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Post by cerdigon on Oct 13, 2014 16:21:05 GMT
The waves crashed against the hull of the trading barge, Lord Broderick clung to his bunk as the vessel was tossed about like a ragdoll. The vicious storm hS left him with a sinking feeing in his stomach. But it wasn't the storm that concerned him. No, it was meeting with an emissary of the vicious and cruel Jotun Clans. For generations both Sylph and Giant had remained locked in combat. He didn't know how exactly how he would be received and he heard that the Seftians had sent representatives far and wide seeking assistance. Had a deal between them already been struck?
Regardless, he had been dispatched by Lord Carvin to find a resolution to the Kingdoms financial woes. Nearly a full year of combat between Cerdigon and Sefti had cut deep into the countries finances. It had far too many prisoners and far too many mouths to feed. Why not make a profit? The Jotun Clans were well known as slavers, boasting some of the North's largest slave blocs. While slavery had become frowned upon in Cerdigon, it could not be denied that these were difficult times for the nation. A solution had to be found and Carawyn had the 'honor' of being named the Kingdom's emissary in this matter. He just hoped that this wasn't the end of his brief career as a diplomat, they were approaching the harbor now. He made his way up towards the deck, with the rain pounding down in sheets as he waited for the first Jotun ship to appear.
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Post by Vaklu on Oct 14, 2014 2:14:56 GMT
Captain Vriki's long ships closed with the barge quickly. The driving wind and rain did little to dampen the giant's spirits. As he pulled alongside the ship he called out. "A fine day for sailing, eh? I've been sent to guide you into the harbor."
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Post by cerdigon on Oct 14, 2014 17:28:04 GMT
'' If we don't drown first. '' Came the reply from the Captain. Slowly but surely the ship proceeded towards the harbor under the watchful gaze of the giants. Lord Broderick battled down the urge to be sick as the vessel rocked and rolled with the waves. After ropes had been tied and anchors dropped, it was Broderick whom stepped out down the gangplank that had been lowered. He was only too happy to touch ground, even if belonged to the bloody Jotun. He waited for Captain Vriki to make an appearence or some other representative of the Clans so that he oculd be finished with this ugly business and return to his beloved homeland. A land that was free of giants, rogue waves, and other things that might not kill him!
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Post by Vaklu on Oct 14, 2014 19:13:58 GMT
A troop of guards led the Sylph lord and his retainers to the royal palace. In the great hall the great fire pit blazed merrily and at the high table sat the Jarl, his wife and brother. The Jarl rose to his feet and addressed his unexpected guests. "Please, come warm yourselves and eat your fill. When you are properly revived you may tell what brings winged ones to my shore."
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Post by cerdigon on Oct 14, 2014 23:05:22 GMT
It was in the late hours of the evening when the nobleman found himself standing before the Jarl and his kin. '' King Aeron sends his greetings and good tidings. With his impending victory, he would speak to you of the future. A future in which giant and sylph are no longer at one another's throats. My master has other ambitions and in order to that he will need trade and contacts. He would also remind you that the Cerdigon is not the Sultanate. '' Broderick said no more, the meaning was clear. Unlike the Dwarves, the Cerdigonian's have well drilled professional soldiers at their disposal. Any raids against the coast would be costly indeed.
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Post by Vaklu on Oct 15, 2014 4:43:36 GMT
"Yes, you lack the beards." Gudrik guffawed into his ale. "And they don't fly nearly as well."
The Jarl gave a look of exasperation towards his brother's antics. "I salute King Aeron's might in reclaiming his birthright and I too wish for our peoples to forge a better relationship, and trade would be a fine way to move along that path. If you have ports ready for such an endeavor i would be ready as soon as next season. We also wish to expand back onto the mainland and friends near by would make such a project easier."
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Post by cerdigon on Oct 15, 2014 17:11:31 GMT
Broderick paled at the mention of expansion onto the mainland. He knew that the King would want the Jotun as far from his borders as possible. The emisarry kept his mouth shut on the subject before clearing his throat and turning to matters of trade. '' The King is planning a major expansion of the harbor district in the next season. A trade route could easily be established then. My Lord also intends to reclaim the northern reaches of his realm that were ravaged by war. If you are interested in buying Iron...perhaps an arrangement could be made. ''
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Post by Vaklu on Oct 16, 2014 2:07:58 GMT
"It would be of interest, but not at this time. Please extend an invitation to your King on my behalf. I would be greatly honored if he would come and be my guest we could perhaps dicuss our plans in more detail an ensure that we do not tread on eachother's toes. As it were." The Jarl decided to ignore the paling and the fear it suggested. A little fear was more than health in allies it ensured no one would betray lightly.
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Post by cerdigon on Jan 28, 2015 20:37:39 GMT
It would be an understatement to suggest that the Commonwealth was pleased by the alliance between the Jotun Clans and the Ikagami on the Commonwealth's western border. But it would be stupid for either side to provoke a confrontation. Both Jotun and Commonwealth merchants had profited from their relationship over the years and it showed no signs of stopping as both sides had recently renewed the trade pact. The reason that Broderick found himself here was that the Commonwealth was eager to import food to feed its growing populace. Lord Broderick had found himself within the capital of a Jotun, sending a message to the palace requesting a meeting.
