When you arrive at the gates of the palace there are two extra guards waiting to escort you in and the familiar chamberlain gives you a slightly more formal greeting than you got from him last time (is that a frosty edge to his tone or did you imagine it?) as he acknowledges you status as THE Marian dignitary in the country.

You are lead through the palace hallways and then surprisingly not into one of the rooms you had previously visited but out into another courtyard the other side and through an imposing set of gates in a thick stone wall. You thus discover that the castle proper is behind yet another defensive wall that at least in part divides it again from the already encircled palace. Walking on with your guard escort and the chamberlain you climb up a wide set of stairs against a wall, through an arch bridging the gap between the wall and the central keep and out into a small garden area with the ground level set just below the lip of the wall. On a stone bench by a fountain sits the Duchess (now Queen) with a lady in waiting and four young men in armour and red tabards with a white stag at a respectable distance. They are all facing the vista that looks out over the roof of the palace and onto the rest of the city that sweeps down to the harbour.

The chamberlain coughs and then announces you as “The Marian Envoy, Captain Valerian Hawke” which causes the lady in waiting to curtsy and leave while the knights retreat to lounge against a side gate you judge just out of ear shot for normal conversation. The chamberlain leaves and the two guards that followed you stay put at the entrance when you are waved over. The girl pauses a moment longer in her vigil over the city before turning to face you.

“So, Captain Hawke, I feel it is time for us to have a frank discussion. I have been told that you represent the Marian Empire in all things and so far as my lands are concerned the Marian Empire is ruled in essence by you.  It must be said that to the mind of me and my people we do not and will never accept any authority within our borders but my own. With that understood I would know your mind, Marian intentions and any Marian activities within my borders”
This message was last updated by the GM at 16:03, Wed 18 Nov 2015.

Valerian smiles bows in the mode of equals about to discuss business and speaks.

"Ah yes my wizard informed me that you wished to know of the Empire's interests in the region Your Majesty. I hope you enjoy the little coronation gift by the by, may it serve you well. Our interests are rather simple, trade and the prevention of an orc force from ravaging human lands."

Valerian smiles once again

"Though I have to admit that the latter is somewhat a function of the former. As I'm sure you are aware Your Majesty the majority of shipping that lands in Aravigian ports either is coming from or heading to the Marian Empire. As far as I am aware of such things Aravigia is seen as the safest route from Marian ports to those in the Chivalric Kingdoms, I'm sure I could find a seaman to explain the whys and wherefores to you but suffice to say both our nations profit from such commercial enterprise. Such profit cannot be made if your people are slaughtered and your cities lie in ruins, not to mention the vast loss of innocent lives that it is the duty of all peoples of the Heliod to prevent."

Shifting somewhat Valerian comes to what he believes is the crux of the matter

"But I believe you are more interested in a meeting that occurred between myself, agents in my employ and an envoy from Kingsland, correct?"

Barely pausing for the Queen to reply Valerian continues

"That came about as part of the mercantile investments that myself and members of my staff are engaging in, somewhat in support of any future war efforts that may have to be made against the orcs. One of my agents put me in contact with someone he believed represented a Kingsland mercantile concern, it seems he was mistaken, somewhat. The long and short of the matter is that the people this messenger represented wished to purchase a small portion of the metal, I believe you know the one I am referencing, in the Marian Empire's possession, a metal which few even in the Empire know about, in exchange for a small piece of land. He also offered a similar amount of land in exchange for Marian martial support, I believe the notion of Aravigia becoming a Protectorate was mentioned."

Valerian still standing places both his hands behind his back in a form of rest position.

