"Watch that one. She's got a tongue like a snake and nary a scruple. Still, she's got a weakness for Elven wine and handsome young footmen. I'm sure you can arrange something...scandalous."
- —Odmar Horst, guild envoy[2a]
Kaspar von Velten, renowned ambassador of the Empire to the court of Kislev.
Ambassadors,[1a] also known as envoys and diplomats,[2a][Note 1] are hired by the governments of nations, powerful nobles, great merchant houses, craft guilds, or the major religious cults to represent their employer's interests in the Old World's various national and provincial capitals.[1a][2a]
Role[]
"I feel the eyes upon me wherever I go. I cannot shake the notion that I am being followed. As I lay in my bed at night, I can hear the sound of claws upon the tiles of my roof. It is as if everything I do, every word I speak, is being marked."
While some ambassadors are chosen for their exquisite tastes and ability to spoil rivals and allies alike with carefully chosen words and gifts, others may be selected for their sharp minds, understanding of intelligence networks, or undeniable charisma. However, all ambassadors must be masters of negotiation and other social interactions.[1a] [2a]
Most ambassadors are granted the right to speak on behalf of their sovereign and also receive some sort of legal immunity from prosecution by the government of the nation they are working in. Nevertheless, diplomats have many enemies, and the job is a dangerous one, only increasing in risk as the ambassador becomes more influential within the target realm. The highest courts of the Old World's governments abound with intrigue, and, should an ambassador fail in a task, their employer may become just the latest individual out to get them.[1a][2a]
Most diplomats start out as heralds, working as aides to higher-ranking ambassadors. If they find success in their profession, they may become more powerful envoys, with diplomatic staffs of their own. Occasionally, diplomats may find work with mercenary companies -- the most successful are able to find victory without a fight.[2a]
In Kislev, ambassadors work tirelessly from their well-guarded embassies, keen to do whatever is necessary to catch the eye of Tzarina Katarin Bokha. All ambassadors to the court of Kislev are always of noble birth, for the tzarina would never deign to meet with what she would consider a foreign peasant.[1a]
Dwarfs have a grim outlook on life and rarely waste words on meaningless platitudes and empty gestures. They see these behaviors in others and detest it. Grumpy, straight-talking Dwarfs do not make the best diplomats, as they say it as they see it, which can make already delicate negotiations somewhat tricky. However, there are Dwarfs that can play political games who are known as "azril-tongued", for they make the best messengers and diplomats.[4a]
After several hundred years of being around Men and High Elves, Dwarf diplomats can become emissaries and ambassadors, using a tolerance built up over decades to bite their tongues and match wits with the snarkiest of the beardless scum, with their forbearance of other races allowing them to play the game of diplomacy as well as any Elf, lacing palms with oathgold as needed. In this way, they serve the Karaz Ankor by brokering alliances and treaties. Other Dwarfs look upon this occupation with disdain, ignorant to how many Dawi lives have been saved through carefully-brokered peace treaties.[4b]
Notes[]
- Note 1: In Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition, the career of envoy exclusively referred to High Elven ambassadors. In Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition, however, envoy is now used as a term for all ambassadors in general, regardless of their origin.