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

[Pitboss Portugal]

Greetings Emperor Naruto and Roman Tribune Hieronymus.

Your dear friend my father Marco has left for New Portugal, where he will live the rest of his days in peace together with my mother Isabella. He has updated me on all the local developments, treaties and deals that Portugal has. You can trust that I will continue my father’s work and friendship with our friends.

He sends his sincere apologies for not letting you know in advance of his departure and my return to Portugal.

Romans – I will work hard and do my best to maintain the good relations that we have build through the past years.

Japan – I thank you for your friendship and political support. My father was right to call you the bravest of all his friends!

My friends I will put on hold all festive celebrations, until the crisis in the south between Piercia and Rome has been resolved. Now it’s not the time for us to celebrate.


Henry

[Pitboss Rome]

Emperor Aun'O Asiz Asizia of the Piercian Empire, Friend

We are pleased that in these troubled times, the borders of our nations remain open, and trade flows across unchecked.

We wonder if a tension-reducing measure might be for us to exchange military observers - a unit or two, under the terms of our open borders policy - to travel to each others territory.

Such exchange and openness can only help on our mutual quest of ensuring the current peace between Rome, Piercia and the Rus remains and is solidifies.

Tribune Hieronymus

[Pitboss Korea]

Emperor Gojong and the Return of Pacal!

In the Imperial courtyard Emperor Sejong and Empress Soheon slowly approached the dias; today their son Gojong of Goguryeo would be proclaimed the Prince of Silla and officially recognized by the nobility as the heir to the Korean Imperial Throne. Technically this event was a first in Korean history, prior to this the Imperial title was non-existant, and held jointly by Sinjeong and Wang Geon as the Princess of Silla and Warlord of Pyong'yang respectively (the combination of the two titles resulted in the title of 'Emperor'). Prior to this the two Kingdoms were independent. The title of Warlord did not have a direct heir, but since the reign of Wang Geon it was understood that the title would go the first born son of the Warlord, in this case Sejong. As heir-apparent of Pyong'yang and official heir of Silla Gojong was thus the Emperor in waiting of Korea. The proud parents stood stoicly before the amassed crowd of Koreans who assembled to witness the historic event. Lama Subo first approached the crowd and lead them in reciting Buddhist prayers, there was also a ceremonial meditation session which lasted approximately thirty minutes before the ceremony would begin. All of the Korean nobles entered one at a time, based on their status in the Empire, from the most diminutive first to the most powerful last. Bojong of Wonsan was the last of the nobles to enter and he carried in the child and placed him upon the Imperial litter (which was basically a moveable throne that was rarely used, in fact to this point it was only used once by Wang Geon many years ago). The child was still an infant, and was clearly not aware of what was happening to him.

"This child of Korea!" Bojong said, as the cheering crowd slowly silenced itself, "Represents the future prosperity of our great land! Finally, the Korean Empire shall continue unabated, and without bloodshed. Peacefully a new Emperor shall rise to the throne, as Gojong of Goguryeo, son of Sejon shall one de be our Emperor!" the crowed cheered ecstatically; the leader before Sejong was basically a military dictator, although a benevolent one - Bae Hyeongyeong.

Bojong nodded to Subo, "I now call upon the Emperor and his Empress to please step forward and bless this child." Subo said, as Sejong and Soheon approached the child.

The looked at one another, and simultaneously stated the traditional buddhist blessing; "As your parents, we welcome you to this new life and wish you everything good in it. Even though we were strangers not long ago--we do not know who you were just two years ago--we love you. We will do our best to provide for you materially, give you a good education, and care for you in all circumstances.

As your parents, we will have a caring relationship and communicate well with each other, for we know that is the best way to let you know that this world is a loving place. We will live ethically so that you will learn good habits from observing how we live. We will work to subdue our anger and to learn good skills for resolving conflicts so that you will have good role models for this. We will smile, laugh, and share our affection so that you will feel comfortable doing the same.

