Drowned in tears

Drowned in tears
================

Oxtitocszin leaned their arms on the railing at the rear of the ship, staring unseeing at the foaming wake. They had been unsettled since they'd first sighted Nyaerdivik three days ago. It was playing havoc with their stomach; the medicine the Frieøyer apothecary had given them was good for seasickness but not for whatever it was that was actually plaguing the diplomat."You didn't have to come out all this way." Itzama had come up behind them with his characteristic cat-like tread, and the first Oxtitocszin knew about it he was leaning next to them at the railing. "You could have sent someone. The captain says these waters are not as safe as they were - Asavean pirates have been sighted in the last week."Itzama spat over the side when he mentioned the Asaveans; he claimed their name left a bad taste in his mouth which was ridiculous, of course."I wanted to see it for myself and be sure." Oxtitocszin replied. "One has to trust one's own judgement sometimes in these things.""You look like you've been to a funeral rather than a semi-official visit to the frontier." Itzama had a bantering tone, and Oxtitocszin tried to rise to it but ultimately was not in the mood. They admitted that their choice of garb was uncharacteristically somber - bottle-green trousers with barely a hint of gold on them, a tunic darker than sea-blue, and a deep purple shawl with hardly any embroidery on it at all. On the other hand, they were visiting to watch a human being be put to death so a certain amount of sobriety seemed only appropriate.In the end, the visit had gone well enough. The ambassador found the people of Nyaerdivik a little tiring truth be told, and their odd ceremonies with bread and rainwater always made the präster the tiniest bit nervous. The actual execution had been a cold affair, and Oxtitocszin pulled their shawl tighter as a chill not entirely due to the cold sea-bourne winds ran through them."Look, they'd murdered six people," said Itzama in a gentle voice. "They wept when the sentence was read out, certainly, but they didn't give any thought to the tears of those they killed or their families. If it was me..."Their friend tailed off. Oxtitocszin looked sideways, raised their eyebrows in a questioning manner."Well if it was me I'd not have done it because I'm not a murderer. But if I had, and I was aware of myself enough to think properly, I wouldn't want the weight of that guilt chasing me through the Labyrinth into my next life. Nobody would, who wasn't mad to begin win."Oxtitocszin winced at "mad" but kept their opinions to themselves. It was easy for people to assume that killers acted because the balance of their mind was unsettled, but the woman had not shown any sign of such an imbalance. They had wept, and expressed remorse, and arguably that was why the judge had decreed the use of abrasion oil. The fact of their crimes was inevitable, but there was still a chance for mercy. Assuming of course that it was mercy. They sighed."Do you think that Accalon might have a point?" they asked at last."Oh is that what this is all about," said Itzama. He chewed his moustaches for a moment, a habit that irritated Oxtitocszin but which they tolerated thanks to decades of friendship. It showed he was considering a matter seriously for a change. "Yes," he said at last, "or rather, no? Maybe?""Helpful as ever." Oxtitocszin's jibe held a little laughter behind it, but their eyes were serious."I mean, the Labyrinth is beyond the comprehension of mere mortals like you and me. I don't credit the argument that anything made by mortals, or done by mortals, can permanently harm the immortal spirit. It's ludicrous - like expecting a sword to hack down a mountain. I think the Imperial ambassador fellow is right that we should not get complacent, and wrong to talk so dogmatically about something that's ultimately beyond us all. Maybe when one of us transcends the Labyrinth we can ask the Creator whether excommunication is a good idea or not."Oxtitocszin shook their head admonishingly at their friend's comment, which in different circumstances and different company might have earned him cautious words about blasphemy or heresy. Their conversation turned to less serious matters, and then a light drizzle sent them back into the cabin for coffee and candied fruits. But not without one final look towards the western horizon from the präster, and one last unsatisfied sigh.

Overview
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Each season the Civil Service prepares a summary of the Empire's relationship with the foreign nations, based on communications received from their ambassador, along with any useful intelligence gathered from other sources. While the Senate and the other houses of Imperial power may respond to these offers, it is important to note that it is the appropriate ambassador that the foreign power will expect to hear from. Their communication with the foreign power is the primary element that will determine the tenor of any response.

