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Post by Creating a Power on Jan 17, 2007 9:29:49 GMT -5
Wanderjar, Ulor of the province of Aatan, sat within his palace office reading reports of happenings within the Empire, and others from within his very province. Through his readings, he discovered several disheartening things which he felt were detrimental to his duties as Ulor.
"Jezefar," he said, asking for his attention. "Could you spare a moment?"
"Yes m'lord," He said. "What do you require?"
"Do you realize that our province is one of the poorest in the Empire?"
"Regrettably sir, I do."
"And do you realize that we only have three Kantoras' defending us?"
"Yes sire, I do."
"I would like to change this," Wanderjar stated firmly.
"How?"
"The defense issue should be the easiest to manage. I would like to start a campaign in recruiting. I feel we need two more Phalanx Kantora's, and two Archer Kantoras."
"Yes sire," Jezefar replied, and proceeded to pass the information on to the Military advisors.
(Out of Character: Is this alright? Can I do this?)
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Post by Wanderjar on Jan 17, 2007 9:30:26 GMT -5
OOC: That was me
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Post by Gamemaster on Jan 17, 2007 17:27:23 GMT -5
(OOC: The short answer is, yes, it's fine. All you did was talk to your advisors and give them instructions. They were all there at the palace so you could talk to them in person.)
(OOC: But that's not the whole story. You said Aatan Province is one of the poorest in the Empire. I'm not sure where you got that information. Perhaps you got that impression from the province profile's description of your economy. The Empire doesn't compile economic statistics that would really allow anyone to know. If that is just your character's impression, it is a perfectly reasonable impression and reasonable for your character to say so and even to think it is fact. But it may or may not be true. Lots of provinces in the Empire are poor. Aatan may or may not be near the bottom. Even I as a game master would have to look it up in the economics database to know for sure.)
(OOC: Two other comments: You make minor errors in the use Zekresh words. I think that's amusingly realistic because your character isn't Zekresh and his native language is the Aat language, not the Zekresh language. So when he refers to "kantoras" (In Zekresh the plural of Kantora is Kantoro) and talks about "phalanx kantoras when the word "kantora" already means "phalanx" in Zekresh) it's actually more realistic than if you were fluent in Zekresh. It is obvious what you mean to anyone who speaks English (which here is substituting for the Aat language in which the conversation actually occurs).)
(OOC: It is perfectly reasonable that you would want to build up the military forces under your control and that you do not understand the vague and self-contradictory Imperial laws on who exactly can give orders to provincial garrison troops or create new units. So in terms of game rules, you are doing great. But in the game, Zekresh grammar teachers and Zekresh lawyers would definitely object to some of what you said if they heard it. I'm giving nothing away here because your advisors are about to tell you about the laws I'm referring to. Also, in order to speed things up, I went ahead and added a few bits of meaningless dialog from your character instead of waiting for you to answer. I hope that's alright.)
In character:
Ekanor Korifar enters the Ulor's office without knocking. He is an old friend of Wanderjar and had served under him when Wanderjar was a kantora commander. He is now the new Ulor's primary military advisor.
"Wanderjar, what's this about creating new kantoro?"
Behind him two more advisors wander in. They are Lorifar and Andifar, part of the entourage of new advisors Ulor Wanderjar brought with him when he became Ulor.
"I have decided to recruit more troops," the Ulor announces, "two more regular phalanx kantoras and..."
"I know," Korifar interrupts, "Jezefar told me. But there are some things about that you should know. Out in the mountains, tracking smugglers and fighting rebels, we only worried about the snow and the trail and the enemy. We never had to worry about Imperial Army bureaucracy. That was the responsibility of Ekanor Falan (Lt. Gen.) Ardimuk back in Renifar... I mean here in Renifar. Now that you're the Ulor, this things are now your problem. And mine. I was very happy when Jezefar told me your plan because I know as well as you do what a difference it would make. We could bring the whole White River Valley under Imperial control permanently for the first time. And the smugglers might just give up if we had enough troops patrolling. But Ekanor Falan Ardimuk says you don't actually have the authority to recruit a single Imperial soldier, much less create four new units."
