Domination of Barbarians [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 4 - July 2012]

[Japan (DoB)]

Seeing the heads of their friends on poles, grey and green with decay and age, only served to enrage the warriors of Nishikyo! The reason that no word had come from the Scouts had been made plain. Now, several hundred barbarians lay dead outside the village. Testaments to the foolishness of their taunt. Many slain by the Archers of Guga, who even now plucked the arrows that could be used again from their dead bodies. Barbarians were of one stupid mind, they rush forward with no plan. Just numbers. But numbers were their strength. The Archers of Guga only had so many arrows, so all Warriors of Nishikyo stood ready to fight against them, and killed them all.



Ainu himself stood outside the village, looking at the uncountable number of bodies on the field. Birds were flying down to feast on the dead, and still they were gathering more in the hills. "Great Kamikàze, brings our fishermen good winds and many fish to eat" he whispered, feeling the bruised shoulder where a barbarian club struck him. He knew that good food was important. Strength by numbers was not enough, if the numbers were starved and weak from eating nothing. He sent out a couple of fast runners at sunset, to see how many barbarians there were. Now they came back and reported on the settlement in the hills. It seemed abandoned, but the stench of them were not like those dead, but of those who do not care where they eat or where they relieve themselves. Their huts were no more than sticks pitted against another, and the main protection against the wind was the leather and animal skins they wore.



Ainu turned, and walked into the village and to the men from China that were here to continue talks of friendship. They were concerned, as they left for Nishikyo, more barbarians had been spotted, and it was a concern for them that they knew little of what had happened in their village for many seasons. Talking to the women that had an eye for good food preparation, he asked if something could be taken with them, as a gift to the Chinese. They said that salted fish and crab, could last for many seasons. We have more than enough in store, so you can give this to them, to take home and eat when food is scarce in winter.



Ainu then prepared one of the greatships to be filled with salted fish and crabs, as a gift for the Chinese in the spirit of friendship between our people. They had talked much on how the lands could be divided so no ill will would come from living too close to eachother, and Ainu came to understand that having a river between them would serve well. He was prepared to accept that all lands south and west of the River Qin would belong to the Chinese, and all lands north and west would belong to Japan. He recalled well the stories of Raijin on the unending stretch of land in the north. This would serve Japan well.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

Disappointed at Himilce's indifference to the plight of the Christians in France suffering by repeated heathen invasions, the Spanish Christians of the Pyrenees have decided to come to the aid of their Christian brothers and sisters by joining France.

As one defecting Spanish priest put it, "While those tribes that invade another tribe for ostensibly humanitarian purposes may not always be good, there can be no doubt that any tribe which enslaves, kills and starves tens of thousands of innocents is evil. There is a battle of good and evil in the world for the souls of mankind and the Slavers and their allies are clearly on the side of evil.

Attempts by the forces of evil to justify their ruthless wars of vengeance by equating them to the ancient humanitarian missions of France is despicable. The ancient French 'wars' were brief, harmed no innocents and had stated objectives to prevent the enslavement, starvation and death of tens of thousands of innocents. The French have proven their peaceful intentions by not escalating the wars and only offering passive resistance to the invaders for centuries.

In contrast the Slaver Vendetta wars are designed to starve, kill and enslave tens of thousands of innocents for generation after generation for endless centuries. There can be no moral justification for their evil actions."

On hear the latest French messenger words, one of Trotseers Braves laughs and laugh.

"Moral justification? What this means 'Moral'? Is it some new evil French magic? Does it mean to say France think we do wrong to invade them? That's what it mean?"

Let us remeber what France proclaims is the rule of natural order many year ago

France sends out messengers to the Despots of all the Tribes and Slavers who are attempting to cajole France into breaking the Barbarism Legal Code that is used by all 16 Tribes and 2 Slavers. The Code is clear:

1) Might makes right. 2) The strong take from the weak. 3) Disputes are settled by combat.

The tribes of France have no interest in playing this false game of Despots and Slavers pretending to be Pacifists.

"So now I guess France want make new self-serving natural order rules that say France is right and other are wrong again. More French lies. Always lies from France"

[Japan (DoB)]

The Chasers of Sunset

They found lands where the animals were silent, making no noise as they walked close to them and sniffed at their legs. They made easy meals. Other lands were filled with noise and nothing stayed silent, even at night. Here they found berries and plants that made better eating. Some places were filled with clouds close to sea, these were the silent lands.



Some places were both quiet and noisy at the same time. In the distance a bird would call, as the sunlight peered through clouds that softly touched the hills close to the sea. Sometimes the world feeled like a strange place where no man was supposed to go. In these times, the spirit guide was of great comfort to the men and women on the greatship. Chasers of the sunset they were. Always aiming to where the sun set, in search of new places and other people, other tribes.



