Court of the Caliph: BC Hotseat Council Thread

[Banzai Kamikaze]

As the court is filled with outcries, the sweaty Ayyubid ambassador stands up. He tries to speak, but his words are lost in the loudness of the other emissaries' voices. His cheeks redden with rage, and he sends one of his aides towards the Vizier, asking him to put order in the court.

[00jebus]

A messanger runs to the Khwarezmani ambassador, they have a whispered conversation then the ambassador turns to the chamber with a massive grin on his face

I've just recieved word that the shahdom has just achieved its first victory that will surely be rembered for generations to come, outnumbered by 1000, arrayed against a massive army of heavy infantry who had the high ground, and a small wood for cover, in the middle of winter, the Shah still triumphed!

...And for that reason, I'll be taking a short leave of absence to celebrate glorious victory in the battle of Gorgon!


The ambassador bows to the chamber and the Calph before leaving, still with a massive grin that appears like it will be permanantly etched onto his face

[Askthepizzaguy]

The Turkish ambassador is impressed by this victory. He quickly summons a meeting in the chambers of the Coalition Council. All Member States and invited guests are welcome to attend this meeting.

(OOC- if you want to attend the Coalition Council meeting as a guest, you must have at least Protected Friend of the Coalition status and pm me for permission)

Coalition members, some of you are still absent from the meeting. There is an important matter we need to discuss.

[Askthepizzaguy]

My dear friends, the Romans: Congratulations on retaking Attaleia. The next few battles could be decisive.

[phonicsmonkey]

The Vizier stands.

The Caliph has received news that Crusader armies are massing in Syria, within striking distance of his border stations along the Euphrates.

King Baldwin should think carefully - the Caliph will not tolerate them moving any closer to Caliphate lands, nor will he turn a blind eye if they were to perpetrate further crimes against the Armenians.

[deguerra]

The Imam of Oman and Sultan of Muscat wishes to endorse the Caliphs point.

Furthermore let it be said that the only solution acceptable in Anatolia is one not centred on destruction. If the Romans are faring as well as the Turks fear, a hard peace treaty is in order, the terms of which the Imam Sultan has no care for. Far from my mind is it to suggest what the Romans should demand from their opponents for peace.

But we will not accept any peace that is subject to the destruction of another faction. Such a result would be most grievous, and should and will require the most forceful political consequences.

Praise be to God!

[rossahh]

The representative from Jerusalem looks tired, sagging in his chair, but visibly seems surprised by the Vizier's announcement.


The King has sent no word of any military assembly in Syria. The last I heard of this matter was that our armies had once again enclosed Antioch in a noose.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

for the 3rd time if anyone is keeping count

However, I must inform the Vizier that the Emir of Aleppo is an enemy of the Kingdom, and no friend of the Caliphate. What does it matter if we decide to march against him instead of Bohemund?


The representative sits down as fatigue washes over him again. He hopes his aide can return with the King's instructions soon - he was already overdue.

[Askthepizzaguy]

I wish to point out that the Jerusalem ambassador... what's the word... lies

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

That doesn't look like Antioch to me... nor does he seem particularly interested in the rebel province in the region either. Ah well... I'm sure it's all explained away by his careful wording.

The King has sent no word of any military assembly in Syria. The last I heard of this matter was that our armies had once again enclosed Antioch in a noose.

Brilliant!

[rossahh]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Read my bottom story, which I wrote yesterday. This is alluded to in there. If you can't be bothered then don't make comment.

A momentary flash of anger fills the old man's eyes. However it disappears almost instantly, as the old man rises to his feet.


Thank you for your words, but I must question them. Lies, Turk? What lies are this that you speak of?

We all represent our lieges in this court, but are bound by the information we receive from them. The King has sent no word on this matter. I have dispatched my aid with a message to him and are waiting for his instructions. Until they arrive, I can only respond with what I know, whether it be outdated or not.

You may play with words all you like, but I have spoken the truth such as I know it. If you wish to prolong an open and public debate, then why don't we discuss the offers of peace you have sent us - namely none. You brazenly attack us, claim you want naught but peace, but have sent no envoy with an offer, despite our terms being clear.

However, I must rest now. My man here, motioning to one of the younger men sitting behind him, will sit in my place.


