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

[Vikings (DoE)]

Hail, hail, the Wanderer has returned! Tremble ye world as ye prepare for the coming of the end. Ragnarok awaits and all must prepare for the Final Destiny, the Doom of All!

Nine days and nine nights has Magnus spent, hanged on the branches of the World Tree Yggdrasil, pierced by his spear, his life leaking slowly onto the stones below. Wisdom has he gained; and power, great. Reborn to the world, now to be known as Mr. Wednesday.



And yea did Mr. Wednesday appear to his subjects of the Viking nation and shout, “Destiny awaits us all. The realm must prepare. Sacrifice unto me, chief god of the Aesir-Hindus, your lives and ye shall become as Forever. My Valkyries shall bear ye to my sacred realm Valhalla where ye shall be reincarnated and be known as my Einherjar, the chosen warriors of Destiny.”





And so perished the entire Viking nation, to be reborn in the halls of Valhalla. The dead took up their spears and swords and rifles and returned as the ghostly army of Einherjar. Mr. Wednesday claimed his throne in Asgard to watch over all. Ragnarok would come. Preparations would continue. Allies would be courted and enemies slain. Mr. Wednesday was well satisfied.

[Ottoman Empire (DoE)]

Notice to All Concerned Nations:

First, on behalf of his Majesty, Ahmed V, Sultan of Turkey and the Turkish people, we wish to be the first extend our most heartfelt welcome and congratulations to the new Viking ruler the reborn Mr. Wodin's day. It is our hope that Turkey may forge a new path forward in relations with Vikings and move past the troubles of bygone years.

Second, recent events have unfortunately necessitated a amendment to the original treaty of peace that Turkey and Russia offered to Israel. As we feared, the Israelis used the period when our troops halted their advance as a opportunity to heal and reinforce their armies and attempt a suprise attack at Tel Aviv, after feigning an attack at Sidon as a diversion tactic. This deception was an utter failure of course, and our vigilant forces have utterly routed the Israeli deceivers. The army of Israel is in ruins and has fled back to Bethlehem.

Unfortunately, we can not let them escape as we have done in the past as they always reinforce and re-arm themselves by stalling for time while they pretend to want peace, only to appear at our doorstep again, many times stronger than before. We have already spotted French and Neandor troops landing in Africa and heading to reinforce the Israeli fanatics. Obviously we can not wait for these agitators to arrive.

Our soldiers are weary, they wish to return home to their wives, so we have resigned ourselves to the reality that the fanatical Sanhedrin and those like them will never give the Israeli people any peace.

Therefore, we will reluctantly march in all haste to Bethlehem, Jericho and Askelton and subdue the Israeli menace for good. Their pathetic remaining troops have no chance against our mighty armies. Perhaps under new rulers, Israel can one day return to her former splendor.

If Israel wishes to avoid destruction, she must immediately sign the amended treaty, edited to account for the destruction of the Israeli military.

The Amended Tel-Aviv African Peace Accords

Russia and Turkey offer this Peace Treaty to Israel with the following terms.

Russia's terms

A
1. Russia and Israel will sign 75 turns of unbreakable peace. Included in this umbrella of unbreakable peace will be Turkey, Mali, Zulu, Arabia and England, so that attacks against Russia's allies will not neccessitate further War with Israel.

2. For the duration of the 75 turn peace, deal Israel must never close borders with any of the included nations.

3. Israel will close borders with France Neandor and Vikings for the duration of the 75 turns unbreakable peace, or until all war between Russia, and these nations cease, whichever is longer. During this period Israel will not transfer money to either of these nations, directly or indirectly, meaning Israel can not give any money to any nation that Israel knows or has reason to know is transfering money to France Neandor or Vikings. If Israel is transfering money to a nation and later discovers they are transferring money to the 3 forbidden nations, Israel must immediately cancel the deal.

