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

[France (DoB)]

A Small Voice before Great Powers

The petite Agnès stood before the great assembly of ambassadors at the Olónico Peace Summit and clearly stated the French position.

The Kingdom of France only claims the same sovereign rights as all other rulers to control that which occurs within its own borders, including choosing which tribes will be allowed to pass through its borders and what buildings to construct to best advance it's people.

The Kingdom of France has opened its borders to welcome those tribes which have proven to be friends. Those seeking passage through French lands or to visit French wonders must prove their friendly intentions first. Allowing foreign invaders to launch invasions from one's lands or supplying arms to an invader of France are obviously considered extremely hostile acts by France.

Those who have in the past attempted to bully France into submission by repeatedly invading and destroying French infrastructure must make reparations for the damage which they have caused before they will be considered friends.

The revered Tokugawa was a close ally and blood brother to France. The Kingdom of France would be honored to allow his descendants passage through France once his descendants honor the will and the promise of the great Tokugawa made long ago.

[Spain (DoB)]

Well spoken, my dear Agnes !

Again our revered guests state their positions very clear.
Agnes, would you do me the honor of joining me at my dinner table ?

And perhaps the English ambassador is willing to set the feuds aside for the duration of the dinner ?
Pacificador join us !

, Himilce said.

After this the table was set for a lavish dinner which presented the best of Catalunian cuisine.

[Spain (DoB)]

Before the dinner starts the Major Domo gives a short introduction on the Catalan cuisine:

The gastronomy of the Catalan cuisine is substantial and nourishing and is mainly based on a variety of fresh, high-quality seafood, meat, poultry, game, fruit and vegetables. All of this products adapt to the different seasons and the region's cultural and religious traditions, and can come in unusual and delicious combinations: meat and seafood (a genre known as "mar i muntanya"), poultry and fruit, fish and nuts.
Olive oil, aromatic herbs, dried fruit, wild mushrooms and game from the Pyrenees, the trinity of olives, grapes and wheat from the hilly heartland, all manner of fruits, vegetables, and nuts from the irrigated lowlands, rice and eels from the river deltas, and a great variety of fish and shellfish are the basis of a cuisine which is one of the happiest expressions of the Mediterranean diet.

One of the simplest and yet most delicious dishes (the one that Catalans particularly yearn for when are abroad) is "pa amb tomaquet": a large slice of fresh country bread (toasted or not) rubbed with tomato and drizzled with virgin olive oil. It may be topped with Iberian ham, cheese and anchovies or served along with meat, chicken or fish "a la brasa" (cooked over a charcoal fire).

We should also give a special mention to tapas: small portions which allow you to combine fish, meat and vegetable dishes. In recent years, tapas have established themselves as a different way of eating a varied light lunch or supper.

The essence of Catalan food lies in its sauces for meat and fish. There are five main types: "sofregit" (fried onion, tomato and garlic), "samfaina or chanfaina" (sofregit plus red pepper and aubergine or courgette), "picada" (based on ground almonds, usually with garlic, parsley, pine or hazel nuts, and sometimes breadcrumbs), "allioli" (pounded garlic with olive oil, often with egg yolk added to make more of a mayonnaise) and "romesco" (an almond, tomato, olive oil, garlic and vinegar sauce, also used as a salad dressing).

Other typical specialties include "esqueixada" (a salad of raw salt cod with onions and peppers), "butifarra amb mongetes" (a stew of beans with 'butifarra' sausage), "escudella i carn d'olla" (special Catalonian stew), "espinacs a la catalana" (spinach sauteed with raisins and pine nuts) and "bacalla a la llauna" (salt cod with tomato, garlic and parsley). Least, but not last, try the "zarzuela", the local fish stew or the "paella" - the classic rice dish with meat or fish. Then, if you have a sweet tooth, "crema catalana" (a cinnamon and lemon flavored custard) is a must for dessert.

This dishes should be accompanied by one of the provinces three Denominations of Origin of wine: Alella, Pla de Bages and Penedès. "Cava", the typical spar wine from the Penedès region, is Catalonia's most international wine.

The menu (la carta) begins with starters such as "amanides/ensaladas" (salads), "sopes/sopas" (soups) and "entremesos/entremeses" (hors d'oeuvres). The latter can range from a mound of potato salad with olives, asparagus, anchovies and a selection of cold meats - almost a meal in itself - to simpler cold meats, slices of cheese and olives.

The hungry Catalan, after a starter, will order a first then second course. The latter may come under headings such as: "pollastre/pollo" (chicken), "carn/carne" (meat), "mariscos" (seafood), "peix/pescado" (fish), "arros/arroz" (rice), "ous/huevos" (eggs) and "verdures/verduras" (vegetables). Red meat may be subdivided into "porc/cerdo" (pork), "vedella/ternera" (beef) and "anyell/cordero" (lamb).


Enjoy your dinner, may it give peace to your stomach!

[Spain (DoB)]

As the dinner party progressed the atmosphere became quite lively..

