Domination of Barbarians [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 4 - July 2012]

[Japan (DoB)]

Seeing the heads of their friends on poles, grey and green with decay and age, only served to enrage the warriors of Nishikyo! The reason that no word had come from the Scouts had been made plain. Now, several hundred barbarians lay dead outside the village. Testaments to the foolishness of their taunt. Many slain by the Archers of Guga, who even now plucked the arrows that could be used again from their dead bodies. Barbarians were of one stupid mind, they rush forward with no plan. Just numbers. But numbers were their strength. The Archers of Guga only had so many arrows, so all Warriors of Nishikyo stood ready to fight against them, and killed them all.

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Ainu himself stood outside the village, looking at the uncountable number of bodies on the field. Birds were flying down to feast on the dead, and still they were gathering more in the hills. "Great Kamikàze, brings our fishermen good winds and many fish to eat" he whispered, feeling the bruised shoulder where a barbarian club struck him. He knew that good food was important. Strength by numbers was not enough, if the numbers were starved and weak from eating nothing. He sent out a couple of fast runners at sunset, to see how many barbarians there were. Now they came back and reported on the settlement in the hills. It seemed abandoned, but the stench of them were not like those dead, but of those who do not care where they eat or where they relieve themselves. Their huts were no more than sticks pitted against another, and the main protection against the wind was the leather and animal skins they wore.

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Ainu turned, and walked into the village and to the men from China that were here to continue talks of friendship. They were concerned, as they left for Nishikyo, more barbarians had been spotted, and it was a concern for them that they knew little of what had happened in their village for many seasons. Talking to the women that had an eye for good food preparation, he asked if something could be taken with them, as a gift to the Chinese. They said that salted fish and crab, could last for many seasons. We have more than enough in store, so you can give this to them, to take home and eat when food is scarce in winter.

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Ainu then prepared one of the greatships to be filled with salted fish and crabs, as a gift for the Chinese in the spirit of friendship between our people. They had talked much on how the lands could be divided so no ill will would come from living too close to eachother, and Ainu came to understand that having a river between them would serve well. He was prepared to accept that all lands south and west of the River Qin would belong to the Chinese, and all lands north and west would belong to Japan. He recalled well the stories of Raijin on the unending stretch of land in the north. This would serve Japan well.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

Disappointed at Himilce's indifference to the plight of the Christians in France suffering by repeated heathen invasions, the Spanish Christians of the Pyrenees have decided to come to the aid of their Christian brothers and sisters by joining France.

As one defecting Spanish priest put it, "While those tribes that invade another tribe for ostensibly humanitarian purposes may not always be good, there can be no doubt that any tribe which enslaves, kills and starves tens of thousands of innocents is evil. There is a battle of good and evil in the world for the souls of mankind and the Slavers and their allies are clearly on the side of evil.

Attempts by the forces of evil to justify their ruthless wars of vengeance by equating them to the ancient humanitarian missions of France is despicable. The ancient French 'wars' were brief, harmed no innocents and had stated objectives to prevent the enslavement, starvation and death of tens of thousands of innocents. The French have proven their peaceful intentions by not escalating the wars and only offering passive resistance to the invaders for centuries.

In contrast the Slaver Vendetta wars are designed to starve, kill and enslave tens of thousands of innocents for generation after generation for endless centuries. There can be no moral justification for their evil actions."

On hear the latest French messenger words, one of Trotseers Braves laughs and laugh.

"Moral justification? What this means 'Moral'? Is it some new evil French magic? Does it mean to say France think we do wrong to invade them? That's what it mean?"

Let us remeber what France proclaims is the rule of natural order many year ago

France sends out messengers to the Despots of all the Tribes and Slavers who are attempting to cajole France into breaking the Barbarism Legal Code that is used by all 16 Tribes and 2 Slavers. The Code is clear:

1) Might makes right. 2) The strong take from the weak. 3) Disputes are settled by combat.

The tribes of France have no interest in playing this false game of Despots and Slavers pretending to be Pacifists.

"So now I guess France want make new self-serving natural order rules that say France is right and other are wrong again. More French lies. Always lies from France"

[Japan (DoB)]

They found lands where the animals were silent, making no noise as they walked close to them and sniffed at their legs. They made easy meals. Other lands were filled with noise and nothing stayed silent, even at night. Here they found berries and plants that made better eating. Some places were filled with clouds close to sea, these were the silent lands.

