Domination of Barbarians [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 3 - June 2012]

[Japan (DoB)]

The tales of Jõmon continue to be the most popular around Japan, and Tokugawa listens to them all. Through these tales he thinks of new things in shadows, hiding, barely given form by the tales. Much like standing between a fire and a wall at night, the shadows seem to make everything bigger than what really is there. This needs more thinking about.

Tokugawa then listens to Jiraya, recanting the latest fireside tale:

Jõmon climbs the Mountain - how does the land stay round and straight?
Jõmon talks with Kamikàze - where goes the wind in sea at night?
Through the world on top of all
Talk to beast with hunter call
Jõmon walks the World - with his woman, children and tent
Jõmon meets Chinese - they ugly, stupid with eyes bent
Through the world on top of all
Talk to beast with hunter call
Jõmon, Japanese, fast and smart - meets Gabriel, French, strong and wise
Fast and smart, strong and wise - they share the world in spirits praise!
Through the world on top of all
Talk to beast with hunter call

[Byzantium (DoB)]

With the skilled aid of Byzantium craftsmen, Helu of Awan, Rightful Ruler of Persia is pleased to announce the settlement of Western Gate.

Praise be to Allah for helping us build the Persia city so quickly. May the city stand as a testament to the bond between Persia and the Byzantine people. Praise be to Allah!!! Allahu Akbar!!!!!!

[Netherlands (DoB)]

Ocean Faction sails far away from River Village fo rmany days and night. So many night that no man can say how many. They see many fish, but no sea monsters. Maybe these was all lies? The farther they sail into the Northsea, the colder it gets. They sail pass English who marvel at their ship from the beach. Some say to land on Island where English are before sea monsters come and sink the ship. But the leaders do not fear sea monsters, and they will not break the ancient promises to England. So they sail on deeper and deeper into the Northsea. The seers aboard are telling them where to go to a frozen land to the north, pass where the Norsemen live.



Soon the land is in sight. Cold winds and snow covered lands, filled with hills and woods. This is a harsh land not for faint of heart. Leaders of Ocean Faction step onto the hard frozen soil and say "This is our new home, send word back to River Village that Ocean Faction has a new village for the people of Nation of Water."

[France (DoB)]

The Stonehenge Priests finally complete the hundred year ritual for the Great Spirits Defender Measured War pact and drive the Romans and the Nethers from France. With the brutal siege finally lifted communications is restored with the rest of the tribes.

In the intervening decades High Priest Eilon had resigned his position claiming that, "After a score of years trying to negotiate with the unreasonable Romans and Nethers, I can attest that the Elder Mystic Council was correct that diplomacy was never really an option however the Council's preemptive strikes were not the correct answer either since they failed to prevent the prophesized attacks against France. Another solution must be found."

High Priest Eilon was replaced by High Priest Aldrick who pursued a policy of silent perseverance. With the completion of the hundred year ritual, High Priest Aldrick passed away.

High Priest Raimond, current ruler of France, is focussed on preparing for the next Roman/Nether invasion.

...

A small group of Frenchmen have heard the tale of how the Romans crucified the great prophet Jesus who then rose from the dead and his Holy Spirit saves the spirits of the oppressed. So many French have also suffered under the cruel Roman tyrants that the Christian religion has found a sympathetic audience in Paris.

[France (DoB)]

The French position on foreign espionage against France is well known and has not changed. Now that the Japanese have finally met the Chinese there is no longer any excuse for Japanese espionage to be directed against France, to whom you claim to be a friend.

This is your final warning, Tokugawa. You will either cease all espionage against France or the Jõmon clan will be expelled from the safety of the Great Valley Seekers to fend for themselves against the Children of Barbarous!

[Japan (DoB)]

Tokugawa, defender of Kyoto, leader of Japan, does not smile this day. His face is dark with the news of a final warning.
A messenger from Jõmon has brought news from the Main Land.

The French do not like that the Jõmon family bring back tales of things learned from the French tribe to Japan. In France, their mystics have a name for this behaviour: "E-spi-Ona-che". Said to be a possession of Dark Spirits, that no Japanese man, woman or child, will ever deal with. We share tales of laughter, growth, warrior prowess, of new things that are found in the world. Is this not pleasing to the French?

Tokugawa tells the messenger to bring this to the High Priest Raimond:

The Jõmon will do as they have always done. The change of French leadership has brought no wisdom, no respect for old friends. If you do not heed old friends, I give you warning in return; Friendship with Japan does not grow easily. What you do to the Jõmon, you do to all of Japan. Treat them well, as you treat your own family, and we will do the same. Let the stories be shared as they should be, there is no harm in them.

