A wild night and a new road

Out of the corner of her eye, De Leeuw watched the Imperial merchant poring over the glass cases with the bounty of rings, necklets, and more exotic adornments that filled her shop. She hadn't seen the like before. He'd paused outside to make use of the boot scraper, and the had sloughed off his shoes once he saw the sable carpet. Someone who knew how to get around a marsh, mused De Leeuw. A nice change. Most of the Imperials she had dealt with were smartly dressed League merchants or brightly coloured Freeborn. Often as not they were unfamiliar with the realities of the Delves, and invariably tracked mud into her shop. Not this fellow, though.

She kept being drawn to the mask he was hearing, though. A thing of bone and feathers, with a beak like a crows. She itched to ask if it was a real beak or not - she couldn't tell. Most of her clients wore a little jewellery and the Imperial was no exception; uncharacteristically though he seemed to eschew gold and silver, preferring dragonbone and what looked to be polished flint. Strange choices, Yet she didn't doubt he had the money to be here; his coat and trousers were beautifully decorated and spoke of prosperity and position.

At last he spoke. "I was wondering about these pieces," he said casually. She smiled inwardly. She had made a bet with herself that this was what he was here for. She smoothly moved over, lifting the glass bell jar that covered her new pieces.

"You are a person of discernment," she said in fluent Imperial (it always paid to address a customer in their own language). "These are fine pieces indeed, especially for someone versed in magic. See here? This necklace is of orichalcum and tempest jade; a beautiful piece you'll agree. Yet its true value lies in its provenance - each of the jewels bears a tiny portion of starlight from certain stars. If you know what you are doing, that starlight can be used to cast potent healing spells beyond what any normal magician could attempt."

"And this one?" He pointed to the ring, set with a single eleven black stones that looked like onyx but were not.

"Oh, you have a good eye!" She flattered the customer without even thinking about it, putting the necklace down and lifting up the ring to show him how it sparkled in the light. "You may find it hard to believe, but these gems are also chips of tempest jade, treated with beggar's lye in a secret fashion that causes the colour to leech from them. The ring itself is dragonbone, polished with ambergelt. A wearer versed in the arts of death can draw on the unlight of the Unfortunate Sailor to command the dead to speak, and they cannot resist. A rare piece indeed."

The mask-wearing Imperial pondered her words, and reached out to take the ring. He was polite enough not to touch it without permission; De Leeuw nodded. He handled it carefully as if afraid it might break. Up close, the Sarcophan jeweller could see the dark green scales spilling out from under his mask. A naga.

"And do you craft these yourself?" He asked, although there was something in his tone that told the canny shopkeeper he already knew the answer.

"Oh no, I'm afraid not." She smiled cheerfully. "Many of the articles here are either salvaged by agents, or made in-house. Not these ones, though. These come from far across the sea. From a nation of magicians. I will not be gauche enough to name it given the current political differences between your people and theirs..."

He nodded slowly.

"These difficulties give your people an opportunity for significant profit it seems."

She flashed him another smile, revealing even more of her razor-sharp teeth this time. "Indeed it does," she said. "But at the end of the day there is always profit in taking things from places others cannot or will not go, and selling them on. That case over there for example bears pearl rings recovered at no small danger from the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald for example, drowned fifty years ago in the Sea of Teeth. You will find similar treasures throughout the quarter. These are simply recovered from a slightly drier place, with a different kind of danger."

He seemed preoccupied. There was something else.

"Are you interested in the star jewels then?" she asked.

"I am... but I am also interested in something else." He cleared his throat. "Something... less polished?"

She raised an eyebrow. "I'm sorry? I don't follow?"

"Something in the line of... condiments." He did not look at her as he asked. She resisted laughter.

"Oh I see! I see your problem immediately of course but I'm afraid I only sell jewellery. You'll be hard pressed to find anyone in the Jakhalsmarkt who carries what you are looking for, if I understand you right."

He sighed. She got the impression that De Leeuw's was not the first establishment he had visited asking about Jarmish... condiments.

"I am sorry to have wasted your time then," he said. "I will be on my way."

As he turned, she tutted and leant forward, laying one ivory-pale hand on his sleeve.

"So hasty, you Imperials," she said. "I said I didn't carry... condiments. I didn't say I couldn't help you."

He turned round. De Leeuw smiled like a happy shark.

"But first let's talk about which of my delicious star jewels you are going to buy. And then we can talk of... condiments."

