LANCASTRIAN PAPACY TO ALL NEARBY NATIONS OF ARDIS

The High Priest of Lancastria will look to welcome Lord Hans of Yenslwald
A special party will be waiting at the front of the Grand Basilica at the Throne. The Papacy of Lancastria seeks to greet the Qyrys envoy; in pursuit of beneficial ties to both parties.
A convoy of soldiers will wait at the border for the Qyrys arrival.

Lord Yenswald's Party,
Beyond the Borders of Qyrys

The convoy had spent the last week travelling through the Qyrysi mountains. Now the land began to settle and the steep and winding paths gradually straightened. Great forests, rivers, and lakes dotted the mountainsides. Sparse villages laid along the winding path. Each village ruled by a small lord residing in a wooden keep. As the Emperor's emissary, Hans received lavish treatment in the villages he rested in. The trip was long and tiresome, but the rewards would be great. If Hans were to secure a trade deal with Lancastria, it may secure him a greater position in the court. Hans rode alongside his knight and sworn guard, Sir Jochim of Arnzsee.

"It was in these mountains that Arron Goldcloak began his conquests." Hans said as his horse trotted along the broken path.

"Aye, and it is from these mountains that the Fathers descended to bring their word to the peoples of Ardis," Sir Jochim replied.

"The Empire of Qyrys is destined for great things," Hans said.

"Do you think the Emperor is prepared to lead the Empire?" Jochim asked.

"Best not to speak of those things in this company, Sir Jochim, lest you lose your head," Hans said.

"Our Emperor is a man of conviction. He will do well for our Empire. Soon we shall stretch beyond the borders of the Mountains. This deal with Lancastria is merely a momentary matter. We will conduct our deal, and once it ceases to benefit the Empire the deal shall cease. Soon they will return to our rule." Hans said.

"What of the other Kingdoms. Mayhaps one decides to invade us, and what shall we do then," Jochim spoke.

"Aye, what shall we do then." Hans laughed. "We do as we have always done. When the rebels of Ernzbad rode for Qyr, the Fathers brought a harsh and cold winter. It was in these very mountains that their army died along with their delusions of power. In a single winter, a rebellion that threatened the reign of House Blackstead died slowly and cruelly while the host of Emperor Jyndred drank and feasted themselves in the keep. That is the fate of all armies that seek to invade Qyrys." Hans concluded.

The company continued their journey their journey. For two more weeks they rode through the countryside of Qyrys before reaching the Papacy of Lancastria. The party rendezvoused with the convoy from Lancastria and awaited the company of the High Priest.

The Border, Lancastria
Commander Lukas Brannstromm of the Lancastrian Border Guard awaits the convoy of the Qyrys convoy. When the silhouette of the Qyrysi envoy arrives, they rise the Lancastrian flag. The troops stop, on both sides, and dismount.
Brannstromm speaks.
"Sir Joachim, Sir Hans. We welcome you to Lancastria. I'm afraid the High Priest is still in the Throne, after all, he is an old man; I hope you understand, Sirs. I will escort you to the Throne, where you can meet with the High Priest. The journey shouldn't take more than a day. Follow me, Sirs."
Brannstromm's company nod and they ready the horses. As the convoys ride off towards the cobblestone path, Brannstromm speaks with his officer at the front.
"you really think the Qyrysis can work out a deal with The Holy, sire?", said his squire.
"Yes. I believe the Qyrysis have the potential to convince him. We've been isolated for too long; stuck at the far North while the other kingdoms trade. We need some of the trade money to repair the General Hospitals all around."
"Certainly, sir. It should be beneficial to all."
"I hope so, Squire."

The Border, Lancastria

Lord Hans trotted behind the Lancastrian party. Sir Jochim rode alongside him.

"Should I correct them, my Lord?" Jochim asked.

"No, titles are of little concern. We represent the might and will of the Empire, and what is the worth of my title here anyways," Hans replied.

The Throne, Lancastria
1 day later
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The parties stopped at the Papal Square, right outside of the the Basilica.
"Sir Joachim, and uh, Lord Hans - sorry for the mistake earlier - welcome to the Throne. The High Priest will accompany you first. May I please ask you to dismount from your horses, and if it's alright, surrender your weapons. After all, safety first."
The High Priest walks towards the party, with his envoy of advisors, personal detail and Cardinals. The Priest, clad in green robes, greets the Qyrysi men.
"May He be with you, my children. Please, follow me into the Basilica. I believe we have a lot to talk about."

OOC: I'm gonna request you use an IC flag for your forum image.

IC:
The Throne, Lancastria

Lord Hans and Sir Jochim dismounted and handed over their weapons. Hans and Jochim spoke to one another, remarking at the beauty of the Holy City, and quieted once the High Priest approached. Hans bowed out of respect to the High Priest and summoned a squire. The squire trotted up to the Lord and handed lowered a chest to Jochim. Jochim bent on his knee and presented the chest to the High Priest. Within were an assortment of jewelry forged in the mountains of Qyrys, and resting atop the jewelry, an iron scepter.

