Destiny of Empires [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 9 - June 2011]

[England (DoE)]

Letter to India

Russia involved itself in the Great War out of honor. A trait precious few nations seem to retain these days. It was we English who found ourselves stabbed in the back by the Vikings, the French and the Neandor. A war of greed and a war of conquest that brought us to our knees. A dishonorable war undertaken with no provocation. You speak of a war of choice, this was indeed the choice of the Axis who dined on the corpse of our nation. It is this Axis who you allied yourself with and continue to share the spoils today.

So yes, Russia chose to involve themselves in the war, not to meddle, but to defend a friend and an ally. At great cost their men fought on our behalf to put evil to rest. Russia has gained nothing from this war. They did not achieve lands or spoils. They ended this war, as the rest of us, with great debt and strain to their country. They endured this, and the deaths of many, for honor. For the safety of a friend. For defense of goodness in the face of evil.

You, however, allied yourself with that evil, and hiding behind the skirt of your powerful new friend you claimed for yourself juicy English lands. India did not fight, India did not risk your land and treasure, yet you claim rewards you did not earn and dare to accuse Russia of wrong doing. England cares little for your current dispute over who declared war on who, but we do feel personally insulted by your remarks and demand an apology.

Russia is no more a meddler than a man who shoots a robber attempting to rape and steal from his neighbor. You however support that robber by receiving stolen goods. You are a meddler and abettor of criminals. England demands you apologize. As the neighbor who Russia saved, your accusation of Russian "meddling" is too much to bear.

-Elizabeth I

[Ottoman Empire (DoE)]

Istanbul... the Sultan's private Garden

Mahmud approached as the Sultan gazed in the reflecting pool... "Sorry to disturb you Highness..."

"What is it now Mahmud?" The Sultan grumbled without looking up...

"Has Your Majesty read the latest letters between Russia and India?" Mahmud asked cautiously

The Sultan nodded. This is Jamal's juridiction as we would likely approach by land through Arabia, Suleiman will support him from the sea... but this means Suleiman would arrive first... tsk, tsk, tsk... Jamal will be reluctant to occupy their unarmed cities. But Suleiman will not hesitate to stab any through the heart who refuse to defend themselves... He detestes weakness and pacifism. He was one of the most outspoken opponents of our governmental reform under my father, and I know his attitude has not changed. He keeps quiet out of loyalty, not agreement. I must comment on this matter, as I do not want a repeat of what happened with Israel... let's keep it short... you know what to say don't you Mahmud?"

"Yes Majesty" Mahmud replied, and went off to write the letter...

After reviewing it, the Sultan said "That was not short Mahmud... but it was accurate... send this right away..."

[Ottoman Empire (DoE)]

Notice to India:

On behalf of his Majesty Sultan Ahmed, I am authorized to remind India that Turkey is allied with Russia, and we will support Russia in wars against her enemies. This notice is issued precisely to avoid the situation as with Israel, where a potential enemy is unaware of how many foes they could potentially face as a result of war. We are therefore notifying India in advance, that Turkey stands with Russia, to avoid allegations of suprise later on.

Turkey desires peace at last, and we will not be fooled as we have before, by those who cloak their declarations of war in principle and world roles. Turkey has no desires in India, but we stand with Russia for honor, nothing more. Whether the Indian leaders believe in honor is irrelevant, because the Indian people can die for honor just as easily as they can die for logic. Whether they fight with guns or sticks or by throwing their bodies under horses, they are still not surrendering, they are fighting. Either one fights or one surrenders, because there is no alternative. Failure to surrender is fighting.

Turkey cares not for the fairness of Russia's demands to India. Russia's demands speak for themselves. However, it is absurd to say "I would rather die than pay because dying is logical while paying is not." One can not die for logic, because logic always puts survival ahead of principle. The need of the people of India to survive logically outweighs the pride of the government or the need to prove some abstract point. India can not claim that 'there is no honor or principle in the world, only self-interest' and then subsequently declare that they will die on the altar of the honorable principle of pacifism... which of course goes against their professed self interest in the Indian peoples welfare ie survival.

