Arkady, who knows he is far better at reading people than convincing them, examines the folks present but otherwise simply bows as he enters.

"Hello, and yes we do, as a matter of fact!" Felix crosses one arm across his chest and bows deeply. "We're representatives of the Terran, a nomadic people. We've found ourselves stranded with a damaged ship incapable of moving and would like to start a town inside the forest in exchange for... taxation rights, I guess would be proper? Once we've gotten a chance to get ourselves set up and our merchants have wares to ply their trade. My companions and I are here to discuss the possibility of reaching an agreement on this matter, if the Crown be willing to allow said discussion?"

Nate does his best to be as unobtrusive and uninsulting as possible. He does keep his eyes peeled, however.

Arkady attempts a cold read of the people in the room...

Arkady: Empathy: +4 Roll:+0 Total: +4
Boy With Crown: Rapport: +0 Roll: -2 Total: -2
Man In Black: Rapport: +3 Roll: +3 Total: +6
Man In Expensive Robes: Rapport: +2 Roll: -3 Total: -1

The guards around the room are professional, poker-faced, and taking absolutely no interest in the discussion. They seem unlikely to take any action without either orders or violence happening first. The boy with the crown - presumably Lycheas the Bastard - doesn't want to be there. He's sulky, he's unhappy, but more importantly, he's not doing anything about it. He's letting the Man in Black lead the conversation, in which he's taking even less interest than the guards are. It would appear that he is no more than a Puppet King, a weak-willed monarch occupying the throne while someone else wields the power.

The Man in Black is severe, stern, and unreadable.

The Man in Expensive Robes, on the other hand, is a lot more open. He glances at the fingers of the party as they enter the room, noting their lack of rings - runs a disapproving eye over their clothes - looks down his nose at their lack of gaudy necklaces. He is clearly a man who cares mostly for wealth, and the appearance thereof - he's In It For The Money.

--------------

"Which forest?" asks the Man in Black.

"Fangorn," replies Sir Ulath. "Also the swamp near it."

"That is indeed Crown land," continues the Man in Black.

"Valuable Crown land," interrupts the Man in Expensive Robes. "What advantage to the Crown is there in giving it up?"

"Well, I'm not too sure what sort of value it holds," Felix tilts his head, puzzled. "I'm sure we can work out arrangements that are to your liking, or at the least not too much to your dislike. My people are very self sufficient and only strictly need a small amount of the land surrounding the ship. Enough for a town, perhaps? We can trade for most of our food once we get industry set up and merchants trading goods so we might not even have need for farms. It's obviously a sub optimal result for our liking as having farms would be better than not, but we could survive."

Social combat!

Stress track:
Arkady: OOOOO OO
Felix: OOOOO O
Nathan: OOOOO OO

Sir Ulath seems content to stand on the sidelines for this debate.

Opponents:
Man in Black: OOOOO OOO
Man in Expensive Robes: OOOOO O

The boy in the crown pays little attention

Felix's argument starts the debate:

Felix: Rapport: +3 Roll: -4 Total: -1
Man in Black: Resolve: +5 Roll: +1 Total: +6 - Defense with spin! The Man in Black gets a +1 to his next action, for beating the attack by +3 or more
Man in Expensive Robes: Resolve: +1 Roll: +1 Total: +2 Defense with spin!

"I fail to see the advantage," snarls the Man in Expensive Robes. "That's prime hunting land, and some of the furs in there can bring in a steep profit for the Crown."

The Man in Black takes no action yet, perhaps waiting to hear from the other two Terrans.

Man in Expensive Robes: Rapport: +2 Roll: +1 Spin: +1 Total: +4
Felix: Resolve: +1 Roll: -2 Total: -1
Nathan: Resolve: +3 Roll: +0 Total: +3
Arkady: Resolve: Resolve: +3 Roll: +1 Total: +4

Stress tracks:
Arkady: OOOOO OO
Felix: OOOOX O
Nathan: XOOOO OO

Opponents:
Man in Black: OOOOO OOO
Man in Expensive Robes: OOOOO O

Felix tags the Prime Hunting Land and High Value Furs aspects to aid his Rapport roll. Spend a Fate Point on Laser Focus if Felix rolls disastrously or needs that extra +2 boost.

