Ahoy Scotland!

[Snarlin]

Your declaration o' war and then immediate offer o' peace be confusin'.  We ha' no quarrel with ye.  Your demand for three o' me cities in return for peace be laughable.

Your demand t' spare Henna falls on deaf ears. That ship has sailed.

Your demand for Campeche t' negotiate with Aidern be unfounded.   We ha' nothin' they want. They ha' nothin' we want.  We be not at war with Aidern. What ha' we t' negotiate with them for?

If you wish t' talk, then let us talk. But please, send someone who can talk some sense...and brin' some ale.  All this nonsense is making me thirsty.

Lafitte, King
Campeche

[da_Vinci]

The Yourcenaen herald, Hisyous (HISS ee ous), arrives in Scotland with a message from King Agamemenoff

Hail Despots of Scotland!

I, Hisyous, herald of his Highness King Agamemenoff of Yourcenae, bring you this message from my liege:

"Hail, Despots of Scotland!

We have heard of you declaration of war upon our friend, King Lafitte of Campeche.  We have also heard of your immediate offer of peace, a request or demand that Neddings be spared, and for some negotiation with Aidern.

My dear friends, one must not make such decisions of state after consuming several pints of ale in your Great Hall.  It can lead to the kind of danger that you are now facing.

Currently, two of your warrior parties are guests in Yourcenae.  Your declaration of war on Campeche requires that we now view them with suspicion.  Be assured that they are under close surveillance, and will not survive any hostile intentions that you might harbor towards Yourcenae.

Are you positioning yourself as the defender of Henna, and an ally of Aidern?  Let me remind you of how this puts you in great danger.

These two nations are known to Rohan, Campeche, and Yourcenae as the "First Exterminators", due to their shattering of the peace of our region with their first attempt to wipe out a fellow nation.  We Yourcenaeans have sought to preserve Rohan, and this prompted us to exert pressure on Henna.  In addition, Henna aggressively placed a settlement too near our established border.  We felt a need to scout the Matriarch's further intentions.

Henna reacted with an unprovoked attack upon our Singlis of Ilium, making him a great martyr for our people.  For this, Henna needed to be punished.  Campeche, with whom Yourcenae has had a border agreement leading to peaceful cooperation despite close proximity, was equally concerned about the First Exterminators, and was quite willing to join an effort to contain them. 

Despite the false claims of the derranged Matriarch, and now also of Vali Hopewell, who seems quite under the spell of the queen, we were never bent on the destruction of Henna ... peace was offered for Neddings and the illegal settlement of the Port of Swine.  The port to avenge Singlis, and Neddings to compensate Rohan for the initial exterimation attempt.  But since this offer was not accepted, and the time and cost of the war grew, so did the cost of peace ... to the point that the cost is now the conquest of all Hennan cities.

The stories of abuse at our hands are all Hennan and Dernish lies.  Port of Swine had been evacuated, and was burned by Hennan partisans as we entered.  We wished to keep the city intact.  Those in the other Hennan cities are treated well, as long as they are not participating in any insurgency.

The key message from all of this is that Henna had well earned the wrath of our alliance, and even so had a reasonable peace offer that they refused.  Far from being an instrument of aggression, we are the instrument of just retribution.

And now, Scotland appears to be aligning itself with Henna and Aidern, the First Exterminators.  You still have time to renounce this position, with no harm to your reputation.  But if you persist in providing aid to Henna and Aidern, and take aggressive action against Campeche or Rohan, be assured that Yourcenae will participate with our allies in delivering just retribution to Scotland as well.

The lesson of the Hennan demise is that the door to peace is sometimes open for a short while only.  The opportunity must be taken when offered.  Make peace with Campeche, take no aggressive actions, and we will have no reason to treat you as other than a friend.  But persist in the war, and spill any allied blood or sack any allied property, and Scotland will be written into our book of enemies.

