Can't give everything away

Overview

Each season the Civil Service prepares a summary of the Empire's relationship with the foreign nations, based on communications received from their ambassador, along with any useful intelligence gathered from other sources. While the Senate and the other houses of Imperial power may respond to these offers, it is important to note that it is the appropriate ambassador that the foreign power will expect to hear from. Their communication with the foreign power is the primary element that will determine the tenor of any response.

The merchant-princes of the Sarcophan Delves - the bedelaar huisbaas - strive for neutrality. They are enthusiastic about trade with the Empire, but their neutrality is precious to them. They hold it a mark of pride that they will deal with anyone who has goods, services, or money. While they have given up the practice of slavery without regret, they refuse to pick a side between the Liberty Pact and the Freedom Accord. Their primary goal is to ensure the ports of the world remain open to their ships, ideally with free trade agreements that allow their merchants to operate without onerous tariffs.

The Sarcophan ambassador to the Empire is Bedelaar Huisbaas Annike, of the Tower of Crows. She reports to the beggar-landlords of Sarcophan, and is known to be a wily and subtle diplomat. No stranger to the murkier waters of espionage and intelligence-gathering, she constantly seeks opportunities to expand the influence of the Sarcophan mercantile Empire across the Known World. She has no particular loyalty to any one faction; her main concern appears to be the prosperity of the nation as a whole.

An Ultimatum

They have issued ultimatums to the Empire and every other nation on the Seven Seas The Sarcophan Delves will declare war on any nation that attempts to embargo third-party trade Their ultimatum has brought an end to the Plenum bounty on ships visiting the Empire

The Sarcophan Delves approached the Imperial Ambassador about the creation of the Free Seas Pact six months ago. The Imperial Ambassador, concerned about potential conflicts with the Liberty Pact was cautious and ultimately declined to become involved. The Sarcophan plan was to convince the Empire to join, and then use that to put pressure on the Commonwealth and Sumaah and eventually get everyone to agree to the pact. When the Empire equivocated, the plan fell apart; without their endorsement the other nations felt able to ignore the Delves.

In the absence of Imperial support, the Sarcophan Delves have abandoned the communal approach and decided to act unilaterally. They have sent missives to every major nation - the Empire, Jarm, Asavea, the Commonwealth and the Sumaah Republic - and numerous small nations announcing the imposition of the Pax Sarcophan - a public commitment from the Delves that they will not tolerate piracy of merchant vessels of other nations, they will not permit any nation to threaten international trade.

They have issued the Empire - and every other nation with an ultimatum. Individual nations may do what they like to nations they are at war with - war is a harsh reality of the world and arguably good for business anyway. But the Delves will not permit anyone trying to prevent uninvolved nations from trading with those they are at war with. Any attempt to do so, by any nation, will cause the Delves to declare war on them. The Delves may not have the largest or most powerful navy in the world, but they will cut off all trade with the nation and hire marines, mercenaries and pirates to harry their shipping across the Seven Seas.

Specifically, any nation that attempts to blockade ports against neutral parties, or employ bounties or other influence to encourage pirates and privateers to attack neutral trading ships, will find their own vessels targeted by Sarcophan captains. The Delves will also place bounties of their own on that nation's shipping and unlike others, the Sarcophan have contacts with several groups who would be more than happy to take up such bounties on a professional scale. They would also bring their economic might to bear - while they prefer to remain neutral in trading matters they would cut off all trade - imports and exports - with the target nation and use every tool at their disposal to encourage other nations to do the same.

For the Delves to wield political power in this fashion is unprecedented, but it is clear that the Beggar's Banquet is furious about the damage being done to international trade by the Asavean bounty on Imperial ships, and the recent blockade of the Sumaah ports. They have no interest in interfering in war between nations, but they will not tolerate attempts to try and prevent nations that are not involved trading with either side of a conflict.

It's not yet clear how the other great powers intend to respond to this extraordinary ultimatum by the Delves, but the Asavean Plenum is furious, for obvious reasons. Yet it appears they have also been left with little choice but to reconsider their current strategy of trying to block anyone from trading with the Empire. It perhaps helps the Sarcophan cause that the sheer cost of maintaining the bounty on ships visiting the Empire has become increasingly untenable for many of the Plenum families. The Asaveans have a much stronger navy than the Delves, but the thought of being at war with the Empire, Sumaah and the Delves at the same time was too much even for them. It seems the Delves might have successfully called their bluff.

