Imperial Diet VI

[Stuperman]

OOC: for a minute it was a monty python skit;

'I challenge you Kaiser'
'I challenge the Challenger'
'I challenge the Challenger's Challenger'

IC: This Diet discussion has degenerated into a farce, We have been robbed blind because of the Kaiser's refusal to see reality. Depending on where you are in the Riech You could be under the 'Kaisership' of three different men by my count. We are at war with an infinitely stronger Byzantium after hundreds of years of peace, and we only have ourselves to blame. Religious unrest throughout the riech has evolved from fringe opposition to unification, to a full blown revolution. Dassel has managed to get us excommunicated. Our soldiers treat duty as a hobby, and abandon their posts without a thought.

Gentlemen, unless we straighten ourselves out, the Holy Roman Empire will crumble to the history books. We need Unity, Order, Obedience and Piety. I Propose we immediately open negotiations with the Lutherians, and Swabian rebels. Consolidate our troops to defensive positions within the riech, increase wages of soldiers and station them closer to home, to encourage them to fight to protect their homes. Anf then 'Kaiser' Elbhard you can pull a 'Hienrich' and beg for forgiveness from his holy father.

[OverKnight]

A message arrives from Matthias Steffen:


My Lords,

Despite what Peter von Kastilien stated, I am not a hero. Through my own arrogance I let myself be captured.

Count Peter, I beg you, stop this foolishness. You are making a bad situation worse. I have disagreed with Kaiser Elberhard's decisions in the past, most pertaining to Unification. I also disagree with the various responses people took to Unification. Provoking a war with the Byzantines, whether claiming it was 'destined' or not, and killing a Pope, are disproportionate responses which have caused further problems, worse than those we would have suffered if Unification had gone forward.

We have seen the death of an alliance, a Kaiser and a Pope in short order. This weakening of authority has led some to believe that they can do whatever they want with no consequences. New titles have been claimed, German fights German, and everyone thinks they have the answer.

Well, there are consequences. Our enemies profit from our infighting. Our once great Empire teeters on collapse. Some of you don't seem to realize the gravity of the situation we face. We are well and truly @$@#$!.

Now is not the time for faction or giving ourselves pretty titles. Now is the time to forget the past, unite behind the Kaiser and defend the Reich against those who would destroy it.

Strength through unity or defeat through dissolution, the choice is ours.

There is a scribbled postscript hard to make out: I mourn the loss of Edmund Becker. Despite his wish to return to Prague, he served loyally in the field to the bitter end.

[Stig]

Ansehelm:
Tancred of Tyrrolia will do nothing you tell him Peter. He and his army will return to Franconia to reinforce our armies. Failure to do so will result in punishment.
Furthermore I want you to move to Krakow to take over the defence there.

Remember what I said, anyone who wants to start a civil war will have to deal with me and the Teutonic Army. Just remember that Thorn is more or less the last loyal city in the Reich, and that the people there are still willing to join a good cause.

[Warluster]

Athalwolf enters quickly

I entirely believe that any god chosen Duke, King, Prince and such are it, no others who wish to take their god given titles. Once I have finished with the traitors army of Wolfgang, and anyone else wishes to be revolting, though most of you traitors already are, I shall kill you.

And to mein kaiser, I shall provide the head of every one who is disloyal to you, on asilver plate. Though we might not be able to afford it.

Peter, you may be a Lutherean, but for now, I believe Kaiser Elberhad to be Kaiser. Though there is only one true King, and only his rules stand.

[Warmaster Horus]

A messenger arrives, and takes the floor.

Sirs, I bring word from Count Friedrich Karolinger.

Members of the Diet.
I will go and assist Austria. Becker's death is a tragedy.
I am not going because my Duke asks it, or because my Prinz wishes it. I am going because common sense dictates it.
Count Friedrich Karolinger

That is all, sirs.

OOC: econ, I'll pm later with the developments.

[Dutch_guy]

A letter bearing Tancred von Tyrolia's seal is opened, and read.



Fellow Germans, Hail !

I write to you now from the Constantinople region, which is, since a few years, a proud addition to our vast empire. A strongpoint against our foes, the Byzantines, who have apparantly waged a silent war against us many a year before open war started when I took Constantinople by force. Sadly more than a few of you have openly stated your displeasure concerning the path my friend péter and myself took, but then again, at the moment we all have our secret agenda's. Becker's death is unfortunate, especially so because of the fact I was ready to march and aid him immediately after the request was asked of me by the late general. It was my decision to help. Sadly both the Hungarians and Byzantines forced me to take more time than Becker had...

That is it for now, I will not explicitly go into details concerning my future plans.

- Tancred.



:balloon2:

[TinCow]

*Lothar Steffen stands, his eyes drooping. He appears to be very tired.*

I apologize for my appeance, Electors. It has been a long night of politiking. As Count Karolinger's message states, I have agreed to release him and HA Otto to Austria to aid in their defense during this tragic time. I trust that Duke Arnold will see that Friedrich receives all the support that Austria can muster.

This change of plan will, unfortunately, leave Bavaria's defenses greatly weakened. HA Otto was due to defend the southern approaches of our Italian lands. I will do my best to assemble a new army in Innsbruck, but this will likely take time we do not have. Therefore I have requested aid from another source. Dietrich von Dassel has agreed to lend his army to the defense of Bavaria until such time as I have assembled the new force to take his place. In return, Bavaria shall provide aid and assistance to Dietrich von Dassel in the coming times.

There is much more that might need to be said, but I am tired and must rest.

*Lothar shuffles slowly out of the Diet.*

[AussieGiant]

In contrast to the Bavarian Duke, Arnold's appearance is animated but his eye's betray a long night of negotiations.

