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[NUKE9.13]

Current votes:

BBB CC
A CCC D

Technically BC is winning, but I'll give it some more time.

[Maximum Spin]

CA Considering that our allies are heathens, and our wife is almost certainly still one as well, I don't think we've got much room to argue against their views. In fact, I think they could be a useful counterweight against the orthodox faith if they decide they don't practically like our, so far, tolerate stance. Strange ideas for assimilating ourselves into become a half-native state? I have no idea what your talking about.

Don't you know your Europa Universalis? Heathens are a totally different tolerance scale from heretics! We can easily tolerate heathens, but want to burn heretics.

[Kashyyk]

BC

[NUKE9.13]

2+1=3

You warn the heretics to stay out of trouble. For some reason, they seem to take offence to your benevolence, but none of them complain to your face.

Subsequently, many of the heretics volunteer for the mission to found a new settlement, and eagerly set off into the mountains.


Early Spring, Colonial Year 11
The new year begins. You are expecting to hear about the state of the new settlement soon, but before that, the Advisor approaches with a scroll for you to read.

Colony stats:
Rebelliousness: 0
Colonists: 5+3
Bullion: 2
Militia: 3
Imperial Favour: 4

He helpfully points out that the colonial treasury is looking a little sparse, and suggests you look for ways to increase revenue.
Ignoring him, you open the Imperial letter.

Empire stats:
Imperial Authority: 2.5
Debt: 2
Barbarian Invasions: 0
Civil Unrest: -2

You're still not entirely clear on what this means. Also, you didn't realise that scrolls could have fractions on them.


As you are thinking of ways to make money, you are interrupted by news of a native delegation seeking audience. They have come from the Stone-Axe tribe, so you cannot refuse them. However, when you go to greet them, you are yourself greeted with a most peculiar sight. Amidst the familiar natives, clad in their familiar native garb, is a child. This is unusual, but more unusual is that said child is clad head to toe in metal armour. You were under the impression that metalworking was not practised by the natives, and you're pretty sure nobody imported a child-sized suit of armour from the Empire.
More unusual still is that the Stone-Axe envoys are only here to escort the child, a diplomat from the "Dawi Kingdoms". The child, who is apparently not a child, speaks in a gruff voice, the translator struggling to properly convey the message:

"Listen well, Boat-Humans. We of the Dawi visit the Human-Lands only once a decade, and do not cut words. You have given the Azakar iron. It is Dawi law that the Humans never be given metalwork. However, you were ignorant, and will be forgiven. We have taken the metalwork away from the Azakar, and now warn you not to share iron with them again. Some asked for the metalwork of the Boat-Humans to be taken away as well, but it was determined that the laws do not apply to Boat-Humans."

The... 'Dawi' then removes his helmet, revealing a grizzled face and impressive white beard.

"Speaking personally, I believe the old law is foolish, but the law is unbreaking stone. Regardless, I am not here only to chastise you like a young child. My King requests that we exchange tribute, as a mark of respect, so that perhaps we might trade with each other in the future."

He seems to be expecting a response.

A: The Empire does not give tribute. Nor will we bow to foreign laws about what we may or may not trade with our allies.
B: We would be happy to trade with you, and to discuss this ban on trading metal with the... Humans.
C: The Empire will pay tribute to the Dawi King, provided he returns the favour. 
D: As Viceroy, I cannot authorise such a thing. If you wait a few months, I can get a response from the Emperor.
TURNTURNTURN

[Maximum Spin]

D I mean it's literally true

[Kashyyk]

B

[chubby2man]

B

[a1s]

B

[NUKE9.13]

5+1=6
I swear to your choice of gods, I am not fudging these rolls.

You formulate a carefully-worded response, in which you apologise for causing offence (but deftly fail to apologise for anything else), agree to the Dawi's offer to trade (making it sound like that was his intent), mention that you have some questions about the Dawi law (avoiding a specific refusal to follow it), and subtly weave in that the power & grandeur of the Empire far exceeds this humble colony (without making any overt statements of superiority)- all worded such that the translator should be able to convey the message clearly.

The Dawi envoy remains stonefaced as the translator works through the response. At the end, he gives a curt nod.

"Your words sound correct, Boat-Human. I shall convey them to my King upon my return, and perhaps ten years from now we may discuss these terms. For now, I can offer you this side-tunnel: you shall trade with the Azakar, and the Azakar will trade with the Dawi. In this way we may trade without agreement, though my kin will complain. My kin would never accept the trade of metals through this system, but I promise that other goods may be traded safely."

The Dawi then unslings the pack on his back, and starts laying out the contents before you. There is some low-quality cloth, an ugly wood carving, and various other pieces of junk... but there are also several glittering gemstones- of a quality you have never seen before.

"These are samples of the goods that we sell. Please inspect them, and say which you enjoy. Then show me things you may offer in exchange."

You consider the goods for sale.

A: I think we'd like those gemstones.
A: The shine of those gemstones is quite nice.
A: It all looks interesting, but the gemstones most of all.
A: Gemstones.

You then ponder what the 'Dawi' might possibly want in exchange. Silver's out, obviously, and other than that it's not like the colony produces anything of great value. But you do have some reasonably valuable goods from home that you could import more of...

A: For some reason you feel like liquor might go down well.
B: We could offer him tea, most people like tea.
C: I guess we can let him taste some spices.
D: You could get in trouble for this... but you are Viceroy, you arguably have the authority... show the man some silk.
E: Pull out most of the stops. Everything but the silk.
F: Pull out all the stops. Everything, including the silk.

Whilst you're at it, he mentioned coming back in ten years. That's a long time. Should you try to argue that down?

A: The Empire does not wait. Not for ten years, at least.
B: Patience is a virtue.
TURNTURNTURN

[Kashyyk]

AEB - This gives us plenty of time to solidify our control of the region, and milk the dawi for as many gems as they've got before they start trying to spike us through official trade

[chubby2man]

AEB - This gives us plenty of time to solidify our control of the region, and milk the dawi for as many gems as they've got before they start trying to spike us through official trade

+1

[Nirur Torir]

AFB
This looks like the easiest way to get money before taxes increase. Their cloth is specifically called out as low quality, so silk should impress them.

[ZBridges]

AEB

[VoidSlayer]

A
C
B

Lets not be hasty and show him everything at once.  We can present new things over decades.

[Maximum Spin]

ABB