The Dance of Civilizations [Diplo Game] [Story Thread Pt2 - October 2009]

[Russia (DoC)]

From sometime in the future...

A short guide to reading the religious teachings of Cathastogism:

Catherine's journey is usually considered metaphorical, though some fundamentalists claim it really happened, these are extremists and are not usually given voice in serious religious discussion. Whether an actual queen of ancient Russia or merely a figure of myth, the stories about Catherine the Progenitor nonetheless give guidance to moral and ethical dilemmas faced by people in our society today. The only sources that have survived from that time are mostly the religious stories written by Igor the Scribe, a highly prolific chronicler, that often mixes the factual with the obviously fictional. According to certain sources Catherine the Progenitor was supposed to have lived for centuries, a clear impossibility, and furthermore, there are numerous inconsistencies with other sources of the same time as to the nature and time of events described in the holy texts.

However, it is through Catherine's acclaimed acts, possible and purely mythical, that we are shown by example how to behave towards our figures of authority, those of lesser status, other religions and cultures, how to face and acknowledge the consequences of our actions and the importance of conviction and perserverance when burdened with responsibility. When reading the Journey to the Underworld, we must keep in mind that this is a journey through philosophy and ethics, where a moral compass or uniquely strong convictions are the only things that keep us from moral decay.

Ioseb Jughasvili
Priest

[Rasputin]

The Ottoman Empire wishes to alert the world of the following;

Our founding leader, Mehmed has passed peacefully in his sleep. His eldest son, Bayezid, will rule the Ottoman Empire going forth.

Mehmed was a peaceful ruler, who avoided any bloodshed and settled his disputes diplomaticaly. Although peaceful, he knew the importance of a military, which he used to deter an early Persian invasion, and leaves behind a dynamic and powerful military to his successor. He will also be remembered for his acceptance of foreign culture and religion, and has set a precedent for Ottoman tolerance towards others.

The new ruler of the Ottoman Empire, Bayezid, will follow in his father's footsteps and has already set the following goals for himself in the early days of his rule;

- Continued focus on the building of a powerful military
- Expansion to the North West of the capital
- Improved relations and cooperation with our neighbours, Russa, The Holy Empire of Brittania, and Persia

We will be holding a memorial period for the next year and invite delegates and missionaries from foreign lands to come and pay their respects.

wow he was very old !!!!

[Arabia (DoC)]

Mecca Weekly - Trade Dispute With Britannia

In the past few weeks a trade dispute has arisen with the nation of Britannia across the sea. Their king traded knowledge until false pretenses of other goods and failed to deliver. They now state a technicality in the trade denying our nation it's just due. Saladin is beside himself having ripped up all his frilly frocks and is wearing chain mail and calling for swords. The nation prepares.

Unless Britannia makes good on their deal wihtin the next decade, a state of war will exist between our nations for time everymore.

[Persia (DoC)]

Marcus,

Despite our disagreements of the past, I do offer you full protection against an Arabian invasion!

Guru Far'Az

[Rome (DoC)]

While Rome is still considering its position if Arabia and Britannia get into an active war, we do want to state that any involvement of Persia on our continent will be met with our active resistance.

Aeneas, Rex of Rome

[Persia (DoC)]

They who don't know you
will speak about you
Those who did not read your letters
will comment on these

Fools they are
Those who speak without hearing
Hide without seeking
Comment without reading
Flee without fighting
Their doom will start
Soon after they spoke in vain

Don't worry about those
Who speak up
Without being able
To deliver what they said

Their words are idle
Their thoughts are empty
Their promises are worthless
Their truths are baseless

HE will destroy them.
Before they see and read and know and understand
The wisdom from Guru Far'Az 5:13

[Mali (DoC)]

Captain Junbar grew up in Djenne and made a life of crab fishing. Day after day, he would go out in his boat and look for crabs off the coast. He made a decent amount of gold from this and was well fed, but he felt his life lacked meaning. He consistently looked out at the ocean, wondering what else was out there. After saving his money for may years, he heard about some boat builders building something called a galley. This boat would allow people to travel through the seas at a faster clip than the fishing boats around at the time.

Captain Junbar was very excited at this prospect and gave his life savings for this boat. he spent many days stocking the boat and hiring a crew to take the boat out to sea. Eventually, the boat was ready and set off on it's maiden voyage. So happy he was at this boat that he named it after his daughter who he would terribly miss, C'nek. Although he hated to leave her, the call of adventure was too strong.

