Disciples / Michoacan

The birdfolk of Michoacan had not been friends of the high goblins historically, nor were their bloodthirsty ways remembered fondly by the Saintly Orders. Yet, they had not been foes, and that was enough for the Grandmaster to overlook old discomforts and send a dignitary. After all, anyone who was not a follower of Citalmin was a potential friend.

Clerics Glyn Yadirayi and Prachy Koldari were young scholars of some repute in New Forgehall, but more importantly they had extensive knowledge of old texts regarding the languages and ways of the birdfolk. The two goblins made their way steadily through the Northern Plains and into the forest of the Far North. They had tried several other rumored locations of the descendants of Michoacan, but to no avail, and this was one of the last areas they knew of where the old vassals of Sotek might reside.

The Michoacani had not been friends of the goblins historically, nor were they quite enemies. While in the service of the Sotekan Empire they had surely engaged in combat with the 'High' Goblins, as colorfully painted codices and murals depicted flowery deaths in both battle and sacrifice of Goblin warriors at the hands of Avians seemed to suggest. It was more miraculous that the Goblins of Forgehall found them, to be truthful. Roads were nothing more than trails leading into the interior of the newly forged Kingdom, for reasons of culture, isolationist feelings, and the general not needing of them due to flying.

The Tlatoani, or ruler, of the nearest village to the interlopers, the one furthest inland and near the far west of the forest near the eastern shores of the lake, of the capitol was engaged in a small ritualistic feast to one of the minor gods subservient to Tlaloc when he heard word of this intrusion. He sent word to the capitol, but using his own authority began to gather a small group of guardsman as well as the tribal leaders of a few small hamlets under the control of the Tlatoani's village, and took off, only taking a simple, colorful robe to add to his copious bright feathers plucked from various animals. His feathers were colored a dull salmon, and acted as a fantastic backdrop.

The Michoacani, bedecked in feathers and holding their ceremonial, yet still semi-effective obsidian weapons, landed in the trees surrounding the two goblins, looking weary of travel and in need of aid.

The Tlatoani dropped to the ground in front of them, his large claws digging into the earth, while spreading his wings slightly to make himself look more intimidating. He took his ceremonial obsidian weapon, more of a baton of rank than anything, and pointed it at the Goblinfolk.

"What are the proud warriors of Forgehall, the High Goblins, doing in the land of Michoacan? Be warned, interloper, that Tzintzuntzan has been notified of your trespass."

Cleric Prachy was quick on her feet, to the great relief of the more bookish Cleric Glyn.

"We intend only visit, not trespass," she announced humbly, bowing deeply to the avian leader addressing her. "We are here as dignitaries of the Disciples of Forgehall, on behalf of Grandmaster Olga Nakbaji. We are here to meet with your high liege, if their majesty will allow us an audience."

Cleric Glyn followed little belatedly with a deep bow of her own. Neither of the clerics was heavily armed; there was no armor on their persons and only one short sword on the belt of each for defense against bandits.

The Tlatoani briefly made eye contact with the clerics before making a clicking sound and scraping the earth several times. The Avian scouts along with them would make their way to the town, where the festival was still occurring, and where Tariacuri II would be meeting them.

It was a rather short journey, the way being known making it much easier to get to the destination. The Cazonci Tariacuri II was somewhat hesitant, it seemed, to allow the foreigners into Tzintzuntzan before he had at least some understanding of their motives, and hoped to have the entire audience in the somewhat modest, though still huge and several stories tall pyramid at the center of the town.

As the clerics entered the torch-lit chamber, it was near twilight, and the loud crowd noises of the festival were muted, while the sacrifices had been briefly paused while the dignitaries entered the town square.

Tariacuri II, First Huetlatoani of the New World, King of Michoacan, was seated on a high stone chair at the end of the ornate hall, murals flanking the walk up. He was colorful, a combination of his natural dull blue feathers, combined with decorative feathers from Turkeys and other birds found in the New World, which were attached to various pieces of Turqouise and Jade jewelry scattered across his wide neck and wings. He carries a baton of rank, shorter, but significantly more ornate and ceremonial than that carried by the Tlatoani of the village he stays in.

"It is a pleasure to see the High Goblins once more, and to be reassured that they have made it to the New World after the Great Destruction." He rose, scraped his claws against the floor making a harsh grating sound, and gestured towards them in a sign of greeting, taking his wing and bringing it to his forehead, and sweeping it down.

"What news and offers do you bring, travelers of Forgehall? We have stayed within our lake basin for nearly a generation since the Sundering, and know little of the outside beyond the continued existence of the Sotekans, now the proclaimed Kingdom of Tikal. Please, make your peace."

