ATEN - Game Thread

[Jehoshua]

To: Amazonia
From: The Papal States

We note the hypocrisy of Amazonia, should it be speaking of the blessed bells that hang in all churches when it speaks of "structures", when it speaks of the impossibility of trade, considering it seems perfectly at liberty through its corporate proxy to trade with other Catholic nations such as Germany where the bells toll and put demons, and suppress the sorcerous power that comes from them that the people may not suffer under the tyranny of magic. Should it be referring to the towers of Fortschritte, needless to say none exist in the Papal States.

With regards to our foreign policy, we note that we have not "allied" with Fortschritte, but have signed a defensive pact with them in acknowledgement of our common interests, and due to the threat of hostile powers, which unfortunately seem to include Amazonia. With regards to Germany, we note that it was the Necromantic Regime of Hitler that attacked the Papal States, not the other way around, and that it was through our defensive efforts and the efforts of numerous other states that the tyrannical necrocracy was overthrown and the Germany people permitted to reconstitute their nation in the spirit of peace and become one of the most economically important nations in the world today.

The Holy See respects Germany neutrality, and respects is sovereign right to engage in an independent foreign policy. Amazonia seeks to use its corporate tool hypocritically as a bludgeon to serve its interests and with a puritanical intolerance seeks to bring down anyone who refuses to submit to the tyranny of magic as they have. Fortunately Germany has found other companies to provide the same service without the diplomatic entanglements Amazonia proposes and thus we are grateful that Germany maintains its clear neutral stance. A neutral stance which Amazonia seems to despise, noting its latest comments where it notes that it sees peaceful economic relations with the Papal States as anathema to relations with itself.

sincerely

Pope Pius XII.

 

[arya126]

Finland, Normandy, Asturias, Gibraltar, Republic of China, and Genoa are all invited to join Liberum Solis and by extension set free trade with Sol to 2.0.

Sol is announcing its plans to expand the navy of Liberum Solis nations. As a result, within 5 years we intend to partially fund member nations' naval expansion programs in order to reach a goal of every member nation operating 1 aircraft carrier, 1 battleship, and 3 destroyers. This shall ensure that each member nation can defend itself in an emergency while awaiting relief forces from Sol proper and fellow member nations.

Sol also announces that it is willing to buy ammo from willing nations at a rate of .5 gold per ammo point.

Sol inquires as to whether Genoa would be interested in selling Sardinia and Corsica for a sum of 20 gold.

Sol announces an increase in tariffs with the Papal States citing their ailing economy as dragging down Sol's and an increase in their hostile diplomatic correspondence both with Sol itself and with other nations, major and minor.

Sol asks Amazon to set free trade levels to 2.0 in order to better serve the consumers of both our nations.

Sol asks The Republic of China whether they would be interested in purchasing military equipment from us, and if so at what price.

Sol outbids the Aztecs in Ryker Shipping shares at 22 shares for $15.

Sol also announces a private transaction with Amazon resulting in the sale of 5 TET shares to Amazon.

 

[Jehoshua]

With regards to Sol's increase in tariffs on the Papal States and its clearly aggressive and hegemonic foreign policy towards other states in Europe. We wish to note that the proclaimed reasons for its policy towards us are clearly farcical.

Firstly to deal with economic matters, its assertion that the papal economy is ailing is absurd considering its stability, with only minor deficits in energy supply existing compared to the far larger mineral and energy deficits that plague the Solan economy. Likewise the Solan government in order to fund mass tertiary and secondary development is 347.55 (ep) in debt, which is proportionately massive compared to its national budget of 458 (ep). In comparison the papal government is completely in the black and has no debt, and is free to continue its sustainable program of economic development without the consummate risks of the solan model. For indeed, Sols continued slide into debt is ultimately unsustainable and is a recipe for potential economic problems in the future for that country, and for nations economically intertwined with it.

