Strangers when we meet - Revision history

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial Conclave" to "[[Conclave"

2026-01-15T16:57:58Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Conclave" to "[[Conclave"

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:57, 15 January 2026
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	Yet there is still interest in some parts of the Principalities in exploring the Empire's ritual lore. While the Magician-Princes are proud of their mastery of ritual magic, there are few so foolish to imagine they know everything there is to know. With the best will in the world, though, Lord-Magister Anton stresses that access to Imperial Lore is significantly less valuable a boon to the Jarmish than it was to the Commonwealth. Certainly access to rituals such as [[Brotherhood of Tian]] are valuable, but hardly as significant a deal as granting the Commonwealth access to powerful military enchantments has proven.		Yet there is still interest in some parts of the Principalities in exploring the Empire's ritual lore. While the Magician-Princes are proud of their mastery of ritual magic, there are few so foolish to imagine they know everything there is to know. With the best will in the world, though, Lord-Magister Anton stresses that access to Imperial Lore is significantly less valuable a boon to the Jarmish than it was to the Commonwealth. Certainly access to rituals such as [[Brotherhood of Tian]] are valuable, but hardly as significant a deal as granting the Commonwealth access to powerful military enchantments has proven.

	Right now this is all theoretical anyway, with the existing embargo and the Ambassador's apparent lack of interest in resuming trade between the two nations. But if the matter of the embargo were resolved, then Lord-Magister Anton has been authorised to discuss trading a selection of Jarmish rituals to the Empire in return for a degree of access for magicians from the Principalities to Imperial Lore... on the understanding that these rituals would become part of [[Urizen lore]] rather than be subject to the will of the Conclave itself. It is the understanding of the Jarmish Ambassador that the [[eternal]] ''[[Phaleron\|Värelev Arhiiv]]'' is involved in some fashion and might be persuaded to oversee such an arrangement. Perhaps the Ambassador, the [[~~Imperial~~ Conclave]] itself, or the people of [[Urizen]] would like to discuss the matter?		Right now this is all theoretical anyway, with the existing embargo and the Ambassador's apparent lack of interest in resuming trade between the two nations. But if the matter of the embargo were resolved, then Lord-Magister Anton has been authorised to discuss trading a selection of Jarmish rituals to the Empire in return for a degree of access for magicians from the Principalities to Imperial Lore... on the understanding that these rituals would become part of [[Urizen lore]] rather than be subject to the will of the Conclave itself. It is the understanding of the Jarmish Ambassador that the [[eternal]] ''[[Phaleron\|Värelev Arhiiv]]'' is involved in some fashion and might be persuaded to oversee such an arrangement. Perhaps the Ambassador, the [[Conclave]] itself, or the people of [[Urizen]] would like to discuss the matter?

	==War in the East==		==War in the East==

Matt at 08:25, 5 September 2025

2025-09-05T08:25:54Z

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	The Jarmish ambassador to the Empire is ''Lord-Magister Anton Trescher of the Hidden Hook'', who attends at the House of Princes. A canny and influential politician who has served the House of Princes for over forty years, he represents the Jarmish to the Empire and vice-versa. A potent master of Autumn magic, he is known for his sarcasm and dry wit, and for his commitment to the sovereignty of the Principalities he serves.		The Jarmish ambassador to the Empire is ''Lord-Magister Anton Trescher of the Hidden Hook'', who attends at the House of Princes. A canny and influential politician who has served the House of Princes for over forty years, he represents the Jarmish to the Empire and vice-versa. A potent master of Autumn magic, he is known for his sarcasm and dry wit, and for his commitment to the sovereignty of the Principalities he serves.
	{{Nation\|nation=Jarm\|status=Foreigner\|port=[[Principalities_of_Jarm_ports#Kavor_(Northern_Principalities_of_Jarm)\|Kavor]], [[Principalities_of_Jarm_ports#Vezak_(Southern_Principalities_of_Jarm)\|Vezak]], [[Principalities_of_Jarm_ports#Rigia_(Eastern_Principalities_of_Jarm)\|Rigia]] (all closed)\|ambassador=Damiàn i Martàn i Erigo of [[the Brass Coast]]}}		{{Nation\|nation=Jarm\|status=Foreigner\|port=[[Principalities_of_Jarm_ports#Kavor_(Northern_Principalities_of_Jarm)\|Kavor]], [[Principalities_of_Jarm_ports#Vezak_(Southern_Principalities_of_Jarm)\|Vezak]], [[Principalities_of_Jarm_ports#Rigia_(Eastern_Principalities_of_Jarm)\|Rigia]] (all closed)\|ambassador=Damiàn i Martàn i Erigo of [[the Brass Coast]]}}

