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Post by talis on Nov 22, 2017 6:51:16 GMT
Artog could have taken the bait at Aonag's disparagement of some of the Orc's most honored traditions. Canonized songs were painstakingly researched and recorded; they were official records often used in legal disputes regarding matters of ownership, privilege and contract. To have them disparaged was a gross disregard for Orcish scholarship. Aonag too seemed to completely ignore records of lineage and inheritance, from whence the Ironskull inherited claims far older than the actual Clan, or the pertinent fact that, through one Clan or another, the land had been Orcish for nearly a milennia. But arguing the technicalities was less important than other matters.
"If you wish to claim Right of Conquest then claim it." He challenged Aonag. "Do away with any pretense of being the embattled defender against Orcish aggression. You claim Right by War and then turn to others when you face the consequences of your actions."
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Post by Boop_Im_A_Dragon on Nov 22, 2017 15:20:41 GMT
Aonag laughed once more, "Are the Orc's so ignorant that they think me the one to take these lands too? I truly wish to hear the histories that tell of me slaughtering Orcs in the name of conquest of these lands. No Artog, I don't claim these lands by "right of conquest", but my people did. When The Frost King marched south upon these lands he believed that the Ironskull to be a dangerous threat to Sacrye stability, and that the blood shed through their annihilation would satiate the coming long winter. Whether that was was just, is arguable. I however, don't believe that the mistakes of a King who lived one hundred years ago should be paid in the blood of a people that now live in those lands now. Your mistake, Artog, is that you hold onto a history of the past set upon an arbitrary point to create what you refer to as "Orcland". I hold onto the realities of the present. The present that tells me that tens of thousands of GIANTS live in those lands. That the Orc population numbers less than a thousand, fewer now that you killed so many in your assault, and mostly centered around the ruins of Gusko's Rest. That thousands more of my people will starve, because the Orcs hold onto this arbitrary idea, that any land that an Orc has so much as shit on, is suddenly theirs."
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Nov 22, 2017 16:12:09 GMT
'Perhaps,' the Recimir finally spoke up, having heard the quibbling of the two for quite long enough, 'we should now turn to a more concrete resolution of the matter. It is clear that Orcs have ancient and painstakingly recorded rights to Gusko's Rest, but it is also clear that giants have dwelled in these lands and prospered for nearly a century. For many of them, this is now home; their lives and property and all that they know is on it. To Our mind there are three possible resolutions:
1) That the province is split between the two warring parties in a fair manner and that all Orcs and giants forced to leave as a result of this split be compensated adequately.
2) That the Orcs rescind their right to Gusko's Rest - the city and province - and the Sacrye pay up considerable compensation to those families that suffered and lost land as a result of the initial conquest.
3) That the Sacrye rescind their rights to Gusko's Rest - the city and province - and the Orcs compensate those who will lose their homes and land, as well as the Sacrye state itself which will lose its breadbasket.'
The Recimir looked around, 'and if anyone has any other feasible proposal, please do say.'
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Post by talis on Nov 22, 2017 16:43:56 GMT
"Time does not wipe away blood, Recimir. We have seen this trick many times before. The Elonese used their 'settlers' to steal land from Orcish Clans by building towns and citizens on land they knew was not their, then calling themselves the victims when they faced retaliation. The Empire itself attempted to stake its claim by building forts and settling its own tribesmen on lands to which it had no right. Surely you do not believe that Survaek's conquest of Eshara is legitimate simply because they sent colonists and built forts afterward? To do so would be to wipe away centuries of Esharan rights and history. Should I recognize the Commonwealth's claim to the crown of Eshara because they have conquered so much for so long?"
"Neither are the Sacrye residents civilians. Aonag's spies have encouraged them to take up arms and supplied them with weapons, creating a general insurrection. How can I be expected to treat them as civilians when they attack my men?" Artog turned. "As for the argument that the province is Sacrye's breadbasket - I find the claim to be absurd. Are we then, Recimir, justified in invading lands simply for the resources we need? There is a strict shortage of Elonese Wine in Orcland; am I justified in invading my southern neighbor to acquire its vineyards? Are you ready to put aside your grievances against the Jotun raids, on account of their shortage of gold, and compensate them for the losses they took acquiring it?"
"Our claims have been consistent throughout the war: the Ironskull lands must be returned to their rightful rulers. This will not change. Aonag claims these lands by right of conquest; very well. Then I hope there will be no complaints when we express our desire to reconquer them. We provide the opportunity for peace if these lands are returned, but we will continue to bring war if they are not."
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Post by Boop_Im_A_Dragon on Nov 22, 2017 17:00:50 GMT
"Are Orcish ears deaf? Should we call a medicus to check upon this abhorrent creatures ears? I hold onto these lands, because no Orc alive today remembers these lands to be Orcish. The Sacrye people do not cry when the Jotun seize lands that the Sacrye once called home in the far north, because no Sacrye alive remembers those lands to be theirs. The Orcish expulsion of people from these territories isn't justified, because some long forgotten King once spit into the river that we now use to field our crops." Aonag then paused. "However, I will not accept an Orcish puppet to sit in Gusko's Rest. Should the issue lie in with who has direct control of the province I'm willing to negotiate. A neutral nation, whom promises to respect both populations and religions of the people who live there presently, of which neither will directly interfere. Compensation for our loss of food and gold must be made, as well as joint efforts to rebuild the lands that Orcish invaders destroyed."
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Post by talis on Nov 23, 2017 1:08:21 GMT
"Shall I go and tell the new 'emperor' Rhodri that it is perfectly acceptable for him to invade and conquer Berranda and Ontare then?" Artog glanced daggers at the Recimir. There was a somewhat savage joy in shredding the hypocrisy of Sacrye's claims. "And close his iron fist around Dunmore while he's at it? After all, he need only wait until a generation of short-lived humans and goblins die off for his conquests to instantly become legitimate. He could even speed up the process by slaughtering them all, instantly removing any competing claims!" A pause.
"No, the law is clear: By right Gusko's Rest and the lands around it belong to Clan Ironskull and its people. The old Elders may be dead, but their heirs are alive. They have been taught, generation to generation, of the homeland they were forced from, the claims of their ancestors and the songs of their House and Clan." He ran a hand over one of the tomes upon the table, as if to emphasize his point. "My demand remains the same: Ironskull lands must be returned to the Ironskull. Such of your people as are willing to obey the law and swear allegiance to the new government may remain, and those who wish to leave may do so. "
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Post by Boop_Im_A_Dragon on Nov 23, 2017 3:51:33 GMT
"Groomed in lands they where forced from? You kill their kin and now hold their people hostage. That is no Ironskull, they died at the battle of Johor River when the Firetooth slaughtered their people." The Orcish' deflection becoming increasingly more aggravating, Aonag was growing increasingly more impatient. "What say the other Orc clans? Do they too not realize the firetooths grip over their lands that they are to share equally? That it is convenient that they so eagerly press the claim of a sudden Ironskull heir whom so happened as forgiven the transgressions of an entire genocide of his people by the very Firetooth? His legitimacy to the throne of Gusko's Rest is as sound as that of a court jester."
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Post by talis on Nov 23, 2017 4:18:00 GMT
"I will forgive you for speaking in ignorance." Artog retorted. "Yurik is an heir of House Bladesplitter. He is the great-grandson of the Chief we both fought a century ago, brought south into Stonefoot lands in the wake of the war. His House, and many other Houses from his Clan, fled there in the wake of your encroachment and occupation, seeking to avoid your forefather's tendency for slaughter. There they have lived for generations, exiled from their homeland but still a proud Clan. When Orcland was formed in the wake of your invasion they too were granted a seat at the Elder Council, in recognition of their heritage. Yurik's grandfather sat upon that seat, as did his father and now him.
"A Clan is not an army, Aonag. There were many sons and fathers and wives and children who lived on after that battle. Some stayed on as your subjects, but many fled. Did you ever wonder why there were so few Orcs in your conquered lands? Or was it easier to forget the former inhabitants at your convenience?"
"I say again: The Ironskull lands must be returned to them. All else is negotiable, but I will accept no peace that does not return their lands."
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Post by Boop_Im_A_Dragon on Nov 23, 2017 4:30:23 GMT
"And they can return, but they will not be ruled by a "Ironskull" chief, so you claim, whom I have no guarantee will protect the Sacrye that live in those lands or the Orcs who have long since converted to Iaocism. Until that guarantee can be met, then there will be no exchange." Aonag stressed, though he was beginning to doubt that the Orcs knew how to negotiate.
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Post by talis on Nov 23, 2017 5:07:48 GMT
"Consider your position carefully." Artog pushed aside his books of song and claims for the moment, referring instead to maps and logistics. He began, coolly and meticulously, to relay the hopelessness of Aonag's situation. "You have lost a great deal in this war already: you have had to commit huge amounts of resources to stop what was only a fraction of Orcland's strength. Even that victory was devastating. Your only ally is the Holy Union, while you face an alliance not just of multiple Orcish Clans, but also the Ikegami and Jotun. Even the Almur and the Commonwealth have interceded against you. With the blockade in the east your trade is cut off. You cannot hope to match us economically or militarily without aid, and the more you seek that aid the more you will find yourself relying upon the Recimir here. And even if you do somehow manage to obtain victory, what will you gain but an empty and destroyed province? And if you lose, then the peace you will receive will be heavy indeed."
"Surrender the province and all of this can end now. Those who are willing to remain in Ironskull lands will be allowed to, so long as they swear allegiance to the Clan and agree to follow its laws. Those who wish to leave will be allowed to take their belongings and do so. Orcland will take on the responsibility of rebuilding the province, leaving you free to focus on your own economy. As a token of good faith we will even provide you with funds to assist you in rebuilding."
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Post by Boop_Im_A_Dragon on Nov 23, 2017 6:05:14 GMT
Aonag pondering what the Orc had claimed and calmly asserted, "If I win this war I gain the pride and respect that my people deserve. Something denied at every turn by the Firetooth and the cowards who refuse to deny them. No, I will not tell the children of my people that they must leave the homes they have settled in. That a generation of people have lived and died on. No, I will not stand as the Firetooth come and butcher followers of my belief, in the name of a petty prophet. No, I will not fall to my heels against the waves of a greater foe. If the Firetooth seek to intimidate me, then they should have brought Gatyx himself to stare me down and even then, I question the results." He then stood. "I will retire for now, should the Firetooth learn to take talks of peace seriously, rather then play games of chicken, I will be open to talks of peace."
It was at this point that talks of peace seemed hopeless, that they would rather see the collapse of both nations then accept an incomplete and indecisive victory. Had the Firetooth learned to give an inch and take a mile, this could be a respectable quality, but instead they have chosen to blindly reassure themselves that they must win every issue without compromise. Because of this, much like their Orcish nature, they make better conquerors then leaders or diplomats.
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Post by zurajai on Nov 24, 2017 22:36:48 GMT
As the individual leaders of the fractious belligerents in the Third Ironskull War rested in their tents among their soldiers several messengers arrived before each baring the sigil and seals the Naryur and Orzag of the United Kingdoms. An envoy of the royal parliament had been attached to the Ikegami and the beginning of the war and as negotiations continued to fail certain missives began to arrive from the homeland. Each individual piece of parchment was hand written but it was plain to see that their contents were written for all the leaders involved.
"To all those who it might concern,
With the breakdown of negotiations between the two primary belligerents of the so-called Third Ironskull War the United Kingdoms of Almuria, Beg Gurhim, and Ontare proposes to act as a fair mediator between the warring parties. The Orzag cites its nature as a multi-religious state and its acting trading relations with members of both sides of the war. A diplomat can be sent post haste to these field negotiations OR the city of New Chord is offered as a neutral ground for all parties. The Naryur, in his wisdom and benevolence, offers his solemn vow that no parties shall come to harm in the lands of the United Kingdom on pain of death and the persecution of total war against those who break His peace. Impartial judges from Almuria, Beg Gurhim, the Songlands, and Ontare shall be provided to offer varying perspectives to reach the most fair of compromises.
The United Kingdoms urges all parties to consider thoroughly; enough blood has been shed on both sides, enough children left homeless, enough wives left without fathers. Those who refuse in order to continue such a bloody conflict shall receive considerable distaste from the United Kingdoms and free trade or other dealings will be reconsidered. For the sake of those who've passed and those who've suffered, make the right and true choice to join with your once-foes in New Chord to find peace in our time."
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Post by Boop_Im_A_Dragon on Nov 25, 2017 1:04:33 GMT
To Nayur Kharok,
I have no quarrel with you and your people acting as neutral mediators on the subject of the territory of Jaxtathrali and the now ruined city of Gusko's Rest. Should all parties accept, then I place my recommendation of holding the negotiations there. Should leaders of all parties be distanced from the conflict, then betrayal becomes far less likely and the head of my kin especially may rest easy. If agreement is reached on relocating negotiations, my party will carry only a small guard numbering no more then twenty into your lands for the purpose of protection, alongside a small number of priests and diplomats. My only hope is that this move brings about a fair and equal resolution, that both parties can agree upon.
Regards,
Emperor Aonag "Hand of Gatyx"
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Nov 25, 2017 2:28:00 GMT
With negotiations appearing to have collapsed for the moment, the Recimir delivered all parties involved a small note highlighting the effect of continued war on the citizenry. He notes the old saying that 'the ambassadors of peace will weep bitterly', but notes also that 'courage is the price life exacts for granting peace - the soul that knows it not knows no release'. And so, having brought the belligerents together for free and open negotiations as had been his request from the onset, there is no longer a reason for Eshara's continuing this war. He makes it known that Esharan troops have already begun their withdrawal from the Sacrye Empire and the Jotun province of Conna, and considers its role in the war completed.
The Recimir welcomes the Naryur's intervention and invites the Jotun, Firetooth, and Ikegami to be present there so that a neutral party can rule on Eshara's claim for reparations due to the Ikegami breach of treaty and the atrocities committed by the Jotun-Orclander forces.
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Post by talis on Nov 25, 2017 4:09:54 GMT
Artog would have a letter delivered to Aonag in the days following Eshara's withdrawal. Obviously, the Orcs were feeling more confident about their chances with Sacrye's primary ally out of the equation. The letter read as follows:
Seeing now the current military and economic situation of Sacrye, the Greater Tribe of Orcland is willing to continue negotiations with Sacrye on a bilateral basis, using the following terms as guidelines:
1. That the province of Lower Khamar be ceded to the Ironskull Clan.
2. That Orcland and the Ikegami will willingly provide material assistance to help Sacrye rebuild from the devastation of war, whether in the form of money, food supplies or other materials.
3. That both sides agree to a 10-year truce.
It is our sincere hope that you will see the wisdom in accepting our proposal so that we may draw this war to a close. It behooves us to remind Aonag that while we are willing to provide these generous terms in exchange for peace, we are also willing to pursue war should he refuse to consider them. Should such be your choice, realize that our terms after resuming hostilities will be significantly more punitive in nature.
Artog Aedsword,
High Chief of Orcland,
Chief of the Firetooth Clan.
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