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388YE Autumn Sumaah ambassador briefing


Accalon5901.jpg
Accalon of Felix's Watch, Ambassador to the Sumaah Republic

Overview

This briefing was prepared for Accalon of Felix's Watch, Ambassador to the Sumaah Republic, and presented at the Autumn Equinox 388YE. It will be made available to any citizen who requests it following the summit. It is intended to be read in conjunction with the So little I wanted, so little I got wind of fortune. As an ambassadorial briefing, it takes for granted a degree of understanding of political matters that might prove opaque to casual readers.

Tariffs

  • The Empire has imposed mercantilist tariffs on Sumaah Republic merchants
  • The Sumaah Republic will impose similar tariffs on Imperial imports

The reintroduction of mercantilist tariffs has not exactly taken the Republic by surprise. Indeed it has been expected since the recent amendments to the Liberty Pact. Regardless, receiving notice before the law was changed would certainly have been best. Sumaah merchants arriving in Imperial ports to discover they now must pay tariffs was less than ideal and has understandably lead to some unhappiness with the Empire. Obviously, the House of the People has already begun discussing applying similar tariffs to Imperial imports and, with advice from the High Houses, will be applying them following the Autumn Equinox. Their impact will be felt by Imperial visitors to the Republic by the Winter Solstice.

The civil service note that the High House of Prosperity in particular seems eager to ensure the tariffs are put in place as quickly as possible. In their assessment this has nothing to do with any sense of "tit-for-tat" but rather that those responsible for the Republics prosperity appreciate the value of additional money for the national treasury at least as much as the Empire does. There is also some speculation that the High House of Vigilance is keen to expedite the process, given that tariffs work by assessing the goods brought to Sumaah ports - creating extra opportunities for the censors of Vigilance to examine cargos for anything that might prove to be contraband.

The House of the People is resisting efforts to push the change to tariffs through quickly; the civil service assess that this may be down to the advice of the High House of Pride that seems to want to make a point of making sure the Empire has a season advance warning. A subtle rebuke of the speed with which the Senate acted, perhaps?

On a more personal level, Oxtitocszin appreciates the Ambassador's explanation of the irregularities in the Senate, but reassures them that these things happen in the House of the People as well from time to time. Presumably the Senator who lied to the Senate will face investigation by the House of Vigilance, or the Imperial magistrates?

Support for the War

  • Sumaah makes arrangements to purchase wains of weirwood and mithril
  • The exchange is due to take place at the Winter Solstice with the aid of the eternal Polyptoton

As mentioned last season, there is an offer from the Wandering Port to safely transport wains of weirwood and mithril to the Republic to help in their ongoing fight with the Asavean Plenum. Following the valuable breakdown of Imperial economic situation the Ambassador provides, Oxtitocszin is somewhat apologetic. The point of the exchange is to provide assistance to the Sumaah after all, and so the prices proposed - four thrones a wain in some cases - are simply too high. Instead, the Sumaah can offer 3 thrones 1 crown for weirwood, and three thrones 6 crowns for mithril, or they can arrange the trade of white granite for either resource on a one-for-one basis. The assistance of the City of Salt and Sail has been secured, and they have agreed to transport wains to the Empire as well as well as from it.

With that in mind, Oxtitocszin indicates that heralds of the Polyptoton will visit the Empire during the Winter Solstice, most likely through the "Hall of Worlds" to secure wains and provide payment. They are looking for up to 100 wains total at the prices given, and anticipate that the Ambassador will be able to support the exchange when it goes ahead.

The civil service note that these prices do not reach the threshold the ambassador proposed, but are instead based around the idea that this is assistance to the Sumaah, as proposed by the Empire in the first place, rather than a simple trade deal. Essentially they are looking to buy "wholesale" - below the market price - because simply paying the market price would not represent an opportunity. If the Ambassador informs the Sumaah that there is no chance they will receive any wains at all during the Winter Solstice at those prices, they will be have a chance to change their agreement with the City of Salt and Sail but it will make an end of this opportunity.

Order of the Celestial Arch
Order of the Sevenfold Path

Eternals and Appraisal

  • The High House of Vigilance offers assistance to assess Imperial rituals that deal with eternals
  • The Conclave could invite magicians from any Sumaah Assembly to undertake such an assessment
  • The opportunity is only available during the Autumn Equinox

Oxtitocszin thanks the Ambassador for their kind words regarding the ongoing appraisal, and also for advance warning that the order of the Shuttered Lantern will be visiting the Republic. They have passed on the message of the Vigilance assembly, requesting a focus on ways that the Empire can learn from the Sumaah approach to dealing with idolatrous cults.

In return, however, the Sumaah Ambassador passes on a private note from the Republic's own Cardinal of Vigilance and request that Accalon consider passing it along to the Sevenfold Path and perhaps the Celestial Arch. Without knowing full details, the Sumaah are aware that the Empire has a large number of rituals that draw directly on the power of eternals to work. A significant body of lore that might well be idolatrous has built up over time simply because the magicians of the Conclave lack firm oversight. While this oversight is now available in the form of the Imperial Censor - although the High House of Vigilance have choice words to say about the idea that the Conclave appoints its own censor, for obvious reasons - the task of examining each ritual in turn to determine if it is dangerous to the virtuous or not will presumably take years. Might it not be better to interdict all rituals that have an assurance - that draw directly on the power of an inhuman force - and then license only those that do not imperil the soul? This recommendation is well meant and comes with an additional offer.

If the Imperial Conclave use their power of Concord to invite magicians from the High House of Vigilance to visit the Empire, and work with one of the Orders to review those rituals in Imperial lore that draw on the assurance of an eternal, they will offer their unbiased opinion as to the virtuous implications of those rituals. This would not be the same as sharing Imperial lore - merely allowing the visiting magicians an opportunity to review the rituals and offer their academic opinion on the dangers hidden in them. This report would be first delivered to the grandmaster of the Order chosen to work with them, and then shared with the magicians of the Empire in what Oxtitocszin understands to be the traditional Imperial approach to openness and transparency.

The offer is made as an adjunct to the ongoing appraisal - a reciprocal arrangement to reflect the fact that one of the Conclave orders has come all the way to Sumaah to help explore the ways the Republic deal with eternals. It is only available during the Autumn Equinox, and if the Conclave chooses not to take the High House of Vigilance up on the matter they will understand.

The civil service note that the High House of Vigilance are likely to take a very... vigilant... attitude to rituals in Imperial lore. Their default assumption is likely to be that any ritual that draws on an eternal is a bad idea. There is an obvious alternative however; instead of accepting the offer of the Cardinal of Vigilance, the Concord could instead invite a different House - the High House of Wisdom would be an obvious choice. While the Cardinal of Wisdom is still Sumaah, and starts from a position of suspicion of eternals, they are much more likely to deliver a more balanced assessment of the rituals with assurances. Likewise the suggestion that the Sevenfold Path or Celestial Arch be the order involved is reflective of the Vigilant assessment of the Conclave. Any order could host visiting magicians from Sumaah - and again that choice would likely influence the response. Obviously, "stealing" the idea of the Cardinal of Vigilance and redirecting it will likely put their nose a little out of joint, but that could be addressed by the Ambassador in their next letter, and any damage to the Vigilant would be balanced by the enthusiasm of the High House actually chosen. At the end of the day, many from the High House of Vigilance will be pleased to see any assessment of Imperial lore, regardless of who carries it out.

One thing to bear in mind is that this is not guiding an order and will not cost any mana from the Conclave vaults or end any existing arrangements. The costs are borne by the Sumaah magicians - they are the ones making an outreach to the Empire.

Note: The Conclave invited the High House of Wisdom to visit the Empire during the Autumn Equinox, to work with the Celestial Arch and review Imperial lore rituals dealing with eternals.

Commonwealth and the Liberty Pact

  • The House of the People is discussing the Liberty Pact in light of the Commonwealth concerns
  • Oxtitocszin advises that Sumaah fear their interests will suffer if the Empire and the Axou can form a majority voting block

News that the Commonwealth were ultimately responsible for the destruction of Lantir, and the incursion of Cold Sun has reached the Sumaah Republic. Oxtitocszin expresses sadness and disappointment, but it seems to be the view of the Republic that something like this was inevitable. The Commonwealth is not guided by virtue, after all, and ultimately the Common Good is too blunt a tool to be able to assess the Wisdom of a course of action. The House of the People is not rushing to condemn the Commonwealth, but it has certainly damaged the opinion of the Sumaah when it comes to their allies to the east.

What is of greater concern is that the Commonwealth has effectively withdrawn from the Liberty Pact - they have informed the Sumaah that they will not be sending any delegates to the Liberty Pact meetings going forward and will withdrawn formally if any attempt is made to alter its provisions in a way that requires them to undertake any action. This has done nothing to reassure the Republic that the Liberty Pact still has value. A Liberty Pact without the Commonwealth will not survive. Oxtitocszin asks, bluntly, if the Empire intends to respond to the Commonwealth withdrawal of support. Will they be making an effort to persuade the Commonwealth to stay in the pact, and if so is there anything the Sumaah can do to support such an initiative?

Blade of the Isles

  • The Sumaah have provided the signs whereby Zemress was recognised a paragon
  • There is some interest in why the Empire considers her an exemplar

The Imperial Assembly of the Way has enquired about the status of Zemress of the Isles as a paragon in Sumaah. The High House of Prosperity has provided a list of the six signs of the paragon recognised in the Republic, and they have are now common knowledge.

Oxtitocszin passes on a request from the Cardinal of Prosperity however. Why is there such a difference between the Sumaash and Imperial Synods over the status of Zemress? She is clearly a highly inspirational figure in the Empire, especially among sailors, corsairs, benefactors, merchant princes - indeed many across the Bay of Catazar. Even the Grendel recognise her inspiration, albeit in a twisted manner given their heretical and blasphemous nature. Would the Cardinal of the Way, or the Cardinal of Prosperity, be prepared to share the Empire's view on Zemress? For that matter, would the Cardinal of Ambition be prepared to share the Empire's opinions on Amma the Wanderer? Any missive sent to Oxtitocszin's office on these two virtuous figures would of course be directed to the appropriate assembly.

Sumaah Further Reading

Winds of Fortune


Click Expand to see a summary of various pages related to the Sumaah Republic.

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