Worthy Core

After a few opening statements were made by various attendees, the peace conference began with the thorniest topic - reparations. Although wars on the New Continent were relatively rare, this stage of negotiations was still well-known for being one which could consume months of time and perhaps devolve back into open warfare again should things go badly. However, as Darrosh had noted earlier, most of the negotiations had already been handled via messengers before the conference had even occurred.

Things certainly went much smoother thanks to the fact that the Domain representatives - Cerise, Kalina, and Eran - were actually benefiting from the arrangement on a personal level. By agreeing to arrange for reparation payments to the Rainlands and Valleylands, those nations in turn were effectively recognizing the trio as important faction leaders, and eventual members of the new Domain government. After all, it would now be in their national interests to ensure that the conference signatories maintain their political positions, and the three could likely expect various forms of non-monetary support in return for their agreement in the treaty.

After that, however, there's a second significant topic which needs to be addressed. As the neutral party hosting the peace conference, Alizz stands up to refocus everyone's attention. "Now that the financial matters have been handled, it's time to move on to the next - which is to say, territory and borders."

Gilda Highbranch scoffs, having waited for this moment to mark her position. "What is there to discuss? The Domain forces must leave Rainlander territory, and return to the original borders between our lands."

Eran Hardnight smiles at the half-elf, having also expected something along these lines. "You seek to gain at the negotiating table what you cannot claim on the battlefield, my lady. True, we may have lost our powerful sovereign and a number of our elite units, but the Rainlands still have yet to secure even a single solid victory in battle. Even now, we could likely lay claim to quite the swath of land should we wish to flex our strength."

Gilda frowns, unhappy at the reminder of how poorly her nation's forces have done on the field. "For a time, perhaps. You may even hold them until this spring. But once our armies have gathered their strength and counterattacked, you may find that it is your land which is flying a foreign flag, and you'll be wishing you saw reason earlier."

Just as it looks like there's about to be an extended argument between the Rainlander and Domain camps, Darrosh speaks up, his deep voice demanding attention. "If I may, I have been informed that there has been an...alternative arrangement suggested for the new national borders. Isn't that correct, Sincere?"

The demon nods, even as Gilda shoots him a glare. "There has been - although I will point out that this suggestion does not cover all of the Rainlander-Domain border, or even a particularly large part. However, it may inform matters going forward to agree on this first."

Silva taps the back of her sister's hand and speaks up before Gilda can utter something less diplomatic. "I believe I've heard rumors of this proposal. Is it true, then? Worthy Dungeon wishes to claim surface territory as its own sovereign domain?"

"That's correct, Lady Highbranch. Specifically, the mountain itself and the lands surrounding Grassbrook and its fort. Although we propose that this would be less of a full nation, and more of a neutral ground - a small piece of land unclaimed by any of the continent's powers."

The draconic Kalina growls. "Ridiculous. Administrator Alizz, surely you can confirm that no dungeon has ever been granted sovereign territorial rights!"

The drider's smirk doesn't do much to set Kalina at ease. "Ironic, coming from someone who served under a sovereign dungeon just a few short months ago. Although actually, that's not exactly correct in any case. Although the cases in precedent have usually handled things in a rather different order."

Darrosh leans forward, interested. "Oh? I don't believe I'm familiar with these cases."

"This was some centuries ago on the Old Continents, but following the Age of Warlocks there were many nations which collapsed and left unclaimed or...disputed territories in their wake. Some of these territories eventually included dungeons, once they began to appear. In these cases, rather than giving up land to the dungeons as has been proposed here, international treaties preemptively declared the lands to be neutral ground, leaving the dungeons accessible to all. This was prior to the creation of the modern Challenger's Association and many of the related treaties, of course."

Gilda crosses her arms. "But in this case you are asking the Rainlands to give up territory. We built Grassbrook! And now you wish to simply claim that investment for yourself?"

Cerise chuckles. "You mean they're asking us to give up the territory. True, the Domain does not currently control this town specifically, but we do control all of the surrounding lands save for the inhospitable mountains. And for what, I might ask?"

"As a matter of fact, I am glad you asked." Sincere shares a smile with the succubus sitting across the table. "For starters, while Worthy Dungeon would be sovereign of this small piece of land, we would return limited control of parts of it to each party here - as embassies, bases for Challengers or soldiers-in-training, or whatever other purpose you may wish to use them for."

