Domination of Barbarians [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 18 - September 2013]

[Sommerswerd]

Domination of Barbarians [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 18 - September 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 wars of Asia have died down as Japan finally crowns their victorious Shogun the first Emperor in generations. Inheriting a ruined land, Japan must set about the task of rebuilding, but at least there is, at long last... peace and the promise of growth and stability. On the whole, Asia is quiet. There are no great wars, no great feats accomplished, no great deeds by great men. Asia simply rebuilds for the future. All the meanwhile, in Europe, Africa, Australia and the Americas, nothing could be further from the truth.



The passing of generations has seen more great accomplishments for the tribes of the world, now great Nations. The Barbarians of old have all but been swept away, the weak have been crushed, and the strong prosper. Almighty England has added the glorious Notre Dame Cathedral to her ever-growing list of Great Wonders and the prosperity and power of England's Taoist faith is once more on display.



Not to be diminished however, is the upstart religion growing in the New World. England's Buddhist faithful, once an obscure sect of Taoism, practiced only in the backwards villages of the North American plains, has burgeoned into a vibrant faith with widespread following, thanks to the North American English faithful constructing the Mahabodhi, a giant temple devoted to the Buddhist way of life. This beautiful temple serves as the worldwide epicenter of the faith, and brings countless amounts of riches to the Immortal Queen of England.



But these are not the only Great Wonders of religious and spiritual significance to be constructed in recent years. The little known religion of Judaism is practiced in isolated regions of Africa. This faith was thought to be little more than a primitive tribal remnant of the conquered Roman-African migrants, however, the Duchessa has commisioned the building of a great temple of Judaism called the Temple of Solomon. A Great Prophet dedicated his life's work to this project under the orders of the Duchessa, and it the hope of the Spanish that this will spark a new worlwide religion that one day rivals the riches of Christianity, Islam or Taoism. With this feat, Catalunya has taken yet another step towards becoming a new world superpower.



Still, the Greek superpower is not to be forgotten or outdone. Utilizing once again, their tremendous technological advantage, Greece has discovered new advances in thought, philosophy, governance, that the other Nations could only dream of. Most recently, the Greeks completed the Taj Mahal, a spectacular Masoleum that inspires the populace for a generation, igniting a Golden Age in the already prosperous Greece. The Citizens of Greece act quickly to use this newly inspired productivity to field massive armies of Knights that crush Portuguese opposition in South America, and then the Arabian Barbarian presence in Australia. When the smoke cleared, Greece is all but master of two new Continents, further solidifying her place as the dominant global power.

But the Arabians are not the only Barbarians to meet such a fate at the hands of the civilized tribes. A joint effort by Persia and the Catalunyans finally lays the Romans low, and the once proud but small Celtic tribe is snuffed out by a lightning fast invasion led by William the Conqueror of England. Moving quickly from the Conquest of Ireland to the defeat of the Netherlands in Quebec to a campaign against the Germans, the last Barbarian tribe, England is seeking to solidify control of North America, and establish themselves as Greece's only true rival in the Western Hemishpere.

[Sommerswerd]

Headship / Royal Lineages of the World

Civilized Nations

Spain
Gran Duquessa Catalina de Valencia de Catalunya, restored to power by Generalissima Ines, usurper of 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
King Karl, descendant of the old Kings and usurper of 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
Sultan Astrakan, son of Sultan Arsalan, son of 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 Roma
Emperor Charles the Bald, appointed successor of Lotharius rex King of the Sacred Roman Empire, sucessor to Caroli Magni

Japan
Emperor Hikao Meiji the Embattled, slayer of the unknown Barbarians, 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

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

(Organized Barbarians)--

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

-- 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

-- Russia (Destroyed by Ottomans) - 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

-- France (Destroyed by Holy Roma)- 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

--Vikings (Destroyed by Netherlands)- Barbarian King Ragnar II, following the rule of Harald Hardrada, son of Chief Ragnar

-- Rome (Destroyed by Persia and Spain)- 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

-- Celtia (Destroyed by England)- Barbarian Lord Brennus II, following the rule of Celtics people, in the absence of King Brennus, returning conqueror of King Ire, imprisoner of Lord Chieftain Brennus & Aithe

-- Arabia (Destroyed by Greece) - 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

