- ARCHIVE - Court of Algier

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Amirate court of Algier

Amirate court of Algier

Welcome to Algier, the pearl of the Barbary coast. This is the court of he who inspire his subjects with love of his person, Abu Abdallah Mohammed III, son of muslims, prince of the believers and by the grace of Allah, ruler of Algier.

Head of State

Abu Abdallah Mohammed III, son of muslims, prince of the believers.

Abu Abdallah Mohammed III is from the Zayanid dynasty based on a Zenata tribe. Representative from varios berber tribes and coastal cities has elected Abu Abdallah Mohammed III as their Amir.

Amirate of Algier

Amirate of Algier consists of many coastal cities and berber tribes. The cities is ruling themself as municipal cities. They are governed by their merchant oligarchies or by the privateers who operates out of their ports. The berber tribes are ruled by tribal chieftains. At the moment ,except for Algier (Al-Djazair), where the Amir has his seat, Amirate of Algier consists of the berber tribes in the Atlas, Aures and Kabylia-regions and the coastal cities in the Orania and Al-Djazair-regions. Cities and tribes in those regions is united to stand against their common foes under the guidance from the Amir of Algier.

The Amir

The Amirs authority is restricted by the assembly composed of fifty leaders from various tribes and coastal cities and the taifa. Abu Abdallah Mohammed III is elected for life term and can appoint his heir if his choise is supported by the assembly and the taifa. The Amir is the highest political and military leader of Amirate of Algier.

Ruling of Abu Abdallah Mohammed III

Abu Abdallah Mohammed III do not base his power on a program of religious reform as his predecessors have done. Of necessity he compromise with rural cults of the berber tribes. This makes Abu Abdallah Mohammed a very tolerant ruler altough he himself is a dedicated sunni-muslim, as his title “son of muslim, prince of the believers” would implie. At his election he sworn to protect the Mahgreb-region from any christian aggression, therefore he seeks close relations with his muslim brothers in the Mahgreb-region. Abu Abdallah Mohammed III highest dream is to restore the great Almohad empire.

Other characters

Omar ben Messaud: Governor in the city of Annaba, former corsair and now by the Amir declared as “amir-l-bahra” (commander of the maritime-forces). He is one of the most trusted servant to the Amir.

Shahram ben Messaud: Younger brother to Omar ben Messaud, famous corsair operating from his brothers homeport in Annaba. When a delicat mission is to be done. Shahram is often the man to do it.

Muín Ibrahim Ibn l Nassif: Brother-in-law to the Amir and the Amirates of Algiers representative at the conclave of the Devout Alliance of Allah.

Zemara: Younger sister to the Amir. Married as first wife to Muín Ibrahim Ibn l Nassif.

Kaleb l Rashid Ibn Azzan: Experienced warrior and corsair. General of the Amirates forces.


Privateers of Algier

Privateering is an age-old practice in the Mediterranean. Algier engage in it because it is so lucrative, and because our merchant vessels, a major source of income, is not permitted to enter many of the European ports. Privateering is a highly disciplined affair conducted under the command of the rais (captain) of the fleets. Several captains are heros in our lores for their bravery and skill. The captains of the corsairs bands together in a selfregulating taifa (community) to protect and further the corporate interests of their trade. The taifa is often ethnically mixed, incorporating those captured Europeans who agree to convert to Islam and supply information useful for future raids. The taifa gain prestige and political influence because of its role in fighting the infidels and providing the merchants and ruler of Algier with a major source of income. Nations that have a trade-agrement with Amirate of Algier is allowed to sail through the waters of Algier or to the many coastal ports in the Amirate.

At the moment ships from following nations are welcome in Algierian ports:

Ships from muslim nations (excluding Mameluck ships)
Ships from Genoa


All other ships, that doesnt carry an ambassador or message to the court, is seen as a prey for our corsairs.




