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Post by missmilkmaid on Mar 22, 2016 5:20:44 GMT
Spring 843 ---- Summit for Negotiation of Hessnyan Peace Terms It has been agreed that these negotiations shall be held in Dovwynn city, hosted by Elon, a neutral party in the conflict. Welcomed to this summit are representatives of all nations recognized to have taken a side in this conflict. For the interests of New Byrnis the following nations are recognized: The Free City of New Byrnis, The August Duchy of Berranda, and The Jotun Clans. In the interest of Hessnya these following nations are recognized, the Kingdom of Hessnya, The Serene Republic of Vinaya, and the Republic of Jurturna. As hosts, King Azlyn and Queen Chello have laid out the following seven terms for the sake of maintaining the peace and protecting the safety and integrity of the negotiations. 1. No hostile occupation, attacks and/or military rebuffs should be made, until the conclusion of this meeting has been reached. This must be affirmed by both parties and all their allies. 2. As the aggressor, the Free City New Byrnis will be expected to bring a list of demands and/or terms to begin the negotiations. 3. Should a truce of terms be accepted, it is expected that both parties will be agreeing to these terms, not only on behalf of themselves, but on behalf of their allies gathered for the purpose of this war. Proof of this should be produced in the form of signed and/or sealed letters, before the final agreement is made. 4. Both sides will be allowed to bring weapons and an accompaniment of up to 200 men, (including any allies represented,) into the city, but no weapons will be allowed at the meeting itself and attendees must be willing to submit to a search before entering the meeting place. 5. While in the city, the parties will be hosted in separate districts. Hessnya will be hosted in the city palace of Dovwynn proper, while New Byrnis will be hosted in Christallo Castle. While staying in the city, both parties and any accompanying attendants and allies will be expected to refrain from entering the palace or castle district, where the opposing representatives are being hosted. 6. The meeting itself shall be held in the temple district at the Festival Square, under the sight of Aed and all other gods and in full sight of men. 7. If any party commits an act of treachery in Dovwynn, while attending this meeting, King Azlyn and the lords of Elon shall take it upon themselves to deliver justice against the offender and no other should presume to take retribution or vengeance while in the city of Dovwynn. All nations intending to attend should send word ahead to Dovwynn, along with a signed agreement to these terms. |
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Post by aspenivan on Mar 22, 2016 21:39:39 GMT
Proposed Terms of the Treaty of Dovwyn
I. The Kingdom of Hessnya will cede to the Free City of New Byrnis the following settlements and their surrounding counties.
- The township of Tczew ((western food village))
- The township of Swietochlowice ((iron village))
- The township of Raciborz ((western stone village))
- The township of Swidnica ((eastern stone village))
- The city of Wyvern's Landing
II. The Kingdom of Hessnya and the Free City of New Byrnis will pledge mutually to a treaty of permanent non-aggression, permanently establishing the borders resulting from territorial cessions enforced by this treaty.
III. The Kingdom of Hessnya will pledge now and forever to respect and protect actively the lives, property, and free worship of all Aedakom residing under its jurisdiction.
IV. The Free City of New Byrnis will pledge now and forever to respect and protect actively the lives, property, and free worship of all pagans residing under its jurisdiction, save for the nobility - whose titles and holdings may be granted, retracted, and modified according to New Byrnis law.
V. The Free City of New Byrnis will pay an indemnity to the Kingdom of Hessnya for its cessions of territory, in the amount of twenty-five-thousand (25,000) jiien ((25 Gold))
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Post by Alex on Mar 24, 2016 23:00:12 GMT
The Doge had arrived in the city of Dovwynn on a schooner, which even now sat calmly in the docks. It's three masts bearing proudly the Vinayan flag, that of a golden Griffon emblazoned across a halved red and white background, as they fluttered in the breeze high above the waves. A letter bearing a signed agreement with the presented terms had been sent ahead, swiftly followed by the arrival of the Serene Doge himself and two members of the ruling Council of Twenty with an accompaniment of fifty House Guards, loyal only to House De Graffeo and his fellows. They were to maintain a vigilant watch as their charges now found themselves within a foreign city of intrigue and double-dealings.
