Principality of Solus: The Forge

The Forge of Solus, the pride and joy of the Principality and it's capital. The seat of power in the Principality, and the home of the Chancellor himself for over fifty years, no expense has been spared on the grand port. A bustling hub of commerce, the city is always abuzz with activity from all sectors. On this day however, the majority of the civilians remain inside. In their stead, the military, all dressed out in their Power Armor and such, stand at attention in the streets, ensuring the safety of all delegates.

The city itself is quite large, with many different things. Factories of various things, military bases, grand statues, civilian dwellings, and businesses all line the cobblestone streets of the Capital city. Around the city, various statues of the first Chancellor, Geoffrey Harlond, can be seen, as well as more than a few of the current Chancellor. Towards the East, the delegates will be able to catch glimpses of the massive port of the Forge, complete with the many civilian and military vessels docked within. The http://files.g4tv.com/ImageDb3/181572_S/Fable-III-Concept-Art----Bowerstone-Revisited.jpg architecture of the buildings and landscape of the city, coupled with the shimmering summer sun on the water of the Gulf of California is truly a sight to be seen.

Delegates will arrive via the Harlond Memorial Airport, where they will be asked to disarm and the escorted by the faceless PSICOM agents to a motorcade of sorts, where they will then be driven to the gated personal estate of the Chancellor.

The estate of the Chancellor is perhaps the most extravagant dwelling in the entirety of the Principality. Various military checkpoints are set up along the way, with PSICOM operatives manning them. The Chancellor's dwelling itself is quite large, resembling a Victorian-era manor. Delegates will be driven up to the dwelling itself and escorted into the building. Inside, the splendor of the estate becomes even more apparent. Inside are many different statues and pieces of art work, a testament to the Chancellor's fondness of such things.

Delegates will be moved further inside the estate, toward a type of throne room. Inside the large and lavish room sits a long, polished oak table, furnished with various refreshments. Along the sides of the room are the Principality's Honor Guard, soldiers dressed in ornate versions of T-51b armor and armed with various weaponry.

At the far end of the room, there are three individuals. On the left sits the blue-robed figure of an aged McNamara. On the right, Scorch, the Principality's finest soldier, fully garbed in the PSICOM armor. And in the middle, wearing a black and gold robe, is none other than the Chancellor himself, a thoughtful expression on his face as he awaits the delegates from the various nations to arrive.

*** Continuation of last thread.

Dirigent Dionysus
The Forge, Principality of Solus

The delegate of New Vegas was surprisingly reasonable with negotiations. Dionysus decided to seal the deal. "Alright then, it's settled. We trade you food and metals in exchange for weapons, as well as annual tourist access to between the Greater Collective and New Vegas. We get few trade routes open and this partnership will be off to a great start. Thank you for doing business, Mister Gannon."

Lord Ashur- Empire of the Pitt

"Forgive me," Ashur suddenly said as he noticed the slight frown on the Deacon's face, "I meant to say workers. I'm afraid sometimes I lapse into the use of the word slave. Perhaps they are in slavery, yes, but calling them workers gives them a purpose beyond mere servitude. They strive and work for the betterment of the Pitt, and someday, their struggle will be rewarded. Of that I have promised them."

Ashur's face suddenly lit up as the Deacon discussed the possibility of artisan's producing works of art and craftsmanship within the Pitt. Something he readily wanted. Furthermore, when the Deacon went on to describe the great centers of learning that the Union had within its possession, and the great many preserved libraries within their domain, Ashur grew noticeably eager. His dream of a vast library and archive could perhaps become a reality with printed versions of all these works at his disposal.

However, the Lord of the Pitt was unsure when the mention of missionary work was brought up. While Ashur reveled at the chanvr for the bringing in of educated peoples, the fact that these individuals would undoubtedly try to spread their faith was dubious. It wasn't that Ashur was necessarily opposed to religion, but the Cult of Ashur provided a strong means for the continued loyalty and unity of the Pitt. Even if it didn't hold strong sway over the workers, it was prevalent throughout the raiders. Any attempt to undermine this could mean trouble. Especially if this union was opposed to slavery,

"Then we have an arrangement," He began, "I would like to begin acquiring printed copies of all the works you hold in your libraries as well, in exchange for the materials from the Pitt and in addition to the food products and clothing we already mentioned. Your artisans and craftsman are welcome as well, however, I am leery of allowing the spread of your missionaries. Simply because I understand little of your faith. Instead, I would request that you send a single group of missionaries to my palace, Haven, where from I will watch over and direct their teaching and education efforts. Perhaps of course, they can inform me of their beliefs and culture as well."

