The Dance of Civilizations [Diplo Game] [Story Thread Pt3 - November 2009]

[Robert Plomp]

This is the Story and Diplomacy Thread for the Diplo Game "The Dance of Civilizations" (DoC)

The purpose of this thread is to post in-character story posts and diplomacy for this game. Please discuss all organizational aspects of this game the Organization Thread.
Use your Anonymous Apolyton Game Account to put posts in this thread.

The Dance of Civilizations is a diplomacy game.
The players try to rule their empires like they are real. Role playing and story telling is an important way to achieve this.
Fore more information visit the Diplogame FAQ by OzzyKP





For more information visit the Organization Thread.

[Persia (DoC)]

Guru Ahm'Az offers Code of Laws to Russia To celebrate thousands of years of friendship, Ahm'Az of Persia offers the knowledge of Law to Russia. Persia will pay the voucher. Ahm'Az wants to send out a strong message. Friends of Hastog will be rewarded! Enemies of Persia or Hastog will be crumbled. Some call the Persians barbarians. That's only because they don't know the nature of true Hastogianism and self awareness.

[India (DoC)]

A rare occasion, the four indian high priests are dining together in the Sha'Tao Citadel by the invitation of Zulkash to celebrate the 4000th anniversary of Delphi's foundation. They are:
Zulkash, the first one, the oldest one. He is the holyest of the holy men, others call him the voice of the God.
Kordush, the head of the taoist missionaries, He was the one who compiled the book of Sha'Tao.
Nevaam, the head of the scholars. He is responsible to put the teachings of the God into practice.
Prakesh, head of the templars, his duty to train the holy warriors and prepare the church againts the forces of darkness. However..

..the assembly of this holy army didnt go to well and Zulkash felt that they didnt take a strong enough line against those who ignore the warnings of Tao. He has conflicted wit Prakesh many times about this and it didnt take long to drive the conversation to this subject again... :

...

Z: That's the same lame excuse you gave us the last time and the previous dozen times before.. You must have lost your faith.. Tell me since when was the last time you actually asked for guidance from him?
P: That's enough Zulkash, I'm doing my best as all of us, maybe you could see it with your own eyes if you ever left your underground caves!!
Z: Fool! I can see more than you ever could imagine..
K: Alright, alright.. No need to..
P: And tell me oh, all seeing wise man if you can touch the ground of reality.. what would you do?
Z: I'm saying it's time for a different approach and I can not undertand how can you ignore the fact that our time is running out and our goal is much far away than it ever was.
P: Different approach?
Z: Yes, Let's see your young apprentice for example what's his name? Ashoka, right?
P: You can't be serious..
Z: The "hero of Verguf", the one who you had expelled just after He returned victorious.. Let me read a part from a witness's report: " ..so Ashoka ordered the burning of all the unbelievers while himself stood in the main sqaure and was reading from the book of Sha'Tao aloud. His voice was firm and forcefull, even the screaming of the villagers couldnt oppress it.."
P: That man is insane, my failure..
Z: I'd watch how I talk about someone who follows the teachings of our Lord.
P: He buthcered the whole village!
Z: No, He eliminated those who refused the light, the choice was theirs. And now the rest of the villagers are all faithfull followers
P: You mean that three.. and half..
Z: Right, a hundred percent. As a matter of fact I have invited captain Ashoka here... -Zulkash waved to the guards-
P: What??
Z: ..So He could ad his views to this conversation
K: You know it's quite irregular...
-Ashoka walks in He bows deeply before the high priests-
Z: Come and join us my friend. We may all learn from you succes and get inspiration from your faith which you have demonstrated so many times.
A: I'm honored to be in the house of God
P: Well, enjoy your stay, I'm leaving.
Z: Wait!, my friend.. this matter allows of no delay. We must hesitate no longer
P: You want to burn the world, eh? just dream on.. Verguf was a small barbarian village and wonder what would you do if you realize what is the true situation out there- Oh and you should explain this to the King, He..
Z: The kings are no concern to us. They always do what we want one way or an other..
P: I had enough of this madness- Prakesh standed up and was leaving
Z: I accept you resignation-Zulkash smiled and noded to Ashoka.
- Ashoka calmly walked to a guard and took a spear from his hand. The Guard just stand there and let his weapon to be taken. And Ashoka threw the spear directly into Prakesh's heart, black blood spilled on the floor.. high priest Prakesh was no more..

