Mechanus Trip

[Ebiris]

"I understand the Consortium does an enormous amount of business with Baator, yes," she says, leaning forward. "If by more recent business I presume you're referring to Lixer's purchase of necromantic spell components in vast quantities?"

[Anastasia]

"Precisely," Roelas has a ghost of a smile on his face, "A regime change is always good for business. So is expansion," He gestures, "With your victory there, you have shown that you are here to stay. So perhaps we can discuss trading deals, and in turn, discuss renegotiating and reducing Baatorian trade, if the price is right."

[Ebiris]

Hopefully they won't offer the same sort of lop-sided deals as they offered Aurora. "Sylica is not without its markets and opportunities. Broadly then, what sort of goods would the Consortium be interested in trading for?" She's not sure she can offer nearly enough to make them meaningfully cut down their Hellish commerce, but still she's happy for trade to happen here so long as the terms aren't objectionable.

[Anastasia]

"Anything with value," Roelas explains, "My main goal is to establish a Consortium bank here and ascertain the status of your own fiduciary enterprises, if you have established any. Of course, trade is such a vital part of this that I simply must begin here. As your lands have recently expanded, I would not presume to tell you what valuables for trade you have available. So if it pleases you, please tell us what resources you have."

[Ebiris]

"Spell components, alchemic products, magical arms and equipment, and objects of art are Sylica's primary trade goods and are typically sold by individual residents or cooperatives as the product of their own labour - we don't trade in bulk and we're never going to be a planar hub," Alicia answers. "That's why I'm trying to better understand your interest, since this sort of mundane trade can easily be handled at a lower level. While geography has made reaching Sylica less convenient until recently, we've never turned away merchants looking to do business here."

[Anastasia]

Syala holds her piece to that for now, watching.

"Well, trade is incidental and beneficial to establishing a Consortium bank here. As a bastion of Mercane civilization and finance, we can offer many useful services to all of Sylica. It ensures that even if your realm will never be a planar trading hub, it will not be left behind and isolated. It ensures a steady flow of goods and travelers - which are, of course, exposed to your ideals and faith, which in time will net converts."

[Ebiris]

It occurs to me that this might be a good opportunity to back Seira's anti-slavery program. Does the Consortium deal at all with trafficking slaves?

[Anastasia]

Gimme K:P here real quick.

[Ebiris]

[18:25] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+80 planes, divine insight, guidance of avatar
[18:25] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+80 planes, divine insight, guidance of avatar --> [ 1d20=15 ]{95}

[Anastasia]

It's a little more complicated than yes or no. It requires understanding the base line mechanics of the mercane and how they organize the Consortium.  You see, the Consortium is the central authority of the mercane, but beyond what boils down to guild fees, many mercane have a great deal of independence. While the official Consortium tends to stay out of anything too controversial, which mostly comes down to slaves, certain types of magical items and the like, many independent mercane are not so scrupulous. On paper it's not allowed by dues paying members, but in reality there's a large degree of flexibility.

Additionally, slaver operations tend to be specialized. It's often more work to acquire slaves than other trading goods and requires keeping them alive and transported. This can be highly challenging, which requires more resources and tends to make mercane who go into it specialize in it. Not exclusively, but a mercane who gets deeper into it only gets out by making a clean break. So while less ethical mercane may dabble in a few slaves here and there, anything beyond dabbling requires specialized operations.

From what you know, there's a lot of behind the scenes maneuvering, bargaining and bribing that goes on in these matters, too. You've heard hints and whispers, the mercane keep it in house as much possible, but information still leaks out.

[Ebiris]

In the end the Consortium can't be held responsible for the actions of all mercane, only those that are specifically in its ranks. And while she might take issue with who else they do business with, they still serve a useful role as neutral merchants.

So without that to object over, Alicia says, "We have no objection to the Consortium maintaining a small presence in Sylica to look after the interests of its members and provide specialised services within its field of expertise. Space can be made available in Mercia to develop as you see fit."

[Anastasia]

"Thank you," Roelas says, "Additionally, may we speak privately, Your Majesty?"

Syala smiles a little bit here. "Oh really? I have no objection."

[Ebiris]

[18:57] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+81 buffed up sense motive
[18:57] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+81 buffed up sense motive --> [ 1d20=19 ]{100}

Is this a prelude to an assassination attempt?!

[Anastasia]

You don't get any sort of lethal intent from him, but you get the feeling he's hiding something.

[Ebiris]

"Very well," Alicia raises a hand to dismiss the ceremonial guard. "Latha, Syala, please excuse us?"