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Some places were both quiet and noisy at the same time. In the distance a bird would call, as the sunlight peered through clouds that softly touched the hills close to the sea. Sometimes the world feeled like a strange place where no man was supposed to go. In these times, the spirit guide was of great comfort to the men and women on the greatship. Chasers of the sunset they were. Always aiming to where the sun set, in search of new places and other people, other tribes.

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One day they saw some men on land, as they saw eachother they vanished into the trees. Ten men were told to go inland, to see if they were a new tribe. As they were swimming to the shore, the spirit guide fell over. As they vanished into the trees, she woke up and spoke: "Something foul is here, we may not see them again." Disturbed by this, five more men were told to go ashore, to get the other men back. Waiting for anyone to come back, some of the men found time to try fishing, and caught a few strange fish that they ate while the time for sunset came closer, shadows growing longer and daylight fading to grey.

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Then, noise was heard from land. In the setting sun, seven men ran from the trees and straight into the water, swimming as hard as they could! When they came back to the ship, they told a grim tale of a barbarian settlement, filled with huts made from bones and wood. They had caught the ten men and were hurting them, and burning some of them alive. It was only by waiting for the evening when many of them had exhausted themselves that the five had managed to sneak inside and free the two that were the least hurt. Still the barbarians chased them for a while through the woods. They used thin sticks and had hair only on the top of their heads.

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The greatship sailed on, woving to remember that place for ever.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

When France was invade Nether and kidnap Roman Torinos they say

The workers of Torino will not be returned to Rome based upon such illegal arguments as pleas to help the weak or give peace a chance. Such arguments are inconsistent with the Code

But now they say "morals" and other nonsenses. Now France makes pleas that morals should help the weak and morals to make peace. What happen to "might is right" and "all dispute to be settle in combat"?

[France (DoB)]

Christ is Right

The wisdom of the Oracle's augury that the solution for defeating enemy tribes with immortal leaders was through the hereditary rule of mortal leaders can be seen in the recent messengers from England and Netherland. The immortal tyrants are unable to comprehend that a society of mere mortals will adapt and evolve over time as new generations are born and die. The weakness of the immortals is in their stagnant views and inability to adapt.

Yes, the ancient French tyrants believed that Might is Right, as the immortal Slaver Tyrants continue to believe, however the modern French Kings know that Christ is Right for they have accepted the Holy Spirit into their hearts! There is no inconsistency in our beliefs, as we are not our ancestors nor are we beholden to their beliefs any more than our children will be to ours.

[Celtia (DoB)]

Brennus smiled as he walked on the road, it was flat and stretched far along the land. It was coming close to completion and already it was used by men and women between the villages. It was made with stone on both sides, so that it was easier to see in the cold season. It was sturdy and well built. A true creation of celtic skill!

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Some of the men in the quarry had an eye for stones that were special. Many of them could make images of men and women, and even signs of the protective earth spirits themselves! Brennus remembered how well the English had treated his men, and decided to send them gifts; small stones with carving of the protective spirit waves, giving anyone who carried it the protection of the earth mother.

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[England (DoB)]

How can the French speak of entirely defensive measures when they undertake the profoundly provocative action usurping ancestral English fishing grounds? And defending the lives of the innocent, is it not French black magic that destroys the minds of English citizens rendering them mindless drones who--if not occupied with labor--are susceptible to wispered calls inciting violence from priests in Paris? The French may now call themselves Christians, but they certainly practice the same black magic of their ancestors at the henge of stones and now at the equally terrifying oracle of death.

The only action the English have ever taken against France is to seek to learn there ways, as is right and just for all neighbors to do. And even that "crime" of "espionage" is far unbalanced in favor of France. Yet the English have been the greatest victim of French aggression, suffering both much land lost and thousands of lives destroyed.

Lewy prove yourself a different sort of ruler from your ancestors and offer truly bold and truly just proposal to bring peace between France and its neighbors.

[England (DoB)]

Elizabeth marveled at her gift of finely carved stone from the Celtic envoy. "Is it not true that the same sort of stone lies outside of London? My people must learn to work this stone to the same level of craftsmanship as have our neighbors," she thought to herself. "Pass my thanks and gratitude back to your people - may our bonds of friendship be as strong and enduring as this rock."

