Grim Terms - RPLOG
Participants
Date
23/2/477
Log
With even the night warm, the windows of the High Courts building are held cracked open, though many guards keep most at bay outside. Nobles and their entourage are welcomed inside to hear the heads of state discuss demands with one of the Lockedjaw Clan. The building is mostly packed, though only those high on the list of Sweetwater's ruling classes are welcomed to speak, others welcomed to listen. Still others are more then welcome to watch the guards and hear what can be heard from the distance. However, exceptions are made for foreign nobility to bring in their insights, as well as even common folk from Cliffside, Thera'Dor, and Shralesta, in hopes that they may send word home, bringing aid from the other nations before this gets out of hand.
Mirana had gussied herself up a bit to come along. She was not looking forward to this in the slightest, but she had a duty to be there.
Selena sighs quietly, rubbing her eyes as she makes her way along the 'noble district' of Firmament, looking none too pleased. Perhaps it's the prior events of the day, perhaps just the recent news. Heaven forbid a trade embargo cut her off from cider. The wolfess glances about a little more actively upon spying one of (likely) many foreign nobles as though looking for someone in particular. Or perhaps a crest or seal; it's not always easy to tell.
Sven swaggers into the great hall of the high court building, fanning himself with what appears to be an advertisement for the twin pillows. Why was this country so HOT!? "Sven is now here!" he crows to the room in general. There was probably someone meant to announce him, but the heat was making him just a little grumpy and impatient.
The inside of the building is a bustle with activity. A great deal of murmering and chatting going about. In the center of the room sit the heads of the noble houses, the Good King not in attendance so far. Mirana takes a seat near the rest of the Solacious, Selena and Sven both are lead over toward a section reservered for those from afar. Even there, nobles and commoners are kept as seperate as can be, but somehow Selena is requested to sit very close to the nobles section and Sven very close to the commoners, the two could easily speak to each other in whispers if they chose.
A banging in the center of the room, "Alright, Miss Halina Lockedjaw, you say you bring demands for ending the embargo?" Asks the head of the Strongheart house. To which Halina says, "It's simple, you are using our seas, so we just want a cut. Fifty percent tariff on all good brought into your ports, to be payed to Ishara, for the... safe passage we will provide." A great roaring outcry!
Selena raises an eyebrow at the seating locations - while not the most familiar with court practices, there's not much reason to demand different seating either. The commentary from the center, though, is met with a laugh from the wolfess - "Fifty percent? I don't think any self respecting being would cut their earnings in half for doing something they've always done." She murmurs across to the large Puma.
Sven looks around at his position in the hall. He realizes that it is probably meant as a slight. Probably had something to do with punching that oily skunk in the nose at the last ball, but the hefty puma could not care less. But when he hears Halina's claim to the sea, he stands with a roar! "Waters are belonging to no one!" he shouts amid the general outcry, "Sven will not stand this!"
Adolphus grunts hard, the rotund hippo has strapped on his combat gear. Mail, and leather shining, a wrahammer strapped to his back. Leather and metal glistening with fresh polish, as if he expects an attack at any moment. Court of course has always been a problem for him. But now it's war! Warcraft and tactics, his two studies come to the forefront. He enters, unannounced. He's late and he knows it, so he simply goes to the Royal Sweetwater section. Taking the chair furthest away from the throne, as a minor cousin he sits furthest away. Listening to waht's already been said. Fortunetly the royal chairs are all wide and reinforced, it doesn't even creak as his wide bulk fits into it.
The entrance of a royal is easily well recieved and annouced, "Joining us Lord Adolphus." Most go quiet at that, waiting for the royal to take his seat before things continue. Mira for her part just watches on, though Sven's outcry is quickly answered, Halina looking over, "You doubt our ages old claim to the seas? Just try and get a ship through, we will prove our claim easy enough." She says, looking back to the council. The lead of the Blackback House is next to talk, "Surely you don't expect us to actually be able to do that, a fifty percent loss in all incoming trade would cripple us at best. Surely there must be another way we can settle this. Halina smiles, many sharp teeth showing, "Of course, I can offer thirty five percent on all incoming and outgoing trade instead!" Even more outcry about that, most looking completely shocked! "We have allowed you many peaceful years borrowing what is ours. We are already negotiating what with the other nations as well, though we suspect the greatest trouble from this one. You lot have always been too prideful, so, it was decided that until you are ready to hear, we'd go ahead and let you see what is in store for you." Much murmering, already talking with the other nations? In an alliance treaty or 'trade negotiations' like this one?
Selena shakes her head. "I think any trader would call that kind of demand 'extortion', not a trade negotiation. Sweetwater does possess its own maritime territory; would you attempt an attack on ships within those bounds, or those of Cliffside or Shralesta's seas?" The wolfess announces surprisingly calmly before settling back down and adding under her breath; "I don't like single beings trying to represent their country. It strikes me as arrogant and prone to corruption. Just look at Eldric." to bodoy in particular, though any other courtiers around her could easily pick up on it were it not for the uproar.
