General Outline:
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss Trade, and to assess what we can trade, and on the Bank’s part to see what Cathay can offer, also to introduce each other to our different ways of working. It was also to show how we could accommodate Cathayan needs.
We met the Cathayans at the transport circle, and efficiently placed ourselves in an appropriate order of importance, also making sure our hands were visible at all times.
We avoided wearing the colour white so as to not offend, expect for Abeer who was wearing white to signify his state of mourning towards our recently departed friend Dimitri von Trugelhoff of the Faculty.
The Cathayans arrived and we greeted them with bows, low to signify their important status.
We walked to the pre-arranged meeting area, ‘The meeting room in the Bank’,
As we walked we were careful to ensure we kept at an arms length apart as not to crowd our honoured guests.
As we sat down refreshments were offered which comprised of fine biscuits and fresh water.
We made our introductions and the meeting began.
Ø The Bank was introduced to the Cathayan Trader
Ø Abeer introduced the Cathayans to our team;
Avi - Scholar
Izabella- Scribe
Abeer- Master Banker, and Head of Trade
Ralus- Trader
Ø The Cathayans introduced themselves by title/position;
Trader
Scribe
Scribe for records
Ø Abeer informed them that Izabella would be taking notes of the meeting,
The Cathayans approved and asked for a copy of the notes to be passed on to them.
Ø Abeer commented on the differences between the Cathayan culture and the cultures of the Heartlands.
Abeer apologised in advance for the ways of Heartlanders, and described that the people of the Heartlands liked to compete in Games. He added that the Cathayans representatives should not worry as these Games would be conducted elsewhere and not during the meeting, Abeer reminded everyone that guards were posted at the entrance, and that no harm could come to us during the meeting.
Ø The Cathayan asked to speak to Ralus the trader; they informed Ralus and the rest of the occupants of the room that they offer in trade Spices, Herbs and Minerals.
Ralus and Abeer showed interest in the offer and they said that it was a generous offer.
Ø Abeer informed the Cathayan that Styx, a fellow Cathayan was also here on Roakh, Abeer offered to fetch Styx from the Alchemists guild where he was residing.
Ø A brief interest was shown to see Styx, it took the Cathayans a while to recall who he was, and when they realised they agreed we should fetch him.
Ø Abeer asked the Cathayans to draw up documents supporting what the Cathayans can offer in trade, along with some samples of the items for trade.
Ø Abeer informed the Cathayans that we offer silver for trade,
Abeer also reminded the Cathayans that Silver was pre-agreed as the main item that Cathayan wanted to receive in trade.
Ø The Cathayans also inform us that they have knowledge that we have stallions, and that they would like some horses as part of the trade package.
Ø The Cathayans also told us that they required knowledge, and that access to knowledge would be helpful, we informed them that we would need to put requests into the great library to receive knowledge.
The representatives asked if they could have access to the great library, or have it copied for them to read and learn from.
We informed them that the great library is too big to have copied in an adequate time, and if they asked us what knowledge they require we will seek it and send them what we can.
Abeer mentioned that we have Guilds that specialise in knowledge and are constantly learning about new subjects, it was also mentioned that Guilds play a part in teaching people knowledge in many different disciplines.
Avi offered the Cathayans the chance to meet with representatives of Guilds that evening and they could describe to the Cathayans what they do and how they can help.
Ø A runner was sent to the Guilds to bring back representatives of each Guild to speak to the Cathayans.
Ø The Cathayans asked for documents to be drawn up detailing what we can offer in trade.
Documents are needed for:
Licence requests for all goods to go to Cathay, including times of delivery, place of origin, and signed by appropriate parties in the Heartlands and Cathay.
Paperwork describing what is to be delivered, and in what quantities.
Ø The Cathayans showed an interest in entering negotiations of treaties with all Factions.
Paper needed to show what is to be agreed in treaties, and what has already been agreed in the current treaty.
Ø A copy of the current ‘Gathering Treaty’ was promised to the Cathayans.
Also a copy of the Banking Charter was promised.
Ø Abeer offered future advice on how to deal with other nations, as they have different ways of working to the Cathayans.
Ø They agreed to start talking to the representatives from the Guilds.
Ø The Cathayans wished to speak to the Bards.
Abeer informed them that the representative from the Bards is still due to turn up to speak to them.
Ø The Cathayans again made their wish known that they wish to speak to the Bards.
Ø We informed the Cathayans that they were on their way now, and that Ralus was trying to usher them here as quickly as possible.
Ø I the mean time the Cathayans expressed a wish to go around and speak to the Guilds one by one in the main Guild tent, the reasoning for this was given as the were interested in seeing how they work.
Ø Abeer requested that we prepare a letter for each Guild to inform them that the Cathayan representatives wish to speak to them, and also that we should inform the Guilds of the correct etiquette to use when they address the Cathayans.
