History of the World, the 8th Wonder of the World

[Toni]

In response to England’s plea for help!

The Great Rider enters the Kings chamber and delivers Æzzy's Letter.

Hanz The Patient One replies to the rider “And Germany will answer! Muster the Chariots! Assemble the Men at Mountain City, as many Men as can be found. You have five days. On the sixth, we ride for England… and war.”

[Robert]

(I always considered Germany to be more Mordor then Rohan )

[KunojiLym]

The Koreas know little about these so-called Zulus and English other than from heresy. It is impossible to respond to legends and rumors except via prayer, which we may or may not do.

((C'mom guys, since when was news able to travel so fast around the world in 2000 BCE? ))

[OzzyKP]

The Great Rider, duh. He has super powers like those Korean chariot folks who killed like thousands of barbarians.

[Beta]

The Carthaginians - Part One

(ToxoXI becomes king - Carthage is settled – the world is explored – neighbours are met)

ToxoXI was a reluctant ruler. He was young, and leading a nation had not been in his immediate plans. But with the sudden death of his father, ToxoX, the young Toxo had no choice. He was next in succession and he had a firm enough grasp of his nation’s history, culture, and laws to know what was expected. He did not hesitate when it was his time, although in his heart of hearts, he would have preferred to be on a hunt with his friends.

The plague of 4002bc ravaged the countryside; it did not distinguish rich from poor, or royalty from commoner. In addition to roughly 5000 of the nomadic Carthaginian people, the airborne disease claimed the lives of King ToxoX, Queen Ravena, and their eldest daughter Elina. It left the young Pardos, age 21, to assume the role of King of Carthage as ToxoXI. Mercifully, it also left him his younger sister Robina, as his sole remaining family member, and constant source of friendship and support. Perhaps most crucially, among the survivors was Betacles, the late King’s most trusted and senior advisor. Thankfully, for the Carthaginians, ToxoXI was sufficiently mature, confident, and intelligent to rely on those around him – including Betacles.

To that end, ToxoXI fulfilled the lifetime dream and endeavour of his father - the establishment of a permanent settlement site for the Carthaginians. Exhausted by years of nomadic, and often difficult, existence, the people had been stretched to their limit by the deadly plague and an unusually harsh winter. Thus, ToxoXI was both proud and sad when he acknowledged Betacles’ indication of an acceptable site, and laid down the roots for a permanent city to be home to his people. The sadness came from knowing his father was not here to see his dream fulfilled; the pride that he had fulfilled that dream, and set a future course for his people.

The site chosen by Betacles was based on criteria established by the late king. It was on the coast of a rich sea, which the Carthaginians named the Soriyan Sea, and the river leading into that sea which provided a rich source of fresh water, the River Soriya. The city itself was named after the people, and thus would be known as Carthage. The promising site was further enhanced when clams were discovered immediately off-shore. And finally, the great forest which surrounded Carthage, the Dark Wood, provided both a sense of security, and an abundance of wood for growth.

It would seem indeed that the Carthaginians fate was now blessed, only a few years after it seemed they would vanish from the face of the Earth altogether. Citizens were content with their lot, and pleased with their young King. The city grew quickly. A Carthaginian scout which explored the nearby territory was soon joined by stout Carthaginian warriors. The early days, however, were quiet with the occasional report regarding battles with fierce animals in the wilds of the forest. And year by year, a map of the lands around Carthage became more complete.

And then came the day when a messenger arrived to inform Toxo and Betacles that the warriors had met other people who had also settled in this great land. This was not unexpected – Betacles had predicted this would occur. The Carthaginians had, in their nomadic travels, encountered various tribes and villages. They had also heard the stories of the great Abyssinian Civilization to the east, and the remarkable land of Atlantis to the north. It was therefore of little surprise that there were other civilizations out there. What was of surprise was the number. Germans to the west; the Zulu to the east; Ottoman to the south. It went on and on. Even the wise Betacles was taken aback.

It was clear that as Carthage grew, its challenges and its opportunities would not solely be a function of the land itself; they would be as equally dependent on its new neighbours and the relationships they could establish with these civilizations.

[dacole]

Originally posted by OzzyKP
(I can't wait to find New York, kinda cool that it isn't far away from York. Some story needs to be written about that.)

I'm not sure if I can, but I will try to come up with something problem is I have yet to come across your civilization though I suppose I can have heard the stories and so in a fit of anger named the city as somewhat of a joke/insult.

