AbNESVII .•°*”˜ The Many Coloured Lands ˜”*°•.

[SKILORD]

In those days small settlements of the foreign tribes along the coast swore their fealty to the Prophet and the Tao. The Hands of the Prophet were dispatched unto them to defend them, but in those days the lands of the South and those of the West were as if the ends of Earth itself.

In many ways it was suspected that the people of these settlements were less educated and in the know in relation to "True" Carthegians who were the sons and daughters of the eternal city itself or of Solus. Though Solus was in the Land of the Storm (across the waves from Carthage), it was a respected and beloved city and the frequent trade of ideas and the presence of and Order convinced all men of the touch of civilization.

No Orders yet had been dispatched to the small villages of foreign tribes which had vowed allegiance. Monks and Soldiers had been dispatched, small monasteries and forts had been built, but without an Order, and with their trade routes at the time beset with frequent difficulty.

But among the men of Carthage there were those who were drawn to the allure of the new settlements, these trading posts and holes in the ground. Many of these men were Eyes of the Prophet, and it was rumored in those days that among the Eyes of the Prophet there were some who called themselves 'The Seers' and although it was not an explicitly secret order, it is the nature of The Seers to see, not to speak, unless among their own members. So mystery shrouded The Seers and it was only enhanced when The Eyes of the Prophet opened so suddenly upon the small towns of the borderlands.

It was not the custom of The Seers to meet in large number frequently. Twice a year, though, the Seers of Carthage and the Seers of Solus would come and initiate men who shared their vision from the borderlands, and at these times the mystery of the group was only enhanced. Because these meetings were carefully scheduled and positioned, one during a term of the Senate and near enough to hear the debate, the other, it was rumored, took place inside the ear of the Prophet himself, during a time of his administration. The cities, also, were alternated, the Eyes were everywhere, and the Seers needed to see everything.

At one such meeting it was said, over the loud debates of Senators attempting to fund expansions for the new settlements, "These men down there, they are the Tongue of the Prophet. It is good that it wags, because it relieves the pressures that weigh upon the Heart of the Prophet. But we who See know it will accomplish nothing, and it is left to us to not only See, but also to Do."

This was greeted with a muffled laughter from every corner, before the talk turned to mirror the Senate, but here in the room above the Senate there were men from these lands and they spoke specifically of the troubles there of Justice and Supply. In this room there was also the ability to dispatch messages to the Eyes in those lands and have the contents obeyed with absolute fidelity.

Then the talk turned to the Prophet Ezekiel, for he had grown advanced in years and it was known by all that the time would come soon for the Orders of Lion and Storm would convene together and try to establish a new candidate.

It was a confused talk for a while, because the Seers of Carthage were divided among themselves, with three or four names repeated in either praise or disdain as they argued how the Orders would decide.

But among the Seers of Solus there was only one name, he was known to be a monk who served the small temple in Solus. He brought the land to life and spoke simply of wisdom and virtue, so that he was known to be loved among the people of the Land of the Storm. Far and wide, people from all over Sicily (Or, as it was known in those days, The Land of the Storm) came to him for council on every manner and he was known to be respected by the Order of the Storm, and a prized candidate for Prophet.

The men of Carthage and the other lands of the Lion were excited by the stories of this man and they hoped that they might meet him soon. The Seers of Solus then confessed that it was known by them that the Order of the Storm was even now planning to send this man to meet Ezekiel and also to confer with the Order of the Lion, that his qualities may be judged.

And it did come to pass that this monk, his name was called Peth, was brought to a ship of the Monastery that he might be delivered to Carthage. It was a quick, agile craft much akin to the ships that deliver the Order of the Storm to and fro. They called these ships 'Scooners' and with their triangular sails and sleek, oval hulls they were well known as the ships of the faith, and few fishermen had ships so well crafted.

It was a time when traders of Carthage had grown accustomed to sailing a northern route so that they could go to the markets of Corsica and trade the grains and olives of Carthage there. And Pirates grew accustomed to raiding these ships and plundering their wealth.

