The Campaign Builder's Guild

Quote from: Holy Carp!You don't have these things at present, unless you're waiting to deliver this message at some future point when you do.

My thoughts on this were that I would pick these up using the letter carrier heading that way, then bring it back, then dispatch this. It's not like a few months will make much difference in a months-long voyage in any case.


 [ic=Reply to Sarar Udai]
How much, then, is needed to quickly allow this matter to be resolved? As it stands, I feel as if I am dumping precious goods down the gullet of a whale.[/ic]

[ic=Sarar Udai to Inveran]I am merely telling you how the world works.  The harbor master will take an ounce of spice to make sure your ship lands in a timely manner, the porters will take a sliver of silver for a bit of extra speed in their step, and the merchant will take a pound of pepper to ensure that your merchandise is the best.  In my land, to profit, one must always be ready to pay.  As for me, I have every confidence in your ability to think of something appropriate.

You are welcome to take your ships elsewhere, but you will find that Roshhan is the only merchant port of note west of the Jungles, and I am master of Roshhan.  Of course, the proper petitions can be made to the young Prince if you have a grievance with me, but such petitions tend to have a peculiar way of vanishing.  Such is also the way of our land.[/ic]

[ic=To Sarar Udai]
I note that you have failed to answer my question; how much of a gift (let us be honest with each other and call them by their real name, bribes) is customary to clear through your port?

I wish a straight answer, Sarar, not wavering assurances and veiled threats against justice. What of the City of Patene, to the south? Perhaps I shall trade my goods cheaply there, lower than that of the Free Captains, and let them deal with your bribes. Of course, there is no telling how much they will charge.[/ic]

[ic=Sarar Udai to Inveran]Preposterous!  Bribes are quite illegal by order of Prince Cyrosa, and as his dignified Royal Governor I would never stoop to such means.  It is of course forbidden for an official of the Prince such as myself to ask specifically for favors or goods in exchange for official action.  Are you, good westerner, attempting to bribe me?  For shame!

As for Patene, unless you are solely interested in grain or their admittedly pretty little glass beads, I am afraid you will not find it to your liking.  There is no other way to the interior, I am afraid, than through Roshhan - and through me.

You are beginning to try my patience with your wild allegations of corruption and constant complaints.  I am starting to wonder if I would not be better off granting these "Free Captains" alone a concession - they seem to be more readily agreeable.[/ic]

[ic=To Sarar Udai]
We meant no offense, gracious Governor. We are assuredly not used to your method of business, is all. In an attempt to remedy this, I have sent along with this letter one of our best diplomats and his entourage, to learn of your ways and customs, so that this misunderstanding doesn't happen again.[/ic]

[ic=To Patene]
Greetings,

We people of the Inveran, a nation far to the west, would like to negotiate trade relations with your esteemed people. No doubt you already trade with the Free Captains. We are prepared to offer you deals that are better than theirs, as a sign of our willingness to learn of your culture and partake of your goods.

Dragonlord Gregor[/ic]

[ic=Dragonlord's Palace]
"This is getting ridiculous," Gregor says, signing the last letter with a flourish, "This Sarar person is more corrupt than those of ancient Isedun. At least they had the ability to admit it."

"What do you suggest, my lord?"

"Take one of our best spies. Clothe him in the manner of these Roshhans and give him a... great... amount of silver. He will bear this next letter in secret to the Prince. Like I said, this is getting utterly ridiculous."

"But how will he move freely, lord?"

"He will enter their nation as one of the many servants of this Roshhan diplomat. Surely, the Roshhans will not notice if the entourage is reduced from seventy eight to seventy seven."[/ic]

[ic=Letter carried by Spy for the Prince, written in Old Inveran]
Esteemed Prince,

I do not know if you know of us. This message is from Dragonlord Gregor of the Inveran people, who have been unsuccessfully haggling with the Governor of Roshhan for trading rights. We have sent a boat of trade goods as gifts and a demonstration of our wares, as is custom. However, this Governor, Sarar Udai, has demanded yet more, and has insinuated that without these continueing payments, our ships will be delayed or completely blocked.

