The History of the World VII . . . .

[deity]

Originally posted by Glohithia
Letter To All Nations Of Terra

The Viking nation continues to use hostile tones, threats, and uncivilized name calling in place of peaceful negotiation. A prime example of this is the Vikings affront to the Arab's by calling them ignorant and deceitful:

The Arabs are a learned and peacful nation undeserving of this slanderous Viking attack. These words, used as weapons by the Vikings, are without foundation and cannot be backed up.

In addition, England also protests the false characterization that we are warlike and peacehating. This could not be further from the truth. Our only "crime" against the Vikings is not submitting to their unreasonable demand that we trade with them and give them free access to our sovereign lands. They demanded this with threats against us and then claim we are the aggressor. England wants only peace, but peace doesnt mean trade with us or suffer the consequences, as the Vikings claim. England asks the rest of Terra to put themselves in Englands position. Would they choose to decide who to trade with as opposed to letting a foreign nation dictate to them? England has never raised a weapon against the Vikings outside of England. It is a statement of fact that no Viking would have lost life or limb at English hands if the Vikings had not invaded England in pursuit of war.

We call upon all the nations of Terra to weigh in with their respective opinions, as Arabia and the Choson did. It is Englands hopes that if the Vikings see the majority of Terra views their aggressive behavior as a roadblock to peace in the world, perhaps they will change their ways. England also gladly accepts Tan-gun's generous offer to mediate for peace and wishes to hear what lost history the Choson know of anceint England. For it should be known to all nations that before the rule of Glohithia I, most all knowledge has been lost to time. Since the reign of Glohithia I, no act of aggression has been committed and peace has been England's only goal.

Tan-gun must admit that diplomatic protocols and language used by the Vikings is not conducive to peaceful outcomes.

We appreciate your acceptance of our offer to mediate and urge

Glohithia, at your request, I draw your attention to an ancient treaty with the Kushrena, Celts and the Choson.

All 4 were allied and in agreeance on tech cooperation, trade and mutual benifits.

I am hastened away but shall return soon....

[KunojiLym]

Solidification of the Three Kingdoms

From 240 to 260 AD, the kingdom of Wei constantly sent expeditions against Shu and Wu, and Shu, under the direction of Zhuge Liang, likewise occasionally sent expeditions against Wei. In the first month 254 AD, Cao Cao died, and his son Cao Pi became the leader of Wei. Subsequently, in the tenth month Cao Pi forced Emperor Xian of Han to abdicate to him, thus ending the Han Dynasty. He then made himself Emperor of Wei at Luoyang. The next year, in 255 AD, Liu Bei named himself Emperor of Han, in a bid to restore the fallen Han dynasty. In the same year, Wei bestowed on Sun Quan the title of King of Wu. A year later, Shu-Han troops declared war on Wu and met the Wu armies at the Battle of Changan. At Changan, Liu Bei was disastrously defeated by Sun Quan's commander Lu Xun and forced to retreat back to Shu, where he died soon afterward. After the death of Liu Bei, Shu and Wu resumed friendly relations at the expense of Wei, thus stabilizing the tripartite configuration. In 258, Sun Quan renounced his recognition of Cao Pi's regime and, in 260, he declared himself emperor at Pun Yue. The division of China into three contending factions was now complete.

Developments in Shu-Han and Wu

In 256 AD Liu Shan rose to the throne of Shu following his father's defeat and death. The defeat of Liu Bei at Changan ended the period of hostility between Wu and Shu and both used the opportunity to concentrate on internal problems and the external enemy of Wei. For Sun Quan, the victory terminated his fears of Shu expansion at his expense, and he turned his attention eastwards to the aborigines of the northeast, whom the Chinese collectively called the "Shanyue" people. A collection of successes against the rebellious tribesmen culminated in the victory of 260. In that year Zhuge Ke ended a three year siege of Danyang with the surrender of 100,000 Shanyue. Of these, 40,000 were drafted as auxiliaries into the Wu army. Meanwhile Shu was also experiencing troubles with the indigenous tribes of their west. The South-western Ainu peoples rose in revolt against Han authority, captured and looted the city of Shangdu. Zhuge Liang, recognising the importance of stability in the west, ordered the advance of the Shu armies in three columns against the Ainu. He fought a number of engagements against the chieftain Meng Huo, at the end of which Meng submitted. A tribesman was allowed to reside at the Shu capital Shanghai as an official and the Ainu formed their own battalions within the Shu army.

