Kaeirean writeup for 1448: Action 1-2: Basiluddin's cooperation with Saltrim Conclave Masgrix Ollnor, a captain of the Tal Legion followed his commander at a brisk pace in the chilly early Saltrimi morning. A native son of the highlands to the north of Saltrim, the events that had brought him from the temperate islands of the Republic to southern Taltherani highlands were indeed amazing, he thought to himself. Now he was accompanying the legendary Lord Basilludin, hero and founder of the first Republic, now Commander of the Tal Legion, who had secured an anti-royalist stronghold for Taltheran in two lightning maneuvers. First, by leading the Tal Legion on a lightning forced march from Kaeirean Tirmaeir to Saltrim, and secondly, by annexing the southernmost regions of Taltheran on behalf of the Saltrim Conclave in a matter of months. Now, Masgrix thought to himself, we southerners will be something the effete royalists in the capital Tal would have to reckon with. “Soon…”, he muttered to himself, “a second republic.” Basiluddin halted momentarily, turning to look at his one of his senior captains and said, “Captain Masgrix, I understand your sentiment and share your desire. However, these things cannot be discussed publically yet, as there is not even a clear Republican faction yet in Taltheran. The Conclave certainly has such tendencies, but they must be carefully and slowly pushed in that direction, so that they grasp these true political ideals as their own and so that like-minded individuals and groups in Taltheran join them as well. I rely on you for your ability a soldier and commander, and your understanding of the Saltrimi. Watch and listen to all things in this meeting, and say nothing til we have returned to privacy.” Masgrix bowed his head in embarrassed, “Certainly Lord Basiluddin.” Basiluddin added as he started walking again, “Do not be ashamed of your ideals Masgrix, but instead practice self-control and channel your energy into achieving them. I must also warn you, there will be a delegation from the Wizards’ Guild. I know you share my strong feelings on the ban on sorcery, being both a republican patriot and a Millati believer, but we must use what advantages He Who Is One grants us in times of need and war.” At this, Masgrix started. “Damnable sorcerers, here? In Saltrim? They have always kept to the Tal basin, disdaining southerners for being apparently uncouth and barbaric”, he spat, “but I understand your point clearly Commander, we must accept what He Who Is One grants us and use it to benefit the truth. Though I still wonder why these soothsayers have come to the South….” Basiluddin laughed, “Indeed, a good point my boy. They assuredly have some benefit they seek to gain by coming to Saltrim. We though, must make sure their benefit does not injure us, whilst still gaining benefit ourselves from the relationship.” Finally coming to a complete stop before a pair of great doors, he whispered, “but before that we must meet with these foolish Conclavers behind these doors, and convince them that my actions were theirs and my ideas theirs. As well as teaching them how to be good Republicans without them realizing.” Action 3: Millat Shanari The Millat (the Path) continues to make only the mildest of advances. The proximity of the Great Tower of the South makes for greater success in New Tirmaeir, with a good number of conversions. However, almost no success is realised in cosmopolitan Port Kaeir, especially with thousands of Millati adherents in the Guard now based in Crownsbane Keep, and many thousands more gone north as part of the Tal Legion. In Crownsbane Keep, the local indigenous populace reacts negatively, though this is largely due to the fact that the dominant religion amongst the military is the Millat, whom the local populace still resents because of the changes the fortress has made to the region. Action 4: Panchayyah Trade Captain Talaan bowed as he entered Captain Huatl’s office, the door built low in the local Panchayyah custom. Saluting as he straightened, he realised that his report would be directed not just to Captain Huatl but to the Lord Panchayyah, the Republic’s strongest ally on the Rimriver and paramount ruler of the Panchayyah tribal nation. The Captain and the Lord Panchayyah were both seated on cushioned carpets, also in the local style though with refined Kaeirean modifications and sophisticated materials. “Talaan, sit with us and tell us of your mission”, Captain Huatl, First Captain of the Colonial Triumvirate of Rimrivertown, said motioning to an empty cushion. “Certainly, Huatl, but where is Captain Rigska?”, Talaan asked as he made himself comfortable, should not this be discussed amongst the full triumvirate?” “Rigska had to return to Port Kaeir. An update to home was long overdue, and we had not expected you back so soon, or with such success. Furthermore, I suspect that Rigska misses the weird companionship of the Information Secretariat, there are far too many honest and direct men here on the Rimriver. He might have been worried it was humanising him!” Even the Lord Panchayyah laughed at this, having become very familiar with the detached ways of the Information Secretariat Captain, Rigska. Talaan then took a serious posture, and begin his report. “The mission has been a success, Captain Huatl and Lord Panchayyah. Finally, the Ban Horroth accepted our trade mission, and we met with what I can only call their trade officials. Thankfully, they were able to speak enough of a eastern Rimriver dialect that our Panchayyah guides understood to allow for meaningful discussion, he added, nodding his respect to the Lord Panchayyah. “Over the space of a week, both our sides examined what trade items we could offer and were offered. Finally we came to an agreement as to what would be acceptable, and on the part of the Ban Horroth, what they would permit us to bring. From this I understand they are still wary of outsiders – they have a hostile attitude towards the Avaeran and Rimriver tribes that directly border their land. Thanks be to He Who Is One that all our guides were from our Panchayyah allies, thus no offence was given. At the same time, I was taken on a tour of their capital, a modest town of reasonable population. It is in all essence a highly defended mountain citadel, a considerable portion of which is underground. It would be safe to say that much of its fortifications outdo those of Port Kaeir. This also suggests an unsettling past suffered by the Ban Horroth, but also suggests opportunities for trade on ours. Their arts are well developed, and they make fine, weird jewellery. They also have a highly developed mining industry it seems, for precious metals and gems are abundant. It is with this that they have paid for most of the trade. However, intense industry save in weaponry is lacking. This is clearly something we can exploit in future trade. We can also provide technical training in improving their present industries and technologies, and I suspect the Ban Horroth know this to, for their most technical questions focused on the differences between our weaponry and armour and theirs. Lastly, I suggest we establish a permanent diplomatic and commercial mission there, to build on and develop this new relationship and to further open up opportunities for trade. It is a pity that Rigska is away, otherwise I would suggest he go immediately to fill this capacity, though perhaps on his return he will bring more Information Secretariat agents who could likewise do so. Finally, my summary. Our success has created great and strong new trade benefits for Kaeir and the Panchayyah, which will be and as I speak, highly profitable. There is also great potential for establishing a long and lasting political friendship with these strange folk, for I imagine they are lacking in friends, given their highly developed state of defence. Technical and intellectual assistance in that capacity would allow us to develop them into a good and strong friend. And the round trip to the Citadel takes 3 months, so I suggest 8 trade caravans a year to begin with.” ================================ Confidentiality Statement and Disclaimer ================================ This message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and contains information that is privileged and confidential. If you, the reader of this message, are not the intended recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this communication. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by return email and delete the original message. Thank you. ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send mail to celandra-off@phoenyx.net.