	==Blocks to Trade==		==Blocks to Trade==
	* '''The Jarmish Ambassador despairs of engaging in constructive discussion with the Empire'''		* '''The Jarmish Ambassador despairs of engaging in constructive discussion with the Empire'''

Twiggy at 01:28, 7 August 2025

2025-08-07T01:28:25Z

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	The Freeborn Ambassador raises the possibility for a productive conversation around "shared faith" and, with a somewhat weary air, Lord-Magister Anton Trescher repeats what he has apparently said a number of times. Jarm and the Empire do not have a "shared faith" because unlike the Empire the Principalities embrace religious freedom. Spiritual beliefs are relevant only to the individual and it is equally acceptable to remain indifferent to religious matters as it is to wholeheartedly embrace the tenets of one creed or another, or anything in between. If the Empire wishes to learn more about how Sumaah efforts to convert the people of Jarm are going, then it should probably ask the Sumaah Republic.		The Freeborn Ambassador raises the possibility for a productive conversation around "shared faith" and, with a somewhat weary air, Lord-Magister Anton Trescher repeats what he has apparently said a number of times. Jarm and the Empire do not have a "shared faith" because unlike the Empire the Principalities embrace religious freedom. Spiritual beliefs are relevant only to the individual and it is equally acceptable to remain indifferent to religious matters as it is to wholeheartedly embrace the tenets of one creed or another, or anything in between. If the Empire wishes to learn more about how Sumaah efforts to convert the people of Jarm are going, then it should probably ask the Sumaah Republic.

	Obviously there is some middle-ground - Lord-Magister Trescher makes a reference to the ill-starred [[Limitu Principality House of the Way]] - but suggests that Jarmish followers of the Way probably want to ~~minimize~~ any connection between themselves and "pilgrims" in the Empire or the Republic given the way the current political winds seem set on blowing.		Obviously there is some middle-ground - Lord-Magister Trescher makes a reference to the ill-starred [[Limitu Principality House of the Way]] - but suggests that Jarmish followers of the Way probably want to minimise any connection between themselves and "pilgrims" in the Empire or the Republic given the way the current political winds seem set on blowing.

	There is one spiritual matter that may be relevant however, although the Jarmish Ambassador considers it an amusing anecdote rather than anything of pressing diplomatic business. In the last few weeks no fewer than three astrologers of the Ministerial class have contacted him about "dire portents" related to the Empire. Their divinations suggest that there is "something untoward" growing in or near the Empire that threatens doom to one of the nations there - although when pressed for details they are infuriatingly vague as astrologers so often are. They can't even be certain that it is an Imperial nation that is threatened or one of the nations that fall in its "sphere of influence"; they aren't even agreed on whether this is a singular threat or a general air of catastrophe. But it was apparently clear enough that they felt they should let the ambassador to the Empire know what their divinations have "revealed." An amused Trescher suggests the Ambassador may wish to consult their own astrologers with regards to this matter.		There is one spiritual matter that may be relevant however, although the Jarmish Ambassador considers it an amusing anecdote rather than anything of pressing diplomatic business. In the last few weeks no fewer than three astrologers of the Ministerial class have contacted him about "dire portents" related to the Empire. Their divinations suggest that there is "something untoward" growing in or near the Empire that threatens doom to one of the nations there - although when pressed for details they are infuriatingly vague as astrologers so often are. They can't even be certain that it is an Imperial nation that is threatened or one of the nations that fall in its "sphere of influence"; they aren't even agreed on whether this is a singular threat or a general air of catastrophe. But it was apparently clear enough that they felt they should let the ambassador to the Empire know what their divinations have "revealed." An amused Trescher suggests the Ambassador may wish to consult their own astrologers with regards to this matter.

