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

[England (DoB)]

Does the Nether King take no action when Byzantine ships declare war on his people to escape English warships and return to the safety of French waters?

[France (DoB)]

King Louis XXVII the Arbiter is dead. Long live King Louis XXVIII.

King Louis XXVII's reign was extremely eventful with the successful repulsion of two more invasions by the japanese and the english but he was mainly known throughout France for arbitrating the religious feuds between the increasingly militant faiths. Under King Louis XXVII's edict the religious feuds subsided however the various faiths became much more organized.

The japanese war was predominantly espionage related and to counter the japanese espionage offensive, France was able to procure the services of a legendary Roman Great Spy who reorganized France's counter-espionage efforts and made them much more scalable. While France's new Byzantine allies were able to beard the english lioness in her own den, by destroying some of the english fishing fleets and escaping back to French territory despite england's overwhelming military advantage.

The Price Tag attacks showed the english that no longer would they be able to attack France without paying a price similar to the damages which they inflict upon France. With the Byzantine's heroic success, the Islamic religion spread to France where many began to call for a jihad against the warmongering english.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

King Christofoor sighed a heavy sigh. The birth of his royal twins gave him no comfort. He received reports that there was assasination attempt on Greita but there were some saying that the attack was a success and others saying it was a failure. It was impossible to know without seeing her dead body. What is worse, there is no word on what happened to Greita's daughter Giselle, nor any sign of what happened to Johannes. At least Greita's husband had died at sea and was no threat to him. Better still, with no sign of Greita, Ocean Faction has surrendered and accepted him as King. But still, this business of the missing child. Many important Nethermen were asking question about the assasination and Christofoor keeps telling them he does not know who did it or why.

But if it is true he is glad to be rid of Greita. This makes one less problem on his head. Still there are so many problems to face. "The crown of a King is heavy" he thought to himself. Christofoor writes letters to answer France, England, Rome, Greece and Byzantium about the many statments made about his country, his Kingdom.

To France:

King Louis,

I apologize for not sooner answering your public statements, but as you must know, I had a revolution and civil war to fight in my country. My friendship with France has caused much upheaval in my Kingdom. I Christofoor am now King of all Nether. The Three Factions are abolished and unified to one Nether Kingdom under my rule. It was my wish that this new era would see France and Nether as sister Kingdoms and friends.

As you also know I am the leader of the Rational Thinkers movement in Nether Kingdom, that was founded by my mentor, the Great Scientist Johannes. I have applied the teachings of Johannes Rational Thought to your many statements and to our treaty and reached this conclusion.

The treaty do not require the Kingdom of Nether to close borders with England once France makes peace with England. It is irrational for me to close Border with England, a long time friend who we have trade and peaceful relations with when I am not required to do this. That is why I did not close borders as you ordered Nether to do. I have looked again at the treaty and thought that there is room to say that I must close borders with each new time England declares war to France, but you have again made peace with England so I don't have to close borders with them.

It is not rational for me to anger England when they have Triremes that can sink my fishing boats while you offer no assistance and have not enough strength to defend my shores from their wrath. England even have said they would sink my fishing ships if I were to anger them. It is not rational for me to face this with no protection from France, especially when the treaty does not even require me to do this while you are at peace with England.

Closing border with England would cut off Ice Island from the rest of my Kingdom. I must send my ships through England waters to send supplies and men to Ice Island. It is not rational for me to cut off one of my only 3 cities by closing border with England, even more so when the treaty does not even require me to.

So based upon all these rational thoughts I decided that we would follow the words of the treaty, and give you all the terms you asked for, but we would also keep borders open because the clear words of the treaty allowed us to do so if you made peace with England.

So now, I am saddened by you throwing away the friendship that we work so hard to forge and violating the honorable agreement between our countries. I wish and pray to our Christian god that you would accept us a friends and equal partners. I sent to you the slave that you requested and I trust that they are working well for you. I thought that this would cement our friendship and pave the way to being true allies. Then with no warning or reason, you broke your word and violated our treaty by suddenly closing your border with us. Now my poor sailors are trapped in the south European seas with no way to get home to their wife and familys. My heart weeps for them but they have no choice but to languish at sea, cut off by your most dishonorable breaking of your word and our treaty.

I can say only that now that you have broken our treaty and broken your word to us, even though we have wronged you in no way at all, that we are still willing to pursue friendly relation with our cousins the French. If you wish this too, propose a new agreement, now that the old one is broken and tosed aside. May that way hopefully we can begin the talks to repair our friendship. At this time, it seems that our agreement has been broken by you and so we are lost as to how you wish to move forward with our Kingdom of Nether.

