((This is the founded nation of the refugees who passed through Sevia. I'd say it's location is that small peninsular just north east of Laodicea. A small, coastal village with a wooden palisade. The village name is Jolayst as well.

The population is 990, including young children. In the small and well-built docks there are two sloops with another four, much smaller ones under construction in drydocks. There are 210 sailors, included in the population, and they are helping the rest of the village make their own fishing ships to help provide for the community.))

Polvin stood atop a crate in the center marketplace of the community and called out to everyone. "All in favor of the construction of a large meeting house, call I!"

"I!" The small town rang with cheers as plans began to roll around the town on where the meeting house will be and what it will look like.

The Rakarskian trader, the RTS Revolution, was slowly towards the town's harbour. They were there to spread the republic's trade, and to investigate rumors of a new country arising in the Southern continent. The ship's captain, one Johacim Kellenstein, had inquisitorial backing to investigate the settlement fully, and to see if these people would be good men to trade with Rakarskia. The ship's inquisitor, one Inquisitor Newport, would investigate, comrade Eric Kellmer would handle the trade, and Captain Macsden would hande the defence of the ship if things got nasty. Six small cannon and a sixty man company of musket armed marines would put up a fight, if nothing else. But, hopefully, they would not be needed.

The sailors left their civilian friends and ran for their sloops, which sailed slowly out, with their ballistae and archers ready. They were ready to defend their new state, away from any other nation wishing to dominate them.

"Who are you!" The captain of the leading sloop bellowed. On its bow it had Honor finely painted and etched in the wood.

Kellenstein lowered his telescope and took the proffered speaking trumpet. "We are traders from the People's Most Democratic Republic of Rakarskia!" he called back. "We do not wish to harm you, but be advised that this is an armed vessel, which will fight back if it is fired upon! Comrades, I now beg your permission for us to land in your settlement!"

"Our docks are not suited to your ships!" The captain called back through his seashell trumpet.

"Very well, comrades!" Kellenstein called back. He thought for a moment. "Would you do us the honour of landing via one of your own ships? There will be a party of five men, one of whom will be armed."

The armed man in question, Inquisitor Newport, produced another speaking trumpet from his long coat. "I give my word of honour that I will not use my weapons on anyone!" he shouted. "Unless we are assaulted, in which case I will have to defend myself." He could have simply given his pistol up, but giving a foreigner a gun would mean that he could study its workings, and that would not do.

(And it is only a small trading vessel, not steam powered. It may fit into a medieval style docks.)

(Oh, didn't know. But is it still ironclad or hulled?))

(Wooden.)

"Send them then!" The captain called back as his crew continued to be on guard.

Captain Kellenstein, Inquisitor Newport and three various professors (an inquisitorial scientist, a sociologist and an economist) climbed on to the small boat and rowed out to the docks. They then climbed up on to dry land, and surveyed the scene.

The two sloops went back to the dock and one of them completely disembarked and went to the three Rakarskians.

"Greetings!" He called to them.

The crew of the other sloop stayed on board, watching the ship.

(This is the ship's captain, right? How do these people dress, exactly? Rakarskians wear breaches, coats and tricornes/bicornes/top hats for men. The inquisitors, when not undercover, wear long brown greatcoats and wide brimmed brown hats.)

"You equal, comrade!" Captain Kellenstein called back. "I am Captain Johacim Kellenstein, and I come with my associates here to represent Rakarskia!"

(The sailors would be wearing just plain tunics and breeches, with the captain wearing a large plumed hat along with a gray overcoat. Most of the female citizens would be in dresses, and not the ones that are very wide and such, while the men would be in mostly fine tunics and pants, as well as jackets/coats if it's cold. Everyone would be well-kept in their appearance, including the children.)

"Greetings. I am Captain Allem, and this is Jolayst." The captain replied to the Rakarskian as he approached.

"We have much to discuss, comrade," Johacim said. "Is there anywhere we can talk?" They were already attracting a small crowd of curious onlookers. "I have heard of your town, but I must confess my ignorance. Who rules you? What country are you from? And why has a new town sprang up over here?"

The captain looked with a hint of worry at the other citizens around him. "How have you heard of our town when we only recently raised it, and have not connected with any of our neighbors?"