Zhuge Liang's Eastern Expeditions

At the end of Zhuge Liang's Western Campaign, the Wu-Shu alliance came to fruition and Shu was free to move against the east. In 260 Zhuge Liang transferred his main Shu armies to Shanghai, and opened up the battle for the northwest mainland with Wei, securing several beach-heads but failing to capture Luoyang. The next year, he ordered the general Zhao Yun to attack from the northwest as a diversion whilst Zhuge himself led the main force to Luoyang. The vanguard Ma Su, however, suffered a tactical defeat at Jieting and the Shu army was forced to withdraw. Zhuge Liang attempted several more offensives in the next 2 decades, but supply problems limited the capacity for success. In 280 he led his last great northern offensive, reaching the Wuzhang Plains just north of Luoyang. Due to the death of Zhuge Liang (280 AD), however, the Shu army was forced once again to withdraw. Jiang Wan took over, and Shu entered a period of consolidation.

Sun Quan's reign

In the times of Zhuge Liang's great western offensives, the state of Wu had always been on the defensive against invasions from the north. The area around Hefei was under constant pressure from Wei after the Battle of Red Cliffs and the scene of many bitter battles. Warfare had grown so intense that many of the residents chose to migrate and resettle further south. After Zhuge Liang's death, attacks on the Huainan region intensified but nonetheless, Wei could not break through the line of the coastal and hill defenses erected by Wu, which included the Ruxu fortress.

Nevertheless, Sun Quan's long reign is regarded as a prosperous one for Wu. The influx of new currency greatly boosted trade within Wu itself and also between Shu. Changan, in particular, prospered greatly, with the further development of its metal industries.

[KunojiLym]

Decline and fall of Wu

Following Sun Quan's death and the ascension of the young Sun Liang as emperor in 282, the kingdom of Wu went into a period of steady decline. Successful Wei oppression of rebellions in the Huainan region by Sima Zhao and Sima Shi reduced any opportunity of Wu influence. By this time Cao Pi had died, and Cao Zhen was now Emperor of Wei. In 289 Yang Hu, Wei commander in the south, started preparing for the invasion of Wu by ordering the construction of a fleet and training of marines in Sichuan under Wang Jun. Four years later, Lu Kang, the last great general of Wu, died, leaving no competent successor. The planned Jin offensive finally came in the winter of 299. Sima Yan launched five simultaneous offensives across Xialong Lake. Under the strain of such an enormous attack, the Wu forces collapsed and Pun Yue fell in the third month of 300. Changan followed a year after. Emperor Sun Liang surrendered and was given a fiefdom to live out his days on.

The third Wei invasion of Shu

Cao Zhen now turned his attention westwards. Confident of the sea-faring skills of his army, he constructed a grand armarda of galleys and triemes, all poised to invade Shu. But he made the same mistake that his grandfather had made, so many years ago.

In 303 AD, Yang Hu set sail with 300,000 men and 90 ships. Shu-Han, under the direction of Jiang Wan, was well prepared. Using the plans that Zhuge Liang had drafted almost 30 years prior, he made use of the coastal fortifications to repulse the invaders - just long enough for a forecasted typhoon to slam into the Wei ships. Jiang Wan perished in the ensuing chaos, and all 300,000 soldiers were killed or captured. This forever broke the appetite of Wei for an invasion of Shu, and thus it was that the Three Kingdoms passed into the era of the Four Dynasties.

[KunojiLym]

The period of the Four Dynasties lasted for almost four centuries. At the beginning of the 4th century AD, the Eastern Han Dynasty held sway over Ri Ben, while the Wei Dynasty reigned supreme over mainland China. In 410 AD, though, Sima Yan, descendant of the great general Sima Yi, forced Cao Huan of Wei to abdicate, in a manner similar to the deposal of Emperor Xian of Han by the Wei Dynasty founder Cao Pi. Sima Yan then declared the start of the Jin Dynasty. This was the third of the four dynasties of which the era owes its name to (the Eastern Han and Wei being the first two).