As the old man turns to leave, his eyes briefly rest upon the Vizier. A faint smirk plays across the man's face as he gazes calmly back at Joran. The old man looks away and shuffles out of the door while the young man takes his seat.

[Askthepizzaguy]

The Turk rolls his eyes...

Oh I don't know about that. I sent numerous offers of peace before the Armenian massacre. I sent offers of peace during and after the massacre. Why, is beyond me.

And your terms of paying you over 3000 florins for a ceasefire you clearly do not mean to honour with your invasion army at our border... we had to laugh at that. We offered you ceasefire, it was you who demanded things we cannot give.

The truth as you know it is a clear fabrication from your lord, and it's not fooling anyone. But we DONT CARE. I've made it clear the Turks have more pressing matters to attend to. I'll let others deal with you.

[Banzai Kamikaze]

The corpulent bearded ambassador swims in a sea of letters and scrolls sent by his Sultan's diplomatic staff, struggling to keep track of the events in Anatolia and beyond. He claps his hands, and is promptly lifted by seemingly more and more of his Nubian slaves.

Brothers and Christians, the crisis in Anatolia is reaching untolerable levels.

Shame on us, may Allah forgive us all, SHAME ON US ! For we sit and wait while this conflicts threatens to engulf most of our nations.

Shame on the Ayyubids, shame on the Romans, shame on the Turks, shame on the Latins, shame on us all ! This situation is a disgrace, an insult to God and your Jesus. We are not worthy of them.

Are we standing on the edge of Apocalypse ? Can't you see the rivers, boiling with the blood of God's children ?

This war MUST stop. The Emperor MUST stop his offensive, the Turks MUST stop theirs, both of their huge armies MUST be disbanded, and by God, the Latins must regain control of their own armies !

How is it that Jerusalem's ambassador is unaware of the Latins' movements. You must reassure us that King Baldwin is in control of his own nation, as all of our dealings and treaties have been made with him. We cannot believe your king would take so much time to communicate with you... In the name of Allah ! What is happening ? Must we send a delegation to Jerusalem itself ?



My...my Sultan's anger shakes the earth.... as I cannot communicate clearly what is truly happening in Anatolia. His rage reaches the far ends of this world.

May the Ayyubids' position be clear to all ! Should our Muslim brothers in Anatolia clearly face annihilation, the Sultan will not stay neutral in the matter. We have communicated this fact to the Romans, and we wished their delegation was here to discuss such matters.

This is still not the case, but the Turkish annoucements are worrisome. We stand by the words of the Caliph, and those of the great Omans. Peace must be settled.

Short of breath, the ambassador drinks from his cup.

We will ask the Emperor to bring his delegation back to this court. Peace is impossible without Constantinople's cooperation.

[TheFlax]

The Georgian emissary rises, it is obvious he is nervous.

On this matter we agree with the Ayyubid Sultanate, this conflict must end before there is no one left in Anatolia. Too long has Georgia stood by while our Armenian brothers in faith died in scores, likewise for those who dared defend them. We can no longer wait and hope for a peaceful resolution and so it is our hope that we will be able to force the issue.

Georgia is now formally at war with the Eastern Roman Empire, until they settle for a fair peace agreeable by all partys involved. Until then we will support our allies to the best of our capabilities.

As all representatives of the Eastern Roman Empire have left, this message has also been sent to them. Let it be known that Georgia does not resort to sneak attacks and other cowardly ways to wage war.

[The Lemongate]

As emissaries and aids from various nations near the Anatolia peninsula circulate within their delegations, a rumor spreads throughout the court: the Basileos Manuelos Megas Komnenos has entered Ikonion, the capital of the Turkish sultanate unopposed. The eagle and the Christian cross fly over its walls.

[Askthepizzaguy]

The Turkish ambassador rises and makes an announcement:

I understand our capital has been captured. The Romans will find it most deserted. This move marks the beginning of the end for one of us....

[phonicsmonkey]

The Vizier stands, looking fretful.

The Caliph despairs at the situation in Anatolia.

The Turks and the Romans continue to be blinded by mutual distrust and fear, forsaking the calls of the Caliph and others to negotiate a peace treaty and end the violence...and now the Georgians add fuel to the flames by declaring war on their erstwhile allies the Romans!

