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Post by ravigen on Jun 23, 2017 1:24:39 GMT
Nakatani Shinta and his party crossed the Ikegami clan's westernmost border and into the realm of the Firetooth. The Firetooth and Ikegami had fought in the past, over various issues but they had never been personal, and when the dust settled and truces drawn things generally returned to normal. Nakatani Shinta was counting on that with his journey to Thundercrown.
The Daimyo had instructed him to work on setting up trade relations with the Firetooth and he would do as requested. Given the Firetooth's love of trade, he expected they would be eager to trade.
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Post by talis on Aug 11, 2017 16:40:35 GMT
The trip to Thundercrown would be uneventful for the Ikegami delegation. Firetooth lands were thoroughly civilized now, with new, Clan-built and supported highways and consistent law enforcement in the form of appointed Thanes. Gone were the days when bandits or brigands could threaten travelers in Clan lands. Aside from being challenged by the first patrol they ran across, there would be no trouble. They were swiftly escorted to Thundercrown, and granted an audience with Elder Tagoth in the Great Hall, the High Chief being away on business.
"Welcome to Thundercrown." The Elderly orc greeted them. "I hope your trip was pleasant. What bring you to our hall?"
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Post by ravigen on Aug 12, 2017 23:38:43 GMT
Shinta bowed before the elders, as was custom. Lady Sayoko had been following the developments in the west carefully for some time. The Sacrye had been considered a potential threat for some time and with a seeming militarization of the Orcish clans, Sayoko had seen an opportunity.
"I come on behalf of Daimyo Sayoko, she has heard of the going on in the west and she wishes to offer support to the Orcish clans in their efforts against the Sacrye. That is, if the clans would accept Ikegami aid."
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Post by talis on Aug 13, 2017 3:51:49 GMT
Tagoth raised an eyebrow in skeptical surprise. Of all the proposals he had expected, this was not one of them. The Ikegami were one of the least militant nations of the North, and never before in memory had they joined in an offensive war.
"Why do you want to join our war? Forgive me for asking, but I've never heard of the Ikegami partaking in an offensive war of any kind before. Your people have always stayed to themselves and avoided conflict. So far as I know, Sacrye has not threatened you nor raided your lands. I must admit, I am curious what you seek to gain." He inquired, politely but with clear puzzlement. His surprise was of a pleasant kind - an unexpected boon, rather than an unknown danger.
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Post by ravigen on Aug 13, 2017 4:03:06 GMT
That was all true, and Shinta nodded, bowing lightly. Naozumi had kept the Ikegami out of many wars, for his own reasons if nothing else. Naozumi was a firm believer in peace and fighting defensive wars. It was understandable that many would think the Ikegami did not go on the offensive.
Sayoko was not her father, she continued his economic plans because of the benefit to her people and the North, but she was a warrior at hear. Always would be, and unlike the former Commonwealth, the Sacrye would attack for no other reason than to carry off prisoners to sacrifice from what she had heard.
"Lady Sayoko is not her father, she is more than willing to deal with a threat before it threatens the Ikegami. If the Firetooth did not deal with the Sacrye then she would have raised armies to do so in time. They are a threat to the continued peace in the North. And their horrifying practice of sacrificing prisoners is one that Lady Sayoko refuses to condone any longer. With her borders mostly secure, she is ready and willing to bring nearly twenty-thousand elite Ikegami troops into the war."
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Post by talis on Aug 13, 2017 4:14:44 GMT
"I see." Tagoth replied, nodded in understanding. Although he did not say it aloud, he saw in Sayako a larger manner of wisdom than her father. War was not something that could be avoided forever, and he willingness to address threats before tragedy struck was something that he could look upon favorably as an Orc and a Firetooth.
"Well, I see no reason to object to your proposal. Orcland does not need any assistance in our own campaign - we will take back Orcish lands by our own arms and drive Sacrye from our lands. However, if your campaign against the Sacrye were to coincide with our own, it would certainly be a great benefit to both of us. The Giants would be forced to split their forces to defend two fronts, and would be in a weaker position to harm either of us. We will of course be liberating Gusko's Rest and the rest of the Ironskull's lands; anything the Ikegami can take in their own campaigns or force the barbarians to agree to, you are free to demand on your side. Is that acceptable?"
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Post by talis on Jan 4, 2018 20:32:40 GMT
Diplomacy was easier in this age of roads and communication. Orcland and its various member-states all maintained a communal embassy in Kegosu. This consulate allowed for constant advocacy and easy communication between parties without the hubbub of constant visits and makeshift accommodations. Messages could be passed easily and visits arranged.
On this particular day it was a message from the Firetooth Clan that was sent:
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Post by ravigen on Jan 6, 2018 1:50:42 GMT
Ikegami Ginchiyo welcomed Elder Tagoth into her court with all due splendor. Armed riders met the elder's party halfway to the capital and served as his honor guard the rest of the way to the capital. Accomodations were made in the royal palace when he arrived, and he and his party were well taken care of before being presented to the princess. When Tagoth arrived in the throne room, it was to find seating prepared for the Firetooth at the table. Ikegami tea, sake, and even select Firetooth drink were laid out with servants bringing fresh cooked fish and shrimp from the nearby rivers.
"Welcome, Elder Tagoth, to our hall. To what business have the Firetooth come? I had thought our borders were already set and established?" Ginchiyo stood to great the Elder and his party.
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Post by talis on Jan 6, 2018 5:30:27 GMT
"Indeed they have." Elder Tagoth replied, bowing respectfully to his host. "Rest assured that we have no complaints or quarrels over our border. In fact, we see this period of amicable relations as an opportunity to make a proposal we believe you will find mutually beneficial." He placed a pair of maps on the table in front of them.  "As you can see, our current borders are linear, passing between our lands with little regard for natural features or ability to access it. This had led to a rather costly border to maintain, requiring the construction and maintenance of bridges, the patrol of open fields and ambiguity about exact border demarcations. I'm sure you've had similar problems on your side. My proposal is simple: we adjust our borders to follow the natural contour of the river, like so.  "The amount of land each party controls would not be changed. Instead, we would merely be exchanging small slivers of territory. This change will make it easy for both our governments to easily mark and secure our borders, and will do away with the difficulty that these small "river bends" create in administration. It is a small change that bring small benefits. Such actions are often overlooked, but I believe that there is value in attention to detail." |
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Post by ravigen on Jan 9, 2018 15:36:13 GMT
Ginchiyo took a close look at the map, following its contours and noting the areas of territory that would be changed by this proposition. They were certainly small, and another time or another place, might have made an easy decision. Ginchiyo herself was inclined to agree, save for one minor detail
"Who lives on these lands, if anyone? Only my mother can consent to such a trade, but before she would even consider it, there would have to be an account for both of us on who lives on each of those territories." She looked up at the Elder, taking a sip of the tea a servant had provided.
"If any Ikegami live there, then before we agree to anything, they must be adequately seen to by ensuring they are able to easily move across the river and establish themselves again. I'm sure you would wish to do likewise with any Firetooth living in those areas you would be trading." The most likely solution would be to move any displaced Ikegami to the new land on their side, and any Firetooth to the former Ikegami lands but that was a question that could be answered later.
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