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Rhyfelwyr
08-01-2008, 21:17
It is the year of our Lord 987 AD. Only fragments of the Carolingian dynasty of West Francia remain. On the 3rd of July Hugh Capet was proclaimed as "rex Francorum" at Noyon in Picardy. Unlike previous Carolingian monarchs, Hugh was elected by the nobles of France, justified at the coronation by the words of Adalberon: "Crown the Duke. He is most illustrious by his exploits, his nobility, his forces. The throne is not acquired by hereditary right; no one should be raised to it unless distinguished not only for nobility of birth, but for the goodness of his soul."

Not yet content that his dynasty was stablised, Hugh had his young son Robert crowned later in December that year, to rule in his stead while on campaign. While this may have consolidated Capetian authority within the Île-de-France, in reality a Capetian monarch could barely travel outside of this area, such was the lack of control over his supposed vassals. Even the royal lands of Laon and Reims are cut off by land held by the Count of Troyes and Meaux, cutting apart the royal domain.

Despite the Île-de-France being home to the only anointed monarchs within Western Francia, in many respects the southern parts of the Kingdom are far more powerful both economically and militarily. The Duchy of Aquitaine and the County of Toulouse both can field many more men than their King to the north. In the more Romanised parts of southern France, there is a much more developed infrastructure with the Meditterranean trade routs bringing great prosperity to the southern ports. The north remains comparatively underdeveloped, with much of it covered in dense woodland and only very basic farming techniques being practised.

Culturally, there is one clear divide within France. In the north, the culture of the Franks is dominant, and is that of the Capetian monarchs. Meanwhile, the south has its own culture, with the Roman-influenced Occitan language being widespread. There are also several smaller cultural groups around the borders of Western Francia. To the north, Brittany is the last continental bastion of the Bretons, a proud and independent people. Despite the end of serious Viking raids after 982 AD, Normandy has been massively influenced by the Norse culture, as can be seen in the ferocity of its knights. Flanders also has an increasingly divergent culture, influenced strongly by both West and East Francia. To the south, Basque influence is strong across the Pyrenees, and most notably in the southern parts of Gascony, a place where Capetian influence seems a world away.

War ravages across almost all of Western Francia. While the Capetian dynasty may appear to bring unity, in reality this will not be achieved until the great lords are subdued. Several states remain loyal to the recently-ended Carolingian dynasty, most notably the Counts of Blois and Troyes and Meaux, who both border the Capetian royal domain. Aquitaine, the greatest of the southern states, refuses to recognise the authority of the Capetians at all. Several of these rebellious duchies and counties would much rather achnowledge a Carolingian as their monarch, and Louis of Upper Lorraine is in many respects an ideal candidate. A powerful lord could even go so far as to proclaim himself king.

As well as dynastic conflict, there are many more localised wars being fought. Brittany has only recently recovered from occupation by Blois, and now must defend itself from the tyrannical Fulk III of Anjou. While Normandy is not involved in any direct conflict at the moment, it's good relations with Anjou and rivalry with Blois could soon see it engaged. Of more immediate concern in the fact that a revolt in Maine has seen a new rival emerge to challenge Norman power in the area, with a nobleman proclaiming himself Count Hugh II of Maine. In the south, Aquitaine is at war with Anjou, and forms a powerful block with Blois and Troyes and Meaux against the Capetians. Meanwhile Gascony is enjoying unprecedented peace with the last serious Viking raid being beaten back in 982 AD.

France is in a period of great turmoil. A strong monarch could unite the great lords to form a superpower of the medieval period. However, this will demand economic prosperity, military strength, and perhaps above all diplomatic genius in a time where civil war or even more widespread anarchy looms over.

I've always planned to do something along the lines of an interactive history for a long time. In the past, my ideas have got pretty bogged down in rules that make things impossible to manage, and so I'm going to keep things simple and use as few numbers and statistics as possible. While most of the mechanics will take place through player decisions and PM's etc, there are some things that need to be taken note of, especially for dealing with succession crises and other complicated issues:

The Map (important for reference):

https://img124.imageshack.us/img124/3234/finishedcapetianihmaprehs7.th.jpg (https://img124.imageshack.us/my.php?image=finishedcapetianihmaprehs7.jpg)

Royal and Noble Families:

Capetian Dynasty:

Hugh Capet is married to Adelaide, and they have four children.
Hedwig and Gisele are both married to minor nobles.
Their third child is Robert, and the fourth is Adela, who is just coming to a suitable age to be married.
Hugh is also the brother of Odo-Henry, Duke of Burgundy.

Duchy of Brittany:

Conan is married to Ermengarde, daughter of Geoffrey I of Anjou (Count of Anjou till 987).
They have one young daughter, Judith, and three sons: Judicael, Geoffrey, and Hernod.

Duchy of Normandy:

Richard is married to Gunnor, having been in a previous marriage to Emma of France which produced no children.
The eldest child is Richard, followed by Robert, Godfrey, and Mauger (all male).
Another son named Robert died in 985, when their daugher Emma was born.

County of Anjou:

Fulk is the founder of the Angevin house, and an extrememly cruel and ambitious character.
He is married to Elisabeth, and has one young daugher, Adela.

County of Blois:

Odo I has recently been married to Bertha, and they have had two children.
Robert died young, while Theobald is still an infant.

County of Troyes and Meaux:

Herbert is in a marriage to a woman of minor nobility which has so far produced on son.
Stephen his son is still young, and heir to Herbert's title.

County of Flanders:

Arnulf is married to Rozala, and has one young son, Baldwin.
Arnulf himself is in poor health and may soon be at death's door...

Duchy of Burgundy:

Odo-Henry is the brother of the French King Hugh Capet.
Odo-Henry married Gerberga in 973, through whom he has one stepson, Otto-William.

Duchy of Aquitaine:

William is the brother of Adelaide, wife of Hugh Capet.
He is married to Emmeline, and has one teenage son, also named William.

Duchy of Gascony:

William is married to Urraca, and they have two teenage sons, Bernard and Sancho.
They also have one young daugher, Brisca.

County of Toulouse:

William is currently unmarried, and of uncertain roots himself.

Military Strength:

France: 4,000 Knights + 7,000 Footmen
Brittany: 1,500 Knights + 9,000 Footmen
Normandy: 2,500 Knights + 8,000 Footmen
Anjou: 2,000 Knights + 6,000 Footmen
Blois: 3,000 Knights + 7,000 Footmen
Champagne: 2,500 Knights + 6,000 Footmen
Flanders: 1,000 Knights + 10,000 Footmen
Burgundy: 4,000 Knights + 9,000 Footmen
Aquitaine: 4,500 Knights + 14,000 Footmen
Gascony: 2,500 Knights + 10,000 Footmen
Toulouse: 3,500 Knights + 15,000 Footmen

Battles will not be fought in the TW sense, but players will have options regarding where in a region battles take place, whether characters should be put at risk, and afterwards how to treat any prisoners. While Knights are generally far superior to Footmen, the latter is made much more effective during ambushes, river crossings, sieges, or in rough terrain. Basically common sense will determine the outcome of battles.

I hope to make around one chapter a week, with one chapter representing a four month period. The first chapter will take place on the 1st of January 988, since Hugh's son Robert was crowned on the 30th December the previous year. Players should PM their decisions to me and can conduct diplomacy between themselves via PM's. They can of course make public statements if they wish, such as summoning nobles to a council (which a king has every right to do), or proclaiming themselves King and other such actions. You raise an army by telling me when sending me your decisions for the chapter. You don't have to raise all your forces obviously, and you must state which characters are to go with the army.

By signing up, you are to be precise representing a noble family of your choice. Of course, in most cases this will have the same effect as representing a major duchy or county, but since hereditary succession will be a major issue it is likely some families could peacefully take control of several titles, if they are smart enough. Or you could even proclaim yourself a Democracy, although it might upset the nobles. Basically, you can try to do anything you like, we aren't limited by hardcoded features here after all! Below is a list of the 'teams' taken:

Factions:

Hugh I (Capetian Dynasty) - Revolting Friendship
Conan I (Duchy of Brittany) - {BHC} King Jan III Sobieski
Richard I (Duchy of Normandy) - Ichigo
Fulk III (County of Anjou) - AggonyDuck
Odo I (County of Blois) - Kagemusha
Herbert III (County of Troyes and Meaux)* - King Kurt
Arnulf II (County of Flanders) - CountArach
Odo-Henry I (Duchy of Burgundy) - |Sith|1|AntiWarmanCake88 Toyosada88
William IV (Duchy of Aquitaine) - Warmaster Horus
William II (Duchy of Gascony) - Quintus.J.Cicero
William III (County of Toulouse) - Ibn-Khaldun

* This is basically Champagne if you are wondering

Sub-Factions (mod controlled):

Louis (Carolingian Claimant, currently in Upper Lorraine)
The Papacy (Pope John XV)

And the Heraldry for each title (ideal for your sig or in posts!):

The Capetian Dynasty:
https://img354.imageshack.us/img354/8392/capetiansmc8.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

The Duchy of Brittany:
https://img354.imageshack.us/img354/233/brittanybs0.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

The Duchy of Normandy:
https://img411.imageshack.us/img411/6031/normandyxb5.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

The County of Anjou:
https://img354.imageshack.us/img354/7715/anjoueh2.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

The County of Blois:
https://img354.imageshack.us/img354/2019/bloisqa8.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

The County of Troyes and Meaux:
https://img411.imageshack.us/img411/9604/troyesmeauxcopyry9.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

The County of Flanders:
https://img377.imageshack.us/img377/9758/flandersxs0.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

The Duchy of Burgundy:
https://img377.imageshack.us/img377/2118/burgundycf5.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

The Duchy of Aquitaine:
https://img377.imageshack.us/img377/7200/aquitainehk6.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

The Duchy of Gascony:
https://img377.imageshack.us/img377/8574/gasconyeq7.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

The County of Toulouse:
https://img377.imageshack.us/img377/5928/toulousecoatw4.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

Quintus.JC
08-01-2008, 22:13
I want to play; this is my first time playing interactive history so excuse my inexperience, I’ll be a bit inactive before August 9th, but count me in if you’ll have me. ~:)

I’ll take the Duchy of Gascony please.

Rhyfelwyr
08-01-2008, 22:17
Great! I have no more experience than you BTW. I tried to play one before making this, but there wasn't really one where I had good knowledge of the situation so I just read older ones.

So Gascony is now taken. I'll be taking any factions left over. I thought the Kingship would go first...

AggonyDuck
08-01-2008, 22:20
I'll take Fulk III, Count of Anjou. :2thumbsup:

Rhyfelwyr
08-01-2008, 22:22
Good choice, get ready to play one bad@ss of a character. He burned his own wife at the stake. Remember that when we get to the turn at 999 AD.

:skull:

AggonyDuck
08-01-2008, 22:26
Well if she's shagging the goatherd in 999....:whip:

Rhyfelwyr
08-01-2008, 22:27
I'm sure it will make a very funny chapter for Anjou come the appropriate turn. :laugh4:

Csargo
08-02-2008, 04:49
I'll take Normandy

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
08-02-2008, 16:08
I Take Duchy of Burgundy please :D

Warmaster Horus
08-02-2008, 16:23
I'll have Aquitaine, please.

Rhyfelwyr
08-02-2008, 17:39
Excellent, half the teams gone now...

Warmaster Horus
08-02-2008, 18:03
And the King's seat hasn't been filled yet...

Ibn-Khaldun
08-02-2008, 20:15
I haven't played this kind of 'games' before.. But I learn in the progress :yes:

I would like to take County of Toulouse:2thumbsup:

Rhyfelwyr
08-02-2008, 20:40
There seem to be a few newbies here, including myself, so I wouldn't worry about it.

I'll just be taking up any slots not filled, though there's been good interest so far.

King Jan III Sobieski
08-03-2008, 03:30
Can I take Brittany? Conan!:smash:

Rhyfelwyr
08-03-2008, 12:52
Of course!

Just four spaces left, including the Kingship...

Revolting Friendship
08-03-2008, 17:55
And the King's seat hasn't been filled yet...

May I?

Rhyfelwyr
08-03-2008, 19:05
You got it!

Just three left folks...

Ibn-Khaldun
08-03-2008, 21:56
May I?

Revolting Friendship you may be the King at the start of this thing.. But you can't be sure how long you'll stay one :devil:

Revolting Friendship
08-03-2008, 22:22
Ibn-Khaldun, can any man be so sure of his possessions and privelieges?

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
08-03-2008, 22:25
Ibn-Khaldun, can any man be so sure of his possessions and privelieges?



Yes.....


Until I take them :devil: :devil:

King Kurt
08-04-2008, 14:07
Champagne, if I may

Quintus.JC
08-04-2008, 16:11
Looks very promising. ~:)

https://img377.imageshack.us/img377/8574/gasconyeq7.jpg

Rhyfelwyr
08-04-2008, 16:13
Wow, just two left, and I may take the last one if no one minds.

Come on people, one more!

Kagemusha
08-05-2008, 06:15
I will take Odo I (County of Blois), if you will have me.:yes:

CountArach
08-05-2008, 07:46
Is Flanders still open? If so, consider it taken.

Revolting Friendship
08-05-2008, 10:14
Super, that's a full house then!

Rhyfelwyr
08-05-2008, 11:00
Fantastic! Would everyone be ready for a first chapter tomorrow evening? Deadline for handing in your decisions would be same time next week, you can do your diplomacy etc whenever you want.

CountArach
08-05-2008, 13:15
Sounds perfect to me.

Revolting Friendship
08-05-2008, 21:20
Excellent, sounds good.

Rhyfelwyr
08-06-2008, 18:00
Below is the first set of questions. I think it would be best if you only view your own. It's not hugely important, but it may give me more flexibility in the write-ups if people accept this. Some factions aren't hugely involved yet, and so only have a couple of questions. Next chapter things will really start to heat up as the consequences of these decisions become clear and some diplomacy has taken place. Obviously, you don't have to pick any of my options and you can elaborate on what you wish to do. Plus you can add things that I haven't put in this chapter.

The situation is as described in the original post, so there's not much more to write of for this chapter. The next one will have a write-up similar in length to the OP. It would be great if the decisions could be into me by Sunday evening to allow time to write up the next chapter and release it next Wednesday. The deadline for sending your decisions to me is by Tuesday evening.

Please send these by PM. Also inform me of any agreements, whether formal or informal, which have been reached.

January 1st, 988 AD

The Capetians:

1. Now is the time to ensure you have dialogue with your vassals and ensure they recognise your authority. Do you wish to:

a) Summon a council (at Paris unless otherwise stated) and demand all the great lords attend in person.
b) Summon a council (at Paris unless otherwise stated) and demand all the great lords send emmissaries.
c) Demand a small amount of tribute from each vassal as a token of your overlordship.
d) Send emmissaries to each great lord to see if they will achnowledge your overlordship.
e) Do nothing.

2. Several bordering states appear to show loyalty to the Carolignians. Do you wish to:

a) Levy all available troops throughout the royal lands.
b) Levy half the available troops to halt any surpise invasions.
c) Do nothing.
* also specify where to base troops and under whose command

3. Louis of Upper Lorraine is the last Carolingian with a legitimate claim to your throne, and is residing outwith your Kingdom in East Francia. Do you wish to:

a) Attempt an assassination.
b) Send an emmissary to negotiate with him to remove his claims.
c) Do nothing.

4. Several towns within your domain may increase their trade through being granted charters. While this may improve your relations with them, it also gives them more independance. Do you wish to:

a) Grant charters to all towns that ask for them.
b) Grant charters to only the largest and most prosperous towns.
c) Grant charters, but only if immediately granted tribute.
d) Grant charters, but demand the services of the town's militia in times of war.
e) Refuse to grant any charters, and keep the prosperity with the nobles.

5. As King of France, you must consider the claims of Hugh to the County of Maine. Do you wish to:

a) Accept his claims.
b) Deny his claims to the throne.
c) State whether you wish to support either Normandy or Anjou's claims to Maine.
d) Make no comment on the matter for now, although you may appear neglectful as King.

The Duchy of Brittany:

1. Celtic Christianity is still influential your Breton population. But converting to the Roman Catholic faith may boost your relations with your neighbours. Do you wish to:

a) Request the conversion of Celtic Christians within your territory.
b) Demand the conversion of Celtic Christians within your territory.
c) Execute the leaders of this faith and supplant them with Roman Catholic clergy.
d) Burn, raid, pillage, and exterminate all Celtic Christians, denouncing them as Heretics before Rome.
e) Convert to Celtic Christianity.
f) Do nothing.

2. In the far-western parts of Brittany elements of tribalism remain dominant over feudalism. Do you wish to:

a) Grant less valuable land in these areas to the lesser sons of nobles to gradually implement a feudal structure.
b) Impose more binding ties of vassalage on the tribal chiefs to consolidate a somewhat more feudal structure.
c) Execute tribal leaders and confiscate their lands.
d) Burn, raid, pillage, and exterminate the barbaric Bretons before ordering a plantation of more civilised Franks.
e) Re-implement the tribal structure throughout the more feudal eastern Brittany.
f) Do nothing.

3. The war with Blois may be over, but Anjou is still a great threat. Do you wish to:

a) Levy all available troops throughout the land.
b) Levy all the Breton troops available (about two-thirds of total).
c) Levy all the Frankish troops available (about one-third of total).
d) Do nothing.

The Duchy of Normandy:

1. Pagan practises are still common in the more remote areas of Normandy, remnants of the Norse influence. If left alone, this could lead to disorder in future times. Do you wish to:

a) Request the conversion of Pagans within your territory.
b) Demand the conversion of Pagans within your territory.
c) Execute the Pagan leader and supplant them with Roman Catholic clergy.
d) Burn, raid, pillage, and exterminate these heathens, burned at the stakes for their crimes against God!
e) Convert to paganism and encourage its implementation throughout Normandy.
f) Do nothing.

2. As Norse influence decline, it may be wise to embrace the Frankish culture. This may make your people less warlike, but improve relations with your neighbours, especially the monarchy. Do you wish to:

a) Slowly grant areas of land to Frankish nobles and encourage settlement in them.
b) Execute any Norse nobles and confiscate their lands.
c) Burn, raid, pillage, and exterminate the barbaric Norse.
d) Encourage the influence of Norse culture.
e) Do nothing.

3. A mere nobleman has proclaimed himself Hugh II of Maine, claiming lands belonging to you. Do you wish to:

a) Accept his claim and recognise his independance.
b) Request that he takes back his claims and allow him to return to his home.
c) Allow his to retain his position if he accepts terms of vassalage to you.
d) Raise an army and march to Maine!
e) Do nothing, and act on this later.

The County of Anjou:

1. While at war on four fronts, an army must surely be raised quickly. Blois in particular is a great threat, but equally now is an ideal time to make clear your claims to Maine. Do you wish to:

a) Raise an army and enforce your claim to Maine while the province is in revolt.
b) Raise an army and march on the young state of Brittany while it recovers from the occupation by Blois.
c) Raise an army to fight Blois over the disputed area of the Touraine.
d) Raise an army to fight Aquitaine, Blois' southern ally.
e) Disperse your forces to more than one front.
f) Do nothing.

2. This pretender to the County of Maine could be useful in achieving your claims to the area. Do you wish to:

a) Accept his claim and send troops to support him.
b) Reject his claim and send troops to enforce your own.
c) Offer military support against Normandy should he become your vassal.
d) Aid Normandy in suppresing the revolt.
e) Do nothing, holding onto your claims.

The County of Blois:

1. You face war on both your eastern and western borders, and must allocate your troops wisely. Do you wish to:

a) Send all troops available to levy to the Touraine, the area disputed with Anjou.
b) Invade the Capetian royal domain and subdue this pretender of a King!
c) Levy troops to defend Blois.
d) Do nothing.

2. You must consider your stance on the revolt in Maine and the claims of Hugh "II". Do you wish to:

a) Accept Hugh's claims. This will likely anger both Anjou and Normandy who have claims to the region.
b) Offer Hugh vassalage in return for your military backing. This will almost certainly lead to war with Normandy.
c) Reject Hugh's claims, improving your relations with Normandy.
d) Say nothing on the matter.

The County of Troyes and Meaux:

1. You have stood with Blois in your loyalty to the Carolingians and opposition to Hugh Capet. There are royal lands isolated within your domain. Do you wish to:

a) Raise all your available forces with an eye to taking or besieging them next turn.
b) Since both the areas of Laon and Reims are isolated in your lands, offer them a peaceful changeover to your hands.
c) Cut off all their supplies, perhaps prompting a reaction from the Capetians but hastening a surrender deal.
d) Do nothing.

2. Louis of Upper Lorraine has claims to the throne of France and could restore the Carolingian dynasty. He stays near you eastern border. Do you wish to:

a) Offer him to stay in your lands, showing your support, and getting time to gain support from other regions.
b) Immediately offer to proclaim him King of France and ask him to raise an army to join yours in revolt.
c) Send emmissaries with some token tribute as a symbol of your support of him.
d) Do nothing.

3. Several towns within your domain may increase their trade through being granted charters. While this may improve your relations with them, it also gives them more independance. Do you wish to:

a) Grant charters to all towns that ask for them.
b) Grant charters to only the largest and most prosperous towns.
c) Grant charters, but only if immediately granted tribute.
d) Grant charters, but demand the services of the town's militia in times of war.
e) Refuse to grant any charters, and keep the prosperity with the nobles.

The County of Flanders:

1. To the north of your land, the Flemish people have a somewhat different culture to the Franks of the south. Removing this divide may create unity within your realm. Do you wish to:

a) Slowly grant areas of land to Frankish nobles and encourage settlement in them.
b) Execute Flemish nobles and confiscate their lands.
c) Burn, raid, pillage, and exterminate the inferior Flemish population.
d) Encourage the development of the Flemish culture.
e) Do nothing.

2. Several towns within your domain may increase their trade through being granted charters. While this may improve your relations with them, it also gives them more independance. Do you wish to:

a) Grant charters to all towns that ask for them.
b) Grant charters to only the largest and most prosperous towns.
c) Grant charters, but only if immediately granted tribute.
d) Grant charters, but demand the services of the town's militia in times of war.
e) Refuse to grant any charters, and keep the prosperity with the nobles.

3. Urbanisation is happening far more noticably in Flanders than other areas of northern Francia. Do you wish to:

a) Encourage urbanisation, creating prosperity but creating more independent cities.
b) Decourage urbanisation, maintaining the control of the rural nobles but leaving a backwards economy.
c) Pillage all heavily settled areas and disperse the populations.
d) Do nothing.

The Duchy of Burgundy:

1. Many dispute your brother Hugh's claims to the throne of France. Do you wish to:

a) Support your brother as his loyal vassal.
b) Offer him your support, but negotiate demands for this.
c) Threaten to claim the throne from Robert as his successor.
d) Align yourself with the southern powers, rejecting Capetian authority.

2. Burgundy is culturally divided between the Frankish north and the Occitan-speaking south. Do you wish to:

a) Forcefully impose the Frankish culture.
b) Peacefully encourage the development of the Frankish culture.
c) Forcefully impose the culture of the Romanised south.
d) Peacefully encourage the development of the Romanised southern culture.
e) Do nothing.

The Duchy of Aquitaine:

1. Your enemy Fulk of Anjou is surrounded by enemies. Now may be the time to strike and expand into the Frankish heartland. Do you wish to:

a) Levy all the available forces occupy the Touraine, disputed between Anjou and Blois.
b) Levy half the available forces and occupy the Touraine, disputed between Anjou and Blois.
c) Levy forces to plant near the borders of Anjou, displaying your might to the north.
d) Do nothing.

2. There is a small Frankish population within your Occitan-dominated lands. Do you wish to:

a) Expel all the Franks and push them northward.
b) Confiscate the land of Frankish noblemen and give it to your own.
c) Devastate the Franks lands and keep the loot.
d) Execute all Franks and order a plantation of the Occitan populace into the area.
e) Do nothing.

3. You are ruler of the most powerful single territory within France, and a head of the Occitan south. Do you wish to:

a) Declare yourself King of France.
b) Declare yourself King of the southern territories.
c) Retain your support for the Carolingians and maintain relations with Blois.
d) Declare support for the Capetians, perhaps after negotiations.
e) Do nothing.

The Duchy of Gascony:

1. Recent Viking raids have left many small Viking settlements dotted across your coastline, creating a potential for disorder. Do you wish to:

a) Slowly grant areas of land to Occitan nobles and encourage settlement in them.
b) Execute any Norse nobles and confiscate their lands.
c) Burn, raid, pillage, and exterminate the barbaric Norse.
d) Tolerate these settlements if they will achnowledge you as their overlord.
e) Grant them their own territory with a noble title of its own, in return for their vassalage.
f) Do nothing.

2. You yourself are of Basque origins, while the Occitan-speaking populace still slightly outnumber your people. Do you wish to:

a) Continue to embrace the Basque culture.
b) Begin reprisals against the Occitan populace by confiscating the land of nobles.
c) Burn, raid, pillage, an exterminate the inferior Occitans.
d) Visibly embrace the Occitan language and culture, while taking no actions against the Basques.
e) Begin reprisals against the Basque populace by confiscating the land of nobles.
f) Burn, raid, pillage, and exterminate the inferior Basques.
e) Declare your toleration for both peoples.
g) Do nothing.

