Board Thread:Middle Earth Roleplays/@comment-26295802-20170105005032/@comment-27097330-20170112023756

Patrick.vtap wrote: ChazmanianDevil wrote:

TheShade6 wrote: "Let's not be rash and consider the facts. What Lady Miriel asks, is the coastline, which you currently have no use for. And which is far enough from your homes that there shall be no disturbance. Mineral recourses, which shall not disturb you considering that you have no use for them currently and also considering that they are located below ground, where you are not. Free port access is simply the concept of not taxing ships to encourage more goods to flow in and out, which is far more than what is gained from taxes. Protection for Umbarians in your lands is simple logic, we may be allies, and we protect each other, you wouldn't like it if Tankul were murdered in Umbar and we did nothing about it. As for the pass to the dark lands, we meant it not as a threat, but as a call for peace. Have your people ever even used to pass into the dark lands out of the jungle? Lastly, I would wish to clear up misunderstandings, we are not threatening to increase violence, we simply meant to say that this deal would cease pre-existing violence between our nations. Further, we will not touch the lumber or livestock resources, only the mineral" "And the shadow speaks. Although you are no doubt more polite than your pubescent politeness pisser over there, your words betray you. No use for our minerals? Tanakul gold, jade, and obsidian has graced the halls of the Xin. Have you ever been to our coasts Mr. Tabor? Do you happen to know that in coastal tribes the primary source of income is in most cases the sea? Have you seen the ships from all over the world, from Rhun to Gondor, come sailing in to meet our southern port? The jungle may be our soul, but the ocean is our spirit. When I came into a position of power that spirit was gone. Dead. We were a collection of scared little tribes barely holding back your "civilized" allies. But I, with the help of my fellows and my people, gave us a name that would once again be respected, and swore never to be taken advantage of again. We are no longer the men who hid from Umbarans ships as they sacked the western towns. We have taken back what is ours, by not just birthright but our own flesh and blood. I have given the people of the jungle spirit again. And they will not let you take it away." Miriel does something quite unexpected this time.

She laughs.

"You are quite mistaken. The majority of the coast and the southern pass is already controlled by Umbar, we are asking you to give something that, quite simply, we already have, more a formality then anything else. Your gold and jade is only a fraction of what could be taken out, with Umbarian ships and mining techniques. Your coasts are poor, and with trade between our two great nations, we could make them rich. Hear me, ambassador. If you accept our generous offer, or not, Umbar still reigns supreme over the waves. Have you ever been to Umbar? Seen the Arsenal? The shipyards? The harbor with hundreds of ships quayed within? Then you would know that if you attack us it would be a futile gesture. You may win for a month, or a year, even, but the hammer stroke will fall upon you, if you dare threated the Umbarian Empire. Now, you keep shying away from the answer, but this is the last time I will ask, do you accept our offer? Will we create a new liason between our two mighty nations? Imagine, Umbarian ships engaging in trade like never before, riches pouring into your coffers. A new golden age. Or, you can refuse that, and begin a series of events that cannot end well for you. And so I say unto you: Will you join us to glory, and ally yourself with the great Umbarian Empire?" The man's eyes darken. "Have I been to Umbar? Kazakh. Show the princess the kindness we expect from Umbarans." One of the man's guards opens his mouth. Only a stump to the tongue remains. "He was a child when it happened. The man didn't even have the gall to do it himself. He's dead now. I was tempted to take his tongue as I prize, but I didn't. And your man did. Because for all your prattling you have not wisdom and for all your ships you are not truly great. I have been to your harbors Princess. They're horror shows."