An uneasy alliance with Basilea

(Below if a bit of fluff for Topaz)

The Archduke of Topaz shifted his weigth uneasy. High on his dias, firmly sitting in his chair of office, he should have been the social superior of any supplicant or visitor. In this case it was different, as the supplicant would be more of an auditor.

The Visitor was unlike many he’d seen before. The man was tall, towering a full head over courtiers and guardsmen alike. His brass armour did not hide his enormous bulk as much as it accentuated it, and he was surrounded by a certain aura of confidence as he strode onwards into the reception hall. Increasing his already considerable bulk were two giantic wings, now folded on his back. All-in, the visitor was impressive, awing the courtiers of the archdukal palace around him.

The herald anounced him:

“My lord Archduke, your grace, I have the honour to present the envoy from Basilea, Sir Lionel, hand of Life and Death”

“Your Grace” boomed Lionel. His voice was as impressive as the man itself. A warm baritone comparable to a warm summer rain at the end of a hot day, the voice filled the whole hall, the echoes reinforcing the orginal words. “I have come to discuss your request to an alliance with Mighty Basilea”

“Ah, yes,” spoke the Archduke, trying to hide his awe. Then he started. “As we have fought together in many cases since the war with the Abyss a few years ago, we are inclined to formalize this arrangement. Moreover, we would like to build a trade enclave in the Basilean mainland.” As the nobleman started on his rehearsed proposal, the worlds came more natural.

“The hegemony has been notified of your request” The warm voice took a slightly darker timbre as the massive man continued. “But the agents of the Shining ones have not forgotten that your nation has consorted with our nemesis less than a decade ago.“

The Archduke frowned. “Ah, yes. that unsavoury matter several years ago, unsanctioned but ignored by my predecessor. You can be assured that I will not stand for such a thing. Consorting with demons has been outlawed since the day I was elected.” A general buzz of consent went through the crowd of courtiers. Sir Lionel was not impressed.

“Be as that may, the Hegemony is not yet convinced of the purity of your intentions, dear Archduke” As the envoy looked the archduke straight in the eyes, he saw something he wanted. “But we are willing to build on your pledge of piety”

The Archduke, now visibly unfomfortable, inquired. “Your meaning being?…..”

“The Hegemony has sent me as your liason, as the eyes and ears both of the Hegemony itself and the Shining ones whom they serve. Convince us of your good intentions, your faith and the purity of your people, and we can formalise an alliance.”

The Archduke nodded in consent. Then the envoy continued:

“Until we have come to a decision, I shall support you, both in this room as in battle. Also, the hegemony has sent with me a small detachment of immortals and a few teachers to guide your people towards the Light of Reason.” We expect our advice to be considered.

The Archduke answered: “So Basilea sent you to scrutinize my reign”

“Your grace, noting so crude, I assure you. See it as a bit of a helping hand toward the Light of the Shining ones. Only when your nation is completely purified of the taint of the past, can we join forces against the Forces of Darkness. Furthermore, the hegemony allows you to build a trading enclave on the coast of the Brothermark”

The archduke wondered how much defense such a trading post would need and if it would be possible to turn a profit ouot of such an enclave. To do so, he needed warriors. “And those immportals? What are those?”

“Just a handfull of men, empowered by the Light of the Shining ones and outfitted from the smithies of mount Koilos”

“And why are they called immortals then?”

“When their physicial form is destroyed, their spirit joins us at the mount Koilos. We can fuse their spirit again to another mortal soul, allowing the joint soul to live in the Light again. It’s the greatest honour a paladin can gain.

“Im sure. ” the archduke speaks decidedly. “Show them in”. While the mighty warriors of the hegemony entered the reception hall, the Archduke secretly considered how much of his independance he just sold. Yet, he needed the profits from Basilea after the flood destroyed parts of Topaz proper. The following reconstruction has taken its toll on the armies and some of the colonies have begun to resent the increased taxation. Time would tell.