On Expansion of Aryasht into Khandav and Ran

Legislation, debate, and in-character politics
Post Reply
User avatar
Scott Alexander
Posts: 1778
Joined: Sun Dec 19, 2010 1:20 am

On Expansion of Aryasht into Khandav and Ran

Post by Scott Alexander »

Omi Oitherion had given only one speech before the Pelagian Senate. It had begun with the words "I hate you all," and ended with "...or else I will destroy the world again".

It had failed to impress. The fledgling body had almost fallen apart. Now Eith Korphorin is the Drachumvelin representative to the Senate. He is young, handsome, well spoken, and almost completely sane. In the absence of a true Speaker, he leads the Senate as first among equals, and he is fair and just in his work. And yet at root he speaks for the Autokrator and serves the same ends. It creates a certain tension beneath everything he says.

Today he is in rare form as he reads out the Senate business. Aryasht has requested permission to expand into the Khandav forest in the north and the Ran desert in the west. Normally the Autokrator would refuse such requests out of hand. But the Arya claim was lodged and developed before the Autokrator fully expounded his policy, and the Arya representative has provided ample proof of the deep cultural connections which have tied his people to these lands since the beginning of time, and sworn to abide by the new borders without complaint.

The Autokrator is inclined to grant his request as an advance payment for future services the Arya plan to do for the Autokrator, the Senate, and the World. He will grant six hundred thousand square kilometers of land in exchange for service of equivalent value once the world economy gets going.

The representative of the mysterious Favored, whose name and origin remain a mystery, has spoken out against the plan.

Eith says he will let the representatives of the Arya and the Favored present their cases to the Senate at large before calling a vote on the matter. He adds darkly that although the Autokrator eventually intends to grant power to the Senate over all important affairs, this should not be misunderstood to mean that anyone else's attempts to claim more land will get so far as a Senate vote any time soon.

Sammy J McMillan
Posts: 112
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 9:23 am

Re: On Expansion of Aryasht into Khandav and Ran

Post by Sammy J McMillan »

A haughty diplomat, who appears more bone than anything else, stands up, clicks open a briefcase, takes out a single piece of paper, shuffles in shabby brown cloth jacket, adjusts a crimson tie, pushes a pair of glasses further up the bridge of a sweaty nose, scans a piece of paper and clears his throat. From that throat the Party issues a statement of its beliefs in the matter before the Senate.
I. T. Braginsky wrote:Representatives, salutations.

I come to espouse the views and beliefs of the Communist party of the nation of Col, its people and its legitimate government.

It is our view that in this matter caution must be the word by which we are guided. We must exercise caution in how we deal with such rabid expansionism. We must exercise caution in preparing to test the functions of this new Senate. We must be cautious in accepting the words of anyone who claims that, though today he is hungry, should we provide him a morsel, tomorrow he will be satisfied.
The Central Party Committee, among the other committees of the party, as well as the Supreme Soviet and its own committees, have always made it clear that foreign policy shall be dictated first by the ideology that drives human progress, which is socialism, and second by what is required within the given situation. In this situation, the proposed expansion of the Arya into their own historic backgarden cannot be viewed as in opposition to our principles and beliefs and can instead be regarded as a natural and beneficial move for this community.
Furthermore we believe that it is better to have a powerful debtee than a weak friend, and so long as Aryasht professes that they will give back to this international association of sovereign national peoples what they will take from us in the forests and deserts they claim, we have no objection.

BRAGINSKY
Diplomat-Designate, People's Committee for Democratic Representation, the Supreme Soviet of the USSC
He then sits down, but not before smoothing his hair and shifting his chair.
Sammy J McMillan
ANTICAN LIBERATION DEVICE. Allow curiosity to seduce ya: http://www.bastionunion.org/forum/viewt ... =320&t=992
Citizen of the Republic, friend of :sammyj:
In the quotes thread, Ardy wrote:You know, you are a bit of an arse - even by the standards of this hobby (which is an achievement).

Emir of Raspur

Re: On Expansion of Aryasht into Khandav and Ran

Post by Emir of Raspur »

Image


A curious looking man with a bushy beard, daubed in vivid yellow face paint and blessed with singularly disconcerting eyes, stood up from the floor where no one had suspected he had been languidly sitting cross-legged thus far. Stretching and recovering his deportment he proceeded to scratch himself in a place which modesty prohibits us from relating, save that it was under his tanned hide skirt, and then – as though he suddenly remembered where he was and why – looked around the Senate room as if with a start of surprise which gave way to a more nuanced consternation. Fidgeting slightly, he ran his greasy hands over the lean copper coloured flesh of his abdomen before reaching down to his hemp spun belt from which he removed a small leather pouch. Fumbling the pouch for a moment the curious looking individual gingerly removed a small specimen of orange powder which he pinched between two fingers which he then placed under his left nostril whilst using a finger from his other hand to press shut the passageway of the right nostril before loudly snorting.

