Fall From Heaven NES
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Ekolite
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What foolishness is this? The Kuriotate slaves were captured by Lanun soldiers, therefore they are prisoners of war under the Calabim interpretation of the subject. You are forgetting that what you petty liberalists may regard as fair and justly punished may vary wildly from the Calabim's views, and in this land it is our views that matter, not those of the Amurites.
We were merely saying that, during the Alexian Era, if prisoners of war were handed over to the Calabim they would have face the pits, such was the law of those times. However, times are changing for the better.
We understand that you feel obliged to repay the Kuriotates for their aid in the aftermath of the Amurite civil war, but there are far better things you can do then chase after a few, insignificant villagers that would probably have ended up being slaughtered if they had not been sold into slavery.
We see no reason to call off negotiations over such a trivial matter, but you should be aware that there is only so much we are willing to compromise.
Sincerely,
Agron the Successor,
Immaculate
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To the Calabim
Well then, compromise.
Your new government has done nothing to alleviate the suffering of its citizens or to bring justice to their lives.
Instead, you've taken their property and wealth and made them your own.
You talk about learning from your mistakes but we see nothing of the kind. We see opportunism and greed.
Prove to us that our impressions are wrong. Show us that you wish to empower the humans in your realm.
Otherwise the embargo will tighten further and further.
Well then, compromise.
Your new government has done nothing to alleviate the suffering of its citizens or to bring justice to their lives.
Instead, you've taken their property and wealth and made them your own.
You talk about learning from your mistakes but we see nothing of the kind. We see opportunism and greed.
Prove to us that our impressions are wrong. Show us that you wish to empower the humans in your realm.
Otherwise the embargo will tighten further and further.
Ekolite
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The citizens of our empire have never suffered! These are lies spread by fools! The Calabim people DO NOT WANT power! (OOC: Seriously how many times do I have to tell you this?)
The Crown Property Act has taken nothing from the common man. It mostly concerns the Arkavoi Caste, which has been largely dissolved, and the ownership of raw materials harvested in our Empire, and was passed in the Council of Nobles to help bring wealth and development to the common man, the increased state control is a small price to pay for such a thing.
(OOC: I am not going to talk any more on the matter until you acknowledge the role Vampires traditionaly play in the Calabim Nation. Your argument makes no sense and its begining to grate on my nerves. I understand that it is part of your RP to want to change things in other peoples nations but you need to get your facts stright first.)
The Crown Property Act has taken nothing from the common man. It mostly concerns the Arkavoi Caste, which has been largely dissolved, and the ownership of raw materials harvested in our Empire, and was passed in the Council of Nobles to help bring wealth and development to the common man, the increased state control is a small price to pay for such a thing.
(OOC: I am not going to talk any more on the matter until you acknowledge the role Vampires traditionaly play in the Calabim Nation. Your argument makes no sense and its begining to grate on my nerves. I understand that it is part of your RP to want to change things in other peoples nations but you need to get your facts stright first.)
OOC: Since when have politicians ever gotten their facts straight
, just view it has how other nations view your nation through their own distorted views of how things should be and how your government differs from this view.
, just view it has how other nations view your nation through their own distorted views of how things should be and how your government differs from this view.Pine Peninsula:
From Elven Sidhe Faction:
We ask our Two Queens to embrace us back in glorious Elven nation and to restore order in this chaotic province. Elvenkind shall be united! All glory to United Courts!
From Faction of Druidic Circle:
We call to all the faithful servants of the nature - The outrageous laws that prevent religion in Palace is disgrace and unacceptable, and it must be revoked immediately. Until that is done, we will resist any invasion on our sacred forests, and with the aid of the Power of Nature and all faithful souls and priests, we will fight unfaithful back, here and in Homeland. We will create our own Holy Curia to rule us, and seek to overthrow the foul and corrupted rulers of Sidha.
From Faction of Growth And Progress:
It is time that we overthrow the colonial shackles that Palace intended for us - Pinea has promise of far more glorious future than Palace had planned for us. It is disgrace that this glorious lands were used as mere military outpost - We are rebuilding this sacred forests into Promised Land of prosperity.
Hereby we accept the Sidha recognition of independence and seek to build close ties with Homeland, but we are the ones who have right to forge our destinies. We will build us great cities, and trade centers, and we will be masters of our own armies.
We offer alliance to Sidha as equals, and request development aid from everyone willing to cooperate. Future belongs to those who are willing to work!
