View Full Version : HOTSEAT - Court of the Caliph: BC Hotseat Council Thread
Askthepizzaguy
05-15-2008, 04:43
Your openness is welcome;
Truth be told, the Turks and their allies will be hard pressed to turn back their forces for two otherwise worthless castles and easily-cancelled tribute. Antioch, on the other hand, would single-handedly help us rebuild our nation. Especially with Rome claiming Cilicia.
So far, the reasons given for turning back Turkish arms haven't met our needs. But they are close to what we need.
As potential vassals of Rome, you would have their protection, and the Turks also hereby offer a defensive alliance thrown in, plus a return of Antioch at some point, perhaps at the end of 20 turns time?
Our own trade base and economic center is ruined in the south by Rome, so we had hoped to rally around the city and build anew from there.
To take Antioch in battle would not only shatter our armies, but yours also. Aleppo is not worthless, nor is the town of Hama. They both also follow the course of the river, which would make a good border. We we hold the lands to the south of the river that circuit the mountains and Tripoli would block any incursions from the south. The lands that we would keep would at least be defensible, though the border would be brittle.
ooc: It also needs a port to start making serious money, which it doens't as yet. If you're in debt, how would pay for the port?
Banzai Kamikaze
05-15-2008, 06:38
The Turk looks at the Ayyubid delegate:
Surely you mean when you walk, it will cause the earth beneath our feet to tremble?
I see no reason whatsoever for the Ayyubids to pipe up here... you refused to support the Coalition against Jerusalem aggression, and you have also apparently refused to defend Jerusalem as well. Should you wish to stay neutral, then sit down, and stay neutral.
We thank you for your assistance against Rome, and it is only because of this that we do not take your tacit approval of Jerusalem's aggression as proof of something more sinister, and that we do not consider you to be allied with them. I don't think you will find many delegates here besides yourself in support of Jerusalem, either.
Let any here who wish to defend Jerusalem speak now, or forever hold your peace.
At these words, the Ayyubid ambassador inhales as much air as his fat-filled chest wall allows and stands ready to babble when he suddenly loses balance and falls to the ground. The shockwave was thought to be an earthquake by nearby residents.
phonicsmonkey
05-15-2008, 09:51
The Caliph has been absent from the chamber in the weeks that have passed since his impromptu birthday celebrations.
A messenger scurries into the chamber and speaks in a whisper to the Vizier, who rises with a solemn expression on his face.
Hear this o leaders of men!
The Mighty Caliph An-Nasir, li-din Allah, Peacemaker, and blessed of Allah, has grown tired of the constant strife and bloodshed which besmirch the region, and encroach even on his own doorstep.
He has determined that the only way to ensure peace among the men of the West and of Anatolia is to supplement his previous policy of diplomacy with a show of his strength, and a reminder to all that his patience is not infinite.
Some few days ago the Crown Prince Az-Zahir, the Caliph's beloved son, did lead the armies of the Caliphate into Syria and under cover of darkness assaulted and captured the castle at Aleppo, praise be to Allah!
Although the castle was but lightly garrisoned, and the inhabitants friendly enough to the loving embrace of the Caliphate to fling open the gates and welcome the Prince's force within, the defending Crusaders did fight most fiercely and the Prince was forced to slay them all.
The black and gold banners of the Caliphate now fly over Syria and the Crown Prince stands ready to defend those lands to the death against any aggressor, inshallah.
The Caliph himself, with a force of swift horsemen, pressed on through the night to the town of Hama, where again the residents were most welcoming and threw flowers in his path as he entered the city. Allah is indeed great!
The small force of belligerents within were put to the sword as they attempted to escape.
Let all gathered here know that the Caliph does not choose the path of strife lightly, and that his actions here are intended to ensure that the current peace talks between the belligerent parties in this Levantine war are not interrupted by yet more fighting between the sides, and that the pious Muslim peoples of Syria are no longer troubled by their dwellings exchanging hands over and over in yet more pointless battles.
He warns the Crusaders and the Turks that should any of their forces attack any Caliphate armies as they go about their peacekeeping mission, they will call upon them the furious wrath of Allah himself, and the armies of Islam will crash upon them as a great wave upon the shore!
The Caliph would let it be known that he will work with the Roman Basileos to keep these Levantine lands in safe custody until an arrangement can be agreed between all parties which will secure a lasting peace in the region.
The boy shakes his head at the Vizier
Your endeavours may be ones of peace, but your actions are ones of war.
Askthepizzaguy
05-15-2008, 14:05
Perhaps now the armies of Jerusalem see the seriousness of their situation. Do not persue the path of war any further.
You have shown yourself to be most reasonable in diplomatic matters, so, the Turks feel that peace talks could prove most fruitful. Our delegation will return in several hours.
In the meantime, I wish to inform both Rome and the Caliph that our own armies are assembled in the north, along with Georgia and perhaps Seljuk forces. Any strikes by any party against Caliphate forces will be met with the strongest reprisals from the Turks.
As the Caliph has claimed Aleppo and Hama, we have no choice but to insist that Antioch be handed over peacefully as a condition of ending this war. There is now nothing left for us except this, with Rome claiming Cilicia.
We understand your desire to keep Antioch, but you should consider whether you can withstand the coming movements into Damascus and Homs, and Roman incursions north as well. And the Turks have yet to even move.
Whilst the shah does wish his forces to fight in defense of Islam and peace, there seems to be several rather large an entirly hostile armies in between, who would not allow passage
As such, count us part of any army that marches in defense of islam, though in spirit and not in corporeal form....
The Lemongate
05-15-2008, 22:17
It seems an accord can be reached between the Crusaders and Rome.
Your terms are acceptable to us.
The Crusader Kingdom is to become a protectorate of Rome with the area directly around the Holy City under direct Roman administration.
However, to finalize this deal, an accord must also be reached with the Turks.
We believe that the surrender of Antioch to their forces would be fair. Of course, for the protection of the Kingdom, a limit on the number of troops there could be put in place. As such, Rome would pledge to leave minimal garrisons in the Levant, with the exception of the Holy City which must be defended at all costs.
The boy sighs
Very well, we shall surrender Antioch to the Turks.
The transfer will be formalised soon (ooc: my next turn).
Askthepizzaguy
05-16-2008, 00:47
Very good. Very good.
I believe diplomacy has prevailed here. We should formalize our treaty to end this war and all hostilities against the Latin state.
I'm discussing things with the Roman delegation now, and the Caliph can keep the provinces he has already claimed.
I will draw up a draft of the treaty and we will move forward from there. Thanks be to all who participated in this strike, and thanks also be to the Latins who agreed to the peace before needless blood was shed. For their cooperation and honouring of our agreements, the Latin state's record has been expunged and they are to be treated again with the respect of the international community.
For now, the occupation of their lands is a necessity, but their vassalage to Rome and their alliance with Turkey will grant them the protection and friendship of their neighbors. I see a bright future in store for us, now that peace has prevailed.
:bow:
The boy's momentarily darkens. There is still some fire left in him
The occupation of some of our lands you mean. Those provinces that we retain will have no need of Coalition occupation, especially considering their demilitarisation.
Keep in mind, just because we have been forced into this peace glaring for a moment at the Romans does not mean that we will simply let our citizens be ravaged by the occupiers. Even in our diminished state, we would still defend our citizens against extermination, even if were to be the ending us.
Askthepizzaguy
05-16-2008, 01:46
Honourable Jerusalem delegate;
Yes, that is precisely what I meant. And don't demilitarize your lands just yet, not until we've offered you the formalized peace deal, which I'm drafting now.
As a new ally, we may not even require your demilitarization at all, after all. Give us a moment to think on it. And we have no intentions whatsoever of ravaging your lands. Your people, indeed most of the Kingdom, is innocent in the affairs of past. We seek no harm to decent people.
With a respectful bow, the Turkish delegate seeks to affirm peace and friendship with the Latin state.
phonicsmonkey
05-16-2008, 01:54
The Vizier is most delighted.
The Caliph will rejoice to hear of this news!
Praise be to Allah, the path of peace has been chosen again!
His expression grows sombre.
The death of the last Takavor of the Armenian royal line should not pass without comment here.
The Caliph proposes that a memorial be established in Cilicia to the Armenian royal family, that their memory should not pass from these lands.
Difficult and dangerous was the path they trod, both many years past when they were forced from their ancestral lands by the incursion of aggressors, and more recently as they were assailed by the Crusaders and driven from their new homelands in Cilicia.
It is perhaps understandable, if greatly unfortunate for his line, that the last Takavor chose the path of vengeance and did not try to make peace with his neighbours and brothers of the faith.
We are certain he will be greatly mourned by his people - it seems Allah had no love for that ill-fated nation.
Mysterious indeed are his ways!
Askthepizzaguy
05-16-2008, 02:19
The death of my closest ally will not go without comment from the Turks, either...
Malik, Crown Prince of the Turks, arrives in Baghdad and enters the court
These were a brave people. Never once did they deserve their fate, never once did they turn away from it in fear. Fiercely they fought, and prevailed in a great many battles. They managed to lead the Coalition into this confrontation with Jerusalem, perhaps before we were ready, but their bravery and initial successes are to be commended.
Their loyalty never to be questioned.
Their commitment to the Coalition never to be doubted.
Their honourable friendship towards Turkey never to be forgotten.
Their people to be forever hailed as heroes in Muslim Turkey, though they are of a different religion.
We accept them as our brothers and they will be welcome in Rome and Turkey, and we will watch over them... Peace be upon you, my Armenian friend...
We hope this victory both for the Coalition, and for Rome, and for the Caliphate, and for peace itself, will grant you peace as well. Allah will bless you, though you are not of our faith.
I honour you...
The Turkish Prince kneels solemnly, and begins a traditional Muslim prayer before the assembly, praising Allah, and asking that Allah grant the Takavors and their soldiers passage into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Askthepizzaguy
05-16-2008, 03:11
Proposed peace arrangement, first draft.
According to the terms discussed:
Territorial division:
-Jerusalem, Acre, Tyre, Kerak and Baalbeck to Rome, according to the Latin proposal.
-Aleppo and Hama to the Abassid Caliphate, according to their occupation thereof.
-Antioch to the Turks, with a claim to Malatya, in case anyone cares, according to our negotiated claims.
-Tartus, Tripoli, Homs, Jaffa, and Damascus to be retained by the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem (Damascus?) according to the peace arrangement.
No tribute
New diplomatic relations:
Vassal: Jerusalem to Rome
Alliance: Turkey and Jerusalem
A devilish smile lights-up the boy's face as the Vizier speaks. He stands and mockingly addressing the Abassid man:
A waste of money is that endeavor, noble Vizier. We have killed six Takavor's of Armenia in the past two years (four of them in the last two turns), so to which one would the memorial be dedicated to? Surely your time and money would be better spent helping the people of Aleppo and Hama, which you have so peacefully taken from us?
His smile is wiped away as the Turk reads out the treaty. He seems to visibly deflate and sits down. As he does so, he mumbles to the Turk:
The terms are acceptable and agreed upon.
phonicsmonkey
05-16-2008, 04:58
The Vizier sneers at the boy.
You have the tongue of the devil hidden behind your chubby baby face - get ye back to your nursery where you can practice your witticisms on your wooden soldiers!
If you should live long enough to speak with a deeper voice you might one day understand that a King is a King, appointed by Allah himself, and worthy of respect no matter his politics, religion or race.
Baldwin insults the Caliph by sending such a child to speak on his behalf - he should instead have remained with his wet nurse and left such matters to those with beards on their faces.
And worry not, young fool, for the pious people of Aleppo and Hama - their days have never been brighter and they rejoice at their inclusion in the loving embrace of the Caliphate of Islam!
He snorts with derision and sits down waving his hand dismissively at the youngster.
Askthepizzaguy
05-16-2008, 05:04
The Turk notices some of the older men in the chamber looking at the youngster with ravenous eyes and smacking lips.
Somewhere, off in the distance, the theme from "deliverance" is played on a banjo.
The Turk quietly petitions the Caliph to get the baby-faced young Latin boy some additional security. Surely this child needs adult supervision.
ANNOUNCEMENT:
Coalition members, a nation has petitioned us for membership. Given the recent loss of our friend, I ask that you vote in the Coalition Council for their inclusion, or vote however you like. Please make your voice heard.
_Tristan_
05-16-2008, 09:09
The Armenian diplomat enters the halls, clad all in black with a mourning look on his face. The mail-clad messenger enters behind him, clad in black also, carrying a cushion bearing a broken sword. As he begins to speak, his voice trembles.
How you Lords must have feared us Armenians to have wrought so much destruction on our peaceful people...
Never had we raised our hands against a neighbour, never had we threatened any of the people of Anatolia or the Levant...
True, our Takavors were rumoured to be fierce fighters but they also knew the ways of peace...
Only through your unrepentent agressions (his gaze hovering over the Latin and Roman delegations) you led us to such extremities...
Armenia is no more... Its people scattered to the winds...
But I fear this will not be the last time Armenians will have to suffer... And I fear the next time we suffer will be at the hands of our staunchest allies...
With a bow of his head, the diplomat goes on...
Great Vizier, I intended this broken sword as a gift to the Caliph as a sign of the defeat of Armenia...
Do not do anything to honour the memory of our dead Takavors, they are for Armenia to mourn and Armenia alone... Your efforts to honour Armenia should have come sooner in its time of greatest need, not now that there is nobody left to need anything...
The mail-clad messenger lays down the cushion at the Vizier's feet with great deference then steps back.
Now, Latin dogs and Roman scum, be sure that your leaders will never rest in peace for I curse you to the end of times... The souls of our dead brethren will haunt and chase you for all ages... I spit on your Crusaders and your Empire...
You will rot in hell for your Kingdom of Heaven...
Now, I will leave these halls forever to get back to Armenia and see to the sheltering of my people from the wrath of your so noble Highnesses...
barcamartin
05-16-2008, 22:55
' If the Shah had any plans of surrendering, it would seem as though they have abonded them. Leaving Urgench with a massive garrison doesn't show any will to reach a peace agreement. Therefor, it has been taken from them by Seljuk forces. '
Askthepizzaguy
05-17-2008, 00:59
The Turk takes note of the Armenian's words....
How would the Armenians suffer under the magnanimous governance of their allies? Though your royal family has unfortunately died in battle, we still consider your people to be our brothers and we will watch over you. It would not be the first time they prospered under the noble leadership of the Sultan. But we understand your frustrations... it is regrettable that the Takavors are no more, I was looking forward to a great and powerful Armenian ally...
Turning to the Seljuk delegate;
The Shah is refusing the path of peace? Ugh... this needless bloodshed between Muslim brothers offends me. We need a united cause for all Muslims, and this civil war between brothers of the faith, those who have at least not forsaken their faith, looking at the Ghorids is the needless destruction of Muslim lives over petty ambitions and lies. Truly this situation is offensive to Allah.
At the same time, I cannot condemn the Shah for acting in self defense, and I cannot condemn my allies for taking necessary actions. I had hoped there could be peace, but with the Shah's refusal to comply with the terms offered, it seems the Seljuks have no choice but to force their hand.
This bloodshed is unclean and unholy. I pray this war will end soon, one way or another. Let the civilians not be harmed, please.
The boy sneers back at the Abassids
Of course, the demilitarisation not only extends to the Kingdom, the Turks in Antioch and the Romans in the south, but also to the Caliphate as well.
By so rudely entering into this conflict, you are bound to its peace. Therefore, your Syrian settlements, which are now border settlements, will need to reduce their garrisons to a MAXIMUM of 5 units. Before you complain, you should remember that the Kingdom too will demilitarise its provinces, so you will have need to fear an incursion northwards.
With a reduction of troops across the borders, peace will have a greater chance at lasting. Surely the "peace maker" understands this?
barcamartin
05-17-2008, 09:26
' I would have wished the peaceful handing over of the settlement, but no such offer had come to my knowledge. '
phonicsmonkey
05-17-2008, 09:57
The Vizier ignores the boy completely, refusing to meet his eye, and addresses the rest of the court.
Of course the Caliph, as a party to the peace treaty between the warring factions in the Levantine dispute, will offer to abide by the de-militarisation terms of the agreement.
He sees no need to permanently station troops in the region, and will be within striking distance at any rate should any nation be fool enough to attack his Syrian positions.
Truly is he known as the Peacemaker! Allah bless his house!
' If the Shah had any plans of surrendering, it would seem as though they have abonded them. Leaving Urgench with a massive garrison doesn't show any will to reach a peace agreement. Therefor, it has been taken from them by Seljuk forces. '
Given that we are being forced from our homes to battle steppe tribes for the forseeable future, we thought an army would be neccasary, or do you expect us to conquer those smelly pagans with silk?
*looking at the turkish delate he continues*
you didn't even wait the correct amount of time, we were ready to hand it over....
*directly at the seljuk*
its almost as though your whole nation cares for nothing but blood.
and, of course, trechary
barcamartin
05-17-2008, 16:37
' The terms for the surrender were clear. Move all forces west from Urgench. Still in Urgench they were not subject to the terms. Either way, no cease-fire agreement was signed, so no need to bicker. '
Askthepizzaguy
05-19-2008, 13:50
A messenger arrives from the Coalition Council, and hands a scroll to the Turkish ambassador. The Turk rises:
We would like to announce that his term as Commander of the Coalition of Freedom has ended, and an election was held.
Due to the success of the Coalition in the West, and the urgency of matters in the East regarding the Ghorid invasion of India, delegates of the Member States have narrowly elected the Ghaznavid Shah to succeed the Turkish Sultan as the new Supreme Allied Commander of Coalition Forces.
Sultan Kaikosru wishes to congratulate the Shah of Ghazni. May his leadership carry us all to victory.
The Turk bows gracefully, and sits down.
deguerra
05-20-2008, 02:17
The Omani ambassador rises, looking half asleep and his tongue fuzzy from not having said anything in so long. The other delegates are mildly surprised as they had previously assumed he was part of the backdrop
It appears I have a message here for the Khwarezm ambassador from the undersecretary of trade of the Great Imam of Oman and Sultan of Muscat. It would appear there was a slight scuffle between merchants of our two nations in the Seljuk territory of Yazd, where your merchant, Ekinci is believed to be his name, was rather unceremoniously thrown out of a town rich in some resource or another.
We regret to say that this was an unfortunate mistake on the Omani merchant's behalf, as normally we are beneath such actions.
However, we are happy to announce the Khwarezm merchant is fine, albeit without resource. We hope he can find another place to trade swiftly, and may the Shah and the council forgive us for this international incident.
(OOC: it appears that if you send a merchant onto a resource that you cannot see, due to fog of war, and there is another merchant on it, the latter just gets placed on the next tile. I just wanted to let you know so that you could move him somewhere/try to kill my merchant :smash:, and don't have him wasting time)
The Lemongate
05-22-2008, 04:09
A messenger dressed in black enters the court and delivers a note to the Roman ambassador. With a grieved look on his face, the ambassador addresses the court:
Three days ago, our beloved Basileos, Manuelos Megas Komnenos passed away in his palace in Jerusalem. His body is being exposed at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and it will then be returned to Rome to be buried with his illustrious ancestors.
Manuelos Megas Komnenos truly was one of the greatest rulers of our time and even one of the most accomplished man of the long and glorious history of Rome. He defeated the warmongering Sultan Kilij Arslan II at the Battle of Amorion, entered Ikonion and Jerusalem in triumph and oversaw the return of Krimeia, Judea and parts of Cilicia to the Empire. A week of mourning was declared in Konstantinopolis by the new Basileos, Alexios Komnenos.
Of course, stray factions within the Empire have seized the occasion to push their own agendas, but those rebels are being put down as we speak.
All hail Basileos Alexios Komnenos! May his reign be as long and as glorious as his father's!
(OOC: I've got some adopted children to send to the slaughter to get the prince I want :clown: )
The Lemongate
05-22-2008, 04:14
The Roman ambassador nearly sits down, but he seems to remember something at the last moment:
Ah yes... Rome would like to remind all parties currently involved in Cilicia that Rome currently claims those lands. We would hate to mark the beginning of a new reign with bloodshed and we are sure that a peaceful transition can easily be arranged.
Megas Dux Konstostephanos is ready to take charge of all land in Cilicia as soon as they are handed over to Rome.
With a slight smile, the Roman sits back down.
The Georgian emissary seems shocked by the news of the Basileos' death.
Truly these have been dark and trying days. We mourn the death of the great Basileos of the Romans and we must sadly announce that our King has just been taken away from us by a foul illness.
Rest assured, our new King, Demetre II, shall follow the principles of integrity and chivalry held so dear by his father. The policies enacted by the late King George the 3rd will remain in vigour.
Banzai Kamikaze
05-27-2008, 17:53
While the Ayyubids still question the aggressive actions of the Basileos, we still offer our condolences. May he find a more peaceful existence in death.
We are, however, still distressed by the occupation of the Holy Lands by the Romans. We believe this occupation is illegitimate. We ask the Romans to return these lands to their rightful owner.
Furthermore, the peaceful people of Egypt are uneasy regarding the presence of large roman and Latin armies in the Levant.
Surely, this war is over, and there is no point in keeping so many armies.
Askthepizzaguy
05-27-2008, 18:36
When the hostilities have ended everywhere, the treaties are put into effect, and certain promises are kept, it will be quite simple to disband the armies in the region.
However, it is the mark of a fool to disband his armies when the peace is agreed upon, but the terms of the treaty have not been fulfilled. Would the Sultan Sallahuddin disband his armies merely over a promise unfulfilled? I think not.
The Turks will disband their armies also, as soon as things are settled. The Sultan Kaikosru wonders what business it is of the Ayyubids what happens in Jerusalem? The war that you did not participate in or attempt to halt is over, and business that is not yours is being taken care of by the parties involved.
Go back to raiding the desert for more territory. We hear you're enjoying your neutrality, as it's proven quite profitable for you. The business of other nations does not concern the Ayyubids.
OOC- I feel I have to add something to the discussion, before the council thread becomes completely barren of controversy.
The Lemongate
05-27-2008, 18:58
Not even bothering to look at the Ayyubid, the Roman delegate answers:
The sort of peace you promote is for the weak, ambassador. It begets only contempt by your neighbors who fight and die with honnor to defend justice and righteousness. When the Holy Land was beset by war and evil, Rome set sail to protect the Holy Sites at the cost of security in its own lands. The same cannot be said of you. What has Egypt done in the last decade other then scheme in silence, from the comfort of its decadant palaces and month-long feasts? You have much to account for. Do not seek to meddle in the affairs of Rome. We bear you no ill will. Yet.
gentlemen, we've managed to repulse a ghanzivid army, now can we have peace?
or are the ghanzivids so obsessed by conquest they cannot see that any advance towards samarquand will be met with extreme predudice.
Askthepizzaguy
05-27-2008, 21:22
The Turk cannot help but be amused by the Shah's army and their never-say-die attitude. While the Turks official position in the North is for the Shah's unconditional surrender to the Persian Shah of Ghazni and the Turkish Seljuk Sultanate, he finds the Shah to be a worthy opponent.
A messenger arrives from the Turkish front and whispers something into the ear of the Turkish ambassador. The expression of amusement on his face turns to shock; he rises.
I have just been informed that the Latins have... met the conditions of surrender and peace with the Turks by withdrawing to their newly defined borders. Our armies now occupy the lands they left in peace.
The Turk is puzzled, however, why the Latins did not simply hand the provinces to us via diplomacy... why they rejected the alliance we offered them? Nevertheless, the offer still stands. We have offered them the cease-fire, and trade rights, and map information, and should they accept, we will offer them the alliance as promised.
The Turk wishes to inform the Roman delegate that he is now in possession of parts of Cilicia which he may be interested in. He urges the Roman ambassador to meet with him in the private antechamber to discuss the transfer of sovereignty.
