The Campaign Builder's Guild

[ic=To Mavda of Mandrian Inveran]Mavda --

Any Mandrian who feels that Otahvy is not a safe place for them is welcome to stay in Inveran and continue worshipping the false gods therein; however, I, King Rodonso, will work toward ensuring that your people are not harmed.  If you would find it suitable, you may all settle near each other, further to the north of Otahvy.  You will act as Otahvy citizens under the rule of my brother and I, but it will allow your people to continue to live together as you have done and have the same town leaders as you have done.  I will not entertain any notion that treats you as a full-blooded Inveran; what you are is a Mandrian that has been led astray by the wicked ways of the Inverans.  You will be treated as Mandrians by me and my brother, and we will do all we can to have our people treat you as fellow Mandrians as well.  That said, failing to make friends here would be a shame.  After we have done our part, your people must not antagonize the true Mandrian Otahvians.  If my people dislike you, there is only so much that can be done.

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

[ic=Mavda of Inveran to King Rodonso]
Gracious Lord,
I did not mean to suggest that we would try to insulate ourselves from our fellows, nor that we wish to be treated as Invernessi; I am sure most will be happy to live side by side with their relations.  We do not ask that every Mandrian treat us immediately as their own; we know that is not something you can provide.

I am leaving Inveran out of concern for safety above all.  We do not hate the Invernessi, but I fear my actions have jeopardized our future in Inveran.  After deposing him, I do not think the Dragonlord will treat us well.  He will be forever suspicious of every Mandrian in his country.  What I am asking of you is simply that your noble majesties will not persecute my people if they follow the Invernessi faith, for they too are Mandrians, and mean no subversion against you.[/ic]

[ic=To Mavda of Inveran]Mavda,

Your words are well picked and logical, your thoughts persuasive.  I find what you say to be in the best interest of all of Otahvy and the Mandrian people.  You and your people will not be persecuted by my brother and I nor any of those under us, as far as we have the power to control.  On that, you have my word.

King Rodonso[/ic]

[ic=The Captains' Assembly, under King Puul and King Rodonso]Twelve men set at the table, each with a plate and mug in front of them.  At one end of the rectangular table sat King Puul, in full majestic garb and glowering.  Across from him, at the other end, sat King Rodonso, merrily making small talk with those around him.  Each of the ten men in-between, five on either side of the table, sat enjoying their meals and each other's company.  It was rare that the top ten Otahvian captains all came together at one table.  Many stories yet were left untold.

Rodonso and Puul finally locked eyes, and, as though by magic, all conversation at the table vanished.  King Puul sat straight in his chair, holding his mug in his hand and swirling the dark liquid within.  "I see that you are all in good health, and we hope only for this to continue.  You captains have long been the grain of the Mandrians, no matter what path you take.  Hitro, Lee, you lead the fishing expeditions, bringing back the best fish on the market.  Belket, Olp, you are one of the top leaders of our fleets.  Rivrin, Dru, you have proven yourself to be our best explorer time and time again.  Cralp, Ix, you are so consistently away, leading long and dangerous but quite fruitful merchanting expeditions that I was quite pleased to hear that you would be here for this.  All of you have something that you are good at, something that makes you true Otahvian captains.  Even you, Moruth, Yil, who is replacing Guulo, Vo, within our navy, you are a true captain."

The men nodded at these compliments, and none contested them.  

Rodonso took over, and all of the necks at the table pivoted to watch the other king.  "Of course, you are aware that a Captain's Assembly is only called when we have great need for you.  This is such a time.  I am sure that you allegiance to Otahvy, and your fellow Mandrians, will follow through and support us in this time of great expansion.  This is not as the time of the Battle of Four Fleets, the last time that we convened.  This time, Devestation does not stand at our doors.  No, if everything goes accordingly, Otahvy will be able to cement itself in the world and ensure that we do not face any perils in the future as dire as the Battle of Four Fleets."  Rodonso took a hearty sip from his mug, wiping the excess from his mouth.

"Five of you will be traveling with me," Puul said.  "You will be leading the expedition that will take Rodonso and myself to Inveran.  One of you will stay with Rodonso in Inveran during the Council for Peace.  The rest of you will assist in the transportation of the Mandrians from Inveran in moving them to Otahvy."

"Three of you, headed by Rivrin, Dru, will take to exploring the northwest.  You have no doubt heard of Baktash by now, but we must understand the coastlines.  You will dedicate the next few years of your life to exploring the seas north and west of here, following the coastline until you reach Baktash.  All of your supplies will be paid for, and your men paid in Otahvian wealth."