Not long after the Sarcophan announcement reaches the Empire, word begins to spread that the Asaveans have withdrawn their bounty on Imperial ships. It will take a little while for the news to reach everyone, of course, but it is expected that foreign trade will begin to return to former levels and price increases will eventually settle back down again.

The ultimatum delivered to the Empire is posted in the same strident terms that it is delivered to other ambassadors - but the Sarcophan are keen to point out that the Empire is a major beneficiary of this new arrangements. They are insisting everyone acknowledge the Pax Sarcophan as the new law of the Seven Seas - but they are clear that it is the Asaveans who have been forced to change their ways and that the Empire need only sit back and enjoy the benefits. The Empire has ended slavery they say, and everyone has benefitted. Now it is time for the Delves to end the scourge of piracy, so that they too may contribute to a Virtuous world.

How the Ambassador responds will be vital to determine what happens next. It's possible that the Delves are bluffing and that they won't really break off trade with the Empire if they refuse to accept the Pax Sarcophan. The Asaveans clearly thought they were serious enough not to risk that, but relations between Asavea and the Delves have been poor for some time. The ultimatum by the Delves is presented as a fait accompli - but the benefits they claim if offers seem real enough. Are those benefits worth accepting the authority of the Delves to impose their will on the Seven Seas in this way?

Freed Trade

The costs to purchase from Sarcophan ministries should return to normal without the Asavean threats The Sarcophan Delves would prefer to retain the free-trade arrangement but are pragmatic about the situation

The bounty on ships reaching the Empire has been withdrawn, but it will take a little while for this news to reach the pirates and privateers currently attacking merchant ships. It will take a few months for the prices charged by Sarcophan ministries to return to normal, but it is anticipated that by the start of the Autumn Equinox the many markets the Delves service in the Empire will have returned to their pre-bounty position - assuming this new Pax Sarcophan holds. This includes the ministries overseen by the Kruidenkenner Trademaster, High Herbalist of Sybella, Master of the Root and Stem, Master of the Clearing House, Custodian of Ivarsgard Docks, and Custodian of the Concordium Dock, who all experienced an unfortunate one-fifth price increase due to Asavean interference.

At the moment the Delves are profiting from their relationship with the Empire. The profit margins might have narrowed a little, but they are still healthy. As the Imperial Ambassador points out, the Empire lets merchants from the Delves operate under a free trade agreement, and the Beggar's Feast would be loathe to see that situation change. Ambassador Dino, however, has raised some questions about whether that situation will continue. The Beggars Banquet has discussed the matter at length, and while they would prefer to continue benefiting from the agreement they will understand if the Empire chooses to return them to a mercantilist position. They'd rather not see that happen, obviously, but they are pragmatic about the chances it will.

It isn't a threat, but if the Senate chooses to move away from free trade, it will certainly impact Sarcophan enthusiasm for investing in the Empire. It won't stop it completely - but they are likely to focus their interests on the Alvetti estate in Sarvos, rather than look for ways to trade with the wider Empire, at least in the short term. And, as the Senate surely appreciates, the cost of tariffs is ultimately borne by the customer.

The Apothecaries Guild

The Kruidenkenner have asked the Guild Leader of the Apothecaries' Guild to get in touch One possibility they are interested in is potentially consolidating various markets into one larger market under the Guild's auspices

Bedelaar Huisbaas Annike mentions that representatives of the Kruidenkenner have been in contact regarding news of the newly established Apothecaries Guild. As they understand it, the new Guild has essentially assumed responsibility for trade in herbs, potions, and the like? There is some interest here in establishing common ground. If the new Imperial Sodality has the same kind of status as the Kruidenkenner do, as the premier dealers in herbs and potions in the Delves, they may well be able to do business. One weakness of their current arrangements with the Empire is that their markets are scattered around and all need individual protection and such like. It might be possible to establish a more centralised market, working with the Apothecaries Guild. Or any number of other possibilities.