All the while the Crusaders lurk menacingly at the fringes, seemingly unwilling or unable to state their true intentions.

At least the Armenian peoples have been restored their lands - but for how long?

The Caliph pleads with all parties to see sense and return to the negotiating table where he will attempt to mediate and broker a deal which will return the lands to a state of peace.

[barcamartin]

A man comes rushing into the room. He bears the white two-headed eagle on his blue cape. Looking around, he finds the ambassador slumbering in the corner. The ambassador's assistant sees the man coming towards them, and abruptly ends the slumber. The messenger hands a document with the seal of Sultan Arslanshah to the now attentive ambassador. He reads through it, not without a degree of shock and surprisement. After a few moments of thought, he stands and searches the room for the Khawazi representative. Finding none, he looks at the Ghazni and then at the Caliph, before speaking to the council.

' This Council has seen much talk of aggression, usually centered around overt military actions. However, there is another kind of aggression, the kind that seeks to incite war through trickery and deceit.

It has come to the attention of the Sultan of the Seljuks that the Shah of Kwarezhm has resorted to such a type of aggression. He has played his neighbors against eachother, seeking to incite a war between the Seljuks and Ghazni by provoking fear between the two nations. He has even gone so far as to give reports of military movements of each country to the other, so that they would destroy eachother in any war he succeeded in inciting, leaving the Shah to pick up the pieces. As if that weren't sufficient proof of his treachery, the Shah has conquered settlement he agreed was under Seljuk dominion, and was only coaxed into giving it back in return for being allowed to leave other agreements made at the time of the Treaty of Rayy unfulfilled.

This campaign of trickery must stop now. We consider the Shah's actions to be in breach of the Treaty of Rayy's non-aggression clause. The Treaty is immediately nullified, and the Seljuk nation declares war on the treacherous Shah of Kwarezhm. This is a personal war over the breaking of the Seljuk/Kwarezhm treaty, and we ask that other nations do not act to aid the Shah. At the same time, to keep things fair, we do not ask our Coalition allies to intervene in the war. It is up to Allah to grant the side he deems righteous victory. '

Rolling the document up again, he returns to his seat and sends his assistant away. The messenger has left, and he's now alone to think about these tidings. As he sinks deep into thoughts, the sound level in the chamber increases.

[rossahh]

The young man from Jerusalem jumps to his feet and makes his first ever announcement.


We have no desire to intervene in your border war, just as we would hope that you would not intervene in our own border conflict, should we ever have one.

May you triumph over your enemies, if they truly be at fault.

We would, however, like to hear what the Shah says on this matter, before we pass judgment and condemn them.


The young man sits down, his face flushed with excitement. He had never known that diplomacy was so exciting!

[00jebus]

Outraged, the Khwarezmani diplomat stands

We will address the seljuks concerns, we trust the council will agree that are actions are well enough explained, and the seljuks will back down from such an ill-advised action before any innocent blood is shed

we passed infomation on your army composition and movements to the Sultan of Ghanzi, it is true, we do not deny it, but we did it to prevent you from attacking Herat, which was your intention, was it not?
I seem to remember your words were "we can handle the Ghanzi's"
Do you have an explanation for this? Or are you planning an excuse for war with them after us?
In fact, the Shah Ala Addan, Allah rest his soul, spoke no ill word about the Ghanzivids, to say we were trying to provoke a war by raising fear between your two nations is nothing more than an outright lie.

As for Birjand, we conquered it, yes it was a mistake, a fire had burned down most of our early records, but the sum was small, 4000 denarii to be exact, for defeating the garrison, and building infastructure in the region, that is a fair sum for the work we did, nobody else here would argue!

Your paranoid conspiracy thoeries should never leave your imagination, let alone enter real world diplomacy!, given that you first broke the treaty of Rayy, you are bound by its terms, 10,000 florins to be given to any humanatarian cause the council wills, I trust you will not object to this if you do proceed in sending thousands of people to their deaths.

[Askthepizzaguy]

The Turkish ambassador stands up

10,000 florins? Surely this money should go to the suffering people of Armenia.

