Diplogame HOTW XII Ragnarok - Story Thread

[Diplo Holland]

Well done Carpathia!

... patiently awaits America's response...

[Diplo Carpathia]

To: James Madison of American
From: Vlad Tepes III
CC: All Nations of Terra
Subject: Peace Offer

Dear President Madison,

A we present to you yet another offer for peace...


Timerosa and Foccicia given back to Carpathia. America keeps Ordela and retains all holy income.

We hope this additional offer will make Americas choice easier, as well as show Terra that Carpahtia indeed will be flexable with regards to ending this awful war.

Regards,

Vlad Tepes III

[Diplo America]

Commander, we have a message from Carpathia!

At last, do they finally wish to negotiate? Bring me the note.

The courier hands the note to James Madison. The new American Commander in Chief opens and then begins to read the note.

“What? What is this? This came from Carpathia?”

The courier nods.

“Does this Vlad take us for fools? This isn’t an offer of peace this must be a joke. This is less of an offer than what was proposed by Holland, or France, or even the offer we made ourselves years ago. Carpathia doesn’t want peace, they want to mock us. This is absurd. Call in my cabinet we must meet on this immediately.”

An hour passes and the full American cabinet assembles for a cabinet meeting.

Madison begins, “You have all read the Carpathian note, and no doubt are all aware of the diplomatic overtures made from other nations. What do y...”

Andrew Jackson doesn’t hesitate, “It is an insult. A delusional insult. Their new king must be mad if he thinks this is remotely a serious proposal. They have invaded us twice. They are on the brink of losing... twice. Yet they made ridiculous demands like this? The Dutch at least tried to find some balance, they of course fell quite short, but this ‘proposal’ doesn’t even try.”

“Jackson is right,” added John Quincy Adams, “I wish for a speedy end to this war, but not like this. America should not simply hand over the land we fought so hard for. America should not reward the crimes of Carpathia. They began this war. They began the last war. They refused to negotiate for decades. They should not be rewarded for such behavior.”

“It does indeed seem like a strange move on their part,” said Henry Clay. “Yet... perhaps they are shrewder than we think. Many serious, but flawed proposals by many international players have been proposed. Carpathia said nothing of their merits. America was the only nation to respond. We caught much flak for rejecting the international peace offers, but now it seems that Carpathia had no interest in supporting those proposals either. They demand and expect far more than Holland, or France or anyone else requested. Yet by their silence to all past proposals they somehow gave the impression that it is they, not us, who was more interested in peace. Funny how easily the void of silence can be filled with one’s own prejudices and viewpoints. Now that Carpathia has at last voiced their true thoughts on the matter I wonder if the world will be objective enough to see that each one of their three options are less realistic than anything thus far put forward. Less realistic, less serious and less likely to create any peace whatsoever.”

“To expect the world to view the matter objectively is quite a lot to wish for.” said Madison. “No doubt they will fawn over Carpathia for even responding. The bar has been set mighty low for the warmongering Carpathians.”

Jackson rose to speak, “It is a move of desperation, Commander. They failed to take Oradea. Odds are good that they will soon fail to take New York. All their seething hatred for us and their years of rearming themselves at considerable cost has yielded nothing but dead soldiers. They have refused to negotiate for years planning instead to simply march their armies into our lands and take back that which they lost. Now that plan has failed so they try to steal our lands with words instead. The world however has begun to see that this war is not simply about Oradea, they want even more.”

“Perhaps that is the motivation behind this...” wondered Clay aloud, “Perhaps... perhaps with the failure of their invasion they pin all their hopes upon mighty Mongolia conquering us and taking back their land that way. As the fair-minded Dutch have begun to see through their land-greed such a Mongolian invasion becomes less likely – or at least less ambitious than what Carpathia hoped for. This offer is indeed not a serious offer, they realize their war has failed and make an offer they know we will not accept in order to make themselves to appear to be peacemakers. Thus, causing Holland to back off their threat against Mongolia and getting a free hand for the horse lords to ravish our land.”

“Perhaps the Carpathians are not as dumb as they seem,” said Madison. “While it would be nice for the world to recognize that this is not a serious, just, or fair offer, I have no such illusions about the world’s objectivity. Our only response is to make our own offers – again – and hope the world will see how much more balanced, fair, and even handed our proposals are than Carpathia’s. Clay, come with me.”

