Domination of Barbarians [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 12 - March 2013]

[France (DoB)]

After a time, even the King notices that messages from other nations are lessened of late. In a fit of pique, he goes to the basement where his network of little spiders come together in the dark, sifting through notices and public messages dealt between traders, leaders of nations, and even low peasants. Rumour and story, soft words and loud proclamations, all make their part in this room of constant whispering between agents known and hidden. The King's Hand step inside the room ahead of the King, taking up positions to deal with anything and anyone who would dare interfere with or -God forbid- harm their King. One man, oblivious of the new presence is close to backing into the King with both arms holding many scrolls and letters. The nearest King's Finger tackles him, keeping the deadly weapon a hair's width from the man's neck as he lays flat on the ground, confused.



"Oh ease up, Arpin. Let the man stand." with a room now completely hushed, the man stands. "Now Arpin, take his head." and the man is beheaded in a quick move before anyone can react. His neck sprouting lifeblood in a fountain that stains both ceiling and an untold number of letters now spread out on the floor. The King laughs, his mood suddenly lighter and better, and he leaves the room with his guards. The reason for his venture completely forgotten.

[Japan (DoB)]

We have broken no NAP agreements, we have destroyed no Greeks, we have attacked no villages, we have killed no one, we have broken no promises.

Why do you publicly seek to shame us?

King Christiansen of Nether,

If there is no attack, there is no honor lost or gained. The answer removes the reason for a question. As there was no question, no answer is needed. Without action, there can be no shame, and thereby no insult. If there is shame, what action caused this to manifest? If you feel that you have been shamed, then you contradict yourself by stating that no action took place. Please, enlighten me on this, as I do wish to view you as you wish to be viewed.

If the silence of Nether -and removal of Nether units meant to protect Japan- did not increase the need for Japan to train defenders and kill barbarians raiders, the agreement would indeed have been delivered upon long ago. After the barbarian attack on the first fleet, Nether troops vanished without a word. Heavily influencing the decisionmaking of who to train and what to build. If Nether is exasperated about the keeping of promises, it is wise to remember that even with agreements to uphold, there is nothing to gain by destroying one's self to avail another. I remember the agreement, and will keep to it. Do you wish to know exact deliverance of promises?

Empress Aiko of Japan.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

Empress Aiko of Japan,

You say that "even with agreements to uphold, there is nothing to gain by destroying one's self to avail another." So you will understand that the armies of Netherlands were called home to protect the homelands from the threats of France, Byzantines, Holy Rome and England. Our people were being bullied from all sides and our cities were in disorder.

So you can see, once Japan failed to deliver the promised colony and informed us that it would be difficult to say when the promise could be fulfilled, it was decided, as you say so eloquently, "there is nothing to gain by destroying one's self to avail another" however we continued to support Japan by units to assist you even as our main forces left your lands.

We need no exact delivery date and welcome a private messenger to discuss the matter further. We trust the word of Aiko and the honor of Japan. We only raised this question as a response to the public insult to our honor. As for your riddles, I must admit, I can not decipher them. Netherlands actions have already been stated clearly and Greece's lies have been laid bare for all to see. If you wish me to list the insults of your public statement I will do so.

It comes to me that you have attacked innocent greeks in their colony. Why have you done so?

This statement is an insult, because it assumes that the lies of Greece are true. You do not ask if our soldiers attacked or captured a Greek colony, you only ask "why?" taking for granted that we did what they accuse.

Do I need to post guards at my borders when your men come to trade and travel through my lands?

This is an insult as we have never threatened Japan. We have fought and died alongside Japan. Your implications in this statement are an insult to us. The whole accusatory tone of the statement was insulting and hurtful to hear from one who we consider our country's oldest friends. Aiko, is one of the most common names little girls are given in Netherlands, as a testament to our long-standing friendship.

The most disturbing part of your public statement is that it takes sides against us without so much as a word to us in advance. Other friends contacted us privately to inquire about the lies of Greece and Rome first to hear the truth from us, without taking their side so publicly against us. This was the greatest insult of all.

I hope that my feelings on this matter are clearer to you now. I remain a loyal and true friend of Japan. Even friends have their disagreements .