With a laugh, he shakes his head

The Turks do not have all the information on the dealings between the Shah and our ally the Great Seljuks, and it is not our place to enforce the treaties made between the Shah and the Seljuk. Especially since we recently took heavy losses against Rome...

and we plan on repaying them in kind, muttered the Turk....

As for the Caliph's calls for a peaceful resolution, now that the Romans occupy the Sultan's homeland, and have placed their filthy fingerprints all over the Sultan's magnificent palace, the only way for peace to be achieved is if they should immediately withdraw from our lands and pay reparations equal to the amount they obtained from sacking our greatest city, which should be on the order of some 20,000 florins. That money would allow us to repay our obligations to our allies and we would then back down from our assault as well.

The alternative is to trade blows in a manner more costly for the Romans than for the Turks. And I fully intend to deal the kind of damage which cannot be repaired to the Roman scum, now that they have desecrated Muslim holy land with the presence of their demon armies. Rome has a heavy price to pay for contributing to the Armenian massacre, and now for defiling the Sultan's own bedchambers.

And now for the true aggressors in the Armenian massacre, the "Holy" Crusader armies of "King" Baldwin:

Your armies marching through rebel Syria are of little concern to the Turks, unless you should once again violate the sovereign nation of Armenia, or attack the Turks on our eastern border in a cowardly strike. Rest assured, Crusader King, that your desecration of the Holy Cross has made your Christian brothers very angry with your acts of aggression, and my Muslim brothers are growing weary of the acts of dishonour you have brought to ALL of your neighbors. Shall we recap?

1. You stole the holy Muslim lands in the Levant from the honourable Ayyubid sultanate. Not to mention your unwashed presence in the holy city of Jerusalem, another site holy to the Muslims, which we for some reason have tolerated. Your peace treaty with the Ayyubids was nothing more than a hostage negotiation, and it sickens me that the Ayyubids were forced to accept it. It is no wonder their foolish rulers were overthrown by the powerful forces of Salahuddin for accepting those unfair terms. Regardless, your first actions towards your neighbors were that of aggression, and it set a terrible precedent.

2. You promised this very council that you would never invade Anatolia. And without warning or provocation, you attacked your own brothers, the Armenian Christians, whose ancestral homelands were taken by the previous rulers of the Seljuk Empire so long ago, and are now occupied by the honourable Georgians. Now, after one Armenian genocide, you tried to finish them off where they had resettled in Cilicia. The only answer you gave as a reason why is because of the oath you swore to the belligerent Roman Empire to erradicate their Christian neighbors. Strange that you would "honor" your pact with the Romans, who are without any such thing as honor. And by doing so, you proved you had none. And that you were a coward for destroying a neutral and peaceful state.

3. Your forces now threaten an invasion of the Turkish Sultanate. for which we would have only one response.

4. Your forces are on the verge of trespassing into the lands held and claimed by the Abassid Caliphate. Should even one Crusader clad in western armour set foot on Muslim Holy Land held by our great Caliph, it will be seen as an act of war against all Muslims, not just those involved in our great alliance. I warn you not to insult Caliph an-Nasir the Peacemaker with the presence of your filthy, unwashed, murdering soldiers.

Do not defile the lands of other nations any longer. Do not murder one more innocent civilian. Your neighbors, both Christian and Muslim, tire of your endless aggression and your empty promises of peace. Our patience has run out. Even though the Caliph is a peaceful man, and I do not speak on his behalf, he is well within his rights to expel your invasion army with force before it even sets foot on Muslim land again. And he would have the support of the entire Coalition if he chose to exercise that right.

Finally, if you defile the lands of the Armenians or set foot within the Sultanate of the Turks, or into lands claimed by the honourable Caliph an-Nasir, I will activate the Coalition alliance on their behalf. I've offered you peace, which you rejected by attacking our neighbors. I've offered you an honourable and GENEROUS cease-fire given your hostilities towards our brothers the Armenians, and I've even offered you an alliance against the untrustworthy forces of the Roman Empire. All of these things you have rejected.

And so you have proven that the lame King Balwin IV is utterly incapable of honor or peace. Why I did not declare a jihad against Crusader-occupied Jerusalem is beyond me, for you deserve it far more than the Romans do. Our anger towards the Roman aggressors is but a tiny fraction of the hatred we feel towards your honourless nation of cowards and traitors, belligerents and murderers.

