The Campaign Builder's Guild

[ic= In the Audiance chamber of King Meas IV palace adressing the Andos messenger]
King Meas had watched and listened to the emissiary with a carefully folded neutral expression, his only action being a lifted hand to stop the kings shield from jumping in between the Andos messenger and himself, when the knife was pulled.
"Then let experience teaches those who sail west, that you are right, since I doubt that your words would persuade those who intent to go there, when common sense can not and let us leave it at that, afterall, they say that experience is the best teacher"
his eyes followed the knife then he shoke his head "but let me teach you one thing, so that experience does not need to." his voice seems to raise and grow sterner with each passing moment "understand that the court of Avardera understand the ways of the Andos, but the court of those further south might not.  
Messengers can be killed for lesser percieved insults, then those you have uttered in my home and they will not neccesarely wage honourable war, but merely choke Andos with thier fleet."
Meas was now standing up how, raised shulder when he adressed the messenger "I have been reminded of our nations story, I ask you to remember them too and remember that Avardera controls the straith which is the gate between the Andos sea, and the southern sea which have brought you the art of bronze smithing!"
for a moment, he allowed the words to hang in the air, then sat down again, now speaking with a more calm tone "but friends can forgive friends for much, and your wish to learn from us, and offer payment in kind, shows that you intent to stay friends.
and so, Avardera will accept your offer of flocks of goats, in return for learning our way of tilting the land.  how ever, I must admit that my knowledge of farming that practically can be used are limited, but an learned one will be sent in my stead and offer his insight and I will expect his safe return. as for the last matter"
He smiled warmly at the thought of the last subject "offcourse they have my blessings, and I would like to see them, when we are done here..which I assume we are, unless you have anything else to bring up, or wishes to object?"

while awaiting the response a messenger enter the chamber, whispering something into the king ears causing him to nod, with a expresison of slight concern. "and it would appear that atleast one southern nation have decided to prove my point true"
[/ic]




 [ic=in the council room of Avardera]  A general ruckus and chaos was commencing amounth the nobles, after the news of the Machta-in latest proclamation had reached Avardera.

"so let me get this right....those war-mongering southern loon refuses to trade with us, because we didn't wanted to give away stormsheld isle?"
"yes"
"I demand we send our army against them. the news reached us at the cost of one of my ships!"
"no"
"but they are nothing but a bunch of gods fearing fishers!"
"exactly"
"and I assume his majesty in his infinit wisdom have a better idea?"
"yes"
King Meas took a deep breath, then adressed the assumbled court and nobles "look, it's very simple, they don't wishes to trade with us, fine, then we won't trade with them. Machta-in needs timber for thier fleet, only we and Inveran are the major bartere of that, and the Machta-in have just cut themself of from all that.  let them stay on thier isle untill thier ships rot, or they beg us to trade and we will trade with everybody else instead untill then." [/ic]

 [ic= Letter to Despotissa Koura of Kuregn ]
Greetings Migthy Despotissa of Kuregn.
As you undoubtly allready know by the time this letter reaches you, then the Machta-in have decided to refuse trade with Avardera due to a percieved slight. with this letter, comes the letters between Avardera and Machta-in, so that the Despotissa herself can read and judge the situation.
Avardera request humble from the Despotissa, that so long Avardera respects the Machta-in request of not wanting to trade with us, then all relationships can stay as they allways have been amounth our people, and that our traders can move as allways.
As a token of our appreciation of Avarderas expectations of the Despotissas understanding, then we bring you gifts, fine clothing and jevelry for the Despotessa, but we understand that you are practically minded too, and so we present the despotesse this sword and aboard the ship that bring this letter, is a full shipment of the finest lumber to aid you in your construction of your fleet.

May We All Propser.

King Meas IV[/ic]

 [ic=to Otahvy]
Greetings King Rodonso and King Puul.
As you may have heard, then the Machta-in no longer wishes to trade with Avardera.
Avardera wishes only to be able to continue trading with Otahvy as allways, and assure you that we wishes no ill toward the Machta-in.  
As a token of our good intention, then Avardera presents you with gifts, worthy of kings. A pair of suit of armours, made by Avarderas finest craftmen.

May We All Prosper.
King Meas IV[/ic]




 [ooc]
Agree to the Andos suggestion of trading agriculture knowledge for flocks of goat, and herd them places that can't be used for anything else.

warn and instruct traders about the latest develiopement in Machta-in.