"Piolk, Mo," Puul said, looking at a heavy man with a drooping face, "you are as much king of the pirates as we are kings of the Mandrians.  We ask you to prove your loyalty to Otahvy and ensure that no piracy occurs in Baktash."

"Why?" Piolk said, his words full of breath. "They have wealth to spare.  Isn't it fair for us to take some?"

"No, we mustn't alienate them.  The Baktashi must be our allies and willingly give us their wealth and assistance.  They think of us as Gods still.  There is no reason to prove that false."

Piolk muttered and settled in his chair.  "If not Baktash, where?"

"You know where our enemies stand.  Feel free to continue pirating Inveran, Kureign, Yaffa, any of those nations that we do not have strong dealings with.  They bring us nothing, so let your pirates take it."

Piolk seemed satisfied with that answer.

Rodonso took back the lead.  "Finally, Oltup, Kuu, you are to go to the League of Free Captains and become their friend.  You are familiar with them already, due to your dealings with them in the past.  They have long been our allies and I want only for that to continue.  There is no secret motive in this.  Just," Rodonso smiled, "be yourself.  You're charming enough."

Oltop returned the smile with a tilt of his head.

"Now, gentlemen," Rodonso continued, "feel free to enjoy your meals.  Have more if that suits your bellies.  You are doing us a great service; this is the least we can do."[/ic]

[ic=In regards to the ball held by the Arranians]As the news spread from the fisher folk to the higher circles like wildfire, despite the Ryvalnya's disinterest and dismissals, a steady trickle of Andosens flows into the harbors.  Many of them make temporary settlements along the coast to support themselves.  There are but three Vrenas present and the all-but-named successors to the current Vrenas of Greathouses Chorbovaid and Frychna, as far as "nobility" goes, though many male and female warriors of great standing (depending upon how aware they are of the Andosen culture, the Arranians may recognize that many have almost if not greater standings than a few of the "nobles".) are also in attendance.[/ic]

[ic=In regards to Inveran's invitation]Excited about the prospects of competing with arms and showing off their developing skills with bow and spear, as well as bragging about individual victories in the battles over the Hartlas, many warriors are drawn to the festival aspect of the council.  The Chronicler Atrusthva, offered to but not accepted by the Machta-In, of Greathouse Chorbovaid accompanies Vrena Horsayev's daughter, Archevyalysa, as well as a few other less notable Vrenas' daughters (six in total).  A delegation of Ryvalnya also arrive, under command of Spear-Mistress Torchavyn, one of Strava Hycart's favored officers.[/ic]

[ic=At the docks of Inveran]As the Ryvalnya ships catch sight of Chorbovaid's banner in the harbor as they enter it in the early morning, a cry rings out from the warriors.  Runners who had been waiting at the mouth of the harbor for days waiting for the arrival of the Ryvalnya set out to tell their Clanguards.  As the Andosens are roused from their camps, the sailors still on their ships get ready for battle and move into postion to flank the Ryvalnya ships.  Cries are exchanged between and within both sides of the engagement.  Bows are drawn.  As armed Andosens march down the streets towards the harbor, some of them still drunk and all of them loud, armed Inveranessi fill the doorways of their homes and the city guards appear to investigate the ruckus.  However, it becomes obvious that the tense focus of the other Andosens is on the incoming Ryvalnya.  Surprisingly, despite the raucous insults hurled between the sailors of the two naval forces, Spear-Mistress Torchavyn reluctantly orders her warriors to stand down and the ships arrive without any bloodshed.

As the Ryvalnya disembark, however, Spear-Mistress Torchavyn and her most elite warriors stride toward the group of warriors with the Chorbovaids' markings.  She eyes them up and down and is obvioulsy disconcerted for a moment over whom to adress, before the Chronicler Atrusthvasteps up.

She addresses him, "Interesting to see you here, eunuch.  Very interesting indeed.  So interesting, in fact, that I shall have to immediately send word to the Strava of this development.  It seems some serpents managed to slip past our grip.  I certainly heard no mention of such a party stopping at Stravam and alerting us of this trip, as is required by our laws.  And I am sure that it would have been remarked to me that one such as you, who rarely leave the comforting hearth of their Motherhouse, was passing through Stravam on this arduous trip hadd they, in fact, complied with the law."