Still, in spite of all this, I've offered you peace at every turn. This offer ends now, if you do not turn your forces back from our borders. I swear on the name of everything that is holy and pure, should you defile our lands again, whether we win the war against you or not, our brothers in arms and even those you might not suspect will all join forces to erradicate your treacherous nation and your warlike band of fundamentalist lunatic mercenaries. Why I even speak to you as if you were our honourable equals capable of establishing peace through diplomacy... that is a compliment you no longer deserve.

You have one last chance to redeem your fallen nation. Otherwise, I will give the order which will end your miserable existence. And then, you and your band of unholy murderers and your cursed King Baldwin can all burn forever in the most painful and torturous hell your Christian God has created for those like you who have forsaked the peaceful message of your religion. And it will be my pleasure to send you there. The Turks are prepared to die in this most just cause.

You can either respect the demands of all civilized peoples here in the Caliphs council of peace, who have allowed you to exist in spite of your treachery and backstabbing, cowardice, and your seemingly endless lies, as you attack neutral and peaceful nations...

Or you can die in a manner more horrible than you can possibly imagine.

[deguerra]

The Omani ambassador just shakes his head at all the bickering and all the wars

[phonicsmonkey]

The Caliph's throne is empty. The Vizier sits on a footstool beside it, his head in his hands.

[00jebus]

The Khwarzmani ambassador stops looking at the Vizor and stands

Seljuks, do you see your muslim brothers?
There should be no war between muslims, we are, after all, ment to be the peaceful Abrahamic relegion, come, no blood has been spilt in this matter, there can be a peaceful solution to this

[rossahh]

The entire delegation from Jerusalem looks shocked at venom of the Turkish tirade. The young man is totally overwhelmed. The delegates gaze hopelessly at each other, until one suggests something and they all hurriedly stand and depart the chamber. They must discuss this with the senior representative - wasn't he going to his quaters for a sleep earlier?

[barcamartin]

Watching the grup of men leave the council, the Seljuk ambassador turns his attention to the Khawazi and his latest words.

' True, you are Muslims. You are in no way our brothers, though. Your actions and greed for power has forced this decision on the Sultan. All Seljuk's that march to battle march with pride and faith. We believe us to be righteous in this cause. If Allah the most generous agrees, he will grant us victory. If he thinks otherwise, he will make it clear to us. I say it again, all Seljuk warriors that march on your lands do so in the name of the Sultan and Allah the most merciful. Let him decide who are his true followers. '

[00jebus]

Our greed for power?
what about your own?
you can't hide behind a god or ask him to fight your battles, it will be your soilders fighting, and your sultans ambition driving them!

In all honesty, do you really think Allah, to whom the star's live and die at his merest whim, will care about, what is to him at most, the trivial bickering between his followers?


I want the council to know this; the Khwarezm did not seek this war, as proof of our peaceful intentions, we will fight a defensive war should the seljuks attack us, protecting our own lands and peoples, and putting them and their safty above destroying fellow muslims.
I doubt the seljuks could make the same claim

smiling smugly the ambassador takes his seat

[Banzai Kamikaze]

Staring at the Seljuk delegation

What is this nonsense ? Surely the Seljuk Empire can find land other than the Shah's to expand. They are our Muslim brothers, as are you.

Allah does not guide your blade towards your Muslim brothers. Your Sultan does. Seljuk brothers ! You risk raising a coalition of small states against you ! The Ayyubids highly recommend that you turn back and let a neutral party examine your claims about the Khwarezmani actions.

Let the Middle East not be engulfed by another senseless war !

Raising an eyebrow upon Jerusalem's delegation leaving the court

Never have I seen a delegation so clueless about their own nation's actions.
The Ayyubids will send a delegation to Jerusalem itself, a city close to its own lands. We will report to this court as soon as we hear more on what is happening in the Levant.


Seemingly exhausted, the Ayyubid ambassador leaves the court for the night, followed by his retinue. Rumors have it that his halls are filled with culinary delicacies, with recipes from the four corners of the world.

[00jebus]

We thank the Ayyubid ambassador for his wisdom

The entire Khwarzmani delegation bow, just out of unison, but its still an impressive synchronised movement

We would agree to have a neutral party examine our actions, they would find the reasons we gave most apt.

