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

[Pitboss Rome]

Noble Emperor Ieyasu,

We presume that it is the Holy Romans who have offended you so. We have never even heard of Ansuji. We much prefer to die only for our own mistakes.

Tribune Hieronymus.

[Pitboss Japan]

I am referring to these Unholy Romans who try and give / take land, which is not theirs to give or take to begin with. If they do not with draw their claims I will send troops to their land and mercilessly kill each and every one of these FAKE Romans.

[Pitboss Rome]

Emperor Aun'O Asiz Asizia ,

The Senate thanks you for the thoughtfulness of your response.

I do have to object that there is no border treaty affecting site A. The Rus are projecting their understanding of the mountains, as if it had ever been agreed. Furthermore factually they still do hold much land which was part of Old Mediolaneum, so it is not unreasonable for some land to pass back to Rome. But this proposal has been carefully constructed so the Rus to do lose any cities, and the proposed site it outside of anyone's cultural boundaries.

The spying point I am sure I can accept.

We clearly need to explore the penalty issues further. I am sure you can understand though that I am being asked to give now, but all that I receive is in the future. Somehow this gap needs to be bridged.

I wonder if it might be sensible for us to finalise this negotiation privately, or through the agency of our mediator. It may be easier for us to hammer out details if at ever point other nations do not comment and try to provoke us to war.

Tribune Hieronymus.

[Pitboss Rome]

Noble Emperor Ieyasu,

I haven't the foggiest what you are talking about. Or is it that you just like to try to provoke war?

Tribune Hieronymus.

[Pitboss Japan]

Well as everyone can see on their map, there is an Island shaped like a skull. This Island has been property of Japan for years but has not been settled due to how long it takes to build settlers. We have had and continue to have troops staged up on the island making sure it clear for my settler to settle. Now these so called Holy Romans wish to claim this island as their own, which clearly it is not. Since the New Portugal problem that had come up we stated to the entire world we would kill any who tried to settle our lands and we even listed what is ours so their would be no confusion. Yet they continue to want to settle so I have made it clear that I will send my army up to the Island and if they land any unit it will be considered an act of war and we will attack them and grind their entire race to the point of extinction unless they retract their plans and go settle some other lands.

[Pitboss Korea]

Official Proposal to the Maya

(I would have done this in PM, but I thought it would be cool to put it in the story thread, so I ask nobody else get involved in this please. Thank you)



TO: Pacal Voltan of Silla (his Korean title), King of the Maya
FROM: Sejong of Goguryeo, Emperor of Korea

Wise and Mighty Voltan,

We would first like to congratulate you on your successes in the Mayan cities. When the Maya are strong, Korea is strong, and peace is assured!

As you are aware we have been in discussion regarding the settlement of the territory of Alemanni. Twice our armies have defeated Aztec armies, and razed their strongholds. Both of these strongholds have been in the buffer-zone of our border agreement (one square north and south of the border agreement), and while we understand that your Empire was in decline lately and prior to your assumption of power we ask that you wave a portion of this agreement as a homage to the men that Korea has lost in defending this territory from the Aztec threat. The Piercians have also lost many soldiers, as you are aware, resulting in the unfortunate loss of Shas'O Au-R'On Mee'Ting, who General Shin Sung reports fought bravely to defeat this barbarian scum.

You have asked us to provide a proposal for our settlements and we have attached a map*, including markers showing our desired positions of settlement. As you will note all proposed Korean settlements are either one square above or one square below our border agrement. All settlement proposals are within the buffer-zone, so there is not a vast encroachment upon Mayan lands:

*These plots are not numbered in any specific order, so for instance plot 1 is not necessarily our first choice, they are just numbered so it is easy to respond.

Korea is the smallest nation on this Earth, and we hope that you will see it in your heart to provide us with this one and only settlement so that we may grow, and be of greater service to His Majesty Pacal Voltan the Wise.

As usual we are open to discussion, and patiently await your reply.

I am another you.

- Bojong of Wonsan, Imperial Domestic Minister of Korea

[Pitboss H Roman]

Originally posted by Pitboss Japan
Well as everyone can see on their map, there is an Island shaped like a skull. This Island has been property of Japan for years but has not been settled due to how long it takes to build settlers. We have had and continue to have troops staged up on the island making sure it clear for my settler to settle.

It is not clear why it is YOUR property, especially as you have not settled there.

Now these so called Holy Romans wish to claim this island as their own, which clearly it is not.

Um, I believe the Serenity Island proposal was quite clear that this would be a world-wide neutral zone, a religious sanctuary, with nations being assigned adminisitrative responsibility for established cities. There was no intent of direct settlement or ownership by the Holy Roman Empire.

