Luckymoose
The World is Mine
K thanks for the info.Now I need to read up on some of the updates for this thing.
LINESII- Into the Darkness
- Thread starter Lord_Iggy
- Start date
Swissempire
Poet Jester
OOC: Are you people tied to their religion? Because I was....nevermind
The Strategos
Thanatos
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2002
- Messages
- 1,175
“If bees and scorpions carry poison, how much more will a hostile state! Even a puny opponent, then, should not be treated with contempt.” –Masurao Book of Five Elements
It was a somber group that met in a small room deep within the temple at Enryakuji. A hypothetical outside observer should not be surprised at the mood. The leadership of Ikki had just received their second threat from the Lengels demanding tribute or promising destruction. For the Lengels, the message was most likely an afterthought, a reflexive action similar to a man waving away a cloud of gnats. For the Ikki, however, it was understandably a much greater event, one that caused the leadership of the Ikki to sequester themselves to discuss it.
It was a rather brief discussion over whether to pay tribute or not. The terms were considered sufficiently harsh that it would quickly bankrupt the fragile economy, causing the Lengels to invade a broken Ikki because of the default in payment. Either that or Ikki would be drawn into one of the incessant wars the Lengels fought. Since either way, the leadership determined people would die, it was decided to at least die on their own terms rather than another’s. Thus, talk quickly turned to war and the best strategy, if not to defeat the Lengels, which was admittedly a long shot, to at least to kill as many Lengels possible.
The room they occupied was sparse, containing only a table with a large, highly detailed map of Ikki on it. Around the table was huddled five people. At the head of the table was a woman, the Gyoja.[1] Earlier in her life she had been a sohei of some reputation.[2] When the previous Gyoja died, she had been the candidate championed by the “traditionalists,” those who hoped as a former sohei, she would give preferential treatment to the Neo-Animists over the New Eldists and Tendai Animists. This hope was dashed as she religiously kept to the precedent Ikki had established to be firmly aloof in its subjects’ religious choice. She did, however, introduce some military reforms, strengthened Ikki’s defenses, and expanded Masurao's Academy, actions which slightly mollified the warrior culture of the Neo-Animists.
To her left stood the three governors of Ikki, called from their provincial capitals to represent the civilian interests in the gathering. Across from them, to the right of Gyoja, stood Tokimune, the supreme general in command of all Ikki forces.[3] As was expected in a discussion that centered around military matters, it was Tokimune who dominated the discussion.
“The situation is not as bad as it seems,” Tokimune was saying.
“Oh yes, the situation is wonderful,” one of the governors replied. “Why don’t we start planning our victory parade now? Tell me General, what has caused this overwhelming optimism? Perhaps Masurao’s shade has visited you and given you supernatural advice?”
Tokimune’s ears burned red, though his face held its stoicism. “Perhaps…not Masurao’s shade, but I did get his advice. One of the first lessons that he drills into you in his book is the need to know yourself and your enemy. I do not claim to have gained such knowledge exhaustively, but I do feel like I have gained some insights.
Think noble lords, from the reports we have received of the Lengels, from the sights we have witnessed with our own eyes, what is their strength? What allows them to be so bold, so arrogant, as to assume their victory? I propose, sirs, they have two reasons, superior mobility and superior numbers. We have seen their mobility with our own eyes. We have beheld those strange beasts they call ‘horses’ that allow them to move swifter than the wind. We have seen with our own eyes their numbers, with men as numerous as rocks in a mountain.
But we, we too are not entirely without our own strengths. Observe how even the earth aids us in our struggle. We are surrounded by mountains. In order to traverse them you must go through the passes. Thus one of the enemy’s strengths is neutralized, their mobility. Because we know exactly where they will be going, through the passes. And I do not need to remind you about those passes, they are narrow, winding, so that only a few men can go abreast. And that neutralizes their second advantage, numbers. They cannot use their numbers to surround us because our flanks will be secured by impassible terrain. They must do a headlong charge, where there group of men fight our group of men, face to face. And that, my lords, is a battle I am willing to fight. Perhaps that is arrogance, perhaps that is pride, but I think that my men, in familiar terrain, behind protective defensive works, fighting to defend their families and friends, will prove to be a match for these Lengels. Will it be enough? I confess to you that I doubt it, I expect that we will be worn down, losing more and more men, unable to replace those who fall until finally our last defensive position is overrun. But that is our path, that is our fate…and I am content with it.”
