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Here is the proposed response to GS. I wrote it and posted it before seeing Jon's earlier comments. Please let me know.
ManicStarSeed and Nathan Barclay of Gathering Storm.
After much deliberation - some would say too much - the wise Controller of Vox Controli - has reached a decision on many of the issues before us. I appreciate the blanket of tension that our indecision has cast over Estonia. Believe me, it has not been pleasant on the home front either. I would say you could cut the tension with a knife, but that by itself sounds aggressive. Which brings me to the response I have been authorized to relay to you, and the leaders of Gathering Storm.
I am pleased to say that the collective wisdom of Vox sees the benefits of peaceful co-existance. I will be honest with you - I was not unaware of the problems and threat being posed by our warriors southern trek. Particularly given our entrenched position on the isthmus.
Our two explorers in the south have been ordered to halt all southern movement, and to pull-back to the mountains to their north. We have called these mountains the Sierra Centralis.
We have no desire, nor as many at home have suggested, any right, to expand or explore into your territory. We fully acknowledge your present territorial rights, as well as the right to future expansion. It is understood that we will need to further discuss this matter, given that at some time in the future, the borders of our civilizations will be nearer than they are now.
We, however, claim our territorial right to the isthmus. Both you and we appreciate its significance. But more importantly to us, it is a planned city site. And in the near future. Therefore, we would not want your warrior to be trapped in North Estonia, with no way out. Nor do we want him to wander into our territory. We have stated that we will not explore or approach your lands, so with all due respect, we feel that this should apply to you as well. The problem is that as soon as he was through the isthmus, he would be in Vox territory.
So, we will try another alternative, and in good faith, provide the information in another way. In the absence of the ability to share detailed territory maps, I will describe North Estonia for you. I will use a measurement which you may be familiar with - if not we have attached detailed specifications to assist you.
North Estonia is not a big landmass. It is some six tiles north to south and four tiles from east to west. It is more than half covered by plains, with a small desert. There are numerous hills and mountains. Unfortunately there are no rivers. As previously discussed, there are luxury resources available to us. We have two cities in North Estonia - our capitol - The Voice, and a nearby and newer city called Miller town - named after the Head of the Senate, jon miller, who I mentioned in my last letter.
I trust this helps your cartographers, and we sincerely hope you understand our position regarding the isthmus. Given that we have 'gone out on a limb' so to speak, in provideing this information, combined with the fact that we have stopped our southward exploration, it would be seen as a sign of good faith if you could provide a similar description of your end of the continent.
More importantly, given our commitment to stopping all southerly exploration, and pulling our explorers back, it would be greatly appreciated if Gathering Storm could do the same. The Sierra Centralis seems to be both a convenient and fair geographical divide. We are not saying that it has to be the final demarcation line between our civilizations, just the agreed-upon line to which we both withdraw our explorers. As I acknowledge above, further discussion regarding a more permanent border is required.
And I will once more express Vox Controli's stance of non-aggression. It is clear from both our words and our actions of this day that we are committed to peaceful relations with Gathering Storm.
The other issue on the table before us is the issue of trade of technologies. Alas, we got through the one discussion, but not the other. As I write this, there is both serious debate, and serious polling taking place within Vox. We will not take much longer - I can ensure you. But I felt it best that we resolve these other matters of territory as soon as possible, and not wait for a decision on technology trading. I will get back to you shortly on your recent proposals.
It has been an exhausting week of internal and external discussions, I must admit. I, BetaHound, could sleep like a dog, if indeed, I had the time. Alas my dear sirs, the debate at home, and other foreign affairs matters beckon me.
I believe we are laying down an historic foundation of friendship with these early discussions. It has had its tensions, but we are both youthful civilizations, and I guess that is to be expected. I am optimistic about our future and the potential of peaceful co-existance on Estonia.
I wish you well, dear sirs, and look forward to your response.