Both clerics knelt and put their faces to the floor before the king. Humility would do them no harm here.

"Oh great King of Michoacan," began the black-robed Cleric Prachy, "we are joyed to find your Highness seated at his proper throne as absolute Lord, not a vassal under the boot of Citalmin's ilk. As your histories doubtless describe, we high goblins too were subjugated under such terms in the ancient times of the First Age.

"But our former lord-oppressors remain a threat, hiding in the swamps and forests while they plot and prepare to rebuild their Empire. They may have approached you already with flattery and promises, but we beg you do not trust the words of the World-Destroyers. Their ambitions will never change: They will see us all either enslaved or exterminated.

"We musn't let our proud peoples be subjugated again, but rather draw strength from our unity against those who would dare invade our lands again. To this end, the Grandmaster of the Disciples proposes an agreement for open trade between our capitals and a pact for mutual defense. How does this proposal sound in your Highness' ears?"

Tariacuri was surprised, to say the least, but did not let it show. He ruffled his feathers along his wings in a brief show of deliberation, and then lounged back in the stone chair. His beak opened and closed a little before starting.

"Open trade would work well, and the connection to the rest of the continent by opening up the highways would work well. On the point of mutual defense, though, I am somewhat more hesitant. It must be understood, completely, by both parties, that the pact is for defense. Offensive measures are a different discussion altogether."

"I'd agree to both proposals, then. We will draw up a treaty on some parchment, and have it delivered to you by the end of the night."

"The treaty will cover defense and defense alone," Cleric Glyn confirmed, speaking for the first time. "Should either of our peoples attack a third party, the pact does not oblige the other to assist."

Of course, everyone knew an offensive alliance could be discussed at a later date. And the ambitions of the Disciples of the Saints of Forgehall were no secret: Destroying Citalmin's chosen once and for all was the only way to ensure the safety of the high goblin people and the world they inhabited. But that was for another discussion, another time.

A few scouts and emmisaries were all that was sent to Forgehall. Recent word of skirmishes on the Tikal/Forgehall border, in addition to already existing tensions between Tikal and the Kingdom of Michoacan had led to a very cautious approach to most diplomatic ventures. The birdfolk had flown by nightfall to mask their approach, only landing when they could see an outpost.

As the defensive alliance and trade agreement entailed, relations were rather good. Because of this, it was to be assumed that they would be escorted into the capitol and would begin their message, 'with haste'.

As expected, the Michoacan emissaries were escorted into New Forgehall with all due haste. Soon the avians were in the Great Hall, facing Grandmaster Olga Nakbaji. The goblin was an unusual figure, with a shaven head and stitches running down through the middle from the back of her neck all the way to her forehead. And her eyes were of amber so vibrant they practically glowed. The rest of her was covered in orange robes.

"Greetings, friends of New Forgehall," she began with a short bow. "Welcome to the Great Hall of the Saints in the Mortal Plane." She gestured to the walls and ceiling, with their unnatural glow and seemingly endless tapestries. "What news and tidings, and what proposals if you carry any, bring you from his noble majesty Tariácuri II?"

The emissary bowed low, and scraped his claw on the floor in a sign of respect.

"If you are looking for a positive development, we do not bring it, only bad tidings, dangerous news, and a particular development which might lead you to worry if you do not hear it directly from us."

"I apologize for the potential terse nature of this message, every extra hour we can receive with your response will do us much good. In short, Tariacuri II has been named Emperor of Sotek, and the Tothitoch's faithful, the heretical group that seceded from The kingdom of Tikal, has decided to swear allegiance."

He let that soak in before continuing. "We have news that the Kingdom of Tikal May be making moves against the Faithful within the next few months, stretching into the next year or so. As they are sworn vassals of Tariacuri, and his title and scepter give him the right to defend all Sotekans of any culture or grouping, he humbly hopes to gain your extension of the defensive military pact to the Faithful, and if they were attacked, you would be called into the war."

"If you have questions, feel free to ask them. I've been briefed personally by the king. We realize your relationship with the faithful is not perfect, but they would see an alliance as being the first step to the destruction of Tikal, and the return of peace from the recent events which have accelerated chance of war."

((OOC: On mobile, so please account for that.))

Emperor of Sotek? A bold move, though not entirely surprising. If the Tikalan rebels sought protection under the King of Michoacan, assuming the imperial title was the logical next step. After all, together they comprised the majority of what was left of old Sotek.

"If Tothitoch's Faithful have seen fit to swear fealty to Tariacuri II, it is all the better for us," the First Immortal stated with a slight smile. "You are correct that our relations so far have been less than ideal: Every emissary we have sent their way has disappeared, including one who was promised the rights and protections of a herald. But if your Emperor now commands their loyalties and respect, surely they will come to understand that we pose no threat.

