Diplomacy Thread

[TruePraetorian]

This is where the Ambassadors of the World's Empires meet and discuss the best choices for their factions.

Here is the current list of Factions and relations:
UPDATED AFTER FIRST TURN


Anything you wish to make a diplomatic deal, and wish to make known publicly, please post here.

[Hax]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: Thread Hijack >: |

A poor decision, if I say so myself. For you see, the "Arche", although it appears strong, it's strength is totally dependant on the goodwill of it's neighbours; his "Satraps". A Glorious Coalition of Oppressed Peoples could easily smite the Arche from the face of Gaia, and gain land for each respective people. For the Pahalava, Parthia and Sogdiana. Hayastan? The Caucasus and Media. The Ptolemaioi? Syria and Mesopotamia Us Baktrians? India and Khorasan. And Pontos? The whole of Anatolia. From the Taurus Mountains the Aegean, Tarsus to Sinope, a Pontic Shahdom, worthy of the Achaemenids. And yet, The Seleukids are denying you from fulfilling this dream, forcing you to bow to their yoke. That is no way for a Shah to behave, a Shah deserves land, wealth and power! And the Seleukids are the only barrier preventing Pontos from fulfilling it's destiny.

And that's not the only reason as to why we should join forces. For the Arche's strength is measured on the friendliness of his neighbours; were we all to sit by and watch the Seleukids, the Ptolemaioi would be destroyed, and cast out from their home, despite the wealth of Egypt. And with the combined wealth of Syria and Egypt, nothing could stop the Arche. It would swarm over the Earth, like bees from a hive, devouring all in it's path, leaving only oppression and desolation in it's wake. This is the time to prevent that, this is our time, this is the time for liberation!

So, I have proposed a plan. As I have mentioned above, the Arche will be divided amongst our kingdoms. I have divided it so that each kingdom gets a roughly equal share, noting of course that some regions are richer than others.

For the Arche's strength is measured on the friendliness of his neighbours; were we all to sit by and watch the Seleukids, the Ptolemaioi would be destroyed, and cast out from their home, despite the wealth of Egypt.

Do you honestly believe I have any intent of destroying the Ptolemaic empire? Ptolemaios I was a good friend of Megás Alexandros himself, as was Seleukos. Furthemore, the way you honestly believe you have the right to divide my empire between Pontos and Hayasdan, who are both my allies which I will gladly support if any foreign power would try to subjugate them. Do you honestly think that Seleukeia herself, which was founded by Seleukos Nikator himself would be granted to the Ptolemaioi? How about Antiocheia, named in honour of our king Antiochos. This will not ever happen, as brave Makedonians fought and died for our lands.

It were we who cast out the Galatian invaders and saved the east from the Gallic threat.

It was the combined might of Ptolemaios, Seleukos and Lysimachos who threw down Antiochos Monophtalmos who sought to usurp Babylon, Ekbatana and Susa.

Where was Baktria in all this? Can you answer this?

Also, the way you dare to take the lands of the Nabataean peoples who have lived freely and friendly to the heirs of Alexandros will not be met friendly by those peoples. So, friends, I ask you;

At what will Theodotos stop in his lust for lands? If he does indeed destroys the Arche, which is a laughable idea, he will turn to the Kings of Pontos and Hayasdan next!

[Skullheadhq]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: Thread Hijack >: |

Do you honestly believe I have any intent of destroying the Ptolemaic empire? Ptolemaios I was a good friend of Megás Alexandros himself, as was Seleukos. Furthemore, the way you honestly believe you have the right to divide my empire between Pontos and Hayasdan, who are both my allies which I will gladly support if any foreign power would try to subjugate them. Do you honestly think that Seleukeia herself, which was founded by Seleukos Nikator himself would be granted to the Ptolemaioi? How about Antiocheia, named in honour of our king Antiochos. This will not ever happen, as brave Makedonians fought and died for our lands.

It were we who cast out the Galatian invaders and saved the east from the Gallic threat.