[/ooc]

[ic=The Machta to the Northmen of Andos]Greetings, fellow People of the Sea. We wish to trade timber with you for sheep and other concessions. What would you desire to formalise this trade route?[/ic]

[ic WArchief and council to Dragonlord of Inveran]Dearest dragonlord, in hopes of destroying the auri threat while they are distracted, and taking land from their control, we ask of you to send oldiers and boats up the river near Avardera, which we will soon attack.[/ic]

[ooc]I assume you're talking about my colonization attempts...[/ooc]
[ic=Reply to Avelayne of Geethouse Ovaytyes]
Your concern is noted and appreciated, but Inveran has ever been an adventurous people. Unless the people were to be shown this land of the dead, we would not believe it.[/ic]

[ic=By Order of Dragonlord Gregor]
All Avardera and Auriban ships will be welcomed to our lands to resupply and trade in the absence of Machta-In trading ports.

In addition, let it be known that the Trading route between Inveran and the Machta-In is hereby closed pending resolution of this conflict. All ships entering this lane which have not been cleared by Inveran authorities will be seized and brought to Inveran port to secure clearance.

Obtaining clearance, while not expensive, takes time; and Inveran traders will hound these ships to sell their good in Inveran[/ic]

[ic=Letter to Avardera]
My Lord,

Seeing that the Machta has so unwisely deemed himself above our trade goods, I suggest a joint venture to blockade all trade from their isles. Of greatest concern to me is that of the Free Captains, powerful enough already in these waters, and stand only to gain by this new monopoly on trade. I understand that you were raised among the captains, and I respect their ways. However, it pains me to see them, already more prosperous than us, milk the Machta like a bloated cow while we starve.

In addition, they straddle the only route connecting east and west. If we were to occupy this straight with our fleet, we would be in control of all trade moving across the world; not even the Free Captains could outmaneuver this.

In council,
Dragonlord Gregor[/ic]

[ic=Reply to Nargaq]
Our fleet and troops are currently tied up in the developing situation in the Middle Sea. Please accept these weapons and supplies in their stead.[/ic]
[ooc]For this next turn, Instead of a third military unit, the cost of supporting one goes to Nagaq, so they can support one more.[/ooc]

[ooc]Stargate:  the colonization of the land the Avarderans are after, too, right?  That's what I got out of your first(I think) post after the update[/ooc]

[ic=Hurscha Nolyne of Geethouse Erivyson, as Tongue of the Ryvan-Holme, to King Meas IV]you show some spirit, honorable shepherd, but not much sense.  I laugh at your supposed threat of cutting us off, but I fear you lack the sense to laugh with me.  One does not control the sea, especially the fierce Mandrian Strait. you do not--Bah, you are not my child, I cannot beat sense into ye.   Ha, like you said, experience is the best teacher.  Still, I hope you have enough sense make the mistake of thinking you can equal Andos.  Hell, experience does not always teach a lesson, sometimes it just kills ye dead.

But the Ryvan-Holme sees no reason to war with ye, yet, so they sit docile.  And I certainly have no reason to tell them otherwise.  But if ye seek to bring Doom to yourself...

Well, think of it like this:  that is a long way west across open waters, and ye have to stop to resupply both ways.  On the way back, ye will bring Doom, which is a tainting thing that spreads easily, and ye will have to stop in Andos to resupply.  Ye do that, and ye bring Doom to Andos.  Then we have reason to war with you.  I like you, you have spirit, so I don't want this.  Indeed, I don't really want you to bring Doom down upon yourself, but I can only do so much about that.  So, this is a decree of the Ryvan-Holme as it passes my lips.  Indeed, this phrasing of it was agreed upon by the Ryvan-Holme before I even left.

The Decree of the Ryvan-Holme states:  Any ship not of Stravam or the Ryvan-Holme that is north of Stravam in the east and north of Grycham in the west will be destroyed.

So, it is simple.  this is not even a new law, it is from the First Orders of the Strava.  If you can find away to the Lands of the Dead without dealing with Andos, we will not interfere with the laws of your land, of course.  Though I do urge you to consider:  Is it the law of your land that one person has the right to bring Doom to that land?  I need no answer, for it is none of my concern.  And do not get ideas about aid from elsewhere in Andos, the Ryvalnya have been most...thorough in instilling the understanding that none may venture into the Lands of the Dead.[/ic]

[ic=Avelayne of Geethouse Ovaytyes to Dragonlord Gregor]'It pains me, Lord Dragon, especially considering my opinions on the Ryvalnya, but the Ryvan-Holme now agrees with the First Orders of the Strava.  I must tell you of their concord:'

The Decree of the Ryvan-Holme states: Any ship not of Stravam or the Ryvan-Holme that is north of Stravam in the east and north of Grycham in the west will be destroyed.

