Ozzy's Classical Eurodip: storythread

[Ljube]

Damn it Zylka!

Greece could have been your friend!

Now you have enemies only!





Die Zylka, die!

[Ljube]

Originally posted by OzzyKP
"Sir, the Spanish have built a military fort on the top of Mount Olympus."
"This is an outrage! The Spanish are liars, theives and barbarians! That is the most holy place in all of Greece, how dare they occupy it."
"What shall we do, sir? They are well entrenched on that mountain. I am unsure. But one thing I do know is this is an act of war. Alert the world, Greece and Spain are now at war. Nothing short of total annhiliation of their vile desecration of Mount Olympus will stop this."

The occupation of Korkyra (Corkyra) is equally unacceptable and reason enough for war!

[atawa]

Roman state of the union 40AD

Dear Citizens,

Our nation has prospered as of late. City's in Roma Major and Dalmatia have grown in size and new settlements have been build north and east. The time has come to split our empire into 6 Provinces: Italia,Padania and Dalmatia witch will form Roma Major. Alpi Superior and the protectorate of Greater Pannonia in the north and northeast while our 2 island city's will transform into the Maffia ports of free trade.

We are at piece with our neighbours and have negotiated permanent borders with our Greek, Gaulic and Chartaginian friends while having rather distant but friendly relations with both Egyptian and Babylonian nations.
The Spanish republic has build a fortress on Mt Olympia witch leads to a postponement of the next Aeola - Roma friendship games. Anyone who has allready purchaced tickets is now instead drafted into the Republican Coastguard, orders are to sink any Spanish vessel entering Roman coastal waters untill they return Mt Olympia to Greece.

We have claimed what we considder our fair share of the world. We ask other nations to respect this claim. In return the Roman Federation shall stake no claim in the vast uninhabited lands in the far east and south of the great seas except maybe 1 or two small trading ports witch shall be negotiated with majority stakeholders seperately.

Our Minister of Peacekeeping informed me that the rate of young men inlisting is rising in the world so in order to protect our lands we need to increase our military budget, baracks are being completed and young Roman men inlisted in our Republican Guard, Mounted Peacekeepers and Coast Guard.
We want to ensure our neighbours that this is purely a defensive measure, we have no plans of invading anyone but neither will we tolerate any armed incursions into Roman teritory.

The days of great expansion are over the Roman people, now its time to concentrate on building up our city's and the surrounding lands whith an up to date defensive force to protect it. Land in the protectorate of Greater Pannonia will be rewarded for family's of those who inlist into the armed forces.

Hadrianus,
Consul of the Roman Federation.

[Zylka]

Puerto Seville, Spain's largest and most active city, can not (at current) compare to most bustling hubs of Mediterranean glory. Yet none could hope to match the ups, downs, shouts and whispers violently echoed in this humble and incredibly prosperous young port town on one Friday morning.

The quarter summer "Travellers Confirmation" report (delivered only to the upper strata of Seville's business managers) reads:

El GUERO

The past few seasons have officially brought the Spanish empire to her first ever war, with a distant Greece. The clash officially started with crown refusal to remove a trade/military mountain outpost settled within 150 miles of neighboring Sparta - and the Greek response of sinking a small royal Armada shipment off the nearby southern coast. There are some reports that Rome has joined enforcement of a loose ocean blockade/embargo against Spain, as well.

The crown has apparently landed international claim to the area settled (with Mt. Olympus renamed to Mt. Angeles); citing the complete lack of human settlement or use in and behind the mount itself as open invitation.

Opinion amongst the influential in Spain on this campaign is expected to vary deeply. Yet even witout a significant backing of the upper populace, the crown is still expected to hold firm on the matter - As long as security is assured and negotiations remain severed.

The small settlement is proximity supported by the nearby city of Imperioteca, located on an uncontested island off of the Greek mainland known as "Oncé".

[Zylka]

The tone is slightly different in the industrious state city of Nueva Madrid; where money, debate and culture matter not as much as the constant whims of the royals and military elite. The war has begun; no one questioning who was in the right is regarded as sane - and a soft air of government looms as preparation for the unknown.

The "Nueva Dia Madrid" reads:

GIRBA - A second front?

Span-Cartho relations have never seemed to edge quite past a neutral stance; but the boyant economic industry in Puerto Seville (of particulars) thought and end to such a cold relationship when Carthaginian goods made their way into the interior harbour for establishment of lasting trade. Such was a promising symbol of Carthaginians first-move ending hostility over the historically debated NE Afrikan ridge. Yet in dissapointment, all such went awry - upon return of General Zylka from a sudden trip to the region.

It appears that Carthage has in this time of emerging trust, snuck settlement in CLEARLY defined Spanish Territory - severing direct ties with Afrika Espana and the mainland. Just south of Gibraltar Coca now lies the young Carthaginian city of Girba. When reporting to the crown, General Zylka made clear that this was a direct attempt at some sort of "revenge" - feeding off of lands that previously housed and provided for a sparse (yet established) amount of Spanish peasants. Scribes caught up with Urban Settlement guru Cesar Pelli on the matter.

