Domination of Barbarians [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 13 - April 2013]

[Sommerswerd]

Domination of Barbarians [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 13 - April 2013]

This is the Story and Diplomacy Thread for the Diplo Game "Domination of Barbarians" (DoB)



Domination of Barbarians is a diplomacy game. The players try to rule their empires like they are real. Role playing and story telling is an important way to achieve this.

The purpose of this thread is to post in-character story posts and diplomacy for this game. Please discuss all organizational aspects of this game the Organization Thread. Use your Anonymous Apolyton Game Account to put posts in this thread.

[Sommerswerd]

A great War rages in Europe. The cultural, ethnic and religious tensions finally reach a breaking point when the people of a Holy Roman city, Prague, overthrow their Holy Roman governor and pledge loyalty to France, renaming the city King's Finger. A bloody struggle ensues with both sides accusing the other of using force against the people. In the end, the armies of Holy Roma march on the city and retake it by force, pushing the France back west towards their Capital.

But the bloodshed does not end there. After retaking the city Holy Roma invades France capturing the Wall of Louis as well as Valley of Kings. Portugal joins the invasion from the West, denouncing Louis as a collaborator with Islam, and the first Holy Crusade is begun. There is much loss to the land and wealth of France, and all seems lost, but suddenly through what some have described as a diplomatic error by those negotiating the terms of France's surrender, a peace treaty is signed.



The French King howls in rage at the diplomatic blunder, and rumors circulate that the whole affair has driven him completely mad. He appears in public performing superhuman feats and it is confirmed that he has in fact become a monster that feeds on the lifeblood of his slaves. Finally, the French people have had enough, and they assassinate their supernatural, immortal ruler using some magic that harnesses the power of the sun.

Strangely enough, Caroli Magni, ruler of Holy Roma vows to fight on despite the mistaken peace that his diplomats signed. At the same time, he promises to respect the terms of the treaty. It is anyone's guess what Caroli Magni will do... At least for now there is peace again in Europe. For how long... No one can say...



The Age of Settlement is now in full bloom, with massive fleets and countless ships relaying men and supplies to the rapidly shrinking open lands in the New World. Portugal has opened up the race by sharing her shipbuilding technology with the World and it is only a matter of time before all the lands will be wrestled from the hands of the Barbarians. Because of the rapid push for new settlements, the New World is becoming more diverse, and more domesticated with each passing decade.

The English have a firm grip on North America, taking the vast majority of the coast and southern interior. England has even seen the founding of a uniquely native American religion, Buddhism in the plains of North America. No one knows what the tenets of this religion are as it is a small faith, only recently discovered, but it does have the distinction of being the only religion founded in the New World.

All the while the Portuguese have split control of South America with the Greeks. With a minor setback coming in the form of a surprise attack by the Netherlands, Greece has been able to expand their already large empire into the Argentinan peninsula.

But these are not the only players in the New World. Germany, Netherlands, and Vikings have also made landfall and are expanding their colonies. The Celtia colony has been confirmed as destroyed, and no one has seen any survivors or new Celtia colonies in the New World. The Immortal King Brennus has not been seen or heard from since the disaster befell the Celtia colony in Brazil.

Headship / Royal Lineages of the World

Barbarians
The Children of Barbarous the Expelled - Warriors, Spearmen, Axemen, Archers and Galleys sighted

France
Abraham, Informal Leader of the Advisory Council, following the assassination of King Louis XXXV the Kingdom, successor to King Louis XXXIV the all-seeing all-knowing all-hearing friend and High protector of the world, successor to King Louis XXXIII the Omniscient, son of King Louis XXXII the Benevolent, successor to King Louis XXXI the Quaker, successor to King Louis XXX the Isolationist, successor to King Louis XXIX the Unfortunate, successor to King Louis XXVIII the Traveller, successor to King Louis XXVII the Arbiter, successor following the assasination of King Louis XXVI the Beloved, descendant of King Louis XXV the Seeker, descendant of King Louis XXIV the Last Hope, descendant of King Louis XXIII the Festive, descendant of King Louis XXII the Spendthrift, son of King Louis XXI Defender of the Faith, descendant of King Louis XX the Grim, descendant of King Louis XIX the Golden, son of King Louis XVIII the Bored Boar, son of King Louis XVII the Beast Tamer, son of King Louis XVI the Sea King, son of King Louis XV the Wine Trader, successor to King Louis XIV the Christian Abolitionist, successor to King Louis XIII The Martyr, successor to The Silent Kings, Louis V- Louis XII, successors to King Louis IV, son of King Louis III the Gullible, son of King Louis II the Zealous, son of King Louis I the Stalwart, first Monarch of France, successor to the Torino Workers, survivors of the Stonehenge Defenders, Successors of the Elder Mystics, Keepers of Benoit the Immortal, appointed successor of Tribal Chief Andre, traverser of the Alps, appointed successor of Pierre, First Despot of France, slayer of Jean-Guy, former co-ruler w/ his wife Patrica & brother Jean-Paul, son of Jean