"I say that I have heard of it, I mean that my government's intelligence agency has heard about here. Fishermen, merchants and suchlike come and go quite often, in their boats and wagons, and I suppose that the Inquisition just paid the right person the right amount to tell them some rumors. But I'm no expert, of course." Johacim smiled placatingly. "But we know very little about you. And knowledge, comrade, leads to trade. And trade leads to alliance."

"Well then," Captain Allem began, clearing his throat. "we are a free government. No one leads, no one is ruled-over. We are a democracy where we decide what happens as a communal whole. May I ask what this Rakarskia is?"

"Rakrskia is a large, and dare I say it, powerful republic," Johacim said diplomatically. The inquisitor's ears metaphorically pricked up, and the three professors were having a discussion about democracy. "We rose up against the emperors in a great revolution forty seven years ago. We elect our leaders- our electors- and they make important government related decisions. We can elect some of them, but more important ones are left ot the electors to handle. The current Chairman- the head elector- is a man called Joseph Steele. He has led us well for the past three years. Now, across the sea is part of an organisation called the Rakarskian Colonial Company, which spreads our Muskovian principles, and our trade. We have establised a small colony nearby, and that is our major base of operations in this area." Kellenstein reckoned that he had explained fairly concisely, and the inquisitor didn't appear to be very upset about anything.

"But still men are given power over the citizens?" The captain inquired curiously, not offensively. "We are a new city-state, with which desires to keep our independence from other sovereignty." He added.

It was Inquisitor Newport who answered. "Technically, comrade, the citizens do not tell the Electors what to do. But the citizens are given decisions- shall we use tax X, or policy Y- and the people can vote yes or no. When quick decisions are needed, the Electors decide. This is far quicker, and less wasteful of time, resources and lives in some cases, than ordering several million people to vote."

"Several million? A large state, your home is." The captain commented, then gestured his arm wide across the community. "As you can see, we are certainly not that large." He ended with a smile which soon faded as he cleared his throat once more and rubbed his fine mustache.

"However, to answer your question of talking elsewhere, there is nowhere else more suitable. The community should be able to hear this discussion, as we will decide as a whole what this state will do." Allem stated, bringing nods from the crowd before Polvin made his way through and appeared at Allem's side.

"Greetings, my name is Polvin. I hear your colony wishes to trade with us." The man stated.

"Indeed so. We can give you parts for machines, and men who can help you construct and operate them, as well as food if you need it," Kellenstein said simply. "Now, comrades, what can you offer us in return?"

"We have fish and shipwrights. Nothing else we may offer, and what are these machines you speak of?" Polvin asked, his face and everyone else's around him confused.

"Ah. Yes. Well, these machines are capable of producing large quantities of consumer goods- pots, pans, clothing, that sort of thing- in a small amount of time, and requiring less people than doing it by hand. They are powered by something called steam," Kellenstein said. One of the professors chipped in at this point.

"Exactly and precisely so! Steam power involved evaporating water, and directing the pressure of the steam towards turning an axle, and therefore-" he was cut off by a look from the inquisitor.

Polvin and Allem looked to each other with shrugs, then to the crowd, who were digesting the information.

"What do you all think about that?" Polvin called to them, and everyone began murmuring amongst themselves.

"Let's try this machinery out!" One man in the crowd cried, and everyone went silent before erupting with their agreement.

"Settled then." Polvin said with a friendly smile to Kellenstein.

"Excellent!" Kellenstein almost rubbed his hands with glee. "We have an example to show you. It will take a few hours to set up, comrades, and we will require coal." He blew his whistle, and a heavily laden party of small boats were soon rowing to land, carrying a small, broken down steam loom and thread, along with several workers (mostly women) to set it up. They set to work in the open area behind Kellenstein's party.

Allem and Polvin looked to each other with some confusion. "Coal?" Polvin asked to them.

"Black stone. Good for burning. These can use wood, but coal is better," Kellenstein explained proudly.

"Do you have the coal needed or must we fetch some wood?" Captain Allem asked to the Rakarskian.

"We haven't brought any combustibles with us," Kellenstein explained apologetically. "We expected that you would have some wood, or coal. There wasn't enough space in the hull. We'll pay you for it, however, in the cloth that we shall make today."