Total War: Broken City, Book 2

[Thelonius]

Legal Issues

''I don’t know how Mr. Krodok can be a prisoner of war, when there hasn’t been a war, unless you claim that Mercantile Guild and Ram are both sovereign nations, like Illarym Empire and Kingdom of Merdallan.''

''It’s of course up to Lord Wallen, whether to follow the legal system and up to ESBA to act as legal authority.''

[Grimsage Matt]

The Technists Guild

Okay, we've had it. Now, we've sat back and been more or less queit because frankly? We thought you people could get along better. Ruffians, you want to redrusibute the wealth to the poor? Fine. SGA, you don't want to be attacked by angry mobs. Fine. Lets meet, and discuss this like civil, rational people.

In fact, with the Blackfists permission, I would like to propose a method of resloving the dispute WITHOUT KILLING ANYMORE PEOPLE!

A football game between the SGA and the RSA. Following the normal rules of the Blackfist Tournement, with the wager agreed on by both sides, signed by the leaders, in triplicate and given to the ESBA and the Orcs of Tregon.

In all honesty, they're new to the area. They are not as involved in the poltical games that are causing you to blow up parts of the city. Hopefully, they can be a neutral witness, because with all due respect to his "Magesty" we don't trust James. Makes more promises then a loan shark.

[Eldan]

RSA [PM]

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"If I may ask a simple question... why are we fighting the merchants and the Sausage Guild? They are not our primary enemies. The nobles are. We don't like the merchants, sure, but we want James gone before them. And now the nobles and James have betrayed us, cost us much of our forces. So why shouldn't we march out and give the spoiled brat a taste of his own medicine?"

[Imperial Psycho]

Order of the Wren

RSA [PM]

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"It was my belief, that an attack on the Mercantile Guild, followed by the Sausage Guild, would cripple the SGA, and severely weaken James' base of supporters. Combined with support from the Wardens, who would be willing to join our side in exchange for such an attack, I believed that such actions would then allow us the strength to challenge James. "

"Whatever you think of my plan, the damage is done. I did not expect such a large force to meet us. I can only offer my apologies. But we can't just tell the SGA that we're sorry, we're bored now, we'll go fight the King instead. They're out for blood. Even if we want to make peace, we need to deal them a stinging blow first. We need to show our steel. Then we can begin talks."

[Greystone]

EBSA

On Juries and Treason

As a sign of good faith, we will continue working towards a compromise that both the judges and juries will find. However, as of this moment, the EBSA must consider the deal with the Blackfist and the Ram null and void. I can imagine that we can either take the prison by rightful, just force or shall create a replacement holding center.

As to the nature of the attack, this is our judgement- either it was an escalated case of highway robbery, in which case each and every member involved, including the planning leadership will stand trial. If this was NOT a case of simple ruffianship, and can be construed a legitimate to ferment civil war (or the case of a Council member wrongfully and illegally assaulting a private organization) then the only possible answer is treason. Again, trials will be had, but the outcomes are far less acceptable.

If the leadership of the Wren, Blackfist, and Ram turn themselves over to the EBSA- then we can assure a fair trial and with all of the rights afforded to private citizens of any economic stature. If you do not, then it is resisting arrest at least, and an admission of treason at worse. Militant Traitors are afforded no rights outside of a swift death usually reserved for invaders.

We of the EBSA wish to end this peacefully, but we will NOT continue to allow such flagrant attacks within the city to continue unpunished.

SGA/Wallen/EBSA

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Lady Anala will attend the meeting. This must be dealt with.

Elfbeens- If that is the case we shall bring in the accused members for trial, and as long as they come willingly, they shall be afforded all the mercy the courts have to offer.

[razovor]

Champions of Sovereignty:

To the council: (0)

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"I...am stunned. I can think of nothing that would justify the RSA's unprovoked assault, but I suppose we should give them a chance to explain themselves."

On the Football game...

This... really doesn't seem like an appropriate method of solving disputes. Can we not simply have the RSA agree to recuperate the SGA's losses?

[Murska]

Wardens to Bloodhaven

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I suppose I'll send someone to talk. We've been quite busy lately, and will likely be more so in the future, though. ((OOC: Unless it's /really/ important, I lack a VIP to use PMs with.))