Serious decisions lie ahead for the Despots of Scotland ... best to make them while sober.

Agamemnoff, King of Yourcenae"

Is there a reply for my King?

Hisyous, herald of Yourcenae

[Bernout]

Scotland is a mystery to the Rohirrim.  All past attempts at communication did not get a response.  And now the first we've heard from your nation is a declaration of war against our ally and friend.

I see that Campeche and Yourcenae have already responded to this unprovoked declaration of war.  My King joins them in asking you to stand down and be at peace with us.  Ignore the lies and paranoia you have no doubt received from Vali Hopewell.

The alliance that Rohan is proud to be part of was formed for the simple reason of dealing with a common threat.  A threat which almost resulted in the extinction of the Rohirrim!  Being defensive in nature, at no times have plans been discussed beyond dealing with Henna.  Others in our part of the world have nothing to fear.

In fact, if there is fear to be had it is once again to be directed at Rohan!   No doubt emboldened by your support, Capsavian Hopewell and the Aidern once more use this opportunity to march a huge force against Rohan.  They have already declared war and we have no doubt they are back to finish what they started.  They are Barbarians interested only in conquest.  Note how their forces attack Rohan but were nowhere to be found in Henna lands helping in their defense.  Is this really the ally you are looking for?

My King wishes to express his regrets for not coming personally.  However, given the circumstances I'm sure you will understand.  He is quite busy preparing the defense of Aldburg.  Again.

Grima, Steward
Rohan

[Quotey]

Truly, I am disgusted at the Vali's actions, and if I had thought he would declare on Rohan I would not have declared on Campeche. Snarlin knows my reasons (in order to make him negotiate peace with Henna, which I understand is not possible, and to not threaten Aidern), and the declaration was only to make sure the "Demonic Triad" understood.

There are claims noone has threatened Aidern- I was told differently, and I trust Capsavian more than I trust you.

Now that Capsavian has declared on Bernout, however, I am more edgy about defending him... I will discuss this, and hope I can negotiate a peace, assuming Bernout accepts it.

I am thankful, however, that you did question my actions and discuss instead of preparing for yet another war. Your alliance worries me greatly, and I trust none of you.

[Capsavian Hopewell]

Ahhh, yes.  Poor Rohan!  Everyone is picking on the helpless Rohirrim.  These mounted, fast-moving, deadly steeds of the Demon King's henchmen!  So helpless indeed, as they lay waste to the best Henna and Aidern both can offer. 

As to threats, let me show you this scroll I received from King Theoden's messenger.  You can interpret it as you may, but to my eyes it is nothing less than an absolute threat to the solidarity between Aidern and Henna, our trusted ally:

Vali Hopewell of Aidern;

By now I am sure you are aware of the situation with Henna.

My King wishes to make it clear that any movement of your forces west towards Henna or Aldburg will be seen as an act of war.

If you are truly interested in long term peace then stay out of this conflict.  Also, let us not forget Rohan's reasonable request for compensation for the loss of Dunharrow.

Frealaf Hildeson, Captain
1st Rohan Lancers

Not only was Aidern forbidden from ensuring the Hennan citizens' rights are preserved, but we were told that any such observation would be met with deadly force by the Hell-Steeds of the Rohirrim!

So it is that the borders of Aidern swell with refugees.  Widows, orphans.  All asking me, "Where were you, when our fathers, our brothers, our sons were slaughtered by the Demon King and His slave-henchmen?"

Though the skilled propagandists of the Demonic Triad eloquently paint Aidern as a barbaric state devoid of honor, I will gladly accept that mantle--but no longer will I stand by and watch the helpless Hennans become buried beneath the hooves as they alone stand and fight the forces of evil.

Thankfully, I know the King of Scotland to be a man of honor unparalleled to any other mortal I have yet met.  I know that he, too, is disgusted with the actions of the Demonic Triad.  I know that if anyone will stand and fight for the weak, it will be the people of Scotland.

