UotI Diplomacy Thread

[Zim]

Over the preceding years of conflict the powers of Britannia and Ireland have found that they needed neutral grounds on which to negotiate. Although all of them fought for the right of their capital to host the diplomats of the area Castletown slowly became the de facto site by virute of its central location. Even though none of the powers ever actually agreed on its use, all of them eventually found themselves sending their diplomats their.

At the moment the city is ruled by the Norse, outsiders in the area (though, considering the history of many of the factions, one might argue they are only its most recent set of invaders). Diplomacy takes place in a great hall in the center of the city. Tapestries and Norse heraldry decorate the room, and the long table in its center is always well stocked with food, mead, and beer. At any given moment the hall might be all but empty as the factions of the area prefer more discrete methods of negotiation, or riotous with arguemnts and intense debate as they try to sway their fellows to their side.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

IC diplomacy thread for the Unification of the Isles hotseat game. Players only post here, please.

[Zim]

The Norse ambassador, a huge, bearded man dressed more like a soldier than deplomat, wanders in and promptly takes a seat and starts off on a large tankard of mead.

[Myth]

The English ambassador is a rather tall, lanky fellow with a clean shaven face and a piercing gaze. He has black hair and brown eyes, and his clothes are lavish - red silk with lace and golden embroidery. Three golden lions are woven on the left side of his chest.

"Ah, the Norwegian diplomat. Well met, i am Sir Thomas, here to speak on behalf of his Majesty Henry III, in God's grace king of England."

[Nightbringer]

The short thin Irish ambassador enters, wearing plain work cloths.
G'day chaps, pass me some o tha mead and lets get ta bossiness why don't we?

[Myth]

"Good day Sir - the Englishman retorts with a polite tone. - what word of your realm and king?"

[Nightbringer]

Our realm and king is bein rid o occupiers!

[Myth]

The diplomat smiled enigmatically. He did not seem taken aback by the news of Irish aggression. "A fine goal to be sure."
He said that in a way that could leave his words to free interpretation.
"What of your plans for the future of these isles?"

[Nightbringer]

To leave happily with our sheep and keep any future intruders out.
I can assure you, that any occupying forces that seek to leave the Isle shall be granted safe passage out, but they must leave immediately, my King has little patience, and more than enough troops to slaughter every last one of them.

[Myth]

Ah, but not enough roads to reach them in time. Our combined forces can raid and pillage across your lands for months, and lay ambushes in the forests. But such is not our intention, as his Majesty King Henry III has informed me. He would rather value the trade with your kingdom than squabble over the ownership of Dublin and it's surrounding fortifications.

[Nightbringer]

Excellent!
We look forward to seeing the last of your troops leave. When that is done, we will gladly enter into trade with you.

[Zim]

The Norwegian diplomat looks up from his drink long enough to nod and grunt a more or less amiable greeting to the other emmisaries. Shortly after a messenger comes in and draws him away from the table to whisper something to him. The norse diplomat's sside can easily be heard.

*loud crash* What, he lost?! I knew King Haakon shouldn't have promoted him, even if he is the Queen's nephew...oh, we did gain a settlement against the Scottish aggressor? Well, there's that at least, as little as it is.

After a few minutes an increasingly frightenedmessenger leaves the room and the Norseman returns to the table and smiles.

Sorry about that. Just keeping abreast of current events.

[Myth]

The English diplomat looks solemnly at the Norse man then moves his eyes toward the Scottish representative. "Such a waste of good men, when scum abounds in the South."

[Zim]

The Norse diplomat, slowly mulling over his current mug of beer (the empty, tipped over ones around it a testament to his activity of the last half day) receives another message. As he looks over the note his eyes widen, and he reads it several times without otherwise reacting. Then, suddenly he sweeps up the messenger in a giant hug that tips them both to the ground, before jumping up and finishing his drink in one swig. "Another round for everyone!".

After a short period of staring at the note again, during which the now scared messenger slowly sneaks out, the diplomat pulls himself together and begins to speak solemnly.

It is my duty to inform you that the Scottish Monarch has fallen this past morning during a mighty battle outside the walls of Kirkwall. With no heirs his other armies laid down their arms and surrendered themselves to the Norse. His body shall be escorted by a contingent of Norse and Scottish troops (the latter allowed to keep their arms) back to his estates outside Edinburgh for burial. Although a deadly foe he was also a valiant one, and King Haakon regrets that things turned out as they did.

By the ancient and most holy right of conquest King Haakon lays claim to the Scottish lands, and will be arriving in person shortly to oversee their continued incorporation into his territory. He also extends a hand of trade and peace to all.

[Ignoramus]

Llyewyln, Prince of Wales, recognises King Haakon's claim to the Scottish throne, and trust that there will be no opposition to his ascension by other realms.

[Nightbringer]

The kingdom of Ireland will gladly accept this offer of peace and trade.

[Myth]

The English diplomat nods and remarks: "A messenger has already been dispatched to your King."

