Diplogame HOTW XII Ragnarok - Story Thread

[Vampgelus]

Revolutionary until death !

Maximilien de Robespierre, the new french prime minister.

"Liberté, égalité ou la mort” were his first words in front of the Assemblée Nationale. He felt himselft to be the chosen one. The one who would bring enlightenment to the french nation. The "ancien régime" had come to it's end, and a new age has to begin. At all costs.



Popular trials have been organised in order to "help the revolution to go on" and anyone who was "not revolutionary enough" would die as a traitor to the nation.

When it came to spread death among those who disagreed with his vision, Robespierre took extreme measures, clarifying his determination to everyone.

Robespierre showing the head of Louis XVI to the crowd.

In his opinion, only those who represent the people are the pure ones, free from the old theocratic and monarchist ideas. But for the picture to be right, the representated ones had to be as pure as the representing ones.

The time for this purity to be forced by the nation's rulers had come...

This is the beginning of the age of "Terreur".

[Vampgelus]

From : Premier Ministre Maximilien De Robespierre

To : The glorious nations of Terra

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Greetings,

First, let me introduce myself. I am the leader of the Jacobin party, and contributed much to the defeat of the king in the last years. The political clubs I managed, allowed me to get the necessary backup among the deputys to be declared prime minister.

I want to inform you of the death of Louis XVI De France, guillotined in the name of the french people. You may care about his last words, so I have been asked to relay them, and here they are :

« I die, innocent of the crimes I am accused of. I forgive the authors of my death, and i pray Ozzy that the blood you have shed may not fall back on France ».

Theese crimes are :

« Conspiracy against the public liberty and the general security of the state ».

He was proved guilty and condamned by the Assemblée Nationale by 387 votes out of 720 votes, 53,75%.

You may wish to know about ongoing treaties with France, and will be delighted to hear that i have personally interrogated the king about all i need to know. So be sure that the word of the State not dies with the crown.

Best regards, MDR*.



(*OOC : Theese are the initials of Robespierre, but also an equivalent to LOL in french )

[Diplo Holland]

To : Premier Ministre Maximilien De Robespierre

From: Dirk Ginkel of the Dutch Republic

I must congratulate the Jacobin party on progress in France but my forebears would turn in their graves if old King Willem were alive today!

But that was then and now with the death of Louis XVI De France an eon has ended.

We are pleased that ongoing treaties with France will be honoured with the word of the State not dieing with the king.

As you know the Mongols have attacked us, taken one city but failed on the mainland. It was a bold attempt but flawed.

However, you may have heard of the latest intelligence that suggests massive Inca gifting of troops to the Mongols. We may not be able to hold off the full weight of an Incan/Mongol force and appeal to you to commence diplomatic processes to save our shared holy city.

The nations of the world seem to have adopted a quiet acceptance of this onslaught on the Dutch and we seek your help in understanding why - if this is so. Dutch arrogance is clearly part of it, yet I can't see it. We strive for the best and always ready to help others whether by diplomacy or aid.

I understand you are very busy in rebuilding France but remember an old friend is a good friend, if you have a little time to consider our situation.

Yours truly,

Dirk Ginkel

[Vampgelus]

From: Prime Minister Maximilien de Robespierre

To : Dirk Ginkel of the Dutch Republic

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We are informed about the situation of your nation, and hope that those who share our faith will understand that with the current status of our country, going through a transformation of the very foundings of our way of life, we wont be able to give anything but diplomatic efforts towards peace, our military forces beeing busy "dealing" with the unrevolutionary. At least, for the moment.

The reasons for an alliance against your people remain as mysterious for us as they are for you. The latest news you gave were curious... you say that the Incan said they don't have anything to do with the attack, before the attack actually happened ?

If so, why didn't you manage the defending of your cities, the element of surprise being on your side ?

Anyway, you should ask the Incan to explain theirselves, before trying to turn anyone against them.

Best regards, MDR.

[Diplo Holland]

Originally posted by Vampgelus
From: Prime Minister Maximilien de Robespierre

To : Dirk Ginkel of the Dutch Republic

------------------------------------------------------------------

We are informed about the situation of your nation, and hope that those who share our faith will understand that with the current status of our country, going through a transformation of the very foundings of our way of life, we wont be able to give anything but diplomatic efforts towards peace, our military forces beeing busy "dealing" with the unrevolutionary. At least, for the moment.

The reasons for an alliance against your people remain as mysterious for us as they are for you. The latest news you gave were curious... you say that the Incan said they don't have anything to do with the attack, before the attack actually happened ?

If so, why didn't you manage the defending of your cities, the element of surprise being on your side ?

Anyway, you should ask the Incan to explain theirselves, before trying to turn anyone against them.

Best regards, MDR.

