not for any of us to pass judgment on another's system of governance, though I hope we can at least agree to ensure that existing systems of governance are maintained and respected."

He looked back over the table at Opus. The juxtaposition was unintentional, but he took a dark satisfaction from the realisation. "I wonder what elements of law we can agree upon. We may find it difficult even to agree upon the matters on which laws are most needed. For my part, the key issues I would wish to see addressed are:-" he ticked them off on his fingers- "treatment of prisoners of war, particularly those of royal, noble or... other governmental status; promulgation of religion and associated tolerance; insurance of lawful succession and preservation of the dignities of heads of state; and extradition of criminals, particularly traitors, residing in other sovereign territories."

[lt_murgen]

He looked back over the table at Opus. The juxtaposition was unintentional, but he took a dark satisfaction from the realisation. "I wonder what elements of law we can agree upon. We may find it difficult even to agree upon the matters on which laws are most needed. For my part, the key issues I would wish to see addressed are:-" he ticked them off on his fingers- "treatment of prisoners of war, particularly those of royal, noble or... other governmental status; promulgation of religion and associated tolerance; insurance of lawful succession and preservation of the dignities of heads of state; and extradition of criminals, particularly traitors, residing in other sovereign territories."

Opus smiled back, clearly enjoying the summit. He nodded, "King Athelmere has provided an excellent starting point. Certainly we can come to some set standard for dealing with both the common soldier and their leaders, when an army is captured." That he left out the portion about special treatment for nobility was clearly deliberate. "Similarly, the extradition of criminials and traitors residing in other nations is something upon which we can find common ground. I would humbly add a discussion on technological ownership, as that is dear to some here and something easy to address. Perhaps that is a good place to start, if only to see how 'easy' a simple thing turns out to be."

[BladeofObliviom]

Far, far too late to have any meaningful effect on the goings-on, a small delegation from Glazfell (along with a few Sympol) arrives. King Khyne, Ironfang, and most of the other major figures in the region are currently busy fighting a war against Orcs, and evidently couldn't be bothered to sail halfway across the world for a diplomatic conference in Celero. That, however, doesn't mean that nobody of relevance shows up.

The first to enter are four catfolk, all yellow-eyed and slender with taut muscles under a furry white coat. At a glance they might not seem particularly imposing, but their dark green cloaks marked with the symbol of a broken arrow denote the truth: All four are Frosskovi Mercenaries, Rangers, and masters of Tuhat Nägu. They carry no weapons, but that does not mean that they are not dangerous. They are followed by a heavier figure, draped in noble finery and gold and silver.

A relatively tall Frosten male, Duke Senroth towers over his (relatively short) Catfolk bodyguards. His flesh is a pale blue, but his eyes and hair are as gray as a pregnant stormcloud waiting to rain. He walks with a slight limp, but carries an unadorned cane to assist his steps. He is stout but not yet corpulent, and the indigo of a varicose vein can be seen faintly on his neck.

"Greetings,"

Says the Duke, taking another several several steps forward to actually join the conversation.

"Have I missed anything important?"

I mostly sent this guy as an excuse to pile up a bunch of trades and such under a diplomacy tag, but I'll at least try to add to the conversation where I can. :smalltongue:

[WaylanderX]

Athelmere frowned. "In general, I would be in agreement with you, lord prince. But if I might be permitted to pose a personal, hypothetical question, were you to be assassinated following your succession, and your assassin claim the throne, having subverted, paid off or apprehended your generals, would you consider it just for him to remain on the throne as a legitimate successor, given no means remained in Hurosha to remove him? Would you entrust your survival to the will of the people and hope they would rise up in a bloody revolt to overthrow the usurper at risk of their own lives? Or would you rather your friends, family and allies in the Heartwaste, the Triumvirate, the Kingdom of the Burning Mountains, et al, took action to remove your killer, even if it meant interfering in internal affairs of the Empire?

Wayve nodded politely.

"You said it yourself, king Athelmere. Let friends and allies take care of it. Prevent enemies and neutral countries from taking action in that time of weakness. Let me clarify. Family takes care of family, friends want to help out of earnest intentions. That should be the main deterent of an uprising from within. The allies of the old ruler will not accept it. However, it was my understanding that with Tupelo for example, neutral and hostile countries to AQUA were also involved. This should be avoided at all costs in the future."



Tailong slammed his hands flat on the table with force before another mention of Tupelo could be brought up, not only finding the matter of little use to discuss but also disrespectful to several present, including his wife, whom he feared might burst if the matter was pressed even further.

"My friends!" He stood from his seat and gestured around. "Well, not all of you, but certainly honoured in many ways. Quit this mewling! This quibble is beneath you all or it well should be. Matters of governance of another country are none of our concern, whether the power comes from ancestry, wealth or popularity--every system has its flaws as much as it has its benefits. However, there are things we all have in common: a thirst for justice, a hunger for virtue and a need for fairness.

"Me and mine have begun the creation of a code of law in matters civil and criminal that I wish to have implemented throughout the Imperium. My good brother Zuida Rongyao has been so generous to be of aid with that, proving for a second time that even those whose families and peoples may have clashed can stand together for justice, as we have stood against my cousin in the fields of Bor-Teire."

Tailong paused, letting the words sink in and once again making him realize that he would never again be able to speak to Zhuang now that the Triumvirate had had him killed. His eyes became wetter at the thought, but tears never came. As he blinked it back his gaze lingered on Aluic Shaeldtae. "It is therefore my hope that the Triumvirate shall be of assistance in its creation and shall likewise adopt it, to provide a unified code of law on civil and criminal matters throughout multiple large realms. This shall prevent many misunderstandings that occur across cultural boundaries when merchants and sailors traverse borders. This does not preclude the existence of specific local laws, especially pertaining to matters of faith, and the codex shall not touch upon matters of governance, but purely the swift execution and fairness of a unified legal system that has been sorely lacking in many nations.

"Further," and with this he licked his lips, for he would have to at least tangentially address the Tupelo matter, "I would like to include laws specifically about international matters that include certain things of import, most notably actions in a war, the deliverance of criminals to their country of origin and right of nations to bring foreigners to trial."

Wayve grimassed. Typical Salterri behaviour, trying to force others to concede to their own self-rightous views. It made him sick to his stomach.

"This "thirst for justice, a hunger for virtue and a need for fairness" you speak of are all different for each of us as well. As for the...code of law...you are develloping, I highly doubt something designed to work in the Emperium would work elsewhere. I think we should start with the small, before trying to force the greater. Like Lord Opus suggested, a general consensus about prisoners of war and the exchange of criminals might be a appropriate first step."

[QuintonBeck]

Wayve nodded politely.

"You said it yourself, king Athelmere. Let friends and allies take care of it. Prevent enemies and neutral countries from taking action in that time of weakness. Let me clarify. Family takes care of family, friends want to help out of earnest intentions. That should be the main deterent of an uprising from within. The allies of the old ruler will not accept it. However, it was my understanding that with Tupelo for example, neutral and hostile countries to AQUA were also involved. This should be avoided at all costs in the future."

Wayve grimassed. Typical Salterri behaviour, trying to force others to concede to their own self-rightous views. It made him sick to his stomach.

"This "thirst for justice, a hunger for virtue and a need for fairness" you speak of are all different for each of us as well. As for the...code of law...you are develloping, I highly doubt something designed to work in the Emperium would work elsewhere. I think we should start with the small, before trying to force the greater. Like Lord Opus suggested, a general consensus about prisoners of war and the exchange of criminals might be a appropriate first step."

Aluic appreciated silently the words of the Huroshan Prince spoken in regards to Tailong and despite his questions regarding how the Prince would propose neutral or hostile countries be prevented from interference much less their identification as such, he kept those concerns quiet preferring to not weaken the Huroshan's words.

"As my fellow delegates have said, it would be a good thing to work on something we can more readily agree on than pursue that which we are unable to. Prisoners of war first then, and after that a discussion on the exportation of foreign criminals. I should think at its simplest we shall all agree that should a foreign army surrender all their men and/or women ought to be taken prisoner, not killed or tortured, and that they ought to be afforded the simple dignities of food and shelter as one would accommodate even in the barest sense any sentient creature? Are there any objections to this barest of proposals?"

[Logic]

"Simple and clear rules for the treatment of prisoners of war, and the extradition of criminals are things Celero will agree to. However, I would prefer a specific clause for the treatment of officers, as they are of more strategic value to either side than any mere fighting-man. Basic foot soldiers have no value beyond the fight directly in front of them, or denying that capability to the enemy. Officers know plans, campaigns, tactics, and strategy. There should be some specific rules governing their detainment as prisoners of war."

[Aedilred]

"Simple and clear rules for the treatment of prisoners of war, and the extradition of criminals are things Celero will agree to. However, I would prefer a specific clause for the treatment of officers, as they are of more strategic value to either side than any mere fighting-man. Basic foot soldiers have no value beyond the fight directly in front of them, or denying that capability to the enemy. Officers know plans, campaigns, tactics, and strategy. There should be some specific rules governing their detainment as prisoners of war."
"I agree. Have you any suggestions as to what these rules should be?" He coughed slightly, aware he was touching on a point of some delicacy. "I have heard that on occasion in the past officers and noble prisoners have been treated in some ways rather worse than their common counterparts, with threats of execution and torture made, and other humiliations perpetrated, in a manner that shamed all those involved. This should not happen again. I would suggest that prisoners of higher military or civil rank or status should be accorded dignity commensurate with their status in addition to the basic protections and rights guaranteed common prisoners."

[Logic]

"I propose the following at a minimum:"

The queen pulled out a prepared leaflet, and had servants pass out copies to all those present. She then read from the list:

"Prisoners of war cannot be compelled to aid in the war effort of their captors. Prisoners of war must be accommodated clean water, food, clothing, and shelter.
Prisoners of war are to be treated humanely.
Prisoners of war are entitled to practice their own religion, rites, and appoint fellow prisoners of war to adjudicate disputes between each other."

[TheWombatOfDoom]

Girard was still on a slight edge that he couldn't quite swing. Why was it this "gift" wasn't disclosed? And why had they been invited for a Peace Summit, but with no intended plan for what to do? The whole thing felt very...wrong. How could Amalia have expected any sort of Plan to come out of such various amounts of different qualities and beliefs on their own? Policies proposed could be edited, disagreed upon. Care and intelligence go into the making of such, to account for these things. Instead, the idea was there...but it was just that, an idea. No follow through. And if that was intentional, then what was the real reason behind this meeting? Celero didn't seem to have diabolical plans...but who knows anymore. He pushed the thought away. Perhaps Celero just wants the solution, and decided the best way to find the answer was to have the group come to the decision instead of proposing one. In Girard's experience, this type of meeting generally didn't work. It gave too much control away, making a conversation or debate swirl around like a whirlpool, breaking things apart more and more. The debate was getting to the point where it was all the leaders could do but cling to what they knew, in fear of being bowled over by the rapids of the debate. Futile. Foolish. Girard sighed. There needed to be something to steer the ship, and keep the conversation on track and productive.

Speaking from his seat when the debate had lulled some, Girard chose to speak plain. "We all have our own ways, and those ways none of us have a right to change. We can argue who is more right all we want, but the issues will still remain, and all it will encourage is resentment and anger, as some of you have already become prone to. I do not fault you." Girard rose. "Whether you have been selected by the people or the Gods, your liege or your kin, it matters not. What matters is you have taken the responsibilities of your nations as your own. Your life as your own being ended as soon as you took the throne. What matters now is your kingdoms, and what choices you make to better them. This will sometimes cause conflict - within your nations, or with other nations you interact with. There will always be at least two sides in a given argument, and as we can see here today, many many more."

"Still, there are ways to provide options to nations to prevent the worst side of the argument to rear its ugly head - the side that no one wins on. I for one feared greatly that the wars centered around Bor-teire and Salteire would spiral into all out war, swallowing all the nations around it into massive conflict. Then there is the question which has risen from The Crown of Jarrow - what proceedures should be followed for prisioners of war? What happens to criminals who cause international crime? So many things mentioned, but what I hear the most is - why should I give up my power over my own realm? And there in, lies the center of the issue. Most here do not desire giving someone else power within their own kingdom. For any decison to be made that effects all of us, that power is effected."

"For some, that power is a mandate from their God or Gods. In their mind, their Deity would make them accountable, should they be doing wrong. For others, it is a mandate of their heritage, their ancestors holding them to certain accounts for their leadership. Still other nations hold their throne by physical or martial strength, their mandate is held accountable by their strength and will to hold it. Others get their power through election by their people, who hold them accountable for all they do."

"These levels of accountability are all the same in some level or another. We are granted this power through some means, and by this means we find to be the best way to have this power, otherwise a different method would be used. You all came here to this summit...why? Ask yourselves this question and speak honestly. Why would you come to a peace summit without at least in some capacity, some willingness to create a way for there to...be some kind of agreement between nations. Some sort of way to provide a level of peace."

"I think we need to consider this - is there a way to not give up our power, but still ensure a semblance of accountability to more than just ourselves, our people, our Gods, but to each other? I may have an idea. What if instead of the nations controlling the nations, what if we had a neutral ground? A place where all nations would hold jurisdiction. A middle ground where none of us have power individually, but each of us would be a delagate on a council that controlled the region. Trials could be there, juried and judged by the council. International disputes. Imprision international criminals. A place war and fighting is forbidden. This brings up issues that have already been stated in some capacities, but it has a subtle difference - we would all be working together to accomplish this, instead of vying to rise to the top of ruling all nations."

Girard remains standing to address the questions and concerns that might arise.

[QuintonBeck]

Aluic had been preparing to comment on the additional ideas of better treatment for officers and those of rank, in favor of such provisions and with a careful acknowledgment and disdain for the way in which Wandao was treated by the forces of PAIN before his transfer to Triumvirate hands, but before he could utter a word the Lyradissian Lord began a great address. He respected the Lyradissians, when direct election for the seat of Lord Chancellor was deemed too radical by his fellow Triads he had turned towards the selection process used for Lyradis sovereigns with elements borrowed from the Battle of Wits used on Yorukuni and the Triumvirate had in large part adopted and combined the two methods. He respected Lyradis and its political acumen, and as he listened he recognized the wisdom in Girard's voice, but along with it was a seeming disconnect of understanding the issues many here had expressed.

"Your Majesty, it is a noble sentiment your propose, but as I believe has already been discussed, many nations feel such a council, based in whatever grounds, ruled by whoever or how many, would simply be too slow a mechanism to address issues as they arose and too weak to enforce any decisions it made," he paused before again referencing Tupelo and decided to try another tact.

"Say a nation takes some form of action against another, a blockade of trade, a conscription of traveling merchants, it doesn't matter, but it is not an explicit act of war and the offended nation feels its rights have been violated. It trusts in this proposed council and calls a meeting, representatives of this nation must now travel to wherever the council meets, which could be days away or months, while the rest of the international community assembles there as well to hear this complaint, meanwhile, the action found offensive by the petitioning nation continues throughout the assembly of this court and through its deliberations. Further, say the offending nation holds much individual power and great influence while the offended is small or poorly received internationally, if the council were to find in favor of the offending nation the other would have no recourse and war could still occur or worse yet the offended nation would be forced to accept its fate now not only bullied by the offending nation but by the ruling of an international body supporting them. Even if the offended nation were found in favor of, without the force to back its ruling an international council could easily be ignored by a state with tremendous enough power under its own might unless all nations who agreed to such a council also pledged military support to its rulings, something many here have expressed reticence to do for reasons not unreasonable."

[TheWombatOfDoom]

Girard looked disappointed with this response, but it smoothed into a friendly, if not neutral face. "I understand these problems, but that's why I proposed it. Finding solutions to these problems are concievable," he paused thoughtfuly, "though perhaps not within our current grasp. Thank you for allowing me to borrow your ears delagates. As for the prisioners of war, I agree with the ideas Amalia put forth, save the last, in which she stated for imprisioning nations to 'appoint fellow prisoners of war to adjudicate disputes between each other.'"

[QuintonBeck]

"Who then might settle their disputes? Would they be subject to laws of the land in which they were held? I do not understand the reason for your objection Lord Girard."


During a break from the deliberations Aluic approached the Queen Amalia and Prince of Hurosha.

"Excuse me your majesty, your lordship, might I have a word?"

Leading the two off to a more secluded area he extended a hand to both of them in turn, "Before we get started I would like to properly introduce myself in a way less formal than was prompted upon my arrival. I have heard only the finest of things of both of you and your families from my friend Syana, and allow me to again apologize on behalf of the Triumvirate and as a family man myself to you Queen Amalia for the actions Zhuang took against Andust's wife, and to you Prince Wayve for that loss as well, I know Mira was like a sister to Sharas and I take solace in that through her and all our memories she might live on."

"But I did not ask to speak with you merely to apologize for the sins of Zhuang, I wished to speak to you both about the Treatise Elemental signed between our nations some years ago," he paused, seeming to be careful with his next words, "The treaty is a great symbol for our nations' friendship and holds a place high within Triumvirate esteem. To break it would be no less than to raise a blade against one's own brother, which we could not tolerate," he rushed the last part, realizing his words might be taken as an accidental reference of Zhuang.

"But there is one part of the treaty that bothers me. The agreement to share all technologies between our nations. I have reviewed the various exchanges between our nations and have found many of the distributed technologies were distributed to Hurosha and Celero from the Triumvirate while the Triumvirate has only received a few in return. This would not bear concern in my mind, being that at many different times many different countries are in more advantageous positions to receive technologies or invent new ones and I should expect either Hurosha or Celero to outpace Triumvirate acquisitions some time in the future and then the balance will be maintained, but what does concern me is the actions of Celero. You'll pardon me Queen Amalia, but I couldn't help but notice the Celerese have repeatedly gained technologies not possessed by the Triumvirate or Hurosha under agreements not to disseminate these technologies meaning we never receive them. First with Blackpowder and then with Lenses, and while I understand you do not wish to break growing ties with the UN but you have made the continued dissemination of technologies acquired by the Triumvirate to your lands a much harder prospect to sell to the Senate and the Triad Council when those acquired by your nation are not sent back in return."