It was the combined might of Ptolemaios, Seleukos and Lysimachos who threw down Antiochos Monophtalmos who sought to usurp Babylon, Ekbatana and Susa.

Where was Baktria in all this? Can you answer this?

Also, the way you dare to take the lands of the Nabataean peoples who have lived freely and friendly to the heirs of Alexandros will not be met friendly by those peoples. So, friends, I ask you;

At what will Theodotos stop in his lust for lands? If he does indeed destroys the Arche, which is a laughable idea, he will turn to the Kings of Pontos and Hayasdan next!

Basileos of the great Arche, Let's combine our forces then like we did when Antiochos Monophtalmos tried to usurp the great cities! Let's stop fighting our own Makedonian brothers and close peace and restore order once again to Alexandros' domain! What do you think?

[Hax]

Exalted lord of the Ptolemaioi, I cannot disagree with wise words like those!

Let us reclaim Alexandros' empire. We have all seen in the past that one man governing all will not work. A strong alliance of the heirs of Alexandros will surely unite all the civilized lands under a strong and able rule!

[Subotan]

Do you honestly believe I have any intent of destroying the Ptolemaic empire? Ptolemaios I was a good friend of Megás Alexandros himself, as was Seleukos.

You have fought nigh-constantly for the past 50 years, you with the sole goal of vanquishing the noble Ptolemaioi, as you did to Lysimachos. What makes you think that such enmity will just disappear?

D Furthemore, the way you honestly believe you have the right to divide my empire between Pontos and Hayasdan, who are both my allies which I will gladly support if any foreign power would try to subjugate them.

Hah! If anyone is subjugating, dear Basileus, it is you. You force these noble Shahs to prostrate before you, whether officially or not. I offer them freedom, liberty and rewards.
And I have as much right to divide up an Empire as your grandfather did. Rather than bowing to the one true king, Alexandros Aegos, you betrayed the Grandson of Zeus!

Do you honestly think that Seleukeia herself, which was founded by Seleukos Nikator himself would be granted to the Ptolemaioi? How about Antiocheia, named in honour of our king Antiochos. This will not ever happen, as brave Makedonians fought and died for our lands.

And brave Makedonians will continue to die in your lands until the Arche is destroyed. And what of the names of your cities? Sure, they may have been built by past Emperors, but that would not stop me from gifting them and the land between them to the Ptolemaioi in return for their aid.

It were we who cast out the Galatian invaders and saved the east from the Gallic threat.

It was the combined might of Ptolemaios, Seleukos and Lysimachos who threw down Antiochos Monophtalmos who sought to usurp Babylon, Ekbatana and Susa.

Where was Baktria in all this? Can you answer this?

Yes, we can. The bravest Hellenes of all moved out not to Syria, Mesopotamia, or Persis, but to Baktria. There, for the past 50 years we have toiled against tribes such as the Dahae, Saka and Haomaovarga, defending fellow Hellenes in far off Seleukeia. Whilst you were engaged in petty squabbles and civil cionflicts, we were fighting wars which were deciding the fate of Hellenes everywhere. Did we receive recognition, or gratitude? Not once! How can you claim to have a right to rule us when your ancestors treated us so callously?

D
Also, the way you dare to take the lands of the Nabataean peoples who have lived freely and friendly to the heirs of Alexandros will not be met friendly by those peoples. So, friends, I ask you;

Everyone knows that were you given the opportunity, you would snap up those lands in an instant. The incense trade is a valuable one, and one many men desire. Oh, and were we to stop fighting, then controlling those Barbaroi will be easier than outwitting a Galatoi.

At what will Theodotos stop in his lust for lands? If he does indeed destroys the Arche, which is a laughable idea, he will turn to the Kings of Pontos and Hayasdan next!

A fair point I may say, and one which a mind such as yours would easily come to. However, as you can see, in my proposal, my borders touch neither Hayasdan, nor Pontos, making my threat to their lands non-existent. However, the Arche is very close to both Shahdoms, and poses a much more imminent and realistic threat than noble Baktrians ever will.

