The Grand Wager - Glorious Achievements Diplomacy Thread

[Myth]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I already explained via PM that "considering their options" means "haven't answered me yet" in IC diplomacy talk. At least for me. I will remove you from this game shortly so you don't have to be offended any more

[SilverShield]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I will remove you from this game shortly so you don't have to be offended any more

that sounds fair

[phonicsmonkey]

The old Turk addresses the gathered diplomats.

To our friends the Spanish, it is sad that you have entered into hostilities against us with no fore-warning. Indeed had you but asked we would have been happy to negotiate a fair price for your ownership of Naples. I state again for the sake of anyone who has forgotten - we Turks have no interest in Italy save that the Germans are nested there. We do not seek to rule that country and our quarrel is with the Unholy 'Roman' Emperor alone and none other.

We will gladly sign a peace with Spain should this be agreeable. Some small reparations for your unprovoked attack would be welcomed as a sign of good faith.

To the French who we notice have a force in Northern Italy - do not join this fight. In shallah we can remain friends and brothers, there is no need for you to be involved in this war.

[Nightbringer]

We did not choose our involvement in this war Turk. The Egyptians chose that when they attacked a fleet of the Royal French Navy without provocation. We had informed them of the fleets intent of sailing back to france, but in their black hearts they attacked us. We shall not let this barbarous act go without retaliation.

[phonicsmonkey]

The Turk once more, squinting through his spectacles.

Indeed in times of war there is much suspicion and fear. It is common for such things to happen and for conflict to arise without due cause.

I am certain that our Fatimid brothers would be willing to discuss terms with your King should you wish to avoid conflict. Retaliation is not the only means of securing justice.

[Visor]

We had informed them of the fleets intent of sailing back to france, but in their black hearts they attacked us.

Nasser stands, red with rage.

"LIES! FILTHY FILTHY LIES! You never sent the Sultan a message!"

[Myth]

The German diplomat picks something from behind his ear and examines it casually before flinging it. He is still dirty and covered in muck from riding straight from the battle lines.

"Gentlemen it seems to me that this war is unavoidable. Our good Catholic brothers have come to the defense of Europe and Hungary's advance has been halted at Milan. Any attempts at begging or demanding peace from your side seem acts of fear to me. Our brothers from France, which was once the Western part of Charlemagne's Holy Roman Empire, as we are still the Eastern one, were reluctant to engage in a costly war but you have proven to be nothing more than rabid dogs who hide behind talk of pure intentions.

The King of United Iberia and mine Kaiser's good friend and ally has sailed to our aid after completing his Reconquista. His men are seasoned and they have tasted victory against the followers of Mohamed. Followers, mind you, who invaded the Iberian Peninsula, a part of Europe, some several hundred years ago.

England is also sailing to our aid with mighty armies, as their citizens are pure and devout, and their nobility lusts for a chance at redemption and service in God's name.

You Muslims, with your preferred act of invading sovereign Catholic lands like locusts, have provided a perfect ground for an army of Unified Western Euorope. Sadly this army shall have to march trough Hungary, if only to root out the misguided nobility that rules it, so that it's citizens can be redeemed."

[phonicsmonkey]

The old Turk shrugs.

If it is Allah's will then war it shall be. We do not fear it and will place our faith in the almighty to grant us victory.

Know that we did not want this and only sailed to Italy in response to a call for assistance. We wish nothing but to live in peace and without threat of oppression from aggressors. Sadly on occasion one must take up arms against such tyrants and in doing so fan the flames of war.

[Thanatos Eclipse]

Salvador laughs at the Turkish diplomat,

"If you wanted peace so badly, maybe you should pick a better spokesperson for your alliance. It had come to our attention that Hungry had basically declared total war against the western nations [ooc: see silver's post in the main thread here], which kind of made the point of declaring war mute. If you really want peace, I'd suggest heading back to your own lands and leaving the foolish Hungarians to their fate. Although, I have a feeling that like us your not the type to abandon your allies just because the enemy asks nicely."

[phonicsmonkey]

The Turk shrugs once more.

While I apologise for my extended absence, it is wrong to assume that our allies speak for us. We are their partners in battle but they are not our mouthpieces.

If you wish to know the Sultan's mind on any matter it is wise to ask him, or his representatives, directly.