[1] In Ikki, the name “Gyoja” has become something of an assumed name/title of the ruler of the nation, similar to the name/title Caesar in our world. The Gyoja is elected by a Council which represents the various interests which make up Ikki.
[2] There are relatively many women in the ranks of the sohei. There are many reasons for this. The first is that the naginata is the perfect weapon for women to wield. Light enough for them to use comfortably, it allows them to keep their distance from the enemy where the enemy’s potentially greater height, weight, and upper body strength offers less of an advantage. The second is that joining the sohei provides one of the few avenues (besides becoming “ladies of the night”
for an unmarried woman to make a comfortable living in relative freedom.
[3] Almost all of my names have significance
EDIT: Because I don't like to plagerize, the quotation that began the story is not original with me, its from Tso Chuan, as quoted by Ch'en Hao. From now on when I steal someone's quotes and attribute them to my own character, I'll try to add a footnote to properly credit them.
It was a somber group that met in a small room deep within the temple at Enryakuji. A hypothetical outside observer should not be surprised at the mood. The leadership of Ikki had just received their second threat from the Lengels demanding tribute or promising destruction. For the Lengels, the message was most likely an afterthought, a reflexive action similar to a man waving away a cloud of gnats. For the Ikki, however, it was understandably a much greater event, one that caused the leadership of the Ikki to sequester themselves to discuss it.
It was a rather brief discussion over whether to pay tribute or not. The terms were considered sufficiently harsh that it would quickly bankrupt the fragile economy, causing the Lengels to invade a broken Ikki because of the default in payment. Either that or Ikki would be drawn into one of the incessant wars the Lengels fought. Since either way, the leadership determined people would die, it was decided to at least die on their own terms rather than another’s. Thus, talk quickly turned to war and the best strategy, if not to defeat the Lengels, which was admittedly a long shot, to at least to kill as many Lengels possible.
The room they occupied was sparse, containing only a table with a large, highly detailed map of Ikki on it. Around the table was huddled five people. At the head of the table was a woman, the Gyoja.[1] Earlier in her life she had been a sohei of some reputation.[2] When the previous Gyoja died, she had been the candidate championed by the “traditionalists,” those who hoped as a former sohei, she would give preferential treatment to the Neo-Animists over the New Eldists and Tendai Animists. This hope was dashed as she religiously kept to the precedent Ikki had established to be firmly aloof in its subjects’ religious choice. She did, however, introduce some military reforms, strengthened Ikki’s defenses, and expanded Masurao's Academy, actions which slightly mollified the warrior culture of the Neo-Animists.
To her left stood the three governors of Ikki, called from their provincial capitals to represent the civilian interests in the gathering. Across from them, to the right of Gyoja, stood Tokimune, the supreme general in command of all Ikki forces.[3] As was expected in a discussion that centered around military matters, it was Tokimune who dominated the discussion.
“The situation is not as bad as it seems,” Tokimune was saying.
“Oh yes, the situation is wonderful,” one of the governors replied. “Why don’t we start planning our victory parade now? Tell me General, what has caused this overwhelming optimism? Perhaps Masurao’s shade has visited you and given you supernatural advice?”
Tokimune’s ears burned red, though his face held its stoicism. “Perhaps…not Masurao’s shade, but I did get his advice. One of the first lessons that he drills into you in his book is the need to know yourself and your enemy. I do not claim to have gained such knowledge exhaustively, but I do feel like I have gained some insights.
Think noble lords, from the reports we have received of the Lengels, from the sights we have witnessed with our own eyes, what is their strength? What allows them to be so bold, so arrogant, as to assume their victory? I propose, sirs, they have two reasons, superior mobility and superior numbers. We have seen their mobility with our own eyes. We have beheld those strange beasts they call ‘horses’ that allow them to move swifter than the wind. We have seen with our own eyes their numbers, with men as numerous as rocks in a mountain.
