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

[China (DoE)]

Official Response to Siddharta

Siddharta,

I am annoyed with the repetition of your false claims. You claim a river that our people have settled literally 1000 years ago. Not only do WE claim this river, we have built here, created here, and prosper here. You claim we seized this land, this is a lie, justify how we seized it! You also claim to teach us about Buddhism, what do you know of Buddhism?

We are a fair neighbor, we enjoy wonderful relations with the Japanese. In fact, we provided you the metal needed to reclaim your city lost to the Arabs for free!

Furthermore, to improve regional relations we have invited you to the Asian summit, a perfect forum for you to voice your concerns. Instead you publicly slander our proud nation and spread lies with NO evidence.

So now this is my statement to you:

China claims ALL land south-east of Guangzhou, which we have rightfully settled for over 1000 years.

India has 2 choices at this moment:

1- Continue your lies and unjustified claims and you will be declared an enemy of China. Our borders will close, we will declare war on your nation, and our military will occupy your lands until you, Siddharta, are thrown from power and a more honorable leader is instated.

2- Treat your neighbours with respect and honor truth. Relinquish your false claims and admit publicly that you have no rightful claim to these Chinese lands. You will be declared a friend of China and as such will receive the benefits of friendship. If you question the value of our friendship counsel the Japanese to see how beneficial this can be.

You have 3 days to decide.

To the people of India, I promise you that we will have good relations, we have no need for hostility. Whether these good relations are under Siddharta or a new Indian leader is the question.

[France (DoE)]

The summit of Atlantica Hill in Calais

Guillaume Magendie, the Head of Civil Construction stood beside Gaetan, the foreman of the work crew, and Lucien, the head mason. The trio simply stared in awe, as did the other tradesmen. The scale was immense, the statue beautiful, the building surrounding it magnificent, and the craftsmanship unsurpassed. The ivory specialists that had been brought in from North Africa had done remarkable work with the inlays.

Guillaume thought back to the ancient Greek legend and inspiration for such a wonder:

He spoke, the son of Kronos, and nodded his head with the dark brows,
and the immortally anointed hair of the great god
swept from his divine head, and all Olympos was shaken

This was Zeus, a tribute to the might of Gaul as well as a warning to all who contemplate crossing her.

The room was silent, a slight breeze through the exterior corridors flickering the torches which lit the scene. Guillaume spoke softly to the men around him. "The Princess will be pleased. You have done Gaul proud."

[France (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.

...........


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

Joan almost choked on her glass of wine. Francois was going to come to her aid but she waved him away. Clearing her throat, she stood to speak...

"King Edward. Once again, my sympathies on the death of your father. He was a just ruler.

On the matter of Arthurton, and excuse me if I am mistaken, but you seem to be contradicting yourself. You are more than willing to let English ... culture ... (she had a difficult time saying the word) claim Gallic fishing grounds in the English channel, but in North Africa when Neandor culture influences matters you expect King Franzen to respond by giving you back the city. And please, spare me the history lesson of the founding of our two capitol cities. That is ancient history. I am talking about the present. London has six fishing grounds that it can work, whereas Boulogne-sur-Mer has five, and two of those will soon be English. I appreciate that the English children want somewhere to swim. They are more than welcome to swim in Gallic waters.

So, it would seem to me that you want one set of rules to apply to you and one one to apply to others. As my husband General Delacroix always reminds me: You live by the sword, you die by the sword."

Her gaze ran over the assembly, and then settled on Edward.

"But let us hope it does not come to that."

[America (DoE)]

By now, The People had grown into a nation. What had several centuries ago just been a few people, had now grown into a network of villages and tribes. Head of The People was a very large man who was called The Man. The Man was a man of few words, but he was considered wise and just.



The different tribes would gather every full moon and The Man would oversee these proceedings. Lately though, The Man had noticed that The People were growing so fast, that soon this structure would not suffice. Other men were starting to claim they had more power than The Man. Something more organized would be necessary. The Man decided that he would have to do something heroic, something that would make The People so proud that they would elect him to rule until his death, something that would make him the leader beyond dispute.