Dino i Riqueza, Ambassador to the Sarcophan Delves

Overview

Each season the Civil Service prepares a summary of the Empire's relationship with the foreign nations, based on communications received from their ambassador, along with any useful intelligence gathered from other sources. While the Senate and the other houses of Imperial power may respond to these offers, it is important to note that it is the appropriate ambassador that the foreign power will expect to hear from. Their communication with the foreign power is the primary element that will determine the tenor of any response.

The merchant-princes of the Sarcophan Delves - the bedelaar huisbaas - strive for neutrality. They are enthusiastic about trade with the Empire, but their neutrality is precious to them. They hold it a mark of pride that they will deal with anyone who has goods, services, or money. While they have given up the practice of slavery without regret, they refuse to pick a side between the Liberty Pact and the Freedom Accord. Their primary goal is to ensure the ports of the world remain open to their ships, ideally with free trade agreements that allow their merchants to operate without onerous tariffs. They have recently declared the Pax Sarcophan - a commitment to combat piracy and ensure that independent traders are free to sail the seven seas regardless of the politics of the great powers.

The Sarcophan ambassador to the Empire is Bedelaar Huisbaas Annike, of the Tower of Crows. She reports to the beggar-landlords of Sarcophan, and is known to be a wily and subtle diplomat. No stranger to the murkier waters of espionage and intelligence-gathering, she constantly seeks opportunities to expand the influence of the Sarcophan mercantile Empire across the Known World. She has no particular loyalty to any one faction; her main concern appears to be the prosperity of the nation as a whole.

Sarcophan Delves

Status: Foreigner
Ports: Sarcophan and Betovering
Ambassador: Dino i Riqueza of the Brass Coast

Polite Correspondence

The usual pleasantries have been exchanged between the Empire and the Delves
The Delves remain concerned about the proscription of consuming human meat but have been reassured by the Ambassador
Interest in investing in the Celesti Lighthouse remains strong for the time being
Snowstorm Henk has safely arrived in the Delves to begin research into Sarcophan knowledge of sea-based eternals
There is news of a visiting delegation from Beoraidh supported by the Delves planning to visit Anvil during the Winter Solstice

Bedelaar Huisbaas Annike thanks the Ambassador for their advice around the funerary traditions of Sarcophan and how they might conflict with Imperial law. They understand the difficulty created by the van de Moerassen request, and appreciate Amassador Dino offering their advice. Hopefully this - and similar - matters can be dealt with sensibly going forward.

Snowstorm Henk has arrived safely in the Delves following the commission of research by Watt of Lambrook, the Minister of Historical Research. Funds to support the expedition have been provided by the Senate, and the Unshackled researcher has by all accounts been warmly received. They are busy speaking with zielweven about their knowledge of Khobel Tavah in particular. Their report is due shortly before the Spring Equinox.

There is still Sarcophan interest in investing in the expansion of the Celesti Lighthouse, but it is contingent on the Senate commissioning the lighthouse as a significant fortification to protect Oran. The commission actually completed represents a more modest structure albeit one with a magically imbued beacon thanks to the eternal Kimus. While Bedelaar-Huisbaas Annike confirms interest, she cautions that it will be all too easy for investors to shift their attention elsewhere - perhaps to the city-state of Beoraidh and suggests that if the expansion of the lighthouse is not commissioned by the end of the Spring equinox the opportunity will be lost. For now details of the arrangement remain as laid out in the in the night-tide wind of fortune.

On the subject of Beoraidh, the Ambassador has also raised the matter of Sarcophan involvement in the little city-state. Bedelaar Huisbaas Annike has discussed the Ambassador's suggestions with the entrepreneurs involved in Mareave, and stresses that the Delves is excited by the opportunities presented by the city-state and can't wait to start developing their presence there. Yet at the same time they have no interest in antagonising their Imperial friends; the Delves has every interest in smoothing relations between the Empire and Beoraidh. Indeed, partly thanks to their influence, some representatives of Beoraidh are planning to visit Anvil during the Winter Solstice to speak with their Unshackled neighbours. Some of the Delves merchants dealing directly with the folk of western Mareave will be supporting them.

As Beoraidh is an independent state, it is Annike's understanding that the Imperial Consul will be dealing with any diplomatic matters relating to them. Obviously Annike hopes that the Ambassador and the Consul can liaise on any other concerns they have about Sarcophan involvement in Beoraidh. Further information about the situation with Beoraidh can be found in the TBC wind of fortune.