"What?!" Ulor Wanderjar says.
Ekanor Korifar continued, "Yes, unfortunately it's true. Administrative control of Imperial troops garrisoned in the provinces lies with the regional headquarters. In our case, there is a Gurikan Falan (captain general) named Trenyva at the regional headquarters at Trayavix who has administrative control. He's the one who orders promotions, duty assignments for unit commanders, changes of permanent garrison locations, and certainly anything as big as creating a new kantora, though that might have to be approved by the main headquarters in Zekran."
Ulor Wanderjar was stunned, "Is this some sort of misguided jest?" he asked.
"No, I'm afraid not. And as if that's not enough, there's some sort of wierd rules about how the regional headquarters only has "administrative" control, not "operational control". Operational control runs from unit commanders to the provincial garrison commander to the Imperial central headquarters in Zekran, completely bypassing the regional headquarters for no apparent reason. It also completely bypasses you, the Ulor. You're not supposed to give orders to Imperial troops."
Ulor Wanderjar said, "That can't all be right. When I was commanding the 2nd Kantora Aatan, Ulor Klemt would sometimes come visit and we were told by Ardimuk at the provincial headquarters that he had godlike authority over us and we had to treat him like a king and do whatever he said."
"If I may interject, sire," Andifar says, "I was under that impression also."
"That's not what Ekanor Falan Ardimuk says," Ekanor Korifar said.
Wanderjar says, "But it was Ekanor Falan Ardimuk who told me that when Klemt was Ulor. Has he changed his mind? Did the rules change? Has he gone mad?"
Andifar says, "Perhaps the Ulor should summon him here and ask for an explanation."
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Post by Wanderjar on Jan 18, 2007 10:01:40 GMT -5
The Ulor nodded, "That, my friend, is a good idea. How am I to rule this province, if I have no security forces under my control? The bloody Zekresh Empire has no idea what I need to run this place, whereas I do. I demand to have the right to rule my Province! I shall begin writing immediately."
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Post by Gamemaster on Jan 18, 2007 17:39:33 GMT -5
Ekanor Falan (Lt. Gen. ) Ardimuk arrives at the Ulor's office.
A bevy of the Ulor's advisors are there: Korifar, Lorifar, Andifar, Moribar and Jezefar. And that isn't even all of them.
"Greetings, your excellency," Ekanor Falan Ardimuk says in the Zekresh language.
The Ulor just nods.
Ekanor Falan Korifar asks, also in Zekresh, "Can you please explain to us just what authority an Ulor has over the Imperial garrison in this province."
"The same as in any province," Ardimuk says.
"Yes," Korifar says with annoyance, "but explain for us, please, what that consists of. You told me yesterday that it was basically nothing, but previously you ordered your troops to do whatever Ulor Klemt, the previous Ulor, said to do."
Ekanor Falan Ardimuk laughs, "I see. Well, there's official authority and then there's power. Officially, an Ulor has no authority under the regular Imperial law to command Imperial troops to do anything. An Ulor is a civilian. The only civilians with authority over the military are the Lord Chancellor and the Emperor himself."
"I see," Ekanor Korifar said. The Ulor said nothing, but seemed angry.
Ardimuk explains, "You can request military assistance at any time and I, as provincial garrison commander, have command authority over all Imperial troops stationed in the province. I assure you I will be most cooperative."
"Explain what you meant about authority versus power," Korifar says.
"Klemt liked to order everybody around. And not just because he was Ulor. He was a friend of the Lord Chancellor. Nobody dared to disobey him even when he far exceeded his legal authority. Gurikan Falan (Cpt. Gen.) Trenyva at the regional headquarters in Trayavix knew about Klemt's high connections as well and he wouldn't cross him either. Since Trenyva had authority over promotions, we had a situation where if an officer didn't please Klemt, Klemt could have him demoted or totally ruin his career. But that was an unusual situation."
"How am I to rule this province without authority?" Ulor Wanderjar asked pointedly.
