Destiny of Empires [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 8 - May 2011]

[Aztecs (DoE)]

Aztec Scientific Breakthough

Inspired by the recent Aztimaztli Championship Aztec scientists decided to go searching for the elusive blue-footed booby bird.

They managed to achieve a completely different, totally unexpected scientific breakthrough...

[Israel (DoE)]

Armageddon

The city of Ekron had been razed twice by the Turks.
All men, women and children had been killed or raped.
The city was set on fire. Not once but twice.

And now the city had been rebuilt for the 3rd time in history.
No city had ever been destroyed as often as Ekron.
No city but the ancient mythical city of Megido. The city in ancient Israel that was destroyed 21 times and was rebuilt 20 times.
Megido in ancient Israel had become famous for being the place of utter destruction.
Never had more wars been waged on one place then in the valley of Megido.

Now the citizen of Israel refered to Ekron as the new Megido.
Razed twice, destroyed twice, and now an army of Turks was preparing another invasion.
People left the houses of the city.

Megido was also famous for the mountain next to it.
The word for mountain in Hebrew is 'har', so this mountain was refered to as Harmegido or Harmagedon.
Harmagedon or Armagedon had become the symbolic place of the apocalypse.*

The valley of (New) Megido was the desert. People could imagine millions of soldiers waging the final battle between good and evil taking place there.
The houses of Megido became deserted. Just only the Turks were lusting after it.
And the army of Israelians, ordered to protect the city.

Then Rabbi Amran Goan, president of the Sanhedrin, received a letter from the Princess of Russia.
Ekron (Megido) would be left alone if Israel would become a vasal of Russia and do as Russia pleased.
In addition a sum 400 gold should be paid to the Turks 10 times for reparations needed after the Israelian betrayal.

Amram Goan shaked his head. "Becoming a vassal of Russia is absolutely possible, but we cannot afford such a large sum of money. Al our cities have to produce commerce for 10 turns to pay this gigantic price. This will destroy our ability to develop ourselves."
And then he continued: "Why should we pay reparations? We have hardly destroyed anything but soldiers. And why are we now discussing terms of peace of the last war, we already had signed peace! Israel has payed it's price for it's betrayal, Megido has been razed twice and Hebron has been captured and half it's buildings have been destroyed. We have already paid and now they want more."

But Israel could not dare another war. Especially not against the combined forces of Russia and Turkey.
Therefore Amram Goan had no other option but to offer the city of Megido to the Turks, as requested. Which he did.


The ruins of Megido and the small new settlement next to it






*this stuff about Megido and Armagedon is not made up but a simple lesson of factual real earth history.

[India (DoE)]

Re-reform in India

Following the massive changes in the Indian state through the reforms of Eneri, a group of Delhi bureaucrats launched a counter-reform. Demanding their old rights back, they were able to push political reform, reducing the power of the prophets and reinstating the importance of the Indian Civil Service. In an additional and highly surprising move they abolished the forced levying of the unemployed as workers or soldiers without re-implementing the caste system. Ironically the policy had reduced the thronging in the greater cities making the need for the policies themselves less important. In a final consolidation of power the ICS re-instated the bureaucratic adherence to religious traditions.

As a result, the Indian state's record surplus was turned to a massive deficit, the population of many cities protested for weeks against the abolishment of the Prophethood, only letting up when the bureaucrats implemented a very costly cultural celebration, though resistance persisted in Calicut. Realizing the unpopularity of their reforms the leaders of the ICS went to negotiate with the High Prophet Eneri.
The result was the Indian constitution.

As part of the new tenets established by law, India's path would be decided by a Congressional Council of which 1/4th would be Civil Servants chosen by the bureaucratic establishment, 1/4th consisting of a selection of prominent nobles and landowners, 1/4th of representatives from the various cities, distributed by population and finally 1/4th divided equally among each city. The High Prophet was designated as the executive branch with a tie-breaker vote. It was decided that every 5 years the Indian Congressional Council would convene in one of the cities of India and vote on governmental policy, allowing vast changes to be made to governing of India through peaceful and legal action.

Long Live the Indian Constitutionalism!

