Domination of Barbarians [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 15 - June 2013]

[Sommerswerd]

Domination of Barbarians [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 15 - June 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]

The nations of the World have met the Barbarian Renaissance with a fury that the world has never seen. Desperate to defeat their ancient foes before their strength can increase beyond the might of the remaining civilized Nations, there has been a global call to action, and all out War has broken out against the Organized Barbarians.




In the Middle East, Holy Roma, Persia and mighty Greece have turned their combined efforts against the Byzantines, and the victory is total. Persia has copied the Catapult technology of Greece, making them only the third nation to develop such fearsome weapons. But these weapons are put to full use against the Barbarians of Byzantium. When the smoke clears, Byzantium has been wiped from the face of the Earth. Who was ultimately the leader of the Byzantines? Was Leopold turned to the Barbarian cause? Or was it some mindless minion of the immortals? The world may never know...



In this Epic struggle to establish dominance in the Middle East region, the military might of the Citizens of Greece was on full display. Their new weapons of War were brought to full bear on the Byzantines who's backwards technology was crushed under the combined assault of 3 civilized powers. However, nothing could compare to the unveiling of Greece's newest weapon of War, the mounted Knight.



By developing a concept called Guilds, Greece has developed a new brand of military Chivalry and a warrior caste to go along with it. These mounted warriors are clad in the finest of armour and weild an assortment of fearsome weapons strapped to their armored Warhorses. They trample any known footman or Archery based soldier like grass and make short work of even the powerful, but slow moving Catapult. Greece has outdone herself with this invention, and at present, the world has no technology that can withstand the power of the Grecian Knight.



But the Middle East is not the only theatre that has seen the Organized Barbarian Renaissance put on its heels. In Africa, the belegured Roman Barbarians are facing the combined assault of mighty Greece, Malik-Shah of Persia and the Duchess of Catalunya. The Armies of the Gran Duquessa are not as powerful as Greece, but they are similarly armed with advanced weaponry and are systematically exterminating the once proud Romans. As Rome is carved up between the Civilized powers racing to claim a share of Africa, the power of Greece and Catalunya grows, as does their technological advantage worldwide.

But military prowess is not the only acheivement of the Gran Duquessa Catalina. Spain has taken their place anew among the great builders of the world by constructing the fabulous Spiral Minaret to rival England's University of Sangkore. This building will not only enhance the technological advantage of Catalunya, but also the religious one, as the cultural advantage of faith becomes even more vital in the current territorial turmoil.

In Asia, the Empress of Japan has been ousted and exiled by the new wave of Barbarian control, as apan becomes the latest nation to join the ranks of the Organized Barbarians. Some say that theytruly have joined the new ranks of the undead as rumors about "zombies" and "monsters" and such created by the unnatural appetites of the Eternal Emperor of China continue to plague the lips of the peoples in Asia. Still, reports are that Empress Aiko is unharmed and has rejoined her immortal husband to rule in China. The Chinese Empire remains insular and relatively small, but all that may soon change, as the Empress has already ordered that her Japanese lands be recaptured and she be reinstated. Only death could be better than the torturous revenge that awaits those who dared to betray the wife of the Eternal Emperor.

The situation in Europe has finally exploded into full blown conflict, as England and Holy Roma have declared War on the Netherlands, following the Netherlands joining the Holy Roman cruscade against the French and capturing the epicenter of European power, Paris.



Tensions between Netherlands and England had been brewing for some time, as Netherlands used the evil and powerful cultural influence of Kafka against English colonies in the New World. Netherlands then accused England of using Piracy against them and England responded with a counter-culture revolution of their own. This new War is the latest chapter in the race to achieve dominance in Old Europe, and the New World, with England and Holy Roma vying for possession of the lands of the Organized European Barbarians, and England moving to establish English hegemony in North America.

Holy Roma and England already posses a substantial technological advantage over Netherlands, but with Holy Roma's betrayal of the Netherlands and decimation of the Netherlands forces in a shocking surprise attack, it is inevitable that Holy Roma and England will emerge as the undisputed powers in the European theater.

