Diplogame HOTW XII Ragnarok - Story Thread

[Diplo Inca]

The ISS


The Incan Security Service or ISS was founded in 1450 in a national climate of paranoia and fear of foreign agents working on Incan soil. ISS's role had been substantially enlarged during the last couple of month of 1470. Due to the spy hysteria, ISS was formed with far more resources than it actually needed to track down foreign spies. As was common within Incan governmental bureaucracies, this meant it expanded its role in order to use its spare resources. ISS acquired many additional responsibilities during this latest fear of sabotages and foreign interference. Most significantly, its strict counter-espionage role was considerably increased. Also it took on a much more political role, involving the surveillance on foreign agents and especially other nations.


"The ultimate in disposing one's troops is to be without ascertainable shape. Then the most penetrating spies cannot pry in nor can the wise lay plans against you"

[Diplo Inca]

To: France and Carpathia

Inca is interested to learn how are the peace negotiations going? Surely France can make some kind of a compromise concerning Carpathia’s interests in settling some more cities on the New France or New Holland. Lets remind all interested parties that Carpathia is second to last by number of cities. Of course this does not excuse them for not seeking a deal before hand. Carpathia instead tries to steal what France has laid claims to long time ago.

Well we are also bothered by France’s reactions – as all have seen France has almost twice the cities then any other nation of terra. Surely France can let a small nation such as Carpathia have some more cities. We can’t hide it that we are alarmed by this never ending expansion. We are growing bored by constantly hearing France trying to portray itself as being small.

We hope both parties come to an understanding

[Diplo Inca]

French Expansion

An article from an Independent Incan newspaper.

[Diplo France]

Diaries of Gerard Bernot

Collected Fragments from the diaries of the noted archeologist

2nd of March 1431, Paris

Finally! The French Academy of the arts and sciences has together with University granted me funding for my proposal to commence digs near Rouen. At last I have a chance to prove that the peninsula of Brittany has many tombs of Francelitc chieftains. The treasure they may contain should more than pay for this expedition…

24th of June 1432, near Rouen

I am disappointed beyond words these lands have revealed nothing of value, without such treasure how can I possibly justify the expenses! We’ve begun to dig in the forested hill but I do not know if this will prove to be more successful. In any case two moths from now we will have to leave, unless I get a miracle here, I doubt I will ever lead an expedition again, especially considering the cutbacks the crown has had to make in order to maintain a positive income.

21st of December 1433, near Rouen

Thank Ozzy for Clovise’s tomb! Without it we would have left more than a year ago. These finds are fascinating if somewhat confusing. The markings on these artifacts are in some kind of Proto-German rune system. Some of the older finds seem consistent with Germanic tribes, they are confusing since Germanic tribes did not live here in 4000BC. Well they seemed confusing until someone pointed out that the western Germanic tribes and the tribes that invaded Paris must have come from here. As radical as this suggestion is, the evidence seems to confirm it. We have managed to date the finds to around 8000BC has proved to be very difficult and the date itself could be off by as much as a two millennia! If only there was a way to test, in the laboratory, a sample of a substance and determine its age… but is wishful thinking. Even if we take the date of 6000BC, this would still be the oldest Germanic site in France, and to be perfectly honest that makes no sense, since it provides no connection with the Dutch people, let alone American

3rd of October 1434, near Rouen

This has been a fascinating couple of years, and I have grown used to the life in Rouen. I will miss this place and I will miss revealing its secrets.
It has been long know that the American, Dutch and the German minority in France are all “Germanic languages”, and that the historical origins of the American people might be that of migrants from lands today controlled by the Dutch, from what we call the American peninsula. But these finds are unlike another I have seen, I’ve found some written descriptions of early American finds that bear some resemblance, but this is for the most
part an unknown.