As such the Kruidenkenner have requested that Esmé speaker for the Guild, consider sending a Winged Messenger to Bedelaar Huisbaas Annike detailing the scope and desires of the Guild, and whether they think there is a benefit in a closer relationship with the Kruidenkenner. They're particularly interested in whether the Guild would be prepared to cooperate on establishing a dedicated herbalist market in the Empire with the Sarcophan Delves.

Schuyler and Holberg

There is still interest in a cooperative venture to establish a port in Holberg Another possibility has been raised in the form of a proposal to drain the depths of the Great Pits of Ennerlund Schuyler Koopman is currently visiting with the Kleists of Holberg waiting to see if an appraisal can be secured

During the Winter Solstice Schuyler Koopman, a representative of the Lijkkever families, visited Anvil. After the summit, they accepted an open invitation from Holberg to visit the city and became enthusiastic about the potential to establish a Sarcophan trading enclave in the northern Empire along the shores of the League. By all accounts there has been a similar level of enthusiasm in the city, and also among the Sand Fisher orcs of Misericorde. Schyuler proposed an appraisal to explore the best way to establish a port-town, and the Senate initially proposed commissioning Naomi of Virtue's Rest to explore the possibility, but later changed their mind in favour of an exploration of lighthouses (which has since been delivered).

There is obviously some disappointment among the port-enthusiasts, but Koopman remains optimistic that there is still a possibility for a joint Sarcophan-Imperial effort in the northern Empire. Schuyler Koopman himself has accepted an offer of hospitality from Bernhard and Lula Kleist von Ennerlund and has received cautious approval from the House of the Lijkkever to stay in the Empire a little longer. It's likely the industrious house is keen to recoup some of the losses they have apparently incurred in Axos by liquidating their interests in the docks at Issyk. There has apparently been some discussion of draining the Great Pits of Ennerlund; the Sarcophan have a great deal of experience working in marshy environments like the Morass that few in the known world can match and none surpass. Rather than the Lijkkever, there is interest among some of the Hyena families. While the Hyena themselves are not especially composed of miners, they obviously have extensive contacts with Sarcophan engineers and diggers of all kinds. Schyuler is able to confirm that if the Imperial Senate are prepared to ask Naomi of Virtue's Rest to appraise the matter there will be Sarcophan experts prepared to put themselves at her disposal. Of course, ideally, Koopman would prefer that happened after the matter of the port in Holberg is resolved.

(There are, of course, other ways to get an appraisal than via the Senate. It's possible that any such method could be used, and if it can be directed to work with Sarcophan, it will probably be just as effective as the Prognosticator's Office in finding an actionable way to approach either of these possibilities).

Bedelaar Huisbaas Annike is more philosophical about the matter - every great nation has uncountable numbers of things they need to deal with at any given time. Also, she received a well-written explanation and apology from a citizen of the Brass Coast that laid out the reasoning for the change - even had she minded to be irritated the letter would have settled her temper. While the Lijkkever and the Hyena are intrigued by possibilities in Holberg, the Ambassador need not worry about a risk of "offending" the Delves. Business is business. If the port, or the joint effort to drain the Great Pits of Ennerlund, go ahead that will strengthen Sarcophan interest in the Empire and bring healthy profits to those involved. If they don't... there'll be plenty of other opportunities in the future, most likely. The Delves as a whole has little particular investment one way or another in what happens in Holberg.

The Coast is Open For Business

An appraisal could be used to find ways to encourage the Sarcophan Delves to invest in the Brass Coast The Ambassador might propose something to Bedelaar Huisbaas Annike A plenipotentiary from the Autumn Archmage might secure eternal assistance to encourage investment There is nothing to stop private citizens writing to the Bedelaar Huisbaas on behalf of the Brass Coast

Ignacio i Zuhri i Erigo, the Mistress of the Glass Parador, proposed a statement of principle during the Spring Equinox that proposed the Brass Coast would present a more amenable place to do business for the Kruidenkenner than Sarvos. "Let it be known: the Coast is open for business." It's notable that Bedelaar Huisbaas Alama Vanderkleij who holds the Seat of the Hyena has already expressed interest in the possibility of investing in the Coast. She is very interested in selling mithril and artisan metals to Freeborn markets... but not until the immediate threat of the Children of Wrecks is addressed. The Hyena are not especially concerned about the pirate ships - they have worked with the DeBruin before and see no problem doing so again. They are much more concerned about the Spring magic that raises storms and floods and is almost impossible to adequately prepare for.