[Diplo Carpathia]

Responce to the Americans

To: All Nations of Terra
From: Vlad Tepes III
Subject: Peace Offer

Nations of Terra,

It should now be obvious that America does not really want peace, unless it means no compenstation for Carpathia.

Although I would settle for peace immediatly without any remends, Vigo, Terra, and much of Carpathia see the wisdom behind America giving up some of their ill gotten gains in exchange for lasting peace.

The fact of the matter is, American violated a warning on purpose, and as promased lost a mere settler. Then they take four Carpathian citys, including our CAPITAL! Who was truely the agressor here?

All we ask is that amends be made so that there is no simmering tention leading into the future. Terra sees the wisdom of this, Mali saw the wisdom of this, yet the greedy americans do not.

We have offered FOUR different peace agreements. Yet they laugh at them, just as they laughed at the Mongols.

We will leave our offers on the table. Those are the only terms Vigo will accept, trust me, I tried getting him to agree to less.

Regards,

Vlad Tepes III

[Diplo America]

OOC- Damn it, Carpathia, you edited the terms of your initial peace offer in your previous post. Seriously, it is very poor form to post one thing, have everyone read it, and half a dozen posts later go back and edit the previous post. Once you post something just leave it, please. Jeeze.

[Diplo Carpathia]

OOC: Sorry, I saw a glaring error after i wrote it. Didn't realize you were reading it moments after it was written. I will adhere to whatever it was you read before it was edited for the sake of fair play.

[Diplo America]

TO: Vlad Tepes III, King of Carpathia
FROM: Henry Clay, Secretary of State of America
CC: The World
Concerning: Your Peace Offer

Carpathia has received much charity in recent years to compensate them for the war you started. Territory overseas, territory from the Mali, technology, units, and no doubt more we are unaware of. Carpathia however was not satisfied with such lucrative gifts and sought to reverse the reason those gifts were given in the first place by retaking all American territory lost in the war you began – plus, as Carpathia said many times, the capture of New York. Not as a bargaining chip, as your poets and propagandists claim, but to keep. Carpathian officials said as much themselves during our last great gathering (i.e. they said it during last session).

America was not prepared to roll over and allow you to conquer us. Even with your legions of French troops and Dutch ships. You were defeated soundly at Oradea. You face a probable defeat now at New York. Now your dreams of conquest have died and you seek to simply request your land back.

What does America get in such an offer? You have secured land from the Mali, land overseas, technology, and more for a war you started and lost. What has America received? Nothing. You insult us good sir.

Carpathia expects a victor’s peace after losing two wars it started. Carpathia says they wish peace but who is it that disrupted the peace? Carpathia. Who made peace after the first war? America. Who disrupted peace a second time? Carpathia. Now Carpathia seeks to be rewarded for such actions and calls such a reward “peace”.

America has won two wars it did not seek and did not start. We do not wish to cripple Carpathia, but if peace is given the slightest bit of value in this world those who disrupt it time and time again must be punished for such actions, not rewarded. To do otherwise only encourages more war, more death, more destruction. America seeks a lasting peace, a fair peace, and yes, a victor’s peace. We didn’t start either of these wars, but damn it, we finished them.

We have offered peace treaty after peace treaty to Carpathia and they have been rejected one after another. We offered Oradea decades ago and they brought us only more war as a response. Despite our frequent and persistent attempts to find peace have met with only more calls for war from Carpathia we will, yet again, offer a fair and balanced peace.

We believe the Dutch and French offers to be the fairest yet, so we shall start with them as a base for our own offer. Also, for the sake of fairness, we shall include offers given to Carpathia and America already by foreign powers, since they were given to secure the very peace we now negotiate. I will not, however, include the terms of the Mali peace accord as that is between Carpathia and the Mali.