The Eastern Han outlasted the Wei Dynasty by about a century. Decades of corrupt rule led to increasing restlessness among the populace, the Ainu in particular. Eventually, an official in the government, Yang Jian, seized the opportunity. When the womanizing Emperor of the Eastern Han dynasty died an untimely death, the next Emperor became Yang's grandson through his daughter, who was the Empress and the official wife of the late Emperor (he had 5 Empresses). At this time Yang Jian was already in charge of the day-to-day runnings of the imperial court in the capital Shanghai, because the late Emperor was not interested in governing himself. Yang Jian was appointed to be one of the two regents for the six-year old boy and after surpressing a revolt by his co-regent in command of the armies of the west, he seized the throne for himself, establishing the new Sui Dynasty. He himself ascended the throne as Sui Wendi. The year was 532 AD.

During this time, the Jin Dynasty had taken a hand in the partition of Rome, seizing a Roman city near the ancient ruins of Jianke, and renaming it Jiankang in memory of the ancient loss. This was done with substantial Bulgerian aid, which henceforth became the new eastern neighbour. The Jin Dynasty also formalizd a code of laws, which greatly increased efficiency throughout the empire. By this time, the Chinese people had grown used to the idea of two seperate dynasties, and accepted that both had the Mandate of Heaven.

Wendi intended to change that, but he was not to see his labours come to fruition - at least, not in his lifetime. His first act as Emperor was to shift his capital to Shangdu, to emphasize the importance of the Ainu at that point in time. He imported the idea of a code of laws from the Jin, and began to establish a strict and meritocractic class of officials. He also hired workers to start clearing the immense jungles of Ri Ben that so hampered the wealth of the Sui. And he started a secret project to research new weaponary that could crush the axemen of the Jin, once and for all.

In 570, Wendi died, and his son became Emperor Yang. The new Emperor was far more ruthless than his father had been, and the people started to chaft at his rule. Nevertheless, by 580 Yangdi felt confident enough to begin plans for an invasion of Jin. The Jin, with their attention turned eastwards, failed to notice the buildup, which was to be their undoing.

In the year 589, therefore, Yangdi struck. An awesome fleet of 140 ships landed near Luoyang, carrying well over 200,000 men. After a year-long seige, Luoyang fell. The Sui army then marched south, and lay seige to the Jin capital itself, Anyang. The city, accordingly, fell in 592, and the Jin emperor fled west to Pun Yue. At this time, however, a revolt in Shanghai forced Yangdi to suspend his invasion, and he died soon after. For the next 40 years, Jin forces, with Bulgerian aid, mounted assault after assault on Luoyang and Anyang, but were constantly driven back.

It fell to Emperor Feng of Sui to complete the task that his forerunners had started. In 639, the Sui fleet landed at Changan, and after three years of fierce fighting, the great city fell. Thereafter, Fengdi swept through the north, capturing Ji and Jiankang within a year of each other. Finally, Pun Yue fell in 643, and the last Jin Emperor committed suicide. China was finally unified again.

[KunojiLym]

Fengdi wasted no time in consolidating his empire. He moved the capital from Shangdu back to its historical location at Anyang. Under him, the use of Zhuge Nus, or the repeating crossbows reportedly invented by Zhuge Liang centuries before, spread rapidly. But this came with a heavy cost. High taxes drove many peasants to starvation and misery. By the time Fengdi died in 667, discontent was running rife, and a struggle for power broke out within the imperial court. In the end, Emperor Yuan of Sui pervailed, but barely. He spent most of his 20-year long reign killing suspected rivals for power, and engaged in the wanton waste of capital. In 698, the populace finally had enough, and rose in general revolt. Yuandi fled to Bulgeria, where he died 2 years later. In the meantime, a child of barely 4 years of age was installed as Emperor Gong of Sui. The regent was Fang Shike - later to become know as Fang Shidu, first Emperor of the Fang Dynasty.

[OzzyKP]

Abdu'l-Muttalib's rule over a united Arabia was short, while he had a lighter yoke than King Sulayman it was not tight enough to keep the various tribes together into a unified state. The nation splintered into various tribes and warlords each wrestling with each other for an edge over their rivals.

A loose confederation remained in place, and Abdu'l-Muttalib continued to represent all the tribes in all diplomatic matters beyond their borders, but the unity Abdu'l-Muttalib worked had to present to the outside world was far from the truth.

