Court of the Caliph: BC Hotseat Council Thread

[Ramses II CP]

The emissary of the Rajputs enters the chamber and addresses the Council.

Gentlemen I arrive here to announce, officially though it has been the case unofficially for several years, the withdrawal of the Rajput nation from the Coalition. There remains, as yet, an alliance with the Omani people in technical effect because their diplomat could not be found to disband it; similarly with the Turks, but those will be dealt with as soon as they can.

I am also here to announce the capture of so called Ferret Castle and the city of Jalandhar. Given the previous Ghorid loss of Kolachee (? Whatever that Sindh city is that I let go rebel) this places our two nations on more even footing than they have been... well, since the arrival of Muslims in India, long before the start of the current conflict. With this in mind I invite the Ghorids once more to the table to discuss a diplomatic solution to the conflict between our nations. As matters now stand we are each poised to launch an offensive that would, quite likely, devestate our respect lands and leave us mutually weakened when some more westerly nation inevitably betrays the Ghorid Emirate. I do not believe that either of us is positioned to secure true victory against the other in a reasonable time, therefore I invite you to turn your backs on your history of treachery and sign a true deal for peace.

May your god grant you wisdom in these proceedings!



(OOC FYI the absurd counter offer I made to your absurd offer is not the diplomacy I mean, perforce I made that offer before I discovered that you hadn't seen my attacks coming and I would actually have some success. So who should I pm, EF or Phonics?)

[Ferret]

(OOC:I'm back now so you can PM me , why do I always loose loads of settlements when phonics is subbing... )

[phonicsmonkey]

(OOC:I'm back now so you can PM me , why do I always loose loads of settlements when phonics is subbing... )

sorry EF, I try my best...

[Askthepizzaguy]

The Turkish delegate rises;

I hereby announce that the Turkish Sultanate pledges all its land to the Roman Empire, and accept vassalage to the Emperor.

It appears that Malik, our new Sultan, has abdicated rule of his lands, due to the incompetent leadership of Sultan Kaikosru, who decided to stop all wages for the Turkish army. With no standing army except the Sultan's personal army, we cannot withstand the Latin invasion.

Regards to the Ayyubids, who helped us out asking nothing in return.
Regards to the Georgians, who assisted us on more than one occasion.
Warm regards to the new Roman Prince for accepting our people into his empire.
Warm regards to the Seljuks, Ghazni, and the Hindus, for never betraying the Turkish people.

Assalam Alaikoom, friends. If anyone is in need of an ambassador, I seem to be seeking employment...

[Banzai Kamikaze]

The morbidly obese Ayyubid ambassador stands up:

And so it ends. We ask the Romans and Latins to treat our Muslim brothers with dignity and respect.

By surrendering, our Turkish brothers have saved their people from useless slaughter, and we welcome the new Sultan's leadership in these matters.

The Ayyubids are ready to greet any Turkish refugees who seek shelter and food.

Ambassadors, we wish for these bloody wars to end, so that our peoples may live in peace.

Allah is great, praise be to him.

[Ramses II CP]

The emissary of the Rajput people, calm, dignified, and unfriendly looking, strides once more to the center of the floor to begin speaking.

My Lords, I have no one to blame for yet another round of treachery out of the Ghorid people but myself. On the very eve of word arriving of their acceptance of the ceasefire I proposed I have also gotten word that their armies lay siege to the forward operating base of the Rajput army. This betrayal is simply unacceptable, and so the war has gone forward. News from the front is thus:

Peshawar and Anti-Elephant have fallen, the last two castles remaining in Ghorids hands. The city of Sukkur has also been taken.

Thanesar, Gwalior, Pindi, Mitankot, Uch, and Mansura are under siege.

Ferret City, Kabul, and Somnath alone remain uncontestedly in Ghorid hands.

With these developments it is much to be hoped that the Ghorid people and their Sultan at least see the worth of negotiating in good faith. The Maharaja has offered them a chance to continue to exist as vassals of the Rajput people. I will pray for them, for that they accept, and I ask that you do the same.

With a bow to the seat of the Caliph the emissary exits once more.

