Domination of Barbarians [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 11 - February 2013]

[Japan (DoB)]

A steady wandering crowd release, far from homeland shores.
They follow worlds that God foretold in stories long ago.
From feathers to fawns to four days journey by sea,
finding peace in the tribe as yet to known and strong be.



One mother small, one son strong and able.
A family that gathers food around the table.
One with eyes, one with skin, both different yet the same within.
They walk with Allah and stay well above sin.

-Fireside poem of the Muslim pilgrimage from Batan, recorded in Osaka library, AD 580, year of the soaring hawk.

[Greece (DoB)]

The Greek ships have finally reached the new lands after many months at sea. It was a new strange and exotic land, still they were not the first explorers to come here. Scouts have reported that there were several Portuguese settlements already been seen along the shores of the new continent. An Greek landing party was dispatched into the interior to explore further, meanwhile a small camp was build on the coast, where supplies can be unloaded.

[Persia (DoB)]

A hooded messenger strides into the Palace and hands the emissary the following message, then leaves without saying a word.

Greetings from the Persian Princess.

I am surprised how few so far have sought my favor. The mighty Qin makes his way to my Summer Palace now, but many still remain silent. Whether this is because the harm caused by Arsaces has been associated with me or because my beauty intimidates people, I have not yet discovered.

Please forgive my absence from the French celebrations. That kind of self-congratulatory celebration just isn't my thing. I wish the best to the new French king as he battles barbarians. This, at least, is an activity worthy of a strong ruler.

A Japanese archer captain has turned up in eastern Persia spreading rumors of the cruelty of the might Qin. He has been telling the tale of how the arrow he loosed at the Qin changed direction in mid-flight and struck an innocent civilian. The Persian people for the most part dismiss his tale and he is usually sent on his way when he tells of the innocent bystander.

I would like to officially announce my support for the rebuilding of the Nacitav in Mecca. I am glad to see that Justinian's folly has been replaced by Leopold's inspired rule. As soon as the holy men of Persia received news of the Nacitav, a steady stream of them have made pilgrimages to Mecca to see the newly rebuilt structure. They have come back telling tales of the glory of Allah and of the graciousness of Leopold. I, myself, will be visiting Mecca to greet the new Grant Ayatollah personally.

France claims to make no mistakes and then seems to make them left and right. First, by excluding the Japanese from a birthday celebration as though Louis were turning 13 instead of 75. Next, they politely point out the convenience (for France) that would be the death of the King and Queen of the Nether Lands. Louis XXXIV may have been a "friend of the world", but if so he was one of those friends who acts out to get attention and who you wish would just go away. I have taken down the words of my predecessor that said, "Death to the French," as I no longer endorse that, but the French have shown me little to make me respect them; offering vague prophecies and congratulating themselves when they are right. I think there is still hope for French-Persian relations as Louis XXXV seems to be more squared away, but Persia is taking a wait-and-see approach.

The English advances in weaponry are very impressive. Persia would like permission to send a few drillmasters to England to observe the capacity of these new weapons.

Aiko, you are an inspiration not only to your own people for bringing peace and beauty and honor to Japan. I hope that we can begin to talk in the future and dissolve the rightful Japanese hatred of Persia.

The mighty Qin has taken me up on my hospitality, but I am waiting for other nations to seek an audience with me at my Summer Palace. There is a beautiful bath on the top floor of the Palace that overlooks the waters and all of the comforts that Persia's Empire can afford. I cannot, myself, travel far abroad at this time due to pressing issues at home.

Me in my Summer Palace.

I welcome any and all private correspondence, so feel free to put pen to parchment when you find the time.

Yours,
Princess Boran

[Japan (DoB)]

Aiko glances at her interpreter. He looks mystified. She re-reads the last part of the message:

"Sorry. This person moved or deleted this image. Photobucket."

Calling for the Christian High Priest of Kyoto, the Imam-in-waiting Abdul-al-Hazred of Batan, the Rabbi of Kawamura and Master Nao-tee-Tao of Stone Hill, she asks them to translate this seemingly readable message.

After many days, none of them are any wiser, least of all Master Nao-tee-Tao. They agree that it has a meaning, but this meaning is far beyond their knowledge. Aware that many tribes are far advanced compared with Japan, Aiko sends the message to Greece, England, Holy Rome, Rome, Spain and Porto. Hoping that one of them knows more about this 'photobucket'.