Unfortunitally there are very few neutral states these days, in any relegion

[Askthepizzaguy]

Let it be known that the Turks do not wish to see the Khwarezmids destroyed either. While we understand the backstory behind why this war is necessary, perhaps it will be a limited engagement, aimed at punishment rather than conquest, so that the Khwarezmid people will not suffer, and their leaders will learn to deal with other states more honestly.

The Turkish Sultan bears no ill will towards the Shah, and will remain neutral in the conflict. But from what I hear, the Shah has been acting rather like an enemy towards his Muslim brothers. Perhaps if the Shah would be willing to pay reparations to his neighbors, the bloodshed will not happen.

Sorry if we cannot fully condemn our allies the Seljuks, Shah of Khwarezm. This is the most protest that we can offer, due to your less than honest dealings. However, I would ask that the Coalition member states honour the spirit of this defensive alliance, and not deal any deaths onto the Khwarezmid civilians themselves, nor destroy any buildings except for possibly barracks and recruitment facilities. Then if the Shah is willing to surrender, or pays reparations now, they can once again live as brothers with their fellow Muslims.

Neutrality and peace negotiations is the most we can offer in your defense, Shah. Perhaps if you would discuss this matter with the Caliph, he can see your side of the story. I'd offer to mediate, but unfortunately I would be biased towards the Seljuks, as they are our friends and allies.

[phonicsmonkey]

The Court falls into silence as the Caliph enters the chamber, flanked by armed palace ghulams in procession. He is dressed in austere dark robes with a modest turban of the same cloth. As he sits on the throne the ghulams bow low, their foreheads to the stone floor, and he dismisses them with a flick of his hand.

The Vizier leans over to whisper in his ear. All eyes are on the Caliph and his advisor and all ears strain to make out the words that pass between them.

The Caliph nods to the Vizier and slowly rises to his feet.

His piercing gaze sweeps the chamber, meeting the eyes of each delegate in turn and when he is sure he has everyone's attention, he speaks.

Dark are these days, and blood-soaked will be our memory of them.

Like a flock of crows we jabber noisily and fight over scraps.

My calls for peace are ignored and my ministrations rejected. Far from the current wars coming to an end, it seems every man now plots his own conflict.

Frustrating though this is for me, it is not for the Caliph to judge his fellow man, but for Allah the most merciful to weigh our earthly deeds and show us the paths to paradise.

I condemn the naked greed and aggression of the Seljuks in making war upon the Khwarezm Shah, their pious Muslim brothers.

Let the Seljuk Attabegs cease their unruly and bloodthirsty behaviour and come to a peaceful agreement with the Shah over the disputed lands.

The Shah should be also ashamed, for he is not blameless in this dispute - he has been playing with fire by snatching lands from under the noses of the Attabegs. Why did he not heed the warning shown to him by the Seljuk attack on Georgia?

Foolish his deeds have been - even risking alienating the Caliph of Baghdad by sending spies into my lands unannounced.

Nevertheless, I will offer my services again - should any man presently at strife find in him the wisdom to seek peace and eschew the cruel blade, the Caliph will be there to mediate and host negotiations.

[Banzai Kamikaze]

The Ayyubid delegation bows, clearly approving the words of the Caliph

The Ayyubids will work tirelessly to find an end to the Anatolian War. We still believe peace is achievable.

Eyeing the Georgian delegation

News of your involvment in the Anatolian War are MOST unwelcomed. Have the Romans ever attacked your lands, Christian ? The Ayyubids urge the Georgians to bring a stop to their offensive before it spirals out of control.

Looking at the Armenians

Armenians, we understand your need for vengeance, but the Anatolian War will never end with the destruction of the Roman Empire. The only possible outcome of this war is PEACE. We urge you to discuss with the Romans. We believe this whole court wishes for the Armenians to survive this terrible war, and we will all make sure your need for land is considered in any peace negociations with the Romans

Eyeing the Latins

We sincerely hope your northern armies are not about to bring fuel to the fire.

Turning back towards the whole court

Brothers, Ambassadors, the Anatolian War must come to an end. We urge all parties involved to discuss with the Romans. We wish their delegation was here, but letters will have to do for now.

Let the Caliph mediate such a peace, for he is a wise man.