[Beta]

Originally posted by dacole


I'm not sure if I can, but I will try to come up with something problem is I have yet to come across your civilization though I suppose I can have heard the stories ....

Indeed! Legends and rumour abound in this new world. For instance, it is said the German Empire is so mighty and advanced that one is awed into silence upon entering the capitol.

[Toni]

Perhaps more than any other civilization the Germans are famed for their incredible constructions. There appeared almost no limit to what they could do with marble, bricks, mortar and wood.

Roads

German roads ran to every corner of the German kingdom. Well built, stone-covered roads laid on proper foundations. The German learnt early on that to control their territories they needed easy access to them. Also trade prospered and brought in much needed taxes. Sooner or later all towns and cities of the kingdom were connected by an elaborate road system, which meant that from any place within the kingdom you could travel to Mountain City by road.

Stonehenge


A magnificent megalithic monument on the western plains in western Germany, Stonehenge is a circular setting of large standing stones surrounded by an earthwork. The monument is used as an astronomical calendar for clocking and predicting the seasons.

Temple of Artemis

Referred to as the great marble temple, it was sponsored by the Hanz The Patient One and was designed by a German architect. The Temple was decorated with bronze statues sculpted by the most skilled artists of their time. The temple served as both a marketplace and a religious institution. For years, the sanctuary was visited by merchants, artisans, and kings who paid homage to the goddess by sharing their profits with her.

Oracle


The Oracle was the most important shrine in Germany; the shrine was used for people to come to seek the advice of the Oracle for different matters. When these advices turned to be successful, offerings from the people of the towns were sent to Oracle as thank you gesture. This process led to Oracle growing in great stature and wealth.

[Robert]

A letter to the unknown leader of the Zulu civilization

From Manco Capac, leader of the Incans.

Mister,

The Zulu empire hasn't been known for their peacefull attitude towards the Hindu people on Terra. Your civilization has forced the peacefull English to declare war upon you, which is not only a cruel act against all that's just, but also against the nature of the English. You made them do that what they hate most. Waging war. But I salute them for doing that since they had the right to defend themselves.

Now I have heard rumors that you want to offer Peace to the English in exchange for land. You want to take the territory south of England that clearly belongs to the English, and keep it in exchange for peace. I do not believe in land for peace pacts. Peace can never be bought, it must be begotten. Only the peace in the hearts of the Zulu and English people can settle real peace.

If you force the English to give to you what is not yours, there will not be peace and the war will linger on for the generations to come. I cannot let my Hindu people live in fear and war! And I will not let them!

I urge you to settle peace with the English without conditions and from the bottom of your heart. Otherwise countless Incan Quencha's will march from Inca towards the Zulu borders and slaughter the pathatic Archers that defend the Zulu cities. If you don't want to give peace to the English we will come and get it for them.

I do also urge you to convert to Hinduism.
You can do so by restoring the destroyed roads of the ancient English and connect them to the Inca empire. Joining the Hindu Civilization will help the Zulu rather then set them back.

I'll await your answer while overseeing the training of our Quencha's.

Manco Capac
Leader of the Inca
High priest of all Hindus

[Toni]

After sleeping on it Hanz The Patient One has decided to cancel the spring campaign against the Zulu people. The Great Rider was asked to ride to the Zulu lands and scout out what the real situation was; Hanz decided that he can not act on only what others were saying. Maybe after all the Zulu were just protecting themselves while the English were expanding into Zulu territories. Hanz hopped that the Great Rider will be able to answer these urgent questions. We the Germans for example will not tolerate any foreign tribe settling on the borders of our capital without our agreement first, we will consider this an act of war and the necessary measures will be taken. .

[Pinchak]

King Levi sits in his royal hut, eating jungle fruit and being fanned by maidens in colorful red, blue and green robes. Levi's Chief of the Military enters the room. A man known as Bonta... 7 feet tall and pure muscle. Behind him enter three more men, all generals in the Zulu army.

Levi: And what do I owe this audience to? We had no meetings for today!

There was a meeting for today King Levi, you just didn't know about it. This meeting has been called by all the Zulu. Your abuse of your own people must stop. We long for religion, and technology, and a civilization. Your policy of bloodshed has hindered us as a people. Our neighbors prosper while you continue your war, and lead us down a dead end path.