[Persia (DoB)]

Sounds like a riddle or a prophecy. It is a mystery to me. I shall remove the scribe who thought it wise to copy that gibberish onto a letter. Maybe some cult rhetoric.

[France (DoB)]

Priests await the answer of the Oracle as she sway and moan, torn by mystic powers beyond comprehension.



She speaks in a husky voice:
"truth be told, remembered by young and old,
clouds will hold, faces gathered beyond value of gold."

Priests hurry back to King Louis XXXV with the message, eager to carry the Oracle's favour.

Based on this, a mute messenger is sent to Persia:

Boran,

Have the scribe killed. He knows too much.

-King Louis XXXV.

[Persia (DoB)]

A messenger arrives in the French Court with a sealed letter which he will only give to the King. Louis XXXV opens the letter and reads:

Louis,

The messenger who has just handed you the letter is the scribe that you want killed. Do with him what you want. I care less for the oracular knowledge he might possess and more about the fact that he has sabotaged the clarity of my letters.

Yours,
Princess Boran

[France (DoB)]

"Messenger." Louis says. "Go with my personal guard down to the dungeons beneath the Palace. When you arrive, you are to undress and bathe in scented waters with some rather beautiful women. Beware, you are not allowed to touch them, but they can -and will- touch you. You are to be made presentable to a house guest of mine. After you have been made completely clean, other servants will dress you up in fine livery and take you to a room with flowers, scented candles and a fireplace. There you will meet with Qin and offer him your services." The messenger left with the guardsman with a smile on his face..







..and nothing was ever heard from him again.

[France (DoB)]

A messenger of fine detail and well-made clothing comes bearing a rose-scented letter for the Princess of Persia:

Boran,

Your last action has given me an inkling towards the friendly and justified nature of your upbringing. This is most favourable. My father had his eyes always on something new, and so he completely neglected the messages that you last sent to us. This is most unsatisfactory.

Reviewing your public messages' reflection of this, it is of little thought what has been said. For I am indeed infallible as my father before me. If the world is not as we proclaim it, surely it is the world that is in error. Seeing as you find yourself in an imperfect world, I am more than willing to overlook your efforts -aspired to my greatness as it were- even when they are gross underestimations and by some wordings simply wrong.

Our land is simply grand, and as you yourself invite others to your summer palace, I too invite to mine. I simply choose my friends with care, for some -like the Japanese- are simply too uncouth to ever harbour an inkling of consideration for my court and kin. They call me mad -me?- I should have them look into their bronzed mirror and gaze upon true madness. Ahahahaha.

But I digress.

England has now invested so much in their efforts to gain new land, that any real competition with them is simply borish and dull. So I have elected to grant them some peace, and they are most likely to jump head over tail in their efforts to appease me. I am even inviting their Queen to a bout of swords. She may be old and look young, but I am King Louis! I cannot fail! So I shall vanquish her personally in short order. Of course I will not think of killing her. Simply a few raps around the hindquarters will be a lesson in itself. Some say that she gets all warm and worked up by this, and truthfully had a daughter with a mere stablehand simply because of his knowledge and skill when using disarming moves and ..counterthrusts. These are all noted in the library of Louisiana, some notes from long ago, some from her last visit to England from the new world.

You are welcome to visit my bedchamber, oh what do I write, I mean bathchamber here in my Louisiana Palace whenever you wish.
-King Louis XXXV

[China (DoB)]

Qin didn't exactly sense the arrow ... he saw it a micro second prior to its arrival. His senses were fine tuned. At night he could even hear a silk worm pass its feces in the soil. Every day sounds tormented him. The birds were like alarm bells but with practice he had over 1000's of years perfected the ability of excluding most sounds, otherwise he would go mad.

Today at this time he was using all his powers. He knew the arrow was incoming before even As-See had decided to end this madness. He moved his body a step to his left in that same second as it flew past. It struck the woman standing behind him and a cry went up from the crowd. At the same time Qin took the head off of As-See. He had in the same micro second realized with anger, that the bounds of earth no longer held him. He could just will himself to be where he had to be and was there. So he found himself holding the head of the Japanese archer . He placed the still pumping artery from the brain stem on his lips and sucked out the remaining blood, and then fed on the drizzling grey matter that fell from the base of the skull. The remnants were thrown to the dogs which were already lapping the blood that flowed from the torso.

