[EMPIRE! 7] The King's Conference

[Minescratcher]

This is an event for the on-going - always recruiting - world-building game, Empire 7. If interested, please check out our OOC thread here.

It had been far too long since the crowned heads of the vast seas were gathered together, and His Majesty Jacob Basilicos intended to correct that failing. As King - perhaps it was innate to that noble title - he longed for an opportunity to put his wealth and power on display. As Grand Master of the Order, he had consulted with the Second Master, and both agreed that it was time for a minor show of force to ensure none of the foreigners got any ideas about acting on that upstart Queen's incitement. The invitations were therefore carefully designed to leave a lasting impact on their recipients - literally, if anyone was unlucky enough to be floating directly underneath where the Regalis Arbor seed carrying the King's messenger happened to fall.

The date was set a month and a half out, giving time for travel through the waters and caution in the face of the recent Reaver attacks. The Middish messenger who brought the invitation returned alongside whatever delegates were sent, answering any questions they might have in an effort to avoid embarrassing culture clash once the summit properly began. Those who arrived early were hosted in comfortable, if rather small, rooms in the Ironkelp, provided by the Order.

As the day of the King's conference dawned, the Middish guides led their delegations to a smaller Giantsbane plant floating near the Ironkelp, whose roots entangled an enormous hall of woven red seagrass. The circular entrance opened on a kaleidoscope of color, with each strand of seagrass having been dyed a different color on the interior side - strands of red, yellow, blue, and green twisted about each other for an effect that was almost overwhleming. A few Middish swam about: some bore specially prepared cattlefish meat, others shepherded small jugs of drinks made of fermented sea grapes, and yet more held stone mouth-spikes at the ready to deal with any troublemakers. Three Middish sporting shining silver bands about their midsections rested in the center, looking up as the first guests arrived.

"Welcome, far travelers!" one said. "I am Prince Samuel of Insol. My father, His Majesty the King of Insol and Grand Master of the Order of Knights of the Ironkelp of First-King John of Ruhum, will be present shortly. Please feel free to mingle and enjoy the hospitality of Orope!"

The princes dispersed into the growing crowd.

Spoiler: Characters

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• King Jacob Basilicos: King of Insol and Grand Master of the Ironkelp Order. Not currently present
• Prince Samuel: Eldest son of the King and heir apparent to Insol
• Prince Robert: Second son of the King and a skilled Knight of the Order
• Prince Oliver: Third son of the King and considered to be rather layabout

[Gengy]

The Gotezhar

It was supposed to be a time of celebration. It wasn't.

Mira'din of the Meadows was in mourning. Her father had been slain by Reavers. She should be sad about it, but she wasn't. She had gotten along well with her father; she'd barely seen him for the past decade since he caught the attention of Profundus Korasoon and become Governor Saroon’din. It made many Mer happy to have a local in charge of their waters once more, even if Saroon'din still ultimately answered to the Profundus, so it was a purely political move. A brilliant political move, many Mer would say. Except...

...except...

Mira'din had actually gotten to know some Gotezhar. There was many things you could say about them: Strong-willed fighters. Capable builders. Gifted at controlling a localized area of water to intricate or devastating effects. Excellent memories.

Brilliant...? No. Some Profundus - certainly Korasoon - had what Mira'din might consider to be intellect, perhaps even above average intellect. Certainly, all of the Profundus Mira'din had encountered in her short life of just 16 Summers had a flair for leadership. But it wasn't always... smart. It was more instinctual. Like something happened to their minds when a Gotezhar managed to reach the age and size to be called Profundus, and it changed them just enough that they could lead. That they could see there was a problem, and that there was a solution to that problem, and they just needed to do this or that to make the problem go away. The good ones were not above trying a few different things if the first thing didn't work.

The less good ones continued doing the first thing they thought of until it worked. Mira'din remembered a time when she watched not just a Gotezhar Worker, but a Gotezhar Profundus, collaborating on creating a new building, and they were literally shoving a square peg into a round hole. Mira'din had stopped to watch, and the combined pressure of both of their bolyas (personal water bubbles) was enough to shear off the sides of the square peg until it worked to the Profundus' satisfaction.

