Reftaria-Atlas Trade Negotiations in Quijón, Reftaria

(Continued from the Lore board)

The conversation continued in the Old Town Hall of the Port City of Quijón, Reftaria.

“Initially, we have two possible areas of cooperation to bring to your attention in addition to establishing formal diplomatic ties,” said Minister Hinn.

“First: we have reports that you have been laying internet cables beneath the ocean. Our electronic technology has advanced considerably in the past ten years, but we are not yet connected to the rest of the world. We’ve not even sure that our formats and protocols are compatible with whatever you’re using. But we’d like to be connected. In exchange for connectivity, we can arrange to give your internet firms access to our consumer markets, and our government is happy to negotiate a contract as a customer. As far as making our formats compatible, our nation’s university resources are at your disposal.

Second: our trade is relatively unregulated at the national level. Port cities here set their own policies. However, we can offer protection for your nation’s ships in our waters and ports in exchange for the same. Furthermore, I’m sure we can coordinate an agreement between our port cities about mutual reduction of tariffs.

Before we continue, please permit me some time to travel from our capital to your current location so that we can continue to negotiate in person.”

Renn Faber entered the room, accompanied by two hospitality aids. “Ambassador Wuttsweil, may we interest you in some nourishment? What is considered a treat in Atlas? Perhaps we can obtain it for you for a grand feast tonight.”

if You wish your ships can travel with us back to sky hold. We have propositions for you that are best left out of public ears. And I would love to feast with the Reftaria Leader! Do you have spiked boar?

The diplomatic officials were able to obtain spiked boar surprisingly quickly. Almost immediately, the Old Town Hall was filled with locals shabbily dressed but refined in manners. One after another, captains of local prominent ships toasted the people of Atlas with glistening ales and bourbon stouts. Local choirs and bands of all sorts lined up outside for the chance to serenade the guests.

Renn Faber leaned over to whisper to Wuttsweil. "Lest you think we seem overly eager, this is the first time this city has had contact with a foreign dignitary in nearly a generation. We're a people with a history of travel and exchange. Let's just say our culture feels a bit stir crazy after a decade of isolation."

As the festivities came to a close, Faber picked up his radio receiver and listened. "Our Foreign Minister has arrived in Quijón, and he would be pleased to follow you back to Sky Hold. His ship is prepped and ready for travel."

Me and my crew thank you for this delicious meal! Your cuisine is wonderful and unlike anything I have ever tasted! He then leaned over and whispered to Renn “we will gladly escort your vessel to our nation and we hope that you will be as impressed with our nation as we were with yours.” He then leaned back and said, I thank all of you for the amazing meal! I wish prosperity for both of our great nations!

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Foreign Minister Hinn stood on the deck of his diplomatic vessel, the R.S.S. Stamford. The ship reflected the sensibilities of the Reftarian public: simple and unpretentious yet well-built. Up close, one could make out intricate detailed carvings of each autonomous region and city on the hull.

"Lead the way, Atlas fleet!" he called. Two small security patrol vehicles sputtered alongside the Stamford. Given their inconsistent maneuvering, it was clear that protocols for such a journey were still not set in stone. Citizens on the ports (many of whom had sang the night before at the banquet) applauded as the shifts pulled away from the docks. Newscasters filmed the festivities and spoke excitedly of a new era of strength and openness to the world for Reftaria.