From Kingdom of Pinea:
As the true heirs to the throne to Pinea, and masters of all elves living here, we are willing to sign a vassalization treaty with anyone willing to support our Monarchy of true elven nobility, and willing to restore order over rebellious anarchists. What we need is 100 thousand golden coins to set up our basic infrastructure and institutions, and military aid to throw out all the rebels. And after that, whoe Erebus will be in awe of us!
From Glorious Pinean Kingdom:
The Erebus shall see that Balseraphs are our true liberators. People of Pinea, only Balseraphs really care about our development. If Perpentach is willing to pay 80 chests of gold so that we can set up our basic infrastructure, and aid us in overthrowing the foul usurpers, our names will be glorious for ever!
From Solensalfarl Republic:
Our people gathered by Lydia had most noble cause, but foul armies of shadow and unholy vampires forbade them from going far enough. We will take their cause to the end and make the Svartalfarl heritage a real history! We seek to overthrow the same, corrupt kingdom with the different name, we seek to establish the real Sun Kingdom of Eternal Summer!
From Sacred and Wise Kingdom of Pinea:
We all know that Elves are true masters of magic and nature. Our Kingdom is the only true and traditional kingdom. We support the most sacred virtue that Divine Spark gave us - lust for knowledge that drives us all forward. Unbound by the so called constrictions that weak put on strong, we search on other side of the Nature to get the real power that Nature created for us. Let all the Wise come to our kingdom - Amurite Sorcers exiled by the Order, Vampires studying the Gift, worshipers of the the Saints Cult - we can together reveal the secrets that Nature keeps for her strongest.
From Elven Sidhe Faction:
We ask our Two Queens to embrace us back in glorious Elven nation and to restore order in this chaotic province. Elvenkind shall be united! All glory to United Courts!
From Faction of Druidic Circle:
We call to all the faithful servants of the nature - The outrageous laws that prevent religion in Palace is disgrace and unacceptable, and it must be revoked immediately. Until that is done, we will resist any invasion on our sacred forests, and with the aid of the Power of Nature and all faithful souls and priests, we will fight unfaithful back, here and in Homeland. We will create our own Holy Curia to rule us, and seek to overthrow the foul and corrupted rulers of Sidha.
From Faction of Growth And Progress:
It is time that we overthrow the colonial shackles that Palace intended for us - Pinea has promise of far more glorious future than Palace had planned for us. It is disgrace that this glorious lands were used as mere military outpost - We are rebuilding this sacred forests into Promised Land of prosperity.
Hereby we accept the Sidha recognition of independence and seek to build close ties with Homeland, but we are the ones who have right to forge our destinies. We will build us great cities, and trade centers, and we will be masters of our own armies.
We offer alliance to Sidha as equals, and request development aid from everyone willing to cooperate. Future belongs to those who are willing to work!
From Kingdom of Pinea:
As the true heirs to the throne to Pinea, and masters of all elves living here, we are willing to sign a vassalization treaty with anyone willing to support our Monarchy of true elven nobility, and willing to restore order over rebellious anarchists. What we need is 100 thousand golden coins to set up our basic infrastructure and institutions, and military aid to throw out all the rebels. And after that, whoe Erebus will be in awe of us!
From Glorious Pinean Kingdom:
The Erebus shall see that Balseraphs are our true liberators. People of Pinea, only Balseraphs really care about our development. If Perpentach is willing to pay 80 chests of gold so that we can set up our basic infrastructure, and aid us in overthrowing the foul usurpers, our names will be glorious for ever!
From Solensalfarl Republic:
Our people gathered by Lydia had most noble cause, but foul armies of shadow and unholy vampires forbade them from going far enough. We will take their cause to the end and make the Svartalfarl heritage a real history! We seek to overthrow the same, corrupt kingdom with the different name, we seek to establish the real Sun Kingdom of Eternal Summer!
From Sacred and Wise Kingdom of Pinea:
We all know that Elves are true masters of magic and nature. Our Kingdom is the only true and traditional kingdom. We support the most sacred virtue that Divine Spark gave us - lust for knowledge that drives us all forward. Unbound by the so called constrictions that weak put on strong, we search on other side of the Nature to get the real power that Nature created for us. Let all the Wise come to our kingdom - Amurite Sorcers exiled by the Order, Vampires studying the Gift, worshipers of the the Saints Cult - we can together reveal the secrets that Nature keeps for her strongest.
