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Post by talis on Jun 8, 2017 2:13:29 GMT
Firetooth - Holy Union relations were... complicated, to say the least. In the Old Days of the Esharan Empire they had been allies of convenience; the Esharans had provided trade, technology and culture while the Firetooth had defended their western flank from the ravages of wasteland raiders. During the heyday of their relationship it was not uncommon to see Firetooth merchants in Eshara, and a significant minority of the Firetooth had followed the Esharan ways. Even today, the Firetooth preferred trade and dialogue to war and hostility whenever they had the luxury.
But despite the shared history, there were certain complications. The Firetooth were now staunchly Aedak - a liberal, tolerant version of Aedak - but Aedak nontheless. Uygoth Wargchaser was also under no illusions that the "Holy Union" was the same Eshara as the old empire. Times had changes. The Survaekom Empire's invasion had irrevocably scarred the North, fostering bitterness and anger among the nations that still adhered to the old Esharan ways. The Firetooth too were now a great power, far from the small Clan on the edge of the wastes they had once been.
This expedition was thus a massive roll of the dice. Uygoth had no idea whether his reception would be hostile or friendly. If it was the latter, it would make his job significantly more difficult, and would greatly complicate the Clan's foreign relations. Still, he was cautiously optimistic. With luck he and his small expedition would be able to impress the "Recimir." Word had already been sent ahead of their delegation, and the party of roughly fifty Orcs had traveled for days across Ikegami lands. The guards - good, well trained lads all of them - had been hand picked by their commanding officer, a grizzled Orc named Tagoth Giantsbane. They had done well so far, and Tagoth had constantly been drilling them on the finer etiquette of salutes and military decorum. With the border of the Union close by, Uygoth was certain he would soon get to see their training pay off.
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Jun 9, 2017 16:32:35 GMT
A great party of dwarves from Datnee received them with great honour at the border, insisting they camp together for a few hours and enjoy the fruits and sweetmeats and other delights prepared especially for the the delegate and his entourage. Once the dwarves were certain that they had met their guests and provided them with all that good guests must, they set off for Datnee where the orcs were welcomes and provided with the finest accommodation that the second Union capital - once the capital of the Kingdom of Haiho - could provide. They were provided with care and hospitality for three days, as was Union custom, before the delegate and his escort set off once more, along with a retinue of Datnee dwarves, towards the formal capital at Árheimar where once again they were given the most comfortable accommodation and their every need provided for. They were shown around the great Grey Elven city as they had been shown around Datnee, and they were made to feel as any honoured and respected state guest should.
On the morning of the fourth day, Uygoth and Tagoth were invited together for an audience with the Recimir and the Union Council. The two delegates were led to the Great Palace of Árheimar where the Recimir's court was. It was a tremendously beautiful place, showcasing without shame the full splendour of the Union and its capacity to create wondrous works of architecture and art. It had been built in the early years of the Recimir Aulus and has been designed so as to replicate and build upon the beauty and glory of the legendary Great Palace of Eshara which had stood for aeons in Crimsamara and had long been where the Basileis of Eshara had sat and meted out justice and knowledge. In its every aspect were brought together the elven eye for detail and beauty, the dwarven knack for truly epic architecture, and the goblinoid capacity for careful and intricate carvings and constructions. Huge gardens flowing with artificial streams and lakes surrounded it, in which was greenery and fruits of all types and splendid little waterfalls. Stunning fountains spurted water and stone paths led through carefully cared fore flower gardens and green canopies. Within the palace itself, there rose magnificent pillars to impossible heights and they grew to tremendous girths, and each was carved and decorated with the most intricate designs and colours. Above, they seemed to carry heavens of stone upon their impressive bulks, and one looking up could see extensive mosaics of Gods and Sages and heroes and kings, and mosaics telling epic tales and others which were simply showed off the unadulterated beauty of the abstract. Staircases of marble and alabaster and jade ascended and descended, their balusters sculptures of mythical and fearsome creatures and beings, and their banisters ending with a scowling lion or dragon. Its halls were decorated also with statues of Gods and Sages and heroes and kings, and wherever one cast their eye they were certain to find a wondrous piece of art in a small detail - hidden in an unnoticeable corner or placed where none could hope to miss it.
