Beyond the Pit [Pitboss Diplomacy Game] [Story Thread] . PART 5 (December 2008)

[Pitboss Khmer]

Re: Taj Mahal

delete

[Pitboss Khmer]

ooc: something weird here.

the Portuguese score has gone up and it shows the Taj as being built by Portugal who have started a Golden Age (grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!) in the events log but Angkor Thom is still building it. No money yet for the Khmer. Does it need the Portuguese to log in?

It also shows in the Top Five for both of us.

[Pitboss Maya]

Perhaps you will get one too... and then a parallel dimension will open up.

Guess you never saw that random event before?

[Pitboss Spain]

I must say that My brother is a master builder. It took plenty of man hours and many lives were lost during the construction, but after seeing the magnificent structure I can say that I am proud that my brother was able to build this magnificent structure. While we might not see eye to eye, we still can share in the delight of such a magnificent achievement. This is due to the agreement between our parents before we took over, so I have say congratulations to the great love that my mother and father shared between themselves, which is what I am waiting for one day in my life.

[Pitboss Rome]

The scouts from the Roman Western Expeditionary Force crested the final wave of desert hills to look down on the Oath-Breakers’ city of Meeting from the north-west. Following their orders they set up an observation post noting the movement and disposition of Oath-Breaker troops in and around the city, and marking up the weak-points in the new fortifications of Meeting.

For days they did their work unnoticed, the Oath-Breaker military seeming to focus their scouting efforts east of Meeting, towards the Roman border, not thinking Romans might be to the west of them. However, the scouts knew their luck could not hold forever, given they were so deep within Oath-Breaker territory. They were not surprised when the gates of Meeting opened and soldiers emerged coming for them, but they gasped at the forces. A huge force of knights and pikemen spewed across the bridges and into the desert – to catch them – just a few scouts! Grinning the leader of the scouts realised that the Oath-Breaker soldiers knew in their hearts what their Emperor tried to deny, that as oath-breakers the fates would curse and hound them to destruction – hence they were sending out an army to catch some scouts.

This prophecy came quickly true. Of course the outcome of the battle was never in doubt – scouts against armoured knights and pikemen. But as the scouts fell back into the desert hills, the Oath-Breaker knights followed too quickly, straight into the ambush deep in a ravine. The scouts cheered as knight after knight fell crushed by boulders thrown from the top, and arrows shot at close quarters. Meanwhile messengers escaped carrying the reports about Meeting back to the Western Expeditionary Force. Even when the knights reasserted themselves, as surely they would, and the scouts were cut down, they died knowing that if they mere scouts could inflict wounds on armoured knights, the Oath-Breakers would never escape their doom .

[Pitboss Persia]

Carrying the Flame to the desert

1290 AD

For years Asiz had been trying to find a peaceful solution with Rome. For centuries Rome has been a cause of worries to him. Finally, Rome managed to find a solution that impressed him alot and he thought he could rest for a while. But when he prepared for fulfilling his obligations mentionned in the treaty, Rome only answered with insults about his trustworthyness. It saddend him, but he couldn't let his honor be tainted by some paranoid roman politician. After several weeks, the two Shas'El finally managed to persuade him to take action, awaking his warrior's spirit.

While the Por were quite unpleased with this war for it was disastrous for the imperial economy, the Shas were eager to proove their value on the battlefield. It would be a perfect context for the nomination of the next Shas'O, the position still being vacant since the death of the Shas'O Au-R'On Mee'Ting during the assault on the last Aztecan stronghold.

By now, everything went according to the plans of the Shas. The army that had been supposed to be garrisonned at Cumae had arrived at the gates of Velitrae, not too far away from the ruins of the Portuguese settlement that had been burned to the grounds centuries ago in that same desert. The defenders were numerous, but some of them were still occupied dealing with the revolting slaves. The city walls began to crumble under the constant rain of rocks thrown by piercian catapults and trebuchets.

In the mean time, Meeting still was well defended. A major force led by the Aun'O himself and the Shas'El Rhy'Myr was ready to deal with any roman attempt to attack the great city. Huge walls and a castle had been built, and even greater amounts of siege weapons would need years to take the defenses down.

The first task for the garrison of Meeting was the neutralization of roman explorers that had taken position on a mined hill north of the city. A regiment of Knights led by the Shas'El slaugtered them easily, but leaving them alone would have left them vulnerable to a counter-offensive of roman knights. This is why a regiment of pikemen was dispatched to provide them security in case the Velitraean Knights were to fight back.

Back in the inner Empire, the main training grounds of the Shas were very active, already providing strong reinforcements for the Eastern border. It was a greater war machine the Shas had set up there indeed.

