Court of the Caliph: BC Hotseat Council Thread

[TheFlax]

A letter arrives to be read to all.

Noble dignitaries, exalted Caliph,

We of Georgia have entered into a treaty of vassalage with the Abassid Caliphate out of a desire to protect our people. We have fulfilled our part more than adequately, ceding control of most of our territory and our say in any matters concerning other kingdoms. Today, we now find you, exalted Caliph, to be lacking in your responsibilities towards us. Your war with the Romans has spilled into our lands and it is our people who suffer each time a city is taken, retaken and taken again. Thus we do not feel the obligation to respect our part of the treaty any longer. The Protectorate of Georgia declares its independence from all and is once more the Kingdom of Georgia. We demand that Ani, Dvin and Yerevan be returned to our control at once. If our demands are not met, we will have no choice but to use force to safeguard the wellbeing of our people.

King Demetre of Georgia

[phonicsmonkey]

The Vizier rises, a look of utmost disdain on his face.

Georgian dog! Your betrayal of the mighty Caliph will not go unpunished! The armies of Islam will wreak their vengeance on your lands and scour your pitiful line from the face of this earth! And do not think your foolish self will go unpunished, for when our noble troops capture you they will inflict such delightful torment upon you that you will scream for mercy and repent for all eternity the day you chose to..

He is cut off suddenly by the Crown Prince Abu-Bakr, who rises in anger to silence the errant Vizier. The Vizier is furious, and sits down again, arms crossed and glowering with a face of thunder.

The Crown Prince now addresses the Georgian delegation.

Noble Steward of Georgia, please disregard the ill-conceived ranting of the Caliph's Vizier - he is an old man and has forgotten his place.

The Vizier mutters to himself under his breath as the Crown Prince continues.

The Georgians have every right to feel that the Caliph has been lacking in protecting their former lands. The cities of Ani and Dvin have been at the forefront of the war with Rome, and have suffered greatly as a result. This was never the Caliph's intention, and it is to his great shame that he has let down the Georgian people in this way.

Unfortunately the lands of Ani and Dvin are no longer under the Caliph's control, but are held by the enemy, and so we are unable to simply return them to Georgian sovereignty. The Caliph will fight to regain these lands if Georgia will remain his protectorate, but will not shed the blood of his troops to evict the Roman dogs if there is nothing to gain by it.

The Caliph will release the Steward from his treaty of vassalage if that is what he wishes, and will not take revenge or wage war against Georgia in reprisal. He will even speak with his allies the Seljuks concerning the return of Yerevan to Georgian control.

However, in return he would ask that Georgia remains neutral in the conflict with Rome, and does not offer comfort or assistance to his enemy the Basileous.

Steward of Georgia, would you continue this conversation in private?

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: Anyone cares, or are we just trading blows and pressing turn? I mean... I can do that in Empire.

This is a fair point - see the poll in the Throne Room.

[Redemption]

The Roman emissary chuckles as the Abbasids' struggle to keep their diplomatic veneer from cracking in front of their entire court.

Rising from his seat, he adresses the Georgians:

The Empire is ready to enact the transfer of Ani and Dvin as soon as diplomats can be dispatched to either Tbilisi or Rome. The recent conflict has been hard on these settlements but Rome believes they are now firmly held by Christian hands. We also salute the Basileos of Georgia's decision to claim back their pride and dignity from their oppressors and extend Rome's friendship once more to our Christian neighbor. Despite Georgia's one-time alliance with the warmongering Sultanate of Ikonion whose leaders brough much trouble to Anatolia, Rome has never harbored hostile intentions towards its Christian brothers. That much can not be said of the Caliph and his Seljuqid lap dog.

The Roman returns to his chair, but not before giving a wide grin to the Crown Prince and the still-fuming vizier.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Ayyubid ambassador raises..

I think many of you have heard that Aqaba rebelled against our rule. I remind you that this is our internal business and any foreign armies near that town are considered hostile act and we will respond accordingly.

Ambassador resumes his seat.

[Ramses II CP]

The emissary of the Rajputs rises with a smile on his face,

"We are most pleased to see peace come about between our briefly wayward vassals and our Seljuk allies. The Sultan of Ghor is to be commended for his obediance.

