On Diplomacy of Extortion

[KosherZombie 1772]

On Diplomacy of Extortion

 

 

5th of Horen's Calling, 1818

 

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We regret to announce that the Grand Kingdom of Urguan has publicly declared their hostile intent towards the Orenian people.

 

This antagonism comes after several decades of manufactured discontent, whereby this country has intentionally falsified diplomatic incidents with the bald objective of justifying war. The Holy Orenian Empire has offered no hostility to this kingdom. We have made all efforts to preserve a stable, amicable relationship whilst maintaining our dignity as a nation. 

 

The principal claim of the Grand Kingdom is that the Holy Orenian Empire has trespassed sovereign Urguanian territory by settling the land of South Arentania. We strenuously reject this claim. The area in question was terra nullius, uninhabited until recently by any race; it is part of a vast swathe of Almaris that they laid claim to after the fact of our acquisition, one which is nearly equal in size to their existing territory. It is a farce.

 

The Holy Orenian Empire paid a fair price for this land; our people now dwell in it, our infrastructure now rests on it, our armies now protect it.  To claim land that one cannot support is nothing more than greed. 

 

To demand a statue of a foreign leader? That is pride.

 

The other nations of the world are familiar with the practice of demanding public humiliations and vast sums in recompense for imagined insults. It is an exportation of mafioso politics to the international stage. We will not accept extortion guised as diplomacy. We will not be made a tributary state.

 

Yet we can forgive this bloodless sin from a race who was cursed with greed, for we also suffer the sins of our ancestors, who were cursed with mortality.

 

As all people, and despite our curses, we Imperials take pride in our accomplishments and our culture. We will not be injured by the empty accusations of our adversaries, who are motivated only by the enduring anti-Orenian obsession that pervades them. We march onwards.

 

Our Canonist faith calls us to be peaceful and forgiving, and so we ask that the world recall this: war is the death of innocents. No bloodless slight can justify such a course. We have--for the reign of two monarchs and five decades--looked inward, desiring no more than the quiet and private dignity of our people. Our Imperial culture is the unrelenting quest for providence; we have no need of war to achieve that goal. We will not raise a hand in wrath, nor in envy, nor in sin.

 

The people of the Holy Orenian Empire have no interest in continued hostility with Urguan. Even so, those who seek the destruction of our culture and our country shall meet only our indomitable spirit. There is no lesser cause than to wage war upon those who love peace; there is no greater cause than to defend one’s family and country. To invade this proud and fierce Empire--the patrimony of Ex. Godfrey--is nothing less than suicide.

 

 

“And though they are many, the strength of GOD does not serve the wicked.” (Auspice 2:45)

 

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ISSUED AND PROCLAIMED, 

John VIII, by the grace of GOD Holy Orenian Emperor, forever August, King of Renatus, Curon, Kaedrin, Salvus, and Seventis, Defender of the Faith, Grand Duke of Ves, Duke of Adria, Novellen and Lorraine, Baron of Renzfeld, Protector of the Heartlanders, Highlanders, and Farfolk, etcetera.

 

  

 

[ErikAzog 3575]

Philip Aurelian within his Townhouse within the City of Providence, making a comment to his wife Amadea on his Imperial Majesties’ announcement, “What a troublesome thing to have something that one desires so. Especially land that was void of any inhabitants. These dwarves would rather rage and make threats to the Empire rather than ever come to meaningful talks. I pray for a peaceful life, if only.” he’d sigh.

[VIROS 2915]

Josephine Augusta remains resolute, despite the desires of greedy foreign dwarves to swarm through her home and steal her fine jewels.

[sergisala 3451]

The Solicitor-General applauds the wise words of His Imperial Majesty John VIII and exclaims "Those who dare to attack our Empire shall only meet Death! Oren Aut Mortem! God save the Emperor!"

[bugbytes21 790]

"Oren Aut Mortem, we'll drive these Dwarves to route like we did with the Sedanites" States Garret Darkwood once more training for confrontation "one GOD one Empire one Emperor"

 

 

 

 

[Nectorist 12869]

"It is good that this petty attempt at intimidation has not gone unanswered. These baseless claims to Orenian lands have no merit," says Sigismund as he reads the response.

[valecu 2128]

Valent would curl his lips as he spoke after going through the missive. "Wise words said by wise Emperor!" he'd pause as he took in consideration the on going conflict. "The greedy dwarves are becoming too greedy!"