Spain
Duchess Himilce, Princess of Spain, Aunt of Astor

Portugal
Ricardo Araujo Leader of the Jesuit Order, usurper of Pedro Machuka, son of Porto & Portu, husband and wife

Netherlands
King Christiansen son of Queen Kirsten, joint ruler with King Christiaan twin daughter and son respectively of King Christofoor, first King of Netherlands, unifyer of The three factions, slayers of Hanz the Dutchman, named successor of Trotseer the Brave, named successor to Chieftain Aantaleen the Primersteleider and his wife Angeline of France

Ottomans
Head Chieftain Durukan Hamdi emerging from the Age of Silence following the rule of Head Chieftain Bedri Ayhan

Byzantium
Emperor Leopold, successor to Justinian II, successor to the Tribal Chieftains, successors to Leader Justinian I, son of Leader Constantine

China
Qin Shi Huang the Eternal Emperor and his wife Aiko of Japan, successor of the Mother of Qin Shi Huang, successor to the Father of Qin Shi Huang

Norsemen
Harald Hardrada, son of Chief Ragnar

England
Queen Elizabeth the Immortal

Celtia
Celtics people, in the absence of King Brennus, returning conqueror of King Ire, imprisoner of Lord Chieftain Brennus & Aithe

Japan
Empress Aiko (wife of Qin Shi Huang the Eternal of China), proclaimed Empress following the death of her brother, Heianshi Ainu, appointed to succeed the Family Elders of Kyoto, along with Ainu of Nishikyo & Jiraya of Osaka following the death of Tokugawa, defender of Kyoto, Leader of Japan

Russia
Czar Kir Stepanovich, son of Czar Stepan Yakovnic, son of Czar Yakov Antonovich, son of Czar Anton Konstantinovich, son of Katarina Konstantinskaia First interim Czarina of the Rus Empire, successor to Czar Konstantin Simonovich, brother of Czar Leonid Simonovich, successor to Czar Simon the Lover, Undisputer Leader of Russia, successor to The Counsel, interim succesors following the slaying of Stanimir defeater of Rostislav, successor to Volg, defeater of the Slav King, usurper of The Czar, successor of Ivan Grozni, successor of Ivan Dragonoff, succesor of Leader Peter

Arabia
His Emminence Mohammed V, following the Arabian exodous and subsequent exile of Grand Ayatollah Kulayni, ending the joint rule of Mohammed V and Ayatollah Kulayni, leaders of the The two Factions, emerging from conflict between the The Tribal Leaders, successors to The Prophet & his wife, Khadijah bint Khuwaylid

Rome
Imperator Augustus, successor to The Council of Rome, ruling following the abdication of Imperatrix Minerva Julii, wife of Aulus Brutus, son of Titus Brutus of the Bruti family, successors of Marcus, leader of the Slave rebellion, beheader of Baron Von the tyrant

Persia
Princess Boran, successor to Arsaces XLV, successor of Helu of Awan, rightful ruler of Persia, successor of Kikku-Siwe-Temti, ruler of Persia, usurper of Napi-Ilhush, usurper of Shushun-Tarana, usurper of Hishutash, usurper of Ukku-Tanhish, usurper of Tata I, successor to Peli of Awan, Rightful Chief of the Persian Tribes

Germany
Alemanni the 1st Successor, to Herman

Greece
The Citizens of Greece, successors to The Workers of Greece, successors to the Jungle Fighters of Greece

Holy Rome
Caroli Magni

[Holy Roma (DoB)]

The streets of Rome are filled with people crying and upset.

"Who let us"

they asked officers holy Roman army.

"Why throw us back into a French Muslim hands."

Gov. Holy Rome faced the assembled people and said "unfortunately we have to return to the French city, but we will never put up with the fact that this city is in the hands of those who profess Islam, they are led by one Ibrahim, who is presented to the French people with the name Abraham. I mean most responsible Holy Roman Empire will come back and take the city as soon as you "

[Celtia (DoB)]

There are many questions about the whereabouts of Brennus. After the massacres of Celtics in the jungles of South America, now called the Brazilian massacre, Brennus fled the land in disgrace and mystery. It is said by many that he left to consult with King Louis for the secrets of immortality. Others say he went to Qin of China himself the original immortal. Everyone is trying to discover where Brennus went but no one has seen him since he first left the island.

