RP:The Ambassador Visits
Part of the Phoenix Rising Arc
Synopsis: When the representative of embattled Kregus approaches the government of Port Rynvale in hopes of treaties for trade, hopes are dashed in the face of the governor’s ideological resistance to supporting what seems to be imperial oppression. Especially given the experience of her people with conquest in their own right. The Houses express displeasure in her unilateral decision making.
Characters: Nymh, Arien, Nirrarien, Npc House Leaders.
Location: Rynvale; The Royal Townhouse. The Governor’s study.
An overly large desk dominates this room almost entirely, and spread across it, is a marvelous collection of papers, deeds, applications, stock inventories, book pages and memoranda, all organized in some manner of chaotic order that clearly has meaning for its occupant. Up against the walls are a number of smart looking bookcases, brimful with nick knacks and well used books. This room is neat and clean, save for that cluttered surface, a clear reflection of the orderly nature of its user. Tasteful and subtly feminine decoration might betray the design preferences of the room’s primary user, as you notice you are standing on a very regal looking red carpet with a gold pattern. The chair behind the desk is currently empty and nobody seems to be around, you had best return to the landing to your east.
There was an air of scarce contained energy about the royal residence. Part noble household, part place of government, activity never ceased. Servants cleaned and carried, while secretaries bustled to and fro across the grand foyer and up and down the sweeping spiral staircase that anchored the display of formal opulence. The first wafting aromas of the evening’s meal service hung on the air, the muted clatter of activity in the kitchens all that would be heard or recognized of the organized frenzy unfolding within. The king and queen above stairs would expect a punctual service. On the ground floor, the grand ballroom was sealed, no entertainments planned for the night and further along that west wing hallway, nestled into the heart of the home, and behind that resplendent double staircase, the parlor was an unexpected haven of tranquility in the storm. A cheerful fire flickered in a room that looked more like a family retreat than a place for formal entertaining. The occasional toy was scattered about, a book lay open and face down upon one of the armchairs, a pair of ebon haired children were curled up in the care of their nanny, impatient for the end of their mother’s working day. Watching over it all, the vigilant eyes of the royal guard, pairs posted at the head and foot of the stairwell, securing the affairs of state housed in offices above, as well as sentries who monitored the entry to the building itself. All who entered were checked for their clearance to do so, usually an announcement card that served as evidence of their invitation to a audience with the king and queen, or of a meeting with the governor. Upstairs, that fiery haired female was seated at the ornate chair tat was tucked into the oversized desk that dominated her study. Her brow was furrowed as emerald gaze reviewed the two letters that had arrived that day. She had been gone for too long..there were things of which she was ignorant, that she should not be. Her quill was set aside, her expression pensive.
Bearing the seal of Larket, the oddity Nymh was passed through the gates, through the levels of security, with disgusted, awed, or bemused expressions, and often a healthy mix of all of them. A 6 inch tall pixie man, with a faerie at his side... Nymh dressed like a little gothic doll in finery befitting royalty, and Sinnea in a plain white gown, bone vertebrae tail coiling behind her, wings tattered, torn, rotten... Nymh with no wings at all. The seal of Larket gave them passage, until they came to the Governer's chambers... Nymh had done a little research on the governer Arien, but nearly swore aloud when he felt her aura... holy. In the beat up state he was in, his milky skin pale, deathly cast with his recent loss of blood, he was defenseless... and it was beyond a shadow of a doubt that she would sense the reek of their undeath and dark magic... even if neither of them smelled particularly bad. A guard announced Nymh as a trade ambassador from the Duchy of Kregus, allowed to see the governer on an appointment, should she allow his entry. He said it with a chuckle, that suggested she entertain the man, as a novel event. At the entrance of the door, Nymh bowed deeply, probably surprising the governess with his size... and his aura. "Greetings, Governer Arien of Rynvale. I am Nymh, Ambassador of the Duchy of Kregus, province of Larket, and this is my companion, Sinnea Yrntat. I am here to discuss Rynvale's possible economic future with Kregus, as it may be. And, before you say anything, please, I must insist you look past my... corruptions of self. They are an aspect of me and my companion that were not for us to choose, nor do they have bearing upon our character."
Arien sensed the approaching dark energy before she became aware of the pair through the announcement made by the secretary at the door. Another thoughtful glance was cast to the letters that lay upon her desk, she was no believer in coincidences. What were the chances that she would receive multiple communications about Kregus, and the activity of Larket there, on the same day? Slim to none. The fiery head inclined graciously, granting the secretary permission to open the door and then..nothing. Where was the announced guest? His voice floated up from somewhere near the floor and Arien found herself pushing herself to her feet and leaning over her desk to catch a view of the pair. “Geetings ambassador.. I have been expecting you..your contact and arrival is most…fortuitous..” she murmured, schooling her expression into revealing nothing of her reaction to what he was. “I have found..” she continued dryly, “ that only the hasty judge books by their covers Nymh. Until you give me cause to mistrust, I am generally willing to grant the benefit of the doubt..especially if you come bearing the marquee of an ally.” A sweep of hand indicated he was welcome to draw nearer. “Please..make yourself comfortable..and your companion as well. There is much to..discuss.”