And on this occasion the Pirates were extremely disappointed to find themselves having captured a religious vessel, but they reasoned that a ransom could be won. So they took Peth and the monks of the ship captive.

Peth had spent years as a trainer for the Hands of the Prophet, for it was the custom that the monks should train the soldiers in the martial arts which the men of the faith had developed to discipline their minds and bodies. He and the others were men of the cloth, and in the surprise of the sudden boarding they were overwhelmed by the armed intruders, but they were displeased with the results and plotted their own escape.

The men of Carthage were extremely concerned when Peth and his ship did not arrive, and many Curraghs were sent to try to locate the Scooner, to no avail.

But the message of the ransom was sent there, and when the Order of the Lion received this notice they did rend their garments and shout of the injustice.

The Seers, most of all, were troubled by this news, and they spoke among themselves and found reliable contacts within the temple who did offer the use of another Scooner, if they would recover the crew. It was promised, and so the Seers chose from among their number the bravest and finest warriors, to send them on this mission.

The location of the Pirate camp was ascertained, for nothing can be hidden from the Seers. And they made at once to that location. They took no ransom, although at that time the Senate was in session and they spoke frequently of whether such a ransom would be paid.

It was said that Peth knew well the way of the Tao, for his timing was immaculate and he reminded the men often to build their strength, both of body and spirit for three months. And when that time had passed he instructed the other monks to rise up against their captors and detailed the strategy by which he hoped to be free. It was a fine plan, but as prisoners the men were poorly equipped to succeed, the struggle lasted long into the night.

As the first light of day broke across the horizon no victor yet could be established. The prison had been taken, but surrounded, and the monks despaired that they could not make it to the Scooner and return to their homes. But at that moment the horizon brought another gift, and the triangle cut sails appeared, filled with Seers of the lands of Carthage.

The siege was lifted at once, as the pirates rushed to their coast to fire arrows upon the new enemies, and they were greatly worried of the timing. For they had no faith and their eyes were blind to the path.

As the Seers landed their ship, some leaping overboard and swimming ashore in their enthusiasm for battle, and as these well trained warriors burst out of the waves the pirates found themselves surrounded, for the monks too stormed the beach after their captors.

From the victorious battle Peth was brought to Carthage to be evaluated, and he was found to be a great and noble man in every regard, such that the approval of the Order of the Lion and the Seers of Carthage was secured at once, Ezekiel gave his blessing and retired to the countryside where he taught his grandchildren the customs of farmers.

When Peth was made Prophet he said to the Eyes, "Let it be known, that you have my gratitude and trust. We shall eliminate this scourge of piracy as a man repairs a loose board in his roof, but we shall have Scooners for hammers and men from among your number to serve as nails."

And so it came to pass that the Nails were founded, and although they were Hands of the Prophet it was often wondered if they answered instead to the Eyes, and more specifically, to those who saw.

-

Diplomacy

To: Angonquin Sabina
From: The Pen of the Prophet Peth, Sovereign of Carthage

Brothers and Sisters of the faith, may destiny shine upon you. It is my intent to construct a navy to protect the trade of my ships, I do not wish for you to misunderstand the intentions of my forces. I wish for peace among our people, and I also hope that our traders may come to exchange goods for mutual profit.

To: Viminala
From: The Pen of the Prophet Peth, Sovreign of Carthage

Brothers and Sisters of the faith, may destiny shine upon you. It is my intent to construct a navy to protect the trade of my ships, I do not wish for you to misunderstand the intentions of my forces. I wish for peace among our people, and I also hope that our traders may come to exchange goods for mutual profit.

 

[DarthNader]

Wrapping up this semester is draining my will to write. I'm still VERY much in this.

