Family Reunion

[Anastasia]

"Right," Jarem agrees, "Now how do you think you can handle the council?"

Emily listens to all that, "You remind me of Mom when you talk like that, Alyssa. She loves to make a difference, too."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Mmm... Emily, I don't want to hurt you, but I think you might be making a small mistake with the difference between you mother and myself. While I truly do want to improve things across the board, I'm choosing this route more for practicality than good will. We're small and resource starved. We have the ability to strike hard and fast and win most fights, but we can't sustain a protracted campaign. Far wiser to take time to lay a foundation like this and build, when the Mageocracy can fight us the same way we fight.

That's part of why I was so resistant to Seira's suggestion and implication of force. That and it had almost no allowance for free choice. This way, people will choose to welcome us, and that will be far better for everyone."

Turning to Jarem, "Much the same. Get the research done, write a presentation, and present it. They'll waffle back and forth, but I feel it's something they've been considering for a bit."

[Anastasia]

Emily hms at that and finally replies, "Is it a bad thing if good results have bad motives? That's an old philosophical argument."

"Then hit them hard and win," Jarem says, "Push them over the edge, but not so hard that they'll try to be contrary."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods to both.

"Yes, that's the plan and why I'm so keen on proper preparation. Pre-empt as many arguments as I can."

[Anastasia]

"Right," Jarem agrees, "Then let's get to it."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods. "Jarem, can you have your logistics people write up a proposal for how much land we could reasonably colonize with the people we already have? That'll give us a baseline for how much land to create. Probably a good thirty percent beyond that to attract immigrants. Though we'll have to weigh it against food production... Have your logistics person talk with our farmers for that. Let's see... I'll have to find an archive of treaties and national edicts to work from to draw up a proposal."

[Anastasia]

"That can all be done," Jarem agrees, "It'll give them something to do besides preaching the word. Not that this is unworthy, but they should stay sharp in their actual skillset."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods.

"Since they're going to be out and about, I'm considering trying to set up a network of portals for faster travel and trade. Have them put forward recommendations if they come up with any. We'll have to look into security for it. Maybe some sort of keying function built in."

[Anastasia]

'Right, so..." Jarem begins.

Okay, your first step on this, then?

[Iron Dragoon]

Well, I guess general research on treaties and edicts to narrow down what was successful and what wasn't, then some sort of divination to figure out what complaints I need to pre-empt. And also the family stuff.

[Anastasia]

Go ahead and describe where you've put up your family and we'll roll from there.

[Iron Dragoon]

Was going ask if there's like a cottage or something or just like dorm rooms? I dunno what the lay out/availability is.

[Anastasia]

There's cottages, sure. Feel free for something like that.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa leads her family to a small two bedroom cottage for their use.

"This is temporary for you, two bedrooms, full kitchen. It's not the best here, but we'll worry about that if you decide to stay. What do you think so far?"

[Anastasia]

Mother hurries within along with your sister, while Father lingers outside. He takes some time inspecting it, "Good work," he says, tapping the outside, "How's the local wood?"