Destiny of Empires [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 3 - December 2010]

[OzzyKP]

This is the Story and Diplomacy Thread for the Diplo Game "Destiny of Empires" (DoE)

The purpose of this thread is to post in-character story posts and diplomacy for this game. Please discuss all organizational aspects of this game the Organization Thread.
Use your Anonymous Apolyton Game Account to put posts in this thread.

The Dance of Civilizations is a diplomacy game.
The players try to rule their empires like they are real. Role playing and story telling is an important way to achieve this.
Fore more information visit the Diplogame FAQ by OzzyKP



For more information visit the Organization Thread.

[Robert]

Thanks Ozzy!

[Inca (DoE)]

Meanwhile, in Mecca ....

Abdullah al-Mahdi asked the chief of foreign affairs "This expert linguist you told me about, where is he now?"

The chief responded "Up in Caspian Gates trying to teach the local officials Ottoman and Rus."

"Hmmm. That is useful, but it can wait. Get him down to the coast as soon as possible to meet with these strangers from the sea."

"Yes, sir, but it will take a several days of travel."

"So be it"

(France posting as Arabia.

Unfortunately, the strange boat had traveled onward before receiving any official messages. Having found a second direction, feeling unwelcomed in these new lands, the crew charted a Rightward coarse that would take them to ever more foreign lands. Little did they know that they were, in a sense, retracing their great ancestors' steps back to their species' origins. Just now, the boat was off the coast of their earlier home of the fertile rivers of the great rift valley system.

[India (DoE)]

Notice to neighbours and other lands

Delhi wishes to buy slaves.

The Indian nation is in need of workers. Contact the border clans for negotiations. (PM)

[Germany (DoE)]

Notice to neighbours and other lands

Delhi wishes to buy slaves.

The Indian nation is in need of workers. Contact the border clans for negotiations. (PM)

[UPDATE IC]

Franzen looked at expanding his diplomatic scope and began to discuss deals with the far off nations of Mongolia and India. A tribe of worker citizens were now headed to each of these nations.

He has issues with Snarg who was constantly demanding more resources in the North but Franzen did not see the dangers. He was a peaceful despot, and one who was about to be crowned as a KING!

[England (DoE)]

The Life and Death of Alfred the Great

Alfred proved to be a just and respected leader throughout England. As head of the English heptarchy, Alfred oversaw a great expansion of his nation. Alfred carried out his predecessor's wish to settle in Africa, building colonies on the northern coast of Africa of Carthage and Arthurton - named after the father of their nation, King Arthur himself. Alfred also grew the English grasp of their own isles, establishing successful colonies in Ireland and Iceland. The English population continued to grow. East Anglia, Northumbria, Mercia, Scotland and Wales continued to grow and prosper. Wessex continued to grow as well, and the small sleepy village of Plymouth which served as capitol for the province had grown into a full-fledged city under the rule of King Alfred and his son, Edward.

This expansion would not come without challenges. The Gauls and Neandor disputed Alfred's claim to North Africa. The Gauls built two cities on African land claimed by England. In response, Alfred greatly expanded the English navy and army and sent a force to drive the Gauls from Africa. Alfred was effective in seeking out and establishing friendships with African nations and nations around the world. Despite his great diplomatic ability and reformation of the English military, the alliance was not strong enough to dislodge the Gauls from Africa. A peace was agreed to which respected both nation's African claims.

The war took its toll on the English heptarchy. The Round Table often fought and argued amongst themselves. Some sought peace, some sought to expand the war. Some members of the Round Table even secretly went behind the backs of their fellow heptarchs to negotiate with the enemy. The internal divisions caused great stress to Alfred as he was dealing with great stress overseas. It was surely a relief for the war to be over, but the stress of holding together the Round Table took its toll. The Round Table was an institution he helped create and was a strong supporter of it till his death. But ultimately, the Round Table was perhaps a factor in his death.

