Beyond the Pit [Pitboss Diplomacy Game] [Story Thread] Part 2 (September)

[Pitboss Vikings]

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[Pitboss Vikings]

OSS Voyager

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[Pitboss Vikings]

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[Pitboss Rome]

Victory!



The Roman General Caelius has been awarded a triumph for his performance during the Second Portuguese War.


He enjoys the favor of the people, and as Aelius begins to loosen the crushing pressure of the state's repression which Cabal of senators had engineered many wonder if Caelius on this eve of his greatest triumph has secret plans to become dictator...



Much loot and many slaves have been brought to Rome, but new ideas have also come from the north. The religion of Portugal is gaining popularity....

Dictator Aelius has began modifying the rituals of the Roman state clergy so that they come into communion with the already very similar religion of Portugal. This has caused some revolts and disturbances, but the repressive apparatus that evolved during the war is still active, only a turn of anarchy is expected.



Dictator Aelius also ordered that all the slaves in Rome be put to work on a grand project. The new Roman Forum, he announced would be one of many projects the Roman Republic would undertake and that for the citizens of Rome times of prosperity and peace would come. All the citizens of Rome will be able to strive for greatness. The slave labor that died to build the forum on time would probably beg to differ...



OCC: Oldonia do you mind editing your posts into one post and asking a mod to deleteg the rest? There is no real reason to post one post after another in such a short time.

[OzzyKP]

Originally posted by Pitboss Khmer
tiding all.

i ganesh, son of shiva, do welcome all friend to khmer or comber land for farewell to shiva god almighty on journey into all knowing.

holy roman, i hereby invite you.

funglish, i herby invite you.

metalhead, i hereby invite you.

celt, i hereby invite you.

america, i hereby invite you.

spain, or espana as i name it, i hereby invite you.

smelly one stinka, he just joke, i hereby invite you.

i ask of our known friend in this land of our to write short poem to shiva. just 4 lines. the best poem as judge by poll in apolyton will receive a free happy resource forever.

we say tiding to shiva in seven sundowns. send poetry by then for poll.

great tiding all and also to those in far places i know little. one day we meet.

Responding to the challenge, the Metalhead poet, Therion composes a poem to send to the Khmer.

All destruction by a glance, set the world in a trance.
Inside the sacred maze, Shivas cosmic dance

Lightening flashes from your eye,
Now is time for the world to die.

[Pitboss Portugal]

Advisors at Korecom:

My King the Romans have accepted there will be peace after all.

Marco

Not bad, it was about time that this peace happens.

What is the latest news from the south?

Advisor

Well seems that a far away power called Sparta has demanded tribute from the Romans, and the Romans will pay.

Marco

How is that possible? Rome is a great power which has many puppets and they agree?

Advisor

Well it seems Sparta has allies my King and they mean business.

Marco

This is very interesting indeed, seem there are nations out there who can match and even bully things from Rome.

Advisor

Also Rome has adopted our religion and plans to spread it to its whole empire

Marco

This is interesting indeed, didn’t they consider us barbarians?

Advisor

They did my King, still they seem to like our religion.

Thank you for the news!

I do not care about foreign policies currently; my priority is to concentrate on domestic issues. Much has to be done to fix Rome’s pillage and burning. Continue evacuating the citizens from the desert I have already found a new home for them.

Advisor

My King what about the deal with the Piercians?

Marco

If you are talking about the deal which my father offered, I am still going to honor it, but not before our people have returned safely from the desert.

Now go and leave me alone, I need to plan the expansion in the west.

[MMC]

From the Funglish Dominion.

We are sorry that we cannot attend,
We hope the Ganesh we do not offend.
In 28 cycles we hope to amend,
With Christian Pilgrims we shall send.

[Pitboss Korea]

Response to the Greeks



TO: The Honorable Alexander
FROM: Imperial Foreign Minister Hae Mosu

Hail Alexander!

His Excellency, Emperor Sejong of Goguryeo, accepts your generous gifts with great respect and admiration for Alexander and his hearty and strong people the Greeks. We apperciate your words, and we will surely live up to those deals made by Wang Geon and General Bae Hyeongyeong.