Like Carpathia, we present four options:

Option 1
* Oradea remains American
* America gives a flat 15 GPT to Carpathia for profit sharing for as long as there is peace
* Timisoara is given to Carpathia (thus connecting Craiova to the rest of Carpathia)
* Carpathia receives a city in the New World (already done)
* Carpathia receives additional land in the New World as part of France’s generous offer
* America gives one non-military tech to Carpathia (their choice)
* The 3 super-powers, regardless of all other disagreements, must act as one to stop any future aggression from either side in this conflict - am open to discussion on troop numbers that each side will be allowed' to maintain (this will help America and Carpathia rebuild - minimal troop costs)
* A guaranteed promise of peace for 200 turns
* The 3 super-powers provide 5 GPT each to America and Carpathia as additional aid.
* The six workers Mongolia rented from America be returned

Option 2
* Oradea remains American
* Shrine profit is split 50/50 between America and Carpathia
* The 3 super-powers generate 10 Islamic Missionaries each to spread Islam to 30 cities minimum (a startup missionary may be required)
* Timisoara is given to Carpathia (this arrangement makes more geographic sense)
* Craiova is given to America (this arrangement makes more geographic sense)
* Carpathia receives a city in the New World (already done)
* Carpathia & America both receive additional land in the New World as part of France’s generous offer.
* Carpathia gives Astronomy to America
* The 3 super-powers, regardless of all other disagreements, must act as one to stop any future aggression from either side in this conflict - am open to discussion on troop numbers that each side will be allowed' to maintain (this will help America and Carpathia rebuild - minimal troop costs)
* A guaranteed promise of peace for 200 turns
* The 3 super-powers provide 5 GPT each to America and Carpathia as additional aid
* The six workers Mongolia rented from America be returned

Option 3
* Oradea is returned to Carpathia
* Shrine profit is split 50/50 between America and Carpathia
* The 3 super-powers generate 10 Islamic Missionaries each to spread Islam to 30 cities minimum (a startup missionary may be required)
* Craiova is given to America (thus connecting Timisoara to the rest of America)
* Carpathia receives a city in the New World (already done)
* America receives land in the New World as part of France’s generous offer.
* The 3 super-powers, regardless of all other disagreements, must act as one to stop any future aggression from either side in this conflict - am open to discussion on troop numbers that each side will be allowed' to maintain (this will help America and Carpathia rebuild - minimal troop costs)
* A guaranteed promise of peace for 200 turns
* The 3 super-powers provide 5 GPT each to America and Carpathia as additional aid
* The six workers Mongolia rented from America be returned

Option 4
* Oradea is returned to Carpathia
* Shrine profit is split 50/50 between America and Carpathia
* The 3 super-powers generate 10 Islamic Missionaries each to spread Islam to 30 cities minimum (a startup missionary may be required)
* Focsani given to Carpathia
* Craiova is given to America
* Transylvania is given to America
* Carpathia receives a city in the New World (already done)
* Carpathia & America receive land in the New World as part of France’s generous offer.
* Carpathia gives Astronomy to America
* The 3 super-powers, regardless of all other disagreements, must act as one to stop any future aggression from either side in this conflict - am open to discussion on troop numbers that each side will be allowed' to maintain (this will help America and Carpathia rebuild - minimal troop costs)
* A guaranteed promise of peace for 200 turns
* The 3 super-powers provide 5 GPT each to America and Carpathia as additional aid
* The six workers Mongolia rented from America be returned

We are open to slight changes in each proposal, but nothing major.

[Diplo Mongolia]

Official Announcement.

First of all, we only rented 5 workers from America. They will be returned when peace is reached.
Secondly, we are not a wealthy nation. Our strength lies in our power and we do not share that. We will not agree to pay any reparations.
Thirdly 200 turns of the season is an infinitely long time, it seems a bit excessive. 100 turns would be more assurable to be maintained as the signers of an agreement have little sway in enforcing it generations after their departure from this world.

[Diplo Mali]

The Russian Dynastic Wars and the flight of Ivan Dyotevsky

Even before the religious leader arrived at Djenne, Mansa Musa II knew that something was up with Russia.

Less than a week earlier, the Russian Ambassador to Timbuktu arrived at the throne room insisting on an immediate meeting with the king. Mansa Musa granted him permission to enter, and it was very clear that he looked harried.

"Sire," said the ambassador, trying to be as polite as possible "I have just received an urgent message from my government regarding current shipments of gems and seafood."

He stopped, wiped his brow with a handkerchief, and then proceeded-obviously reciting something he had memorized earlier

"In relation to our existing trade deals, the government of Russia has decided to terminate all trade in gems and seafood from this moment."

Mansa Musa tried to keep his temper in check, remembering the exercises the Houngouns had taught him. When he was calmed, he replied to the message "but this is quite unexpected," said Musa "we have been in receipt of these shipments since the days of Mansa Sosso. Our people have become quite dependent on them, especially the seafood which has become a vital component of our diet."