Yet even in a place of such exquisite beauty, the Union Throne Room was far and above the most beautiful and stunning. Built to mirror the Throne Room of Eshara, where Recimir Aulus' illustrious ancestors had sat and ruled over Old Eshara, the Union claimed that it was the most beautiful place in all of Ergoria, if not the world as a whole. As the orcish delegates were led through the palace, the doors of the Union Throne Room reared up before them. Beautifully carved great mahogany doors with the most intricate designs and carvings were the entrance to the Union Throne Room. The elegant red wood, with many carved designs ranging from spiralling tendrils, fluttering leaves, floating clouds, open books, armoured knights, bearded scholars, beautiful maidens, and much else, was further beautified by the gold and silver which layered it, flowing with the intricate carvings and designs and enhancing them.
Three large gems were also embedded deeply into each of the great doors, rich red diamonds, rarest of the rare. The left-most represented the dwarven Kingdom of Haiho while the right-most represented the Kingdom of Ausvinthus. The one in the centre represented the Union itself and the legacy of Old Eshara. Below these were two blood-red rubies, the right-most representing the goblinoid Gurd Magocracy while the left-most represented the Thrum of the Mountain. To each side of the great doors stood two mighty limestone sculptures of eagle-like gargoyles, terrific guardians of the great room. Standing by the stone guardians were two heavily armoured guards in full plate armour wielding powerful halberds - a clear homage to the famed palace guards of Old Eshara. The other side of the double doors is very similar, with the beautiful carvings, gold and silver layers, and precious gems.
When they opened before the two delegates, the mighty doors revealed what lay beyond. Uygoth and Tagoth may be, at first, momentarily blinded by the light of the sun shining through the seven huge jade and quartz windows at the very back of the great Throne Room. Upon further inspection of the windows, which stretch from floor to ceiling and end with a semi-circular domed top, one discovered that they had intricate markings and carvings in them, and that along with the clear quartz and green jade is glass of many colours, from red, blue, emerald and yellow, all with weaving, meandering shapes and patterns much like the great doors. Once the wonder of the windows was momentary put to the side, one could take in the floor. Made of a mixture of marble, granite and basalt, all carved up and decorated with gold rivulets and silver streams. St some points the floor broke up into brilliant mosaics which slowly transformed into larger tiles, weaving a huge, incomprehensible tale of beauty, intensity, and splendour. As a finishing touch, a thick layer of glass lay upon the stone to prevent it from being damaged or becoming weathered.
Great pillars from the ground to the ceiling lay parallel to each other, seven on each side travelling all the way from one end of the great room, near the great doors, to the other end, where the Throne of Words and the breath-taking windows were. Each parallel pair of pillars had their own, unique carvings, sophisticated patterns which travelled the length of the great columns, lined with silver and gold as well as precious gems, faces of mythical beasts only heard about in tall tales from foreign lands, words of wisdom, thrilling patterns and much else. The ceiling itself was a wonder of architecture, with complicated arches, all beautifully carved and decorated with precious metals and stones, stretching across the huge ceiling, all coming together to form a huge dome at the very centre, home to stunning mosaics of glass and stone as well as magnificent paintings. The very centre of the dome was open in a small circle which was closed off from the skies by a window of quartz and jade and glass, allowing the refracted light of the sun to break through and giving the entire dome an almost divine appearance. It was as if the Gods Themselves blessed it with Their divine radiance. Chandeliers of different sizes and shapes hung down, all with the same exquisite designs and bewitching colours which were a hallmark of the place.
Around the Throne Room were many grand statues made of jade or quartz or limestone or marble or granite or basalt, and some even of a mixture of some or all. Some of them of Gods, or Sages, or heroes, or kings, others of handsome young men or alluring maidens, and others yet which were abstract or of legendary creatures like dragons and gargoyles and griffins. And a good few were of open books, some with humans and other creatures leaping out, some were held up to the skies by enthralled bearded men, light flooding out of them. Many of the sculptures were painted and had gold or silver linings, and others were left in their original colours.
