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[Sheb]

Yup, but I though we should re-organize the order for our side in one post, since a lot happened.

[Azthor]

Yup, but I though we should re-organize the order for our side in one post, since a lot happened.

((Sure, I am all for building the temples, but I don't feel feel we need to add 5%; the new tithes are in and of themselves a lot more than these 5% we'd give, and, since we are finally developing the planet's industrial potential, we are running on a short budget))

[Ardas]

((FYI, you would need to send your own explorers first to map the lands in question, since you have no knowledge of them. I haven't shared any data on them with anyone, and the entry will be barred via my edict. You can't send in crusade in blind, or you risk losing your men to ambushes and atrittion. And yes, alongside tithe from temples, schools are a financial affair too, and their income is kinda treated on equal with temple tithes. We are still on the level of pre-modern education after all, church is charitable, but not completely free.))

Roim received a message form Archon, inviting him to his quarters in the ecclesiastical city of Castellum Fidelis. To that message a letter is attached, for Roim only.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

My dear son in faith,
I want to humbly apologise for the situation at hand. It is important that in absence of your spouse and Nova's matriarch that we remain vigilant to problems that beset our world.
In interest of avoiding any antagonisms and of sorting out any outstanding business we have, I invite you to my quarters in Castellum Fidelis.
Also, I may have a way of rescuing your wife form Vengeance, but I would need your hand to assist me. You both are under my care after all, and Nova will no doubt be torn by internal strife if Averys does not return soon.

His Excellency Luthias Harthwig, archon of Si'kar

[Sheb]

((We know where the continent is, even if we don't know the exact layout on the inside. I know I'm moving fast, I need the inquisition and a lot of other stuff, but I'm willing to take that risk.))

A letter is sent back to Luthias. The language is so neat that it seems obvious Roim's secretary totally re-wrote it.

Spoiler: Letter (click to show/hide)

Your Highness,

I am most honoured and pleased by your request. However, with Aeverys gone, the heavy task of caring for our subject's material need is on my shoulder,
and while not as burdensome as caring for their eternal soul, my poor self doesn't have your strength of shoulder and is barely up to the task: a trip to Castellum Fidelis would leave so much work to be done upon my return that I would collapse.

I must however soon make an inspection of the infrastructure work near the border town of Carnhuggin, and would be most pleased to meet you there.

I apologise one thousand time for usurpating your time with my unworthy self,

Piously, Roim, King Consort of House Nova

[Ardas]

((Well, i can certainly say that Roim underestimates Luthias and fails to understand his position in the church hierarchy. as far as Si'kar is concerned, there is no one higher but Luthias. He is the equivalent of a cardinal of the friggin planet; his word in theory is the law.))

[Sheb]

((That's true. Although I feel you're overstimating it a little but whatever. If you think Roim is being too arrogant, just react to it IC. You also have to remember than the last time he went defenseless in church property, his pregnant wife was taken away and sent to a penitance planet where the odds that she will die are really real indeed. He doesn't actually trust the church, and neither does he trust you. After all, it's not paranoia if they are out to get you, right? :p))

[Ardas]

((well, you are right. I would be antagonistic like hell if they took my wife away from me. But you certainly don't make it easy to make amends . We wil just have to see how things go. ))

Meeting on neutral ground seemed rather reasonable for Luthias, even though he was set on establishing his authority over Si'kar. On some worlds the nobility used to do long pilgrimages to the ecclesiastical capital of their planet just to kiss the ring of their archon. But then, these worlds were rather stable and faithful. Si'kar for all intents and purposes resembled a frontier, and the rather crude interactions between ruling factions were the norm. Luthias saw the mission to civilise this world as a task for himself; after all, how was humanity going to rise to its former glory if majority remained in mud huts and shouted at each other?

Luthias decided to meet Roim after all. This time it was a rather inconspicuous group of several vehicles and bodyguard surrounding it. The Church emblems and big scary men made sure that nothing slowed Archon's travel.
As Archon travelled towards that small town mentioned in Roim's reply, he enjoyed the view outside from the window of his cabin.

Si'kar was rather harsh world, but contained beauty in its pure landscapes. The great, tall forests covered its surface and enveloped its grand mountains, steeped in great mist generated by its cold climate. One will cross many streams and springs in these mountains and witness a wealth of fauna in these forests, brought here by both the terran and xeno settlers in ages past. The rugged terrain and the calm that emanated from that landscape brought out something ancestral in Luthias, primal even. He felt strangely familiar in these misty, alpine-like forests, as if his human nature called out and yearned to be in this enviroment. Little did he know that these were the surroundings in which his ancestors lived, back on that little blue speck of dust.

