Revision as of 13:38, 5 October 2026 by Matt (talk | contribs) (→‎Peace)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Rules Reminder
If a call is not clearly taken by the target, other than VENOM and WEAKNESS, then it has not been used. See the Calls page for more information.
Previous rules reminders

388YE Autumn Asavean ambassador briefing


Herminius of the House of the Wanderer.png
Herminius of the House of the Wanderer, Ambassador to Asavea

Overview

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

While comparatively short, this briefing represents one of the first significant exchanges of diplomatic messaging with the Archipelago since the attack on Chalonsio and the Asavean declaration of war against the Empire.

Small Talk

  • Lady Madrianna of the Blue Stones welcomes the new Ambassador

Lady Madrianna of the Blue Stones welcomes Ambassador Herminius, and hopes that they will prove to have a better grasp of the political situation than their predecessors.

The first matter to address is that the Ambassador is somewhat misrepresenting the relationship between the Plenum and the Salt Lords. The Grendel are allies, both politically, economically, and militarily. They have never made the slightest effort to the attack Asavean way of life, never burned one of their prosperous cities and murdered its leaders, never openly supported the Sumaah Republic in killing Asavean citizens or fomenting rebellion and discontent. They are model allies.

Asavea continues to support them, and will continue to do so as long as the Plenum and the Senate remain at war. There will of course be occasional setbacks but Asavea would expect nothing less. They do not underestimate the cunning or brutality of the Empire, after all. But no war is won or lost until the final battle is fought, and there is no indication that this war is anywhere near its final act.

Moving On

  • Communication from the Asavean Ambassador contains a number of (barely) veiled threats

But Ambassador Herminius is correct in one regard. The current level of support for the enemies of the Empire is not having its desired effect. Arguably, too much subtlety has been employed. Too much money wasted on trying to recruit groups that, were they competent, would have harmed the warmongering Empire before ever needing Asavean support - the Faraden Cinders are the obvious example, as is the abortive attempt to pay foreign privateers to attack Imperial shipping.

So Lady Madrianna thanks the Ambassador for their insight, and reassures them that going forward the Plenum will be much more careful in where it spends its money and its influence. The Empire also demonstrated the effectiveness of mobilizing its entire populace against its enemies, such as when they burned Chalonsio, rather than relying solely on expensive armies and navies. Much to consider!

Reading between the lines, the civil service advise that it is clear the Asavean Plenum has not lost its appetite for war - quite the contrary. Whether accidentally, or more likely intentionally, Lady Madrianna appears to be telling the Ambassador that the Plenum is regrouping and changing its approach both to its support for the Grendel, and its involvement in Imperial territory going forward.

The note about Chalonsio is a clear threat that rather than rely on a handful of warships and small groups of mercenaries, the Plenum is looking at ways to mobilize large numbers of fleets and military warbands to become involved in the Bay of Catazar.

Peace

  • Lady Madrianna has laid out a frankly incendiary list of demands from the Asavean Plenum

Lady Madrianna will not be visiting the Empire during the Autumn Equinox, not least because (in her words) she will be busy advising the Plenum on how to proceed. Working with some of the more politically engaged members of that august body she has prepared a list of demands for the Ambassador to share with the Imperial Senate. If the Empire wants peace with Asavea, the absolute minimum required will be:

  • An apology for the cowardly attack on Chalonsio, and the opening of negotiations for reparations
  • Immediate cessation of all "missionary" work in the Asavean Archipelago, withdrawal of all religious provocatuers, and a commitment by the Empire to never again attempt to force their religion on the proud descendants of Asav.
  • An immediate end to all attempts by the Imperial Synod to foment rebellion in the Asavean Archipelago, along with a list of names of all those they have been dealing with.
  • The handing over of the terrorist leader Rafael Barossa and their accomplices to the Priests of the Teacher, for trial and execution for the harm they have caused to the people of the Archipelago.
  • An immediate end to embargo on Asavean trade, and the application of favourable tariffs for Asavean merchant vessels

No doubt the Senate has demands of its own, but Madrianna expresses the opinion that they are of no interest to the Plenum. The Empire started this war, and if they want it to end, they will need to be prepared to accept that and act appropriately.

The civil service assessment is that, obviously, the Plenum is effectively demanding the unconditional surrender of the Empire. The one element they cannot find any context for is the demand for the extradition of "terrorist leader Rafael Barossa and their accomplices." Perhaps the Ambassador may have more insight?

Asavean Further Reading

Winds of Fortune

Faraden Related Titles

  • There are currently no Imperial titles related to Asavea


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

Retrieved from "https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=388YE_Autumn_Asavean_ambassador_briefing&oldid=146032"