At the end of the great room, in an elevated place atop some carved marble stairs, flanked by two grim statues; armoured men holding onto the hilts of their swords with their points to the ground and crowns on their heads, was the legendary Throne of Words. And to attempt to describe the inexplicable beauty and magnificence of the Words of Eshar-Qiqarius made manifest would be utterly futile. Upon the Throne sat the Recimir, beaming with pleasure. His face seemed to shine with a radiance and all around it - though perhaps that was in part due to the glorious windows behind him. To his right, at the foot of the marble stairs, was another throne - albeit nowhere near as impressive as the Throne of Words - upon which was sat the Recimera Invera. To the right of the throne and to its left, in a line before the pillars, were sat the Councillors of the Union Council. Nearest on the Recimir's right was Haldwin the Sage, and nearest on his left was his father-in-law and former-Recimir Hairuwulf Theudis. As the delegates entered and approached the Throne, the Councillors all spoke the customary Union greeting in unison; 'Upon you be knowledge bestowed and understanding.' When they had spoken it, the Recimir repeated it and invited the two orcs to be seated before him and the rest of the Council on two comfortable seats prepared for them. And his was a voice gushing with warmth, charisma, and strength - it was a voice which, in the tumult and madness of combat and battle, drove men to the most noble acts of heroism and valour.
'I welcome you, noble envoys of the Firetooth clan and all the Orcish clans whom you represent. It is my most earnest hope that you have enjoyed our hospitality and care, and have wanted for nothing while you have been our guests. I bid you be at ease and speak freely - for history has taught me that orcs are a truthful and honourable people, and those who are truthful and honourable will always find friends in this our court.'
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Post by talis on Jun 11, 2017 4:07:07 GMT
If the Recimir's intent had been to overawe his visitors with visions of splendor and wealth, he very much succeeded. Few palaces or halls could compete with the sheer opulence of his throne room. It was not the beauty of the palace so much as the sheer, immense wealth on display that shocked Tagoth and his party. The Firetooth were no strangers to great architecture and magnificent designs, but they generally preferred a more austere, grandiose design rich in symbolism and designed to evoke feelings of awe and humility. The Recimir's great palace was obscenely gaudy compared to the harsh enormity of the Cathedral of Erasmus or the Great Hall of Orcland, yet it conveyed a sense of wealth and opulence the others could not hope to achieve. A commoner could have stolen a single jewel from this magnifascent palace and lived like a king in other lands. A single stair step could have armed half a dozen soldiers. A wing of this palace could fund an entire army. Anyone who had this palace built was either a madman or wealthy beyond measure. Several of the Orcs could not suppress small gasps of astonishment, their gaze lingering from priceless piece to priceless piece before Tagoth gave them a momentary, sharp glare.
Uygoth bowed formally at the waist, a gesture of firm respect for the Recimir on his throne. "I am delighted to hear such words from the Recimir of the Holy Union. I am Uygoth of House Wargchaser, of the Firetooth Clan. I come on behalf of High Chief Artog Aedsword of the Greater Tribe of the Orclands. He sends you this gift as a sign of his esteem." He turned and nodded to his guards, who has already presented a large wooden chest of stout oak, sealed with steel bands and a solid lock. A key was quickly produced and the chest opened.
Inside was a small statue, perhaps three feet in height and carved of solid granite. It was obviously very old, but had been meticulously restored by skilled hands. The Recimir could see where small cracked had been carefully sealed with special mortar, carefully colored to match the statue itself. Pockmarks and chips had been carefully sanded to a smooth finish. The detritus of age had been gently washed off, and the final product carefully polished. At first it seemed simply to be a statue of a man standing imperiously, one hand raised in a gesture of reserved strength, the other extended down toward the onlooker in open invitation. his face was an expression of serene authority. Yet as one looked closely, the figure's appearance became startlingly obvious: here was a long forgotten interpretation, an ancient form of a modern god.
"A statue of Eshar." Uygoth explained. "It was commissioned by House Hearthwatch in the fifth century before. We return it now to its proper owner."
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Jun 13, 2017 18:49:21 GMT
Though the great palace and the throne room, impressive as the orcs seemed to have found them, may have come across as extravagant in the extreme and gratuitous in their luxury, this was certainly not how the Recimir and the Union at large viewed it. The Union had history and opulence, it had to project its power and wealth and had to live up to its Esharan inheritance. And where the needs of the people were met, where the armies were provided for and the borders of the realm secure, it further reassured the citizenry of their nation's strength and power to see such magnificent buildings constructed. But perhaps, beyond anything else, what may have appeared extravagant to orcs was only normal to elves and dwarves - who prided themselves respectively on their love for beauty and capacity to construct epic structures.
