Subjects of Travance proposed contract

MY lords, ladies, commoners, friends, and mortals. I brung you the first draft of our contract.



Collaborative Agreement
Purpose of the Agreement :
The Abyssal Lord of Fire aka Mother, The Abyssal Lord of Ice aka Jailor and Travance which herein includes all Nobles of Kormyre, subjects and visiting nobility, commoners and laypersons from any land/time within the borders of the Barony during the terms of the contract, all have agreed to work together to return the Abyssal Lord of Earth aka Kalen Maitel to his proper throne in order to forestall any unbalance. This agreement describes their understandings and commitments to this collaborative effort.
Scope and Duration:
The Abyssal Lord of Fire aka Mother, The Abyssal Lord of Ice aka Jailor and Travance will work together to restore Kalen to the Throne of Earth in the Abyss. This agreement will guide the collaboration for the period beginning upon signature and ending once Kalen once again resides on the Throne of Earth in the Abyss. The scope and duration of the collaboration may not be extended.
Decision-making structure & authority:
All significant decisions regarding the collaboration will require agreement by all three collaborative partners. Significant decisions will include decisions regarding services provided through collaboration, the nature of the services to be provided, and decisions regarding seeking and using means to carry out collaboration activities. Parties will each identify one person within their own organization to serve on the Leadership Committee for the collaboration. Each member of the Leadership Committee will be authorized to represent their organization in joint collaborative decision-making. Each organization will be responsible for ensuring that the person granted authority to represent their organization is kept informed regarding the operation of the collaboration and the identification of issues for joint discussion. Each participating organization will make all parties to the collaboration aware of any limits in the authority of their representative to bind their organization to collaborative decisions and will establish a clear process for their representative to use to become fully capable of committing the organization. The Leadership Committee will agree upon an effective structure for operational management of collaborative activities and efforts. Each member of the Leadership Committee will keep their organization informed of collaborative progress and actively seek feedback regarding the collaboration from within their organization. Leadership Committee members will regularly discuss the progress of the collaborative effort and regularly share feedback from their respective organizations in order to ensure clear communication, issue identification, and problem resolution.
Resource Commitment to the Collaboration:
Each participating organization has agreed to commit resources to the collaboration. All participating organizations will contribute:
The time and effort required for consistent representation of and participation by the organization on the Leadership Committee;
The resources of their organization required to ensure fulfillment of specific commitments described below;
Specifically, each organization agrees to provide the resources described below:
The Abyssal Lords of Fire and Ice will provide the information by which to defeat the Abyssal Legionnaires without transferring their power to the Abyssal Lord of Earth whilst he remains on the Prime Material Plane
The Abyssal Lords of Fire and Ice will additionally facilitate the expulsion of said Legionnaires from the Abyssal Plane of Earth at pre-determined times so as coordinate with when Travance is ready to face them.
The Abyssal Lords will provide information to create object (s) to contain Kalen Maitel and cut him off from his Abyssal Powers.
The Abyssal Lords will facilitate the return of Kalen Maitel to Travance proper at a pre-determined time so as coordinate with when Travance is ready to face him
The Abyssal Lords will provide such protections as they may while Travance escorts Kalen Maitel to his rightful throne
The Abyssal Lords will provide the knowledge and means to close the portal to the Abyssal Plane of Earth once Kalen has been placed on his throne
Travance will provide manpower to fight and defeat Abyssal Legionnaires at agreed-upon time
Travance will provide manpower to complete object with which to contain and cut Kalen off from his Abyssal Powers
Travance will provide manpower to subdue and restrain Kalen Maitel at pre-determined time
Travance will provide manpower to return Kalen Maitel, whilst subdued, to his Throne in the Abyssal Plane of Earth
Travance agrees to expediently leave the Abyss once Kalen is placed upon his throne

Cessation of Hostilities
All parties agree to a cessation of hostilities with one another for the duration of this contract. As added incentive, the Abyssal Lords of Fire and Ice further agree to cease any offensive actions on the Prime Material Plane for the duration of six months upon the completion of terms outlined herein.*
Binding Agreement
All parties agree that this agreement is binding and agree to defend intent of this contract against any and all, from without or within, who would seek to disrupt, derail or sabotage the goal of the contract.

