"The Facts" | Bergenstaat, Dorian, Phenastaff
A large windowless room sat near the center of the government headquarters in Tor Jakal. The vaulted ceilings were supported by beams several feet thick. Beneath, the circular room centered around a large table littered with papers and ink bottles. The walls of the room were studded with twelve padded platforms roughly eight feet in size. Three attendants talked quietly to one side of the table. A plaque on the door door read: “Hall of Teleportation.”
A scream echoed across the chambers, followed by a thud. A man had materialized in one of the platforms and was struggling upright. The attendants rushed over, but recoiled when he gained his feet. The entire upper portion of his head appeared to have been scorched—both ears were missing, his eye sockets were empty, and he was hairless and blistering. He screamed one final time, and fell to the ground.
Later, when searching the dead body, the attendants found a note in the man’s pocket.
Notice to the government of Bergenstaat: The Rectifier has been destroyed.
“This committee is now in session.” The placard set in front of the speaker read ‘Councilor Phenastaff: Minister of Foreign Trade’. Seven chairs were set about the table, though only six were filled. Councilor Phenastaff was set at the head of the table, Councilor Gadstaff Sr sat to his right, three minor councilmen filled the next three places, and Dorian Gadstaff Jr took the remaining seat. “There are two items on the agenda of this impromptu gathering. They are both relatively small, so we should not be kept long. First, a matter of importance to all government officials in Bergenstaat. A diplomat that we sent to the Sanctified recently reincarnated in the bat-house. A note was found on his person.” Phenastaff picked up the the crumpled paper and read it aloud. “ The Rectifier has been destroyed. ” A collective intake of breath was clearly audible, but no one answered. Phenastaff nodded. “I’m sure that you will all attend to any of your responsibilities that impacted by this.” He pulled several more papers from a folder. “The next order of business. Fiuhren Tirgov requested a report on our investments in military movements across the continent.” One of the councilmen chuckled. “You mean he wants to know how many guns and spears we’re hocking to those squabbling hotheads?” A round of muffled laughter and nods followed, including from Phenastaff. “Ah, yes. And this is why you’re not in diplomacy, Ctufenor... Back to the issue. I have drawn up a report, but I would like to pass it by this Foreign Trade Committee before sending it to the Fiuhren.” He cleared his throat and began reading from a page. “Investments in the army of the Sanctified have been in the form of the following: The Rectifier, a fleet of unarmed airships, a large assortment of firearms and ammunition, various melee and ranged weapons, and intelligence gathered by agents across Ashnuw. The dividends from these investments have been enormous. It is estimated that at this point we have received a 350-500% return. We are continuing to supply the Sanctified with armaments through proxy businesses, but are still refusing to sell them armed gunships. “The investments in the military of Aizdihar have increased recently. We have been suppling them with small arms to suppress the Salarin rebels for several months, but recently they have increased demand due to the threat of goblin raids. Even though we have not yet received returns from this newest investment, our long-term support has paid off in luxury items, including gems of significant value. “The Gladorian army, unbeknownst to them, has bought a large amount of military supplies from us through proxy organizations. This is the smallest of the investments in this report, and the return is difficult to calculate due to the congested means of distribution. “Most recently, the army of Tir Cendel has purchased a surprisingly large amount of armaments. There was a bit of diplomatic back and forth, but our good relationship and mutual benefit encouraged co-operation. We were not prepared for their attack on Vachelous, and struggled to produce the needed goods. Nevertheless, industry prevailed. Our trade relationship with Tir Cendel has always been cordial and profitable, and that continued in this transaction.” He took a deep breath. “There. Not very eloquent, but it presents the facts. Any suggestions?”
“This committee is now in session.” The placard set in front of the speaker read ‘Councilor Phenastaff: Minister of Foreign Trade’. Seven chairs were set about the table, though only six were filled. Councilor Phenastaff was set at the head of the table, Councilor Gadstaff Sr sat to his right, three minor councilmen filled the next three places, and Dorian Gadstaff Jr took the remaining seat. “There are two items on the agenda of this impromptu gathering. They are both relatively small, so we should not be kept long. First, a matter of importance to all government officials in Bergenstaat. A diplomat that we sent to the Sanctified recently reincarnated in the bat-house. A note was found on his person.” Phenastaff picked up the the crumpled paper and read it aloud. “ The Rectifier has been destroyed. ” A collective intake of breath was clearly audible, but no one answered. Phenastaff nodded. “I’m sure that you will all attend to any of your responsibilities that impacted by this.” He pulled several more papers from a folder. “The next order of business. Fiuhren Tirgov requested a report on our investments in military movements across the continent.” One of the councilmen chuckled. “You mean he wants to know how many guns and spears we’re hocking to those squabbling hotheads?” A round of muffled laughter and nods followed, including from Phenastaff. “Ah, yes. And this is why you’re not in diplomacy, Ctufenor... Back to the issue. I have drawn up a report, but I would like to pass it by this Foreign Trade Committee before sending it to the Fiuhren.” He cleared his throat and began reading from a page. “Investments in the army of the Sanctified have been in the form of the following: The Rectifier, a fleet of unarmed airships, a large assortment of firearms and ammunition, various melee and ranged weapons, and intelligence gathered by agents across Ashnuw. The dividends from these investments have been enormous. It is estimated that at this point we have received a 350-500% return. We are continuing to supply the Sanctified with armaments through proxy businesses, but are still refusing to sell them armed gunships. “The investments in the military of Aizdihar have increased recently. We have been suppling them with small arms to suppress the Salarin rebels for several months, but recently they have increased demand due to the threat of goblin raids. Even though we have not yet received returns from this newest investment, our long-term support has paid off in luxury items, including gems of significant value. “The Gladorian army, unbeknownst to them, has bought a large amount of military supplies from us through proxy organizations. This is the smallest of the investments in this report, and the return is difficult to calculate due to the congested means of distribution. “Most recently, the army of Tir Cendel has purchased a surprisingly large amount of armaments. There was a bit of diplomatic back and forth, but our good relationship and mutual benefit encouraged co-operation. We were not prepared for their attack on Vachelous, and struggled to produce the needed goods. Nevertheless, industry prevailed. Our trade relationship with Tir Cendel has always been cordial and profitable, and that continued in this transaction.” He took a deep breath. “There. Not very eloquent, but it presents the facts. Any suggestions?”
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