The Man had recently heard rumors from his neighbors, the Injuns. They had some sort of new structure going on. He decided he would soon contact the Injuns, and ask for an audience with their leader. But first he would have to collect several good-looking women, and some furs to put on them. He would gift these to the Injuns. The Man called for a messenger, and sent him to the Injuns with his request.

[Germany (DoE)]

Arthurton

He looked around the table. He was feeling frustrated that all this foreign diplomacy was delaying his coronation.

Franzen wondered why the High Priest had said nothing. Did he not want a stake in this?

Edward had offered gold to buy back Arthurton. The Angles represented a strong trading nation for the Neandor but ties were formal. The undercurrent untrusting and a foe to his close friend Joan. Joan's comments on 'Anglais' double standards and hypocrisy represented a clear argument.

Suleiman also offered gold based on a more complex equation but all the same a desire to purchase Arthurton. Franzen liked this idea. Another close friend of the Neandor, the Turks desired strongly African trade routes.

Joan reminded Franzen of the Carthage affair and how close it had come to being Gaulic. The Neandor claim the sheep grazing fields East of Arthurton and recognise this area as Neandor whether used by Neandor or not. It was pastured by the Neandor but currently used by the Angles. Why did the Angles settle Africa adjacent to Neandor and Gaul zones without any consultation whatsoever. Even Arhurton was established without proper dialog - merely a hasty message that it was built and would not interfere with Neandor claims. Well, that is certainly true.

From the outset Franzen did not desire Arthurton. It was an ill located city and will constantly fall to the power of Grunzen City's influence. A worthwhile city could have been established more inland. and more logically part of Israel. The influence of Israel will also bear heavily on Arthurton. How could such a city survive?

Grok was a trouble maker and is actually the brother of Snarg - two Neanderthal brutes. Snarg was causing trouble from Franzen and some say a plot has developed to undermine his coronation.

Now Franzen is stuck here sorting out Snarg's mess. Such a diversion from the true affairs of state. Maybe Snarg desires this as he readies the northern Armies for civil war or even global catastrophe.

The easy and diplomatic solution is to take the Angle gold and see if they can resurrect an Angle enclave this near to Israel.

The best and most sustaining solution from Neandor's perspective is to follow through on the deal with Suleiman.

The most politic solution is to hand it to the Africans. Much goodwill could come from this.

Another idea is to totally relocate Arthurton...

Franzen was no good at this.

[India (DoE)]

Official Response to Siddharta

Siddharta,

I am annoyed with the repetition of your false claims. You claim a river that our people have settled literally 1000 years ago. Not only do WE claim this river, we have built here, created here, and prosper here. You claim we seized this land, this is a lie, justify how we seized it! You also claim to teach us about Buddhism, what do you know of Buddhism?

We are a fair neighbor, we enjoy wonderful relations with the Japanese. In fact, we provided you the metal needed to reclaim your city lost to the Arabs for free!

Furthermore, to improve regional relations we have invited you to the Asian summit, a perfect forum for you to voice your concerns. Instead you publicly slander our proud nation and spread lies with NO evidence.

So now this is my statement to you:

China claims ALL land south-east of Guangzhou, which we have rightfully settled for over 1000 years.

India has 2 choices at this moment:

1- Continue your lies and unjustified claims and you will be declared an enemy of China. Our borders will close, we will declare war on your nation, and our military will occupy your lands until you, Siddharta, are thrown from power and a more honorable leader is instated.

2- Treat your neighbours with respect and honor truth. Relinquish your false claims and admit publicly that you have no rightful claim to these Chinese lands. You will be declared a friend of China and as such will receive the benefits of friendship. If you question the value of our friendship counsel the Japanese to see how beneficial this can be.

You have 3 days to decide.

To the people of India, I promise you that we will have good relations, we have no need for hostility. Whether these good relations are under Siddharta or a new Indian leader is the question.

To Xi of China

Forgive me for misunderstanding the tenets of Buddhism, as we have yet to receive missionaries, my only contact with your faith has been brief and incomplete, yet from what I understood, perhaps falsely, that balance in the cosmos and in the souls of men are what we should strive towards in our seeking of the divine. Please forgive if I have offended with my ignorance, I seek to learn if I am mistaken.

