Domination of Barbarians [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 19 - October 2013]

[Sommerswerd]

Domination of Barbarians [Diplo Game] [Story Thread 19 - October 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]

With most of the Barbarians finally gone, the nations of the world have settled into a struggle for dominance. The German Barbarians are the last holdouts, having been driven from North America by the mighty armies of England and relegated to their last outpost, a pathetic, but populous island in the Caribbean. Only time will tell what nation will swallow them up, annexing the last of the German people into their fold, but one thing is certain, their days are numbered.



Now the nations of the world begin the next great challenge, the quest to prove who is truly the greatest among them. Lands, wealth, technology, weapons and armies, these are the new orders of the day, as the cultural struggles of the ancient times have gradually given way to technological ones. In this race for power, larger alliances are forming, most prominent among these is the Islamic brotherhood, which includes half the nations of the civilized world. And as Islam grows, so does the wealth and power of Persia, the guardians of Mecca. Persia, and their new Emira are proving to be masters of both land and sea, both gun and sail.

The English superpower dominates the field of lands with far more cities than any nation in the world, an entire continent of their own, territory stretching from one end of the globe to the other. Greece does not have as much land as England, but in the arena of technology, Greece is the clear leader. Thanks to their seemingly endless Golden Ages, the Greek scientists have developed gunpowder weaponry and Musket armed soldiers now form the backbone of their advanced armies.

The advantage of Gunpowder is not exclusive to the Greeks however. Both the Spanish and Persian superpowers have also learned the secret of Gunpowder, and their ranks are swelling with Musketmen each day. The Spanish continue to rely primarily on the Knight as their soldier of choice, having used them to claim a large share of the Portuguese lands in South America, laying their own claims to global superpower status.



Despite sticking primarily to offensively superior Knights, the female knights of Catalunya are frequently seen nowadays aboard Galleons with flintlock muskets or pistols tucked into their belts, even if the weapons are mostly for show. The Persians however, have decided to put their Muskets to the test, in a campaign of conquest against Holy Roma. Persia has shown themselves to have a vast, advanced army, the mark of any true superpower.

Despite, the initial gains, capturing the Holy Roman capital and several of their northern provinces, the tide of the War seems to have turned. In a bold move that was a blend of desperation, madness, and tactical genius, the Holy Roman Emperor used the Persian greed and arrogance to lure the Persians in to a seemingly easy capture of a city. Once the Persians were inside the Holy Romans executed a "reverse Trojan Horse" burning the city with the invaders trapped inside, annihilating the Persian army. So now it seems that the Holy Roma are fighting back, not only recapturing some of their smaller cities, but standing poised to launch a counter invasion of the routed Persians.

Will the Holy Roman Macemen and Crossbows be able to embarrass the higher numbers and advanced weaponry of the Muskets and Knights of Persia? Such a shocking defeat, considering their tremendous technological advantage, will threaten Persia's very status as a superpower and shake the foundations of world geopolitics to the core.



As if sensing the vulnerability of the powerful, but slow flintlock Musketman, the Greeks have developed an even more fearsome use of Gunpowder technology, called the Grenadier. These explosive wielders attack with gunpowder bombs from a distance and cutlasses from close range. They are superior to both the Musketman and the Knight, and represent yet another example of Greek dominance in military technology.

Thousands of miles away, the relative peace of Asia has remained constant. A few minor skirmishes with the scant Barbarian holdouts have replaced what was a hotbed of bloody conflict so long ago. However, there is still arming. Massive Greek and Ottoman armies converge in the northern center, setting the stage for what could be the largest battles in modern history. Then again, nothing could come of it. Nothing exists now but rumors and accusations.



Oceania and the Pacific have also remained peaceful, despite rapid expansions there by the Greeks, English, Holy Roma, Spanish, Persians and Japanese. Australia remains in the firm control of the Greek juggernaut, but also remains mostly unsettled. Adding to the security of Greek claims in Oceania are the development of massive new warships called Frigates, which are dramatically powerful compared to the small Caravels that used to rule the seas. Greek ingenuity was the first to introduce this technology to the world, but it is has already been copied by the Persians. Unfortunately, the Persian Frigates will not help them against the Holy Romans.

