The Four Lands - The Colony

[J. Alexander]

The young lord smiles and says...."The terms were not added as you say the complete documents were not ready as you were made aware of....and you say the conditions are steep but are they really?..or are they just barriers to your plan to eventually rebel....as to the wealth beyond imaging...the colony had control over how much money it wished to borrow...the lines of credit were offered in case they were needed...and you gentlemen have no idea as to the cost of this venture or what other investemnts the group were going to make individually...and oh yes I will be going now and to that I can only say thank you..you greatly incensed my cousions to the point they just gave me a title"

OCC:Nope there was room for discussion up until the point they perceved disrespect......and insolence....I mean no one no one dimisses major nobilty by walking, tought, deed comment etc before they finish...also you guys became fixated on Brightlaw and what you thought was an unfair condition.....the bank...and the duke are actually two seperate entites and the duke is representing the Confederation as a whole not simple his duchey..and also you guys apporaced the bank for an investment..the bank did not come to you.....

 

[Leif]

OOC: So now what?

 

[J. Alexander]

OCC: Waiting for the others to chime in but you really have two choices..either not go or go as a colonist without title and the protections offered and subject to tax's etc and all sorts of things and without any voice on the colonial coucil...a third option would be to try and make nice with the great lords......

 

[Lou]

Alton Kanri

OCC:Nope there was room for discussion up until the point they perceved disrespect......and insolence....I mean no one no one dimisses major nobilty by walking, tought, deed comment etc before they finish...also you guys became fixated on Brightlaw and what you thought was an unfair condition.....the bank...and the duke are actually two seperate entites and the duke is representing the Confederation as a whole not simple his duchey..and also you guys apporaced the bank for an investment..the bank did not come to you.....

OOC: Interesting. At no time were the representatives in the room identified. None of us has met the duke AFAIK, and there has been no indication that we would recognize major nobility. I thought we were speaking with delegates.

"M'Lord, perhaps with your new title, you could request one last audience with His Grace for me. Your words have made me realize that I have been, how can I say this, hasty in passing judgment. I have been in an ivory tower for too long, and my presentation is still rough around the edges."

 

[J. Alexander]

"I will see what I can do but it will be a day or two before i dare raise the subject with their graces....they are most put out especially eastmarch"

OCC:Okay let's wait for the others to chime in a bit

 

[Leif]

Henntt, Gesalt Ranger/Druid

Hennett muses, "What the heck, I'm certainly not so skilled in social settings that I am perceived as being above a faux pas, plus, I've kinda gotta taste for CROW these days. I say we make nice and play along."

OOC: but knowing our esteemed DM the way that I do, I doubt if we'll ever be able to achieve a status anywhere approacing the one we had before the screw-up. c'est la vie, mes amis!

 

[Neurotic]

Randal Lucius Stormweaver

I apologize if I sound offensive, It's not my intention, but we didn't have time to scout. Few days ago it was said that we might have to sail in three DAYS, not weeks, DAYS. So, of course we hurried. And if you think we went for personal power you are sorely mistaken.

I believe any of us has enough personal wealth and is successful enough not to need this. We are successful and have been for some time. While I don't regulary deal with nobility on equal footing I do expect some respect and not to be treated as a mercenary or worse a child.

We were told we're coming to negotiate, yet at the first sign of trouble we were told that there is no room for negotiation. I invested in the Company simply because it's easier that way then for each of us to organize it's own transport.

I plan on opening the school, I don't need to be noble to do that.

That said, I am willing to apologize to the lords for my behaviour, I really should have known better. But we were attacked and my fiancee was severely wounded so I reacted little bit more strongly then I otherwise would have. I made a mistake and am willing to make amends of whatever nature it takes. As Alton said, too long among lesser nobility of borderlands (OOC: note non-capital "b" I mean any border keeping are not Borderlands) who are more direct then cultured nobles of Brightlaw.

I just want to emphasize I am really hurt by the suggestion that we plan to rebel in this early phase. If we can meet all taxes and return the interests, there is no need for violence. It MIGHT become an option in the future if we are saddled with ever increasing demands instead of leaving the colony to work it's debt off, but even then it would be carefuly weighted option.


[sblock=For JA]
Randal always wanted to be noble and he will do what it takes to regain the title. He really feels bad about the outburst as he always prided himself in his diplomatic skills and will apologize with sincerity. The seat in the council is of lesser importance to Randal's free spirit. He doesn't need wealth, but it helps; he wants respect and unfortunately it usually entails status.
[/sblock]

OOC: I don't believe we'll get council seats no matter how much we apologize, if they let us back they give us status back it's as simple as that. But we might get our titles

OOC: We wait for the rest of the party? They need to scorn us thoruoghly before we make another appearance in front of the council.

 

[Nightbreeze]

ooc: Hmm, what a mess.

Ederin gives a look at the condition, and makes a big mistake: he focuses on them at the point at not listening to the others, and thus doesn't realize what is happening before the guards put their hands on the hilts. At that point, suddenly feeling menaced, he gives them a startled look and half-prepares a spell, but stops before making a further scandal by killing them.

