NationStates Jolt Archive

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Well, you know what to do, so go ahead.

Reserved

The Lord John Weisen is interested in forming stronger bonds with Caerleon, the castle to the north. He has noticed that certain resources in which their land is plentiful, Tereforte lacks (stone, iron), and resources that their land lacks, Tereforte contains (grain, water).

If a pforitable trading network could be formed between our peoples, that would benefit all. And perhaps stronger ties can be formed in the future.
- Nobly, John Weisen

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In addition, Tereforte is interested in forming a sort of rudimentary defensive alliance with the Exodians, merely as an assurance of safety in the southern portion of the land

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Finally, the Lord would be prepared for better relations with the Castle du Berley, his neigbhour to the north. Trade is welcomed with that land.

THe new property of Kerinton wishes to admitance itself into this areas politics. That is all.

To The Lord John Weisen,
I thank you for your good intentions, and also wish to keep good relations with you. However, by chance, you have very little that we could use, other than an excess of grain, which we are of course willing to trade our iron and lumber for. However, as we already have decent amounts of grain, we warn you that our prices will be steep. We are also aware that you wish to commence trade relations with Castle Caerleon and wish to gracefully remind you that any goods passing through our land, which contains the only bridge, will be taxed. I would also like to ask you to spell my name right next time.
Sincerely,
-Count DeBriey

Alric De Durnin sent a rider down south to castle DeBriey with the following note:

To Count DeBriey,

The many invasions of our lands seem to have ceased. My father Caradoc was one of these invaders. I send this message in a hope of making some sort of defensive pact in the case of wars in the furture. Although I may be of other lands like my father, I consider this place my country. I await your answer.

Your fellow Count

Alric De Durnin

To Count DeBriey
We would be happy to conduct trades with you as long as some profit is made by both sides, and are also willing to pay a logical fee to cross your bridge. But we will not accept extremely high fees.
-Lord Weisen

Due to the nearby location of the new land of Kerinton, Lord John Weisen is willing to welcome and create good relations with this land

To Lord Weisen

Kerinton wishes to keep peace throughout it's existance. General Sukiaida wishes to administer good relations, but asks in what way they wish to administer it? By trade, or other means.

By any means, but trade and even defensive pacts are possible as well

After the winter snows had melted off the passes, and the sea's had calmed down, the people of Greystone began fishing once more, and hunter's passed through the passes, with the odd caravan too.

OOC:Feel free to have one of the caravan's pass though your county. Limited time only, there's two entertainment troupes and three trade caravans with all my counties products. I plan on sending them out every year, till autumn.

After receiving Tereforte's message several days later, a scribe was quickly arranged to write down the response to it.

"Count Rotan acknowledges Tereforte's request, and believes it would do good to both castles. But then the question remains, how exactly is Terefort hoping that this treaty will work out? We await your response on that."

An unlucky peasant with a horse was picked out, and told to deliver this message to the castle of Tereforte. Safety was assured as the peasant couldn't read, and with the horse it would only take a few days to reach the castle.

Lord Weisen, what do you offer in trade?

Two messengers left early in the morning, trying to cross the small river system north of the castle before the waters swelled from the melting snows of spring and flooded some of the land. Each carried a letter:

To Count Rotan - I was hoping a defensive pact could be arranged, an agreement to help in the defense of each other's lands if they are invaded.


To General Sukaida - To list some of the prominent goods that are tradable, and there are a fair amount would take more than this parchment. My lands hold a large stock of grain and vegetables that can be sold and traded, in addition, tradesmen of my largest city have achieved a bit of fame as creator's of excellent mail, helmets, and swords that can be sold or traded as well. All at your discretion.

THe rider with the messenger is huge. He has long unruly hair, and he looks like a northman. He's covered in mail with a huge helm that has large spikes coming from the top. He jumps off his horse, his gruff form seeming to make his horse look short.

The general wishes to state that he currently owns only a few good fisheries as well as lumber. And that he wishes to discuss a few things with Lord Weisen in private.

The Lord welcomes him and asks that he please come into the castle and have supper with the court. After the banquet all can be discussed.

OOC: ok - how do you want to do this...? this forum here is fine by me

OOC; Ehh here is fine by me.

IC: He gave a curt nod, making sure that his armor didn't get in the way, though he knew he must be a rather frightful sight to any people not used to seeing a Northern Barbarian.