Despite more nations developing the technology or obtaining the ships to contest the open oceans, Greece remains one step ahead. Greek shipwrights have developed an even more powerful warship than the impressive Frigate. This new ship is larger and slower, but has twice the guns of a Frigate and carries more crew, making it superior to the Frigate in any head to head battle. This new terror of the seas is called the Grecian "Ship-Of-The-Line"



Whether any nation would dare to challenge Greek supremacy in the lands down under or anywhere at sea remains to be seen, but there are rumors at least, that England has claimed the large island of New Zealand. Oceania is becoming a diverse place.

[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

Netherlands
King Karlson, son of 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
Grand Chieftain Durakan, the 33rd in the lineage of 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 the Eternal of Japan, successors of the Mother of Qin Shi Huang, successor to the Father of Qin Shi Huang

England
Queen Elizabeth the Immortal, Queen of the United Kingdom of England, Ire and New England

Persia
Ameera Sayyadina Shamara, daughter of 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
Lord Gottfried I Defender of the Faith, succesor following the death of 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

-- Portugal (Destroyed by Persia) - Unknown ruler following the death of Ricardo Araujo Leader of the Jesuit Order, usurper of Pedro Machuka, son of Porto & Portu, husband and wife

[England (DoB)]

The ships were greeted with awe upon their return to England. Their rendezvous with Persian military engineers had proved a wild success. With the importation of modern armaments England would again assert its dominance as the preeminent naval force in the North Atlantic. The Great White Fleet (GWF) when fully assembled almost certainly the most powerful naval force the world has ever known.

[Persia (DoB)]

A letter is sent to the newly named King Gottfried I of HRE, suggesting once more the peaceful resolution by giving over all Romani cities with muslim heritage. Attacks are delayed for a time while waiting for this new leader to address Shamara with courtesy and honorifics befitting a Sayyadina of the Persian Empire.


Emmissaries are sent to partake in the celebration of the Greek golden age, with well-wishes and gifts proper for a national feast.


Constructors have arrived from a journey through England of historic proportions, undertaking the greatest feat of combined civil and military engineering in Persian history. Renewed interest from other nations has given these great minds extended leave to visit other nations, offering the possibility of large scale upgrades to ship inventories.


A contest between Macemen and Musketmen in mainland Persia has gained the attention of moneybrokers. Which unit has the greatest efficiancy when pitted against different foes? What is the ultimate warrior unit in today's Persia? Extreme value has been seen to shift hands as people are entertained in the Colosseum of Zohak.

[Holy Roma (DoB)]

King Godfried I Defender of the Faith to all:

We have received proposal for peace by the Persians, but in it we saw nothing for us to collect the swords in scabbards.

We say that - while the Persians hold Aachen we will not sit down at the negotiating table.

Until we heard rumors that our former King Charles the Bald was captured by infidels.

This is not true he died heroically defending the capital, it's the truth.

If Persia wants peace let us return Aachen, thus at least partially restore the justice.

written by our own hand in the military camp near Moscow.

[Holy Roma (DoB)]

King Godfried I Defender of the Faith to all:

We have received proposal for peace by the Persians, but in it we saw nothing for us to collect the swords in scabbards.

We say that - while the Persians hold Aachen we will not sit down at the negotiating table.

Until we heard rumors that our former King Charles the Bald was captured by infidels.

This is not true he died heroically defending the capital, it's the truth.

If Persia wants peace let us return Aachen, thus at least partially restore the justice.

written by our own hand in the military camp near Moscow.

[Persia (DoB)]

Unrest reported from the Romani nation as Gottfried invokes the stigmata of Christ upon the population, thereby blessing all men, women and children to the glorious chance to slave for the greater good as Christ once died for their sins should the need arise. Nationwide anarchy spreads as the recently bloodied veterans of the Moscow slaughter enforce the stigmata upon the population of free Romani newly accustomed to a caste system. Many deaths reported after skirmishes between veterans and free citizens. Word is that Gottfried usurped the old king, waiting for just such a moment as this war to tear himself a crown from the cold, dead hands of Charles the Bald. Unwittingly, the Persian siege and capture of Aachen saved the mad old king, now just another old fool in the Aachen prison cells. After a letter is recieved from the Romani, rumors fly through camp, the ranking officers more strict than usual, and an order to pack up all belongings ready to move, awaiting the word of Inés, the new commander.

