The Campaign Builder's Guild

Awesome.  I used to do something like this with legos.  Now I want to adapt/formalize something, me thinks...

Decided to pick this back up :)

The Truth
[spoiler=The Dregs of Society] Little is truly known of the Drakonian Empire.  Indeed, even its fate is a mystery.  But there is no doubt it was (or is) an unimaginably  massive, even galaxy(s?)-spanning, entity with a strict hierarchy and sense of order.  There is also compelling  evidence that this power was extremely centralized and localized, and that the further away from galactic civilization, as it were, one was, the lower one was in the hierarchy.

And Val'Doro was very far on the fringes indeed, and of absolutely no importance tactically or economically.  It was but one of the many fringe places where the greatest disgraces and failures slunk off to die in anonymity.

There were some Drakonian dregs, however, who took a new lease on life once they realized how lucky they were.  For Val'Doro, as relatively cut off from civilization and amenities as it was, was an entirely different beast than most other places of exile.  It possessed a habitable ecosystem, to start. [spoiler=Lifespan] Long-term exposure drastically reduced life span, however, as direct exposure led to respiration.  Due to the long-term health risks of processing oxygen and its free-radicals in this manner, the Drakonions had of course developed a respiration-alternative long, long ago. Indeed, any closed-system Drakonian structure still retains an operating respiration-alternative system.  Many of the citizens (at least the wealthy Drakonian and Or'ke citizens) of the great cities of Ald Drakonis never step foot outside of the closed system of the upper levels and thus never truly breathe.

 The Or'ke find respiration extremely detrimental even in the short-term.  Although they possess the necessary anatomy and have proven capable of doing so, the Drakonians who bio-engineered them did not in fact do so with the serious possibility of respiration in mind.  As such, inflamation, pain, and tumors are the characteristics of a respiring Or'ke's mere decades-spanning life, reducing them to savage beasts in many cases.[/spoiler]

 Most of the immigrants became occupied with carving out a niche in this new society using whatever pitiable knowledge they brought with them.  As often as not, this involved capturing and selling elves and other natives as exotic slaves or pets or even cuisine.  Those who were sufficiently adequate at this task eventually brought the hardy Vren and the expensive Or'ke to Val'Doro as affordable and transferable amenities.

While others apparently sought redemption and glory, in the vain hopes of being welcomed back from the fringe.  How this was to be achieved in a place where no polite company took any interest is unknown.  But the most foolish of the dregs  took no heed of this.  Sorcor-General Iatus, considered the worst and most disgraceful of all the Drakonian officers in the history of the Drakonian Empire, it is said, was such a fool.  With a reputation such as this, one must wonder if he truly sought some form of redemption or vindication, or if it was merely blood-lust.  [/spoiler]
[spoiler=The Sorcor-General]Iatus was exiled to Val'Doro, deemed not worthy of suicide it is said.  With him came a tiny contingent of soldiers who were too cowardly to die in disgrace, it is also said.  Whatever the case, Iatus and the Drakonian force he brought with him was the farthest thing from the grand army the Elves imagined the Drakonians had sent to oppress them.  Had the Drakonian military truly taken the slightest interest, the elves would have found themselves completely subjugated before a week was through.   Even the smuggling and piracy ring operating off of Val'Doro had ceased to be a military issue, for the Illithids had been given sanction to deal with this problem at this point in Drakonian history.  Indeed, that was the sole reason a space hub was present on backwater Val'doro, as the slave trades was not worth the costs, in reality.[/spoiler]

So this idea has been bouncing around in my head for quite some time...  I want to run a game set in the Ventureverse with (potentially) the players as archvillains and superscientists.  Hopefully a representation of both, as there seems to be a level of cooperation behind the veil of antagonism that seems like it would be fun to play out.  But anyway, I'm just not quite sure which system would be the best to modify/use for this endeavor.

The two I am currently considering are  Mutants and Masterminds and  My Life with Master, though other suggestions are welcome as always.