'The Ryvan-Holme has determined that Andos will not facilitate bringing Doom, let alone allow it into Andos.  This is not to my liking, and I am not alone, but furthermore, with both the Ryvan-Holme and Stravam supporting this Decree, there is no possible honor in breaking it.  Though I have not heard Him whisper it in my dreams, Andos must have whisper His will to the Ryvan-Holme and the Strava.'  She smiles ruefully, 'Hell, He must have shouted it to the Strava and some of the Vrenas, knowing how thick-headed they can be.'

She regards Gregor for a few seconds then continues, 'And now I speak for myself.  You smell of power.  Power destroys those unworthy, and to be worthy you must have many things:  the Serpents whispering in your ears, what you call wisdom; the Raven's Tongue for a woman or Chronicler's tongue for a man, what you call intelligence; strength; stoutness of the liver, what you call fortitude; and, most importantly, the Flame of Lives and Worlds'¦you have no name for this.  Perhaps your people do not have it, perhaps it is of the Blood.  No matter, that is often the hardest to balance, anyway.  For Power will devour you if you can not keep it in balance.  Truth be in the saying, '˜The evil in Witches is not innate/ but it be a taint./Drawing power to which it don't belong/ devours you in not long.'  But you are strong and, more importantly, healthy.  So, you have some balance, which means that your, ehm, wisdom, intelligence, and fortitude, as you call them, are in balance with one another, at least for the most part.  And your strength I judge to be impressive.'

Her eyes are judging and probing.  While she is curious about his reaction, her tone is more inquisitive than flattering.  Her posture and attitude is most changed from her voice of her Motherhouse and the Ryvan-Holme.  She is obviously speaking with her own voice, quite sincerely, too.  She purses her lips in thought and then continues:

'So, I have been thinking.  I have heard rumors of lands beyond the World's End Mountains from Otahvy's Lowbloods.  These have been dismissed as either totally fictitious or the Lowblood's innate inability to tell good from wrong, resulting in Demons (those who do stay dead) being confused for people.  Now, I have seen for myself the wares Otahvy sells, and they cannot possibly be made anywhere that I know of.  So I have all but dismissed the notion that these lands and their inhabitants are made up, though I know not what the Far South brings these days.  So the prospect of Demons remains.  But then I meet you.  You have no fear of going west.  You are strong and balanced.  So, why would you feel that the Ravens and serpents guide you west?  This idea of Demons'¦you are not afraid to fight, I hope, and you do not have the failings of the Lowbloods in not knowing good and evil, I hope.  No, it does not seem you do, the more I know of you.  So.  You have not called for a great war against the Demons, which means that you feel strong enough to defeat them.  Or perhaps you recognize that it will be a doomed battle, for they are too strong for you, yet you seek more of the west, so this likely is not the case.  Or perhaps they are not Demons, and you do not need to fight them.  So, I ask you, What do you know of the west?'[/ic]

[ooc]Final Orders:

Military:

1.)  Any ship not of Stravam or the Ryvan-Holme that is north of Stravam in the east and north of Grycham in the west will be destroyed.  (Obviously, Andosen ships are the exception, but they are still carefully watched)
2.)  Archers are looked upon with more honor amongst the Andosens, as they have proved their versatility in defense of Geethouse holdings.
a.)  As a result of the Fyors, a great deal of idea exchanges over what types of wood and construction techniques result in what, hopefully resulting in better overall construction.
b.)  Distance is the prized commodity, as the far-flung arrow  buys more time to get the flocks to safety or kill the shepherd before he knows what hits him.  (bandits show up to Fyors, too.)
3.)  Stravam, the Grychgayte, and the Ryvan-Holme are all competing in exploring the east.  This competition is pretty friendly, at the moment.
a.)  The Grychgayte is primarily concerned with prospecting the mountains of anything valuable.  Their secondary concern is trapping and lumber related exploration of the forests which they claim.
b.)  The Ryvalnya of Stravam are primarily concerned with exploring the north, east, and north-eastern regions by sea.  They also want to find something valuable in the mountains, but they are not interfereing with the Grychgayte's enterprises, yet.  They will instead explore the coastal mountains in the north across from their straight.
c.)  The Ryvan-Holme is interested in documenting passes through the mountains and into the east, to the "Lands of Eternity", but are wary of the guards to the Land of Eternity, the mighty "Tuarescou."  They intend to gather all of the information that the other parties have gathered, as well, to provide maps (such as they are in Andos) in their archives.
4.)  Work on developing ships with the agility of outrigger canoes but the military strength of galleys.
5.)  Search for herbs and such that increase warriors' effectiveness.
6.)  Develop better armor
7.)  Develop better arms, especially using the sickle-sword the Avarderans gifted us with as a model.