Meet with Roim in Carnhuggin. Bring the usual bodyguard and servants.

[Sheb]

Roim didn't have to do an inspection trip to those lousy border towns, but he didn't want to be at the mercy of the Church. They had taken Aeverys, and clearly couldn't be trusted.

He arrived one day early in Carnhuggin, with his Regiment of House Body Guards. On the bridge over the river Thine, that marked the border between the territories of the Church and House Nova, a large tent was set up. Servants installed a large table, two chairs, and a large assortment of food and drinks of all kind. They then retreated, leaving Roim alon on the bridge, waiting for the Archon.

"I hope your travel was confortable, Archon Luthias. I am most honoured to be deemed worthy of the time of such a grand person as yourself. What do you wish to discuss?" said Roim. The sentence had obviously been composed by some clerk, and was said in a tone that contrasted with the polite words.

[Ardas]

"You don't need to talk nice Roim, I want honesty. Because thats what I want to give you."

Luthias took a seat and poured himself a bit of drink.

"We are both at mercy of Inquisition, and thus we are forced to work together, you like it or not. As far as Avereys goes, I had no knowledge or hand in her deportation to Vengeance. I even furnished her with some funds so that she can take care of herself."

He took a sip of his drink.

"But for now, we need to settle few things as far as our world goes. We can work together or I can be as obstinate as my office allows me to.

I want you to cease medding in all church matters. Temples and schools are my affair; I'm not interfering with your farmers or mines, am I? After all, it won't be difficult for me to conduct my own heresy invesitgation in Nova court and getting a rubber stamp on it from Inquisition. What is a word of Archon vesus a word of "barbarian" after all? Or, you work with me and I will support your rule on this planet via the temples and schools.
Also, I need the services of Nova research team. Either I take them under my care via my edict, or you work with me and I give you ... well that is a surprise that I will reveal if you agree to cooperate. But lets say that it will allow you to get you wife back."

Luthias took another sip.

"What say you? I am willing to support your claims both within your house and on the planet, but in exchange for complete control over all spiritual and ecclesiastical matters. Let me guide you towards civilization and I will give you enough temporal power to secure your family for centuries to come. I want you to understand that your power is based on temporary might, while mine is based on divine administration. But we need each other. Give me the respect I deserve and I will give you the legitimacy you need."

[Sheb]

Roim served himself a glass of wine. Looked at it and didn't touch it again.

"You are a funny one, Archon Luthias. How can you say so much blatantly false things with such a straight face?
You brought the Inquisition to Delta-17, and you tricked us into getting on your ship. And don't babble about giving Aeverys money. Credits can't protect you against a laser shot.

You claim wanting no interference in our farms and mine, but not two month ago you came requesting 10% of their income."

Roim takes a few deep breath, trying to restrain himself from throwing the Archon in the icy waters of the Thine.

The fact is, we wouldn't feel the need to meddle in church matters if you didn't spent your time trying to meddle in ours. You've heard the Inquisitor, you're not much more liked by the Church hierarchy than we are. I'm sure that Inquisitor would love an opportunity to send your reformist friends in exile. Without your hierarchy's support, you have no legitimacy at all, and if they learn you want to stop a pious House from building Temples to the Pancreator in order to fill your coffers, you might lose that support.

While we can't oppose the Church, we can starve the Diocese of Si'Kra from income by sending the tithes to the Church's headquarters. Both of us can play the holier-than-thou game and get the Inquisition to strike.

Now, what you seems to be proposing is of course out of the question. Your deal offer us nothing we don't already have. If you really want to work with me here are the conditions. Temporal power to the House Nova, spiritual power to the Diocese. We'll take over the administration of the lands the Diocese took over when House Nova fell, and that surge in power should allow us to quickly take over the rest of Si'kar. You'll continue to collect tithe from everybody on the planet, including a fifth of House Nova income. You can have full control on all matter church-related, from the Temples to the Schools and Hospital. We'll even pay for those out of our own budget if you want.

Under those conditions, our interests will finally align, and we'll work together efficiently. Would they suit you?