[Kardalan1907]

Thank you very much

[Russia (DoE)]

"Princess, the Turks are keep saying that the Israeli are only buying time so they can draft and bring more armies! They are saying the Israeli will trick us again! Until now they were just bargaining and finally agreed to nothing in particular. Isnt it better we to stop losing time and to launch the attack?"

"Well, you all can take me for naive, but I do believe the common sense will finally win and Rabbi Amran Goan will take the deal, saving his people from harm."

"What if the Turks lacking your naiv...errm...patience and attack Israel right away? They have said they waited long enough!"

"Once Rabbi takes the deal, Israel will be safe from harm."

"But what if he dont take it and is just trying to buy some time as the Turks suggest?!?"

"He will take it. You will see." Princess Catherine said imperturbable.

[Russia (DoE)]

"So, my Lady, the Israeli showed their true nature of liars and backstabbers and scoundrels once again."

"Really?" The Princess asked apathetic with melancholic expression on her gentle face, so unfitting to the importance of the information that her retinue just told her, so they started to look at each- other stealthy - do she really understands whats happens?

"Yes my lady! Here is their letter: They call you Catherine the small. They reject our deal and they laugh at us as they managed to stall us once again for three days with their lies and tricks and now they pretend to have raised army strong enough to crush us. They threat to raze cities and show no mercy, my Lady! I have told you so many times, My Lady! I have warned you! You should not trust them!"

"Bad, bad..." Catherine's lips were hardly moving, her voice sounding like a whisper, her head nodding like someone who is not sure what else to say, her mind wandering away from the cruel reality ...

"What a world I have to live in..." Catherine was thinking to herself...

[Israel (DoE)]

Public Statement from Rabbi Amram Goan
Leader of the Sanhedrin

Approx 15 periods ago the Turks and the Israelians signed peace after a short war.
The war started with the Israelian betrayal of the Turks in an attempt to regain control over Jerusalem.
After the Turks razed the city of Ekron twice and invaded the city of Hebron, while there was no sign of progression in the war on the true front, both involved parties agreed that this war was leading nowhere.

Israel believed that it had payed it's price for the betrayal. Ekron was razed twice and Hebron was semi-destructed.
Compared to the loss of soldiers only for the Turks, despite this being a lot of soldiers, Israel believed that the penalty was appropriate.
Peace was signed.

Then 13 turns later the Turks contacted the Sanhedrin again, insisting that the rebuilt city of Ekron would be handed over to the Turks, either voluntarily or by force. A navy of Turkish ships appeared in front of the harbour of Ekron.
The Turks insisted that this city was a treath to Turkey.

Israel tried to convince Catherine of Russia that another was with Israel was helping her case, but that simply giving up Ekron was no an easy option for us. Catherine continued to insist that Israel had to pay at least 350 gold per turn for 10 turns and then 100 gold per turn for 20 turns to Turkey and Russia to avoid the loss of Ekron. The return of Jerusalem was also suggested. The Sanhedrin then answered that Israel was preparing to do almost everything to get control of our holy city again, and most importantly, the Holy Mount Moria. But a simple 5500 gold to keep the small settlement of Ekron was too much.
2000 gold was offered by Israel, but rejected.

Then the Sanhedrin saw no other option but to hand over Ekron to the Turks, as originally was demanded.
But then the Turks rejected the hand over, and insisted that the 10x 350gpt and 20x 100gpt should be paid on top of the city of Ekron.
The Russians then repeated this same demand. Again the return of Jerusalem to Israel was suggested.
Amram Goan accepted this offer. The price was gigantic, but Mount Moria was worth more then any earthly sum of money.

But then again this offer was withdrawed by Russia. Jerusalem would only be returned if the Israelian army would have helped the Turks to drive the French from North-West Africa. But even then there was no promise about the return of Jerusalem.
This was too much. Israel is prepared to pay money for Jerusalem, we are willing to give in a lot, but we cannot betray our friends. And certainly not if even then the return of Jerusalem to Israel remains a vague possibility.

Some nations think that Israel is a people of backstabbers.
Let it be clear that Israel has never backstabbed it's friends or allies. We were offered Jerusalem before during the stale-mate war if we would turn against the French. We did not accept this offer for the same obvious reasons.
The fact that we have betrayed the Turks can only be explained by the fall of Jerusalem. Back then the Turks betrayed Israel by breaking the just signed peace pact and razing Jerusalem and destroying the Tabernacle on Mount Moria. And even today the Turks have proven to be backstabbers themselves. Declaring war only 5 periods after peace was signed.

