The Campaign Builder's Guild

[ic=Mavda of Inveran to the Machta]
While we acknowledge your great power in these waters, we have not thrown off the yoke of one Invernessi state in order to acquire another.  I bow in humble respect before you, but as the rulers of Mandra, the Kings of Otahvy are the only suzerains I will recognize.  I am most willing to sign favorable trade agreements to cement our friendship.[/ic]

[ic=Grand Archon Orman of Celend to the Grand Warden of Kashtu]
Mighty and venerable Celend congratulates you for your well fought and well deserved victory.

We desire a complement of your warriors to assist us in a necessary foreign campaign.  They will be compensated richly as mercenaries of the empire, and we will endeavor to recall them immediately if your realm is seriously threatened.  Accepting this request would do much to better your standing among the Archons and endear yourselves to Eternal Celend.[/ic]

[ic=Grand Archon Orman of Celend to the League]
We have received supplication from the dethroned lord of Inveran, who has acknowledged mighty and venerable Celend as his suzerain in exchange for our assistance in reclaiming his throne from the Mandrian rebels.

You, loyal vassal, are thus required to render unto our service a fleet of ships to augment our forces, to be made ready for sail immediately.

We realize that this places you in the awkward situation of aiding a state you have recently attacked, but be assured that - as a tributary of Celend - the lord of Inveran will not pursue vengeance against you, or he will suffer our wrath.[/ic]

[ic=Grand Archon Orman of Celend to the Machta]
The lord of Inveran has given us his supplication and is presently under the protection of mighty and venerable Celend.  End your aggression presently, and we will leave you in peace.  Continue, and you will be utterly annihilated.

Since your people's war with Kuregn, the monarch of that empire has always coveted your lands.  It is by the threat of our presence that their hand is stayed.  It would be most unwise to defy our will.

The Archons look forward to continued peaceful relations with your people.[/ic]

[ic=Asimad, Agah of All the Auri, to the League]
Greetings seafarers,
The Light dictates that those who flaunt its will and wallow in darkness must be brought to heel.  I now lay siege to Pinur with my multitudinous hordes, but the Serpent cannot be tamed by armies that walk on land.  Send to us a fleet to blockade Pinur and crush the hopes of these rebels, and you will be richly rewarded.  You need not even fight, for they have no fleet; merely your presence is needed.

The Light willing, I look forward to your positive reply.

With regards to Norpost and my ban on trade with the enemies of the Auri - it has reached my ears that the stubborn Invernessi have been humbled and their cities taken.  They have received their just rewards through the ways of the Light; we alone are not messengers of the righteous will, for it works through all things.  They do not concern us any longer.  Treat them as you see fit.
[/ic]

[ic=To Celend]Great Archon,
We will cease our attacks on Inveran. For now. Would your great and venerable nation be interested in trading with the Machta-In?[/ic]

[ic=To The Mandrians]Then prepare to be annihilated. Allies of Otahvy though we may be, we will not stand for their immigrant kinsmen controling an Invernessi homeland.[/ic]

[ic=To Inveran]Esteemed Wise One,
Traitors though we may seem, to your father in particular, it was only he with whom we had a grievance. As a token of our wishes for peace in the Inverness, we plan to restore you to your lost throne. Enemies of Inveran we may have been, but having immigrants from far-off lands usurping Invernessi homelands cannot be allowed.[/ic]

[ic=Grand Archon Orman of Celend to the Machta]
The Archons of mighty and venerable Celend are glad that you have seen reason.  We have no opposition in principle to your ships trading at our ports, but our new tributary has not been pleased with your actions of late.  Perhaps if you were to extend a suitable gesture of remorse - for instance, by returning the lord of Inveran to his throne, and paying him some suitable restitution - we would be willing to overlook previous unfortunate events and allow your traders free passage in our waters.[/ic]

[ic=Mavda of Inveran to the Machta and the Dragonlord]
I cannot stand against the entire sea, and I will not subject my people to more torment and war.  I see that I am beaten.  I will peacefully leave Inveran and return this island to the Invernessi if the fleet of Otahvy is allowed to take all willing Mandrians of Inveran to Mandra.[/ic]

[ic=To Mavda of Inveran]Then it is done. I hope for more peaceful relations with you in the future. If you will submit the island to us as the arbiters in this, we will pass it along to Inveran once a treaty is refounded.[/ic]