On being presented with the ancient relic, the Recimir rose from his throne - and at his rising, all others rose also - and he descended the steps from the Throne of Words and marched the distance between himself and Uygoth to inspect the small statue. The Esharan faith was ancient, all knew that. It had existed in Ergoria since time immemorial and, though not all had practised it, came to be the foremost religion - and it had taken it upon itself to protect and preserve all the faiths of the land, to learn from them and to contribute to them where it could. The Esharan religion was not one that sought to dominate: it sought only to elevate. And it was clear to the Recimir that the orcish understanding of the Southern faith had been tempered with an Ergorian tolerance of other religions. It was good that they had not been utterly dominated and subjugated by that foreign and aggressive religion, but had instead tamed it and brought it into a harmonious unity with their inherent Ergorian ways. Aulus smiled widely and nodded in approval as he continued to inspect the statue, his optimistic thoughts carrying him far from the throne room into an Ergoria where all were united by their love for their land, their shared history and cultures, and their proud and open ways.
'I am most grateful to you and the Firetooth clan. This is a most tremendous gift and shall be treasured greatly and cared for always. We thank you for preserving this holy relic, and we thank you further for seeing fit to bring it to us. The Firetooth have proven their honour and respect for the sanctities of others.' And with that, the Recimir signalled to a few attendants who carefully picked the statue up and carried it next to the Throne, where it was placed carefully to the left of the Recimir who had returned to his place. 'It would indeed be a most pleasant surprise had bringing this relic to our court been your singular purpose in coming. But we doubt such a large entourage would have been necessary to carry it to us - so there is surely something of supreme importance that you have come to speak with us about. Speak openly and have no fear, you are among good friend.'
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Post by talis on Jun 21, 2017 3:46:18 GMT
"I wouldn't deliver such a relic without a complement of armed guards." Uygoth replied in complete honesty. While artifacts and idols from Old Eshara were not rare, ones that were whole and in good condition most certainly were. The roads of the north were not yet safe enough to transport something of such value without some kind of protection. Uygoth preferred quiet, uneventful trips, and if that meant coming loaded to bear, well, it was better that any would-be thieves or charlatans saw the Firetooth and decided to look elsewhere before getting any smart ideas.
"That said, you are correct. Chief Artog wishes to know your mind on many matters, so that he may more fully take them into account in his own plans. It does not do to flounder in the dark without first weighing options. We are especially concerned about the possibility of open trade between our two nations, and of your stance toward the barbarian giants of Sacrye." The Recimir no doubt knew the Firetooth's opinion of Sacrye - the Orcs had been at war with the giants thrice in the last century. Raids and counter-raids were a yearly occurrence between the two factions. The Sacrye often struck into Orcland territory seeking to kidnap civilians for their bloody rituals, and for their part the Orcs maintained a strong military presence on the border and launched punitive assaults against neighboring settlements in response.
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Jun 26, 2017 14:24:43 GMT
The Recimir smiled graciously at the Uygoth's straightforward and uninhibited questions. He rather liked those who set about their business with honesty and without fear - who stated their desire without any 'beating about the bush', so to speak. Though he paused for some time to consider the questions carefully, he eventually spoke. 'I am honoured and humbled that His Highness Chief Artog holds Us in such high regard that he wishes to know Our thoughts regarding our eastern neighbours the Sacrye. We are all too aware of the unfortunate historical and present circumstances that have led to strained, at times outright hostile, relations between the Firetooth and the Sacrye. Such poor relations between two nations We esteem greatly and only have friendly overtures towards saddens Us more than words can express. I do not hide that We have of late sent an envoy to the Sacrye and have officially established amicable relations and a trading partnership - I say this without shame and I speak to you with all honesty, hiding nothing. But it is Our desire to see the rift between the Sacrye and the Firetooth sealed and normal relations restored, and towards the realisation of this purpose We had sought to create a system of defensive alliances between Our realm and both the Sacrye and the Firetooth - binding Us to come to the aid of either of your respected realms should the other pursue an aggressive war against it. The Sacrye, unfortunately, rejected Our offer of a defensive alliance until further notice, but the Holy Union remains earnest in its desire to achieve some kind of reconciliation, or at the very least secure true peace, between the Sacrye and the Firetooth. Peace across Ergoria and the flowering of prosperity and culture for all its people is Our foremost desire, a desire that moves Our heart most feverishly and causes Us much loss of sleep. Thus: if there is anything the Holy Union can do to create stability between the Sacrye and Firetooth, then We shall do it without hesitation. Perhaps, and I submit this before you as a modest suggestion, a Tripartite Convention with the Holy Union as arbiter could be held here between the Sacrye and the Firetooth? Much blood can be spared and much good can be created when enemies are brought together in peace and seated with mutual friends, and open discussions can be had. If the Firetooth are open to this, I will forthwith send to my diplomat in Sacrye to propose this to His Imperial Majesty the Empeor Aonag.' With that said, the Recimir turned to the matter of trade.
