Eschton [mature] IC - Calling Arabesu

Voidrazor

First Post
Vertexx69 said:
Serraphina gently smiles at the servant. And after reciening the nanites, she glides out into the ballroom leaving a slight trail of mist coiling along the ground behind her. Her assistant ever at her side, deposits a drink into her hand without having to be asked. -And don't forget to supress your more "fiery" personality traits this evening.- "as you wish m'lady." The wisps of flame that frequently leap from the efreeti's shoulders subside and his living flame lower half solidifies into a pair of hoof shod legs. Seeing the governor, she heads over to say hello.

The main hall appears to be a huge rotunda decorated along similar lines but more lavish than the receiving rooms. Cleverly worked into the floor designs a clues to the acoustics of the hall, which are more complex than the round domed shape of the room would suggest. Two full orchestras are playing as well as half a dozen smaller bands of various genres. Yet no two zones of music overlap and there are many areas of silence broken only by conversation. Waiters of wildly varying physical descriptions circulate about the room carrying mouthwatering hors d'oeuvres. Dozens of labelled doors lead from the hall, presumably to rooms catering to specialized tastes.

Argus Oloriel Starzaeon stands in a spot about 50 yards from the center of the chamber surrounded by a gaggle of partygoers. He nods at your approach, "Citizen DeLacorte, delighted you could make it. Have you met Citizen Arhaux of Izzemyr? I believe you may be kindred spirits. And may I also introduce Arawn Segosian, Mirrin Vale, c[fx(e)]/i, Master Zaphroddus, and Emil Sekmet Vissarionich."

OOC - You haven't met Arhaux yet. But Izzemyr is in the IAO system. She is an Eumanitos, a human-appearing race that was originally genetically designed by the Ottotowans. Arawn and Mirrin appear to be Sirian, though Mirrin Vale would be an odd name for one. C[fx(e)]/i is clearly a Gleitsel. Zaphroddus and Emil both appear human.
 

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Shayuri

First Post
Nephtys said:
She waves her fins dismissively, "There's nothing to forgive. I am proud to call myself Citizen, until I have earned a higher title."
She follows Sigil's gaze trough the bubble, "The universe is magnificent, and yet at times I feel it is less beautiful than it is ugly, less wondrous than it is dull. For all its diversity much of it is still all the same, beneath the surface. And in those depths it is a hard and unforgiving place. Eschaton offers many advantages, yet it is also full of dangers. And the threat of uniformity is the greatest of them all. I have seen too many cultures fall not to warn you. The things that make your planet special are all too frail." She looks out the bubble, deep in thought. "And that's why it's so important the transition into Eschaton, for by now there's no way out, is handled delicately. Too much caution is a bad as too little, you have already seen the consequences of being percieved as weak and primitive."
"Yes," she turns to Sigil, measuring her reaction, "I know of the abductions. And I may be able to help you with that problem as well."

"But for now let us focus on the economics, for they are the base of all else. There is much I can do to improve your world, without damaging it or changing your culture too much, and the heart of any worlds economics are legislation and the rule of law, financial institutions and a modest amount of red tape. For your world to thrive you must first establish this foundation."
"I have spent much effort on making the administrative, economic and legal system on Otaijan 5 one of the finest in the known worlds, accommodating the development of a dozen vastly different species while still preserving their uniqueness. And I believe that our system can be adapted to fit your world well, since it is by its nature unintrusive. If you want I can send over some legal experts to help guide the process. Your sustem of education will also require an expansion both in size and sophistication."
"Of course, then comes the matter of direct economic develpoment. Barring any discoveries of rare and valuable raw materials on your planet I suggest we concentrate initially on exclusive luxury tourism, the entertainment industries and advanced financial services. Manufacturing at any scale I do not recommend that we bother with, except possibly for specialised magical goods that your people may have an affinity for. There are many other worlds that do that far better, and you couldn't compete without making unacceptable sacrifices and incurring crippling debt. No, your world is a paradise, and so it should remain."
"The defense of the planet must not be neglected. Membership in Eschaton provides some security, but not enough and never without a price of its own. I have some contacts that can supply you with the advanced military equipment you're going to need to defend your freedoms. You are powerful in yourself, I know. Strong enough to kill a dozen of me without breaking a sweat, and yet you can not be everywhere at once. If your world comes under attack you will need Mechas."
"The fact that... Oh, but I ramble on. Forgive me. Was there something you wanted to say?"

The news that Melanoce knew of the abductions nearly provoked a reaction in Sigil's face...but she managed to retain her composure, by dint of sheer will. With a smile and a nod, she stepped into the gap Melanoce offered.

"I realize there's a lot to be done, but that only underscores the importance of prioritizing," Sigil said gently. "Though I am flattered you've spent this much time and effort considering what you can offer. Lets start with the most important part...which is namely, developing what Kaydia can offer to offworlders. My predecessor paid for offworld favors by selling slaves. That is something I cannot, and will not abide." Her voice took on a passionate tone on those words. "So my first priority is making sure that Kaydia can pay for whatever services it needs. Modifications to education and institutions...those may have to wait. What I'd like to focus on is finding and developing goods and services that have offworld markets. Once we have established a solid base, then we can look at further fine tunings."