Jackals, Ports, and Buidelrats

Trade with Jakhalsmarkt has been something of a success and extended for another season at least
The Commonwealth seem unaware that Imperial traders are buying goods explicitly created by Jarmish crafters
The house of the Buidelrat are pestering Bedelaar Huisbaas Annike about their proposal to open the port of Moeraskriden

During the Autumn Equinox, the Annabel de Gouden of the House of the Jackal secured access for Imperial traders to the Jakhalsmarkt. Masters of the jewel-trade in the Delves, the various families of the Jackal House are experts in acquiring, evaluating, and securing markets for precious materials and ornaments. Annabel de Gouden was apparently pleased with the response of Imperial captains - and especially impressed by enthusiastic reports of dealings with several Wintermark captains particularly one Bron Mordssen whose impressive ships drew quite a stir when they arrived in Betovering where the Jakhalsmarkt is located.

Bedelaar Huisbaas Annike confided in the Ambassador that as long as the trade proved lucrative, de Gouden would likely keep the port open. That has indeed proven to be the case, with Annabel cheerfully claiming that it was her plan all along to provide Imperial access at least until the end of the year (which was not what she said in her original proposal). As such, Imperial fleets can continue to visit the Jakhalsmarkt after the Winter Solstice, and potentially even longer if the demand is there.

Obviously, the crow in the parlour is that one of the draws of the Jakhalsmarkt are the star jewels - magical jewellery bought by Sarcophan traders in the Principalities of Jarm and sold at a reasonable mark-up to Imperial citizens. The trade here is a little less cut and dried than that taking place in the port of Radosmo but the Commonwealth may not see a difference - especially given they are already apparently quite annoyed about the trade in Zemelso. Buying goods that are definitely Jarmish still puts money in the pockets of the Magician-Princes after all.

While the Jakhalsmarkt has been a success, Annike admits to being pestered by the House of the Buidelrat regarding an agreement they proposed to allow Imperial captains access to the port of Moeraskriden. In return, they requested the dissemination of some ritual texts related to herbs by the Conclave. They have apparently heard nothing. In traditional diplomatic fashion, the Bedelaar Huisbaas of the Tower of the Crow has passed the pestering on. Can Ambassador Dino offer any information about Conclave deliberations on this matter? Is there some other agreement that might be more palatable to the Grandmasters? Or should the Buidelrat just accept that there is no interest in their offer and move on (and stop pestering the Tower of the Raven)?

Both the Jakhalsmarkt and the proposed deal for access to Moeraskriden are described in more detail in the All the night-tide wind of fortune from last event.

Children of Wrecks

The Sarcophan Delves are prepared to offer support in fighting the Children of Wrecks if it is required
The Ambassador to the Delves, Senator for Sarvos, or Senator for Madruga can enlist their aid at the cost of 12 Thrones
They insist they will only fight as part of a force that is supported by the Imperial Guerdon

Along with the Ambassador, some private individuals - including apparently Laurencio Lemmini di Sarvos the Senator for Sarvos - wrote to thank Sarcophan for their intervention during the attack on Trivento by the Children of Wrecks during Summer. Two dozen Sarcophan vessels supported the Red Wind Corsairs, driven by a palpable disdain for pirates and cutthroats. Most of these vessels were from the Alivetti estates, but several belonged to the deBruin. Annike thanks the Empire for their kind words, but plays down Sarcophan involvement as being "merely good business sense".

However, the DeBruin family are keen to offer mercenary support toward any attack on the Children of Wrecks - specifically securing Free Landing. Experienced in fighting from boats and around islands, the DeBruin are also apparently well up for kicking the snot out of the Children of Wrecks, who they see as the worst kind of pirate - indiscriminate and savage. Assuming the Empire wants their aid. As Bedelaar Huisbaas Annike notes, the Empire's ship captains have their own bones to pick over with regard to the servants of Hullbreaker.

If they want DeBruin aid, the Ambassador themselves, the Senator for Madruga Eulàlia i Phovas i Riqueza, or the Senator for Sarvos (the aforementioned Laurencio Lemmini di Sarvos) can indicate as such in a missive to Bedelaar Huisbaas Annike. They can specify which army or navy they want the DeBruin to support, or leave it to the Sarcophan to allocate their own forces. Regardless, the expertise and resources of the DeBruin will add an additional 1,500 effective strength to any attack on Free Landing. They will participate in the next attack, provided it takes place before the start of Summer.

