To the Scribes of the Sublime Garden: Tlonsiyya Special Assignment

[Faith Is My Shield]

To the Scribes of the Sublime Garden,
Palatial Pyramid of Ephia's Well,

On behalf of Legate al-Farisyya, myself and Legate Lhyrian have agreed that the diplomatic relationship with Tlonsiyya needs to be focused upon now that the war against Iakmes' and his orcan horde is behind us.

It is said that early in the budding relationship between our two settlements, an agreement was made to encourage the refugees that swell the Well to consider and look to Tlonsiyya for work and opportunity.

With that in mind, the Scribes are hereby issued a direct to prioritize building upon the relationship between Ephia's Well and Tlonsiyya where possible. Examples of what is expected include:

• Frequent bellows advertising Tlonsiyya's desire for paid workers
• The distribution of flyers and papersheets, advertising the same as above, throughout the Well and especially in areas where refugees congregate en masse
• The creation of a document profiling prominent figures in Tlonsiyya to be made available as a reference
• The study, procurement, and implementation of a regular commuting caravan route between Ephia's Well and Tlonsiyya

Any other ideas of creativity and initiative are welcome. In the name of the Sultan, let us put our talents towards strengthening our ties with the pockets of civilization throughout the desert.

With the Mother's Mercy,
Prelate Faith Kruehtzer

[MAGIC]

Dear Prelate Faith Kruehtzer,

Thank you for your letter. It is my pleasure as a dutiful Scribe of the Sublime Garden and an officer of The Most Illustrious Office of Cartography, Surveyors and Measurements to provide you with what you need.

As far as the request detailed in your letter, concerning official matters between Tlonsiyya and Ephia's Well, it saddens me to say that the Scribes of the Sublime Garden have found no records of any formal trade or work agreements made between the two settlements. Nor are we aware of any signed agreements to the effect that you described. As such it would be improper for us to enact a treaty that does not officially exist.

But do not worry! We Scribes are here to help with difficult situations such as this one! We are, as my Master so eloquently put it, the Little Hands, Little Eyes and Little Minds of the Great Magi Izdu, here to help convey and transform imperfect worldly thoughts into his more perfect eternal design.

The first task will be to formalize this informal agreement and enter it into the Scribal Records.

Assuming that this was an informal, spoken agreement made between two parties rather than a Scribal mistake (unlikely) - we will require the following information.

• Principals of the agreement - The primary negotiators who were acting in some official capacity on behalf of their governments.
• Witnesses to the agreement - Any individuals present during the informal declaration and affirmation of the agreement who can attest and verify to the actionable deed.
• Terms of the agreement - What was informally agreed to. It will also be helpful to know "how" the agreement was agreed to - was it by the shaking of hands, by spitting, by a brotherly embrace, or some other means?

Once we have made a formal record of this informal agreement we can work on filling out the details of an official agreement between the two peoples. You must understand that these people are not vassals of the Sultan, and as such it is our responsibility to ensure that the Sultan's Sublime Grace is cast over his subjects just as Blessed B'aara's Shroud is cast over us all. There are many matters to consider - such as how will crime and punishment involving a person of Ephia's Well be handled if they are the victim or perpetrator of a misdeed in Tlonsiyya? How will Ephia's Well be compensated in matters of death or disfigurement of its persons? We need to establish the right to inspect trade goods and cargo for contraband. And so much more! I assure you that these are very exciting times!

As for the third request in your letter - I have included in this letter our survey on Hisar Tlonsiyya, assembled from the Divan of War's diplomatic records, surveys, visitation and interview.

As for the fourth request in your letter - At this time I can state that there are four potential trade routes that can be considered.

   1. Overland, through the canyons. This is a narrow, treacherous route through canyons filled with narrow ledges, deep chasms and monstrous aerial creatures. The narrow ledges limit pack animals to smaller creatures unafraid of heights, such as goats - and trade goods would be limited to what they and porters can carry themselves, greatly restricting the quantity and size of goods that could be brought in trade. Once past the Shrieking Canyons the roads open up, though they still travel through contested territories. There is the possibility of appealing to the Sultan's Geomancers for assistance in making the overland pass safer to navigate for wagons and larger pack beasts.

