NationStates Jolt Archive

It had taken some-time and some effort but now it was beyond all doubt, Githras was beyond all doubt on this matter, simply put they had fallen behind and magic could no longer act as the counter. They had tried and even now he was unhappy by the prospect although they would modify and upgrade they would do it on their terms. He still had some limits he would not allow some things to gain his approval although he had to admit, it was possible that what he had planned would start a process he could not control or end.

Annoucement

The Royal Family of Giltheran, in partnership with the Sole Shareholder in 'Silver Investment and Trading concerns' Seeks a partner Firm to help bring new innovations and technology into Giltheran. The winning Contractor or Contractors will benefit from substantial Tax incentives in that they will be acting as a part of the Royal Family's personal estate, along with the substantial support of the Silver Company to help off set any risk. The proposal is to form a seperate Company jointly owned by the three parties in the Royal Family, Silver Investment and the company that most impresses us.

We are NOT seeking to buy finished goods but to marry the expertise of foreign companies with the art and styles and essence of the Giltheran people to produce our own distinct goods.

All inquires are to be addressed to either ourselves here in the Palace of souls or to an Agent of 'Silver Investment and Trading Concerns'

End Anoucement

It was done, and hopefully the Giltheran people would be ble to absorb the changes he was about to bring.

"Integrated Auto's decided to come on board," Taka Mavelli mumbled, going through the day's messages. The other departments long ago switched to automated filters for the packets coming over the subEtha lines, but he still preferred to go through them by had. It took longer, but there wasn't the risk of a machine-made mistake. "That gives us...most of the industrial sector."

The Tower was not a corporate entity, per se, which was why it managed to land the job of coordinating the Weyrean economic mission to Giltheran without many objections. Independent of governments and private groups, it tried to stay impartial while conducting thaumaturgic and scientific research and development, often in conjunction with multiple companies that otherwise were normally in furious competition. For Weyreans, thaumaturgy and science went hand in hand, a single field as it were

"Not bad," Karina Andra landed on the Weyrean's shoulder, icy wings folding before her boots touched the heavy blue cloth of the alchemist's jacket. "METI's* already got the investment and development models sketched out."

"They're still deferring to us?" Taka blinked, surprised, turning his head slightly so he wouldn't knock off his co-worker. "They were bitching about spheres of responsibility yesterday."

"Things change," Karina shrugged, a subtle motion given her size. "Mind if I sit here?" She meant his shoulder, Taka knew.

"Sure," the alchemist turned back to his screens, fingers beginning to fly over the brass keys of the keyboard. She nuzzled against him, settling in like a cat. "It's that cold?"

"Yeah," she responded, using his long hair for a makeshift blanket, watching through half-closed eyes as he knocked out a reply asking what format the presentations from the Weyrean companies should come in, where they would be held, what were the rules for conglomerates and umbrella groupings containing semi-autonomous corporations, and other functional things, along with some back history and white papers on Weyrean developments and expertise ranging from basic civilian implements like firien cells and persComs, to the mechanisms powering the newest Shock Cannon. It would be interesting to see what the people in Giltheran thought of Weyrean thaumaturgy, which as far as she was concerned could go toe to toe with the best raw technology.

*METI :: Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry

Merilin Minalbachor was one of the most praised executives of the marketing division of Fëanor Holdings Group. Not that this was a job he deserved. Which was to say that he was totally undeserving of his respectable position, the affection shown to him by his immediate superior, his excessive paycheque, his unbelievably attractive girlfriend (whom his loyalty to was nonexistent) and just about everything.

He’d learnt at a very early age that life was unfair. And that he was particularly adept, somewhat unusually among Sindarin elves, at one thing. Lying.

This had served him very well in life.

On the other hand, his assistant and graphics editor, another Sindar by the name of Pedtheninon, was honest, fair, hard working, talented and very underpaid. He was too moral to give himself over to Merilin’s grand-life-strategy of ‘shameless lying.’

And so, Pedthelinon had found himself slaving for several days with an even more excessive workload than his usual, working to compile all sorts of data and suggestions on military technology. Of course, Merilin claimed to have spent the same time working, hiding in his office with the blinds closed, barring his usual ‘working lunches’ – which somehow managed always to consist of Merilin and an either embarrassed or harried waitress desperately attempting to fend off his various efforts at seduction.

That however, was over, and now the pair found themselves headed for the Giltherani border, dressed up in rather traditional Quendi clothes, and indeed, in the case of the latter, simply for the purpose of showing off, the armour he had used when he was (last) an active member of the Menelmacari Imperial Defence Force, almost three decades ago now.