Their aid will cost 12 Thrones, paid in advance. (OOC Note: If the Ambassador or one of the senators wishes to take advantage of this offer, they can do so by emailing plot@profounddecisions.co.uk and ensuring the 12 Thrones are in their inventory after the event. If more than one person does this, they'll take a portion of their payment from each). However, they have an additional requirement - that they are up-front about. For ethical reasons, they will only participate in an attack against the Children of Wrecks if the force they support receives a portion of the Imperial guerdon. They won't claim it themselves - the DeBruin will act if they're paid the agreed amount of money for their involvement - but as a matter of principle, they won't fight alongside other soldiers who are "not being paid for risking their lives." It's an odd point of order for the Delves, but one they are quite adamant about.

In the equally unlikely event that the Children of Wrecks manage to fight off the might of the Empire, they're happy to commit troops each season until the Wreckers are dealt with and Free Landing is back in Imperial hands - provided they are paid each season and the force they support receives the Imperial Guerdon, of course.

Alivetti Estates Five Years On

It is the five-year anniversary of the Sarcophan enclave in Sarvos
The enclave appears to be prospering despite magisterial dissatisfaction with many of the goods sold there

It has been five years since the Alivetti estate enclave in Sarvos was established. Conceded by treaty in late 383YE, the first new buildings were completed shortly before the Winter Solstice of that year. The ruined estates that once belonged to the guild of Empress Giselle have been transformed; Sarcophan engineers with experience draining marshes and building on flooded ground have constructed towers in the Sarcophan style which now now rise over both carefully preserved ruins and newly expanded docks.

For the most part relations between the Sarcophan and their Imperial neighbours have been cordial - beneficial even. The magistracy is still frustrated that the Sarcophan refuse to stop selling things the Empire considers illegal to visitors who want to buy them, but the treaty leaves no opportunity for them to enter Alivetti without an invitation. Mostly Imperial visitors are sensible enough to consume the drugs they buy in situ rather than try smuggling them back into the Empire proper. Mostly.

Much - but by no means all - of the trade that passes through Alivetti consists of herbs, medicinal potions, and luxuries from various parts of the Known World. Business is booming, and news has reached the Ambassador's office that Burgemeester Vandersaar plans a lavish party to celebrate five years of prosperity and opportunity.

Missives pertinent to the Alivetti Estates can be directed to Burgomeester Oudolf Vandersaar, Duifstraat, Alivetti Estates, Sarvos. The Burgomeester has made it clear that the life of a Sarcophan burgomeester is a hectic one and replies are likely to be short when they relate to anything other than the enclave. Business with Sarcophan citizens trading from the enclave would be best addressed to them directly, and anything related to the wider Sarcophan Delves should go through Bedelaar Huisbaas Annike..

Prosperity and Opportunity

The Sarcophan are having a party at the Alivetti estates
Imperial citizens, especially those of Sarvos, are invited to attend and discuss business
Immediately after the Winter solstice a new diversification option is available

Burgemeester Vandersaar invites their neighbours not only in Sarvos but in Tassato, Casinea, Necropolis, and Madruga to attend the upcoming party. They plan to celebrate in style, with a weeklong festival of drinking, music, recreation, theatrical performances, urban athletic events, and new business discussions. Festivities will start the week after the Winter Solstice. A traditional cleaning-out event will be held in which Sarcophan citizens engage in a flurry of cleaning that culminates in bonfires where rubbish - literal and metaphorical - is burnt. It will end with a traditional rat run in which business owners don rat masks and sack cloth and skulk through the streets pursued by children who can demand sweets and other treats if they catch them.

There is also an old tradition that any deals struck during a festival such as this are as binding as those arranged when both participants are sober. This custom is usually observed by a resolution among participants not to make any important deals during this time and restrict themselves to minor agreements and contracts, but there are always stories of people who have bartered their ways into a fortune in an inebriated state (or lost the same, of course).

This presents an opportunity to citizens of the nations invited - the League, Highguard, and the Brass Coast. Business owners from one of these three nations who attend the festivities will be able to secure small but potentially valuable deals. After the Winter Solstice any player whose character owns a business in one of these nations can choose a free diversification option. Their business provides 36 rings fewer, but will instead provide two random ingots, two random measures, or two random herbs each downtime (as chosen by the player).