Sincerely yours,
BetaHound
Voice of Foreign Affairs
Vox Controli
ManicStarSeed and Nathan Barclay of Gathering Storm.
After much deliberation - some would say too much - the wise Controller of Vox Controli - has reached a decision on many of the issues before us. I appreciate the blanket of tension that our indecision has cast over Estonia. Believe me, it has not been pleasant on the home front either. I would say you could cut the tension with a knife, but that by itself sounds aggressive. Which brings me to the response I have been authorized to relay to you, and the leaders of Gathering Storm.
I am pleased to say that the collective wisdom of Vox sees the benefits of peaceful co-existance. I will be honest with you - I was not unaware of the problems and threat being posed by our warriors southern trek. Particularly given our entrenched position on the isthmus.
Our two explorers in the south have been ordered to halt all southern movement, and to pull-back to the mountains to their north. We have called these mountains the Sierra Centralis.
We have no desire, nor as many at home have suggested, any right, to expand or explore into your territory. We fully acknowledge your present territorial rights, as well as the right to future expansion. It is understood that we will need to further discuss this matter, given that at some time in the future, the borders of our civilizations will be nearer than they are now.
We, however, claim our territorial right to the isthmus. Both you and we appreciate its significance. But more importantly to us, it is a planned city site. And in the near future. Therefore, we would not want your warrior to be trapped in North Estonia, with no way out. Nor do we want him to wander into our territory. We have stated that we will not explore or approach your lands, so with all due respect, we feel that this should apply to you as well. The problem is that as soon as he was through the isthmus, he would be in Vox territory.
So, we will try another alternative, and in good faith, provide the information in another way. In the absence of the ability to share detailed territory maps, I will describe North Estonia for you. I will use a measurement which you may be familiar with - if not we have attached detailed specifications to assist you.
North Estonia is not a big landmass. It is some six tiles north to south and four tiles from east to west. It is more than half covered by plains, with a small desert. There are numerous hills and mountains. Unfortunately there are no rivers. As previously discussed, there are luxury resources available to us. We have two cities in North Estonia - our capitol - The Voice, and a nearby and newer city called Miller town - named after the Head of the Senate, jon miller, who I mentioned in my last letter.
I trust this helps your cartographers, and we sincerely hope you understand our position regarding the isthmus. Given that we have 'gone out on a limb' so to speak, in provideing this information, combined with the fact that we have stopped our southward exploration, it would be seen as a sign of good faith if you could provide a similar description of your end of the continent.
More importantly, given our commitment to stopping all southerly exploration, and pulling our explorers back, it would be greatly appreciated if Gathering Storm could do the same. The Sierra Centralis seems to be both a convenient and fair geographical divide. We are not saying that it has to be the final demarcation line between our civilizations, just the agreed-upon line to which we both withdraw our explorers. As I acknowledge above, further discussion regarding a more permanent border is required.
And I will once more express Vox Controli's stance of non-aggression. It is clear from both our words and our actions of this day that we are committed to peaceful relations with Gathering Storm.
The other issue on the table before us is the issue of trade of technologies. Alas, we got through the one discussion, but not the other. As I write this, there is both serious debate, and serious polling taking place within Vox. We will not take much longer - I can ensure you. But I felt it best that we resolve these other matters of territory as soon as possible, and not wait for a decision on technology trading. I will get back to you shortly on your recent proposals.
It has been an exhausting week of internal and external discussions, I must admit. I, BetaHound, could sleep like a dog, if indeed, I had the time. Alas my dear sirs, the debate at home, and other foreign affairs matters beckon me.
I believe we are laying down an historic foundation of friendship with these early discussions. It has had its tensions, but we are both youthful civilizations, and I guess that is to be expected. I am optimistic about our future and the potential of peaceful co-existance on Estonia.
I wish you well, dear sirs, and look forward to your response.
Sincerely yours,
BetaHound
Voice of Foreign Affairs
Vox Controli
. I just had to see gangs of new york- so I did that. Great flick.
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