[France (DoB)]

After 30 years on the throne of France, King Louis II has died. The reign of King Louis II, the Zealous, will be remembered for the recruitment of the English Smugglers and the Spanish mountain men to France despite the ongoing First Nether Vendetta War.

King Louis III begins his reign by sending a response to the slave mistress Elizabeth's challenge.

Lewy prove yourself a different sort of ruler from your ancestors and offer truly bold and truly just proposal to bring peace between France and its neighbors.

The Defenders Measured War prayer will soon end the First Nether Vendetta War. If the tribes of Rome, Nether, England, Germany and Holy Rome agree to the following agreement before another war is began then France shall: Provide each of the five tribes with a missionary as soon as possible after there is an Open Borders agreement with each respective tribe.

If any of the five tribes declares war on France after the First Nether Vendetta War is ended but before all five missionaries have been delivered then the deal is broken and France shall not be obligated to provide any further missionaries to anyone.

That is my bold and just peace proposal. Now it is up to the Slavers Alliance to accept it.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

Nether reject you proposal. Your religion will spreads to us long before you can train a missionary or learn the skills needed to make open border treaty to send him.

Bargain with what you has now, not with lies and false hopes of what you do in 500 years. France leader is mortal. How can you trust what his great grandson will do a thousand year from now. Nether demand.

1. Send Torinos back to Rome
2. Promise no more wonders in Paris
3. King Louis and all his Family must surrender to us
4. Appoint an immortal Dutch to throne so that we can trust your word from generation to generation with no excusr of "Oh that ruler dead his word has no more meaning"

If you don't like these generous offer you can continue wait for your bows to finish making and hope you has them before we have new weapon to defeat them.

[Rome (DoB)]

Marcus sends out a simple and short proclamation:

The Roman people reject the French peace proposal, and we stand together with the most fair Nether and English demands if the French people truly are interested in a lasting peace.

[England (DoB)]

Lewy - My people have never declared war on you, but if you keep up your bellicose demands I may be forced to. You must know that any offering of peace must address core issues, the promise of sending missionaries is not relevant to grievances of your neighbors - and is far too easy to interpret as a plot of subversion rather than a true peace deal.

The issues at stake are the Torino workers and the construction of wonders. If you view Nether demands as too harsh I suggest some form of more limited interpersonal along the same lines. Rome almost certianly will need its workers returned, but maybe you could barter to first be allowed to build a needed improvement to lift Paris out of poverty? As to wonders, maybe you offer not to buikld any more for a set period of time or not to build any that are currently known - leaving open the possibility that in the future new wonders may be come available to be built.

You need to make peace with Nether and Rome, and this advice is meant to help you reach that objective. I have not coordinated this statement with either nation and there is a good chance they will view these recommendations as non-starters. But as one who has watched this conflict spread over hundreds of years I feel compelled to offer my advice.

[France (DoB)]

King Louis III, The Gullible, is dead after only 10 years on the throne. It is said that he died of embarassment for being so gullible. There is a saying in France now, "Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me. Fool me a third time and I must be King Louis III!"

The three Great Shames of France are:

1) Believing the Netherlanders when they agreed as part of the France-Netherlands peace treaty that "relations with France will be more friendly in the future". The promised friendly relations never happened and instead the Nethers merely bought time until they could perfect their copper magic and attack France.

2) Believing the Romans when Marcus said, "Rome understands if these refugees does not want to return, but we pledge that if they do not feel comfortable in the lands of Rome they may return to France at any time if they so wish" and based upon that understanding to offer a peace treaty to Rome. The Romans accepted the peace treaty to buy time and immediately began to instigate others to join them in declaring war on France using the same refugees as a casus belli!

3) Believing the English when Elizabeth said, "Lewy prove yourself a different sort of ruler from your ancestors and offer truly bold and truly just proposal to bring peace between France and its neighbors" and then offering a new peace proposal offering enlightenment to France's neighbors, which could help them improve their primitive cultures which is the root of their fears. Elizabeth merely used the peace offer as an excuse to threaten war stating, "My people have never declared war on you, but if you keep up your bellicose demands I may be forced to" even though there was not a single demand in the offer other then peace.

The new King Louis IV has proclaimed, "The Throne of France is no place for fools. The treacherous lying nature of the Western Slavers is plainly visible for all to see. There shall be no more of these pointless negotiations with those tribes that have already proven themselves to be untrustworthy."

