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

[Pitboss Korea]

Sparta

The retired General Bae Hyeongyeong arrived in Sparta early in the morning. As promised his home there had been maintained by the Spartans. He put down his things and sighed, It's all over now he thought to himself one last diplomatic mission and you may enjoy the rest of your life.

He felt strangely saddened about this, but still prideful that he had maintained Korea just as he promised Wang Geon. He put on Greek clothing and headed to Alexander's villa...

Later...

Bae approached the home of Alexander, there were two guards at the door.

"Bae Hyeongyeong!" one of them side, with a wide grin "Welcome to the home of Alexander!"

"I'm sorry soldier" Bae replied "You recognize me, and I am ashamed to admit I do not recognize you."

The guards laughed "No sir, I have never met you before, but what other Korean dresses in the Spartan way?"

"True enough. I have come here to speak with Alexander, Emperor Sejong is coming to visit soon and he wishes for me to brief Alexander on issues he wishes to discuss prior to his visit."

"We know, Alexander is expecting you, please come in..."

When Bae walked into the home the first thing he noticed were the simple conditions that the leader of Sparta lived in. There were no decorations and the vases and pottery were very drab with little to no decoration. Alexander was polishing a breastplate. "Alexander." Bae said.

Alexander looked up slowly "General Bae! So nice to see you, I trust your journey was safe and pleasant?"

Bae nodded "Of course noble Alexander."

"I know why you are here, Sejong sent a letter ahead of time. You Koreans and your paranoia."

"Paranoia?" Bae asked.

"Every letter we get from you talks of possible interception, as spies litter the countrysides!" Alexander laughed.

"Well, its a precaution, Sejong is a new Emperor, he is being very careful Alexander." Bae looked at the armor, it was the only item of luxury in the room "Very nice equipment Alexander!"

"Yes, I made it myself, its a hobby of mine, this will be for my son as a gift. For when he comes of age." Alexander said beaming "But surely you aren't here to discuss armor."

"Well of course not" Bae said "As you know I am retiring from official duty, this will be the last meeting I have in any official capacity for Korea, and for any other country for that matter. I am going to retire to my villa here in Sparta."

"So the great Bae Hyeongyeong retires?" Alexander smirked "You must be happy, men of your gravity normally wind up with a knife in their back."

"Very true Alexander, I have known some of those men myself." Bae pulled up a chair "If you'll excuse me I'd like to sit, I'm getting old and these bones aren't as strong as they used to be."

"By all means Bae" Alexander said "Wait a moment, I will go fetch some wine."

"That isn't necessary Alexander," Bae replied "I will begin by saying that Sejong is a little upset about the borders we negotiated, I explained to him that this deal is to be honored, that it was I who negotiated it, and it was his father Wang Geon who agreed to it. Therefore he can not renegotiate, at least not on his own. And your gifts to him in response have cooled his head, so that is not the reason for his visit."

"That was the idea, I didn't think he would come here to ask for territory, and he certainly is foolish if he believes he could have Thebes, its an impossibility."

"He understands this, the main purpose of his visit, I believe at least, is to establish himself as a new type of Emperor. Wang Geon never left Korea, except for the wedding of his daughter, Sejong is very ambitious and wishes to establish himself as a worldly leader." Bae said.

Alexander held the breastplate to the sunlight and nodded with approval "The way the world is going now I'm not surprised, a lot going on."

"You know Alexander, I sent Menaleus a knife years ago, and I hear he is dead. Do you know what happened to this knife?...."

[Pitboss H Roman]

Simon once again bowed to his Emperor and hurried across the room with a book in his hands.

Otto I: Ah Simon, good to see you on this bright sunny day. Has our great poet Manfred de Martin finished his Ode to Shiva? I have been waiting to see what he has come up with.

Simon: No My Lord. Not as of yet. I inquire daily.

Otto I: Then what is this you bring me?

Simon: My Lord, do you recall the briefing we had earlier this month from the Intelligence Arm of the Military?

Otto I: You mean the spies. Yes, I recall it quite clearly.

Simon: Well My Lord, our man in Black Sabbath has taken the unusual move of smuggling a message out of the city regarding the Metalheads.

Otto I: What was his name again?

Simon: Only his contact knows his real name. We know him by his code name, Rocky Raccoon.

Otto I: That is an odd name. And his contact?