[Askthepizzaguy]

The disembodied head of Kaikosru floats through the council

I told you, Ghorid man... I would find a way to assist in your destruction. Seems my donations have been well received.

[00jebus]

A blood soaked note is handed to a clerk, he reads aloud

"It will take more than a few goat fu... I can't say that in council....umm... this is addressed to the ghazims.. it says their seige was unsucessful, in rather inpolite words, and suggests they go... ewww"
*the clerk violently gags*


A khwarezm ambassador takes over

I assure the council, they are polite enough, the clerk here must be misunderstanding the handwriting...
Anyway, we offer the Ghazims our surrender and vassalship, in return for unquestioned and unchallanged ownership of Samarquand, Balkh, Bakhura and Temez.

Thats a fair deal, given that we have killed far more of there soilders than we have ever even had...

It may intrest you all to know we refuse to bury ghazim dead properly until we have a deal, as of right now, I believe some birds are enjoying the remains of the army that was beseiging Samarquand, if only they could come to peace terms like true muslims....

[Askthepizzaguy]

The Turkish ambassador is brought to tears with laughter.

[Merlox]

The Roman Diplomat stands up, and starts to read off a scroll that has just been delivered.

People of the Court, It has been informed me that Prince Nevoulos' Troops has occupied the last of the Turkish lands. Cities left bare of any troops, and citizens welcoming the Roman Armies marching in. Prince Nevoulos of Rome now declares the War between the Turks and the Crusading states over, The War between the Russian steppe tribes and our Roman Empire is over.

It is not Prince Nevoulos' goal to not control these newly formed lands himself, So he is keeping the same government that was the settlements inside, but Taxes will go to the Roman Empire. All Islam people withen the 3 last settlements will be treated fairly.

Also it has been confirmed that the Emperor is now Utterly Mad, and Insane. Unable to control the empire, He will be left on the Small island of Iraklion, With saying that, Prince Nevoulos is now titled Emperor Nevoulos.

Emperor Nevoulos wishes to speak diplomaticly with the Crusading States now, That the war is over.

And yes, Turkish Diplomat, Maybe Emperor Nevoulos would like to hire you, as well as talk to the formor leaders of the Turkish Sultante.

[rossahh]

Of course you talk to us, noble ally. You may do so here in the court, or in private if you wish.

[Merlox]

Emperor Nevoulos is wondering if their was any way to try to get the Orthidox settlements back to Rome, Such as Sinope and Amasia. Just mainly the end War land claims, and ofcourse, removing your "Vassel" Title. Emperor Nevoulos thinks that you have earned your freedom and the ability to protect your own kingdom with a few rightful movements such as, Is he right or wrong?

Further news. All troops have been pulled out of Jerusalem area, there for, Ending the Rome's "Protectorate" from the Area.

As of this moment, Kingdom of Jerusalem is Neutral with the Roman Empire now, Losing it's Military access from Rome (Automaticly does that when you cancle vassle.) Though, If the Crusader Diplomats are willing. They can talk more, and set up this time, a rightful alliance, at their own will ofcourse.

[rossahh]

Of course, of course. How about the immediate transference of everything to the west of the river near Amasia? That would mean Karaman, Kayseri (if I have it), Amasia and Sinope would go immediately to Rome. The fate of Diyarbakir, Vahka and Sivas we can negotiate later. Be known that the King wishes to keep these lands, but will hand them over should the offer be sweet enough.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I think I'm missing one settlement actually, isn't there one next to Kayseri? It's whatever the Turkish name is for Ceaserea.

[Merlox]

Sounds like a plan, We'll discuss later of the settlements more, East.

[phonicsmonkey]

The Vizier stands, a sombre expression on his face.

And so the Turkish Sultan joins his ally the Takavor of Armenia in the cold earth.

We must pray that the Mighty Allah is merciful, and forgives him his earthly trangressions as we would wish he should forgive ours.

Let his sorry fate stand as a warning to all those who would oppose the Caliph!