[England (DoB)]

England's fears--like those of our neighbors--is the boldfaced cultural aggression of France. We are taking steps to appropriately boost our culture, whereas France continues its program of cultural imperialism at the expense of not only its own peoples' welfare but also its relations with its neighbors.

[France (DoB)]

King Louis IV welcomes the news that Elizabeth is finally taking steps to address England's cultural deficiencies, as all the rulers of France have openly advised her (and our other neighbors) to do for countless centuries. The people of France look forward to the day when they may see their neighbours building wonders to inspire instead of military to invade.

France has no aggressive program of cultural imperialism and has built wonders to improve our people's welfare and not at the expense of our people's welfare. France's building of the Oracle in particular, has given France the knowledge of making Wineries, as France has an over-abundance of wine, and hereditary rule which has made our people much happier. This is a wise and peaceful build despite our primitive neighbors' paranoid superstitions.

The only thing that is harming the people of France's welfare is the perpetual invasions by our aggressive neighbors.

[England (DoB)]

Yet the Henge of Stone was clearly built out of pure desire to subjugate all of France's neighbors and France could have in fact built the Oracle faster and helped its people sooner were this abomination never constructed.

[France (DoB)]

The construction of Stonehenge was completed well before France had learned Priesthood and in no way slowed down the construction of the Oracle. Our French ancestors had few choices in what to build at the time. Constructing settlers or workers would have slowed down the construction of the Oracle because it would have slowed our population growth significantly so they were not an option. France already had as many warriors as it could afford at the time so France was left with either constructing a barracks or Stonehenge. Frankly, Stonehenge was much more useful than a barracks and it is prophesized that Stonehenge will inspire a great prophet soon. The great prophet will help advance the people of France into a new era of enlightenment. Stonehenge was simply the wiser build choice at the time.

France only wishes to be left alone to be a peaceful builder and to improve the lives of its citizens. The only reason that France's culture is a problem to some of it's neighbors is because they have neglected their culture to pursue expansionist or military goals. That is a choice that France's neighbors are free to make however do not try to assign aggressive motivations to France for their cultural neglect. France has repetitively encouraged its neighbors to improve their culture for centuries, which is all we can do. We will not slow down our advancement simply because some of our neighbors wish to live in primitive societies built on the degradation of others.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

Boarshunting in France

Keeping warrior in France for decades long quest to free Torinos prisoners. We have run out of food and the men are tired picking grapes from overgrown thorn bushes and weeds. So many years France don't tend her fields they all overgrow with weeds. So now we need better food to fill our bellies.



Take some men and hunt boars on the French countryside. They are plentiful, and France don't care about them anymore. The madnees of King Louis I is obvious passed down hereditary from generation to generation. Just like his great granfather, he sits hiding in his mud-palace in Paris, crossing arms and holding breath, with a melon helmet on his head waiting for his people to make bows and Arrows.



He keeps the Torinos locked and chains in Paris, while they please to leave. "What are we doing here? We have nothing to do? Why do you keep us here as prisoner doing nothing? We go to the hill, we make a road, the Romans tear it down, then same road we make, the Roman tear it down, back again, same hill same road, Fire Mystic tears it down. What is the meaning of this pointless life? "

But Louis the madman don't care, he just stick in ears his fingers and say "I am the King! Lalalalalalaaa! My father was King and his father before! So i must be King! The Oracle says it that me am supposed to be King! Lalalalalaaa! I'm invincible!"

Now we see that Hereditary Rule is only Hereditary Madness passed down from generation after the other. So Fire Mystic demand that:

1. France must renounce Hereditary Rule, and never return to it or Fire Mystics will return in War. This madness muts end.

[France (DoB)]

The Torino workers were lying back on the pole roofs of their thick-walled mud huts with their feet stretched out enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. Occasionally they would spit a grape seed towards the Nether warriors who roamed in the far distance outside of Paris. The Nether warriors, living in squalid conditions, often came to take a longing peek at the luxurious lifestyle of the French.

This was the life. Vacation most of the time. Living safely in the undisputed best city in the world with lots of food because the starving Nether warriors were normally too afraid to come down from their hiding spots in the forested hills. Who could ask for more?

[Netherlands (DoB)]

A Nether scratch his head "French was sending messenger to every tribe, yelling of how Nether did invasions and cause suffering and Rome does harm to France but now the messemgers say "Oh no that wasnt true, everything fine in France! We footloose and fancy free spitting out grapes.' Which is it? You carefree and safe with no worries at all? Or you in distress from Nether invaders? French messengers tell so many lies and contradictions they cant keep track no more."

