Making New Friends (RS + Altromine)

[Geo]

Annakol Araanon, Arch-Protector of Altromine sighed as she dipped her quill into the ink. Ever since Atomi Hektor had become Chancellor, the call for the end to their isolation had not ended. She and her brother had finally been able to pass the resolution, that had been vetoed dozens of times by the previous Chancellor, that allowed them to reenter the world stage. The only complaint she had was the age old law of requiring her to sign her name in seven different languages on each new official law. She sighed and put the quill down, rolling up the parchment and handing it to her manservant.

She sighed again as she picked up her quill again, this time to write a diplomatic greeting to Royal Selecuid.
__________________________________________________________________________________
To the Emirite of Royal Selecuid,

Greetings from the Holy Land of Altromine. As you may know, following the recent victory of Atomi Hektor and her International Party, Altromine will now be entering the world stage. As one of our closest neighbours, we see it only fitting that you are one of the first we establish ties with.

A diplomatic meeting between our nations would be much appreciated.

May Aten bless you,
Arch-Protector, Annakol Araanon

[DaveIronside]

King Heydar finished reading the letter from the Arch-Protector. "Well...well....well" The King was rather surprised, "It seems Altromine are joining the world" He smiled as he casually tossed the letter back onto his desk.

"So it seems Your Majesty" The King's Secretary Nader Ghassan retrieved the letter and placed it carefully into a plastic wallet and then into a ring binder. He carefully kept records of all the important official correspondence and soon he would slide into the same wallet the response from the King and at some point the documents would be put into the archives for future generations to learn about. "Do you want to dictate a response now or later My Lord?"

Heydar pondered for a moment. "I think you're more than capable of handling the response, usual thing, we're excited, welcome to the world, we look forward to meeting etc etc......oh and make sure to invite them to the Games, get that box again." The King had only just meet the King of East Moreland, a rather informal meeting though, at the Games and despite the differences between their nations had found him a rather enjoyable individual to socialise with. This time though things would be different. "And tell The Palm we'll be needing that suite." All of this was jotted down on a notepad and Nader flipped it shut.

"Will that be all Your Majesty?"

"Yes, thank you." Nader stood and bowed to the King before making his way to send the letter in return.


It was only a few days later that the King expected the delegation from Altromine to arrive and he was in truth rather intrigued in how things would go. He and the Phraoah of Clysperis had not exactly got along well over the time he'd been King and now he was about to meet the leaders of a nation who saw her as someone to worship. He though was hopeful that such a thing was just some tradition that perhaps held little sway over those living there today. He had travelled to the airport personally to welcome the guests and had taken with him Queen Chryssa, his second wife Haniyah however was up at the Lake Palace in the final two months of pregnancy. Chryssa herself had only just given birth to their second son Prince Aali Akakois almost three weeks ago and the boy was tucked up safely at the Ipsus Palace with his grandmothers watching over him. The airport was obviously busier than it had been at many other times, the large number of tourists coming for the games swelling the numbers but naturally everything had been put on hold to allow the Altromine VIP aircraft to touch down without waiting. The King waited patiently for their aircraft to arrive and his former comrades in the Air Force to form an honour guard channeling the guests towards the King and Queen. "Good Morning" King Heydar beamed at the approaching guests, "Welcome to Royal Seleucid." He shook his guests hand warmly sandwiching their own hand between both of his as was tradition in Royal Seleucid. "This is my wife, Queen Chyrssa" The Queen nodded respectfully in greeting. "Now we have much to discuss but first let us get to know ourselves a little better. I have a private box at the Arena at the Palm, there is some football match on, we can see some action, enjoy some refreshment and you can tell me what these recent elections mean for you, and now you have a desire to be of the world perhaps what they mean for Royal Seleucid." A car was waiting and the white leather interior inlayed with gold was already cooled by the wonders of air conditioning meaning their short journey to the arena would be refreshingly cool in comparison to the hot sticky air of Ipsus.

