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[Forum Game] The World at Dawn!

Started by Polycarp, August 16, 2007, 04:42:50 AM

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Stargate525

[ic=Provost of Numenas Academy to the Leaders of Helm, Inveran Academy, and Kuregn Academy]
Greetings to you, fellow seekers of knowledge,

Learned places, such as our fine institutions, are beginning to spring up all over the world. Numenas would like to extend our joy over the founding of yet another prestigious academy.

But are we fully realizing the potential of our students, our scholars, our philosophers? I say no. Developments that are found in one corner of the world are often duplicated before word of such deeds meanders to the other. I propose that we band together, sharing our common goals of knowledge, to better work with each other and as four succeed where as one we would fail.
[/ic]
My Setting: Dilandri, The World of Five
Badges:

Haphazzard

[ic=In a Councilor Meeting]
Aldo:  I'm telling you, too many criminals go unpunished!

Ithel: We already have laws, what more do you want?

Aldo: We have laws, yes, but different people abide by different laws depending on what ancient tribe they came from.  We
need to unify the laws of the land and place judges in every town.

Jon:  That's a bit excessive.  We need to focus on sailing out of this place.

Ithel: No, what we need is to work on mining and getting West!

Alun: LOOK!  We can make all those jobs easier.  The problem in the West is food.  What we do here doesn't work up there, so we need to find what plants DO grow there and farm the ones that are edible and easily farmable.  Crime is becoming a problem, especially as we expand and grow.  My vote goes wholeheartedly toward codifying the laws and instituting judges.

Jon:  And what about sailing?  Even your merchants and messengers have trouble with that, we share the same problem.

Alun:  We will turn the biulding where they exchange ideas here in the capital into a great Academy.  One that even Kuregnites will be humbled by.  What we should do also is extend our offer of a reward for such technology beyond our boarders.  We must extend beyond our boarders.  The times of Mandrian solitude are over!  There's rumors of a people south of Kureign that have access to camels.  This will improve our trade over land, along with better roads.  The last of the serpent people must be found and traded with, for they will surely have access to many others.

Ithel:  Surely you speak words of wisdom.

Aldo: This is true.  We were being foolish in our fighting, thank you for being able to go past that.

Jon: I don't see a reason to trust these outsiders.  I don't trust them.

Alun:  Don't worry, I'll deal with the outsiders.
[/ic]

[ic=To Zorvia]
Dear friends of the south,

If you are able to read this message our messanger shall surely be rewarded, as rumor has it that you are a nomadic people, and thus hard to find.  We have heard that you have access to a beast of burden called a camel.  We are willing to open trade with you, and in exchange for these camels we will surely pay large sums.  Here is a sample of what we have to offer.  Look carefully at some of these, as you will surely only be able to obtain them from us, as we have access to the West of the mountain range formerly thought to be the end of the world.

For the balance of the four,
Alun, the Councilor of Air
[/ic]

 [ooc]
I'm gunna a sampling of what we have to trade with the messenger.
[/ooc]

 [ic=To Numenas]
Dear people of Numenas,

Finally, we have found the western remains of the once great Inveran.  We wish to continue the relationship we held with your predecessors.  We not only wish to open trade routes and build a strong alliance with you, but hope that you could put us in touch and good relation with those around you, that we may trade with them as well.  As you may or may not have heard, we have broken through the Western wall of mountains that was once believed to be the end of this world.  It holds many treasures I'm sure you'll find more than delightful.  Here is a sampling of what we've found over there.  We wish, also, to share knowledge and culture with you.

For the balance of the four,
Alun, the Councilor of Air
[/ic]

 [ooc]
I will send a sampling of what we've found in the west to trade.
[/ooc]
Thrice I've searched the forest of sanity, but have yet to find a single tree.

Belkar: We have a goal?
Roy: Sure, why do you think we're here?
Belkar: Well, I just figured we'd wander around, kill some sentient creatures because they had green skin and fangs and we don't, and then take their stuff.