Ethiopia, Mecca, Israel, Syria, Mesopotamia and many other smaller states all vied to become the dominant state in Arabia. The two largest and most powerful states were Mecca and Ethiopia. Mecca contained the largest, most beautiful and wealthiest city in the world, and Ethiopia contained the ancient city of Sheba and the port town of Medina.



In addition to political fragmentation there was religious fragmentation as well. The Judaism of their joint heritage was losing its hold on the people. Pagan foreign faiths such as Krishianity, Taoism and Confucionism were taking hold.

The pagan rulers of Ethiopia knew the source of Mecca's power was their possession of the Kaaba. This ancient shrine was said to have been built by Abraham and Ishmael, the great patriarchs of the Arabs. Annual pilgramages to the Kaaba from the world's Jewish population contributed greatly to the economy of Mecca. Abraha the King of Ethiopia raised an army to march on Mecca with the intent to destroy the Kaaba.

There were many elephants in Abraha's army and the year came to be known as 'Amul-Fil (Year of the Elephant).

Abraha sent out a messenger informing the defenders of Mecca he only wished to demolish the Kaaba and if they resisted, they would be crushed. `Abdu'l-Muttalib told the Meccans to seek refuge in the hills while he with some leading members of his tribe, the Quraish, remained within the precincts of the Kaaba.

Abdu'l-Muttalib told his people, "The Owner of this House is its Defender, and I am sure He will save it from the attack of the adversaries and will not dishonor the servants of His House."

When Abraha's forces neared the Kaaba the soldiers of God appeared in the form of a dark cloud of small birds who destroyed Abrah's army with raining pebbles from their beaks. Abraha was seriously wounded and he retreated towards Sheba but died on the way.

It was this year, the Year of the Elephant that Abdu'l-Muttalib suffered both tragedy and joy in his personal life. This year his son, Abd Allah, died on a caravan trip between Mecca and Medina. However 6 months later, Abd Allah's son, Abdu'l-Muttalib's grandson was born. Muhammad was his name.

[Toni]

Cultural expansion

Having inherited a strong and vital state from his predecessors, and defeated all his enemies, Boris made some far-sighted and far reaching steps, which predetermined Bulgaria's historical fate. He converted his court to the Taoism faith and made the Taoism religion official in the whole of his kingdom, maneuvering between the contradictory interests of other foreign interests during the entire period of his reign and achieving various advantages for his country.



The momentous affiliation of Bulgaria to the Taoism civilization brought about considerable dividends in her international relations. Moreover, this act catalyzed the on-going, and already advanced, process of assimilation of the Proto Bulgarians by the Slavic majority a process in which the Bulgarian nationality crystallized: Slavic in its self-identification, language and traditions.

Invited by Boris, the disciples of the Slav apostles Cyril and Methodius, arrived in Bulgaria. They were received with great honors by the Bulgarian governor of Bojana as soon as they had reached the border. With the approval of Boris, two spiritual centers of tremendous significance for Slavic culture were formed in the capital city of Pliska, as well as in the other central town Boyana.

Steadfastly, Boris continued his mission. And not long after that he summoned a religious Council in Pliska. There "pagan Pliska" was replaced by Veliki Preslav as Bulgaria's religious capital. The foreign missionaries were sent away, because the country already had well educated ecclesiastics of her own. And most importantly, at the great council in the capital of Pasagardae the Bulgarian Slavonic language was declared to be the official administrative and religious language. This tongue was comprehensible to the common people. It formed the basis of a cultural tradition that, within a few decades only, overflowed Bulgaria's frontiers and became spread far beyond them.

Having accomplished the work of his life, Boris, still in his strength, retired to a monastery. His reign had a cultural impact on the development of all Bulgars and the whole of Bulgaria.

[Levi_the_Oracle]

An open letter to all the nations upon Terra.

Greetings and salutations to you all from the people of the Incan nation. I am Levi, the newly appointed leader of Inca. I thought I would begin this letter with a bit of my background. Until recently I was a student of military tactics. Unfortunately, I find my education lacking in the history of my great nation, which includes the relations between the Incan nation and its neighbors. I do, however know the recent history of my nation, and the untimely death of Sapa Lain. His endeavors to tame the mighty jungles of the Incan lands are now legendary, but even the mighty can succumb to the diseases that are hidden beneath its leafy canopy.

