Germinating a city

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 Commonwealth are a militaristic nation committed to the idea of ensuring the greatest good to the greatest number of people. They are perhaps the closest allies the Empire has among the great powers of the known world. This is in no small part due to their membership of the Liberty Pact, dedicated to destroying the abhorrent practice of slavery across the world. Both nations are dedicated to extending their influence over the whole world, and know that only one of them can fulfil their grand ambition, but for now their rivalry with the Empire remains amicable. The Empire shared their mastery of magic with the magicians of the Commonwealth, and Commonwealth soldiers fought and died alongside the Freeborn in the fall of Siroc.

At present, the Commonwealth remains locked in a bitter war with Principalities of Jarm, over what appear to be irreconcilable differences. The proximate cause is the nation of Lantir, a tiny landlocked country tha surrounded by the two rival great powers. The Commonwealth took sides in a civil war in the nation causing the Jarmish to back the rival faction. The war continues to rage without any sign of burning out and it remains the key focus of the Commonwealth's Military Council, distracting them from other business.

The Commonwealth ambassador to the Empire is Militärattache Ludkhannah Schöningen, of die Stahlhalle in the port-city of Volkavaar, a veteran soldier who reports to the generals who hold the reins of political power in their nation. An old campaigner, they generally speak plainly and as honestly as any politician can when dealing with their Imperial counterpart.

Improving Relations

The Commonwealth are pleased by the progress on the new Diplomatenschloss and the improved trade with Leerdam and Volkavaar They are also grateful for the respect shown by the Empire regarding the island nation of Viyerda The close proximity of the Jarmish embassy to the planned Diplomatenschloss remains a matter of cocnern

A season of careful diplomacy by the Imperial ambassador to the Commonwealth and their staff have continued to yield some small incremental improvements in the relationship. The Commonwealth remains a close ally of the Empire on the international stage, their fates tied together by the Liberty Pact. They don't agree with the Empire on everything of course, and there is always room to improve the links between the two great powers. Fortunately this season has seen a number of seeds planted in previous seasons bloom.

The steady progress on the new Diplomatenschloss has helped of course. Almost all the funds and fully half of the weirwood and white granite needed have been delivered so the building work is advancing at a pace. More resources will be required to complete the new embassy, but with all the signs indicating that will happen, the Militärattache is careful to pass on that the Commonwealth's thanks. It has taken work and effort to maintain close links without a proper working embassy in the Empire and the Militärattache is pleased that the Empire is taking steps to quickly redress the problem.

The Militärattache is also clearly pleased that the Empire have gracefully acknowledged the Commonwealth's authority over the many small island nations in the Sea of Steel, such as the recently discovered island of Viyerda. The Commonwealth deliberately avoids entanglements with the many small nations that border the Empire such as Axos, the Faraden, and the like. They might trade with them, but they try to avoid opening diplomatic channels in lands close to their ally. Their view is that such relations are best avoided out of respect for the Empire's authority in this part of the world and they are pleased that the Empire has had the courtesy to show them the same respect.

Trade between the Empire and the Commonwealth has provided another source of positive news. While few Commonwealth traders are travelling to the Empire due to the attacks by Asavean pirates, scores of brave Imperial captains have travelled to purchase the exotic goods now offer in Volkavaar and Leerdam. Both ports have seen increased trade this season; Leerdam had one of the best seasons ever and Volkavaar saw a huge jump in the number of Imperial captains visiting, providing some of the best returns they have had from trade with the Empire in many years. Of course it remains to be seen if these numbers will endure for the long term, but the initial results look very promising. The Militärattache looks forward to hearing how the trade has been for the Empire and what refinements the ambassador might recommend.

The one hole in the net remains the close proximity of the Jarmish embassy at Cargo. The Commonwealth understand that the Empire are obliged to maintain an embassy with the Jarmish, they don't neccessarily expect their ally to close the embassy simply because the nefarious slave-trading rulers of the Principalities are locked in a life and death war with the Commonwealth. However they are concerned that there will inevitably be trouble once there are Commonwealth and Jarmish vessels are sailing past each other, up and down the Couros river. It is clear that the Militärattache believes it is only a matter of time before the Jarmish engineer some kind of incident.