It was not long before they found themselves within the Festival Square of the Temple district of Dovwynn, looking upon the proposed peace terms of New Byrnis. The Serene Doge, his face an unreadable mask stood with Varo Lombardino and Neopolo Davia, both prominent men of the Council and Ambassador Ricard Vidal who all now were present.
"These are not the terms of one looking to preserve freedom, but the terms of a conqueror!" Varo, a somewhat aged man, his features weathered with time called out as a look of disgust crossed his face.
"Mayor Veliu, I must concur. While we have met here to make peace, what you propose is high unreasonable and would not only leave the Kingdom of Hessnya divided, but unable to sustain itself as a nation economically! I dare say that looking upon this treaty, this is a war you have declared not to put a stop to unfounded rumors or hearsay, but for the expansion of the Free City at the expense of it's neighbors! For not a single effort was made by yourself or your people to prevent the so called persecution of which you use as a banner to call so readily for war." The Serene Doge spoke up, his gaze falling solely on his diplomatic opponent. "How do you justify such outrageous territorial demands?"
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Post by aspenivan on Mar 25, 2016 3:22:04 GMT
Grand Mayor Ishui Veliu was unphased by the Vinayans' accusations, maintaining a flat expression and a calm, matter-of-fact tone.
"Noble Doge, I simply demand what I believe necessary for Hessnya to no longer pose a threat to regional stability and the Aedakom of the Southern Shores. The expansion of the Free City's domain is merely the best means to this end. Surely with the reparation payments in his coffers, the good King Alphared can with proper planning ensure the self-sufficiency of his remaining estates."
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Post by talis on Mar 25, 2016 4:02:40 GMT
"This is why Casomir was mistaken to trust you southern dogs." Alfred said darkly, arms grossed. He positively glowered hostility across the table at the Grand Mayor from between his dark-circled eyes. "Your greed is plain as day for all to see. What you ask is not a concession, it is capitulation. Do you think I will so easily give up my kingdom without a fight? I do not trust you, and I do not believe you would adhere to the promises you make even if I were to agree to your terms. Your treaty would see me so gelded that you could disregard it in impunity and I could do no more than shake my fist at you."
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Post by missmilkmaid on Mar 25, 2016 4:24:51 GMT
The meeting was being held in a high tent setup within the festival square and it encompassed three long tables, arranged in a triangle facing each other, as well as the ancient Tree of Oleo that stood behind the table where King Azlyn, Queen Chello and the scribes employed by Elon were sitting. Servants were serving wine to all who were gathered and the tend to lit by several lanterns hanging from the tree branches and six candelabras set upon the tables.
As they were only there as hosts, the Elonese royals had said very little, except to remind everyone that this was a civil meeting of peace at the beginning of negotiations. Azlyn seemed vigilant and a little nervous. These sort of diplomatic events had always put him on edge and out of place. Chello, however, seemed perfectly serene and even slightly amused, as she quietly listened to the back and forth and took sips of her wine. Vinaya had a reputation for their silvertongued ambassadors, but she knew from experience that very few nations in the world could compete with the Houses of New Byrnis went it came to political manipulations and diplomatic recourses. Chello was expecting quite a show and was curious how well the Grand Mayor would be be able to keep up a facade of righteous justification for what appeared to be clearly a grab for power and lands through military force. She wasn't betting against Veliu, but the mayor certainly had an up hill climb in that department. On the other hand, righteous or unrighteous, New Byrnis had the military advantage, (or such was the popular perception) and the Vinaya representatives would really have to live up to their reputation if they were going to win any kind of deal that didn't end in the complete ruination of Hessnya's political and economic independence.
