Goals: 1. Learn as much as you can about the motivations of the other Holdings without being obvious. 2. Try to arrange trade agreements with Holdings looking to buy art long-term. 3. Convince as many people as possible that, as a piece of art, the contents of the temple should go to [[Sandcastle]]. You are Negotiator Paik, the "Uncertain." This nickname, you strongly suspect, came about because of your tendency to answer nearly any question with "it depends." You don't mean to be difficult, or to complicate matters, but that doesn't mean you're willing to oversimplify complex topics. When someone asks you whether they can do something, or whether you're willing to strike a given deal, you try to provide them with all the tools they need to make an informed decision. It's hardly your fault if they can't handle a bit of nuance. There is more to you, though, than a prevaricating hand-wringer. The reason you refuse to ever provide a straight answer is that you, fundamentally, are in the art business, and the art business is not based on straight answers. Or reason, for that matter. You find ways to inflate the value of your possessions while subtly downplaying the value of others, and you do so by getting as far into the weeds as you can. By the time everyone realizes they tuned out, you've already slipped in language granting your majority ownership. Of all [[Sha the Disciple|Sha the Disciple's]] teachings, this is the one you value most: Attention to the Small is Attention to the Great. You've come to the [[Council of Chains]] because you sell art, and because Sha sent word that this temple contains some kind of truly amazing art, though she was characteristically light on specifics. You like art, of course, any child of Sandcastle loves at least some form of art, but more importantly, you like *selling* art. Sure, you have no real claim on the contents of the temple, but this is a Myriadic Council, they award control of superweapons for no reason. Surely a temple is no big deal. ## Asset: [[Soft Words and Sharp Smiles]] You would never be so crass as to use the "carrot and stick" approach. You don't bother to convince, because you know that all you need to do is explain. Your requests are so reasonable that no one would ever think of actually *arguing* with you. When you're involved in a [[Negotiation]], your side gains one advantage for every participant on the other side who is not a martial officer. ## Lien: [[Off to a Bad Start]] Arguably the worst thing a negotiator can do is call themselves a negotiator. It puts everyone on guard, and generally makes the job much harder. Unfortunately, your title is official, public, and undeniable. You try to rise to the challenge, but it creates a surprising amount of trouble. Your side must expend one resource (raw, refined, or fuel) to allow your participation in a [[Negotiation]], representing overcoming those difficulties.