He also insinuated that letters written to you would be 'lost,' hence the roundabout way of delivering this letter.

I know not if this is truly the custom of your nation, being so far removed, but in Inveran we see this as blatant corruption and bribery. I act only as an informant in this matter. Please take whatever steps are neccessary to correct what is assuredly a greivous error.

In concern,
Dragonlord Gregor [/ic]    [ooc]It would probably be best if I know how this mission went before the update, as the success or failure will determine my orders in regards to this region.[/ooc]

[ic=To the Despotissa]I will accept this offer most thankfully, High Lady. By your power and mine, may the seas be conquered![/ic]

[ic=The Machta Himself]The Machta sets off in a ceremonial galley laden with gifts of tea and other, more precious objects from the homeland. He leaves his brother, Jakun'Du, as Machta-Sel (a Regent) in his stead whilst he is away.[/ic]

[ic=To Shepherd-chief Meas IV from Hurscha Nolyne of Geethouse Erivyson, as Tongue of the Ryvan-Holme]If you wish to be referred to as Shepherd-chief so be it, though we have no ide of what you refer to, nor do we care.  It is the way of Andos that slurs against one's honor, even a chieftain's honor, are only to be dealt with between the one who spoke the insult and the target of the insult.  I hope you are not influenced by the southerners in their way of hanging on to insults ten generations after they were uttered.

So, Shepherd-chief, as you wish to be called, we have come to deal with the insults you uttered in your most recent correspondence.

First, we require no aid from you.  Second, we do not need your outrage over any of our endeavors, whether a particular Vrena agrees with them or not, especially after the Earth-serpent, Svyran, expressed his outrage, as you felt even here.  He did not do so to weaken us, he did it to strengthen our resolves and our Blood.  We will not accept your attempts to weaken us, to dilute our Blood, with your supposed "aid".  I would have thought you realized this of us by now, given our nations' long history, but perhaps you skipped this lesson of your father's in favor of a more corrupting lesson at the hands of the Freemen. Finally, stay out of wolves' politics, shepherd-captain, or whatever you fancy yourself to be.  Perhaps I have insulted you, but looking at you I could not help it:  You are of the same age of my younger sons, so often up to foolish mischief.  And, as I tell them, you must be wary.

My scolding vein cooled, I will move onto other matters.  We have long been interested in your flocks of sheep and feel that they would do well in our Hartlas.  So, if you permit it, we would be most pleased to leave here with a few of your flocks.  While we have no goat flocks to spare at the moment, in the future-- should you seek to settle your mountains, especially--we would be willing to recompense you   in goats.  Of course, if you express your friendship in enough sheep without expecting goats in return, we would be as honor bound to protect you as we would our own goatherds from raiders.  Oh, and I assure you, those who stick to the old ways of raiding are never a threat as long as the Vrena is worth her weight in salt.  Indeed, many, including I, view them as cullers of those unworthy to be a Vrena.[/ic]

***NOTE:  messages from the Ryvan-Holme and the majority of Andos are still delivered in person or out of messengers' mouths rather than writing.  Papyrus is not a valued commodity in the eyes of the Andosens.***

[ooc]Final orders:
Explore the region to the west, seeking a more reliable source of the black seeds.
Dispatch ranking emissaries to Kuregn and Celend capitals.
Increase training in camels and bow, for defense in case of war between Celend and Kuregn. In particular, efforts to arm and train militia units.
Study well and pump technology, particularly treadle pumps that may draw water from deeper wells in areas where the Peshuek techniques are not viable.
Improve pottery and storage techniques to provide better food supply during the dry season.
Work on creating written religious texts and temple records.

