Beyond the Pit [Pitboss Diplomacy Game] [Story Thread] . PART 8 (March 2009)

[Pitboss Maya]

11. All nations involved must cut their espionage against eachother by half (if possible)

I don't see how we could quantify that. When is this half being measured from? I would suggest we cease all espionage against each other during the 100 turns.

[Pitboss Rome]

Shock in Rome

For a brief moment confusion reigned in the hastily called War Council in the Nave of the Temple of Mars in Rome.

The assembled generals and admirals couldn't believe the message from Marcus read out by a dust covered spy of mixed Russian-Roman descent from the mountain villages near Mediolaneum.

"The Russians have betrayed us? No!"
"I don't believe it"
"But the Rus have been our friends for many years now"
"Joseph Stalin would be turning in his grave"
"There is something suspicious - I smell foreign influence"
"Half my soliders seem to have Russian wifes and escorts"
"Its those bloody Russian mushrooms I bet"
"The bastards deserve to die"

General Boniface imposed order. "Gentlemen our instructions from Marcus Aurelius are clear. We begin mobilisation today. Cannons, riflemen, cavalry, frigates and galleons. Three armies. Pitrograd, Omsk, Kiev. Long-distance marines from our colonies on New Portugal. Commando insurgence from ships operating out of Ravenna. By the time Marcus returns from the Russian mountains, I want detailed plans and timings."

The officers departed, shocked at the news, steeling themselves to destroy the Oath Breakers as duty demanded.

[Pitboss Greece]

King Orestes left Russia in a hurry.
Home he immediately left for Knossos, the border city with Korea.
A large Korea army had positioned itself just outside the gates of Knossos.

Orestes then walked to the city walls of Knossos.
When he stood tall on the walls with his back against the white wall of the castle of Knossos, he addressed General Kim, Pacal and all of the Korean army.

Watch video of Orestes addressing Kim, the Pacal and the Korean army: http://plomp.eu/diplo/declaration_orestes.avi

[Pitboss Russia]

I speak to My Beloved people and try to raise their spirits but my Caravel has returned to port today and I now know the dreadful truth! The Khmer have betrayed me with their promises of rich lands for my people to live and prosper in if only I would follow their advice and accept their protection. No fleet at the rendevous and nought on the horizon.

Their despicable leader gave me, what he claimed to be, his favourite eunoch as a coronation gift. To minister unto my privy matters and perform my toilet. Yet this creature uttered words that seemed so true and sincere. Messages from his master himself were given promising a life of peace and plenty under the protection of the benign Khmer state. I now know this man who stands as lord over many continents is but the living re-incarnation of Pol Pot!

We fight on hoping that some fortune will come our way but the people take the re-introduction of conscription badly. I fear that when they hear news of the Khmer deceit their spirits may fail them.

I have been deceived into war and can scarse look upon myself in the mirror!

Grand Prince St. Andrei Bogolubski

[The Capo]

The Korean army, a rag-tag group of men, watched as King Orestes of Sparta stood upon the walls of Knossos and uttered his maniacal speech. A Greek-trained Korean sharpshooter began to take aim, but Kim stopped him, "No, do not do that. We will execute him properly." he turned his horse around to face his men, "Do you see the tyranny we are up against, he wants to subjegate half of our nation, and the same for Maya. He wants us to disband our army and become his vassals. Clearly we have been right all along, this man is hell-bent on dominance. He cares not for his people or for his own honor. He has gone insane. Men of Korea, our Greek brothers, we must fight this man to the death!"

There were murmurs from the soldiers, they were becoming impatient and fearful of what might come to them.

"Do not fear, death at the walls of Knossos is a much better end than slaving in Orestes' fields. We must not shrink from our destiny! He may have the upperhand now, but his day will come to him. We will NEVER surrender!"

[Pitboss Khmer]

[OOC - In case you guys aren't aware, when you gift a city, you don't transfer the city's culture. (you do transfer cultural buildings though). So while the gifting erases all foreign culture in the cities' base 9 tiles, it can be easily, and quickly filled in by a foreign city (i.e. New Iron Maiden). So, Khmer cannot use their cultural trait to "culture up" a city and then hand it all over to a new owner. All that culture is erased. You guys should have transferred control long ago.]

ooc I did not know this. Thankyou for explaining. It explains quite a few things I was wondering about. tidings.

[Pitboss Rome]

Near Home

In a cave on the Russian side of the mountains, Marcus waited for a storm to cover their route over the pass and back to Rome.



Meanwhile reports continued to come in from across Russian. They all said the same thing. Universally the Russian people were bewailing the prospect of war against their friends, the only discord was whether the blame was attributed to St Andrei foolishness, or to the Khmer for tricking them. Looking back into the fair land of the Rus even Marcus seemed to shudder at the prospect of the storm of cannon about to be unleashed.

[Pitboss Greece]

Korean and Mayan armies fleeing in despair from the Spartan battlefields

Orestes looked over the Korean army.
The unrest was visible.
Some people in the back of the army pulled back.
Then suddenly people started to run away from the battlefield.

