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

[Spain (DoB)]

The sky above the hills north of Valencia was glowing eerily from all the funeral pyres. The Catalunian army had spent days upon days piling the corpses of the dead Portuguese into mounds that could then be set on fire. It was a grisly sight, and emotionally fatiguing work.



The battle had been fierce, but the Portuguese strategists must have taken leave of their senses, as they did not bombard the defenses of Valencia at all. Hundreds of thousands of Portuguese soldiers had assaulted Valencia, without any tactic or strategy apparent at all. Only a company of Knights and a company of Crossbowmen were lost on the Catalunian side, while the Portuguese army was completely obliterated, to the last man. Among the dead found was Ricardo Araujo himself, pierced through the chest by an arrow from a Catalunian Longbowman.

Spoiler:

[England (DoB)]

Documents captured form the Celts confirmed what had long been suspected but could never be proven….the Germans were truly in league with the barbarian horde. Even as Germany feigned partnership with England and “secured” the barbarian infested northern territories of the New World, Germany was in fact harboring a secret buildup of barbarian forces in the cold tundra to the north. Led by Victoria, Hardened English forces from the Nether wars march north and west.

[Persia (DoB)]

[Netherlands (DoB)]

The trail of tears



Though they fought bravely and their deeds will live on in the songs of Netherlands for ages to come, the Netherlands defenders were eradicated by the English pirate horde. Finally, with all their dignity taken from them, and their lands stripped away, with the pirate horde closing in from the lands and sea to the south, the defenders of Netherlands were forced to retreat in ignominious defeat and shame.

Even the new Longbow techniques and weapons were no match for the massive Pirate horde fielded by the English and their pirate Queen, Elizabeth the Demon. Those who could picked up their bows and the children that were too small to run and headed to the harsh bitter north, ever pursued by the Pirate horde of the English. The English gave no quarter, killing every able bodied man who dared to stay and fight and sacking every city in their path chasing the beleaguered people of Netherlands, now in full retreat in the bitter winter snows of the northeast corner of North America. As the weeping families left their burning homes and ruined lives behind, the wailing and lamenting could be heard through the hills and forests. this has come to be known in Netherlands history as "The trail of Tears".



Thousands died on this bitter drudge. There was constant wailing from the women and children as their husbands and fathers and brothers died. Their children died in the snow with no shoes on their feet or food in their bellies. The people have barely the blankets and food to make the trip. Those who can not walk were left to die in the snow and be eaten by the English cannibals, or fed to their blood fiend Queen. A ghoulish frozen delicacy that she has reportedly grown fond of, chilled blood.



Though they pushed further and further north all the way to the near frozen waters south of Greenland, this was not enough. The Pirate horde wanted blood and they wanted death and they wanted man-flesh to eat. When the people reached the coast they were trapped. All was lost. there was no where left to go. The men who were fortunate enough to carry Longbows gathered a few more men and taught them to fashion hasty Longbows of their own. A few men who still practiced the ancient art of Spearfishing got their fishing Spears and they prepared to make their final stand on the frozen beach where they would be slaughtered and eaten by the approaching English.



As the English horde approached, a few of the people began to pray for a miracle.

And then the miracle came! Out of the snowy, foggy mists a fleet of the Royal Galleys arrived! With cries of joy and relief the people jumped aboard the ships and sailed even further North to land on the unnamed frozen coasts of the Artic shelf. No civilized man had ever before set foot on these shores, now becoming their refuge from the bloodthirsty English.

But they were not out of danger yet. Almost as soon as they arrived and dug hasty shelters on the beach in the snow banks they were attacked by ice barbarians. With nowhere to go, they had no choice but to hunker down in these frostbitten ice-shelters and hope that another miracle arrives to free them of this frozen prison. The Galleys allowed them to cross to escape the pursuing English but they cannot return to North America, and they could not return to Europe in Galleys. They could only pray that help arrives soon, as they could not survive a Winter in this wasteland.**

- Netherlands Historian


** Note that the people were eventually able to escape with their lives. Several convoys of oceanfaring ships were able to pick up the survivors of The Trail of Tears" and bring them back to Netherlands in Europe during the forced peace of the MMW treaty.

[Persia (DoB)]

Rabi, city of a million souls.

In the lighthouse beams were numerous disgruntled fishermen worked day in and day out, all to serve their city and to sell their catch for less money every day. It was every month bringing another cause for lowering the selling price for fish, causing more to be caught for even less value. In the barracks were mutterings of archers being given silver pennants for marksmanship, or for giving certain carnal favours to their commanders out of sight. The streets were filled with beggars and sugar addicts, men, women and children with brown, rotted teeth. Work for more than an hour brought exhaustion, withdrawal symptoms and craving for the sweet sickness, whereafter they lay prone with hearts pulsing strongly, unable to work or do anything coherent for many hours afterwards.



