The Nagarythe trip plan from what I recall is to have the Coin set to Protector so Mathilde could gain enough Nagarythe favor in order to be able to get more invitations to return. The major problem with this plan is that Mathilde might get unlucky and gain no or little favor, not enough to be invited back. A way to ensure that she can gain enough favor would be to ask these Druichii emisaries about Druichii raiding on Nagarythe and with this knowledge Mathilde would be able to time her Nagarythe trip to when major raiding is going on.
Warhammer Fantasy: Divided Loyalties - an Advisor's Quest
- Thread starter Boney
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Voted best in category in the Users' Choice awards.
Not all Druchi talk to each other, I think the odds of these people knowing anything that would be specific to whatever part of Nagarythe we get sent off to is rather low.
- Location
- UK
Personally, I like the Asur. They have their flaws, as do all factions in this universe, but they have their positives too, and they are in the end an Order faction. In fact, I would love to deal more with the Asur, see more Asur characters and develop a deeper relationships with them!
Unfortunately, they are currently in bed with a faction that has made what is perhaps one or two steps away from existential threats towards the Empire of Man, if I'm understanding the blockade threat properly, out of pure greed. And the High Elves have no significant reason or desire to change this policy. We kind of have to consider them in a potentially hostile light, because it's very, very possible we will be fighting them in the near future. Which sucks! What I would love to have happen, is something like this:
Dials... Ring ring ring.... ring ring ring...
"Hi there Ulthuan, yeah Sigmar's Empire here. Yeah, Laurelorn says hi. So anyway, it turns out your ancient, hated rivals the Druchii are here trying to court us? Yeah, it's really weird to us too, and we really don't want to accept their aid, but we're kind of in a super desperate situation here because Marienburg, yeah the guys you backed back then, well they're threatening to starve half of our population. I know, crazy right? And, considering what happened last time we tried to fight them, we can't really afford not to accept all the aid we can get. I don't suppose you would be up to offering a better deal? Yeah, pulling away support from Marienburg would be great, we wouldn't have to consider Druchii military aid with that... and the trade? Well mostly trade for trade is fine, but we've kind of been left high and dry in the magic department for a few lifetimes now, yeah, our lifetimes of course, which means they're offering a kind of unique resource there so... Oh wow! Wizard Dad's coming home!? He finally found that milk? Great! Yeah, forget about the Druchii, no prob no prob. Yeah, just unfriended them. Well, we'll prep the ports for your diplomats and traders and dust off Dads old room... Yeah. No prob. Yeah, it's been great talking to you, same time next week? Great! See you then!"
Click... Dials... Ring ring ring.... ring ring ring...
"Hey, Marienburg. Fuck you."
Click.
That's the dream obviously, not something for certain, and there's definite potential pitfalls of various types, but even if highly unlikely I don't see it being impossible, so I would like to explore such a possibility rather than dismiss it outright.
As for sympathy for the Druchii, I think 'sympathy' is a very strong word for what's been happening. More we've just been trying to view them as actual potential diplomatic actors that we might be able to interact with and utilise in ways that go beyond killing and stealing their shit.
Edit: 'Existential threat' is apparently much too far, but still, not fun. Could possibly change the argument to "We need to make up for this crippling of trade somehow, if the Druchii approach us with such opportunities we are not in a situation we can easily say no," or something to that effect.
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Yeah, that's the ideal situation, especially if we can squeeze some "goodwill" gifts out of the Druchii in advance, such as useful magic lore (remember, Mathilde and the Grey Order are super paranoid, they'll be triple checking everything they get by default) or actionable info on a reaver fleet so we can crush it with our navy.
deathofrats0808
Don’t think of it as dying; just as leaving early
- Location
- Earth
The threat from the blockade is that it pushes prices up IIRC. The Emprie isn't going to face widespread famine or large shortages of materiel, but it will need to pay more for these things, and people will suffer for it. Is it good? No. Is it even close to an existential threat? Also no.
Just keep in mind they are used to working with far more extreme paranoia honed over centuries or millennia. To the extent we have an advantage over the Druchi it is that they might underestimate the mayflies and not bring their A game.
Also we are not even sure they are in bed. From what the Chancelor has said Ulthuan is maintaining strategic ambiguity.
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Ganurath
Literal Enthusiast
- Location
- A Valid Location
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Harathi's bullying also hinted that the Sorceress isn't actually representing Morathi, but a counterpart in Clar Karond, which is likely Anethra Helbane.
Goodwill gifts from the Druchii would make them have to hurt us when we scorned them, as otherwise they would get mocked.
The Phoenixian
The Glacier Witch
- Location
- My own little world
You know, one thing that is that strikes me about the Druchii here is that they may not be a comically, absurdly dysfunctional evil empire in this take on the setting...
But they're still a very classic kind of empire. According to the way historians call such things anyways: Everything about them we've seen here is about extracting resources and protection from the extremities of society --- It's borders, foreign nations on it's exterior, even the way magic is taught to those below royalty --- to empower or protect the core. And quite frequently, through coercion and force of arms, at that.
And, of course, these are their diplomats: Their fairest face. I suspect if we looked at them in any detail we'd see that their sins are all the sins of any empire in our own world, and an empire's sins are neither sparse nor fleeting. There's a reason countries in the modern day don't tend to call themselves empires anymore.
So, yeah, I suppose my point is that just because it looks on the face of it more reasonable and functional than we expected from canon, doesn't make it any nicer. It just means there's a basis to understand how such a society works, how it's likely to see things, and what it's likely to try. (and, perhaps to question why it differs, given how Critical-Existence-Failure-prone real world empires tend to be)
But they're still a very classic kind of empire. According to the way historians call such things anyways: Everything about them we've seen here is about extracting resources and protection from the extremities of society --- It's borders, foreign nations on it's exterior, even the way magic is taught to those below royalty --- to empower or protect the core. And quite frequently, through coercion and force of arms, at that.
