SKNES: Architecture of Aggression

[Mickzter97]

They broke the treaty first, we merely proved why treaties should not be broken.

Whilst I do not feel that GK broke the treaty, I do agree on one thing.

Those who do break treaties will be crushed!!!

Spoiler :

Talking from personal experience

 

[DC123456789]

I think I'll take The Electorate of Naples, at least for now.

 

[Lokki242]

To: The Nations of the World
From: King Ashot VI of Armenia
Armenia continues to hold neutral views on the Crusade... for now.

 

[SouthernKing]

1. PM box cleaned. You may now send me stuff.
2. I'm going to be on AIM now if anyone wants to chat.
3. Orders for turn 10 (970 AD) are due Wednesday, August 1

 

[DC123456789]

Umm... SouthernKing, I said to transport all the important church officials (except the Pope) to India specifically so the church could continue.

Edit: I'll take a moderate-strength country on the Christian side of the crusade so I can take my revenge on the Zengids. If the crusade succeeds, maybe I'll retake Axum.

@SouthernKing


Also, I assume you approve me being the Electorate of Naples?

 

[SouthernKing]

^Approved. Sorry, forgot to mention it.

 

[GamezRule]

To: The Pope
From: Roman Empire

You are but a man who sits on a throne and pretends he is God. Why should you involve yourself in the affairs of state? By doing so, you have and continue to defile the name of God.

However, since you must pry, we will not fight on your behalf for two reasons. Though we do not not condone the destruction of the Coptic Church by the Muslims, we have examined the events leading up to the declaration of the crusade and hold the Copts to be the general cause of the war, by invading the Fatmids.

With a third Caliphate created in the west, there appears to be an ever diminishing need for the Fatimid Caliphate. A rebellion in Nubia took a heavy toll on the Caliph’s ability to administer its lands, and even after it was put down many regions of Nubia remain under little but nominal control. Already, Axumites have begun to reclaim former Merkurian lands, mostly along the Nile and the Red Sea coast. Rebels have massed in the west. A collapse of the Fatimid Caliphate could mean a vast disturbance in the entire Muslim world.

The weak situation in the Fatimid Caliphate reached a breaking point and collapsed, leaving the Caliph virtually powerless. Rebellions sparked across the country. However, thanks to help from a Zengid army, the rebellions were put down, although at great cost. Axum started eating away at even more land. The Fatimid trade economy is all but destroyed thanks to the extended period of chaos. But the Caliph is safe, the Fatimid dynasty’s roots firmly planted again, and the Caliphate can start recovering.

Despite the fact that the Fatimids retained control over their caliphate, Axum was rising again, and they seemed to want nothing less than the reconquest of Egypt for Christianity. Axum sent soldiers to reconquer the Nile and Red Sea coast. A number of Zengid soldiers who were overseeing rebuilding efforts from the rebellion were caught in the crossfire. The Axumites, using greater numbers, were able to advance up the Nile. The Fatimids have been forced to move their court from Cairo to Alexandria under threat of increased raids. In Axum, although a tax was placed on those who were not Coptic Christian, the overabundance of Muslims in the new lands has placed a burden on the country.

Spoiler :

Finally we have someone who is actually saying something productive.

To: The Roman Empire

Think about your options. On one hand, you have the Christians, the Holy Roman Empire. They helped you, over one hundred years ago, when the Empire was controlled by the Hellenists, during the Orthodox rebellions. Though the Byzantine Crusade was ultimately unsuccessful, surely you must feel some gratitude towards them for having helped you in those horrifying times. Also note that they are stronger, on the long run, than the Muslims. Though they did act somewhat dishonourably during the conquest of Carthage, one can easily see that this was revenge for all the raiding done long before. They are even willing to give up some land to you, if only you would join their crusade.