Her father had found it humorous, which was why from what little Mira'din could remember of him, she had memories of him boisterously laughing about something or the other. It made him popular with everyone. Which kept him busy. And away from home a lot. If he'd been at home, rather than visiting Upper Yard, the Reavers wouldn't have been able to kill him. But no. He'd gone there to speak with the local leadership, and see how they felt about the Flowing Way. Not to preach at them, but to just... find out their feelings. Saroon'din wasn't the kind of leader to make grand speeches or give imperious orders. Apparently the Meadows had had a leader like that once, and they were captured by the Gotezhar during their "cloud liberation". Saroon'din was more the type of person to go poke his nose into things, in person, just to get his tail in the right waters and start making waves in the direction he wanted.

This meant that, Mira'din, with her mother gone and only an Aunt to check in on her, was often left alone. So with her father gone - for good this time - Mira'din was in mourning. It seemed like the right thing to do.

"Menina. Speak." Then there was the leader who was the type to give imperious orders. Profundus Korasoon was a general first, and a Gotezhar second. The Profundus had found out that Mira'din was now alone, and immediately ordered her into his presence. She'd traveled from the Meadows - under guard - to be told that, with little to no emotion, that she was now under Korasoon's personal protection.

"My name is Mira'din. Not 'Menina'," the Mer looked over to her guardian, and had to peer through Korasoon's vast bolya to see to the creature within. Gotezhar bolya only get bigger as they age, but their actual bodies float within it and aren't all that large. Mira'din was not a tall Mer, but Korasoon's actual biological body was about half her height; and he was big for a Gotezhar. It had five crystal shards at various points along the body that glowed when Korasoon moved; Mira'din was still learning more about the Actualization Shards, but she knew Gotezhar split a new one roughly every 20 summers. If you didn't count the first one - the one a new Gotezhar receives from their parents - that meant that the Profundus was over 80 summers. He was likely due to start feeling the Strain soon, but for now, the creature was old and powerful.

"We are nuven. Do not think so hard, Menina Mira'din. You are not Profundus." For all his age, Mira'din couldn't get over that almost all Gotezhar voices were adorable, including Korasoon's own imperious squeaking.

"We aren't nuven," Mira'din knew this meant family.

From deep within his over 18 globes bolya, Korasoon's face grew hard, "We are nuven. I have deemed it so. Your father died in my service. I will see you cared for. Your... Father-sister... aunt? Aunt. Has stepped in as the new Governor of the Meadows. She cannot keep watching you."

"I'm sixteen! Almost an adult!"

"Truly, Mer age so slowly. Gotezhar need but three summers to be considered capable."

"At only three summers, they're still so small, though," Mira'din protested.

"It matter not. Their bolya is fully formed, and they can defend themselves. You have no bolya, and can barely swing a spear. How the salt does not destroy your eyeballs, I know not."

Mira'din rolled those very not-destroyed eyeballs in exasperation. She wasn't winning this fight. She hadn't been winning it for weeks, no matter how many times they had it, or from what direction she started it. In another brilliant political move, Korasoon had declared upon their first meeting that she was now Gotezhar and part of his nuven. Their nuven? Mira'din still wasn't sure if Gotezhar had genders. She was curious, but not that curious. Regardless, she had been fighting this adoption for weeks now.

All she wanted to do was go back to the Meadows and finish the appropriate time of mourning before getting on with her life. Instead, she was forced to travel with the ruler of the Gotezhar nation, and being made to attend this party. She would have just left and risked the waters on her own, but who knows what the Reavers would do... or what Korasoon would do? Mira'din was not a square peg, but the Profundus was right: Mira'din could barely swing a spear. Still, she mumbled, "I'm learning."

Korasoon had heard her, "As you should. Your father and your Father-sister were negligent to not teach you from a young age to protect yourself. I shall not allow those of my nuven to be so untrained. Squall Essensio has orders for when we return. You will learn. You will not have a bolya of your own, but anything that nears your spear range shall know fear."

