Domination of Barbarians [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 5 - August 2012]

[Netherlands (DoB)]

Fire Mystic are exploring all over the lands nearby. We have met up some Greek fisherman. They seem to be the best fisherman in that land that we have ever seen. Greeks have more different kinds of fish than any tribe we have ever know. They dont seem to have the Clams, but they have so many fish. Ocean Faction traders have been trading fishes with many nations far and wide. The Fish traders have the fishes from all over, warm and cold seas fish creatures of all kinds strange and delicious.



The females in Ocean faction did not like to send away to Himicle their Gems. Already some are refusing to tend the fires of their huts and care for the homes. We have asked the Nether thinkers to give us some wisdom to make the women happy again while Himicle has the Gemstones from the hills of Ocean faction. Meanwhile Ocean faction has also learn to train longstick warriors as Nether does.

Nether Faction finish their Granary and now the wise men are saying to build something new, a house to hold all the stone tablet we have in one place so they dont get lost. Good thing for us Fire Father has given Fire faction some great stones at the foot of his mountian. With these stones we can make even more tablet to make treaties. Maybe there is some other use for these great stones? We will study this amore and finds out.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

Fire Mytics are visiting the Lands of the Germ-Manes. There are some Nether living in Berlin and some wish to join the ranks of Fire Mystics. Many have hear the tale of glorious battle with France and now they want his own glory like his fathers and grandfathers. The great War in the west is over only war is in middle east. For now only battle to have is againts barbarians. Fire Mystis also travel to lands of Holly Roamers. The city of Aachen is strong and powerful up on hill. Do not be alarm when you may see Fire Mystic coming near. Fire Mystics are on a mission to meet nearby tribes for making fish trades. Your warm waters fish for our cold water fish. After seeing the bounties of the sea that Greece has we wish to learn all we can from them on the arts of fishing.

[Celtia (DoB)]

"I want more." King Ire said. "MORE!"

Gone was his voice of reason. Only greed marked his rule now. Any shiny item, any valued object, every single thing that could be construed to be worth something, he claimed as his, and his alone. An entire house was now filled with everything of value, and another house was under construction for the same purpose.

Far from his ears, voices marked fair the rule of Brennus.
Silently, they made plans..

[Spain (DoB)]

While Himilce is bading, a new fleet is prepared to cross the Middle Sea.

"Did you hear from the people on the other side?"

"We have some good news, let me whisper it in your ear.."





"Well tell them that.."

[China (DoB)]

Qin looks anxious as he sees his new bride and father-in-law arrive in a grand procession. The archers look less seasoned than his, he thinks quietly but still formidable in their own way. We will have no issue with holding the barbarians on this hill. Already his veterans have repelled two attacks without losses.

[Byzantium (DoB)]

The Byzantines conceded their ancestral lands to the Holy Roman Empire to allow them to found the city of Nuremburg in exchange for peace. The Byzantines then founded the border city of Fort Sorrow just in time as the greedy Holy Roman Empire were advancing even more settlers into Byzantine lands. Now the Holy Roman Empire has declared war on Byzantium, yet again trying to take more of our land!

May Allah protect us by ending this senseless slaughter by evil greedy men!

[Japan (DoB)]

As the scouts reported, the fortifications of the Chinese was a reflection of their wovs. Strong and steadfast.

Ainu walked proudly towards his future ally. The hillside thrived with archers and warriors, some of them led the way through the elevated areas of defence. The eyes of the chinese always moving, searching the forest around them for any disturbance. Those were the eyes of seasoned men, reminders of his own men protecting Nishikyo. They knew dangers in the smell and sounds around them, the value of vigilance. In his mind, the image of such men in greater numbers was like a force unstoppable.

Respect grew from the review of Qins men, as he walked towards the center of his camp in the hills. Making his way to a peak of the hill, he gazed on the encampment with wonder. Order and structure that was new to him was like a line through the Chinese Army. Well spaced and with weapons close to every warrior, both standing and sitting, nothing would take them unaware. Thinking of how this could be applied to his own men, he entered the center court.

