Yet more news from Raus fort.
1. A young Mru
man and his parents find Caernak one night in his quarters, and very respectfully ask for
counsel with him. Caernak is
trying to recall where he remembers the Mru from, as the father explains that
their son, Greyreed Otter-friend, has always emulated the River-Voices he met 9
years ago near Raus Fort, and now has the blessing of his father to join them
and help bring a better life for the riverfolk. Greyreed anxiously jumps in to express
his candor and describe his skills, when it hits you -- this is the boy who
came to you with his pet otter Moonsilver way back in the beginning, and you
helped dispose of a gorp in Moonsilver's lair (at the sad cost of Moonsilver's
life). Greyreed says he wants to
join the Cleansed One subcult and become a River Voice. He has trained with Raus's men and the
newtlings in combat and river skills, and says he's ready. The parents are worried but you can feel
their pride. The mother says,
"He's always had a talent with the river otters; he has an odd bond with
them. Maybe that skill can be
useful to you." Greyreed
pleads to you, "Please take me in your service, I won't disappoint you
Caernak Riverborn!" He
does seem to have potential -- some fair skills ~60%, an otter named Shirk that
is mindlinked to him, and good statistics (STR 13, CON 18, SIZ 10; DEX, INT,
POW, and APP 16).
Caernak replies:
Greyreed Otterfriend is well
remembered! It still saddens
Caernak sometimes, that Moonsilver died, but his sacrifice taught Caernak and
important lesson about life on the River.
Caernak's initial reaction is that Greyreed is just the kind of Mru that
he is looking for to join the River Voices. He'll speak more with him to make sure
he's got the right kind of virtues, but if he's been idolizing Mr. C for nine
years, he's probably got them.
Also, when I mentioned Raus's "household" earlier, I meant it
in the Roman sense of "familia" - not just his blood, but his slaves,
tenants, and men-at-arms - but the Lady Jezra might find a life of (deadly -
but don't tell dad!) adventure joining with the Voices... and young Greyreed is
a fetching lad :). And she'd better
have him wrapped around her finger before Elohwyn shows up, or she'll miss her
chance. Wow. Greyreed. When he gets pulped by chaos, it's going
to hurt Caernak (or Brighteye, if he's up for it) will induct him into the Cult
of the Cleansed One next holy day, with much Ceremony, along with those members
of the House of Raus who are up for it.
One training circle, coming on line! Somewhere.
2. In sad
news, you learn from local newtlings before you leave that "Grandad"
Desi Shing, wise old river man who has taken you so many places in his ancient
skiff, was resting at a newtling village after helping to get many riverfolk to
freedom from the Bat, nomads, Lunars, etc.
When word came to him that Pavis had fallen, he smiled, coughed, and
died peacefully. He had been
holding on all of his life to see this moment.
Caernak
says a prayer or two for Zola Fel to guide Grandad into the underworld, as he
guided us so often. He is not sad
for Grandad's passing, though he will miss him, since he knows that Desi Shing
lived a full life, saw much, did much, and died happy.
3.
Other followup news from the riverfolk:
Remember that Gubrana stead that you protected from Toadface the shaman
and his foul broos? The Lunar family held up all these years afterwards, until
just recently when (Raus tells you) it was besieged by impala riders and
everyone was slain, the place was burnt down and is now haunted with their
ghosts. Sadder still.
Caernak replies:
Arcus is doing a fine job as co-negotiator (and Caernak
makes sure he knows it). Caernak
thinks he is the best person to negotiate with Raus, and likes the job. He expected to be there for a while (a
week at least), hashing things out and discussing what the future holds for the
Valley, the Empire in the Valley, and Raus. One thing that he might suggest is that
Raus strengthen his ties to the River... members of his household might join
Zola Fel or even the Cleanse One, to show that they are not invaders, but
neighbors, with the same interest in keeping the Valley harmonious and clean of
the taint of Chaos as residents with more time in the Valley.
> Raus thinks this
is a good idea, and partly for this purpose calls all
> of the people in
his domain together for a dinner one night while you
> are there,
celebrating your visit with fine Grantlands victuals,
> music, dance, and
storytelling, and the well-publicized highlight is
> your speech to the
gathered crowd. They are all there:
Raus, Daryli,
> Jezra, Daine, and
all of their underlings. Here's
Caernak's chance to
> shine with a great
rousing speech.