The Gotezhar leader drifted inside their personal bubble and came closer to look at Mira'din, their noseless face frowning before nodding as though to affirm something. "You will be strong. You will be wise. You will Accumulate. When it is your time to Burst, you will pass along much."

"Profundus, Mer don't Burst," Mira'din didn't want to think about what that would be like, to suddenly just... expand like a bubble popping.

Korasoon shook their head, "Nonsense. I have seen them. Seasons ago, when we fought to liberate the clouds, your warriors Burst all the time. You will be a warrior."

Mira'din suddenly felt sick, "Can we talk about something else?"

"Later, Menina. There is no time now. We are hosts here. Prince Samuel of Insol speaks soon. Accumulate. Rise. Accumulate. Mingle."

Mira'din rolled her eyes again - still not destroyed! - and watched the Prince of the Order of Iron Kelp speak. She tried not to think about anything related to the Gotezhar for a bit. After all, this was a time of mourning. And celebration.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hosting:

Though the Order is running the event, the location is near enough to Gotezhar waters that the race that is the Envy of the World has decided to host things. While not an overwhelming amount, the local waters for the event are protected by Gotezhar defenders. This gathering of rulers will not easily be swayed by attacks, without Gotezhar lives being laid down first. Profundus Korasoon is something of a recluse when it comes to large gatherings of this nature, so to be hosting one is much to be spoken of already. Now, whether one can actually get Korasoon to speak back is a different question...

Attendees:

Besides Profundus Korasoon and his vast 18 foot diameter bolya (personal bubble), the Gotezhar company includes a young Mer named Mira'din who rarely leaves Korasoon's side, and when she does, she is accompanied by a six limbed Squall that has a much smaller bolya, yet it glitters in the light.

[Frostwander]

While the sereia tend to travel in groups over large distances - even larger after the recent Reaver assaults - it is only a small portion of the delegation that actually attends the conference. The remainder of the caravan includes militia, merchants, and pathfinders, along with a few casual travelers who could afford to make the trip purely for the novelty of seeing the Ironkelps and trying out Middish cuisine. These quickly dispersed upon arrival to their own works or entertainments, leaving the last two of the merfolk to follow the Middish messenger to their Order-provided chambers.

Fortunately, the caravan arrives a few days before the conference begins, allowing the pair some time to coordinate details needed for the local mercantile efforts, and just as importantly, a small window to rest together before politicking. A single day spent together indoors, away from the bustle of the populace nearby.

Finally, some time to make ready and presentable for the conference itself. Some effort is made to arrive punctually, but not too early, and the pair floats into the woven hall just as Prince Samuel makes his welcoming announcement. Foremost to enter is Uschi Alverna, the Madrina of Costa Sereia. Her pale translucence appears more pronounced in recent years, once deep purple veins fading into violet. She swims with the same stately grace as always, however, as she presents herself to the princes and assembly with a curl of the tailfins and a nod. An armslength behind and to her side silently drifts Veruha Mascerena, the bright lionfish mermaid. Her fan of orange-gold fins has lost none of its brilliant color, and while she maintains a deferential position beside the madrina, her movements are lively and her relaxed expression bears a sincere smile.

As their entrance is acknowledged, Uschi speaks, "Thank you for your invitation and hospitality. We are pleased to be welcomed into the hall of the Order, and by our friends in the Gotezhar."

When the Middish princes disperse to mingle and the crowd grows, Veruha catches sight of the young Mer Mira'din among the Gotezhar, giving her a smile and a little wave with a twitch of her colorful fins.

[Volthawk]

The Cyphiri don't take long to respond to the invitations - some are even preparing before the seeds from the Regalis Arbor had landed in Cyph-Arel. After all, the Cyphiri and Middish had been trading and living on friendly terms with each other for some time now, and the Tellan family was established enough in the region to get a head start on preparations. While the Cyphiri arriving from elsewhere had the same option of staying in the Ironkelp as anyone else (and some of the more prominent attendees took it as a sign of politeness) many ended up a short way away with the Tellan, who had spent the month and a half preceding the conference making tents and frame-and-sheet Cyphiri buildings to house and cater to them - after all, besides the main representatives many other Cyphiri often came to these things, the representatives of minor families, the hangers-on of larger families that serve no purpose to the business at hand but come anyway, and a whole gaggle of others driven by curiousity or the hope of finding an opportunity in the great mingling of peoples. Many of these don't end up taking the journey to the Gotezhar-controlled waters to attend the conference proper, the Hallus being a little more selective than the Ulnesh before them of who they allow to be a part of the Cyphiri delegation, but it seems like they are having their own fun in the Tellan holdings in Orope.