Following Ignacio's statement, however, there has been a surge of interest in the possibilities of closer trade ties with the Delves. One of the advantages the Sarcophan enjoy in Sarvos is the establishment (and concedence) of the Alvetti estates; could the Brass Coast offer a similar opportunity to the Delves? There are plenty of Sarcophan houses, families, and guilds who are eager to access not only the Brass Coast wealth of metals from Kahraman but also luxury goods such as syrah, Freeborn glass and fine cloth, rich spices, and the like. The staff at the Sarcophan Embassy have made a brief assessment of the situation and offered some advice to the Freeborn assembly.

Dealing with the Children of Wrecks is unlikely to be something the Brass Coast could do on their own but there may be other opportunities. The Delves have made it clear they're happy to cooperate with appraisals aimed at improving trade with the Empire. The Senate - or perhaps even die Beurteilung - could find ways to allay the concerns of the Hyena, and encourage them to invest in the Coast even with the threat of the Children still ongoing.

Alternatively, the Imperial Ambassador might be able to present a proposal to the Delves that is appealing enough the merchants involved either put aside their concerns about the Children of Wrecks, or find the opportunity too good to miss and so invest in their own methods of ensuring the servants of Siakha are not a problem. The Imperial Civil Service think this would be something of a long shot however; it would need to be something truly appealing to the Sarcophan or one of the Beggar Landlords.

The Archmage of Autumn might be able to secure assistance from one of the great cities of the Iron Labyrinth. Ephisis is an obvious possibility, as are Prospero and Callidus. The Civil Service posit that a suitably worded plenipotentiary might be easily as effective as an appraisal here; but it would need to be the only request made to ensure if the archmage wanted to ensure it was picked.

Finally, there is nothing to stop private citizens writing to Bedelaar Huisbaas Annike about possibilities such as this. While the Sarcophan ambassador is likely disinterested in investing herself, part of her role involves briefing the rest of the Beggar Landlords about opportunities to increase their wealth. The Civil Service have no idea how effective this might be, as it depends on too many random factors. But the fact the Freeborn assembly is behind the move might add additional weight. They also point out that there are other Sarcophan representatives in the Empire, several of whom are prepared to receive missives from Imperial citizens.

Speaking of Trade...

Bedellar Huisbaas Annike has asked the Ambassador to perform basic "market research" on her behalf In return for ranking goods of interest to Imperial fleet captains the Ambassador will receive 5 Thrones The delves will use this information to adjust the goods offered in their ports

Currently there are two ports in the Delves available to Imperial merchant ships; Sarcophan itself and the luxurious port of Betovering. The latter remains reasonably popular with Imperial fleets, but there has been a marked decline in the number of vessels visiting Sarcophan itself. The Delves have noticed shifts among the goods offered to captains visiting other ports around the known world, with a growing emphasis on local luxuries or practical substances. At the moment, Sarcophan itself mostly offers herbs, beggar's lye, and weltsilver. Bedelaar Huisbaas Annike has been tasked with asking the Imperial Ambassador for advice on the kinds of goods that might be appealing to Imperial traders.

In the past the Senate has been clear it does not favour the trade in recreational substances for the discerning customer - one reason Schedalhaven remains closed. Nor are they interested in Sarcophan apothecary such as might be acquired at the port of Moeraskriden. While these two kinds of trade goods are something the Sarcophan have in abundance, they are by no means all they can offer. Indeed, the Delves trade with people all over the known world. It's literally impossible for Bedelaar Huisbaas Annike to list everything the markets catering to Imperial fleet captains could provide.

As such she wishes to engage in some very basic assessments of the Empire's needs. Would the Ambassador be prepared to canvas the merchants of the Empire, and work out which of these broad categories of goods appeal to them?