[Japan (DoB)]

From the highlands of Kawamura came a wind, moaning outside the temple grounds and through the windows yet unscreened, roughing up clothes and bringing a chill to the room set aside for prayers. The pedestal with two holy candles that burned brightly, was momentarily diminished as the wind blew away the fire. Adding some words for the acolyte that was set to screen the windows, the Priest named Modo bent down again in the prayer cycle as a soft light entered through the windows, bringing with it a moment of stillness, a peace shared with his fellow priests.

[England (DoB)]

Rafael’s parents were not impressed. From a young age they had provided him with the best schooling money could buy and they were confident he would go on to be a person who would do great things. They dreamed of a son who would rival those great Englishmen of history like the merchant Dandolo, the scientist Hiesnberg, or the engineer Thomas Edison …. they even would have been proud had he accomplished the sort infamy as did the smuggler Columbus. But no, all Rafeal did was paint. What honor comes of that?

[Holy Roma (DoB)]

The huge army of Holy Roman Empire stands on the hills above Rome General Roland observed sunrise over St. Peter. His first assistant Fanfan the Tulip report it. "Lord messengers returned from the French court."
Let's hear what they have to say, said Gen. Roland

Messengers bowed to the general and said: Lord, we went to the palace, which houses the French government, but we found the doors firmly closed. Inside floated a terrible smell of carrion, inside could not hear any sound. We called before the gates but nobody opened.

General Roland said French make crazy and do not want to give us permission to pass, but the army of the Holy Roman Empire was accustomed to pass through foreign lands without permission, he laughed.
General Roland train with Fanfan the tulips.

[Japan (DoB)]

After years of monastic schooling, Modo was ordained Missionary Priest and given the task of preaching the holy words to the citizens of Stone Hill. Standing on the stone stairs before the Monastery, wearing the white robe that revealed him as a man of God, he looked forward to the task. Motioning for his body slave to follow, he began the long walk towards his new home.

Passing through the market street, with the vendors calling out to gain the attention of passersby, Modo considered how the years had marked him as a man. Less than ten years since he was caught as a common thief on the street, his only wish to get some food inside his gut. How the priest that he stole from, marked him as one of his own, giving him an opportunity to follow God and aid his fellow men. Of course, not having his hand cut off as punishment weighed as much on his mind at the time. It was the first prayer he ever sincerely issued to God, the first night as he began his training in the high hills above Kawamura.



Now, walking by stalls selling fruits, meat, clothing and gewgaws of jewelry imported from distant lands he was estranged by the many smells and the rankness of the sewer pits on the corners. Sweet-smelling leaves were employed along the high-end stalls, and white onions were chosen by those who could not afford the leaves. As Priest of Christ, he had some fortunes bestowed by Imperial edict, free food and lodgings while travelling was but one of the lesser fortunes returned for those that served God.

But this time, as a Missionary, part of that was removed. To learn better the placement of all beasts, men and servants of the world that was created by God, he was to serve alongside his own body slave for the duration of the journey. He accepted this as part of the greater learning, with a certain curiosity as to what he would experience along the way.

[France (DoB)]

Crowds outside Palace de Paris show the anger contained for too long. Advisory Council get increased reports of unrest. French cities not accepting another king. Not now. Not ever. Frustration high among council. In background hidden agendas are ripe. Deals made with foreigners not public knowledge. Council members disappear overnight. Tension rises..

[Japan (DoB)]

Tending flowerfields with bare feet in the mud, writing reports in a sure hand for a local farmlord, carrying water from a river to slaves at work in the countryside, running swiftly between villages as a messenger, Modo the Missionary came to know many aspects of the everyday life in Japan.



Now, his journey was about to end. Helping a villager repair his roof before going into Stone Hill town, he reflected on the many ways that a man could work to earn his keep. How problems of everyday life served to engrave a purpose into the character of those who toiled most. Many thoughts went to they who served as slaves. Menial work with little reward. Sure enough, many barbarians were simply too rough to behave otherwise, but Modo thought that there should be some way to serve the Lord that did not include servitude without reward. Shaking his head, he kept on working, keeping the thoughts to himself.

[England (DoB)]

The celebrations stretched late into the night. The Hagia Sophia—Holy Wisdom in the ancient tongue—had been completed. With a treaty promising peace signed with the new French leadership and the barbarians of the New World all but crushed, the English people--confident in their martial prowess--had again turned to scientific and other pursuits.

The Hagia Sophia would serve to marry Lao Tzu’s sacred writings with the practical needs of the English people. His prophecies on the existence of these lands across the sea had proven true and it stood to reason that more knowledge could be gleaned from his sacred texts. With massive expanses of undeveloped land in the New World best practices for clearing forests and working the land would be in great demand.