For a few moments the odd little tribesman, who was only a small fellow, barely five foot tall, just stood there in the assembly room, his pupils dilated and a strangely vacant look upon his face. Several of the senators were starting to wonder whether he was quite alright. None however dared to approach because it had not been previously established whether or not the primitive was liable to bite strangers.

All of a sudden he snapped out of his trance and began to jabber excitedly, waving his hands frantically and dancing about on the spot, this continued for a minute before once again he recovered his composure and – standing bolt upright – began to declaim loudly and at a rapid pace.

“Hail & Godbless Pelago-Sabs!

Am Chief Barowa of Jashamba I am! En Lugal send me! He send me I know not how! Powerful mana he have! But here I am law speaker from him to you for all Askerr. For Him and for them I speak to you. On the law bark it is written:

‘Fitting it is, to know ones bounds, for beyond lies the Child of Woe and death’

The Askerr, of the island you call Dromosker, have survived the dreaming and the dark time by accepting the bounds placed upon the tribe by jungle, swamp, mountains and great limitless water. We survive when great men of past who fly in silver birds perished. Why they perish? They perish because they no understand that the mana will not protect if all consumed. If too many men then mana all gone too soon. Man who ate greedy of mana fell from sky into ruined world. This powerful lesson for us now. Asker learn this lesson. We learn it well:

‘Three gifts of the jungle held dear:
The flesh of the pig
The Sap of the Milkvine
The Shade of the Bamyam Tree’

Man need only this and little else for good life. What use man if he burn the trees? What use knowledge of man if man cannot eat for all is gone to gain knowledge?

Arya, these who we discuss. Why are they no satisfied with the bounds set by their mana? What pride, what hunger drives them that they will not accept what is provided for them as sufficient but instead like Raskols seek to break all bounds! They forget lesson of dark times! They insult Angry God! Suffer us all if precedent they set!

This great shame for fire-worshipping Arya are reputed wise. En Lugal speak to me through dreaming vision! He say that for now Dromosker says no and beats the drum against Arya expansion. However he also say that if Arya were to send priests to Calēkhōpraksis he would reconsider ‘principled opposition’ – En Lugal say to use that phrase very insistent, perhaps it mean something – because his gratitude would be great if he is given the opportunity to taste the mana of the learned who dwell beyond the big water.”
And after that curious little speech the painted man dropped to the ground as if ducking from the oversized beak of a ferocious giant bird… and no one could quite discern where he was hiding.

User avatar
Harvey
Ghost of Christmas Past
Posts: 1780
Joined: Thu Nov 25, 2010 3:27 pm

Re: On Expansion of Aryasht into Khandav and Ran

Post by Harvey »

A man from the Favored stands to speak, talking with a rythem that is neither inspiring nor forced, thoughtful nor dry, resembling most closely a casual conversation about an unimportant issue which many find unusual given the graveness of his tone.
I choose to call myself Providence. I speak on behalf of AURA and the consensus of the Favored under my own free will.

First, I must apologize for anything that I do that offends this body. My people have had no concept of the things you call “diplomacy” and “a senate”. Until recently we believed that we were the last living things in the world. I myself am not trained in any of your ways – my background is that of the social sciences of my people, of dealing with disputes and conflicts within The Favored. I am here because AURA proposed that this body would have uses, and the consensus agreed, and I have volunteered for this position until further assessments are made. So far, things seem very positive.

With that said, I do not apologize for my views, foreign to you as they may be, because it would seem to us that a major value of this body is in the free exchange of views. Our views therefore represent a useful resource and to make apologies for them would tarnish and weaken that resource for the benefit of nobody.

We come to discuss the issue of land ownership. This, too, is a new idea to us. While we understand that people need resources to survive, and that to secure a steady stream of these resources is vital, we also believe that a certain sense of entitlement and privilege enters when one surveys their domain and finds that it is large. We of the Favored cannot abide by allowing these types of mindsets to reign. Land, once given, can scarcely be returned without bloodshed. The people of Arya have not proven that they have a pressing, vital, emergency need for permanent addition to their land allocations. Nor have they acted in any particular way that shows that they will be more able to provide a return to the Archipelago than any other given society.

If it is acceptable for the people of Aryasht to gain land on promise of repaying debt, is it too acceptable for every other state? If not, why not? The Favored detest this type of mentality and have no immediate desires for permanent expansion, but we would be forced to submit a claim for additional land simply to keep up the status quo and protect our future if supplies will be diminishing must faster than anticipated.