Signed this first day of December 1217 with free will and upright intent:

Abyssal Lord of Fire:_________________________________________________

Abyssal Lord of Ice:____________________________________________________

Travance:____________________________________________________________






*Abyssal Lords cannot be held responsible for minions of any Plane of the Abyss other than their own. Additionally, Abyssal Lords cannot be held responsible for any being, mortal or Abyssal acting in their Name without express permission or against the wishes of said Abyssal Lord.

Your good pal
Q'aare'zl

I will have nothing to do with this. Further, I categorically reject anyone's attempt to bind me to this agreement.

Well Valosian I understand your disregard of contracts and binding agreement. They must infuriate you but you are one and your lands like mine have a hierarchy that is enforced.

Your good pal
Q'aare'zl

Honestly we think a deal could be reasonably struck. BUT, this deal is simply terrible. This is a work order with no substantial pay, wherein the only real assistance given is in information. The pay offered, six months of no harassment, and hinders the approaching parties in no way. For this amount of WORK we would be doing, they should be in monetary ruins. This contract is nothing more than a fantasy, and I would say major reworkings would be needed to make this beneficial in any substantial way.
This is only my observation, we would encourage a revision to be more cooperative with the effort put.
As of now I stand, speaking for ourself, disappointingly at no. I expected more intelligence be put into this writing.

That is a trap. We offer money, objects of power, and favors, you'll play the men of honor and take umbrage. We ask you to do what is right, you'll play the "hero" refusing to work with demons because of your mortals bias. I would expect more from an Ebon Hound.

Q'aare'zl

I apologize for offense Champion of house Tenebrous. I was merely suggesting that I heard your Order was willing to do whatever it takes to survive and last month that man claimed to be one of yours. You are far more menacing and vile then I could ever be please do not destroy my existence.

Leliana you are such a clever and funny mortal your jest truly wounds me. Thank you for that pain and lesson in humility. I do not deserve such a thought abd effort on your part

Your pal
Q'aare'zl

Q'aare'zl,

Ahh you see, but it is something just as what Leliana speaks that is needed. Where hers may be at an extreme, this contract poses another. I will let Cyfihi speak on terms of the Hounds opinion and stance. I simply state my own as I have prior.

This contract could be seen as insulting, It is a terrible business deal, on top of a bad deal none the less.

Cyfihi correct me if i'm wrong in saying. That the Hound is willing to do what is necessary, but we do not do so blindly.

There is a level of inelegance needed when approaching such matters; from what I have read, logic would say this deal heavily swings in favor of you masters.

Q'aare'zl i'm honestly fond of you, don't soil that by overstepping yourself.

Glangsdale. Balfurius. Xualla.

When those posted here all agree there’s nothing more needs saying than this. No.

But add to it a mere Mercenary Commander... who deals in contracts daily.

In service,

Cmd. B. Drexel
Blood Spirits

(OOG NOT BROGAN)
Karl
I would humbly ask why has the Abyssal Court of Air not offered aid? They too would be in unbalance and they are most devastating in a war with Earth to begin with no? Perhaps you could explain to a humble merchant the weaknesses of the courts so our town could prepare better? Also is it not still fact that should demon make a contract they have to honor that contract to the letter? I remember a story back in my homelands of demons and contracts. That the contract becomes some sort of binding ritual or some such thing. Perhaps a sorcerer could weigh in on such claims if this is not just a tale.

Humbly
Amir

I do not like the terms of this contract, or the thought of dealing with demons at all. Might I remind all of you that demons are creatures of Negative Energy. I cannot foresee an "agreement" with them ending well. This deal essentially puts us at their beck and call, and while we do benefit from returning Kalen to the Abyss and keeping him away from the plane of Faerie, my cousin Moostrav is right. This is a work order, not a deal.

Amir you are truly an intelligent mortal and ask the right questions. The Lord of air is flighty and honestly doesn't care they would not stoop so low to work with mortals. It has not seen the power you weird like we have. You are correct contracts are binding we must follow agreemen's entered willingingly. The Abyssal Lord of Pacts enforces the power is binding.

Trust me my master and the lord of ice dont want to work with you. They find it veneath them to ask mortals for help. I proposed this idea remembering how you tried to help me take the throne of fire against my will. I figured you would help do the right thing now. It is a deal, if the demons do all the work all the Abyssal forces will spill over to your plane. Think about this when the war occurs demons will flee and they will flee here. I am and my lady are trying to keep her power in the Abyss by directly confronting this threat it will not be contained to the abyss. It is a mutual benefit.

