EMPIRES! The Heartwaste Conference

[Rain Dragon]

"Aristocrat Akira Baakin. If I go into Kyomet now, I do not know what my brother might do. However, he will not be able to ignore my challenge to him to perform the Battle of Wits if I do several things first. I plan to venture through the Labyrinth of Nykta, hunt the flaying snowcloak terrors near Vagon and pass the trial of riddles and daggers. Thus I will show that I have passed the tests the three previous Elders have, showing my capability and giving strength to my claim. However, to make that meaningful at all, I will need the people to hear of it, so I would like to ask you to be present and arrange several others drawn from the Tekorvan and Yorukun estates to be present when I take these tests."

Baakin nods politely, in Formal Speech saying, "It will be done."

A mad fool though she is, it should be entertaining to watch her die.

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OOC BELOW

Well stuff happened while I slept I guess. ^^

Sheesh Lord_Burch, the flattery in the OOC thread. O.o

/Jion sips his tea.
What now?

[Lord_Burch]

Syana nodded at the Bordeux Lord in acknowledgement. In her pocket weighed a platinum chain with an amber pendant but she would wait to present it to the Heartwaste Queen until after the conclusion of whatever it was Lord Cedrik wished to discuss.

((OOC: You want to have a time skip that's the three of us and spoiler it in this thread?))

((OOC: Sure, that works fine.))

Before you depart for your homes, I have troubling news to share. Shortly before our meeting, my head clerk, Archére, brought to my attention that a man came seeking you, Valineth. He identified himself as an ambassador from Wenvayeuk and demanded to speak with you, at once. While normally, my guards would not detain a man such as this as the palace gates, the method with which he came was... Strange, by their report. He himself was fairly well dressed, but had three thuggish looking men with him- one of which my guards identified as a known criminal associate. He also tried to enter by a side door, not at the customary front gates. Anyway, when they denied him entrance, he first tried to bribe them and then quickly grew hostile. He ordered the thugs to assault my guards. While they were able to kill two of the thugs and capture another, the supposed ambassador himself escaped. My men are searching for him- and I fully expect to find him- but I wanted to warn you of a potential threat to your life, possibly from Wenvayeuk, although it is much more likely that there is an unknown enemy to your throne.

EDIT: ((OOC: Well, it was just one word. And in my opinion, you did write the best fluff around.))

[QuintonBeck]

"I have known the Wenvayeuk to be a peaceful people, not prone to violence. I suspect you are true in doubting this man's true purpose and origin Lord Cedrik. In any event it is my regret that I must insist upon you Queen Valineth my company and retinue of guards upon your return trip to the Heartwaste and then unto Sanctuary, we must see your safe arrival so that you might attempt the trials and lay claim to your thrones." Syana said, concern hidden behind her cool, collected mask.

OOC: Agreed, RD fluff is the best fluff.

[Morph Bark]

It was odd to hear that the fiefdom of the northern frost known as Wenyavuk would be involved in something of that sort. Valineth considered it for a moment, but nodded. "It is possible such enemies may still lurk within the shadows. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Lord Cedrik." She looked over at the dwarven envoy Tuthin and couldn't stop herself quick enough from letting out a stifled giggle. It appeared the old dwarf had nodded off for a bit.

Spoiler: For Burch and Quinton only

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Well then, the table is yours, Lord_Burch.

Spoiler: For Quinton only

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Valineth approached Syana after all the talking has been done and deals have been made. "Empress Ignato," she speaks softly, with a curtsey, "I wish to verify that it is not Wenyavuk I am up against in all this, for they are neighbours of the Tekorvans and long have traded we with them. Might I borrow one of your messengers to send them a request for clarification? If they are not my enemy in this matter, I may even be able to gather their support, which would prove vital in acquiring my throne."

[Silverbit]

Tuthin abruptly jerked awake, after a somewhat unpleasant dream. Blinking slowly, he became aware that quite a lot of conversation had apparently passed him by.