Further we certainly accept your invitation to Sparta. As you know negotiations are ongoing, and Emperor Sejong sees this visit as an opportunity to speak face to face upon many pressing issues. We have word from Oldonia that Greece has sent soldiers, no doubt courageous, to the north of Greece beyond the dense jungles. We wish these men a safe return. As they say in Sparta, "may they return with their shields, or upon them!"

You will be hearing from us soon, however General Bae Hyeongyeong has retired and will return to his home in Sparta to live out the rest of his days. He will fill you in on further information, we traditionally do not include sensetive information in our missives as they may be interecepted en route.

- Hae Mosu, Imperial Foreign Minister

[Pitboss Khmer]

Re: OSS Enterprise

Originally posted by Pitboss Vikings

A coin was flipped and East they went.

ah, we hear story of far land viking and how poor it is.
it good it have currency as khmer do not.



one day we meet.

[Pitboss Khmer]

Originally posted by OzzyKP


Responding to the challenge, the Metalhead poet, Therion composes a poem to send to the Khmer.

All destruction by a glance, set the world in a trance.
Inside the sacred maze, Shivas cosmic dance

Lightening flashes from your eye,
Now is time for the world to die.

Ganesh quite taken here. it thank great new poet talent of Therion.

[Pitboss Khmer]

Originally posted by MMC
From the Funglish Dominion.

We are sorry that we cannot attend,
We hope the Ganesh we do not offend.
In 28 cycles we hope to amend,
With Christian Pilgrims we shall send.

it great poem. great thank.

may a scout be gifted to help travel?

[MMC]

Originally posted by Pitboss Khmer
may a scout be gifted to help travel?

Thank you for the offer, but in the time-frame you provided (7 sundowns/cycles) it would not be practical. The initial settlement of the Hastings Conference site will not take place for 10 cycles at the very least.

However, if the offer is still valid then, I am sure a native guide of the region would be a most welcome addition to the staff at Hastings.

As the poem suggests, once the Conference site is settled and construction work has begun on the Grand Meeting Hall and the Feasting Halls, pilgrims shall be sent to offer their prayers at the tomb of the much revered Shiva.

[OzzyKP]

The Palace in Black Sabbath – 425 BC

At the insistence of General John Bonham, top military and civilian officials met to discuss the current diplomatic situation with the Holy Roman Empire. Around the large table sat King Ozzy the Bateater, Minister of Defense Jimmy Page, Foreign Minister Lars Ulrich, Chief Advisor Ronnie James Dio, General John Bonham, General Abbott Darrell, and Governor James Hetfield.

King Ozzy, who was now slipping into old age now slurred his speech and was often difficult to understand. He spoke little at official meetings of this sort. With a mumble and a gesture to General Bonham, Ozzy opens the meeting.

General Bonham – I call this meeting to discuss a matter of much importance. My patrols near Led Zeppelin have learned that the Holy Roman city of Prague is built upon a valuable resource of heavy metal. The Holy Romans have been a threat in the past and have shown little reason for us to trust them. That they are literally sitting on a resource of such power is a threat to us. We must seize the city of Prague and seize their iron ore deposits.

Governor Hetfield – My city borders the Holy Romans, they are no longer a threat. They are a weak nation struggling to survive. They suffer much depravity.

General Darrell – This is true. Their people are known for their hard lines and sunken cheeks. However this is no reason for sympathy. They may seem depleted from years of abuse, but once they learn to mine and forge that iron they will discover a new level of confidence and power. They must be dealt with now.

Defense Minister Page – Dealt with? You propose invading them too?

General Darrell – Yes. And why not? It is they who drew first blood. Who enslaved our people without provocation or warning. I'm screaming revenge again.

Foreign Minister Ulrich – Again with the enslavement? That is ancient history by now. Considering the poor conditions in the east, I think it is appropriate to just drop the issue.

General Darrell – We’ll grind that axe for a long time. Do you wish to just appease them? Roll over and let them attack us without penalty? Perhaps you are a paid agent of the enemy! All the money in the f***ing world couldn't buy me one second of trust or one ounce of faith in anything you're about.