"As I would not ask you to break your word to the UN nations you have been dealing with I should like to instead simply offer a small alteration to the terms of the treaty. Rather than the dissemination of technologies as acquired to all parties I believe it might be fairer to all involved if the clause were changed to read that the members of the Treatise shall have first opportunity to acquire any technology acquired by another member and that the terms of such exchange shall be negotiated between the members in a case by case basis. What say you?"



Speaker Shaeldtae took a deep breath and tugged at his tunic to straighten it. This was a large proposition he was about to bring forward and he did not have the pedigree and history he imagined he would need for his proposition to be met and listened to. Nevertheless, he was determined to make it.

During a break from the primary discussion he approached the representatives of the various Coalition nations, asking Amalia for a private room which they might discuss something in. Once they were all gathered in one location Aluic began.

"Esteemed representatives, I thank you all for joining me here and thank you to Queen Amalia for providing a forum that we might speak."

"I know my name is a new one to many of you, I know that my position may be seen as illegitimate or weak, and I know I do not share the history by blood that was shared with your nations by the Ignato line, but let me assure you all the history between our nations is shared with me in spirit and in the proposition I now bring before you. I believe the Grand Coalition as it stands must be dissolved for the good of all the nations who claim membership to it."

He let any murmurs or objections break at this point but raised his hands in a plea for silence and continued speaking,

"Some may know I was friends with Syana Ignato during her reign as Empress, some of you may not, but the matter of fact is I spoke with her often about the reputation the Grand Coalition was gaining amongst the international community. It was not and is not a good one. The Empress, even as the wise woman she was could not move to break away from the GC feeling she owed it to her grandfather and her family in Hurosha to keep it together. Even as she tried to distance herself and the Triumvirate from the darkening reputation of the Coalition her adamant remaining within it kept the Triumvirate from truly breaking away from its tainted reputation. But now, with the new Triad Council the motion to remove the Triumvirate from the grand Coaltion has been approved and I will seek to pursue it here today should no argument sway me. But before I open the floor to these arguments, let me first make mine."

"Firstly, I should note I bear no ill will towards any in the Grand Coalition, much the opposite in fact, I desire that all the nations currently standing as members remain friends and allies to the Triumvirate and will pursue that by any means I can. If the Coalition states would turn their back on the Triumvirate for leaving and shun or attack it for doing so then I should stay, but I should warn that if such is the case it would only make a stronger case to be levied against the Coalition by our enemies. For you see, those not belonging to the Coalition, and I do not speak only of the Union of the North or its followers, but others as well such as the Glazfelli, the Wenyavuk, those of the south in Imperium lands, speak constant ill of the Coalition as a bullying force that in its existence threatens all who do not belong to its list of members."

"While it may seem the talk of foreigners is unimportant, if this Summit shows anything it shows that increasingly the nations are beginning to think internationally, they're beginning to want to develop on the world stage, not just the local or regional one and as that happens and the Coalition is saddled with the name of bully who do you think shall be the target used to levy force against? The Coalition. As the UN prompted the creation of the greater and more dangerous GC so too will the GC, by existing so blatantly and openly, shall prompt some greater allied power to rise up against it. What I propose is not the burning of the bridges that make up the Coalition, but the removal of the title identifying them all as such. If there is no Grand Coalition there can be no grand conspiracy by it to bully the rest of the world. If we do not send delegates to meet behind closed doors to discuss Coalition business but instead communicate through letters and unorganized and labelled meetings the target on our backs will shrink."

"I would see the alliances that compose the GC survive and keep the north central continent and holdings upon the west and east remain bound together in friendship and alliance, but that this friendship should not be given some easily accessible name for our enemies to rally others against."

Concluding his speech Aluic folded his hands in front of him and sat down, allowing any of the others present to voice their own ideas or concerns.



OOC: If this is acceptable to you let's update the Alliance of Scale and Sky to it.

The Alliance of Scale and Sky
Participants:Triumvirate, Alydaxan Dominion
Alliance is a pact of mutual non-interference and trade. All signatory nations will respect the military actions of all other signed nations and will not interfere or intervene unless their assistance is requested and given freely.

Trades: Aloren Goats for Scla'ca Gold and Aloren Saffron for Alydaxian Silver

[TheWombatOfDoom]

"Who then might settle their disputes? Would they be subject to laws of the land in which they were held? I do not understand the reason for your objection Lord Girard."

Girard looked like it would be obvious. "How can a prisioner pass formal judgement on other prisioners? It also assumes to much about the conditions of imprisionment, such as how many individuals are imprisioned, if they are imprisioned together, and so on. I may be missunderstanding the intentions of this perclosure, however. What is your take on this?"

[QuintonBeck]

Girard looked like it would be obvious. "How can a prisioner pass formal judgement on other prisioners? It also assumes to much about the conditions of imprisionment, such as how many individuals are imprisioned, if they are imprisioned together, and so on. I may be missunderstanding the intentions of this perclosure, however. What is your take on this?"

"I believe the intention no doubt would be that an officer or another of respected rank could be chosen by his or her troops to arbitrate disputes and enforce the law as the prisoners were used to. Obviously such arbitration would be subject to review by one's captors I imagine, but allowing a senior member of any captured troops to maintain cohesion among them even as prisoners and not as soldiers does not seem an egregious breach. Perhaps it is to some here though, in which case I suppose it needn't be included in any actual written code and instead simply be the practices of those nations that do not find it a dangerous practice. Speaking for the Triumvirate, I should say we would allow such arbitration and appointment among any soldiers who were captive in our lands."

[Rizban]

"One of the requirements you propose is "humane" treatment. This term must be defined, especially since there are certain nations where the people would view limited access to strong alcohol as entirely inhumane, if not cruel and unusual punishment befitting only tyrants."

[Elemental]

"I propose the following at a minimum:"

The queen pulled out a prepared leaflet, and had servants pass out copies to all those present. She then read from the list:

"Prisoners of war cannot be compelled to aid in the war effort of their captors. Prisoners of war must be accommodated clean water, food, clothing, and shelter.
Prisoners of war are to be treated humanely.
Prisoners of war are entitled to practice their own religion, rites, and appoint fellow prisoners of war to adjudicate disputes between each other."

Knowing that all other discussion would likely produce no result, Tansan turned his attention to the leaflet and was handed a sheet of parchment, a quill and ink by his son, Lazarul. Still paying attention to the debate going on, he began to draft a revised document in the common script. Eventually he stood up to speak.
"I apologise, but the last point is unacceptable. While I make no objection to those who choose to follow such a method themselves, Ashenia cannot. Our law is inviolable and to bend it for the benefit of our enemies such that they could follow blasphemous beliefs and subvert our justice would be unconscionable when they previously fought for our destruction. As such, we cannot agree to this proposal as written.
"However, I have prepared a counterproposal to address these points."
At this, his son Hazael stood and read out what the King had written.
"Prisoners of war may under no circumstances be compelled to work against their own allegiances.
"Prisoners of war must be treated with the basic dignity of all sentient creatures. As such, they are to be provided with sufficient food, shelter and clothing as their anatomy requires. Under no circumstances are they to be deprived of such basic necessities.
"Prisoners of war may under no circumstances be harmed save to prevent escape.
"Prisoners of war must follow the laws of the land in which they are incarcerated. If said laws are broken, they are to be treated appropriately.
"Prisoners of war who hold rank are to be kept in separate confinement as their status accords.
"Prisoners of war may be ransomed if both parties are in agreement, but may not be used as hostages.
"Prisoners of war may not be used as labourers save by their own agreement and only then for suitable payment.
"Prisoners of war may not be sold into slavery, banished to distant lands or otherwise prevented from returning to their country of origin at the cessation of hostilities.
"All the above points may be contravened if it is necessary to prevent harm to sentient creatures."

[Aedilred]

Duke Wiltor was bored. The early excitement when people had been yelling about regicide and trying to avoid being openly rude had been entertaining enough, but now everybody was being entirely reasonable again and discussing the nuts and bolts of treaties. Hardly any of the delegations had even had the consideration to bring some attractive women along for him to gawp at.

He yawned expansively, seeming almost oblivious to anything else around him, at least until someone clouted him round the head.

He turned, startled and outraged, to confront the soldier who had hit him. “What on earth do you think you're doing?” he hissed.

“You were yawning. It's rather rude.”

Wiltor couldn't deny either of those charges, but he was still the first lord of the kingdom, and the soldier's insolence grated on his nerves. “Who are you to tell me what to do?”

“I'm a man of your clan. If you get into a fight I'll have to protect you, and I'd rather not die because someone takes offence at your inability to sit through a conversation... milord.”

The man did have a point. “Don't ever strike me again,” he said, and turned back round, trying to keep his eyes open.



"Prisoners of war may under no circumstances be compelled to work against their own allegiances.
"Prisoners of war must be treated with the basic dignity of all sentient creatures. As such, they are to be provided with sufficient food, shelter and clothing as their anatomy requires. Under no circumstances are they to be deprived of such basic necessities.
"Prisoners of war may under no circumstances be harmed save to prevent escape.
"Prisoners of war must follow the laws of the land in which they are incarcerated. If said laws are broken, they are to be treated appropriately.
"Prisoners of war who hold rank are to be kept in separate confinement as their status accords.
"Prisoners of war may be ransomed if both parties are in agreement, but may not be used as hostages.
"Prisoners of war may not be used as labourers save by their own agreement and only then for suitable payment.
"Prisoners of war may not be sold into slavery, banished to distant lands or otherwise prevented from returning to their country of origin at the cessation of hostilities.
"All the above points may be contravened if it is necessary to prevent harm to sentient creatures."
Eirwynn had been watching Hazael closely as he read the points, trying to get some measure of the man. When he finished, she glanced at Athelmere as if asking permission to speak, and when he waved for her to continue, stood, blushing slightly.

"These seem fine points, lord king, ...lord prince," she said, nodding respectfully to each of them in turn, "although I would suggest some minor refinements to avoid deliberate misunderstanding. First, it should perhaps be specified that prisoners must only be harmed if in the process of attempting escape, since otherwise it could be read that it was acceptable to take any measures to prevent escape pre-emptively. Second, that it be specified that 'prisoners of rank' includes both civil and military rank, and, third, that in the exception clause it reads "suspended" rather than "contravened", since it carries a greater implication of impermanence."

She sat down again hurriedly, trying not to meet anyone's eyes. Seated next to Tailong, her sister grinned like a cat.

[Jeriah]

Sorry, I don't have anything to contribute to the discussion at the moment; however, I'd really like to get some trades going.

I can offer Rubber, Shedding Trees, Silk, and Fine Porcelain.

[TheWombatOfDoom]

Sorry, I don't have anything to contribute to the discussion at the moment; however, I'd really like to get some trades going.

I can offer Rubber, Shedding Trees, Silk, and Fine Porcelain.

Does the rubber need a tech to be used? What would its current use be? And what in the world is a shedding tree? XD

[WaylanderX]

During a break from the deliberations Aluic approached the Queen Amalia and Prince of Hurosha.

"Excuse me your majesty, your lordship, might I have a word?"

Leading the two off to a more secluded area he extended a hand to both of them in turn, "Before we get started I would like to properly introduce myself in a way less formal than was prompted upon my arrival. I have heard only the finest of things of both of you and your families from my friend Syana, and allow me to again apologize on behalf of the Triumvirate and as a family man myself to you Queen Amalia for the actions Zhuang took against Andust's wife, and to you Prince Wayve for that loss as well, I know Mira was like a sister to Sharas and I take solace in that through her and all our memories she might live on."

"But I did not ask to speak with you merely to apologize for the sins of Zhuang, I wished to speak to you both about the Treatise Elemental signed between our nations some years ago," he paused, seeming to be careful with his next words, "The treaty is a great symbol for our nations' friendship and holds a place high within Triumvirate esteem. To break it would be no less than to raise a blade against one's own brother, which we could not tolerate," he rushed the last part, realizing his words might be taken as an accidental reference of Zhuang.

"But there is one part of the treaty that bothers me. The agreement to share all technologies between our nations. I have reviewed the various exchanges between our nations and have found many of the distributed technologies were distributed to Hurosha and Celero from the Triumvirate while the Triumvirate has only received a few in return. This would not bear concern in my mind, being that at many different times many different countries are in more advantageous positions to receive technologies or invent new ones and I should expect either Hurosha or Celero to outpace Triumvirate acquisitions some time in the future and then the balance will be maintained, but what does concern me is the actions of Celero. You'll pardon me Queen Amalia, but I couldn't help but notice the Celerese have repeatedly gained technologies not possessed by the Triumvirate or Hurosha under agreements not to disseminate these technologies meaning we never receive them. First with Blackpowder and then with Lenses, and while I understand you do not wish to break growing ties with the UN but you have made the continued dissemination of technologies acquired by the Triumvirate to your lands a much harder prospect to sell to the Senate and the Triad Council when those acquired by your nation are not sent back in return."

"As I would not ask you to break your word to the UN nations you have been dealing with I should like to instead simply offer a small alteration to the terms of the treaty. Rather than the dissemination of technologies as acquired to all parties I believe it might be fairer to all involved if the clause were changed to read that the members of the Treatise shall have first opportunity to acquire any technology acquired by another member and that the terms of such exchange shall be negotiated between the members in a case by case basis. What say you?"



Wayve patiently listened to the man's story. It wasn't that unreasonable, the treaty was old and made when the Ignato Empire was still a solitairy state, proud of its power. Unfortunatly, those times were long gone, and the treaty was outdated. However, the man before him, one of the people that ruled the Triumvirate, appearently in the people's voice, was not an Ignato. As much as Wayve despised Zhuang's actions, he was still family and the bond between the two families, both rulers, remained. Now that all was gone. Alien people controlled the once proud empire and the Ignato line was reduced to ashes. An alteration of the treaty was indeed in order, but a decision more severe than the one Aluic was in order, he felt. He know that his time to take over Hurosha was drawing near, and this could be of the greatest importance later. However, the point he struck about Celero not keeping their end of the bargain was sound indeed.

"I do agree, lord Aluic, that the treaty is faulty. The Treatise is outdated, forged in days long past when everything was different. As such, an alteration is indeed in order. Before that though, I would like to echo your question to Celero."

He looked at the Celerese leader.

"I noticed the same thing. You are helping Ashenia, a country who's relationship with Hurosha is at the least fragile. In addition, you don't uphold your end of the bargain with your allies. If there is a good reason behind it, I would very much like to hear it also."

His gaze returned to Aluic.

"About the Treatise though, I think a total reevaluation of it is necesairy, for neither of our nations are the same as when the Treatise was formed. It is an ancient bond, getting rusted with time. We can fix one link, but maybe there are other that also need repairing, so to speak. I am thinking of suggesting to the Empress to step out of the Treatise, until further agreements are reached and this matter is resolved."



Speaker Shaeldtae took a deep breath and tugged at his tunic to straighten it. This was a large proposition he was about to bring forward and he did not have the pedigree and history he imagined he would need for his proposition to be met and listened to. Nevertheless, he was determined to make it.

During a break from the primary discussion he approached the representatives of the various Coalition nations, asking Amalia for a private room which they might discuss something in. Once they were all gathered in one location Aluic began.

"Esteemed representatives, I thank you all for joining me here and thank you to Queen Amalia for providing a forum that we might speak."

"I know my name is a new one to many of you, I know that my position may be seen as illegitimate or weak, and I know I do not share the history by blood that was shared with your nations by the Ignato line, but let me assure you all the history between our nations is shared with me in spirit and in the proposition I now bring before you. I believe the Grand Coalition as it stands must be dissolved for the good of all the nations who claim membership to it."

He let any murmurs or objections break at this point but raised his hands in a plea for silence and continued speaking,

"Some may know I was friends with Syana Ignato during her reign as Empress, some of you may not, but the matter of fact is I spoke with her often about the reputation the Grand Coalition was gaining amongst the international community. It was not and is not a good one. The Empress, even as the wise woman she was could not move to break away from the GC feeling she owed it to her grandfather and her family in Hurosha to keep it together. Even as she tried to distance herself and the Triumvirate from the darkening reputation of the Coalition her adamant remaining within it kept the Triumvirate from truly breaking away from its tainted reputation. But now, with the new Triad Council the motion to remove the Triumvirate from the grand Coaltion has been approved and I will seek to pursue it here today should no argument sway me. But before I open the floor to these arguments, let me first make mine."

"Firstly, I should note I bear no ill will towards any in the Grand Coalition, much the opposite in fact, I desire that all the nations currently standing as members remain friends and allies to the Triumvirate and will pursue that by any means I can. If the Coalition states would turn their back on the Triumvirate for leaving and shun or attack it for doing so then I should stay, but I should warn that if such is the case it would only make a stronger case to be levied against the Coalition by our enemies. For you see, those not belonging to the Coalition, and I do not speak only of the Union of the North or its followers, but others as well such as the Glazfelli, the Wenyavuk, those of the south in Imperium lands, speak constant ill of the Coalition as a bullying force that in its existence threatens all who do not belong to its list of members."