As for the issue of Guanzho, which we call in our language "Great fortress", I plead humbly that I may be allowed to address the mighty King. We come to you in friendship, as we have always done and humbly so. We have spread no lies and slandered no one, perhaps I have been misunderstood. I am merely remarking upon our desires which are the desires of all India and will continue to be the desires of all India for as long as we can prophesize.

We are certain that you are aware that establishing a grand fortress in that position has blocked all Indians from travelling eastwards, in fact you have even publicly warned us against doing so. This has caused great sorrow in our hearts, but we will hold no grudge, nor will we lift any hand in anger. Instead, we will plead patiently that you may sympathize with our plight. You say you now claim all lands southeast of your great fort, yet, have you not by blocking India's passage east done so already? You never came to discuss demarcation of lands between us and chose to send your people far from your home, past much good land, to the very border of Delhi to make a great fort on our eastern border. Yet we are not angry, your splendor make you like a God to us, and we bow in the dust before you. Yet we must also pray to our great God and ask for his mercy and kindness, for what else is a God if not merciful and kind? Greatness in power is not achieved without also greatness in honor, and none have more of each than yourself. And as you know well, for truly the mighty King Xi is the most honorable, honor is for the strong to be kind to the weak, to show justice in all things, to temper strength with mercy. As you are mighty and strong, we are small and weak, and therefore I address your great strength which is also great mercy, in hope that your royal sense of justice will sway your heart to see what all India prays for.

Our claims are not false, they are honest and humble, we desire to settle in lands that lie near us, that we consider to be part of India. Your current position prevents this, yet we have no desire to cause conflict or ill will. Therefore, we do not threaten or make false claims, I merely state what is true to us. Truth is no weapon, nor are our words. We simply state what we believe to be true. There is no lie in our words, nor are there in yours, yet we have opposing positions. However, I believe that you understand our position well, and as such I am appealing to your great generosity and mercy as it is in your power to act with grandure towards your neighbour. Please, do not block us from the east, please do not set men of war against us, please do not be angry, please heed your honorable heart, please show your greatness through mercy. This is the prayer of all India, we say only, please.

Your most humble worshipper
Siddharta

[Germany (DoE)]

Decision time and...

Neandor does not want Arthurton nor do we want a city there. The Damnanglais* should not have built this city. This is obvious to all others I speak to.

My father, the great Grunzen, spent much time with the ancient Suleiman the Pious and an offer from these times suggests that the area of Arthurton was claimed by the Turks long ago. But the present site is not acceptable. One area [tile] to the South or South East may be acceptable - it will still be a port and have excellent fishing tracts.

It matters not to the Neandor if the Damnanglais attack and destroy their old city nor does it matter if the approaching Barbarians do likewise. What does matter is the safety of the citizens and relocation and Turk control.

The Africans have said nought about this affair so I must decide quickly now as my coronation is imminent and must depart very soon for Venetii.

The Zulus, the Mali and the Israelites may speak up in time and if so new negotiations may be undertaken but that will be with Turks.

The city area will be gifted to Suleiman and I will discuss the details with Suleiman (which ever one is alive).

I am sorry Edward but the unannounced actions of the Damnanglais throughout history has disturbed the Neandor. Only when the sheep grazing areas of Carthage are returned to Grunzen City will we find ourselves on equal and friendly terms with you.

I am sure you find this distressing Edward but I am equally sure your powerful kingdom will find no need of this Arthurton.

I must rush away now my friends as I have a coronation to attend!

Franzen.

---

* Damnanglais - a Mediterranean Neandor (the more mixed bread of Neandor and Gaulics) term used to describe an island nation West of Gaul. The Northern Neandor or 'true neanderthal' call them Angles and are remote from their influence.

[Germany (DoE)]

Snarg and Cat

Snarg laughed a little. There he was, miles from Venetii still stuck in the icy forests with the world biggest army and this southern half bread is claiming the kingship of all Neandor. If only I could speak with my long lost cousin, Cat and end this bitterly Cold War. Then I might visit Venetii for myself!