Stargate525

[ic=To Alun of Egwydor]
Hello! We rejoice at western contacts of our parent nation. Unfortunately, our neighbor nations have notoriously been distrustful of outsiders; only with much persuasion and bribery was Inveran able to establish this colony, and therefore, this nation. Our ships will, of course, convey trade goods to and from these nations, but I think it would be best if we acted as middlemen.

As for exchange of culture and knowledge, we are more than agreeable. It has long been our custom to construct a shrine to our Gods, a theater for our performances, and a goods warehouse in willing cities. With your permission, we would do this in your capital. We will, of course extend this privilege to you in our city. In addition, accompanying this message is one of our ambassadors. We are expecting yours, and are making room for him in the ambassador's wing.

For knowledge, we propose to construct a branch of our academy in your city as well, to further bring about free exchange of knowledge. If you have your own academy, we will exchange instructors and students, if you wish.

in peace,
Dragonlord Gregor II
[/ic]
My Setting: Dilandri, The World of Five
Badges:

Haphazzard

[ic=To Numenas]
Dear Numenas,

We are more than happy to even have you as middle men.  The bearer of this message is what we believe you mean by "ambassador."  We do not have an academy as of yet, however it is in our plans for the future.  Perhaps you could help us with our plans.  As soon as the building is up we will be more than happy to exchange teachers and students alike.

We will allow you to build all but your temple in our lands, and we will build such in yours.  We believe that culture and religion are separate.  We do plan on embracing other cultures, however we would like to keep our own beliefs.
[/ic]
Thrice I've searched the forest of sanity, but have yet to find a single tree.

Belkar: We have a goal?
Roy: Sure, why do you think we're here?
Belkar: Well, I just figured we'd wander around, kill some sentient creatures because they had green skin and fangs and we don't, and then take their stuff.

Stargate525

[ic=To Egwydor]
That is agreeable. Note that our shrine does no mission work; it is only for our merchants and traders. We make no compulsion for you to worship.
[/ic]
My Setting: Dilandri, The World of Five
Badges:

snakefing

[ic=Grand Warden Merwek to the people of Zorvia]The blessings of Anwu be upon your people.

Your offered gift has found favor with us. Animals of this sort do not thrive in our lands - but we offer to you this gift of fragrant oils and coffee, in hopes of continued trade and friendship. We also send you a delegation of our Peshuek and priests to help learn more or each other and establish greater bonds between your people and the people of the Ma'a.[/ic]
My Wiki

My Unitarian Jihad name is: The Dagger of the Short Path.
And no, I don't understand it.

snakefing

In Kashtu
The prosperity of Merwek's time as Grand Warden soothed over old rivalries and improved the lot of Kashtu's people. But it brought new problems as well. New types of conflicts arose, over trade routes and commercial undertakings.

Traditionally, domestic conflicts in Kashtu society had been decided by the wise women of the clans. (Wisdom, justice, and judicious temperament being seen as feminine traits in Kashtu culture.) As the nation grew, this system had matured into an informal network of full-time magistrates and judges within each clan. But the commercial conflicts of trade often crossed clan boundaries, so issues of jurisdiction and clan rivalry began to upset the tenuous balance of power once again.

Merwek (being hot-tempered as is typical of Kashtu men) had little patience for such disputes. He tried for a time to mediate these conflicts as they arose, but he had little talent for it. In the end, it was the Grand Hierarch Moshi'u who suggested that the priesthood take on the role of judging disputes.

It turned out to be a good fit for Kashtu society. The priesthood had a good number of women, many of them revered and respected for their forbearance and wisdom. And the Kashtu hierarchs were viewed as being outside the normal clan structure - hence ideally suited to decide conflicts that arose between members of different clans.