"That being said, I do have questions. By assuming the mantle of the Empire of Sotek, your liege may send an unintentionally threatening message to us High Goblins, who were humiliated and oppressed under the realm of that same name. What can Tariacuri II offer to reassure my people of his good faith? Would he consider entering into a full alliance with the Disciples, committing his solemn honor to our mutual prosperity?

"Furthermore, if and when it does come to war with Tikal, what will be the Empire's goals? Simply to defend, or to punish, or to conquer? Would the interests and contributions of New Forgehall be considered in the management of your campaign?"

The Forgehall goblins approach to the situation was definitely unexpected, though the surprise the Pochteca experienced was definitely quickly over when he thought of the peace this alliance could bring. Additionally, being known as the man who tied the kingdoms together with an alliance filled him with more than a little self-interest.

"His majesty Tariacuri II foresaw that you may be threatened by his claiming of the title of Emperor, which is exactly why this diplomatic group was sent, to assuage your concerns. The change in interests is entirely an attitude of much greater hostility towards Tikal, and a much larger interest in defending former vassals of the Sotekan empire. This is where it ends."

"We would not only greatly enjoy a full alliance with Forgehall, but I can give assurance that during campaigns and peace negotiations your nation will be treated with utmost respect, as an equal partner at the campaign and peace table. Our goals are limited to the reclamation of land from Tikal, though we are not opposed to splitting their kingdom with the goblins, should you choose to fully support us in this war and show that you are devoted to the cause of peace through hegemony and coalition in our region."

"We hear some rumors that the Faithful are under attack soon, and hope we can begin organizing an offensive within a few weeks."

"Excellent," replied the Grandmaster with a pleased smile.  The birdman seemed honest enough, and in any case a formal alliance would be hard to break without ruining Tariacuri II good image.  

"My troops are tired after a recent raid on the Tikalan village of Copal," she continued.  "They will need rest and reinforcements.  But you can expect the Disciples' full support within the next two months."

_____

-- Disciples of the Saints of Forgehall agree to ALLIANCE with Kingdom of Michoacan / Empire of Sotek

-- Grandmaster Olga Nakbaji commits to sending an army to support the campaign against Tikal next turn.

In this time of war, the Disciples of Forgehall were pressed for time and resources. The Masters of the Orders hoped their friends in Michoacan would understand if they forewent the expense and painstaking organization of a proper state visit to conduct diplomacy.

Five goblin warg-riders, lightly-armed but in military garb, approached the Capital of the New Sotekan Empire bearing the colors of Forgehall. With no hesitation they announced to the city guards that their business was urgent and meant for the Emperor himself.

The Emperor was thankfully near the gate when the riders arrived, speaking in a large stepped pyramid owned by a wealthy aristocratic family about the need to support the war effort. The aristocracy seemed to only ever care about a direct, flat, and aggressive tone, and so he came out somewhat flustered and agitated. Thankfully news from Forgehall was nearly always good.

He greeted the riders at a Royal outpost near the gate of the city, usually a hostel for Pochteca, the diplomatic and merchant corps of the Kingdom of Michoacan, now the newly formed New Sotekan Empire.

"Greetings, allies from Forgehall. What can our brothers in arms be helped with?"

The five soldiers bowed abruptly and deeply before the Emperor. They had not expected to encounter him so close to the gates! But they did not let their subservient poses linger long: There was important business to attend to.

"Your grace," began the soldier in the center. "On behalf of the Masters of the Orders of the Saints, we come before you humbly asking for your help. The forces of the Disciples, lead by the First Immortal herself, have won a great victory over the vile followers of Citalmin. Sadly, we sustained serious casualties in the course of battle, and we must reinforce our ranks. If you would share with us the famous wealth of your iron mines, this would go a long way to ensuring the successful continuation of our campaign."

The lack of resources seemed to plague all except Michoacan. Divine favor? Blind luck? It didn't matter. Forgehall needed to be strong, or the war would be a quick loss, and the entire march on the capitol would fall apart from losses.

"Of course! We can support you with as many as 4 tons of iron. If this is agreeable, then we've achieved an agreement." The Emperor clawed at the ground in a sign of respect. Respect was important towards the folk possibly assuring your independence.

The goblins bowed again before the Emperor. They knew the same principle of respect that he did.

"This is more than satisfactory, your grace," the leader replied with a smile. "The Saints of both Birdfolk and High Goblins must surely look kindly upon you this day. Please let us know what the Disciples may do for your people, if and when the time comes."