The Dance of Civilizations [Diplo Game] [Story Thread Pt3 - November 2009]

[Byzantium (DoC)]

Bellisarius laughed.

It has been a long time since laughter had been heard echoing through the governor's villa in Rhodes, but the latest captured information from the Russians had lifted the spirits of the defenders.

Yet Dominika held back her forces. Looking at the might of her catapults she was pleased that they were so effective, yet worried that the army she had brought may not be enough to decisively defeat the defenders.

Dominika, dear dominika. Theodosius told you and your mother when you launched this fool's invasion that you would not win, that you could not win. We offered peace, friendship, and compromise. But you took our words for weakness, refused any discussion, and launched your fool's war.

When Dominika had moved her forces against Rhodes the first time, the Byzantines had no skills in Metal Casting, no knowledge of Machinery, no Longbows, and no Macemen.

Twist the facts why don't you Dominika. When you created this dispute you had a small army of three battalions of axemen, a single catapult battery, and some spearmen. But you looked at the archers in Rhodes and thought better of it. So you delayed. You build up your forces. Your rearmed as macemen, and built many catapults. And what? You thought when you came back to Rhodes it would still just be defended by some archers?

Who had taken the side of the strong against the weak?

This is not the strong against the weak. This is an unprovoked invasion of a peaceful nation. No independent country in the world has backed your 'claim' to the land of Rhodes. You are the aggressor - don't try to gain people's pity.

Ceasing his musings, Bellisarius summoned his officers. He listened to the scouts reports - the Russian catapults emerging from the woods into which Persian catapults had recently disappeared - the news of the approaching Russian fleet, the information of the massed cavalry regiments now at Antioch and the launch of Antioch's trireme fleet.

Turning to his officers he warned them "Now is the moment before dawn. The walls have been demolished. The cavalry are nearly here. It is the darkest hour. Dominika and Catherine before her have been fools in diplomacy and fools in strategy, but let us not underestimate the bravery of the Russian soldiers. Prepare the men. If they come now, much blood will be shed. But let us pray to Constantine that she is proved a coward"

[Russia (DoC)]

Theodosius

You wish to play the game of politics dear Theodosius? I understand your desire to do so, for you do it so well. And you make friends easily, for you are great, and all wish to be friends with the great. For most men are cowards and would rather live in the shadow of a giant, than have the courage to challenge him and stand proud and triumphant in the sunshine that he obscured. You babble about how our aggression is unprovoked, yet you fail to realize the heart of our people, and our most dire needs. We will fight to the death over this pathetic piece of frozen soil, for we have no other choice. We have no other lands to settle. Our five closely packed cities in Mother Russia are burgeoning with our people seeking new lands. We are under constant threat from foreign power. Our only hope of survival is to settle new lands and grow strong in other places. And you, great empire, spanning from the far east to the far west, you seize land after land in the name of your great empire. Growing so vast that you lose all sight of near and far.

Let us make this clear to you and all others. If Russia loses this war, it is the same as if Russia did not fight this war. The costs are greater to us if we were to not fight for our future, than it is if we do. My mother saw the future, we fight to avoid that future. You claim Russia could have no chance of winning this war, yet I tell you, with the exception of three units of soldiers, which we have bought, we have by the sweat of our people built everything you see outside your gates. The army you see is the people of Russia, we have sacrificed so much to come here, too much to turn back now. And know this, we know how strong we are, for our power is equal to Persia, and only a step below yours, we know that the far bulk of your forces are on Rhodes, yet your neighbours would rather cower than challenge the giant.

You say we could not win? Our military technology was centuries beyond yours, but you have bought favours, and your rich cities has filled your coffers and your cowardly friends have sold to you what we sacrificed so much to gain. And you believe Russia cannot win? We cannot lose! For defeat is destruction! Retreat is annhiliaton! We will fight for victory! We will not retreat! We will not surrender! We will not fall prey to the cowardice that haunts other nations, for we are Russia!! We will fight for our future! And let our deaths haunt the world for centuries to come when your mighty empire discards its benevolent visage and becomes a tyranny of lesser nations! Let it then, in that darkness of the world be known, that the Russian people stood up against the giant and said with one strong voice:
Come Victory or Death! We will not hide in shadow!!

[Korea (DoC)]

The ancient and old Won Ful Yu sat on his bed and passed his sceptre to his aide.

The aide tried to keep his excitemnt inside, he had so long craved for this time , to become the great leader of tao in Korea,

With the sceptre in his hand the aide was officialy the new leader.

He waited till everyone had left before he smiled. Today he would start his life as Tao leader. He had plans. great plans.

So the boy named Chuon Phat lifted the Sceptre and walked out of the room.

[Korea (DoC)]

Chuon Phat was able to gather information from all other world from his fellow Tao Elders in the far flung countries.

Even from Russia to the far north west.

He read with interest the latest war issues in the north. The Russians were upset with some one trading with the Byzantines. The Russians didnt seem to have the information that Phat had .

Traded techs with Byzantium (both -1)

Hmmmm were the Persians interferring on both sides !!!



Perhaps the Russians would be better of trading with Korea. Chuon Phat send message to the Great Wang Ka to query if this was possible.

[Korea (DoC)]

In Korea Taoists from young to old were urged by their leaders into protsting the war in tha far north.



Fires were buring in the down town areas and had spread to central Korea and outside the Palace.

[Native America (DoC)]

‘Lone Horn’ (son of etc), had decided to retrace his sea journey mission (to explore the world) towards the land where his friends from Byzantium and Russia had offered safe passage.
However as ‘Lone Horn’ and his family got close to the shores of Rhodes (a disputed area, by accounts), on their voyage of exploration, his craft was denied right of passage.

This was surprising because ‘Lone Horn’ had been publicly assured by Theodosius, that a journey through these troubled waters, because ‘Lone Horn’ was simply a transient traveller, would be allowed.

[Korea (DoC)]

Taoists need to gather together and form an eternal bond for ever to protect our selves....

[Native America (DoC)]

The Native Americans welcome the diplomatic approaches from their neighbors, the Koreans, and agreed to send diplomats to the Korean sponsored conference.

[Korea (DoC)]

Chuon PHat was excited, his first missive had been accepted by the Great Americans across the ocean to the East.

He palced orders for arrangements to be made to meet the Native Americans in person.

He hoped the Indians would come too and the Mali all brothers in Taoism.

[Korea (DoC)]

Chuon Phat aged gracefully. from the young 8 year old took the Sceptre to the old man he was now.

His power in the Tao movement grew too. His last visit to india was very fruitful, The home of Taoism. The Indians offered him gold as a reward for converting more to Tao.


Chuon Phat knew this may place the now independant Korena Taoists under some obligations.

National prayer day was called for. And finally Wang Ka himself made the proclamtaion

Korea was never to be under the influence of other nations. But they needed to be involved in the world around them.

The Great deity of Korea had spoken.

To our dear friends the Indian Taoists

We truly appreciate your offer of gold and do humbly accept it but do remind you that this in no way places under obligation to you anymore or anyless than as fellow brothers of the Tao way.

We ask that you pray and do all you can for our other Tao brothers currently at war in the North.

Whilst all nations are free under Tao, we do have a role to play.

Lets pray for peace and see the Tao way spread.

[Byzantium (DoC)]

Dominkia - the honest coward

Honest:

yet I tell you, with the exception of three units of soldiers, which we have bought, we have by the sweat of our people ...

All have known that foreign fighters were among the invaders at Rhodes. Finally Dominika admits the truth.

Coward:

For the walls of Rhodes are destroyed. The city lies open to attack. And yet they spount words and do nothing.

[India (DoC)]

To our dear friends the Indian Taoists

We truly appreciate your offer of gold and do humbly accept it but do remind you that this in no way places under obligation to you anymore or anyless than as fellow brothers of the Tao way.

We ask that you pray and do all you can for our other Tao brothers currently at war in the North.

Whilst all nations are free under Tao, we do have a role to play.

Lets pray for peace and see the Tao way spread.

To the Great Wang Ka,

We gladly accept your invitation, we will send our delegats to this great event. You are also welcome to send your representatives to the Sha'Tao Citadel.
The gold we are offering is just a gift from our church, we need nothing in return, we just hope this money will help to spread the true faith even more.
I see you are deeply concerned about the war in the north. As far as we know not just no Taoist nation involved in this conflict, but not even faithful citizens. India has no reason to interfere, but we can assure you that we won't stand idle when our brothers and sisters are threatened. India is sworn to protect every Taoist nation and even every Taoist followers wherever they live.

King Maninder

[Persia (DoC)]

A Persian lesser Guru left Media for a special mission.
A mission that would turn the fate of the Byzantines.

Guru Ahm'Az regretted the fact that he had not send
many armies with Russia to fight the Byzantine.
He had not foreseen that many nations would help the large Byzantine Empire against the tiny civilization of Russia.

[Native America (DoC)]

To High Priest Kordush

From Massasoit, Native leader.

Yes you are correct, a new cult of Hinduism arose in our city Poverty Point, in the 'Indian' subcontinent. We are not sure whence it came. Its believers claim they are the reincarnated sons and daughters of our forbearers. They also talk of their holy scripts the Vedas.

The cult spread very quickly in Poverty Point as our Taoist missionaries hadn't
reached that city. The young braves were taken by the 'Mahabharata' story and go round calling themselves Vishnu this and Lord Shiva that and even the Dog soldiers are calling themselves 'Slum'.

They are now given to calling, what was the native practice of sitting cross legged, 'yogic meditation'. The elders in the city say that every second word uttered is ' Karma'. These Hindu followers have also spoken against the practice of killing buffalo and bison. So yes we need to curtail this.

We intend getting a Taoist missionary to Poverty Point as soon as possible but our priests are also having to deal with another cult, 'Buddhism' that has spread to our shores.

To: the High priest of the Native Taoist church
From: high priest Kordush, Delphi


My Friend,

It came to our attention that a new religious cult is forming in one of your cities. The spreading of false beliefs on our continent are truly concerns us. I hope you will act quickly and stop this 'Hinduism' cult beofre it get out of hand. I can gladly offer our proffessional help if you need. The Indian inquisition can convert any heretics back to the true faith very effectively-one way or an other.


Kordush

[Mali (DoC)]

Hmm.. We thought the problem was dealt with so our fishing boats were caught by surprise. Fortunately to us the pirates turned back, so we had time to dispatch our fleet to defend them. Soon they will eliminate the pirates even if they have to chase them back to the north sea.

We have a fleet headed around to that side of the island and will be stationed in Djenne after the pirates have been dealt with. These pirates will meet their fate soon.