"You have a lot of authority. You have the authority to enforce laws, issue decrees so long as they do not contradict Imperial law, override the rulings of Imperial magistrates in individual cases, oversee all tax collections in the province and disburse the proceeds, and you can request assistance from the Imperial military if you need it. It is enough power to rule on behalf of the Emperor. It is designed to be not enough power that an Ulor could build up his own power base and army, form an alliance with other Uloro and take over the Empire."
Korifar objected, "That's preposterous! To insinuate that Ulor Wanderjar..."
"I meant no disrespect to Ulor Wanderjar," Ardimuk interrupts, "I was referring to Uloro in general. I'm sure our own Ulor would never be disloyal. It's just that in the past, especially in the early days of the Empire, there were problems of that kind. Before there were Salano (provinces) there were Gurikanano (Captaincies) and before that there were Aylorkernano (Warlordships). Each of these was created to help the Emperor keep control and each of them, in their turn, conspired and participated in plots to overthrow one Emperor and replace him with another. That's how the Tarno Dynasty came to the throne. And the Larinyva Dynasty I'm pretty sure. One or two others as well I think. If I remember my history right, it was Emperor Marivuk II, the husband-Emperor, who created the Aylorkerno (Warlords). Well, there had been Aylorkerno before the Empire. Zekryva himself was one, really. But Marivuk II made the title of Aylorkern (warlord) a title of nobility within the Empire and divided the Empire up among various Aylorkerno (warlords.) This was actually the beginning of the provinces. Well, some of them were independent countries once, but I mean in Imperial law this was the beginning of provinces. I studied all this at university, you know. Anyhow, that worked for Marivuk II, but later Emperors found that the Aylorkerno (warlords) were scheming against them. They overthrew Marivuk's successors and put one of their own on the throne, the Aylorken ya Frayethay Yost (Warlord of East Frayethay). That was Tarno I, founder of the Tarno Dynasty. Then it became obvious that warlords would run the Empire if things weren't changed. There were only a few Aylorkerno (warlords) and they held supreme authority in their areas. There was no difference between civilian and military. They controlled everything, they even had their own private armies. There was no unified Imperial Military. The Imperial Army was just the garrison at the capital and that was it. That was changed. Tarno III expanded the Imperial Army and created a new type of administrative subdivision of the Empire. It was called the Gurikanan (Captaincy) and was ruled by a military officer, not a fuedal warlord. Eventually, the Gurikano (Captains) also became too powerful and threatened the power of the Emperor. So the province system evolved. At first, they were controlled by an official called a Salanor who was a civilian, but had authority over civilian and military affairs. These too, grew too powerful. So the system was reformed yet again. Now, each Salan is ruled by an Ulor who controls civilian matters and a military officer such as myself who is responsible for military affairs. The higher ups in Zekran figure that with power divided between you and me and the Empire now split into 81 Salano instead of a dozen or less like it was in the early days, that they will be safe from provincial conspiracies. But any Imperial official who knows history will be paranoid about that. That's why the regional headquarters commanders can't command troops. There are only six regions and the two nearest to the capital hold a gigantic number of troops. One of those is across the Gateway Waters from the capital. The other one, the North Peninsula Region is right next to the capital and has vast numbers of troops. If all of them were under the command of a single regional commander, that commander would have the ability to overthrow the government any time he wished. That's the sort of thing this system is designed to prevent."
When it's clear that Ardimuk has finally finished his unexpected history lecture, Korifar says, "How is this system supposed to prevent rebellion and anarchy? Is the responsibility for enforcing the laws only with the Ulor and the power to do it only at the whim of the military?"
"No," Ardimuk says, "The military is supposed to defend the Empire, not enforce laws."
"Then why are the troops in the mountains chasing smugglers?" Korifar replies.
"Oh, that," Ardimuk says with a smile. "Ulor Klemt sent me an emergency request for assistance and I granted it. We do have a much bigger smuggling problem than other provinces and the smuggling sometimes has been used to finance rebellions. But the main thing was I didn't dare turn down a request from Klemt. He was too powerful politically. The military doesn't normally try to stop smuggling. Actually, the Navy does have a mandate to intercept smugglers, come to think of it. I mean the Army usually doesn't worry about crime unless it's an outright rebellion."