Simon: A woman sir. Very rare in the business. She works in the kitchen of a local establishment, My Lord. One Magill deBeouf. Her code name is Lil. She received this book from Rocky Raccoon and got it to us soon as she could. They feel it is urgent

Otto I: What is this book, Simon?

Simon: It is a Gideon’s Bible, My Lord. Quite common with those Metalheads who have adopted Christianity sir. But a bit of an aberration from our understanding of the faith, My Lord.

Otto I: And its relevance here?

Simon: Absolutely none, My Lord. Other than the written message contained within the back cover. It is very detailed account of the affairs of certain individuals within the Metalhead military and government. We have no idea how our man was able to access such information. But certain known details are accurate, and our experts believe in the veracity of the remaining information. And again, My Lord, the speed with which they got it to Aachen indicates great urgency.

Simon handed the book over to the Emperor, opened to the back cover. Otto read the message quickly.

Otto I: They say they want a revolution, hey hey. But some also want Prague. And it would seem very badly. They raised this years ago. What is it with Prague? Do we have any idea Simon?

Simon: No, My Lord. It is baffling to all who have reviewed the matter. Yes, there is iron there, but the Metalheads have iron. It might be a point of honor with them.

Otto I: One never knows with these strange people. But the city is well defended, yes?

Simon: Uhm. No, My Lord. It is undefended.

Otto I: What!!!! Why?

Simon: The military and political advisors never believed a real threat from the Metalheads would materialize, My Lord. They have always been more concerned by the real barbarian threat in the south.

Otto I: I understood and agreed with that strategy. But this threat seems real enough. Get some defenders in their now. And let us consider speeding up military production as well. I am loath to use that new slavery civic – it is the antitheses of who we are. But we may have no choice if the Empire’s survival is at stake. Contact the General immediately. Get the troops on the move.

Simon: Yes, My Lord. Immediately, My Lord.

[Pitboss Spain]

Dear Diary

It has been an unusual few weeks around here. I heard that we have a contest to please Ganesh, but thankfully it is one of poetry and not a a beauty contest that i heard that the Oldonians held. Those chauvinistic pigs. Surely a king can find a woman that is not just a trophy wife. But thankfully I think I have found someone who will not treat women as such. I can't say too much now, but I think I have fallen in Love with a special someone. This all I am going to say since this might get into the wrong hands.

[Pitboss Spain]

The poem

"Ganesh, Ganesh the people cried.
Many mighty men for him have died.
The nations stare in humble adoration.
In the brightness of this mighty nation."

[Pitboss Vikings]

The new captain of the Enterprise Captain Picard, continued theri voyage north. the island off the coast of East Razolia was small and contained nothing of interest. After circling the smal lisalnd they headed north again, From all the latest reports from the nations of the world, somewhere north was the lands of the Romans,Russians and Portugese.

Picards missions was to find these nations and to open diplomatic channels for Oldonian merchants to begin trade.

"Farewell to the Eastern Razolia Desert " he said as he stepped abourd the Enterprise one more time.

[Pitboss Vikings]

In SOuthern Oldonia.
--------------------------


the barbs continued to come. Over the Hills and into the fields.

It ws the worst invasion in Oldonian history.

The Archers were the first one taken out, the whole battalion had fortieifed on the hill and despite their specalised training they couldnt hold it.

The Oldonian Axemen had destroyed the rampaging Barb Axemen and the legions of Spearmen, but when they retreated to heal their wounded were attacked from the Right by more Aexemen.

The reinforcements were still not in place. An extra plattoon of Archers arrived in the main citys but the Fields and cottages and most importantly the Paddocks were now exposed.

Oldonia workers were sent into the citys to await what was looming. The destruction of the Paddock would set them back many a year, but provided the city survived the paddock could be rebuilt.

More axemen were running allong the highway south to protect the province. It would expose the North if a mass attack came. but Prince Ragnar IV believed the crisis was in the south not north.

Reports from the Japanese said advancing Greeks and Mayans along the land bridge were forcing the barbs to try and escape north so all of them were now invading the southern peninsula provinces.

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


Eastern Oldonia
--------------------

The newly settled region to the east was officialy opened by ragnars daughter. Princess Anita. With her father and brothers busy with the Southern provinces it was her duty to attend these functions.

The local Wyandot Platoon leader was also invited. The Wyandots Chariots were protecting the route of the Wyandot Highway. The first section had been completed last year linking Central Oldonia to the Eastern River. Now they had doubled the labourers numbers and were building the 2nd stage between Razite Province and Eastern Oldonia.

