Court of the Caliph: BC Hotseat Council Thread

[Zim]

OOC: If you guys really want to do this I could umpire a KOTR-type battle for you. I've been studying the past couple in hopes of helping out with the next game. We could make a special thread for it and make a big deal out of. It would be the first time such was attempted for a hotseat game.

Chances are good that it would even be finished before either one of you has your next turn.

[Ramses II CP]

OOC: There's no hurry on my account, I just put in a time limit so we don't slow the overall game down. If we do things that way we should just bring together all the forces we can muster in, say, the Gwal-whatever province next turn. That'd still give EF a huge advantage, but I'm willing to try my luck this way rather than in a drawn out production battle against the AI.

Thanks for volunteering Z.

[Zim]

If the Sultan of the Ghorids and Maharaj of the Indians wish to settle their dispute in such a manner, the Ghaznavids wish to offer their services in overseeing the battle. We suggest that the Maharaj and Sultan work out the terms of the battle here in the Council, and we will send representatives to India to ensure that the battle is a fair one and it's result properly determined.

[Askthepizzaguy]

Bah... if we had such an option against the Roman Imperialists, we would have easily defeated their forces at Amorium, and the Romans would now call Kilij Arslan their master.



I will also leave it for my fellow Muslims, the Caliph, and Allah almighty to decide who is more of an honourable Muslim... those who do not speak their treacherous lies before the council and falsify documents, and help those neighbors who are threatened by traitors, and honour their agreements... or the Ghorids who are the exact opposite.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

ooc- I hope we might actually fight on the SAME SIDE someday, Elite Ferret... it almost feels like I have a vendetta against you, but I don't.

[phonicsmonkey]

A messenger arrives at Court and hurries to speak with the Vizier, who nods and addresses the Court.

Caliph An-Nasir the Peacemaker invites the representatives of Takavor Hetum I, King of Armenia, to join the Romano-Turkish peace talks.

If the Armenian delegates would kindly follow the messenger to the antechamber - their statement is awaited by the negotiating parties.

The Caliph is devoting his attention to these talks, but has asked me to announce to the Court that he is preparing a statement regarding the Ghorid aggression in India - it will be heard here when it is ready.

[phonicsmonkey]

The Caliph enters the chamber to a fanfare from trumpet-wielding ghulams.

More ghluams follow, bearing a glass case in which sits a scroll.

The Vizier stands and addresses the court.

The Caliph is delighted to announce the Treaty of Baghdad, which bears the signatures of the leaders of the Eastern Roman Empire, the Turkish Sultanate, and the Kingdom of Armenia, and provides for peace between these nations in Anatolia.

The Treaty contains the following clauses:

- The Eastern Roman Empire, the Turkish Sultanate and the Kingdom of Armenia will cease hostilities.

- Rome is to pay 8,000 florins to Turkey in reparations, over a two year period.

- Ikonion is to be returned to Turkey immediately.

- The Romans renounce all territorial claims to Cilicia, and will return Adana to Armenian control immediately.

- The Roman force currently garrisoning Adana will withdraw peacefully, by ship or through Turkish lands.

- Heraklea is to be returned to Roman control immediately.

- Rome's territorial claims to Seleukeia and Krimeia are recognised by Turkey and Armenia.

The Caliph notes that a state of war still exists between the Kingdom of Georgia and the Eastern Roman Empire, but has been assured by the Turkish Sultan that the Georgians will cease hostilities at his request.

Nevertheless it is desirable that the representatives of Georgia make their intentions known here before the nations of the region.

The Caliph also recognises that a state of war exists between the Turkish Sultanate, the Kingdom of Armenia and the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

He hopes that the three parties will declare an armistice to accompany this Treaty, and offers his assistance in negotiating such an agreement.

All hail Caliph An-Nasir, blessed of Allah, descendent of the Prophet, Defender of the Faith, known by his people as the Peacemaker!

Another fanfare. The Caliph looks satisfied.

[rossahh]

"sate of war exists between...the Kingdom of Armenia and the Kingdom of Jerusalem."


The old man's head whips up in surprise from the map he was studying ( trying to figure out who got what in Anatolia) upon hearing the Vizier's words. He is more than a little bit surprised - Jerusalem and Armenia weren't at war as far as he knew. Was that European swine playing tricks again?

[phonicsmonkey]

The Vizier rises and reads from a scroll.

The Caliph is appalled that while he has been working for peace in Anatolia, new conflicts have begun in the East.

The Ghorids have earned the Caliph's contempt by betraying the terms of the peace he negotiated for them in good faith.

The Rajputs' offer of a trial by combat seems a sensible way to resolve the issue, minimising the bloodshed and the disturbance to the lives of the peoples of India.

As for the war that rages in Transoxania, the Caliph is not convinced at the Seljuks' claims to be acting in self-defence (whatever the Turks say) - he remembers the similar claim that accompanied their attack on Georgia.

And the Ghaznavids seem to be acting with the utmost opportunism in joining in the aggression to sieze lands from the Shah.

The Caliph condemns this naked aggression against a fellow Islamic leader, and appeals to all parties involved to cease the fighting and come to a peaceful arrangement to end the war.