[Netherlands (DoB)]

Announcement -

King Karlson has been crowned the new King of Netherlands after the death of his father King Karl. King Karlson has studied in Paris at the many Great Wonders including the Angkor Wat, where he has learned the wisdom of religious enlightenment. Upon taking the throne, King Karlson has immediately launched a upheaval of the old government and put new changes in place to almost all aspects of the Netherlands government. He hopes that our country can recover from the unfortunate conflicts with England and repair our economy. Once the anarchy of the revolution is over, the new government reforms will be put in place. Netherlands will attempt to live in peace and shun the pursuit of expansions and wars in favor of a new pacifist philosophy of development and enlightenment.

Messenger Reports coming in-

Netherlands cartographers observing the war front between Holy Rome and Spain have seen Holy Roman armies fleeing after capturing one city. Spanish Galleons loaded with reinforcements coming in from the successful war against the Portuguese in South America have apparently forced peace with the Holy Roman invaders. The capture of the city is puzzling, because with 99% Spanish living there, and the capital of Valencia so close, the city will soon revolt against Holy Roma and rejoin the Spanish flag. It seems that this invasion was nothing but a waste of time and lives.

Netherlands cartographers tracking the war in South America have determined that Portugal has been completely defeated and swept from South America. There is no cities left belonging to Portugal and they have been conquered by the armies of Knights from Spain and Greece.



Netherlands has experienced a boom in technological advancement, thanks to the efforts of our brilliant SoJ officers working with the loyal Netherlands people occupied by the evil Pirate Empire of the Demon Elizabeth. Our loyal subjects that are oppressed are gladly sharing whatever knowledge they learn of English ways with us, and our scientists have used this information to rapidly learn the secrets of Compass, Guilds and Optics. Netherlands has already upgraded many of our mounted archers to the first Netherlands armored Knights divisions and upgraded our ships to seafaring Caravels. The accomplished SoJ are still operating and have many more plans to enhance the defensive security of Netherlands so that we may live at last in peace.

[Persia (DoB)]

In Mecca all men are equal before Allah. For the voices of the people can be as the voice of god itself. Listen to it and be at peace, listen to it and take heed, failure to listen will see you back among your people. Speak from your heart and you speak for your people.

These words were among the many lessons for those who came to serve the people in the halls. Every temple sending one to Mecca each year, returning after three. For the first year they learn to listen. In the second they learn to speak. Their third year is spent as the voice of their respective temple. Ever since the founding of Masjid Al-Haram has this been so.

Many years have found students not arriving from those who wage war, sealing their borders and denying passage even to the faithful in their fear of spies and others who they feel threatened by. Now the voice of Aachen stands without student, with no word from the other temples in Romani lands. He gathers them all in the great hall of voices in a summoning of the faithful. Near a hundred different voices of the people and their listeners. They begin their talks..

[Persia (DoB)]

Of mud and men, how peace was brought to Spain. A tale from an eyewitness.

They walked through the mush of mudflats trampled by horses and men. Where green hills and plains were before, a wide trail of destruction followed in the wake of the Romani army. Horse dung and man dung brought a stench overpowering the senses, camps spread out pell-mell with little or no organization. The only sight of order being present among the hill where the King himself was settled. A grubby gathering of faithful pilgrims walked through the camp getting catcalls and shouts of 'ragheads go home' by the men, but none of them interfered, and guards were spaced few and far between. It was a shambles of a poor excuse for an army, a threat only in their numbers and far from the impressive order seen among the Spanish military ranks. Where even a green recruit would be akin to a general among the Romani.



From the jungles of Rabi to the mudflats of Carcassonne, the journey was an exhausting one. Through storms and calm, rain and baking sun, walking with his fellow men and making use of all his skills the experience taught many things. One could not deal with dead men. So walking up towards the King's own landing no small shiver coursed through him, not knowing what to expect from this severe and formerly polite leader of men. He kept thinking of the uncertainty displayed when his influx of traders got out of hand, a torrent of information through steadily increasing reports from all over the realm. It was seen as nothing more than common people wanting to make their way in the world. Now.. with the aggression against Spain, Romani showed a colour not seen for many an age. It was almost thankful that King Charles was an unusually experienced and energetic lecher despite his age, tales of depravity and debauchery steming from his boasted Persian Harem was a source of accurate knowledge from the nubile ladies since he spoke often in his drug-induced stupors.