[ic=From The Free Captains to Lindus The Wise]
What strange waves are these, heh? Here we stand, having struck down your father for supposed tyranny, at the request of our allies, and now we sail to your aid, fellow servants under the boot of Celend. If it mean anything, we had no quarrel with your father, in fact, we shall tell you a secret: Long ago, when the Auri threatened your people with war, We claimed ourselves their ally, against thy father. But, unbeknownst to the Desert Sun, we had spoken with your father, and planned to drown his foes in treachery. It strikes us now that such treachery is what laid him low. Father Sea does enjoy when the ebb matches the flow. Let it be known that we shall fight to let you regain what was once your father's.[/ic]
 [ic]This message is delivered by the Captain of one of the two galleys sent to aid Inveran.[/ic]

[ic=Mavda of Inveran to the Machta]
We accept.  As soon as all those willing are aboard Otahvy ships, I will leave the city open to the Invernessi.  It is with a heavy heart that I leave the place of my birth, but I believe this arrangement to be for the best.[/ic]

[ic=Grand Archon Orman of Celend to Kashtu]
It appears your aid is no longer necessary.  Please ignore our previous request.[/ic]

[ic=Grand Archon Orman of Celend to Inveran, the Machta-In, the League of Freemen, and Otahvy]
The Archons find it in the best interest of mighty and venerable Celend to find peace on the waves, and we believe it to be in the best interest of your states as well.  We wish to convene a council of the leaders of our states at the city of Inveran to manage its transition back to Invernessi hands and to conclude a formal treaty of peace between us.[/ic]

----
Doublepost
----

[ic=To The Archon]It is agreed. We seek favourable terms to all sides now that Inveran's overly-expansive wings have been clipped and its despotical leader is dead.[/ic]

[ic=To Machta and the Free Captains]
Esteemed rulers,

You wished to remove my father from power. That is your excuse. My father was an old man, and would have expired in due time, but you, in your impatience, not only assassinate him, but his entire army, and proceed to ravage his kingdom? What kind of diplomacy is this? One of traitors, oath-breakers, and deceivers.

I was indeed my father's son, and was privvy to his secrets. With the Machta, we were blood kin, and the wedding bed of your own relative, our sister by marriage, had not yet grown cold before you slay your own kinsman. Oathbreakers and Cowards I declare you! Being kin, had you but talked with him, instead of agreeing to the attack, you may very well have stayed his hand. As for scorning marriage gifts and attempts at peace, I would like to point out that not only did we do what was right by our law, you got what you wanted! But your impatience, yet again, undid you. For assassination, know that we did no such thing, and you are either a liar, or are being manipulated.

And you, Free Captains, are no better! Indeed I knew of your alliance against the Auri, and know this; our people could have been friends, indeed like unto kinsman. We were never hostile to you, and again, instead of using words, you resort to base instincts and violence. Shame be to you, for what good it does. I daresay another black mark will hardly make a difference.

We value honor and integrity in our leaders, and valuing you as we did, would have listened to claims against my father. But now, you have lost that trust, which took lifetimes to build.

I will not, and can not, reply with force, as my conscience demands. Instead, I rebuke you, and say further that until proper penance is made for your woeful doings, that you are dead to Inveran, dieing the death of traitors. I shall still receive you at the council, but unless penance is paid then, you shall not gaze upon this face, nor that of an Inveran Banner, until either you or I lie subject at the other's feet.

Dragonlord Lindus the Wise
[/ic]

[ic= To all other nations]
Venerable rulers,

There is to be a Council at Inveran, to sign peace between us and those who have betrayed us. There is no bad blood between us, and as a sign of this, I humbly request your best soldiers, scholars, athletes, and poets to come to the city. We shall hold a festival, for all nations, in peace and friendship. There will be grand tournaments and competitions, and I sincerely hope that you take this offer to perhaps bring a closer bond between all of our peoples.