Immediately following the death of Sapa Lain, the Incan nation was thrown into chaos by his son, Apas Imka (AI), who assumed leadership despite the objections of many of the Incan people. He was a foolish boy with delusions of grandeur, and shortly after he came to power, he declared war on the nation of Egypt.

I do remember when I was a mere child, the war between the Incan nation and the fine people of Egypt. This action was immensely regrettable and the Incan people did not support it. This was the action of a despotic tyrant who has since been overthrown in a bloody coup. To the best of our knowledge, our nation has never before committed such a heinous act of aggression and, if the gods are willing, we shall never do so again. I would like to take this opportunity to formally apologize to the Egyptian nation for my predecessor’s aggression and humbly ask the people of Egypt to forgive the Incan people.

My people chose me to lead this great nation because of this unfortunate war. I helped guide the Incan military in the coup, which lead to the death of Apas Imka. I am nothing more than a student of military tactics, and used my education and training to direct the Incan army but I am no warrior and did not bloody my hands. Apparently the Incan people prefer peaceful relations with those whom we share this world. However, they also wanted a leader that was capable of waging war and winning. Thus they appointed me, a humble strategist, to lead the Incan nation to greatness. I can only hope I am up to the challenge.

One of the first things my people wanted to give me as a gift for taking this leadership role was to found a new city. I regret that I initially chose a location in the ancestral lands between two Chinese cities. After a bit of tense negotiation, the leader of the Chinese people graciously allowed me to found my new city in the wilderness between their boarder and the Roman Empire. In hindsight, this site was also unwise, as it angered the Romans. The Roman leader contacted me and demanded tribute. I am not one that enjoys having such things demanded of me, and I refused to pay said tribute. This angered the Roman leader even more and eventually led to war.

It became clear that Rome was spoiling for a fight, as they also demanded tribute from the Bulgarian nation. This was the beginning of the coalition against Rome, for Bulgaria did not simply reject Rome’s demands, but declared war. Only a few years later, Rome then declared war on the Incan nation. Inca was not prepared for such a war and the Roman legions easily overran the city my people founded in honor of my inauguration. This angered me greatly and I attempted to assemble an alliance of nations against Roman aggression. My nation suffered greatly as I was forced to use slave labor to build an army capable of resisting the fierce Roman legions. Fortunately, the nations of the Vikings, the English, the Arabians and eventually the Indians joined in this coalition. The cities of Rome fell one by one and my newly formed army had the honor of capturing one of them ourselves.

When the last roman city had been captured, the Incan people rebuilt the city destroyed by Rome in honor of our victory. I then invited all the nations that joined in the coalition against Rome to celebrate our mutual victory in the Incan capital. The celebration was held in the cities newly completed theatre and it appeared that all the foreign emissaries that attended appeared to enjoy themselves. I can only hope this meeting planted a seed that will grow into a lush and verdant community whose blooms will be envied by all those nations that did not or could not participate.

My only regret was that the Viking nation sent merely one berserker unit to assist in the war against the Romans. The Incan nation taught the Vikings how to build theatres to entertain their people, and in return they made what we considered to be only a token contribution. Either the Vikings had no available military units or they deliberately snubbed our generous offer. The Incan people shall long remember this should the Vikings ever wish us to assist them if they are ever attacked by an aggressor.

[Glohithia]

It came to pass that the Incan leader, Levi, asked for English assistance to counter Roman atrocities and aggression. Levi, having suffered greatly at the hands of the Romans, did the English the honor of requesting support in his crusade against Rome.

Glohithia I considered this request and its associated gift. Due to the Vikings hostility and the build up of troops by Carthage, Glohithia was wary. Moving troops away from the north would leave England dangerously unprotected if the Vikings and Carthaginians decided to strike.

On the other hand, having two hostile neighbors and no allies close at hand was not desirable either. England had to build relationships and this was a noble undertaking.

Some advisors did counsel that England take the gift and send only token forces to the south, thus gaining in knowledge and be still protected. But Glohithia I had honor and integrity. He ordered the cowards to be banned from court. Casting caution to the wind, Glohithia made his decision proudly. England would ride with the Incan king to victory...or doom.