"As for the matter of an embassy within Providence, I would be happy to construct such a place for the betterment of relations and understanding between our two peoples."

As he was talking to the Deacon, Ashur also noticed and individual from the Commonwealth approach, waiting for the Lord of the Pitt to finish speaking with the Union delegate.

Lucius - Caesar's Legion

" Yes, you are correct. They will try to expand, it is their nature. The Bear consumes all it can and in its bloated, lethargic state it cannot see the smaller creatures, their problems, coming to devour it like a vulture would a dying deer. They are blind to their issues and merely toss their coffers at their problems. But yes, you are once more correct, another rant for another time. "

" The railroad ah yes, I am glad that you agree. It shall begin in earnest once my Caesar returns to his throne and makes it so. He will surely assign importance to the task. "

When Scorch said yes, that he could manage a good word for the Empire, Lucius was near overcome with happiness and excitement. The Prefect did not gush, or show it outwardly but inside he was happy to have helped his people and most importantly his lord.

" Perfect, you have my sincere thanks, Operative. My lord shall be more than pleased with this development and will surely see that a partnership with you people is a wise choice. As to my lord's Navy, he does indeed have one. It is small and unfortunately underdeveloped though with this, my Caesar will have the reason to make it much more formidable. As of right now, I believe that it is best to have some Legionaries ride along with you and the rest man the small craft that will be sent. I sense a great future for our two nations' working together. May glory come to them both, thank you and farewell Operative Scorch. "

With that, the Prefect bowed slightly, a fairly hard thing to do, as even he had his pride, though much less than his lord. Lucius walked back to the center of the room and he saw the man Caesar had expressed interest in communicating with. A man, quite sure of himself, called Dionysus after the god of myth. Surely, this man had taken the name and could not claim to be truly of a god, only Caesar and the First were and they were of the greatest god; Mars.

Lucius approached the man as he left another, blonde fellow with glasses. The Prefect seemed to remember the face but could not place it. Forgetting about him, he nodded curtly to Dionysus and gave a small, humble smile. " Hello and good day, sir. I am Lucius, Prefect of Caesar's Praetorian Guard. My men protect the lord with his life and are among the greatest warriors in the Empire of the Bull. Anyway, could you tell me just a bit about your nation? Caesar would like to meet his neighbors and foster relations between them and currently, he is speaking to another, so I come in his place. "

That was a lie of course, Caesar had kept his Empire isolated and indeed did not care for others, but Dionysus could not know. Plus, Lucius thought it better to have a welcoming facade than an aggressive appearance.

http://www.blastr.com/sites/blastr/files/styles/blog_post_media/public/Michael%20Shannon%20General%20Zod.jpg?itok=E2FiqGCQ - The Eastern Brotherhood

Ragnar Covington Approached the Viceroy from the nation Solus.

"Greetings, I am high Elder Covington of the Eastern Brotherhood, may I ask your name?."

United Alaskan Republic - President William Chambers

"The East Coast I see. Well anyway about your treatment of your wife... Alaska has high medical standards and you can send her there by traveling her to http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/2537/239g.png and she will take a ride to New Anchorage Medical Center."

Solus

"Well if need Alaska help, just talk to us. This has been great diplomacy between us Chancellor Griff."

With that Chamber excused himself from Solus.

Viceroy McNamara

McNamara smiled at the mention of the title "Elder". The other Brotherhood sect had arrived.

"Welcome Elder Covington, welcome. My name is Viceroy McNamara of the Principality of Solus, formerly Elder McNamara of the Brotherhood of Steel. We're glad to see another Brotherhood-based nation arrive. You see, before the Principality was the Principality, we were known as the Brotherhood of Steel. Please, make yourself at home here. You are indeed among friends as long as you are in the Principality. Many citizens still consider the other Brotherhood members Brothers, even if we've cast off the Codex."

http://www.blastr.com/sites/blastr/files/styles/blog_post_media/public/Michael%20Shannon%20General%20Zod.jpg?itok=E2FiqGCQ- The Eastern Brotherhood

"Hmmm, I cannot fathom why one would cast off the Codex. Nevertheless, I am happy to see our long lost brethren."

Dirigent Dionysus
The Forge, Principality of Solus

Dionysus had just turned to leave Mister Gannon after swift negotiations when he was approached by a man in rather informal garb for the summit. In stark contrast to his own Dean Domino esque outfit for the evening, at the least. This man had introduced himself as "Lucius, Prefect of Caesar's Praetorian Guard". These of course were strange names for people of the modern day wasteland, and he has heard of such people in the past. This was a delegate from Caesar's Legion. Dionysus had then begun to wonder where Caesar himself was, surely making a mess of things with the other delegates. The man appeared to be kind and curious, but Dionysus knew better. The people of the Legion were regaled to be merciless and uninviting. However, Dionysus decide to maintain his air of civility.

