[CONFLICT] The Old Nord Way...

[u/cthulhuh00p]

Zizi arrives in Ivarstead, just days after her diplomat was murdered. She calls from atop a hill, "Torygg! Come face me! You shall duel me in the way of your people. No weapons, no magic, no Thu'um. This is to be a fair fight. If you win, my soldiers will leave the Rift. If I win, the Rift shall become a legal part of the Republic."

As she finishes speaking, her guards back away, and she waits patiently for Torygg to come face here.

[u/cthulhuh00p]

"Skyrim has done nothing but impose harsh taxes and harsher laws upon the people of the Rift. They have never helped the people of the Rift. As an independent nation, the Rift would be free from both of these, and Skyrim could still provide economic support, while Nibenay does the same. This option is best for the people of the Rift. Hell, if the Rift is released as an independent nation, I will ensure that my army is reduced by three quarters, as a symbol of good faith."

/u/thewildryanoceros

[I understand that your character is a shithead, but I want to let y'all know out of character that I'm seriously not trying to take control. Zizi's heart is set on freeing people from injustice. Which sometimes requires a flex of the military muscles, like in Stormhold. But once this engagement is over, I'm planning on splitting Nibenay up into three or four separate nations.]

[u/thewildryanoceros → u/cthulhuh00p]

"I care not for the size of your army. Riften is a part of Skyrim. And if you knew anything about the governance of our land, you would know it is he Jarl, not the High King, that imposes taxes. For instance, the hold of Haafingar is entirely tax free. Economic matters lie with the Jarls, as the control direct governance."

[u/cthulhuh00p → u/thewildryanoceros]

[The Jarl taxes, and the High King also demands taxes from the Jarls. That's how feudalism works.]

[u/thewildryanoceros → u/cthulhuh00p]

[Except that I haven't made any of my jarls pay taxes, except during wartime.]