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Post by missmilkmaid on Nov 18, 2014 8:33:08 GMT
Shortly after the tournament, Queen Chello, together with ranking members of the Elonese merchant's guild and several diplomats and lawyers from the Christallo court took a journey to New Byrnis. She intended to try an advance Elon's commerce by establishing a working relationship with the merchant giuld-masters in the North's capitol, as well as see about procuring resources from Surveak, in order to help advance Elon's development and growth.
With her, the queen brought Evo Darnell, a young lawyer who had already done good work for her by traveling south to Surveak in order to seek out architects and to advance his research in law with southern scholars.
Captain Rider, head of the Merchant's Guild and his partner Sir Rickyn Gareli were here as well, along with Ishui Veliu, who was finishing up her final project in Elon and would soon be returning to New Byrnis for good. Chello had taken quite a liking to the architect, appreciating her good sense, sharp mind and ambition. It was nice to deal with other women of power, in a world dominated by males and it created a sense of comradeship.
The Elonese ship sailed into the harbor on a brisk autumn wind and Chello pulled on a warm cloak, even though the temperature wasn't very chill. She'd never liked traveling and the rough seas had left her feeling rather weak and ill.
It was a relief to finally see the dry land and towering city of her destination and she smiled slightly to Veliu, who was standing at her side by the rail. "It is quite magnificent, for a northern city," she said, "Reminds of several cities down in the Empire, though it still maintains a northern touch. I suppose much of this is thanks to you and you skill in architecture. This is a dawn of a new age, Veliu, and your hands are shaping it, leaving their marks as visibly as a potter's fingerprints on a clay pot."
"Thank you," Veliu said, pushing some dark hair out of her face, as she too pulled on a cloak, "But there are many potters working in the clay of this future. These are exciting times to live in, Chello. Are you ready?"
"I am," Chello pulled on her gloves and made her way down into the city with the rest of her party.
They were staying in Veliu's house, a fine manner, which the Byrnian had been happy to make available to them. Taking a day to recover from the long journey, Chello since word of her arrival to the New Byrnis merchant's Guild-master, as well as to the Vizier. Through her primary business was with the merchants, she intended to visit Ishui Seldu, before she returned home and hopefully discuss a few matters with him, as well as pay him a polite social visit.
In her message to the Guild-master, Chello requested a meeting with her for the following day at the Guild Hall. When she arrived, Chello was dressed in the fashion of Arkhare nobility, with a Khaitis headscarf, of umber brown and a forest green dress with draping sleeves, a low waist and embroidered motifs of vines, and stylized suns in gold and brown. Over this she had warm brown cloak and brown leather gloves, lined with fur.
Evo Darnell, Captain Ryder and Rickyn Gareli were with her and they all arrived promptly for the meeting.
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Post by aspenivan on Dec 15, 2014 4:14:54 GMT
Ever since she had visited the Architect's Guild, the more important merchants of New Byrnis had been waiting eagerly for an audience of their own. When the letter finally arrived, the response was both prompt and thorough. The meeting would take place the morning after Chello arrived in New Byrnis, and almost every notable member of the Merchants' Guild would be there.
The Guild Hall was, needless to say, magnificent. Though it lacked the sheer size and grandeur of the Palace, it rivaled it in artistic atmosphere. The design was long and tall, with a high vaulted ceiling and a sharp triangular roof in the Northern style. Remarkably elaborate statues of birds and flowers filled the intersection between roof and wall on the outside, and columns on the inside. The stone walls were also lined at regular intervals with stained glass windows depicting scenes from the Raegarnam and, more curiously, well-known tales of adventurers (among them Selman Reyid). But the largest and tallest window, at the very back of the building, was reserved for the stories of a singular character, the Great Merchant-Lord Pekhai Sujjid. He had amassed the greatest fortune of any Survaekom of all time, with the possible exception of the Emperors, and he had pioneered endeavors such as commerce with the Firetooth and trade posts along the Northern coasts before the Conquest had even begun. Of course, his most famous episode was from his younger years, the Defection of Arkhaer, where Pekhai rallied the cityborn notables and many horseborn relatives to pledge fealty to Emperor Waentaer the Fearsome as his troops crossed into Southern Tribal territory. Though his reputation thereafter was not always heroic, his service to the Sword of Aed and the countless deaths of war he helped to avoid would be remembered fondly.
