Court of the Caliph: BC Hotseat Council Thread

[Redemption]

The assistant to the Roman ambassador lifts up his head from the scrolls he was reading:

Aaah, perhaps you are not up to date on the latest agreements passed between the Empire and the Moslem princes, but Rome and its neighbors are no longer in a state of war and the recently signed peace is, in all probability, a very solid one.

Still, your condescension is noted.

[rossahh]

The ambassador leans back in his chair

Ahhh, of course. That explains it.

As you are finished with the Moslems, your armies are bored so you attack your only friend and ally, the same nation who saved your empire against the Rum Turks.

Now it makes much more sense.

[phonicsmonkey]

The Vizier smirks openly.

And so it comes to pass that the Christians turn on one another..

I wonder, does the leprous 'King' Baldwin now regret that he scorned the Caliph's protection?

With a sneer, he turns to the Roman delegation and adopts a more humble demeanor.

Sirs, the Caliph is greatly concerned at the Roman incursion into the Levant, a domain he feels is squarely within his sphere of influence.

Under the auspices of our recently negotiated peace, he respectfully requests of the Basileos that his chastisement of the former Protectorate of Acre is limited to securing an equitable peace between Baldwin and the new rulers of Egypt.

A land grab will not be viewed positively - neither will a permanent Roman presence in the region.

[Quirl]

Perhaps, there needs to be some discussion amongst us as to how to divide the Holy Lands? My king has already informed me that he himself does not wish to possess any of the lands there, viewing them as too dangerous for our young empire to attempt to hold onto.

War with Franks may demand we pursue them into these lands, but we will be most happy to sell them to either party based on the agreements made, after the war. The money will be used to rebuild Egypt and the partitioning of the lands will help to insure future peace between our respective empires.

Is this satisfactory, brothers? If so, then please discuss it between yourselves and let your humble servant know so that I may draw up the maps.

[Redemption]

The remaining Roman shifts uneasily on his seat.

I am not instructed as to Rome's final objectives in the Holy Lands, but is it not too early to talk about territorial division? Rome's forces have only made a slight foray in the Levant, perhaps this row will be resolved diplomatically should King Baldwin, the Mamluk Sultan of Aegyptus and the new Basileos all come to terms.

[Quirl]

I understand. And I know you cannot speak for your master who is away right now. But please inform him of my offer and we will see where the wind takes us.

As for peace with the Leper King... this will never happen.

[rossahh]

A messenger dressed in royal blue arrives at the court. He draws a few curious glances with his bright and clean clothing, quite the opposite to the usual messengers from the Kingdom. He hands the message to the ambassador, who reads it impassively before addressing the court


Our condolences to the families of the Mamluk King and Prince, who died in the third fall of Cairo. I believe an African of the name of Marsal has seized control of the former Egyptian-Ayyubid-Mamluk throne in Dongola. The armies of the Mamluks to the south of the Cairo have been exterminated, with over 2000 men falling compared to a mere hundred of ours. Cairo has been peacefull occupied by the King and we are open to hearing any offers of peace the new Mamluk ruler has.


The towns lost to the Romans last season were retaken. A Roman fleet containing nearly 1000 elite infantry was sunk and it's precious soldiers sent to the bottom of the Mediterranian sea. Your demands for peace are rejected - we will not surrender Egypt or Syria to you.


I am also instructed to warn the Omanis that a return to your fort at the Aqaba border will be seen as an overtly hostile action. The Gulf of Aqaba is not your concern.