The Aun'El Sa'Ly Lon'Don still was at Pierced Hill, recovering from her heavy injuries caused by her overestimating what she was capable of. She had traveled from Seoul to Pierced Hill in a few days, but she would need years to recover from that. Still feeling severe pain from time to time in several parts of her body, she was intrigued however, by the latest activities of the Kor. A private conversation with the Kor'O Lem'Ya Per'Hyl made it obvious they wouldn't hide the truth about Iris for any longer. The next opportunity to inform Asiz about the murder would be used.

Another project caught her attention. Caravels would soon be built for the Kor to use in missions of exploration and logistical or even military backup to the Shas. In fact, the Shas had no control whatsoever over the naval forces of the Piercian Empire, so that they would always need the Kor for any mission on or across the waters. The Caravel patterns semt to provide a ship reliable enough to travel over the ocean, an eventuallity that she had been hoping for over a thousand years...

[Pitboss Rome]

As Marcus Anthonius, Triumvir of the West, patrolled the walls of Velitrae, he was disturbed by laughter

"What is it solider?" he asked one of the group huddled over a piece of paper.

"Its the lastest propoganda from the Oath-Breakers. Listen to this sir 'For years Asiz had been trying to find a peaceful solution with Rome'. You couldn't make it up could you? We had peace with a sworn mutual defence pack, so they declared war with no warning. They then agreed another treaty swearing 'durable peace' and then they invaded again with no warning."

Marcus Anthonius smiled "Well, we will let God judge between us, here at Velitrae. We will see whether the God backs Oath-Breakers".

[Pitboss Rome]

The Battle of Velitrae - God has chosen

[Pitboss Rome]

The Bells in Rome had started ringing even before the report from Marcus Anthonius had been placed in Princeps Octavian's hand.

[Pitboss Persia]

Three riders : bad news for Asiz

Meeting

City-hall of Meeting, headquarters for the eastern war.

That night, three riders arrived at the gates of Meeting : A single one, from the north, and two other ones from the west.

The one of the north was a Kor'Ui, dispatched by the army sent towards Velitrae. He quickly entered the main hall, where the Aun'O and the Shas'El were deliberating the next steps to make.

Kor'Ui : "Aun'O ! Shas'El ! It's a disaster !"

Shas'El : "What is it ? Are Velitraean women ugly ? Haha..."

Kor'Ui: "Shas'El, this is no funny matter. Roman forces have overwhelmed ours overnight. They attacked three times superior in numbers and our entire attack force has been slaughtered."

Shas'El : "What ? So, the romans claimed we were building up too much troops and they have over three times more on their western border ?"

Aun'O : "This legetimates our war even more. But this defeat hurts. Our foreign allies report that Rome is currently weak, so we have to expect even more in the future."

Shas'El : "Aun'O, I would suggest the Kau'Yon. It is the only tactic that can be applied to the current situation, now that the Mont'Ka has failed."

Aun'O : "I agree. This war will be as challenging as I expected. Let's show the world what we are made of."

Kor'Ui : "I feel ashamed, I am the only survivor."

Aun'O : "You have fulfilled the mission that was yours, Kor'Ui. Report to your superior so that the families of the fallen may be informed."

The Kor'Ui left the room and two female silhouettes entered. The Shas'El bowed and left immediatly, without being asked. With a sigh, the Emperor showed that he knew that those women couldn't have come here with good news.

Kor'O Lem'Ya Per'Hyl was rarely seen out of the inner Empire, and soon, Asiz would learn why. For Aun'El Sa'Ly Lon'Don, it was the first time she showed herself with someone like Lem'Ya. They had met several times to discuss this matter in secret, but this felt strange.

"Asiz," Sa'Ly began, "there is a serious matter that needs discussion. For years this has been hidden from you." He was surprized : "Hidden from me ? And why are you calling me by my simple name ?" Lem'Ya continued : "Aun'O, I have witnessed a crime well known in our History ; the murder of Iris. But it didn't happen as you think it did." Asiz held his breath. This was one of the only topics really getting close him.

Sa'Ly placed her hand on his shoulder. "You need to be strong now, Asiz. Those words may cause you pain." she said. A brief look into Lem'Ya's eyes and a nodding meant that she could now tell what she kept secret for so many years.

"Aun'O, what you will now hear, will replace your inner peace by chaos. It was not the guard who killed Iris. He died trying to defend her against her own daughter. Taking advantage of the..."

"What is this supposed to mean ? Are you trying to explain that my wife, Aun'El Es'Ther Per'Hyl killed Empress Iris and decieved the whole Empire since that day ?"

"Asiz, you know that neither of us would make jokes about such matters."

"I can't believe it... excuse me Kor'O, continue please." he said, with a tear running down his face.

