The Incredible John

Colonial Powers NRP

I actually just pulled that one out of my butt. xD Although I plan for stuff now that are larger than the Dont financial problem. >:)

Colonial Powers NRP

gowia said
John, is it possible that we do the meeting between Otto and Duke Hemmlar V of Corleonn on titanpad.

Sure thing.

Colonial Powers NRP

It had been two weeks since the ambassador from the northern kingdom left and the message was sent to the President of Dont about the aid the alliance was sending to his crumbling country. A message came back a week later after the ambassador left, a message from the king of Azvanor himself and another message from President Von Kliebb of Dont. The messages arrived to Grudden directly, arriving as fast as the currents that carried the ships and as fast as the horses that carried them. Duke Kollin II, being the acting leader of the Corleonn-Warrus-Grudden-Nollin alliance saw, opened the letters and read them. Whatever those letters held inside, it worried the Duke so much that he had to summon another meeting of his colleagues. The Dukes and heads of parliament of the other duchies came within a week. There was no welcoming ceremony, not even the simplest one. Time was of the essence and a meeting was held immediately. As soon as the members were seated and they were served refreshments, Duke Kollin II and Arssius Peckler entered the room with the letters in the Duke's hands.

"What is the meaning of this Ferras?" Duke Hemmlar V immediately asked after the Duke and Peckler took their seats.

"Read this." Duke Kollin II answered as he placed the letters on top of a table in front of the men. The men other noticed that the seals that held the letters closed were opened. One by one they read the letter and they all saw the gravity of the situation. The first letter to be discussed was from the Dont president. This matter held frustration for the majority of the alliance members.

"5,000,000,000 Dont Dollars? Is this man insane?!" Ranted Von Mannchier. "Is our armies not enough for him? How will he gamble this money this time? We surely aren't going to give him this, am I correct?"

"We are." Answered Duke Kollin II. "In fact this has only furthered our plans."

"How!?" A frustrated and clearly angry Duke Kavlar answered.

"Because we are going to use this money as an incentive." Duke Hemmlar V answered. He quickly picked up on Kollin II's plan as soon as the Duke of Grudden spoke. "Before, both of Dont and the duchies would tax the mine owners that used employed the Dont miners. Our payment to his country would serve as a loan that he would have to repay somehow. He would repay it by letting us tax the mine owners exclusively, until his debt is paid by the labor of the foreign miners in our duchies."

"Exactly Sir Hemmlar. We would put an interest on this loan of 10 percent I think. This would allow as to tax the mine owners solely for even longer. It's brilliant." Duke Kollin II remarked.

The other members of the alliance saw the genius in this plan. They then moved on to the next letter. This matter concerned most them a lot. The letter was from Azvanor, from King Philip Duloire himself. The King has stated that any militaristic actions taken on Dont would be seen as an act of war against Azvanor herself. This is not what the alliance had in mind. A war with her closest ally to the north would be bad enough but it might also start a revolution in Dont that might take aggressive actions against the alliance. All eyes turned to Duke Kollin II for answers.

"I know what you are all thinking, an envoy must be sent to Azvanor to clarify our intentions with the king." Duke Kollin II stated.

"But who would you send?" Sir Koplar asked.

"I will go there personally. I've already written and sent a letter to King Duloire himself of my visit to Azvanor. I will leave tommorow. But I need somebody to negotiate with Von Kliebb himself."

All eyes turned to Duke Hemmlar V. The old man let out a heavy sigh as he knew what he's job would be.

"Excellent. Then Sir Hemmlar, you would travel to Dont and negotiate with Von Kliebb. Gentlemen, I could only hope for all our sake that this venture of ours works." Duke Kollin II said and the meeting was adjourned. The next day, Duke Kollin II headed for the port town of Jesper to sail for Azvanor. Duke Hemmlar V met with the Supreme Commander Lipeche III, who had 10, 500 soldiers ready to march for Dont. They would depart the following day after that. With them, they carried gold bars equal to 5,000,000,000 Dont Dollars. The rest of the alliance members wait for the news of their companions progress.
*****

TL;DR:
*Duke Ferras Kollin II of Grudden and Head of the Alliance of the Four Duchies heads for Azvanor to seek a council with King Philip Duloire and try to defend their actions of sending 10, 500 men into the Republic of Dont.
*Duke Hemmlar V of Corleonn is heading towards Dont along with Supreme Commander Lipeche III and 10, 500 under the dictator's command. Along with them, they carry gold bars equal to 5,000,000,000 Dont Dollars. Duke Hemmlar V would try to negotiate a deal with Present Otto Von Kliebb on how to repay the amount lent to his county.

