I've cleaned it up a bit, changed my name to "GM", removed some of the superfluous OOC chat, and edited a few of the posts so the story is more clear to someone reading it, but otherwise, this is pretty much exactly how it went.
The characters involved were as follows--
Light Dragon as
Aqim KhanúAn up-and-coming businessman, with a good deal of knowledge of the crystal business. He's got connections to the royal family, however tenuous, which put him in first place to take advantage of this new opportunity. Skilled at negotiations, but somewhat arrogant.
Nomadic as
Garzh LokA mysterious sort from a more northerly climate who sort of blew into town one day, he serves as "muscle" for Aqim, to ensure that his business dealings always go smoothly, and none of the assorted characters that he has to deal with cause him too much trouble. Strong and powerful, but not the most socially adept.
Limetom as
SanikatyaA Varrdyeni woman who grew tired of her city and culture and is "slumming it" in Agahza. She's probably of the laborer caste and not any big loss to them, but she does know some tidbits about crystalline engineering that your average Agahzan may not so she's of use to Aqim's little operation. Bright and adventurous, but a bit of a misfit.
[ooc]An aside on Varrdyeni standards of attire:
<Sanikatya> Oh awesome, I don't have to wear a shirt.
<Sanikatya> If you'll excuse me, I'll spend the rest of the game looking at my boobs.
<Sanikatya> :3
<Garzh_Lok> If you'll excuse me
<Garzh_Lok> so will I (looking at your boobs that is)
<Sanikatya> :|
<Sanikatya> Why don't you respect me as a person.
[/ooc]
On with the show...
<GM> So, anyway. Lucrative crystal contracts. Undeveloped resources. It's all very business-like, though why they felt the need to hold the negotiation in such a, well, dive-- maybe it's just part of the charm. Maybe it's to be close to the resources. Who knows. What has happened is that a not-too-social man whose name you never quite caught has led you into a spartan meeting room and said "wait here," then gone off, mumbling something
* Aqim_Khanu examines the quality (or lack of it) of the furniture
<GM> It's old, and probably about 25 years ago, as the trends go. Whatever those trends are.
* Garzh_Lok piles onto a chair
<Aqim_Khanu> We should be best on our guard...
* Aqim_Khanu mutters
<GM> After a while, in comes a traditionally dressed, middle-aged man who introduces himself as Vaqt Deek, and claims to represent the interests of farmers in the area who are reluctant to give up their land. "You have to understand," he says, in a way that suggests you probably won't, "crystal mining isn't as important to everyone." He's got the type of face that looks like he's always up to something ungood.
<Aqim_Khanu> "How can that be. Crystal mining benefits all."
* Aqim_Khanu looks concerned.
* Garzh_Lok looks unconcerned
<GM> His entourage also consists of a Malwaist cleric named Sayif from some conservative sect who claims this is inviolable holy land, and a fat man dressed in unfamiliar black clothes, who doesn't introduce himself or say anything. He smells like beer.
<GM> "These are simple farmers," Vaqt states in a rather condescending tone.
<Aqim_Khanu> OOC (Low quality beer?)
<GM> (of course!)
<Sanikatya> "And?"
<GM> The fat man coughs. "I was not aware Varrdyen had any interests in this transaction."
<Aqim_Khanu> "Oh well, I'm sure we can smooth over any problems."
<Aqim_Khanu> OOC (Varrdyen?)
* Sanikatya rolls her eyes and lets Aqim continue.
<GM> (sanikatya's hometown)
<Aqim_Khanu> (OOC: Ah, so over to limetom)
<GM> Vaqt looks at the fat man, then at the assembled group. "What my colleague means to say is that this is a complicated matter, and though the Varrdyeni mean well, any action on their part may be seen as meddling, especially to simple farmers...."
<Sanikatya> "I am no priestess, merchant."
<Sanikatya> "Do what you will, I act on my own."
<Aqim_Khanu> "Well... under contract."
* Aqim_Khanu shoots a warning glance at sanikatya
<GM> Sayif sighs. "Malwa help us all. These women and their ways."
<GM> Vaqt gives him a look as well, perhaps he's having as much trouble with his own entourage.
<GM> "In particular, many are not pleased with the offered compensation..." Vaqt continues.
<Aqim_Khanu> "Well, I would assume that our offer was quite fair."
<Aqim_Khanu> Crystal mining benefits us all.