"While it may seem the talk of foreigners is unimportant, if this Summit shows anything it shows that increasingly the nations are beginning to think internationally, they're beginning to want to develop on the world stage, not just the local or regional one and as that happens and the Coalition is saddled with the name of bully who do you think shall be the target used to levy force against? The Coalition. As the UN prompted the creation of the greater and more dangerous GC so too will the GC, by existing so blatantly and openly, shall prompt some greater allied power to rise up against it. What I propose is not the burning of the bridges that make up the Coalition, but the removal of the title identifying them all as such. If there is no Grand Coalition there can be no grand conspiracy by it to bully the rest of the world. If we do not send delegates to meet behind closed doors to discuss Coalition business but instead communicate through letters and unorganized and labelled meetings the target on our backs will shrink."

"I would see the alliances that compose the GC survive and keep the north central continent and holdings upon the west and east remain bound together in friendship and alliance, but that this friendship should not be given some easily accessible name for our enemies to rally others against."

Concluding his speech Aluic folded his hands in front of him and sat down, allowing any of the others present to voice their own ideas or concerns.





Wayve sighed. Everything was going under now. His ancestors probably turned in their graves. With a heavy heart he stood up. I guess this is the turning point, he thought. A wave of change, for good or for bad, is upon us. May Ashmar guide me.

"I can see where you're coming from, lord Aluic. Hurosha will not bear any ill will against the Triumvirate for leaving the Grand Coalition, nor against any other nation who wants to leave the fraction. However, the legacy given to me, to us, by our ancestors, who sacrificed much to make this happen, is sacred to my people, myself included. If the Grand Coalition is indeed desolved by a majority or all of its participants, Hurosha will still honor this ancient pact, even if it is by ourselves."

A deep sorror penetrated his last few words, but his face did not betray any trace of emotion.

"Call us fools for clinging to the past, but the past has always been a good teacher. And the world keeps turning and progressing. We will honor these lessons of the past, keep them in our hearts. If this going through, Hurosha is going to reevaluate all of its alliances, to see who is still a staunch ally and who will take us for granted, leaving us in our time of need."

[Jeriah]

Does the rubber need a tech to be used? What would its current use be? And what in the world is a shedding tree? XD

Information about my resources can be found in my region post (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=17674360&postcount=28). I don't know whether rubber needs a tech or what. Morph gave that resource, so you'll have to ask him...

[Aedilred]

Sorry, I don't have anything to contribute to the discussion at the moment; however, I'd really like to get some trades going.

I can offer Rubber, Shedding Trees, Silk, and Fine Porcelain.


Does the rubber need a tech to be used? What would its current use be? And what in the world is a shedding tree? XD
Wombat, I imagine that rubber could be useful in Raaneka :smallamused:

I have Dyes, and I think Quartz available for trade. Happy to take Rubber in exchange (especially if it actually does something), or Shedding Trees.

[WaylanderX]

Information about my resources can be found in my region post (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=17674360&postcount=28). I don't know whether rubber needs a tech or what. Morph gave that resource, so you'll have to ask him...

If you can wait a round, I got Iron, Gold, Goats, Squid and Quartz available for trade. I don't really mind whatever resource you offer in return, but rubber would be very nice. You can make your proposal this turn, and I can accept it next turn, if you want to do business.

[Morph Bark]

Knowing that all other discussion would likely produce no result, Tansan turned his attention to the leaflet and was handed a sheet of parchment, a quill and ink by his son, Lazarul. Still paying attention to the debate going on, he began to draft a revised document in the common script. Eventually he stood up to speak.
"I apologise, but the last point is unacceptable. While I make no objection to those who choose to follow such a method themselves, Ashenia cannot. Our law is inviolable and to bend it for the benefit of our enemies such that they could follow blasphemous beliefs and subvert our justice would be unconscionable when they previously fought for our destruction. As such, we cannot agree to this proposal as written.
"However, I have prepared a counterproposal to address these points."
At this, his son Hazael stood and read out what the King had written.
"Prisoners of war may under no circumstances be compelled to work against their own allegiances.
"Prisoners of war must be treated with the basic dignity of all sentient creatures. As such, they are to be provided with sufficient food, shelter and clothing as their anatomy requires. Under no circumstances are they to be deprived of such basic necessities.
"Prisoners of war may under no circumstances be harmed save to prevent escape.
"Prisoners of war must follow the laws of the land in which they are incarcerated. If said laws are broken, they are to be treated appropriately.
"Prisoners of war who hold rank are to be kept in separate confinement as their status accords.
"Prisoners of war may be ransomed if both parties are in agreement, but may not be used as hostages.
"Prisoners of war may not be used as labourers save by their own agreement and only then for suitable payment.
"Prisoners of war may not be sold into slavery, banished to distant lands or otherwise prevented from returning to their country of origin at the cessation of hostilities.
"All the above points may be contravened if it is necessary to prevent harm to sentient creatures."

Tailong stood. "Many good points you have, honourable Ashenians. However, in the Imperium we hold that a man should earn his keep, and therefore prisoners of any sort are set to work, in the fields or the mines. To incarcerate hundreds of men for years would be costly, and I would not wish that upon my people or even the poor under my enemies' governance. It would be a legal paradox to implement that. However, I agree with all your other points and would happily take part in a treaty to implement it or include it in our codex. I would further like to echo my sister-in-law's point for stronger, clearer meaning, if it please you." As he called Eirwynn such, Tailong's lips inadvertently turned into a smile while he spoke, and when he sat back down he took hold of Ambrynn's hand.


Sorry, I don't have anything to contribute to the discussion at the moment; however, I'd really like to get some trades going.

I can offer Rubber, Shedding Trees, Silk, and Fine Porcelain.

I have the best goats and tons of them! Also grain. And fish. I'm the guy you want for food.

I also have music rocks, silver, diamonds and everlava (but I prefer to trade that one for supernatural stuff). I am interested in rubber and silk.

[Elemental]

"You raise valid points Princess Eirwynn. While we are all likely to follow the spirit of such an agreement, it would be foolish of us to assume that that will always be the case. It is good that there are others here to help close loopholes before they cause problems."
Tansan bent down and crossed out the offending statements before amending them.


"Prisoners of war may under no circumstances be compelled to work against their own allegiances.
"Prisoners of war must be treated with the basic dignity of all sentient creatures. As such, they are to be provided with sufficient food, shelter and clothing as their anatomy requires. Under no circumstances are they to be deprived of such basic necessities.
"Prisoners of war may only be harmed if in the process of escaping, and then only to prevent a successful escape.
"Prisoners of war must follow the laws of the land in which they are incarcerated. If said laws are broken, they are to be treated appropriately.
"Prisoners of war who hold rank, whether civil, aristocratic, martial or ecclesiastical, are to be kept in separate confinement as their status accords.
"Prisoners of war may be ransomed if both parties are in agreement, but may not be used as hostages.
"Prisoners of war may not be used as labourers save by their own agreement and only then for suitable payment.
"Prisoners of war may not be sold into slavery, banished to distant lands or otherwise prevented from returning to their country of origin at the cessation of hostilities.
"All the above points may be suspended if it is necessary to prevent harm to sentient creatures."

That done, he stood again at full height and addressed Tailong.
"You are correct, a man should earn his own keep. But when imprisoned a man is no longer his own responsibility alone, it is the duty of his captors to provide for him. To force a man to work against their will for their bread and the privilege of their shackles when there only crime is offering their lives for their king and country is slavery. I can sign no document that would allow such an unjust thing to occur."

[Rizban]

Sorry, I don't have anything to contribute to the discussion at the moment; however, I'd really like to get some trades going.

I can offer Rubber, Shedding Trees, Silk, and Fine Porcelain.

I have Borterri Ale, Drum lizards, Grain, Wood, and Longhorn Cattle available if anyone is interested. I've already concluded trade negotiations with Jeriah.

[lt_murgen]

"You are correct, a man should earn his own keep. But when imprisoned a man is no longer his own responsibility alone, it is the duty of his captors to provide for him. To force a man to work against their will for their bread and the privilege of their shackles when there only crime is offering their lives for their king and country is slavery. I can sign no document that would allow such an unjust thing to occur."

"Perhaps, then, a clause could be added that states, "Work may be offered to prisoners so that they might earn food, comfort, and accomodation beyond what is considered basic necesities. This labor will not be seen by either nation as capitulation or assistance to the captor nation.' Thus captives could work fields to grow vegetables to supplement their basic bread and water diet, and neither nation would see this as anything more than a benefit to the prisoners." Opus added. He missed Fern grinning and flashing Eirwynn a thumbs up.


I would love to trade gems for shedding trees

[Aedilred]

Athelmere chuckled. "I find myself in agreement with both King Tansan and my lord Qzare. On the one hand, slavery is rightly abhorred by most right-thinking nations, and I should not wish to sign a document which permitted it. On the other hand, if prisoners are taken in any sort of numbers it could put great strain on the resources of any realm and it would not seem right to allow one's own subjects to starve or otherwise suffer for the sake of prisoners.

"Perhaps a compromise could be reached, where prisoners remain entitled to basic sustenance, including food, water and shelter necessary for survival - as Queen Amalia has already suggested, irrespective of their own activities while imprisoned - but that if they wish to enjoy any privileges above and beyond those necessary for their survival and sentient dignity that their captors may require them to work to earn them, as would be the case for any other subject. In my experience, most men would prefer to be occupied in any case than sit idle, if given the chance to earn a better standard of living. Would that satisfy each of your concerns, my lords?"

Ninjad!

[Logic]

Wayve patiently listened to the man's story. It wasn't that unreasonable, the treaty was old and made when the Ignato Empire was still a solitairy state, proud of its power. Unfortunatly, those times were long gone, and the treaty was outdated. However, the man before him, one of the people that ruled the Triumvirate, appearently in the people's voice, was not an Ignato. As much as Wayve despised Zhuang's actions, he was still family and the bond between the two families, both rulers, remained. Now that all was gone. Alien people controlled the once proud empire and the Ignato line was reduced to ashes. An alteration of the treaty was indeed in order, but a decision more severe than the one Aluic was in order, he felt. He know that his time to take over Hurosha was drawing near, and this could be of the greatest importance later. However, the point he struck about Celero not keeping their end of the bargain was sound indeed.

"I do agree, lord Aluic, that the treaty is faulty. The Treatise is outdated, forged in days long past when everything was different. As such, an alteration is indeed in order. Before that though, I would like to echo your question to Celero."

He looked at the Celerese leader.

"I noticed the same thing. You are helping Ashenia, a country who's relationship with Hurosha is at the least fragile. In addition, you don't uphold your end of the bargain with your allies. If there is a good reason behind it, I would very much like to hear it also."

His gaze returned to Aluic.

"About the Treatise though, I think a total reevaluation of it is necesairy, for neither of our nations are the same as when the Treatise was formed. It is an ancient bond, getting rusted with time. We can fix one link, but maybe there are other that also need repairing, so to speak. I am thinking of suggesting to the Empress to step out of the Treatise, until further agreements are reached and this matter is resolved."





Wayve sighed. Everything was going under now. His ancestors probably turned in their graves. With a heavy heart he stood up. I guess this is the turning point, he thought. A wave of change, for good or for bad, is upon us. May Ashmar guide me.

"I can see where you're coming from, lord Aluic. Hurosha will not bear any ill will against the Triumvirate for leaving the Grand Coalition, nor against any other nation who wants to leave the fraction. However, the legacy given to me, to us, by our ancestors, who sacrificed much to make this happen, is sacred to my people, myself included. If the Grand Coalition is indeed desolved by a majority or all of its participants, Hurosha will still honor this ancient pact, even if it is by ourselves."

A deep sorror penetrated his last few words, but his face did not betray any trace of emotion.

"Call us fools for clinging to the past, but the past has always been a good teacher. And the world keeps turning and progressing. We will honor these lessons of the past, keep them in our hearts. If this going through, Hurosha is going to reevaluate all of its alliances, to see who is still a staunch ally and who will take us for granted, leaving us in our time of need."

Um... what? I haven't been keeping up my end of the treaty? :smallconfused:

(If you are speaking of Printing Press or Blackpowder, they are specific exceptions with a non-dissemination clause for 2 generations of rulers.)

[TheDarkDM]

Nezetkhamun had listened intently to the debate between the western kings, adding nothing himself. However, as Athelemere spoke out in support of the king of Ashenia's ignorance, Nezetkhamun's voice cut through the air.

"Does Jarrland mean to imply that the nations of the east are not right-thinking?"

[QuintonBeck]

Speaker Shaeldtae nodded along at the proposals being made by the fellow delegates.

"I should support such an amendment," he said at the mention of allowing captives to work to earn better standards of living.

He wondered if should the Razdisi be here the mention of prisoners by Tailong would be so easily dismissed. Or an Ignato. He also glanced over at the strangers from the east, the Tzalteclan and the almost strangers of the Glazfelli delegation. He had heard they were not opposed to slavery and wondered how they felt about what was being discussed but did not question them.

EDIT: Ninja'd



Wayve patiently listened to the man's story. It wasn't that unreasonable, the treaty was old and made when the Ignato Empire was still a solitairy state, proud of its power. Unfortunatly, those times were long gone, and the treaty was outdated. However, the man before him, one of the people that ruled the Triumvirate, appearently in the people's voice, was not an Ignato. As much as Wayve despised Zhuang's actions, he was still family and the bond between the two families, both rulers, remained. Now that all was gone. Alien people controlled the once proud empire and the Ignato line was reduced to ashes. An alteration of the treaty was indeed in order, but a decision more severe than the one Aluic was in order, he felt. He know that his time to take over Hurosha was drawing near, and this could be of the greatest importance later. However, the point he struck about Celero not keeping their end of the bargain was sound indeed.

"I do agree, lord Aluic, that the treaty is faulty. The Treatise is outdated, forged in days long past when everything was different. As such, an alteration is indeed in order. Before that though, I would like to echo your question to Celero."

He looked at the Celerese leader.

"I noticed the same thing. You are helping Ashenia, a country who's relationship with Hurosha is at the least fragile. In addition, you don't uphold your end of the bargain with your allies. If there is a good reason behind it, I would very much like to hear it also."

His gaze returned to Aluic.

"About the Treatise though, I think a total reevaluation of it is necesairy, for neither of our nations are the same as when the Treatise was formed. It is an ancient bond, getting rusted with time. We can fix one link, but maybe there are other that also need repairing, so to speak. I am thinking of suggesting to the Empress to step out of the Treatise, until further agreements are reached and this matter is resolved."



Wayve sighed. Everything was going under now. His ancestors probably turned in their graves. With a heavy heart he stood up. I guess this is the turning point, he thought. A wave of change, for good or for bad, is upon us. May Ashmar guide me.

"I can see where you're coming from, lord Aluic. Hurosha will not bear any ill will against the Triumvirate for leaving the Grand Coalition, nor against any other nation who wants to leave the fraction. However, the legacy given to me, to us, by our ancestors, who sacrificed much to make this happen, is sacred to my people, myself included. If the Grand Coalition is indeed desolved by a majority or all of its participants, Hurosha will still honor this ancient pact, even if it is by ourselves."

A deep sorror penetrated his last few words, but his face did not betray any trace of emotion.

"Call us fools for clinging to the past, but the past has always been a good teacher. And the world keeps turning and progressing. We will honor these lessons of the past, keep them in our hearts. If this going through, Hurosha is going to reevaluate all of its alliances, to see who is still a staunch ally and who will take us for granted, leaving us in our time of need."


OOC: Yeah, those. That's two out of three total recently acquired so... I've given out like 6 techs at least over the course, which is fine, but I'm giving a lot away and getting little in return so I was hoping to make it more or less where as it becomes available techs can be swapped for techs rather than just hemorrhaging them whenever we get a bunch.

After listening to the explanation of Queen Amalia he listened in turn to the proposition made by Wayve.

"I wish I could say I were surprised, but it was something I was expecting from many who were friends not to the nations but to the Ignato family," Aluic said calmly, "I should note that the Ignatos do retain executive power in Woodwind as they did traditionally and that beyond the bond between Ignato and Earthguard many of our local populaces throughout Triumviral lands and Hurosha consider the other a sister nation. Families of locals have immigrated to both sides and both Triumvirate and Hurosha have prospered from the years of friendship shared between our nations. I should imagine pulling that away would shock and scare many. Many Triumvirate citizens at the least and if I would be so bold I think many Huroshans would find it just as shocking and frightening as well. That two nations so long bonded in peace and brotherhood would sever ties would speak of deep distrust or anger between them that I do not see leading to good things. The decision of course, is up to your Empress, but I would ask that rather than advise her to remove herself from its bond that instead you ask of me what it would take to make this most ancient and sacred treaty right in your eyes?"



"And so should the Triumvirate still honor its pact as well. Perhaps I misspoke in calling this a dissolution, it would be that only in the public eye. Rather, the Coalition would become something private and officially non-existent. Something that could not be pointed to clearly by those seeking to lay blame. You know as well as I do, for I have studied the histories of our lands, that nearly one century ago a bond was formed between Kasumor and Woodwind. A bond that lasted through the evolution of Woodwind into the Ignato Empire, Kasumor into the Hurosha Empire, and I would ask it survive the evolution of the Ignato Empire into the Triumvirate. The people of the Triumviral provinces once belonging to the Ignato Empire did not march to Zargrim's defense when the UN and Nightmare Bond plotted against you on the simple whim of an Emperor, they marched for their brothers. They did not march to join the armies in Kasumor to stand against the Tekorvan rebels led by the mad Elder Kuramkesh because Syana told them to, they marched to join their brothers. The people of our nations are bonded Prince Wayve. The ties of family are not exclusive to royalty, the common people mix as well, they always have."