And may the new rulers of the lands of the former Sultanate of Rum respect the religious freedoms of the pious peoples of the ummah within their borders, lest they incur the righteous wrath of Allah and his anointed representative on Earth.

[rossahh]

Let his sorry fate stand as a warning to all those who would oppose the Caliph!

Oh, I must have missed something. Just when was the mighty Caliph at war with the Sultan of the Turks?

[deguerra]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I think I'm missing one settlement actually, isn't there one next to Kayseri? It's whatever the Turkish name is for Ceaserea.

Kayseri is the Turkish name for Caesarea

[phonicsmonkey]

OOC: I paraphrase a little but...

blah blah blah....so-called Caliph...yadda yadda yadda...what kind of man was he...etc etc...villainous armies..rhubarb rhubarb...Some doubletalker, he....caliphate aggression....filthy armies ......the Pretender who sits atop a throne of lies, who allows his Muslim brothers to suffer a fate he himself deserves most......

When you meet your dying day, I am comforted by the fact that your freedom and reign of terror on this Earth will have come to an end, and that my great Sultan, and the armies of the Turkish Islamic Republic will all be greeted with the grace of Allah, and you will be cast into the everlasting and painful burning pit of hell where you will be forever tormented as punishment for your blasphemous and faithless deeds.

May the mighty wrath of Allah smite you, cursed rotting leper, the rat King Baldwin, and especially you, O most wretched one, Sultan of the Serpents, ruler of stolen riches, liar and traitor, betrayer of Allah, the most despised and weak-wristed Caliph.

May there one day be a mighty ruler of the Islamic Caliphate.... one with a spine perhaps!

I never said we were at war, but I did post here IC to say that the Caliph had decided the Turkish Sultan was 'the most dangerous man alive', and while it pains me to repeat the above scurillous accusations, I think there's enough here to justify a claim that the Turkish Sultan 'opposed' the Caliph.

In fact I had intended to make clear by my earlier statement that it was only religious considerations that prevented the Caliph from warring against the Turks.

Sorry if I was confusing in my statements..

[Merlox]

Emperor Nevoulos would like to inform that the Roman Empire, Now being rid of wars, Will be now focusing to the West of the Empire, claiming rebel lands, and such. Though the Roman Empire is Allied now with the Crusading states, We would remain to be an alliance. The Roman Empire will not accept Military Access on either sides, Considering that the Emperor sees no reason to have either's Military on eachother's lands. Though, If the Crusader States are attacked in any way by force, The Roman Empire will aid them as much as they can. Other than that, We will not Entangle ourselves in the threats of war to the east.

We would also like to inform to the Crusader states that the Roman Empire has Invested over 14,000 florince into Trading Ports as of today, May the nations of Rome, the Crusader states, and even the Ayyubid Empire profit from this!

[Ramses II CP]

A smiling, obviously happy emissary of the Rajputs enters the chamber and makes a brief, joyful announcement.

Lords and emissaries it is with considerable pleasure that I announce that the Ghorid people have fulfilled their end of the vassalage agreement. There is now peace in the east, at long last!

As per our end of the agreement the two castles, Peshawar and the former Anti-Elephant, now renamed Peace Accord Castle, have been returned to the Ghorid people for use in defense of their lands if such should be necessary. Jalandhar, the last city, will be returned to them soon as well, and our two nations will be restored to their good and proper mutual borders.

It is important to note that the Ghorid people now stand entirely under the protection of the Rajput nation. Any act of aggression against the Ghorids will be met by the full military might of my people. Of course we are wary of further treachery, but hopeful for a lasting peace!

The emissary of the Maharaja then returns to his seat in the chambers, resuming the permanent presence of a Rajput diplomat in the Caliph's Court.

[Ferret]

The Ghorid emissary sits sulking in the corner.

[Merlox]

The Roman diplomat stands up.

As you all know, The Roman Empire has been expanding to our goal to surround the Black city, We are moments from succeeding now, Though, Friends have very few settlements on the lines of it, Emperor Nevoulos wishes to give proposals to the Abbusid Empire, and it's Vassel, The Georgian kingdom, The Roman Economy will soon to grow when the port projects are finished that we already invested 14,000 florince into, Though, We wish to Peacefully obtain the city of Ani that is currently under possetion under the Abbusid empire, and then Castle Sokhumi, and city of Kutaisi.