Q'aare'zl

I understand not why a contract would be necessary in the first place. If it is truly mutual benefit, and the Abyssal creatures fully comprehend the way Travance feels about being annihilated (we put down the threat, time and time again), then why would a contract be necessary? Why would you not give us the information and force upon us the various Legionnaires, and Kalen Maitel himself, so that we would be obligated to perform the tasks outlined? The prospect of a contract has obviously made everyone wary, seeing the high possibility of things going against the favor of Travance.

If you wish to not be destroyed utterly by Kalen Maitel's avaricious endeavors, and you are certain Travance cannot handle the task alone, then I cannot comprehend why you would not simply offer us the assistance. It is quite obvious that Travance would take down threats appropriately if you sent them our way. I say nay to your deals.

~Ergos

P.S. Mantel, I have been reading a lot. It takes some time to write these out without errors but I think I have been doing pretty well.

We were trying something different. We still could do all you outlined but we wanted to be as transparent as possible. Look at how you spit in the face of us not being duplicitous. We are securing a contract so that you do not turn on us. Many have expressed there rightfully earned hatred. Why not secure your word to not turn on us when we are helping you. You mortals point out the other demon lords will cease power in the gap but did you not think that they would be dedicating their power to be fighting as well. Again you are smart and clever mortal. Always full of surprising insight.
Q'aare'zl

Q'aare'zl-

You state, and I quote:

All parties agree that this agreement is binding and agree to defend intent of this contract against any and all, from without or within, who would seek to disrupt, derail or sabotage the goal of the contract.

And

Abyssal Lords cannot be held responsible for minions of any Plane of the Abyss other than their own. Additionally, Abyssal Lords cannot be held responsible for any being, mortal or Abyssal acting in their Name without express permission or against the wishes of said Abyssal Lord.

By your own definitions, you will not guarantee our protection from those who act against the will of the contract as long as they work without being in the knowledge of your Master or the Master of ice. Will you uphold the same if there are those on the mortal plane who actively work against your masters without the knowledge of the signers and hold no fault of Travance?

Hello!

Thank you for sending this, and I hope tranvance will come to agreement with you.
Personally I would love to take this contract, and this Accord and parlay, but others may not. I sincerely thank you for taking out your time to speak and personally I would take this contract in hopes for a brighter future.

You are clever again Cara. The lords have theit Legionaires and your baron and lords have their knights and squires who act in their masters name. Like I work in Mothers name therefore will follow what is written. Though another minor demon may do what they can or those on your plane not know. We can't police that, you wouldn't want more us to come to your plane and do such a thing. I imagine if the Travancian leader or representitive signs then those who are knights, squires, other nobles must uphold their leaders decision and word. I imagine if they break the subvertly and are caught they will be dealt with? Since they aren't following the contract would not benefit from its protection.

Q'aare'zl
P.S. good catch I like to watch you mortals squirm out of agreements like demons

I say again that, we should open up ourselves and accept the help that they're trying to give us. If we could learn to work together imagine the possibilities of what we can do?

Q'aare'zl-

An additional question. If my knowledge of demons and the abyss are correct, time does not flow the same there as here in the Material Mortal Plane. By what standard of time are we determining 6 months?

Kaiva- you are very brave being the first dissenting voice and hopefully others that agree with you will come forward to show their opinions so that all sides can be heart evenly by the barony to make an educated decision that is best for Travance and its subjects.

If you could see my impish grin you would know how I admire you Cara. What a good question. Well I imagine it would be far more beneficial to you mortals to be 6 months of your planes time.

Q'aare'zl

Many of my compatriots disagree with this alliance on a purely fundamental level. As Demons are consistantly a source of mayhem and death to the mortals of the Prime Material.

I agree with this sentiment.

But more than that, you seem to have left out the parts where the Abyssal Lords and their allies are barred from gaining the power that Kalen is cut off from.

I have little doubt that the items you provide will indeed cut off the Earthen Lord from his power, and I know that in the interests of collaboration any power you gain from our mutual foe will be used to help put Kalen back in the Abyss. As per our agreement of course.

And the ceasing of hostilities you so graciously offered all but guarantees no conflict on the Prime Material once Kalen is back on the Throne.

So if fully expect a knife in our backs while our forces are NOT on the Prime Material, but in the Abyss at the end of the arrangment with Kalen returned to his Throne, I hope you understand.

And you’ll give this message right to your Master, Karl.

The people of Arawyn can, have always, and will continue to stand on their own against your kind. Your days are numbered, Mother. And it won’t be a God or an army that does you in.

