SJE/ForeignPolicy
Originally Posted by YerMum "I thought that Gem had bought off its Satrapy/tributary status with a whopping big sack of gems labelled "Swag"... "
Not entirely that simple- I'm assuming that this part of Creation was run by the Cathaks. After the Empress dissappeared, even the mighty Cathak legions came under the strain of extended force deployment in too many theatres. (Sort of like the British Army stretching itself between Cyprus, Northern Ireland, Germany, Iraq, Afghanistan, Eastern Europe and assorted African republics)
So the Despot pointed out to Cathak Cainan that Gem was perfectly capable of looking after its own defences and that the Cathak legion there could be pulled back to the Lap. If Gem did need the Legion for defence (or if Gem ever missed a tributory payment) then the Legion just needed to march down the nice, well-used road and re-occupy Gem. (this is where the Kings Ransom in jewels came in). The Imperial presence in Gem would be maintained by the Immaculate Order and a 'military advisor' from the Cathaks. (Cathak Aron)
Of course, when the Military advisor arrived, the Despot showered him with attention, gifts, concubines and told Aron that he should help himself to anything he wanted in the mini-bar.....
So Gem is still technically a Realm state- paying annual tribute and obeying the Dynasty. Meanwhile the Despot is using his relative independence from Realm oversight to forge his own foreign policy- making embassy with the barbarians, Fae and deathlords, developing ties with the Guild and other cities. Paragons still a problem, but the Despot carefully tries to make it more expensive for Paragon to invade than it would gain.
The Despot is a smart man, but sometimes when the hurricane comes all you can do is batten down the hatches and ride out the whirlwind.
People say a storm is coming.....
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