You do not belong to us. You belong to all the Buddhas and bodhisattvas. You belong to all sentient beings in this universe. We want to enable you to share your love and talents with others and the world. Similarly, we also belong to the world, and we will take the love we have for you and spread it to all living beings everywhere, because love is not something that is limited in quantity. By loving you and loving each other, we will learn how to love all other beings as well.

You have come into this world with your own karma. We cannot control everything you do or everything that happens to you. We will do our best to nurture your positive predispositions and help subdue your negative ones. We will do our best to protect you, knowing that as much as we would like to, we cannot prevent you from ever experiencing suffering. You will learn through your own life experiences, and we will do our best to give you the skills to make wise decisions and to handle situations creatively and with kindness."

The proud parents walked back to their positions as Subo approached the child, and repeated a Buddhist mantra. He then kissed the child upon his forehead and nodded as the guards lifted the littler upon their shoulders. "People of Seoul, I now present to you, the future Emperor Gojong of Goguryeo!"


Just outside of Palenque...

It was only a week ago that General Shin Sung, Daemok and Pacal Voltan (along with a small retinue and entourage) hurriedly left for Palenque. General Shin Sung had received word from his people in Tikal that Mel Gibson had died and the Mayan empire had descended from a unitary monarchy to a collection of city-states who were often in competition with one-another. While this competition over resources (mainly food) and political influence never spilled over into war, the possibility always hung in the air. Fortunately Mayan, Piercian and Korean forces had taken down the last two remaining Aztec strongholds in the west, so the Mayan city-states remained under Mayan control. The feuding chieftans, worried that they would lose any advantages they had, refused to trade with one another, resuling in the dilapidation of their cities and social structure. Many Mayan workers resorted to drug and alcohol abuse, leading to sloth and unemployment, which in turn resulted into prostitution (sometimes forced) which resulted in even more disease and poverty. The people clamored for a ruler, but the local chieftans refused to submit to another city-state...

The galloping horses sounded like thunder pounding the group. They had gone at full-speed, non-stop, from the city of Wonsan to Palenque. General Shin Sung was given permission by Emperor Sejong to bring Pacal Voltan (the Emperor's nephew) to Palenque in order to 'diagnose the Maya problems,' but secretly he had hoped that his siter Daemok (former wife of Pacal II and Queen of the Maya) could install her son Pacal Voltan as King of the Mayan cities. The General had no idea what was going in Palenque, but wanted to get Pacal Voltan there as soon as possible, so he would have no resistance. He was to be pleasantly surprised...

"GENERAL!" Pacal yelled over the noise caused by the galloping horses "HOW MUCH LONGER!"

"NOT LONG!" the General yelled, "BUT WE WILL NOT STOP TO SLEEP!" every single member of the envoy had a horse, some had to borrow from the imperial stables.

"I AM NOT TIRED GENERAL!" Pacal replied, "I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO THESE LANDS, WELL NOT THAT I CAN REMEMBER!"

"THE CITIES ARE FANTASTIC!" Shin Sung said, "FAR GRANDER THAN ANYTHING IN KOREA, EVEN SEOUL ITSELF!" he said.

"WILL THEY ACCEPT ME GENERAL?" the boy asked.

"DON'T KNOW FOR SURE VOLTAN!" Shin Sung replied, "BUT THEY WON'T HARM YOU, NOT ON MY WATCH! THEY'RE CITIES ARE FALLING INTO RUIN, MANY OF THE PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN IT OUT ON THEIR PRIESTS, SO EVEN THE RELIGIOUS CLASS HAS FALLEN UNTO HARD TIMES, I DOUBT YOU WILL INCUR HEAVY RESISTANCE!"

Voltan thought for a moment, "WHY WOULD THEY KILL THE PRIESTS?!"

"THEY SUPPORTED MEL!" General Shin Sung replied, "THEY SAID HE WAS A GOD, THAT HE WAS IMMORTAL AND HE HAS DIED! THEY LOOK AS FOOLS!"

Pacal considered this, to him it was important information...

Palenque, Mayan Territory...

