Merchant Republic of Tetrodora Shareholder Conclave 1376
General Summary
The Merchant Republic of Tetrodora hosted its first annual Shareholder Conclave. Guests from several nations were in attendance as the neutral trading state sought to increase it's diplomatic relations.
Arriving early, Nihilus made himself immediately known as his huge undead dragon landed in the middle of the seating area for the conclave. Bradfort Holt, Treasurer of Tetrodora, greeted him kindly and directed him to the VIP seating for kingdom rulers located up front. Finding a seat and introducing himself to his neighbor, Nihilus quickly relocated once he realized he had initially sat down next to Gremag Xiloscient, Grand Diplomat from Abkheset. Their kingdoms disagreement on the issue of slavery would steal much focus during this year's conclave.
Arriving sometime later, Raffyr The Just, his council members Meako and Covak, along with Arbour Citizen Dana and their mutual friend Alastari, easily found seats among the benches set out on the grassy lot. Raffyr, being given a prominent seat up front as Ruler of the Arbour Kingdom, sat himself next to Nihilus. The pair were observed chatting in idle friendship.
The Tetrodoran council eventually found their seats up front while Bradfort Holt gathered together all the necessary paperwork and set Weston Riddle up with the agenda for the day. Just as the meeting was about to be called to order, a ruckus was heard off in the distance, growing closer as time passed. It soon became evident that a parade was happening in the streets of Traders Cusp. A magnificant human, with the voice of an angel, was singing the praise of Azim Faraj, who arrived like a prince on the back of an elephant. Dancers, monkeys, and musicians heralded Azim's entrance who dismounted from the elephant to fly down to his seat among the citizens via his flying carpet. His entrance was met with excitement from the people and annoyance from Weston.
Once called to order, the meeting began with Bradfort given a report on the growth of the republic over the last year. Next up on the agenda was the ever riveting Lloyd Falkner, who in reality is as dull as a piece of wood. Any excitement was immediately exchanged for boredom as Lloyd droned on about the issues to be voted on. A vote to expand north rather than south passed by a small margin. A vote to focus on increasing the republic's stablity was less contended. Finally, a vote to add racketeering as a definition of theft to the constitution was voted up almost unanimously. Those voting it down getting a side eye from their neighbor.
Weston then brought Gremag Xiloscient to the podium to speak to the growing diplomatic relations between Tetrodora and Abkheset. Gremag was not one for too many words but bolstered the people in their choice to align with the powerful Pharoah and bring increased economic growth to their small kingdom, alluding to the upcoming trade route soon to be establish.
Once Gremag was finished, Weston invited The Sovereign, Nihilus, to make his presentation to the people. It was at this point that the meeting started to go from dull and boring to dramatic and intriguing. Nihilus presented his proposal that the republic of Tetrodora break off their relationship with Abkheset by outlawing all slavery and joining The Sovereignty as a nation in support of freedom. Nihilus pledged The Sovereignty's support to Tetrodora and committed to establishing an arm of the Church of Dusk and Dawn in Traders Cusp in order to faciliate ancestry worship and a reduction in the labor force via the powers of necromancy. This was met with mixed reactions from the Tetrodora citizenry as slavery has been an established trade among the republic since it's founding. Seeing that Nihilus seemed to be holding some sway among the crowd, Raffyr interjected with a counter argument - Tetrodora should instead outlaw not only slavery, but necromancy as well. In exchange for their agreement, Raffyr offered that Arbour would support Tetrodora financially each month as compensation for any lost income due to no longer having a slave trade.
This immediately began a hurried discussion amongst the council as they quickly ran the figures to determine the financial value of each argument. Nihilus, seeing that his words were having an affect launched once again into a persuasive speech. As the people began to chatter more, Covak and Khalid both attempted to convince those around them to choose a side - Covak in favor of Raffyr and Khalid in favor of Nihilus. The tension began to rise further resulting in Gremag Xiloscient making his way back to the podium. Citing Tetrodora's past success with a slave trade, the strength that a slave trade has brought to Abkheset, and the individual financial value that each citizen has seen as a result of increased relations with Abkheset, Gremag called on the citizens of Tetrodora to shoot down The Sovereign's suggestion. It became clear that a vote in favor of The Sovereignty would tear down the foundations of any alliance Tetrodora had begun with Abkheset.
Nihilus, seeing the wavering of the crowd, made one last speech, bringing everyone's attention to their place as a kingdom in The Havens. "Havens for the Havens)!" was the chant that arose. Support for Abkheset seemed to be slipping. In a deft switch in focus, Nihilus directed the crowd to Azim, calling for new leadership that would strenghten Tetrodora as a kingdom in The Havens and lead them into more growth.