K: As I've said this is quite irregular-said Kordush with grim smile on his face
Z: Our kind doesnt really retire after all- Zulkash laughed- Sit down, Nevaam, my friend.. this is God's will. He told me that our trust in Prakesh was wrongly placed and He will send us a true leader of our holy army, and now He is here. Come Ashoka, it's time to meet someone..

[Inca (DoC)]

[Korea (DoC)]

The Armies boarded the Fleet and set sail for the Incan homelands.
Each man on board was both fearful and excited.

Today marked the begining of a new voyage.

Today the mouse squeeked.!

[Russia (DoC)]

The Ottoman Prince Murad made his way through Russia to the coast of the Al-Jazeera, entering the city of Moscow he was greeted with royal courtesy and honors. He was given fine cloth to wear, and beautiful weapons made by the master smith of Novgorod himself. Much honor was bestowed upon him, for he was the first foreign noble to visit Moscow.

He was then introduced to the Lady Catherine, Princess of Russia, High Priestess and Bride of Hastog, Protector of Kola. They walked in the palace gardens and Catherine questioned the young Prince on many matters of which she considered important for a ruler. The Prince answered well, and Catherine took a liking to his staunch, yet wily demeanor. Then she said to him
Young Prince Murad, you seem a man of wisdom and strength, these are attributes valued in Russia, and needed to rule people without use of force. Unfortunately, though you have proven yourself to me, and my word is law, if the time comes that I shall pass away and you are married to Dominika, then the Slavs who are simple people may take issue with a foreigner ruling in their lands. Because of this, you must make for yourself a name in Russia. Only by great deed can you gain the popularity of the people that will stay with you throughout your life. Therefore, I see no other option than to give you a quest. If you succeed, the Russians will speak highly of you, love you and see you as a hero. Then my daughter's hand in marriage will be yours.

I understand, answered Murad, I will then take a name that the Russian will come to know and cherish. I am Murad ibn Usman, but from today, I will take the name Pavel Murad-ib. Tell me of this quest you have for me.

You have a retinue of soldiers with you, but they are no more than a small guard. I want you to go to the Ottoman lands and bring me an armed host of men. I care not how you raise such an army, but I am certain that you can do so. When you have brought an army of at least 50,000 men to Moscow, a wedding of magnitude will be thrown. For he who can undertake the leadership of men not by right of birth, but by guile and courage, deserves to rule, and a strong man may marry my daughter.

This task I will complete, but I must ask, shall not your daughter and I meet? Has she no say in the matter?

You prove yourself to me again, Pavel Murad-ib. This was in itself a test, for my daughter is as fierce as the raging fires of the Hastogian underworld, and a man who cares not for her opinion would not last long in this world. You smile, warrior, well I can assure you, she is deadly like a viper. A lion may not fear the wolf, but all beasts fear the snake, for she is cunning and ruthless. I will let you meet my daughter before you leave.

[Russia (DoC)]

A report came to Ivan of Nova Semlja.

-Mylord. A Byzantine settlement has been discovered by our chariot patrols. On Kola!

Notify the Protector immediately. Send the Byzantines a message that they must remove their settlement immediately.