[Celtia (DoB)]

The brave Celtic warriors again bring war to coast of France. But not this time against our friends the French, but against the evil Germans for their many insults against us and violations of our waters without so much as a word. We have killed the liars and spreaders of false religion. Taoism is the only true faith and Christianity can be tolerated as it us the faith of our friends but the spreading of unholy Islam to Taoist cities must not be tolerated!

We have taken your wretched slaves prisoner so they can serve the true faith and not be forced into Islamic state you are starting. You have sold your own people into slavery to Islam and we come to save them. If you wish to join Islam then keep it in the Mediterranean and middle east where it belongs and out of Europe. If you wish for peace leave your ships from Europe and never return there is nothing here for you.

Celtic Empire declares War to Germany 885 AD.

[Russia (DoB)]

Public message from Czar Kir Stepanovich of the Rus Empire to all tribes:

Celtia has never acted without first thinking things through, but this appears to be a thing of the past!

The unwarranted attack on the German people is an outrage and the most base action taken against another tribe. Russia sides with Germany in this, with the hope that England will talk to Celtia and have this completely hostile act of aggression ended, with complete recompense to the German people. What served Taoism was indeed the innate capacity for wisdom and benevolence, but lessons have fallen to deaf ears among the Celts if Taoism is bent out of its peaceful premise and hammered into the poor shape and excuse for aggressive actions. Look to England for the wholesome way of the Tao. They prosper in peace and only when attacked do they defend. England has so far that history teaches me, ever been a good example even in the face of constant aggression from France.

Russia will not stand for this kind of treatment against a tribe that is deemed a good friend and former neighbour.

With respect to our friends the English, we ask on behalf of Germany that they make a stand against their neighbour, even if they are good friends, for sometimes friends must stop friends from committing to a path that can only end badly. If they do not wish to take action against Celtia, and attempted talks are fruitless, Russia asks for public abstention from England so Celtia can be made war upon.

I hope this conflict can be resolved peacefully.

[Germany (DoB)]

Advisor to Alemanni:

Sir, word has arrived from the old world that the Celts have attacked our civilian convoy headed to New Berlin. I am afraid that the news is even worse... It would appear that Celtia has massacred 3 Islamic Holy men who were stationed in France and set to establish the first Mosques in the new world. Nothing can possibly be considered worse than this treacherous and deliberate act of murder against the Islamic faith.

Alemanni:

What were the civilian losses sustained from the massacre?

Advisor to Alemanni:

Sir, in the aftermath they also destroyed 3 settlers and 6 workers waiting to board the fleet headed to the new world.

Alemanni:

What has France stated so far? The aggression was on there soil!?! Are they complicit in this?

Advisor to Alemanni:

Their has been no word either way from France as of yet sir, they have yet to respond to the tragedy...

Alemanni sat in contemplation upon hearing the news... Did Celtia consider that she was possibly dragging Russia and the entire Islamic peoples into war against her by annihilating 3 venerated holy Imams? Did Cetia know that the 3 Imams that they massacred were gifted from Russia as part of our peace agreement and plan for a new start in the new world? Did Celtia know that she in fact took 3 workers that were promised to England in exchange for deeds? Does Celtia know that the Nether are not to be trusted and that they back stab and manipulate every situation to suit there own benefit?

Perhaps Celtia has not kept a history of time, because if they had, they would know that the Nether are not to be trusted and that the civilized peoples of this world do not tolerate such barbarity.

Alemanni:

Boerman (advisor), send word to France. Ask them how they could allow Celtic forces into France and to allow them to massacre 30,000 innocent people and 3 holy men? Also, send word to all the Islamic faithful... Ask them for assistance and guidance for how we can seek justice. Furthermore, send word to England... Tell the Queen that her 3 workers have been destroyed by Celtia and that her ally, the Alemanni, seek her help. And lastly, send word to the Alemanni Carrack fleet that war is afoot. All Celtic fisheries and boats shall be annihilated. Gather the army!

[Celtia (DoB)]

The Germans are exaggerateing their casualties obviously because they want to increase sympathy for their cause and demand higher bounty from our poor tribe. We Celtics did not destroy 3 Islam missionaries it was 2. It was not 3 settlers killed we took one settler prisoner and it was not 6 workers killed as they claim it is 3 workers taken prisoner.

We are defending our sovereign waters from the constant uninvited Germans sailing back and forth through our waters without permission, spying on our lands and cities from their ships. Now the evil Germans wish to sneak Islam spreading missionary into Celtic land with their Carracks. This we do not allow!

Then Germany pledged to invade our small country and attack our defenseless fisherman to starve our cities that depend on sea food to survive! German Carracks have attacked and killed our brave sailors. Do we stand by and allow this? No. Our mighty navy has set the invader Carracks to flame, their smoking hulls lie at the sea floor.

Now all German invaders are dead. We will not seek further battles now the threat is gone. But we will defend our homeland no matter what.