On the other hand, you have the Muslims, an alliance between the Fatimid Caliphate, the Zengid Emirate, the Abbasid Caliphate, the Sharifate of Hijaz, and what remains of the Vandals. They done nothing to you but conquer your lands and convert tens of thousands from Christianity. They have committed unspeakable crimes, and brought nothing but raids and invasions. Surely you cannot possibly miss the Vandals, the scourge of the Mediterranean for 200 years. Just think; if the Holy Roman Empire falls, who do you think will be next on their list?

Ultimately, this choice is up to you to make. Would you rather the Holy Land be under the control of the hostile Muslims, who seek to destroy whatever vestiges of Christianity they can get ahold of, or the Catholics, who, though not Orthodox, would be much friendlier towards you, providing you co-operate with them. Surely they would probably give some territory to you as a sign of goodwill they have always shown. However, should you choose to side with the Muslims, terrible things will happen. Even if you continue like this, remember that people's patience only goes too far. Think of what happened on our timeline, on April 13, 1204...

I'm going to pretend this came from Naples.

To: Naples

So by your logic, invading the Roman Empire is helping the Roman Empire? So your saying that the best way I could help the crusade would be to invade Italy?

Also, we have no love for the Vandals, but we do not view the methods of their destruction to be right. All the Catholics have done is ruin any credibility that they had in Constantinople and likely the rest of the world. Sneak attacking, destroying, and annexing one of the few states that declared it's neutrality is not the way that an honorable Christian should act.

Furthermore, the Vandals had nothing to do with the affairs that happened in Axum, so as far as we are concerned, this war has nothing to do with the Catholics quest for revenge (a very Christian ideal) for Axum. You call your empire "holy" yet you have yet to actually attack the nation you declared war on.

It is for these reasons that we view that this crusade should end at once, and we demand Crete be returned to us.

 

[DC123456789]

To: Naples

So by your logic, invading the Roman Empire is helping the Roman Empire? So your saying that the best way I could help the crusade would be to invade Italy?

Also, we have no love for the Vandals, but we do not view the methods of their destruction to be right. All the Catholics have done is ruin any credibility that they had in Constantinople and likely the rest of the world. Sneak attacking, destroying, and annexing one of the few states that declared it's neutrality is not the way that an honorable Christian should act.

Furthermore, the Vandals had nothing to do with the affairs that happened in Axum, so as far as we are concerned, this war has nothing to do with the Catholics quest for revenge (a very Christian ideal) for Axum. You call your empire "holy" yet you have yet to actually attack the nation you declared war on.

It is for these reasons that we view that this crusade should end at once, and we demand Crete be returned to us.

We considered the Hellenic Roman Empire to be a different entity from the Orthodox Roman Empire. Surely you cannot deny that the Holy Roman Empire was trying to help you, the Eastern Orthodox, during the Byzantine Crusade. Furthermore, there were many hints suggesting that if you had let the Holy Roman troops through your territory, there would have been an assault on the Zengids, from the north (as amphibious attacks are always harder). So you have yourself to blame for that as well. If you wish to remain neutral, very well. But remember that the Lord is always watching, and you will be punished eventually for failing to help your brothers in faith.

OOC: Don't blame me for the attack on the Vandals, no one ever told me about anything the HRE was planning.

 

[GamezRule]

OOC: You're now Naples, and Naples is partly responsible for attacking the Vandals. Part of NESing is accepting stuff that happened to the nation before you took over and dealing with it.

 

[Nuka-sama]

Please, all HRE members STOP conducting diplomacy

 

[TheLizardKing]

This is incredibly amusing.

 

[Grandkhan]

And thus, on the cusp of victory, we see how the HRE collapses - through inability to listen to its Emperor.

 

[SamSniped]

*quickly deletes most of PMs related to diplo post-independence in SKNES*

 

[Lokki242]

To: The Republic of Venice, The Western Catholic Empire (HRE), The Roman Empire, The Duchy of Taman, Transoxiana
We humbly request permission to set up trading posts in your lands, as to bring the riches of the East and West to the West and East, respectively. This will bring great wealth to all our nations.

OOC: I already have Roman approval under certain conditions, and I'm redirecting this from SamSniped to Nuke. We plan on establishing the posts in Venice, and what Aegean Islands they possess. We can negotiate further locations if necessary.