Vsabo: /* Overview */

2025-07-17T22:35:28Z

Overview

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	One of the six great powers, the [[Principalities of Jarm]] are no friends to the Empire. The ''magocracy'', ruled by the House of Princes resents what it claims are repeated attempts by Imperial citizens to interfere with its interests. Via the [[Liberty Pact]], the Empire is allied with Jarm's enemies, the [[Commonwealth]], and open war now rages between the two great nations. They may not be at war with the Empire, but they know that Imperial citizens and the Imperial Conclave in particular have provided significant assistance to their rivals. Communications tend to be brusque, bordering on the curt.		One of the six great powers, the [[Principalities of Jarm]] are no friends to the Empire. The ''magocracy'', ruled by the House of Princes resents what it claims are repeated attempts by Imperial citizens to interfere with its interests. Via the [[Liberty Pact]], the Empire is allied with Jarm's enemies, the [[Commonwealth]], and open war now rages between the two great nations. They may not be at war with the Empire, but they know that Imperial citizens and the Imperial Conclave in particular have provided significant assistance to their rivals. Communications tend to be brusque, bordering on the curt.

	The Jarmish ambassador to the Empire is ''Lord-Magister Anton Trescher of the Hidden Hook'', ~~Who~~ attends at the House of Princes. A canny and influential politician who has served the House of Princes for over forty years, he represents the Jarmish to the Empire and vice-versa. A potent master of Autumn magic, he is known for his sarcasm and dry wit, and for his commitment to the sovereignty of the Principalities he serves.		The Jarmish ambassador to the Empire is ''Lord-Magister Anton Trescher of the Hidden Hook'', who attends at the House of Princes. A canny and influential politician who has served the House of Princes for over forty years, he represents the Jarmish to the Empire and vice-versa. A potent master of Autumn magic, he is known for his sarcasm and dry wit, and for his commitment to the sovereignty of the Principalities he serves.
	{{Nation\|nation=Jarm\|status=Foreigner\|port=[[Principalities_of_Jarm_ports#Kavor_(Northern_Principalities_of_Jarm)\|Kavor]], [[Principalities_of_Jarm_ports#Vezak_(Southern_Principalities_of_Jarm)\|Vezak]], [[Principalities_of_Jarm_ports#Rigia_(Eastern_Principalities_of_Jarm)\|Rigia]] (all closed)\|ambassador=Damiàn i Martàn i Erigo of [[the Brass Coast]]}}		{{Nation\|nation=Jarm\|status=Foreigner\|port=[[Principalities_of_Jarm_ports#Kavor_(Northern_Principalities_of_Jarm)\|Kavor]], [[Principalities_of_Jarm_ports#Vezak_(Southern_Principalities_of_Jarm)\|Vezak]], [[Principalities_of_Jarm_ports#Rigia_(Eastern_Principalities_of_Jarm)\|Rigia]] (all closed)\|ambassador=Damiàn i Martàn i Erigo of [[the Brass Coast]]}}

	==Blocks to Trade==		==Blocks to Trade==
	* '''The Jarmish Ambassador despairs of engaging in constructive discussion with the Empire'''		* '''The Jarmish Ambassador despairs of engaging in constructive discussion with the Empire'''

Twiggy at 19:02, 15 July 2025

2025-07-15T19:02:35Z

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	"It's specifically concerned with sweetwater and... some sort of delicacy they make by burying vegetables in the ground. Is that a thing?"		"It's specifically concerned with sweetwater and... some sort of delicacy they make by burying vegetables in the ground. Is that a thing?"

