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

[Pitboss Greece]

Short history of Sparta:

- First the cities of Athens, Sparta and Corinth were being founded in the south-west area of the Continent.

- During the Mayan-Korean wars the city states of Sparta were divided on whom to support.

- Athens and Corinth sent support to Korea, Sparta sent support to the Maya

- The Spartan army was lead by Lacedaemon who defended the horse-pass against a Korean army, lead by General Bea.

- Lacedaemon and Bea made peace and became friends.

- The Spartan army and the Athenian/Corinthian armies met when Lacedaemon went back to Sparta to end the rule of the evil leaders of Sparta. Both armies agreed to merge and fight their rulers instead of each other.

- Back at Sparta Lacedaemon faced his city under heavy siege by both Corinth and Athens. Lacedaemon and his combined army intervened and ended the wars between the Greek city states. Lacedaemon became ruler over the new nation of Sparta. Athens and Corinth were recognized as city states with special authority.

- When Lacedaemon died he was succeeded by Menalaus. Menelaus' terrible diplomatic skills made his short reign be affected by bad relations with both the Piercians and the Oldonians.

- Menelaus was killed by one of the descendants of one of the Oldonians he had abused and murdered.

- Alexander the Wise succeeded Menelaus as the new leader of Sparta. Under his rule many new cities were founded and the Spartan territory was expanded.

- When Alexander died during a slave revolt his son, Alcetas, became king in his place, establishing the heredity rule of Sparta.

- Alcetas eased the pain of the slaves by ending slavery and installing caste system as a compromise between the slaves and the slave holders.

- Alcetas was one of the best rulers of Sparta, in line with Lacedaemon and Alexander. Under his rule Sparta became known as one of the three brightest nations on earth.

- During Alcetas rule the relations between Rome and Sparta became very bad.

- Alcetas died when his son, Aeropus, was lost in the Mayan lands. He was there fore succeeded by his brother, Perdiccas.

- At the end of Perdiccas life Sparta's kingdom was under fire. The bastard son of Perdiccas, Archelaus, claims to be the next king. The true heir of Alexander and Alcetas, Aeropus, is still lost.

- In the meanwhile there's still war with Rome. Sparta's friends, Portugal and Maya, are in a conflict. The relations with Korea are bad and the Oldonian nation is in anarchy. Only the age old relations with Japan are good.

It is up to the new King of Sparta, whomever that may be, to lead Sparta through these times of trouble into a new future.
Will this king be able to restore relations with Rome, and if he will, at which price? Or will the new King rule Sparta by force and strength?

The most important question being raised by all Spartans is: "Where is Aeropus?"
This question is asked to the Mayans and all nations on earth.
And if Aeropus will be found, will he be able to withstand his nephew Archelaus? Some say that Archelaus is on a mission to kill Aeropus. Others claim that Archelaus wants to find his nephew to lead Sparta into a bright future together.

[Pitboss Greece]

[Pitboss Japan]

So much to address so let me first address the Romans. We have made it clear we do not like you so what makes you think we would believe anything you say? I know you fear the Piercians but don’t try to soil their good name to make some point that doesn’t exist. It would be better in you just admit your fight with Russia was purely out of greed and nothing more. Don’t try to play innocent when truth is that all of this is your own fault. Besides who wants to fight a nation with such attractive women?

What the Mayans have done is unacceptable yet understandable. If I were an aggressive barbarian nation who was bent on stopping a larger nation from expanding to a new land before I could settle I would do the same. So I understand completely but still it is unacceptable. Attacking an unarmed ship with civilians is unacceptable even for my standards. At the same time though I must point out that My words mean very little in the minds of the larger nations and though I now have the ability to mass produce samurai every other turn from my capital it would be completely useless because the Mayans are in fact good friends with the Koreans and I am sure if I try to send troops the Koreans will not allow me through their lands so it would be pointless for me to even try. I do wish you luck in you efforts to regaining your tech and payment from your loss but I think it highly unlikely the Mayans would be so diplomatic about this.

Sparta, from what our scouts have told me your Aeropus has been seen near the Mayan border. One of my ninja was returning from his mission to assassinate the barbarian Gibson and saw him with others. I cannot tell you more for my ninja had little time to stop and see exactly what was going on.