 

[LDiCesare]

In times past, when gods had just created men and sent them to settle the rivers and the land in-between, a quarrel happened in the skies.
Gods fought each other, great clouds covered the azure, hid the sun at day and the moon at night, and their huge and gray bellies would spit terrible rains upon the lands while thunder boomed and lightning crossed the skies and burnt the earth.
The reason for this fight was the dwelling place of the deities.

For, you see, both Nanna Death-tricker and Gashur the bronze worker wanted to inhabit the city of Er-nunnu when they visited the lands between the divine realm and the realm of the dead.
When Nanna chose Er-nunnu, Gashur got angry and attacked her, but he couldn't kill her for she was the one who had imprisoned Death in the underworld. Nanna fought back but she wasn't a match for Gashur's strength anf fighting skills. As both gods were busy quarrelling, the other deities started to worry. Gashur was no longer holding demons at bay, and Nanna threatened to release Death from its prison so that Gashur would meet his end. The gods held a council and pondered what to do. Urugal sat on the highest throne of the council and asked the gods how to deal with the issue.
This is when one of them rose and spake. His name was Mesheran, now known as the Peace-Bringer, then better known for being the referee whom gods often asked advice from when they needed a judgment. He told the assembly that he would talk to Nanna and Gashur and find a way to satisfy them both.

So Mesheran went to Nanna and asked her what she wanted. The goddess said Er-nunnu was hers because she had claimed it first. She said she had the right to claim first because without her gods would be dead by now as she was the one who had tricked Death.
Mesheran listened and told her he would go speak to Gashur to end the fight.
Then Mesheran went to Gashur and asked him what he wanted. The god said Er-nunnu should be his because he was the one who protected it from the demons.
Mesheran listened and told Gashur:
"But you don't protect only Er-nunnu. By your own reasoning, you would have to dwell in every town of the land.
- What you say is true, answered Gashur.
- Yet we all choose one town as our favorite dwelling place. Can't you leave Er-nunnu to Nanna and pick another one if I make every other god swear that you will be allowed to visit their city from time to time, as you are the protector of them all?"
Gashur listened to Mesheran's words and pondered their wisdom. He felt they were wise, but didn't know how much wise they were. So Gashur went to his forge in Ugud and he hammered two copper plates of exactly the same weight. He smelted copper and arsenic into bronze, and built the first scales in the world. Upon these scales, he measured the wisdom of Mesheran's words and found that his words were wiser than the ideas of war and quarrel among the gods.
So Gashur came back to Nanna with Mesheran. He told her he would let her dwell alone in Er-nunnu, provided he would be allowed to visit every town of the earth should he decide to. Nanna approved, and this is how the war between the gods came to an end.

To this day, men still use scales to measure weights and avoid conflicts between seller and buyer, thereby repeating the actions of Mesheran and Gashur. To this day, Nanna's temple shines in Er-nunnu, and Gashur is worshipped in all towns of both great rivers.

 

[Tycho]

We won the war against the heretics, smashing them to pieces at the bloody battles in which we fought for king and country. We succeeded in what we had set out to do; conquest of lands, bringing riches and spoils of war back to our lands and doing what our forefathers once did, in the long ages past when they smashed and ground barbarian bodies into the soil as rivers of blood ran through the land. We succeeded in what we did... but at what cost? From distant lands, wanderers come speaking of new and exotic places where the names roll of your tongue like syrup. They seem to think that we ourselves are barbarians, merely because of our reputation for doing what must be done in the world, for our religion and for our own gain...

The war brought us new spoils and land yes, but it also created a problem. We have become a stagnant nation, no longer expanding across all of the lands and the breadth of the continent. Granted, because of our actions and our military excursions we could not do that, but now we must shift our gazes south, east, and west until we connect back to where we started, across oceans, mountains, hills, burning deserts and windswept oceans. We must expand once more to bring people under the welcoming banner of our religion, our nation, and our king.