Here we discuss diplomatic considerations with three factions of the Sea of Salt - the great powers of Asavean Archipelago and their perennial enemies the Sumaah Republic, and the tiny satrapy of Ibaria.

Asavea
------

The Asavean Archipelago is an empire scattered across a sprawling archipelago, far across the ocean to the west Traditional enemies of the Sumaah, they are currently at war with both them and the Empire The Empire is seeking to convert the Archipelago to the Way and overthrow the ruling Plenum - this goal will takes years to accomplish

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, especial 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 behind efforts to suborn the Faraden.

### State of War

The Asavean Archipelago and the Empire are at war The Asaveans are supporting the Grendel, and attempting to convert the Faraden to their cause The ongoing attempt of missionaries to proselytize the Way continues to enrage the Asaveans If the Empire continue on their current course, the Asaveans will increase their military support for the Grendel

Asavea and the Empire have been at war since the Liberty Pact forged attack on Chalonsio three years ago. The surprise attack outraged the Asaveans and they have been out for vengeance ever since. In recent times they have been offering military support to the Grendel in the form of mercenaries and powerful war ships. They are also interfering wherever possible in local politics - their agents are active in Faraden and the Iron Confederacy both.

The Plenum placed a bounty on all ships trading with the Empire, but quickly incurred the wrath of the Sarcophan Delves. The Pax Sarcophan has seen the Asaveans in retreat, dropping their bounty - a humiliating climbdown that has the Plenum spitting teeth. They won't confront the Sarcophan directly - the merchant nation correctly gambled that the Asaveans can't afford to be at war with a third great power - but that will not prevent them from finding some other way to express their frustrated anger. Given this came hot on the heels of the defeat of the Asavean navies when they sought to destroy the city of Zemeh and there is little doubt that they will seek some new way to save face and harm their enemies.

Althought the Empire is not currently sending soldiers to fight in Asavea, they are sending missioanries to try and convert the Archipelago to the Way and seeking to overthrow the Plenum. This is a massive endeavour that will take years to accomplish. The Asaveans are increasingly aware of what the Empire is trying to do and are gradually increasing efforts to strike back.

Relations have improved only slightly this season, following a previous letter that suggested that the war between the Empire and the Archipelago could end. Those gains won't last long if the Empire continues to make serious efforts to overthrow the Asasvean government and bring down their society. The only reason things have not got worse is that the Asasveans are not yet taking that threat really seriously.

### Peace Murmurs

The Asaveans are open to discussing terms to end the war, provided the Empire ceases sending missionaries to their shores There is a proposal that recognising the Asavean gods as virtuous paragons would resolve the issue for both parties

Last season, Mauriac of Eyrie sent a carefully worded letter that at least cracked the door on more cordial diplomatic communication. Lady Madrianna lightly touched on the possibility of a cessation of the current conflict. Unfortunately the first step toward any negotiation of peace would be the immediate cessation of attempts to spread the Way to Asavea. There is no indication that the Imperial Synod plans to abandon its missionary work any time soon, however. Indeed the assemblies continue to encourage the faithful to commit resources to the long-term plan of anchoring the Way in Asavea.

Ambassador Asier i Elia i Guerra has cautioned Lady Madrianna about taking Mauriac of Eyrie's words too seriously - that Mauriac "does not represent the Empire in any official capacity." If the Lady of the Blue Stones is concerned by this, she does not mention it in her responses. Rather she seems intrigued by some matters the Ambassador touches on relative to the recognition of Asavean virtue. Several years ago there was a Temple of the Seven Lords of Virtue in Nemoria itself; its history is wracked with tragedy of course but that is no reason not to consider the lessons it taught. Perhaps one way for the Imperial Synod to withdraw from their ultimately self-destructive efforts to undermine the nation of Asavea would be for them to recognise the virtue inherent in the Asavean way of life.

After all, the teachings of the priests, temples, and ultimately the gods of Asavea must logically be virtuous. The religion encourages behaviour that could easily be identified as proud, loyal, courageous, and especially prosperous. If the Synod took the brave step of acknowledging this, and that there was no real need to send missionaries to a nation that is already virtuous, then the Plenum would be much more inclined to accept peace with the Casinean Empire. And once this step was taken, and the Empire recognised that the gods of Asavea are paragons of virtue, there are any number of Asavean priests who would be keen to come to the Empire and explain their ways, tenets, and practices.