<GM> Vaqt nods. "True, true, but it benefits some more than others. Those standing to make great profits from its mining, for example. It is my goal to simply ensure those profits are shared equitably..."
<Aqim_Khanu> And?
<GM> Sayif interrupts. "Crystal mining benefits no one if it angers the gods. This is holy land that you wish to develop!"
<Aqim_Khanu> Well of course it is holy- it has been blessed with Crystals!
<GM> Meanwhile, the fat man is checking out Sanikatya.
<Aqim_Khanu> So, what sort of compensation are you seeking?
* Aqim_Khanu smiles wide.
<Aqim_Khanu> Would anyone like a bit of snuff?
* Aqim_Khanu reaches into man-purse
<Aqim_Khanu> Why don't we sit down and discuss this in a civilized fashion?
<GM> Sayif shakes his head. "That does not mean it is ours to despoil..."
<Sanikatya> "What is so holy about the land, priest?"
<GM> Vaqt tries to quiet him down, again. "Yes, yes, please. Thank you. I am attempting to keep matters civilized, I assure you..."
<GM> The fat man licks his lips. "Why don't you not speak unless you're spoken to, you make much better eye candy."
* Sanikatya whispers to Aqim, "They're either playing us for money or fools."
* Sanikatya sneers.
* Aqim_Khanu Laughs Loud
<Aqim_Khanu> She did raise an important question.
<Aqim_Khanu> Snuff anyone?
* Garzh_Lok raises his hand
* Aqim_Khanu hesitates and makes the first offer toward the GUESTS.
* Garzh_Lok harumphs and sinks back into his chair
<Garzh_Lok> whatever
* Aqim_Khanu sees no takers so he sighs and gives some to Garzh.
<GM> Vaqt accepted, and partakes. "Thank you," he says again, after flashing a dirty look to the fat man. "Excellent... and yes, it is a valid question."
<GM> (sorry, typing slow!)
<Aqim_Khanu> As you can see, the snuff is not drugged, my friends.
* Garzh_Lok seems to be enjoying it enough to not care whether it was poisoned
* Aqim_Khanu watches Garzh Die... (OOC: Not really)
<Garzh_Lok> good flavor
<Aqim_Khanu> So do you three present a united front here?
<Aqim_Khanu> Or are you representing different interests?
<GM> Vaqt shakes his head. "No, no, we represent a unified front. We are simply here to ensure that the transaction goes smoothly, at a fair price, and in a fashion that the land is not going to be despoiled for future generations. For example, do you plan to simply dig an open-pit mine?"
<Aqim_Khanu> That is the common practice, I believe.
<Aqim_Khanu> Sanikatya?
* Aqim_Khanu looks at our mining expert.
<Aqim_Khanu> She is our mining expert, so she has poured over the plans for far longer than I.
<GM> "Why do you always defer to that woman?" The fat man asks gruffly.
<Sanikatya> (ooc Woah, wardsback)
<Aqim_Khanu> Although (eyes sparkle) I know a thing or two about crystal extraction myself.
<Aqim_Khanu> (his eyes sparkle)
<Aqim_Khanu> (OOC: Not he eyes sparkletwist)
<GM> (hehe)
<Sanikatya> "It's in the mountains, so there shouldn't be any need to dig an open pit mine, unless the soil requires."
<GM> Sayif nods. "The gods will be pleased if we can keep the landscape intact."
<Aqim_Khanu> (OOC: There's still going to be holes in the ground that will have to be filled in... (for a time I lived in the heart of anthracite coal country)
<Aqim_Khanu> (OOC: and a heckuva lot of soil needs to be dumped outside the mine)
<Aqim_Khanu> Excellent then!
<GM> "Yes, yes, and as for the compensation, well, the farmers are concerned that if you are completely taking their land, they will need enough money to carry them until they can find a new source of livelyhood... perhaps twenty thousand..." Let's say that's about four times what the Agahzans initially offered, give or take.
<GM> (that was vaqt)
<Aqim_Khanu> So does that assuage the religious worries?
<Sanikatya> (OOC: But it's not open pit mining. Could get away with a variety of sub-surface mining.)
<Aqim_Khanu> (OOC: True. Sub-surface mining is always better than open pit.)
<GM> Sayif nods, if a bit reluctantly. "I believe so, provided you are willing to submit to periodic inspections by religious authorities to ensure that you are upholding your obligations."