"I refused his offer for three reasons. First and foremost it is my opinion as someone whose adult life has been spent dedicated to the Art of War "((caps and all)) "that any civil war, even one where Marian Legions were used to augment one side or another would unacceptably weaken Aravigian forces against the oncoming orc horde. Second it is the opinion of myself and my staff that in the long term it would be better for Marian economic, military and political interests to have yourself as a willing ally than a cabal of merchants who have not deigned to arrange a personal and honest meeting with us as unenthusiastic subjects that may have to be cajoled with a legion or two into complying with Marian directives. Thirdly as far as my staff and I have been able to analyse your nation's laws you are the lawful ruler of Aravigia and as you have said your people will likely never accept any authority other than your own, and pacification campaigns tend to be unprofitable for at least a generation after the event."

"As to Marian intentions from this point forwards they are simple, ensure that Aravigian ports remain open to Marian shipping, scout out orc forces in order to better ascertain the appropriate tactics to be used against them and to defeat " Valerian touches his sword "with the help of the Heliod any orc force before it can destabilise Aravigia damaging trade routes and causing unneeded loss of life.

The dispute between you and Kingsland is frankly not my concern aside from the fact that it makes my duties more challenging and I would rather any civil war not happen, at least until such time as the orc threat is dealt with."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 16:35, Sun 08 Nov 2015.

While you talk the young royal sits in polite silence with that slightly unsettling intense, attentive stare of hers on you, it makes you oddly feel your armor is thin and it takes the thought of being the Empire incarnate to bolster you. She is wearing the wizard's gift about her neck and notice just how uncannily the colour of the gem matches her eyes. Nothing is given away by her calm expression at any point though you have learnt to expect her mind is working away nevertheless. Even at the mention of your meeting with the Kingslund messenger she makes no sign and does not nod or say a word to confirm your suspicions on her interest had you waited for one to be given. When you have said your piece she says nothing for a short space of time but clasps her hands slowly on her lap. When she does speak it is with the same composed voice as before.

"It is well that the Marian Empire is to be most properly guided by your rational hand in the matters of this distant land by remaining untangle. I am assured now that we share a belief; that the exchanges between our states are served best towards prosperity in trade and harmony. If I seem fretful in calling upon you to reaffirm what is the self-evident path of reason in our dealings it must be excused as rather my worry over what the unjust in this domain would try to make of the misunderstood variances between our ways with the soft sounds of coin and lightly given words. Such things are my own troubles however and it is improper for me to burden you further with cares when you already balance the preparations of your empire for a looming great war. Nestled as we are between a wide river, tall mountains and the greatest gateway ever built by any civilization* we are as you say unaccustomed to foreign interest that is not resting on our shores awhile with eyes and minds elsewhere. As yours are turned to the western Steppes let us talk with more substance on that.”

She draws a deep breath as if to clear the air and dismiss the former topic for a new one. That any subject could be pulled one from the other off the pervasive power struggle you doubt but she gives a spirited attempt at treating them as such “It would be my choice that the reported return of our collective ancient and savage enemy is the furnace that mints a bond of a strong alloy between all obliged to the Heliod. In more tangible terms however there is of course a preoccupation of my own strength” there it is “though I have not been left entirely idle and without recourse as a horde thunders for the Numoreian pass. Now I know directly and condone freely what the Marian Empire hopes to achieve I feel justified in my royal position to ask how you are to be about it. I am told you have purchased substantial property in my city” and she leaves the statement hanging in the air as a question.

Apparently the Aravigian interpretation of the word frank is one of those referenced 'variances' to the  Marian meaning.

---

*She is referencing the Grand Gate which is an accurately named vast stone gateway of ancient construction built across the narrowest point of land that links the northern most Chivalric Kingdom to the strip of land that turns along the Aravigian cost. It's building is part of a tale of warring kingdoms from the mystical ages of rampant magic. The northern boundary of the lands considered part of the Chivarlic Kingdoms has been defined by the gateway since long before the geopolitical entity coalesced. The free cities on the peninsular (where Kryss is from) are relatively young (500 years old as full fledged city states) compared to the venerable states further south. As a testament to it's sheer scale it no longer really serves a purpose as the archway is wide enough to accommodate the highway un-narrowed and the actual gates were long since lost with no civilization to date having the technical skill to create new set and link them to the fabulously complex mechanisms that open and shut it, though to be fair the Marians haven't had a go. While you have never seen it personally it is considered an ancient wonder like the pyramids were to the Romans and you are willing to accept the reference to it as the greatest gateway ever built.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 16:02, Wed 18 Nov 2015.