We are the sons and daughters of the gods, and we must act to ensure our survival people of our fair nation of Ostava! We must act now to ensure that our children and our children's children and all the descendants that come after us and them have a place to call home, a bastion to defend themselves, and a collective weapon of the people who are united in blood, iron, and courage! We will not be but a minor footnote in the pages of a history book somewhere in the future, nay we we will the ones that they speak of with love and respect with a twinkle in their eyes! We will not be forgotten, broken and destroyed as the nations of this world try to surpass us!

People of Ostava, let us unite in harmony, so that we may better destroy our own enemies. For us to be strong and united, we need all the people as one mind, one voice, one weapon! For the individual is weak, but the group is strong when we work together.

Let us unite and do what must be done.

Inscription upon one of the "Twenty Towers", stone tablets that held declarations by the highest members of the Ostavan hierarchy.

 

[LDiCesare]

King Menushulak of Eruar sends envoys to the four directions, to the leaders of every neighbouring country.

From Eruar
To Arbili
Greetings from Menushulak, king of Eruar, to the great king of Arbili.
We worship the same gods and live on the same rivers. Trade between our realms gives us both great riches and prosperity.
In order to maintain good relationships and avoid conflicts that arise from misunderstandings, we would like to build an embasy in your land, under the patronage of Mesheran the Peace-Bringer, the Judge, the God Who Solves Conflicts.
In addition, we would like to offer you a proposal for a treaty between our nations. Eruar would vow to help defend Arbili in case of attack from a third party, and Arbili would also come and help defend Eruar in case of aggression. This is a purely defensive pact. It would only serve to help protect us both from attacks, and neither nation could be dragged into an offensive war through this treaty.
We are eager to know your answer to our proposal.

From Eruar
To Tir-nubbirat
Greetings from Menushulak, king of Eruar, to the great king of Tir-nubbirat.
We worship the same gods and live on the same rivers. Trade between our realms gives us both great riches and prosperity. Your access to the sea provides you with trade partners from afar, and you have much to gain by trading with us of the north and bringing us the southern riches. We believe a strong and peaceful cooperation is the best for both our countries.
Therefore, in order to maintain good relationships and avoid conflicts that arise from misunderstandings, we would like to build an embasy in your land, under the patronage of Mesheran the Peace-Bringer, the Judge, the God Who Solves Conflicts.
We are eager to know your answer to our proposal.

From Eruar
To Tehsil
Greetings from Menushulak, king of Eruar, to the great king of Tehsil.
We worship the same gods and live on the same rivers. Trade between our realms should give us both great riches and prosperity. We welcome your merchants and hope you will welcome ours.
In order to maintain good relationships and avoid conflicts that arise from misunderstandings, we would like to build an embasy in your land, under the patronage of Mesheran the Peace-Bringer, the Judge, the God Who Solves Conflicts.
We are eager to know your answer to our proposal.

From Eruar
To Bothnia
Greetings from Menushulak, king of Eruar, to the king of Bothnia.
We live on the same rivers. Trade between our realms should give us both great riches and prosperity. We only bear spears to defend ourselves from the barbarians from the mountains and the deserts, but we want peace with our fellow river-dwellers, peace which can only be obtained if we allow the free flow of goods and currency up and down river.
In order to maintain good relationships and avoid conflicts that arise from misunderstandings, we would like to build an embasy in your land, under the patronage of Mesheran the Peace-Bringer, the Judge, the God Who Solves Conflicts. Surely under the patronage of such a divine being, we can solve all issues that might arise between our nations, as the powers and wisdom of the god is so much greater than those of us mere kings.
We are eager to know your answer to our proposal.

 

[Boundless]

To: Angonquin Sabina
From: The Pen of the Prophet Peth, Sovereign of Carthage

Brothers and Sisters of the faith, may destiny shine upon you. It is my intent to construct a navy to protect the trade of my ships, I do not wish for you to misunderstand the intentions of my forces. I wish for peace among our people, and I also hope that our traders may come to exchange goods for mutual profit.

