Wool Fiction

[Barry Goldwater]

In preparation for the Lancastrian invasion of England, George de Vere had been assigned the job of going to Lubeck and treating with the Hansa, who apparently had been offended by the House of York. And had their stuff seized by Yorkists, who also embargoed them. So, logically, he supposed this shouldn't be too hard to pull off - the Lancastrians and the Hansa had a common enemy, the Lancastrians brought prestige and a way to England's throne, and the Hansa would probably want someone in power who could give them their goods back. Also, as he wound through western and northern Germany, he'd gotten to sample various German beers - and damn, they were much better than the peasant swill in France and England, so he was really curious as to what Lubeck's beer might be like. (he had heard the best things about Bavarian beer, but supposed Bavaria was rather too far for a detour)

"Okay. You can do this, George." De Vere had whispered to himself on the day he entered Lubeck. Give him a good night's sleep with some big-bosomed Teutonic girl in his arms, a large breakfast and a spot of liquid courage, washed down with enough water to conceal the scent of alcohol, and he'd be set for his big day before the Hanseatic board of guildmasters, or whatever the league's governing body called itself. Of this, George was certain, and the pints of Hamburger beer he'd used to wash down those piles of sausages and fried fish at his last stop only reinforced his confidence.

[Jokern]

It took a few hours for de Vere to get through the line of red tape before he finally met with the mayor and his city council. They whispered among each other while eyeing George, writing down a few lines from time to time. It seemed they were waiting for him to present himself and start the conversation.

[Barry Goldwater]

George de Vere calmly walked forward to greet the Lubeck council. He had been sure to drink enough to stiffen his nerves but not enough to render himself incoherent, and moreover drank enough water to ensure that nobody could smell alcohol on his breath - he'd even tested it on his servants, breathing in their faces and then demanding they tell him whether they could smell any booze. And, of course, he'd taken the longest piss in his life after all that drinking, which had brought him more relief than the last night's bedwarmer & ensured he wouldn't have to worry about his bladder exploding in the middle of the negotiations. Coupled with the knowledge that the Hansa and Lancastrians had a common enemy in York now, this resulted in the man who stepped out to hail Lubeck's notables resembling the very picture of cool, suave confidence, with enough manners still memorized to keep him from seeming straight-up arrogant.

"Good and respected burghers of Lubeck." De Vere greeted them, in the process removing his hat and making a polite bow in one fluid movement. "I am Sir George de Vere and I come representing the interests of Edward IV of England, of the House of Lancaster. I have heard that as of late, you have certain issues with the scion of the House of York that unrightfully usurped his throne?..."

[Jokern]

The burghers listened, all the while whispering to each other and taking notes. This continued for a few moments after de Vere had finished, until one councilman spoke up.

"You are well informed, Mein Herr de Vere. Ever since King Henry VI of Lancaster have tensions between the Kingdom of England and Hansa Teutonica been high. A matter of commerce mainly concerning wool and cloth. Ever since Hansa privileges on England were revoked in 1447, there have been numerous seizures of our merchant ships close to English shores. There had been an armistice and a promise of compensation to the league for our lost vessels, but we have yet to see so much as a penny. Now our kontore in London and Cinque Ports have been stormed and looted, while English ships once again hurt our trade."

Another councilman then spoke up, a lot more rough-looking with a scar across his left cheek.

"While the interests of our noble Hanseatic League and the House of Lancaster may be aligned, what exactly does his exiled Majesty have in mind?"

[Barry Goldwater]

"His Majesty is currently planning to strike back at the usurper Edward V and his minions. To that end, we have been busy amassing a war chest, which my compatriots are presently off to either expand or expend on an army." De Vere said, pleased that the negotiations appeared to be progressing well. "However, soldiers are expensive, good soldiers like the famed Swiss mercenaries more-so; and of course, all the soldiers in the world won't do us any good if we can't ship them over the Channel." He paused, considering his next words through the haze of alcohol in his mind. What exactly did they want from the Hansa again? More funds was always a good thing, and ships were a must. "The King of England wishes for more funds and, even more importantly, ships that can ferry him and his host to his rightful kingdom's shores, in the process protecting them from the Yorkist navy. Upon his triumph, he will right the wrongs the Yorkists have done unto you, and repay your investments in his cause tenfold."

[Jokern]

The mumblings of the councilmen grew louder after de Vere's promises of compensation for their losses. They continued for quite a while, arguing back and forth until finally the mayor of Lübeck spoke up.

"If your king is ready to sign and seal an agreement, where he promises to repay all our investments in his cause tenfold within five years, then Hanseatic League may be convinced to support his claim. The League would also like to see all of its privileges and offices in England be restored - in perpetuity."

