Domination of Barbarians [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 6 - September 2012]

[Sommerswerd]

Domination of Barbarians [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 6 - September 2012]

This is the Story and Diplomacy Thread for the Diplo Game "Domination of Barbarians" (DoB)



The purpose of this thread is to post in-character story posts and diplomacy for this game. Please discuss all organizational aspects of this game the Organization Thread.
Use your Anonymous Apolyton Game Account to put posts in this thread.

Domination of Barbarians is a diplomacy game.
The players try to rule their empires like they are real. Role playing and story telling is an important way to achieve this.

[Sommerswerd]

The settlements of the 18 tribes have grown larger and more numerous and Europe is nearly filled to capacity with settlements, causing great tensions and conflicts as the tribes race to claim the nearby available land. The slavemasters whips have been busy and thousands are sacrificed in the name of their tribes' goals. A new resource called Gems is discovered to make people happy. New weapons of War are seen on the battlefield of the world, including Axemen and Chariots.



Many tribes are learning to write, and simple rudimentary agreements are being formed. Pottery is discovered by many tribes, and small settlements called cottages begin to dot the landscape near the main settlements. Seafaring becomes commonplace, and there are rumors that the barbarians have been sighted in ships of their own, threatening the coastal fisheries of the 18 tribes.



The Wars in the Middle East spread back to Europe. Multiple tribes are at war now, as the struggle for scarce land is reaching a fever pitch. At the same time, the barbarian threat continues to be held at bay. China and Japan form a mighty alliance through a royal wedding. They then join the forces of their powerful Archers to crush the barbarian invaders. It seems the tide is finally turning against the barbarians and in favor of the 18 tribes.

Headship / Royal Lineages of the World

Barbarians
The Children of Barbarous the Expelled - Warriors & Spearmen sighted

France
King Louis XIV the Christian Abolitionist, successor to King Louis XIII The Martyr, successor to The Silent Kings, Louis V- Louis XII, successors to King Louis IV, son of King Louis III the Gullible, son of King Louis II the Zealous, son of King Louis I the Stalwart, first Monarch of France, successor to the Torino Workers, survivors of the Stonehenge Defenders, Successors of the Elder Mystics, Keepers of Benoit the Immortal, appointed successor of Tribal Chief Andre, traverser of the Alps, appointed successor of Pierre, First Despot of France, slayer of Jean-Guy, former co-ruler w/ his wife Patrica & brother Jean-Paul, son of Jean

Spain
Himilce, Princess of Spain, Aunt of Astor

Portugal
Porto & Portu, husband and wife

Netherlands
The three factions, slayers of Hanz the Dutchman, named successor of Trotseer the Brave, named successor to Chieftain Aantaleen the Primersteleider and his wife Angeline of France

Ottomans
Head Chieftain Bedri Ayhan

Byzantium
Justinian II, successor to the Tribal Chieftains, successors to Leader Justinian I, son of Leader Constantine

China
Qin Shi Huang and his wife Aiko of Japan, successor of the Mother of Qin Shi Huang, successor to the Father of Qin Shi Huang

Norsemen
Chief Ragnar

England
Leader Elizabeth

Celtia
King Ire, successor of Lord Chieftain Brennus & Aithe

Japan
Heianshi Ainu, appointed to succeed the Family Elders of Kyoto, along with Ainu of Nishikyo & Jiraya of Osaka following the death of Tokugawa, defender of Kyoto, Leader of Japan

Russia
Volg, defeater of the Slav King, usurper of The Czar, successor of Ivan Grozni, successor of Ivan Dragonoff, succesor of Leader Peter

Arabia
The Tribal Leaders, successors to The Prophet & his wife, Khadijah bint Khuwaylid

Rome
Titus Bruti of the Bruti family, successors of Marcus, leader of the Slave rebellion, beheader of Baron Von the tyrant

Persia
Helu of Awan, rightful ruler of Persia, successor of Kikku-Siwe-Temti, ruler of Persia, usurper of Napi-Ilhush, usurper of Shushun-Tarana, usurper of Hishutash, usurper of Ukku-Tanhish, usurper of Tata I, successor to Peli of Awan, Rightful Chief of the Persian Tribes

Germany
Herman

Greece - ???
Holy Rome - ???

[China (DoB)]

Qin gazed at his beautiful wife as she slept. Should he tell her of the secret he kept hidden for 1000’s of years? … The secret waters of immortality? He didn’t know. His last confidant had tried to exploit the waters. He was forced to dispatch with his closest advisor while he slept, giving him the poison vapours of never ending sleep from his sorcerer .

This was not his first wife. He had had many in his lifetime but she was surely the most beautiful and most skilled. Oh the pleasures she had provided him since their marriage day. She was the only one to have taken his thirteen inches in all his life. Perhaps his seed this time will bear fruit – an heir. He cannot live forever despite the waters. He grew older at about 10 years every 1000 years or so. Qin knew also that he had to drink more water now to prevent the aging cycle increasing.