	He didn't answer her question, just made a rumbling noise in his throat and said something she didn't catch under her breath. He looked at her for the first time and she felt sweat break out on her brow. He wasn't angry, but neither was ~~his~~ happy, his face a carefully constructed mask that gave nothing away.		He didn't answer her question, just made a rumbling noise in his throat and said something she didn't catch under her breath. He looked at her for the first time and she felt sweat break out on her brow. He wasn't angry, but neither was he happy, his face a carefully constructed mask that gave nothing away.

	"What the House of Princes so often fails to understand is that ''wanting'' something and it being ''true'' are not the same thing. They can ''want'' trade routes re-opened and reassurances all they like but we cannot pull them out of our sleeves on command. Diplomacy requires accommodation and pragmatism and you cannot easily ''force'' people who do not fear you to compromise or be practical. Especially not people who are deafened by their own righteousness. But try telling that to the Magician-Princes who want their sweetwater and their... whatever that thing is called. It sounds dreadful."		"What the House of Princes so often fails to understand is that ''wanting'' something and it being ''true'' are not the same thing. They can ''want'' trade routes re-opened and reassurances all they like but we cannot pull them out of our sleeves on command. Diplomacy requires accommodation and pragmatism and you cannot easily ''force'' people who do not fear you to compromise or be practical. Especially not people who are deafened by their own righteousness. But try telling that to the Magician-Princes who want their sweetwater and their... whatever that thing is called. It sounds dreadful."

Twiggy at 19:01, 15 July 2025

2025-07-15T19:01:22Z

Rafferty at 16:49, 15 July 2025

2025-07-15T16:49:05Z

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	==An Elephant in the Room==		==An Elephant in the Room==
	* '''In a candid moment Lord-Magican Trescher expresses some of his frustration with the Empire		* '''In a candid moment Lord-Magican Trescher expresses some of his frustration with the Empire
	There is one matter that Lord-Magister Anton is keen for the new Ambassador to understand. The one thing that is not going to change any time soon is the use of slaves in the Principalities to do all the work too dirty or degrading or wasteful for the Landfolk. Unlike some of the other nations however, the Imperial perception of Jarm as some benighted den of savagery is extremely simplistic. Their slave class arguably has more rights than the so-called "serfs" of their good friends in the Iron Confederacy do. It remains illegal to shed the blood of Jarm even if it belongs to someone who has been a slave all their life. There are opportunities for slaves to advance their class, primarily in the army, but they exist. Something that is also not true of the Suranni, for example.		There is one matter that Lord-Magister Anton is keen for the new Ambassador to understand. The one thing that is not going to change any time soon is the use of slaves in the Principalities to do all the work too dirty or degrading or wasteful for the Landfolk. Unlike some of the other nations however, the Imperial perception of Jarm as some benighted den of savagery is extremely simplistic. Their slave class arguably has more rights than the so-called "serfs" of their good friends in the [[Iron Confederacy]] do. It remains illegal to shed the blood of Jarm even if it belongs to someone who has been a slave all their life. There are opportunities for slaves to advance their class, primarily in the army, but they exist. Something that is also not true of the Suranni, for example.

	Jarm is not changing its attitude to slavery. The Empire has certainly helped cripple the international slave trade with their destruction of Rachensgrab, and the Jarmish Ambassador is not shy about acknowledging its impact. But the only thing that can cause a change of this magnitude in Jarm is for the Magician-Princes to decide it is what is best for them and for their nation. Something that is simply not going to happen soon - and will ''never'' happen as a result of outsiders demanding it. The Jarmish are at least as Proud as Imperials are and have been a unified nation (albeit for a given value of "unified" admittedly) longer than the Empire has existed, longer than the Commonwealth, Sumaah Republic, or the Sarcophan Delves. Is it any wonder they see common cause with the Asaveans who are the only people on the "world stage" that have been around as long as they have. Even though beyond their longevity the two nations do not actually have all that much in common, neither side tries to force their values on the other.		Jarm is not changing its attitude to slavery. The Empire has certainly helped cripple the international slave trade with their [[Burning#Rachensgrab\|destruction of Rachensgrab]], and the Jarmish Ambassador is not shy about acknowledging its impact. But the only thing that can cause a change of this magnitude in Jarm is for the Magician-Princes to decide it is what is best for them and for their nation. Something that is simply not going to happen soon - and will ''never'' happen as a result of outsiders demanding it. The Jarmish are at least as Proud as Imperials are and have been a unified nation (albeit for a given value of "unified" admittedly) longer than the Empire has existed, longer than the Commonwealth, Sumaah Republic, or the Sarcophan Delves. Is it any wonder they see common cause with the Asaveans who are the only people on the "world stage" that have been around as long as they have. Even though beyond their longevity the two nations do not actually have all that much in common, neither side tries to force their values on the other.

