Domination of Barbarians [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 17 - August 2013]

[Netherlands (DoB)]

Blood for Blood - The death of Nimijen and Nuevo York , part 2

Just as before, with Uppsala, the English continue to arrogantly underestimate the Netherlands. Just as with Uppsala, the English sat in their fortress of Nuevo York. Behind the high walls and formidable fortifications the English obviously felt secure. So secure that their foolish Queen was willing to throw their lives away based on the misinformation her advisers were feeding her. "There is no way they can capture the city! We have Longbows and crossbows behind fortified walls!! Invincible!!!"

But the wall would again prove useless, as it was deja vu all over again. SoJ were already waiting in Nuevo York. So many in fact, that it was impossible to hide the fact that the city was crawling with SoJ, and some were even captured by English investigators. But so numerous were the SoJ in Nuevo York, that there was no chance the mission would fail.

When the attack began, the SoJ already had their operatives in place, but this time, instead of bringing down the walls, they cut off the drainage tunnels out of the city. Now the Netherlanders could walk through the dry trenches allowing the Netherlands forces to stream into the city and open the gates from inside. Without their walls, the English defenders didn't stand a chance and the battle was over before it began.



"For Nimijen! For Netherlands!!" was the battle cry as the heroic Netherlands forces fought the English to the death. Casualties were high, but in the end, Netherlands was once again victorious and the English were defeated.

In the heat of battle, the flaming arrows used by Netherlands began to catch rooftops on fire and soon the whole city was ablaze. Once the English were defeated, the decision was made to just let the city "Burn baby burn" in repayment for the massacre at Nimijen. If Elizabeth don't care about her own people then what can we do about it?" was what the soldiers were saying.

Thus was the end of the once proud city of Nuevo York, proudest, and most populous city in North America, house of a Great artist great work, now just a heap of ash. A monument to the arrogance and madness of the English Queen.

The King sighed, wondering if this war will ever end now.

A Letter to Elizabeth, Queen of England:

Mighty Elizabeth, Mistress of the Atlantic and High Empress of North America,

When you refused my offer of peace I had no choice but to allow my forces to attack. Hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions have died senselessly because of your stubborn refusal to just end this costly war. Netherlands did not ask for this. You could have prevented this. I beg you once again. Please let us put down our bows and swords. Allow my wounded to evacuate North America and we can come to the negotiating table to reach a peace treaty.

Your humble servant,

Karl of Netherlands

[England (DoB)]

The funeral pyre smoldered for weeks. Perhaps the Nether forget that war is a brutal business where victory is worth every sacrifice. Nether spies have allowed them tactical battlefield success, but their war is all but lost. Nether forces would be in even more dire straits were it not for the long awaited English invasion of Ireland.

[England (DoB)]

Victoria assembled the English armies outside the burnt husk that was Nimijen and prepared to march north. She had led the English into the New World to fulfill the prophecy of Moses and she would blot out the Nether stain that had befouled English destiny.

[England (DoB)]

William was too young to join the vast English army sailing for Ireland, but thirsting for adventure and inspired by the strong martial tradition of the mighty English people he would not be deterred. Late one night he smuggled himself into the hull of an English transport carrying supplies to the English expeditionary forces. He knew he would either find glory, or death.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

Since the English seem intent on only the death of Netherlands people, we call for MMW. Let England come forward and tell the world what are her terms for the end of this bloodshed. No other city of Netherlands may be attacked until England answers.

If England asks for Netherlands cities without compensation, we refuse, let the war continue 5 more turns and be then be done.

[England (DoB)]

Per initial terms at outset of war England will accept an immediate ceasefire. Please recognize that the acceptance of a ceasefire does not preclude immediate resumption of hostilities

England offers the flowing terms for MMW or as part of a long-term peace deal should you accept an immediate ceasefire:

• Nether to surrender of two remaining northern New World cities (Amsterdam and Maastricht)

• England to deliver two settlers and 3 caravels to Nether capitol (to occur within length of time involved in a DMW ritual [OCC:10 turns]). England allows evacuation of all Nether units within the New World. England agrees to transport units back to Nether territory via path of Moses if requested.

• Non aggression pact lasting until the year 1500. After 1500, non aggression pact (NAP) may only be canceled with prior notice equal to the length of time involved in a DMW ritual [10 turns].

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

• Nether pledges not to settle additional cities in the New World (north of Victoria Island) for the duration of the NAP.