The Maharaja was somewhat less pleased to discover spies on his border with the Sultanate, but as they were within our vassal's own lands the matter is of little consequences. The men might have been pressed back a bit from our cities by passing elephants, but all are unharmed. The same cannot be said for the vile heretic who was spreading lies near the Ghorid town of (Mitankot? The southwestern corner of your core). He has been dealt with by agents of our Empire and no longer troubles the lands.

Oh, and some little Roman town or other has come into the path of whatever remains of our western forces. Seems they hadn't quite done with their sport after all."

[_Tristan_]

The Sultan is pleased to see the Maharaja pleased... But no pleased as to not object to the Maharaja "spies" roaming free around Somnath, far from their own borders...

It may so happen that they be trampled by some elephants, of course, it would only be by accident...

[Ramses II CP]

Per our vassalge agreement our spies are welcome in your lands to monitor observance of terms. Your objection, however, is noted.

[Redemption]

With a wry smile, the Roman ambassador adresses his Rajput counterpart.


Do not be worried, this time, we eliminated your wayward nobles to the last. The beleagered citizens of Trapezon were actually quite pleased with the public executions of such despicable mercenaries who would travel half the world over to bring misery to their doorsteps.

We suggest you keep your "nobles" under a tighter leash next time.

[Redemption]

Having received the latest reports on the war, the Roman ambassador takes the floor. His attempts to hide his giddiness are largely unsuccessful.

Ambassadors, the armies of Rome have once again met with uncomparable success in our war against the Moslem powers. No less then six settlements previously held by our enemies now fly our colors. Roman arms have known victories in Kilikia, Syria and Armenia and our advanced forces have ridden so far inland as the city of Mardin in Mesopotamia, now rechristened to its proper name of Marida.

Seeing that the presuppositions that led the Caliphate and the Seljuq aggressors to make their insulting ultimatum have now been proven false, we demand that they recind it and propose our own terms for peace:


1- All Moslem forces are to depart Anatolia immediately;

2- The settlements of Erzurum, Attaleia, Seljuk Valley, Fields of Glory, Nikoseia, Flaviopolis, Amasia, Hermonassa and Malatya are to be returned to the governance of the Roman Empire;

3- The town of Marida is to be returned to the governance of the Caliphate;

4- The settlements of Dvin and Erevan are to be returned to the Kingdom of Georgia;

5- The Caliphate is not to use its coastal settlement of Tripoli to build naval facilities of any kind;

6- As a measure of goodwill, all parties will exchange geographical and political information (maps) and sign treaties of economic support (trade rights).


We would like all the world's nations to note that these terms are fair and in no way encroach upon the heartlands of either the Seljuqids or the Abbasids. Our armies will enforce these terms wether or not they are agreed upon as the Roman people have a right to clear and stable frontiers, peace and prosperity which has been thus far denied to us. We also note Rome's goodwill in returning the settlements of Dvin and Erevan to their rightful Georgian rulers.

Lastly, we hope that our enemies will be wise enough to consider these terms carefully. We did not bring war to their doorstep but our arms were vindicated on the field of battle over the course of two years. Do not make the mistake of taking us lightly a second time.

Before returning to his seat, the Roman flashes a wide grin to the vizier.

[phonicsmonkey]

The Court is in total disarray, wild rumours flying about among the ghulams and lesser dignitaries. On hearing the Roman's speech the Vizier had scurried from the chamber, his face a picture of anger and fear.

All await the Caliph's response.

[Redemption]

Upon seeing the vizier speeding out of the Court, the Roman ambassador wonders out loud:

I wonder where he's going? I've always been under the impression the Arab Basileos executed incompetent viziers when they failed them too often...

[navarro951]

...the impending response is killing me.

[rossahh]

A messenger from the Protectorate arrives. The amabassador is, however, asleep and oblivious to the goings-on around him. The messenger hurries over and shakes the ambassador awake. The ambassador reads the message, and then stands to make an announcement.


I have been commanded to tell the court that the Treaty of Jerusalem has been declared null and void. The Moslems have shown that there is no end to their greed and thirst for land by invading Cyprus. The Kingdom of Jerusalem has therefore decided to side with their Christian brothers in this conflict. As a result of this decision, the glorious soldiers of Christ have retaken the following settlments:

Jerusalem
Damascus
Homs
Hama
Aleppo
Baalbeck

Nicosia

Qahira
Damyut
Bilbies

I am also instructed to inform the Vizier, who it seems is not here, that the army of the Caliph near Hama has been utterly crushed.