"I apologize profusely, your majesty, but our governments mind is quite made up. However, if you could spare a messenger, I am sure I could find out if some arrangements could be made."

Mansa Musa ordered a messenger to made available to the ambassador then, a few days later, the ambassador returned with more news.

"Sire," said the ambassador "our government's position on the gems is absolutely final. However, they have said they will consider supplying the seafood in return for the following items" and with this the ambassador handed a parchment to Mansa Musa's Chamberlain, which was in turn handed to Mansa Musa.

Mansa Musa read the list three times over, his rage once more beginning to boil to the surface. Once again, he remembered his exercises and calmed himself before responding.

"Mr. Ambassador. Surely you can see that this list amounts to nothing short of extortion," at this point the ambassador started to sweat even more than usual "however, as we have the items they request in abundance, and as we simply cannot do without that seafood, I guess we shall have to give them what they ask-though it is against my better judgement."

With that, the ambassador left, clearly glad that he had not riled a king whom he had heard was once known for his fiery temper.

The refugee arrived a few days after this event....

He came to the gates of Djenne, his clothes all torn and ratty. In spite of this, it was clear that he was wearing the robes of a high-ranking Vodun priest, even though it was clear that he was of Russian Ethnicity.

At the gates, he told the guard "please, let me in, it is vital that I speak with your king at once."

Knowing that it was unwise to refuse the request of a Vodun priest of such high rank-even though clearly foreign-the guard let him in at once, then sent a messenger to the king to tell him of this strange event.

Once inside, the priest first visited the Vodun Shrine dedicated to Mansa Mari I, then went straight to the temple to speak with the other Houngouns.

The very next day, Mansa Musa arrived at Djenne, and asked to see this Russian Houngoun at once. The priest came out and bowed before Mansa Musa. "Your Highness," said the man, bowing low "my name is Ivan Dyotevsky, and I bring you grave news regarding the lands of Russia." "Go on" said the King, clearly intrigued.

"Well," said Ivan "recently the old Tsar passed on and-lacking a male heir-his eldest daughter ascended the throne. Unfortunately, some of the king's more distant, male relatives felt she was unfit to rule due to her gender, and so they have usurped the throne. The Tsarina and her loyal followers have gone into hiding and are waging a guerrilla war against the usurpers."

"So, other than to bring us this news" said the King "what else has caused you to flee?"

"Well," continued Ivan "I was once a Jewish Priest, but then I received a vision of Legba one day in my cell. He spoke to me and said I must seek the path of the Loa, and of Ozzy the Dual natured, and so I have been a practicing Vodun Priest ever since."

"I was very close to the old Tsar, and his daughter, and was trying to pass on the wisdom of the Loa to the both of them when the strife began. Unfortunately, as both a loyalist and a 'heathen', I was immediately targeted for death, and so I fled here-to where I knew I would be safe."

"Yes, you did well Ivan, and you shall be safe here in the hill city of Djenne, where our faith was truly born. You may stay here until this crisis has passed-and we pray to Ozzy that it shall be so."

So, for the next year, Ivan Dyotevsky remained in the care of the other Houngouns, where he received much praise and admiration as a Prophet of the Loa. He spent many days and weeks at a time in contemplation of the complexities of the Vodun faith, and he was particularly intrigued in the strictly pacifist philosophy embraced by the religion. Indeed, he learned much about the various philosophical methods developed by the Vodun priests in their contemplation of the Loa.

In return, Ivan spent many nights familiarizing the priests with his most prized possessions, and one of the few things he could bring across with him-his telescope. He showed the priests the way to build their own telescopes, much better than the ones they already used for seeing long distances, and taught them about the way celestial objects moved across the heavens and how they could be used to tell locations in the absence of landmarks.

In time, though, news reached the Mali that the usurper had been overthrown, and Tsarina Nolanskina Stalin had retaken the thrown. When Ivan heard the news, he was overjoyed, and decided to head back to Novgorod that very day. He thanked the priests and the King for their hospitality, and promised to pass on the meat of the philosophical discussions to the Tsarina.

Meanwhile, Mansa Musa II was left to marvel and the new, enlarged telescope sitting outside the Vodun temple-convinced that this would one day revolutionize his empire.