Cesar: "Well, It's not quite a matter of going back to old disputes regarding. Carthage knows that Spanish settlements in Afrika were established well before they were even several hundred miles within exploring those same lands.

They'll try to argue this resultant action as "equal" treatment for breaking an imaginary treaty, although it's clear that in this case they've settled in concretely respected foreign territory. They know this. The world knows this. It's our job to act in difference of outcome..."

Scribes pursued follow up from General Zylka on what this "action" might consist of

Zylka: "It has been clearly established amongst the Royals and governing counsuls that a settlement hostile act has been committed against our Empire - yet I am not at current liberty to express future plans regarding."

Scribe: "Well, can we then assume a simple status quo policy if no comment is available?"

Zylka: "No - but you can rather be sure that we're NOT going to let that settlement simply sit there. That's all I have to say for now"

The crown has sent for immediate negotiations with the Carthaginians over this, and other pressing matters.

And a short retelling for those who have missed last week's report:

~Spain finds herself at war without having thrust a pike~

-Greece pressed demands to remove a peaceful and legal settlement in the "save for later" shores next to her nation who unfairly lusts for eastern plains
-Greece then anhilates small rural settlements interior of Mont Angeles - and attacks a ship full of CIVILIAN pike poliza; reportedly taunting them as they drown
-The Royal Armada has its revenge weeks later as the returning aggressor ship is rammed and sent to the bottom, just south of Athens
-The Empire of Rome joins in on a threatening blockade in the area; despite constant Spanish interests to befriend them in a now seemingly impossible "Alliance of the Romances"

[OzzyKP]

"The barbaric Spanish now are upset over what they term an illegal settlement of Spanish lands by the Carthaginians."

Pericles waits while the hypocrisy sinks in deep.

"The Spanish have made the audacious claim that territory WITHIN SIGHT of Sparta was unspoken for by Greece are now upset that nobel Hannibal of the Carthaginians have employed similar tactics against the Spanish. Of course they are within their rights as the Spanish settlements in Africa are illegal to begin with. Much of the world acknowledges this. Much of the world further acknolwedges the act of war perpetrated by the Spanish against us with their occupation of Mount Olympus. This act will not stand, General Thucydides and I will fight this war to the limit of our capability. Mount Olympus and the island of Korkyra MUST be destroyed or turned over to Greek rule, or the barbaric Spanish will be destroyed."

Pause for effect.

"Our friends and allies the Babylonians and Romans will come to our aid in repelling this vile invasion of Greece. Babylonia has declared war on Spain, and Rome has pledges to sink any Spanish vessel entering its waters. The world knows it must oppose Spanish aggression now, or forever be at its mercy. Rogue nations must be put in their place and never allowed to intimdate the peaceful nations of the world."

[atawa]

Originally posted by Zylka
The small settlement is proximity supported by the nearby city of Imperioteca, located on an uncontested island off of the Greek mainland known as "Oncé".

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

-The Empire of Rome joins in on a threatening blockade in the area; despite constant Spanish interests to befriend them in a now seemingly impossible "Alliance of the Romances"[/size]

The Roman people dont have a problem with the city of Imperioteca as this has, to our knowledge, not been claimed by any civilisation before being settled by Spain.

We do however object to the rude occupation of Mt Olympus. For centuries this mountain has been under Greek clerical controll and the Aeolan-Roman friendship games have been held there every four years as long as people can remember.

We clearly stated the blockade stops when Spain hands over Mt Olympus to Greek controll. We believe the isue over the island called Oncé by Spain (Banesto in Roman) should be solved in bilateral talks between Spain and Greece.

[deity]

"The Spanish are furious over the settlement of Girba sire!"

"Really? As furious as the Greeks over Mt Olympus?"

"Worse! They are ropeable! They threaten to attack and determine that it is in Spanish territory!"

"So, Mt Olympus, founded WITHIN the city area of Sparta, is quite alright BUT Girba, founded on land that does NOT form part of any Spanish cities AND in NW Africa, lands bequeathed by our deity as Carthaginian homelands, is NOT acceptable to them?"

"Yes. The Greeks point to this hypocrisy quite clearly sire. We must form a pact with the Greeks and maintain first strike advantage over the Spanish! Hannibull?"

"Hanniball to you!"

"Sorry, but the people are saying things. I forgot myself but you should take heed sire or I am no advisor at all."

"I respect your honesty but two basic strategies emerge - yours, to take advantage of first strike and maintain the rage until all Spanish settlement in Africa is gone forever;
OR hold our ground and let the Spanish waste resources on multiple wars with Greece, perhaps Rome and us if it comes to that."

"It will come to that and by then it might be too late. But if you listen to me I see a horde of our Elephant units cutting a swathe down Western Africa..."

[deity]

The Trade Advisor came in glumm-faced.

Hanniball was depressed too.

"Sire, International Law dictates that only eight foreign trade routes are permitted."