To: The Pen of the Prophet Peth, Sovereign of Carthage
From: Angonquin Sabina


We welcome your request for peace great Carthage and would like to meet with you in peace to discuss potential trading opportunities. We seek peace, knowing that peace is the climate of freedom.

 

[SKILORD]

To: Angonquin Sabina
From: Carthage

The path of destiny is peace, for though men fight wars in their hearts they desire only peace. There is the peace of conquest that some hearts pine for, but it is not a peace of freedom and mutual respect. The hearts of Carthage long for freedom and mutual respect, scorning the false promises of conquest.

Let it be known that the traders of Carthage shall be dispatched to offer their grains, and olives, but as we know that such crops must also be bountiful in your lands we will also endeavor to send with them the strange and interesting animals of the Land of the Lion, camels and elephants and lions alike, all well secured so that they cannot harm the peoples of your lands.

 

[Milarqui]

To: Algonquin Sabinia, Carthage
From: Sagenta

We were wondering if you would be willing to start a trading relationship with us.

 

[thomas.berubeg]

Viminala would like to Invite all to Ashia as a trade hub.

 

[Angst]

To: The Lund
From: Danes

We wish for protection of those powerful that treat their people in respect. We hear you not threatening our own protectorates, as such we see no reason not to honor your wishes. Consider your people friends of us.

To: The Viborg
From: Danes

How dare you threaten the mighty Danes of the Ulf Dynasty? Our warriors are more bloodied than yours will ever become - The only enbloodiment you will see will be your flesh running out of your eyes! Pay your own fine or prepare to see your chieftains impaled!

So, what be it? Will you retract your threat and apologize with compensation or are you persistently offensive to our courts, making us have to war you?

 

[Ninja Dude]

Gah, sorry about that. A bit of a busy weekend.

 

[SKILORD]

Peth was known as a wise and good Prophet, though his animosity for Pirates was matched only by his piety. At that time a man called Titus became well trusted among the Seers and was known to often take council with the Prophet in his capacity as head of the Eyes of the Prophet.

It was Titus who selected the first Nails, and Titus who oversaw their training, learning the tactics of the Hand and developing his own, and also oversaw the workers of bronze.

For, as is written in the Tao Te Titus, "The weapons must serve a single purpose, we cannot use clubs when we need the arms of our soldiers to be quick. We cannot use arrows when the enemy has joined ranks with our own, we must have weapons for the purpose at hand, just as we must prepare our minds for the purpose at hand."

So he taught the bronze workers to make short blades, to slice down sails, hooks to be tied off and used to pull ships closer. He trained the Nails in the use of these weapons and it came to pass that he gained the respect of the Hand, the Devotion of the Eye, and access to the ear of the Prophet. He was widely considered to be a "power player."

The Senate knew of his influence, and the Guilds, as did the Orders of Lion and Storm, and so a closed meeting was arranged where the subject of the power of secret societies in Carthage was discussed, there was much concern.

The most senior member of the Orders was a man of Carthage named Himiclese and he spoke first saying, "In our time it has been the custom of smaller and smaller groups to make decisions about the fate of Carthage. We have all heard the reports, our Bronzeworkers have seen the orders, the Blind* have reported to us on the actions of the Eyes in the creation of these Nails. We know that Apeth, leader of the Hand, is a fool who sits inside Titus' pocket and listens to his every word."

The Senate agreed with these concerns, "But how," they asked, "shall we deal with it, and restore the rule of the people? Are these men not evil to abuse their power in such a way?"

"There have been no abuses of power," replied Himiclese, "These men are noble servants of Carthage, they serve in their own way and they serve to the utmost. But Carthage requires also men to serve in our way, and we must be challenged to serve Carthage and to share, if you will pardon my phrasing, our own vision of what Carthage must be. We must take steps to serve Carthage, not to fight among ourselves.

"And I have a plan," he continued, for Himiclese had himself studied the new frontier towns, he had seen himself the influence that the Seers drew from these lands and so it had been there he went for allies, he brought them forward now, "The settlement of the West is under the chokehold of the Eyes, and all men of that land are devoted to the paths of the Hands or of the Eyes, but to the South there is a village that I have grown fond of. These are men of Thaenae, and I intend to bring them forward to the Prophet to ask that they be made a new Order."

