SouthernKing
crickety cricket
To: Jutland
From: Norse Raiders
So be it. Do not be surprised if you see our ships off your coast however.
To: Aquitaine
From: Badajoz
Prove to us that we would be better off leaving you alone and we will not make war.
SKNES: Architecture of Aggression
- Thread starter SouthernKing
- Start date
To: Jutland
From: Norse Raiders
So be it. Do not be surprised if you see our ships off your coast however.
To: Aquitaine
From: Badajoz
Prove to us that we would be better off leaving you alone and we will not make war.
mythmonster2
BEC NOIR! RUN!
Chronicles of the Philipou Family, Chapter II: The Dukes of Epir
Jacopo Philipou was born to a Greek father and an Italian mother. Such mixing of Greek and Italian was quite common in the Sicilian royal families as they attempted to ingratiate themselves with the states of the mainland peninsula. He had held a promising post as the praetor, a Byzantine term roughly equivalent to a governor, of Palermo and the surrounding areas from 813 AD to 825.
Following the Crusade against the Byzantines and the Epireans, Sicily found itself in possession of a pagan state that was very angry at its new Christian overlords. Part of the solution was to give half the burden off to Muslim Castille, to give them someone else to be angry at. The other half of the solution was to give Epir a limited amount of autonomy. In effect, making it a vassal of Sicily. However, this state would be in a difficult position. As a vassal of Sicily, Orthodoxy would be the state religion. However, most inhabitants of Epir were devout followers of the Greek pantheon. The state would have to be tolerant, yet encourage conversion.
It was Jacopo, observing the jiyza system of the Andalusians, who came up with a plan. The pagans would be allowed to practice their faith. However, they would have to pay an extra tax, paid to the Epirean government. The money raised by this tax would, in turn, go to Sicily itself. Orthodox practitioners would be exempt from the tax, and Catholics would have a heavily reduced version of the tax.
The tax idea was considered and ultimately approved by King Alexandros. Furthermore, a new royal family would be required to rule over Epir, as the old family had all gone into hiding or escaped to Byzantium. It was into this power vacuum that the Philipou family, as it tended to do, stepped in. Jacopo offered his services to the kind. Again, after careful deliberation, as well as some backroom dealings reminding Alexandros that his father would not have been king if it were not for the family, the Philipou family came to rule over the vassal state of Epir. Jacopo Philipou thus became the first Duke of Epir in 826 AD.
Jacopo Philipou was born to a Greek father and an Italian mother. Such mixing of Greek and Italian was quite common in the Sicilian royal families as they attempted to ingratiate themselves with the states of the mainland peninsula. He had held a promising post as the praetor, a Byzantine term roughly equivalent to a governor, of Palermo and the surrounding areas from 813 AD to 825.
Following the Crusade against the Byzantines and the Epireans, Sicily found itself in possession of a pagan state that was very angry at its new Christian overlords. Part of the solution was to give half the burden off to Muslim Castille, to give them someone else to be angry at. The other half of the solution was to give Epir a limited amount of autonomy. In effect, making it a vassal of Sicily. However, this state would be in a difficult position. As a vassal of Sicily, Orthodoxy would be the state religion. However, most inhabitants of Epir were devout followers of the Greek pantheon. The state would have to be tolerant, yet encourage conversion.
It was Jacopo, observing the jiyza system of the Andalusians, who came up with a plan. The pagans would be allowed to practice their faith. However, they would have to pay an extra tax, paid to the Epirean government. The money raised by this tax would, in turn, go to Sicily itself. Orthodox practitioners would be exempt from the tax, and Catholics would have a heavily reduced version of the tax.
The tax idea was considered and ultimately approved by King Alexandros. Furthermore, a new royal family would be required to rule over Epir, as the old family had all gone into hiding or escaped to Byzantium. It was into this power vacuum that the Philipou family, as it tended to do, stepped in. Jacopo offered his services to the kind. Again, after careful deliberation, as well as some backroom dealings reminding Alexandros that his father would not have been king if it were not for the family, the Philipou family came to rule over the vassal state of Epir. Jacopo Philipou thus became the first Duke of Epir in 826 AD.
Terrance888
Discord Reigns
To Badajoz
From Aquitaine
That's all? Easy.
See that man? He is descendant of Charles Martel himself. And he has a vested interest to making sure no one invades Aquitaine again.
Now, if someone were to invade Aquitaine, he still has that famed hammer ready, and it has a song to go with it...
From Aquitaine
That's all? Easy.
See that man? He is descendant of Charles Martel himself. And he has a vested interest to making sure no one invades Aquitaine again.
Now, if someone were to invade Aquitaine, he still has that famed hammer ready, and it has a song to go with it...