Foreign Ambassadors presently at Algier:

Rayhan Qudamah – Tunis
Olon Gojuu – Golden Horde
Efendi-al-Yerem - Fez
Uthman ibn Abbas - Ottoman Empire
Kar bin Alnya - Karaman
Chereni - Timurid


Ambassadors in Foreign Countries:

Ibn al Kufra - (not assigned)
Ibn l Yahya – Ottoman empire
Ibn l Tifni – Tunis
Ibn l Azzer – Golden Horde
Ibn l Hud - Aq-Qoyunlu
Ibn l Tebesse - Fez
Ibn l Jachov - Karaman
Ibn l Timhis - Timurid

 

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A messenger arrives from Tunis,

"My name is Rayhan Qudamah. If you would accept me as ambassador, it would please my master, the Dragon of the Desert, the Lion in the West, also known as Emir of Tunis and Tripoli. Let us begin a new era of peace and cooperation in the name of Allah in the magrheb!"

He then awaits an answer.

Zoupa

 

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A messenger arrives to the court of Algiers, he hands out a message.

"Well met, Emir of Algiers Abu Abdallah Mohammed III

I have heard your ambassadors statement and agree, that even because of different faiths should our nations be able to trade and live in peace. I propose a non-agression pact between our nations and that we do not compete in trade. For too long has the isolation between the continent of Europe and Africa existed, let this be no more.

- Erick I Angevin, King of Naples."

 

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A message arrives to the Emir

 

[Legolas]

[The messenger from Algier is sent back to his homeland with a letter from the Grand Duke]

"Ruler of Algiers,

I, Magnus Dux Vytautas of Lithuania am very happy to sign a white peace treaty with your country. May our nations live in peace!

Signed,
Magnus Dux Vytautas of Lithuania"

 

[Ebusitanus]

"A Fast Xabeca sailing ship pulls into port"

With the deepest respect to the Emir of the Algierian Abu Abdallah Mohammed III,

With deep sorrow I stand in front of you, as I come from the northern island of Iviza not three days north from your coast.

I come to finally ransom the many civilians that your barbary pirates have captured and thrown into slavery from my Island.
It seems quite customary to receive several attacks a year by these rapacious elements.
I'm willing to pay good gold for their safe return with me and hope we can agree in some form of terms as to avoid future incidents of these matters. Today I just come as Count Pere de Portmany, loyal servant to the King Alfons of Aragon, I do hope we can settle this here and now.

Bows

 

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The Amir speaks

The Amir speaks adressing Count Pere de Portmany.

”Greetings Count Pere de Portmany.

Its an honor for me that you yourself Count Pere de Portmany come to our court, wanting to discuss this mather instead of sending a messenger. In respect of your brave action I will see to that all christian slaves, that have been captured on your islands the last three months, will be free, without demanding any ransom for them. As for the future... the Amirate of Algier isnt unfamilery to reach agreements with other nations, but it is a sad thing to see, for me and my people, that our brothers in Granada suffer under your lord King Alfons of Aragons agressive attacks. Until that conflict is solved it will be difficult for me to come to an agreement with you. There is a great rage among the followers of Allah...”

 

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A ship comes sailing into the harbour of Alger. A few men comes out, most of them helps to unload the cargo. Two of the men does not help instead they go to away a bit and begin to speak. One is dressed as a captain, who the otherone is is however unclear but he must be a man of great importance as the captain shows him huge respect.

After a while the Captain goes back to his ship and the other man goes to a guard in the docks area, he speak a little in some forign lanuage wich is somewhat similar to arabic and the guard manage o make out a few words. He understands that this man is a ambassador and is supposed to go to the court. The guard helps him to the court, where he hope someoen can speak his language.

When the arrive at the court the tall forigner begins to speak to the guard there, one of them who was a member of the fleet before the portugese invation knew this language. He had ben alot within the Golden Horde an spoke their language. After showing a letter to the Mongol speaking guard he is allowed to enter.

