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.
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Gheric Arylon |
Roleplay from Solomon Greybrook | |
Message sent to Gheric Arylon | |
Archon Gheric,
We are both stepping into the unknown where either of us could betray the other, yet I believe we won't. I think despite our loyalties, we may have more in common than two enemies would. Both of us are pledging amounts which are not easily recoverable, high stake for a great reward, for both of us. As long as these insurances do not jeopardize the sovereignty of Tol Goldora nor the regions the crown govern, there is room to discuss. In terms of an offer for the Golden Reach, it is fairly difficult to quantify such an important piece of identity to Tol Goldora, however I am a reasonable man and I want us to be both satisfied by this. I have asked one of my economists to calculate a starting offer based off some estimations of taxation. Therefore, through his numbers, I am willing to offer 30,000 gold coins for the lands based off a half year in earnings pre expenses. I hope we can agree a sensible payment plan to match this. I look forward to progress further in our discussions. Kind regards Solomon Greybrook Navarch of Tol Goldora Duke of Golden Farrow | |
Solomon Greybrook |
Roleplay from Gheric Arylon | |
Message sent to Solomon Greybrook | |
Given the speed and frequency with which the messengers were now departing and arriving, Gheric had given instructions to the Royal Guard to immediately admit any arriving Goldorans bearing letters to his company. No need to involve middle men, at this point.
He saw the Goldoran rider coming up over the hills of Duil toward his encampment in Eidulb Outskirts. Greybrook's spies, it seemed, were keeping a good eye on his location, and knew where to send the letter. After a short time, the messenger arrived, and was immediately admitted to Gheric's quarters to deliver his charge. "Thank you, Goldoran," said Gheric, "please make yourself comfortable in our camp and have some dinner with my men. They will treat you well. I suspect your master would like to hear back from me tonight, and so I shall read his message and send back with you a reply." The man nodded and walked off to an area adjacent to the tent where several men were eating. As he did, Gheric opened the letter.
30,000 gold coins? That was... surprisingly fair. Not the price Gheric intended to exact from the Goldorans, but reasonable. Still, the city pulled in roughly 2300 gold per week in taxation for the crown. What Greybrook was offering represented roughly thirteen weeks of income. And that, of course, was not considering the massive investment in lives and gold that Westgard had expended protecting the city. A generous offer, but not enough. Still, a fair starting point. He sat down, and began writing.
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Gheric Arylon |
Roleplay from Solomon Greybrook | |
Message sent to Gheric Arylon | |
Archon Gheric,
Tol Goldora has also made great investments in this war and the city but I respect your decision. I hope that we can meet half way between our offers at around 55,000. This is pushing my provisional budget and have very little movement to maneuver here. Please bare that in mind. In terms of structuring the deal, trust is the biggest issue for both sides. One option is to have a deposit to be placed for the settlement, as per the ancient loans of banking institution and then the rest of the gold paid in installments. This is the most economically viable for Tol Goldora but I would understand your concern for payments over time. Alternatively, a payment plan that would suit you would be a series of transactions can be made whereby I forsee three stages. First, a deposit for the return of the Golden Reach bar Golden Farrow. Then, seeing the return of these regions, a second deposit made which would see Golden Farrow returned which then Tol Goldora would make a final payment. We could adjust these to make a suitable hybrid but these offer two starkly different options. The founders have suggested for any 5% deposit, they are also concerned with trust but like this extraordinary agreement, we can discuss this. I will be honoured to partake in peace talks in person. However, once again my council is concerned with my safety of coming to your estate and the matter of Farrowfield. We shall not attempt to break the takeover before it finishes. While I have trust and respect for you through our conversations, that does not exist for D'Hara. What is going to happen to the town? Furthermore, a formal ceasefire will be required for us to meet in person, which my council are concerned that Farrowfield will be immediately fortified. As they expect the worst and I will be simply captured, while I don't agree with them on this matter, I wish to lay to rest their concerns to prevent more fighting. Therefore, if I am to come to your estate and agree to this formal ceasefire, can we agree that Farrowfield will not be fortified by additional militia? Regards Solomon Greybrook Navarch of Tol Goldora Duke of Golden Farrow | |
Solomon Greybrook |