The County of Toulouse:

1. As trade flourishes within your lands, it may be worth investing some of the profits into securing longer term prosperity. Also, you must consider where future wealth will lie. Do you wish to:

a) Develop the Meditterranean ports to continue trade with the Italian states and other nearby coastal areas.
b) Develop roads to increase trade with your neighbours Gascony and Toulouse.
c) Invest around your heartland of Toulouse and focus on self-sufficiency and internal trade.
d) Do nothing.

2. Your noble family is currently limited to yourself, with no heir nor a wife to produce one! Under these circumstances, if you should die the King will be free to appoint your title to whoever he pleases. Do you wish to:

a) Marry a suitable woman of minor nobility.
b) Consult the great lords (players here) and arrange a marriage or even plan a future marriage with any daughters they should have.
c) Hope a concubine produces and heir, although he/she will lack legitimacy in the eyes of many.
d) Do nothing.

Revolting Friendship
08-07-2008, 04:49
Call to all the ruling Nobles of the Frankish Kingdom:
(to be answered in the thread)

The king of the Franks demand that all those loyal to the Crown present themselves in person, or by a noted representative of their family, in Paris for a royal council. To swear fealty and to renew your oaths to the Crown, and to show all opposition the unity of our great Country.

The King of the Franks will demand no concessions of those loyal to the Crown, but will promise great rewards, protection and stability. Before God and in the face of our neighbours, let us not splinter our great Country further by intrigues, power-struggles and war, but unite and enjoy the wealth of a heavenly peace.

Hugh Capet, rex Francorum
https://img384.imageshack.us/img384/436/namnls2dh2.png

Revolting Friendship
08-07-2008, 05:42
The King of the Franks will offer Hugh II to enter a direct vassalship under our protection, Hugh II will retain the title as Count of Maine with its rights, as a direct subject to the Frankish Crown, but will be required to raise his host for the King of the Franks whenever he calls for it.

Should Hugh II refuse our generous offer, we will allot the Duke of Normandy with the task of subduing and governing the county of Maine, and to rule it in the service of the Frankish Crown.

The Count of Anjou will respectfully refrain from interfering in the matter.

Hugh Capet, rex Francorum
https://img384.imageshack.us/img384/436/namnls2dh2.png

Csargo
08-07-2008, 07:33
I will not allow this pretender to take away what is mine. I will take it back peacefully and ask the Hugh II relinquish his claim to the county of Maine, or it will be taken back by force.

Richard I

Revolting Friendship
08-07-2008, 11:03
Richard I:
The county of Maine is a part of the Frankish kingdom, not your personal property. If you can assure me that you are loyal to the Frankish crown, then I will support your claims to the County of Maine. If you will not, and if Hugh II swear fealty to the Frankish crown, then I will support his claims to the County of Maine.
Remember that you rule these lands in the service of the Realm.

If neither of you swear fealty, then I will return the property to its rightful place under the Frankish Crown and add it to my demesne, until a proper, loyal nobleman can be found to rule it for the glory of the Franks.

This is not a matter of discussion, so make your stance clear,

Hugh Capet, rex Francorum
https://img384.imageshack.us/img384/436/namnls2dh2.png

Csargo
08-08-2008, 21:14
How can I do that?

Richard I

Revolting Friendship
08-08-2008, 21:45
How can I do that?

Give me your oath of honor that you will remain loyal to the King of the Franks, Hugh Capet, and serve him by your lands and privelieges, as is your duty.

If I recieve your oath, then I can be sure that the county of Maine will be ruled in the best interest of our Kingdom, yes?


And as for the rest of you, is there none from among the council of high nobles, only recently electing me King, who will assure me of their fealty now? Seigneurs, make your voices heard.

Hugh Capet, rex Francorum
https://img384.imageshack.us/img384/436/namnls2dh2.png

AggonyDuck
08-09-2008, 00:47
I'm willing to to assure you of my fealty my king, but I am unable to attend your council at the moment due to the present state of matters in Anjou. After the troubles surrounding Anjou have been resolved, I'll be able to attend to your council.

Fulk III, Count of Anjou

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
08-09-2008, 01:07
I will Greatly Support you My Brother, The Rightful King. Do Not Worry!

Odo-Henry

King Kurt
08-09-2008, 10:36
My King

I too have internal affairs to deal with. Once those have been resolved, I will see if I have time to attend court.

My I be as bold as to suggest that, as you have just been confirmed, that to call us all together so soon suggests a uncessesary degree of uncertainty.

Count Herbert of Champagne, France's bastion against the east

Revolting Friendship
08-09-2008, 11:14
Royal Decree:

The current possessions of Fulk III, as Count of Anjou, is hereby recognized by the Frankish King. Any further expansion by the Count of Anjou is hereby discouraged, and any attempts to sieze his territory will be opposed by the Royal host. All Lords loyal to the King are encouraged to reinforce this decree by force and support it verbally.

Any Lord who opposes this decree will have his lands and titles stripped and redistributed to loyal agents.

Letter to Odo-Henry, Duke of Burgundy:
The King thanks his brother for his support, he will not regret it and the King will not forget it. You will have my support in kind.

Letter to Herbert, Count of Champagne:
If there is any issue that troubles you, in which the King may be of assistance, he kindly asks you to let it be known.

The King will also admit his uncertainties, he hopes the Count of Champagne will understand.

Hugh Capet, rex Francorum
https://img384.imageshack.us/img384/436/namnls2dh2.png

Csargo
08-10-2008, 02:53
I swear on my life that I will serve you, Hugh Capet, until the end of my days.

Richard I

CountArach
08-10-2008, 04:30
The Count of Flanders wishes all sides of this conflict to know that he stands neutral, at least for the present time.

Kagemusha
08-10-2008, 18:39
I also have issues in my domain, which prevent me from joining the meeting in Paris. I am truly sorry for this.

Odo I

Count of Blois

Warmaster Horus
08-11-2008, 17:31
The Duke of Aquitaine will come to the Capetian King's council.

Ibn-Khaldun
08-11-2008, 18:02
William, the Count of Toulouse, will come to the King's Council.

Quintus.JC
08-11-2008, 18:16
The Duke of Gascony regret to inform the king that he cannot attend the gathering of the nobles due to issues within his domain. He will, however, send his brother Gombald to Paris as a representive from the Duchy of Gascony.

William II Sánchez

https://img377.imageshack.us/img377/8574/gasconyeq7.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

Rhyfelwyr
08-12-2008, 11:33
Remember deadline is tonight folks, I'm just awaiting a couple of replies...

Hugh I (Capetian Dynasty) - Revolting Friendship
Conan I (Duchy of Brittany) - {BHC} King Jan III Sobieski
Richard I (Duchy of Normandy) - Ichigo
Fulk III (County of Anjou) - AggonyDuck
Odo I (County of Blois) - Kagemusha
Herbert III (County of Troyes and Meaux) - King Kurt
Arnulf II (County of Flanders) - CountArach
Odo-Henry I (Duchy of Burgundy) - |Sith|1|AntiWarmanCake88 Toyosada88
William IV (Duchy of Aquitaine) - Warmaster Horus
William II (Duchy of Gascony) - Quintus.J.Cicero
William III (County of Toulouse) - Ibn-Khaldun

King Jan III Sobieski
08-12-2008, 15:54
I, Conan I, Comte d'Rennes e Duc d'Brittany, shall send an emissary, Sir Franc d'Ouessant, to the King's council.

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
08-12-2008, 17:14
Me Sorry, Decsions will be sent out now :D!

Rhyfelwyr
08-13-2008, 23:46
Chapter II:

April 1st, 988 AD

There have been many political developments since the Capetian Kings were first crowned little more than three months ago. In the north, peace has for now been established between the Houses of Anjou and Blois, although the Touraine remains disputed territory. A clear power block has been rising, including Champagne, Blois, Anjou, and Aquitaine, the last two also having recently agreed on peace terms. While this may appear to be a pro-Carolingian alliance, the extent to which this is true is yet to be seen, especially regarding the intentions of Aquitaine, whie Anjou is still a recent addition. Flanders also appears to be on the fringes of this alliance, having individual pacts with Blois and Aquitaine. Several armies in the area have been raised, although most have been for defensive purposes.

Attitudes regarding the issue of Hugh II's revolt in Maine are still unclear. While Normandy has moved troops to crush the rebellion, most other leaders have yet to give any clear statements regarding the issue. Even the King Hugh Capet has given conflicting signals to Normandy, at first appearing to offer to accept Hugh's claims, although later appearing to be more accepting of a Norman conquest of the area. With Norman forces ready to clash with those of Hugh, the surrounding states will soon have to make decisions on the matter. Indeed, it seems that anarchy could be spreading. La Marche, previously ruled under the Dukes of Aquitaine, could be at a pivotal point with the death of it's ruler Boso I, as Frankish and Occitan nobles dispute the region.

Perhaps most importantly of all, Hugh Capet has summoned a great council of all the major states of France. At this meeting, Odo-Henry of Burgundy, Richard I of Normandy, William IV of Aquitaine, and William III of Toulouse are expected to attent in person. Also, Sir Franc d'Ouessant has been sent as an emissary for Conan I Brittany, while William II of Gascony has sent his brother Gombald. Anjou, Blois, Flanders, and Champagne will have no representatives there. Perhaps the fact that only six of the ten great lords of France have attended this council will be of concern to the Capetians, especially when only four found it necessary to travel in person. The discussions that take place at this meeting could make it one of the defining events in French history...

The Capetians:
1. Your towns of Orleans, Beauvaix, Courtenay, and Melun are requesting that you grant them funds so that each may maintain a semi-professional militia force. They ask for all their troops to be armed with mail, shields, spear, and either bow or crossbow. Each town can raise 500 men, or 1,000 in the case of Orleans. If they are seen to be too powerful, this may upset your nobles. Do you wish to:

a) Grant their request.
b) Grant their request but make your own specifics regarding the equipment.
c) Deny their request, let them pay to arm themselves.

2. You have summoned all your available forces, and must consider what actions to take with them. Do you wish to:

a) Garrison in your own lands (please specify).
b) March into a rivals lands (please specify).

3. Many minor nobles are concerned at the liberal treatment shown to cities by this new dynasty, and are concerned at the instability this may cause. Do you wish to:

a) Assure the nobles their priveleges are not threatened.
b) Assure them you will grant no more charters to towns.
c) Tell the nobles that this is not their business.
d) Execute all dissenting nobles.

The Duchy of Brittany:
1. As far west as Guingamp, the Celtic Christians within your territory have generally appeared happy to achnowledge Roman authority. However, those in the more remote eastern areas have claimed they are unhappy to convert. Do you wish to:

a) Accept this, as Catholicism has made significant gains.
b) Negotiate, allowing them to hold their different views on the calculation of Easter, if they will otherwise achnowledge Roman authority.
c) Tell them this is unacceptable, they must convert.
d) Execute the ringleaders.
e) Move in the Frankish troops you have levied to crush dissenters.

2. You have levied a force, entirely Frankish, of 1,000 knights and 3,500 footmen. Do you wish to:

a) Garrison this force in your territory (please specify).
b) Move into enemy territory (please specify).

3. Please state who is in command of your Frankish army.

The Duchy of Normandy:
1. While the Pagans in your lands have overwhelmingly been happy to convert to Catholicism, there remains an enclave around Coutanches and to an extent Avranches in the west which are unhappy to convert. Do you wish to:

a) Accept this, as Catholicism has made significant gains.
b) Negotiate, allowing them to continue Pagan festivals and traditions if Roman Catholic practises are respected.
c) Tell them this is unacceptable, they must convert.
d) Execute the ringleaders.

2. Your army of 1,500 knights and 5,000 footmen is levied and ready to march on Maine. Do you wish to:

a) Fortify Nogent, on your border with Maine.
b) March on Le Mans, the capital of Maine and Hugh II's the pretenders stronghold.
c) Besiege Laval in the east of Maine, which is less well fortified.

3. Please state who is to command your army.

The County of Anjou:
1. An elderly and sick noble, Geoffrey de Craon, has complained that his second son, Roger, has killed his elder brother in an attempt to gain his father's lands through inheritance. He has fortified his castle near Craon with a garrison of 50 knights and 200 footmen. Do you wish to:

a) Demand Roger returns his lands to his father and abandons his claim to them.
b) Levy an army (specift size, leader) to besiege Roger's forces in his castle.
c) Support Roger.
d) Do nothing, they can take this issue to the King.

The County of Blois:
1. You have raised an army of 3,000 knights and 7,000 footmen. Do you wish to:

a) Garrison one of your own cities (please specify).
b) March into enemy lands (please specify).

2. Please state who is in command of your army.

The County of Troyes and Meaux:
1. You have emissaries at both Laon and Reims, both royal lands. Do you wish to:

a) Demand that they surrender to you, declaring war on the Capetians.
b) Attempt to negotiate with the Capetians to gain these lands without a direct declaration of war.
c) Send in your army of 2,500 knights and 6,000 footmen immediately!

2. Please specify who is in command of your army, and whether or not you wish to garrison it in one of your own towns.

3. Louis of Upper Lorraine has stated his concerns over staying in your lands, bordering those of the upstart Capetians. He claims you must first bring him the signatures of the rulers of four other states for him to feel safe. Do you wish to:

a) Accept this as a reasonable request.
b) Tell him it is not possible at the moment, and part with friendly relations.
c) Tell him you are abandoning the plan and are displeased with this turn of events.
d) Threaten to abandon your support for his claims to the throne of France.

4. Your towns of Provins, Troyes, Meaux, and Brienne are requesting that you grant them funds so that each may maintain a semi-professional militia force. They ask for all their troops to be armed with mail, shields, spear, and either bow or crossbow. Each town can raise 500 men, or 1,000 in the case of Troyes. If they are seen to be too powerful, this may upset your nobles. Do you wish to:

a) Grant their request.
b) Grant their request but make your own specifics regarding the equipment.
c) Deny their request, let them pay to arm themselves.

The County of Flanders:
1. Your towns of Amiens, Montreuil, Arras, Bouvines, Lille, Ghent, Bruges, and Boulogne are requesting that you grant them funds so that each may maintain a semi-professional militia force. They ask for all their troops to be armed with heavy mail and either pikes or crossbows. Each town can raise 500 men, or 1,000 in the case of Ghent and Bruges. If they are seen to be too powerful, this may upset your nobles. Do you wish to:

a) Grant their request.
b) Grant their request but make your own specifics regarding the equipment.
c) Deny their request, let them pay to arm themselves.

2. Since granting it its charter, Boulogne has become overcrowded and there are fears a plague may brake out. Do you wish to:

a) Invest in improving sanitation through a sewer system.
b) Halt all immigration to the city.
c) Limit yearly immigration to the city.
d) Do nothing.

The Duchy of Burgundy:
1. Bandits have been harassing traders and travellers across your roads with increasing confidence, especially on the roads between Dijon and Langres. Do you wish to:

a) Dedicate a set number of your available troops to clearing out the trouble-makers, and imprison any criminals captured.
b) Dedicate a set number of your available troops to clearing out the trouble-makers, and execute any criminals captured.
c) Do nothing.

2. Thomas de Beaujeu, a prominent Occitan noble, has invited you to attend a festival at his home town of Beaujeu. Accepting this invite may upset Frankish nobles in your territory (Remember to consider if you are attending the King's council). Do you wish to:

a) Attend this festival.
b) Send someone in your stead.
c) Politely decline the invitation.
d) Send an abrupt message declining the invitation.
e) Do nothing.

The Duchy of Aquitaine:
1. La Marche has always enjoyed a degree of autonomy under your rule. With the recent death of its ruler, Aldebert and Boso II have emerged in competing for the title of Count of Marche. While they do not rebel against you, you must consider whose claim to support. Boso II is the son of the previous ruler, but Aldebert is an Frankish noble, attempting to rise against Occitan control. Do you wish to:

a) Support Boso II purely because his claim is stronger.
b) Support Boso II as a protector of Occitan dominance in the region.
c) Support Aldebert I in his war against Occitain oppression.
d) State any more specific actions you wish to take.
e) Take no part in the conflict, let them fight it out, although this will make you look negligent to your vassals.

The Duchy of Gascony:
1. The Viking population have agreed to accept your authority. They feel that their services may be served better through the military than with the economy, and so are requesting to form a 2,500 strong paid regular force. You can of course discuss any specifics (ie special guard troops). Do you wish to:

a) Accept their offer, as they are great warriors.
b) Agree to employ some of them as a professional force (please specify).
c) Politely decline their offer.
d) Angrily reject the offer as an attempt to arm themselves against your rule!

2. Some Basque nobles are concerned you are rejecting your roots in favour of the Occitan culture. Do you wish to:

a) State that you see the Occitan culture as superior.
b) Angrily state this is none of their business.
c) Assure them politily you are not rejecting your Basque roots.
d) Agree with them, and more visibly embrace the Basque culture.

The County of Toulouse:
1. Merchants from Tuscany are requesting for a merchants' quarter to be established in Narbonne. While this will help trade flourish, it may upset the locals. Do you wish to:

a) Accept the request, allow them to dwell in the city.
b) Offer to build a new complex for the merchants nearby, as a longer term investment.
c) Refuse their request.

2. There are currently three ideal suitors for your marriage. Do you wish to marry:

a) Eleanor of Cahorsin, a minor Occitan noblewoman.
b) Adele of Verdun, a minor Frankish noblewoman.
c) Anna of Lombardy, minor noblewoman from Lombardy, with whom you have much trade through the Mediterranean.

King Jan III Sobieski
08-14-2008, 02:45
Conan I wishes to know - When shall the deadline occur?

Rhyfelwyr
08-14-2008, 10:09
Conan I wishes to know - When shall the deadline occur?

I'm not sure if you're talking about getting in your decisions for this chapter, but I may as well say it would be next Tuesday, just in case anyone is not sure. It makes life easier if they're in a day or two before that though.

Revolting Friendship
08-14-2008, 17:46
Open statement from Hugh Capet, King of the Franks:

In support of our loyal vassal Richard, the Duke of Normandy, the King will travel to Maine ahead of the royal host, and there help assist in putting down the insurgent Hughes II. Having failed to show loyalty to neither the Crown nor those in service of the Crown, Hughes II is undeserving of the claims he has made. Let this stand as an example to any lord who thinks to hold land within the Frankish kingdom, without being loyal to the King.

The King furthermore invites his brother Odo-Henry to protect the Royal domains in the kings absence, against anyone who would dare to attempt and bereave them from their rightful holder.
In return of this honorable task, Odo-Henry, and indeed anyone else who is found protecting the King from assailants, will be granted titles and lands previously held by those they vanquish in the service of the King.

Hugh Capet, rex Francorum
https://img384.imageshack.us/img384/436/namnls2dh2.png

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
08-15-2008, 21:01
Hugh Capet, my Brother, I shall do so and protect the domains in your absences. I wish you luck against Hughes II !

Ibn-Khaldun
08-19-2008, 22:42
OOC: When will the next Chapter come out?

Rhyfelwyr
08-20-2008, 00:28
OOC: When will the next Chapter come out?

I completely forgot to write it today. :shame:

I'll make sure you get it tomorrow.

EDIT: Wait... stop confusing me. It's not even supposed to be out until tomorrow. :sweatdrop:

Rhyfelwyr
08-20-2008, 12:27
The deadline was yesterday, and unfortunately I cannot complete the next chapter since four people have still to send in their orders! I'll send PM's to each of them just now...

Hugh I (Capetian Dynasty) - Revolting Friendship
Conan I (Duchy of Brittany) - {BHC} King Jan III Sobieski
Richard I (Duchy of Normandy) - Ichigo
Fulk III (County of Anjou) - AggonyDuck
Odo I (County of Blois) - Kagemusha
Herbert III (County of Troyes and Meaux) - King Kurt
Arnulf II (County of Flanders) - CountArach
Odo-Henry I (Duchy of Burgundy) - |Sith|1|AntiWarmanCake88 Toyosada88
William IV (Duchy of Aquitaine) - Warmaster Horus
William II (Duchy of Gascony) - Quintus.J.Cicero
William III (County of Toulouse) - Ibn-Khaldun

CountArach
08-20-2008, 12:41
Sorry all, my decisions are in now.

Ibn-Khaldun
08-20-2008, 13:05
Now .. where are those Counts who don't send orders?! :whip:

CountArach
08-20-2008, 13:07
Now .. where are those Counts who don't send orders?! :whip:
But, but, but.... I'm the only Count in the game!

Alright that pun was shocking, I admit it...

Rhyfelwyr
08-21-2008, 18:36
I am waiting for the King of all people to send in his orders. If they are not in by tonight then I will post the next chapter. Thankfully I can tell from the statements in this thread the general plans he is making, but there were a couple of specific questions on domestic issues which may just have to go unanswered.

The player decisions are all written up, but I'll wait till tonight anyway...

Ibn-Khaldun
08-21-2008, 20:52
Waiting the next Chapter... :hourglass:

No pressure at all :clown:

Quintus.JC
08-21-2008, 21:04
I am waiting for the King of all people to send in his orders.

We really should dethrone him for that. :clown:

edit: QJC said this, not the Duke of Gascony.

Rhyfelwyr
08-21-2008, 23:41
Chapter III:

July 1st, 988 AD

With the passing of the King's Council at Paris, it is clear that Capetian authority is far from consolidated. While a majority of the great nobles may be willing to heed the King's call, the Carolingian support base has been growing in power, and now appears to be taking action. In late April, an army of over 8,000 men marched under Herbert of Champagne on the royal city of Reims, isolated within the County of Troyes and Meaux. The city has been under siege since May 7th, and while the defenders remain at the walls it is unlikely such a small garrison will be able to hold out for long. With Odo-Henry of Burgundy charged with defending the royal domain, he must surely take action against Herbert soon, with Laon also isolated within Champagne.

Meanwhile, the royal host has been planning to march on Maine to crush the pretender Hugh II. However, the King must now chose whether to defend his own lands in Reims or those of his vassal Richard of Normandy. Richard's own army, around 8,500 strong, has encamped just north of Hugh's capital Le Mans. Negotiations now must take place, or Hugh's own force of 4,500 men must attempt to hold their ground, either within or without the city walls. With the monarchs support now firmly behind Richard of Normandy, Hugh's hopes may now lie east with the siege of Reims by Champagne perhaps distracting the royal forces.

In central Francia, the anarchy from Maine is threatening to spread southward into the Touraine and La Marche. While the Touraine remains as grey area between the reconciled houses of Anjou and Blois, the tyranny of Fulk of Anjou may lead to an outright acceptance of Odo of Blois' claims to the region. On the southern border of the Touraine lies La Marche, where the divide between Occitan and Frankish nobles is having increasingly violent consequences. With almost no regard for the authority of the Duke of Aquitaine or for standard feudal succession laws, Adalbert has slain Boso II and appears to be claiming the lands of La Marche for himself. Aquitaine must either appease or crush this violent Occitan noble.

Meawhile, the trading cities of Flanders in the north and Toulouse in the south are continuing to prosper, while relatively advanced militias defend their wealth. However, such prosperity has not come without its drawbacks, as the traditional inland trading centres lose wealth to the flourishing coastal ports. Disease is becoming an increasing threat, while new housing must be rapidly constucted to accomodate the influx of both peasants and foreign merchants. In Flanders, Arnulf II may be on his deathbed, and his son should be able to succeed him unchallenged. However, the increasingly powerful city states may well wish to test the resolve of a young, inexperienced monarch.

While war and prosperity may so far be coinciding with each other throughout Francia, the threat of anarchy must be tackled as cultural divides tear apart the geographical centre of the kingdom, while more gradual changes to society may bring their own problems to the prospering coastal regions.

Also, can I just say that I am very sorry if I revealed anything I shouldn't have in the last chapter. If you want anything to be kept quiet (and as long as this is historically feasible), then I won't reveal anything I shouldn't, although beware things can be leaked or spotted unexpectedly...

The Capetians:

1. Hugh I marches to at the head of the royal host, a force of 4,000 knights and 7,000 footmen. Meanwhile, your ally Richard I of Normandy is leading his troops to Le Mans, the heart of Hugh II's claimed domain. Do you wish to:

a) Strike quickly at the eastern town of Vendume, although you must march through Blois to do this.
b) Take the longer route and march through only your own territory and Normandy's to attack Nogent.
c) March through Blois to join Richard I in his assault of Le Mans.
d) Take the longer route to join Richard I in his assault of Le Mans.

2. Brigands are causing massive disruption to trade between your most prosperous towns of Paris and Orleans. Do you wish to:

a) Dispatch part of your army to tackle them, executing the criminals.
b) Dispatch part of your army to tackle them, imprisoning the criminals.
c) Offer them service in your army, employing their skills in ambushing and with the bow.
d) Do nothing, the war with Maine is the priority right now.

3. Your city of Reims has come under siege by 2,500 knights and 6,000 footmen of Herbert III of Troyes and Meaux (Champagne). Do you wish to:

a) Send an emissary to end this madness (do through PM to King Kurt).
b) March to Reims instead of supporting Richard I in Maine.
c) Hire mercenaries from Brabant. There are around 4,000 knights and 5,000 footmen available, although they are expensive and often lack discipline.
d) Call for the military support of all the great lords of France against this upstart!
e) Do nothing, you will act on this later.