[Sommerswerd]

Headship / Royal Lineages of the World

Civilized Nations

Spain
Gran Duquessa Catalina de Valencia de Catalunya, successor to Gran Duquessa Himilce de Olónico de Catalunya, 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
Minister Selashen, representative of 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

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

England
Queen Elizabeth the Immortal

Persia
Malik-Shah, son of Jafar annointed Caliph and successor to 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

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

Holy Rome
Lotharius rex King of the Sacred Roman Empire, sucessor to Caroli Magni

Barbarian Tribes
(Wild Barbarians)
-- The Children of Barbarous the Expelled - Warriors, Spearmen, Axemen, Archers, Galleys and Swordsmen sighted

(Organized Barbarians)

-- France - Unknown ruler following the rule of 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

-- Norsemen - Unknown ruler following the rule of Harald Hardrada, son of Chief Ragnar

-- Celtia - Unknown ruler following the rule of Celtics people, in the absence of King Brennus, returning conqueror of King Ire, imprisoner of Lord Chieftain Brennus & Aithe

-- Arabia - Unknown ruler following the rule of 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

-- Russia - Barbarian 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

-- Rome - Unknown ruler following the rule of 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

-- Germany - Unknown ruler following the rule of Alemanni the 1st Successor, to Herman

-- Japan - Unknown ruler following the exile of 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

-- Byzantium (Destroyed by Greece) - Unknown ruler following the rule of Emperor Leopold, successor to Justinian II, successor to the Tribal Chieftains, successors to Leader Justinian I, son of Leader Constantine

[England (DoB)]

Taoist scholars at Sankore University in London were surprised by the factual errors in the most recent edition of Sommersword's Histories. Was it not well known that such a beacon of research was English? Had not knowledge of the Taoist faith had spread to all lands?

[England (DoB)]

"Send this to the Nether capitol so that they have the opportunity to accept our terms as soon as possible." And with that, Elizabeth gave her stamp of approval to the document drafted in consultation with her war council. It was both harsh yet fair.

We are willing to accept immediate cessation of hostilities. However should the Nether desire a lasting peace we offer the following terms.

• Non aggression pact lasting 500 years (100 turns). After 500 years, non aggression pact may only be canceled with 50 years notice (10 turns).

• Open borders lasting full duration of non aggression pact. May only be canceled upon notification of non aggression pact cancelation.

• Both sides agree not to settle Great Artists (or use them to create great works) of art in New World cities that have overlapping spheres of influence (cities must be at least 5 tiles apart).

• Upon signing of agreement England shall turn the full brunt of its military might to capture the Viking cities of Niadros and Uppsala. Upon capture, these two cities will be traded for the Nether cities of Nijmegen, Hudson, and Middle. Nether may withdraw all military forces from its cities after transfer. England will provide a garrison of 2 xbows in each city it transfers to Nether.

• Both sides pledge not to enter each other’s land with explorer units for duration of non-aggression pact.

• England will repatriate of 4 of the captured Nether workers when cities are exchanged. Repatriation of 3 other captured Nether workers within 100 years of city exchange (20 turns).

• England will cease espionage efforts on Nether until Nether has allocated enough espionage against England to equal at least half of the current amount allocated against the Nether. If this occurs neither side will allocate 50% more espionage against the other party for the duration of the non aggression pact. Both sides pledge not to use a Great Spy to target the other side for the duration of nonaggression pact. Both sides pledge not to enter each other’s land with spy units for duration of non-aggression pact.

• England will provide Nether with iron (so long as England does not have its trade route blockaded or resources pillaged) for duration of non aggression pact.

• England will not use the Apostolic Palace votes to harm Nether interest for the duration of non aggression pact. Nether will vote for England as Apostolic Palace resident for duration of non aggression pact.

• Terms are subject to revision upon agreement by both parties. If either party violates the agreement all terms are considered null and void unless both parties agree to an exception or an extension.

If Nether does not accept immediate cessation of hostilities England will slowly dismantle and destroy the Nether economy. If Nether only agrees to a temporary ceasefire (and not the generous terms offered above) know that this represents the best peace offer England will make and that our terms will be more severe after future rounds of conflict.

[Holy Roma (DoB)]

King Lothar read the report of its General Roland looked long and silently leaves. He told his clerk to write a letter to the Dutch.
Write the following: My General Roland acted without my order, but if you had asked permission to attack I would give it to him. Your snake attack barbaric Paris, we were beset us very angry.
Holland did not say anything before, and if he held any talks with us we would have to understand something. But not too late for peace between us. Our conditions we reserve Paris, and we will give you some compensation for it.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

Minister Selashen has been replaced for his incompetence. A letter is sent out by the New King of Netherlands-


To the true Friends of Netherlands and the true followers of the Christian faith:

As you know by now, we are attacked by England Taoists and the false prophet of Holy Roma, pretender to the throne of our Holy Mother Christian Church.