As the guide foretold, a man unmatched in graceful movements was at the center of a gathering of men. In this circle, Ainu came to stand at the middle, alone, surrounded by an entire camp of the Chinese. His trust in Qin absolute. With both hands open palms up, not loosing sight of Qin's eyes, Ainu bowed. Standing straight and facing Qin, he spoke:

"Greetings Qin, Eternal Emperor of the Strong Chinese People. I am Ainu, leader of Japan. May the spirits guide me, and our talks of friendship now begin in earnest. To make our two people one, in the Affirmation of a Life-Bond between you, and my sister Aiko.

Too long has this been delayed, by the sadness endured in our loss of Tokugawa. May he rest in peace, knowing that our two people will be joined, as was his wish.

As I see you close Qin, I marvel at your grace, and the wisdom in your eyes is clear. Let us talk now, about happiness, celebrations, and future trade. Of defence, danger, and challenges. Of peace, war, and how we can bring the barbarians to their knees.

[China (DoB)]

Qin received Ainu's greeting warmly with open palms. He then pledged his eternal support and allegiance of his people. And ... A runner approached and whispered in his ear. Qin abruptly ordered his men to their defences. A fresh cohort of barb spearmen are a half league away he tells Ainu. Drums sounded to call the men to arms. He takes Ainu's hands and says "before we celebrate, lets show these barb men how Chinese and Japanese can fight together to rule this world".

[China (DoB)]

Soolong, leader of a group of scouts exploring far to the west is unaware of the battles with barbarians and union of the Japanese and Chinese. He is more concerned about evading barbarians. He has climbed up a hill to peer below. These are not barbarians. They're wearing woman's skirts but they're big, brawny warriors. A shout comes up the hill he can barely make out. He turns to his 2nd ... " Did the skirt wearer say we're Geeks?" What is a geek?

[Japan (DoB)]

The Chasers of Sunset

Far from the hills and the fighting there, the Chasers of Sunset sail on as always. In the morning after a day filled with rain, a ship is spotted on the horizon. Coming closer, the sails seem to be colored in a green and white pattern. Every man aboard the ship makes ready to fight - as the leader of the Chasers dives into the sea, swimming quickly towards the ship. Curiosity must have stayed their hand, as they let him climb up the side of the ship, and standing alone he asked to talk to the sailmaster - the leader of the ship. These were his words:

"A fair wind has brought us here, to see your great ship in green and white, well-built."

"I am Jimmu, Sailmaster of the vessel known to my people as Chasers of Sunset. I welcome this opportunity to know you better, as my leader is Ainu the Wise, leader of Japan. He desires to know more of all tribes that live on the Main Land."

"I ask your permission to let us pass, so we may learn more of the world and other tribes. We do not wish to fight, only to learn more of the world and the telling of tales, for ourselves and our children. We have much knowledge that we can share, if you wish to know more of our tribe and the world."

Being met with silence and strange looks, Jimmu starts talking again, slowly, using his hands and his body to better signify what he meant. After a full day spent with them, with no real understanding being reached, he left their ship. Swimming back to his own, and ordering the men to sail past them, he wondered how further talks would go.

If these men, bright enough to make a greatship, did not understand the use of tongues or bodysigns, how would other tribes react to us? The strangest thing about them was two big logs that were crossed at the back of the ship, it seemed to be of importance to them, but it did not seem to have a use on the ship. Jimmu walked down to the hold, intending to talk to the spirit guide about this..

[Japan (DoB)]

Affirmation

From the fields they ran, screaming in rage and defiance! To the last man they fought, running headlong into rain upon rain of deadly arrows from both sides. It was a complete victory achieved in surprisingly short time. The men from both sides were talking among themselves, exchanging tales of good kills on the way back. A warrior bond had been made today, the kind that only surviving a fight would bring. Now they came back to the hills, and took up their place around it, waiting for the ceremony to begin..

It is a warm and pleasant summer day, with birds that voice their joy of life. Around the largest hill, a circle is made by warriors and archers from China and Japan, to witness this most important day - the Affirmation of Qin and Aiko - joining the two tribes in a bond of everlasting friendship! Ainu stood at the top, his hair bound with a knot, barechested.



He stood firm beside Qin, who was dressed in the traditions of his people. With a strong beard and his piercing eyes, with cloth made in a fashion unknown to others. Light, yet sturdy and easy to color. The clothing of the Emperor spoke with a force unto itself - giving the smallest of movements a grace and flow that made all others appear stocky and unbalanced. He was of the long-living ones, with wisdom and a knowing that only Tokugawa could have matched. In his Presence, Ainu was aware of his own life, knowing that he would die one day. He made a silent prayer to the spirits, that this Affirmation would go well and the bond between the two people last for thousands of years. Meanwhile, Qin stood firm beside him, waiting for the arrival of his bride.