Economy:

1.)  Take a formal agricultural survey of both mainland and eastern Andos. Record it in a fashion that is easily accessible to all Vrenas in Andos, not just the Ryvan-Holme.  Allow a few, select men loyal to the Ryvan-Holme access to these as well.  INCLUDE COMPREHENSIBLE ANALYSIS.
2.)  The more open minded Geethouses will attempt to implement foreign agricultural ideas, as well.  If they are successful, they will then claim credit for it and the other Andosens will find it less repulsive and foreign and adopt it more easily.  The initial test are more likely to occur in the east.  (by which I mean the west coast east of Andos)
3.)  Utilize all the new sheep products and herding techniques that have been introduced.
4.)  Assist Arannia in reconstructing on the condition that a Ryvan-Holme like council of elder women be instated.  Make further attempts at convincing them that joining the banner of the Strava or the Ryvan-Holme by marriage or something is the best way to go.  But the only condition to providing aid is the council being instated.
5.)  The Ryvan-Holme has granted official fishing terretories to all of the Vrenas in Andos, even the land locked ones.
6.)  Fortify mainland lumber camps and other Grychgayte enterprises, as well as Andosen Vrena's holdings.
7.)  Carpentry, tanning, skinning, leather-working, metal-working, shipbuilding, and armor-working continues to get on track and even prosper in and around Krynam, as well as Stravam.

Social/Infrastructure:

1.)  As travel over land to Grycham and Ryvham becomes more common with the popularity of Fyors, proper roads become a necessity.  And, as the Seven-Fjord region is still the center of power in the Ryvan-Holme, these orders are extended to cover all the Seven-Fjord region.  So roads are to be built and maintained.  Taxes will be collected from the Geethouses of the area during Fyors.
2.)  A sewer system (at least some sort of drainage system) of the Ryvan-Holme's specifications are to be built in Stravam.
3.)  Alot of Geethouses outside the Seven-Fjord make it a point to have representitives at the Fyor as well.  As such, a less well mantained road extending from Stravam to Ryvham will be constructed.  it will, admittedly, be more prone to bandits.
4.)  Fine lace, based off of fishing net, has become popular.
5.)  Make it a policy that any abandoned boy in the hell that is Stravam who seems to be ten years old or above is to be taken to Krynam to be trained as a warrior
6.)  Research the uses of fire and how to make fire hotter and more dangerous and how to control it again in Krynam (using some of those boys from Stravam).
7.)  Research building techniques to better prepare for another earthquake and "Alchemy" a la Arannia.[/ooc]

[ic= In the Audiance chamber of King Meas IV palace adressing the Andos messenger ]
"Andos does not need to worry, in the same way that I believe your people would respect Avardera laws in our land and water, so will Avardera repect your ways and avoid your coasts.
but if my people return with more then doom, then let me remind you of this old saying "the fruit tree might not grow, and the wolf den might not lay, where your grand father found them" and with this, then I believe the discussion is exhausted. and that we can move on to more joyous matter, such as the young couple"
[/ic]


 [ic= to the Dragonlord of Inveran]

Greetings Dragonlord Gregor.

Your suggestions intrgue me, but I must remind you that the "only thing better then ones own fortune, is a friends fortune" and that a "friendly person makes a poor enemy".
Honour prevents Avardera from raising swords, or sails as the case might be, against friends, and wisdom steers Avardera away from arousing the anger of the Despotessa of Kuregn.

also, I will remind you that the Yaffas are the ones controlling the straith, not the Freemen.

Avardera can therefor not support your request of a blockade of Machta-in, nor the straith under the controll of the Yaffa. I ask for your understanding, knowing that Avardera is a small country.