Welcome, General, what can I discuss with you?

After giving the reply to Rotan's scribe, the peasant hurried away, not wanting to be sent off again. The scribe then read the message, and wrote down Rotan's respond to it.

"We accept your proposal, in case of an attack, the other party will come to aid of the attacked and the other way around."

The message was quickly sent to not have Tereforte wait too long, and because travel could be a dangerous thing with the rivers starting to get bigger and wilder from all the molten snow.

They were all in terrible danger. Julius had decided this in the middle of dinner, when his evening meal had squirmed and complained and Looked at him. He had scarcely had time to move before the blood welled in his throat, taken into him; imbibed, as some would say, though others would call it consumed. Taken, eaten. Devoured. They were all in terrible danger.

A rider had been sent out; to tour the kingdoms of men, to go to the Castles of Lords and call a fel feast; a bacchanal of sorts. Lord julius would hold a banquet in kings honor; in honor of old friends and new friends; of loves and lifes and liberties. He would call them forth; thus did the message read; composed of black, tenebrous ink upon parchment.

My dearest friends and fellows,

Our halls have been lessened of late bereft of pleasant company and uncertain offerings. Too long has our castle lain empty and disused save by our humbled selves, and so each of you are invited to take thy piece of our hospitality; to abide in our presence, take food and drink and merriment, and share it amongst thy noble selves and nobler kin.

My invitation now goes forth, that all the chill of night be chased away by our divine light, which shines even unto the purity of heaven.

Your gracious brother, Julius Maklavia.

Baron Matthias was pleased. Last night he had been awakened from his chambers by his guards when a musical troupe had attempted to pass by without the ability to pay the toll. In exchange for letting them pass, he insisted that they accompany him on the organ for a time, until he felt they had earned the right the pass through. They agreed, and now the sun was already up and he had not yet stopped playing, the music quickly switching from mournful to upbeat as two of the five mem had passed out from exhaustion. The baron, however had continued, and though sweat was now showing on his forehead, he improvised for the fallen musicians quite easily.

"Haha... Thats the spirit! Allow the music to come to life within these hollow walls!" He shouted over the harmonius drone of the massive organ, "You are all quite skilled! I must admit, I'm a bit surprised indeed..."

As the Baron turned to look at the three, he noted that the singer had picked up a mandolin, and though his hands were now a dim red, he continued. Of course the rumors of the Baron probably allowed him to continue to do so. After all, his torture chamber was infamous among those passing through without the ability to pay. Smiling a bit, his smile widened as he noted some of his daughters had come to watch, along with one of his ministers...

"S-sir." The Minister mumbled, his aged, balding head breaking into a bow, "There is a message from the Lord Julius Maklavia..."

"Splendid... I've heard of him, his lineage is reported to go very far back indeed... So what does he want?" The Baron said with a smile as he continued to play, "Is he interested in a military alliance between our two peoples? Or perhaps he is interested in marriage to one of my daughters?"

"Well sir... Hes invited you to... A Feasting... It looks as if it might be quite joyous indeed..."

"Ah well... I suppose I should look over the letter myself. Musician Troupe, wash up and be out by nightfall, I'm satisfied enough with your work. If you require some water or perhaps some of our older breadstores you may have some. Let it be known that Baron Matthias is a very hospitable man, and a lover of music. Now Minister..."

"Yes sir..." The old man said, his head still bowed as he turned and led the large dark haired man out of the room, as the remaining musicians fall to the floor, dangerously fatigued.

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To the anointed Julius Maklavia,

I, Baron Matthias, child of the Matthias bloodline, would be honored to attend this gay affair. There are numerous things I must talk to you about, things which you may find shocking indeed... However, I am unable to speak of them here, and I suppose it will have to wait untill I arrive in person, along with a small number of my trusted knights. I wish to know in advance if your lordship is married, or has children of his own? I myself have quite a number of exquisite daughters, should you be looking for an engagement.

In the prospects of friendship,
Baron Matthias

THe man sat down, his hand reaching his beard. "I am a commander, second to the general. I am not a general in itself. This conversation is rather private, not totally business. You are our closest neighbor at the moment, and we wish to discuss personal matters."