The opening up of the Eatern Peninsula for settlement had long been planned as a way of easing the over crowding in the Western and Central provinces.

The Highway once completed would mean that Wyandots and Oldoninas could travel from any province to anther in approx a third of the current time. Tourism was a major winner of this highway with the Western Razolia provinces gearing up for the latest season with Dear and Beaver hunting to open soon.

Other benifits of the Highway were the new Central Iron mines would be linked to the export routes and new oppurtunites would arrise for them too. The Oldonian Silver Industry also expected to announce the results of exploratory diggings along the new highway.

With the new business it was hoped the expense of building the citys in th new proivince would be worth it.

Pricness Anita looked over the new facilities which would be home to the resting Wyandot soldiers who needed some R&R from their patrol duties

At present the soldiers and official in this new city outnumbers the citiizens but that owuldnt last long.

the new city had views of both the Great Inland Sea so fishermen could sail from the province back west to Oldonia central, but also it linked via canal to the Great Inland seas and to Southern Oldonia.

The Route of planned highway and the site of the Celebration party in Eastern Oldonia.

Lots of Wyandot Ale was consumed.... Being it is the Best Ale in the Entire World.

[Pitboss Vikings]

Re: Dear Diary

Originally posted by Pitboss Spain
but thankfully it is one of poetry and not a a beauty contest that i heard that the Oldonians held. Those chauvinistic pigs. Surely a king can find a woman that is not just a trophy wife. .

no one ever did ask who was selected.. Perhaps the beuaitful women lost.. !!! or NOT.....

[Pitboss Maya]

Letter to Greece



To: Alexander of Greece
From: Chief Pacal II of Maya

Alexander,

It is unfortunate that Greece, with so much land at it's disposal is not willing to share a single city site with our brothers the Koreans.

Speaking on behalf of the Mayans, I am disappointed that our request for the original land bridge city site was denied.

After careful consideration, the Mayans cannot agree to any sort of defensive pact with the Greeks. Such an arrangement would not benefit the Mayans as we have no enemies now that the Aztecs are no more. Had we been granted the canal site then we would indeed had a military interest in that part of the world.

Keep in mind this decision affects only our military obligations to Greece. We would still like to maintain open boarders and thus open trade. Our plans regarding tech and resources are also still on the table as well.

Please send a runner to Tikal if you change your mind regarding the canal site. More importantly then this city, you should consider the power we would wield if Greece, Korea, and Maya were to forge an alliance. The benefits of such an arrangement would outweigh any benefits derived from a single city many fold.

I am another you.

- Pacal II

[Pitboss Maya]

Letter To The Koreans



To: Sejong of Korea
From: Damoek of Maya

Brother,

Congratulations on taking leadership of Korea!

We have never seen each other, which is a shame. My husband Pacal would also like to meet you.

We have many things to discuss.

On behalf of Pacal and the Mayan people, we welcome you and your court to visit Tikal in the near future for both pleasure and business.

May the blood that binds us also bind our civilizations for many moons to come.

I am another you.

- Damoek

[Pitboss Greece]

Most wise Chief Pacal II,

Unfortunately there apparently have been some misunderstandings between us.
You are under the impression that we did not give some city sites to the Koreans while we did. We have appointed several Spartan city-site locations to the Koreans who have gladly accepted these.

Also can I assure you that we have assigned one of the two canal-spots on the land bridge to you. We did not deny you a spot on the land bridge. As we are speaking my soldiers are securing a spot for you. They make sure that no other tribe will settle there.

We consider the Mayans to be our friends.
Despite your decision to not sign a mutual defence treaty with us will we send our soldiers to your aid if foreign armies try to invade your cities.

Alexander of Sparta

[Pitboss Vikings]

The province war maps....

[Pitboss Japan]

Passing of the first

Jimmu returned back to Japan after his long

travel to the top of Mt. Fuji. Upon his return his advisor,

who was given control over Japan during Jimmu’s

absence, told him for what had happened. He told

Jimmu of the meeting of two nations. And he told him of

the Greek response to his inquiries. Jimmu then called in

a messenger and sent out a letter to Alexander of

Sparta.