[Russia (DoB)]

As the dinner progressed, Foma made sure to engage as many as he could in polite conversation, in talks of construction, materials used and needed, of foodstuffs rare and common, making a point to always make courteous remarks about the splendid feast provided by the hosts. As he talked to one of the Roman delegates, he saw in the background his companion Simon across the room, talking to Agnés with that special smile of his. Making an excuse, Foma made a beeline towards the couple only just catching up as they ended their little tét-a-tét. Simon looked at Agnés as she walked away, her graceful movements suggesting both delicacy and hidden strength. Foma turned him around and they walked out to one of the less formal dining rooms. There they sat down, one with a smile and the other with a frown.



"Are you mad Simon?!" Foma said in a low voice, careful to not be overheard. "She is the daughter of the French King!" With a slow smile, Simon replied: "We were just talking old friend, surely you of all men appreciate a good conversation?" Exasperated, Foma made it plain: "I know you too well Simon. You get that look on your face, you use that smile and have another bedmate for the night. Then they never hear from you again, unless you are bored. We have had these talks before. Come to your senses! You can not take her to bed! The result could mean a disaster for us!" Sitting back, Simon appeared to consider this for a moment before he said: "So I can have anyone else, but not her?" Looking at his companion, he added: "None of the heads of state? Not even the beautiful Himilce? No, no, forget I said it, forget it, I will stay away from the leaders and their close family, I promise."

They looked at eachother for a long time. "I said I promise."

"Will you try to do what you were meant to do?"

"Actually, I have learned quite a bit already. I know the lay of the city from one of their more ..enduring.. guards. If you want to go somewhere after dark, I can have it arranged without interference." with a wink, he stood up. "Now I shall go out and explore dark valleys and curving hills, I mean to learn more about the people of England and their isolated home. To think, they may never have seen a real russian before, only what their military men have seen." and with a happy laugh, Simon walked back to the formal dining room.

Foma called the waitress for a cup of Penedès, taking a big sip before he walked back himself. He had the feeling that this summit would be a long one.

[Spain (DoB)]

"Hello Simon", Himilce said the next morning as she passed him, "did you have a pleasant evening last night?"
"Hope you Russian red blooded fellows agree with me that we Catalunians can make a party as well ?"

Surprised that the fair Himilce knew his name, Simon didn't manage to utter one word.
By the time he could, she had breezed past him.


She continued her walk through the great audience room and adressed the crowd..

Heads of State, ambassadors, let us resume the Peace Summit !

Last night we've seen that we have a lot in common, we all like to laugh, drink and feast.
Now let us see if we can make sure that the folks back home have something to laugh, drink and feast about.
Let us find a common ground, and let's hear some eloquent opening statements!

Who may I give the word.. may I invite our English friends ?

[Russia (DoB)]

As she walked past, Simon followed a little distance behind her, making note of the guards placement. Then he saw the enduring Alejandro, who smiled at him in a knowing way, suggesting that the spaniards were clever players at the summit. Simon made his way to stand beside Foma, reconsidering his next move.

[England (DoB)]

It was clear to the English delegation at Olónico that the French in their pride would refuse any peace that protected English cultural development from French encroachment. While England offered terms to secure a future peace - the French demanded reparations for the past. And in doing so can only bring suffering and strife to the French people.

The opportunity to meet with representatives from other tribes however was most welcome, and the following message was conveyed to all:
"The English people seek free and open trade with all, and the same time hope to share English technological advancement with all. England is very willing to trade its powerful warships known as triremes for some form of in-kind compensation and is already in discussions with several tribes along such lines. In the future England also intends to upgrade any unit if paid appropriate compensation. Unfortunately, as there is no means to exchange incompatible gold coinage at this time, such upgrades will need be made on an ad hoc in-kind basis for the foreseeable future. While England hopes to provide such services to as many tribes as possible, so long as our cultural war with France persists - we shall insist that any units involved in such deals are never passed to France."

[France (DoB)]

The rapid pace of history had stopped for several days, as the world collectively held it's breath hoping for an end to the eternal war by england, and it's tao allies, against France. The Olónico Peace Summit, which had started off with such promise, had come to a complete stop after england made it clear that it would not stop it's warmongering until France was completely subjugated and all it's resources plundered by england.

Perhaps shocked by the scale of england's arrogance and greed, or perhaps succumbing to the despair of the impossibility of negotiating peace with such an implacable belligerent, the Peace Summit attendees were silent for several days.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

As world hold its breath during Peace Summit, the delegates from the Three factions have hope against hope that France will accept the peace offerings of many tribes. The world seem to stand still as the world watches and listens to France. Will the French King change his heart?

[France (DoB)]

The French delegation to the Olónico Peace Summit listened attentatively as the three factions delegation mocked them and the entire peace process. The devious factions once again tried to come to the aid of their english "non-ally" by trying to spin the ruthless arrogant tao demands of the surrender of the sovereignty of France and the plunder of its resources as a "peace offering".

Peace was simple, the tao tribes merely needed to stop declaring war all the time! It is the tao, not the French continually declaring endless war! The tao had made clear their intention to continue the wars against France indefinitely or until France could find a means to neutralize their threat permanently!