The world is in ruins. We have banded together out of a mutual desire to cooperate and exchange ideas. AURA and the consensus are delighted to find other groups have survived. Thus it is especially sad that our first serious discussion is about unilaterally giving vital resources away for no reason.

The views of AURA and the consensus have spoken through me. If this body decides against them, at least it will be known that we made our voices heard.

User avatar
Alicorn
Posts: 245
Joined: Wed May 11, 2011 2:57 am
Location: Mevwan, Pelagia
Contact:

Re: On Expansion of Aryasht into Khandav and Ran

Post by Alicorn »

A winged person sitting on his tail, ears pointing up at the ceiling with agitation, blinks red-and-gold eyes and frowns at the proceedings. Repeatedly consulting a sheaf of papers with notes on it, he begins to speak:
I'm Iriwande, Self-Appointed Minister of International Participation-in-Things on the Cezkwe of Mevwan, authorized by that council and by the Avewe to deliver the following query and recommendation:

Are the objections to Aryasht's expansion based on a desire that their people not spill out beyond their borders, or a desire that their government's influence not do so?

If the former, why not create a mixed colony from every other state wishing to participate, place it in the disputed land, and allow Aryasht governance of this colony but not - at least to begin with - immigration privileges for its populace? If the latter, why not permit them to fill the space with as many of their people as they wish to send, but grant control of the region to someone else, at least for a time? I realize that our - here I mean my species and not my country - habit of fosterage is strange to some foreigners with regard to children, but perhaps it will meet with more acceptance with regards to territory.

If neither of these suggestions is generally acceptable, Mevwan is committed to side with consen- er, I mean, "the majority". Thank you for your attention.

User avatar
Funky Wombat
Posts: 52
Joined: Sat May 07, 2011 9:17 pm

Re: On Expansion of Aryasht into Khandav and Ran

Post by Funky Wombat »

Image


An elaborately dressed woman of about thirty has been watching the discussion so far, nodding and smiling at every speech. Up until this point she has seemed content to recline on her yak-skin-covered seat and observe. However, she stands up once the strange-looking Senator from Mevwan is done, and her multi-layered necklace creates a small cacophony much like a windchime. She spreads her arms wide and begins to talk.
Honoured associates, my name is Dorji Támsáng, She-Who-Has-Most of the Ercha peoples, the People of the Yak. As a result of my fabulous wealth, I have been chosen as the best representative of what my people possess. To this Senate meeting I have brought fifteen of my somewhat fine yak, one for each of my fellow Senators, three for the great Autokrator Oitherion, and one to keep for myself. Now we may all deal as equals, although of course you all will owe me for the yak. And rest assured, I have many thousands of yak back in my mountains. Oh my, yes!
Támsáng breaks off her comments to laugh heartily at this. Tears come into her eyes, and she wipes them away, slaps her leg in a jovial manner, and goes back to her speech.
This issue of the Aryasht is a simple one, or so I see it. Recently, my island received a band of settlers from a place that does not exist, they called it Treesia. We Ercha are simple folk, we concern ourselves with our sacred mountains and lakes, and with the yak, of course. We are not concerned with where people say they come from if we do not know where it is, so we took pity on them as poor souls lost in the world. We know much has changed, that our mountains were once part of a great range that stretched to both horizons, though now they stand on islands. It could be true that such a place once existed, but even if it didn't that was no reason to judge.

Anyway, we took in these settlers, who regrettably brought no yak with them to trade to us for the kindnesses we bestowed. We agreed to allow them to live on the lands of our islands which are not sacred, the shore and the forests and the plains and so on. These have little value, and the settlers agreed to repay the value to us over a number of years. I think I see wisdom in what the Autokrator is saying here, that since the Arya people want this land, they should pay for it. We realise that not all of you recognise the value of the yak...I suppose there are no yak in Aryasht?
She raises her eyebrow questioningly at the Aryasht Senator for a moment, but carries on regardless.
Well that can be changed. My vote is for Aryasht to receive this land with the proviso that they will renumerate the Archipelago at a later stage.
Támsáng sits back down, but not before motioning to someone at the back of the hall. At this signal, a similarly-dressed aide opens a door into the lobby outside. The distinct smell of yak soon permeates the Senate chamber. The sound of hooves on a tiled floor and the irritated grunting of yak who can find nowhere to graze can be heard too.
You may see your yak now if you like. I have labelled them.
Funky Wombat
"Been around for a long long time, ain't seen nothing new"

Emir of Raspur

Re: On Expansion of Aryasht into Khandav and Ran

Post by Emir of Raspur »

"Dorji Támsáng,

Me Chief Barowa of Jashamba. If your settlers-with-no-yak no pay and you want them leave, perhaps you like send some to Dromoskor? We hungry for... their learning... have big pot always bubbling, ready to welcome visitors. Very tasty. All welcome."

