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Post by talis on Nov 9, 2017 23:47:55 GMT
Karg Wargchaser glanced over the report for the umpteenth time, scratching the stubble that he tried to pass off as a beard. The Vinayan invasion of Elon was a practice in contradictions for the Firetooth. On the one hand they had no love for Elon, but on the other the concept of someone controlling the southern shores was hazardous. Moreover, heretical fools or not the Elonese were Aedak, and sitting back to watch an Aedak nation be conquered would leave a bad taste in the mouth of any Firetooth.
But could they afford to intervene? The Firetooth still had resources available - alliances and favors that had been left untapped, provinces and militias that had been left unraised, but calling in those assets would be a risky gambit. Of course, a full scale war was only one option. If the Firetooth willingly allowed Elonese Rangers to hide in Orcish territory, provided funding to Elon's beleaguered king or even simply raised a diplomatic stink to the Vaekir it could complicate Vinaya's efforts...
Something needed to be done, obviously. Opportunity knocked, and Karg had no intention of letting it slip away. There were just a few key interests the Firetooth held in the south, and he intended to look after them. He seized upon the stationary and shifted it closer, dipped his pen in the inkwell and begun to write.
To Sigismund de Vidal, Serene Doge of Vinaya and Juturna and Protector of Hessnya,
News of your recent invasion intervention in Elon has caused some great trepidation and concern in the Elder Council of Orcland. However, having nothing but goodwill towards your nation and putting our trust in your honor and honesty, my government has elected to consider your words before taking action. I request an audience at your earliest convenience so that we may discuss the situation in earnest and come to a mutual understanding.
Our best wishes of good health to you and your House,
Karg of House Wargchaser, Consul to Vinaya, on behalf of the Elder Council of Orcland
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Post by Alex on Nov 10, 2017 1:01:27 GMT
"Impeccable timing, these orcs." The Serene Doge uttered as he read the unfurled letter in his hands, the deck he stood upon rolling as gentle waves kissed the warship's hull while she sat in her dock. Sailors and marines moved past to and fro with crates and arms in preparation for making the ship ready for her journey, and her deliverance. The Serene Doge stood amidst the clamor as he read the letter a second time, clad as he was in an Vinayan admiral's uniform with a saber resting at his belt while two flintlock pistols, one cast in bronze of an intricate metalwork, sat in their leather confines besides the sharp blade. The Armada and her admiral was preparing for war.
"Very well. Inform the Consul he can find me here. Tell him too that we set sail shortly so he best be spry." Sigismund told the messenger, the man's breath still rapid as he tried to recover from the run here, only to be cast off again into the streets of Vinayapolis with the Doge's reply.
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Post by talis on Nov 10, 2017 2:00:43 GMT
Karg almost didn't go. Summoning a diplomat to a warship was highly irregular and was an obvious display of power. The smart thing to do if he wanted to assert Orcland's power would have been to demand a proper meeting, and act upon some sort of intervention when the Doge did not promptly oblige. Had Orcland not already been at war Karg probably would have done that. But given the circumstances, he would have to tread more carefully.
"Tell the Doge I will be along presently, but that it will take some time for me to prepare, given such an urgent response." He told the runner, passing a few coins into the man's hand. With that done Karg went about "preparing." This involved packing a small bag of papers and notes, slinging his family gun over one shoulder, ordering the stable boy to prepare his warg and then waiting precisely six minutes before mounting up and setting off. Points had to be made, after all.
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Post by Alex on Nov 16, 2017 1:55:36 GMT
Requesting a diplomatic meeting with an admiral of a nation at war was indeed highly irregular. Despite this the Serene Doge had deigned to entertain the Consul even if it risked offending that sensitive Orcish honour with a practicality that was perhaps only found in Humans. To this end, Karg atop his warg found Minerva waiting for him at the docks. A gargantuan four-decker ship of the line and the Serene Doge's personal flagship, the sturdy Minerva, like every warship was a work of art. Gold ornamentation and detailing was worked into her woodwork with the proud carved visage of a lion forming the end of the prow's cathead, the wings of a griffon extending along it's flanks against the prow.