Mutants and Masterminds has the advantage of being aimed at precisely what The Venture Brothers is on the surface:  Superscientists verse archvillains and the advantage of having some characters from the series already created on the M&M forums.  The disadvantage is I've never played it and therefore don't know all of its disadvantages.  I know there are genre supplements out there for the system, but I'm not sure if there is one that would work well with the Venture theme.

Which takes me to the advantages of MLWM.  That is, the Venture theme of 'Failure, beautiful sublime failure".  The setting with MLWM presents no problems that I can see, as it is both noncrucial in certain respects and compatible with the Ventureverse in all of the aspects that matter.
So, on to the challenges:  A direct conversion would be simple if the players are all on the "same side" (in-fighting put aside for now) by either having them all be the minions of one archvillain or as archvillains with the Guild of Calamitous Intent as the "master" (so, ultimately, David Bowie is the master).  This of course does not work so well if they all want to be superscientists, as there is no analogous body to the GCI in the superscience community to my knowledge.  However, imho, a more heterogeneous mix of villain and scientist would make for a richer game, though I would not dream of denying my players the above options if that is what they so desire.  Alternately, if they wish to play the heterogeneous mix, I could have Nemesis as a more allegorical "master" but I don't see how I could easily transcribe the "love" stat to such a master.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Do you have unicorns in your campaign yet?  Because if not, you could add a little twist by having the oruks riding "unicorns", that is  Elasmotherium  rhinos, a possible origin of the unicorn myth.

While it did live on steppes and was a grazer, rhinos in general are not very tractable.  Of course, that these creatures survived into historic times would require an alternate evolutionary history, one that could be supplemented by advanced husbandry on the part of the oruks, or at least on the part of the ancient oruks.  Besides, if your oruks have a chaotic characteristic, then the rhinos might compliment this.  It would help to explain why they haven't overrun their neighbors yet, in any case.

And of course rhino skin would make great armor.

Just a thought :p

p.s, it looks like someone beat me to this idea:  minitures

I love that the janitor from scrubs made a cameo as an FBI agent.  It makes me think he leads a double life and makes that show funner to watch as I question his motives in screwing with everyone.

[spoiler]I thought that having Marrion in it really was a nice touch in making the film canon with the rest of the films.
[/spoiler]
My only gripes:

There was some CGI where I thought it wasn't really needed, especially in the beginning, which annoyed me.

And I really, really find it more satisfying seeing Nazis getting their asses kicked (of course, that's just the time line, but it still detracted from my enjoyment.)

[ooc]Final orders:
Send/leave the following message to Hayrine villages freguently raided by Andosen forces:
[ic=The Mercy and Justice of the Ryvan-Holme]We decree that, by our mercy and the Justice of Andos, any who wish to have peace with us must simply sever any and all ties to Connetar Eney.  If you do this well and early and faithfully, then whoever rules your area will even be allowed to retain their soverignety, as long as that is not Connetar Eney or his succesors.  This we solemly promise you.  For we have decreed that this is a war of the Tree; we fight in the name of peace.  Your Connetor gives a bad name to you, Hayrines.  His fiendishness is why many of us viewed you as Demons.  He sent his assisin to kill our Vrena and willfully broke the peace.  There can beno peace until he and his assasin are in the ground.  This is why we war, for peace. not because we hate you.  Any who kill him in the name of Andos and delivers his head to us will be surely rewarded.  And only then may we be freinds.[/ic]
If:

in the unlikly event that most or all of the Hayrine villiges wish for peace and/or the Connetor and his men are executed and hostilities towards Andos cease, then the Hayrines will be invited into the allience under Stravam with Andos and Ivran.  Any noncompliant villages will be sought out and crushed.

The war is too long and costly for Andos and the Connetor is defended, villages affiliated with the Connetor will be destroyed rather than raided.