When Queen Chello Christallo entered the Guild Hall, she found it almost entirely filled with eager merchants in rich robes of every color imaginable (except pure bright red, which was a privilege of the clergy alone according to Southern customs). They sat at a very long table which practically filled the entire hall, at the head of which sat a woman in garb so rich and splendid she looked like a queen. A tall brown hat with a golden sun in the middle, with two especially long beams going up and down from the center. A headscarf of gold-studded orange that flowed far below her shoulders as if it were her hair. Robes of dark green embroidered in golden sun imagery and marked at a few points with the Sujjid family crest, an artistic representation of wind in orange atop a green background. And a wide, solid piece around her neck and extending to her sternum and shoulders, colored brown and studded with diamonds. It was an eclectic mix, typical of her family.
"Greetings, noble Queen Chello Yusra." It seemed that Selman Reyid wasn't alone in his insistence on referring to her by her Southern Tribal name. "It has been quite a while since we last met." Adjuran Sujjid's face was that of a woman a few years younger than Chello, but with a much wider form and more "healthy" brown skin as opposed to the Queen's "sickly" pale. If she had been standing, she would have made for an impressively tall figure, but she had chosen not to push her implicit claims to royalty too far. As cityborn Arkhaerite nobles, the two had been raised in the same aristocratic circles as children, attending the same dinner-parties and local tournaments and weddings and funerals. Neither was especially fond of horseback riding or outside rough-housing, and both developed a keen mind for administration, though Adjuran had the benefit of more intensive training in law and mathematics with more expensive tutors. It had made a solemn mark on the city's aristocracy when Adjuran had left for the North at a mere sixteen years of age as Pekhai's chosen manager (and eventual "heir") of his Northern assets, though the girl's assignment was hardly surprising given her undisputable mental energy and sharp mind. And now she found herself with another "exile" from Arkhaer to the North.
"Please sit down and honor us with your audience, your Highness." She offered a wry half-smile to her less-splendidly dressed and less regal-looking counterpart. Adjuran had never been known as unusually mean or jealous, but from an early age developed a reputation for snark. She hoped Chello wouldn't take it the wrong way.
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Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 15, 2014 5:02:09 GMT
Chello returned the wry smile and greeted Adjuran Sujjid with all courtly grace, "The honor is mine, Giuld-master Sujjid. Your hall is quite magnificent and I have heard only good things on the reputation and skills of all the masters present. And it is of course a pleasure to meet you once again, old friend. The years have been most kind to you."
Growing up in Arkhaer, Chello had always envied Adjuran's beauty and wealth. The younger noblewoman was given opportunities and respect that Chello never had, but still Chello had admired her. Here in the north, Adjuran still had more beauty and wealth, but Chello was a queen and even if her husband was only the king of a poor northern vassal nation, it was a tittle of power that Adjuran did not have. It put her on more even footing with Adjuran than she'd had at home. Chello couldn't help but enjoy the authority she'd attained and the confidence showed in her posture and speech.
"This is Captain Darian Rider, head of the Elonese merchant's guild and his partner Sir Rickryn Gareli and finally Evo Darnell, who will be serving as my secretary and scribe."
They all bowed as they were introduced and then followed Chello to the seats provided for them. Evo got out a case of papers and parchments, as well as a pen and ink.
"As you all know," Chello began, once she was seated, "I represent Elonese interests and my nation is eager to expand its commercial horizons, through trade, resources and relations with the New Byrnis merchant masters."
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Post by aspenivan on Dec 15, 2014 6:09:13 GMT
"This is excellent news," Adjuran replied earnestly, allowing her smile to grow full. She turned to face the Queen's companions and grinned. "And I hope you understand that the offer to sit applies to you as well, honored guest-retainers. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." She then allowed a minute the other merchants to offer their greetings and welcomes to the Elonese. Once they had finished and everyone was seated, she fixed her gaze on Chello Yusra.
"Now, good Queen, we are all eager to hear your proposals. Please enlighten us as to what we can do to further our mutual interests."