"Well, hello Sir Lucius of the Bull," he began, while taking an introductory bow. "I am the Dirigent Dionysus of the Sierra Collective. We too are looking to acquaint ourselves with our neighbors. How nice of you to introduce yourself." Dionysus paused, trying to maintain his kind reserve. "If you really must know, the Sierra Collective has a brief history with the happenings of the Mojave Wasteland. The Collective was a nation forged from the very stone of the Sierra Madre Casino, just after its infiltration by one known as "The Courier", from New Vegas. Certainly you have heard of him, as I recall he played a large role in the happenings at the Second Battle of Hoover Dam." Dionysus began to recall all he knew about the Dam. The Legion had won, but retreated for whatever reason. He used to chance to play an angle. "If I may say so myself, it was an astonishing victory on the Legion's part. The ferocity of the Legion is one for the books, Sir Lucius."

Dionysus smiled despite not having told the delegate much about the Collective. He hoped the turn in conversation would lure this Lucius of the Legion to speak up about his true purposes.

Prefect Lucius - Caesar's Legion

Dionysus took a bow himself and Lucius appreciated the gesture. He'd expected the man to simply jut his nose into the air and speak down upon him. In that case, the Prefect would have become less welcoming and more harsh, he was glad that was not the direction Dionysus took.

" Well then Dirigent, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance and that of your nation. I intended to make certain each nation around us knows we do not intend wanton war and I myself seek to make sure there is a certain regional comfort, where do not worry ourselves of conflict with each other or some such. "

Lucius listened as the Dirigent retold the story of the Mojave after mentioning his own people, however the tale of the Mojave was one he knew too well. He recalled the importance placed upon the campaign by Caesar, the First, and leading his Guardsmen to battle against many a foe. Then he mentioned a Courier, a man he did not remember.

" Your nation does intrigue but a courier you say? To my recollection there was no third party, it was Legion steel pitted against NCR greed. I lead in the battle myself so I am certain no other entity saw combat. It was a truly grand victory, though, you are undoubtedly correct. Caesar's warriors serve with fervor, tenacity, and power. There is no other force more terrifying or awe-inspiring than my lord's Legion thundering down a field toward an enemy. Truly, fit for the annals of history. But enough about that, onto other matters. "

Lucius, much more alert than Dionysus had realized, knew what he had done. In a well-thought ploy, aiming to use the great pride of a Legion man to throw the conversation off-course. Not a bad idea in the least, a reasonable aspect to bank on.

" You say your people came to be after the so-called Courier stole inside your Sierra Madre, correct? Then that relates us as we sent a man to pursue a quite valuable target through that very spot. A small world it seems, since that little memory interrupted us, care to share more about your nation? If there is to be cooperation in the region, we must know our neighbors. "

The Prefect offered a quaint, unassuming smile. He fully intended to gather what information he could. With it Caesar could discern whether this ' Collective ' was alike in any way and perhaps offer a hand in partnership if they were.

Jakob "Father" Amarkeye

Jakob nodded intrigued by what this Caesar spoke of. the man spoke of hailing from god known as Mars. Jakob pondered on it,

Surely he could not mean the red planet?

After another moment of thought it hit Jakob, the man meant the ancient Roman god Mars, the god of war' a powerful god indeed. Jakob was pleased, and though while this man and his own beliefs differed; they both still had faith in the occult or at least a small understanding. This was something Jakob could use, something for these two men to come together with.

"It is my pleasure Caesar, I am impressed by the size of your Empire.Your armies must be powerful indeed, tell me how it was that you came to control such a large portion of land? Was it entirely through conquest? Your nation fascinates me Caesar, did the first of your emperors, this 'Son of Mars' did he base it on the Romans of old? From what I can tell your cultures seem very much alike."

I hope the man took no offense, perhaps he is not aware?

"Well the Union is," Jakob thought for the right words "A religious state, every man woman and child within its confines are part of our religious order. We like your nation worship gods of old, in fact we worship an entity similar to Mars. Though I'm afraid that is all I can reveal, our Order likes its privacy. If you would like to know more I can tell you, but it must be at your request."

Deacon Charles Alexzander

Charles' face brightened slightly as Ashur changed the word from slave to worker. Charles was raised in the Union and knows little else beyond its walls. Though he could tell something was off, living his entire life around people who were always honest gave him little skill in reading people.