User avatar
Funky Wombat
Posts: 52
Joined: Sat May 07, 2011 9:17 pm

Re: On Expansion of Aryasht into Khandav and Ran

Post by Funky Wombat »

What an excellent suggestion Chief Barowa! Perhaps I can suggest it to them as an alternative location for their settlement, since you would so warmly welcome them, rather than expecting the yak tribute as we do. Once I return home I will give their leader this option myself!
Funky Wombat
"Been around for a long long time, ain't seen nothing new"

User avatar
Aryeztur
Posts: 2121
Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2010 11:16 am
Contact:

Re: On Expansion of Aryasht into Khandav and Ran

Post by Aryeztur »

The ambassador from Aryasht supports this proposal as well.

[OOC: My graduation is the next three days, I'll be more detailed soon].
The Great King, King of Kings, King of the World

User avatar
Scott Alexander
Posts: 1778
Joined: Sun Dec 19, 2010 1:20 am

Re: On Expansion of Aryasht into Khandav and Ran

Post by Scott Alexander »

Drachumve stands in favor of this resolution.

We believe that the countries of the world should remain small, so that the sprawling aggressive empires of times past do not resurface and our limited world can support the maximum possible level of cultural diversity.

But though abandoning the rule in general would be a great evil, each particular violation of the rule may have greater benefits than it does costs. A paradox? Luckily, Drachumve-silk has procedures for dealing with such a contradiction, and in this case we are satisfied that granting the Arya this loan will not cause an avalanche of future claims.

I will formally close this resolution once the Arya representative has had a chance to speak.
(what's the correct adjective form of Aryasht, anyway?)

User avatar
Aryeztur
Posts: 2121
Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2010 11:16 am
Contact:

Re: On Expansion of Aryasht into Khandav and Ran

Post by Aryeztur »

(Aryashti. Arya refers to the ethnic group and its culture only and isn't an adjective relating to the country. The language is Aryik).
The Great King, King of Kings, King of the World

User avatar
Kallinn Ynnetrrr
Posts: 388
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 1:10 am

Re: On Expansion of Aryasht into Khandav and Ran

Post by Kallinn Ynnetrrr »

An older-looking swnndyrrr man had been sitting aside, lounging in his chair. He looked as if he were uninterested until now, whittling away at a palm-sized block of wood. At the conclusion of the Drachumve's representative's statement, he stood, letting his grey-furred tail fall behind him from his lap, took a deep breath, and began his speech.
I chose to wait until most others voiced their opinion before making a decision on my own stance on the matter.

I am among the eldest of my people, chosen from many of the well-spoken individuals from all clans to speak before you and decide international policy for state as a whole. As an elder, I have seen many different ideas and plans succeed and fail.

Among our people, land-ownership is a highly prized privilege. Only those who have worked the land with the utmost care and used that which it bears to the benefit of others as well as one's self are considered to "own" their land. Those who seek merely personal gain are not assessed as being responsible enough or of high enough moral caliber to control land.

The Swnndyrrân Hallatekrrr are most grateful that we have been granted the privilege of calling our islands our home.

In my personal opinion, I have not seen them earn the extra land, but my personal opinion is my own and only my own. The Swnndyrrân Hallatekrrr shall abstain in this matter, but I hope to see the work-debt repaid justly as the responsibility for the land dictates.
Image

User avatar
Scott Alexander
Posts: 1778
Joined: Sun Dec 19, 2010 1:20 am

Re: On Expansion of Aryasht into Khandav and Ran

Post by Scott Alexander »

After one week, the vote stands as follows:

Yea: Col, Long Island, Aryasht, Drachumve
Nay: Dromosker, Favored
Abstain: Mevwan, Swnndyrrân Hallatekrrr

As Speaker Pro Tempore, I hereby declare this resolution passed, and grant permission for Aryasht to expand into the regions of Khandav and Ran.

User avatar
Aryeztur
Posts: 2121
Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2010 11:16 am
Contact:

Re: On Expansion of Aryasht into Khandav and Ran

Post by Aryeztur »

Aryashti representative rises:

I thank you all for this favorable resolution. Aryasht extends the hand of friendship and cooperation to all your statelets in the future.
The Great King, King of Kings, King of the World

Post Reply

Return to “Archipelago Senate”