The journey to the Arena was aided by the outriders of the local Police ensuring that even the athletes coaches were stopped to allow the King's car through. The run had purposely been made as straight and simple as possible with the road going along the coast and onto the artificial islands that made up the Palm, the giant luxury hotel looming over even the arena. Only the King's car was allowed through the checkpoint and drove into the arena's underground security zone. Smartly suited men held the doors open for those to exit and the King lead the way up to the box which overlooked the field where a game was already taking place. Behind the glass in their luxury lounge no sound could be heard despite the screams outside urging their teams on. "Now, we can have the door open if you wish to soak in the atmosphere, we can have it piped in." He flicked a switch and the crowd noise at a low level was audiable through a series of speakers, "Or we can have just our conversation." The King had gone behind a small bar while his wife ensured everyone got sat. The King emerged from behind the bar with two fancy glass bottles, "Now, can I interest you in wine, or orange juice."

[Geo]

The airplane touched down, and Annakol Araanon walked into the airport. She nodded and smiled in greetings to King Heydar and his wife.

“It is good to meet you,” she said, smiling politely, “I look forward to our discussions.”

She stepped into the car, waving away her bodyguards and enjoying the sudden coolness of the AC. She was amazed at the interior of the car, such a lavish display of wealth threw the state cars of Altromine, in no way modest themselves, into a shadow. She spent the drive enjoying the views, fiddling with the symbol of Aten stamped into a coin
on her bracelet and wondering how the talk would go.

She stepped out of the car when they arrived, and followed the King and Queen into the box. She glanced down at the pitch below them, seeing two teams play football. Whilst
football was in no way her sport, it would be at least polite to ask about it. She smiled at the king's drink query.

“I don’t drink, orange juice please,” she said, accepting the drink. “So, who’s playing?”

[DaveIronside]

The King poured the juice for Araanon before taking his own seat and pouring a glass of win. If the truth was told he wasn't exactly sure who was playing, this was merely a chance to show off the Palm project a little and of course the PR of being seeing with another nations representatives at the Games. "I'll be honest" The King stood briefly to get a better view of the scoreboard, "I was totally unsure who was playing. Apparently it's Safraen and New Derusima. I think I'll be rooting for Safraen" He retook his seat. "After all they are at least from our neighbourhood  and unlike the Derusimans didn't try poking their nose into our neighbourhoods business." The King hinted at the New Derusiman attempts to get involved in the Clysperis Civil War. It was Queen Chryssa though who was to turn the conversation towards more serious matters as she herself had no love of football despite her son Golzar having it become a near obsession.

"Perhaps that would be a good place to begin discussion.....about the unity of Midaranye?" the Queen suggested before returning to her glass of orange juice.

"My wife is always full of good ideas." Heydar grinned, "Her best of course marrying me." He noticed his wife roll her eyes at her husbands poor joke which just made him smile even more. "But she is often right" he concluded, "I understand that you've taken to apply for OPEN, a move I applaud. Now naturally I'm happy to support the application of Midaranye nations but so long as they embrace a spirit of friendship and co-operation. We've been burnt slightly by that already." Heydar hoped his guest was following his meaning. "Now so long as we can lay a solid foundation to move on from I intend to make sure our ambassador to that body votes for your application. I also understand that with the Clysperis Blue Pod being vacated you've moved in which I am excited to hear about. Perhaps once our talks are done we can head there for a bite to eat and an explore?" Heydar suggested. "My one concern however is that seemingly in the last few days we've seen your nation sign the Mundus Covention on Universal Rights. Now forgive me but this is rather a strange thing for a Midaranye nation to do. After all we ourselves found numerous things abhorent in its texts, as do Waddan, Tamora, Clysperis and I understand you see the Pharoah as a Goddess. The MCUR seems a foreign intervention many of us in the region reject out of hand, perhaps then you could help me understand why your nation has signed it. After all I know nations such as Rokkenjima tie their trade policy to the document so me having an understanding of your reasoning could influence where we can take negotiations on such matters."

[Geo]

Annakol chuckled slightly at the bad joke of the King.

“We would greatly appreciate your support for OPEN. As for the MCUR, I understand your confusion, but there is good reason for us signing it. Alot of nations allow the MCUR to heavily affect their international policies.” She sipped on her drink, “As such it will be alot easier to buy us common ground with Mundus and place us in an advantage diplomatically. Once this has been all figured out, and a solid foundation of support has been built, we can terminate our signature.”

She thought for a second before continuing.

"As for the Pharaoh, she may be divine, but that doesn't mean she is always right. It is foolish to throw away potential cooperation with your neighbours, not that she is a fool," she added hastily, "but understand we will attempt to be much more friendly and open than Clysperis have been with you."