Alfred died on a cold October morning. Edward, his son, was called in from Wessex and the Round Table was assembled. A funeral was planned and the leaders of all nations were invited. Despite the recent rancor between England and her neighbors the Table hoped that Joan and Franzen would both be in attendance. The Table commissioned a great monument to Alfred the Great in the center of London.

[Germany (DoE)]

Neandor mourns for Alfred

Once upon a time it was Alfred, Joan and Grunzen. They were great days of ethical conflict, if such a thing were to exist. Wars were fought. Arguments raged but at times they could often sit around a table and talk. Not a round table, a step too far and a table that Grunzen never saw. But Franzen might one day for he now calls for an urgent meeting of the Angle leaders of the Round Table, Joan of the Gauls, and the High Priest Samuel as the nearest African representative in the area of Arthurton. The ancient and extremely old ally, Suleiman of the Turks is also requested for his participation if he so wishes?

Now why is this meeting needed?

The citizens of Arthurton have joined the Neandor tribes of their own free will.

This is not in accord with the wishes of the Neandor leader, Franzen. He had the opportunity to destroy the city but this was never an option for him. He hastily installed a new Governor and an Archer battery, whilst two other Angle soldier units remained resident.

Franzen seeks this urgent meeting on what action needs to be taken.

The Neandor do NOT want colonies in Africa, but do claim the sheep grazing fields of Carthage.

Who is the new Angle leader and what are his thoughts?

Should Arthurton be relocated? OR transferred to Suleiman or the High Priest who may have better ability in controlling the number of Neandor traveling to the Arthurton resorts?

[Germany (DoE)]

Many things are occurring at once as Franzen readies himself for his coronation in Venetii, the FIRST King of the Neandor EVER. Despotism is out, monarchy is in. Although the Neandor do face a civil unrest situation where the northern Neandors (more strongly the descendants of the original Neanderthal) led by the Commander Snarg are vastly at odds with the Southern ***** footers paddling in the Mediterranean.

Civil War is a distinct possibility many believe and much depends on the stabilizing influence of the Neandor neighbors - particularly the Russians. Snarg is closely related to the distant cousins in Russia but has participated in a cold war and an immense troop build up on the border between Nordica and St Petersburg. War is a possibility, one that Franzen would not survive as King.

Franzen urges all nations of influence to calm the situation and open a dialog but Snarg is mustering the biggest army imaginable.

[Ottoman Empire (DoE)]

Suleiman the Pious broke from his prayers to hear the reports of his ambassadors.

For many years now, Suleiman had devoted his energies to his religion. He who cleansed the holy places and made the great Jewish shrine in Istanbul in his youth had continued with an ambitious programme of spreading judaism and building temples and monastries across the Turkish land. He had been pleased to support the Indians in their great war of liberation against the treacherous aggressive Arabs, who still massed armies on Turkish borders. He had been pleased to entertain the distant Chinese, and to continue and deepen his friendship with his neighbours. But it was his reglion which had his devoting - the great monument of the southern seas was close to completion - would he see it before death claimed him, as it had done is father Suleiman the Founder?

But now, he had to act. The rumours of war in the north was of great concern. The revolutions in the south. The news from the west. For many years he had wondered why God had given him the son that he had - Suleiman, known to his men as Suleiman the Eagle. A son who had travelled widely across distant lands, who had a taste for adventure and the sea, who was known to act siwftly and deceively like a eagle stooping for its prey. A son who did not have the piety of his father. But perhaps, Suleiamn the Pious thought as he dictated messages for foreign kings, God had given him such a son for such a time as this. For he would soon be King (he was glad the Neandor were moving to this more enlightened approach). Perhaps now was his time.

[Ottoman Empire (DoE)]

Crowned Prince Suleiman the Eagle Arrives at Venetii



Suleiman the Eagle, glad to be travelling once more, now formally reprsenting his aging father who spend longer and longer in the great Jewish shrine, or supervising the building of the monument of the south.

He was pleased to be invited to the coronation of Franzen as King of the Neandor, and to build his relationship with many of the despots, queens and kings who were present.

