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

[England (DoB)]

The Holy Roman fools. The English negotiating party shook their heads in disgust as they traveled back to England. Thick black smoke rising in the distance.

[Persia (DoB)]

To the Foreign Minister of Netherlands

I welcome your flattering words and the proper use of my former titles. You may address me as:

Commander General Inés the Lioness, leader of the Persian Army.

To answer your public letter, I bring to light these excerpts of tales propagated by Nether:

Vienna..

(...)

(...)

Of course, if there is nothing between the lines, and these exerpts are not what Nether intended to tell then the storytellers and writers of Nether should be shot for their incompetence. If I may so suggest, having recently aquired some new rifles of English make, they are very good at cutting down anybody foolish enough to stand against it. Perhaps you wish to send such fools to my Redcoats for exemplary work. I would gladly help my friends in Nether with correctional procedures.

When complaining and proclaiming about the reality and error of Romani notemaking, I do understand your king's wish to own the real thing. It is such joy to find the smallest of things to nitpick over, like hens picking at eachother for a piece of corn. Having the entire note, without smudges, burns and other discrepancies, I assume that what your note suffered from, was a smudge making a 'u' turn into an 'o'. Seeing as my suspicion may not satisfy your need for truth, this being as serious a case to ever be studied, I have given order for a full investigation into the matter. Your cooperation is welcome, but not neccessary.

You may find the unpleasant truth of yours to be a simple Romani lie. I have another public matter to deal with, concerning a negotiation party sent from England to attempt a final reasoning with the Romani. To be blunt, it failed. As such you may be at ease in your continued self-inflicted antagonism towards England.

On behalf of Sayyadina Shamara, leader of the Persian Empire,
Commander General Inés the Lioness, leader of the Persian Army.

As a final note, please bring attention to the fact that the fragrance I use to meditate before battle is known as Nag Champa. It is a blend of spices from the Persian heartland that I can have sent to your subordinates if they wish to know for themselves what ease of mind can be like. Oh, and laughing with a snort is not really attractive. May your SoJ be ever vigilant my dear Foreign Minister.

[Persia (DoB)]

Concerned with the well-being of those wishing to join Greece, a general amnesty was arranged in Holy Roma, Aachen, and Nuremberg. All those who wished to join Greece could do so. At first, it all seemed to work fine. Many talked among themselves before coming forward. To oversee this amnesty, a cadre of Knights had travelled from London to talk with the Romani after word reached the Queen that Romani saw Englishmen as the most glorious beings on earth and far more trustworthy than any others.



Having no problem with a secondary force present, everything started off in the morning outside all three cities. It was a beautiful autumn day, the weather not yet turned crisp but leaves on trees were slowly turning from green to yellow here and there. Groups of ten were sent forward, with those wishing to join Greece going to one side, and the rest to the other side. After a full day of selections, two large groups were evident, they were equal in size so the foremost knight walked over to those not wishing to join Greece, to hear their case and what they would prefer.

That was when everything went wrong.

Somehow, communication must have passed between the cities even while guarded by Persian forces. All three cities turned against their captors as one unified force on the same day. In Holy Roma, the knight of London was hit from behind, his sword taken from him and a simultaneous rush for the city was underway. There, only a single force of Grenadiers with an Elephant platoon as support was in the city, but half the force was out on patrol at the time and the city gates were soon overrun.



The local Captain had the fastest runners go after reinforcements, while he fervently dealt out orders on which areas to guard and which areas to back away from. Facing even unarmed civilians was no laughing matter in their own city. Very soon, it grew worse.

The entire other half of the population, supposedly wishing a peaceful resolution and having promised to do no harm, were lightly guarded. This was used to their advantage as they seized and disarmed their guardians, gaining a number of grenades and swords. Focus diverted entirely to the city, the sudden attack from behind nearly ended the Captain. Some of his men were equally quick to defend, along with support from the knights they were able to hold their own. As the smoke cleared, their enemy had retreated, barely seen as they went beyond the outer wall towards the south gate. Signal flares went up, warning the forces inside the wall to prepare for combat.

In Aachen, the population spread out through the entire city, and began hurling themselves from high windows crying out "for the king!" to explode against troops marching underneath. The same happened in Nuremberg, where the main body of musketmen were outside the city to train with military instructors from England. The force that was left were attacked wholesale, and one of the most memorable events took place when someone lit up the largest gunpowder storage in the city. The fireball was visible for miles.



The sun was setting when reinforcements arrived in Holy Roma. By that time several sections of the city was already aflame. Setting up a forward post between the fire and the civilians, it was meant to offer a peaceful way out while the flames were put out. Instead, this turned out to be a wholesale slaughter. The entire crowd surged forward despite warnings, forcing the men to bombard them with grenades. Ensuing explosions were far larger than anticipated, with several secondary explosions rocking through surrounding buildings. Ordering his men to move forward, the captain now meant to end this before it was too late.

