Hoarrans Outside Peltarch
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_"The Legion Tower will not be relocating if that is what you have in mind. Also, the passage behind the Tower will remain clear of your troops as that is to be used for folks who wish to travel freely between Norwick and Peltarch. If your concerned that any adventurers with any grudges will try and attack your troops then run back to the Legion Tower through that opening in the treeline near the lake, we can simply block that off."
He pauses for a moment, then continues
"Earlier in the meeting I heard you say that all this land in the Nars was 'bought and paid for in blood' and that because of that it belongs to you. Were you referring to the current generation of Eastlanders or your ansestors? Your ansestors felt they owned all of the Nars Pass, and it eventually lead to a war. Your ansestors lost that war, and any claim they felt they had to the Nars was at that point gone.
So that leaves your generation. How exactly has your generation 'bought and paid for' the Nars in blood? Having to fight disgruntled adventurers going to close to the Camp entrance? There is also the issue of other hostile forces using the area you claim to be yours to go north and attack either the Legion Tower or Peltarch.
Remember the N'Jast? Did you make any attempt to tell the N'Jast they are not permitted to go up and down your land as they did during that war, or did you retreat into the Camp?
A few years back an unknown group of hostiles tried to take over the Legion Tower, and they came from the south. If that land is yours, why did you let a foreign armed force run up and down it as they please.
Unless you intentionally allowed these attacks to happen against the Legion Tower and Peltarch, why did you not take arms and vigorously defend your land against obvious trespassers? Even if their goal was to attack another town or group it shouldn't matter, they trespassed on what you felt was your land, and you did nothing about it.
So I ask, how exactly have you paid in blood?"_
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Jonathan looks at Mariston a moment, then laughs softly.
It is large! Massive amount of land even! But, even as Peltarch makes claims to land beyond what it actually inhabits, and Norwick does as well, so to did I when I drew the lines. I have no plans to place farms everywhere on the map, I am sure if I did I'd have to invite the gnolls to come and discuss!
Looks seriously at the map for a moment.
Probably have gotten a better response from them then I did those from Oscura. Held my messenger for days while they discussed, then said they rejected any claim… then sent a representative.
Shakes his head finally.
I placed down what I consider land to be held in the best interests of me and mine, not necessarily what I will be able to take, conquer and hold. As others have prime interest in land they may not formally and rightfully claim, I have interest in those lands surrounding what I consider mine.
Turning to Ashald.
Where did King Tidus come from? Why is that not your home? Surely it was as settled as Peltarch was. After the victorious battle, did you return from whence you came? No. You stayed where you were, because you fought for it! Claimed it. It became.. your words mind you.. Your actual home.
You would consider the Nars Pass different for us?
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Ashald:
"Our claim to Peltarch's territory is traceable back to our King, Tidus, who won the land in victorious battle against the Fire Giants of Ignismons and afterward the treacherous forces of the City of Hoarsgate. I imagine the Eastlander claim to the Eastland hills is…something similar in nature, perhaps...but not the Nars Pass. Since you are making this claim formally, I have been advised we must be...precise about all aspects of it in these discussions.
Thus, I ask again...why does your claim fixate upon the Nars Pass? Why is no mention even made of the Eastland Hills? If your heritage and the content of the...hearts of your people, as you say, is what drives you to make claims to old territories...why choose the one territory your people held in greatest contention? Why not choose their actual home?"
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:Mariston looks up from the map::
Tis certainly a very large birthing area is it not?
Forsooth one was most vexed by the scale of such a claim, tis a territory spanning some thousand square miles or so.
Whereinsoever the place thine ancestors called home::sweeps his hand over the map:: Tis not as claimed methinks.Tis most prudent we doth seek the crux of the matter, to learned the place of residence thine folk didst control whilom.
Areas of contention shouldst be clearly stated now.
One doth of course not recognise the speaker of Oscura as being hight to rede in these councils.
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Jonathan tips his head as if giving that actual thought, before simply replying with the smallest hint of a smile as if expected.
I would instead ask, Senator, Why does Peltarch claim it's land rather then the land from which your founders came from? Your people are no more… natural to this land, then really my people are. Is Peltarch your home because you were born there? For I was born here. Is Peltarch your home because you have fought and defended it? I have done the same. Is Peltarch the Jewel of the Icelace because it has been shining since time immemorial? I think not.
A claim to land comes from the hearts of the people that have fought for it, bled for it, worked it, and attempted their best to eke a living from it. For your citizens that is true. For my own, just as true. That is why we claim it, and the nature of the oath to which we will return to it.
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Ashald:
"The Nars Pass is not the territory of your forefathers, Jonathan. It is merely where they plied their trade, said trade being the robbery of our trade. If you are invoking some manner of ancestral claim, why is it to the Nars Pass rather than the Eastland hills where your people made their home?"
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Jonathan quirks the smallest of smiles, and makes a small change on the map.
As far as the crossroads then. The Legion's tower is, I am afraid, going to be a much longer discussion…
Looks to the Senators.
You had things to add as well?