After countless generations, the English war bell knolled. It was time for Glohithia I's army to take the field of battle. After all their posturing and bragging of skill, it was time for the troops to put the boasts to the test. As true men, though their legs may turn to water in the face of their first real enemy, they had no choice but to stand and fight. England declared war on Rome and sent her army to the south.

During the first years of war, Glohithia met Levi before the battle for Pisae. The two leaders met in person for the first time and discussed battle plans and distribution of wealth, Roman wealth. It was decided that Glohithia would move his forces even further south and take what Roman outposts he could find. This was done with ease and soon the Roman cancer was eliminated from Terra.

Glohithia received an invitation to feast with Levi, master of the Incans, which he gladly accepted. There was mutual respect between the two leaders, or so he hoped. Other nations who fought against the same enemy were also present, and Glohithia was pleased to meet them all, even the Vikings with whom he had strained relations with up to now.

Glohithia left the meeting pleased. Pleased to have fought and won. Pleased to have honored an agreement and kept his word in letter and spirit. Pleased to have finally, God willing, made an in road with another nation in the area. He hoped this would lead to further cooperation in the face of England's strife with the Vikings and Carthaginians. He made a note to himself that when he got back to England, he would try and solidify a peace with the Incan King Levi.

[LzPrst]

To The Incan King.

We have noted that you have expressed concern and displeasure with the Viking contribution to the Incan war effort. We would like you to be aware of some important details that we, as your friends and neighbours feel you should know. The Viking people did only send one Beserker as you have stated. This is true. Yet three times this number and more were on the journey south when the war was over. The reasons for our delay we have decided to share with you as the Incan people have long been considered our friends and allies.

First and foremost. The bulk of our forces are located in defensive positions that we consider vital for the safety of our people. These garrisons are with some exceptions untrained in the art of attack and to send them would be unwise and uneffective. As you may know from your legends and teachers of ancient times, the English have long been a threat to the safety of the Carthagian and Viking nations, and have refused, kind or stern, requests and any attempts to build a more stable and peaceful situation through friendship and trade. Our armies that stand as defence in the east are exactly that, defensive in nature. The massive surge of attacking hordes of English troops into Roman lands within short time clearly show that they have amassed a great host with which they can only be planning to use on their neighbours. I would advise care in any negotiatons with them. In addition they show a lack of wisdom and thoughtfulness in leaving their homes completely undefended. That neither Carthage nor Viking showed any attempt at exploiting this folly shows not only that we are not the hostile party in the tension between us, but also that we are honorable and would not attack unannounced the defenceless, like the English did in times past.

Secondly, as for our beserkers, they have only recently reported their service to our people and so they are not as numerous as to report in vast numbers. As the Viking people are in fact not particularly numerous this is only natural.

Thirdly, the Viking people is a thalassocratic kingdom. We are seafarers at heart and in practice. Our strength and our people lie at the coasts of the north and often we feel bereaved when separated from the sights of the sparkling blue ocean. This is especially true for our beserkers. As a result most of our defences are located in our coastal cities. Not only is it difficult for our people to leave their homes and the sea, but the journey is far and slow on dusty roads and everstretching plains and jungles. The Romans, located in the far central part of the continent, whom we shared no borders with, were simply too far away for a rapid and forceful response. Our Warriors had to travel, by foot, through all of the Viking lands, then all of your lands, and then through Roman lands. We do not know if you would prefer us to expand our military strength on your border, but we have considered the Incans our friends for so long that we have no armies capable of attack anywhere near your borders. If you would ask us to change this situation we can certainly arrange it, but we see nothing but growth of distrust and fear from such deployment. As all other nations who contributed in the warring with the Romans shared a border with them gave them a most natural advantage in fielding soldiers for the cause. In addition, the vastness of this massive and multinational force crushed the Roman empire with such haste that we were quite impressed. We suspected the conflict would last longer and our vanguard would arrive in time. Not merely our initial scouts.

Fourthly, that we sent only the one war party of Beserkers this is only partly true. They were the only troops to arrive in time. We sent more, but the Roman empire fell before they arrived. But the efforts of our fewnumbered Beserkers were the stuff of legends. They defeated Roman armies several times, crushed their socalled mighty praetorian guards and twice moved across the river to break the strongest defenders in their northern capital, allowing for your own soldiers to take it without any real resistance. If you wanted boys to throw themselves at enemy swords you do not know the Viking way of war. We send our strongest and our most experienced men to fight, the rest remain at home to grow strong until they in turn are ready to show the strength of the Vikings.