Die Beurteilung

Thus far the Senate has opted not to take up the Commonwealth's proposal to offer an appraisal for auction by the civil service Having completed their work for Gisli Bearson, the professors will return home if no new proposal is forthcoming

As the Lantir War plays out on the other side of the Known World, the Empire's allies in the Commonwealth seek whatever support they can get to turn the tide against the magical might of their old enemies in Jarm. With almost every resource dedicated to the current armed struggle, a party of academics led by Professor Gelberg from one of the many Universities that dot the landscape of the Commonwealth have come to the Empire hoping to make their services available. Their idea was a small-scale appraisal, offered by auction to whichever Imperial citizen can pay the most to support their allies in the Liberty Pact. A laudable act of international cooperation - or perhaps a sign that the war is not going quite as well as the followers of Altmann would have hoped.

The Professor and his team had hoped to offer their services by auction to the highest bidder. The aim was to trade valuable services with the Empire in exchange for Imperial coin that the Commonwealth could use to buy mana and other supplies essential for the war. The proposal needed the approval of the Imperial Senate - and is not completely uncontentious. There are implications to the idea of a team of Commonwealth researchers pottering around the Empire poking their nose into who knows what. Perhaps for that reason, the Senate has chosen not to proceed with the plan for now.

With the work this season now complete, the professor and their team are planning to return back to the Commonwealth. If they are upset by the Empire's failure to take up their proposal, they do not show it, but clearly there is little point in them remaining if there is no work for them to do. Sitting around drinking bottles of fine League beers and chatting with their Imperial peers might be a wonderful experience, but it does nothing to advance the Common Good - nor provide any help in their fierce with war Jarm.

The Senate could still chose to take up the proposal this season if they wish - allowing the Empire to formalise the arrangements. If the professor and his team don't receive the approval of the Senate (meaning a successful Senate motion) by the end of the Spring Equinox, they will return home. There will be no recriminations here; the visiting political philosophers entirely appreciate the need for even allies to sometimes keep each other at arm's length.

Gisli's Request

The Commonwealth professors have performed an appraisal for Gisil bearson They have looked into ways that a new city might be established in the Freeborn regions of Madruga

To try to generate interest, the Professor had offered the first Beurteilung to Gisli 'the Provider' Baerson, a citizen of Wintermark, in recognition of the assistance they had provided to the Commonwealth. In what is apparently the fulfilment of an oath, Gisli tasked the assembled academics with investigating the possibility of building a new city in the foprmer Freeborn territory of Madruga. The Commonwealth's finest minds are every bit the equal of the Empire's best architects and planners in this regard and the Commonwealth has plenty of experience with such work with entire new towns constructed to fulfil the needs of the ever-expanding nation. Their instructions received, the academics set to their task with all the speed they can muster.

The Commonwealth academics work with military precision, gathering reports from the civil service, first-hand testimony from displaced Freeborn, and intelligence gathered by the Unfettered Mind and the Rod and Shield in their recent scouting. Rather than focusing initially on what might be done, the scholars first lay out every difficulty that might make the work challenging or even impossible. The list that they return is not long, but is no less problematic.

They soon discover that there are major issues standing in the way of any serious work in Madruga. The first problem is that nobody controls the territory. The Quiet Grasses, the Crucuble and Siroc Bayou are all uncontrolled at this time - although that is a situation that could be rectified by the Imperial Military Council with relative eas. Worse, though, the islands of Free Landing are controlled by the Children of Wrecks. Any building work undertaken in a territory infested with lawless pirates will be extremely hazardous, especially any project as large as the development of a new city. The scholars advise that the first step towards this project ought to be resolving the threat of Siakha's chosen, either by destroying them or making peace with them. It would not be impossible to work with the Children of Wrecks still in control of the islands, but it would risk interruptions in the labour, as well as potential threats to materials and workers.

A Bitter Pill

Having been burned to the ground and sunk into a swamp, Siroc can never be rebuilt as it was before. Any development project will be severely impeded by the current state of open warfare in Madruga.

