The Enigmatic Invitation - Levantine Struggle diplomacy thread

[Thanatos Eclipse]

"Warmongering? Either your ignorant or blind, the only Crusade we chose was against the Saracens, and even that is so long ago neither side rightly remembers who started it. As for the Greeks, it is true that under the Principality we did start the war with them, but the Order has since done its best to mend bridges and maintain peace, but it turns out the sins of Babylon flow through the Greek veins. They raided out borders and we were forced to respond in force. As for your people, as it seems you have forgotten, we pulled you from the Egyptian tide and returned your homes to you asking nothing in return. We wanted only to maintain God's glorious kingdom, however we were to late. The Devil had already sunk his roots into Jerusalem and all that is left is for our cold steel and holy flames to cleanse these lands of his dark taint."

[Cecil XIX]

Armatos stands, seemingly oblivious to the conversation.

You will be pleased to note that the island of Cyprus has been returned to the Empire, and by the grace of God we have reclaimed Theodosiopolis from Antioch. It seems the governor there suffered an unfortunate accident, and when his bodyguard dispersed it was necessary for us to send a nearby contingent of cavalry into the city to restore order.

[Thanatos Eclipse]

"Eh, he was a second cousin, thrice removed, in a city too far away to really care about," the Order Knight dismisses. "Now what interrests me," the knight says enthusiastically, "is how your Vangarian Guards stack up against some real men. God's faithful verses hired axes, the devoted verses the greedy, should be exciting."

[Myth]

The Templar smirks as he receives a message by a hooded man. "It appears His Holiness has been busy. He and his Bishops have ran an extensive campaign to purge the Order of the Hospitalliers of heretics and demon worshipers. Your leader has been burned at the stake, as well as two of his most corrupt commanders. Cardinal Fisconi also sends word of more heresy awaiting to be rooted out, and he speaks of a massive purge that is soon to come via his armies hailing from New Rome and the surrounding castles."

[Thanatos Eclipse]

The Order of the Eclipse has started it's own inquisition, but instead of hiding in the shadows we'll do it out in the open. It seems the Grandmaster himself has already found him a demon to vanquish, non other then your own false prophet King Toby. He was found guilty before God's holy army and put to the sword, along with the rest of his demonic tribe. The sands of Kerak run black with demon blood.

It seems the Turks have also finally acknowledged the glory of our God and have offered the spoils of Baghdad back, as a sacrifice to him.

[Thanatos Eclipse]

The Order Knight glares at the Saracen party, "It is not nice to take back what you have gifted to God, he will not easily forgive you for this."

The Order Knight laughs, "I'm just kidding, he wasn't going to forgive you anyways. I mean you're heretics following some lunatic that thought he was a prophet. More Holy then the Lord, Jesus Christ! Give me a break. However, on the bright side at least you still have time till your judgement day, the poor souls of the false inquisition of Jerusalem are going to be meeting their maker any day now and I doubt they're going to be happy with were he's sending them."

Looking around the room, "And I guess that just leaves the Greeks. Don't think we've forgotten about you. Even as I speak a new Crusading Horde gathers on the outskirts of the Antioch region, ready to march straight for the heart of Anatolia. Think I'll join them once they get closer," the knight says with a grin, "but for now I can't shrug off my duties at this boring diplomatic post."

[Thanatos Eclipse]

Listening to the silent court, the Order knight sighs. Turning to the figure beside him, the knight ponders, "Do you ever get the feeling you're just talking to yourself?"

The figure just stares back blankly. The two sit there for a while in silence, till the figure's head loses it's balance and tumbles to the floor. "Alas, poor Yorick. I feel the same some days." Bending down, the knight picks up Yorick's skull. The knight puts Yorick back on his body, but he just rolls off again, "Sometimes, Yorick, I can't help but wonder if the rest of the people in this court are as dead as you are; heck, you're more talkative then they are these days."

Grabbing Yorick off the floor again and holding him up, the knight continues to talk, "Guess it's probable just you and me for now. I'm so glad I have you here to talk to; I'd go crazy if I was stuck here talking to myself. Ah, Yorick..." the knight laughs, "you know, that wasn't always your name. No, they use to call you...well, I don't know; but some how I feel Yorick fits you. I was told when you were brought here that you used to be second in command to Dragos the Scarred, the pillager of the Order's northern territories. Although from what I hear, Dragos the Runner would be more appropriate. They say he ran from two battles and all the way across Order territory, from Diyabakir to the Greek controlled Adana. Which is quite an achievement, Yorick; you obviously couldn't do it."

"Apart from your past, Yorick, I have also recieved word that Antioch was liberated when the foolish defenders were slaughtered while trying to support their nearby forces. It also seems that the vile Greek trebuchets were destroyed in the process; so, Yorick, anything else that you think is important to bring to this courts attention?" The Order Knight looks at Yorick expectantly, "Well, sure there was those few ships defeated in the south, even sunk an Inquisition's boat, but no one's going to care about that..........no, no, the defeat of one horse unit scouting the mountain passes in the far north isn't classified as important either.....Well, if I knew you weren't going to be helpful then I wouldn't have asked...Fine, be like that!"

The Order knight slams Yorick down on the table, "No, I don't want to hear it!" The knight grabs for a cloth and throws it over Yorick. Sitting back in his chair angrily, the knight grumbles to himself and grabs for a drink, all the while continuing to stare intently at the now covered skull.