Wardens to Mercantile Guild

All right. We asked you for reparations and ceasing the attacks on us last month. We got neither, and in addition we now have proof that your agents attempted to gather the Warlords to attack the innocent workers and raid them in the Shattered Lands.

This has gone too far. If you don't immediately surrender all of your influence in Warden-operated areas and transfer us 1 p.Wealth, and forever cease all attempts to ally with the Warlords or attack us, we will declare Vendetta on your faction. You have a week to respond.

[Grimsage Matt]

On the Football

Ya, good luck getting them to pay up. Besides, they need the coin more then we do, and do you have any better idea that WON'T result in a fight to the death from them once their cornerered? This way, yes they live to plot another day, but they won't take half the city with them.

[ForzaFiori]

Ram Revolution:

RSA:

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I agree with the Blackfists. James MUST pay for what he has done. My information was properly passed during the battle - several of those taken prisoner were agents told to pass the false info when questioned. The SGA might be busy trying to protect the Sausage Guild and Vassari this month. This may be our only chance to actually do what we originally set out to do.

Technists:
While I would love the chance to watch such a game, somehow I doubt it would be an effective solution.

Champions:
What sort of compensation would this entail, and would you, as a collaborator (after all, we marched straight through your territory) also be paying?

[Murska]

Wardens to Sausage Guild

The two-month deadline is up. We'll be taking control over Pepperstoch now.

[Imperial Psycho]

Order of the Wren

RSA[PM]

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"There is no need to be maudlin. We lost that fight, but it was not a fatal blow, nor is the battle over. We will handle James when we win, but we MUST plan to win. We must not behave like dead men. Besides, it was Wallen I wish to get my hands on."

" I doubt they expect an attack on the Sausage Guild of Vassari. Even if they did, they will prefer to hit us where we live. "

[razovor]

The Champions of Sovereignty:

To the Ram Revolution:
I'm still waiting for your explanation of the attack Constantine. Answer in your next public statement, or I will know it was motivated purely by power.

I want a peaceful solution to this, but for that to happen we must be honest about our motives.

[Murska]

Wardens to House Laurier

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Hello, friend.

I would like to ask you to look into your Arcanan contacts and see if they know of a way to eliminate Skinwalkers. We've a bit of an infestation in the woods.

Wardens to Trebon Orcs

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Hmm. We need solutions against those skinwalkers. I think one possibility is using our Imperial Contacts to purchase Null Bombs, but we need money for that - it's 5 t.Wealth for 5 one-use bomb shipments that each nullify 1 Mag.

[ForzaFiori]

Ram Revolution:

RSA (PM):

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No one has ever won a war by sitting still. If we fight this war on our territory, our territory is the one being destroyed. We get weaker while their people never feel the touch of war.

[Imperial Psycho]

Order of the Wren

RSA [PM]

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"I expect the Wardens to attack the SGA soon. Despite their lackluster involvement last month, I trust them to attack. It will be in their interests as well as ours. "

"If we must attack, then let us fight the enemy attacking us. Dragging more military force into things when we are evenly matched with our active opponents at most is asking for trouble."

[ArcaneStomper]

The Sausage Guild

To the SGA, the EBSA, and House Wallen

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We will of course be at the meeting. There are many issues to discuss.

Gern Smokebeard, Guild Master of the Sausage Guild

To the Wardens

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By all means go ahead, and we appreciate your courtesy in allowing us to carry out the investigation undisturbed.

On the Football game:
Although we agree this is a ridiculous idea, we also note that the last time a member of the RSA "recuperated" our losses, those forces turned around and assassinated our guild master.

[Eldan]

RSA (PM)

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Our forces are more or less gone. We don't have anything to send. So, feel free to attack, we will be rebuilding and threating our wounded.

[razovor]

The Champions of Sovereignty:

To the SGA, House Wallen, and EBSA: [7]

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"The RSA do not appear to be responding. I do not see how a peaceful solution can be reached under this conditions. If you are holding a meeting to discuss action, I would be a part of it. My inaction has already done far too much to hurt the people of this city."