[Mali (DoC)]

K'Paki was born into the Mali nation, the son of peasants who worked hard just to have enough food on the table. In order to help their son grow, they sent him to the temple for religious studies hoping he would become a monk and live well as an adult. K'Paki was a very smart young man and was very devoted to his religious studies. As he grew older and wiser, he realized the wonder that is Tao was so very powerful. He became the supreme leader of Mali for Taoism and was known throughout the land as a very wise man. He was so entwined in the Taoism that he began going by his Tao name: Chung-Tzu and so wise that he became the chief advisor for The Great Korta. Together with The Great Korta, Chung-Tzutaught the mali people that the Tao gods loved them and wanted them to be happy. This could only be accomplished by The Great Korta who was appointed by the Tao gods themselves to be the high ruler of Mali. Although this practice of naming the next Great Korta had been passed from son to son over the centuries, it was now an official decree by the ruler of the heavens. With Chung-Tzu's help, Tao became dominant across Mali establishing both hereditary rule and theology across the land.

[Byzantium (DoC)]

Theodosius looked at the Governer of Antioch and the Admiral of the Ice Sea,

"Is there any doubt?"

"No my lord, at first when it was just some rumours among the fish-wives and then some lost boats we thought little of it, but then we started to find wreckage, and then we all saw it - a huge pirate flleet sailed into the north bay of Antioch."



"Where have they come from? I thought that between our friends the Greeks in the West and the Eyptians in the East, the coast of civilised"

"That is true my lord in respect of the continent, but there are many islands in the ice sea, some seemingly quite large though we have never circumnavigated any of them. But we know of at least three - one north-west of Niceae, one north-east of Antioch and one to the north of Nicomedia - there may well be more".

"And that is where they are based, these pirates?"

"Yes my lord, we have long heard rumours of the peaople of the ice, but finally it seems they have buld a great fleet and have come south to raid our lands"

Theodosius paused, for a long minute. Was this not now a time for peace? But he knew what he must do, he knew that pirates and barbarians stood poised as always to destroy the civilisation which Byzantium stood for.

"Destroy the pirates. Hunt down their ships. Build fleets. Find their villages. Bring civilisation to the islands of the ice sea. This is our destiny, in the wilds of this world, abandoned by others, the haunt of murders and bandits, we will being civilisation".

[Korea (DoC)]

The armies of the Governor were in standoff for ages, year after year passed, new sons sent to the front line. but still no action.

Things moved very slowly in this world apparently.

[Ottoman Empire (DoC)]

Persia,

We Ottomans wished to know if the recent actions you took were hostile, you replied by mocking us.

Us, the ones who harbored the first of the Hastog exiles, us who are so far behind you technoligically that you are of another age, us who have never taken a hostile action against anyone else.

Your armies stand very close to our lands now and we cannot accept that they move a single step closer.

If your units move onto the unguarded plain field that would bring them closer to our lands still, we are telling you right now, we will have no choice but to declare immediate war and the battle will start right there.

It is up to you.

We do not want a war, we are even happy to tolerate your outpost on the tip of the peninsula, but we cannot let you move forward, it is a question of our survival.

We are open to negotiation if you'd like to do so in pms, but one step closer will mean bloodshed for us both.

Respectfully,

The Ottomans.

[Native America (DoC)]

The Secret story of Lone Horn

Many moons ago the Native American adventurer, Chief Lone Horn, set out alone on his voyage of exploration in his adapted canoe and with an ample supply of provisions and peace pipes and tobacco. He thought that the journey of discovery would take just a few summers and that after a reasonable period of time he would arrive back with wondrous tales of the lands he had seen.

He promised that as best he could, he would keep ‘Touch the Cloud’ and the other chiefs up date with his travels via the traditional ‘smoke signal ‘ system. But the further and longer he explored the more difficult this became. So he asked the leaders and especially the traders, of those peoples he met, that if they met with his Native American tribe, that they tell of his travels.

But weeks turned into months and years. The winters were difficult for travel and some times he had to spend months waiting for contact with foreign leaders to get permission to sail in their coastal waters.