Emperor Ieyasu Tokugawa

[Pitboss Portugal]

To Piercia, Russ and Rome.

As the mediator in this crisis it is my duty to not side with anyone. We are neutral and unbiased. I believe by staying like that we can judge the mater clearly and act fairly.

Rome:

I thank you for going back to your senate to try and find a compromise. Please publically update us what is Rome’s decision.

Piercia:

You have misunderstood us; Portugal role is to see that both parties come to a peaceful understanding. We are not pushing any ruling; we only are trying to make this process as easier as possible. As the mediator we only listen and try to steer both of you to the right path, nothing more. Now I ask you with much respect that you wait for Rome to make his counter offer and publically answer him.

Russia:

Thank you for the letter. Portugal is working hard to find a solution to this crisis. As you can see Rome may be willing to return the city and drop is demand for Old M. Still from what I see and understand they want something in return, we have to hear what they have to say.

You talk about reparations, please give us details.

All sides should lay their cards on the table, so we all know what is there to play with.


Also to the three civilizations, remember no one has won or lost this war. We are trying to find solutions to your problems and reasons to not go to war.

Henry

[Pitboss Rome]

“If they want war, let’s give them war Tribune”, General Constantine shouted.

‘Please, lets consider this carefully Senators’, interjected Tribune Hieronymus. These are important matters, not just for ourselves, but for many other nations too. General can you give the Senate a briefing on the military situation’

‘Tribune, this is our latest report from our intelligence officers:

The Russian forces are deployed as follows:

Outside of New Mediolaneum – one battalion of axmen
Defending Ormk – one battalion of warriors in the city, one battalion of axmen in the passes.
Defending Kiev – one battalion of axmen, two regiments of archers, one troop of war elephants.

They must have further forces in depth. If would be prudent to assume at least further 4-6 battalions of troops of elephants. Our intelligence officers also suggest it would be prudent to anticipate that the would be supplied with more modern technology if war were to break out. On the other hand the Rus people are exhausted, it seems unlikely that they have many more men to conscript.

The Piecian forces at Meeting number:

Two battalions of macemen
One regiment of crossbowmen
One regiment of Longbowmen
And one battalion of pikemen.

We presume that they must be holding their main forces in reserve. Perhaps 6-8 troops of knights.

“And our forces General?”

“At Meeting our Western Standing Army outnumbers the Piercians about two to one. Our new forces which have been gathered these last years, would certainly match what we expect the Piericans are holding in reserve.

In the East

At the front line about eight battalions of macemen, praetorians and axmen, a similar number of spearmen, and a similar number of crossbowmen, longbowmen and archers.

Plus our new forces, plus the marines.”

“But what of new discoveries?”

“Yes tribune. The Piercian knights are powerful, and we have to expect that some may be shipped to the Rus. However, our new Pikeman can easily resist them. At the same time the Trebuchets which are near completion, will easily cut through the walls of Meeting and Kiev. And Tribune, do not worry that we have not yet upgraded our spearman and archers with the new technology. The funds and equipment are there, for when it is needed.”

“What of military production?”

“Our central five cities will produce a crossbowman, a pikeman and a trebuchant ever two years; others can contribute if we ask them. We have no clear assessment of the Piercian production machine but we fully anticipate ours outmatches both the Piercians and Rus together.”

“Good so what is your assessment General?”

“It is difficult to be completely clear. If attacked, in the East we could proceed along a broad front by land and sea. They will resist fiercely and then collapse. In the West if the Piercians have amassed a sensible number of Knights, we anticipate a hard battle to begin with, probably the loss of at least one frontier city, before we will win the war of attrition and storm Meeting’.

“Thank you General. Most helpful. However, we still wish to find peace”. Grumbling. “Yes General we do. Now Senator Aetius, you have been working on a final peace proposal, can you present this now”

“yes Tribune …” and the Senator began.

[Pitboss Portugal]

From The Patriarch of the Jewish religion:

Piercian and Roman bothers, it hurts me to watch and see what is going one in the south. Both of you have been friends for too long, you have been brothers in faith for many centuries.

