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Message: <blockquote data-quote="pogre" data-source="post: 2634978" data-attributes="member: 6588">The Thray City Council is based on the excellent ENPublishing product Powers That Be: City Council. You can find <a href="http://www.enworld.org/reviews.php?do=review&reviewid=2436702" target="_blank">my review here on ENWorld</a> or this <a href="http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/11/11443.phtml" target="_blank">review on RPGnet</a>. ZandyriumEpisode 61The adventurers found themselves deep in Thray’s central palace in the city council’s private chambers. The room was paneled in dark wood and apportioned with numerous rugs and had pleasant tapestries hanging on the walls. Dirth had introduced the ensemble to the council members and they sat down on chairs facing the council’s large oaken table. The council’s table rested on a short dais that nonetheless gave them an air of authority. The Council members Prince Kargil, Lord Visatto Remorga,Dame Ingaria Colanto, Count Braglio Misagno, Admiral Billano Olana, Father Tranto, Guilmaster Orcamo Laretta, and Guildmistress Tana Occameno took their respective seats.“Heroes of Zandyrium we welcome you to Thray,” Prince Kargil began.“Who invited them?” Wassabe asked Heinrich in a hushed voice.“We are them,” Heinrich replied.Wassabe arched one eyebrow suggestively, smiled and said, “oh.”“We are so pleased you have come to speak with us,” the Prince continued. “Our cities have been antagonists for too long and now we have a mutual problem that can serve as a way to bring us together.”“We too are anxious to explore avenues of friendship,” Justinius replied diplomatically. “You should know Captain Dirth has been of great service to our fair city and despite the recent events in our city, there are still many inclined to friendship.”The beautiful and elegant Dame Ingaria Colanto spoke next, “I am new to the ways of politics, and lack the subtlety of my co-council members. We believe the current phenomenon of the ocean whirlpools to be a hazard to the trading health of all the civilized north. We would entreat you to investigate the whirlpools as a sign of faith and goodwill between the cities.”“We are getting far ahead of ourselves,” Lord Visatto Remorgo stormed. “And, if I may be so bold, your inexperience is painfully obvious Dame Colanto. We do not even know if these folk share our concern or suspect us of creating these whirlpools as their good General Kilphus has made it apparent he believes.”“What role does General Kilphus have in this?” Heinrich demanded.“He just sent us an ultimatum demanding we destroy the whirlpools or face the wrath of Zandyrium’s forces,” Lord Remorga replied.There was an awkward silence following this pronouncement. The adventurers studied Lord Remorga. The noble had graying hair and wore an understated dark gray tunic. His demeanor was one of seriousness that was emphasized by his sharp features.“I think we have started on the wrong foot my lords and ladies,” Justinius said. “We should be working towards discussing our common goals and not tarrying on the subjects of divisiveness. I am certain Thray has its distrustful warhawks too,” Heinrich paused to smile briefly at Lord Remorga. “These people serve a valuable function for their respective cities, but we must move to a position of mutual trust if we are to move forward at all.”“What can you tell us of this Cosimo Pulanti?” Count Braglio Misagno burst out. The Count was a rotund man with gray temples underneath a broad hat. A walrus moustache framed his smiling mouth, and deep crows feet wrinkles revealed a man who worked hard and laughed hard.“Cosimo Pulanti was recently elected as Vizier for the unborn emperor,” Justinius replied.“What kind of man is he?” Count Misagno asked loudly. Lord Remorga squirmed in his seat, it was clear he wished the count would yield the floor before making a gaff.“He is of a long line of merchant nobles,” Ginny replied. “He has recently assumed the head of the Pulanti family after returning from overseas.”“We really know very little about him,” Justinius admitted.“Captain Dirth, Captain Disod, Captain Isomara, and many others speak very highly of you Father Heinrich Eisenfaust. I’m wondering why a man with such diverse friends would assume the title of Lord Protector of Zandyrium.”Heinrich smiled, “We all have our duties Captain Olana. I feel by being here and engaging this esteemed council in meaningful dialogue I am fulfilling part of that duty.”“But are you officially representing Zandyrium or was the envoy with the ultimatum from your General Kilphus the official representative of Zandyrium?” Lord Remorga snarled.Justinius watched as the blood rushed to Heinrich’s face and he stepped up again. “It is safe to say our fair city is in a state of transition. Definite decisions of state may be hard to come by. While we can make no claim of official envoy status, neither can the messengers of General Kilphus.”Justinius tapped his knee and stood, “Let us speak of mutual goals now:First, we as loyal subjects of Zandyrium desire peace with the citizens of the Thragian Coast and particularly this city;Second, we as owners of a merchant trading interest have a pecuniary interest in resuming good trade routes along the Gull Current;Third, as friends and admirers of the late Ampyx of the Green Vale, we made an oath to seek peace between our cities.Those three things are enough to bind us.”As Justinius took his seat a furor of murmurs went through the council. He knew the third point and his revelation about Ampyx was having precisely the effect he hoped it would.Prince Kargil finally raised his hand indicating he wished for silence. Slowly the room acquiesced to his signal. “Brother Justinius has given us wise counsel. Dame Colanto has given a proposal of action we have already discussed. Would you be willing to investigate these whirlpools and return to both this council and your own city to reveal your findings? Would you be willing to lift this pall of suspicion that surrounds both cities concerning this interruption of vital trade between us?”“Who’s payin’?” Wassabe burst out.“What?” Lord Remorga retorted.“Who’s paying the gold? Who’s providing the ship? What’s in it for us mate?” Wassabe replied without blinking an eye. Ginny kicked the swashbuckler in the shin as hard and as subtlety as she could.  Wassabe yelped in pain but kept his eyes on the council.“We have neither the resources or the inclination…” Remorga began.“I will provide a ship,” Dame Colanto spoke up. “And perhaps we can come to some mutual trade arrangements.”“You are out of order Dame Colanto,” Remorga retorted.“She is within her rights,” Guildmaster Orcamo Laretta admitted. “What information have you divined concerning these whirlpools?” Justinius asked, seemingly oblivious to the financial bickering that had broken out.“Precious little,” Father Tranto admitted. The priest has refrained from interjecting in the earlier proceedings, but now his eyes sparkled in intellectual delight. “We have been granted numerous boons from our god, but we still know little. Perhaps an ecumenical conference tomorrow and a pooling of resources would be useful?”Justinius and Heinrich nodded quickly in assent to the priest’s suggestion.“We shall lunch tomorrow at the temple then,” Father Tranto stated and reclined back in his seat.“You all shall dine at my mansion this evening to make any needed arrangements,” Dame Colanto insisted. Justinius bowed graciously towards the Dame.“Venison,” Thoren bellowed.“What?” Dame Colanto asked meekly.“Make sure the table has venison on it,” Thoren replied.Dame Colanto smiled at the fighter, “I like a man who knows what he wants.” She waived Justinius’s attempts to apologize for the fighter’s outburst off. “If we were all so direct about our wants a lot more would get done.”“This is most irregular,” Lord Remorga groused.“Will you report back to this council friends?” Prince Kargil asked.“It shall be our first step,” Justinius replied.“Then, with a happy heart, I pronounce this meeting adjourned.”To be continued…</blockquote>

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