That said, barring swords of different types, they weren’t going overboard on showing off the products on their actual persons. Merilin was confident in the quality of the work he hadn’t done to sell product…

The Lich Queen had not left the dark fortress of Eldregate for thousands of years, yet she knew more than most of its subjects about the goings on in and around the Ermor, even with the Dusk Elders combined. She was the most powerful of the undead within the whole of the Ashen Empire, after all. Their veritable God in this realm. The Lich Queen was, in a sense, the embodiment of the will of the Lord of the Underworld himself. The one closest to Him.

Of course, the Lich Queen knew. She never left the living out of her sight these days. They weren't really a threat to the Empire, but in some ways, they intrigued her. How unwilling they were to understand that if the undead thus wanted, they would have died long ago. So close they are to the Earthern lands of the Ashen Empire, so close... So close that they did not even realize it.

She could hear footsteps coming from the stairs that lead to the throne room. That was rare, rare indeed. So rare, that it broke her train of thought. They were exceptionally heavy.

Those of a Censor.

The Lich Queen's almost lightless eyes flashed red, illuminating the black room. The Censor was in full power armor. One of the hundred, it seemed. His red cape was somewhat ragged.

"What is it?"

"The living. They are..."

"I know."

"What shall...?"

"We shall observe."

"Very well."

"Leave."

The Censor nodded and walked back down the stairs with no ceremony, leaving the Lich Queen alone once more. The burning light in her eyes faded. She let out a cold and twisted, yet silent, laugh.

Too little too late...

HHm it appears we have at least two interested parties, well thats a good start. Ah and the Menelmacari repersenting Feanor Holdings group was already here... well.

'Of course Venerated one, I concur, we shall have the Menelmacari shown here, and indeed it is likely best you keep your cover as a Silver Elf, according to my understanding of the Quendi the only Dragons in their history served a Dark God' Githras slooked at ease as he spoke to the woman before him, on the outside few would have realised that in a second she could have lain Githras, his guards and escaped to the hills, but then, he knew she would not do such a thing. Not unless he had become corrupt, and if that had occured well then...

At the 'Docks' the Menelmacari where guided into the port, although designed primary for Wet-Navy vessels it could accomadate many different needs, especially since it was assumed the Menelmacari would be arriving in their strange Gravitmatic vessels, which seemed to permanate all elements of the peoples. the Lights flashed in the air, a Apprentice to one of the City of Souls many Mages acted as the 'Guide' in this case picking up a few gold a week providing the minor enchantments, which for simplicity where illusionary arrows pointing in the direction the vessel was expected to head.

At the Docks waited the greeter, a member of Silver Concerns, he would have the task of inviting the delagation to a simple meal at the Palace before busisness began.

The gravitic passenger vehicle alighted at the end of the Giltherani pier with a slight ripple of the water beneath it, which it didn’t actually touch, they, which is to say its crew were evidently used to both this kind of landing and this particular port. Merilin grinned, taking his booted feet from the table in front of him, and sprang almost comically to his feet. “Well, Ped, time to go and put the sell on them.”

His partner looked, as usual, appalled by Merilin’s antics. Not necessarily by his mercenary nature, for they were in fairness, out to sell things after all, but by his manner. The other elf managed to make being a member of the ancient and refined race of Quendi into an excuse to strut and pose and virtually nothing more. It was, quite, quite infuriating.

Even if he was very good at strutting and posing. Pedthelinon rose, pulling a three by two foot artist’s case from behind his chair, “Yes,” he said, “I suppose we should be going.”

Striding down the ramp of the craft, Merilin looked around the various other tourists, business-elves and other visitors, finally finding the waiting greeter and wandering over to him and introducing himself.

The small group from Silver where impressedthey had to admit, a Gravship was an impressive sight after all. Still they where professionals and had compossed themselves by the time the Feanor Holdings repersentatives emerged. Stepping forwards they gave a small bowof greeting before breaking out into smiles. 'Welcome to the City of Souls, Gesturing to his Companion the man smiled, first mayt I introduce Jarmalis Nemesesin Director of Investments for Silver Trading Concerns, as for myself I am Orin Nesalin. Director of well', a slightly embarresed look came over the mans face, 'Director of Silver Tradings Alchololic interests.'

His presence here was actually a small test, Feywine, and Evermead where the single most profitable areas that Silver Trading Concerns where involved in. His presence therefore was a sign of the importance the company placed in this meeting, on the otherhand, a potential partner might not know this, and take it as a slight. It was importent to the Tel'Quessir that any busisness parnter have done their research on the Islands, and know at least that much.