OOC You've seen the powergraph right? I posted it back a bit. It's not ambiguous!! And they are very quiet here

I don't know what you mean about defending my cities. The Incas did not tell me anything about an imminent attack. I had a secret defensive pact with Inca but I was double crossed. You follow?

I was very well defended and can easily defend against Mongolia except for the island I lost. LOL

But I think the Mongols better watch their back now...

[Vampgelus]

Originally posted by Diplo Holland
Received from the Inca the night before the Mongolian invasion:

OOC : This is what i was refering to, when saying you could have predicted the attack.

[Diplo Mali]

The Death of Mansa Musa I

"Are we there yet?" asked Mansa Djati, the Duke of Kumbi Saleh. "No," said Mobata Mosala, his Chief-of-Staff "you have asked me that same question ten times already, and I have told you that I will let you know when we arrive in French Territory!"

"Well," said the Duke, feeling peeved "do we even KNOW where the French are located? I'm not particularly familiar with this part of the world."

"Well, we're following the directions that Crown Prince Henry sent to Mansa Musa, so I assume we must be getting close."

"Well, we've been on the road for almost two whole weeks," said the Duke in frustration "and so I thought we should be there by now."

Suddenly, both men felt the coach stop moving. "Driver, what's the matter?" called the Duke.

"Men on horseback, my liege, riding up fast behind us."

"and you're stopping?! They could be bandits for all we know or, worse still, rogue elements of the the Carpathian army looking for a bit of vengeance. Arm yourself and call the rest of the guard to gather round the coach."

Both Djati and Mosala drew their swords and flintlocks and got out of the coach to join the guard. They saw almost immediately, though, that their fears were ill founded, for the lead horseman was carrying the Malinese flag with the Royal Seal proudly emblazoned at the center.

The lead horsemen reigned in his horse and quickly dismounted. He saluted the Duke, then handed him a message bearing the Royal Seal.

He broke the seal and read the message inside:

Mansa Djati. We know that you dearly wished to build bridges with the French by attending the funeral of their king, but we fear that you are needed back in Mali immediately. The king is gravely ill and we fear he may die any day now. He asked that you be here at the end.

Signed: Mollo Sese Seke. Chamberlain to King Mansa Musa.

"Very well," said the Duke "messenger give your horse, it will be too slow to travel by horseback. You three..." he said, pointing to his three best soldiers "you come with me. The rest of you follow behind with the coach."

The Duke and his entourage rode at full speed back towards Mali, arriving at the Palace in Timbuktu within just a few days. When he arrived, the staff showed him immediately to the chamber of the King.

When the Duke entered the King's private chambers, he was shocked to see how changed the King was. Near death, he seemed so ashen-grey and thin, not the burley soldier he was at his peak.

The Duke approached the King's bed and knelt beside it. When the King saw him, he leaned over and said "my dear nephew, it is so good to see you here at the end. Know that I wish you to succeed me. All I ask is that you continue my legacy of educating our people, and peaceful co-existence with our neighbors...." he then leaned very close to Djati's ear and said "but whatever you do, *never* trust the word of a Carpathian!"

The king then resumed his position on the bed. He grabbed up the ceremonial crown-dating back to the days of Kaniaga Bearslayer himself, and handed it to Mansa Djati. Then, without a further word to anyone, Mansa Musa passed away.

Five days of national mourning were organized for Mali, which consisted of a week-long holiday for everyone in the kingdom. Thousands of people congregated at the hill-top city of Djenne, where the King was entombed at the Vodun shrine.

Then, when the people had finished mourning the passing of their former king, they then traveled to Timbuktu to watch the Coronation of their new king.....Mansa Djati I.

[Diplo Mali]

The early reign of Mansa Djati I

Mansa Djati was true to his word to his predecessor, and accelerated the construction of libraries and universities across the nation. He also reformed his Nation's economic system by removing many of the more onerous government regulations on the mercantile caste.

This single act ushered in a Golden Age for the Malinese Empire, which gave Djati the opportunity to expand Malinese territory to its furthest extent, with the construction of a city right at the foot of the Endless Mountains.

Unfortunately, though times were good for most Malinese people, and the treasury was swimming in rivers of gold, troubling news reached him from abroad.

"Sire," said the messenger, entering the throne room and bowing low "I have an urgent message from our diplomats in Mongolia."

Mongolia. Djati had to confess that this was a name almost out of legend for him. All his campaigns as a General had kept him in contact with the near powers of the Inca, the Russians, the Carpathians and the Americans. Like the Dutch and the French, Mongolia was like some fantasy kingdom in the Far East to him.

