The Ultimatum

[bravenewmods]

In the aftermath of the Day of Fire, the morale of the people of Union had slowly begun to recover from the difficult battle they had previously fought and the decision that they had made. Their reprieve is brief, however. Barely a week following the report to the Council, the news returned: Sanctuary, after extensive discussion, had refused to give up their Homunculus program merely because Union demanded it.

The issue now, of course, was how to proceed with this new information. Should the people of Union shun Sanctuary altogether? Should they establish minimal contact with sanctions? Should they attempt to negotiate, requesting that Sanctuary stop the worst of the abuses in exchange for diplomatic favors? Should they simply turn a blind eye to the Homunculus program and hope it works out?

The next decision would likely be the final one.

[As there are many directions this can go now, we have three options here: Normalize Relations, Open Partial Relations with Imposed Sanctions, or Abandon Relations. Please vote under the one you support. If you vote under 'open partial relations with imposed sanctions', you must also voice your opinion on each of the following potential sanctions: restrictions on the Homunculus program that would make it acceptable, refusing to trade or contribute to the economic welfare of Sanctuary, refusing to allow immigration from Sanctuary, refusing to open communication with Sanctuary in regards to the Warp Band network, and refusing to share information concerning legendary activities and discoveries with Sanctuary.

Each player may only vote once. As people with five or six characters in game could potentially unfairly unbalance the vote, the final vote is how you, as a player, would like to see the game change. You are of course free to vote in a manner reflective of how the majority of your characters would feel.

As before, there will be a section for IC discussion and OoC questions.]

Comments

[a_gentle_boy]

They can't ignore us if we send people to actually make sure they're at least trying to do what's right.

...Working together is about making compromises. And they owe us, still.

[morituri_nolumus_mori]

"Owe us", eh? I suppose it's too much to have thought Union had helped out of the kindness of its unified heart.

[a_gentle_boy]

They owe us because they lied to us to get our help.

[Lucas is sickeningly nice, but not even he's that nice.]

We all risked a lot for them and... they broke our trust.

[morituri_nolumus_mori]

Can't have that can we? Shattering expectations and all. Other cities will start getting ideas.

The way I see it, and this is just an educated guess based on a few days of being here, Union likes to help people. They like to help people because not helping isn't in its nature. I mean, look at its religion. It exults an individual who is a kind of beacon of mercy and kindness. It venerates empathy. Look at the bonding process. Your warp bands are a nonviolent means of communicating with pokemon. Not a pokeball in sight. Even the punishment is, want for another word, lax. There's no execution, no death sentence.

[ He frowns down at the boy ]

Anyway, aren't you a little young for politics?

[a_gentle_boy]

I'm almost fifteen.

[He says firmly, as if this is justification for anything.]

And it's not politics. It's about what's going to happen to lots of people who are suffering right now... It doesn't matter if they're from Gigas or not.

[Which probably just goes to show that Rincewind has read Union's culture pretty well.]

[morituri_nolumus_mori]

Oh. Fifteen, eh? Let me tell you something about being fifteen- it's less than half of what I am now, an' I didn't get here by telling magi what they can and can't do.

Take it from me, kid, it ain't worth sticking your neck out. You'll live a lot longer not showing it where people have a habit of shooting crossbows or swinging sharp, pointy things.

[ Sorry Lucas, Rincewind is...probably not the best role model. ]

[a_gentle_boy]

...If all we were interested in was living longer, we'd shut ourselves up behind the walls and never talk to anyone.

And then you wouldn't have got here at all.

[morituri_nolumus_mori]

[ He nods ] I didn't say I'm happy with the idea, did I?

[a_gentle_boy]

[...Lucas blinks for a moment or two at this response.]

Well.

If you've been learning about Union, I can tell you something else. ...We usually aim too high. Most of the time, it works out, though, so that's alright.

...Are you from Sanctuary, then? You sound like you are.

[morituri_nolumus_mori]

Yeah, that's right. Lived there all my life. [ drearily ] I wish I could say it was all rather dull, but it wasn't on account of all the soldiers.

[a_gentle_boy]

I guess you probably didn't hear about the Homunculus program before?

[It seemed unlikely.]

Do you have any idea what kind of magic could be involved? It all sounds... well, more like a story to us.

[morituri_nolumus_mori]

Oh, I've not-heard a thing. Same as everyone. All of us not-hearin'.

[ ignorance is bliss... feigned ignorance worked just as well. Rincewind has very little idea what the project was actually about, only that very powerful people were working on it and, generally, it's extremely unwise to bother said persons. ]

[a_gentle_boy]

[Somehow, everything Rincewind said sounded faintly insincere and sarcastic, so Lucas squints for a moment at that response.]

...Well. OK.

Would you... have any idea what kind of magic would be involved if you wanted to do something like that?

[morituri_nolumus_mori]

Strong magic, I think. It would take a lot of power and moral ambiguity too. [ He thinks...and ponderously offers: ] And, I reckon, an overabundance of eccentricity.

You know, old Magi, mad with power, too much time on their hands. Really, it's all a mess I'd rather not get mixed into.

[ very helpful, that Rincewind. ]

[a_gentle_boy]

I think I'm beginning to see...

[Lucas is starting to think that Rincewind is only here because it's the furthest distance from Sanctuary he could get, geographically, without being out in the wilds.]

Anyway, we've got to make a decision about this. And it's alright if you don't want to help, but a lot of us don't feel the same way, so.... If you can think of any information at all, please let us know.

[morituri_nolumus_mori]

[ Lucas is absolutely, 100% correct ]

Right, I'll just proffer everything I know, no strings attached. Never mind my being one of the only magi around. That won't turn any heads.

[ he sighs ]

All I know is common knowledge or, better yet, common sense. No one ever wants to hear that.

[a_gentle_boy]

That would be really appreciated...! You're one of the only people who would know anything about it, after all.

[Lucas has decided that no one can possibly this cynical and takes it as completely sincere instead.]

Even your common knowledge is different than ours.

[morituri_nolumus_mori]

[ Rincewind couldn't understand where the citizens of Union got it! Their boundless optimism permeated the air. It was like a spore that was released at the first drop of the cold, hard facts of life. An optimistic little spore that wafted through the air and had a way of clinging to one's tongue, leaving a taste of residual cheer. ]

[ Rincewind decided it must be in the water. Funny water always did strange things to people. ]

Sure then. I'll get right on it.

[ He doesn't move ]