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Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 15, 2014 6:33:38 GMT
Chello smiled and folded her long elegant hands before her on the table. "As you know, Elon sits on the edge of the western frontier and is rapidly expanding into nearly unlimited space. We sit at the mouth of the Ryn River, on which trade and commerce is growing and our lands are rich and fertile. In other words, while Elon may seem small at the moment, her prospects our bright and she sits on the cusp of opportunity and wealth. We have an abundance of wood and lumber, ideal for building ships and new lands that are ready to be developed into farms and vineyards for food and wealth.
However, a country can not support such a burgeoning of wealth and expansion, without the means to protect and secure these lands and wealth. Unfortunately, while access to the sea and river are ideal for trade and farming, there is little enough in the way of iron, stone or saltpeter. We need iron to build weapons, stone for our fortresses and saltpeter if we wish to defend our walls with effective artillery. Elon has always had a good relationship with the Empire and would like to remain a strong ally and profitable vassal in it's service. Elon's strength only increases the strength of the North and the Surveak Empire overall. If we can negotiate a trade of iron for wood, or possibly agree on a set price, for which Elon could buy stone and iron from your merchants, I firmly believe it would be for our mutual benefit. As for gunpowder, I understand that procuring such a valuable resource would involve diplomatic negotiations with the vizier or the Empire itself."
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Post by aspenivan on Dec 15, 2014 23:35:06 GMT
An amused smile curled across Adjuran Sujjid's lips. "The Vizier or the Empire? Honored queen, if there is one thing I would humbly clarify for you today, it is that in the North, the Vizier is the Empire. Every report that goes to the mainland is filtered according to his judgment, and every decree that arrives in New Byrnis goes through his Office before anyone in the North hears or lays eyes on it. He commands the loyalty of the generals, the admirals, and the bureaucrats, of which many share his very blood. I would advise that you avoid sending the impression of sidestepping his authority, unless you have a clear line of your own to the Imperial Court.
"In any case, stone and iron are perfectly reasonable commodities for purchase by such a noble and credible client as yourself, your Highness." There was a strange sort of friendliness in Sujjid's tone, like a wolf in sheep's clothing assuring another wolf her part in the spoils to come. "Lumber and gold are both appreciated as payment. I could arrange for trimonthly deliveries of one ton iron (1 iron slot) per one ton lumber (1 wood slot), or two tons stone (+2 stone/turn) per three tons lumber (3 wood slots). In gold, I would put one ton iron at 2,000 jiien and one ton stone at 3,000 jiien."
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Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 16, 2014 20:13:20 GMT
Chello only gave a passive nod, as Adjuran lectured her on the power of the Vizier. Her words were true enough, for the time being. Eventual, once more Surveakom nobles moved north, bringing their own wealth, influence and ambitions, and once the value and investments in the North had increased, Chello suspected the Empire would be unlikely to continue trusting only one man and his family to maintain and control so large a region. That day hadn't come yet, but it may be closer than the people of New Byrnis anticipated. All Chello said, however, was, "Yes of course. It was simply a slip of the tongue."
"Your offer on iron sounds reasonable and fair," Chello said, "I could arrange to send deliveries of wood beginning at the start of the new year in exchange for iron. Would two ton of lumber in exchange for two tons of iron be acceptable?
As for stone, our need isn't quite so great at the moment and some of the other nations have already shown a willingness to trade stone at a lower price. All the same, I shall keep your offer in mind and may take you up on it at a later time."
Chello returned Adjuran's smile, but though it also had a knowingness, it was softer and a little more gracious. There was really nothing wolfish about it. Chello enjoyed power, but had learned early on that coming off as threatening towards men, or anyone in higher power, usually made things more difficult. She was more like a cat than a wolf, willing to be your friend and companion, but at the same time calmly letting you know that it would be on her own terms and that she wasn't going to be put on a leash and blindly led around.
