Episode: Foreign Proposals
Posted by Story on 01/17/19
The two Children of the Emperor stand before the Assembly of Peers, dressed in their gleaming platinum-gilded armor. The elder, Kozu, stands with his hands clasped behind his back, nonetheless giving the impression of being on-guard; it is his 'sister' Zulana who steps forward to address the peers of the realm. She bows first to those at the table... and then towards the commoner benches, of all things.
"Long ago, the Emperor entrusted your land to the Great Unbound, the one who he loved as a daughter, and journeyed to build a new beacon of hope in Jadairal. But now the Great Unbound is lost to us all, and though the world grieves, it becomes clear the Great Experiment is at an end."
"In the time since we arrived," Zulana continues, "We have heard of your Faith quarreling with itself over rooting out conspiracies, claiming that one hand does not know what the other is doing. We have heard of those among your leaders consorting with mages of the Abyss. It seems as though while you struggle to walk a path of light, your will sometimes falters."
Now the emissary pauses, turning to glance at the audience for a moment, as though weighing those assembled there. Then her gaze turns back to the peers, the High Lords and their representatives. "And there are greater threats on the horizon!" she proclaims. "Many things long sealed away are stirring, and if they are not defeated or bound, you put the whole world in danger. Without your lost protector, how can hedge-mages and mortal warriors hope to stand against such foes?"
Zulana shakes her head, almost sadly. "I have no doubt that many among you have brave hearts, and would stand against such darkness. And if you do so alone, you will falter -- and fall. And there are always those who seek personal gain, and will sign themselves away to the Abyss; they will work against you from within."
"Out of respect for the one He so loved, our Emperor grants Arvum the right to come to the Empire, rather than simply being added to its Radiant Expanse. As part of the Undying Empire, those among you who display a gift for the Art will be brought to Jadairal for training and bound against service to the Abyss. We, the Emperor's Children, will help to defend your land -- to oppose the threats you face. Together, you can build a shining future, one where no one need fear being forced into Abyssal service."
She pauses here, glancing over to the commoner benches -- her eyes scan the audience until she spots Shard there; the emissary looks somewhat displeased that the sellsword is seated among the commoners, but she offers a respectful bow towards the woman nonetheless. "You will be exempt from such bindings, of course, Your Majesty; the old treaties remain in effect."
Then she turns back to the table of the Compact leadership. "Within the Undying Empire, you will find a life of peace. Our laws are fair, and the Emperor provides for his citizens. The Arts we know will be used to the benefit of Arvum -- to /your/ benefit. We will hold back the darkness, and give you a chance to build a new world in the light."
"If you choose to align with the Black Spire, however, you will be aligning with those who declare themselves above even the gods. Those who would see many of you chained and sold, forced to fight for their own amusement." Her eyes narrow for a moment. "You would be declaring yourself an enemy to the Empire."
Then the emissary's expression turns dark. "And should you decline all aid, you will almost assuredly fall. And when that darkness rises, when your Compact begins to shatter under the weight of the threats... then we will be forced to come and quell the darkness. For the good of the rest of the world."
Spreading her hands, Zulana concludes, "We ask only that you consider what is best -- for yourself, and for the world. And when you do, you will see that His offer is truly the right path forward."
"Long ago, the Emperor entrusted your land to the Great Unbound, the one who he loved as a daughter, and journeyed to build a new beacon of hope in Jadairal. But now the Great Unbound is lost to us all, and though the world grieves, it becomes clear the Great Experiment is at an end."
"In the time since we arrived," Zulana continues, "We have heard of your Faith quarreling with itself over rooting out conspiracies, claiming that one hand does not know what the other is doing. We have heard of those among your leaders consorting with mages of the Abyss. It seems as though while you struggle to walk a path of light, your will sometimes falters."
Now the emissary pauses, turning to glance at the audience for a moment, as though weighing those assembled there. Then her gaze turns back to the peers, the High Lords and their representatives. "And there are greater threats on the horizon!" she proclaims. "Many things long sealed away are stirring, and if they are not defeated or bound, you put the whole world in danger. Without your lost protector, how can hedge-mages and mortal warriors hope to stand against such foes?"
Zulana shakes her head, almost sadly. "I have no doubt that many among you have brave hearts, and would stand against such darkness. And if you do so alone, you will falter -- and fall. And there are always those who seek personal gain, and will sign themselves away to the Abyss; they will work against you from within."
"Out of respect for the one He so loved, our Emperor grants Arvum the right to come to the Empire, rather than simply being added to its Radiant Expanse. As part of the Undying Empire, those among you who display a gift for the Art will be brought to Jadairal for training and bound against service to the Abyss. We, the Emperor's Children, will help to defend your land -- to oppose the threats you face. Together, you can build a shining future, one where no one need fear being forced into Abyssal service."
She pauses here, glancing over to the commoner benches -- her eyes scan the audience until she spots Shard there; the emissary looks somewhat displeased that the sellsword is seated among the commoners, but she offers a respectful bow towards the woman nonetheless. "You will be exempt from such bindings, of course, Your Majesty; the old treaties remain in effect."
Then she turns back to the table of the Compact leadership. "Within the Undying Empire, you will find a life of peace. Our laws are fair, and the Emperor provides for his citizens. The Arts we know will be used to the benefit of Arvum -- to /your/ benefit. We will hold back the darkness, and give you a chance to build a new world in the light."
"If you choose to align with the Black Spire, however, you will be aligning with those who declare themselves above even the gods. Those who would see many of you chained and sold, forced to fight for their own amusement." Her eyes narrow for a moment. "You would be declaring yourself an enemy to the Empire."
Then the emissary's expression turns dark. "And should you decline all aid, you will almost assuredly fall. And when that darkness rises, when your Compact begins to shatter under the weight of the threats... then we will be forced to come and quell the darkness. For the good of the rest of the world."
Spreading her hands, Zulana concludes, "We ask only that you consider what is best -- for yourself, and for the world. And when you do, you will see that His offer is truly the right path forward."