War Orders
Detach a combined unit of camel raiders, consisting of mounted fighters and mobile bowmen. Initially their orders are to scout and track enemy units in the desert. In case of war, they are to act as raiders and snipers to harass enemy supply trains and pick off vulnerable targets.
Avoid direct confrontation with either Kuregn or Celend. Apart from the raiders, remaining units move to protect the most likely routes of Kuregn advance, with only a small garrison to watch Celenite borders.
If Kuregn advances directly against us, hold the border as best as possible while sending for Celenite assistance. If none arrives, the Grand Warden and Grand Hierarch will go into exile while their replacements negotiate a surrender.
If Kuregn advances directly against Celend, move forces to the nearest border but do not engage immediately. Kashtu camelry will be prepared to launch a flanking attack if it seems that this will support a Celenite victory, but if Kuregn seems to have the upper hand we will remain neutral unless requested and compensated by Celend.
If Celend wishes to move troops into and/or through our territory before Kashtu commits, the Grand Warden will protest greatly but with the current troop disposition, they won't be able to do much about it. Passive cooperation will be the only option, although it would still be considered a hostile act.
[/ooc]
In the chamber of the Council of Wardens, heated disputes arose as the leaders of the Peshuek wrangled with the Grand Warden over all manner of administrative matters. Although many of the Peshuek families had family connections with the Wardens, the force of tradition is strong in Kashtu. The Grand Warden Mashan resisted their calls to be included in the Council - but his reign was brief. On his death the Peshuek used all their influence to force the selection of a more congenial successor as Grand Warden. Soon a compromise was reached whereby a separate advisory Council was formed to deal with issues of commerce and infrastructure, while the Wardens retained their traditional authority in matters of the military, foreign relations, and administration of justice. The religious branch, led by the Grand Hierarch, remained a largely parallel power structure.

Disputes continued over matters such as taxation and border controls, but overall the compromise solution held up.

[ic=Grand Warden Mihsa to Despotissa Koura]Blessings of Anwu upon you and your household.

The folk of Kashtu recognize no master, neither Celend nor Kuregn. We seek only friendly relations with all our neighbors. Please accept our gifts of precious stones and rare oils in this spirit.

But realities must be faced. Celend is near, while you are far across the desert. We will not antagonize them by accepting arms or training from Kuregn under the current circumstances. Your traders and scribes will be welcome in our lands, of course.[/ic]
[ic=Peshuek Lharmok to the Free Captains]We of the Lharmok household have identified an interesting black seed that can be used to brew an invigorating drink. We seek to expand our supplies, but the way is long and hard. Expenses will be great. We offer you a three year exclusive trade agreement if you will commit to buying the first two thousand pounds, with prepayment for the first two hundred to defray our costs to establish this trade.[/ic]

[ic=In the Court of the Prince]Sarar Udai touched his the index and middle fingers of his right hand to his forehead and bowed deeply before the Prince.  The Prince himself, Cyrosa Zamind Bhu-Yonnan, cut a less than imposing figure '" a six year old boy in voluminous robes clearly too large for his person, dwarfed by a throne of cushions backed by a vivid tapestry stretched between two elephant tusks.  The Prince gave him a look of somewhat bored attention; the Governor was a common visitor whose 'adult' concerns never seemed terribly interesting.

Giving the Governor more complete attention was the girl seated on a simple wicker chair beside the throne.  As the eldest child of her late father's many progeny, Ekkani alone was qualified to serve as Princess-regent, though never as Prince, an honor forbidden to daughters.

'Pari sararuj, ilal sarar.' In the noblest presence, speak, nobleman.

Udai smiled and nodded to her.  She was older than the Prince, but still only fourteen '" Udai was no elder, but still could count more years than her and her royal brother alike.

'Ta sarari yovanuj yila,' Udai replied.  This nobleman is most honored to speak.

'This time, Udai, I would prefer if you listen.'
Udai touched his forehead again and bowed, a serene smile on his face.  'I do ever as His Majesty and Your Graciousness tell me.'
'The Prince has received a letter, Udai, from foreigners.  Have you seen it?'
'Your Graciousness knows I would never intrude upon the royal correspondence.'
'It is from a '˜Dragon Prince' of the West, Udai.  He is called '˜Guri-jor.''  The Princess-regent squinted at the clay tablet in her lap and tried to pronounce the name again.  'Gu'¦ Guri-gor.'
'I have heard of him, Your Graciousness.'
'Have they asked for trading rights at Roshhan?'
'They have, Your Graciousness.'
'And?'
'Your Graciousness, these things take time, and the petitions have not yet been granted.  They have sent a delegation to secure these rights.'