[DaveIronside]

There was good and bad in Annakol's answer, Heydar was pleased that they didn't seem too committed to the MCUR, but then again that was a problem in itself. Altromine had announced itself to the world stage by signing almost every treaty going and now here was their Arch-Protector speaking openly of reneging on their commitment. "With respect" Heydar began, "You perhaps are right, you may get diplomatic points by toeing their line, but what do you think will happen when you withdraw that signature.  Nations that have signed it are not exactly likely to see you in a positive light and in reality look at the number of nations who have not signed it and have a huge diplomatic network. The Alanders are well connected, so are the Iwi" here Heydar had to stop himself from muttering some curse, "even nations in strong diplomatic groupings such as TUNA haven't, Bakkermaya, Paracambi and Nya Aland are central members of that grouping and yet not one of them has signed it. In fact if I recall correctly around only a quarter of nations on Mundus have.[1] The MCUR is just a piece of paper denying your nation its own sovereignty." Heydar placed his glass down on the table, "But that is just my view. I wish you luck with that approach." He added. "So with your nation effectively tied into the MCUR until 2025 you may find some hard decisions being forced you way. For example in discussions on trade you have signed that no one shall be held in servitude or slavery. Our own legal system permits servitude as an option for judges for minor crimes such as theft. A convicted criminal can either be sent to prison or made to work for or at the direction of their victim until the value of what was stolen has been repaid. Naturally the rate at which repayment is made is put well below the average wage but it permits the individual being punished to avoid spending time in prison. Therefore as a nation obliged to follow the MCUR this could mean we must tread carefully in trade negotiations, likewise I can imagine when you have these discussions with Tamora it being much more difficult. So perhaps I could steer us towards discussing how you'd like to see a trade agreement formed now you've a foot in our door down at Blue."

1.	Quick count up there are 67 nations/territories etc  present on the map and 17 have signed it according to the thread.

[Geo]

Annakol relaxed at the shift of conversation away from the MCUR.

"We would be delighted to form some trade agreements with you. As you know, we are requesting to join OPEN, and we hope that many will support us."

She sipped on her drink and was about to speak again when the muffled roar of the fans outside interruped her. She glared annoyed at the people outside as she cleared her throat.

"The recent discovery of several oil fields in Altomine a year or so ago, and the promise of the Internationalist party to use that oil to increase the standard of living is one of the main reasons I am able to discuss this today. We do have more to offer than just oil, however. Once the game is over, we could possibly head over to the Blue Project like you suggested earlier?" She suggested.

[DaveIronside]

"In terms of the trade deal we can offer I believe that if we are the first nation to make one with you we can make it rather freely as of yet those who like you have signed the MCUR won't have tied you up in knots. As for OPEN it is at present my intention to fully support you admission once our meeting here is concluded and I can't see there being much that will change that." The King had finished his glass of wine and having very little interest in the football, much like Annakol the King called for the Royal Protection Agents to come to the box, "I think the match will be of little excitement and we can probably beat the crowd." The King kissed his wife Chyrssa on the cheek and bid her farewell leaving her to relax and watch the game.

The journey to the Blue project was pretty quick. A descent to ground level in the stadium. A short walk across the plaza outside the arena and into a waiting motor launch which left the illuminating lights of the stadium behind them. The sea between the Palm and the Blue project was full of little boats, some enjoying a pleasure cruise while others were making their own journeys up and down the coast. A landing area had been cleared at one of the many marina points and the King waited for one of the staff to help Annakol onto the floating platform before joining her. "Now the Blue project is what we hope will become a networking hub between the nations of Midaranye. While you were of course sadly overlooked for the initial build we have also been unlucky to have Clysperis not take up residence and so that means you've a chance to set up your own networks. The King had headed into the central plaza of the Blue project, a large open area surrounded by several large metallic and glass structures known as "Pods" with each dedicated to a single nation. In the central plaza several cafe's and small vending stalls were positioned but soon the King's guards had cleared a few tables so that the pair could sit in isolation. "Now in terms of a trade deal I would like to table the opening suggestion.

1. That all raw materials and unprocessed foods stuffs may be traded with no tariffs.

2. Any product that has seen at least 70% of its manufacturing process undertaken in either Altromine or Royal Seleucid may be traded with no tariffs

3. Both nations agree that they shall impose no restrictions on what can be traded between the two nations so long as it complies with local health and safety rules.