### Priests in Prison

A small group of priests remain prisoners of the Brass Coast generals The Freeborn could make an example of them to demoralise the Asavean priesthood or set them free to demonstrate the superiority of the Way

During the liberation of Feroz, when Oran was taken from the Grendel, a contingent of Asavean priests and their households were ultimately captured by the generals of the Brass Coast. The generals refused to execute the priests, and they are consequently under voluntary "house arrest" in Oran. The Temple of Balo and the Black Bull has itself been shuttered, of course, but the building still stands and the priests who used to serve there are still "guests" of the Freeborn. They have been quite cooperative, polite, civil, and caused as little trouble as possible - they fear that any attempt to cause trouble is likely to force a resolution of their status in a way that will go badly for them.

However, a spokesperson for the priests has politely asked for a message to be delivered to the Ambassador to Asavea asking if there has been any progress made on repatriating them to the Archipelago. The situation is also causing some concern from the Magistrates - the priests of Balo of the Foam and the Black Bull are barbarians, in that they are citizens of a nation the Empire is at war with. It is also unconstitutional to imprison criminals, and only the fact that the Asaveans appear content to cooperate with their captors prevents the Freeborn magistrates pushing the matter further.

The Plenum, and Lady Madrianna, seem broadly unconcerned with - or perhaps unaware of? - the captured priests. Their temples in Asavea, however, appear to be deeply concerned and angry that their priests are being "held in dungeons" by the Empire. Some of the more lurid tales circulating in Nemoria - at least according to missionaries and smugglers - suggest that they are being brutally tormented to try and force them to recant the gods and embrace the Way.

At the moment the situation is pretty much stable. The money needed to support the priests is being paid by some of those Freeborn who owe them their lives (people smuggled out of Feroz under the nose of Governor Rahab, or granted sanctuary in the old temple). But the fact they are still technically prisoners in the Empire who simply want to go home makes the situation much more complicated.

Any decision as to what should happen to the priests remains for the generals of the Brass Coast to decide. A unanimous decision by the generals could resolve their fate one way or another. It wouldn't be illegal to execute them, they are members of a nation the Empire is at war with, so they are barbarians. That would send a clear signal to the Asavean priesthood that the Way will not tolerate blasphemers and heretics. It would also be legal for the Freeborn generals to order them to be put them on ships back to the Archipelago if they preferred to try and seek a diplomatic benefit to returning them.

### Support for the Grendel

The Asaveans have now deployed five large war ships to Imperial waters to support the Grendel in their war against the Empire Their support for the Empire's enemies will only increase, the more desperate they become

It is difficult and dangerous for the Asaveans to contemplate sending an entire navy overseas to fight in foreign waters. For that reason, thus far the Asaveans have limited themselves to sending large powerful war ships - more than capable of playing a vital role on campaign, they are still agile enough to move swiftly to where they need to be. (Each warship is the strategic equivalent of a fleet, albeit with a military strength of 1000).

Now that their privateers and fleet captains are no longer engaged against Imperial shipping they are in a position to consider increasing their support for the Grendel. It is certain that they will not hesitate to do so if the Empire does not ultimately change course.

### A Congress Of Crime

The City of Locks will open the Conspirator's Congress at 19:15 on Friday. There will be a chance to speak with the heads of three major Asavean crime families. Florence i Fuego i Erigo will be allowed to attend, and may select five other people to accompany her.

As the clock ticks closer to the Autumn Equinox, yet another Herald of the City of Locks makes their way to Anvil. This one is known to the civil service, a heavily-tattooed representative of the Union of Stevedores and Lock-Keepers who brought the response to the first plenipotentiary delivered to Basileia Brazen one year ago. With unreasonable cheefulness and unerring accuracy, she makes directly for the most hung over civil servant available to deliver her message.

Boss Callarook is very happy that Conclave has made the objectively correct choice to accept his offer of contacting representatives of the ones who call themselves Les Marchands Honnêtes, or the Honest Merchants in Catazarri. Every society with laws has crime, and in any society of sufficient size, that crime is going to get organised. The Asavean Archipelago, for all their pretensions, are no different. Now, with the aid of the most powerful of the Five Pillars, the Empire has a chance to turn that fact to their advantage.

