[Tarot]

Vidocai may have been a fatherly-looking big man, but the glint in his eyes testified to his shrewdness as both a politician and a businessman. It had not been easy for him to become Thane here. Elected by popular vote rather than what the population considered to be a fake governor, Theodien of Ieffreon, Laertes Vidocai had had to face some of the worst competition around, but had come on top of it. And right now, Vidocai knew he would love some foreign money in the coffers of his island, but he would love that money even more if it were invested the way he wanted.

"Ah, I do remember your proposal... Arwen? I hope I did not butcher it too badly. Elven tea is a commodity that is not currently for sale on the island, and there is possibly a market for that. Of course, there is no guarantee it would be a success, as I am sure you will understand, which is why I tried to stress the benefits of financing local touristic projects in my letter. We are in the process of upgrading Hotel Magnifico into the resort of the century, and inviting select foreign investors to take part in the project."

"But..." he said with a slightly dismissive tone to his voice, "I suppose there is one empty shoppe available for rent - not purchase, I am afraid. We are a small island with our old traditions... it was one of our family-owned shoppes, passed down through the generations like each and every one in Port Chelseanna. Old man Viatici passed away last era. No-one else wanted to continue on his footsteps or even claim the shoppe, unfortunately. His craft is somewhat misunderstood nowadays for some reason, and I personally mourn the loss of yet another artisan whose art found no heirs."

"He certainly made some of the best coffins in Eunesia," the Podesta said quickly.