May We All Prosper

King Meas IV
[/ic]



 [ooc]
inform the expeditions about the Andos degree and plan accordingly, if neccesarely, with additional ships for supplies. unless it's determined that an expedition will not be possible without suplying in Andos.

on a related note Carp, would you like me to condense all the ooc order into one post on the day before the orders are due? kinda got them all over the place now.
[/ooc]

[ooc] Did you come to Inveran for this? By your prose, it sounds like a face-to-face conversation than a letter, so I'm running with that. If it's wrong, tell me.[/ooc]
[ic=Dragonlord Gregor to Avelayne of Geethouse Ovaytyes]
Gregor looks at Avelayne appraisingly. She was bold; bold enough to come to Inveran to warn of the Northwest. That was certainly worth something. As for what it meant, he knew not, except that there was something up there, and now he was more eager than ever to discover it.

"Lady." Gregor said, not unkindly, but without great emotion, "It is unlikely you have heard the early tales of my people. In the first days of Inveran, twenty by ten years ago, the Lord, my uncle's wife's ancestor, sent out a party, led by his own brother, northwards across the lands now held by Nargaq and infested by Auri. We did not know what lay there, indeed out people called it the Lost Lands, for we believed them to be beyond our mortal kind."

"We have always been explorers at heart, empire builders, some say destined to rule the seas. We know nothing of these demons of which you speak, nothing of what lies beyond that little spit of land. That is what attracts us."

"Our neighbors to the West, they are people, same as us. The beasts are different, as are their trade goods, but fear of the unknown is folly. Fear that which you know to be worth fearing, and let the unknown be peeled back before judging it."

"You asked me, and so I now ask you, What is up there?"
[/ic]

[ooc]you understand correctly.  As the Andosens are grasping that higher ranking officials should be sent to kings and lords (after about 100 years or so, and kings are still regarded as chiefs, which are lower than Vrenas, but I never said the Andosens are not thick headed), the messengers are of increasingly higher rank and ability to make decisions that the need to go through the long journey back and forth in correspondence.  Thus,most Andosen correspondence is now face to face.  If, at anytime you wish to bar them from gaining the rulers ear, of course, prompt me accordingly.  It is rather awkward assuming that you are talking to a king when you wind up not being able to do so.[/ooc]

[ic=Avelayne of Geethouse Ovaytyes ]"So it is the unknown that attracts you?  Did I misjudge you?  Are you really more a boy than a ruler, more interested in going after daydreams than doing what is best for the land?"  she asks mournfully.  She frowns and then shakes her head.  She stops in mid- shake, however, as her eyes lock with the Dragonlord's.

Something flashes across her eyes, perhaps recognition.  She smiles a small smile and nods.  "No, that is not it.  not for you.  I have seen the goods that Otahvy displays.  you want more, don't you?  Hmm."

"But I have not answered you, yet.  So, what is up in the west?  Nothing.  And no warrior fears Nothing.  No warrior fears death.  You misunderstand, perhaps, what we mean by Land of the Dead.  We are not afraid of the dead anymore than we are of death.  But there are prophesies, or perhaps portents is a better word, against journeying to the Lost City of the Dead, where nothing lives but What Once Was.  And that was what they found, our explorers.  For miles and miles, ruins of a city then Stravam.  But just the buildings.  And no sign of what had happened.  The only thing that changed there was the wind.  That is what we are afraid of, perhaps, no change.  The only thing that never changes is death.  And while I do not fear death, I do not seek it.  Yet this is what they feel you are doing, seeking death to everything.  But I misspeak.  Many warriors fight for nothing, without holding back anything.  I do not understand this."

She closes her eyes and thinks and then opens them again before going on, with excited eyes,"..Yet even they fear it.  For it is not just the unknown.  There are other worlds, surely you must know this. The World's End Mountains are a proper barrier against the other worlds, surely put there by the Raven creators to protect the weak-minded Lowbloods.  But north, closer to Oreejeeyn, the...beginning of all things.  No, that is not right.  Where all things connect."  

Her eyes sparkle, "You know, where Rylodyn went, where She holds the worlds together so they can stay apart."  She frowns again at the look of incomprehension.

Eyes ablaze, she says, "But that is not important.  Well, it is so very important, but Rylodyn provide, it will stay taken care of.  But anyway, that close to Oreejeeyn, the borders are less pronounced between the worlds.  Thus, it is easier to go between them.  And that is what happened."