Mickzter97
The One and Only
To Badajoz
From Castile
Sorry but we cannot afford to go to war at present. We are recovering from the Crusade
From Castile
Sorry but we cannot afford to go to war at present. We are recovering from the Crusade
SamSniped
DJ Goodboye
We are willing to send 1 EP per turn. We will also negotiate upon another condition if necessary.
(OOC: RP in a few seconds)
To Badjoz, the Islamic World
From the Greatest Empire the World has ever seen
We heard you might be interested in fighting our loyal friend Aquitaine. That would be very, very stupid. We beat you once before, and we are more than happy to do it again. We highly suggest that you restrain your neighbor before he decides to plunge all of Spain into the greatest war mankind has known.
From the Greatest Empire the World has ever seen
We heard you might be interested in fighting our loyal friend Aquitaine. That would be very, very stupid. We beat you once before, and we are more than happy to do it again. We highly suggest that you restrain your neighbor before he decides to plunge all of Spain into the greatest war mankind has known.
thomas.berubeg
Wandering the World
Wait... Catholic Aquitaine + Muslim Badajoz are friends? da fuk?
Gem Hound
Deity
It looks like that last message was to Badajoz, not from.
Julius Gandi
The Foreign Disease
1 EP and open trade for Tatar merchants in your ports.
To: The Polish Tribes
From: Tatars
Your peoples and my father made a pact to maintain peace. I propose we make a greater agreement. Our nations are surrounded by unorganized barbarians. It will benifit us both that our nations maintain stability and dominance over our regions. I propose we make a mutual agreement to maintain stability in both our nations. What do you say?
Story:
The wind howled loudly through the mountain pass as the envoy approached the camp on his stout wooly horse. The moon and stars illuminated the sprawling encampment. The envoy looked out of place, as out of place as the Tatars in this land. They were both from far away. He weaved through the herd of scattered sheep, cattle, and goats, all along the way large dogs watched with a weary eyes.
The Tartar camp was a bizarre sight. Unlike any army camps he had seen before. Horses stood slightly besides their sleeping riders on the ground. No tents could be seen save for one mighty hut at the center of the camp. After the two month long journey, that was the envoys destination. He rode up to the tent and dismounted. Two large bearded men walked up to the envoy and put their hands on their swords. The motioned him to follow them into the tent.
Within the tent the Envoy saw a single man sitting in the low light of the dwindling fire. The man motioned the guards to leave them. The envoy reached into his robe and pulled out a large sack and threw it to the ground. It hit with a mighty thud.
"My lord is pleased, you have done well. He wanted me to commend your father on his leadership. Alas on my journey I heard the terrible news. On behalf of my lord, my condolences," the Envoy bowed.
"He was old, it was time for him to leave us. Now I inherit a mighty bore, whose hungers may prove too much for me to reign," replied the Khan.
"Nonsense, the Tatar empire will reign for all time, and will be known for their slaying of the corrupted church," exclaimed the Envoy.
The Khan smiled to this, "Now please stay for a while. I will send you with a message after you have had your fill of food and drink."
spaceman98
Plotting something
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2010
- Messages
- 3,639
We would be happy to agree to this pact, to maintain stability in our region and strengthen the alliance between our people.
SamSniped
DJ Goodboye
We accept.
RP-
Murus de Italia-
The Wall of Italy was constructed on the eastern border of the Republic of Venice after the Crusade of the Byzantines ended and the Tartar threat was neutralized. It stood up to twenty feet high at certain locations, ten feet thick, and the inside was hollow for the first four feet to hold troops for its defense. Several quickly raised companies that were raised during the war were tasked to defend the wall. The wall was originally planned to be built along the whole northern border, but a lack of funds required it to be built in separate sections over the years, and therefore the remaining irregular companies were spread out as a first line of defense along the northern border. This sense of heightened security plus the lack of threats strengthened the confidence of the populace, and a sense of stability in the farthest reaches of the Republic was gained.
---
To All Italian City-States (OOC: this is to all of the un-unified land in Italy)
Italians, countrymen, lend me your ears! Your constant squabbling and in-fighting does noting for any of you. The Glorious Republic of Venice has managed to prevent the Byzantines and Tartars from overrunning our peninsula, but just barely. We tried to gain your help in war against them, but none came. Now that there is peace, you certainly see how strong our Republic is, to survive against some of the largest forces in the known world. We have been blessed by God, and He wishes that you join our nation as a unified Italy. If you do not join, we may not survive again.