Try to sneak into Hayrine coastal villages and burn/steal docked ships at night

Try to assualt the Hayrine city or wherever else the Connetor is believed to be

Use the Ivruskan springy wood to develop better bows and slingstaffs

Develop larger sling-staffs that can hurl larger and more damaging loads, or even increase range

Continue constructing the road to Sorghedai

Integrate Ivran into Andos more, with speacial attention on making the next generation of Ivran warriors bloodier and less ceremonial.[/ooc]

What of my attempts to build a road suitable for chariots to link mainland Andos to the Sorghedai?

[ooc]Final Orders

Stravam (Military)

Reform military so that Andosens (perhaps even Ivruskans) from different regions are integrated.

Altarnate between reconstructing Andos and intensive military training

build wall approximately midway between the current(last update) southern territory limits of Andos and northern territory limits of Far Hayar on the continent.

build galleys

develop larger and better staff-slings that utilize multiple men.

rebuild outpost on the coast

fortify outposts still standing with stone (possibly quarried from the continental mountains)

Ryvan-Holme

Reclaim deforested areas as farmland

renew roads

build road through forest to connect with the Sorghedai

send orphaned children to learn the trade of chariot making.

build outposts in the north and send parties to explore it more

rebuild Andos, especially the west coast and the holy places

Krynam

expand popularity to the country side

[/ooc]

[ic=(Year of the) Tree 50]
I
The Broken Spear

Less than a week after the celebration of the Tree's 50th renewal, Tryad Holymen, inventor of the staff-sling, died.  A hero of the craftsmen in Krynam, he was given a fitting funeral.  The arrival of the White Finger Hayrine's gift of wine came in handy for the first phase of the funeral rites, when Tryad's achievements and merits were honored and celebrated.

Now, on the evening of the second day, most were finishing fortifying themselves with alcohol and food for the coming week of morning and fasting, watching the flames of Tryad's funeral boat, or both.  The two figures standing on the seaside palisade wall were doing the second.

Watching the flames below, Glydhawl Stawaryd commented, 'I saw them load firepots with the staff-slings into the boat.  I wonder why the flames have not been more spectacular.'

The man beside him, Hyhadnhe, was the leader of the Wytchehunters, who had been in charge of loading the staff-slings and firepots into the boat as they used them the most.  He replied, 'That's what I like about you; sharp even when drunk.  No, we did not waste our magic.  The pots are empty.'

'Ha, I'm not that drunk.  You have anything to drink?  I have some wine.'

'Pfft.  Avarderan.  I'd rather drink my own piss.  And those sheep shouldn't think they have teeth.'

'Ha.  It's actually quite good, and besides, you sound like an old woman.  '˜Sheep shouldn't have teeth.'  Besides, at least the men get their due there.  Here it's the Ryvan-Holme or the Strava who won the war.  Never mind how your Wytchehunters burned their greatest fortress to the ground.  Never mind us men.  Damn it, if this weren't Kynam those flames wouldn't be up.'  Glydhawl gestured to the funeral boat.

Hyhadnhe grinned sardonically.  'But the Wytchehunters, though they be motherless, are the children of the Ryvalnya.  It is only right they take credit for our actions.  And you, you had a mother.  You should know better.  Don't be ungrateful to your mothers:  your success is owed all to them.  Come, let's warm our muscles.'

'Ack,' Glydhawl spat as they began to walk.  'Don't I know that argument well.  But the men in my family bear the name of our fathers for a reason.'

Hyhadnhe smiled mirthlessly as they walked on in silence.  Glydhawl continued after about ten minutes.  'You know, we are not the only ones who think this way.  Many of the tradesmen don't get the respect they deserve, even from the Grychgayte.  It's shameful and it needs to be changed'¦  The tradesmen say I should change it.'

At this the two men turned their heads to study each other as they walked.  'They, and I, think it is time for a male Vrena,' Glydhawl finished.

