History of the World XI - 11 o'clock, one hour before doomsday! [Story Thread]

[Robert]

Official declaration from Martin van Buren, regarding cartoon-issues
The Dutch reportings about burning Dutch and Ethiopian embassies in the United Islamitic Towns of America aren't based on any truth. Pure propaganda. Despite the rejection of the cartoons by the Dutch governament and the Great Prophet of Islam, the people of the United Islamitic Towns of America and the followers of Islam, are very well able to contain themselves. Despite their sadness towards the publication of the cartoons, no uprising or mob has started in any of the American Towns. Neither did the Great Prophet of Islam, Martin van Buren, call for the death of the author of the cartoons.

War has been announced towards the Dutch though, since the publishing of the cartoons showed that no peace was possible. The publishing of the cartoons was not the cause for the war. It just showed to the Americans that there was no hope for peace with the Dutch anymore, and therefor further peace negotiations, which were happening behind the scenes, were ended, resulting in the declaration of war.

No Dutch buildings in the UIToA have been damaged or destroyed. No flag burnings have reported. The war propaganda has apparantly started from the Dutch site.
Martin van Buren is open and honest about everything. He doesn't shame away from calling the truth, even if it hurts. Like he never shies away from his anger towards the Dutch administration. But there is no secret agenda.

There are no reports from Islamitic forms of terror either. Terror is not allowed by the Great Prophet. The Jihad is being executed through the strength of the Islamitic armies, which try to keep the civilians out of the line of fire. Unlike acts of Terror, that are always aimed at civilians.

Martin van Buren calls upon the leaders of The Netherlands to stop the war propaganda. Let's stop the lies, and meet on the field of battle.

Martin van Buren.

[Robert]

Player Activity Table
Green = active
Red = inactive

Story Thread:
---- Session 10 - Friday November 2nd ----
November 2nd - CyberShy (America)
November 2nd - Toni (The Netherlands)
November 1st - The_Aussie_Lurker (Ethiopia)
November 1st - Deity (Portugal)
October 30th - arvcran (Inca)
---- Session 9 - Friday October 26th ----
October 22nd - Asmodeous (Native America)
October 22nd - Frank Johnson (Germany)
October 20th - Nolan (Byzantia)
---- Session 8 - Friday October 19th ----
---- Session 7 - Friday October 12th ----
October 12th - LzPrst/Mr.Lincoln (Russia)
---- Session 6 - Friday October 5th ----
---- Session 5 - Friday September 28th ----
---- Session 4 - Friday September 21th ----
September 21th - dacole (England)
---- Session 3 - Friday September 14th ----
---- Session 2 - Friday September 7th -----
September 6th - Beta (Rome)
---- Session 1 - Friday August 31th ---------

Organization Thread:
---- Session 10 - Friday November 2nd ----
November 2nd - CyberShy
November 2nd - Deity
November 2nd - Beta
November 2nd - Toni
November 2nd - Frank Johnson
November 1st - The_Aussie_Lurker
November 1st - Asmodeous
October 30th - arvcran
October 28th - Dacole
October 27th - Nolan
---- Session 9 - Friday October 26th ----
October 19th - Mr.Lincoln
---- Session 8 - Friday October 19th ----
---- Session 7 - Friday October 12th ----
---- Session 6 - Friday October 5th ----
---- Session 5 - Friday September 28th ----
---- Session 4 - Friday September 21th ----
---- Session 3 - Friday September 14th ----
---- Session 2 - Friday September 7th -----
---- Session 1 - Friday August 31th ---------

[Robert]

Players:

	Civilization	Leader	also known as	Former players / Subs
Arvcran	Inca	Huayna Capac
The_Aussie_Lurker (2*)	Ethiopia	Zara Yaqob
Mr.Lincoln (1) / LzPrst (3)	Russia	Stalin		Mr.Lincoln (s1,7), LzPrst (s2-6), AI (s8,9)
Dacole (2)	England	Elizabeth	Daniel, Cole	LzPrst (s1), AI (s8,9)
Beta (1)	Rome	Augustus	Toxoxi	Mr.Lincoln (s6)
Nolan (4)	Byzantine	Justinian I	condor233	AI (s3)
CyberShy (5)	America	Lincoln	Rho'd Berth
Deity (15)	Portugal	Joao II
Asmodeous	Native America	Sitting Bull		AI (s1), Deity Dude (s2)
Toni (3)	Dutch	Willem van Oranje
Frank Johnson (15)	Germany	Bismarck	Dangime

[Beta]

The Voyage of RRS Mars

She was just an ordinary galley - which undertook a very extraordinary voyage. She left Rome 5 years earlier, and heading west mapped for Rome what was once only dreamed about by cartographers and mystics.

Sailing along the Incan coast, the captain and crew got to experience the Incan people and their odd ways. Rome got on just fine with the Incans, despite some serious cultural and language differences. A common religion goes a long way to making bridges.

