So little I wanted, so little I got

[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:388YE Autumn]][[Category:Foreign Nations]][[Category:Asavea]][[Category:Sumaah]][[Category:Grendel]]
<ic>A lot of waves had crashed against a lot of beaches since they had first come together in poor, lost Siroc to discuss the ambitious plan that would eventually lead to their little sodality. Not so little these days, mused Therese di Sarvos, touching the purple-sailed ship that adorned her coat.

The three of them were seated on the wide balcony overlooking the canals. She scanned the skyline, and for a moment was entranced by the way the gorgeous spires of Capodomus looked almost close enough to touch in the gathering dusk. She mentally began planning another visit for later in the week. Simply walking its halls helped clear her mind, quieted the clamour of the demands on her time, and allowed her to focus on what really mattered. Indeed, her current plans had crystalised under the golden light of the atrium and she couldn't wait to share them with her friends.

Michael sighed and put the letter back on the little table between them, bringing her attention back to the two who had been with her along every step of the journey so far. The Highborn scratched distractedly his neat beard, more grey than black these days. She felt a fierce pang of affection for him. Even though their relationship had changed over the years he was still one of her closest friends and she hated seeing him like this. Of the three of them he was the one who had the biggest problem with what was being proposed, and she would not go forward without his being fully on board. Their disagreements after the slavery summit had nearly driven them apart for good, and it was not something she wanted to risk again.

Olivero i Farad i Riqueza picked the letter up and scanned the gloaming-infused words for the umpteenth time. He shook his head and grunted. 

"I don't know what we're arguing about," he said bluntly. "We all know what we should do, we're just trying to find an excuse not to."

Therese winced. Sometimes her old friend wielded his habitual honesty like the bluntest of instruments. Michael did not look happy.

"It feels like... I don't know. Blackmail?"

"That's because that's what it is," laughed Olivero. He raised his little thimble of thick brown syrah in a toast that was clearly meant to be jovial, but missed the mark. The Highborn's face darkened, and Therese knew it was time for her to pour oil on troubled waters.

"It isn't blackmail," she said. "It isn't, Michael. And stop winding him up, Olivero. This is a big thing we are considering. We've stayed out of politics mostly, and for good reason. But this is a direct request for us to actually do something with our influence, limited as it is. It's gone beyond tariffs and what have you. We all agreed that the Court was a good idea, and now we're being asked to put our money where our mouths are."

Michael barked a laugh of his own. "I think that's the wrong way of looking at it given we're being asked to ''stop'' putting our hands in our pockets. It still feels wrong."

Olivero cocked his head, thoughtfully, giving Michael a serious look. He glanced down at the letter again.

"''None sail alone, no flag flies apart''," he read in a quiet voice. "There's your virtue. I may tease you, but I'd never ''mock'' you. I'd also never dictate to you, but at the end of the day we all know what demands the devotion of our hearts, don't we?"

Michael didn't look happy, but his old friends words finally punctured the cloud of sadness that had surrounded him since he arrived.

"You're right," he said. "Virtue lies in the union of words and deeds, not in either one alone. I withdraw my objection. Let's talk to the others and as long as nobody can come up with a good argument, we'll let the civil service know."

"Excellent," said Olivera. "And once we've done that, I assume Therese has some ideas about what to do with the money we'd be saving?"

"Oh, 'Livio," said Therese, smiling widely. "You really do know me ''so well''..."</ic>
<div {{floatleft}}>{{CaptionedImage|file=Discussing Travel.jpg|align=right|width=600}}</div>
==Overview==
There are six great powers in the known world whose influence and reach rivals that of the Empire. There also innumerable lesser powers who do not have the might to shake the world, but who are nonetheless important to those with whom they share a border. The ambitions of these nearby nations are no less relevant to the Empire. Sometimes diplomatic relations require in-depth analysis; sometimes there is an opportunity to catch one's breath and let the drama move slowly towards the next crisis point.

The Senate is ultimately responsible for diplomatic relations with these nations, although it commonly devolves the role of negotiation, representation, and drafting [[Ambassador#treaty|treaties]] to its [[ambassador|ambassadors]]. While still appointed by the [[senator|senators]], they have a significant amount of authority to deal with foreigners (and even barbarians) both near and far.

The [[388YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_fortune#Diplomatic_Winds|diplomatic winds]] present information about matters of diplomacy and trade, and take a wide view of international affairs. Sometimes a nation receives a wind of fortune all to its own, sometimes two or three nations with a common thread are grouped together, and often there is a single wind of fortune that deals with a number of different nations whose activities while still important have not created quite so man [[opportunity|opportunities]]. This is one such wind - but before we get to the specific nations there are a few more general matters to discuss...
==Purple Sails==
* '''For the last ten years there have been civil service observers on all Imperial fleets'''
* '''The costs to maintain the oversight have been paid by an informal sodality called the Fellowship of Purple Sails'''
Ten years ago, the [[Senate]] chose to [[Employ_Civil_Service_to_observe_Fleets|assign]] observers from the [[Civil Service|civil service]] to all Imperial [[fleet|vessels]] capable of travelling over open water, at a cost to the [[Imperial treasury]] of 50 Thrones each season. These observers were [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Abrogation|abrogated]] less than a year later, and then [[Employ_Civil_Service_to_observe_Fleets_II|reinstated]] the next season. In Autumn of the same year, the ''Fellowship of Purple Sails'' - a sodality of merchants and ship-owners - [[Rise_of_the_Fellowship_of_Purple_Sails|took on the burden]] of the costs involved in their ambitious project. The reason the observers were assigned is that, in their absence, piracy was rife across international waters. Once out of sight of the magistrates and the Senate, too many merchants were happy to breach the laws around trade with [[barbarians]]. The observers ensure that Imperial law is upheld, and for the most part their presence has proven to be a boon. No longer do foreign nations complain about pirates attacking their trade vessels; no longer are the [[Grendel]] and the [[Jotun]] being enriched by traitors whose crimes will never come to light.

Unfortunately, the situation looks as if it is about to change.
===Fellowship===
<div {{float}}><box>'''Civil Service Oversight'''<br>Oversight of Imperial fleets was introduced in the early years of the game to counter the problem of piracy. Fleets were originally able to commit piracy against foreign trade hubs and in the process wreck Imperial diplomacy. As this was often the more lucrative decision, it made it impossible for the Empire to negotiate with other nations. Likewise, it was possible to trade with barbarian ports in a way that was impossible for the Senate to stop. The oversight removed these options.<br><br>Since then the game has developed, and our approach to fleets and downtime crime in particular have changed. Today the oversight of the civil servants primarily exists to prevent opportunities that are clearly illegal. A few have slipped through by accident, but in general we don't present chances for Imperial fleet captains to engage in raids against foreign nations, or support barbarians using the fiction of the civil service observers to prevent it.<br><br>If the civil service observers were removed today, it would not lead to the blanket reintroduction of piracy options or illegal trade options. We still don't want to support consequence-free downtime crime. The main change would be that going forward, we'd be free to create plots offering opportunities for fleets to take suspect or illegal activities in the same we we currently do for military units - which generally come with their own clear downsides and risks of exposure. Or the Senate could keep the civil servants, and maintain the status quo - provided they were prepared to pay.</box></div>
* '''The Fellowship of Purple Sails will no longer pay to allow civil servants to be assigned to Imperial fleets'''
The Fellowship of Purple Sails exists to encourage and support Imperial merchants, especially those who trade overseas. They recently came out in vocal support of the [[In_the_Court_of_Far_Horizons#The_Fellowship_of_the_Purple_Sails|Court of Far Horizons]] - the proposed [[Imperial sodality]] that sought to bring together shipowners, captains, and even diplomats under a broad umbrella. They were very interested in seeing the Court have the ability to set [[tariffs]] on international trade - a power that [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_Senate_sessions#Amend_Imperial_Consul|now rests]] with the [[Imperial Consul]]  in a limited fashion - and offered to join the sodality ''en masse'' once the sodality was recognised.

They have always been happy to avoid the limelight, offering gentle support where needed and mostly staying in the background. This means it comes as a bit of a surprise when the three spokespersons for the unofficial sodality - ''Michael of Crown's Quay'', ''Olivero i Farad i Riqueza'', and ''Therese di Sarvos'' - announce that the Purple Sails are no longer able to pay for civil servants to travel on Imperial ships. There is no doubt that this decision is politically motivated, rather then a result of unexpected loss of funds. Speculation suggests that the decision has been inspired by the Senate's apparent lack of enthusiasm for the ''Court of Far Horizons'' although none of the three spokespeople have been prepared to confirm this supposition.

It is perhaps telling however that those same spokespersons have also let it be known that if the Court of Far Horizons were recognised, and given the authority to appoint the [[In_the_Court_of_Far_Horizons#Ambassadors|Imperial ambassadors]], they would be prepared to provide the funds to pay for the embassies which, as it currently stands, amounts to 50 thrones or so each season. No-one imagines that to be coincidence.

Following the Autumn Equinox, if the Senate wishes to maintain the civil service presence on Imperial ships, they will need to take the funds directly from the Imperial treasury. Indeed, the civil service points out that unless they once again [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Abrogation|abrogate]] the [[Senate motion]] arranging this, the funds will automatically come from the treasury going forward. After all, the Fellowship of Purple Sails were simply providing money that otherwise would have been paid by the Empire. Alternatively, the Senate could use a Senate motion to remove the civil servants from the fleets, and at the same time remove the need for the 50 thrones to be paid. Or they could attempt to persuade the Purple Sails to take up the burden of funding the oversight once more.

==Ambassadorial Briefings==
* '''For the next year the civil service will furnish ambassadors with briefings at the start of each summit'''
* '''These briefings will be made publicly available after the summit'''
Until recently, the civil service primarily supported Imperial diplomacy through the arrangement of briefings, delivered to [[Ambassador|ambassadors]] during each summit. This caused an amount of confusion, and also led to a lack of "institutional memory" when it came to how negotiations with a foreign nation were proceeding from one ambassador to the next. A review of the matter led to a significant revision of how the Empire's civil servants supported the ambassadors. Transparency became a watch-word, and what would originally have been briefings to the Ambassadors were made public knowledge. The diplomatic briefings were treated with the same weight and depth as an [[appraisal]] - but without taking into account just how much effort it takes to perform one. An emergency discussion of the civil service raised the possibility that, to maintain the current situation, there would need to be a limit on how many embassies the Empire could create - something that nobody was in favour of.

As 388YE moves towards a close and the civil service looks towards the winter, it has become clear that sometimes too much information can be as detrimental as too little. Many of the details of diplomatic situations are of minimal interest to the average Imperial citizen, for example. With that in mind, for the next year the civil service will resume furnishing Imperial ambassadors ''who are supported by [[embassy]] staff'' with individual briefings where necessary and appropriate. To maintain transparency and preserve continuity, the briefings will be made available to those who wish to review them ''after'' the summit where they are delivered, in a similar way to which [[historical research]] is made public. Only those elements of a briefing that are specifically personal to the ambassador may be removed, and only where they are clearly not of interest to the Empire.

At the end of the year, this procedure will be reviewed again, to ensure that it is fit for purpose. 

===Embassies===
* '''There are nine Imperial embassies with embassy staff'''
* '''There are eleven Imperial Ambassadors'''
Each [[embassy]] serves a dual purpose. It communicates to a foreign nation that the Empire takes them seriously, and it ensures that each ambassador can be supported by a staff of trained civil servants, diplomats, negotiators, and archivists. At the moment the Empire maintains [[Embassy#Current_Embassies|nine embassies]], and the [[Imperial_Consul#Imperial_Consulate|Imperial Consulate]]. Each has an upkeep of five thrones a season - covered by merchants and traders from all but two of the nations (Asavea and Jarm) eager to provide gifts and inducements - which ensure discreet, professional support.

There are, however, ''eleven'' ambassadors. Currently the [[Ambassador to Beoraidh]] and the [[Ambassador to the Grendel]] do not have embassies - and crucially that means they do not have ''embassy staff''. The civil service has done its best to provide briefings to these two ambassadors for the Autumn Equinox, but going forward they will be unable to continue doing so - not unless the Senate is prepared to make some additional funds available to find premises and supplies for a skeleton staff. 

If the Senate wishes to see one or both of the Beoradhi or Grendel ambassadors continue to receive a briefing, they can use a [[Senate motion]] to instruct the civil service to provide such a staff. This will cost the Senate five thrones each season per ambassador - the same cost as to upkeep an embassy - but without the other benefits an embassy provides. The costs are higher simply because the embassy provides a permanent base of operations for staff and records. Importantly, this upkeep would not be covered by keen merchants; with no embassy, there are fewer opportunities to provide gifts to cover the costs.

One obvious alternative would be to [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Abrogation|abrogate]] the ambassadorial titles, causing diplomatic relations to default back to the [[Imperial Consul]]. The consulate is set up to facilitate staff and briefings, and this would not see any increase in the upkeep.

Of course, there's no reason anything needs to change. Diplomats will still write letters to each other. Opportunities will still arise. The problem is that, in the absence of a support staff, the Empire will have no records of what is being discussed, and it will be harder for the civil service to support those opportunities when they come up. There will be nobody available to provide additional context and explanation.
==Asavean Archipelago==
{{Diplomacy|nation=[[Asavean Archipelago]]|status=Barbarian|port=[[Asavean_Archipelago_ports|Nemoria]] (closed)|ambassador=Herminius of the House of the Wanderer|counterpart=[[Ambassador_to_Asavea#Asavean_Ambassador|Lady Madrianna of the Blue Stones]]}}
* '''The Asavean Archipelago and the Empire are at war
* '''The Asaveans continue to support the Grendel'''
* '''The ongoing attempt of missionaries to proselytise the Way continues to enrage the Asaveans'''
* '''Efforts to destabilise the Asavean Plenum continue to raise the ire of the rulers of Asavea'''
* '''The new Ambassador to the Asavean Archipelago is Herminius of the House of the Wanderer, of Urizen'''
One of the oldest nations in the Known World - and perhaps the oldest of the six great powers - it occupies a sprawling chain of islands to the far west. Ruled by the noble families of the Plenum, and by the priests of the myriad gods who oversee all walks of life, the nation has been at war with the Empire since the [[Liberty Pact]] burned the slave-trading markets of [[Mosaic|Chalonsio]].

Asavea is a long way away, and consequently the war between the Empire and the Plenum takes place largely through intermediaries. Having abandoned their attempts to throttle Imperial trade with privateers and pirates due to the imposition of the ''[[Can%27t_give_everything_away#An_Ultimatum|Pax Sarcophan]]'', they have redoubled the support they provide to the [[Grendel]]. The barbarians of the Broken Shore are technically their allies in the "Freedom Accord" - an attempt to unite those nations who still pursue the abhorrent practice of slavery - but it is clear who is the superior partner in this arrangement. They instigated the [[A_beacon_of_smoke|destruction of Siroc]], and attempted to [[Harvest_of_infamy|do the same]] to [[Mitwold#Meade|Meade]] using their powerful Asavean warships. These vessels are practically mobile fortresses, and they offer powerful assistance to the Grendel [[navy|navies]]. There are also Asavean mercenary soldiers fighting with the armies of the Broken Shore in Mareave. The support the Asaveans are providing shows no sign of abating, if anything, over time, it is only increasing.
<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Herminius of the House of the Wanderer.png|caption='''Herminius of the House of the Wanderer''', Ambassador to Asavea|align=right|width=250}}</div>
The Plenum also uses more subtle methods to cause trouble for the Empire. Asavea is an old, corrupt state and while its military power is in decline they could teach a master class in the arts of diplomacy, politics, and treachery. Their efforts to rouse [[Faraden]] zealots against the Empire have recently been exposed, but how deeply their fingers might be embedded in aiding the Empire's enemies is hard to say. There are rumours they may even have provided resources to the Cult of the Falconer that recently attempted to unleash a magical disaster on the northern Empire.

The fact that they seem to be engaged in building closer relations with the [[Iron Confederacy]] in particular is a cause for some alarm. The Empire has had its own victories - not only within its own areas of influence but through its support for Asavea's avowed enemies the [[Sumaah Republic]]. The [[Two_suns_in_the_sunset#A_Bond_Between_Sailors|defeat of the Asavean navies]] that sought to destroy the city of  [[Foreign_ports#Zemeh|Zemeh]], for example, is just more salt in the wounds of an already furious polity. At the moment there is no sign of any cessation of hostilities between the Asaveans and the Empire. If anything, the more the situation escalates, the more committed the Plenum and the priesthoods seem to be to bringing the Empire to its knees.

It has been a year since there was any kind of [[Drowned_in_tears#Asavea|formal communication]] with the [[Asavean Archipelago]]. With the appointment of a new ambassador however - the [[Urizen|Urizeni]] ''Herminius of the House of the Wanderer'' - missives from ''Lady Madrianna of the Blue Stones'' have been received at the [[Sarvos#Asavean_Embassy|Asavean Embassy]] in [[Sarvos]]. The civil service are preparing a briefing for Ambassador Herminius to be delivered at the Autumn Equinox and made available after the summit.
===State of the War===
<div {{float}}><box>'''Asavean Warships'''<br>One of the main ways the Plenum are supporting the Grendel is through the use of ''Asavean Warships''. These are large vessels, heavily fortified, crewed by veterans of numerous conflicts. They're usually supported by half a dozen smaller, equally battle-ready, ships. Each one represents the equivalent of 1,000 fighting force. From a purely mechanical point of view, they are simply a more flavourful way to describe "ten fleets taking the campaigning action", but they also allow the Asaveans to take advantage of their own "[[opportunity|opportunities]]." 

It is hard to nail down a definitive list of Asavean warships in the vicinity of the Empire, but according to eyewitness reports from Mareave and Redoubt, from the attack on Siroc, and from those visiting Faraden where some of the ships have been anchored, there were originally four ships. ''Leaping Bull'' was sunk during the [[Harvest_of_infamy#The_Poacher's_Lament|attack on Meade]].  That left ''Venger's Blade'' and ''Balo’s Grace'', but as of the Spring Equinox they [[Deep_blue_sea#As_The_Gull_Flies|have been joined]] by two further ships, belonging to the priests of the Red Goddess - ''Blade of Tides'', and ''Scapia’s Wrath''. The most recent news is that as of the Summer Solstice ''Wind Tamer'' has been recalled to the Archipelago. If intelligence is correct, that means there are four Asavean warships still supporting the Grendel in the [[Bay of Catazar]].</box></div>
* '''Hostilities continue, with the Plenum seeking the unconditional surrender of the Empire'''
* '''The distances involved mean both nations are forced to deal through proxies'''
So far, the distances involved and the problems the Empire is constantly beset with, mean that the actual "war" has been a little one-sided. Beyond a cessation in trade, it has mostly fallen to the Plenum to send vessels and soldiers to support their allies in the Grendel, or to launch the occasional lighting-fast raid on Imperial targets. Even those have died down a little in recent months. There have been some triumphs - one of the Asavean warships was sunk during the attempt to attack Meade. There are rumours that another - the ''Wind Chaser'' - has been called back to the Archipelago due to some family unrest or scandal, allegedly instigated at the urging of Imperial citizens. While these are clearly victories, they are still minor victories at best.

While the active elements of the conflict favour the Asaveans, the Empire has been waging its own kind of war. From encouraging rebellious forces, to seeking allies, to sending wayfarers and missionaries, Imperial citizens have been patiently seeking to undermine the powers of the Archipelago. The Brass Coast continues to [[Voyage#Smuggle_Missionaries|smuggle missionaries]] and resources to the west, and its also clear that at least some factions of the [[Basileia|City of Locks]] are involving themselves in Imperial operations overseas. Yet efforts to [[388YE_Summer_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Anchor_the_Way_in_Asavea|anchor the Way in Asavea]] - to spread the faith of the virtues to the heretics and blasphemers of the west - have mostly stalled out. While money is forthcoming, only 34 wains of [[white granite]] of the 750 needed have been contributed. Likewise it's not really clear what kind of success is being made through efforts to find allies capable of causing trouble for the Plenum equivalent to that Asavean agents caused for the Empire. There are certainly [[Asavean factions]] that have their own ambitions where the Archipelago is concerned, but those ambitions rarely seem to coincide with those of the Empire.

While the Plenum must be aware of some of what the Empire is doing, it isn't not clear exactly ''what'' they know. It seems that the [[Regario Dossier]] agents in the west have fallen silent, providing no reliable insight into what is going on in the Archipelago. The only information coming out of Asavea comes via letter, and the occasional clandestine meeting, and how trustworthy any of that is, is had to say...

===Loyalty===
{{SOP|statement=The Virtuous build up their fellows. We send Dagon Barossa with 25 doses of liao to urge the Virtuous to find a way to arrange a meeting with the Satrapy of Ibaria. Let us meet and find common ground against the Plenum.|by=Dagon Barossa, Mandate, Loyalty Assembly|vote=Upheld 262-76|when=Summer Solstice 388YE}}
* '''The Loyalty Assembly has committed itself to spread the Way and support the rebels in Asavea'''
* '''A meeting in the Caucus Forum has been arranged for 20:00 on Saturday evening'''
* '''Dagon Barossa has been invited to head up the initial diplomatic meeting'''
The Loyalty assembly has [[Asavean Factor|recently committed themselves]] ''to spread the Way and support the Virtuous rebels in Asavea''. Their first step has been to arrange a face-to-face meeting with the [[Asavean_factions#The_Satrapy_of_Ibaria|Satrapy of Ibaria]]. Located on the near edge of the Archipelago, Ibaria had a proud martial tradition that culminated in an effort to rise up and overthrow their satrap a few years ago. Their attempt at rebellion was crushed by the Plenum, and those rebels who survived fled. Some of them - drawing on past relations with [[the League|League]] merchants - ended up in the Empire. Everything that has been discovered so far suggests that while the original ringleaders are dead or in hiding, their martial spirit and will to fight is not diminished. All signs point to them being eager to rise up again, but the Plenum has seen to it that they are in no position to do so. 
<div style="float:left; width: 250px;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Dagon Barossa.jpg|caption='''Dagon Barossa''' (hooded), Cardinal of Loyalty|align=right|width=250}}</div>
Some League folk have reached out to old contacts in the west, and while most of their former allies are dead or fled, one of them is still in place. Not long before the Autumn Equinox, a message is delivered by a rainbow-feathered [[inhabitants of the realms#Heralds|herald]] of [[Lashonar]]. Some of the surviving rebels have gathered in the mountain town of ''Lliberis'', in the north of the satrapy. They apparently still have connections to other groups secretly working towards the eventual liberation of Ibaria, in ''Valentia'' and ''Magrita''. According to the herald, they can't risk exposing themselves to the agents of the Plenum - but the ''Chatterer'' is more than happy to offer their assistance (especially as the eternal and the Empire are [[Here_you_come_again#Conscience-of-Kings_(Night)|friends again]]).

[[Cardinal of Loyalty]] '''Dagon Barossa''', who raised the [[mandate]], is thus invited to attend the [[Lashonar#Caucus_Forum|Caucus Forum]], via the [[Anvil#The_Hall_of_Worlds|Hall of Worlds]] during the Autumn Equinox. A herald will be provided to bring Dagon and up to five other people to the 'Forum. The usual rules apply - no physical violence will be countenanced by any party. Steps have been taken to ensure that the Ibarian will be able to understand and speak Imperial using the kind of commonplace boon Lashonar is known for. 

While the Caucus Forum is ideal for diplomatic meetings, it is clear to those pilgrims of Loyalty who made initial contact that the surviving Ibarian rebels are expecting actual, material assistance if they are to rise up against the Plenum. The civil service has already assessed that they could raise as many as three armies if they were provided with the materials to do so - but that there is no chance they can do it without Imperial assistance. Furthermore, unless these armies received major support from outside powers, then the same pattern than unfolded during the first rebellion would repeat itself - the Asavean would crush the rebels. If that happens, the Plenum is ''very'' unlikely to leave Ibaria in a position to attempt a ''third'' rebellion.

===Ongoing Opportunities===
* '''A number of outstanding opportunities for Imperial citizens to involve themselves in Asavea are still available'''
There are a number of ongoing opportunities related to the Asavean Archipelago. It is still possible to contact the [[Asavean factions]] identified by the [[Silver Chalice]] and the [[Synod]] who might be prepared to support Imperial schemes. Anyone can contribute to the project to Anchor the Way in Asavea, through the usual means. The opportunities for the Loyalty assembly to pursue their [[The highest calling#Highest calling|highest calling]] are all still available (as detailed in last event's '''[[Asavean Factor]]''' wind of fortune). There are also potential opportunities to support the Empire's allies in the [[Sumaah Republic]] to pursue their own style of intervention in Asavea (touched on later in this wind of fortune).

==Sumaah Republic==
{{Diplomacy|nation=[[Sumaah Republic]]|status=Foreigner|port=[[Sumaah_Republic_ports#Zemeh|Zemeh]]|ambassador=Accalon of [[Highguard]]|counterpart=[[Ambassador_to_the_Sumaah_Republic#Sumaah_Ambassador|Oxtitocszin]]}}
* '''The Sumaah Republic remain allies of the Empire through the Liberty Pact'''
* '''The current Ambassador to the Sumaah Republic is Accalon of Highguard'''
The [[Sumaah Republic]] are simultaneously allies of, and rivals to, the Empire. Their shared practice of the Way both provide them with common ground, and divides them over questions of orthodoxy. As founding members of the [[Liberty Pact]], their ties to the Empire have been strengthened, and they have been closely involved in bringing ruin to those involved in the abhorrent practice of slavery. At the moment they are focused on their [[Guide_the_spirit#Virtuous_War|war]] with the [[Asavean Archipelago]], but they remain committed to spreading the Way through the entire world. In gratitude for [[Two_suns_in_the_sunset#A_Bond_Between_Sailors|major aid]] from the Empire in repulsing an Asavean assault against the port of [[Foreign_ports#Zemeh|Zemeh]], the Sumaah have committed to sharing a dose of [[Liao#True Liao|true liao]] with the Empire every season "''until the Plenum falls and the Way is spread to the Archipelago''." Relations with the grateful Sumaash, which have been bumpy in the past, are now better than ever.
<div style="float:right; width: 350px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Accalon5901.jpg||caption='''Accalon of Felix's Watch''', Ambassador to the Sumaah Republic|align=right|width=350}}</div>
At the moment, it seems that despite the slow separation of the two nations' religious alignment - the [[Synod]] has created new [[the Doctrines of the Faith|Doctrines]] and altered others that were once shared between the two nations - politically they remain reasonably well aligned. The ongoing [[appraisal]] of [[Satraps of the Abyss|Sumaah attitudes to eternals]] for example seems to be going well, with the [[Shuttered Lantern]] having sent some of its brightest lights to the west to support [[Appraisal#The_Prognosticators_Office|prognosticator]] ''[[Appraisal#Lisane de Terresford|Lisane de Terresford]]'' on her first major assignment and [[Satraps_of_the_Abyss#Wisdom_of_the_Conclave|learn more]] about how the Sumaah deal with hostile eternals in the absence of the [[Alignment|Declaration of Alignment]]. More details of the ongoing appraisal can be found in the {{TBC}} wind of fortune.

The civil service are busily arranging a briefing for Ambassador Accalon, but there are also some topics of general interest that represent public knowledge among those interested in the Republic.
===Trade Tariffs===
* '''The Senate has applied tariffs to Sumaah merchants visiting Imperial shores'''
During the Summer Solstice, the [[Senate]] moved to [[388YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Amend_tariffs_of_the_Sumaah_Republic|apply tariffs]] to merchants from the Sumaah Republic visiting Imperial ports. This has led to a little dissatisfaction voiced around the quays of [[Sarvos]], [[Necropolis]], and [[Madruga]]. Not because of the tariffs themselves - although few merchants appreciate such things - but at the way they have been introduced. There was no warning to Sumaah merchants undertaking the long journey to the Empire that they would be have to pay for the privilege. When they set off from the Republic it was on the assumption of [[Tariffs#Free_Trade|free trade]]; now they must add the value of the [[Tariffs#Mercantilist|tariffs]] to the prices they offer for their goods.

The House of the People has informed the Ambassador's office that they will be likewise moving away from free trade to light tariffs on Imperial imports. Exactly how this will change matters for the Empire's [[fleet]] owners who [[Fleet#Trading|trade]] with ports such as [[Foreign_ports#Zemeh|Zemeh]] remains to be seen.
<div style="float:right; width: 350px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Hazelelponi.jpg|caption='''Hazelelponi''', Lepidean Librarian|align=left|width=400}}
</div>
===Ongoing Opportunities===
* '''Several opportunities remain available from previous seasons'''
As discussed in the '''[[Keys of Enlightenment]]''' wind of fortune from last summit, there are several ongoing opportunities relating to the Sumaah Republic. The [[Lepidean Librarian]], '''Hazelelponi of the Shattered Tower''' [[388YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Research_Life_of_Sjördeyr|accepted]] an offer to learn more about the life of the Sumaah paragon [[Keys_of_Enlightenment#Sjördeyr|Sjördeyr]] on behalf of the Empire and should know more at the Autumn Equinox. There is also word that the High House of Prosperity has provided Sumaah insight into the [[Zemress|Blade of the Isles]] with the Ambassador in turn, with the hope they will share with the Synod. 

The House of the People are still keen to explore the possibility of arranging a [[Keys_of_Enlightenment#Mithril_and_White_Granite|mithril and weirwood shipment]] from the Empire to help in their war against the Asaveans. And of course there is still the matter of the [[Keys_of_Enlightenment#Missing_River|disappearance]] of [[Regario Dossier]] agent Vassa and their small espionage network.

==Marracossa==
* '''The Marracossan exiles live in Trajadoz in Madruga'''
* '''A recent proscription marks them as practitioners of the theist heresy'''
* '''The Marracossan Sendito is responsible for representing the exiles to the Empire and vice versa'''
* '''The Imperial Consul is responsible for diplomatic dealings with the exiles'''
The tiny, tiny state of Marracossa is something of a political fiction. The town of [[Madruga#Trajadoz|Trajadoz]] in [[Madruga]] was [[384YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Cede_Trajadoz|ceded]] to some of the [[Large_but_far_away#Asavea|exiles]] from Asavea following the failure of the Marracossan rebellion. Proud of their heritage, they have nonetheless made efforts to try and integrate into [[the Brass Coast]], even going so far as to offer a little limited help in fighting off one of the recent [[Grendel]] invasions. They're talented [[Crafting skills#Artisan|artisans]], but the kinds of items they have [[Marracossa_Sendito#Marracossan_Artisans|offered for sale]] have found only limited markets in the Empire being primarily focused around empowering their fellow artisans. There are however a few skilled stonemasons among their number - their old redoubt in the Archipelago was by all accounts an impressively fortified island citadel before the Plenum crushed it - and there has been some talk of putting that more valuable expertise at the disposal of their Freeborn neighbours.

Technically, the [[Imperial Consul]] is responsible for any diplomatic discussions with the Marracossan exiles. The waters are muddied slightly due to the [[Marracossa Sendito]], '''Karg i Estrico i Erigo''', whose [[Marracossa_Sendito#Responsibilities|responsibilities]] include serving as "''the representative from the Empire to the Marracossans, and in turn represents the Marracossans to the Empire''." Their role also means that "''if anything were to threaten Trajadoz they would be responsible for ensuring the safety of those who live there''." They are however not an [[ambassador]], and do not have the power to present a [[Ambassador#Treaty|treaty]]. Legally, the Imperial Consul's word would take precedence.
===Theist Heretics===
{{SOP|statement=The Marracossans are friends of the Empire and the Brass Coast. It would be an affront to our loyalty to our friends to not respect our differences in culture. To this end, the Marracossans have agreed not to preach their religion but cannot help their permanent display of fealty to their gods in the form of their tattoos. These tattoos are not a crime and it is unwise to attempt to enforce Imperial law upon the Marracossans who travel through the Brass Coast to trade. Let us show the merit of the Way that our bonds of loyalty and friendship and also be vigilant in reporting potential crimes to the relevant authorities and not risk our friendship through aggression.|by=Dayanara i Cabeza i Erigo, Freeborn Assembly|vote=Greater Majority 176-0|when=Summer Solstice 387YE|size=small}}
* '''The Marracossans are definitely guilty of being practitioners of the Theist heresy'''
* '''The exiles have made offers to help defend the Brass Coast, but they are afraid to leave their town'''
The current big problem is that while they despise the Plenum, the exiles are still proud of their Asavean heritage. Specifically, like the [[Iron Confederacy|Suranni]], they are ''theists''. Recently [[proscription|proscribed]] by the Synod on the urging of '''Frater Pontius of Adoniram's Testament''' this [[heresy]] claims "''that there are gods that seek dominance of, control over, or communion with sapient spirits''." The Marracossan exiles cling to their three gods, and have gone as far as to build a temple honouring these [[idolatry|idolatrous]] spirits.