4. Russia will return Tel Aviv to Israel when the conditions of Russia and Turkey are met.

B
1. The full income of Bethlehem for 20 turns to be paid to Russia, thereafter money will be paid to Russia under the terms of section C2

C
1. After Israel pays the initial 20 turn term of gold, this will be replaced by a permanent deal whereby Israel pays the sum of the number of Russian cities with Christianity in gold per turn. This amount will be recalculated at Russia's discretion to match the number of russian cities with Christianity at any given time.

Turkey's terms

D
1. To ensure that Israeli spies are no longer posing threats to the security of Turkey, Israel will agree to use Israeli spies at Turkey's direction and build more if needed to reduce you espionage points on Turkey to under 200 points. Israel agrees that this will be done prior to Tel Aviv being returned to Israel.

2. Israel must immediately surrender ALL siege weapons (Cannon, catapults, Trebuchets etc.), ALL Gunpowder units (Muskets, Rifles, Grenadiers, etc.) and 8 Macemen to Turkey.

3. Israel permanently agrees not to build any cities on the Mediteranean coast, and to leave the coast area to be settled at Turkey's discretion.

E
1. All vendettas, religious or otherwise against Turkey must be renounced and abandoned publicly, forever.

Mahmud, substitute Messenger on behalf of Ahmed, Sultan

[Israel (DoE)]

Mahmud,

Include the return of all Israelian cities to Israel and we will sign the treaty at once.
Why would we sign peace while more then half of all Jews are living in the diaspora forever?

There's nothing left for us if we sign this deal.
And even if we would sign it now, why do you think that new generations in 40 years will not grow a new hate against you because you continue to occupy our lands?
You ask us to renounce our vendetas. But if you want us to abandon our hate, then why are you pushing a treaty through our troats that will only grow new hate among new Jews in the future?

If you are truely looking for peace, then offer us true peace.
This offer is not true peace.

Return our cities to Israel as a sign of grace and new generations may remember your grace and your mercy instead of your acts of barbarism. Your warfare qualities certainly exceed your qualities as a peacemaker and a negotiator. And of course your friends-picking skills are far more superior to ours. Without your friends the situation would have been the other way around. But remember that we would have shown a lot more mercy to you.

What will history say about you?
Mahmuh the Mercuful or Mahmud the Barbarian?
It's up to you.

We are under your feet.
Offer us true peace and we will worship your feet.

Netanyahu

[Ottoman Empire (DoE)]

Public Response to Israel:

Netanyahu,

It is regretable that our communications with you must take place in the open as this creates obstacles of pridefulness and ego, but this can not be helped as you have made numerous misrepresentations about our past communications with you.

Let me begin by saying that I am Mahmud, substitute Messenger to his Majesty te Sultan, filling the job of the mysteriously absent High Messenger Taner and the Public Relations Minister Aysecan who's recent frequent travels make her unavailable. I am not the Sultan, and your recent letter adressing me, and how I wished to be remembered by history is quite misplaced. I am nothing. I am just a messenger. I have however, been authorized to release a statement to Israel from Sultan Ahmed V:

Leaders of Israel,

No captured Israeli cities will be returned, save your Capital, which is generous under the circumstances. Know that if the Capital was held by Turkey, we would be much more reluctant to return it to you. Perhaps someday, when tempers have cooled, and the religious fanatics are gone from Israel, and religious zealotry and vendettas are no longer on the lips of Israeli leaders, we can discuss the gradual return of some Israeli cities. But now is not the time to discuss such things. Israel is a potent threat to Turkey, and the notion that we would return cities for you to use as drafting and slaving tools to raise another army against us is patently absurd.

I have no interest in what your version of "true peace" is. For I know well that you would have me turn a blind eye to the constant threat you pose to Turkey, all in the name of the "role" Israel has to play on the world stage. You would have me believe as my father once did, that all you threats and posturing and religious fanatic ranting was only for show, part of the role your leaders felt they must play to appease their deity. My father used to tell me "Let the Israeli play the role they feel they must play to please the Most High. As long as they do not act on their threats, it is just talk and we will allow them their talk. It is the role they have chosen in the world, let them play it."

