Domination of Barbarians [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 8 - November 2012]

[Sommerswerd]

Domination of Barbarians [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 8 - November 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 settlement race has moved completely from the hills and forests of Europe to the deserts of Africa and Asia. Spain has the strongest foothold, in North Africa, with Portugal, Rome, Greece and Arabia also laying claims. With new lands in Africa, Spain also gains new riches, and Spain ushers in a new era of trade by discovering the means to coin universally accepted money and offer it in trade instead of exchanging goods.



In the settlement race, as Greece moves down the Nile, Arabia crosses the Red Sea to claim the East African coast. Not to be outdone, Rome pushes past the Saharan wastes to establish colonies in the Central African jungles. Better still, ingenious Portugal bypasses her rivals in the North in favor of the uncontested South, poised to become the first Southern power in the world.

As the African barbarians tribes are subdued and Africa begins to fill with settlements, the battle for open land in Asia becomes even more pitched. Holy Roma continues her rapid expansion, but diverts resources from this race to aid her Christian brothers and sisters of the faith in France against relentless agression of England and Celtia. Persia sweeps across the Middle East virtually uncontested, founding countless settlements on the way to becoming the undisputed power of the region. At the same time, Byzantium once again uses clever diplomatic tactics to gain ground, this time against a superior Ottoman foe. With the Chinese pinned down by crushing waves of Asian Barbarian tribes, Byzantium and Ottomans may be the only thing between Persia and total Asian hegemony.



In Europe, France and Holy Roma, are quickly becoming the dominant powers. Desperate to break the indomitable will of France, the slaver nations, England, Celtia, Rome and Netherlands conspire to break France through a massive military strike from land and sea from all directions. Celtia's Charioteers are crushed in the French counterattack, but the French fleet is sunk by England in the largest Naval battle the world has ever seen. This battle sees the introduction of the Trireme, a powerful offensive Naval vessel without rival, making England the sole Naval power in Europe.

France responds to the slavers' threat by forming a Christian alliance, anchored by Holy Roma's Charioteers. Soon Spain, Portugal and Greece join the Christian alliance, with Portugal as the Spiritual head and France as the military one. France then makes plans for an all out invasion of England to cripple the slavers alliance once and for all. Then in a shocking turn of events, Portu, leader of Portugal finally responds to France's age old pleas and declares both slavery and War to be a sin against Christianity. Now hamstrung by the religious edict, France settles into a defensive posture, awaiting the next conflict with the slavers.



Meanwhile, led by Netherlands, Rome, England and the other slavers secretly conspire with each other on how to bring down France and the Christian alliance once and for all. Their prayers are answered when a new mystic called Lao Tzu emerges and spreads the Taoist religion all over Europe. While denying it publicly, Netherlands secretly begins working with England on forming a Taoist alliance to replace the slavers alliance. Another Great Person Emerges in Europe, this time a Scholar of Science. What great deeds will he do in his lifetime?

Headship / Royal Lineages of the World

Barbarians
The Children of Barbarous the Expelled - Warriors, Spearmen, Axemen, Archers and Galleys sighted

France
King Louis XXIII the Festive, descendant of King Louis XXII the Spendthrift, son of King Louis XXI Defender of the Faith, descendant of King Louis XX the Grim, descendant of King Louis XIX the Golden, son of King Louis XVIII the Bored Boar, son of King Louis XVII the Beast Tamer, son of King Louis XVI the Sea King, son of King Louis XV the Wine Trader, successor to 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
Lord Chieftain Brennus, returning conqueror of King Ire, imprisoner 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
The Counsel, interim succesors following the slaying of Stanimir defeater of Rostislav, successor to Volg, defeater of the Slav King, usurper of The Czar, successor of Ivan Grozni, successor of Ivan Dragonoff, succesor of Leader Peter

Arabia
The two Factions, emerging from conflict between the The Tribal Leaders, successors to The Prophet & his wife, Khadijah bint Khuwaylid

Rome
Aulus Brutus, son of 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
The Workers of Greece, successors to the Jungle Fighters of Greece

Holy Rome - ???

[England (DoB)]

"Knowledge is by its very nature uncertain," so read the inscription at the Heisenberg Academy in London.

[Spain (DoB)]

"Hmm, have you read the tales from the monk Sommerswerd?"

"Yes, they are quite entertaining, although some parts are not so much fact but fiction."

"I agree, but quite a fascinating read, isn't it."

"Still I don't get why a monk calls himself Sommerswerd.."

