[Olm]

Originally Posted by shatner

To the nations who are not currently the target of Man's ambition, make no mistake that Man will come for you the moment it is expedient for them. For several seasons Man has spent words entreating us to war on their enemies and turn on our allies.

Thats a plain lie.

Originally Posted by shatner

And in turn we have sent diplomatic messages by the score urging tit-for-tat for peace and patience. And through all of our dealings, MAN WAS AGREEING TO PEACE, THAT THEY WOULD CURB THEIR AMBITION AND ACCEPT T'IEN CH'I AS THEIR NEIGHBORS. In other words, for the last couple of turns they were offering us peace and suddenly this turn they call for our extermination.

We offered a solution on the island, which even included giving away a province that currently belongs to us. The giants told us, they had other ideas. But nobody further discussed that with us, nor was any agreement reached with us.
All Jotunheim and T'ien Ch'i told Us was we are not ALLOWED to take provinces because they fought a war in the east. We could have taken the south of the island from Ermor a year ago, without anybody able to stop us. And now they FORBID it. And even Our generous offer is just put aside as if a child squibbles while the grown ups decide. Thats not the way the nation of Man expects to be treated.

And nobody calls for extermination. As soon as Ermor is save we may discuss the further proceedings.

Originally Posted by shatner

...Let that sink in for a moment...

At best it means that Man is so fickle that their decisions mean nothing as they will change on a whim. At worst it means all diplomatic messages from Man are only so much noise sent to distract and mislead so the recipient is less prepared when Man inevitably betrays them.

It means We made a mistake by believing Ermor when it told it was dead.
We then tried to make the best of that situation, but We definitely like the solution with a living (more or less) Ermor better.

Originally Posted by shatner

Ermor's motive in all of this is both clear and reasonable. They were the premier power that has been brought low and now lives only to spite their successors. Ermor allies with Man not because Man is honorable and worthy of alliance, but for precisely the opposite reasons. Ermor knows it will not conquer or thrive ever again so it allies with a vile and unworthy force such as Man for the sheer expediency of punishing T'ien Ch'i and Jotunheim. For this, we do not blame Ermor; nihilism and spite are the only friends left to the mighty once they have fallen.

However, this... inexcusable and laughable farce of a casus belli that Man has invoked shows that Man does not listen to diplomacy. This is the moment when Man makes its nature and ambitions known. If you are a neighbor to Man, they will come to conquer you. If you are a neighbor to Man's neighbor, they will come to conquer you. Ulm will face an invasion by Man, Pythium will face an invasion by Man; it is only a matter of time. The only way to stop this is for everyone to resist Man and Ermor in whatever means are available to them.

If Ulm fails to rally to this cause, then they are condemning themselves to subjugation. Are the proud lords of steel really so short sighted, or are they merely afraid? If Pythium fails to rally to this cause, then they too shall follow Ulm into oblivion; their hydras slain and their theurges used for archery practice.

We guess the masters of Ulm and Pythium can think for themselves and don't need your aid in it. Don't you think everyone is as easily manipulated as your somewhat oversized friends.