[Forum Game] The World at Dawn!

[Polycarp]

[ic=Grand Archon Oldam to Dragonlord Gregor]Very well, utilize our ports if you wish, but the Archons see no need for any formal relationship between us at this time.[/ic]
[ic=Tuvan Jalul to Gregor]I have neither spare arms nor "wages," a concept I am unfamiliar with.  If you are not interested in hosting my men, then you will have to do the job yourself and hope that, if you are attacked, there will be enough time for my warriors to reach you.[/ic]
[ic=Lord Arus of Ilneress to the Machta Talor]I am not unreasonable by nature and will accept your suzerainty if you recognize my authority in Ilneress.  Your restless Invernessi subjects will find your rulership much more palatable under a native ruler rather than a foreign overlord.[/ic]

[Wensleydale]

[ic=The Emperor/Machta to Lord Arus]This is acceptable to me. I seek friends, not enemies, and you may continue to govern as my vassal.[/ic]

[Stargate525]

[ic=Gregor to the Grand Archon]
Thank you for your hospitality.
[/ic]

[ic=Gregor to Tuvan Jalul]
Wages. It is what we call that which our men receive in exchange for their service. Do you not have a similar system, or is your military not compensated for their labors, as common workers are?

Have you knowledge of an enemy that Numenas has? As you well know, Numenas is new to this land, and It would not do to give offense from ignorance.

Surely, you must understand our position of not wishing foreign soldiers in our city. Although we know your trustworthiness and friendship, we recognize that should your soldiers be less trustworthy than yourself, we would have no power to chastise them. We recognize and appreciate, however, your desire to protect your ally, so we propose the following agreement.

We shall construct a fortress for your men, outside the limits of our city, so that they may do their duty towards our protection. To defer these costs in part, and to further our friendship, we would desire a similar structure to be built outside of your capital, to house some of our soldiers, merchants, and priests. Surely this is a fair offer?[/ic]

[ic=Gregor to The Machta-In Emperor]
We are pleased at your wise judgement, Emperor. We must ask to be certain, however, that we are not mistaken. This agreement applies also to Kuregn, your other kingdom? We ask to avoid tragic mistakes, and to assure ourselves that the straights are indeed open to our merchants.

There is also the small matter of the hostage. Numenas, although Invernessi in origin, has adopted the local custom of a hostage exchange, to ensure that the participants in agreements remain friends. In honor of this custom, the bearer of this letter is my nephew, and your hostage. In return, we ask for a similar member of your nobility, to ensure continued mutual friendship.
[/ic]

[ic=Gregor to Auriban, Balan, Atamn, and Tescha]
Greetings to you, nations of the Snake River,

We humble merchants of the snake are no doubt common in your cities along this marvelous river. But we have discovered a problem, esteemed rulers, in that our merchants pine for their homeland of Numenas, they long to worship and to take part of their own culture, to hear the music and dance of Numenas again. This makes them inattentive and drunk with homesickness, liable to make deals poorly to such friends as you!

We, therefore, humbly request that you allow us to build two buildings, at our own cost, in your cities. The first would be a temple to the Dragon Saints, so our merchants and traders can worship in a familiar locale. The second is a theater, open to all, so that our performers and entertainers may circuit between these cities, bringing joy to our merchants, foreign curiosity to your citizens, and gold to your coffers.

Recognizing the difficulty and reluctance you, no doubt, have in allocating us land to build these buildings in your cities, this messenger has with him a chest of silver ingots for your coffers, a foretaste of the torrent that will come. He also bears a silver and emerald necklace, to appease your wife for allowing us to pull you away from her. Thirdly, we give you an agreement of reduced tariffs for our lands, should your merchants travel to our city.

Your brother on the river,
Gregor II
[/ic]

[ic=Conversation heard on the streets of Numenas]
"Have you heard of the new proclamation?"