7th of October 1434, near Rouen

Eureka! Digging through the records I have found comparable finds in Dutch lands, specifically a underdeveloped island. Now checking ancient written oral histories it appears a people called the English or British must have come from that isle to settle in Brittany. More confusingly a small protoceltic population divided into three tribes called the Irish, Welsh and Scottish appear to have reached French lands sometime in the 6th millennia BC. Getting permission from the Dutch republic to commence digs will be trivial.
17th of September 1447, Island off the coast of Ultrecht

I finally have enough evidence to present my opinion to the Royal Academy. I’ve managed to find conclusive links to early American finds to the finds in Brittany. Both are markedly different and to some extent diverging, but they both clearly share a common ancestor in the inhabitants of what I have to call the British isles. From what I can tell the divergence is due to there being far more protocelts leaving for Brittany that Germanics. And even of the few “English” Germanics most of them settled in what is today Western France and where assimilated, while the Celts who seem to have come from the eastern most border of Pseudo Celtic settlements, mingled with the preexisting Celts of the region. To complicate things further many local words seem to be of “Aquilean” source, meaning that this region may have given its name to the province of the mythical ancient Aquileans called Britannia. This name then must have inspired the name Brittany.

3rd of July 1450, Paris

I sometimes wish “Nationalism” would not have been so fervently adopted by the French people. I mean it is no wonder the people of Carpathia who have so been through soo much have developed this kind of identity. But why do the people of the French crown need to adopt it as well? This will surely increase the century’s long drive for homogenization, I would find it a great tragedy if the peoples like the Germans, Bretons or Slavs would one day loose their language and culture. But perhaps the modern state needs this kind of identity to be cohesive?

Bah. Perhaps I am just sore with the blatant misuse of “Britannia”. Nationalism is very influential idea from both a philosophical, legal and ideological point of view. There are even those who use it to justify anarchist demands that France adopt a constitution like some neighboring countries. This is nonsense the King is the only one fit to rule, how are we supposed to convince the mob to fund important work like mine?

Still I can not overstate my resentment over the fact that the press have in the past few years muddled and butchered the meaning of the word, mixing it up with half forgotten aggrandizements of Aquilean culture, together with the hypothesis someone made that the Britons must have been skilled seafarers to reach American lands. Its actually become a poetic term for the territories of the French Crown! There are even a few patriotic songs that use it, damm where an anthem adopted surely it would make use of this unfortunate inaccurate term!
To further complicate this the ignorant use of the word by my countrymen might discourage American scholars from accepting my theory about their origins.

3rd of July 1469, Paris

I looked myself in the mirror this morning and didn’t recognize myself. When did I in these years grow so old? And I’ve done soo little… no American scholar has so far even made an endorsement or even a rebuttal of my hypothesis. And the term Britannia has been hijacked by French nationalists. Damm them, the king despite the Crowns millennia long policy of enforcing our borders might have made an exception with regards to the Carpathian settlement of New Prague, had they not they insisted. Now we will wage war over the subject. I won’t say it isn’t a just war, I’ll just say it is a war that will cost us any hope of civil relations with Carpathia in the next few years, and I don’t know if that is worth a scrap of land.

29rd of December 1469, Paris

Judging by this weeks paper it appears that Rule Britannia is now the official anthem of France. This would have greatly upset me a few years ago but standing so close to death you care less of these things. Peace has not yet formally been established but a deal has been reached with the Carpathians. We will ransome the land back for the price of a settler and kngiht, like I predicted they are not happy about it.

Gerard Bernot died on the 2nd of January 1470.

[Diplo France]

"Rule Britannia"

If the Incas think this is imperialist. All they need to do is look a bit back in their history and they will see the ugliest sort of Imperialism. The kind where you steal land from other civilised countries. It appears the Carpathians want to emulate them. Let the loud mounths mind their own bussiness! We won't apologise for what we have accomplished! And since the Incas and Dutch and Mongols have accomplished much more, shouldn't they be more apologetic by Incan logic? Viva la France!

A comment taken from the 75th issue of a Populist Nationalist Newspaper.

[Diplo Inca]

Later that month a new article was published in a popular satirical cuzco publication.


________________________________________
Q: How many frenchmen does it take to successfully defend Paris?

A: We won't know until it has been done.
________________________________________
Q: Why do all French soldiers constantly turn their heads.

A: That way they can still watch the battle.
________________________________________
Q: What's the difference between a Frenchman and a Catfish?