India behaves as a child, who, after having the referee decide against him, or the game go poorly for him, declares " I shall hold my breath until I die", secretly hoping that others will give in, in fear that he will harm himself. What he can not accomplish through skill he seeks to accomplish through childish guile. The child fights his opponents, and seeks to thwart and defeat them, just through childish psychology, rather than prowess.

What logic is there in refusing to surrender and choosing to die? The logic can only be that India expects to persuade Russia not to demand compensation, or that other nations will feel sympathy. If India is pacifist, why do you even have weapons? Give them up to someone else, or destroy them. If you truly offer your unarmed surrender, then just give up your lands willingly rather than force your enemies to occupy you. No we think it more likely that this claim of pacifism is a tactic, and nothing more.

Turkey will not be fooled by India's breath holding. You have already contradicted yourselves. Either you stand for logic and thus must pay Russia for your transgressions, thus ensuring your survival... Or you must admit that you do believe in honor and principle, and therefore you must admit that you have acted dishonorably towards Russia by signing conflicting treaties... thus you must pay for your dishonor.

Mahmud, on behalf of Sultan Ahmed V

[Vikings (DoE)]

[Editor’s note]This was intended to be written before the war with Russia and the subsequent peace with all involved in the war, but I haven’t had time to do more than wartime gameplay the past few days.

The Travels and Travails of Dagfinnr Bjornson, part 2



The journal of Dagfinnr Bjornson
29th day of Hrútmánaður

We’ve been sailing the Baltic Sea for many a night as I pen this journal. I’ve never been happier. The sea is truly my wife and mistress; well, one of my mistresses at least. I do miss Borina and her long red hair, so rare in a Viking maid. She is a treasure, but she understands. Or at least I hope she does.

I was made for the sea. Like many of my companions, and in truth, many of my fellow Vikings across Valhalla, the sea is where we belong. I don’t feel right on the land, even when I’m with Borina. Many a maid has been left behind by her beloved Viking sailor as they explore the seas. But we are true. We always come back. I’ve heard of some of the sailors in the lands of the Damn Anglais who have a mistress in every port. Vikings are not like that.

The Baldr turned north today. We are passing Asgard headed toward the North Sea. A few of my companions wanted to stop in Asgard to see their wives and mistresses, but Captain Anderssen said no. He has a new order he just received. We’re to find out about it tomorrow.

The journal of Dagfinnr Bjornson
30th day of Hrútmánaður

Amazing! I am not one to question either our captain, nor the Jarls or Mr. Wednesday. But I just cannot believe this. Captain Anderssen’s orders were to sail toward London where we would join with the French fleet. Okay, fine. But we are also to fly French colors for at least the next few months, maybe longer. Where is the honor in flying another’s colors? A Viking should fly Viking colors at all times.

An opponent should know that when they are defeated, it is a Viking that did the deed, not a flaming Frenchman. There is a lot of grumbling on the Baldr today.

TO BE CONTINUED…

[Ottoman Empire (DoE)]

Aysecan's Chambers...

"What the hell is Mahmud babbling about?" Aysecan's valet/stylist Ali was perplexed by the latest letter issued on behalf of the Sultan...



Aysecan pushed Ali's scissors away from her hair and swung her chair around to face Ali... "It is delicious logic Ali... Let me explain. India claims that they embrace logic rather than honor, because honor does not exist. According to the Indians, Countries act in pure self interest, not motivated by any sense of honor, but only motivated by what is in their own self-interest."

"OK, I get that part" Ali said.

Aysecan continued... "But if that were true, then why do they propose to honor the principle of pacifism in the face of what they believe to be certain death? That is not logical and it is contradictory... In other words, if the Indians believe that there is no honor in the world and all nations act in their self interest, then how can they justify ordering all their people to lay down their arms and die a martyr's death? What is the self-interest in that? They are not Hindu, they are Muslim, so they do not believe in reincarnation. What self interest is served by dying to prove their commitment to pacifism? There is no logic there, only a sense of honor... a sense that they must not give up their honorable priciples...