We also wish to inform those assembled here that large parts of our army have been disbanded, specifically most of the ghazis gained during the transfer of ownership of Sis and Vahka. Our budget is nowhere near balanced, but this helps us enormously. The path towards peace is upon us.
We are also pleased to announce that our royal family has doubled in size during the past several years, and we are no longer in danger of meeting the same fate as our Armenian brethren, whose citizens now enjoy our protection. Soon, they will be under the enlightened leadership of their Orthodox brothers the Romans.
We must adopt a defensive posture and focus on rebuilding. I am afraid I cannot offer any support at present to the Eastern Coalition, until our finances are in order. Let's see... there was one other small bit of business...
I am aware that the Latins are about to receive reinforcements from their Pope, who should be violating Roman territory any day now. I would ask the Latin delegate to either disband these armies (not a chance, right?) or please send a ship to carry them to your homelands safely whist not disturbing the sovereignty of their neighbors. I cannot speak for the Roman ambassador, but he's assured me that although you are now allied with the Romans, large armed forces still have no business in the core provinces of the Roman empire at this time, unless you have both resolved that matter privately.
That is all...
The Turk sits down, thankful that business has been resolved to his satisfaction with his neighbors. He looks over at the Armenian chair, now vacant, and his face darkens...
Banzai Kamikaze
05-27-2008, 22:21
The Ayyubid ambassador frowns. A slave brings him new letters from the Ethiopia, where the great Salahuddin fights the hordes of black soldiers threatening the Middle East.
I... Hmf.... We congratulate our Turkish brothers for disbanding part of their army, and wish them all the best for their reconstruction efforts.
As for the Romans, we maintain our condemnation of their occupation: the Holy Sites are no place to keep large standing armies and should have been spared from the horrors of war.
We ask the Romans to allow an Ayyubid delegation to observe the status of Muslim holy sites. We pray that they have not been damaged.
We also ask the Romans to protect the Muslims who now live under their occupation. Do not invoke the anger of Allah by denying them their rights.
The recent events in the Levant are of a great concern to the Ayyubids. We maintain our condemnation of the Coalition and of the Romans for their invasion of our neighbor.
We...must also condemn the Caliph's involvment in these matters. While our Sultan keeps the utmost respect for the Peacemaker, he fails to see how invading Syria would help promote peace.
So many aggressions have been made in the name of peace and freedom...In the face of so much unjustified aggression, the Ayyubids have decided to slightly raise the size of their standing army. We hope our neighbors will not feel threatened by this decision and will understand our position.
phonicsmonkey
05-27-2008, 23:56
The Vizier stands and addresses the Ayyubid ambassador.
Noble emissary of Salahuddin, the Caliph's actions in invading Syria have brought the very peace that you sought - ensuring that the Turks, Romans and Latins come to an agreement and cease their fighting.
Is it any co-incidence that immediately after the Caliph's intervention, the Crusaders agreed to the terms of peace offered by their adversaries?
In any event, the Caliph has demonstrated his desire for an end to violence by withdrawing his forces from the region and back to their bases across the Euphrates, leaving only those men required to keep the peace in the occupied territories.
Rest assured, Ambassador, that the Caliph's desire for peace is undiminished.
Askthepizzaguy
05-27-2008, 23:59
The turk mutters
If you want peace, you must prepare for war. Total pacifism only leads to total annihilation.
it appears our thoerum about the seljuks lust for treachary and bloodshed knows no bounds is correct.
after accepting a peace offer... and declaring they would not advance to Khiva... they have done just that, murdering the sheppards that remained whilst our warriors are occupied elsewhere.
If they were in seljuk lands, then such an aggressive act may be justified in any noble code, but this attack, not unlike their previous cowardly actions goes against Islam, you are the sons of whores, as no man, noble, peasant or anywhere in between would act this way. This only provides more proof, as if it were needed, that the seljuk is not to be trusted.
barcamartin
06-08-2008, 21:51
A pro-longed war in Transaxonia is not our wish. Therefor, we took necessary measures to bring this conflict to an end. After seeing you Khawazi reluctant to surrender to our allies, we saw no other path.
phonicsmonkey
06-24-2008, 05:16
The Caliph has returned from a long absence inspecting his troops in the West and is surprised to hear from the Vizier that there has been little activity at Court in the meantime.
Askthepizzaguy
07-08-2008, 22:42
The Turk is handed a scroll, and he looks crestfallen at first. But then, anger begins to seethe througout his body.
He turns to the Roman ambassador with a scowl, then to the Latin one. Finally he looks at the Vizier, and sends his gaze to all in the assembly. Then the Crown Prince, Malik, barges into the hall and looks about a thousand times more pissed off than the Turkish delegate, and marches before the assembly and speaks.
Malik- "We knew of the Ghorid spy within our ranks, but still do not know who his collaborator was from within the Coalition. However, the Turkish nation has far too much immediately concerning it to focus on that.
Reports indicate that foreign agents have been infiltrating our nation at an astounding rate. This can only mean an invasion is imminent. Unrest in our former capital is at a whopping 35%, and similar rates are in other settlements. These are all on provinces bordering the Roman Empire and the Latin Kingdom of Damascus. This is not due to distance from capital penalties.
We also make note of their troop movements and spies which are not well hidden. The Caliph himself and his troops have been posturing near our border and the Georgian border. The evidence is everywhere. The fact is, at least one of the nations I mentioned is going to invade us. And since we are allied with two and allied in all but name with the other, this means one of you is a filthy, dirty, rat bastard traitor!
So, I am offering you, traitor, a chance to step forward and publicly declare to the world exactly what your intentions are towards our nation. I give you a choice;
You can withdraw your spies, your armies, and never trouble us again, and do it peacefully, and we shall.... forget... this ever happened.
The second choice is meeting me on the battlefield in a bloody duel to the death. There is no need to involve my citizens, or the collateral damage of war upon cities and infrastructure, in this coming contest. I will meet you, my best forces against your best forces, and we shall have ONE battle to decide this war. And I will destroy you.
That is, if your feeble attempts at stealth and cunning haven't proven you already to be a coward. Be a man, grow a set, and challenge me openly. I DARE YOU to make plain your intentions!"
The Turkish prince is growing more impatient, and his wrath is becomming less and less restrained. So far, none have admitted their treachery.
"I'm waiting!"
The Turk glares at the suspected traitor
".....You sicken me.
To have my nation conquered by bold, aggressive movements is one thing. To be defeated by proud, superior forces, to be forced to kneel before our new overlords, that is not something I like to contemplate, but being beaten on the battlefield by a master is the fate of most commanders. So it is something I can stomach.
What I cannot and will never accept is the destruction of the Turks at the hands of a spineless, gutless, weasel with no grapes."
"STAND UP AND FACE ME!!!" the Prince boomed.
Ramses II CP
07-08-2008, 23:14
The Rajput emissary, long silent, nods his head in time with the Turkish rant and speaks, quietly and to the point.
I once made a similar call when faced with similar treachery from the Ghorids, who repeatedly violated every agreement they signed, and it fell on deaf ears. I must now judge it to be the fate of the world to be ruled by cowards and sneaking rogues. I have one bit of advice. Bleed them when they come, make them pay lives for every inch, and before you fall kill so many that your name will echo down the halls of their nation, in whispered tales from cowering fathers to faithless sons, until the thousandth generation.
This is my quest. This is what has and shall come to pass in the east. I wish you good fortune with the same course in the west.
The emissary then presents a document to the court which dissolves the Rajput membership in the Coalition and breaks certain alliances which will soon be revealed.
:egypt:
The khwarezm ambassador looks at the turks
Well, at least the turks have a warning that they will soon be betrayed, I would congradulate your sultans inteligence services for such a feat.
Though I doubt the blessed Calph would ever attack a fellow muslim without provocation.
the ambassador finishes, bowing to the calph
Askthepizzaguy
07-11-2008, 01:46
Malik, stunned by the utter lack of MANHOOD on the part of his traitorous enemy, scoffs and unsheaths his father's sword, still bloody, and storms off to war.
The Turkish ambassador looks furious, but tempers his words slightly
I am unsure about the Caliph. But intelligence reports have shown his provocative movements towards Georgia, crossing their borders and putting forts there.
This is not the movement of a friend.
I do not wish to dirty the Caliph's name with accusations of things he has not done, however. Only the Abassids can tarnish their own image. Until then, I must respect their track record of preaching and practicing peace, and standing up to abusive empires when all else has failed.
That being said...
The Turk trails off, allowing others to finish his thought.
Banzai Kamikaze
07-23-2008, 04:22
The increasingly large Ayyubid ambassador finally returns to the court, after a long leave to see his family. It is said that his wives are known for their talents in the kitchen.
Greetings, fellow ambassadors. I trust you have not been too bored by my absence.
Now, what do I hear ? Spies inside Turkish cities ? What is this madness. A traitor among the Turkish friends ? A possibility, perhaps. The Ayyubids remain confident in our brothers' ability to fight off such a treacherous foe.
Surely, the coalition of freedom will jump to the Turks' aid should they be attacked. Or are they only competent in launching their own offensives ?
I would like to remind this court that the Ayyubids still firmly condemn the Coalition's invasion of the Levant, and the current state of occupation by the Romans. While we will not condemn our brothers in faith, we despise the Georgians and the Rajputs. Surely they must have corrupted our brother's minds with their vile words.
Tell me Georgians, what do they say in your Bible about attacking your Christian brothers, and plotting against your sacred crusaders ?
Praise be to Allah, for he sees all, and does not count the Georgians and Rajputs among his children. His fury is infinite, but he will forgive if these people present official excuses to this court.
Salahuddin, may his name be remembered for eternity, has raised an army larger than the boundaries of the world. They say the earth shakes in the far orient whenever our armies march.
Romans, Kingdom of Damascus, Salahuddin keeps a close eye on you. Should you attempt any folly, you will be greeted by blood and sorrow. I say this because these two nations keep large armies among our borders, and refuse to disband them. We will not be caught by surprise.
The Ayyubids will pursue their conquest of Africa, but they keep an eye on their borders. May this be known to all.
The georgian delegate responds with a tired and bored expression on his face.
We have never attacked our Christian brothers, never struck against the crusaders in the Levant and finally, we have never even attacked any Muslim nation. Now, there was a short battle with the romans, but in a gesture of good faith, we have agreed to relinquish Trebizond back into their control.
Please refrain from any more outlandish accusation, your one-sided speeches contain so little truth in them, it is a wonder you can keep track of your lies. Perhaps that is because most of them are directed at my countrymen?
No one has cried out when your people attacked and decimated our Makurian brothers in faith, an attack which you never justified. Be careful when you take the moral high ground, ambassador, that you yourself have not committed the crime of which you accuse others, lest you be a hypocrite.
The Roman Delegate is handed off a rather large scroll, He starts to read it and a frown growns on his face. Then stands up.
I am sorry to interrupt your argument, but I do have dire news to say. The New Emperor of The Roman Empire is now very ill with a sickness. He is now in the care of some of the Romans most leading doctors, trying to figure out this sickness. Though, every day. The Emperor Alexius' outcome is unknown sadly. All power has been transferred to an /Adopted/ son, the same age as him, Due to the fact that the next and LAST blood line to the emperor, Master Artemois Komnenus is only a child at age 7... So fourth, Prince Nevoulos has been given all power of the Emperor until Alexius' sickness becomes no more... If he does die from the sickness... Then he will become Emperor...
The Roman Delegate sits back down for a moment, obviously looking stressed at the current scroll, stands up again, Then continues.
This new message from the Prince Nevoulos is very different from what is going on. He demands to meet the King of Damascus' Diplomats, The Ayyubid Diplomat... and Directly to the Caliph Diplomats. He urges in this letter that it is thE most importance and must be done now.
The Roman Delegate sits for a moment and lays his forhead in his palm and is quiet for alittle.. Then the Roman Delegate stands up , lets out a sigh and mutters
I hope the Prince knows what he is doing...
Banzai Kamikaze
07-25-2008, 04:25
Bah, more babbling from the Georgians. Is denial a quality preached by the Bible ? Surely you are an accomplice in the Coalition's plotting against your Christian brothers. To pretend innocence, and to brush away your treacherous assault of the Romans is an insult to your Jesus.
The Roman delegate speaks. The large Ayyubid ambassador listens carefully.
It is with great pleasure that the Ayyubids accept to listen to the Romans.
Bah? Is that all you have to say for yourself? You dismiss our words as "babbling" and yet we are supposed to take what you say seriously?
Surely we are an accomplice? Do you have anything to back up that fraudulent claim? We don't pretend innocence, we state the truth. The truth is, the Romans hold no grudge over what has happened and we have offered suitable reparations. Can you say the same of the Makurians? Oh, right... You destroyed their kingdom for absolutely no reason...
Dear ambassador, please stop being an intolerant hypocrite and take care of your own regional problems before criticizing Georgian foreign policy.
The Roman Delegate looks to be angry at hearing them both and stands up angrily
Georgian Diplomat. I keep hearing of my settlement to be returned, as you are using it as an excuse to be right in this bickering arguement, But I have still yet to recieve the Proposal of my settlement being RETURNED!
The Roman Delegate slams his fist on the table.
The Georgian keeps his bored look.
We did indeed offer back the settlement of Trebizond, as we had discussed with your leader, but when our princess arrived at Constantinople with the offer itself, we never received an answer. Perhaps there was some confusion back in your capital? If you wish to renegotiate our proposal, I suggest you do so in private instead of making a fuss in this council.
OOC: Offered it when Lemon was playing, in exchange for Alliance, Trade Rights and Military Access. He never accepted, because he just vanished. Now, if you want a continuation of that deal, do say so and I'll repeat the offer. Also, notice that since you joined as the ERE, Georgia has have yet to play, hence I never could have sent you an offer in game. Also, it is quite clear the Ayyubids are total hypocrites and Banzai just wants to harass me for his personal pleasure, as always. :clown:
The Roman Delegate sighs.
Fine fine, I promise you there will be a reply this time...
The Roman Delegate sits there and mumbles quietly
ooc: Well, geeze, you coulda offered it again last turn. =x lol
phonicsmonkey
08-02-2008, 06:32
The Caliph is absent. The Vizier rises and, with a deliberate action, unfurls a parchment scroll and begins to read. It is clear from the way he reads that he is very familiar with the contents of the missive, which must have been prepared some time earlier.
The Caliph would take this opportunity to respond to the earlier accusations of the Turkish Sultan: the armies of the Caliphate will not march on Turkey, and will not raise arms against their brothers of the faith.
However, the Caliph is aware that other powers have this season begun an invasion of the Turkish homelands in Anatolia with the aim of the destruction of the Sultan's regime there.
Although this saddens the Caliph greatly, he has come to believe that the Turkish Sultan is not a force for peace in the region as he claims, but is instead the most dangerous man alive.
In fact the Caliph has been shown secret documents that prove that the Turkish Sultan means to plot with other powers to seize the lands of the Caliphate and overthrow the Caliph himself.
For this reason, the Caliph will not intervene to assist the Turkish Sultanate and save it from its sure destruction. The time has come for that.
In addition, the Caliph has this day received the agreement that the Kingdom of Georgia will leave the so-called 'Coalition of Freedom' and become a vassal state of the Caliphate, handing over certain territories in the process.
From this day forth the Georgian King will serve the Caliph, will make not war nor treaty without his permission, and he and his lands will enjoy the full protection of the armies of Islam as if he were himself one of the faithful.
Praise be to Allah! The Georgian King has shown much wisdom in this decision, which has saved his line from certain destruction, and his people from woeful suffering.
The Caliph warns the remaining members of the Turkish Coalition that they may not send armies across the lands of the Caliph (including the territory of the Georgian King) in aid of their erstwhile ally - this would be considered an act of war against the Caliph himself.
The Caliph encourages those remaining Coalition members to seek new alliances in the name of peace, and mourn not their ally. They have had a lucky escape - consider the fate of the Turk's first ally, the Takavor of Armenia!
All hail Caliph An-Nasir li-din Allah, Descendent of the Prophet, Defender of the Faith, Peacemaker and Prince of the Two Seas!
I would warn the seljuk delegate that should the armies of the calph wish it, we will grant them a full list of measures which had slowed down your advance, and, if we would have had time to enract them should you have faught with honour, instead of resorting to suprise attacks and spies, then not a single inch of the shah's soil would have been lost to you.
Banzai Kamikaze
08-03-2008, 02:28
The limitless body of the Ayyubid ambassador rises from its chair. He claps at the annoucement of the Georgian's decision to leave the Coalition:
Praise be to Allah ! Praise be the Caliph !
The Georgians have reached the wisest decision. Know that Salahuddin will be greatly pleased by these news, and he will forgive your previous involvement with the dying Coalition. Who knows, friendship may arise between the Ayyubids and the Georgians.
Turkish brothers, we are sorry to inform you that we cannot involve ourselves in the upcoming Second Anatolian War. It is not Allah's wish that our soldiers fight the Crusaders. We believe it is Allah's will that the Coalition falls. Brothers, dismantle this Coalition which has brought misery to the Middle East, and negociate with the Crusaders. Kind Baldwin must be a reasonable man.
Seljuk brothers, we also urge you to abandon this Coalition.
Ambassadors, the time has come for us to work towards a lasting peace. Wars have brought miseries beyond imagination to all our peoples.
May Allah forgive us all.
The Roman deletage sighs, and stands up so every one can hear at the table.
Attention All, News has come that Prince Nevolous, That the once great empire of Rome is now Financially Collapsed. The Great Depression of Constantinople is effecting the Roman's will to fight. Also, Will be disbanding most of the militaries stationed in Jerusalem. The Roman Armies will be disbanded from the Jerusalem Area. That being said, Rome will be giving back control to it's Former ruler, King Baldwin of Damascus. We are now prouncing that the King Baldwin's new and former title, King of Jerusalem.
The Debt being well around 4k addition every "turn". We have no choice but to stay Neutral in the war between the Turks and the Crusading states. He is now tasked to help remove the The Great Depression of Constantinople, If any nations are willing to help, We do not know how we will repay you, but, the Prince will be most kindly accepting...
The Roman Delegate would sit down.
barcamartin
08-03-2008, 11:03
' The Sultan has come to a peaceful arrangement with The Caliph. There is no need for further bloodshed at this time. It is sad that our Turkish brothers and Georgian friends suffer this fate, but we are unable to aid them at this time. I too should hail the wisdom of the Georgian King though. He clearly sees beyond honour and to the well-being of his people. That said, the mighty nation of The Great Seljuks leaves the Coalition of Freedom, before it drags us into further problems.
You have spoken widely of your greatness, Khawazi, but shown little of it. Sure, your warriors are struggling and resisting longer than the Sultan expected, but whatever you say about cowardly surprise attacks and unhonourable actions, the defense of your country was poorly handled. '
Because we assumed we could trust you, because we assumed bygones were bygones, had we known you were unable of fighting with honour, we would have seen defense, and not expansion into rebel lands, as the prority.
barcamartin
08-03-2008, 17:09
' The inital attack startled you. But after that, there weren't many sign of resistance. '
pehaps because you destroyed our army, if you truly wished for a challange, to display that your soldiers have some skill, then why did you not warn us first?
why did you see the need to send so many spies?
the fact that you had so many is proof of your dishonourable intent.
The fact that an entire army from Ghanzi was destroyed by a garrison force is display enough of khwarezm prowess to support our statements that, had you tried to attack a prepared shahdom, we would have shrugged it off like a fly attempting to kill an elephant.
barcamartin
08-03-2008, 21:41
' Well, no one can proove the other wrong at this point, so let's just drop it. '
That said, he frowns and mumbles with his aid.
Askthepizzaguy
08-04-2008, 00:58
Let it be known, treacherous Crusader dog, that your betrayal after we pleaded with your conquerors the Roman Empire to SPARE your pathetic mess of unwashed barbarians you call an "army" will not go unnoticed.
Particularly galling is this cowardly attack while our Sultan is on pilgrimage to Mecca and is unable to command his own forces.
But you have shown yourself at all times and for all history to remember you as the most two-faced, spineless coward. Your terrible leadership and your barbarous ways have gained you only shame and hatred from the world. You destroyed those who would be your friends, and soon Allah himself will judge you and send you to the flaming death you so richly deserve, you rotting corpse.
Less surprising is the so-called Caliph's decision to allow the conquest of Muslim lands by crusader forces. We knew what kind of man was he when he placed his villainous armies and forts inside Georgian lands, threatening an invasion, and the way he sold his mantle of peacemaker to steal land from Baldwin in a war he had no business being a part of, and I am ashamed to say my Sultan asked him to join.
Some doubletalker, he. Speaks of peace and Muslim brotherhood, but betrays those who had not betrayed him.
As for his accusations of secret documents, the record will show that in all communications about caliphate aggression, all plans were for the defense of Georgia.
Were his filthy armies not illegally posted in foreign, and Coalition territory, an act of war, NO DISCUSSION would have ever been made about his removal from power.
And so with the withdrawl of the Georgian King from political power, I am now surrounded by a den of cowards, liars, and traitors.
Enjoy your victories... for you've insulted the very Gods you proclaim to worship... the Crusaders with their betrayal of Christian brothers and allies alike, the murder of innocents, and the Pretender who sits atop a throne of lies, who allows his Muslim brothers to suffer a fate he himself deserves most.
When you meet your dying day, I am comforted by the fact that your freedom and reign of terror on this Earth will have come to an end, and that my great Sultan, and the armies of the Turkish Islamic Republic will all be greeted with the grace of Allah, and you will be cast into the everlasting and painful burning pit of hell where you will be forever tormented as punishment for your blasphemous and faithless deeds.
May the mighty wrath of Allah smite you, cursed rotting leper, the rat King Baldwin, and especially you, O most wretched one, Sultan of the Serpents, ruler of stolen riches, liar and traitor, betrayer of Allah, the most despised and weak-wristed Caliph.
May there one day be a mighty ruler of the Islamic Caliphate.... one with a spine perhaps!
The Turkish messenger leaves with an entourage of bodyguards and warns:
My Sultan, Kaikosru the Magnificent, will be leaving his throne to the rightful leader of this Islamic Republic, the Crown Prince. Apparently his religious pilgrimage to Mecca has changed him...
Sultan Malik will unleash the wrath of all Islam upon you traitorous pigs. He is not as kind and Merciful as the honoured and loved Kaikosru. When you beg his forgiveness, he will simply feed you your own wretched entrails and laugh at your painful, horrible deaths.
PS-
I miss all you guys. Not having a computer really sucks phonicsmonkey balls. I hope to return to punish Rossahh for being the all-around nice guy that he is, and also give a big friendly hug to everyone else who has it coming.
:wink:
I promise not to squeeze until your lil heads pop off and then launch them from the Sultan's trebuchet and make more splatters against the side of the Sultan's palace.
In all seriousness, I know you miss me as much as I miss all you guys. I feel the love. I feel the love.
Soon, I will return to unleash the kind of carnage only I am capable of. Just wait.... I'm planning to demonstrate how I play when I am not Blitzing for the crown.
Your humble Death God,
Jalal the Unstoppable, Caliph of the Holy Islamic Empire,
AKA Blitzy McBlitzmaster,
That Pizza Dude Guy Man, Esquire, III.
phonicsmonkey
08-04-2008, 02:33
(OOC: yay! ATPG is back!)
The Vizier stands and gazes at the Turk with a look of disdain.
The Caliph will not be drawn into a pointless debate with the Turkish Sultan - it is for the delegates of this Court to judge for themselves who of the Caliph or the Sultan has been consistent in their public and private messages, and who has been fickle.