If you do accept to talk into plans, Our kingdoms will grow forever with higher regards of both of your kingdoms. Emperor Nevoulos is eager to hear of what you think, While you are thinking ofcourse, The Royal Armies are pushing the russians out of the Black sea., If I am correct, it is just 2 weakly defended settlements and 1 large garrison city, though, One of the cities are undersiege as we speak, the outcome is very likely of Victory.

News for the Kingdom of Jerusalem as well, First of all we are to happy to accept that we have finalized our alliance, you are no vassel to the Roman Empire no longer, and our forces are offically into Roman Seas now, May Peace and Prosperity grow in the wake of this most perfect day.

The Roman Diplomat would sit back down.

[phonicsmonkey]

The Vizier rises to address the Roman emissary.

Kind sir, while the Caliph is most pleased at the courteous and respectful manner in which you make your territorial ambitions clear to the Court, it is necessary for him to politely decline your offer.

The city of Ani forms a key trading post for the Caliph in the Black Sea region, and he wishes to continue to have the benefit of access to trade with the territories of the Roman Emperor in that area, a key market for the grapes of Shiraz.

Further, it is the Caliph's desire that the territories of Sokhumi and Kutaisi remain in the hands of the Georgian King, who enjoys the protection of the Caliphate. The King has been most wise in accepting the Caliph's protection, and deserves the reward of continued political stability in his realm.

I trust you will respect the Caliph's decision, and relinquish any thoughts of expanding your empire into these regions.

[Merlox]

The Roman Diplomat would sigh.

The Romans will respect that, Though, if any time in the future if you are thinking of letting go with the territories, Please let the Romans know so we can be the first to purchase it, It is not our intention to War out the last settlements owned by Georgia and Abbusid. It was a friendly idea of expanding. As we speak we are in a hard war in the Steppes at the moment, Though, once the armies that have left from Jerusalem and Iraklion get there, it will be easier...

I am sure that the Emperor will respect that, As for the roman cities are getting rare and exotic goods from Ani trading ships from the east. I hope that even though you have declined this offer that the Emperor has offered, will make our relations grow with us respecting your decline.

If the Caliph needs any thing from the Emperor, Please do not fear to ask him! we will give every thing a thought that can profit us!

[rossahh]

Jerusalem has vacated the former Turkish lands and Rome has assumed control. However, let the Romans be aware that a small party of horsemen will be moving through Cilicia shortly. They number under 100 and are simply heading back to Antioch. I trust this will cause no problems?

[Merlox]

The Emperor will let this slide for now, Though, if you are to keep moving troops between your lands and going through Cilicia, We will have to discuss Military Acess rights for both ways, To keep the people on the border happy ofcourse.

We are happy that there is peace withen us now, and the people are Delighted with the fact that nearly 20 years wars and borders of being in wars, Are over... Though, We are wondering about our Neighbors, If they are planning for peace or war? The Egyptians are unknown as we speak, and the Caliph's armies are at the Roman's Borders now, I will make myself clear that the Romans have No intention to invade Georgia or the Caliph's Cities. The Only intrests that we have are if you are willing later on in the future is to purchase these lands from your kingdoms, for the time though, We are fighting against the Steppes Warlords... We are ofcourse seeing reports as unlike the Rum turks that have been vasseled and merged into the Roman Empire, that their brothers, the Seljuk Turks, have been living on with a great name through military tactics. The Roman Empire will not go to war with any other nations, Unless ofcourse there is a large enough proposal to the Roman Empire that we would decide if it was enough of a... Just... cause ofcourse.

But ofcourse, We are awaiting your goals Egypt, the Caliph, Even the kindom of Jerusalem and the Seljuk Turks!