   2. By Edutu - I. Tlonsiyya has at their disposal what they call an "Auto Barge", a baublium powered contraption capable of generating a self-motivating force. Trade goods could be ferried to the mouth of the Edutu, transferred to land, and conveyed overland to Ephia's Well. This is a much longer and slower route and travelling to the mouth of the Edutu will bring it within distance of Hisar Kuromak which is at present controlled by the vile Qa'im - and so there is the possibility that trade goods may be intercepted and seized or destroyed.

   3. By Edutu - II. A third possibility is that the Auto-Barge can offload their cargo before passing Hisar Kuromak. This would necessitate travel through the jungles of Bel-Ishun, and as such is exceedingly dangerous.

   4. By Ash Sail. Tlonsiyya does not have an Ash Sail, nor did I see any air-docks suitable for one in their territory, so that is a matter that would have to be resolved to make this a viable option. Then Ash Sails from Ephia's Well could be conveyed to Tlonsiyya where they could dock, load and unload trade goods and passengers. This may have the negative side effect of opening Tlonsiyya to Qa'im visitation and trade via their air-vessels. This would also be the most restrictive option as Ash Sails are a very precious and limited quantity.

Thus, do we sign and mark with our seal,
Zelpha Nesendya al-Faltarnis,
Scribe of the Sublime Garden,
Apprentice Cartographer of the Lands and Skies,
In loyal service to Ephia's Well

Dossier on Hisar Tlonsiyya

Territory:
   Hisar Tlonsiyya and surrounding lands
   Portions of Edutu River
   
Ruler:
   Vice-Chancellor Pakas Oruko
   
Seat of Rule:
   The Silver Madrassa, Tlonsiyya

Number of Settlements:
   1

Population:
   Thousands
   
Exports:
   Baublium
   Mechanical Salvage
   Grenades and explosives training

Imports:
   Food
   Water
   Luxury Goods
   Labor

Soldiery:
   Militia
   Mechanical Static Defenses
   Mechanical Mobile Guardians

Known Diplomatic Relations:
   Baz'eel - Neutral
   Qa'im - Neutral

Places of Note:
   "The Well" - Subterranean passages beneath their settlement filled with traps, toxic gas and other dangers. They call these passages "The Arteries."
   Temple of Izdu - closed to visitors.
   Docks - "Auto-barge" that traverses the Edutu.
   
Diplomatic Contacts:
   Raonn Otannuk - Merchant Diplomat

Other Notable Peoples:
   Shep Lenak
   Captain Ivoka Yjeso
   Havanjar Skerak

Potential Trade Routes:
   Overland through canyons - Dangerous terrain which limits pack beasts and wagons, contested by monsters.
   Edutu - May bring their barge within interception distance of Hisar Kuromak. Travel through jungle is likely very dangerous.
   
Notes:
   Tlonsiyya's initial attempt to engage in diplomacy with Ephia's Well went terribly, with Ephian citizens and the Rose threatening murder upon their ambassador and driving him away.
   A follow-up trade delegation was formed by Ephia's Well to attempt to repair relations. This appears to have been successful to some degree.
   Tlonsiyya is unwilling to formally declare for one side or another. Streets filled with potential agents of both Baz'eel and Qa'im.
   Vice-Chancellor is the ruler of the settlement (elected by council? Needs further investigation.) There is no Chancellor - that may be a ceremonial and spiritual position, perhaps held by Izdu.
   Ferric Exiles may be exiles from Tlonsiyya. Needs further investigation.
   Tlonsiyya allied with the Union of Kardeslar, providing training and material equipment for the campaign. They have since then continued to provide training in explosives.

[close]

[Faith Is My Shield]

Scribe Zelpha Nesendya al-Faltarnis,

Thank you for the quick response and the information provided thus far.

The initial summary of the agreement between the Well and Tlonsiyya were relayed to me by Apothar Zol Nur. Please follow up with them to see if you can ascertain any further information.

The Dossier on Hisar Tlonsiyya is a good basis. Please assign amongst yourself and the other Scribes whom would be best to transform the document into something suitable for distribution among refugees considering traveling to Tlonsiyya for work.

With the Mother's Mercy,
Prelate Faith Kruehtzer

[MAGIC]

Dear Prelate Faith Kruehtzer,

I assure you that I shall treat this matter of the Astronomers of Q'Tolip with the same dignity, respect and urgency that they have shown me.


Zelpha Nesendya al-Faltarnis,
Scribe of the Sublime Garden,
Apprentice Cartographer of the Lands and Skies,
In loyal service to Ephia's Well