Tyrs
King
From the Twin Courts
To the Elven Sidhe Faction of Pinea
If you wish to return to the homeland we will welcome back immigrants with open arms. We will not reconquer Pinea however.
To the Faction of Druidic Circle
The priesthood was separated from the State to both remove manipulative priests and to protect the Purity of the faith. A druid interested only in power would not serve Nature or his faithful, only himself and his political agenda. By removing this temptation we are ensuring that only those who actually care about Nature will join the priesthood, thus making them all the more faithful, as they have nothing else to gain.
To the Faction of Growth And Progress
We assure you, Pinea was planned to be much more than a simple military outpost, however a small matter of a civil war prevented it. We are overjoyed to hear however that you would like to take your development into your own hands. We strongly encourage and support your decision to rule your own fate, and accept your proposal of Alliance. The future belongs to those that work for it!
To the Solensalfarl Republic
Your hatred astounds Us. The rest of Our people accept the treaty. Your kind will not be satisfied until every Svartalfar is dead at your feet. Accept your independence and live as you like.
Personal note from Vyra Tyrs
Take your liberty and begone, if you attempt to assault Sidhe or restart the War, I-will-see-you-crushed . I will not tolerate more hateful bloodshed between Light and Dark Elves.
Personal note form Queen Lydia
Please, for the loyalty you once held to me, do not plunge our hopes back into darkness and winter with attempts to restart the War. The Old Ways are Restored; be content.
To the Elven Sidhe Faction of Pinea
If you wish to return to the homeland we will welcome back immigrants with open arms. We will not reconquer Pinea however.
To the Faction of Druidic Circle
The priesthood was separated from the State to both remove manipulative priests and to protect the Purity of the faith. A druid interested only in power would not serve Nature or his faithful, only himself and his political agenda. By removing this temptation we are ensuring that only those who actually care about Nature will join the priesthood, thus making them all the more faithful, as they have nothing else to gain.
To the Faction of Growth And Progress
We assure you, Pinea was planned to be much more than a simple military outpost, however a small matter of a civil war prevented it. We are overjoyed to hear however that you would like to take your development into your own hands. We strongly encourage and support your decision to rule your own fate, and accept your proposal of Alliance. The future belongs to those that work for it!
To the Solensalfarl Republic
Your hatred astounds Us. The rest of Our people accept the treaty. Your kind will not be satisfied until every Svartalfar is dead at your feet. Accept your independence and live as you like.
Personal note from Vyra Tyrs
Take your liberty and begone, if you attempt to assault Sidhe or restart the War, I-will-see-you-crushed . I will not tolerate more hateful bloodshed between Light and Dark Elves.
Personal note form Queen Lydia
Please, for the loyalty you once held to me, do not plunge our hopes back into darkness and winter with attempts to restart the War. The Old Ways are Restored; be content.
Ekolite
Deity
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@Jopa: To further demonstrate my absolute love for this NES, I've been strongly tempted to learn to mod so I can change the Calabim FFH Civ to fit my FFHNES version! 
Agron is quite similiar to FFH Flauros in personality, so all of the trigger things for him could probably be kept the same, but he would have different traits and porbably the neutral alignment.
Alexis and Flauros would need some serious rework though...
Also, I wonder if it would be possible to give them UU FoL units...
Agron is quite similiar to FFH Flauros in personality, so all of the trigger things for him could probably be kept the same, but he would have different traits and porbably the neutral alignment.
Alexis and Flauros would need some serious rework though...
Also, I wonder if it would be possible to give them UU FoL units...
Immaculate
unerring
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Thank you merciary. We are trying to write things 'in character'.
OOC: Okay, fair enough. Maybe I’ll try to strip away any offensive language and ‘talking smac’ and lay out our position. If you still decide you don’t want to role-play the conflict between our nations, I’ll respect that.
IC: Once you boil away the rhetoric and the name-calling and mud-slinging, the amurite position is basically this:
the arguments we set forth are:
-your centralization of land and wealth and places them in the hands of a decadent, oppressive, manipulative vampiric tyrant and his puppet human/elf queen.
-the 'removing of sin' from those the vampires feed on damns their souls and this is unacceptable to our clergy.
-your nation is not as happy a place as you seem to think it is. you have described atrocities and you employ slavery for no other reason than to punish those captured in war. This is the acts of an oppressive tyrant, not a benevolent force.