The world would not remain in peace during his reign he was sure. Understanding foreign ways was important, and reminding people of the presence of the Turks.

[England (DoE)]

Anarchy, Monarchy and Reorganization in England

The death of Alfred brought uncertainty to the land of England. Could the heptarchy survive? Who would take Alfred's place as the first among equals? With the addition of lands in Africa, Ireland and Iceland should the heptarchy be expanded?

This indecision led to a period of anarchy in England. Members of the Round Table vied for leadership of the nation, and fought each other in open war. This dark period went on for several years. Two of the strongest kingdoms in the land, Northumbria and Mercia, waged open war against each other. It seemed the nation would fall apart. Penda, of Merica, allied with Wales and invaded Northumbria. At the Battle of Maserfield Penda defeated Oswald, ruler of Northumbria, killed him and ordered his body dismembered. Mercia, capturing the rich city of York and adding the essential iron mines of Northumbria to its lush Mercian horse stables, Penda seemed prepared to take the whole of England by force.

Edward, son of Alfred, and heir to the throne of Wessex, had been preparing for this uncertainty for some time. He saw the strain the Round Table put on his father. He saw the feuding and rivalries that emerged. He had a solution in mind. He married the daughter of Rædwald, and thus when Rædwald passed away inherited the throne of East Anglia. With the new lands on the ascendancy he sought to create a division between the old and the new. Brian Boru of Ireland, Kenneth MacAlpin of Scotland, and Malgan of Iceland became strong allies of Edward who now was personal heir to Wessex, London & East Anglia. Edward convinced them all that the heptarchy had to end. The only way to avoid the bloodshed and anarchy of the last few years was to have a one strong leader, a monarch. They feared his proposal, but they feared rule by Penda of Mercia more. Edward guaranteed their continued rule over their lands and asked them to help him consolidate his power in England and support his bid for the throne. Given the choice between Penda the despot or Edward the King, they reluctantly agreed to his alliance.

As they gathered their forces and prepared to take on the powerful Penda, they were dealt a great stroke of luck. Penda, by then a very old man, died of natural causes and his kingdom passed to his son, Offa. Edward's alliance decided to test this new king, and together with his allies, invaded from all sides. Scotland invaded Northumbria from the north, Wessex invaded Mercia from the south, Ireland and Iceland land troops along the coast. Against the powerful Penda, perhaps they would have been defeated, but Offa could not handle the invasions from all sides. Galahad, ruler of Wales, initially continued to support his Mercian ally, but after seeing the forces aligned against them, opened negotiations with Edward. For their support, Wales was promised a continued presence in the new order. They gave it, and Offa was defeated.

With Mercia defeated, Edward was crowned king over all England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Iceland and English Africa. He declared that the Round Table would be preserved, but instead of co-rulers, the seats at the Round Table would be for advisors. The new order would be hereditary rule, and the throne would pass to Edward's male heir through primogeniture. Edward began reorganizing the Round Table, and thus the nation. Mercia, Northumbria, Wessex, London & East Anglia were condensed into one province - England, ruled over directly by the House of Wessex. Edward, as head of the house and King, would rule England directly.

Many changes were made to the local Kingdoms that made up the empire. Shortly after the coronation, Kenneth MacAlpin struck ill with the plague and died, leaving the throne of Scotland to his grandson, Constantine II, who would manage affairs in Scotland and take his seat at the Round Table. The throne of Wales descended from Galahad to his son, Owain Gwynedd and the very old Lancelot returned to Scotland, leaving Hannibal in charge of English Africa. Brian Boru continued to rule over Ireland as did Malgan over Iceland.

It was believed that Edward had some private sympathies to the new Christian religion which had a hold in Africa and Ireland and was beginning to slowly spread throughout the country, and so granted a seat at the table to Aristobulus, first bishop of Britain. After returning from his explorations through the Mediterranean and Black Seas, the never aging Francis Drake continued to represent the Fishermen and Merchants, and the never aging Roger Bacon continued to represent the Scientists and Thinkers. A new seat was created representing the interests of builders and engineers. John A. Roebling, son of Neandor immigrants, took this seat as the most esteemed and accomplished of this class. Seats were no longer given out to Knights of each region.