[Thanatos Eclipse]

Salvador storms into the court, holding a letter from his king out in front of him and arguing with it. "Apology? Apology! You call this an apology! Oh, the Lord told you to do it well that makes it all better...really? What kind of God would turn you against his own people? What kind of apology is that?" Salvador crumbles up the letter and screams, "Ahhhhhh!"

Calming down a little Salvador unfolds the parchment and continues reading, but is quickly riled up again, "History, history! Who cares what history is going to say, what do you think your own people are going to say? How can the armies follow such madness?!" Reaching the end of the letter, Salvador goes pale as all the blood drains out of his face. His anger instantly replaced by what can only being described as intense fear. Shaking, Salvador drops the letter on a table. In a quivering voice Salvador mumbles, "I've got to go back to the homeland," as he staggers out of the court.

After a few second of silence, nearby dignitaries pick up the letter that Salvador had dropped to read Alfonso's Apology.

[phonicsmonkey]

The old Turk sniffs disapprovingly.

As peace-loving men of God this only serves to prove our suspicions about the warmongering nature of the western powers. May they turn on each other and destroy one another that we men of the east may live in peace together!

[Thanatos Eclipse]

"Ah, my friend," says a raspy voice from one of the rooms dark corners, "this is not war..." a masked figure steps out of the shadows, "it's liberation."

"Unfaithful, I am a Follower of His Will and shall be representing the Lord's Will in this court of man until such time as He deems otherwise. The Lord has set His Sword, the Great Alfonso, the First-Follower, upon these lands to cleanse them of their wrongs. With His Sword in hand, the Lord shall cut through the darkness, bringing his warmth to all touched by his might. Praise Him."

[phonicsmonkey]

The Turk looks even less convinced. Standing, he shakes his fist at the masked Spaniard.

Shaitan! Show not your face lest your trickery be revealed and your weasel words rejected! These weak-minded fools may have fallen for your glib seduction and they will burn alongside you for their idiocy but you will not sway the hearts of true believers.

[Nightbringer]

Justice, the French diplomat, pales as the Spaniard speaks, his hands beginning to tremble. When the word Lucifer is mentioned he immediately falls to his knees and retches upon the floor. After a minute he awkwardly stands back up, brandishing a cross towards the Spaniard, although he appears to be too frightened to look at him. He then begins speaking, his voice stammering badly.

F'f'foul demon, how dare you befoul the name of the lord! The glorious people of French are and have always been the true servants of god, your n'nation and its king will be punished for their crimes. As a s'soldier of the God, and a k'knight of France, your p'p'punishment will come from m'm'e!

Justice then reaches behind him with his free hand and pulls a bejeweled dagger from the back pocket of his robes.

Fellow f'followers of God, join me in dispatching the world of this h'h'heretic!

Hand trembling, Justice begins to approach this new diplomat.

[Myth]

The Bavarian Knight who is the Holy Roman Empire's ambassador, looks at the Spaniard as if he had sprouted a second head with horns. His burly, mail clad body and thick (and somewhat dirty) blonde hair betray him as a simple soldier, but the cross on the hilt of his sword is unmistakably Catholic. "I am no Knight of the Teutonic Order, but I have served in the Levante. This is an afront to God, ein abomination far worse than Islam. I am certain though, that mein Kaiser would disapprove greatly of such betrayal."

His voice is low and resembles the rumbling of mill stones, and his tick brows shoot blood-shot daggers across the table. "Sit down Frenchman. This est ein meeting of heralds. There shall be time aplenty to fight on the field."

[Nightbringer]

N'no! This is a demon, he cannot be allowed to live, we must kill it!
Justice continues to edge forward, appearing to gain a little more confidence having refused the older knight.

[Thanatos Eclipse]

The Follower laughs, "But Roman, don't you wish to avenge the thousands of your brethren who have already fallen under the Lords sway?" The Follower turns towards the Frenchmen making no move to stop him, "Do not fear Frenchman, for I am a Follower of the Lord. Ascension waits for all His faithful."

[Thanatos Eclipse]

Tho Follower tilts his head quizzically at the Frenchman as he hesitates in his advance once more, "I've always found it quite comical, the cowardice of dignitaries. They sit around leisurely, peddling cheap words and empty threats, while their brave countrymen bleed and die in their stead. Tell me Frenchman, what keeps you from joining your countless brethren on the Venetian fields, being slaughtered at this very moment by my Lord's Sword? What a hollow soul you are to be spared when so many betters already lie in the dirt?"