"Indeed I have. Tearing down old slums, building parks and gardens, I've heard he's even putting in a temple for the Dragon Saints, larger than even the one in Inveran!"

"Well yes... But I was referring more to the wall. Thirty feet tall, they say it will be, and half that again as wide! Not to mention the outer ditch and harbor fortress. Numenas will be impenetrable!"

"And a gem along the Snake, don't forget that."

"Well yes, of course, but where will he be getting the money for this? I mean Numenas' coffers are not that deep."

"I hear he is making an account of all those within the city, to better collect taxes. Not to mention the merchant entry fee and the great market. It will be a heavy burden, I think."

"Indeed. But it will be worth it."
[/ic]

[amikaligula]

[ic=The Ryvan-Holme to the Sorghedai]Fourteen Chirubyan specially trained in the customs and stories of the Sorghedai are dispatched
Glory to you in your recent victories over the wicked Auri.  May the fortune of your ancestors smile upon you, as they surely will, for you fight for them and their honor as we know well.  So too do we.  However, to our sorrow, the Auri and their twisted bedfellows, and your new neighbors, the Avarderans, have  summoned monstrous Demons from the Lands of the Dead in the west. No doubt they learned such evil spells from the Auri.  Even as we speak, the Demons ravage Andos and desecrate our ancestor's lands as we rally ourselves to make the Final Purification by sanctifying our land with their blood.  However, as we prepare for the final plunge and take heart in your victory, the victories of your ancestors as you have taught us, and our own ancestors' victories, we have less and less time to grow food for ourselves and more and more need for fine weapons.  We understand your need for these as well as you defeat the Auri.  But we still must ask if there is any aid you deem our ancestors as worthy of receiving.  We will appreciate whatever aid you could otherwise give us as well.  Whether that be by giving us any spells to counter the Auri's magic that you might by chance know of or by, for the Ryvan-Holme is very keen on this, having heard of your military prowess, willing to let us hire out a leader of fighters to advise us on how to fight more effectively.

We come willing to accept whatever answer you have for us.  regardless of what answer that may be, we wish to renew and foster the friendship between our people's ancestors and commend you on your victory over the Auri.  And if nothing else, be warned that Demons are on the prowl.

The Chirubyan will commence to compose epic ballads of the victories of the Sorghedai's ancestors if they so wish it and will try to bolster their spirits in any way they can imagine and see fit.[/ic][ic=The Ryvan-Holme to the Ivruskan]Be warned that Demons from the Land of the Dead in the west have been summoned against us and the other people of the north, such as yourself, by the mad and wicked southerners, the Avarderans and their allies, the equally mad and twice as wicked Auri of the south.  We will appreciate whatever aid you can give us, oh wise treekeepers, especially in the way of weapons, weapon making materials and food to aid us in vanquishing these evil minions of madness.

As always, we keep the tree and the tree keeps us,
and we wish the tree keeps you as well and that all may be well for you and your people
--The Ryvan-Holme[/ic]

[ic=Edicts of the Strava]Be it known that I am most unsatisfied with the cohesiveness of our past battles and blame our past defeats on this unsatisfactory state of affairs.  To remedy this, I call that all able bodied men are to enlist in the military under the command of Stravam, as has been agreed upon by all of the Vrenas of the Ryvan-Holme, until this conflict against the Demons has passed.  Furthermore, to further the cohesiveness of our forces, each man in my service will draw lots in their assignment and location so that they no longer are only fighting next to motherkin, for, as Andosens, we are all motherkin under the Greatmother, O Glorious Rylodyn.  As such we must learn to fight together more effectively, all of us.  While I do not require it of sister warriors, as I do indeed understand your blood ties to the land, I will be most happy if you join my command.  If you do so, I will grant you the title of Ryvlavak, "O Glorious Rylodyn's guardians of the Land" in Stravam and amongst the Ryvalnya.[/ic]
[ic=Of Krynam]Be it known that after the Demons attacked Grycham, the Stawaryd's opted to move with what possessions they could to Krynam.  There they soon made some cunning if not brilliant business deals and soon made a name for themselves as excellent smiths and financiers.  The youngest Stawaryd, Alnath, was a great politician and man of words, too.  So it was that he earned his family the alliance of the local defenders, a rather stoic group consisting mainly of orphans from Stravam who had survived to make it to Krynam and revered Rylodyn and tradition who called themselves the ominous "wytch-hunters". By financing the reconstruction and a much needed expansion of the city's defenses right before an attack, he became a local hero and nominal commander of the wytch-hunters.[/ic]