[Diplo Mali]

OOC: the above tale is my attempt to "explain" the switch of Russia to AI at the end of session 8 .

[Diplo France]

TO: All
FROM: King Henry the IV.

We have heard disturbing rumors that some nations are considering violating our claims in New France, we shall not tolerate this. We have settled most of the land we claim, we have the military to defend it. Be warned any war would be a total war and remember that we are always happy to fight in the shade.



King Henry the IV. of France

[condor223]

The Vizier quietly closed the large doors and turned to the ministers.

“The Empress will not see you till she is rested from the trip. Tell me the latest news”
The assembled ministers said in turn.
“Our shipbuilders have been preparing a Galleon for discovery. The settlers are being trained and their escorts all have new weapons.” Replied the Minister of Discovery
“We suggest that Russia build shipyards to serve the nation. They could also be a source of gold should our Empress decide we can sell them to other nations.” Said the Minister of State.
“We are making good progress with the economy. Many new theatres have received supplies, the architects have quit squabbling over the designs.” Said the Minister of Culture.

Others added their news, while the Vizier made notes. Indeed The Tzarina will be pleased when she recovers from the trip. She truly enjoys these long trips, but becomes exhausted from the long ones. He mused at the possibility of the Empress traveling to Mali and Inca, since they were shorter trips? “She gained the throne while visiting distant relatives in the south. She brings fresh views to Russia about culture, science and discovery. These will be interesting times”

“I must tell the Empress we have received the Prophet who visited Mali, and have been welcomed to found settlements near France in the new world. There is no news if our settlers would be welcome to build a few small cities in New Holland, near the Ottomans. It is good that Catherine takes little demand on a huge over-seas empire. We might be the right one to host diplomatic meetings should there be any disputes in the new land. It is important that we have a few cities over there, so we can participate in new events and science.”

[Diplo Mongolia]

The young man gazed across the vast plain. The countless tents and houses spread out in small clumps, small columns of smoke rising from them. The herds of cattle and horses grazing peacefully in the distance. Children riding rambunctiously without care. All is well, all are at peace. How infinitely dull...

Mongolia had begun a small revolution in its lifestyle. The horse had become a creature of entertainment rather than a necessity of life. The bow and spear, ceremonial relics rather than tools and weapons. Now every Mongol had a rifle. From the mills of the south and east, the stock's were moved to Beshbalik, where the gunsmiths attached them to the mined metals smelted into locks and barrels. Simple and elegant, but deadly effective. No soldier in the world was a proficient or deadly as a Mongol with a rifle.

Observing his home, the young man aimed along his rifle, looking at the different sights along the barrel. He wondered why it was that the Mongol people did not shoot from horseback, why they did not train to be mobile with their bristling new guns. They were perfect for it. The Muskets of earlier times had been near impossible to wield from Horseback and the idea as such discarded, but with this new invention it should be no reason not to mount Cavalry armed with Rifle? The military elite of old had lost touch with the heart of the Mongol people. Their strategies and notions of well-disciplined troops marching in line did not ring true with his heart. The rumours in forges that the Dutch were casting siege weapons like giant muskets concerned him also. The ancient catapults could never be a match against such a weapon, nor the more modern Carpathian Trebuchet. Mongolia was the strongest military nation in the world, but only barely. Something would have to be done. He remembered an old tale told to him as a child, that of the weak boy.

He began mumbling to himself the beginnings of the story, as he took a small pouch from his belt and from it drew a pinch of powder. He placed it on a small metal plate and slowly burned the contents, continously inhaling the smoke while muttering the tale...


...as a boy I was the weakest and smallest of my clan. Never could I compete in any of the manly arts, (historical note: wrestling, riding and bow-mastery), nor could a smithing hammer be wielded well enough to work metal. My command of the horse was weak, as a hunter I was poor, I would never amount to a true Mongol. I knew this and all my clan knew it. I had but the weakest comfort, that I sang well, and so my clan tolerated me and allowed my weak frame to do less intensive labor. But I carried little respect and no honor. Such is no way to live.

One day I could no longer bear to be lesser than my peers and so I left home. With my horse I took a bow I could not string, a spear I could not throw and a sword I could not wield and rode out onto the great empty plain. I did not intend to survive, for I saw no worth in my own soul.