"Your Holiness, despite our firm devotion to the Four Fathers, we, in Qyrys, respect all faiths of the Empire of Ardis. As a symbol of our Emperor's benevolence and earnest friendship, I bring with me an iron scepter forged by our Emperor's smiths in the high peaks of the Qyrysi Mountains." Hans bent his head out of respect.

OOC: I'll have to make one, but I'll get to it ASAP.

IC:
The Throne, Lancastria

"We thank you for your kind offer, Lord Hans."
The High Priest bowed and nodded his head.
"Come, come, we have many important things to discuss. Follow me to the Basilica."
They walk into the basilica; a massive, domed church. Mosaics lay on the floor; fine wooden pews and stained windows, as well as sculptures and stucco paintings on the ceiling.
"Upstairs is my quarters. We may talk there; perhaps talk about trade."
They walk up a marble staircase to a wooden door, guarded by 2 lavishly dressed, purple robed guards. Upon seeing the parties they open the doors wide for them. An apartment, with paintings, books and lavish furniture, sat in front of them.
"Please, take a seat."
He motions at a pair of fine wooden seats in front of him.

The Throne, Lancastria

Jochim stood next to Hans as he took his seat. Hans waited for the High Priest to sit before he took his own seat. The pair were amazed by the beauty of the church and the intricate architecture of the Lancastrians. Jochim, particularly, was stunned by how the lesser Kingdoms of Ardis were able to create architecture anywhere near as intricate as the famed Qyrysi designs.

"Your Holiness, the Empire of Qyrys trades in minerals, ores, jewels, and other goods. In turn we bring in clothes, silks, wines and a few other materials. The Qyrysi Mountains and the Four Fathers, blessed be their names, grant us all we need to survive and to thrive. The Emperor rules over the wealthiest Empire in all the known world. Your Holiness, has summoned envoys from throughout Ardis to discuss trade, and so I must ask what the Lancastrian Realm wishes to proposes." Hans spoke in a cool and confident manner. He was the voice of the Emperor and so his every action and word had to reflect the Emperor's, and thereby the Fathers', intentions.

The Basilica, The Throne, Lancastria

The High Priest sits down and takes out a brown leather book. In it is the "Trade Book Ultimatum"; a book containing every aspect of trade; the exact number of resources, the exact weight, and exact quantity, the price and the buyers.
Over the years, the book has gotten thicker and thicker until it is nearly 10 books thick. A smaller, second Tradebook Ultimatum sits close by.
"Your nation produces minerals and processes ores. We have many precious manufactured goods; art, sculptures, books, print materials, and so on. We are, however, in a shortage of metals. The fact that our mining industry is slowing down is impeding matters, Lord Hans. Thus, we wish to work out a compromise. I propose a steady source of metals and minerals, in return for a steady source of manufactured goods. Our print houses are the largest in the world; we can print out your religious texts, if you have any, as a quid pro quo. After all, the High Church teaches on tolerance of other beliefs."

The Basilica, The Throne, Lancastria

Lord Hans considered what the High Priest said. "Many say Qyr is capital of knowledge and the arts. However, Lancastria is well known for it's peoples skill in producing arts. Our Emperor desires the import of Lancastrian arts and books to fill the Imperial Archives. Furthermore he desires your finest sculptors to travel to Qyr to build a statue in his likeness. In turn for the trade of arts and books, we will supply metals . Beyond arts and books, we also desire the trade of dyes, silks, clothes, and other materials." He said. "What we have given you is but a taste of what lays under the Qyrysi Mountains. More jewels, metals, and minerals may be sent through to Lancastria."

The Basilica, The Throne, Lancastria

The High Priest nods respectfully.
"Why, we may have come into an agreement. This is certainly a good offer; and I will consent to this. However, word must be sent from your venerable Emperor, consenting to the trade as well. If both parties consent and agree, we can get to work. Dyes, silks, treated cloth, printed materials, books, parchment, art and our sculptors' skills can be traded for your Qyrysi mountain riches."

OOC: Just accidentally poked myself in the eye while typing this. Lol

The Basilica, The Throne, Lancastria

Hans handed the High Priest a writ stamped with the imperial horse of House Blackstead. "I speak with the full permission of the Emperor. Within that writ is his consent to my representation of the Empire, and his demands for the trade deal which I have explained. If that is all, my party and I will seek rest before setting out in the morning. I trust we have your guarantee of security for so long as we remain within Lancastria, as envoys of Qyrys," Hans said waiting for the High Priest to stand.



OOC: Noice.

The Basilica, The Throne, Lancastria

The High priest reads it, and then stands.
"So be it, Lord Hans. The trade system will begin, effective immediately. Your metals in return for my media."
He stands, shakes their hands, and then smiles.
"Have a safe trip home, Lord Hans. I trust that you won't do anything unorthodox within my borders. Go, and may the spirit of the High Gods guide you."