[Forum Game] The World at Dawn!

[amikaligula]

[ic=In the Hartlas]Alonen Stawaryd shook his head in annoyance.  It was aimed at himself.  Why had he ever agreed to this meeting, in the haunted Hartlas, no less.  Well, there was certainly the blackmail, but he suspected he more wanted to relive his misspent youth.  Oh well, he has six sons.  It was different for him, of course.  He was the only son and the eldest at that.  And he was not to risk his life and almost a century of hard work for his wanderlust.  For the Stawaryde's where a rather special family:  Through some sort of blindsight on the Ryvan-Holme's part, the governing of the province where they where most powerful, Grycham, came under the control of a patriarchal figure, Freschya Stawaryd.  There where some tales within the family that told of how O Glorious Rylodyne herself set this state of affairs up by appearing in Freschya's dreams, realizing that a Vrena would hold far too much power if Grycham was under her management.  Not that that would hold up before the Ryvalnya.

Alonen sighed.  Yes, that was why he undertaking this fool's task.  The messenger had hinted at the prospect of taking down those hags, and that was Alonen's greatest hope.  Oh how he despised those craven beasts lurking behind the stone walls of Stravam, only to pop out and steal away family to die before their 'question'.  It made him sick that the Ryvan-Holme was going to ally themselves with Stravam once again, and now they where to build a stronghold on his land!  He shook his head again and then turned around swiftly, axe in hand.

He could have sworn he saw something out of the corner of his eyes just now.  The sixth time today of such an occurrence.  Either the Hartlas was as haunted as was rumored, which he did not doubt, or he was being followed.  He knew not which of the two it was.

He stubled into a clearing, and to his surprise, in the middle of it was a monolithic stone in the shape he had been told was his destination.  He scratched his head, for he was expecting to travel for at least another day.

'Drop the axe,'  Came a voice in six directions at once.  Almost involuntarily, he did so.  'Alonen Stawaryd, you have been summoned by the Wytchegayte and you have come as summoned.  From now to death, your fate is bound to ours.  Understand this.'

Alonen shivered involuntarily.  'I understand,' he replied, no fear showing in his voice.

'Very well.  We have mutual goals, Alonen.  We both wish the fall of the Ryvalnya, a wise and noble goal.  They have done great harm to both of us.  And they are very good at this and very deadly.  We certainly have gained a most unsavory reputation at their hands.  So it is that we must use agents such as yourself.'

Alonen swallowed nervously, 'I have heard that you'¦mark you members'¦'

'No fear, Stawaryd, we are well aware that the Ryvalnya caught on to that little tradition.  It is too much of a liability to someone who will soon be, unfortunately, a '˜loyal' subject of the Strava.  For you must obey her will on the surface.  In your heart is where you nurture your cold hatred.  I know, I do not like it either, but it is necessary.  And on that note, now to why we feel you and your line will be necessary.  We feel that the best way to defeat them is to defeat their symbol, the city of Stravam.  Ordinary means of attacking will not suffice for that city.  So it is that we require a better means to attack it with.  You are to devise a way on this, or use your funds to put the learned men of Krynam on the task, as is more likely to be worth your while.'

'My personal funds.  I am not infinitely rich, mistresses.  What, may I ask, do I get out of this, besides the mere possibility of destroying Stravam and the possibility of being indicted with the whole lot of you?'

'A most sensible man.  As far as fearing being indicted, I assure you this will not happen.  Our plans are careful and long-reaching.  Stravam will not fall in your lifetime.  And as far as '˜what do you get out of this,' you get our formidable protection.  Step around to the other side of the rock, now.'