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Post by aspenivan on Dec 18, 2014 5:23:36 GMT
"Absolutely acceptable," Sujjid replied with a satisfied nod. "It is a rare pleasure to arrange the flow of goods to the benefit of a truly civilized vassal-kingdom, noble Queen." Adjuran winked. She hoped Chello understood just how good a deal she was getting: House Sujjid would be buying and selling at the slimmest of profits, if not a loss. The return on the investment
"Aed willing, House Yusra will recover its wealth and glory tenfold in the coming seasons. Already words of repute flow through Arkhaer with the wind, talk of the House of the Two Sides of the World. And more recently, with news of the successful Grand Tournament, some are even speaking of making a name for themselves in the North. Cityborn Houses struggle to make ends meet with their traditional estates, and Horseborn Clans grow larger and strain their ancestral grazing-fields. Perhaps, soon enough, I can help arrange the flow of more than just goods?" She allowed her smile to widen in anticipation, while also examining Chello's face closely for any reaction.
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Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 18, 2014 5:55:20 GMT
Chello smiled knowingly and glanced down at her hands. It was her hope to attract wealthy families from the south and it was encouraging to her that her family name was increasing in reputation and honor due to her status. The glow of this achievement on her face, though her posture remained demur and her eyes on her hands.
"Elon is full of opportunities and Aed willing any noble house to ventures north will find the good fortune and wealth that you and I have. If you know of families looking to travel north Elon will be more than willing to work with you and them to range for the best possible solutions for everyone involved."
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Post by aspenivan on Dec 19, 2014 3:05:51 GMT
"The talk is in the air, but few are ready to make a final decision just yet," the Guild Master conceded. "I do know of one Horseborn clan of repute that is interested, however: Clan Kazan. A very large, though not especially wealthy clan known to move from pasture to pasture depending on the attitude of other clans with firmer roots. Kazan is among those with the least to lose and the most to gain by making the move North. Of course, arranging transportation and supplies for so many is no simple task. I would require a down payment of 8,000 jiien as well as rights to all taxes from these new subjects for their first year in the North. In return, they will make proper Survaekom subjects as well as a valuable buffer of fierce tribespeople in-between you and the wastelands."
_________
Guild Master Adjuran Sujjid offers the following (choose any combination):
-- 1 Iron Slot for 1 Wood Slot or 2 Gold/turn
-- 2 Stone/turn for 3 Wood Slots or 1 Stone/turn for 3 Gold/turn
-- Will transport 4 Horseborn villages (food/no resource) to Elon in return for a down payment of 8 Gold and then 4 Gold/turn over the next year (4 turns). Horseborn villages offer unique levies and the opportunity to recruit special Southern professional units.
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Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 19, 2014 21:22:51 GMT
Chello was surprised by the offer. She knew of the Kazan and understood why they may be interested in immigrating, but she hadn't expected Adjuran to offer to move them so quickly nor the negotiations to be so simple. Adjuran Sujjid was practically offering to sell a whole clan north, as if the Kazan were just another product. It made Chello a little uneasy. She knew the Kazan to be a large tribe, excellent warriors and honorable people, but economically unfortunate and very unsettled. There would be a huge cultural collision between the curt, isolationist and warlike manners of the Kazan nomads and the hospitable settlers of Elon. Chello was already imagining all kinds of unfortunate outcomes, but on the other hand, the Kazan would be a perfect buffer against the Wastelands and would provide Elon with an income of food and gold, which would be fundamental to their development and growth, not to mention having horseborn warriors of the southern tribes on their side would be a great boon to the national defense.
Silently, Chello smoothed the skirts of her dress in consideration. "The opportunity to invite the Kazan Clan to immigrate to the north is certainly not one to take lightly or to allow to pass us by," she began, "However, I feel like it would only be right and just that King Azlyn and myself should discuss matters with the Kazan Chief, - Chief Garuy am I correct?"
"Also, transporting the whole clan here over the course of only a season would not only be expensive and difficult to manage, but I fear what affects the cultural shock might have on both the Elonese and the Kazan. It would be more prudent to arrange for transportation over the course of a year. As for the costs, 8,000 jiin is understandable and acceptable, however once the Kazan are settled I believe Elon should be receiving the taxes. We will need it in order to make the civil adjustments and new arrangements necessary for so large an influx in population. Besides the 8,000 we could also arrange to pay 2,000 jiin for each village on the turn they make the voyage. "
Finally, as to your offer on Iron and Stone, well will be happy to pay you two tons of wood for two tons of iron, as soon as the shipments can be arranged. Stone if not so pressing an issue at the moment, but some time in the future we may be willing to pay the price you have named.