Secondly to deal with its assertion that the Papal States is hostile, what it is referring too is a demand Sol made to the Papal States that it sign non-aggression with Liberum Solis, sign a secret defensive pact with it, and "step down" from proclaiming the truth that sorcery is a moral evil as a condition for such an arrangement. Considering the belligerent and aggressive attitude of Sol, which is clearly manifest in its recent statements where it clearly seeks to engage in a program of militarisation and hegemonic domination through its alliance, and considering that rejecting the faith of Christ is entirely impossible for us, the Holy See was forced to decline its agreements due to the obscene demands attached to them. However in the spirit of peace we offered a modus vivendi of co-operation and respect where in the event of attack by common foes both sides would agree to a common defence, and where each would respect each others legitimate interests.

Sol rejected this modus vivendi proposal point blank, and immediately threatened us, noting its military and nuclear technology and stating that if would aggressively attack the Papal States should it even form an alliance with anyone other than Sol and its confreres on the basis that it was a "threat". It continued to make similar threats in further correspondence when we expressed our dismay at Sols hostile and belligerent attitude towards other states despite its stated "peaceful" intentions. It now continues to manifest publically a hostile and hegemonic foreign policy through the hegemonic expansion of the Liberum Solis, which is nothing other than an unequal client arrangement in which states put their sovereignty a "security umbrella" which is nothing other than coercive military domination through Sols mass militarisation (and offer to militarise other states, despite the absence of any clear threat) and the implication of Solan reaction should any nation therein seek to run an independent foreign policy. All of this indicates that its "peaceful" intent is a lie, and that Sol is a hostile and expansionist power.

Let us assess its foreign policy therefore in more detail. It seeks to purchase Sardinia and Corsica, territories offshore from the Holy City of Rome, for cheap change which is clearly intended to provide a tactical launching ground against the papacy. It is stockpiling ammunition despite its debt and seeking to bring the Papal States good friends, Genoa, Asturias, Gibraltar and Normandy into a military alliance with itself (which would entangle them in its conflicts), while simultaneously promising to militarise them despite it debt, thus seeking to incorporate them into its large hegemonic alliance network when there is no credible military threat to Europe, apart it seems from Sols hostile military buildup. It is increasing tariffs on our trade for patently false reasons, and is investing heavily in a Ryker shipping, a military services company again despite its mass debt. It has established a large and exclusive alliance network (the IOTO and Liberum Solis) that it has threatened to bring to bear against us, when we refused to join. This is self-evidently a hosdtile foreign policy, and clearly indicates a military build up for invasion in the future on the part of Sol.

If we refer to Papal foreign policy in contrast, we have over the last years promoted common bonds of trade, non-aggression and defensive pact in Europe. With regards to our relations with other states (which Sol cites) the sole instance where the Holy See has had unfriendly relations is with Amazonia in response to its demands to Germany that that nation align itself to Amazonian foreign policy and discount its historic neutrality if it was to purchase shares in the state run Amazonian Industries. It is thus clear that the Papacy has in no way been aggressive to Sol or to any other state and unlike Sol is a peaceful nation. Unlike Sol we have not manifested any threat of military intervention in other nations affairs, and despite Sol (or Amazonia's) unfriendliness we have not taken reactive measures against them. Indeed despite numerous threats from Sol we maintained open trade relations with them.

Unfortunately in light of the clearly aggressive policies of Sol, we are forced to increase tariffs on Sols goods, and urge our friends, and particularly those nations that have defensive pacts with us to refrain from entering into the Solan sphere, correspondingly risking conflict. We likewise are compelled to reaffirm our commitment to collective security in Europe should Sol commit to invasion of any party of the Congress of Europe, which establishes a clear deterrent against hostility which would be undermined by accession to the Liberum Solis. The Papal States is prepared to defend your nations against aggressors as it so recently did against the Hitler tyranny. For Sol is clearly engaged in an aggressive policy, It is militarising and engaged in alliance building behaviour despite the total absence of any actual threat, it is seeking a territorial platform that can only be intented for use against the papacy. All of this is a clear threat of war on the part of Sol, which we urge our friends to have no part of it noting the strong defensive paradigm that currently exists, and which Sol is clearly seeking to undermine, which clearly and strongly secures European peace from the kind of attack which Sol is threatening. Our nations likewise have common bonds of trade and defence, history attests to our good relations where together we saw off common threats. Acceding to Solan hegemony will only serve to destroy the progress that has been made towards a peaceful and harmonious Europe and endanger all nations and their peoples with the potentiality of a war initiated by Sol.