This gave rist to a new, two-tiered system. The mediators and magistrates of the clans continued to resolve minor local disputes, and a more formal group of ecclesiastics were dedicated to resolving commercial issues or conflicts that could not be settled informally. As the system began to take hold, these ecclesiastic judges created a set of common law principles that formed a semi-codified legal system. For the most part, these principles were not written down, but they did help to reduce the tensions created by the new ways.

[ooc]Orders: Begin building new temples throughout the land to serve as a combination of shrines and courthouses.[/ooc]
My Wiki

My Unitarian Jihad name is: The Dagger of the Short Path.
And no, I don't understand it.

Polycarp

[ic=Jaghed to Numenas]As my ancestors have made clear, the land is free for all, but grazing is the only means by which land can truly be for all.  You are allowed your ways on your own land, but clearly you have no grasp of the commons as it pertains to our people.  We have seen you farm, and like the fields of the Murrhati the land is seized once plowed and planted.  In our eyes, slavery to the plowing stick is incompatible with shared land.[/ic]
[ic=Gegur, Beshwur of Kheduo, Chosen General of the Great Circle, to Andos]The Great Circle has informed me that, as leader of the Council against the Auri and sworn-nephew of the honored Gerubede, I am to act as councilor to your people in our realm.  It is a duty I have accepted with the humility and honor of my ancestors.

The Great Circle grants you traveler's rights throughout our lands, but commands that no armed group of more than eight do so without the specific permission of the Circle.  No mistrust or disrespect is implied; this is ancient law.  The chariot is, of course, the only proper way of travel over the steppes.

Of our neighbors, we have little to say; the Chalun to the south are untrustworthy, and the forest-people to the north secretive and inscrutable.  A new people has arrived on the shores of Daura, however; they are called Fish-men for the bronze scales upon their skin.  Despite their ignorance of chariots they are fierce fighters, and have delivered lands into the hands of the Auri.  If you know of these people, give us this knowledge that we may separate them from their suzerains.[/ic]
[ic=Murrhat to Numenas]This privilege is refused, but the Temple of Foreigners is open to all the altars and idols of barbarians like yourselves who trade in our city.  As for a warehouse, the merchants of Murrhat own such things and will surely entertain your business.[/ic]
[ic=Prince-Regent Horain III to Zorvia]I respectfully reciprocate your gift with goods of copper wrought by the latoners of the Regency.  I do not desire to mark any pact with those who are not vassals of the rightful claimant to leadership over all the Ma'turi, but you may be assured that I bear only good will towards you and your people.[/ic]
[ic=to Zorvia]The messenger sent to Celend has reported that his message was delivered to an "Archon," but that the "Grand Archon" could not see him.  The Celenites entertained your messenger but failed to give any concrete answer to your proposal.

Your messenger sent to Zur'a was unable to find an overall leader of these people, only village leaders, and their language was at any rate very difficult to comprehend.  Some villages did provide small gifts of coffee to our messenger.

The Nem-Ammar treated your messenger with hospitality but declined your request.  There are no scribes among them and the concept of marking a treaty is foreign to them.[/ic]
[ic=Connetar Feryan of the Fine Feather Hayrines to Egwydor]The Connetars of Great Hayar require  a wreath of gold from your people for this year and every other year in which you would like to remain alive and free.  You will receive no other offer as generous as that again![/ic]
[ic=Connetar Eney of the White Finger Hayrines to King Meas of Avardera]In exchange for this island which we inhabit - and intend to do so for generations to come - and the ending of your laughable campaigns against us, we are willing to give you peace and leave the shores of your land inviolate.[/ic]
[ic=To Andos]A Sorghedai warrior captured by the Hayrines has been sent to Andos to convey a message.  He says that Far Hayar wishes no further war with your people and would consider an exchange of gifts.[/ic]
The Clockwork Jungle (wiki | thread)
"The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way." - Marcus Aurelius

Kindling

[ic=To Alun, councilor of air]
Greetings to you, noble sir!