I plead with you to reason and return to normality.

[Pitboss Portugal]

To the Romans:

We ask kindly if you can restructure and hire some more postal workers. Seems that you are having difficulties processing daily mail.

Postal Master of Korecom.

[Pitboss Rome]

"sort it" growled the Tribune. "At this moment in time, with so many messenger from across the world in Rome, put someone more competent in charge of the Senate's mail."

"It is done, Tribune"

[Pitboss Korea]

Emperor Sejong decided that since he now had an heir, he would establish his lineage's dominance over all of Korea. The nobility would now have to pledge fealty to the Emperor, and no longer would local warlords control the military. In fact Sejong wanted to refurbish the Korean army from bands of locally-run armies to a standing Imperial army. No man would serve in his own country to prevent uprisings, and new Generals would be appointed to different garrisons. While this would anger the military elite (particularly Generals Jumong and Han Gong who were away on political business, and had no idea this had been done) it would bolster the position of Sejong and weaken the local nobles and warlords who, to this point, ruled Korea. This was a major departure from normal Korean culture. Each kingdom was to pledge its loyalty to the Supreme King of Silla, even the title of Warlord of Pyongyang was stripped of its authority and now remanded to a ceremonial position (although Sejong maintained this title). Despite this much good had been done, and the people loved Sejong, he built new barracks for the troops in each city so they would no longer hang around in the streets of the city, where they were often accused of harassing the women of the various villiages of Korea. He also built libraries in many cities and had comissioned the construction of libraries in every Korean city as education would be a hallmark. Finally he built statue commemorating Bae Hyeongyeong, Jeong Jung-bu, and Lacadaemon of Sparta (as a nudge to the Spartans, with whom he had a falling out) at the beach of Moai in Seoul. The workers brought in for this great project increased the production of the capital city, and rumors that rubbing the feet of Bae Hyeongyeong's statue would bring good luck spread throughout the Empire...


Seoul, Imperial Palace...

General Shin Sung entered Sejong's throne room, the General was growing quite old by now, and it was growing apparent to the Emperor that he would have to replace him one day. The General had shown himself as a great diplomat, handling the usual duties of Hae Mosu while he was away in Piercia. "Emperor, we have numerous missives. One from the Portugese, who would like to discuss the Mayan attack on their Carracks."

Sejong furrowed his brow, "Again? We've already told them that we are confident Pacal Voltan can bring the Mayan navy under his thumb, we have no position on the matter. The Mayan chiefs did not renew our friendship, and we had no information about this. Tell them we will speak with Pacal Voltan on the matter, but that is all we can do at this point."

"I am not sure that will be sufficient sir, they may not believe you." the General stated plainly.

"Well General, that is not a concern of mine. We have lost our friends the Greeks to the machinations of the northern Empires, and we will not involve ourselves in this one. The Maya are friends of ours, and that is all that stands in my mind at this point." Sejong said, "Besides, do we have any proof it was only innocent lives that were taken?"

"Not at all Emperor." the General replied.

"Prepare a private message for them, what else do you have for me General?"

"We have word that the Greeks have condemned the Mayan-"

"General! I do not want to hear about this, we will not get involved. We will not comment publicly on the matter as it is none of our concern." the Emperor snapped at him.

The General realized something must be bothering the Emperor, "Well then, speaking of the Mayans Emperor, they have sent a message regarding the territory of Alemanni, and ask that you prepare a proposal for them."

"Have it done." Sejong said. "Any word from General Jumong? From General Han Gong? From Hae Mosu?"

"Well sire, not at the moment, the last word we got from them was prior to the Russo-Roman conflict, I can't imagine missives are coming through, our borders with Oldonia and Greece are now closed, and I doubt there is much traffic between Piercia and Rome at the moment." the General explained.

"I would like my Generals to return soon" Sejong said, "I want them to be a part of my reforms, very well, we will send a message to the Piercians asking about their whereabouts..."


Eastern Wyandot Territory...

"Where the hell are we?" General Jumong asked Harald Sigurdsson, "All I see are f*cking rocks, not a city in sight!"