 

[NinjaCow64]

To: Amazonia
From: The Papal States

We note the hypocrisy of Amazonia, should it be speaking of the blessed bells that hang in all churches when it speaks of "structures", when it speaks of the impossibility of trade, considering it seems perfectly at liberty through its corporate proxy to trade with other Catholic nations such as Germany where the bells toll and put demons, and suppress the sorcerous power that comes from them that the people may not suffer under the tyranny of magic. Should it be referring to the towers of Fortschritte, needless to say none exist in the Papal States.

With regards to our foreign policy, we note that we have not "allied" with Fortschritte, but have signed a defensive pact with them in acknowledgement of our common interests, and due to the threat of hostile powers, which unfortunately seem to include Amazonia. With regards to Germany, we note that it was the Necromantic Regime of Hitler that attacked the Papal States, not the other way around, and that it was through our defensive efforts and the efforts of numerous other states that the tyrannical necrocracy was overthrown and the Germany people permitted to reconstitute their nation in the spirit of peace and become one of the most economically important nations in the world today.

The Holy See respects Germany neutrality, and respects is sovereign right to engage in an independent foreign policy. Amazonia seeks to use its corporate tool hypocritically as a bludgeon to serve its interests and with a puritanical intolerance seeks to bring down anyone who refuses to submit to the tyranny of magic as they have. Fortunately Germany has found other companies to provide the same service without the diplomatic entanglements Amazonia proposes and thus we are grateful that Germany maintains its clear neutral stance. A neutral stance which Amazonia seems to despise, noting its latest comments where it notes that it sees peaceful economic relations with the Papal States as anathema to relations with itself.

sincerely

Pope Pius XII.

OOC: I honestly didn't remember that Germany was Catholic. Could you or Tani produce a list of nations that install your bells, or Fortschritte's towers, so we do not make this mistake again?

IC: As we have said before, your bells have a similar effect to Fortschritte's towers, so we cannot trade with you. We still offer to research methods into improving these bells so they do not harm our citizens.

And regardless of whether you have signed a Defensive Pact or alliance with Fortschritte, the fact remains that you have associated with them means that you approve of their actions, so our point remains valid.

We do not despise Germany's neutrality, in fact we have wished them luck in their future business ventures.

Sol asks Amazon to set free trade levels to 2.0 in order to better serve the consumers of both our nations.

Sol also announces a private transaction with Amazon resulting in the sale of 5 TET shares to Amazon.

We confirm the transaction and agree to raise trade levels to "2".

 

[Arrow Gamer]

We acknowledge the outbidding of the Aztecs by Sol, and the newest outbid price is $18.

 

[Double A]

We acknowledge the outbidding of the Aztecs by Sol, and the newest outbid price is $18.

I bid -$20.

But seriously. Funding one branch of Ryker Shipping for $25.

 

[Jehoshua]

IC: As we have said before, your bells have a similar effect to Fortschritte's towers, so we cannot trade with you. We still offer to research methods into improving these bells so they do not harm our citizens.

And regardless of whether you have signed a Defensive Pact or alliance with Fortschritte, the fact remains that you have associated with them means that you approve of their actions, so our point remains valid.

We do not despise Germany's neutrality, in fact we have wished them luck in their future business ventures.

Your assertions regarding our relationship with Fortschritte is emblematic of the Amazonian propensity to conclude that a nation is guilty by association of approving of all a nations policies. Something that is patently absurd considering Fortschrittes unfortunate secular model of government, and indeed the statement of the same regarding its disagreement with much of papal policy. This propensity was likewise manifest by Amazonias assertion that refusing its demand was a zero sum calculation vis a vis relations with the Papal States, which is indeed despising the neutrality of Germany despite your "wish of luck" to the same regarding its deal with an independent company.