"Now, you might not know this, but life is a continued transition along the scales of the Serpent with the guidance of the Raven's Talons.  That is to say, each day the world is born again.  Night is the pregnancy.  And each day, we are born anew into the new world.  We slide into the next scale of the Serpent that is All-Worlds, Svyorn.  And the ravens of Law guide us in this.  But sometimes it is possible to get out of the raven's talons.'

Her face and eyes go dark and grim.  "Which is what happens when you leave this world and into the Land of the Dead:  You leave the Raven's talon.  And when you do that, bad things happen.  Doom comes.  Doom is unnatural.  Doom creeps in like a sickness. That is because Doom is sickness, is all things perverse and unnatural."

She shudders.  "Getting back into this world is unnatural, is Doom.  Even Demons do not do it.  But those sailors did, as will yours.  they will bring Doom."

she shudders again.  "There was a man on that ship, Droppul Grayngor.  When he returned from the Land of the Dead, he returned straight home to his Motherhouse.  But he came home to find that he had never left!  He walks into his Motherhouse's doorway to find himself standing there!  They do not notice it at first, but then a cook screams.  'Droppul Grayngor!  Droppul Grayngor!  Who are you?  A witch?  What magic is this?  Get this foulness out of this house!  Curses and Foulness!'  And so they realize why they look familiar to each other.  They find a pool of water and look down side by side into it.  Every detail on them is the same!  The Droppul Grayngor who had never left just sat down and wept.  Who knows what became of him.  The Droppul Grayngor who left went back to his shipmates, however, who had not yet left, as they lived farther away.  they were in a public wayfarer's building, no doubt.  He finds them and warns them not to go home, as they can expect what he faced or worse:  Had they died in this world, it means they would have come back as Demons.  So they all stayed away from their homes and started new lives, lest they befall the Fate of Doppul Grayngor."

She sighs after her morbid tale and continues in a pointed way, "Hideous, but it makes sense.  For, you see, Svyorn constantly regrows his scales and the Land of the Dead is like a dead Serpent, which does not regrow its scales anymore, nor does the Raven guide us to order once we fall out of its grip.  So, when you reenter the world of the living, you enter into a different world where you already exist, just like in the Fate of Doppul Grayngor."

She nods in satisfaction.  "That is the best I can answer of that question, as that is the best of my knowledge.  I will ask you the same question again, however: What lies to the rest that you seek in the Lands of the Dead?  Tin perhaps?  Something of value, I am sure.  And what lies in the known west that is of value?  Shall I risk the journey?"[/ic]

[ic Reply to Inveran]We thank you very much for the supplies
[/ic]

[ic=Dragonlord Gregor]
He smiles at the woman's story, attempting to scare him off, "We of Inveran are a disbelieving, curious folk. I doubt that we would believe your story even if we saw the pair standing a spear-thrust apart."

"I should have been more clear. Inveran knows that there is land there, we know that where there is land, there is SOMETHING. Sail forever, and you will find yourself falling into the gullet of the World-Dragon who holds us in his mouth."

"It is the unknown of this something that drives us forward. The possibility of riches and power is merely secondary. I doubt that you would understand, being on a large island as you are, but we are at war. If not physically then with merchant ships and diplomats. Inveran must survive. To do that, Inveran must grow beyond the Middle Sea, like we once were."

Gregor pauses at Avelayne's last question. Should SHE make the journey? Risk this so-called doom and destruction? Ha. Somehow, his doubt of the tales seemed to make much more sense. "No lady, you should not risk it. Indeed I personally will not be risking it. I, and you, have too much work to do, too much to maintain, at home. Let the exploration to the young and the bold."

[/ic]

[ic=Avelayne of Geethouse Ovaytyes]"You left out 'the foolish', for both you and I are young and bold, but we are not explorers.  You are an interesting man, and I think Ovaytyes is on her way up in Andos.  I fear that honor may force me to become Vrena of Ovaytyes once my aunt passes into the Land of the Dead, as the eldest is a monster who kills her own children, the others Need-Not-Be-Mentioned, and the youngest has no head for politics."

She sighs.  "But that has not come to pass yet, and I have faith in my younger sister, besides.  I follow the path of war more than the path of politics, but not as much as my mother.  Hmm, who follows the paths of war as closely as Hychordo, though?  Well, I will send a messenger of these tidings back to Andos, but I will stay in our Hold here, personally, and enjoy foreign lands while I have the chance."