-you have no proper code-of-laws to protect your people from the whims and fancies of their rulers. your centralization project is proof that humans don't have rights. Previously your system of castes was just as bad but we are pleased to see this abolished.
-we believe that some of your humans DO want power (despite your protests to the otherwise)... otherwise, why would there have been arkovai to start with- also- its a basic part of human nature (at least as amurites understand it)
Proposed solutions:
-Council of man: a representative council (elected) made up wholly of humans who’s job it is to council the monarchy in regards to domestic policy. They would set goals (similar to our own republic’s senators) to ensure that the common people’s priorities are represented in the decision making process. It also prevents tyranny.
-Return to a ‘foreign trade’ civic. Allow the people to trade with whom they want; this give them some control over their destiny and means of wealth production.
-establish a code-of-laws that provides rights to the people and actually uphold those rights.
-abolish the abominable practice of slavery (and adopt indentured servitude which is similar with the difference being that those serving are still protected by law and we can be assured deserve to be serving- instead of just taken from their homes).
OOC: KOL7: sorry i pissed you off personally (grate on your nerves)- for me, i'm just playing a game and it makes sense for an order-oriented state to want to abolish vampirism as much as it can.
Like i've said before, we want you to propose some compromises too.
OOC: Okay, fair enough. Maybe I’ll try to strip away any offensive language and ‘talking smac’ and lay out our position. If you still decide you don’t want to role-play the conflict between our nations, I’ll respect that.
IC: Once you boil away the rhetoric and the name-calling and mud-slinging, the amurite position is basically this:
the arguments we set forth are:
-your centralization of land and wealth and places them in the hands of a decadent, oppressive, manipulative vampiric tyrant and his puppet human/elf queen.
-the 'removing of sin' from those the vampires feed on damns their souls and this is unacceptable to our clergy.
-your nation is not as happy a place as you seem to think it is. you have described atrocities and you employ slavery for no other reason than to punish those captured in war. This is the acts of an oppressive tyrant, not a benevolent force.
-you have no proper code-of-laws to protect your people from the whims and fancies of their rulers. your centralization project is proof that humans don't have rights. Previously your system of castes was just as bad but we are pleased to see this abolished.
-we believe that some of your humans DO want power (despite your protests to the otherwise)... otherwise, why would there have been arkovai to start with- also- its a basic part of human nature (at least as amurites understand it)
Proposed solutions:
-Council of man: a representative council (elected) made up wholly of humans who’s job it is to council the monarchy in regards to domestic policy. They would set goals (similar to our own republic’s senators) to ensure that the common people’s priorities are represented in the decision making process. It also prevents tyranny.
-Return to a ‘foreign trade’ civic. Allow the people to trade with whom they want; this give them some control over their destiny and means of wealth production.
-establish a code-of-laws that provides rights to the people and actually uphold those rights.
-abolish the abominable practice of slavery (and adopt indentured servitude which is similar with the difference being that those serving are still protected by law and we can be assured deserve to be serving- instead of just taken from their homes).
OOC: KOL7: sorry i pissed you off personally (grate on your nerves)- for me, i'm just playing a game and it makes sense for an order-oriented state to want to abolish vampirism as much as it can.
Like i've said before, we want you to propose some compromises too.
Ekolite
Deity
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OOC: No you misunderstand me, I'm fine with the RP but it annoys me that it seems your entire argument is just randomly fabricated without you paying any attention to the culture of the Calabim or the Dark Fantasy context. I have worked hard to develop my own interpretation of the Calabim, and surely it is understandable that I don't just want to chuck it away and become a happy little republic?
IC: We thank the Amurites for finally clarifying their stance.
The centralisation of wealth has allowed for better conduction of development, during the last few years since I took the Throne the amount of gold coming into the Empire has increased hugely, despite your silly embargo, because the Crown Property Act has allowed us to spend gold where gold is required, and increase the average wealth of the citizenry by lowering unemployment, due to the nationalisation of many of our industries.
Also, both Monarchs have equal power, and Asterna played a considerable part in the desining of the Gross Misconduct Act.
The Removal of Sin allows the Souls of the criminals to ascend to the Vault of Aeron, as oposed to the damnation of the Vaults of Mamnon, Agares and the various other Gods of Sin. However, Aeron demands that these people are punished before they are cleansed, these practises allow the souls to be purified.