[Jokinghills 825]

General William Darkwood would read upon the missive and note to the captains near him "As it is time and time again we shall stand proud and strong against the ones who wish for our demise, no matter who they are" He would pause for a moment and continue "We shall not stand for demands from those of ill will!"

[grnappa 1230]

Sir Erik Othaman, Knight Commander of the Order of Lion cheers as he read the missive, hanging it up on his wall. "And though they are many, the strength of GOD does not serve the wicked!" he'd repeat.

"Tarcell... Jon... Erik... Rory... @Eddywilson2@Gridlock, look down upon the Empire and give it vy blessings. I know vy are there watching over me. I shall hold my ground and stand beside his Imperial Majesty. Should I perish... well at least I get to join vy in the seven skies. Amen." he'd murmur as he signed the Lorraine over himself.

[𝖂𝖆𝖌𝖜𝖆𝖓 740]

Captain Robert Archibald Galbraith would nod in return to the General, standing firmly at attention he would attempt to hide his joy "Ay , jolly good , the boys in the Dragoons are no doubt ready for whatever is to come , General."

[bickando 3967]

(Pretty) Princess Helen Antonia sat in a Providence cafe with a selection of her closest friends. As the springtime of youth flowered amongst the debutantes and young lords of the empire in the streets and palace grounds, she wisely quipped,

 

"Mortality makes us human. Greed makes them Dwarves."

 

@zuziee @jcbeno @EmiliainWonderland @shay

[Imperium 3495]

Captain Ruthern sits in his office reading over the missive, "It is a poor way to live life to desire that what you don't have. The baseless claims hold no merit nor shall Oren be the scared dog they think us to be." Erik rises from his chair going to look out over Providence, "Oren doesn't not seek conflict and I pray for those who do wish to awake the Empire."

[Crevel 7557]

Arthas II, sitting in his office eating an Elysian pastry, would hail the messenger knocking on his door. He gesticulates to the woman to sit down as he offers her a seat in front of him. "So.. you have something for me? Let's hear it then..." the woman would begin to read John Charles' proclamation word-for-word as he leans back in his chair with his lips twitching the further the message is read. The moment that the last sentence had been read, Arthas immediately breaks into a hearty howl. "For a monarch so outspoken on greed, you would think that they would stop inflating their honourifics with titles that have not existed for decades, centuries even. Stripping away the inactive titles and retaining the active ones would demonstrate that they're only really a Kingdom.." he pauses for a moment before giving a short smirk again, "...and they're trying to say that the Empire is proud and fierce, making it 'suicide'" he howls once more, tears running down his cheeks as he slams his table.

 

He, rubbing the tears from his ears, points the woman to the door, "Tell me when you have some real information and not the Imperials being hypocrites again. Their ministries hate each other and blame non-existent foreigners for the crimes of their citizens on their own soil, anyone in these ministries can see this. Defending against these deceivers will be far from suicide, albeit their challenge is accepted and I'll make sure to keep a long scroll for every Imperial death counted.. after all, it's not like they will record it accurately." the Elysian pastry would once more enter his grasp as he smugly begins to nibble.

[Knights5544 485]

Ser Gustaven von Halsfield rests a freshly sharpened blade onto his shoulder as he pauses for a moment to read the notice, "Seems to me as if they're really going out of their way to try and avoid getting tangled up in this conflict. Why are Orenians so afraid of chubby three foot tall midgets? Either way it isn't very surprising - Orenians are afraid of their own shadows half the time!"

[Nooblius 7965]

Grand King Norli Starbreaker scowls on the Obsidian Throne as he reads the missive. gesturing his Lord Chancellor Azkel Frostbeard to take a read. "Den dey once again choose ta lie and slander, ta degrade and belittle da Grand Kingdom rather den seek compromise or communication. Wot arrogance and spite must plague John Charles fer him ta desperately hang onta da rightful property o' da khazadmar." He lets out a deep sigh, reclining against the sharp edges of the black glass seat. "Shame, I'd have want ta change history and have peace with Oren, but ets King es hell bent on war. Ef such es how he intends to act, well..."

Spoiler

 

"Peace was never an option."

"Da gorixmar'ur'akrak ath leikr'geron, see ye en Vuur'Dor John."