As Alonen does so, he finds a recently deceased man.  'He was a bandit.  He was stalking you less than a night ago.  But we stalk better.  Suffice to say that this is also a warning as to what will happen to you should you even think of betraying us in any manner.  Not that you will ever be given the chance.  Your task is appointed to you.  Continue to Krynam.  We have taken the liberty to send a messenger to have your own funds arrive there by ship.  Your valuables will be awaiting you there.'[/ic]

[ic=Later, in Krynam]Alonen Stawaryd was weary.  Nonetheless, he set out immediately to Grycham after he had sent out the following message:

'Great wealth and honor await those who develop some sort of giant bow or sling or whathave you capable of hurling missiles of destruction or something similarly useful for the defence of Grycham against the Demon threat.'[/ic]

[ic=Proclamation of the Ryvan-Holme to Krynam]Be it known that whomever seeks to better the defenses of Andos in anyway will receive funds to do so from the Ryvan-Holme[/ic]

[ic=Proclamation of the Ryvan-Holme to all Vrenas]Be it known that all are required to attend the festivals in Grycham at least in representation for councils of war and defense.  Also, resources are to be allotted to the Ryvan-Holme as the Ryvan-Holme sees fit from the Vrenas.  This is to further Andosen causes.[/ic]

[ic=The Strava to the Northern Patrol]I grow weary of this parley.  Kidnap members of the war-chief's family, imprison them in Stravam, and then I shall see how she addresses me.[/ic]

[amikaligula]

[ic=The Strava to King Maes V]As to our previous discussion, I think I have devised a suitable way in which I may aid your endeavors of cutting down piracy with out hampering the defence against the Demons.

The island you know as Stormbreaker or some such lies not beyond my patrol's reach.   Moreover, piracy is great there.  So, I propose that you allow us, the Ryvalnya, to build an outpost on it's northern tip.  The maximum amount of warriors allowed to be stationed there will be left to you, should you agree, as you are a reasonable man.  That location will allow us to hunt down pirates and patrol our own waters more effectively.

And as to the previous fear of your sailors engaging mine, I suspect that it will not be necessary to patrol that island yourself once we are there.  Of course, you may disagree at first, but hopefully you will consider the prospect as we keep our end of the bargain.

I also hope that you will consider resuming the copper trade and even offer the Ryvalnya lower prices for defending you waters.  

I await your reply.[/ic]

[Tillumni]

[ic= To Andos, delievered by a Kings Voice]
The King sees must merit in your proposal, infact, it intrigues him so much, that the King wishes to establish this outpost together with Andos, from which both our fleets can benifit.
This will also make the outpost considereable easier to maintain, due to supplies not needing to be brought only from Andos by sea.

The King proposes that Andos and Avardera have an equal amounth of warriors and ships in the outpost, while maintaining the right to bring more ships to the water around Stormshield isle to protect it as needed and have it be a joint effort to protect the water in these area, since Avardera have no interest in having the western demon reach her coast either.

Afterall, bonds in battle against a common enemy are some of the strongest and quikest to form, and it is the Kings hope that the bonds formed in this outpost will spread to the rest of Andos and Avardera, so that our people may co-exist in peace once more.
The King therefor sees it as detrimental to the forging of this bond to not fight together with the Andos, and belive that it is an even greater sign of trust on both part, to allow the precense of each other nearby.

The King also wishes the outpost to be under Avardera laws, since it is on Avarderas land and therefor it will be easier to enforce those laws, then laws from across the sea, and the Andosen stationed in the outpost shall be protected by those laws and the kings word, with the exception that any Avarderan who are deemed as having grievely wronged an Andosen will be brought to Andos to face judgement by your peoples hand.

The King also suggest that the construction of such an outpost, if Andos agree to the above suggestions, shall be delayed for atleast one year to give Avarderas people time to cool and possible more, for an undetermined lenght of time, if needed, as determined by the King in council with his people, to avoid having the existance and founding of this outpost marred in its early years by the bitterness of people who have lost family and friends in the past.
As an extension of that, then he can not support the construction of such a outpost, if Avardera does not themself, since it is the prosperity and happiness of Avardera that is the Kings concern.