The trip hadn't taken long; they rode quickly from Wonsan to Palenque without stopping, although they did break camp for the night just outside of the city. Pacal Voltan spent the night staring into the sky, he was enthralled with the stars and their movements, and knew there was a method or formula to this, he felt he could sense that the gods themselves were communicating with him through the stars (his mother was a Taoist, and taught pacal the beliefs of that religion, even though it was the Taoist priests who were instrumental in overthrowing Pacal II). He stared at the stars tonight for a much deeper reason; his purpose. What would become of him? The priests had always said that the sky foretells all, you just had to look deep into them. And Pacal had always remembered this. He always had trouble sleeping, his thoughts were deep and complex, and never let him slumber...



They approached the city early in the morning, and it was quite a departure from what General Shin Sung had told him on the way from Wonsan. There was overgrowth all over the place, roots of trees broke through the stairs to the temples from lack of use, cracks and pebbles adorned the decorations upon the temple, making them look pathetic and ancient. General Shin Sung decided that Daemok, Pacal Voltan, himself, and a small group of guards should enter the city (so it didn't look like an invasion, the local warlords were jumpy). Pacal was dressed in mayan clothing, as he was half Mayan he didn't need his skin darkened like his mother many years ago.

The group walked forward, past what looked like a slum; there were mangy dogs, begging children, and drugged-out men littering the streets. There was the smell of urine and feces in the air, and abaondoned market-stands littered the area. Pacal Voltan grimaced for what the people must have been feeling, "General, this is no better than Seoul! Where are we?"

"Palenque" the General said, "Or what is left of it, it has only been a few years since Mel is said to have died, this place is in tatters."

"Palenque, this is where the Maya Sophia is if I do recall." Voltan said, as they approached a large temple, "And I believe that is it." he said. The building was imposing, but clearly there was little effort to keep it up. Large splotches of missing paint and a collapsed tower were the most obvious, but there was discoloration, broken walls, and a dried up decorative moat. Some of the citizens approached the group of travellers, finally one approached, it was an older looking man (although this was mostly due to poor-health).

"What are you doing here Koreans?" he asked, in a raspy voice, "The Chief is not here, he travels to Tikal, to discuss the Portugese matter."

"The Portugese matter?" the General asked, "I don't know what you are talking about, but-"

"No, General, allow me" Pacal said, holding the General back. Shin Sung nodded in approval, but placed his hand upon his sword's handle in case the crowd reacted negatively. He slowly walked up to the crowd (it was quite small, around thirty people) and looked around, while he wasn't dressed up in the clothing of royalty, his clothing was far superior to those of the people of Palenque, and he was young and fit, he appeared regal to the people of the city, almost god-like, like he was heaven-sent. This was quite a sight for the people of Palenque, one of the hardest hit regions of the Mayan city-states. Their leader Kuxmal was an arrogant, ugly, and vile man. He overdressed and covered himself in gold and jewels. Pacal raised his hands in the air, a Mayan custom, before he spoke; "People of Palanque, heed my words, our time of disunity and poverty shall soon be at an end!"

Daemok leaned into General Shin Sung, "General, what is he doing?" she whispered.

"I don't know Princess, let him speak..."

"For too long have you languished under the rule-"

There was a murmur among the people, and a woman shouted out "Why should we listen to you? Who are you to tell us what is to come?"

"Because" the boy said "I AM PACAL...."

[Pitboss Vikings]

The priest stood high on the hill, the Great One was not pleased. The Oldonians had fallend away from the one true god many centuries ago. Now the priest shed tears for the people. The wrath of the great one was about to be poured out.

He had sent out his messengers to all places in the world. It was war !!!

Oldonia had to be purged of the evil within it.

Now the world would do the work of the Great One.

The priest turned to his right and there stood the Great One himself.

"It is done my loyal servent, this people will be punished for their disloyalty."

"Their new masters the Japanese will beat them and kill them. But I hve turned my back on their cries , it is too late now, I will go to my other place. This world is no longer under my protection:

[Pitboss Spain]

The Journal of Penelope.

Is Oldonia mad? What has come of their declaration of war against every nation in this world? They have no need to be at war with us since we cannot pose any threat to them being so far away from them. Thankfully sanity has prevailed with the dealings of our fine nation and they called off their declaration of war and now we are back to our original ways and we are pleased about that.