"Uh uh um" says French messenger

"And why you spit grapes? Should you not plant them to grow more? Why you spitting grapes instead of working in the overgrown fields? What this so-called relaxing is for when there is so much work to be done? How says you 'luxury' when all your fine stones and marble are overgrown with wild brushes? Do you have answer?

"Uh, I uhhh" says French

"No you don't" and he bangs his Axe on messengers face.

"And that is how we wins the debate in Nether Faction" he said.

[Japan (DoB)]

Ainu, joining with his men in clearing the battlefield outside the village, was weary after many battles. The latest count, made the barbarian strength somewhere above five thousand men, all dead. A call came across the field then - the greatship had returned! He wiped his brow, hoping for good news.

[China (DoB)]

Qin relaxed for the first time in months. The onslaught of barbarians has subsided. 10's of thousands of bodies have been slain in a senseless slaughter. He has sent the villagers into the fields to gather the arrows from their bodies. The stench of rotting flesh is fearsome. The women in the fields watched over by escorting archers, tie rags over their mouth and nose. They have to beat off the birds that are feasting on the eyes and entrails of the dead. It is a sight few will ever forget.
The casualties have been few amongst the brave Chinese. Some of the archers can no longer pull their bow because their fingers are a purplish bloody mess from overuse. The medicine men are layering soothing salves and covering hands with bandages of banana skins to help heal their wounds.
Even some settlers were able to sneak out under cover from archers and found a new village - Hong Kong – far to the south. But the damage in the surrounding fields from the barbarian scourge is terrible. All the farms, roads and mines have been pillaged. Nothing remains but smoking ruins. The barbarians have scorched the earth. The supplies are depleted and will mean starvation for many unless the fields can be worked before winter. How can I send out men into the fields when barbarians continue to prowl the countryside? They are choking us to death!. Qin must come up with a strategy to work the fields. He calls for more archers to be trained for escorts to his workers. An English advisor far from the west suggested using this river, to entrench behind to keep the fields safe. To do so will require many more archers to be trained. And that is being done but the treasury is also growing smaller and Qin must raise taxes to build his army.
Recent communication with the Japanese settlement on the mainland shows that Japan is interested in formalizing the peace. The river Yangtze to North has been agreed upon as the border with Japan. Welcome gifts of crab and fish have been enjoyed by the citizens of Beijing. Qin has instructed his wise men to learn to fish. The travelers from the land of the rising sun also give promising news that Qin's interest in Aiko are reciprocated. A pending merger of the Japanese and Chinese people’s will be good. Together we can purge the lands to the north of the barbarians. Qin sends word to Ainu in Nishikyo to begin preparations in their village for the wedding. As well as wedding Aiko, Qin would also like to sign a formal agreement with the Japanese people for peace and agree on separation of lands. It is hoped he would could also meet their supreme leader from the island? Qin is interrupted in his dispatch with further word that more barbarians are gathering to the north. Will this ever end? He races to the battlements as horns call the women from the fields collecting the valuable arrows. The battle continues ...

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[Japan (DoB)]

Ainu listens well to the men bringing news from China. The number of slain barbarians is overwhelming. His respect for the chinese people grows strong, and more than ever before he believes that Qin and Aiko will be a good match. He is relieved that the food he sent came in handy, and makes ready another ship with surplus food to help them in their struggle against the numerous barbarian hordes. He then sends a ship to Tokugawa with the news, urging him to come to Nishikyo himself, and from there travel to China in a greatship together with Aiko, to bring the two people together and formally agree on terms of the divided Main Land.

Tokugawa, defender of Kyoto, leader of Japan, walks among his people in the hills by the sea.

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Here they make a road to the village. It is a flattened area as broad as four men, going from the village and up to the hills following the lay of the land. The many handcarts are more effective now, bringing wood and stone back to the village, making stronger houses. A messanger comes running then, telling him that news from Main Land has come! He walks back to the village, deep in thought.

With his advisors and spirit guides around him, Tokugawa listens to the news from the main land. The way of the Chinese, and the words of Ainu both strike Tokugawa as good omens. He declares that he will travel to Nishikyo when the winter storms have passed, so hoping to reach China in the midst of summer, creating a new bond between the Japanese and Chinese under the full strength of the sun.