[Polycarp]

[ic=Tuvan Jalul to Gregor]My warriors serve my ancestors because I am their leader, and because I am a fair-minded divider of wealth.

If it is wealth you are asking for, my ancestors must decline; it is, after all, the acquisition of wealth that compels me to support your independence in the first place, not the desire to spend it.  Indeed, it is you who bring the wealth of the west to these lands - surely there is nothing you cannot afford that I will be able to.  Of course, others may desire to control your wealth and mine, and it is for that reason that my ancestors caution you against enemies.

A fortress is an acceptable idea; though we seldom build such things, it might be useful should a war erupt.  You will find, however, that "my capital" is wherever my tent happens to be located, and you will not have much success in locating a fortress near it.  I will give you license, however, to build such an outpost where you choose in my land, so long as I may levy tariffs upon any merchants that use it.[/ic]
[ic=King Ghaurzol of Atamn, kindred of the Agah, to Gregor]I thank you for your most appropriate gifts.  As your ancestors were allies of the Auri, I hereby grant you the land as needed for your enumerated purposes.

My cousin, the Agah, is indisposed, but informs me that he will defer to my judgement in this matter, and you may thus extend this acceptance to all of Ar-Auriban upon the mighty Serpent.

Please accept this four-horse parade chariot, made by the best craftsmen of my city and crafted from the fine woods of the Tower, as well as these four prized white stallions sent to me from the Agah's herd.[/ic]
[ic=Raschenta Teshaeen II, Tender of the Hearth, to Gregor]Your proposal is rejected.  Such privileges are not afforded to foreigners.[/ic]
[ic=King Abadek of Balan to Gregor]I accept your proposal, but will be watchful as always for the subterfuge of foreigners.[/ic]

[ic=To the Ryvan-Holme]
I am a messenger sent on the authority of the Great Circle of the Sorghedai.  These are their words, listen and understand:

Know that Eghke, Beshwur of the Ghehesh, has gone to his ancestors this past summer.  It is he who vouched for you at the Circle, on whose honor you were trusted - and remain so.  It is with knowledge of this that we see fit to inform you of his death.
Know that the Circle saw no way to fulfill your requests, for we keep no great stores of food and possess only the weapons we need.
Know that, as the Circle despaired of aiding you, we were approached by Gerubede, renowned warrior of the Ghehesh and son of Eghke, and that he offered to cross the Waters in your service for the honor and memory of his father and the glory of his ancestors.
Know that, seeing and hearing his resolve and worthiness, the Circle has accepted his request, and will permit him to leave his country with whatever retainers he chooses in order to give you aid.  He is ordered to return once he believes his ancestors have been suitably honored by this task.[/ic]
[ic=Ivran Kennaht to Andos]Your words are strange to us, as we have not seen or heard of these people.  All know that the land of the dead lies to the far north, where nothing grows.  Nevertheless, we will invoke the gods of the forest to your aid with our most venerable sorcerers.  All the Ivran will be informed of your request and may give you material aid as they see fit.[/ic]

[Stargate525]

[ic=Tuvan Jalul to Gregor]
Tariffs are, of course, your right as king and ruler. As to your method of payment, am I correct in reading that each of your men are promised a percentage of the plunder from their actions? If that is so, Lord Jalul, it is possible that our method might be of some consideration.