"One possible advantage, as I'd suggest," Felix replies. "Our town can act as a hub for the hunters to gather in. A safe haven for them to rest their heels in and spend the nights so they can head back out into the forest and hunt with renewed vigor. The profits from their staying out our inns would even go towards paying any taxes we'd owe the Crown. We're not asking to restrict traffic in or around the area, after all. We want a mutual, respecting peace."

With a wry grin, Arkady adds: "Not that manticore and cockatrice infested woods see that many trappers, hmm? When we clear out the monsters it will make that stretch of land much more useful to your people, and to your treasury, your Highness. Moreover, we're excellent craftsmen; our tools can make the farmers in nearby communities more productive as well."
(If I understand this correctly, further tagging prime hunting land,and adding engineering/toolmaking).

"We would definitely be willing to provide safe haven to anyone passing through, as well as act as guides. Frankly, anyone passing through those woods is going to need all the help they can get."

Nate pulls a maticore claw and cockatrice talon necklace from under his jacket, and a peice of folded paper fron his front pocket. He hands the paper over. It's a map of the countryside Nate had been making as they traveled.

"These things don't grow on trees you know, and our maps are second to none."

Tag the [Monster Infested] aspect and roll Survival to place the [Superior Cartographer] aspect as a manuver. Add both to Felix' roll if possible.

Nathan attempts to preach the benefits of Terran mapping abilities, showing off the map he's been making en route:

Nathan: Survival: +4 Roll: -1 Total: +3 Map quality: Good
Aspect successfully placed, good for one activation

Arkady, meanwhile talks up Terran craftsmanship:

Arkady: Engineering: +5 Roll: +0 Total: +5

Fortunately, he has an example of Terran craftsmanship with him, in the shape of the decorative radios they'd taken along to offer as gifts. Showing this off is impressive enough to allow him to establish the idea of Terran craftsmanship as a sticky Aspect - meaning that it can be invoked in future rounds for a FATE point...

Felix talks up the benefits of a Terran-run hunting lodge:



Felix: Rapport: +3 Roll: +0 Total: +3
Aspects:
Prime Hunting Land: ++ASPECT NOT FOUND++
High Value Furs: ++ASPECT NOT FOUND++
Superior Cartographer: Free tag (+2)
Terran Craftsmanship: Free tag: +2
Laser Focus (One FATE point): +2
Monster Infested: Free tag: +2
Total: +11
Man in Expensive Robes: Resolve: +1 Roll: +0 Total: +1
Man in Black: Resolve: +5 Roll: +0 Total: +5

Stress tracks:
Arkady: OOOOO OO
Felix: OOOOX O
Nathan: XOOOO OO

Opponents:
Man in Black: OOOOO XOO
Man in Expensive Robes: OOOOO O Minor Consequence: Rattled

Strangely enough, despite his earlier words, Felix gets the impression that the man in expensive robes doesn't really care how good the forest is as hunting land, or how excellent the furs from it are. He seems to lose a bit of momentum as he inspects the radio, but picks up quickly enough, turning the radio over in his ring-bedecked hands.

"Your work is..." he does not say 'exquisite', Arkady can hear him not saying 'exquisite'... "adequate. I suppose. I am of a mind to be merciful in this matter - if you will allow my company an exclusive trade contract with your people, then I for one will support your land request."

"While my companion's concerns are entirely financial, I find myself primarily concerned with higher matters," says the Man in Black. "As a Primate of the Elene Church, I must ask - which heathen gods do your people worship?"

The Man in Expensive Robes is offering a Concession - if you will accept that all trade goes through his company (and he will probably rip the colony off with massively steep prices) then he will step out of this battle entirely. You may accept or reject this Concession as you wish.

The Man in Black, on the other hand, is attacking your character and religion directly:

Man in Black: Rapport: +3 Roll: +1 Total: +4
Aspect tagged: Primate of the Elene Church (one FATE point): +2
Total: +6
Felix: Resolve: +1 Roll: +1 Total: +2
Nathan: Resolve: +3 Roll: -2 Total: +1
Arkady: Resolve: Resolve: +3 Roll: -4 Total: -1

Stress tracks:
Arkady: OOOOO OX
Felix: OOOXX O
Nathan: XOOOX OO

Opponents:
Man in Black: OOOOO XOO
Man in Expensive Robes: OOOOO O Minor Consequence: Rattled

Tag the Rattled Consequence and the Trade Opportunities aspect, if such a thing exists, to boost Felix's Rapport roll.