	Most of the principalities have a slightly unsophisticated attitude to [[orc\|orcs]] that both the Empire and the Commonwealth find distasteful. But Lord-Magister Anton reminds the Empire that up until very recently their allies in the Sumaah Republic simply executed any orcs that they didn't kill in battle. Most Jarmish have no more information about the Empire that the Empire has about them, and many are entirely unaware (and unconcerned) that the Imperial orcs or the Apulian orcs exist. In the past there were guidelines in place to accommodate orc visitors to the ports of Vezak and Kavor, but the Grendel have done more to convince the Magician-Princes that their blanket attitude to orcs always being slaves should change, than the Empire has in recent years. Indeed, suggests the Jarmish Ambassador, its been less than a century since the ''Empire'' treated orcs as anything other than enemies to be killed or property to be enslaved; how can it appoint itself an authority on the best way to deal with them?		Most of the principalities have a slightly unsophisticated attitude to [[orc\|orcs]] that both the Empire and the Commonwealth find distasteful. But Lord-Magister Anton reminds the Empire that up until very recently their allies in the Sumaah Republic simply executed any orcs that they didn't kill in battle. Most Jarmish have no more information about the Empire that the Empire has about them, and many are entirely unaware (and unconcerned) that the Imperial orcs or the Apulian orcs exist. In the past there were guidelines in place to accommodate orc visitors to the ports of Vezak and Kavor, but the Grendel have done more to convince the Magician-Princes that their blanket attitude to orcs always being slaves should change, than the Empire has in recent years. Indeed, suggests the Jarmish Ambassador, its been less than a century since the ''Empire'' treated orcs as anything other than enemies to be killed or property to be enslaved; how can it appoint itself an authority on the best way to deal with them?

Dre at 16:45, 15 July 2025

2025-07-15T16:45:18Z

Show changes

Rafferty at 16:38, 15 July 2025

2025-07-15T16:38:14Z

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	It is the understanding of Lord-Magister Trescher that the Commonwealth secured their unfettered access to Imperial Lore by making gifts of their own ritual texts to the Empire. The Jarmish Ambassador wishes to point out that as a centuries-old magocracy, the Jarmish have significantly more rituals - and more diverse rituals - than the Commonwealth with their singular focus on war and oppression do. The ambassador expresses regret that the Principalities cannot share their ritual lore with the Empire even if they wanted to. While the embargo specifically applies to ships visiting Imperial ports, the ''spirit'' of the tariffs seems to suggest the Empire does not desire ''any'' trade from the Principalities. Worse, any ritual texts the Jarmish House of Princes arranged to be shared with the Empire would then immediately become available to their enemies. A thorny conundrum.		It is the understanding of Lord-Magister Trescher that the Commonwealth secured their unfettered access to Imperial Lore by making gifts of their own ritual texts to the Empire. The Jarmish Ambassador wishes to point out that as a centuries-old magocracy, the Jarmish have significantly more rituals - and more diverse rituals - than the Commonwealth with their singular focus on war and oppression do. The ambassador expresses regret that the Principalities cannot share their ritual lore with the Empire even if they wanted to. While the embargo specifically applies to ships visiting Imperial ports, the ''spirit'' of the tariffs seems to suggest the Empire does not desire ''any'' trade from the Principalities. Worse, any ritual texts the Jarmish House of Princes arranged to be shared with the Empire would then immediately become available to their enemies. A thorny conundrum.
	<div style="float:right; width: ~~400px~~; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=NBUrizen.jpg\|caption=The Jarmish are interested in the potential of Urizen Lore.\|align=right\|width=~~400~~}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=NBUrizen.jpg\|caption=The Jarmish are interested in the potential of Urizen Lore.\|align=right\|width=200}}</div>
	Yet there is still interest in some parts of the Principalities in exploring the Empire's ritual lore. While the Magician-Princes are proud of their mastery of ritual magic, there are few so foolish to imagine they know everything there is to know. With the best will in the world, though, Lord-Magister Anton stresses that access to Imperial Lore is significantly less valuable a boon to the Jarmish than it was to the Commonwealth. Certainly access to rituals such as [[Brotherhood of Tian]] are valuable, but hardly as significant a deal as granting the Commonwealth access to powerful military enchantments has proven.		Yet there is still interest in some parts of the Principalities in exploring the Empire's ritual lore. While the Magician-Princes are proud of their mastery of ritual magic, there are few so foolish to imagine they know everything there is to know. With the best will in the world, though, Lord-Magister Anton stresses that access to Imperial Lore is significantly less valuable a boon to the Jarmish than it was to the Commonwealth. Certainly access to rituals such as [[Brotherhood of Tian]] are valuable, but hardly as significant a deal as granting the Commonwealth access to powerful military enchantments has proven.