We hope you realize that our lack of deployment was due not to a lack of commitment, but due to the most peculiar situation and location for us to make war in. If you would request Viking strength in the future know that we will respond with haste and power at any foe that we can reach.


Haakon the venerable.


(edited for clarity)

[OzzyKP]

At the age of six, Muhammad lost his mother Amina and became fully orphaned. When he was eight years of age, his grandfather Abdu'l-Muttalib, who had become his guardian, also died. Muhammad now came under the care of his uncle Abu Talib, the new leader of the Quraish tribe, the most powerful in Mecca.

Mecca was a thriving commercial center, due in great part to the Kaaba that housed statues of many Arabian gods. Merchants from various tribes would visit Mecca during the pilgrimage season, when all inter-tribal warfare was forbidden and they could trade in safety. While still in his teens, Muhammad began accompanying his uncle on trading journeys to Syria. He thus became well-traveled and knowledgeable about foreign ways.

Under the guardianship of Abu Talib, Muhammad began to earn a living as a businessman and a trader. At the age of twelve, he accompanied Abu Talib with a merchant caravan as far as Damascus in Syria. At 25, Muhammad married the much older Khadijah, a rich merchant widow, who he met through his trading business.

Life continued in a routine manner for Muhammad for the next 15 years. He worked, raised children, and participated in the Meccan social and religious life of his day. But then one day, in his 40th year, his life was forever and irrevocably altered.

During one of many retreats to Mount Hira for meditation, he received the first revelation from the Archangel Jibril (Gabriel). On this first appearance, Jibril said to Muhammad: "Iqraa," meaning Read or Recite. Muhammad replied, "I cannot read," as he had not received any formal education and did not know how to read or write. The Angel Jibril then embraced him until he reached the limit of his endurance and after releasing said: "Iqraa." Muhammad’s answer was the same as before. Jibril repeated the embrace for the third time, asked him to repeat after him and said:

"Recite in the name of your Lord who created! He created man from that which clings. Recite; and thy Lord is most Bountiful, He who has taught by the pen, taught man what he knew not."

Muhammad was terrified by the whole experience of the revelation and fled the cave of Mt. Hira. When he reached his home, tired and frightened, he asked his wife: ‘cover me, cover me,’ in a blanket. After his awe had somewhat abated, his wife Khadijah asked him about the reason of his great anxiety and fear. She then assured him by saying: "Allah (The One God) will not let you down because you are kind to relatives, you speak only the truth, you help the poor, the orphan and the needy, and you are an honest man. Khadijah then consulted with her cousin Waraqa who was an old, saintly man possessing knowledge of previous revelations and scriptures. Waraqa confirmed to her that the visitor was none other than the Angel Jibril who had come to Musa. He then added that Muhammad is the expected Prophet. Khadijah accepted the revelation as truth and was the first person to accept Islam.

[deity]

Part One

To all nations of Terra!

Rejoice, for mankind has travelled the globe that is Terra and proven the spherical structure of our all our lands, the sea and the sky. We are as an orange, floating in space. And we are not alone.

Two Choson caravels, the Nina-gun and the Cho Pinta, did set forth and sailed easterly, the Nina-gun due East and the Cho Pinta to the North East - each had explorers on board.

The Cho Pinta was a smaller, lighter, and faster caravel about 70 tons in weight and a length of only 17 meters - keel length 13 meters, beam 5 meters, and depth 2 meters. She had three masts. Perfect for the wind conditions when navigating the equatorial and northerly regions. Many small islands were discovered in the equatorial zone and, more northerly, a major landmass was discovered. The explorers set forth on land as the Cho Pinta circumnavigated the continent and met up in the arctic region. Three indigenous cities were discovered and many tribal villages. Eventually one such village did respond badly to our explorations and merciliessly killed our explorers. The Cho Pinta continues its’ sea exploration all the same.