A: One is an ugly, scum sucking, ungrateful bottom feeder and the other is a fish
________________________________________
"A Frenchman walks into a bar carrying a duck under his arm. The bartender says, "HEY! You can't bring that pig in here." The Frenchman says, "Excuse me...but that's a duck." The bartender says back, "Excuse ME, but I was talking to the duck."
________________________________________
Q: How many wars have the French won?

A: One - The French Revolution

Q: Why do the French have glass bottom boats in their Navy?

A: So they can see all their other ships.
________________________________________
Q: What does "Maginot" mean in Mongolian?

A: Welcome!
________________________________________
Q: What's the difference between a dead skunk and a dead frenchman In the middle of a Incan road?

A: There's skid marks In front of the skunk.
________________________________________
Q: Why don't they have fireworks at Paris?

A: Because every time they shoot them off, the French try to surrender.
________________________________________
A long time ago, France and Inca were at war. During one battle, the French captured an Incan captain. Taking the captain to their headquarters, the French general began to question him.

The French general asked, "Why do you Incan soldiers all wear red belts? Don't you know the red material makes you easier targets for us to shoot at?"

In his quiet Incan way, the captain informed the general that the reason Incan soldiers wear red belts is so that if they are shot, the blood won't show and the men they are leading won't panic.

And that is why from that day to now all French Army officers wear brown pants.

[Diplo Inca]

This latest publication was brought to the attention of the great assembly at Machu. Seeing this outrageous article the Chief Editor was called at once to the city of Machu to explain this scandalous event.

[Diplo Holland]

Congratulations on attaining a confederacy

Old man Clovis insisted that he deal with this matter, "I know these people and I can cross the cultural divide."

Dirk let it go. Anyway, the old man wouldn't be around forever... the old fool.

Clovis set about righting the wrongs and writing.

---

To: Secretary of Foreign Affairs aka The Foreign Secretariat, Koba Vitharin of The People's Socialist Confederacy of Mongolia
From: Clovis of the Dutch Republic, Minister for Defence and Confucion Culture
Date: Dec 25th, 1470 AD
Re: Congratulations on attaining a confederacy

Dear Koba, if I may call you that, I wish to congratulate the people of Mongolia on their recent revolution. It augurs well for all Mongols.

Our histories are littered with debris from past ages that confounds our ability to trust. I see this revolution as a break through and although the Dutch are unlikely to similarly revolt we can see the merit in your new array of governmental civics with productivity, happiness, well-being and culture. It is true that in Hollande thee exists a poverty divide but the merchant instinct of many Dutch does dominate the Dutch psyche. We realise we need to work on health and happiness with our governmental leadership.

It is true as stated by Dirk that we are heavily investing in intelligence gathering in Mongolia but I assure you that not one mission of sabotage has ever occured. However there are many sabotage efforts made by your former regimes against the Dutch and in a gesture of goodwill do ask that it may now be timely to bring these perpetrators to justice.

We do not begrudge you the technology of Nationalism and encourage the ongoing spirit of the revolution.

True, we have not invested in a Security Bureau but we may if sabotage continues - most unlikely from the Confederacy, though. We apologise to the new People's Socialist Confederacy of Mongolia for implying that they had anything to do with sabotage efforts in Hollande. We see this as a chance to wipe the slate clean and establish a basis for a more trusting relationship. Despite the wrong doings of previous regimes in Mongolia we are prepared to maintain our polocy of no sabotage or espionage of any type in ANY nation on Terra.

Regarding pirates, as you can see we have sunk two Privateers and seek your comments in identifyng the perpetrators.

Our Ironclads could defend Mongolian waters if we entertained the notion of Open Borders - something to discuss, perhaps.

Please note that although you are Communist you are also entering commercial arrangements to lend moneys. We applaud the underlying aims of this but would like to point out that the Dutch have gifted 5 gpt to both Carpatha and America since the old war and ask that Mongolia now contribute to this scheme. We also have gifted, rather than for profit, several units to nations as economic or securrity support.

Hollande will forthwith re-balance its espionage spending and approach normal levels as is reasonably expected to be done by any nation on Terra.

Yours truly,

Clovis

[Diplo Holland]

Dirk was glum. His diary, not so dusty. He looked carefully at the intelligence provided and slipped it in to the diary...

[condor223]

The month began quietly and ended in great international conflict.

