board games.

England

December 14.

Steve Parks carefully adjusted his fine leather gloves, the biting cold chilling his body. This time of year was exceptionally cold. He reviewed the speech he had prepared. His boss had been clear: acquire Workshop Games at all costs, including the copyrights to the Warhammer series. As a negotiation specialist and a member of the sales department, his job was to secure a series of tabletop games that Billy wanted for his upcoming plans.

Warhammer 40K and Dungeons & Dragons had been in Billy's sights. The unique charm of these games held an attraction claimed as the company's top priority. The company had negotiated prices for 1,000,000 million pounds for Workshop Games and 3,000,000 million pounds for Dungeons & Dragons, and they were set to embark on creating various dark fantasy series for their television channel.

Steve Parks, with his round top hat and a slightly oversized suit, had a youthful chin and black hair with a few curls that fell gently over his forehead. His somewhat sunken eyes were framed by round glasses.

-Mr. Parks, you may enter, - said Steve Jackson, a renowned fantasy literature writer, the creator of the Warhammer series, and the spiritual guide of Workshop Games.

-Would you like a cup of coffee, or would you prefer a cup of tea? - Steve Jackson asked.

-Tea would be perfect. Believe it or not, my grandmother is delightfully English, and she taught me to drink tea from an early age, - Steve Parks said. This was one of the reasons he was chosen to lead the negotiations.

-Well, I've received your offer. You've been quite insistent about buying my company, Games Workshop, which I find rather odd. We haven't been doing very well in terms of profits and have barely been surviving on our current sales, - Steve Jackson said.

-It's surprising; I, too, do not see the purchase of Games Workshop as very beneficial from a sales perspective. However, I'm not the boss. My boss believes that you are a very talented person and wants to acquire Games Workshop to form a mutually beneficial alliance, - Steve Parks said.

-What kind of alliance would that be? - Steve Jackson inquired.

-First and foremost, we want to expand the Warhammer 40K series from numerous angles and create an entire dedicated world for your series. These are the plans that Bill C. wants to create, ranging from video games, books, tabletop games, and targeted advertising. As you know, we are Lux Comics, along with ID Software, and our boss is the author of Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire. He can support the creative genius behind your name, - Parks explained.

Negotiating a crucial contract, the deal promised significant growth from the perspective of a united alliance, with Comics and Toys, the creation of television series, different books and their plots, as well as space warfare video games. The plan was to develop the story to a point where it could become a product akin to Marvel, DC, or Star Wars. Steve Jackson was at the forefront of these negotiations. Lux Comics would buy the copyright for 1 million pounds for the series and an additional 2 million pounds for the company.

The contract included a 3% royalty payment over nine years, an employment contract as a writer affiliated with Lux Comics, and a creative director position at Games Workshop.

For Peter Jackson, the conversation and the proposals were moving at an incredibly fast pace, making it challenging to grasp the multitude of ideas he had planned for the coming months.

-This is impressive, -- said Peter Jackson. -- However, I believe I need some time to think it over. It's fantastic news, but I can't rush into a decision. -

-Very well, sir. I would like to mention that my boss intends to establish a writers' club. He wishes to sign on science fiction and fantasy writers to not only expand the number of series but also to create scholarships and opportunities for writers of this genre, along with roles in series. All the details are outlined here and here. One of the essential requirements is exclusivity in choosing our company for the series. Of course, all of this is to serve everyone's best interests, - Steve Parks said.

-A writers' club, - pondered Steve Jackson, another addition to his already troubled thoughts. Overwhelmed by everything that had happened.

*************************

Simultaneously, Raimon was conducting similar negotiations with the creators of Dungeons & Dragons. As an expert in the field, he was chosen along with Rachel, the company's assistant, a no-nonsense individual who would keep Raimon in check during the negotiation.

Dungeons & Dragons had a price range of 3 to 4 million pounds, but Rachel was convinced that 2 million pounds was sufficient. The integrity of the proposal was what made the company and its future growth so appealing. The signing of Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman was also on the table, as well as Tad Williams with his powerful Throne of Bones series.