The King wishes to remind Andos, that thier aid in combatting piracy is a repairement for past trangression, a way for Andos to prove thier sincere regret of past actions to Avarderas people, not a service which the King is hiring and also wants to point out that it is in Andos own interest to reduce piracy, therefor periode of this repairement shall be untill the end of the Kings reign, and all debts shall be considered paid for by then.


Therefor he will allow Avarderas copper traders to commit trade with Andos as those traders see fit, but will not regulate the trade in favor, nor at a disadvantage for Andos, but traders might feel favorable, after having been safely escorted by your ships, but that will be left for them to decide.

The King hope that having Avardera and Andos contructing this outpost and figthing pirates together with each other for reasons stated, will lead to a lasting peace, so that we may avoid another warring between our people.

May We All Prosper.
[/ic]

[snakefing]

Malik sends a cadre troop and a small contingent of priests to Zur'a by way of the Nem-Ammar lands. They carry two missives.
[ic=Grand Warden Malik to the Nem-Ammar Brotherhood]We have received word from the Despotissa of Kuregn seeking a peace accord. I am uncertain as to her intentions, but above all Kashtu seeks to protect the Ma'a from outsiders.

What have you heard from the Despotissa, and what are your intentions? Recent history shows that we of the Ma'a must work together, or the outsiders will pick us apart one by one. We wish to coordinate our response with you.

The bearer of this letter has my full confidence to discuss these matters.[/ic]

[ic=Grand Warden Malik to Zur'a]Greetings from the Grand Warden of Kashtu. We seek to cement the friendship between our people by an exchange of knowledge. I am sending a group of our learned scholars and experienced soldiers, hopefully to study and learn from your folk.

We offer an equal hospitality to you in return.[/ic]

[Polycarp]

[ic=Shuruk of the Nem-Ammar to Grand Warden Malik]Greetings brother,
We too have been visited by an emissary of the Despotissa.  Though there are voices both for and against peace in the council of the Nem-Ammar, those advocating peace have the upper hand and the greater numbers - unlike you, we have suffered greatly, and we are in no position to fight Kuregn.  When the time comes, the Ammar will lead us to victory; in the meantime, the council has tentatively decided to accept her offer, timely as it is given our weakened state.

The council delayed a final decision, hoping to gain the agreement of other tribes and your people before firmly answering the emissary.  Though we realize you have different concerns given your proximity to the great war between the Kingdoms, the council advises you that peace should not be dismissed out of hand despite animosity.  It seems most likely that the Despotissa, following the loss of her forces in our lands, simply wishes to end this conflict to focus on the other objects of her shameless pride and ambition.[/ic]

[ic=In Zur'a]The cadre of men sent to the lands of the west, after a long journey through the Ma'a, found not a unified state but a large territory of independent villages.  There existed no central authority with which to make contact; each village was ruled by the "wisest" female elder, called the "Distaff."  One of the larger villages nearest the Ma'a, ruled by Distaff Luola Lo'ulaom, accepted the Kashtu delegation, which has begun their work learning and attempting to communicate (as much of the language of the Zurshuk is still untranslated).  The Distaff and the female elders seem mildly interested at best in the delegation, but the Kashtu have found large numbers of young men very interested in "fighting in the Land of Fire."[/ic]

[Polycarp]

[ic=King Rodonso of Otahvy to Rhodri of Egwydor]We gladly accept your gift and look forward to a positive relationship between our fellow peoples.  Your ships are welcome to trade in our waters.[/ic]
[ic=King Puul of Otahvy to the Machta]What, indeed would you propose for the cession of the corsairs' isle to us?  Most of its people, such as they are, are Mandrans who belong under our protection.[/ic]
[ic=King Puul of Otahvy to the Dragonlord]While I bear no resentment against you for the wars of your ancestors and consider Aristo's death and ruin appropriate recompense for his inexcusable aggression, I see no reason to involve ourselves in your defense, and the people of Mandra would not stand for such an alliance.  If we wanted you to pull out of trade in our lands, we would need only to say so; that is no great favor.[/ic]
[ic=King Rodonso of Otahvy to the League Captains]Greetings, noble Captains,
I have decided that, while we value your friendship and your trade with us, Otahvy can no longer abide a foreign state within its own borders, subject to laws we have no say over.  Henceforth, we are ending the independent status of Maducreon, and annexing it to the Dual Crown.  Rest assured that none of your people will be harmed, nor will their property be seized.  They are free to stay, go, and trade as they have before.  It is my hope that this will not unduly strain the relations between us; I am sensitive to the desires of my people and dare not defy their will in this matter.[/ic]