Rafferty at 16:37, 15 July 2025

2025-07-15T16:37:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:37, 15 July 2025
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	It is the understanding of Lord-Magister Trescher that the Commonwealth secured their unfettered access to Imperial Lore by making gifts of their own ritual texts to the Empire. The Jarmish Ambassador wishes to point out that as a centuries-old magocracy, the Jarmish have significantly more rituals - and more diverse rituals - than the Commonwealth with their singular focus on war and oppression do. The ambassador expresses regret that the Principalities cannot share their ritual lore with the Empire even if they wanted to. While the embargo specifically applies to ships visiting Imperial ports, the ''spirit'' of the tariffs seems to suggest the Empire does not desire ''any'' trade from the Principalities. Worse, any ritual texts the Jarmish House of Princes arranged to be shared with the Empire would then immediately become available to their enemies. A thorny conundrum.		It is the understanding of Lord-Magister Trescher that the Commonwealth secured their unfettered access to Imperial Lore by making gifts of their own ritual texts to the Empire. The Jarmish Ambassador wishes to point out that as a centuries-old magocracy, the Jarmish have significantly more rituals - and more diverse rituals - than the Commonwealth with their singular focus on war and oppression do. The ambassador expresses regret that the Principalities cannot share their ritual lore with the Empire even if they wanted to. While the embargo specifically applies to ships visiting Imperial ports, the ''spirit'' of the tariffs seems to suggest the Empire does not desire ''any'' trade from the Principalities. Worse, any ritual texts the Jarmish House of Princes arranged to be shared with the Empire would then immediately become available to their enemies. A thorny conundrum.
			<div style="float:right; width: 400px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=NBUrizen.jpg\|caption=The Jarmish are interested in the potential of Urizen Lore.\|align=right\|width=400}}</div>
	Yet there is still interest in some parts of the Principalities in exploring the Empire's ritual lore. While the Magician-Princes are proud of their mastery of ritual magic, there are few so foolish to imagine they know everything there is to know. With the best will in the world, though, Lord-Magister Anton stresses that access to Imperial Lore is significantly less valuable a boon to the Jarmish than it was to the Commonwealth. Certainly access to rituals such as [[Brotherhood of Tian]] are valuable, but hardly as significant a deal as granting the Commonwealth access to powerful military enchantments has proven.		Yet there is still interest in some parts of the Principalities in exploring the Empire's ritual lore. While the Magician-Princes are proud of their mastery of ritual magic, there are few so foolish to imagine they know everything there is to know. With the best will in the world, though, Lord-Magister Anton stresses that access to Imperial Lore is significantly less valuable a boon to the Jarmish than it was to the Commonwealth. Certainly access to rituals such as [[Brotherhood of Tian]] are valuable, but hardly as significant a deal as granting the Commonwealth access to powerful military enchantments has proven.