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Post by Alex on Mar 25, 2016 13:04:43 GMT
"While I am certain peace can be made here today. You speak of regional stability, yet it is New Byrnis who upset this stability that has allowed peace for these past years. Indeed, these terms run counter to this goal for the Free City have revealed not only their expansionist aims, but also their will to act upon them. So tell me, how is stability secured when it is the aggressor who marches to war that is empowered? Rather, this treaty does not ensure a stability, but conditions for a future war should the Free City decide it's current lands are not enough, one in which the pagans of the southern coast would be at your mercy and powerless." Osvald continued, his demeanor matching that of the Grand Mayor.
"Any ideas of regional stability cast aside, if it is indeed the well being of the Aedakom within Hessnya you are concerned for. Then I believe no territorial concessions are necessary at all but for an agreement of both sides to look into the matter. For Hessnya under the rule of King Alphared I has never threatened the Free City or any other Aedakom nation to condone this action you have decided upon." The Doge concluded, his gaze turning to the Hessnyan King besides him.
"And for an assurance from the Hessnyan Crown that you will act with the Houses of New Byrnis to actively ensure the well being of the Aedakom within your lands."
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Post by aspenivan on Mar 26, 2016 21:23:31 GMT
"Peace?" Ishui raised an eyebrow. "Peace among lords, perhaps, but certainly not peace for the people. Not for the Aedakom exiled, maimed, and killed by the pagans of Hessnya with the implicit approval of their king and priesthood. If this is peace to you, it only confirms the fears that brought me to declare war in the first place.
"But I refuse this absurd notion of 'peace.' I refuse any agreement with such utterly insubstantial obligations as 'looking into the matter.' And as long as his realm remains as large and powerful as it is, I refuse to put my faith in the same king who has neglected the safety of his Aedakom subjects for so long. For whatever King Alphared's will, he has not only his own power but that of the priesthood to contend with. New Byrnis has shown no such violence to heretics or pagans in its borders, and is therefore the only trustworthy party to administer the more heavily Aedakom territories of what is now Hessnya."
Ishui leaned back slightly into her seat. "Of course, you will find some way to twist my words into barbs to attack my character and reject my terms entirely, but if that is your 'negotiating' strategy, then there is no hope of a diplomatic solution. So, will the representatives of Vinaya or Juturna, or the noble King Alphared himself, now offer a counter-proposal that even remotely addresses the Free City's essential, underlying demands?"
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Post by talis on Mar 30, 2016 2:56:14 GMT
"If it will keep your cursed soldiers out of my land, I will guarantee protection of the lives, property and worship of my Aedakom subjects. I will even allow a foreign priest and dignitary to service them and represent their interests in court, so long as they refrain from proselytizing my citizens. I would also insist upon this non-aggression pact; my honor might not be so flimsy as to invade my neighbors on fabricated pretexts, but I will sleep better at night knowing we are both bound by such an agreement." He crossed his arms angrily. Alfred had no doubt the New Byrnis representative would refuse the terms - they would not back down without obtaining Hessynian land, which was their real goal. But he had no intention of letting them waltz around with a pretext of moral superiority.
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Post by aspenivan on Mar 31, 2016 22:16:54 GMT
"I see," the Grand Mayor noted in a neutral tone. "It is understandable that as King, you would seek to maintain your estates and vassalships intact. Alas, such terms are unacceptable to the Free City. A peace that leaves Hessnya with its strength unchecked is but a threat delayed until New Byrnis finds itself in a moment of weakness. We know well what your priests preach concerning foreigners and infidels. We will not abide even the possibility of a future in which their ilk could raid our borders with impunity."
Ishui paused for a moment and sighed. "To be blunt, either this treaty will end with New Byrnis stronger and Hessnya weaker, or there will be no treaty at all except that of your Kingdom's unconditional surrender. I may be willing to moderate the extent of the demands in my original terms, depending on the other terms you offer, but by no means will I abandon territorial demands altogether."