[England (DoE)]

The Glorious Edwardian Golden Age

By the standards of Alfred and Arthur, Edward's reign was short. In his younger days, he was there, at his father's side, as an already distinguished knight when the Round Table was first established in the days of King Arthur. It seems like ages ago, but after patiently waiting during the reign of Arthur and his father, Alfred, Edward finally had his moment in the sun. Edward's short but glorious reign would overshadow both of his predecessors. During his time on the throne England would see the start of an unprecedented golden age.

His father concerned himself with territory and war. Edward quickly settled the anarchy known as the Time of Despair, that birthed his reign and moved on to matters he found more interesting. During his many years spent as a junior part of the Round Table he got to know the less heralded members of the Table. He would spend hours talking, debating and listening to the wise Roger Bacon. Guided by Bacon he familiarized himself with every tome and scroll in the London library. Edward was a profound thinker. The stench of flesh on the battlefield and the petty deceit in diplomacy stemmed from humanity's basest instincts he believed. As nobility, and as king, he was the best of humanity, the highest example of man. He should devote himself, therefore, to the highest ideals of humanity.

Before taking the throne Edward studied painting, art, literature and music. He wrote essays on the philosophy of beauty. As king he promoted the arts far and wide throughout the kingdom. Thanks to his passion for beauty and philosophy, England became the world's leading light in aesthetics, literature and music, promoting such higher virtues and art forms long before the less noble tribes around the world. Edward's interest in philosophy and welcoming of the arts and knowledge attracted many great minds to England. John A. Roebling's parents emigrated from the Neandor, as did the literary giant, Franz Kafka whose Metamorphosis astonished the world with its profound insight and beauty. Gallic culture certainly had a strong effect on Edward, a significant portion of the population of London were in fact Gallic in origin. They too contributed to the explosion in the arts experienced in London. Under Edward's patronage numerous homegrown talents emerged during this period as well. Local authors produced epic poems such as Beowulf and The Canterbury Tales were popular favorites of the nobility in several nations. A local Christian monk, Bede, endeavored to record the whole of the history of the people's of Britain. Angles, Scots, Welsh, Irish, and all the rest. He is the world's first known historian. While not present in London itself, the great philosopher and theologian, the Bishop of Carthage, Augustine, wrote many great works that influenced the dizzying number of thinkers and writers collecting in London.

With such tremendous talent flocking to England and the London arts scene so vibrant, Edward commissioned a great project to house and collect these great works of literature now being written. The library he explored in his younger days was stretched thin, the worn pages of its books cracked and yellow. This great project, this Great Library, would be the envy of the world. It took several years to construct, but it was the largest library in the world, containing a copy of every book or manuscript in the known world. Edward employed scores of translators and scribes to expand the library. Roger Bacon oversaw the grand project. He had a lesser role during the reigns of King Arthur and King Alfred, but Edward trusted him. Bacon's work took off during this era. Together with the Venerable Bede, he reorganized the calendar. With the great upheaval in English society due to the Time of Despair (the name assigned to the period of anarchy preceding Edward's reign) and the glorious golden age that followed, Bacon & Bede began dating all calenders from After Despair, or AD for short. The Great Library would be an important fixture in English life and advancement for centuries to come.

King Edward was enamored with all things of beauty and philosophy. He hoped his next great wonder would be a work of exquisite architectural beauty. He imported marble from Carthage, Ivory from the Mali, Gold from the Zulu. He enlisted the engineering know-how of John A. Roebling to complete a spectacular monument to his father and to the glory of England. This great structure would be a mausoleum to house the remains of his father, Alfred, and would from then on be the final resting place for the English royal family.

Edward spared no expense in building the tomb. Roebling sent messengers to find the most talented artists of the time as well as hundreds of other craftsmen. The tomb was erected on a hill overlooking the city. The whole structure sat in an enclosed courtyard. At the center of the courtyard was a stone platform on which the tomb sat. A stairway flanked by stone lions led to the top of the platform, which bore along its outer walls many statues of gods and goddess. At each corner, stone warriors mounted on horseback guarded the tomb. At the center of the platform, the marble tomb rose as a square tapering block to one-third of the Mausoleum's 45 m (148 ft) height. On the top of this section of the tomb thirty-six slim columns, ten per side, with each corner sharing one column between two sides; rose for another third of the height. Standing between each [pair of] column[s] was a statue. Behind the columns was a solid cella-like block that carried the weight of the tomb's massive roof. The roof, which comprised most of the final third of the height, was pyramidal.