The Princess-regent tapped her fingers on the clay tablet and frowned.  At this point, the Prince, clearly disinterested, began fiddling with the hem of one of his robes.

'Guri-gor says you have asked for his goods.'
'Your Graciousness knows that I am charged with receiving payments from foreigners in exchange for trade rights and privileges.'
'He says you have asked to be bribed.'
'As you say, Your Graciousness.'
'He says you have engaged in blatant corruption.'
'As you say, Your Graciousness.'
'Well?'
Udai raised an eyebrow.  'I am not sure I understand the question, Your Graciousness.'
The Princess-regent frowned again.  'Well, have you asked for bribes?'
'No, Your Graciousness.'
'Then what is your explanation for this?'
'I cannot explain their allegations, Your Graciousness, but I remind His Majesty that these are the words of foreigners who love only material things, and have no love of the Light or Your Majesty.  Does Your Majesty - or Your Graciousness - take their word, most unclean as it is, over mine?'

The Princess-regent thought about this for a minute.

'No, Udai, I do not.'
Udai nodded.  'That is most wise of you, Your Graciousness, for I do not believe the people of the Dragon-Prince are friends of His Majesty.'
'How so?'
The Prince interjected, 'Do they really have dragons?'
Ekkani smiled patronizingly to her younger brother.  'No, Cyrosa, that is just what their prince calls himself.'
The Prince immediately went back to fiddling with the hem of his robe. 'Oh.'
'I believe,' continued Udai, 'that their behavior speaks for itself, Your Graciousness.  They sail into our rivers, demand land and trading rights, ask to place a foreign altar in Roshhan, and '" when they do not find the administration of Roshhan to their liking '" they make false accusations against my person, and in circumvention of His Majesty's laws, bring secret petitions to His Majesty under cover of darkness defaming His Majesty's loyal servants.'
'Why would they do this?'
'I believe they conspire against His Majesty and seek only wealth for themselves.  They insist on having their way even in our land, and concoct nefarious plots against His Majesty's servants under the guise of diplomacy.'
The Princess-regent frowned very deeply.  'What do you think we should do?'
'His Majesty does not need their influence, or their trade.  There are other westerners who have been more than willing to honor our traditions and rules.  Surely Your Majesty does not need outsiders who conspire so?'
The Prince looked up at Udai, and then looked questioningly at Ekkani, who replied for him.  'No, I suppose His Majesty does not.'
Udai nodded.  'Then I humbly suggest to Your Graciousness and His Majesty that the petition of the Dragon Prince for a land concession be denied, and that the ships of his people be barred from Roshhan pending a formal apology and a retraction of the false allegations against His Majesty's servant.'
The Princess-regent tapped the clay tablet on her lap and nodded.  'That seems reasonable.  What is your decree, Cyrosa?'

The Prince looked up at Udai, and then went back to pulling at the hem of his robe.

'Alright.'[/ic]

[ic=His Majesty Prince Cyrosa Zamind Bhu-Yonnan of the Sublime Palace of Cyrenahan to the Dragon Prince of the West]Western Prince,
His Majesty finds your accusations against His loyal servant the Royal Governor of Roshhan to be without merit and notes His objections to your most undiplomatic conduct.  In consultation with His ministers, His Majesty decrees that you shall not be granted your petition for a land concession, and that if you wish your fleet to trade in these waters, you must issue at once a formal apology to His Majesty for circumventing Royal Procedure and attempting to mislead His Majesty, as well as an apology to His Excellency Sarar Udai and a retraction of your slanderous statements against him.

His Majesty further decrees that your ambassador shall be retained as a guest of the Sublime Palace until such time as your apologies are received, but his functionaries shall be immediately returned to your land.

Written and Sent in the Noblest Presence
His Majesty Prince Cyrosa Zamind Bhu-Yonnan
Her Graciousness Princess-Regent Ekkani Radha Bha-Yonnan
His Excellency High Chancellor and Royal Governor of Roshhan Sarar Udai[/ic]

[ic=King Saril of Etropahan to Inveran]Your ships are permitted to trade at Patene as each one is cleared, but I will allow no other interference in my land.[/ic]

[ic=Dragonlord Gregor's Palace]
"The gall!" Gregor raged, reading the tablet once again, "How old is this prince, that he asks the advice of an ACCUSED CORRUPT OFFICIAL IN THE MATTERS OF HIS TRIAL?!"