Furthermore, following the Winter solstice, every business owner in Sarvos, Tassato, Madruga, Casinea, and Necropolis will receive two doses of a random consumable acquired from the Alivetti Estates. These consumables represent either treats picked up during the party, or goods acquired after the event from Imperial citizens who did attend. Most of these consumables will be harmless - but there is a chance some will not be legal in the Empire. The magistrates, already a little stretched, will find it almost impossible to prevent Imperial citizens bringing illegal goods out of Alivetti intentionally or accidentally. (OOC Note: Business owners who wish to ensure they have nothing to do with this dubious activity should hand these consumables back to GOD when they collect their pack).

Party Planning

The National Assemblies of the three nations could discourage their citizens from attending
Alternatively they could wholeheartedly embrace and contribute to the ceremonies
Burgemeester Vandersaar plans to give a gift to the people of Sarvos if the festivities are well attended

The celebrations of the enclaves' founding provides an opportunity for the neighbouring nations to consider their relationship with the Sarcophan Delves. During the Winter Solstice the League, Highborn, and Freeborn National Assemblies can take the opportunity to either enthusiastically support or clearly discourage participation in the anniversary celebrations using a mandate. If they do not, then their citizens will attend or not as they see fit, with the effects described above. If they do enact a mandate the outcome will depend on which approach they take.

An assembly might discourage their people from attending by reminding their citizens of the importance of following Imperial law and the danger of celebrating with heretics and blasphemers,

The Sarcophan folk of the Alivetti estates celebrate their enclave, but we must all remain Vigilant to the threats it may represent. While they seem to be honest traders, their ways are not our ways, and their faith is very different to ours. Their refusal to acknowledge Imperial law is a challenge to the Empire and we send (named priest) with 25 liao to urge all virtuous citizens who must attend this gathering to keep their wits about them and remain alert for threats within and without.

Synod Mandate, Highborn, Freeborn, or League National Assembly

If this mandate is enacted, individual player characters from the nation can roleplay that they attend, but there will be no opportunities for them to diversify their business, and no consumables will be received by businesses near the enclave. It will also send a message to the Alivetti estates that while that nation tolerates them, they do not welcome further engagement. For at least the next year there will be no more approaches from the Delves to that nation.

Alternatively, one or more of the three nations might choose to encourage their people to accept the hospitality of the Delves, and enthusiastically participate with their own contributions.

The Sarcophan folk of the Alivetti estates bring prosperity to the Empire, and help smooth relations between Empire and Delves. We join them in proudly celebrating both our differences and similarities. and send (named priest) with 25 liao and 10 Thrones to both encourage the businessfolk of our nation to take up this offer, and to ensure that we are good guests and bring gifts of our own to share with our hosts.

Synod Mandate, Highborn, Freeborn, or League National Assembly

If this mandate is passed, it will increase the opportunities available in the Alivetti Estates for everyone in that nation. They will gain four consumables rather than two, on top of the free diversification option following the Winter Solstice. It will also send a message to the Delves that the folk of that nation welcome trade with the Delves, and appreciate the services offered in the enclave.

It is something of an open secret that Burgemeester Vandersaar is considering making a gift to the city at the height of the festivities. The Burgemeester has commissioned the schema for a magical mask used by Sarcophan Delves magicians. If the three Imperial nations all participate in the festivities it will reassure them that this is the right idea. If that happens, they will deliver this gift to the Mirrored Maschieri - currently Magdelena Alanga Di Sarvos - as the foremost proponent of fashion and design right across the Empire, in time for the Spring Equinox. That is provided that none of the three National assemblies enact a mandate discouraging people from attending; the gift is predicated on the celebrations being a resounding success and one or more of the three invited nations being disinterested will sour the Burgemeester on their expensive gift.

Obviously Imperial citizens have their own opinions on the matter. Among those interested in the outcome, magistrate Georgie Arcobalena di Sarvos has urged restraint and expressed concerns about the challenges of protecting the internal Imperial/Sarcophan border. On the other hand, Bishop Ziphania Fantoccio von Caricomare has spoken several times about the importance of trusting people to understand their own path of Pride and make decisions about their own behaviour without interference from the Chamber of Commerce or the League Assembly.

There are arguments that concerns about the Alivetti enclave are really a matter of Vigilance, rather than Prosperity.

