The Taurean Embassy

The odd circumstances that led to the existence of the Taurean Embassy are well known in Absalom, and fodder for numerous local songs, poetry, and the occasional alley-play. Though often the source of jokes and satire in the human-controlled City at the Center of the World, the master of the Taurean Embassy is also a beloved part of the City's local color. The embassy is owned and operated by Nuar Spiritskin, more commonly known as the Minotaur Prince of Absalom. An albino Minotaur Prince of Absalom. An albino minotaur of only human stature, Nuar was born 3 decades ago to a tribe in the mountains at the center of the island. Small and weak, he survived only because hes tribe feared killing him would anger their patron-demon, who might have sent him as a messenger. As he grew, Nuar proved to be quicker-witted than his kinfolk, and despite lacking any true power he began to command respect as a spirit-talker. When he pressed for command of her tribe, the chieftain's son beat him nearly to death and drove him out of the mountains. Nuar made his way to Absalom and took work as a porter (for even a weak minotaur makes a good porter) and sometimes did shows at Aysepir's Astounded Abyss. One night he was resting within the Grog Pit and came across a man being beaten by foreign sailors. Nuar thought the man looked rich enough to offer a reward, and saved him. In fact, the man turned out to be Lord Gyr himself, wandering without guards to get a "true feel" for the city. Lord Gyr offered Nuar a reward, and the albino asked to be acknowledged as Prinve of Minotaurs. Lord Gur agreed, and the Grand Counil gave Nuar the rights and privileges of any other foreign monarch-which, honestly don't amount to much. However, such entitlements do include the right to grant merchant licenses, the right appear before the Grand Council, the same trade breaks as a trademaster, and the right to only be judged by the First Lady of Laws herself. As a result, Nuar has become something of a middleman in Absalom, using his title to pave the way in deals and placing hes stamp on them to reduce tax costs and Grand Council interference. His influene is minor, and only Lord Gyr's continued support of the fiction that Nuar is a visiting monarch makes it possible at all, but the Minotaur Prince has likely done enough business to earn the titlle of trademaster aside from hes royal privilege. Ultimately, Nuar seeks to become ruler of the island's minotaurs in fact as well as in name. Though the tribes continue to rebuff him, the prince occasionally sends them gifts and offers of fealty (through well-paid, well-armed mercenary couriers), and has even been known to solve for minotaur tribes without their ever requesting it. He also continues to make treaties in the name of the minotaurs with trade groups and even foreign powers. While these agreements are meaningless now, should Nuar ever actually take power, they could shape the nature of diplomacy in the interior while there agreements are meaningless now, should Nuar ever actually take power, they could shape the nature of diplomacy in the interior of the island for decades.