Diplomatic Immunity: Wedding Bells a'Ringing

[Rystil Arden]

"Indeed, Lord Atreides, we were very successful. For quite a while I had been searching for such a site; a site dating back centuries. It is in ancient history my work lies you see. While it was difficult to get much work done with all the keening spirits around, we found a treasure trove there. I have only had this one chance to work with him, though we have continued to write to one another over the interveening time. Based on that particular venture I'd have to say that he is quite successful and I wish him the best on all future endeavours." he replies.

"Hmm, well he always was a dreamer. I'm sure the ideas of the ancient legends being unearthed fascinated him. I don't have many good words for Ammon, but when he's motivated on something he truly enjoys, he can actually sometimes get the job done. I only wish he was more successful in any of his actual responsibilities--As far as I know, he didn't successfully accomplish a single diplomatic or mercantile endeavour, and that was the explicit purpose of his little journey."

"Easy Atreus. Not that many can be said to have won the favour of the Byblans, and it seems your Ammon did just that. Besides, the marriage of our two children seals a great tie between my family and yours--you don't want to disparage your heir, the one who's marrying my daughter, do you?"

"Honestly, I just wish he was a decade or so younger, like Orin here. That would give me more time to teach him, and maybe I could figure out how to motivate him right...What do you think, Byblan? I guess your people never lack motivation, considering a strong motivation is a prerequisite to the 'ascension', right?"

 

[Erekose13]

"Yes, motivation is a key to ascention. For my part, the search for ancient languages led me to seek out the Byblans. It would seem that Ammon made many valuable friendships while on his journey. You never know what might come of those ties, just look at the variety of people who have come to his wedding. I personally had no idea that he had met so many others." replies Mythweaver, not really sure what he could tell Lord Atreides about motivating Ammon.

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Yes, motivation is a key to ascention. For my part, the search for ancient languages led me to seek out the Byblans. It would seem that Ammon made many valuable friendships while on his journey. You never know what might come of those ties, just look at the variety of people who have come to his wedding. I personally had no idea that he had met so many others." replies Mythweaver, not really sure what he could tell Lord Atreides about motivating Ammon.

"It's a variety, I'll admit it. And it's good to see he can at least network with people. But the crucial key is this--look out among all of his friends. They vary enough to prove that he did at least travel extensively, that's true. But which of them are high enough in rank to be useful trading or diplomatic partners? I know little of Byblan ranks, so you could be, and Tiberius is at least a noble of his people, but he says he isn't high enough to actually make trade agreements. As to the others, he brought a male Sacra, when the females hold the power in their culture, he brought a Nymph, when the Sidhe make all the decisions on Amaranthia, and he brought a Narlse female who acts like a Rowaini, when the Narlsewomen are mostly used as chattel. And you know what--I'm sure these are all fascinating people who Ammon could really connect with, so I don't begrudge him their friendship, but you can see what I mean about failing at the point, can't you?"

 

[unleashed]

Tiberius Lucius Magnus, Male Praetor Warmage

"Well sure, I'll admit it's a hefty buy-in, but it stastically must pay off eventually. I mean, let's think about it. Let's say you have a servant who is paid about 1 silver penny a day--that's going to be the lowest possible wage, as that's what an unskilled labourer makes in a day. Realistically a trained bodyguard is probably more like silver mark a day. So even at 1 silver penny a day, that's 4 gold crowns per year. After 50 years, you could have bought a magic sword at that cost--5 years if we go with 1 silver mark a day. And these Plebs will last more or less indefinitely, and can be passed on from father to son. So let's say the buy-in is 2,000 gold crowns, or about 10 magic swords. I'm sure it can't be more than that--that's probably an overestimate. Admittedly, that's 500 years of unskilled labourer wages, but only 50 years of low bodyguard wages. Which means a Pleb pays for itself in less than a lifetime. Over time, it saves huge amounts."

“Hmm, that would probably be enough to buy a standard simple up-to-date model, though a custom build can cost much more,” Tiberius says seriously, before he breaks into a grin and begins to chuckle a little. “I’m sorry my friend, I shouldn’t have encouraged you like that, but we basically never sell Plebs to non-Praetors.”

 

[Bront]

"Aye. It was sometime a paradox, but the time gives it proof. It doesn't keep the suitors away, though. Still, I knew Lynestra would be married first."

"Well, it's good to know she's had some suitors. She deserves to be happy, just like anyone else. Lynestra seemed a bit less... sheltered though."

 

[Rystil Arden]

“Hmm, that would probably be enough to buy a standard simple up-to-date model, though a custom build can cost much more,” Tiberius says seriously, before he breaks into a grin and begins to chuckle a little. “I’m sorry my friend, I shouldn’t have encouraged you like that, but we basically never sell Plebs to non-Praetors.”

"Bah, you're a tease! That's too bad, though. Why not? Oh well, so what else can you tell me about your empire? The Praetors are so secretive and restrictive."

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Well, it's good to know she's had some suitors. She deserves to be happy, just like anyone else. Lynestra seemed a bit less... sheltered though."

"Oh, Helena almost certainly would not be happy if she wound up with one of those suitors," Kastor replies, "As for Lynestra, she's the older sister already, and she wound up having to grow up on her own quickly considering Helena's effects on our parents. Plus she's lived out here for a while--she's certainly the more self-reliant and well-traveled."

 

[Bront]

"Oh, Helena almost certainly would not be happy if she wound up with one of those suitors," Kastor replies, "As for Lynestra, she's the older sister already, and she wound up having to grow up on her own quickly considering Helena's effects on our parents. Plus she's lived out here for a while--she's certainly the more self-reliant and well-traveled."

"Yes, Helena realy knew nothing of Arris, and she seemed convinced she'd never be able to go to Amaranthia. Poor thing."

"How about you, you ever been to Arris or Amaranthia?"

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Nay, not I. There's plenty on Tymadeau itself to explore, and just between home, Eldiz, and the Lyradar Sphere in between, I have my fill. I'm not even sure where Arris or Amaranthia are, exactly. Should I be looking to visit them?"

 

[Bront]

Vasha chuckles, "I'm a bit supprised you've not visited the home of the Nymphs. Particularly with your reactions to the Sisters discussion earlier. Arris is quite nice as well, though it's beauty is hidden."