The Duchy of Brittany:

1. The Papacy has offered to send missionaries to aid in your conversion of the Celtic Christians and the views some of them retain on the calculation of Easter. Do you wish to:

a) Accept this invitation, but only allow them to consolidate the populations which have fully converted.
b) Accept this invitation, but emphasise your deal with some Celtic Christians that their views on Easter will be tolerated.
c) Accept this invitation, giving them full right to impose Papal views throughout your lands.
d) Politely decline the invitation.
e) Angrily decline the invitation, stating that your people have made their views on Easter clear!

2. There has been increasing violence between your border town of St. Malo and the pagan town of Avranches in Normandy, with raids by brigands becoming bolder and larger in scale. Do you wish to:

a) Appeal to the Christian Duke Richard I of Normandy to suppress his Pagan subjects (do this by sending a PM to Ichigo).
b) Send troops to end the disorder (please specify).
c) Demand that your population surrounding St. Malo end their raiding and hope this will end the feuding from both sides.
d) Do nothing, it is only a border town anyway.

The Duchy of Normandy:

1. Your force of 1,500 knights and 5,000 footmen has approached Hugh II's near Le Mans, with the opposing force having 1,000 knights and 3,000 footmen. Do you wish to:

a) Agree to engage Hugh's forces in a chivalrous manner at a set location.
b) Attempt to negotiate with him (please specify).
c) Attempt some form of surprise attack (please specify).
d) Set up a camp for your forces and wait for reinforcements under the royal host.

2. There has been increasing violence between your border town of Avranches, which is still Pagan, and the Breton town of St. Malo. Raids have been becoming more bold and larger in scale. Do you wish to:

a) Appeal to Conan I of Brittany to suppress his violent subjects (do this by sending a PM to {BHC} King Jan III Sobieski).
b) Send troops to end the disorder (please specify, all available troops are already in your army).
c) Demand that your population surrounding Avranches end their raiding and hope this will end the feuding from both sides.
d) Do nothing, it is only a border town and a Pagan backwater anyway.

The County of Anjou:

1. Though your tyranny has so far prevent anyone from questioning your rule, their is talk that the minor nobility is growing concerned at your lack of respect for their privileges after the treatment of Geoffrey and Roger. Do you wish to:

a) Demand the signatures of all nobles giving you total authority over them and their lands, with no limits on what you may demand of them.
b) Execute 1 in 10 nobles and take their lands to both weaken them and impose your authority (you can change some details of course).
c) Install a puppet ruler over the lands you took from Roger to please the nobles.
d) Do nothing, these weaklings do not threaten you!

2. Though the western half of the disputed Touraine region has recently given its loyalty to you, there is talk that the heart of the region, Tours, may accept Blois' authority over it, in order to escape your tyrrany. Blois may now be your ally, but you could now lose territory to it. Do you wish to:

a) Levy an army and march agains Tours.
b) Send an emissary to Tours stating you will take no action against the city should it achnowledge, if not fully accept your claims to it.
c) Send an emissary to Tours demanding it immediately surrenders to your authority and your rightful claim to the Touraine.
d) Do nothing, Blois would lose its ties with us should it accept such a claim.

The County of Blois:

1. It appears the anarchy of the bordering regions of the Touraine and La Marche may be spreading, as there is talk of nobles in Berry seeking independence from the taxes imposed from Blois. Do you wish to:

a) Send troops to the region of Berry to oppress these nobles (please specify).
b) Give a tax reduction to the nobles of Berry in the hope this will satifsy them.
c) Demand the execution of a few dissenting nobles to show as examples to others.
d) Do nothing, it is baseless rumour.

2. Your towns of Bourges and Chartres are requesting that you grant them funds so that each may maintain a semi-professional militia force. They ask for all their troops to be armed with light mail, spear and shield, with some bowmen. Each town can raise 500 men. If they are seen to be too powerful, this may upset your nobles. Do you wish to:

a) Grant their request.
b) Grant their request but make your own specifics regarding the equipment.
c) Deny their request, let them pay to arm themselves.

The County of Troyes and Meaux:

First of all, could you tell me of any decisions regarding the petition for Louis? Presumably you will get these through PM.

1. The garrison of 300 men at Reims does not appear to be ready to surrender yet. You should be wary that Hugh I's army may choose to tackle you rather than march to Maine. Do you wish to:

a) Lauch an all out assault of the city.
b) Make an attempt at breaching the walls with your siege equipment.
c) Lauch rotting carcuses into the city to hasten its surrender through disease.
d) Do nothing, there is no need to risk your soldiers' lives just yet.

The County of Flanders:

1. You, Arnulf II, are in poor health and old in age, and death may not be far away. Do you wish to:

a) Give your title to your son Baldwin. He is only a teenager, yet should be capable of ruling effectively.
b) Come to another arrangement regarding your succession.
c) Do nothing, you are not dead yet!

2. Around 800 of Boulogne's poorest citizens have been displaced and are living in a shanty town a few miles from the city. The conditions there are horrendous, with disease rife. Do you wish to:

a) Use the militia of Boulogne to clear up this mess, and send the displaced people on their way.
b) Burn the shanty town and make sure its inhabitants do not leave. Their sqaulor threatens your more respectable citizens.
c) Do nothing, they are used to living in filth. Your people are best kept away from them.

3. Saxon and Gaelic traders from Britain have requested to form a trade agreement with you. While this will boost trade in your coastal towns, it will reduce in those further inland.

a) Accept this deal, it will overall bring prosperity to Flanders.
b) Accept this deal, but give priveleges to your inland towns to ensure they do not feel threatened.
c) Politely decline the offer, and let trade resume as normal.
d) Angrily reject the offer, damaging your trade with Britain and focusing more on your inland cities.

The Duchy of Burgundy:

1. You have been charged by Hugh Capet with the defence of the royal domain, and already Reims is under attack by Herbert of Chamagne. Do you wish to:

a) Raise an army and march against Herbert straight away.
b) Conduct negotiations first (through PM, but still tell me what is said).
c) Do nothing, your own lands are your priority.

2. Your troops have recovered large amounts of loot from the bandits that roamed between Dijon and Langres. Do you wish to:

a) Return it to its rightful owners.
b) Return it to its rightful owners, but let the troops keep a little extra that was 'never recovered'.
c) Demand it all for yourself, with maybe a little to keep the troops happy.

The Duchy of Aquitaine:

1. News has just reached you that Boso II of La Marche has been slain by bandits under orders from his rival claimant to La Marche, Adalbert. Do you wish to:

a) Send your army of 3,000 knights and 5,000 footmen to capture this upstart.
b) Send an emissary to demand that Adalbert takes back his claim to La Marche and gives the land to a relative of Boso.
c) Accept that his is now the rightful heir to La Marche.

2. Your current capital of Angouleme is no longer as prominent as it has been in the past, and Poitiers to the north is now the economic heartland of Aquitaine. Do yo wish to:

a) Move to Poitiers and officially establish it as your new capital, helping it to flourish further.
b) Spend more of your administrative efforts of Poitiers to ensure corruption does not hamper its growth.
c) Remain in Angouleme, as any changes may upset the current order.

3. Your teenage son is requesting to marry a minor noblewoman of Frankish origins, Constance of Aubusson. Do you wish to:

a) Allow this marriage to go ahead, she comes from a perfectly respectable background.
b) Halt this marriage as it may further upset your Occitan nobles.
c) Halt the marriage, but rather than denying it outright an upsetting the Frankish population, first attempt to find an excuse to get out of it.

I just about found the time to write this, I'm now so addicted to EU3! Oh well, its nice to see another Orgah at the Paradox forums.

The Duchy of Gascony:

1. Your force of Norse guardsmen, currently stationed in Bordeaux, has been causing some trouble. Their constant drinking and violence is upsetting the local population, who demand that they leave. Do you wish to:

a) Tell your Viking warriors to show more respect to the local people if they wish to keep getting their payments.
b) Request that these soldiers return to their homes on the coast, still owing you service.
c) Move them to a smaller town that will have no choice but to accept them.
d) Tell the citizens of Bordeaux to accept the disturbances.
e) Disband your Viking troops.

2. You have been invited to a festival at Pau, located in your Basque heartland. Do you wish to:

a) Attend the festival with a standard retinue.
b) Attend the festival with your Norse warriors to emphasise your authority to the Basque nobles.
c) Politely decline the invitation.
d) Firmly refuse to go.

The County of Toulouse:

1. As a meditteranean trading power, it would be wise to build a fleet to protect your ports. Do you wish to:

a) Invest in a large fleet of 100 ships.
b) Build a smaller fleet of 50 ships, enough to guard against most pirates although not organised attackers.
c) Do not build a fleet, it is not necessary yet.

2. As trade has become focused on your coastal regions, the town of Rouergue has requested a tax reduction to ensure it maintaine prominence as a trading town. Do you wish to:

a) Grant a large tax reduction to Rouergue, a true token of you support for its merchants.
b) Grant a small tax reduction to Rouergue, enough to prevent it collapsing as a trading hub.
c) Politily decline to grant any priveleges.
d) Angrily denounce this arrogant attempt to take what it rightfully yours!

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
08-21-2008, 23:51
Nice Chapter. Seems Like I have some work to do.

Ibn-Khaldun
08-22-2008, 00:23
OOC: Nice Chapter indeed!:yes:

https://img377.imageshack.us/img377/5928/toulousecoatw4.jpg
Message from the Count William, the Righteous and most Pious ruler of the County of Toulouse.

Greetings Lords,

I wish that this military conflict in north would end.
Don't You see that this is making us vulnerable.
Those Germanic bastards in east are waiting until we are weak enough to be put to sword.
And the Moors in south are laughing over us and preparing invasion against us in this very moment.
We should behave like Lords and not like some peasants who fight over every small things.
We are better than this.
But if the King can not restore order in the Kingdom soon then the County of Toulouse will have no other choice than to declare ourselves independent from the rule of the Capetian King.
This is not something that we want to do but the safety and prosperity of the County are most important things to me.
We still hope that the peace will be restored.

Count William

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
08-22-2008, 02:10
Would It Not be Unwise To Break Away from my Brother, Count William?



Odo-Henry Of Burgundy

Ibn-Khaldun
08-22-2008, 02:20
Like I said, we do not want to do that but if the Kingdom is going down by wars and destruction then I don't want Toulouse do go down as well..
I rather take my chances alone then allow my people do be dragged into endless fight over some insignificant peace of land..
But this will happen only if the peace can not be restored!

Count William of Toulouse

Revolting Friendship
08-22-2008, 03:04
Sorry for not getting my orders in, I've been out of the loop. Anyway:

Open statement from the King of the Franks:

We trust that Richard of Normandy will be competent to subjegate Maine by himself, as he has superior forces. We hope he will understand that we need our army elsewhere.

Herbert of Champagne is relieved of all his titles and rights to hold land in the Frankish kingdom. Anyone who assists in putting down this rebel will be rewarded. We see now with what kind of "internal matters" you've busied yourself with. Your treacherous nature will not go unpunished for long.

The Count of Toulouse may rest assured that we will restore order. In fact, we would ask for your support in doing so, which would only make it easier and save us time. Once all the upstarts have been brought to justice, we will make sure to institute loyal vassals who will serve the best interest of France.

The King would also like to state that we will make no personal, seperate alliances with any of our vassals. Nor will we accept bribes or special favours, or give them in turn, You will be treated equally, justly, and any internal conflicts will be handled without bias.

Hugh Capet, rex Francorum
https://img384.imageshack.us/img384/436/namnls2dh2.png

Ibn-Khaldun
08-22-2008, 13:01
The Count of Toulouse would like to know how he can help the King?

King Kurt
08-22-2008, 15:22
Count Herbert notes the ramblings of the drolling pretender and scoffs at them. My titles were the gift of the Carolginian Empire and only they have the right to take them away. My suggestions to this upstart is to hoist his skirts and scurry away with the women - France is ruled by true men with confidence and pride not snivelling whining.

Note - I am off on holiday today and am not back until 3/9/08 - so I have put in my move already and apologies that I will not be able to answer any PMs until then.

Ibn-Khaldun
08-24-2008, 20:57
Hmm.. When will the next Chapter come out?! ~:)

Revolting Friendship
08-24-2008, 21:11
The Count of Toulouse may assist the King by attacking his enemy, the Count of Champagne from the south. The sooner he falls, the sooner we can continue to strenghten our country in unity. You will enjoy free passage through the loyal Duchy of Burgundy.

My brother, the Duke of Burgundy is free to strike the Count of Champagne wherever he chooses.

The King ignores the verbal attacks of the Count of Champagne and chooses to focus on his military aggression instead.

Hugh Capet, rex Francorum
https://img384.imageshack.us/img384/436/namnls2dh2.png

Rhyfelwyr
08-24-2008, 23:04
Hmm.. When will the next Chapter come out?! ~:)

Wednesday hopefully as usual, that's the plan. You can't be that desperate already!

Rhyfelwyr
08-27-2008, 15:43
It's Wednesday again, but two sets of orders are missing!

Hugh I (Capetian Dynasty) - Revolting Friendship
Conan I (Duchy of Brittany) - {BHC} King Jan III Sobieski
Richard I (Duchy of Normandy) - Ichigo
Fulk III (County of Anjou) - AggonyDuck
Odo I (County of Blois) - Kagemusha
Herbert III (County of Troyes and Meaux) - King Kurt
Arnulf II (County of Flanders) - CountArach
Odo-Henry I (Duchy of Burgundy) - |Sith|1|AntiWarmanCake88 Toyosada88
William IV (Duchy of Aquitaine) - Warmaster Horus
William II (Duchy of Gascony) - Quintus.J.Cicero
William III (County of Toulouse) - Ibn-Khaldun

:whip:

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
08-27-2008, 15:46
It's Wednesday again, but two sets of orders are missing!

Hugh I (Capetian Dynasty) - Revolting Friendship
Conan I (Duchy of Brittany) - {BHC} King Jan III Sobieski
Richard I (Duchy of Normandy) - Ichigo
Fulk III (County of Anjou) - AggonyDuck
Odo I (County of Blois) - Kagemusha
Herbert III (County of Troyes and Meaux) - King Kurt
Arnulf II (County of Flanders) - CountArach
Odo-Henry I (Duchy of Burgundy) - |Sith|1|AntiWarmanCake88 Toyosada88
William IV (Duchy of Aquitaine) - Warmaster Horus
William II (Duchy of Gascony) - Quintus.J.Cicero
William III (County of Toulouse) - Ibn-Khaldun

:whip:





Hurry Kage, Hurry Duck!!

Ibn-Khaldun
08-27-2008, 16:05
AggonyDuck:whip:
Kagemusha:whip:

Rhyfelwyr
08-27-2008, 23:00
I'll give it another 45 minutes then I'm posting. I'll just make their decisions for them. Respect the deadlines people!

Ibn-Khaldun
08-27-2008, 23:13
Well.. I guess I'll wait then :coffeenews:

Also.. people have a week to send orders but still they don't send orders?? :inquisitive:

Ibn-Khaldun
08-28-2008, 00:10
Still waiting :coffeenews:

Rhyfelwyr
08-28-2008, 00:21
Chapter IV:

October 1st, 988 AD

In northern Francia, events have continued to escalate as the first major battles take place. In view from the walls of Le Mans, Richard of Normandies forces narrowly triumphed over those of Hugh of Maine's. With both sides engaging in a chivalrous manner, the casualties were limited, with Richard losing around three-hundred men and Hugh just over five-hundred. In the end, it was the skill of the Norman knights with javelin and lance that won the day. Also on the northern front, Herbert of Champagne's troops have continued the siege of Reims. While there is no sign of a surrender taking place in the near future, negotiations with the defenders are still taking place, as 8,000 attackers camp outside. Herbert has already taken steps to fortify his own towns, as the royal host under Hugh Capet changes directions, marching from Maine back through the Ile-de-France and onto Reims. The royal host has been bolstered by mercenaries from Brabant, while brigands captured by men under the King's son are being brought to join with the main host, currently around 11,000 strong. Meanwhile, the King's brother Odo-Henry of Burgundy is bringing reinforcements from the southern borders of Champagne, with a force of around 5,000 men.

While order may soon be restored in Maine, rebellions by minor nobles have continued to spread throughout central Francia. The Duke of Aquitaine has been forced to lead an army of 8,000 men from Poitiers into La Marche to crush the upstart Adalbert. Already there is a danger for the Duke that Adalbert's rebellion could trigger a much more serious and widespread revolt by Frankish nobles against the Occitan overlords. Directly north of La Marche, Odo of Blois has been forced to levy 10,000 troops to tackle a revolt in his southern region of Berry, where his own militia at Bourges could rise against him.

While war may be raging throughout the heartlands of Francia, the border regions are not without their own domestic troubles. In Brittany, Conan's efforts to impose Papal authority over Celtic Christians appears to be backfiring in the more backward areas, with one missionary being chased from Guingamp by angry monks! Also in the prospering states of Flanders and Toulouse the wealth coming in at the ports is causing increasing economic problems in the traditional trading centres further inland. In particular, events in Flanders are escalating with disease becoming rife for displaced townsfolk and their attitudes boiling over. Already troops have been slain by angered peasants and a large army including many militia troops has been raised. Arnulf of Flanders himself is clearly at death's door, and his son Baldwin must control this army if the succession process is to take place smoothly. In Gascony, William II's lack of control over his personal Norse army may have sparked chaos amongst the Basque nobility, as drunken Viking's fight with the nobles at a festival in Pau. Nature also may take it's toll on the area, as flood waters from the Pyrenees sweep over the town of Tarbes.

With war raging throughout Francia, the great lords will struggle to control the minor nobility beneath them should they continue to fight amongst themselves. As riots become more widespread, it may not be long before a majority of the great lords reject the young Capetian dynasty in favour for the old Carolingians...

Also an important note everyone. King Kurt aka Herbert of Champagne will be away until the 3rd of September so until then he's given me an idea of what he wants to do, and so if you wish to conduct any diplomacy with him PM me and I'll fill his role untill he comes back.

The Capetians:

1. Your armies supplies were only meant for the short trip to Maine, and so marching in the opposite direction to Reims could see your supplies running low. Do you wish to:

a) Stop at Paris to give the troops a little rest and refill your supply carts.
b) Send messengers ahead to Paris to have supply carts ready, giving you fresh supplies but no rest for the troops.
c) March straight on to Reims.

2. Your sons force of 500 knights and 1,000 footmen has rounded up around a total of 500 brigands either, including everything from groups of bandits to the retinues of rougue nobles. Do you wish to:

a) Send this force of around 2,000 men to reinforce Richard of Normandy in his campaign in Maine.
b) Send this force to join with the royal host under your command immediately and continue to Reims.
c) Continue to patrol the routes between Paris and Orleans to protect your subjects from brigands.

3. A young captain of humble origins, Francois Oudet, is gaining increasing popularity with the troops. It seems that many of the troops serve him rather than you and your trusted noble commanders. Already there is talk at your indecisive leadership with the army backtracking from Maine. Do you wish to:

a) Promote Oudet to be a military advisor, removing his influence over the common troops.
b) Send gifts to Oudet to guarantee his loyalty.
c) Spend more time with the troops yourself, and remind them that you both command them and care for them.
d) Demand Oudet comes and swears his loyalty to you.
e) Have troops slay Oudet in the night.
f) Do nothing, this man is no real threat to your divine authority.

The Duchy of Brittany:

1. An over-zealous Papal missionary, Romanus Valerius, has caused an uproar in the town of Guingamp. Apparently an argument over the calculation of Easter has escaleted into a riot, with Romanus being chased from the town chapel by angry monks! There is a growing sense of anti-Papal feeling growing in the area, and the locals seem to have rejected Papal authority. Do you wish to:

a) Send the missionary home as he did not achnowledge your instructions, and tell the Papacy you are displeased by this event.
b) Send the missionary home, but apolagise to the Pope for your subjects behaviour.
c) Attempt to send Romanus back to Guingamp, and tell both sides to apologise and come to an agreement.
d) Tell the clergy of Guingamp that such behaviour is unacceptable, and demand they apologise to Romanus.
e) Cancel the entire missionary programme in case the unrest spreads!

2. The people of St. Malo feel they have been treated unfairly, and are disillusioned at having had no support from their lord. There is talk that many are associating this turn of events with your pro-Frankish and pro-Papal policies. There old days are already being glorified and Celtic monks are being welcomed in parts of the town. Do you wish to:

a) Send a Papal missionary there immediately to ensure the dominance of the Roman Catholic faith.
b) Same as above, and in addition order the expulsion of all Celtic monks.
c) In addition to sending Roman clergy, send an influx of Frankish nobles to the area to break the last remnants of Breton culture.
d) Tell the people you will tolerate their views, but tell them they must accept Roman missionaries into the town.
e) Move one of your garissons to the town to show you are protecting them but also maintain order.
f) Allow the people to continue as they are, their idealistic views will not last.
e) Any combination of the above.

The Duchy of Normandy:

1. You have won the battle of Le Mans! However, the victory was not complete, and the remained of Hugh's forces have garissoned Le Mans. Hugh has sent an emissary claiming he will surrender if he maintains the lands he claimed under direct vassalage to the King, but instead serving as what would be in effect a vassal to you. Do you wish to:

a) Accept Hugh's claims.
b) Refuse to accept this pretenders claims. He will lose everything in the siege.
c) Attempt to form some other agreement (be as specific as you like).

2. With the battlefield so near to where the siege is now taking place, there are signs that disease may soon take its toll on your troops. Do you wish to:

a) Commit troops to clearing up the battlefield, weakening your siege force temporarily.
b) Send messengers to gather peasants from the local population to do the dirty work.
c) Leave the bodies to rot, the siege will be over soon!

The County of Anjou:

1. Your force of 2,000 knights and 6,000 footmen has marched into the Touraine. The Touraine's forces are still disorganised and have failed to summon any serious army to oppose you. Do you wish to:

a) Deploy troops throughout the western region, generally accepted as being under your control.
b) March on the capital at Tours, but this may upset Blois as it is in the centre of the Touraine region, with the east being held by Blois.
c) Return home, they can't even raise an army!

2. Your puppet ruler placed over the land's of Roger has been assasinated by claimants. There are several suspects, although it is not clear who carried out the assasination. Your tyranny has driven them underground. Do you wish to:

a) Imprison all possible subjects and investigate the matter.
b) Exectue all possible subjects.
c) Do nothing, just impose your authority over whoever takes charge.

The County of Blois:

1. Having marched 3,000 knights and 7,000 footmen into Berry, the nobles there have raised their own force of 2,000 knights and 3,500 footmen. Do you wish to:

a) Engage them in a chivalrous manner at a set location.
b) Lauch some form of surprise attack.
c) Hold your ground and hope they attack you.
d) Send emissaries to negotiate with their demands.

2. You have armed your towns of Bourges and Chartres with 500 militia each. However, the militia of Bourges is in the rebellious region of Berry. Do you wish to:

a) Confiscate the militias arms in cause it rises against you.
b) Give the militia a pay rise to ensure its loyalty to you.
c) Do nothing, it ows you its service as things stand.

The County of Flanders:

1. Your force of 1,000 knights, 4,000 peasant levies, 3,500 pike militia, and 2,000 crossbow militia has garissoned the town of Amiens. With Arnulf's death imminent, it may be wise to ensure such a large force is under the control of someone you can trust.

a) Give your son Baldwin command over the troops, even though he may yet have to earn their respect.
b) Put Ralf de Abbeville in charge. He has served you well in the past and is an able commander.
c) Put Henri d'Crecy in charge. He is the best commander available and well respected by the troops. However he has much experience commanding mercenaries from Brabant and Hainut and his loyalty to your family is dubious.

2. Living in terrible conditions, you displaced peasants have risen and slain the small band of troops you sent to quarantine them. Already, many are attempting to return to their home towns. Do you wish to:

a) Send some troops from your main force to slay them all immediately.
b) Send some troops to round them up and return them to their shanty town, imposing the quarantine.
c) Ignore them, the townsfolk will deal with them.

3. As talk of the trading centre of Flanders spreads, Norwegian merchants have come to make a trade agreement with you. This will be an expansion of your recent dealings with the Saxon and Gaelic merchants of Britain. Do you wish to:

a) Accept this deal, it will overall bring even more prosperity to Flanders.
b) Accept this deal, but give priveleges to your inland towns to ensure they do not feel threatened, especially considering the recent influx of British trade to your coasts.
c) Politely decline the offer, and let trade resume as normal, the prosperity from Britain is enough.
d) Angrily reject the offer, reassuring your inland cities.

The Duchy of Burgundy:

1. As your troops approach Brienne in southern Champagne, many are complaining they need rest and fresh supplies. Do you wish to:

a) Set up a camp and garisson the town with your men and pay the locals for food and supplies.
b) Set up a camp and garisson the town, forcibly taking supplies from the locals.
c) Pay the locals for some supplies then continue on your journey, rest isn't necessary yet.
d) Forcibly take supplies and continue on your journey.
e) Continue straight on to Reims, the defenders need you!