He needed an heir but so far his efforts resulted in none. He suspected the water or his age somehow made his seed dormant. His sharman was consulted on the dormancy. It had only resulted in this ridiculous undergarment that tied his balls in such a way they hung freely under his clothes. “This will to ensure your testacies are cool your Grace.” It felt odd as they swung back and forth and got caught up in the leathers. His troops thought he was grunting to intimidate his enemy but it was really from his balls getting caught while he walked. Hah, Ohh! Oh! He smiled as he thought of this. Today he will wear normal under cloths. No longer will he be called the Grunting Emperor Qin.

He had liked the Japanese leader. Their alliance had proved beneficial on the battlefront and in bed. Many Japanese soldiers now intermingled with his own and had shared each other’s wives. There will be many Chinajap children next year. The celebrations of the treaty and their union in blood and marriage had carried on for 3 weeks. So much rice wine that even his head had hurt. The first night ceremony had been just a blur, followed with a head ache after. Aiko had been very nervous and more beautiful for it. The first coupling is to be witnessed by the silent sisters but to spare his wife’s embarrassment he ordered them out of his tent. In the end it was their moans of pleasure that caused the combined camps to erupt in the traditional throwing of pots. All good when going up, but dangerous on the descent. 3 people had died when the heavy cooking pots and lids came down. One person had been nearly shorn in half when the side of the lid had freakily stuck in his head. He had to find another way of celebrating, by throwing something less harmful in the air. Perhaps something that flashed and banged but didn’t come down to kill people? He had to think some more.

[France (DoB)]

King Louis XIV was not pleased. The war with England was going as well as could be expected. The French had lost two fishing fleets, some roads and the fish for wheat trade between France and Persia had been disrupted. Meanwhile another English coastal region had sworn allegiance to France. The French were losing battles but winning the war against England albeit slowly.

King Louis XIV's dismay was not due to the English war however rather it was due to the state of the larger war against the evil that was pervasive in the world and his inability to significantly thwart the evil of slavery in particular.

The Western Slavers Alliance had significantly expanded over the generations using their ability to bind words into clay tablets to make agreements allowing the slavers to traverse other tribes lands, thus the slave trade had grown very rapidly.

The leader of nearly every western tribe had eventually succumbed to greed and were selling their less desired kinsfolk to the Nether, English and Norsemen. Even the Greeks and the Portuguese, who were considered civilized tribes in France, had begun to build slave trade routes with other tribes. Only the far eastern tribes had not yet fallen under the Alliance's evil sway and that was likely merely a matter of time.

Furthermore there were even reports that the Alliance were secretly providing the Barbarus tribe with bronze spears and possibly even galleys now in their greedy pursuit of material goods. The warmongering Western Slavers Alliance continually sought to instigate wars since each war would result in more slaves for their illicit trade. The Alliance was obviously behind the recent spate of wars however they were very adept at trying to blame France, their only real opposition.

The world was a cesspit of iniquity with the Western Slavers Alliance in its center. King Louis XIV was determined to perform a major act to help flush this evil from the world before his own short time on this earth was ended however the frustrating question was, what could he do???

[Netherlands (DoB)]

A clay tablet is brought to Nether Faction repeating the message of King Louis XIV messenger to Holy Roma,

France supports the Holy Roman tribe in their defense against the German slavers. It is unfortunate that the evil Nether and English practice of slavery has spread so far and caused tribes to greedily raid their neighboring tribes for slaves.

"This is the latest in a string of French lies. Everybody knows that France was the very first tribe to raid a neighbor for slaves. Even still down to the day, the Torino Roman descendants still are prisoners of France. Evil French never stop trying to blame their evil greed on others.

[Holy Roma (DoB)]

The Holy Roman work crews have safely returned to our territory. In addition, Holy Roman Charioteers have destroyed the city of Hamburg in retaliation for the treachery of the Germans.

[China (DoB)]

Qin was exhausted. He had led the survivors of the Emperors Guard through the mountains to reach Beijing. Beijing was finally in sight. But he was not pleased. Joy turned to despair and then anger. It had been a common theme these past 3 weeks. It had started so well. His marriage to Aiko and the blood union of China with Japan had been joyous. His people had celebrated on the hills in the north with thousands of Japanese archers. Much rice wine had been consumed as he toasted Ainu, the leader of the Japanese. He had traded plans and maps of his dominion. He had ordered the exchange of some of his well tested veterans to assist the Japanese archers. And then it all went wrong.