"I believe that he is six, my Lord."

"Six? SIX?!" Gregor hurls the tablet out the window, where it lands with a resounding shatter, "Draft the following reply... and send out the fleet. Inveran, it seems, cannot avoid war."[/ic]

[ic=Letter to His Majesty Prince Cyrosa Zamind Bhu-Yonnan of the Sublime Palace of Cyrenahan]
Your Majesty Prince Cyrosa Zamind Bhu-Yonnan of the Sublime Palace of Cyrenahan (Or rather, his steward, as we have discovered your Prince's voice has yet to crack),

If that is the case, then so be it. I will not apologize for attempting to uphold justice and law in your country. I saw it as my duty as a potential ally and friend. If I have besmirched your Governor's name, then I shall issue a retractment. I doubt such is needed, however, since he was in high enough standing to bear witness at his own determination of guilt.

You hold my ambassador prisoner. I want him back. I also want back the shipload of goods that you are now unlawfully holding for services that shall not be rendered.

Dragonlord Gregor[/ic]

[ic]A few weeks behind this letter is the fleet of Inveran. If the ambassador is not released, they are ordered to take up positions to Blockade Cyrenahan and her goods from entering the West.[/ic]

[ic=Her Graciousness Princess-Regent Ekkani Radha Bha-Yonnan to the Dragon Prince]
Please enlighten me to why you object to having your emissary kept as our guest while you issue a retraction which you have just said that you intend to issue.  Is not the duty of an emissary to be present in foreign countries?  Rest assured that this is a common practice among the peoples of our lands and many others; emissaries are often held to ensure the good will of their lords.  He will of course come to no harm, and will be lavishly entertained at the Sublime Palace at my own expense, free to go about the country provided he is properly minded.  He is most certainly not our prisoner.  If you wish, once you have made proper amends we will send one of our court officials to you as a guest of your court.

As for the goods you have provided to the Royal Governor Udai, he informs me that they were given as a gift, and His Majesty sees no cause to dispute this.  However, His Majesty informs me that He would be willing to exchange with you a gift of equal value to demonstrate our good will towards you and your people - assuming, of course, that you are receptive to His previous edict and provide the apologies and retractions He has requested of you.[/ic]

[ic=Gregor to Ekkani]
The objection that I have, Regent, is his inability to leave. It may be your custom there, but holding my ambassador as a hostage will not ensure my goodwill. As it stands, I wish nothing more than to leave your people in peace and ne'er return.

You holding my ambassador, unfortunately, prevents this.

You misread my letter, I said that I would only provide a retraction if you could show me that the Governor has lost reputation or standing within your nation due to these accusations. Considering he still holds sway in your court, I highly doubt that an apology or explanation is needed.

Indeed, he should feel honored by the accusation for two reasons. Firstly, that he was unwavering in the Prince's service even when we, admittedly ignorant of the workings of your ports, demanded change. Secondly that he, despite our misgivings of him, told of such a high honor amongst the rest of the nation that we, again I stress ignorant of your ways, decided him to be a misfit of perceived, but not intended, insult instead of the rule.

I stress yet again that we DID NOT KNOW of your people's customs, and that we did this not for our own benefit, but to inform you of potential dissent. Does that suffice as enough of an apology?

On to the matter of diplomats. The bearer of this message, and his entourage, will take the place of the ambassador you currently have. The one you have is trained to establish contact, and would do little good in prolonged assignment. In return, we shall accept your offer of an emissary from your land, as well as an exchange gift of equal value.

We wish that gift to be decoration and vestments for the worship of our Saints, to be placed in the temple at Inveran. [/ic]

[ooc ORders of Warchief Sharptooth]>Train many troops. Make them battle ready immediately.
> Mass for an attack to claim the land on the western side of the northwestern river which the Auri claim, by Avardera.
> Continue to mine
> Gain allies to lend troops
> MAke resources available to all troops
> Explore, and maybe colonize the land in the west
> Continue diplomatic relations [/ooc]

[ic=Her Graciousness Princess-Regent Ekkani Radha Bha-Yonnan to the Dragon Prince]His Majesty consents to your exchange of ambassadors, assuming that your offered replacement is of significant court office, and he is offered in good faith.