"Indeed we have purchased a warehouse Your Majesty. The property in question serves our purposes quite well for it provides a location for the Marian Embassy while having a storage location nearby to facilitate our mercantile ventures, and of course any logistical issues that may develop as the Marian response to the orc thread intensifies.

The warehouse in question was chosen as it has a forge which of course keeps our dwarf most happy, smithing is his hobby, and he seems rather taken with the place."

Valerian makes a dismissive gesture as if the warehouse is of no great import.

"As for the Marian response to the orc threat, at the moment I have sent scouts to better ascertain the exact nature of the threat, and to provide more concrete numbers for both Aravigian and Marian planners.

I also expect that Marian engineering expertise might soon become available to Your Majesty, especially looking towards the defences of your un-walled towns - though I would suggest that the more indefensible areas are evacuated to more defensible areas though I'm sure your military planners have thought all of this out."

Valerian smiles.

"Of course until my scouts return I can not definitively say what the Marian methodology for defeating the orc threat will be.


If I may ask Your Majesty, so that I may account for it in our plans, what is the response  of your military likely to be?"

As you draw breath to start your next sentence she puts up a finger to hold you "While I make no objection to your maintenance of a residence for you to invite whomever you would inside, and I positively encourage a house of new enterprise and trade led by a man of quality such as yourself, I hope you will not ask me to tolerate a barracks of foreign troops within my city walls that is uninvited." you are not quite sure if she has heard something of your attempts to recruit people or simply took an educated guess about your intent given your militaristic nature "While I certainly trust you and your immediate companions I could not allow such a thing and be a Queen worth the crown you brought me."

She lets you then continue ((add anything else you want to reply back here and then when such sub conversations as need to be had are finished I assume you go on with the rest of it)).

"If and when it seems we will have need of such swords as the Empire is kind enough to put to the defense of this land then we can negotiate a proper treaty to abide by, as you say we know little enough for now and I have other concerns. Thankfully we are blessed to have heroes ready to probe the dangers to be found in the wild places" she gestures with a rare smile at you to indicate she is referring to your little band and is aware that though you are an important foreign dignitary you are also an individual she owes a great deal already " I have sent a small band of young knights north to inspect my new domain, spread news of my ascension and discover what they may of incursions. My main strength is being gathered to the east to bring the matter of supremacy to a quick close "

She pauses an instant to give you a calculating stare that must involve such great depths of mental footwork to break through her customarily impeccably equable veneer.

“While I could not ask you to take an active part in such violence as I fear will be demanded of us, would you be willing to accompany my forces when they march and observe the field? You are a military man of your people and I would have you see ours should we be called to lock our shields in this crisis.”
This message was last updated by the GM at 21:23, Wed 18 Nov 2015.

"Your Majesty, I assure you that any soldiers that currently reside at the Embassy or shall reside there for the immediate future are merely there as Embassy Guards and to protect the warehouse should rogues come in 'dead of night' as it were, and almost half are recruited from Aravigian citizens, as are all of the auxiliary staff of the Embassy. While I'm sure your cities watch is more than adequate for the task, you can never be too careful, especially given that Drast is engaged in some arcane research."



"Of course you and I both require more information before we negotiate any significant Marian martial presence in your kingdom and I look forward to those negotiations when we come to them.

I would also be honoured to travel with one of your armies to observe how they fight, I merely need four turns of the glass notice when they are ready to march. Would it cause a great inconvenience if certain members of my staff attended to assist me?"