'As for trade, the Holy Union would be extremely interested in establishing trading relations. I fear however that our land trade routes may be over-extended at the moment, particularly given ongoing negotiations with our southern neighbours, the Almur. That being said, We are open to the possibility of establishing a sea trade route, if the Firetooth are open to this. Our neighbours, the Jotun Jarldoms, have long permitted Esharan merchants to travel freely on the Velnir River through Jotun territory to the open sea. A sea trade route can thus be established between us if the Firetooth are inclined towards this proposition.'
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Post by talis on Jun 26, 2017 16:27:17 GMT
"Hah!" Uygoth outright laughed at the Recimir's suggestion. To try and ply such excuses! He was not about to let the Recimir get away with such a convenient, sterile view of an age-old conflict.
"Forgive my disappointment. I had hoped that the heirs of true Eshara would recognize a foreign conqueror bent on eliminating the culture and religion of an ancient, native people. It was, after all, the Sacrye who conquered the Ironskull clan, followers of the Old Ways, and sacked Gusko's rest, slaughtering the inhabitants in the name of their god. But necessity rules. I will understand if the honorable Recimir feels it necessary to overlook continuing slaughter for the sake of political necessity. We must all act as we believe best, after all." He eyed the Recimir keenly. The challenge was clear in his words: if the Union wanted to be friends with the Sacrye, they would have to give up their moral high ground. They could not claim to fight against the brutality of the south while ignoring the brutality of the north. Not in the eyes of the Firetooth.
"In that vein we would certainly be willing to establish peace with the Sacrye. We are not conquerors, our conditions are quite simple: they must return the lands of the Ironskull to that Clan, release all Orcish prisoners, agree to nevermore sacrifice an Orc before the alter of their god and to pay the proper weregeld for those killed in their raids and attacks. If the honorable Recimir can convince the Sacrye to meet these reasonable conditions then we could have peace."
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Jun 26, 2017 17:03:38 GMT
The Recimir stroked his clean-shaven chin and surveyed Uygoth with a small smile for a few moments before leaning backwards and speaking once more.
'The people of Ergoria have always warred with one another. The Firetooth and all the orcish clans know this only too well. And Eshara itself has in its time been an aggressor and a victim of aggression, triumphant at times and defeated at others. We too have in our time been the victims of atrocities - the complete uprooting of our people from their lands, the destruction of our religion where it once existed in harmony, the theft of our sanctities and looting of our libraries. But the past cannot be undone. Past misdeeds may cause one pain, a desire for revenge - that wild justice - may move one's heart, but that is not the way. Even as we struggle with our southern, aggressive neighbour, you struggle with your aggressive northern neighbour. I only propose to you what I would - were it ideal and had the southern Empire not so recently proved its perfidy once more - propose as a resolution for my nation's own troubles. If Our outlook is too peaceful for your liking, if perhaps it is too idealistic, if perhaps you think that We are in some way compromising Ourselves: know that We are not ones to rush rashly to our arms for settlement of disputes. Certainly, we would never ask of the Firetooth or the Sacrye to sacrifice their honour or dignity, or that either should compromise more than the other. If you would truly have the Holy Union mediate lasting peace, then all must come prepared to swallow a bitter drink - for peace shall never give either side all that its heart desires, but mayhaps it shall give Ergoria what it needs - the stability and time for us to rediscover what unites us. And once united, what then will narrow disputes about land and long-gone wars and atrocities mean to any of us? What will it matter when an Ergorian brotherly love moves us all and it matters not whether my overlord is Sacrye or Firetooth: we are all Ergorians.