"But this will take money!" exclaimed the Senators, "We have seen the orders which have been placed to arm the Nails and to construct Scooners, the money is all tied up in those endeavors."

So the Guild representatives came forward and said, "Do not worry of this, we shall only build a quarter of the order and seek to feed and tend to our members in other ways, for we will take only a quarter of the payment. If we of the guilds will not build their weapons then we will preserve our strength and prevent the secret societies from taking Carthage as their own."

Himiclese nodded, glad to hear this, "And when an Order is established and the allegiance of Taenae is taken from the Eyes for these men may vote and grow alongside us, they shall become like our brothers of Solus, allies in our struggle. One man cannot rule an Empire, and we shall stretch the resources of the Seers when our allies work together from Solus to Thaenae."

And the men of Thaenae were brought to the Prophet for approval, and Himiclese remained at the back of the others of his Order when the decision was made. The Prophet Peth did know that his own allies, Eyes and Seers, were well established in the borderlands and so he hoped for them to be elected to the Senate from the Thaenae. He named these men the Order of Justice, for he was sure that this new city would secure the place of the Eyes.

But Himiclese had chosen these men well and he requested that the Orders convene together in Thaenae for some months to spread the faith and perfect the knowledge of the people, helping to spread the understandings and skills of Carthage, that they might rival the designs of the Seers.

It was of great surprise how quickly the guilds were established in Thaenae when the new Order took up residence there, and the Senate convened in the new city at first opportunity, it elected representatives who were concerned with the influence of the Eyes and the ways it had been expressed in Thaenae. When this had come to pass, with orders for weapons and ships only partially filled, Titus went and sought the council of the Prophet Peth, asking "How can we fight piracy without the full number of ships and men? How can we tolerate the treason of the Senate and Guilds?"

Peth was fiery of spirit and he held with the Seers on many issues. But he knew the teachings of Hannibal the Second, that a man may not always trust his Eyes, so he spoke to Titus and asked him to tell the other Seers that the Senate had acted nobly, and only sought to protect Carthage from the influence of secret societies.

"It is fine today, I tell you, that the Eyes are so prominent in the Empire but they cannot be granted absolute command. What if tomorrow the guilds should form their own societies and try to take such control? Or the Hand? It is best that we allow the Senate to check your excesses."

But Titus was furious and said that upon his next administration Peth should undo all the laws which this Senate had made. But Peth shook his head, "These things are not for you to decide. You see so clearly, but you do not think, allow the Senate to do these things."

"The Prophet wishes to be blind, let it be so," and with that Titus resigned from his post, and fled to the West, never to be heard from again.

But he had trained Nails, and these men stayed loyal to the path of the Tao. When the Prophet Peth called on them these men swore allegiance to Carthage and to the Prophet, forsaking the treason of their instructor and former leader.

-

Glossary of Carthegian Idioms and Phrases:

The Eyes of the Prophet: Police forces of Carthage and the lands thereof.
-The Seers: Semi-Secret Organization composed of high ranked Eyes, focused on spreading the perfect Justice of the Tao.
-The Blind: Eyes disloyal to the Seers and suspicious of their influence.
The Hand of the Prophet: Military forces of Carthage and the lands thereof.
-The Nails: Recruited and trained by the Eyes to serve as marine warriors under the command of the Hand of the Prophet. Designed to end the scourge of piracy
The Senate: Composed about equally of elected representatives and chosen guild representatives. Administers the state for six months of the year.
The Order of the Lion: The original Order of Prophetic Tao, headquartered in the Temple of Fate where they judge disputes and guard the faith.
The Order of the Storm: The Taoist Order of Solus, headquartered in a small building in Sicily where they judge disputes and guard the faith.
The Order of Justice: The Taoist Order of Thaenae, newly established, but still judging disputes and guarding the faith.
The Prophet: Sovereign of Carthage and leader of the faith. Administers the state when the Senate is not in session. Chosen by the Orders for specific qualities.
The Tao Te Titus: Disavowed by the Temple proper and considered "a faulty path" the Tao Te Titus remains popular among many Eyes and Hands.