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Post by talis on Apr 3, 2016 3:36:17 GMT
"Do not assume that war would go so easily as you wish." Alfred replied through gritted teeth, "Hessynia has already stood alone against a far more dreadful army than the one you command and still stands. Wars are untidy things that seldom go as one plans." New Byrnis likely wouldn't have bothered to negotiate at all if there hadn't been some chance of the pagan alliance winning. Even a victory could be dreadfully difficult and expensive as fields lay fallow and mercenaries demand pay.
"I will cede Tczew and Swidnica ((eastern food and stone village)) and agree to maintain no more than five companies of professional soldiers and no professional navy. That should satisfy your ridiculous assertion that we intend to 'threaten' New Byrnis. But I will NOT surrender Wyvern's Landing, nor leave my realm so crippled that it is defenseless."
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Post by aspenivan on Apr 5, 2016 4:47:30 GMT
The Grand Mayor considered the King's words. He was making a rather bold assertion, considering the odds, but surely he did not know just how far they were stacked against him. Ishui Veliu was not one to leave important matters such as conquest up to the rolls of unweighted dice. Yet, perhaps she could indulge him. See how much she could push for.
"New Byrnis will be sufficiently secure if you cede Swietochlowice ((Iron Village)) and a designated district of Wyvern's Landing under the Free City's jurisfiction as well, in addition to all your other terms: Military limits, a Priest and legal representative in your Court for the Aedakom of Hessnya, guarantees to the property and safety of all Aedakom in Hessnya, and a non-aggression pact. And naturally, these much reduced territorial concessions will command much reduced reparations, amounting to no more than ten-thousand jiien."
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Post by Alex on Apr 5, 2016 6:43:08 GMT
The Serene Doge sat still within his seat as he listened intently and silently to the back and forth exchange between the Grand Mayor and Hessnyan King, having decided early on that to remain silent would be most prudent to avoid insulting the Grand Mayor who most certainly held not all, but most of the cards here.
"A moment, if you will" The Doge spoke as the latest offer settled upon the gathering. Without waiting for a response, Osvald would lean in low next to his ally Alfred who sat besides him, their speech dropping to a quiet tone as they discussed terms. After some time, with a nod the Doge rose from his seat to face the Grand Mayor before speaking "Very well, we would accepted these terms bar one. Wyvern's' Landing is to remain under the full jurisdiction of the Hessnyan Crown. Accept this much, and there will be peace." The Doge spoke unerringly, though the next part he added with a pained expression "For this, you will be recompensed 5 tonnes of stone and 5 tonnes of lumber this coming summer."
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Post by aspenivan on Apr 5, 2016 21:49:41 GMT
"The stone and lumber will be delivered this season," Ishui countered swiftly, "and Hessnya will pledge to disband its levies upon the signing of this treaty. Furthermore, the River Hills and the Middle Sea along with its islands will be recognized as regions of special interest to the Free City, not to be interfered with by Vinaya, Juturna, or Hessnya. All in addition to the terms already discussed, excepting my demand for a district in Wyvern's Landing. This is my final offer."
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Post by Alex on Apr 6, 2016 3:20:08 GMT
"This season? While you might command a powerful army sirrah, that which you ask cannot simply be summoned simply because you will it. I spoke as I did, because by summer Vinaya will have the agreed upon amount of lumber. Should you wish for it now. You will have to make do with 5 tonnes of stone and 3 tonnes of lumber, the rest to be delivered by summers passing." The Doge retorted "As for the Middle Sea and River Hills, we of Vinaya have no quarrel with accepting such terms as long as Vinayan trade interests are not interfered with. We would however, to avoid such a conflict again, petition to have both the Republics of Vinaya and Juturna likewise guaranteed by this Non-Aggression Pact which you propose. Let not our people shed blood over conflict again."
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