I do not deny that the religion of the Sacrye is in Our eyes brutal and cruel - but it is an understandable cruelty. They have a set of beliefs - you can read about them if you so wish, our libraries are open to you - that inspire them to these acts of brutality even against their will. They believe the very survival of the world depends on their sacrifices. One cannot fight these beliefs with the sword. One cannot attempt to force them to stop or pummel them into submission so as to halt their ways. Only the piercing light of knowledge, only a direct struggle with their belief system and an attempt to rid it of its brutalities and let bloom its beauty, will halt the slaughter. In other words, we must aid them to do to their religion what the orcs, in all their wisdom, did to the Southern religion. Tame it, instil it with an essential Ergorian spirit. Do you understand, Sir Uygoth, what I am saying? Or have I mayhaps lost you?'
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Post by talis on Jun 26, 2017 17:36:52 GMT
"I understand completely." Uygoth replied. "Such a peace may be your desire, but we of the Firetooth are of a different persuasion. The Sacrye do not press any ancestral claim to our ancient lands; no right of blood, birth or inheritance. They claim only the Right of Conquest. Very well then, if they claim our lands by conquest we will meet them on their own terms. We will not surrender ancestral lands to the hands of an aggressor merely for the sake of peace. If the Sacrye seek peace and renounce their claim of conquest then, and only then, can there be peace between us."
"You say that the piercing light of wisdom is the only way to reform the Sacrye, but we care little whether the giants continue to slaughter their own. Our concern is for our own people, who are dragged away in the night against their wills. Strength of arms can close our border and protect our folk; the giants can do what they will once they leave our lands alone."
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Jun 26, 2017 18:42:56 GMT
The Recimir nodded in understanding at the orc's words. 'I have carried out my duty, I have delivered the message to the Firetooth and to the Sacrye, and the Gods are witness that I sought to prevent the further spilling of blood. But if you have chosen war and they have chosen war, then know that the Holy Union maintains the strictest neutrality. We will welcome the poor, the injured, the dispossessed, those whom the blind hackings of one nation against another leave destitute and miserable. Know also that the Holy Union shall, if war does break out, endeavour to aid those whom the war affects even should they be in Firetooth or Sacrye territory: can the Holy Union have the assurance of the Firetooth Clan that such peaceful aid convoys - doctors and healers - will not be attacked or harmed by Firetooth forces or their allies? They will be immediately recognisable by their white robes and the symbol of Eshar-Qiqarius which adorns their uniforms, they are Eshar's Own.'
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Post by talis on Jun 28, 2017 1:06:23 GMT
Neutrality was acceptable, although Uygoth did not say so. The Elders were quite confident in their ability to face down the Sacrye themselves, especially with the entire might of Orcland levied in the war. Neutrality meant that one major wildcard in the potential conflict was removed. "We are not so crass as to ignore the rules of war. Your men will not be harmed by our forces, although I do caution you in this course of action. We cannot guarantee the safety of your people in a warzone, whatever our intent."
"As for trade, I understand if your routes are currently strained. I do not ask for an immediate agreement - just for an indication of whether the Union would be open to establishing trade when it becomes profitable for us to do so."
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Jun 28, 2017 3:15:07 GMT
'I am glad to hear that the Firetooth Clan abides by the traditional laws of war and honour. Know that the Holy Union will condemn most vehemently all acts that are in breach of these general rules - not to slaughter innocents and non-combatants, not to destroy civilian population centres, and so on - and will also condemn attempts by any party to achieve the full destruction of the other or to pursue unjustified war goals. Such will spur the Holy Union to enter negotiations with its neighbours so as to organise a united policy towards the offending party or parties, which shall be enforced by force of arms if need be. And were you to achieve peaceful co-existence, it would be far better for our relations and for all of Ergoria. Though I respect the circumstances which understandably make that difficult.' The Recimir seemed visibly disappointed that the orcs would not even consider compromise and peaceful co-existence - but then again, was it not the impossibility of that which had caused him to become the ferocious warrior and general he now was? So that his reign could be peace for his people, he had on many occasions brought war and death to others. And so that the Holy Union could know prosperity, it had been forced to sharpen its sword and hone its military prowess to the utmost possible. Perhaps they spoke the truth, those hawks in his court who insisted that Ergoria would never know peace and prosperity until it had been united by force of arms. Until diplomacy failed completely, however, the Recimir would not turn to the sword.