But we, we too are not entirely without our own strengths. Observe how even the earth aids us in our struggle. We are surrounded by mountains. In order to traverse them you must go through the passes. Thus one of the enemy’s strengths is neutralized, their mobility. Because we know exactly where they will be going, through the passes. And I do not need to remind you about those passes, they are narrow, winding, so that only a few men can go abreast. And that neutralizes their second advantage, numbers. They cannot use their numbers to surround us because our flanks will be secured by impassible terrain. They must do a headlong charge, where there group of men fight our group of men, face to face. And that, my lords, is a battle I am willing to fight. Perhaps that is arrogance, perhaps that is pride, but I think that my men, in familiar terrain, behind protective defensive works, fighting to defend their families and friends, will prove to be a match for these Lengels. Will it be enough? I confess to you that I doubt it, I expect that we will be worn down, losing more and more men, unable to replace those who fall until finally our last defensive position is overrun. But that is our path, that is our fate…and I am content with it.”
[1] In Ikki, the name “Gyoja” has become something of an assumed name/title of the ruler of the nation, similar to the name/title Caesar in our world. The Gyoja is elected by a Council which represents the various interests which make up Ikki.
[2] There are relatively many women in the ranks of the sohei. There are many reasons for this. The first is that the naginata is the perfect weapon for women to wield. Light enough for them to use comfortably, it allows them to keep their distance from the enemy where the enemy’s potentially greater height, weight, and upper body strength offers less of an advantage. The second is that joining the sohei provides one of the few avenues (besides becoming “ladies of the night”
for an unmarried woman to make a comfortable living in relative freedom. [3] Almost all of my names have significance
EDIT: Because I don't like to plagerize, the quotation that began the story is not original with me, its from Tso Chuan, as quoted by Ch'en Hao. From now on when I steal someone's quotes and attribute them to my own character, I'll try to add a footnote to properly credit them.
jalapeno_dude
AKA Panda Judo Eel
and orders sent.
alex994
Hail Divine Emperor!
Orders sent to your email. Your PM box is filled.
alex994
Hail Divine Emperor!
Iggy! It's July 9th! Where are you!!! 
Silver Steak
The Ghost of SS
Shush, let him be. Have you no shame? 
alex994
Hail Divine Emperor!
No, it's absolutely shameful that he's having a good time on vacation and not spending time updating his nes! How dare he!
How dare he! 
~Darkening~
Weep, Mother.
Gah. Orders and a bunch of stories later today.
Silver Steak
The Ghost of SS
Emu is going to hate you for the above post, Dark. And me, for this one.
And me, for this one.
TerrisH
Mischief?
To Mycrydon:
I humbly Request Permision to Build a Road inside your Teritory. we will do it at Our own Cost.
I humbly Request Permision to Build a Road inside your Teritory. we will do it at Our own Cost.
alex994
Hail Divine Emperor!
OMG!!! LORD IGGY IS BACK!! Hail! 
EDIT: He was here! I saw him!
EDIT: He was here! I saw him!
TerrisH
Mischief?
HAIL THE GREAT IGGY!!!
Oh, and orders sent.
Oh, and orders sent.
Well, I'm in central British Columbia, and I got temporary internet access with the room. I'll be back home in around 40 hours.
Now for some things I'll respond to.
Anyway, it's gonna be fricking hard to find.
@Silvara Thirrol-Uh, I may not be able to get all of those features you asked for. I can give you that climate, but not the peninsula and a few other features like that. But you can have big mountains!
And hail, fellow speller! I've won the Yukon Spelling Bee every year I was eligible.
Hi Luckymoose!
Now for some things I'll respond to.
Zibon beat you to it. The description of the rebellion contained those words.
They're in the Sarcophagus of Strategius, which is in a tomb in a cave that was buried under over 50 meters of rubble in the Great Earthquake of Year 912. On top of that, it was primarily Valins who were aware of the entrance to the tomb, and they're gone mostly now.
Anyway, it's gonna be fricking hard to find.
@Silvara Thirrol-Uh, I may not be able to get all of those features you asked for. I can give you that climate, but not the peninsula and a few other features like that. But you can have big mountains!