4. Companies with a registered HQ in one nation may operate in the other on the same conditions as all those within that nation. Companies operating in the other nation must pay any required taxes on money made in that nation before transfering it to their own nation.

"I hope these conditions will be something we can start to build upon. It is my hope that as I diversify the economy of Royal Seleucid away from just being oil based some of our companies may wish to start investing elsewhere and as our own economy opens up their may well be opportunities and gaps in our own economy your nations business may be able to take advantage of."

[Geo]

Annakol nodded.

“This deal seems fine to me. Of course, it will need to be tweaked and adjusted, but it is a good starting point. Also, I don’t believe I have thanked you for allowing Altromine to take up one of your pods. Thank you.”

She thought for a second.

“As for diversifying your economy, I’m sorry to tell you that, whilst it's not as dominating as you would think, the oil industry is remarkably strong. You would be able to diversify your economy somewhat, but not to a large extent.”

Speaking of oil, I thank you for your promise of support in our efforts to join OPEN. The Chancellor is particularly eager to join it. It’s one of the things she vowed to do if she was elected.”

[DaveIronside]

Heydar had no doubt that any deal put forward at this stage would be a starting point only, "Perhaps you'd suggest what would work for your nation then?" Heydar asked. The Seleucid had over the last 18 months or so utilised a vast range of projects to try and move their economy away from oil, not that they were not enjoying the money it brought in but Heydar knew as automation took over many industries it would also be the case in oil extraction and production and so the more jobs he created the better. There had been the converted cruise ship turned into a hub for entrapeneurs, then the floating food production facilities capable of churning out huge amounts of vegetables for networks there size and then finally the jewels in the crown, The Palm and Blue. With Waddan Blue opening any day now the King was excited to think of potential markets there that his people could tap into. "In terms of diversification I think we have that well in hand." Heydar said, "You can never have enough ways of your people making money and hopefully as we establish a wider variety of businesses we'll increase my people's skills bases and go from strength to strength. I mean we already have along with Tamora what is possibly the worlds largest production facility for rechargeable batteries. The sky is the limit." He was proud of the Gigafactory and if things went well it would produce a decent profit from its first year in existence.

 

[Geo]

“For Altromine? Well, you must understand, Aten is very important to my people. It would be greatly appreciated if we could have your permission to build Temples to Aten in Royal Seleucid. Of course, the same would go for building Temples to Anahita in Altromine.

She pondered for a second.

“On the matter of religion, what is your opinion on the Pharaoh, Akasha? I understand you have not been exactly the closest of friends?”

[DaveIronside]

"In terms of temples you will find next to nobody here worships your faith, I don't think the followers of Aten found it this far south but I am not someone who wishes to deny people a chance to worship their faith. If you want to build a temple in Royal Seleucid I won't stand in your way." Heydar explained, he'd never meet a Seleucid citizen who followed this version of a sun god but that didn't mean some fool somewhere accepted this deity. Perhaps though this was a situation he could use to his advantage. "Perhaps I can even sweeten this arrangement slightly." The King produced his mobile phone and tapped away for a moment or two before sliding it across the table to Annakol. "That is the old desert fortress of Jiapet." The screen showed the image of a squat sandstone desert fort. "It sits about 5km out of the city of Meybad. Now I am willing to donate the site to your faith on two conditions. The first is that it ensures all those who are used to renevate the site, I don't even care if you knock it down and rebuild from scratch. But every bricklayer, every plumber, anyone who so much as touches a paintbrush in the construction process is a resident of Meybad. The second condition is that once established in the region whoever controls the Temple is to write a report for a newspaper from your nation about what life is like in the city and surrounding area." The City of Meybad sat in the Celtic Protectorate, should some religious figure from the faith of Aten arrive in the area and write a glowing report on life in the city which was dominated by the Seleucid's significant minority of the Cult of Helus then it could potentially be one more weapon Heydar could use to get the Celts to leave early after his father's weakness in handling his weak attempt at destroying the Cultist community. "As for us building in your nation that is a fair offer to make however I will leave it to the High Preistess of Anahita to work out whether she would take up the offer.

