Beyond the Pit [Pitboss Diplomacy Game] [Story Thread] . PART 4 (November)

[Pitboss Rome]

To: The Senate and People of Rome
From: King Marco

Thank you for recognizing our claims towards New Portugal. The whole of Portugal cheers your support. Romans are more than welcome to visit the new Portuguese province aboard the second wave of expedition ships.

Marco Ruler of all of Portugal

King Marco, rightful ruler of New Portugal.

We thank you for your invitation for Romans to come to New Portugal. Sadly, however, we Romans have never been great sea-goers. While Praetorians never confess to any fear, it is notable that even the row-boats on the great river Tiber have few takers.

Our priests suggest that the true gods have raised up the Portugese people to bring civilisation to the distant islands and continuents. We rejoice to see you fulfilling this destiny, as we ourselves strive to bring civilisation to wildness closer to home.

The Senate and People of Rome.

[Pitboss Khmer]

Originally posted by Pitboss Portugal
Greetings mightily Ganesh, ruler of the mightiest empire.

It has come to my attention that you have signed open borders with the Russian Merchants in the south east.

What has changed since your last statement Ganesh?

The Russians haven’t explored much territory and yet you sign open borders with them. Have you notified the Russians of the greater benefits to your homeland that you would have. I hope that you are fair to them, as you have been to others.

We will be grateful if you can clarify your change of foreign policies.

Thank you.

Marco

it seem marco try make mischief with khmer new friend of russia.

it seem you hurt from our reject of long ago. it unfair to all world if khmer and portugal had make open border. khmer would love open border with portugal but ganesh err on side of fair play.

if you must have khmer secret ganesh say it now since you highlight to world a blemish on pride of khmer.

khmer have paper technology next year (turn) and aim to help non super power nations by create large foreign trade routes. this is russia and maybe more of your neigbour but not portugal or rome as super powers.

all khmer neighbour on continent of meduian have open border except big powers of spain and stinkers.

marco, you now understand khmer philosophy?

please, if language problem of tongue say so.

[Pitboss Persia]

To : The Senate of Rome
From : Emperor Asiz of the Piercian Empire

Greetings Senators,

I have just recieved word from your legions. The messenger however was either unable or unwilling to explain what you want me to do, or what the settlement in the south of Meeting has been placed for.

Do you wish me to grant you military assistance in defeating the barbarians that have settled the southern tip of the peninsula ? Keeping the huts they have built without consideration of the surrounding area probably isn't exactly what I would have in mind. So if you wish to destroy them, burn their houses down. Piercian settlers will found a settlement on their own, in an approriate location.

Have you built your latest settlement for my Empire, thereby starting to pay the debts of yours ? I'd rather you send me settlers and workers as agreed.

Please clarify what your messenger failed to explain.


Emperor Asiz of the Piercian Empire

[Pitboss Khmer]

Re: 2 days later....

Originally posted by Pitboss Portugal
In the name of King Marco and Queen Isabella I claim this land as Portuguese and Spanish domain. It will be known onward as New Portugal.

tiding again great marco.

ganesh congratulate great discovery but do not understand concept of 'claim'.

it a foreign idea to khmer.

it may be much size of new land and map posted will help other nation before blind recognition of potential vast 'claim' you say.

khmer only recognise land used by cities but have historic understanding and negotiating with meduian nighbour on agree borders. so concept of 'claim' maybe different here. khmer style.

great tiding and it truly a great portuguese journey.

[Pitboss Korea]

...the K.S.S. Sinjeong continued along its journey after braving the dangerous Gobi desert. The men were demoralized after this crushing defeat which cost them not only their morale but also a great deal of their provisions for their long voyage, food and wine had to be rationed. The adventure these men were on soon changed to a harrowing journey, the accomplishments of passing the Great Mountains turned to indescribable tragedy and nobody felt it more than General Han Gong. His mind was constantly playing tricks on him, in the void that was the great sea he had many visions; he claimed to have seen monsters, volcanoes, and enemy pirates. Kim Jong-seo feared his commander was slowly going insane. Fears of an assassination plot were quickly replaced in the mind of General Han Gong, with fears of mutiny.