[Nightbringer]

Ireland has found itself in an awkward position. It seems we have inadvertently made agreements to aid both the English and the Welsh in their war against each other. Not wanting to betray either friend, King Brian has decided that the only honorable thing for Ireland to do is to remain neutral.

On another note, the recent breakdown of law and order in Scotland has left its people in desperate straits. While we acknowledge that Norway has conquered these lands, and is doing what it can to create peace, Ireland must aid the scotish people. We will move in and bring peaceful law and order to what former Scottish provinces we can.

To the King of Norway, we look forward to establishing trade and perhaps an alliance between us, and hope you understand that we are not taking these actions as a blow against you, but simply to aid the people of the former kingdom of Scotland.

[Zim]

Hmmm...and just what parts of Scotland do the Irish think to "aid"? Norse armies are already set to bring order to the region.

[Nightbringer]

Those nearest to us on the Southwestern border of that former kingdom. And know that we do not wish conflict with you, as is evidenced by our declination to take your capitol which could have been easily occupied by our troops this season. We look forward to hearing your reply to our offers of trade and possibly alliance.

[Zim]

Then you are in luck my friend. The southwestern most province of Scotland is already in Norse hands, saving Irish armies much trouble. And I assume you mean that you would have taken our capital within the next season? Unless the Irish are producing Trebuchets already, in which case I am quite impressed.

We are quote open to discussing trade but not in response to veiled threats.

[Nightbringer]

We did not mean it as a threat, but simply as evidence that we are not attempting an invasion of Norwegian lands.
We are glad to hear that those people have found order, and unlss there is another nearby province that needs liberating we shall return home. The only problem is that it is desired by Ireland to have one province on the primary landmass from which we can easily send diplomats to the various nations and remain aware of the political situation.

[Zim]

The Norse diplomat eyes the Irish one warily, his face revealing that he's unsure whether to be mollified or not.

Dumfries you mean, then? It is actually quote out of the way of Haakon's upcoming Scottish possessions, close only to Castletown. An arrangement for it could easily be made for it to be handed over in exchange for the promis of trade, but it should also include Ireland's wouldbe new neighbors the English. They may object to a new force on the main Isle and would be far closer than the nearest non island Norse settlement. Our understanding of things was that those two nations have been at war, but recent Irish declarations of neutrality have confused matter. Perhaps the English representative wishes to speak?

As far as other provinces in the area to our knowledge there are only small islands a season or so to the north likely unsuitable to such purposes.

[Nightbringer]

Yes, Dumfries would be excellent!
I hope the English agree to this being alright by them, we wish to remain on good terms with everyone and simply wish to not be forgotten on our island home.

As to the Welsh-English conflict, I suspect it will continue whether or not Ireland were to become involved.

[Myth]

The English diplomat waves a hand. "There are hardly and of my King's subjects there. Let the Irish have the town, least they have sailed here in vain. However King Brian has consolidated his lands already and a question arises, where does all the gold from taxes and trade go?"

Sir Thomas leans back and fingers the golden chain that fastens the heavy cloak on his shoulders. "Ireland has no right to any land outside their own island. Desires such as this set you a dangerous path. In any event, we wish for trade with Ireland and our Western ports are ready to open up. Let us sign a ceasefire and begin healing old wounds. As for the quelling of the Welsh rebellion, my master even now rides to battle whilst the so called Welsh King runs before him and robs innocent peasants and craftsmen. His head shall grace the top of a pike within the year."

[Nightbringer]

The gold goes to making our land a prosperous and modern one of course.

[Myth]

And by modern you of course mean you are building forges and training grounds, siege workshops and jousting rings. We shall send a diplomat to your island as soon as we can spare the boat. He shall witness your prosperity first hand.

[Nightbringer]

Excellent. although at this point we are more concerned with farming and building trade.

[Ignoramus]

The Welsh diplomat approaches the English representative.

My liege wishes to bring an end to this destructive war. He was enraged to hear that his brother Dafyd fell outside Caernarvon, and drove off your king and his son from their siege of Gloucester.

The young Prince Edward has fled into a castle with a few men, which my liege has promptly laid siege to. He wishes a ceasefire to be concluded so that he is not forced to end Edward's life.

He has sent terms to the King at Shrewsbury(in-game message).

[Myth]

The Englishman salutes his colleague and nods. "Yes sire, indeed I have heard. King Henry has sent word of thine liege's prowess on the battlefield. He has replied wtih our terms, and ye must remember that the moral law is on our side, as Wales was the initiator of this agression. Ireland offered us peace and peace they reveived, but you offered us sword and axe, and have been repaid in kind.

My King also wishes to point out that whilst we have lösot some minor provinces to thine nimble troops, Caernarvon is ours and a third of thine force faces the gallows should you continue this war. King Llywelyn might be the fiercest general since William the Bastard but he can do little without troops to command. If prince Edward is lost to us, there shall be no further diplomacy utnill either Engalnd or Wales is no more."

[Nightbringer]

Admiral Niels is near Dumfries but we see it is currently under Norwegian control. Please inform us of a settlement that he may sail to to establish an Irish outpost no the mainland of Britain.