Hyhadnhe drew to a stop.  His voice shaking, he declared, 'This is treason and madness.  A man cannot marry Andos as a woman can.  Now, I suspect this is some sort of spell in the Avarderan wine, but if you really have had these conversations, you must tell me with whom.  They must be tried for treason and heresy.  You are my friend, so I will spare you.  But only if you tell me.'

The Stawaryd turned his back and once again looked over the palisade walls.  'I feared you might think that way, my friend,' he replied as he reached over the wall.

He thrust the spear he had stashed over the wall at the Wytchehunter.  Hyhadnhe dodged and captured the haft below the head with his hands.  He pulled and swung and the Stawaryd was yanked with it as he refused to let go.  He fell with a painful dashing of his legs.  But he was not nearly as drunk as he had been acting.  He kicked at the Wytchehunter's legs and the Wytchehunter let go of the spear. Swinging the spear, Glydhawl forced Hyhadnhe to dodge again, but this time he was too close to the edge of the wall.  As Hyhadnhe began to fall, Glydhawl thrust the spear out again, crying, 'Grab it!'

As Hyhadnhe was suspended in the air by Glydhawl, Glydhawl said, 'Now see reason, friend.  Please.  I'll let you up, I'll spare you, if only you see reason.  Friend, please'¦'

With a cry, Vrena Holysend cleaved the spear in half.  As Glydhawl watched his friend drop, the Vrena grabbed him.  'My love, my love.  Do not be foolish, no matter what he would have said, you would be doomed if he lived,' she purred as Glydhawl threw his half of the broken haft into the sea.  She turned his distressed frame and closed his lips with hers.

Then from below, as Hyhadnhe struggled to his broken feet, he cried, 'You are doomed, as I'm not dead, but you soon will be!'  He hurled his half of the broken spear like a javelin, but it only grazed Glydhawl.  Exhausted and in pain, he stumbled backwards ad fell into the beehives.  Whatever he cried out afterwards was lost as the swarming of the bees arose.  When he was retrieved in the morning out of the broken hive, he was not recognizable for his face and body were swollen and covered in welts so.

II
The Bloody Knife

Glydhawl retrieved the spear that had wounded him and stared at it as his lover helped him back to her house.  He finally came to his senses as he entered her threshold.

Detaching himself from her, he said, 'It's not bad.  There will be a scar, but nothing more.  What did you use to cut this?'

Vrena Holysend showed him the ancient sword that was a gift from Avardera long ago.  Shrugging uncomfortably, she said, 'I took it from the Second Hall when the Demons were invading Ryvham.'  After she tended is minor wound, she grined and had him follow her to her bedchamber.

There Chief Helmsmen Yeren lay snoring drunkenly in her bed.  Embracing Glydhawl, she whispered, 'And now you kill the Demon.  The Ryvan-Holme and the Demons must be made to pay for their betrayal of the Grychgayte.'

Chuckling, Glydhawl kissed her.  'And we shall make it look like an accident, my love,' he mumbled into her hair as he discreetly drew her belt knife.

'Oh, we hardly need to, my favored bed-mate.  Declare yourself Vrena and call it your first act of Justice.  It will make you very popular as your first ac--aa--,' she cried as he plunged her knife into her back.  She looked up in shocked eyes.

'We shall make it look like an accident, my love.  Because'",' as he saws the knife along her kidney, 'I will NOT'",' he plunges the knife into her back again, 'be a pawn to the Grychgayte, I will NOT be your pawn, or a pawn to any WOMAN!'  He lowers her and stabs her neck.

Panting, he lays on her for a time with silent tears in his eyes.  Coming to his senses, he stood and looked around the room, staring hard at the sickle-sword and trying to think.  Then Chief Helmsmen Yeren stirred and kicked the blanket off of him revealing himself to be in the nude.  Aghast and furious, he stared at his dead lover and then picked up her knife.  Kneeling over the Chief Helmsmen, he cursed him and his lover.