"I'm glad we could come to an agreement, once I arrive back in the Ja Hun'alie I will begin shipping out copies of the archives. As far as what we wish for the Pitt to provide, we need simple things; guns, ammo, tools and other mass produced goods." Charles listened carefully as Ashur spoke of his wariness of allowing Missionaries into the Pitt and its empire.

"Well you see sir my religion is very esoteric, we do not offer it to everyone and even then they must pass initiation. Thought I respect your hesitation and will inform the missionaries of their new assignment. Being the leader of the mission here tonight I will lead them again as we come into your nation. The mission groups are typically no more than twenty members, all of which are not only well educated but trained to use their knowledge to teach others." Charles shook Ashur's hand signalling agreeing upon the terms

"I look forward to our future dealings, Ashur lord of the Pitt"

Viceroy McNamara

McNamara chuckled.

"Suffice to say Solus wanted total independence separate and apart from the Brotherhood, and the restrictions of the Codex. When we started our nation, it was easier to construct a completely new way of doing things than it was to stick to the old ways. In my case, when the Mojave chapter of the Brotherhood came to Solus to seek refuge, we swore fealty to our Chancellor, and in doing so, relinquished our previous associations. But enough of the past. Tell me, how have you fared Brother? Also, we are not the only Brotherhood-based factions in the world either, there is the Midwest as well, in case you were unaware of the their presence."

Lord Ashur- Empire of the Pitt

Immensely pleased with their dealings, Ashur shook the Deacon's hand to signal the end of their fruitful talks, immediately after he left, Ashur was approached by the delegate from the Commonwealth:

http://www.blastr.com/sites/blastr/files/styles/blog_post_media/public/Michael%20Shannon%20General%20Zod.jpg?itok=E2FiqGCQ- The Eastern Brotherhood

Ragnar thought it best he left well enough alone on the subject of the codex

"I see your point. We have faired quite well for ourselves even if we were forced to retreat from D.C. I heard rumors of the Mid-west and would like to open relations with them at some point."

Dirigent Dionysus
The Forge, Principality of Solus

The man from the Legion had turned the conversation back to the Sierra Madre. It seemed as though his only motive was to get to know his neighboring nations to ensure there was no imminent threat to his Empire. Perhaps even settle a deal or a partnership of some sort. Dionysus had been making petty deals of trade for the most part of this summit -- his largest partnership being with the Principality, and it was entirely economic. Dionysus saw this as a chance to get some real man power from the Legion, though he knew there would be consequences.

"Well, when The Courier had infiltrated the casino I was only about 17 years old at the time. But I had been living in the small settlement of Sierra Town where much of the population was very religious for the previous five years or so. When I first arrived -- as crazy as it sounds -- I was a 12 year old boy who spoke of prophecy. Truthfully, I never really knew what it was all about. It was something that had come to me in a dream. But years after my arrival, the prophecy had come true, and the religious zealots of Sierra Town made me their leader." Dionysus paused, fearing this story sounded a bit egocentric. As Dionysus had always said, never speak of yourself for too long with company, it's rude. But this man wanted to know the Collective's history, and Dionysus was very much a part of it.

Dionysus began again, hoping to speak less on himself and more on the Collective. "You make mention of the Courier stealing from our Sierra Madre. This is not true. You see, the Courier had simply paved the way in for the people of Sierra Town, he was simply the harbinger of our Collective's foundation. His infiltration allowed for me to leader the small town into an age of extravagance. We harvested the technologies of the Madre and used them to their fullest extent. As our population grew, so did the regulations on our technology. What we found at the Sierra Madre casino was clearly destined for our Sierra Town. No one else had ever infiltrated the casino before, and it was the Courier who allowed Sierra Town to reap the benefits." Dionysus' excitement rose as he retold the tale. He loved to speak of the Collective's ascension.

"I hoped to model Sierra Town into the image of pre-war elitism. This is unlike every other 'old world' nation you see around here at the summit, Sir Lucius. We are not like the very many pseudo-Americas or 'Brotherhoods' of steel. We simply wish to recreate the old world's elite society, and it is something we have achieved. My highest class, the aristocrats of the Collective, all live in economic splendor in the Greater Collective. Indulging in old world delights like entertainment, sport, and arts. This of course is at the expense of the lower class." Dionysus thought on this last sentence thoroughly and decided to highlight a key similarity between the Legion and his own Collective. "Our proletariat class." He finished. "Our slave-class."

Dionysus tilted his neck back a bit and jutted his chin while still making eye contact with the man. This was something he did while in thought. He stopped and smiled at the delegate from the Legion and ended his monologue stating, "The Collective would be very much interested in doing business with your leader's Legion, Sir Lucius."