No, no you don't understand. Slavery has become the standard penalty for many human crimes. This was done as part of teh Crown Act to help increase development and has been of great use to us. Slaves have been bought and sold and given as gifts since time immemorial, the Kuriotate slaves were captured by the Lanun, so why not talk to them about your concerns?
The Gross Misconduct Act covers this completely, (did you miss it?)
The small amount of humans that do want power are happy to earn the favour of their Lord to gain it. There are even some humans that sit on the Council of Nobles, as leaders of powerful government organisations (see ''Politics (part 1 and 2)''. Humans that want power traditionally seek to become vampires.
A human senate in this land would spark outrage with the human followers of the Natural Order (aka the entire population), and is not a viable solution.
IC: We thank the Amurites for finally clarifying their stance.
The centralisation of wealth has allowed for better conduction of development, during the last few years since I took the Throne the amount of gold coming into the Empire has increased hugely, despite your silly embargo, because the Crown Property Act has allowed us to spend gold where gold is required, and increase the average wealth of the citizenry by lowering unemployment, due to the nationalisation of many of our industries.
Also, both Monarchs have equal power, and Asterna played a considerable part in the desining of the Gross Misconduct Act.
The Removal of Sin allows the Souls of the criminals to ascend to the Vault of Aeron, as oposed to the damnation of the Vaults of Mamnon, Agares and the various other Gods of Sin. However, Aeron demands that these people are punished before they are cleansed, these practises allow the souls to be purified.
No, no you don't understand. Slavery has become the standard penalty for many human crimes. This was done as part of teh Crown Act to help increase development and has been of great use to us. Slaves have been bought and sold and given as gifts since time immemorial, the Kuriotate slaves were captured by the Lanun, so why not talk to them about your concerns?
The Gross Misconduct Act covers this completely, (did you miss it?)
The small amount of humans that do want power are happy to earn the favour of their Lord to gain it. There are even some humans that sit on the Council of Nobles, as leaders of powerful government organisations (see ''Politics (part 1 and 2)''. Humans that want power traditionally seek to become vampires.
A human senate in this land would spark outrage with the human followers of the Natural Order (aka the entire population), and is not a viable solution.
Immaculate
unerring
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We are pleased by your response.
We do believe however, that the holders of the slaves are ultimately responsible for them
What the lanun do during wartime is irresponsible and we HAVE spoken to them about this, but ultimately, it is wartime and we have little influence over them.
However, you are a state in transition. And at peace. Your government is just starting to spread its wings. We understand that slavery would be a tool of punishment and rehabilitation but obviously this does not apply to slaves purchased or gifted to you that have not broken any calabim laws whatsoever.
The freeing of Kuriotates slaves would go a long way towards making your arguments cohesive and in calming some of the hotter heads in the amurite senate. In addition, we ask that you consider the 'indentured servitude' civic to better protect your people according to your own 'natural order'.
amurite senate.
We do believe however, that the holders of the slaves are ultimately responsible for them
What the lanun do during wartime is irresponsible and we HAVE spoken to them about this, but ultimately, it is wartime and we have little influence over them.
However, you are a state in transition. And at peace. Your government is just starting to spread its wings. We understand that slavery would be a tool of punishment and rehabilitation but obviously this does not apply to slaves purchased or gifted to you that have not broken any calabim laws whatsoever.
The freeing of Kuriotates slaves would go a long way towards making your arguments cohesive and in calming some of the hotter heads in the amurite senate. In addition, we ask that you consider the 'indentured servitude' civic to better protect your people according to your own 'natural order'.
amurite senate.
Ekolite
Deity
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We will consider these ideas, when and only when, the Calabim Embargo is disbanded amongst all concerned parties, and the invaders of Amurite descent, whether they are following orders of the the Amurite government or not, are withdrawn from our territory, and if they are not sent by the government the commanders are trialled. We also require a small donation to the Calabim Government of 80 gold as compenation for the embargo.
When this is done, we will be happy to work with you against the smugglers. We have many agents who could be of some use in finding them. Finally, we will accept a culture exchange between senators and atistocrats of our nations.
When this is done, we will be happy to work with you against the smugglers. We have many agents who could be of some use in finding them. Finally, we will accept a culture exchange between senators and atistocrats of our nations.
Immaculate
unerring
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Except the order in which you have proposed to operate, we find most of your ideas acceptable.