Your land is so far-flung from our own that we, in our pitiful ignorance, have no knowledge of your grand realms!

Your gifts are as wondrous as they are strange to us, and we would indeed be overjoyed to trade our humble and unworthy camels for more of such exotic and fantastical goods.


On behalf of the Sacred Council,
Patriarch Yisso[/ic]

[ic=To Grand Warden Merwek]

What amazing gifts! What joy that our neighbour, so long shunned by the foolishness of our ancestors, is so generous and amiable!

We welcome your delegation with open arms, and hope for a flourishing of trade with your assuredly most magnificent people.

On behalf of the Sacred Council,
Patriarch Hirrow[/ic]

[ic=To Prince-Regent Horain III]
Your gifts and words of good-will are much appreciated, but we are perplexed and concerned by your talk of a "rightful" ruler.

There are but two rightful rulers in this world, the Gods Tysk and Usk. Perhaps, when you have come to realise the truth of this, we can become true allies as well as friends.

On behalf of the Sacred Council,
Matriarch Tsehha[/ic]
all hail the reapers of hope

Stargate525

[ic=Numenas to Jaghed]
That is fair enough; we did not intend to farm the land while it was still held in commons. This right extends to us as well, so that if we wished to graze upon it, we may?
[/ic]

[ic=Numenas to Murrhat]
Tell us about this Temple of Foreigners. We know of no such concept, and are eager to learn more.

We humbly thank you for allowing us to trade in your great realm, and look forward to increased prosperity for us both.
[/ic]

[ooc=Orders]
    *Build a Warehouse, Theater, and Academy Branch in Egwydor.
    *Construct branches of the academy in all city culture complexes (the theater/shrine/market dodahs) and construct complexes in Egwydor, Murrhat, and Avardera.
    *Construct a Temple Enclave, for foreign worshipers.
    *Expand the academy.
    *Construct large granaries to house excess food.
    *Design and construct a method of distributing clean water to the city via fountains or similar, and removing wastewater.
    *Construct bathhouses throughout the city.

    *Begin an exchange program with all willing academies.
    *Remove tariffs on Machta and Kuregn goods, slowly increase other tariffs to compensate.

    *Begin aggressive herding on the no-man's land to the south.
    *Attempt to grow and raise foreign plants and animals for food and materials.
    *Work on training elephants for drafting purposes and combat.

    *Invade Tescha using Kuregn and Machta troops. Focus on capturing and defending the northern city and the surrounding territory.
[/ooc]
My Setting: Dilandri, The World of Five
Badges:

Haphazzard

[ic=To Connetar Feryan of the Hayrines]
Dear Connetar Feryan,

We are afraid that we will not meet your demands.  You are ignorant of our history, so I will share it with you, if not merely to show you the folly of your ways.  We were once independent, warring, tribes.  War and death came like the seasons.  We have since then lain down our arms in pursuit of knowledge and the general health of our people.  However, this is but a new change, and we have not yet forgot the best ways to shed a man's blood.  This is your last chance to make peace with us.  We ask of nothing, but that you do not attack us, or our allies.  However, if you continue in your foolish endeavors you will surely be met with more than an Egwydorian blade.

For the balance of the four
Alun, The Councilor of Air
Aldo, The Councilor of Fire
Jon, The Councilor of Water
Ithel, The Councilor of Earth
[/ic]

 [ic=To Otahvy]
Dear Mandrian Brothers,

As you recently suffered attack from the Hayrines, so they threaten us as well.  As we had supported you as best we could we ask that you help support us by blocking their entrance to the middle sea.  In return, we will aid you in any battles you should suffer while the blockade is up.

For the balance of the four,
Alun, The Councilor of Air
Aldo, The Councilor of Fire
[/ic]

 [ic=To The Machta-In]
Dear Machta Brothers,

We have been threatened with death by your recent neighbors to the North, the Hayrines.  They will undoubtedly attempt to follow through with their threats.  As your allies, we ask that you help in any way you can.  We would prefer a blockade or, perhaps, immediately after their ships set sail filled with their soldiers you could launch an attack on their city to your north.  However, if this is too much, merely sending soldiers or support for soldiers would be more than generous enough.  