[Hax]

Hah! If anyone is subjugating, dear Basileus, it is you. You force these noble Shahs to prostrate before you, whether officially or not. I offer them freedom, liberty and rewards.
And I have as much right to divide up an Empire as your grandfather did. Rather than bowing to the one true king, Alexandros Aegos, you betrayed the Grandson of Zeus!

Alexandros Aigos was murdered by Kassandros, who was the king of Macedon. You have forgotten, Theodotos, that it were we who gave you the satrapy of Baktria in the first place.

And brave Makedonians will continue to die in your lands until the Arche is destroyed. And what of the names of your cities? Sure, they may have been built by past Emperors, but that would not stop me from gifting them and the land between them to the Ptolemaioi in return for their aid.

So it is this that is your goal! To destroy the heirs to the largest part of Alexandros' empire. First you spoke of dividing the Arche's lands, leaving Persis to us, and now you speak of destroying us! Dear friends, it now seems Theodotos' goal is sure. You seek only to throw the lands into further growing conflict.

Theodotos, I will send a force to relieve you of your satrapy. Dear friends from Hayasdan and Pontos, this is not a threat to you. I do not seek your thrones, I seek peace and prosperity for all Hellenes.

-Antiochos Soter, vanquisher of the Galatians, friend of Ptolemaios Soter, Basileus tes Seleukeia kai Babylon.

[Subotan]

Alexandros Aigos was murdered by Kassandros, who was the king of Macedon.

But did you protect him? Did you offer your loyalty and soldiers to him? Clearly not, otherwise his son would be Emperor today and I would gladly serve him!

So it is this that is your goal! To destroy the heirs to the largest part of Alexandros' empire. First you spoke of dividing the Arche's lands, leaving Persis to us, and now you speak of destroying us!

That was a misunderstanding. By destroy, I meant destroy the power of the Arche in it's current state, not wipe it from the map. With retrospect, I see my crass error was ill-advised and beg for forgiveness that you will understand that that was not the meaning that was meant to be implied.

Theodotos, I will send a force to relieve you of your satrapy. Dear friends from Hayasdan and Pontos, this is not a threat to you. I do not seek your thrones, I seek peace and prosperity for all Hellenes.

Hah! Look hither! Instead of giving thanks to Baktrians for our valiant defence of Hellenes, in our constant wars against the Amu Darya, in either land, wealth or mere recognition, he has decided that such prowess and courage is a a despicable trait, only carried by the bravest and most skilled Satraps, and that we therefore deserve punishment for our good actions and intentions. Although we are still open to diplomacy, and hope that this Hellenic blood-shedding may be avoided, it appears that nothing can stop this warmonger from his dreams of conquest and oppression.

[Hax]

Your words are rank of hypocrisy, Theodotos. Good actions and intentions? Your plan is to divide my lands and only leave the Arche with the lands of Persis, you even took the word of destroying in your mouth, and now you say that I wish to conquer and oppress the Hellenes of Baktra.

Open to diplomacy? You come at my door and demand that I surrender the good part of my lands, including the riches of Mikras Asias, Seleukeia, built by my father, and Antiocheia, who I raised myself. This is not diplomacy, Theodotos.

However, if you truly do not wish any harm to be brought upon the Hellenes, which I too, would greatly regret, I can give you the cities of Marakanda and Alexandreia "the Furthest". From there, we can look to turn the barbaroi from the north back to the vast plains from whence they came. Ptolemaios and myself have already discussed a peacetreaty to avoid any Hellenic bloodshed in the Levant, and yet you seek to throw the Hellenic lands into turmoil and civil war.

I do not wish your blood, but if you continue to threaten me in such a way, I have no other option but to relieve you of your satrapy. Look at my offer closely, Theodotos.