Azim took his moment. Flying on his carpet to the front, physically overshadowing Weston, he called for a vote of no confidence in Weston as Ruler of Tetrodora. Citing all that he had done to improve the lives of many of the council members as well as Traders Cusp Azim made a bid to be named Ruler of Tetrodora himself. This outraged Weston and some of the council. In a desperate attempt to maintain control, Weston called for Azim's arrest on the charge of racketeering, a crime punishable by death. A cloud of confusion began to grow amongst everyone present. Details and arguments on all sides began to come out. Was Azim actually guilty of racketeering? What about the fines he had already paid for the human trafficking of illegal immigrants and the defrauding of Weston? Were those fines even applicable under the new law? Denryx Tor, the Tetrodoran Warden, went to shackle Azim and discovered it to be more difficult than expected. In response, Denryx attacked, killing Azim instantly.
For a moment, Weston was visibly relieved. Until Azim stood back up, protected by a breath of life spell. Azim turned to the council and declared his punishment for the crime of racketeering paid. This caused everyone to go into a tizzy yet again. Weston, Bradfort, and Gremag scrambled to find a way back to persuading the people to stay aligned with Weston, and consequently Abkheset.
It was at this moment that Covak, a diplomat himself, stood to address the crowd and the council. In his succinct manner he pointed to Weston's act to arrest and punish Azim for a crime that had not yet been officially ratified as a law in the constitution, thereby making Weston guilty of murder, which was a currently punishable offense. This was the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back. Weston was taken into custody, albeit with some reluctance, and ushered off. Gremag Xiloscient attempted to slip off unnoticed. Unfortunately for him, Grud noticed, and made short work of Abkheset's diplomat.
Lloyd Falkner, in all his monotone glory, returned to the podium to announce that Weston would be removed as Ruler while the council deliberated on their next course of action. At his attempt to bring the conclave to a close, he was reminded that an issue had been brought to the people but had not yet been voted on - would Tetrodora choose to break relationship wtih Abkheset in favor of an alliance with The Sovereignty? Not one for dramatic flair, Lloyd immediately called for a vote. With an extremely narrow margin, the citizenry of Tetrodora voted to outlaw slavery in favor of a diplomatic alliance with The Sovereignty, the details of which would be hashed out during the next council meeting.
With that, Lloyd dismissed the crowd and preceded to walk home, completely uninterested in talking to anyone.
Rewards Granted
Loot:
Coins: 33 gp
[6,400 gp] headband of deathless devotion [no external clues]
[6,160 gp] +1 rallying leather armor
[750 gp] potion/oil of heroism (CL 5)
[375 gp] divine scroll of speak with plants (CL 5)
[300 gp] potion/oil of bull's strength (CL 3)
[4,500 gp] wand of web (CL 3)
[375 gp] arcane scroll of protection from energy (CL 5)
Experience:
Elliot, Raffyr (ECL 17): 171 xp = 71 (Acts of Diplomacy) + 100 (Flair)
Nihilus, Grud (ECL 16): 233 xp = 133 +100
Azim(ECL 12): 775 xp = 675 + 100
Duurk(ECL 11): 948 xp = 848 + 100
Covak, Nightfall(ECL 10): 1225 xp = 1125 + 100
Meako, Dana, Alastari(ECL 9): 1563 xp = 1463 + 100
Khalid(ECL 8): 2544 xp = 2444 + 100
Coins: 33 gp
[6,400 gp] headband of deathless devotion [no external clues]
[6,160 gp] +1 rallying leather armor
[750 gp] potion/oil of heroism (CL 5)
[375 gp] divine scroll of speak with plants (CL 5)
[300 gp] potion/oil of bull's strength (CL 3)
[4,500 gp] wand of web (CL 3)
[375 gp] arcane scroll of protection from energy (CL 5)
Experience:
Elliot, Raffyr (ECL 17): 171 xp = 71 (Acts of Diplomacy) + 100 (Flair)
Nihilus, Grud (ECL 16): 233 xp = 133 +100
Azim(ECL 12): 775 xp = 675 + 100
Duurk(ECL 11): 948 xp = 848 + 100
Covak, Nightfall(ECL 10): 1225 xp = 1125 + 100
Meako, Dana, Alastari(ECL 9): 1563 xp = 1463 + 100
Khalid(ECL 8): 2544 xp = 2444 + 100
Related Reports
Yesterday's Enemy, @tetro