And, of course, these are their diplomats: Their fairest face. I suspect if we looked at them in any detail we'd see that their sins are all the sins of any empire in our own world, and an empire's sins are neither sparse nor fleeting. There's a reason countries in the modern day don't tend to call themselves empires anymore.
So, yeah, I suppose my point is that just because it looks on the face of it more reasonable and functional than we expected from canon, doesn't make it any nicer. It just means there's a basis to understand how such a society works, how it's likely to see things, and what it's likely to try. (and, perhaps to question why it differs, given how Critical-Existence-Failure-prone real world empires tend to be)
Mopman43
Mountain-Hermit of Nitpeak
- Location
- Vermont
I mean, that is in bed.
If they didn't want Marienburg to continue to exist, they'd just tell the Empire that the alliance is over.
As it stands, they're happy profiting from the relationship while not committing to defending Marienburg if the Empire went full-hog on reconquest.
In fairness to the Grey Order, their institutional paranoid has been compared in strength to Ranald's ability to perfectly, divinely, lie. Whilst I have no doubt that Morathi might be able to overcome that, we are not working with Morathi, but with a faction several steps removed from her. I have no doubt that the Grey Order can out intrigue the average Sorceress—especially if you are right and they do underestimate us.
For example, the Sorceress we spoke to didn't think it was possible that Morathi might be working against the Dark Covenant until Harathi suggested she was teaching them the wrong techniques. Mathilde worries about Algard scheming against her at least three times a day.
"It's not paranoia of they really are out to get you". The Druchii think they understand this, because they are all racing to be the first one to "get" you. The Grey Order knows, deep in their souls, that yes, "they" are out there, waiting to "get" you, and you can never be too prepared for "them".
... Okay, that last bit got a bit convoluted, but I hope you get what I mean.
i mean sure, but that is the minimal commitment they could make and it makes perfect logical sense for them to make it. Even in the best case scenario of imperial conquest that port is all but assured to be damaged, thus harming their economy. Preventing war, which also incidentally prevents the humans from fighting each other over more pressing threats is a no brainier for the Asur so long as they can do so at the cost of no resources. Compare and contrast the risks of trying to work with Druchi.
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Mopman43
Mountain-Hermit of Nitpeak
- Location
- Vermont
Are you really going to suggest that Ulthuan supports Marienburg for the Empire's own good?
I am suggesting they might think so, they are certainly not above being that patronizing. The Druchi are monsters, the Asur suffer from 'Elf's Burden'.
Tasoli
Life is for Living
- Location
- Behind the Keyboard.
I think it is more about keeping Empire out of the high seas than anything. They can ignore the Empire as it stands and Marienburg is fine with following their lead for most things. But Empire on the seas would be a headache if it starts elsewhere on the world.
That is probably a concern as well, though to be honest I think the immediate concerns of the merchant houses who do not want the port damaged has primacy since they are the people on the ground so most of the news the Phoenix Court gets on this is likely to be from them. I don't really see Mr Ninja Assassin giving detailed reports to balance them out.
- Location
- somewhere over there.
- Pronouns
- They/It
No, but every human dead in a conflict between them is one less available to fight against chaos, druchii, beastmen, etc.
- Location
- being near locations is my passion.
This is absurd.
We unfriend the Druchii after Wizard Dad comes home.
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Codex
Fantasy Addict
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Weren't they the ones who were vital in the process of destroying the Imperial detachment in Grootscher Marsh? I don't think they care that much considering how many humans they killed back there.
deathofrats0808
Don’t think of it as dying; just as leaving early
- Location
- Earth
It might be, but that seems unlikely tbh. Why are they so concerned about the Empire specifically?
K von Carstein
Likes to go for a walk
- Location
- Belgium
- Pronouns
- He
Yes, exactly. That's why it's likely those elf mages can delve much deeper into the study of their chosen Winds than we ever could (chisel hands notwithstanding).
Most elf mages don't learn Qaysh, they simply learn the parts of magic that interest them or that they need.
Tasoli
Life is for Living
- Location
- Behind the Keyboard.
Not Empire specifically except Empire made very easy to put a spike to their sea power so High Elves are taking advantage to keep one more power moving on the high seas and making whole stiutation more complex. So why noot land lock them? No loss for Ulthan as thing stand.
I mean these are the same elves that was concerned that Collages of Magic would be turned on them so asked Teclis to not teach some spells like mist spells their ships use.
They are not called mages if they are not learning Qaysh. It is others that learn a bit of magic. Like Blacksmith learning chamon etc.
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One would not necessarily have to worry about the colleges turning on the Asur to ask Teclis to hold back lore. Humans do have this nasty tendency to fall to Chaos, not least because the Dark Gods like humans most among their followers and any Black Magister would of course carry that elf lore with them.
deathofrats0808
Don’t think of it as dying; just as leaving early
- Location
- Earth
Except all they did was help make it so the ships that were on the sea were flying Marienburg's flag instead. And the Empire built a new Second Fleet out of Nordland. Like, splitting off Marienburg from the Empire has made the Empire muck weaker at sea, true, but if anything, it's probably increased the overall number of ships, and it's definitely increased the number of powers on the sea.
Marienburg is a lot more dependent on Ulthuan's good grace than the Empire would be since it would have the backing of a much larger land-bound economy. It gives Ulthuan a more malleable trade partner and they prefer to use soft power since hard power comes at a high price in lives they can ill afford to pay.