"Dear Tribune you may bring your whole cadre with you on the understanding their numbers grown no further without permission from myself or my Commander the Earl of Dulmroth, or, you may leave some to defend its contents which my steward is eager to confer with you about." She stands up though her height means she is still looking up at you "As to the orc, let me just say that I have been reliably informed that every knight in the south would ride to defend a Chivarlic Kingdom from a foe of legend and those lands find themselves full to antagonism with both young and tested men.” she gives you another smile and then heads towards the gateway against which the knights lean, as she leaves she says over her shoulder “You may ask the Lady Grey about it, she rides with us in three days’ time. A pleasure to see you.” and then she is gone.

The chamberlain is by the stairs you arrived at and offering to show you out or to the steward’s office to talk about your tax arrangements if now is a convenient time.

((The Earl of Dulmorth is Roger Maier the Brian Blessed guy.

Kryss Grey/Deneith is THE Lady of the ‘Duchy’ of Deneith which she has created around the city of Deneith by taking control of two other free cities. Either using the personal name is to show friendship or just the apparent Aravigian courtly habit of collecting as many titles as you can then mixing and matching them when talking about the same person, preferably in the same short period as you have been refered to as a Captain, a Marian official, a hero and a tribune within ten minuets.))
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:06, Sun 22 Nov 2015.

Valerian goes to see the taxman

The Steward's office is a small room with a coloured glass window, a neat desk, two chairs and very little else. There is a single sheet of blank parchment and two sets of writing implements on the tabletop with a wax set and a small box you would guess contains an official seal of some sort. The records are presumably kept elsewhere.

The steward gestures deferentially at the seat opposite him and the chamberlain withdraws.

"I understand you have purchased property in the city and wish to operate a mercantile concern from the premises. You have been issued a warrant to do so" he reaches down and produces a scroll with a thread fastening "this must be held on the site. It's forgery or destruction are offences. We have a simple property footage tax and what I think most people would understand to be a competitive tariff rate. You will be required to seek permission for any construction work that would alter the over the ground bounds of your property and submit a full list of items held on your business premises at the end of every four months to be compared with records of goods you have paid to move through the city limits." he picks up a quill and dabs it in an ornate ink pot "What goods are currently held within your warehouse?"
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 21:06, Sun 22 Nov 2015.

((I'm assuming we have less bars of mithral than the eight that are mentioned, by my count we have lost 1 at the time of this meeting (though I think we've lost three by the time we leave with the queen's army). Feel free to edit that if I'm wrong.))

Upon being handed the scroll Valerian bows as one who is slightly higher in function but nevertheless understands the innate worth of the bureaucratic system.

"Is there some way in which this license must be displayed?"

When this is answered he continues and answers the stewards questions about goods.

"The only things currently held in our warehouse are two tonnes of metal ore and seven ingots of dwarf iron to be used in manufacture. Though given our current warehousing space no doubt there will an increase in the items in storage by the next inspection."

As the clerk notes down the goods.

"Some questions if I may? My family is deeply involved in the ministeria centrum, that is the Central Ministries in the common tongue and my parents would scold me most harshly if I laboured in ignorance rather than seek illumination.

I understand this desire to compare the items in a businesses possession to those that have been imported. It is most sensible to prevent the loss of tax income, however I would be interested in how this system takes account such trade as occurs solely within this fine city of yours? Or into account items that have been created from raw materials? Is it required that I keep receipts for these transactions?"


Valerian continues in a tone of balanced interest, and begins a conversation on tax law

"In the Empire we have an item called a sigillum publicanorum or taxation stamp that is applied to all goods that have been taxed properly, at importation into each province, any business owner, or trader on the roads, that has goods for sale that are not stamped is subject to the highest of penalties. I am interested, and I'm sure many of the more scholarly members of my House will be as well as to how your system developed. If possible a copy of your sales laws and taxation codes would be appreciated, my younger brother is thinking of the Commerce Ministry and I'd like to give him a translation."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:25, Mon 23 Nov 2015.