Written By Driskell
Sept. 21, 2017, 4:30 a.m.(4/3/1007 AR)
Written By Shard
Sept. 21, 2017, 1:33 a.m.(4/3/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Ira
Written By Ira
Sept. 21, 2017, 1:21 a.m.(4/3/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Petal
Go, tell me more about your Gods and their fancies.
Written By Ira
Sept. 21, 2017, 1:19 a.m.(4/3/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Shard
Is it hard being so naive? I'm really wondering.
Written By Merek
Sept. 21, 2017, 1 a.m.(4/3/1007 AR)
Written By Merek
Sept. 21, 2017, 12:50 a.m.(4/3/1007 AR)
Written By Petal
Sept. 21, 2017, 12:28 a.m.(4/3/1007 AR)
If someone would rather be homeless than take a job with a silk that is their choice to make.
Those who keep thralls are slavers and every slaver out there only increases the power of the Great Slaver.
To keep a slave is to aid the abyss. There is no excuse.
Petal
Written By Shard
Sept. 21, 2017, 12:24 a.m.(4/3/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Ira
But then, of course, the crime there is not being born in the Compact, one that tends to warrant summary execution often enough.
Written By Lucita
Sept. 21, 2017, 12:18 a.m.(4/3/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Ian
Written By Ira
Sept. 21, 2017, 12:14 a.m.(4/3/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Merek
For now, I guess I'll have to stick to sending this scholar to insult you. Literally Geoff. I'm writing down a piece of paper now -- you go send this fucking scrap of parchment to this Merek idi-- are you writing? I'm not doing a white journal anymore -- go!
Written By Merek
Sept. 21, 2017, 12:08 a.m.(4/3/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Ira
Written By Serafine
Sept. 21, 2017, 12:03 a.m.(4/3/1007 AR)
It hurt.
I brought lots of rum, though.
Written By Ira
Sept. 21, 2017, midnight(4/3/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Leona
Written By Ira
Sept. 20, 2017, 11:57 p.m.(4/3/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Merek
Written By Ira
Sept. 20, 2017, 11:55 p.m.(4/3/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Leona
Leona Thrax, it reads here. Are you sure about that last part, Dame?
Written By Marius
Sept. 20, 2017, 11:51 p.m.(4/3/1007 AR)
Simone and I have a son. Myrddin.
Everyone is well. Apparently babies cry a lot. Thank the gods old and new for nursemaids and nannies.
Written By Denica
Sept. 20, 2017, 8:05 p.m.(4/3/1007 AR)
Shard it.
If you're tolerable, from a halfway decent family, can put up with tons of questions, don't mind tentacles in your soup, and the occasional paint-covered rom --
My aide, Stojan, is informing me that this a socially poor way to attract a partner, especially for a royal.
Stupid Stojan.
Written By Merek
Sept. 20, 2017, 7:59 p.m.(4/3/1007 AR)
Written By Merek
Sept. 20, 2017, 7:59 p.m.(4/3/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Driskell
Written By Orazio
Sept. 20, 2017, 7:48 p.m.(4/3/1007 AR)
First - I have previously shared my thoughts on the arguments defending thralldom. Those interested can pester the Scholars to bring them that volume, but otherwise, I feel no need to reiterate them. Needless to say, the arguments nor my thoughts have changed.
However, I did want to speak on a hobby of mine: diplomacy and negotiation. So, as these are my journals and no one is required to read them, I shall ramble on about my thoughts on this. You are warned.
Ruminations on Diplomatic Endeavors, Part the First.
Diplomacy begins long before you ever sit down at a table across from a bargaining partner. There are three questions you should know the answer to before you even initiate contact with others: what you want, what you will settle for, and what you are prepared to give up to gain either of those things.
What You Want: A goal is essential in diplomacy, and do not hesitate to think big. Have a firm idea of what would be your best case scenario; close your eyes and imagine it, imagine the sweet taste of victory, and the warm glow of accomplishment from achieving every one of your aims and leaving your partner sputtering and wondering how they agreed to such a terrible deal. Feels good, yes?
Now, put that aside, because you will never get /everything/ you want. But knowing what the victory scenario is will help shape your requests and negotiations. Be specific, be ambitious, and do not reveal your hand.
What You Will Settle For: Then, go through that wish list, and perform triage. What is /most/ important to you? What could you end the negotiation with that would still accomplish your goals, even if it isn't the ideal scenario? Here, be brutally honest with yourself - mark things which can easily go on the chopping block, but also make a note of the things which you would rather walk away from the table entirely than concede. As with your wish list, be specific and do not share this list with your bargaining partner. A diplomatic negotiation can usually be considered 'successful' if you can get everything you could settle for...and a little more besides. But if your partner knows what you /need/ to accomplish, then they have a tool that you'll find it difficult to counter.
What You Will Concede: Put simply, what will you give up to get what you want. Diplomacy is, at its heart, a negotiation. Barring your partner and their advisers being colossal imbeciles, you will never close a negotiation without having lost something. The trick is to ensure that you understand what you can lose, and still accomplish your goals. There are two very dangerous answers to the question, "What are you willing to give up to get what you desire?": "Everything" and "Nothing".
If you answer "Everything", then for the love of the gods, hire someone to do your negotiations who is not as desperate as you are. I recommend a Whisper. If you answer "Nothing", then diplomacy is not a method which will serve you well. Either walk away from your desire, or sharpen your blades and prepare to fight to take what you want. But we shall assume that you fall into neither of these extremes, in which case I offer the following advice: understand the specific things you might be required to concede, and which you are prepared to sacrifice first. A good negotiator should not be taken by surprise by a request for concessions (even if he or she pretends to be), but should have a list in their mind of things which could be lost in the service of the greater goal.
This entry has gone on for too long, I imagine. Next time, I will speak of my thoughts on researching your partner, and the first meeting.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.