Several years after the war was begun by the Caliph, we are now back to where we started. This time, however, the Christians are on the offensive and it is the Muslim nations of the Turks, Abassids and Egyptians which must yield or be destroyed. To each of those nations we, the Kingdom of Jerusalem alone (and not the Eastern Roman Empire or Kingdom of Georgia), offer the following.

To the Turks:
We demand an immediate uncoditional cease fire, or we shall join our Roman brothers in expelling you from Anatolia once and for all.

To the Egyptians:
We demand the city of Alexandria in exchange for a cease fire. You may keep the rest of Africa that you hold.

To the Caliph:
We demand that the town of Tripoli be returned and the town of Edessa is to be surrendered. If that is done then the war will be over.


The King feels that these demands are more than reasonable, considering the damage that your war - which you started without cause or provocation - has already done to the Levant.



To the other nations of the world, we ask and give nothing. Though the Rajputs and Omanis have brought swords to our lands, it is the Caliphate and his two lackies that have done the most damage, and therefore will suffer the most. We offer not a hand of frienship but a hand of peace. If you refuse, the resulting war and it's consenquences will be on your head. Make your choice.




With that, the ambassador sits down to stunned silence.

[Redemption]

Cheering profusely to the joyful news from the resurgent Kingdom of Jerusalem, the Roman ambassador takes the floor to congratulate his brother in faith:

On this day Rome stands in awe to the tenacity and ferocious resolve of its Christian brothers in the Levant. Not only does the Kingdom of Jerusalem reclaim its rightful place amongst the great and mighty powers of this world, they inflict a terrible blow to the face of those whose evil actions brought swords into the house of the Almighty and who sought to despoil us of our rightful lands. It is with great joy that the Empire seconds Jerusalem's demands and reaffirm its own.

Moslem Kings, we tell you this: yield now and turn away from this path of destruction on which you are headed or you shall be drowned by the rivers of blood you have unleashed.

[phonicsmonkey]

The Vizier returns to Court. His manner is defiant as he reads out a prepared message to the delegates of Rome and Jerusalem.

Men of the West,

The Caliph's forces have this day defeated the Roman army besieging Erzurum, capturing the Prince Limenios in the process. Sadly the shame was too much for the young man and he found it necessary to take his own life while in captivity. His remains have been repectfully committed to the earth in a Christian ceremony.

The town of Mardin has been reclaimed, along with the coastal city of Tartus.

However, the Caliph recognises the sigificant gains made by the forces of Rome and Jerusalem in the past two years, and has made offers of peace to the Greek Basileos and the Traitor King Baldwin.

He awaits their response.

[Redemption]

Without even so much as getting up, the Roman ambassador snaps back at the vizier:

This "Roman Prince" was an outlaw, declared persona non grata in Rome. His death will not be mourned.

As for your offer of peace, it is rejected unequivocally. You will remove your presence from Anatolia or face the consequences. The strain on your forces is evident in the trembling words of your speech and the fear in your eyes. Christian forces have the impetus in this struggle, and we intend to keep it!

Your recent losses will only be compounded by your continued obstination to refuse the just conditions we have laid out to resolve this conflict.

[rossahh]

Another messenger arrives


The King, in infinite generosity and mercy, had decided to accept the Caliph's terms of peace. It appears that the borders between the Caliphate and the Kingdom are now exactly as they were before the Caliph launched his ill-fated war. How strange.

However this peace does not mark the end of the war in the west. We do not speak for the Roman Emperor, nor do we mediate for him. The Caliph must negotiate with the Emperor alone, or we will watch as our ally marches on Baghdad. While our soldiers will not march with their Christian brothers on this endeavour - they will be too busy rebuilding their shattered homes and families - we will support our ally by coin and other means, should they need it.


The Ayyubid Sultan has rejected our offer, so the war in the south will continue until such time as one side sues for peace. We are open to hearing any Ayyubid offers at any time though - it seems a shame to have to destroy them completely.


The Sweljuk Sultan is no doubt waiting to hear from his master, the Caliph, but let all Turks know that if they wish to prolong the war in Anatolia, our soldiers will march with their Georgian and Roman brothers. If they show themselves to be reasonable and peaceful, they will be free from Latin pursuit as they slink back to Persia.

[phonicsmonkey]

The Vizier stands once more, looking daggers at the Roman and Latin delegations.