Nymh was well practiced in diplomacy, and could read expressions well... and her reaction was about what he expected. He was welcome in a practical fashion, perhaps a bit more than he would have thought, but his presence was anything but desired. He had to change that. Nymh teleported onto the desk of the Governer, hoping he wasn't crossing any boundaries, Sin floated up beside him. She was vague in her assessments of his appearance... it was possible that she wasn't fully aware of why he was here. Well and so, no need to make her feel as though she had failed in her duty in any sort of way... time to lobby his position. His voice was sweet, boyish yet wise, intelligent... his face flat, placid. He had a voice made for convincing, made for melting hearts. "Kregus, some time ago, fell under the thumb of Larket, and Duke Roldan presides over it. Recently, a rebellion has occurred within Kregus, the Goblins chafing under imperial rule. It has barely begun, but there has been bloodshed, and there is more to come... not that you need me to tell you any of this, M'lady. However, it brings me to point of this visit... Roldan is hard pressed to fund a war within the boundaries of his province without ample trade. Rynvale rests upon the borders of Larket's territory more so than any other kingdom... and it controls the waters. The duchy of Kregus, or more specifically, Larket, needs your aid. Of course, such trade relations will be well within the interests of the Rynvale populace.
Arien leaned back in her seat, a blandly neutral expression leveled on the ambassador. There was a long, thoughtful pause before she spoke again. “How much do you know of the history of Port Rynvale Nymh?”
Nymh sat down, crossing his legs. "I must reluctantly admit to a certain ignorance on the matter, hardly becoming of an ambassador. It seems my introduction was indeed, a bit impromptu. Please, enlighten me, M'lady."
Arien smiled faintly. My city is currently in the second year of Liberty; Liberty from the rule of one who would be emperor..one who sought to quell rebellion by the most brutal means possible. Almost the entirety of the High Born of noble blood were exterminated. I spent a year and a half of my life, lost my best friend and my fiancé leading the rebellion that saw my people free of this tyrant. My entire creed has been grounded in the ideal.. Live free, or die..” The elf sat forward and laced her fingers beneath her chin. “I am no friend to the goblin race..I hold no alliance or kinship in their ideology..but they are, living creatures and ones whose world has been usurped by outsiders as mine once was. You come to me, present to me that it is my trade and gold that will help Larket to sustain its oppression of a people who do not desire their rule, and expect that I should be pleased to do so? I should have hoped the king and queen knew me better than this..” She sat back again. “I am not so empty of character that everything I believe in can be sold down the sewers for the sake of increasing my coffers. Have you no other reasoning to present me as to why I would be desirous of this connection?”
Nymh shook his head. "It is not your coffers I speak of, M'lady. Your people's growth and prosperity are what you should be considering. On the matter of semantics concerning the goblin race... Thoguh it is hardly my place to speak on the matter, I will voice my opinion. I sympathize with the goblins. I want them to prosper. Have you ever walked the halls of Kregus, M'lady? It is horrible. The worst slums in Rynvale do not compare. Goblins live or die by virtue of their cruelty, their willingness to betray eachother and take what they need. I do not think they are an evil people, but they are certainly dangerous. They have been ruled by a long of tyrants, who's systematic approach to controlling the populace is to crush all opposition and take whatever they desire of their people... throwing the males into war, taking the females into slavery for their own greed. I believe they deserve better, M'lady. I will not lie, Roldan is fierce. He has had children hung, and I cannot disagree more with a tactic of oppression, even during wartime." Nymh leaned in closer, his eyes locked on Arien's. "Everything boils down to gold, yes. But not taking gold. Teaching the goblins race to make gold, to put food on the table, to end their internal strife and warmongering on the world about them. Perhaps Roldan will be a good leader. Stern, bloody, but turning them in the right direction. Perhaps not. For that, I ask you this... have you faith in Queen Jacklin? Have you faith in King Parsithius? In their intentions, in their abilities? I do not agree with your opinion that Larket seeks to bring oppression and devastation to the Goblin peoples, who have suffered far worse than their current occupation for longer than may know. I say Kregus is finally being brought a ray of hope. Perhaps one day goblin children and human children can play side by side without fear of one another. Perhaps the Goblins can one day find hot meals waiting for them, without being forced to enlist in some tyrants army."