• Nether pledges not to capture settlements in the New World (north of Victoria Island) for the duration of the NAP.

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

• Both sides pledge not to allow espionage levels to exceed 150% of the espionage level of the other side for the duration of the NAP.

• 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.

• Terms 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.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

Netherlands response to England MMW terms:

Most of the terms you give violates the rules for MMW terms. Nothing in the MMW terms can last longer than the 10 turn Peace treaty. The only terms you gave that are MMW was to give up our last 2 cities in Canada. You say you will give us a settle but we cant settle in North America. Where are we supposed to settle? 3 Caravels do not give us naval security. That is like some laughable joke. English espionage on Netherlands is already greater than 150%.

Since all your other terms are not correct MMW terms, your terms are essentially for us to give up 2 cities for free, which we already rejected. Your terms are rejected and war must end on turn 606.

If you truly want to trade for Amsterdam and Masstrict then we will accept the two Ireland cities in exchange for them. Otherwise MMW peace begins turn 606.

[Japan (DoB)]

The Emperor of Japan, Hikao Meiji, in his 83rd year, finally arrived at the Chinese capital of Beijing to pay his respects to the Chinese royal family and atone for the mistakes of Japan's past. Accompanying him were a full retinue of 12,000 samurai, adorned in black for their shame. The Emperor himself wore a long robe of red, embroidered in golden silk, his family's colors.

The Emperor was carried up the steep hill to the royal palace in a litter, followed by many more full of goods and gifts to the Chinese leadership. Included were a thousand sushi chefs, three thousand geishas, 500 horses, and a variety of gold and iron crafts. As a final gift, he offered fishing rights to waters near Nanjing, formally handing over control, effective within a few years, to the Chinese. "We are happy that the Chinese may now being to return to their former fishing grounds, after such a long time of being kept out by our own," he said.

The Emperor formally apologized to the Chinese at the foot of their throne and begged forgiveness for the failings of his predecessors and Japan's shameful period of anarchy. He is recorded as saying, "I only hope that our future may be prosperous, and our peoples friends."

Afterwards, a large feast was held in honor of the occasion, with all the best families of both empires in attendance. Meiji will now return to his own capital, after making a final farewell in Shanghai.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

King Karl of Netherlands has passed on. His short reign was marked by war, but he will be remembered for his brilliant military tactics and fierce spirit. His last major act as King was to plead with England for peace to save the life of his soldiers who had bravely led the assault on Nuevo York to avenge the massacre at Nimijen. Of course Elizabeth the Demon refused peace and murdered the wounded Netherlands heroes under a flag of truce and surrender. This act of barbarity sent the King into a spiral of senility and seemed to age him decades almost overnight.

In his old age convalescence Netherlands was being ruled by his advisory council. It is rumored that he died of a broken heart at the news that his advisors had requested unconditional peace from England. "Better to die on our feet than to live on our knees" is what he always said regarding the conflict with England. King Karl willalways be remembered as "Karl the Crafty" for his amazing strategies that allowed the capture of the seemingly invincible enemy fortresses at Uppsala, Nidaros and Nuevo York.

Upon the announcement of the King's death, there was widespread panic and rioting in the streets for a long period of time. All production in the country ground to a halt during this time. The advisory council of the King thought the best way to surpress this unrest was to institute a new government policy, which gave ownership of the lands to Feudal lords called "nobles" and allowed them to employ the inhabitants as their vassals, owing them fealty and military service. This system allows the wealthy landowners to better train and equip their peasentry, which leads to better trained and armed troops for the Crown. Vassalage has become the law of the land in Netherlands. It is hoped that this system of creating noble lords who can then govern their lands for the crown will lead to even more advances in military strength and tactics.

[Holy Roma (DoB)]

King Charles the Bald staggered out of the harem provided by the local Muslim traders.
"How long was I gone," he asked his guard
"O mighty two weeks you possess women inside"
"Okay, well rested wonderful. These cut know how to have fun. Now at work."
"What is the situation"
"Master, England and Holland fought fiercely and we have received a request for assistance but have not answered anything without your permission"
"Well you did, we will never forget the meanness of some of our neighbors and the only help they get is that we are not going to light their cities. And the king laughed lion laugh.

[England (DoB)]

Peace is offered to the Nether as bedraggled Nether forces evacuate Maastricht and Amsterdam. The Nether stain on the lands prophecized by Moses is complete.

