Envoys and Relations
An Envoy carries your word; a Chancellor carries your will. Relationships run −5 (blood feud) to +5 (sworn kin); most start at 0. Every sustained deal moves the ladder.
Negotiation: one action + 50 gp/month mission cost. Base DC 13, modified: +2 if their needs row is Shortage and you bring food, −2 if at war, +2 per luxury stock gifted (max +4), +4 for a prestige hostage/gift. Success signs the pact and +1 relationship; failure wastes the season; natural 1 −1 relationship.
| Ladder | Meaning | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| +5 / +4 | kin / sworn ally | answers musters, +2 on joint rolls |
| +3..+1 | friendly | trades at face value, +1 on deals |
| 0 | known | no modifier |
| −1..−3 | cold/hostile | ×1.25 prices, Intrigue vs you easier |
| −4 / −5 | feud/at-war | raids, no trade, war legal |
Treaties as Pacts: every treaty is a Pact file (tribute, alliance, charter). Breaking one: −3 relationship, −5 Legitimacy, Happening thread. Royal marriages (+dowry) lock +2 for a generation.
Example: envoy to the Millers Guild (relationship 2, grain Shortage). DC 13 −2 (their hunger is your leverage inverted: they need you, +2) + luxury gift (+2) = DC 11. Success: grain pact signed, relationship 3, trade +10%.