So on the other hand if they believe that there is honor in holding fast to pacifist principles, then they are liars when they pretend not to understand the Russians concept of honor... the principle of acting against ones interest to prove a point, or uphold an ideal, or fulfill a promise. Russia says 'we fight for honor not gain' and India replies 'there is no such thing as honor, nations only fight for self interest.' Russia responds 'Well then pay us for your treachery or be destroyed, as there is no higher self-interest to be served than survival and to survive India must comply'... India's response is 'We would rather die than pay, because we honor the principles of pacifism, and will die for the honor of those principles' Do you see the glaring contradition?

Obviously these Indians are full of nonsense and contradiction"

"I get it Ayse" said Ali

"Just leave the politics to me" said Aysecan

"But you have been staying out of politics..." Ali remarked

"Yes but I need to re-enter the fray, as there are many important matters that supercede my personal strife with the Sultan" Aysecan sighed and buttoned her coat... standing up and looking out her window at the palace in the distance...

[India (DoE)]

In response to the Indian congress last letter:

India can not pay your ransom.
India can and will pay for its treachery. Either willingly and without violence, or coupled with the death of its people and destruction brought to your nation.

If you feel that seeking aggression and blackmail against us is a good way to show the honor you so often speak of, then you must be honorable.
Having honor is costly and lacking it is costlier. In the case you are paying for not having it. You are not the one eligible to judge my honor, as you clearly dont understand it.

call off your threats and we can discuss peace as we have requested to do all along
Indeed we are discussing peace. I said the price and you said you will not pay it. Then we have no deal.

We did not make great threats or demands.
Neither we. 1999 gold is nothing, compared to what you will save your nation from. 1999 gold is 4 turns of your income at most. I did not asked for half your land or 20 turns of all your income or something.

we choose not to fear our own destruction at your hands. But it will be by your hands.
No, it will be your own niggardly hands which will bring destruction to your people if continue to be so stubborn. Do you see any neutral nation to speak in your defense? Or anyone of your former "friends"? Even just in principle? Someone to feel sympathy for you? Nope. This must show you that you are clearly not right here and not deserve it.

We admit you hard history, but you should have played your cards wiser or more cautiously. We the Slavs have a saying: "When the stallions are kicking at each-other, the donkey have no business there" You decided to make a bet, choose a side, benefit from this and then when I come to bill you when you lost the gamble, you come with the excuse "I am poor, dont take my money" You should have think that you can lose a bit earlier.

However, I am not greedy and wanted to make a point, prove my right and punish you mildly for your dirty games and blackmailing me and this to serve as a lesson to you - and some money is the mildest way I can think of punishing you.

I can make a small discount on the sum if you show a good will on it.
Dont push your luck and my patience any further.

Catherine of Rus

It seems the Russian no longer wishes to discuss their aggression in public. They have deemed us immoral and dishonorable and they seek to impose their world view on us through force. Allow us to make clear to the Russians that we will not sacrifice 20 turns of our nations wealth to pay for their warmongering. We will not fight them. You do not understand our ways and therefore seek to destroy them. We do not understand your ways, but we use words not weapons. We believe in peace. We also believe that nations are selfish. It is for this reason that we will not fight, for to use selfishness as a reason to destroy peace is the utmost betrayal of a people's interest. It can never be in the people's interest to die for a foolish cause such as the greed or ambition of its leaders. The interests of the people are the interests of peace, prosperity and logic. We are dedicated to peace, and though you Russians do not believe in it we do. And we will fight your violence with peace, your hatred with reason. You may kill us, but our principles will survive, and throughout history the people of the world will remember India as a shining ray of light in a world darkened by hate and avarice.