[Byzantium (DoB)]

Reports flooded the palace as Justinian sat with his advisors discussing plans to transfer power to his son Leo. His son had been away with a group of warriors for some time exploring the north while his younger son Marcus explored the shores of Africa. Justinian was pleased with the progress his sons had made in finding and contacting the Russians and Spanish. Now with his age getting the best of him he was wishing for his sons to return to their rightful place, but something was wrong. Both of his sons where late in returning back home. He feared the worse and his fear was soon to be justified.

Two messengers entered the palace one right after the other. The first came from the south where Marcus was. The messenger reported the appearance of large groups of Barbarian men numbering in the tens of thousands headed straight for the land bridge near Thessalonica. Marcus and his men, though vastly outnumbered, were on their way to the land bridge to try and hold off the attackers as best they could but were intercepted and nearly defeated. Marcus fought bravely but in the end gave his own life to allow his men to continue to the land bridge to hold off the Barbarians.

Justinian dropped to his knees, tears of pain and rage running down high face. He gave a howl that brought fear to everyone around him as he continued to weep he called for the second messenger to give his report about his eldest son Leo.

The second messenger began to explain the situation in the north. Leo took his men north to the German lands then turned North West in hopes of finding more tribes. He too had found himself facing a large Barbarian group headed straight for German lands. Leo had the opportunity to go around the Barbarians but instead chose to take a defensive stance and stop them from reaching the Germans. Though the battle went well for Leo and his men Leo had gotten injured and would need time to recover before he could return home.
Justinian was slightly relieved his eldest was fine and would return home but the pain of losing his youngest was still overwhelming him. He turned to the messenger and ordered him to go back to Leo and tell him what happened to his brother and to return home at once. He then turned to his advisors and told them to tell Leo once he returned that he was now leader of the Byzantine people. He then picked up his club and with bloodlust in his eyes and rage in his heart he ran towards the land bridge to take his revenge.

[France (DoB)]

Around the campfires of Paris, the tale is being told how the Japanese have failed to curtail their espionage against France despite several requests ranging from being asked nicely to a forceful demand. Due to their non-compliance, the Jomon family who acted as emissaries between the Great Valley Seekers and Tokugawa have reportedly been exiled from the Great Valley Seekers. Far from home and surrounded by hostile barbarians, it is unlikely the Jomon family will survive.

[Japan (DoB)]

Limping through the forest, blood dripping from his wounded foot, Raijin struggles to keep up the pace. He can hear the screams in his mind, but it is long since they were voiced. How could this happen? They were like brothers to us. One man, one tribe. Stabbing pain shoots up his foot and he is forced to stop. Looking around, tensing for a moment, he listens.. and smiles. Kamikàze is with me, he thinks. Brushing aside some branches, he looks upon the great blue sea. Japan must know how the French treat even their friends.

Tokugawa, defender of Kyoto, leader of Japan, trembles with rage.

A single man, Raijin, has come from the main land telling of the real nature of the French. Being warned, knowing that what is done to one Jõmon, is done to all of Japan, they have done this.

With his face set like stone, Tokugawa listens to the tale of how the French insulted the Jõmon way of storytelling, they make noises of disgust at all Japan holds dear. Saying that the Kamikàze is no spirit at all, that it says we are full of wind, who listen to the wind.

Raijin is not the firstborn Jõmon that was meant to go. His older brother Fuujin, had a feast in his name the day before he was to go, with roasted meat and great tales being told, and a sharing of happiness with all the Jõmon families that live with the Great Valley Seekers. The night was long, all was well, and Fuujin left the next morning while everybody slept long past daybreak.

The telling stops briefly, as Raijin coughs forcefully, wiping blood from his lips afterwards.

When I woke up, it was to sounds of confusion and anger. Two french warriors stood over me, with unfriendly eyes, telling me to get up and out at once. Naked, I was taken out and made to stand with all the Jõmon, all of them without any fur to cover themselves. My father asked, what is the meaning of this? Gabriel, the Great Valley Seeker leader, told us that our country had forgotten us, that Tokugawa was dead. Confusion rose, as he told us that any friendship with us was at an end. Japan had sent us here to fool the French, but the French were no fools! They know we are here only as a means to use E-spi-Ona-che on the French. This will stop now, as he said this, he tossed among us the severed head of Fuujin, to the dismay of all. He then said that France had given fair warning, that had not been followed. So now we must suffer for it.

There were four warriors for each naked Jõmon, and the punishment was this:

All men had one foot crushed by a club.
All women had one hand crushed by a club.
All children had one eye put out by a stone knife.
All of us had one ear pierced inside with a sharp stick until it bled and became useless.

Then we were forced out into the forest without tools, clothes, or weapons, limping and bleeding, the children crying, unable to defend ourselves. We were found by a force of barbarian warriors. The children were slaughtered, the women were brutalized, and the men were forced to watch. I alone got away.