True. I wouldn't have guessed.
And hail, fellow speller!
I've won the Yukon Spelling Bee every year I was eligible.Yup.
Hi Luckymoose!
Well, I'm in central British Columbia, and I got temporary internet access with the room. I'll be back home in around 40 hours.
Now for some things I'll respond to.
Anyway, it's gonna be fricking hard to find.
@Silvara Thirrol-Uh, I may not be able to get all of those features you asked for. I can give you that climate, but not the peninsula and a few other features like that. But you can have big mountains!
And hail, fellow speller! I've won the Yukon Spelling Bee every year I was eligible.
Hi Luckymoose!
Now for some things I'll respond to.
Zibon beat you to it. The description of the rebellion contained those words.
They're in the Sarcophagus of Strategius, which is in a tomb in a cave that was buried under over 50 meters of rubble in the Great Earthquake of Year 912. On top of that, it was primarily Valins who were aware of the entrance to the tomb, and they're gone mostly now.
Anyway, it's gonna be fricking hard to find.
@Silvara Thirrol-Uh, I may not be able to get all of those features you asked for. I can give you that climate, but not the peninsula and a few other features like that. But you can have big mountains!
True. I wouldn't have guessed.
And hail, fellow speller!
I've won the Yukon Spelling Bee every year I was eligible.Yup.
Hi Luckymoose!
Well, I'm in central British Columbia, and I got temporary internet access with the room. I'll be back home in around 40 hours.
Now for some things I'll respond to.
Anyway, it's gonna be fricking hard to find.
@Silvara Thirrol-Uh, I may not be able to get all of those features you asked for. I can give you that climate, but not the peninsula and a few other features like that. But you can have big mountains!
And hail, fellow speller! I've won the Yukon Spelling Bee every year I was eligible.
Hi Luckymoose!
EDIT: Whoah, triple post. I have to stop using this connection.
Now for some things I'll respond to.
Zibon beat you to it. The description of the rebellion contained those words.
They're in the Sarcophagus of Strategius, which is in a tomb in a cave that was buried under over 50 meters of rubble in the Great Earthquake of Year 912. On top of that, it was primarily Valins who were aware of the entrance to the tomb, and they're gone mostly now.
Anyway, it's gonna be fricking hard to find.
@Silvara Thirrol-Uh, I may not be able to get all of those features you asked for. I can give you that climate, but not the peninsula and a few other features like that. But you can have big mountains!
True. I wouldn't have guessed.
And hail, fellow speller!
I've won the Yukon Spelling Bee every year I was eligible.Yup.
Hi Luckymoose!
EDIT: Whoah, triple post. I have to stop using this connection.
Kentharu
Zebra Commander
holy crap iggy, thats a triple post O.O
das
Regeneration In Process
OOC: Rather rushed - I might edit this later.
IC:
In the days of the Thirty-Second Cecil-King and of Toghol-Advisor, Gerber entered a cultural golden age. Influences from Gorin and Khemri entered the country; and envoys, merchants and mere travellers often journeyed to nearby lands, and learned from their culture. In architecture, great new buildings were built, mostly temples and palaces. Beautiful fountains and statues appeared in the greatest cities of Gerber. But above all, this was the time in which the Gerberian literature was born.
It was in these days that Iggur-Chronist recorded the events of his days in his epic "Uppa Deit", whilst Kacher-Chronist wrote down all that he had learned of the past in the "History of Gerber". Later still, as the Khemri tradition of free philosophers spread into Gerber, there appeared people who proudly labelled themselves philosophers - and wrote down numerous classics. Of note, for instance, is Rekher-Philosopher, who had written - amongst other things the variously-interpreted, but definitely curious scroll in which he pondered... about the nature of philosophers themselves.
---
Untitled scroll by Rekher-Philosopher.
1. This story was related to me by an old man in a small village in the south of our land.
2. "Near the end of my travels in south Gerber - in fact, in this very village - I have come across a good man (a middle-aged villager)."
3. "That was new to me, for I saw none before, and I have travelled all the way from Rusicade."
4. "Curious, I conversed with him, and told him of my journey and the evil people I met during them."