But the murderous betrayal at Ekron Oasis stands as a lasting testament that these threats are not idle. Your religious fanatic leaders will act on them at every opportunity. So I have no interest in suiting your version of "true peace" as your version of "true peace" is for Turkey to be fools and to let you invade us and capture Damascus and raze our cities for some overblown sense of revenge. We have a saying in Turkey. "Fool me once and you are most assuredly a bad person to be shamed, but fool me twice, and I am most assuredly a fool, and I should be the one shamed."

I have no interest in showing Israel any grace. For I know that as long as new generations are led by religious fanatics they will always have hatred for Turkey in their hearts. There is nothing to be gained in showing goodwill to backstabbers who slaughter their allies and brothers in arms on the battlefield. As long as religious fanatics rule Israel, there is no goodwill, and there never can be any goodwill between Israel and Turkey. There can only be security for Turkey, and as you say, this goal is incompatible with goodwill.

Turkey has friends because Turkey is a nation of justice and honor. Israel stands alone because she is a nation of treason, deceit, and betrayal. As we say here in Turkey, Israel is a nation of Blood, Treachery, and Demons. That is why you are defeated. Because Good and Truth and Loyalty and Honor always triumphs over Evil and Lies and Backstabbing. Your defeat is the best evidence that you are in the wrong, for if you were in the right, the Most High would save you and you would have friends to protect you.

The fact that in the face of destruction you still refuse to renounce your vendettas proves just what fanatical zealots the Israeli leaders are. I have already removed the religious clauses that you claimed were objectionable. Your purported leader, Rabin has already recieved a copy of the treaty with the religious clauses removed. But once again, as has always been the case, Turkey makes concessions to appease Israel, and Israel reneges, trying to bargain for more concessions.

Such was the case when in accordance with Israeli demands, my father publicly renounced the Turkish claim to Judaism and converted Turkey to Hinduism, all in the name of making peace with Israel. But then Israel refused to make peace, adding more concessions and demanding Damascus. I will not make the same mistake my father did. I have already made the concessions you demanded by removing the religious clauses. I shall make no further concessions.

I demand you publicly renounce your vendettas, not because I think it will make Israel love Turkey, but because I grow weary of hearing about it, and I do not wish it to be continually used as an excuse for violence against Turkey. Whether you give up the vendetta in your heart is irrelevant. What is important is that you give up your legal rights to bring up the vendetta. Once public talk about the obsolete vendettas have ceased, the attitudes of the people will eventually catch up with the law.

It matters not what history says about me. History is written by victors. And in Turkish history books, you will be known forever as barbarians and terrorists. Israeli history books are irrelevant, as your grand-children will read Russian and Turkish history books if you do not surrender. My father was merciful to you, and it drove him to resign, lost him his Army, and nearly destroyed Turkey. I will not repeat his mistake.

You offer to worship my feet. This is meaningless to me as I know it is a lie. You fanatics worship nothing but the obsolete deity of your obsolete religion. Obviously your faith is false or your faith would have saved you from the destruction you now face. In fact, it is your insane zealotry to avenge the destruction of your obsolete shrine thousands of years ago that has led you to this doom. Is it not yet clear to you that that place is gone forever? Your endless ranting over it is just further proof of your insanity and you unfitness to lead nations.

In any case, I have no desire for your worship, it is worthless to me. And so I will offer absolutely nothing to gain your worship. As we say in Turkey "Most assuredly, it is no good to accept Nickles made of wood." The loyalty of a backstabbing traitor is nothing but an illusion, and I will have none of it. I need not your worship, just the surrender of your weapons and espionage. Once I have these I will not need your worthless worship.

And to the People of Israel, I say to you, throw off the yoke of these fanatics who call themselves your leaders. They care nothing for your welfare, only for their foolish pride and religious fanatacism. What has it gained you, besides endless misery, and suffering. I call upon you to toss them out, remove them from power before it is too late. Change the direction and spirit of Israel. Do not resign yourselves to play the doomed role that your so-called leaders would have you play, just because they fell in love with this role so long ago. You can change your role in world affairs. You can forge a new role for yourselves. Now is the time.