[rossahh]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Technically 3 of my provinces do not border the rest of the Kingdom and though it would be easy to rush across the very narrow desert in between Edessa and Aleppo, these troops are coming back from the Turkish lands so moving down through Cilicia is much quicker

The Caliph does not actually border any of Rome's provinces so you should not worry about them. The Ayyubids from Egypt have proven themselves to be the most trustworthy of all nations. They have steadfastly remained neutral in all of the conflicts in Anatolia and the Levant, never supporting one nation more than another, and never breaking their word to anyone. I hope that all western nations can look forward to an era of peace for the near-future.

[Merlox]

The Emperor looks closely at our most easern castle Trepezon, bordering it are two Caliph settlements each with massive armies inside, That is why we some what wonder about this, and the Emperor wanted to clear his intentions with the Caliph, So if he has to, he will focus the two armies idle near the Roman border into more important needs, Though, The Armies could be usefull for aid of conquering the Steppe warlords, Ofcourse the Roman Empire will pay nicely for any settlement caputured with the forces that are considerbly to the steppes.

[rossahh]

The Emissary from Jerusalem yawns loudly. The sound echoes around the court, but hardly anyone takes notice. All of the other dignitaries seem to be asleep or in a sort of stupor. On the lesser chair at the head of the court the Vizier is asleep, and the palace guards slouch against the walls and pick at their fingernails.

The Emissary yawns again. He was tired and nothing ever happened in the court anymore. Closing his eyes, the man lets his head droop.



"Oh well, at least they've cleaned up the blood."

[phonicsmonkey]

A fanfare sounds, awakening the occupants of the court from their reverie with a start. The Jerusalem ambassador, who had been leaning back on the hind legs of his chair, almost falls to the ground with surprise and has to be saved at the last moment by the quick thinking of his page boy.

The great engraved doors to the Court are flung open, and an entourage of armed guards enters to a slow drumbeat, their armour glistening in the sunlight and banners fluttering in the breeze.

At the heart of the group is the Caliph An-Nasir and his son Az-Zahir. They are dressed in ornate cermonial armour and are bearing arms.

The Caliph and his son stand shoulder to shoulder on the dais as the Vizier rises to read from a large scroll.

Ambassadors, emissaries and digitaries of the nations of the world. The Caliph has prepared a statement which I will now read to you.

"Ambassador of Jerusalem, when my predecessors the Ummayad Caliphs reigned over the faithful, your petty kingdoms of Europe were shrouded in darkness, ignorance and confusion. The Caliphate stretched from the shores of Al-Andalus to the shores of India, and rightly were my ancestors known as the Princes of the Two Seas.

Then the schism came upon us, and the arrogance of the Caliphs led to the fracture of the ummah into the manifold Islamic nations represented here today. Your Kings, sensing weakness and greedy for the riches of the East, sent their armies in the First and Second Crusades, seizing much of what you know as the 'Holy Land' and defiling the lands of the Prophet with their infidel feet.

My immediate predecessors were too decadent and weak to resist this disgrace, and with the noble exception of the mighty Salahuddin and his uncle Nur-ad-Din, few of the new Sultans, Shahs and Attabegs of the Turkish and Persian regions fought for the glory of Allah against your faithless and greedy thief-armies.

The time has come for this aberration to be reversed.

You will immediately vacate the Levant and all of your stolen lands there, handing them over to the Caliph and retreating to the island of Cyprus."

The Vizier turns to face the Roman emissary, and continues to read.

"Emissary of Rome, your aging empire has come upon new greatness in these recent days. Your choice of allies is unfortunate, as is your occupation of territory populated by Muslim people.

You will immediately vacate the lands of Anatolia, both those which were snatched from the Turkish Sultan, and all other holdings there, handing them over to the Caliph and retreating to the other side of the Hellespont. You may retain Konstantinopolis and your newly acquired holdings in the steppes.

If Jerusalem and Rome do not immediately accede to these demands, the armies of Islam will descend on Syria, the Levant, and Anatolia and drive your feeble armies into the sea. The Caliph will call on all of the faithful to join a righteous jihad against the infidel, and you will be utterly destroyed."

The armed guards seize the Jerusalem and Rome ambassadors, holding them hostage while their pages are allowed to leave to convey the message back to their respective masters.