The pale-faced man chuckles to himself
Betrayal? We see this not as a betrayal, but rather a continuance of the previous conflict. We never considered the cease-fire to be permanent, but rather a stop-gap in which the fighting would die down but the conflict would continue. If you thought the alliance was binding then you are stupid, Turk. We know who our friends and allies are and you are not one of them.
No doubt you would try to highlight our duplicity as proof of our evilness, but we saw the cease-fire as meaningless resulting in no ceasation of hostilities at all, just as you did for the very first conflict between us. Do the shoe fit on the other foot, Turk?
Rome's attack has been rendered useless with the new Prince's transition to power. Likewise the Caliph's attack has been deflected diplomatically, leaving Jerusalem stronger than ever before, despite having "lost" the war. And so now the war is resumed. Pray that God gives you mercy, for you shall recieve none from us.
The Roman Diplomat sighs.
Rome's Attack has not ben "Rendered useless", The prince has already seen a fruitless war with the Turks. Considering things over he has simply decided he wants nothing to do in this war Military wise. Though, I will defend my claims over my lands. It is very depressing to know that your lands are not bordering eachother, that for you have to march over my lands.., And their is an a Roman Army between your two borders, if any of the two looks at the lands, You will be met with firm resistance, and ofcourse, the Roman Empire will be forced to be envolved with this Military wise.. That is not what we want. So, I do, seeing under the odds are in greatly favor of the Crusading states.
Other than that... we must try to gain more lands from the north, to help stabilize our economy....
The Roman Diplomat looks FOR the georgian one.
I am sure that georgian kingdom is finalizing the control of our castle... correct?
There is no Georgian delegate present, the last one seemingly vanishing with the announcement from the Caliph's Vizier
Askthepizzaguy
08-06-2008, 13:27
The Caliph's palace guards are at their feet with an apparent conflict at the gates. Those in the Caliph's main audience chamber are immediately at attention. One guard moves out of the room to report back to the Vizier exactly what is going on.
....For several long and tense minutes, the sounds of swordfighting and death get louder and louder. The palace guards form a defensive perimeter around the Vizier himself, swords drawn.
The doors to the main audience chamber are thrown open as a dead palace guard is hurled like a wet bag of infidel's entrails to land awkwardly in the rows of delegates, blood pouring from the large wound in his neck where a normal man's head might have been.
An entourage of men dressed as peasants, servants, palace guards, merchants, diplomatic aides, and those bearing the Turkish Islamic Republic's Crescent arrive soaked with blood, axes raised and curved swords drawn.
Crown Prince Malik has arrived. The Vizier rises to speak, but for the moment is speechless. The Palace Guards look frightened but determined to defend him. Malik grins a terrible grin... the kind which could kill a small, impotent rodent like the one ruling the Ghorid Ferretate. The kind of grin which could make a coward's skin crawl, like the skin currently rotting off of the laughably pathetic Rat-Mistress Baldwin. The kind of grin which signifies the impending doom of the Most Hated One, the Jester of Jesters, The Fool of Fools, the Leader of Lechers, the Prince of Prostitutes, the King of Cowards, the Traitor of Islam, and the ally of Crusader Infidels, the Pretender who would be Caliph.
Oh how the narrator revels in the condemnation of his foes. And he has such delightful insults to unleash upon thee...
My, my my..... it seems the Great Leader of the Coalition, the honoured and respected Sultan Kaikosru, who led the Coalition and even the Mighty Caliph to victory over the hated Infidel Crusaders as punishment for the Armenian Genocide, has shown weakness by not DESTROYING the Latin leper and his unwashed band of plague-infested weakling murderer wannabes.
Malik laughs uproariously
Let it be known that Kaikosru was a fool. Oh, but what a genius that fool was... it seems that diplomacy has it's uses. I would never have suspected that his insane mission that he sent me on to meet with the leaders of the many distant kingdoms and sultanates of the world could have gained so much military might under one banner. It seems that the Turkish people were not the only ones who tire of Baldwin's occupation of Muslim Holy land, and that even his fellow Christians tire of the multitudinous atrocities committed against those who follow the Cross.
But I must claim credit even for that, for sending ME to meet with the leaders of the world was a wise decision. Although I disdain diplomatic matters... I see now their use, and I have shown the world my strength and the righteousness of the Turkish cause. Kaikosru's mistake, apparently, was not finishing the Latin dog when he had the chance. This is a mistake I will not repeat.
Sons of Islam, look now towards your traitor. This assembly hall, ostensibly for the purpose of establishing peaceful relations and resolving disputes with words, has been nothing more than a farce to distract you all from the "Caliph's" true intentions, which we all know now. Like the Ghorids before him, he is a traitor to Islam.
Oh, my Ayyubid friend, would you open your eyes and see this Caliph for what he is? You protested my friendship and allegiance to the Georgians, and my alliance with the Roman Empire, for these were not Muslim states! However, great Ayyubid man, whose billowing body so majestically takes up three rows of chairs, my alliances to the so-called infidels have allowed Islam to prosper. The Turkish state has remained Muslim, and the traitors of Islam, the Khwarezmids who feed lies to our friends and instigate wars between the faithful, are nearly at their dying breath. The Ghorids, who have betrayed all Islam and turned their back on the will of the people, and waged wars against Muslims and Hindus alike, are also fighting for their lives. Soon they will surrender and Islam will be pure once again.
But there remains a traitor to Islam. There he sits.
He who would not join the Coalition you despise in order to save the world from infidel aggressors, those very aggressors who could destroy the Ayyubid Sultanate, he who would not assist the Muslims in their quest to defend themselves from traitors in their midst, he who would only assist the Turks at great profit to himself, would turn his back not on the Turks... no... his betrayal is much greater...
He sides with the lowest of the low, the unwashed Franks. Those dogs from the far Western edge of the world. Those who are the masters of the sin of Crusading, who sent the most plague-infested of rats from their midst, clothed them in tattered rags sadly bearing their cross, and shipped them on rickety boats across the world to make war on those who had never once invaded them or declared war...
Those who had in fact attacked the very Sultanate of Salahuddin and his forefathers. These are enemies of every single Arab. These plague rats have taken hold of the Holy Land, places holy to Islam, to Christians and Judaens alike, and spread their rat droppings inside.
They, who after ridding the world of their fellow Christians, who assisted in the Crusades, the Armenians, who had betrayed their own religion and their own people in the murderous destruction of that state, now profess to be able to exterminate Muslims as well, as they turn their wrath towards my Sultanate. Should they succeed, what next?
HA!
Do you really think Baldwin's murderous armies will just sit in Jerusalem and twiddle their rotting thumbs?
I hope Salahuddin has prepared a mighty host of the greatest warriors of all Islam, for the traitors of Islam are helping these Crusaders claim Muslim land. Soon, it will be your lands which are the next to fall.
Sultan Kaikosru before me was most duplicitous.... he did indeed make many hollow promises alongside many promises that were fulfilled. It was through his secret communications with the leaders of foreign nations which have shown us all which are willing to sell out their own friends, and which are not.
The former leader of the Roman Empire, my ally, was most willing to sell his very soul to own your lands, Ayyubid. The Leper King Baldwin promised much assistance in taking your lands as well. And even the wise and magnanimous peacemaker Caliph... (at the utterance of this word, his disgust and sarcasm reach a high note)
Yes... the Caliph was willing to sell himself for Baldwin's lands. And now he's shown himself to desire Georgian lands. How you must chuckle at this. But first he makes war upon the infidel, now he sides with the Latin scum... count his bordering neighbors carefully, Ayyub.
With Armenia gone, and with the Turks gone, that just leaves you. As I mentioned before, rise a mighty horde of troops. This I advise with great knowledge and experience dealing with Baldwin. He can be crushed quickly, and he is quick to surrender as well. For he is a fool, whose testicles have rotted and fallen somewhere in the middle of your desert sands, long forgotten, shrivelled and never used, and not missed either, apparently!
Malik chuckles with glee
Now your honoured Caliph has sold himself as a prostitute to me, the Sultan of the Turks, for mere coin and lands, and attacked Baldwin. He has raised not one sword in the defense of ANY Muslim state, nor volunteered any gold in their defense. Not without great profit to himself at least. Does this prove him to be a wise businessman, or simply a traitor to Islam who values gold higher than Muslim lives?
I will not ask you to abandon this Caliph, for you seem to revere him so. But remember well his many lies crafted with his serpent tongue about peace through diplomacy. Now he simply seeks profit through betrayal and war.
Kaikosru, on the other hand, did indeed achieve peace through diplomacy, backed by the sword. The Caliph could not stop the Ghorid infestation, not through his feeble attempts at peace, it was the Coalition Kaikosru began which now battles these traitors to their cowardly end. It was not the Caliph who stopped the Georgian/Seljuk conflict, the Coalition alliance cemented their friendship. It was not the Caliph who stopped the Khwarezmids, it was the Coalition. It was not the Caliph who stopped Baldwin... for his assistance on the battlefield was at that time largely overkill. My armies vastly dwarfed his.
It was not the Caliph who stopped the fighting between the Turks and the Roman Empire. We forged a private peace between us, involving the destruction of Baldwin.
Looking towards the chair of the "Latin" "delegate"
And it was not the Caliph, oh leprous rat bastard King, who spared your miserable life, it was I who argued with the Roman Emperor to spare you, to use your armies. Yes, yes, you owe your despicable life to me. Because, really, we could have so easily forced you to disband, or so easily slain your miserable assemblage of hired peasants, at the stroke of a pen I could have signed your deaths into existence on a piece of parchment. But Kaikosru said no... he wanted to spare you... to convert you from your treacherous ways.
Witness now the awful price of mercy. When you save the snake from destruction, it bites you with poison fangs.
Had the old fool not disbanded good Turkish armies, we could easily brush aside this invasion by Baldwin. Now it will not even be a fair fight. So the legacy of Kaikosru is one of brilliancy.... and shame.
An aide brings a basket to Malik, who opens it, and tosses the severed head towards the Vizier.
Kaikosru's reign of misfortune is at an end. Those who are traitors to Islam will be dealt with similarly. I warn YOU Vizier, that your Caliph must make peace with the Coalition, lest he meet the same fate.
As for Baldwin, I intend to deny him his prize and piss him off....
like only ATPG can...
And laugh at his misfortune as I continue to undermine him. I will personally torment Baldwin until the merciful will of Allah allows the rotting flesh to finally die a most deserved death. I would punish him myself, were it merely a matter of besting him on the battlefield. But since the Roman emperor proved to be a traitor as well, it is not that simple. Fortunately Allah has smited that snake with a plague as well.
Oh merciful Allah has been kind to me...
The Roman Prince is a much wiser man, but I do not know yet if he is trustworthy. It is of little importance... The Turks must leave Anatolia, as their ancestors called no one place their home, so now we must take up the horses and resettle as well. This den of rats and snakes and cowards is no place for Muslims to call a proper home.
I call on the new leader of the Coalition to guide us on our journey. Great Seljuks, Wise Ghazni, Faithful Georgians, and er..... "Good Attendance Record" Omans.... and all my friends, wish the Turks well on their journey. Remember well what gold we have invested, and with our survival, that gold will continue to flow. See our journey is a safe one, and you will all be blessed by Allah.
For now, I implore you all to reject this... coward... as your Caliph. You need a wise man. A great man... one who will not turn his back on the faithful. One who will not trade loyalties in dark rooms for trinkets and arab lands. One who will not take these foreign harlots dressed as women into his bed to desecrate Allah.
Looking smugly at the Vizier
Did you seriously believe none would find out about you? We have infiltrated Baghdad for some time now. You aren't even an arab Muslim... you, Vizier, are actually one of Baldwin's harlot women. It is strange to see you in the clothes of an arab man for a change, for you are usually dressed in the tattered rags of a French woman. You're nothing more than the Pretender Caliph's fruitcake.
So has the Caliph betrayed his many wives, some of which are women, so has he betrayed Islam. Look now towards your weak-willed and limp wristed "divine servant" of Allah, who so frequently abandons the word of Muhammed, and so often betrays his fellow Muslims or simply does nothing to assist.
So look at this Vizier, for he is the future of Islam under the rule of this Caliph... a pretender Arab, a pretender Muslim, a pretender Man. Who is secretly Baldwin's slave girl.
May he rot to pieces.
Malik laughs maniacally as he and his blood soaked entourage notice that the Palace guards have brought reinforcements. They had been putting on the uniforms of the slain guards as Malik had been talking his ever-abundant words to the harlot Vizier, and now Malik and his loyal Muslim warriors exit the audience chamber in all directions, certain that their disguises, their diversionary tactics, and their seperate escape routes will ensure that at least some of these brave men will return to Turkish territory unharmed, the Caliph's security network put to shame, his best bodyguards slain, and his reputation forever destroyed.
When I return.... it will be a death sentence for you, Caliph....
And without further ado...
Cue the clown music.
:elephant: :medievalcheers: :elephant::laugh2::elephant::elephant::knight: :medievalcheers::elephant::elephant::elephant: :7king::2cents::gah::focus::elephant::elephant: :medievalcheers::7teacher::smash::stars::elephant:
phonicsmonkey
08-06-2008, 23:39
The Vizier chuckles.
It would appear that both insanity and verbosity run in the family line of the Turkish Sultans.
It is a shame the Crown Prince is so ill-informed...
Ramses II CP
08-09-2008, 20:31
The emissary of the Rajputs enters the chamber and addresses the Council.
Gentlemen I arrive here to announce, officially though it has been the case unofficially for several years, the withdrawal of the Rajput nation from the Coalition. There remains, as yet, an alliance with the Omani people in technical effect because their diplomat could not be found to disband it; similarly with the Turks, but those will be dealt with as soon as they can.
I am also here to announce the capture of so called Ferret Castle and the city of Jalandhar. Given the previous Ghorid loss of Kolachee (? Whatever that Sindh city is that I let go rebel) this places our two nations on more even footing than they have been... well, since the arrival of Muslims in India, long before the start of the current conflict. With this in mind I invite the Ghorids once more to the table to discuss a diplomatic solution to the conflict between our nations. As matters now stand we are each poised to launch an offensive that would, quite likely, devestate our respect lands and leave us mutually weakened when some more westerly nation inevitably betrays the Ghorid Emirate. I do not believe that either of us is positioned to secure true victory against the other in a reasonable time, therefore I invite you to turn your backs on your history of treachery and sign a true deal for peace.
May your god grant you wisdom in these proceedings!
:egypt:
(OOC FYI the absurd counter offer I made to your absurd offer is not the diplomacy I mean, perforce I made that offer before I discovered that you hadn't seen my attacks coming and I would actually have some success. :laugh4: So who should I pm, EF or Phonics?)
(OOC:I'm back now so you can PM me :yes:, why do I always loose loads of settlements when phonics is subbing... :clown:)
phonicsmonkey
08-10-2008, 02:50
(OOC:I'm back now so you can PM me :yes:, why do I always loose loads of settlements when phonics is subbing... :clown:)
sorry EF, I try my best...:embarassed:
Askthepizzaguy
08-16-2008, 01:31
The Turkish delegate rises;
I hereby announce that the Turkish Sultanate pledges all its land to the Roman Empire, and accept vassalage to the Emperor.
It appears that Malik, our new Sultan, has abdicated rule of his lands, due to the incompetent leadership of Sultan Kaikosru, who decided to stop all wages for the Turkish army. With no standing army except the Sultan's personal army, we cannot withstand the Latin invasion.
Regards to the Ayyubids, who helped us out asking nothing in return.
Regards to the Georgians, who assisted us on more than one occasion.
Warm regards to the new Roman Prince for accepting our people into his empire.
Warm regards to the Seljuks, Ghazni, and the Hindus, for never betraying the Turkish people.
Assalam Alaikoom, friends. If anyone is in need of an ambassador, I seem to be seeking employment...
Banzai Kamikaze
08-17-2008, 17:44
The morbidly obese Ayyubid ambassador stands up:
And so it ends. We ask the Romans and Latins to treat our Muslim brothers with dignity and respect.
By surrendering, our Turkish brothers have saved their people from useless slaughter, and we welcome the new Sultan's leadership in these matters.
The Ayyubids are ready to greet any Turkish refugees who seek shelter and food.
Ambassadors, we wish for these bloody wars to end, so that our peoples may live in peace.
Allah is great, praise be to him.
Ramses II CP
08-23-2008, 19:44
The emissary of the Rajput people, calm, dignified, and unfriendly looking, strides once more to the center of the floor to begin speaking.
My Lords, I have no one to blame for yet another round of treachery out of the Ghorid people but myself. On the very eve of word arriving of their acceptance of the ceasefire I proposed I have also gotten word that their armies lay siege to the forward operating base of the Rajput army. This betrayal is simply unacceptable, and so the war has gone forward. News from the front is thus:
Peshawar and Anti-Elephant have fallen, the last two castles remaining in Ghorids hands. The city of Sukkur has also been taken.
Thanesar, Gwalior, Pindi, Mitankot, Uch, and Mansura are under siege.
Ferret City, Kabul, and Somnath alone remain uncontestedly in Ghorid hands.
With these developments it is much to be hoped that the Ghorid people and their Sultan at least see the worth of negotiating in good faith. The Maharaja has offered them a chance to continue to exist as vassals of the Rajput people. I will pray for them, for that they accept, and I ask that you do the same.
With a bow to the seat of the Caliph the emissary exits once more.
:egypt:
Askthepizzaguy
08-24-2008, 00:30
The disembodied head of Kaikosru floats through the council
I told you, Ghorid man... I would find a way to assist in your destruction. Seems my donations have been well received.
A blood soaked note is handed to a clerk, he reads aloud
"It will take more than a few goat fu... I can't say that in council....umm... this is addressed to the ghazims.. it says their seige was unsucessful, in rather inpolite words, and suggests they go... ewww"
*the clerk violently gags*
A khwarezm ambassador takes over
I assure the council, they are polite enough, the clerk here must be misunderstanding the handwriting...
Anyway, we offer the Ghazims our surrender and vassalship, in return for unquestioned and unchallanged ownership of Samarquand, Balkh, Bakhura and Temez.
Thats a fair deal, given that we have killed far more of there soilders than we have ever even had...
It may intrest you all to know we refuse to bury ghazim dead properly until we have a deal, as of right now, I believe some birds are enjoying the remains of the army that was beseiging Samarquand, if only they could come to peace terms like true muslims....
Askthepizzaguy
08-30-2008, 04:07
The Turkish ambassador is brought to tears with laughter.
:laugh4:
The Roman Diplomat stands up, and starts to read off a scroll that has just been delivered.
People of the Court, It has been informed me that Prince Nevoulos' Troops has occupied the last of the Turkish lands. Cities left bare of any troops, and citizens welcoming the Roman Armies marching in. Prince Nevoulos of Rome now declares the War between the Turks and the Crusading states over, The War between the Russian steppe tribes and our Roman Empire is over.
It is not Prince Nevoulos' goal to not control these newly formed lands himself, So he is keeping the same government that was the settlements inside, but Taxes will go to the Roman Empire. All Islam people withen the 3 last settlements will be treated fairly.
Also it has been confirmed that the Emperor is now Utterly Mad, and Insane. Unable to control the empire, He will be left on the Small island of Iraklion, With saying that, Prince Nevoulos is now titled Emperor Nevoulos.
Emperor Nevoulos wishes to speak diplomaticly with the Crusading States now, That the war is over.
And yes, Turkish Diplomat, Maybe Emperor Nevoulos would like to hire you, as well as talk to the formor leaders of the Turkish Sultante.
Of course you talk to us, noble ally. You may do so here in the court, or in private if you wish.
Emperor Nevoulos is wondering if their was any way to try to get the Orthidox settlements back to Rome, Such as Sinope and Amasia. Just mainly the end War land claims, and ofcourse, removing your "Vassel" Title. Emperor Nevoulos thinks that you have earned your freedom and the ability to protect your own kingdom with a few rightful movements such as, Is he right or wrong?
Further news. All troops have been pulled out of Jerusalem area, there for, Ending the Rome's "Protectorate" from the Area.
As of this moment, Kingdom of Jerusalem is Neutral with the Roman Empire now, Losing it's Military access from Rome (Automaticly does that when you cancle vassle.) Though, If the Crusader Diplomats are willing. They can talk more, and set up this time, a rightful alliance, at their own will ofcourse.
Of course, of course. How about the immediate transference of everything to the west of the river near Amasia? That would mean Karaman, Kayseri (if I have it), Amasia and Sinope would go immediately to Rome. The fate of Diyarbakir, Vahka and Sivas we can negotiate later. Be known that the King wishes to keep these lands, but will hand them over should the offer be sweet enough.
I think I'm missing one settlement actually, isn't there one next to Kayseri? It's whatever the Turkish name is for Ceaserea.
Sounds like a plan, We'll discuss later of the settlements more, East.
phonicsmonkey
09-02-2008, 13:00
The Vizier stands, a sombre expression on his face.
And so the Turkish Sultan joins his ally the Takavor of Armenia in the cold earth.
We must pray that the Mighty Allah is merciful, and forgives him his earthly trangressions as we would wish he should forgive ours.
Let his sorry fate stand as a warning to all those who would oppose the Caliph!
And may the new rulers of the lands of the former Sultanate of Rum respect the religious freedoms of the pious peoples of the ummah within their borders, lest they incur the righteous wrath of Allah and his anointed representative on Earth.
Let his sorry fate stand as a warning to all those who would oppose the Caliph!
Oh, I must have missed something. Just when was the mighty Caliph at war with the Sultan of the Turks?
deguerra
09-02-2008, 13:19
I think I'm missing one settlement actually, isn't there one next to Kayseri? It's whatever the Turkish name is for Ceaserea.
Kayseri is the Turkish name for Caesarea :2thumbsup:
phonicsmonkey
09-02-2008, 13:47
OOC: I paraphrase a little but...
blah blah blah....so-called Caliph...yadda yadda yadda...what kind of man was he...etc etc...villainous armies..rhubarb rhubarb...Some doubletalker, he....caliphate aggression....filthy armies ......the Pretender who sits atop a throne of lies, who allows his Muslim brothers to suffer a fate he himself deserves most......
When you meet your dying day, I am comforted by the fact that your freedom and reign of terror on this Earth will have come to an end, and that my great Sultan, and the armies of the Turkish Islamic Republic will all be greeted with the grace of Allah, and you will be cast into the everlasting and painful burning pit of hell where you will be forever tormented as punishment for your blasphemous and faithless deeds.
May the mighty wrath of Allah smite you, cursed rotting leper, the rat King Baldwin, and especially you, O most wretched one, Sultan of the Serpents, ruler of stolen riches, liar and traitor, betrayer of Allah, the most despised and weak-wristed Caliph.
May there one day be a mighty ruler of the Islamic Caliphate.... one with a spine perhaps!
I never said we were at war, but I did post here IC to say that the Caliph had decided the Turkish Sultan was 'the most dangerous man alive', and while it pains me to repeat the above scurillous accusations, I think there's enough here to justify a claim that the Turkish Sultan 'opposed' the Caliph.
In fact I had intended to make clear by my earlier statement that it was only religious considerations that prevented the Caliph from warring against the Turks.
Sorry if I was confusing in my statements..:clown:
Emperor Nevoulos would like to inform that the Roman Empire, Now being rid of wars, Will be now focusing to the West of the Empire, claiming rebel lands, and such. Though the Roman Empire is Allied now with the Crusading states, We would remain to be an alliance. The Roman Empire will not accept Military Access on either sides, Considering that the Emperor sees no reason to have either's Military on eachother's lands. Though, If the Crusader States are attacked in any way by force, The Roman Empire will aid them as much as they can. Other than that, We will not Entangle ourselves in the threats of war to the east.
We would also like to inform to the Crusader states that the Roman Empire has Invested over 14,000 florince into Trading Ports as of today, May the nations of Rome, the Crusader states, and even the Ayyubid Empire profit from this!