He then sent his final orders as emperor to all his

forces. He was 100yrs of age and he knew his time was

coming to an end. He walked the streets of Kyoto taking

in all the sights for the last time. He walked to the great

pyramid and climbed it to the top were he sat and

looked at everything. From the top of the pyramid he

was able to see everything. All the hills and mountains,

he saw his people still sleeping in their beds. He sat

there at the top until the sun arose. He reached his

hands up towards the sun and as he did the warmth of

the sun filled his body. Then a flash of light filled the

sky and he was gone. All that was left was a letter to

the imperial court. According to legend he returned back

to the stars to rejoin his mother and father. He was

said to be the brightest start in the night sky guiding

and watch over his people.

Dear Imperial court,

If you are receiving this then I have already rejoined

the universe. Do not morn my passing for I have lived

the life I wanted. It is now time for the young to take

over. I leave my youngest son Suizei to be your new

emperor. Even for his young age he is both wise and

strong. He will lead Japan to the future I have always

wanted for Japan. It was my life’s honor to live and

serve you all.

To my son always remember what I have taught you.

You are the best of me and I know you will become a

better emperor then I ever was. Just trust in yourself

and if you ever need me just look up in the night sky

and look for the brightest star. That start will always

guide you to the right path as long as you have the

courage to follow it. Good bye my son we will meet

again.

Jimmu will now and forever be known as the Greatest

Emperor to ever have lived. May his teachings bring a

new light to a world darkened by his loss.

[Pitboss Vikings]

Prince Ragnor IV received word of the passing of the Japanese emporer and did announce a day of celebration across Oldonia.

He knew the Japanese Emporer had gone on to a higher place and in the custom of his people a celebration was had not a mourning.

Ragnor was aging himself 84 at the time of Jimmus passing.

He knew soon he himself would be walking with the Great One in that other place.

[Pitboss Maya]

Apocalypto and the Saga of Mel Gibson

The Prophecy of Kukulkan

Soon after it's conception, Taoism became a powerful force in daily Mayan life.

In Tikal, Pacal II often held ceremonies fueled by the scared mushroom. Aztecs were kidnapped from the surrounding jungle and sacrificed to the gods of old, namely Uh the god of dark, K'in the god of light, and Kukulkan the creator who kept the other two from killing each other. These were bloody affairs deeply rooted in ancient Mayan culture.

The struggle for the minds of the people continued for years, and for the most part was simply a matter of where one lived. Over time Xuruto gained much favor in Palenque, perhaps even more then Pacal himself.

The bid for power the Elders made years ago fell flat when Pacal embraced the religion and sharing it with the people. This however did not stop Xuruto and the Elders from planning their next coup.

It was decided that to gain control of the people, the Elders would need the help of Kukulkan himself. So that is exactly what they arranged.

The Elders had an incredible understanding of the celestial bodies and their movements. This was in part from living on top of the natural observatory known as the Oracle, and in part from wisdom granted from the mushroom. It was discovered that in a years time the moon would pass directly between the sun and the earth, and that this rare event would take place during Pacal's annual Kukulkan ceremony.

A epiphany such as this could not be ignored. The Elders immediately started devising an elaborate plot to exploit such knowledge.

Xuruto began preaching that Kukulkan would return to earth soon. This bold statement spread like wildfire throughout Maya, and eventually made it's way to the suspicious ears of Pacal. Xuruto called the event "Apocalypto", meaning "the unveiling and renewal". Pacal dismissed such talk as the intoxicated ramblings of an old man.

The people begged for more information. What would happen? What did they need to do to prepare?

Xuruto proclaimed that when Kukulkan descended to earth, he would take the body of a common man and that his life would be in grave danger from a "deceiver" upon entering the body. Another indicator would be that with no one to keep them at bay, Uh and K'in would fight and one would conquer the other. This mystical insight was the only information Xuruto would give, although he made a point to repeat it often. Followers of Taoism in both Palenque and Tikal kept their eyes open for this prophecy to take place, although most were not sure exactly what they were looking for.

A year passed, and preparations for the Kukulkan ceremony began, including the kidnapping of the sacrifices...

[OzzyKP]

So it began.

In the 6th hour of the 6th day of the 6th month, the conspirators put their plan in motion. Bonham, Dio, Mustaine and Darrell led soldiers loyal to them into the homes of their rivals – Robert Plant, Ozzy the Bateater, James Hetfield, and Phil Anselmo. They dispatched their guards and burst upon their still sleeping foes. They arrested the King and his three loyal governors on charges of treason against their people and their nation. It was agreed beforehand – at Mustaine’s insistence that the four not be killed. He said many were still popular, and their deaths would inflame the public against them. He suggested a show-trial would convince the people of their guilt and secure power for the new administration.