Now as they walked up the hill it was like going into another army entirely. The men had weapons at the ready, their armor gleaming and well-cared for. Ditches dug for dung and urine on the opposite side from where food was made, slaves carrying out tasks in swift silence under the watchful eyes of a taskmaster outside the grand tent belonging to the king. Halted and searched, the only suspicious item was a letter bearing a sigil belonging to Gran Duquessa Catalina, which the pilgrim was told to deliver personally to the King. He was permitted to do so, yet denied the right to have any of his fellows with him in, and as four guards surrounded him as he entered through the tent, the number seemed superflous.

Inside the tent stood rank upon rank of naked men armed with sword and shield in two ranks around the entire inside of the first tent. The personal guard of the King himself. They were unusually good looking, well-toned, well-hung and silent like slaves flittering here and there. Their eyes were silent daggers of dark and green colour, following everything that moved and as the four regular guards detached he was taken in by four of the naked men. Taking him to a separate tent inside the larger tent, where slaves in silence undressed and cleansed him to some small discomfort under the eyes of the guards. His clothing was discarded and a clean cloth of white was given him to drape himself in. Small amounts of scented oil were applied before being sent forth to the next tent for the King's desire to speak. Holding the letter while seated among others similarly dressed he noticed some smoking from metal pots in a fashion of the Persians, a curious custom in the Romani King's tent, most noted among those following the way of Allah.

At one point some laughter was heard, alongside singing from a distance that came closer before moving off. Water and food was served, and three men were bidden to rise and join the King. Counting inside himself, five hours went by with smalltalk among the smokers and silence from most of them. Two discussed the rising price of spices, the army demanding so much meat from the local farmers that some was sent from a long way, often arriving half-rotten and unedible like the wheat arriving from the distant cities in the north. Disgruntled soldiers became a softspoken topic for a while, ebbing out after several looks passed towards the opening of the tent and the naked guards there. One spoke in vague tones that the war was a bad idea, and peace was the only right thing for the King to accept. His vagueness met with silence from the others.

A servant came for him to rise and meet the King, joined by four of the fleshguards. Passing through several layers of tent and guardlines, he wondered how the construction could stay up and how large the pavilion actually was. Then he entered the tent where the King was, after being bidden to wash his hands, feet and face. Entering of naked feet with white cloth donned upon him, he gazed upon a surprising amount of nubile and naked girls and boys, women and men. King Charles the bald, King Charles the womanizer, the buggering man, the organizer of orgies. He lay there with a happy smile upon his face, some dark-haired lady laying with her head attending his groin, making appreciative soft noises. His skin was flaccid, grey hair bordering on white. That he was an old man was not readily apparent from the eagerness in his eyes and the way he gobbled down a cup of some red wine. King Charles spoke, his head drooping slightly. Uncertain, the man waited for a moment. The words were delivered again, slurred but sharper, and understanding presented itself. Moving forward to give the letter to him, one of the fleshguards intervened, took the letter, opened it, and gave it to the King.

Detaching himself from the other pilgrims returning from the journey to the King's camp, leaving the city through one of the smaller gates he journeyed back to Persia, Astrakan himself was deep in thought after witnessing first hand the real nature of king Charles. His voyage to Persia would grant time to consider his options, hopefully it would be enough.

[Holy Roma (DoB)]

Charles the Bald standing in sleeping naked concubines and thought the following:

Christianity is dying, I have a feeling that my kingdom is the last refuge of the followers of Christ. Why Europe is so divided, why Christian kings kiss the feet of Muslim leaders.Why.

In my own lands Islam roam undisturbed. Indeed women have are very nice and know how to deliver much pleasure to the man, but I do not like that most of the trade is in the hands of Islam.

But what to do. Whether to convene the Christian army and to announce Crusade or stretched once the hand of friendship to the infidels.

I will send messengers to the Christian rulers to ask them for their opinion, may be they have remained at least a little courage and give me honest answers. Too bad for Portugal he was a true warrior of the faith, but again brothers in faith stab him in the back.

I have a feeling that me and my country is about the same scenario. Hope Christian rulers who indulge in the hands of Islam quickly understand that a deal with the devil.