The composition of the new Round Table were:

King Edward - England
Constantine II - Scotland
Owain Gwynedd - Wales
Brian Boru - Ireland
Malgan - Iceland
Hannibal - Africa
Aristobulus - Bishop of Britain
Roger Bacon - Scientists & Thinkers
Francis Drake - Anglers (Fisherman) & Merchants
John A. Roebling - Builders & Engineers

[France (DoE)]

The Imperial Palace in the Gallic capitol, Boulogne-sur-Mer

Francois Davout found his thoughts wandering as Princess Joan (although officially Queen of Gaul, she never liked the title and insisted on Princess), Jean Touffet, the Head of Foreign Affairs, Andres Dumay, the Head of Cultural Affairs, and General Delacroix discussed some key matters. He missed having Guillaume Magendie at the meeting. He was his close friend. He was also the Head of Civil Construction and was away on an important function. Guillaume was always very relaxed at these meetings, and his sense of humor may have helped break the tension in the room.

So many things seemed to be happening at once. How could history move so quickly, Francois thought. Princess Joan was prepared to attend the funeral of Alfred in London, but General Delacroix and Touffet were dead set against it. They had argued that the Angles' 'cultural' expansion into traditional Gallic waters should not be recognized by attending the funeral. And after all, the "damned Anglais" had been our enemy and had sunk the Hermione. Joan would have excused all that and attended, for the sake of international relationships. But this English civil war was too much. General Delacroix would never have allowed his wife, and the ruler of his empire to travel across the channel. A politely worded 'sympathy' letter would have to do.

The crowning of Franzen as King of Neandor was another thing entirely. A large contingent of Gauls, including Princess Joan, would be in attendance.

The discussion had turned to religion, with Dumay ( a pompous, self-important bureaucrat in Francois' opinion), detailing the spread of various religions in Gallic cities. Joan feigned indifference during this presentation, but Francois, who knew her well from countless meetings, suspected she was paying more attention than she let on.

And then the discussion returned to culture, and the English Channel as it was known. This is when the tension increased. All were concerned with the Angles' pressure on the territory dividing London and the Gallic capitol. The news that the Angles had just constructed a great library would not help matters. The fishing grounds were now equally divided between the Gauls and the Angles, but that would not be the case shortly. This was a matter of great concern. Adding further angst was that building material for this English library had come from Carthage, a city the Gauls were poised to take in the recent war. That was another probable reason why they negotiated for peace as quickly as they did, in addition of course, as Delacroix pointed out, that the were about to get their 'hides tanned'. Delacroix, Dumay and Touffet debated what to do about current crises.

Francois watched Joan carefully following the debate. He knew she would soon decide upon a plan.

[Native America (DoE)]

History of the People: Vol. 1 (pp. 356-8)

The legacy of Prairie Hawk is hotly debated among scholars. As the first monarch of the People, he attracts criticism from those who view the move to hereditary rule with skepticism. By the same token, his personal attachment to the erection of the Golden Temple of the Gods (now often refered to as "that ugly shiny compensating building") inflames passion on the part of both detractors and admirers. What is clear is that, whatever Prairie Hawk intended with his efforts, the results were far different.

Prairie Hawk's "ascension" to the Leader's Pelt was enabled by a claim of divine favor for he and his family. The putative pact established between his father, Runs With Buffalos, and "the gods" as they were nebulously termed, was supposed to seal a covenant of good favor and prosperity, in return for worship. Clearly, Prairie Hawk sought with the Golden Temple to cement that covenant on the part of his people, thereby ensuring that he and his descendants would occupy the Pelt for a long time.