'Should any potential conflict become so ferocious that Eshar's Own cannot function without further protection, the Holy Union will provide an armed guard to ensure their safety and the safety of all refugees and civilians in their care,' he went on, 'and as for trade with the Firetooth, have no doubt that we are enthused by the possibility and will seek to make it a reality as soon as our infrastructure can handle the extra traffic. Peaceable merchants looking for wealth, and so the increased wealth and upliftment of their people, are always welcome in the Holy Union.'
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Post by talis on Jun 28, 2017 22:44:51 GMT
"I would caution against the cavalier dispatching of armed soldiers into the territory of others. It could cause undue complications." Uygoth pointed out gently. He was not sure whether the Recimir actually believed what he said, or was intent on doing what Uygoth thought he was. The last time he had heard the trick of sending soldiers to "protect civilians" it had been the Firetooth puling the trick, and it had been a blatant threat against their Elonese neighbors to stop them from charging a river toll. The sending of soldiers, even for humanitarian purposes, was never without complications, and Uygoth knew his Chieftain would be in no mood to allow the Union to smuggle an army into Orcish lands under the pretense of protecting civilians.
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Jun 29, 2017 5:39:26 GMT
'I assure you that such will only be a last resort acted on only should it transpire that refugees and the injured being treated by Eshar's Own come under attack - which is in itself, I am certain, an extremely unlikely situation. In the situation that it does arise, the contingent of guards will not exceed fifty soldiers - not enough to attack any substantial force and meant only to hold off any potential attacker while those they protect are evacuated. I assure you that this is a general policy, and not directed specifically against the Firetooth, and I assure you also that should it ever come to be that we intend to use our soldiers for an offensive against the Firetooth - if that is your fear -, such a contingent will be withdrawn and a formal declaration will be sent before any hostilities begin. Those are, after all, the laws of war. We would expect the same courtesy to be paid us by you or the Sacrye or anyone seeking to initiate hostilities with Eshara.' The Recimir allowed silence to reign, and just when Uygoth would have thought he could respond, he spoke again.
'Of course, if we could arrange an agreement with the Firetooth that a contingent of orcs of similar size could be dedicated to the protection of Eshar's Own while in Firetooth territory, thus absolving us from having to do so when an attack has already occurred, that would be altogether more agreeable - and would relieve you of having to worry about a Union contingent, if you understandably have no trust in our word.' Though his words may have come across as somewhat biting, a warm smile had returned to the Recimir's face by the time he spoke his last, and there appeared to be no hostile intent or accusation behind his words and tone. If anything, it seemed more like an acknowledgement of a reality he did not necessarily like but made allowance for.
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Post by talis on Jul 1, 2017 18:22:44 GMT
Uygoth smelled a rat. The Recimir undoubtedly understood the implications of his suggestions. The issue of sending citizens into a warzone provided absolutely no material advantage to the Union, but was rife with political issues. What was he after, precisely? Legitimacy? Recognition? Or was there a message he was trying to send? Whatever it was, the Orc didn't like it. He was not about to be lured into the Recimir's game of words when there about absolutely nothing for the Firetooth to gain. Like most Firetooth diplomats, he thought like a merchant, and a bargain without payout was worthless to him.
"If you wish to negotiate the presence of your 'Eshar's Own' on the battlefield, I recommend that you speak with High Chief Artog and his Sacrye counterpart. Any assurance one of us provides would be useless without the promise of the other. Indeed, I suspect that without Sacrye's assurances a Firetooth contingent would only increase your risk - the giants are quite fond of ambushing civilians and dragging them off to slaughter before their guard. I would hate to see any of your people suffer the same fate."
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