• Closed • An Imperial Audience

[Basilisk]

Raskalarn listened quietly as Eddrick made his suggestion regarding the nomadic tribes of the desert. When he finished, she laughed slightly. "Yes, I think that would be a good idea. Boosting their material wealth never occurred to me, but it does have merit as a means of recruiting the tribes as allies. Of course, we risk alienating those that are already wealthy, but I think they'll be the ones less likely to join us regardless, as they would have less to gain. I'll send down a shipment of raw materials and tailors with the reinforcements. We'll be able to craft the materials to suit the tribes, make them all unique to each group." she said, nodding to herself.

Despite Eddrick's assumption, Raskalarn wasn't particularly disappointed that he didn't have a useable connection to the Tower of Gems. She did, however, take a look at the cuff he produced and let out a bark of laughter. "Ah, this bunch. I led the rebellion that wiped them out a few centuries before I realized the necessity for The Eternal Empire. One of my brothers attempts to make an empire of his own. He felt that he deserved to be worshipped as the master of all existence. He could never understand why he had some much trouble commanding genuine loyalty." she said, before frowning. "And this is the second indicator I've had in this meeting that something's trying to bring him back." she growled, her tone turning dark for a minute.

Then she shook herself and slid the cuff back to Eddrick. "But no indication that they've found the location of his tomb, or even a solid indicator of who they're looking for. It's something to keep an eye on, though." she said, looking around at her commanders, including Eddrick. "As our influence expands, we need to keep an eye out for any old ruins. Before I founded The Eternal Empire, I sealed away several evils that I could not destroy. I would not have them loosed upon the world." she said, her tone firm. Then she looked around again and shook her head. "Any other matters to be discussed?" she asked of her commanders, Eddrick included.

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[Eddrick Brodon]

Waiting until any other commanders had stated any follow-up points they had to discuss, Eddrick indicated his own curiosity on a subject that was clearly important to him.

"Your Majesty," he began, "I...have falconers in my ranks, myself included. I assume you have handlers as well. Who do I see about arranging codes and symbols, contact sites and message drops? With whom do I familiarize my birds?"

Even though this was his first question, it seemed as if it had only just struck him, to stall the ensuing question, which came with some hesitance. "In Athart, I was only ever a subordinate soldier. And as the leader of the Rhakriis, I was in command, but had no other authority to answer to. Now I am in a combined situation and am unsure of a few things. As we sack future Nashaki caravans, am I to set aside a...tribute... portion, to send to you or some liaison of yours?"

Even though this question was entirely serious, it became obvious that it was a stall for time to decide on wording of a question far more delicate to him. "And...I...uhh...I am assuming that some portion of my men will be resistant to remaining in my ranks. My inclusion was not a goal any were anticipating. Some of them will have strong feelings that will not be easily reasoned with. Our dealings with Nashaki will give them serious and, I believe, understandable doubts. Now, I do not try to garner extra leniency for them, but you had indicated at first that we were not obliged to don your colors."

There were some grumbles, and Eddrick raised his voice just a bit, "For myself, now that I have seen you with my own eyes, I would not have men that did not acknowledge your rule. But at the same time, I can not consider them as traitors if they object, when they did not know, any more than I, that this meeting would ever be taking place, or result in such a change. So, I ask, are they to be allowed to go their own way? To find the truth of your glory on their own path, in their own time?"

His look was troubled, but resigned, "I know that there will be one or two that will challenge me, in hopes of taking over, and pulling the whole host away from the gains they have made today, but know yet nothing about. These are the ones that I will have to defeat utterly. I have no true objection to any one man deciding for himself that he will not go forth with us. That is his mistake to make. But those that try to drag others away into their folly will not be granted mercy."

He looked at her directly, "I will not hesitate to strike down those that try to incite dissention beyond themselves. But I would not gladly strike down those others."

[Basilisk]

When Eddrick spoke up about who to familiarize his messenger birds with and whether he should send tribute, Raskalarn nodded. "After the meeting, Vierka will take you to see our message handlers, those are who you familiarize your birds with. As for the tribute question, no, you don't need to set aside any sort of tribute. I do, however, ask that you send on any information you acquire, whether it be military related or something to do with the old ruins." she said, before smiling slightly. "While you've sworn loyalty to me, your raiders are a mercenary company, we actually pay you, not the other way around. Vierka will also get a contract worked out for the duration of the war, probably afterward as your people are much more specialized for desert operations than any of my regulars will be for a long time." she said, smiling slightly.

When he spoke about the more reluctant members of his company, Raskalarn nodded. "So long as they don't attack my people or take sides against us, their amnesty holds. As for those who would try to take your position from you, due to their short-sightedness, tell them they may speak to my commanders if they wish, or if they are patient, they can bring their complaint to me as well, though it will take longer to make that meeting happen, since as soon as this one is done, I'll need to return to Korlasir. The business of empire requires no small amount of my attention." she said, a note of amusement in her voice.

She smiled slightly at Eddrick after that, though. "Your care for your men speaks well of you, though." she said, her tone gentle. "I'm glad you decided to side with us, it would have been a shame if we had stood at odds with each other."