[Persia (DoB)]

A man formerly known for his close relation to Charles the Bald has been publicly executed in Vienna after accusations of espionage on behalf of Persia.



In response, the citizens of Holy Roma along with the far eastern colony of Papua has rebelled against their new King and welcome Persian rule where they can live as free citizens without fear of becoming indentured slaves by order of their king, blessed or otherwise.

[Persia (DoB)]

The Romani army has gathered on the hills beyond the plains of Aachen. In the city, fortifications are set up but the Persian army is horribly outnumbered and the commander has recieved orders to abandon the city. Facilitating attempts at a peaceful resolution without further meaningless bloodshed.

The claim however, remains the same; a complete surrender of Romani cities with Muslim heritage. As of 1542; Papua, Balikpapan, Holy Roma and Aachen are under Persian rule, Makassar under siege. Kirienko and Moscow recaptured after first being seized in the triple threat attack at the beginning of the Jihad. Braganza has been left alone due to the population being held hostage by the military, with threats to "scorch the earth" if Persia attacked.

Reports come that a military exercise is currently undertaken by a Netherlands army close to the border of Romani lands. Muslim pilgrims formerly captured by Romani have been seen in Nether territories, seemingly unharmed. Talks are underway with Nether leadership about the health of these workers after enduring Romani whips.

[Persia (DoB)]

Inés, the lioness of Valencia, former campaign generalissima against Rome and Portugal, a tactical genius and serving Persia for her regretful yet neccessary direct aquisition of the Spanish military during wartime, did not believe her eyes. The order was given, the troops were on the march out of the city and on route towards the greek border when the first scout reports came in with the written message: Romani ambush! Eyes still on the message, she gave orders to her subordinates. They swiftly moved without hesitation, a discipline instilled by hard training and good morale. They knew their commander, as she knew them. The Romani had planned this well, as fog lay heavy in the hills to the west of Aachen.



The gutfeeling that made her send scouts further out than before, opposing the safe passage promised by Romani messengers had paid off. Now, everything hinged on the timing. Thanks to extensive plans being filtered through a source close to the king of the Romani himself, the best displacement of troops was well-known to the Persian command. There was a single hitch with the whole plan, the army had to appear for all intents and purposes to be unaware, so far as to walk well within range of the fearsome Romani siege engines. However, the route that they took enabled a small force to be sent behind enemy lines. This fell to the Ukku-Tan Tribe, well known for their prevailing skill at silent movement. They were a tribe known for uncanny fairness of skin and auburn hair, the women equal in strength to any normal man, and their men a byword in and of themselves.



As the army marched, they had a tight formation to lull their enemy into thinking they had the advantage. Walking through the landscape, orders and maneuvers tightly fitted into the landmarks. After the fifth rise, deep thump-thumps were heard and the platoon moved as one man to spread out as far as possible. Men died from crushing rocks, but far fewer than had they remained in tight formation. Expecting assaults, men moved to the extended lines with broad shields and sure enough, the macemen came running towards them. Behind the shields, propped up to withstand great strain, the musketmen began their firing solution. One line firing, going down on one knee to reload while a second line fired, before going on one knee to allow a third line to fire, and as the third line began reloading, the first line was ready to fire again. It became a slaughterhouse in the forest, for while the musketmen cut down line by line the onrush of macemen, their reinforcements were ambushed by the crossbows of the Ukku-Tan. Timing their shots with the line-of-fire at the front, the Ukku-Tan were able to cut down three whole Macemen companies before they were discovered, and while fleeing still managed to dispatch another whole company before getting out of harm's way.



Meanwhile, outside the city of Aachen, history repeated itself as Persian macemen absolutely crush the Romani macemen in the fields of war. Covered from the walls by sky-darkening longbows and deadly short-range crossbows, the Persian soldiers broke the spirit of the Romani army after three exhausting days of battle where the death toll was numbered at over 150,000 dead Romani in the hills and outside the city walls. By comparison, there was less than a thousand dead Persians, though a far larger number suffered wounds of various nature.

[Persia (DoB)]

In a shocking revelation, the wife of Gottfried I, Defender of the Faith, has been found guilty of high treason!