By the will of God and the Holy Pope himself,
Doge Gian Galeazetto II, the Second of his Name, Doge of the Republic of Venice, and Defender of Italia
---
With the peace treaty with the Byzantines and Tartars, trade commenced again in the capital city, Venetia. In the treaty with the Tartars, the Tartar merchants were allowed into the ports of the Republic, which not just helped the Tartars, but also the Venetians, who were able to trade with the Tartars for rare goods from the east for the more common goods, like fish and iron, benefiting both nations. Venetia became a major location for trade, and the Forum was rarely empty, for merchants were always coming and going, selling things from furs to fish to metal to exotic goods and more.
SouthernKing
crickety cricket
Orders in:
Armenia (Lokki242)
Brythonia (Gem Hound)
Castile (Mickzter97)
Cordoba (momo1000)
Hormuz (Optical)
Jutland (thomas.berubeg)
Novgorod (Popcornlord)
Papal State (erez87)
Poland (spaceman98)
Sicily (mythmonster)
Vandals (Grandkhan)
Venice (SamSniped)
Zengids (TheLizardKing)
Orders I Need
Everyone Else! Deadline in ~48 hours!
VM Drops begin tomorrow.
Bair_The_Normal, sorry, I wasn't able to get your stats done. I'll get them done with the update, promise.
Armenia (Lokki242)
Brythonia (Gem Hound)
Castile (Mickzter97)
Cordoba (momo1000)
Hormuz (Optical)
Jutland (thomas.berubeg)
Novgorod (Popcornlord)
Papal State (erez87)
Poland (spaceman98)
Sicily (mythmonster)
Vandals (Grandkhan)
Venice (SamSniped)
Zengids (TheLizardKing)
Orders I Need
Everyone Else! Deadline in ~48 hours!
VM Drops begin tomorrow.
Bair_The_Normal, sorry, I wasn't able to get your stats done. I'll get them done with the update, promise.
Popcornlord
Steampunk Mechanic
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2007
- Messages
- 787
(Sorry, I must have missed this originally, and only saw it because I was looking through the older posts)
I agree. May we together support a strong defense in these turbulent times. Perhaps a royal marriage of sorts could also be arranged?
I agree. May we together support a strong defense in these turbulent times. Perhaps a royal marriage of sorts could also be arranged?
TheLizardKing
Let's talk Michelle.
Orders sent earlier. 
SouthernKing
crickety cricket
VM drops under way.
If you wish to opt out of recieving reminder VMs, let me know.
If you wish to opt out of recieving reminder VMs, let me know.
Julius Gandi
The Foreign Disease
I should be able to get mine in this afternoon. After classes. That should be 2 in the morning on the 18th for you I think.
SouthernKing
crickety cricket
Orders lock. I'll still accept orders for stragglers, as the update probably won't arrive until tomorrow.
SouthernKing
crickety cricket
Update Progress
Complete: Britain, France, Eastern Europe
Still needs finished: Germany, Western Med, Eastern Med, Arabia, Persia,
Complete: Britain, France, Eastern Europe
Still needs finished: Germany, Western Med, Eastern Med, Arabia, Persia,
Terrance888
Discord Reigns
OOC: 2 more posts to bump to top post.
The Status of the United French Empire, as of 825 A.D.
The French Empire, composed of the bulk of Empire of France as well as its major partner, the Kingdom of Aquitaine, is beset by many foes at this tile, around a hundred years from the Moorish invasions. However, they are also blessed by many resources and a strong faith in Catholicism, in their military and in their able governments of this time.
ECONOMY
The combined economy of the French Empire rivals that of the Byzantine Empire at the same time, even including their client state of Angora. One reason for this is that internally, France has been at peace for a hundred years while the Romans where at war, whether among themselves or against United French Crusaders. Although their economy, admittedly, lags behind the nations of Al-Andalus occupying a similar area, one must note that, including general taxes levied by all states, they also have the Jizya for their income. The French Empire is bounded to the south by the Pyrenees and the forts thereof, to the southwest by the Rhone river and Italy, by the Northwest by the mighty Rhine, and even include elements reaching to the Oder. In this vast area, trade is fostered among themselves.
RELIGION
Catholicism has been embraced by the people of the French Empire more quickly than any barbarian group, casting off the old Arian heresies for the truth of the One Church (and all the diplomatic bonuses that implies). Although the French has been rather rare in the Crusades of the Mediterranean, one must remember of the great pressures of the Moors, of the Germani, of the Jutes and the Britons, many of them Pagan, and most of them hostile in many ways. There are various Pagan minoraties as well. In the Kingdom of Aquitaine, the Gaullic Animists where courted to prevent disunity in the face of possible Andulan invasions while in both key areas of the Empire, the Forn Siðr maintains a constant thorn in their programs.
