An offer to Seaforth

[KrisNord]

To King Andrew

Some time ago I hosted a gathering of Celtic nations in order to attempt to join all Celtic nations into an agreement that would provide each of us with economic, educational and cultural opportunities as well as supporting each other in terms of security. Sadly the offer was rejected by Somerset, Irishar and the FIR without explanation and therefore it was left to my own kingdom, and that of our neighbours Cantabria to form this organisation.

Both myself and my sister Queen Cait, who is currently regent of Cantabria, are keen to see this organisation grow and would therefore like to offer your nation a chance to join us in what I hope is an arrangement that will support Seaforth as it regains its rightful place in the world. We look forward to hearing from our Celtic kin and should you need to discuss matters we are more than happy to host you or both of us can visit your homeland.

Best Regards

King Finley of Ui Cenneslaig

Spoiler: Text of Proposed Charter • show

It is agreed today that the Celtic nations of Mundus desire to embrace their kinship and support each other in the following goals.

1) Economic Prosperity
2) Educational Excellence
3) Cultural Kinship
4) Mutual Security

In order to achieve these aims the nations agree to the following

1. Economic Prosperity

1. Nations agree to gradually reduce tariffs on all goods over the next five years.

2. By the end of the five year period no TCF nation shall ensure any tariffs existing are on par with the lowest tariffs paid by non TCF nations.

3. Nations agree to enforce intellectual property rights recognised in any other TCF nation

4. Nations agree to not charge additional taxes on transfers of funds between TCF nations.

2.Educational Excellence

1. Nations agree to open their higher education establishments to citizens of all member nations on equal terms with their own.

2. Nations agree that students will not require a visa so long as they meet the following criteria

a) They have meet the requirements of an educational institute for which they hold the offer of a place.
b) They have sufficient funds to cover their course.
c) They pose no risk to national security
d) They have no criminal record

3. Students may work up to 15 hours a week to supplement their studies.

4. Students graduating may remain visa free in their nation of study for two years after graduation.

5. A TCF University shall be established, either as a department within an existing institute or as a independent entity. It shall share best practice and students may move freely between it's campuses so long as they meet the criteria in 2.2

6. An annual Summer school for 100 students from each nation shall be held. This shall be hosted in a different nation each year with nations taking it in turns alphabetically. This shall feature competitions, adventurous activities, creative arts and socialisation opportunities.

3. Cultural Kinship

1. There shall be an annual Highland Games tournament held between member nations. This shall rotate around members.

2. A TCF register of Recognised Clans shall be made, this will be open to any clan with more than 1,000 members. Every four years a sporting tournament similar to the Mundus Games shall be held. Competitors will represent their clan rather than their nation. Any citizen not part of a Recognised Clan may compete as part of a Celtic Citizens team.

3. There shall be the establishment of a Gold Barrel Medal. This will award a series of awards to manufacturers of Whiskey every year. This shall promote excellence in distilling as well as promote a traditional art.

4.Mutual Security

1. Nations agree to share information regarding potential terrorist activity, so long as

a) It does not breech existing treaties
b) the act of sharing information does not endanger their own nations assets.

2. Nations agree to extradite suspected criminals so long as;

a) Reasonable suspicion is shown
b) A trial under the Mundus Convention of Universal Rights is guarenteed.
c) The nation to which extradition will occur will not impose a death penalty.

3. Nations agree to solve problems peacefully between themselves. They agree should no agreement be reached between themselves that a neutral nation be asked to arbitrate.

4. Nations agree to a series of bi-annual military games.

5. Nations agree to offer support during times of natural disaster if requested or if another nations government is incapable of operating.

6. Nations in the same geographical regions agree to joint naval and air patrols when practical. 

5. General Provisions

1. Each nation shall maintain an active embassy in all other members.

2. New nations joining must be proposed by an existing member. Should no nation oppose that proposal within 48 hours the potential member is admitted. Should a nation oppose the admission a vote of all members is held and a majority decision taken.

3. Any member may propose an addition or amendment to this treaty at any time. A majority vote will be sufficient to carry the change.

4. The organisation will meet every six months for talks. These meetings shall rotate around each nation in turn with the host acting as Chairperson. The Chair may set the agenda for the talks.

[Rhodes]

My Dear King Finley,

I am very interested in meeting with our southern cousins to discuss the promotion of the Celtic Alliance and Seaforth's possible inclusion in that organization. I have not previously had occasion to visit the nation of Ui Cenneslaig and if it's not an imposition, I would very much enjoy making the trip. Give my regards to your sister, Queen Cait.

Yours,

Andrew III
King of Seaforth

[KrisNord]

This visit was going to be unlike others in Finley's mind. While he was keen to show people the hospitality he believed the Celts excelled at he knew that in Seaforth he was welcoming a people he saw not as foreigners but as family. It may have been hundreds, maybe thousands, he wasn't much of a scholar, but he knew in the past his people and them from Seaforth shared a common ancestor.

