Domination of Barbarians [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 9 - December 2012]

[Japan (DoB)]

In the dark stone walled cell, Takanami tried to find a position that did not hurt too much. His entire body covered in welts and bruises from the harsh treatment of the Immortals. It was no surprise that they found him at last, they had after all found everyone else. He only regretted not taking his own life before this happened. Voices outside the door meant another treatment was close.

Calming his mind and praying to the spirits, he was silent as they came in and grabbed him.

This time, they threw him on to a cart. Steady steps took him out of the city..what was happening?

[Netherlands (DoB)]

Public Notice to all Kingdoms, Tribes, Councils, Peoples and Lands

There is a secret sect operating within the Kingdom of Nether calling themself the "Sons of Johannes" they agents may have already contacted you. This group has taken the knowledge of writing to a new level and introduced a way to understand not only the writing but to create new forms of writing and standardized symbols called Alphabet. With these codesmaking ability and symbol decoding knowledge, the Sons of Johannes are rumored to be able to decode any language as well as send secret codes messages between each other that only they can read. To demonstrate their skill to the world they have published a public document outlining the technological advances of the Nether Kingdom. This document is freely available to all countries to see and encoded to all languages.

Our informants say that they dress all in black robes and are training in the arts of stealth, reconaisance, and secret information gathering. They have all studied from the Nether library about the mystical Japanese arts from scrolls given by our friends in Japan. Because of this, they are experts all in the art of invisibility derive from the Japanese discipline called Ninjitsu. This makes them expert Spies. Our sources have determined that they are choosing to sell their services to the highest bidder for what they call "fair exchanges of trade." The abilities they claim to posses is

- They can find out what technological advance any country has made
- They can enter any country undetected and observe the movements of units
- They can keep hidden vigils in the wildlands to "fogbust" away the dangerous barbarians
- They can perform many secret missions of your choice as they move about undetected, blending in with the local population or hidden in shadows

They invite all interested to contact the Nether Kingdom, as they claim to have secret agents who can intercept all comminications meant for them.

This is notice that the Sons of Johannes are being hunted by the Crown of Nether and we condemn their releasing our secrets to the world. We will capture and interogate them if we can find them. We are already training our own agent in these Japanese Ninjitsu arts to capture the Sons of Johannes. Therefore any country interested in buying or trading for their services only has a limited time to do so before they are all captured. The King has not decided whther he will offer his own trained agents for paid services to other countries.

[Japan (DoB)]

A strange brew was forced down his throat, and the fumes from the floor became shadows that elongated and withdrew as his breathing turned ragged. The guards walked to the gate, and as began to wonder what it was all about, the pain struck like a stabbing blade to the gut. Screaming incoherently, Takanami was unable to think of anything besides the horrific pain that coursed through his body.

[England (DoB)]

An aid burst into Elizabeth’s chambers. “My lady, a raven, almost dead, arrived, just now, your daughter, a message,” he panted. Elizabeth took the worn piece of vellum and read the brief message from her daughter.

Our journey has been most treacherous, but I believe we have discovered that which was prophesied by Lao Tzu and revealed by Moses. It was undoubtedly their intersession that guided us safely to this place, parting a path through a sea of frozen wasteland. For now we appear to be totally isolated and have set up a small outpost to explore the surrounding lands. Yet even in the desolation, we are beset by the barbarian hordes.

Elizabeth’s heart filled with pride at the impossible task her daughter had accomplished. “Let it be written that from hence forth we shall mark time by this great day of discovery. Today is year one After the Discovery, or 1AD.”

[Japan (DoB)]

Death Oracle Dreams

A dream of a dream haunted the man, as he watched his insides bleed out.
For weeks without water or food or the sun, made the defences turn to a rout.

Painful moments were jagged and turned on eachother, from darkness came darkness within.
He listened and did what the voices put forward, and wasted his life on a sin.

A bath of transluscence where the pain -almost gone- reminded him of those he loved.
A curve that he fell through and found what was lost, he gave all away what they sought.

Where the dust that remained, was the man Takanami, fallen far longer than most.

[Japan (DoB)]

In every nation where Japanese were trading their wares, an eerie strangeness was remarked. Every man and woman above the age of twenty, slowly lay themselves down and then died. In every instance the shift was so sudden, that many whispered of plague. But none ever fell unless they also dwelled with a Japanese husband or wife.

In Rome the advisor in the Council of Rome was found with his people in their quarters. All dead apart from those under twenty summers, and they were frightened, purely out of their wits.

