Octavian's Letter

Storyteller's note: The following article was published in Tertium YE 1022 in the Committee of Correspondence's printsheet 'The Correspondent', as well as in 'The Tradesmaster's Dispatch'.

---

Fellow Man,

I am Octavian Terrafundus Augustus Arbalestus bani Flambeu bani Hermes Trismagistos, Master of the High Order of Hermes, Follower of the First Cabal, Marshal of the Southern Shore, Keeper of the Flame of Lūn, Servant of the Obsidian Tower, Guardian of the Seven Truths.

I have been sent to the realms of Eria to speak to those who will listen, to counsel those who seek understanding, to advice those who will heed, and to learn from those who will teach. I have been named ambassador to the arcane congress of Eria, and I speak on behalf of the Obsidian Tower in all matters of concern.

The Order of Hermes does not seek to supplant or control the Hegemony of Man, for such is not the way of the Order. Nor does it seek to rule through subversion, intrigues or threats, for this will only breed dissent and weakness.

The Order understands that Man has been divided by pride and disagreements for far too long, and it now hopes that the deeply rooted mistrusts that have divided the Brotherhood of Man for so many generations can be cast aside.

While serving with the Host of Man on the Dark Continent I saw for myself the frightful might of the Ancient Enemy. It wishes nothing but the undoing of all of Creation. Here I saw my own shortcomings, pride, avarice, and arrogance. Here I was also shown the strength of our race, for when all seemed lost I was saved by my fellow man; not for honour or glory, but for hope and love.

In these dark days the Ancient Enemy, the Exarch, the Lord of the Locust, is upon us. As our noble ancestors before us, also we must find our common strength, lest we perish alone, and with us the Light of Man.

It is with this hope I come to you, as a brother.

With wishes of enlightened prosperity,

~Octavian~

~o~

[source: Ars Magica Wiki]

The Golden Ports of Saranassi

The Tradesmaster's Dispatch
Räderhafen - 2 / MXXII

~Arasani merchant and assistants~

[Picture from Costumes of All nations, 1907]

East of the Inbari Peninsula lies the Golden Islands of Saranassi with ports of coffe, sugar, and most of all silk. The trade in precious stones, pearls, spices, and beautiful works of gold and silver is also rich in these ports, and is surpassed by none. It is here we find the noble tribe of Aras, tall, crafty and golden-skinned. A thousand and one islands encircle the Sea of Pearls, all ruled by the Grand Sultan.


Grand Sultan Ahamet the Light of Conviction is not only rich as onkel; it is said by many that he fought with the prophet Aziz in the Battle of the White Tower, and that he is indeed one of the Awakend Viziers -- the mysterious cabalistic Azizinian order that rules the Hanumen.


The Grand Sultan rules from the Palace of Pearls in the magnificent city of Sirinagar on the emerald green island of Erentam. In this city, the roofs are made of gold and even the footmen wear silk. In its markets one can see wild and exotic displays, peruse wares from far away realms, and haggle with the Arasani. Be warned though, they are as cunning merchants as any in Creation.


After the loss of the rich harbours of the Colonies, the Saranassi trade has become increased to fill the Erian demands. As of this day next to five ninths of all Wezellian silk import hails from the Golden Islands, further three sevenths of the coffe bean, and four thirteenths of the sugar. For most of the remainding trade, merchants rely on the Waymar ports.


For almost three centuries now there have been Wezellian offices on the Golden Islands. Even though all foreign commerce is strictly controlled by the Grand Sultan, the tradesmasters and captains who have plied this route have made healthy profits. There are currently five Wezellian houses running trade off the Golden Ports, the newest of these being Ferner-Smaal. This young house only became involved in the region as recently as YE 1017.


The Tradesmaster has become informed that due to certain developments, the named tradeshouse is in the process of opening two new offices in the Golden Islands. One need perhaps not explain why this makes the purchase of stocks in this venture good business. It can also be expected that many others will follow suit within the end of the year.

On Argonauts

Storyteller's note: This article can be read in The Tradesmaster's Dispatch, a Wezellian newsletter. This particular edition can be found in the van Zaar residence in Zaarbrügge.



The Tradesmaster's Dispatch
Räderhafen - 11 / MXXI


The Attack on Free Thought
as illustrated by the persecution of the Argonauts.


The Royal Guild of Argonauts was founded by Lord Solar Macharius, King of Pendrell and Corillia in YE 89. The guild was tasked with preserving the secrets of navigation and astronomy, and for centuries it was the backbone of the Pendrellian navy; only on few occasions did any one not a member of the guild rise to admiralcy.


The guild served the Royal House of Pendrell with honour, adhering to the mandate laid down by Macharius. We ourselves owe them some gratitude for the prosperity brought by the trade routes opened by the Argonauts before the Wezellian Renaissance. Let us not forget that early in this age, our kingdom stood without the wealth of enlightenment other realms inherited from the Scythian Empire.


The Argonauts have lost a great deal of influence, prestige, and resources over the last generation. There have been a few scandals involving prominent Navigators, but the greatest blow is a most recent one: the Tribunals of Pure Thought. These tribunals, as the astute reader will know, have been founded in order to weed out freethinkers and heretics, and are strictly counter-Enlightenment. They follow the doctrines laid down by the Presbyterium, and operate outside the Habeas Corpus. To date, at least twenty-three gentlemen of standing have been sent to the pyre by these tribunals, several more have been imprisoned or exiled. It should also be noted that the property of the convicted does not befall the Crown, as is customary, but the Parliament.


That such an ancient order as the Argonauts are being eradicated should be cause for concern for all enlightened gentlemen, for if the secrets of navigation are to be suppressed, the very foundation of reason and commerce is threatened.


The Tradesmaster is informed that over the last year, the Board of Onkels have granted asylum to several prominent scholars, thinkers, peers and gentlemen of good standing, all of whom have had to flee from unjust persecution and slander. It is the conviction of the Tradesmaster that the outcome of these horrendous actions can only lead to a dilution of the very essence of Erian civilisation -- that of pursuit of wonder tempered by rational thinking and enhanced by scientific achievements and philosophical advancements. Was it not these very qualities that enabled Man to emerge victorious from the Second World War? Should we then abandon our best hope in the face of what may well be the greatest peril Man has ever faced?


We, as a culture, nay, as a race, are now besieged by great and terrible forces -- forces of darkness, corruption and ignorance. The Syndikaat has committed itself to this conflict, this war, this, the Third World War.


The Tradesmaster can do nothing but condemn those that seek to shackle and make mute those gifted individuals who are our best hope for salvation. If war is the only way to survive, we must all answer the call to arms. The Third Age is ending, and the Fourth Age must be born in blood. We must strike down those who wish to poison and destroy our brothers with furious anger, whatever they be, where ever the are. Let us not fear this struggle!


The fate of the Navigators is but one example of the tyranny of evil men. What sets it apart from the Temple's rampant persecutions of free thought and enlightened vision is that it happens with the blessing of the Cabal of Pure Thought. If the thought is no longer pure, let us then, for the sake of our sons and daughters, abandon it and embrace the truth. The seeing must lead the blind, lest we all perish.