[Nightbringer]

Justice's face blanches at the Spaniard's words, and his arm drops to his side.
How, how could that be the case, when so many men stand against so few, how could they be slain? How did you reach France's armies? But still, that is only the first wave, many times that many men are still no there way to bring justice to you.

[Thanatos Eclipse]

"Quite easily," The Follower replies, "Glorious fire rains from the sky as my Lord's Sword tramples your infantry into dust; it is as your book says 'Dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return'. More of your armies may come and they too shall be returned unto the ground once more. For even those that survive my Lord's cleansing shall be too late; the darkness is nigh and the era of your God is at its end."

[Thanatos Eclipse]

With a sudden scream of agony, the Follower falls to the floor clutching is head, "His gaze! His gaze falls upon us all. Italy, the heartland of God's people is black with my Lords touch, but others yet resist his love. He wants it all. All must be enlightened. Puppets of God, heed my words and spread them among your people, he is coming. Swear allegiance to my Lord now and accept his love or season yourselves for the fire of his cleansing flame." With theses final words silence fell on the court and as suddenly as the episode had began, it was over. The Follower shakily tries to sit up; blood runs in rivers from the eyes of his mask. He utters, "Thank you Lord, for Ascension is all I've ever wanted," then collapses back to the ground.

Suddenly, a banging at the door startles the courtroom. A servant woman screams, "It's Him!" and faints. The dignitaries look around at each other wondering what to do...

[Nightbringer]

You sse! He is possessed by a demon! We must destroy him before we too become tainted! Justice then looks around awkwardly, clearly hoping someone else will step up to end the life of this spaniard.

[Thanatos Eclipse]

A servant holding a carving knife slowly approaches the collapsed Spaniard. Stopping a few feet away from the Follower, the servant carefully watches the collapsed man, but upon seeing no movement he inches further still. Once he got close enough, the servant nudged the follower with his foot; no movement. He tries a second, a bit harder; still no movement. Turning to the frenchman, "Sir, I think he is dead..."

"BANG, BANG, BANG!" the court's door rattles again. Startled the servant jumps, dropping his knife. Eyes wide, the servant stares at the door, "Should someone get that?" Fumbling around for his knife, without taking his eyes off the door, the servant continues, "Or maybe we should call the guards, or a priest?"

[phonicsmonkey]

The old Turk is dismissive.

Pfft....a charade intended to impress the foolish. It is pomegranate juice and playacting, nothing more.

He returns to his book.

[Nightbringer]

Truly, perhaps I should make sure. After all, a demon might be tricking us, we can't allow him even a chance of living. And right now, he isn't defending himself. He has killed thousands, he has betrayed God, he has to be killed. And if he is dead, whats wrong with spilling his blood. That way everyone can see he has the black blood of a demon.

Justice slowly steps forward, his mumbling getting softer and more incoherent as he approaches the body. Knife trembling in his hand, he kneels down next to the Spaniard, looks away, and plunges the knife downward.

[Thanatos Eclipse]

"Yes, let out your anger, your pain. Relish in your urges; accept His guidance." At the now open door to the courtroom stood a Follower of His Will. Shutting the door behind himself, the masked man walks slowly towards Justice, "I can see it now, the black mark upon your soul. Be proud of it. So much turmoil and torment within you; do not fight it, accept it. Accept the Lord's love and take up His mask, for it is yours now."

[Nightbringer]

What, no, I was only doing the Lords work! I would never join your kind!
Justice drops the knife, still red with blood, and stumbles away from the body.

[Thanatos Eclipse]

"Many do reisist at first, but worry not. If you have not the courage to join in life, there will be a spot waiting for you in death. So many of your brethren have already been shepparded to my Lord's dominion by the great Alfonso. I'm sure they will rejoice to hear of your coming."

The Follower turns to the address the whole court, "As for the rest of you, I'm afraid my Lord shall not be releasing you from your earthly torment and accepting you to Acension as I had hoped. This world as you know it is coming to an end, and it seems my Lord shall not make it here to grace these halls before such time. It appears his plans have been altered to accomidate a few Hungarian raiders and the hords of Frenchman waiting at Venice for my Lords Salvation."