<Aqim_Khanu> But we are not necessarily taking their land entirely. Only a few farmers will need be evicted.
<Aqim_Khanu> -those primarily at the mine entrances.
<Aqim_Khanu> The crystals are usually located ___ feet down (OOC: I suspect farily far)
<Aqim_Khanu> We will not upset much of the above-ground soil.
<Aqim_Khanu> Am I correct in this, Sanikatya?
<GM> "Many will wish to leave rather than live next to a mining operation." That is, many will wish to sell at an inflated price.
<Sanikatya> "Something like that."
<Aqim_Khanu> Well, as I stated, I wholly understand why those at the mine entrance may be concerned. But those beyond say a kilometer of the entrance may not even see the extraction.
<Aqim_Khanu> Excellent (To sanikatya)
<Aqim_Khanu> We are merely negotiating for the sub-surface rights at this time.
<Aqim_Khanu> We actually have no need of much of the surface land.
<GM> "But what of the infrastructure? The roads that will need to be built, the carts, and of course the miners... mining drastically changes a region, particularly when it is nothing but simple farmers..."
<GM> The fat man leans back in his chair, and starts eyeing Garzh suspiciously.
<Aqim_Khanu> Well, yes, at the entrance and planned extraction points.
<Aqim_Khanu> And the farmers land will actually benefit if they remain on the land while we extract.
* Garzh_Lok flips him a subtle rude gesture and continues chewing his snuff
<Aqim_Khanu> The time to move food to market will certainly decrease.
<Aqim_Khanu> and their children may be employed in the mines- if they so wish.
<Aqim_Khanu> and they may sell greater amounts of food to the workers.
<GM> Vaqt nods a few times. "Very well, very well... but that does not change the disruption in their lives. Selling food is well and good, but what if you need more land? What if there is a disaster?" Vaqt is progressively making less and less sense, mostly because his arguments are failing to draw any higher offers.
<GM> Meanwhile, the fat man starts growling a bit at Garzh. Sayif shakes his head subtly.
<Aqim_Khanu> IF we need more land, we can purchase it at the time at the going rates at the time... Which will probably work to your favor, actually.
<Aqim_Khanu> As for disaster, there is always legal indemnification. We live in an enlightened and civilized society here.
<Aqim_Khanu> You can always take your case to the courts to recover a fair price.
<GM> "Not all of us," the fat man remarks, giving Garzh and Sanikatya both looks.
* Garzh_Lok is ignoring the fat man, chewing absently and watching his boss haggle
<Aqim_Khanu> Oh yes.
<Aqim_Khanu> ?
<Aqim_Khanu> Well, being barbarians doesn't make them uncivilized.
<Aqim_Khanu> It just means that they are often ignorant of culture.
<Aqim_Khanu> But, their skills in other areas are paramount.
<Aqim_Khanu> We are a cosmopolitan country, are we not?
* Aqim_Khanu laughs.
<GM> Vaqt gives him a dismissive hand gesture. "What my colleague means to say is that we are simply attempting to make sure that even given your substantial foreign contingent, any disputes will still be litigated by Agahzans and by the Sultana's law."
<Aqim_Khanu> Ah yes. Well, the contract states those terms. If you like, we can have a local solicitor look over the documents?
<Aqim_Khanu> You do have a local attorney, no?
<Aqim_Khanu> Does the priest have legal skills?
<GM> "Yes, yes. Of course. We will have to take this new information back to those whom we represent, and see what they think..."
<Aqim_Khanu> How long do you expect to take?
<Aqim_Khanu> And are there any other issues to address?
<GM> "As long as we need," the fat man rather bluntly interjects.
<Aqim_Khanu> We have several other sites...
* Aqim_Khanu notices the interjection
<Aqim_Khanu> Oh well.
* Aqim_Khanu shrugs
<Garzh_Lok> which probably means weeks... you're tubby enough that any faster would overexert you
* Garzh_Lok grins widely at him
<Aqim_Khanu> As you can see... lack of understanding of culture.
* Aqim_Khanu sighs.
<Aqim_Khanu> Garzh, please.
<GM> Vaqt manages to get him to shut up again, so he goes back to eyeing Garzh suspiciously, and eyeing Sanikatya in that Sarah Palin you're no good but I'd still hit that way.