The tall mongol walks into the court, he bows slightly to the present nobles then takes out his scroll and reads loud in his own language.

"Bars Khan, ruler of the Golden Horde during Great Khan Dsaluu Jambyns absence have accepted our sendsman Ibn l Azzer to work as a Elci in the court of the Golden Horde. Bars Khan have also send me, Olon Gojuu to work as Elci in the court of Algeirs."

Olon Gojuu puts away his scroll and lets a noble there who speaks mongol transelate what he just read. Then he bagins to talk in flawless arabic:

"I also carry with me wishes to continue the good relation the Golden Horde had with Algeirs during the last ruler. We hope you will attemt to join the moslem alliance, as you truly are one of the frontline fighters of the one true faith."

 

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The Amir speaks

Declaration of ”amir-l-bahra”.

”I Abu Abdallah Mohammed III, son of muslims, prince of the believers and by the grace of Allah ruler of Algier have decided to appoint the brave Omar ben Messaud as “amir-l-bahra” commander of the amirates proud navy and the forces of our corsairs. By this our glorious Amirate of Algier will be able to summon great sea forces under one command to counter the threath from the infidels.”

Omar ben Messaud

 

[Ebusitanus]

The Count answers

Oh most noble Amir,
I do thank you for your gesture about these captives but I'm afraid that many more languish in your dungeons, for those I would like to purchase their freedom.
My Island is poor and objective of many riding parties that depart from your shores. I fail to see in these campaigns as anything beyond looting forrays as there is never any intention to engage our militias. Therefore I would like to know if such enterprises have your active backing my Amir.
I have not yet been able to parlay with my Monarch King Alfons who God may keep among us many years, but the signal seems clear that these unwarranted attacks wont stand much longer unanswered. As we speak defense constructions are being improved and I have no doubt that the Naval presence will be increased. Even talks are being brought forward as to set up our own privateering fleet to liberate us and even repay in with same coin all the injustices we are bound to suffer in the present siuation of matters.
My most glorious Monarch's fight around Granada shouldn't be to much of your excellency's concern as its origins and aims are purely Peninsular with no intention to bother the peace with your excellency. I would warn you not to escalate this matter any further so that our respective Kingdoms might prosper in peace as good neighbors.

 

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The Amir speaks

The Amir speaks adressing Count Pere de Portmany.

“Those parties you speak of, my dear Count, is the fruit of your own hostility towards the muslim people. I have been told that you deny our merchant vessels to ancor in your ports. It doesnt come as a surprise to me, if being denied to peacefull trade that would make both our nations flourish, that sailors, in anger, turns to looting. I do congratulate you in your decision to improve your defence constructions. But it would maybe be wiser to be more tolerant against peacefull merchants from other nations, then spending your gold on further fortifications. If you can grant safe entry for our merchants in your ports, you will see that the riding parties you speak off will dissapear. I do hope that our nations can prosper in peace... but good neigbors should also hold there ports open for other nations merchants. I think that if we could agree on a trade-agreement it would benefit and bring great prosperity to us all.”

 

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An Italian enters the court, wearing the mixed garb of a Genovan and a Syrian. He bows before the the Amir and begins to speak.

"Your majesty,

My apologies for my lateness, I have been trying to iron out a peace between Tunisia and the Mamelukes. I am Omar Valerio, Genovese ambassador to the muslim countries of Africa and Egypt. I wish to speak about certain trading rights between our two countries, but I don't believe that is possible, for I am will aware of the many pirate strongholds on the coasts of Algiers. I ask that you cease all pirate attacks and begin to make actions to combat the freelance pirates, or the trade between Genoa and Algiers will be cut off. I believe that if you can stop the piracy, we can crown in a new era of peace between our two religions, one which will better us all."

Omar bows and exits the court.