So often he spent a lot of time in coastal villages. His peace pipe was a big success. To cut a long story short, Lone Horn was a big hit with the squaws. He acquired a wife and child and off they would sail to the next land.

Lone Horn had always wondered about the traditional Native American explanation of the origin of life and it’s meaning and as he travelled he heard of other peoples beliefs, which caused him to question his own religion. Little did he know that back in his homeland, a new belief system was gathering pace.

Therefore to somehow safeguard his brothers and sisters back home, from these new beliefs, he swore his family to continue with the story that, he Lone Horn was still on a voyage of discovery.

So even after the original Lone Horn died, his male offspring, who had inherited his amazing ‘Peace pipes’, begat and begat and took their father’s name in his memory and continued the journey in the same pattern.

Back in his homeland, even his tribe was astounded at his longevity and traders from a nearby nation poked fun at the great age this Lone Horn must be, ‘Wow, he must be a even bigger, Little Big Man’

Slowly over time the true achievements of Lone Horn reached home.

[Persia (DoC)]

		Ahm'Az read the Ottoman letter He grinned. At least they got some balls. Then he returned a letter: Ottomans, First I have to give you some credits! You got the balls to confront Persia! You were able to read our message! You responded to our message! You understood that it was mockery! You were able to settle the peninsula pretty fast! Hastog will be proud of you! Hairy be his arse. But now you write this 2nd message to me. And still you are not clarifying to me why you feel insulted and threatened by us. Our armies are close to your lands because you approach our lands with armies. It's not that we do not want to insult you or threaten you. Insulting and threatening is our favorite way of spending time. No, it's only that we don't know how we did insult and threaten you. Please explain! Which are the actions you asked us about if they are hostile? Ottomans, don't be afraid. Persia knows your Hastogianistic nature! We never had any plans to invade you or seize your territory. Persia actually has enough of it's own. Your acknowledge of the Persian settlement on what you call "The tip of the peninsula" is not needed, but welcomed and noted. We will acknowledge all Ottoman lands as well, though we are not pleased with the settlement of your latest city, which is way too close to ours. Now let's finally bury all misunderstandings between the both our nations. I am willing to treat Ottomania as one of the Hastogian friends of Persia. No need for you to feel threatened. We will support you when you're invaded by non Hastogianists. We'll trade technologies with each other first. We will not declare war upon each other. We will respect your territory You will be prepared to support us in war if we ask you to. You will help us to spread Hastogianism around the world. What about that?

[Russia (DoC)]

Dominika! What have you done? This is surely madness!

-No mother, this is Russia! And those are Russian lands by treaty and by payment. We paid for that land and we will have it. And those who sold it to us should aid us in claiming it.

I understand and share your outrage, but what you have done is going to have a lot of consequences. Consequences that may not be to your liking! Russia is yours when I die, but until then I make the decisions, I give orders to the armies and I make the final decisions!! And if you don't behave I will break you in to good behaviour like a horse herder at Novgorod would do! Do I make myself clear!?

-Yes, mother, but this affront cannot be allowed to go unanswered!

Do you really think that I do not know this? Do you really think, that I, Catherine, Princess of Russia, High Priestess of Hastog and Protector of Kola, am too old and weak to know when and where to show strength? Now order your swordsman guard to march to their appointed garrison at Village Smolensk and stay there or I will consider this an act of rebellion and have them put to death and you whipped!

-Yes mother...

And while we are at it, I want you to continue your training and when finished, there will be a task for you. Do it well and you will be given more than just a swordsman guard. Now, tell me, how did your meeting with Pavel Murad-ib go?

-Well... I...

A messenger enters: My Lady Princess, the explorer Feodor has sent a map for you.

Hmmm, let me see that. You will have to tell me about Pavel later.

[India (DoC)]

The minister read the letter and went completely pale- and this is what I should...
-This is what you are going to.. send to each nation.
-I.. I Can't.. I must consult with the King's advisors.. I belive Ashoka should consult with the King himself
-High priest Ashoka needs to consult with no one and even the King must obey to God's wishes.. maybe you should go and explain your hesitation to Zulkash himself-The messenger priest smiled, the letter was sent..

