The Sands of Time - MoT diplomacy thread

[RexLegend]

Diplomat of Denmark jumps up, upon recieving royal letter from Scandinavia. Then he turns to court...
Heir of Norway is slain, killed during the Siege of Antwerp! Poor prince... brave he was, bravely he fought. Should his soul find the way to Valhalla.
Norway has now 2 cities left and this war should end soon, bringing peace and prosperity to entire Scandinavia. And which is most important, our people will be united.

Turning to Moorish diplomat
Your actions shall be punished by armies of Christendom. Genoese don’t count as christians, after swearing allegiance to muslim infidels. That’s all King Bjorn has to say.

Diplomat takes seat, eyes looking towards diplomat of Norway, slight grin and sadness on face at once.

[phonicsmonkey]

Ibn-Battutah is still at Constantinople representing the Caliph, despite the Fatimids' ejection from the city at the hands of the re-conquering Romans. He eyes the great throne with the look of someone who imagines he will be sitting in it again soon enough...

Ahem.

Great Caliph Habushan, who will presently return to reclaim this city by the grace of Allah, his name be praised forever, wishes it to be known that he has signed a pact of mutual non-aggression with the noble Kievan Rus. The pact has a span of ten years and in this time the two great empires will respect one anothers borders and make not war on each other.

In the name of great Allah, his light and beauty render us awestruck, the Caliph would also let it be known that he intends to unite all of Anatolia under his benificent rule. The work has begun and will take less than two years to complete. Other Kings and rulers are advised to stay out of this territory lest they incur his wrath.

[Myth]

The Sicillian diplomat stands up and speaks in Latin for all to understand.

"Fellow representatives of the worldly powers of the west, north and east. The Genoese Dodge has gone mad with greed, as if securing trade across some of Italia's finest provinces were not enough for him. He was our ally in times past yet they struck at the honourable Dodge of Venecia and Duke of Swabia, who had done them no ill. Genoa schemed for war against the honourable Caliphs of the Moors and Fatamids, even as the Moors went to war with France on their behalf. It appears that Genoa has gone corrupt from the inside, and it falls to Sicillia to cleanse the filth from her body and liberate the good and pious people of the realm. Ajaccio has fallen during the small hours of this day, and all the defenders have been put to the sword, so that they may answer for their sins before God! The Genoese fleet has been sunk after the capture of its' home port, and soon we shall rejoice with the liberation of this realm.

Siciillia formally annexes Pisa, Bologna and Genoa, and vows to return Milano and any other provinces back to Venetia. We lay no claim to Tolouse and any other cities that may have been wrongfully plundered from France, and who have little to do with Italian matters."

[Nigel]

Vassili Alexandrovic, the Lithuanian diplomat, leans over to his neighbour and, in a quiet but not secretive voice, speaks: “Really, the situation in the West is confusing. The alliances there seem to be changing faster than the seasons.”

Then, in a more formal voice, he addresses the Moorish diplomat.
“Fārūq Zulficar, honour may go with your name. If indeed the Sicilian gentleman speaks true, the Genoese have thanked you badly for your help and protection. But what will the Sultan do now?

Forgive them and allow them again to shelter under the protective shield of the Moorish Empire?

Or reprimand them for their behaviour and take their French provinces in compensation?"

Vassili picks up one of the offered oranges, leans back in his seat and casts a questioning look at Fārūq as he waits for him to answer.

[Nightbringer]

I agree sir Vassili Alexandrovic, these western lords quite confuse me. We had attempted negotiations with the French as well, but they were most uncooperative, and now those we have taken under our protection attack us as well.

As to their territory in France, all of that they controlled they did by the permission of the Moorish Sultan. We held our forces back from taking the rebel garrisoned Toulouse that they might have a center to train quality troops. This castle cannot be allowed to remain in Genoese hands. It is quite near our heartlands and would provide them too easy an opportunity to betray us. For these reasons, Toulouse must be turned over by the Genoese immediately, if not, troops shall be organized for its forceful capture.

The only other territory in question is Marseilles, which the Sultan's troops captured from the French and were prepared to hand over once the war with France ended. Thankfully the city remains in our hands as it was still being used as a staging post for the war when this distressing news reached the Sultan. Given their treachery, the Sultan sees no reason that this city should be handed over.

This said, the Sultan is merciful, and does not believe it necessary for Genoa to be destroyed utterly. If Genoa surrenders and agrees to become a vassal state of the Moorish Empire, we shall take them under our protection. They would be allowed to retain control of their home city of Genoa, as well as the important city of Milan, but no more than that. If they serve well, and show no future signs of treachery, the Moors will attempt to negotiate for the return of more of their original territory.

Fārūq Zulficar turns to face the Genoese

Sir, I advise you to take up our offer with your Doge quickly. Hand over Toulouse and declare yourself a vassal of the Moorish Empire. If you do not, we can do nothing to protect you and surely your people will be wiped out by the other lords of Italy.

[Myth]

The Sicillian diplomat stands, he is tall and broad shouldered, his Norman blood is apparent as even if he is dressed more as a merchant than as a knight. "My Lord, this is hardly prudent. We have formally annexed all their cities in Italia and my King shall not let such a nest of treacherous vipers brood at our borders. Once proven corrupt, such a nation can only be redeemed trough conquest - leaving then to plot and stab at our back or that of our allies is something we shall never agree to. We warn you that should you insist on enforcing said protection, as well as denying us Genoa and Milano to Venice, you shall inflict war upon yourself, which would be regrettable as we wish for naught but trade and cooperation as we have stated long ago. If you truly harbor love for Genoa, grant them provinces in Western France or Iberia, far away from our own, and tend to them as you would a pet wolf. We want none of their ilk here!"

[Nightbringer]

The Sicillian diplomat stands, he is tall and broad shouldered, his Norman blood is apparent as even if he is dressed more as a merchant than as a knight. "My Lord, this is hardly prudent. We have formally annexed all their cities in Italia and my King shall not let such a nest of treacherous vipers brood at our borders. Once proven corrupt, such a nation can only be redeemed trough conquest - leaving then to plot and stab at our back or that of our allies is something we shall never agree to. We warn you that should you insist on enforcing said protection, as well as denying us Genoa and Milano to Venice, you shall inflict war upon yourself, which would be regrettable as we wish for naught but trade and cooperation as we have stated long ago. If you truly harbor love for Genoa, grant them provinces in Western France or Iberia, far away from our own, and tend to them as you would a pet wolf. We want none of their ilk here!"

The Sultan has no intention whatsoever of breeding hostility with Sicily or with Venice, and would not grant Genoa military protection against said powers. He only entreats them to see mercy and allow Genoa to live as a small client state. I of course understand your ruler's hesitation to let them survive so close to you, and he is free to act as he will without fear of war with us. The Sultan simply wishes to act as a mediator so that the destruction of a sovereign nation can be prevented if reasonably possible without further bloodshed.