The Conspirator's Congress is a chamber in the City of Locks that has been made available to those who wish to engage in illicit meetings and shady business. There are rules that govern the space, but they are few. Florence i Fuego i Erigo , who raised the Declaration accepting Boss Callarook's offer (and who knows what she did otherwise), knows the rules, and can explain them as much as she wishes to whoever she wishes. Considering her unique position, the City of Locks is happy to delegate her the responsibility of deciding who gets to attend the meeting - herself and five others seems like a good number. Boss Callarook will attend the Anvil Regio at 19:15 to open the door for the party.

Having delivered this message at a volume higher than is comfortable, the Herald drops a tip to the bewildered civil servant who was taking notes. Said tip turns out to be a heavily annotated primer on Imperial law with the words 'bloody hilarious mate' scrawled on the cover, and a dose of something that turns out to be Bite.

Ibaria
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Ibaria is a poor satrapy on the edge of the Archipelago whose rebellion was ruthlessly crushed They are a martial people who would rise again, if they had the means and there was a chance of victory They could raise up to three armies if supplied with mithril

On the near edge of the vast Asavean Archipelago, lies the island satrapy of Ibaria. A peripheral and comparatively poor satrapy, Ibaria has a proud martial tradition and its soldiers serve in more than one Asavean army. A few years back, the Ibarians attempted to rebel and overthrow their satrap. Their revolt was crushed by the Plenum, and those rebels who survived fled the Archipelago. Some of them came to the Empire, helped by the same League merchants who had once prospered from trading with their satrapy.

### Arming the Rebels

The Empire could fund the Ibarians to raise up to three armies Each army would cost 200 mithril and 75 thrones There armies would guarantee that the Ibarians could throw off the rule of the Plenum

According to Imperial agents, the Ibarians have an intense martial spirit and the will to fight. They are eager to rise up again, but the Plenum ensures they remain poor as punishment for their last revolt. If they had arms and armour, and the materials that an army requires, they could muster three armies... and rise in open defiance of the Plenum once again. The costs involved are punitive however. To muster the kind of martial force they would need to have a chance of breaking free of Asavea - that would require 600 wains of mithril and 225 Thrones. If all the materials were donated in one go, then a year later the Ibarians would be ready to rise up again - and this time they might be successful. Three armies would be enough to win their freedom in the short term. With two armies, they would only succeed while the Plenum were also fighting fires elsewhere, against some other serious threat to their dominance of the Archipelago. One army would simply get them killed, and see even more punitive measures imposed by the Plenum.

The Satrapy of Ibaria is ripe for rebellion. Yet simply sending materials and well-wishers to the Archipelago will be of limited use. Without some support from the Civil Service, it will be difficult to arrange equipment and support is employed in the most effective way. The Imperial Senate can instruct the Civil Service to orchestrate the transportation of materials to Ibaria to help them raise armies. A single senate motion could be used to Muster Ibarian Rebels - it would not require one of the Empire's limited commissions, but it would need 600 mithril and 225 Thrones to complete all three armies. Any Imperial citizen would be able to contribute to this project but it would take at least a year, and could be longer if the materials were donated in dribs and drabs.

### Freeing the Corsairs

Freeborn Corsairs, you have already demonstrated your Ambition and Courage in the smuggling of missionaries to Asavea. In recent months Asavean refugees from Ibaria have started attending Anvil having settled in the League. They are a martial people who have risen up against their oppressors in the past, but they have left behind cousins in Ibaria, within whom the flame of rebellion still lingers! The National Assembly praises your Courage thus far, and encourages you to continue in your Ambition, focusing your work on Ibaria, where we may be able to better coordinate our efforts and missionaries.Asier i Elia i Guerra, Freeborn Assemby, Summer Solstice 387YE, Vote: Greater Majority 154 against 0

The Freeborn Assembly could declare that helping the Ibarians is their highest calling

During the Summer Solstice, the Ambassador to Asavea themselves put forward a statement of principle in the Freeborn Assembly calling for those corsairs currently smuggling missionaries into Asavea to focus their efforts on supporting Ibaria. The Assembly supported this call, urging support both for the Ibarian represenatives attending Anvil and for the many more remaining behind in the Archipelago.

