The Campaign Builder's Guild

[ic=King Rodonso of Otahvy]Despotessa?[/ic]He looks around, a little surprised by Lindus's comments.[ic=King Rodonso of Otahvy]They are ruled by a female?  How funny.[/ic]

[ic=The Machta]He cackles, his musty laughter reaching the ceiling, and he fingers the scar on his cheek. "And you think the Despotissa does not have her mentors to guide her?"

He wipes a tear from his eye and abruptly stops laughing. "As for the matter of the Dragonlord, one's actions continue to another's shoulders. If it were not so, we would not be having this conversation, no? It is how the smallfolk see it."

He motions to a guard. "Raz-Sha-Tak, Maz-Du-Si Shan-Ha! Ras-Inver'Ni, Shak Ta'Si Rash Taram-Vu Na, Rol?" The man, and several other speakers of the Southron tongue, burst into laughter. [/ic]

[spoiler=Translation. YOU ARE ON YOUR HONOUR, if you have a translator of the Old Language, which is unlikely for those not of Inveran, maybe, or perhaps Celend.]"These fools, they walk the path of knives! Invernessi of the North, they do not have the Truebloods amongst them!" The Path of Knives is an obscure reference to the Southman legend of the 'King of Assassins', a popular tale for young warriors, who went into battle (supposedly) shouting 'They walk the Path of Knives!' Such tales are considered somewhere in the area of fairy-tales, and such a reference is of great mockery to the recipient.[/spoiler]

The low rumble of a cleared throat draws attention to the larger of the Free Captain's delegation, the smaller leaning insolently in his chair.
 [ic=Lathan]
That reminds me, Dragonlord. The Captains have asked of the possibility of a league outpost on an Inveran island, to strengthen communications and relations between our peoples, to avoid things such as what befell your father from happening again. The island would remain Inveran's, we would merely have a closer post with which to communicate.[/ic]


 [spoiler=nitpick]Wensley, why does his spoken sentence end as a question, and the translation an exclamation?[/spoiler]

[ooc]Because in the old languages of the Southmen, statements are generally followed by a question 'confirmer' - 'He is a fool, yes?' 'He doesn't like wine, no?' Whereas in english, it is not necessary. :P[/ooc]

Lindus glares at the Machta, but says nothing. Turning to Lathan, he says,

[ic=Lindus]An excellent proposition, but again, we are reluctant to give away entire islands. However, in discussions with another nation earlier, we have come to an interesting arrangement that may prove successful here.

We will grant you a plot of land, enough for a large estate, in the capital here. This land will be your sovereign ground, and you may do with it what you will. In exchange, we ask for the same concession in your capital. These places will act as a safe haven for diplomats and emissaries, violation of them is the same as invasion of the owning nation. This will aid in both communication and relations, as there will now be clear cases of legal jurisdiction in matters such as the Invernessi slaughter. I am certain, given your nation's habits, that this location can be placed with direct access to a dock. What say you? [/ic]
 [ooc]I'll get a list of nouns and names for Inveran, as it's beginning to confuse even me.[/ooc]

[ic=The Machta]The Machta turns back to the proceedings. "Hrm. This is a good plan, yes? I will extend the same offer to the Captains for my own nation. It seems the Youngling's ideas are not as foolish as we thought, no?" He rubs the scar once more. "But, enough of these arguments for a moment. Before we begin, I wish to present you all with gifts, yes?"

He waves a hand to the guard. "Sanzi-Yan-Tak! Kan-Daz'Si-Un Raz-Tak Zhan-Taram. Za Ta'Si Daaz Ran-Taz, Inver'ni-In, Man'Si Zakt." He then pauses, and grins momentarily. "Bajj, Ras-Inver'ni-Tak, Shak'Nu Zakt Taram-Vu Na Inver'ni, Yaz?"

The Guard he motions to nods, and leaves the room. Commands shouted in the old tongue of the Southmen, the language formerly spoken, resound outside. It seems that the Machta has specifically chosen out men who are of certain Machta-In birth, and speak the tongue of the Southmen, not merely one of the mutually-understandable dialects of the Inverness itself. Perhaps this means something.[/ic]

[spoiler=Translation]"Guard-Warrior! Fetch the water gifts for these men. I would not see the Inverness disgraced." He then pauses, and his next line is "But these northmen have disgraced our blood well already, yes?"[/spoiler]

[ic=Lindus]"Like I've said, I am not my father." he says dryly. "As for the plan, I extend the invitation to Nargaq, Otahvy, and Andos."

His pass-over of Celend may be a simple oversight, or have specific meaning. In either case, Lindus makes no notice of the oversight.[/ic]

[ic=The Machta Sha'naa]The Machta grins. "You know, youngling, I begin to like you. But nevertheless."[/ic]

[ooc]This meeting is full of hidden meanings... :P[/ooc]

[ooc]What ever are you talking about?[/ooc]

Mavda turns to King Rodonso and speaks quietly.

[ic=Mavda]Lindus is correct, my Lord.  At the end of this event, those Mandrians who wish to go on your ships may do so.[/ic]

Orman turns to the Machta, his eyes narrowed and his hands on his chin.

[ic=Orman]We are not prepared to accept the cession of any territory occupied by Inveran, currently or in the past.  You made your naked aggression well known to us already in your attempt to take Inveran by force; we will not allow you to achieve that through this council.  If you are not reasonable, you will accomplish nothing here.

As for Kuregn... they have no power here.  Let the "Despotissa" come if she has such power to wield in the Middle Sea.[/ic]

If Orman felt at all snubbed by Lindus' omission, he showed no sign.

[ooc]No OOC in this thread!  :censored: [/ooc]

[ic=Lindus]"Now that that is taken care of," Lindus glares at the Machta before continuing, "What say we begin at the beginning? A peace treaty between the nations here? I believe that our time would be better served making our negotiations into several documents, for ease of reference and to more easily extend their expiration date, should we wish it. " [/ic]

[ic=King Rodonso of Otahvy]Documents?  Are our words not enough?  Must you have scribes record our words?  Otahvy is known for its word, as we have never betrayed an ally or broken our promises.  Documents are senseless.

Peace, my Faps, is not a hard thing to grasp.  You send no fleet against us and we shall not retaliate with our own.  Keep your galleys in your own port, and blood will not have to be spilt.[/ic]He nods.[ic=King Rodonso of Otahvy]If anybody else has anything to add, feel free.  Otherwise, I do believe I have exhausted the topic.[/ic]He sits back in his chair, looking quite satisfied.

The Grand Archon frowns momentarily, and then addresses the King of Otahvy.

[ic=Orman]Your word is well and good, and carries weight here.  However, the Archons feel it would be best if the isles of the Middle Sea are formally apportioned here, including the uninhabited ones, in order to prevent future disputes.  Peace is... insufficient, so long as there are ambiguities left to fight over.[/ic]

[ic=Lindus]"In regards to your query, Rodonso, we write down treaties as a safeguard. When our children's children need to refer to this, would you prefer the thrice hearsay of fallible men, or written record, whose words to not change?"

"Turning to the matter at hand Lords, I suggest that we simply draw a line through the Islands like this... giving the North to Inveran and the South to the Machta. They will loose their island off of Ruthern, but that is the only clear line that I can see forming."[/ic]

One of the Archons, standing behind Orman, graciously unrolls a papyrus map of the area commonly known as the Middle Sea.