Foreign Offers
Posted by Pax on 01/18/19
So there are several offers on the table now, each with potential implications for the game; we want to go over the OOC implications of each so that people understand what it would mean. You can assume that enough information is circulating that you can understand these consequences ICly.
If the offer from the Platinum Empire is accepted, then magic effectively leaves open play entirely. Anyone who displays magical talent will either have to go into hiding and operate in secret, avoiding Platinum's enforcers, or else will be taken to Jadairal and put under Writ to ensure they cannot abuse the Art -- this means they lose free will, and are no longer a PC. It is, in effect, the death of your character. Further, choosing Platinum will anger Cardia and cause them to consider Arvum an enemy nation, and quite possibly lead to warfare. Steelsilk, Cardian snakeskin, and other high-end materials which often are sourced from Cardia will have astronomically higher prices to represent their new scarcity. However, the danger -- and deadliness level -- of many threats will be significantly reduced from what it would otherwise be; adventures outside of the safety of Arx's walls will not be so deadly.
If the offer from Cardia is accepted, then new wealth and resources flood into the Compact; the prices of high-end materials will drop considerably. However, the current rulers must all give up their positions -- no more High Lords, no more King -- and submit to Cardian rule under a Governor they will appoint. Further, Cardian law will apply, which most notably means that slavery /will/ be legalized in Arvum once more, and that the Faith of the Pantheon will be disarmed, losing all political power and relevance. But Cardian military might will be leveled against the esoteric threats the Compact currently faces, and magic would be able to be openly practiced; Cardia has no objection to magic -- provided it isn't used against the benevolent Cardian overlords. However, siding with Cardia /will/ anger the Platinum Empire, and will lead to Arvum being considered an enemy nation (and possible war). But again, with Cardian might backing Arvum, the danger and deadliness levels will be lower than they might otherwise be.
If the offer from Brass is accepted, Thrax will have to do away with thralldom -- taking a huge economic hit -- and all fealties will take a smaller one because of the ex-slave Metallic's insistance on better pay for serfs as one of his terms; 'work' will also produce less as a result, and domain upkeep will cost more. Cardia will also be angered by the Compact's alliance with someone they consider a criminal; trade between Arvum and Cardia will end, causing the costs of high-end materials to skyrocket. However, Brass will provide training for crafters to create weapons and tools to use against the threats that the Compact faces, and may step in to provide other aid. Nothing else about the governance of the Compact will change. The danger levels of threats and adventures /will/ rise somewhat, but not as severely as if no offer is accepted.
And lastly, if Ashe's suggestion is heeded, then things continue apace; Arvum remains free and independent, the current rulers retain their positions, and very little changes. However, neither does the Compact have any outside aid against the various threats out there. This may force the 'Team Good' and 'Team Evil' factions to co-exist and work together in order to overcome the threats facing the Compact, quite possibly including drafting and signing magical Accords dictating new terms of interaction between the factions. Even with such cooperation, the danger level posed by threats to the Compact will continue to rise; there's only so much that aspiring mages and adepts and beseechers who are in the earliest stages of learning will be able to do against the rising darkness.
There are also two 'soft' choices that were offered: Cardia will allow Arvum to self-govern but will increase trade and aid if the Compact refuses all contact with the Undying Empire, and turns over Brass as a war criminal. Similarly, the Undying Empire will provide aid and trade to a self-governing Arvum if the Compact scours all Cardian influence from the continent.
Most of these choices are mutually exclusive; choosing Brass or the Undying Empire (including the softer option) will cause relations with Cardia to sour (and may lead to warfare), while choosing Cardia (even the softer option) may cause the Undying Empire to consider Arvum enemy territory (and may lead to warfare).
The only two choices that are not mutually excluded are Brass and Ashe: the Compact can choose Brass and still receive Ashe's help.
Even if Brass or Ashe are aiding, if Arvum /fails/ to deal with a major threat -- such as Azazel, or Legion -- which can pose a threat outside of Arvum itself, then either the Undying Empire or Cardia may take it as an excuse to invade and seize power in the name of the greater good.