Questions of Legality

Walls of Liberty

Commission Type: Edifice

Location: Caricomare, Sarvos

Cost: 40 wains of white granite, 120 crowns, three months

Availability: One year

Effect:

Creates the title of "Alivetti Gatekeeper"
Resolves ongoing issues of Imperial citizens bringing illegal goods out of the Sarcophan Delves enclave
Annoys the Sarcophan Enclave

Alivetti Gatekeeper

Type: League

Appointment: Tally of the Votes

Powers: Receives an income of 19 crowns each season

Responsibilities: Oversee the Walls of Virtue and work with the Sarcophan Delves and the Ambassador to maintain relations with the Alivetti estates

The Senate could increase funding to the magistrates to help them secure the internal border with the Sarcophan enclave
A proposal for an actual wall to prevent smuggling has been put forward
The wall creates an opportunity to place tariffs on Imperial citizens entering and leaving the estate to support an Alivetti Gatekeeper
Either funding or walls would end the legal issues relating to illegality around the Enclave but annoy Burgemeester Vandersaar

Concerns about the clash between Imperial law, and the barely-extant laws of the Sarcophan Delves have been ongoing for some time and this festivity serves to bring them to a head. In the run up to the Winter Solstice, the magistrate notionally overseeing the area around the Alivetti Estates - the aforementioned Georgie Arcobalena di Sarvos - has finally admitted that her current resources are insufficient to the task. She has asked the chief magistrates Stanislav Karkovich and Cosme i Zuhri i Guerra for assistance. They in turn look to the Senate.

The Senate could pass a Senate motion allocating increased budget to the Sarvosan magistrates explicitly to deal with the border problems experienced in Caricomare due to the tension between the laws of the two nations. This would cost an additional 10 Thrones each season but would allow Magistrate Acrobalena to stamp out smuggling - whether intentional or accidental - of proscribed substances and materials out of the Alivetti estates enclave. It would take a little time to arrange - and thus would not directly impact the upcoming celebrations that begin so soon after the Solstice - but it would effectively put a stop to the problem presented by the Sarcophan enclave for as long as the money was allocated or until the situation significantly changed.

News of the request clearly frustrates Bishop Ziphania Fantoccio von Caricomare, who sees the opportunity for Imperial citizens to mingle freely with foreign visitors to the Empire's shores as an unmitigated good. In a rousing sermon delivered from his church in Sarvos, he mockingly suggests that surely it would be easier for Magistrate Arcobalena to simply build a massive wall around the enclave to remove the liberty and dignity of the people of Sarvos. Indeed, he quips, one would not even need to put a gate in it.

This being Sarvos, within a week of the sermon a plan is presented to Magistrate Arcobalena for just such a project. In the event the Senate are interested, an edifice could be constructed around the Alivetti estate that would greatly restrict easy access to the enclave. The "Walls of Liberty" would require a "mere" 40 wains of white granite, 120 crowns, and three months to complete. They would greatly restrict free passage into the enclave, making it much easier to ensure that citizens are aware of the consequences of smuggling. They would be built entirely on the Imperial side of the "border" meaning no legal impediment to their creation.

In theory, whoever commissions the wall could specify that it has no gates in it, but not even Magistrate Arcobalena thinks that is a good idea. Instead they could specify that the gates will collect tolls on Imperial citizens entering the enclave. Once the costs of operating the gates are taken into account, this would provide an income of 19 crowns each season. The proposal posits the creation of an "Alivetti Gatekeeper" - a League title established by Tally of the Votes who would be charged with overseeing the walls and gates, but also working with the Delves and the Imperial ambassador to maintain relations with the Alivetti estates.

This move would obviously anger Burgomeester Vandersaar but it would effectively resolve the ongoing issues with citizens bringing illegal goods out of the Sarcophan enclave. Placing a toll on the gates, and creating the consequent Imperial title, would absolutely infuriate Burgomeester Vandersaar - it is one thing to restrict trade but to do so in a way that requires a price of admission to visit the estates, as if they were an exotic menagerie is something the burgomeester would find particularly outrageous. But as long as they want to operate from the Alivetti estates, their ability to actually do anything about an Imperial wall is somewhat limited.

The Silent Manse

The Silent Manse has been proscribed by the League assembly

After the Autumn Equinox, Cosimo Argyra enacted a mandate urging "all Imperial citizens planning to visit the (Alivetti) estates to express only polite and civil disinterest in their unvirtuous religion." Cautions against getting drawn into an unwholesome religion have been heard and taken to heart and the teachings of the Community of Silence will remain restricted to the enclave. This hasn't particularly impacted the Community itself - their focus is on serving the needs of the Sarcophan rather than proselytising. It does mean that there will be no further opportunity to establish cordial relations between the Way and the Community of Silence, nor to learn about their beliefs, nor any sharing of their knowledge of ghosts and the like. But that may be a small price to pay to prevent a blasphemous and heretical faith seeking to expand into the Empire.