Israel has continued to draft and upgrade it's army during the peace negotiations.
Not to buy time. We were honest in our attempts to keep peace with the Turks.
But we are not insane, of course we were training our army.
The Turks even invaded Nain, a city in our south-west, far far far away from Turkey, before the negotiations had ended.
Why would the Turks invade a city that isn't even close to bordering Turkey?
What does this have to do with the original demand about Ekron?

Israel cannot give in to insane demands from insane leaders that are already pulled back before the inkt has dried on the paper it was written on.
Israel longed for peace but we will wage war if war has to be waged.

Israels army may not be as advanced as the Turkish army but our generals have better skills and our tactical knowledge exceeds any knowledge of the barbaric turks. We do not fear the Turks, even if they outnumber us.
In the meanwhile the Mossad is infiltrating Turkey on all possible levels.

When the Turkish cities are about to be razed, like they razed the Israelian cities, then the world should know that the Turks can only blame themselves.

[Mali (DoE)]

Today at 16:00 was killed Grand Negus Nagast Musa. Ruler of Mali did review musketeer regiment, when one of the soldiers focus his musket to Negus Musa and shot him. The security of His Majesty immediately assailant shot but the unthinkable was done. Later we will announce details. According to the testament of His Majesty for the lord and guardian of the Mali Army Chief declaring ras Imru.

http://altorgs.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/musket-shooting-200x300.jpg

vile murderer made his black case.

[France (DoE)]

The Fall of London .... again.

The scout galloped right to General Maray's headquarters and even did a flying dismount so he could deliver his message sooner. Saluting quickly, he handed over the message from the Captain of the scouts to the elderly General.

General Maray

I have confirmed the rumors we have heard; the DA have abandoned the city. There are no defenders. From the civilians we have talked to, it appears that they left under cover of darkness, boarding their galleons and sailing away.

The city is yours for the taking, sir.

Respectfully, Captain Legault

General Maray looked around at his assembled army, veterans who were patiently waiting for the order to attack the city. No lives would be lost today. Maray smiled at that, but at the same time he was wondering what the DA were up to. This game of 'cat and mouse' was getting old. He gave the orders to march into the city.

Six hours later, the city of London had been secured peacefully. The people of this beleaguered city, many of whom were now French, took the bloodless exchange of hands gratefully. It was much safer this way, compared to the hard fought battle with the Tower Guard, only two months before.

And to honor Colonel Riel and his men, the cuirassiers and infantry drew up in ranks outside the old English palace. The Tower Guard's regimental flag had been found in the rubble, and would be raised on the palace in their memory. It was somehow fitting.

[France (DoE)]

Today at 16:00 was killed Grand Negus Nagast Musa. Ruler of Mali did review musketeer regiment, when one of the soldiers focus his musket to Negus Musa and shot him. The security of His Majesty immediately assailant shot but the unthinkable was done. Later we will announce details.

We extend our deepest sympathies to the people of Mali on the tragic death of Grand Negus Nagast Musa. We considered him a friend. He was respected for his reasoning, his governance, and his faith. He will be missed. May the Lord be with the people of Mali during these dark hours.

Phillipe, King of France

[Ottoman Empire (DoE)]

The Turks join the French in expressing our deep sorrow at the passing of the wise and just Negus Nagast Musa. We are with our friends at this moment of grief and sorrow, and we are confident that the capable intelligence officers of Mali will bring those responsible to justice.

Brio, substitute Messenger to the Sultan, Ahmed V

[Israel (DoE)]

Rabbi Amram Goan: What is going on in the Mali Empire?

Rabbi Josef: the Grand Negus Nagst Musa has been murdered.

Amram Goan: How will this impact us?

Josef: They Mali may find reasons to accuse us of the murdering and cross our borders, payed by the Turks. Trying to take advantage of our war.

Amram Goan: Do we have to fear a Mali invasion?

Josef: Not at all. Troops of drafted muskets are close enough to defend our cities. Combined with our canons we may even be able to expand into Mali territory if they stab us in the back.