The next comment soured the King's mood. He knew he would need to perhaps handle the wording of what he was about to say carefully. "I wouldn't call us friends if I am honest. You see when I inherited the throne I was faced with a scenario that I think was the one weakness my father showed during his reign. He permitted some of those he trusted in the military to take their own prejudice against our Cultist brothers and sisters to an extreme that disgraced our family, our nation and our history. His only realistic way of stopping the nation plunging into a huge war was to permit the Celts of Ui Cenneslaig to act as a form of peacekeepers within our own borders. Now this arrangement has proven to not be as bad as I would wish but the Cenneg are an unwanted presence however their alliances, their huge military and the fact they have a foothold in our nation means we must see out the deal my father made. My role is to ensure that the Cultists in my nation feel safe and welcome in the region thus allowing me to create a situation where the Celts feel like their mission is rightfully over and can go home. I have worked hard to cultivate this and perhaps unwittingly the Pharaoh has helped me. Regardless of your thoughts on him King David of East Moreland is someone held in extremely high regard by all Cultists, by her constant attacks in her perception of him and what she calls the Helusites means that should I cultivate a friendship then I do so at a risk of damaging my work to repair the rift between the Cultists and my own crown. Add to that she has on several occasions turned down invitations from our nation for meetings, the Jewell of the Desert festival, even the opening of Blue, an act you have now benefitted from, yet she has had meetings with several nations not even from her own backyard then it smacks of her not willing to co-operate with her neighbours yet willing to work with those she criticises. As such I am sad to say we have given up on our desire to be friends with all nations in Midaranye. We have good relationships with Tamora, with Waddan, Vanora and Abydos. If Clysperis wish to refuse our invitations there is not much more we can do. Even effectively closing the backdoor routes to Clysperis for those who would support forces against her in the civil war have not seen her make any steps towards beginning a friendship. Shortly when my third son, fingers crossed, is born we shall host an event to thank the Goddess for two healthy children so recently, invitations will be sent across Mundus inviting nations to come and celebrate, naturally I hope you will accept, if the Pharoah wishes she'll be welcome but I will not hold my breath."

[Geo]

Annakol peered at the image. She nodded.

I will have to consult my brother, but knowing his agreeable nature he will most likely accept the site. For the other terms, they are perfectly acceptable, and I am sure that if we take up the site we can fulfill them.

Despite this, she suspected that Heydar had more motives behind the offer than he was naming. That however, was none of her business, unless it interfered with the running of the temple, which she doubted.

She nodded to his explanation of Heydar’s difficulty in dealing with Akasha.

"I see. Well that is quite a predicament you have with the celts,” she suspected that his celtist problem may have something to do with the greater motives behind his offer of a site, “It is a shame that you have been forced into this position. I wish you all the luck in succeeding."

She shook her head sadly.

“Akasha is held in high regard by my people. She, whilst having no official power, has great sway over the majority of Altromine with her words. We revere her as having part of Aten’s soul in her. Its partly that, as well as our constitution and former status as part of Clysperis that has resulted in us not yet making ties with them. It is unfortunate that she appears to ignore your invitations of friendship.”

She got up.

“Oh, as for your child I will gladly accept your invitation to see it. My brother would probably like to come as well, knowing him.”

OOC-What with irl events, it would be great if we could wrap the rp up.

[DaveIronside]

It seemed with Annakol getting to her feet she was symbolising that the meeting was over. Heydar motioned therefore for an aid to bring over the document that had been prepared during the talks Heydar had hoped things could possibly have gone further but perhaps in time more could be done.

Be it enacted between Altromine and Royal Seleucid the following

1. That all raw materials and unprocessed foods stuffs may be traded with no tariffs.

2. Any product that has seen at least 70% of its manufacturing process undertaken in either Altromine or Royal Seleucid may be traded with no tariffs

3. Both nations agree that they shall impose no restrictions on what can be traded between the two nations so long as it complies with local health and safety rules.

4. Companies with a registered HQ in one nation may operate in the other on the same conditions as all those within that nation. Companies operating in the other nation must pay any required taxes on money made in that nation before transfering it to their own nation.

5. Nations agree that with recognised religious permission given Temple construction may take place in the other nation.

With a pen ready Heydar signed his and waited for his guest to do likewise. "I am thankful for your visit"

[Geo]

Smiling, Annakol took the pen, and signed the papers.

She shook Heydar's hand firmly.

"It was good to meet you, your majesty. I hope we can take things further between our nations in the future. I will contact the High Priest, and get him to formulate the designs for the temple with his advisors. Knowing his fickleness, it' may take some time."

"May Aten bless you," she said, as she left for the plane back to Altromine.


OOC-despite being here for a while, this is the first RP i actually finished!