On the last night of celebrations another cohort of barbarian spear attacked his fortifications and were repulsed immediately, or so his general Toinass thought. He ordered his archers to give chase as the barbs ran away out of range. But what Toinass didn’t know, was that most of spearman had hidden themselves in reed covered trenches. When the Chinese archers chased the retreating barbs, they were soon surprised to find spears at their backs. It was almost a complete slaughter. Toinass managed to beat off the crafty spearman but lost 8 in 10 men. The Chinese were demoralized and beaten now themselves. Toinass reported to Qin the morning. Qin ordered the impossible – retreat. He left 1000 archers in Toinass’s care as a rear guard while he escorted his wife and Japanese consults to Beijing. The remaining Japanese would also stand with the Chinese to protect the north.

AS he approached Beijing he saw the flames. A runner was dispatched who returned to report the city was in revolt. A barbarian city was in the south near Hong Kong. It was sending 1000’s of spearmen to attack. The barbs had been successful in routing the previous undefeated. The fields were pillaged and 3000 archers killed. Qin grew more depressed. While he celebrated his union with the Japanese, his empire was collapsing. He ordered his best remaining guard troops to protect Aiku and the accompanying Japanese, while he entered the city from the south gate with a few 100 troops. He was fortunate to find a band of loyal warriors who repledged their banners to his. The rebel leader Geobush was soon captured. Qin used his own stone axe to behead the traitor. The head was placed on pole at the town centre. He called his counsel that had been hiding in his palace tent. Much must be discussed.

[England (DoB)]

Elizabeth's war councilors report that English spearmen have nearly completed a slow circuit of pillaging and observation around Paris as a new detachment of axemen lands to raze a portion of a coastal road in the west that was left untouched. It was clear that by disavowing slavery the French people were incapable of improving their own lands. Their king will undoubtedly claim that constant war has prevented the construction of any improvements, but France had been at peace for decades and still an abundance of stone, marble, copper, pigs, horses, and forests are left untouched. They may have built great wonders in the past, and will surely be able to rest on these laurels for many generations, but France's days of glory and growth are undoubtedly already long in the past.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

Fire Mystics report making contact with the Ottomans. The Ottomans are a quiet people who wear Green and live in the hinterlands of Asia, just North of the Arabian desert. Fire Mystics have been brave for the glory of Fire faction, defeating and chasing off barbarians from the borders of our friends the Russian. Perhaps Fire Mystics will do what none other could do before. Complete the quest of 18 tribes made by the French and still live to return home and tell the tale.

In our wandering among the tribes Fire Mystics have also learn that the Holly Roamers have completed a massive work of feat of engineering called the Pyramids. We congradulates our neighbors on this feat, although we have no idea why they would build such a large pile of rocks into such a strange shape.

Nether Faction reports that the Germ-Manes have collected and tranied the largest army we have ever seen. Endless soldiers armed with fearsom weapons have turned away the invading Holly Romers, but since Holly Romers have the Superweapon called "chariots" we dont know where all this will lead. We wish our neighbors coul stop the fighting against each other and focus on the true threat in France.

[France (DoB)]

King Louis XIV listened to the reports from French sympathizers in England. The English slavers were gloating over their pillaging of French infrastructure and then using a comparison of the advanced English infrastructure development to prove the advantages of slavery.

Nevermind that Paris was undisputedly the greatest city in the world, the English counter that France was but one city while the English slavers controlled 4 cities was effective propaganda that brought doubt into the minds of believers.

Even French adherence to Christian non-violence teachings of "turning the other cheek" by focusing on winning the hearts and minds of its enemies' slaves instead of killing the invaders was a slow generational strategy that did little to assuage the suffering of the current generation.

Promises of rewards in the afterlife were also of limited comfort since the English slavers claimed to be Christian as well. Entreaties to the Portuguese Christian leadership to proclaim slavery a sin went unanswered so it was difficult to refute the English slaver's claims.

King Louis XIV's time on this earth was drawing short and he began to despair that he would achieve any of his lofty goals before his demise. It would take a miracle!

[France (DoB)]

King Louis XIV called together a great conclave of his advisors, mystics, holy men and the wisest men of France to charge them with a royal task.

Paris has long been the cultural center of the world. Gathered here today are the greatest minds of the greatest city of the world. The Holy Spirit has moved me to gather you here today because while we have yet again repelled another slaver invasion there is a greater war to free the world of slavery and tyranny that we are not yet winning!

It is true with each passing generation there are more slaves that rise up against their tyrant masters to join the ranks of the free
but these victories are few and far in between. Meanwhile the slavers raid our lands, destroy our infrastructure and expand into farther lands. Evil is spreading and the Slavers Alliance points to their spreading influence and the impunity with which they raid French shores as a demonstration of the futility of resisting their power!

The stagnation of France due to repeated Slaver invasions is being used as an example to discourage would be revolutionaries from seeking freedom!

I am an old man, with not much time left on this world. I seek to tell the spirits of my ancestors when I soon see them in heaven that there is reason to hope that all of the world will one day be free!