I have heard word from my brother that things with other nations are not as they seem. We hear that other nations are constantly changing their word when they deal with my brother. The Spainish people are a fair people and we expect that other nations deal fairly with them and well as they deal with us. We seriously frown uopon such dealings. We do not like people using an unjust balance when dealing with us.

From the fair and beautiful, Penelope, Queen of the Spainish Empire.

[Pitboss Japan]

A messenger ran into the emperor’s room. “Sir we have
word that the Oldonians have declared war again,” said
the messenger. Just as Naruto opened his mouth
another messenger ran into the room. “Sir the
Oldonians ask for peace and they have given us all their
cities.” Naruto had a confused look on his face. Why
would the Oldonians declare war them give us their
cities? Granted it is well documented by out scholars
that the Oldonian leadership had been very unstable for
a long time now but to declare war on Japan. From
what they could make out the crazed leaders wanted
Oldonia to burn to the ground.


The emperor Quickly sent word to give the cities back to
Oldonia. The Emperor did not want all of the Oldonian
cities. It was true that the emperor had plans to take
the city of Gateway but not like this. Naruto gave back
the cities just as fast as he got them and signed the
peace treaty. This was the final push. This made Naruto
even more determined to Build his army and take
Gateway in order to create a buffer zone between
Japan and the unstable and dangerous Oldonians.

[Pitboss Portugal]

Piercia – Rome

Portugal still awaits Piercia’s reply to the exchange of New M to Old M for peace?

I have been in close contact with the Romans they say:

Without wanting to offend you, our noble mediator, I am not going to keep thinking of solutions and proposing compromises unless the Piercians start to show some interest in compromise and peace. The ball is in their court.

So please Piercia reply publically to the offer of city exchange.

Both parties need to be on the same page and show some corporation in these talks.

Time is running out…..

Henry of Portugal

[Pitboss Portugal]

I have heard word from my brother that things with other nations are not as they seem. We hear that other nations are constantly changing their word when they deal with my brother. The Spainish people are a fair people and we expect that other nations deal fairly with them and well as they deal with us. We seriously frown uopon such dealings. We do not like people using an unjust balance when dealing with us.

Dear sister,

Thank you for the support, the Maya have proven to be not trust worthy. I would advice you to be careful when dealing with them. I sadly still await their reply to my request for an explanation. Portugal ask that they renew what they promised us!

I also await some news from Sparta if they have been more successful in their attempt to contact the Maya.

I hope that in due time we will receive something from the Maya.

Henry

[Pitboss Japan]

The tradition of arranged marriages has been
going on for centuries in Japan and today was no
different. Naruto had just turned 18yrs old when he
was arranged to marry the daughter of a very powerful
Daimyo. Lady Matsui Uesugi was to be Naruto’s new
wife. Lady Matsui was known as one of the most
beautiful woman in Japan and her beauty was only out
matched by her skill with a sword. A marriage between
Naruto and Lady Matsui would strengthen the Weak
Imperial army ten fold and would bring peace to the
long revolt the Uesugi had started when they joined the
Takeda.


The wedding was a small wedding with only a few
thousand people mostly Daimyo and their generals. In
tradition with 1st marriages Naruto changed his name
and took a new one as a sign of his new life with his
bride. He took his new name from the province Lady
Matsui grew up and his great uncle who was the first
captain of the White Lotus. Ieyasu Tokugawa, this was
his new name. He sent a message throughout the
world that from this day forth he was to be addressed
to as Emperor Ieyasu Tokugawa

[Pitboss Celts]

The Celtic people find themselves in a sudden war against people calling themselves Oldonians. We know nothing about these people nor why they wish to war with us.

[Pitboss Celts]

Originally posted by Pitboss Celts
Metalheads,

We propose to you an annexation of Iron Maiden. the Celtic borders continue to expand and our people frequently visit the city as a tourist destination. We still do not understand why you decided to squeeze the city where it was. It would have made more sense to settle northeast of the current location and still be able to fish.