 

[Ebusitanus]

The Count finally says

Dear Emir
I will take now my leave with my ransomed captives and those you so graciously gave me as sign of goodwill.
I shall see to meet with My Lord King Alfons and give them your offers. It is good that you will take rather to open comerce than to further in your aim to interfere with My Monarch's Campaigns to end our century long Holy quest in Christ our Saviour to regain our ancestral lands. I trust you would feel the same if Aragon would occupy lands that you deem yours. In short I trust that bloody war will be over anyhow and we shall meet more often in mutual interest of peace in this common sea where we all fish the same fish.

*Bows*

 

[driftwood]

A finely built, if battle-scarred, galley arrives at al-Djazair, proudly flying Ottoman colors. From it, Uthman ibn Abbas steps, his face showing that he's in a foul mood.

"Apologies, great and noble Amr, for the lateness of my arrival. Greeks fell upon us at night, throwing stones and arrows from their rag-tag fishing fleet. Then a Venetian vessel sat their, calmly afloat, watching the whole thing occur. Disgraceful, sir, frankly disgraceful."

He looks around approvingly at the sumptuously decorated court.

"Ah, now, allow me to introduce myself. The Grand Vizier, Yunus Emre, sent me from my previous duties at the Sublime Porte to be ambassador to your court, if you will have me, on behalf of Sultan Murad II. I bring gracious thanks for the presence of your own ambassador; I bring a gift of eastern spices, as well as the coffee which we have enjoyed drinking since we fought for the old Caliphs; and I bring you an invitation to join us in Conclave at the Devout Alliance of Allah, presently meeting in Konya."

He strokes his long, grey beard, contemplating his next words.

"As I am sure you are aware, the Empire has been beset by a swarm of infidels for many years now, and their multitudinous stings, like those of a horde of gnats, have nonetheless taken a toll. Although the armies of the Greeks at Constantinople have been rolled back, they hold vast quantities of blood money with which to buy more men. Our rebellious once-vassal, the self-titled King of the Serbs, has fabricated a nonsensical claim to Bulgaria and sent many thousands of men, although the garrison is currently holding."

Uthman coughs as he attempts to gage the mood of the court. "Although the Caliph has not called a formal jihad, the entire Dar al-Islam is clearly facing a horrific onslaught - should the Ottoman Empire fall, all of Anatolia could go next, leaving north Africa dangerously isolated. Any help you could provide against the Byzantines or the Serbs would be greatly appreciated."

With that, he bows deeply, and waits for either a response or a dismissal.

 

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A message arrives to the Emir

 

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Olon Gojuu enters teh court, he bows slightly then delivers his message.

"I heard that the Amir wishes to know more about the Moslem alliance. Well it is the result so far of the conclave of devout nations wich you surely heard about. All the rules of the alliance is not yet complete and only the founders have joined so far, but it is still the largest alliance in islam. It would be great if Algier could recive entrance to the convlace and according to rumors that is just what willl happen next."

 

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Another message arrives for the Emir

 

[Ebusitanus]

*Count Pere de Portmany eyes worriedly at all this Napolitan diplomatic traffic and decides its time to visit his monarch as soon as possible*

 

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A message arrives to the Emir, the messenger then spits on the floor in disgrace

 

[driftwood]

Uthman comes to the Algerian court to read the terms of the Byzantine peace:

The Treaty of 1422

• The Ottoman Empire will grant passage through the province of Macedonia to the Byzantine armies for the duration of Ioannes VIII's feud with the Duchy of Athens
  
• The Ottoman Empire will offer a onetime payment of 1000 pounds of gold to assist the Byzantine Empire in paying off its debts
  
• The two empires allow the status quo situation to continue, i.e., status quo ante bellum or a white peace

When he is done reading the scroll, he continues without notes.

"My enlightened master, the Sultan, wishes me to further thank you for your generous offer of support. As an atavistic lust for blood and land still gleams in the eye of many an infidel, I fear you may yet have need to sail your fleet off to war one day."

Then he smiles. "But until then, we look forward to the arrival of an emissary in Konya to join our Conclave."