From the great rivers towards the deserts I rode. For while I could find food and water enough on the plain, in the dead land of the desert I would surely find my end. The first day in the desert was harsh. The sun seared and the winds cut. No water could be found, for boy nor horse. So I did as we all have done, and drank her milk and pressed on. No food found, the last of provisions were expended. I was now far from any man and had no drink and no food. Death would come swiftly, I was sure.

On the first day of the second week the mare had no more milk, and I suffered hunger. I then took, as we all have done, from my steed, a cup of blood to drink, and we could carry on again.

On the third week, what little strength I had began to falter, nor could my horse carry me, so we trotted alongside, staring into the desolate waste. The caressing sun became a merciless harbinger of scorching doom.

As the full moon rose on the fourth week, I lay down upon the rocky sands and gazed onto the eternal skies. Weakness held me and I was disoriented. Staring up, great pain grew in me. For how could it be that the perfect stars had made me so imperfect. Laying upon the cold sand, my eyes closed and I let my blooddried throat rattle into song. The song of he who gazes into the stars to see eternity and glory. But so weak was my body and so dry my throat, that it sounded like the cry of the desert fox.

The pathetic verse reverbated in the quiet dead of the desert night and a nearby desert fox heard it. So curious of its strange cousin was he that he ignored the smell of horse and man and crept close. So still lay the boy, lips not moving, singing only by the weakest breath, that fox dared come close to the seemingly dead, but fox-speaking boy, so close that its whiskers touched his face. In that instant the boy reacted with great fear and with the little strength he had left, he took hold of the soft fur that his heart felt had come to eat his near-dead flesh and meant to push it away. But when I saw the little creature, I gazed upon it as it fought to free itself from my frail grasp. My mind was wild and hazy, but I saw in the fox what I needed to learn to become a Mongol. My resoluteness formed in that moment and it has carried me ever since. With my knife I slew the fox and drank its blood. The boy fell asleep and dreamt a feverished dream. When I awoke the next morning my frail strength had slowly begun to return. I cut the fox and dried its meat. I fed my horse with its entrails and I set out walking the rocky sands again.



The next day my hunger burned, the fox presented little nourishment, I needed more. The harshness of the desert taught me that only those who will learn survive. On the plain it had been the strong. Here I could compete, for in the desert, speed is of great value, cover is even better, but most precious of all is wits. As the weakling fox showed me, one did not need to be strong to live in this harshest of lands, only cunning. I lay waiting for hours, staring at the sand, looking for the life that lived with such scarcity and perserverence. My starvation forced me to learn, faster than I had ever learned in my camp. I saw how water gathers during the cold night on flat surfaces and I polished stones and placed them over desert holes to gather moisture. The bird that drank from cactii showed me that they had water. On the first day I had enough to survive, my horse could even drink enough to live on.

I saw how the scorpion hunts spiders, how if he is not strong enough to crush his prey, he strikes a single precision blow to end its struggling, so as to not exhaust himself. I saw how the desert bird would take the scorpion by the tail and break its poison prong against a rock, making it safe for consumption. I saw how the birdspider would trick birds to entangle and wear itself out in its web so he could easily defeat and eat them. I lured the spider out by simulating the fight of a bird in its net, and ate her. I cut from the scorpion its tail so I could safely nourish myself on him. I put the scorpids poison on ants so that the bird who eats them would be too sickly to fly.


The first week I had recovered on the richness of the fruit of my cunning. I had found ways to find enough water for myself and my horse, who had passed within an inch of death, as I had. We travelled deeper into the desert.

On the second week I had become like the desert fox, lean and sharp. Fast and observant. I did not struggle to draw my bow, I used stealth and the throwing of the knife. I did not try to throw the heavy spear, I instead lured the desert lion to impale himself on it. I drank blood and fed upon the flesh of countless creatures. My singing voice returned, but tainted with the crimson diet I had. Water I gathered now only for my horse. My song sounded like the voice of a rockslide, raw and broken, yet thick and deep.

On the third week I used my feet to draw my bow and with it's poisoned tip I slowed a buffalo so I could strike it with my spear held in hand. I feasted for days upon its rich flesh. With my diet enriched so greatly, my strength grew as well. I did not become thickset with muscles as my brothers, but instead gaunt and strung. Yet like the willow there was now strength in my narrow arms.