In friendship,
Dragonlord Lindus the Wise[/ic]

[ic=To Inveran]Then Mandrian Inveran will remain ours, most certainly. By beggaring your cripped economy to Celend you have set yourself up to beggar your entire nation further. Even if you were to return to glory, Celend will demand tribute and your entire country will collapse. Know this now, and be warned, as we have experience with these things.[/ic]

[/b]
[ic=To Celend]Grand Archon Orman of Celend,

It is always with pleasure that we Otahvians speak of peace.  If our numerous and mighty nations may come to some accord, it will be a great triumph of diplomacy, especially for Celend, as your holy nation has organized it.  I, King Rodonso, will be attending in person.  

I wish to warn you, however, that part of my fleet will be accompanying me as well, under the command of my brother, King Puul.  We mean no conflict by it; rather, we send our galleys to assist the peoples of Mandrian Inveran in coming to a safer land.  This is also all in good peace and hope that it can be seen as such.  We only come to help our brothers and you have my word, as King Rodonso of Otahvy, and that of my brother, King Puul of Otahvy, that no blood shall be shed.

That aside, I greatly look forward to the convening of this council.  We shall meet in Inveran.

King Rodonso of Otahvy
with blood and sea our bodies shall be cleansed[/ic]
[ic=To Andos]Strava Hycaryt, High Captain Commander of the noble Ryvalnya, Guardians of Stravam and of the Blood,

Your gifts were received and are greatly appreciated.  They are well-made and beautiful, a combination rarely seen.  We extend the same welcoming offer to your noble people, and hope that we may continue to grow together.  We send to you gifts, in both our sacred dyes and some wealth we were newly fated to discover.

To our friendship,

King Rodonso
with blood and sea our bodies shall be cleansed[/ic]
[ic=To Baktash]The emissaries of Otahvy sent to Baktash will be led by a man known as Guulo, a man in his middle years who served valiantly during the Battle of Four Fleets.  They shall be dressed flippantly and in full, decorative warpaint.  Large feathers and bones are used in decorative displays on their clothes, rib bones along the sleeves and outfitted in our finest blades.  Not an ounce of bare skin shall be left showing.  They shall be our brightest and most dangerous men, cold yet charming, and of great loyalty to Otahvy.  They are to present themselves to Pashwar Haq, or whomever they deem to have the most authority, and report the following message.  Afterwards, they are to imbed themselves in their society, letting the people Baktash know everything there is to know about the lands south of them.  They shall hold nothing back.  Despite this, their message should be vague as to the power of Otahvy.  While there, they should learn well of Baktash without showing excessive amounts of interest. They shall offer the Baktash nothing of value, but any knowledge they request.

Pashwar Haq --

We come representing the land of Otahvy, home of the Mandrian Gods, our Kings, the red King Puul and the blue King Rodonso.  They have received your tribute and are pleased.  We arrive in your lands to fulfill your wishes, as we know of the far away lands and can tell you much of the world outside your borders.  In exchange we require nothing save your continued pleasures.  Rather, we come to tell you of the Battle of Four Fleets, in which Otahvy stood alone against three others, eight times our number of ships, and took the day.  We come to tell you of the blood that has spilled upon the seas and the fervor in which Otahvy has cleansed this blood clean, purifying the sea and letting peace reign in the lands of the Mandrian people.  We come to tell you of the red and the blue, of the balance given to us by our Kings and the radiance that has filled the land of Otahvy and all those who are allies of our noble state.  But this is not all we come to tell you, for Otahvy is not the only land with power -- there are still others.  And we shall discuss this all, with time.

My name is Captain Guulo, Vo, of Nilburg, the capital of Otahvy.  I have been sent to speak for my Kings, a task I do so humbly.  I am among the lowest of my people; calling me average would be giving me more credit than I am worth.  Nonetheless, on Otahvy's behalf, I ask you to grant me and my men time here to help you, teach you, and become friends.  As is the way of our noble Otahvian kings, King Puul and King Rodonso.[/ic]
[ic=To Mavda of Mandrian Inveran]Mavda,

It is with great pride that we accept you and your people into Otahvy, the true home of the Mandrian people.  You shall be made welcome, and you, Mavda, will be made a lord in Otahvy.  We invite you and your people to settle as you like, and integrate with our society.  I am sure you will find Otahvy accommodating, especially after having suffered so long at the hands of the Inveran.  You have our respect.

King Puul will be leading the expedition to Inveran presently, and hopes that your people will find all arrangements to your liking.