One day they saw some men on land, as they saw eachother they vanished into the trees. Ten men were told to go inland, to see if they were a new tribe. As they were swimming to the shore, the spirit guide fell over. As they vanished into the trees, she woke up and spoke: "Something foul is here, we may not see them again." Disturbed by this, five more men were told to go ashore, to get the other men back. Waiting for anyone to come back, some of the men found time to try fishing, and caught a few strange fish that they ate while the time for sunset came closer, shadows growing longer and daylight fading to grey.



Then, noise was heard from land. In the setting sun, seven men ran from the trees and straight into the water, swimming as hard as they could! When they came back to the ship, they told a grim tale of a barbarian settlement, filled with huts made from bones and wood. They had caught the ten men and were hurting them, and burning some of them alive. It was only by waiting for the evening when many of them had exhausted themselves that the five had managed to sneak inside and free the two that were the least hurt. Still the barbarians chased them for a while through the woods. They used thin sticks and had hair only on the top of their heads.



The greatship sailed on, woving to remember that place for ever.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

When France was invade Nether and kidnap Roman Torinos they say

The workers of Torino will not be returned to Rome based upon such illegal arguments as pleas to help the weak or give peace a chance. Such arguments are inconsistent with the Code

But now they say "morals" and other nonsenses. Now France makes pleas that morals should help the weak and morals to make peace. What happen to "might is right" and "all dispute to be settle in combat"?

[France (DoB)]

Christ is Right

The wisdom of the Oracle's augury that the solution for defeating enemy tribes with immortal leaders was through the hereditary rule of mortal leaders can be seen in the recent messengers from England and Netherland. The immortal tyrants are unable to comprehend that a society of mere mortals will adapt and evolve over time as new generations are born and die. The weakness of the immortals is in their stagnant views and inability to adapt.

Yes, the ancient French tyrants believed that Might is Right, as the immortal Slaver Tyrants continue to believe, however the modern French Kings know that Christ is Right for they have accepted the Holy Spirit into their hearts! There is no inconsistency in our beliefs, as we are not our ancestors nor are we beholden to their beliefs any more than our children will be to ours.

[Celtia (DoB)]

Brennus smiled as he walked on the road, it was flat and stretched far along the land. It was coming close to completion and already it was used by men and women between the villages. It was made with stone on both sides, so that it was easier to see in the cold season. It was sturdy and well built. A true creation of celtic skill!



Some of the men in the quarry had an eye for stones that were special. Many of them could make images of men and women, and even signs of the protective earth spirits themselves! Brennus remembered how well the English had treated his men, and decided to send them gifts; small stones with carving of the protective spirit waves, giving anyone who carried it the protection of the earth mother.

[England (DoB)]

How can the French speak of entirely defensive measures when they undertake the profoundly provocative action usurping ancestral English fishing grounds? And defending the lives of the innocent, is it not French black magic that destroys the minds of English citizens rendering them mindless drones who--if not occupied with labor--are susceptible to wispered calls inciting violence from priests in Paris? The French may now call themselves Christians, but they certainly practice the same black magic of their ancestors at the henge of stones and now at the equally terrifying oracle of death.

The only action the English have ever taken against France is to seek to learn there ways, as is right and just for all neighbors to do. And even that "crime" of "espionage" is far unbalanced in favor of France. Yet the English have been the greatest victim of French aggression, suffering both much land lost and thousands of lives destroyed.

Lewy prove yourself a different sort of ruler from your ancestors and offer truly bold and truly just proposal to bring peace between France and its neighbors.

[England (DoB)]

Elizabeth marveled at her gift of finely carved stone from the Celtic envoy. "Is it not true that the same sort of stone lies outside of London? My people must learn to work this stone to the same level of craftsmanship as have our neighbors," she thought to herself. "Pass my thanks and gratitude back to your people - may our bonds of friendship be as strong and enduring as this rock."

[France (DoB)]

After 30 years on the throne of France, King Louis II has died. The reign of King Louis II, the Zealous, will be remembered for the recruitment of the English Smugglers and the Spanish mountain men to France despite the ongoing First Nether Vendetta War.

King Louis III begins his reign by sending a response to the slave mistress Elizabeth's challenge.

Lewy prove yourself a different sort of ruler from your ancestors and offer truly bold and truly just proposal to bring peace between France and its neighbors.

The Defenders Measured War prayer will soon end the First Nether Vendetta War. If the tribes of Rome, Nether, England, Germany and Holy Rome agree to the following agreement before another war is began then France shall: Provide each of the five tribes with a missionary as soon as possible after there is an Open Borders agreement with each respective tribe.

