Destiny of Empires [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 4 - January 2011]

[Robert]

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.

Destiny of Empires 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.

[Germany (DoE)]

Perils of copy and paste...

The Dance of Civilizations is a diplomacy game.

[Germany (DoE)]

Easing of tensions with Russia

A recent dialog has occurred in the farmlands East of Nordica. It augurs well for an end to the eternal Cold War.

-

Garg (Neandor Captain): greeting

Cat's St Petersburg Ambassador: greetings. fancy a becoming a Christian?

Garg (Neandor Captain): It is being considered by Snarg. Franzen is already a Christian personally but not the state. So it depends on type of Christian - Snarg and I are more pagan but intend using Christianity for production. Franzen wants full Christianity for religious belief.

Cat's St Petersburg Ambassador: Yes, we know. Our queen is a bit worried about the road snarg built from Nordica to the hills of St.Petersburg.

Garg (Neandor Captain): Purely defensive he tells me!

Cat's St Petersburg Ambassador: what is it purpose and idea?

Garg (Neandor Captain): Russia has same roads to its border. Neandor has road to its' border.

Cat's St Petersburg Ambassador: yes, but none of them links to a neandor fortification, which can be hit with surprising attack

Garg (Neandor Captain): Our cold war has lasted long. You must realize Neandor is peaceful now

Cat's St Petersburg Ambassador: backing your words, can you, speaking on behalf of the neandor kingdom do something to calm our suspicious Queen?

Garg (Neandor Captain): My orders are that Franzen will agree to each side withdrawing catapults to capitals and each maintaining surveillance.

Cat's St Petersburg Ambassador: we wish to exchange a symbolyc gift, worth 1 gold each and this to be a symbol for non-aggression in the next 10 years?

Garg (Neandor Captain): 10 years is not long? But can agree.

Cat's St Petersburg Ambassador: thats the unwritten rules valid from the begining of the world

[France (DoE)]

The Palace Gardens in Paris



Genevieve came to her parents' grave often. The gardens were very peaceful. But it was more than that. She hoped that by visiting the burial site, some of her mother's inspiration would flow to her.

Joan had passed away two years earlier of natural causes. Richard had predeceased her by only six months. Genevieve, knowing her parents, was sure that was no coincidence.

Genevieve had been well prepared to take over the crown of France. She had been well educated and extensively tutored in the ways of government. She had the best mentor possible in her mother. But the first years of her reign had not gone as well as she had expected. There had been no calamity, or war, or diplomatic issues. Growth and research continued. The people were well fed and for the most part happy. But something seemed different.

Many scholars, and in fact most of the population, felt that France's golden era died when their beloved princess did. There was a certain melancholy which descended on the nation. Genevieve wished her mother could rise from the grave and advise her. She smiled at that notion and its religious connotation. She knew her mother, never a very religious sort, would be appalled.

She could hear footsteps and knew she would have to return to her offices. She was curious as to what department required her presence. She pushed the branches of a willow tree aside so she could look down the walkway.



Marc Renaud, the assistant head of foreign affairs was told that the Queen was in the garden. He looked up to see Genevieve looking inquisitively at him. The sight of his Queen never failed to take Marc's breath away. Her mother Joan had been attractive, but her eldest daughter was downright beautiful. It was a quality that Genevieve had learned to use well; it was very disarming as Marc could attest to.

"Good morning, Marc. I gather something is up."

"Good morning your highness, and yes, we would like you to see the latest information we have. There is much speculation as to what it means. And how it may affect France."

"Well then, we had better go. Walk with me and you can give me an overview so I don't look stupid when I meet with your superior."

Marc smiled. He had never known Queen Genevieve to be uncomfortable in any setting, let alone 'look stupid'.

"Yes Ma'am. Well the latest data we have on troop figures ....."

Genevieve listened attentively as they walked back to the palace.

[Japan (DoE)]

Since the creation of the shogun Japan has know a great period of peaceful
growth. Sadly this peace Japan has known for so long has been threatened by a
nation that is not even known to Japan. China has requested Japan’s help and
after long thought the shogun has decided to send Sozen Takeda to help China
defeat these unknown enemies.



