Court of the Caliph: BC Hotseat Council Thread

**Askthepizzaguy** · 04-19-2008, 05:23

There was a feast??? I was off slaughtering Romans at the time... or trying to...

I was this close! This close! And the Caliph decides to go all noble and "let's have peace and sing kumbaya together" and I hold my axe for a few seconds and already I've missed a feast???

Dammit! Now I HAVE to kill some Romans...

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

The Turkish ambassador's aides surround the exits and bar the doors. The Turk wields his weapon and marches menacingly towards the Roman delegation's table... upon getting there, he swings his mighty axe...

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**Zim** · 04-20-2008, 07:50

A tall thin man walks into the Council chamber, his diplomatic robes dusty from recent travel. He identifies himself as Qiwam, the new GhaZim representative to the Council. Clearing his throat, he addresses the Council.

"Shah Khusrau of the GhaZim would like it known that his state is now officially at war with both the Shah of Kwarezhm and the Sultan of the Ghorids. May Allah decide whose cause is more righteous".

The man then turns and slowly walks to the GhaZim section, taking the head seat of his nation's table.

**Askthepizzaguy** · 04-20-2008, 09:47

...and there was much rejoicing!

**Ferret** · 04-20-2008, 10:05

so be it, the GhaZims will be crushed just as the Indians were.

**00jebus** · 04-20-2008, 15:58

And are the Ghanzivids bothering with an excuse or do they see this as an oppertunity to take undefended settlements?

**Askthepizzaguy** · 04-21-2008, 00:49

The Commander of the Coalition forces would also sponsor a peace arrangement, if one were possible with the Ghorids who agree to treaties and then break them... but of course that would mean the immediate cessation of hostilities and the total withdrawl from Rajput territory. Reparations would also seem to be in order, but it is not for me to dictate what the wounded party should receive for their scars.

However, with so many large armies and such easy conquests ahead, it seems doubtful the Ghorids would even pretend to agree to a peace deal now.

As for the Khwarezmids, I have done everything in my power to resolve the dispute between them and their neighbors. At this point I would ask for the Caliph's assistance. I could move for a vote in the Coalition council if the international outcry becomes loud enough.

Would those of you in the Caliph's court who would like to see the cessation of hostilities in the Khwarezmid lands please send me a message? I'm a wartime commander who holds no executive power whatsoever in the internal decisions of Member States, so I cannot order them to stop fighting. If I were to offer them something in exchange for thier mercy towards the Shah, I might be more persuasive. Perhaps those interested in peace could contribute to the negotiation process by offering something to compensate those involved.

Frankly, if there were no reparations from Rome, there probably would have been no peace. I'm not sure there can be a peace between myself and Jerusalem without some kind of monetary gift. Promises of peace are nice, but gold holds more weight. At this point, what else could convince the Ghorids to stop attacking the Rajputs? What else could convince the Seljuks to stop their attack on the Shah? What else could cement the peace between the western coalition and the King of Jerusalem?

I am willing to donate to an international peace package which could convince the belligerents in the east to stop the fighting. If the Ghorids were to turn back their arms as well, I am sure we could come to some arrangement.

But with armies already deployed in a superior fashion and the war is nearly over... it is doubtful anything short of an international fund dedicated to compensating those at war for laying down their arms will be very effective. That's my idea anyway. I am willing to listen to others.

**Banzai Kamikaze** · 04-21-2008, 04:35

Surprised by the Turkish comments, the Ayyubid ambassador stands up:

I... do not understand your associations between events in the east and your relation with Jerusalem, brother...

Are the Turks asking for gold from Jerusalem ? I... the Ayyubids...

An assistant whispers in the ambassador's ear. The latter sits down and reads newly arrived scrolls from his Sultan.

Our Sultan officially condemns any Muslim nation who betrays its faith in Allah by launching muderous assaults against their own Muslim brothers.

The Shah has the official support of the Ayyubids in this court.

The Ghaznavids and the Seljuks must stop their assaults at once, in the name of Islam !

The Ayyubids ask the Coalition of Freedom to put every effort in stopping this senseless war.

As for the Ghorids, our Sultan hopes your war will not impede on the eastern trade routes. Already, goods from the east have started to disappear from our markets.

**Askthepizzaguy** · 04-21-2008, 04:46

Sultan Kaikosru's representative at the court hears the Ayyubid's words, and looks at him incredulously

Surely you are more concerned for the lives of the Hindus than the profits to be gained from trading with them?

As for my association between the events in the east and the ones in the west, it is a simple comparison. Peace has become an option between two hated enemies on the brink of mutual destruction, Rome and Turkey, through the application of monetary payment. Both the Turks and the Latins asked for compensation for peace as well. Perhaps such lessons would apply to our eastern friends... perhaps gold could provide for peace between nations who are starved for resources and lands for their poor citizens... perhaps the wealth of others could provide comfort to those who do not have. Perhaps that can turn an army of hungry and tired men, who desire food and trade, not bloodshed, into an army of peace-loving servants of allah.

One can sit back and condemn the violence until they are blue in the face, but unless one is prepared to offer something more influential in the cause of peace, such as relief aid, reparations, generous gifts towards brothers both Muslim and Hindu... peace may not be attained.

I am prepared to offer something real to the peace negotiations, besides simple protests. Can anyone else offer that? And if so, perhaps we might be able to talk seriously about peace. Anything else is superficial and intended only to make one appear pious and caring, and still safely contribute nothing to the cause of peace.

That is the Turk's position. The Sultan Ayyubid is also a wise and generous man, I know he can appreciate our words. We mean no offense with our disagreement with the Ayyubids on this one issue. I also happen to know that the Sultan Ayyubid has a long history of doing exactly as I propose, helping others achieve peace through negotiation, through generosity rather than naked aggression.

So we honour and respect our brothers in the south, though we appear to have some differences on some issues.

**Zim** · 04-21-2008, 05:04

Qiwam glances disdainfully at the Kwarezhm ambassador before speaking.

While I do not feel the GhaZims need to explain our actions as their causes are self evident, but for the benefit of those here who have difficulty discerning them I will.

We join the war against the Shah in support of our comrades the Seljuks and their cause of punishing one who has wronged us as well as them. Aside from a need to pay back wrongs done to us, we also wish to rid ourselves of such a powerful neighbor who sees no wrong in attempting to turn other nations against us.

We join the war against the Ghorids because they have attacked our allies the Rajputs, and for no other reason.

We believe these causes to be both simple and just. We are quite content to let Allah decide the righteousness of our wars. If any are expecting us to implore upon high minded ideals, we must disappoint them as we consider idealism better suited to the students and teachers in Madrassas rather than to politicians and ambassadors.