"So they have mixed across all the lands of the Coalition, so long have we stood as brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, grandmothers and grandfathers to children across the continent. Let us not continue to carry on the Grand Coalition as a sign of unity that draws derision from the outside world. Let us not feel reliant on a meeting room filled annually to discuss 'Coalition Plans' let us instead be a family of nations as we have grown to be and let that, my brothers, be our binding terms. We shall always be allies, we shall always rise to the defense of those who have risen to our own defenses. Furthering the Grand Coalition gives a political name to a bond of family which I find disheartening is felt to be needed."

[Aedilred]

Nezetkhamun ad listened intently to the debate between the western kings, adding nothing himself. However, as Athelemere spoke out in support of the king of Ashenia's ignorance, Nezetkhamun's voice cut through the air.

"Does Jarrland mean to imply that the nations of the east are not right-thinking?"
"Not at all," he replied, as levelly as he could manage. "I have nothing but respect for the people of Sycia, Lyradis or Niemidaland, and while the late King Hroar had his eccentricities both he and King Khyne have always seemed eminently sensible in my dealings with them. The Guilderenes, of course, are madmen and fools, but that is no secret."

"I am not in the habit of giving insult by implication." He glared at the AQUA delegates as he said it. "Nor do I like to argue from a position of ignorance. I know little of the Tzaltec Empire save its location and what I have heard from traders and the Shinan. Certainly not enough to pass judgment on the state of mind of the rulers of the Empire for permitting, or even encouraging, such an institution to persist. Perhaps you would care to enlighten us, if that would not inconvenience our hostess too greatly? I believe we are all in agreement on the points regarding prisoners of war, save this one?"

[QuintonBeck]

Aluic nodded as the Jarrland King spoke, "Indeed, I believe many of us not in the east do not understand fully the workings of your society and the hierarchies within it, perhaps you could enlighten us all?" he smiled in as friendly a way as he could manage.

[WaylanderX]

Speaker Shaeldtae nodded along at the proposals being made by the fellow delegates.

"I should support such an amendment," he said at the mention of allowing captives to work to earn better standards of living.

He wondered if should the Razdisi be here the mention of prisoners by Tailong would be so easily dismissed. Or an Ignato. He also glanced over at the strangers from the east, the Tzalteclan and the almost strangers of the Glazfelli delegation. He had heard they were not opposed to slavery and wondered how they felt about what was being discussed but did not question them.

EDIT: Ninja'd




OOC: Yeah, those. That's two out of three total recently acquired so... I've given out like 6 techs at least over the course, which is fine, but I'm giving a lot away and getting little in return so I was hoping to make it more or less where as it becomes available techs can be swapped for techs rather than just hemorrhaging them whenever we get a bunch.

After listening to the explanation of Queen Amalia he listened in turn to the proposition made by Wayve.

"I wish I could say I were surprised, but it was something I was expecting from many who were friends not to the nations but to the Ignato family," Aluic said calmly, "I should note that the Ignatos do retain executive power in Woodwind as they did traditionally and that beyond the bond between Ignato and Earthguard many of our local populaces throughout Triumviral lands and Hurosha consider the other a sister nation. Families of locals have immigrated to both sides and both Triumvirate and Hurosha have prospered from the years of friendship shared between our nations. I should imagine pulling that away would shock and scare many. Many Triumvirate citizens at the least and if I would be so bold I think many Huroshans would find it just as shocking and frightening as well. That two nations so long bonded in peace and brotherhood would sever ties would speak of deep distrust or anger between them that I do not see leading to good things. The decision of course, is up to your Empress, but I would ask that rather than advise her to remove herself from its bond that instead you ask of me what it would take to make this most ancient and sacred treaty right in your eyes?"



"And so should the Triumvirate still honor its pact as well. Perhaps I misspoke in calling this a dissolution, it would be that only in the public eye. Rather, the Coalition would become something private and officially non-existent. Something that could not be pointed to clearly by those seeking to lay blame. You know as well as I do, for I have studied the histories of our lands, that nearly one century ago a bond was formed between Kasumor and Woodwind. A bond that lasted through the evolution of Woodwind into the Ignato Empire, Kasumor into the Hurosha Empire, and I would ask it survive the evolution of the Ignato Empire into the Triumvirate. The people of the Triumviral provinces once belonging to the Ignato Empire did not march to Zargrim's defense when the UN and Nightmare Bond plotted against you on the simple whim of an Emperor, they marched for their brothers. They did not march to join the armies in Kasumor to stand against the Tekorvan rebels led by the mad Elder Kuramkesh because Syana told them to, they marched to join their brothers. The people of our nations are bonded Prince Wayve. The ties of family are not exclusive to royalty, the common people mix as well, they always have."

"So they have mixed across all the lands of the Coalition, so long have we stood as brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, grandmothers and grandfathers to children across the continent. Let us not continue to carry on the Grand Coalition as a sign of unity that draws derision from the outside world. Let us not feel reliant on a meeting room filled annually to discuss 'Coalition Plans' let us instead be a family of nations as we have grown to be and let that, my brothers, be our binding terms. We shall always be allies, we shall always rise to the defense of those who have risen to our own defenses. Furthering the Grand Coalition gives a political name to a bond of family which I find disheartening is felt to be needed."


Dangit, you're driving me into a corner :smalltongue:. And here I was trying to play an arrogant prince, who holds too much value in the past. I'll respond on this later today, but for now, well done, you bastard :smallbiggrin:.

[TheDarkDM]

The Teotlkan turned, and smiled at Aluic.

"Of course. Unlike the nations of the west, Tzaltelan is home to innumerable small tribes both physically and culturally distinct from the Tzalteca. In antiquity, these tribes warred against us to take what we had managed to build. Needless to say, they were defeated. But rather than exterminate them or let them limp away to grow strong again, my people took control of those wayward tribes, bringing them into the warm embrace of our civilization. We gave them language, education, purpose. As wards of the state, they are housed, clothed, and fed from the coffers of Tzalteclan. And in return, they give us their loyal service, both in recompense for their forefathers' sins and in recognition of Tzaltec supremacy."

[Logic]

The Teotlkan turned, and smiled at Aluic.

"Of course. Unlike the nations of the west, Tzaltelan is home to innumerable small tribes both physically and culturally distinct from the Tzalteca. In antiquity, these tribes warred against us to take what we had managed to build. Needless to say, they were defeated. But rather than exterminate them or let them limp away to grow strong again, my people took control of those wayward tribes, bringing them into the warm embrace of our civilization. We gave them language, education, purpose. As wards of the state, they are housed, clothed, and fed from the coffers of Tzalteclan. And in return, they give us their loyal service, both in recompense for their forefathers' sins and in recognition of Tzaltec supremacy."

"Teotlkan Nezetkhamun, while I do not condone the slavery of your lands, I have no right to criticize what is purely an internal affair, either." Amalia lingered her gaze on Athelmere a moment longer than the rest of the leaders present.

"However," she resumed, this time speaking directly to the Teotlkan "Despite any other objections to how you run your internal affairs, would you find it objectionable to agree to the point of order being contested?"

[Aedilred]

"Teotlkan Nezetkhamun, while I do not condone the slavery of your lands, I have no right to criticize what is purely an internal affair, either." Amalia lingered her gaze on Athelmere a moment longer than the rest of the leaders present.

Athelmere bit back an angry response to the moral cowardice of the Celerese queen. A 'purely internal affair', when what had just been described was the conquest and enslavement of the Tzalteca's neighbours! He looked around for a moment, wondering if anyone else had noticed that, or was prepared to speak on it. He did not wish to frustrate the designs of the summit more than was necessary, but he would never forgive himself if that were allowed to stand unchallenged.

"I believe you are mistaken, Teotlkan," he said, eventually. "Many of the nations of the west, as you so term us, are comprised of many smaller peoples. In fact I doubt there is any ruler present who could not claim such. Many of these peoples were added to their current realms through war and conquest." He looked directly at Aluic. "We are not unfamiliar with the need to integrate disparate cultures under a common ruler. Yet nowhere else - to my knowledge - has slavery been the means used."

[TheWombatOfDoom]

The Teotlkan turned, and smiled at Aluic.

"Of course. Unlike the nations of the west, Tzaltelan is home to innumerable small tribes both physically and culturally distinct from the Tzalteca. In antiquity, these tribes warred against us to take what we had managed to build. Needless to say, they were defeated. But rather than exterminate them or let them limp away to grow strong again, my people took control of those wayward tribes, bringing them into the warm embrace of our civilization. We gave them language, education, purpose. As wards of the state, they are housed, clothed, and fed from the coffers of Tzalteclan. And in return, they give us their loyal service, both in recompense for their forefathers' sins and in recognition of Tzaltec supremacy."

Girard's usually friendly face hardened, darkening his tanned face. He remained silent, but looked to Humperdink, displeasure cast his way. However, for now he remained silent. He was beginning to understand first hand that not everyones choice in their rule was one he could abide.

[BladeofObliviom]

Athelmere bit back an angry response to the moral cowardice of the Celerese queen. A 'purely internal affair', when what had just been described was the conquest and enslavement of the Tzalteca's neighbours! He looked around for a moment, wondering if anyone else had noticed that, or was prepared to speak on it. He did not wish to frustrate the designs of the summit more than was necessary, but he would never forgive himself if that were allowed to stand unchallenged.

"I believe you are mistaken, Teotlkan," he said, eventually. "Many of the nations of the west, as you so term us, are comprised of many smaller peoples. In fact I doubt there is any ruler present who could not claim such. Many of these peoples were added to their current realms through war and conquest." He looked directly at Aluic. "We are not unfamiliar with the need to integrate disparate cultures under a common ruler. Yet nowhere else - to my knowledge - has slavery been the means used."

(Switching the Duke Senroth's speech to a deeper purple, for the sake of not being the same as Athelmere's.)

A deep chuckle comes from the Duke's place, as he lifts his cane to denote his own speech.

"Now, now, your Majesty, I know not what you think of when the word 'slavery' comes up, but I suspect it is not the same as what the Tzaltec practice. Their fields are not strewn with the bones of the dead, nor are they filled with wild-eyed lashers looking for an excuse to punish the oppressed masses! No, they feed, clothe, and shelter people who would starve and waste away with disease in any other case. Is that so truly evil? Should they simply be left to starve, or become an endless wave of criminals and raiders?

Furthermore, King Jarrow, you have derailed the subject of conversation onto an irrelevant tangent. Nowhere did the Teotlkan object to your measure regarding prisoners of war, but merely expressed contempt for your casual insult toward the entire Tzaltec culture. Am I mistaken, Teotlkan?"

A faint smirk creased the man's face, though he kept it subtle enough that it might be missed unless one were to look carefully. Nevertheless, his eyes were as stone and his stance equally so.

[QuintonBeck]

Dangit, you're driving me into a corner :smalltongue:. And here I was trying to play an arrogant prince, who holds too much value in the past. I'll respond on this later today, but for now, well done, you bastard :smallbiggrin:.


I believe the appripriate expression is: Mwahaha? :smallwink: Seriously though, I was pretty proud of those speeches, especially the GC one, glad they got me called a bastard. That's how you know you've done good work haha :smallbiggrin:


Athelmere bit back an angry response to the moral cowardice of the Celerese queen. A 'purely internal affair', when what had just been described was the conquest and enslavement of the Tzalteca's neighbours! He looked around for a moment, wondering if anyone else had noticed that, or was prepared to speak on it. He did not wish to frustrate the designs of the summit more than was necessary, but he would never forgive himself if that were allowed to stand unchallenged.

"I believe you are mistaken, Teotlkan," he said, eventually. "Many of the nations of the west, as you so term us, are comprised of many smaller peoples. In fact I doubt there is any ruler present who could not claim such. Many of these peoples were added to their current realms through war and conquest." He looked directly at Aluic. "We are not unfamiliar with the need to integrate disparate cultures under a common ruler. Yet nowhere else - to my knowledge - has slavery been the means used."

Aluic met Athelmere's gaze and nodded. His own blood was beginning to boil at the dismissive way in which the Tzalteclan had casually referenced the enslavement of intelligent creatures.

"My family line and my country were once independent, a small community of artists and writers. My family ruled the area, and when the Khan Dyamus Ignato came we did not fight, we joined peacefully and created the Ignato Empire. Now we have grown into the capital of the Triumvirate, a site of culture and evolved thinking that should we have come into the hands of the Tzalteclan I can't imagine could ever have happened. When word came the lizardfolk of Nyroth were in a state of eternal servitude to the Fae there my ancestors marched with the Doomkhan to end that practice, but even when it was done all those in Nyroth were treated with the respect and dignity afforded to any intelligent creature. The Ignato Empire stood for decades, and its successor, the Triumvirate has seen the integration of cultures and people through common understanding and enlightened thinking. The armies of Hrathan-Tuor once marched against those of Woodwind, now men and women from Woodwind sit within the Senate and are equals, many are friends."

"To say that simply raising arms against you warrants enslavement, and worse still, to say that it warrants and legitimizes the enslavement of the children of those who fought against you is of the highest form of ignorance and wrong thinking. To believe Tzaltec are in some way rightfully superior to any other disgusts me," Aluic spoke levelly, his voice not rising above that of a conversational tone.

"Queen Amalia, I appreciate you are attempting to maintain a civil order and not disturb what progress was being made but by tolerating the presence of a slaver at a table where we would assume such practices to be abhorrent speaks of an implication that any rules set forth by this meeting might be ignored should they be deemed 'internal matters' and the very thought of a nation of slavers or torturers or those who would starve their people and be ignored by the international community as long as they did not treat foreigners in such a way sickens me to my core."

Aluic looked back at King Athelmere. While the two might disagree on some things in regards to the rights of rulership and the legitimate source of governmental power in this he felt he had found a brother and for a moment was reminded of his debates with Syana when she was Empress. How they so often clashed in ideologies but when the two were agreed they became a powerful force and through their shared and disparate beliefs had even become friends. His anger, contained behind a cool face, kept him from dreaming too long and he was forced again to look at the Tzaltec man who called himself ruler in the eastern kingdom.

EDIT

(Switching the Duke Senroth's speech to a deeper purple, for the sake of not being the same as Athelmere's.)

A deep chuckle comes from the Duke's place, as he lifts his cane to denote his own speech.

"Now, now, your Majesty, I know not what you think of when the word 'slavery' comes up, but I suspect it is not the same as what the Tzaltec practice. Their fields are not strewn with the bones of the dead, nor are they filled with wild-eyed lashers looking for an excuse to punish the oppressed masses! No, they feed, clothe, and shelter people who would starve and waste away with disease in any other case. Is that so truly evil? Should they simply be left to starve, or become an endless wave of criminals and raiders?

Furthermore, King Jarrow, you have derailed the subject of conversation onto an irrelevant tangent. Nowhere did the Teotlkan object to your measure regarding prisoners of war, but merely expressed contempt for your casual insult toward the entire Tzaltec culture. Am I mistaken, Teotlkan?"

A faint smirk creased the man's face, though he kept it subtle enough that it might be missed unless one were to look carefully. Nevertheless, his eyes were as stone and his stance equally so.

"Ah but of course my Duke, it so often slips my mind that the only way to care for people is to enslave them and force them to work for nothing but the continued gift of life. It seems I should return to the Triumvirate with the news that the concepts of commerce and honest pay for honest work have been solved by the mighty Tzaltec. Simply provide what might be provided to any already and remove the payment. These workers are overpaid for their work. They should be pleased their government simply doesn't execute them for refusing to work their lives in toil to their masters. The Triumvirate Reserve and our great economic system may very well be shut down now that slavery has been brought to light as the solution to any economic or social problem," Aluic smiled back at the Duke with malicious pleasantness.

[Logic]

*snip*

"Speaker Shaeldtae, you will mind your tone, or I will have you ejected from the premises. Is that clear?" Queen Amalia's own tone brooked no argument. The look upon her face indicated she was just short of shouting.

[QuintonBeck]

"Speaker Shaeldtae, you will mind your tone, or I will have you ejected from the premises. Is that clear?" Queen Amalia's own tone brooked no argument. The look upon her face indicated she was just short of shouting.

"If you shall eject me for speaking against the institution of slavery than I shall be ejected your majesty," the Speaker still did not raise his voice and his eyes remained locked with the Queen.

[Logic]

"If you shall eject me for speaking against the institution of slavery than I shall be ejected your majesty," the Speaker still did not raise his voice and his eyes remained locked with the Queen.

"You have made your position on the subject more than clear. Now I ask you to be polite and allow the people of Tzaltec Empire to maintain their affairs in peace, or have the courage to stand up to your values and declare war against them. I will not have your snide comments undermine this summit." The Celero Queen was positively fuming now.

[QuintonBeck]

"You have made your position on the subject more than clear. Now I ask you to be polite and allow the people of Tzaltec Empire to maintain their affairs in peace, or have the courage to stand up to your values and declare war against them. I will not have your snide comments undermine this summit." The Celero Queen was positively fuming now.

"War is the only option should I find their practices abhorrent? Talking is considered right out? Even if it were in my power to do so, which it is not, I could not in good conscience declare war on any without first speaking to them, but as you seem content to ignore the issue at this current moment I shall respect your wishes and pursue it no further. Bear in mind I do not think ignoring the subject will end well for any involved, but if that is your will I am a guest here and shall attempt and abide," Aluic crossed his hands in front of his and after finishing his speech to the Queen turned to smile at the rest of the delegates.

"I believe we were discussing whether or not we found the concept of forcing prisoners of war to work to earn their basic necessities to be something worthy of inclusion in this charter or not?"

[Logic]

It's a wonder Shaeldtae was ever elected speaker. Thought the Queen. The man is too thickheaded to realize when a subject has reached an impasse, and he derails far too easily. Is this where Celero is headed? A Head of Government too proud to know when he can't win a simple argument? This is why nobles rule. Commoners have no manners.