[Murska]

Wardens to Sausage Guild

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All right. Thank you.

We apologize for our tone - we've had a little trouble with SGA agents these past few months, and even though it hasn't been you, it's coloured our views. We'll try to arrange things so that there won't be need for further conflict again - I personally respect your strength.

Imperial First - Warden HQ

Walking past the guards with a wave of her hand, Tara Jezel enters the office of Commander Tarmin. She waves a piece of paper, glancing around the room decorated with flags and painted shields of all kinds, old campaign trophies from the Shattered Lands. In the middle is a large, heavy wooden table covered currently with a vase of fresh flowers and a large green tablecloth, surrounded by a bunch of surprisingly comfortable chairs and, at the far end, a larger seat that is not quite a throne, but not far from it.

"Hey, old man!" She shouts after she's ascertained that Tarmin is not present.

A heavy oak door opens behind the Commander's chair. A graying man steps out with a sigh.

"What is it, Specialist Jezel?"

"Just the reports on the disturbance with our neighbours, Nath. Also some suggestions of my own, as usual."

"As usual." Tarmin's tone sounds like he's not particularly happy about the 'suggestions' his subordinate tends to add. "What is it that you want? You wouldn't be here if you didn't intend to push for some plan of yours again."

Jezel straightens up, salutes and manages to actually sound serious for a moment.

"Yes. Well, we've got strategic problems. I'm sure you can see them. I've come to realize that your methods in solving these problems are lacking. You've pushed aside several of my suggestions for improving the situation, lately, and what you call a 'disturbance' may just have been a large blow to our entire Order.

I'm telling you right here and now to call the Council of Commanders. We need to discuss this with all of them, and decide what to do, before it's too late. Sir."

Hearing this, Tarmin straightens up, turning his intense gaze at Jezel. They stare at each other for a moment, neither letting up. Then he sighs, grabbing hold of the back of his seat.

"And now that Richard is dead and Everett is not present, you think you can get your opinions heard. You may even be right.

What will you do if I refuse?"

"If you refuse to call the Council, I will call them." Her voice softens. "I'm sorry Nath. But I believe my way is the only way we'll survive this."

He sighs. "Likewise, Tara."


Soon afterwards, the call goes out to Warden neighbourhoods. The Council of Commanders is called upon to gather for a meeting at the Headquarters. By Commander Tarmin himself. To decide on the future of the Order.

((OOC: Jezel calling the Council would mean a direct challenge on the authority of the Commander and the Council would have to treat it as an official attempt to remove Tarmin, with the associated procedures.

I'm holding this IC meeting between my people this turn. I've got 7 DEsp and probably a HQ bonus on it, if someone wants to try and spy upon it. This turn is also a prime situation to try and affect the attitudes of the Commanders and change the course the Wardens will take in the future.

EDIT: Do note that I won't be making the meeting like a set of messages with 7 DEsp - if you want in on the discussion you'll actually have to /spend/ Esp points on it. I'm not sure if it'll be that interesting.))

[HerbieRAI]

Church of Neposh

To Bloodhaven

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We cannot assist quite yet, mainly due to our military force being outside the city. Also, we will not move in to let the Grave Guard continue their pitful job on the area. If the Necromancers rise sharply and threat to remove the Grave Guard, we will assist.

To Bloodhaven, Orks, The Wardens, and Champions

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We will be bringing more magic into the area to help combat the skin walkers.
We also think that some anti magic from the ESGE may help suppress their abilities. Will the rest of you be able to continue the assult in the area?

To ESGE

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OOC: your the faction that had the anti magic, correct?
Outside the city we encountered creatures called skin walkers. We believe your antimagic abilities may help in their defeat. Is there a way we can get some of your men to upside circle?

[Murska]

Wardens to Bloodhaven, Orcs, Neposh, Champions

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I can probably continue the assault, depending on whether the Mercantile Guild agrees to our offer of peace. If we have to declare Vendetta, all of our forces will be unavailable, however.

In any case, I'm trying to contact Ver Arcana through House Laurier for their knowledge and if anyone can gather the funds, I could purchase Null Bombs from my Imperial Contacts.