For the balance of the four,
Alun, The Councilor of Air
Aldo, The Councilor of Fire
[/ic]

 [ic=To Numenas]
Dear Dragonlord of the East,

We are more than overjoyed to have not only found each other, but been able to continue the alliance we held with your ancestors.  However, we have a favor to ask of you.  We will undoubtedly be attacked by the Hayrines, as we have just been threatened by them, and ask for your support.  We understand that you are far away from our lands and attacking the Hayrines would be proposterous, but soldier support would would surely be more than enough to repel these horrid invaders from the North.

For the balance of the four,
Alun, The Councilor of Air
Aldo, The Councilor of Fire
[/ic]
Thrice I've searched the forest of sanity, but have yet to find a single tree.

Belkar: We have a goal?
Roy: Sure, why do you think we're here?
Belkar: Well, I just figured we'd wander around, kill some sentient creatures because they had green skin and fangs and we don't, and then take their stuff.

Stargate525

[ic=To Egwydor]
We regret that we cannot aid you at this time. Our fleet is small, and ill-suited to long distance travels. We will continue to trade with you, but our war fleet remains at home.
[/ic]
My Setting: Dilandri, The World of Five
Badges:

Tillumni

[ic= in the city of Avarra] "King Arlun Meas VI" the fisher tasted on the name, like a cook tasting a new spice "what is it with nobles and being all symbolic?"  "feh, as if I know, I'm just a crab fisher" "a sign of a age of reneval, my opinion, then I think the young king needs a few year in Avardera, to shake off some the ideas he got in....Numenam something" "my opinion, not that it matters so long it works...how is it the saying goes?....>>the stomach doesn't care so long the new dish fills the same<<" the assembled fishers nodded in agreement[/ic]

[ic= on a field used for training and mock skirmishes outside Avarra] "here boy.....wooo boy..easy now...easy now.....easy noooooooow~"  Irran sighed as he watched the chariot speeding off, before it got stopped by the trainer that had been hired in Auri "we got a long way to go" [/ic]

[ic= inside the royale palace] "oi, ya got your pay. right?" Sera looked abit puzzled into the bag she had recieved, barely noticing her co-workers, being a Kings voice was a good job for a woman.....infact, there wasn't many other options for women to have an equally prestigious work unless they were high-born, but the new kings idea of payment was abit different. "Sera?" she held up a small stylized leaf made of silver "you guys ever heard about the term "coin" before?" "eh....I think I read something about Inverness trying something in my grand father days" "Ruthern Pot-Ash, Auri Chariot, Nargaq Swords and now Numenan Cuin?...heh, I wonder what's going to be the next?"  "Coin, it's Coin" "right, what I said..Cuin" [/ic]

[ic= in the wing of the royale palace used to store written lore]
"yep, everything from that shelf go into these crater, then you put them over in the corner when they are filled and by all the spirits of Avardera be carefull will you?"
The King Scripe took a deep breath, then continued instructing and supervising the packing.....a new scholar city....Avarderas lore was going to outgrow the palace the King had said and looking at the amounth of work involved in moving everything, he was prone to agree, for some reason he didn't expected to be done by the time the new academy was finished[/ic]

[ic= to the Connetar]
your idea of a fair trade is quistionable, Connetar, invader and usurper. you wish to exchange peace, in return for being allowed to keep what is not rightfully yours?
Do not mistaken me for my uncle when I tell you this. Abandon and leave Storm shield isle for other lands, or else the fury of Avardera, of which like have not been seen since the liberation of Avarra, will fall upon you.  if you do not do so within a full moon cycle, then Avardera will consider you an invader and react accordingly.
A full moon to leave is a generous offer, considering the atrocity that you have commited to Avardera, and is giving you only because quite frankly, it's cheaper, though Avardera will gladly pay the price in sweat and blood needed to drive you back to the sea you came from, if you do not take this offer.