He turns first to the Highbranches. "For the Rainlands, we would allow the Highbranch family to retain possession of their local estate - to use for themselves, or to sell to another noble house should you prefer not to act as national ambassadors." At the suggestion that she might actually get to keep the home she had built Gilda's expression shows a hint of surprise, but the Core Guardian moves on before she can respond.

"The Grassbrook Fort we would offer to the Valleylands. A dungeon has no need for a military base, after all, and your primary interest in the dungeon has been in the training of your soldiers, yes? Provided your numbers were kept to a reasonable limit, I'm sure you'd find it to be a better facility for the purpose than the small estate your forces were previously based out of."

Darrosh shows a bit of surprise himself. "I'm told the fort has seen a bit of damage - but I'm sure that could all be repaired easily enough. That's a very generous offer."

Kalina still looks unimpressed. "And what would you offer the Domain, guardian? A tavern? A shop selling dungeon-themed children's toys and garments?"

Lollyp cries out at the suggestion. "Not The General! We were just going to talk about trying out some Tank and Dips stuffies! And Xenia had some shirt designs she wanted to try out..."

"...I was jesting." The draconic looks a little taken aback at Lollyp's fervor. "Obviously, we would not have taken such an offer even if it was made to us."

"Which is of course not our offer, Kalina." Sincere rests a comforting hand on Lollyp's shoulder before turning back to the others. "With the help of the mountain's elementals and efforts from several dungeon guardians, including Lollyp here, we are prepared to offer the Domain an embassy area carved out of the mountain itself."

That suggestion manages to surprise even Alizz, who speaks up first. "You're offering them a dungeon floor, Sincere? That sounds more like a trap than an offer - no offense."

"Not a floor, Administrator. Simply a mountain abode carved out in the Domain style, popular with draconics and kobolds. Perhaps on one of the neighboring peaks, if there's too many suspicions about using Mount Faralis itself as a home."

Cerise and Eran seem less excited about the offer, but Kalina's eyes do grow wide. "A mountain perch? Here at the center of the continent? ...Would you be willing to allow Domain advisors to be present during its construction?"

The demon nods. "We'd be happy to have your advice, and input on what would make the best embassy for your nation."

As Kalina relaxes in her chair, Gilda continues to grumble. "Restoring our estate would be a nice gesture, but I still don't see what the Rainlands has to gain by surrendering a town and a fort, even a small one."

Lollyp gives her a wide smile. "Well, if we want this to be neutral territory, then that means we need to have a border with everybody. That means if the Domain wants that mountaintop of theirs, they need to give up their claims on everything north of here."

Cerise narrows her eyes. "That...does not automatically mean we're willing to give up all of the territory we have claimed. But I could see a solid argument for surrendering a Rainlander corridor in exchange for this embassy - particularly if you're willing to allow soldiers to be trained there."

The two Highbranch sisters take a brief moment to whisper a few asides to each other. While it is likely that the Rainlands could eventually reclaim that particular swath of territory on their own, it does represent at least eight times as much land as Worthy Dungeon is currently asking for. Having that portion of the negotiations already settled would certainly be a solid step forward with the rest of the negotiations. Eventually, Silva speaks for the pair. "While the king would need final approval, these lands are administrated by House Highbranch, and we would be willing to speak in favor of this arrangement."

Darrosh adds in his two coppers. "Not only would the Valleylands be in support of this, but I believe we would be willing to invest in the creation of a proper mountain road to connect our territories. If the dungeon would not be averse to a portion passing through her territory?"

Lollyp laughs. "More traffic and more Challengers? Sounds like a win-win to me!"

The trio from the Domain spend a few minutes discussing things further between themselves, but finally Cerise turns back to address the rest of the table. "The Domain would be willing to surrender the lands north of the Grassbrook region in exchange for permanent embassy rights as described."

"Excellent!" Alizz beams at the thought of negotiations making at least a little more progress. "Then I suppose we tentatively have agreement for the creation of...do you have a name for this territory of yours, Sincere?"

"Indeed we do." The demon takes a deep breath before continuing with a smile. "Today, we witness the birth of the Worthy Lands."

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