In China, pure Aiko was the only survivor, graced by Qin's water of youth. Her brother, who remained outside the city was found dead along all his wise men.

From France came a message of a mysterious nature;

"This year shall be known as 1 Après la Défaite!"

1AD being noted as the year when France had their revenge on Japan, in a scale of death never before seen.

Whispers of the Death Oracle manipulating the Spirit Realm of Japan were heard long after.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

The reign of his Majesty, Christofoor, first King of the Netherlands, unifyer of the Three Factions, Leader of The Rational Thinkers Movement, Architect of the Simultaneous French and English Alliance reign has ended... Long live the new rulers by Hereditary right...the royal twins, Christiaan, King of Netherlands and Kirsten first Queen of Netherlands. This year will ever be known in Netherlands as 1AD, The A and D meaning "after departure" as in after the departure of Christofoor, the first hereditary ruler of the nation.

The new rulers ask for patience to review the historical record and become familiar with all the rights duties and obligations of our nation. If there is any treaty that you think we should be aware of please contact us to make us aware of this.

[Arabia (DoB)]

The scouting party arrived with his Eminence Mohammed V 44 days after he had left to fast and contemplate in the desert.


Upon his return he immediately summoned Abdullah and ordered him to arrange a final meeting with Grand Ayatolah Kulayni. He also instructed Abdullah to send diplomats to Greece, Persia, and Byzantium requesting their attendence in Mecca for a divine announcement concerning the holy land.


After agreeing to terms with Grand Ayatollah Kulayni, both men made plans, gathered their respective parties and began the trek back to Mecca.

[Arabia (DoB)]

Diplomats from Arabia have delivered the following messages:

To Greece, Byzantium, and Persia. Arabia requests your presence at the Kaaba in the Grand Mosque al Masjid al Haram in Mecca for a formal announcement.


To the Nether's, Arabia welcomes you with open arms. Please come to Mecca, your attendance greatly honours us.


To the Czar of Russia, your brother Konstantin will be received with the highest honours reserved for our most beloved Ummah.

[Japan (DoB)]

Years pass by in the villages and cities of Japan, with a change unheard of before. People grow old in no time at all, and grey hair has become a sign of death to many. No more Spirit Guides exist, and the few who attempt to work the fire-magic are shunned, and often die alone with flame-scars upon their bodies.

Into this void of belief comes a surge of Christianity in the cities. The old stories are still told, and many remain in the libraries; about the Chasers and their meeting with the Christian Portoguese, the friendliest of tribes. Then there are those who follow the riddletalk of Tao, but they number more among the reclusive mountain villages, far from the sea. To ease the pain of the people, Christianity is proclaimed the new faith of Japan.

From France no word is heard for many years, even the proclamation of another Christian nation goes by unanswered. Whispers come and go, that the enourmous attack with its unprecedented death-toll was of such magnitude that the French were worn out, unable to communicate with the outside world. This is denied by the few traders with connections there.

With some difficulty the tribe regains its balance, and people speak of their leader Aiko, who remain at Emperor Qin's side, the last of the Long-Lived in the East.

[Greece (DoB)]

Greek diplomats will depart immediately for Mecca, we are eager to learn what the Arabs have to say to us.

[Greece (DoB)]

On a different note, we have halted our intel gathering towards Spain. This is to show that we are friendly and unlike Spain who started its intel gathering against us at the first place we see nothing fruitful from all of this and our future as neighbors. We expect Spain to respond with halting its intel towards us as well.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

To mark the gravity of this occasion, from the Kingdom of Netherlands, King Christiaan himself has decided to attend the ceremonies in Mecca as a sign of deep respect for the Arabian people, the Islamic faith, and his Eminence Mohammed V.

Her Majesty, Queen Kirsten remains in the Netherlands with the ailing Queen Mother, Duchess of the Nether, bearer of the blessed twins, wife of the first King, Christofoor.

Address all your communications to the Queen until the King returns from Mecca.

[Spain (DoB)]

"We might argue who started this mild distrust between Greece and Catalunya..

but let us sign open borders and be friends.."

[Spain (DoB)]

My bureaucrats inform me that the Dutch library of Messages does have an enormous back log.
Guards at the door refuse to accept new messages as "they are getting swamped with paper".

My scientists have some suggestions to resolve this problem:

http://www.wikihow.com/Dispose-of-Paper

By composting, it may even help the dutch agricultural sector..






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