"Thank you for relinquishing the floor, speaker." Amalia resumed much calmer now. "It is the opinion of Celero that requesting work from prisoners of war is not out of the question. We would prefer to not force prisoners of war into and form of indentured servitude, but depending on the circumstances, may agree to terms where the wording is not prone to abuse.

[Rizban]

Ronyao arches his back to pop stiffening joints after sitting for so long. He speaks up, attempting to change the direction of the conversation at large.

"I think any agreements we can make here will be less than acceptable to at least some party present. Joining together on this and creating something that all can approve and submit to in good faith is a daunting task. Just this matter of discussing the way prisoners of war should be handled is taking much longer than I think our host, or any of us, had anticipated.

I propose that we spend the remainder of this meeting outlining the topics we need to address and creating an agenda for the next meeting. We can each go our own ways, examine the upcoming agenda thoroughly in the coming months, and reconvene at a later date better prepared to settle these matters.

I propose the following agenda for the next summit, which I will admit is no comprehensive, as there is far more that will need to be settled. As it is, I believe the following points are mandatory to be addressed, but we still may not finish debating all of them at the next summit. This is going to be a very lengthy process.


One; Sovereignty, a definition and setting of borders. Sub-One; Rights and responsibilities thereof.
Sub-Two; Limits and restrictions thereof.
Sub-Three; Acceptable situations of breach thereof.
Two; War, the declaring of and justification for. Sub-One; The conventions and restrictions thereof.
Sub-Two; The conclusions thereof and prisoner handling.
Three; Knowledge and Technology, a definition. Sub-One; Origination and ownership thereof.
Sub-Two; Legal spread and sharing thereof.
Sub-Three; Penalties on illegal acquisition and distribution thereof.
Four; Faith, the definition and recognition. Sub-One; Freedoms and limitations thereof.
Sub-Two; The spread and sharing thereof."

[Elemental]

"Let us not be too hasty Ronyao. I suggest we resolve this summit before we plan the next. I believe we are close to an agreement."


"Thank you for relinquishing the floor, speaker." Amalia resumed much calmer now. "It is the opinion of Celero that requesting work from prisoners of war is not out of the question. We would prefer to not force prisoners of war into and form of indentured servitude, but depending on the circumstances, may agree to terms where the wording is not prone to abuse.

"Had those who objected not been too hasty in their objections to a prohibition of using prisoners as unwilling labour, they would have listened further and found that I had already added a clause that should resolve this issue.
"Prisoners of war may not be used as labourers save by their own agreement and only then for suitable payment.
"It is my thought that that is something we can all agree to and I apologise for overlooking it in my haste to decry the notion of indentured servitude."

It took me a while to remember that I had added that in.

[WaylanderX]

OOC: Yeah, those. That's two out of three total recently acquired so... I've given out like 6 techs at least over the course, which is fine, but I'm giving a lot away and getting little in return so I was hoping to make it more or less where as it becomes available techs can be swapped for techs rather than just hemorrhaging them whenever we get a bunch.

After listening to the explanation of Queen Amalia he listened in turn to the proposition made by Wayve.

"I wish I could say I were surprised, but it was something I was expecting from many who were friends not to the nations but to the Ignato family," Aluic said calmly, "I should note that the Ignatos do retain executive power in Woodwind as they did traditionally and that beyond the bond between Ignato and Earthguard many of our local populaces throughout Triumviral lands and Hurosha consider the other a sister nation. Families of locals have immigrated to both sides and both Triumvirate and Hurosha have prospered from the years of friendship shared between our nations. I should imagine pulling that away would shock and scare many. Many Triumvirate citizens at the least and if I would be so bold I think many Huroshans would find it just as shocking and frightening as well. That two nations so long bonded in peace and brotherhood would sever ties would speak of deep distrust or anger between them that I do not see leading to good things. The decision of course, is up to your Empress, but I would ask that rather than advise her to remove herself from its bond that instead you ask of me what it would take to make this most ancient and sacred treaty right in your eyes?"


Wayve sighed. He should have expected such a reply. He had acted too rashly. Inwardly he smiled, he had much to learn.

"How much this misstep shames me, I have to admit you are right on the subject of the people. Admitting ones faults can also be considered a source of Prowess. However, it doesn't change the fact that the Treatise is outdated. I will not ask my mother to leave the Treatise, however I urge us to come to an adequate conclusion as fast as possible. For our people's sake aswell as our own's."


"And so should the Triumvirate still honor its pact as well. Perhaps I misspoke in calling this a dissolution, it would be that only in the public eye. Rather, the Coalition would become something private and officially non-existent. Something that could not be pointed to clearly by those seeking to lay blame. You know as well as I do, for I have studied the histories of our lands, that nearly one century ago a bond was formed between Kasumor and Woodwind. A bond that lasted through the evolution of Woodwind into the Ignato Empire, Kasumor into the Hurosha Empire, and I would ask it survive the evolution of the Ignato Empire into the Triumvirate. The people of the Triumviral provinces once belonging to the Ignato Empire did not march to Zargrim's defense when the UN and Nightmare Bond plotted against you on the simple whim of an Emperor, they marched for their brothers. They did not march to join the armies in Kasumor to stand against the Tekorvan rebels led by the mad Elder Kuramkesh because Syana told them to, they marched to join their brothers. The people of our nations are bonded Prince Wayve. The ties of family are not exclusive to royalty, the common people mix as well, they always have."

"So they have mixed across all the lands of the Coalition, so long have we stood as brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, grandmothers and grandfathers to children across the continent. Let us not continue to carry on the Grand Coalition as a sign of unity that draws derision from the outside world. Let us not feel reliant on a meeting room filled annually to discuss 'Coalition Plans' let us instead be a family of nations as we have grown to be and let that, my brothers, be our binding terms. We shall always be allies, we shall always rise to the defense of those who have risen to our own defenses. Furthering the Grand Coalition gives a political name to a bond of family which I find disheartening is felt to be needed."

An unofficial dissolution. It might work, but Wayve say a couple of problems with it. Traces of the past would not be so easily get rid off.

"My grandfather, Marius Earthguard, was the one to call the Grand Conference nearly 100 years ago. For that time, Hurosha has been one of the core members of the GC. Even if the GC is desolved, Hurosha would still be remembered as the one with which it all started. I know my mother has the same opinion."

Wayve placed his hand on his heart before continuing.

"We consider the Grand Coalition to be part of us, unseparable, entwined forever. We do consider you all as family, ancient bonds binding and uniting us. However, although we would not go as far as to stop trade or even wage war, we do want to know with what new people we are dealing with. New alliances have been forged outside the GC, maybe even stronger ones than those who keep the GC together in spirit. Hurosha will keep this legacy in its heart, but the past must not be denied, only learned from, and wore with pride."


The Teotlkan turned, and smiled at Aluic.

"Of course. Unlike the nations of the west, Tzaltelan is home to innumerable small tribes both physically and culturally distinct from the Tzalteca. In antiquity, these tribes warred against us to take what we had managed to build. Needless to say, they were defeated. But rather than exterminate them or let them limp away to grow strong again, my people took control of those wayward tribes, bringing them into the warm embrace of our civilization. We gave them language, education, purpose. As wards of the state, they are housed, clothed, and fed from the coffers of Tzalteclan. And in return, they give us their loyal service, both in recompense for their forefathers' sins and in recognition of Tzaltec supremacy."


*This happens around the same time as Quinton's rebuke*

Inside, Wayve was boiling with rage. This insolence, this arrogance, it was almost too much to bear. Looking sideways to his trusted friends, the pillars of the Hurosha Empire, his eyes grew wide. Grïend was visibly trembling with anger and he saw that Kenwyn was clenching his fists to the point of drawing blood from his palms. Myron, Helga and Haruka seemed fine, if slightly taken aback by it all. This could go terribly wrong. He had to step in and calm Grïend and Kenwyn down. He streched his hand towards Grïend.....

But alas, it was already too late, Grïend stood up with the sound of an avalance.

"CONDONE SLAVERY?!...EVERYONE SHOULD BE...EQUAL!...ONLY MEASURED IN PROWESS...THIS IS AN...OUTRAGE...!!"

Kenwyn stood up, eyes flaming.

"I apologize in advance for my and Grïend's outburst, but this is indeed an outrage! Zargrim will not cooperate with a nation build upon oppresion of will and Prowess! Hurosha took Zargrim partly by force and partly by diplomacy, showing that their Prowess was greater than Zargrim's at the time. Did they enslave us? NO! They took us in with open arms, showed us their ways, made us learn, adept. Refusing ones potential is a crime almost as grave as genocide. This..."


"ENOUGH!!!"

Wayve stood up, his face red, wings spread out.

"Have you two lost your mind?! We are here to promote peace between all our lands, not to provoke those who we deem wrong. Calm yourself, sit down and listen.... You are a shame to your own Prowess."

Kenwyn's face went red, his eyes at the ground.

"Y-y-yes..my liege..My apologies."

Grïend looked if he wanted to interject, but as he met Wayve's deathly glare, the fight seem to leave him. Without saying anything else, he sat down once again, making the ground tremble when he returned to his position.

Wayve seem to mutter something which sounded suspiciously like "Bloody fools" and turned towards Queen Amalia.

"My apologies, your highness. We of Hurosha have always seen racial equality as a given. Measuring once worth in Prowess and Prowess alone, either mentally, physically or in faith, we cannot grasp the concept of slavery. We believe that Ashmar made every race to be equal, but with differing areas of expertise. Despite how much I am sorry for the behaviour of Ambassadors Grïend and Kenwyn, my own blood seething and boiles at such notions of slavery. Hurosha will stay quiet until the subject of slavery and disequality has passed."

With these words, Wayve took his seat once more. If glares could kill, the entire Tzalteclan deligation would be turned to ashes on the spot.

[QuintonBeck]

Wayve sighed. He should have expected such a reply. He had acted too rashly. Inwardly he smiled, he had much to learn.

"How much this misstep shames me, I have to admit you are right on the subject of the people. Admitting ones faults can also be considered a source of Prowess. However, it doesn't change the fact that the Treatise is outdated. I will not ask my mother to leave the Treatise, however I urge us to come to an adequate conclusion as fast as possible. For our people's sake aswell as our own's."

An unofficial dissolution. It might work, but Wayve say a couple of problems with it. Traces of the past would not be so easily get rid off.

"My grandfather, Marius Earthguard, was the one to call the Grand Conference nearly 100 years ago. For that time, Hurosha has been one of the core members of the GC. Even if the GC is desolved, Hurosha would still be remembered as the one with which it all started. I know my mother has the same opinion."

Wayve placed his hand on his heart before continuing.

"We consider the Grand Coalition to be part of us, unseparable, entwined forever. We do consider you all as family, ancient bonds binding and uniting us. However, although we would not go as far as to stop trade or even wage war, we do want to know with what new people we are dealing with. New alliances have been forged outside the GC, maybe even stronger ones than those who keep the GC together in spirit. Hurosha will keep this legacy in its heart, but the past must not be denied, only learned from, and wore with pride."



Aluic smiled at the man, happy his words had been accepted by the Huroshan Prince.

"We all learn with every new day, and with that knowledge our Prowess grows. No harm done my friend," Aluic said, referencing an old passage from a Kasumori text he had read, "The treaty most certainly is outdated and that I would wish to see fixed. Obviously it should need updating to reference the Triumvirate, the Hurosha Empire, and the Kingdom of Celero as its members and to alter the clause speaking of technological exchange to note that technologies need be exchanged for at least one other technology from one of the other three participants should, I believe, solve any issues taken by the Senate or the Guilds."

"I should also like to apologize to you Queen Amalia for earlier with the Tzaltec and if you felt accused in this conversation. In the Senate all Senators speak openly and plainly and don't stop speaking until a matter is resolved or the speaking parties have died of old age. Being appointed as the Speaker for these men and women tends to make one as brusk and conversational as them if only to beat them at the game and it seems this tendency carried over, even outside the Senate House. I apologize if my behavior offended you."



Aluic nodded at the Huroshan Prince's words.

"Of course it should be expected the Coalition would hold such a position and association with Hurosha, and while I cannot claim the same heritage to the organization as one of Ignato blood might the letters still received addressed to the Ignato Empire speaks to a continued association of the outside world between the Triumvirate and the former Ignato Empire. Further I would say the Coalition has influenced many policies still in place today and trades among member nations are an important, dare I even say, necessary part of our economy. I would not expect even with Coalition dissolution in the public eye that the Triumvirate or Hurosha or the other members of the Coalition should no longer be associated by the public outside, but to remove a name to the association lowers the risk that it will be worked against by a malevolent entity."

"As to the founding of alliances outside the Coalition," Aluic said, "The Triumvirate seeks to better develop relations with AQUA and the Kingdom of Jarrland as allies to the state outside the Coalition, but if for some reason unforeseen these nations were to come into conflict with the Coalition Family the Triumvirate would back its longheld family and allies over new friends. While the Triumvirate has changed and evolved much over the years, the belief in loyalty to those who one has pledged loyalty to remains paramount."

"As you say Prince Wayve, the Coalition has become something beyond a meeting of leaders such that your grandfather organized at the Conference those years ago, it has become a family, a web of support and friendship and brotherhood. I would never ask for these things to be dissolved. They are too valuable and treasured by the Triumvirate to be severed, but the removal of a name through which the outside world can deride our family would be, in the opinion of the Triumvirate, a powerful and prudent move. If outsiders wish to deride us let them not get away with dismissing some Coalition, let them call us by our names if they dare to go so far and if they do then we shall rise and face them as a family should. Together."

OOC: I kinda want to start referring to the Coalition as The Family now all mob style but doing that would kinda defeat the purpose of publicly dissolving it... Maybe we can use it as a secret code :smallwink: :smalltongue:

[TheDarkDM]

The anger of the assembled delegates was met by a cool stare from the Teotlkan, whose expression as he looked upon the delegations of Jarrland, the Triumvirate, and Hurosha was not unlike that of a man who had found something vaguely distasteful beneath his boot. However, he turned a nod of thanks towards Duke Senroth.

"My friend from Glazfell has the right of it, good Queen. And indeed, we of Tzalteclan have no objection to the protection of captive soldiers - warriors are held in high regard in the east."

He gave a thin smile to Queen Amalia.

"I apologize for changing the topic of discussion, good Queen. While it amuses me that men who cannot master their own emotions would presume to lecture on ruling, I am willing to move on."

[QuintonBeck]

Aluic smiled at the Tzaltec man as he turned his eyes upon him, but Aluic's own eyes were filled with derision and disdain for the eastern man. He would need to speak with the Guilderene delegation at some point. That a nation that followed the precepts of Radurja and had repeatedly echoed words of peace and cooperation could be privy to and not interfere or speak out regarding the slavery of its neighbors worried the speaker deeply.

"Then I believe we have an agreeable charter for the treatment of POWS?" he asked, turning towards the Ashenite delegation who held the edited paper.

[WaylanderX]

The anger of the assembled delegates was met by a cool stare from the Teotlkan, whose expression as he looked upon the delegations of Jarrland, the Triumvirate, and Hurosha was not unlike that of a man who had found something vaguely distasteful beneath his boot. However, he turned a nod of thanks towards Duke Senroth.

"My friend from Glazfell has the right of it, good Queen. And indeed, we of Tzalteclan have no objection to the protection of captive soldiers - warriors are held in high regard in the east."

He gave a thin smile to Queen Amalia.

"I apologize for changing the topic of discussion, good Queen. While it amuses me that men who cannot master their own emotions would presume to lecture on ruling, I am willing to move on."

Wayve dryly commented, his mouth in a wry smile.

"I do not need to hear that from a coward who relies on slavery to keep his people in check. But alas, the man has a point, let us move on to more managable matters."

[Reggiejam]

Valineth Varinel had been sitting rather quietly beside her husband, attending as representative of Faedas even if her husband could not yet officially represent the Hurosha Empire. After his spat with the eastern man and the rumblings of Griend she put a hand over his when he sat back down but said nothing. In her youth she had been thrust into a dangerous political game and now as a much older, much wiser woman she found herself observing more often than participating in discussions. She knew her husband and all of Hurosha held a deep seated resentment towards the concept of innate superiority of one person over another, a concept that had rubbed off on Valineth if not the Hertwastian or Yorukunin Aristocracy.

"It is best sometimes to let things go dear, let's not antagonize the man here. If you must do so, take him aside and judge his prowess one on one." she whispered to Wayve, where any straining or sitting close might hear her.

[SamBurke]

In stark contrast to the King of Guilder, the Tzaltec delegation that arrived with him did so with grandeur. Nezetkhamun was attired in the golden crown of his office, the onyx scales polished to a mirror sheen, the ruby eyes brilliant in the sunlight. The robe that trailed six feet behind him was red silk, a train of scales, each one meticulously embroidered in gold and stitched atop a black underlayer. The belt that cinched the heavy garment was wrought gold in the shape of two dragons coming face to face, while underneath was a black tunic patterned with golden fire and black trousers. The sole concession to this modern gathering was the Teotlkan's boots, but even they betrayed the delegation's exotic origins, being black crocodile skin with golden buckles and a pointed gold plate at the toe. Beside him walked his daughter Maatkare, resplendent in a gown of crimson and golden fire, her beauty still striking despite her thirty years. Following the royal pair was a small army of attendants, translators, and bureaucrats. But peppered in among the throng were a few men and women, who drew the eye for no reason other than they lacked the opulence of the royal throng. They moved like dancers, never straying too far from the Teotlkan and his presumptive heir, and took up positions of ease around the compound as Nezetkhamun took a seat alongside Humperdink. Leaning close to the haggard looking monarch, the Teotlkan whispered in a low voice.

"My friend, what troubles you? There has been a pall over you ever since we departed the east."