[Subotan]

However, if you truly do not wish any harm to be brought upon the Hellenes, which I too, would greatly regret, I can give you the cities of Marakanda and Alexandreia "the Furthest". From there, we can look to turn the barbaroi from the north back to the vast plains from whence they came. Ptolemaios and myself have already discussed a peacetreaty to avoid any Hellenic bloodshed in the Levant, and yet you seek to throw the Hellenic lands into turmoil and civil war.

I assure you, that this all the Baktrian people want. Whether intentionally or not, we have been neglected by the great Arche, thanks to your distractions in the Levant, and we feel, whether justifiably or not, that our sacrifices have not been rewarded or even noticed by the Basileus. This is what we have been striving for, not conquest or conflict, ad we humbly ask for your forgiveness for what we said about dividing your great Arche; never would we think to act upon such a misguided whim.

However we beseech upon thee the request to add Margiane to our Satrapy; it would make communications between our three provinces easier and help finance our war against the Saka. To take the war against the Saka to the next level, as you propose, we will need more resources than a mere three provinces can provide, and with the Saka constantly harassing us, we will have no resources to spare to gather more territory in your name and push back the Saka. We would govern it in your name of course, and we will obey your every command. We would also like to remind you that there are rumblings among the Pahlava, and that a betrayal by them is not unlikely. Should Margiane stay under your direct control, it has no chance of being safely retained in your hands, with your resources stretched so thinly in your great Empire. However, were you to gift it to us, then we would be able to enforce your will much quicker and effectively than all the way from Antiochea.

Your Satrap of Baktria, Servant of the Arche - Diodotos II.

[Hax]

I understand what you are aiming at, Theodotos. Let us forget our past insults and threats, and let us look towards a common enemy; the steppe barbarians. I will move my capital to Susa as well, which is a better position to look over the east as well, and if you do what you say you will do, be assured that you will be rewarded.

[Subotan]

I understand what you are aiming at, Theodotos. Let us forget our past insults and threats, and let us look towards a common enemy; the steppe barbarians.

That sounds like an excellent plan Basileus, as the slaughter of Hellenes hurts us twice over, in that not only are there less Hellenes to resist those barbaroi, but more barbaroi will have survived to kill even more Hellenes; a vicious cycle.

I will move my capital to Susa as well, which is a better position to look over the east as well

I am not one to question you will Basileus, but why is this? There seem to be no lands to the east as to which you can expand into, we are friends with the Ptolemaioi, I am confident I can hold the North Eastern Frontier. If I were you, I would expand to the West, into Anatolia, and maybe even original Hellas...

[justmyname]

If I were you, I would expand to the West, into Anatolia, and maybe even original Hellas...

now, that is a dangerous thought my dear friend. expansion, as you say it, sounds like war.

[Subotan]

I am merely throwing ideas around. Of course, such a situation could only arise if a true tyranny descended upon Hellas, and the Seleukids needed to liberate Hellas from the clutches of despair and autocracy.

[cux47]

We Pontos may eastern-looking outsaid, but we are ture Hellenes insaid

We also served Alexander the Great in the past, and will continue aiding and showing respectfull friendness to his successors

Our people, every man and women, from the mountains and hills to the coast of Pontus Euxinus, would glad to see the Hellenes finaly ending this meanless bloodsheding among yourselves, and fights as a combaide force to repel those steppe raiders.

Noble basileus of Baktria, please bring my words and promise to you beloved king, Diodotos II, and spread it among your people. My army will advanc deeply into the north and destroy every babarian settlements I can find. Let it be a war that all good Hellenes are fight and die together for the common purpose, and shows it to the other nations, like the Roman tribes in the west, that we still are one!

[Skullheadhq]

Wise words at last! Let us now turn our attention to the Barbaroi! Like Roma and the Sakae tribes!
Alexandros would be proud seeing his generals wisely leading his empire. And fulfilling the demand of Alexandros on who must succes him: The Strongest! We are now the strongest!

[TruePraetorian]

Wise words at last! Let us now turn our attention to the Barbaroi! Like Roma and the Sakae tribes!
Alexandros would be proud seeing his generals wisely leading his empire. And fulfilling the demand of Alexandros on who must succes him: The Strongest! We are now the strongest!