I've thought about Raus
a lot over the years, but not nearly as much as Caernak has. He has been preparing for this one for a
long time. In addition to some
heavy discussion time with Brighteye prior to
departure, and
preparing constantly on the voyage to Ronegarth, he's been thinking about Raus
and the problems he presents for years, whenever he wasn't dealing with more
pressing matters. He should have
some insight into how to resolve this to benefit all. Raus is a man that Caernak respects and
likes, who will make a valuable contribution to the River and the Valley if given
the chance. I think my personal
undertanding is somewhat lacking... and I don't want to make some faux pas
because I forgot something.
I'm not sure how to approach the
slavery thing, for example. Caernak
is adamantly opposed to slavery, but I don't know if this is even something
that would be brought up. My
initial thoughts for reaction (I don't recall Raus flaunting slaves on prior
visits) do NOT mesh well with his role as negotiator... but it's a Cult Mission
that is very dear to Caernak's heart.
He wouldn't fuck the negotiations up over this... but Raus should know
by now that Mr. C is pro-emancipation.
Perhaps there's a way to work that out - but regardless, the Duke will
hear gentle persuasion to the effect that he ought to consider getting away
from slaveholding as an economic prop.
For one thing, freemen fight better than slaves, when the neighbors come
a-knockin'... and they will. Raus
just does slavery because he's used to it, that's OK, but I'm going to try to
interest him in "other ways" if he's up for it.... If not, Mr. C will drop it.
Herdmen aren't a problem (Feor Clanless had an early influence!), just
those who would be free if they could.
I'll bless Caernak with my own (uh, hard core) Libertarian views. No one who would be free should be kept
in chains; those who WILL be free, will achieve it.
> You feel out the
subject and do find that he will talk freely about
> it. He explains that he has policies in
place that allow his servants
> to earn enough
credit to purchase their freedom, and if they gain
> freedom he grants
them a land plot and treats them like any other
> citizen of his
realm. He has no strong emotional
tie to slavery, but
> again it's the way
he's always done it. So he'll chat
more if you
> have ideas.
This
is the kind of solution that Caernak was going to suggest. I think they did this in Brazil...
slaves work one day in seven for themselves, and can buy freedom, one more day
at a time.
> Another of Raus's
broader long-term plans is to be in charge of
> Grantlands
resettlement, well, actually, in charge of everything
> between Sun County
and Corflu if he gets his way. He
disagreed with
> some of Sor-Eel's
policies (putting steads in isolated areas without
> much defense) and
has some better plans, more restrained, for
> resettling this
land. He welcomes any who would
accept him as the
> Governor of the
Grantlands to apply for land grants in his realm.
> Initial
settlements will be close to Ronegarth, while patrols "clean
> out" regions
beyond in sequence. He still
harbors distrust and
> resentment against
Orlanthi, but riverfolk, Sun Domers, Pavisites,
> Lunars, etc. would
be very welcome in the Grantlands.
He asks you to
> spread word of
this plan.
Caernak likes the plan,
and is enthusiastic about it. Let's
just de-emphasize the long-term portion, though. A safe place to live and work, protected
by a mighty lord, should draw some settlers. They might
turn out to be
Sartarite Orlanthi fleeing the war, though (and Caernak will mention this if
we're aware of the troubles there).
I'll spread the word, but (again, if we're aware of the troubles in
Sartar – though we can probably infer some kind of upheaval in any case)
if Raus shows any willingness at all to let such folk into his land, his main
goal will be to find some refugees from Sartar who will make a good impression
on Raus, and get them to resettle here.
Good people fleeing because they want to live their lives in peace, who
won't be a big pain in the ass about being near Lunars. Caernak won't tell Raus this; it's his
sneaky plan to make everyone get along :).
On the 5eyes issue,
Caernak's feeling is that there is no way that the Five Eyes will completely
stop their depradations. What he'd
like to do is make sure that nothing gets out of hand. A little cross-border
sheepstealing among
friends is to be expected, and the occasional raid helps keep troops well
trained and on their toes. The goal
is to make the conflict less a blood feud, and more a friendly exchange. One of way to do this is to ritualize
it; emphasize counting coup and the great honor due a warrior who whacks his
opponent without needing to kill or maim him. Establishing "norms" for
combat between the Five Eyes and Raus's household should be possible; i.e.
making dependants "illegal targets" and setting certain targets off
limits. Perhaps an annual feast for
both communities, held after the harvest - the "winners" being the
guests of the "losers" for the year. Winning determined by the side that
gained the most honor over the year, gain for coup counting and taking symbolic
stuff, lose for messing with noncombatants, killing people, and otherwise
acting like assholes. Judgement by the
River Cult, maybe a trophy to be kept by the winner for a year (and guarded
closely!). Specific "I'm here
to fuck with you but not to kill you" outfits or decorations, like body
paint or banners (harmony runes on the forehead?). Massive retaliation by the River Voices
in case of base treachery, of course.