It is still possible to send winged messengers to Poortwachter Lenart Farber, the leader of the Community of Silence at the Silent Manse, but anyone doing so should anticipate that there might be no response. The Community has been told loudly and clearly to focus on their own people, after all.

Apothecary Guild

The Sarcophan Kruidenkenner Guild are enthusiastic about closer ties with the Apothecaries' Guild
The current Apothecaries' Guild Leader is Esmé i Estrico i Erigo

The Sarcophan Delves are masters of the arts of the herbalist, physick, and especially the apothecary. Many of their most prestigious and experienced herblorists belong to the wealthy and influential Kruidenkenner which is apparently a powerful guild that exists outside the thirteen houses in a manner analogous to an Imperial sodality. The guild is at the forefront of the trade in herbs and medicinal products and have enthusiastically sought out closer ties with their Imperial peers in the Apothecaries Guild. There has been some communication between Esmé i Estrico i Erigo - the Guild Leader of the apothecaries - and luminaries of the Kruidenkenner regarding opportunities to work together.

One outcome has been a proposition to alter certain trade ministries to deal in metals rather than Imperial coin. It has been suggested that the returns on these trades might not be as profitable as the current arrangements. The Kruidenkenner don't deny that accusation but just point out that it is the Empire seeking to change the arrangements and that barter is inherently more expensive. More details of this arrangement can be found in the The circle game wind of fortune.

The Kruidenkenner remain enthused about the Kruidenkenner Trademaster and Master of the Root and Stem being appointed by the Apothecaries' Guild. While they could use heavy-handed tactics to try and force this, they acknowledge that diplomacy may provide a better solution. Indeed, adjusting their ministerial trade to use barter rather than cold hard cash may well be an attempt endear themselves to the Imperial Senate. Obviously the matter of the Master of the Root and Stem is a little moot at the moment given the Jotun have captured Meade, but the Delves consider this only a minor aberration. They are confident the Marches will reclaim their city before too long and will wait patiently until they do so, so that trade can resume. And they remain invested in seeing the Master appointed through the Apothecaries.

They are however aware that there is a problem around the appointment of the Kruidenkenner Trademaster in that, as it stands, the title is auctioned to raise money for the Imperial treasury. Their proposal is that if the Senate does amend the appointment of the Kruidenkenner and the Master of Root and Stem to the Apothecaries' Guild, they would also be prepared to shift the Custodian of Ivarsgard Docks to deal in ambergelt, the High Herbalist of Sybella to deal in dragonbone, and the Master of the Clearing House to deal in beggar's lye. With the blessing of Bedelaar Huisbaas Annike, Ambassador Dino could present all these changes as part of a treaty with the Delves rather than as a series of separate senate motions.

Prescriptions

The matter of who has the power to disseminate potion herbals has been raised by the Kruidenkenner
The manifesto of the Guild approved by the Senate suggests they should have this power but this has not yet been legally confirmed
The Constitutional Court have asked the Speaker to raise an administrative motion to settle the matter

The Kruidenkenner have already raised the matter of trading herbal lore with the Apothecaries. Unfortunately, their proposal still requires some kind of legal response. While the Guild has the acknowledged legal power to spread knowledge of potions across the Empire, their ability to do so beyond the Empire is in question. The Conclave has the power of dissemination to allow them to create copies of rituals in Imperial lore to share with non-Imperial citizens. Who now holds the legal power to do so?

In the past dissemination of a herbal would have required a successful Senate motion. The creation of the Apothecaries guild puts that in doubt; the Senate approved the manifesto stating the sodality exists to "Coordinate and support Imperial efforts in the research, development, education, and dissemination of ingredients, potions, and antidotes". The wording implies they should have the power to disseminate knowledge of potion recipes to other nations and groups - but thus far the Senate has not confirmed that was their intention.

As in any such matters where there is uncertainty, an administrative motion will be added to the Senate schedule to clarify the situation. The motion is deliberately written in such a way as to force a clarification - either the Senate amends the Guild's manifesto to bring it into line with the previous status quo - or they leave it as is and the power passes to the Guild. This approach ensures that the wording of the law is consistent with implementation after the motion is decided by the Senate.

To amend the manifesto of the Apothecaries Guild to read "Coordinate and support Imperial efforts in the research, development, education, and dissemination of ingredients, potions, and antidotes to Imperial citizens.

