Ambassador to Asavea
Overview
The Ambassador to Asavea is an Imperial title. It is an Imperial position appointed by the Senate. The Asavean embassy to the Empire stands in Sarvos, maintained by a skeletal staff who keep themselves very much to themselves. Likewise, only a handful of civil servants are posted to the Imperial embassy in Nemoria, where morale is apparently quite low.
For years, relations between the Empire and Assavea had been a little rocky but broadly positive. Both nations traded regularly with one another, and while there were serious philosophical differences between the two, diplomatic relations were maintained. Accusations of excessive piracy from Nemoria in 378YE, for example, almost led to a minor international incident, but a sizeable gift organised by the Senator for Temeschwar helped smooth over the growing conflict. This relative detente came to an end in 384YE when the Liberty Pact launched a devastating raid against the Asavean town of Chalonsio as part of a joint effort with the Sumaah Republic and Commonwealth aimed at ending the international slave trade. In the wake of the attack, Asavea immediately declared war on the Empire, and withdrew most of its diplomats. Since then, they have been actively opposing the Empire whether by providing open aid to the Grendel or exerting influence over anti-Imperial factions in neighbouring nations.
Prior to the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Ambassador was able to purchase goods from merchants and those seeking favour when not at war. This was changed, along with the rest of the ambassadors, when the Senate voted to amend the embassies to end the practice, removing mercantile support and the upkeep costs at the same time.
Responsibilities
The ambassador is expected to represent the Empire in relations with the Asavean Archipelago. They have all the responsibilities common to an Imperial ambassador. As such they are responsible for representing the Empire to the Asaveans, and to a degree vice versa. They are presented as the primary contact for any official Imperial business relating to Asavea, so their letters carry much greater weight and importance than anyone bar the Throne. They are expected to conduct or oversee any treaty negotiations with that nation, and receive official delegations. The civil service will direct representatives and citizens of the foreign power to the ambassador wherever appropriate.
Powers
- Status: Barbarian
- Ports: Nemoria (closed)
- Ambassador: Herminius of the House of the Wanderer
- Counterpart: Lady Madrianna of the Blue Stones
Imperial Ambassador
The title has all the common powers of an ambassador: they can receive a formal delegation, and may prepare a treaty.
Stipend
The Ambassador receives a stipend of four thrones each season
Appointment
The Ambassador to Asavea is an Imperial position appointed by the Senate. Any Imperial citizen can hold this title, and the ambassador serves for a year. They can be revoked by the General Assembly and by the Assembly of the Nine.
| Summit | Nation | Elected |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Solstice 388YE | Urizen | Herminius of the House of the Wanderer |
| Summer Solstice 387YE | The Brass Coast | Asier i Elia i Guerra |
| Summer Solstice 386YE | The Brass Coast | Asier i Elia i Guerra |
| Summer Solstice 385YE | The Brass Coast | Asier i Elia i Guerra |
| Summer Solstice 384YE | Imperial Orcs | Pakt |
| Summer Solstice 383YE | Imperial Orcs | Pakt |
| Summer Solstice 382YE | Dawn | Jarrigk Orzel |
| Summer Solstice 381YE | Dawn | Jarrigk Orzel |
| Summer Solstice 380YE | The League | Camilia di Traviciana di Sarvos |
| Summer Solstice 379YE | The League | Camilia di Traviciana di Sarvos |
| Summer Solstice 378YE | The League | Camilia di Traviciana di Sarvos |
Recent Elections
This title is currently held by Herminius of the House of the Wanderer; it will be reelected at Summer Solstice 389YE. The table to the right shows the citizens who have been elected to hold this title in the years since Empress Britta died.
Ambassadorial Lore
Asavean Embassy
The Asavean Embassy stands in Sarvos, maintained by a skeletal staff of Asaveans who keep themselves very much to themselves. According to Lady Madrianna of the Blue Stones, it exists mostly to ensure a line of communication remains open for the inevitable surrender of the Empire to the Plenum.
The embassy was commissioned by the Senate in Winter 377YE following a serious diplomatic incident related to levels of Imperial piracy in Asavean territorial waters. Work was not actually completed until shortly before the Summer Solstice 378YE. At one point the Asavean embassy was a fixture of the Sarvos social whirl and led to an influx of Asavean traders which in turn led to luxurious goods from the far west becoming more freely available on the streets of the city. Since the Empire declared war on the Asavean Archipelago the embassy has become a stark reminder of the dangers of international diplomacy.
There is still an Imperial embassy in Nemoria, the Asavean capital, but only a handful of civil servants are actually stationed there. All comings and goings are carefully monitored, and morale is reportedly quite low.
Asavean Ambassador
The Asavean Ambassador to the Empire is Lady Madrianna of the Blue Stones. An important member of one of ruling families of Asavea, she advises the Plenum on diplomatic matters, especially relations with the Empire and their close neighbours. It is Lady Madrianna who has encouraged the Asaveans to make common cause with the Grendel and who is ultimately behind efforts to suborn the Faraden.
Ambassadorial Briefings
As discussed in the 388YE Autumn Equinox wind of fortune So little I wanted, so little I got, the civil service have recently reinstituted Ambassadorial briefings. At least in the short term, the civil service have resumed furnishing Imperial ambassadors who are supported by embassy staff with individual briefings where necessary and appropriate. To maintain transparency and preserve continuity, the briefings are 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.