[Pitboss Japan]

I have sent a settler and I have had troops no there for years. But like I said it you or any one else wants to start a war with a nation as ruthless as mine then go to the Island otherwise shut your mouth and be on your way. Japan will defend what is ours to the last man.

[MMC]

OOC: Have the HRE actually met the Japanese in-game? Because if they haven't, then how would they know that Japan had claimed land beyond their reach, and how would Japan know that a country on the other side of the world wants to share land?

[Pitboss Russia]

To Piercia and Portugal
CC: Rome

Old mediolanum was never Roman to begin with. The outpost was a violation of treaty and as such, any land it would have within its sphere of influence would be RUSSIAN land, and as such, Rome has NO CLAIM TO IT!

Why is it that the Romans who have all the wealth and power in the world desires the pitiful few riches of Russia? And there was a treaty, that Rome has now twice broken. First with the placement of Mediolanum, which we corrected, and Rome acknowledged a thousand years ago, and now again by attempting to take land from us. We can provide maps of the border division if needed.

[Pitboss Japan]

Originally posted by MMC
OOC: Have the HRE actually met the Japanese in-game? Because if they haven't, then how would they know that Japan had claimed land beyond their reach, and how would Japan know that a country on the other side of the world wants to share land?

As already explained to me as long as one civ you do know has met the civ you don't you can still comunicate with the civ u have not met.

[Pitboss Maya]

Excerpt from Oxocwa's Diary, Chapter II


Day 10.13.14.13.15
It has been two days now since the M.S. Braveheart dropped my explorer party off on the coast of the New World. The jungle here is quite similar to that of Maya lands. That is to say; hot, damp, and inhospitable. I can only imagine what people not accustom to this terrain must think. One of our scouts has reported that he witnessed our ship sinking the Portuguese ship we sighted earlier. Who attacked who remains a mystery to us.

Day 10.13.14.13.16
We have moved inland quite a bit, and set up a camp so I can begin documenting the plants and animals of this new land. So far I have identified a type of sugar as well as several plants that could be used for dye. The birds here are unlike what we have in Maya. They seem to be more colorful and vocal. No sign of any other humans.

Day 10.13.14.13.17
Today our scouts reported a troop of Portuguese axeman south of our position. Fortunately we are on the high ground, and apparently they do not know we are here. They do not seem to be packing much gear or food, which makes me think they must have a home settlement close by.

Day 10.13.14.13.19
The settlement has been located. While the village is small in size, the labor force is impressive. No doubt Portugal is busy taming these wild lands. Mel Gibson will not be pleased. The axemen stationed at the village look as if they have been in a fight recently. With who remains a mystery.

[Pitboss Maya]

To: Bojong of Wonsan, Imperial Domestic Minister of Korea
From: King Voltan of the Maya

Thank you for taking note of my progress to date with the Mayan Empire.

As we have discussed in the past, I see benefit to adjusting the ancient boarder agreement between Maya and Korea. Your proposal is also historically justified and fair.

Of course there are those within Maya who are skeptical of my half Korean heritage. Simply giving away Mayan land to Korea without any payment would no doubt be viewed as a conflict of interest by many.

After giving it much thought, I propose two possible deals.

1. The hill just west of your #3 site for the minimal cost of sheep.

2. The #3 site for sheep and one voucher.

Please understand honorable Bojong, I love Korea and the people of Korea, but I now must serve two masters.

I am another you.

- King Pacal Voltan

[Pitboss Maya]

Aeropus' Story

Aeropus was in such bad shape after being held captive by the Aztecs that he could not take food or water. Ixchel feared he was going to die, so he ordered Aeropus to be taken back to Oaxaca for treatment by a witch doctor.

Within a few weeks Aeropus was back to good health. Even his hair grew back. His memory of how he ended up in such a situation also returned. War Chief Ixchel, the Witch Doctor of Oaxaca, and the local Taoist Priest listened attentively while the Spartan Prince told his story.

"Mel Gibson confided in me that he intended to break all deals with the Portuguese unless they abandoned New Portugal. I informed him that Sparta was friends with Portugal and please don't make Sparta pick sides. He just laughed." said Aeropus.

"Sounds like crazy Mel Gibson", replied Ixchel. "You know he left this world a few years ago, yes?"

"No I didn't know that", said Aeropus with a shocked look on his face. "You would be surprised at how little the Aztecs know of the outside world."

"Please continue," encouraged Ixchel.