[Netherlands (DoB)]

"Knowledge is uncertain" The scientist traveling to England visit the Heinsberg Academy in London. He read the inscription. " Yes this saying is true, so true. The lies and slanders of France have reached the ears of the historians so now even the historical record is polluted with French lies and misinfomations. I can feel the evil influence of France at work here. I can only dread what new false rumors they will spread next? Knowing the French, they will try to create more confusion by figuring out some way to blame it all on us, as they do for centuries. All a distractions from their guilt"

"Never trust the French" another said

[Celtia (DoB)]

The Heisenberg Academy stands alongside the Nether Library as a monument to the dedication of its people. For Brennus, visiting the Academy was a great learning experience and he has brought home many ideas to be discussed with his closest advisors.

Soon after, a few select young men from Celtia are seen attending the Academy to study and learn from its teachers.

[Arabia (DoB)]

Medina lay under siege for 40 days and 40 nights.


Its citizens in desperation began to flee the city whilst others turned to eating mice, rats, and other small creatures in order to survive. Others still, resorted to eating donkeys, and some even their own pets.


Against the advice of his advisor Abdullah,
Mohammed V made plans for a temporary camp to feed those fleeing the city.




Abdullah: "Mohammed... your eminance, by feeding those fleeing the city you will only encourage more to follow. This will result in the distilling of those that would revolt against Grand Ayatollah Kulayni from the city and further increase the numbers who are in alliance with him. This course of action will agravate the stalemate... your eminance, it is not wise to prolong the siege any more than necessary."


Mohammed V: "Abdullah, holy brother... I cannot stand by and watch my people starve all around me. Holy Allah would surely condemn it, my conscience would surely condemn it twice fold, and the people would surely condemn it thrice fold.


There is no justice in it.


I will adhere to Holy Allah, adhere to my principles, and adhere to my people!"




Mohammed IV had laid plans for this inevitability, he had secured wheat from his allies in Constantinople in exchange for the excess sheep that the land produced and in effect had tripled the food source of Mecca.


As far as Mohammed V was concerned, there was little need to panic. He had an ace up his sleeve. He could effectively feed his militia AND the people fleeing Medina.


The siege would take three times as long, but justice would be served!

[France (DoB)]

The court of advisors to King Louis XXIII has become a center of intrigue. The King's haphazard commands and flippant management style has caused the more staid advisors to become indignant and several of the senior advisors have been actively plotting against the Festive King. The rebel advisors claim that the Kingdom is at risk as the King changes his orders on apparent whimsy before tasks are ever completed. The King's is continually preoccupied with arranging new festival ideas.

When the advisors informed King Louis XXIII about the Portuguese breaking the ancient bond of friendship with France by increasing their spying on France, the King refused to take the situation seriously. Instead the King threw a masquarade ball and came disguised as a spy himself. The King made certain that all suspected foreign spies were invited to the ball and made a game out of guessing which of his guests were spies and for whom!

When informed of the massive english build up of forces along their southern shores, King Louis XXIII had small clay statues of the english axemen made and threw another party where the objective was to throw rocks at the statues and see how many of them the thrower could break!

Finally when his military advisors insisted that more soldiers needed to be trained, the King commissioned the training of the Festive Spears. The Festive Spears are largely a ceremonial guard, who are dressed in festive clothing and their ornate iron spears are adorned with bright feathers and even gold bands.

The rebel advisors were so concerned with the King's state of mind that they believed some foul nether magic had possessed the King and tried to arrange for an exorcism! Upon hearing of the exorcism, the King arranged for a exorcism party in which everyone was to be cleansed of evil spirits. The exorcism rituals were extremely intense but everyone was cleansed of any evil spirits that may have possessed them. Unfortunately several of the people cleansed failed to survive the cleansing process including ironically the advisors who had originally arranged for the exorcism!




With most of the rebel advisors now cleansed from his court, the King is free to return to his festivities. Despite the now unexpressed misgivings of his advisors, King Louis XXIII The Festive, is very well loved by his subjects who are enjoying the frequent festivals and are prospering under his rulership.

[France (DoB)]

Party Crashers

The military advisors in the court of King Louis XXIII were in a frenzy. The english and japanese were about to launch another joint invasion of France. They had arrayed 5 flotillas of galleys and 3 flotillas of triremes for the invasion and were obviously planning to attack from the seas of the French Christian allies of Portugal and Catalonia.

It was nearly inconceivable that a Christian tribe would allow their territory to be used by infidels to launch an invasion of another Christian ally but it seemed obvious to the French court that both Portugal and Catalonia had betrayed France, just as Judas had betrayed Christ. The foreign advisors were in a self-righteous indignation mood claiming that they had predicted Portugal's betrayal when Portugal had broken the ancient espionage treaty and began escalating their spying on France.

The normally festive King Louis XXIII became very somber and redeployed his troops in preparation for the impending invasion. He dispatched messengers to Holy Roma notifying them of the impending invasion and requesting further military assistance.