Ramses II CP
09-08-2008, 22:12
A smiling, obviously happy emissary of the Rajputs enters the chamber and makes a brief, joyful announcement.
Lords and emissaries it is with considerable pleasure that I announce that the Ghorid people have fulfilled their end of the vassalage agreement. There is now peace in the east, at long last!
As per our end of the agreement the two castles, Peshawar and the former Anti-Elephant, now renamed Peace Accord Castle, have been returned to the Ghorid people for use in defense of their lands if such should be necessary. Jalandhar, the last city, will be returned to them soon as well, and our two nations will be restored to their good and proper mutual borders.
It is important to note that the Ghorid people now stand entirely under the protection of the Rajput nation. Any act of aggression against the Ghorids will be met by the full military might of my people. Of course we are wary of further treachery, but hopeful for a lasting peace!
The emissary of the Maharaja then returns to his seat in the chambers, resuming the permanent presence of a Rajput diplomat in the Caliph's Court.
:egypt:
The Ghorid emissary sits sulking in the corner.
The Roman diplomat stands up.
As you all know, The Roman Empire has been expanding to our goal to surround the Black city, We are moments from succeeding now, Though, Friends have very few settlements on the lines of it, Emperor Nevoulos wishes to give proposals to the Abbusid Empire, and it's Vassel, The Georgian kingdom, The Roman Economy will soon to grow when the port projects are finished that we already invested 14,000 florince into, Though, We wish to Peacefully obtain the city of Ani that is currently under possetion under the Abbusid empire, and then Castle Sokhumi, and city of Kutaisi.
If you do accept to talk into plans, Our kingdoms will grow forever with higher regards of both of your kingdoms. Emperor Nevoulos is eager to hear of what you think, While you are thinking ofcourse, The Royal Armies are pushing the russians out of the Black sea., If I am correct, it is just 2 weakly defended settlements and 1 large garrison city, though, One of the cities are undersiege as we speak, the outcome is very likely of Victory.
News for the Kingdom of Jerusalem as well, First of all we are to happy to accept that we have finalized our alliance, you are no vassel to the Roman Empire no longer, and our forces are offically into Roman Seas now, May Peace and Prosperity grow in the wake of this most perfect day.
The Roman Diplomat would sit back down.
phonicsmonkey
09-12-2008, 03:56
The Vizier rises to address the Roman emissary.
Kind sir, while the Caliph is most pleased at the courteous and respectful manner in which you make your territorial ambitions clear to the Court, it is necessary for him to politely decline your offer.
The city of Ani forms a key trading post for the Caliph in the Black Sea region, and he wishes to continue to have the benefit of access to trade with the territories of the Roman Emperor in that area, a key market for the grapes of Shiraz.
Further, it is the Caliph's desire that the territories of Sokhumi and Kutaisi remain in the hands of the Georgian King, who enjoys the protection of the Caliphate. The King has been most wise in accepting the Caliph's protection, and deserves the reward of continued political stability in his realm.
I trust you will respect the Caliph's decision, and relinquish any thoughts of expanding your empire into these regions.
The Roman Diplomat would sigh.
The Romans will respect that, Though, if any time in the future if you are thinking of letting go with the territories, Please let the Romans know so we can be the first to purchase it, It is not our intention to War out the last settlements owned by Georgia and Abbusid. It was a friendly idea of expanding. As we speak we are in a hard war in the Steppes at the moment, Though, once the armies that have left from Jerusalem and Iraklion get there, it will be easier...
I am sure that the Emperor will respect that, As for the roman cities are getting rare and exotic goods from Ani trading ships from the east. I hope that even though you have declined this offer that the Emperor has offered, will make our relations grow with us respecting your decline.
If the Caliph needs any thing from the Emperor, Please do not fear to ask him! we will give every thing a thought that can profit us!
Jerusalem has vacated the former Turkish lands and Rome has assumed control. However, let the Romans be aware that a small party of horsemen will be moving through Cilicia shortly. They number under 100 and are simply heading back to Antioch. I trust this will cause no problems?
The Emperor will let this slide for now, Though, if you are to keep moving troops between your lands and going through Cilicia, We will have to discuss Military Acess rights for both ways, To keep the people on the border happy ofcourse.
We are happy that there is peace withen us now, and the people are Delighted with the fact that nearly 20 years wars and borders of being in wars, Are over... Though, We are wondering about our Neighbors, If they are planning for peace or war? The Egyptians are unknown as we speak, and the Caliph's armies are at the Roman's Borders now, I will make myself clear that the Romans have No intention to invade Georgia or the Caliph's Cities. The Only intrests that we have are if you are willing later on in the future is to purchase these lands from your kingdoms, for the time though, We are fighting against the Steppes Warlords... We are ofcourse seeing reports as unlike the Rum turks that have been vasseled and merged into the Roman Empire, that their brothers, the Seljuk Turks, have been living on with a great name through military tactics. The Roman Empire will not go to war with any other nations, Unless ofcourse there is a large enough proposal to the Roman Empire that we would decide if it was enough of a... Just... cause ofcourse.
But ofcourse, We are awaiting your goals Egypt, the Caliph, Even the kindom of Jerusalem and the Seljuk Turks!
Technically 3 of my provinces do not border the rest of the Kingdom and though it would be easy to rush across the very narrow desert in between Edessa and Aleppo, these troops are coming back from the Turkish lands so moving down through Cilicia is much quicker
The Caliph does not actually border any of Rome's provinces so you should not worry about them. The Ayyubids from Egypt have proven themselves to be the most trustworthy of all nations. They have steadfastly remained neutral in all of the conflicts in Anatolia and the Levant, never supporting one nation more than another, and never breaking their word to anyone. I hope that all western nations can look forward to an era of peace for the near-future.
The Emperor looks closely at our most easern castle Trepezon, bordering it are two Caliph settlements each with massive armies inside, That is why we some what wonder about this, and the Emperor wanted to clear his intentions with the Caliph, So if he has to, he will focus the two armies idle near the Roman border into more important needs, Though, The Armies could be usefull for aid of conquering the Steppe warlords, Ofcourse the Roman Empire will pay nicely for any settlement caputured with the forces that are considerbly to the steppes.
The Emissary from Jerusalem yawns loudly. The sound echoes around the court, but hardly anyone takes notice. All of the other dignitaries seem to be asleep or in a sort of stupor. On the lesser chair at the head of the court the Vizier is asleep, and the palace guards slouch against the walls and pick at their fingernails.
The Emissary yawns again. He was tired and nothing ever happened in the court anymore. Closing his eyes, the man lets his head droop.
"Oh well, at least they've cleaned up the blood."
phonicsmonkey
10-07-2008, 12:43
A fanfare sounds, awakening the occupants of the court from their reverie with a start. The Jerusalem ambassador, who had been leaning back on the hind legs of his chair, almost falls to the ground with surprise and has to be saved at the last moment by the quick thinking of his page boy.
The great engraved doors to the Court are flung open, and an entourage of armed guards enters to a slow drumbeat, their armour glistening in the sunlight and banners fluttering in the breeze.
At the heart of the group is the Caliph An-Nasir and his son Az-Zahir. They are dressed in ornate cermonial armour and are bearing arms.
The Caliph and his son stand shoulder to shoulder on the dais as the Vizier rises to read from a large scroll.
Ambassadors, emissaries and digitaries of the nations of the world. The Caliph has prepared a statement which I will now read to you.
"Ambassador of Jerusalem, when my predecessors the Ummayad Caliphs reigned over the faithful, your petty kingdoms of Europe were shrouded in darkness, ignorance and confusion. The Caliphate stretched from the shores of Al-Andalus to the shores of India, and rightly were my ancestors known as the Princes of the Two Seas.
Then the schism came upon us, and the arrogance of the Caliphs led to the fracture of the ummah into the manifold Islamic nations represented here today. Your Kings, sensing weakness and greedy for the riches of the East, sent their armies in the First and Second Crusades, seizing much of what you know as the 'Holy Land' and defiling the lands of the Prophet with their infidel feet.
My immediate predecessors were too decadent and weak to resist this disgrace, and with the noble exception of the mighty Salahuddin and his uncle Nur-ad-Din, few of the new Sultans, Shahs and Attabegs of the Turkish and Persian regions fought for the glory of Allah against your faithless and greedy thief-armies.
The time has come for this aberration to be reversed.
You will immediately vacate the Levant and all of your stolen lands there, handing them over to the Caliph and retreating to the island of Cyprus."
The Vizier turns to face the Roman emissary, and continues to read.
"Emissary of Rome, your aging empire has come upon new greatness in these recent days. Your choice of allies is unfortunate, as is your occupation of territory populated by Muslim people.
You will immediately vacate the lands of Anatolia, both those which were snatched from the Turkish Sultan, and all other holdings there, handing them over to the Caliph and retreating to the other side of the Hellespont. You may retain Konstantinopolis and your newly acquired holdings in the steppes.
If Jerusalem and Rome do not immediately accede to these demands, the armies of Islam will descend on Syria, the Levant, and Anatolia and drive your feeble armies into the sea. The Caliph will call on all of the faithful to join a righteous jihad against the infidel, and you will be utterly destroyed."
The armed guards seize the Jerusalem and Rome ambassadors, holding them hostage while their pages are allowed to leave to convey the message back to their respective masters.
Banzai Kamikaze
10-08-2008, 05:30
The heavy Ayyubid ambassador stands up amidst the noisy background of outcries resulting from the words of the Vizier:
I... I... truly these are bold comment from the Caliph... I ... have not been instructed on how to answer such a...
I...
...
I must communicate with my Sultan at once. I do not know how our religious leaders would react to a call for Jihad by the Abbassids. Our people and our Sultan greatly respect the Caliph...
Crusaders, Romans, you must do everything in your power to prevent such a call for Jihad. Should one be called, I do not know how our Imams would react...
A messenger crawls inside the loud room, presenting a document to the Ayyubid ambassador. The large ambassador looks shocked by its content. There are instructions from his Sultan, instructions he never imagined he would be reading.
I... must discuss important matters with my diplomatic staff.
The Ayyubid ambassador leaves with his retinue in haste. Surely, the content of the message must have been of critical matter...
The Emissary struggles against the powerful grips of the guards. A trio of guards attempts to drag the Emissary from the court. The Emissary spits at the guards, and cries "Unhand me you heathen devils!" He begins to thrash about wildly kicking out. Despite several hits to some shins, the guards still drag the man towards the doors. However, at the threshold of the court one particularly vicious kick by the Emissary hits one of the guards in a tender location with a sickening whack. The man gives a whelp in sudden and intense pain and crumples to the floor as everyone in the court winces in shared pain. The poor guard rolls about, moaning silently, as the other two guards hastily let go of the Emissary's arms. Adjusting his ruffled robes, the Emissary turns and addresses the court:
So the "Peace Maker" shows us all how peaceful he can be. I also see how ignorant of history he is. It was the ancestors of the Lating Kingdom of Jerusalem, the Franks, who stopped the Muslim expansion into to Europe. Since that time the Ummayad Caliphate has fragmented and broken into ENTIRELY separate entities, with no link to each other save your common religion. Indeed, your own Abassid Caliphate (now called "The Caliphate") was first formed when the Arabs seized control of Baghdad and Persia, and then cleansed and made anew when the Turks began their march westwards. It is their decendants (of the Turks), not yours, that reside in the lands you claim.
And yet you have decided to come and break yourselves against walls. We reject your terms, and will defend our lands to our fullest capacity. You will find our armies more than a match for your son's and your Seljuk cronies' armies that now threaten our lands, and whatever else you decide to send against us.
The Emissary is interrupted by a loud groan from the downed guard behind him. The man is groggily picking himself up off the floor. Still recovering from the blow he has suffered.
I now address the Sultans of the other Muslim nations. The Caliph desires only land, wealth and power for himself and for himself alone. What he does he does not do in the name of God or Islam, but in the name of greed and spite. The Seljuk Turks already support him (ooc: there is a Seljuk army outside of Edessa - a long way from home don't you think?) in his avarious quest, but for the moment Jerusalem has no other quarrel with anyone else. This Jihad is about power - for the Caliph, not God. Are you devils of greed, spite and hate - or are you men of peace?
The Emissary bows to the court, and then turns around to leave. The two standing guards tank flanking positions instead of dragging the man out. The third guard is still hunched over slightly. As the Emissary passes him, he gives him another almighty kick in the nether-region. The guard utters no word what-so-ever but collapses in an unmoving heap on the floor. As the Emissary and guards depart, a small boy runs past them, hurdling over the crumpled mess of the third guard, and sits in the former chair-of-Jerusalem. A pigeon is perched on his shoulder, ready to bear any message the diplomats have for the King.
deguerra
10-08-2008, 13:09
From a corner of the room where nobody had glanced in a while, the Omani ambassador stands, shakes the dust from his robe and begins to speak
As the emissary of Jerusalem so kindly informs us, it was his ancestors that halted the expansion of the Moors in Europe, reclaiming from them those lands they considered rightfully Christian. Does it not seem right then, to all fair-minded men, that we should now reclaim such lands in our world as we consider rightfully Muslim.
Anatolia and the Levant have been, for centuries, melting-grounds of civilizations, ideas, beliefs and cultures, not unlike Muslim Al-Andalus in faraway Spain. Yet just like the Christian monarchs claim their right to rule their lands, so do we claim the right to rule ours.
Regarding the Levant, the Latin presence there is unjustified, as pilgrims of all nations and beliefs made their journeys there, unmolested by their Muslim rulers. Only now that a Christian King rules in Jerusalem do we hear tales of pilgrims needing protecting. Your initial goals may have been noble, but save for few individuals, the splendor and richness of our lands has corrupted your souls. It cannot be allowed to stand.
Anatolia, too, is a land that has suffered much at the hands of pointless aggression. I will not challenge that Rome once ruled there, but Rome also once ruled in Spain, yet would find itself unwelcome to do so now, I imagine. Likewise its anachronistic and tentative at best hold over Anatolia should cease. Muslim rulers hold a better title to those lands, Muslims form a greater part of its population and it is our duty to return them to Islam.
On behalf of Murshed, Great Imam of the Ibadi faith, spiritual and worldly ruler of Arabia and protector of the most holy cities of Mecca and Medina, I hereby declare our support of the Caliph's ultimatum and possible Jihad.
phonicsmonkey
10-19-2008, 23:44
The Caliph rises, his ceremonial armour glinting wickedly in the sunlight. At his side is an ornate scimitar with an onyz pommel and engraved scabbard. He is flanked on his right by Az-Zahir, the Crown Prince, and on his left a hulking ghulam bears a hooded falcon. He addresses the court.
Dignitaries, ambassadors and emissaries of all nations, the Caliph An-Nasir, li-din Allah, Peacemaker, Defender of the Faith and Prince of the Two Seas now calls upon the faithful to listen.
I have this day received word that the Kings of the West have rejected the righteous demand of Allah that the lands of the faithful should not be ruled over by the infidel.
It is of little surprise to me that they have once again chosen to seize the sharp blade and bitter lance over the proffered olive branch. Their infamy will be remembered by the ummah, but only in the teachings of historians!
For the Caliph of Islam, descendant of the Prophet, now calls upon all the imams of the faithful - of the Sunni, the Shiia and the mystic Ibadi - to echo and support his call for a most fierce and holy jihad against these infidel kings and their impious armies!
Let the call ring out in the song of every muezzin, and let the prayers of the ummah be lit up by the flame of righteous holy war!
The Caliph will lead the armies of Islam against the oppressor, and drive their decadent nations into the sea!
A pigeon flies into the room and drops a letter and small package next to the boy, who hands to bundle to one of the court aides. The aide reads aloud the letter:
Cuckhold An-Nasir and his Sweljuk Concubine,
Your "righteous" offer for all that our people have toiled for over the last 100 years in exchange for absolutely nothing was rejected. If you want our lands then you must take them by force. However, being the cowardly spawn of prostitutes that you are you seem reluctant to begin your attack until you outnumber us least 100-1. Already the Sweljuk harpies outnumber our nothern garrisons 10-1, yet they do not attack. Obviously they are afraid to do so without the Caliph's whip on their backside, spurring them on. Once again we are reminded that eastern muslims are not men, they are hairy women instead.
The King has enclosed a package with this letter, fresh from his table. This gift is a symbol of Jerusalem's defiance and rejection of your ridiculous offer, and we most humbly ask that you stick it some place the sun does not shine. When you are through talking about your sudden loss of manhood, come and seek us out on the field of battle.
Oliver de Picard
Northern Commander
The aide unwraps the package. The whole court gasps as the bloodied and diseased middle finger of King Baldwin is revealed. The aide drops the finger in panic and runs out of the court, wiping his hands and chanting to Allah. The finger rolls across the floor, coming to a stop at the base of the throne.
Merlox123
10-20-2008, 01:12
The Roman Diplomat would be very very confused though, He would not act so hostile towards the Caliphs guards, but tried to have the guards lead him, not drag him. He would write the letter out to the Newly Emperor Nevoulos, Who was now stationed at Konstantinople from another Sucessful Battle from the Russian Front, and here he would travel for some time to the Bahgdad with 48 heavy armored body guards, for the first time, see the Caliph in his own eyes, and the leaders of the Eastern World, which he knew non about from real experience, Only from the Universities that he attended to.[
"Men of the Noble Caliph's Council, I... Prince, no... Emperor Nevoulos, Has come in blood to settle this for his people, I wish to discuss this with the Eastern Powers... "
He tried to stand tall, though, He was Intimidated by the leaders, Due to just entering as "Emperor" but still tried to be brave.
"We have not conquered these lands from the turks, The Turks, Their leader, Their government still runs, but is just under our protection, We did this to save their lives from the Crusaders. Unless if their former government says other wise, We are protecting the Turkish people, as How the your noble forces are protecting now Georgia, Though, They were disctintivly different. One is that the Turks gave their remaining powers to an ally that they had who stayed decided to say neutral, though, the conflict demanded us to turn against them. This being said, We are bound to protect them until their former Sultan or leaders, say other wise. Yours was a conquest, and they surrended, That is how the world goes. We are still wanting to remain neutral in this cause, We Refuse to be considered the same group of Religion as the Crusaders are. We... HATE... the pope, The pope is a basphemy at best! That man Lies about being a prophit, How can a group of old men decide who is going to be god's chosen one!? No, The Gods choose of what they will! Who sends thousands of men on a "Holy Mission" and destroy a non defended country of simply Muslims. Though, The Roman Empire would see it would be very fair to give up the Muslim populated lands in Turks if the Turkish Government agreed to this, But we refuse to give up any parts of Armenia, Our old lands, Or the Russian Steppes. "
He would look around the room, trying to see if any one following him, and in his mind, it did, so he continued.
"We have asked over and over for the Alliance between our people, but so often you have refused. We only wish to have peace from what the Turks gave in for. They gave in to the Roman Empire to escape the "Holy Cross" and surely their deaths. Though I am very Naive about this, I can believe in what the Turkish People wanted. The Noble Caliph maybe should thank the Roman Empire to step in before the "Holy Cross" came in, and maybe of wiped them from the very face of this earth!"
He would then raise a fist to his face, and shake it in fury.
"We also act like Men! and Refuse to Insult men that have not Insulted us first, The Franks have been always known for that, As the Roman Empire is now thrashed by the Franks, By the West, Venice and Hugarian Pigs try to plunder our settlements. Saying it is so just because we denounce the Heritic that is on the so called "God's Chair." The Denounced one should have never come to these Holy Lands, as look what it does! It Kills! It Spews Endless Wars upon every living person who breaths in this so called "Holy Lands" These lands are Indeed Holy, But does it require the "Pope" to send merciless Pigs and Kill innocent Men, Women, Children, Old men!? Just Because of their Religion!? As I wanted to Rid of Jerusalem, Due to I knew of this problem! Though, Being threatend to be invaded by Crusaders on a "Holy Mission" ment by keeping Jerusalem!? The Eastern world has attempted to Abolish the will of this "Pope." The People of these lands do not want this "Pope" to effect their daily lives with his Senseless DEMANDS. I am not a Muslim, though, We do have a similar mind, a Similar goal, That is to NEVER bow down to the "Pope" the fake of god's child should have been beheade--...."
He would then stop, Knowing that he was saying too much of what he thought, and lowered his head.
"We do not wish for war, I wish for the Caliph to please listen to me! and maybe we can change the ideas of this. Our Empire has seen through the hardships of many, through a thousand years. Our empire once controled most of the known world, but then lost it, loosing it's grip upon it's areas of conquest, Our Ideas are through all of you! We are all bound in some way or form! As the sons of one of the oldest and greatest empires on this earth, This is how we re-act? We respect the Caliph, as he has done many things, and in over all, granted peace for the Romans in this very short time, We though, Wish to make a different plan or deal with the Caliph, One that would give them the satisfaction. Though, The Caliph himself would have to think of this. We leave the Response to you, Noble Caliph."
He would then stand, awaiting his reply.. or any ones.
Banzai Kamikaze
10-20-2008, 02:02
The Heavy Ayyubid ambassador returns to the court just in time to hear the Caliph's call for a Djihad.
Ambassadors, hear the words of the Great Salahuddin.
The age of Islam has come. The call for a Djihad by the Abbassids will be answered by the Ayyubids.
We cannot stay neutral yet again. We must choose a side.
We choose the side of Allah.
We urge our neighbors to surrender their lands and avoid a bloodshed.
Salahuddin's armies are marching.
Should they refuse to surrender, Constantinople and Jerusalem will fall.
The Ambassador takes a second to pause.
I... I am sorry it has come to this.
The boy whispers something to his pigeon. The pigeon hoots softly and soars into the air. It flies directly towards the Ayyubid emissary and it circles the large man once before swooping low and pooping on his head. The pigeon hoots happily as it flies back to its masters shoulder
Merlox123
10-20-2008, 02:37
the Emperor would be shocked.
"Constantinople!? Why!? Even though the Islam people do not have a reason into that area. Why choose it? Why focus on the people who share you're goals as to bring down the Papacy as well? You to treat us as bad as the dogs who have slaughtered their way back into the once islam areas, Be mistaken of who is the true enemy here!, We fight the same people as you do! Is their not some type of agreement that we can both agree? We are not the people who slaughtered the Jerusalem area due to an old and withered man said so, This damn old man has caused much hard ache to us all, To both of our Religions!, culture!, Look at what what the Old man has done to my empire, He Shattered it! and hes trying to remove a part of our history once and for all, The Egyptians were once Romans as well, Even though we may look different, We may think different, We are still bonded by our Roman Heritage that is still strong as we speak! Our ancisters would not want us to kill eachother, Even though we are now seperated by beliefs. Think of the Nationlism that brought our ancisters to this place!"
The Emperor would shake his head, and raise it back.
"I will tell you one thing, The Thing that seperates Us Romans, and Europeans... For the Eastern part, We have mixed into the life of what our future is, We are Turks, We are Greeks, We are Egyptians, We are Persains, All of us!, But the west!? That is their mixed blood with the Frankish People, That drove the Western part to madness and fell apart long ago! Franks as I mean Germans, The French, The English, and the Spanish! All people that Islam fights, Fights Us. They Merged with us Western Romans long ago, and collapsed, and look what they brought from their wombs! Dogs of Hell! These dogs are so little minded that they only listen to an old man who has NO connection to the gods, but he forces the people to listen to them, And says it's gods will... Let me ask you this... People of the council... Does god want innocent people who commit no crimes and is strong to their faith.. from the side branch of what we believe in, that denounces the Pope, to all the way to Islam, He hates. He hates all of us, He wants to see us all suffer and to be hung from their church's crosses. And for this, My eyes are Fully Opened, Us Romans that have been spread out and untouched by the franks, must put an end to the Frankish empires, and it starts here and now!, The left over sons of the What the Romans was. Must face the common Enemy!"