Amongst our people, each of our men signs an agreement stating beforehand what is to be given them, to the satisfaction of both parties. While this costs us some wealth in interims of peace, this also gives the men equal drive to go on missions of little potential wealth, but of great strategic importance. Of course, I would not meddle in your affairs, or presume to know better how to rule your people. I merely offer it in good faith, and as a point of information from one ruler to another.

Accompanying this message should be a team of architects. If you will allow, they shall follow your camp to determine the best site for construction of the fortress. If you wish, they can show you the designs for roads and wells, as well as smaller, permanent encampments that can be left and occupied as the need requires. If these are to your liking and if you so desire, we would be happy to construct them for you, our ally.
[/ic]  
[ic=Orders to the architects]
Survey the land. map it as best you can, and place the fortress on a site that is both easily defensible, suitable for farming, and well traveled by the people of Tuvan Jalul.
[/ic]  
[ic=To King Ghaurzol of Atamn, From Dragonlord Gregor II]
What a marvelous gift! Numenor humbly thanks you for such a magnanimous acceptance of our modest proposal, as well as these four handsome horses and the beautiful chariot.

Our architects are on the way behind this message; the temple and theater shall be finished with all haste in the two cities.
[/ic]  
[ic=To King Abadek from Gregor II]
Numenor thanks you for allowing his modest proposal. We ask, however, that you bring accusations of this subterfuge to us before dispensing justice. We see no reason to interfere in your affairs, but we have discovered that many issues are but cultural misunderstandings, and can be easily remedied. We would not wish accidents and ignorance to fester and rot our relations.
[/ic]  
[ic=Gregor II to King Abadek]
Numenor is grieved by your rejection of our proposal. We understand your reluctance, and sincerely wish that this will not inhibit our relations.

If you have a proposal similar to the one presented to you, that would be more acceptable, we ask that you declare it, so that our relations may yet flourish.
[/ic]

[Polycarp]

[ic=Tuvan Jalul to Gregor]Without a share, one wonders how your warriors are inspired to raid the enemy.  It would also be profoundly disrespectful to their ancestors to pay them for bearing arms, as if they were common mercenaries.  That is not the way of my people.

I am grateful for the assistance of your artisans, and will see to it that they are returned to you safely.[/ic]

[Stargate525]

[ic=Gregor to Tuvan Jalul]
Our warriors raid the enemy by knowing that when they come home, they will still have a stable source of income, and be able to live well during peace. And I feel I must point out that you are paying your men as well, though not in such concrete terms. For isn't payment merely an exchange of valuables for services rendered, and is not that what the treasure division is?
[/ic]

[Polycarp]

[ic=Tuvan Jalul to Gregor]I am their leader, not their paymaster.  It is the difference between comrades and hirelings.  My retainers expect to share in my victories and strive the harder for them.  They do not serve me for pay; they serve me out of loyalty and honor.

I do not criticize your foreign ways, strange though they are.  You need not question mine.  It would be shameful for me to pay my retainers, as if they were mercenaries or prostitutes.[/ic]

[Stargate525]

[ic=Gregor to Tuvan Jalul]
Of course, we meant no offense.
[/ic]

[Stargate525]

[ic=Dragonlord Gregor to Xukhia]
Greetings,

The people of Numenor have always been a wandering people, eager to see that which is beyond our borders. To this end, we humbly ask that you allow a caravan of men to proceed through your territory into the far east, to satiate this need for discovery. Should we discover people from that region willing to trade, we shall, with your permission, open commerce, from which we both will benefit.
[/ic]

[amikaligula]

[ic=Vrena Cyrabyn to the warrior Gerubede, son of Eghke]Glory to your ancestors, noble warrior.  This message is to inform you that it is I who will be accepting you into her House.  It is in Krynam and is known as Hylichra-Syne-Odybyne.  Should it be neccesary, just remember that phrase and you will directed there.  The Ryvan-Holme has also procured for you, at great expense, a Grychgayte galley as a gift to your ancestors.  It will, of course, be for your own personal use.  You will also have the use of my Geethouse's personal dock in Krynam.