Humperdink takes a long time in responding, almost as if he doesn't hear. In fact, at first, Inigo speaks for him. "My father has just returned from the war in the east; the orcs were thrown back with much glory! Guilder's banner advances across the frontiers..."

But Humperdink interrupts. "Quiet, foolish son. Your very words in this hallowed hall degrade its greatness."

Finally, he stands, walking to the center of the room, the middle of the fight. "Peace is lovely, wonderful. Glorious in a true sense. My father loved that, my people love that... Guilder has sadly loved war for many years... and such is true of many nations." He bows his head.

"The fire that my father feared still burns inside each and every man in the room. If we searched, how many hidden blades would we find? So I say this with great sadness; for I know the Kingdom of Celero has a good heart.

"There cannot now be a great peace or an end to the turmoil. It is thus, with the greatest of sorrows that I can express... That Guilder will stay silent through the rest of the proceedings."

As he's about to turn, he stops for a moment, lifting his voice to bellow across the entire hall.


"WHILE MEN ARE WICKED, THERE WILL BE NO PEACE!"

Then Humperdink sits down.

[Aedilred]

Aluic smiled at the Tzaltec man as he turned his eyes upon him, but Aluic's own eyes were filled with derision and disdain for the eastern man. He would need to speak with the Guilderene delegation at some point. That a nation that followed the precepts of Radurja and had repeatedly echoed words of peace and cooperation could be privy to and not interfere or speak out regarding the slavery of its neighbors worried the speaker deeply.

"Then I believe we have an agreeable charter for the treatment of POWS?" he asked, turning towards the Ashenite delegation who held the edited paper.
"If the Qzare is satisfied with the caveat provided by King Tansan, then I am too," Athelmere said. Part of him wanted to continue the argument with the Teotlkan, though that would be fabulously unwise. Still, he couldn't help but feel that until that issue and like issues were addressed, any summit such as this would be something of a sham. He also thought he had caught some significant looks between the twins during the Huroshan's outburst - even after all this time it seemed they could still communicate with little more than a raised eyebrow - and thought it better to try to head things off before they added their own comments.


*snip*
Had embarrassment been a feature common to kings, Athelmere would certainly have been embarrassed following Humperdink's raving. He'd intended the remark about the madness of the Guilderene people as a joke to lighten the mood, but it seemed the old Doge really had lost his mind. Perhaps the kindest thing to do would simply be to pretend he had not spoken: there was no need to humiliate him in public.

[Morph Bark]

"If the Qzare is satisfied with the caveat provided by King Tansan, then I am too," Athelmere said. Part of him wanted to continue the argument with the Teotlkan, though that would be fabulously unwise. Still, he couldn't help but feel that until that issue and like issues were addressed, any summit such as this would be something of a sham. He also thought he had caught some significant looks between the twins during the Huroshan's outburst - even after all this time it seemed they could still communicate with little more than a raised eyebrow - and thought it better to try to head things off before they added their own comments.

"I am satisfied with that caveat." Tailong nodded in agreement with Athelmere and King Tansan.



Ronyao arches his back to pop stiffening joints after sitting for so long. He speaks up, attempting to change the direction of the conversation at large.

"I think any agreements we can make here will be less than acceptable to at least some party present. Joining together on this and creating something that all can approve and submit to in good faith is a daunting task. Just this matter of discussing the way prisoners of war should be handled is taking much longer than I think our host, or any of us, had anticipated.

I propose that we spend the remainder of this meeting outlining the topics we need to address and creating an agenda for the next meeting. We can each go our own ways, examine the upcoming agenda thoroughly in the coming months, and reconvene at a later date better prepared to settle these matters.

I propose the following agenda for the next summit, which I will admit is no comprehensive, as there is far more that will need to be settled. As it is, I believe the following points are mandatory to be addressed, but we still may not finish debating all of them at the next summit. This is going to be a very lengthy process.


One; Sovereignty, a definition and setting of borders. Sub-One; Rights and responsibilities thereof.
Sub-Two; Limits and restrictions thereof.
Sub-Three; Acceptable situations of breach thereof.
Two; War, the declaring of and justification for. Sub-One; The conventions and restrictions thereof.
Sub-Two; The conclusions thereof and prisoner handling.
Three; Knowledge and Technology, a definition. Sub-One; Origination and ownership thereof.
Sub-Two; Legal spread and sharing thereof.
Sub-Three; Penalties on illegal acquisition and distribution thereof.
Four; Faith, the definition and recognition. Sub-One; Freedoms and limitations thereof.
Sub-Two; The spread and sharing thereof."

"As the honourable Ashenians have noted, we are close to an agreement on treatment of prisoners, but establishing a solid agenda for a next summit of this sort is not a bad idea," Tailong noted approvingly. "At least on the matter of war and definition of war crimes."



Finally, [Humperdink] stands, walking to the center of the room, the middle of the fight. "Peace is lovely, wonderful. Glorious in a true sense. My father loved that, my people love that... Guilder has sadly loved war for many years... and such is true of many nations." He bows his head.

"The fire that my father feared still burns inside each and every man in the room. If we searched, how many hidden blades would we find? So I say this with great sadness; for I know the Kingdom of Celero has a good heart.

"There cannot now be a great peace or an end to the turmoil. It is thus, with the greatest of sorrows that I can express... That Guilder will stay silent through the rest of the proceedings."

As he's about to turn, he stops for a moment, lifting his voice to bellow across the entire hall.


"WHILE MEN ARE WICKED, THERE WILL BE NO PEACE!"

Then Humperdink sits down.

"YES!" Tailong proclaimed, standing and tearing open his shirt to reveal his bare chest and stomach, marked with golden godana, small scattered silver scales and a large scar on his abdomen from a boar hunt years ago, as well as noted lack of weapons underneath his clothes. It took him a second or two to realize the embarrassing nature of the act. "My apologies, I got caught up in the moment. Queen Amalia, please forgive me. Doge Humperdink, I hope at least you know I did not come bearing weapons. The only weapon I have brought with me is my wife, as I've heard Lord of Fire worshippers are considered weapons in the north."

He took a breath and coughed. "Regardless of that, while we certainly won't put an end to evil or even agree on a common definition of it, I think we can certainly make a move towards the greater good here and a promotion of justice and love. A Mularuhm proverb states that they will always win. Perhaps the northern Primarch can back me up on that, too. At any rate, I shall continue my work on the Codex. I have received cooperation from other Imperials and shall write to Shahidi Mkuu Shvedrishti as well. I would be honoured if the nations of the west and the east would likewise lend their support," he gave a nod to Girard Serendel, "and I believe there was a nation particularly entitled to such endeavors..." He looked at Valineth Varinel and smiled curiously. "I have heard there is a special pact that protects the nation of the Heartwaste and tells that the Heartwaste shall aid in any grand projects that promote peace. A system of laws adopted by multiple nations would be perfectly in line with that. If it requires my signing of your Pax Varinel, I shall gladly do so."


After the summit meeting of the day concludes, Tailong moves for a private talk with Rongyao. "We need to discuss the future of our nations, brother," he begins, "do you... if you had to choose between what your new Chief Hierarch tells you is the divine will of the Silver Lady and what is good for the people--assuming for a moment a situation in which the two are opposed--what would you do?"

[Reggiejam]

Valineth nodded at the man, The Pax Varinel promises to promote peace to neighbors, partners, and protectors of the Heartwaste as we cannot be neighbors I should be happy you become protectors and of course would lend support to an international law codex or in assisting with aligning multiple codices of law along similar lines that a consistent brand of justice and law might spread across the continents," she said with a smile.

[Elemental]

"I am satisfied with that caveat." Tailong nodded in agreement with Athelmere and King Tansan.

While the minor outbursts of insanity occurred, Prince Lazural copied the document written up by his father into a more suitable version for those present to sign. When that was done, Tansan moved to the wrap up the issue.
"Assuming no one has any further points to raise, I suggest we append our signatures and/or seals to this treaty to formalise it. Queen Amalia, once we are done it would be most helpful if your scribes would be able to provide copies before we all leave, the original I shall leave in your care."
After waiting briefly for any further objections or mad outcries, King Tansan signed his name and draw a handwritten seal adjacent to it.


The Propinlonge Convention Concerning the Treatment of Prisoners of War -

"Prisoners of war may under no circumstances be compelled to work against their own allegiances.
"Prisoners of war must be treated with the basic dignity of all sentient creatures. As such, they are to be provided with sufficient food, shelter and clothing as their anatomy requires. Under no circumstances are they to be deprived of such basic necessities.
"Prisoners of war may only be harmed if in the process of escaping, and then only to prevent a successful escape.
"Prisoners of war must follow the laws of the land in which they are incarcerated. If said laws are broken, they are to be treated appropriately.
"Prisoners of war who hold rank, whether civil, aristocratic, martial or ecclesiastical, are to be kept in separate confinement as their status accords.
"Prisoners of war may be ransomed if both parties are in agreement, but may not be used as hostages.
"Prisoners of war may not be used as labourers save by their own agreement and only then for suitable payment.
"Prisoners of war may not be sold into slavery, banished to distant lands or otherwise prevented from returning to their country of origin at the cessation of hostilities.
"All the above points may be suspended if it is necessary to prevent harm to sentient creatures."

Suggestions on a better name would be highly appreciated.

[TheWombatOfDoom]

While the minor outbursts of insanity occurred, Prince Lazural copied the document written up by his father into a more suitable version for those present to sign. When that was done, Tansan moved to the wrap up the issue.
"Assuming no one has any further points to raise, I suggest we append our signatures and/or seals to this treaty to formalise it. Queen Amalia, once we are done it would be most helpful if your scribes would be able to provide copies before we all leave, the original I shall leave in your care."
After waiting briefly for any further objections or mad outcries, King Tansan signed his name and draw a handwritten seal adjacent to it.



Suggestions on a better name would be highly appreciated.

OOC - STUMP - Summit Treaty for the Utility of Military Prisioners

[Rizban]

After the summit meeting of the day concludes, Tailong moves for a private talk with Rongyao. "We need to discuss the future of our nations, brother," he begins, "do you... if you had to choose between what your new Chief Hierarch tells you is the divine will of the Silver Lady and what is good for the people--assuming for a moment a situation in which the two are opposed--what would you do?""You speak as though the two are mutually exclusive. That is at the least ignorant and the most heresy. What is best for the people is the will of the Silver Lady. I will, of course, do what is best for them."

[TheWombatOfDoom]

*Time Bubble*

Grïend broke into a merry rumbling, startling some onlookers nearby, who perhaps thought the ceiling was collapsing.

"HA...I WILL...*ahem*...I will take you up on that offer, Lord Girard. And I would suggest you arrange a rather...SOLID...dancefloor. On another note though, Lord Wayve tasked me to ask you about the progress about a certain joint project. HE SAID...*ahem* he said you would know which one."

"Oh, I believe we can arrange as such. We are rebuilding the capital. Perhaps with some of Kasumor's Shintouite...we might be able to accomplish several things at once with your prowess." Girard looked about conspiratorily and spoke in quiter tones. "As for this other thing, the joint project is a success...we have all of the items of neccessity to complete the project. However, now it is time to test it, before we implement or distribute it."

((OOC - shall we have Griend visit next round?))

[Morph Bark]

Valineth nodded at the man, The Pax Varinel promises to promote peace to neighbors, partners, and protectors of the Heartwaste as we cannot be neighbors I should be happy you become protectors and of course would lend support to an international law codex or in assisting with aligning multiple codices of law along similar lines that a consistent brand of justice and law might spread across the continents," she said with a smile.

"I would be honoured to have your assistance for sake of justice for all and offer you my protection, milady," Tailong smiled back--a smile that twisted a bit as he received a casual kick underneath the table. He was happy it wasn't because he smiled at another youthful queen--at least he assumed that held no part in it, but rather some matters regarding the Huroshan-Heartwastian couple he had discussed with Ambryn that she had disagreed with him on. She probably thought he'd press them once they were in tighter cooperation with the northerners. He probably would.



While the minor outbursts of insanity occurred, Prince Lazural copied the document written up by his father into a more suitable version for those present to sign. When that was done, Tansan moved to the wrap up the issue.
"Assuming no one has any further points to raise, I suggest we append our signatures and/or seals to this treaty to formalise it. Queen Amalia, once we are done it would be most helpful if your scribes would be able to provide copies before we all leave, the original I shall leave in your care."
After waiting briefly for any further objections or mad outcries, King Tansan signed his name and draw a handwritten seal adjacent to it.

Suggestions on a better name would be highly appreciated.

Tailong stood up and walked over to Prince Lazural and King Tansan, one of the banner-bearers--the one with the purple dragon on a white field--following him. He signed the improvised document with his name in the ancient way and extended a hand to shake Tansan's. "Let this Treatise of Just Treatment be a good beginning to inter-state law, my good king."



"You speak as though the two are mutually exclusive. That is at the least ignorant and the most heresy. What is best for the people is the will of the Silver Lady. I will, of course, do what is best for them."

Tailong shook his head hurriedly. "No, no, I did not mean it like that! I mean... well, you remain in place as Patriarch Gloriosis, I've heard, while also being the secular ruler of the Priory. Doesn't this put the new Chief Hierarch in a spot where she can order you to do things, even if you can also order her as a member of your government?" He looked worried. "Brother, I have received word from King Athelmere and Lord Protector Markus Caercia. Neither they nor their heirs have chosen to accept you as Qzare and instead still support my claim to the title. King Kalderdan Ringmaker of Mularuhm has remained neutral on the matter. The Jarrs and Caercians follow their lords staunchly. A few in the Heartlands might support you, but my time as sergeant during the attack of the undead have made noblemen and commonfolk alike call out for me to take the crown."

Tailong licked his lips. "Yet as I live and breathe for the people, I have sworn not to wear a crown until the Imperium is whole again. We agree that the Priory being separate from the Imperium tears a whole between the families of both highborn and commonfolk, do we not?"

[Aedilred]

Athelmere stood, and, trailed by Alfmark, Duke Wiltor and one of the soldiers in heraldic colours, made his way over to where Tansan stood. He signed with a flourish, and handed the pen to Alfmark.

"You may well be king before the next summit is called," he said. "Will you put your own name to this convention?"

"I hope you will live to see many summits yet," Alfmark said, with a slight smile, "but for good measure, I shall sign in my own name." He signed in a smaller, tighter hand under the king's.

[WaylanderX]

"It is best sometimes to let things go dear, let's not antagonize the man here. If you must do so, take him aside and judge his prowess one on one." she whispered to Wayve, where any straining or sitting close might hear her.

"You are indeed right, my love." Wayve whispered back."I just lost my composure for a second there due to too much .... stupidity and craveness. It would not be wise to anger the man at this point in time. It is a good thing I have you by my side."

Wayve smiled lovingly at his wife, his expession soft for a moment before it returned to his serieus business expression once again.


"Oh, I believe we can arrange as such. We are rebuilding the capital. Perhaps with some of Kasumor's Shintouite...we might be able to accomplish several things at once with your prowess." Girard looked about conspiratorily and spoke in quiter tones. "As for this other thing, the joint project is a success...we have all of the items of neccessity to complete the project. However, now it is time to test it, before we implement or distribute it."

"GOOD..*ahem*...Good indeed. On a similar note, do you mind if I visit Lyradis in favour of deepening our connection, breakdancing and seeing how the project goes, perhaps even helping with the testing? I'll be traveling with an escort of multiple MENHÎRIN...*ahem* Menhîrin though, if that is oke with your lordship?"

*OOC*, Sure I can dig that.



Aluic smiled at the man, happy his words had been accepted by the Huroshan Prince.

"We all learn with every new day, and with that knowledge our Prowess grows. No harm done my friend," Aluic said, referencing an old passage from a Kasumori text he had read, "The treaty most certainly is outdated and that I would wish to see fixed. Obviously it should need updating to reference the Triumvirate, the Hurosha Empire, and the Kingdom of Celero as its members and to alter the clause speaking of technological exchange to note that technologies need be exchanged for at least one other technology from one of the other three participants should, I believe, solve any issues taken by the Senate or the Guilds."

"I should also like to apologize to you Queen Amalia for earlier with the Tzaltec and if you felt accused in this conversation. In the Senate all Senators speak openly and plainly and don't stop speaking until a matter is resolved or the speaking parties have died of old age. Being appointed as the Speaker for these men and women tends to make one as brusk and conversational as them if only to beat them at the game and it seems this tendency carried over, even outside the Senate House. I apologize if my behavior offended you."



Aluic nodded at the Huroshan Prince's words.

"Of course it should be expected the Coalition would hold such a position and association with Hurosha, and while I cannot claim the same heritage to the organization as one of Ignato blood might the letters still received addressed to the Ignato Empire speaks to a continued association of the outside world between the Triumvirate and the former Ignato Empire. Further I would say the Coalition has influenced many policies still in place today and trades among member nations are an important, dare I even say, necessary part of our economy. I would not expect even with Coalition dissolution in the public eye that the Triumvirate or Hurosha or the other members of the Coalition should no longer be associated by the public outside, but to remove a name to the association lowers the risk that it will be worked against by a malevolent entity."

"As to the founding of alliances outside the Coalition," Aluic said, "The Triumvirate seeks to better develop relations with AQUA and the Kingdom of Jarrland as allies to the state outside the Coalition, but if for some reason unforeseen these nations were to come into conflict with the Coalition Family the Triumvirate would back its longheld family and allies over new friends. While the Triumvirate has changed and evolved much over the years, the belief in loyalty to those who one has pledged loyalty to remains paramount."