From High Priest Ashoka

Nations of the world! Hear the message of the God and the Taoist church!

We are deeply dissapointed and dissatisfied with your attitude to the true faith. Seems many of you haven't realized yet how grave our situation is and hesitate folloving our guidance. But be not mistaken...our patience is not limitless...

To the Mali and the Natives: You are our brothers and sisters in faith, and while your soul is safe you must not just stand idle but should help us advocate the Sha'Tao to all who still needs it. And if the time comes You shall be ready to stand besides us fighting the evil hordes.

To the Quechua: Tell us.. why are you hesitating embracing the true faith? All your people are faithfull follovers yet you still hadn't accepted the Tao. You should be the light on that troubled continent and helping us to spread the truth to the others. Listen To your people and do not hesitate any longer!

To Korea: Know we are watching your island as well. Many of your cities have already the true faith-you must listen to them untill it's too late. We have heard that there were "communication problems", some say that your chosen diplomats are mute... not a wise choice if it's true.. but it must be just a legend, isn't it?

To Byzantium Stop spreading your fairy tales and thus dooming your own and other nation's people! Peace and love, eh? I wonder how will that protect your soul from the demons when they come.. But maybe we won't let you see that.. we can't just stand idle and watch your wrongdoing too much longer. We ask you: open your eyes, repent your sins and convert to the Sha'Tao. We will gadly give any help we can.

To Egypt: Tell us..: What kind of evil plot are you hatching in your so called "Freindship city"?? Know we are watching... You should also realize that your soul is in danger and convert to the true faith NOW.

To England An other country of lost souls and what is even worse You are even denying the chance of salvation from your people. How dare you closing the border in front of our missionaries?? And by your action you doomed our expedition fleet to certain death as they can't come home now. We won't forgive you this easily...

To Greece, Rome, Arabia, to all the MADs: Your 'religion' is as misled as the Byzantine's. Instead of forming alliances based on a false religion you should learn about the truth of Tao. Now we have other priorities but sooner or later we will get to you too. Hope you will listen to our missionaries who are visiting your countires despite the big distances.


To the Ottomans, Russians, Brittons, to Persia and all his minions: We haven't met yet, but we know you are out there. And we have learnt that your soul might be beyond salvation already. But for those who are not lost completely we will bring hope. We will protect the world from the follovers of the Fat Pig and from all his demons. When the time comes the God will teach us to build bigger and faster ships, then we will come..soon..

Ashoka, high priest of the Sha'Tao, 4130 OD, Delphi

[Persia (DoC)]

Daily Random quote from "The Wisdom of Hastog"

8:13 The faith of the weak
is spread by begging.
The faith of the strong
just spreads.
8:14 "Please convert to our faith"
the worthless ask.
The strong know
fate will convert.
8:15 Another message, another attempt,
another letter in vain.
Why beg to receive what you desire
if you can step forward and grab it?

[Russia (DoC)]

Letter to the Guru.

We thank you for your earlier generous offer, but we are not currently in need of what you offered us. There are other needs that we faithfully believe you can aid us with.
Please send missionaries of Hairy Hastogianism. Though the elite of Russia follow Hastog, the peasants and rabble are jews and muslims. With more missionaries we could arrange a large scale conversion. Unfortunately Russia has no monasteries and lack the technology to build them. We are attempting to acquire it by trade from other nations, but with our current plight it will take decades if not centuries before all of Russia is converted without help as we have many other priorities.

