Court of the Caliph: BC Hotseat Council Thread

**Askthepizzaguy** · 03-10-2008, 06:56

They are BOTH on Armenia's border, and you know this. Antioch and Aleppo border Sia and Adana.

When the vast might of Jerusalem's army has managed it's 'goal' of taking these provinces, how tempting might it be to march one province to the west... you suggest Armenia has no cause for alarm, nor the Turks?

Very well. I have to take you at your word.

**rossahh** · 03-10-2008, 07:25

Then every nation that borders another should be fearful. Should I fear Armenia, the Ayyubids, the Turks and the Abassids simply because we share borders? Living in fear will get you nowhere.

Marching one province to the west would mean crossing the mountains in Anatolia, something which we pledged not to do.

Changing the subject, we would wish to hear the Caliph's response to the Seljuks unwarrented attack on Georgia. His words will carry great weight in the forthcoming war. What does he say on this matter?

**barcamartin** · 03-10-2008, 08:28

A man wearing a blue cape decorated with the white bow and arrow over his armour enters the room.

' The Sultan sent me here to defend his decision to invade our neighbours, the Georgians. A large army of Georgian warriors, mostly cavalry, was found close to our borders. This was clearly a threat to Seljuk territory and we needed to act. You may see us as the aggressors, but in truth it was the Georgians that forced us to this. A large army on our borders can have no peaceful intentions, so the Georgians should by no means by seen as the victims in this conflict. That said, the great Sultan is not forgiving, and the Georgians can not be forgiven lightly for this act of war mongering. '

He then turns towards the Caliph.

' Mighty Caliph, defender of all that is holy in this world, on behalf of the Sultan I ask you to stay out of this. We Seljuks are acting in defence of our lands, and our faith. If Allah is willing, we shall have the strength to fight off these heathens. I hope you will not let the heretical talk of the Ayyubids cloud your mind. They are in no position to judge us. I have heard that you are a wise man, Caliph. If so, let you wisdom lead your path. '

Now bowing before the Caliph, he adds:

' I also wish to inform you that I, Teghrul, will be the permanent ambassador of our great nation in this council. I regret some of the words spoken by the former Seljuk representative here, but I hope to make amends for it. As for the Ghazni, if your decision to declare war on us is based on what the former emissary here said, you should know that those were his oppinions, and not those of the Sultan. After he got word of what he spoke here, he took appropriate measures. '

He walks over to the chair left empty by his predecessor, and sits.

**phonicsmonkey** · 03-10-2008, 12:20

The Vizier rises as if to speak, but as he opens his mouth a gauntleted hand is clapped on his shoulder and the Caliph himself rises, glowering at the Seljuk emissary.

In a voice like thunder, he speaks.

Cower on your stomach you Seljuk dog lest the righteous anger of the Prophet himself descend upon your worthless hide!

Your master the Sultan must be a fool indeed to think that these feeble excuses and flimsy pretexts can disguise his naked ambition for territory!

By this odious act of aggression your Sultan has cast aside any pretense of peacefulness, and with these weasel words he has sent with you, his vessel, he has insulted those who might have been his friends.

Let all who attend this chamber bear witness to the rage of the mighty Caliph An-Nasir, Defender of the Faith.

But let them also testify of his pragmatism and reason in the face of heinous provocation.

This war should go no further - let the Seljuks and the Georgians join the Caliph in private and speak openly of their ambitions in the region, that they may come to some agreement that will avoid further bloodshed.

And let the Ghaznavids stay their blades for now, and not pour oil on the flames.

**Ramses II CP** · 03-10-2008, 15:10

The Maharaja would make it known that he condemns the Seljuk attacks on the Kingdom of Georgia. You say that an army of Georgia was near your border, but the question must be asked, so what? Near your border is not across it, and to attack them you crossed their own border.

It is clear who is the aggressor here, even if one were willing to set aside the history of the Seljuk people. The Maharaja wishes his friends from Ghazni great success in their offensive! At least if the mighty Caliph cannot bring about peace, which remains to be seen, then a people who have shown a willingness to accept peace can turn back the Seljuk threat.

**00jebus** · 03-10-2008, 16:20

The shahdom of Khwarezm would like proof that a georgan army was across the seljuk's border before the shah passes judgement so rashly on the Sultans actions....
Though, he does wish that terms of peace can be agreed upon quickly, so no further blood is shed in this matter.

OOC: this may be a good time to open up that story/AAR/battle report threat, I know if I was georga, I'd wanna know how and where my army was beat.

**The Lemongate** · 03-10-2008, 17:34

A Roman envoy enters the court. By the looks of him he just got off his horse.

Following the glorious victory of the most Christian Kingdom of Georgia over the blasphemous infidels that would threaten her peace, Basileos Manuel Megas Komnenos has ordered for a punitive strike to be led against the warmongering Seljuks. Though the Empire's forces stretch thin to protect our borders from our own turkish neighbor, a field army will be assembled in Trapezon and sent east. May all who welcome peace with Rome let our forces pass and carry on with their mission.

Having delivered his message the Roman exits the court. The seat of the Roman ambassador remains empty.