Meanwhile the Imperial Foreign Minister, Hae Mosu, continued his journey through the Mayan Kingdom. The Foreign Minister was predisposed to suspicions about his rivals, but in the Mayan Kingdom he had a much more accute sense of it. He had felt disrespected previously by the Mayan court, and he didn't think too well of King Mel Gibson (who he had yet to meet). He hated to admit it, but he wanted nothing more than to see General Han Gong (who he thuroughly disliked) so he could finally leave.

The Sugar-Cane Islands...

After many more weeks upon the open seas an island came into view, and unlike the great Gobi deserts of the East this island seemed lush and fertile. The crew of the ship was ecstatic: finally they'd get more food, and a soft place to sleep (even if it was a beach). This time all of the ship's men would embark upon the island, if any were to die they were all to die; nobody could stand another tragedy like the one in the Gobi deserts.

Here is an excerpt from Kim Jong-seo's journal:

Finally we have reached new lands, and this time they are fertile and hospitable. The memory of the Mongolian hordes has been exacerbated by a lack of food, wine and incation. Our men do nothing but recount the bloody horrors of those days, as the memories of their homeland fades into obscurity. The ocean may be calm, and may soothe the mind of a small child at the beach, but when you ride upon it for days on end with nothing but the void to see you begin to lose your bearings. Such is the plight of General Han Gong, a normally heroic figure. This man was the hero of the Aztec wars, and now he slips slowly into madness. I hope the solid earth of this island, and the cool swaying breeze can assuage his demons. There are great amounts of sustinence here, wild and delicious fruits, and sugar-cane to make rum out of (this in particular has changed the attitude of our crew). There are no natives, which is a welcoming fact, although the men grow weary of lonely nights at sea. There are times I think only the idea of half-naked Mayan women keep them from ravaging one another.

All jokes aside we have successfully mapped the surrounding areas and have realized the virutal insignificance of Korea in the world. This makes me wonder what great mysteries lie in the great beyond. Legends of the mighty Romans, the steadfast Piercians, the wise Portugese and hearty Russians fill my mind and while we have experienced great setbacks I often wonder what glories will become our own, and what stories we will return to Korea with for our great Emperor Sejong. Despite this I do miss home, I wonder what has become of Korea since we have left, it hasn't been long but when you are left upon the open seas your mind will wander, and your thoughts will carry yu into strange places. The entire crew looks fowards to arrival in Mutal, so we can send letters to our families to tell them we are well (and letters to those of our fallen, to put their minds at peace), and that we will one day return with great riches and stories of foreign lands, and our exploits in them. My time here in the Sugar-Cane Islands makes me long for Korean soil more, and I fear I shall make a fool of my self upon arrival! Kissing the ground like an awe-struck farmer's daughter!

The stop at the "Sugar-Cane Island" (the name the crew gave it) renewed their vigor, but rumors of General Han Gong's growing insanity began to spread among the crew. Perhaps his own mistrusts have grown to be a self-fufilling prophecy. But a new challenge would arise that would not only create a new comradery among the crew, but would also remind the men (and more importantly Han Gong himself) of their General's legendary character and bravery...

The Estherian Pirates...

Weeks after the ship left from Sugar-Cane Island they reached the coastline of Mayan territory; the Mayan jungles were dense and no evidence of their Mayan friends were seen. The great jungles of the Mayan lands were legendary but now the crew saw for themselves the mysterious lands of their northern allies. The crew decided it was best to stay upon the ship as they would soon be in the port of Mutal, and then a ship was spotted in the distance...

"General!" Kim Jong-seo said, bursting into Han Gong's chambers. The General looked haggard and aged, his beard unkempt, he sat sulking in a chair with a half-bottle of rum sitting next to him, his papers strewn about his desk, he stared blankly at the wall before him. "General, we have spotted a ship not far from ours, it is headed this way!"

The General slowly turned to him "Whose flag flies above it?"

"It is unknown sir, it is a black flag with a sword upon it, perhaps they are pirates sir." Kim replied, approaching his General.

"Ugh" the General grunted, standing to his feet and stretching "We shall prepare to speak with their captain..." the General's mind seemed out of sorts.

"The Island of Cozumel is not far from here, perhaps they come from that island. I have heard stories of it from the Mayans, it is a disputed land. Both the Maya and Piercians claim it for their own." Kim explained.

"I know Kim, I know about Cozumel," the General said, clumsily putting on his armor, the two men left his chambers to the main deck of the ship. All of the sudden an arrow landed into the hull of the ship. "So much for talking..."