Then he stopped, and grinned cruelly.  He pried open the drunk man's hand and placed the knife there.  He then smeared some of the blood on himself onto Yeren.  When all was ready, he began to scream 'MURDER!  MURDERER!' and pull at Yeren's hair and face.  As Holysend's sister came in she fell to her knees and wailed.  Finally waking up, Yeren gave a start.  With a quick movement, Glydhawl pulled the Helmsmen's arm straight in and out of his armpit and gasped.  Stumbling back and reopening his wound, he cried 'MURDER!' once again.

Soon the whole house was up and most were wailing.  Someone had summoned a Wytchehunter.  Upon seeing him, Glydhawl explained how he had walked in to find that the fiendish Demon had killed the Vrena.  He finished, 'But do not let his evil blood taint our stones!  Round him up and every other Demon in Krynam!  Send them back to where they came from!'

As Chief Helmsmen Yeren was pushed through the streets naked, drunk, covered in blood, and still holding the murder weapon, he alternated between cursing in the tongue of Tuarescou and, as he sobered up, inquiring as to why he murdered the Vrena and crying that he remembered nothing.  He is even said to have repeatedly asked for forgiveness, but any Andosen who knew anything about Demons knew this to be a silly claim.

III
A Thorny Olive Branch

News that Chief Helmsmen Yeren had killed Vrena Holysend spread like wildfire.  Within two weeks, the Ryvan-holme was gathered.  As all the Far Hayrines were across the sea and beyond their justice, there seemed little to be done, but the people of Andos demanded that something must be done.

The Holme had been going on for several hours.  Vrena Synasbyre sobbed, 'But he is a Tuarescou, not a Hayar!  Should we war with Avardera as well?  Their wine led to it did it not?  Ha, madness, madness!  We judge individuals by their actions not nations by individual's actions!'

There was an uproar and a general cry of 'cowardice!'

But the Vrena  Synasbyre was fierce and unwavering.  She eventually convinced the Ryvan-Holme to unanimously decide not to war with the Demons on her last shred of honor.  After the Holme, as agreed she committed suicide.  Her body was imprisoned beneath the earth in the Grycham Rocks, the first to be buried there since they were reclaimed.[/ic]
[ic=To the Connetar Eyund]As Chief Helmsmen Yeren is a foreigner to you, the Ryvan-Holme does not decree war upon you.  The peace still stands.  However, you are not welcome in our waters for obvious reasons.  We also expect you to bring the murderer in question to justice.[/ic]
[ic=Glydhawl Stawaryd of Krynam to King Arlun Meas VI of Avardera.]To his highness,

I am the most influential person in Krynam and the most powerful man in Andos, but I am forever in awe of your mighty reputation, and my agents have told me that this still does not do you justice.  I know my Blood has been less than friendly with you, but I hope you will see past that.  Long ago, an ancestor of yours gifted Andos with this sword.  I entrust it to your noble presence and as well as my son, Hylandry Stawaryd.  I feel it is best that he leave Krynam and Andos as a moon ago his mother, the Vrena Holysend, was treacherously murdered by the Hayrine ambassador, and I feel he needs a better realm of knowledge than Andos can offer him.  It is my wish that you school him.  From geography, to fighting with that sword, to wine making, to ruling.  You will find him an adaptable and intelligent student, I hope.

In hope of friendship between Krynam and Avardera,
And in most humble regards,
Glydhawl Stawaryd[/ic]
[ic=To the Ivran]As we are both threatened by the happenings in the north, we deem it prudent that we should learn to fight together.  What we propose is that your people form a Holme, a great council, of Ivran.  The decision to be in this Holme shall be left to the individual Ivran, of course.  But we propose that each Ivran in this Holme send warriors to be commanded by the Strava, who would divide them up into smaller groups to be integrated into our own ranks, for no less than three years.  In return, as we understand warriors are needed at home, units of our warriors will be dispatched to the lands of the contributing Ivran in proportions appropriate to what was given.  Here they will alternate between labor (as we have noted that labor is not only necessary, but strengthens ties within groups) and intensive military training.  Also, as a valid Holme, you shall have a aid in deciding who will be the next Strava.  Of course, you will have your same laws, as who knows better the Laws of the Land than the inhabitants?