Amram Goan: Why would we do that?

Josef: Rabbi, if the Mali backstab us to take advantage from current situation, then we have all reasonable reasons to counter their invasion.

Amram Goan: Just secure the borders and don't be so paranoid. You start to sound like the Turks and the Russians who are too paranoid to even reasonably talk with. I will send a letter of condoleances to the Mali.

People of the Mali Empire,

On behalf of the Sanhedrin and the People of Israel we express our shared regret and sorrows on the passing away of your Great Negus, Grand Negus Nagast Musa.
Musa was known especially for his exellent warfare skills against the Zulu.
He certainly was one of the greatest leaders in African history.
His leadership skills helped the Mali to move forward in the anals of history.
Salute Nagast Musa!

May he find true Shalom in G'd the most High.

Amram Goan

[Israel (DoE)]

The Mossad identifies Turkish/Russian agents behind death of Nagast Musa.
These agents have instructed Mali rebels to murder the Grand Negus and take his place instead.
The Mossad discovered that the Russian/Turkish axes tried to create a puppet regime into West Africa and set the African nations up against each other. By doing so the Russian/Turkish axes tries to expand it's colonial influence upon Africa and enslave the African people.

This knowledge has been sent to the Mali administration, backed up by in dept and very detailed proof.

[Inca (DoE)]

An Afternoon with the Emperor

The scent of cantuta and jasmine mixed subtly with the cool, humid air, at once relaxing and sentimentalizing the otherwise hardened and caustic Talchu Capac Huayna. He, the great and noble, esteemed and honored, Yunaca, sat idly in a great cushioned seat of the Huayna palatial estate in the upper hills of the Capaco River. Had he been so inclined, and not quite so supine instead, he could have seen over the grand stone balcony of the terrace and been captured by the awe of the entire Pacific lapping at the navel of the empire. But quite lost in thought in leisure as he was, the speckled sky and slowly setting sun would have to do for this late afternoon.

But there was another distraction for him today, not quite so sensual as the expanse of burning blue and gold above him. Today the Emperor himself deigned to visit, to discuss matters of state and future. Pala Y'capac was a less inspiring form than the heavens, yet at times commanded greater awe and respect among his peers. Young in his reign, the first of the Third Old Coast Emperors, ascended to the throne after the long, confused Late Caczcoynan Period, a time bereft of strong leadership or any real aim whatsoever, much rested on Pala's shoulders now. A proper course must be set for the Empire now, no more dallying about in local manufacturing and their concomitant small politics.

Pala did not don his grand robes nor, in his opinion, his rather awkward and heavy crown, an excessive and anachronistic burden handed down from the Second Old Coast Emperors, he the first to wear it in some centuries.

"We now live in an industrial age, where steel and machine will dominate the course of history, yet I still wear the headdress of a prehistoric river squatter," he murmured in ill temper as he sat slightly more upright to the right of Yunaca.

Yunaca grunted lightly in accord, then returned to his gazing at yet unseen stars. The Emperor, quite so inclined, decided to approach the setting sun and tides with his gaze, and the two sat for some time longer with only the moderate Pacific winds for acoustic accompaniment.

"What should we do, Yunaca, about these 'Western' affairs?" the tinge of derision for the term quite clear to his confidant, "yet again the three continents see fit to delve into another bloody, protracted mess that will leave them all the poorer still. And again here we sit idly by, no purpose in this world but to sell the odd armament or loan to someone in a crunch..."

Yunaca responded, his interest finally moved from the passing clouds, "ah, but is that not the point? Peace, prosperity, such afternoons as these, a casual meandering through existence, searching for little but love and llamas?" he slowly and carefully picked up his golden chalice and ponderously consumed the contents, resting it again carefully back on the glass. A deep sigh, "this is the mistake of the 'Westerners', they seek only aggrandizement through destruction of their neighbors. They see a golden statue in the next courtyard, and the immediate instinct is to nick it, the more force used the better. It is never to think, 'my what a gorgeous statue, I must build one for myself and put my slaves to good productive use in the meantime, only to destroy the grounds for the sake of taking such a minor thing."