"I'm afraid we simply cannot agree to an exclusive trade deal without first drawing up a contract and working out the finer details," Felix replies to the man in expensive robes. "I have people to look after and it would do them no good to give away exclusive trade rights without first working out details, and right now is not the time to do that. I look forward to doing business with you in the future, though."

Tag the Physical Gods and Church of Elene aspects to boost Felix's Rapport roll. Keep a fate point primed and ready to tag Fortune Roulette to intercept any further damage, if spending a Fate Point could improve Felix's chances or outright avoid stress.

"I can't speak for the other Terrans back at the ship or my companions here concerning religious matters. I'll defer to my friend Arkady on those matters," Felix continues, addressing the Primate. "We've only been here a couple of weeks and yet I'm learning so many fascinating things about the local divinity. In fact I was quite surprised to hear that the Gods of this land are, in fact, physical beings. We've been having discussions with the Church Knights about it and thus far they've said good things about the Elene God."

Arkady's eyebrows rise a trifle, and he takes his cross our from under his shirt while he addresses the Primate. "I can better answer you, your Grace. I am Bishop Federenko of the Ukrainian Catholic Church; a servant of the Lord of Hosts and his son the One Christ. I am familiar with 'higher' matters. As for my flock? They worship Him as I do."

Tagged aspect: Defender of the Faith

"The Terrans as a whole, however, come from the length and breadth of our home. They seek the Divine as they see fit, in keeping with the faith of their ancestors and their consciences. Indeed, they are free to heed the words of the clergy of the Elene Church if they so choose, and come to worship accordingly." He shrugs and adds "We've fought too many religious wars back home; it would be too dangerous for us to do otherwise here and now."

Tagged aspect: Primate of the Elene Church.

"It's more then just craftsmanship, it's the materials used in our work."

Nate waves to the guard he handed his gear to earlier, indicating that he should let the man in the robes examine his knife.

"That blade is stronger and more flexible then anything but your most skilled of smiths can forge, and is to us of average quality. As an added bonus, it will never rust. No need to oil and clean it at all."

Tag the [Terran Craftsmanship] aspect to boost the roll, if needed, along with Nate's [Been There, Done That.] aspect to boost Felix's roll, as Nate has done this sort of thing before, and knows how to work as a team to wear down an opponent.

Felix rejects the Man in Expensive Robes' concession, deciding (not without reason) that that sort of one-sided trade agreement is a pretty horrible idea. Nonetheless, he tries to be charming, though without giving the man much chance to recover...

Felix: Rapport: +3 Roll: +1 Total: +4
Aspects:
Rattled (One FATE point): +2
Trade Opportunities: Free tag: +2
Physical Gods: Strangely enough, suggesting that you were previously unaware of the well-known fact that the gods occasionally take physical form doesn't really help your argument.
Church of Elene: Closest Aspect is the already-known "Primate of the Elene Church" Aspect.
Total: +8
Man in Expensive Robes: Resolve: +1 Roll: -1 Total: +0
Man in Black: Resolve: +5 Roll: +1 Total: +6

Stress tracks:
Arkady: OOOOO OO
Felix: OOOOX O
Nathan: XOOOO OO

Opponents:
Man in Black: OXOOO XOO
Man in Expensive Robes: OOOOO O Minor Consequence: Rattled Moderate Consequence: Lost His Temper

The Man in Expensive Robe's face goes first red, then slightly purplish, as some internal pressure valve bursts. "You blithering idiots!" he roars, following it with a good two minutes of words which cause Sir Ulath to place his hands over Piper's ears. (Piper seems, if anything, a little disappointed to be missing it). Stripped of the colourful language, though, the essence of his words works out to "I'll have you blacklisted in every market from here to the Zemoch border!"

Man in Expensive Robes: Intimidation: +0 Roll: -4 Total: -4
Felix: Resolve: +1 Roll: +3 Total: +4 Spin!
Nathan: Resolve: +3 Roll: -2 Total: +1 Spin!
Arkady: Resolve: Resolve: +3 Roll: +0 Total: +3 Spin!