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	[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:387YE Summer]][[Category:Recent History]][[Category:Foreign Nations]]		[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:387YE Summer]][[Category:Recent History]][[Category:Foreign Nations]]
	<ic>There was a flutter of unseen wings as it arrived, a whisper-thin touch of something soft against her cheek as the letter plopped onto the desk, and the rush of wind as the messenger departed. It was the third such delivery of the day, the eighth this week, and despite having worked here for less than a ~~moth~~, Bozena had already learned to dread their contents. She used the silver letter opener to unseal the missive. She grunted in exasperation as she read it, shaking her head more than once.		<ic>There was a flutter of unseen wings as it arrived, a whisper-thin touch of something soft against her cheek as the letter plopped onto the desk, and the rush of wind as the messenger departed. It was the third such delivery of the day, the eighth this week, and despite having worked here for less than a month, Bozena had already learned to dread their contents. She used the silver letter opener to unseal the missive. She grunted in exasperation as she read it, shaking her head more than once.

	"Why are people so stupid?" She only realised she had spoken out loud when a deep man's voice spoke behind her in answer.		"Why are people so stupid?" She only realised she had spoken out loud when a deep man's voice spoke behind her in answer.
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	He swept out, and as the door closed behind him, Bozena allowed herself a brief exhalation of relief and relaxed back into her chair. She fumbled for her drawer, selected a plump cherry doused in sherbert and popped it into her mouth.		He swept out, and as the door closed behind him, Bozena allowed herself a brief exhalation of relief and relaxed back into her chair. She fumbled for her drawer, selected a plump cherry doused in sherbert and popped it into her mouth.

	"Oh one last thing." She stiffened. Her celebration ~~was~~ obviously been very premature and while she'd assumed the Lord-Magister had left her office he had in fact paused in the doorway holding the door open a crack. "I would advise you never to let me catch you calling one of the Magician-Princes ''stupid'' again. I will allow it to pass this time as you are new, but you had best mind your manners even when you think nobody is listening. Because someone is ''always'' listening in a place like this."		"Oh one last thing." She stiffened. Her celebration had obviously been very premature, and while she'd assumed the Lord-Magister had left her office, he had in fact paused in the doorway holding the door open a crack. "I would advise you never to let me catch you calling one of the Magician-Princes ''stupid'' again. I will allow it to pass this time as you are new, but you had best mind your manners even when you think nobody is listening. Because someone is ''always'' listening in a place like this."

	With that he was gone, leaving Bozena shivering slightly and mentally deciding that she needed at least three more ~~sherbert~~ cherries to settle her nerves.</ic>		With that he was gone, leaving Bozena shivering slightly and mentally deciding that she needed at least three more sherbet cherries to settle her nerves.</ic>
	<div style="float:left; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Cherries.jpg\|caption=The Principalities of Jarm are an old, wealthy nation of powerful magicians and complex politics.\|align=left\|width=400}}</div>		<div style="float:left; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Cherries.jpg\|caption=The Principalities of Jarm are an old, wealthy nation of powerful magicians and complex politics.\|align=left\|width=400}}</div>
	==Overview==		==Overview==
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	In a recent missive, the Ambassador to Jarm apparently suggested that the primary roadblock in securing trade ties between the Empire and the Principalities lies with Imperial membership the [[Liberty Pact]]. While the Principalities of Jarm remain signatory to the "Freedom Accords" and continue the practice of slavery, any trade between the great powers is seemingly impossible.		In a recent missive, the Ambassador to Jarm apparently suggested that the primary roadblock in securing trade ties between the Empire and the Principalities lies with Imperial membership the [[Liberty Pact]]. While the Principalities of Jarm remain signatory to the "Freedom Accords" and continue the practice of slavery, any trade between the great powers is seemingly impossible.