King Louis XXIII refused to accept his advisor's assessment that Portugal and Catalonia were betraying him and chose to give them the benefit of the doubt until the very last. He dispatched messengers to both rulers requesting that as friends and allies that they end their open borders with japan and england to help prevent the impending war.

King Louis XXIII reasoned that Portugal had decreed that war was a sin therefore they would not be complicit in starting a war and betraying their most faithful ally by allowing their territory to be used for the invasion...

[Netherlands (DoB)]

Two expedition leave River Village both headed east. Ocean Faction sends ships and Fire Faction send a party out to Russian land to search for any trace of Beda's men who survive, or any word from Captain, who has not been heard from since he went on mission to aid Japan.

Message to Norsemen

Ocean Faction sends out a ship to hunt down the Barbarian sinkers of L'Anglais and drive all barbarian ship away from our shore and from the fisshing grounds of our Norseman friends. Do not be alarmed by our ship as it only comes there to help you our close friends to keep away Barbarian ships. Our sailing men have learned well the tactic of ship battle and will defeat Barbarian ships that try to attack.

Message to France

Nether faction wants to improve relation with France and stop this military escalation once and for all. We are tired of French lies that we are massing troops on the border. So as a gesture of peace we have remove all troops from border with France and send to Fire Faction. We do not wish to frighten the Portugese road builders working there, so most of our fighting men have left River village. We know that with most fighting men gone uprising of slaves will continue, but we want to prove that we make no provocation on France.

Message to Greece

We do not know what we done to deserve thrown out of Greece. If it lies of France, these are all lies! We have been ancient good friends of Greece and we only came to your land in peace. You say that you want trading partners and to make good relations before Open Borders but we have done all these and still on the lies of France you have throw us out like trash. This is not the way to treat your friends! Please let the people of lands of Nether and their factions coem back to the beautiful shores of Greece. Let us be friends again. Do not listen to evil lies of evil warmongering France.

Message to Russia

Our warriors arriving in Russia are on a mission to find Captain and Beda to bring these men home alive with any of his men who survives. They are not there to harm Russia. If they see any barbarian heading your way we will warn you or slay them to help protect your lands. Please tell us if you want our help to defeat the Barbarian Archer camp in your north.

[Byzantium (DoB)]

The Byzantines asked the Greeks to end their open borders with Netherlands after the Netherlands threatened to kill all the Byzantine warriors, that were fog busting to keep out barbarians, if we did not accept open borders with them. The Byzantines had no choice but to accept the Nether request at that time since we did not have a powerful enough army to defend ourselves against the Netherlands axemen however our army has now grown and we are now capable of defending ourselves. We have ended the open borders agreement with the Netherlands that was forced upon us at axe point.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

So now we find that it is not the lies of France to turn Greece against us, but the lies of Byzantium. Of course these are the same as Byzantium has proven themselve nothing less than the handmaiden of the France evil death Mystics. So of course these Byzantines lies are as thick as France lies. These slanders can not go unanswerd. The peaceful people of Nether made no threats to kill any of Byzantine puny warriors as we are not liars, thiefs or murderes like Byzantines and their masters the French.

Fire Mystics were trapped by tricky Byzantium when we traveling peacefully to find the holy city of Islam. We aks humbly for them to open back their borders so that we can pass through or we have no choice but to declare war only to leave their lands in peace but not to remain trapped. Byzantine opened borders to let us pass and we promised not to cross through their land or scout their cities. We upheld our deal with honor and now disgraceful Byzantine slanders us saying we forced them. These lies are insult to the people of River Village. We call on all those who have been the victim of Byzantium trickery to condemn their lies and tricks.

Everyone knows the Byzantines to be duplicitous tricksters with no honor or decency whatsoever. Byzantine makes all their gains through the trickery of their fork tongue diplomats who steal the lands of Holy Roma and then of Ottomans with their lies and tricks. They are obvious puppets of France and they are just as dishonest and untrustworthy.

Never trust a Byzantine, and never trust a French.

[Byzantium (DoB)]

To the lying piece of camel dung, also called Netherlands.

At no point were your units ever trapped behind Byzantium borders! In fact it is still another 2 turns before the only Byzantium borders which could have expanded and cut you off, will actually expand. This fact is still plainly visible to all those travelling through Russian land to visit Wheatfield.

Let us set the record straight.