Cait had arrived the evening before. As usual she had travelled alone, her husband King Comegan of Cantabria was still recovering from his car accident and was unlikely to be fit to rule anytime soon and that left Cait as the Regent and major power in her brothers neighbouring nation. Finley had determined that the pair of them should greet the King of Seaforth in person at the airfield, the pair where dressed in identical tartan that Finley had made for the occasion. It combined the dark blue and bold yellow of the O'Shea tartan with white and red of the Rhodes family. Finley wore it as a kilt, and despite the formality of the occasion still insisted on wearing bulky boots rather than formal shoes. Cait meanwhile wore a plane white blouse with the tartan wrapped around her shoulders and around her waist.

Behind them, clad in the same tartan was a large group of pipers and drummers, all taken from local Army and Air Cadet units. Every now and again they'd give a little tune as to keep themselves warmed up and in tune for the arrival. Finley couldn't help but clap after each song and when a more uptempo one began found himself merrily jigging along much to his sisters annoyance.

As the Seaforthian aircraft touched down the pipers began the much practiced anthem as Finley and his sister greeted the new King of Seaforth.

[Rhodes]

King Andrew exited the plane to the sounds of home. As the young pipers did justice to the national anthem, Andrew grinned at King Finley and his sister, Queen Cait. Noticing the attire, Andrew appreciated seeing the ancient Rhodes tartan and wondered idly at the O'Shea colours. The blue and gold of the O'Shea tartan mimicked the royal colours of Seaforth...perhaps Finley was closer to the mark than most assumed when he referred to all celts as his cousins.



"King Finley, Queen Cait. A pleasure to finally meet you both. Joshua has been bending my ear about you two since he returned from the Eswen coronation."

[KrisNord]

OOC- Sorry not sure how this slipped by.


Finley didn't lead Andrew directly to the waiting car but instead to the pipers who had been dismissed, the group seemed excited by suddenly being in the company of the royals and a few rummaged in uniform pockets to bring out their activity log bogs, small plastic coated documents that recorded their cadet qualifications and experiences. "Your Majesty will you sign my Parade Duty" they asked as they handed Finley the books open to the page that showed which parades they'd attended, most had already written in Honour Guard for King Andrew of Seaforth Finley obliged, and then handed a few to Andrew, "The cadet youth groups are dear to my heart" Finley said as he even posed for a few photographs, "Kept me from being too much of a pain and made me want to be a soldier, teaches a youngster discipline" he addressed Andrew, "The cadets like to get momento's of their activities and what better than a signauture of a visiting celtic royal on a day our nations take steps closer together." The commanding officer of the Cadets, a balding man in his fifties who wore the uniform of the 3rd Highlanders, a Regiment that had ceased to exist ten years ago asked for a group photograph and Finley and Cait agreed so the man expertly marshalled his cadets into a group with Andrew in the centre.

"Everyone smile and after three shout Celts. 3-2-1" a loud roar of the word "Celt" came from all around the group with Finley probably the loudest. His regional photo oppurtunity done for the day the King and his sister bid the cadets farewell and headed to the waiting car.

"Its important our young people remember where they came from" Finley said as the car began to move towards the capital. "In the day and age of this internet their bombarded with all manner of nonsense from around the globe. Take soccer for instance, our youngsters are taking it up in larger and larger numbers, now I'm a fan of any young person playing some sport but what the hell's wrong with a good spot of Gaelic Football, or Shinty?" he asked rhetorically. It didn't take the car long to reach the venue , the Palace of Claith, and two soldiers saluted as they drove in through the metallic gates. Once inside they sat around a low walnut table while Finley poured a slug of good whiskey for each of them. "Now I want to present you with this in the hopes of a successful talk." He stood and went behind the sofa on which he was sat with Cait and Andrew opposite. He seemed to lift something rather hefty and carried it round and placed it on the table carefully avoiding the glasses on. "This is a bolt of the tartan me and Cait are wearing, it combines the tartan of Seaforth with our families own colours, I've had it registered as an official tartan here in our nation. It's name is the Alliance Tartan. Now the name maybe a little misleading, we're cousins by ethnicity but beyond that we've very few connections in the modern age, so while this document I sent you is maybe called an Alliance I want you to see it more as a foundation. I hope that is ok?" Finley added

[Rhodes]

Andrew dutifully signed the logbooks and made small talk with King Finley and Queen Cait as they travelled to the Palace of Claith. Passing through the gate, Andrew remarked at the impressive building.
Several minues later, Andrew found himself at a table with a bolt of tartan laid before him and a glass of good whiskey in his hand.


"You are a very generous host, King Finley. Indeed, it feels more like returning to my late Uncle's* home than an official visit to a foreign head of state. A feeling I hope continues during our...alliance. I feel that our two nations, working together and with the support of our mutual allies...can bring about a stability and prosperity in the west that will set the tone for the next century."

With that, Andrew raised his glass to King Finley and Queen Cait.

"To solid foundations!"
* King Josiah

** Sorry about the extremely late reply Kris