We hope, but are not optimistic, that this deal is one which the odious Baldwin can keep to.

As for the Roman dogs, they are free to continue their march to their certain deaths. They will never reach Baghdad alive, but we very much hope they continue the attempt so that we may have the opportunity of destroying them utterly.

[Redemption]

Bold words for one so utterly defeated that he takes orders from his former vassals.

[Ramses II CP]

The emissary of the Rajputs arises with a wry look on his face,

It has come to our attention that a remarkable militarization of the cities of our vassals has taken place this past year. Hundreds of men, mostly simple Ghazis to be sure, have taken up arms. The Maharaja is most curious, has there been an outbreak of lawlessness in Ghorid lands? Do you require the aid of your master's soldiers to keep order?

Rest assured men are available if their presence is required.

Our sympathies as well on the loss of your governor at Mitankot (I think that's the right name). Is this related to the build-up of troops and the evident lack of order? Our people have also lost a governor to unforseen circumstances this year and, though sad, it seems only fitting that tragedy should strike us equally.

As it surely will in the future.

The emissary bows deeply to the Caliph before returning to his seat.

[Redemption]

Recent weeks have seen many hushed reunions between the Roman delegation and Abbasid officials. Finally, one day, the Roman ambassador walks to the center of the court room, a small parchment in hand. He looks for the vizier who gives him a nod, and reads it in a gruff voice:

The Caliphate and Roman Empire recognize each other's rightful existence and sovereignty within each other's respective borders. In sight of these considerations, the Caliphate accepts to cede the settlement of Erzurum against an indemnity of 20,000 gold solidi to be paid by Rome over a period of one full year.

The ambassador mumbles something about how it's a shame gold bought what swords could've reached before turning to the Seljuk representatives:

I pray your Sultan is open to some sort of resolution as well. We tire of this pointless struggle. But know that unless you show yourself reasonable, the armies of Rome will rain a terrible storm of war and destruction upon you and your kin until you yield to our just and rightful demands.

With that the Roman returns to his seat.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: Now, as per phonics' request, I will let you meditate on this:

[barcamartin]

The Seljuk ambassador stands.

' It has come to my attention that my Sultan has recieved contacts from your Emperor, and he is preparing a reply as we speak. It seems there will be peace, after all. '

[Redemption]

Indeed, it seems peace will finally settle over the West. If this deal works out, a new era will begin for the people of Anatolia who have suffered much destruction in the last decades.

[Ramses II CP]

Just as the man from Ghor is standing to speak the emissary of the Rajputs rises and cuts him off with an imperious gesture,

Yes, yes, you have betrayed your vows once again and declared war on your peace loving masters. Anyone not see that coming? Anyone?

Of course the Maharaja, may his soul be elevated in it's next cycle, foresaw it and planned against it, which is why I can sadly annouce the fall of Kolachee and Devapala castle in formerly Sindh lands, and at the same time joyously proclaim the recapture of Somnath, Uch, Ghor, and Peace Treaty Castle. If only the Ghorid armies will consent to trade two provinces for four every year then India will be back in the rightful hands of the Rajputs in under a decade!

There has been much rejoicing in India of late, and soon there will be much more I am sure.

Bowing derisively to the court the emissary returns to his seat with a rather dry smile.



P.S. I expected the game to be over before we could run through another round of this, and with almost all the same details in place even...

[rossahh]

I am slightly confused, is the man from Ghor going to speak or are we allowed to go back to bed?

[Quirl]

The doors to the Caliph’s court open and two men in chainmail make their way through. They wear the royal colors of the Ayyubids, but their faces are covered as if mere Ghulams. One man follows them in. He wears no armor, but decorative silk. His beard is long and his stride is soft. His hands are behind his back as he examines in awe the wonderful architecture of the Caliph’s court. As if remembering himself, he turns his attention back to the other ambassadors and smiles.

Greetings nobles of the court. And to you, honorable Caliph. Please accept my presence in Baghdad.

As he bows, behind him can be heard a brief dispute between the guards and the former ambassador. There is a muffled slit, a gurgled gasp, and the guards quietly carry the man out.

My king has instructed me to be a man of few words; but because I have only now come upon you today, I must introduce you to the recent events which have taken place in Egypt.