If any of the five tribes declares war on France after the First Nether Vendetta War is ended but before all five missionaries have been delivered then the deal is broken and France shall not be obligated to provide any further missionaries to anyone.

That is my bold and just peace proposal. Now it is up to the Slavers Alliance to accept it.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

Nether reject you proposal. Your religion will spreads to us long before you can train a missionary or learn the skills needed to make open border treaty to send him.

Bargain with what you has now, not with lies and false hopes of what you do in 500 years. France leader is mortal. How can you trust what his great grandson will do a thousand year from now. Nether demand.

1. Send Torinos back to Rome
2. Promise no more wonders in Paris
3. King Louis and all his Family must surrender to us
4. Appoint an immortal Dutch to throne so that we can trust your word from generation to generation with no excusr of "Oh that ruler dead his word has no more meaning"

If you don't like these generous offer you can continue wait for your bows to finish making and hope you has them before we have new weapon to defeat them.

[Rome (DoB)]

Marcus sends out a simple and short proclamation:

The Roman people reject the French peace proposal, and we stand together with the most fair Nether and English demands if the French people truly are interested in a lasting peace.

[England (DoB)]

Lewy - My people have never declared war on you, but if you keep up your bellicose demands I may be forced to. You must know that any offering of peace must address core issues, the promise of sending missionaries is not relevant to grievances of your neighbors - and is far too easy to interpret as a plot of subversion rather than a true peace deal.

The issues at stake are the Torino workers and the construction of wonders. If you view Nether demands as too harsh I suggest some form of more limited interpersonal along the same lines. Rome almost certianly will need its workers returned, but maybe you could barter to first be allowed to build a needed improvement to lift Paris out of poverty? As to wonders, maybe you offer not to buikld any more for a set period of time or not to build any that are currently known - leaving open the possibility that in the future new wonders may be come available to be built.

You need to make peace with Nether and Rome, and this advice is meant to help you reach that objective. I have not coordinated this statement with either nation and there is a good chance they will view these recommendations as non-starters. But as one who has watched this conflict spread over hundreds of years I feel compelled to offer my advice.

[France (DoB)]

King Louis III, The Gullible, is dead after only 10 years on the throne. It is said that he died of embarassment for being so gullible. There is a saying in France now, "Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me. Fool me a third time and I must be King Louis III!"

The three Great Shames of France are:

1) Believing the Netherlanders when they agreed as part of the France-Netherlands peace treaty that "relations with France will be more friendly in the future". The promised friendly relations never happened and instead the Nethers merely bought time until they could perfect their copper magic and attack France.

2) Believing the Romans when Marcus said, "Rome understands if these refugees does not want to return, but we pledge that if they do not feel comfortable in the lands of Rome they may return to France at any time if they so wish" and based upon that understanding to offer a peace treaty to Rome. The Romans accepted the peace treaty to buy time and immediately began to instigate others to join them in declaring war on France using the same refugees as a casus belli!

3) Believing the English when Elizabeth said, "Lewy prove yourself a different sort of ruler from your ancestors and offer truly bold and truly just proposal to bring peace between France and its neighbors" and then offering a new peace proposal offering enlightenment to France's neighbors, which could help them improve their primitive cultures which is the root of their fears. Elizabeth merely used the peace offer as an excuse to threaten war stating, "My people have never declared war on you, but if you keep up your bellicose demands I may be forced to" even though there was not a single demand in the offer other then peace.

The new King Louis IV has proclaimed, "The Throne of France is no place for fools. The treacherous lying nature of the Western Slavers is plainly visible for all to see. There shall be no more of these pointless negotiations with those tribes that have already proven themselves to be untrustworthy."

[England (DoB)]

England's fears--like those of our neighbors--is the boldfaced cultural aggression of France. We are taking steps to appropriately boost our culture, whereas France continues its program of cultural imperialism at the expense of not only its own peoples' welfare but also its relations with its neighbors.

[France (DoB)]

King Louis IV welcomes the news that Elizabeth is finally taking steps to address England's cultural deficiencies, as all the rulers of France have openly advised her (and our other neighbors) to do for countless centuries. The people of France look forward to the day when they may see their neighbours building wonders to inspire instead of military to invade.

France has no aggressive program of cultural imperialism and has built wonders to improve our people's welfare and not at the expense of our people's welfare. France's building of the Oracle in particular, has given France the knowledge of making Wineries, as France has an over-abundance of wine, and hereditary rule which has made our people much happier. This is a wise and peaceful build despite our primitive neighbors' paranoid superstitions.

The only thing that is harming the people of France's welfare is the perpetual invasions by our aggressive neighbors.