King Christiansen of Nether

[Rome (DoB)]

Messengers from Rome is sent out to all the nations of the world with the following proclamation:

Fellow rulers,

I offer these most holy words from the eleventh verse of the forty ninth sura in the holy Qur'an: "O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule another people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule other women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by offensive nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after one's faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers."

Rome has no reason to apologize to the Nether. There is no reason to apologize for speaking words of truth. My historians tell me that ages ago one of the historic three factions of the Nether approache Rome, begging for the services of the Great Spy of Rome to be used as a weapon of aggression towards France. The Great Spy was promised to the Nether faction, without any offer of recompensation for his services from the Nether. Minerva realized that Rome was facing extinction, and that she needed some way of saving our people. She ended the millenia old conflict with France, and offered to trade away the Great Spy for access to lands far away from the conflicts of old. Greece generously offered to helped Rome settle in Africa as payment for the Great Spy. The Great Spy was traded to the French by the Greeks, as was the right of the Greeks, and the Nethers possibly thought the French acquisition of the Great Spy was the plan of Rome all along, even now holding me personally responsible for it. Minerva acknowledged the dishonour Rome suffered at the time by breaking a deal, and offered a public apology to the Nethers for her decisions which was only met by constant reminders of her dishonour.

The leader of Netherlands also avoids telling that Rome have helped them several times after what happened, even jeopardizing our alliance with France when we ferried Sons of Johannes secretly through Roman lands to be given to the Catalunians. The leader of the Netherlands is using a simple trick: "If you do something bad, do whatever you can to divert people's attention away from your actions in the hope that others will instead look at what you show them, rather than what you have done." It is of course important for the leader of Netherlands to divert the focus from himself so that you do not stop and consider his aggressive actions. I trust in your abilities to see through his attempts at making this concern actions that happened centuries ago, forgotten by most people, and that you will hold him responsible for the actions he has done now in the present.

I ask you to consider taking a public stand against the acts of Netherlands, who have attacked and captured the Greek colony, and who is now demanding apologies from those who dare speak up against his aggression. If the leader of the Netherlands truly has honour and integrity, as the leaders of the Nether tribes used to have, it is important that he is made aware by both his friends and his foes that his acts are dishonourable. Perhaps he is confused at the moment, and cannot see clearly what he has done, but then the only way he can be made to understand it is if we all tell him. Please, send him a message and let him know that he should do the honourable thing and return the control of the Greek colony to it's rightful owner, and then ask him to negotiate honourably and in good faith with Greece to get lands that the Germans can settle.

Augustus of Rome

[Greece (DoB)]

To the king of HRE,

Please do explain your massive troop movement through our lands? We did ask you last turn as well, but got no reply. If your troops are planning a hostile action against our friends the Byzantines we advice you to turn immediately back. We can not allow our lands to be used for aggression towards friends. Please do respond, i will close borders before this turn ends if we do not receive an reply again.

Thank you,

Citizens

[Japan (DoB)]

As for your riddles, I must admit, I can not decipher them. Netherlands actions have already been stated clearly and Greece's lies have been laid bare for all to see.

King Christiansen of Nether Kingdom,

Your wisdom in decisionmaking is a lesson to all,
your friendliness a marvel to behold,
your insight - an inspiration.

Your feelings are made plain,
your actions the very embodiment of truth.
Yes, friends have disagreements. Let none remain.

With all these attributes at your disposal, will you prove them to us all by returning the colony that was not attacked, to it's rightful owner?

Empress Aiko of Japan.

[Russia (DoB)]

After long deliberation and reading a large number of letters and reports, Stepan is moved to write a letter from his Grand Czar Palace in Moscow. This letter is sent to every tribal leader by devout Islamic messengers:

Augustus, your words of the Qur'an bring warmth to my bones and rings like the childhood bells of the old temple in my mind.

As a muslim, I know our words differ from that of the Christian faith, but I believe the sentiment, the empathy, the feeling of the words ring true as an internal excitement in all men.

King Christiansen, longtime friend of Rus Empire. I see you speak with strong feeling against the actions of others. May I humbly ask you to relent upon these descriptions, and rise above them, coming closer to your God in so doing? Perhaps this, if nothing else, will help ease the tensions between you and the other leaders, bringing with it a solution from wisdom and meditation? I also humbly ask that other leaders refrain from using harsh descriptions of Nether in their letters to eachother.