Of the representatives that attend the conference proper, three of the major families are most represented (but most Council families have someone there, and a few minor families convinced the Hallus organisers to let one of theirs attend). The Tellan are there in force, of course, their leader Tarpan living in Orope full-time these days and eager to ensure smooth relations with the Order in the wake of recent...problems in the markets of Orope. Besides the usual gaggle of minor family members, the Hallus sends two main representatives - as always for these major diplomatic events, Pelir was there looking for opportunities to make arrangements around sharing technology and techniques, while the main official Hallus representative was Lanit Hallus. She'd been around Orope for some time now (albeit with frequent trips back home for face to face meetings with the Hallus leadership), coordinating and assisting with the Tellan as they tried to calm the turbulent markets of Orope, and in recent years there was an edge of panic to her - the rumour was that her family was not pleased with how things were going in Orope, but she was hoping to make up for it by representing the Hallus well to the various countries present here. Finally, the Ulnesh are still there despite the changes in the Union's direction, as they remained a Council family and still had their business interests to attend to - Werran Ulnesh still holds great influence among those who followed the Cyphiri interpretation of the Flowing Way and so naturally attends, along with scattered minor Ulnesh representatives. A few Kelad family members were around, but unlike the others made only the amount of small talk and introductions necessary to be polite - they were there to keep an eye on the other Cyphiri, eager to spot an opportunity they could leap on to secure the goods the other families needed. Some Kalan were present too, being the favoured bodyguards and enforcers of most Cyphiri.

Lanit took responsibility of the official introductions. "I thank you, Prince Samuel, on behalf of the Hallus family, leaders of the Union Council." That was a little different from past times the Cyphiri had attended these kinds of events - the Ulnesh had never quite officially acknowledged their hold on the Council, but the word coming out of Cyph-Arel was that the Hallus family had been working to make these things more official and legalised.

[Minescratcher]

Spoiler: Gotezhar

Show

The Gotezhar

It was supposed to be a time of celebration. It wasn't.

Mira'din of the Meadows was in mourning. Her father had been slain by Reavers. She should be sad about it, but she wasn't. She had gotten along well with her father; she'd barely seen him for the past decade since he caught the attention of Profundus Korasoon and become Governor Saroon’din. It made many Mer happy to have a local in charge of their waters once more, even if Saroon'din still ultimately answered to the Profundus, so it was a purely political move. A brilliant political move, many Mer would say. Except...

...except...

Mira'din had actually gotten to know some Gotezhar. There was many things you could say about them: Strong-willed fighters. Capable builders. Gifted at controlling a localized area of water to intricate or devastating effects. Excellent memories.

Brilliant...? No. Some Profundus - certainly Korasoon - had what Mira'din might consider to be intellect, perhaps even above average intellect. Certainly, all of the Profundus Mira'din had encountered in her short life of just 16 Summers had a flair for leadership. But it wasn't always... smart. It was more instinctual. Like something happened to their minds when a Gotezhar managed to reach the age and size to be called Profundus, and it changed them just enough that they could lead. That they could see there was a problem, and that there was a solution to that problem, and they just needed to do this or that to make the problem go away. The good ones were not above trying a few different things if the first thing didn't work.

The less good ones continued doing the first thing they thought of until it worked. Mira'din remembered a time when she watched not just a Gotezhar Worker, but a Gotezhar Profundus, collaborating on creating a new building, and they were literally shoving a square peg into a round hole. Mira'din had stopped to watch, and the combined pressure of both of their bolyas (personal water bubbles) was enough to shear off the sides of the square peg until it worked to the Profundus' satisfaction.