-

Diplomacy

To: Sagenta
From: The Pen of the Prophet Peth, Sovereign of Carthage

Carthage is always looking for new partners in the path of the future, our traders shall pioneer the routes at first opportunity.

To: Viminala
From: The Pen of the Prophet Peth, Sovereign of Carthage

Ashia it is!

 

[Boundless]

To: Algonquin Sabinia, Carthage
From: Sagenta

We were wondering if you would be willing to start a trading relationship with us.

To: Sagenta
From: Algonquin Sabinia

We welcome your offer with open arms. What can you provide us?

 

[Abaddon]

King Menushulak of Eruar sends envoys to the four directions, to the leaders of every neighbouring country.

From Eruar
To Arbili
Greetings from Menushulak, king of Eruar, to the great king of Arbili.
We worship the same gods and live on the same rivers. Trade between our realms gives us both great riches and prosperity.
In order to maintain good relationships and avoid conflicts that arise from misunderstandings, we would like to build an embasy in your land, under the patronage of Mesheran the Peace-Bringer, the Judge, the God Who Solves Conflicts.
In addition, we would like to offer you a proposal for a treaty between our nations. Eruar would vow to help defend Arbili in case of attack from a third party, and Arbili would also come and help defend Eruar in case of aggression. This is a purely defensive pact. It would only serve to help protect us both from attacks, and neither nation could be dragged into an offensive war through this treaty.
We are eager to know your answer to our proposal.

We greet this proposal with positive tones. Construct your embassy within our walls and may the trade goods flow between our river.

From Eruar
To Tir-nubbirat
Greetings from Menushulak, king of Eruar, to the great king of Tir-nubbirat.
We worship the same gods and live on the same rivers. Trade between our realms gives us both great riches and prosperity. Your access to the sea provides you with trade partners from afar, and you have much to gain by trading with us of the north and bringing us the southern riches. We believe a strong and peaceful cooperation is the best for both our countries.
Therefore, in order to maintain good relationships and avoid conflicts that arise from misunderstandings, we would like to build an embasy in your land, under the patronage of Mesheran the Peace-Bringer, the Judge, the God Who Solves Conflicts.
We are eager to know your answer to our proposal.

An interesting proposal, but not one we wish to entertain. Our outlying tradeposts along our national borders provide such a service. By all means, build an embassy nearby that we might discuss future plans in the splendour of our host. We do not wish to cause offence by this, but our lands are just that; ours

From Eruar
To Tehsil
Greetings from Menushulak, king of Eruar, to the great king of Tehsil.
We worship the same gods and live on the same rivers. Trade between our realms should give us both great riches and prosperity. We welcome your merchants and hope you will welcome ours.
In order to maintain good relationships and avoid conflicts that arise from misunderstandings, we would like to build an embasy in your land, under the patronage of Mesheran the Peace-Bringer, the Judge, the God Who Solves Conflicts.
We are eager to know your answer to our proposal.

We are willing to sell you such access and land to build upon for 1EP.

From Eruar
To Bothnia
Greetings from Menushulak, king of Eruar, to the king of Bothnia.
We live on the same rivers. Trade between our realms should give us both great riches and prosperity. We only bear spears to defend ourselves from the barbarians from the mountains and the deserts, but we want peace with our fellow river-dwellers, peace which can only be obtained if we allow the free flow of goods and currency up and down river.
In order to maintain good relationships and avoid conflicts that arise from misunderstandings, we would like to build an embassy in your land, under the patronage of Mesheran the Peace-Bringer, the Judge, the God Who Solves Conflicts. Surely under the patronage of such a divine being, we can solve all issues that might arise between our nations, as the powers and wisdom of the god is so much greater than those of us mere kings.
We are eager to know your answer to our proposal.

