Skip to content
Mar de Oro
  • Start Here
  • How Mar de Oro Plays
  • About
  • ResourcesCommunity Review
GM Guide · Mar de Oro
Restricted · For the GMHome
HubAdventuresCampaignToolsSession PrepResources
GM·Campaign·All chapters
Part II · Running the Campaign

Chapter VII

Running the Negotiations

Turn talk into pressure.

The summit is a campaign hub, not a sequence of speeches.

The Negotiation Cycle

  • Name the public subject: trade, tariffs, security, scientific access, custody, cultural protections, or the official San Telmo account.
  • Ask which faction benefits if the discussion remains narrow and which benefits if it widens.
  • Let the DeSauros delegation handle technical wording. Ask the players for the strategic objective, concession, and threat.
  • Resolve one meaningful intervention in the chosen rules system. A clean success preserves Position; a mixed result gains the objective with debt, exposure, or a clock advance.
  • End with a private move: an invitation, bribe, disappearance, intercepted note, accusation, or request for protection.

    • Summit Agenda

    DAY / PHASEPUBLIC SUBJECTHIDDEN CONTESTADVENTURE WINDOW
    OpeningRecognition and procedureWho may speak for Canula Prime and who controls the San Telmo record.Reception, private introductions, altered registry.
    TradeTariffs, convoy access, and insuranceWho controls Éterlumin routing and which manifests remain sealed.Warehouse raid, clerk protection, Stroomdijk correspondence.
    SecurityEscort rights and naval presenceAlbion wants access to signals; Valdegracia wants lawful seizure powers.Dock surveillance, false order, airship inspection.
    Culture and ScienceHistorical sites, research, educationLuminore seeks access; the Clann and local families fear mapping.Protect a site, meet Juliette, receive the triskele coin.
    Private BargainingBilateral concessionsThe Project Custodian tests buyers for the Ear.Infiltration, blackmail, secret meeting with Montoya.
    Final TermsCustody, publication, and enforcementThe winner decides who can act openly after the conference.Present evidence, protect witnesses, survive retaliation.
    Opening
    PUBLIC SUBJECT
    Recognition and procedure
    HIDDEN CONTEST
    Who may speak for Canula Prime and who controls the San Telmo record.
    ADVENTURE WINDOW
    Reception, private introductions, altered registry.
    Trade
    PUBLIC SUBJECT
    Tariffs, convoy access, and insurance
    HIDDEN CONTEST
    Who controls Éterlumin routing and which manifests remain sealed.
    ADVENTURE WINDOW
    Warehouse raid, clerk protection, Stroomdijk correspondence.
    Security
    PUBLIC SUBJECT
    Escort rights and naval presence
    HIDDEN CONTEST
    Albion wants access to signals; Valdegracia wants lawful seizure powers.
    ADVENTURE WINDOW
    Dock surveillance, false order, airship inspection.
    Culture and Science
    PUBLIC SUBJECT
    Historical sites, research, education
    HIDDEN CONTEST
    Luminore seeks access; the Clann and local families fear mapping.
    ADVENTURE WINDOW
    Protect a site, meet Juliette, receive the triskele coin.
    Private Bargaining
    PUBLIC SUBJECT
    Bilateral concessions
    HIDDEN CONTEST
    The Project Custodian tests buyers for the Ear.
    ADVENTURE WINDOW
    Infiltration, blackmail, secret meeting with Montoya.
    Final Terms
    PUBLIC SUBJECT
    Custody, publication, and enforcement
    HIDDEN CONTEST
    The winner decides who can act openly after the conference.
    ADVENTURE WINDOW
    Present evidence, protect witnesses, survive retaliation.