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Elon will trade 2 wood slots for 2 iron slots starting on turn 13.
Elon will accept all 4 villages, but at a rate of 1 village/turn and the up front cost of 8,000 gold and 2gold/village. Also Elon's requests negotiations with the Kazan Chief in order to insure that dignity, understanding and full compliance and satisfaction can be met on all sides.
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Post by aspenivan on Dec 20, 2014 1:04:28 GMT
"Chief Olog Garuy Kazan," Adjuran Sujjid spelled out affirmingly. "A great leader and a visionary, if I may say so myself. I am certain he would be happy to meet you for negotiations, but he would doubtless require certain assurances so as not to return empty-handed. Perhaps some food or supplies or coin to ease his people's many burdens. It would certainly lend your House additional credibility.
"As for the role of House Sujjid in all of this, a total of sixteen-thousand jiien simply will not cover it." She eyed Chello curiously, wondering what the Queen was trying to get at here. "The bare minimum I will need is twenty-thousand jiien, lest I ruin my house by rushing through grand projects on the cheap. As long as you can provide House Sujjid an eight-thousand jiien down payment, the rest you can pay in whatever installments you wish so long as all the gold is delivered no longer than a season after the migration is complete.
"And regarding the trade of iron for wood, consider the deal done. The first ships will reach your shores before the end of the year, for both delivery and loading."
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Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 20, 2014 2:54:56 GMT
Chello nodded. She'd been more concerned with the clause wording of the Kazan paying taxes to the Sujjd. She wanted there to be no confusion about which House, King and Nation the new villages owed allegiance to. Twenty thousand is acceptable. As for easing the burdens of the Kazan people during the transition, I'm certain something can be arranged."
Knowing Azlyn, Chello suspected Elon would end up being far too generous. "If you will arrange for Chief Olog Garuy Kazan to come north for negotiations we should be able to send some food and a sum of gold back with him."
--
Elon agreed to 8 gold down payment and a total of 20 gold over all for the immigration of 4 Kazan villages into the northwest regions of their lands.
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Post by aspenivan on Dec 24, 2014 22:02:16 GMT
A month after her last meeting, Queen Chello was called once again to New Byrnis by Guild Master Adjuran Sujjid. She wrote in her summon that a special guest from the South was here to make her acquaintance.
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Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 26, 2014 17:50:15 GMT
Queen Chello replied and a few days later set out once again to New Byrnis. She had discussed the plan of accepting the Kazan clan into Elon at length with Azlyn and a board of advisors. As she'd expected there'd been some resistance, but the benefits were clear, especially while Elon was under threat from the Wastelands. It didn't take her long to convince Azlyn. Her stories of the Southern Horselords and the wild clans of the mountains and plains, appealed to his romanticism and her discription of the Kazan's hardships tugged on his compassion and hospitable nature. It was the older Revivalists, that put up the most resistance, but once Azlyn was on her side there was little they could say against it.
Azlyn wanted to come to the meeting, but with war brewing and the presence of the Imperial Army, he couldn't leave the preparations in Dovwynn even for a week or two. He insisted on sending a representative however, and after some discussion decided on Alan Sarvo. Despite the recant actions and death of Elymilech Sarvo, the family was still one of the most respected and influancial families in Elon and Azlyn still put a great deal of trust in Alan, despite their recant falling out.
Chello was a little uncertain about Alan. Many of the Revivalists were loud fools, but Alan hadn't said much during the course of the discussions and she knew the boy had a relatively good head on his shoulders. This along with his bitterness against the king made his an unknown and rather dangerous factor, but she decided against arguing over it.
She brought Evo Darnell again as her secretary, but no other officials.
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They arrived at the Guild Hall early in the mourning on the appointed day. Chello and Evo were both dressed in Surveak fashion, Chello in a long orange dress and headscarf, with cranberry red embroidery and Evo more simply, but also in official headdress and a case of papers and writing equipment under his arm. Alan, however was dressed in Elonese fashion. He'd agreed to ware a hat, but it was a wide brimmed, plumed hat that was growing in popularity in the west. he had on a fine doublet with slashed sleeves, tall boots and a gallant cloak trimmed with fine furs and Elonese blues.
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