Our counter-offer:
you adopt indentured servitude
you release those slaves not responsible for crimes against Calabim society
we remove our crusaders and trial those officers responsible if they are not sent by the government
you adopt some human council (not a senate)
we drop the embargo
we happily work together against the smugglers.
Finally, we will accept a culture exchange between senators and atistocrats of our nations.
Our counter-offer:
you adopt indentured servitude
you release those slaves not responsible for crimes against Calabim society
we remove our crusaders and trial those officers responsible if they are not sent by the government
you adopt some human council (not a senate)
we drop the embargo
we happily work together against the smugglers.
Finally, we will accept a culture exchange between senators and atistocrats of our nations.
Immaculate
unerring
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with apologies to Joseph Boyden who wrote ‘Three Day Road’ a book from which the protagonist of this story is based on
The days are long in the amurite army and I spend most of them waiting. I’ve grown to be very good at waiting. Sometimes we wait for days and days. The other soldiers, the ones in heavy metal armour with long spears and ugly vicious swords gather in groups and speak quietly in their soft amurite tongue. Even now I understand very little of what they say. They wear their silly sheeshes morning noon and night and I can hardly tell them apart with their delicate whispered speech and identical faceless veiled uniforms.
I spend a lot of time just lying on my back. I look up at the sun until my eyes hurt then I close my eyes and see my lord Solos, still, guiding me. I press my fingers to my eyelids so the white orb dances and marches across my eyelids and spiderwebs and geometric shapes of bright color spring up. When I open my eyes again they feel strange but it helps to pass the time.
Sometimes I watch the birds. There are less and less of them that fly low over the crusader army now. Our slingers shoot them down and the soldiers greedily suck their juices and chew their meat. The ones that remain know to fly high, out of reach of the slingers’ stones and I watch them for hours as they crisscross the sky, dancing for lord Solos.
I am supposed to be watching the eastern advances and this I do, especially at dawn and dusk when the most caravan traffic appears. Still, the job is boring and I tire of it quickly. Commander Seçkin would have me whipped if he knew I spent so much time looking up at the sky. But he doesn’t; as a scout, I am too far ahead of the line and I won’t be noticed, nor whipped.
Other days, there is no waiting; it is drill, drill, drill. With the Trident sea to our left and the Father’s spring mountains to our right, we practice fighting in very tight formation on a very narrow front against unseen enemies. We march forward. We march back. We stab with our long spears, not even seeing our targets for the ranks of soldiers in front of us. We practice with the short, wide blades the Amurites call swords. These vicious weapons are meant for close-contact fighting and every time I pick one up I pray to the sun god that I will never have to use it. I much prefer my hunter’s bow or the long spear. We practice until my arms ache and I long for the cool shadows of the evening. The crusaders don’t seem to mind this; they are built for endurance and discipline. They have their ‘faith’ in their law-giver god and this sustains them even without water or food. I have seen them work their magics and I know that they can operate well beyond the point where I or most men would collapse. Except for my skill in tracking and my keen eyes, I would never be in this robust army.
Our job is to guard a pass. Crusade commander Seçkin says it’s a great honour but I don’t see any honour in sitting on our butts for 23 hours a day, waiting, staring at the sun, and waiting more. More like a great bore. Occasionally a caravan comes from Prespur carrying honey or olives or goat’s milk. We question the calabim brovotoi and search them for contraband but we always let them through and the crusaders are always courteous and respectful (at least to their faces), but what is the point? Who are we waiting for? Why are we drilling?
At night I reach into the medicine bag that grandmother gave me before I came and whisper prayers. I sneak out of camp (another whip-worthy offence, but then these metal-clad soldiers never hear me moving in my soft leather moccasins) gather some herbs and wild grasses from the mountain side and I perform a smudge. The smoke brings my prayers to the skies and the next day Solos will know that I pray for my family, for my brother’s health especially, that I pray for the animals to seek peace with our army and forgive the trespass we commit on their homes, but mostly that I never have to use my short, ugly sword.
One day, after we have been here more then a month, I see a red sails on the horizon. Admiral Crunch of the pirate fleet has returned.
Finally there is something for me to do. I run down the mountain side from my spotting post, fleet and quiet as only my people or a Svartlafarl hunter can be, and finding my company commander, inform him of what I have seen. He has trouble understanding what I am saying in my broken amurite, but he finally seems to understand and quickly organizes many men to go and meet the sailors. It always amazes me how quickly these highly disciplined men can organize themselves. Within minutes a group of guards, porters and accountants have deployed to the narrow shores to meet the ships.