    DeSauros Delegation

    NAMEROLESTRENGTHWHAT THEY NEED FROM THE CHARACTERS
    Captain Huan DeSaurosChief negotiator and captain of Aurora Ventus.Pragmatic authority, crew loyalty, commercial judgment.A clear objective and warning before the party creates a public crisis.
    Isabella “Izzy” FerraroTrade and logistics adviser.Numbers, tariffs, routes, insurance, and supply.Accurate evidence; she refuses to build strategy on rumor.
    Rafael “Rafa” MoralesLegal and diplomatic adviser.Jurisdiction, treaty language, procedural traps.Custody plans, witness status, and the exact concession the party is willing to make.
    Captain Huan DeSauros
    ROLE
    Chief negotiator and captain of Aurora Ventus.
    STRENGTH
    Pragmatic authority, crew loyalty, commercial judgment.
    WHAT THEY NEED FROM THE CHARACTERS
    A clear objective and warning before the party creates a public crisis.
    Isabella “Izzy” Ferraro
    ROLE
    Trade and logistics adviser.
    STRENGTH
    Numbers, tariffs, routes, insurance, and supply.
    WHAT THEY NEED FROM THE CHARACTERS
    Accurate evidence; she refuses to build strategy on rumor.
    Rafael “Rafa” Morales
    ROLE
    Legal and diplomatic adviser.
    STRENGTH
    Jurisdiction, treaty language, procedural traps.
    WHAT THEY NEED FROM THE CHARACTERS
    Custody plans, witness status, and the exact concession the party is willing to make.

    Negotiation Moves

    MOVEREQUIREMENTRESULT
    Demand AccessOne Position or proof of immediate danger.Gain inspection, interview, or site access under named conditions.
    Protect a PersonA safe location, legal argument, or committed ally.The person cannot be quietly removed without public cost.
    Expose a ContradictionTwo independent sources or one intact primary record.Reduce a faction’s credibility and force a public answer.
    Trade SilenceEvidence the target believes can become public.Gain a concession now; create permanent debt and moral risk.
    Force a VoteFour Position and at least two delegations willing to be recorded.Turn a private issue into binding public procedure.
    Break the TableProof of atrocity, armed attack, or active Source danger.End normal negotiation and begin inquiry, blockade, or emergency authority.
    Demand Access
    REQUIREMENT
    One Position or proof of immediate danger.
    RESULT
    Gain inspection, interview, or site access under named conditions.
    Protect a Person
    REQUIREMENT
    A safe location, legal argument, or committed ally.
    RESULT
    The person cannot be quietly removed without public cost.
    Expose a Contradiction
    REQUIREMENT
    Two independent sources or one intact primary record.
    RESULT
    Reduce a faction’s credibility and force a public answer.
    Trade Silence
    REQUIREMENT
    Evidence the target believes can become public.
    RESULT
    Gain a concession now; create permanent debt and moral risk.
    Force a Vote
    REQUIREMENT
    Four Position and at least two delegations willing to be recorded.
    RESULT
    Turn a private issue into binding public procedure.
    Break the Table
    REQUIREMENT
    Proof of atrocity, armed attack, or active Source danger.
    RESULT
    End normal negotiation and begin inquiry, blockade, or emergency authority.

    Each act is a pressure field with entrances, exits, and consequences.

    ✦
    Previous · Ch VIThe Campaign Spine
    Next · Ch VIIIAct I — Ashes of San Telmo
    ← All chapters

    For the Game Master's eyes

    Tales of Mar de Oro · Game Master's Guide · Johnny Crown · 7202 Post Sundering

    Restricted · For the Game Master

    Mar de Oro Game Master Area

    This is the Game Master side of Tales of Mar de Oro: campaign chapters, session preparation tools, and running guidance for the Golden Sea. It is open to anyone, but it is written for the person behind the screen.

    Campaign spoiler warning: the material past this point includes faction secrets, hidden truths, and the sequence of events behind the campaign. Reading it as a player will hollow out surprises the setting depends on.

    Spoiler-free GM resources you can open without entering: Mar de Oro GM Tables and new Game Master onboarding.

    Return to player material

    7202 Post Sundering · Johnny Crown