High in Tenno Castle gives his orders to him army. Seek our enemy. leave none standing, bring honor to Japan.

[Russia (DoE)]

Despite being a Christian now, Catherine was not ready give up some pagan rituals which she enjoyed through the years. One of the secrets for her seemingly eternal youth and beauty was the milk bath.



Now when the tension between Russia and Neandor have calmed a bit, Catherine was hoping for nice and calm winter and was enjoying her small woman's rituals in the sweating heat of the Russian steam bath, and a servant-girl was adding hot milk to the tube, when a nervous urgent knocking on the door interrupted her delight.




Her court-maids hurried to make a curtain when an officer in full accoutrement rushed into the bath with confused expression on his face realizing he stays in front of the naked queen, her perfect body covered only by the wreathe of steam.

"What is so urgent, officer?", asked the Queen with her head tossed, absolutely keeping her countenance.

"Bad news, my lady" the officer replied kneeling on one knee, lowering his eyes to the floor.
"The reticent Mongols have attacked out of a sudden the Chinese."

The Queen's eyes widened and her lips opened in mute question from the surprise

"Nothing is clear where and why this happened, my lady" the officer said. "We just got a message from The Great Xi, asking us for help."

The Queen took a quick look at the piece of parchment, sealed with the heavy Chinese seal.


"We have no other choice than to honor our centuries old treaty with our friends the Chinese. Saddle my horse, call the generals - so much for the calm winter with warm fireplaces and the hot tubes" - Catherine said, coming out of the tube like some goddess from the foam of the sea.

[China (DoE)]

Great Leader Xi was pleased.

His summons to his 2 friends, Japan and Russia had been gracefully accepted and they too would join in and punish the filthy Mongrols. He decided to address his mighty army one last time before sending them to battle...

"Honorable Chinese soldiers! Today you embark on an adventure that you shall never forget, this is your wondrous nations's first war and you will be it's first heroes! The enemy you fight has not a chance for they are not used to a fair fight. They have massacred our wounded soldiers for no reason whatsoever and for this they will be punished.

You do not fight alone, as the justice-loving nations of Japan and Russia have agreed to enter the war on our side. These 2 nations are both great friends of China but also are nations that seek peace and recognize that a nation that is allowed to attack and kill others without provocation must be punished. We seek a world with order and honor and until the Mongrols obey they will pay."

As the mighty roars surrounded Xi, he retreated to his private office with his closest advisors and continued...

"I want you all to take careful note of the other nations of this world, and how they have acted in this hour. The mighty Europeans were silent, the Middle Easterns too, some even have scouting parties in our lands and refused to acknowledge our just cause! I believe that they are opposed to our plan for a unified Asia and may even have goaded the Mongrols into this act, for why else would they kill our soldiers with no warning? As soon as the word of our Asian Summit became public, this happens, I fear it is no coincidence. Proceed with plans for this Summit and let Japan and India know that as soon as Sidharrta has agreed to our offer we shall commence talks. Let them also know that Russia has been granted honorary member status shall be privy to certain plans."

[Germany (DoE)]

Franzen (Grunzen City) was interrupted yet again by Snarg who was recently visiting Venetii exploring new weaponry.

A hot new debate was in progress between Franzen and The Eagle over the ownership of Carthage. The Damnanglais had achieved their goal of beginning to drive a wedge between the Turks and Neandor - once ancient allies.

And now a confusion of reports from Nordica, Snarg now reported. The Neandor forces had withdrawn to Neandor City in honour of the new peace accord with Russia only to discover that Russia has now declared war on Mongolia in support of distant China and Japan.

Neandor has a very ancient history and old ties with both Japan and China and Neandor foreign policy dictates that Asian affairs are Asian affairs and they should be allowed to sort it out.