He'd gone in a full circle as he waited for a positive responce. "Currently stability seems to be important to the population. Unforunitly due to our former lifestyle, our leader has not had time to create a succesor. And since he is going into the middle of his life, he's found that alliances and a need for a succesor may coincide."

Lord Weisen leaned back, musing over the situation for a moment and then responded, "You have my word that what you say shall not be overheard. I am interested in what exactly you have to offer, commander. My realm is also interested in friends and stability. Perhaps something I have and something you have can be reconciled? What do you have to say?"

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To the Exodian Castle: It is good to hear of your agreement and I hope to have future very pleasant relations to your lands, lord.

To Baron Matthias: The Lord has not decided if it is prudent at this time to be traveling far abroad. He will consider your offer but will not commit at this time.

That is exactly what I am here for. THough I must say political talk is not what I find the most desirable. We're veterans, all of us. And we want to settle down. What we lack militarily is cavalry, but as we don't see invasion as a possible plus for us, we do not really desire one. WHat we do need are stones, and for some of the younger men, wives. The peasant population is self sufficient, but those at the top do not have our legacies. Now what we can trade for that?

Lord Weisen had to think long and hard about that, placing his chin slowly into his hand, a peculiar habit of his which signified to those who knew not to bother him. After a conspicuous pause, he looked up and answer the commander,"My people are not especially numerous, as you know. No race in these lands have been over populous since the last war. What I can offer is what I have."

He stood up and slowly walked to the window of the castle, hands tightly clasped behind his back. Looking back at the commander he continued, "I can offer for your chief officers and leaders those women of my court who are not betrothed or vital for specific duties. I believe there are enough to give a majority of your commanders a wife. I can also give what little stone that we import. In exchange for this magnanimous gift of a portion of my own population and income, I need a promise that your General will help my lands as well. We require a promise of support in case of warfare, but this shall be no problem as many of your wives will have relatives here who will need help. In addition, that the lands of Kerinton give some goods such as wood, mineral resources, and luxuries for low prices to my people for a period of time.

"Luxeries?" He had a rather amused twinkle in his eye. "At this moment we are not sure what luxeries we have. We do plan to start raising sheep very momentarialy, and of course there might be some wildlife peculiar to our area. But are there other "luxeries" we are not aware of? It would definetly help in relation to our income. Right now we're using labor as barter along with ducks, sheep, and other things." He didn't mention the surplus of coinage they had gained from fighting in wars, that would be best left to chance. Most Lords would probably think they spent it on booze and women.

"As for the basis of a contract such as that, I think we would be more than glad to apply. Wood for us is rather numerous, and after our lodgings, and what we use for the cookfires, we find ourselves in a rather large perdicament in what to do with it anyways. Minerals... Hmm I am sure we have a bit of copper on one side of a rock face that most likely goes down rather deep, as for other minerals, we haven't had time to actually go mining. We are even recruiting a priest for the chapel we built a few months ago. Iron and other minerals shall have to be found. I'm sure I can send a few of our soldiers out to look. After all idle hands are the worst things for soldiers. But, I am sure the men will be pleased to know that you will be capable of helping them in their search."

"And you speak like a man whose dealt with familial bonds before. In fact your thinking doesn't go far from what we were thinking. A close neighbor who has family bonds with us will make it hard for them to betray us. Though I think that we will both get a deal. And should anyone attack you, a day or two later shall come reenforcements that will rout any enemy. Veterans fight much better than peasants."

He leaned back in his chair. "Of course we do have another question for our future ally. What other allies may you have gained recently so we know who is among our friends."

Lord Weisen smiled broadly at the commander. "I am glad we can agree on such a deal and that our countries may become closer. I also pledge to aid in your defense if needed. As for your other topic, I have recently signed a pact with Count Rotan of the Exodians, good man."

Alric De Durnin sent a rider down south to castle DeBriey with the following note:

To Count DeBriey,

The many invasions of our lands seem to have ceased. My father Caradoc was one of these invaders. I send this message in a hope of making some sort of defensive pact in the case of wars in the furture. Although I may be of other lands like my father, I consider this place my country. I await your answer.

Your fellow Count

Alric De Durnin

OOC: Bump

"A count." He mulled over it. "I see I see. We shall probably have a meeting of both of our countries for future reference. But right now I must return with an answer, and some troops to escort our people to their new home.

JEEZ!!! Does every thread I join die?