King Christofoor of the Kingdom of Nether

To England:

Queen Elizabeth,

We were as suprised as you that Byzantines sailed across our waters to make war on England. We do not condone nor approve such tactics. In the past when Byzantines agreed to Open Borders they insist that we not enter their lands, so we righfully assume that when they finally offered Open Borders to us it that they would honor the agreement we had not to enter territory of each other. We thought it was because they finally wanted friendship and that that they were embracing us as mutual friends of France. We never suspected it was a trick to violate the agreement not to cross territory and to attack England. If we had known this we would have told them not to use our country to attack England.

As for your words of "we don't do anything about it", What would you have us do? We have almost no Army or Navy in our lands, all of our forces are on peaceful exploring missions or away assisting allies. The Kingdom of Nether is small and peaceful, not a powerful tribe of war. Even now the powerful Byzantine ship sits at the Border waiting to attack our fishing fleets should we anger them. We are defenseless against this threat, they have already threatened to make war on us and of course this will mean that they sink our fishing fleets. We have told them we do not like what they did, using us and using our lands to attack England. This is all we can do.

King Christofoor of the Kingdom of Nether

To Rome:

Imperatrix Minerva,

We are saddend that it seems that once again you have tricked us and betrayed us. But the Nether people are forgiving and long-suffering. We seek friends and peace above all so we are willing to hear your side of the story. All we wish to know is why so many of our messengers sent to you were never heard from again, and so many of our requests to you ignored. Please send your response with our latest messenger to you. He will be sure to make sure it reaches my ears.

King Christofoor of the Kingdom of Nether

To Greece:

Leaders of Greece,

We have sent numerous messengers to your country and no one have returned alive. Have they been imprisoned? Please tell us what we have done to deserve our messages to be ignored and ignored. We have just sent another brave messenger to you. Please send him back to us with news and your response. If this messenger is ignored or imprisoned, we do not know how long it will be for us to convince another man to go on suicide mission to Greece.

King Christofoor of the Kingdom of Nether

To Byzantium:

Emperor Justinian,

We are shocked and appalled that you have broken our agreement not to use Open Borders to cross each other territory. We can not believe that after complaining that ancient Nether bullied you to give open borders you would use the same tactic you accuse us of using, putting your Warship right near to our defensless fishing boats then asking us if we are ready for a "real war" if we dont accept your peace treaty, which obviously means you intend to sink our defensless fishermen boats.

It was wrong for you to use my Kingdom waters to attack England without our permission. It was wrong to enter our waters without permission. We do not like to be bullied and used and abused, but my people are kind and forgiving, always seeking to mend wounds and make friends and smooth over misunderstandings. We have offered to you a long term treaty of Peace and open border to start negotiations of lasting peace and friendship between us. We seek to make this peace agreement part of a larger treaty between us. Please send a messenger to us to say whether these two terms can be included in a new treaty between Byzantium and the Kingdom of Nether.

King Christofoor of the Kingdom of Nether

Christofoor put his writing feather down. "Now there is only waiting" he thought

[Russia (DoB)]

Simon the Lover is dead. He lived a long, full life and died in bed doing what he loved best.

His reign as Czar was erratic and filled with contradictions. He created a training regime for all his soldiers where no orders were to be followed, unless it began with "Simon says". This happened after a planned attack on a barbarian fortified city was cast aside by drunken Captains, ordering every man to attack at once with no organization. The result was a massacre. Of every five men who went to war, only one returned. If not for the aid of the English axemen and their auxiliary chariots it would have been a total loss.

Children were taught this game and it has become the most common game in Russia, alongside another game called "Guess the Czar's Secret" adapted from children of passing Nether traders who made fun of the French King.



Leonid Simonovich is the new leader.



One of Simon's many children, he has made a name of himself among the russian countryside for being a man of his word and a strong believer. He follows the word of Allah and has been seen with many visitors from Islamic lands. To what end Czar Leonid will take the people of Russia remains to be seen.

He has this decree written to all nations:

I am Leonid Simonovich, Czar of Russia.

I welcome all people of all tribes to visit Russia, and see for themselves how we grow our fields and tend to our own. After the faithful priests came to us we have become a better people. For it is written; “Among the most beloved of people to Allah is the one who is most helpful.” I see this as a rule that applies to all men, be they followers of Islam, Tao, Christianity or Judaism. I hereby invite followers of the Judaic Faith to us, to speak your mind among our people and let us know you better.

Any man who ask for help, I will help. For I treat all men fairly whatever their belief. Whatever has happened before, I say let it be stricken for ever from the hearts of our children. For it is written; “Follow up a bad deed with a good deed, to waive it out.” In the past, Simon has kept our borders shut to the German tribe. For no other reason than their continued silence. I have opened these borders in his name. Our neighbours to the south and east, the Byzantines and Ottomans, have had experience in war, as has England, Nether, France, Rome and Japan.

To all of you I say in my own name; "Do not judge between people when you are angry." These things I have learned from the teachings of Allah and my visit to the library in the Kingdom of Nether. It is my wish to visit the Academies of Heisenberg and Aryabhata and learn more of the world, and one day send promising young men there to learn the art of Science.