King Rodonso
with blood and sea our bodies shall be cleansed[/ic]
[ic=To the League]Our Dearest Friends, the Free Captains '"

We will be attending the Council for peace in the reduced state of Inveran and wished to know if you, as our greatest allies, would too be attending.  If this is so, it would be preferable for our two delegations to meet together and, perhaps, help insure that the people of Inveran and those of Celend do nothing suspicious. In numbers, and with powerful allies, nobody can touch us.

King Rodonso,
with blood and sea our bodies shall be cleansed[/ic]
[/b]

[ic=In Nilburg, Capital of Otahvy]'Quite the excitement we've had, eh brother?' King Rodonso said, lazing in his thrown.  He had grown old, the freckles growing large and clinging to his wrinkling skin.  His brother Puul looked older, though it was perhaps the stern face that had worn more on Puul's skin.  

'Indeed' was all Puul said.

'I believe that our trip to Inveran will be our last voyage.  We are to be replaced by a new Puul and Rodonso within the decade, or so the elders whisper.  The God Kings can only become so old before they are reborn anew, right?'

Puul slowly turned his head toward his brother, who he had spent the past four decades ruling with.  'Utholu,' he said dryly.  Rodonso jolted upright '" his brother had not used Rodonso's birth name in decades.  Rodonso and Puul, upon becoming the kings, were to forget their birth names and fully become Rodonso and Puul.  That was as per the training of the elders.  It had worked for centuries.  Hearing his birth name, one he had given up a lifetime ago, left him wide-eyed.  'Utholu, when we retire from our positions, are we to become normal citizens and watch the new Puul and Rodonso rule?  What if they fail?  What if they squander all that we have worked so hard to build?  I have sacrificed too much of my life to be the harsh and vicious King Puul the red.  I have led our men in many battles and ordered the deaths of many.  What of these new kings?  Will we even meet them?'

'Brother,' Rodonso said, unwilling to use Puul's birth name in return.  He dropped his voice to a whisper. 'I have heard whispers, and whispers they shall remain, that when we retire we shall join the elders and help train the new kings.  In this role you may continue helping to shape our nation.  Do not fret, brother.'

Puul took a breath, regaining his composure.  He was glad for the night, when they could be alone and unwatched.  'What are you to do in Inveran?'

'Inveran invited all nations to participate in festivities, competitions, and other such things to bring us all closer together.  My delegation I have forbidden from taking part in such frivolous things.  Inveran tried to destroy us, and we shall have no part in their games.  Despite this, I truly do hope for peace.'

Puul nodded.  'And hopefully things will calm down when our fellow Mandrians are rescued from Inveran and brought to their homeland.  It is odd that we are sending a fleet to bring them here while also sending you to Inveran to discuss peace.  May the fates let this not prove troublesome, and the weather not prove disastrous.'

'What do you think of this Mavda fellow?'

Puul cupped his head in his hands.  'Mavda seems like an intelligent individual.  It would seem wise to make him into some sort of lord or allow him to act as an advisor for us.  He will do well here, and it would be a pity to see him just disappear.'

'I agree.  Mavda will certainly continue to act as a leader of his people.  On a different subject, what are your goals with Baktash?'

'I have decreed terrible pains for any Mandrian who is caught partaking in piracy in the north.  Baktash could be too useful for the entire nation to be squandered to the wealth of a few.  I will take pains to ensure that Baktash becomes enamored with us and wills to us all of their knowledge and wealth.  If things go sour, I will lift the ban on piracy and allow them to raid Baktash to their hearts content.'

'It's odd how we use piracy as a means of getting our way.'

Puul laughed.  'True.  Few nations, however, have quite so many pirates living in their own nation.'

'I don't see why we don't hire these pirates to work for us specifically.  They can continue doing as they will, but we can assist them.  More often then not, the pirates are allegiant to us anyways.  We help them out, give them some direction, and they give us a small spitting of their shares.'

'Yes, but you should be the first to realize that any pirate caught attacking an allies vessel that has our crest on it could be seen as an act of war.  That would be quite problem since our pirates are quite independent.'

'You're quite right.'