King Arlun Meas VI [/ic]

[ic= To the Agah of the Auri, herald of the light]

Greetings to the friend and Ally of Avardera.
first, I wish to congratulte and commend you for the victory against the Sorghedai, and to thank you for the aid you sent to me precedor. Unfortunately, the aid was insufficient, though I do not blame the Auri, but rather the Sorghedai for thier trespassing into your realm, forcing you to only aid with what little you could spare. Infact I consider it generous, considering your situation.
How ever Storm shield Isle still lies in the hands of invaders, and therefor I humble request the Auri assistance again, but this time, I ask only for the assistance of your fleet, under the command of Avardera for how ever long the campaign might take, since those are not needed on the steppes, cause truely by controlling the sea, the path for taking back Storm shield will be open.

May We all Prosper and be led to the light.

King Arlun Meas VI[/ic]

[ic= to the league of Freemen] During the riegn of my Ancestor, King Meas III, may his spirit be with the ancestors and in peace, an ancient pact was sealed, in return for the lowered tariffs that your ships enjoy in the water and harbours of Avardera, then Avardera would be able to depend on the skills of your captains and sailors.
Avardera wishes to now call upon your help and re-forge this ancient pact by humble asking for your aid in taking back Storm Shield Isle.
This will also ensure the safety of your ships in the northen sea, denying the Corsairs of Hayar a base of operation in this area.

May We All Prosper

King Arlun Meas VI [/ic]

[ic= to Agruga of the Grychgayte]

Greetings to Agruga.

in response to your first request, then I must inform you that I can not give a general statement, but rather that it must depend on the individual case.  how ever, if it's trade you wish to conduct, then it is the merchants of Avardera, not the ruler of Avardera, that you should speak with, of which I can provide you with information of how to reach them.

Related to that, then my response to your request of buying ships are the same, I am not a shipwrigth, but I can inform you of the means of contacting the relevant people, and you can then conduct business with them.  Avardera craftsmen and traders may deal with who ever they see fit, so long those have not been banned from trade by royal decreed.

allow me to say, that your interest in dealing with Avardera gladdens me though, and hopefully will be the fist signs of renewed co-operation between our people.

May We All Prosper

King Arlun Meas VI[/ic]


amikaligula

[ic=Chirubyan Heurway to Gegur, Beshwur of Kheduo, Chosen General of the Great Circle]Greetings and honor to your ancestors.  I am Heurway.  I will certainly tell you what I know of the bronze-scaled Demons.  I fought against them myself, as did my brethren.  Indeed, that is why I became a Chirubyan:  my Motherhouse was wiped out by those Demons who now dance under the name "Hayar".  But I will stay long enough to answer your other questions and I am sure your countryman who travels with us will as well.  Ha, the damnable Demons sent him as a messenger, sending more of their false promises.  That's another thing to watch out for:  those damn Hayars don't have ay honor, they'll turn on you without a second thought once you've made a truce.

Anyway, to business.  After you have procured whatever information you want and I have, I must ask your aid in procuring whatever we need to travel "by chariot", however that may be.  The Chalun sound the most like merchants, so I suspect trading with them is what will satisfy the Grychgayte.[/ic]

[ic=The Ryvan-Holme to the "Hayar"]How can there be truce if there is no honor on your side?  What reason do we have to believe that your idea of a gift exchange is your blade in our back and our blood in your hands?

For there to be peace, you must earn our trust and prove yourselves honorable.  Suffice to say you will not have the Tree in our lifetime.