Colonial Powers NRP

*****
Ambassador Martin decided he found the Alliance's way of welcoming foreign dignitaries to be a very interesting custom. Peculiar of course but altogether appreciated. He was a young man in the prime of his youth with an appetite to match his stamina but the 15 daughters of Duke Kollin had got the better of him. Their job had probably been to delay him whilst the Alliances' men hammered out a response to the appeal made by the government of Dont but right now he didn't mind, having alternated between youth and experience for the better part of two hours.

A wandering wise man had once told him that the only time a man is truly able to think was in a period of time after sexual satisfaction during which his thoughts were clear and unobstructed. If this was true he could only hope that this window would allow him enough time
to have a wash, get dressed and to meet the dignitaries.Of one thing he was certain, he was eager to discover the Alliance's farewell ceremonies.

Nevertheless he was a man eager to do his duty and after having very briefly met his Alliance counterparts and Duke Kollin who had so generously welcomed him he made his way to the council's meeting.
*****

It took a few more minutes before the ambassador entered the chambers. In his time of absence, the dukes and the parliament leaders further discussed their plans more thoroughly. Every word that would be said to the ambassador was inspected and changes were made so that their plan would sound very appeasing to the ears of the Azvanorian. As the young men entered, the men slowly hushed themselves. They all offered a formal introduction and welcomed Ambassador Martin inside. They could only hope that Kollin's daughters softened the man enough for what he was about to hear.

As business was discussed, Duke Kollin II and Duke Hemmlar V explained in great detail their plan to send 9,500 armed soldiers of the alliance to Dont. Immediately, the men gauged from the subtle expressions on the man's face that there would indeed be some indifference from the Azvanorian majority about the alliances plan. Duke Kollin II took the man's attention.

"You must understand that this army would pose no threat to the Dont citizens. It is no secret that we have a bit of a mistrust for Von Kliebb and he is not very trusting of us also. The only reason in fact that he asked us for help was that because he had no other people to turn to. This army we are sending are part of a plan to negotiate with the Dont president, to 'pursuade' him of a different course of action other than the one he is taking now. We are no more friends of the man than you and your people are."

The ambassador then understood that the alliance were planning to force the president's hand on something, something the alliance needed badly. What that is is still a complete mystery to the young man. Duke Kollin II tapped the man on the shoulder, happy that he finally knew their intent. The men spent a few more hours discussing on how the ambassador should go about explaining the alliance's plans for Dont to the king of Azvanor. The men gave the ambassador helpful 'advice on what he should report once he returns to his home country. Then trade agreements and economic matters were discussed. This particular subject cleared the air of the heavy atmosphere of uneasiness between the ambassador and the men of the alliance. Once they were satisfied, they shook the young boys hand as he prepared to depart back to Azvanor. The ceremonies for the exiting of honored guest were displayed and the young ambassador were given gifts from Grudden. Duke Nollin approached the young man as he rode his steed, preparing to depart.

"It was a pleasure, truly, to meet a young man as capable as yourself. The art of politics are said to usually be reserved for old men. You are quite an exemption to that saying." Duke Kollin II said and he gave a light laugh. "We wish to see you again here in Grudden. The doors of my home and of the other duchies are always open to our friends of the north. Farewell good sir."
As the man nodded and turned back, Duke Kollin II called his name again.

"I almost forgot Sir Martin, my daughters were so found of you that they couldn't stop telling so many tales about you. Naturally, when I told them you were leaving, they very disheartened. That is why they shall accompany you on your trip back home. I hope you do not mind?" The look on the young man's face said otherwise.
"Excellent, you shall be taking my ship on the port town of Jesper just a few miles north of here. It is the fastest ship of the sea. It would take you only a week before you reach the shores of Azvanor, muich faster than on land where you had to travel for almost a month, no? Take good care sir and please take good care of my daughters too."

As the ambassador departed from the estate, he was followed by a carriage painted maroon. It was then followed by the Duke's royal guards. Once the ambassador had departed, Kollin went back to his companions.

"Has he left?" Asked Duke Hemmlar V.
"Yes he has, along with my daughters." The Duke of Grudden answered.
"Lucky bastard." Von Mannchier said as he and the other men headed back inside the building.

The Superhero Guild

I have Megadeth to wake me up in the morning.
It's not as smooth as coffee but it gets the job done.

The Superhero Guild

I never really liked the taste of coffee.
Of course people tell me I'm crazy when I say I prefer tea.

The Superhero Guild

"I'll go in and check the situation, then I'll call you if it's safe or not." Collin told Simon, looking at a air conditioning vent as he did so. "If I'm not out or if you don't hear from me by 30 minutes, call for help. The cops shouldn't be that far off our tail. Once they get here, tell them to clear off the area, create a perimeter to make sure the snowman doesn't escape."