'Of course I am.' Puul smiled as he said it, and Rodonso just shook his head.[/ic]
[ooc]Styles of Otahvy
The clothing in Otahvy is typically bright and full of powerful colors.  The dyes and paints here are used to cover people from head to toe, especially when in foreign lands or going into battle.  Bones and feathers are used often as decoration.  While some may see this as barbaric, the people of Otahvy see this as strong and highly decorative.  

Names in Otahvy
Every person has a given name which is designed to be completely unique at birth.  However, each person is given a letter following their name to distinguish their family.  There are 57 letters in Otahvy, so there are obviously more families than letters.  Many families will all share the same letter, though this has no meaning.  It is simply an additional piece of the name.  Hence, when Guulo introduced himself, he introduced himself as Guulo, Vo, of Otahvy.  Vo is the letter of his family name.  [/ooc]

[ic]"I respectfully ask your Lordship what ,in the name of the saints, he is doing." Lindus' advisor, Albon, asked, "After the betrayal we cannot afford such extravagances! What will happen to our economy..."

"Our economy, Albon, will flourish." Lindus says, examining the blueprints laid out on the table, a stadium, by the looks of it, "I never told them they would be here without cost, although Inveran will house the leadership for free. They are nobility, man! They go nowhere without entourages and entire villages following them about. These people have to eat, sleep, be entertained, and for that, they will have to spend money."

"Money we do not yet have," Albon points out.

"No matter. We shall use credit; spend the money now, pay it back after the festivities. That, and we shall sell the land the Mandrians are leaving to citizens, raise money that way. So too is this an opportunity. Prepare loyal members of the family; tell them to get acquainted with members of the entourages of the other nobles. They are not to tell of their noble birth. Instead, they must attain jobs with the group, and get passage back to the capitals."

"My Lord, you intend to..."

"No, I shall not kill them. They will be the tips of the spear, the beginnings of an intelligence network. Betrayers or no, they have to coordinate such things, and if they do, we shall make sure we hear about it."[/ic]

[ic BULLETIN POSTED IN ALL VILLAGES AND CITIES, FROM ELDERS AND MILITARY LEADERS]ALL ABLE BODIED MEN ARE TO REPORT TO THE CLOSEST BARRACKS TO BEGIN TRAINING AS A SOLDIER. IF WE DO NOT DRIVE THE AURI BACK ONCE AND FOR ALL, THEY WILL KEEP COMING RELENTLESSLY. WE MUST NOW STRIKE BACK![/ic]

 [ic From elders and military leaders to all nations on friendly or semi-friendly terms with NArgaq]People of the world,
the Auri are a constant threat to us. they are continuing to attack us and will stop at nothing to destroy us. However they will not stop at us. THey continually hunger for power and land and will attack any who do not surrender immediately. They are a nigh invincible force, however, currently, they are not. Our scouts have reported that they are occupied with constant uprisings and rebellions. If we strike now, in great force, we may have a chance. Good peoples, we beg of you to help us in this war. The fate of the world may, in fact, rest in this war against the Auri. Please, send us troops for a all out attack, or help attack them from the south. IF WE DO NOT ATTACK NOW, THEY MAY NEVER BE DEFEATED![/ic]


 [ooc]ORDERS
> Train men
> Rebuild Nargaq
> Continue to make foxholes, traps, or anything that may be useful in defending against the Auri
> Continue to mine and increase the area which our tunnels cover.[/ooc]

[ic=Mavda of Inveran to King Rodonso]
You have my thanks for your generosity, as well as the thanks of my people.  I do, however, have some concerns I must share with you.  The first is that our people will have nothing in Mandra; our lands must be abandoned, and the civil officials will no longer have their positions.  In your generosity, perhaps you could aid us so we are not beggars in our grandfathers' homeland.

The second is that our people know little of the homeland; I speak Mandrian and follow the faith of my ancestors, but many learned only Invernessi from birth and worship the gods of the islanders.  I fear that we shall be treated as Invernessi, and persecuted like the Invernessi who perished at your hands.  Will you protect us from this fate?[/ic]

[ic=Grand Warden Katar of Kashtu to the merchants of the League of Freemen]Greetings from the people of Anwu and Hoohsih, to the free men of the sea. We seek to trade our goods - incense, oils, and turquoise - for yours. Our folk know little of the sea, so we propose to meet at a port of Celend for mutual inspection and exchange. We are particularly interested in the tools and crafts of far lands.
[/ic]