MILITARY
Against the Germans the Frankish Empire has conquered Burgundy and Frisia, while the Kingdom of Aquitaine has conquered Provence. The French people favor rapid, decisive wars after many years of plotting their intended victims against each other. Their armies are rather small, but much more professional than many of their neighbors, numbering at around twenty five thousand at this time when all the men are raised without additional recruiting.
POLITICAL
The French Empire as a whole is outwardly rather isolationist, promising nothing but Truth for the Cross, offering nothing but their own great skills as warriors and craftsmen. To the South, along the Mediterranean the Kingdom of Aquitaine maintains many contacts and agreements with the people of the great inland sea. Aquitaine would be the first land touched by Italian Merchants, or by Pope's messangers. Aquitaine would be the first land to attack if the Moors decide to invade Frankia once more. Aquitaine, for the civilized world, is the face of the French. So far, the Aquitaini maintained a polite, tolerant, but firm dimeaner, knowing that their diplomacy often will pull the Frankish Empire into the mix if the wrong word is said or the wrong ideas are implied.
The Frankish Empire's neighbors are Germans, Pagans, and Barbarians of every stripe. Although diplomacy is used sometimes, the standard operating procedure is find the threat, take it out, and annex it into the Empire.
OOC: I am making some assumptions of course, for the Frankish Empire. EDIT: The Emprah Accepts!
EDIT OOC: To the player below, thanks. This story is influenced by the translation of De Gallico Bello's more expository sections, of which the footnotes containing the modern dates of various events must have gotten to me.
The Status of the United French Empire, as of 825 A.D.
The French Empire, composed of the bulk of Empire of France as well as its major partner, the Kingdom of Aquitaine, is beset by many foes at this tile, around a hundred years from the Moorish invasions. However, they are also blessed by many resources and a strong faith in Catholicism, in their military and in their able governments of this time.
ECONOMY
The combined economy of the French Empire rivals that of the Byzantine Empire at the same time, even including their client state of Angora. One reason for this is that internally, France has been at peace for a hundred years while the Romans where at war, whether among themselves or against United French Crusaders. Although their economy, admittedly, lags behind the nations of Al-Andalus occupying a similar area, one must note that, including general taxes levied by all states, they also have the Jizya for their income. The French Empire is bounded to the south by the Pyrenees and the forts thereof, to the southwest by the Rhone river and Italy, by the Northwest by the mighty Rhine, and even include elements reaching to the Oder. In this vast area, trade is fostered among themselves.
RELIGION
Catholicism has been embraced by the people of the French Empire more quickly than any barbarian group, casting off the old Arian heresies for the truth of the One Church (and all the diplomatic bonuses that implies). Although the French has been rather rare in the Crusades of the Mediterranean, one must remember of the great pressures of the Moors, of the Germani, of the Jutes and the Britons, many of them Pagan, and most of them hostile in many ways. There are various Pagan minoraties as well. In the Kingdom of Aquitaine, the Gaullic Animists where courted to prevent disunity in the face of possible Andulan invasions while in both key areas of the Empire, the Forn Siðr maintains a constant thorn in their programs.
MILITARY
Against the Germans the Frankish Empire has conquered Burgundy and Frisia, while the Kingdom of Aquitaine has conquered Provence. The French people favor rapid, decisive wars after many years of plotting their intended victims against each other. Their armies are rather small, but much more professional than many of their neighbors, numbering at around twenty five thousand at this time when all the men are raised without additional recruiting.
POLITICAL
The French Empire as a whole is outwardly rather isolationist, promising nothing but Truth for the Cross, offering nothing but their own great skills as warriors and craftsmen. To the South, along the Mediterranean the Kingdom of Aquitaine maintains many contacts and agreements with the people of the great inland sea. Aquitaine would be the first land touched by Italian Merchants, or by Pope's messangers. Aquitaine would be the first land to attack if the Moors decide to invade Frankia once more. Aquitaine, for the civilized world, is the face of the French. So far, the Aquitaini maintained a polite, tolerant, but firm dimeaner, knowing that their diplomacy often will pull the Frankish Empire into the mix if the wrong word is said or the wrong ideas are implied.
The Frankish Empire's neighbors are Germans, Pagans, and Barbarians of every stripe. Although diplomacy is used sometimes, the standard operating procedure is find the threat, take it out, and annex it into the Empire.
OOC: I am making some assumptions of course, for the Frankish Empire. EDIT: The Emprah Accepts!
EDIT OOC: To the player below, thanks. This story is influenced by the translation of De Gallico Bello's more expository sections, of which the footnotes containing the modern dates of various events must have gotten to me.
Lokki242
Emperor
Wow, I didn't realize your honorable empire was so old!
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