Sven is uninterested in the trade demands of the islanders, but he is infuriated by their claim to ownership of the seas! The water was freedom! How could this leather headed lizard claim to own his freedom? The brawny cougar takes his seat again with a snarl. No blockade could hold him or his ship. "Sven is not recognizing Lockedjaw claim," he says, "House Snowmark ignores the embargo!" The paper pushers could take care of the official stuff. Sven's family would assuredly support his statement.
Adolphus takes a scroll in his platter sized hand from a servant. The offical communication, as the current royal he gets it, and he rolls it in his hand. Grunting again he motions to the servant, and they bring over a rather...comically small pair of reading glasses. These missives are always in such small script. He places them upon the bridge of the nose and he checks the seal. Eyes narrowing, making sure it is correct, that it bears a royal seal of the city; before he cracks it and gets to reading. He reads without comment, though a vein on his forhead begins to pound. Finally rolling up the scroll, keeping the seal with the scroll and motioning for the servant to leave it upon a tray at the head of the table. Where the good king would sit if he decides to enter. He draws a deep breath, speaking with a low rumble. His voice his loud and bass, within the hall it carries and causes a pressure in the chest. "Would you tax the air we breath. Would you tax the grass that grows upon our land..." he removes his glasses and turns to the "ambassador." "The sea and the air was given to us by our creators. We work the lands to make them sutible for their return...and fish the seas as far as a sail can travel in a day." he draws deep, "We're entitled to our ports, our lands. That is what the noble houses and cities agreed upon. We pay your fees when we use your lands. That is just, and that is right. That is what has kept peace and trade for generatiors. Your threat." he motions to the missive, "Is to SINK...that is to attack and sink any ship, entering our harbor, and our local waters. The ships of any nation. But that is their buisness. Our buisness is, you threaten the ships of Sweetwater. Is that correct..." it is not a question but a statment. He's read it.
The outcry ends with Adolphus speaks. Most once more silent as he speaks, Mira looking over to him. She wonders what he intends! This so far was a minor thing, something that could be negoiated through. But, after Sven's outburst she is growing less confident in that. Helina looks first to Sven, "Trade by land, feel free, if you have some way to fly, go through the air, but any ships entering 'Sweetwater seas' from 'unclaimed waters' as you all like to call them, will be sunk with the exception of our own. All other nations. We have already advised the others to inform their ports to suspend travel here." Next, Adolphus, "A noble speech, but where are our creators now? We caught wind that not even the creators own Promise anymore! So we are laying claim to its waters. If our Creators do not own the seas, then we will own them instead!" She shakes her head, "It is no threat, good Lord of Sweetwater." She pulls from her belt pouch a parchment, "SW Lambanda, SW Eureka, SW Yanis, as well as the merchent ships Yamato, Urkra, and Laita, all flying the Sweetwater flag, sighted and sunk, as promised. We did give them a warning to turn back however." Even more outcry, to which Helina tisks a finger, "Don't forget your own laws on the diplimatic immunity of foriegn nobility." She reminds.
Selena scoffs quietly as the woman mentions Sweetwater's own laws. "May I speak? I want to know what country of all those gathered here is willing to endorse a 50% tarriff on all their trading by sea. Who believes that is a fair agreement, hmm? If Sven is anything to go by, even Thera'Dor doesn't agree with the demands. Why should we? I for one don't see any reason to cede to the claims, and if none of us do and you continue to attack merchant's ships... Well, how long do you think Ishara would hold out against three or four continents worth of magic, creator technology and resources?"
Sven grinds his teeth at the audacity of this "ambassador's" demands and claims. There would be a swift reckoning! The puma sits in enraged silence, calculating what resources and manpower would be required to annihilate a fleet of ships like the Lockedjaw barbarian claimed to have. Through his rage, an inner voice of reason waves a little flag of warning. The filth of Ishara were said to have. . . appropriated, certain creator artifacts. He would have to bring the Sweetwater barbarians into his counsels to make something so bold effective. Behind closed doors and away from prying. . . the stupid alligator didn't even have EARS!
Adolphus clenchs hs teeth. "You come in here...into the halls of our house. And casually list the citizens you have killed...the people of Sweetwater, WHICH MY FAMILY HAS SWORN TO PROTECT FOR GENERATIONS!" his echoing boom causes the glass windows to shake, "You dare...you DARE!" he draws his breath and glances to the empty chair at the head of the table, he motions to a steward, and curls his finger. He practically grabs the man, and there is a rumbling word given to him, some sort of password, and then he motions to the servant, "Wine...a whole flagon." he tries to compose himself, "I am in no posistion to negotiate for the City of Sweetwater. But you understand what you offer. You sink ships of defense, you kill our soldiers, you murder our citizens...before you issued your declarations. If you have a list in your pocket, they were dead before word even got to us. You understand, what you offer is war. What you have declard is a crime in the eyes of all nations and the creators themselves" he looks dead at the ambassador, "Who signed for this, who ordered this, tell me without doubt or hesitation, your lords understand exactly what it is they have done." He takes his wine, and he drinks it, deeply, and fully, using it to steady himself. His ivories grind and he awaits the response of the ambassador, he is brimming with anger, and it takes every ounce of willpower not to cause an incident before someone higher up the food chain comes into the chamber.
