New Developments

Writers: Eimi, Chelle
Date Posted: 4th May 2013

Characters: Relik, Morin
Description: Master Relik comes to speak with Morin about the new Hall.
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 13, day 29 of Turn 6

Morin watched as his men tied off the line and the gang plank was lowered. He was waiting for a Master Relik, a potential Hallmaster for the Seacraft Hall he had in mind for this particular harbor. While he had made the journey over land, the Lord Holder had arranged for his companion to arrive by boat so as to give him the full view of all he could one day administer. There was great potential if one was imaginative or ambitious enough to see it. Morin expected rather than hoped that any man who might be considered to head up a Hall under his protection would possess both.

Down the gangplank came Relik after some time. The Master looked around quietly, his blue eyes taking everything in. He was more concerned about the land he was looking at than the Lord Holder standing down below him. When he was done looking his fill, he grunted and walked the rest of the way down. Picking a spot to stand in, he stopped and turned towards Morin, knowing introductions were probably unnecessary. "I am Relik come to speak with you, Lord Morin. Master is pleased about the possibility of a Hall here and I am here to serve his interests."

"Well met, Master Relik," the Lord said with a nod of his head. "I hope you and I can come to an agreement today that will serve both of our interests. How was your journey?"

"Well enough. Steady seas and skies." Of course, being a Master on the vessel guaranteed certain privileges so Relik had journeyed in comfort. Taking a moment to get his land legs and orient himself, he moved slowly. "It seems the weather here is as they described. Warm and sunny, that's good."

Morin nodded. "Yes. Of course, we do have to deal with some rather violent storms that roll through, but I'm sure I don't have to tell you that this harbor will offer quite a bit of protection from the worst of it."

"Certainly. I wonder..did you want to talk first or...there was some talk that there was already a location? I wish to see it, if possible." He knew Morin probably had this meeting planned out, but Relik wanted to know what he was working with before he agreed to anything.

"This is it," Morin said, stretching his arms wide. "Everything from the point over there," he said, pointing to the
promontory on the other side of the harbor on which they stood, "all the way around to that small peninsula opposite it. All that would be the Seacraft Hall. It would afford you two separate protected harbors, or one large one if you
so choose. The road behind us connects directly with Avian Point Cothold to the northeast, to the main Hold to the northwest, and also connects to a road leading to Citrus Bay Seahold to the south."

"Is there a cave system or will the buildings be freestanding?" Relik knew that Sunstone did have some elevation in places so it was worth asking.

"At this point, free standing. There was once a small seahold here, but most of the population was shifted to the main Hold or Citrus Point Turns ago. Some of those buildings could easily be converted for your use. It saves time and marks." Two things Morin always was looking to conserve as much as possible.

"Hmm...did you receive Master's suggestions on building needs? Assuming that could all come together, what sort of timeframe would we be looking at?"? Relik wasn't familiar with how many resources Morin was going to put toward this.

"We've been at work expanding the original main building to your Master's specifications. It's nearly finished. And the surrounding cots should be sufficient for a skeleton crew until the Hall is up and running. If you walk this way," Morin said, gesturing in the direction he wished Relik to lead them, "you can inspect our work and decide for yourself if it is up to your standards."

Nodding, Relik remained quiet as he slowly walked, following Morin's pointing. He took his time, looking and inspecting without saying much. His blue eyes didn't miss much and he was comparing what he saw to the plans he had a copy of in his mind. When he was done, he looked back behind there. "We'll need a cave...if there's not one already, we'd have to blast to make one, but a natural cave would be best."

Morin nodded, familiar with ship building as his Hold had its own shipyards. "There's a small man-made cave behind one of the harbors. It wouldn't be suitable for a large operation, but it can be enlarged. My men have plenty of experience with such things. We had to enlarge our own drying cave not so long ago. There are natural caves, of course, but those are higher up in the hills, and would not be as easy to convert."

"What sort of bottom is there on this harbor?" Relik could find this out, but he thought asking Morin was easiest. That way when the time came for them to put pilings into the bottom for piers, docks, and other needs-he could judge whether it would be suitable or not.

"Sandy and perfect for driving piles into. As I said, this was a seahold before." Morin wondered if Relik was testing him or if he actually just assumed that the Lord of a Seahold knew nothing of what it took to build shipyards and docks.

"Well and good. The western coast has more of a rocky shore so this will be easier to work with. Similar to the Weyr." Thinking it all over, Relik knew what his recommendations would be. The actual decision would be left to the Master, but he wouldn't mind coming here. "The Hold will need to provide certain support, at least until we get on our feet. What would the Hold ask of us?"

"That is negotiable, though I would have to discuss the terms with your Master directly. Of course, you would be welcome at that meeting," Morin said with an apologetic nod. "It would not be my intention to bleed the Hall dry, if that is what you worry about. I am a moderate when it comes to setting tithes. I feel the Hold cannot succeed if those bound to it are set up to fail."

Relik simply wondered what sort of tithes he would wish. "I was just curious what your needs were since you obviously have an operation going here already."

"My need is very simple, Master Relik. I need a Hall. The tithes and trade are secondary in my mind at this point, though not unwelcome." Perhaps the seacrafter was not as well informed of the politics of Holds. "Sun Stone is newly recognized as a Hold, but it is as large and prosperous as many established back when the South was being settled. Major Holds have Halls, and it is my intention to make my Hold one of the greatest in the South. Which Hall would be better suited for my Hold than yours? And which Hold would be better suited to your Hall than mine? We're close to the North, we're relatively close to the mouth of the river leading to the sea of Azov, we're situated between River Bluff and Vista Point Weyrs. We have warm weather and safe harbors. We both benefit."

**Ah so he wanted prestige.** Relik didn't care much about that but if it gained his craft a Hall from which they could operate on this part of the continent and succeed in their goals, then he was for that. It seemed as if Morin wouldn't interfere, which was also good. "Very well. The final decision will not be mine, but I will make my recommendation. I believe the conditions here will be conducive to a successful Hall." And with that done, he wished to observe the Hold the Hall would be beholden to. Hopefully it was time for midday meal.

Last updated on the October 3rd 2013

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