But we are not unreasonable and we do note that you wish no farther war.  Many of us crave your Blood to be spilled ceaselessly.  Be thankful that cooler heads are greeting your message.  As I have said, we are reasonable and, though we are great and fearless warriors, as we have shown your kinsmen, feel now is the time to heal what wounds still need to be healed so as to better face the next battle.

And you claim you want to do the same and perhaps even suggest that you do not want to be against us in the next battle.  Very well, but what assurances do we have of your sincerity?  On your honor?  I must be frank:  The Chirubyan preserve in all our memories of your treacheries on our shores.  So, as much as it pains us as warriors to ask a warrior of proof of his honor, as Vrenas and I must:

Prove the honor and merit of your people by supplying us with your craftsmen who build your galleys, and once we have constructed a fleet, we shall grant you the Tree.

The messenger will explain what the Tree is, etc.
*Note*  the Ryvan-Holme uses "I" to show consensus
[/ic]
Arcane Trickster
40% Combativeness, 73% Sneakiness, 79% Intellect, 47% Spirituality

Polycarp

[ic=Murrhat to Numenas]Since many foreigners come to Murrhat and each have their own gods, a temple to foreigners was erected by order of the Prince, that all barbarian worship might be gathered there, giving foreigners a place to practice their own traditions without impugning upon the piety of Murrhat.  All foreigners are welcome to bring their altars to the Temple of Foreigners so long as they do not desecrate the works of others.[/ic]
[ic=Connetar Feryan of the Hayrines to Egwydor]You must value peace very little if you ask for it but will not pay for it.  Be assured that soon you will be taught its full value.[/ic]
[ic=King Puul of Otahvy to Egwydor]We have our hands full fighting off the Hayrines on our own shores, and have nothing to spare for your protection.  The Empire is friends with them and protects them - petition them for us and you will have the gratitude and aid of the Two Crowns.[/ic]
[ic=Zhureyan, Agah of All the Auri, to King Meas]My fleet shall be dispatched from Pinur at once to your aid, for as long as you require it.  I regret that I am unable to guarantee any other assistance at this time.[/ic]
[ic=Connetar Eney to Avardera]All is fair that is won by conquest.  The only insincere words are uttered by weaklings, as you must be to call our victories "unfair."  I, in the superior position, have offered you peace for recognition; if you will not have it, then we have nothing further to speak about.[/ic]
[ic=Beshwur Gegur to Chirubyan Heurway]Surely your kinsmen who have journeyed to our lands have seen a chariot, the rider's tower pulled by horses.  Each chariot is an heirloom of our people, a symbol of the tribe's power and lineage, so there are none I can simply sell to you, but there are craftsmen who could teach you - though this takes a lifetime of apprenticeship, and is not a craft easily or casually passed on.

The Chalun are only merchants of others' goods - if you are weak, they will steal what you have and sell it to others; if you are strong, they will take the goods of others and sell them to you.  They pass from friendship to enmity as often and quickly as the wind changes.  They have their own peculiar honor but do not see foreigners as deserving of it.[/ic]
[ic=Connetar Eyund of Far Hayar to the Andosen]Among my people, all is right that is rightly won.  Your land is your own, until it is not.  Your fathers were tenacious warriors and it was decided as a result that your lands were not suited to becoming our new homeland.  Now that we have found a new homeland, we no longer desire your lands, and I see no reason to war with you further.

I am not old enough to remember the Flight, when our people were chased from their homes, when our great cities were abandoned and ruined - but I do not have to.  My grandfathers were born upon the sea, for no land would take them.  I will not live that way.  I do not know of or care for your "tree" or your foreign honor, but if you come to war against us I promise you that our wrath will be no less than your own when you were defending your shores from my fathers.

We offer an exchange of gifts as is custom for ending a war or beginning a new time.  I need not prove anything to you, least of all with tribute.  If you are honorable and sincere than you will accept my proposal and we shall give the gifts of enemies reconciled.[/ic]
The Clockwork Jungle (wiki | thread)
"The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way." - Marcus Aurelius