Keeping the Tree,
The Ryvan-Holme[/ic]
[ooc]These are wrap up correspondences.  I do not think they are necessary to respond to this update, but were posted as they did occur in this 25 year period.  I will post a few of them again after the next update, I think.

Also, Tree 0=247 YOTC[/ooc]

[ic]The Vrenas await what words Chief Helmsman Yeren has to say of the north.[/ic]

[ic=The Ryvan-Holme to the Hayrines inhabiting the isle of Trychoro, more commonly known as Stormshield]We have received and reviewed evidence from Chief Helmsman Yeren that you are not guilty of desecrating our lands, as was previously assumed.  As Trychoro is an island, you are within your right in seizing it for yourself, just as the sea claims any who cannot resist it.  We have also heard lore that suggests that you are what may be regarded as refugees.  Therefore you are not viewed as the precursor to a larger invasion force, and therefore we see no reason to repel you.  We gift you with this amber in promise of peace, and hope of trade.  We would especially prize your shipwrights in future trades and hope our gift is reciprocated.[/ic]

[ic=The Ryvan-Holme to Gegur, Beshwur of Kheduo]As our honorable ally, I feel it is my duty to duly inform you of some matters in Andos.  With very great hesitancy and many pangs of regret, I have exchanged gifts of peace with the Demons, the Hayrines.  My duties mandate that I must go the course of action that most benefits the Blood of Andos.  So I have:  I have heard of and observed omens and portents which clearly foretell of something sinister in the north.  As such, I deemed continued overt war with the Demons imprudent in the face of this unknown threat.

This peace, though...It is unsatisfactory for far too many.  My people cry for vengeance.  And you can clearly see how the Demons are interlopers, delivering your lands into the hands of the Auri.  Indeed, no people who are enemies with you can truly be allies with us.  Your people have been too great of allies for that.  I do not suggest you ally with them and, once again, I act in accordance with the best course of action for my people:  I suggest, on the behalf of my people, that we bide our time for this just vengeance.  But we will aid your attacks as best as we can.  Moreover, as we enter into more diplomatic terms with the Demons, we hope to learn of their military strategies and maybe even future raids, which we would share with you.  Perhaps we can even dishearten them by refusing to do battle with you and claiming it is because we have done so in the past and found you too mighty of a foe.  Of course, we would never do battle with you.  We have also become aware of the fact that the Demons are in line with our enemy, the Auri, as we had previously suspected and as you had previously suggested.  Our greatest hope is to learn of the Demons and Auri's combined attacks on your lands.

As you may have correctly perceived, such a gambit is less than honorable.  Thus we ask your permission and advice before we move to action.  We do not wish to dishonor you and your ancestors, but do feel this is the best course of action.  And it is your advice we seek, Gegur, as we feel you understand us well.  Remember that secrets carry further with each ear they reach.[/ic]

[ic=to the Hayrines]May we be granted access to your river so that we may once again have access to our ancestral fishing grounds?[/ic]

[ic=A proposal from the Ryvan-Holme, to be distributed to all the Ivran]I have taken your news of sinister stirrings in the north to heart.  We have taken precautions.

However, we know not what to suspect.  And we do not have some of the tools you have, like your sorcery which helped turn the tide of the Demon invasion.

Likewise, I suspect we have many tools you do not have.  Indeed, the Demon invasion has strengthened us, hardened us through war, and taught us new ways to destroy our enemies.

We are both strong peoples.  But we will surely face a surely stronger and unknown enemy in times to come.

However, the thought occurs to me that tin and copper are both metals, bur when they are forged into bronze, a stronger metal is formed.

So I hope you now see what I propose:  Not just an alliance, but such a great sharing that are two peoples are forged together.