Our Empress welcomed the Great Wise one from the Holy Mountain. He spoke of world peace and went on a pilgramage to share his wisdom. The great Lama traveled for a whole year visiting Russian cities, telling of the land where death did not visit of a place of endless youth spared everyone of aging. They call it Shangri La.

At last the great Lama traveled to Cuzco, where he met with the Inca and impressed him so much that he was able to send back to the Holy Mountain, a cart of gold to adorn the dome of the great stupa.

Alas, trading with the Americans was one sided, but Russia kept her word and delivered the books of knowledge. With some hesitation, we expect the new American leader to complete our trade treaty, when he returns from the land of pretty women.

France, much concerned with other treaties, pressed Russia to trade with the trade minister of America instead of the president.

The French were quite excited about the books of Economics written in the Russian language. Indeed, the French were so delighted they sent.....two cartloads of gold to us, which will NOT be diverted to the Holy Mountain Sanctuary. The Empress has other plans for it.

Alas, the high seas are teeming with pirates! Our captains have reported that they gather in pairs to destroy poor sailors and sink their ships. The Empress has instructed the navy to remain in port except for special trips to maintain the new world cities... the new world.. ah, yes.

Alieska, our great center of trade on New Holland grows slowly out of the dense undergrowth, but it will have a fine set of government buildings and a mayor with experience. The arts flourish there in the Islands or Attu. Seafood will become important in our growing settlements.

Everything grows at its own pace... all but the unholy wars around the world. Our missionaries report the natives eager to learn our religions.



Peace be upon Mother Russia!

It is time for good rest. Good night

[Diplo Holland]

"Citizens of Hollande.

I stand before you to report that at 7:30 am on the 27th day of April in the Year 1534 AD Hollande was attacked on 3 fronts by the Mongolian Confederacy.

No matter what Hollande has done diplomatically with apologys and offers of peace there is no satisfying the Mongols - they just want war and they want the Dutch.

They accuse us of piracy and users of Machine Guns - despite the fact that we can't even build Privateers (*see previous pic*), nor can Machine Guns attack. In addition Hollande has never sabotaged or threatened any other nation - ever.

Despite brave resistance the city of Delft was lost to a concealed sea invasion this year, 1536 AD.

We received no specific warnings from any nation and it was a well planned surprise attack on De Hague, Utrecht and Delft.

The attack on Utrecht was thwarted and the Mongol forces are in rapid retreat through France from whence they came.

A mighty Mongol army stands at the gates of De Hague ready to attack. They are badly damaged and exhausted from sustained Dutch Greanadier attacks that cost us gravely.

I am a man of few words publicly but all Dutch citizens will be kept well informed and I assure you that the Dutch republic will not rest until the foe is vanquished.

As you can see the Mongols who accused the Dutch of piracy have made no efforts to kill these pirate ships off the coast of Delft - they are complicit in the Mongols plans."

[Diplo Holland]

"I also need to report that despite receiving assurances of a secret defence pact with the Inca and the start of a positive relationship with them with Open Borders and trade it has now come to light that Hollande is in fact fighting the combined force of the first and third most powerfull nations - the Inca and Mongols.

Massive gifting of troops from the Inca to the Mongols has occurred."

[Diplo Holland]

Dirk and Clovis were studying the intelligence and were sure that the huge Cannon stack at Beshbalik was of Incan origin.

It would soon be on the outskirts of De Hague.

How can Hollande, alone in the world, fight off hese two mighty nations?

Would any other nations take an interest; OR is everyone so afraid that an Incan/Mongolian alliance of the first order was inevitable - game over.

No, thought Dirk. He was sure that out there a voice of reason and diplomacy would prevail.

Hollande was always ready to assist in finding peaceful solutions for all other nations - usual diplomatic protocols suggest that once initial war gains are made a peace deal would be found... but so far nothing has been said.

Before the war Dirk offerred two technologies for peace but this was not possible now. He was certain that any Mongol peace offer would not be acceptable to the Dutch. It needed international pressure. But the international community was not strong.

Time will tell. Once Hollande's security is assured Hollande will remember.

[Diplo Holland]

...

[Diplo Holland]

Received from the Inca the night before the Mongolian invasion: