Beyond the Pit [Pitboss Diplomacy Game] [Story Thread]

[Pitboss Rome]

First Contact with the Natives

"Hm, the land west seems to be settled by natives.

"Are they hostile?"

"I don't think so, lets send them a message, plase deliver it Mark. Lets give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they are not savages but as civilized as the great nations of the east."

"Yes sir."

To: Native inhabitants
From: Albius, the Warrior

We kindly greet your people.
We are faithfull servants of King Numa Pompilus, ruler of the great Eastern city of Rome and its daughter cities. Our nation is that of farmers, merchants and miners. The lush river Tiber regularly floods and makes the land fertile, while the mountain chain of the Alps provides us with Iron and Bronze. We freely give you the map we have already shared with your southern neighbors the Piercians, it details the East could you provide us with geographical information of the West as well? (I posted the map a few pages back when I made contact with P)

We have traveled from our home scouting Western land claimed by Rome in the Pierco-Roman treaty of Two Kings, and have stumbled upon your town. We what kind of people are you? Do you red skins have a state of some kind? If so could you please inform your leaders of our presence and willingness to transfer diplomatic messages to our leaders. They will probably need to negotiate on borders rather quickly.

The terrain we have traveled through has been most inhospitable, we would greatly appreciate any new supplies you kind folk can spare.

[Pitboss Portugal]

Romans 10 days have passed and no letter still from your rulers! My patient is growth thin. Have you decided to ignore your northern neighbor? News arrived from the west that you have claimed the Great Desert of Illusions all to your self, is that true? We have already claimed the northern Nile. Our earlier letter states just that!! Location: Where the Great River mergers into the northern lake, that is were we will build our western town. It would be better that you respond, so that there are no confusions of what Rome claims as its lands and what I consider to be mine territory.

It will be helpful that you respond to this 2nd letter.

Baba

[Pitboss Persia]

"Call for a messenger !", She said. "We want a copy of this to be delivered to each of Chief Tarhe and the King of Rome."

From : Empress Iris of the Piercian Empire
To : Numa Pompilius Rex of Rome, Chief Tarhe of the Wyandot Nation

Greetings,

We heard that you have made contact recently. Since We have had good diplomatic relations with both of you in the past, We offer our assistance in any diplomatic matters as a neutral third person you may refer to if there should be any differences or difficulties between you.

We hope you can come along one with another just as you can with Us.

Empress Iris of the Piercian Empire

[Pitboss Korea]

Jigong nervously walked down the corridor to the enterance of the Buddhist village in the Jogye mountains. Mantras, prayers, riddles, and thoughts hung from the canopy above him. It had been weeks since he left the Han river, and he was still unsure of his meaning in life, but something had drawn him here to this place. He passed many monks on the way, all silent but generally polite to him (he saw this as a sign of their peity, but in actuality none of them spoke Korean), offering food and shelter from the elements. As he approached the entrance to the temple a lone monk approached him.

"Ah yes, we have been expecting you" the smiling monk said, in perfect Korean "I trust your journey has been as enlightening as it has been difficult."

Jigong was confused, the monk took his satchel from him, as well as his fishing rod "How did you know I was coming?"

"We expect all visitors, you should know this." the monk replied, placing Jigong's things on the ground outside of the temple. "Do not fret, your things will be there when you leave, although at that time I doubt you will have want for them."

Jigong was confused "I don't understand, what is my purpose here?"

"It is not your purpose that is important, it is to discover it that is the thing..."

Pyongyang...

Princess Sinjeong nervously looked around the hallway, nobody was there. She had been successful in gaining Wang Geon's approval for a monastery in Seoul; something her father had planned to do and something that put her at ease for another more important reason - it proved she had influence over Wang Geon. In their private meeting she indicated that she knew, or at least suspected, that he and his cronies were responsible for his disappearance and subsequent death at the hands of the Maya. Wang Geon was in a private meeting with his General Gang Jo and she wanted to know what was going on. She turned her ear towards the paper-thin walls, it was Gang Jo speaking; "...but there has been no reply. I am confident they got the missive, their Holkan have followed our request and are sticking to the coastline sir." She again looked around, she didnt' want to be caught here in Pyongyang, in Wang's center of power...

.....

"That is no indication that they received our letter Gang Jo, that could simply be their mission." the Supreme King replied, rubbing his temples "And still no word from Hong Yu?"

"None yet sir, but from my understanding Sparta is quite far, they may have yet to reach their destination" Gang Jo said, it felt good to speak to Wang Geon again like this, he had doubted his value to his new King "I trust all will go well, the Greeks seem to respect Bae."

"Bae?" Wang Geon asked.

"Yes sir, General Bae Hyeongyeong, the man you sent with Hong Yu sir."

"Ah yes, that General" Wang Geon said, he was getting tired, and rose from his throne to stretch "Ugh, all of these meetings, this stupid throne."

"You've got a soldier's back sir, you aren't made for all of this sitting around" Gang Jo said in response.

"You've got that right, well its better than all of these rumors I hear about Pacal." Wang Geon said, travellers have reported that Pacal of the Maya was deathly ill "I'd rather have a stiff back."

"Well sir, perhaps that explains why our missive has gone without reply. Maybe we should send an envoy, to show them our condolences?"

"No, no that isn't necessary, I don't want it to seem like we are sending in spies or anything, they will contact us when they wish, when they get a new leader." Wang Geon said, as he sat back in his chair "There is another thing Gang Jo."

"Yes sir?" Gang Jo asked.

"Well, I admit this in confidence, to you because you are my oldest friend." Wang Geon began, he then paused in thought.

"What is it sir?"

"Its Princess Sinjeong, when you all left that day, when I spoke with her, and those monks that follow her around, she made me promise to build this monastery." Wang Geon explained.

Gang Jo was confused "What is the matter with that sir?"

"Nothing, nothing on its face Gang Jo, but the thing is she knows what I did, she knows what WE did..."

....

WE? Princess Sinjeong thought, she knew Gang Jo had feelings for her and thought she could use that to her advantage, but had no idea he was present for the attack on her father; "...she will hold this over my head Gang Jo and she already has which is why I agreed to spend the resources on that blasted monastery for those skinhead lunatics, I can't have it. I think she is plotting something against me, I want you to go with her as her personal bodyguard, we will stage an argument, so it seems it is a punishment for you. I want you to find out about her plans." The Princess smiled; she should have known this man wouldn't let this happen for long, she quickly left the hallway.

....

"Well, I can see that could be an issue, using this to force you to do things, that can't be good" in the back of his head Gang Jo was proud of Sinjeong, this made her more attractive to him, "I will of course do my best, but I don't see how I can stop her from using this against you."

"This is the begining, I fear she has some plot against me."

"My lord, what if there is nothing?" Gang Jo asked.

"Then we have nothing to worry about, and if there is, you musn't react. I must have a son first, without it Seoul will again come to dominate Pyongyang. Now then, it is getting quite late and we have to return to Seoul tomorrow, get some sleep, I've got to myself..."

[Pitboss Vikings]

Tale of the Hardys boys

The message finally arrived that they had been waiting centuries for.

TO: General Don Bradman, leader of the famous Hardy Boys Brigade.

From: Oldonian Chief of Forgien Affairs Rasimov Harris.

due to the overwhelming odds facing you in the east and with no support coming from any of our neighbouring tribes. The danger at home has risen to the point that your services are deemed to be more important here than in the far Eastern Provinces.

You are ordered to make haste and return to home.

The final night in the wilds of Eastern Razolia, as the continent the Oldoninas lived on was now reffered to. was spent partying and drinking hard.

Centuries of warfare with lions and bears and the threats of the Terrorists had aged them all. Their families had travelled for so far each father passing his bloodied club to his son.

now they could go home to protect their own lands. Not out here trying to help others that wouldnt even help themselves.

Tonight they party, tomorrow they start the long way home. It would be centuries before they arrived home. Many more lions and bears on their path. but at least their offspring would see the Great Mountain for themselves. They longed to return to that holy place.

[Pitboss Vikings]

Chronicles of Razolia - The Lion. the Bear and the Japanese robe

The annuls of history show that this period of Oldonian history was a checkered one.

With terrorist activity rife and their neighbours to the south ruled by a total lune the Despotic council was always in uproar.

With the 4 Axe brigades no permanently patrolling the Oldonian lands in Western Razolia, and the Warriors keeping the Eastern highway clear the Army was growing daily.

Three columns of Archers had been set up to protect the mountains and the navy had expanded to patrol the Western Ocean,

It was during this time of upheaval that the Generals did meet and make plans that changed Oldonia from the peaceful nation it is today to a war hungry mob.

The Despotic council was finanly rounded up by the Generals and all of them hung in the palace gardens.

Their first action was to recall all troops from Eaastern Raziola and Northern Raziola and to set up new training bases in the Great Forest.

It was during this time too though that word of the Japanese invasion fleets were first rumoured.

Where this rumour started to this day no one knows but the Generals used it to enforce conscription and new forges and barracks were created. Blacksmiths worked 24 hrs day. The farriers worked harder and harder.

Oldonian commercial progress and industrial development stalled during this period and it was at times considered to be the worst period of Oldonian history.
The Despotic council was finanly rounded up by the Generals and all of them hung in the palace gardens.

Their first action was to recall all troops from Eaastern Raziola and Northern Raziola and to set up new training bases in the Great Forest.

It was during this time too though that word of the Japanese invasion fleets were first rumoured.

Where this rumour started to this day no one knows but the Generals used it to enforce conscription and new forges and barracks were created. Blacksmiths worked 24 hrs day. The farriers worked harder and harder.

Oldonian commercial progress and industrial development stalled during this period and it was at times considered to be the worst period of Oldonian history.

[Pitboss Maya]

Pacal II Takes Power

The day following his fathers death, Pacal the Second addressed the citizens of Tikal from atop the Oracle.

"Mayans, today begins a new age for our people. While our city here in the jungle is grand, we must expand to our full potential. As many of you know, the city of Palenque has been carved out of the mountains to the south. Palenque will be one of many, as the vast jungle gives way to our numbers. Expansion leads to confrontation however, and already we have lost warriors to the Aztecs who still call the dark of the jungle their home.

South of Palenque lives the Koreans, who's civil advances almost match our own. Considered savages by my father, we must now realize that our future security is intertwined with theirs. A menace breeds in the jungles, and together Mayans and Koreans must eliminate it for the sake of civilization."

The crowd cheered. Pacal the First and the Elders often ruled behind closed doors, and never addressed the masses as was now being done. The bold presentation served to reinforce the promise of a new age.

Pacal II waited for the cheering to die down, then his voice boomed again.

"Long ago, before many of you were alive, my fathers men captured Korean farm girls and forced them into slavery. To prove to the Koreans that the Maya are serious about good relations, I hereby release all Korean slaves to rejoin their people."

The crowd fell silent. For generations the Koreans were relied upon to do the hardest and most distasteful work. Many Mayans were left wondering who would replace them, and would it possibly be some of them?

Pacal turned toward the fields north of the city.

"Go now Koreans. Go back to Korea and share our culture with your people. Your work here is done."

[Pitboss Vikings]

The Chronicles of Razolia - Prince Rasputin

In a time long ago before today, it had been foretold by the Great one that Razolia would see many hard times.

It was during one of these hard times that in Eastern Razolia, beyond the Wyandot ranges, beyond the Bull Lake, even further than the Eastern Forrest, that a young couple did become with child. There was not much special about this child nor this couple. But the child did grow strong and clever.

He learnt from his elders in the village. He learnt from passing travellors. The vilalge knew little of the passing travellors, they feared them and kept well hidden in their forrest village. But the young man did learn much.

He learnt of the how the world was formed thousands of years ago. He learnt of how the land rose from the oceans. The wisemen passed on to him knowledge of how the 18 tribes were created to test them all. They were all given free will and the creeators blessed them all.

The tribes were simply on this place to learn how to be children of the creators. The tribes were not given knowledge of the world , nor of each other. but this young lad did learn from the travelors of all of this.

He also learnt the art of fighting and he learnt not just tactics but also strategy. Other wise men taught him diplomacy, ~the art of saying nice doggy til l you get a big stick~

With al lthis knowledge and strength in him, he did leave the village and headed north for solitude. Here he did battle great lions and bears and other evil creatures. He grew stronger and wiser.

When he now met the travellors he learnt they were not from this world at all. He learnt they were messengers of the creators. They told him all they knew as they would not be back in this world for al ong time and they needed someone to spread the word.

So the boy became a man and travelled far. He told many of what he learnt but they did not accept him. They tribes he visited had their own beliefs there own culture.

So he set up a home in the wild ice lands of the north and did take to wife a girl he found in a vilalge he once visited.

They did have their own children and grand children. The other world ly travellors did once refer to them as kings of this world. But the title did fall once genrations passed. Some of the knowledge passed into faded memories.

It was to this ancient family that one day was born Rasputin. The heir to the family role of spreading the word. So it ws that young Prince Rasputin did wander dwon from the north to seek news of the world. It was then that he met the Oldonian patrols.


......to be continued

[Pitboss Japan]

Nine months have passes. It is a chilly October night. The skies are filled with flames coming from the distance where the shinobi of the Leaf were trying to fend off an ancient evil nine tailed fox. Back in the village Jade had just given birth to a little baby boy. They named him after a character from Lord Juryia's book, so they named the boy Naruto Uzumaki. Just as the Minato was about to pick up his newborn son he received word that the battle was turning for the worst. He quickly used his summoning jutsu to bring forth a toad that was bigger then a building. Minato fought the fox with everything he had but it was all in vain. The fox was too strong so the decided to use a forbidden ninja art known as the reaper death seal to trap the sprit of the fox. He chose to put the fox spirit inside his son and fell to him knees. The reason the death seal was forbidden was because it required that once the seal was completed that the person performing it would die as well.The night grew quite as the shinobi mourned the loss of the 4th Hokage who loved his village so much he gave his life to protect it. That morning the 3rd Hokage took control over the village again and started to rebuild the village. Jade left to Takada controlled lands and baby Naruto was put in the care of the 3rd Hokage.[IMG][/IMG]

[Pitboss Maya]

To: Wang Geon of the Koreans
From: Pacal II of the Mayans

My apologies for not being able to reply to your missive earlier. As you may or may not be aware, my father Pacal the First has passed into the next world. If you take observation of the northern sky at night you can see him quite clearly. His final days in this world did not leave him in any condition to reply to your communications.

I now stand as the lone ruler of the mighty Mayan civilization. Although the Elders still act as advisers to me, I will be shedding their xenophobic culture.

It is my desire that the Mayans and Korans work together for our mutual greatness. Even now as I write this a savage people known as the Aztecs plot against us in their makeshift huts deep in the jungles west of Tikal. Together our civilizations will no doubt crush the savages where they sleep.

As proof of my commitment to our future friendship, I have released the Korean slaves that were captured so long ago. Only a handful of the original are still alive, however their offspring will be glad to join your labor force once again.

I will also apologize for the explorers who now transverse your western boarder. They were sent many moons ago to seek out other civilized people, and the only land bridge seems to be in the west. The boarder agreement my father and yourself composed was interpreted to apply to city placement only. I ask that you allow them safe passage.

To further mend past wounds, I will take you up on your offer for a visit to Korea. We can discuss the future of our people during that time.