5. "To my surprise he begun explaining, very convincingly, that they were good - even the corrupt, perverted priest, who, the good man claimed, wa simply very bitter, yet still conscience-struck."
6. "Incredulous, I questioned him of all the beings in the world, real and legendary, well-known by me or just heard-of by me."
7. "And even for the wickedest he found apologias."
8. "All men were good... but the philosophers!"
9. The old man was aware that I was a philosopher.
10. "He did not think them evil, but still, he thought them ungood because of their cynicism."
11. "Yet he still considered such fabled cynics as the omniscient Dethar-Sage and even myself to be bad in words and thoughts, but still good in heart."
12. "While the philosophers were cynics even in heart."
13. "How strange, I said to him, for I thought all men evil - even from him I expected some underhanded trick and even now cannot fully believe in his goodness - but the moralism of the philosophers I could neither understand nor classify."
14. "In one thing good and evil are united, and it is the hostility towards the philosophers, who are the one mutual enemy of them both, as they seek to conquer all."
15. "So what do you say to this?"
16. To this I replied that I found it most educative; for while the good, heart-driven men saw only the good sides of everything, and the mind-ruled evil men saw only the dark and the bad, the philosophers, who are thrall to no thing, and indstead control both their hearts and their minds can see both the good and the evil, the white and the black, and thus know far more, and are the wiser for it.
---
Theology was also advanced. Not only were legends written down as in earlier days, but theosophy emerged as a separate science. Of it, the great classic is the "Conversations with a Barbarian" of Orthey-Priest, in which Oratheism was classified and codified, and numerous aspects of it clarified. Though parts of it had been lost, many great excerpts have been preserved, most notably "On Gods", that include the famous explanation of the divine hierarchy.
---
Excerpts from "Conversations with a Barbarian", Orthey-Priest:
"IV. On Gods
[...]
4. But why are there five gods in Gerber?
5. The stool needs but four legs, a barbarian would say - a fifth would be excessive.
6. Yet a civilized man would know that gods are not equal, and that four stool legs alone do not make a stool.
7. For the legs provide vital support to the most important part of the stool - and thus, Fire, Air, Earth and Death support the greatest god - Life.
8. Though Life cannot be without Fire, Air, Earth and Death, without life the four are senseless, as legs without a stool.
9. Then a barbarian would ask, is not Death equal to Life?
10. Such is his foolishness that unlike a civilized man he would not know that Death is minor and petty when compared with Life, for Life is omnipresent.
[...]
13. In Life, we see both Destruction and Creation; and thus two stool legs of Destruction - Fire, Death - and two stool legs of Creation - Air, Earth - balance each other out and complete the creation of support, allowing Life that is Destructive and Creative, Chaotic and Orderly, to exist.
[...]
15. One cannot create without destroying; and without creation, one cannot destroy.
16. It that is created from the Air - living beings - is destroyed by Death; it that is created from the Earth - vegetation, ships and houses - is destroyed by Fire.
17. In this wise balance is maintained, and neither Creation nor Destruction prevails, while both complete each other, turning into a never-ending cycle of Life.
[...]"
---
Unfortunately, history didn't preserve another treasure of these times - Ighril-Advisor's writings about his travels in the lands of the Nkondi, at the time occupied by the Lengels. But it is known that they were very controversial, yet ultimately became the basis for the Gerber policy in regards of the Lengels during the days of Toghol-Advisor.
IC:
In the days of the Thirty-Second Cecil-King and of Toghol-Advisor, Gerber entered a cultural golden age. Influences from Gorin and Khemri entered the country; and envoys, merchants and mere travellers often journeyed to nearby lands, and learned from their culture. In architecture, great new buildings were built, mostly temples and palaces. Beautiful fountains and statues appeared in the greatest cities of Gerber. But above all, this was the time in which the Gerberian literature was born.
It was in these days that Iggur-Chronist recorded the events of his days in his epic "Uppa Deit", whilst Kacher-Chronist wrote down all that he had learned of the past in the "History of Gerber". Later still, as the Khemri tradition of free philosophers spread into Gerber, there appeared people who proudly labelled themselves philosophers - and wrote down numerous classics. Of note, for instance, is Rekher-Philosopher, who had written - amongst other things the variously-interpreted, but definitely curious scroll in which he pondered... about the nature of philosophers themselves.