[Ragnar Lodbroke]

To Wardens and Merchants

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Wardens: even though we have had little contact; I consider you a force of order in the City. Is it truly necessary that you attack the Merchants? You are both an important part of the City, and it pains me to see the continous provocations and useless fights between you.

Merchants: I have helped you in the past. I was ready to help against anyone who attacked you and I’d do it again.

You are not really enemies. Your real enemies are the enemies of the city. Can you negotiate an agreement? We need peace. The Wardens to end the fights with the barbarians once and for all; the Merchants to recover from the losses the bandits have provoked.

You need unity. The City needs unity. I pledge you to stop the madness, and offer to collaborate to negotiate an agreement between you.

To Viche Whitecrane

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“Do you believe we can trust the Church of Neposh to take part in the meeting at the Commerce House?

Do you believe the same about the Militia of Order and Justice?

We need to make everyone we can join this, as long as we can trust them not to betray us.

If you consider they can be trusted, please invite them. I trust your judgement.”

The SGA Meeting [PM]

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Madame Beteoui entered the room, and started to prepare for the meeting.
It was unclear what Lord Wallen was doing, but she was in charge in this. The Party Council had decide that the councilman (Councilwoman in this case) should take the discussion.

“My friends!” She said. “We are currently at war. The first battle has been fought and won.
But we must not be overconfident! The next months will be long and difficult, but if we stay together, we’ll make them pay!”

Several guildmembers cheered, remembering the warcry of the Battle of the Stacks, as it was remembered.

To the Champions of Sovereignity

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My Lord, we couldn’t help but notice that the enemy came through your grounds.
You didn’t send men to support us, even though you said you would.

We apreciate the help you gave; and we look forward to continue cooperating until this menace to the city stops.

But I would have to ask the rest of the meeting members before inviting you in. I don’t wish to create divisions between us.
I believe a lot of them will be suspicious, and that would be the enemy's advantage.

There is something you could do to turn them to your side: Convince the Wardens of signing peace with the Merchants; or even to declare war against the Blackfist.
It's too dangerous to have them fighting when we have the perfect excuse to hit our enemies now.

I propose to act as liason. We can have our own meeting, and create objectives by it.

I was considering to take up arms and go to the field this month. I haven’t fully decided, but I’m considering it. I’m good with muskets. It would be my honour to do so next to you, Milord.

[Copper8642]

The Heladuit Court

Def Esp: 6

SGA [PM]:

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Javier spends most of his time at the Guild House anyways; he'll be at the meeting.

The Technist's Guild:

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Felicitations. We request the full report on the Medical Safety of the Celestial Network from the Technist Guild Archives, as was stated we could do.

The Gear's Chosen:

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Would you be willing to meet in person? I admit, this is mostly for personal gain, but I would be willing to reimburse you somehow for your time. The recent commotion of Sav Altulas has left me bereft of time with which to keep abreast with the ever-advancing world of academia. In an effort to keep my intellect satiated with a full education, I have decided that a suitable subject of study (its complicated nature should make up for my past lapses in study) would be your controversial Celestial Network. I would like to learn about it from you, to become a scholar in its workings. In the interest of full disclosure with you, I am requesting the Technist's Guild's report on it, if only to have all available information within my reach, but I understand their study of it may or may not have been entirely in good faith. Please respond.

-Markus Heladuit

Trials and Laws:

This "Trial by Football" is somewhat foreign to me, but is still the best option I've seen any of you plebes suggest. It is at least somewhat analogous to the formal Trial by Combat used by more civilized folk. You insist on this "Trial by Jury," which is both ineffective and a misnomer. You act like there is no jury in a Trial by Theater. Who would judge the show, if there were no audience, and true jury of ones peers? A trial by Theater allows for much more to be said to many more people, and is a much more effective "Trial by Jury" than what your intended style of courthouse proceedings could ever be.

I know some of you have contacts outside this city. Next time you are exchanging pleasantries with your friends from Merdallan, for instance, mention the attempted riot instigation. Wait for them to ask what happened to those thought guilty. Mention your judges, your trials, your lawyers, and wait for their responses. Your insistence on these corruptible and ineffective trials will draw only their ire and judgement, and your decisions may be questioned, even called illegitimate. Stop this so-thought "progressive" nonsense, if you continue you will find no progress to be made at all.

