Scymira [Game Thread]

Seas of Turmoil

High Lord Seifer continues his hunt but wasn't as successful as he'd like since the creature attacked them at night, but they still managed to fight it successfully again. Sadly some of the troops were thrown overboard during the fight...Beryl

High Lord Clinton refuses to leave the Tamer refugees, but will still protect the city of Beryl. He decides to install a temporary camp outside of the city to accommodate the refugees and provides enough food and shelter for them to be safe. The city itself remains in quarantine for now.

Larimar

After every representatives have arrived and rested, High Lord Spaulding opens the meeting...

Aye Aye Gentlemens, Miss Holanna,

I have called on your houses to speak about House Gasharde and their plan to take the monopoly of the shipyard industries. I, High Lord of the High Sea Spaulding, fear the financial consequences of their acts. An increase in the repair costs would mean an augmentation of the transportation prices, fish prices, oil prices, of all the naval related businesses. Those augmentations would probably result in a considerable financial loss for all of us. Surely some houses would not be happy about that... And i think at some point there will be a price war… That could mean bankruptcy for some… And House Gasharde would be there to buy us, like they did with House Hashid... We have already taken action, there is now a blockade north of Stormwrack Island and south of Roxany. Every Gashard ship will be captured, and all materials destined to them from the east will be turned away or bought. I want to know my friends if you plan to do something about them...

Claudia indicates that she is excited to hear proposals or participate in tours of potential investment opportunities, but emphasizes this is not a gift. Maa-Talia expects profitable returns from its ventures. Claudia says that she envisions proposals that would not be possible without Maa-Talia's financial involvement, but will have strong likelihoods of success that benefit both Houses.

A simple blocade won't be enough, I invited House Fugue, a known ally of house Maa-Talia, hoping that we could count on you to help strengthen the blocade on land.

Holanna of House Maa-Talia rises from her seat to speak next, "Lord Spaulding,", the Quartermaster General's affect seems a little wary given Maa-Talia's previous history with Kraken, "What is your long term plan with this blockade? To starve them out? They occupy a large region of land in one of the most fertile parts of Scymira. My concern would be that our ships will require maintenance and repairs before they run out of food. We believe more immediate action is necessary."

"Also, what exactly is your demands of House Gasharde? If they revert their pricing for repairs will you end the blockade? If so, they could re-supply and then increase pricing again. Or do you wish to crush Gasharde? Eliminating such a large house would be very resource intensive and might destabilize the region, which might have negative consequences on their neighbors.".

Holanna pauses as she lets everyone make the connection that Maa-Talia is one of Gasharde's closest neighbors, the other of course being Fugue.

"Maa-Talia would like to offer an alternative demand. We would like to take possession of half their shipyards, breaking the monopoly and allowing for competitive repair costs again. We have made the appropriate calculations and decided that we have the resources to undertake such a business endeavor.""Any houses that support this endeavor would be rewarded with discounted repairs ... depending, of course, on the level of support. But even if you simply choose not to oppose our plan, then prices should drop for you given the balanced competition."

Holanna returns to her seat to await discussion.

During Claudia's stay with House Ala, a messenger arrives with a sealed scroll. Checking the seal has not been tampered, she opens the scroll and reads the message. It is a lovely update from her cousin, Samantha, regarding the birth of her new baby and some shared memories of their childhood growing up together. At least that is what the message looks like to anyone other than Claudia. In reality, it is a coded message from her Uncle Tavernus, known by some as the Nightshade and her master of spies. It informs her that he has detected a potential plot against Maa-Talia and requests funds to investigate. Claudia looks overjoyed and asks if she may borrow a writing room to reply. Once alone in the room, her expression changes to frustration, but it is unclear if she is annoyed about the potential plot or the request. She writes a message of congratulations back to Samantha, including some of her own memories from their childhood together ... directing Tavernus to use the necessary funds to investigate. Giving the letter back to the messenger to return to the North Coast, she shares the good news with House Ala and asks if they can celebrate the birth of Baby Clarice with a toast at dinner tonight.

Larimar

To answer your first question Miss Holanna, the blocade was simply a way to gain some time to decide what to do after. As for your offer and your desire for support, I think we can help and maybe offer even more. If we help you with some troops, would you be interested in a partnership in the east ? We have many locations that would be ideal for shipyards, allowing us to further expend the territory...

Larimar

Holanna answers, "We very much appreciate your support. We have already set plans into action for the take over, so if all goes well, then prices will come back to normal once it is resolved. However, if we encounter unexpected resistance, we would be very thankful of your offer of troops, which would be rewarded with at-cost repairs moving forward."

"Opening new repair yards in the east could be a future endeavour, but would depend on the demand for ship repairs. The reason the current option is feasible is that the infrastructure is already in place, so we would only be taking over the operation of Gasharde's existing yards removing a lot of the upfront investment. Building new yards in the east could be costly. Maa-Talia would not want to commit to such a venture at this point."

Holanna appeared to be finished when a thought came to her. She added, "However, if Kraken and/or other eastern houses wanted to pay those upfront costs, then we could consider moving some of the repair yards to the east."

Holanna considers House Fugue's concern and replies, "I recommend that Fugue should be compensated by Gasharde for any trouble or resources this ordeal costs them given Fugue won't benefit from the new ship repair costs. Whether that be wealth, land, or something else equivalent, we should add that to the demands as well."

House Sol representative mostly observe and listen patiently. House Sol neither have the navy or proximity to help with the blockade.

Larimar

High Lord Spaulding takes a few seconds to think before answering, Then the Kraken society will send ships to aid your takeover. Their mere sight should be a plus for any negotiations you have undertaken already and if need be, they would be ready to take action rapidly. As for the business in the east, all our cities already have at the bare minimum a shipyard to take care of our ships. It wouldn't be costly at all to upgrade them to a profitable degree. Miss Holanna, I know that house Maa-Tali and the Kraken Society have a difficult past so I make this offer, West and East, let's partner up in the Shipbuilding and maintenance industry. A real partnership, 50-50. And let this partnership be the start of an era of peace between our people, that could maybe even lead down the road to house Maa-Talia and the Kraken society becoming allies... Of course I do not ask you to give an answer right now, but I do ask you to relay the message to Lady Claudia and to take the time to consider my offer.
Lord Spaulding takes a few seconds before adding, Now if anybody else would like to add anything or to speak business with the others present be my guest. Otherwise, you are all welcome to stay. For the week, if you need anything, it will be generously provided by us. I wish you all a good stay. Miss Holanna, High Lord Pickering will be ready to depart tomorrow morning. A message will be sent immediately to High Lord Lee who will be joining us on the way with part of the Kraken society's fleet. Addressing himself to Fugue's representative, If you wish, we can have cabins for you and you retinue made available to ease your return trip.

House Sol receive the reprimand graciously. They apologies again and inform that they will look for another date for the Festival of the Blaze. If no other time are appropriate for their people, they will pay the tax without issue. They thanks the royal House for their understand and benevolence before going back home.

Despite the Royal house rebuttal, House Sol continued to reap the benefit from their publicity campaign and the Festival of the Blaze. An influx of citizens poured in with the season, bringing in specialized tradesmans and men-at-arms looking to improve there lot.

The new expert were put in good use, strengthening both the economy and the military of the House.

With the House Tamer Plague ravaging the Headlands and House Zubech charging access tolls through their waterways, House Maa-Talia abandons their trading port in the Headlands and working with the support of House Sol, begins to build a new eastern trading port at a site on the water between House Sol and House Omaa.

Leaving the Headlands:


Building in Eastreach: