Forging links - Revision history

Dre at 11:41, 6 June 2026

2026-06-06T11:41:28Z

Twiggy at 11:36, 6 June 2026

2026-06-06T11:36:29Z

Hailmur: /* One Link at a Time */

2026-06-06T11:32:39Z

One Link at a Time

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:32, 6 June 2026
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	<tr><td> Rafiq i Erigo </td><td> Brass Coast </td></tr>		<tr><td> Rafiq i Erigo </td><td> Brass Coast </td></tr>
	<tr><td> Asbet I Muhajim I guerra </td><td> Brass Coast </td></tr>		<tr><td> Asbet I Muhajim I guerra </td><td> Brass Coast </td></tr>
			<tr><td> Estevanico i Hayim i Riqueza</td><td>Brass Coast</td></tr>
	<tr><td> Ezro i Alvera i Erigo </td><td> Brass Coast </td></tr>		<tr><td> Ezro i Alvera i Erigo </td><td> Brass Coast </td></tr>
	<tr><td> Manolo i Erigo </td><td> Brass Coast </td></tr>		<tr><td> Manolo i Erigo </td><td> Brass Coast </td></tr>

Beeswax: /* Joining Virtue and Magic */

2026-06-06T08:26:03Z

Joining Virtue and Magic

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:26, 6 June 2026
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	* Creates an opportunity at the following summit to guide a Conclave Order to support the appraisal		* Creates an opportunity at the following summit to guide a Conclave Order to support the appraisal
	<tr><td>'''Possible Appraisal Topics:'''		<tr><td>'''Possible Appraisal Topics:'''
	* Opportunities for cooperation between the Celestial ~~Art~~ and the Sumaah Republic		* Opportunities for cooperation between the Celestial Arch and the Sumaah Republic
	* Finding ways to cooperate in interactions with eternals		* Finding ways to cooperate in interactions with eternals
	* Helping Imperial magicians make more virtuous choices		* Helping Imperial magicians make more virtuous choices
	</td></tr>		</td></tr>
	</table></div>		</table></div>
	Within the republic [[Sumaah_Republic#Magic\|magic and magicians]] are generally the purview of the High Houses. Each of the virtuous assemblies has a cadre of ritual magicians who support the präster with [[enchantment\|enchantments]] and [[divination\|divinations]]. As a whole, Sumaah places an emphasis on less supernatural means of resolving problems; many citizens of the Republic prefer to avoid magic altogether; they would rather receive the blessings of the faith in the form of [[Religious skills#Anointing\|anointing]] or [[Religious skills#Hallow\|hallows]] ~~that~~ the magical effects of a ritual.. This means that the Republic lags behind the rest of the world in terms of magical might. It makes up for this by having more ''organized'' magical traditions than any other nation with the possible exception of the [[Commonwealth]], but organisation can only achieve so much.		Within the republic [[Sumaah_Republic#Magic\|magic and magicians]] are generally the purview of the High Houses. Each of the virtuous assemblies has a cadre of ritual magicians who support the präster with [[enchantment\|enchantments]] and [[divination\|divinations]]. As a whole, Sumaah places an emphasis on less supernatural means of resolving problems; many citizens of the Republic prefer to avoid magic altogether; they would rather receive the blessings of the faith in the form of [[Religious skills#Anointing\|anointing]] or [[Religious skills#Hallow\|hallows]] than the magical effects of a ritual. This means that the Republic lags behind the rest of the world in terms of magical might. It makes up for this by having more ''organized'' magical traditions than any other nation with the possible exception of the [[Commonwealth]], but organisation can only achieve so much.

	After discussion with representatives of the High Houses, and with the House of the People, Oxitocszin has agreed that some form of joint effort relating to magic could be considered. It would need the Imperial Senate to arrange an [[appraisal]], selecting a single proposal from the agreed list. The präster would work with the [[Civil Service\|civil service]] to ensure that any magical cooperation was undertaken in such a way that it did not cause problems for either nation. The Senate would need to appoint an appropriate prognosticator, and should plan for them to be busy in Sumaah for at least nine months given the distances involved. Because of the nature of the appraisal, it would create an opportunity for the Conclave to [[Grandmaster#Guiding_an_Order\|guide an order]] to support the appraisal, directing the appraisal in accordance with their manifesto and beliefs.		After discussion with representatives of the High Houses, and with the House of the People, Oxitocszin has agreed that some form of joint effort relating to magic could be considered. It would need the Imperial Senate to arrange an [[appraisal]], selecting a single proposal from the agreed list. The präster would work with the [[Civil Service\|civil service]] to ensure that any magical cooperation was undertaken in such a way that it did not cause problems for either nation. The Senate would need to appoint an appropriate prognosticator, and should plan for them to be busy in Sumaah for at least nine months given the distances involved. Because of the nature of the appraisal, it would create an opportunity for the Conclave to [[Grandmaster#Guiding_an_Order\|guide an order]] to support the appraisal, directing the appraisal in accordance with their manifesto and beliefs.

Hailmur: Created page with "Category:Wind of FortuneCategory:388YE SpringCategory:Foreign Nations The jungle held its breath. Latao stood with his arms extended holding the ritual bowl and the polished tempest jade sphere the magic required. His face was hidden behind the traditional mask of dragonbone and mahogany and bright feathers, shaped in the aspect of a great wide-mouthed lizard. The rest of the coven wore their own masks, arranged in a precisely positioned triangle behind h..."

2026-06-05T23:25:07Z

Created page with "Category:Wind of Fortune Category:388YE Spring Category:Foreign Nations <ic>The jungle held its breath. Latao stood with his arms extended holding the ritual bowl and the polished tempest jade sphere the magic required. His face was hidden behind the traditional mask of dragonbone and mahogany and bright feathers, shaped in the aspect of a great wide-mouthed lizard. The rest of the coven wore their own masks, arranged in a precisely positioned triangle behind h..."

Show changes

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:41, 6 June 2026
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	===Moving Forward===		===Moving Forward===
	* '''Sumaah proposes returning the Pact to its roots and celebrating its successes		* '''Sumaah proposes returning the Pact to its roots and celebrating its successes
	It seems that both the Commonwealth and Sumaah have arrived at the point where they feel the Liberty Pact has outlived its usefulness. With the support of the High House of Wisdom, Oxtitocszin has put forward a proposal for consideration by the other members of the Pact. The core idea is that the Sumaah plan to retire their Voice of Liberty and suggest other nations consider doing the same. The Pact ''must'' continue to exist, ~~it's~~ existence is still working to end slavery; it is the meetings that are not working.		It seems that both the Commonwealth and Sumaah have arrived at the point where they feel the Liberty Pact has outlived its usefulness. With the support of the High House of Wisdom, Oxtitocszin has put forward a proposal for consideration by the other members of the Pact. The core idea is that the Sumaah plan to retire their Voice of Liberty and suggest other nations consider doing the same. The Pact ''must'' continue to exist, its existence is still working to end slavery; it is the meetings that are not working.

	It is those meetings that Oxtitocszin suggests can simply stop. It is expensive and risky to send delegates to a meeting that is achieving nothing - resources both Sumaah and the Commonwealth would rather devote to fighting their enemies. If the situation changes, if the threat of the slave trade rises again, then anyone can call the Pact together to propose how to respond. But absent such a threat, the House of the People simply do not see any value in further meetings.		It is those meetings that Oxtitocszin suggests can simply stop. It is expensive and risky to send delegates to a meeting that is achieving nothing - resources both Sumaah and the Commonwealth would rather devote to fighting their enemies. If the situation changes, if the threat of the slave trade rises again, then anyone can call the Pact together to propose how to respond. But absent such a threat, the House of the People simply do not see any value in further meetings.
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	* '''Ambassador Accalon has outlined a proposal to improve magical cooperation with the Republic'''		* '''Ambassador Accalon has outlined a proposal to improve magical cooperation with the Republic'''
	* '''Sumaah has cautiously agreed to collaborate on a single appraisal to be chosen by the Empire from the ideas proposed by the ambassador'''		* '''Sumaah has cautiously agreed to collaborate on a single appraisal to be chosen by the Empire from the ideas proposed by the ambassador'''
	Ambassador Accalon has piqued the interest of the Sumaah Republic with a proposal from the [[Grandmaster]] of the [[Celestial Arch]], '''Xanthippe'''. The offer proposes cooperation between the Empire and the Republic and suggests several possibilities such as military assistance against the Asavean menace; supporting initiatives to expand new forms of engagement between Imperial magicians and the High Houses of ~~virtue~~; coordinating interactions with certain [[eternal\|eternals]]; or exploring the nature of the [[astronomancy\|astronomantic]] constellations within the Republic.		Ambassador Accalon has piqued the interest of the Sumaah Republic with a proposal from the [[Grandmaster]] of the [[Celestial Arch]], '''Xanthippe'''. The offer proposes cooperation between the Empire and the Republic and suggests several possibilities such as military assistance against the Asavean menace; supporting initiatives to expand new forms of engagement between Imperial magicians and the High Houses of Virtue; coordinating interactions with certain [[eternal\|eternals]]; or exploring the nature of the [[astronomancy\|astronomantic]] constellations within the Republic.
	<div style="float:right; width: 350px; clear: right; margin-left:10px;">		<div style="float:right; width: 350px; clear: right; margin-left:10px;">
	<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: #C994FF;">'''Appraise Magical Cooperation'''</tr>		<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: #C994FF;">'''Appraise Magical Cooperation'''</tr>
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	</td></tr>		</td></tr>
	</table></div>		</table></div>
	Within the republic [[Sumaah_Republic#Magic\|magic and magicians]] are generally the purview of the High Houses. Each of the virtuous assemblies has a cadre of ritual magicians who support the präster with [[enchantment\|enchantments]] and [[divination\|divinations]]. As a whole, Sumaah places an emphasis on less supernatural means of resolving problems; many citizens of the Republic prefer to avoid magic altogether; they would rather receive the blessings of the faith in the form of [[Religious skills#Anointing\|~~anointing~~]] or [[Religious skills#Hallow\|hallows]] than the magical effects of a ritual. This means that the Republic lags behind the rest of the world in terms of magical might. It makes up for this by having more ''~~organized~~'' magical traditions than any other nation with the possible exception of the [[Commonwealth]], but organisation can only achieve so much.		Within the republic [[Sumaah_Republic#Magic\|magic and magicians]] are generally the purview of the High Houses. Each of the virtuous assemblies has a cadre of ritual magicians who support the präster with [[enchantment\|enchantments]] and [[divination\|divinations]]. As a whole, Sumaah places an emphasis on less supernatural means of resolving problems; many citizens of the Republic prefer to avoid magic altogether; they would rather receive the blessings of the faith in the form of [[Religious skills#Anointing\|anointings]] or [[Religious skills#Hallow\|hallows]] than the magical effects of a ritual. This means that the Republic lags behind the rest of the world in terms of magical might. It makes up for this by having more ''organised'' magical traditions than any other nation with the possible exception of the [[Commonwealth]], but organisation can only achieve so much.

	After discussion with representatives of the High Houses, and with the House of the People, Oxtitocszin has agreed that some form of joint effort relating to magic could be considered. It would need the Imperial Senate to arrange an [[appraisal]], selecting a single proposal from the agreed list. The präster would work with the [[Civil Service\|civil service]] to ensure that any magical cooperation was undertaken in such a way that it did not cause problems for either nation. The Senate would need to appoint an appropriate prognosticator, and should plan for them to be busy in Sumaah for at least nine months given the distances involved. Because of the nature of the appraisal, it would create an opportunity for the Conclave to [[Grandmaster#Guiding_an_Order\|guide an order]] to support the appraisal, directing the appraisal in accordance with their manifesto and beliefs.		After discussion with representatives of the High Houses, and with the House of the People, Oxtitocszin has agreed that some form of joint effort relating to magic could be considered. It would need the Imperial Senate to arrange an [[appraisal]], selecting a single proposal from the agreed list. The präster would work with the [[Civil Service\|civil service]] to ensure that any magical cooperation was undertaken in such a way that it did not cause problems for either nation. The Senate would need to appoint an appropriate prognosticator, and should plan for them to be busy in Sumaah for at least nine months given the distances involved. Because of the nature of the appraisal, it would create an opportunity for the Conclave to [[Grandmaster#Guiding_an_Order\|guide an order]] to support the appraisal, directing the appraisal in accordance with their manifesto and beliefs.

	The Sumaah have ruled out some items on ~~Accolon~~'s list; there is no interest in exploring the nature of astronomancy with the Empire. The Sumaah have their own traditions, but view magic that draws on the powers of the constellations to be a form of [[aspect magic]], something that is at best [[heresy]] and arguably strays into [[blasphemy]]. As such, no reputable Sumaah magician would openly practice astronomancy, even if they might have some mild academic interest in the matter. The idea of working with Imperial magicians against the Asavean menace is more appealing in theory, but unfortunately when the High Houses studied the assessment of the [[opportunity]] provided by the präster in the High House of Wisdom, they determined that the costs were simply too high. Sadly, it would require too many skilled war-magicians to be pulled from the front line against the Asaveans.		The Sumaah have ruled out some items on Accalon's list; there is no interest in exploring the nature of astronomancy with the Empire. The Sumaah have their own traditions, but view magic that draws on the powers of the constellations to be a form of [[aspect magic]], something that is at best [[heresy]] and arguably strays into [[blasphemy]]. As such, no reputable Sumaah magician would openly practice astronomancy, even if they might have some mild academic interest in the matter. The idea of working with Imperial magicians against the Asavean menace is more appealing in theory, but unfortunately when the High Houses studied the assessment of the [[opportunity]] provided by the präster in the High House of Wisdom, they determined that the costs were simply too high. Sadly, it would require too many skilled war-magicians to be pulled from the front line against the Asaveans.

	This opportunity is only available until the end of the Spring Equinox 388YE - events in Sumaah are in flux at the moment and Oxtitocszin cannot be confident that they would be able to arrange support for it after that time.		This opportunity is only available until the end of the Spring Equinox 388YE - events in Sumaah are in flux at the moment and Oxtitocszin cannot be confident that they would be able to arrange support for it after that time.
	{{Sumaah Links}}		{{Sumaah Links}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:36, 6 June 2026
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	<tr><td> Rafiq i Erigo </td><td> Brass Coast </td></tr>		<tr><td> Rafiq i Erigo </td><td> Brass Coast </td></tr>
	<tr><td> Asbet I Muhajim I guerra </td><td> Brass Coast </td></tr>		<tr><td> Asbet I Muhajim I guerra </td><td> Brass Coast </td></tr>
	<tr><td> Estevanico i Hayim i Riqueza</td><td>Brass Coast</td></tr>		<tr><td> Estevanico i Hayim i Riqueza</td><td>Brass Coast</td></tr>
	<tr><td> Ezro i Alvera i Erigo </td><td> Brass Coast </td></tr>		<tr><td> Ezro i Alvera i Erigo </td><td> Brass Coast </td></tr>
	<tr><td> Manolo i Erigo </td><td> Brass Coast </td></tr>		<tr><td> Manolo i Erigo </td><td> Brass Coast </td></tr>
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	<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: left;"><quote by="Liberty Pact Amendment, Proposed by Axos">The requirement that each signatory to the Liberty Pact enforce free trade with the other signatories should be replaced with a prohibition on embargos between members of the pact. Members of the Pact should trade with each other, but should be free to set their tariffs to best support themselves.</quote>		<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: left;"><quote by="Liberty Pact Amendment, Proposed by Axos">The requirement that each signatory to the Liberty Pact enforce free trade with the other signatories should be replaced with a prohibition on embargos between members of the pact. Members of the Pact should trade with each other, but should be free to set their tariffs to best support themselves.</quote>

	<quote by="Liberty Pact Amendment, Commonwealth (~~ammended~~)">We propose the creation of two degrees of membership. Members of the Pact will have full rights and voting ability. Signatories will be protected by the Liberty Pact, and have the rights due all members, but will not be permitted to raise amendments or vote."</quote>		<quote by="Liberty Pact Amendment, Commonwealth (amended)">We propose the creation of two degrees of membership. Members of the Pact will have full rights and voting ability. Signatories will be protected by the Liberty Pact, and have the rights due all members, but will not be permitted to raise amendments or vote."</quote>
	</div>		</div>
	The first was a motion to [[My_soul_at_liberty#Amend_Trade_Requirements_(Axos)\|remove the requirement of free trade]] put forward by the Axos delegation. This apparently passed unanimously; each nation favours being able to set their own [[tariffs]] in trade with other signatory nations. The only restriction is that no member of the Liberty Pact will [[Tariffs#Embargo\|embargo]] trade with any other.		The first was a motion to [[My_soul_at_liberty#Amend_Trade_Requirements_(Axos)\|remove the requirement of free trade]] put forward by the Axos delegation. This apparently passed unanimously; each nation favours being able to set their own [[tariffs]] in trade with other signatory nations. The only restriction is that no member of the Liberty Pact will [[Tariffs#Embargo\|embargo]] trade with any other.
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	While Axos left the Liberty Pact meeting satisfied, neither the Sumaah negotiator nor the representative from the Commonwealth were able to return home with good news. Both great powers have been unhappy with the role played by Axos in recent years, and the confusion at the meeting has only compounded that. Both are now resigned to the fact that the latest changes will make it virtually impossible to sideline Axos in the future - both are questioning whether the Liberty Pact still serves their interests.		While Axos left the Liberty Pact meeting satisfied, neither the Sumaah negotiator nor the representative from the Commonwealth were able to return home with good news. Both great powers have been unhappy with the role played by Axos in recent years, and the confusion at the meeting has only compounded that. Both are now resigned to the fact that the latest changes will make it virtually impossible to sideline Axos in the future - both are questioning whether the Liberty Pact still serves their interests.

	After seeking the advice of the High House of Wisdom, ~~Oxitocszin~~, Censor of wood, metal and stone, has come to the conclusion that the four nations who form its backbone can only come to anything approaching unanimous agreement on matters of slavery. Attempting to bring the four nations closer politically outside of that singular shared goal is doomed to failure. Their proposal to [[My_soul_at_liberty#Centring_the_Way_(Sumaah)\|centre the Way]] could ''never'' achieve a majority because two of the nations are composed entirely of heretics and blasphemers. The Commonwealth effort to [[My_soul_at_liberty#Status_of_Axos_(Commonwealth)\|redefine the position of Axos]] was likewise unlikely to be achievable because the Empire would vote to protect its protégé. Axos' frustration that the Liberty Pact prevents them seeking diplomatic ties with the [[Principalities of Jarm]], and their [[My_soul_at_liberty#Remove_Jarmish_Embargo_(Axos)\|attempts to remove the embargo]] will always fail while Sumaah and the Commonwealth both have their own reasons for wanting to prevent others trading with them.		After seeking the advice of the High House of Wisdom, Oxtitocszin, Censor of wood, metal and stone, has come to the conclusion that the four nations who form its backbone can only come to anything approaching unanimous agreement on matters of slavery. Attempting to bring the four nations closer politically outside of that singular shared goal is doomed to failure. Their proposal to [[My_soul_at_liberty#Centring_the_Way_(Sumaah)\|centre the Way]] could ''never'' achieve a majority because two of the nations are composed entirely of heretics and blasphemers. The Commonwealth effort to [[My_soul_at_liberty#Status_of_Axos_(Commonwealth)\|redefine the position of Axos]] was likewise unlikely to be achievable because the Empire would vote to protect its protégé. Axos' frustration that the Liberty Pact prevents them seeking diplomatic ties with the [[Principalities of Jarm]], and their [[My_soul_at_liberty#Remove_Jarmish_Embargo_(Axos)\|attempts to remove the embargo]] will always fail while Sumaah and the Commonwealth both have their own reasons for wanting to prevent others trading with them.

	In the view of Oxtitocszin, the real problem is that the Liberty Pact has fundamentally achieved what it set out to accomplish. The international trade in slaves, which has immiserated countless Virtuous souls for millennia, has been broken. Torn to pieces by the combined martial power of three great empires, it is no more. [[Burning#Rachensgrab\|Rachensgrab]] is destroyed, [[There_is_thunder\|Chalonsio]] was sacked. Sarcophan, the largest trading nation in the world, abandoned the practice; Axos and half a dozen lesser nations just like them outlawed it.		In the view of Oxtitocszin, the real problem is that the Liberty Pact has fundamentally achieved what it set out to accomplish. The international trade in slaves, which has immiserated countless Virtuous souls for millennia, has been broken. Torn to pieces by the combined martial power of three great empires, it is no more. [[Burning#Rachensgrab\|Rachensgrab]] is destroyed, [[There_is_thunder\|Chalonsio]] was sacked. Sarcophan, the largest trading nation in the world, abandoned the practice; Axos and half a dozen lesser nations just like them outlawed it.
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	===Moving Forward===		===Moving Forward===
	* '''Sumaah proposes returning the Pact to its roots and celebrating its successes		* '''Sumaah proposes returning the Pact to its roots and celebrating its successes
	It seems that both the Commonwealth and Sumaah have arrived at the point where they feel the Liberty Pact has outlived its usefulness. With the support of the High House of Wisdom, ~~Oxitocszin~~ has put forward a proposal for consideration by the other members of the Pact. The core idea is that the Sumaah plan to retire their Voice of Liberty and suggest other nations consider doing the same. The Pact ''must'' continue to exist, it's existence is still working to end slavery; it is the meetings that are not working.		It seems that both the Commonwealth and Sumaah have arrived at the point where they feel the Liberty Pact has outlived its usefulness. With the support of the High House of Wisdom, Oxtitocszin has put forward a proposal for consideration by the other members of the Pact. The core idea is that the Sumaah plan to retire their Voice of Liberty and suggest other nations consider doing the same. The Pact ''must'' continue to exist, it's existence is still working to end slavery; it is the meetings that are not working.

	It is those meetings that ~~Oxitocszin~~ suggests can simply stop. It is expensive and risky to send delegates to a meeting that is achieving nothing - resources both Sumaah and the Commonwealth would rather devote to fighting their enemies. If the situation changes, if the threat of the slave trade rises again, then anyone can call the Pact together to propose how to respond. But absent such a threat, the House of the People simply do not see any value in further meetings.		It is those meetings that Oxtitocszin suggests can simply stop. It is expensive and risky to send delegates to a meeting that is achieving nothing - resources both Sumaah and the Commonwealth would rather devote to fighting their enemies. If the situation changes, if the threat of the slave trade rises again, then anyone can call the Pact together to propose how to respond. But absent such a threat, the House of the People simply do not see any value in further meetings.

	Henceforth, ~~Oxitocszin~~ will handle all matters relating to the Pact on behalf of the Sumaah, and by letter where possible. The decision to put the Sumaah Ambassador to the Empire in charge of this reflects the simple historical reality - that the Empire was the driving force behind the creation of the Liberty Pact and that with few significant exceptions, every meeting of the Pact has always happened in the Empire. The Sumaah are perfectly satisfied with that arrangement - they simply plan to formalise it.		Henceforth, Oxtitocszin will handle all matters relating to the Pact on behalf of the Sumaah, and by letter where possible. The decision to put the Sumaah Ambassador to the Empire in charge of this reflects the simple historical reality - that the Empire was the driving force behind the creation of the Liberty Pact and that with few significant exceptions, every meeting of the Pact has always happened in the Empire. The Sumaah are perfectly satisfied with that arrangement - they simply plan to formalise it.

	They suggest that the other members of the Pact do likewise. If a meeting ''must'' be held, then it will be the ambassadors that meet. They will take their amendments to their own governments for ratification, and they should only amend the pact when all voting members agree. That last element is crucial in ~~Oxitocszin~~'s view. If a member of this alliance does not agree, then that decision should not be forced on them. All that would happen if the Pact tried to force Sumaah to compromise their religious beliefs is that Sumaah would leave the Pact.		They suggest that the other members of the Pact do likewise. If a meeting ''must'' be held, then it will be the ambassadors that meet. They will take their amendments to their own governments for ratification, and they should only amend the pact when all voting members agree. That last element is crucial in Oxtitocszin's view. If a member of this alliance does not agree, then that decision should not be forced on them. All that would happen if the Pact tried to force Sumaah to compromise their religious beliefs is that Sumaah would leave the Pact.

	If that happened, if the Pact were to shatter, then that is the one thing that could reverse the Liberty Pact's victory. If the Pact were to visibly fail, then the slave trade might yet return. But if members of the Pact stop trying to endlessly tweak the terms of the Pact (and ~~Oxitocszin~~ cheerfully accepts that the Sumaah have been as guilty of this as anyone else), then it can continue to serve its purpose.		If that happened, if the Pact were to shatter, then that is the one thing that could reverse the Liberty Pact's victory. If the Pact were to visibly fail, then the slave trade might yet return. But if members of the Pact stop trying to endlessly tweak the terms of the Pact (and Oxtitocszin cheerfully accepts that the Sumaah have been as guilty of this as anyone else), then it can continue to serve its purpose.

	~~Oxitocszin~~ has made these suggestions to the other nations, as well as the Empire, and awaits responses from the three.		Oxtitocszin has made these suggestions to the other nations, as well as the Empire, and awaits responses from the three.
	==Joining Virtue and Magic==		==Joining Virtue and Magic==
	<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=OrderCelestialArch.jpg\|align=left\|width=200}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=OrderCelestialArch.jpg\|align=left\|width=200}}</div>
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	Within the republic [[Sumaah_Republic#Magic\|magic and magicians]] are generally the purview of the High Houses. Each of the virtuous assemblies has a cadre of ritual magicians who support the präster with [[enchantment\|enchantments]] and [[divination\|divinations]]. As a whole, Sumaah places an emphasis on less supernatural means of resolving problems; many citizens of the Republic prefer to avoid magic altogether; they would rather receive the blessings of the faith in the form of [[Religious skills#Anointing\|anointing]] or [[Religious skills#Hallow\|hallows]] than the magical effects of a ritual. This means that the Republic lags behind the rest of the world in terms of magical might. It makes up for this by having more ''organized'' magical traditions than any other nation with the possible exception of the [[Commonwealth]], but organisation can only achieve so much.		Within the republic [[Sumaah_Republic#Magic\|magic and magicians]] are generally the purview of the High Houses. Each of the virtuous assemblies has a cadre of ritual magicians who support the präster with [[enchantment\|enchantments]] and [[divination\|divinations]]. As a whole, Sumaah places an emphasis on less supernatural means of resolving problems; many citizens of the Republic prefer to avoid magic altogether; they would rather receive the blessings of the faith in the form of [[Religious skills#Anointing\|anointing]] or [[Religious skills#Hallow\|hallows]] than the magical effects of a ritual. This means that the Republic lags behind the rest of the world in terms of magical might. It makes up for this by having more ''organized'' magical traditions than any other nation with the possible exception of the [[Commonwealth]], but organisation can only achieve so much.

	After discussion with representatives of the High Houses, and with the House of the People, ~~Oxitocszin~~ has agreed that some form of joint effort relating to magic could be considered. It would need the Imperial Senate to arrange an [[appraisal]], selecting a single proposal from the agreed list. The präster would work with the [[Civil Service\|civil service]] to ensure that any magical cooperation was undertaken in such a way that it did not cause problems for either nation. The Senate would need to appoint an appropriate prognosticator, and should plan for them to be busy in Sumaah for at least nine months given the distances involved. Because of the nature of the appraisal, it would create an opportunity for the Conclave to [[Grandmaster#Guiding_an_Order\|guide an order]] to support the appraisal, directing the appraisal in accordance with their manifesto and beliefs.		After discussion with representatives of the High Houses, and with the House of the People, Oxtitocszin has agreed that some form of joint effort relating to magic could be considered. It would need the Imperial Senate to arrange an [[appraisal]], selecting a single proposal from the agreed list. The präster would work with the [[Civil Service\|civil service]] to ensure that any magical cooperation was undertaken in such a way that it did not cause problems for either nation. The Senate would need to appoint an appropriate prognosticator, and should plan for them to be busy in Sumaah for at least nine months given the distances involved. Because of the nature of the appraisal, it would create an opportunity for the Conclave to [[Grandmaster#Guiding_an_Order\|guide an order]] to support the appraisal, directing the appraisal in accordance with their manifesto and beliefs.

	The Sumaah have ruled out some items on Accolon's list; there is no interest in exploring the nature of astronomancy with the Empire. The Sumaah have their own traditions, but view magic that draws on the powers of the constellations to be a form of [[aspect magic]], something that is at best [[heresy]] and arguably strays into [[blasphemy]]. As such, no reputable Sumaah magician would openly practice astronomancy, even if they might have some mild academic interest in the matter. The idea of working with Imperial magicians against the Asavean menace is more appealing in theory, but unfortunately when the High Houses studied the assessment of the [[opportunity]] provided by the präster in the High House of Wisdom, they determined that the costs were simply too high. Sadly, it would require too many skilled war-magicians to be pulled from the front line against the Asaveans.		The Sumaah have ruled out some items on Accolon's list; there is no interest in exploring the nature of astronomancy with the Empire. The Sumaah have their own traditions, but view magic that draws on the powers of the constellations to be a form of [[aspect magic]], something that is at best [[heresy]] and arguably strays into [[blasphemy]]. As such, no reputable Sumaah magician would openly practice astronomancy, even if they might have some mild academic interest in the matter. The idea of working with Imperial magicians against the Asavean menace is more appealing in theory, but unfortunately when the High Houses studied the assessment of the [[opportunity]] provided by the präster in the High House of Wisdom, they determined that the costs were simply too high. Sadly, it would require too many skilled war-magicians to be pulled from the front line against the Asaveans.

	This opportunity is only available until the end of the Spring Equinox 388YE - events in Sumaah are in flux at the moment and ~~Oxitocszin~~ cannot be confident that they would be able to arrange support for it after that time.		This opportunity is only available until the end of the Spring Equinox 388YE - events in Sumaah are in flux at the moment and Oxtitocszin cannot be confident that they would be able to arrange support for it after that time.
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