Court of the Caliph: BC Hotseat Council Thread

[Ramses II CP]

In a bemused, reflective tone the emissary of the Rajputs replies,

This curious obsession with the length of one's span, and the manner of one's death is, to me, by far the most interesting thing about living so far from true civilization. Truly do you imagine your god favors you by gifting your kings more days or peaceful ends? Our gods have arranged that we return, time and again, until we are perfected and prepared to take our place among them. Surely if we can agree on nothing else we can agree that no single life carries on so long that it finds perfection within reach?

So, ask your god not for more days in this life, but for more chances in the next! The Maharaja who ruled the Rajput people when I first reached this council died in battle against simple rebels (OOC: Curse the 1 hp bug!) and has surely already been reborn in his next appointed form. Of all who have ruled he alone is still with us, and, barring the forgiveably unlikely achievement of perfection, will remain among his people long after all of you are gone.

Perhaps this is why the leaders of India so often give their lives in battle for her, because they know well the rewards of that service and fear not to hasten into their next life. Truly are the men of Rajput blessed to live in the greatest of nations under the most glorious gods over and over again until all their blessings have carried them to nirvana.

For the Muslims who have fallen, under our arrows, blades, javelins, and elephants I can find little pity for they began this war by betraying, yet again, their sworn word. A people who will not deal in good faith will not long abide. Rest assured if no Hindu blood remained to sate their appetite they would quickly turn on their own.

[Redemption]

The Roman does not even bother to turn towards the Hindu:

Pfeh, I doubt many people in this court would take advice from a Hindu on matters of religion. Monkey worhippers the lot of you.

[Redemption]

The emissary of the Rajputs opens his mouth to answer the scribe but is cut short by the arrival of a new Roman ambassador. The man is dressed the ceremonial bronze muscle-cuirass common in the heydays of the Empire, a crimson cloak flowing from his shoulders. He gives a curt bow to the vizier before adressing the court:

Your eminences, I bring news from the glorious city of Konstantinopolis. Kaesar Artemios condemns the unprovoked attacks of Ioannis Vatatzes on the Kingdom of the Crusaders, but in the face of the Franks' obvious bellicose intentions, he sees no alternative but to pursue the fight until they yield to Rome's justice.

The attack of German crusaders on the cities of Smyrna and Nikaea were repulsed. Artemios Komnenos himself led the charge that scattered the Swabians encircling Nikaea while Kouropalates Ioannis Vatatzes achieved a heroic victory at the battle of Smyrna. Frederick von Swabia and his men have been made an example of. There remains a German army threatening Konstantinopolis itself though, but patrols have been stepped up to insure that spies and saboteurs do not crippled its powerful defenses from the inside. Every Roman's prayers are with the citizens of the capital.

In the Levant, the great strategos Romanus Sophianos has once more led a raid on the coastal settlements of Tyros and Akke while more Roman forces muster for a push inside the Crusaders' lands. God willing, Syria and Judea will soon be back under the benevolent rule of the Empire.

Turning towards the ambassador from the Kingdom:

If you wish to settle for peace, Frank, you can propose your terms, but know that your position is a very precarious one and our patience is not infinite.

[phonicsmonkey]

The new Vizier rises to address the Court for the first time. He is slim and tall, with dark sunken eyes, a twisted moustache and a cruelly pointed black beard. His movements are diffident and his voice is higher in pitch than is perhaps seemly for a man. He turns to the Roman and Latin emissaries with a smile.

Sirs, why this is very interesting indeed - would it be unseemly of me to ask of you that you share with us some further detail of this news?

Have the Latins received reinforcements from their homelands in Europe? And have these reinforcements, instead of journeying to the Levant to battle with the so-called 'Saracen hordes', instead descended upon their co-religionists at Istanbul?

How deliciously ironic if so...doubly, in fact, if it is considered that they arrive just a little too late to aid their compatriot the late King Baldwin..

[Redemption]

Taking his seat besides the Roman scribe, the new ambassador gives a bored smile to the vizier:

How coy. I do not doubt the news gladdens a lot of Moslems and not least among them the Abbasid Court who was so completely shamed by both Roman and Catholic arms.

He yawns.

But yes, if you must know, it seems German crusaders have come to the aid of their Frankish brethren. Unfortunetaly for most of them, it seems that they're long journey has been cut short. And so have their lives. If their remaining army has any sense, it will retreat rather then push fort towards Konstantinopolis. The city is at risk, but Romans know the price of victory is steep and paid in blood. We have no doubt that these new Crusaders as well as those in the Kingdom will soon expiate their sins before God.

In the meantime, our forces continue their march on Holy Hierosolyma.

[phonicsmonkey]

The Vizier gazes into the middle distance for a moment as if in fascination at the news. He idly twirls his moustache with a black-lacquered fingernail before turning to the Roman with a start.

Well sir, how wonderful it must be to be the Basileos of Istanbul, and to have so many armies that one can fight continually on so many fronts!

I dread to think what we might do here should an army of bloodthirsy crusaders suddenly appear on our very doorstep...I simply shudder at the thought!

The Basileos must be comfortable indeed to be so assured of victory that he pushes on valiantly to claim far-off Jerusalem while his Palace itself is threatened....comfortable indeed, hmm hmmm..

He sits down at his desk with a flourish and begins to intently study a map of the world while ostentatiously making calculations on an abacus, clicking beads back and forth hurriedly, his brow furrowed in concentration.

[Redemption]

The ambassador answers with mock surprise:

Far off? I see Abbasid ambitions have lessened since the passing of An-Nasir. Or maybe it is a result of the armies you squandered in Anatolia?

Whatever the case may be, I must correct you. No man sits on the throne of the Basileos. At least until such a time as Kaesar Artemios can be crowned. But fear not, this will happen shortly.