"Go on, what news?" asked the King

"Well, it appears there has been a long and brutal civil war, in which the nobility have been forced out of power. According to our diplomats the nation is now called 'The People's Confederacy'"

Djati had to do his best not to laugh out loud "A Confederacy....of 'The People'?! What would the ordinary folk know about running a nation? I mean, I trust them enough to build our infrastructure and the like, but even I know to trust decisions outside my ken to the experts in those fields-an expertise the ordinary people of most nations certainly lack."

Djati thought for a moment, then said "I don't think we need to worry too much. In weeks this mob will be at each other's throats, and this new 'Confederacy' will fall. Then everything will be back the way it was."

"Well, I certainly hope you're right, your Highness. Because this new government is apparently calling for all nation's to join them in their new....'Socialist Experiment', and overthrow their 'corrupt monarchies'. Indeed, our diplomats felt it was most wise that they leave the Country and find safe haven in America until this current crisis blows over."

This last piece of news greatly disturbed Djati, and he quietly hoped that his bluster proved to be accurate, or he could find himself facing the chopping block....

[Diplo Holland]

Originally posted by Vampgelus
OOC : This is what i was refering to, when saying you could have predicted the attack.

I was always predicting the attack. I don't understand - we are not connecting, sorry

The communique from the Inca the "night" (story parlance - was before the session) before the attack re-assured me of his commitment to the secret pact.

Note that the first para in his message is about pirating - a separate issue.

[Vampgelus]

Originally posted by Diplo Holland



Note that the first para in his message is about pirating - a separate issue.

OOC : The missunderstanding is there ^^, my apologies.

[Diplo Holland]

OK

I changed the pic.. LOL

[Diplo Mongolia]

Required reading: Letter from Comrade Koba Vitharin to Temujin Khan. Regarding lack of political participation.


Dear Temujin.

Comrade. I've been swamped! There has been no time to deal with diplomatic relays and responses! I've had battleplans sent to me for acceptance, women who have asked me to pray for their sons who go to war, industrial projects to oversee, travels to every corner of Mongolia. There has simply been no time to deal with this vast influx of correspondence, diplomatic affairs and political entanglements! As for my vacation you refer to it was merely a 1. May celebration and the preparations the weeks before to arrange it and the weeks after to clean it up. I assure you I was most industrious during this time.

I sometimes wish there was a better means for us to communicate than by letter, for this endless writing wears me down. Every Clansman demands updates from the war, every factory overseer demands orders, every union has grievances and issues to bring up. I have more on my plate than a fat Dutch merchant!

As for the diplomatic issues regarding the war, I believe we must remain firm and break the capitalist stronghold of Holland properly. Our aggression may be unjust in the eyes of some, but history will judge us righteously. Communism cannot survive if it does not spread and Holland would have not only denied it to do so, but likely by force hindered it. We must face destiny at the barrel of a gun, for conflict cannot be avoided, merely postponed. Inca so far is staying out of it. We both know they cannot be trusted 100%, though they seem sympathetic to having their greatest rival torn by this war. Their sale of Cannon may prove vital in the coming conflicts. As for your blatant and blusterous attack towards Utrecht, I can only state that your bravado must clearly have gotten the better of you, for I would personally never have engaged in such a reckless thrust. More care should be taken in this campaign lest you want a repeat of past events. Holland is technologically superior and their logistics are infinitely better than ours. Just like it was in the medieval war. You of all should know this. Yet I do wonder where from those Cavalry came. They did not show up in any of our intelligence gatherings. I will look into it.

I hope your campaign continues to go well and that you crush the capitalists so that we can return to other matters more important.

P.S. I will send out a diplomatic announcement and respond to letters from foreign nations immediately. My apologies for my lack of effort in this.

Your friend Koba.

[Diplo Inca]

Revolvolution



The newly established BCP Incan party led workers and peasants in an uprising to transform Incan society after the devastation caused by past rulers and foreign espionage.

The revolvolution:

Inca’s communist revolvolution is a proletarian revolvolution inspired by the ideas of the Socialist Government in Mongolian, which aims to replace capitalism with communism. The new Incan government believes that the workers of the Terra must unite and free themselves from capitalist oppression to create a world run by and for the working class.

Immediately after the revolvolution our communist Mongolian brothers were contacted in order to decide how our two nations can contribute to the spread of this new ideology.



It was the desire of both Mongolian and Incan parties to limit their technological charge and instead invest greatly in increasing their foreign aid budget, so as to allow backwards nations to develop. Inca is currently aiding financially its northern neighbor the Americans. As we speak a bigger financial package is been considered. Also Inca has delivered a lump sum of 1000 nuevo sol to its western neighbor the Russians and a closer coorporation is being considered.

Another important matter was the spread of communism. Both nations agreed to work jointly in spreading communism. Inca is close to adopting the State Property which will finalize the Incan transformation to communism. The Incan communists have found it necessary to support the Mongolian against the Dutch capitalist in the north. No more can we stand neutrally and watch such a corruptive nation poison Terra. So it has been decided that Inca will aid the Mongols with whatever they can in this glorious revolvolution.