"You mentioned tourism, and that's something I'd like to follow up on. Not just in terms of a world unspoiled by industry...but a world rich in magical tradition, and with a large native fey population. I believe it might be possible to employ the fey in a spectacular entertainment industry, fueled by their natural tendencies towards performance, illusions and glamour, and of course, their love of showmanship and festivity. Not to mention their considerable physical charms." She smiles.

"There's also, I feel, some possibility of developing an industry for magical items...though I'd need to consult with my Autarchs to see how they felt about that. What I'd like to do eventually is organize the human mages, and provide incentives for them to produce relatively easy to create magical devices and items for offworld trade. One question I have there is how common magic industry is in general. My early researches show 'technology' being far more common. If so, perhaps markets for magic could be developed that Kaydia could supply?"
 

Avalon®

First Post
Taking a towel from the sidelines, Karnak begins to wipe the sweat from his body as he walks over to his throne room. Inside, a floating brain greets him with saying that a message is waiting for him from a certain Citizen Serraphina DeLacorte of Tran'sa 'Kuul.

"Tharsa, can you relay to me the message?"
 

Voidrazor

First Post
Nephtys said:
Melanoce frowns in irritation, but her mental voice remains as professional as ever. How dare you, you rotten pile of rust?
"Why concern yourself with tedious customer relations? That's one of the things I'll be managing for you. Kaydia, as you probably know if you have been looking at my files, is a primitive world. And the world-spirit is not likely to comprehend your advanced technologies since it has no experience of anything similar, at least not in this time-stream. Nor is it likely to be worth your time, since the spirit lacks any ability to pay you for the goods you provide."
"No, I am establishing a good connection with Queen Sigil. Far better to let me handle business at that end."
"If you wish to do business, then why I want to talk to Kaydia is not your business. We crystal?"

Nephtys said:
ooc: Why would it want to communicate with Kaydia's world spirit? What possible benefit could it provide hir?

ooc: Since hir can hack into Melanoce's systems (the only way he could have found out about the posibility of her trading Mecha's to Sigil, since this conversation happens before melanoce's and Sigils conversation at the party) hir probably has a higher skill at computer use than she does (as well as having better hardware, from being in a more advanced time stream?). Knowing that it would be foolish to make the attempt.
Offhand, you have no idea why it would. And yeah, I'm aware of the paradox involved in Xonorius 'predicting' the contents of Melanoce's future conversation with Sigil. In the normal course of events, Melanoce knowing of the prediction would change what she says while talking with Sigil. But one or more of the people involved can manipulate time. So, for the purposes of the conversation with Sigil, consider the one with Xonorius to be one of numerous 'possible pasts' all of which having some chance of arriving at the present. During the party treat the results and contents of the conversation with X. as indeterminate.
 

Nephtys

First Post
Voidrazor said:
"If you wish to do business, then why I want to talk to Kaydia is not your business. We crystal?"

"Oh, but it is. If you want me to secure Sigil's support in your negotiations with the worldspirit I'm going to have to know enough about your intentions to persuade the Queen of Kaydia. You don't expect her to gove me a carte-blance do you? She wouldn't be in the position she's in if she was that naive. You can't really expect me to willingly decieve Sigil in this matter. Not without some binding guarantees from your side. My honesty is precious to me, and I will not give it up without a price."
--
ooc:

Melanoce is continuously Mindblanked (from an item), but I know that's not foolproof against technological espionage (bugs and micro-cameras and such). Is there any other way to protect herself from that? How about those time-mainpulations. It seems like a crippling weakness if her enemies (and her enemies) can predict her future actions, but is there any way to counter them?
 
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Nephtys

First Post
Shayuri said:
"You mentioned tourism, and that's something I'd like to follow up on. Not just in terms of a world unspoiled by industry...but a world rich in magical tradition, and with a large native fey population. I believe it might be possible to employ the fey in a spectacular entertainment industry, fueled by their natural tendencies towards performance, illusions and glamour, and of course, their love of showmanship and festivity. Not to mention their considerable physical charms." She smiles.

"There's also, I feel, some possibility of developing an industry for magical items...though I'd need to consult with my Autarchs to see how they felt about that. What I'd like to do eventually is organize the human mages, and provide incentives for them to produce relatively easy to create magical devices and items for offworld trade. One question I have there is how common magic industry is in general. My early researches show 'technology' being far more common. If so, perhaps markets for magic could be developed that Kaydia could supply?"

ooc: VR: This sounds like a good start. What can Melanoce do to make it happen?
 