See it begin to dawn, we have time for one more orgy to breakfast, I hope at least two new concubines help me to forget about the problems.

[Persia (DoB)]

-the end of Portugal, told by an unknown soldier-

I walked through desolation and sadness, barely noticing moans of those dead or dying in the ruins. It did not rain this day. So many children were ill, so many mothers fallen to the ground weeping and bawling for those lost to them. There were so few men left. So few..

I walked through that day only on the orders to begin the reparations of damage done during the siege. Sunlight skewered what few clouds there were and brought out sweat among all of those labouring to move the corpses. Why did not the rain fall down today, when it must seem that all the heavens should cry out for the people of Portugal. They were a lost people for so long, leaderless, even when they had a leader to bless them with his guidance.

For his blessing was the form of abandonment, a form for those led out beyond a cliff into the sea a thousand fathoms below, a form to make brave women weep and strong men fall down. Silence was his weapon, but he forgot that silence only grows within, fed by judgement of others and shame of those actions too cruel to be acknowledged by himself. In silence his people forgot their love, forgot their pain, and intoned only this: 'His will be done'.

Without ever considering that their hearts were strong, their minds keen, their feet well-balanced and their stomachs hard. They were a people with so much potential unused, so much glory abandoned, so many things left to do. But this was not their time, and it was not to be. They were no more a nation among other nations, and they would be only a page in the history of the world, spread out across the lands of other great nations. Why could it not rain today, to mark their passing honored by the heavens themselves? Perhaps their leader stained his people so, to bar them from even the most base of courtesies.

[Ottomans (DoB)]

An announcement from Grand Chieftain Durakan, the 33rd in his lineage.

"From this day forward, the Ottoman Empire has adopted Islam as its national religion.

May Allah bless you and show you the light and the way.

That is all I have to say."

[Persia (DoB)]

Mecca is the center of celebrations following a public declaration from Grand Chieftain Durukan, the 33rd of his line. Islam is now the national faith of the Ottoman people.

[Persia (DoB)]

Within the hallways of Masjid Al-Haram several voices walked in deep discussion. The feasting among the commoners was a joy that momentarily brightened their topic; the continued lack of new students expected from temples in Romani cities.

A message would need to be made, to best state this concern to the Sultan. They walked onward, discussing details while a cheer was dimly heard through the walls from the enormous crowd celebrating outside.

[Persia (DoB)]

Folded cloth tucked in alcoves presented on rows for visitors, pilgrims cleansed in a running stream fed by the aqueduct prepared for prayers after changing from their travelstained and worn clothes to the ceremonial white garb offered by the temples. Another long day was beginning in what was now known as the Year of Voices.



News about the recent change in national religion in Japan was followed by rumours of anarchy and disorder stemming from a few christian sects that were rooted in the view that Portugal had held. Rumours mentioned the french condition being 'nipped in the bud' as the Shogun implemented the religious change with iron discipline reminiscent of his takeover at the beginning of the current Shogunate. Some of them called it a change for the better, and no tears should be shed for those opposing peaceful change with violence, but kindness and support could be given to their families instead. Voices from Japan got news through their students, and word spread that rumours of trouble were untrue, merely tokens of resistance from those who lost a measure of power over others by not having the empire of Japan behind them when they collected for the benefit of their temples.

Within a year, two nations had changed their national religion from Christianity to that of Islam. Could this be the start of a worldwide trend? What would the future bring for muslims across the land and over the sea? The voices of Mecca continued their deliberations as the Year of Voices was marked by a second celebration in Mecca after the news of change was made public.

[England (DoB)]

The six year jubilee was over. After so many centuries the prophecy of Moses is truly fulfilled. Queen Elizabeth sat to be crowned as Queen of the United Kingdom of England, Ire, and New England.

Meanwhile, in England, William the Conquer paraded his veteran armies from Nottingham to London as a celebration of the United Kingdom’s military prowess.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

The travels of Cardinal Sean Jean and Sir Aaron the Relentless


Once the SoJ informed him that all the secret military technologies of England had been successfully obtained, King Karlson recalled the SoJ corps to Netherlands to devise a new strategy to keep the struggling Netherlands economy in step with modern ages. The King determined that a bold plan was needed, whereby a huge investment of gold needed to be made into the growing Islamic World to sucure trade deals that would fuel Netherlands economy for years to come. After long consultation with advisers, it was decided that a journey by sea was too dangerous, with the ships of the bloodthirsty English Pirate empire patrolling the seas seeking to attack defenseless vessels. Past sea expeditions had been disastrously waylaid by English pirates and the King was nervous to risk such an important mission to the whims of English Pirates.