"Then how am I supposed to enforce the laws?" the Ulor asked quietly.
"You have tax collectors to collect the taxes. That's the main law the Emperor cares about. As for the rest, criminals are usually brought to court by mobs of angry peasants. Around here, the Aat clan chiefs and the Trond tribal chieftains usually have their own people capture criminals and turn them over to the Imperial courts. If you want someone brought to court, you can do what the other Uloro do. Just order the Rizado Uloresh (Gubernatorial Guards) to do it."
"The Rizado what?" Korifar asks.
Jezefar interjects, "That's the palace guards."
"I thought you said I could not command any military units," Ulor Wanderjar asks.
Ardimuk says, "The Rizado Uloresh are not part of the military. You can command them to your heart's content. In fact, you are the only one who can command them. I can't."
Korifar says, "So what' the procedure to add two more phalanx kantoras and two kantoras of archers?"
"Archers?" Ardimuk says in surprise, "I doubt that would be approved. But two more kantoro for the provincial garrison we might get. Maybe even three more. We are a frontier province. You would need to send me the request in writing, bearing the official seal of the Ulor ya Aatan. I would then forward my recommendation to Gurikan Falan Trenyva at the regional headquarters in Trayavix and he has the authority to approve or disapprove it, but he may not want to make a decision that big without checking with Gurikan Falanorata (Field Marshall) Krulmuk in Zekran. Oh, be sure that you make it clear in your request that the province has the money to pay for the creation and maintenance of the units or you can be sure the request will be denied."
"Why should I have to pay for the troops?" Ulor Wanderjar asks.
"Technically you don't," Ardimuk explains. "But that's another one of those wierd Imperial rules that has evolved over time. The amount of tax money the Salan sends to Zekran is one fifth of all tax revenues collected. But it used to be that the amount was different for each salan, depending on how many kantoro of troops were needed to guard the province. Then it was changed to a flat one fifth plus the cost of the troops. Then it was obviously ridiculous for the more distant provinces to send money all the way to Zekran just so Zekran could send it right back to pay the troops. So now, you send one fifth of tax revenues to Zekran and turn over the funding for the troops directly to the provincial military garrison commander, but technically it's part of the Imperial budget, not the provincial budget."
Jezefar interrupts, "Actually, we include it in the provincial budget. We also include the tax remittances to Zekran."
Ardimuk says, "that's up to you how to do your own records, but the Empire considers all military expenditures to be part of its budget. I know, I have to account for all expenditures to the regional headquarters."
"So I have to pay for troops I can't command," Wanderjar says with increasing annoyance.
"Technically no, but in reality, yes," Ardimuk says.
"It's a wonder the Empire has stood this long," Wanderjar says.
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Post by Gamemaster on Jan 18, 2007 17:46:55 GMT -5
After Ekanor Falan Ardimuk had left, Jezefar, the only advisor who was not new to the job, said to Ulor Wanderjar (in the Aat language), "M'lord, what he says sounds familiar. I think it is true, but there must be more he is not telling us. Not too long ago, we heard news that in Helmarie province right next to us, the Ulor there was giving orders to troops and even replaced all the senior officers." "I heard about that," Ekanor Korifar says, "He replaced them all with Tronds!" Jezefar says, "I don't know if he had the authority to do that or if he just broke the law. But he got away with it. I got the impression it was political." news: (scroll down for older news) nationsandempires3.blogspot.comKorifar says, "How can we find out the story behind that?" Jezefar says, "Perhaps, m'lord, you could just send a letter by Imperial courier to the Ulor of Helmarie and ask him about it?"
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Post by Wanderjar on Jan 18, 2007 21:45:51 GMT -5
“This,” Wanderjar stated confidently, “Is a good idea. Good thinking of you.” With that, he began writing his message to the Ulor of Helmarie.
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Esinie
Junior Member
The master sword
Posts: 78
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Post by Esinie on Jan 18, 2007 22:54:31 GMT -5
Dear wanderjar.