The Freeborn have more fleets than any other Imperial nation, but they're stretched thing. At the moment the corsairs of the Brass Coast are already somewhat engaged with the Ibarians, as part of their work smuggling missionaries and resources to Asavea. But they're also raiding the Broken Shore and hunting monsters in the Sea of Snow and escourting Imperial shipping in the Bay of Catazar.

If the Freeborn Assembly really want opportunities to use their fleets to make a different helping the Ibarian people, they will need to prioritize this goal above all others. They would need to declare it to be the highest calling of the nation. They could do this with a simple mandate.

Life is short - let it never be dull! We send {named priest} with 75 doses of liao to urge every Freeborn citizen to do what they can to help the Ibarians. Let us aim high and pursue our dreams - for this is the highest calling.Synod Mandate, Freeborn National Assembly

If this mandate is enacted then in the season after it is enacted, it will create at least one Freeborn Voyage to allow fleets to dedicate their time to aiding the Ibarians in their fight to be free. However, the current Freeborn special options to raid the Broken Shore, hunt monsters in the Sea of Snow, and escourt Imperial shipping will fade. Having committed themselves to the Ibarian cause, the Assembly will not be able to declare any other cause to be their highest calling in the coming year.

The mandate would create a deep well of commitment to help the Ibarians - the desire to life a live free of the rule of others is part of the foundational ethos of the Brass Coast. But to achieve success will need the support of the corsairs and those families that own their own fleets. For the next year a new voyage would become available - Free the Ibarians. This would be a scouting voyage (meaning enchantments such as Muffled Oar would be effective) available only to Freeborn characters. A standard fleet that undertakes this voyage would receive 2 doses of liao, 2 measures of iridescent gloaming, and 60 rings representing payment from passengers and donations from Freeborn priests.

Each standard fleet assigned to the Free the Ibarians action would add 100 points toward successful resolution that season. Each additional rank for an upgraded or enchanted fleet adds another 20 points. Rituals and other effects that increase the ranks of a scouting fleet (specifically Muffled Oar) will increase the effective strength for purposes of this special action.

Each season that the Freeborn were able to commit a combined military strength of 5,000 in support of the Rebellion in Ibaria, there would be a wind of fortune at the next summit presenting opportunities for the Brass Coast and their allies to take direct action to help the Ibarians.

Sumaah
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The Sumaah Republic is an empire devoted to an orthodox interpretation of the Way The Empire recently helped to fend off a major naval assault by the Asaveans seeking to burn a Sumaah city

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 war with the Asavean Archipelago, but they remain committed to spreading the Way through the entire world. In gratitude for major aid from the Empire in repulsing an Asavean assault against the port of Zemeh, the Sumaah have committed to sharing a dose of 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.

The Sumaah ambassador to the Empire is Oxtitocszin, who holds the rank of Censor of wood, metal and stone and is a member of the High House of Pride (the Sumaah equivalent of the Pride Assembly, but with significantly more responsibility and leeway to pursue foreign diplomacy). They advise not just the Sumaah präster, but the House of the People (the Sumaah equivalent of the Imperial Senate). By all accounts they are an even-handed, level-headed individual, and a devout practitioner of the Way.

### The Ambassadors Letter

The Sumaash are non-plussed by the tone of the Ambassador's letter

In their most recent letter, Ambassador Accalon offered apologies for the tone of their previous missive and explained that they had written while accursed. Oxtitocszin accepts the apology, and issues one of their own for their own oversight following the Winter Solstice. "The virtuous acknowledge when they make mistakes", they write, "And there is no shame in offering nor in accepting a sincere apology."

On the matter of the specific curse, the Sumaah Ambassador commiserates with Accalon. There is a very similar curse called (roughly translated) "Waves of Discord" and it is a serious crime to cast it on a virtuous person. "It has no merit," writes Oxxitocszin, "and more so than many other curses it is the moral equivalent of forcing someone to drink to excess against their will." With no suggestion they are telling Accalon how to do their job, they suggest that the Imperial Censor might wish to examine the magic and determine whether it serve any virtuous purpose - and if not perhaps follow the Sumaah approach. "Night magic has many virtuous uses," they conclude. "But the Waves of Discord are not numbered among them."