I, Franzen, King of the Neandor, humbly ask Xi of China to reconsider its retaliatory reactions to the Mongol military actions and embrace a diplomatic course. Neandor has civilian advisors in Mongolia (gifted Worker eons ago) and calls on KKK of the Mongols and Xi of China to put on the table a set of requirements or demands before any further military action takes place. Please provide a map of the area/s effected.

Once on the table we can discuss a series of outcomes.

Would KK be amenable to such a process in Karakoram?

"But as for the European Russians getting involved - this is outrageous Snarg. Put all troops on full alert and be prepared to upgrade units to Macemen immediately."

"King, does this not break our treaty?"

"No, we agreed on Catapult withdrawal and a slow upgrade of Macemen. Do it now"

Snarg's hair bristled as he felt to authority of Franzen. It was hard to take.

[France (DoE)]

Training Grounds of Cadiz



"C'mon you oaf! Get off your arse and try it again!"

The young sergeant could think back to recent months when he was on the receiving end of such 'encouragement'. And now he was the one training the new recruits. The veterans said it had been many years since the barracks and training grounds of Cadiz had been this busy. The new Queen was "a chip off the old block", thought the sergeant. She was going to ensure, as her mother had, that France could match any enemy the empire faced. This was a good thing.

The recruit was back on his feet, and at the ready position.

"OK. Now remember. Hold your shield like this."

[England (DoE)]

The Search for John Cabot, Hero of the Seas

England was a nation of heroes. Great poets, writers, scientists, theologians, sailors, engineers and adventurers. Great people seemed to flock to the shores of England and were raised there plenty. Every kid growing up in England had a knight or a philosopher he looked up to. For Prince Richard, growing up in the royal palace, he followed the exploits of English explorer John Cabot and longed to go to sea. After leaving for his great voyage during King Arthur's reign, the man was nearly a mythical legend. Back when England - or Angle Land as it was known then - was a tiny backwater of poor peasants and mud caked villages, John Cabot set off on the world's most daring adventure. No Angle had ventured more than a day's journey away from the British Isles when he set out. Yet set out he did.

Cabot and his crew had not been home in many generations, but over the years reports and stories have trickled back to London. Cabot's voyage began under tense circumstances, a war with Gaul - in name only - allowed him to pass south unchallenged through the waters of Gaul and Spain. It was Cabot who first visited the shore of Africa and who inspired the journeys of Sir Francis Drake who surveyed the lands that would be home to Carthage and Arthurton. It was Cabot who first made contact with the Mali and the Zulu and began highly profitable trade with both their kingdoms. It was Cabot who was the first man to name and then round the Cape of Good Hope at the southern point of Africa and begin his voyage north again. It was Cabot whose crew studied and cataloged all manner of amazing creatures during his journey. Giant giraffes, elephants, rhinos, hippos, lions, exotic birds and fish. The stories brought back brought endless wonder to English children young and old.

After his visit with the Zulu it seemed Cabot's crew of Anglers had been lost or killed, perhaps eaten by savage cannibals off the coast of that wild continent. He remerged though off the coast of Persia and had contact with the Arabs and Indians. He sailed around the sub continent and then, the story goes, had an odd encounter with a haggard collection of travelers who seemed to be in the same situation as Cabot. Far from home, having left a very long time ago, provisions entirely run out, surviving off of trade, fish and whatever could be grown on the deck. They exchanged some goods and words and continued east. Their last known contact was with the Chinese.

"The Chinese!" thought Prince Richard, "What an amazing journey!" At their last stop, in southern China, Cabot left some crude maps he had made of his voyage. It took awhile, but they eventually made it back to England. The celebrated Cabot Charts became a necessity in any classroom and monastery throughout the kingdom. Combined with Drake's voyages they formed the entire coastline of Africa, and a great look at the southern shores of Asia. That a tiny collection of fishing boats could make it so far - and survive all the perils they faced - was nothing short of miraculous.

In addition to being enthralled by the adventure of it all, young Richard became convinced there was something divine at work. While it was hundreds of years since Cabot's crew had last checked in in China, Richard was convinced they were still alive. Somehow, somewhere, they were still traveling on. He knew it. He just knew it.