[India (DoE)]

and to prove our words are true, here is a copy of the Indian budget as you would have it:


We are an economy based on great people, farmers and scientific discovery. We have few marketplaces and few villages. We are NOT rich! You are! And the great Russians can come and take what little we have, hold us back in our development, but we will not willingly ruin our nation's progress for the next 50 years to fill your war-struck coffers. But of course, let Arabia and the Turks and the Russians and the English and gods know who else come to India to rip away what little we have. If not for the vast populations of our cities we would have nothing of consequence at all in this world. It seems you are determined to take that as well.

[Russia (DoE)]

"Hahahahahahah..." The resonant laugh of the young Princess Catherine was still long resounding in the corridors while she became deadly serious and said to Boris: "OK, I can understand that the Indian congress are skinflint, selfish and opportunistic, but they seems to be outright liars to add to their virtues. They claim they are making 100 gold per turn, so they need 20 turns to collect 1999 gold! Flat liars they are. How pathetic... Once I finish with them, they will be remembered for nothing more than being such a stubborn fools, making their own people to die for a foolish cause such as the greed or ambition of its leaders. Dispatch the armies.

"What about the offer from Ahmed to come to aid us?"

"Nope, we will handle this ourselves. Send our gratefulness to Ahmed and all the others who offered us their help. We will do this alone, as it is between Russia and India."

[India (DoE)]

In the Indian Constitutional Congress

I do not know from where the Russians think we have this amazing wealth they keep speaking of, but at best we can produce 200 gold per turn. That is if we starve our people, end all production and produce only wealth we can perhaps increase our total income to just over 200.

I do not know how much evidence would be required to believe this, but as we have said, we have no holy shrine, we have very few developed Towns, not many markets, no banks, no custom houses, not Free Market policies until next turn, not corporation, nothing. The Russians own wealth has blinded them to the poverty of lesser nations. Their blackmail would undoubtedly ruin India.

We are poor. That is a fact. Our economy is currently the 10th largest! The 10th!!! We are below the average. This is the truth.

Furthermore, we feel that we have done no wrong, committed no evil. There is nothing we can do to please the Russians, we can not fight, we can not pay, so we will accept fate and die. But we will not surrender.

[India (DoE)]

India publishes its financial strength over the last 100 years, all these numbers are factual and can be checked and verified by any who have a statistical bureau.



As seen here, India has had a stable economy for the last 100 years of being at roughly half of Russia's average, equal to Arabia and Turkey (who have been spending vast resources on wars) and far below nations such as Inca, China and Neandor. We do not have statistics from other nations, but according to other official publications of high renown, India is the 10th largest economy in the world. Let the Russians disprove this if they can, we have not handicapped our economy for the last 50 turns just to seem poorer than we are. We are a poor people.

[Japan (DoE)]

Newly crowned Emperor Meiji addresses his people in front of the Imperial castle in Kyoto.




“My people for too long we have sat quiet in this world, stuck in our old ways and unwilling to progress, unwilling to take what was rightfully ours and now look at us. We are weak, we allowed others to do as they please and we sit there doing nothing. No more. Today we become one people again, today we leave the old was behind us and move forward to a new future, today we take what we must to ensure our future now and forever!!”



The crowd burst into cheers and moments later Emperor Meiji signed a decree declaring war on India. Soon after that Japan’s forces where sent in to attack

[India (DoE)]

In the Indian Constitutional Congress


Ladies and Gentlemen, it seems the Japanese have finally declared their idiocy unto the entire world. It seems perhaps that we have been foolish in our previous foreign policy as the recent diplomatic disaster with Russia has shown, and as the betrayal by Japan has shown.

Let me remind everyone here that the Japanese Galleons that are now on their way to our colonies were upgraded by us. And that we lent them 2 more Galleons that should have been returned decades ago. All this we did for a price which they never paid. Furthermore we sold them 2 catapults which they also have not paid for. It seems that their "isolationist" stance is nothing other than dishonesty.