Bonta and the Generals draw their Iklwas. Levi jumps from his chair in a fit of rage, backhanding one of the maidens in the process. Levi stands a full head taller then Bonta, a true giant of a man. In a civilization which puts emphasis on physical ability over mental, it is no wonder Levi became ruler.

Levi: After I kill all of you, I will put your heads outside this hut as a reminder to your replacements what happens when you question my directions!

In his haste, Levi doesn't even bother grabbing the spear hanging on the wall, and instead lunges toward the closest opponent. The general thrusts his Iklwa at Levi, only to have Levi grab the shaft in mid motion and toss it with the general still hanging on. The other two generals and Bonta surround Levi, scoring flesh wounds but nothing substantial. Levi catches a general by the head and in one fluid motion choke slams his victim so hard the head breaks open like an egg. While getting up he catches Bonta in the ribs with a kick. The last general, visibly shaken, attempts to run for the door. Levi catches him from behind by his shirt, and quickly delivers a hammer blow to his back, compressing his heart and shattering his spine. Bonta, rises from the ground, grabs a spear, and throws. The spear penetrates King Levi through the neck, and comes out the other side.

Bonta: It is over Levi. The Zulu people are finally free of your oppression. I will now lead them to greatness, and destiny.

Levi's eyes bulge, and turn red. Blood runs down his cheeks from the corners of his mouth. He grabs the spear on both sides of his neck and snaps it in half, ripping open his throat and spraying Bonta with blood

Levi: (gargling on blood) The Zulu are mine to do with what i please!!!

In a final explosion of anger, Levi jumps on Bonta as he lies squealing in fear like a little village girl. Levi twists his arm until the tendons pop and the flesh tears. Throwing the arm aside, Levi then grabs Bonta's lower jaw by sticking his hand in his mouth, and rips this too from his body. The last general awakens from being knocked out cold just in time to view the savage and gristly sight. He raises his spear to deliver a death blow, but once again Levi grabs it from his hands and repeatedly stabs the man with it. Levi continues to stab, with a deranged look in his eyes, until finally his blood pressure gives way, and he too collapses.

The room is a bloodbath, with limbs and bodies strewn around in every direction. The only survivor, one of the fan maidens, runs out of the royal hut with her hand over her mouth. She screams the news of the king's demise, and the Zulu people are overcome with a sense of both relief, and uncertainty.

[OzzyKP]

heh, definitely the goriest post in Diplogaming history. But good.

[Robert]

One thing is certain, Pinchak's posts are going to be entertaining
And another thing is true: don't read them before you go to sleep

[Pinchak]

You guys kept refering to him as "mad Levi", so i felt his departure from this world should reflect that. What can I say, im a Tarantino fan.

[OzzyKP]

Because of the inappropriate placement of Bulawayo I have no more room for placing cities.

What is so inappropriate about it? It is ajacent to my capital. Standard stepping stone placement.

If you want, I will be willing to exchange Bulawayo for Nottingham. This will offer you expansion into the open land to the west of Bulawayo.... five citys total.

So the new proposel would be...

1. Nottingham for Bulawayo, i agree not to settle the open land west of Bulawayo.

2. No fat cross overlap.

3. No war for 300 turns.

4. I will agree to rebuild your roads.

Let me know.

- Pinchak

England rejects this peace offer.

Nottingham is not only not negotiable, if given to the Zulu it would violate term number 2 and overlap London's fat cross.

Much has been made of Nottingham being settled right next to the Zulu capitol, so present proof to the world that not only does Nottingham's fat cross not overlap Ulundi's fat cross, it doesn't even overlap their next ring of culture. Nottingham does however overlap with London. It is much closer to my capitol and there is no room for complaint about it.



"Standard stepping stone placement." is meaningless when you have a start like mine. If I used that I would be dead and trapped on a narrow peninsula.

The reason I call the placement of Bulawayo inappropriate is it was clearly an aggressive move by the Mad King Levi to further hurt England. It was founded during our war to take away a good amount of our already limited land. Considering the idyllic land open to the Zulu in the south where they have no competition, it is highly aggressive to place Bulawayo so close to me and encroach on my already very limited (and crappy) land.

The land to the west lacks all resources is very near to Carthaginian & Incan land, and would be far away from English territory.

Therefore I propose a counter offer:

1. Bulawayo be destroyed.

2. England provide the Zulu with 1 settler in compensation.

3. The proposed borders are agreed to.

4. At a future date the English build a city 1 tile north of the current location of Bulawayo to minimize overlap with the Zulu.

5. No war for 300 turns.