- Byzantium and Netherlands had an open borders agreement which Byzantium was happy with for the gold earned per turn.
- Netherlands moved through Greece's land to Byzantium border intent on exploring Byzantium land
- Byzantium ended the open borders agreement with Netherlands telling them that we would not allow them to move through our land since we had an agreement with Persia not to allow non-allies through our respective lands
- Netherlands tried several times to get Byzantium to allow them to travel through our land and when that failed then they threatened to kill our fog busting warriors with their axemen that were assisting the Ottomans at the time

- In response to the threat Byzantium requested that Greece end their open borders with Netherlands which thankfully the Greeks did
- Netherlands warrior was bumped into Holy Roma land and proceeded to walk around Byzantium land through Russia to reach Persian/Byzantium border
- Netherlands again asked for open borders but this time said they would not enter Byzantine land. Byzantine warriors were still vulnerable to Netherland axemen so we reluctantly agreed
- Ottomans declared war on Byzantium
- Byzantium has buffed up our army in response to the Ottoman attack and the Netherland threats and no longer feels that we must submit to the Netherland bully's demands!

[France (DoB)]

King Louis XXIII sends a messenger to england,

We have received word from nether agents that the tao wish to "improve relation with France and stop this military escalation once and for all". We shall put this declaration to the test.

France is willing to open borders with england for a minimal length of time, to allow the english fleet in the south to return to their english territory without resorting to war. Thus France fulfills our Christian obligation to try to prevent war as decreed by the Portuguese Christian leadership.

The tao response will show to the whole world whether they are truly peaceful as they claim or whether they are the warmongering savages that French advisors attest.

[Japan (DoB)]

Softly the sea caresses the shore, as the moon lights up the night like a giant eye in the sky, gazing down on all the sleeping men in the camp made for the night. Koji is unable to sleep, his limbs move slower now, and some of his strength is lost. Old age is not so grand to witness, but thoughts and imagination still move quickly within him. As he stares out to sea, contemplating what happened earlier that day..

From Lisbon they had sailed four days with good wind and come close to the border to the French fishing grounds, where they awaited the arrival of English trading vessels. As they made camp by the shore a dignitary of Porto came to them, wishing to speak with Koji.

Intrigued, Koji listened carefully.

"I bring you the blessings of Christ and a message from Porto himself."

"Porto wants you to remember the last great edict he made before his people, that War and Slavery is a sin! True christians do not kill their neighbours, nor do they enslave their friends and treat them as lesser men! He knows that you follow the spiritual nature and he does not command you to change your belief, only that you as honored guests follow our ways within our borders.

He has recieved news from the King of France that you intend to make war on them, in so doing use us by passing through our lands, our waters, to kill and destroy french fishing grounds and deprive his people of their food source as you pass them by. Porto asks that you do not make war on France, for by doing so, it would surely wound our friendship for a very long time, and we may bar you from entering our lands if this comes to pass."

Koji became cold as the message struck home.

"Does he mean to deny us the only way to travel to the tribes unknown? Are we to give up on our mission given to us by Tokugawa himself? This we cannot do!"

The messenger kept a calm voice.

"You could ask the King of France to let you pass him by, in mutual agreement that you do not make war, but sign an Open Border Pass until you have passed his lands, leaving the French fishing grounds undisturbed."

Koji was struck with silence.

"I only relay this message for my lord Porto, that you know what may come of your actions. I ask only that you consider this before you make your move. I will rest here and return home tomorrow, if you wish to have a reply brought to Porto, I can take it with me then."

The campfire burned slowly, being fed by Koji absentmindedly. As he sat there, looking at the moon and listening to the soft crackle of the logs in the fire. All the stories of the french dealbreakers, chasing entire families into the wild for the bloody sport of the barbarians came back to him. From he was little he had listened to his elders as the stories of old gave him the belief that the only good frenchman was a dead frenchman. Could he be wrong about the french? Would it be possible to ask something of them, and be listened to? Would they honor this deal, having broken the deal made so long ago between the fisherman and the warrior?

Perhaps.. they had matured, grown old and wise as Koji himself had done. From his early days the Portos had been friendly to the Chasers of Sunset. Even before they learned how to write they had been friendly, especially so since his ship had trespassed into their land and their fishing grounds. They could have forced the chasers away, but they were ever kind and became good friends and trading partners. Through Peaceful Portos they had after all come to know the Beautiful Spanish, the Openminded Romans, the Very Holy Romans, the Rough Russians, the Ancient Northeners, the Secretive Byzantines and the Graceful Greeks.

Koji made a decision then, to heed the call from Porto and ask permission from France to pass by their territories in peace, and in return not harm any french man, woman or child, and not harm anything built in french territory. Would the King agree to this in his wisdom, or deny it out of spite? Koji did not know. He could only await the answer from King Louis XXIII.

In his mind, Koji became at ease as the decision was made. It felt better to try talking to the French. A strange awareness came to him, as he wrote down the message intended to the King of France, and the reply to Porto thanking him for the reminder of what good friends are for. It sent a shiver down his back, and he looked up. The fire had gone out. He ignored the chill and continued to write in the moonlit night.