The Royal Family asked me to extend their personal greetings and to offer you a suite at the Palace during your stay. They also asked me to extend you an invitation to breakfast with them tommorow. My Employer meanwhile sends her apologies at being unable to make it to the capital but extends you an invite to join her in her lair, in a few days or so, final arrangments are not yet set in stone. She is willing to accomadate your schedule. In the meantime we have much to discuss I suspect.' He had used the term lair naturally and drew no attention to it. In many ways it was a mistake to have used the word but it was how he viewed it in his mind, once he had realised his mistake, careful training took over. Better to continue and ignore the mistake than to, well, draw attention to it by covering it up.

Merilin smiled as he shook Orin’s hand. He was about to say something about the other’s occupation but a sharp look from his compatriot quelled that instinct, and instead he nodded at the invitation. The more perceptive Pedthelion raised an eyebrow at the use of the term ‘lair.’

“It’s certainly very flattering to be offered a place at the palace,” Merilin said, “and we would be delighted to accept the offer, won’t we,” he glanced at his subordinate who nodded, attempting to look companionable. “Is there to be direct involvement of your king in the deal, or is Silver Tradings handling it alone?” Merilin asked curiously.

Hmm interesting the man Merlin was it, seems a little less... awake than his assitent, slowly an mental image of Merlin was forming in the mans head, marked and stored as 'Buffon' the woman through Pedithillon she bore watching.

Nodding at the questions the Quessir smiled a moment 'Yes, the Royal Family is to be involved, it was actually them that approached us. Still even where they not they would have offered the Palace as a base for your stay, as this is considered to be a matter of Natonal security, alongside being a importent busisness oppertunity. Mostly their involvment will allow us to take advantage of the unique position, in regards to Taxes and the like, of the Royal Family. Added is the, to put it bluntly, Public relations. What we hope to achieve will not be popular in many areas of the population.' He shrugged apologeticly, 'The beasts of Metal as we still refer to them, are to many a distasteful part of this world. It's a view most of us share, but those of us who can see the bigger picture understand that just because you don't want something to be what it is, does not change the fact it is.'

Again laughing a moment 'I myself agree with the basic view that it's unfortunate but neccersary, extremly so. At least philosophically I am, on the other hand I'd likely be behind the enterprise even if I couldn't see the need. A chance to open up an entirely new Market is extremly rare, or at least it has become so now on Giltheran. I still remember through the challanges of establishing any industry on the Islands when we first settled. The challange and the Profit is something I have never been able to find repeated. I look forward to it, A memory to take with me to Arvandor.'

To be fair to him, Merilin possessed a keen intellect. Admittedly it bore more than a passing resemblance to that of a fox, but it was still there. He listened to the other’s words briefly, “Ah, yes. Would it ease your mind a little if I pointed out that the vast majority of FHG’s raw materials come from asteroids? Good portions of those are from extra-solar operations at that. The majority of Menelmacari power sources and industrial have either water or non-interactive particles like neutrinos as exhaust.

“I can’t really speak for others, though I know it doesn’t apply to most nations, but the vast majority of our metal beasts are completely harmless to the environment.”

By fortunate co-incidence, at the same moment the gravitic aircraft that they had arrived on lifted from the water, slight winds rippling around it as it made its way higher into the atmosphere. In many, though not all, gravitic vehicles, and indeed, in this one, there was an engine that gave a semi conventional output to help with momentum handling. In this case, though it was of course, not used in proximity to the surface, it did put out water, or rather, steam, at high energy levels, creating a hot blue glow along the cunningly worked grooves at the trailing edge of the wings. Merilin glanced up at the vehicle, “That one, for example, uses steam as exhaust…”

Lazy and lecherous though he was, Merilin was not lacking in marketing talent.

Nodding the pair slightly re-evaulated their opinions as perhaps a little hasty. 'Indeed that would be advantagous, the care of the enviroment is not just a preferance of our government it is a neccesity. Many of the peoples who call these Islands home rely greatly upon the natural world for survival. The Dryad, Treants, Centaurs, Nymphs, Fairy folk, and 'wood' Elves to name just a few.' Turning slightly he gestured down the docks 'stillw e can discuss these matters far more comfortably in the Palace, I have a coach waiting if you'd care to follow me.'

The walk was short the Coach itself was expensive looking while being simple. A small shield on the doors marked it as property of Silver trading concerns. As for the horses that pulled it, They where small in size butto the experianced eye obviously well breed and strong. Inside followed much like the outside. Comfortable, Expensive but simple. Everything you could need was laid out in readiness but it was not thrown in the face of the passanger.

The journey itself through the Capital city was a passed some of the key sights, the Main Temple to the Seldarine, with all the member's of that Pantheon worshipped there it was rare not to pass a service. This was no exception, the sounds of dancing and singing could be heard making their way out of the structure. After a moments thought the pair smiled 'Labolas I believe at the moment. He who grants us our long life.'