While the Spartan generals ordered their men to restrain themselves, the Korean generals lost control over their army.
There was fear in their eyes. They were told about a weak Sparta that could easily be conquered, but now they heard a speech from a charismatic leader who showed no fear or despair.
A Spartan king with a victorious look in his eyes, long before the battle started.

Then suddenly the entire army pulled back into the hills.
Some kept their dignity, but many ran.

In the meanwhile in the north the Mayan armies fled back into their ships as well.
Word had reached them and fear had fallen on them.
The cowards came to fight but left the battlefields before any shot had been fired.

[Pitboss Khmer]

Xristo City proposed as venue for bilateral security crisis talks

tidings and Khmer will consider your olive branch.

I have answered your concerns, I wonder if Khmer will see reason in an stable relation with Portugal. I propose for us to meet in New Portugal and talk about foreign politics?

Xristo

Tidings and thankyou Xristo.

We see your troops dispersing in New Portugal and appreciate your efforts.

Please come to Xristo City where we can discuss matters and dine on the finest exotic offerrings from near and far.

Suryavarman 3

[Pitboss Rome]

Marcus reaches Rome

Crossing the passes from Russia in a snow storm, Marcus and the twelve bodyguards left, arrive back in Mediolaneum, and then ride for Rome. His entry to to the city is a cause of great rejoicing. The Emperor safe, the future begins.

[St Jon]

Shock News - Russia in Chaos!

News has just reached us from our special correspondent in Novgorod that Russia has effectively collapsed into civil war. Fierce fighting broke out last night in Novgorod between forces loyal to the ruling monarch and those belonging to a man claiming to be the true and rightful ruler of the City, Yaroslav the Wise. Little known is known of this man outside of Russia but his opponents claim him to be an extreme right-winger, some say fascist, of the worst kind. Both Josef Stalin and Andrei Bogolubski sought to find and capture him but it appears that he has many supporters in the City and Andrei Bogolubski has been forced to flee. An alleged supporter of the Khmer, a crime he denies, may favour him little in times to come.

Elsewhere greater chaos gripped the state. In Kiev a fierce opponent of the regime, Vsevolod Mstislavich, has managed to gather the support of the workers of Russia's principal industrial centre under his flag. It is claimed that the soldiers simply turned their guns upon their own officers and welcomed his reurn from exile. He is reputed to be a left wing extremist and has spent many years in gaol, though never tried or convicted of any crime, but is hated by the Russian ruling classes. It is believed of him that he has great hatred of Sparta and leans toward the new thinkings of Korea. His last place of refuge is unknown, some say Korea itself, others Japan but bizarrely some claim it to have been Rome itself.

In Omsk, Russia's economic bedrock, Andrei Bogolubski's troops offerred little resistance to the forces gathered by Daniil Aleksandrovich, a man who enjoyed high office under Josef Stalin, but fell into disfavour under Andrei Bogolubski for his demands that the Duma be more than simply a talking shop and pretence of representation of the people whilst simply rubber-stamping all Imperial decrees in reality. This man is thought to enjoy little international support, though his enemies in Russia claim him to be but a bourgeois puppet of Portugal no proof has been offered that he ever visited the country, the Russian middle class appear to favour him and the language of an end to feudal domination.

Within the Russian peasant lands a man of unknown origin has emergered upon the national stage. Rostislav Vladimirovich, has garnered great support. He professes himself a pacifist, though not to members of the Imperial Guard, and has promised land and freedom to the hard toiling farmers. His supporters do not yet appear to have entered any major cities in great number but his support has grown swiftly.

Of the King himself little is known. Rumour has it that he is in Petrograd, the one City to have escaped yet far from the chaos around it. It is has traditionally been the most favourable toward the regime and may yet be his sanctuary though the Roman forces bearing down upon it make it an obvious target. Other rumours have it that he has found refuge with another nation, though who would welcome him is unknown.

One thing that is certain is that Rome now faces no easier target to expand her empire than the corpse that was once the nation state of Russia.

James Fiendes,
Sky News International

[Pitboss Rome]

A Russian in the Temple of Mars in Rome

As the sunlight streamed in through the wide open doors, the generals and admirals assembled in the Nave of the Temple of Mars were confused.

Sitting at the war table on his left, still wearing his sword, was Stefanus the Russian military attache in Rome. They all knew Stefanus well, since his appointment by Joseph Stalin. He had been a key figure in the join operation to build up the Russian navy. Many would have said they trusted him with their life. But now? he was a Russian, and this was a war council to destroy the Oath-Breakers.

Marcus rose, commanding silence, and turned to the old man on his left, the Lesser One himself, and nodded. The Lesser One began:

"Remember back, friends, to centuries far gone ..."

(the generals cast glances - now is not the moment for a religious history lesson is it?")

"before the great Tribune Hieronymous. The Rome state did many terrible crimes - to its own people, and yes even abroad. Remember Rome attacked and destroyed land of our neighbour the Portuguese.

(various people round the room shuffled, this was not the part of Roman history people liked to remember)

"but it was not Rome who did it those crimes, was it? It was not the Roman people who launched wars was it? It was the evil Senators who, in this very building, plotted the destruction of our own people. (nods and relief) The head may commend the body, but it is not the body."

