Dwilight/Gold Sea Conflict/Peace Talks
| Roleplay from Solomon Greybrook | |
| Message sent to Gheric Arylon | |
| Solomon sat in his quarters within Via while the news of his public declaration was raced around the kingdom. While the Navarch was pleased with what he had achieved, he was surprised to see the Archon willing to come to the metaphorical negotiation table, something he almost had given up upon over the many seasons this war had waged. Casting his mind back to the beginning of Tol Goldora, the thrill of arriving on the Western continent to raise the Tol Goldoran flag was something he will always treasure. Yet, he did not know then how much blood would be split over that flag the founders hoisted over Golden Farrow. Having brewed a needed cup of tea, his scribe assistant poured a glass for the Navarch as he pondered over the first words of his letter to the Archon, released from his captivity by his command. There was much that could be said but words sometimes failed to define what he wanted to communicate. Solomon nearly tasted victory just a week ago but how the tide has changed, as war does. While there was hope for a military victory, and there still could be but only slight now, war is not the only way to solve conflict.
Eventually, Solomon began writing as the sun rose in the sky:
Solomon paused as he looked up to see his collection of maps on the floor, knocked over by the anxious scribe. Getting up to tidy these documents, the emblem of Luria Nova shined in the window sunlight. Unrolling the map in his hands, the Lurian Empire was depicted at the time of Emperor Alessio de Medici. The Navarch took pride in his counterpart’s eagerness and loyalty to support his plight, from the long-awaited reunion with many old Lurian allies, Bennet, Cador, Ciarghuala, Wassgandr, Perdita, Owen, Kiran and so many more. Many have passed away now, some were missing and some still lived. The Lurian Empire will always be his root, many he would consider as near to family as he could achieve without blood, he shall not forget them as he continued writing:
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| Solomon Greybrook | |
| Roleplay from Gheric Arylon | |
| Message sent to Solomon Greybrook | |
| Gheric sat in his study inside the Royal Palace of Eidulb, exhausted from the flurry of a diplomatic missives from six different realms that he had been busily answering for hours. Finally, he affixed his seal on a letter to the Salvador Zond, the Dragon King of Westgard's greatest ally in the war against the Goldorans, D'Hara.
The hour was late, the embers of his fire were dying down, and sleep called to him. A historic victory in Farrowfield, a mass of rogue invasions of Westgard's territory, and the ever present -- and very real -- threat of Lurian ships landing somewhere in the west and attacking Westgard's flank. The aphorism "Heavy Lies the Crown" was never more true than it was right now. His thoughts drifted aimlessly, before they were interrupted by the sound of a metal latch raising, and the door to his chambers opening. "Sir," said one of the young administrators helping him with state business, "I apologize, but I just received a rider bearing this message from Navarch Solomon Greybrook. I thought you'd want to see it immediately." He then walked over and handed the letter to Gheric, still sitting in his chair. He had been waiting for this letter. Solomon had asked him to come to the negotiating table and discuss peace, and despite Westgard's stunning victory at Farrowfield, and a firm and sincere belief that the military advantage was now in favor of the Alliance, he had agreed. In the end, if there was a chance at peace, he had a duty to see if it could be forged. So he pulled out a knife, sliced open the Navarch's seal on the parchment, and opened it up to read.
It was Greybrook's hand, he knew that. The letter was genuine. But was his intention genuine? Greybrook has enjoyed a reputation as an honorable leader, and in his own dealing with him, he did feel there was a rapport. But Gheric was wary. What he proposed was... complicated. Still, he sat down and wrote.
