[OOC] [Exalted 2.5] The Scarlet Sky Conspiracy – An Epistolary Game

[wonderandawe]

Preferably, but if you want to have it happen as a random complication go ahead.

I'd prefer if you set it off. I just need to know how, so I can tell you the fallout.

[Eura]

I'll think of something tomorrow along with a more organized PM about the set up. I'd like to let Aisa do her negotiations first to lessen an already enormous Fallout.

[wonderandawe]

Ok.

BlueWinds Roll Socialize or Presence (Diff 3) to see if the Elder Agree with the Assessment of the situation.

Exthalion The Cynis elder is skeptical about these "artifact plants". As a farmer himself, it is almost too good to be true. He wants proof these plants will do what they say they do. Of course that is going to take time you don't have. Give me a Socialize (Diff 3) to convince the elder Akashan isn't trying to take advantage of him.

[Exthalion]

I do have samples of said plants...
3 Successes

I will include the stunt description in the letter.

[BlueWinds]

I'm... really tempted to channel Compassion on this roll. It's only one die, way worse than just spending the WP, but...
Conviction it is. Aisa cares about the people of the Slave Coast, but compassion isn't what strengthens her voice.

6 successes.

Have other people been adding stunts to their rolls? I haven't been claiming any stunt dice, which I assumed was intended for this format.

[wonderandawe]

BlueWinds

In the face of your conviction, the Tepet elder wants to make Aisa a counter offer. The Elder will agree to the trade if Aisa promises to speak for their House if Mnemon takes the throne. Because Aisa is right, things are moving quickly. And Tepet is in a precarious position. Right now, the Roseblack is the house's only hope and they will not betray their own. But if matters go badly in the North, they need this assurance.

What do you do?

Exthalion

The Cynis Elders seem impressed by your demonstration. But they wonder why you came to them. They don't have any available crop land in the Southeast right now. They do have some fields in fallow in the Lap, they can offer you.

What do you do?

[BlueWinds]

Aisa will do them one better - she'll speak for them regardless of who takes the throne. Surely they already know that she's dealing with V'Neef as well - it would be a shame if there were no room for anyone but the strong as the Realm moves forward.

She too wants something more, in return for further promises on her part. Money. Two tenths of a percent (or some number) of the tribute payments.

I don't have a good sense for how much money a typical tribute includes, but I assume a great deal - Aisa's asking for Resources 3, in a nutshell.

[wonderandawe]

Aisa will do them one better - she'll speak for them regardless of who takes the throne. Surely they already know that she's dealing with V'Neef as well - it would be a shame if there were no room for anyone but the strong as the Realm moves forward.

She too wants something more, in return for further promises on her part. Money. Two tenths of a percent (or some number) of the tribute payments.

I don't have a good sense for how much money a typical tribute includes, but I assume a great deal - Aisa's asking for Resources 3, in a nutshell.

They aren't going to give you money out right, but they will cede some property in the North. You will have to manage it and it will be up to you to make a profit. Once they have an idea of what is available in the north, they will give you several options.

(I am assuming this is the resources background you mentioned. We will play it as you'll need to build the property over the next few months.)

[Exthalion]

I came to them because I think the cooperation of wood aspects will be more useful than the actual location of the land. If we do use the land near the lap we will require an extensive irrigation program and likely some form of greenhouse system to maintain the proper humidity. The plants are as resilient as artifacts once they are mature but before then can be quite fragile.

But, I am not trying to convince them. I am trying to plant the seed in their head that Aisa can use. Essentially a complicated aid another to her roll.

However! I have charms that the Scroll of Errata made good.
Starting with Thoughful Gift Technique to find out what would be the ideal gift to get this Elder on board with this plan.

I don't know what the Elder's essence is. Given that Peleps Deled and the Roseblack are E4 and that most houses don't hold Artificers in much respect I suppose that might hint that this guy isn't a heavy hitter. That isn't a big deal though, more of a bonus.

Ideally, the perfect gift will give me a bonus on my next roll which will consist of Finding the Water's Depths.


If possible, I will check with Ryo and Aiso before using either charm since UMI is horrible mind control. (How are we handling that by the way?)

[BlueWinds]

They aren't going to give you money out right, but they will cede some property in the North. You will have to manage it and it will be up to you to make a profit. Once they have an idea of what is available in the north, they will give you several options.

That is even better, and Aisa will readily consent, wishing she'd suggested that in the first place.

Re: UMI, Aisa's response would be something like: (serious voice) "As I teach to all my students: decide for yourself what prices you will pay for what rewards. Accepting consequences is a condition of exercising power."

[wonderandawe]

That is even better, and Aisa will readily consent, wishing she'd suggested that in the first place.

Re: UMI, Aisa's response would be something like: (serious voice) "As I teach to all my students: decide for yourself what prices you will pay for what rewards. Accepting consequences is a condition of exercising power."

Give me a Presence roll (Diff 3) before we finalize the Agreement. House Tepet is putting some serious faith in Aisa and she will need to show she is worthy of it.

[wonderandawe]

I came to them because I think the cooperation of wood aspects will be more useful than the actual location of the land. If we do use the land near the lap we will require an extensive irrigation program and likely some form of greenhouse system to maintain the proper humidity. The plants are as resilient as artifacts once they are mature but before then can be quite fragile.

But, I am not trying to convince them. I am trying to plant the seed in their head that Aisa can use. Essentially a complicated aid another to her roll.

Did you want to end the Cynis meeting here and have a second meeting after Aisa meets with the elders?

If possible, I will check with Ryo and Aiso before using either charm since UMI is horrible mind control. (How are we handling that by the way?)

This is how I will run UMI: You can use it, but it is considered rude to do so. Especially with other Dragonblooded. If you get caught (ie, if the Exalted target decides to spend WP), it's a major breach of etiquette. Some prideful Dragonblooded may challenge you to a duel. Other more circumspect Dragonblooded will just take note and be more wary of your character.

[BlueWinds]

3 Manipulation + 3 Presence + 1 Family (Mnemon known, above all, for competence) = 3 successes (2 rolled, 1 from WP).

That makes 4wp I've spent this season. Running kind of short, but it's all been totally worth it.

[wonderandawe]

Tepet Elder agrees to Aisa's proposal, with the added note that this agreement will depend on how Aisa's negotiations with Cynis go.

Aisa will get a bonus die on a roll where she invokes Akashan's proposal.

[BlueWinds]

Ok, that's the Tepets! Partially in parallel (waiting until she confirms the meeting with Tepet, but before actually occurring), it's time to start setting up a meeting with Cynis! To Cynis Belar (MoEP: DB pg. 32):

The Slave Coast rebellion is can turn to profit rather than disaster. Are you willing to attempt the register of account rather than the iron boot?

I have in my hand the keys to Hohenzon's ivory gates. Do not let the opium-daze of the North distract you from what is truly valuable.
- Mnemon Aisa

She's going to offer Cynis the same deal as Tepet agreed to - give up the Slave Coast, and Tepet will transfer control of Hohenzon to their forces. Aisa's fee and interest in mediating this will be one of the Hohenzon's wood lots, famed for their fast-growing Ash trees. One of her big points is that Tepet is desperate, making them dangerous - better to profit from a sure exchange (unequal in their favor!) than risk the irrationality of a desperate house.

Aisa's willing to give up the land, or accept a smaller fee of some other sort, but opening with it gives her more room to be negotiated down without having to chip in further resources or promises of her own.