As to Tongues:  I hope that the ship's crew I have provided are suitable in their use of the Tongue of your ancestors, but, frankly, they where chosen for their sailing skills rather than the skill in Tongues.  This will serve you better in the long run, I feel, as the crew will better serve you in sailing and will, hopefully, expediate your acquisition of our Tongue of trade, Klyral.
However, Vyvyan, our ancestor's Tongue, brings a curse on any who speak it off of Andos.  Indeed, we fear it may curse those who speak it who are not of our ancestor's Blood, for this has never been done before.  It is, however, used by most in Andos, and, as such, you may be taught to comprehend it, if only to know our warriors better, but you must make sure to know the difference between our Tongues and be ever so wary of speaking Vyvyan.  "A cursed commnader is worse than no commander at all."

Of the trip:  You are, no doubt, already on the move through your people's newly acquired lands.  I have set a meeting point near the foot hills closer to our territory as you approach Lost Arrania.  A Chirubyan has pointed out to me that you may never have traveled via ship.  As a hopeful remedy to that, orders have been sent that a full half of the Chirubyan in your company now are to accompany you.  You may choose from them as you like.[/ic]

[AllWillFall2Me]

[ic=The Captain's Meet]
"So much change, so fast."

"Change can be good, brother. We have lost some, gained more, and seen the shifts of tides unknown." Okar's voice was always one of reason on the council these days, for even though the old man had been driven from his home port of Norpost when it was destroyed,he had never given up hope. Even now, when some at the table regarded him as a relic of a bygone age, he could command attention.

"These new ways of treating Mother Earth have shown us that we need not solely rely on the bounty of Father Sea's whim to survive. These new ports offer new ideas, and new wares to sell."

"But to be driven from the middle sea..."

"Perhaps we were not driven, brother. Consider. When you were a small child, no doubt you swam in the shallows along the coast. But, when you were older, you could not. The comforting, familiar home had become unsatisfying, and it was now difficult to move in. So had the Middle sea been to us. It started our journey, but now we must step out to the depths if we wish to swim."
[/ic]

 [ic]The Captain of Vanmouth, the League settlement between the Vandire and the sea, begins implementing the styles of agriculture he has seen on Whale Island.
 The Captain of Hartport, Okar the Wise, begins exploring the possibility of expanding the city, and the league's holdings, into the unclaimed area around. Especially seeking to join Vanmouth and Hartport. [/ic]

[Stargate525]

[ic=Dragonlord Gregor to Illneress]
What I mean, dragon-brother, is to maintain the thriving trade empire that Inveran once held. We have begun our work in the east, and no doubt you will ply your ships to the west. We need but link our route together, and see prosperity to rival that of Inveran in her glory years.

For this, we need only to sign an alliance. I also suggest that we trade with one another, and not just pass along trade goods. Our people long for the fish of the middle sea, and no doubt your granaries would benefit from Numenor grains.[/ic]

[Haphazzard]

[ic=Public Announcment]
"Congratulations people of Egwydor.  Your new councilors are as follows:
The Councilor of Fire is Livio
The Councilor of Water is Hinrik
The Councilor of Air is Idwal
The Councilor of Earth is Howel"
[/ic]

[ic=Message To Celend, The Auri, and The League]
Dear great people of the east,

We of Egwydor believe that our great people could benefit from each other.  Here is merely a sample of what we have to offer you.  We present you with this gift as a token of our friendship.  We ask, along for your hand in friendship, that you please allow our merchants to trade with nations further up your river.

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

[ooc]
Along with these messages samplings of copper, gold, malachite, and other goods will be sent.  The messenger will present an ornamental dagger with a polished malachite stone in the pommel as a gift to each leader.
[/ooc]