You say you were angry because we took Paris. Paris is right next to us! Our soldiers did the fighting and dying to capture Paris! Then you stab our brave wounded in the back, your Christian brothers as we are tending to our wounded from the battle against France that your Pope called us to join! And even if you were angry, did you not tell me you were angry that Berlin joined Netherlands? Did I not turn the city over to you without any payment, only goodwill and friendship? And this is how you repay? To slaughter 12 divisions of wounded men when their back is turned? Your allies, fighting the war your Pope called for against the enemy your Pope said should be wiped from the earth? Netherlands has never denied any request Holy Rome has ever made from us. We have always been friends to Holy Rome. Now we see how Holy Rome treats her Friends. Compensation you say? Who will compensate the lives of the men killed? Who will comfort their wives and suckling young babes? You will compensate for this how?

I know that he can be no true follower of the faith to join with the Taoist English and Germans against a fellow defender of the Christian faith. Look here at the letter issued by the so-called Christian King Caroli Magni of Holy Roma

Official communiqué of Caroli Magni to all European nations:
Brothers Europeans now is the time to remove the barbarism of good old Europe. We must rise up as one and subdue the barbarians of civilization. Sacred Roman Empire civilize Russian barbarians and hopes they quickly embrace European culture

We were inspired by his words and we joined the Holy Crusade by attacking the Barbarians of the North. Then the so called "Pope of Holy Rome" calls for all civilized European nations to unite as one. He says

Official announcement of Pope Celestine XII:
His Holiness the pain there divisions among European nations. His Holiness calls on the leaders of Britain and the Netherlands to sit at the negotiating table. The Holy Father is ready to be an impartial arbiter in the dispute between them. Let's not forget that Europe must be united against the mighty Asian countries. Otherwise, we all have to start learning Farsi or Russian.

Finally the so-called "Pope" declares a Holy War to eradicate the French. He says

Pope Celestine replied, "Your Majesty, I am afraid that I come with bad news. Rome was captured by the dastardly French. They bribed urban poor open their gates to the city, and they rushed a group hyenas."
At these words the king jumped up and shouted, "Oh those Frenchmen, I will not have sex until you wipe from the face of the earth France. Shout my generals."

And the loyal Christian Kingdom of Netherlands responded. We captured the lone French settlement in the New World called Hudson, given to them by their Taoist allies the English, who you Holy Romans now lay with and join together in attacking your Christian brothers of Netherlands. We then bravely sent our entire home Garrison to lay siege to France's evil capital, to put a stop to their evil onceand for all. Paris is only two mere plots of land away from Netherlands Capital. Their evil borders reach right up to our gates! How can you say that we "snake or sneak attacked Paris? Paris is right next to us!

Paris is far away from Holy Roma capital. Our brave soldier only step one foot out of the gates and they are at Paris doorstep. You march here from far away. Our soldiers fight and die for the Crusade against France that was called by your Holy Roman Pope Clement! And you accuse us of fraudulent snake attacks?

This attack is about your greed. Nothing more. Your greed for Paris has blinded you to all else. Our wounded men have retreated from their victory at Paris back to their homes and families to tell all of people about the cowardly backstabbing treachery of Holy Rome. We pray that Almighty God will forgive you and help you to see the error of your ways.

[Holy Roma (DoB)]

Official response to King Lothar to the leader of the Netherlands:
I have read your letter carefully. From this neutral person will decide that your outrage is sincere, but I and my military council that now you think you are angry because your insidious plan failed.

I may be a little steep in my speech, but time without sex really makes me permanently angry.

My general attacked your troops (who were completely fresh) because he did not want you to be strong in Paris. You just have to talk to us. I offer you peace plus NAP. If you take good if you refuse I will not lose sleep over it.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

The King of Netherlands sends to Holy Roma a letter in private. This talk of treaties is not for the public ears.

[Portugal (DoB)]

Portugal is poor. Never have been our beloved country in such a poverty.

[Persia (DoB)]

Walking among the healers with a personal guard, Malik-Shah observes the small miracles performed by those learned in roots and wet bindings. Soon, the next attack would be ordered, and thanks to the benefit of a healer company in the army, it would do so at full strength!



Returning to his tent, many reports awaited him. Among those reports was one depicting the building of a Plantation, with numbers allocating the number of buildings constructed, workers needed, and time spent to teach them to perform good work. At the bottom was the number that made Malik-Shah himself widen his eyes in surprise. "Is this report accurate?" he asked his trade advisor. "No, great one."

"As I thought, some farmboy want-to-be scientific ingrate wanted to impress me with such a bounty that would see him secured an income of the treasury for years without worry, well, I shall give him something to worry about!"

"Great one.."

"What?"

"The actual number is rather higher than the report states."

"..."

"I have seen this firsthand great one, and by the grace of Allah, we can expect valuable trade after the first harvest, and even more demands of trade after word of the first has run from tribe to tribe."