Chronicler Atrusthva smiles and pipes in a surprisingly high-pitched voice, "I must say that I am suire that many of ther Vrenas and the Ryvan-Holme, certainly, will be quite irate to find that you kept the news of this from their ears.  as far as the issue of law, I am sure  that only applies to those who pass through Stravam.  As we did not, and, rather, braved the Eastern Gulf, unlike so many cowards who cling so tightly to the old ways..." At this, he passes a disapproving eye along the party of the Ryvalnya.

The warrior snorted, "Pfw, The old ways are what define us and our Blood and you had best remember that, eunuch, before I cull you out of it.  It is the old ways and sacred customs that define-"

Atrusthva interupts her as he explodes into laughter.  "You fool, aha, you sordid, wretched fool.  You do not even recognize my contempt?  You, who claims to cling to the old ways so rigidly, do not even know them.  I saw you stumble over the issue of authority here.  I am a Chronicler, as these runes all over my body state.  If only you knew a thing about a Motherhouse, you sordid bastard of the Ryvalnya, you would know your place.  Aha, dismissing me, what gall!  Eunuch you call me, as though that were derogatory, aha!  What a fool.  I am unbound by my flesh, my contribution to my Clan's lifeblood is much more significant than my puny flesh.  But you do not know this, as you only contribute to your lifeblood, She-without-a-Clan.  Where does you blood flow?  doen the gutter of-"

She erupts, her face red, her knuckles white around her spear haft.  "My Clan is the Ryvalnya, you soft- Ah!  What contempt, telling me of the old ways!  I'll have you blood, what have you to say of my blood!   Do you even know how to hold a spear?  No matter, you have shed all your honor, and I kill you armed or unarmed, for the ways of Rylodyn cares not whether the traitors of the Blood are armed or not, for they re always armed with their poisonous tongues!  Wicked tongues!  I follow the old ways of Rylodyn more than you ever will, you, you-"

"Fpaw, awawah!  Your insolent tongue betrays you again and again, Ryvalnya!  What old ways do you speak of?  The New Way, the fool's way is what you speak of.  Hell with the Ryvalnya.  Rylodyn would be disgraced by what it is now.  Guardians of the Blood by my tongue;s forked tip!  Ha!  Your ingorance bores me and grates me.  Had you come to me in search of enlightenment, as you should have, you bastard Motherless, I would have done so, but you now sicken me so.  Remove me from her presence and make sure here and her stinking mongrels camp nowhere near us, sister"  He says the last to his sister, Archevyalysa.

At this he turns on his heels and storms off with most of the other Andosens, though a few warrioirs, who now only outnumber the Ryvalnya two to one, remain to watch against them.

By noon, the Ryvalnya have completely disembarked and unloaded and two of their ships make their way back to Andos with six of the other Andosen ships in pursuit.[/ic]

[ic=Vrena Hosayav of the Greathouse Chorbovaid, Guardians of the Akstavyav Seal, to Dek Lakrail and his people]Your ignorance over the Chronicler shall be forgiven.  However, I am not sure how to explain his worth in your terms.  To begin with, I shall discuss "hospitality".  This is a foreign concept to us, though we believe you have it in your culture.  The idea of providing people with food and shelter when they have not striven to do so fof themselves and their blood is not even considered, normally.  Make no mistake, it is not easy living here.  One must hunt and work for survival.  We can but afford to keep one full grown man in the House, normally, who does not work the fields or the blade, and that is the chronicler.  He is most valuable in ways that others can never be, however.  He not only retains our blood, he retains our Clan's history, our land's history, the knowledge of Andos.  He knows the songs and runes of our blood, our most sacred treasures.  He is essential for any alliance, any sharing of blood, for before blood can truely be shared, memory must be shared.  A Vrena, our most sacred daughters, can go nowhere not sanctified by a Chronicler, by our oldest and most closely held traditions.[/ic]

[ooc]Amikaligula: Small thing, but the festival/tournament is being held in newly retaken Inveran.[/ooc]

[ic=Notice given to all attending Inveran Festivities]
Please note that no military forces shall be allowed armed inside the city unless participating in one of the events. Similarly, all naval units shall remain in the harbor with skeleton crew, and under Inveran guard.