---
Untitled scroll by Rekher-Philosopher.
1. This story was related to me by an old man in a small village in the south of our land.
2. "Near the end of my travels in south Gerber - in fact, in this very village - I have come across a good man (a middle-aged villager)."
3. "That was new to me, for I saw none before, and I have travelled all the way from Rusicade."
4. "Curious, I conversed with him, and told him of my journey and the evil people I met during them."
5. "To my surprise he begun explaining, very convincingly, that they were good - even the corrupt, perverted priest, who, the good man claimed, wa simply very bitter, yet still conscience-struck."
6. "Incredulous, I questioned him of all the beings in the world, real and legendary, well-known by me or just heard-of by me."
7. "And even for the wickedest he found apologias."
8. "All men were good... but the philosophers!"
9. The old man was aware that I was a philosopher.
10. "He did not think them evil, but still, he thought them ungood because of their cynicism."
11. "Yet he still considered such fabled cynics as the omniscient Dethar-Sage and even myself to be bad in words and thoughts, but still good in heart."
12. "While the philosophers were cynics even in heart."
13. "How strange, I said to him, for I thought all men evil - even from him I expected some underhanded trick and even now cannot fully believe in his goodness - but the moralism of the philosophers I could neither understand nor classify."
14. "In one thing good and evil are united, and it is the hostility towards the philosophers, who are the one mutual enemy of them both, as they seek to conquer all."
15. "So what do you say to this?"
16. To this I replied that I found it most educative; for while the good, heart-driven men saw only the good sides of everything, and the mind-ruled evil men saw only the dark and the bad, the philosophers, who are thrall to no thing, and indstead control both their hearts and their minds can see both the good and the evil, the white and the black, and thus know far more, and are the wiser for it.
---
Theology was also advanced. Not only were legends written down as in earlier days, but theosophy emerged as a separate science. Of it, the great classic is the "Conversations with a Barbarian" of Orthey-Priest, in which Oratheism was classified and codified, and numerous aspects of it clarified. Though parts of it had been lost, many great excerpts have been preserved, most notably "On Gods", that include the famous explanation of the divine hierarchy.
---
Excerpts from "Conversations with a Barbarian", Orthey-Priest:
"IV. On Gods
[...]
4. But why are there five gods in Gerber?
5. The stool needs but four legs, a barbarian would say - a fifth would be excessive.
6. Yet a civilized man would know that gods are not equal, and that four stool legs alone do not make a stool.
7. For the legs provide vital support to the most important part of the stool - and thus, Fire, Air, Earth and Death support the greatest god - Life.
8. Though Life cannot be without Fire, Air, Earth and Death, without life the four are senseless, as legs without a stool.
9. Then a barbarian would ask, is not Death equal to Life?
10. Such is his foolishness that unlike a civilized man he would not know that Death is minor and petty when compared with Life, for Life is omnipresent.
[...]
13. In Life, we see both Destruction and Creation; and thus two stool legs of Destruction - Fire, Death - and two stool legs of Creation - Air, Earth - balance each other out and complete the creation of support, allowing Life that is Destructive and Creative, Chaotic and Orderly, to exist.
[...]
15. One cannot create without destroying; and without creation, one cannot destroy.
16. It that is created from the Air - living beings - is destroyed by Death; it that is created from the Earth - vegetation, ships and houses - is destroyed by Fire.
17. In this wise balance is maintained, and neither Creation nor Destruction prevails, while both complete each other, turning into a never-ending cycle of Life.
[...]"
---
Unfortunately, history didn't preserve another treasure of these times - Ighril-Advisor's writings about his travels in the lands of the Nkondi, at the time occupied by the Lengels. But it is known that they were very controversial, yet ultimately became the basis for the Gerber policy in regards of the Lengels during the days of Toghol-Advisor.
Wubba360
Emperor
TerrisH said:
Do you mean myocaca, because i do not see this mycrydon
To: Emor
From: Myocaca
You are welcome to build roads through our lands to better trade, as long as you do not disturb any inhabitants of my country.
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