[Barry Goldwater]

"Splendid! I will be happy to bring this agreement back to him as soon as it is put in writing. I have no doubt that the King will be more than happy to sign it, as well." De Vere answered, grinning and clasping his hands. "One last query if I may, wise burghers of Lubeck: how much gold and how many ships are you prepared to furnish our cause with?"

[Jokern]

Favorability roll: D20 (the higher, the better offer)
- Promise of great compensation for any investment: +3
- Promise of restoration of Hansa privileges and offices in England: +2
- Common enemy in York: +2

Roll: 7, which becomes a 14.

IC:
One of the councilmen made some calculations before handing over the paper to the mayor.

"The Hansa would be willing to give a loan of £5,000, giving the House of Lancaster a debt of £50,000 to be repaid within five years, regardless of the outcome of the coming invasion of England. We would be able to loan 20 hulks to His Highness, which would be able to transport 2,000 men or so across the Channel at a time."

[Barry Goldwater]

"Splendid, my great burghers. For this, we will always be in your debt. Even after we repay our actual, literal financial debt to you." De Vere didn't know whether Edward of Lancaster would actually pay these debts, of course. He knew he'd try to get out of those payments, if it were him. "Well, if there is nothing else, I shall take my leave and bring our agreement before His Majesty so that he may sign it."

[Barry Goldwater]

George de Vere returns to Lubeck, having been told by his king to tell the Hansa that the terms of their loan was unacceptable - though he'd still welcome the ships, nonetheless. More worryingly, he had also heard of a great naval battle between the Hansa and England's Royal Navy as he crossed back through northwestern Germany, a battle in which the Hansa apparently didn't do too well.

[Jokern]

de Vere is welcomed once more by the mayor and the city council, clearly quite nervous after recent developments. The mayor makes a slight nod and begins speaking.

"Welcome once more, Mein Herr de Vere... have you brought your liege's response to our offer?"

[Barry Goldwater]

"I have." George said after the usual courtesies were out of the way - he'd gotten so used to being in a drunken state he was able to remember even courtly protocol while boozed up. "His Majesty, I am sorry to say, cannot take your loan. But he is still quite happy to take your ships, and will restore your commercial privileges and offices in full when he regains the throne. Thus, we can and will still repay your investment in the form of ships ten-fold."

[Jokern]

The mayor shook his head in dismay.

"I am sorry to inform Mein Herr that we will not be able to offer as many ships as before. In case news has not reached your ear, our fleet has been severely crippled by the English fleet under a commander named Stanley if our sources are correct. The Danes to the north now howl at our door, and the League needs most of its resources for its own defense."

A councilman handed the mayor a document.

"We can only loan 10 hulks to your king at this moment, I'm afraid. If more are required, we will gladly let him buy them from us so as to fund the Hansa's defenses."

[Barry Goldwater]

"I see. That's perfectly understandable, good men of Lubeck." That had actually come somewhat as a relief to De Vere. From how badly he'd heard the Hansa's battle with the Yorkist navy had gone, he was worried they wouldn't be able to send any ships at all. "How many more ships would you be willing to sell us, if the need arises?"

[Jokern]

"That depends on how many you are able to purchase, Mein Herr de Vere. Hulks are excellent for transporting troops, but with the recent introduction of the cannon it appears... lacking in actual combat. There are the ten hulks that we originally promised, of course, which we'll sell at full price. As for any more..."

OOC: Amount of additional hulks available for purchase - D30

Rolled 11.

IC:

One of the councilmen hands over a document.

"...11 hulks, currently located in our fellow brother cities around the Zuiderzee, at full price as well. I will warn you though, the English Fleet currently dominates the Channel and the North Sea. Were they to intercept your ships, you will be no match for them."

[Barry Goldwater]

"What's the full price? And, er," Despite being drunk (again), De Vere noticed that the merchant talked about selling the original ten hulks at this 'full price'. "What do you mean you'll sell the ten hulks you promised at full price? Forgive me if I've erred, but I thought those would be provided free of charge, and we'd only have to pay for any of the eleven extra ships."

[Jokern]

The mayor nodded understandingly.

"Forgive me if I made this confusing. We are providing ten hulks to your Majesty's cause, free of charge as long as they are returned once your business is complete. That is all we can provide 'free of charge', so to speak. Then there are the other ten we originally promised, along with another 11 in the Low Countries. These 21 hulks you must purchase from us, otherwise we will be hard-pressed to deal with the current pressure from the English and the Danes. The full price for one hulk is £50, which is £1050 for 21 ships."

[Barry Goldwater]

"Excellent, excellent." De Vere said, any previous confusion or hesitancy on his part dispelled and replaced by his usual totally-not-drunken confidence. "I shall bring these terms back to the King posthaste, good men of Lubeck, if there is nothing else."

[Jokern]

There were no more on the agenda, and the meeting adjourned.