Ahmed, Sultan of all Turkey

This was all Sultan Ahmed has to say, and here in Turkey his word is final. Supreme Comander Jamal has orders to march with no delay whatsoever to Bethlehem and Jericho and occupy them to end this war once and for all. Suleiman has orders to attack and support Supreme Commander Jamal in the mission to put down the Israeli menace. These orders will not be rescinded or delayed for any reason, save Israel's complete and total surrender to the terms of the treaty last offered.

Mahmud, substitute Messenger on behalf of Sultan Ahmed V

[Aztecs (DoE)]

Mysterious Black Lady
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[France (DoE)]

Notice to All Concerned Nations:

We have already spotted French and Neandor troops landing in Africa and heading to reinforce the Israeli fanatics. Obviously we can not wait for these agitators to arrive.

Therefore, we will reluctantly march in all haste to Bethlehem, Jericho and Askelton and subdue the Israeli menace for good. Their pathetic remaining troops have no chance against our mighty armies. Perhaps under new rulers, Israel can one day return to her former splendor.

If Israel wishes to avoid destruction, she must immediately sign the amended treaty, edited to account for the destruction of the Israeli military

"So, they publicly stated this? Truly?"

Marc Renaud, the aged Minister of Foreign affairs looked at his tired king.

'Yes, sire, they did."

"Then they are damn fools or liars, which is it? French troops are quick-marching for our lands. Neandor does not have any troops in the area. Even the Israelis wrote us recently saying that any attack was hopeless and they would not attempt it. Instead they get attacked by these self-righteous scoundrels. Sounds like the usual pack of lies. And it sounds like they are trying to "dress up" their aggression for public consumption. And they now they want to attack Bethlehem... Let's see how this has progressed. First it was give up Ekron. Then it was Tel Aviv and give us all your army. And now it is the remaining Israeli cities??!! This is absolute nonsense. The Turks and Russians are making this up as they go along, and using any excuse to over-run Israel. There is no sense of diplomacy or decency here, and Russia's and Turkey's friends are part to it. Shame on them! This is not a matter of security for Turkey and Russia - this is simply an imperialistic land grab. Nothing more.

They want to target Bethlehem? Marc, those plans I turned down recently - regarding Iceland. Can you dig them up, please. We may need them. "

"Certainly, sire. With pleasure!"

[Inca (DoE)]

"So, do we have anyone to actually negotiate with on the Israeli side to try to broker a meaningful and lasting peace deal, Chupta?" asked the ailing emperor.

"Well, sir, not exactly..." his minister for foreign affairs replied.

"What does that mean?"

"Well, it seems the Israelis have yet another power figure on the scene! Some Netanyahu fellow. That's in addition to the Sanhedrin, Rabin, and Sharon..."

"What the hell?! I thought this Netanyahu guy was just some minor supporting character?"

"Well, it appears now he's directly talking to the Ottomans, so I don't know what his sway is..."

"So, basically, we have to deal with somewhere between 7 and 100 negotiators, each with his own axes to grind and motivations, to bring about a lasting peace...?"

"Appears so, sir."

"And how many did we have to negotiate with over the Northern Theater in the Great War?"

"Think it was 3, sir."

"And how did that go?"

"Still fighting 500 years later, sir. And keep in mind, they were the 'civilized', modern nations of the world..."

"So much for the history books!" cried the emperor, and collapsed in his chair. Soon after, he died of "natural causes" in his ocean side palace.

[Aztecs (DoE)]

Xochi at funeral Pala

Prince Xochipilli will be representing Azteca at the funeral of emperor Pala Y'Cuzco of the Inca.
Until his very last days Pala has been trying to bring the African wars to an end.
"Such a fighter for peace must be honored", Prince Xochi said, while preparing for departure.

Emperor Camaxtli has asked for a '"flowery salute to Pala Y'Cuzco" on the day of his funeral.

[Aztecs (DoE)]

The Flowers of Mexico
by Milac Boytl

Those of us who live in Mexico undoubtedly were seduced, if only sub-consciously, into moving here by the year-round kaleidoscope of beauty and color offered by all the blossoming trees and plants.