He devoted himself, both as Prince and as King, to all things nautical. He was impressed by the great achievements unlocked under his father's reign. King William's golden age brought the world great advancements in optics, machinery and the compass that had profound effects on sea travel. King Richard was the first to harness this new technology for brave deeds. So convinced was he that John Cabot was still out there he started talking openly about sending a party to find him. Privately, all around him considered him a fool. John Cabot did great deeds, sure, but hundreds of years ago. He was long dead and his crew with him. Holding out hope for a ghost from the past was sheer folly. At least that's what they said to themselves privately. No one dared speak their mind to Richard directly, he had a single-minded focus on this goal.

King Richard's interest in the voyage of John Cabot was perfectly timed with the ambitions of a young sailor named Christopher Columbus. He was an experienced trader, and had sailed down the African coast on multiple occasions. His true goal was trade with the orient, but the distances involved were simply too far to manage with his ships. Excited about the new technology being developed in England and the King's interest in Cabot's voyages, Columbus won an audience with the King to convince him of his newest scheme.

To the delight of King Richard, Columbus promised to find John Cabot. To the horror of the King's advisors, he proposed to do so by sailing west. Columbus, fatally misjudged the size of the globe, believing that the Earth was only 25,000 kilometers around. His estimate, the King's advisors knew, was short by about 15,000 km. Columbus suggested that Cabot was in Japan - a nation England had no contact with, but had received reports of. Columbus believed it was an easy trip of 3,700 km west to Japan, but the distance was, in fact, about five times that. Far longer than any ship, even England's world renowned caravels, could possibly travel. Such a voyage would be suicide.

Columbus proposed that he be given ships and funds to finance a voyage west to find John Cabot in Japan and open up western trade routes. All the King's science advisors told him that Christopher Columbus was a fool who would simply get himself killed, and waste the Crown's money. Richard however refused to listen. He and Columbus were of one mind. To all they were fools. Indeed, they both were fools. But they were fools with power and ambition, Richard decided to fund the voyage west.

[India (DoE)]

Siddharta was aging, his years numerous and his life peaceful. Choosing a successor would be a defining moment for India. There were many candidates. The Spearwielding Panjabs wished to exalt their warrior prince, the merchants of Indus had their man, the muslims, the buddhists and the taoists all had people vying for Siddharta's attention and favor. Meditating on the matter longer each day, it seemed to many that Siddharta was reaching a detachment that was unhealthy for the affairs of the state. Yet Siddharta sensed their petty squabblings and wicked plans. He must soon choose a successor, lest the nation be in trouble, but the obvious candidates were ambitious and rash. They reminded him of the Mongols he had once met, so obsessed with the now and the immediate future, no care for the long flow of history.

[England (DoE)]

Discovery of the New World

Christopher Columbus was an experienced sailor, but he had never seen anything like the ship docked in front of him. The mighty Saint Mary was a marvel of modern engineering. Far larger, sturdier and more sea worthy than any of the galleys he was accustomed to. English shipwrights were the most advanced in the world and this mighty vessel was clear evidence of that. He couldn't wait to take this ship west in his search for Japan - and John Cabot. Columbus spent the next few weeks gathering crew and provisions for the journey. He added two more ships, the Saint Clare and a ship known only as the Painted.

Finally, the day came, they set out. His crew were nervous, but Columbus was confident his voyage would meet with success. They left the bustling harbor of Plymouth and set a course west into deep ocean. The voyage was long. Far different than the trading missions to Europe, Africa and the Mideast he and his crew were used to, there was no land to guide themselves by, no friendly ports to stop in at for more provisions. Nothing but open waters. They steered by the stars when they could or used a compass to head west and slightly south. Five weeks passed, the crew were getting nervous. By their captain's calculations, they should be in Japan by now. Perhaps he was wrong afterall, perhaps there truly was 20,000 km of open ocean separating England from Asia. The voyage seemed doomed. But they were far past the point where they could return home. They had no choice but to continue on in hope of finding land.

