It’d been tough in recent times; the recession had really hit them hard but there were signs to be optimistic about despite the gathering storm clouds on the horizon. No matter how diplomatic, how peaceful and how much the Councilate tried to facilitate trade, every nation seemingly wanted to resort to war. The Commerce League would prove important now more than ever and he had to ensure it remained strong.
[hider=Empire of Khan]
Most Eminent Zhou Fu,

I write to you as the elected leader of the Councilate of Arbasses, in regards to the message delivered by your envoy. I wholeheartedly apologise for the delay but such a matter took a great amount of discussion and advisory in order to navigate this treacherous situation. We have heavily invested in our two colonies on the continent known to us as Aventia and we can ill afford to see that slip away. Your demand for fealty and obedience is one of grave consequences for the nations of the world we know and the one you are yet to find out about. I would urge you to reconsider your aggressive position on this matter for both our nations stand to lose far more than what we could gain from war.

I would propose an alternative arrangement; trade with us. Get to know the benefits we could bring, the wealth we can generate and the technology we can share. Our old world carries with it advancements, resources and ideas that would surely not exist in the New World, just as you would have such things that we do not. I humbly request to have the courage to search for peace where war tempts, to propose the potential for a better future

Councillor Marcus de Happself,
Leader of the Councilate of Arbasses.
[/hider]
[hider=Commerce League members]
Ave!

Exciting news has come from our colonies in Aventia; we have found a range of new trading goods that we endeavour to bring back from the New World to Edoniras. It has been a tough year; the Councilate was hit especially hard by the recent recent caused by the inept stupidity of the Bennipolis government. We cannot lose sight of our objective however; control of trade, despite our weakened states has become more important than ever for now is the chance to control the flow of new goods.

However there is worrying clouds on the horizon in the form of a native nation that appears to be aggressive and is attempting to extort fealty out of the colonial nations. We cannot bend our knee to such open arrogance yet they may pose a genuine offensive threat and there is news that the Alliance has made friendly contact with them so we shall endeavour to do the same. Should diplomacy fail I must regretfully warn you that your soldiers may be needed to protect our international stage for I may lack the means to effectively respond myself.

Despite these dire financial times, investment in the economy is what is required and as such we will be creating an import business to bring our following discoveries across:
-	Stirge: a plant which when boiled can induce feelings of indescribeable euphoria
-	Drikin: what appears to be a very cheap alternative to alcohol however there have been some deaths due to potency issues
-	Halod: a mixture of our silk and wool which provides both maximum style, comfort and warmth in summer
-	Jankin: a plant that when smoked relaxes your body and dispels all stress (tobacco)
Each of these has a profound potential for manufacturing in Edoniras as yet we are the only known producer. We’ve decided to offer these resources to the members of the Commerce League first in order to facilitate an adavtange in manufacturing. I would also suggest an ideas suggesting arrangement in order to co-operate to benefit all members from our research. An investment of $1B each should provide a handsome start to such a research fund.

Councillor Marcus de Happself
[/hider]
[hider= The City of Bennipolis]
Athenakles,

You speak of peaceful intentions, of protection, of welfare yet you proceed to make aggressive demands and cause a widespread recession? Your threat to wage war over colonial expansion is not only short-sighted but poorly considered. Nations should aim to avoid establishing themselves as a villain on the world stage, not thrust themselves into the spotlight. I wished to conduct business with your nation, I wanted to help protect you from Terheridon and bring you into the Commerce League fold in order to benefit from our defensive pact. They would be incapable of declaring war against you without dragging their arms supplier and half the continent against them. It would’ve been the perfect countermeasure to their warmongering.

Yet now my councilmen and I are left questioning whether your nation can be trusted?

Sincerely,
Marcus de Happself
[/hider]
[hider= Kamalao Republi, Aznavor]
Hail, fellow explorers and venturers!

I assume you received the letter of demands from this Empire of the Khan. I find their terms unbearable yet their threat could prove all too real. To defend these new world colonies would prove tough; the majority of our soldiers are back in Edoniras as are many of our alliances. As such I would like to suggest a defensive coalition against the Empire of the Khan. Coming to each other’s aid against this aggressor would lessen the toll of war upon us all and allow us to much more effectively combat this unknown entity

I look forward to your responses

Marcus de Happself
[/hider]
[hider=United Imperium of Valm]
Emperor Walhart III,

It is with great humility that I must ask this question of your fine nation yet I fear for the financial health of my nation. It is no secret that I have invested our funds heavily in recent months yet the returns have been slow to reciprocate and the recession cost us dearly. What I ask of you is that our nation takes a turn for the worse yet again and if we run out of money in the treasury is for a low-cost loan or an asset buying agreement. I feel as if my nation has a significant advantage in shipbuilding technology before the massive $2.5 B investment I committed and as such our ships would prove to be worth every cent. In the future this could even be a viable business trade between our two nations, especially for our Ships of The Line.

In all I humbly request your aid should our time of need arise and I promise the Councilate will return that favour tenfold.

Marcus de Happself
[/hider]
Actions:
-	Investment of $5 Billion into a colonial export business to bring a number of new world commodities over into Edoniras in order to jumpstart the Arbassian economy.
-	Army preparations made for all but 5000 Recruits to be ready for immediate deployment to the defence of their colonies should it prove necessary
-	Defenses (trenches, cannon towers, walls, traps etc.) prepared at their two colonies Wardenfall and New Stendmark, land patrols stepped up in order to detect any land advanced and two ship teams are sent down to the edge of the inland sea in order to detect any land advance
-	Naval patrols stepped up, mainly focusing on a fan to the north but keeping a light screen to the south using the majority of the colonial navy. The homeland navy has been compartmentalised into a home defence and a relief fleet ready to sail across should it be needed.