Those who came from northern climes would have been entranced by the sight of spring bulbs and fall chrysanthemums blooming in gay profusion at the same time, while those of us who grew up in arid plains were enthralled by the sight of towering jacarandas, poincianas and tulipanes loaded with brilliant blossoms and walls completely hidden by lushly flowering vines in a rainbow of gorgeous colors.

We Mexicans seem to be unable to exist without flowers. No Mexican home, no matter how tumbledown or ramshackle, is without at least a few tin cans planted with flowers. Home gardens are filled with them, market stalls blaze with their color and shrines and altars are lavishly decorated with them at all times and, on feast days, are almost smothered in blossoms. In this respect, as in many others, the Mexican people come by their love of blooming things as an inheritance from their remote ancestors.

Even the ancient gods loved flowers and demanded them as offerings along with the blood and suffering of human sacrifice. A few, like Quetzalcoatl and some of the gentler goddesses, refused the gore and accepted only flowers and fruits on their altars. Many of the gods were thought to have been born from flowers and are often shown emerging from their blossoms in paintings and statues. The Mayan rain god, Chac, can usually be recognized by his headband of flowers while his Aztec counterpart, Tlaloc, delighted in receiving the first blossoms of spring.




The Dahlia "Emperor Pala", nicknamed "Hope for Peace", as yellow represents Hope to end the bloodshed (red).


Flowers have played an important role in the myths of the people since old times. Each human soul is born as a Sac nic (white flower) blossoming on the great Wakah-kan (world tree) which stretched from the lowest level of the underworld to the highest level of the heavens. Even today, some areas use the word “kotzij” (flower) for the human placenta. To the Maya, flowers were holy objects carrying great power, and played important parts in all religious rites. Even today, the Tzotzil Maya use the word nichim (again, flower) to mean sacredness.

[Vikings (DoE)]

Hail all mighty leaders of the terrestrial world,

I am Heimdallr, bearer of the Gjallarhorn and guardian of Asgard. I greet you in the name of Mr. Wednesday, leader of the Einherjar.

The celestial realm of Valhalla has already been graced by the presence of diplomats from afar and Mr. Wednesday wishes all to know that they may call upon his house in Asgard for discussions of peace or war.

All must understand that Mr. Wednesday wishes no one harm unless they first offer harm to the nation of Valhalla or any allies of the realm of the dead. Mr. Wednesday and his sacred Valkyries exist simply to prepare for Ragnarok, the Final Battle. As you may know, all warriors must come to Valhalla one day. All must prove themselves in glorious battle before they become fit to be reborn as Einherjar, but Mr. Wednesday in his wisdom knows that true battle is not endless slaughter, nor is peaceful relations something to be disdained.

We wish for peace between all nations and Valhalla to continue for woe to us both should we meet on the battlefield before Ragnarok.

We invite all diplomats to guest in Asgard for as long as you wish. We will not close our borders to you and yours for so long as you remain peaceful and do not threaten Valhalla or any allies of Valhalla. I invite you to call on me for anything you wish to discuss.

Heimdallr,
Guardian of Asgard

Ósnjallr maðr
hyggsk munu ey lifa,
ef hann við vÃg varask;
en elli gefr
hánum engi frið,
þótt hánum geirar gefi.

[Israel (DoE)]

Ahmed of the Turks,

Why are you still afraid of us?
Your attacks have decimated Israel and Israel's armies.
If you really fear us then still you could defend your cities easily against us.
Your armies are more advanced and about 10 times in size. Your infrastructure remains complete while ours is completely wasted. We lost most of our resources and production capacities. Even if you would return everything to Israel that you have occupied, even then Israel would never be able to even scare a Turkish mouse in the hills of Damascus.

You wanted Ekron, we offered it to you. Then you denied it, occupied 75% of our cities and razed Ekron nevertheless.
And now all your wishes are fulfilled and you still ask more. Money and armies we have to hand over to you.

Ahmed, you are a servant of Samael, a tool in the hands of sataniel.
All you want is to destruct the children of Israel.
We have nothing to choose. And you will not listen to our begging.