He would then look at all of the Diplomats and the Caliph, Most of them Being Islam, but a few oddballs like himself, a Hindu man, a Frankish Pig boy, and a Georgian.
"As the Emperor of the oldest Empire on earth to this date. I beg for you to reconsider, and let us talk this out. Not with swords. We are willing to work with the Caliph, As we did not Reject. We only simply to Difine and agree on terms, we both can agree on... This is why this group of Diplomats is here.. Right?"
The Emperor would see what the bird had done to the Egyptian, and has the guards seize the boy as well and if the bird was still on his shoulder, would be crushed., For showing rudeness toward one of the guests of the Host, and Also trying to mess up his speech.
phonicsmonkey
10-20-2008, 02:46
The Vizier rises and addresses the Roman diplomat.
Sir, you ask whether there is an agreement we can make to avoid war.
The agreement has already been offered to you - hand over your holdings in Anatolia to the Caliph immediately, including former Armenian and Turkish lands, and you will be spared.
However, you have just said "we refuse to give up any parts of Armenia, [or] our old lands".
And so you have rejected the Caliph's terms, and holy jihad must follow. May Allah have mercy upon you.
Merlox123
10-20-2008, 02:52
The Emperor sighed...
"Caliph... Send me the Official list of what to give, We have no choice but to accept. or be Oblitterated..."
He looked at the Caliph now in desperation.
"We Romans are willing to give up so much... but please let us at least own our costal towns, The Mainland is very Islam.. but the port cities and such have not muslims, but many of my faith. If not.. I do not have any Regards why not.. We can pay Hansomly if you allow us to keep the costal cities"
He would hand a Scroll to the Caliph himself, This would be what he would try to do.
phonicsmonkey
10-20-2008, 03:55
The Vizier takes a cursory look at the scroll and tosses it aside. He sneers at the Roman.
Sir, you seem to think you are party to a negotiation!
The Caliph has made his ultimatum clear - the whole of the Anatolian peninsula, which Romans call 'Asia Minor' will be ruled by the faithful.
A diplomat will be sent to Roman lands to repeat the offered terms more clearly. In the meantime, the armies of Islam are already on the move, and the jihad will commence until such a time as either the lands in question are vacated, or the Roman empire is destroyed.
I suggest you ready the defences.
Merlox123
10-20-2008, 04:25
The Roman Emperor looked about the whole room, sweating. His loss of an Empire.
Ready my defenses!? I will do so much more, SO MUCH MORE... If I have to go... I will make my formor lands a Waste land. I will destroy every thing before you come, I will Kill every person that you want to care about! You sir can have the lands if you really want, They will be nothing left but mere... scraps? My Empire goes, So does it's worth, I will destroy every thing Withen, While my armies Delay you at all costs. Do you really want this to happend? While my armies Delay you, As they are already positioned to do so after 2 years of notification that your forces were bounding up by my borders. I Will Destroy the Empire by myself before letting the Caliph Touch the lands. As I am Absolute Authority over my people, and my will! MY command! Is land that usefull for you Caliph? what will you do with an Empire that denies your will , because they have been destroyed already. Their lands not even proftable. Barely any people to tax, Do you wish this to happen Caliph? This Empire will never be conquered, After over a thousand years of work, If it has to end, I will make sure that no man except by my will does control these lands. What happens when I have obtained all of the florience from the people?, Either way, I refuse your proposal for a Jihad on my lands, Because their will be no war!, Only death! Your armies will not approach the Roman Men, but Rebels, who defy all. Then you will have fun of years trying to re-couperate of what happened withen an Instinct. You try to boss into Jihads, What do we have? We have every thing. The Crusaders could destroy every Holy relic inside of that city if he wishes! You try to force us!? Force Islam to kill the people it tries to protect. War only brings death, if you want the people to die. They... Will... DIE...
The Newly Emperor would look at the room, Seeing how every thing is controlled by puppet masters, and grinned, laughing at himself, Clearly it was the power or lost of every thing. He would though pull out a scroll already written, and hand it off and be hand off the orders to who ever was to recieve them.
The Turks were right..? They were right... Though... We Refuse to ever give these lands to the Caliph. Any lands that would be given, Would be either the Seljuk Turks, or the Ayyubsids. Which would you rather prefer? The Man who is now calls himself Caliph, You options now!, Every one but one does help your profit, now listen old man... You either accpet what is on that paper, Or you will gain nothing. NOTHING... All of these lands will be given the to Ayybusids or the Seljuk Turks, Your lands will not grow one bit, Or I should just destroy all of it, As the Ayyubids plan to war on me, the Seljuk plans, and you do. So think fast old man. Or else you'll have a crisis under your hands...
As for the other countries, I am shocked, All that you talked about was peace, peace.. peace... but now all you banter is.. War.. War.. War.. I'll give you neither if it comes like this... Puppetmasters of the world. I laugh... Peacemaker... We have done nothing but served the Caliph. but look what it brings us? We.. will.. not.. be.. BOUND!
phonicsmonkey
10-20-2008, 04:42
The Vizier frowns at the Roman, disbelieving of the change that has come over him.
I cannot believe what I am hearing!
Are you really saying that the Roman Emperor will take out his frustrations on his own subjects? Raze his own cities to the ground? What an act of pure evil that would be! And truly would he justify the jihad by taking such nefarious actions!
The justice of the mighty Allah will be done infidel, but do not make it worse for yourself by piling sin upon impious sin!
As for your other words, I think you misunderstand the position - The Caliph cares not whether you hand over your lands to him, or to his allies the Ayyubids or the Seljuks.
So long as they are held in Islamic hands and free from the oppression of the infidel!
Merlox123
10-20-2008, 04:54
The Emperor would only grin.
Not my people, Your people. My people will move up north, Make the journy, Hopefully be met with the Novogrod people... But all of your people will be dead... It is call a Genocide then Mass Migration... And it only triggers when an event so extreme such as a Jihad is called onto a kingdom that has only served the Islam... For this, We will take back all of our favors done to you. For this. We will be happy if you wish to defy us, this is how you will get this. After the Roman people have migrated, and all Islamic people are dead, Who will you turn against? As enemies? The Seljuk Turks, The Ayyubids? It will be Mine.. My fathers.. My Grandfathers way of revenge, and if I must... God Wills It, As you can see Old man... There are daggers in men's smiles.. and theirs a dagger in yours... So guess what.. Look at this grin, look at what you've caused. The Final Chapter in the story book of the Asia Minor... How War consumed us all, and at the end, The Puppet master Caliph, who orcistrated this whole thing.. now plans to betray? I will cut the strings from my spine and skull. Maybe then.. Will the other countries look at what you have caused...
A new pigeon flutters in
The Kingdom of Jerusalem hereby offers the Islamic Shah of the Khwarezm regency over all Latin-held territories bar the Christian Cyprus.
phonicsmonkey
10-20-2008, 05:16
:laugh4:
Banzai Kamikaze
10-20-2008, 23:20
:applause::applause:
Merlox123
11-04-2008, 00:53
A Message would come from Nevolous himself.
To the court. As the war wages. Rome is declining now. Rome is a mere shadow of what it once was. As the formor emperor attempted to ambush the incoming Armies of the very large horde of Islamic Jihad armies. He fell in battle. As this was a great loss for the Roman Empire, and for myself, I myself Emperor Nevoulos have been pinned. Though, We will show one last fight before we surrender. As we refuse to give one piece of our lands to this Caliph, Who wants all to die by under his hand. We fought the Abbisid's armies head on. I launched the Royal Russian Frontier armies to fight against the Caliph's armies, as a Showdown of who is in military powers. The Ambush ofcourse was a failure, But a full head on assault threw the Caliph's armies into confusion, not expecting the full sheer power of the Armies. We pushed the Caliph's men into the sea, and forced them to surrender. As it was expected, Two generals from the Caliph had been sent, each with a large army. One of them died in a fight against the most Elite Katraphract Unit Nevoulos had. The Pride of the Roman empire. After seeing the one leader being slaughtered, the rest put down their arms as it was either certain death by spears, or by drowning by the cruel sea. Though, as the men and advisers told I that I should murder every last prisoner, just like the Caliph's had done to my father, I refuse to do it just yet. Though, Troops marched on into a counter attack onto the Once Georgian city of Ani, and liberated. To show the Pathetic Caliph that they have failed Horribly.
As news of Constantinople being under seige by the Ayyubids. The War is lost, The Romans will surrender and become the vassel of the Egyptians. All of the lands will go to the Egyptians if they accept our surrender, and leaving Constantinople unharmed. We will discuss our plans of surrender with out the Caliph's first words on it, As they have prooved to be weak, and uncertain to use plans or tactics. They rely on others to take care of their problems, such as the crusaders against the Turks. The Caliph that one by one destroyed each nation. We refuse to give them any power, as he clearly lacks any type of military skill. We surrender to the Ayyubid's, they have not once destroyed, harmed, killed any besides the dangerous tribe in the south of their lands that have raided their towns. As we know that the Sultan of Egypt will care for any man, even if it is not a muslim.
The Sultan of Egypt. We wish to discuss our terms of surrender, and final peace may overlook the the cities. Refuse to fight the servent of the evil duer, I will grant you the lands, Send a Diplomat at once. Consider thsi Jihad over. The Roman people wave the white flag toward not an enemy, but a friend who greatly aided us most of the time. Though, if the capture of Constantinople is done, We can not allow this transaction to happen, and ofcourse, the Roman Army will fight until forced off into greece, Though... If this Jihad is about liberating your people, and through out deaths, I think you have found the solution. With this The Ayyubsids have over all achived the victory of the Jihad. Think hard my once great friend, the Noble Sultan of Egypt.
As the boy writes a copy of the Roman's letter, a pigeon soars in and deposits a letter from Jersualem. The boy reads the new orders from the new arrival. Then he reads them again. He scratches his head, perplexed.
Eventually, sighing to himself, he puts the letter down and scans the court. Finding the right face, he winks deliberately at them. He then scribbles on the bottom of the orders Done and sends the pigeon on its way.
Merlox123
11-05-2008, 04:43
Another Diplomat of what used to be rome would come in.
Attention to the court. I come from now what is Regarded the Protectorate of Konstantinoplis.
The Roman Empire did not want to go in shame, as one of the greatests empires, and die out with out a fight. With the situation turning grim and grim by every day. Invasion of the Seljuks to the Crusader's lands, a Massive Caliphate invasion to the north east, and a navel invasion by the Egyptians to the south. We were bound to be beaten.
Emperor Nevolous sends his sorrows toward the Crusader states, as the war for their very existance, will be seem to be loss. Though, sends happiness to all of the middle east, as to know that this "Jihad" is over for Asia minor. Though, This Jihad was not won with out blood shed, As the Caliphate forces invaded, and slaughtered a defending army 1/4th of the size of them. That army included the ex-emperor of the roman empire, who wished to defend his empire to his death. Which was granted. Though, With this being the first major loss in years. The Romans decided to breath one last breath as the empire, And attacked the forces with the Steppe Front Army. The Armies sent, Filled with hate and sorrow, as they knew what was to become, fought an almost suicidal battle against the invaders. In the End result. That had killed 9/10th of all of the forces that the north east had sent to us. The Three major Generals of the armies had been all slain in battle, then blitzed the city of Ani, to breath that one last breath.
The breath is now over. Surrender is must. We firstly will give the caliph and his followers the bodies of the Most important figures back.
Six men would carry 3 wooden boxes, Each containing a Body, One of the crown prince which would be appeared to be Trampled to a pulp. the other 2 was his brothers that has Axe wounds to the chest.
If any one from the council will need me, Please contact me, other wise, I will be discussing to the Egyptian man about our close future.
He would slip a small letter to the egyptian diplomat.
phonicsmonkey
11-08-2008, 01:21
The Court is swathed in reams of black silk, and all the courtiers and ghulams are wreathed in the colour of mourning. This morning in the streets of Baghdad the state funeral was held for the late Crown Prince Az-Zahir, beloved of the people of the Caliphate. Angry mobs gathered outside the palace and burned effigies of men in togas with laurel wreaths on their bald turnip heads. Old men tore their beards and beat themselves with their sandals, and there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth from the womenfolk of the city.
The new Crown Prince Abu-Bakr made a speech to the gathered masses in which he announced the surrender of Rome to the jihadi forces of Egypt, and promised the continuation of hostilities against the infidel in Syria and the Levant.
The people's lust for blood has been aroused by the death of Az-Zahir, and any who doubted the need for jihad are now taking up the sword in the cause of the Prophet and his representative on earth, Caliph An-Nasir.
The boy departs the room as a girl in blue takes his place and enters. The guards look at the Vissier, unsure whether to eject the girl, who is in clear violation of the law by entering the chamber. The Vissier nods at two of the guards, who move forward to enforce the No Girls Allowed! policy. Just as they are about the grab the girl, she suddenly flicks her long hair at the guards, who are knocked out cold by the girl's surprisingly vicious hair-strike. The rest of the palace guards are shocked, and move towards the girl. The girl smiles sweetly at them and begins to twirl her fingers through her hair, daring them to come closer. The guards skid to a stop, not wanting to join their comrades on the floor, and look to the Vissier for instructions. The Vissier shrugs, and the guards cautiously take their posts by the doors again. The girl's smile grows wider, and as the guardsShuffle away, she begins to graffiti the wall behind her with slogans like Ayyubids Suck! and Christian goats fight better than Muslim men!
Merlox123
12-14-2008, 05:58
The Roman Diplomat stands up with the cross.
THE POWER OF CHRIST COMPELLS YOU, THE POWER OF CHRIST COMPELLS YOU!
He makes the girl in blue expload, cuz clearly that was a witch. and thats not good.
phonicsmonkey
12-15-2008, 01:08
The Vizier raises an eyebrow at the odd behaviour of the Roman and Latin delegates. He is glad the Caliph is not here to see his Court debased in such a way. 'They must be under terrible pressure to be losing their composure like this..' he thinks.
The court cleaners scrub the remains of the little girl from the walls, as the boy and his pigeon re-enters the court. He hands an official-looking to one of the Vizier's attendents, who reads it aloud.
To the new Sultan of the Ayyubids,
King Baldwin IV offers unilateral peace. Twice Saladin rejected our offer, once after the defeat of your attacking armies at Jerusalem, Acre and Kerak, the second time after the fall of Damyut. The King now presents you, the new sultan, with a final offer of peace.
Aqaba, Bilbies [sic] and Qahira have fallen to the Kingdom. Saladin has fallen defending Qahira in vain. We offer a ceasefire between the Kingdom and the Sultanate. Gaza will be handed over to the Kingdom, while we shall return your captial. The Ayyubids can then rebuild in peace.
You can end this conflict peacefully, or you can die fighting in vain. It is your choice.
PS - This offer does not extend to the Caliph, Sultan of the Seljuks, Raj of the Rajputs or the Grand Iman of Omani.
phonicsmonkey
12-15-2008, 05:41
The Vizier stands, and is distracted for a moment as he glances hungrily at the pigeon, making a mental note to have the palace ghulams prepare bastilla (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastilla) for lunch.
The Caliph and all of the ummah mourn the death of the Great Salahuddin, a mighty warrior of Islam. If it is as the infidel says, and the Sultan has fallen defending his lands from the faithless crusaders, then he will dwell in paradise for all eternity, showered with the blessings of the mighty Allah (his name be praised to the high heavens.)
The Caliph would urge the new Sultan of Egypt to remain strong in the face of the deceitful lies of the leper King, who seeks only to secure his southern border so that he may better fight off the noble jihadis pouring into his lands from the North.
If the Sultan of Egypt will stay steadfast and refuse this offer of peace, the Caliph will pledge him the restoration of his Kingdom once the infidel has been defeated.
In the meantime the Caliph will arrange sanctuary for his family, that his line may continue despite the loss of his lands.
Merlox123
12-16-2008, 01:23
Are the Raj and Omani's really at war with jerusalem? i mean, Raj musta had to wait 10+ turns to get their armies into position? X_X;;; holy crap.
so where are the ghorids... are they coming to the north!? ATTACKING MY damn areas? oh, also, don't attack sinope / trezbond, I just built my nice docks =( lol, if you do.. well, one of your very inside cities will be punished, Like Baghdad. =p myuahahahhaa
The Roman falls alseep again.
Ramses II CP
12-16-2008, 01:59
The emissary of the Rajputs responds in a calm, even tone:
My nation is not currently at war with anyone unless our western expeditionary force has been senselessly attacked.
:egypt:
Ramses II CP
12-17-2008, 02:55
In the same calm tone with which he previously addressed the court the emissary of the Rajputs announces:
The expeditionary force of the Rajputs has encoutered an impassable barrier to their explorations and as such has been forced to lay siege to certain settlements under the current control of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Once these routes are free for passage again we expect a swift peace settlement can be accomplished.
(OOC: It's only 6 turns actually, and I couldn't stand to just disband all those elephant vets from the Ghorid war, so I sent 'em off to be slaughtered instead. :laugh4:)
:egypt:
Just out of curiosity, may we inquire as to which settlements are under seige?
(ooc: A suicidal, elephant strike from the other side of the map. A hotseat first?)
phonicsmonkey
12-17-2008, 04:46
(OOC: have fun with those nellies rossahh!
if you do end up fighting them at some point, consider taking some screenies for us and posting a battle report in the story thread
it would be extrememly amusing, and would mark for all history the moment when :elephant: met :knight: )
Ramses II CP
12-17-2008, 05:17
The city of Damascus, the castle at Homs, and the small city northwest of Homs (Forgot the name). We are naturally amenable to a peaceful solution to this minor disagreement... but I personally suspect that will not be your own desire.
:egypt:
That would be the city of Damascus which currently is infected with a diabolical plauge, the useless town of Hama and our northern staging point at Homs. What a broad selection you have chosen.
Yes we would rather kill you all and then negotiate with your corpses. We find that it works best when the other side aren't around to contest our demands.
(ooc: I'll do a story about the mighty and diseased mice from Damascus saving the day by running wild against the strange and unheard of giants from the east).
phonicsmonkey
12-17-2008, 06:43
The Vizier chuckles.
King Baldwin should feel free to hand over to the Caliph Hama and any other territories he has no use for, rather than fight needlessly over them..
Merlox123
12-17-2008, 13:58
we're already wat war with like 3 people, we don't need some Hindu man involved with this as well.. T_T, Go take Baghdad. lol
Ahh well, I hope them elephants are sent my way, Considering that now is the rare time that Rome's obsessed feelings about the Javelin Horsemen and foot men will come into brutally, also their Pike units. XD
EVERY ONE BACK AWAY! THIS IS JUST BETWEEN EMPEROR NEVOULOS... AND KING HINDU ELEPHANT MAN... WE HAVE BEEN PREPARING FOR THIS MOMENT FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS AFTER WE FOUGHT THEM IN THE SELUCIED EMPIRE! OUR ORICAL IS A GOD SENT, WE KNEW IT... WE KNEEWWW ITT!!!
Roman falls back asleep.
A new message is delivered by a hooting bird. Again, one of the attendants reads out the message
To the Sultan of the Ayyubids (meaning at the moment TheFlax),
Gaza has fallen, along with its army. This army was the fifth army group to be destroyed by the forces of the Kingdom and the forces of Constantinople, and your last major military formation. Your major cities, save for Alexandria, which is under blockade, and your primary castle are under occupation, and your armies have been all but annhilated. Only the Omani expeditionary force is left in a position to defend your soveriegnty.
Previously we offered you terms for peace which you ignored. We will offer again, but with the terms matching your decline in military power. We offer you an immediate ceasation of hostilities. If you agree, then Qahira and Bilbeis will be returned after 5 turns have expired. The rest of the captured settlements remain under the control of the Kingdom. The Sultanate is to pay reparations of 2000 florins per turn, until Bilbeis and Qahira are returned.
Baldwin IV
King of Jerusalem
As we hear of yet more political turmoil in the Ayyubid Sultanate we, in an offer of potential frienship, are open to an Ayyubid counter-offer for terms of peace, if they find the Kingdom's present terms too steep.
Also, we offer the Rajputs an offer of peace. We request a simple map of India in exchange for peace and trade rights. You may delay your reply until after your second army is defeated if you wish.
Ramses II CP
01-27-2009, 16:39
The Rajput emissary offers a small smile before replying,
Be assured we have no wish for war, none at all, but neither do we wish to be barred from exploring the world as we see fit. Remove your fort that blocks our access to the lands to the south and peace will be at hand instantly. Note that we passed through the lands of the Caliph in just such a peace, as well as some parts of the Omani and Seljuk empires. Surely this proves our good will?
Otherwise we see little need for peace. Our nobles are quite enjoying their sport half a world away from our homelands.
:egypt:
Ibn-Khaldun
01-27-2009, 18:42
A message from Ayyubid Sultan is brought...
Jerusalem,
We will think about it. I need just a little time to consider all the angles in here.
Sultan
There are no forts that will you deny passage to any lands. If you wish to head into Cilcia, why not go through your good friends the Seljuk's lands. If you wish to come further south, there is nothing stopping you from taking the longer route through the deserts, or can your beasts not survive such harsh a climate? Do not think us fools, you talk of travelling in peace through your own allies lands'. Perhaps you failed to notice the "peaceful" forts of the Caliphate guarding each of the major crossings on the Euphraties and Tigris?
phonicsmonkey
01-28-2009, 02:07
The Vizier chuckles to himself behind a richly embroidered sleeve.
Ramses II CP
01-28-2009, 02:52
The road to Jerusalem is the matter in particular debate at the moment, and it was blocked by the fort between Antioch and (Hama? that castle to the east). In point of fact the elephants of our command do not wish to spend all their days walking through the desert, but, as I said, the Rajput nobles are quite enjoying their sport. If you are not then perhaps you should offer better terms?
The Caliph's forts, peaceful or not, did not block us from seeing any of the great cities of the world.
phonicsmonkey
01-28-2009, 03:10
The Vizier addresses the Latins.
Indeed sir, the glorious and bountiful lands of the Caliphate are open to all peaceful travellers, and firmly closed to those infidels who mean us harm.
Unfortunately this has not prevented certain despicable agents of the odious King Baldwin from spreading a vile and contagious pestilence among the Caliph's innocent peoples - an infestation which is most unwelcome!
The King would do well to keep his pustulent diseases to himself, for fear of having them visited back upon him in the vengeance of the mighty Allah!
Cease this abominable, unchivalrous and dishonourable tactic at once or face the consequences in this life, and then in the next!
We find it equally amazing that the sickness that first arose in Damascus (ooc: naturally) was spread to Hama, Homs, Antioch and Aleppo despite not a single soul being allowed to transmute between the settlements. At least, not a single soul from the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
We suggest that the Rajput army take a eastern routing across the desert if they wish to visit Jersualem. That way your men can meet another of our delightful armies from the south, while allowing our quite busy armies in the north a bit of time off.
phonicsmonkey
01-28-2009, 04:48
The Vizier clearly does not believe the Latin denial.
And why, may I ask, would the Caliph instruct his agents to spread disease among his own subjects?
No, this infestation of plague can only be a deliberate act of aggression by the enemies of Islam (their names be cursed eternally)!
Whosoever it may be, let it cease immediately before the perpetrator feels the divine retribution of Allah (his name be praised eternally)!
phonicsmonkey
01-28-2009, 23:20
A ghulam boy scurries into the Court bearing a message for the Vizier, who reads it carefully before smiling broadly and addressing the gathered dignitaries.
Praise be to Allah! The Caliph's faithful armies have succeeded in capturing from King Baldwin's men the village of Hama and Castle Homs! I am told that many Crusaders were slain in the battle at Homs, and fought bravely to the death against the most pious jihadis.