I Esinie have recieved your message and What I did was not "illegal" As you claim I had emergency powers for my advisor had been captured by Rebels And after sending the Kantoro to find him I found that they were simeltainiously Crooked and incompetent so I fired the ones who were incompetent and replaced them thus rooting out corruption and I had the lord chancellor on my side as well. Thus making it perfectly Legal.
Yours truely Esinie.
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Building the Aatanian Military
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Post by Building the Aatanian Military on Jan 19, 2007 11:12:52 GMT -5
Dear wanderjar. I Esinie have recieved your message and What I did was not "illegal" As you claim I had emergency powers for my advisor had been captured by Rebels And after sending the Kantoro to find him I found that they were simeltainiously Crooked and incompetent so I fired the ones who were incompetent and replaced them thus rooting out corruption and I had the lord chancellor on my side as well. Thus making it perfectly Legal. Yours truely Esinie. "Well then," Wanderjar said to his advisors after reading the letter, "What if we recruit from the locals, and create Kantoro of the Aat peoples. I myself am one of them, so it would make them more loyal to me. Also, perhaps we could get the Trond tribes on our side? Perhaps if they knew I was not Zekresh, they would be more likely to support my actions?"
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Post by Wanderjar on Jan 19, 2007 11:52:04 GMT -5
Dear wanderjar. I Esinie have recieved your message and What I did was not "illegal" As you claim I had emergency powers for my advisor had been captured by Rebels And after sending the Kantoro to find him I found that they were simeltainiously Crooked and incompetent so I fired the ones who were incompetent and replaced them thus rooting out corruption and I had the lord chancellor on my side as well. Thus making it perfectly Legal. Yours truely Esinie. "Well then," Wanderjar said to his advisors after reading the letter, "What if we recruit from the locals, and create Kantoro of the Aat peoples. I myself am one of them, so it would make them more loyal to me. Also, perhaps we could get the Trond tribes on our side? Perhaps if they knew I was not Zekresh, they would be more likely to support my actions?" OOC: Yet again, that was me. I keep forgetting to sign in!
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Post by Wanderjar on Jan 22, 2007 13:03:17 GMT -5
The order was then given to his advisors. Ulor Wanderjar wanted to recruit Aat people for his new military for the Province of Aatan. Wanderjar had decided that the best way to maintain an effective military was to use the local population. He also knew for a fact that the people would be happier if their local garrison was of their own people, as oppose the the Zekresh who they hated.
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Post by Gamemaster on Jan 22, 2007 22:14:08 GMT -5
Within days after the announcement by the Ulor of Aatan that he wished to recruit new kantoro of troops for a provincial military for Aatan, the word spread far and wide.
1,107 volunteers came forward seeking employment in the new military. Most of them brought their own weapons with them.
Aat clan leaders began arriving at the Ulor's palace, some only with a small entourage, others in groups of other clan leaders.
A few clan leaders cautioned the Ulor that this move was too provocative, but most of them enthusiastically supported the move and offered assistance in recruiting. Most of them also asked if the men from their clan could serve together in the same unit.
Some of the leaders of the Aat clans that live in the mountains expressed support for the idea of regaining independence for the Aat peoples once an Aat army was formed. The most vociferous of these were three clan leaders named Ondifar, Gelibar and Ossifar.
A Trond chieftain named Gesanie also visited the Ulor and offered to help recruit Trond warriors into the provincial military provided that they would serve together in the same unit, be under the command of himself and that he would receive assurance that the new provincial army would not be used against Tronds. Tronds were notably absent from the volunteers.
During all this, Ekanor Falan Ardimuk, the provincial garrison commander came to see the Ulor.
After he was announced by Jezefar and the Ulor greeted him and offered him a chair, Ardimuk said, "Ulor, I come to you as a friend and as your former commander. I understand why you want to create a provincial military, especially after what we discussed previously. But I warn you that this move will not be acceptable to the Empire. You are likely to be removed from office if you continue with this. The only reason you have not been yet is that there has not been time for word of this mad scheme to reach the capital, much less for a reply to come back."