Gheric then rolled the parchment up, affixed his royal crest to the gold wax sealing the paper, and handed it back to the young administrator, and instructed him to send it to Via immediately. Golden Farrow. What was a city worth, in lives and in gold? For Gheric to give it up, it would have to be something truly historic and unprecedented. | |
| Gheric Arylon | |
| Roleplay from Solomon Greybrook | |
| Message sent to Gheric Arylon | |
| Dear Archon Gheric,
Tol Goldora amassed a great host to break the walls of Golden Farrow and while I pride our military, it is outmatched by your allies support, I know this. I acknowledge that the alliance of your fellow realms fears the Lurians and our relations. I will attempt to address these: 1) Golden Farrow is indeed a strategic port, I will not deny this. Therefore, if I controlled the port of Golden Farrow, I will control whom is allowed to use the city for transport. This means that I won't allow the city to be used for military campaigns without my authorization, which would lead to denouncement and escalation, which will include the Lurian Empire. 2) I fear the creation of Tol Goldora has been manipulated a great amount over the course of this war. Therefore, I shall be brief and factual. The founding of Tol Goldora involved no supporting funds from any realm and has never done. Nobles were drawn from across Dwilight, only two of the original 7 were Lurian. We have never been Lurian and will not join the Empire, I am very happy to publicize this if needed. I am prepared to meet a reasonable price for the return of the Farrowlands and our identity. I wish to see this as hopefully an armistice as you say. If it is within my means, it can be done. I look to your reply. Solomon Greybrook Navarch of Tol Goldora Duke of Golden Farrow | |
| Solomon Greybrook | |
| Roleplay from Gheric Arylon | |
| Message sent to Solomon Greybrook | |
The letter arrived in late afternoon, and Gheric had read it more than a dozen times.
Fascinating. One of the most critical concerns of the northern alliance that had driven them to be absolutist over the city of Golden Farrow was Lurian influence. The allies, rightly in Gheric's estimation, feared giving the Lurian Empire a foothold in the west, with direct access to Port Raviel, Eidulb, serving as gateway to the west, and permanently threatening the allied nations. That justified fear had been one of the most critical reasons to guarantee possession of the Golden City. And here was Greybrook saying, essentially, that he was interested in re-polarizing the world, and would not be aligning his realm with the Lurian Empire. Were these just words? Was he serious? How could he trust that this was true? How could the allies be sure? How could we trust this to be true? But if it was... He dipped his quill in an ink well, and began to write. "Navarch Greybrook -- I believe we are making progress. The city of Golden Farrow, to put it in simple terms, is a critically important port that can threaten all of our realms. It is simply unacceptable to leave ourselves open to attack like that. You are, I hope, educated about my own history on this continent and my father's experience as the founding High King of Everguard. That realm was destroyed by a sea launched invasion by a duplicitous ally who had promised to protect and defend Everguard, and had promised friendship. As that took place during my childhood, I am particularly sensitive to promises made, especially from foreign parties who are attempting to gain something incredible valuable from my realm. So I am incredibly heartened that you would make such a pledge, and view this as an important landmark in our discussion. That said, I believe we are going to need to build in significant protections into any agreement we would reach, in order to disincentivize any potential betrayal or violation of the terms of the treaty. Please do not misunderstand that as a slight on you, your honor, or your word. This would, instead, do much to put minds at ease, and facilitate an opportunity to foster trust and friendship between our realms. Ultimately, Navarch, we are faced with a situation whereby we are leading two realms that do not trust each other. Trust can be earned -- and in this I acknowledge it needing to happen in two directions -- but as we begin the process of seeking peace, we need to find ways of generating, and guaranteeing trust, so that a more natural, deep and everlasting trust will have the room to develop. Nonetheless, I think this is a very good start, and we can discuss the details of this aspect of a peace at a more formal, in person negotiation soon. Before we get there, though, I feel we must begin to discuss the potential cost of the city, if you wish to purchase rights to her. To your mind, what would you consider a fair sum to compensate us for the loss of the city, and the investment we have made in it? I would like to hear your opening offer. I look forward to your next letter, and am left with a great deal more hope for the future. Respects, Gheric Arylon Archon of Westgard" Cost. What cost could ever be just compensation to hand over such a prize? Gheric wondered. | |
| Gheric Arylon | |