RRS Mars then entered Byzantine territory - a nation which Rome could better identify with. The languages were similar enough that laymen could handle interpretations, and the people wore 'normal' clothes, not like those odd Incan outfits. But as with the Incans, the Byzantine leadership proved to be an open and friendly one.

The voyage then took them further west, to a land previously unknown to Rome, and to people previously only imagined. .....

[Toni]

[deity]

Toni!

Get rid of it!!

I can just see you flashing that on the screen to end player turns if you had half a chance!!

LOL

[The_Aussie_Lurker]

Storm Clouds Gather

King Yaquob VI sat at his desk, & massaged his furrowed brow. Though young compared to previous Monarchs of Ethiopia, Zara definitely felt he was too old for this business. In his hand he held yet another communique from the nations of Islam-demanding that Ethiopia convert to Islam or risk a Jihad.

It had been more than 10 years since he had given his rousing speech on the vital importance of Ethiop nationality, even in the face of overwhelming hostility. This speech was followed-just days later-by a Firebrand speech from High Priest M'Lecki III (may he rest in peace) linking Ethiopian National Identity with adherence to the 'One True Faith' of the All-Mother. His Successor, High Priestess Mahulati II was equally as fiery in her denounciations of the Islamic Threat.

Unfortunately, the intervening years had seen the Islamists gain even more ground-with both Rome & neighbouring Anglaise joining the faith-both apparently at gunpoint. Yaquob continued to send more letters, urging the Islamists to let individual nations follow their own religious path. He placed particular emphasis-in letters to his distant relatives within the Portugeuse Royal Family-on Portugal using its influence to keep the more militant Islamists, Germany & America, in line.

The letters King Yaquob originally recieved from Portugal sounded hopeful, with the King indicating that America & Germany were prepared to await new International Developments. Unfortunately, more domestic developments impacted on International Relations a mere 2 years after those initial, hopeful letters.

It seemed that the speeches made by Yaquob & M'Lecki had a much deeper impact than originally intended. A new wave of Ultra-Nationalism & Religious Fundamentalism broke out across the length & breadth of Ethiopia-especially centred around New Gondar, Adis Adiba & Warwick. This led, in turn, to a newly elected Representative Council that was dominated by this same group of Nationalists & Fundamentalists.

Though not overly militant, this new council put forward many harsh new laws for Yaquob's approval. Laws allowing for Conscription, Laws allowing for Martial Law where necessary, Laws diverting large amounts of resources into both the training & equipping of a modern military, Laws allowing for the arrest & deportation of foreign missionaries & Laws making religious training & indoctrination a key requirement for joining the military. It was with a heavy heart that Yaquob signed these bills into law-but it didn't take long for these laws to create international incidents.

Many Islamic Missionaries were arrested & initially imprisoned-prior to being evicted from the nation, causing many angry letters to be sent from the Islamic nations. Then, in response to a Mutual Defense Pact signed earlier with The Rus, Ethiopian troops were sent in to help defend Russia from the invading Islamic hordes. Some of these troops inadvertantly stumbled into English territory-violating territorial agreements made centuries earlier. Matters were made worse when Russia reneged on its earlier pledge to resist Islamism, leaving Ethiopian troops isolated in a now "hostile" nation. The troops beat a quick exit, stumbling across the frontier of Portugal in the process. This alienated one of Ethiopia's few 'allies' amongst the Islamists-a fact made clear by a hostile communique sent by the Portuguese King stating he could no longer protect me from his fellow Islamists.

Facing no other option, King Yaquob activated its defensive pacts with Byzantium & The Nederlands-begging for their assistance in defending the nation of Ethiopia. The military was mobilized to a level never before seen in Ethiopia, even conscripting civilians to fill any manpower gaps.

These forces were sent to the frontier connecting Ethiopia, Portugal & England. Here they awaited the oncoming Islamic Horde. Though the king was too old to fight in the frontlines, his eldest son & daughter were there to bolster the morale of the troops. Come what may, the people of Ethiopia had made it clear that they would not give up their beliefs without a fight....

[OzzyKP]

Paragraphs are our friends.

[The_Aussie_Lurker]

Yeah, sorry Ozzy. That effort was a 'Stream of Conciousness' affair done at the end of a VERY long day . It has since been corrected.

Aussie_Lurker.

[arvcran]

Word had come to the Incas of the Opressive Islamists bullying other nations into submission.

These incidents have aroused an old faith in buddism and it's relation to combat and moral ... it was with much regret that the Incas have readopted the old state religion in order to better train new troops. The Incas look forward to the day whence the Islamic aggressors are punished for their attrosities and arrogance, when the Icas will once again open their state to *any* and all religions.

The Incas are mobilizing and are not going to sit back while their friends of other Nations are sucumbed to the Islamic beast.

These Islamists are being brain washed by a mad man regime that is practicing hypocracy between what he preaches and what he does.