At long last, in the morning of October 12, 355 AD, John Russet looked through his spyglass from his perch in the crow's nest and sighted land for the first time. He let out a shout, "Land! Land!" Captain Columbus and the rest of the crew quickly looked to see it with their own eyes. Land! At last! The crew let out collective sigh of relief (though a much quieter sigh when the Captain was around). At daybreak, he brought the ships near land and sent a party to make a landing.



They encountered natives there. The natives were primitive, but friendly. They invited in Columbus and his crew to visit their city. While dirty and backwards, it was teeming with people. Columbus spent the day talking with their leader and other tribal elders. He wasn't terribly sure whether he had found Asia or not. The land seemed massive though, not just a small island off the coast. He repeatedly asked about John Cabot, but got blank stares. He and his crew, interested in trade from India and China also inquired repeatedly about tea. Once again, blank stares. He looked around the city, and saw various animal skins and trinkets, but no valuable goods worth trading for. Captain Columbus decided to depart that evening with his ships and continue his search, he left behind several crewmen though to learn the ways of these primitives and teach them about fishing, boat building, English, wondrous tales of Europe and God.

That night, as their ships sailed south, Columbus wrote the following in his journal:

"They ought to make good and skilled servants, for they repeat very quickly whatever we say to them. I think they can very easily be made Christians, for they seem to have no religion. If it pleases our Lord, I will take six of them to Your Highnesses when I depart, in order that they may learn our language." He remarked that their lack of modern weaponry and even iron-forged swords or pikes was a tactical vulnerability, writing, "I could conquer the whole of them with 50 men, and govern them as I pleased."

[England (DoE)]

Evidence of John Cabot from the Aztecs!!

Christopher Columbus continued his voyage south, staying in deeper waters, but staying within sight of land. He had truly found a great continent, far larger than the Japan he was searching for. Many miles south, he found another large settlement. The natives he captured further north recognized it, and indicated it was part of their nation. Columbus was quite amazed that such a primitive people could found and manage such a large empire. While still defenseless, perhaps there was more riches to be had among these people than he thought. He would be sure to make mention of this when he returned to England...

For now, however, he had another mission to accomplish. He continued south and finally, after rounding a long peninsula, turned west. Before long he encountered a new tribe altogether. As before, he disembarked to speak to the natives directly. The northern natives, having started to learn English, could serve as rudimentary translators. These southern natives, also appeared to not be the sought after Japanese. They called themselves the Aztec. They seemed to have more interesting goods to trade and, more importantly, they recently heard stories that may, in fact, be the long lost John Cabot!

The Aztecs spoke of stories they heard from a foreign land far to their south. They explained that while they didn't entirely understand the language of these southern people - these Inca - that they recently encountered a visitor from a foreign land. It is said a small collection of ships sailed from the west and encountered the Inca. Fleeing hostile pirates, the ships were given safe passage through Incan waters before finally seeking refuge in the Incan capitol of Capaco.

The travelers had been at sea for a very long time and had a similar complexion as Columbus and his crew. News travels slow, but Aztecs indicated that the travelers were still living in the Incan capitol learning their language and customs. Because of language issues, it couldn't be confirmed that these travelers were John Cabot or his crew, but it certainly gave Columbus hope. This is the most promising information anyone has heard about John Cabot for hundreds of years!

Once again, Columbus left some of his men behind. The small party, led by a Welshman named Henry Morton Stanley, were given the mission of traveling south, with an Aztec guide, to find their way to the Incan capitol and make contact with the "travelers". They had a sealed envelope to deliver from the King himself.

[France (DoE)]

Africa - Near the Zulu-Israeli Border

Captain Renaud looked around in amazement. It had been many years since they had last set foot in Gallic lands. They had traveled to the far north of the Viking lands, the rugged forests of Russia, the exotic lands of the turks, the arid deserts of the Israelis, but this, this was something very foreign, even to veteran charioteers who had seen many things. This was the jungle.