The two men nodded at each other and Simon wished Collin good luck as he climbed a dumpster bin and crawled inside the vent. As Simon got inside, he gagged as he smelled the fowl smelling air inside the shaft. He almost threw up as he took a whiff of air. This was one of those times he wished he didn't have his special abilities. He could smell and taste stagnation and decay, even tell what were decaying and stagnating. He cursed under his breathe as he gagged, desperately trying to hold his vomit from spilling out his mouth. Somebody on the coms frantically asked what was going on and if he found them. It was Orren and Collin told him he didn't find anything yet. He kept crawling, fighting the urge to throw up. Then as he made his way through a corner, he saw something that made him wish he didn't crawl up that damn vent. He was suddenly face to face with a dead rat, something he didn't much prefer to see.

"Son of a bitch." he yelled uncontrollably.

Somebody yelled into the coms about what was going on and it knocked Collin to the left side of the shaft. He then heard something giving way and then before he knew it, the entire part of the vent he was in dropped to the floor. He quickly crawled out and found a familiar face to greet him. As he got out, he saw the icy villain, surprised at what just happened. Collin stood up as the man was still in shock and to both of their surprises, threw up on his shoe.

"Sorry." Collin apologized and made a move for his stun gun. By the time he got it out and pointed it at the crook, he was knocked out cold by a slab of ice that the villain materialized out of his fist.

Colonial Powers NRP

Grand House of the Duke of Grudden
Norfolkke, Grudden

It was a cold morning at the Grudden capital of Norfolkke where the northern current blew harshly on the large city. The surrounding mountains funneled the air into a cold vortex strong enough to knock a child off his feet. Only a few souls walked the streets during this early, frigid hours of the day. Those who were out wore thick coats and covered their bodies with what clothing they had to protect their bodies from the unmerciful cold winds. As the winds howled and a light blanket of fog covered the the city, three carriages and a lone horseman entered the city. The sound of horse feet walking on the cobblestone street the sight of the wealthy riding in their carriages were not uncommon in the city but the sight of foreigners were. Windows opened as natives of the city caught a glimpse of the lavishly adorned carriages and well dressed horseman. The first carriage was painted light-blue, a nobility of Corleonn. The next was painted light-green, a nobility of the Warrus region. The last carriage was painted gray, a noble from Nollin. The last one was difficult for the natives of the city to distinguish and attracted the most attention. The symbols on the badges on his clothes were unlike any seen by the natives. The were all heading for the Grand House of the Duke of Grudden. As they got closer, they were followed by the Duke's Grand Guards. The horsemen in maroon uniforms and bearing their muskets guarded the party. They entered the estate, they were greeted by the royal garden and they stopped at the marble stairwell leading to the grand house itself. There they were warmly welcomed by the duke of Grudden himself, several companions and more guards.

"Greetings gentlemen, greetings. I'm sorry the weather couldn't be better but in a few hours or so, it should warm up." Duke of Grudden and current leader of the alliance, Ferras Kollin II, said.

"Still better than weather in Denparkke." jest Duke Amadeus Russeus Kavlar of Warrus as he stepped out of his carriage. The parliament leader of Warrus, Sir Daennis Koplar, chuckled at this as he too stepped out.

"I hope you at least have some warm drinks or some wine inside. I feel that I would die of frostbite any minute now." Duke Devrick Lovarr Ollisius of Nollin said, shaking as he got out of his carriage.

"I told you to bring at least a warm coat good Duke, but you would not listen." Sir Jodann Coppish, leader of the parliament of Nollin, humorously remarked.

"Please come inside, all of you. My house is far warmer then the weather here outside." Duke Kollin II invited them inside. As they got inside, the Duke's servants accommodated to their every need. Inside the house, different nobles of Grudden would indulge themselves with every pleasure they wished. They drank the finest Aznavorian wines, they smoked the finest tobacco imported from Bennipolis. They wore the finest clothes from around the continent. On a usual they, the halls of the building would be filled men and women indulging in sexual satisfaction but not today as they were guest. This was a far cry from the teachings of the church of Altaiya that they claim to worship. In fact if any of the priest of Aznavor came to any of the alliance capitals, they would be disgusted with how the nobles acted. From the look of the Aznavorian ambassador told Duke Kollin II that he may have been disgusted or at least shocked at what he was seeing.