[Mali (DoC)]

The Continuing Adventures of Captain Junbar

The people of Friendship City were indeed friendly and welcomed Captain Junbar and his crew into the city walls. At the time, this city was under Byzantine rule. After a few days in Friendship City, Captain Junbar and his crew felt refreshed and planned to continue their voyage. As a present, the Byzantine leaders gave Captain Junbar several cows to take back to the mainland. In return, Captain Junbar gave some rice to the very friendly Byzantines. Waving and hoisting sails, Captain Junbar sailed out of Friendship city to the northwest. They sailed west and then turned north around the peninsula of the island they had been following. The weather became increasingly colder and civilization was not to be seen. As the crew sailed further north, barbarians clothed in furs were seen on the coast, but the ship continued on. The water became very icy and it is feared that the ship will need to backtrack or fear being encased in ice.

[Native America (DoC)]

Our people are at heart a nomadic people and hence we still live in tepees, though these tepees are getting bigger, now that we have settled.

It is rumoured that our distant forbearers were great builders of temples and holy houses for the training of shamans but it is only recently from our travels that we have acquired the knowhow to build such structures again and we will start to do so soon.

[Byzantium (DoC)]

My friends and partners in trade, Catherine of Russia and Hor-Aha of Egypt

Other nations unknown to me that border the Ice Sea.

My people have become greatly troubled by pirates sailing out of the northern islands of the Ice Sea (the Byzantine name for the sea which is to the north of our coasts). These have been increasing in number, and causing great hardship to our fishing communities, and threatening all shipping in the ice sea.

We have started to investigate the ice sea, in keeping with the Byzantine way of seeking to bring civilisation to the empty, barren, spaces of this world.

However, my fellow leaders, we have started to realise what a huge expanse the ice sea is, and how many islands some small some huge, exist within it.

Thus, I have started to feel that perhaps we need a more co-ordinated approach to the Ice Sea. Together, we could pacify it - through a mixture of civilisation and patrols - in a spirit of co-oparation and friendship. There is much land there - though not of great quality - as much as any of us could want.

What do you think, my fellow leaders? Could we here in the north come together to form the Council of the Ice Sea to oversee the development of this area, in peace, and to secure the peace of our lands?

Theodosius King of the Byzantines

[Ottoman Empire (DoC)]

The Ottoman people remained proud, their leader Bayezid had avoided war with the Persians and settled 2 new cities on the peninsula west of the capital.

Draft a letter in response to the Persians, Bayezid said, and so his scribes commenced...

Ahm'Az of Persia,

We hope this letter finds you in good health. We are glad that your armies turned back from the desert plain, we both would have lost good men.

We would like to agree to not go to war with each other, why, our people worship the same Gods, why would we need to?

You ask what was the action we did not initially approve of, and that was your settlement on the tip of the peninsula. We would like that land, as you mentioned you have plenty for yourself. Why bother with the upkeep and hassle? Can an agreement be made where we see this city surrendered to Ottoman control? Surely you have a price.

We would like to be friends.

Bayezid.

[Ottoman Empire (DoC)]

...meanwhile, Murad was still in Russia, courting Dominika.

She had asked for Ottoman troops to be sent to the Russian lands in support of a new mission which he did not know the details of.

While Murad was not the acting ruler and without access to all of the Ottoman military, he was given control of the navy by his brother, acting ruler Bayezid.

My fair Dominika, Murad replied, I cannot send armies but ships have already set sail.

If this is what it will take for your hand in marriage, it is not too large of a request.

[Korea (DoC)]

Th king sat in the Palce and considered the latest information. the governor from the north had started a "cold" war with the incas. It was agaisnt the Korean way to be so aggresive. The King called his advisors and consulted them for anyo toher governors actions. Apaprently some were not sending the full allotment of gold to the central treausry.

It was time to act. For too long Korea had been going in various directions due to no centrla leadership. Now the King rose and made a decision.