He could see the silence spreading, as men began to raise one arm to the sky as they saw her. More than a thousand men were surrounding this one hill. The very lack of noise from so many was something Qin had only seen among his own men before. The men of Japan were able to maintain themselves in large numbers. He thought to himself: "These are good men." Silently, arms reached to the sky from the bottom of the hill, spreading around it and joining in on itself as Aiko walked ever upwards to the top of the hill, the wind flowing through the hair and moving her garments, bringing with them the fragrance of delicate seaweeds from Japan, a present from the sea spirits.

She was wearing light and dark colors to present herself as a woman to him blessed by Sun and Moon, Rain and Thunder, Flower and Tree. Her eyes like the stars of night, flames that to him burned so bright. They were a path from dark to light, as she walked to him through a forest of arms raised to the sky. In her hands the Coral Vessel of Affirmation. A hollow tube made from coral under the waves, brought forth by spirit guides to contain a sample of blood from both Qin and Ainu to seal the Bond of Blood between them.



As she came to the top of the hill, the forest of arms lowered to the ground, as every man went down on one knee. Silence fell on the land, even among the birds in the trees. Then the men gathered started to speak in a whisper, they were one whole voice with the strength of a thousand, and the voices were both heard by ears and by heart as the spirit guides manifested their voices through them:

Tribe of Ainu - be amourous and increase, your worth will share through thick and thin.
Tribe of Qin - eat drink and sleep, you are the center of this land.

Tribe of Ainu - your seeds increase, grown from earth to heaven grand.
Tribe of Qin - burnt offerings from your race flatter the nostrils of the spirit realm.

Tribe of Ainu - come take your place, around the fireside of your kin.
Tribe of Qin - you must breathe hard, to find the value in rocks and sand.

Tribe of Ainu - learn from Qin, defend this world that you both share.
Tribe of Qin - attend your station, aware that danger is ever there.

Tribe of Ainu - your will have renown, far after you are dead and gone.
Tribe of Qin - your task is not yet done.

Tribe of Ainu, Tribe of Qin - share your blood for all to see
Tribe of Qin, Tribe of Ainu - share this bond in future's weave

From this day let your friendship grow. Our aid we give as we know how.
Be plentiful and listen to both earth and wind, we bless thee now - Asian Kin.

As the last words fell, the two leaders each held a stone knife to the palm of their hand, drawing blood, dripping into the Coral Vessel one at a time. Aiko held the vessel, and closed it after the blood was given. She held it up for all to see.

Then, giving it to Ainu, she brought forth some leaves and used them to bind the hand of Qin with tender care. A wise man of China, and a spirit guide of Japan came forward. With these witnesses, Qin and Aiko spoke their wovs to eachother. With blessings on their Life-Bond complete, they embraced, as the roar of a thousand men began the celebrations that would last for many days to come.

[Portugal (DoB)]

[Japan (DoB)]

Chasers of Sunset

Spirit Guide: "Take the sails toward the land!"
Jimmu: "Why go near land now? We have food, water, we should sail on."
SG: "You fool! We may be close to destruction. There! Enter that bay you see further on. Here we must wait until I can learn how they make their signs. Any further trespass will be dangerous and foolhardy."
J: "I do not understand."
SG: "Then I will show you."



SG: "This is the way they make signs. I must learn them, study them, and from that we can learn how to talk to them."

[China (DoB)]

Soolong watched the skirted warriors move to the east towards his home land. He sent 3 runners to send news of their approach to Qin. He and his remaining team walked on west over mountains and desert and on the horizon could see water and ... smoke from cooking fires. Alot of them. Is this a new kingdom?

[France (DoB)]

Word has reached the court of King Louis XII, of the Japanese declaration of war against Portugual, presumably by the Chasers of the Sunset invading Portuguese waters. King Louis XII is so incensed by the blasphemy of someone invading the Christian homeland that he ends generations of French seclusion by sending an emmissary to Portugal stating,

The army and navy of France stand ready to defend the Christian homeland. If you wish our assistance then you need but ask.

King Louis XII