Two of his spirit guides, listening to this, starts to tremble and groan. Looking upon them, he asks what is the matter. They answer in unison:

Do not pass over the sea, for it will swallow you muscle and bone. Leave the main land be, and seek your strength alone!

Alerted by this, he thinks of the many things to come, the things in dreams of long seasons past. In his dreams, the village alone would crumble and die, true strength could only be found together with other villages, other tribes. The more, the better. Even two would do, but more could only mean greater strength! The Chasers of the Sunset were to find more tribes, but the only words from their spirits, were a moan of barbarians by the coast. More strength from closer friends, this is what Japan would need.

He then resolved to go. Against the warnings of the spirit guides. The friends on the Main Land would be worth this risk. Sending word back with the ship before the winter storm began, he orders Ainu to prepare himself and his sister for a journey to the villages of China in the next season of green.

Talking with his advisors, they began wording this agreement of the land. Working on how it could be made in the best way, with wood, stone, or some other form.

[Japan (DoB)]

The thick jungle and the rivers that came from it, had now parted with us and we saw hills and flat land ahead. There were seen men in the hills, and remembering well the terrible barbarians, the spirit guide was consulted.

After going in a trance, she pronounced the men to be strange, yet likely to be friendly. She then said that we were close to not one, but two tribes! The crew became agitated, and a decision was made, to contact both at the same time. Our spirit guide urged us to travel further along the land, until we could see land on both sides. There we would stop, and send men to meet with these tribes.

The men in the hills were seen with clothing that was light blue in color, and so we send Osamu, who appreciates all the colorful things in the Main Land.

To the unknown tribe we send Katsumi, the wise and thoughtful one, who thinks well before he acts.

With them are two men each, bearing objects of value from Japan. Rare and beautiful shells, decorated stones on string to be worn about the neck, and images of Tokugawa carved in small stones, to be given as gifts to their respective leaders. They also bring these words from Tokugawa himself, as instructed before our departure on this voyage:

Greetings from Tokugawa, defender of Kyoto, leader of Japan.

My men come to you without club or stick, for I wish to know more of you through peaceful talks. They bring gifts, as a token of Japans affection for new friends. If this does not please you, then I ask that my men be free to return to their ship, to continue on their way to meet other tribes. Any message you wish to give me, you may give to my men. They will return it to me. May your family and tribe be ever strong, and filled with the laughter of many children.

Now the ship is waiting for their return, hoping that they bear good news from these tribes.

[Holy Roma (DoB)]

The Holy Roman Empire official position has been neutrality in this conflict between the western nations.

Now we must report dissention amongst the people of Rome. Smoke and rioting have been reported in Antium. Then a force of troops was dispatched to the city, brutally quelling the disturbances for a time. But once again the people of Antium have risen, and driven the troops from the city. They have requested to join the peaceful Holy Roman Empire.

The Holy Roman Empire agrees to this request, and takes the city of Antium under it's protection.

[Rome (DoB)]

Marcus proclaims this to the tribe of Holy Rome:

I am saddened to hear of my people's wish to join another tribe, but the people of Antium has chosen this themselves. There will be no bad blood between Rome and Holy Rome because of this.

Please, treat my people well, and walk in peace.

[England (DoB)]

Elizabeth looked with pride upon her industrious loggers. Surely her people have felled more timber than those from any other tribe and with this bounty massive construction was underway to finally answer the dark cultural threat emanating out of Paris.

[China (DoB)]

Qin receives the news from his scouts privately. New barbarian hordes are on the horizon marching in formation with long poles and fearsome iron tips. They are called spearmen and Qin is worried that his well dug in archers can hold. How can there be so many barbarians?!

[Japan (DoB)]

The ship sailed on, passing the lands of Arabia and Persia in silence after the messengers had returned.

[Japan (DoB)]

In Nishikyo, Ainu is standing by the shore watching the sea.

Sending the archers out into the forest to take back the hunting grounds proved worthwhile. A number of barbarians are dead now, and villagers have gathered enough material for fishing boats so more food can be gained from the sea. No barbarians have been seen since the snow melted.

It is late spring, preparations are complete and the ships are ready to sail to China. The heat is strong now, but Tokugawa has not yet reached the village. Walking back to his house, Ainu calls for the spirit guides..