Marcus stood up again. "The Russia people are part of the Pax Romana." (confused looks). "Joseph Stalin the greatest Russian leader ever, forged with Emperor Augustus peace and friendship between the Russian people and the Roman people. That peace and friendship remains."

"Do Romans abandon their oaths of friendship?"

"NO" the men growled. "But its them who have broken them" interjected the admiral who commanded the marine fleet off Ravenna"

Marcus held up his hand for silence "Now is the hour when the peopel of Russia need our friendship most. Now is the hour to demonstrate our loyalty to the peace agreed between the great Augustus and Joseph Stalin. Now is the hour to save the Russians from the evil St Andrei who has been corrupted by power, deceived by the promises of foriegn nations, and has launched war on Rome and his own people."

"We ride for Russia." (smiles from the generals) "and sail" (a nod to the marine admiral) but we do not bring destruction for the Russian people, but liberty."

Marcus nods to the mixed-race agent, still covered in his hood, standing in the shadows. He spoke quickly and quietly

"The Russian people are in uproar. Many different leaders seems to be seizing control of individual cities. There is no central control. The army is paralysed. St Andrei (he spits) has no effective power, and is thought to be fleeing east. Nobody in Russia wants this war."

Marcus contined "The Russian people are our friends and allies. That has not changed. I will have nothing burnt, no people killed, no soliders killed if they do not resist us. Our aim is to free the Russian people from the evil tyrants that have seized the throne of Great Joseph Stalin and have brought such calamity on the Rus."

"We reconvene in the hills overlooking Kiev. I hope that by then the Rus will have purged the evil from within their midst. Stephanus will ride next to me, we fly the banners of the Rus and the Romans together, as once Emperor Augustus and Joseph Stalin rode together."

The meeting continued, planning the details of the number of cannon ready on the border, the New Portugal fleet, the marines, the spy networks, the trials of the new gattling guns ...

[Pitboss Khmer]

Sushi City and Greenwich culture debacle

To the nations of HRE, Metallica, Celts and Funglish.

Re: Sushi City and Greenwich culture usues with the Metals

The Khmer have made a mistake by not transferring control of Sushi City to the HRE immediately after the Stincan wars. Suryavarman 3 apologises for this and now realises he may now do more harm by trying to do some good.

Specifically, Sushi City has two Wonders in it that the Khmer are not utilising - Sankore Uni and Spiral Minarette. The HRE can use these more effectively. Sushi is now swamped by Metal culture and we trust they can not do any more about that given they are running Free Speech.

So Khmer must continue with the plan and gift the HRE a Great Artist to restore Sushi City's culture. The BIG problem is that such a sudden cultural expansion may detrimentally effect the Celt city to the South - Copper Cove.

ADVISE on likely results of adding GA culture to Sushi, please.

It is planned next period.

With Greenwich Khmer urges that a city swap be arranged with Korn, perhaps.

If we had another GA we would oblige the Funglish but alas it is not available.

The Khmer Meduian Office of Cultural Affairs

[St Jon]

Russian Civil War and Hopes of Peace

Fighting continues throughout Russia but events are moving quickly. It appears that rapidly losing support in Kiev to the peasant army of Rostislav Vladimirovich that Vsevolod Mstislavich has opened the gates of the City. Talks seem to have been successful and the pair have agreed to set up a provisional Government of National Unity and appealed to all other factions to join them and end the war. In a shock move Chief of Staff of the Russian Imperial Army, Marshal Gregor Stanaslanovich, who was thought to be a diehard Monarchist has defected and leading the remnants of Russia’s tattered Army has joined these men. This must be the end for the Emperor!

The first move of the Government of National Unity has been to send an appeal to Rome for a ceasefire pleading clemency for Russian folly under Andrei Bogolubski. We await to see if this is successful. Other Cities have joined with even Vsevolod Mstislavich turning over Omsk without a bullet being fired. It is thought that he too may join the interim regime on condition that Russia become a Republic. Yaroslav the Wise however showed little sign of living up to his title and there was heavy fighting in Novgorad before he fled, most likely to the Khmer, for it is now popularly believed that he was secretly acting as an agent in their plots to provoke war with Rome.

Leading a ragtag army of regular soldiers with poorly armed workers and peasants in support, Marshal Stanaslanovich reached Petrograd. The City had to be taken by storm and but once inside it was welcomed by the ordinary citizens. The king was last seen escaping by sea in an ancient decommissioned vessel towards a Galleon flying no Flag. It was of queer design so who has given him sanctuary remains a mystery.

What the future is for Russia is now is on a knife-edge with Rome poised to attack and the Khmer angered by the discovery of their pernicious plots to destabilise the entire region. Will Rome show mercy? Will Portugal seek profit from Russian enfeeblement? Perhaps the Khmer will now act and attempt to install a puppet government under Yaroslav the Wise? What of the King himself, will any nation aid him in a bid to regain power?

James Fiendes,
Sky News International

[Pitboss Greece]

No love for my self-shot video?

http://plomp.eu/diplo/declaration_orestes.avi