The Dance of Civilizations [Diplo Game] [Story Thread Pt5 - January 2010]

[Persia (DoC)]

Queen of India, Powhatan,

I am willing to settle 2 new cities on a new small continent my caravels found for the Native Americans to compensate their loss in New Russia.
In return I expect that Powhatan immediately hands over his 2nd settlement on New Russia to us.

Great Guru Bad'Az of Persia

[Egypt (DoC)]

A messenger from Egypt arrived at the great Taoist temple in India. He was escorted inside to the High Priest of Tao, and delivered the following letter:




To the Indian High Priest of Tao,

I write to you on a personal note to address the current situation here. As you are the spiritual leader of the Tao faith, I hold your wisdom in high regard, and believe your position in India to be second to Shivali herself. Please read this letter carefully.

I am very worried at India's recent actions against Byzantium, our neighbour. Unrest is growing on our continent because of it, armies are being formed, new alliances are made, even by Taoist nations, to counter this invasion. Queen Shivali claims to have given Byzantium time to decide, yet no real sound diplomatic discussions were held before India declared war. Most Taoist nations on this continent do not understand India's actions, and cannot reconcile it with the Taoist teachings.

There has even been talk of closing borders, renouncing Taoism, and free choice of religion for the people. This is exactly the opposite of what Shivali claims to be seeking; a Taoist alliance of many nations. The willingness of other nations to join or remain within this alliance is waning because of Shivali's actions. I have even heard of nations that are considering becoming Hastogianists, perhaps to draw Persia into this conflict as a counterbalance to India's military might.

All Egypt wants is a peaceful solution to this conflict. Imagine the alliances India could form if it wins the goodwill of the nations on this continent, the power it would gain, the possibilities of so many nations united under one faith, under the wise and peaceful banner of mighty India. Please consider these possibilities before Shivali throws them all away because of war and bloodshed. If you have any influence at all over Shivali or the army generals, I hope you will use it to the best of your abilities to secure a peaceful solution, in the spirit of true Taoism.

Pharaoh Ramesses.

[Mali (DoC)]

A page rushed into Sum Dak's chambers with important news.

"High Priest Sum Dak, war is spreading across the world. India has just declared war on Byzantium and Persia is attacking our brothers of Native America."

Sum Dak rushed the page out of the room to round up the advisors. After all had been gathered, Sum Dak entered the room in his flowing robes or priesthood.

"Brothers, we seem to have a great deal of turmoil happening here. Queen Shivali has given Justinian an order to convert to Tao and until that is done, Indian forces are on the march to force conversion. On top of that, Persia has attacked Native American colonies and have made threats of attacking the Native Americans homeland, our very continent."

Mumbles and gasps echoed throughout the room.

"Let us address the situation with the Indians first. I support our brothers in Tao first and foremost. Let us lend to them what we can. I think the best course of action is to send missionaries. Justinian seems receptive to this. India's troops are superior to ours, so I doubt we can offer anything there. However, we may be able to finance some projects in their homeland since their funds will likely be diverted to pay for war. Perhaps we can buy some technology from them and advance ourselves with all of this."

Both the science and diplomacy advisors looked at each other and nodded in agreement.

"I believe the bigger issue here is this unprovoked attack on the Native Americans colonies. I've not seen anything from Persia or the Native Americans that even hints at a disagreement between these two nations. I personally will not stand for such actions and back the Native Americans 100%. I will give as much as I can to help the Native Americans be it monetarily, scientifically or militarily. See to it that we are in quick contact with them and work to make sure they are prepared in case Persia invades our continent."

[Byzantium (DoC)]

[India (DoC)]

Pharaoh Ramesses,

I'm Kordush, you sent your letter to me, but no need to address the church in diplomatic matters. Queen Shivali is our first ruler who finally follows the God's wishes without hesitation, She was and is Zulkash's first apprentice. But still, I can answer You:
We did not expect a war with Byzantium, but it seems they are led by a madman, no wonder we could not reason with him. Even now He just laughs and would send his men to death. Byzantium will be better without him, then we will help their misled people to find the only true path. This cannot be achieved till their mind is confused by crazy ideas, false religions, so called "freedom". People needs to be directed, that will make them confident and happy.
I know many are questioning why do we care what others do far away from us. It's quite saddening when taoists do this. It just shows how much they really know about the teachings of the Holy book, the prophecy... and the time is running out we all must work harder.


Kordush

[Native America (DoC)]

Persia removes illegal Colony The Native American colony, Nacogdoches, on New Russia has been removed by Persia. The colony of Nanih Waiya will be removed soon. If the Natives hand this colony over voluntarily, Persia will abstain from a penalty raid on Native American homeland and it will give the Galleon, worker and two soldiers in New Russia an unharmed journey home.

This was an unprovoked attack, following what we Native Americans thought was an understanding to live side by side in this new world..

quote 'threat those well that are not against us' unquote.

and quote 'If you are against us and will blockade the Russian settlements of New Russia, or if you will live in peace with us ..... unquote.

We accepted to live in peace.

[Native America (DoC)]

Chief Metacom wept when he heard the news about his brother Wamsutta's death and the slaughter of his family and tribal followers (it is thought some escaped to the hills), during the burning of the Nacogdoches by these Persian horsemen.

Wamsutta and Metacom, had promised their families, a new beginning in this new land. Chiefs Wamsutta and Metacom had treated the meeting with the leaders of the Persians with openness, lack of threat and a spirit of cooperation. Now this.

[Native America (DoC)]

Then came this message.

Queen of India, Powhatan,

I am willing to settle 2 new cities on a new small continent my caravels found for the Native Americans to compensate their loss in New Russia.
In return I expect that Powhatan immediately hands over his 2nd settlement on New Russia to us.

Great Guru Bad'Az of Persia

Metacom called the tribe members together.

'We came here looking for a new beginnings, we knew it would be harsh, but we expected liberty and freedom to grow. Now it seems wider influences have effected our prospects'.

We have been offered this: 2 new settlements on a small continent somewhere and safe passage for the remaining Native Americans back home in our galleon.

The alternative is this:a fierce battle with armoured horsemen and razing of the village and an unsure future.

[Native America (DoC)]

White Wolf asked

'Do we thrust these Persians and their promises'

Chief Metacom answered 'No, but we don't have an alternative. We came looking for a new world, unexploited by other civilizations. That is still our objective'.

'They, the Persians, have offered us 2 new settlements and safe passage home for our family.

When we get home, after a period we will want to visit these new places'.

Chief Metacom reluctantly said. 'For the sake of our children and the tribe we have to accept this offer'

The tribal gathering agreed and set about saying farewell to Nanih Waiya.

[Byzantium (DoC)]

A Stake to the Heart - The Vampire is Dead

Jubiliation exploded in Thessalonica when the first messanger reached the city. The huge, rifle-wielding Vampire army has been externimated in the hills above the city. Send to hell where they belong. Initial casulty figures were put at 160,000 Indian dead including 90,000 riflemen to a total Byzantine casulties of about 90,000 and this from a Byzantine army in which less than 10% had gunpowder!

The spirit of the martyr Constantine, the bravery of the Byznatine forces fighting to keep the blood-sucking evil from their homes, the tactics and deceptions of the Byznatine generals, and the arrogant lust-ful grabbing as if she were immortal, has brought down the Vampire.

Free nations of the world - slaves of the Vampire held in chains - the Vampire is not immortal - her ever so impressive looking armies can be exterminated!

(Full battle reports were dispatched to Justinian, to follow).

[Byzantium (DoC)]

Justinian's Declaration



In front of the Graffiti which had sprung up across Byzantium in the face of the onslaught of the Vampire, flanked by the Tao'ist chief Priest of Constantinople demonstrating that this war has nothing to do with religion, and overshadowd by a Byzantine flag, Justinian greated the crowds in Constantinople.



"Today a great victory has been won. The first army of the Vampire has been destroyed - your children are safe ... for now. Courage, honour and a belief in freedom has triumphed over domination, evil and might. But do not be deceived, the Vampire herself is not yet sent to hell to join her proud riflemen. It will be a long road ahead. This is not the end, not even the beginning of the end, but it is the end of the beginning. A first blow for freedom has been struck. The sound is reverberating throughout the lands which live under the Vampire's shadow - the distant hope of freedom.

Today, people of Byzantium - people of the world - I proclaim FREEDOM. Freedom for all to live and worship as they wish.

There will be dark days ahead - there will be blood, sweat and tears - pray for the people of Adrianopole who are cowering under the threat of the Vampire's remaining forces - but this day has proved that in the end the darkness can neither understand nor overcome the light - and that light still burns in Constaninople - as in the cities of our friends, and in the hearts of many who live under the Vampire's shadow.

As my friend here demonstates - Tao'ism has nothing to fear from freedom. The world has nothing to fear from Tao'ism. But none will truly be safe until the evil of the Vampire is destroyed, and she is sent to rot in hell. This day the tide has turned.

FREEDOM!

[India (DoC)]

Royal messenger: My Queen, our intelligence confirms the reports we've heard from Byzantium: Our first army has been eliminated on their march to Thessalonica. General Sselepoh, leader of the second army suggest that we make a tactical retreat untill..

Queen Shivali: Now begone and take my orders to our brave general!- Shivali turns to Zulkash-How is this possible?? How can these pityfull heretics defy our best troops??

High priest Zulkash: It seems Evil has grown stronger than we anticipated. And our defeat might even worsen this situation as some may question our power. We still have to analyze why and how has our army been defeated, We may have to rethink our current approach and find an other solution to eliminate the unbelievers. Let's trust in God's wisdom to show us the right path

High priest Ashoka: Nah, It's not a mystery. They got destroyed because their, and especially their leaders' faith was not strong enough. I told you that I should had led the army and victory would have been already ours..

[Persia (DoC)]

		Peace between Persia and Native America The Native American Empire and the Hascon Nation of Persia have signed peace. A Persian galleon with 2 settlers is heading to the north west to settle a new colony for the Natives. The Natives handed over their settlement on New Russia to the Persians.
Bad'Az cancels Fed'Az deal with Russia* Bad'Az first visit to New Russia was a shock to him. "Why again do we give this continent to the Russians? He asked one of the minor guru's. "That's how Fed'Az wanted to contain the Russian aggression" the minor guru answered. "We can contain them military easily" Bad'Az barked. "I will never be as stupid as Fad'Az, leading my armies from Hastogsburg away to be stabbed in the back." Then Bad'Az made an order to immediate cancel the handover of New Russia to Russia and to keep the continent Persian. "Return the Russian refugees waiting in our ports to Russia and start building up our colony in New Russia.

*ooc: Russia decided on the last moment that they did not want to be deported, which I accepted. After some negotiating we agreed on a deal to turn the clock back. He accepts the loss of his 4 settlers and 3 armies, that are already in New Russia. This is immediately the payment he made for losing the war. He gets his great generals back and the rest of his army. I get my voucher back. (he simply pays himself for the last tech I gave him, which has not been administrated yet). This ooc just for clarification

[Persia (DoC)]

Queen Shivali,

The latest images we received from you show us that you are in fact a worshipper of Hastog! Now Hastogianism has spread into your cities I invite you to adopt Hastogianism as your state Religion. We can rule this world together.

Great Guru Bad'Az of Persia

[Persia (DoC)]

Hastog does not, nor did he ever, exist Some of the Guru's in the Shrine of Fat Hastog published their study about the true origins of Hastogianism in public. Great Guru Bad'Az was the first to receive a (written) copy of their conclusions about the origins of Hastogianism. Some excerpts: "Hastog the Hairy or Hastog the Fat has always been considered to be the father of Persia. There are many stories about this ancient figure. We have studied ancient Persian recordings about the origins of these myths and came to the shocking conclusion that this Hastog figure most probably never existed. His ideals are the core teachings of a philosophical school that started on Hascon. These ideas and philosophies have most probably been attached to a protagonist for educational and diplomatic reasons. The early authors of the books "Wisdom of Hastog" and "Teachings of Hastog" most probably never intended that any of us really would believe or worship this Hastog Figure. He was invented for identification purposes. For long people already doubted that this Hasog figure would have been able to fight th storm or destroy the Russians. These are metaphors to spread the teachings of Hastogianism. The first metaphor is Hastog going against "the fathers", the fathers being the ancient believes in gods and spirits. Hastog fights these fathers when he shouts against the storms and the winds. The later so called damnation of Hastog is another incarnation of this same metaphor. We should not trust the heavens, we should be cast back on earth. Standing with both our feet in the dirt we have to face our problems ourselves and find suitable solutions. No Meni or Tao will help us. That's the message intended by the original authors of Hastogianism. The 2nd metaphor is Hastog fighting the Russians all by himself. A physical impossible task. Hastogsburg obviously never was Russian. It has been Persian since the dawn of man. The story in which Hastog captures Hastogsburg is a metaphor for the Persians inventing the philosophies of Hastogianism in Hastogsburg. The irony is that the Russians started to believe that Hastogsburg actually used to be Russian. Dominika the Great, leader of the Russians, believed this myth and it made her march to the city to seize it. The 3rd and last metaphor is the metaphor of the drinking of the poison. Several Persian chiefs, so the story tells us, drink this liquid that's supposed to bring them power and strength, but they die because it's poison. Hastog tries to drink it but he fails to, that's why he lives. This metaphor shows that there are many things (liquids) in this world that appear to be good at first sight, but when you take it, it turns out to be poison. Turning to Taoism, a faith like the 'father faith' of the Hastog myths, may sound wise and bring strength at first sight, in example, but it will turn out to be poisonous. Take the Byzantine. At first all sane men would have advised them to give in to India and accept the liquid. But now they withstand it, it shows that they are strong in themselves. Not drinking the poison leads to a better life. And that's what these 3 metaphors show us, take care of yourself! Don't believe in gods or spirits or 'fathers'. Don't drink the 'liquid' others offer you. Go against the storm and the wind. Stand for your ideals and for who you are. Dare to be selfish. Dare to be like this mythical Hastog! Hastog the Hairy. Eventhough he most probably never existed, and eventhough he may not look up to us from the depts of hell, he still is our father, our founder and our inspirator! For long people thought Hastog was this barbarian cave men. But now we know that this Hastog Figure was the fruit of wise philosophes who had ideas and insights about things unknown to many, even today! The biggest achievement of this Hastog Figure is most probably that he's the single most well known person on earth. Some say that there's nobody alive that never heard about Hastog the Hairy or Hastogianism, the faith. This is quite an accomplishment for a person that never even really existed!