SKNES: Architecture of Aggression

[Amon Savag]

Byzantium

Isaak died at the age of 71, having given almost 40 years of reign. To fill the imperial seat, there were 2 sons. The older of the sons was murdered by the younger, however. Thus the younger of the sons, a man of great energy and and boldness ruled next.

The new Emperor, Batercus, grabbed the reigns of power right after Isaak the Wise had kept the Empire from succumbing to the crusades launched against it. The late Emperor's plan was simple enough, trading land for time, using his army as a threatening force rather than a battling force. Forcing the enemy to think twice before making a march against the empire.

Batercus seen the brilliance of what his father had done, but decided that now was the time for a different approach to the rebels of Greece. Greek was the official language of the Empire. How could the hinterland of the Empire rebel and get away with it for over 25 years? This must be put to rights, he decided.

One day, when perched atop his throne like a hawk on the mountain, he was approached by a turban wearing black man in finely embroidered clothes. The man claimed to be from the Vandals. A messenger. The messenger claimed that the Byzantine Empire was on the brink of collapse and that the Vandals would spare the Empire further punishment if the Empire recognized it's claim to Crete.

"Sure", said the Emperor. "The Vandals shall own Crete, and we will live in peace. Go now and tell your King. Tell him also to send a better diplomat next time. Opening dialogue with "You are defeated" is hardly the way to acquire peace on friendly terms, and what is peace without friendship? That can only be called a truce."

Then the Emperor disbanded the militias his father had called. Ready to call them up again, should the christian dumbies rear their head again in holy war.

The Temple of the Norse had been started, using christian slaves, and some of the empire had come to respect that religion.

The main part of the Empire had kept with the Hellenic pantheon. The bath-houses and gladiator battles had returned. Grand gladiators were granted their freedom should they serve a term in the Emperor's army.

I love your momma long time.... Loooong tiiiime.

 

[Grandkhan]

OOC: They're Vandals. They're a germanic barbarian tribe that has been pillaging the Mediterranean for that last three hundred years, and gave the Vikings their idea. They start everything with 'you have been defeated.'

Also, did I lose some infantry during the battle for Crete? Because the two swordsmen and two crossbowmen I built last turn aren't there.

 

[Lokki242]

King Ashot III:Lived 699-752 AD. Reigned 722-752 AD.
-Founded Armenia as an Independent State
-Began Alliance with Byzantine Empire
King Ashot IV, the Pious: Lived 730-794 AD. Reigned 752-794 AD.
-Continued Byzantine Alliance
-Protected Orthodox Refugees
-Chose new Patriarch
-Built Magnificent Chruch, Asttso Tun, to house Orthodoxy
-Managed Neutrality in The Crusade
-Began Astvatsianist Philosophy
King Moszes, the Snake: Lived 765-825 AD. Reigned 794-825 AD.
-Convinced Tatars to attack Italians
-Started process of unifying Caucasus
-Began refugee conscription
King Herkules (Current Monarch): Born 800 AD. Assumed Throne 825 AD.
-Currently married to the Princess of the Principality of Angora
Prince Ashot V (Current Heir): Born 830 AD
-Siblings; Moszes II (Born 832 AD), Andromeica (Born 835 AD)

 

[Bair_the_Normal]

Late to the party, but I'm claiming from the upper Caucasus to the Don and Volga Rivers, or at least what isn't already taken there.

 

[SamSniped]

The Republic of Venice is willing to sign a peace treaty with the Byzantines.

 

[Lokki242]

Late to the party, but I'm claiming from the upper Caucasus to the Don and Volga Rivers, or at least what isn't already taken there.

Keep your eyes off my mountains. But seriously.

 

[Bair_the_Normal]

Keep your eyes off my mountains. But seriously.

They're all yours, or anyone else who might want them. But not me.

 

[Amon Savag]

The Republic of Venice is willing to sign a peace treaty with the Byzantines.

1EP in reparation, and a guarantee that your republic is done with crusading against Byzantium in the future will secure peace between our countries.

 

[SamSniped]

If you will not kill any Catholics and provide them a temple somewhere, we accept on the condition that any part of this treaty is broken, it becomes invalid.

 

[Grandkhan]

The following is an excerpt from the footnoted translation of the Saga Wandalorium, or, Saga of the Vandals, the premier chronicle of Vandal History from their entry into the Roman Empire onwards. The Saga is added to on the death of every Vandal king, and the bards of Carthage are required, by popular tradition, to memorise it and recite it in every meadhall every year during Eid.

...and so King Huneric,
Came down from Sardinia,
And landed in Thapsus,
To smite the Foul Emir[1],
And King Huneric spake unto his warriors,
And said unto them;
'Vandals! Scourge of the Mediterranean!
We come for conquest! For the glory of the the Vandals!
To bring the fear of the raiders to North Africa once more!'
And the Horde[2] marched,
Unto the Port of Carthage, where King Gaiseric made his seat,
While the Foul Emir marched out from Carthage,
To do battle with Huneric,
And his host was mighty,
And he had arrayed all the men of Afrikaya[3],
To do war with the Vandals,
But Huneric smote the Emir,
And the Emir's Horde joined with Huneric,
and they captured Carthage,
and Huneric made it his seat forevermore...