In celebration of this great triumph, the city formerly known as Antioch has been renamed 'An-Nasir' in honour of our mighty Caliph.
Further to this, the Roman incursion in the former Georgia has been halted with the recapture of the port city of Ani - the residents were most joyous to be reunited with their erstwhile leaders, and have petitioned for that town to be renamed 'Az-Zahir' in honour of the late Crown Prince.
Perhaps now the Greek Emperor of Rome and the Leper King will see the inevitability of their defeat, and give way to the armies of Islam without further bloodshed.
Allah-u-akhbar!
phonicsmonkey
02-05-2009, 02:07
The Crown Price Abu-Bakr strides into court, flanked by ghulams in ceremonial garb who are blowing out a fanfare on their long trumpets.
He smiles broadly at the assembled dignitaries before reading aloud from a scroll emblazoned with the Caliph's seal.
Sultans, Emirs, Maharajahs, Kings and Stewards of many realms,
Recent victories by the armies of the Caliphate and their noble Seljuk allies have brought King Baldwin of Jerusalem to the negotiating table to sue for peace.
The negotiations have resulted in the Treaty of Jerusalem, which brings an end to the war in the Levant, Syria and Egypt.
The Caliph and his allies have agreed to cease their war against the Kingdom in exchange for certain territories, including the holy cities of Jerusalem and Damascus.
Further to this, the Kingdom of Jerusalem is no more - the former King Baldwin will serve as Steward of some lands which shall be known as the Levantine Protectorate, and will serve the Caliph economically and enjoy his military protection.
As part of this deal, many of the lands seized by the infidel from our Ayyubid brothers will be returned to them, including their largest city Al-Qahira.
The Levantine Protectorate will retain only a small military force for defensive purposes, and will thus pose no further threat to the faithful people of the region.
Baldwin, Steward of the Levantine Protectorate, is to be praised for his good sense in accepting the Caliph's terms, and in sparing his people any further hardship.
Praise be to Allah for granting the Caliph and his faithful allies this great victory!
It is to be hoped that the Greek Emperor of Rome will likewise see sense and concede defeat to the armies of Islam, before there is a need for further bloodshed.
Redemption
02-11-2009, 04:13
A group of mail-clad riders bearing Roman arms arrive at the Caliph's palace in Baghdad. After a brief exchange with the Vizier, they bind every member of the previous Roman delegation in chains and ferry them away. A lone man and his scribe remain. He adresses the assembled diplomats with a proud contenance.
Dear fellow representatives, I am here to represent the house of Komneno-Dukas that has once again risen to take the reins of the Roman people. I convey to you the greetings of Ioannes Dukas, Despot of Nikaea, on whose behalf I speak today.
The war in Anatolia has brought misery to all peoples involved and hopefully, a resolution will be forthcoming. In the meantime, the valorous armies of Rome have defeated a lackluster siege at Trapezon and reinforced the castle. Our generals also report victories in central Anatolia against the forces of the Seljukid Turks, having seized the towns of Kaesareia and Laranda. We are well aware that these minor skirmishes have not even dented the mighty power of the Moslem armies sent against us, but hope to resolve this conflict in a way more profitable to all parties involved then open warfare can afford.
The people of Rome are wearied by war, but if you insist on bringing it on their doorstep, they will make you pay dearly for every inch of ground you thread and drown countless of your soldiers in blood.
I pray to the Lord that we are not forced into such a treacherous path, for once slick with hate, a blade can not be sheathed and will thirst for blood until it breaks.
After his speech, the ambassador is shown a simple wooden table by the vizier and flanked by two imposing ghulams, a clear sign of the current standing of Rome in the greatest city of Islam.
phonicsmonkey
02-11-2009, 23:29
The Vizier rises to read a prepared statement.
The Caliph welcomes the new Roman delegation to Court. Regardless of the state of hostilities between our nations, it is well that the ERE is represented here.
However, the Caliph and his allies see no reason to cease hostilities until their stated aims are achieved. To repeat the Caliph's ultimatum, the Romans must hand over the lands of Anatolia and withdraw across the Hellespont, or be destroyed.
Know that these terms are less harsh than those last offered in private to the fiend Nevoulos, after he committed the heinous crime of defiling the body of the Caliph's beloved son, and Crown Prince, Az-Zahir (Allah bless his eternal soul and bestow on him all the bounties of paradise for all eternity.)
Redemption
02-12-2009, 00:49
Without rising, the new Roman diplomat simply states:
Your demands would reduce us to the level of a city state and condemn hundreds of thousands of Christians to a life of slavery. Your ultimatum is worse then harsh, it is a disgrace Rome would never accept. You know as much. In fact, you know so well that you have called on armies from across the world and poured the riches of all Asia against us in an attempt to crush our resolve. You may have cowed the pitiful Georgians without a fight, you may have conquered the Latins until their Pope decides to send more of them to fight for the Holy Cross, but Rome, Eternal Rome, will never bow its head to an eastern king. As every little grain of sand in the desert is melded into glass for the glory of our cathedrals, we shall slay your soldiers in droves to form an epitaph to your greed that will endure through the ages even if we should not. The numberless dead will be a burden to your souls, pray it does not break your necks.
Maybe in time your loses will convince you to deal with us fairly, as our dignity commands, and as honorable men, we shall be open to a just resolution.
Ramses II CP
02-22-2009, 00:29
The emissary of the Rajputs addresses the chamber with a stern tone:
Evidence has been presented, good evidence, of the existence of a state of war between our vassals, the Ghorids, and the allies of our allies, the Seljuks. Further this was brought about by a hostile act of the Ghorid armies at large. This is entirely unacceptable. The Ghorids are instructed to meet any honorable terms offered by the Seljuks to reach a ceasefire within the next year (Two turns) or to face punitive action from their ruler, the Maharaja.
Repeated betrayals have made the ice beneath you very, very thin my vassal. Be wary of cracks.
Additionally a state of war has come to exist between the Romans and the Rajputs as our exploratory forces encountered a needless roadblock. Most regrettable, but our nobles will have their sport in distant lands.
With a bow the emissary retires.
:egypt:
Redemption
02-22-2009, 01:07
The Roman delegate shakes his head at the news of the Rajput act of aggression.
We knew this day would come. The Rajput seem a senseless people who seek war at all costs. Know this Rajput: if our hands were free, we would march to the ends of the earth to punish your insolence and free your people from their barbaric ways. Alas, with the hordes of the Moslem at our very gates, it will be all we can do to put down the rabid beasts you have sent against us.
Ibn-Khaldun
02-22-2009, 13:28
Ayyubid ambassador stands up..
I would like to announce that we have signed peace with the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Also we proposed peace to Eastern Roman Empire and Alliance to the mighty Rajputs!
Sultan does, however, have problem with all those Latin merchants that are using our resources. So, he asks for the King of Jerusalem to remove them from our southern territories. He needs those resources to build up our economy that was destroyed by the war recently. Sultan have no problem with those Latin merchants in Nile Delta though.
Ayyubid ambassador bows and takes his seat..
barcamartin
02-22-2009, 18:40
The Seljuk silence at the court is broken by a short message.
' The Sultan has no hostile intentions against the Ghorids, and the news of the Seljuk warriors slaughtered troubles him. If the Ghorid intentions are truly peaceful, why kill allied soldiers instead of discussing things like civilized men? If the Ghorids continue to take such liberties, our nation will respond, with force. You have been warned, Ghorid. My master would like to call you friend even in the years to come, but will you be worthy? Word will be sent to your leaders to settle the matter shortly.
Furthermore, the Rajput support is most welcome. We thank you for your kind words, friends and allies of the Seljuk Empire. '
The Ayyubids are free to enact the place-exchange policy of old on the merchants in the deep south.
Bump my merchants off on your turn with a military unit, stick your merchant on the resource and you get the income for that turn. On my turn I bump your merchant off and get the income. You repeat the process.
That's the way it worked until the Ayyubids invaded. Instead of bumping them off the resource, I did hostile takeovers as punishment.
Redemption
02-27-2009, 04:26
The Court of the Caliph is eerily calm these days. Georgia and Jerusalem having had their voices silenced by the Moslems and Rome's position becoming more isolated by the day, most ambassadors have relegated the open debates that used to rage through these halls to a secondary role. Still, the Romans, by proud tradition, sit at their designated table. After scanning through the latest dispatches from the war with a wearied frown, Rome's representative walks to the center of the Court:
Christ and Fortune have smiled on us today! We hail the proud deeds of our gallant warriors who have managed to retake the fortresses of Trapezon and Seleukeia in Kilikia, as well as the town of Ani from the Moslems! Every town in the Empire basks in amazement to the valour of Roman arms, and woe to those who would stand between us and victory!
The Moslem generals Musa ibn Ammar and Walid Ar-Rashid have been sent to an early grave for defying the might of Rome, and so have the beastly men from the far Indus who dared to bring mayhem and misery to our people. Indeed Anangpal Lawtamia and his elephants have been killed nearly to a man. We hope this will deter further senseless aggression from the warmongering Hindi.
Roman heroes have also restored order in the rebellious keep of Ankyra that now flies the colors of the Empire.
The loss of the distant castle of Hermonassa pains the empire, but our warriors vow to revenge this offense tenfold upon its perpetrator! Your Northern armies will be destroyed Seljuq! And the fleet you are trying to assemble in Kilikia will never ferry your warriors on their grim sojourn! Our dromonds and galleys will send them to the depths.
Know this enemies of Rome, you thought our aegis broken and our swords dulled but have found the Roman eagle's claws to be as sharp as steel. Your soldiers run before our glorious host and the places you sought to despoil fall through your grasping fingers. Your greed is your undoing. And by God and all the Saints, we will crush your merciless hordes on our soil and ride the tides of war until you hear our swordplay from the windows of your homes and palaces!
phonicsmonkey
02-27-2009, 05:35
The Vizier yawns.
Redemption
02-27-2009, 06:18
The Roman ambassador, sitting back down:
Nice comeback, chief eunuch.
Redemption
03-15-2009, 19:24
The weeks go by. Islam's rulers already feast openly to their victory over the ageing Roman Empire, but the steady stream of messengers coming from the front lines speak of a stalemate. The Great Jihad is nowhere near accomplishing its goals and the losses mount. Rome's ambassador takes the floor once more, under the venomous gaze of the vizier, to brief the leaders of the few remaining powers as to the state of the war.
Roman citizens give praise to God for the great victories our legions reaped on the field of battle. The towns of Dvin and Juliopolis have been boldly reclaimed for the empire with minimal losses. The Roman fleet also saw action, destroying to a ship the nascent Seljuqid navy both at sea and in the docks of Juliopolis.
The famed general Aleksios Pikernes also led his mighty host into the Western Taurus Mountains were he brought just retribution upon the army of cavalrymen resting there. But it is in the Northern Anatolian Mountains that Roman strength of arms was most proudly reaffirmed: a large Sejuqid warhost led by Toghrul, prince of the Sejuqs, son of the great sultan Arslanshah himself, has been anihilated to a man. The bodies of the Tengin and of his aids, Turanshah and Qutb-Addin, will be returned to Rayy for burial as soon as a convoy can be dispatched.
Though the Seljuqids have raided Nikoseia and marched with a light force on Ikonion, the Empire has little fear that these settlements will be reclaimed shortly.
A letter arrives to be read to all.
Noble dignitaries, exalted Caliph,
We of Georgia have entered into a treaty of vassalage with the Abassid Caliphate out of a desire to protect our people. We have fulfilled our part more than adequately, ceding control of most of our territory and our say in any matters concerning other kingdoms. Today, we now find you, exalted Caliph, to be lacking in your responsibilities towards us. Your war with the Romans has spilled into our lands and it is our people who suffer each time a city is taken, retaken and taken again. Thus we do not feel the obligation to respect our part of the treaty any longer. The Protectorate of Georgia declares its independence from all and is once more the Kingdom of Georgia. We demand that Ani, Dvin and Yerevan be returned to our control at once. If our demands are not met, we will have no choice but to use force to safeguard the wellbeing of our people.
King Demetre of Georgia
phonicsmonkey
03-17-2009, 23:45
The Vizier rises, a look of utmost disdain on his face.
Georgian dog! Your betrayal of the mighty Caliph will not go unpunished! The armies of Islam will wreak their vengeance on your lands and scour your pitiful line from the face of this earth! And do not think your foolish self will go unpunished, for when our noble troops capture you they will inflict such delightful torment upon you that you will scream for mercy and repent for all eternity the day you chose to..
He is cut off suddenly by the Crown Prince Abu-Bakr, who rises in anger to silence the errant Vizier. The Vizier is furious, and sits down again, arms crossed and glowering with a face of thunder.
The Crown Prince now addresses the Georgian delegation.
Noble Steward of Georgia, please disregard the ill-conceived ranting of the Caliph's Vizier - he is an old man and has forgotten his place.
The Vizier mutters to himself under his breath as the Crown Prince continues.
The Georgians have every right to feel that the Caliph has been lacking in protecting their former lands. The cities of Ani and Dvin have been at the forefront of the war with Rome, and have suffered greatly as a result. This was never the Caliph's intention, and it is to his great shame that he has let down the Georgian people in this way.
Unfortunately the lands of Ani and Dvin are no longer under the Caliph's control, but are held by the enemy, and so we are unable to simply return them to Georgian sovereignty. The Caliph will fight to regain these lands if Georgia will remain his protectorate, but will not shed the blood of his troops to evict the Roman dogs if there is nothing to gain by it.
The Caliph will release the Steward from his treaty of vassalage if that is what he wishes, and will not take revenge or wage war against Georgia in reprisal. He will even speak with his allies the Seljuks concerning the return of Yerevan to Georgian control.
However, in return he would ask that Georgia remains neutral in the conflict with Rome, and does not offer comfort or assistance to his enemy the Basileous.
Steward of Georgia, would you continue this conversation in private?
OOC: Anyone cares, or are we just trading blows and pressing turn? I mean... I can do that in Empire. This is a fair point - see the poll in the Throne Room.
Redemption
03-18-2009, 04:27
The Roman emissary chuckles as the Abbasids' struggle to keep their diplomatic veneer from cracking in front of their entire court.
Rising from his seat, he adresses the Georgians:
The Empire is ready to enact the transfer of Ani and Dvin as soon as diplomats can be dispatched to either Tbilisi or Rome. The recent conflict has been hard on these settlements but Rome believes they are now firmly held by Christian hands. We also salute the Basileos of Georgia's decision to claim back their pride and dignity from their oppressors and extend Rome's friendship once more to our Christian neighbor. Despite Georgia's one-time alliance with the warmongering Sultanate of Ikonion whose leaders brough much trouble to Anatolia, Rome has never harbored hostile intentions towards its Christian brothers. That much can not be said of the Caliph and his Seljuqid lap dog.
The Roman returns to his chair, but not before giving a wide grin to the Crown Prince and the still-fuming vizier.
Ibn-Khaldun
03-18-2009, 09:36
Ayyubid ambassador raises..
I think many of you have heard that Aqaba rebelled against our rule. I remind you that this is our internal business and any foreign armies near that town are considered hostile act and we will respond accordingly.
Ambassador resumes his seat.
Ramses II CP
03-26-2009, 19:22
The emissary of the Rajputs rises with a smile on his face,
"We are most pleased to see peace come about between our briefly wayward vassals and our Seljuk allies. The Sultan of Ghor is to be commended for his obediance.
The Maharaja was somewhat less pleased to discover spies on his border with the Sultanate, but as they were within our vassal's own lands the matter is of little consequences. The men might have been pressed back a bit from our cities by passing elephants, but all are unharmed. The same cannot be said for the vile heretic who was spreading lies near the Ghorid town of (Mitankot? The southwestern corner of your core). He has been dealt with by agents of our Empire and no longer troubles the lands.
Oh, and some little Roman town or other has come into the path of whatever remains of our western forces. Seems they hadn't quite done with their sport after all."
:egypt:
_Tristan_
03-27-2009, 12:28
The Sultan is pleased to see the Maharaja pleased... But no pleased as to not object to the Maharaja "spies" roaming free around Somnath, far from their own borders...
It may so happen that they be trampled by some elephants, of course, it would only be by accident...
Ramses II CP
03-27-2009, 13:18
Per our vassalge agreement our spies are welcome in your lands to monitor observance of terms. Your objection, however, is noted.
:egypt:
Redemption
03-30-2009, 20:32
With a wry smile, the Roman ambassador adresses his Rajput counterpart.
Do not be worried, this time, we eliminated your wayward nobles to the last. The beleagered citizens of Trapezon were actually quite pleased with the public executions of such despicable mercenaries who would travel half the world over to bring misery to their doorsteps.
We suggest you keep your "nobles" under a tighter leash next time.
Redemption
03-31-2009, 01:07
Having received the latest reports on the war, the Roman ambassador takes the floor. His attempts to hide his giddiness are largely unsuccessful.
Ambassadors, the armies of Rome have once again met with uncomparable success in our war against the Moslem powers. No less then six settlements previously held by our enemies now fly our colors. Roman arms have known victories in Kilikia, Syria and Armenia and our advanced forces have ridden so far inland as the city of Mardin in Mesopotamia, now rechristened to its proper name of Marida.
Seeing that the presuppositions that led the Caliphate and the Seljuq aggressors to make their insulting ultimatum have now been proven false, we demand that they recind it and propose our own terms for peace:
1- All Moslem forces are to depart Anatolia immediately;
2- The settlements of Erzurum, Attaleia, Seljuk Valley, Fields of Glory, Nikoseia, Flaviopolis, Amasia, Hermonassa and Malatya are to be returned to the governance of the Roman Empire;
3- The town of Marida is to be returned to the governance of the Caliphate;
4- The settlements of Dvin and Erevan are to be returned to the Kingdom of Georgia;
5- The Caliphate is not to use its coastal settlement of Tripoli to build naval facilities of any kind;
6- As a measure of goodwill, all parties will exchange geographical and political information (maps) and sign treaties of economic support (trade rights).
We would like all the world's nations to note that these terms are fair and in no way encroach upon the heartlands of either the Seljuqids or the Abbasids. Our armies will enforce these terms wether or not they are agreed upon as the Roman people have a right to clear and stable frontiers, peace and prosperity which has been thus far denied to us. We also note Rome's goodwill in returning the settlements of Dvin and Erevan to their rightful Georgian rulers.
Lastly, we hope that our enemies will be wise enough to consider these terms carefully. We did not bring war to their doorstep but our arms were vindicated on the field of battle over the course of two years. Do not make the mistake of taking us lightly a second time.
Before returning to his seat, the Roman flashes a wide grin to the vizier.
phonicsmonkey
03-31-2009, 22:59
The Court is in total disarray, wild rumours flying about among the ghulams and lesser dignitaries. On hearing the Roman's speech the Vizier had scurried from the chamber, his face a picture of anger and fear.
All await the Caliph's response.
Redemption
04-01-2009, 02:54
Upon seeing the vizier speeding out of the Court, the Roman ambassador wonders out loud:
I wonder where he's going? I've always been under the impression the Arab Basileos executed incompetent viziers when they failed them too often...
navarro951
04-02-2009, 22:29
...the impending response is killing me.
A messenger from the Protectorate arrives. The amabassador is, however, asleep and oblivious to the goings-on around him. The messenger hurries over and shakes the ambassador awake. The ambassador reads the message, and then stands to make an announcement.
I have been commanded to tell the court that the Treaty of Jerusalem has been declared null and void. The Moslems have shown that there is no end to their greed and thirst for land by invading Cyprus. The Kingdom of Jerusalem has therefore decided to side with their Christian brothers in this conflict. As a result of this decision, the glorious soldiers of Christ have retaken the following settlments:
Jerusalem
Damascus
Homs
Hama
Aleppo
Baalbeck
Nicosia
Qahira
Damyut
Bilbies
I am also instructed to inform the Vizier, who it seems is not here, that the army of the Caliph near Hama has been utterly crushed.
Several years after the war was begun by the Caliph, we are now back to where we started. This time, however, the Christians are on the offensive and it is the Muslim nations of the Turks, Abassids and Egyptians which must yield or be destroyed. To each of those nations we, the Kingdom of Jerusalem alone (and not the Eastern Roman Empire or Kingdom of Georgia), offer the following.
To the Turks:
We demand an immediate uncoditional cease fire, or we shall join our Roman brothers in expelling you from Anatolia once and for all.
To the Egyptians:
We demand the city of Alexandria in exchange for a cease fire. You may keep the rest of Africa that you hold.
To the Caliph:
We demand that the town of Tripoli be returned and the town of Edessa is to be surrendered. If that is done then the war will be over.
The King feels that these demands are more than reasonable, considering the damage that your war - which you started without cause or provocation - has already done to the Levant.
To the other nations of the world, we ask and give nothing. Though the Rajputs and Omanis have brought swords to our lands, it is the Caliphate and his two lackies that have done the most damage, and therefore will suffer the most. We offer not a hand of frienship but a hand of peace. If you refuse, the resulting war and it's consenquences will be on your head. Make your choice.
With that, the ambassador sits down to stunned silence.
Redemption
04-04-2009, 08:22
Cheering profusely to the joyful news from the resurgent Kingdom of Jerusalem, the Roman ambassador takes the floor to congratulate his brother in faith:
On this day Rome stands in awe to the tenacity and ferocious resolve of its Christian brothers in the Levant. Not only does the Kingdom of Jerusalem reclaim its rightful place amongst the great and mighty powers of this world, they inflict a terrible blow to the face of those whose evil actions brought swords into the house of the Almighty and who sought to despoil us of our rightful lands. It is with great joy that the Empire seconds Jerusalem's demands and reaffirm its own.
Moslem Kings, we tell you this: yield now and turn away from this path of destruction on which you are headed or you shall be drowned by the rivers of blood you have unleashed.
phonicsmonkey
04-04-2009, 23:44
The Vizier returns to Court. His manner is defiant as he reads out a prepared message to the delegates of Rome and Jerusalem.
Men of the West,
The Caliph's forces have this day defeated the Roman army besieging Erzurum, capturing the Prince Limenios in the process. Sadly the shame was too much for the young man and he found it necessary to take his own life while in captivity. His remains have been repectfully committed to the earth in a Christian ceremony.
The town of Mardin has been reclaimed, along with the coastal city of Tartus.
However, the Caliph recognises the sigificant gains made by the forces of Rome and Jerusalem in the past two years, and has made offers of peace to the Greek Basileos and the Traitor King Baldwin.
He awaits their response.
Redemption
04-04-2009, 23:54
Without even so much as getting up, the Roman ambassador snaps back at the vizier:
This "Roman Prince" was an outlaw, declared persona non grata in Rome. His death will not be mourned.
As for your offer of peace, it is rejected unequivocally. You will remove your presence from Anatolia or face the consequences. The strain on your forces is evident in the trembling words of your speech and the fear in your eyes. Christian forces have the impetus in this struggle, and we intend to keep it!
Your recent losses will only be compounded by your continued obstination to refuse the just conditions we have laid out to resolve this conflict.
Another messenger arrives
The King, in infinite generosity and mercy, had decided to accept the Caliph's terms of peace. It appears that the borders between the Caliphate and the Kingdom are now exactly as they were before the Caliph launched his ill-fated war. How strange.
However this peace does not mark the end of the war in the west. We do not speak for the Roman Emperor, nor do we mediate for him. The Caliph must negotiate with the Emperor alone, or we will watch as our ally marches on Baghdad. While our soldiers will not march with their Christian brothers on this endeavour - they will be too busy rebuilding their shattered homes and families - we will support our ally by coin and other means, should they need it.
The Ayyubid Sultan has rejected our offer, so the war in the south will continue until such time as one side sues for peace. We are open to hearing any Ayyubid offers at any time though - it seems a shame to have to destroy them completely.