[Japan (DoB)]

The old man

Koji stands up -with his son close by- and speaks, looking out across the gathered mass:

Dear Himilce, thank you for this generous opportunity for all tribes to gather in this very hospitable city.

Japan want to meet all tribes on this Main Land.
Japan is interested in trade with all tribes.
Japan want to be at peace with all tribes.
Japan want to pass through the seas of all tribes, to better get to know this great realm that is Main Land.

After a long journey, we have come here to meet new friends. From Porto we learn patience, from Greece we learn grace, from Rome we learn eloquence and from Nether and Spain we learn to fight. Still we learn from all we encounter, and we wish to encounter all tribes. Many dear things have been granted to us from friendship and cooperation.

In this most important matter however, it is difficult to speak. France has long been regarded as enemies of old, and old wounds do not heal properly from being so far apart.

Speaking thus, he looks straight at the French delegation, before he continues:

Yet the closer we come, the more we learn that the surroundings of France have illuminated the greatest friendship of all in the Peaceful Portos. So good has their influence been, that we instead of following our friends the English and keep the old wounds untended, choose to forsake old wounds and to become more become civil towards eachother. I wrote a letter to the French King, asking leave to travel through their waters, giving him the open palm of friendship to grasp if he should so choose.

Imagine our dismay as Porto then shuts us out. Before any answer returns! We have become wounded fresh, from one who we thought most dearly of. Let it be known to all that we understand the actions, and do not hold it against France or Porto, one from fear of imminent danger, the other fearing for a friend in need. To speak plainly; We would very likely have done as Porto did, had we stood at the other end.

I say before this summit, let all that has gone by, be bygones. As we are wounded, we can seek healing. As we are shocked, we can be calmed. As we give our life to Japan, so can we give our life to uphold peace, and seek through talks with one another, the common base of cooperation.

El Pacifidador said "Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.

I say, let that word be "bygones."

Having made his statement, Koji sat down slowly.

[Spain (DoB)]

Then Don Fernandez, El Pacificador, rises..


"Thank you for your wise words, esteemed Koji. You keep the spark of hope alive."


After a short pause he continues:

"May I respectfully ask the English, French and Nether factions to follow the protocol of proceedings of the Peace Summit?

The tune of the talk in the corridors changed dramatically in the last few hours.
We asked for clear opening statements, without reacting to each others statements.


First the French break this routine by stating:

The Olónico Peace Summit, which had started off with such promise, had come to a complete stop after england made it clear that it would not stop it's warmongering until France was completely subjugated and all it's resources plundered by england.

Perhaps shocked by the scale of england's arrogance and greed, or perhaps succumbing to the despair of the impossibility of negotiating peace with such an implacable belligerent, the Peace Summit attendees were silent for several days.

No previous statements called for this reaction. Let us keep hope alive.

We MUST do more than this !


When we look at the English - French war we see a country ravaged by war, France, and a country which has constant troubles with it's borders and cultural minorities, England. We must acknowledge this situation. Both France and England should do this.

Each solution should help remedie both the French and the English situation."

[Spain (DoB)]

Then Himilce raises her voice:

"This is a good proposal, Don Fernandez.

May I ask the English and French ambassador for a simple and short statement, without any sidelines, talk in the corridors etcetera.

Answer this question:

Do you acknowledge that a peace settlement should remedie both the French situation: a country ravaged by war,
and with the English situation: a country with constant troubles with it's borders and cultural minorities.

Please answer with a simple YES or NO. "

[Netherlands (DoB)]

In the hallway following latest statement Christofoor meet with England delegate. It is decided that we can not be silent in the face of these insults lies by French.

In River village the alarm has gone up all around the town. On all sides around us the French are surrounding with powerful fighting men armed with Axes and Spears, plus swarms upon swarm of workers building roads to send troop to attack us from the Mighty city of Paris. River village is a small town, but we have the lives of our people to think of! We have sent our defenders far far awa from River Village, we have moved all troops from the border with France as a gesture of peace! And how does France respond? To send overloads of fighting men to the borders to threaten our peaceful town! We have no choice but to call our slavers to action, to whip up defenders. Our people are weary, and they scream in the streets for end to this suffering, but very survival of River Village is threated.

May the Ocean and Mountain, Fire and Water, Yin and Yan protect the balance and peace of our tiny River Village in face of the threats of mighty France.

Now we call on our friends the English to join hands with us in this dark hour. Not in hatreds and fear as France does, but in friendship and cooperation. We call to take the name that France mocks and slanders and make it symbol of enlightenment through religious acceptance to the world.

We propose public to form The Tao Alliance. Anyone can join Tao Alliance, it matters not you have Daoism in your cities. The following as our goals.

1. Spread the religion of Daoism to all the cities of any who join Tao Alliance
2. Spread all the religion of the world to all the cities of any who join Tao Alliance

In this way we bring the balance of Dao, Yin and Yan to end these religious wars and suspicion created by France. We bring cultural enlightenment to all. In my home village of Fire Faction, Christians are newly bulding a Christian Monastery that can help this very purpose.

Does England approve such a proposal?