- ARCHIVE - Ducal Court of Ragusa

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Ducal Court of Ragusa

Nation: Ragusa
Head of State: Orlando IV, Duke of Ragusa
Player: Wagnaard
Religion: Catholic
Culture: Slavonic
Stats: 1/1/4/4/2 --> [2/1/4/4/0]
Provinces: 1
Ports: 1
Owned: Ragusa

The Duchy of Ragusa was established in the 7th Century by the Roman Emperors as an independent protectorate and has maintained its independence for most of its history since. The latest ruler, Orlando IV, has sought to expand Ragusa's horizons by creating a cosmopolitan court, open to new ideas and philosophy.

The duke is a true son of the Church but is open to dealings with his Orthodox neigbors and even the Moslems of the east.

 

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An envoy from Albania arrives in Orlando's court, he is weighed down with maps and other mapping equipment. He is a man of obvious wealth. He bows down to the duke and begins to speak.

Lord Duke I am Lasortasi Ameriousii an envoy of the rightous king of Albania Gjon I Kastrioti, he wishes to form a pact of non agression, the talks are to be held. The pact entails a trust that we shall not strike each other and give Rite of Passage through both countries but are not expected to help in war or defend each other, this plan is to cement the relations of catholics in the slavioc region.

 

[driftwood]

Selim Bey, longtime ambassador from the Sublime Porte of the Ottoman Empire, seeks out the Duke.

"M'lord, it is good to see you fully recovered since the awful attack upon your person last year. The Grand Vizier's wife, Fahtima, had been most concerned when you did not return her letters, after all the time she spent nursing you back to health."

He pauses and arranges his intricately layered robes. "Since the demise of the Balkan Council, there has been no guarantee of security in the Balkans. Since you and the Sultan have had such success in cooperation before, he would like me to discuss new security arrangements with you."

 

[driftwood]

Selim Bey attempts to see the Duke, but the Ragusan National Marching Band is practicing near by and he can't make himself heard. [ooc: PM box is full]

 

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The Duke surveyed the Band. Disgraceful, he thought. For the amount of money these yokel imbeciles cost the treasury they could at least give "Oh My Ragusa" the beauty it deserved.

With a wave of his hand the bowmen fired en masse and the Marching Band was dismissed.

OOC: PM is empty.

 

[driftwood]

Selim Bey, at last able to make himself heard, manages to get his message through.

"Great Duke! The deranged Albanian sheepherder has declared war on your friend, the Sultan. While he will no doubt crush King Djon in a single assault of the janisseries, I ask you to offer your support - morale, monetary, or military - in the quest to restore order to the Balkans."

 

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A letter arrives from Athens

Many greetings, Noble Duke

I apologise personally for the lateness of my reply, but the Duke has been a very busy man recently, and because of the events on his recent journey, has been unable to reply to your generous offer.

You are right my lord, although separated even in this Christian faith, we must band together, and therefore, the city of Athens accepts your proposal, and will submit an ambassador as soon as we can get one through the blizzards. It was trouble enough getting this message out, and only certain people are allowed out of our walls for the moment.

Stelios Amanatidis, Mayor of Athens

 

[Warspite]

(letter from Venice)

Lord Orlando, you have been a long time supporter of Venice and of Peace and Prosperity, Virtue and Justice. In thanks to your dedication to our efforts against the Mongols who have murdered thousands Orthodox in cold blood and In order to further protect you we wish that you join St Mark to help the effort in protecting against the Mongols and their murdering thugs.

Signed Doge Foscari

 

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A letter arrives from Constantinople.

Duke Orlando,

I greet my new neighbors, and hope that peaceful relations can be maintained between our two peoples. In the spirit of peace, I ask you to grant my Horde the right to pass through your duchy. As I understand it, you have a good relation with my ally, the Sultan of the Ottomans. I hope that our nations can be brought closer together in a peaceful way, for I would not wish to make war upon you.

Yamun, First Scribe,
writing the words of
Bars, Great Khan of the Golden Horde, Overlord of the Western Khans.

 

[driftwood]

Selim Bey glares at the obnoxious seneschal. "But I must see the Duke immediately! For the sake of the friendship between himself and the Sultan, not to mention your personal health and welfare in the immediate future..."

The seneschal drew back in outrage. "What! Are you threatening me!"

"No, no," Selim tried, "the Duke must allow the Great Khan to pass through his city-state, or ruin will fall on you all!"

"Quite outrageous. No you may not see the Duke, and I'm sure he would already have let the Mongols know if they were welcome."

Gritting his teeth, Selim gave up, and went to write of his failure to the Sultan...

 

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A man who clearly is amongol enters the court. The strange thing is that he wears a sigil, which is not from the Golden Horde.

The man do not bow or anything such, instead is starts to speak in medicore italian.

"I speak for my master, Great Khan of Timurid Empire. Great Khan ensures duke that Great Khan supports Golden Horde fully in all actions and will aid Golden Horde.

If duke do not let Golden Horde go trough your land then Timurid Empire srike duke will"

The mongol bows then leaves the court with quick steps.

 

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A letter arrives from Constantinople

Duke of Ragusa.

You have chosen to deny me passage. Therefore, I will take passage by the tip of a sword. Your friendship with the Sultan cannot save you, for I will take your head from your shoulders, and your lands made part of my Balkan province. This day, you have chosen war with all the hordes of the Mongols. Prepare yourself.

Bars, Great Khan of the Golden Horde, Overlord of the Western Khans, Descendant of Jenghiz Khan through Batu Khan, Shield of God, Victor of Constantinople.

 

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A letter arrives.

“Duke of Ragusa,

Your decision to deny the Golden horde right of passage through your lands my be a brave act, but indeed a foolish one. Dont make the wrath of Allah fall upon you and your subjects. The army of the Golden horde only needs a few days to travel through your lands, so it will not be any burden to you to grant the great Khan a right of passage.

signed

Azzem, Algiers representative in the Conclave of Konya”

 

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A new messanger arrives from the Timurid empire.

"You have angered the Golden Horde, that is not a clever move. The Golen Horde would surely be able to defeat you theirself, but still the Timurid empire will attack. Prepare your personal guard for a battle with the Buyu Borugan.

A state of war exists betveen our two states!"

 

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A letter arrives from Albania.

Duke Orlando.

I am glad to see that the Emir has helped you to make the right choice for you people. I am willing to forgive the insult in your first missive to me, in hopes that we will become better friends. Let the Horde then declare that we revoke our declaration of war, and forswear armed action against you and yours. In this way, our little war can be ended. I will also help you, by ending the attack of the Timurids against you. Please send me a guide to the area that is best to pass through into Dalmatia, so that the disruption to your lives is minimal.

Yamun, First Scribe,
writing the words of,
Bars, Great Khan of the Golden Horde.