"Hmmm… the Wenyavuk, you say? We Razdissi have always had good relations with them; it seems most unlikely that they'd be violent at all, unless you troubled their mammoths. This purported ambassador sounds like an interloper of the worst sort."

A discrete dwarven noble aide whispered to him the events of the conversation.

"As for the Heartwaste, I have made my decision. Valineth, you have the Razdissi, the Eyrecradians, the Sulvans and the Elbarazi behind you. You seem to have the safety of this most volatile of regions as your priority; damming the Bloodfire is the best idea I've heard in years. A queen needs a crown; though I'm sure you already possess one, behold the work of Razdissi artisans; it is yours, for as long as you and your line keep the peace in the Heartwaste."

Pulling himself up, Tuthin reaches into a satchel by his side and comes up with a shining and delicate Mithril circlet, set with amber.

Spoiler: OOC:

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Aahhg, sorry everyone, I mistakenly closed this tab and didn't notice. I've done that before. My bad. And I agree, Rain Dragon's fluff is really good.

[QuintonBeck]

Spoiler: For Quinton only

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Valineth approached Syana after all the talking has been done and deals have been made. "Empress Ignato," she speaks softly, with a curtsey, "I wish to verify that it is not Wenyavuk I am up against in all this, for they are neighbours of the Tekorvans and long have traded we with them. Might I borrow one of your messengers to send them a request for clarification? If they are not my enemy in this matter, I may even be able to gather their support, which would prove vital in acquiring my throne."

Spoiler: For Valineth/Morph Only

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"Of course Queen Valineth," Syana nodded her head, "I too doubt the involvement of the Wenyaveuk government proper, but it may be they know this man who sought to disrupt things here."

"Then it is decided," Syana said, "We shall all support Queen Valineth in her pursuit of the thrones of Sanctuary and the Heartwaste and she shall, upon her coronation, close off the Bloodfire vents forevermore."

Spoiler: For Valineth/Morph Only

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After the two depart the Lord Cedrik's keep and gather the Ignato escort, dispatching a messenger to Wenyaveuk, Syana presents the platinum and amber necklace to the young queen.

"Young Queen Valineth, you are entering a volatile and violent sphere of the world in taking these thrones, but I will have you know you shall have mine and my allies support. I believe the Lord Cedrik when he says the same, but the Union has proved itself in the past to not be above trickery and deceit. I believe your safest path is also the most treacherous in walking the line between Union and Coalition but I would be wary of all sides. I believe Guilder may be trusted, as I so mentioned previously, so too do I trust the Empress of Hurosha and my fellow members of the Triumvirate, you must find for yourself a collection, small and trustworthy to call your closest allies. While I would be remiss if I did not suggest myself I urge you to look on my actions and the actions of others and decide for yourself who might or might not be trusted. It has taken my family three generations to determine who might be believed and relied upon, I fear you may not have that luxury of time."

"I had heard news prior to my arrival here of my ally in Kasumor pressing claim to the Tekorvan throne. I suggest in our travels we stop in to Kasumor so that I might speak with my ally and convince her your support is the better course."

[SamBurke]

The following is an official letter from Guilder to Valineth.

To Queen Valineth,

May her reign last as long as she draws breath, and may her breath be longer than the ropes of many sailing ships. I, Humperdink, Doge of Guilder, have been informed that there is great danger in the instability of regions to the north. It is in the interest of peace and security that I write this missive, to be delivered to her by any means necessary.

As potentate of the Guilderene Expanses, I henceforth give my support to Queen Valineth's reign. There are several other nations pressing claims in the region, but I believe Valineth to have the best interest of the country truly at heart. Since that is the case, I formally give her my support, giving up the claim that I posses by treaty and security, in the better and higher interest of peace.

Be this known to all,
Signed,
Humperdink the Just,
Doge of Guilder, etc,etc,etc.