No, forged is the wrong word, for I appeal to each of you, Ivran [insert names here], separately in the promise that it is not the flame of war that shall bind us together should you will it, but the clean coldness of rational thought.  Indeed, as I propose that our two peoples remain intact, it is more proper to refer to this as a weaving of strength.

Keeping the Tree,
The Ryvan-Holme[/ic]

[ic =The Holme of Tychav]It was a chilly early spring morning.  And in a misty valley nearly six hundred Andosens stood huddled.  On a platform set into a hillside ad placed for the acoustics, forty-three figures sat around the only source of flame in the valley.  The flame was as blue as the ice that seemed to fill the Vrenas' veins.  No one outside of the flame's heat range knew why the Holme was being held here of all places.  Yes, it was on the way to Grycham from Krynam, but why not continue on to the newly finished Third Hall?  It was less than a fortnight away and the time the Ryvan-Holme had spent waiting here for others to assemble was now nearly twice that.  There was an ominous feel to that spring's chill.

The Strava Olydya stood up to call the Holme to order.  As she sat down, she gave the floor to a Scribya who gave the message from the Ivruska verbatim.  It is said everyone's hair in the valley stood on end, and not from the cold, at the last words.

The Vrena Synasbyre took the floor.  'So the Ivrusk are correct, the Land of the Dead, the dead sepent curls around to the north, as well.  So the serpent whispers his secrets in our ears at last.  The Demons where a test to our Sacraments, a trainer of our warriors, and, above all, a flame to our forge.  For let there be no doubt that we are forged as one, now, my Blood.  Andos is ours in its entirety.  For now.  We must always be wary, for greater evil will come to us from the north.  Evil that will make the Demons and their bronze scaled hides look as soft as lambskin.'  She pauses and paces for a minute or so.

'So it has been determined that we will not be poisoned by the Demons:  we will not be baited into starting another war with them'"'  At this there was a cacophony of opposition.  She still managed to get in a ''"For it will surely weaken us!', but only the front rows could have heard her.  She glances around furiously and the other Vrenas and the Strava stand up in anger.  They glare at the assembled crowd.

The local Vrenaskya, a shriveled old crone, climbs up on stage and, in a surprisingly loud voice, bellows, 'Quiet! Quiet!  This is my land, and I won't have the honor of hosting the Ryvan-Holme tarnished by you pig-bastards!  This is my land, if you don't shut up, I'll have you removed by force!  Even if ya be my own kin!'  At this, the crowd slowly quiets down and the Ryvan-Holme is once again seated.

As the Strava begins to address the crowd, the Vrena Synasbyre points out that she has not relinquished the floor and the Strava grudgingly sits back down as the Vrena continues.

'My favorite bed-mate and children were killed by the Demons.  They are not one's I look forward to going up against again.  And I feel your sorrow all too well.  I do not feel your outrage, though, for it is not appropriate.  I am not speaking of giving them the Tree.  Only that we not waste our efforts on cleaning up that scum.  However, in order to proceed with this, it will be seemly to'¦'  She suppresses a rictus of hatred.  'As we do not wish to be goaded into war, we will comply with their tradition of exchanging gifts.  That does not mean, however, that we will trade with them. Is that not right, Sister Holysend?'

Part of the reason for holding it here was then made clear:  Here, in front of everyone, the Grychgayte member could not make the Ryvan-Holme seem weak by dissenting.  So she did not.  'Of course, Sister.'

'Then it is settled'¦without satisfaction, but with the welfare of our Blood in mind.'[/ic]
[ic=The Ryvan-Holme to Connetar Eyund]I have reconsidered your suggestion.  But before we disclose our findings, we will have you know that in our ranks, a Vrena Holysend, has acted as our messenger unlawfully.  Thus, you are to dismiss any correspondence she had with you.