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Post by Wanderjar on Jan 23, 2007 12:33:05 GMT -5
Smiling with a dark beam in his eyes, the Ulor placed his palms in his lap, and began to speak, "You are a clever one, aren't you?" He chuckled. "Do you not realize what I am trying to do? This is the beginning of the Aatanian Empire! The Zekresh is a weakling corpse, their Emperor a mewling calf suckling at a mothers teat. They are pathetic. We could be strength! We could be the power which rivals that of Zekresh! We would form a new beginning for the peoples of this world, and undo the unjustness that is the Zekresh's holdings on us. My Commander, we are not going to declare independence yet. We are not strong enough. But my friend, it is coming." With that, he signed papers to the tribal leaders stating that they, indeed, could help in recruiting and that he encouraged village units. His response to this question was that: "It would bring about stronger solidarity within the ranks, and thus make our troops more effective."
"You see," He continued to the likely horrified Provincial Garrison Commander, "I believe firmly in freedom for all peoples. Being ruled by these Zekresh is like being chained. It is an insult to our people, to our way of life! We must unite in order to maintain our freedom. Here, we can create a lifestyle of our own, the way we want. Free from all other past problems or whatnot. So," He finally asked. "Will you join me when the time comes?" With that, he left the final decision to Ekanor Falan Ardimuk. He hoped he would make the right one, being joining Wanderjar's scheme for independence. He was counting on his firm belief that the Empire had not the will nor the inclination to resist the withdrawl. Also, he felt, that if they did in fact plan to fight, they would wage a war so bloody that they would inevitably give in to their demands: Sovereignty. He merely needed more time to raise the power of the military and economy, and hoped against hope that the Zekresh did not know of the full extent of his attempts until it was too late.
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Post by Wanderjar on Jan 23, 2007 12:38:46 GMT -5
Smiling with a dark beam in his eyes, the Ulor placed his palms in his lap, and began to speak, "You are a clever one, aren't you?" He chuckled. "Do you not realize what I am trying to do? This is the beginning of the Aatanian Empire! The Zekresh is a weakling corpse, their Emperor a mewling calf suckling at a mothers teat. They are pathetic. We could be strength! We could be the power which rivals that of Zekresh! We would form a new beginning for the peoples of this world, and undo the unjustness that is the Zekresh's holdings on us. My Commander, we are not going to declare independence yet. We are not strong enough. But my friend, it is coming." With that, he signed papers to the tribal leaders stating that they, indeed, could help in recruiting and that he encouraged village units. His response to this question was that: "It would bring about stronger solidarity within the ranks, and thus make our troops more effective." "You see," He continued to the likely horrified Provincial Garrison Commander, "I believe firmly in freedom for all peoples. Being ruled by these Zekresh is like being chained. It is an insult to our people, to our way of life! We must unite in order to maintain our freedom. Here, we can create a lifestyle of our own, the way we want. Free from all other past problems or whatnot. So," He finally asked. "Will you join me when the time comes?" With that, he left the final decision to Ekanor Falan Ardimuk. He hoped he would make the right one, being joining Wanderjar's scheme for independence. He was counting on his firm belief that the Empire had not the will nor the inclination to resist the withdrawl. Also, he felt, that if they did in fact plan to fight, they would wage a war so bloody that they would inevitably give in to their demands: Sovereignty. He merely needed more time to raise the power of the military and economy, and hoped against hope that the Zekresh did not know of the full extent of his attempts until it was too late. "Oh yes," He added. "I believe it would be appropriate to mention that I feel they would find it more acceptable if they were under the impression I was merely attempting to assimilate them better into the Empire. They would probably accept this better anyhow."
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Post by Gamemaster on Jan 23, 2007 22:54:06 GMT -5
Ekanor Falan Ardimuk was silent for several long moments. His face held an expression of bewilderment, then stern contemplation.
"Ulor, if you truly mean to follow through with this, may I ask what place there would be for people in this Aatanian Empire for who are not Aats? What of the Trond tribes? What of the Foerfen? What of the few Zekresh who live in Aatan? What of those who are of mixed parentage such as myself?"
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