Signed,
Czar Stepan Yakovnic of the Rus Empire.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

Christiansen, King of Netherlands issues a proclamation

Today the wise Greeks have acknowledged and accepted our negotiation terms regarding the settlement of New Athens. The city will be willingly given to the Alemanians in exchange for a settler. Now that this matter has been resolved, we would greatly appreciate an acknowledgement from the nations that have questioned the legitimacy of our efforts, Japan, and Rome.

[Russia (DoB)]

To every tribal leader, from Czar Stepan Yakovnic of the Rus Empire:

Praised be Allah, for following his words is the path to enlightenment and peace between all men and women.

[England (DoB)]

The reports were mixed and contradictory, and Elizabeth knew not what to make of them. Nether had declared war on Greece and occupied a city, yet no lives were reported lost and Nether forcefully states no attack was ever made. How could such a thing be possible? It seems however the two have now come to some agreement, though bitterness and suspicious undoubtedly remain. Upon consideration Elizabeth drafted the following letter to fellow leaders.

War in the New World between the world’s civilized tribes must not be tolerated. We face a common enemy, the barbarian horde. We condemn any acts of war in the New World and implore all look towards our common enemy that grows stronger every day. Even now the barbarians and building cities and sending vast armies of axemen in an effort to drive us from these lands – we must fight as one and not turn on each other.

[France (DoB)]

Heard in the court of King Louis XXXV:

"Ahahahahahahaha! Send Nether a Sword of Gold as thanks for lighting the mood and making Rome say so many silly things."



"Now, let's see, You! Over there in the white and blue robes! Continue your tale, you were saying something about HRE?"

[Greece (DoB)]

News have arrived that the HRE armies have turned back and now are marching back north towards their lands.

[France (DoB)]

Year 700 AD - Scientific advancement

King Louis XXXV, bored with the back and forth motions of the hopeless HRE military across Greek and Byzantine borders, decide to investigate the current talk among the idea tasters of other tribes. This is the report he recieved:

O Great and noble Majesty, King Louis XXXV of the Kingdom of Louis, here is a list of advances most talked about among the tribes, this list is procured by the intensity of talks in the community and between the tribes, which I shall read to you now, with commentary as needed.

• Nether - Discussing the idea of something called feudalism, but very few have any notion of why they should implement it, not to mention how making it a solid fundamental principle will improve their Kingdom.
• Germany - They appear interested in the concept of Iron Working, but lacking the proper expertise, their progress is slow. Besides, their leader appears more interested in drinking wine and lounging in his Palace of Berlin.
• Persia - Following some rumoured visits by Greek and Holy Roman dignitaries, Boran appears most interested in how a set of rules -or Code of Laws- should govern the People instead of their King, Queen or Princess. A recipe of her own undoing, if I may be so bold your Majesty.
• Arabia - Their increased interest in the trade of Iron suggest that Iron Working is what they are hoping to succeed in taming for themselves. Swordsmen being as effective as they are, I believe they work towards a better weapon than the axe, club, arrow or spear against barbarians.
• Byzantium & England - A most perceptive discussion has taken place in the Heisenberg Academy of late, foreign and domestic students going toe-to-toe, debating the study of Religion and the foundation of Theology. The study of God, Majesty? Most disturbing.
• China - They appear to have some influence by their leader's absence. Suddenly they want to sail on the sea. There are some strange tales about their leader, Qin. Maybe he has given them reason to set sail?
• Rome & Japan - Theirs is a focus on the truth of Religion, that there is One deity - one God - and that Monotheism is a higher truth than Polytheism. We already know this, Majesty, and they will know too.
• Ottoman - This is a tablet of their most recent attempt to establish the art of writing. They are slow, but God will hopefully grant them a miracle of clarity in mind and script, we can but pray for their success.
• Greece - Now this is strange, they have established an idea of permanent agreements among the farmers and indentured servants. These common men to recieve basic training and a supply of arms in every city barracks, to be prepared for any surprise attack in case their garrison is away on campaign. This Civil Service is a frightening idea. Commoners, armed with weapons? Your Majesty, I am glad we do not entertain this fancy.
• Russia - With their apparent devotion to the Muslim heritage, it is strange to see them talk among themselves about how many gods there are. Polytheism is their brightest interest, but it may disappoint them when they conclude as we have - there is only One God.
• Celtia & Portugal - Recently, traders have been strung up in King's Harbour for trying to buy wares with Celtic pieces of finely hammered metal. These 'coins' are supposed to maintain a value no matter what they buy. Portugal has expressed a studied interest in this, and the English have already made this 'Currency' an item of trade in itself. The coins are made with the image of their leader, expressing a guarantee for their value. I suggest we look upon this as an opportunity, Majesty.
• Spain - There is a man there talking of what life is all about. The meaning of life, the world, everything. Sounds like a mad man, but people listen to him. He swears it is no religion, no faith involved. Only Philosophical thought. He thinks that he is, or something. Not valuable Majesty, take my word for it.
• Vikings - Would you believe they only now attempt to grow Agricultural crops and build farms? It seems the new world does not contain as much fish as the north sea where they come from.
• Holy Rome - Close to a breakthrough in the study of Metal Casting! A challenge between the cities of Prague and Aachen has increased their capacity and speed of research. Their men have been seen among our smelters very often. Now, they are suddenly close to perfecting it? I do not accuse them of spying on our efforts, but this is quite a coincidence, Majesty. Yes, coincidence. Must be that,

