- ARCHIVE - Conclave of Devout Nations

[driftwood]

Ibrahim Bey salutes Janibek Khan.

"Welcome, great Khan of the Khazaks! On behalf of Murad Khan, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and all Ghazi, welcome to Konya. We would be honored to have you join us in the Conclave and to lend your soldiers to victorious jihad of the Devout Alliance of Allah."

He smiles. "In addition, soon the Sultan's treasured daughter, Aisha, is to marry the Prince of the Hedjaz. It would be an honor to us all if you would attend."

 

[unmerged(5112)]

Janibek salutes Ibrahim Bey back with a smile on his face.

"I would be glad to attend the marriage of the two great nations in the form of man and woman. Unfortunately, I have urgent matters to attend to in Toblosk with my Siberian friends. I will leave my prized embassador,Ulagan, to represent the Khazak at the great wedding. He will be the Khazak Horde's representative in the Conclave if it pleases you. Now, though, I must ride toward Toblosk. It is a long journey and I must get underway. Allah Akbar!"

Janibek Khan salutes the room and leaves the room with his two stone eyed guards on either side of him. In a few minutes the blue snake slithers off into the horizon once again. Then a pleasant looking man walks in the room and bows before the leaders of the Conclave. He speaks the following:

" Great Khans and Sultans of the Conclave of Devout Nations. I am Ulagan, representative of the Khazak Horde in this holy Conclave. Please do not be offended by my master's not being able to stay... it is important that he be in Toblosk soon."

Ulagan bows once again and awaits a response from the Conclave

 

[unmerged(8915)]

Two priests, missonaries from the wintery forests of Germany arrive at the Conclave. They speak fairly good Greek, lingua france east of Hellespont. They bring a letter, also in Greek:

"Infidel,

the Archbishop of Wurzburg would like to invite you to shed your distorted teachings and embrace the One True Faith and Her only representative upon the earth, Holy Mother Church of the Catholics.

If you agree to this kind and benevolent offer, the Archbishop will send clergymen who will baptize you and enlighten you on the Word of God, delivered to us through the never ending Glory of His Son, Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Johann II., Archbishop of Wurzburg"

 

[driftwood]

Ibrahim Bey signals to the guards who remove the priests.

"I thought we discussed tightening security after the Georgian King kept on barging in!" he said in irritation.

The priests are taken outside the city walls, given copies of the Qur'an, and told not to show their faces again.

 

[driftwood]

Ibrahim Bey pulls 'Abd al-Qâsim aside.

"My friend," he says as they walk down an isolated hallway, "what have you heard of this new Mongolian confederation?"

 

[unmerged(3236)]

Elchi Olzai responds to Ibrahim Bey's question.

"They have discussed religion mostly there. It seams that the Khans arent as devout as we first had hoped, they barly tried to persuade Sibir to come back to the one true faith. Instead they decide to tolerate their pagan belives. I also heard that they decided that all Khans should be responsible for the religious actions taken within his own land.

I dont know if I should be happy since the united mongols can save us from the heretic christians or afraid that they doesnt seam to care about religion."

 

[unmerged(9384)]

'Abd al-Qâsim started to speak to Ibrahim Bey,
"I have said before the lands of the Kahns are great and vast with many wonders, but to big to goveren properly and keep their faith. I have been out of the loop for a short time and am uncofortable with a new Mongolian confederation, it seems hazordous for the muslums to war between ourselves when Genoa is one of the powers in the Middle East."

 

[driftwood]

Ibrahim Bey nods.

"Certainly, I don't see war between the faithful occurring. But I worry - first the Sibir drift into apostasy ... what if their shamans and demon witches are now able to circulate through the lands of the Golden Horde and the Timurids?"

He hesitates. "It might do some of those Shi'ites good to see what their fate is, perhaps the pagans would scare them straight. But still, it makes me uncomfortable."

 

[unmerged(5112)]

Hearing this conversation between the leaders of the Devout Alliance, Ulagan, the representative of the Khazak Horde, decided to protect his faithful Sunni Khan...

Kind Sirs, My khan is a faithful Sunni who believes in the Mongol Empire uniting. These two traits are completely independent of one another and I can promise that the Khazak realm will remain Sunni even if it is part of a Mongolian state. You should be rather happy to be witness to this great event in the history of the Muslim world. Soon the heretic Christians will be suffering by the mighty swords of the Mongolian States.

As far as being friends with the Pagan Sibirians, I can promise you that there religion choices will in no way affect the Khazak Khan's. It is true that they are good friends, but not good enough to break the bond between Islam and the Khazak Horde. I'm sure the khans of Timur and the Golden Horde can promise the same.

Just remember friends, you should be rejoicing in the uniting of the Mongols.