All three of you gain Spin, a +1 on your next action; since the Man in Expensive Robes looks more comical than threatening, and helps maintain your good humour.

Arkady tries to defend his faith from the Primate's accusations:

Arkady: Rapport: +0 Roll: +1 Spin: +1 Total: +2
Aspects:
Defender of the (Eastern rite Catholic) Faith (One FATE point): +2
Primate of the Elene Church (One FATE point): +2
Lost His Temper (One FATE point): +2
Fortune Roulette (Ome FATE point, from Felix): +2
Total: +10
Man in Expensive Robes: Resolve: +1 Roll: +1 Total: +2
Man in Black: Resolve: +5 Roll: +2 Total: +7

Stress tracks:
Arkady: OOOOO OO
Felix: OOOOX O
Nathan: XOOOO OO

Opponents:
Man in Black: OXXOO XOO
Man in Expensive Robes: OOOOO O Minor Consequence: Rattled Moderate Consequence: Lost His Temper Severe Consequence: Disgraced

The Man in Expensive Robes goes, if anything, purpler and more incoherent, yelling and ranting. The Man in Black glares at him. "Lucius Malgyre," he says coldly, "you disgrace your position as head of the Merchant's Guild by your inability to hold your tamper. You will leave, at once, or the guards will escort you out."

The Man in Expensive Robes' response to this is such as to cause Sir Ulath to more firmly cover Piper's ears (and Piper to look a little more annoyed at missing it).

The Man in Black waves a hand, and a pair of guards drag the Man in Expensive Robes out the room.

"Apologies for that," says the Man in Black. "Let us take as given, then, that your people will be industrious and make good use of any land given to them. I still have questions about their moral rightness."

"For example, this lord of hosts," continues the Man in Black. "Are we talking about some sort of... hospitality deity, then? Can't be doing a very good job, if members of your own race don't even know he can take on physical form."

The Man in Black continues his attack on your religion:

Man in Black: Rapport: +3 Roll: -2 Total: +1
Felix: Resolve: +1 Roll: +2 Total: +3
Nathan: Resolve: +3 Roll: +0 Total: +3
Arkady: Resolve: Resolve: +3 Roll: +0 Total: +3

It's not particularly effective.

Stress tracks:
Arkady: OOOOO OX
Felix: OOOXX O
Nathan: XOOOX OO

Opponents:
Man in Black: OXXOO XOO

The Man in Expensive Robes is unable to examine Nathan's knife, being no longer in the room, but the Man in Black takes it instead.

Nathan: Engineering: +2 Roll: -2 Total: +0
Aspects:
Terran Craftsmanship (One FATE point): Reroll: New roll: +2
Been There, Done That (One FATE point): +2
Total: +6
Sticky Aspect: Superior Materials


Nathan, building on Arkady's discussions of Terran craftsmanship, manages to firmly introduce the idea that Terran materials are stronger and better than anything locally available.

Felix presses the advantage, tagging the Superior Materials aspect alongside aspects pertaining to the War with Zemoch and Zemoch's own Convert or Die approach to foreign relations. He also tags the Forced from the Room, if such an aspect exists.

Felix glances after the man in expensive robes, then offers his thoughts on matters of moral rightness.

"I think that we are, at the very least, morally superior to that creature," Felix nods to the door where the merchant was dragged through. "Insulting guests so openly and blatantly? I should be glad to have to deal with someone that would remove such a cretin from the vicinity..."

He doesn't quite say it outright, but anyone paying attention will know that Felix is attacking the Primate's character for allowing such an incompetent in on an important meeting in the first place.

"I should also think that we're also morally superior to those Zemoch fiends I've heard so much about. I've heard some little of the chant concerning ongoing hostilities with Zemoch. I've heard about what they think of anyone that isn't under their thumb. What they do. We could be of use outfitting your foot soldiers once our own industrial sector is up and running full steam," Felix nods sagely. "I believe we've adequately shown you what my people can bring to the table. We're excellent craftsmen with strong capabilities and an alliance would serve both our parties well. You scratch our backs and we'll scratch yours, as the old saying goes."