Chief Advisor Dio – General... please calm yourself. We are all on the same side here. Let us not turn on each other at this time. You are right though, the Holy Romans declared war on us and attacked us without cause. That it was many decades ago does not change the fact that our people still live in slavery in a foreign land. Our people *must* be returned to us.

Defense Minister Page – I suppose it is reasonable to request our people returned to us.

General Bonham – It is more than reasonable. However their kidnapping of many of our citizens was no minor issue that can be resolved simply by, after many years, freeing the Metalheads who have lived their lives under Holy Roman slavery. Taking the city of Prague would be a just punishment for their crimes against us.

Chief Advisor Dio – Perhaps... we could simply request the city. No need for further loss of blood. We should contact the Holy Roman Emperor, Matthias, and request that Prague be turned over to our control and the slaves be returned.

The debate continued into the night. Dio, Bonham and Darrell taking one side and Ulrich, Hetfield, and Page the other. Ozzy, the supreme leader of the Metalheads, was slumped down in his chair, sound asleep. No one dared wake him. Dio, ever the cunning politician, sought to resolve the impasse by suggesting the city of Prague be requested.. but only for a certain number of years. “Loaned” to compensate the Metalheads for the loss of their citizens for so long. To placate the other side he even suggested that a representative from the other side write the letter. Reluctantly, Ulrich agreed, and the tie was broken.

Ulrich wrote and sent the letter:

To: Emperor Matthias
From: Foreign Minister Lars Ulrich

Greetings good emperor Matthias. We have a diplomatic offer for you. You had once promised to return our worker and pay reparations for taking him from us. We are now, at long last, able to sign open border treaties (our diplomatic corps was on a bender for the last few centuries). This will enable you to return the Metalhead workers to their people. We shall send the request formally.

The return of our people has taken much longer than expected. Your people have gained much benefit from our slaves and us, much detriment. We have a simple request to end any lingering hostility from the hostile act ages ago. Since you 'borrowed' our people, we request to 'borrow' yours.

Our request is for the Holy Roman Empire to give control of Prague for 50 years (two turns). We shall not harm the people of the city, nor shall we seek to disrupt the development or functioning of the city. We pledge to return it promptly at the conclusion of the time period. We have no intention of keeping it.

We hope this is seen as a very minor request in exchange for the centuries of benefit your empire have had from Metalhead slaves.

Thank you much,

Lars Ulrich
Metalhead Foreign Minister

[OzzyKP]

A small building outside of Led Zeppelin - 50 BC

Many years passed and the Holy Romans did not respond. As they had many times in the past, they ignored the message sent by the Metalheads. The council decided to continue to wait for a response – indefinitely it seemed. The generals who proposed seizing Prague were incensed. They brought along the captain of the guard in Metallica, Dave Mustaine, often referred to as the “Lead Axe”. There was some worry too about the health of General John Bonham, things need to happen soon if they are to happen at all. They met privately with Chief Advisor Ronnie James Dio to discuss the matter.

General John Bonham – There has been a communications breakdown with the Holy Roman Empire. They have not responded to us in ages and show no signs of doing so. We must act.

Captain Mustaine – What can we do? No progress has been made with the council in years. They are always deadlocked.

General Bonham – The council are cowards. In the days of my youth, I was told what it means to be a man. Now I've reached that age, I've tried to do all those things the best I can. No matter how I try, I find my way into the same old jam. If the council will not act like men, we must act for them.

Captain Mustaine – You speak of treason! Turning against our brothers!

General Darrell – Unity is a rare thing. Now what are we supposed to be? Are we powerless to change the world? With our lives in the hands of madmen. Now in times when society needs us, this is where the sin begins.

General Bonham – The Holy Romans have ignored us. They have ignored the invitation to attend the funeral of Oswald the Noisy Bard. You, Captain Mustaine, you even defended their city in the south from barbarians. What thanks have they given? None. We need you for this plan to work. Dio in Black Sabbath, Darrell in Pantera, myself in Led Zeppelin, we need you to bring Metallica to our side. This ain't no time for hesitating, all you got to do is move.

Captain Mustaine – I... I’m not sure. The struggle within us will set back our people for years. You have such a holier than thou attitude, but how sure can we be about this?

General Darrell – I used to think like you, but I've been wrong for far too long. I’ve been constantly so frustrated with our leadership and with the Holy Romans, it is time to act.