He called to his Forieng Minsiter , Andre Dearim,
"take the following message to the Incans"

Message to the Glorious Incans
Greetings our friends from centuries long passed. It has come to my attention that a fleet of Northern Peninsula Soldiers has been sailing up and down your coast for centuries saying rude things and making funny faces at you. Well this is just not right. I King Robesi IV do hereby resolve to end this betrayal by the governor of the northern provinces. His head will sent to you as a present to show that we do not take lighlty this action , we ask that your forgive the peace loving people of Korea for this foolish action taken by a mad man. I send to you my foreign minsiter to establish closer ties between us.

the king turned to his military chiefand spoke
"Gather your finest men and remove once and for all this evil governor. If any of the other provinces rebel. Make their governors jointhe first. The power of Korea is now in this palace and not in the hands of the far sprung provinces."

The military chief left the room to take the action

The King turned to his Spiritual advisor.
"Claminu, my friend, why does this nation of ours have no central belief system. Are we the only nation to not accept one of the many beleif systems. Go now and come back and tell me which is the way to god. Go"

The Guru Claminu went to pray to all the known gods and which ever one answered he would tell the king.

And so Korea was united under one king, the age of Provinical Governors was over.

Day one of the Nation of Korea was here.

[Persia (DoC)]

		Great Guru Ahm'Az erects Shrine for Hastog When Ahm'Az was born There was thunder The doom of the ligtning spelled his name in the sky He was born to fulfill one destiny To build the Shrine of Hastog. Hastogsburg, the city of Doom. The city that united all the Hairy! Great Guru Ahm'Az seated in Media first. When time was gone he left for Hastogsburg There he erected the Shrine of Hastog in only 666 days. First there was bare rock. One gigantic piece of bare rock, emerged from the Mountains. Then Ahm'Az spoke to the rock. Parts of the rock then demised The rock was terrified by Ahm'Az. Slowly the Rock evolved into what would be known as The Shrine. Great Guru Ahm'Az of the Hairy fulfilled his destiny and ruled Persia from Hastogsburg from that day on.
Answer to the Ottomans Great Ottomans, May thy wifes grow hairy mustaches, I take your silence as an confirmation. From now on Ottomania and Persia will be aligned in the name of Hastog the Hairy! Terms are like I proposed. No war it will be. I will have to calm down my soldiers. They are hungry for war! But Hastog gave us peace. We do not know why we deserved this terrible blessing. But Hastog works in mysterious ways. We know that if we stay true to Hastog He will bring us the joy of war again! In the future we will taste the doom of decease. But we will not fight each other, Ottomans! Unless Hastog pleases us by making you to break our pact! How sweet would that be! We offer you to take over the two cities you settled quickly under the pressure of fear. Both cities are close to Media and we are very happy to release you from the burden of paying maintenance. I do not see why you were insulted by our settlement. Only the weak are insulted. Don't be weak! Despite the fact that I intended to settle more villages on the so called peninsula, I was entertained by your courage and quick action, to settle the land before we were able to! Now that did not insult me! So why did we insult you? Life is the game of doom, great Ottomans. Play it! Don't be afraid to lose, it's only game after all! BUWHahahaha! So now be gone and don't beg for our cities. We have plenty of space to settle our cities. But plenty is never enough! I did not send those armies there for nothing. They are there to defend ourselves for the case that you decide to grab what you want. I encourage you to grab what you want! But I will not sit idle when you try to! And don't be mistaken, the teachings of Hastog tell me to grab what I want in return. So show some courage, and try to take it by force. But don't be disapointed when your attempt fails and we take what we want in return. It's all a game, remember! BUwhahahaha! But now we're at least on the same team. Boring, but if that's what Hastog wants, then so be it. Great Guru Ahm'Az of the Hairy Hastogianists Leader of Persia

[Rome (DoC)]

Kings need to relax. Rome has built hanging gardens, that tower over the city. A place to relax and enjoy the Roman sun. All who visit are welcome to this park.

This park will serve as a central location for the Roman People to meet for pleasure, discussion, commerce and government. We name this new phenomenon the Forum Romanum.