I have no idea what deal the amurite senate has made with these pirates, mostly Lanun seasfarers, but we are glad to have them on our side. Without them, we could not have formed this blockade or kept our troops equipped and supplied. The men worry and speak in hushed tones that the pirates will turn on them.
All that talk is quieted as the sails grow bigger and bigger as they approach and soon the crusaders grow excited with anticipation. There is talk of letters’ from home and of fresh meat and fruit, and especially of their favourite drink, the ‘red monk’ lager that their people have grown famous for.
As other rowboats are loaded up with supplies to be shipped to shore, a single rowboat is launched from the ships and quickly skims across the shallows. A messenger, an unkempt Lanun soldier with a parrot on his soldier, jumps from the small boat before it is even anchored. I watch as he races across the hot beach, barefooted, directly to crusade commander Seçkin’s tent. The soldiers wait, their expressions hidden behind their sheeshes, but I can feel their anticipation and excitement in their stance and body-language.
Suddenly the command tent explodes with activity. Crusade commander Seçkin strides from within, calling his officers and immediately beginning to issue orders.
I leave then. Quickly climbing the mountain side to my post, I lay on my back and close my eyes. Gently I rub my eyelids and make the patterns and lights dance across them.
And I wait.
The days are long in the amurite army and I spend most of them waiting. I’ve grown to be very good at waiting. Sometimes we wait for days and days. The other soldiers, the ones in heavy metal armour with long spears and ugly vicious swords gather in groups and speak quietly in their soft amurite tongue. Even now I understand very little of what they say. They wear their silly sheeshes morning noon and night and I can hardly tell them apart with their delicate whispered speech and identical faceless veiled uniforms.
I spend a lot of time just lying on my back. I look up at the sun until my eyes hurt then I close my eyes and see my lord Solos, still, guiding me. I press my fingers to my eyelids so the white orb dances and marches across my eyelids and spiderwebs and geometric shapes of bright color spring up. When I open my eyes again they feel strange but it helps to pass the time.
Sometimes I watch the birds. There are less and less of them that fly low over the crusader army now. Our slingers shoot them down and the soldiers greedily suck their juices and chew their meat. The ones that remain know to fly high, out of reach of the slingers’ stones and I watch them for hours as they crisscross the sky, dancing for lord Solos.
I am supposed to be watching the eastern advances and this I do, especially at dawn and dusk when the most caravan traffic appears. Still, the job is boring and I tire of it quickly. Commander Seçkin would have me whipped if he knew I spent so much time looking up at the sky. But he doesn’t; as a scout, I am too far ahead of the line and I won’t be noticed, nor whipped.
Other days, there is no waiting; it is drill, drill, drill. With the Trident sea to our left and the Father’s spring mountains to our right, we practice fighting in very tight formation on a very narrow front against unseen enemies. We march forward. We march back. We stab with our long spears, not even seeing our targets for the ranks of soldiers in front of us. We practice with the short, wide blades the Amurites call swords. These vicious weapons are meant for close-contact fighting and every time I pick one up I pray to the sun god that I will never have to use it. I much prefer my hunter’s bow or the long spear. We practice until my arms ache and I long for the cool shadows of the evening. The crusaders don’t seem to mind this; they are built for endurance and discipline. They have their ‘faith’ in their law-giver god and this sustains them even without water or food. I have seen them work their magics and I know that they can operate well beyond the point where I or most men would collapse. Except for my skill in tracking and my keen eyes, I would never be in this robust army.
Our job is to guard a pass. Crusade commander Seçkin says it’s a great honour but I don’t see any honour in sitting on our butts for 23 hours a day, waiting, staring at the sun, and waiting more. More like a great bore. Occasionally a caravan comes from Prespur carrying honey or olives or goat’s milk. We question the calabim brovotoi and search them for contraband but we always let them through and the crusaders are always courteous and respectful (at least to their faces), but what is the point? Who are we waiting for? Why are we drilling?
At night I reach into the medicine bag that grandmother gave me before I came and whisper prayers. I sneak out of camp (another whip-worthy offence, but then these metal-clad soldiers never hear me moving in my soft leather moccasins) gather some herbs and wild grasses from the mountain side and I perform a smudge. The smoke brings my prayers to the skies and the next day Solos will know that I pray for my family, for my brother’s health especially, that I pray for the animals to seek peace with our army and forgive the trespass we commit on their homes, but mostly that I never have to use my short, ugly sword.