It was a place of harsh judgements and pious priests, a mere skeleton of what the Lisbon before the fire was accorded. The people were heavily taxed by their leadership, for no apparent reason but greed. Word on the street was corruption, rife and heavy handed. More and more fights were dispersed day and night by the lackluster garrison. Most of which were better trained for meeting their enemy at a distance. Being so few, the archers set a hard line -shoot on sight all fighters where fighting was found- keeping the people on their toes and seething with an anger that promised greater danger in the future.



This was the proud capitol of Ricardo, by his enemies known as the Butcher. Who had failed to present himself to the arrival of Astrakan many months before. Lavish apartments and wealth displayed did not soothe the Persian leader who sought peace between two nations. With a presence of mind and bringing a small fortune of his own, bribing guards was not a problem, giving him free reign of the city at all hours. Much was learned, for all but the High Inquisition was prone to bribery. The true measure of Portugal's treasure, measured at more than seven times the wealth of a standard city** was cause for contemplation. Rumours came of mercenary movement, a closing of all libraries and trade routes being safeguarded fiercely by carracks. No report of Ricardo was forthcoming from his court at the palace. "He will soon return from a minor voyage" was the daily reply to inquiries.

The patience of Astrakan grew shorter every day in the presence of corruption, delay, disease, addiction and disgruntlement. Ricardo would need to return soon, while he still had a chance to make Peace..



**Standard city measured at 500 gold

[England (DoB)]

So there ordeal is done?

Yes my Queen, the Nether refugees have returned to their lands, though their tasteless propaganda seems to never cease.

Well it is to be expected, it is no surprise that the Nether leadership refuses to tell its people that they could have evacuated their new World cities in peace with just compensation if only they were not so arrogant as to refuse our terms. But when have the Nether ever been a reasonable people? Not for many a century….even millennium.

You do know they continue to infiltrate our research facilities my Queen?

Yes I have seen the reports, it is surely a weapon of the weak that they wield most effectively – though we seem to capture more of their spies every year. If it continues they will be punished in due time. But they have wasted so much effort in their fools errand to wrest away control of Moses’ promised land that they will remain a far inferior technological rival even should they redouble their espionage efforts.

Will that be all then?

No, tell me of the new settlements at the antipode?

Reports are that it is a fertile of immense beauty. Many Persian sailors have in fact joined the settlements bringing ties of family to our long ties of friendship.

A true testament to our close bonds with the Persian people. They have been a welcome partner ever since Princess Boran brought them out of long isolation.

[Persia (DoB)]

It was 1470 AD, it was starting.

[Holy Roma (DoB)]

King Charles to all:
We gave orders to our victorious troops invaded Catalonia. We can not tolerate aggression against Portugal, which is our Christian sister. Catalan leaders call (although women can not manage) to stop any aggression against Portuguese and throw their weapons.
We urge all other countries to help our just cause.
signed in Aachen by Emperor Charles the Bald

[Persia (DoB)]

Short message from Astrakan, leader of Persia:

King Charles has fallen to the french condition. He seems utterly mad. He cannot be trusted. Yet I will give him an option, I will give him a single chance to come to his senses and prove he is not filled with the madness of french and portuguese leaders. Stop the madness, stop the war, or face a jihad. I implore Greece to speak on this matter. You hold the holy city of Christianity. What does the holy men say?

[Persia (DoB)]

Second message from Astrakan:

Holy Roma has tolerated this war since it started. Why does this affront happen now? Can it be that a lack of units stand in the Spanish mainland? Can it be that Holy Roma intends to attack since it knows that Portugal now is nearly defeated and no longer serve any purpose but delay and diversion? Look to England, who for long times have had an agreement with Portugal based on ancient contracts. The Queen does not go back on a deal simply because all hope is lost for Portugal and she may save a few pieces of gold. That is true dedication and trustworthiness.

Did Holy Roma hope that Spain would succumb to Portugal? If so, then the cowards are no more worth to speak to and stand ready to backstab anyone who entertain friendship with them. Know that the qadi and the Grand Ayatollah stand ready to declare all cities with Muslim followers as part of Persia and Jihad may be declared to regain said cities if Holy Roma is so unhinged and mad that he endangers his own people.

[Holy Roma (DoB)]

I look forward to your response Holy Roma.

to Persia
Signed a truce with Catalonia / Spain, but my mouth was tacky behavior of Persia. Henceforth, we will not tolerate Islam in our land. Even more every circumcised who came to our land will be treated as an enemy.

[Persia (DoB)]

Persian messengers enjoy excellent hospitality while waiting for a slight delay in English messenger services to be worked out.