We need a symbol of hope that will show once and for all that the Christian path of peace and freedom for all is superior to the alternative evil spread by the Slavers Alliance!

We need to show that France can grow and harvest an abundance of resources without resorting to slavery! We need to show that France's days of glory are ahead of us and not long in the past! We need to show that the path to true prosperity is through freedom and hereditary rule instead of slavery and immortal tyranny! We need a miracle!

I, King Louis XIV, do hereby charge this great assembly of the greatest minds in the world with the task of delivering a miracle that will demonstrate the glory of France by expanding our kingdom, harvesting an abundance of resources, securing our lands from slaver invasions and freeing the oppressed by peaceful means consistent with our Christian ideals!

Deliver this miracle before I meet the spirits of my ancestors in heaven so that I may deliver unto them a message of hope and together we shall rejoice for eternity!

[France (DoB)]

The Great Conclave

There was much boisterous debate at the Great Conclave of Paris as various factions attempted to push forward their personal ideas as to how best achieve the Royal Challenge of King Louis XIV. Out of the masses quietly arose Shankara, a priest of unsurpassed piety and wisdom.

As Shankara moved to the exit, King Louis XIV demanded silence and asked the priest, "Whither goest thou?"

As Shankara walked out the door, he quietly replied, "To deliver thine miracle".

The Exodus

Shankara went forth into the lands of France and entreated the Christian faithful to tithe one tenth of all that they produced to the church. The church would use this wealth to purchase foreign slaves which would then be freed upon arrival in France. Thus would the oppressed be freed "by peaceful means consistent with our Christian ideals" as King Louis XIV had decreed. Such was Shankara's piety that his word was revered by all throughout France and so it was that there was a great outpouring of donations, with many trying to out do their neighbours in grand gestures of generosity.

The fame of Shankara's success and the associated accumulated wealth reached the Christian leadership in Portugal where many of the priests jealously demanded that Shankara be renounced for heresy but the wisest of the advisors of Chief Porto councilled enticement instead. The wise advisors sensed that there were many more riches to be had than even the lucrative slave trade, if the generosity inspired by Shankara could be harnessed for Portugal.

So it was that, Chief Porto sent an invitation to Shankara to visit him in Portugal. Shankara responded to the messenger, "Go forth and tell Chief Porto to set my people free."

When Chief Porto heard the response he was furious however his wisest advisors reminded him of the vast treasures that awaited if they could entice Shankara to Portugal. So it was that Chief Porto allowed many thousands of Portuguese slaves to flee to France via the greatest flotilla of ships that the world had ever seen. Thus were the oppressed miraculously freed!

[Japan (DoB)]

From festivities lasting many weeks, Ainu felt sore and happy at the same time. Had he known that the chinese women were so good to their men, he would have hastened the Affirmation as much as possible. He came to think of the words that Tokugawa spoke in the spirit dream -"It will be worth it."- never had they been more true.

Marching on towards Nishikyo with his company of archers, Ainu thought of the festivities, and the dangerous celebration of the coupling. He had nearly been hit by several of the falling pots, and made a decision to investigate if some padded clothing could be made for all to wear when observing this ritual. Especially since he had himself been attended by several girls through the celebrations. One in particular had made him think of fathering children of his own. She was not the prettiest of girls, but she was mindful, with a clear wisdom in her youth..and her eyes, her moves, her voice.. they made him happy just by observing her.

Still, there was such a thing as order to this. The time between the meeting of Aiko and Qin, and their final Affirmation, had taken many years. Ainu was determined to show respect to his Brother-in-Law and wait the same number of years, and then celebrate a grand Affirmation in the very same place! The hills made a good defense against attackers, and the fields around it were plentiful. Indeed, this had been a plan between himself and Qin during the celebrations, when discussions and agreements of trade were made. A Japanese fortified trading-village in the hills. He could imagine it as a village with a grand hall at the center, filled with both Japanese and Chinese people, united against the barbarians.



Still, it would take time, perhaps long enough that the Affirmation would take place in the newly formed village. By then the spirits would surely bless his sister and Qin with children, and perhaps the wise men and women would have found some way to make padded clothing when the ritual of throwing pots began. He looked forward to it already, thinking to himself "It will be worth it".

[England (DoB)]

No sooner has the war with France ended than a French greatship was spotted off English shores. While Elizabeth was pleased to see Paris was focusing its construction on non-cultural endeavors, she knew any future wars with France would be harder fought now that France for the first time appeared to be taking its defenses seriously.

[England (DoB)]

Elizabeth listened with consternation to the most recent troubling news from France. A band of French settlers has appeared on the coast on the northwest corner of French territory. While France had threatened to build a settlement at this location, how is it possible that they are ready to do so so quickly? Has our friend Portugal truly given over to France its own people for naught but the words of the false prophet Shankara? These are dark days for Christendom.