Thus begins the adventures of Captain Junbar...

Captain Junbar inmmediately sailed northwest anticipating a turn around the tip of the island and then southeast toward the new coastal settlements of Mali on the backside of the island. Upon rounding the tip of the island, he noticed another island off in the distance to the west. He sailed that way and came across a spectacular sight. Horses pulling chariots with warriors made their way around the walls of a city. Many warriors carrying red flags seemed to be attacking this city. The battle raged for many days as Captain Junbar watched in awe and amazement. Eventually, the black flag of the city was taken down and a bright red flag took its place. By the time this war was over, Captain Junbar had drifted nearer to the shore but was afraid to sail past. He didn't want to seem connected to the people that had just been defeated. Captain Dunbar sent a messenger to the new owners of this city asking for permission to sail westward past the city.

[Orb (DoC)]

Marcus,

Despite our disagreements of the past, I do offer you full protection against an Arabian invasion!

Guru Far'Az

Guru Far'Az,

Marcus had died long ago but I, William Zi Britannia thank you for your offer and accept.

[Orb (DoC)]

In the past few weeks a trade dispute has arisen with the nation of Britannia across the sea. Their king traded knowledge until false pretenses of other goods and failed to deliver. They now state a technicality in the trade denying our nation it's just due. Saladin is beside himself having ripped up all his frilly frocks and is wearing chain mail and calling for swords. The nation prepares.

Unless Britannia makes good on their deal wihtin the next decade, a state of war will exist between our nations for time everymore.

Saladin,

Britannia has done nothing wrong and you know it! I will give you two choices:
1. You can turn back your plans and continue on your way.
2. You can send your army here to be killed.

I implore you to pick the first for if you do not your nation will burn, your people will die, and in the end you will call me your master.

William Zi Britannia

[Russia (DoC)]

Nova Semlja! New land! After sailing for many months, the Russian settlers reached a small forest with good fishing waters and valuable resources. Commanded by Catherine to seek out new land and settle it for Russia, Ivan Kydrihe led his small group of traders and their families to lands unoccupied.

Within days of their arrival however, a messenger from Britannia arrived, saying only:
PAY!!

Ivan sent a messenger to Catherine to relay the threat, then proceeded to prepare for trouble. Shortly after in Moscow, Catherine received the message and was appalled at the insolence of the Britannians. She sharply penned a letter to be delivered to William Zi Britannia:

Catherine

Empty lands are not yours to demand payment for. Long ago Russia was weak and Hastog made threats and demands. We could not refuse Hastog.
You are not Hastog. I carry his heir, and in his image, Russia has raised Axemen, Chariots, Spearmen and weapons that stand ready to protect our motherland! This new settlement is the first of our colony upon the Kola peninsula and if dare take your rhetoric into action, my armies will destroy anything along the entire coast so that you cannot isolate our people at Nova Semlja.

Catherine

[Orb (DoC)]

William sighted. He had only been Emperor for a week and already two nations once considered friends turned on him. Arab angry over a trade they did not understand and now Russia who was clearly violating the border agrements they themselves wrote now wish to use force. For many years Britannia had the ability to produce troops at a much faster rate then others but instead chose peace over war and neglected to build large armies, a clear mistake that would soon be rectified. William sent a message to Russia and another to his younger brother who was paroling the area where the russians had been spotted. He then sat in the thrown room waiting for a response.

[Persia (DoC)]

Far'Az challenged from two sides Two letters arrived in Media. One from Catherine of Russia. One from William of Britannia. Both seeking help and support. Against each other.
		Far'Az read both letters. Both civs were friends of the Persians. Both civs had accepted Hastogianism in one or another form.
Far'Az then made a public statement Nations of Hastog Feel free to battle each other! Hastog has no pleasure in weakness. Persia will not intervene. May the strongest civ earn the rights to settle! But don't teach each other's current belongings.
		Then he proceeded William and especially Catherine, Persia will not sit idle when you have no lands to expand into. We are looking for ways. To sail the oceans. We believe that Hastog will guide us And show us new lands, far or nearby. We are willing to bring settlers of our friends To these new lands! Settlers and Swords! To claim new lands.
But for now, lands of Hastog! Enjoy the pleasure of the battle fields! Honour Hastog by exploiting your strength! The deamons will feast upon the bodies of the weak!

[Ottoman Empire (DoC)]

So early in his reign, and Bayezid must face a troubling scenario...

Our friends, the Arabs, Brittanians, and Russians, are on the precipice of war.

The Ottomans wish to host a summit where delegations of each nation can come together and discuss the matter in peace with Bayezid acting as mediator. The talks promise to be productive and if a peaceful agreement has not been reached by the end of the summit, all parties are free to take the measures they must.

Arabs, Brittanians, Russians...

If you wish to give peace one last chance, please say so in this forum and send your delegation as soon as possible to the Ottoman capital. If all parties agree, and send a delegate, there will be a mandatory cease fire until the end of the summit.

Please state your intentions.

[Korea (DoC)]

The news of the situation on the mainland was sent to the King as part of the daily update. The kings spent many hours with his chief advisors discussing it. With Korea trying hard to build trade on the mainland, a war would not be good for safe travel around the nations.

The king wrote a letter to his ambassader in the Golden City advising him to keep close watch on the situation in case the Korean merchants would need to be withdrawn to safety.

[Egypt (DoC)]

Summit at Friendship City

Hor-Aha sat back on his throne, tired, but very pleased. Very pleased indeed.
The gathering at Friendship City had been a great success. Trade negotiations were done, agreements were made about borders, and the future. Everywhere he looked, there had been people smiling, and all his fellow rulers had shown such willingness to work together, that Hor-Aha was filled with pride at the wisdom of his neighbours.

He had been greatly impressed with Mayta Capac's visit, and knew he would forever treasure the long conversations they had about leadership, and the stories filled with ancient wisdom from his great country. He had promised to return the visit soon and to enjoy Incan delicacies and their friendship.

He had been very pleasantly surprised by the arrival of a very wise man with slitted eyes from the East, a man of few words, but the words he spoke were wise and precise. Petrix Abonus was offered a permanent home in Friendship City, and as he remembered the expression on Abonus' face, surrounded by many virgins and Egyptian beef and sugar dates, Hor-Aha smiled and hoped that he would soon accept his offer.

All of the guests present could hardly keep their eyes of beautiful Voula from Greece. Hor-Aha smiled, thinking back about their long conversations over a cup of the rich tasting Antioch Wine from Byzantium, gifted to him by Theodosius. Remembering how the setting sun shone on Voula's olive skin, Hor-Aha sighed, knowing he would forever treasure that intimate evening. He would soon send a personal letter to Voula, as he was already missing her company.

A big surprise to all was the band of archers from Arabia. With their beautiful curved swords and their finely carved bows, they were a sight to behold. Hor-Aha had invited their captain for an afternoon of hunting, and he had never seen an aim so straight and unwavering. He reminded himself to send an arrowhead made from the finest Egyptian gold to Arabia.



A great spectacle indeed had been the cohort sent by the Romans. Never had he seen soldiers march in such perfect unison, and with such impressive uniforms. At dinner, he had made sure to speak with the captain of this cohort, and he had a great conversation about battlefield strategy with this man. To Rome, he would send a spearhead made of Egyptian gold.

And Theodusius. The prophecy he brought truly laid bare the plan of the Gods for Friendship City. It had been the highlight of the summit, as all were awed by this message from the sky. Hor-Aha knew that something great had been happening when he had looked around during the evening meal and had seen all those people from different cultures sharing food, drinking, laughing and sharing stories. But when the news of Theodosius' prophecy came, all had been truly awed. There had been much rejoicement that evening and a ritual was performed the next morning by the Arabian archers, at which all were present, to thank the gods for their gift of friendship.





The entire week had been so great, that Hor-Aha truly believed that their continent, with its wise leaders and great people, had all the potential to become a beacon for all to follow. On the final day, he sent out messages to all civilizations that special buildings would be built for any civilization who wished to send a permanent ambassador to Friendship City, and that from that day forth, any leader of any nation would always be welcome and safe in Friendship City, no matter the circumstances.

Hor-Aha looked out towards the Nile from his throne, and said a quiet prayer to Ra: "May your light shine upon all the leaders and all the people of all the great civilizations that we know. May they forever live in peace and harmony". Hor-Aha stood up, and walked to his bed. As he lay down, he once again thought of beautiful, beautiful Voula.