Corvan Mission to the Armenians

[cfmonkey45]

Corvan Mission to the Armenians
Arrival at Seleucia Pieria

The city of Seleucia Pieria was originally constructed by Seleucus I as his capital city, but he then later moved the capital to the burgeoning city of Antioch. Inside the Liburna, Quintus Antonius and his entourage prepared to meet with the Armenian King. Among them, Artavasdes, the younger son of Tigranes, who had been brought to Rome to receive a Roman education. Quintus Antonius was informed that Tigranes was present in Antioch attending festivities intended to promote the unity of Hellenistic Syria with Armenian interests.

Outside, Quintus Antonius approached a royal attendant who was awaiting their arrival at the pier.

"Tell his majesty that we are ready to be granted audience at his convenience."

[Magicman2051]

OOC: Noted, response pending.

[Magicman2051]

Quintus is brought before the King, who was enjoying a rather fine looking meal.

[cfmonkey45]

Quintus is brought before the King, who was enjoying a rather fine looking meal.

Quintus Antonius and Artavasdes stood before the king, with them Aquila. Artavasdes spoke first.

"Father, it has been too long."

Artavasdes sat down at the table and was given a serving. However, Quintus Antonius and Aquila retain their composure and stood.

"Your majesty, we come on behalf of the Roman Senate, wishing the King and his subjects good will, for we are in good health. We do, however, come to ask you for a few requests."

The first is that, as you may know, the Republic is vexed by Severus the usurper's attempt to seize power. While we have mostly regained control, his forces remain at large and need to be dealt with. While we are confident in our abilities to crush the rebel on our own, it would expediate our efforts if we were to receive funding and backing from a variety of different creditors. The Senate has authorized me to make the following proposal:

We request a thirty thousand denarii loan at about five percent interest, payable over five years, and we are willing to back it using the Roman provinces of Cilicia (I and II) as collateral in the event of a default.

The Kingdom of Armenia, and His Majesty in particular, shall seek to profit roughly eight thousand, two hundred, and twenty two denarii upon the successful repayment of this loan.

The Second proposal is a request to inquire into the nature of acquiring Persian War Elephants. We understand that since the time of Seleucius, several herds of elephants were maintained near Antioch to provide the Seleucian military will reserves of war elephants. We wish to inquire a rough pricing for these magnificent beasts.

The Third and final proposal is a request to open your trade ports to our shipping so that our merchants can profit from your trade.

OOC: Okim paid the King about 15,000 denarii and Arvesardes was placed in his charge to receive a Roman Education, and function as a diplomatic hostage to curb Armenia's influence. The former establishes our credibility, the latter, if returned, could be seen as a sign of good will. Further, considering that most modern loans go at about 4%, this is a rather good loan for them.

[Okmin]

Consul Aquila soon arrives to join the Roman delegation.

[Okmin]

"Your majesty. Your son has also received his education in Rome, as we agreed last time I was in your court."

[Magicman2051]

The King remained silent for some time, occasionally observing his son eating. There was a somewhat awkward tension between the two of them, perhaps borne out of a new unfamiliarity. When he finally spoke he did so with a weary tone.

"You have clearly considered your words carefully, but you are not known to me."

He turned to Aquila, looking him up and down.

"I see that just a few years have been less than kind to you," he voice retained its weary tone but a roughish smile gripped his face," what do you think of your friends proposal?"

[Okmin]

Aquila looks between the king and prince and wonders what became of his own son in Rome.

"Has it really been so short a time since I was last here? That was a lifetime ago... Now, Quintus here is a good man, and I see wisdom in his proposal. Bring elephants to fight in Spain? Genius."

[Magicman2051]

"So you would have me sign this deal Aquila?" asked Tigranes.

He ate, slowly and with a strange sort of resolve. When he was done he stood, glaring at both men.

"You would have me agree to something that Rome cannot currently give? Your Cilician territories have abandoned you, it is well know in these parts," he continued angrily," do you take me for a fool? Or are you just a pair of habitual liars!"

He left that final statement hang in the air, clearly awaiting a response.

[Okmin]

Aquila spoke calmly.

"I do not and I am not. Less than a decade ago, Caesar's legions marched through Cilicia. The people there have seen the might of Rome and have not forgotten what we do to rebels. When our enemies begin to die, the Cilicians will see reason and come back to us. Your majesty, I know you to be wise and I ask you to look at the larger picture now. In the west, the tribes of Spain and Germany rise up against Severus. Italy remains neutral out of fear. The Africans fight each other. Crete, Sardinia, and Corsica have fallen to us. Here, puny Dacia threatens Thrace and will soon be crushed. All our other enemies are arrayed against each other. We will win. All we need is your support."

[Magicman2051]

"And in the meantime you choose to bargain with territories you neither possess nor have the will to take back yourselves, so you foist them on others?" the King was clearly less than amused with the situation.

"Strike that from the the treaty and we can discuss the rest, I give you this opportunity only because you are a friend Aquila, but lie to me again and you will be returned to your masters immediately."

[Okmin]

"Very well, we will use Lycia as collateral instead. My apologies."

[cfmonkey45]

OOC: If I'm not mistaken, Cilicia is lesser Armenia, and is more importantly a border country on Armenia's shoulder which would be a gateway to Asia and a border to Pontus. Whether or not we actually control it is immaterial, since they would have to quell it anyways, we're just ceding rights, which gives them legitimacy.

[Magicman2051]

OOC: So far as the game is concerned, you don't.

[cfmonkey45]

OOC: So Lydica then?

[Magicman2051]

OOC: Up to you, RP it out.