	After ~~come~~ consideration of this claim, the Lord-Magister has responded with a refutation. From the version of the Liberty Pact that Trescher has seen, the [[Voice_of_Liberty#Principles\|principles]] of the Pact require that "''The signatory nations... place economic or trade sanctions '''of their own choosing''' on nations defined as slaving nations.''" Certainly the Pact has since been [[Voice_of_Liberty#Summer_384YE_Amendments\|amended]] to specifically call for a [[Tariffs#Embargo\|trade embargo]] on the Principalities, but the Jarmish ambassador cynically suggests that this is simply a sign the [[Commonwealth]] are throwing their weight around as they are wont to do. Why are no other ~~embargos~~ enshrined in the Pact? What is it about the Jarmish that the Liberty Pact finds so much more threatening than, say, the Asaveans or the Grendel? This embargo against Jarm is not in the Empire's interests, says the Lord-Magister, and is being forced on them by their so-called allies, the warmongering militocracy to the south.		After some consideration of this claim, the Lord-Magister has responded with a refutation. From the version of the Liberty Pact that Trescher has seen, the [[Voice_of_Liberty#Principles\|principles]] of the Pact require that "''The signatory nations... place economic or trade sanctions '''of their own choosing''' on nations defined as slaving nations.''" Certainly the Pact has since been [[Voice_of_Liberty#Summer_384YE_Amendments\|amended]] to specifically call for a [[Tariffs#Embargo\|trade embargo]] on the Principalities, but the Jarmish ambassador cynically suggests that this is simply a sign the [[Commonwealth]] are throwing their weight around as they are wont to do. Why are no other embargoes enshrined in the Pact? What is it about the Jarmish that the Liberty Pact finds so much more threatening than, say, the Asaveans or the Grendel? This embargo against Jarm is not in the Empire's interests, says the Lord-Magister, and is being forced on them by their so-called allies, the warmongering militocracy to the south.

	Furthermore, the ambassador stressing that it is the Jarmish membership of the "Liberty Pact" that causes problems is easily interpreted, yet again, as the Empire desperately wanting to involve itself in matters of nations beyond their borders. What does it matter to the Empire that the Jarmish feel they have more in common with those targeted by the Liberty Pact members than with those who practically refuse to talk to them? Who constantly try to disrupt and upend their culture and society because it does not match the arbitrary mores of the Empire?		Furthermore, the ambassador stressing that it is the Jarmish membership of the "Liberty Pact" that causes problems is easily interpreted, yet again, as the Empire desperately wanting to involve itself in matters of nations beyond their borders. What does it matter to the Empire that the Jarmish feel they have more in common with those targeted by the Liberty Pact members than with those who practically refuse to talk to them? Who constantly try to disrupt and upend their culture and society because it does not match the arbitrary mores of the Empire?
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	==An Elephant in the Room==		==An Elephant in the Room==
	* '''In a candid moment Lord-~~Magican~~ Trescher expresses some of his frustration with the Empire		* '''In a candid moment Lord-Magister Trescher expresses some of his frustration with the Empire
	There is one matter that Lord-Magister Anton is keen for the new Ambassador to understand. The one thing that is not going to change any time soon is the use of slaves in the Principalities to do all the work too dirty or degrading or wasteful for the Landfolk. Unlike some of the other nations however, the Imperial perception of Jarm as some benighted den of savagery is extremely simplistic. Their slave class arguably has more rights than the so-called "serfs" of their good friends in the [[Iron Confederacy]] do. It remains illegal to shed the blood of Jarm even if it belongs to someone who has been a slave all their life. There are opportunities for slaves to advance their class, primarily in the army, but they exist. Something that is also not true of the Suranni, for example.		There is one matter that Lord-Magister Anton is keen for the new Ambassador to understand. The one thing that is not going to change any time soon is the use of slaves in the Principalities to do all the work too dirty or degrading or wasteful for the Landfolk. Unlike some of the other nations however, the Imperial perception of Jarm as some benighted den of savagery is extremely simplistic. Their slave class arguably has more rights than the so-called "serfs" of their good friends in the [[Iron Confederacy]] do. It remains illegal to shed the blood of Jarm even if it belongs to someone who has been a slave all their life. There are opportunities for slaves to advance their class, primarily in the army, but they exist. Something that is also not true of the Suranni, for example.