She was caught in the act of sending valuable messages of military intel to the Persian army. She suffers in Nüremberg prison while her husband deliberates her crimes. If true, she could turn out to be that sole secret source behind the recent total loss in battle against Persian forces.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

The travels of Cardinal Sean Jean and Sir Aaron the Relentless, part 4

Persia



The Caravan of gold coins and trade goods from the many Greek and Netherlands investors crossed into the deserts of Persia eventually stopping to rest in Adrianople. As they ventured deeper into the Arabian peninsula, many of the Knights of the caravan began to talk loudly about their superstitions about this region of the world. This was at last, the place where the original 18 tribes were said to have come from. In this flood plain was the beginning of civilization itself. Others cursed them as heretics and reminded them of the ancient beliefs in Father Fire and Ocean Mother. By the time they got to Aleppo, Sir Aaron had already threatened to kill two of the knights and actually stabbed one of them in the buttocks for insubordination. The trip through the lands of Islam were off to a rocky start.

Fortunately by the time they reached the Persian capital of Persepolis, Cardinal Sean Jean had calmed them down. He did this by casually mentioning that he might go on a pilgrimage to Mecca and leave them all to camp in the windswept deserts outside the city in tents until he returned, a weeks wait at a minimum. The knights did not dare enter the Muslim capital without Cardinal Sean Jean as he was the only one in the group who knew the language and customs. The prospect of spending the burning hot days and blistering cold nights in tents outside Persepolis was enough to get the men back in line. Some of the knights pleaded with the Cardinal not to go on a detour to Mecca, but to press on with the mission.

So they crossed the mountains between Persepolis and Susa on their way to the Indus valley and upon crossing they were met with the stark contrast of the lush fields near Guhuzz. India was a beautiful land of bountiful harvests and delicious spices. The knights enjoyed this much more than the harsh deserts of Western Persia. Eastern Persia was almost completely opposite. After meeting with additional investors in the wealthy city of Zohak, followed by a brief rest in Ghulaman and the caravan was ready for the final leg of the journey.

China




The original plan was to meet with the captain of the galleon, Athena's Word in Shanghai but the cardinal received a message at the border that the crew had mutinied on the journey through the Caribbean. There was a bitter dispute on whether it was better to take the faster route up the English coast or to avoid English waters altogether to avoid English patrols who were know to attack defenseless ships without warning. In the end the first mate won the argument, by locking the captain in the brig and sailing the ship far south to avoid meeting any English.

They traveled to Shanghai as planned, but they left the captain on the dock there, still in chains, and sailed away without him to meet the Cardinal in Hong Kong instead. This is where the term "Shanghai'd comes from.

Japan


Japan was the destination from Hong Kong, and no sooner than the caravan was aboard, the crew set sail for Kyoto. The trip was a brief one without incident, but no one spoke of what had happened on the journey across the Pacific or the whereabouts of the captain. The very first words of Sir Aaron when he stepped on the boat was that he was sick and tired of the bickering and questions, and he would kill any man where he stood who dared make any trouble on this voyage.

Japan was not a place for merrymaking, much of the legendary splendor of the land was still ruined from the generations of barbarian wars and the ultimate takeover by the Shogun. Cardinal Sean Jean did not even seek an audience with the Shogun, after hearing rumors that the Shogun had passed away years ago, but his ghost was still considered to be the ruler, as no new Shogun had been named. This strange custom was best left undisturbed and unquestioned he thought, and instead he simply met with the local businessmen to complete his trade mission. The gold earned from the investments and trades was far more than anyone predicted and would fuel Netherlands research efforts for decades to come.

The mood in Kyoto was very grim and sombre, with a deep sense of impending doom. All the Knights of the Caravan were eager to leave as soon as possible. As luck would have it, the King had already sent a letter which was waiting for Sir Aaron when they arrived. They were to return to the capital at once. The King was so impressed with the success of the first mission, that he was already planning another.

[Holy Roma (DoB)]

King Godfried dip in the hot tub for some minutes felt bliss. After a while he took from the table beside him a sharp razor and unhesitatingly cut his throat.

[Holy Roma (DoB)]

Message from the Grand Council of the Sacred Roman Empire: To all

Gottfried King is dead. He died killed by a feeling of guilt after failing to return capital Aachen in our hands.

We noblest men of the Empire declare that our conditions for peace remain the same, the Islamists must return Aachen and then we can talk about peace.

Tomorrow I will choose a new king Today we mourn the old.