Diplomatic aftermath

[Anastasia]

"Let's," Amaryl says, taking a breath, "This is all first strikes, isn't it? Trying to hit hard enough to end the war right away."

"The first attacker risks much," Donald says, "Swing and a hit can end a war before it gets going. Swing and a miss and you can lose much and be set on the back foot."

[Corwin]

"They're already hitting Celestia, which is a bad first move. Bold, but terrible. Still, it's honestly not like we had something hugely important to do in the near future!"

I intend to give it two hours. If no attack comes nor any request for aid comes from Celestia (or my other allies), I'll check whether Valar's preparations were finalized and wish him luck. Then, my avatar will take our place close to the main entrance and we'll return to our daily lives.

[Anastasia]

Gimme a d100.

[Corwin]

22:51 <CC> roll 1d100
22:51 <Rei-chan> CC rolled : 1d100 --> [ 1d100=58 ]{58}

[Anastasia]

An hour in. It is then that a single messenger comes - Ambassador Xa'dani returns. He is escorted to you and bows, "Dragon Princess, I come bearing a proclamation from the Lich Queen. It is to be spread to all participants in this war."

[Corwin]

"I will hear it," Seira tells the ambassador, nodding at him to proceed.

[Anastasia]

A scroll is produced and handed to you. It reads as follows.

To all it may concern:

The Githyanki have no stake in the this current war. However, as Queen of the Githyanki, I shall establish the following rules to protect Us from this conflict.

1. All Githyanki traders, travelers, diplomats, including servants to them, shall not be detained, attacked or drawn into the hostilities. As neutral parties, any effort to draw citizens and servants of the Githyanki into this war will be seen as an act of war, and may result in penalty up to and including a declaration of war.
2. The property of all Githyanki shall be respected and unhindered. Should Githyanki property be unavoidably damaged or destroyed, compensation shall be provided at terms established by the Lich Queen. A failure to abide by this term will be seen as an act of war, and may result in penalty up to and including a declaration of war.
3. The Astral Plane shall remain free of hostile forces within any area of Githyanki dominance and control. We will see any infringement of this as an act of war, and may result in penalty up to and including a declaration of war.
4. The right of the Githyanki to trade, enjoy diplomatic relations and the other aspects of normal relations with all parties of this conflict shall not be impinged or hindered by other parties. A failure to do so will be seen as an act of war, and may result in a penalty up to and including a declaration of war.  This includes efforts from any side to discourage trade to the warring parties or other parties who trade with a warring party, or any other pressure deemed coercive and towards war aims by one the parties at war or a party working on behalf of a party at war.
5. We have a right to relations free of deception. Any effort at 'false flag' operations to manipulate the Githyanki into a position of war shall be seen as an act of war, with a penalty up to and including a declaration of war.
6. The Githyanki reserve the right to establish based across the Astral Plane, and this right shall not be impinged by other parties. Failure to abide by this declaration shall be seen as an act of war, and may result in penalty up to and including a declaration of war.

This note shall be sent to all parties involved in this war.

Vlaakith, Lich Queen, Queen of the Githyanki, Keeper of the Gith and Sovereign of the Silver Sea.

[Corwin]

"Ambassador Xa'dani," Seira says, having perused the document. "I seek clarifications regarding the fourth clause. As the practice of slavery is at the core of the conflict, it is only natural that trade of slaves will be strongly discouraged by any neutral parties. It will affect all equally, and be limited in scope to this very matter alone. Has the Lich Queen brought you into her confidence so that you could clarify whether her intent clashes with mine?"

[Anastasia]

The Ambassador nods his head to that point, "First it must be understood that Her Majesty has no great love of slavers. However, the business of the Githyanki is the business of the Githyanki. We will not be pressured by any party in this war, regardless of what we may or may not trade."

Amaryl taps the document, a slight flexing of divine will felt. Ah, a simple variant of Scholar's Touch. "You wish to remind us the Gith are sovereign and will not be pressured in this war?"

"Precisely, Your Majesty," The Ambassador says, "We take no position on this war at this time. This is a reminder of our rights and how we will defend them - vigorously if needs must."

[Corwin]

"We have not had problems with our Githyanki neighbours in our admittedly short history, by planar standards. I have no intention of that changing. In fact, regardless of the war, should you require aid against a common enemy such as Shar, we shall be at your disposal, no strings attached."

She takes a few moments to think. "To return to the Lich Queen's statement of intent, the clause in question does worry me. What would happen were the efreet slavers decide it is a loophole to exploit, and attempt to use the services of Githyanki traders for their so-called wares? As someone who is fighting to free every last sentient in their grasp, I would be left with a dilemma."

[Anastasia]

"In that case," The Ambassador says, "You are free to contact us and any situations will be addressed."

[Corwin]

Seira nods slowly to herself. "Yes, that is acceptable," she muses. "And you may also relay to Queen Vlaakith that the Cauldron does not run false flag operations against allied or neutral parties."

[Anastasia]

"Of course," The Ambassador says, "But such things have been known to happen - so Queen Vlaakith wishes her intent to be clear there, to all parties engaged in this war."

"So if someone does it she doesn't have to justify it and can just point to that," Donald speaks up, "Does it happen often?"

"Not in recent times, but often sides will claim it if they are caught doing something they should not be," Xa'dani shakes his head, "It is often the last resort of those caught red handed."

[Corwin]

"When your reputation is one of your most precious commodities, you never put it in a position to be lost as collateral for some wild scheme," Seira muses. "I suppose we are in overall agreement, then? Ah, and once the immediate issues have been resolved, I would be happy to discuss the expansion of our trade with the Gith, if the Lich Queen is amenable to such."

[Anastasia]

"I will ensure that reaches her ears," The Ambassador promises.