Edward unveiled the beautiful mausoleum after the state funeral of his father. With foreign dignitaries in London there could be no better display of English might and sophistication. The Mausoleum, the Great Library and Edward's generous patronage of the arts ushered in a golden age the likes of which the world had never seen.

[Israel (DoE)]

Samuel look at his maps.
Arthurton was founded by the English and then turned over to the Neandors....
Now it may possibly become Ottoman....

Samuel never turned up at the meeting because his place was in Israel.
In fact he cared nothing about the ways of the goiim. Apart from the English none of them had ever been good to Israel. That's why Joshua back then had allowed the English to settle Arthurton. It was in a desert no Israelian wanted to live anyway.

But turn it over to the Ottomans?
Not in a million years. The Ottomans..... destructors of Jerusalem!
The Ottomans were an insult to G'd by claiming to be the chosen nation of JHWH Adonai.

Then Samuel ordered one of the levites to bring the Neandors the message that any outcome would be acceptable to Israel, except for the Ottomans to get territory on African soil.

[Ottoman Empire (DoE)]

I Suleiman the Eagle announce to the world that my father, Suleiman the Pious, the true Jewish king, saviour of India, friend of the mighty, builder of the wonders of God, has died.

[England (DoE)]

England sends its sincerest condolences.

[China (DoE)]

Xi, leader of China, expresses deep regret at the passing of Suleiman the Pious.

We shall never forget the hospitality shown to our Chinese delegation years ago.

[Ottoman Empire (DoE)]

Yusuf Efendi relaxed when the door closed.

His mind was still reeling. It had all happened so quickly.

He was one of Suleiman the Eagle's friends, a companion of his many travels. He had been sent here to keep watch on the developing tension between the English and the Neandor, and to report to Suleiman at the Coronation.

But yesterday, the Neandor governor had come unexpected, with great fanfare, and symbolically handed over the keys of the city (keys! there is barely a wooden fence marking the edge of the fisherman's huts). The governor declaring that Arthurton was now Ottoman. The heads of the prominent families followed in - most English, some Neandor. The Neandors bowed offering loyalty and swearing alligence. The English, confused, clearly resentful of the Neandor governor, perhaps showing a glimmer of hope that the Ottomans, ever the friends of the Angles from long ago, might care for them.

At the end of the ceremony, Yusuf turned to the Neandor soliders and nodded expectantly. The captain looked over to the Neandor ex-governor who shook his head slightly. The captain saluted Yusuf but then turned, his soliders following. The meaning was lost on nobody - whatever the ex-governor said about the town, the soliders remained under Neandor command.

That evening he had dispatched a messenger to Suleiman, detailing what had happened, wondering if Suleiman knew what was happening. Was this part of some deal which he was ignorant of? Signing off he promised that he would maintain order in the town, and care for the people, until he heard word. How, when his total man power numbered 10 Turks he wasn't sure.

Dawn came early. The sun had barely cleared the horizon over the great sand desert, when there were messengers waiting for audience.

The first, announcing that a large force of desert people, barbarians to the man, had been spotted in the desert marching for Arthurton. He could not defend the town. Perhaps the Neandor troops could, perhaps, but would they? What was going on? He regretted his confident words sent to Suleiman the previous night.

The second, a messenger from the Neandor ex-governor, simply stated "It is necessary that the town is moved, leagues to the south, to the bay of coral". Yusuf looked blank. His mind racing - "Was he not governor now? The bay of coral is far from the best fishing grounds, based there the fishermen could not prosper, the Neandor of Grunzen city would always take the best catch. And how many people would die - you can't move a town!" The messenger bowed and left.

Yusuf Efendi relaxed as the door closed, and turned to his friends. "What on earth are we meant to do?"

[Russia (DoE)]

In the Year 70 AD the Russians adopted the Christianity to save their immortal souls and leave behind their pagan beliefs.

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