[Diplo Mali]

A Nation demands the right to speak....

Everything seemed to be going well on the outside, but Mansa Djati was becoming increasingly concerned. After more than a millenia of almost no contact with the Mongolian nation, now almost every other day brought a new communique from the new government of that distant nation.

To be honest, the tenor and theme of each communication changed very little. Just variations on the basic demand to adopt socialism and disband the monarchy-or else face imminent invasion from Mongolia.

As he read the 30th such communication in just the last fortnight, it became increasingly clear to Mansa Djati that his earlier boast had been ill-founded. Far from collapsing in less than a month, the People's Confederacy had only grown stronger. Even now they were apparently threatening to bring down the government of Holland, and word had reached his ears that this socialist infection was even spreading throughout the kingdom of France.

Mansa Djati's agents were also reporting that many pamphlets were appearing in the streets of Kumbi Saleh, Djenne, and Timbuktu-bearing a very similar message to that of the official communiques.

"Damn them!" said the king in frustration "why cannot they just leave us in peace? We are no threat to them or their new form of government, so why do they wish to overthrow us?" His Chamberlain stood by, not daring to answer what he was convinced was a rhetorical question.

Suddenly, his Chief of Security burst into the throne room and said "sire, there is trouble on the streets!"

"What trouble, Managa Obotu?" asked the king.

"thousands of people have taken to the streets to protest against your Free Market reforms. According to the protesters, many in the mercantile caste are using the lack of government controls to gouge members of the other castes."

"So who is it that is protesting?" asked the king.

"Almost every other caste. The priests seem to be staying out of it, for now, but the working caste, the artisan caste and the scholar caste are all protesting."

"Protests? But the people have always seemed so content and care-free. What exactly are they demanding?"

"Well, it's hard to be sure, your majesty, but it seems they want you to start reigning in the mercantile caste. They also seem to want you to give the other castes a greater say in the political and economic life of the nation."

"Huh!" said the king "just like the clap-trap in these flyers and communiques! I know political interference when I see it, Obotu, and I will not give in to foreign intimidation. Let the people protest, they will soon grow bored."

The people did not grow bored, however. Indeed, the protests grew louder and stronger with every day.









During this time, the economy ground to a halt, and all classes ceased and even some religious services failed to be given (the priestly caste did not officially join the protesters, but individual priests were seen to join in).

Eventually, when it became clear that the people would not rest until action was taken, Mansa Djati finally took action and showed his true leadership credentials.

In one fell swoop, he quickly introduced a raft of laws which cut down on the predatory practices of the mercantile caste. He also drew up a constitution which gave all castes the right to air their grievances outside of a strictly legal setting. Indeed, he created a body whose sole job it was to hear the complaints of the people, and to pass those complaints to the king and his advisors.

He also allowed members of the artisan and workers castes to open up a printing press where news stories related to the running of the nation could be printed for all citizens to read.

These concessions seemed to make the people happy, but Djati had seen the people flex their collective muscle for the first time, and it scared him. Somewhere he could swear that he could hear an axe being ground.....

[Diplo Ottoman]

The whole world seems to be in turmoil, except for the Ottoman people. There Great Project, a project of migration to the New World is proceeding, a New World of opportunity and freedom, freedom others are unwilling to fight for. yet achieved by the Ottoman people through a golden age of migration. Migration treaties with the Dutch people have been honoured and our people have moved from our northern coastal city to the New World while the Dutch have moved back to the Old World to form a consolidated strong empire.
An agreement on migration has been negotiated with the American people, with the exception of a few minor details, but the collapse of their leadership has hindered its finalization, it is hoped this will be achieved in the next little while when they again have solid, stable leadership.
The Ottoman people are FREE. We live in security in a full democracy, achieved without chaos, with full freedom of press, freedom of migration and travel to many places, freedom of religion and full freedom of commerce.
Their is no clamour for revolutionary, oppressive regimes here, people are content and happy and celebrating their freedoms which were given to them. They wish that it were the same elsewhere on this great world.
Piracy is a scourge on our oceans, a scourge built and supported by the French Empire and maybe the Incas as well. The Ottoman people demand that all privateers be destroyed and reparations be paid to those nations who have suffered from their scourges, the Dutch and the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman people are happily expanding their naval and land forces and will deal with this menace if reparations are not paid.
The assault on the Dutch Empire by the Mongol forces aided and abetted by the Incas and the French through active support or freedom of Borders is a crime against humanity, its freedoms and legitimate aspirations. This crime must end, any captured cities must be returned. The Ottoman people request that other nations, whether republics, democracies or monarchies express their horror at this unjustified war and attempted subjugation of a free people.