It's unlikely in light of these facts that Prairie Hawk and his advisors anticipated what actually occurred. Because there never had arisen any one specific, dominant deity in the pantheon (we can discount the original, legendary devotion to "Coyote" which myths describe), the People were free to pick and choose among the various gods and goddesses for protection, favor, and afterlife needs. When shortly after the Golden Temple was finished, Prairie Hawk (or his allies at the Temple) tried to establish a specific format of worship, with tithes to the Temple, specified days of attendance, etc., the People rebelled against the idea. After a brief period of relative anarchy (no more than a few years), the culture of freedom to choose whom/what to worship was firmly esconced in the fabric of the culture.

We can speculate endlessly as to whether the same result would have occurred had one or more of the state religions founded overseas made their way to the Land of the People earlier. Perhaps the seeming advantages of one or more of those religions would have proven sufficiently enticing to the otherwise polytheistic People. What cannot be debated is that, having decided to allow personal conscience to be their guide in matters religious, the People experienced a growing independence of thought that helped propel them forward in many intellectual areas.

As for Prairie Hawk, the turn away from the "Covenant" by the People left him precariously positioned on the Pelt; it was not long before someone tried to take the symbol of his position out from under him...

[England (DoE)]

Meeting to Discuss Arthurton

King Edward, ruler over all English lands, attends the emergency meeting called together after the funeral of his father, Alfred, to discuss urgent matters in Africa. Representatives from the Gauls, Neandor, Ottomans, and Israel are present.

"I am so glad you could all attend the funeral of my father. His internment will come shortly, I expect you will all be impressed with what we have planned. Before that however, we have important matters to discuss. Before negotiations begin, please allow me to provide some background on the situation. After years of anarchy and internal strife here in England, we once again have a stable government. It would seem, that this period of instability caused us to temporarily lose contact with our African colonies. News that Arthurton has been taken over by Neandor citizens has come as a great surprise to me, and is most unwelcome today at my father's funeral.

"My father was aware of the rapid influx of Neandor tourists and residents traveling south from Grunzen City. It wasn't long before the Neandor outnumbered the native English residents. With support from many of the Neandor residents, a local trouble maker, Grok, who is aligned with the Northern Neandor, organized a revolt against English authorities. The local commander and his contingent of troops put it down after a few days of fighting and arrested Grok for his insurrection. Governor Hannibal, recognizing the growing unrest and demographic catastrophe in the city, took action. With the coordination of Bishop Augustine Christian pilgrims from Carthage were directed to establish themselves in the small resort town. The promise of establishing another community for Christ inspired many to make the move.

"Worried about the demographic imbalance, Governor Hannibal closely monitored the population balance in the town. Before the influx of English Christians from Carthage, the town was 76% Neandor and only 23% English. However things began to change rapidly once the pilgrims started arriving. The following year the English grew to be 34% of the town, the year after they were up to 41%, and the year after that 46%. It appeared to Hannibal that in another year or two everything would soon be normalized and the threat by Neandor insurrectionists would be gone. The radical element in the city however also realized what was going on. They knew if they waited they'd be unable to make any claim to the city so they acted fast. Supporters of Grok broke him out of jail and led one more revolt, this one successful, in taking control of the city.

"I understand completely that you, Franzen, had no designs on the city, and were in no way responsible for the actions of these local residents in Arthurton. We thank you for working to quickly restore order in the city and for not destroying the city when you had the chance. As you can see, the English were very nearly a majority in the town once again. I am confident that if you return the town to our control that we will have no difficulties in maintaining control into the future. We are willing to cover any reasonable expenses of handing over control."

King Edward waited for a response from the visiting foreign dignitaries.

[India (DoE)]

India repeats claim to eastern river.


To Xi of China
In the interests of neighbourly friendship, we request that you abandon your settlement on the Indian subcontinent and relinquish control of its lands to its rightful owners. For it is not right to by might seize from the weak and give to the strong, and your own teachings of Buddhism say so also. Your pride as a great ruler is strong, but also your righteousness, therefore we know that in time you will reassert the balance of the world by agreeing to our humble request.

May peace and brotherly love guide your meditations
Siddharta