Hostilities will not be tolerated at this event, and any violence shown will not be tolerated. The criminals shall be flogged, imprisoned for the remainder of the events, and sent home. In the event of a death, the perpetrator shall be executed. There are NO EXCEPTIONS.[/ic]

[ic=Grand Archon Orman of Celend to (Invernessi) Inveran]
We have received word that you have invited even the barbarians of the northern hinterlands to this meeting in Inveran.  You test my good will - such savages will make a mockery of serious proceedings and deliberations.  I do not pretend to know why you have striven to invite faraway degenerates who could not read an agreement, let alone write one.

I will abide this annoyance so long as you take personal responsibility for these beasts - should they disrupt decorum it will be on your head.[/ic]

[ic=Reply to Celend]
Esteemed Archon,

I have invited all nations, including those of the far north, to the festivities being held around the council. Whether they decide to take part in diplomacy with other nations while there is, quite frankly, none of your business. Given also that this is being held on Inveran's sovereign ground, I am free to invite who I wish.

You may wish to re-think your assumptions of these people, Archon. 'Twas thinking such as that on my father's part that sees Inveran's navy in ruin, and the Auri's in removing the Six Tribes Nations.

I will say this. They are my guests. This is my Council. You will brook no aggression to anyone here, and issues of perceived slight you may keep to yourself. One of the reasons I invited them was so that your Highness would not simply arbitrate and make a mockery of serious proceedings and deliberations. Inveran is your vassal, bound to your service, but we will not be your lap-dog to order about how we conduct diplomacy and who we count as friends.

Dragonlord Lindus the Wise   [/ic]

[ic=An apology from Chronicler Atrusthva in person to the honorable Dragonlord Lindus the Wise]Although his manners in general are uncouth and peasant-ish, he still carries an air of refinement and courtesan mannerisms about him.  His bow is unpracticed and awkward looking, but used more or less appropriately and in such a manner that it still conveys respect.

I apologize for the foolishness at the docks that happened a short time ago.  We had expected such aggravation from the Ryvalnya.  In fact, we are quite surprised  that the Spear-Mistress was so restrained.  However, I am sure the sight of armed Andosens walking through the streets set fear into many of your good people's hearts, understandably.  Unfortunately, with the Ryvalnya so near, many, in fact, the  vast majority, will want to sleep armed.  This, as I understand it, is not to your liking.  We would be happy to move outside of your city to comply with these stipulations.  We would certainly abide having your men-at-arms in our camp if you fear harassment of your people, though I assure you that I carefully chose those who came with me for their willpower and respectability, and I have the promise of those who came with us that they did so likewise.  Of course, everyone of us abides by your justice, without exception, as the Laws of the Land are tied to the land more strongly than the Laws of the Blood, as our saying goes.  I look forward to the coming festivities and, especially, the tournaments.  And I wish you luck in dealing with those conniving Ryvalnya.  On that note I would like to mention that it is not a sign of dissinterst or disrespect that more of our countrymen do not show up, rather, the Ryvalnya have taken measure so that it was only through shear luck and skill that we were managed to learn of this and make our way to it.  On a more positive note, at the next full moon,  few days from now, Nyat Ryvworner is accepting Hyvenrys Lyfyrve into her House.  Anyone is welcome to join us in the festivities.  And I am always at your service.[/ic]

[ic=Grand Archon Orman of Celend to Dragonlord Lindus]
You speak boldly enough considering that Inveran is presently not your sovereign ground - or have you forgotten that you rule from Ilneress while a Mandrian holds the keys to Inveran, and your fellow Invernessi - the Machta - claims your father's city as his own?  You presume much to invite anyone at all, let alone a gaggle of illiterate pirates.

Nevertheless, we will accept your amusing guests so long as they are kept under your strict control.[/ic]

[ic=Reply to the Chronicler, from the mouth of Lindus]
You apology is accepted, and we would feel ill at ease if one of our guests did not feel welcome and safe as our guests.

I propose a compromise. We shall give a gift of land, a small house within the city, to the Andosens, as their own sovereign ground. You shall do the same in your city for us. There, you may take shelter and deal with intruders as you see fit, and will be free from the laws of Inveran and those we have laid out for the festival while within the building.

Additionally, this will cement our relationship with your people, which I think you would agree can mean nothing but good for us both. [/ic]

[ic=Reply to Celend]
Honorable Archon,

I do not forget it, but I look to the future. You, sir, have promised as per our vassal agreement, to regain for Inveran her capital. Not for you, not for the Machta. I presume only that which you promise, something I thought to be reliable. Are you insinuating that you following through on your word is presuming much?