The group had only gone through one Wyandot city with nothing to show for it, they were not greeted, or spoken to by the Wyandot leader Chief Tarhe. In fact the General had sent him a message that was nver replied to, "I am not sure, I haven't travelled this far into their lands before." Harald said, he was just happy to be out of Oldonia, apparently things had fallen into shambles.

"I thought I brought you as a scout!" the General said shaking his head, "God damn Oldonians" he muttered to himself, "PONG!!!"

Pong clumsily jumped from his donkey and fell to the ground "Y-yes General," he said as he rose to his feet and ran up to General Jumong, again tripping and falling down. The soldiers laughed at Pong, as he again composed himself and brushed the dust from his pants. "Yes General Jumong, at your service!" he said bowing.

Jumong stared at him, with his one eye, "Its a miracle you lived this long Pong" he said, "Hand me the map!" Pong quickly gave the General the map. Jumong opened it and looked at it, "Where the hell are we?" he said to himself, he then looked intot he distance, "Well boys, we better hope we make it to Piercied Hill in time, according to this it looks like it will be a while..."


Horse Valley, Piercia...

Before he left for the voyage, Korean Foreign Minister Hae Mosu recieved a message from the Kor'O Lemya asking him to travel to the Piercian city of Horse Valley. The city had embraced Buddhism so it would be an easy excuse to make, but the purpose of the meeting was of the utmost secrecy. The Kor'O didn't even reveal, in any capacity, to Hae Mosu the purpose of the meeting. She simply said it was secret. Hae Mosu had to come up wtih something, so he told his companions (General Han Gong and Colonel Kim Jong-seo) that he was ordered by the Emperor to visit the Kor'O, and he could not bring them wtih him.

"So why exactly did we stop here Hae?" General Han Gong asked, "I know you don't realize this, but we've been away from Korea for years, and we need to get back. Which means we have to get to Pierced Hill as soon as possible, now believe me, I am in no rush to see that bastard Jumong again, but orders are orders."

"General, it is of no consequence, this is on the way, and we have an opportunity to see how Buddhism is practised in a foreign land. Take a load off go find a drink, or a whore, whatever you soldiers like to do." Hae said, looking at all of the various temples in the city.

"I gave up drinking years ago" he said, rembering the day Bae Hyeongyeong caught him drunk on the job. "Heh, wow a long time ago."

"This looks like the place!" Hae said, looking at an old-looking letter, "Okay, I may be a while, you two should find something to occupy your time." This is what the letter said...

Pitboss Persia wrote on 28-10-2008 10:30:
I hail you, Minister,

Be sure that privacy will be fully ensured and that you are welcome to the Piercian Empire. Considering the nature of your message, the Emperor has trusted me, the leader of the Per'Shi'Ar with the responsability of taking care about any concerns you may have.

Relations with Rome are not as good as they should be at the moment and as you seem to know, there are serious tensions between the Piercian Empire and the Mayan coming up. The Emperor is glad to see that you may be an ally in this constellation.

If you wish to meet in private, I guess the city of Horse Valley may be appropriate, since there are already some Korean traders who have settled down there and brought their believes with them. I am sure they will be honored to host a personality of your scale. The city of Meeting seems less appropriate to me, since most of the neighbouring lands do have spies in there that my agents can not allow to eliminate by now without creating a cascade of events that could lead to war.

This is an opportunity for you as for me. If we handle this perfectly, I may gain the Emperor's intimate trust. This is important since there is a secret in this lands that has to be revealed. If we succeed in this task, the Korean people may become an ally of the Piercian Empire, even closer as Rome ever was. I will brief you on the matter as soon as we can speak face to face in private.

I will be expecting your arrival,

Lemya - Leader of the Per'Shi'Ar, in the name of :

Emperor Asiz of the Piercian Empire

(OOC - This message was written a long time ago, as you can see, so what is stated in the letter doesn't necessarily match Piercia's current foreign policy)


"We don't even speak their damn language Hae!" Kim said.

"Yes, he's right." the General added, "You had better hurry the hell up Hae!"