General Bonham – If you go down in the streets today, Dave, you better...
You better open your eyes. Folk down there really don't care... *cough* really don't care.....

General Bonham’s face was starting to look pale. He continued to hack and wheeze.

General Bonham - Don't care.... *ack* really don't.... Which.... *cough* which way the pressure lies. So I've decided what I'm gonna do now. We need a revolution.

Chief Advisor Dio – Revolution in our minds, it is time for us to march.

Just then, a local janitor in the hallway outside the room popped his head in.

John Lennon – So you say you want a revolution?

Bonham, Dio, & Darrell together – Shut up, janitor.

Chief Advisor Dio – Dave, why the hesitation? You’ve never agreed with the leadership in Metallica. I hear your company of axemen are constantly having clashes with the leadership of the city. They don’t respect you. Just think... instead of being the lead axe, you could be the leader of the city.

Captain Mustaine – What I've felt, what I've known... You’re right, I’m sick and tired. I stand alone. They dedicate their lives to running all of mine. I try to please them all, but still I am unforgiven. So... I’m in.

General Darrell – From now on, we can't look the other way. Keep in mind and listen to what I say we must take under wing all the ones who are lost. Build up around them an infinite wall. Revolution is my name.

[OzzyKP]

A few days after that covert meeting, a courier arrived in Black Sabbath bearing a note from the new emperor of the Holy Romans, Otto I. Chief Advisor Dio had instructed all palace staff that all foreign correspondence be delivered to him personally instead of Foreign Minister Ulrich. He opened and read the letter:

Ozzy the Bat Eater, Metalhead Nation

Greetings from the Holy Roman Empire. You have no doubt heard that Emperor Matthias has passed on to the next world. I, Otto, have succeeded him as Holy Roman Emperor.

I apologize on behalf of my nation for our lack of communication over the years. We have had a series of internal matters and crises that affected our diplomatic efforts. We expect to be more communicative in the years ahead, and to this end have accepted McFungal’s invitation to the Hastings Conference.

We would also like to thank you for your military’s recent efforts to the south of our lands. The barbaric “Un-Named Ones” have been the source of much anguish to our people.

We also regret not attending the recent funeral services of Oswald the Bard, and commend you for honouring a figure of such international fame.

Our nation will be continuing to grow. You are probably aware that the Holy Roman Empire is still disgruntled over your positioning of your eastern settlements. The division of the land is not fair. This matter will continue to be a challenge to our good relations. Nonetheless, we are working towards peaceful co-existence with all our neighbours, including the Metalheads.

We look forward to the Hastings Conference and further dialogue on matters of mutual interest.

Yours in Faith,

Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor

Only a few hours later, Dio received another letter from Emperor Otto I:

Ozzy The Bateater

I apologize for not getting back to your earlier request for us to "loan" you Prague for two turns. It also showed up again in the diplomacy screen. And I did not address it in my earlier correspondence.

Can you please explain to me again what the rationale is for such a trade? Is it a form of punishment/payment for the worker we held? Or is there something you require specifically of Prague. I need to understand this proposal more before we can agree to it.

We have lost a settler to the barbarians, and are hopelessly behind the other civilizations including yours. You publicly offer support, and then privately want one of my two cities other than the capitol. Surely you can appreciate my confusion.

Yours sincerely, Emperor Otto I

Dio quickly assembled his co-conspirators General Bonham and General Darrell to inform them of the letters. General Bonham was starting to look a bit better, but was still very sick.

General Darrell – After all this time, finally they respond. They are resistant, but do seem open to diplomacy. Should we call off the coup? Are the Holy Romans on are side or not?

Chief Advisor Dio – Two eyes from the east, it's the angel or the beast? And the answer lies between the good and bad. We must go through with this. It is too late to turn back.

General Bonham – When I read the letter you sent me it made me mad.... *cough* mad.... *wheeze*..... mad. When I read the news that it brought me it made me sad.... *ack*... sad..... *cough* sad.

Chief Advisor Dio – We must tell no one about these letters. Certainly not Mustaine. He doesn’t have the stomach for what must be done. We're the hand that writes then quickly moves away.