Previously they have avoided censure by simply keeping their faith to themselves. They don't proselytise, and enquiries from their Freeborn neighbours are generally met with a polite refusal to elucidate. Unfortunately, the new proscription seems to make it a criminal act just to ''believe'' that there are gods and that they watch over their people. Which the Marracossans definitely do. [[Seeds_of_discord#Marracossa|Last season]] they asked for advice from the Marracossa Sendito, and for their friends in Madruga to speak on their behalf. '''Dayanara i Cabeza i Erigo''' [[388YE_Summer_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_163|presented]] a [[statement of principle]] that was supported by the Freeborn assembly with a significant margin.

The judgement focused on the tattoos many Marracossan exiles wear that connect them to their religious beliefs, but went on to declare that it would be "''unwise to attempt to enforce Imperial law upon the Marracossans who travel through the Brass Coast to trade''." It urged the people of the 'Coast to "''show the merit of the Way that our bonds of loyalty and friendship and also be vigilant in reporting potential crimes to the relevant authorities''" and to "''not risk our friendship through aggression''."

The Freeborn assembly is [[Stand proud, you're strong|focused on its highest calling]], the matter of the exiles is actually at least somewhat tangential to it. During the earlier meeting between the Marracossans and representatives of the Empire, they had made a number of offers relating to protecting the Brass Coast. Now, any opportunity must be put on hold while the more immediate threat to their freedom is addressed. Consequently, the statement has led to a potential [[mandate]], which has attracted more than the usual amount of attention (possibly due to the aura of [[Night magic]] currently settled over Madruga).

{{Mandate|mandate=The Marracossan exiles are friends of the Empire and the Brass Coast. They do not preach their belief in interventionalist gods, and trade respectfully with their neighbours. We send (named priest) with 50 doses of liao to remind our folk that, while they must remain vigilant for the commitment of a crime, it is not the Freeborn way to try and police what lies within someone's heart.|assembly=Freeborn National Assembly}}

If this mandate is enacted, it will reassure the Freeborn that there is no problem treating with the exiles as they have before. Trade will resume, and while the Marracossans will remain most comfortable in Madruga, there will be no further problems. However, in the event that anyone attempted to arrest a Marracossan exile for their beliefs, or should the Senate, the Synod, or the Military Council move against the exiles within the next ten years, the people of Madruga would resist and oppose such a move as if it were aimed at one of their Freeborn neighbours. The response would be proportional to the threat, and they would expect the Freeborn assembly to back them up.

While this mandate requires 50 doses of liao, if '''Karg i Estrico i Erigo''' is named to enact it, the cost drops to 25 liao. Karg is well-known and well respected by both the exiles and to those Freeborn who trade with them.

Obviously, the mandate is not the only way forward. A change to the proscription that is causing the problem for the exiles could be enacted for example. Another possibility might be to prevail on [[the League]] national assembly, whose [[The highest calling#Highest calling|highest calling]] is to bring [[Any dream will do|new people]] into the Empire. Or the Senate could render the entire matter moot by abrogating the cession of Trajadoz, declaring the exiles to be barbarians due to their refusal to abandon their heretical ways, and request the [[Military Council]] send in an army to suppress them. 

Either would bring an end to the current situation. If it continues for another season, however, it will certainly impact the goods available to the Marracossa Sendito, and might permanently sour the exiles with regard to future opportunities in the Brass Coast.

==Grendel==
{{Diplomacy|nation=[[Grendel]]|status=Barbarian|port=None available|ambassador=Starlight Starchaser of [[Urizen]]|counterpart=[[Ambassador_to_the_Grendel#Grendel_Ambassador|Speaker Morna]]}}
* '''The Grendel remain at war with the Empire'''
* '''The Senate has abrogated the former Grendel embassy'''
* '''The Ambassador to the Grendel is Starlight Starchaser of Urizen'''
War continues to be waged between the Empire and the Grendel - and their Asavean allies. Currently, the fighting seems to be [[Salt lions|concentrated]] in southern [[Mareave]], but the [[navy|naval superiority]] of the Grendel means that it is dangerous to take this kind of thing for granted. Of all the barbarian threats to the Empire, the orcs of the Broken Shore are perhaps the most mobile. But even in times of war, diplomacy continues. 
 