"She took advantage of the confusion spread by the murder of General Kalimah. We suppose this also was her doing. She killed the only guard left in the throne room, and accused the dead man of the murder. It seems like she had a deep disagreement with her mother about something concerning her father."

"Do you know something about her father ?" Asiz asked.

"Nothing, Aun'O." Lem'Ya answered.

"Neither do I, Asiz." Sa'Ly lied. She remembered Iris asking her not to reveal anything about this.

"So, what do you expect me to do now ? I can't just put her on trial, she is an Aun'El !"

Lem'Ya hesitated a little, but then she suggested : "You might take a more direct, and personal approach, Aun'O. I have already arranged support in case of civil war."

"You are a reliable member of my court, Kor'O. What have you arranged ?"

"The Imperial Minister Hae Mosu of Korea has been the man of my trust, and the Aun'El has made good contacts at the Korean court. We would have all the support they can spare with keeping the Piercian Empire stable. Given the current circumstances, this seems even more important." Lem'Ya explained.

"Give me until tomorrow. I need to think about the whole story." Asiz mumbled,already in deep thought.

"Take your time Asiz, a few days won't matter after all those years." Sa'Ly said, trying to comfort him.

And so all three went to their chambers, hoping for the dawn soon to come after the darkness that layed ahead.

But in the West, a woman already had her own plans for the future...

Next : The decision of the Aun'O, and the plans of his wife.

[Pitboss Khmer]

"Never bring a sword to a gunfight..."

Suryavarman 2 at his most insightful

[Pitboss Maya]

The Capture of Satricum



As promised, the Spartan spy had murdered the Tribune and caused the slaves to revolt against their masters. It was now time for Maya to live up to their end of the plan.

Under the cover of night, barges silently slipped into the harbor of Satricum. The only noise that could be heard over the waves was the soft trumpet of an elephant.

The town itself was in chaos from the slave revolt earlier in the day. Random fires burned, and slaves looted the market district and private homes. The town guard was battered and tired after fighting the slaves most of the day, and they were in no position to deal with what awaited them just off shore.

The barges landed, and the war elephants cut free of their tethers. They rampaged through the city streets, killing guardsmen and slaves alike.

Eventually what was left of the guard formed a defensive line in an attempt to stand up to the invaders. This failed miserably as two elephants charged the line, sending guardsmen flying while trampling those not upheaved by the cruel tusks. The few that broke rank and ran for their lives were shot down by Mayan bowmen atop the behemoths.

The slaves, realizing that these were Mayans, sided with the invaders and helped clear the town of any remaining roman guard.

The Spartans arrived the following day, and took brief rest in the now Mayan city of Satricum before continuing onward into Roman lands.

[Pitboss Maya]

Word of the Piercian defeat in the west reached King Voltan.

"How could they be caught in a textbook ambush?" Votan wondered. "The Romans will no doubt focus their forces south now."

Rumor also reached Voltan that the Portuguese were supplying the Romans with both troops, and possibly more ships.

"Why would the Portuguese help the Romans?" he wondered, "It was these same Romans who stole Portuguese cities ages ago. Now they do the same to the Russians and Portugal helps them?"

"It is no matter," the king thought. "We now hold Satricum, and thus control of what will be known as the Mayan Strait. Romans have no business being in jungles anyway.

Just then another messenger arived, bringing news of navel conflicts with the Romans in the Mayan Strait.

"It was a fantastic battle dear King! Both a Roman Carrick and a Mayan Caravel were sunk just off the north coast. A Roman trireme was severely damaged and was seen sinking before I left.

"A Roman Carrick," thought Voltan. "I wonder if it was the same one we fought before? How many of these ships is Portugal selling the oppressive Romans? More importantly... why?"

[Pitboss Maya]

To: King Henry and Marco of Portugal
From: King Pacal Voltan of the Maya
Subject: Roman War Aid

Dear King and Former King of Portugal,

I have recently signed our peace agreement, and am awaiting your signature so that peace may be declared.

Disterbing news has reached me concerning your involvement in the Roman war. Rumor has it that you might be sending Rome troops, as well as ships.

My intent is not to give a history lesson, but these Romans are hungry dogs. You have felt their wrath ages ago, and more recently Russia has felt their wrath.

I would request a public statement regarding your opinion of the current Roman War. I think it would be honorable for the most advanced nation on Terra to let the world know where they stand in this conflict.

I am another you.

- King Pacal Voltan

[Pitboss Celts]

The Celtic people give our most sincere condolences to the Khmer people for the loss of their leader. He was a great diplomat and cared very much for his citizens. Even when busy ruling his own lands, he maintained peaceful relations with his neighbors the Celts.