From the camp to the south, still keeping seperate for the most part, two riders, one in plate, the other sidesaddle and in a dress ride out heading straight towards the pavillon. The rider in plate keeping a shortstaff with merchant's banner at hand, and a large chained and padlocked box strapped to her horse behind her.
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Dwin listens to Jonathan and watches as he amends the map. Once the issues of the Legion tower and the Den are brought up, he adds his 2 coppers as well.
While ya got yer quill out, lad… Neither Sam's Hill nor Sam's Hole were ever Bandit..er, Eastlander lands. Certainly not since your grandsires were younglings.
Nothing south of the Crossroads, in fact, can even be considered in this conversation until I receive further direction from her Honor, the Chancellor of the Realm.
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"So what exactly do your claims mean for the Legion being near the Oscuran cave entrance, and also the Wolves Den being near what used to be Sam's Hill?"
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Jonathan waits until everyone interested has had a chance to look over the maps. Finally speaking, he nods to Ashe.
That is acceptable. I understand you have troops already outside of the entrance to your cave, we can keep a quarter league south of the entrance along the road.
Looks to the Senator a moment, before finally responding.
The oath is to return to the pass. To return to the land that was taken from us. To take back that which has been bought and paid for in the blood of my forefathers. And the means by which I will do so?
You see it already.
Turns back to the map, and marks a line south of the cave entrance, closer to the break in the tree line that goes in to the gnoll woods, before looking to Ashe.
That is how far I seek. Will that be acceptable?
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Ashe speaks up when there is a moment, her lips pursed
As a note, I don't think that Oscura will likely even consider it without it being well south of the entrance.
She looks a little susprised by the suggestion of being right up to the cave mouth, but shrugs, and continues looking on interestedly.
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*Dwin traces his finger along the East Road as he squints at the map.
He simply grunts and smirks as he sees Sam's Hole as part of the claimed land, well south of the East Road. *
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Senator Ashald, briefly looking over the claims again, folds his arms, speaking tentatively.
Ashald:
"Before the discussion of any of these claims, the Senate of Peltarch wishes you to clarify a certain matter. Namely, the so called Oath of the East, of which we have heard you are the keeper or some such. What, precisely, is the nature and content of this oath, and by what means, if any, do you intend to keep it?"
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Ronan leans back from looking at the map, looking toward Mariston and Ashald.
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The maps shows: The spider woods and gnoll woods and Cold Caves. The pass is circled as far south as the hole that was once Sams Hill, and as far north as the entrance to Oscura.
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((is there a way to summarize what the actual claims are on the map?))
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Dwin approaches the table and squints at the map , trying to get an idea of the actual claim.
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_Senator Ronan stands beside Senator Mariston when he arrived, arms folded in his robes. As always, see invisibility, protection from elements and premonition are cast upon himself whenever he's out in the open in the pass, no matter the reason. Aside from those wards, he offers a polite smile to the Hoarrans, and to the other representatives of the other groups (to Dwin, this smile seems more amused as the dwarf seems to be puffing out his chest in a display of "dominance").
After offering some greetings, he turns to the Hoarrans and fellow Peltarchians.._
A bigger turn out then I expected. But I suppose this concerns most of Narfell.
After Jonathon's introduction, Ronan approaches to look over the map he laid out. Seeing what places are marked that Jonathon wishes to claim, his brow creased as he looks it over.
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_The camp south of the pavillon seems much more light hearted then the meeting just starting north. A number of people seem gathered in a circle, playing some odd game involving drawing straws, while a heavily cloaked and hooded figure watches. Three rounds in leaves the same young woman shaking her head and looking almost furious as she keeps drawing the shortest straw.
Odd considering isn't that… winning?_
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The Hoarrans take counter part to the Defenders positions, matching numbers and skills in a slight semi-circle. Jonathan strides into the pavillion from outside, and blinks at the numbers gathered.
Hells, now they all want to talk…
Tossing his spear to a guard he orders all of his own men out, keeping only a scribe with him. She looks nervous and clutches a number of scrolls and parchments in hand. Jonathan, with his ever present slightest hint of a smile looks over those gathered, before clapping his hands together suddenly and with little warning rubbing them together.
Let's try and keep this short and sweet. If you all would have your guards wait outside a decent distance, I think we can all be civil and agree to no bloodshed. I am going to be as clear as I possibly can.
Holding his hand out to the scribe, she hands him a long scroll. He moves over to a long table and rolls it out, weighting the corners with rocks, and shifts to the opposite side of the table from the representatives.
I have plans for my people, and those plans are based on a return to lands we already owned. I don't want to quibble over minor things, I think we can all agree that the land, for better or worse belongs to us and was bought and paid for over the years with blood the same as any of your lands have been paid for. I don't wish to get in to aggressor or defender, who was right, or who was wrong.
He lifts his eyes from the map, looking to each representative.
I believe it's already clear that we will fight for what we feel is ours. The same as any of your people. But, I do not wish that fight. I do not wish more blood spilt from either side. That is why I am here. I have mapped out clearly what I feel I can lay claim to. So, we are gathered to decide simply…
What will you cede rightfully to us?