So the plan devised was that an expedition would be sent by land, and a newly purchased Galleon would be sent from a remote location to meet the expedition on the Asian coast, and then carry them to Japan. This would allow the merchant caravan to engage in trade with the nations as they went, making the mission even more potentially profitable.

As part of the effort to right the economy of Netherlands King Karlson combed through the merchant class to find a great man who was equal to the task of bringing Netherlands into the modern era. He met a man of extraordinary talent and adventurer's spirit, a man named Shah Jahan. He was already well accomplished and well traveled, and owned many opulent estates all over the world, particularly in the east. His palaces in India and elsewhere in Asia were without rival except for the palaces of the rulers and Kings. Shah Jahan was involved in financing some of the world's most well-known architectural and artistic accomplishments. The land revenue of Shah Jahan's fiefdoms and vassals was higher than that of any other non-governmental ruler. The magnificence of Shah Jahan’s main estate in Netherlands was commented upon by several of the most wealthy European merchants and by ambassadors from other parts of the world. His famous Peacock Throne, with its trail blazing in the shifting natural colors of rubies, sapphires, and emeralds, was alone valued at more than the entire GDP of all the combined barbarian nations at the zenith of their power, just after the Barbarian Renaissance.



Shah Jahan was a prolific builder with a highly refined aesthetic sense, but he was also a devout Muslim who's ancestors immigrated from Byzantium to the Islamic city of Nidaros, during the great Jihad to reclaim the holy land. A skilled businessman with connections throughout the world of the Islamic faith, Jahan seemed to be the perfect choice to undertake mission of trade that would bring in an influx of wealth to the Kingdom.

The details of his mission were a carefully guarded state secret, but in order to facilitate this important and unprecedented mission, and to justify entrusting him with such a large amount of the national treasure, Jahan was quickly elevated to the position of Cardinal within the Christian church of Netherlands, and given a new Christian name of Sean Jean as required by law as part of his elevation. This promotion was highly controversial, especially among the Aaron family, who wanted a member of their own elevated to Cardinal, and were loathe to see a proclaimed Muslim given the post instead of a member of their Christian family. So relentless were they in their criticism, that their family earned the nickname "the Relentless Aarons" in the royal court, and it became common to refer to any Aaron as "the Relentless" after saying their name.

But the King knew that only a Muslim would be up to the task, as the trade mission would be to traverse the entire old world, from coast to coast, across thousands of miles of Muslim controlled lands and the King was confident that only a Muslim would know the customs and etiquette needed to secure the trade agreements to accomplish this mission. All of the future of Netherlands depended on it.

So to make the peace, Cardinal Sean Jean was also given a royal escort, a cadre of Knights under the command of none other than a newly knighted member of the Aaron family. This pacified the Aaron family as they were pleased to be included in such a prestigious mission. Sir Aaron "the Relentless" as he was called, was of course himself also Merchant by trade, and would prove invaluable in negotiation of trade deals securing guides and rights of passage through the rugged terrain to cross Asia.

With their caravan assembled, the brave merchants set off, with the future of Netherlands hanging in the balance.

[Persia (DoB)]

"I have it from his brother in Aleppo. It is an empty title, a sham display to placate those who speak against this travel."

The listeners were silent.

"His opponents are relentless, they even embrace it like a family title. He fears for his life while travelling with the order that is meant to be his safeguard. That knight of the Aaron Cross is a well-known merchant in his own right. Should anything happen, should he lose his life, then the Aaron knight would step up without hesitation. But what could he do? Saying no to this opportunity would be refusing the king himself. No merchant is powerful enough to defy a king and expect no consequence."

Several heads came together in soft murmurs, the discussion went on through the day, with reiterations from several Imams and merchants praising his devotion to Allah. The lack of explanation for the disappearance of a Voice seeking grounds to establish a temple in his city was a point that many sought an answer to. More than a week went by before they made their decision..