Just as the names of the Demon King and his slave-henchmen will be curses upon our lips, the name of the Scottish King will be a blessing we place upon our children.

Vali Hopewell

[Bernout]

Ahhh, yes.  Poor Rohan!  Everyone is picking on the helpless Rohirrim.  These mounted, fast-moving, deadly steeds of the Demon King's henchmen!  So helpless indeed, as they lay waste to the best Henna and Aidern both can offer.

Ahhh, I see Vali Hopewell gets around as much as I do.  The life of emissaries and Vali's is indeed tiring.  Rohan thanks you for the generous description of our military prowess!   There is no doubting that Rohan's military situation now is far different from the last time you entered our lands.  I would not have used the word helpless.  However, you are also bringing in a far larger and superior force...one which we recognize as being strong enough to pose a serious threat to us once more.

Not only was Aidern forbidden from ensuring the Hennan citizens' rights are preserved, but we were told that any such observation would be met with deadly force by the Hell-Steeds of the Rohirrim!

I will not deny that the stated correspondence took place.  Anyone in our situation would have done the same.   We were at war with Henna and not with Aidern.    In order to prevent possible misunderstandings, it was important for Aidern to understand that any of their forces heading west would be seen as a threat.  If not to Aldburg itself then to Rohirrim troops in the field.

Of course there is one logical question that comes from this.  Our so called "threat" and the resulting agreement between us has obviously not stopped you from doing so anyhow.  Why the delay?

Also...since you have taken us down the path of bringing up private correspondance, let me follow suit.  I'll also let the world judge for itself what Rohan has had to deal with when it comes to truth and honor on the part of Aidern.

Greetings, Frealaf.

Aidern is weary of war, and though we recognize you likely will wish to turn on us after stamping out Henna, we assure you we have no desire to fight the mighty Rohirrim.

We will remain on sentry as we have been, but will not touch your borders.  I should hope in turn you will do the same for us?

I hope your king will consider the stay of our hand in this conflict.  I can think of no greater compensation to Rohan, than for us to allow our loyal ally to stand alone against your riders.

Thus the path for peace between our nations was established and recently destroyed by your actions.  It does seem such a waste for Henna to have stood alone all this time and suffer so much, only to have you declare war with Rohan anyhow.  And this at a time when the Henna war is almost over!  Please feel free to explain that to the widow and orphans.

Thankfully, I know the King of Scotland to be a man of honor unparalleled to any other mortal I have yet met.  I know that he, too, is disgusted with the actions of the Demonic Triad.  I know that if anyone will stand and fight for the weak, it will be the people of Scotland.

Just as the names of the Demon King and his slave-henchmen will be curses upon our lips, the name of the Scottish King will be a blessing we place upon our children.

Flattery does indeed work wonders.  I would hope the King of Scotland can see beyond the flowery words that escape your lips only to hide the deceit underneath.

Grima
Rohan

[Bernout]

Truly, I am disgusted at the Vali's actions, and if I had thought he would declare on Rohan I would not have declared on Campeche. Snarlin knows my reasons (in order to make him negotiate peace with Henna, which I understand is not possible, and to not threaten Aidern), and the declaration was only to make sure the "Demonic Triad" understood.

There are claims noone has threatened Aidern- I was told differently, and I trust Capsavian more than I trust you.

Now that Capsavian has declared on Bernout, however, I am more edgy about defending him... I will discuss this, and hope I can negotiate a peace, assuming Bernout accepts it.

I am thankful, however, that you did question my actions and discuss instead of preparing for yet another war. Your alliance worries me greatly, and I trust none of you.

Was this intended to be OOC?   I will reply assuming so.

Trust must be earned on both sides and it can vary from game to game.    If your declaration of war was simply intended to get our attention then you should consider that mission accomplished.    I welcome both IC and OOC negotiations however you see fit to have them take place although I don't believe this is the intended place for OOC.