The Sweljuk Sultan is no doubt waiting to hear from his master, the Caliph, but let all Turks know that if they wish to prolong the war in Anatolia, our soldiers will march with their Georgian and Roman brothers. If they show themselves to be reasonable and peaceful, they will be free from Latin pursuit as they slink back to Persia.
phonicsmonkey
04-05-2009, 07:19
The Vizier stands once more, looking daggers at the Roman and Latin delegations.
We hope, but are not optimistic, that this deal is one which the odious Baldwin can keep to.
As for the Roman dogs, they are free to continue their march to their certain deaths. They will never reach Baghdad alive, but we very much hope they continue the attempt so that we may have the opportunity of destroying them utterly.
Redemption
04-05-2009, 13:01
Bold words for one so utterly defeated that he takes orders from his former vassals.
Ramses II CP
04-12-2009, 15:35
The emissary of the Rajputs arises with a wry look on his face,
It has come to our attention that a remarkable militarization of the cities of our vassals has taken place this past year. Hundreds of men, mostly simple Ghazis to be sure, have taken up arms. The Maharaja is most curious, has there been an outbreak of lawlessness in Ghorid lands? Do you require the aid of your master's soldiers to keep order?
Rest assured men are available if their presence is required.
Our sympathies as well on the loss of your governor at Mitankot (I think that's the right name). Is this related to the build-up of troops and the evident lack of order? Our people have also lost a governor to unforseen circumstances this year and, though sad, it seems only fitting that tragedy should strike us equally.
As it surely will in the future.
The emissary bows deeply to the Caliph before returning to his seat.
:egypt:
Redemption
04-16-2009, 06:39
Recent weeks have seen many hushed reunions between the Roman delegation and Abbasid officials. Finally, one day, the Roman ambassador walks to the center of the court room, a small parchment in hand. He looks for the vizier who gives him a nod, and reads it in a gruff voice:
The Caliphate and Roman Empire recognize each other's rightful existence and sovereignty within each other's respective borders. In sight of these considerations, the Caliphate accepts to cede the settlement of Erzurum against an indemnity of 20,000 gold solidi to be paid by Rome over a period of one full year.
The ambassador mumbles something about how it's a shame gold bought what swords could've reached before turning to the Seljuk representatives:
I pray your Sultan is open to some sort of resolution as well. We tire of this pointless struggle. But know that unless you show yourself reasonable, the armies of Rome will rain a terrible storm of war and destruction upon you and your kin until you yield to our just and rightful demands.
With that the Roman returns to his seat.
OOC: Now, as per phonics' request, I will let you meditate on this:
https://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww333/CocaColaRevolution/lemon.jpg
barcamartin
04-16-2009, 10:47
The Seljuk ambassador stands.
' It has come to my attention that my Sultan has recieved contacts from your Emperor, and he is preparing a reply as we speak. It seems there will be peace, after all. '
Redemption
04-17-2009, 23:52
Indeed, it seems peace will finally settle over the West. If this deal works out, a new era will begin for the people of Anatolia who have suffered much destruction in the last decades.
Ramses II CP
04-28-2009, 04:40
Just as the man from Ghor is standing to speak the emissary of the Rajputs rises and cuts him off with an imperious gesture,
Yes, yes, you have betrayed your vows once again and declared war on your peace loving masters. Anyone not see that coming? Anyone?
Of course the Maharaja, may his soul be elevated in it's next cycle, foresaw it and planned against it, which is why I can sadly annouce the fall of Kolachee and Devapala castle in formerly Sindh lands, and at the same time joyously proclaim the recapture of Somnath, Uch, Ghor, and Peace Treaty Castle. If only the Ghorid armies will consent to trade two provinces for four every year then India will be back in the rightful hands of the Rajputs in under a decade!
There has been much rejoicing in India of late, and soon there will be much more I am sure.
Bowing derisively to the court the emissary returns to his seat with a rather dry smile.
:egypt:
P.S. I expected the game to be over before we could run through another round of this, and with almost all the same details in place even...:laugh4:
I am slightly confused, is the man from Ghor going to speak or are we allowed to go back to bed?
The doors to the Caliph’s court open and two men in chainmail make their way through. They wear the royal colors of the Ayyubids, but their faces are covered as if mere Ghulams. One man follows them in. He wears no armor, but decorative silk. His beard is long and his stride is soft. His hands are behind his back as he examines in awe the wonderful architecture of the Caliph’s court. As if remembering himself, he turns his attention back to the other ambassadors and smiles.
Greetings nobles of the court. And to you, honorable Caliph. Please accept my presence in Baghdad.
As he bows, behind him can be heard a brief dispute between the guards and the former ambassador. There is a muffled slit, a gurgled gasp, and the guards quietly carry the man out.
My king has instructed me to be a man of few words; but because I have only now come upon you today, I must introduce you to the recent events which have taken place in Egypt.
The previous Sultan is dead. No longer could his servants stand by and watch as Egypt was increasingly desecrated by his inept leadership. There has been a second Mamluk uprising in Egypt. Togrul al-Avidan, former Mamluk and Khassaki, has been at its reigns. He personally strangled the former Sultan with his bowstring. Not even his guards intervened to save the foolish man’s life. Truly, he was hated by all his peoples.
My King has chosen not to take up the official title of Sultan, however, because Sultan means “ruler of the east and west.” But my king has not inherited such an empire. He rules over a land whose past rulers have caused Allah to turn His back on us. When war besieged the Holy Land, Egypt’s old kings held feasts. When the Protectorate of Acre amassed armies at its borders, Egypt’s old kings fiddled with merchants. May Allah forgive our foolishness.
The Mamluk King has these words to say:
He pulls out a scroll and reads...
To the Kingdom of Jerusalem: we would offer a truce to you, but know you would not accept it. The lust you have is apparent to everyone and we know you desire to rape our lands. But this is a war of attrition. Slaves now rule in Egypt and we are much used to such hardships. The Mamluk King would also like you to know that your forces besieging Alexandria have been routed. Also, al-Avidan himself has lead a great host into the gates of Qahira, destroying your main army there and recapturing the capital. Your prince and three other generals were amongst the slain. He would also like me to tell you, and forgive my king's impetuousness, that he "did not think the pale skins could be any paler until he drained them of their blood."
To our Muslim brothers: forgive us our past decadences and weaknesses. Pray for us in these times of trouble. Likewise, we will pray for you. The world is dark as of late, but may His light guide our paths.
To all other parties: Allah bless you. We have no qualms with you. That is all.
He puts away the scroll and bows to the Caliph and ambassadors, before taking his seat.
After a slight frown at the news of the fall of Cairo, the man from Jerusalem stands to welcome the new party to the court with a minor correction
Actually, we would have happily accepted a lasting peace in exchange for Alexandria. Maybe you should have asked first.
Your predecessors were the first to attack, we have just simply taken the wars from our lands back onto yours. However, we relish the challenge in the south. It has been too long since we have had a real foe there.
So we welcome your Sultan, may your reign be longer than some of the recent Sultans. Perhaps in time a dialouge can be opened between us and the conflict ended. Perhaps.
Before taking his seat, the new Ayyubid ambassador turns to address the Frank.
We were aware of the previous terms of peace you offered to the former Sultan. But we were also aware of your reputation to holding to such peace treaties, Protectorate of Acre. Know that the we intend on entirely expelling you from the Middle East. There is simply no other way to insure our own safety from you, a people who hold to peace treaties as the wind holds to one direction. Yet, whether we live or die, we merely seek to atone for the sins of the past. Allah be willing, we will survive; lest his anger still be fixed upon us and, in which case, come what may.
The man once more starts to take his seat, but stops suddenly and turns around again, this time to face the Roman ambassador.
And, while we are on this subject, we are aware of the alliance between the Eastern Roman Empire and the Franks. Egypt still remembers the fair rule of Byzantium and there is much sentiment to Orthodox Christianity there. But the Frank’s interpretation of Jesus’s teachings are an affront to this land and need to be expelled from them. We mean no harshness towards your peoples or your religion in this personal, redemptive Jihad, and we hope that the state of peace between us will continue throughout this struggle.
The man bows one last time and finally takes his seat at the corner of the room…
OOC:
- Actually, I genuinely do appreciate you being easy on me since I just arrived, Rossah, by offering terms of peace, but I just think peace is so boring in a war game. :clown:
navarro951
05-01-2009, 01:51
The Imam of Oman's messenger calls for the floor so that a message from the Imam himself may be heard...
In light of the recent outbreak of war between the Ghorid Emirate and the Solanki Rajputs, we would like to make it perfectly clear that we have no quarrel with both sides and while we have sided with the aggressor, we hope that conflict will end and our alliance can be reestablished with both sides as soon as possible.
Go with Allah,
The Imam of Oman
phonicsmonkey
05-01-2009, 04:38
The Vizier rises, and bows deeply to welcome the new Egyptian delegation.
The Caliph An-Nasir welcomes the representatives of the second Mamluk uprising, and wishes them well in their defence of the lands and faithful peoples of Egypt against the infidel.
Let all those who would lead their people into ruin note the example of the dynasty of Salahuddin, overthrown by those who were bred to serve him, as he himself overthrew his own former masters.
Allah is indeed great to work such miracles in the world!
Redemption
05-02-2009, 19:07
A messenger rushes into the court bearing a missive for the Roman ambassador. After reading the letter, the man, visibly surprised, takes center stage.
I… I am to announce to this assembly that there exists…
He gives a quick glance to the crusader delegation.
…there exists a state of war between the Roman Empire and the Frankish Kingdom. It seems that, in the political turbulence that has shaken the Empire as of late, the Despot of Smyrna, Kouropalates Ioannis Vatatzes, has issued orders for our Levantine armies to raid Frankish positions in the Levant. As of the writing of this message, know that Kyprus has fallen and minor raids were conducted on the cities of Tyros, Ake and Joffa.
Turning to the Latins.
I am sorry but such is the way of the world. Maybe when the new Basileos is crowned will another path be found upon which both Rome and Jerusalem can thread, but it seems that Kouropalates Vatatzes is now the supreme commander of our armies and he fears Latin expansions in Aegyptus threaten the stability of the entire Eastern Mediterranean.
Vizier, I will take my leave from your court and return to Rome. Should anything arise, I leave my aid here to discuss any matters of importance between the nations of the world and the Roman People.
With those words, the Roman ambassador leaves the court hurriedly.
After hearing the words of the Roman delegate, the Egyptian ambassador rises to speak.
And so it passes that the Men of the West will be banished again to whence they came. I know that in Egypt, Christian and Muslim brothers alike will unite upon hearing this news. I believe now Allah smiles on us once more; and though we be no longer slaves to any one man, we are forever in servitude to His infinite mercy.
Allah-u-akhbar. We pray for Rome in this time of war.
The man bows to the Roman ambassador's aid before once again taking his seat.
Rolls his eyes and sighs at the Roman's words. He mutters something about "Romans" and "Idiots".
Should the Caliphate or Turks require any financial aid in their war against the Romans, just ask.
Also, should the Egyptians like to recover the upper Nile through diplomatic means rather than a 10 year slog through bloodshed, just ask also.
Redemption
05-03-2009, 05:06
The assistant to the Roman ambassador lifts up his head from the scrolls he was reading:
Aaah, perhaps you are not up to date on the latest agreements passed between the Empire and the Moslem princes, but Rome and its neighbors are no longer in a state of war and the recently signed peace is, in all probability, a very solid one.
Still, your condescension is noted.
The ambassador leans back in his chair
Ahhh, of course. That explains it.
As you are finished with the Moslems, your armies are bored so you attack your only friend and ally, the same nation who saved your empire against the Rum Turks.
Now it makes much more sense.
phonicsmonkey
05-06-2009, 05:10
The Vizier smirks openly.
And so it comes to pass that the Christians turn on one another..
I wonder, does the leprous 'King' Baldwin now regret that he scorned the Caliph's protection?
With a sneer, he turns to the Roman delegation and adopts a more humble demeanor.
Sirs, the Caliph is greatly concerned at the Roman incursion into the Levant, a domain he feels is squarely within his sphere of influence.
Under the auspices of our recently negotiated peace, he respectfully requests of the Basileos that his chastisement of the former Protectorate of Acre is limited to securing an equitable peace between Baldwin and the new rulers of Egypt.
A land grab will not be viewed positively - neither will a permanent Roman presence in the region.
Perhaps, there needs to be some discussion amongst us as to how to divide the Holy Lands? My king has already informed me that he himself does not wish to possess any of the lands there, viewing them as too dangerous for our young empire to attempt to hold onto.
War with Franks may demand we pursue them into these lands, but we will be most happy to sell them to either party based on the agreements made, after the war. The money will be used to rebuild Egypt and the partitioning of the lands will help to insure future peace between our respective empires.
Is this satisfactory, brothers? If so, then please discuss it between yourselves and let your humble servant know so that I may draw up the maps.
Redemption
05-06-2009, 21:25
The remaining Roman shifts uneasily on his seat.
I am not instructed as to Rome's final objectives in the Holy Lands, but is it not too early to talk about territorial division? Rome's forces have only made a slight foray in the Levant, perhaps this row will be resolved diplomatically should King Baldwin, the Mamluk Sultan of Aegyptus and the new Basileos all come to terms.
I understand. And I know you cannot speak for your master who is away right now. But please inform him of my offer and we will see where the wind takes us.
As for peace with the Leper King... this will never happen.
A messenger dressed in royal blue arrives at the court. He draws a few curious glances with his bright and clean clothing, quite the opposite to the usual messengers from the Kingdom. He hands the message to the ambassador, who reads it impassively before addressing the court
Our condolences to the families of the Mamluk King and Prince, who died in the third fall of Cairo. I believe an African of the name of Marsal has seized control of the former Egyptian-Ayyubid-Mamluk throne in Dongola. The armies of the Mamluks to the south of the Cairo have been exterminated, with over 2000 men falling compared to a mere hundred of ours. Cairo has been peacefull occupied by the King and we are open to hearing any offers of peace the new Mamluk ruler has.
The towns lost to the Romans last season were retaken. A Roman fleet containing nearly 1000 elite infantry was sunk and it's precious soldiers sent to the bottom of the Mediterranian sea. Your demands for peace are rejected - we will not surrender Egypt or Syria to you.
I am also instructed to warn the Omanis that a return to your fort at the Aqaba border will be seen as an overtly hostile action. The Gulf of Aqaba is not your concern.
This was expected, but not unplanned for. Togrul al-Avidan knew what he was doing when he entered into al-Qahira. But we wish to correct you in that you killed the former Sultan's bodyguard, not the Mamluk King. These men were left masterless after the death of the former Sultan and served as an elite Khassaki unit.
We grieve for the loss of our men and of al-Qahira, but we told you this would be a war of attrition. Cities mean nothing in this game but as sources of income. You are surrounded on all sides by enemies and your cities are all quite vulnerable to them. Do you follow us into the heart of Africa and lose the Holy Lands? Or do you guard the paths your Christ tread on from the Romans, and allow us to always come back into Egypt?
You will see our reply soon...
Redemption
05-07-2009, 19:06
The roman scribe looks in surprise at the Latin diplomat.
A thousand elite infantry? My, my... had Rome had such a force present in the Levant, Jerusalem would've been ours. You probably speak of the remnants of the armies that defeated the Moslem forces in Kilikia and at Antiochia. A little under 300 varanginoi mercenaries at best. But worry not, Roman forces are numerous and very replaceable.
phonicsmonkey
05-08-2009, 01:28
Following the death of the Caliph, a period of turmoil descended upon Baghdad and the Court. The Vizier Marshed disappeared, and wild rumours circulated about a possible challenge to the succession of the Crown Prince Abu-Bakr, about whom it was whispered that he should not be eligible due to his adopted status.
In the event the feared uprising did not materialise and, following the grand state funeral of the late Caliph An-Nasir, an orderly coronation was held at the Grand Mosque confirming Abu-Bakr as the Caliph of all Islam.
The day after the coronation, the new Caliph appears at Court flanked by the Royal Ghulam Guard in full regalia, and accompanied by a new Vizier, much younger than Marshed.
After a grand fanfare and an arcane religious ceremony conducted by a slew of Imans, Caliph Abu-Bakr rises to address the Court.
Lords and dignitaries of all the nations of the World, I greet you today as Caliph of all Islam.
My predecessor (may Allah grant him the bounties of paradise for eternity) achieved much in his too-short life, and I intend to follow his example in diplomacy and religion.
You are welcome at my Court, regardless of what war and conflict occur between your nations, as was always the way of great An-Nasir.
In terms of our diplomatic relations with other nations, I would like first of all to confirm our grand alliance with our most treasured neighbours the Seljuks (may their arrows ever fly swift and true), and with our more distant cousins the Ghaznavids.
I will also at this stage recognise the bonds of friendship in place with our Hindoo cousins the Rajputs, and thank them for their support of our previous Caliph's jihad.
We must, however, remain neutral in their dispute with their vassal and our erstwhile ally the Ghorids, although we would urge the Ghorids to come to a peaceful settlement and avoid further unnecessary bloodshed.
To the Omanis, although your faith be different to ours, we remain your allies and friends.
To the rulers of Egypt, we wish you Allah's luck and strength in your struggle to defend your homelands against the Franks. The Caliphate has long been your friend, and will remain so.
Our previous Caliph signed a peace with both the Romans and the Franks, and we will honour it, and remain neutral in their dispute. We appeal for their clemency with regard to the innocent of the ummah caught up in their war.
Allah u-akhbar!
Alas that the mighty An-Nasir is dead!
Long ago he was a good friend of Jerusalem when the Christians and Muslims could be friends, and he helped the Kingdom bring about the end of the great Anatolian evil (while the Romans dithered). Despite his later actions tarnishing the friendship of the Kingdom and Caliphate, the Caliph was always respected by the men of the Kingdom.
And now it seems that of the original four great reigns of the west, only the Kingdom and Baldwin remain. Who would have thought that out of the mighty western rulers - Saladdin, Alexios, An-Nasir and Baldwin - it would be the King who endures? The Empire and Sultanate are debauched shadows of their former honour and glory, so let us hope the Caliphate will survive the great loss it has suffered.
Ramses II CP
05-17-2009, 05:59
The Rajput diplomat rises once more to address the chamber,
It is my duty to be the bearer of ill news, as the pace of province trades has slacked in the war to reclaim India. The Ghorids took only a single province, Kutch, and surrendered only two, Peshawar and Mitankot. A raid was conducted against Pindi which reportedly cost the lives of 800 Ghorid warriors but failed to capture the city from the remaining 1100. Also the siege of Mansura has been thrown off as brave Bhlimev Khadev (OOC: I'm sure that's spelled wrong), fleet footed explorer of the west, returns with an army of mercenaries to slaughter the foul enemy seeking to claim that fair city. None of the besiegers were allowed to escape their siegeworks.
If the Sultan of Ghor has any mercy in his heart he will lower taxes on his remaining peasantry as he now has far fewer soldiers to feed. A peace offering is being presented even as I speak. Simply put if all of India is returned to the rightful rule of Indians then the nation of Ghor will be permitted to remain in control of Kabul. We eagerly await your response.
With a deep bow to the Caliph the emissary of the Rajputs resumes his seat.
:egypt:
OOC P.S. I have a feeling about half a stack of troops have gone missing from what I saw last season, but my spies couldn't find them (This is why I hit Pindi even though I couldn't take it) so my diplomat might not be quite so smug next year. :laugh4:
The Avidid ambassador rises to address the Rajput dignitary
We are both pleased and saddened by your reports noble friend and ally. We are naturally elated by the successes of the wise Hindus, but our hearts go out to those Muslims slaughtered by your swords. (OOC: and especially those crushed by your elephants, ‘cos that’s just no way to go. :drama1::elephant:) We pray for some future resolution between your two parties.
The dignitary turns to the general court.
I have just received word that al-Qahira is back under Muslim control.
His eyes roll steadily to the frank.
I wonder, Crusader, how long you can keep up this game with us? Especially now with the death of that serpent of the devil, the blasphemous king Baldwin. That fort outside of our great capital which your king sought to hide in was put to the spears of our holy warriors. Though the fort did not fall, Baldwin did.
His eyes fix again on the general court.
May the purging of the evil King Baldwin herald a good reign for the new Caliph, which we pledge our devotion and friendship to, as we did with his predecessor. Long live Islam.
He takes his seat again, returning to his quiet demeanor.
Redemption
05-18-2009, 05:24
The Roman scribe chuckles softly at the news of Baldwin's death. When inquisitive eyes turn towards him, he simply smiles and answers:
Not so long ago the Crusaders prided themselves in the survival of their King who had outlived so many great rulers even though illness gnawned at his earthly body. But in the end, only Megas Manuelos died peacefully among his loved ones, having recommended his soul to God. Salah al-Din and Baldwin suffered the fate of the proud who think their haughty court-room antics will save them from the swords of their foes and overeagerly sought battle only to be cast down in the cold earth while the great Caliph An-Nasir, after having lost his son to the traitor Nevoulos' soldiers, endured a slow and crippling death through the plague that chastened those who brought war upon the West. In the end, off all the mighty rulers of the Levant, only one saw his life crowned with success. And now, though Megas Manuelos' firstborn, Alexios, suffered too from the treacherous machinations of Nevoulos who threw him in harm's way, his second son, Artemios rises to lead Rome to new heights of glory. The Komnenoi live on while all who oppose them meet their ends. Is it not a sign as to whom God favours in this world?
Ramses II CP
05-18-2009, 06:21
In a bemused, reflective tone the emissary of the Rajputs replies,
This curious obsession with the length of one's span, and the manner of one's death is, to me, by far the most interesting thing about living so far from true civilization. Truly do you imagine your god favors you by gifting your kings more days or peaceful ends? Our gods have arranged that we return, time and again, until we are perfected and prepared to take our place among them. Surely if we can agree on nothing else we can agree that no single life carries on so long that it finds perfection within reach?
So, ask your god not for more days in this life, but for more chances in the next! The Maharaja who ruled the Rajput people when I first reached this council died in battle against simple rebels (OOC: Curse the 1 hp bug!) and has surely already been reborn in his next appointed form. Of all who have ruled he alone is still with us, and, barring the forgiveably unlikely achievement of perfection, will remain among his people long after all of you are gone.
Perhaps this is why the leaders of India so often give their lives in battle for her, because they know well the rewards of that service and fear not to hasten into their next life. Truly are the men of Rajput blessed to live in the greatest of nations under the most glorious gods over and over again until all their blessings have carried them to nirvana.
For the Muslims who have fallen, under our arrows, blades, javelins, and elephants I can find little pity for they began this war by betraying, yet again, their sworn word. A people who will not deal in good faith will not long abide. Rest assured if no Hindu blood remained to sate their appetite they would quickly turn on their own.
:egypt:
Redemption
05-19-2009, 18:16
The Roman does not even bother to turn towards the Hindu:
Pfeh, I doubt many people in this court would take advice from a Hindu on matters of religion. Monkey worhippers the lot of you.
Redemption
05-20-2009, 06:31
The emissary of the Rajputs opens his mouth to answer the scribe but is cut short by the arrival of a new Roman ambassador. The man is dressed the ceremonial bronze muscle-cuirass common in the heydays of the Empire, a crimson cloak flowing from his shoulders. He gives a curt bow to the vizier before adressing the court:
Your eminences, I bring news from the glorious city of Konstantinopolis. Kaesar Artemios condemns the unprovoked attacks of Ioannis Vatatzes on the Kingdom of the Crusaders, but in the face of the Franks' obvious bellicose intentions, he sees no alternative but to pursue the fight until they yield to Rome's justice.