"Consul!" The Serene Doge called from the ship's deck. "We really must set sail. I trust you have your sea-legs!?" He called, a slight humourful grin permitting his features as he beckoned to the gangplank leading to the deck of his flagship. "We can talk once you're aboard. There is no need to worry, I assure you'll be kept out of harm's way and there is a ship ready to take you back should you wish... You can leave your wolf here, it will be well tended to." Sigismund added as he considered that the orc might try to force his warg aboard the ship, something which he would not allow on a ship destined to war.
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Post by talis on Nov 17, 2017 1:21:57 GMT
Karg paused momentarily to consider the potential implications of boarding a warship ready to sail to war. He did not want to give any impression that he somehow endorsed the Serene Doge's actions by participating in them. But diplomats often traveled as guests aboard warships, as did civilians of all stripes. He would not be participating, only witnessing. Besides which, he had made his point. Swiftly he dismounted his warg, handing the reins to a footman with a stern warning to take good care of her, and boarded the ship.
"Your ship is truly magnificent." He said to the Doge as he boarded. "When we are finished speaking I may beg a tour of your captain. I appreciate your willingness to address this issue swiftly. I'm sure you understand why Orcland is concerned regarded this particular war."
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Post by Alex on Nov 22, 2017 3:40:50 GMT
The Doge offered an appreciative nod at the Consul's words. "A Vinayan values his craft of shipbuilding as the Firetooth value their gunsmithing." Sigismund spoke as he ran a hand along the ship's railing. Around them rigging was being prepared and ropes cast in preparation for setting sail, it would not be long before Minerva would be beyond the harbour of Vinayapolis and cutting through the waves with the rest of the Armada.
"I'm sure Captain Visconti would be more then pleased as to give you a tour of the ship once we are concluded here. On that mark. I understand why the Firetooth, my apologies, Orcland may have their concerns regarding this war. I recognize that any Orcish trade done by sea is done so through the Ryn river, you may rest easy in knowing that Vinaya hold no designs of barring trade passing through the Ryn during the conduct of this war, except that they submit to being searched. I'm sure you might understand why, a vessel leaving the Ryn can do so only with Dovwyn's permission and that alone warrants a certain caution while it is held by the Regent's forces."
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Post by talis on Nov 22, 2017 4:14:14 GMT
"Certainly understandable." Karg agreed convivially, glad for the opportune route into more important matters. "We have long felt that Dovwyn held far undue influence over the passage of the Ryn. Yet I'm sure you can understand our apprehension: it would matter little to us whether Elon or Vinaya taxed our ships if the problem persists. There is too, the issue of faith: for all their misguided foolishness, Elon does follow the Aedak faith, and that puts us in an awkward position. We have no love lost for Dovwyn. But Orcland has no desire to see a fellow faithful nation conquered."
"But I believe a solution could be derived. Vinaya is an honorable nation. Were you able to guarantee by treaty that the Ryn would be considered an open waterway and that the Elonese will be free to worship as they please... We would no longer have either the cause or the inclination to interfere."
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Post by Alex on Dec 3, 2017 19:12:24 GMT
We would no longer have either the cause or the inclination to interfere. Finally to the heart of things. The implied threat of Firetooth intervention finally in the open without minced words. A bold, arrogant even, move for one representing a nation already at war. Perhaps Sigismund shouldn't have been surprised when taking into account the Consul's prior actions in making him wait. Yes, the Doge mentally concluded. It was arrogance.
Regardless, letting the offense of Firetooth arrogance override these talks of diplomacy seemed anthema to Sigismund when what was being proposed seemed acceptable enough. Instead the Doge determined to be diplomatic in his reply. "Speaking on the behalf of the Serene League and the Republic of Elon should it elect to join following it's liberation, the League will consider the Ryn a free waterway in matters of trade. As for the matter of Elonese faith, you need not worry for the Serene League as a league of nations does not govern the religion of it's members for that is left to the purview of the member state itself, in this case the Republic of Elon and the Elonese people."
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