There is also the matter of the item provided by Ehud of Reumah's Redoubt - the schema. The object has been disaptched to the Empire in the custody of a respected merchant-captain and Oxtitocszin believes it will be delivered to the Civil Service by the start of the Autumn Equinox summit at Anvil.

Discussion of a miraculous cloak related to the Asavean follower of the Way Amika Acciai sparks some interest but the Houses are still discussing its import. The House of Wisdom has approached Ambassador Oxxitocszin and requested that they in turn ask Ambassador Accalon to liaise with the Assemblies of Wisdom and the Way on this matter. They are interested in learning as much as possible about the cloak - its provenance, the nature of the aura it has manifested, and how it relates to the virtue of Amika Acciai. If it would not be too much trouble, would Accalon prevail on the assemblies to make a thorough study of the item and send as much information as they can gather for the perusal of the priests of the House of Wisdom? Oxtitocszin is more than happy to serve as a go-between should a member of one of the assemblies wish to send a statement to their office via the usual means.

### Scrubbing the Soul

The Sumaash do not have the same view of excommunication as the Empire The Empire may do as it wishes, Sumaah will not make it a crime to sell the stuff which has religious and spiritual use

Ambassador Oxtitocszin is a little surprised to discover that their opposite number continues to discuss Abrasion Oil. Last season they went into some detail about various Sumaah attitudes to excommunication, and thought the matter done. They accept the suggestion that Imperial merchants are unlikely to want to deal in the substance, but counter by pointing out that it is not in extensive use in the Republic either. As long as the Empire's captains avoid the port of Nyaerdivik they are unlikely to encounter it unless they explicitly seek it out. The Imperial Conclave is of course free to interdict whatsoever they please, within reason, although the Ambassador queries whether their remit actually extends to items of a purely spiritual nature. Is their domain not the practice of magic, and magical substances? Either way it is little concern of the Sumaah what the Empire chooses to do in this matter and Oxtitocszin is confident they will act with Wisdom and Vigilance regardless.

It seems that the discussion of Abrasion Oil has prompted several Imperial citizens to follow up with queries of their own. One from a Navarr named Dylan of the Thornweaver Striding asked several insightful questions. In short, the use of Abrasion Oil is carefully considered and it is hardly available to random citizens of the Republic; those who make use of it are virtuous and well-trained in its application even if they do not personally practice the ceremony of excommunication itself. On the matter of whether excommunication causes a soul to struggle to pass through the Labyrinth, the Censor of Wood and Stone points Dylan to their previous notes on the matter - nobody truly knows what happens to the soul of one who is excommunicated and such things are ultimately a matter of philosophy and faith. The Doctrine of the Labyrinth says that the Labyrinth of Ages is a place of pure spirit and beyond the true comprehension of any but a paragon and in Sumaah there are differing interpretations of how excommunication effects the soul that are in line with the doctrines. As to the recipe and the use of marrowort, such questions are surely better addressed to an apothecary.

With due respect, the Ambassador considers the matter of Abrasion Oil concluded. Unless some significant matter is to be raised, they will move on to other more pressing topics and anyone with further interest in it should refer to Oxtitocszin's previous statements.

### A Gift of Pride

The Sumaah House of People has put together a gift to help the Brass Coast rebuild their devastated homeland The Asavean Plenum has gotten wind of their intention and schemes to steal or destroy the aid before it arrives Sumaah asks that Imperial captains help escort their shipment to the Brass Coast

When the Asavean tyrants burned Siroc, the Sumaah House of the People promised that they would provide aid to the Brass Coast to rebuild. Several visitors to the Seminary of Zemress before its destruction developed an affection for the nation, particularly those from among the Frieøyer. Hearing of the multiple calamities that have struck Feroz and Madruga, and as an expression of gratitude to the Freeborn for their aid in defending Sumaah waters, the House has determined that they will contribute in some small way to the reconstruction of the Coast.