Inveran and her people are bold, for that is our way of life. And I would appreciate it if you would not refer to our allies as if they were mongrel dogs; it is demeaning, both to them, to those who associate with them, and with you, who comes off, completely falsely I am certain, looking very much like a pompous fool. Hardly something becoming such a wise and distinguished person such as yourself.
 [/ic]

[ic=The Free Captain's response to Dragonlord Lindus]
We will of course attend your festival, at least, we shall have a representative. The Captains of the fleet sent to aid your reacquisition of your lands shall serve as these representatives. Having been sent on a mission of peace and friendship, they shall join in talks for further such.[/ic]

 [ic=To the King Rodonso, and his Royal Brethren]
We shall attend the festival in the lands of Inveran. Our Captains would enjoy meeting your people and sharing stories. We agree that an eye must be kept on Inveran, as the tides always ebb where they flow, and only wisdom keeps a man ashore, but we feel no need to moniter the actions of Celend, our suzerain. It may be unknown to your highnesses, but far back when the league was young, we pledged our might to Celend. For Celend to betray us would be akin to cutting off one's own hand for spite. But we shall watch them if it calm you, brothers.
AS sons of the seas we stand equal.
The Free Captains[/ic]  

 [ic=To the Lord Katar of Kashtu]
We relish the opportunity to trade with a wider marketplace. Should you attend the festival held in INveran, we shall meet and discuss more of trade and wares.[/ic]

 [ic=To the Agah of Auriban]
We shall send a fleet, as you require, to aid you in this task.[/ic]

 [ooc]
The orders for the League.

1. Enact the treaty/compact with Avaredera, devoting a ship to northern trade and patrol, taking on the prince. The ship shall avoid too many pirate battles, to protect the young princeling.
2. As no decision regarding the Auri has been made, send a fleet to Pinur to aid the Agah as promised.
3. Meet and discuss trade opportunities with the merchants of Kashtu at the Council of Inveran.
4. Expand our fleet.[/ooc]

[ic=From the Chronicler to the Dragonlord]He bows more awkwardly than usual and a silence extends until, finally, he sighs.  "I am troubled by the prospect of a house for a house.  The trouble arises from the point that the term is perfectly fair and correct, but not possiple as far as I can see at the moment.  Firstly, I must make it clear that I speak only with the authority of Greathouse Chorbovaid, not the Ryvan-Holme, none of the other Vrenas, and certainly not Stravam or the Ryvalnya.  The best prospect of foreigners finding land in Andos is in Stravam, as foreign ships in Andosen waters outside of Stravam will find themselves in danger.  Unfortunately, too many of the Vrenas are perfectly aligned with the Ryvalnya in this for there to be any successful war on the Ryvalnya warships, and, as thus, this blockade against foreign ships on our other ports will persist."  He sighs and his brow furrows.  "And secondly, while I do serve and represent and wield a great deal of power within Greathouse Chorbovaid and even more has been delegated to me for the purposes of negotiation, I do not think that giving lands away is not within my authority."
He pauses and then raises one finger.  "However, we do have a hold in Stravam.  Foreigners are not welcome within the city past the dock districts and outer walls past darkness, of course, but arrangements can be made to open our hearth to your people, on our hostaleetee.  Pardon me, Hostility.  No, the word is hospitility."  
He smiles slowly, "Perhaps as we gain more standing in Stravam, we will be able to set up a house exclusivly to your liking."  He frowns again, "Of course, you understand that all of Stravam is subject to the sovereignty of the Ryvalnya.  And, it seems to me, they grow wilder in their inquisitions everyday.  Well, I suppose I can only ask your forgiveness and patience with these problems, honored one."[/ic]

[ic=From the Dragonlord to the Chronicler]
Lindus nods understandingly, then says, "That arrangement will be perfectly acceptable for now. All we wish is a place to safely and permanently house our diplomats, to facilitate diplomacy. Once Inveran has regained some of its standing and power, I am certain we would be more than happy to help consolidate power with your house, should you wish it."[/ic]

 [ooc]I do believe this is the first face-to-face conversation between leaders in World at Dawn! [/ooc]

[ic=To the Free Captains]My Companions,

Forgive me if what I said of Celend was insulting; it was said only in ignorance.  I knew not of how you felt toward Celend, and I assure you that I will do nothing to jeopardize any relationships with them.  I will be as kind to them as though they were my own brothers.  Of course, I am sure you can understand just how much that means among my people.  

King Rodonso[/ic]