The Grendel Embassy, which stood for a time in [[Redoubt#Cargo|Cargo]], [[Redoubt]], was [[387YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Abrogate_Grendel_Embassy|shut down]] by the Senate at the end of 387YE amid concerns of active espionage and potential sabotage. The [[Ambassador to the Grendel]] still serves, but the relative prestige offered by the embassy has been lost. There has been some discussion back and forth between the ambassador and ''Speaker Morna'', who reports to the Salt Lords Council of the Broken Shore, but little in the way of official discourse.

This changed following the Summer Solstice. For the first time in quite a long time, missives were received from the other side of the Bay of Catazar. A briefing has been prepared for Ambassador '''Starlight Starchaser'''. Details are not public, but it is believed they involve a proposal relating to future embassies, and at least some discussion around what it would take to end the hostilities currently ongoing with the Salt Lords.

===On the Subject of Turtles===
<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: right;">
{{CaptionedImage|file=Grumpy Turtle.jpg|align=right|width=2000}}</div>
* '''A representative of the Brine Turtles will travel to Anvil at 21:00 on Saturday'''
* '''They are joined by a herald of the Lictors and another guest'''
* '''The entire party is travelling as a delegation and are protected as foreigners'''
* '''They hope to meet with the Ambassador to the Grendel, the Senator for Mareave, and the Imperial Consul.'''
* '''The Advisor on Orc Affairs is welcome to attend too'''
The meeting with the Brine Turtles has been a long time coming. The sept have maintained their home in Fleisardh since the Empire conquered the territory, whilst the army has been at the forefront of trying to reclaim it from the Unshackled. After careful negotiation the sept is sending a representative to meet with select Imperials about the future of Fioroult. They hope that their hosts will be willing to find somewhere to sit down where they can have a decent conversation.

==Morajasse==
{{SOP|statement=Following the work of Malaki and Judgement 133 from the Spring Summit. WE ASK THE Freeborn of FEROZ to TRADE WITH THEIR NEIGHBOURS IN THE PROTECTORATE OF MORAJASSE For mutual PROSPERITY.|by=Metztli i Phovas i Riqueza, Freeborn Assembly|vote={{GM}} 196-0|when=Summer 388YE|size=small}}
* '''The Protectorate of Morajasse continues to flourish in Feroz'''
* '''They continue to request that the Imperial Consul handle communications with them'''
Last season, a delegation from the Protectorate of Morajasse [[Myth_makers#Soldiers_at_Anvil|visited]] Anvil, dispatched by the master-strategist ''[[Fake empire#Gallum Fiersach|Commander Gallum Fiersach]]'' and ''Wind Lord Saoirse'', his partner and a master of the [[Autumn magic|lore of Sand]]. There, they met with representatives from the Senate, Military Council, Conclave, and Bourse to discuss matters of mutual importance to both the Freeborn and the Protectorate. 

At the same time, the Freeborn Assembly voted to uphold the [[388YE_Summer_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_120|statement of principle]] raised by '''Metztli i Phovas i Riqueza''' with a greater majority. The judgement called on the Freeborn of Feroz to trade with the Protectorate, and followed on from the [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_133|judgement]] raised by '''Malaki'''. The dhomiros and merchants of Feroz have started to engage in trade with the Protectorate, and whilst nobody is being offered the best prices, at least trade is happening. 

===Curses!===
* '''Wind Lord Saoirse has made clear that she does not want to see curses on Feroz, nor on Morajasse'''
* '''She will make a specific exception for Rivers of Life'''
During the meeting, one of the things discussed was the curses previously laid upon the fortification by Imperial magicians. Apologies have been made and accepted, and the matter is considered settled. If such a thing happens again, the Protectorate will seek the help of the magistrates or, if necessary, find their own source of [[Grendel_religion#Retribution|retribution]]. Broadly, ''any'' curse that affects Mora's Rock, Morajasse, or Feroz will see the Protectorate look to uncover the source and potentially seek recompense.

There is one curse that ''Saoirse'' is comfortable with, though. [[Rivers of Life]] preserves life; the [[The League magical traditions|Sea magic]] spreading across the territory and cleansing the water is always going to be welcomed by a group for whom every life counts.

===Mora's Rock===
* '''The Protectorate wants to expand Mora's Rock and has requested 30 wains each of mithril and white granite to do so'''
* '''Saoirse can speed the expansion if the Conclave can provide the mana crystals'''
* '''The garrison will continue to defend Feroz if it is attacked'''
''Commander Gallum Fiersach'' wants to raise Mora's Rock even higher and has asked for thirty wains each of [[mithril]] and [[white granite]] in order to do so. The Protectorate can cover the labour costs themselves, and it won't require the Senate or [[Master of Works]] to authorise it, but they are sadly lacking the fundamental components of expanding the fortification. And of course, the treasury will not have to bear the burden of upkeep.

''Gallum'' accepts that Morajasse doesn't border anything other than more Freeborn land, so the improved [[Fortification#Bastion|bastion]] won't hinder invaders unless [[Feroz#Afarjasse|Afarjasse]] has already fallen. What it will do, however, is grant the [[Fortification#Garrison|garrison]] much better equipment, and allow them to present even more of a defence if they are called on to defend Feroz. 

Perhaps even better is that Saoirse and her coven are able to speed up the construction of the fortification if the [[Conclave]] were to disburse mana crystals. For sixty mana crystals, the fortification could be raised in nine months, but if the Conclave are willing to [[Endowment|endow]] 120 mana crystals, it could be raised in just six months. Saoirse is clear that she wants the requested mana crystals to come from the Conclave; it serves as both a method of delivering the mana crystals and, more importantly, as recognition that they approve of it.

{{Asavean Links}}
{{Sumaah Links}}