[Mali (DoC)]

At long last, the great Indo-Mali highway through the mountains has been completed. Although the road is bumpy, it will provide a quick route for people who want to travel to India to worship and study under the great Tao leaders.

[Russia (DoC)]

Catherine - ruler of Russia
Dominika - daughter and heir

So, tell me how your meeting with the Prince went. Did you find him suitable?

-Suitable... mother you speak so strangely. He was not fair looking, but seemed sensible and not without wits, and his swordsmanship was also respectable...

Not all gold glimmer, I... His swordsmanship? How did you come to witness that?

-Er... well, I may have, or actually he did, in a way, insult me.

Insult you? How dare he!?

-Oh, mother stop being so ferociously dramatic. He didn't mean to, you understand, I was not dressed in my finer cloth, and so he assumed I was a servant girl and...

What!? I requested you to be in your finest, clothing and behaviour!! You are a rampaging elephant, completely oblivious of what consequences your actions may have!

-consequences, schmonsequences, what happened was that he asked me about the Princess Dominika, which he didn't realize, was me. I told him that she would arrive when she deemed it prudent. He then continued to ask me about the Princesses likes and dislikes. I told him she was fond of riding horses, dancing, books and swordplay. When I said the latter he burst out laughing that no woman should or could wield a sword. I then told him that the women of our lands learned long ago that even those without swords could still die on them. I then took a decorative sword from the wall and held it in the basic stance. He smirked, drew his sword and gave mine a quick parry, telling me that he did not have the time to give me the proper instruction. Close to losing my temper I thrusted, he parried, I had him at a disadvantage and proceeded to deflect his blade, bringing mine to his chin, telling him that I had been given proper instruction since I was five. He seemed a bit uncertain of what to say, when a servant entered addressing me as Lady Dominika and asked me if my guest or I would require anything... That part was actually the best, his chin dropped so far he nearly cut it on my blade, and his face become so red that...

Do you think this to be funny!? You've caused a diplomatic incident! This may ruin our alliance with the Ottoman altogether!!

-Why are you always so stressed? After the servant left, the prince began to stutter apologies and I told him honestly, that I would much prefer to see him as he is, rather than as he would attempt to make himself out to be. He then said that it pleased him to see me as I was also. At that point the whole thing took a friendlier tone, but I do think he left a bit flabbergasted. There is nothing to concern yourself over though, he said he would return with ships that would help our colony at Nova Semlja keep in contact with the homeland. So you see, I handled things my way and we're getting an alliance, ships and best of all, I'll get a husband. Now forgive me, the other task you gave me awaits and I must leave now if I am to catch the ship. When I come back, I want my own elephant rider guard!

We shall see...

[Egypt (DoC)]

Hor-Aha, in Friendship City on state matters, received a message from great Theodosius, and smiled. Such wisdom, such a good friend. His heart warmed thinking about the great progress they had made in the past few years, paving the road to a peaceful co-existence and strong alliances between the nations on the continent.

Hor-Aha drafted a message to his allies, announcing that he strongly supported the idea of a Council of the Ice Sea. He also ordered a shipment of the new drink they had recently created, using the new spices grown near Thebes. He had named the drink Wiskeh. It was strong, and it warmed the body. It would be a great companion for the sailors who would undertake the arduous journey to the islands of the Ice Sea. He looked outside, and saw workmen loading the barrels of Wiskeh that he was sending to Theodosius as a gift.



He told a servant to pour him some Wiskeh. He sipped it, and smiled again. Great journeys to come, great adventures. He hoped he would be around long enough to see it all.

[Korea (DoC)]

The new linage of Kings was now from Father to son. No longer was the king a selected position.

The Royal Family, or in Korean the Wang Family , was decreed to rule Korea for ever.

The Leader of the Wangs was known as Ka. Sometimes the Great one. To most of the world he was the Great Wang Ka.

No longer would kings retain their name once crowned , it would be a continual line of Wang Kas till Korea ended.

[Byzantium (DoC)]