...the pirates gave no opportunity for discussion, and it was apparent their only goal was to take the Korean ship. The Estherian pirates did hail from the island of Cozumel (the Piericans called it Esther's Island), and were a motley crew of primarily Roman and Piercian criminals (although it was a diverse crew, there are Wyandots and Mayans among their numbers) who have taken to the seas in search of fame, fortune, and of course easy plunder.

General Han Gong quickly forgot about his problems, he was intent on winning this battle, "We need to get 'round them, and ram their hull!" he said, a giant iron statue of Sinjeong herself was affixed to the front of the ship.

"But General, we can't do that, it is a statue of Sinjeong!" Kim Jong-seo said, "It would be an insult to the Emperor!"

Arrows flew to and fro, catching multiple victims. The Pirates were clearly intent on boarding the ship rather than destroying it, probably the only saving grace of the K.S.S. Sinjeong.

"A greater insult would be to die here in the seas, never returning to our Emperor, and never arriving in Mutal. We must turn this thing!"

A roped-hook (more of a claw) caught the edge of the ship, and attempted to pull it in. The entire pirate crew ran up to the rope and began to pull, the general quickly ordered his archers to fire upon these men, he knew they had to get enough distance to build up speed in order to destroy the pirate ship...

...the Estherian pirates attempted to destroy our voyage before it was half-way through. In a great sign of desperation we used the bronze statue of Sinjeong at the tip of our vessel as a battering ram. Slamming into their hull we brought down the pirate ship but our crew was badly wounded and our ship in tatters from their endless barrage of claws. It was clear they wanted to take our ship for their own, possibly to use it in order to sail peacefully into foreign ports and take them by surprise. Our crew stood brave, and I have never been this proud since our victory over the Aztecs. With renewed vigor we sail to Mutal to meet with Minister Hae Mosu. From there we shall again brave the oceans in search of Piercia, but in the interim the respite will be greatly appreciated, and deserved, by our brave sailors.

I can only say that this has shown me the benefits of establishing a strong and swift naval force. And proves to me that we must pursue advances in naval technology. Command of the oceans could mean a great deal of power for our tiny nation, as the land surrounding us is quickly evaporating, the great seas offer an astounding amount of future benefits and undescribable wonders. When we return to Mutal I shall send personal correspondence to the Emperor himself, explaining to him the virtues of naval discovery. One thing I am considering is a method to get the jump on our enemies. Our attempt to ram the hull of an enemy ship will be made much easier if we could see the enemy's intentions from a great distance. And while consuming rum in my office I noticed something interesting caused by the curvature of the bottom of the bottle...

"General" Kim Jong-seo said, watching the estherian pirates drown in the vast oceans "Fantastic job, I am honored to see you in action."

The General calmly watched the fruits of his labor, "I thank you Colonel, it is greatly appreciated." the General said.

"We are going to have to repair the ship, if the ocean gets too choppy I fear we will not be able to finish our voyage." Kim replied.

The General nodded "Yes, perhaps we shall make landfall, these jungles should be safe for now, as they are the domain of our Mayan friends."

"Very good sir, I shall tell the men," Kim said, he almost left, but turned back for one last thing, "You are a brave commander Han Gong, it is no wonder Sejong chose you to command such a great mission, I know no other General who could have handled this endeavor. I even doubt General Shin Sung himself has such mettle that you have displayed..."


NEXT, Part III: The Port of Mutal, Meeting and the Buddhists of Piercia!

[Pitboss Persia]

Meeting the Korean

Au-R'On smiled, "The Greeks did say you have such excellent food... please general, show us the way. We will follow you. We may talk on our way. Shas'La ! I need a mount for your host."

The young Piercian soldier came back quickly with a suitable horse, offering it to Shin Sung. " I thank you Au-R'On. I will lead you to Seoul." Well, he didn't seem to care about your lack of diplomatic skills. Just don't mix those ranks up and you'll be fine... he thought to himself.

The Aun'El approached Au-R'On, speaking quietly to him. " This is a man of your kind, Shas'O. You may gain his trust where I would fail to do so. I scare him, and at the same time, he doesn't care about me. I will handle the talkings with the monks and their Emperor, but you are obviously the fittest for this one."