Louis called for a session with General Pierre and his lieutenants after the report was delivered.

~**********~

Later that day, from among the buildings left by the Roman exodus from the Wall of Louis, King Louis XXXV recieves several letters apparently forgotten by their previous tenants. These letters are partially burned, and only some of them made sense:

Honoured King Louis,

My Ambassador tells me that while he was waiting in the halls to receive your offer, he overheard some disturbing.. (badly burned) ..matched by any other nation. (smeared words) ..much glory to my reign and name. (stained, burned) ..a good life in France. Now, do not worry about the possibility of a deal with the Nether, as I have already sent them a rejection to their offer, explaining to them the importance of the alliance between France and Rome. Your concerns have been heard, and I have no intentions of throwing our friendship away. As you know, my people have a history of being on good terms with the Nether. We.. (smeared words) ..they have truly proven their friendship by forgiving our people for not upholding my predecessors promise to them. At the same time they have also seen the errors of their ways, and finally entered a peace treaty with your people.. (burned) ..for a fair trade with you, but more opportunities shall arise.. (badly burned) ..a monastery in Rome if that day should come. (badly burned) ..the deal Greece has offered us serves us better, as what we receive back ensures we do not risk entering any race with other nations to achieve the much needed prosperity we need.

(signed)
Imperatrix Minerva Julii of Rome

[Netherlands (DoB)]

"My King, read the historical document published by France. What do you think?"

The King read it thoughtfully, "I think that we have here some proof of what was long suspected. Our worst fears."

"And what is that Majesty?"

The King looked up from the letter "Our ancestors had an alliance with Rome. The most ancient in our history, forged with blood and bronze. Rome and Netherlands pledged eternal brotherhood. But then Rome abandoned and betrayed us to join with our mutual enemy, the French."

"Yes my King, but our ancestral leaders forgave the Romans did they not?"

The King rested his chin on his fist and looked out the window. It was cloudy and overcast, snow mixed with rain was falling. The King sighed a heavy sigh "Yes, but the forgiveness was based on a lie it seems."

"What do you mean Majesty?"

The King opened the window. He reached his hand out to catch the falling water and snowflakes on his hand. "The Roman rulers swore and insisted that they had not plotted to betray their word to us with France. They promised that they had never considered to give France what they promised to us. Even when we offered increased compensation for what they had already promised, they refused us, stating with almost laughable irony, that they could no longer trust us, because since they had back stabbed and betrayed us so terribly, they were sure that we would do the same to them."

"But then how did they lie?"

The King shook the water off his hand, closed the window and turned to face the adviser "Because they promised us that they had no prior agreement with France to give the French what was promised to us, but that was a lie. This ancient letter proves it. Rome conspired with France to use Greece as a broker to betray us. It is now obvious that Rome was in communications with France all along and broke their word to us in cooperation with the French."