Shock from the list of names, though as Selena calls many others call back about who would stand before the navy of the island nation, who would weather the losses first? Sven's silence has many others worried as well. Lots of chatter, which Helina calls for a short silence. She is granted it after a time, "You assume each ship suffered total losses? We maintained trade with many nations including some... side interests. We are not heartless, we are not cold killers. We have taken many prisioners who have attempted to run our blockade, and they are being returned to their native lands now. Cliffside, from what I know, is enjoying the company of my brother, Thera'dor my mother. As a large trade community, Thera'dor is being visited by none but the best. Sweetwater on the other hand, was deemed by our Grand Admiral to be too... uncivilized to listen to reason without some kind of backing. I mean," and she turns to the section for those from afar, "did Good King Good listen to the ruling council of Cliffside and tender negotitions and surrender? Or did he bring them into a long drawn out war even as the Shadows encrouched on the land? And when Creater Artifacts from the desert were found, did he draw up orders to ensure they stayed in their home land? Or did his beings plunder them and bring them here? I'd say that Sweetwater is the caushe of the troubles all lands have, and that is why our gunships now rest just outside 'your' waters."
Selena raises an eyebrow. "And yet you're 'civilised' enough to resort to petty extortion and a blockade. My last visit to Cliffside saw the council quite opposed to resource destruction tactics, so it stands to reason they'd be opposed to outright denial as well, particularly since the noble house responisible lost a lot of its influence for the underhanded dealings." She replies flatly. "And did you forget that it was Cliffside that declared war when Firmament was already under attack by Shadows? That is to where I'd look for 'uncivilized' actions in that war."
Sven stands and spits when the Lockedjaw representative mentions his home country. "Gator's mother is coming home empty handed," the hefty puma growls in his thick accent. "Council of Hilrock will spit on you!" he yowls, working himself into something of a frenzy. How DARE these belly-dragging bottom feeders threaten his home! The puma sits back in his chair with a loud THUMP! He would have one of the clerks send a letter home tonight. He pulls a silver flask from a pocket and takes a long swig. "Barbarians," he mutters.
Adolphus runs a hand under his chin, "I...will tell the Good King what you say. What...demands you have made to us. I will say we will send word to your king, to your noble houses. Rejecting, this embargo, demanding an immidiate removal of hostile ships, and compensation to crew and family for the damages you have caused. I feel as if this is a trap you" he points a finger, "Are a part of. I know not your game, but I cannot belive any being with a brain in their head would think this would work. If it is a flimsy attempt at a war declaration then you are childish and amature. So. We will attempt, to confirm you speak true." He remains calm. Think of the family, think of the citizens. He glances back at Sven, "My Good Lord and Guest, Please calm yourself. Do not write in anger, do you make offical policy in anger. It is not good practice for your citizenry." he says with the harsheness of his feelings. Barely restrained contempt at the situation, yet still trying to do his duty.
The outcry quiets down a bit after word that the crews of the ships are safe though Adolphus' words carry weight, "Oh, trust, it is not our entitions to make war, we are not setting step on your lands, save myself and any future representatives, same with the other nations. We have no interest in war, only in what is ours, and for now, the seas are ours. However, we are willing to give as we are willing to recieve." She says. Taking a curtsey, "You will need time to think this over, of course, I'll retire back to my ship, but don't try to send any more through, we have lost our own Lanction, and we so we would rather not have to do recovery on anymore of our own. However, again, we are not heartless, if you wish to send out salvage rigs of your own, fly a red and green flag below your own, and do not try to come closer then a thousand yards from the line without escort, and in no situation come closer then five hundred yards." She says, taking her leave under heavy shouting.
Over the course of the next days, news from other nations about their own negotiations, about how they are being offered increased trade, the water ways made more safe from monster and beast, even increased taxes should they trade with Ishara, increased incomes, all to go along with the total blockade of Sweetwater's ports. Word is, that the Grand Admiral publicly denounces any taking of ships aside from those attempting to cross into waters near Sweetwater. Saying anything of the sort is nothing but a 'side incident and being looked into with great scrutany.'
Sven narrows his eyes at the smug Lockedjaw. Sure, none of this had much effect on his own people, but the belly-dragger was laying claim to HIS ocean. "Sven is leaving!" he roars, standing from his seat. The hefty puma storms his way out of the great hall, opting to sleep on his ship tonight instead of the rooms provided to him at the palace. He needed the sea to rock him to sleep tonight.
Adolphus stands, he doesn't do anything undiplomatic, but he offers no words and no fond farewells to the coward. He'll simply go and deliver the report to his family.