" As you wish, Aun'El. But I don't need your skills for recognizing a warrior when I see one. I will back up his men with mine as soon as we have escorted you to Seoul. I will leave Shas'Vre Ta'Ran and his squad for your personal protection and trust the Korean for not trying to get you in trouble. They seem to be honorable people, I will gladly fight on their side."

She fell back, nodding. That Korean... did he notice ? He has to bee a skilled warrior on the field. Not easily surprised or watched. Priestess is a curious word for what I am. I hope the monks of Bu-D'Ha won't mind. Will this lands grant me what I came for ?

The General and the Shas'O spoke alot about the Aztecs. Au-R'On told the general about the city he had seen while landing on the Korean shore.

" You are brave people, Koreans, to stand against the Aztecs. As far as i could tell, they looked as dangerous as unorganized. Their stronghold on the shore won't be easy to capture. The lands between it and your city are flat through, and they have to get out of cover if they want to attack. I will take my men to the jungle in the south of the river once the Aun'El will be safe in Seoul. I will trust your people, and leave only a minimal guard squad with her."

" I have led many assaults and defensive strikes against the Aztecs already Shas'O, and they are a contant plague, even if no real threat. Your men are welcome to join the fight through. And don't you worry about the woman, we have women to be protected too, so your men should not have a too hard job with keeping her safe, especially if she is a guest of my Emperor. Why have you come with so many men ? My men thought you were an invading force when they saw your army."

" You know as well as me that barbarian hordes are no rare thing out here. My Emperor suggested that we may offer assistance in a fight we don't have to wage in our own lands."

"Have you defeated all barbarians in Piercia ?" Shin Sung asked astonished.

" Not directly, General, my homelands are protected by a massive wall streching all around our borders. They simply can't come in. Young Shas'La often serve on the Fio'Shi, or "victory of the earth", that's how we call the Great Wall, at the beginning of their path. Fio'Shi is constantly maintenanced and expanded as our Empire grows. The Fio, or earth caste, is the one that build the torches that light the Shas, or fire caste. The Por, or water caste is the one that grows the wood that the Fio make torches from. The Kor, or air caste, is the one that allows the Shas to breathe, and brings the smoke that the Shas casts to our ennemies. This is how our caste system works."

" I am not familiar with your customs, but did I get it right when I understood that the Aun is a caste too ?"

" You are correct, Shin Sung. The Aun, or etherial caste, is the one of our leaders and priests. Without the Aun, the fire would burn the torch down until it reaches the water and extinguishes, leaving the wind with nothing to carry anymore. The Aun unifies our forces in harmony and if got it right, the Aun'El comes here in search for the wisdom of the one you call Bu-D'Ha."

"You want our monks to educate your woman ? I think this may be done. It's unusual however to teach true wisdom to women in Korea. But as I said, since my Emperor is very curious about foreign culture, he may introduce her to the Lama."

"Then we shall be able to fight side by side, General. I am looking forward to it."

[Pitboss Vikings]

Word arrived from Gateway province governor that a Korean army had been spotted in the southern Jungles.

King Ian was puzzled that they hadnt contacted him to organsie a large feast. The Koreans were friends and they should be treated with great respect.

King Ian sent his offical greeters to seek out he Korean Army and speak to them, a feast was planned in the Capital of the Gateway province.

All Governors were invited and the whole royal court too.

Greetings to the leader of the Korean army.

We hope you and your men are well after travelling so far. We do hereby invite you to the province of Gateway and to attend with all your officeers a feaast in honour of this occasion.

Please feel welcome in our lands. You may come and go as you choose freely.

King Ian

[Pitboss Portugal]

To: Ganesh
From: Marco

Because it seems that Khmer doesn’t wants to have anything to do with Portugal, please Ganesh refrain from contacting us from now on. After all your increased intelligence on my Kingdom is enough for you to know what is going on. If in the future you are interested to resume friendly talks, you are more than welcome to contact us.

Thank you

The King of Portugal

[Pitboss Celts]

Originally posted by Pitboss Portugal
To: Ganesh
From: Marco

Because it seems that Khmer doesn’t wants to have anything to do with Portugal, please Ganesh refrain from contacting us from now on. After all your increased intelligence on my Kingdom is enough for you to know what is going on. If in the future you are interested to resume friendly talks, you are more than welcome to contact us.