The Senate and People of Rome listen to the Sons of Alexandros and are deeply concerned with your motives. Surely, your threat of western expansion and eagerness to cause conflict is either mispoken or signifies too much wine.

Rome has had no enemies with the Sons of Alexander and sees no reason for fruitless war.

[We shall fwee...Wodewick]

The Sons of Alexander would do well to stay to their respective spheres of influence and away from the Qarthadast'im and her Allies the Romani.

[Sarkiss]

I am merely throwing ideas around. Of course, such a situation could only arise if a true tyranny descended upon Hellas, and the Seleukids needed to liberate Hellas from the clutches of despair and autocracy.

the tyranny threatens free loving city states of Greece. we, the Hellenes of Hellas do not need liberators, but we would like to hear words of support and condemnation of Makedonian aggression for their armies have invaded our polises and threaten to destroy the balance of power in the region.

Great assembly of Koinon Hellenon asks Makedonian King to come forward and speak his mind!
what do your soldiers do within our borders? shall we take this incursion as a declaration of war?


(nice RP folks, just stop using word Shan please, it's completely out of place here)

[Subotan]

the tyranny threatens free loving city states of Greece. we, the Hellenes of Hellas do not need liberators, but we would like to hear words of support and condemnation of Makedonian aggression for their armies have invaded our polises and threaten to destroy the balance of power in the region.

Unfortunately, I am a Satrap of a far away Satrapy, and am not authorised to comment on the delicate politics of Mainland Hellas, although I would like to stress that for any Hellenes sick of the war strewn life in the West, Baktria has lots of fertile, unoccupied land, and I can understand the pain Hellenes feel at seeing their home torn apart by conflict.

(nice RP folks, just stop using word Shan please, it's completely out of place here)

OOC: Shah? It's the Iranian word for King isn't it? I thought it was appropriate for Hayastan and Pontos?

[Sarkiss]

shah might have been used by Iranians, but as their empire is long destroyed there is no shahs left to speak of. Pontic kings were known as Basileos (iirc) and Armenians certainly did not use this term within this time span at all. Arkah (king), or Takavor (great king) are Armenian equivalents.

[TruePraetorian]

shah might have been used by Iranians, but as their empire is long destroyed there is no shahs left to speak of. Pontic kings were known as Basileos (iirc) and Armenians certainly did not use this term within this time span at all. Arkah (king), or Takavor (great king) are Armenian equivalents.

Keep it IC please

[Skullheadhq]

Noble Safot of Qart-Hadast! We Ptolemaioi love money, We love money more then our wives. We must trade with get more Gold and Silver!We love gold!
*cough cough Noble Pharao Skullhead even F*cks gold cough cough* What do you think o noble safot? This trade agreement will bring great wealth to both of us!

[We shall fwee...Wodewick]

The Kathadast'im coffers...i mean....people will be most pleased with such an arrangement, for it is money that makes the world go around.

[Subotan]

shah might have been used by Iranians, but as their empire is long destroyed there is no shahs left to speak of. Pontic kings were known as Basileos (iirc) and Armenians certainly did not use this term within this time span at all. Arkah (king), or Takavor (great king) are Armenian equivalents.

My apologies. The distance from Baktria to Hayasdan and Pontos are very far, so it takes a while for updates to reach us, Satrap.

The Kathadast'im coffers...i mean....people will be most pleased with such an arrangement, for it is money that makes the world go around.

Just remember that we Baktrians control The Silk Road (OOC: Greek Translation please), so most of the luxuries that you will receive will already have got taxed passed through our lands.

[Skullheadhq]

My apologies. The distance from Baktria to Hayasdan and Pontos are very far, so it takes a while for updates to reach us, Satrap.

Just remember that we Baktrians control The Silk Road (OOC: Greek Translation please), so most of the luxuries that you will receive will already have got taxed passed through our lands.

Keleuthe Bombikikè? Correct me if I''m wrong