[Eddrick Brodon]

Eddrick made an effort not to be overly pleased with the arrangement Raskalarn declared. It would certainly make it easier to bring more of his men into the fold, knowing that they would be considered mercenaries to be paid, and not bandits fending for themselves. He would be sure to request that the bird handler make some mark on any missive sent to the Rhakrii caves any time that payment would be in the works. He had absolute trust in Raskalarn, but his men had not been present to experience her glory, and would naturally be hesitant.

There was something that instilled such pride within his heart when she called him "Commander". The Rhakrii folk called him a variety of things; Chieftain, Warlord, Boss, Hetman, Lord, Skip, Master, you name it. And it was not uncommon to hear Commander as well, from time to time. But he found it strangely reassuring to have it treated as an officially recognized rank, and not something more akin to a nickname, however sincere.

Still, he grinned at the certainty that he would not enforce the use of 'Commander' on the free Rhakrii people. The grin faded quickly at the thought of why he would refrain from it. Coren, one of his chief lieutenants, would be the one trying to present him as a puppet of the invaders. It would be a difficult accusation to discount. In a negatively-painted sense, he was exactly that. But the benefits his people would gain, as new loyalists, was so far beyond anything the future currently held, that it would just be a matter of getting them to consider it open-mindedly.

It saddened him to have this strange certainty in his head that he would have to fight the man. Coren was a brave and honorable man, and Eddrick knew it would be a fight to the death. He could not really account for his knowledge of this impending adversary; it had stricken him at the moment Raskalarn had touched his temples. The people would follow whoever prevailed, as leader. Coren would be a liability to the Rhakrii's future as long as he disputed the course of action now before them.

The Immortal's last comment struck him deeply, as if she knew exactly what he was now going to have to do. Somehow, he felt certain that she did. "It would have indeed, my Quee-...Your Majesty." He bowed with mild embarrassment. "And not for the likelihood of death or defeat at your hands. But for the lives lost without their ever knowing any existence beyond slavery, betrayal and banditry. Never knowing the glory of the order and stability you will bring to this contentious world."

Curiosity would be the most immediate factor motivating any of the Rhakriis to seek out The Queen. Eddrick would not suffer such mundane cause to inconvenience her. Any complaint they had, he would settle. They did not need to experience her actual presence to know that they were better off for the new alliance. That is all they would really need. If the opportunity presented itself, he would bring them to see her first hand. Then they would know their trust in his leadership had not been misplaced.

[Basilisk]

Raskalarn nodded at Eddrick as he said why he was glad they had not remained enemies, smiling slightly as she did. "All right, so I'm sending in cavalry reinforcements, the Rahkrii Raiders will be contracted as a specialist mercenary company for the duration of the war, and very likely afterwards, and we're going to consolidate the gains we've made thus far before pushing deeper. That gives plenty of time for invasion plans to be revised with our new information and the changes to the cavalry, as well as the aid from Eddrick's forces. Is everyone clear?" she said, to a chorus of nods. "All right, we're adjourned then. Centurion Gardise, get the contract with Commander Brodon sorted out, and Commander, feel free to stay the night if you wish." she said, before standing up. "I'm heading back to Korlasir to get reinforcements moving and generally run my empire." she said, before smiling slightly. "Probably find fifteen issues that weren't there this morning when I get back, too." she said with a laugh before the air began to warp around her. After a moment, The Eternal Empress was gone, returned to Korlasir to attend to the business of state while her commanders attended to the business of war.
REVIEW

Points: 20/20 for moderated event

Knowledge: Etiquette: Bow to a ruler
Tactics: Working with other commanders
Tactics: Formulating potential ambush plans
Tactics: Suggesting uses for Pokos
Leadership: Making deals that better your people
Leadership: Recognizing that some of your people are too stubborn for their own good
Leadership: Making hard decisions
Politics: Dealing with Imperial High Command
Politics: Telling the good rulers from the bad
Business Management: The Eternal Empire pays it's mercenaries
BLESSING

Krorros

Might of the Conqueror A skill that is passive in nature, Might of the Conqueror provides the blessed with a small, but noticeable, boost to their strength and endurance, so that they might be able to more easily perform tasks they would otherwise struggle with.

Mortal Foe The will of Raskalarn is one of the conqueror and equally strong individuals will stand in the way of such ambition. Mortal Foe allows the marked to identify a worthy opponent as their mortal foe, as someone who must be overcome at all costs. Once that foe is recognized, and only one may be active a time, a Marked will always be aware of when their mortal foe is near, or within the same city. They will always feel a tug toward that fated confrontation and when it occurs, fate intervenes in such a way as to separate the two for their duel. Once used, this ability cannot be again till Mortal Foe has been dismissed.

Krorros Skills I Add an extra three skill points to one of the following skills: Any Weapons Skill (Including Seige Weapons), Unarmed Combat, Discipline, or Leadership. Any skill points granted by this Mark can break the 100 point cap on skills.

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