Her father had found it humorous, which was why from what little Mira'din could remember of him, she had memories of him boisterously laughing about something or the other. It made him popular with everyone. Which kept him busy. And away from home a lot. If he'd been at home, rather than visiting Upper Yard, the Reavers wouldn't have been able to kill him. But no. He'd gone there to speak with the local leadership, and see how they felt about the Flowing Way. Not to preach at them, but to just... find out their feelings. Saroon'din wasn't the kind of leader to make grand speeches or give imperious orders. Apparently the Meadows had had a leader like that once, and they were captured by the Gotezhar during their "cloud liberation". Saroon'din was more the type of person to go poke his nose into things, in person, just to get his tail in the right waters and start making waves in the direction he wanted.

This meant that, Mira'din, with her mother gone and only an Aunt to check in on her, was often left alone. So with her father gone - for good this time - Mira'din was in mourning. It seemed like the right thing to do.

"Menina. Speak." Then there was the leader who was the type to give imperious orders. Profundus Korasoon was a general first, and a Gotezhar second. The Profundus had found out that Mira'din was now alone, and immediately ordered her into his presence. She'd traveled from the Meadows - under guard - to be told that, with little to no emotion, that she was now under Korasoon's personal protection.

"My name is Mira'din. Not 'Menina'," the Mer looked over to her guardian, and had to peer through Korasoon's vast bolya to see to the creature within. Gotezhar bolya only get bigger as they age, but their actual bodies float within it and aren't all that large. Mira'din was not a tall Mer, but Korasoon's actual biological body was about half her height; and he was big for a Gotezhar. It had five crystal shards at various points along the body that glowed when Korasoon moved; Mira'din was still learning more about the Actualization Shards, but she knew Gotezhar split a new one roughly every 20 summers. If you didn't count the first one - the one a new Gotezhar receives from their parents - that meant that the Profundus was over 80 summers. He was likely due to start feeling the Strain soon, but for now, the creature was old and powerful.

"We are nuven. Do not think so hard, Menina Mira'din. You are not Profundus." For all his age, Mira'din couldn't get over that almost all Gotezhar voices were adorable, including Korasoon's own imperious squeaking.

"We aren't nuven," Mira'din knew this meant family.

From deep within his over 18 globes bolya, Korasoon's face grew hard, "We are nuven. I have deemed it so. Your father died in my service. I will see you cared for. Your... Father-sister... aunt? Aunt. Has stepped in as the new Governor of the Meadows. She cannot keep watching you."

"I'm sixteen! Almost an adult!"

"Truly, Mer age so slowly. Gotezhar need but three summers to be considered capable."

"At only three summers, they're still so small, though," Mira'din protested.

"It matter not. Their bolya is fully formed, and they can defend themselves. You have no bolya, and can barely swing a spear. How the salt does not destroy your eyeballs, I know not."

Mira'din rolled those very not-destroyed eyeballs in exasperation. She wasn't winning this fight. She hadn't been winning it for weeks, no matter how many times they had it, or from what direction she started it. In another brilliant political move, Korasoon had declared upon their first meeting that she was now Gotezhar and part of his nuven. Their nuven? Mira'din still wasn't sure if Gotezhar had genders. She was curious, but not that curious. Regardless, she had been fighting this adoption for weeks now.

All she wanted to do was go back to the Meadows and finish the appropriate time of mourning before getting on with her life. Instead, she was forced to travel with the ruler of the Gotezhar nation, and being made to attend this party. She would have just left and risked the waters on her own, but who knows what the Reavers would do... or what Korasoon would do? Mira'din was not a square peg, but the Profundus was right: Mira'din could barely swing a spear. Still, she mumbled, "I'm learning."

Korasoon had heard her, "As you should. Your father and your Father-sister were negligent to not teach you from a young age to protect yourself. I shall not allow those of my nuven to be so untrained. Squall Essensio has orders for when we return. You will learn. You will not have a bolya of your own, but anything that nears your spear range shall know fear."

The Gotezhar leader drifted inside their personal bubble and came closer to look at Mira'din, their noseless face frowning before nodding as though to affirm something. "You will be strong. You will be wise. You will Accumulate. When it is your time to Burst, you will pass along much."

