ULRUZ
Emperor Antonius concludes a massive series of gladatorial games, festivals, champion competitions and other tests of skill and strength in celebration of the one year anniversary of his final victory during the civil war. The celebrations continue for three months, the entire duration of the winter.
Emperor Antonius also sends word to Kinrisar's King Hadri of two special gifts, and an apology for not being able to send them sooner due to the civil war and reconstruction. The first gift is for the King's 35th birthday last year, belated. It is a vast shipment of unique spices, woods, craftgoods, and exotic animals all native to Ulruz.
The second gift is for both the 20-year anniversary of the end of the Yuan-Ti war in Kinrisar and the one year anniversary of the end of the civil war in Ulruz. The king of Kinrisar is gifted 1,000 well educated Gnome slaves, and half as many to each of the top three commanders who led Kinrisari forces in support of Antonius during the civil war. The 2,500 gnome slaves are shipped via a vast flotilla of merchantmen and their military escorts.
A decree goes to King Hadri and the three others, guaranteeing that any freed gnome will not be hunted by slavers as Ulruz normally would do - just so long as the gnomes don't return to Ulruz. Any who do will be considered fair game once more.