2. One nobleman, Jean de Citeaux, is complaining that he still has not had his gold returned from the brigands. It is likely your troops have it. Do you wish to:

a) Demand your troops return the gold to Jean.
b) Pay him out of your own pocket, since you did allow the troops to keep a little loot.
c) Tell him politely that his possessions have not been recovered from the brigands.
d) Tell him to sort out his own problems, you have the more serious matter of war to deal with.
e) Send a band of troops to kill him and take his possessions, that is the best way to silence him.

The Duchy of Aquitaine:

1. For the privelege of having his daugher married into the higher nobility, Marc de Aubusson is offering you a minor castle as a royal residency. This will mean your son, William, will marry his daugher Constance. Do you wish to:

a) Accept this generous offer.
b) Firmly reject the offer, it is not satisfactory.
c) Reject the offer, due to the fact Constance is from a Frankish family. Of course you do not say this directly.
d) Attempt to negotiate, you could get a little more from this man in return for the marriage taking place.

2. Adalbert has encamped at the town of Aubusson with a force of 800 knights and 2,000 footmen. Your own force of 3,000 knights and 5,000 footmen is marching towards Aubusson. There is a risk Adalbert may gather the support of other Frankish nobles. Do you wish to:

a) Rush with your army from Poitiers and surround Aubusson as quickly as possible, cutting of Adalbert.
b) Continue as planned, without tiring your troops out.
c) Continue as planned, but send messengers to summon the Occitan nobles of La Marche.
d) Continue as planned, but send messengers to the Frankish nobles of La Marche, and enforce your authority over them.
e) Split your troops and send out bands of them to kill or capture all Frankish nobles in La Marche.

The Duchy of Gascony:

1. Never able to resist a drink, a group of intoxicated Norse warriors have slain several Basque minor noblemen in a brawl at the festival at Pau. Already, exaggerations throughout your Basque population are leading many to believe the slaughter was planned. Do you wish to:

a) Execute the troublemakers and send the rest home immediately.
b) Have the troublemakers imprisoned and return home.
c) Attempt to blurr the situation, and claim the Basque nobles started the fight.
d) Your Norse men are above the law! Keep them loyal to you and you can bully who you want.
e) Disband the Norse guard, they are nothing but trouble.
f) Use this opportunity to begin the slaughter of Basque nobles in your territory, granting land to your own nobles and warriors.

2. A disastrous flood has struck your southern town of Tarbes. It is occupied mainly by Basques, and you and your Norse retinue are in the nearby town of Pau. Do you wish to:

a) Rush with your men to the aid of the people of Tarbes. This will redeem the Norsemen and show you still care for your Basque populace.
b) Leave them, the fewer Basques in your land the better.
c) Go there, but only to recover any loot and return to Bordeaux with riches.

The County of Toulouse:

1. Your lands are prospering unlike any other in France, save perhaps those of Flanders. You have plenty of money to spare, and your financial advisors feel it could be invested with the future of your economy in mind. Do you wish to:

a) Invest in agriculture and in improving food storage supplies. This will protect against famine and will be useful in times of war for maintaining towns under siege.
b) Invest in inland trade through an extensive road network, also helpful for mobolising your armies.
c) Invest further in your coastal trading towns, improving ports and storage facilities.
d) Build a great Cathedral in a specified town to impress the Pope and your people. This will take many years to complete.
e) Throw games and tournaments for the people, boosting your popularity with them straight away.
f) Do nothing, its much better to be miserly!

2. Your wife, Anna of Lombardy, has given birth to a daughter. First of all, you get to name her. But the real issue is whether or not this woman will give you a male heir, which you desperately need. Do you wish to:

a) Hope that she will give you a son in future, you are both young yet.
b) Widen your horizons, a male heir that isn't fully legitimate is better than nothing.
c) Attempt to have the marriage annuled, your noble house cannot fail!

Also you have levied 500 knights and 3,000 footmen under Henri of Montpellier, you must specify where they are to garisson or what actions they are taking.

Kagemusha
08-28-2008, 06:40
I may have to drop out from this game, if chapters are posted when i have not concluded my diplomacy with others. I cant be expected to be online in 45 minutes deadlines. I think same applies to AggonyDuck. This cycle is way too rapid.

Ibn-Khaldun
08-28-2008, 06:51
My orders are sent! :yes:

CountArach
08-28-2008, 12:07
, events in Flanders are escalating with disease becoming rife for displaced townsfolk and their attitudes boiling over. Already troops have been slain by angered peasants and a large army including many militia troops has been raised.
That's how we do it in Flanders! It's like the Paris riots all over again...

I may have to drop out from this game, if chapters are posted when i have not concluded my diplomacy with others. I cant be expected to be online in 45 minutes deadlines. I think same applies to AggonyDuck. This cycle is way too rapid.
Yeah 45 minutes is a bit harsh. Perhaps warm people a couple of days in advance?

Rhyfelwyr
08-28-2008, 16:17
Yeah 45 minutes is a bit harsh. Perhaps warm people a couple of days in advance?

Well the 45 minutes was a deadline for myself to meet since I'm supposed to post chapters on Wednesday. I think I said orders should be in by each Saturday with Tuesday being the deadline.

You can conduct diplomacy whenever you want, but orders have to be in for me to write the chapters. Seriously, it must take, what, five or ten minutes to give in your orders? It takes me hours to process what's been happening and write out chapters and decisions for everyone to make.

Kagemusha
08-28-2008, 16:24
Well i pm´d Duckie on Friday but did not get an answer. I am sorry, but im dropping out.Like i said the cycle is too fast for me to enjoy it. To the rest i hope you will have a great game.:bow:

Quintus.JC
08-28-2008, 16:27
Who's gonna be Blois now? Caledonian Rhyfelwyr, are you going to fill that role?

AggonyDuck
08-28-2008, 17:32
I may have to drop out from this game, if chapters are posted when i have not concluded my diplomacy with others. I cant be expected to be online in 45 minutes deadlines. I think same applies to AggonyDuck. This cycle is way too rapid.

Yeah, I'm in the middle of my first freshmen week in the University of Helsinki, so I simply forgot about this IH. Got a lot of other things on my mind at the moment and a lot of things that need processing. Anyway I have no plans to drop out at the moment though.

Rhyfelwyr
08-28-2008, 22:17
Well before we make any hasty decisions, we should discuss things first.

To start with, is anyone else unhappy with the one-week cycle the chapters are based on? If this isn't allowing enought time for diplomacy, then tell me! Because between modding/RL/ROTC time isn't always plentiful for me to write the chapters.

Also Kagemusha I am sorry you seem to be taking the brunt of my newbie mistakes, I'm sorry if it's ruined the game for you a bit.

Also I'm glad to hear you're staying AggonyDuck. Sorry I had to make your decisions for you, even I can accept RL takes over sometimes. I tried to think as Fulk would, but with a little bit of caution just in case.

Ibn-Khaldun
08-28-2008, 22:47
I have no problems.. There should be even more chapters in a week!:laugh4:

Rhyfelwyr
08-28-2008, 22:53
I have no problems.. There should be even more chapters in a week!:laugh4:

Yes I noticed you stayed online till I posted that last chapter! I don't know what timezone you are in but I was online till after midnight posting it. :sweatdrop:

But seriously this is my dilemna because some people don't feel there is enough time for diplomacy to take place, while others are giving me the :coffeenews: smilie while waiting online for me to post the next chapter. Of course it's great to see people so eager to play!

CountArach
08-28-2008, 23:12
A good medium sounds about right - say 10 days between chapters with a warning to people when there are 3 days left.

Rhyfelwyr
08-28-2008, 23:31
A good medium sounds about right - say 10 days between chapters with a warning to people when there are 3 days left.

I'm considering making a poll on this, or even just having a vote by posting in this thread. If there's any more interest in 10 day chapters, then I'll do this.

Is the extra time needed for diplomacy to take place?

Ibn-Khaldun
08-28-2008, 23:37
I think that 1 week is actually enough..
All the chapters would come out every Wednesday so people would know when to post their orders...
Also I doubt that players ar doing their diplomacy 24/7 and because of that they can't send orders:juggle2:

Warmaster Horus
08-28-2008, 23:47
I think CA's idea is about right. Or if 10 days is too long, make it a week. But still contact players when there's 2-3 days left.

Rhyfelwyr
08-29-2008, 00:31
I think CA's idea is about right. Or if 10 days is too long, make it a week. But still contact players when there's 2-3 days left.

Well it already is at a week, Chapter's come out every Wednesday.

Warmaster Horus
08-29-2008, 00:43
Yeah, I know that. I was just saying that we can keep it at a week, but still have the notifications.

Csargo
08-29-2008, 05:36
I'm fine with how it is now, but I have an abundance of free time to spend on things like this. Other people probably don't have that luxury though, so I'm fine with switching it to 10 days.

Revolting Friendship
08-29-2008, 12:48
fewer days keep people at it, more days see them dropping off. Playing Kage's IH I've seen diplomacy fall short and deadlines missed even with intervals closer to a month. You'll simply have to accept that some people will miss deadlines and not all diplomacy will go through in time. If you miss something, move what you played for to the next chapter.

I'd say keep the current system.

Revolting Friendship
08-29-2008, 13:45
The Duke of Normandy will be happy to know that he will be joined in his campaign by 2000 men from the Royal host, led by the Kings son, Robert II. He will stand by your command until your campaign has reached its conclusion.

Hugh Capet, rex Francorum
https://img384.imageshack.us/img384/436/namnls2dh2.png

Ibn-Khaldun
08-29-2008, 16:08
The Count of Toulouse have sent 500 knights and 3000 footmen to his northern border to keep peace. Any rebellious nobles or rouge militias that try to enter County of Toulouse shall be killed on sight. The Count does not want to see those wars getting on his soil.

William III, Count of Toulouse
https://img377.imageshack.us/img377/5928/toulousecoatw4.jpg

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
09-02-2008, 19:51
Stay with Current System. If People miss it, it's their own fault :-).

Ibn-Khaldun
09-03-2008, 07:39
Yeah.. I like the current system so I hope you keep it...
I have something interesting to read every Wednesday then :beam:

King Kurt
09-04-2008, 16:46
I am back - but it appears I have no decisions to make - I assume that Caledonian Rhyfelwyr has picked that up.

My input on the "how soon for each episode debate" is that we should be flexible - to loose Kage form an IH such as this would be a significant loss. I check the boards most days - but diplomacy takes time so a few days is probably too quick. I think we should have a week to work on moves etc.

These multiplayer IHs take a lot of work by the people doing them and seem to peter out after a time. The exception to this is Kage's Japanesse IH but this has had a couple of significant gaps when nothing has happened.

Ibn-Khaldun
09-05-2008, 00:41
King Kurt.. we already have a week to do our diplomacy:yes:

Also.. When will the next Chapter come out? :coffeenews:

Quintus.JC
09-05-2008, 17:28
It is Friday....

Csargo
09-06-2008, 23:12
He's been gone since August 31st

Ibn-Khaldun
09-06-2008, 23:26
I hope that he would come back that this thing here could go on. :yes:

Rhyfelwyr
09-07-2008, 21:47
Guys I am extremely sorry for missing the deadline, especially after the rush for the last one. My parents stole my PC from me on last Monday, and I just got it back tonight. I really don't have much time to get the next chapter out yet, so if I post it on Wednesday and then resume as normal then would everyone be OK with that?

Again, I am really sorry for the disruption this has caused. :embarassed:

Warmaster Horus
09-07-2008, 21:48
Fine for me.

Ibn-Khaldun
09-08-2008, 14:08
Bad parents, bad parents! :whip:

But I'm ok with that :yes:

Quintus.JC
09-08-2008, 16:13
Aye.

Rhyfelwyr
09-09-2008, 19:47
I'm still awaiting a few replies.

Hugh I (Capetian Dynasty) - Revolting Friendship
Conan I (Duchy of Brittany) - {BHC} King Jan III Sobieski
Richard I (Duchy of Normandy) - Ichigo
Fulk III (County of Anjou) - AggonyDuck
Odo I (County of Blois) - Kagemusha
Herbert III (County of Troyes and Meaux)* - King Kurt
Arnulf II (County of Flanders) - CountArach
Odo-Henry I (Duchy of Burgundy) - |Sith|1|AntiWarmanCake88 Toyosada88
William IV (Duchy of Aquitaine) - Warmaster Horus
William II (Duchy of Gascony) - Quintus.J.Cicero
William III (County of Toulouse) - Ibn-Khaldun

In preparation for the next chapter, I'll send out the PM's to the rulers of Brittany, Flanders, and Burgundy right now.

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
09-09-2008, 21:11
Orders Been Sent, my apoglies :D

Ibn-Khaldun
09-09-2008, 21:25
Now only King and Count have to send their orders :tongue:

Rhyfelwyr
09-09-2008, 23:38
All the orders are in (save Blois, I presume Kage has left), so the chapter will be out tomorrow.

Revolting Friendship
09-10-2008, 11:55
Excellent, I will look forward to it :2thumbsup:

Ibn-Khaldun
09-10-2008, 21:35
I'm looking forward to read it as well! :yes:

Rhyfelwyr
09-10-2008, 22:31
:drummer:

:tongue:

Rhyfelwyr
09-10-2008, 23:22
Chapter V:

January 1st, 989 AD

The beginning of the a new year has seen a dramatic escalation in the wars of the great lords across northern and central Francia. As the Capetian defenders of Reims are brought to their knees by Herbert of Champagne, the royal host advanced from the west, including feudal levies, militiamen, and mercenaries from Brabant. From the south, the King's brother Odo-Henry of Burgundy is marching his own forces through Champagne, and may meet up with the royal host in order to overwhelm Herbert. However, the Count of Blois remains loyal to the Carolingians, and has his own army of feudal levies which could potentially be brought to Herbert's aid. On the eastern borders of Champagne, the last Carolingian claimant, Louis of Upper Lorraine, will look on with interest as the conflict develops, perhaps maybe even intervening himself.

However, the forces of Blois must also consider the events unfolding on their western borders. Fulk of Anjou has considerably expanded his interests in the disputed area of the Touraine, demanding military service from the western areas of the region. Directly to the north of the Touraine drama is also unfolding in the Maine region. In the city of Le Mans, the pretender Hugh II looks to sally against the besieging forces of Richard of Normandy. Unknown to Hugh, troops from Anjou are also headed north towards the city. Whether or not Blois will choose to honour its alliance with Anjou or Champagne remains to be seen. Considering that Odo of Blois has his own claim to the Touraine region, this following months could prove to be pivotal in relations between the traditional enemies Anjou and Blois.

Just to the south of the Touraine, the Duke of Aquitaine has enjoyed success in suppressing the Frankish revolt in the La Marche region. The marriage of Duke William's son, also named William, to Constance de Aubusson, a Frankish noblewoman, has greatly strengthened the Occitan rulers relations with his Frankish subjects. This diplomatic move has cut off much of the support of the pretender Adalbert to the La Marche region, forcing him into hiding with only a small band of troops remaining loyal to him.

In the most southern areas of Francia, ethnic minorities are increasingly coming into conflict with their overlords. In southern Gascony, the Basque rulers of Bearn, Tursan, and Bigorre have allied against William II. Despite being himself of Basque origins, the attrocities carried out by his Norse retinue against the Basque people has led to near anarchy in several of his southern towns. However, many leading Basque nobles remain loyal to William, perhaps fearing for their own status more than the fellow people's plight. The Duke of Gascony must decide how far he will allow this violence to escalate. Already, it appears that the chaos may spread into the mountainous regions of neighbouring Toulouse. There, the Catalans in the region of Foix have been isolated from the economic prosperity of the rest of the region, and are looking for new levels of independence in the face of what they see as oppression by their Occitain rulers.

While battle rages across Francia, domestic issues are also causing trouble for several rulers on the border areas, which have been lucky enough to escape most of the conflict. Arnulf II of Flanders passed away in November last year, with his son Baldwin rising to power after a peaceful succession process. One of Baldwin's first challanges will be to control his mobile population and remove the risk of plague from his lands. To the east, Conan of Brittany has enjoyed some success in converting the Celtic Christians to Roman authority, but trade links with Britain and Ireland mean that the western areas of his realm remain very much Breton in culture, with the associated Celtic Christian beliefs. Nonetheless, even the Pope has been impressed with Conan's faith, and may reward him for bringing back so many to the faith.

As the petty nobles and pretenders are suppressed in areas of central Francia, the wars of the great lords only now appear to be truly beginning, and now is the time when alliances will be honoured or broken, and the Capetian dynasty must consolidate its power. Despite this, many regions continue to prosper through trade and peace, although with violence spreading throughout the south it is unclear how long this will last...

The Capetians:

1. Your royal host now consists of 4,000 knights, 7,000 footmen, and 1,500 militia is now approaching the forces of Herbert of Champagne outside Reims. You must consider how to assault them, if that is your aim. Do you wish to:

a) March through the cover of the woodland to the north and attempt to launch a surprise attack.
b) March directly eastward and confront Herbert in the plains outside Reims.
c) Approach from the south using the river for protection.
d) Go on the offensive and besiege Meaux or Chalons.

2. The towns of Melun and Courtenay are claiming that since their charter was only recently granted they have yet to sufficiently equip and train many of their militia forces. Do you wish to:

a) Revoke their charters, Orleans and Beavais were able to raise their militias.
b) Demand they send the troops anyway, even if they are no better than feudal levies.
c) Demand a war tax from these towns in order to hire mercenaries to fill the role of the militias until they are prepared.
d) Accept this as a reasonable excuse.

3. Despite having sworn fealty to you at your demand, the arrogant Captain Oudet has been tracked and found to be meeting with other captains at night. Your spies suggest that his movements are very suspicious, and he may be conspiring against you. Do you wish to:

a) Tell the spies to continue to gather evidence against him.
b) Punish Oudet through a public flogging.
c) Sack Oudet and send him away in disgrace, making you appear just.
d) Execute the traitorous Oudet.
e) Begin a purge of the army to remove from power any Captains acting suspiciously.
f) Do nothing, he is just a captain, and war with Champagne is a much more pressing matter.

The Duchy of Brittany:

1. Papal missionaries have on the whole been successful in converting many of the Celtic Christians in your province. However, trade links with Cornwall and Ireland are ensuring that the influence of Celtic Christianity remains strong in your western lands. Do you wish to:

a) Increase your missionary efforts in these areas.
b) Increase your taxes against the Breton and Gaelic merchants which are importing Celtic Christian ideas to your lands.
c) Improve your road network to improve internal trade and reduce the reliance on links to the British Isles.
d) Attempt to establish a trade agreement with the Saxons to limit Celtic influence.
e) Do nothing, continue with the missionary programme as planned.

2. Your force of 625 knights and 2,200 footmen under yourself, Conan I, has moved from Porhoet to the border town of St. Malo. It seems a number of bandits have disobeyed your orders and continued raiding Normandy. Many of them have been caught by your troops. Do you wish to:

a) Execute any ringleaders and imprison the rest.
b) Execute all the criminals captured.
c) Imprison all those captured.
d) Release all those captured, but cut off some of their fingers to the can't use their bows again.
e) Release them all, they won't cause any more trouble with a military presence in place.

3. Pope John XV has been impressed by your piety and has offered to constuct a great abbey in one of your towns. There are a few notable towns which are large enough to accomodate and put to use such an impressive place of worship. Do you wish to choose:

a) Nantes, your largest city, which is entirely Catholic, and with a large Frankish presence.
b) Rennes, a town with a fairly even split between numbers of Bretons and Franks, which is almost entirely Catholic.
c) Porhoet, a town which is predominantly Breton, now with a Catholic majority but still a significant Celtic Christian minority.
e) Guingamp, an entirely Breton town in the far west of your lands, which remains predominantly Celtic Christian in its faith.

The Duchy of Normandy:

1. In a desperate attempt to end the siege, Hugh has sallied forth from Le Mans. You have 1,200 knights and 3,500 footmen present, with 1,000 clearing up the previous battlefield. Hugh's army consists of around 800 knights and 2,000 footmen. A further 2,000 men are coming to your aid, commanded by the son of the King. Do you wish to:

a) Allow your impetuous knights to rush forward and break the foe, they will be hungry and tired from the siege.
b) Send all your forces forward to rush the enemy, but demand discipline from your knights.
c) Prepare to fight on the plains outside the walls.
d) Take up a stronger defensive position using some nearby hedgerows and fences, and wait for the reinforcements to arrive. This may however let Hugh gather some aid for the siege.

2. Your wife Gunnor has given birth to yet another son. Do you wish to:

a) Give him a good Norman name.
b) Give him an old Norse name to please those who hold on to the Viking culture in your lands.
b) Give him a Frankish name to show your support for the Frankish culture in your lands.

The County of Anjou:

1. Your scouts report that Hugh of Maine has made a rash attack and sallied against Richard of Normandy from Le Mans. Do you wish to:

a) Rush your forces to Le Mans to aid Hugh.
b) Continue as planned, you can still fight Richard yourself when you arrive.
c) Halt your men, and return home to Anjou.

2. The western areas of the Touraine, including Tours, have agreed to your terms of independence in return for military support. However, the eastern regions appear unhappy with this, and there are report of militia being mobilised around Loches. Do you wish to:

a) March with your host to crush the forces of the eastern Touraine.
b) Send a number of your troops to protect your interests in the western Touraine.
c) Send emissaries to Larbes to demand that its forces disband.
d) Give funds to Tours to improve its own militia forces and strengthen its walls.

3. Although Odo of Blois offered you support against Hugh of Maine, he is claiming that Herbert of Champagne is in much greater need of his aid as he faces both the forces of the King and the Duke of Burgundy. Do you wish to:

a) Accept this reasonable demand.
b) Suggest that Odo sends you perhaps a quarter of his men to honour his promise.
c) Politely request that Odo gives you his full support against Hugh.
d) Demand Odo holds fully to his word and aids you against Hugh.

The County of Troyes and Meaux:

1. As hunger and disease finally begins to take its toll, the defenders of Reims have sent an emissary to negotiate surrender terms. They have requested that you will spare them their lives and their possessions if they lay down thier arms. Do you wish to:

a) Accept this reasonable demand, the armies are marching to relieve the city after all.
b) Negotiate, saying you will spare their lives, but will take what you please as loot from the city.
c) Firmly refuse to negotiate, and send the emissary back with the message.
d) Execute the emissary for this insulting proposal, and catapult his head over the wall to break the defenders spirit.

2. Louis of Upper Lorraine is growing agitated, and has demanded that he recieves the petition of four other princes in his support by the coming April (next chapter). You will need to gather the petitions if you are to rely on his support in future.

The County of Flanders:

1. It is a sad day for Flanders, as Count Arnulf II passes away on the 7th of November, 988 AD. Baldwin I must consider his first actions to be taken in charge, with Arnulf's wise moves ensuring a smooth succession process. Do you wish to:

a) Personally travel to meet the King and swear your fealty to him.
b) Summon the nobles of your County to a great feast at Boulogne, and hold celebrations throughout your lands!
c) Replace Ralf de Abbeville at the head of the army and command in personally, your authority cannot be compromised.
d) Hold a great mass at the church of Amiens in celebration of your rule.

2. You troops have succesfully massacred the filthy peasants campaign outside Boulogne. Several towns have requested your aid in removing the remnants from them, claiming they are a health risk to their entire populations. Do you wish to:

a) Grant the wishes of the town councils and round up any wandering peasants who remain.
b) Give the towns permission to execute the peasants themselves, and return your troops to your army, it is important to consolidate your authority at this time.
c) Tell the towns simply to bar the peasants entry, few remain and your troops are needed more in the army.
d) Tell the towns to allow the peasants to settle and end this nonsense once and for all.

3. As your land prospers and the population booms, you must ensure your population can be fed. Merchants from Bruges is requesting funds to aim with land reclamation around the city to protect from famine and expand growth and trade. Do you wish to:

a) Send funds and troops to aid with this great project, it will allow Flanders to be more self-sufficient while encouraging trade at the same time.
b) Send funds to aid with the project, it may prove to be beneficial in the long term.
c) Send a small amount of money to help out with this project, and see how it develops.
d) Do nothing, the merchants are wealthy enough to fund it themselves.

The Duchy of Burgundy:

1. Having restocked supplies at Brienne, your men are ready to continue their journey, but remain somewhat weary. To the north, the royal host is marching towards Reims to rescue the city from Herbert of Champagne. Do you wish to:

a) Rush to join the royal host as it approaches Reims from the west.
b) March northward and attack Herbert from the south.
c) Trust in the royal host to defeat Herbert, and begin devastating the land of Champagne.
d) March home to Burgundy, the King can surely defeat one rebellious vassal himself.

2. A band of mercenaries from the Imperial province of the County of Burgundy have offered you their services. The force of 1,000 knights has offered to fight for 2,000 Florins, which you cannot quite afford at the moment. Do you wish to:

a) Pay them anyway and take a loan from the merchants in your lands.
b) Attempt to negotiate to lower their wages.
c) Instead of a direct payment, offer them a specified amount of any loot you gain in your war against Champagne.
d) Reject the offer, your forces are sufficient.