"Profundus, Mer don't Burst," Mira'din didn't want to think about what that would be like, to suddenly just... expand like a bubble popping.

Korasoon shook their head, "Nonsense. I have seen them. Seasons ago, when we fought to liberate the clouds, your warriors Burst all the time. You will be a warrior."

Mira'din suddenly felt sick, "Can we talk about something else?"

"Later, Menina. There is no time now. We are hosts here. Prince Samuel of Insol speaks soon. Accumulate. Rise. Accumulate. Mingle."

Mira'din rolled her eyes again - still not destroyed! - and watched the Prince of the Order of Iron Kelp speak. She tried not to think about anything related to the Gotezhar for a bit. After all, this was a time of mourning. And celebration.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hosting:

Though the Order is running the event, the location is near enough to Gotezhar waters that the race that is the Envy of the World has decided to host things. While not an overwhelming amount, the local waters for the event are protected by Gotezhar defenders. This gathering of rulers will not easily be swayed by attacks, without Gotezhar lives being laid down first. Profundus Korasoon is something of a recluse when it comes to large gatherings of this nature, so to be hosting one is much to be spoken of already. Now, whether one can actually get Korasoon to speak back is a different question...

Attendees:

Besides Profundus Korasoon and his vast 18 foot diameter bolya (personal bubble), the Gotezhar company includes a young Mer named Mira'din who rarely leaves Korasoon's side, and when she does, she is accompanied by a six limbed Squall that has a much smaller bolya, yet it glitters in the light.

As the eldest son of the King (by about thirteen seconds) and therefore heir apparent of Insol, Prince Samuel was the most noble Middish currently present. As such, he took it upon himself to swim over and speak with the strange creatures of the rain, seeing as how their... aid... was a significant factor in the ongoing work of the Order.

"Hail, Gotezhar! Profundus Korasoon, I presume? And I see you are accompanied by Mer, of the Meadows?" The word was pronounced to emphasize its strangeness. "I must extend my sincerest condolences regarding that Hell's work of the Reavers, and my wish for a swift recovery to those fortune merely wounded."

He paused in silence for a moment.

"It is at the urging of one of them, in fact, that I speak with you today; the young chaplain, Luc, has sent word that you wish to discuss matters of import from the court of Queen Esenam."

---

Spoiler: Cyphiri

Show

The Cyphiri don't take long to respond to the invitations - some are even preparing before the seeds from the Regalis Arbor had landed in Cyph-Arel. After all, the Cyphiri and Middish had been trading and living on friendly terms with each other for some time now, and the Tellan family was established enough in the region to get a head start on preparations. While the Cyphiri arriving from elsewhere had the same option of staying in the Ironkelp as anyone else (and some of the more prominent attendees took it as a sign of politeness) many ended up a short way away with the Tellan, who had spent the month and a half preceding the conference making tents and frame-and-sheet Cyphiri buildings to house and cater to them - after all, besides the main representatives many other Cyphiri often came to these things, the representatives of minor families, the hangers-on of larger families that serve no purpose to the business at hand but come anyway, and a whole gaggle of others driven by curiousity or the hope of finding an opportunity in the great mingling of peoples. Many of these don't end up taking the journey to the Gotezhar-controlled waters to attend the conference proper, the Hallus being a little more selective than the Ulnesh before them of who they allow to be a part of the Cyphiri delegation, but it seems like they are having their own fun in the Tellan holdings in Orope.