<Aqim_Khanu> We are in their city.
<Aqim_Khanu> Adn you are in our country.
<Aqim_Khanu> We do things a little differently.
<Aqim_Khanu> Would you like some more snuff?
<Aqim_Khanu> Anyone?
<GM> "Yes, yes," Vaqt says. "My apologies. We do not wish to be tardy. Merely, once again, we are dealing with a large number of simple folk... and yes, please." Vaqt takes some more.
* Garzh_Lok is still working on the bit he has
* Garzh_Lok leans back in the chair and waves his hand absently
<GM> At this point, Sayif rather abruptly gets up and leaves.
* Sanikatya watches him leave.
<GM> "Dreaming of corrupting a man of the cloth, amazon?" mumbles the fat man.
<Aqim_Khanu> So the way I understand things, the main issue to discuss with the farmers
<Aqim_Khanu> is generally the price of their lands.
<Aqim_Khanu> I am willing to increase the purchase price and buy out portions of the farmers' land surrounding our extraction point.
<GM> "Yes, to give those that sell a fair deal, and to assure those that remain that their way of life will be not disrupted by this sudden..." another glance at the fat man. "... influx of modernity."
<Aqim_Khanu> From our surveys, this could involve 2-5 entrance points which would be located on 2-3 family's lands.
<Aqim_Khanu> Depending on their desires, we could completely buy out 2 of the families or just move the roads to go on portions of thier property.
<Aqim_Khanu> So that they will not be unduly disturbed.
<Aqim_Khanu> We can certainly give them a fair deal. Perhaps we can attend this town hall meeting to assuage their fears and to speed the process?
<Aqim_Khanu> (OOC: Probably a very bad idea.)
<Aqim_Khanu> Or we may continue negotiations through yourself.
<Aqim_Khanu> However you would prefer.
<GM> "Very well, I will have to speak to them..." Vaqt says. "The offer seems acceptable, at least to me, I will pass it along... as best I can, anyhow..." Vaqt looks a little surprised. "Well, that may not be best, they are simple, and you may find them difficult to work with..."
<Aqim_Khanu> All we seek is an agreement.
* Sanikatya mumbles in Varrdyeni:
<Sanikatya> <<This Aqim is either stupid or clever. I cannot decide.>>
<GM> "An agreement, yes, an agreement would be good. Well, let me speak to the farmers, and I'll let you know... when I can speak to them, that is, and then we could have another meeting..."
<Aqim_Khanu> Within the week?
<Aqim_Khanu> If not, then we can check out several other sites.
<Aqim_Khanu> and then return.
<GM> "There are no better sites," the fat man grumbles.
<Sanikatya> "You three have been acting off this whole time."
<Sanikatya> "Do you know something we do not?"
<GM> "I assure you, we're simply attempting to act in the best interests of our interests... the farmers that is..." Vaqt looks visibly flustered.
<Aqim_Khanu> No better sites? Perhaps it is true, but our engineer here thinks that if this town has a vein of crystal it is highly probable that the vein may continue to the town next door.
* Sanikatya raises an eyebrow.
<Sanikatya> "Who's interests?"
<GM> "The farmers, the farmers," Vaqt protests.
<Aqim_Khanu> Now, it will cost more to perform more geophysical exploration in the region, but if we have the time, we can afford the cost. Time is the most valuable thing.
<GM> The fat man grumbles, leaning forward. "Look, if you try to go there, you're still going to find me. I've got all of these little dump towns in my pocket. You deal with me or you don't deal."
<GM> Vaqt puts his hands on his head. "What my colleague means to say is..." Does anyone even care?
<GM> Sayif peeks in the window, behind his former group. You see him. They don't.
<Sanikatya> "In your pocket? So we deal with, how do you say, *minor* nobility now?"
* Sanikatya emphasis on the "minor".
* Aqim_Khanu waves to Sayif.
<Aqim_Khanu> Ah, your partner may want to come back in.
<Aqim_Khanu> is the door locked?
<GM> They turn around and look. "Oh, him..." the fat man starts. "Didn't have the stomach for business. Whatever." He ignores Sayif.
* Sanikatya stands up and stretches.
<GM> Vaqt sighs. "No, no, everything is on the up-and-up, you need not fear any criminal element's ugly tendrils soiling our business...."
<GM> The fat man leers. He tries to pretend like he's not, but he so is.