One day, after we have been here more then a month, I see a red sails on the horizon. Admiral Crunch of the pirate fleet has returned.
Finally there is something for me to do. I run down the mountain side from my spotting post, fleet and quiet as only my people or a Svartlafarl hunter can be, and finding my company commander, inform him of what I have seen. He has trouble understanding what I am saying in my broken amurite, but he finally seems to understand and quickly organizes many men to go and meet the sailors. It always amazes me how quickly these highly disciplined men can organize themselves. Within minutes a group of guards, porters and accountants have deployed to the narrow shores to meet the ships.
I have no idea what deal the amurite senate has made with these pirates, mostly Lanun seasfarers, but we are glad to have them on our side. Without them, we could not have formed this blockade or kept our troops equipped and supplied. The men worry and speak in hushed tones that the pirates will turn on them.
All that talk is quieted as the sails grow bigger and bigger as they approach and soon the crusaders grow excited with anticipation. There is talk of letters’ from home and of fresh meat and fruit, and especially of their favourite drink, the ‘red monk’ lager that their people have grown famous for.
As other rowboats are loaded up with supplies to be shipped to shore, a single rowboat is launched from the ships and quickly skims across the shallows. A messenger, an unkempt Lanun soldier with a parrot on his soldier, jumps from the small boat before it is even anchored. I watch as he races across the hot beach, barefooted, directly to crusade commander Seçkin’s tent. The soldiers wait, their expressions hidden behind their sheeshes, but I can feel their anticipation and excitement in their stance and body-language.
Suddenly the command tent explodes with activity. Crusade commander Seçkin strides from within, calling his officers and immediately beginning to issue orders.
I leave then. Quickly climbing the mountain side to my post, I lay on my back and close my eyes. Gently I rub my eyelids and make the patterns and lights dance across them.
And I wait.
Immaculate
unerring
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2003
- Messages
- 7,623
arcticnightwolf
Emperor
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2008
- Messages
- 1,301
As I said ... Way how to disappear from map. 
.. I almost feel pity for my country because of what I'm going to do. 
ooc: I think I know why are Amurites neutral in FfH ... ((
.. I almost feel pity for my country because of what I'm going to do. ooc: I think I know why are Amurites neutral in FfH ... ((
orangelex44
Partisan
Just for my two cents, I really don't understand the problem everyone has with slavery. From my perspective, I don't really see how even the Good nations would care too much - possible exception of the Elohim - as long as the slaves aren't from their nation. Slaves from another religion or an Evil nation would be perfectly acceptable, with slavery seen as a sort of punishment.
Immaculate
unerring
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2003
- Messages
- 7,623
slavery as a punishment, when the terms are outlined by laws and the rights of the individual are still guarenteed (well, those they are allowed to keep anyway- like having a fixed term of enslavement) is acceptable to the amurite senate as well.
Slavery of undeserving individuals is not acceptable to amurite senate
Slavery of undeserving individuals is not acceptable to amurite senate
Ekolite
Deity
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2007
- Messages
- 5,451
Our offer:
I retain slavery, as we see it as a neccessary cornerstone in our development scheme. However, we will provide ways for them to work their way out of slavery in specific cases.
The Kuriotate slaves are freed and transported imediately to the Amurite nation. What they do from then afterwards is of little interest to us.
You remove your crusaders and trial those officers responsible if they are not sent by the government.
We make the import and export of slaves illegal in the Calabim, our slaves will be of no race but Calabim.
We allow humans to fill more positions in government. We stand by our belief that most humans would be outraged by having to elect humans into government. Elections are the very antithesis of Calabim society, where people gain in rank due to their ability and favour alone.
you drop the embargo
we happily work together against the smugglers.
we will accept a culture exchange between senators and atistocrats of our nations.
The Amurites pay 80 gold compensation to the Calabim. This will be compensation for:
- Gold lost due to lack of trade
- damages caused by the blockade
- replacement of lost goods (blockade)
- Damages, deaths and instability caused by the crusader invasion
- Damage to the relations between the the Calabim and her allies.
- Various instability caused by the AMurite's actions, including the break-in of the pits.
- Betrayal of the calabim by the amurites.
(amongst other things)