Vertexx69

First Post
Voidrazor said:
Argus Oloriel Starzaeon stands in a spot about 50 yards from the center of the chamber surrounded by a gaggle of partygoers. He nods at your approach, "Citizen DeLacorte, delighted you could make it. Have you met Citizen Arhaux of Izzemyr? I believe you may be kindred spirits. And may I also introduce Arawn Segosian, Mirrin Vale, c[fx(e)]/i, Master Zaphroddus, and Emil Sekmet Vissarionich."
With a gently intoxicating smile, Serraphina slighty inclines her head each as they are intoduced to her (briefly scanning surface thoughts as her gaze passes over each of them). "Think nothing of it governor, you have truly outdone yourself this evening. Everything looks gorgeous." She locks eyes with the first. "Citizen Arhaux, I don't believe I've had the pleasure. I have had a few scattered dealings with Izzemyr in the past, congratulations on your recent appointment. I hope our future encounters will be as pleasant as this evening is shaping up to be." She exchanges other such pleasantries with the others in turn, making each feel they have her undivided attention for the brief moment she converses with them before returning her gaze to the governor. "I do hope it's not an imposition to mix just a bit of business into this night of pleasure governor, but I mentioned to someone that I would be here if they needed to speak with me. A certain Lord Karnak has a starcruiser that has recently arrived near my system, and I was informed that he is the kind of person who's talent would be useful in a new project I'm pulling together." A crackle of energy spirals down the thick silver line that's entwining the skirt of her gown, followed by another in the opposite direction in another color.
 
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Voidrazor

First Post
Nephtys said:
"Oh, but it is. If you want me to secure Sigil's support in your negotiations with the worldspirit I'm going to have to know enough about your intentions to persuade the Queen of Kaydia. You don't expect her to gove me a carte-blance do you? She wouldn't be in the position she's in if she was that naive. You can't really expect me to willingly decieve Sigil in this matter. Not without some binding guarantees from your side. My honesty is precious to me, and I will not give it up without a price."
"Binding trade terms conditional upon success with Kaydia are open to discussion. Or if she agreed to memory redaction, I could explain the situation to Sigil."

Nephtys said:
ooc:Melanoce is continuously Mindblanked (from an item), but I know that's not foolproof against technological espionage (bugs and micro-cameras and such). Is there any other way to protect herself from that? How about those time-mainpulations. It seems like a crippling weakness if her enemies (and her enemies) can predict her future actions, but is there any way to counter them?
A continuous Machine Invisibility item would cost 24,000. This wouldn't work against sentient machines observing in person, or expensive and rare bugs with the equivalent of True Seeing. For 120,000 you could get an item that rendered you immune to True Seeing bugs, but there is always the possibility of epic scrying/surveillance. The 120K option could be added to your Mindblank item without paying 1.5 for multiple effects. A portable command word privacy sphere that could be narrowed to stop invisible spies would cost 54,000. A simple illusion to prevent lip reading would be and extra 8K, although more could be spent for a more tangible barrier. AI nanotech fields are occasionally employed for surveillance. Incorporating a system to filter them out would be another 27K.

You don't at present know how to prevent time manipulation. Regular precognition wouldn't work against Mindblank and is usually not prcise enough to predict the contents of a conversation, given the plethora of possible futures. You could ask the chronomancer that Starzaeon hired, or find another one.
 

Nephtys

First Post
Voidrazor said:
"Binding trade terms conditional upon success with Kaydia are open to discussion. Or if she agreed to memory redaction, I could explain the situation to Sigil."

"I find that rather improbable. She has little reason to trust me and less reason to trust you, and if she'd allow us to tamper with her memories she wouldn't even have a reason to trust herself.
Either way, lets table the discussion about Kaydia for now and let us discuss the binding trade terms that are not conditional upon those negotiations. Regardless of whatever advantage you seek to gain from direct and secret negotiations with the worldspirit of Kaydia that world is but a minor potential customer. Surely you must have some interest in conventional economics, and that is an area in which I may actually be helpful to you. You must after all finance your production some way. Now, please, let us discuss actual business matters."
(ooc: Can you tell I don't do stuff like this for a living? :heh: I'm feeling a bit lost here.)

Melanoce starts a methodic search for any information she can find about worldspirits in general and Kaydia's worldspirit in specific. She's looking for any information that could explain why and how they can be useful in any way.
 

Voidrazor

First Post
Avalon® said:
Taking a towel from the sidelines, Karnak begins to wipe the sweat from his body as he walks over to his throne room. Inside, a floating brain greets him with saying that a message is waiting for him from a certain Citizen Serraphina DeLacorte of Tran'sa 'Kuul.

"Tharsa, can you relay to me the message?"
"Yes milord", The Unbodied replies telepathically, "Message follows."

"Greetings and salutations Lord Karnak, I am Serraphina DeLecourt ruler of Tran'sa Kuul. Lord High Inquisitor Quillian Bliss speaks highly of you, and mentioned that you might be able to help me with a situation developing in my little end of the galaxy. I will be attending Argus Oloriel Staraeon, Governor of Kal'e'zant's gala event this evening if you wish to speak on the matter at length in person."
 

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