[Haphazzard]

[ic=Egwydor to King Rodonso of Otahvy]
Due to the unfortunate, elemental circumstances sailing north is quite difficult.  We were hoping that most of the trade going from us to you would go by land.  As we are on the topic of sailing difficulties, we would like to know how your people go about dealing with the difficulties of sailing into the wind.  If this is a problem you share with us, perhaps we could exchange some learned people and come together to solve this dilemma, ever pulling the elements closer to balance.

For the balance of the four,
Rhodri, Councilor of air
and
Eirikur, Councilor of water
[/ic]

[Polycarp]

[ic=King Rodonso to Egwydor]Even the galleys of the isles cannot sail into the wind; everyone from the merest fisherman to the mightiest corsair must contend with the currents.  We have not often traded by land, owing to the isolation of Mandra, but I am sure our traders will find a way along the coast if such a thing exists.[/ic]

[AllWillFall2Me]

[ic=From  the Free Captains to King Rodonso]
Though it pains us that such has come to pass, we understand your motives, and will not oppose you. In exchange, we hope you may do us a favor. We find ourselves in unsure waters, for while we have little love for the Machta, we are allied, and our brethren the Inveran are displeased with us for seizing what opportunity we could. Therefore, if our two nations could strengthen our trade, it would calm our troubled minds much.[/ic]

 [ic=To the Machta]
Sea Brother,
Our place in the waves is troubling. Your people and mine were threatening blows and turning on another. And now we are in a strange spot indeed. Your people are now members of those Protecting of the League, for our service in their war. We must, the Captains believe, resolve our differences, if our boat is to stay afloat. Let our grievances be laid out. We were cross with you. You had insulted and pirated our friends in Otavhy and Avardera. We meant to keep you on land until you had "learned your lesson". That was prideful of us, and insulting of you. It would appear our main opposition is that of rudeness. Let us both, then, extend each other a civil hand, and resolve these matters.
[/ic]

 [ic=To Bharundalman IV, Prince of Murrhat]
The Free Captains greet you, great one. We are a people of traders and merchants, we a desire to see and learn of all the wonders of the world. We ask of you right to trade, and be traded with, in any city of yours along the river. We shall seek for your highness that which is hard to find in your lands, and shall trade that which is common or rare for rarity in ours.
The Free Captains.[/ic]

 [ic=To the Prince Regent of Jemna]
Milord, we ask that you rethink your actions toward our people in our shameful ejection from Beitar. We are traders known throughout the known world. If we were to turn our eyes of anger on you, you would be soon scorched. On the other side, our hands bear treasures little known in your realms, and surely treasure is better than displeasure?[/ic]

[Wensleydale]

[ic=The Machta to the League]My people need no more enemies than they already have. It is agreed.[/ic]

[Polycarp]

[ic=King Rodonso to the League]As ever, your people are welcome here, and we are happy to strengthen trade relationships for our mutual prosperity - though know that we too have noticed your people's proclivity for "seizing what opportunity you can," and we will remain wary of any attempt to deceive us.  As our relationship with Inveran should demonstrate, we do not readily forget when we are wronged.[/ic]
[ic=Sarar Arridum, Princely Cupbearer of Murrhat, to the Free Captains]By longstanding policy, His Majesty rejects your proposal.  Foreigners are permitted to trade in the city of Murrhat alone, on penalty of forfeiture of their cargo and vessels.  While we welcome the business of foreigners, we must demand that you obey our law like all foreigners.[/ic]
[ic=Prince-Regent Horain of Jemna to the Free Captains]You aid my enemies in capturing my land and slaying my people, occupy my city for generations, profit off our great land, and now seek to bribe me with foreign trinkets?  You engage in this shamelessness and presume to call me shameful!  You should count yourselves lucky that I let your band of leeches and thieves leave my city with their lives, and never return to our shores.