You want to keep most of Israel and reduce us into a footnote of history to come.
We will be the smallest nation on earth, paying tax to your empire forever. We will stop advancing, have no resources to trade. That's all you have left for us.

Ahmed, you'd better start to secure your palace because I have ordered 3 spies to kill you.
The Mossad is the only tool I have against you that is far superior to your own agency.
Accept our peace proposal. We will hate you foreve but a mouse will most probably sooner kill a giant then Israel will be able to spoil a hair of any turkish women's moustache, so there's no reason for you to reject it out of fear.
Accept it, or you will die. It's as simple as that.

Netanyahu

[Israel (DoE)]

Emperor of the Inca,

We have read your conclusions about the Shoa.
While we do respect most of your conclusions, we have some questions as well and I hope that you will be willing to answer these.

At the moment I am acting as the chief of the Israelian administration.
Ariel Sharon is leading our decimated army.
We have not heard of Yithshak Rabin since he left to Tel Aviv to sign the Turkish peace offer. Most probably he has been killed, like the Turks and the Russians killed the units we were about to hand over to them as they demanded, but we can't be sure.
There are also rumors about some young Jewish Fundamentalist who went after him after Rabin promised land for peace. Who knows.

We are willing to sign peace.
Israel has been decimated. We hope that our enemies will return our cities to Israel so that we can live on at least together as a united people, worshipping G'd, dreaming of our holy city that has now, unless G'd performs a miracle, will always be a projection and a dream alone.

Our questions to us are as follows:

You conclude:

The Israelis have in part brought this damage and deprivation upon themselves by their attitudes and actions

Can you please explain what part of our attitude you are refering to?
Can you also please explain what of our action can even partly justify the Turks and the Russians for Taking 80% of our properties and slaughtering about 40% of our people?

There is no clear aggressor in this conflict, although the Israelis certainly did instigate the recent events

Can you please explain to us how we did instigate the recent events?
If you are refering to the so called "Ekron Oasis Betrayal", those events took place about 80 years ago.
In that war we lost Ekron and Hebron was occupied and partly destroyed. For that war we can indeed accept your conclusion that we did instigate that event.

But the current war was started 20 years after signing peace by the Turks, the Russians and the Mali.
How are they not clearly the Agressor in this conflict?
Or are past events still possible instigations for current events? In that case the Turks started it all by betraying us after stabbing us in our back just before they razed Jerusalem.

Please explain why the Ekron Oasis incident is accepted by you as an 'instigation' but he Jerusalem event not?
Or please explain why you cannot clearly conclude that the Turks, the Russians and the Mali are the only agressors because they attacked Israel together, 20 years after signing peace and concluding the Oasis Incident paid for by the Israelians.

Your peace suggestions are interesting and can certainly be considered by us.
Except that it does not include the returning of Israelian cities to Israel.
Please do not offer us any peace that seperates family members from each other.

We are in awe for your efforts to bring light in this darkness.
Please do not receive our questions as harsh criticism. We are truely looking for the reasons that brought you to some of these conclusions.

Netanyahu, acting chief of the Israelian interim administration

[Aztecs (DoE)]

Flowery salute to Emperor Pala
Aztec people honor their neighbours

Citizens from all over Azteca celebrated the life of the peace loving emperor of Inca by throwing large amounts of the national flower, the dahlia, in the Rio Grande. All, foreigners and locals alike, were deeply moved by the beautiful and nice smelling spectacle.

[India (DoE)]

Note to Vikings.

We remind you of our arrangement and hope that your recent internal tumultousness has not caused excessive consternation. We hope we can shortly await our payment for services rendered.

[Vikings (DoE)]

Hail mighty leader of India,

I regret to inform you that all records of communication with you by the previous regime have been lost. I ask that you journey to Asgard where we may work this out in private, and that you bring record of any communications with the previous regime.


Heimdallr,
Guardian of Asgard

Ósnjallr maðr
hyggsk munu ey lifa,
ef hann við vÃg varask;
en elli gefr
hánum engi frið,
þótt hánum geirar gefi.