[quote=@SpookySquid]
"I hate to say this, but I would like you to warn or perhaps intimidate Macheel and find a way to convince him that the goblins are dangerous. In return, I will grant you a reward."
[/quote]

For a moment Chuck simply stood there, his chin resting on his hand as he considered what he already knew of the country and other details he'd managed to pick up during the conversations he'd had since the Game began. Finally he looked back over at Mateel with a smile.

[color=ed1c24]"From what I can see there are four possible approaches which could be made to the problem, each with their own setbacks and difficulties to overcome, and each with a differing chance of success."[/color] As he spoke Chuck waved his hands either side of his body, imitating a set of weighing scales as he indicated the pros and cons of the situation.

[color=ed1c24]"The first, and most obvious, is also the most stupid. This would be to mount an attack on your brother, framing the goblins and making it seem as though they were capable of placing him in personal danger. The biggest setbacks for such a plan would be finding adequate scapegoats, preferably goblins with known ties to... political enemies. We'd need to provide the goblins with enough credible intelligence, and possibly even supplies to make them believe their plan would succeed, while at the same time leaving a hole which your own forces could use to prevent such an outcome.[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"The problems would be firstly that the intelligence would have to be genuine, or as close to genuine to be verifiable, and that may leave a trail back to you, especially so if supplies were also required. Secondly, the goblins would most likely need to be eliminated once the attack occurred, should any of them survive the event. This would raise a great many questions, especially if any of the goblins be captured by your brother's people before your own could get to them. Thirdly, the goblins may actually succeed, leading to a general revolt amongst their kind which would make your own position extremely volatile.[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"As I said, a stupid plan."[/color] Chuck concluded with a smile.

[color=ed1c24]"The second plan would be to simply talk to your brother about the dangers, raising his own awareness of the problem and allowing him to reach the proper conclusion himself."[/color] Holding both hands up in front of him Chuck bowed his head respectfully, [color=ed1c24]"I only mention this for the sake of completeness in my assessment however, as I am sure one as wise as yourself would already have taken such steps, making any repetition a pointless waste of both time and resources.[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"While it may be possible to falsify reports which would exaggerate the dangers, such an act would require too many accomplices to be feasible, relying on others to maintain your lies for you and placing yourself in danger of being discovered in your falsehoods. An unwise choice."[/color] Shaking his head Chuck placed his hands together as if at prayer, being at once respectful to Mateel while at the same time impressing subconsciously on the man the sanctity of Chuck's words.

[color=ed1c24]"A third choice would be to try and provoke the goblins into acting in a way which would expose their hostility to your brother, forcing him to reconsider his opinions on the matter and bringing him more in-line with your own point of view."[/color] Chuck smiled as he said this, tilting his head forwards, not quite bowing but at the same time moving his head as if to nod, impressing a positive mindset onto his words, to help steer Mateel's decision in its favour. [color=ed1c24]"This plan would be most successful if you could engender a rift between the goblins themselves, encouraging them to fight amongst themselves. Not only would this alarm the civilian population, but it would also weaken the goblins own organisation, making it easier to act against them when the time came to do so."[/color]

Chuck smiled to himself as he watched Mateel's reactions change, moved by the tide of his words as he wished the man to be. This may be easier than I'd thought, the Detattler hoped. [color=ed1c24]"Finally, you could prove the goblins were being supplier by forces outside your own nation, which would also raise the stakes of the situation, forcing your brother's hand in the matter. I understand [b]Zimbabwe, Angola, and Madagascar[/b] have all voiced their opinions against the current state of affairs, and while I have heard my own country's reports on the matter, it would be useful if you could tell me about your own opinions on those countries, so I may give a fully informed opinion on which would best serve our purposes?"[/color]

[@SpookySquid] [color=lightgray]Country cards, please?[/color]