Tokugawa is silent for a long time. He sends for a messenger to go to France. These are his words:

You have done us a great offence. The brutal act against the Jõmon will never be forgotten. I hereby declare war upon France. Any French found by any Japanese will be treated as you have treated us. You will regret this.

He then speaks to families gathered for a new village, waiting for great ships coming from Osaka. Go with a host of warriors, Defenders from both Kyoto and Osaka, to protect them against any barbarian or French that may dare attack. Settle on the Main Land, and bring news of what you learn there.

[France (DoB)]

Once again the Priests of Stonehenge begin the 100 year ritual to invoke the Defender Measured War pact of the Great Spirits.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

Around campfires the Fire Mystics tell tales of their victories and failures in France.

"We lost many men. Many men were lost to take the hill from the Stonehenge Mystics. Then we lose more men to defeat the Paris boys gang"

Everyone was quiet. Everyone had lose friends in the battle.


"Why did we leave? All french warriors was killed. We could burn their Paris with ease."


"Because they made the ancient plea of that no Nation can refuse. They call it a spell of magic, but we know it to be a prayer that all nations must obey."

"So the Roman slaves are still prisoners?"

"Yes, but not for long. We will never give up until the are free. Soon our people will get tired of mercy and call for invasion again. It may take 100 years, but it will happenn."

[Japan (DoB)]

From Osaka a messenger reaches Tokugawa, who smiles at the news.

The biggest ship ever constructed has set sail and travels to Kyoto right now. It will be used to bring families of Kyoto and their defenders to Main Land, and bring Japanese influence there at last. After talking to the spirit guides, Tokugawa decides to make a great hoard of valuable items, making his people stop thinking about how to get more food, and instead make objects of rare design and obvious value. Clam-shells with wonderful colorings strung together around the neck, animal skulls painted with colors made from berries, stone tablets with markings on them in the likeness of Tokugawa, and many other valuables. This he intends to give away to those who most deserve it, when the time comes.

-Jiraya, most trusted follower of Tokugawa, defender of Kyoto, leader of Japan, in the year of the Silent Mantis.

[Portugal (DoB)]

[Arabia (DoB)]

Arabia has heard rumors that a new Evil religion has been concocted by blasphemers to oppose the true Faith of Islam. The religion is based upon the worship of fish and of the astrological constellation of the fish.



It is the knowledge of Mysticism, the knowledge of the constellations and celestial bodies that kept children of Islam free from the heathen beliefs in Earth, Water, Wind and Fire spirits. Through our knowledge of the stars, we have learned that the stars form groups called constellations, that never change. These groups of stars move together through the skies, very slowly. Each in turn moving to the point of the rising sun, and staying there for approximately 2000 years.We call these periods the "Ages" and each "Age" is named after the constellation which marks it.



Although our thinkers have confirmed that in approximately 2000 years we will enter the Age of the fish, called Pisces, when the morning sun will align with the constellation of the fish, all thinkers and star-watchers know that the current Age is that of the Bull, as the morning sun aligns with the Bull constellation, called Taurus. The next Age will be that of the Ram, called Aries. If man wishes to worship the stars, then surely the appropriate constellation to worship is the Bull as this is the current astrological Age, or the Ram, as that is the next Age.


It is far too early for even star-worshipers to be worshipping the Age of the Fish, as this will not arrive for at least another 2000 years, according to our star-watchers. Our thinkers, star-watchers and Mystics all agree, that there is a progression of constellations that arrive in the sky at the point of the morning sunrise when the all important Hubal, also called Allah, God of the Moon, disappears each day. Our Mystics have worked for years to track the movements of the stars, as this is the very foundation of Mysticism, the tracking of the movement of the stars as they move across the night sky.



By tracking the stars we can even predict the faces of the all important Moon, which is the symbol and basis of the true Faith of Islam. So most importantly, this fish Age has no bearing on the true faith, as all believers in Islam know, that the appropriate heavenly object to worship is the Moon. We call on all believers in truth to renounce this Pisces Constellation Worship and instead focus on the Moon as Islam does. Only then will the true faith of Islam be revealed to you.



And also, France must be destroyed. Faranca wajaba sara damaar!

[China (DoB)]

Qin has not been able to find time to write in his journal of late. Each day is spent toiling in the fields under heavy guard, sending patrols of archers to intercept roaming bands of warrior barbarians who seem to get stronger each day. Many archers have fallen. Qin stresses how he can devote efforts on his dream of the great wall when all materials are required for defence.

Despite the attacks the city of Beijing is still thriving. The villagers of Shanghai have prospered and have claimed the China Sea. They can see the distant fires of the land of the rising sun ... but cannot make contact yet with its people.