Svarta kjálkurinn kemur fyrir þig, móðir. Óttast nafnið og þekkið það vel. Ég mun vera endirinn þinn. Ég sver það.

Wowwy Zowwy silly north man. I will not bring that message to her cause it is hurtful and mean spirited. We aren't going to be hostile while you help us and 6 months after seems pretty clear. The lords will stop Kalen from getting his power back from the legionaires. Once he returns to the abyss Kalen will gain his power back from them but that is part of drawing him in.

Farðu heima hvolpur. Baráttan þín er ekki hjá henni.

Q'aare'zl
P.S. I love north men who consult with magic to learn about demons. It is the best.

Better a dog than a bitch, imp.

Q'aare'zl-

Please oblidge a silly mortal what may perhaps be an obvious answer.

I believe My zealous friend was only attempting to ask the following question- Will your Masters and Lords also guarantee and provide protection to those who assist with escorting Kalen back to his Abyssal Throne while they are outside this plane? Your contract only states that they will not bring harm on the prime material plane. That leaves a wide open area of questioning, especially for those who might stray from that plane in order to protect and uphold this contract.

No no no, you are the least silly mortal. I appreciate your dedication to fixing the contract. My master and the Lord ice will protect those going to the abyss from its more harmful effects to those beholden to the contract. You will just have to deal with the natives but not the life threatening extremes. Obviously thosee who break the contract will be forfeit the protection.

Q'aare'zl

Q'aare'zl

What of the period of time between the moment of contact between Kalen's royal rump and the moment of Travance's "expedient" departure from the Abyss? As written in the current draft, this (hopefully) short period of time is left unprotected allowing for hostilities between our three parties to occur freely within the Abyssal Plane of Earth until Travance's departure.

Current Draft:

"Scope and Duration:
The Abyssal Lord of Fire aka Mother, The Abyssal Lord of Ice aka Jailor and Travance will work together to restore Kalen to the Throne of Earth in the Abyss. This agreement will guide the collaboration for the period beginning upon signature and ending once Kalen once again resides on the Throne of Earth in the Abyss. The scope and duration of the collaboration may not be extended."

Suggested Amendment:

"Scope and Duration:
The Abyssal Lord of Fire aka Mother, The Abyssal Lord of Ice aka Jailor and Travance will work together to restore Kalen to the Throne of Earth in the Abyss. This agreement shall be effective upon signature and up to and including Travance's safe and expedient departure from the Abyss after ensuring Kalen once again resides on the Throne of Earth in the Abyss. The scope and duration of the collaboration may not be extended."

Additionally, since you have already compared yourself to the Knighthood to Mother's Ladyship, I request that you grant Travance the same respect you have granted the Abyssal Legions of Fire and Ice. You have listed "Travance," for our required signature, but listed your Abyssal Lords' signatures for yours. I am sure Mother would be absolutely enraged were she bound to such an agreement by an imp as lowly as yourself signing your name, thereby binding her entire Abyssal Court to said agreement, by the wording therein.

Please, I ask that you grant us that honor, and allow only the signature of our highest representative, His Excellency, Victor Sylus, Baron Travance, or his expressly reported Second, to be permissible and valid for the purposes of ratifying and enacting this agreement. With His Excellency's backing behind the agreement, we will be far more equipped to enforce its compliance among our own people.

With Respect,
--Mantel Warrane

Additionally, as an aside, listing "Visiting Nobility" among those bound to this contract rather paradoxically binds Abyssal Lord Kalen Maitel of the Earth Throne, and Prince of the Earth Court, to our part of the deal, if he happens to still rest within our borders.

If your intent is to cover the Nobility of Winterdark and Kormyre, I am sure that we could provide a more comprehensive list for the purposes of this agreement.

Just trying to be helpful!
--Mantel Warrane

You are quite observant, but if your people become hostile in the Abyss our protections will no longer aid you there. Second point I am overseeing they will sign the contract themselves the Lords of the Abyss. I cannot bind them to this contract they are extra planar creature far out of the scope. Do not be silly. This is only beholden to you mortals.

Q'aare'zl

Ah, but if your brethren become hostile in the Abyss, then our armistice is just as annulled, now isn't it?

Again. Our bureaucracy, though not backed metaphysically, works identically to your own. Only His Excellency, Victor Sylus, Baron Travance, can in this instance be held to the same standard as the signatures you have requested of your own brethren.

--MW