When his companions are already out, and the eyes of the remaining nobles focus on the other adventurers, he starts pacing slowly around.

No doubt, I wasn't expecting further conditions on the colony, and they come as a surpriese. Nevertheless, I have no wish to discuss them. You have the full power and intelligence to make decisions, and expect consequences. Anyway, may I suggest that we heal the relationships? We should not start bickering even before the company is founded. I am certain that my friends regret their outburst, caused by the attacks in the past days, and apologize for them. Praised shall be who apologizes, and more prised who accepts the apologize with grace, afterall. diplomacy: 36, Ederin Scatterlight

Passing on, I shall say that the concept of these requirements is hard to apply and enforce. How are you going to make certain that all ships that get out from the colony dock at Brightlaw? Are you going to dispose the full military fleet and intercept all ships? The merchants are surely going to grumble and ignore such a rule. As for the 30% series...a mine doesn't easily divide itself in 10 equal pieces. Even if it does, anyone would find it difficult to make two different teams and companies work efficiently in the same mine. May I suggest an alternative? Let the mining company give 30% of its profits to the country that has this right - be it iron for the dwarves or gems. This way, we avoid a situation where a mining company wants to give the worst gems as 30%, while the other part, quite understaningly, wants the best 30%.

I would say that we should find an alternative solution for Brightlaw's request: one that gives them the same benefices, but is easily to apply and enforce. What would you say about a special tax that is paid by a ship docking to the four lands, and goes for the city of Brightlaw. Such tax would prove certain, wherever the ship docs. A simple agreement between the countries can guarantee that it is paid, and you are already in a rapport of cooperation. If you wished to, you could made the tax lower for the city of brightlaw, so that the ships are encouraged to dock there.

 

[Neurotic]

Ooc

Bravo nightbreeze, you are the saviour

We'll need some groveling diplomacy after what Alton and Randal did...

 

[J. Alexander]

Flashback to the Chamber Room
The barrier having been raised the lords depart...as Ederine begins to pace all but one the one to the far left remains...the barrier drops and Ederine is sure he can be heard.....and begins his speech..when he concludes the voice of a young man perhaps 18 or so speaks and says "That is where you and your friends has assumed to much......the figures and precetages are given..no detailed is presented as to a hard and fast division but rather a recongintion of the fact the such issues will have to be settled as the arise and not according to some hard and fast scale...had you asked more delicately you would have found that the colonial counicl would have the say in the division and as long as it worked out on a fair basis close to the agreed upon percentages then all would have been well.. Second the fleet requirment is necessary..we do not have the resouces to commit escourt ships for all voyages therefore given the travel time it was judged best to move everthing at once so as to afford maxium protection and lessent the risk of loss...and there is the simple fact that Brightlaw is the largest commercial and financial center in the Southlands...the colony would have greater access to buyers and financing than anywhere else..the duke would gain the regular tarriffs and taxes and the monies spent would roll over in his local economy many times thus making it profitable for him. And the colony would have his protection directly rather than that of the Confederate States.......think you sir...few are loath to cross a man with the money to ensure you never breath again even though it takes ten attempts or who can wreck your family financial.(IMPORTANT HINT tHERE GUYS) Crossing to the tabel he picks up a sheet of paper and hands it to Ederin and says "I will convey your thoughts to them but I do not know the outcome..even I was greatly offended by your friends actions and their failure on so many levels the tests revealed much which we must discuss. He then exits the room..

OCC: This can be heard by anyone who remains in the room with Ederin..I will allow flashbacks to talk with this guy from other who have not had a chance to chim in.


As Randal and Ederin speak the young lord listens intently then after a few moments of thought and a few sips of bourbon says

"Master Randal yes it was stated that the time table may have to be accelerated...but nothing was concrete...one of the things their graces were looking for was the abiliity to act without over committing......and the patience to await additional intelligence to help clarify the matter...yes it was unfair but in their view you will be very very far from help or guidace..tis best to test your actions here rather than have the wreck havoic on the conlony later. You say you do not deal with nobilty etc on a regular basis yet your actions in chamber have suggested you are too passionate..you will be charged in dealing with unknown peoples and perhaps kingdoms as representative of the colony...do you propose to react the same way in each unknown situation? As to the rebellion their graces knew you would always try..they just did not know when...that is the nature of power politics Master Randal to know that your opponet will attempt something then move to counter it.....(IMPORTANT STATEMENT THERE GUYS..READ BEWTEEN THE LINES IT HAS TONS OF MULITPLE MEANINGS}. You chose education as a means of creating eventual discontent with the 5 using the issue of foreign domination and taxes most likely something their graces were content to let happen as the colony must have an above average educated population if it is to survive and grow strong so far for it's center of support.

The pausing to briefly refill his glass with bourbon he continues..."Master Ederin has at least poured some oil on the stormy waters so to speak it will take time to see how it plays out" the he adds "And you are mistake their graces are paying in blood the blood of their citizens, retainers to give you this chance."

For Ederin
[sblock]The paper he hands you is a brief report...three staging areas on the northern coast of the continent where the D'Shai are establisehd have been wiped out...eveyone killed to the last man......[/sblock]