Luxury goods: primarily things that will sell well in the Empire (cash) or items designed for comfort or security Crafting materials: ingots and measures, things of interest to artisans Bulk herbs: the five magical herbs, which the Delves have in abundance Medicines: potions and items for treating injury and disease or things useful to chirurgeons, physicks and apothecaries Recreational goods: drugs, mostly Martial goods: potions and other consumables that empower warriors and battle-magicians; perhaps some magic weapons or armour Magical goods: substances of use to ritual magicians, perhaps some magic items Victuals: a catchall term for things people eat or drink that provide some kind of enhancement or ability in the right circumstances

If the Ambassador could send Bedelaar Huisbaas a list of these ten items in order from most appealing to least appealing, she is prepared to offer a small payment of 5 Thrones in recognition of the legwork involved. The list would be distributed to Sarcophan traders and serve as a basis for determining which kinds of goods and services to prioritise both for trade to fleet captains, and in opportunities appealing to the Empire, over the next few years. More detail in areas such as preferred herbs, or ideal materials, would be helpful.

Hahnmark in Bloom

An unfamiliar flower has begun to grow among the vlinderbloem cultivated by Hahnmark farms. The Kraft Brothers hope this may provide further business opportunities for the territory. Renaten van Zuredruiven is interested in gathering draaikolkbloem to experiment with. They will arrive at the Tree of Names at 1pm on the Sunday of the Summer Solstice. Anyone who gives Renaten a draaikolkbloem will receive a dose of viezesmaak brewed with it in their pack next event.

Farms across Hahnmark have spent the past few seasons giving over patches of their land to growing "vlinderbloem" for the Kraft brothers - self-styled entrepreneurs from the Sarcophan Delves who use the rare flower to make the narcotic vizesmaak. The harvest has been good and business has been smooth, but this past season's pickers have begun to report something strange. Another plant appears to be growing alongside the vlinderbloem, one they have not seen before.

The flower is difficult to spot. It’s a very similar shade of pink to vlinderbloem, but its petals seem to spiral endlessly inwards. It's difficult to say when exactly it began to appear, because the first few reports of it were discounted as imperfect batches of vlinderbloem. The Kraft brothers have coined the name “draaikolkbloem” for the new flower, but seem just as clueless as Hahnmark’s farmers as to where it has come from and why it is growing amongst their commissioned plants. However, the brothers smell business and are keen for the farmers accidentally cultivating the flower to investigate whether it has any properties which would make it worth selling.

A Sarcophan vintner holidaying at the Alvetti Estate is also curious about investing early. Renaten van Zuredruiven suspects that draaikolkbloem is similar enough in form to vlinderbloem to be able to use it to brew viezesmaak. They see the strange shape of the flower as simply further evidence of the rich terroir of the Hahnmark earth, and believe it could be a great selling point for the Wintermark-grown narcotic. They have hot-footed it to Anvil and expect to arrive at the Tree of Names at one in the afternoon on Sunday, where they will be very happy to take draaikolkbloem off Imperial hands. They will use the blooms to brew a batch of viezesmaak and return a dose each to everyone who offers a flower, for them to sample for themselves next season. They hasten to add that this is not a long-term business deal - they will make a loss on their experiments over the coming season, but they suspect that the knowledge gained will prove more than worth the coin sacrificed in the long run.

As for how this strange flower has come to grow? There is no clear reason. Some point to the Penumbral Veil drawn across the territory these past seasons, and wonder if the Night magic has begun to leech into the very soil. Others say that it must be because Hahnmark soil is much richer in ores and minerals than the parts of the Sarcophan Delves usually given over to cultivation of vlinderbloem, and that the draaikolkbloem must need these extra nutrients to thrive. Still others point to the strange behaviour of animals in some areas of Wintermark lately, and wonder if the appearance of these plants is simply the flora responding just as the fauna already has been.

The Art of the Tomb

The Council of Benefactors have endorsed certain Sarcophan merchants buying Highborn funerary goods Every business and mine in Highguard receives an additional 18 rings a season until the start of the Spring Equinox 388YE Unfortunately this endorsement of a false faith has damaged the ability of the Highborn assembly to call out heresy and blasphemy for the same period

During the Spring Equinox Senna van Ijzer, an art dealer associated with a small sect of the Sarcophan religion called De Verzamelaars van Beeltenissen but usually referred to as "the Collectors", spoke with the Council of Benefactors of Highguard. The Collectors hold a belief esoteric even by Sarcophan religious standards, that valuable objects depicting a deceased person's face hold immense value for buying a place in the Houses of Silence. This visit followed on from a recent opportunity for Imperial priests to visit the estate of one of the Delves' most beloved celebrities - Elian Vloss, who is apparently themselves a Collector. The upshot of all this attention, is that Imperial iconography and funerary monuments are now extremely fashionable among Collectors, and even growing in popularity with Sarcophan folk with less bizarre understanding of the Labyrinth.

