Tikal / Michoacan

[killer spork]

Once Michoacan had been a vassal state of the Sotekan Empire during both the First and Second Age. They had been immersed in Sotekan culture since they had been conquered. Yet it had hardly been an easy war. Tens of thousands had died and as the Avians became more and more indoctrinated in Sotekan culture, the more the two races had begun to diverge in their beliefs. Stories had spread of tens of thousands that had been slaughtered on sacred altars. The Sotekan Faith had never been averse to sacrifice of either cold or warm bloods to its gods but the hunger for blood that the Michoacan's thirsted for made even Ajaw Uaxmal wary of their ilk.

Mazadachi pondered what he had done exactly to anger his lord to be sent upon this mission. He had always been the most observant of his masters followers... but perhaps he was also the most expendable. The small lizard hunkered down behind his massive Otomi bodyguards. The lizard priests were impressive creatures, standing well over six feet tall, their tails studded with spikes, while ropes of corded muscles made up their physiques. Each carried a massive halberd that had seen off more than one beast on their journey north.. It had been rumors that had drawn them here... rumor of the Michoacan's survival of the Second Sundering.

The days of the birdfolk being a tributary state of Sotek was over. The remnants of the Empire were now fighting for survival and it was surrounded by enemies that were both large and small. They would need allies to bring the fight to their foes and to survive... Perhaps age old blood ties could be renewed? Or Mazadachi could very well end up on an altar with his still beating heart cut from his chest. He waited for any sign of the birdfolk or for the cry of a sentry.

[Fel]

The birdfolk of Michoacan were the shock troopers, one of the cores of disciplined soldiers at the center of Sotekan assaults on enemies. It led to an incredibly large cultural imprint being placed on the tributary state, and paved the way for their over-the-top sacrificial bloodthirst and remarkably disciplined martial culture. After the Second Sundering, there was a remarkably strange sort of neutral feeling about the Sotekans. Sure, they had destroyed the world and conquered the Michoacani, but they had also inadvertently brought about the rising of Tlaloc who had saved them from the Sundering. It about evened out in most scholarly and religious debates.

The lizardfolk were stopped by a frontier outpost, and a dispatch quickly returned with an ambassador with authority from the King. The man was a member of the Pochteca, a small, but important caste of influential diplomats and merchants, holding a semblance of rank.

The Pochteca sauntered up to the lizardfolk, and dug his claws into the ground while saluting. His feathers were a dull blue, and he was ornate matching jewelry and the colorful feathers of smaller birds of prey.

"Greetings, emmisaries from the humbled Empire," He said, ruffling his feathers on his wings to make himself look a little larger, "It has been a while since the Sundering broke us apart. We are glad to see that your people have survived, and hope that no malice nor previously existing... conditions will survive in this new world. What can we help you lizardfolk with?"

[killer spork]

Mazadachi bristled at the impudent tone of the birdman. Yet his annoyance at the creatures words did not touch the lizards eyes. He remained calm and measured. '' Humbled? By no means. The Empire of Sotek continues to live on in the tradition of our forefathers in the Tikalan Confederacy. To this day, we continue to grow and thrive. '' The diplomat spread his hands wide as he drove home the point of his visit.

'' The Empire of Sotek and its successor state have long since released the people of Michochan from their oaths to us. Yet that does not mean we do not wish to abandon our... brethren. '' While not of the same race, the birdfolk had adopted Sotekan culture and religion at its core. While their gods had diverged, both shared the same common links that made it difficult to distinguish between the two nations.

'' Ajaw Uaxmal sends me to seek both trade and alliances with Michoacan. In this New World, we must keep old friendships alive, do you not agree? ''

[Fel]

The emissary ruffled his feathers again in deliberation. Pochteca were given very specific updates on the basics of foreign policy, and what was within their range to give or receive. The tone of the lizard entering the Kingdom was dangerous, especially if representative of Tikal as a whole. The more the emissary thought about the discussion, the more he was convinced that this was the path to dependence and vassalage once more. The independent spirit was far stronger than any nostalgic feelings.

He gestured towards the diplomat, and replied, "While we are truly humbled at your offer, we must admit that an alliance would not be in our best interests at the moment, for a myriad of reasons that would be better discussed at another time. A trade agreement, though, would be something Tzintzuntzan would appreciate receiving news of. We'd be happy to engage in trade, and hope to have the treaty drawn up within the day."

He gestured towards a few nearby scouts and spoke quickly to them in the Tzintzuntzani language, filled with squawks and clicks. Within a few seconds they were in the air, flying westward.

[killer spork]

The diplomats eyes narrowed. What exactly were these 'reasons' behind the avians refusal? Were the birdfolk simply afraid of being under the thumb of Tikal once more? Or was it a different reason altogether? Perhaps in the form of a Forgehall diplomat. '' I am dissapointed in your decision but I hope that Michoacan will realize the wisdom in resuming our close ties from the past as equal partners. It will be some time before Tikal will have the infastructure to handle new trade but if Tikal and Michoacan can sign a treaty of understanding today... then it will no doubt delay the establishment of the route. For the moment, I hope that we can establish permanent diplomatic embassies in one anothers capitals? ''

[Fel]

The reptiles' anger showed clearly on his face to the aged pochteca, though it was not obvious to those around him. He had been alive before the Sundering, and encountered enough lizardfolk to understand basic emotional affectations.

It was amusing how quickly the Tikal emissary became upset at the idea that the Kingdom of Michoacán would not resume it's position as tributary state, as an 'alliance' would surely lead. Even the trade agreement was bordering on vassalage in the eyes of many, a kind of attachment that was veering too close to the edge to those of independent spirit. But the world needed to be opened.

"An understanding would be wise to accept on our part, and we'd be humbled to agree to one as equal partners. The embassies in both our capitals would not yet be wise, the King would like to stay at a safe distance from any permanent diplomatic attachments before a political understanding of the region is achieved."

[killer spork]

'' I see. '' Mazadachi said, not buying the birdman's words for a moment but in the end what could Tikal do? If the birdfolk wanted to embrace the false words of the goblins, then all Mazadachi could hope for was that they stayed out of future conflicts between the two. He knew it was a forlorn hope. '' I will dispatch word when our caraven routes are ready. '' Mazadachi said, offeirng a bow. ' ' Good day. '' With that, the diplomat turned his back on one of Sotek's former children and began his march back to Tikal to bring word to his master.

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