We find your suggestion of a cessation of warfare desirable.  To show our earnestness, we make the first step and provide two herds of goats.  Appreciate that this is not a small amount for us, after having far two many slaughtered by your kinsmen.  We also send Chirubyan to learn of your history and seek from you any knowledge of the north.  If any harm befalls them of your hands, all agreements are off.  Likewise, you are not to raid us and none of your people are to be armed should they find themselves in our lands.  We have constructed a stone line to demonstrate where our lands end on this coast.  A wall will soon be built there and our lands end four days from it.  We will mark these with poles to clearly show our border.

We await your gift.[/ic]

[ic=Chirubyan Heurway to Beshwur Gegur]Foolishness on my part.  Chariots are mainly known as "the war cart" in our native tongue, and I have never traveled here before myself.    What craft-workers would have the best chance of being admited into such a craft?  Carpenters, perhaps?

And then there is the matter of creatures to pull such crafts.  Are they also a symbol of the tribe's power and lineage?  I must admit that I should have questioned my fellow Chirubyan more closely about these matters, but, alas, I was more interested in formalities.

I have also been instructed to inquire about another matter.  Frankly, we Andosens like you, Sorghedai.  We've long considered you brothers in arms against the Auri and now against the Hayar-Demons.  And I, as well as most Andosens, have seen your merits as we warred together.  So, as the river's mouth is infested with scum and villians, blocking us from reaching you that way, we propose a road between the mountains to enter your lands from the north.  What we request of you is that you help maintain this road in so far as it extends into your lands.  Is this agreeable to you.  Indeed, do you object to such a construction?[/ic]
[ic=The Ryvan-Holme to King Arlun Meas VI]Be it known that the Demons who call themselves the Hayar and block the Great River with their filth shall not be abided by any Andosen.  We do not which any more enimies, but those who reside with filth are filthy.  Thus we wish to know your stance on these horrific beings and thereby ascertain your cleansiness.  We truely do hope that we find you clean, as we have acted in our ignorance as though you were, thinking, "Surely the shepherds know green and health, and will see how the Unnatural spoil such things."  We hope our belief in your wisdom is well founded, as we suspect it to be.

Also, we find your proposition of "currency" rather novel and indeed thought-provoking.

By the liver,
by the heart,
By the Ravan,
By the Serpent

By the Tree, the twenty-one Vrenas of the Ryvan-Holme[/ic]
[ic=Addressed to the Ivrusk]There is talk of another expedition to the north.  It has been brought up that building outposts where supplies may be deposited will allow a greater travel distance.  We ask if you have any objections and if not, have you any advice?[/ic]

[ic=Reply to the Hayar]Do not waste my time nor my efforts with foolish trivialities, Hayar.  You and your people have already crossed too many lines in the hearts and minds of the people of Andos to test our patience.  You should have realized long ago that your people would get nothing from the people of Andos freely --you have already taken too many lives.  If you want to make a farce to your people over freely giving and recieving gifts, so be it.  I think we both have had enough opportunity to take a measure of our people when we battled, for there is no truer measure than when one is in conflict.  Deal with reality, not whatever intentions you have.  I am willing to work hard to secure peace between our two peoples and exchange gifts at great expense to myself.  What I am not willing to do is have my time wasted.  Think like a woman, not like a man; use your sense![/ic]

[ic=Vrena Holysend of Geethouse Grynsulk to Connetar Eyund]Be it known that I have intercepted your message and relayed it in...more agreeable terms.  There will certainly be a lecture on the notion of "your land is your own, until it is not", though I must admit I, myself, find it rather hypocritical as we more or less abide by the same policy amongst our people.  I hope you will take this lecture in stride.

But to business.  Your honor is still in question and this will forever sour relations.  I do not ask you to prove this.  I do ask you to see how proving it in small instances will improve our people's relations.

That said, the Ryvan-Holme has already named a suitable gift from you:  Supply the knowledge of building your galleys.  This will also make yourself appear more honorable, as it will add insurance that we will be able to fight you off should you decide Andos was prospective after all.  As the Tree is not important to you, voice what you would consider an appropriate exchange to me.[/ic]