Professor Gelberg has been made aware of a judgement of the Freeborn National Assembly calling for the rebuilding of Siroc to reignite the rivalry between Siroc and Oran. Sadly if such a thing were possible, they soon discover that it is entirely outside the ability of some of the greatest minds of the Commonwealth. To rebuild the former City of Sails, there would have to be something left to restore. Siroc had more in common with the tent city of Anvil than any other town or city, and burned tents leave little to restore.

There were some permanent structures, of course, and while they were destroyed, they could hypothetically have been rebuilt on top of their old foundations, a symbol of continuity. However, recent developments have put paid to this possibility. Azoth, agent of madness and transformation, offered the Freeborn the chance to change the Blight-riddled Great Grasses into something new. The Scorrero rose, the Blight was ended, and the ruins of Siroc sank beneath the water. Simply put, Siroc can never be rebuilt as it once was nor anything be built where it once was.

They tactfully suggest that sometimes the best way to honour a fallen rival is to take up their work and carry it forward with their memory in mind. If the old city cannot be rebuilt - perhaps Siroc can be reborn! The rivalry between the two cities on the mouth of the Scorrero rested on trying to attract the lion's share of foreign traders. With Siroc gone, the docks at Oran is currently the only option left. If the Wharfage of Oran is constructed, not only will the resident Corsairs fight piracy, they will escort trading ships safely to harbour. Could a bustling port in Madruga not be a worthy successor to rival Oran?

A Spiritual Successor

Calvos has the potential to grow into a great city with the right incentive The Professors' team propose to build the Municipal Docks to spur the growth of the town in the coming years If built, the muncipal docks would create conditions for Calvos to ultimately grow into one of great cities of the Empire The Docks would have an upkeep of 5 thrones a season but would increase taxation by 12 thrones a season Once complete the docks would provide significant benefits in Madruga, and in the Brass Coast as a whole

Building a town is a major undertaking, but creating a completely new city is beyond anyone's skills. Nonetheless, the Professor and his team are familiar with finding ways to encourage the seed of a town to flower into a great metropolis. They understand that that seed needs people to grow and what people need is a reason to want to live there. To become a city a town needs to be something grand, something compelling, that will draw people to the town.

Calvos is already a prosperous settlement, and an important port in Madruga. It houses the flagship of the exemplar Zemress, as well as the House of Guerra and the Zemress Naval Academy. Many of the locals have been complaining that the docks are becoming slow and cramped even before the destruction of Siroc. The professor and his team believe the docks are the key to unleash Calvos' full potential.

Working with Imperial architects, the academics propose to tear down the current docks and build a great work in their place, the Municipal Docks. Instead of building what Calvos or even Madruga needs now, the idea is to build something much more ambitious - something much bigger than the existing town could ever need. People will flood to the town to take advantage of the new opportunities that the docks create and over time the population will swell, drawing more trade and yet more people. Calvos is like a a pot-bound plant says one of the team, it must be re-potted so that over time it can grow into something majestic.

The proposal is certainly Ambitious, nobody can fault the professor and his team on that score. The plan is a for a huge sweeping docks far beyond the scale of anything ever built in the Empire. In one fell swoop, Calvos would become the largest docks on the continent - a fine reflection of the Brass Coast's naval traditions and a fitting capstone for a great city. There's nothing in the town that could possibly justify construction on this scale, but that is the whole point. By building something magnificent, it will draw people in and the town will grow into a city. One that can rival not just Oran but any city in the Empire.

The docks would provide invaluable benefits for Freeborn businesses and fleets based in Madruga boosting returns. Having such secure facilities in Calvos Sounds would make it possible for Freeborn fleets to engage in quests into the waters round Free Landing to hunt the baby kraken that are growing there. That won't provide a solution to the problem, but it would be a new source for wealth and resources.

The docks would include massive shipyards capable of outfitting even the largest warships. The facilities would be so grand that the docks could be used to build up to two navies at once - or perhaps more importantly to provide refuge to up to two navies at once. Shipwrights would flood to Calvos looking for work, which would provide temporary benefits to all Freeborn fleet owners allowing them to upgrade their fleets for one weirwood less for a year after completion of the docks. That initial gold rush of opportunity would boost Prosperity across the Coast, increasing personal income by 7 rings for every Freeborn character for a year.

