A tentative attempt at a diplomacy handbook

[Alneyan]

In the discussion about MP etiquette, a diplomacy guide was mentioned by Nagot. Alas, this mention was forwarded to T'ien Ch'i, and so work has begun on a very comprehensive analysis of diplomacy.

In other words, I have been toying with the notion of making a guide about diplomacy, but I am not sure if many readers have the courage to get through the whole guide when it is written by the bureaucracy. Because of this, here comes the *introduction* of the guide, which should give an overview of what T'ien Ch'i means by "comprehensive guide".

Fortunately, a much smaller edition could also be made, under the title "What to do when you have to negociate with your big neighbour in five minutes, and have forgotten all about diplomacy after the three days you spent with the most lovely man/woman you have ever seen". This title might be a tad bit too long however, but you should get the meaning. But beware: *they* are just getting started.



" Purpose of the guide:

The “Diplomacy Handbook for Envoys of the Celestial City” guide is intended to be used by Senior Diplomats when sent in the field, especially if their mission takes place in foreign lands. If you are reading these lines without having the rank of Senior Diplomat or above, please report this situation to the closest Office of Intelligence for clarification. Failure to do so will result in the seizure of the offending individual.

While all the following has been covered in your standard courses of study, even our most experienced diplomats have been known to forget their training when under duress. As such, this guide is an helpful reminder of your mission and the tools at your disposal, and should be used if you are being pressured or harassed by your host. If you are in a situation where the present guide can be taken away from you, the word “Pyreas” acts as a trigger for the spell woven in its cover. It will destroy the book to ashes, therefore saving the secrets contained therein.

Also note that while this guide focuses on what to do when you are the weaker party, it should nevertheless prove to be useful if you are in the stronger position. Indeed, the guide will point out the most common tricks used by the weaker diplomat to further her own cause, and so the Handbook will help you thwart such unsubtle attempts.

Missions of a diplomat:

The role of a Senior Diplomat revolves around three axes:
* To negociate a truce or a peace agreement with another nation, either following a war or to avoid an armed conflict.
* To seek an alliance with another party, or to further an already existing alliance.
* To gather intelligence on the strength and the weapons used by forces hostile to the Celestial Empire.

When circumstances require the use of such a dire measure, a diplomat might be asked to assist a Keeper in her word. A Keeper has the authority needed to remove any threat to the Celestial Empire, through the use of sorcery, battle or hired swords. The identity of Keepers need not concern you, but suffice it to say they seldom have to carry out their gruesome orders.

Members of an embassy:


A formal embassy consists of the following personnel:
* A Senior Diplomat, the highest ranking civil servant of the embassy. Such diplomats are expected to go above and beyond the call of duty in their word to further the grandeur of the Celestial Empire.
* An Astrologer, whose official mission is to observe the stars for omens. Trained in Astral magic, the Astrologer is needed to transmit mental Messages to the Celestial City, and may be required to protect the life of the Senior Diplomat. Note, however, that most nations use wards to prevent our Astrologers from relaying information. The Astrologer is also personally responsible for the safety spell of your book, and should recast this enchantment every few days at least.
* A Master of Languages, who will translate all meetings in the Celestial tongue. Additionally, the Master of Languages is to make a copy of all agreements, either formal or informal, made by the Senior Diplomat.

Other servants of the Celestial Empire may be sent as needed, including, but not limited to: Keepers, bodyguards, Imperial soldiers, Consorts, Celestial Masters and Peers of the Empire.

Mandatory knowledge of a Senior Diplomat:

A Senior Diplomat is to have an adequate grasp of the following topics. If you feel you are lacking in one of these fields, you shall report at once to the local Academy of Higher Teaching, where you will be given a refreshing course.
* A Senior Diplomat must have a good knowledge of the classical Celestial tongue, which is used in all formal texts. Very few people outside the Celestial Empire speak the old language, and so its subtleties can be safely used in agreements with foreign powers.
* A decent mastery of the language where the diplomat works is required. While a Master of Languages handles formal situations, the diplomat is requested to check the accuracy of the translations provided by her colleague.
* Local etiquette and political life is necessary as well. While displaying all your knowledge would be a mistake, a blunder would quite likely destroy the whole diplomatic process with this nation. Your life could be forfeit as well should you fail in such a manner.
* All Senior Diplomats are to receive training in elementary Astral magic. Not only does it allow you to detect the unwanted mental intrusions of other mages, but it also enables you to watch the activities of your Astrologer. A Celestial Mage is constantly watching over you through arcane means as well, thus allowing your superiors to immediately know about any predicament that might befall on you.

Once you comply with these few rules, you will have all the tools needed to successfully carry out your missions, even when faced with the most dreadful situations. Excellency is what sets the Celestial Empire apart from other nations; so will your mastery of diplomacy be superior to all other diplomats sent by our neighbours.

May you serve the Celestial Empire well; our best wishes go to you.

The Office of Intelligence."