"Hm, well now. Give this man what he needs to succeed at the one place he specifies, and implement it three times over behind his back at suitable locations."

His advisor left, leaving the Malik-Shah to reports about the dealings of other tribes. "Portugal" he thought, "Perhaps an offer of trade would be of help to his tribe? Allah knows I have had little to do with them before." Pouring over the other reports, he found a number of sudden peace offerings between tribes that were at odds with one another.. "I wonder what Nether actually agreed to, with the demands of England and Holy Rome both at their throats." Then, reading a report from the north, he was surprised that Ottoman forces already lay siege to the Russian city of Volga. "This is good news, I must send to their leader and wish them good luck in their war." Another letter of fine make came from the east, with the personal seal of the Eternal Emperor Qin. After reading it, he sat down to write many letters.

[Holy Roma (DoB)]

King Lothar communicated to the Christian world that bloodshed among Christians over. Misunderstandings between the Sacred Roman Empire and the Netherlands were overcome and both sides exchanged assurances of friendship and alliance.

[Spain (DoB)]

The Portugese have invaded the lands of Catalunya with a large army of crossbowmen, and the Gran Duquessa Catalina sends this open letter to the leaders of Portugal.

Our Christian Brothers and Sisters of Portugal, who we thought were our friends and good neighbours.

We offer you the opportunity to cease this war immediately, before it becomes a true war, and we pray to God that your hostilities are just a simple misunderstanding.

If this is not just a simple misunderstanding, and you truly intend to wage war on us - your peaceful neighbours since the exodus from the Valley - we regret what this means for our future relations. We do not know what have caused your unexpected hostility towards our nation, but in accordance to the most honorable code of war, Catalunya then must invoke the ancient tradition of Major Measured War. We ask for your terms to immediately end this war, and we ask that your demand is given in good faith in accordance to this most honorable code of war.

Our prayers go to God in these trying times, and we ask for His guidance. We have sent this letter to the Holy Father, in the hope that he will intervene on behalf of God to ensure that peace between the Christian nations is maintained. We also ask that all other Christian nations intervene and ask the Portugese people to reconsider these actions before it is too late.

Gran Duquessa Catalina du Valencia of Catalunya

[Persia (DoB)]

"Strange." he thought. "To make a statement of poverty before declaring war, no other reason given."
In the darkness outside, the sky was lit by a multitude of stars in the night.



"There must be some other reason for this aggression. Has Ricardo fallen from grace? Usurped by another, more warmongering man? Does Portugal crave gold and treasure so badly that they would upset their own faithful to claim that which could have been gained through diplomacy and friendly trade? I hope to Allah it is not so.

The cradle of Islam fell to barbarian rule, by the will of Allah it was recaptured. If the cradle of Christianity is in the hands of those who lack the civilized wisdom to talk with their neighbours, especially fellow brothers of their faith.. then it is a poor day for all those who follow that path. For doing such a thing, suddenly, acting without any provocation, is the best way to have friendship and trust evaporate like drops of water in the sun-baked desert. Then it will take many steps, with much good will and sacrifice, before trust can be gained once more." Going outside with a prayer blanket, the biting cold of night embraces him as he prostrates himself, facing towards Mecca under the stars.

"Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching;
and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious:
for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path,
and who receive guidance."
(Qur'an 16:125)

"And do not argue with the followers of the Book except by what is best,
save with those of them who act unjustly, and say:
We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you,
and our God and your God is One, and to Him do we submit."
(Qur'an 29:46)

By soft creaking of leather and footsteps, the movement of guards was distinct. He prayed while torches momentarily brightened the night, before casting it into an even deeper darkness. "After light comes darkness, and before light appears it is darker still. Yet faith and belief in the light will cast away the darkness. Insha'Allah." With these words Malik-Shah finished his prayers and made ready to sleep, preparing for the coming days of battle against the fortified Roman settlement.

[Portugal (DoB)]

- Are you sure this Catalunian Order are heretics? Ricardo asked his chief spy.
- But of course they are My Lord! Look at them - they worship so many cults and other religions in their main quarter! All Catalunians are heretics! These heresy temples and monasteries and their priests they are spreading their heresy even in our capitol! They teach our citizens to yearn to join their motherland as if there is other motherland than Portugal... They teach our farmers and miners to bring the fruits of their work to the heretics in Valencia when our citizens are starving... Which normal Christian can do this?
- Are the inquisitors sure?
- Yes, My Lord! They are!
- Then I will send them punishment. No one will expect the Portuguese Inquisition! Purify them with fire. Send my orders to my captains. Act on Friday morning. I think it is 13-th.