Pala began to interrupt, but Yunaca, as was his tendency once roused by talk of Westerners, steamrolled on through, "yes, they'll tear down an entire palace for one flolicking painting or a cute servant girl, just for a fortnight's flolicking of course. Such are their ways, a meaningless rampage over countless centuries for some burnt up and already spoiled spoils that go to waste the next century as the previous owner forces back what was taken from him." He paused now long enough for the Emperor to get his words in.

"Yes, Yunaca, but I only desire that they stop all that. I don't desire we get involved for our own sakes, we certainly have nothing to gain - what are we, to capture African cities? If we want territory, we have all we need here, yet still now we attempt to sell off what areas are left to us... and gold we have in such great quantities as to never need to tax our people for the sake of treasury for another 200 years."

"Soon, at least," interjected Yunaca.

"Yes, yes, all the same, we have no need of territory, nor of gold, nor of production, having all this in full already. I just wish the damned barbarians would quit disrupting this whole international order we have attempted to secure. You remember the peace talks, yes?" now somewhat distraughtly.

"Oh, that mess, of course! They were to be signed in Cuzco, yes? Such work was poured into them, yes, I've read those histories, as would have any similar student of politics or history."

"Well," continued the Emperor, "then you know what an unreasonable and bloodthirsty lot the entire 'West' is. Its nature is to destroy anything remotely weaker than it within arm's reach. We should only be so thankful that we have remained out of that reach for so long, save the English, whom we had to appease most dearly for our security..."

"Oh, yes, yes, Pala, I am aware of what we gave up to remain at peace with them. The whole of the continent they desired, such blood we needed to shed, so many raiding parties needed to be shredded, before they would give up such thoughts, and even then...."

"Yes, and even then it was a hard-fought struggle to retain our security," sighed Emperor Pala. He looked up towards the sky to see the first star shining dimly over the mountains at his back. Soon it would be accompanied by a thousand other stars, countless glaring eyes in the eastern night sky. His gaze returned to the vast flat ocean before him to the west, the merchant ships passing the time lazily, or further out making haste to the ports of Mancho, Talcho, the colonies, Beijing, Nanjing, and Kyoto. A hundred small islands, indefensible, vulnerable, trapped in a near-infinite sea of pirates, privateers, sharks, tempests, and the horrors of sailors' tales.

"How do we solve this Western dilemma, Yunaca? How do we return some order to this globe? Make this place safe for us and our sailors?"

Grandly in response, Yunaca tried to defeat such defeatism, "ooohhh, such instability is not so bad a thing, Emperor, in all due respects and suchforth! What great profits we have seen from such minor profiteering in the past, and such banquets need not end soon! You see a problem, some intractable and sneering evil waiting for the right moment to pounce on Capaco itself, yet..." and he paused mid-grin for some effect, "all I see is gold entering into our laps for selling our wares and surpluses, even though such sales and profits be still minor."

The sun finally slid under the waves and the air and sky cooled to a deep shade. The various seabirds, herons, gulls, and swifts made their evening return to the shore, under the silent and hidden gaze of Yunaca's osprey.

A quietness and stillness descended upon the two, and as the light of sun died out, the family servants came to the rooftop carrying small ****** of light and dutifully and silently danced about, from candle to lamp, creating a glow that could be seen by the boats so distant and below the terrace.

As the servants retired back under the two, the personal caretaker approached and offered the two a selection of Neander wines and smuggled French cheeses, uttering meaningless pleasantries and quickly retiring himself to leave the two in peace and seclusion.

Emperor Pala savored the cheeses and took in the wine with a savoring capable only of one with the reigns of a global powerhouse at his control, where the wine is but the thin material frame for which one may taste the depths of sweetness of the less tangible aspects of one's life. The flavors swirled about in nuance and brilliance between his teeth and gums, the eddies of power and importance shifting from one cheek to the other, his mouth now the totality of his being.

And then, lifted from his momentary reprieve, he returned again to the complexities and concerns of his position. In sombre notes he played out his dismal tune, "so the turks hurt the Israelis, and so the Iraelis hurt the turks, and now the Turks hurt the Israelis again; so the English hurt the Vikings, so the Vikings hurt the English, so the French hurt the English, so the English hurt the French, and so now the French go about hurting the English yet again; so the Mali..." and he trailed off, unwilling to follow it through to the end.