The traditional Commonwealth approach to architecture is that any building at scale is designed to be well-defended and the Municipal Docks is no exception. The plans include a pair of robust stone towers jutting up from the waters themselves, equipped with siege weaponry designed to deter an attacking navy. These are accompanied by similar defences intended to protect the nascent city from approach by land. The result is that the docks would act as a basic citadel, making it significantly harder for attackers to capture or damage the settlement.

In line with a recent appraisal, the plan include facilities for a Quaymaster. This position would need to be a national position appointed by Tally of the Votes, and be given the responsibility to oversee the operation of the docks and protect them from attack and to direct the work of the shipyards. Including the creation of this title in the commission of the Municipal Docks would enable to the great work to respond to a crisis if the potential to do so were explicitly identified in an opportunity that was examined and reported on by the civil service. The title would need to have the ability to supervise the great works and the power to make a single announcement in the Imperial Senate if they were responding to an opportunity.

Whoever was appointed as Quaymaster would also benefit from the opportunity to purchase select items from Commonwealth captains visiting the Empire. The potential for purchases is low at present, due to the actions of the Asavean pirates, but if that problem could be resolved, new opportunities for the Quaymaster to expand trade might become available.

Crucially - creating the Municipal Docks would create the perfect conditions for Calvos to rival any port on the Bay and to one day grow into a great city. Such growth would take many years - but the Imperial Senate would see the benefits immediately. People would flock to Calvos hoping to grow rich from the young city's boom by setting up their own businesses. As a result, taxation from the region would increase by 12 thrones a season (although such benefits would be diminished by the upkeep of the Municipal Docks).

The Sternenmetal Tower

The Empire could build the Sternenmetal Tower in Calvos in exchange for a guarantee of exclusive access to the new Docks for Commonwealth traders The deal would be for five years, with the potential to renegotiate after this time.

Gisli's request asked the Professor to consider how trade with the Commonwealth might benefit the new city. The ambassador is the best person to offer such advice, so Gelberg consulted with the Militärattache. They informed the Professor that there was an outstanding trade offer on the table between the Empire - with the Commonwealth looking to sell ilium and acquire the funds to purchase mana crystals. The work has not yet begun, in part because the Empire are apparently interested in paying for the star iron in mana crystals directly, rather than paying with Imperial coin, while the Militärattache is deeply concerned about any possibility that the Sternenmetal Tower might end up near the Jarmish embassy, allowing prying eyes to see what was happening.

After reviewing the plans originally provided by the Commonwealth, the Professor has found a way to adapt the proposal that will hopefully satisfy all parties. It would not even need a separate commission, if the Sternenmetal were be built as part of the the Municipal Docks. That would ensure that it benefitted from the defences that are incorporated in the docks, as well as making it easier for the Sternenmetal Merchant to help arrange shipments of ilium to the Empire. Best of all, it would be well away the Jarmish embassy, ideally preventing their spies from uncovering what was going on, and making it difficult for them to attack the operations even if they did discover it.

The Professor's suggestion is based on the idea that the Commonwealth is given a five year guarantee of exclusive access to the Municipal Docks once they are complete. Obviously Imperial ships will come and go regularly from the port, but the Empire would not permit any other foreign nation to use the grandest, most efficient docks in the entire Empire. That will give some considerable trading advantages to the Commonwealth merchants using the docks. In return they would provide a generous bounty of ilium, 5 rings each season, to the citizen elected to the position of the Sternenmetal Merchant.

From everything the Professor has heard about the powerful magics unleashed on Madruga recently, there is every reason to hope that the territory will soon be a source of cheap mana crystals as well as other magical materials. Once people begin to explore the new magically-transfigured marshes and fin ways to exploit the wealth, then there is every reason to hope that the Commonwealth will be able to purchase valuable materials for their war effort against the Jarmish. Of course the arrangements won't be up and running for a year - that's how long the Docks would take to build - but it is notable that the Commonwealth are increasingly talking of their war with the Jarmish in terms of years...

Obviously this new proposal would replace the original opportunity; only one Sternemetal Tower can be built. The Militärattache is happy to commit the Commonwealth to these arrangements for a period of five years, with a view to renegotiating the deal after that time.