[razovor]

The Champions of Sovereignty:

To House Wallen:

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"How was I supposed to know the enemy would march through my territory!?"

"If I'd had soldiers in the area, we would have stood against them. We would probably have all died in the process. I can't ask the same of my civilian populace."

"Let's talk about the Wardens. I'll get straight to what the Wardens consider the issue to be."

"The Shipwrights guild joined them of their free will. The Mercantile Guild shouldn't have tried to steal them back with coin. Are the Merchants willing to publicly admit they did something wrong?"

[Ragnar Lodbroke]

To the champions of sovereignity

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I thought someone would warn you, and that you had your men there. I assumed you would have defenses set; since you are next to the enemy.

I was wrong.

But you have to admit, it looks bad.

I'm not sure the Merchants are willing to admit that. We could stop this fight by negotiating, but it's hard.

Would the wardens stop attacking the Merchants? I heard about a meeting intending to change their leadership. I'm worried they will end up with a far more agressive leadership

[ForzaFiori]

Ram Revolution

RSA

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I say we strike against James now. The Wardens threatening the Merchants and Sausage Guild are sure to draw their attention away. We can pool our last bits of resources, and strike down James for his treason. They won't see it coming, expecting us to bottle up. THEN we turtle and hope the Wardens go ape-**** on the SGA.

[Imperial Psycho]

The Order of the Wren

RSA [PM]

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"You won't have my support in such an attack. Sorry, but I don't throw men away. "

"The Wardens can't hope to fight all the SGA alone. Combined with a solid defense from us, we can be the anvil against which they strike the hammer. "

[razovor]

The Champions of Sovereignty:

To House Wallen:

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I assumed the RSA wouldn't be crazy enough to attack the Mercantile Guild. I assumed they wouldn't attack anyone. Something like this turns the whole city against them. I hoped they were better people than this.

The Wardens don't think like you or I. They are absolutely certain the Mercantile Guild committed an offence, and that they have to be punished if they don't give some form of reparations for it.

I'm willing to provide the demanded money, but the mercantile guild have to be willing to 'admit' they did something wrong, and publicly apologise. I don't care if they lie, but it needs to sound sincere.

[Thelonius]

An Open Letter of Magnificent Alscot Lascelles to the Markus Heladuit

You Ser, is a true man among the mice of this City and I would gladly dishonor all your daughters in one night, simply for the pleasure of provoking a Duel by Theatre. Why I’ll cut your throat and defile your body to taste your lovely daughter Lady Meredia’s sweet revenge.

But the Theatre judges Gods and Nations, Kings and Archmages. For it to judge the banality of common crime is preposterous. Let the dull crimes of the dull people be judged by the grey, faceless system of dead law. The Trial by Combat should be reserved for those of noble blood, gods and actors.

[Murska]

Wardens to House Wallen

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We haven't done anything to the Merchants directly since the battle for Traitor's Bridge. That one was dealt with by negotiation, we paid our prices and left them alone. We talked to the Shipwright's Guild to see if they wouldn't build us some boats that we needed, and found out they were chafing under the rule of the Merchants who were slowly but surely driving their guild to the ground, so we agreed to help them if they'd help us. Not once did we get into any sort of confrontation with the Merchants, and there wasn't even any presence of their guards in Drydocks.

But every single week we get a new message about Mercantile agents convincing people in our neighbourhoods to spy for them or give them coin, about Mercantile leaders meeting secretly with Warlords to direct raids on our people. This needs to stop, and they need to pay for what they've done. We've assassinated all the Warlords who spoke with them and dispersed their troops, but such a method would probably not be the best way to deal with the Mercantile side of things, so we're asking them to pay the pittance of reparations, a tiny part of what they gain each day from trade we help keep safe for them over a Bridge we guard for them and through the lands we've protected for them, not even half of what they've cost us with their transgressions. If they simply cannot find it in themselves to admit their wrongs and even symbolically act to right them, then we would not be who we are if we did not retaliate. You can take a man's life, and he will still be a man, but if you take his honour he is nothing more than vermin.