Gundu Rinzler stepped up to the dais before the Council of Kings with grace and confidence, as befitting of his status as Archmage. The glass and crystal podium gave a clear view to the attendees of his fine robes; blue and gold with the symbol of his house emblazoned in the center: two raven’s feathers, quill’s crossed, pointed upwards. He wore a fine scarf around his neck denoting his rank as Mage, one of opaque silk, the only of its kind. His brown hair was slicked back extenuating his prominent widow’s peak, the angularity of which matched his angry eyebrows and harsh wrinkles. On a lesser man the effect might have been clownish. On Gundu, it was intimidating. Only enhancing the effect was the long scar that ran from under the hair to his collar bone, faded from age.

The Six Kings of Commerce sat in front of one massive, lacquered horseshoe desk, a deep walnut contrasting against the bright white tile floor, and massive wall-to-wall windows which overlooked the cramped, tapestry-covered city of Bazaar. Each were dressed as their names suggested – tailored suits of silk, linen, or other similarly expensive materials. Some had colored scarves, others did not. All were immaculate. Notebooks sat in front of each, with plumed feathers dipped in inkwells precisely a hands width from their left. One seat was empty: Gundu’s own.

Gundu’s shoes clicked as he brought them together before the dais, echoing through the room, becoming the center of attention.

“Gentlemen, I come with a proposition.”

He met each King’s eye to be absolutely certain he had their full attention before continuing.

“We are all very different. We operate in different spheres, though interlocking, and have our own responsibilities, each for the benefit of the kingdom at large. Us at the Mage guild provide additional support for the military, as well as Mages to clean sewage, provide clean water, and dozens of other minor tasks for which we are suited. The Transportation guild-“ he gestured to one of the men, “Facilitates transport across the entire kingdom, as well as security for merchants through the defense of the overland trade routes. The Alchemy guild provides medical support for the entire nation, combatting plagues and dissolving even the strongest hazards with their cures and acids. The Rarities guild recovers lost treasures, and even the most obscure materials are no match for their skills; I’ve relied on them many times myself when searching for a particular component, and not once have they disappointed. The Military guild’s might is unmatched of course; between the Mages we provide and their expertly trained foot soldiers, there isn’t an army on the continent who can stand up to our might. Finally, of course, the Nobility guild, without whom we would devolve into savagery and heresy. Their shining example to the people extends to us all, wealthy and poor alike. What I am trying to say, gentlemen, is that we are far more similar than we are different, and only through our combined efforts does our glorious kingdom flourish.”

He flipped a page on the notebook upon the podium and studied it for a moment. Purely for show, of course. He’d already planned exactly what he was going to say before he said it, but he found pauses made speeches more digestible and improved the overall pacing of the argument.

Besides, after everything he’d just said, he had to make sure he didn’t gag.

“Where we are most similar, however, is in our common resource: Awakened beasts and plants. Awakened beasts allow for planar travel, powerful draughts and potions, weapons, rituals, trophies, and more. They are, in a way, the backbone of our kingdom. We rely upon poachers to satiate our demands, and until now, it has been enough We entered an unprecedented golden age as our experiments over the years bore fruit, propelling us into a prosperity unmatched since the Empires of old. The problem is: our haul is slowing. The beasts are Awakened; by their very definition they are intelligent, and they fight back. Until recently that hasn’t been an issue, but to be blunt, we’re running thin. Our easy hunting grounds have run dry of Awakened creatures. Our kingdom is facing a shortage; there is simply nowhere else to find such a population of beasts and plants.”

His eyes rose once more to each of the King’s, and he could see the greed rising in each like the maw of a leviathan.

“Except, of course, the Awakened Forest itself.”

Greed was replaced with doubt. Eyebrows furrowed, mouths opened, mustaches were smoothed.

“Until now, the Forest has been a stronghold which only the riskiest poachers would venture within, and it remains such. Now, however, the time has come to wage war upon the Awakened Forest. I believe that through combining our powers; my Mages, the Military, lines of Transport for supplies like potions and other Alchemical reagents, Rare materials for rituals to penetrate the Forest, and the support of the Nobility to bring the public behind the operation. The defense of the Forest is legendary, but well documented. Awakened Beasts can be terrifying, but in the face of our legions of Mages, they’re a drop in the bucket. Paired with tranquilizers manufactured by the Alchemy guild, skilled soldiers to wield them, and the transit of our bespoke guild, every enemy we face is another opportunity for profit.”

The avarice returned in full force, but a glimmer of doubt remained in each eye. It was time for the trump card.

Gundu raised one hand to quiet interruptions that hadn’t existed and cleared his throat.

“Now, I still see the doubt in your eyes. Allow me to alleviate that: I, Gundu Rinzler, Archmage to the kingdom of Agora, will attend the operation personally, providing my strategy, force, and resources when necessary.”

Their eyes turning to dollar signs and their hearts pumping gold, Gundu passed the contract around the table, starting at Transportation, and ending with Nobility. Signatures were scribbled with unmatched dexterity, as if worried Gundu’s terms would vanish in thin air if they didn’t write their names down fast enough. They were each of the same mind; not only would they reap a potential profit of such magnitude unmatched in history, but they would also do so without Gundu present. That meant more opportunities – encroaching on his properties and resources, putting pressure where he couldn’t spare the attention. Worst case, they would get some Awakened Beasts, and cripple an ally in name only for life.

Gundu allowed himself a small smirk for a plan well executed. If all went according to plan, he would make off with more profits than in the coffers of Agora itself, along with compliance from the other Guilds in any matter he foresaw. If all went according to plan.

Then again, who was he to doubt? Of course it would go according to plan.

He was Gundu Rinzler, and he did not fail.