[Pitboss Korea]

Shin Sung ripped the bread from his mouth and chewed on what remained, it was rough and dry. Just like his soldiers. The men sat situated on the hills just north of Pyongyang, "Some comission" he muttered to himself, he shoved his weapon into the soil and used it to lift himself to his feet.

"All's quiet sir" his lieutenant Han Gong said.

"Of course it is" Shin Sung replied "This is bullsh*t, complete and utter bullsh*t." he finished, he was dismayed; how quickly has his ascension to General turned into nothing more than a watchman's duty.

"Well sir, shall we retire?"

"I suppose, night is soon to come" the General replied, gazing at the already setting sun "Let the boys have their rest, they've earned it."

"General, hold-" Han Gong said, clutching his master's forearm "There is movement, there near the forests."

The young General looked hard in the distance, night had fallen and the shade of the trees didn't help either "You're right, are they Maya?"

"Can't tell, they look unarmed sir, they look civilian."

The General stood fast, and thought to himself, he didn't know what to do, not without Bae. "Alright, send a party, only ten men, unarmed."

"Unarmed sir?"

"Yes unarmed!" the General yelled "They are unarmed, what are we? Cowards!?!? No, we are the army of his majesty Wang Geon, if they kill our comrades let they be ashamed, we shall not, send the word..." the lieutenant didn't move "NOW!!!!"

Without hesitation the Han Gong turned around "TEN MEN!"

Ten quickly ran to the cause "Release your weaponry, and assist them now!"

Again, with no question the soldiers dropped their weaponry and ran down the hills towards the forests.

"What is happening sir?" Han Gong asked.

"I don't know, I think we're getting our people back..."

[Pitboss Korea]

Wang Geon waited, wrapped in the finest cloth his upstart civilization could muster. Princess Sinjeong entered the room, the guards took in her beauty; Wang Geon clearly did not deserve such a creature.

"Come to bed my sweet" the grizzled King said "It is time to make this marriage official."

She slowly approached the bed, this was her duty; to her people, her city, her kingdom... her father. She placed one knee upon it, glaring into the King's eyes "Yes my lord." she said simply, bending forward towards his ear "send the guards away." she whispered softly, almost seductively.

Wang Geon nodded "Guards!" he bellowed, and waved them off, they obediently obliged and quickly left the royal bedchamber...

[Pitboss Korea]

Isn't it funny how you can make anything look like it makes sense?

The following is an excerpt from the book entitled "The shared past of the Maya and the Korean" 1896...

...it is interesting to note that before this royal marriage that the cultural congruence of these people, while now disavowed due to the current political situation, is quite apparent. If you note the royal emblems taken by both Pacal II and Wang Geon we can see clearly where their cultural identities were similar.

It is quite clear that these two emblems match one another. In the first instance, if one focuses on the boundries (in this sense the BLUE outline) one will note they share a similar circular pattern. While a circle is shared among many people it symbolizes something quite special here; an understanding of one's place in life. This is apparent in the worship of the sun that both cultures accepted in their ancient years, but also the cirlce of life. The ancient Maya believed that sacrafice was necessary as it was a means of giving a personage back to its creator, for the Korean it was a circle of life empahsizing one's RETURN to the earth (another way of interpreting one's physical return to a CREATOR, in this sense earth itself perhaps?).

Secondly, if one notes the "beams" (indicated in YELLOW) coming from the Mayan emblem; this connotes that life itself comes from the sun (also indicated by the disk, or cirlce around the entire emblem) are also represented by similar pointed objects portruding from the Korean emblem, this has been indicated with yellow outline. This portion of the shared emblem is more important to the Maya, who not only revered and respected the sun, but sacraficed towards it. It did control the growth of crops, which ultimately spelled disaster or progress for the Mayan people themselves. To the Korean the sun meant a new begining, however they were blessed with better farmlands than the Maya. One can not diminish the importance to this symbol to either people, and while the existence of these emblems to the Korean people has been debated, the resemblence between the two symbols is UNCANNY.