The attack of German crusaders on the cities of Smyrna and Nikaea were repulsed. Artemios Komnenos himself led the charge that scattered the Swabians encircling Nikaea while Kouropalates Ioannis Vatatzes achieved a heroic victory at the battle of Smyrna. Frederick von Swabia and his men have been made an example of. There remains a German army threatening Konstantinopolis itself though, but patrols have been stepped up to insure that spies and saboteurs do not crippled its powerful defenses from the inside. Every Roman's prayers are with the citizens of the capital.
In the Levant, the great strategos Romanus Sophianos has once more led a raid on the coastal settlements of Tyros and Akke while more Roman forces muster for a push inside the Crusaders' lands. God willing, Syria and Judea will soon be back under the benevolent rule of the Empire.
Turning towards the ambassador from the Kingdom:
If you wish to settle for peace, Frank, you can propose your terms, but know that your position is a very precarious one and our patience is not infinite.
phonicsmonkey
05-21-2009, 03:58
The new Vizier rises to address the Court for the first time. He is slim and tall, with dark sunken eyes, a twisted moustache and a cruelly pointed black beard. His movements are diffident and his voice is higher in pitch than is perhaps seemly for a man. He turns to the Roman and Latin emissaries with a smile.
Sirs, why this is very interesting indeed - would it be unseemly of me to ask of you that you share with us some further detail of this news?
Have the Latins received reinforcements from their homelands in Europe? And have these reinforcements, instead of journeying to the Levant to battle with the so-called 'Saracen hordes', instead descended upon their co-religionists at Istanbul?
How deliciously ironic if so...doubly, in fact, if it is considered that they arrive just a little too late to aid their compatriot the late King Baldwin..
Redemption
05-21-2009, 04:37
Taking his seat besides the Roman scribe, the new ambassador gives a bored smile to the vizier:
How coy. I do not doubt the news gladdens a lot of Moslems and not least among them the Abbasid Court who was so completely shamed by both Roman and Catholic arms.
He yawns.
But yes, if you must know, it seems German crusaders have come to the aid of their Frankish brethren. Unfortunetaly for most of them, it seems that they're long journey has been cut short. And so have their lives. If their remaining army has any sense, it will retreat rather then push fort towards Konstantinopolis. The city is at risk, but Romans know the price of victory is steep and paid in blood. We have no doubt that these new Crusaders as well as those in the Kingdom will soon expiate their sins before God.
In the meantime, our forces continue their march on Holy Hierosolyma.
phonicsmonkey
05-21-2009, 05:27
The Vizier gazes into the middle distance for a moment as if in fascination at the news. He idly twirls his moustache with a black-lacquered fingernail before turning to the Roman with a start.
Well sir, how wonderful it must be to be the Basileos of Istanbul, and to have so many armies that one can fight continually on so many fronts!
I dread to think what we might do here should an army of bloodthirsy crusaders suddenly appear on our very doorstep...I simply shudder at the thought!
The Basileos must be comfortable indeed to be so assured of victory that he pushes on valiantly to claim far-off Jerusalem while his Palace itself is threatened....comfortable indeed, hmm hmmm..
He sits down at his desk with a flourish and begins to intently study a map of the world while ostentatiously making calculations on an abacus, clicking beads back and forth hurriedly, his brow furrowed in concentration.
Redemption
05-21-2009, 05:39
The ambassador answers with mock surprise:
Far off? I see Abbasid ambitions have lessened since the passing of An-Nasir. Or maybe it is a result of the armies you squandered in Anatolia?
Whatever the case may be, I must correct you. No man sits on the throne of the Basileos. At least until such a time as Kaesar Artemios can be crowned. But fear not, this will happen shortly.
phonicsmonkey
05-21-2009, 05:47
The Vizier giggles behind an embroidered sleeve at the evident misunderstanding.
No sir, by 'far-off' I meant from Istanbul, not from Baghdad (although I am told it is still some prodigious walk from here to the Dome on the Rock!).
But nevermind, at any rate I trust our 'ambitions' as you put it will be hardly relevant to the Caesar, Basileos or whomever is currently running our great trading partner the Roman Empire.....at the very least while you deal with the immediate challenges posed by your surprising invasion of your Latin ally's heartlands....
The Egyptian diplomat shifts uncomfortably in his chair at the exchanges of the Romans, the Hindus, and now this new vizier.
A fly lands on the table in front of him. He swats at it, creating an awkward "THUD!" that echoes in the court. Afterward, his hand retreats shamefully under the table—wiping the carcass off on the leg of his chair.
Close by, the man in black watched. He liked this new vizier...
Redemption
05-21-2009, 12:15
There is a moment of silence where the eyes of all the emissaries and courtiers turn towards the Egyptian diiplomat. The man returns the level gaze for which he is usually known in the Court. The air in the Court is heavy with understatement. When the Roman ambassador speaks again, his voice sounds like a thunderclap calling back everyone to reality:
Do not think us fools, Vizier. The venom in your words is clear to all, however sweet you try to make it. Jealousy and spite are dangerous. They lead men and empires on the path of destruction. Mark my words, vizier.
The ambassador's eyes fly over the other diplomats and emissaries, fixing themselves ever slightly on the men from Egypt and Rayy.
All of you, mark my words.
phonicsmonkey
05-21-2009, 12:38
At this, the Vizier looks genuinely horrified - all the colour slowly drains from his face as he stares at the Roman delegation, before he springs to his feet and bows so deeply in front of their table that it appears certain that he will lose his balance and tip over onto the floor, but at the last minute an extravagant flourish of his arm seems to right him, and he rises once more to address them.
Sirs, I am aghast. You must think me terribly rude, terribly rude indeed. I certainly meant no offense, I was simply intrigued and a little..well, a little scandalised at the news, but of course I have been most insensitive.
My deepest apologies to you kind sirs, for my deeply crass and unfeeling behaviour, and of course our best wishes and dearest regards go out to the inhabitants of Istanbul at this most testing time....
He bows deeply once more and, this time without rising, slowly backs away across the courtroom floor to his seat, into which he sinks without further comment.
OOC Sidenote:
So, I was surfing the internet the other day. Does this freak anyone else out?
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=154&stc=1&d=1242932209
phonicsmonkey
05-22-2009, 00:19
OOC: Lol @ Ghorid Vader
Did you make that Quirl? It only freaks me out if you found it somewhere randomly...
OOC: lol. Yeah, I made it. I thought it would lighten the mood in court since everyone's diplomats are at each other's throats right now... :clown:
... not that that's necessarily a bad thing. Conflicts make for smashing stories in the BC story thread. :book:
phonicsmonkey
05-25-2009, 00:30
The Vizier stands to address the court. He is swathed in black, with a mournful expression on his face, his sunken eyes red and bleary from weeping. He grasps in his left hand an enormous silk handkerchief which he waves around theatrically as he speaks.
Sirs, I am charged to deliver to you the terrible news that the young Caliph Abu Bakr (praised be his name in Paradise for all eternity!) has perished of the plague. Oh cursed day! He shall be known to history as Abu Bakr the Unfortunate...
The Vizier is wracked with a series of terrible sobs which seem to drain him utterly as he slumps into his handkerchief and blows his nose noisily. Finally he gathers himself and addresses the Court once more.
The late Caliph's blessed brother Sulayman the Righteous is, as we speak, undergoing the coronation ceremony at the Grand Mosque.
He bids me to inform you that he will be appearing at Court in person presently - unfortunately, for the time being he has some......internal matters to attend to which take priority over diplomacy, I'm sure you will understand kind sirs.
The new Caliph wishes to reaffirm the message of the opening address of his brother Abu Bakr: all are welcome here and current diplomatic relations will be maintained.
The Vizier's gaze suddenly hardens and he drops his mournful demeanor for a moment.
There is but one exception: in his final act as Caliph Abu Bakr had ordered the Eastern Army into Firuzabad, and to Al Muharraq, to dislodge the Ghorid garrisons therein.
The Ghorids have proved themselves faithless in their dealings with other nations, and a recent military build-up of their forces at Firuzabad posed a threat to the Caliphate.
This threat has now been neutralised, and the Ghorids have been presented with a diplomatic offer: hand over control of the castle at Al Muharraq in exchange for peace and trade rights with the Caliphate.
We trust they will do the sensible thing.
The Avidid diplomat rises and bows deeply to the grieving Vizier, who still weeps openly in the court.
These are dark times that would snatch the beloved Abu Bakr from us so hastily. Surely though, he lies in paradise this day and we again pledge our friendship and loyalty to the new Caliph.
But, though there is much to mourn, I fear there is also much to discuss. While this humble diplomat and his King do not dispute the evils of the Ghorid rulers, we do pose this question: Why does the Caliphate turn their swords on their Muslim brothers in the east and ignore those infidels in the west who continue to taint the Holy Lands with their very presence and spread the vile plague which has caused the deaths of now two Caliphs?
We mere slaves of Egypt have always been friends to the Caliphate and have always respected the their divine wisdom and judgment. But I fear that we must now question these recent actions. Why judge the evils of one when unwilling to judge those of another? Have not the Franks and their plague hurt the Caliphate more than the Ghorids ever did? These questions trouble my King and I humbly ask for an answer that I may send back to him which would ease his worries.
The Avidid diplomat continues to stand, waiting for a reply...
phonicsmonkey
05-25-2009, 07:39
The Vizier rises once more, a steely glint in his eye as he stalks across the courtroom floor towards the Avidid emissary.
Indeed sir, indeed, a point well made, and entirely to be expected, if I may say so, from your particular vantage point - an excellent one for the debating chamber, and one which I have no doubt our own dear Caliph, fresh from his coronation, will be pondering most closely at his leisure.
Consider this if you will kind sir - having engaged the Caliphate in a lengthy and bloody jihad against the infidel, having contracted in the process an abominable plague which has slain countless of our people and not one, but two of our beloved Caliphs; having bankrupted the Caliphate and having lost considerable political influence as well as territory through the consequent cecession of Georgia, and at the last, at the very last, even as we were forced to terms with our enemies, extracting from them, at considerable cost to ourselves, a promise that they would no longer harass your dear selves in Egypt, a promise which sadly has gone unkept.......taking all this into account, is it not just a touch unreasonable to accuse us of inconstancy in our policies, and to deny us the right to secure at least one of our borders against attack?
We feel great pity for our Egyptian friends, we really do, but we have done much in their cause at great, great cost to ourselves...so that for now, we must say, Egypt fights alone.
Ramses II CP
06-01-2009, 03:47
(OOC: Okay, so I was missing considerably more than the 'half a stack' I couldn't account for last turn. :laugh4:)
The emissary of the Rajput people, the same grim, gray haired veteran who has attended the court for many years, takes a package from a messenger and rises to address the Council,
Gentlemen I have served here, far from my home, for many years now and it is time that I retire to the farms which my line has tended for countless generations. That I am able to do so, at long, long last, stands testament to the fact that the invaders of India have finally been repulsed and cast out.
The emissary then upends the leather case, spilling the torn and bloodied personal banner of Sultan Muhammad the Godfearer onto the ground.
The Sultanate of Ghor is at an end. Their peasants are now our peasants, their soldiers are scattered to the winds, and their lands are returned to the people from whom they were stolen. The Sultan's final act, in defiance of his moniker, was to brutally exterminate a city overwhelmingly populated by citizens of his own faith. Perhaps his death is his god's revenge for the slaughter of so many faithful?
No matter.
I come, too, bearing gifts! To the Ghazni, our new and steadfast neighbors, I bring the sword of the former Sultan.
The emissary's aid opens a box from which the diplomat draws a naked blade. The blade bears the notches of recent use and has clearly been beaten blunt, but it is also chased in gold and of considerable worth.
To the Caliph, our great and recent allies in this battle against oppression, I bring the signet ring and seal of the former Sultan.
The emissary produces a heavy gold ring bearing an elaborate design which has been struck through by a single deep mark across the widest part of the face, as though marred by the strike of a blade.
And to our neighbors across the sea, the ever watchful Omani, I bring title to the last elephants ever to serve the invaders of India. You will find the beasts themselves penned on the outskirts of the city, though they have been hard used by their former masters...
A worn and dirty scrap of parchment is now presented, on which is written an accounting for a quantity of beasts in Arabic script.
I salute our fallen foes. They were not always honorable, they did not observe the traditions of our ancestors, and their word was worthless, but they knew how to die. On their feet, facing the charge of the elephants, with their useless weapons cast aside and water in their shoes to slow any coward who so feared to meet god that he might seek to flee.
Go in peace, good men, and go easy on my replacement, eh?
So saying the emissary departs without a backwards glance.
:egypt:
phonicsmonkey
06-01-2009, 06:40
The Vizier receives the ring of the fallen Ghorid Sultan and holds it aloft. It catches the sunlight, glinting wickedly.
May Allah preserve the eternal soul of his wayward servant Muhammed the Godfearer of Ghor!
Once he was mighty among the leaders of men; now, alas, he is fallen upon the battlefield, a broken straw trampled underfoot.
Muhammed was not always a tyrant - in his early days as Sultan he sat at the Brotherhood table with great An-Nasir and parlayed with his Islamic Brothers.
His first war in India was a righteous jihad, which met with great initial success; his second was the desperate act of a bitter man, gambling with the very life of his nation.
His crime was to allow his pride to overwhelm him, causing him to break with all noble tradition and act in a faithless manner in his dealings with his Islamic Brothers and with the noble Rajputs who at last bested him.
For this may he be forgiven in paradise, now that his time on this earth is ended.
He examines the marred ring more closely, and with a look of evident distaste hands it off to a ghulam boy, who bears it away.
The Caliph thanks his Rajput allies for the gift and congratulates them on their great victory.
May this usher in a new era of peace between Hindi and Moslem!
Allah-u-akhbar!
Some may have noticed the old Ghazni emissary had been replaced by a small, nervous looking man. For the last month he has sat silently at the Ghazni table, listening intently but making no contributions to the often raging discussions taking place in the Council. But upon hearing the Rajput Emissary he gets up and bows awkwardly before accepting the gift.
The Shah of Ghazni gladly accepts this gift from his friend and ally, although he protests it is too extravagant for the little aid he has been able to provide in this trying war. He hopes that a new era of peace and prosperity will take hold of the east.
He would also like to announce that the Shah of Kwarezhm has been defeated in battle in his capital. He died honorably, stubborn to the last. While distant cousins of his have taken up arms and formed a horde, they have no home in Transoxania. We expect these last remnants ofthe bloated and corrupt Kwarezhm regime to be shortly defeated.
The Lemongate
06-10-2009, 23:00
The new Roman ambassador examines with distaste some letters he has just received.
The Roman Empire is rather keen on maintaining the fragile peace it has attained with its Moslem neighbors. However, the continued disruption caused by Seljuk and Abbasid agents in our land does nothing to improve our relations.
Remove your agents at once or face the consequences.
phonicsmonkey
06-11-2009, 01:09
The Vizier looks bemused.
We are not aware of any 'agents' having been dispatched to your lands under our orders.
Should you apprehend any ruffians claiming to act on behalf of the Caliphate, we are sure you will take the appropriate measures against them to preserve your own security, and treat them as the common criminals they no doubt are.
The Lemongate
06-11-2009, 05:17
The Roman ambassador gives a cold look to the vizier:
I hope for you we do not catch any "ruffians" claiming to work for the Caliph.
barcamartin
06-11-2009, 08:13
' I believe all agents have left or are on their way out of your lands, Roman. I know of no plan to infiltrate or in any other ways disrupt life in your cities. '
The Lemongate
06-11-2009, 15:46
The Ambassador looks at the Seljuk for a moment and then concedes:
I'm nearly more inclined to believe the Turk then the Vizier. They'd have much more to lose from a rekindling of hostilities then the Caliphate.
barcamartin
06-15-2009, 17:41
A man approaches, covered in a layer of dust and sweat dripping from his hair. A blue cloak whips behind him, as he enters the room with haste. With an air of pride and self-esteem, he bows to the Vizier before turning to the assembled diplomats.
' I am here on behalf of Sultan Arslanshah, Defender of the Faith, Beheader of Infidels and Ruler of the Seljuk Nation. He wishes the world to know, that he has succesfully led the invasion of Georgia and their lands south of the Caucasus. The cities of Sokhumi, Kutaisi and Telavi have been purged of Christian authority, and brought into the Seljuk realm, and put into the hands of Allah. The Defenders of Georgia fought valiantly, but were no match for the Riders of Seljukia. The True Faith will be spread here, and the people will find the way to Salvation.
No declaration of war has been considered necessary, since the Mephe made himself an enemy of all Islam when he betrayed his benefactor, the Caliph. '
Bowing once more to the Vizier, he walks over to the Seljuk ambassador and hands him a few scrolls and documents. With one last look at the shocked Georgian representative, he hurries out of the room. With a small smile growing in his face, the ambassador stands.
' You see, Roman, we were true to our word. None of our agents have been active in your lands, and no hostile maneuvers have been committed there. '
Sitting down, he reaches for the plates of food, and starts eating with a pleased expression on his face.
The Georgian envoy rises and stares at his Seljuk counterpart.
You opportunistic scum, you've been waiting for this ever since you first tried to rape our lands, haven't you?
Without waiting for a reply, the man walks to the Seljuk diplomat and spits at his feet before leaving the room.
The Lemongate
06-16-2009, 05:12
The Roman ambassador lets out a loud harumph at the Seljuk's news but says nothing.
The Lemongate
06-23-2009, 06:16
Edit for continuity.
The court clerk hands one of the records to the ambassador from Jerusalem
I wish to re-read this earlier announcement.
"I am also instructed to warn the Omanis that a return to your fort at the Aqaba border will be seen as an overtly hostile action. The Gulf of Aqaba is not your concern. "
The ambassador stares directly at the Omani delegation
Given that the Omanis reoccupied the fort last season, a force from the Kingdom has attacked and destroyed the fort and it's garrison, including the Grand Iman and leader of Oman.
You were warned.
The Egyptian delegate sighs.
You know very well, Frank, that no fort lies in Aqaba. The fort in question was in Tayma, Avadid lands. Not only does this make your warning null and void, but it is a testament to the snake you are. The royal Omani had every right to occupy a fort in lands which were not yours to begin with.
The man then turns to the Omani delegate
We grieve for your losses, great and noble ally. As these losses were incurred in an attempt to help us (your forces merely there to restore balance in the region by defending our wayward city) we take responsibility. And as you offered substance and not mere words, we will also do the same. Denari is already on its way to you and consider Tayma, though still strategically valuable to us, yours-- if you will still have it.
The delegate takes a glance at the general court
I hope when Allah's will is carried out in Georgia, the remaining rulers if Islam will finally see the true plague which lies in the Holy Lands.
He is silent once more...
OOC:
The Egyptian delegate then sniffs the air. "And what is that smell?" He thinks. "Smells like... rotting, moldy lemons."
The Lemongate
06-26-2009, 22:01
Edit for continuity.
We never said the fort in question was in land held by the Kingdom. It was the view of the King that if Oman were to return to their former position on the border of our nation then their only reason for being there was to reinforce their ally. This we considered to be a overtly hostile act. Therefore, we decided that they should not be allowed to join the fight in Africa and be destroyed.
The warning was clear and specific. That the Omanis choose to ignore and it is none's fault but their own. They disregarded our warning and have suffered the consenquences.
The Egyptian delegate makes no expression
Again you seek to tell others what they may or may not do outside of your own territories; and there is nothing hostile about defending an ally's borders--save that it impedes your own ambition. But again words are wasted here. You will see our reply soon.
OOC:
The Egyptian man turns slightly to watch as the Roman lich inadvertently shoots himself with his own severed eye.
The Lemongate
06-27-2009, 05:03
Edit for continuity.
navarro951
06-30-2009, 17:18
*The Imam of Oman rises...
"Let it be evidence today of the treacherous acts of the infidels. Because my people have not forgotten what it means to lend a helping hand to their friends we are now looked upon as invaders?!? Our armies are there as nothing but a simple defense, for we no not what your hunger for power will lead to, perhaps the extinction of the Egyptian way of life, perhaps an invasion upon our own land. Who are you to tell us we may not set foot in our ally's land hmm? Answer me that!"
phonicsmonkey
07-02-2009, 01:58
The Vizier looks uncomfortable, but says nothing.
Treachery implies some sort of betrayal or deceit on our part. We clearly warned Oman not to return to our borders. If you were defending Tamya, why not move your army next to the town, preventing any attack?
The army in question had already departed Ayyubid lands, but then reveresed course, bypassed the town it was "protecting" and encamped itself on the border of their ally's enemy. To us, this army had no reason for being there but to militarily engage the Kingdom in defence of the Ayyubids. This constituted a clear threat to the Kingdom, so the threat was elminated.
The Avadid ambassador hears the words of the Frank and says nothing. Then he turns to the Oman delegate, stands, and bows.
You ask good questions, friend, and again we grieve for your losses.
Then he turns to the general court.
But know that the Omanis have been avenged, for the sins of the Franks have turned the mighty wrath of Allah upon them. We were fortunate enough to be His sword.
The Frank's main army in the south has been destroyed in the recapture of Luxor—these were the soldiers who followed King Baldwin to Egypt, and now their souls rest with him in hell. Also, a contingent of shock troops have recaptured Qahira and slaughtered its two defending generals, Hughes de Blois and Godfrey de Edessa.
In testament to Allah's majesty, a mere 35 of his elite soldiers at the battle of Qahira were killed as opposed to 150 heavily armored spearmen and 40 generals' cavalry on the infidel's side.
The ambassador then flips through his papers to read a second notice.
In one final announcement, due to difficulty in reaching the Omani representatives in Baghdad, we have handed Tayma over to the honorable Roman Empire, who will act as a neutral party in the exchange of Tayma to the Omanis.
Though I doubt the Franks will honor such a peaceful exchange if they decide it otherwise suits their purposes, know that any invasion of Tayma will be an act of aggression on these, presently, neutral parties.
The Avadid ambassador bows and begins to take his seat. But before he sits he takes one final glance over at the Latin delegation.
You cannot lie to God, Frank.
The Avadid ambassador takes his seat.
The Lemongate
07-02-2009, 02:48
Edit for continuity.
A messenger enters the court and passes a note to the Ghazni representative, who looks rather pale at reading its contents. The rep turns to the Vizier.
I understand there is some trouble brewing on the Sultanate of GhaZim's doorstep. The Shah of Ghazni* hopes that this conflict will be resolved swiftly and not spill over into his border.
* Inexplicably the "Sultanate" has a "Shah", if I recall correctly. :clown:
phonicsmonkey
07-07-2009, 01:32
The Vizier stands, with a brief nod of acknowledgment to the Ghazni emissary.
Indeed sir, there are military actions taking place near the border of your great realm.
The Caliph Sulayman (eternally blessed be his name!) has charged his uncle Al Qahir with the noble and righteous task of carrying out a holy jihad against the Ibadi heretics of Oman.
For too long has the Imam of Oman perpetuated his slanderous heresy against the true faith! It is long since time that his benighted subjects are restored to the glorious Caliphate, that they may enter paradise alongside their brothers of the ummah.
To this end, the cities of Hormuz and Chabahar have been liberated from heresy, and the cities of Suhar and Muscat are besieged, awaiting redemption in the coming season.
Blessed be the mighty Allah, and blessed be his Caliph Sulayman the Wise!
barcamartin
07-07-2009, 11:26
Rising to his feet, the Seljuk clears his throat and looks out over the assembled.
' The liberation of Georgia is complete. The Georgian King has agreed to lead his people into exile, in return for peace. The Georgian people will now prosper under the Sultan's guarding hand and in the Light of Allah.
I also wish to announce that Seljuk warriors have once more initiated the righteous struggle in Anatolia. Romans have held Muslim lands for too long, forcing false religion on it's people. The people of Ani, Dvin, Trebizond and Amasia now rejoice as Seljuk arms have brought them into the protection of Allah. '
vBulletin® v3.7.1, Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.