"As you say Prince Wayve, the Coalition has become something beyond a meeting of leaders such that your grandfather organized at the Conference those years ago, it has become a family, a web of support and friendship and brotherhood. I would never ask for these things to be dissolved. They are too valuable and treasured by the Triumvirate to be severed, but the removal of a name through which the outside world can deride our family would be, in the opinion of the Triumvirate, a powerful and prudent move. If outsiders wish to deride us let them not get away with dismissing some Coalition, let them call us by our names if they dare to go so far and if they do then we shall rise and face them as a family should. Together."

OOC: I kinda want to start referring to the Coalition as The Family now all mob style but doing that would kinda defeat the purpose of publicly dissolving it... Maybe we can use it as a secret code :smallwink: :smalltongue:


"Let's speak about changing the terms after this ordeal is over, Aluic. For it needs much discussion and we need all our focus to bring this to a good conclusion. So if you would excuse me, I'm going to prepare for the next bout of discussions."

Wayve patted Aluic friendly on the shoulder before he made his way back to the conference room.

Wayve frowned, deep in thought.

"If the GC is only dissolved in name, but not in effect, I can see the merrits of that, both diplomatically and militairy. However, it would raise suspicion if everyone would abbandon the name at once. I suggestion that Hurosha will keep the GC name, to let it appear that we lost a major argument or debate and the loyalty of our...Family, as you said it so wonderfully."



"YES!" Tailong proclaimed, standing and tearing open his shirt to reveal his bare chest and stomach, marked with golden godana, small scattered silver scales and a large scar on his abdomen from a boar hunt years ago, as well as noted lack of weapons underneath his clothes. It took him a second or two to realize the embarrassing nature of the act. "My apologies, I got caught up in the moment. Queen Amalia, please forgive me. Doge Humperdink, I hope at least you know I did not come bearing weapons. The only weapon I have brought with me is my wife, as I've heard Lord of Fire worshippers are considered weapons in the north."

He took a breath and coughed. "Regardless of that, while we certainly won't put an end to evil or even agree on a common definition of it, I think we can certainly make a move towards the greater good here and a promotion of justice and love. A Mularuhm proverb states that they will always win. Perhaps the northern Primarch can back me up on that, too. At any rate, I shall continue my work on the Codex. I have received cooperation from other Imperials and shall write to Shahidi Mkuu Shvedrishti as well. I would be honoured if the nations of the west and the east would likewise lend their support," he gave a nod to Girard Serendel, "and I believe there was a nation particularly entitled to such endeavors..." He looked at Valineth Varinel and smiled curiously. "I have heard there is a special pact that protects the nation of the Heartwaste and tells that the Heartwaste shall aid in any grand projects that promote peace. A system of laws adopted by multiple nations would be perfectly in line with that. If it requires my signing of your Pax Varinel, I shall gladly do so."

Wayve facepalmed at Tailong's and Humperdink's antics, grumbling something about Salterri, Guilderenes, a rude word for someone's behind, giant insects and a bottomless pit. When the Treaty was being signed, Wayve stood up and bowed for Queen Amelia.

"Alas, I cannot sign this Treaty with the power invested in me at this time. I will bring the news and information I've gathered here to Hurosha to discuss it at great length, for this matter is indeed of great importance. Now if you would excuse me, I'll not disturb this meeting any longer and leave my peers to the signing of the document. Ambassadors, with me!"

Before he left, he tenderly took Valineth's hand and kissed it.

"My love, I will wait for you outside, until you are done with the Heartwaste's matters."

A mischievous sparkle appeared in his eyes.

"I assure you, it will not be hard to find us outside."

With that, he left the hall, the Hurosha Ambassadors in tow. Once outside, Wayve looked behind him to make sure nobody of the ruler was following them. A wicked grin appeared on his face.

"Oke people, let's have a little fun now, shall we? Get the stuff out of the hovercraft and lets get this party started!"

In the hall where the conference was held, a song could be heard faintly around five minutes after the Huroshan delegation left the conference.

Music can be heard playing from the plaza before the conference building, with people dancing and crowding around what appears to be the strangest band ever. It consists of a Kasumori singer, a Bucka playing a complicated wind instrument, a massive, strangly familiar Menhîrin playing on pauks, a dwarven female playing an accordeon, a Tekorvan with a tambourine, dancing seductavily on the beat, and a ore elf singing the backup voice in the songs and playing a shamisen. They all wear something that looks like a huge hat on their head (Sombrero) and a fake moustache, even the Menhîrin wears them, to ridiculous effect.


The song they are playing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPBiDs6yf1Q
Change the words of the songs into random words in a random Telluris language.

They seem to be having a mighty good time.

[Morph Bark]

Music can be heard playing from the plaza before the conference building, with people dancing and crowding around what appears to be the strangest band ever. It consists of a Kasumori singer, a Bucka playing a complicated wind instrument, a massive, strangly familiar Menhîrin playing on pauks, a dwarven female playing an accordeon, a Tekorvan with a tambourine, dancing seductavily on the beat, and a ore elf singing the backup voice in the songs and playing a shamisen. They all wear something that looks like a huge hat on their head (Sombrero) and a fake moustache, even the Menhîrin.


The song they are playing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPBiDs6yf1Q
Change the words of the songs into random words in a random Telluris language.

They seem to be having a mighty good time.

On the edge of the group, an old man with a thick moustache and a second fake moustache attached to it stands playing a banjo along with the others. The poncho he wears stands out with its fiery orange, red and yellow tones. He stops playing for a bit, sighs, and then continues with fervor after the dancer passes by him to grab his attention back to the musical matter at hand.

[Rizban]

Tailong shook his head hurriedly. "No, no, I did not mean it like that! I mean... well, you remain in place as Patriarch Gloriosis, I've heard, while also being the secular ruler of the Priory. Doesn't this put the new Chief Hierarch in a spot where she can order you to do things, even if you can also order her as a member of your government?" He looked worried. "Brother, I have received word from King Athelmere and Lord Protector Markus Caercia. Neither they nor their heirs have chosen to accept you as Qzare and instead still support my claim to the title. King Kalderdan Ringmaker of Mularuhm has remained neutral on the matter. The Jarrs and Caercians follow their lords staunchly. A few in the Heartlands might support you, but my time as sergeant during the attack of the undead have made noblemen and commonfolk alike call out for me to take the crown."

Tailong licked his lips. "Yet as I live and breathe for the people, I have sworn not to wear a crown until the Imperium is whole again. We agree that the Priory being separate from the Imperium tears a whole between the families of both highborn and commonfolk, do we not?"

"She may lead in spiritual matters, yes, but she has no authority over secular or governmental matters outside of Salteire itself. Indeed, the way the government is organized without the lands of the Priory, the Prior of each province is autonomous and equal. After my own reign ends, my heirs will not have this perceived conflict of interests. It shouldn't be a problem, but I am willing to step down from my role as a Patriarch if that will bring unity to the Imperium."

Rongyao frowns as Tailong continues.

"You know as well as I have never served in the military; however, I was living in Shengdi as a civilian at the time of the uprising and fought alongside those who fought for their lives. I led several groups of survivors away from the hordes and went back to find more. As an untrained civilian. I never received public accolades for it, but then, I wasn't the son of a prominent government official nor did I seek such.

I see where you are going, but I cannot step down or bow to you as Qzare, even if I wanted to do so for my own sake. The people of the Priory have felt wronged by the Xius for half a century or more, they fought long and hard against many threats and obstacles, both internal and foreign. They grew in strength and determination, and when they declared the Xius tyrants, they stood strong when Hanyeo came to subjugate them. They believe. Silver Mandate or not, were I to step down to you or any Xiu, the people of the Priory would rebel against me as a traitor to what they have fought for and won. They would turn against the Priory itself if it supported that move. What you allude to cannot be done, unless you plan to do as your father before you and bring a false unity through bloodshed and tyranny.

Truly, I wish for unity, and I have attempted to reach out where I could while weathering the threats and wars that have continually come since Hanyeo first assaulted Anaphorica. I have not demanded that others kneel to me, nor do I intend to do so. They look to you for guidance. So, tell me, where will you guide them? What do you believe is right for the people?"

[QuintonBeck]

Aluic easily signs his name and with it the devotion of the Triumvirate to the presented document.




"Let's speak about changing the terms after this ordeal is over, Aluic. For it needs much discussion and we need all our focus to bring this to a good conclusion. So if you would excuse me, I'm going to prepare for the next bout of discussions."

Wayve patted Aluic friendly on the shoulder before he made his way back to the conference room.

Wayve frowned, deep in thought.

"If the GC is only dissolved in name, but not in effect, I can see the merrits of that, both diplomatically and militairy. However, it would raise suspicion if everyone would abbandon the name at once. I suggestion that Hurosha will keep the GC name, to let it appear that we lost a major argument or debate and the loyalty of our...Family, as you said it so wonderfully."



Aluic nodded with a smile, "Of course, and thank you for listening to me. I shall hope our continued friendship and good ties shall prosper forevermore."

"An intriguing and perhaps wise matter of course. I would think doing so would serve the greater purpose of blinding our enemies to the truth of things. The Triumvirate shall step out officially at this conference, a matter of course seemingly befitting to a new state of governance. Unofficially of course our bonds only grow ever stronger, but the world outside need not know of that," he smiled conspiratorially.

[Kitsanth]

The Propinlonge Convention Concerning the Treatment of Prisoners of War -

"Prisoners of war may under no circumstances be compelled to work against their own allegiances.
"Prisoners of war must be treated with the basic dignity of all sentient creatures. As such, they are to be provided with sufficient food, shelter and clothing as their anatomy requires. Under no circumstances are they to be deprived of such basic necessities.
"Prisoners of war may only be harmed if in the process of escaping, and then only to prevent a successful escape.
"Prisoners of war must follow the laws of the land in which they are incarcerated. If said laws are broken, they are to be treated appropriately.
"Prisoners of war who hold rank, whether civil, aristocratic, martial or ecclesiastical, are to be kept in separate confinement as their status accords.
"Prisoners of war may be ransomed if both parties are in agreement, but may not be used as hostages.
"Prisoners of war may not be used as labourers save by their own agreement and only then for suitable payment.
"Prisoners of war may not be sold into slavery, banished to distant lands or otherwise prevented from returning to their country of origin at the cessation of hostilities.
"All the above points may be suspended if it is necessary to prevent harm to sentient creatures."

For a few moments there High Prince Vanya had feared that this summit would not reach any sort of resolution. But now that it seemed events were drawing to a close and with a proposal for future summits, Vanya was hopeful for the future.

"I am glad that a positive outcome has been reached at this summit. I will sign this agreement on behalf of the Sovereign Principality of Niskovia with the caveat that any future vassal of my nation will not be bound by this Convention unless their sovereign also signs this agreement."

[Aedilred]

For a few moments there High Prince Vanya had feared that this summit would not reach any sort of resolution. But now that it seemed events were drawing to a close and with a proposal for future summits, Vanya was hopeful for the future.
It's kind of a shame we didn't get round to addressing any other issues since there seemed to be room for more agreement or at least stall-setting IC and the PoWs were only one of a number of issues we seemed to think needed addressing; although it's the end of the round so further discussion probably won't happen OOC. And people seem to be signing this then running off, so I guess they've had enough? :smalltongue:

[Rizban]

It's kind of a shame we didn't get round to addressing any other issues since there seemed to be room for more agreement or at least stall-setting IC and the PoWs were only one of a number of issues we seemed to think needed addressing; although it's the end of the round so further discussion probably won't happen OOC. And people seem to be signing this then running off, so I guess they've had enough? :smalltongue:

That's kind of why I suggested setting an agenda for the next summit, but that seems to have been ignored pretty hard. I guess people don't really want to have an organized summit.

[Kitsanth]

Ronyao arches his back to pop stiffening joints after sitting for so long. He speaks up, attempting to change the direction of the conversation at large.

"I think any agreements we can make here will be less than acceptable to at least some party present. Joining together on this and creating something that all can approve and submit to in good faith is a daunting task. Just this matter of discussing the way prisoners of war should be handled is taking much longer than I think our host, or any of us, had anticipated.

I propose that we spend the remainder of this meeting outlining the topics we need to address and creating an agenda for the next meeting. We can each go our own ways, examine the upcoming agenda thoroughly in the coming months, and reconvene at a later date better prepared to settle these matters.

I propose the following agenda for the next summit, which I will admit is no comprehensive, as there is far more that will need to be settled. As it is, I believe the following points are mandatory to be addressed, but we still may not finish debating all of them at the next summit. This is going to be a very lengthy process.


One; Sovereignty, a definition and setting of borders. Sub-One; Rights and responsibilities thereof.
Sub-Two; Limits and restrictions thereof.
Sub-Three; Acceptable situations of breach thereof.
Two; War, the declaring of and justification for. Sub-One; The conventions and restrictions thereof.
Sub-Two; The conclusions thereof and prisoner handling.
Three; Knowledge and Technology, a definition. Sub-One; Origination and ownership thereof.
Sub-Two; Legal spread and sharing thereof.
Sub-Three; Penalties on illegal acquisition and distribution thereof.
Four; Faith, the definition and recognition. Sub-One; Freedoms and limitations thereof.
Sub-Two; The spread and sharing thereof."

Perhaps if someone were to propose to host a second summit with a more focused discussion topic? I would volunteer but things will be hectic over the next couple rounds in Niskovia.

[QuintonBeck]

Yes, things have gone so well why not push for more :smalltongue: Seriously though, it probably should go on thinking in in-character terms but thinking in game terms I don't think anyone else wants stick it out.

[Morph Bark]

"She may lead in spiritual matters, yes, but she has no authority over secular or governmental matters outside of Salteire itself. Indeed, the way the government is organized without the lands of the Priory, the Prior of each province is autonomous and equal. After my own reign ends, my heirs will not have this perceived conflict of interests. It shouldn't be a problem, but I am willing to step down from my role as a Patriarch if that will bring unity to the Imperium."

Rongyao frowns as Tailong continues.

"You know as well as I have never served in the military; however, I was living in Shengdi as a civilian at the time of the uprising and fought alongside those who fought for their lives. I led several groups of survivors away from the hordes and went back to find more. As an untrained civilian. I never received public accolades for it, but then, I wasn't the son of a prominent government official nor did I seek such.

I see where you are going, but I cannot step down or bow to you as Qzare, even if I wanted to do so for my own sake. The people of the Priory have felt wronged by the Xius for half a century or more, they fought long and hard against many threats and obstacles, both internal and foreign. They grew in strength and determination, and when they declared the Xius tyrants, they stood strong when Hanyeo came to subjugate them. They believe. Silver Mandate or not, were I to step down to you or any Xiu, the people of the Priory would rebel against me as a traitor to what they have fought for and won. They would turn against the Priory itself if it supported that move. What you allude to cannot be done, unless you plan to do as your father before you and bring a false unity through bloodshed and tyranny.

Truly, I wish for unity, and I have attempted to reach out where I could while weathering the threats and wars that have continually come since Hanyeo first assaulted Anaphorica. I have not demanded that others kneel to me, nor do I intend to do so. They look to you for guidance. So, tell me, where will you guide them? What do you believe is right for the people?"

"It might help, perhaps."

Tailong sighed as the memory of the burning seas and corpse-strewn beaches returned. "Few received accolades, especially the worthy and the brave sons who died in those horrid battles. A handful of higher officers if at all. Too many dead to be concerned with ceremonies." His tone was grim about that old matter.

He frowned. "Brother, you speak as if the Xius yet live. The House of Xiu died with Hanyeo. I haven't heard from Wandao in years, he likely was lucky enough to pass away before he could see his son become a tyrant. I would hope you do not accuse me of being Xiu, because I am not. My entire life has been spent bearing a name I made for my own and a reputation I built from the ground up. I had no father until he had need of an heir. Before then, I served where it was needed, including in lands the Priory now claims lordship over."

He ran his hand through his hair and looked out a window for a moment, gathering his thoughts. "I'm not demanding you kneel to me. I believe unity is right for the people, a roof over their heads, bellies warm and full and a basic education in reading so that everyone can understand the laws of their country. The people in Aus-Teire, Salteire and Bor-Teire are all too closely related to split them apart, so if you intend to remain apart from the Imperium, our policies with regards to closed borders to foreigners will have to be amended with regards to one another at the very least. Working together to create a common law will help. After that I had wanted to create a common form of schooling to be implemented. I didn't receive schooling as a child and it's harder when you're grown or to do it on your own. I want our northern borders protected against invaders so they will not dare think to come again under any pretenses. I want to be a father to my people the way the Lady is our mother. I don't mean that as sacrilege, but I just... I want them to be safe, to be healthy, to be happy. I..." Tailong was tearing up and rubbed his eyes with the back of a hand. He cast a look down the hall towards the room where the Jarrows were talking among one another. "I'm going to be a father, Gloriosis. It's wonderful and scary. I'm going to be a father."



That's kind of why I suggested setting an agenda for the next summit, but that seems to have been ignored pretty hard. I guess people don't really want to have an organized summit.

I responded to it in my post, but it was edited in, as I could not formulate a reply before having to leave. An organized summit would likely be less quick to make me feel worn out about the discussions--though there is a limit to the extent of diplomacy and intrigue and politicking I can handle in a week both timewise and mentally.

[Logic]

While the minor outbursts of insanity occurred, Prince Lazural copied the document written up by his father into a more suitable version for those present to sign. When that was done, Tansan moved to the wrap up the issue.
"Assuming no one has any further points to raise, I suggest we append our signatures and/or seals to this treaty to formalise it. Queen Amalia, once we are done it would be most helpful if your scribes would be able to provide copies before we all leave, the original I shall leave in your care."
After waiting briefly for any further objections or mad outcries, King Tansan signed his name and draw a handwritten seal adjacent to it.