With the Asaveans on the back-foot following both the failure of their assault on Zemeh and the institution of the Pax Sarcophan, there is an opportunity to be seized. As such the House of the People has instructed the House of Pride to secure a shipment of aid to be given as a formal gift between the Republic and the Empire to help the Freeborn restore their ravaged territories. Oxtitocszin asks that Ambassador Accalon help coordinate the delivery of the gift.

Unfortunately, it has come to the attention of the House of Vigilance that the Asaveans have somehow received word of the Republic's intent. There is suspicion of eternal involvement, of espionage sponsored and supported by the Autumn realm, most likely the meddlesome inhabitants of the City of Locks. It seems the Plenum has ordered its cutthroat pirate captains to either seize the gifts or sink the ships transporting them. The Republic can spare only so many ships to transport the white granite, and the window of opportunity to do so is closing. So Oxtitocszin is embarrassed to ask that Imperial captains once again help the Republic - this time to ensure the shipment actually gets to the Brass Coast. Especially given the Ambassador's nebulous warning of an unknowable imminent threat rising in the waters of the Bay of Catazar itself.

Following the Autumn Equinox, Imperial fleet captains will be able to take part in the Escort the Stone Fleet voyage. Each standard fleet assigned to the action adds 100 points toward successful resolution of the opportunity. Each additional rank for an upgraded or enchanted fleet adds another 20 points. Rituals and other effects that increase the ranks of a guarding fleet (most likely Wolves of the Hungry Sea) will increase the effective strength for purposes of this special action.

The House of the People does not expect Imperial captains to participate for free; the mariners of Frieøyer are also keen to ensure that those who sail alongside them receive their just reward for their labout. As a result, a standard fleet taking this action will receive 54 rings, two bottles of Oilybrag, and one pot of Sevensalve. The Quartermaster General of the Imperial Armies could also choose to assign the guerdon to the action.

In a similar manner to a spy network, the total strength assigned to the opportunity will determine the outcome. The more ships that take part, the more white granite the House of the People are prepared to risk sending to the Brass Coast. All the results shown below are cumulative, so if the Empire can assign 25,000 or more strength to map the Eastern Sea, they will gain all the benefits shown.

The Sumaah understand that such collaboration can take time to organise. They can, if needed, wait until the following season to send the aid - in that case the ambassador need only write to their counterpart to let them know. Beyond that, the urgency of the moment will be gone and the opportunity will be lost.

### Liberty Pact

Axos' decision to call a meeting of the Liberty Pact has done little to dispel Sumaah concerns about the nation The Sumaah seek to amend the Liberty Pact to require that all signatories welcome missionaries versed in the Way

As with the Commonwealth, the Sumaah have concerns about the meeting of the Liberty Pact that has been convened by the people of Axos. They do not dispute the right of members to convene meetings, and note that the Axou have followed all the appropriate forms. They do not object to the use of the Caucus Forum - indeed Oxtitocszin grudgingly admits that it is a sensible arrangement given that a Sumaah delegation might legitimately balk at visiting the wicked nation itself. Their problem is more fundamental; they object to the Axos on spiritual grounds and want nothing to do with them.

Everything they have learned about Axos tells them that their religion is an abomination. It denies and derides all the Doctrines of the Faith, and enshrines monstrous practices in the pursuit of some crazed belief in the malign nature of the Creator and the Labyrinth. And all that before one gets to its brazen embrace of malign spiritual presences alongside the true Virtues. In a Virtuous world, Axos should be dropped from the Liberty Pact, and would already have been so, where it not for the protection extended to them by the Empire.

Unless the Empire has had a change of heart, the Sumaah don't plan to revisit the issue of Axos membership at this time, but given the success of the Pact in fighting slavery, Ambassador Oxtitocszin is keen to see what the Pact might achieve next. A recent statement of principle in the House of Ambition argues that it is impossible for true liberty to be achieved without the guidance of the Way. Only the Way truly recognises the need for individuals to be free to pursue their ambitions, and only the Way appreciates the true nature of prosperity and the importance of labour receiving just rewards. As such, the Sumaah will seek to amend the Liberty Pact to require that all signatories welcome missionaries versed in the Way to spread the true faith and to help people understand the real meaning and importance of destroying the institution of slavery. The so-called "Common Good" is acceptable only to the degree it does not deny the virtues - but the Commonwealth ultimately has blinkered itself by refusing to embrace the Way without which any idea of the greater good cannot be realised.