You have a month or so before your leaders need to make a choice. Help them choose wisely!
If the offer from the Platinum Empire is accepted, then magic effectively leaves open play entirely. Anyone who displays magical talent will either have to go into hiding and operate in secret, avoiding Platinum's enforcers, or else will be taken to Jadairal and put under Writ to ensure they cannot abuse the Art -- this means they lose free will, and are no longer a PC. It is, in effect, the death of your character. Further, choosing Platinum will anger Cardia and cause them to consider Arvum an enemy nation, and quite possibly lead to warfare. Steelsilk, Cardian snakeskin, and other high-end materials which often are sourced from Cardia will have astronomically higher prices to represent their new scarcity. However, the danger -- and deadliness level -- of many threats will be significantly reduced from what it would otherwise be; adventures outside of the safety of Arx's walls will not be so deadly.
If the offer from Cardia is accepted, then new wealth and resources flood into the Compact; the prices of high-end materials will drop considerably. However, the current rulers must all give up their positions -- no more High Lords, no more King -- and submit to Cardian rule under a Governor they will appoint. Further, Cardian law will apply, which most notably means that slavery /will/ be legalized in Arvum once more, and that the Faith of the Pantheon will be disarmed, losing all political power and relevance. But Cardian military might will be leveled against the esoteric threats the Compact currently faces, and magic would be able to be openly practiced; Cardia has no objection to magic -- provided it isn't used against the benevolent Cardian overlords. However, siding with Cardia /will/ anger the Platinum Empire, and will lead to Arvum being considered an enemy nation (and possible war). But again, with Cardian might backing Arvum, the danger and deadliness levels will be lower than they might otherwise be.
If the offer from Brass is accepted, Thrax will have to do away with thralldom -- taking a huge economic hit -- and all fealties will take a smaller one because of the ex-slave Metallic's insistance on better pay for serfs as one of his terms; 'work' will also produce less as a result, and domain upkeep will cost more. Cardia will also be angered by the Compact's alliance with someone they consider a criminal; trade between Arvum and Cardia will end, causing the costs of high-end materials to skyrocket. However, Brass will provide training for crafters to create weapons and tools to use against the threats that the Compact faces, and may step in to provide other aid. Nothing else about the governance of the Compact will change. The danger levels of threats and adventures /will/ rise somewhat, but not as severely as if no offer is accepted.
And lastly, if Ashe's suggestion is heeded, then things continue apace; Arvum remains free and independent, the current rulers retain their positions, and very little changes. However, neither does the Compact have any outside aid against the various threats out there. This may force the 'Team Good' and 'Team Evil' factions to co-exist and work together in order to overcome the threats facing the Compact, quite possibly including drafting and signing magical Accords dictating new terms of interaction between the factions. Even with such cooperation, the danger level posed by threats to the Compact will continue to rise; there's only so much that aspiring mages and adepts and beseechers who are in the earliest stages of learning will be able to do against the rising darkness.
There are also two 'soft' choices that were offered: Cardia will allow Arvum to self-govern but will increase trade and aid if the Compact refuses all contact with the Undying Empire, and turns over Brass as a war criminal. Similarly, the Undying Empire will provide aid and trade to a self-governing Arvum if the Compact scours all Cardian influence from the continent.
Most of these choices are mutually exclusive; choosing Brass or the Undying Empire (including the softer option) will cause relations with Cardia to sour (and may lead to warfare), while choosing Cardia (even the softer option) may cause the Undying Empire to consider Arvum enemy territory (and may lead to warfare).
The only two choices that are not mutually excluded are Brass and Ashe: the Compact can choose Brass and still receive Ashe's help.
Even if Brass or Ashe are aiding, if Arvum /fails/ to deal with a major threat -- such as Azazel, or Legion -- which can pose a threat outside of Arvum itself, then either the Undying Empire or Cardia may take it as an excuse to invade and seize power in the name of the greater good.
You have a month or so before your leaders need to make a choice. Help them choose wisely!