Before he could open his mouth, entire sections of wall exploded from the far side, stunning him and all his men, as the sound of running feet came closer. In sight came a single man with his hands up, shouting "peace! peace! I want to give up!" As he reached the first few soldiers, he suddenly jumped into the air with a cry of "For the King!" and as he landed, the man exploded, creating a five meter crater and killing several men in one fell deed. That was the turning point of the insurgence. Now, orders went out to bombard the enemy on sight. Continued explosions rocked the city, collapsing buildings feeding an ever more rampant fire.



That night, the cities of Holy Roma, Aachen and Nuremberg were burned and razed by their indiginous populations. Not a single individual was left after the extreme insurgence which involved a sickening amount of suicide bombers, and a recount of armaments made a shocking implication. They had help. But no clear answer was found as to who helped them.

Following the days after, when the unlucky subcommanders sent forward a list of losses to Inés, it was clear that the rebellion was done in meticulous fashion, with quick runs to every storage of arms in the three cities. Armed with gunpowder and hatred towards all of civilization, the Romani displayed no regret in blowing up themselves and anyone in their path. Fearing this to occur in settlements taken by Ottomans, warnings were sent out about the radical new way of fighting displayed by the barbaric Romani. As for the English knights, they left for London after treating their wounds.

When news of this reached Inés, she was stunned. After reviewing all that was known, she penned a formal letter.

To the citizens of Greece,

I regret to inform you that the Romani have dealt themselves a deadly blow by what amounts to mass suicide. The three cities of Holy Roma, Aachen and Nuremberg are burned to the ground. Seeing as the population of self-proclaimed Greek and Romani both chose to self-immolate, shouting "for the king" before so doing, I believe that they chose to view their late chairman as the last king of the Romani, disregarding all other ties by this choice.

I do not hold any of this aggression by what appears to be a Greek population against you, but view it instead as the latest of many sad and disturbing reactions by the extremely barbaric Romani population. Know that the Romani will soon be no more. I am camped outside their last settlement and my orders are clear.

Now that these cities are gone, a large amount of fertile land is available. It may be a good move to send some of your population to establish new, wholesome settlements where barbarians once roamed. Persia has no issue with Greece wishing to claim land between themself and Netherlands.

On behalf of Sayyadina Shamara, leader of the Persian Empire,
Commander General Inés the Lioness, leader of the Persian Army.

[Persia (DoB)]

[Persia (DoB)]

Before the gates arrived a Persian army nearly 100,000 strong. No longer was the name of the city important. No longer was the population important. No longer was there any doubt as what was to be done. All had fallen before the might of their army, as Inés gazed upon the walls and focused on potential breaches in the wall to be made by the siege engines.

By all accounts this was the final stronghold for all remaining Romani. Their faith in Christianity did not save them. Their faith in Hindu deites did not save them. Never again would Romani 'Defenders of the Faith' transgress against muslims after this city was taken.

Inés joined the tactical tent of her senior command staff after spending some time in meditation. Now more than ever her mind would need clarity and focus. No errors. No misjudgements. Nothing would go wrong now. She would see to it personally. Maps were ready and her captains in debate already concerning vulnerable spots in the terrain surrounding their target. Someone had managed to get a hold of an artist's rendition of the city, wrinkled and worn though it was, it yielded significant clues to areas where the fight could be advantageous to the Persians.

[Greece (DoB)]

To Persia,

It would make us happy to see you lead out of Greek territories your armies. Please send orders to your generals to move their men either to their homeland or neighboring countries. It is just doesn't sits well with the local populace seeing everyday Persian soldiers marching up and down Greek roads.

Best,
Greece

[Persia (DoB)]

A consolidated force joined together in hills north of Crossroads after what was now spoken of as the Romani purge. As the army set itself to move home, messages were sent out to Greek authorities by subcommander Faroud about the move back to Adrianople. Politely responding to requests for the army movement to proceed without taxing the local farmers too hard.

However, payments to local merchantmen skyrocketed as half a million men at arms set their sights for home along with the supply train following after the army.

[Persia (DoB)]

Rumours of how Mehrdad was named were different according to whom you spoke to.

A member of the Jihaadi named it the light of heaven, the action of Allah, the sign of Romani surrender.

Advisors to the local population were silent on the subject, choosing instead to protect themselves with the sign of the holy cross when asked about it.

Inés herself chose to never speak of it, leaving the answer to Shamara, returned from self-imposed exile during the war.

Members of the scientific community in both Greece and Persia however, claimed that it was a natural phenomenon, a star claimed to have been spotted days in advance.