All this happened in a few seconds and As-See’s brother in law looked on in shock, not realizing what had happened. The crowd too was more focused on the woman who had been shot than the blood that now darkened the soil from the fallen archer. Qin again willed himself to his palace and flew there without the time for a human to see him move and transcend earth. He was no longer human.

[Russia (DoB)]

Yakov Antonovich died in his sleep. His last regret was that he did not know the name of the new Grand Ayatollah.

The Czar is dead.
The Czar is dead.
The Czar is dead.

Czar Stepan Yakovnic is new leader of the Rus Empire.



Long live the Czar!
Long live the Czar!
Long live the Czar!

[Netherlands (DoB)]

Let Netherlands be the first to welcome Czar Stepan Yakovnic to the worlds stage. We hope that the friendship between Rus and Netherlands will remain strong under your reign.

Christiansen, King of Netherlands

[Russia (DoB)]

Czar Stepan writes many letters. First among them a letter to the Nether:

King Christiansen,

Thank you for this warm welcome among the tribal leaders. I will strive to work hard and be just in my actions, as my father before me. My hand of welcome is open and you are invited to visit me in the Moscow Palace at any time.

Signed, your friend,
Czar Stepan Yakovnic of the Rus Empire.

Also to the Alemanni:

Alemanni the 1st Successor,

I am glad to hear your words of welcome, and I look forward to keeping good relations to our Taoist neighbours. Your efforts around Konstantinople are a testament to the power of your workforce, rebuilding that which was lost to the fires of old. There is an Imam visiting your city if your people should be interested in hearing the good words of Allah.

Your friend and neighbour,
Czar Stepan Yakovnic of the Rus Empire.

To Ottoman the following message is sent:

Great Chieftan of the Ottomans,

I look forward to good relations with you my neighbour. My father spoke of you as a friend but has heard little from you of late. I hope all is well on the eastern front? I would like to visit you sometime should the circumstances allow it. Please let me know if this is of interest to you.

Signed, your friend and neighbour,
Czar Stepan Yakovnic of the Rus Empire.

Going over the many scriveners that worked for his father, he find that many have been delayed, and some have been awaiting final confirmation from his father, who in his last years did not always bring a full faculty with him wherever he went.

A message is sent to Byzantium:

Emperor Leopold I of Byzantine Empire,

In response to the gathering of holy men of Islam in the Nacitav, and the election of a Grand Ayatollah, Rus Empire has sent three men of the cloth to Mecca. Unfortunately, my father was ill during the last parts of his reign, and had his attention on important civic matters and so in his dotage he did not send this official message before his death.

Know then, that Ayatollah Abdul Abdul of Volga, Ayatollah Abdul-al-Halal of Volgaria and Ayatollah Mahmoud Awtaf of Moscow are already in the city of Mecca, awaiting the time of the gathering.

I pray forgiveness for my father and his delay, and hope this message finds you in good health and good spirits.

Signed,
Czar Stepan Yakovnic of the Rus Empire.

To the Persians:

Princess Boran of Persia,

My father was brought up to distrust the Persians by his maternal grandfather, and he held this view long after your ascendance to leadership over your tribe. To this day, he held that I should not trust you and so I did. Not opening the borders or commencing trade relations with you.

After numerous messages between myself and Emperor Leopold of Byzantium however, I have come to change my opinion on this matter. Following with this letter is an invitation to sign an Agreement of Open Borders between our tribes. You will find my signature already present. If you choose to sign this and return it, our borders may open and your people will be welcome to trade among mine.

Your invitation to visit the summer palace is taken into consideration. I have many affairs to uphold and I believe you have the greatest of understanding of this since you yourself have not left your Palace since your reign began.

May this find you in the best of health and in good spirits.

Signed,
Czar Stepan Yakovnic of the Rus Empire.

[France (DoB)]

Messenger carrying a sword of fine make delivers a message to the Czar of Rus:

Czar Stepan,

Do not forget your trade agreements, nor your debts created by previous Czars.

Oh, and have fun as leader. I do. All the time.

-King Louis XXXV

[Rome (DoB)]

A messenger from Rome arrives in the Byzantine court:

Emperor Leopold,

We will be pleased to send our very own spiritual advisor, Ayatollah Trebonius of Rome, to the holy city. He will be joined by his personal retinue and several Imams who look forward to the opportunity to travel to the holy city, to fulfill their Hajj.

We look forward to the continued cooperation between our people, and we salute the wisdom of establishing the Nacitav as a non-political center for all of Islam to gather peacefully.

Imperator Augustus of Rome