Thank you

The King of Portugal

How can they contact you with friendly talks if they are to refrain from contact from now on?

[Pitboss Celts]

At long last, the representatives to Queen Isabella's wedding arrived in Spain. It was very unfortunate that we were unable to attend the ceremony. However, as a wedding gift, the Celtic people bring wheat for the queen. In Celtic tradition, wheat is given for fertility. May you have many heirs to the kingdom.

[Pitboss Celts]

A group of Celtic axemen are roaming across the land looking for the Hastings conference. They have made it to HRE's territory but have yet to find a city called Hastings or Meeting. I fear our representative has missed the whole thing because of a giant bay which caused the axemen to lose many years of travel.

[Pitboss Portugal]

How can they contact you with friendly talks if they are to refrain from contact from now on?

I apologies for the confusion. What i ment was once they have changed their embargo attitude towards us we can resume talks.

[Pitboss Portugal]

Messenger

Greetings my King, I bring news from the outside world.

King Marco

Tell me!

Messenger

The distant civilization of Khmer request that we share our maps of discoveries, so they can see New Portugal before they can recognize our claims.

King Marco

I have never asked the Khmerian people to recognize New Portugal. I do not need to.

All who are interested in discovering new lands like us are more then welcome to invest in researching their own sea faring ship technologies and seek lands. Portugal was the first to do so and only now starting to see results.

Messenger

They fear that we are claiming all the land that we have found.

King Marco

Interesting, what is there to fear these Khmerians have a lot of land with much riches. Unlike them Portugal isn’t so lucky, that is why we are out there looking for a land. We will share the fruits of our explorations with only civilizations in need and friends.

Messenger

What should I tell them my Lord?

King Marco

Well we can’t send them a message their borders are closed for Portuguese. Maybe try sending a letter through the Russ Merchants in the south east. Tell them that Portugal has the full right to settle new lands. Unlike the Maya Piercian crisis about that southern island. Portugal is the first to step on New Portugal, we have the full right to be here and settle these wondrous lands.

[Pitboss Rome]

To : The Senate of Rome
From : Emperor Asiz of the Piercian Empire

Greetings Senators,

I have just recieved word from your legions. The messenger however was either unable or unwilling to explain what you want me to do, or what the settlement in the south of Meeting has been placed for.

Do you wish me to grant you military assistance in defeating the barbarians that have settled the southern tip of the peninsula ? Keeping the huts they have built without consideration of the surrounding area probably isn't exactly what I would have in mind. So if you wish to destroy them, burn their houses down. Piercian settlers will found a settlement on their own, in an approriate location.

Have you built your latest settlement for my Empire, thereby starting to pay the debts of yours ? I'd rather you send me settlers and workers as agreed.

Please clarify what your messenger failed to explain.


Emperor Asiz of the Piercian Empire

Great Emperor Asiz, Friend of the Roman People,

The Senate and People of Rome sends greetings.

Regarding the messenger. This message was sent by Corneilus commander of the 12th legion purely as a matter of curtesy, because he knew of your interest in the Southern Tip and because of the possible impact of this Barbarian city on your own city of Meeting.

We do not believe that this barbarian city changes any of our agreements. Our new city of Tarentum south-east of Meeting has been placed in accordance with the border negotiated between us and is to be a Roman city. As you know we agreed that we would not settle the Southern Tip. The fact that there is in fact a barbarian city there is perhaps inconveniant for both of us, but we don't feel it changes our argeements.

Regarding settlers, the very moment we signed the treaty between our nations we began the process of attracting settlers and contruct their necessary provisions and equipment in Rome. This obviously takes a little time, but it is fully underway.

Tribune Hieronymus

[Pitboss Khmer]

it great moment for all meduian.

a meeting of map with sparta transform world understanding. quickly with this map exchange as khmer learn paper technology it spread to all other nation of meduian.

all now see the greatness of the two world continents.

but what of third continent. can russia or sparta tell marco of khmer policies and culture.

first. as sparta understand khmer will not have open border with any of top three nation as accord to world score. if sparta sustain 3rd place open border is close. they graciously understand khmer attitude on this. ganesh ask same of rome.

it also current khmer policy to not recognise unsettled land as 'claimed'.

is it crime to have own culture and ideas that diplomacy cease?