 

[LUDWIG]

A new arrival enters the chamber, pausing to shake off the dust of the road the figure removed his protective clothing and revealed himself as the infamous Hans von Perlinger.
Bowing before the assembly and politely catching the eye of the host so as to address the gathering without disgrace.

"Most proud sons of the steppes I return from the glorious presence of the Caliph. I have come however with base reasons and I ask that our good will is not utterly destroyed by this deed.

My leige Albert is comming under increasing pressure to take action against the Golden Horde. Naturally we are not inclined to rush to war against a nation we respect, so I have been sent to try to find a way to avoid a war.

The Leader of the Catholic Faith has offered a great reward to any nation willing to declare war upon the Horde and to retake Byzantium from the Khans clutches.

Austria however is going to risk her reputation and her good will by attempting to find a diplomatic solution to this issue.

If the noble Khans present were to sign a treaty declaring they were not going to attack Italy, the lands of the Frankish Empire or further Venetian lands. This document would go a great deal towards reassuring the Christian world that you are not complete savages but are instead somewhat honourable.

I understand that with this request Austria is trading heavily on her goodwill and that it may be too much for you to bear.
However Austria seeks to find a way to avoid having to go to war with some of those present in this place.
If a treaty is not agreed then Austria may be forced to make war upon you. This is a serious atempt to prevent a very costly war erupting between our faiths.

Austria has stood with you when the world called for us to suffer for our loyalty, we have endured the loss of our esteem to prevent bloodshed. I come not with demands or orders but with a wilingness to work to find a way to avoid a slaughter.

This proud gathering is free to expell me to my homeland and I shall go without objection if that is your will.
I ask only that as Austria stood with you though the whole world mocked us that perhaps the proud sons of the steppes would be willing to return the favor and stand with Austria though some denounce them for their courage.
"

With that the Austrian sat in his appointed place and waited for the response of the mongol khans.

 

[driftwood]

Ibrahim Bey bowed to Hans in turn and listened attentively to his words.

"Forgive me, Hans Bey, for asking, but did we not hear that your Father-Priest had been scheming against your Archduke with the other Franks? Why would you now listen to a man whose morality is so suspect?"

He sighs. "As for the Ottoman Empire, we are not engaged in any wars at this time, nor do we expect to be, so I see no problem with pledging not to attack the lands of the Franks. The Great Khan has almost brought the war with Venice to its logical conclusion, so perhaps he would be willing to sign such an agreement after peace has been made with the Doge."

 

[unmerged(9600)]

Bolor Khan is pleased to once again see the wali, Hans von Perlinger. The great Austrian diplomat and warrior has long been away. Bolor Khan shuffles through several scroll in front of him, and then speaks.

"Welcome back, my friend. Truly, we cannot expel you, for what kind of men would we be if we were to cast aside our friends? Now, hear my words. The Golden Horde has no desire to attack the Empire of the Franks. No desire to attack the tiny kingdoms of Italy. We do not care in the slightest about what happens in the Far West, save for some land called Portugal has apparently seen fit to try to war upon the Great Khan. Our primary concern is ending the rule of Venice over lands in the east. Indeed, as I understand it, Bars is even prepared to surrender some of the lands that he takes from Venice to a member of the Frankish Empire, or another Christian state. And odd state of affairs, but he has done this sort of thing before, and it has always worked out to the benefit of all concerned. How can any man forget that it was Bars Khan who gifted the tiny nation of Pskov with great lands and titles, and now they sit astride a great trade route and benefit greatly."

Bolor's expression sours slightly. "Although the Great Khan is currently in the East dealing with his responsabilities there, I know he would sign such a treaty, provided that his treaty with Venice is recognized. Once Venice has been chased from the East, and abandons her stated intent to destroy all Mongols, there will be no further need for war between us."

 

[unmerged(9384)]

'Abd al-Qâsim started to speak
"We in the Hedjaz do not support actions in Europe at the moment, I fear the lands of the great Kahns will fall into chaos as they strike and expand, look at the actions of Sibir turning to such a thing as paginisum, is this the fate of all the Kahnates I certainly. I wish in no way to offend the Kahns."
He bowed to the repersentitive from the Golden Horde

 

[unmerged(5112)]

When Ulagan, representative of the Khazak Horde, hears the word Mongol he looks up and starts being very attentive to what is being said. After a few moments of silence between the others, he joins in:

I am sure that I speak for Janibek, the Khan of the Khazaks, when I say that under the new Mongolian Confederation if any of us go to war, either by our own decision or not, all of the others will join them. I also assure you that the new Mongol Confederation will cause no harm to the devoutness of the individual Sunni states of Mongolia.