The previous Sultan is dead. No longer could his servants stand by and watch as Egypt was increasingly desecrated by his inept leadership. There has been a second Mamluk uprising in Egypt. Togrul al-Avidan, former Mamluk and Khassaki, has been at its reigns. He personally strangled the former Sultan with his bowstring. Not even his guards intervened to save the foolish man’s life. Truly, he was hated by all his peoples.

My King has chosen not to take up the official title of Sultan, however, because Sultan means “ruler of the east and west.” But my king has not inherited such an empire. He rules over a land whose past rulers have caused Allah to turn His back on us. When war besieged the Holy Land, Egypt’s old kings held feasts. When the Protectorate of Acre amassed armies at its borders, Egypt’s old kings fiddled with merchants. May Allah forgive our foolishness.

The Mamluk King has these words to say:

He pulls out a scroll and reads...

To the Kingdom of Jerusalem: we would offer a truce to you, but know you would not accept it. The lust you have is apparent to everyone and we know you desire to rape our lands. But this is a war of attrition. Slaves now rule in Egypt and we are much used to such hardships. The Mamluk King would also like you to know that your forces besieging Alexandria have been routed. Also, al-Avidan himself has lead a great host into the gates of Qahira, destroying your main army there and recapturing the capital. Your prince and three other generals were amongst the slain. He would also like me to tell you, and forgive my king's impetuousness, that he "did not think the pale skins could be any paler until he drained them of their blood."

To our Muslim brothers: forgive us our past decadences and weaknesses. Pray for us in these times of trouble. Likewise, we will pray for you. The world is dark as of late, but may His light guide our paths.

To all other parties: Allah bless you. We have no qualms with you. That is all.

He puts away the scroll and bows to the Caliph and ambassadors, before taking his seat.

[rossahh]

After a slight frown at the news of the fall of Cairo, the man from Jerusalem stands to welcome the new party to the court with a minor correction

Actually, we would have happily accepted a lasting peace in exchange for Alexandria. Maybe you should have asked first.


Your predecessors were the first to attack, we have just simply taken the wars from our lands back onto yours. However, we relish the challenge in the south. It has been too long since we have had a real foe there.


So we welcome your Sultan, may your reign be longer than some of the recent Sultans. Perhaps in time a dialouge can be opened between us and the conflict ended. Perhaps.

[Quirl]

Before taking his seat, the new Ayyubid ambassador turns to address the Frank.

We were aware of the previous terms of peace you offered to the former Sultan. But we were also aware of your reputation to holding to such peace treaties, Protectorate of Acre. Know that the we intend on entirely expelling you from the Middle East. There is simply no other way to insure our own safety from you, a people who hold to peace treaties as the wind holds to one direction. Yet, whether we live or die, we merely seek to atone for the sins of the past. Allah be willing, we will survive; lest his anger still be fixed upon us and, in which case, come what may.

The man once more starts to take his seat, but stops suddenly and turns around again, this time to face the Roman ambassador.

And, while we are on this subject, we are aware of the alliance between the Eastern Roman Empire and the Franks. Egypt still remembers the fair rule of Byzantium and there is much sentiment to Orthodox Christianity there. But the Frank’s interpretation of Jesus’s teachings are an affront to this land and need to be expelled from them. We mean no harshness towards your peoples or your religion in this personal, redemptive Jihad, and we hope that the state of peace between us will continue throughout this struggle.

The man bows one last time and finally takes his seat at the corner of the room…

OOC:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

- Actually, I genuinely do appreciate you being easy on me since I just arrived, Rossah, by offering terms of peace, but I just think peace is so boring in a war game.

[navarro951]

The Imam of Oman's messenger calls for the floor so that a message from the Imam himself may be heard...

In light of the recent outbreak of war between the Ghorid Emirate and the Solanki Rajputs, we would like to make it perfectly clear that we have no quarrel with both sides and while we have sided with the aggressor, we hope that conflict will end and our alliance can be reestablished with both sides as soon as possible.

Go with Allah,
The Imam of Oman

[phonicsmonkey]

The Vizier rises, and bows deeply to welcome the new Egyptian delegation.

The Caliph An-Nasir welcomes the representatives of the second Mamluk uprising, and wishes them well in their defence of the lands and faithful peoples of Egypt against the infidel.

Let all those who would lead their people into ruin note the example of the dynasty of Salahuddin, overthrown by those who were bred to serve him, as he himself overthrew his own former masters.

Allah is indeed great to work such miracles in the world!