"Sir Martin is it?" Duke Kollin asked. The man nodded and introduced himself formally. "It is a pleasure meeting you good sir. Welcome to Grudden and I hope you enjoy your stay here. I understand that you have some important matters to discuss with me and the rest of the alliance but we must discuss our own private matters first. I'm sorry for this and we will talk later. As for now, why don't you enjoy the company of my daughters. I'm sure they would make you at home."

Duke Kollin II called his daughters, all 15 of them. They approached their father and the diplomat slowly and elegantly. They wore the finest silk that their father could find for them and wore the finest fragrances from across the land. Their ages ranged from 37 to 15. They clearly neared themselves towards the ambassador.

"Ladies, this is Ambassador Martin of Aznavor. Give him good company as me and my companions discuss business. Take good care of him." Duke Kollin II said to his daughters and nodded at the ambassador. Clearly the man was fighting temptations but was weakening. As Duke Kollin II turned around, he had a sly smile on his face he could not restrain.

The Duke of Grudden entered the chamber were the other men were waiting. They had been served wine to combat the cool climate.

"Gentlemen, shall we begin?" Duke Kollin II asked.

"What happened to the boy?" Asked Fredrick Von Mannchier, leader of the parliament of Corleonn.

"The ambassador is in the company of my daughters. He would join us once we are done with our discussions." The Duke of Grudden answered.

"With your daughters? Those women? Poor soul, once he gets back to his home, he would be killed by their inquisition." Remarked Duke Kavlar.

"What happens here, stays here. There's no need for our uptight friends to the north to know of one of their own's actions here. Now, shall we get down to business. I'm sure most of you know why we are all here today."

"Because that fool Von Klibb is going to get ran off by his people if we do not help. That man had Corleonn inso much debt that it almost toppled the Duke and the parliament. How that man became in charge of an entire country is beyond me." Von Manchierr said.

"He did modernize our army and our navy and we did manage to bail your duchy before those merchants started a revolt." Duke Kollin II said.

"But why should we risk our neck for him? We don't need a larger army and the one he offers isn't very well trained." Responded Arssius Peckler, leader of the parliament of Grudden.

"Because dear boy, we have no need of their army. What we need is their workers. The miners of our duchies grow smaller and smaller as they find it more profitable to be merchants of the sea. Without workers, we'd lose our only source of wealth." Duke Hemmlar V of Corleonn answered before Duke Kollin II could.

"We need their cheap labor, those that wouldn't cause our mine owners too much trouble with wages. If we do that, we could tax them more." Kollin II answered.

They argued about helping Dont for a good half hour or so but eventually, they agreed to send aid to the nation. An important question was then asked.

"How much men do we send to Dont?" Duke Ollisius asked.

"Half of the alliances regular army should be enough." Duke Kollin II answered.

"Half of our army?! What of the Valentians to the south? What if they attacked us?" Asked Duke Ollisius.

"If they attacked us, the wolves from the different corners of their country would charge at them. They would have to turn back as soon as they settle on our soil." Duke Hemmlar V answered.

"So it's settled then? Aid the Dont government?" Duke Kollin II asked. A string of 'ayes' was his answer.

"I guess we would send Lipeche himself in charge of the entire operation?" Asked Sir Coppish.

"Yes, we shall see if he's rigorous training of our armed forces has paid off. A trail by fire." Duke Kollin II answered. The ambitious dictator was now about to have his chance to test his army. Kollin then called one of his servants and asked him to fetch the Azvanorian ambassador to the room. "Now we shall see if the Azvanorian would take this news pleasantly." Duke Kollin II said. "He doesn't, we could expect the rest of Azvanor to be recentful of our actions also."

The Superhero Guild

"Tell me something we don't know." Collin told Orren sarcastically as he began to freak out.

Collin took one final puff of his smoke and threw it on and ground. He stepped on it to put it out. He pulled out his pack, took a stick out, placed it on his mouth and lit it. His companions were clearly irritated by this but he didn't notice neither did he care. He sniffed the air around the area crawling low and getting his head near the ground.

"I have their scent. The hot weather should keep their scent relatively strong for an hour or so. That means I can track them down for at least a few more hours. I'm pretty sure Fenrir could track them too." Collin said, mostly talking to himself again. He then looked at Orren and then at the rest of the team.

"Me and Fenrir could track down the clown and Firefly but we would need some backup. We saw a demonstration of this guy's ability and he was at least cunning enough to lure two of ours into a trap. We could take Perdu with us but I need somebody to check if their suits still have their tracking devices on, just in case we loss their scent. Ichor and Fallout could do that, specially since Fallout needs to get his suit fixed or this city would end up like Pripyat." He took another deep breath of the intoxicating tobacco stick he held. "If everyone agrees with my plan, then let's get to work."

Colonial Powers NRP

Reporting for duty sarge.