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Post by Vaklu on Jan 29, 2015 3:02:55 GMT
Lord Broderick was brought into Jarl Tholarg's study early in the afternoon. The room was dominated by a massive writing desk and self after shelf filled with books concerning the myriad application of architecture. The Jarl was working on sheaf of plans and blueprints for a rather large structure when the Sylph lord came in.
"Please, take a seat." He indicated to a chair that had been placed in front of the desk that was just the right size for a human or similarly sized race. Tholarg put his pen into a ink pot and gave his guest his full attention. "How can I help you?"
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Post by cerdigon on Jan 29, 2015 4:36:00 GMT
Lord Broderick sank back into the chair, it still seemed far too large for the Sylph's frame and he could never seem to get quite comfortable -- perhaps that was the point. '' The Commonwealth is looking to supplement its coming harvest for the next two seasons until its own production has stabilized. The Jotun and Commonwealth have a longstanding mutually benefical trade relationship and felt it was best to approach you. The King is willing to offer four thousand jien in exchange for two tonnes of grain for a year. '' (4 gold per turn for 2 food per turn)
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Post by Vaklu on Jan 29, 2015 18:46:19 GMT
"Hmm, one moment please." The jarl rose from his chair and moved to the door. After a short conversation with a guard he came back to his desk. "My seneschal will be joining us in few moments."
After about a minute a human of middle years entered the room and bowed. First to the jarl then to the sylph lord.
"Balion could we feasibly provide our friends on the mainland with 2 tones of grain a season?"
The man looked up and muttered as he did sums in his head. "Easily my lord."
The jarl smiled and turned to his guest. "I can have the first shipment ready by the end of tomorrow."
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Post by cerdigon on Apr 7, 2015 1:59:54 GMT
The Jewel of the South sacked. Thousands dead, a city ransacked by barbarians, only barely turned back by the brave Sylph defenders. Of course that's how the bards were spinning the tale of the Rape of Leoten. Couriers had been dispatched to King Aeron telling him of the devastation but there had been nothing in the way of response. It left Lord Carvin, Chancellor of the Realm, a limited opportunity to attempt to bring the war to an end before it could truly begin. When King Aeron returned heads were sure to roll but the Elf lord hadn't survived this long in the Sylph court by not being a political animal. The Jotun and their trade contacts were important to the Commonwealth and the Seftian Dynasty had far more pressing problems on its borders than a few bold Jotun raids.
Nevertheless, King Aeron had been declared Co-King of Nevara. Likewise, King Pedro had been declared Co-King of the Commonwealth as the two nations formed their political union. Such an attack on King Aeron's ally to the south could not be ignored. Thus, Lord Broderick found himself once more in the Jarl's court.
'' King Aeron considers this an outrage. A betrayal by a loyal friend that he fought side by side with the Wastelanders only but a few months ago. This is how the Jotun treat their friends and trade partners? For years we have sought to put the ancient wars of the past behind us, only to have old wounds reopened by this criminal act. '' The diplomat said addressing the Jarl's court, before his gaze came to rest on one of the mightiest giants that the Southern Seas had ever produced. He tried to keep the emotion from his voice but was unsuccessful, the rage bubbling beneath the surface and lacing every word with white hot anger.'' How does the Jarl answer for these acts of aggression that are carried out in his name? ''
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Post by Vaklu on Apr 7, 2015 3:17:46 GMT
Tholarg rose from his throne and narrowed his eyes. "The Nearans are no friends of ours. They sent no troops west, maybe if they had then the Sefti-Cerdigon army would not have been reduced to half it's strength. I sent my ships to censure Cowards who could not be bother to bestir themselves when all the north marched. And unlike the humans who didn't march It's well known that King Pedro has failed to pay his taxes. And we were given free reign by the Vizier to raid nations that were delinquent in the past. I'd heard that Aeron calls this fool Co-king of the commonwealth. I suggest that he reconsider this union his. He'd probably find it easier to just take the place."
The Jarl grinned. "But if the king feels he is entitled to reparations let us here what you propose."
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Post by cerdigon on Apr 7, 2015 3:40:23 GMT
'' The Nevaran Army played a vital role in securing the Commonwealth's borders at a time when the Wastelanders we're running rampant. Not all can win glory in battle Jarl, you must know this. Order must be maintained at home when an army is in the field. '' The diplomats eyes narrowed at the mention of the Vizier.
'' The Vizier is dead! '' Broderick said, pacing back and forth across the floor of the throneroom like a caged animal ready to rip free from his prison. ''I wonder how the new Vizier would feel about banditry carried out in the Emperor's name. '' It was well known that outside of the Ikagami, the Commonwealth would have the largest share of the votes when electing the new Vizier to his post. Favors would be sought for revenge. But perhaps such could be avoided...
'' The Jotun will return half their plunder (5 gold) to Nevara in addition to one ton of stone or wood. The Commonwealth will aid in the reconstruction of Leoten. In addition, the Jotun will swear that there will be no new raids for a full year. It is for the new Vizier to Judge King Pedro.'' (NAP for 4 Turns) They were fair terms, fairer than the Jotun deserved, but at the risk of dragging this war out into a full born conflagration, such was the price of peace.
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