Of the representatives that attend the conference proper, three of the major families are most represented (but most Council families have someone there, and a few minor families convinced the Hallus organisers to let one of theirs attend). The Tellan are there in force, of course, their leader Tarpan living in Orope full-time these days and eager to ensure smooth relations with the Order in the wake of recent...problems in the markets of Orope. Besides the usual gaggle of minor family members, the Hallus sends two main representatives - as always for these major diplomatic events, Pelir was there looking for opportunities to make arrangements around sharing technology and techniques, while the main official Hallus representative was Lanit Hallus. She'd been around Orope for some time now (albeit with frequent trips back home for face to face meetings with the Hallus leadership), coordinating and assisting with the Tellan as they tried to calm the turbulent markets of Orope, and in recent years there was an edge of panic to her - the rumour was that her family was not pleased with how things were going in Orope, but she was hoping to make up for it by representing the Hallus well to the various countries present here. Finally, the Ulnesh are still there despite the changes in the Union's direction, as they remained a Council family and still had their business interests to attend to - Werran Ulnesh still holds great influence among those who followed the Cyphiri interpretation of the Flowing Way and so naturally attends, along with scattered minor Ulnesh representatives. A few Kelad family members were around, but unlike the others made only the amount of small talk and introductions necessary to be polite - they were there to keep an eye on the other Cyphiri, eager to spot an opportunity they could leap on to secure the goods the other families needed. Some Kalan were present too, being the favoured bodyguards and enforcers of most Cyphiri.

Lanit took responsibility of the official introductions. "I thank you, Prince Samuel, on behalf of the Hallus family, leaders of the Union Council." That was a little different from past times the Cyphiri had attended these kinds of events - the Ulnesh had never quite officially acknowledged their hold on the Council, but the word coming out of Cyph-Arel was that the Hallus family had been working to make these things more official and legalised.

Seeing his elder brother moving towards the Gotezhar, Prince Robert swam the opposite direction, extending greetings to the Cyphiri. "Welcome, family of Hallus, and all Cyphiri families here this day. You have not only our friendship as brethren in faith, but our gratitude for your assistance with the uncouth and disreputable behavior of the merchants here in Orope." He inclined his head in a gesture of respect.

"My father in his capacity as Grand Master has asked me to speak with you on the subject of technology, specifically those anoxic adaptations you have recently produced. It was a failure on our part to be so unaware of your work for so long. What say you, family of Hallus, to an exchange of knowledge? We are well prepared to provide the suite of modifications used to ensure a Giantsbane seed remains a formidable weapon upon returning from the air beyond, which is a technique that may greatly empower your knights."

---

Spoiler: Costa Sereia

Show

While the sereia tend to travel in groups over large distances - even larger after the recent Reaver assaults - it is only a small portion of the delegation that actually attends the conference. The remainder of the caravan includes militia, merchants, and pathfinders, along with a few casual travelers who could afford to make the trip purely for the novelty of seeing the Ironkelps and trying out Middish cuisine. These quickly dispersed upon arrival to their own works or entertainments, leaving the last two of the merfolk to follow the Middish messenger to their Order-provided chambers.

Fortunately, the caravan arrives a few days before the conference begins, allowing the pair some time to coordinate details needed for the local mercantile efforts, and just as importantly, a small window to rest together before politicking. A single day spent together indoors, away from the bustle of the populace nearby.

Finally, some time to make ready and presentable for the conference itself. Some effort is made to arrive punctually, but not too early, and the pair floats into the woven hall just as Prince Samuel makes his welcoming announcement. Foremost to enter is Uschi Alverna, the Madrina of Costa Sereia. Her pale translucence appears more pronounced in recent years, once deep purple veins fading into violet. She swims with the same stately grace as always, however, as she presents herself to the princes and assembly with a curl of the tailfins and a nod. An armslength behind and to her side silently drifts Veruha Mascerena, the bright lionfish mermaid. Her fan of orange-gold fins has lost none of its brilliant color, and while she maintains a deferential position beside the madrina, her movements are lively and her relaxed expression bears a sincere smile.

As their entrance is acknowledged, Uschi speaks, "Thank you for your invitation and hospitality. We are pleased to be welcomed into the hall of the Order, and by our friends in the Gotezhar."

When the Middish princes disperse to mingle and the crowd grows, Veruha catches sight of the young Mer Mira'din among the Gotezhar, giving her a smile and a little wave with a twitch of her colorful fins.

With his brothers distracted by the drudgery of maintaining the Order's existing connections, Prince Oliver found himself unchaperoned, a rare and welcome circumstance for the third son of the King of Insol. Without the tedious interruptions they would assuredly bring, he could set about the real work to be done here.