The King shook his head. "All these years our peace and normalized relations with Rome were based on the belief in their promise that they were not negotiating with France to deny their word to us all along, that it truly was just a desire to protect their new allies the French. But now it is clear that they always intended to backstab us. Their promises of ignorance of the French deal with Greece was just a lie. They knew and intended that France would know of their deal with Greece, because they themselves told France about it from the beginning. All the time as they refused to tell us what was going on until the last minute, just to be sure that by the time we could approached Greece with an offer it would be too late. Too late because they told France in advance. They wanted to give France what they promised to us. It is so clear now."

"So what will we do about their treachery?"

The King sighed "God will punish them in his own good time. We have more pressing concerns. At least we now know the truth about the treacherous Roman dogs."

[Rome (DoB)]

Imam Aemillius of Nova Roma entered the throne room with a grave look on his face.

"My Lord, the latest rumours tell that the Nethers are now claiming that Minerva traded the Great Spy to Greece, knowing that Greece would trade it to France. They claim that Minerva cooperated with Greece in this manner so that our people would appear to be honourable, while doing shady and dishonourable deals behind their backs. Apparently they claim this based on the partially burnt document that one of the servants of King Louis found in the old library in old Rome, now the Wall of Louis. Based on what I have heard they call us traitors and liars, and all sorts of bad things."

"Thank you, Aemillius. It is unfortunate that they believe this, but there is little we can do about it. If I have read my history, the Nether people have changed from being a generous and open people who were forgiving and honest into a nation of brutes who resort to extortion, military force, and now paranoia. We must remember the words of Allah, and keep levelheaded even in the face of such absurd claims. The truth will always prevail, and so it shall even in the face of these dire news."

Augustus turned around, looking at one of the attendants in the throne room "Julianos! Go to the palace library and fetch the ancient documents of correspondance between our nation and the old nation of France." The attendant bowed and ran out of the throne room.

"I will review the old documents, as they should show clearly that we never knew about the trade between Greece and France until after it was completed. Also we should send a messenger to Greece and ask if they can look through their archives to verify that Minerva indeed never intended the Great Spy to end up in the hands of France. It is doubtful that the Nether will believe us, nor that they will believe the Greeks, as they have alienated both our nations in their recent actions. But at least the rest of the world will know the truth, and the Nethers can deal with their own idea of what they believe the reality is. Perhaps they wish to use this as some sort of tool to attack us, or they are attempting to defame us publicly in their outrage at being challenged when they most aggressively invaded the Greek colony that magically came under Nether control as they claim they never attacked it." The Emperor chuckled at his own joke.

Julianos reappared in the throne room carrying several scrolls that he handed over to the Emperor, and the Emperor and the Imam sat down to review the documents together.

The first document shows a long letter from Minerva to one of the old French Kings. "My Lord, I have one document here that mentions the Great Spy. It is a letter written by Minerva to the French King just after the alliance between France and Rome was first signed."

The alliance between our people signifies a major shift of balance and interests on the European continent, where the English and the Nether, who have been relying on Rome's neutrality in their struggle against France, are left on their own in this struggle. I have discovered that Titus Brutus made a deal shortly after he took over rulership of Rome with the Nether, where he promised a Great Spy that is in training within Rome to the Nether. I have no intentions of keeping this deal, as it is a deal that will not benefit Rome at all, and also the Nether intended to use this Great Person's abilities directly against France to wage a war of subterfuge. I tell you this in a private letter because of the outrage that will rise from the Nether in a few years when they realize that they will have to revise their tactics.

"And look here, another letter from Minerva. She was obviously quite aware of her dishonourable act by breaking the promise of Titus Brutus. You can also see her distress at the madness of her husband shining through her written words. She blamed the English for her husbands demise, and she was quite probably just as insane herself. History shows that the French and the English were both responsible for barbarous acts, and her putting the blame on the English for the madness of Aulus is simply absurd."

Some nations will name Rome deal breakers over this decision, which may indeed be a valid claim. However, it is better to be named a deal breaker and have a clean conscience towards humanity, knowing that Rome will no longer silently accept the atrocities that are being committed. By being a silent bystander, pretending that these atrocities does not affect us, Rome could just as well partake in committing these atrocities ourselves, and we will not stand for it!

