Mission to Corsica

[Rhapture]

The island of Corsica is very mountainous and only has a few settlements of Etruscans on the coast. It is very underdeveloped, but has some valuable resources. The Etruscans are hostile to Rome because of the many battles they had fought over the past several hundred years, although Corsica has never played a major role in the affairs.

Roman ambassador: Caius Manlius Fortunas
Mod: Rhapture
Corsican: Caius Veritas

[Rhapture]

Caius Veritas sat on his town's pier gazing out longingly over the blue waters of the Sea. What a boring place Corsica was, even if it was Cauis' home. While there were plenty of places to explore, there certainly were not any wild monsters to be afraid of.

[JamesTruwood]

A trade ship, a corbita, sails into the Corsican harbour. It bears the SPQR of Rome, and the name is Et Penna Praepete. It is the trade ship of the Roman Ambassador, Caius Manlius Fortunas, who steps upon the docks once the ship is tied to it, admiring the beauty of the land.

[JamesTruwood]

The Senator Fortunas travels to the domus of Caius Veritas, his host and fellow negoiator. His arrival is announced as the Senator patiently waits to be seen.

[Rhapture]

The slaves of Cauis Veritas lead Senator Fortunas down to the large study of Cauis. There is a large window which shows the wide expanse of sea. Many scrolls will the pigeon holed walls. Veritas sits at a large heavy wooden desk, writing some supply orders.
He rises. "Greetings."

[JamesTruwood]

"Greetings esteemed lord Veritas. It is a fine land here, a lovely view. Before we begin our discussion, I have brought you a gift."

With that, the Senator Fortunas hands over a letter, and a cup of olives, the letter inscripted with delivery for a modi more to be brought wherever the Veritas would like them to be brought.

[Rhapture]

Cauis picks up an olive and inspects it, turning it over in his fingers. It did have a lovely color and aroma.
"Yes, this is a very nice specimen, Senator Fortunas is it? So you are going to just ship over a large amount of olives for us to enjoy? "
He puts the olive back in the bowl. They were far to easy to poison to try one.

[JamesTruwood]

The Senator pops an olive in his mouth, noticing Veritas' aversion of it.

"It is a gesture of good will. I come in peace, and hope to extend the hand of friendship."

[Rhapture]

"I see, so these olives represent an olive branch?"
Cauis considered this.
"You know we are not the leaders of the Etruscan tribes? Far from it truly. Corsica is not highly regarded and I can certainly not speak for all."
"So I an unsure what you wish to accomplish here."

[JamesTruwood]

"I wish for trade between us, at the very least. You are not the leaders of the Etruscan tribes no, but even so. Open trade between us could mean much. A chance for advancement for you, and for us, the ability to acquire some resources that a rarity. A mutual benefit."

The Senator smiles warmly, trying to be as jovial and peaceful as he could.

[Rhapture]

"I am unsure what you could supply us with, and we also have other treaties we must honor."
Cauis replies. "It is not as simple as just signing a piece of papyrus." He drinks some wine.

[JamesTruwood]

"Is there a treaty in place not allowing trade with us? As for what we could supply you with, olives, wheat, fruit, stone, metals of all kinds. We have an abundance of resources, though not everything we'd like."

[Rhapture]

"Are you unaware of the hostilities between Rome and the Etruscans? While war is not declared, the nations are not on favorable terms. In fact, if not for the Celts of the past 50 years, one or the other probably would have destroyed the other." Cauis paused.
"And now you want to just open a treaty with the Etruscans on Corsica? While we were not directly involved, Rome having little use for a navy, and little care for us, we still support our mainland tribes."

[JamesTruwood]

"I am aware of the hostilities between our two peoples. Why not provide an example with us? That we not always need be hostile towards each other. The beginning of something new. I am not asking you to forsake your ties, or change them in anyway with the Etruscan peoples. Just merely open your ports for trade to us, and us to you."

[Rhapture]

Cauis explains,"You speak like someone who has nothing to lose, you want to trade resources with us that we already get from our own allies. Who would be very upset if you went around them to us. They would be upset at you and at us. I am sure they are aware, as they are aware of your recent struggles with the Samnites. So what you are offering is far from sufficient to even entice us to make any kind of concession at this time."

[JamesTruwood]

"Is there anyway we can come to any agreement? A treaty of strict neutrality, trade, anything at all?"

[Rhapture]

"I do not think we can make any formal agreement Senator." Cauis then give him a small smirk. "However, this does not mean we do not wise to trade. Perhaps just we two independent and free persons can come to a private agreement. Say a shipment of 1,000 coin per year, your personal ship would be welcome here and trade with us.?" He wondered what reaction this would bring.

[JamesTruwood]

"It is most certainly agreeable. To start at the beginning of next election year in Rome, so that Imay make proper preperations for the change of power?

[Rhapture]

"Next year would be fine, but it is only your ships that may trade year, with the sum of 1000 denarii, plus what ever it is you wish to trade."

[JamesTruwood]

"Of course. We have an accord then?"