Ø Ralus informed us that the Bards were delayed and apologies were given.
Ø Trade was agreed to begin, and it was agreed that quantities needed to be discussed.
Ø Letters were requested by the Cathayans on what ingredients are used in creating things, Abeer agreed these would be given, Abeer also pointed out that tutors were in short supply in some Guild houses so they only offer knowledge of some skills to a chosen few per year, and that some Guilds like to closely guard their knowledge of certain things, so they can regulate the quality of knowledge given out to trusted members of the Guild.
Ø The Master of the Bards arrived, knowledge requests were discussed, the Cathayans require information or copies of stories, songs, poems and tales, also copies of the newspaper ‘The Testaments’, as this was explained to be a way of detailing news from previous occasions.
Ø The Cathayans requested census for the Guilds detailing members and deceased members, they asked if they could obtain full records, statistics and numbers of members.
Ø The Master Bard left, and the Mages representative arrived.
Ø They asked us how many mages were not part of the guild, and how to can be controlled.
Ø It was explained that no licences are given to mages, that education is given, and that the respect for the flow of magic is taught by the guild. It was explained that the majority of mages are part of the Guild, and they join to learn or to do Guild service. Although it was pointed out that 1 in 10 Guild members join and do not contribute.
Ø It was explained that the number of non-Guild members could not be given, as they are not regulated.
Ø It was also said that the mages maintain the power in the ritual circles, and the guild teach mages to use their power in the right way.
Ø The Cathayans thanked the mages guild representative, and said that they may wish to call upon their knowledge.
Ø The Cathayans comment that they found the behaviour of the mages representative odd, and they will perhaps come to terms with their behaviour in time.
Ø The apprentice of the Scouts Guild arrives.
Ø The structure of the Scouts was explained:
Security- Master Cutter
Training - Master Urlin
Information - Master Ori
Ø The Cathayans request that they would like to send scribes to copy records from the Scouts, the apprentice points out that Ori would need to be asked. It was suggested that this should be arranged at a later date.
It was said that difficulties of old history has delayed such a decision.
Ø The Cathayan asked why the Scout had a tail; it was pointed out that the lady was half creature and half human.
Ø Styx was now ready to see the Cathayans.
Ø Styx and Abeer told the Cathayans that the knowledge of the Heartlands is not totally complete as much information has been lost over time due to the Cataclysm, some information has been recovered, but it takes time to uncover lost sources of information.
Ø They asked to observe the commotion outside, Ralus was asked to accompany one of them outside to see what was going on, they were advised not to go too far.
Ø They were concerned about cries they heard outside, and they wanted to know if people were willing to kill Unliving.
Ø The Cathayans spoke of their land and how they worked, their comment was; People are encouraged to use only what is available, and the Cathayan Alchemist said People work for all and none at the same time.
Ø The purpose of Styx’s visit to the Heartlands was described as to exchange knowledge from the Alchemists.
Ø Information was discussed about a ship that was a concern to the Cathay representatives.
Ø Abeer pointed out that it would be best for Cathay to trade with only the Bank.
Ø It was said that Styx brings goods from Cathay without a licence, Styx has not yet provided the paper work.
Ø Cathay representatives pointed out that the Guilds are strange; we offered to be the go between for Cathay to talk to the Guilds and Factions. Paper work will be drawn up of such agreements for the Guilds and Factions.
Ø It was mentioned that Tutonian ships have been seen off the coast, Captains were asked to come and speak to Cathayans about trade routes.
Ø We asked the Cathayans if there was any other way we could help, we also asked if we could see their libraries.
Ø We noted that Ralus will require preparation, and exchange of details regarding purities and quantities, paper work will be needed.
Ø Ralus was asked to look for Guards to accompany Cathayan representatives around the Guilds.
The guards arrived, and then we all set out to see the guilds.
Abeer gave an explanation about each guild as we walked around.
Ø The Cathayans asked us if we could find out how much Silver and wood we could supply them, and if they required a regular order could we keep up supply, send them the paper work.
Comments on the meeting:
Although the above notes make for somewhat dry reading I have tried to incorporate every detail discussed in an attempt to be highly efficient which is required when in talks with the Cathay nation.
The representatives were wearing robes of gold and silver tread, no white was seen on their clothing, and the main representative was wearing a tall hat which resembled a that of a Pope or a Bishop.
It was difficult keeping up the etiquette needed to talk to the Cathayans, and we found it quite physically exhausting.
We are going to have to complete a lot of paper work and preparation of behaviour etiquette for all that may have dealings with the Cathayans.
Comtessa Izabella Pizzaro di Venucia,
Mistress of Commerce,
Head of Liaisons for the Bank of Erdreja