The effect was that the last stronghold of the HRE, by many named Romani, was taken with minimum loss of life on both sides, and the city itself was not burned to the ground as was originally intended. No longer was the HRE a nation counted among the civilized and living. Passing instead into history under strange celestial signs.

[Netherlands (DoB)]

To Greece:

My messengers were not given access to your offices of finance. Our last figure was 3500 for the services discussed. Please allow our messengers to visit so that we may discuss in more detail.

Netherlands Treasury Office

To Ines of Persia:

A thourough search of ancient Netherlands libraries, Academies and courthouses has revealed a very well documented encounter with mounted Persian soldiers calling themselves "Immortals" by our legendary Netherlands hero, known only as "Captain."

In his encounter, as well as that of other nations, we have noted the severely unusual appearance of the Persians, the Persian Immortals were described as being almost reptilian in appearance and voice, so much so, that they covered their faces and bodies with black sackcloth and fearsome death-masks. This ancient account has been bolstered recently by the encounters of the men in the caravan of Sir Eron Aaron and Cardinal Sean Jean. The men have confirmed to me that the Persians, particularly the Persian military officers are indeed quite terrifying, almost supernatural in appearance.

Commander Generalissima, you are of course reknowed for your traditional beauty, as are all Catalunyan women, but of course, you are no Persian, so the matter remains quite intriguing to our researchers. Inspired by the Greek observatories described by Cardinal Sean Jean and his men, we are constructing an observatory of our own, as part of an effort to expand our understanding of the scientific world. Perhaps we will be able to discover what causes the disturbing appearance among so may Persian military men. As of yet we do not know whether this condition exists at birth, or is brought on by diet, or exposure to some natural cause.

We will keep you informed, as I am certain that you are as interested in this subject as we are.

Netherlands Historian

[Persia (DoB)]

"You need to-"

"No."

"I am o-"

"NO!"

[Netherlands (DoB)]

To Persia:

Why have you violated our espionage agreement? The agreement was 50 observing ambassadors each. Now all of a sudden you have over 600 after years of respecting our agreement? Please stop sending espionage agents to our lands immediately, explain your actions and we can discuss a proper compensation arrangement.

- Netherlands Royal Liason to the Offices of the SoJ

-

[Persia (DoB)]

To the Foreign Minister of Netherlands

(...)

When complaining and proclaiming about the reality and error of Romani notemaking, I do understand your king's wish to own the real thing. It is such joy to find the smallest of things to nitpick over, like hens picking at eachother for a piece of corn. Having the entire note, without smudges, burns and other discrepancies, I assume that what your note suffered from, was a smudge making a 'u' turn into an 'o'. Seeing as my suspicion may not satisfy your need for truth, this being as serious a case to ever be studied, I have given order for a full investigation into the matter. Your cooperation is welcome, but not neccessary.

On behalf of Sayyadina Shamara, leader of the Persian Empire,
Commander General Inés the Lioness, leader of the Persian Army.

A full investigation was publicly declared, and your cooperation is still welcome if you wish to join in this. You have not given any indication that such an investigation was an issue. Do you wish to hide from truth and reason in this age of civilization? Our investigators are not finished yet but with your aid we may find the whole truth sooner rather than later. A worthy goal, do you not agree?

If you rather would rely on rumour and what some defeated mercenary with a grudge told you, I will not stop you from making tales and stories of fantasy without backing it on reality and facts. This may however limit the Persian view of our esteemed Nether friends when any public message is put forth from you.


Commander General Inés the Lioness, leader of the Persian Army.

[Persia (DoB)]

[Persia (DoB)]

As the Persian messenger waited for his turn to deliver the message, he admired many paintings created from a Greek visionary genius. It was a delay in the administrative part of Greek authority that sometimes happened. With many beautiful paintings there to alleviate and decorate the waiting chamber, made in such a fashion as to be life-like, he felt privileged for being allowed to gaze upon such beauty. He could almost feel himself being there, looking at the sun while standing between two cannons.

[Portugal (DoB)]

In a small coastal Christian ex-Portuguese city the fisherman were already forgotten their Portuguese roots and were happily celebrating Halloween with all the carved pumpkins glowing in the dark and kids dressed like ghosts running and screaming around, when suddenly the screams became more and more high in a certain location near the harbor. Adults ran there to see what is happening, as it was not sounding like something good. Arriving at the place, horrifying sight was to be seen - a ghost with cut throat, holding a jagged boarding swords in both his hands was laughing grotesque and shouting something in unhuman scream. Gradually, the words start to be recognized as old Portuguese language and those who still remembered it understood what the ghost was saying:

"Celebrate, you Greek, Spanish and Persian traitors! Celebrate your disgusting lies and low victory, you filthy backstabbers. Celebrate now and here, because I know who you are and I will kill all of you in the other worlds we meet to play whoaaahahahahhhhgggrrrraa"