[1]: The foul Emir is believed to be Emir Abu Ja'far Abdallah ibn Muhammad, who ruled Ifriqiya until the Vandal conquest. He is recorded in other history books to be a brave soldier and competent general who was plagued by the opportunism of Huneric's landing and internal dissent, and the portrayal in the Saga Wandalorium as a fool who is defeated by Huneric's inferior force is most likely incorrect.
[2]: The Vandals had no word for formal army in their language - the word 'horde' is the closest equivalent, and is used as a substitute.
[3]: Abu Ja'far's army did not compose of all the warriors in Ifriqiya. In fact, the opposite is true. Huneric planned his invasion to take advantage of the outbreak of multiple rebellions in Numidia, and the Emir's army was lacking much of its strength. In fact, many of the Numidian and Berber forces in Ifriqiya went over to Huneric after he landed, in return for the promise of more rights and noble titles under Vandal rule.

 

[momo1000]

OOC: Muslims? Meadhalls? Okay...

 

[Mickzter97]

RP
A Sad Day, A Bright Future

The Whole population of Burgos, The Capital of Castile, gathered around the Palace of the Sultan. It was with a dismal expression, that Ubair al-Rashied, the heir to the throne, announced his fathers' death. At the age of 78, he reigned for 50 years, and has seen many successions, but failure was not absent. Ubair revealed that Mikaeel died of old age and that a great tomb will be built in his honour. Ubair quickly revealed that he will take over control immediately, and he will correct the mistakes of his father.

He promised to religious minorities that they will be treated like normal citizens, and they could become wealthy, but only if they act like citizens and stop revolting. He told them about an opportunity to nobleman, to hold power in the palace and many other things.

Catholics, Jews and even the Foir Soin rejoiced and were happy, and the recent events of unhappy minorities washed away.

It was a sad day for Castile, but a bright future ahead. The people of Castile were happy again, and Ubair Mikaeel al-Rashied looked to be a great leader for Castilians.

 

[Mickzter97]

Late to the party, but I'm claiming from the upper Caucasus to the Don and Volga Rivers, or at least what isn't already taken there.

Tell me stranger, what is the name of your nation, who do your people worship.

 

[Amon Savag]

If you will not kill any Catholics and provide them a temple somewhere, we accept on the condition that any part of this treaty is broken, it becomes invalid.

Agreed.

 

[Grandkhan]

OOC: Muslims? Meadhalls? Okay...

OOC: That was deliberate, actually Again, I'm going for the whole Barbarian/Islam fusion thing. Its not strict Islam as practiced by the rest of the Islamic world. Its Vandalic Islam. It takes liberties with certain things that the Vandals have traditionally gone for, like consuming ridiculous amounts of alcohol. Or looting defenceless coastlines.

 

[Bair_the_Normal]

Tell me stranger, what is the name of your nation, who do your people worship.

I am the duke of the Duchy of Taman, ruling under an Orthodox Church. Despite our differences, however, I respect that we can maintain good relations, and hope that you can say the same.

 

[Lokki242]

I am the duke of the Duchy of Taman, ruling under an Orthodox Church. Despite our differences, however, I respect that we can maintain good relations, and hope that you can say the same.

Yay! A faithful neighbor. I call for a full-fledged alliance between our glorious nations! Unless you don't like Byzantium...

 

[Bair_the_Normal]

Yay! A faithful neighbor. I call for a full-fledged alliance between our glorious nations! Unless you don't like Byzantium...

Agreed! Cheers! Long live our Orthodox alliance!

 

[Mickzter97]

I am the duke of the Duchy of Taman, ruling under an Orthodox Church. Despite our differences, however, I respect that we can maintain good relations, and hope that you can say the same.

Sultan Ubair Mikaeel al-Rashied does not want any bad relations between our nations. May Castile and Taman live in peace together forever. Welcome to the world Duke.
Allah bless you, or should I say God
From Sultanate of Castile
PS: What be the name of Tamans' Duke?

 

[Mickzter97]

RP
Far Away to the East

The citizens of Burgos gathered around the Palace of the Sultan, for the second time in 3 months. Ubair al-Rashied spoke confidently, and the crowd were smiling to hear their beloved Sultan speak with such enthusiasm.

He spoke of newly acquired lands, far away near in the East. "My people, my brothers and sisters, open your ears. After discussions,with the King of Venice and mainly the King of Sicily, we now control the southern part of what was once Epir. You have not to thank me, but you are to thank Sicily, and of course, your once great leader, my father, Mikaeel Solomon al-Rashied for conquering these lands in the Second Crusade!!"

The crowd cheered, and were delighted. Castile has never been in such a happy mood. They cheered for their leader.

Ubair spoke more:
"This new place is to be called Epiran Castile, and shall be a vassal of Castile. You are welcome to live there. We have already began construction on a statue of Mikaeel al-Rashied, thanking him for this day."

The crowd cheered even more, and throughout the night parties raged through the land. Castile was happier than ever before.