Senna apparently signed an exclusive deal for Highguard white granite and stonemasonry, organising the transport of pieces for the long journey to the Delves. The deal will last until the start of the Spring Equinox 388YE, during which all Highborn businesses and mines receive an extra 18 rings production per season. Van Ijzer apparently hopes that by the end of that year, the reputation of Highguard stonemasons will be known internationally (with a little help from the Delves), and a better deal may be brokered.

The deal was not without controversy however. Mischa van de Libel is a priest of the Way from Sarcophan, a dedicant of Prosperity, and a serious critic of the Collectors. They believe the fascination with Highborn art, iconography of the Way, and their own faces captured in Imperial white granite, is entirely superficial. The Collectors have never shown interest in the Way itself, only the beauty of its imagery and its fashionable nature. Mischa warned that signing Senna's deal ran the risk of devaluing the Way, of making it all too easy for its followers to be denigrated as putting profit ahead of principle. It's unfortunate but as news of the agreement spreads this very much appears to be the case, especially in the Delves.

Questions are being asked of the Highborn Assembly. Letters from concerned pilgrims of the Way in Sarcophan, and from some worried citizens of Highguard have been sent to both the Nicodemus of Balthazar's Vineyard the Speaker of the Highborn Assembly and Keziah, the Bishop of the Navigators. It also seems that the Sumaah Präster are wasting no time pointing out that in their opinion the Highborn have sacrificed their Pride for a few handfuls of coin.

If nothing changes, the brunt of the problem will be met by the Bishop of the Navigators. The prestige of the cathedral will be significantly impacted. Both the merchant ministry and the Low Ministry permanently lose their top level of production each season the deal with the Collectors continues (that is, following the Summer Solstice the ministry will lose the top level of each ministry and if the deal runs its course the Low Ministry will disappear entirely after the Winter Solstice, and the Merchant Ministry be reduced to a single level). The reputation of the Cathedral will likewise be impacted significantly the longer the deal goes on.

If the Highborn assembly wishes, they may choose to enact a mandate urging their people to stop trading with the Collectors.

If this mandate is enacted - and it requires no liao - the named priest will be empowered to speak with many of those dealing with the Collectors and explain the problem. The trade will slow to a trickle and then stop. The benefit enjoyed by businesses and mines will be lost, and the damage to the Cathedral of the Navigators will likewise stop before it really gets started.

Unfortunately, this cannot be seen as anything other than a criticism of the Council of Benefactors by the Highborn Assembly. Confidence in the Council will recover eventually, but the amount of wains - of any kind - that the Council can apply will be halved following the event the statement is upheld, recovering by 2 wains a season thereafter until it is restored to full.

Beneath the Bay

There has been some discussion of eternals related to the sea Bedelaar Huisbaas Annike is prepared to host a visitor from the Department of Historical Research This would require a normal commission of historical research but cost the Senate 10 Thrones It would only require one historical research but would take six months to complete The chosen researcher would not be available for other projects during that time

As part of the discussion of Holberg, Schyuler Koopman, and the Lijkkever, the Imperial Ambassador enquired about "a possible eternal under the Bay of Catazar". Bedelaar Huisbaas Annike is sceptical. Not about lighthouses - the Delves appreciate a good lighthouse as does anyone at peril on the sea. Rather, the idea that an eternal might be "under" the Bay of Catazar. Sarcophan magicians know well that eternals cannot enter the material world, existing as they do in their own realms. They may be connected to the realm of mortals through regio but the idea of an eternal physically in the world is impossible. Any theory that implies that is happening must therefore be wrong.

There was also a query from Allegra i Riqueza which clarifies the matter further. Apparently there is concern about an unknown eternal of the Winter emerging to threaten the Empire? Reference to kings of nothing and queens of the void means little to the Bedelaar Huisbaas herself, but has apparently sparked some recognition among some of the more peculiar members of magical society in the Delves.

