Old Friends

[Kirvina]

To: the Agios Basilikon Kounsistorion of the Megas Agios Basileia ton Arhomanion

From: the Vela Lagatá of the Kirvinska Crown

To Our Most Honourable Comrades,

It is in the best interests of the Iron Crown to once again re-establish relations with that great power who has proved, though history, time and again a consummate father to the Kirvinska people. In recent years, Tagmatine overtures to the peoples of the Aurelian continent have been duly noted and watched, and it is felt widely among the ruling classes that the time is right to once again initiate relations in the benevolent light that they have always been cast in. There is no doubt in our eyes that once contact is truly re-established, it will pave the road to a positive relationship for years to come. A look into the past places the genesis of our people, before their great voyage (of which many stories tell) within your lands, which served as a home for them to grow up in and learn the tongue and arts of civilization. Through history, we have never forgotten the services once rendered, and even in the modern day, Tagmatine is a common language within much of our well-educated population, including myself.

While it is true that we do not worship the same God, our faith in a God is shared, and in dark times such as the present, where atheistic powers sprawl across much of the world, it is good for those of faith to seek each other out and find common ground. We have always held a deep and profound admiration for the Tagmatine Empire, whose tutelage we have carried as our banner through the countless wars that have criss-crossed our venerable Aurelia's history. Once, we served as the naval arm of your nation, and have carried that naval ability to the present, where our navy remains by far the foremost on the Aurelian continent, where it has been famous for a millennia, and perhaps the foremost in the general region, owing to the demilitarization of the Sunset Sea Islands post-Thalassan War. With this in mind, our remaining common goals and common societies continue to bind us together, even though we no longer share the official friendship we once did. The court insists that, to this end, embassies be re-opened between us, and provisions for a visit from one to the other be arranged. To them, it has been far too long since such a formality has been practiced.

We look forward to hearing your response, and to the rebirth of centuries of amity.

Gods guide.

Duke Liuvren Damorám, Vela Lagatá

 

 

[Tagmatium Rules]

 

To: the Vela Lagatá of the Kirvinska Crown

From: the Agios Basilikon Kounsistorion of the Megas Agios Basileia ton Arhomaion

Your Grace,

It has been many years since there was official contact between the Arhomaioi and the Kirvinska. This has, in hindsight, been remiss on the part of the Megas Agios Basileia. Our nations did once have strong bonds with each other, although this was the better part of two thousand years ago. A lot has changed since then, of course. For one, your nation now lies on the continent of Aurelia, something that would not have crossed the minds of our ancestors, who did not even know that such a place existed. Your Grace is correct in saying that the Agios Basilikon Kounsistorion has begun to reach out to those nations that lie within Aurelia, as it is clear that the continent that the Kirvanska now call home has become one of the most vibrant areas of Eurth, whilst Europa has seemingly declined. It now seems, especially in northern Europa, that Arhomaneia is the only functioning nation and that dark times have once again come to this part of Eurth.

You do much honour to Arhomaneia to say that we have been such an inspiration to you, your people and your nation for all this time. Whilst it is true that we view ourselves as the bastion of civilisation, sometimes it appears that that is merely a conceit – it is sadly equally true that few other countries look upon Arhomaneia as the guiding light it most certainly is. We still hold the memory of your people in high regard and the services that you once rendered to the Megas Agios Basileia are still taught about in schools today, although, I will admit, as a lesson from history. But, of course, the Arhomaioi remember and I hope that this will mean that the future relations between our nations have a fertile ground from which to grow from.

That our peoples do not share a religion should be no obstacle to a great rapport growing between us. Many nations of Eurth do not have Christianity as a religion, and even less are members of the Orthodox Church. Whilst this could be a cause for despondency amongst the Arhomaioi, it can also be said that it means that the constant challenges that exist are a reason to remain strong and faithful in the face of change. And you are right in saying that the scourge of atheism is a problem that is shared by both the monotheistic and the polytheistic alike, along with that of secularism and the rearing, ugly head of Communism, which, like the mythical Hydra, seems to ever grow despite often being cut back.

The naval prowess of your people remains an inspiration to the modern Arhomaiki navy, the Basilikoploimon. I am glad to hear that the Kirvanska have continued this tradition of heroism and service at sea. The Basilikoploimon now has different traditions and I am sure that they could learn much from your naval forces, as both of our nations could learn much from each other and their experiences over the one thousand, seven hundred years or so.

I will recommend to the Agios Basileos kai Autokrator that our nations exchange embassies as soon as feasible. I will also suggest to his Imperial Majesty that our nations begin discussing a visit, as this would be one of the best ways to start our historical relationship anew.

May it please God that this is the start of a long and valuable relationship between our two great nations,

Eugenios Goulielmos,

Megas Logothetes

of the

Logothesion ton Barbaron

of the

Megas Agios Basileia ton Arhomaion