<Sanikatya> "Well. It seems we are quickly heading for a wall."
<Sanikatya> "You refuse to tell to us the whole story."
<Sanikatya> "How can you expect us to make a decision off what we know is not complete?"
<Sanikatya> "Do you take even him," points at Aqim, "to be an utter fool?"
<GM> "I cannot tolerate this any longer!" Vaqt wails, and at that very moment, the fat man reaches into his jacket, pulling out a silvery dagger, with the clear intent of using it on someone, probably Vaqt.
* Garzh_Lok stands up
<Aqim_Khanu> OOC: Now is your moment.
<Garzh_Lok> in one fluid motion he dives on the fat man
<Garzh_Lok> very eager to give him a beating
* Aqim_Khanu jumps back.
* Aqim_Khanu screams.
<GM> He's fat. He's got a lot of mass, but for an experienced fighter like Garzh, he's not difficult to tackle at all.
* Sanikatya draws a knife.
* Garzh_Lok goes for the hand holding the knife
* Sanikatya walks over to Vaqt,
* Garzh_Lok begins to bend it, stressing the wrist to the breaking point
<GM> Vaqt jumps up as well, shouting. "I have had enough! I cannot carry on this charade any longer!" Sayif comes running back in, too, no doubt hearing the commotion.
<Sanikatya> "I suggest, Northerners, we not let this go on much longer, lest it be trouble for us all."
<GM> The fat man drops the knife, snarling. "Get off of me! Get off of me!"
* Garzh_Lok hauls him up and tosses him into a wall
* Garzh_Lok retrieves the knife
<GM> He hits the wall hard, shaking the shabby building.
* Sanikatya places a hand on Garzh's shoulder.
<GM> The knife is crudely made. It'd probably belong to someone in the outcast town of Kroefko.
* Garzh_Lok looks over at the other two, daring them to try something
<Sanikatya> "Be calm for a moment."
<GM> The other two seem happy and relieved the fat man has been taken under control, actually.
<Garzh_Lok> I've had my fun for now
* Garzh_Lok grins
<Aqim_Khanu> Oh dear,
* Garzh_Lok goes to stand at aqim's side
<Aqim_Khanu> Well now...
<GM> Vaqt sighs. "Do what you will to me... that this vile treason is at an end is all that matters now..."
<Garzh_Lok> ooc: hell that was so satisfying... sparkle you make your baddies really fun to pummel
<Aqim_Khanu> May we inquire as to what is happening?
<Aqim_Khanu> OOC: Good writing. It led up nicely.
<GM> Vaqt looks at the fat man a bit reluctantly. It's as though he wants some assurance that the guy is completely not going to be a problem any more.
<GM> (thank you)
* Garzh_Lok catches his look
<Garzh_Lok> dont worry about him... if he's smart he'll stay down
<Aqim_Khanu> We can place a blindfold on him if you like?
<Aqim_Khanu> And/or Earplugs?
<Garzh_Lok> or I could... just cut out his eyes with this dagger
* Garzh_Lok says playfully
<Aqim_Khanu> That's hard to take back.
<Aqim_Khanu> But I'm sure they would sell fairly well on the market...
* Aqim_Khanu strokes his chin.
* Sanikatya sighs.
<GM> Vaqt nods. "He works for interests in some of the northeastern states. His only aim was to ensure that the negotiations went as long as possible... to keep the crystal out of the hands of Agahzans and Agahzan artificers as long as possible."
<Aqim_Khanu> OOC: We are one group of crazy ...ers.
* Aqim_Khanu huffs.
<Aqim_Khanu> How dare he.
<Sanikatya> "In any case,"
<Sanikatya> "We should first turn him over to the authorities."
<Sanikatya> "And second,"
<GM> "I regret I was roped into this affair... but he threatened my family..." Vaqt sighs. "As I said, if you intend to kill me, do so, to end this treason is worth my life."
<Sanikatya> "Is there still to be a deal?"
<GM> He nods. "With him out of the way, I would be honored if you would still negotiate with me."
<GM> (we can wrap it at any time, that was my big plot twist)
<Aqim_Khanu> If you have the authority, then we can negotiate.
<Garzh_Lok> ooc: perfect timing I need to go to work in 10 minutes
<Aqim_Khanu> (I guess that's a wrap then.
<Sanikatya> (Fine by me.)
Good times! :D