For your people, safety.
For your family, prosperity.
For you, happiness.

Signed, Leonid Simonovich, Czar of Russia.

[England (DoB)]

Czar Leonid Simonovich - You would be a most welcome and honored guest at the Heisenberg Academy. English ships are now well positioned to counter Byzantine raiders so your party should have nothing to fear so long as you hug the Nordic coast as you sail out of the Baltic Sea.

[Celtia (DoB)]

Brennus looks up at the messenger after reading the letter. "Wait outside for a moment." he says to him, and motions for a servant to take away the other correspondence. After thinking it over, he writes thus:

Czar Leonid Simonovich.

Know that our Academy has a multitude of students and scientists from many nations. We have been gifted with visitors from Norse, English, Porto, Nether, Rome, Germany, Spain, and even Japan. In this place you may find your thoughts challenged and your mind opened. Some leave after one season, some have stayed since the Academy was first formed and bring their children here to be taught.

You are welcome to the halls of the esteemed Aryabhata Academy whenever you wish.

-Brennus, Leader of Celtia.

After the messenger departs, he walks outside. With the sun shining upon his face he closes his eyes and listens to the wind, blowing through the leaves of trees planted outside the Academy. Exhaling slowly, he takes a deep breath of fresh air and again exhale slowly. Feeling rejuvenated, he returns inside to continue the management of Celtia's Academy.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

Johannes is presume dead as he has vanished with no trace from Greitas prison. Some think the shadowy men who killed Greita also killed Johannes to solidify Christofoors power. Other say they were foreign assasins sent to start a revolution and draw the Nether people closer to being a servant of France. Some even say these men were rougues loyal to no one, who wished to stop the Rational Thinkers movement in its track and begin a new movement in the land. The last and most outrageous rumor is that they killed neither Johannes nor Greita because Johannes had made Greita his new pupil and that the assasinations are a cover up for Greita and Johannes to escape and plot the downfall of Christofoor and to take over the Kingdom.


Whatever the truth we may never know, but one even more disturbing rumor is at the surface. After the presume death of Johannes, the Rational Thinkers movement comes to an end. Christofoor announces that with his installation as King that the goal of the movement is achieve at last and there is no need for the Rational Thinkers as his thoughts are the pinnacle of rational thinking.

On this news many of the former Rational Thinkers are rumored to form a new movement called the Sons of Johannes. This leads even to more scandals about who they are and who really leads them and what they want. No one knows for sure what they want but it is suspected they do not care for the King. Unfortunately they are elusive and impossible to track down for questioning.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

Czar Leonid Simonovich is always welcome to the famous and ancient Nether libraries, the first and oldest of its kind. You have visited the Library in Fire Mountain, but you have yet to visit the ones in River Village or Ice Island. The Ice Island library is a special treat with numerous writing on the differences between snoflakes and books on catching Deer and cooking the delicious Venison. All are open to you to visit whenever you desire.

-King Christofoor

[Russia (DoB)]

Leonid is happy after the quick response to his request. Reading through the replies and musing on the best way to travel there. Many galleys have been visiting Baltia, but none of them have shared how to best build one. "It would be better if I ask one of them to escort me." he thought to himself. So he made a small request to the three nations of England, Celtia and Nether. Asking leave to travel on board one of their ships.

After doing this, he traveled to Simonsburg to witness the poor living conditions there. With no farms and few hunters, they barely managed to feed themselves, relying more on the weekly trade caravans to bring wheat and game from the wilderness around Volga. He immidiately ordered the formation of a worker team to build farmsteads and train the local folk to become better hunters. Simon had been of a grand mind when he had this place settled, but the eyes of his father ever lingered on the soft flesh around him, and not towards the fields and the forests surrounding Simonsburg.

Leonid made a vow to himself that he would teach his people to become more than farmers, more than hunters. To do this he would need to improve their thoughts, and for that only one thing would serve. A Russian Library. On the way to Kirienko, he had plans drafted to build the first library on Russian soil. It would be a grand sight.

[Japan (DoB)]

In Stone Hill the children have gathered on the hills outside the city to witness the procession of a foreign army. Rank upon rank of disciplined spearmen marching behind chariots with axemen following behind them.



Some of the children make a impromptu parade, marching along the hill in imitation of the warriors below. The dust settles as they walk past, the largest army ever seen in the history of Stone Hill. The city leader writes a description and have it sent to the library of Nishikyo for posterity.

Meanwhile Ainu has gathered some of the finest wisemen and taken them to see Aiko in Beijing.
In his place the formidable Katsumi leads the organisation of Japan's newest settlements.