It is you that should be paying tribute to me, for the wrongs you have done to my land and the treasure you have stolen from it.  Perhaps if you show proper remorse and pay proper recompense I will consider readmitting your merchants - as for their property, I consider it to have been mine all along.[/ic]

[Stargate525]

[ic=Gregor to Otahvy]
Dual Kings,

We know that forcing us out is something that you could do. But there is a difference between that and us voluntarily pulling out, do you see? Should we be forced out, well we are a stubborn people, and the merchants are not always under my control...[/ic]

[Wensleydale]

[ic=The Machta to Otahvy]For this island, I would require any military aid you can spare in the war that will soon occur. Other than that, I merely wish you to keep harassing, damaging, and looting Inveranian shipping.[/ic]

[Stargate525]

[ooc]FINAL ORDERS

* Work on ways to stabilize and make the War Galleys more seaworthy.
* Experiment with added sails, to better harness the power of the wind.

* lightly arm and train volunteering citizens into militias.
* Allow taxes to be paid by manual labor in lieu of good or other valuables. This labor shall go into the construction of large granaries in which to store food. Should this prove effective, this policy shall continue to service as Inveran's method of mass labor.
* Construct walls around Inveran (the capital, not the whole nation)
* Integrate the use of chariots (for personal transportation) and carts (for goods) throughout Inveran. Train Inveran craftsmen to construct these devices.
* Breed Horses.

[/ooc]

[amikaligula]

[ic=The Strava to King Maes V]Stravam has not wronged you in the past, wise leader.  As such, it makes no sense that we should pay reperations to your people.  If you seek this, it is the Ryvan-Holme whom you should contact, as it was they who sent their warriors after you.  I feel that this is probably a futile effort, but do as you will.

That said, I accept your attempts to bridge your people and Andos as acts of goodwill, but I feel this may be under msitaken pretenses.  My first messenger conveyed my words incorrectly, I fear, so I have no idea what damage has been done, but I will attempt to correct as much as I can.

I look most willingly towards the prospect of aiding your lands in the defense against the Demons, should that be neccesary.  However, Stravam cares little for trade.  You seem to think that this is what we are after.  On the contrary, this is what you are after, I believe.

Piracy is in violation of the Word of O Glorious Rylodyn, and as such, shall be combatted by us whenever and wherever we are able.  The purpose of the outpost is to extend where we are able to combat this, and, by extension, where we are able to abide by the Word of O Glorious Rylodyn.

I do not think it would beseech  my cause to demand that the entire outpost be held under the Wordof O Glorious Rylodyne, but I DO demand that the keep which Stravam controls is held by the Word.  For the Word is what sets us apart from our brethren who made war on you.  We will of course defend the entire outpost, but I simply cannot send my Ryvalnya to a place where there laws do not apply, for the Word is in their very hearts, so they always apply.  At your insistance, I will simply have the stall on it when they are not in their keep.

And as to the copper trading.  Once again, this is not a reperation on our part.  Not only are we innocent of harming you or your people, we are they who met out justice on behalf of your people.  We do not expect compensation for this, for justice is its own compensation.  However, we do not which to pay the price for the crimes of our kin, for that is not justice.  I feel that the only way to asure this is for you to take measures within your own people to assure that this does not become the case.  Our weapons will be used to defend your lands, after all.  I will leave you to do this in your own way, but it is my strongest hope that you do do this.

And as a final reminder, it is to the Strava that you address.[/ic]