The Sands of Time - MoT diplomacy thread

[phonicsmonkey]

The Fatimid Caliph's courtroom at Constantinople is where he receives the diplomats and emissaries of the Kings of Europe and the Sultans of the East.

It is evident that the seat of Caliphial authority is but recently established here at the Blacharnae Palace - embroidered Afghani and Turkish rugs line the stone floors but their patterns are not in harmony and their edges are not quite straight, as if they had been laid in a hurry. Elaborately calligraphed hadiths have been hastily stuck over Greek orthodox iconography, there are marks in the stone floors and alcoves which bely the recent presence of statues carted away to storage and no-one among the newly-installed palace staff seems to know where anything is.

It is into this atmosphere of mild chaos and upheaval that the world's ambassadors arrive and are shown to their seats at Court.

[Myth]

The Sicillian diplomat is a man of middle age, with greying sideburns and dressed in a rich grab, with the Sicillian Crown's coat of arms ebroidered on his dublet and a cape in grey and white. He has bejewled golden rings on six of his ten fingers and a heavy golden chain hangs about his neck, unmoving as he walks. His eyes are narrow and piercing, making him look like a blue-eyed hawk.

"It seems your Caliph has made great use of the jewel of the East. I wonder how long it will take the Romans to remember the days of glory past and try to reclaim their capital city. Perhaps a day, or a week, or until there are only you and them left in Anatolia?"

The diplomat smirks as he sits down.

[deguerra]

The Norse diplomat looks nothing like a viking. Dark brown hair frame a somewhat pudgy face with a short pointed beard. He wears the latest Flemish fashions with a lacy collar and puffy sleeves. He shuffles a number of papers and stands up.

My master would have the following be known:

The Kingdom of Norway and Sweden does not seek to be at war with any nation, and will dispatch diplomats to that effect at our earliest convenience.

The Kingdom of Norway and Sweden has undertaken to respect peace and stability and will, to that end, remove from foreign soil all troops that it currently stations there. To this end, the Kingdom of Norway and Sweden asks the owner of the province of Rum in Anatolia, he checks his papers which I believe to be the Khwarezm Shah, for passage of its armies through his lands in order to sail homewards.

The Kingdom of Norway and Sweden hereby formally declares its interest in Finland and the island of Gotland. It is, however, willing to renege on the latter claim as a sign of friendship to the Kingdom of Denmark.

Finally, the Kingdom of Norway and Sweden wishes to reiterate its sovereignty over East Flanders and Friesland. Any attempt to subvert that sovereignty will be met by the full force of the Norse armies.

[slysnake]

The Swabian looks up from a daze in his seat, frowning at the Nord's statement.

"Whilst the Republic of Swabia itself cannot claim to be an entirely peaceful nation itself, especially with our current war in the Holy Roman Empire, your claim over the region of Flanders, Gotland, AND Finland is, may, in itself, be seen as an act of aggression towards countries of whom also desire the same regions your King speaks of. Maybe you should take a leaf out of the book of the Republic of Swabia - my sire and the Roman Emperor are to exchange lands in Greece and the Balkans come next season, proving a new step towards greater economic strength and stability in that region, as well as starting a new page to the Republic's somewhat troubled history with the Romans in the East. Might I suggest that, instead of reasserting your own power over these regions, why not simply sell Flanders to France or Denmark in exchange for money or another region, and, regarding the rebel regions of Gotland and Finland, why not simply share the spoils of war with Denmark? If you wish to be seen as a friendly figure in your region, cooperating with your potential enemies and their own desires might be a more tempting idea for your King to consider on this fine day..."

[RexLegend]

The Danish diplomat rises and starts to speak.

Oh finally, letter from Kingdom of Denmark arrived to me. Long time my king had to think about future of Scandinavia, now time of thinking is over.
Path of road was clear with declaration of war against remains of Holy Roman Empire.
But path wasn't clear about future of entire Scandinavia. It's clear now, so listen! Especially you, Norske bror! War has been declared on King of Norway!
Kingdom of Denmark is calling for unification of entire Scandinavia to secure it's position in Northern Europe. Rest is up to nordic Gods now...
Why war is declared? Because dream of uniting Nordic lands is stronger than ever before. Wars have been fought for this goal before our time and will be fought after our time.
Anyone, who takes lands which are geographically part of Scandinavia or lands that are under control of our banner, will be punished with full firepower.

Thank you for listening. That's it for now.
Skål!

[Myth]

The Sicilian diplomat raises his eyebrows and comments with a bland voice. "Norse Gods? We thought you men of Christ, who had abandoned the reaving days of old. It seems we have been mistaken. His Holiness the Pope shall scarcely like this!"