The full moon came again and I had become a different man. Most important was my determination that my wits would carry me through where my strength would not. But also I had become taught like the bowstring, for there was no excess of any kind in my visage, only the tightdrawn skin over thinstretched arms and legs. For the first time I could draw my bow, throw my spear and wield my sword. Not deep, nor far, nor fast, but I could wield them.



I left the desert and began my journey home, but I found I had wandered far and come to the lands of another clan. They were enemies of my people and they detested my presence. They hunted me, but I outwitted them and escaped. I killed them one by one by cunning, never letting them see or find me. I did not drink from water sources, for there they would wait for me. I drank instead the blood of their cattle. I became a creature of horror to them. I did not flee towards my people's lands, I roamed within theirs spreading fear and terror. I poisoned unguarded water, I slew shepherds and led wolves to feast upon their herds, I trapped my would-be captors with a rockslide and let arrows fall upon them from a height so they could not shoot back. I used always my lessons from the desert. The lesson of the desert fox. And such I became a great legend, greatly feared and respected. Though I could still never challenge any man in wrestling, or archery or spearthrowing, I could defeat any warrior by my guile and deception. After terrorizing my enemies for 10 moons I encountered a raiding party of my own people. I joined with them and led them to great plunder for I knew the land of my enemy. At last I returned home a glorious figure, not strong as a spear, but like a bow, strung tightly with great recurve. Flexible and tough. And I shared my tale with my people, and they took great learning from it, but most impotantly of all is that cunning is precious, but in truth, you only seek it when you must. Complacency is the greatest evil.


The young man finishes his tale. His companion, Koba, stares at him. Silence lingers for a long time. Koba then speaks. Yes, perhaps a war is necessary, lest we become weak, fat and complacent. Let us bring this to the next Tribesmoot, tell your tale as you have done now and I am certain they will call for blood, dear Temujin.

[Diplo Inca]

Wrong post Sorry!

[Diplo America]

The Second Carpathian War

Americans were sick of war, but had no interest in returning to the dark ages under Carpathian domination. Most Americans felt there should be some penalty for the Carpathian war of aggression on the Mali and Americans. Thomas Jefferson and then James Madison both negotiated strenuously with Carpathia and the rest of the world. Carpathia did not make much effort at negotiations and the world turned a deaf ear to America’s pleas for peace. Instead of trying to broker an honorable peace, foreign great powers, such as Mongolia, sought only more war.

American leadership held out hope though that a diplomatic solution could be found and did not invest heavily in military to counter the Carpathian rearming. After generations of constant warfare, Jefferson felt rebuilding the American economy was the top priority. With the growing popularity of the Jefferson Code, religious buildings were built throughout the kingdom.

Jefferson’s attempts at peace and negotiation ultimately failed. Late in his term war again cursed the land of the west. Two large Carpathian armies invaded American lands. One assaulted Oradea and one assaulted New York.

Secretary of Defense, Andrew Jackson commanded the garrison of Oradea and achieved a stunning victory over the Carpathian forces. None were left alive. The force at New York however proved to be larger than expected. It was up to General George B. McClellan to save the American city from Carpathian domination.

The Battle of New York

The Battle of New York was the largest single military confrontation in human history. The loss of life on both sides was enormous. Despite claims they were only interested in retaking the holy city of Oradea, the bulk of the great Carpathian army marched on one of America’s oldest cities, New York. Aided by Dutch technology and substantial numbers of French mercenaries, the Carpathian army was a fearsome sight.

The betrayal of the French was a severe blow to the confidence of the troops. The French were considered one of America's greatest friends. It is said the sight of legions of French mercenaries broke Commander Jefferson's heart and led to his death. General McClellan always had a way with words, and summed it up better than anyone when he said, "I'd rather have a division of Carpathian troops in front of me, than a division of French troops behind me."

The Carpathian army laid siege to the ancient American city. General George B. McClellan decided to make one last attempt to negotiate with the Carpathian commander, Vigo the Unmercyful in hopes of avoiding a brutal battle. It soon became clear that the Carpathians would not call off this siege regardless of the terms. Vigo sought only blood.

So, instead of trying to negotiate a peace treaty, he hoped to goad Vigo into an early, and hasty assault of the city. He met with Vigo and his top commander, Janosz in a field outside of New York.








McClellan hurried back to New York. The battle would start soon, he was sure of it. The city walls were nothing but rubble now. The fighting would be house to house.