Yunaca sighed himself, until then happily filling himself on royal delicacies, "it makes sense yet it doesn't, that's all there is to it. What do you think you can accomplish that so many forebears, those near-mythical names like Chan and Putabo could not? You may be a great leader, but a Putabo you are not, no offense."

Quick to show his modesty, Pala insisted none was taken.

Yunaca continued, "so, what purpose in direct involvement? Let us remain removed from the hot winds of those lands, keep to our cool breezes of this our ocean mother. Indeed, Tamazono itself is too far east, and we know how unbearable the climate is just there, in our own backyard. Keep our people at home, keep our politics simple. No need for confusions and bloodshed."

Pala laid back and noticed the moon beginning its journey over the mountains, drowning out the stars in its vicinity, bathing the two in the clear and lucid white light.

"Ah, but if we assisted in the pacification of the Israelis, would that not bring more peace to the land? Would that not solve some piece of that puzzle?" asked Pala.

For a minute Yunaca held his tongue to ensure a proper response, and slowly he gave it, laying intense purpose into each word: "We have no army to send anyway, but if we had... It would just push the entire world into conflagration. Our pacifism is the rock of the world. Should we grow aggressive and as violent as our international neighbors, what corner of this planet would remain intact? We must remain the guiding light for these people, at a perpetual distance, across the sea, a promise of a world that could be if they would only lay down their hatreds and build together."

This gave Pala pause, and he continued to contemplate the moon above as it shifted between thin clouds and dragged its light across the peaks and valleys, splintered into a thousand strands and streams by the palms and acacia branches, cracking the ground below into pools of light and trenches of shadow.

Resigned to accept, yet again, Yunaca's advice, he began anew, "and what of the 'Sons of the Sun'? What should I do about them?" he asked.

"Oh, what bother are they? Some Yupanqui thrall. I wouldn't think much of them. Domestic politics is always such a bother, and nothing is going to change the system as it stands and has stood for countless centuries," he snorted with contempt and added, "nothing much will ever come of that. Now, let's retire ourselves."

And the two men rose up and left the terrace, the torches still blazing brightly, but now with none to burn but themselves.

[Ottoman Empire (DoE)]

The Sexxstanbul

Letters to the Editor:

Dear Editor, I am a loyal international reader for years and I am disturbed about the recent Israeli accusation that Turkey and Russia were behind the assassination of the Malian Grand Negus. Why hasn't the Russian or Turkish government issued a response?

Fredrik in Neandor City

Editor's response:

Dear Fredrik,

Good to know our international readership is going strong. My contacts in the Turkish government say that the Sultan feels that since the Israelis are known liars, backstabbers and propaganda-mongers, the world would see right through this latest Israeli scam. Therefore, the smears would not be dignified by an official response.

We have a saying in Turkey. "The man who hath smelt it, yes he indeed is the one who dealt it and he who first spat it is the one who begat it most assuredly." In my editorial opinion, this saying is most appropriate here. The Israelis are pointing one finger aTurkey and five fingers are pointing back at themselves. They are obviously trying to hide their guilt by preemptively blaming others.

And anyway, why does the Israeli Mossad need to investigate the assassination of the Malinese Negus? Are they so condescending and insulting to Mali, and so arrogantly convinced of their own superiority that they felt Mali intelligence was too incompetent to conduct their own investigation?

Isn't it just a little too convenient that shortly after the rumored conversation between Amram the Goat and Rabbi Josef that suddenly, and immediately, the Goat's Mossad would publish unsolicited "results" of their so called "investigation" which conveniently blames their enemies? How typical of Amram the Goat. Especially since in the rumored conversation with Rabbi Josef, they expressed worry that Israel would be fingered as the perpetrators.

This my editorial opinion of what happened. Russia developed a good relationship with the aged Grand Negus, and Israel panicked at the thought of being surrounded by enemies, so they assassinated Negus Nagast, so that a new Negus, potentially friendly to Israel could take over. The Grand Negus was rumored to have found his potential successors incompetent and this fits well with the Israeli desire to have one of them take over. Afterall, only an incompetent leader would trust the known backstabber Israelis.

Thanks for your letter keep reading!

The Editor