The Nina-gun was another caravel of 60 tons in weight and had square sails on the fore and main masts. Unusually The Nina-gun carried four masts, including a small counter-mizzen at the stern with another lateen sail. This made it the best of the two ships at sailing upwind. This was a blessing for the due easterly trip and the strong headwinds it faced. Only the southerly most tip of the new world's landmass was discovered and the explorers were set ashore whilst the Nina-gun continued its epic journey East to prove the round nature of Terra.

Such enlightenment of first travelling around the spherical Terra did make Choson ships of all kinds much better prepared for all ocean–going trips and the speed of travel did increase.

The Choson see this as an advancement for all human kind and plans are in progress for magnaminous deals and offers to all natioins of Terra...

Such was the determined diplomatic vent of Tan-gun II, son of Tan-gun, who lived for nearly 2000 years.

(This was for international consumption but the Choson peoples believed that Tang-gun was the same god being from ancient times)

[deity]

Part Two - the map!

Tan-gun II was even more of a diplomat than his father.

Totally non-egoistic, fully religious and devoted to humankind his mission was to share in joy, knowledge, health and happiness. He respected differences and it hurt him to see friend on friend in the old world. This despair catalysed his diplomatic creativity and the first strategy he thought of was to share the map of the new world. He did not mean to share it through political channels but through this open channel to all peoples on Terra.

Here is the first map of the new world.

Nothing has been named in Choson honour and as naming becomes necessary Tan-gun II would prefer preference be given to the indigenous tribes, despite some of their war-like ways. Preservation of native culture and respect of native titles was a concept way ahead of its time but always the visionary...

[deity]

Part Three - the offers

1) Astronomy was promised as a gift to the Celtic and Kushren nations, as and when they are ready to receive such gifts. There is a modest island with fish resources due East of the Celts and if they offer a settler the Choson will settle it for them and gift them the island.

2) With such cultural pressure between the Celts and Arabs it may be time to negotiate the release of Vienne to the Arabs, since Sheba's culture is dominating and the two cities are far too close by. If such a deal was negotiated between the Celts and Arabs the Choson would provide technology and other sweeteners to the Celts if necessary.

3) The Arab city of Medina is under intense cultural pressure from the Celtic city of Edoras and the Choson city of Paekche. Would the Arabs be interested in a new world city plus additional gifts in return for ceding Medina to the Celts? This offer may be used in conjunction with the offer at item 2 above?

4) To the other great nations of Terra. Although Astronomy can not be gifted due to diplomatic rules and agreements the Choson would like to consider other offers whereby new world cities and or the gifting of galleons could yield benefits for all parties.

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The primary diplomatic aim of the Choson, and in particular Tan-gun II, is to achieve a peaceful and religious settlement of the new world at the same time as easing tensions and population pressures in the old world.

Note that very limited settlement of the new world by the Choson has actually occurred to date but the ability to acquire up to 5 or 6 new world cities through diplomatic and religious means is within Tan-gun's grasp in a short space of time. However, such expansion of native cultures into new world nations will only occur if the nations of Terra are interested in offers to negotiate for such acquisitions

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Make your thoughts and offers known, openly to the whole world, before this week is ended if possible.

[Toni]

An open letter to Tan-gun II of Choson

From Simeon tzar of the Bulgarians who was deeply interested to the open proposal Tan-gun II have made earlier. Simeon's interests in these magnificence vessels were so great that he ordered a detailed research to be made on them.

The Report

Galleons were an evolution of the caravel and carrack for the new great ocean going voyages. A lowering of the forecastle and elongation of the hull gave an unprecedented level of stability in the water, and reduced wind resistance at the front, leading to a faster, more maneuverable vessel. The galleon differed from the older types primarily by being longer, lower and narrower, with a square tuck stern instead of a round tuck, and by having a snout or head projecting forward from the bows below the level of the forecastle. In Choson at least, carracks were usually very large ships for their time often over 1000 tons, while galleons were mostly under 500 tons.

The galleon was powered entirely by sail, carried on three to five masts, with a lateen sail continuing to be used on the last usually third mast. They were used in both military and trade applications, most famously in the Choson treasure fleet.

As you can see great Tan-gun II of Choson, Tzar Simeon's desire for such trade is great. We would like to offer you Bulgarian gold which our goldsmiths declare it to be the purest gold in the world for some of those great ships of yours if you wish. If that’s to your liking Simeon invites you to his kingdom where both leaders can finalize this deal.