"What? Then what the hell are all those caravans doing?"

"Errr, they are just taking a detour. I'll ensure that International Law is upheld."

"Well, that's just great then. What routes do we have and what is planned?"

"Carthage is trading with Sardiniae and Memphis;
Utica with Elephantine; and
Caralis with Puerto Seville..."

"So that's four routes. Have we received any trade from other nations?"

"No sire, but I believe Egyptian trade is on it's way and possibly Roman trade."

"Good, I guess. And what are the four proposed routes?"

"Cloth to Thermopylae;
Spice to Pisae;
Dye to Elephantine or Thebes;
and Wine to Rome"

"So, that's it? Then we are routed?"

"Rooted sire."

[Frank Johnson]

Isolated and confused, the Gualic people attempt to get a feeling for the political situation around them, and with little success. Domesticly, the Guals have faired well. Their moderate government and open policies led to huge growth of cities throughout the land. Government had become divided rescently amongst those who wished to focus on internal developments and trade, and those who sought to use the fairly defensable position of mainly landlocked cities in western europe as a way to get away with a quick land grab, against whom they would not speculate, but some radicals argue that the unpopular Spainards would make an easy target in an era when few would back them up.

Having commited to an alliance with only the distant Babylonians, Gual had attempted to maintain friendly relations with the Spanish as they had been friendly knowledge exchangers for years, but now it appears and even a neutralist backing on Spain's growing expanisionism and warmongering has made Gual less popular with its other neighbors. Hungerly eyeing the Spanish ports on this side of the Pyrannes, former nobles turned mercinaries attempt to stir up support for an assult, trade advisors are sometimes led to believe this would give the large port on the Mediterrian Gual needs to attract foreign trade.

The government found itself at a key juncture. Would Gual's efforts build an unstoppable war machine, or a island of traqility in the hostile waters that are the Mediterranian Sea? Only time would tell.

[Dylan Baker]

On the leak from the Carthaginian trade ministry

An urgent letter from Grottencrotch to Hannibal:

[SIZE=1]
"Cloth to Thermopylae;
Spice to Pisae;
Dye to Elephantine or Thebes;
and Wine to Rome"

"So, that's it? Then we are routed?"

"Rooted sire."

My dear Hannibal,

In response to the recent leaks from the Carthaginian cabinet, I can only suggest you rethink your trade policy. It seems that your regime has outlawed exports to Babylonian and Gaul alone. In your opnion, are our markets unfit for Cathaginian goods?

Several years ago, you accused Babylon of cowardice. Now, you have effectively imposed a trade embargo on us. What are we to do?

My leige, surely you must realize that the Carthaginian position in geopolitical affairs is a tenuous one. Do not add to your misery. Fleet Admiral Ulaph, who is notoriously fond of Algerian women, is sailing west for Spain. I am sure that it would not be too much trouble to ask him to "detour" south.

I await a public apology and thorough audit of Carthaginian trade policy.

Yours,

Grottencrotch

cc: Geznikor Whompbukket

[Dylan Baker]

We stand beside our Gaulic brothers during this transitional period. All leaders be warned: Whoever is moronic enough to engage the nation of Gaul will taste the bitter bile of Babylonian steel as well!

[deity]

Transparent adherence to International Law...

Hanniball declares the information provided by his trade advisor as public information and requests that all nations also declare their trade routes and adherance to International Law.

[Zylka]

~Spanish foreign export of diplomacy in general; 45ad~

In writing to Carthage

Immediate meeting is required on the Girba question, sans any outside clutter regarding Mont Angeles. We are confident of a peaceful swapping of the regarding area - with immediate beneficiary product and terms for yourselves in exchange.

In writing to Rome

Please publicly withdraw your naval blockade policy immediately. Spain has always had greatest interest in working with the like strategic minds of the Roman Empire.

In writing to Athens

Your hostile declarations will be met with Spanish force upon full colonial ability. Only a public acceptance of status quo land situation in the region will make for peace.

In writing to Orleans

To our Gaulic brothers; a slight concern over your spoken scenario of late - and the preciding private talk of Marsella/Cordoba exchange. Such tone came of surprise to our analysts - and further specification is desired in summit at our city of Goldo.

[OzzyKP]

Sir,

We have just received word from Spain. They offer the following statement to Greece:

Your hostile declarations will be met with Spanish force upon full colonial ability. Only a public acceptance of status quo land situation in the region will make for peace.

Perposterous. Those foul Spanish will be driven back to the sea. They know not the determination of our nation. Nor do they know the nature of world politics. Their unrestrained aggresion against all nations has isolated them on the international scene. The one friend they have left in this world, the Gauls, are rumored to be rethinking their allegiences. In a world of diplomacy, their Visigoth attitude toward their neighbors must not be tolerated by the civilzed people of this earth.

Do not bother to reply. Barbarians have no use for words, only swords. We will instead send a letter to the world, with plans to carve up and drive out Spain from unwelcome corners. Please take this down...