"Well, now would be a good time for you to learn the language, I may be a while. C'mon, don't stare at me go get yourselves some culture! These people are our friends now, and it would be wise that our Generals know their ways!" Hae said.

General Han Gong stared at the Foreign Minister for a few moments, "He's right Kim, let's go find something to do..."


Inside the Kor'O Temple...

It was quite apparent to Hae Mosu that the Piercian religious beliefs were quite different from those of Korea's, however the Kor'O temple was quite similar to those of Korea. He thought about the similarities between the two names; Kor'O and Korea. "Can't be anything, must be a coincidence..." he said to himself, there was nobody there. "Strange" he thought, "Hello!" his voice echoed throughout the chamber, "Anybody here!?!"

"Minister Hae Mosu" a female voice said... "A pleasure to make your acquaintence..."

[Pitboss Maya]

Where is Aeropus?

West of Oaxaca...

The Mayan army, lead by War Chief Ixchel pushed further west after destroying the last of the Aztec cities. The Aztecs regrouped and rebuilt before, and Voltan wanted to make sure they would no longer be a threat to the Mayans or Koreans.

Although the major cities were in ruins, Aztec villages could still be found in the jungle. It was these villages that Voltan wanted eliminated. Unlike his fathers policy of total genocide, Voltan offered full citizenship to Aztecs who's homes he burned. Realizing their total defeat many Aztec assimilated with the Mayans, especially in the western territories.

Most of the small villages looked alike; thatched huts with a central well, and usually a grainery. As word spread to the remaining Aztecs that the advanced Mayan army was moving west, resistance became less and less. War Chief Ixchel became increasingly bored with this mission, and longed to do battle with the Romans or Portuguese. Voltan assured him however that his current undertakings were more important.

As Ixchel and his forces approached yet another Aztec village, he had no idea that it harbored one of the biggest mysteries in all of Terra.

"Chief!", shouted a warrior, "there is something here you need to see!"

Ixchel approached the hut expecting to find an attractive and scantly clad Aztec woman, but instead saw a disheveled man with Spartan features.

"He claims to be the king of the Greeks!" the warrior laughed.

Ixchel took a closer look. The man could hardly speak, and it was obvious he had been a captive of the Aztecs for quite some time. He was starved and weak, but his clothes looked familiar through the dried mud.

"Aeropus?", Ixchel asked. The War Chief had met the Prince briefly years ago when he came to visit Mel Gibson. Surely this could not be Aeropus.

The wreck of a man nodded, then collapsed. Ixchel ordered fresh water and provisions to be brought forth immediately. As far as he knew, the king of Sparta was dying at his feet on the dirt floor of an Aztec hut.


To be continued...

[Pitboss Celts]

Originally posted by OzzyKP


This land was promised to the Metalheads according to our ancient land agreement. Are the Celts liars and thieves? Do they threaten to violate an agreement that the Metalheads have honored for centuries and declare war in the process?

Any aggression would be met with severe consequences.

The Celts have never agreed to any land agreement by the Metalheads. In fact we disagreed with your initial proposal and sent back a revision. We took the lack of response to that revision as acceptance. here was our proposal:

Chief Ozzy,

I apologize for delays in responding. We have lost two different scouting expeditions recently to lions and we must choose paths carefully. I feel that I can support your western borders. I would propose the longitude of the most western coast of the sea your cultural borders overlap be our boundary. I believe the northern border of the sea to the south to be a good latitude border as well. For the time being I don't foresee our cultural borders touching for several hundred years.

[Pitboss Persia]

First steps towards revealing the truth

Horse Valley

"Minister Hae Mosu" a female voice said... "A pleasure to make your acquaintence..."

As the woman stepped out of the shadows, the Minister asked : "Are you Kor'O Lem'Ya Per'Hyl ?". She nodded. "In this case, it is a pleasure for me too." He said, bowing. "What did you wish to tell me ?"

"Please have a seat, Minister, there are several things to discuss." she said, leading him to a smaller room where two seats and a simple table awaited them. "At first, I have to inform you about recent events you may have missed during your journey." She told him what happened since she sent him that letter years ago, noticing a discrete smile on his face when she told him about the death of Mel Gibson. "But, the Piercian Empire still keeps a secret that is yet to reveal and even the Emperor is unaware of what you are about to be told."

"What secret ? And why have you decided to tell me about it ?" Hae asked.

With a dark look in her eyes, the Kor'O told him quietly : "I have witnessed the murder of Empress Iris, Minister, and she wasn't killed by a guard as everyone believes. It was her own daughter, the princess Aun'El Es'Ther Per'Hyl, who rammed her blade into her chest after killing the guard she accused of the murder. I need you for gaining the Emperor's most intimate trust, since I will need him to believe me over the words of his wife."

Astonished for being informed about such a secret, the Korean stated "Matricide ! Regicide ! This is a heavy burden you are carrying with that secret, Kor'O ! What do you have in mind ?"

"We need to bring our people closer together, to make deals, to become close friends. If you and I may earn credit for doing so, there may be an appropriate time for disclosing the truth. We have a powerful ally in this task. Aun'El Sa'Ly Lon'Don has been spending the last few months in Seoul and established good relations with the court of your homelands. I expect her to come back soon, so that the three of us may coordinate the cooperation between Korea and the Piercian Empire." Lem'Ya said.

"Such a dark secret mustn't remain hidden, Kor'O. You can count on my assistance in gaining the Aun'O's trust. We may travel to Pierced Hill together if you wish. My men are waiting outside." Hae Mosu said.

"Very well, let's go."


Seoul

"Aun'El ! Aun'El !" a single Immortal shouted from afar while running towards her chambers. When he finally arrived, he struggled to catch his breath. He had come all the way from the aztecan jungles without getting much rest.

"What is it Shas'Ui ? Where are the others ?"

"All dead, Aun'El ! The Shas'O is dead."

"Tell me more."

"We have been travelling northwards from Allemani in order to seek and destroy any remaining Aztecs in the jungles. We found a few Spartans, one of them claimed to be the King of Sparta and was quite credible. He told us about another aztecan stronghold and offered to join us, in case we decided to attack it. We did, but it was a slaughter. Many Aztecs died, but they were just too much. I am the only one who managed to escape. I belive they have made prisoners, but I saw the Shas'O die while charging deep into the lines of their archers alone with my very eyes. He knew this battle couldn't be won, but he took as many as he could with him."

"Calm down, Shas'Ui. Get some rest. I will return to Pierced Hill tomorrow, I am needed back home. You should stay and teach the Korean the funeral rites of your caste in case the corpses can be recovered."

"Very well Aun'El, I will show them how a warrior has to be burned. I apologize for my failure."

"I am sure you did your best and fought with honor. Now you really need some rest." she said, smiling at the Shas'Ui and calling for the local servitors.

[Pitboss Rome]

Emperor Asiz of Piercia, Friend and King Henry of Portugal, Mediator

The Senate has worked long and hard trying to construct a proposal for peace between Piercia, the Rus and ourselves. Given the constraints imposed by Piercia this seemed an impossible task. Furthermore there is a strong party in the Senate which believes that a war would be good for Rome. While we are content to live within our current boundaries, it is hard to refute those in the Senate who claim that if we were invaded, this would give us an excuse to expand.

However, we have managed to construct the following final peace proposal.

1. Rome hands over New Mediolaneum to Piercia (presumably for them to give to the Rus).

2. It is agreed that Rome may settle two vacant city sites on our borders. For easy of this proposal these will be called ‘Site A’ and ‘Site B’. They are marked on the attached map.
* Site A is empty territory on the Rus/Rome border over which no treaties have been drawn. We would be fully within our rights to settle it anyway. For information the corn next to the site is outside of the workable area of any Rus city, and the Rus are not short of corn.
* Site B is in empty territory, indeed twice Barbarian cities have grown up there. Most recently the city of Tartar which Praetorians had to destroy (on the recommendation of the international community) to protect Tarentum. However, it is covered by a Piercian-Roman treaty which promised that Rome would not settle there. Thus this peace proposal would have to replace that treaty.

3. Rome, Piercia and the Rus sign peace and open borders to normalise relations, with the borders that would then exist (after cities have been founded on sites A and B) accepted as the international borders.