He approached the Madrina with as much noble dignity as he could muster, considering she was eight times larger than him and, for that matter, rather loomed over most of the other Middish too. "Hail, envoys of the Sereia," he said with a respectful nod. "I am Prince Oliver, son of King Jacob of Insol who is Grand Master of the Order, and I am pleased to welcome you on his behalf to Orope." He lowered his voice to a quiet conversational level, one which hopefully no meddling servants would hear.

"The currents tell me that your people take a great interest in the Giantsbane of the Ironkelp, and though you possess by trade seedpods in plenty you desire still the new techniques by which they may be employed as effective weapons of war even without riders. This information I can provide you, should you be prepared to pay for it. His Majesty seeks means by which the treasury of the Order may be grown - " not technically a lie, even if little of the money was likely to find its way there " - and so the price is fixed at a goodly sum, though I am sure we may productively discuss the terms should you find it too heavy to bear."

[Volthawk]

Lanit Hallus is quiet for a moment when she hears Robert's thanks, before taking a deep breath and nodding. It may or may not have been intentional, but it seemed that hearing thanks for her efforts with the merchants from one of Orope's royalty had been quite reassuring for her, given the amount of stress the whole affair had been causing. That done, the offer takes her attention, and it doesn't take long for her to come to a decision. After all, the technology had already spread to most countries already, with the deals struck with several countries during the sereia Carnival and those countries in turn making their own deals in the following years. Giving the technology to perhaps the people closest to the Cyphiri was never going to be a problem, and the promise of getting something in return was an unexpected but very appreciated bonus - perhaps when news of her securing these modifications reached Cyph-Arel, her reputation with the Baran and the other major Hallus members could improve, and while she's here in Orope she's sure the Tellan would appreciate the information, as the main Cyphiri provider of the seeds...

"Absolutely. My apologies that we didn't seek you out ourselves sooner for a deal like this, and we - the Union - would be happy to accept. Pelir is here herself, and as the one most responsible for the breakthrough I'm sure she'd be perfectly willing to explain the ins and outs of it to your scribes and engineers."

[Frostwander]

With his brothers distracted by the drudgery of maintaining the Order's existing connections, Prince Oliver found himself unchaperoned, a rare and welcome circumstance for the third son of the King of Insol. Without the tedious interruptions they would assuredly bring, he could set about the real work to be done here.

He approached the Madrina with as much noble dignity as he could muster, considering she was eight times larger than him and, for that matter, rather loomed over most of the other Middish too. "Hail, envoys of the Sereia," he said with a respectful nod. "I am Prince Oliver, son of King Jacob of Insol who is Grand Master of the Order, and I am pleased to welcome you on his behalf to Orope." He lowered his voice to a quiet conversational level, one which hopefully no meddling servants would hear.

"The currents tell me that your people take a great interest in the Giantsbane of the Ironkelp, and though you possess by trade seedpods in plenty you desire still the new techniques by which they may be employed as effective weapons of war even without riders. This information I can provide you, should you be prepared to pay for it. His Majesty seeks means by which the treasury of the Order may be grown - " not technically a lie, even if little of the money was likely to find its way there " - and so the price is fixed at a goodly sum, though I am sure we may productively discuss the terms should you find it too heavy to bear."

"It is my pleasure to meet you, Prince Oliver," Uschi inclines her head and curls her tailfins inward in greeting. "We have been interested to learn of the recent developments of your Giantsbane techniques, yes, particularly with our already established purchases of a functional supply."

The merfolk leader drifts closer subtly with small flicks of her hipfins, to speak more closely while maintaining the lower tone. "We would be most pleased to offer a selection of valuables and supplies to compensate for the efforts such development and teaching requires. However, it will take some time to properly consolidate our offer for an efficient delivery.

"During our stay preceding the conference, it has come to our attention that your local merchants have been struggling. Given the recent attacks and disturbances, completely understandable. We of the Costa would be remiss if we didn't prioritize helping stabilize the situation with those who arrange the daily economy, so I have arranged for a number of our advisors to help them reorganize."

"Once that matter has been settled, though, we would also be glad to make the arrangements to alleviate the pressure of a sparse treasury in exchange for your valuable knowledge, if that is amenable."