Islam (the false implementation).... be prepared to face the rest of the world's view. A lesson must be taught!

[deity]

'Joao the Pom', the Christian of the Joao line arrived in Lisbon after many years in London. The time seemed right.

His manic jihadist relative Joao was to be relieved of his duties and a palace coup occurred.

Portugal was to reject the jihad and Christianity would return...

---

OOC, Yes this is consistent with the Portuguese storyline if you bothered to read it

[Toni]

Last year's uprising in Sofia was only the first symptom of renewed tensions in the Dutch Lands. The region has seen an increase in inter ethnic tensions and in operations by Islamist radicals. Groups such as Kazunluk, the Islamic Movement of Dutch is threatening to destabilize sections of the country. In the offshore colonies, Islamist radicals are becoming especially active. Mario Bogdanov, a political scientist from colonies, summed up the situation for the local newspaper

The colonies were now a place of anarchy following the removal of the old local government. This lack of real authority, along with persistent inter ethnic tensions, makes it a prime location for an Islamic revolution. This region of the country is currently the most problematic, and if war starts here, it will eventually involve the rest of the regions of the country. During last couple of centuries, this land was divided between local cities states, but to this day the various parts of the land remain as inter connected parts of a greater whole. A crisis in any of the components creates a chain reaction that can lead to cataclysms in the nearby territories, potentially creating further instability in nearby countries of Byzantium, Ethiopia and Native America

Such a grim evaluation stems from the mass disorders that occurred in that territory last spring after one of the most famous local imams, Vasil Mitrev, was killed by the country's security services. The official explanation states that Mitrev was caught transporting two terrorists from the Islamic Movement of Kazanluk on his ship. The men in question were responsible for attacks on Dutch southern and northern border control posts last fall. When ordered to pull over, the imam refused and was killed along with his passengers by Dutch security personnel fire

[Toni]

Well it is no secret that the Dutch people have been trading with the far away German nation for many years now. Only during the last couple of years their relations have been growing colder due to their dictatorial ruler. But normal times are returning slowly, now that the Germans have a new leader. The Dutch and Germans have renewed their diplomatic talks. Both nations have agreed to start a closer cooperation and renew their trade deals. We the Dutch have asked the Germans to send us their missionaries so that we can spread their philosophy and teaching around our cities. After all the Germans had a very different view compare to the American fanatics. The Dutch have been always open to foreign peaceful influence. And now that the Germans have restarted their talks with us we look forward to this new knowledge.

[Beta]

Earlier

In the office of the Chief Senator Elect in the Palace in Rome

Gaius Cabrera (Principal Advisor to the Chief Senator Elect)

Julian Osso (Chief Senator Elect)

Julian: So Gaius, what truth is there to these rumours of a jihad, and who in Hades is van Buren.

Gaius: Sadly they are true, sir. And we have been targetted.

Julian: Why Rome? Our isolationist foreign policy approach has ensured that we have been pretty much silent on the diplomatic front.

Gaius: The Islamic nations are more than aware of our dealings with the Dutch, and our Incan allies.

Julian: And for this they declare war on us?

Gaius: Yes sir. We are "non-believers", or so they say. And that applies to the Buddhists as well.

Julian (well known as an atheist at heart): chuckles Maybe there is something to this jihad after all - if it can curb the Buddhists.

Gaius: Sir - shall we reply to America?

Julian: No. Never. And who would we reply to - this fanciful van Buren character I have heard so much about - or is there a legitimate government in that country anyway? Not important. Strength speaks. Strength and honour. Put the military on alert, and strengthen the eastern ports against an invasion.

Gaius: Very good sir. And one last thing - those two officers from The Mars which you interviewed last week - they are still here in Rome awaiting orders.

Julian: Assign them to our newest ship. Their skills may be needed sooner than we think.

[Beta]

And Later ...

Julian: And what of our plans, Gaius?

Gaius: I have bad news to report sir? The ambassador to America signed a peace deal with the Islamic government.

Julian: He did what!!! Why in the hell did he do that??!!

Gaius: We have no idea sir. Apparently he was neogotiating with them as we had directed, and the next thing we know we get the reports that deal has been reached. It is not clear whther he fell under the spell of the Islamics, or whether he had other ideas in mind.

Julian: [flabbergasted] And our plans? What of them?

Gaius: They are on hold sir, until we figure out what to do with this mess. Incidentally sir, the ambassador did negotiate to get 'education' from America.

Julian: Oh spare me the details. And exactly where is this 'ambassador' of ours now, Gaius?

Gaius: He was recalled. He is here in Rome, at the foreign affairs office.

Julian: Hmmmm. You know that old trireme, Gaius? What was her name - Jupiter I think. Lower deck for him.

Gaius: Yes sir.

Julian: And meet me back here in four hours with the military and foreign advisors. We have some thinking to do.

Gaius: Yes sir.