The vegetation was lush, but unlike anything they had seen before. The trees towered to great heights. It was the afternoon, but the path they rode along was dark, light barely filtering down from the canopy above.

The sounds were quite unique as well. There was a certain hush, as there was no breeze at ground level. Overlaying that was a steady hum of insect and bird noises, occasionally broken by the call of a loud bird or the cry of an ape. It was very warm, very humid, and very eerie. Renaud looked up to assure himself that the sun was still in the sky.



It was. He offered a silent prayer to Allah. Renaud was a long way from Cadiz, and was not sure when he would return home. His current orders were to travel to the capitol of the Zulus, map out the territory along the way, and make efforts to improve relations with France's enemy of long ago.

But Renaud, like his charioteers and their horses, were tired. His men were the best horsemen in the empire, but that by itself might not be enough to see them safely home. He looked back to the chariots following his lead as they wound through the close jungle path. The chariots had long since been modified for long-distance travel over military action. Umbrellas covered each chariot, and most of the horses armor had been discarded.

The day wore on and the shafts of sunlight changed their angle though the vegetation. Evening was coming, so it was with considerable relief that the troop broke through to a large clearing before nightfall. They would camp here for the night and resume their travels tomorrow.

[England (DoE)]

Columbus' Successful First Voyage Sparks Great Leap Forward

Christopher Columbus left the Aztecs and began sailing east and south. He found many small islands and then another great continent to the south. Giant mountains, thick jungles, wide rivers, and lush beaches as far as the eye could see. Unlike the lands further north, this continent seemed to be nearly void of human settlement. Nothing more than tiny scattered villages. Columbus and his crew sailed back east, to England and reported all that they had seen. Columbus had the full attention of King Richard. Indeed, of all his court who were amazed that he came back alive. Columbus recounted the tale of his voyage, his encounters with natives, the possible contact with John Cabot, and the virgin soil available for colonization.

Richard was delighted, not only was it likely his boy-hood hero was still alive, it seemed that Captain Columbus had discovered a new land ripe for colonization, and new people ripe for conquest. These new lands would be England's saving grace. For too long, England had been the smallest nation on Earth. Thanks to the wise leadership of his forefathers and the financial wisdom of his people they had made the best possible use of their tiny islands, but the fact remained that they could not compete with the vast lands of France, Russia, the Neandor or the Ottomans. The quest for land had driven his great-grand father, King Alfred, to settle a worthless patch of desert in Africa, and spend great amounts of wealth and energy to defend it. The prospect of rich lands unclaimed by any civilized power (or the Neandor) was the dream of English monarchs for centuries.

Based on the reports of the enormity of the continent, Richard knew that caravels would not be enough to fully take advantage of the riches that lay in store in these new lands. Even though England was the first European nation to master the technology of deep ocean sailing and navigation - and indeed the first nation in the world to do so, it was not enough. Caravels were sturdy, but too small and too slow to carry significant numbers of troops across the ocean. Another leap forward was necessary. Richard turned to the greatest minds in England. After much work, Carl Friedrich Gauss, John of London and Cambridge professor and decedent of the nearly extinct Egyptian people, Merit Ptah, came up with great advances in Astronomy. Building upon advances in Optics, the Compass and other inventions, the trio achieved one of the greatest leaps forward science had ever seen in the world. Great advances were made in the study of the heavens and the motion of celestial bodies. Great strides were made in navigation and ship building. Working with skilled shipwrights, they were able to create the world's first galleon. While the rest of the world slowly rowed from port to port in galleys, the English were now masters of the seas. These great scientists had done what no one else could.

Marveled by this new technology, King Richard immediately chartered two voyages. One, led by newly promoted Admiral Christopher Columbus would be equipped with soldiers and sent to the northern natives who referred to themselves as "Americans". Columbus estimated he could take them over with 50 well trained men. To be safe, Richard sent 500. The second voyage would be led by Henry Hudson and given the mission to further explore the coast of the southern continent specifically to scout promising locations for colonies. The adventurer and explorer, John Smith, would accompany him and explore further inland once they land.