The Main road through the city wa paved with Crushed Glass and Gems, reflecting the light of the sun, in a myrid of colours. On the way the coach passed a few larger houses each the size of hotals without stopping these buildings where explained as the residences of the great 'Houses' of Giltheran.

Eventually they left the city proper and passed under Large trees although the atmosphere never fully changed a strange feeling of being watched certainly passed through the coach. Never once where they challanged or halted through and eventually they came back into the full light of day. ahead of them stood one of the Largest Trees on the Island. A great Oak tree of whose leaves where almost Golden in hue They had arrived.

A servent waited at the entrance for the Coach. As it pulled up he bowed to the Four passenger's 'The Royal Family extend their warmest greetings and ask you to attend them in the Throne room a moment so they may greet you in person. Your baggage shall be sent to your rooms.'

The ArchDuke Atheril sent me for a reason, pondered the young, slim,silver haired elf as she checked the last paper sitting on her comfortable chair aboard the standard cruising aelosian shuttle. She read the long, complex title of the briefing papers she was holding..."The Different Offers of the Sindarin Empire of Aelosia on Technology for Defense Towards Foreign Nations". She shrugged for moment, knowing that the title meant she was travelling to convince someone of buying weapons, the aelosian weapons, to be more precise. Of course the papers also described several utilities that weren't weapons, although they were anyway military-oriented items.

"At least all are defense oriented", Keilana reasoned. She was after all the appointed advisor and envoy of the D'nan Noble House of the Empire, the second largest and more influential at the moment, and her duty was to show the D'nan wares and merchandise across the galaxy to interest potential buyers. Technology and commerce were the D'nan main areas of influence, and everything she could do to enforce the efforts of her House would be for the greater good,even if that meant selling weapons to foreign countries. To sell defense systems to another elven country doesn't seem too bad at all, she thought, trying to reinforce her will to go through this.

Approaching Giltheran Space. Please to not stand up during the landing process, echoed the pilot's voice through the passenger's cabin.Here we are. For the Empire, I guess, all for the glory of the Empire and of the D'nan House, Keiliana D'nan said to herself, bracing against her chair...

Landing at Giltheran was at times a little awarkward, they didn't have any Starports or even Airports, although they did have an impressive series of Dockyards. The Sea serving equally well for the Spelljammers as it did for the Wet-Navy. Still accomadating a Shuttle Craft was possible and soon in the air was a guide. A simple enough minor illusion of a series of arrows appeared before the pilots leading towards one of the larger vessels currently docked at the port. At the same time a sending was cast towards the pilot of the shuttle.

Incoming Craft this is Giltheran Dock Command. Unless your vessel can land safely in the water please follow the Arrows, any response should be kept concise over Actually for a sending it was rather large, certainly pushing the word limit to the max.

The Ship directed to was one of the Wet-Navy's 'Dragon-Class' fulfilling the role commonly filled by Carriers in a more common navy, the upper deck was large and mostly clear and the few Tel'Quessir on deck where already clearing out. Below decks Pegasus and other winged creatures where readied for the landing of a strange craft. It was actually not that uncommon onboard the vessels, serving this function more often than perhaps the captains would like. It was lucky that the Tel'Quessir did not build their vessels from Wood, but where designed to be resistent to heat and flame, as most Shuttles coming from Orbit would be... well hot.

Meanwhile another coach pulled up and two more Directors from SIlver emerged and prepared to greet the Aelosians. Qucik sendings to the Court's Chamberlain had secured sufficent arrangments to compare to the Feanor holdings group. (Without of course having the two competators at the same informal meal. Each Meal was after all intended to allow the King and queen to get a feel for the potential partners, and for the Repersentatives to impress the Royal Family. It would be counter productive for the two groups to be there at the same time)

“Oh yes indeed,” Merilin said, “We’re quite familiar with that, it’s sometimes not wise to go into certain forests in Menelmacar, inhabited by Huorns, a type, not exactly a species, of tree, that can be quite aggressive when they’re feeling angered.

“In fact, some of them are just hostile anyway. They can move and speak and so on too, wild, I think is the term that tends to be used.”

His assistant made a thoughtful noise as the coach was set into motion, “Treeants you say,” he said, “any similarity to our Ents?”

He paused to listen to the sounds from the temple as they passed, and fixed Merilin with a pointed stare as the other elf seemed to have some injudicious question on the tip of his tongue, and added another, glancing out at the road most surprised, “May I ask for more information on how that works?” he said curiously, glancing out at the temple again.

----

When they arrived at the palace, Pedthelinon dedicated much of his time to gazing at the tree, both surprised and intrigued by its size. The gold leaves reminded him a little of the Mellyrn of home a little, though this tree’s bark was quite different from the curiously smooth silver of a Mallorn.