We have agreed to pay Russia a sum of money to pay for our dishonorable behaviour. We must learn from this. Now as we pay for dishonorable behaviour, so must Japan.

It seems that our policy of peaceful negotiation and political manouvering is a failure. Our policy of pacifism has resulted in a process of victimization in which foreign leaders expect that they can take what they wish from us because we will not fight back. I believe we are in dire need of reform and as head of Congress I will now initiate this reform. India must rise to the challenges of the evil of the outside world.

We thought we could solve our problems through peaceful means, but the belligerence of the outside world has shown us mistaken. We must learn to fight and we must do it now or other nations attack us as well. The good of the people is no war, but the good of the people will be greatly reduced if foreign nations continue to steal our wealth from us.

[Japan (DoE)]

Emperor Meiji meeting with General Yoshihama.

General Yoshihama, “My lord we have successfully taken our first target. Our losses where as expected and our forces are moving to there next target points.”

Emperor Meiji sighed.. “ India calls our actions dishonorable...are we dishonorable?” He turned and walked to the window. He looked down to the court yard where he saw children playing, completely unaware of what was going on in the world. He then spoke again, “ Are our actions dishonorable, to the Indians yes but then again for a nation who claims to be pacifist when a large nation threatens them, they are quick to change there tone when a much smaller nation invades. Never the less I’m sure the fighting will only intensify from here on out and more lives will be sacrificed so that we can grow and provide our children with a better future.”

The General bowed to Emperor Meiji and spoke, “ My lord please leave this to me. I will go and ensure your vision becomes reality.”

[Mali (DoE)]

ras Imru opened the meeting of the Council of Mali. After everyone had taken their places ras Imru said: Dear lords, our world is peace, now we need to harness all the power to leverage years of peace that lie ahead. Mali needs to accumulate stocks of food and resources and to double its population in 50 years. But we should also think about the security of Mali. At the request of the nobles and the people of Mali, I with my inherent modesty accepted the title "Guardian of the throne of Mali." Lords of Mali faced and proclaiming their leader.

[England (DoE)]

In the Provisional English Capitol in Iceland

"My liege, it seems the Japanese have declared war on India and seized one of their colonies in the Pacific."

"Have they? Oh dear... it seems we were all so close to peace... after decades of brutal war hasn't the world seen enough? Can't we ever move on? This is sad news indeed. How are our colonies?"

"They seem to be unaffected by this new war. This matter is between India and Japan, I believe that both will respect our neutrality in this conflict."

"Well that's good at least. We have had our issues with both parties over the years, but our people have had enough war and conflict for several lifetimes. What has India said about the attack?"

"In the Indian Constitutional Congress they denounced Japan for violating their pacifist, peaceful history. They also reminded everyone that the galleons the Japanese are using to invade India were first given to Japan by India and never returned. India also sold them two catapults which were not paid for."

"India gave galleons to Japan? When?"

"Decades ago they said."

"...decades ago? Decades ago the Japanese invaded our Pacific colonies and led an assault on Port Moresby, costing many lives. These Japanese troops traveled in galleons and they had catapults with them... were these... could these ships have been provided to them by India?"

"It seems quite likely my liege..."

"So the Indians bellow about being pacifists and decry Japan for "victimizing" their peaceful way of life, yet sell them arms to invade us? Worse yet they still possess an English colony in Australia that was conquered by the Neandor at the start of the Great War. Were they truly an honorable, peaceful nation would they be encouraging war on England? Would they be holding onto English lands and English colonists still today? Their duplicity is astonishing. How dare these vultures feast on our bones and claim to be a victim of Japanese aggression. This is a mess of their own making. If they truly valued peace they would not have allied with themselves with the Axis and assisted their conquest of English lands. India is the dishonorable nation here, not Japan. Their hypocrisy knows no limits."

"Very true, ma'am. Does the Indian double cross affect our neutrality in this matter?"

"I don't know... get me the Japanese ambassador..."