[Ardas]

"You set me conditions? And you expect me to give you something that's not mine? Do you truly believe house Nova to be self-sufficient?"

Luthias shifted in his seat, rather uneasy with the situation.

"Son, I'm offering you a hand here. Do not threaten me and make empty promises that you do not intend to keep. I want you to be my equal, yet you seem to despise the idea. I could deem you a heretic here and now for the mere sentence of "While we can't oppose the Church, we can starve the Diocese of Si'kar", since you seem to harbour nothing but hatred for the holy institution of Pancreator's Church.

I am truly sorry for your loss and I do want to make amends, but if you think that you don't need my help, you are gravely mistaken. Get a hold of yourself and try to understand. I may have my problems, but I'm authorised to do my work whatever the means. I have the authority and the technology to do so. And I do not want to be your enemy."

Luthias took his last sip.

"I do have both methods and means of getting Averys back to you. I want to safeguard this world against further strife and I want mankind to prosper. But if you decide that your imaginary war with me is more important, if you are more interested in your pathetic pursuit of land and power rather than your wife, I will not hesitate to do my work as Inqiusition set it out to me. Its my job to talk to you and ensure you do not stray from the flock. Do not make this mistake willingly. Averys did, when she sent her man against me and now she pays the price. But I want to forgive and fix that."

[Sheb]

Frankly, if you weren't the Pancreator's representative on Si'kra, I would murder you here and now. Taking my wife away and then offering me "help" to get her back in exchange for concessions is more than distasteful.

Adding insult to injury by pretending to treat me as an equal, when all you offer is some vague promise for the future in exchange for us meeting all your demands really isn't needed Luthias.

But well, you've got Aeverys, I gave an Empire to get her, and would give another to get her back. Tell me, what is that plan. Calling your superiors, tell them that House Nova capitulated and have them bring Aeverys back?

[Ardas]

"No. I do not intend to humiliate you, as much as you seem to believe it. I need Nova research team and time to prepare. And please, try to not interfere with my action in the Prohibitum Terra zone. Inquisition is breathing down my neck too, and if something happens to me or if I fail in my mission, you will see the black robes swarm this world and scourging everything they do not like. And they already have their sights on you.

I must be vague, for that is my only weapon against the rogue elements in your house. You would do well to secure your own position, as there are quite powerful people who are relatives of your wife, but to them you are just an upstart who got to lucky with her. That is why I want to help you get Averys back. Strife within house nova means doom ofr all my efforts on this world."

Luthias stood up.

"I think that this will be all. Do you agree to help me and leave all church matters to me? I will reveal my full plan to you in the next season once I begin work with your researchers.
Again, try to secure yourself against plots and uprisings. I believe that household guard is not under your control, correct? Try to keep your home safe while I return your family to you.
I tell you all this because I truly want to make amends and be your spiritual father. I know it looks bizzarre that someone who seems respoinsible for all this is trying to gain your trust. But you must understand, I am really commited to my work. I only do what I can, in order to fulfill my mandate."

[Sheb]

Why exactly should I trust you? You want my researchers, control over my people's school, control over my army's chaplains, that whole new continent all for yourself, and you won't even tell me what you plan is? You claim to want to help me, but you won't even trust me with that information?

Gesturing around.

We're alone on this bridge. No mysterious traitor is going to hear us. I'm sorry, but until I'm sure you'll bring Aeverys back, I won't cede to your demands.

[Ardas]

"It seems that you forgot about the most important element of being a fully fledged member of the Pancreator's Church: faith. You have no faith in me or my desire to help. You see only through the lens of material things and act as if this entire world was ordained to be yours. You don't seem to be truly worthy of both your wife and your wealth, and so they are taken away from you. You covet Church property even and make sacrilegous demands. Why? Even now you are more interested in temporal rather than the issue at stake".

Luthias was turning to leave.

"If you do not wish to trust me and rest your faith with your spiritual father, it is your choice. One cannot make horse drink, even if you drag it to the trough. But my doors are always open. My offer stands and I am willing to make amends always. But I warn you that I will carry on my work for as long as I draw breath. I have the authority to do so, and it will be within my right to break your fingers if you intend to keep on meddling in affairs that are beyond your understanding."

With those words he left, escorted out of the tent by his bodyguard. Luthias pitied Averys and her position, but could do litte at present. It was necessary to contact others.

Invite Azhtor to Castellum Fidelis to talk with Archon.