-Raimon, please be careful with your words. We need to close this deal, and I wouldn't want to walk away with my head hung low because you couldn't control your tongue, - Rachel cautioned Raimon, who had a reputation for making impolitic remarks within the company.

-Of course, I promise, - Raimon replied, although he couldn't help muttering under his breath, - smarty-pants- concealed by his hand.

-Did you say something? - Rachel asked, clearly having heard him. She took a deep breath, choosing to ignore his incompetence and checking the time. The small café was empty, but the client had been half an hour late. She took another deep breath.

The plump cheeks wobbled from side to side in negation.

-Look, there's Gary Gygax, I have my special autographed copy of the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Collection 89. - Raimon exclaimed, raising his hand high. - Mr. Gary, Mr. Dave.

Gary and Dave greeted Raimon, who was ecstatic.

-You have no idea how much I've played Dungeons & Dragons; I'm a total fanatic. I've collected all the dice and every map I could get my hands on. The early ones are hard to find, you know. - Raimon said, shaking hands.

-It's a pleasure to meet a fan of my work. However, I have a meeting to attend, and I'm running late. Excuse me. - Gary replied.

-It's with me; I'm one of the representatives from Lux Comics. Come this way, Mr. - Raimon said. Gary and Dave were surprised by the spontaneous manner of their negotiator, unaware that Rachel was quite furious about the long wait.

-Gentlemen, this is Rachel; she'll lead the meeting. - Raimon introduced.

Gary and Dave nodded, understanding why such an enthusiastic and open person came to a meeting like this, especially noting the inexperience of both. They were young.

-Nice to meet both of you. I represent Lux Animation, the parent company and the leading enterprise behind Lux Comics and Toys and Comics, its subsidiaries. From the management's perspective, we're interested in forging a cooperation agreement, and the creation of a universal hub for various content. The franchise's potential can be expanded, not as a conventional commercial franchise, but as a symbol of America. We propose that we join forces, and of course, the purchase is conditional on both of you becoming the company's co-CEOs. Lux Comics is ready to invest in various initiatives. - Rachel explained, as she had planned.

As Rachel finished, a waiter arrived to interrupt and offer them some refreshments. - Gentlemen, would you like something to drink or eat? - the server inquired.

-I would like two donuts and a cold coffee. And for my esteemed friends, two more donuts. I'd also like some of those cheese sticks to complement. - Raimon ordered.

Gary could only smile. - Yes, in fact, we would like a hot coffee and what the gentleman just ordered.

-Two hot coffees, mine without sugar, please. - Dave Arneson, the second creator of "Tactical Studies Rules," a fantasy lover who discovered it in his adult years, said.

-An espresso with a bottle of water. - Rachel said.

-Very well, your orders will be ready in a moment. - the waiter replied.

Silence settled over the tables once again.

-Well, continuing with the argument, our development is aimed at unlocking the true potential of Dungeons & Dragons. We want to use renowned authors like Tad Williams and Margaret Weis to continue enhancing the series, as well as other prominent writers. If any of you wish to expand the series, we will do everything in our power to support your plans. - Rachel said, finishing her argument.

She felt proud of herself; it went so well that she almost let out a soft cheer.

-Amazingly, we can be a part of this, but big corporations only think about their interests. The growth of our franchise cannot be subject to people who have no interest in the healthy growth of our company. - Dave Arneson said.

-Mr. Dave, our boss, Billy Carson, is my best friend, we're like brothers, and above all, he wouldn't allow something as glorious as Dungeons & Dragons to be harmed. His idea is to hire writers and propose new gaming ideas that still adhere to the standards: twelve, eighteen, and twenty-two-sided dice, along with the general rules for mages, warriors, archers, hunters, dragons, and creatures. In the dungeons, everything must be in order. It would be unheard of if they didn't know the differences between the rules of spellcasting. Billy wants to animate it and create a television series, movies, and books. He also wants to establish a national Dungeons & Dragons team tournament. So don't worry; I will be in charge of reviewing what management orders. - Raimon explained.

-Why don't you buy the film rights? - Gary Gygax asked.

-Sir, it's because we want to take Dungeons & Dragons to the next level. You won't regret it. - Raimon replied. - In ten years, it will rise to new heights, as it always should have. -

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