We do not propose that Amazonia is guilty of Sol's barbaric, hostile and patently anti-Catholic policies by its association with it, we suggest that Amazonia ceases likewise its hysterical assertions that the Papacy is guilty until proven innocent of Fortschrittes Amazon policy. The reality attests to the falsity of such an unjust assertion, a falsity which reason alone can determine to those nations which do not apply Amazonia's custom of "guilty until proven innocent" jurisprudence.

 

[NinjaCow64]

Your assertions regarding our relationship with Fortschritte is emblematic of the Amazonian propensity to conclude that a nation is guilty by association of approving of all a nations policies. Something that is patently absurd considering Fortschrittes unfortunate secular model of government, and indeed the statement of the same regarding its disagreement with much of papal policy. This propensity was likewise manifest by Amazonias assertion that refusing its demand was a zero sum calculation vis a vis relations with the Papal States, which is indeed despising the neutrality of Germany despite your "wish of luck" to the same regarding its deal with an independent company.

We do not propose that Amazonia is guilty of Sol's barbaric, hostile and patently anti-Catholic policies by its association with it, we suggest that Amazonia ceases likewise its hysterical assertions that the Papacy is guilty of Fortschrittes Amazon policy.

We apologize for our assumption that you share Fortschritte's xenophobic policies, however, as long as your bells harm our citizens and as long as you share a defensive pact with one of our enemies, we must consider you an enemy.

And to avoid accusations of hypocrisy, we are considering implementing economic sanctions against other allies of Fortschritte.

 

[Jehoshua]

Blessed bells suppress the manifestations of sorcerous power, any assertion that they harm your citizens is entirely based on hearsay. They are present in all churches to call the faithful to prayer and protect the congregation from the influence of devils.

Likewise the hysterical and irrational policy of Amazonia would only be perpetuated by it implementing economic sanctions on all allies of Fortschritte (or presumably associates of other nations you proclaim "enemies" despite the total absence of hostility from such)

 

[NinjaCow64]

Blessed bells suppress the manifestations of sorcerous power, any assertion that they harm your citizens is entirely based on hearsay. They are present in all churches to call the faithful to prayer and protect the congregation from the influence of devils.

Likewise the hysterical and irrational policy of Amazonia would only be perpetuated by it implementing economic sanctions on all allies of Fortschritte (or presumably associates of other nations you proclaim "enemies" despite the total absence of hostility from such)

We have found a very strong correlation between the onset of the stone plague and the influence of your bells. Your refusal to accept this reality only confirms our suspicions of some sort of indirect hostility against our nation perpetuated by your country. As such, we are offered no choice but to continue to consider you one of our enemies.

 

[KaiserElectric]

The Vishkanya Dominion would like to announce that this is the final year of the sacred forty-five year cycle of the Chajral. This marks a significant event for the followers of Berkaja, marked by intense prayer, serpent veneration, and fasting during the remainder of the Chajral cycle. In accordance with the ancient laws, the foreign offices of the Vishkanya Dominion will remain closed in the interim, and will reopen following the Chojeni Festival of Rebirth. A small selection of our government, those who do not adhere to the tenants of Berkajaism, have received instruction on maintaining the empire, and in severe emergencies will be on standby to represent the will of the Dominion.

May Berkaja grant us His wisdom!

Spoiler :

OOC: I'm going to be away for a week starting this Tuesday and going to next Monday, December 2nd. I felt like providing an IC explanation for my absence.

 

[Tani Coyote]

With no foreign aid coming, the Jiang Emperor accepts the terms offered by the Korean government. He has requested all Jiang troops surrender so as to prevent needless bloodshed.

Finland, Normandy, Asturias, Gibraltar, Republic of China, and Genoa are all invited to join Liberum Solis and by extension set free trade with Sol to 2.0.

Asturias and Gibraltar must politely decline, so as to not exacerbate tensions with the Papacy.

While Genoa is tempted by the offer (given that it would counter our historical rivals in the Venetians), it must decline so as to avoid upsetting the Papacy.

Finland must decline an alliance, but will lift trade restrictions if Sol is open to such.

Normandy shall join this alliance without hesitation.

The Republic of China fears for its sovereignty after the recent war in the north. It accepts the terms of the Solans immediately.