 

[DC123456789]

Please, all HRE members STOP conducting diplomacy

Fine. But could you invite me to the HRE group?

 

[GamezRule]

To: Holy Roman Empire
From: The Roman Empire
CC: Naples

So we are to blame that your entire "strategy" depended on whether we would say yes or no? Allowing your troops to march through Anatolia would turn it into a battlefield.

 

[BSmith1068]

It was a warm day in Constantinople, as the Emperor and the Khagan, Bayan, prepared for a day of touring the city. However, it was the Sabbath day and that meant that the Emperor would attend the weekly Liturgy at the Hagia Sophia under the direction of the (Ecumenical) Patriarch of Constantinople before the tour. The Khagan, though initially hesitant, agreed to accompany the Emperor to the service. Little did he know that this would change his life and his people forever. As the Patriarch spoke of the many works performed by Christ during his days on Earth, he at first was distracted, thinking of the grand dinner he would assuredly have at the Imperial Palace tonight. However, as he sat, suddenly a feeling of intense heat came over him, and a beautiful, powerful voice came to him. “Listen, and receive.” Instantly he understood this to be the voice of Christ, speaking to him. He suddenly felt extraordinarily weak, and broke into tears. The Emperor turned, and understood what was happening.

The following day, the Khagan was once again at the Hagia Sophia. In the presence of the Emperor and his family, as well as a great deal of the Roman nobility, the Khagan was baptized and accepted into the Orthodox Church. However, this was not the only thing that was to happen. He was given the Christian name Demetrius and also adopted the western title of King, and his realms rechristened the Kingdom of Bulgaria. This is the story of King Demetrius and the Kingdom of Bulgaria.

 

[GamezRule]

Though Demetrius was now a member of the Orthodox Church and the ruler of a Christian Kingdom, his business was not yet completed in Constantinople. The King and the Emperor had much to discuss regarding the maintaining of order in the Kingdom still largely populated by pagans. Though direct Roman military support was accepted, it was decided that something more must be done to ensure the future of Orthodox Christianity in the Avar Kingdom. It was decided that the Kingdom of Bulgaria would become a part of the Roman Empire.

The Kingdom would not be directly annexed, of course, but would adopt a form of vassalage similar to what existed in Angora. King Demetrius would maintain his realms, but he would be submitting them to the sovereignty and protection of the Emperor of Rome in Constantinople. This would help the region maintain its stability, as the population gradually converted to the true Church. Only time will tell if the plan is successful. However, the visit was over and it was time for the King of Bulgaria to return home.

To: The World
From: The Roman Empire

The Avar Khaganate has converted to Christianity, transformed into the Kingdom of Bulgaria, and is now our vassal.

 

[DC123456789]

Umm... SouthernKing, I said to transport all the important church officials (except the Pope) to India specifically so the church could continue.

Also, SamSniped will be sending orders for me as part of the Christian Alliance in this crusade.

 

[BSmith1068]

Though Demetrius was now a member of the Orthodox Church and the ruler of a Christian Kingdom, his business was not yet completed in Constantinople. The King and the Emperor had much to discuss regarding the maintaining of order in the Kingdom still largely populated by pagans. Though direct Roman military support was accepted, it was decided that something more must be done to ensure the future of Orthodox Christianity in the Avar Kingdom. It was decided that the Kingdom of Bulgaria would become a part of the Roman Empire.

The Kingdom would not be directly annexed, of course, but would adopt a form of vassalage similar to what existed in Angora. King Demetrius would maintain his realms, but he would be submitting them to the sovereignty and protection of the Emperor of Rome in Constantinople. This would help the region maintain its stability, as the population gradually converted to the true Church. Only time will tell if the plan is successful. However, the visit was over and it was time for the King of Bulgaria to return home.

To: The World
From: The Roman Empire

The Avar Khaganate has converted to Christianity, transformed into the Kingdom of Bulgaria, and is now our vassal.

OOC: I confirm this.