As far as a threat to Aidern goes, you will probably have read by now all that took place in that regard.  Certainly there has been nothing that has taken place to threaten the lands of Aidern itself.  I would have welcomed your defensive agreement with him had it not led to my current predicament.

Bernout

[da_Vinci]

Hisyous has recieved a message from Normalseus to deliver to Scotland:

Hail Despots of Scotland!

I, Hisyous, herald of his Highness King Agamemenoff of Yourcenae, bring you this message from our Foreign Minister, Normalseus:

"Hail, Despots of Scotland!

We welcome your apparent pause to reconsider your war with Campeche.  In your communication you have stated: 'Your alliance worries me greatly, and I trust none of you.'  You wound us to the quick, with your fear of us.  Let me set your mind at ease.

How do you think Yourcenae, Campeche, and Rohan came to be in an alliance?  By the actions of Aidern and Henna, and for no other reason.  If the alliance be a beast, it is a beast of the Vali's own creation!  Were it not for the near destruction of Rohan at the hands of Henna and Aidern, this alliance would not exist.

Further, had Henna settled its port further south, and had it not ambushed our Singlis of Ilium, then very likely Yourcenae would not be at war with Henna.  So Henna had nothing to fear from Yourcenae, or from the others in the alliance, until it undertook aggressive actions against us.

The lesson for Scotland is clear:  it is aggressive action against the alliance that will give birth to a reason for you to fear us.  In the absence of such provocation, you have no reason to fear us.  I believe that all three of our allied nations share the hope that you will not cross the boundaries of civil diplomacy and precipitate the very crisis you say that you fear. 

Above all, do no listen to the counsel of the Vali.  See how he has hung the Matriarch out to dry, who had allied with him and trusted him.  Do not let the Vali turn Scotland into "New Henna" ... only to share the fate of the original Henna.  See how the rantings of the Vali become more frantic and incoherent ... much like we saw from the Matriarch.  Perhaps her insanity is contagious?

Normalseus, Foreign Minister of Yourcenae"

[Capsavian Hopewell]

Hisyous of Yourcenae, I would like you to ask Normalseus how your nation was acting in self-defense in attacking our unarmed workers within our own borders?

That is the one gaping flaw in your stream of logic.

Grima, you are free to deduce as you wish--I do not blame you nor even your king in fact, not directly.  You are under the spell of the wicked Demon King.  If my shamans can find a way to break His spell over you, we gladly will do so.

For now, our only tools to extricate the demons are mere blades and arrows, unfortunately.

Vali Hopewell

OOC -- I don't think any of this commentary has been OOC, including all insults and propaganda.   At least, I've not taken offense to anything which has happened yet on these forums or in CC 1 or CC 2.    If I have offended anyone OOC, I sincerely hope they will PM me, as I view this as a game played by a cast of characters, and not a reflection upon our real-world selves.

[Snarlin]

Ahoy Scotland!

Our parlay be successful!  Peace between our two countries is at hand! Your ambassador was quite eloquent and t' ale was superb!

Campeche thanks you, and we hope this little misunderstandin' can be put behind us smartly. If thar’s anythin' we can do for your fine nation, please feel free t' contact us. If he hasn’t drank it all, thar’ll be a little somethin' for you in t' diplomatic pouch when your ambassador returns. 

Lafitte,
Campeche

[Matriarch]

I wish I would have been aware of this debate and could have participated.  I could not though, as I was looking after some of my people who are fleeing the Motherland, with the horde of demons hot on their tails.

King of Scotland, you have proven to be good man and a most rare commodity:  a gleaming defender of the weak amidst armies of dark beings.

It does seem that the time for Henna is drawing to a close, and even the acclaimed Demon Hunters of Aidern may be too late to save us.  Maybe our ancestors will rise again, but I have almost lost the last shred of hope I had dared to cling onto.

Matriarch