Sol inquires as to whether Genoa would be interested in selling Sardinia and Corsica for a sum of 20 gold.

Genoa considers the territories to be an integral part of its patrimony and so must decline.

Sol asks The Republic of China whether they would be interested in purchasing military equipment from us, and if so at what price.

The Republic of China has no need for ammunition at this point, but shall consider as its military inevitably grows.

We acknowledge the outbidding of the Aztecs by Sol, and the newest outbid price is $18.

Aztecs bid $20 for 22 shares.

OOC: I honestly didn't remember that Germany was Catholic. Could you or Tani produce a list of nations that install your bells, or Fortschritte's towers, so we do not make this mistake again?

Uhh... I have no idea.

Actually I imagined Germany to be a Protestant country. I suppose the government could theoretically be Catholic, however, given that it's headquartered in Bavaria. Basically it'd be akin to the Catholic Austrians ruling over a predominantly Protestant population, except this time around the central government has actual power. The force of nationalism probably helps keep things together despite the religious rift too.

 

[filli_noctus]

The City of Reason offers free trade and defensive pacts to Mbundu, Tawana, Tonga, Zezuru, Maravi, Makua and Sena.

 

[NinjaCow64]

Uhh... I have no idea.

Actually I imagined Germany to be a Protestant country. I suppose the government could theoretically be Catholic, however, given that it's headquartered in Bavaria. Basically it'd be akin to the Catholic Austrians ruling over a predominantly Protestant population, except this time around the central government has actual power. The force of nationalism probably helps keep things together despite the religious rift too.

Alright...but if nobody's willing to give me a list then you can't blame me if I accidentally trade with someone who has bells!

 

[Jehoshua]

Actually I imagined Germany to be a Protestant country. I suppose the government could theoretically be Catholic, however, given that it's headquartered in Bavaria. Basically it'd be akin to the Catholic Austrians ruling over a predominantly Protestant population, except this time around the central government has actual power. The force of nationalism probably helps keep things together despite the religious rift too.

From the background when we discussed it, you indicated that Germany and Scandinavia remained Catholic, but that England, the Low Countries and Normandy (not including Protestantism outside of Europe) were protestant. This lower extent of Protestantism being due to timeline differences (obviously) and that the main "reformation" was in Russia over the issue of magic. I also think the history regarding Germany and the papacy pretty clearly implies a Catholic nation.

That's why I was confident to flatly say Germany was Catholic, the fact when we discussed it in the formative stages you said it was and because the background pretty clearly implies it.

-

ooc: @ tani, could you explain why Normandy would unhesitantly shackle itself to Sol considering it has a higher geopolitical relationship with the Papacy than the hostile hellenes?

 

[NedimNapoleon]

Assad is observing this thread.

 

[mrrandomplayer]

Assad is observing this thread.

As is Sumer.

 

[Tyo]

From: Fortschritte
To: Shoshone, Ute, Navajo, Apache, Paiute, Yaqui, California, and Inuit Confederacy

We extend our hand in friendship and invite the above countries into our League. There are overwhelming benefits in getting economic assistance from one of the foremost economic powers, along with a guaranteed top-teir defense. We hope you consider this well and make the right decision. Failing that, we are open to still lift trade barriers with all countries being contacted.

To: Poland, Zulu, Sumeria, Russia, Olmoliqq, Korea, India, Egypt, Benelux, and Antarctica

We wonder if you would like to lift trade barriers.

 

[christos200]

From: India
To: Korea, Yi China and Japan

We propose a referendum so the Jiang people can decide on their own their future. If they really want to join the Yi China, and this is the war of liberation that you claim, then you have nothing to fear. A rejection of the referendum will mean that this is just a war of agression and India shall take certain measures to punish agression, including blockade or bombarding of military HQ and industry. India has the duty to protect liberty, democracy and peace in Asia, and it shall keep it's duty.

From: India
To: Fortschritte

We accept your offer.

 

[Mosher]

Orostratia offers 2.0 trade to Sogd, Olmoliqq (& it's client states), Khangar, Khwarazm, Tibet, the Mughal Remnant, Armenia, the Arab Confederacy, and Turkey