"I would be happy to sign such a treaty." The queen said, drawing out a large and ornate scrawl at the bottom of the page, taking up most of the remaining space.

"I do hope we can come to further agreements in the future, without having to bicker and condemn the internal affairs of other nations, especially when we have been so vocal about protecting our own internal affairs." Queen Amalia said this to no one in particular, but it was obvious she was passively rebuking the Speaker from Woodwind again.

[QuintonBeck]

"And perhaps other nations can grow the backbones needed to stand up for moral rightness," he said quietly to King Athelmere next to him.

"I'm sorry we didn't get much chance to speak your majesty, after our first meeting at the Trial I feared my reputation soiled, and while it may still be in your eyes I wish only to inform you that after today I see why the former Empress spoke so highly of you. You're an honorable man, and a good friend to the Triumvirate, I hope we shall see each other more often in the coming years," the Alorese man said with a hand on the Jarrland King's back, nodding his head once as he finished he left the Jarrland delegation to return to his own area at the conference.

Aluic's from Aloren just fyi :smallwink:

[lt_murgen]

Opus signed the agreement without comment.

[Aedilred]

"And perhaps other nations can grow the backbones needed to stand up for moral rightness," he said quietly to King Athelmere next to him.

"I'm sorry we didn't get much chance to speak your majesty, after our first meeting at the Trial I feared my reputation soiled, and while it may still be in your eyes I wish only to inform you that after today I see why the former Empress spoke so highly of you. You're an honorable man, and a good friend to the Triumvirate, I hope we shall see each other more often in the coming years," the Alorese man said with a hand on the Jarrland King's back, nodding his head once as he finished he left the Jarrland delegation to return to his own area at the conference.

"I certainly hope so," Athelmere said with a nod and a slight smile.


Opus signed the agreement without comment.
"By what authority does he sign?" someone asked caustically, their voice quiet, but audible.

[moossabi]

I apologize for the lateness. Unexpectedly busy week. :smalleek:


Aluic laughed, "I should not wish to debate the validity of religions, Radurja teaches we should encompass and accept all forms of worship, being that they do not promote harm, as equal within the eyes of the Great Ancestor. Your sky spirit is a spirit just the same as the Lord of Fire or the Lady of Frost Yphinne. Telluris has seen miracles wrought on its face in the name of many gods, it would not be the desire of myself to discredit any as 'incorrect.' If you wish to remove the allowance for the Cult of Sky to spread in Nyroth then so be it, I am certain the Radurjic priests shall happily adopt the Sky Father as prime spirit for the lizardfolk of the province."

"As to sharing of technology, I'm afraid I must decline. I have reviewed the agreements made by the Empress Syana with her friends of Celero and Hurosha to give away our technologies for the promise of returned favors, and even these nations, often so active in science and scientific advancements, have failed to pay back the acquisitions the Triumvirate has garnered and shared. I would be loathe to sign another agreement that would see the advantages of the Triumvirate bled away further. That said, I should be happy to arrange a clause of mutual exchange, that any technology acquired by one nation be always made available for trade to the other for a fair and equatable price."

"As for military support," he paused, "Such is not entirely within my scope of authority, the Lord Chancellor having ultimate power over the militaries, but the discussions I've shared with the man we've both discussed a shared reticence in the amount of mutual aid agreements the former Ignato Empire signed. While I'm certain the Lord Chancellor and the rest of the Triad Council would be happy to agree to non-interference and goodwill between our armies I do not think we could in good conscience sign another agreement that promised our support to another foreign power outright."

Smiling, Nilata replies to the part of the conversation related to religion: "Good, that is what I wanted to hear. I had to make sure that I was not speaking to an obsessive zealot." She steals a quick glance at the Tzaltec delegation before returning to the conversation at hand. "After all, it is obvious that many deities exist, but my people have little exposure to others."

"Your refusal to the technology exchange is understandable. And as to my military pact, I didn't mean that full-on support was nessecary, but just a promise that we will never draw swords against each other."


Wayve nodded: "I am. And who do I have the pleasure of talking to? I do not think we have met at any point before."

After the introductions, Wayve beckones Nilata to follow him to a silent hallway.

"If you want to follow me, my lady."

*Time bubble initiate*

No idea if you want to do it in spoilers, but just in case, I'll do it like this.

"What did you want to discuss, your Highness Nilata?"

"There is no point in me procrastinating and waiting for an hour to tell you this. So I shall get straight to the point here. Our empire is forming a strong bond with Bordeux, and I'm afraid that this means that I shall have to withdraw from the Coalition. I am sincerely sorry, but I can't see a way of this working."


"I apologize for my concealment of the nature of the gift. I had to bribe a number of nations with a gift to attend these meetings." With that, the Celero Queen looks down, so as not to betray of exactly whom she speaks. "The obfuscation was necessary, unfortunately. And all who have attended these proceedings will receive the same gift. I only offered that the most disruptive delegates, or nations least receptive to the idea of an international body of governance the opportunity to receive the gift and then leave. I still do not wish to name it, as it may prove to undermine the proceedings."

"The details of the charter we may sign here at this summit may prove to beneficial to us all, but the details I leave in the hands of all the delegates here. What we agree to and how we choose to enforce such a charter is not up to Celero, but every nation represented here, as well as those not present that may wish to enact such laws in the future."

((OOC: discuss details in the OOC thread, and RP them here after hammering them out?))

Nilata is taken completely aback by this statement. This is exactly what I was going to propose. Aparently she wasn't the only one who felt that this would be for the best. The guard on her left let out a brief 'phew' of relief, quickly stifled by a quick glare from his mistress.

I am literally laughing right now. This is so ironic it's scary. :smalltongue:

Nilata also signs the Ashenian treaty. :smalltongue: (sorry about lack of fluff, too much typing.)

[moossabi]

OOC: If this is acceptable to you let's update the Alliance of Scale and Sky to it.

The Alliance of Scale and Sky
Participants:Triumvirate, Alydaxan Dominion
Alliance is a pact of mutual non-interference and trade. All signatory nations will respect the military actions of all other signed nations and will not interfere or intervene unless their assistance is requested and given freely.

Trades: Aloren Goats for Scla'ca Gold and Aloren Saffron for Alydaxian Silver


Sorry, I didn't see this until now. Ignore the double-post.

OOC: Yes, this works great.

[lt_murgen]

[SPOILER=Quinton]"By what authority does he sign?" someone asked caustically, their voice quiet, but audible.

If Opus heard the slight, he ignored it. He was, after all, the Regent.

Samhell Bellami, Junior, was not the kind to let a slight pass, however, and before either Fern or Opus could reign him in, he spoke quite loudly, "I'm sure no one would object to a legitimate and duly appointed regent of a soverign realm from signing such an agreement." He spoke, the implication and threat obvious.

[Aedilred]

"None would," Athelmere said. He looked back at Tempest for a moment, who had half-risen from her chair. He had hoped to avoid an outright confrontation, but having been put in this position, it would be cowardice to ignore the challenge. He looked back at Samhell, and spoke with frost in his voice. "I suppose that in the absence of such a person, Opus Petrichor's signature will have to serve."

[Lord_Burch]

"None would," Athelmere said. He looked back at Tempest for a moment, who had half-risen from her chair. He had hoped to avoid an outright confrontation, but having been put in this position, it would be cowardice to ignore the challenge. He looked back at Samhell, and spoke with frost in his voice. "I suppose that in the absence of such a person, Opus Petrichor's signature will have to serve."

For shame, Athelmere. Alice had come quite late into the proceedings, and as such had not said anything till now, but his words were too much to be ignored. We gathered here- the many of us, from across the world, all of us with different cultures, religions, and practices- for peace. Your words, spoken in anger, do a dishonor to our gracious host, but more importantly, they do a dishonor to the ideals of peace and acceptance we gathered here to foster.

[Aedilred]

For shame, Athelmere. Alice had come quite late into the proceedings, and as such had not said anything till now, but his words were too much to be ignored. We gathered here- the many of us, from across the world, all of us with different cultures, religions, and practices- for peace. Your words, spoken in anger, do a dishonor to our gracious host, but more importantly, they do a dishonor to the ideals of peace and acceptance we gathered here to foster.
Athelmere almost smiled inwardly. To say he was no longer angry about the events it seemed the rest of the world would prefer to forget would have been untrue, but over the years it had guttered to a low smouldering, and as he had spoken he had felt almost perfectly calm. If Lady Alice thought he was angry now, he wondered how she would have regarded the towering rage that had once suffused him on the subject. He nodded to her politely, but spoke firmly, his words clearly intended for more than just his immediate addressee.

"I came in peace, my lady, and spirits willing I shall leave in peace, but if the the price of peace is that we still our tongues when we should protest, that we turn a blind eye to that which we should watch more closely, that we accept the unacceptable and ignore crimes rather than challenge them, then that peace is a falsehood built on pretence and vanity, and not worth the having."

He gestured towards the treaty. "I shall honour the convention, and hope that many more like it will follow. But if all that is expected at these summits is that we nod along with what offends us and agree to whatever is easiest without consideration of what is right, there is little point my even attending. Dishonour to our host, you say, my lady? The expectation of such indifference would be a dishonour to every sovereign guest-" he looked back at Samhell for a moment - "whether legitimate or not."

[lt_murgen]

Samhell started to stand, but Fern stood first. A particularly astute observer might notice that her hand, gently placed on the man's shoulder, caused him to stop his motion and turn pale.

She spoke, her gravelly voice attempting to project civility and caution. "What seems easisest often isn't, and what seems right may not be. Is it easy to sign agreements with those you find objectionable? No, but it is the right thing to do in the larger scheme of things. Peace often means accepting things we find personally difficult." She glanced at her father, a brief flicker of resentment flaring before she supressed it.

"Some might find slavery wrong, or a meritocracry where executing your leader to take her place is accepted, or where setting your own children on fire and throwing them out of a window goes unpunished. Some might find leadership that others practice objectionable- a reincarnation of a previous leader, perhaps, or simply based on some vain idea of 'noble blood'."

"If we are to have a lasting peace, it will not be easy, and it may not be right. But it will be for the best."

[Aedilred]

Samhell started to stand, but Fern stood first. A particularly astute observer might notice that her hand, gently placed on the man's shoulder, caused him to stop his motion and turn pale.

She spoke, her gravelly voice attempting to project civility and caution. "What seems easisest often isn't, and what seems right may not be. Is it easy to sign agreements with those you find objectionable? No, but it is the right thing to do in the larger scheme of things. Peace often means accepting things we find personally difficult." She glanced at her father, a brief flicker of resentment flaring before she supressed it.

"Some might find slavery wrong, or a meritocracry where executing your leader to take her place is accepted, or where setting your own children on fire and throwing them out of a window goes unpunished. Some might find leadership that others practice objectionable- a reincarnation of a previous leader, perhaps, or simply based on some vain idea of 'noble blood'."

"If we are to have a lasting peace, it will not be easy, and it may not be right. But it will be for the best."
He smiled sadly and shook his head. "But how can something that is wrong be for the best? There are worse evils in the world than war, and to ignore them for the sake of peace would be moral cowardice. If any of you find this unpalatable, then by all means ignore me, uninvite me from future councils, and pursue vain dreams without the inconvenience of dissenting voices. But do not expect me, or my heirs, to attend and stay silent for the sake of peace alone."

He looked around the room, trying to recall previous conversations about AQUA, and finding precious few clear allies outside his own family, especially now the Huroshans had walked out. Perhaps nobody outside Jarrland and Raaneka really remembered. He let his gaze linger on Inigo for a moment.

"I shall speak directly," he said, "for the avoidance of doubt. The regicides of AQUA have long been pleased to talk of their actions as an execution, an execution apparently indiscriminate in its targets, and conducted with no process. What executioner strangles people in their beds without warning? What crimes had a six-year-old boy committed? Or Hawkeye Grumby? What of Indigo Summers? Acclamation by a rump council on which all dissenting voices have been eliminated by force does not constitute legitimacy nor due appointment any more than a robbery at sword-point constitutes legitimate purchase.

"It was no execution. It was murder, it was treason of the worst kind, and that the authorities in AQUA have been subverted to the cause of the murderers and traitors does not make it any the less so. Much of the rest of Telluris may choose to ignore this as an inconvenient truth, but I cannot, and will not, and if I must stand alone I will stand all the straighter for knowing that it is on me alone that justice depends. So long as the regicides remain in power in AQUA there can be no question of accepting it as a legitimate government, and for me to do so would be cowardice and betrayal of the worst kind."

[lt_murgen]

"It was no execution. It was murder, it was treason of the worst kind, and that the authorities in AQUA have been subverted to the cause of the murderers and traitors does not make it any the less so. Much of the rest of Telluris may choose to ignore this as an inconvenient truth, but I cannot, and will not, and if I must stand alone I will stand all the straighter for knowing that it is on me alone that justice depends. So long as the regicides remain in power in AQUA there can be no question of accepting it as a legitimate government, and for me to do so would be cowardice and betrayal of the worst kind."

"Your justice, then mighty King?" Opus spoke, and Fern sat, silently admonished. "A justice set by your will, set to your standards? One that places the value of noble blood above the common? One that places feudal heirarchy over a People's Council? Is that not what so many hear spoke out against? The imposition of one countries will upon another? If so, than what would be next, slavery? Democracy? Theocracy? Where will the your just anger reach its limits?"

[Aedilred]

"Your justice, then mighty King?" Opus spoke, and Fern sat, silently admonished. "A justice set by your will, set to your standards? One that places the value of noble blood above the common? One that places feudal heirarchy over a People's Council? Is that not what so many hear spoke out against? The imposition of one countries will upon another? If so, than what would be next, slavery? Democracy? Theocracy? Where will the your just anger reach its limits?"
"I did not say there would be an easy answer. What is easy is to ignore the difficult questions and agree to accept the unacceptable, as it seems so many have done and plan to do in future. But just because a wrong cannot be easily righted does not make it any the less wrong. Just so, that AQUA has no body like that in the Triumvirate to call you to account for your crimes makes you no less a criminal, no less a murderer, and no more a legitimate sovereign than any bandit chief. If justice is to my own standards in the absence of other authority, that is nothing new. After all, is that not the very nature and purpose of any ruler here?"

He nodded slightly to Fern. "You seem an intelligent young woman, Lady Fern, in spite of any lies you might have been fed." He looked back to Opus. "You should have sent her here alone; she is worth ten of you. And-" he looked towards Samhell- "more than a hundred of him."

He turned and walked away from the group gathered around the signed convention, followed by his retainers.

[lt_murgen]

Opus spoke to his true audience as the Jarrow walked out, "Queen Amalia, delegates from other soverign nations,I apologize for rising to defend myself from a spurious comment. But such an exchange is bound to happen. Power, passion, and priveldge are heady drugs. We have a long way to go, both individually and as a world, if Telluris is to see lasting peace." He sighed and sat down.

[QuintonBeck]

Aluic sat quietly during the AQUA/Jarrland exchange, watching the back and forth with a calculating eye. He had been a young man when the killings in AQUA had transpired. Had only ever read about them, but had not experienced it as a family might. He had respected the reasons behind the coup, but had derided the execution of their desires just as harshly among his fellows when they had debated the matter. If there was to be true democratic peace and greater power given to the common people they would need to show themselves capable of self governance, something the killing of whoever lead them did not accomplish, even if it did meet short term goals of deposing a regent.

He had debated whether he might empathize if circumstances had been different in the Triumvirate, after all, as much pain and death as Zhuang had caused there was no denying he was the catalyst that allowed Aluic to see his dream of a wider electoral position for Speaker realized. If he hadn't sullied the Ignato name and made a case for the inequities of a direct heir system the other members of the Triad Council might never have agreed to a restructuring.

As King Athelmere left Aluic bowed his head and didn't look up as Opus spoke, avoiding the AQUA Regent's eyes. He couldn't turn off his thoughts as he debated the merits of the two men and their positions.

[TheDarkDM]

As the assembled leaders stood to add their signatures to the treaty, the Teotlkan gestured to a robed aid at his side. Silently, the man drew a shallow golden bowl from within his voluminous sleeves, and held it in front of Nezetkhamun. Then, the Teotlkan reached down to his elaborate belt and drew a small obsidian knife from a cleverly concealed sheath. Before any of the assembly could react, he drew the blade cleanly across his palm, sending a warm stream of blood into the waiting bowl. He let it flow until the bowl was half full, before stretching out his palm to be wrapped in red silk by another waiting courtier. The bandage tied, Nezetkahmun stood and walked towards the document, the courtier with the bowl of blood following close behind. Reaching the treaty's resting place, Nezetkhamun's right hand balled into a fist, displaying a prominent rectangular signet on his ring finger. IN a practiced motion, he dipped the signet into his own blood and stamped the treaty. Turning towards the horrified faces of the surrounding monarchs, he gave a slight smile.

"In Tzalteclan, we do not place our faith in ink to keep our word."

He returned to his seat to await the conclusion of the ceremony, which itself was marked by the heated exchange between Jarrland and AQUA. As Athelmere returned to his seat, Nezetkhamun stood to leave, but before departing he addressed the delegation from AQUA.

"You are lucky to have so compassionate an opponent as King Athelmere. Were any of you to sully Tzalteclan with your presence, you would be crucified in public for all the world to see. It is the only fate deserved by your kind."

With that, the Tzaltec delegation departed the council chamber in a flurry of bloody red and gold.

[lt_murgen]

"You are lucky to have so compassionate an opponent as King Athelmere. Were any of you to sully Tzalteclan with your presence, you would be crucified in public for all the world to see. It is the only fate deserved by your kind."

With that, the Tzaltec delegation departed the council chamber in a flurry of bloody red and gold.

"Thanks for the invitation." Samhell Bellami Junior laughed after them as they reparted.