With the addition of more villages growing into cities, and the introduction of rice-paper as a more stable means of writing, paperwork has become a great strain to the effective leadership of Japan. With the education of more men in the libraries of Japan, and thus more writers, a surge of complaints have been recieved by the leader of every city from self-important workleaders and foreign traders. The latter demanding better terms for the goods provided across the difficult terrain, from where the bulk of civilized nations are situated. Since these have included rare medical herbs to help with Aiko's recovery, some have asked for favours of a grand and obscene amount from Ainu and Japan.

Katsumi has ordered the cities to train more workers to help with the restructure and improvement of new villages. The first order to construct Main Land roads, securing faster travel between villages and a relief from some of the more annoying tradesmen. He had a plan laid out for a better road, and sent copies of these to the outlying villages to follow.



Meanwhile in France, Takanami is troubled by the great increase of friends vanishing. The laughter and merriment of the citizens of Paris seem forced after the gates were ordered locked by order of the King's new advisor from Greece. More disappearing traders and families taken up to the Palace, never to be heard from again. As he sits in a cellar beneath his last friend in Paris, Takanami thinks about commiting Harakiri, the noble death. But he decides to await an opportunity to flee the city. Clenching his fists in anger, he wonders how Ushiwakamaru is doing, and how he best would punish his insubordinate second-in-command.

[Arabia (DoB)]

Mecca rejoice!

Word has come from Medina that the year long siege has finally come to an end as his Eminence Mohammed V and Grand Ayatollah Kulayni have come to terms.

The refugees return to their homes in Medina and the nation prepares for celebrations and the formal announcement of terms by his Eminence Mohammed V to be held at the Kaaba in the Grand Mosque al Masjid al Haram in Mecca.

All the Arabic peoples are expected to attend the momentous occasion which will finally usher in a new era in which the Arabic people are united under one ruler.




The military makes its way back to Mecca from Damascus by ship in order to attend on time and also to help make preparations for the celebration and formal announcement of the terms.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

I congradulate his Eminence Mohammed V for his agreement with Grand Ayatollah Kulayni. Although I am not Arabic nor a follower of the Islamic faith, I would like to send emmisaries from the Kingdom of Nether to witness the celebration and formal announcement of the terms at the Kaaba in the Grand Mosque al Masjid al Haram in Mecca. Please inform us whether Arabia will Open its border to our people so that we may attend this momentous occasion.

-Christofoor, King of Nether

[Russia (DoB)]

The Czar has this message sent after news of the uplifted siege reaches Russia:

Your Eminence Mohammed V.

I congratulate you on this momentous occasion and wish you a long and good life as leader of Arabia. You are most welcome to visit Russia and see for yourself the astute and dedicated followers in my ever-during tribe. I am sending my brother Konstantin to witness the celebration as I am unfortunately on a far journey of my own at this time. I do however wish to visit your magnificent nation and see with my own eyes the cradle of Islam.

Your brother in faith,
Czar Leonid Simonovich

[Arabia (DoB)]

....meanwhile... not so long ago....

Mohammed had come to a crossroad. He had lost his appetite to forge ahead with this conflict which only made his people in Medina suffer. Kulayni was a proud man who showed no sign of backing down and it became clear to Mohammed that this siege was going to end bitterly. Meanwhile food in Medina was surely scarce, and over half the population of the city had fled to the desert refugee camps that had been set up to feed and shelter them.


After weeks of contemplation Mohammed decided that if the people of Medina could not eat, then neither should he. If the people of Medina could not live in peace and comfort then neither should he.


The following day Mohammed left on camel back to fast in the desert in solitude and contemplation.

[Arabia (DoB)]

....and.... sooner still...

Scouting parties had been set up by Abdullah after his Eminence had left the encampment alone without telling anyone. A single solitary note was left for Abdullah to find which read: "Abdullah, my greatest friend, I have left to wander in the desert in order to commiserate in the suffering that I inflict on the citizens of Medina. I must reflect on my actions and implore Allah to bring me divine wisdom on my future actions. Allah Akbar!"


It had been 40 days since he was last seen and Abdullah was very concerned. Watches and scouting parties in search of his Eminence have been turning up empty, but this morning Abdullah was startled awake from one of the scouting party's young men. A young boy barely a man with four whiskers on his chin shook Abdullah and declared: "Sir, word comes from the scouting party. They have found his Eminence, he is in very poor condition; the scouting party have set-up camp and are nursing him back to health in order to bring him back."


Abdullah was baffled. How could his Eminence be so brash? He left his militia without a word and left them to fend for themselves after almost 11 months of loyalty and hardship while they lay siege to Medina, their beloved kinsfolk. This was the type of action that mutiny is bred from; if not for the mercy showed to the people fleeing the city, if not for adequate food supplies, and certainly if not for his Eminence's holy lineage, this whole endeavour would have been for not.


Abdullah, watched from his open tent as the sun began to set and waited for His Holiness to return.