"Ah! Here we are, your Majesty. This is the document King Louis only found parts of in the ruins of the old library. It should speak for itself, as it proves that Minerva never did make any deal with France. It does show that she made a deal with Greece though, and the very city that is now the capital of our Empire is proof that the Greeks paid us handsomely for the Great Spy. It also shows that she actually considered an offer from the Nethers, but the document does not mention what the Nethers offered Rome as trade for the Great Spy."

My Ambassador tells me that while he was waiting in the halls to receive your offer, he overheard some disturbing words that your advisors were very concerned about the possibility of Rome trading the prophesized Great Spy to the people of the Nether. I must apologize that this brought so much distress to your court, and I admit that I was short-sighted by even considering their offer.

Your offer is a magnanimous offer, and indeed one that truly could not be matched by any other nation. The return of the legendary Torino Workers to Rome would certainly bring much glory to my reign and name.

However, I am very sorry to say that I have to reject it, safely knowing that the Torino Workers are living a good life in France. Now, do not worry about the possibility of a deal with the Nether, as I have already sent them a rejection to their offer, explaining to them the importance of the alliance between France and Rome. Your concerns have been heard, and I have no intentions of throwing our friendship away. As you know, my people have a history of being on good terms with the Nether. We are still trading marble to them, and they have truly proven their friendship by forgiving our people for not upholding my predecessors promise to them. At the same time they have also seen the errors of their ways, and finally entered a peace treaty with your people, which have brought much rejoice to Rome. With these things in mind, I have decided that the best way of ensuring continued peace and cooperation with both your nation and the Nether is to not trade the Great Spy to either of your nations. I truly regret the opportunity for a fair trade with you, but more opportunities shall arise when Rome has developed our colonies in Africa. We will be able to trade both Gold and Gems to your people eventually, and as our allies it is a matter of course that we will trade these to you as soon as we have the opportunity to do so. And, of course this means that Rome will hold no ill will towards your nation should your prophesized Great Prophet secure you the ability to found yet another new religion in your lands. We hope we can secure a deal to obtain a missionary from you if you succeed in this endeavour, so that we can build a temple and a monastery in Rome if that day should come.

As I believe it is vital for our people that we need to be open and honest with one another, you should also know that the Great Spy will be traded away to Greece who holds no interest at all in the age old feuds between any of the involved parties in our part of Europe. While the deal you have offered Rome is very lucrative, the recent birth of the Great Prophet Moses in Portugal has left my advisors worried that committing ourselves to this deal may leave us the losing part in a race against Portugal, as it is safe to assume that the Portugese will commit themselves to the very same plan as your Oracle has most graciously advised us to follow. And they would have hundreds of years of headstart as we Romans would have to finalize our research into both Meditation and Monotheism before we could even use the Great Prophet for our own purposes. As such, the deal Greece has offered us serves us better, as what we receive back ensures we do not risk entering any race with other nations to achieve the much needed prosperity we need.

(signed)
Imperatrix Minerva Julii of Rome

The Emperor looked at Aemillius and said "Thank you for your assistance, Aemillius. If the Nethers claim that Minerva treated them unfairly by not letting them know that Greece would receive the Great Spy, then I can only say that it's an absurd notion as what deals Rome does is not and has never been the business of the Nether. Had they asked, they would most likely have been given the information, and the document shows that Minerva was truly grateful towards them for their forgiveness of her dishonour, and that she truly believed they did forgive her. But I can only assume that they never forgave her, and that they have been itching to pull up this for more than a thousand years, holding me responsible for her actions now even to the extent of holding me responsible for something she didn't actually do. There is nothing we can do about that. Send a copy of these documents to any nation who wishes to read them, and send messengers to both Greece and the Kingdom of Louis asking them to please publicly confirm that Minerva was never informed of the deal between Greece and France until after the Great Spy was already in the hands of France. I don't understand this need to dwell on the past, but as King Christiansen may attempt to make this an issue to defame Rome, I see no other choice than to conserve Roman honour by making these documents public."

Imam Aemillius smiled and said "Allah has blessed you with much wisdom. Your will be done, my lord." He rose up, motioning for the attendant to collect the documents and carry them out together with him, and swiftly left for his personal quarters where he would order his scribes to make copies of the documents.