Some Alternatives

The Sarcophan Delves have extensive knowledge of building in swampy terrain, and are the one group who might be able to rebuild Siroc Quzar could be a viable alternative to Calvos if the Children of Wrecks are dealt with. The Eternals of Autumn are often enthusiastic about encouraging the growth of cities

Professor Gelberg and their team are quick to point out that they are not able to explore every possible course of action. There are a number of options which are well outside their areas of expertise. They are enthusiastic about the idea of building a massive docks, but they feel they should point the Empire at some alternatives.

If the Brass Coast are absolutely set on rebuilding Siroc then he suggests they contact the Sarcophan. The entire history of the Delves is founded on making the best out of other people's ruins and much of their city is built in or on marshy ground. If anyone can find a way to try build something in the flooded and drowned ruins of Siroc, then it is them. The Ambassador to the Sarcophan Delves could potentially send word to their counterparts letting it be known that there was money to be made in assisting Imperial reconstruction efforts. The Sarcophans are the only ones the Professor knows who possess the skills to direct such a project. However, any experts who were prepared to travel across the world for such a job would certainly charge a premium for their services. As a result the project would be more expensive and less profitable than building up Calvos.

Anther alternative to Calvos would be the expansion of the bustling port town of Quzar. While the port, sometimes described as 'the soul of the Brass Coast' would be a great option for further development, its proximity to occupied Free Landing and the erratic Children of Wrecks would make any potential development there very hazardous. But once the threat of the Children of Wrecks is ended, then a suitably-worded appraisal of some kind would be bound to identify ways that a similar expansion of Quzar could be arranged. As with Siroc, such work would have to be an alternative to the Municipal Docks at Calvos, there simply aren't enough people living in Madruga to grow two new cities in such close proximity to each other.

Finally, Professor Gelberg readily admits that their team does not possess a particularly deep knowledge of magical theory or the politics of the Realms. However, they know enough to observe that the Realm of Autumn is known for its associations with cities and construction projects. Die Unsichtbare Hand might act as a broker for the services of skilled builders, or else provide other useful services in exchange for suitable remuneration. The fact that she is known to favour the Freeborn may even lead to a better deal, depending on how it is phrased. Alternatively, Das Feuer der Industrie often patronises grand construction projects and could potentially provide assistance with such a project. The Archmage of Autumn would need to take the lead on making such connections using a plenipotentiary specifically for the purpose.

A Narowly Missed Opportunity

The judgement in the League Assembly welcoming guests from the Commonwealth has been gratefully received but has not led to a significant increase in visitors

Various notable citizens of Holberg had extended a warm hand of friendship towards the Commonwealth, inviting them to visit the Greatest City in the World during the celebrations of its 250th anniversary. There were suggestions that the League and the Commonwealth might both benefit from greater ties and clearly the city of Holberg has a lot to offer the Commonwealth.

Sadly, with the Lantir War making travel difficult and expensive, most people in the Commonwealth are not minded to risk the dangerous voyage to the other side of the world. The Militärattache had suggested that the League might use a statement of principle to formalise an invitation - but suggested that the wording might be criticial. To be appealing to members of the Commonwealth, the statement would need to either acknowledge that the League believes the search for the Common Good is an admirable goal, or that some spiritual auras can impede free will which is a vital quality of sapient beings, or that the Commonwealth's war with the Jarmish is a virtuous cause. Or, indeed, all three.

If such a statement received a greater majority, and the sentiment approving of Commonwealth philosophy was clear, it would likely see the enthusiasm for the Commonwealth visitors lead to an opportunity. In fact the League Assembly did pass a similar judgement put forward by Paulus Adelaar von Holberg that extended a warm welcome and passed with a greater majority. However the statement, while eloquent and inviting, carefully avoids passing any judgement on the Common Good, and stops short of calling the war against Jarm virtuous. As a result, while there have been interest from the Commonwealth in Holberg this season, the number of visitors has been modest and has not led to any new opportunity.

Further Reading

About the Commonwealth

Commonwealth Ambassador to the Commonwealth Commonwealth ports

Diplomatic Winds of Fortune

Germinating a city - 387YE Spring According to principle - 386YE Winter Beneath mithril spires - 386YE Autumn For the Common Good - 386YE Summer