Maybe even a flood or the withdrawal of ZFs blessings for violators.
Also to be discussed -
perhaps as a favor in return for these hopefully successful negotiations -
Raus's good offices and assistance in dealing with the Corflu holdouts, particularly
as pertains to the release of Sa'arachambro. I mean, Zola Fel could just inundate the
island, but hey, that's not the way Caernak would like to see things go
down. Releasing our High Priest
would probably be a good starting place for making sure nothing like that
happens :). (Pretty much sheer
bluff, but Caernak damn sure thinks ZF could do it if he took a mind to, he's
just not sure he WOULD... and Caernak would prefer a peaceful solution).
That Caernak favors the
Left Hand when possible should be well known. This is a moral decision on his part, to
stay the Right Hand and seek conciliation, not an indication of weakness
(despite the regrowing right hand); are people sufficiently aware of this on the
River? Caernak doesn't like making
examples, but if people start thinking he's being nice because he has to be, if
offering the Left Hand leads to betrayal, heads will roll.
Per the Rone Sword -
Caernak is impressed. And pleased
that Duke Raus is more powerful because of it. This way, the negotiations are among
equals, as it should be. Dictating
terms is not part of this mission; Caernak wants agreement between equals (yes,
he's a goofy bastard for Glorantha).
Now, if I can just
convince the Five Eyes...
OK, here goes with the
Orate: I rolled a 10 for Arcus; he gives you some very good pointers on your speech,
particularly on the slave issue which he had pondered too. He also suggests that, for variety, Sun
Domers could join in the "games" between Raus/5 eyes, in a friendly
fashion. Especially Raus's men; actually
maybe better not to get domers and newtlings interacting more (powder keg!).
Your orate succeeds
admirably (a 37). The crowd is very
stimulated by your words and breaks into many discussions. [Daryli warmly congratulates you on a
wise soliloquoy, whereas Daine shrugs and coldly watches Raus's reaction, and
Jezra is for once quite silent and contemplative. Raus publically agrees with you,
exhuberantly, and says he is very impressed by this River Voice, and his people
should listen to you and Arcus well while you are here. He says that your idea about the 5 eyes
is the best he's heard yet. He'd
never considered that they might go for it, but he trusts your implication that
they might. He has more hope now
for resolving this issue, and eagerly talks with you more about it in
private. He wants to make an offer
to them like this. Raus is now very
chummy with you, inviting you and Arcus for drinks in his private chambers
nightly, slapping you on the back, making friendly jokes at your expense,
etc. He even asks to hear your
favorite myths of your cult, and tells you his (he likes the older ones with
sun-worship and Dara Happan nobility more than the more recent and more violent
and decadent ones). His mood is cheerier;
his people point out that your visit is lifting his spirits.
Some of Raus's people
express interest in joining the river cult, and in particular a few of his
newtlings express interest in joining the Cleansed One cult. Some of his warriors come to you and say
that you have the soul of a noble warrior and general in you, and they like the
idea of a more formal competition with 5 eyes; they tire of the ambushes and
paranoia. The trophy idea is well
received by everyone. They have severe doubts, though, that relations could
ever be called friendly or even social.
A treaty for more restrained combat conditions would be most realistic;
feasts or social celebrations would not go well.
Greyreed is there at
the talk and is beaming with admiration for you afterwards, and waits on you
hand and foot. [Note: Greyreed
seems to admire Jezra too, but she doesn't seem to realize he exists... snob] Greyreed
introduces you to Shirk, his otter, and Greyreed's parents chat with you a lot,
and tell Raus's people stories about you that make an even better impression,
although you're a bit embarassed by how they tell about some of your mistakes
too. You learn that Greyreed has
been blessed by Zola Fel in a special way: he can mindlink with an otter and
share senses and magics. These rare
intelligent river otters are drawn to him.
Luckily there aren't too many in these parts, but down in the Corflu
area the Lunars hunt them for pelts.