You may be a mere king, I however am a King, by divine right the ruler of all who bow before me. In time, you and your false gods will bow. Alas at this time I am too busy to smite you, but mark my words, with time, all that quench their thirst from my river, will learn to bow to me.

 

[Abaddon]

To: The Lund
From: Danes

We wish for protection of those powerful that treat their people in respect. We hear you not threatening our own protectorates, as such we see no reason not to honor your wishes. Consider your people friends of us.

Your messenger returns with some fine pelts, gifts from the Lund people, glad they might be safe from your own aggression, and perhaps that of the Viborg.

To: The Viborg
From: Danes

How dare you threaten the mighty Danes of the Ulf Dynasty? Our warriors are more bloodied than yours will ever become - The only enbloodiment you will see will be your flesh running out of your eyes! Pay your own fine or prepare to see your chieftains impaled!

So, what be it? Will you retract your threat and apologize with compensation or are you persistently offensive to our courts, making us have to war you?

Your messenger does not return.

 

[Abaddon]

Gah, sorry about that. A bit of a busy weekend.

No worries man, I banked your stash, so you are sitting on shed loads of money now!

 

[Gem Hound]

Oligarchate of Syracuse
Colour: Sea Green
Location: Sicily
Background: The Oligarchate of Sicily began simply because of it's strategic location in the Mediterranean.
Two leaders by the names of Sicilianos and Africanus realized this and settled on the coast of Sicily. They realized that with enough time, all trade from the Eastern Mediterranean to the Western Mediterranean would flow through the Oligarchate of Syracuse. After many years, the city of Syracuse became the most powerful city in the region. Then the Carthegians arrived and shattered the balance. This caused the Oligarchate of Syracuse to shift their attention from their profits to it's neighbors which were increasingly influenced by Carthage. This caused the Oligarchate of Syracuse to actually look towards expansion for pure survival.

Spoiler :

 

[Abaddon]

Welcome.

 

[SKILORD]

To: The Oligarchs of Syracuse
From: Apeth, Chief of the Hand, Seer of the Exalted Level, Disciple of Titus and Loyal to the Prophet

Though I am a warrior, the Prophet has sent me to your shores under the banner of peace. We wish to open trade in your great city, he has told me to ask your permission for these things. But he has sent me with another message.

We are beset on every side by barbarians, I speak not of those who do not share a religion with my people, there are many paths and each man walks his own, ours is simply a path which we have designed to be well lit and public for those who do not have their own. But there are violent, crass men who will take the trade goods of our peaceful, profitable societies by force of arms and we must be prepared to defend ourselves against these men.

We have spent some great time concerned with protecting the trade routes from piracy, and we would welcome you to join us in using these advances in technology and tactics. If you would join with us and we were to pool our resources I am convinced that we could posses the secrets of Iron in a fortnight.

Slay me if you must, but I come in peace with an offer of friendship. The Prophet has told me that my fate is in your hands, and that I should let you know that should you chose to strike me down the city shall not mourn me or imitate your aggression. I have not forsaken my teacher, though he has forsaken us all, and my reputation is a bit tattered for it. I do not care, personally, which fate you should decide for me, but I warn you that should you slay me I shall return personally as a lion to eat your children. That's not even something I have control over. That's just Karma.

 

[Gem Hound]

To: Apeth, Chief of the Land, Seer of the Exalted Level, Disciple of Titus and Loyal to the Prophet

As we are merchants, we accept peace on one condition. That you do not expand further into Sicily. We have no wish to slay you unless our hands are forced. People are allowed to follow their own path but most here believe in the natural sciences. We will join you in helping purge the seas of pirates but will remain as our own people. Do not treat us as barbarians as we are not.

Sincerely, Korindos, Oligarch of Syracuse and High merchant of Syracuse