4. Pre-existing debts are cancelled (from earlier trades half-completed Rus owes Rome and Rome owes Piercia).

5. Guarantees. The Piercians will pay a penalty of one technology (of their choosing) to Rome immediately upon any of the following occurring. (If the Piercians have no technologies to give, it is given as soon as a technology is available).

(a) The Rus declaring war on Rome or undertaking offensive spying activity in Roman land, at any time in the next 50 turns.
(b) Site A not being available for settlement by a Roman settler for any reason other than barbarian activity, given that a settler has reached there within 20 turns.
(c) Site B not being available for settlement by a Roman settler for any reason, other than barbarian activity, given that a settler has reached there within 20 turns.

These penalties would be cumulative. Thus is Rome is prevent from settling either site, two technologies are payable. If the Rus also break the peace, a third would be payable. Note also that if, for example, Site B is not available because of activities of other nations, the penalty is still payable. (Hence the 20 turn limit. If Rome doesn’t get a move on and loses this currently empty site, its Rome’s fault. It’s a fair division of risk.)

Commentary
Although our generals clamour for war, we have attempted to construct a fair proposal which recognises the immovable elements of the Rus and Piercian positions.

This proposal brings about the return of New Mediolaneum to the Rus without any swap for Old Mediolaneum. The Rus are returned to the cities they had before the second Russian-Roman war. This is what the Piercians wanted.

However, this means Rome is handing over a developed city in developed land. Thus a fair exchange for this is two city sites, which are undeveloped, and which Rome will need to settle and begin to work. One such site would clearly be a very poor compensation for an existing city; two is fair. Particularly when you consider that these two sites are vacant for a reason. Site A is just poor. Site B looks good but is so far from Rome.

But note, the Rus lose nothing in this deal. There are no treaties covering this site. All they are agreeing to is not to interfere with Roman settlement of it. A very small price for New Mediolaneum.

The Piercians do lose, in as much as Site B is currently under treaty theirs. However, it still remains unsettled after many millennia, therefore its loss can hardly be that traumatic.

The penalty clauses are necessary because both the Rus (particularly with their settler currently at Ormsk) and the Piercians could interfere with these settlements after peace is signed. Similarly, we cannot accept peace unless there is a meaningful guarantee that the Rus will remain peaceful, words are not sufficient.

However if everyone behaves, the Rus gain at no loss. The Piercians get what they wanted for their vassal, at the cost of the title to a long vacant piece of land. Rome loses a city but gains two sites, a fair trade.

The Senate wants to make clear that this is the final proposal, coming as it does after we have accepted, but the Piercians have rejected previous work of our noble mediator. Of course some details of this may need to be refined further, but we will not accept a watering down of the basic terms. If this is not acceptable to Piercia, despite the fact it achieves all they have said they require, then there will be no more peace process, and presumably once the Piercian ultimatum runs out, war will ensue, and we will discuss peace again once Meeting, Kiev and Ormsk are Roman.

Mindful of the words of our Patriarch, we pray for peace.

[Pitboss Spain]

My Journal

Just let me get this straight I love my brother since blood is thicker than water, sometimes I think he is that, just plain thick. I mean, I am here trying to run my country and trying to get up with the latest fashions and talking to my girlfriends and I am getting constant messages from my Brother, King Henry of Prabul. I mean does he not know when to shut up and allow my empire to be run smoothly. I have to look the part and I cannot do that without being up to date with my brother always hounding me. We were separated so that we did not need to talk to each other, but now all he wants to do is talk to me. It was much better when we were back in Korecom and we played with our own friends and generally stayed out of each others paths, but now I just keep hearing you whine, which is annoying me.

[Pitboss Portugal]

Penelope:

Our parents were right to separate us. It is really hard being around you and trying to talk some sense into your thick head. I have no idea why father and mother allowed you to rule Spain. Who is whining sister? No wonder my mail is always full, you never stop sending me your girly letters about brother I think that I am in love, oh dear brother I have a problem etc. Penelope please grow up, forget the life you had. Now you are a queen, so act as one. Don't force me to send father and mother a letter letting them know what you really are doing.

Your brother!