There are plenty of Sarcophan magicians who have experience dealing with eternals with an interest in the sea - or more realistically in concepts and resonances expressed through the metaphor of water and the ocean. Propitiating Maelstrom and trying to avoid her indiscriminate wrath (mostly, confesses the Sarcophan Ambassador, with limited success); trying to find ways to profit from the whimsical moods of the Regent of the Eternal Sea; hosting visitors from the City of Salt and Sail and things of that nature. Each of the six realms has their own "take" on what the sea means, but personally Bedelaar Huisbaas Annike finds most of them effectively useless - too esoteric, dangerous, or just flat out peculiar to be of value when compared to the kind of assistance that can be secured by the Sovereign-Lords of the Iron Ocean (it's an interesting piece of trivia that some Sarcophan envision the Autumn Realm as a great ocean, with the cities built on islands, rather than the Iron Labyrinth favoured among Imperial magicians).

Almost grudgingly, though, Annike confirms that there was some recognition from some of the magicians she mentioned "a dangerous eternal of the Winter Realm tied to the sea" to. They refused to talk about it, however, and advised having nothing to do with it if at all possible. With the written equivalent of a sigh, then, the Sarcophan Ambassador proposes that in the event the Imperial Ambassador thinks any of this technical knowledge might be useful, she would be happy to host a visiting researcher from the Empire's Department of Historical Research. Doing so in the past has proved good for business after all. The researcher would need to spend time talking to magicians, and so she estimates an overall cost to the Empire of 10 Thrones. The research would take time - the civil service calculate it will need six months due to the distances involved. The assigned researcher would not be available until the work was complete, but would only count as a use of historical research for the summit where it was commissioned. There's no rush on this - the Sarcophan magicians are not going anywhere.

The Civil Service point out that the value of this research will be heavily dependent on its scope; if there is a particular eternal they are interested in it might be best to ask about that rather than a more general query about spirits of the sea. It's well known that Sarcophan magicians have their own particular areas of interest just as Imperial nations do. There's also a risk that what works in the Delves for dealing with eternals will not automatically work for Imperial magicians. Caveat emptor, as they say in Old Asavean.

... And Finally

A Sarcophan coven called the Deep Water Spiritweavers want to acquire mysterious black pearls For a dozen of these peculiar treasures placed in an Ephisis' Box with an anchor image, they offer a magical mask The offer is good for the Summer Solstice only They caution against including more than a dozen black pearls in any Ephisis' Box

Several Sarcophan merchants visiting the Empire this season have become aware of a peculiar phenomenon in which strange black pearls are being found by captains traversing the Bay of Catazar. Some of these Sarcophan have themselves come into possession of them. By coincidence, a Sarcophan magician visiting family at the Alvetti Estates was on board one of the ships who found one of these pearls and on reaching the docks immediately issued an offer to the fleet captains of the Empire. It appears that the magicians of the Deep Water Spiritweavers - a wealthy coven of Sarcophan dedicated to ship-based magics, will offer a Mask of the Seven Seas in return for 12 of these black pearls placed in an Ephisis Box along with a piece of parchment bearing a drawing of a ship's anchor. A Mask of the Seven Seas is a difficult to get hold of magical focus that apparently offers a small boost to the ability to perform any ritual that enchants a fleet - regardless of the "school of magic" (that is, the Realm) to which it belongs. The mask will be delivered by the start of the Autumn Equinox.

It is important, stresses the Deep Water Spiritweaver, that only twelve pearls be placed in a given box. More than that and the coven will be unable to take ownership of these minor trinkets, and thus will not deliver the mask. The magician refuses to go into detail but suggests that if more than twelve are placed in a single Ephisis box there is a serious risk that the pearls will simply be lost or worse.

(OOC Note: Anyone who takes advantage of this offer will still need to meet with the heralds of Ephisis on Sunday morning, to confirm who will receive the mask. The ribbon will go into the characters' inventory. An ideal phys-rep for such a mask is a white or gold half-face mask with an anchor on the forehead, but with one of the eye sockets sealed, or covered in gauze. It apparently represents The Mariner, a dramaturgic persona used to perform magic that strengthens or supports, or that acquires practical information)

Further Reading

Sarcophan Delves Ambassador to the Sarcophan Delves Sarcophan Delves ports

Click Expand to see a summary of various pages related to the Sarcophan Delves.