With this message, His Majesty sends His Excellency Sarar Ramechai, former Royal Appraiser of the Princely Estates and Keeper of the Royal Menagerie, as Hostage-Ambassador to your court.

Furthermore, His Majesty graciously sends a chest of each of the Five Royal Spices, which are worth more by weight than silver, as well as a shipload of fine Murrhati sugar, and a pair of the Prince's Dekkahi elephants with their handlers.  It is difficult for us to ascertain the worth of the gifts you have sent us, but we have attempted to match your gifts appropriately.  Most unfortunately we are not capable of granting your request for gifts, as we are simply unaware of what materials are sacred and profane among your people.

As for the Royal Governor, who is also the High Chancellor of His Highness, I have placed the matter in his hands and he has graciously decided, after hearing your words, to not require a formal apology from you.  You should consider yourself fortunate that His Excellency Sarar Udai has decided to overlook your accusations, for it is his word alone that convinced His Majesty to overlook this unfortunate incident.  Such is His Excellency's eminence at court.

Nevertheless, His Excellency has decided that you will not be given a land concession at this time, though he has also informed me that he has not ruled out a future grant.  Your ships are permitted in our rivers, though of course each individual captain must seek landing permission from His Excellency's authority.

In the future, His Majesty requests only that you do not interfere in the justice of His Majesty's realm '" for as you say, you are not familiar with the customs of our land.  On a personal note, I would congratulate you for your good fortune in choosing our land to make this error, as in Dekkah your emissaries would likely have been sentenced to execution by crushing '" typically accomplished by trained elephants '" and Murrhat would likely have declared war.  Perhaps in the future your emissaries should precede your merchants.[/ic]

[ic=To Peshuek Lharmok, From the Free Captains]
Such a deal may be pleasing to us, but may we first receive a sample of this bean and drink, that we may better understand the potential product?[/ic]

 [ic=To King Saril]
Very well, it shall be as the King wishes. May our people grow strong together.[/ic]

 [ic=To King Meas, From Captain Lathan]
My boy, it has been too many tides since we last spoke. I hear your land is doing well fer itself, and I congratulate you. Mayhap, with all that new building and advancing you're gettin' up to, you might find the time to put up a statue of your old Captain? IT need be nothing large, merely a mast's height in the center of ye capital would be fine. I jest, boy, I jest. As to the Yaffans, the Captains are of no same mind on the matter. We've no love for the fees leveled, and I know it'd do you some good to show your people you've a backbone, willing to fight fer a friend. But the same time, we hate to fight with old friends, and we've no want to set a spark that would start a war blazin' across the West. We'll discuss it further mongst ourselves, and give you our word. If you could do us a favor, mayhap make it a touch troublesome for the Inveran to sail by your waters? Declare some new tax or some such. They're trying to outmanuever us captains for profit, and we all remember what happened the last time they called the shots.
Seas watch you, Gods keep you, and Earth guard you,
Lathan[/ic]

 [ic=To the Governer Udai]
Merry Waves, Goverener! We've come back, with a few gifts for thyself and the portsmen,seeking opportunities in your land with trade. We hear you've had some troubles with the Inveran, and their Dragonlord, and we ask you not judge too harshly. The Inveran are known in our lands for being brash, untactful, and atimes rude. It comes from their gods, we believe. Always convinced they know the right way, so anyone who opposes them are fools or villains. No sense of nuance, those people. Figure that's why not so long back their own people seized the palace. But, no more of them. They are our brothers, and we care for them, though we wish they could be a touch nicer.[/ic]

  [ic=To King Perey]
Here we have brought a sampling of all the things we trade in, to see what appeals to your people and what does not. Hopes stand we'll find some ground for dealing.[/ic]
 
 [ic]The ship bearing this message is accurately described in the letter, full of small amounts of many goods, and a few elders who ask idle questions of Hayar and its ways.[/ic]