Run by : Rajendra Ishu

Players:  Chronos

       The Saffron Garden has a mortal population of just under 3000, though the amount of activity going on give it an air of a much larger town, Stone boulivards are replacing the dirt paths in the areas of the city closes to the mile-high tree in the center of the clearing, and permanant buildings are slowly replacing the log-houses and tents that most of the population seems to be livving in. The remarkable aspect of the Saffron Garden are the obviously inhuman ogres helping with construction or keeping watch at the edge of the town. Rajendra Ishu is spending the afternoon inside the first stone building constructed their, training mortals in Martial Arts and self defense.

An Ogre opens the door warily and motions for someone to enter. Outside, a caravan is parked with machine soldiers in fine cloaks with powerful spears standing guard. Machine servitors sit atop the carriages and wagons, and not a single human mortal is among their number. None that is, save one.

The man who walks through the door stands six and a half feet tall, with gray-brown hair swept back and a black and gold eyepatch covering his left eye. The patch holds a golden monocle, the jewel flat and clear and rimmed in orichalcum. Golden light flickers and burns within the jewel where an eye should be. His coat is ebon black and trimmed in gold, while his vest is woven of spun orichalcum and his shirt is moonsilver. Jade buttons are fashioned by starmetal filaments, and an orichalcum time piece can be seen in one of the vest's pockets.

Striding into the stone building, the man nods, "You must be Rajendra Ishu. I...am Chronos."

        Ishu is leading a Kata with his students, each one wearing a simple Gossimer breastplate and weilding a gossamer spear. His movements are dominated by the flickering movements signiture to Golden Janissary Style. He nods to you, but finishes the Kata before greeting you. Nodding to his students, he concludeds the excercise. "Return to your dorms, the rest of the afternoon is yours, but move the desks out before you leave, childrens classes are in two hours."

        Once the students have dispersed, Ishu approches Chronos, and bows to him. "Welcome, Chronos. I am indeed Rajendra Ishu, master of the Saffron Garden. What brings you to my city?"

Chronos nods off to the side behind him, his voice deep and accented with Old Realm heavily, "I come from the city of Chronopolis. I heard you were establishing this city and came with an offer of trade. I understand how difficult it can be to raise a city out of nothing." He clasps his hands behind him, "I won't bore you with pleasantries or details. Those can be negotiated later. In short, you have Gossamer. I have heavy industry and an abundance of natural resources. I would like to make a trade."

        Ishu nods, "That would be useful. We don't have the industry yet to refine metals, or other things of the nature. Gossamer is a fine material for fine items or weapons, but it is not a construction materiel. I also have labor for trade, wyld-creatures are good for repetitive or fine labor, though by the look of your creations I doubt you have need for stuff of that nature."

Chronos nods, "Indeed. My machines make excellent laborers. But if you have an excess of labor, more are always needed for the quarries and the mines. If you are willing to teach the methods of creating a freehold, that could be valuable as well. As I said, the details can be negotiated later. Tell me...what do *you* need?"

        Weapons and armor are always useful, I can't equip every mortal here with gossamer equipment. Also, metal pipes for sewage and water would be useful." He frowns, "Raw metals in general would be useful, as well as raw jade. As for making freeholds, I would have to send one of my servants with you, it is not a simple matter of construction."

Chronos nods, "That should not be a problem. ...Depending on how much seclusion you desire, it may be possible to link this place to the Transit Grid. It is an enchanted network of roads allowing for rapid transit between cities. Otherwise we could establish a small airship dock."

        There is a spark in Ishu's eyes at that comment, you've hit on to something. "Being connected to a larger system would be fantastic, immigrants are few and far between this far east. I wouldn't be worried so much about privacy if I wasn't already worried about others who would be less than tolerant of the place I've built here."

Chronos furrows his brow, "Inclusion in the Transit Grid ensures a rapid response time in the event of an attack." He hms, holding his chin and elbow, "I would recommend petitioning Wue Xi Firebrand for membership in the Vir Sidus Empire. Otherwise you would only have the Chronopolis Defense Force...which is not nearly as mobile."

        Ishu nods, rubbing his chin, "I have been considering that, but I've worried about Vir Sidus simply moving in and taking direct control of the freehold, I have my own defence force, but it's not enough to stop a determined attempt at invasion by something like Wue Xi's empire. I'll consider it though."

Gesturing with palm up, Chronos offers, "I could speak with the Empress if you like. Chronopolis is a member state of the Empire, but our affairs are our own. I could attempt to negotiate similar status for..." He raises an eyebrow, "Now that I think about it, I don't know the name of your settlement."

        "This is the Saffron Garden, reffering to both the settlement and the Freehold it is built around." He nods though, "I would appreciate your intervention. I could arrange for a small goodwill shipment of gossamer equipment in exchange as a show of goodwill."

Chronos nods, "That would be appreciated. Do you have any particular message for the Empress? Perhaps you should travel to Kyoga with me to make the petition yourself?"

        Ishu sighs, as if deciding something. "Perhaps that would be best, I've been puting this off for far too long. I suppose I could put my affairs in order and leave soon. The Garden should be able to hold together without me for a little while. I'll arrange the transport of gossamer, and I could leave when you are ready.

Chronos nods, "So be it." He turns to the open doorway and makes a few hand signals. A machine soldier salutes and begins to unload the wagons. A servitor marches forward and presents a fine scroll, bound in rope. Chronos takes the scroll, turns, and hands it over, "I've brought the supplies necessary for the Link Station. These are the schematics. Should you require a Chronopolitan engineer, one shall be sent to oversee the work. I've also included the plans for a simple airship dock, with optional supplements for expansion."

        Ishu accepts the scroll, bowing to Chronos. "I would appreciate the loan of an engineer, my own builders are not quite well trained enough to trust with something of this magnitude. How would you like your gossamer delivered, weapons, armor, or pure gossamer?

Chronos nods, "Armor, if you would. I shall send some of our top architects out immediately to assist." He bows slightly, "Inform me when you are ready. It will take time to unload the materials, so do not feel as though you are rushed."

        "Very well, I appreciate the help, Chronos. If you wish I can prepare quarters in the Freehold for you, or you could stay at one of the newly constructed Inns," Ishu smiles, "They were rather quick to spring up as stone construction became feasible."

Chronos nods, "I will probably retire to my caravan. But for now I will survey the area and let you know once I find a suitable place for both ports." He motions off to the side, "If you have further questions, just ask one of my machine soldiers. They will know where to find me."

        Ishu nods, "Likewise, I will remain here for now, classes are due to start soon, and there are few educated here. Growing up in a monestary comes in useful occasionally. Alert a Raksha if you are in need of anything."