"I realized that Mel's position on the Portugal matter was urgent, and needed to be presented before the Scribes of Sparta as soon as possible. Instead of following the road out of Palenque through Korea, I decided to take a short cut west of Maya through the jungle. I figured I could cut my journey by several days doing this. Instead it ended up costing me several years." replied Aeropus.

"The Aztec jungles have been known to devour even experienced travelers" commented the priest. "If the snakes, spiders, and jaguars don't get you, the Aztecs will".

"I would have made it!" exclaimed Aeropus, "except I twisted my ankle crossing the Mayan River. After that, there was no hope in evading the Aztecs."

All three Mayans nodded their understanding. "Please, go on"

"The Aztecs captured me and my bodyguards, killed them outright and brought me to the village west of here. I tried escaping early on in my captivity, but was caught in the jungle. After that they made a point to keep me almost starved so I wouldn't have the strength to escape again." explained Aeropus.

Just then a messenger boy came crashing through the door of the temple. "Elders!" he exclaimed, "Two Spartans are approching Oaxaca on horseback!"

"What are the chances of THREE Spartans being in this backwater at the same time?" Ixchel wondered. His military mind drifted into paranoia briefly. "What ARE the chances?"

[Pitboss Rome]

The Cleansing of Tartar

“Tribune, while we wait for the Piercian response, I have a report here which has been long overlooked”

“What is it Maximilian?”

“The report from Commander Cornelius of the 12th Legion about the conquest of Tartar”

“Tartar?”

“Yes, remember Tribune, it was a barbarian city on land south of our new city of Tarentum. We asked for guidance from other nations as to what should happen to it, and the broad opinion internationally was that it needed to be destroyed.”

“Ok let me read it, I presume it is in the normal clipped Roman style.”

The report of Commander Cornelius of the 12th Legion of the Cleansing of Tartar

1. Orders received from the Senate: (a) destroy the barbarian city of Tartar (b) captured people to be taken to Tarentum (c) the 10th legion has been dispatched from its base at Meeting to give assistance.

2. 12th Legion proceeded south to take up positions in the jungle overlooking the city of Tartar. The city was small but not insignificant. The barbarians were yet to build any serious infrastructure. Nevertheless there were huge numbers of warriors – indeed it seemed that every barbarian male was a warrior armed with cruel bows.

3. Decision take to test the defences of Tartar.

4. Before dawn the forces of the 12th legion approached the city under cover of darkness. The barbarians might have huge superiority in numbers, but didn’t have the training of the praetorians. At dawn we stormed the western gate of the city. We captured it easily but then the horde of barbarians started to emerge like bees from a hive. All morning they were slaughtered, while our engineers examined the defences of Tartar gaining valuable intelligence. But gradually the legionnaires were exhausted at the endless supply of brave barbarian warriors, who gradually learnt to use their numbers to send endless hails of arrows down on us.

5. I sounded the retreat, and the legion retreated in good order back to the edge of the jungle. Those barbarians who followed regretted it.

6. We retreated further back into the jungle lands to await the arrival of the 10th legion. We spent the time using the knowledge we gained from the attack under the instruction of our engineers to train in city assault techniques.

7. Finally the 10th arrived, and we approached the city again.

8. The 10th remained hidden in the jungle. The 12th repeated the same operation as before. The initial assault was successful and then using the equipment we had prepared we fired the city and withdraw just outside the city.

9. The smoke billowing out spread confusion among the barbarians. They poured out of the city in a countless rabble, surrounding the 12th swarming over the plain between the burning city and the jungle.

10 On my signal the 10th then emerged from the jungle. The barbarians were completely surprised and fell like ripe wheat caught between the 10th and the 12th and the burning city. All day the legionnaires cut them down. None surrendered. A group escaped, down towards the sea front where a party of refugees has formed from the burning ruins of the city.

11. Chaos still reigned on the battle field. I sounded the instruction for the legions to retreat to safe ground for the night.

12. The next morning we examine the desolate scene. The barbarians at the sea front had departed in their fishing boats. Nothing else was left.

13. Final tally. Legionnaire casualties limited. Complete destruction of Tartar as instructed. Some booty gathered. No prisoners. And sadly I think that the remnant of the barbarians in their boats will be a menace to shipping in the region in the years to come.

“Thank you” said the Tribune handing the report back to Maximilian. “I’m sorry that this recent trouble has delayed my reading of it. Send a commendation to Commande Cornelius, I believe that the 10th and the 12th are now on the front line watching the Piercians at Meeting. Though he should not have let the boats escape. I believe those same barbarians were responsible for a later attack on the ships of visiting Korean ambassadors.”