Obviously, just giving the city over to us does not make sense, so we propose to share taxes with you from the city for a specified number of years. If so desired we would let you keep the fish as well. Feel free to discuss with us here or by private mail carrier. We hope to hear from you soon.

Metalheads, we have not received any response after many years. What say you to this annexation? We offer what we believe to be fair, but there appears to be no communication from your leader. Perhaps you did not see this before. I am happy to discuss privately if you provide ways of contact. Previous private contact many moons ago was also unanswered.

[OzzyKP]

We have no intention of turning over the city to Celtic control. Iron Maiden is one of our finest cities, led by one of our finest bands of musical warriors. Metalhead culture is strong in the city and do not see any need to simply give up control of an important Metalhead city.

[Pitboss Persia]

To : King Henry of Portugal, Tribune Hieronymus and the Senate of Rome

I hail you, neighbours,


I have been told that Rome desires to trade Pitrograd for Omsk. This is definitively not possible, for two reasons :
- As the romans said by themselves, the site of Omsk is worth more as the site of Pitrograd is. I do not seek the disadvantage of my vassal.
- Omsk and Pitrograd are both russian cities. You can't trade something that doesn't belong to you.

Rome has taken one of his most valuable cities from my vassal. This city is not that valuable to Rome, since Rome owns several cities that are just as good, where the Russians don't have much to rely on. This is why I expect Rome to be fair enough to pull out of occupied russian territories.

Rome asks for compensation for russian agression in ancient times. I can understand that, but you can't ask something from my vassal who has nothing to give. In addition, the loss of Mediolanum in ancient times doesn't seem to have been a crippling experience for the Roman empire. Tribune Hieronymus rejects the heritage of the responsability for the actions of former rulers of Rome, I can't see the consistency in refering to grudges held by those same rulers of Rome.

This being said, I have to admit that my vassal has been misbehaving before I took him under my protection. The russian people are proud and determinated and you can't imagine what it took me for convincing them that peace-negociations are way better for them as vengeful bloodthirst. However, many soldiers are ready for battle in Russia and their hatred makes them blind to reason.

What I'd like to achieve now, is that borders are returned to the status before the war and that old grudges are burried. The Russian should be allowed to live in peace and in posession of both Pitrograd and Omsk, just as Rome should be allowed to live in peace without having to worry about any agression from their eastern neighbour. For this I will stand, and all my Empire stands behind me.

If Rome can't be reasoned to give back to Russia what belongs to Russia, my armies shall intervene.

If Russia can't be reasoned not to further threaten Rome with acts of devastation, my armies shall intervene.

Both of those conditions are out of discussion to me. In the end, it is up to Rome to complete the previously said with purposals taking into consideration their demands for reparation regarding Mediolanum. However, please keep in mind that my vassal asks for reparation for Pitrograd too, and that opposed to Rome, he has nothing to give.

Emperor Aun'O Asiz Asizia of the Piercian Empire

[Pitboss Celts]

Originally posted by OzzyKP
We have no intention of turning over the city to Celtic control. Iron Maiden is one of our finest cities, led by one of our finest bands of musical warriors. Metalhead culture is strong in the city and do not see any need to simply give up control of an important Metalhead city.

We kindly ask that you reconsider. I would rather not take it by force, but the Celtic people are tired of obtaining passports to travel to the coast.

[Pitboss Portugal]

Piercia and Rome

Thank you for your public statements.

Currently we have made little progress, but I believe that talks should continue and both sides should be a bit more innovative with their offers of peace.

I ask Rome:

Tribune Hieronymus what will make the senate of Rome drop the Old M from the negotiating table? And is there anything else that will satisfy you and calm down the Roman generals?

I ask Piercia:

Great Emperor of the west, what are you prepared to offer the Romans for peace if they drop Old M?

To both parties:

No good will come out of this, if you aren’t willing to compensate and satisfy each others requests. There are two ends to this; one is peace and the other one war. Peace will stabilize the region and rebuild trust. War will cost every participator greatly and will exhaust your economies.

Please reason!

Henry