Personally, I don't believe the Khazaks ready for war, and, as a result do not encourage it, but, if it must come, then we are Mongols, masters of the art of war, and fear no one. The war will be a fiersome one.

May Allah bless the Mongolian Confederation and keep it faithful through the hardest of times!

 

[LUDWIG]

Hans to turns to Balor Khan.
"It is good to be back among so many friends, Austria has no wish to spill Mongol blood. We are content with the assurances you have provided, we seek to show that the Mongols are not a threat to the Christians. We also wish to see if it is possible to negotiate a deal regarding Byzantium.
Austria is comming under pressure to crusade for the city, if our friends would be willing to come to an arrangement about this city Austria would be most appreciative.
"

Turning to Ibrahim
"The Ottomans have always been a noble people, I pray the war will soon end and that peace will bloom once more.
May your people know a thousand years of peace and prosperity under the guidance of your sons. "

 

[driftwood]

Ibrahim Bey nods his thanks to Hans.

"I am sure once the stubborn Venetians sign a peace with the Great Khan, all other problems, including Constantinople, will fall into place."

 

[unmerged(9600)]

Bolor Khan nods at the words of Ibrahim Bey.

"Indeed. When the Venitians finally see that they cannot win and make peace according to the Great Khan's treaty, then the final disposition of all lands conquered by the Golden Horde shall be settled. Although truly, after all of the insults we have endured at the hands of some christians, most especially those who inhabit the lost kingdom of Portugal, I think that the Great Khan Bars would not surrender his prize cheaply. And the impression that our men in the west have gotten is that the West will not negotiate, they wish only to cow the East into submission as Venice did. Although Austria is wise and noble under the Emperor Albert, many western nations are less wise."

 

[unmerged(9600)]

A letter arrives from Agachak Khan for Bolor Khan. Bolor quickly scans it and then speaks, his face grave.

"My brothers! The time has come! The armies of the west gather against us at Vento, intending to exterminate us all. I have sent word to Mecca of what is about to transpire, and I am sure that the Caliph and Bars Khan will come forth to lead us to victory. However, we must ask of you all a great boon. There will be a great war against the West. Send your armies to Istria to meet with ours, and we shall fall upon the city of Venice together! And then, we shall bring justice to these petty westerners who think themselves our equals!"

 

[unmerged(9384)]

'Abd al-Qâsim sitting in his chair was handed a large parchment, he began to read it aloud,
"I have recived word from the new Sultan Sul'AK, that he is willing to show full support of all actions against the foul crusaders. The crusaders will not stop when they reach Constantinople they will ravange all."

He started shaking his head
"Calling a crusade against muslum nations that did not have any contact with those nations such as the Hedjaz."

He looked up as with a new idea,
"What of Athens, our only true non-musluim friend. This time of crusade may be a good time for them to end their vassalage to Tuscany. I think I will contact our ambassitor in Athens."

 

[unmerged(9600)]

A letter arrives for the entire conclave, printed on the finest paper, gilt in gold. It is from Majid Hassam, the Caliph of all Islam.

The Edict of the Protection of the Faithful

In this fateful hour, which the barbarian westerners reckon as the year 1427, the Once True Faith faces it's greatest challange. The hordes of the Whore of Rome march to the east, with their stated intention being the butchery of an entire race, and the enslavement of the True Faith. In this act, they have harnessed the name of their false god and used it to gather far more support than they could normally tear away from their internal strife. This Priest John-Luke II is the enemy of peace, and looks only to find Muslim blood to ease the pain of his separation from God.

Due to this madness, I, Majid Hassam, Rightly-Guided Caliph of all Islam, Deputy of God and Spiritual Son of the Prophet must call for all of the faithful to band together, regardless of differences. I call for a jihad against the followers of the Whore of Rome. I call for any nation who would call itself one of the Faithful to send soldiers to fight for Islam. If you cannot send soldiers or if your armies are weak and shattered, then send gold to those who can fight, and help to stand up for the True God. Although it is the bravest of us all who fight in the front lines against the apostate, no man may call one who gives money for swords and shields a coward, for he has done what he can.

Because of the size of this great war, one must choose a great leader for the armies of Islam, a man who can motivate his soldiers to victory and glory in the name of Allah. No man has fought the battle against the heathens for as long as Bars Khan, and so it is to him that the Overgeneralship of Dar-as-Islam should fall, unless Allah makes his will known to be otherwise. May all Muslim armies follow his righteous orders so that victory will ensue.

Any nation who would go against this edict, or who would war upon their fellow Muslim at this crucial junction will be looked upon as a grave sinner. Even the Shi'ite Muslims are less threat then these Catholics, and so we must try and bridge the gaps between us and our wayward cousins, in the hopes that we may together survive this storm of heresy.

Majid Hassam, Rightly Guided Caliph of Islam.