She starts to leave and then stops and turns around to face the Dragonlord with another appraising look, a friendly mockery of his expression earlier.  "In a week or two perhaps I will get a second opinion of my journey west from the twin chiefs of Otahvy.  You still have not given me a very good reason not to go by their trade routes, and perhaps I am a bit more foolish than I pretend to be.  If you want me to stay, think fast.  Good day."[/ic]

[ic=Dragonlord Gregor]
"If you are hellbent to go, Lady," Gregor says to her retreating form, "We would be willing and able to take you. Better than those pirates of Otahvy, in any case."[/ic]

Quote from: Amohan, Elephant Trainer to GregorBeg perdon, Sarar, breed?  Ya kennai keep elephants seim'a oxein or horsais '" Ta elephants as weild creechars, Sarar, and kennai be bred.  Elephants as captchared, Sarar, a treined '" nai domestaicated.  A nai-treined elephant as man-killeir, Sarar.[/ic]

[ic=Etropahan to Inveran]His Royal Majesty the King of Etropahan declines your request as He finds it hard to believe you could possibly offer him something to compensate for the secret of beadmaking.[/ic]

[ic=Arannia to Avardera]Alas, we know little about the east save from a few traditional tales of great cultural worth but little practical worth.  Our people fled from there generations ago; we are afraid not much is known of the Eastern Realm, even by us.

We welcome your craftsmen and teachers in our lands to learn and teach among us, though we are still rebuilding our city '" the shaking of the earth has killed many and torn down many beautiful buildings in but an instant.[/ic]

[ic=Grand Archon Aros of Celend to the Grand Warden of Kashtu]It is most ungrateful of you to have accepted our forces when your lands were imperiled by Atur savagery, yet now claim that you will not provide a single man to aid venerable Celend when she is threatened.  Your failure to assist in our defense after our generous aid to your predecessors imperils our relationship and risks a serious breach between us.[/ic]

[ic=Matriarch Yehela of Yaffa to All]In response to events of late, I henceforth announce that the straits under Yaffa's rule shall be closed to all who are considered friends of Kuregn.  Those who attempt to breach our blockade shall forfeit their lives, vessels, and cargos.[/ic]

[ic=Sarar Udai, Royal Governor of Roshhan, to the Free Captains]I act merely to reciprocate your good will.  I will convey any messages you wish to send to my contacts in Murrhat; I have convinced them that you are serious tradesmen backed by great wealth, and that you may be interested in a horse trade of great measure.[/ic]

[ic=Despotissa Koura of Kuregn to Avardera]I thank you for your noble gifts, northerners.  I have no ill-will towards your people, but I respect the wishes of the Machta.  I will not interfere in his decisions, but I do not mean that to be taken as an act of aggression against you.  The Despotate wishes ever for peace.[/ic]

[ooc]What was the Auri's response to my diplomat, oh gilled one?[/ooc]

[ic=Gregor to Amohan]
That's good, but has anyone actually tried? You know, putting a male with a couple of females, seeing what happens?

I'm certain I must sound like an ignorant fool, but you are helping, truly.[/ic]

[ic=Inveran to Etropahan]
His lordship was afraid that you might say this, and understands perfectly the desire to keep your trade secrets a secret.

Nevertheless, he holds the faint hope that you may yet find something in our land worth trading. To that end, we invite His Majesty, or his delegates, to come to our city, where we might show you more accurately what we have to offer.[/ic]

[ic=Dragonlord Gregor to all Inveran Trade Ships]
By His Lordship's Decree,

In light of recent events, Kuregn is deemed off-limits to all Inveran trading vessels. Any ship found in commerce with Kuregn or her vassals will be deemed traitors; their assets seized to be used for the glory of the state.
[/ic]
[ic=Inveran to Yaffa]
Matriarch Yehela,

We of Inveran would like to affirm to your majesty that we of Inveran have never been in league with Kuregn, at any time, and wish to ensure safe passage for our trading fleets. Indeed, as an act of solidarity, we have cut off any trading we do with Kuregn or her vassals.  

Unfortunately, we cannot say the same about the Free Captains who sail between your straight. They are famous for playing both sides the fool, aligning with none, raiding both, and profiting on others' loss. They are not to be trusted, nor, in my opinion, should they be allowed through the straight.  
[/ic]