[England (DoB)]

English armies march south towards the Celtic capitol. A young man named William leads them and his charisma inspires the men to forget their wounds.

[Persia (DoB)]

[Greece (DoB)]

Reports from Spain:

The Portuguese has just landed an army close to the Spanish capital. The size of the army is around 160k strong crossbows and 110k catapults. It seems they are after taking and razing the Spanish capital, an act of barbarism and with the Greeks stand strongly against. Portugal we advice you to seek peace, you need to find a common ground with Spain and end this Portuguese madness. If you dare to destroy the beautiful city of Valencia Greek armies will be marching into Portugal's cities immediately.

The citizens.

[Japan (DoB)]

Hikao

The dark stared back. Meiji shivered under its gaze, but kept his eyes fixed. Around him was a quiet, polite party appropriate for Japanese dignitaries. Light and austere pluckings of strings and tappings of drums meant to relax the guests, who the emperor had by now totally forgotten.

He sat on his modest throne of wood and iron and looked out past the flickering candlelight and marble palace floor to the treeline beyond. So close to the warmth and joy inside yet still just barely visible, they stuck out of the darkness in a row of thin, crooked lines, like ribs on the night. But the emperor was looking between them, into the blackness filling the background. He had tried to make out what there was out there, tried to remember what he had seen in the morning, and connect it to the dim outlines he thought -or perhaps imagined- he could see. At times the wind would rustle something unseen, and he thought he saw all manner of horrors, at times even the gaunt and frail bodies of men darting between the trees, at the edges of the scene. But in this exercise of focus, he had been taken by the scene, and now it seized him like a cold hand on one's throat, rousing him from sleep.

His hands suddenly clutched the arms of his throne as he tried his best to hold himself up, to sit straight, and look as normal as possible as terror took hold. In time this would pass, he told himself, it always does... until it doesn't one time. Until the last time. Was this the last time? The frigid shaking fear in his chest crept down his veins into every inch of his being as his skin grew pale, his eyes ever fixed between the trees. He could not shake himself of this moment, if he even tried.

His whole body tossed itself around, as the cold hand grabbed hold of his shoulder, and he heard its voice rushing towards him, a whisper growing into a scream. He had lost total control, and the darkness took his voice, and with it finished its cry.

And then Meiji was back in the room, his eyes moved, his hands relaxed their grasp, and he looked around again. He turned and saw all other eyes on him, watching in silence, the music stopped. Through that sound, he had forced out this possession, to have it instead possess all who heard. And again his hands clutched the sides of the chair, as he began to shrivel back into his throne. But as his body tried to retreat, that hand again on his shoulder held it firm, to face this nightmare without escape. Finally, slowly and with extreme trepidation, Meiji turned to look at the hand. He saw the faint, white fingers dug into his shoulder, emanating from a thin, wrinkled arm and a dark cloak. He looked up and a blur of a face looked back, two dark eyes within, focused.

The voice came back, this time much closer. "I think it is time for rest now, sir, come with me please." No, no, this was not right. No, this was his servant, the master of the samurai that accompanied the emperor on all his travels. The anxiety almost immediately washed itself away, and Meiji regained some of his composure. He turned around and bowed in his chair, then calmy stood up and followed the master out of the room. Once in the hall to his chamber, his legs became too weak, and the master helped him to his bed.

"It has been a long day, I must sleep now. Goodnight." And the master bowed, walked back to the door, took a last, long look at the emperor, and closed the door hesitantly. It had been a long day. A few more of these days, and he would have no more. He took off his official robes and slipped into his mat, closely pulling the sheets over himself. Tomorrow would be another such day, but then back to home, out of this foreign hell. Kyoto, one last time, that was all he wanted now. So far he had come, to solidify his final legacy, the lasting peace with his most troublesome neighbor. Just one part of a great legacy, though. He had come from obscurity, taken a throne of a local king, with that kingdom then taken all the thrones in Japan and the Northwest, fought countless battles against barbarians and those who spat on his emblem in the tumultuous days of consolidation, ended war with three great nations, and come to final terms of coexistence, governance, and a rebirth of a once-dead economy. So much success, he dared not see it falter in his last years. His sons would have their inheritance...

His eyes grew tired, and his mind wandered, as it always did, back to those battlefields of his youth, to the first throne, the blood-stained walls of the royal chamber, and beyond. Yes, success, and now time for rest at last with one final, humiliating bow.