Arien’s fingers drummed a light rhythmic beat on the polished surface of her desk, and the governor’s emerald gaze rested on the pixie now with an ever increasing chill, though it was not for the male himself but for the twisted ideology he spouted. “ Freedom.. free will, Nymh..includes the freedom of choice to live and propagate an evil and oppressive society. One that makes a poor neighbor, yes, one that might be a threat someday, yes. But one that would likely find the wherewithal to right itself when tyranny grew too great.” The fiery crown canted. “Do you not find it ironic that the goblin people have found the desire and means to fight against a tyrant they are unwilling to accept? This speaks to their inherent acceptance of the way of life that they had crafted for themselves.” A slip of parchment was passed to her by her secretary after a hushed apology for the interruption, a signature offered, and then her attention returned to the ambassador. “I find it, frankly, arrogant in the extreme that many man or woman, positively intentioned or otherwise, sees it as an acceptable practice to reform a culture by force when it does not aligned to some preordained standard.” She clipped. “For indeed, who is to say that some day the culture of the High Born will not cause some superior military force offence, and we find ourselves with war knocking upon the door?” The elf pinned the ambassador with a look. “And please, do not insult my intelligence by proposing that the well being of my people must rest upon my agreement to help ‘tame the savages’ The world is too big, and our resourcefulness to great. It is you..who have need of us, remember..” A quiet fell again. “I have no interest in hindering your work in Kregus, and no intention to intervene in your governance..but it shall not be the gold or goods of Port Rynvale that will fund your..transformative efforts. You may communicate this to your lieges, with my regrets.”
Nymh nodded, taking this news with his same placid expression. "Moral relativity is certainly a dangerous thing, M'lady. One person's view of a better world is not necessarily the right one, nor is the next person's. Perhaps it is better that we do not interfere, and let them continue down their own way of personal strife, never knowing of them or letting them know of us till we are both ready to agree with one another's ways or war is brought to our doorsteps. I wish to express my apologies if I seemed to insult your intelligence, 'twas never my intent. I never suggested your people's well being rests upon your agreeing... only that it is an opportunity for them. With that little bit cleared up, I will convey your feelings to the royalty of Larket." Nymh rose to remove himself, he doubted he was anymore welcome now than when he began. He stopped for a moment though, and looked at Arien directly. "I hope we do not leave here with ill will, M'lady. However different our ways may be, I have the upmost respect for your dedication to your people, and your work in their names. I hope you do not view me or those I represent in a lesser capacity over our ideological differences." He turned to make his way out, pausing while the guard chuckled at him, in case the lady Governess had any other parting words.
Arien smiled then, her gemlike gaze losing some of that frost. “I hold noting but good will for the lord and lady of Larket, and for the prosperity of their city. They have managed with wise governance to build one of the most powerful and stable societies in Hollow, and I am pleased to continue what positive relations we have established on that front. On the matter of conquest and empire building, we shall merely have to agree to disagree.” She rose to her feet. “I was perhaps hasty in claiming insult..but as you can tell, the question of liberty is dear to my heart.. You have represented your employers with integrity and sound presentation of their case..it is simply not one that I can accede to.” She offered him a smile. “Fare you well Nymh..my secretary will see you out.”
Nymh said, "Fare thee well too, M'lady. May your radiance guide your people well."
Later that night, a gilded scroll is delivered to the High Magistra, leader of the second House…
My Lord Falirae,
Enclosed please find detailed notes on a recent meeting I have had with the ambassador of Kregus regarding Port Rynvale's official stand on the matter of trade with Kregus.
In retrospect it occurred to me that I acted in haste in making a unilateral decision. I forget, too often that this is not my burden alone to bear. If this a matter you feel might well be served in bringing to the houses for further debate, I am happy to do so. I would be most surprised however, to discover that your sentiments are different from my own on the matter.
Sincerely,
Arien,
A reply was tendered, one signed by representatives of the Houses..
Governor,
I, too, believe it is not the place of Rynvale to interfere in foreign policy. Your decision has the ruling support of House Falirae.
However.
The esteemed standing of 'First House' is a coveted, volatile position. High Born culture is such that stability among the ruling class must be achieved democratically, or not at all. There are those nobles whom take great interest in foreign affairs, and to whom the slight of being kept from such is all that is needed to form accusation of tyranny. Furthermore, -all- of the Houses are consistently looking for ways in which to further their own influence, and maintain ever-present vigilance against perceived attempts to diminish individual standing. House Falirae included.
To keep good relations with the other ruling Houses (of which, Illaren should be reminded, there are five, excluding House Falirae) I have spent recent hours in deliberation with fellow nobles on how to respond. My diplomatic prowess was capable of preventing action against House Illaren (again), though it will not be capable of doing so if alienation of the Houses persists. The further from political say each of the Houses remains, the more likely it is that you shall be voted from leadership.
Nirrarien, of Second House Falirae. Pallas, of Third House . So on, so forth.
-Stamped here are the insignia of the nobles who signed above. Within the same envelope Arien finds a hastily scribbled note.-
Forgive scathing tone. Harsh word was required to sate the opinions of our dissenting fellows. The sentiment, however, remains the same. Remember to keep your enemies close.