Secretly Mustaine still had doubts about the plan and wanted to keep the old guard around in case the plan went awry.

Pantera was secured easily. Despite being the furthest away from the Holy Romans, the people of Pantera were the most militant and welcomed an opportunity to exact justice on their eternal eastern enemy. General Darrell marched his army north to help Ronnie James Dio pacify the people of Black Sabbath. Ozzy the Bateater was wildly popular with the people, but less so with the leadership of Black Sabbath. His ancient compatriots, Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, and Bill Ward were tired of Ozzy and his lack of focus and so colluded with the rebels to bring Dio to power. There was little conventional resistance to the take over in the capitol, but a guerrilla movement began. The insurgency was led by a young Sabbathean, Randy Rhodes. He sought to disrupt the stability of the city while remaining in the shadows at all times. He called this strategy the “quiet riot”.


The coup was more difficult in the east. General Jimmy Page brought the full force of his army against General Bonham in the first full confrontation of the civil war. The fighting was fierce, but General Bonham won handily. He did not achieve total victory however. Much of Page’s army retreated through the dense forests south of Led Zeppelin. General Bonham faced a tough decision. Pursue his enemy through the easily defendable forests or strike east against his true objective – the Holy Romans? He knew General Page would head south to Metallica and hoped Mustaine was up to the challenge. Bonham was informed by scouts that the city of Prague was lightly defended. Holy Roman forces were being sent south to deal with barbarian incursions. Now was the time to strike. He set off to the east. The coup would have to depend on Mustaine for victory...

Fighting in Metallica was the fiercest of the war. Metallica was a center of loyalist sentiment. Mustaine was a skilled axe man, but not a beloved leader. His capture of Hetfield was successful, but a prominent fishing magnate (a bassist) Ron McGovney organized the loyalist forces – the Metal Militia – against Mustaine. While word from the other cities traveled slow, McGovney assumed Mustaine couldn’t be alone and was fearful of what was happening in other cities. He assumed help wouldn’t come from elsewhere. The people of Metallica were alone. McGovney was determined to resist at all costs.

The people were largely supportive of the Ozzy regime and governor Hetfield so McGovney decided to bring his troops in close to the city. Using the people to his advantage was the best way, he felt, to counter the military advantages of Mustaine’s axes. He engaged the rebels in house-to-house fighting. His troops used the city population as cover. Making hit and run attacks on squads of Mustaine’s troops the metal militia quickly disappeared into homes and attics in the city.

The rebels troops grew frustrated and began burning houses, executing civilians and engaging in other harsh counter-insurgency tactics. Many died in the chaos and reprisals. Both sides continued to escalate the brutality, but it was Mustaine who first extended the olive branch. Through intermediaries Mustaine organized a meeting with McGovney.

The two men sat down under tense conditions.

Mustaine spoke first, “I never wanted this. This... this death. This misery. This chaos.”

“Then end it.”

“I can’t,” replied Mustaine, “If I surrender then your men will kill me. If I flee then my co-conspirators will kill me. I am set to this course.”

“Then why did you call me here?” asked McGovney, “What do you want”

“I want to end the carnage. I want to offer you and your men safe passage out of the city.”

“Why, so we can meet our end from your allies?”

“No,” said Mustaine, “So you can flee to the east. To the Holy Romans. They will give you safety. General Bonham intends to invade Prague. They will gladly aid the enemy of their enemy.”

“I will not simply flee and leave this city in your hands,” replied McGovney. “As long as your unjust rule continues I will fight you. In the streets, in the alleys, in the fields, I will fight.”

“Then spare the civilians. This is not their fight. They did not ask to be exposed to such carnage. Women, children, old men, they should not be poisoned by this conflict. They should not be used as human shields for our fight. Lead them to safety.”

McGovney was taken back by the compassion of his enemy. “I... I can’t leave my city.... but if we have a momentary truce, I will put top men on leading civilians to the east. Th.. Thank you. But I promise you, our fight is not over. My resistance continues.”

“I understand. You must do what you must. As will I.”

“You will just let me walk out of here?” asked McGovney “After swearing my intention to continue the battle against you?”

“Yes. You are free to go. I am no butcher.”

And so Ron McGovney left and returned to his troops. He organized women, children, the infirm, and other volunteers to head east to safety in Holy Roman lands. McGovney stayed behind and continued to fight Mustaine’s occupying force, but he had gained a new respect for his opponent. After all his crimes, Mustaine was an honorable man.

The civil war continued.