The Duchy of Aquitaine:

1. The marriage of your son William to Constance de Aubusson has wrecked any legitimacy in his claims that you are suppressing the Frankish people. As a result, many of the Franks in his army have left for home, and Adalbert himself has fled, reduced to only his personal retinue for protection. Do you wish to:

a) Continue to pursue Adalbert and attempt to capture him.
b) Leave him, his credability lies in tatters.
c) Send him a pardon, and show yourself to be merciful to the Franks.
d) Send a garisson to La Marche to ensure there is no more unrest in the area.

2. Now you have agreed terms with Marc de Aubusson, you can begin to plan the wedding arrangements for William and Constance. There are several suitable churches throughout your domain which would be an ideal place for the ceremony to take place. Do you wish to arrange for it to take place in:

a) Perigueux, located in your Occitan heartland and a safe option.
b) Limoges, where there is an Occitan majority, but with a sizeable Frankish minority.
c) Clermont, which has a predominantly Frankish population.

The Duchy of Gascony:

1. As reprisals against the Basques begin, the Occitan majorities in Albret and Mont de Marsan have began to slaughter their Basque townsfolk. This violence is rapidly getting out of control, and whole streets are burned and peasants rush to carry away loot from those killed. Do you wish to:

a) Request the townsfolk cease the violence and try to fight a chivalrous war.
b) Demand the townsolk cease the violence, before your realm descends into anarchy.
c) Allow the violence to continue.
d) Encourage all good Occitan people to rise against the Basques.

2. The Viceroys of Bearn and Tursan, along with the Count of Bigorre, have formed a Basque alliance against you. However, as a Basque yourself, some Basque rulers who have not yet seen your violence against their people have continued to follow you, largely due to your own Basque roots. You must consider your diplomatic stance with these rogues. Do you wish to:

a) Negotiate and end to the violence if they disband their alliance and swear fealty to you.
b) Agree to fight them on chivalrous terms, and come to an agreement on where to engage troops.
c) Strip them of their titles. This however requires the consent of the King. (so you must PM Revolting Friendship)

3. In response to the threat from Bearn, Tursan, and Bigorre, it would be wise to raise an army to defend against them. You currently have your elite Norse retinue with you, but they alone may not be sufficient. Do you wish to:

a) Summon all levies to do their feudal duty (this is estimated to raise 2,000 knights and 7,500 footmen, excluding the rogue regions).
b) Summon all the loyal Basque troops from the south, causing less disruption to your realm (this will raise roughly 500 knights and 3,000 footmen).
c) Summon only Occitan troops, who have not been on the receiving end of your massacres (this will raise around 1,500 knights and 5,500 footmen).

The County of Toulouse:

1. While your military presence in the Gevaudan region has been effective in reducing brigandage and other forms of disorder, some nobles are upset that their somewhat heavy-handed methods of 'tax collection' can no longer be put to use. They have appealed to you to aid allow their bands of 'tax collectors' to do their work more freely, as violence can be necessary against unruly subjects. Do you wish to:

a) Accept the nobles proposal, and instruct your troops not to disturb their men.
b) Accept the nobles proposal, but in return for you gaining more tax income from them.
c) Tell these men they are not above the law, and have no right to terrorize your citizens.
d) Remove any dissenting nobles from their positions and give them to more loyal and worthy men.
e) Take any ill-gotten gains the nobles made in the past and give them back to the citizens, enforcing your authority to the nobles.

2. The mountainous region of Foix is populated mainly by Catalans, who due to the terrain of their homeland have benefited little from either you sea trade or road networks. There is talk that nobles there wish for more independence regarding issues such as taxation. This could be a source of unrest in the future, as many Catalans complain of being oppresed by their Occitan rulers. Do you wish to:

a) Give a tax reduction to the Foix region, your lands are prospering anyway.
b) Come to an arrangement to give a degree of independence to the region (please specify).
c) Purge all dissenting nobles in the region and supplant them with more loyal Occitan nobles.
d) Do nothing, and see if the situation develops.

King Kurt
09-11-2008, 16:38
Nice update - are you covering Blois instead of Kage??

Ibn-Khaldun
09-11-2008, 16:48
Finally I have something to do exept tax collection and getting richer every day. :beam:
Not that I have anything against that. :saint:

Rhyfelwyr
09-11-2008, 18:27
I will be covering Blois until someone fills the role, so if you want to conduct diplomacy with Blois then PM me.

Also I'm sure quite a few other players would love the success you have enjoyed Ibn-Khaldun! But don't worry, if you are surrounded by trouble it will come to you...

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
09-11-2008, 18:32
Nice update - are you covering Blois instead of Kage??




Does Not Matter Because........


Burgundy is coming for you :clown:

Csargo
09-11-2008, 20:54
So Anjou is attacking me? Good move.

AggonyDuck
09-11-2008, 22:36
Oh, but I'm not attacking you, atleast not yet. I have a vested in interest in Maine and I intend to make good on it and fulfill my rightful claims on the region. You have two options; either you give me control of southern Maine or I will give my support to Hugh. I'm sure I have more than enough men to swing the campaign into his favour, so do think wisely on my proposition.

Fulk III, Count of Anjou

Csargo
09-12-2008, 06:48
I just wanted to tell you guys that I'll probably won't have access to the internet from anywhere from a week to a month. I live in Texas and there is a Hurricane coming this way. If it was like the last one that hit here in 05 or 06 (Rita) we didn't have everything back up and running until around a month later. So you can find a replacement for me or whatever is fine.

Thanks,
Ichigo

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
09-12-2008, 15:02
When is the deadline by the way?

Rhyfelwyr
09-12-2008, 18:02
Try to get orders in for next Tuesday.

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
09-12-2008, 18:31
This Upcoming Tuesday?

Rhyfelwyr
09-12-2008, 20:21
Tuesday 16th. Unless many people want longer with diplomacy, in which case I'm fine with that.

King Kurt
09-14-2008, 16:16
Does Not Matter Because........


Burgundy is coming for you :clown:

Ah Burgandy - home of fine wine and girly soldiers

King Jan III Sobieski
09-15-2008, 01:12
The bandits from my realm have been sufficiently warned; any further infractions on their part, and they will be dealt with swiftly, and with a heavy hand.

Conan I.

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
09-15-2008, 16:32
Ah Burgandy - home of fine wine and girly soldiers



When your army is destroyed, and When you become our prisoner, you will regret that comment. Furthermore, any other person who wants to support this man, will be attacked by Burgandy. Heed this warning.


Odo- Henry I

Rhyfelwyr
09-15-2008, 21:26
So when should I bring out the next chapter? Wednesday or does anyone want more time for diplomacy?

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
09-15-2008, 21:55
Wednesday, No Later Then Thursday Please to post the chapter. People had enough time! :yes:

Warmaster Horus
09-16-2008, 11:36
I'll have my orders in tomorrow, promise!

IC: Any noble who wishes to come to the weddings of my children are invited. Keep your feuds out if you do, though. Let it be a day of festivities, and not war.

Ibn-Khaldun
09-16-2008, 11:36
I agree. I hope to see the Chapter soon! :yes:

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
09-16-2008, 21:02
Will the CHapter be up Wednesday or Thursday? I can't wait!

Rhyfelwyr
09-16-2008, 23:52
I'll send out reminders tomorrow morning. The chapter will be out on Thursday most likely, but I'll write most of it on Wednesday and you may be lucky...

I'm back at Uni now plus things are heating up with my mod VR so I don't have as much time as usual on Wednesdays.

Rhyfelwyr
09-17-2008, 10:59
I'll send out reminders right now...

Hugh I (Capetian Dynasty) - Revolting Friendship
Conan I (Duchy of Brittany) - {BHC} King Jan III Sobieski
Richard I (Duchy of Normandy) - Ichigo*
Fulk III (County of Anjou) - AggonyDuck
Odo I (County of Blois) - Caledonian Rhyfelwyr
Herbert III (County of Troyes and Meaux) - King Kurt
Arnulf II (County of Flanders) - CountArach
Odo-Henry I (Duchy of Burgundy) - |Sith|1|AntiWarmanCake88 Toyosada88
William IV (Duchy of Aquitaine) - Warmaster Horus
William II (Duchy of Gascony) - Quintus.J.Cicero
William III (County of Toulouse) - Ibn-Khaldun

* absent due to Texas hurricane

Rhyfelwyr
09-18-2008, 13:36
Just awaiting his Highness now... :whip:

Revolting Friendship
09-18-2008, 17:48
Orders sent, sorry guys. :wall:

Rhyfelwyr
09-19-2008, 00:14
Chapter VI:

April 1st, 989 AD

The aniversary of the Capetian rise to power has been marred by increasing violence between the great lords across northern Francia. In Champagne, the royal city of Reims has fallen to Herbert, Count of Troyes and Meaux. The defenders were allowed to keep the lives in return for a peaceful surrender, but Herbert's troops have had no choice but to fortify the city as the forces of Odo-Henry, Duke of Burgundy, approach from the south of the region. The royal host itself is also ready to march against Herbert, with King Hugh's army aproaching Reims from the west, most likely with the intentions of joining with the forces of Burgundy. However, aid may also come to Herbert from the west, as Odo, Count of Blois, must choose whether to honour his alliance with Anjou or Champagne.

Anjou is involved itself in a major conflict, in part against the royal forces. The pretender Hugh of Maine was recently defeated by Richard of Normandy in open battle, leaving his city of Le Mans with only a tiny garisson. With Richard's troops still tired from two battles and a prolongued siege so far on their campaign, Fulk of Anjou is approaching rapidly from the south with his own levied force of knights and footmen. However, Richard's force is still of a similar to size to that of Fulk, and there are additional reinforcements dispatched from the royal host on their way to aid the Duke of Normandy. However, should Odo of Blois choose to aid Fulk, this will dramatically turn the tide in Anjou's favour. This support is far from certain though, and the hotly disputed region of the Touraine against strains relations between Anjou and Blois. As the western Touraine promises military support to Fulk of Anjou, the east threatens to rise amid concerns of its own independence in the face of the tyrannical Fulk. Odo must choose between honouring his alliance, and protecting what he believes to be his rightful claims to the Touraine.

In central Francia, the wise rule of William of Aquitaine has helped to secure peace in the recently troublesome La Marche region. With the rogue Frankish noblemen Adalbert captured and imprisoned by William's men, the title of the Count of La Marche can now pass to the deceases Boso's relatives, descendants of the rightful Occitan rulers of the region. In the south of the Duke's lands, a marriage between his son William and the Frankish noblewomen Constance is likely to cement good relations with the Frankish minority within the duchy, if of course his son can keep the marriage from falling apart. Nonetheless, trade links with the prosperous Toulouse region are likely to bring much wealth to central France, so long as stability can be maintained.

Meanwhile in the far south, trouble may at last be contained to some degree. In Gascony, the Duke has finally began negotiations with the Basque alliance of Bearn, Tursan, and Bigorre. A combination of loyal Basque troops and his fearsome Norse retinue are likely to secure him the upper hand in talks. In neighbouring Toulouse, Count William has appeased most of the Catalans of the Foix region. However, he must still negotiate with the nobles of the isolated mountainous areas if peace and prosperity are to be secured.

As pretenders and minorities are increasingly oppressed throughout Francia, they wars are only beginnig to take place on a truly large scale. As several wars ravage across northern Francia and threaten to draw in the southern states, any conflicts in the coming months could have a dramatic impact on the future of the kingdom...

The Capetians:

1. Herbert has occupied the city of Reims and fortified it with his own troops, so a surprise attack is no longer an option. However, your troops are still concealed in the wooded areas to the north of the city. Do you wish to:

a) Remain concealed as Odo-Henry of Burgundy approached from the south, it may be possible to srping an ambush later.
b) March to the souther edge of the city and join with Odo-Henry's forces.
c) Attack the city from the north, helping to totally cut of Herbert.
d) Raid Herbert's lands elsewhere, let Odo-Henry besiege Reims.
e) Challange Herbert to meet either you and Odo-Henry, or just your own forces, in a chivalrous battle, and negotiate the terms.

2. Your scouts report that a small host is travelling from the Reims area towards your lands in the Ile-de-France. They appear to be men sent by Herbert, most likely to disrupt your supply caravans or raid your villages. They are only a few hundred strong. Do you wish to:

a) Attack them with the royal host immediately.
b) Dispatch your own small force to attack them.
c) Dispatch your own small force and prepare an ambush should they attempt to disturb the rear of your army.
d) Do nothing, the miltias will fight them.

3. Courtenay and Melun have no succeeded in arming and preparing their militias for battle. Do you wish to:

a) Order them to join the royal host immediately.
b) Order them to meet the small Champagne host in a chivalrous manner.
c) Garisson the river crossing near St.Denis to cut them off from most of your lands.
d) Fortify the towns with thier militias against Herbert's raiders.

4. In a druken stupor, Captain Oudet has boasted to your spies that he would kill you in a duel with his bare hands! This act of stupidity has wrecked his reputation and gives you the perfect opportunity to bring him to justice. Do you wish to:

a) Execute him for treason.
b) Imprison him for treason.
c) Release him from his post, he reputation is in tatters anyway.
d) Accept his offer of a duel.
e) Do nothing, he is still a talented captain when sober.

The County of Brittany:

1. A number of Breton monks have petitioned to you, requesting you allow talented Breton architects to work with the Lombard ones sent by Pope John XV to build the great church in Rennes. This would mean a long-lasting preservation of Breton culture through the building, but also improve relations between Bretons and Franks, working together under God. Do you wish to:

a) Accept thier request, but ensure the Lombard architects remain in charge.
b) Accept their request, ensuring equal influence of Breton and Lombard architects.
c) Accept thier request, putting Breton architects in charge.
d) Politely decline the request.
e) Angrily reject the request.

2. Crippled by raiding with bordering Normandy and the demand on local resources from the large military presence, the nobles and merchants of the town are requesting you reduce taxes for the townsfolk to help regenerate trade in the surrounding region. Do you wish to:

a) Give a sizeable tax reduction to the townsfolk.
b) Give a small tax reduction to the townsfolk.
c) Give a tax reduction only to the poorer townsfolk, the nobles and merchants do not need one.
d) Politely refuse this request.
e) Angrily refuse this request, none of your subjects should be priveleged over each other.

The County of Anjou:

1. Not knowing that you marched to their rescue, the defenders of Le Mans have all but been destroyed by Richard of Normandy's men. Only a nominal garisson remains. However, Richard's army is somewhat battle-weary, and has taken casualties fighting the desperate defenders. Your force contains 2,000 knights and 6,000 footmen, compared to Richard's 1,200 knights and 4,500 footmen. Do you wish to:

a) Send an emissary and meet Richard's forces in a chivalrous manner before Le Mans falls.
b) Continue to rush to fight Richard while his troops are weary, although yours are also slightly fatigued.
c) Attempt to rush into Le Mans to garisson it while Richard's troops are in dissaray.
d) Hold your ground and see how the situation develops.

2. Odo of Blois has claimed that while he is apologetic that he must aid Herbert of Champagne rather than yourself, he is angered by your unchivalrous attempt to settle the dispute over the Touraine. He has stated he will be sending his forces to aid Herbert against the false King and Burgundy. Do you wish to:

a) Agree to leave the Touraine dispute to another time, and maintain the alliance for now.
b) Claim you wish to remain allied, but demand the Touraine as compensation for Blois' inability to honour its alliance with you.
c) Break the alliance immediately, and make good your claims to the Touraine.
d) Attempt to maintain the alliance and come to a longer-term agreement over the Touraine dispute.

3. While the western Touraine remains loyal for just now, the eastern part of the region is threatening to accept the claims of Odo of Blois to the region in order to protect itself from you. They are demanding you renounce your demands for military service from the western Touraine. Do you wish to:

a) Accept this for just now, war with Normandy is the current priority.
b) Refuse to accept these wild demands, and support the western Touraine in its struggle.
c) March with your entire army to the region right away, Hugh the pretender is already defeated anyway.
d) Dispatch a set number of your men to the Touraine region to maintain order.

The County of Champagne:

1. The city of Reims has been fortified by your men. You now must consider how you will confront the opposing armies. Odo-Henry of Burgundy is approaching rapidly from the south, while the royal host is believed to be somewhere west of Reims. Do you wish to:

a) Send an emissary and agree to meet the opposing forces in a chivalrous manner at a set location (use PM's).
b) Rush out of the city and launch a surprise attack on Odo-Henry of Burgundy, before he can unite with the royal host.
c) Pillage Reims and leave before you are trapped there.
d) Continue to fortify Reims and wait until Odo of Blois sends his army to reinforce you.

2. Your small band of raiding troops have successfully concealed themselves as they departed from your main force. You can now consider how best to employ them. Do you wish to:

a) Attempt to prepare an ambush in the wooded area to the north of Reims.
b) Attack the supply lines to the King's army, weakening its strength and morale.
c) Raid the lands of the royal domain, perhaps forcing the King to turn back.

3. Louis of Upper Lorraine has claimed he has no wish to govern a city under assault. However, he does appreciate the situation you are in and claims he will make his claim to the French throne and aid you if you manage to gain the petitions of two or preferably three other great lords, as opposed to the four previously stated. Do you wish to:

a) Accept this demand and get those signatures!
b) Beg that he reconsiders, as you are in no situation to conduct diplomacy throughout France.
c) Threaten to renounce your support for Louis' claims, meaning he may well lose them forever.

The County of Flanders:

1. With the last of the wandering peasants slain, order has returned to Flanders. However, many towns appear to be slow in disbanding their militias to their routine duties, and if they are deployed for too long the rival trading towns may deploy their troops against each other. While there is no imminent threat of this, it may be wise to take precautions. Do you wish to:

a) Request the towns disband their militia forces from the field.
b) Demand the towns disband their militia forces from the field.
c) Tour Flanders with your army to ensure they disband their forces before you.
d) Do nothing, they are only militias, they are of no concern a force of noble knights!

2. A number of nobles appear to be displeased at the special treatment given to clergy in the army since you, Baldwin, rose to power. They have not spoken openly of this matter yet, but there are rumours of discontent, especially since they already feel threatened by the growing city-states. Do you wish to:

a) Summon several leading noblemen to prominent positions in the army.
b) Reassure the nobility you have total respect for their role in the three estates.
c) Angrily state that these nobles have no right to challenge you, your authority must be consolidated!
d) Do nothing, but ensure your spies watch to see if anything develops, hopefully before it is too late.

3. Now you, Baldwin, have been granted the title of Count, it may be wise to seek a wife to produce an heir for your posessions. There are a number of potential brides for you to consider. Do you wish to marry:

a) Richilde, daughter of the Bishop of Amiens.
b) Bertha, daughter of the vastly wealthy merchant Gautiers d'Abbeville
c) Gertrude, daughter of the powerful nobleman Robert d'Peronne
d) There is no need to marry yet.

The Duchy of Burgundy:

1. Herbert has fortified his army in Reims. Your own forces stand not far from the gates of the city, and must consider how to confront him. Do you wish to:

a) Send an emissary and agree to meet the opposing forces in a chivalrous manner at a set location (use PM's).
b) Lay siege to the city.
c) March round to the west of the city to meet up with the royal host.

2. The 1,000 knights and 2,000 footmen from the County of Burgundy have agreed to serve you in return for 25% of the loot you gain from Reims, and any other campaigns on which they serve you. This is a higher sum than they normally recieve through direct payments, but it is of course less reliable for them. Do you wish to:

a) Accept this deal.
b) Attempt to negotiate down to 15 or 20%.
c) Reject this deal, and send them home.

3. Your 400 footmen and 100 knights which were dispatched to disturb Odo of Blois forces have said they see no sign of him marching towards Reims. If Odo has chosen not to aid Herbert, then these troops would serve you better in the main host. Do you wish to:

a) Return them to the main army immediately.
b) Continue to lie in ambush, Odo may come eventually.
c) Begin to raid areas of eastern Blois.

The Duchy of Aquitaine:

1. Your wise rule has ensured peace in the La Marche region, with Adalbert captured and imprisoned, and his treasure given to Frankish nobles. Now, you can consider how best to bring prosperity to coincide with the peace in your realm. Do you wish to:

a) Further develop infrastructure and trade in the south, which is already flourishing largely thanks to its links with Toulouse. This will also maintain the dominance of Occitan culture in your lands.
b) Develop the Auvergne region, which is currently somewhat backwards and lacks this could in the long-term lead to instability in the area.
c) Develop infrastructure and trade in your northern territories, which are currently generating reasonable revenue, but have the most potential for growth considering your new capital is based at Poitiers. This will mean a rise in importance of the Frankish culture in your lands.

2. There is talk that your son William is being unfaithfull to Constnace, threatening the stability of this politically significant marriage. Do you wish to:

a) Attempt to cover up William's actions and request obedience from Constance.
b) Demand William begs Constance for forgiveness and threaten him should he be so foolish again.
c) Use this to break up the marriage, if your political motives have changed.
d) Do nothing, as long as he still produces a legitimate heir its should not matter.

The Duchy of Gascony:

1. The nobles of Bearn, Tursan, and Bigorre have claimed they will only accept peace one two conditions. Firstly, all loot taken from Basque people must be returned immediately. Secondly, the Norse Guard must return northward out of the Basque lands. Do you wish to:

a) Accept this reasonable request and end the bloodshed.
b) Negotiate, claiming you will return north with your retinue but will not return any loot.
c) Reject the offer, and continue the war!

2. 500 Basque knights and 3,000 Basque footmen who's lords remained loyal to you have assembled and joined your Norse retinue. You must consider how you wish to employ these men. Do you wish to:

a) Garisson the town of Tartas to hold as a base in your war against the Basques.
b) March into the Tursan region and begin to capture the towns and villages there.
c) March on the town of Pau, the heartland of this Basque alliance against you, where all the trouble began.
d) Begin the slaughter of Basques everywhere until the alliance surrenders.

The County of Toulouse:

1. New sources of wealth have brought both great prosperity and social upheaval to Toulouse. As nobles find their role in society diminishing, the merchants of the flourishing ports and coastal cities grow in influence. The nobles request you achnowledge their privileges and reduce the tax on land, claiming you should instead tax the commoner merchants before they grow above their station. Do you wish to:

a) Lower the taxes on land and increase those on imported goods. This will increase your income overall but slow growth.
b) Agree to lower the taxes on land, but still continue the growth of trade with low tax rates on tradeable goods.
c) Make no changes to tax on land, but increase taxes on tradeable goods, slowing growth but maintaining a degree of social stability.
d) Politely decline the nobles proposal, but assure them you respect their privileges.
e) Angrily reject the nobles proposal, declaring your support for the much more enterprising merchants.

2. In the more isolated mountainous areas of southern Foix, taxes were so rarely collected that a tax reduction has proved of little use in stifling unrest there. Nobles in the town of Tarascon are for now politely requesting that certain adiministrative powers are given to a council of Catalan nobles for the Foix region. However, they may not have the backing of all of Foix. Do you wish to:

a) Agree to negotiate with them on their proposals.
b) Reject their ridiculous proposals, as they have no authority to present such an idea.
c) Offer instead total freedom from paying taxes to all nobles in and around the town of Tarascon, except perhaps war taxes.

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
09-19-2008, 00:17
Deadline :-)?

AggonyDuck
09-19-2008, 02:09
Heh, three months of rapid marching and I still haven't reached Le Mans. My men must surely be fat! I better cut down on their rations. :whip:

CountArach
09-19-2008, 02:58
Heh, three months of rapid marching and I still haven't reached Le Mans. My men must surely be fat! I better cut down on their rations. :whip:
Too much wine me thinks.

Ibn-Khaldun
09-19-2008, 07:23
Too much wine me thinks.

... and pretty french women.

:clown:

Rhyfelwyr
09-19-2008, 13:21
Heh, three months of rapid marching and I still haven't reached Le Mans. My men must surely be fat! I better cut down on their rations. :whip:

You have arrived at Le Mans. I was just asking how you plan to attack, or what exactly you want to do now you are there...

Revolting Friendship
09-19-2008, 20:54
Message from the King:

Fulk of Anjou, I strongly urge you to not interfere in Maine. If you wish to expand your power, there will be plenty of oppertunities for you without opposing the King and his loyal vassals. As you are aware we already have enemies, and their lands will be redistributed to the ones who prove their loyalty to the Crown.

Instead of opposing me, join forces with my son and Richard of Normandy, return Maine to the rightful rule of Richard, and I will make sure that you get well compensated without having to rebel.

Hugh Capet, Rex Francorum

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
09-20-2008, 00:12
Message from the King:

Fulk of Anjou, I strongly urge you to not interfere in Maine. If you wish to expand your power, there will be plenty of oppertunities for you without opposing the King and his loyal vassals. As you are aware we already have enemies, and their lands will be redistributed to the ones who prove their loyalty to the Crown.

Instead of opposing me, join forces with my son and Richard of Normandy, return Maine to the rightful rule of Richard, and I will make sure that you get well compensated without having to rebel.

Hugh Capet, Rex Francorum




I also argee. But I must also add on to that, That Biolis should not attempt to assit Herbet Of Champage. It be a shame to die fighting along side a rebel against the kid and his Brother.



Odo-Henry, Duke Of Burgundy

Csargo
09-21-2008, 16:59
I am back.

Rhyfelwyr
09-21-2008, 19:34
Good to have you back Ichigo. :2thumbsup:

I didn't give you any decisions because I didn't know you'd be back so soon. If you PM you could just tell me your plans, you're probably about to fight Fulk of Anjou after all...

Rhyfelwyr
09-23-2008, 16:38
I'm back at Uni now and so Wednesday isn't really ideal for me to write chapters from now on. But I get Mondays off, so that would be a good time for me to release chapters in future, if everyone's OK with that.

Ibn-Khaldun
09-23-2008, 20:31
I'm OK with it. As long as this thing stays alive then I'm OK with everything. :yes: :beam:

King Kurt
09-25-2008, 13:33
Being a bit distracted by looking round my new city of Rhiems, when are the next moves due in? - Got to be ready for when the Great Pretender and his gaggle of Burgundian hangers on arrive.

Ooohhhhh - just noticed - post number 800 - as usual with most of my milestone posts - on an IH!!!!

Rhyfelwyr
09-25-2008, 17:48
Congrats on the post count King Kurt. :balloon:

Next chapter will be on Monday, as will all chapters from now on.

Is everyone happy with how this IH is progressing? Am I writing big enough chapters, giving enough questions to players each chapter etc?

Quintus.JC
09-25-2008, 18:32
It's all good. :2thumbsup:

Rhyfelwyr
09-29-2008, 23:17
Chapter VII:

July 1st, 989 AD

The Spring of 989 AD brought many dramatic developments in the war between King Hugh Capet and his subject Herbert of Champagne. As their armies prepare to meet, it is clear that this is no longer as war between a King and a rebellious noble, but rather a full-blown civil war, covering almost all of Francia. The royal host has joined with the forces of the King's brother, Odo-Henry of Burgundy, and now lays siege to Reims. Reims itself has been heavily fortified by Herbert of Champagne, as the King must now besiege what was until only a few months ago his own city. In an attempt to preserve food provisions, Herbert has already expelled much of the town's population, which is likely to be remain loyal to the Capetian royal family. Although Herbert is on the defensive, he is not without hope. His ally Odo of Blois has agreed to honour his alliance with Champagne over Anjou, and is marching a full levy force towards Reims. From the east, there is the possibility that Louis of Upper Lorraine, the last survivor of the Carolignian line, may raise his forces in a final attempt to save his claim to the French throne.

To the west of this great conflict, war is still rampant in the troublesome province of Maine. Fulk of Anjou's forces are now on the borders of the region, ready to save the defenders of Le Mans from the besieging forces of Richard of Normandy. However, with Odo of Blois marching east to Herbert's aid, Fulk will have lost a vital source of support in his conflict. Nonetheless, with Hugh the Pretender thought to be dead, there is little hope of Maine gaining its independence from Richard's direct rule as its Duke. Only a nominal garisson remains in Le Mans after the attempt to sally forth failed, and it will surely only take a matter of days for the walls to be taken should the forces of Normandy assault them.

It appears that the great conflicts of northern Francia are drawing the interest of the southern lords, although this was surely inevitable. There are reports that Count William of Toulouse has been mobilising forces on his northern borders, with an eye to marching through Burgundy. Outside of the great conflicts, there are increasing numbers of smaller conflict appearing across southern Francia. In Gascony, Duke William has continued his wars against the Basque alliance, and appears to be ready to march on the Basque heartland of Pau with his loyal Basque forces, and perhaps more significantly his dreaded Norse retinue. On Gascony's western shores, there is talk of increased settlement by Viking peoples from Denmark and other Scandinavian lands. Meanwhile in the County of Foix, the Count of Toulouse faces rebellion from the disillusioned Catalan nobles of the more isolated parts of the County, largely excluded from the wealth pouring into other areas of Toulouse.

As war continues to rage across Francia, now is surely the time when the great lords will finally meet in battle and resolve once and for all the challenge to the Capetian claims on the throne...

The Capetians:

1. The 500 knights dispatched from your main force have caught up with the raiders from Champagne. However, the opposing forces are clearly greater than your band of men, perhaps around 1,500 strong. You must consider how best to end their pillaging. Do you wish to:

a) Engage them with the knights anyway.
b) Arrange for your knights to join with the militias of Courtenay and Melun.
c) Send the knights to garisson one or both of the towns, boosting their defences.
d) Attempt to ambush the brigands, they are often drunk by night and are clearly disorganised.

2. With your men having given you well over their feudal service of four months in the army, some are demanding you pay them for their services. Such calls are coming mainly from the common footmen, but also some of the poorer knights. Do you wish to:

a) Demand they give you their feudal service as their lord nonetheless.
b) Pay the knights for their service, breaking any links with the common men.
c) Pay only the common footsoldiers, the knights do not need the pay so desperately.
d) Hire up to 1,000 knights and 4,000 footmen that are mercenaries from Hainaut, to allow some of your men to return home.

3. The humilition of serving in the ranks appears to be too great for Oudet, and he has sent a very polite and humble letter requesting you allow him to return to serve with the nobility. Do you wish to:

a) Reject his wish, his punishment is fitting.
b) Accept his wish, now he has been truly humbled.
c) Accept his wish, but only if he begs in front of the other commanders.
d) Have him executed for his whining.

The County of Brittany:

1. Your wise rule has ensured peace between your Frankish population and most of the partially assimilated Bretons. However, in the isolated areas of Leon and Cornouailles, there is talk men are arming themselves to rise against you and form an independent Breton state. Do you wish to:

a) March some or all of your available men to the region immediately, restoring order.
b) Send some men to have the ringleaders executed or imprisoned.
c) Send some Breton monks to negotiate with the rebels, since they can communicate with them better.
d) Send an emissary from your court to negotiate with them, since your emissaries loyalty is surer than that of the monks.
e) Do nothing, they are a poor and backward people anyway!

2. Your north-eastern towns of Dol, Dinan, and Rennes are unhappy with the special treatment St.Malo recieved. They claim they were also damaged by the Norman raids, and need time for trade to recover. They demand a tax reduction as St. Malo recieved, however you should consider that tax from Rennes is vital to your treasury. Do you wish to:

a) Give them a sizeable tax reduction.
b) Give them a smaller tax reduction, since St. Malo took the brunt of the raiding.
c) Politely refuse their proposal.
d) Angrily refuse their proposal, and perhaps send troops to ensure order in these towns.

The Duchy of Normandy:

1. As Fulk of Anjou retreats from Maine, only a nominal garisson remains in Le Mans, and the defenders are distraught at the loss of their leader Hugh. They have offered to lay down their arms and surrender the town, if you spare their lives and do not loot their homes. Do you wish to:

a) Accept their reasonable request.
b) Negotiate, as your men deserve loot, but agree to spare the defenders' lives.
c) Appear to accept the request, but then kill and pillage anyway.
d) Reject their request, all those who rebel must die!

2. With your men having given you well over their feudal service of four months in the army, some are demanding you pay them for their services. Such calls are coming mainly from the common footmen, but also some of the poorer knights. Do you wish to:

a) Demand they give you their feudal service as their lord nonetheless.
b) Pay the knights for their service, breaking any links with the common men.
c) Pay only the common footsoldiers, the knights do not need the pay so desperately.
d) Hire up to 3,000 footmen that are mercenaries from Brittany, to allow some of your men to return home, easing the unrest.

The County of Anjou:

1. As your men marched to Blois, a militia force in the eastern Touraine has blocked their path, holding several towns against you. The militia forces are perhaps 2,500 - 3,000 strong in total, and they fear your are attempting to invade their land. They have however allowed your emissaries to meet with them and negotiate. Do you wish to:

a) Tell them you are simply marching to Blois, and have no intention on taking their lands.
b) Threaten to take their lands and their lives if they do not disband their forces immediately.
c) Hold them in negotiations while you raise forces from the western Touraine to fight them, allowing you to subdue the region as you march to Blois.
d) Offer them a payment for quick access to Blois, you could always recover it later...
e) March onwards, and fight the fools if they attack you.

2. Odo of Blois has sent you a message, giving you his blessing in your wars against Normandy, but requesting you act chivalrously and respect his claims to the Touraine as he marches to aid your noble ally Herbert of Champaigne. Do you wish to:

a) Be chivalrous, and tell him you wish your armies to engage at a set location, the disputed Touraine perhaps being ideal.
b) Send an emissary giving him your blessings against Champagne, to ensure he leaves Blois undefended.
c) Do not reply, you don't want to be too obvious after all.

The County of Champagne:

1. The King, alongside Odo-Henry of Burgundy, has layed siege to your men in Reims. The townspeople have been evicted as you demanded. Blois is likely to send men to your aid, and they are likely to be on their way by now, although this is not certain. You must consider the risks you take with the valuable food supplies. Do you wish to:

a) Keep the men well fed and rested, ensuring they are healthy and have good morale should they fight soon.
b) Strictly ration all food supplies, this will help your men to endure the siege for longer.

2. Louis of Upper Lorraine has agreed to support you if you promise to fully back his claims as King of France, and give him control of both Reims and Laon should it be captured in the near future. He has claimed he can raise an army of around 12,000 men, and have them arrive in just a couple of months. Do you wish to:

a) Accept him demands, him aid will be vital.
b) He is desperate to keep his claims, negotiate over the control of Reims and Laon.
c) Refuse this offer, he must guess if you are bluffing.

The County of Flanders:

1. Richard d'Avesnes, a minor nobleman, has complained that his younger brother, Evrart, has stolen his rightful lands upon the death of their father. Evrart has garissoned the castle, near Arras, with around 800 mercenaries from Hainuat. The Bishop of Arras has backed Evrart, claiming that although Richard is the elder, his father had in his will granted his lands to his favourite son, Evrart. Unfortunately, this will has gone missing. Do you wish to:

a) Send a warning to Evrart to return the land, since if there is no will then by law it belongs to Richard.
b) March your army to the land and demand Evrart hands over the castle.
c) Investigate the matter, and attempt to summon both Richard, Evrart, and the Bishop of Arras to resolve the dispute.
d) Politely tell Richard that this is his own business, you have more important issues at the moment.
e) Cast Richard out of your court. He is weak, make Evrart a loyal vassal.

2. With your men having given you well over their feudal service of four months in the army, some are demanding you pay them for their services. Such calls are coming mainly from the common footmen, but also some of the poorer knights. Do you wish to:

a) Demand they give you their feudal service as their lord nonetheless.
b) Pay the knights for their service, breaking any links with the common men.
c) Pay only the common footsoldiers, the knights do not need the pay so desperately.
d) Disband the militias and keep your feudal levies in the army.
e) Disband the army, you are in no conflict at the moment.

The Duchy of Burgundy:

1. Your army was first to besiege Reims, and has been joined by the royal host. Now, you must consider how to force a surrender from the defenders. After consultation with the King, you must choose to either:

a) Launch an immediate assault of the city.
b) Build wooden defences up to the gate and attempt to ram them down.
c) Employ sappers to attempt to tear down the walls.
d) Build siege equipment to batter the walls and wear down the defenders.
e) Focus on cutting off supplies and let starvation and disease take their toll.

2. Herbert has ensured his southern towns are well fortified, and many ambushes and raids have taken their toll on your supply line from Burgundy to Reims. You must act now or your men will have neither food nor water. Do you wish to:

a) Dispatch a set number of men to clear all brigands from the supply line.
b) Increase the level of supplies being sent, ensuring more get through overall.
c) Devastate the countryside surrounding Reims and use the coming harvest to keep your men fed.

The Duchy of Aquitaine:

1. Having lied to you about his affair, your son has been caught with another woman! He is now living entirely seperately from his wife, and there is talk of both parties wishing for a divorce. This would be disastrous to such a politically important marriage between Occitans and Franks. Do you wish to:

a) Have your son imprisoned to make him cool down and prevent further stupidity.
b) Have this other woman disposed of, and send men to batter son sense into your son.
c) Attempt to peacefully reconcile your son with his wife.
d) Take all William's possessions, and demand he repents.
e) Have your son face the courts.
f) Do nothing, he will come to his senses.

2. A young and ambitious merchant, Francis Bertrand, has requested you loan him money to develop wine production in the Auvergne region. Although still somewhat economically backward, he claims it has great potential. If the development is successful, Auvergne could become an important trade centre and give great returns for your investments. Do you wish to:

a) Give him all the support you can!
b) Grant him a sizeable loan to further the project.
c) Grant him a small loan to show your support, but otherwise it is his business.
d) Politely decline the offer, but give the project your blessings.
e) Angrily reject the offer, who is this common upstart to seek the wealth of a nobleman!

The Duchy of Gascony:

1. The Basque alliance of Bearn, Tursan, and Bigorre have refused to negotiate further with you, and have raised a force of 500 knights and 3,500 footmen against you. As you invade Pau with your own men, your forces are similarly matched. They have the defensive advantage, but you have your Norse retinue. Do you wish to:

a) Agree to meet them in a chivalrous manner at a set location.
b) Devastate their lands and force them to meet you in the open field.
c) Continue on to Pau and lay siege to the town, the heartland of this alliance against you.
d) Accept their original demands of returning all loot taken from them, and disband your forces.

2. A Norse emissary from Norway, Erik Gunarsson, has requested that you allow a settlement of Viking colonists to establish itself along the Bay of Biscay. These settlers could bring wealth to your land, although they could also be a source of trouble as your Norse population grows. Do you wish to:

a) Accept the request for a settlement.
b) Negotiate, allowing some settlement of areas already populated by the Norse.
c) Refuse this request, as your lands are in a troublesome time.
d) Accept the request, if he sends the men ready for military service in your wars against the Basque rebels.

The County of Toulouse:

1. As your men enter the County of Blois, you must consider what actions to take. Count Odo himself has left for Reims to aid Herbert of Champagne, leaving his lands undefended, save for a few militia forces. Do you wish to:

a) Attack Bourges, the economic centre of Blois.
b) Attack Blois, the capital of Odo's lands.
c) Devastate the lands of southern Blois and draw any defending forces to meet you in the open field.
d) Wait on the border for just now, until Odo is too far on his way to Blois to rescue his homeland.

2. Only a portion of your forces have marched on Blois. You have many more men ready to be levied and give you their feudal service. Do you wish to:

a) Raise all available men from the County of Toulouse and march them to your host at Blois.
b) Raise a set number of men and meet with the main force.
c) Do nothing, your army is large enough for its purpose

3. The nobles of Tarascon have threatened to take up arms against you if you do not achnowledge their independence. They may seek to attack northern Foix, which has been ridiculed for supporting your rule. The situation is not yet at boiling point, though it could rapidly spiral out of control. Do you wish to:

a) Levy forces from southern Toulouse and march to restore order in southern Foix.
b) Grant permission to the nobles of northern Foix to levy their men and defend themselves.
c) Send an emissary to attempt to negotiate with the rebellious nobles.
d) Give in to the demands of the rebellious nobles, the war with Blois is priority.

King Kurt
09-30-2008, 16:32
Herbert of Champagne stands on the steps of Reims Cathedral and addresses his knights who are gathered in the square below.

"My fellow lords, I salute you on our most glorious victory. The forces of the pretender gather outside, but our defences are strong. Help is at hand as the true defenders of the Carolignian throne race to support us. Louis of Lorraine, the true heir to the throne, even now gathers a mighty host to march on Reims to claim what God has ruled is his.

I say this to you - the Cathedral at Reims has always been the site where the true King of the Franks has been crowned. I so swear on the relics of Saint Remi that when Louis comes and we smite the upstart pretender and his snivelling Burgandian brother that I, Count Herbert of Champagne, will crown Loius, King of the Franks, and he will join the heirs of Charlemagne and all Europe will shake at his feet."

Herbert turns and enters the cathedral to begin a night of vigil while the square behind him echoes to the cheers of his assembled knights.

Rhyfelwyr
09-30-2008, 18:44
Now that some major battles are likely to be approaching, is everyone happy with me just giving reports on the outcomes of these battles? It's hard to allow for player input when the turns are every 4 months...

King Kurt
10-01-2008, 17:01
Now that some major battles are likely to be approaching, is everyone happy with me just giving reports on the outcomes of these battles? It's hard to allow for player input when the turns are every 4 months...

Not completely sure what you mean here. A brief description of what happens will do. I wouldn't want to loose the other bits of the campaign though. The diplomacy, economy and all the other bits I dream up are what makes the IH I think. You have covered that well so far - I can identify the outcome of my moves etc in the narrative - so I would not want to loose that. Did you have a mechanism to resolve the battles?

Rhyfelwyr
10-01-2008, 20:45
Not really, just common sense. I basically factor in troop types, opposing commanders, terrain, how long each army has been campaigning or in a siege situation, any special circumstances such as ambushes, morale damaged through raiding by guerillas, experience etc.

Rhyfelwyr
10-03-2008, 17:39
Great news guys, Dor Corleone will now be taking over as Count Odo I of Blois. So from now on PM him if you wish to have any deals with Blois. It may be wise to clarify previous arrangements with him, since I presumably don't get told all the private dealings.

So everyone give a nice warm welcome to Don Corleone. OOC of course, be merciless in game. :beam:

Rhyfelwyr
10-04-2008, 23:15
Those in bold have replied. Don Corleone just got sent his decisions, but the others are due by tomorrow night.

Hugh I (Capetian Dynasty) - Revolting Friendship
Conan I (Duchy of Brittany) - {BHC} King Jan III Sobieski
Richard I (Duchy of Normandy) - Ichigo
Fulk III (County of Anjou) - AggonyDuck
Odo I (County of Blois) - Don Corleone
Herbert III (County of Champagne) - King Kurt
Arnulf II (County of Flanders) - CountArach
Odo-Henry I (Duchy of Burgundy) - |Sith|1|AntiWarmanCake88 Toyosada88
William IV (Duchy of Aquitaine) - Warmaster Horus
William II (Duchy of Gascony) - Quintus.J.Cicero
William III (County of Toulouse) - Ibn-Khaldun

Also people use the Heraldry, I put it up for a reason! I never really intended PM's to be the main source of diplomacy. You are supposed to be chivalrous, do more diplomacy here with your heraldry. It will help spice things up...

The Capetian Dynasty:
https://img354.imageshack.us/img354/8392/capetiansmc8.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

The Duchy of Brittany:
https://img354.imageshack.us/img354/233/brittanybs0.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

The Duchy of Normandy:
https://img411.imageshack.us/img411/6031/normandyxb5.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

The County of Anjou:
https://img354.imageshack.us/img354/7715/anjoueh2.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

The County of Blois:
https://img354.imageshack.us/img354/2019/bloisqa8.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

The County of Troyes and Meaux:
https://img411.imageshack.us/img411/9604/troyesmeauxcopyry9.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

The County of Flanders:
https://img377.imageshack.us/img377/9758/flandersxs0.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

The Duchy of Burgundy:
https://img377.imageshack.us/img377/2118/burgundycf5.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

The Duchy of Aquitaine:
https://img377.imageshack.us/img377/7200/aquitainehk6.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

The Duchy of Gascony:
https://img377.imageshack.us/img377/8574/gasconyeq7.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

The County of Toulouse:
https://img377.imageshack.us/img377/5928/toulousecoatw4.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

Ibn-Khaldun
10-05-2008, 10:04
https://img377.imageshack.us/img377/5928/toulousecoatw4.jpg
William III of Toulouse will make known that he supports Blois and Champagne. Thus he will take his men against Burgundy!

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
10-05-2008, 14:35
https://img377.imageshack.us/img377/5928/toulousecoatw4.jpg
William III of Toulouse will make known that he supports Blois and Champagne. Thus he will take his men against Burgundy!



Shame On You Toulouse :sweatdrop:


No Problem, Your armies will all fall to Burgundy and my Brother, the True King :yes:

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
10-05-2008, 21:59
https://img377.imageshack.us/img377/2118/burgundycf5.jpg


I, Odo Henry Of Burgundy, will not tolerate these types of action. Toulouse, Champange, Boils, and anyone who decides to rise up aganist me or my Brother will be punished, and I myself will not show any mercy on you.

Rhyfelwyr
10-05-2008, 22:15
https://img377.imageshack.us/img377/2118/burgundycf5.jpg


I, Odo Henry Of Burgundy, will not tolerate these types of action. Toulouse, Champange, Boils, and anyone who decides to rise up aganist me or my Brother will be punished, and I myself will not show any mercy on you.

That's the spirit people! I'll send out some reminder PM's now. The list is as stands:

Hugh I (Capetian Dynasty) - Revolting Friendship
Conan I (Duchy of Brittany) - {BHC} King Jan III Sobieski
Richard I (Duchy of Normandy) - Ichigo
Fulk III (County of Anjou) - AggonyDuck
Odo I (County of Blois) - Don Corleone
Herbert III (County of Champagne) - King Kurt
Arnulf II (County of Flanders) - CountArach
Odo-Henry I (Duchy of Burgundy) - |Sith|1|AntiWarmanCake88 Toyosada88
William IV (Duchy of Aquitaine) - Warmaster Horus
William II (Duchy of Gascony) - Quintus.J.Cicero
William III (County of Toulouse) - Ibn-Khaldun

Revolting Friendship
10-05-2008, 22:31
William of Toulouse, you snake!
I call for your service and loyalty, and you answer my call, only to turn your back on me, months later! Is the most noble, the rulers among the frankish people, mercenaries and cutthroats who would sell their oaths of honour for riches and power? Then we deserve no better than to be slaves and servants of greater men.

Today, I can count Champagne, Blois and Toulouse among my enemies. I can but wonder, who will stand against me tomorrow?

If there is anyone among our nobles who are still a man of honour, then come fight for your King.

Hugh Capet,
Rex Francorum

Don Corleone
10-06-2008, 03:12
https://img135.imageshack.us/img135/6209/bloisjq8.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

Honor? Honor? You have the audacity to lecture us on honor? You who has stolen the throne of France from the rightful heir?

Hugh, your crimes against God and France will not stand. Already his holiness, Pope John XV has dispatched an ecclesiastical judge to try you and your brother for your crimes, to excommunicate the two of you and place any lands that remain loyal to you under the interdict. You should have thought of the consequences of your actions when you decided to depose Arnulf as Archbishop of Rheims.

I have nothing further to say to you, Hugh Capet. May God have mercy on your soul, for the loyal servants of France shall have none. Your only hope is to leave Paris and take up residence in an Abbey, living out your days in pentinence for your crimes.

Revolting Friendship
10-06-2008, 08:55
You who has stolen the throne of France from the rightful heir?

THIS IS UTTERLY PREPOSTEROUS!

You would have the audacity to accuse me of treatchery, and to vindicate Charles? On what grounds? I was the childhood friend of the late King Lothair. My father was his guardian before me, and when Lothair rose to be King of the Franks, on proper hereditary grounds, his younger brother Charles accused his wife Emma of having been unfaithful to him, on the pretext of declaring his son and heir a bastard. When his false accusations caught no ears, he fled to Germany and conspired, to later return and besiege our King at Paris.

Then it was I who came to the Kings rescue, and drove away this scoundrel, he has since been excluded from our kingdom and every right to rule. You have the shame to call me an usurper for defending our country against usurpers? Me and my family has nothing to show for but loyal service to the Kings of our country and to the country itself!

Am I mistaken to assume this was the reason I was elected King in the first place, before a unanimous council of my peers? Then for what reason are you now turning against me? I can think of no other than for your boundless greed and ambition, only to extend your own power, and using this weak argument of hereditary rights as an excuse. Are you so forgetful that I would have to remind you as to why I was chosen to be King while Charles was excluded?

I too have royal blood in my veins, through my grandfather Robert, I too am a descendant of Charlemagne! Now who will be a loyal servant of King and country as I have been myself?

Hugh Capet,
Rex Francorum

Csargo
10-06-2008, 09:08
Seeing as this seems to be a growing conflict, I feel the need to state that I have no wish to enter into it.

Richard I
Duke of Normandy and Count of Maine
https://img411.imageshack.us/img411/6031/normandyxb5.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

King Kurt
10-06-2008, 09:39
https://img377.imageshack.us/img377/2118/burgundycf5.jpg


I, Odo Henry Of Burgundy, will not tolerate these types of action. Toulouse, Champange, Boils, and anyone who decides to rise up aganist me or my Brother will be punished, and I myself will not show any mercy on you.

I see that Count Odo now seems to be suffering from a plague of boils as well as all his other problems - perhaps he should have stuck with making wine. Still, I am sure there will be plenty left in his cellars when my men and the followers of the true King liberate his people from the boil plagued Count. I look forward to toasting our victory with the labours of his feet.

One more correction, my dear Count, - I did not rise up against you - I struck against your brother, the usurper of the throne. You choose to grab his coat tails and now invade my lands, leaving your own lands open to attack. It seems a false sense of glory or the whiff of loot has outweighed your responsibility to your own people. Still, not to worry, they soon will have a wise and benevelant ruler to care for them, while you rot in my dungeons.

Revolting Friendship
10-06-2008, 13:23
Seeing as this seems to be a growing conflict, I feel the need to state that I have no wish to enter into it.

You have no choice. You are my vassal, you hold your lands in service of the crown. Is everyone living under the misconception that they rule independent nations? I gave you the right to reclaim Maine only under the terms that you would confirm your oath of allegience, which you did. Now I call you to uphold your oath like a man, worthy of his name. If you fail to heed my call, you will be branded as a rebel yourself, as the one I've just helped you to put down.

Fail me, and I will allot the county of Maine to Fulk of Anjou, and split Normandy between Brittany and Flanders. No one who abandons his King in times of need is worthy to govern land in his country.

I would also like to state that the Count of Toulouse is branded a rebel henceforth. I urge his kin to overthrow him and his vassals to take distance from him. I know many of you are nothing but nominal vassals, and I therefore urge you to swear allegiance to the King directly. Anyone who resists William III is a friend of the King and will be well rewarded in due time.
Furthermore, the Duke of Aquitaine and Gascony are free to take from the Count of Toulouse, any regions that remain loyal to him as their own lands.

Hugh Capet,
Rex Francorum

Kraxis
10-06-2008, 15:49
Most impressive work so far...

Keep it up, all of you. :2thumbsup:

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
10-06-2008, 17:36
I see that Count Odo now seems to be suffering from a plague of boils as well as all his other problems - perhaps he should have stuck with making wine. Still, I am sure there will be plenty left in his cellars when my men and the followers of the true King liberate his people from the boil plagued Count. I look forward to toasting our victory with the labours of his feet.

One more correction, my dear Count, - I did not rise up against you - I struck against your brother, the usurper of the throne. You choose to grab his coat tails and now invade my lands, leaving your own lands open to attack. It seems a false sense of glory or the whiff of loot has outweighed your responsibility to your own people. Still, not to worry, they soon will have a wise and benevelant ruler to care for them, while you rot in my dungeons.



https://img377.imageshack.us/img377/2118/burgundycf5.jpg

Seems Like Herbert is Over Confident.

You rose up aganist my brother, which is almost as bad as rising up aganist me. You are highly confident in taking control of my lands.


No Worries, I am looking forward towards our Guests.

And to you William, I expected better of you, you arrogant rat. Sad you had to side with Herbert. Your Head will make good eating for my dogs.

Any People of Burgundy that fights aganist Toulouse will recieve some of the loot we conquer from them, plus their lands.

Ibn-Khaldun
10-06-2008, 17:54
https://img377.imageshack.us/img377/5928/toulousecoatw4.jpg

Too many words from the Count but too little actions to back those words! Before you understand your southern territory will belong to me and I will make sure that ALL people, nobles and commoners, who will support me will be rewarded but those who stand against me shall loose everything they own! I am a kind man so I hate to harm those people who are desperate and badly treated under your rule! I promise that if people support me I will give tax reductions for all the Burgundies lands that join me!

William III, Count of Toulouse

Csargo
10-06-2008, 18:06
You have no choice. You are my vassal, you hold your lands in service of the crown. Is everyone living under the misconception that they rule independent nations? I gave you the right to reclaim Maine only under the terms that you would confirm your oath of allegience, which you did. Now I call you to uphold your oath like a man, worthy of his name. If you fail to heed my call, you will be branded as a rebel yourself, as the one I've just helped you to put down.

Fail me, and I will allot the county of Maine to Fulk of Anjou, and split Normandy between Brittany and Flanders. No one who abandons his King in times of need is worthy to govern land in his country.

I do have a choice, and if you want me as an enemy then that is what you will have. My men are tired and wish to go home to their wives and children. Do you not understand they care little for what oaths we have? If I try to force them to your aid I promise you they will not follow me. We've been fighting for many months in Maine now, they need time to tend to their land, their families, and recuperate. If I don't give them that, then I will be the only one there. If you give me a month or two then I will march to your aid.

Richard I
Duke of Normandy and Count of Maine

Revolting Friendship
10-06-2008, 20:02
If I don't give them that, then I will be the only one there. If you give me a month or two then I will march to your aid.

These reasons I can appriciate. You have 2 months, and I ask you only to bring what you can muster.

Hugh Capet,
Rex Francorum

Rhyfelwyr
10-06-2008, 21:43
Still awaiting 2 replies...

Although I have a lot of Uni work so I probably wouldn't have got the Chapter out today anyway.

Ibn-Khaldun
10-07-2008, 10:11
If you wait WH then he haven't been in the org for some time now.


Last Activity: 03/10/08 20:31

Rhyfelwyr
10-07-2008, 17:08
Hmmm, I'm not sure what I should do, I still don't have those 2 replies.

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
10-07-2008, 17:22
just write it. Don't wait. that what happened in Kagemusha's IH. He always liked to wait for people, and the chapter would always get pushed back by 1-2 weeks by the same people. Just write it now :-).

Ibn-Khaldun
10-07-2008, 17:33
I agree with Warman :yes:

Rhyfelwyr
10-07-2008, 18:10
Yes but last time I didn't wait we lost Kage...

Well I've PM'ed those I'm waiting for. I will aim to post it tonight, even if they have not replied. Neither of them are involved in the big conflicts anyway.

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
10-07-2008, 21:19
Yes but last time I didn't wait we lost Kage...

Well I've PM'ed those I'm waiting for. I will aim to post it tonight, even if they have not replied. Neither of them are involved in the big conflicts anyway.

But Kage disappear anyhow....


People can't get them in, it's their own lost, not ours.



Ibu, you must die now for your backstabbing! :yes:

Rhyfelwyr
10-07-2008, 21:59
OK. It's only CountArach and Warmaster Horus I'm waiting for, and they aren't involved in the main conflict anyway I suppose. If they don't return soon I'll need to start acting for their factions.

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
10-07-2008, 22:00
Just write it and tell them to get on the ball next Chapter :-).

Rhyfelwyr
10-07-2008, 22:26
Chapter VIII:

October 1st, 989 AD

As the great lords become increasingly involved in the conflicts across Francia, it is clear that the Kingdom has been plunged into a brutal civil war. The Capetian King Hugh Capet can no longer claim to be simply suppressing a rebellious vassal, for the Carolingian claimant Louis of Upper Lorraine has summoned an army from his Imperial territories to the east, which has gathered under his command at Verdun. Louis is not alone in his struggle, for the Counts of Blois and Champagne are expected to fly his colours as they march to battle. Toulouse also appears to have sided with the Carolingian cause, while Fulk of Anjou may abandon his support for Louis as Blois lies undefended. Odo-Henry of Burgundy also remains loyal to the King, while there are rumours that Normandy may also send men to Hugh's aid at Reims. As the great lords take their side in this terrible conflict, battles have continued to rage increasingly across northern and central Francia. At Reims, the combined forces of Hugh and Odo-Henry are battering down the walls of the city, while the resolute defenders under Herbert of Champagne await aid from both east and west. Minor skirmishes and brigandage have also become a common sight, especially in the royal domain itself, where raiding forces from Champagne engage the militias of the Ile-de-France. A huge blow was suffered by the Capetians in their southern lands, as the city of Orleans surrendered without even putting up a resistance to the invading forces of Blois.

While the lords of central Francia have always been somewhat involved in this conflict, the network of alliances being formed have inevitably spread throughout Francia. Despite at first appearing to take stepts to invade Blois, William I of Toulouse has instead declared war on the Duke of Burgundy, and therefore also his King Hugh Capet. With Burgundy's forces occupied in the siege of Reims, the land lies almost undefended in the face of William's troops. In northern Francia, the Counts of Brittany and Flanders do not appear to have taken side with either the Capetians or Carolingians, although it is surely only a matter of time before they are called to arms by their current King, a call they must choose whether or not to honour. Having received Hugh's support during the defeat of Hugh II of Maine, it appears that Richard of Normandy is preparing to send troops to his lord's aid, although many of his men remain tired after their recent campaign.

While civil war rages across northern and central Francia, there are several smaller conflicts still ongoing through the southern regions of the Kingdom. In Gascony, Duke William won a victory over the rebellious Basque lords of Bearn, Tursan, and Bigorre; largely through the prowess of his Norse Guardsmen. However, now he must be wary of the threat to his western shores, having recently denied Norse settlers the right to occupy his coastal lands. The Count of Toulouse also has unrest to cope with in his southern lands, as the nobles of Tarascon prepare to march against their counterparts in the north of the Foix region. As the Count himself is occupied in Burgundy, he must trust his loyal nobles in northern Foix to suppress the uprising.

With the flags of the Carolingian claimant Louis unfurled, now will be the time when the future of Francia will be decided. As the great lords take their side in the conflict and many prepare to march to Reims, the ensuing battles outside or on its walls will surely prove decisive in deciding the outcome of the conflict...

IMPORTANT! COULD ALL PLAYERS GIVE ME A DETAILED SUMMARY OF THEIR MILITARY FORCES, INCLUDING THEIR LOCATION, NUMBER, COMMANDERS, UNIT TYPE (MERCENARY, LEVIED , FOOTMEN/KNIGHTS ETC) WITH THE DECISIONS NEXT CHAPTER. THIS WOULD TAKE FOREVER FOR ME TO DO MYSELF SO PLEASE HELP OUT! ALSO LIST YOUR MILITIA FORCES EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT IN USE AND I'LL MAKE A SUMMARY FOR ALL THESE SOMEWHERE.

ALSO FROM NOW ON DECISIONS ARE BEING SENT THROUGH PM'S INCASE ANYONE IS TEMPTED TO PEEK IN OTHER'S SPOLIER TAGS, ESPECIALLY NOW SIDES ARE BEING TAKEN IN THE CIVIL WAR.

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
10-08-2008, 00:44
I PM you the Information when I return Saturday. That is ok?

King Kurt
10-08-2008, 09:09
Don't you just love it when a plan comes together!!!!!!!!!!

Revolting Friendship
10-08-2008, 10:59
IMPORTANT! COULD ALL PLAYERS GIVE ME A DETAILED SUMMARY OF THEIR MILITARY FORCES, INCLUDING THEIR LOCATION, NUMBER, COMMANDERS, UNIT TYPE (MERCENARY, LEVIED , FOOTMEN/KNIGHTS ETC) WITH THE DECISIONS NEXT CHAPTER. THIS WOULD TAKE FOREVER FOR ME TO DO MYSELF SO PLEASE HELP OUT! ALSO LIST YOUR MILITIA FORCES EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT IN USE AND I'LL MAKE A SUMMARY FOR ALL THESE SOMEWHERE.

IMO this is the kind of stuff you as a GM need to keep track of.

Ignoramus
10-08-2008, 11:03
I'm willing to take an abandoned faction.

Rhyfelwyr
10-08-2008, 16:59
IMO this is the kind of stuff you as a GM need to keep track of.

OK but it really takes me quite a few hours to prepare each chapter (which aren't in such plentiful supply when I'm at Uni), I thought if each player did their own it might help. It'll be obvious if anyone was to cheat, although I'm sure they wouldn't.


I'm willing to take an abandoned faction.

You have priority if one becomes available. :bow:

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
10-08-2008, 20:56
Don't you just love it when a plan comes together!!!!!!!!!!


Untill You get destroyed :yes:

Don Corleone
10-09-2008, 03:23
I, Odo of Blois, announe to all of Francia that I take Orleans and hold it under my protection until the return of the rightful king. Until such time as Louis sits upon the throne in Paris, I will continue to partition the royal demense away from Hugh the Thief and hold Louis' possessions in defense for him. My liege Louis has agreed that I might control and protect his lands until his return. I will draw levies and taxes from Orleans, treating it as my own until such time as Louis can rule it directly.

My lord and king, Louis of Lorraine... my lord, your people cry out for your return! Now is the time for you to take to the field! Raise what troops you may, but in truth, it is you and your standard people long for. I urge you my lord, ride to lead your armies at once.

Men of Orleans, thank you for your wise and just decision to join the forces dedicated to restoring your rightful ruler. Know that under my guidance, you will have the opportunity to restore your liege to his throne. I promise you honorable treatment. You will face no stiffer taxes, no heavier leavies than the men of my own lands. In times of peace, I rule with a very light hand, though unfortuantely, given the present circumstances, I may have need of support.

Fulk, I am well prepared to defend my lands. Do not let tempation lead you down the fool's path. Let us come together and discuss the proper partitioning of the Tourraine. I am ready to recognize your claim to the West, provided you will recognize my claim to the Eastern half.

William, welcome to the side of justice and truth. None other than Pope John XV himself has sanctioned our efforts to restore our rightful king. No small wonder, given Hugh's tempermental disposition of his own choice for arch-bishop of Rheims.

And to the mother church, I thank you for your support. In gratitude, I wish to announce the construction of a new abbey in Blois and the founding of a new order. Once the current crisis passes, I will cede lands over to the Lord Abbot, thus guranteeing its success into the ages. I would ask however that the Holy Father publicly condemn Hugh for the dastardly treatment of your arch-bishop in Rheims, and for his shoddy treatment of your clerics throughout the royal demense.

Odo of Blois

https://img135.imageshack.us/img135/6209/bloisjq8.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

Revolting Friendship
10-09-2008, 10:20
https://img88.imageshack.us/img88/74/capetwu1.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

OOooh you Imbiciles!

Charles has already once tried to take the throne from the rightful heir, his brother Lothair. He was driven away with my help, after Lothair had taken refuge in Paris. That was only 11 years ago. Charles had sworn alliegiance to the King of flipping Germany, to get help to take the throne from his brother, the RIGHTFUL heir. The true King that I defended! And then, NO ONE went to get Charles the Traitor once Lothairs son Charles V died heirless. He was not even considered, since he had commited high treason.

Now you, Champagne, Blois, Toulouse, a bunch of conspiring, selfindulgent, treacherous bastards, set out to push me from the throne, to deliver Charles the disgraced back unto it!? You choose to commit high treason together with the king of traitors. Treason is the only kingdom you will ever serve, and the only tax you will levy from it is death.

You have no right on your side, whatsoever, that is why NO ONE protested my coronation in the first place. If you want excuses to make war on your King, make up better ones! His Highness the Pope will not interfere in the matter because no wrong has been commited on my part. I was not the one who expelled Charles to Germany, as I have explained. Had he stayed in Francia, he would have been executed by his older brother, the late King, on the grounds of his scandalous accusations towards the Queen alone. If that was not enough to disinherit him, his treachery sure was! This is the reason he is in exile, why he fled. And you side with him!?

And you, Odo of Blois. I'll have you know that the titles of Orleans and Paris are NOT royal demesne for any other reason than me being King at the moment. Paris is NOT the capital of Francia(OOC Hugh Capet is the one who made Paris the capital). The royal demesne is whatever land the man who is crowned has inherited, and I inherited Orleans and Paris from my father, Hugh the Great.

You don't care the least about Charles or his potential kingship, you just want an excuse to make war and take lands. You are the worst among people, you're the reason this country is hardly a country any longer, you shame the heritage of Charlemagne.

Odo of Blois, if you want to be the honorable noble who serves King and country justly, then you should return Orleans to me and march with me against Herbert and Charles the Traitor. Do so, and do the right thing. If not, you should know that your neighbours are gathering to carry out my vengeance against you.

Hugh Capet,
Rex Francorum

Don Corleone
10-09-2008, 12:36
OOC: Did not know that about Orleans being Hugh's personal holdings. Thank you for the info, will ammend my comments in the future. Also, we're not trying to put Charles on the throne. We're trying to install his son, Louis of Lower Lorraine.

Revolting Friendship
10-09-2008, 14:50
We're trying to install his son, Louis of Lower Lorraine.

......Oh? You mean Charles 9 year old son Louis?
What, is he leading his 12.000 men against me, clad in armour, atop a mighty steed to defend his rights as King of Franks? This boy has no titles, no lands, no army.

No, it is ofcourse his father, Charles, who is again conspiring to claim the Crown that he has been twice denied on proper grounds.

And if you think this boy has rights to be King for being grandson of Louis d'Outremer, do I not have just as much right for being grandson of King Robert? Louis is not even Charles firstborn. Him, Otto of Lower Lorraine, is waiting to rule his fathers Duchy, suitably disinterested in this farce.

Me and Louis both have fathers who were second sons of ruling Kings of this country. But I have something this 9 year old boy does not. I have distinguished and loyal service to King Lothair, who was also my friend. Me and my father both, while his father is a notorious traitor.

So tell me plainly, honestly, Odo of Blois. For what reason do you oppose me?

If the nobles of this country so wish it, I shall install this boy as my heir, so that he may properly rule when his time comes, but it is not now. And if so, this should be decided by a peaceful vote, not mindless civil war. Do you not agree?

I am trying to ensure the stability of this splintered Kingdom, can you lend me your support instead of fighting me? See things my way if you please, can you tell me I have done anyone unjustice?

Hugh Capet,
Rex Francorum

Don Corleone
10-09-2008, 17:55
My lord Hugh,

You were selected rex francorrum by a majority of the great lords of Western Francia. This was after the highly suspicious death of young Louis, heir to Lothair.

While I was not persuaded to vote for your ascension, I was moved by the words of King Lothair's chancellor, Adalberon, arch-bishop of Rheims. He made mighty arguments in selecting you for the throne, establishing a meritocracy for the throne, and his words had much wisdom.

While I did not cast your name, I respected the decision of the great lords and agreed to recognize your right to claim the title as King, based on your deeds and your honor.

You immediately disgraced the words of Adelberon by raising your young son Robert to the throne. You swore this was done not in ambition to a dynasty, but to place the crown into safe-keeping while you mounted a campaign into the Spanish March, to drive the Moors from Barcelona.

But no expedition was forthcoming! The lords of the south STILL suffer the raids of the Moors. Prior to Herbert and I moving against you, you had two years to organize an expedition... two years that came and went with no sign of you making any move to protect your vassals to the south.

The kingship of France is not a right, it is not a gift and it is not for the personal benefit of yourself and your heirs. The nobles select a king they will serve, and the king in turn leads his nobles to their betterment. You showed much promise in living through your years of service to Lothair, and as soon as you ascended to the throne, you became a new man. A tyrant and a despot, one who insists we kiss the ring of your son as our rex francorrum. Your son! Who has not bloodied his blade in the service of the land. I have squires with more experience in battle than him!

Here are my terms... renonce the coronation of Robert. Recognize the rights of the lords of the realm to elect their king, and I will lay down my weapons and will enter solemn homage, to beg your pardon for the offenses I have wrought. Prove me wrong. Prove to me that you are no usurper, that you serve France, not vice-versa, and I shall be at your door, in sackcloth and ashes. But if you refuse, I will continue to fight for the good of France, seeking to place upon the throne a king who will respect the rights of his nobles.

As God Himself as my judge, this is my most solemn vow.

Yours humbly,

Odo of Blois, Count Palatine

https://img135.imageshack.us/img135/6209/bloisjq8.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

AggonyDuck
10-09-2008, 21:22
To the Count of Blois

I have selected a side and I will support the King in this conflict. You will not be able to buy my inaction by trying to bribe me with regions already under my influence. Personally I am pleased with my decision and I look forward to ramming my mailed boot up your pompous derrière one lovely day.

Fulk III, Count of Anjou

Don Corleone
10-09-2008, 21:28
To the Count of Blois

I have selected a side and I will support the King in this conflict. You will not be able to buy my inaction by trying to bribe me with regions already under my influence. Personally I am pleased with my decision and I look forward to ramming my mailed boot up your pompous derrière one lovely day.

Fulk III, Count of Anjou

Hmm, I've heard it said before that men from Anjou have a fascination for other men's derrieres. Guess that runs true with their leader as well.

Revolting Friendship
10-09-2008, 22:09
Odo of Blois,

Even as my son was coronated in december 987, I've been forced to deal with internal politics from the very moment I was free to plan my Moorish campaign. Already in january 988, Maine rebelled against William of Normandy, instigating possible conflicts between various claimants. You know the situation and are well aware I'm sure. I was raising my army to resolve the matter there quickly, so I could bring my attention back to the Moors.

There was also the issue of Fulk of Anjou, seeking oppertunities to expand his territory, another matter that required my attention. My policy was from the start to stabilize the borders between the nobles, and making sure that no new conflicts would stir.

Then, in Juli, while I was marching towards Maine to put down the pretender there, Herbert of Champagne rose against me and attacked Reims, and the rebellion was under way. Since that moment, everything has detoriated to become untenable, and how am I to blame for any of this?

I never had time to honor my words, I could not simply leave on a crusade while the whole of Francia was burning from civil war, while my own lands were stripped from me.

And instead of helping me to stabilize the situation, you strew salt in my wounds and rise against me, blaming me for this mess! Have I done anything but trying to ensure peace? And how can I go abroad to fight our enemies there, when we are already fighting eachother?

I will go south and fight the Moors, as soon as this civil war has been resolved, and as long as I still draw breath. This I swear by God. And if I have passed by age or battle by then, I will swear my devout son Robert to honor my pledge himself. Now, will you help me, or continue to fight me by these meritless reasons you're presenting?

Hugh Capet,
Rex Francorum

Don Corleone
10-10-2008, 03:25
Odo of Blois,

Even as my son was coronated in december 987, I've been forced to deal with internal politics from the very moment I was free to plan my Moorish campaign. Already in january 988, Maine rebelled against William of Normandy, instigating possible conflicts between various claimants. You know the situation and are well aware I'm sure. I was raising my army to resolve the matter there quickly, so I could bring my attention back to the Moors.

There was also the issue of Fulk of Anjou, seeking oppertunities to expand his territory, another matter that required my attention. My policy was from the start to stabilize the borders between the nobles, and making sure that no new conflicts would stir.

Then, in Juli, while I was marching towards Maine to put down the pretender there, Herbert of Champagne rose against me and attacked Reims, and the rebellion was under way. Since that moment, everything has detoriated to become untenable, and how am I to blame for any of this?

I never had time to honor my words, I could not simply leave on a crusade while the whole of Francia was burning from civil war, while my own lands were stripped from me.

And instead of helping me to stabilize the situation, you strew salt in my wounds and rise against me, blaming me for this mess! Have I done anything but trying to ensure peace? And how can I go abroad to fight our enemies there, when we are already fighting eachother?

I will go south and fight the Moors, as soon as this civil war has been resolved, and as long as I still draw breath. This I swear by God. And if I have passed by age or battle by then, I will swear my devout son Robert to honor my pledge himself. Now, will you help me, or continue to fight me by these meritless reasons you're presenting?

Hugh Capet,
Rex Francorum

Your words ring true my lord, and I am far from blameless in this affair. And yet, your son sits coronated on a throne you claimed through election based on merit.

I repeat...

renounce the coronation of Robert. Recognize the rights of the lords of the realm to elect their king, and I will swear myself to your service for all of my days. You may name my penance. You say that you have had no opportunity to take up arms against the Moors. I will go. I will lead an army to liberate Barcelona, with your blessing. I will trust that you will maintain my lands while I am gone, and I will hope that you will apportion troops under my command adequate to the task. But remove your son from the throne, for in the end, it is his yoke, not yours, that I chafe under.

Revolting Friendship
10-10-2008, 10:33
Odo of Blois, if you want elective law established rather than salic law, the matter needs to be put to a proper vote first.

Until then, I will go as far as to accept Louis as my second heir so that, in case Robert should fail to produce a son, Louis and his children will have hereditary rights to the throne.

These are my terms, and they are final. Either accept them, return Orleans and march your army against Herbert of Champagne, or stand ready to face my armies and those of our loyal vassals.

Hugh Capet,
Rex Francorum

Don Corleone
10-10-2008, 12:02
My lord,

You were made king through elective law, not Salic law. Placing your son on the throne effectively states that the law is "what Hugh Capet desires at the moment".

Your ultimatum on this matter saddens me, as I had hoped for a peaceful settlement. However, I stand with Herbert. I await your arrival and prepare a proper greeting.

Revolting Friendship
10-10-2008, 13:50
I stand with Herbert. I await your arrival and prepare a proper greeting.

Well that was unexpected...

I've given you the oppertunity to do exactly what you wanted, but not through you extorting me through acts of aggression, but peacefully, as it should be handled. Do you think your voice, or that of Herbert are the only ones that count here? Then you are a hypocrite to speak for elective law. You're also a hypocrite for endorsing elective law, while at the same time struggling to install a 9 year old boy, just because he has distant ties to King Louis d'Outremer.

You say you act for the wellbeing of the nation, yet you wage war on your own countrymen, and your own King, over these outrageous causes!

Indeed, we are done talking, you and I. God willing, I'll see you on the battlefield.

Hugh Capet,
Rex Francorum

Don Corleone
10-10-2008, 14:00
Well that was unexpected...

I've given you the oppertunity to do exactly what you wanted, but not through you extorting me through acts of aggression, but peacefully, as it should be handled. Do you think your voice, or that of Herbert are the only ones that count here? Then you are a hypocrite to speak for elective law. You're also a hypocrite for endorsing elective law, while at the same time struggling to install a 9 year old boy, just because he has distant ties to King Louis d'Outremer.

You say you act for the wellbeing of the nation, yet you wage war on your own countrymen, and your own King, over these outrageous causes!

Indeed, we are done talking, you and I. God willing, I'll see you on the battlefield.

Hugh Capet,
Rex Francorum

You've given me the opportunity to lick the boots of your unproven son, something I steadfastly refuse to do.

If the throne is to be determined by Electoral law, then you and you alone hold rights to it. Your son has no place serving as co-regent, as nobody has voted for him and he should step down. Perhaps one day, after he has proven his mettle, he will be elected our leader, but it is not a gift for you to bestow upon him.

If the throne is to be determined by Salic law, youn Louis has a better claim to the throne than do you.

You cannot have it both ways. Either you and you alone stand on the throne, or Louis does. I've already said, I would personally lead my armies to Barcelona to clear the southern marches of the heathens. I have no desire to make war on the dukes of Ile de France, but nor am I afraid to.

If you wish for me to rally to your cause, renounce the co-regency and have your son step down. Prove to me that you serve France, not seek to have France serve you and your progeny.

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
10-11-2008, 16:35
Shame On The Rebels. You Think You Can take over the Country once again? Do you not realize even if you do succed, that the Moors will Surely invade and deafet your weaken Armies?

If you Want to Die, So Be It :yes:



Odo-Henry Of Burgundy

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
10-11-2008, 18:04
How Many people still need to get orders in? I'm Just Curious :-).

Rhyfelwyr
10-11-2008, 19:04
Hugh I (Capetian Dynasty) - Revolting Friendship
Conan I (Duchy of Brittany) - {BHC} King Jan III Sobieski
Richard I (Duchy of Normandy) - Ichigo
Fulk III (County of Anjou) - AggonyDuck
Odo I (County of Blois) - Don Corleone
Herbert III (County of Champagne) - King Kurt
Arnulf II (County of Flanders) - CountArach
Odo-Henry I (Duchy of Burgundy) - |Sith|1|AntiWarmanCake88 Toyosada88
William IV (Duchy of Aquitaine) - Warmaster Horus
William II (Duchy of Gascony) - Quintus.J.Cicero
William III (County of Toulouse) - Ibn-Khaldun

Those in bold have returned orders.

Ibn-Khaldun
10-11-2008, 20:16
I will send my orders tomorrow. The deadline is Monday, right?

Rhyfelwyr
10-11-2008, 21:41
Well the chapter is released on Monday, so Sunday is really the deadline.

EDIT: Update on the orders:

Hugh I (Capetian Dynasty) - Revolting Friendship
Conan I (Duchy of Brittany) - {BHC} King Jan III Sobieski
Richard I (Duchy of Normandy) - Ichigo
Fulk III (County of Anjou) - AggonyDuck
Odo I (County of Blois) - Don Corleone
Herbert III (County of Champagne) - King Kurt
Arnulf II (County of Flanders) - CountArach
Odo-Henry I (Duchy of Burgundy) - |Sith|1|AntiWarmanCake88 Toyosada88
William IV (Duchy of Aquitaine) - Warmaster Horus
William II (Duchy of Gascony) - Quintus.J.Cicero
William III (County of Toulouse) - Ibn-Khaldun

King Kurt
10-12-2008, 15:59
I will struggle to do them today, but will do tomorrow morning

Rhyfelwyr
10-13-2008, 00:40
I think that the map with the info I have prepared below is necessary, both in helping everyone make decisions and helping keep everything together for myself.

The big shields represent an army or garisson, regardless of size. The small shields represent that town having its own militia force present. Many militia forces are already serving in armies and that is why they are not there.

So, here it is:

https://img412.imageshack.us/img412/559/armiesmapready2fs1.th.jpg (https://img412.imageshack.us/my.php?image=armiesmapready2fs1.jpg)

And don't forget the 12,000 men under Louis of Upper Lorraine!

The Capetians:

Army in nothern Blois - 5,500 men
Commander: Prince Richard
1,000 Knights
1,500 Footmen
2,000 Breton Footmen Mercenaries
1,000 militia from Courtenay and Melun

Army besieging Reims - 11,000 men
Commander: King Hugh I
3,500 Knights
6,000 Footmen
500 Brabant Mercenary Knights
1,000 Brabant Mercnary Footmen

The Duchy of Brittany:

Army in Nantes - 1,875 men
Commander:
375 Knights (Frankish)
1,500 Footmen (Frankish)

Army in Porhoet - 2,075 men
Commander:
275 Knights (Frankish)
1,800 Footmen (Breton)

Army marching to Leon - 3,350 men
Commander: Duke Conan I
350 Knights (Frankish)
2,200 Footmen (Frankish)
800 Footmen (Breton)

The Duchy of Normandy:

Army garissoned in Le Mans - 1,000 men
Commander: Duke Richard I
1,000 Breton Footmen Mercenaries

The County of Anjou:

Army in eastern Touraine: 7,000 men
Commander: Count Fulk III
2,000 Knights
5,000 Footmen

Army garissoned in Angers - 1,000 men
Commander:
1,000 Footmen

The County of Blois:

Army garissoned in Orleans -5,500 men
Commander: Duke Odo I
500 Knights
4,000 Footmen
1,000 Militia

Army garissoned in Blois - 5,000 men
Commander: Geoffroi
1,000 Knights
3,000 Footmen
1,000 Militia

Army marching to Tours - 3,500 men
Commander: Raymond
1,500 Knights
2,000 Footmen

500 Militia of Chartres on duty
500 Militia of Bourges on duty

The County of Champagne:

Army besieged in Reims - 8,900 men
Commander: Count Herbert III
2,200 Knights
6,700 Infantry

1,000 Militia of Troyes on duty
500 Militia of Provins on duty
500 Militia of Meaux on duty
500 Militia of Brienne on duty

The Duchy of Burgundy:

Army besieging Reims - 4,400
Commander: Odo the Fearless
1,000 Knights
400 Footmen
1,000 HRE Mercenary Knights
2,000 HRE Footmen Mercenaries

Army in Burgundy - 8,400 men
Commander: Duke Odo-Henry I
1,900 Knights
6,500 Footmen

The County of Flanders:

Army touring Flanders - 15,500 men
Commander: Duke Baldwin I
1,000 Knights
10,000 Footmen
4,500 Militia

The Duchy of Aquitaine:

Army in La Marche - 8,000 men
Commander: Duke William IV
3,000 Knights
5,000 Footmen

The Duchy of Gascony:

Army attacking Basque alliance - 4,900 men
Commander: Duke William II
400 Knights
1,800 Norse Guard
2,700 Footmen (Basque)

The County of Toulouse:

Army in Bourbon, south-west Burgundy - 4,000 men
Commander: Count William III of Toulouse
1,000 Knights
3,000 Footmen

Army in southern Burdgundy - 8,000 men
Commander: Jean of Toulouse
1,000 Knights
7,000 Footmen

Army of northern Foix - 2,500 men
Commander: Philip of Foix
500 Knights (Catalan)
2,000 Footmen (Catalan)

Army garissoned in Toulouse - 4,000 men
Commander: Philip of Toulouse
1,000 Knights
3,000 Footmen

1,000 Militia of Toulouse on duty
500 Militia of Narbonne on duty
500 Militia of Rodez on duty

Rebel Forces:

Army in Leon, Brittany - 2,800 men
Commander: nobles of Leon, no leader at present
300 Knights (Breton)
2,500 Footmen (Breton)

Army of Basque alliance, Gascony - 2,650 men
Commander: joint commands of rulers of three regions
250 Knights (Basque)
2,400 Footmen (Basque)

Army of Tarascon rebels, southern Foix - 2,400 men
Commander: shared by elite nobles of the region
200 Knights (Catalan)
2,200 Footmen (Catalan)

AggonyDuck
10-13-2008, 06:26
OOC: When did Blois get 2,000 more infantry?

King Kurt
10-13-2008, 09:32
The cold light of an early winter morning cut the air and the countryside had been painted white by the first frost of winter. Count Herbert pulled his cloak tighter around him to keep out the morning chill. From his position on the battlements he could see the activity in the Burgundian camp, men scurrying here and there amongst the dying campfires. The assault would be soon his experienced eye told him. He smiled - but soon Louis would be here too, then these upstarts would pay the consequences of usurping the heirs of Charlemagne.

He turned to his courtier and handed him a banner. "Take down our flag and fly this one instead. It is time we showed the world what this fight is all about. You can fly our banner below this but this has the position of honour. The courtier went busy about his work. From the Burgundian camp could be heard cries of delight as the Count's banner was lowered. These changed to shouts of surprise and horror as the Orangey red banner with the golden sun on it cracked into the view, highlighted against the weak winter sunlight. The Oriflamme, the Oriflamme could be heard from the Burgundian camp as the banner of the Caroligians stamped its mark above the main gate of Reims. These distant cries were drowned out as a mighty roar came from the ranks of Herbert's men gathered in the town's square as they cheered to the rafters their own banner taking its place with the banner of the Carolginians.

Herbert turned to his men, silenced them with a curt movement of his hand and then his clear voice cut across the square as the sun caught his helm - " Today we show our true colours - they fly while I and every one of you still has breath in his body - Victory will be ours!!"

The ensueing roar echoed across the plain outside. In the Burgundian camp many a soldier turned a worried face to his companion as they turned to reluctantly continue their daily toil.

(By the way - I may have taken a slight historical liberty saying the Oriflamme was the Carolginian banner, but the Song of Roland calls it the flag of Charlemagne, so why not!! - it makes a better story)

Rhyfelwyr
10-13-2008, 11:49
OOC: When did Blois get 2,000 more infantry?

The Orleans militia and footmen from the southern Ile-de-France.

King Jan III Sobieski
10-13-2008, 16:45
I, Conan I., Lord of Brittany, wish to declare that all rebel faction within my realm of Brittany will be dealt with swiftly. Of course, this warning goes for all rebels across the land. Watch and be weary, for the Capetian-backed forces are coming for you usurping rebels.

Conan I, Comte d'Brittany

:wizard::wizard::wizard:

Revolting Friendship
10-13-2008, 19:39
The Orleans militia and footmen from the southern Ile-de-France.


I may have taken a slight historical liberty saying the Oriflamme was the Carolginian banner

Mon Dieu! One steals my soldiérs, the other one my bannér... :laugh4:


On a different note:
The King is happy to see his loyal vassals rallying to the cause of our kingdom. Seigneurs, your actions now will indeed shape the future of our country, ensure its greatness among nations, and etch our names in history amidst the noble and courageous.

Hugh Capet,
Rex Francorum

Rhyfelwyr
10-13-2008, 21:08
I'm afraid I won't get the next chapter out tonight, hopefully tomorrow.

Sorry about this guys, Uni stuff...

Ibn-Khaldun
10-16-2008, 11:25
So, when will the next Chapter come out? ~:)

King Jan III Sobieski
10-16-2008, 14:58
OC: I dunno if I like everyone seeing my military strength...:sweatdrop:

Rhyfelwyr
10-18-2008, 00:03
Chapter IX:

January 1st, 999 AD

On Wednesday, October 17th, 988 AD, a great battle took place by the walls of Reims. Months of bombardment by the Burgundian siege equipment had left a breach in the wall by the southern gate from which the Capetian and Burgundian forces approached. With news that the Carolingian claimant Louis was marching to the city with an Imperial army, King Hugh and Odo the Fealress, a minor nobleman of Burgundy, planned an assault on Reims in a desperate attempt to batter through the breach and take the city before they were engaged in the open field. Observing the troop movements from atop the wall, Count Herbert of Champagne shouted to all his officers to feed his men - rationing would no longer be an issue. In preparation for the arrival of Louis, the heraldry of the Carolingians was unfurled from the battlements, to greet Louis upon his arrival at the city. After the men were fed, Herbert ordered his troops to gather by the southern walls, in a desperate defence of the breach. As his men mobililised, so to did those of the attackers. While the majority of them gathered at the southern wall, diversionary forces went both east and west, armed with ladders to assault the walls. Both sides had taken their positions, now all that was left was the engagement.

Well-clad with chain mail and armed with spear and shield, Odo's German mercenaries were the first to advance towards the breach. As they approached the southern walls, Herbert's archers unleashed volleys from behind the battlements, while crossbowmen took up the best positions in the towers. The German troops loosened their formation, with men darting in and out of the smaller palisades that had protected the artillery throughout the siege. The attackers looked over their kite shields as they charged forward, not one left without an arrow imbeded in it. At first, the arrows of the bowmen mostly snagged on the chain mail, but as they approached the walls the darts of the crossbowmen began to inflict heavy casualities. With the armoured mercenaries absorbing many of the projectiles, both Hugh and Odo-Henry ordered their footmen to advance into the breach, as the knights watched from atop their mounts.

With the attackers on the opposite side of the wall, Herbert ordered his men to form a shield wall, closing off the passage through the breach. As battle-hardened and experienced veterans, the German mercenaries charged through the gaps in the fallen brickwork, smashing into the defending spearmen. While Herbert's bowmen focused their firing on the unarmoured footmen, the crossbowmen began to snipe the Germans from almost directly above them, their kite shield no longer able to defend from the missiles as they attempted to block the spear thrusts in front of them. As the masses of footmen poured into the breach, the Germans began to push back the defenders, the weight of the formation forcing them back. Soon, the breach was so packed with dead bodies and debris that it became almost impossible to wield a weapon, as the soldiers pushed for victory. But as the heavens opened and the rain pounded the ground into mud, the attackers soon became bogged down in the breach, the gap between the walls becoming a valley of death as the arrows rained down with the water drops from above. Nothing more then feudal levies, they soon began to panic as men scrambled over the bodies of their comrades to make it past the breach.

Meanwhile, Hugh ordered his Breton mercenaries to assault the western wall. As skirmisher troops armed only with javelin, dagger, and shield, they were able to traverse the boggy ground with speed, planting their ladders against the largely undefended walls. In a desperate attempt to flank the defenders from within the city itself, Hugh sent officers to spur the men on, and they soon reached the top of the battlemenents. Meanwhile, in the breach, few of the more experienced German mercenaries remained, and Herbert's men were gradually retaking the lost ground, cramming the remaining footmen into the breach. To the west, the Breton soldiers charged across the wall-tops, and fought through the defenders in the southern tower, making their way across to the breach. Seeing them approach, the defending missile troops turned their attention from the enemy footmen, unleashing a volley of arrows into the unarmoured Bretons. As they were cut down, men flew off either side of the wall, with those towards the rear of the formation tripping over their fallen friends. Facing the prospect of another volley, the Bretons routed, barging each other off the walls in their desperation. Once again safe atop the walls, the crossbowmen returned their fire into the breach, ending the brief respite for the soldiers trapped there. As death resumed to pour down from above, the hearts of the attackers were finally broken, and the men turned backwards and began to scramble through the gaps. The attacking infantry had all but been killed or routed, and now all that was left was for the survivors was to flee.

Safe behind a defensive ditch, Hugh and Odo watched on in desperation as their men sprawled in all directions from the southern wall. Noticing that some impetuous defenders had chosen to pursue them, Hugh and Odo rallied their horsemen for one last charge. As the squires cleared any obstructing palisades and manouvered the horses round the ditches, the knights took up their lances, ready to die in the name of the King. With the defenders beginning to gather outside the walls, the knights mounted upon their warhorses, and began to advance, the horses picking up pace across the flat ground towards the walls. But valiant as they were, they were unable to defend from the arrows of the crossbowmen, bringing the unarmoured horses crashing down, and breaking even the heavy chainmail of the knights. The boggy ground soon halted the charging horses, the routing infantry having trampled it into mud. Even as the knights lowered their lances and prepared for the moment of impact, their own routing footmen obstruced their path, tripping the horses from beneath their hooves. Nonetheless, Odo the Fearless honoured his name, arriving first alongside his retinue at the defenders. As his lance penetrated the helmet of a defender, the spear of another brought Odo tumbling to the ground, clutching his wounded chest in agony. The cavalry had become too dispersed, the formed charge had failed. Realising that the battle was beyond recovery, Hugh's mercenary knights fled, Imperial Lorraine only perhaps a weeks ride from the walls. While the loyal knights continued to be cut down by the storm of arrows and the wall of spears, Hugh was knocked from his horse, and arrow piercing through the mail on his leg. Seeing their King fallen, the surviving knights turned and fled, all hope was lost.

As the last of the attackers fled, the storm of arrows died with the rain, by now only spitting upon the battlefield. Outside the walls, dead and dying bodies lay still, a few groans could still be heard from the wounded. Alerted by his scouts, Herbert approached Hugh from atop his horse, Hugh lying with his back in the mud, a pool of blood mingling with the murky water beside him. Looking with pity on his fallen foe, once his lord, Herbert ordered that he be mounted on horse and taken to the physicians. Once treated in the makeshift hospital that the town militia hall was currently functioning as, Hugh was taken to the keep, there to be held as prisoner and juged by the rival king Louis.

Louis himself arrived only a few days after the battle, greeted by his coat-of-arms flying upon the battlemements. He will now surely decide the fate of the Capetian King. Of course, there are still lords who remain loyal to the Capetians across France, and this fact will be vital to Hugh in his negotiations with Louis.

Elsewhere in Francia, several smaller battles also took place. In Brittany, Duke Conan I was ambushed by the rebellious Breton nobles of Leon, and forced to flee back to his eastern territories. In the south, William of Gascony achieved and emphatic victory over the Basque alliance, with his Norse Guard playing a vital role. In the south-east, the Tarascon uprising was suppressed by the Foix troops still loyal to Toulouse, and Count William will look to restore order to the region. In addition to this, Baldwin of Flanders, having only recently risen to power, launched a invasion of Normandy with his large force of over 15,000 men. With Richard of Normandy's forces still tired after their previous campaigns in Maine, he must take action quickly if he is to defend his lands.

With the great battle by Reims leading the the capture of Hugh Capet and the comprehensive defeat of the royal forces, this could be the time when Francia enters a new chapter. Or indeed turns back the pages to an older time, that of the Carolingians. As Hugh is held captive by Herbert, his fate now lies in the hands of his rebellious vassels and their chosen leader, Louis of Upper Lorraine. With the historic crowning-place of the French Kings at Reims now held by Louis, it will surely only be a matter of time before he declares himself King of France, and the restorer of the Carolingian dynasty...

I'll give everyone a day or two to read this before I send orders...

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
10-18-2008, 03:41
Damn it :wall:

I make a better statement when I return Tuesday. I be gone for 3 days to rest my wrists :yes:.

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
10-18-2008, 04:37
Any Of my Men Survive :-(?


I, Odo-Henry, will get my brother release. I will not give it to your Rebels, no matter the cost.

Ibn-Khaldun
10-18-2008, 07:24
I wanted to know whether my amies managed to take southern Burgundy or not. Oh well, gotta wait the next chapter then. ~:)

Revolting Friendship
10-18-2008, 13:01
No need to send me orders, I see little chance of turning my situation around at this point, and I'm withdrawing from the game.

Have fun guys

Rhyfelwyr
10-18-2008, 15:12
I wanted to know whether my amies managed to take southern Burgundy or not. Oh well, gotta wait the next chapter then. ~:)

Well they just arrived and they've been raiding the countryside, you'll have options to do more in your orders...


No need to send me orders, I see little chance of turning my situation around at this point, and I'm withdrawing from the game.

Have fun guys

Aw man, it'll be hard to fill that role at this point!

Revolting Friendship
10-18-2008, 15:25
Aw man, it'll be hard to fill that role at this point!

The role of a prisoner, what can I do? My homeland is already half conquered with Orleans gone, there is nothing left to do but getting executed or whatever. I'm sure you can write up the collapse of the Robertians without me deciding how it should happen.

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
10-18-2008, 16:17
The role of a prisoner, what can I do? My homeland is already half conquered with Orleans gone, there is nothing left to do but getting executed or whatever. I'm sure you can write up the collapse of the Robertians without me deciding how it should happen.



You wanted to quit after your Otomo Navy been destroyed in Kage's IH, then you came back anyhow.


Up To You, I will contuine fighting :yes:

AggonyDuck
10-18-2008, 16:50
A direct assault against Reims? Mon dieu! What a waste of brave and formidable men! I congratulate Count Herbert for his victory and I will look forward to seeing you in the support of the Count of Blois in Touraine. Hopefully we can prove to be a more tenacious and cunning opponent than our brave, but foolish king.

Fulk III, Count of Anjou

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
10-18-2008, 18:25
A direct assault against Reims? Mon dieu! What a waste of brave and formidable men! I congratulate Count Herbert for his victory and I will look forward to seeing you in the support of the Count of Blois in Touraine. Hopefully we can prove to be a more tenacious and cunning opponent than our brave, but foolish king.

Fulk III, Count of Anjou



You Tratior! Never the less, I will fight to the end. I hope Nomandy and Brittany decide to remain loyal to our King.



Odo-Henry I, Duke Of Burgundy.

AggonyDuck
10-19-2008, 02:39
You Tratior! Never the less, I will fight to the end. I hope Nomandy and Brittany decide to remain loyal to our King.



Odo-Henry I, Duke Of Burgundy.

Ever the impetious fool it seems. You did not even try to read my statement, or you failed miserably in interpreting it correctly, before you accused me of treachery. I would hardly be surprised if it was you who advocated an assault in the first place.

To help you understand what I said; the die has been cast and I've selected a side. The wrong side it seems. But do you truly expect that the Count of Blois will let me get away with the occupation of Touraine, especially now that he has gained considerable support due to your loss? I believe we will come to blows over Touraine and due to my limited resources I intend to fight this war far more prudently than you have done so far.

Fulk III, Count of Anjou

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
10-19-2008, 03:55
Actually, It was the King who wanted the assault, not me.


Nevertheless, I do not care what you think. You will fall either way. My Armies are spread out thin now, yes, but you really think you going to have a easy win?


In The End, Anjou will Be Under Burgundy control, and I will split it up with the rightful people of Francia, that are not rebels.


I like to see you try to fight this war more prudently, since rebels always are tratiors.



Odo-Henry.

AggonyDuck
10-19-2008, 08:55
Mon dieu! You still did not read what I said correctly! I think you might have a great career as a battering ram. Never have I experienced a head so thick so gates would hardly be an issue. So I will explain again to you. I opted to support the King in this struggle and I will continue fighting on the same side despite your abysmal performance.

Fulk III, Count of Anjou

Ibn-Khaldun
10-19-2008, 09:33
OOC - Have people received their orders? If they are then I must say that I haven't!

Rhyfelwyr
10-19-2008, 12:56
No I'll probably send them later today.

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
10-19-2008, 15:58
Mon dieu! You still did not read what I said correctly! I think you might have a great career as a battering ram. Never have I experienced a head so thick so gates would hardly be an issue. So I will explain again to you. I opted to support the King in this struggle and I will continue fighting on the same side despite your abysmal performance.

Fulk III, Count of Anjou



Sorry about that Ducky Boy :sweatdrop::sweatdrop:

Eh, I been under lot of stress due to health problems (stomach), so I haven't been reading over this stuff well :dizzy2:

AggonyDuck
10-19-2008, 16:26
OOC: Don't stress it mate. It wasn't that clearly written. Anyway hope you don't mind Fulk giving your Duke a hard time about that misunderstanding.

Don Corleone
10-20-2008, 00:36
OOC: Yeah, don't forget, Aggony's actually playing a real wanker. Bang up job, btw, Aggony.

King Kurt
10-20-2008, 09:41
The role of a prisoner, what can I do? My homeland is already half conquered with Orleans gone, there is nothing left to do but getting executed or whatever. I'm sure you can write up the collapse of the Robertians without me deciding how it should happen.

As your captor - by the way Burgundy, isn't it great when a plan comes together!!! - can I be so bold as to suggest that there is still an active role for you to play. You will be the centre of the struggle to keep your kingdom. You have a young son who can rally support. You will not be moving troops, but will be the centre of diplomacy. You are well placed to speak to me!!

As for me - I off to sit in the corner and look incredibley smug!!!

King Kurt
10-21-2008, 13:10
A large crowd had gathered in the square before Reims cathederal. All morning the square had been busy, first with the movement of the bodies of the fallen knights being carried on their shields to lie in state in great church, then with the general gathering of the victorious army to celebrate their feat of arms. A cheer broke from the throng as Count Herbert strode on to the steps to address the crowd.

With a wave, he silenced the cheers and his strong, clear voice echoed around the square.

"My comrades in arms - I salute your victory! With the might of our sword arm, we have struck a blow at the heart of this false King and await the arrival of the one true King for his coranation - the might of the Carolginian Empire will shine a light on Europe again.

Let us remember the fallen of both sides, their valour should never be forgotten.

Now our attention turns to Hugh who, even now recovers from his wounds in my chambers in the keep. I state this clearly - he is the guest.... and the prisoner of the Count of Champagne and no other. Many Counts were happy to state their support for him, but few to send troops. To these scoundrels I say - put your money where your mouth is - if you believe him to be your King, then pay to me the King's Ransom he would command if he were such a King - your inaction will say to the world your lack of belief in this usurper. I expect a suitable ransom to be delivered here to me in Reims by New Year's Day or I will judge that you have all turned your backs on the short reign of the Carpetians and Hugh will face his fate and God alone.

And I say to you, my fellow men at arms, when such a gift arrives, all will benefit from such a prize."

Cheers and shouts of approval rang out as Herbert turned and entered the Cathedral to stand vigil on his fallen knights who lay in their position of honour in front of the high altar.

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
10-22-2008, 23:36
Deadline btw?

Rhyfelwyr
10-23-2008, 00:04
Deadline btw?

I'll give you threescore and twain minutes.














OK next Friday.

Ibn-Khaldun
10-23-2008, 13:31
Orders? :coffeenews:

Rhyfelwyr
10-23-2008, 15:56
Orders? :coffeenews:

Didn't you get them?

Ibn-Khaldun
10-23-2008, 16:11
No. I haven't got any orders!