Administrative Constitutional Senate Motion

This is a clear change to the manifesto of a sodality - so it would require a constitutional vote. If it passes with the necessary majority and is ratified by the Throne, then the manifesto of the Apothecaries Guild will be amended to make clear that their remit extends only to Imperial citizens. That will clarify the current situation, the Guild will not have the legal power to disseminate a herbal - that power will remain with the Senate and will require a Senate motion and ten thrones from the Imperial treasury.

If the motion fails or is rejected by the Senate, then the Guild's manifesto will not be amended. That will mean that the Senate no longer has the power to disseminate a herbal - instead that power will lie with the Apothecaries Guild. It will require a vote of members of the sodality and ten thrones, provided by the apothecary guild leader.

Bedelaar Huisbaas Annike politely asks Ambassador Dino to use their influence to get this motion rejected. At the moment the Kruidenkenner and their peers are enthusiastic about cultivating closer ties with the Apothecary Guild - they are keen to strike while the iron is hot.

The cathedral of the Navigators remains a beautiful and inspiring building, but its ability to attract converts in the Delves has become increasingly limited.

The Monument Trade

Highborn businesses and mines continue to prosper from a fashion for Highborn sculpture and stone
The fortunes of the Cathedral of the Navigators continue to decline

During the Spring Equinox an art dealer named Senna van Ijzer spoke with the Highborn Council of Benefactors. They represented De Verzamelaars van Beeltenissen - "the Collectors" - a fringe Sarcophan sect who hold beliefs considered peculiar even by the standards of the Delves. In particular they preach that valuable objects depicting a deceased person's face hold particular value for buying a place in the Houses of Silence.

The year-long agreement between Senna and the benefactors to acquire Highborn pieces has seen businesses and mines prosper across the nation with each such resource receiving an extra 18 rings production per season. Support for the trade from the Highborn assembly and especially the Bishop of the Navigators has been gratefully accepted by the Collectors and has done much to increase the demand for Highborn artwork. Indeed a fashion for Highborn iconography and grave monuments has taken hold in the Delves. Anyone who is anyone wants a Highborn funerary marker for their dear departed relatives' tomb. Senna is apparently busy securing more investment for the contract, and plans to return to Anvil during the Spring equinox to discuss continuing the lucrative trade for another year.

The arrangement also continues to draw criticism among followers of the Way in the Delves however. Mischa van de Libel, a Sarcophan priest of the Way and dedicant of Prosperity, has urged her fellow priester to cut ties with the Cathedral entirely and look to their own communities in the face of this blatant commodification of their faith. They are not the only ones; the Sumaah präster at the rival temple of the Way in the Buitenlandsewijk continue to preach openly that the Highborn treat virtue as a commodity to be bought and sold, devaluing their shared faith. Unfair as these words may appear, there has been an undeniable loss of prestige for the Cathedral and the Bishop.

The businesses and mines of Highguard prosper, but it has come at the cost of the prestige of the Cathedral of the Navigators. The merchant ministry and the Low Ministry have permanently lost another level of production. By the start of the Spring Equinox, the Cathedral will have completely lost access to the Low Ministry, and the Merchant Ministry will be reduced to a single level. This represents a significant loss of influence for the cathedral, the Bishop, and the Imperial version of the Way in the Sarcophan Delves.

Sarcophan Further Reading

Winds of Fortune

A wild night and a new road - 387YE Winter wind of fortune discussing Imperial/Sarcophan relations
All the night-tide - 387YE Autumn wind of fortune discussing growing Sarcophan influence in the Bay of Catazar
Can't give everything away - 387YE Summer wind of fortune introducing the Pax Sarcophan
Waiting for the worms - 387YE Spring Wind of Fortune discussing Sarcophan diplomatic matters
Theory of the crows - 386YE Winter Wind of Fortune discussing Sarcophan diplomatic matters
Hyenas and herbs - 386YE Autumn Wind of Fortune discussing Sarcophan diplomatic matters
Houses of Silence - 386YE Autumn Wind of Fortune relating to the Alivetti estates
Towers and crows - 386YE Summer Wind of Fortune discussing Sarcophan diplomatic matters
The mathematics of tears - 383YE Spring Wind of Fortune recounting the Sarcophan ending the slave trade in their nation

Sarcophan Associated Titles

Sarcophan History

Click Expand to see a summary of various pages related to the Sarcophan Delves.