Thirdly, and quite obvious are the "flowers" that appear on both symbols. The Maya clearly a more primitive representation (that being of curled lines which resembles those that grow along the banks of rivers within their jungles, greaters plants existed so these life-giving plants were more diminished in Mayan drawings than they were in those of the Koreans), this third (and RED) are emblematic of the flower, or the birth and growth of life on this planet. Clearly the Koreans had a more developed form of symbolic art as theirs represents something even modern people would consider "flower-like." The Mayans, for their part, seem to have revered these plants due to their abundance, and the Koreans due to their want.

Fourthly, is the symbol of the diamond; or Square. The "square" was used later on as a tool of masons, who built cities. It is a known fact that th early Maya were expert builders of cities, and this is reflected by the "stepped" form of their diamond (or square), whereas the Korean symbol (both represented in GREEN) is simply straight lines. This has been debated by scholars to either represent the CITY itself, or the idea of building a city. Most scholars agree it has something to do with an imperial capital, or a known capital that is revered by both ancient peoples.

The most obvious and uniform of the two emblems is the circle in the center (in ORANGE). Both represent duality to an extreme position, and it is difficult to argue that these symbols do not share a similar identity or origin. The resemblence is simply difficult to refute, and nearly needs no explaination. Both symbols show two different values coming together fluidly. Resembling both the good and bad nature of man as the CENTER of this UNIVERSE created by the amalgamation of these symbols. The circle of life (which we all, both peasants and Kings, must travel), the sun (representing the life-giving power of the universe or God himself), the flowers (the result of His power), the square/diamond (or city, the result of man's intelligence from the great provider), and finally the central disk or heart (that which is both evil and good, that which is in each man), these are all represented, but there is one difference which I believe shows how these cultures were driven apart from one another culturally.

If you bisect the symbols in half, using the city and the heart (as described above, and shown with a PURPLE line) you fine differences on both sides. The Mayan symbol EQUALLY splits the two (between the beams of sun or YELLOW and the flower or RED), in the Korean design there is quite a difference. On the left side there is much more sunlight, and on the right much more presence of flowers. Is this simply an artistic difference, or is this cultural? It is difficult to tell...

OOC: I hope this made sense, I am a little intoxicated, but I just wanted to show how our cultures are not as different as they may seem...

[Pitboss Korea]

WOW, that was retarded, now that I've re-read it, I don't know why I posted it. I forgot to note that the LEFT side of the Mayan symbol has a black background while the RIGHT side has a white one. If you compare that with the Korean the LEFT side has three "beams" and two "flowers" while the RIGHT side has three "flowers" and two "beams." Very similar, very strange...

I'm an idiot...

[Pitboss Vikings]

... continued

The prince spoke to the Oldonians and discoverd that they were preparing for war. The Army had taken over the whole nation and were enslaving young boys to fight the local brigades of black people and their backers the Ninjas.

Huge troop movements were underway. Rasputin was concerned, these people did not realise they were all brothers of the same creator. This was terrible.

He visited the citys of Oldonia preaching the truth everywhere he went. The army officials immediatly banned him and he had to go underground to prevent being hung.

His followers grew daily though and within months the cries to stop the madness were deafing. The army continued their attacks against the aborignals of the area and searched high and low for their sponsors the Ninjas.

Finally the army knew it couldnt hang all of Razs followers and so they rounded them up and decided to put them to work in camps. Soon the camps were overflowing with his followers from all over Oldonia.

The army leaders met and decided to send them further away from Oldonia, they had to rid the populace of these trouble makers.

In depseration they made plans for a large work camp beyond the Eastern River. Here they felt that the Aborignes would keep them busy and away from Oldonia.

To the south another camp was to be made so any invading Ninjas would attack them first. The army chiefs felt this was the best solution.

No Rasputin within Oldonia borders and club fodder for the Aborigines.