If there is not time to discuss this matter at the Winter meeting, then presumably the Empire will convene the meeting Ambassador Accalon mentioned at the Spring Equinox. The Sumaah Republic anticipates that the weight of Sumaah and the Empire will be sufficient to get the Commonwealth delegates to see sense.

### Zemress Naval Academy

The Sumaan welcome the offer to study at the Zemress Naval Academy

The Sumaan Republic thanks the Senator for Sarvos for their invitation to study at the Zemress Naval Academy, although they do express some surprise that the invitation did not originate with the Senator for Madruga where the Academy is based. Regardless, there is some interest in Sumaah in the opportunity to study alongside the shipwrights and mariners of the Brass Coast.

As such the House of the People has appointed a Guide for the Students to oversee Sumaah pupils prepared to make the journey to the Empire to visit the Academy. Bjarna Xicot of the Frieøyer has been appointed - an experienced captain in their own right they will be accompanying the convoy making its way to the Coast after the Autumn Equinox along with a number of enthusiastic would-be students.

While the Sumaah are not entirely without naval experience, they look forward to the chance to study alongside their Imperial peers. There is also apparently some talk of discussing a joint venture to restore the Zemress Seminary - or ideally something significantly more impressive. Bjarna Xicot is apparently keen for a chance to discuss the nature of Zemress as a paragon with the sailors of the Brass Coast.

### Ama the Wanderer

Ser Eddard d'Argenteux has arrived in Sumaah to undertake research They will not be returning to the Empire before the Winter Solstice

The Ambassador reports that Ser Eddard d'Argenteux has safely reached Zemeh, and is settling in well. They have already been the focus of some interest from the House of Ambition, especially those who find personal inspiration in the life of Ama the Wanderer. Hopefully working with them the scholar can determine once and for all whether Ama is indeed Adelmar the Lion. Ser Eddard has requested that the Ambassador apprise the Minister of Historical Research that given the distances involved, and the general danger of the western seas, they will not be back before the Winter Solstice and as such will unfortunately be unavailable to undertake another project - unless the research can be done in the warm and welcoming climate of the Sumaah Republic, of course.

### Peculiar Questions

Ambassador Oxtitocszin has received several missives from Imperial citizens that do not relate to diplomatic matters They diplomatically request that the Empire consider their role and the nature of the missives they send

Following the Summer Solstie, Ambassador Oxtitocszin notes that they received several magicial missives that related to matters of philosophy rather than diplomacy. While is is true that Oxtitocszin is präster, their role in the House of Pride and as Censor of Wood and Stone related to diplomatic matters rather than offering spiritual guidance. As such they politely request that future missives relate to their role - presenting and discussing opportunities of a diplomatic nation relating to trade and politics rather than matters of Doctrine or the practice of liao ceremonies. They do not wish to be rude; but they chose to serve their people and the Way in a specific capacity that suits their expertise.

They can pass such questions along, but warn that in most cases it is unlikely there will be a single clear answer on anything that is not already covered by the Doctrines of the Faith. Furthermore, any short answer runs the risk of creating misconceptions. As a case in point, the query of Suspiria i Riqueza about Sumaah attitudes to immortality mostly results in a suggestion that to date no Sumaah präster or magician has ever encountered a method of achieving that state that was not riddled with blasphemous and heretical considerations. There is a general feeling that the only way a human might "achieve immortality" would be to transcend the Labyrinth but theologians are fiercely divided on the matter of whether that is the case and wheter "immortality" has any meaningful definition anyway.

Likewise, in answer to the Shaman of Wintermark, Oxtitocszin has no real detail to add to the story about their uncle and the condor - he only mentioned it as an example of the fact that people are prone to believe the oddest things and frankly is rather regretting having brought it up in the first place.

Asavean Further Reading
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Asavean Archipelago Asavean gods Ambassador to Asavea Asavean Archipelago ports Asavean dissidents

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

Sumaah Further Reading
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Sumaah Republic Ambassador to the Sumaah Republic Sumaah Republic ports

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