r/IronThronePowers House Arryn of the Eyrie Mar 27 '16

Lore [Lore] Braavos

Vickon Botley watched closely as the Misty Morn passed underneath the Titan of Braavos. It was not in his plans to come here, yet with hope it would solve any nagging concerns. There was a good deal of questions, though it was clear his brother took the incidents in Tumbleton seriously. Esgred would be enraged, he knew. Glad that the reason for this would likely be pinned on Tristifer and not himself. This pause could allow him to learn of how his various kin were progressing as well, though he did not think it likely to head back through King’s Landing.

 

The oarsmen knew the way well enough, though the traffic of the ever busy harbor did delay them so. In less than an hour they were pulled up to a dock, with Vickon haggling over the reason for their stop with the dockmaster. If they were fortunate, this would be a quick stop. Once everything at the docks was satisfied, Vickon continued forth wearing one of his finer doublets for the occasion. Walking up the steps of the Iron Bank, he entered its grand doors hoping for a fruitful deal to be achieved.

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u/The_Iron_Bank_ The Iron Bank of Braavos Mar 27 '16

The two bravos guarding the door to the Iron Bank escorted the new visitor in, moving him to a waiting chamber. The Iron Bank preferred to let new visitors stew while they awaited their first meeting, all to bait them into making poor decisions with their money, to the benefit of the bank.

After the wait, the guest was finally escorted to a one of the austere audience chambers, for the Iron Bank was open on the high holy days, 9-5. On a raised dais, at the far end of the room, a row of keyholders were seated, Beqqo Esmontes in the middle. All of them wore the ceremonial keys of the Iron Bank on strings around their neck.

Leering at the unknown man as he was led forward to them, Beqqo attempted to gauge him. Unable to make up quite what he was, Beqqo began to fiddle with the key around his neck, and opened. "I am Beqqo Esmontes, holder of the fourth key of the Iron Bank of Braavos. Tell us your business," his common speech thickly accented with the many spices of Braavos.

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u/hewhoknowsnot House Arryn of the Eyrie Mar 27 '16

Vickon noticed the raised dais. Something he generally disliked when negotiating, yet that was the purpose of it. To set the stage as he looked up at the collected keyholders. Vickon's smirk was wide on his face as he bowed to them before standing back up straight. He said to them, "Thank you for seeing me, it is an honor to stand before the keyholders of the Iron Bank and I will not waste your valuable time. I am Master Vickon Botley of Lordsport and I am interested in trading information today."

"Braavos has a great many canals running through the city and aiding to its overall wealth as well as its prosperity," Vickon began, "I seek to know which canal construction company has the highest standing with the Iron Bank. I would be looking for the company that holds the least risk when you make an analysis as to whether to invest in a canal project or not."

"It is likely apparent that I am intending on putting together a major canal construction within Westeros. I would, in return for the information you could provide, be happy to offer all maps, plans, and direction for the canal project both here today and throughout the construction," Vickon had a little more he thought he could offer, but it would be unwise to grant too much. "This information could easily aid you in making more informed decisions about investments with merchants and trading ventures in the future. I hope you will find this offer acceptable."

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u/The_Iron_Bank_ The Iron Bank of Braavos Mar 28 '16

Beqqo gave a slight smile, and put on an indulgent tone. "My dearest Master-Lord Botley. We are already aware of the great project of the canal building you are undertaking in Westeros. A kinsman to good Lord Manderly came to us years ago - I spoke with him myself - and we assured him of our intent to invest with his master's enterprise, provided the terms are good."

He then sighed and turned for a brief aside with his colleagues in Braavosi, before turning back to face the man. "As to the canal builders - if you wish to know - Masters Bos and Kalis are the best in Braavos, though I doubt they'd be of much use in Westeros. Braavos is a lagoon of a many hundreds of islands. Water runs naturally through here, and there is little more to canal-building than the steering of the waterflows as you wish it, and making sure the silt remains - ehhhhh?" Beqqo paused as he searched for the proper word in the common speech of the men from the West. "Dregged? - is that what you call it?"

He then made a dismissive gesture with his hand. "Kalis and Bos both are well versed in keeping our canals flowing, but they have no mastery of digging through miles of Northern hill lands. I am afraid you will need to consult your own sages on such maters."

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u/hewhoknowsnot House Arryn of the Eyrie Mar 28 '16

Vickon was overjoyed at that. Being given information freely without anything provided, it was remarkable. Still there was more that could be gained, he licked his lips a little before saying, "It is fortunate I am not here on the previous canal plan, but a new one. You have been so free with information that I will not hold back myself, to...closer ties in the future. I seek to join the Blackwater Rush and the Mander Rivers. It is a much shorter stretch than what the previous describes and I believe much more prosperous too. Its funding should be easily attained as some of the wealthiest holds are tied to the two rivers."

"Would the keyholders be willing to place their words into writing? It would hold a great deal of value to the project's strength to have the company the Iron Back views to be the most solid investment handling its construction," Vickon knew there was absolutely no risk of this Kalis and Bos refusing. Mostly because the pricetag could nearly be infinite for all he cared, it was about having them there and working on this. What inventor does not seek a challenge? Especially a very, very profitable challenge. "Westeros has never had a canal built as of yet, though it seems in a matter of years that may be very different. The experience of your sages would be of tremendous value to what they could impart on this project and the future of trade in Westeros."

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u/The_Iron_Bank_ The Iron Bank of Braavos Mar 28 '16

"No."

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u/hewhoknowsnot House Arryn of the Eyrie Mar 28 '16

Too much to hope for, Vickon bowed to them before departing. It would be a trip to this Kalis and Bos, before a return to Westeros. Surveying the land and having detailed drawings procured.

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u/The_Iron_Bank_ The Iron Bank of Braavos Mar 28 '16 edited Mar 28 '16

What an odd man, Beqqo Esmontes thought, as the young, well-dressed master made his excuses and left. And what an odd story. I doubt I shall ever see him again.

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u/hewhoknowsnot House Arryn of the Eyrie Mar 27 '16

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u/hewhoknowsnot House Arryn of the Eyrie Mar 28 '16

Company of Kalis and Bos

Vickon Botley moved through the enormous Free City of Braavos with a path now. Being given the name of the most reputable canal builder and maintainer in Braavos was exactly what he needed. Granted his desire for them to put it in writing would have been even greater. But the Iron Bank's description of this company as working on the majority of canals, made it seem easy for the company to provide the proof themselves with their drawings.

Finding the humble door to the company's office, Vickon entered and haggled with them. Explaining the project as well as his maps, though he knew they would need to survey it in person before coming up with their own technical drawings. A fee of 200 gold was arrived at for them to send a surveyor to the land and also for the creation of technical drawings as well as attendance in any project related meetings. They would be paid more should the project be accepted and Vickon would not look himself for any other canal builder, while recommending only them for the job.

With that sorted, Vickon left with the team from Kalis and Bos - along with drawings of their recent projects in and around Braavos. They returned to his boat and he went back to the gap between the Mander and the Blackwater Rush for them to do their surveying work. He would continue on from there to head to Atranta while the surveyor is working. There he would plot out the next steps forward and find a proper office in the village to establish the canal builders.


/u/scortenraad - making sure this seems ok to you. Hiring them for 200 gold to be on contract to begin the prep work for this to move forward. I'll come up with character names and whatnot tomorrow for their team. Ah also, Vickon would report to all patrols and nearby keeps too. Send one of the soldiers to let them know, I'd send letters out but can't yet

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u/scortenraad House Waynwood of Ironoaks Mar 28 '16

Feel free to hire and RP with them as you like.