Destiny has clearly not favoured House Austria or that of the von Mahren family. Beckers untimely death represents the end of the entire male line of von Mahrens both by birth or by marriage. With only daughters left this means the tie's that intially bound them to Austria are broken.

Becker was well respected and I will truly miss him.

Pausing the Duke draws breath and continues.

Given the 1st AHA is now no more, I'm ordering Karl Zirn to proceed as best he can to Budapest. With no army to defend Bran it will now be abandon for the moment.

Having spoke to Duke Lothar he has graciously allowed Count Karolinger's Army to be used for our Eastern defence.

The new line of defence will be Budapest. I would ask Count Karolinger to join Lord Zirn there. Together I hope they can recruit and defend our new Eastern front.

I am still continuing to head South to Ragusa so as to recruit men and confirm our southern front is secure.

Lorenz Zirn!!

You are now ordered to stabilise and prevent rioting in Zagreb, Vienna and now Prague. Use all means at your disposal to keep these cities loyal and providing Austria with money and men.

As for the actions of our former Empress...

Crushing the report of the incident in his hand, the Duke throws it into the fire.

...the fact I refer to her as my former Empress should be enough to tell you what I think of the matter.

[FactionHeir]

A letter arrives at the diet to be read by a clerk

Nobles of the empire,

It is with great sadness that I learn of Count Becker's death, and my thoughts and condolences are with his widow and Duke Arnold. However, it is good that Becker left his children with Austria to uphold its virtues and defend his family honor. They certainly are welcome in Swabia for further education or otherwise.

As for the matter of Swabia, I am sure you have already heard that the rebellion will not last to the end of this year, god willing, as Count von Salza is engaging the traitor Huemmel on the field.

As a closing point, I wish to remind each elector to their duty towards the Emperor, Elberhard, and God. These may be trying times with much power to be had in chaos, but we must hold together our fracturing empire by following law and order as we always have instead of making our own. As such, unless Emperor Elberhard announces his heir, there is none.

Duke Hans of Swabia

[econ21]

The Diet Speaker stands up, red faced, he appears to be hyperventilating.

Diet Speaker: Electors! Good news from the Levant - Matthias Steffen has won a heroic victory against the Byzantine army attempting to storm a bridge south to Antioch!

However, I fear to report - there are reports that a Byzantine army is besieging Bologna! The enemy is at the door!

[Privateerkev]

Outremer clerk:

It is indeed a shame that House Bavaria wishes to associate themselves with Dassel the Pope-Killer. That man is responsible for our excommunication. Much of the death and destruction stemming from civil unrest is on his hands. At the next Diet, the King will urge for strong legislative sanctions to be leveled at Sir Dassel. Anyone extending Dassel their political support will be seen as "aiding and abetting" an enemy of Christianity. Pope Abbate was a good man and his killer must see justice.

[Stig]

Ansehelm:
Meine Herren

Since Herr Tancred is unwilling to obey orders from his superior, and thus unwilling to return to Franconia any noblemen finding himself near him is allowed to arrest him.
This Lutheran, Constantinople, Durazzo farce has been to costy and should stop.
We have no means to go hunting for a sole someone, but if you find yourself and your army near his, arrest him, for the good of the Reich.

People should remember that it's the Dukes who give the orders now, not anyone else.

[Stuperman]

Besieged Bologna? I demand that HAG and I be dispatched immediately to teach our roman 'brothers' a lesson.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Dietrich von Dassel:

No. I am closer, my men are ready, we can do this. I'll worry about Bologna and honor my pledge to Bavaria. Count Erlach, please focus on the other areas of Bavaria.

[RoadKill]

Lorenz announces his voice making sure the whole Diet can hear:

These are dark times for the Reich, we must not bother recapturing our already lost territories, it is useless we will only lose more men. We must retreat to our inner borders and defend there, we shall have to sacrafice land to retreat backwards so we can shrink our borders darasticlly, then when our borders are inclosed we can join many armies together and make a final stand united!

[Stuperman]

Alright, but do not let the riech's oldest Italian holding fall.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Dietrich von Dassel:

Like Hell we will retreat. Our current armies will meet our enemies in battle here, where they are already placed. We will buy enough time for larger and more powerful armies to be created in our core territories, and then we will move forward with those and utterly crush the enemy!

We are the Reich! We do not retreat! We make our stands and we advance!

[RoadKill]

Von Dassal, we have tens of open borders left undefended, if any of our enemies manage to sneak in we are going to be in Hell very soon. Austria reinforcements will take time to come but for now, we have borders completly left undefended our whole household only consists of 3 generals facing borders of 3 enemies. We have killed our own generals like Becker to defend a border we cant even keep, we have to make our borders smaller to inclose our enemy lines so we can fight more together instead of scattered all around the damn map @#$%@ing running around like headless chickens defending our territories.

[gibsonsg91921]

We shall not retreat. Whether it takes us 2 years or 200, the Reich shall return to its former glory!

[GeneralHankerchief]

Dietrich von Dassel:

*He bursts into the Diet, wherever it is, wearing bloody clothes that he evidently wore at a recent battle. He has a sickening grin on his face.*

Retreat? Desertion? Ha! I'll show those fair-weather "fanatics" of mine!

Gentlemen, the Byzantine force besieging Bologna has been defeated rather spectacularly. Their remnants, a pathetic collection of the cowards that managed to escape my wrath, lie well south of the city and are no longer a threat.

Retreat? Hah! If this is the best they can offer then we can go through 'em like *#%! through a goose!

Bavarians! Austrians! Follow my example and drive these useless Greek pansies back! Whatever we may have lost since 1300, whatever territories or men, we certainly haven't lost our fighting spirit!

[AussieGiant]

Taking a moment to scowl at Lorenz Zirn, Arnold then address the chamber.

I want to be clear with everyone here.

If the Papacy attacks Austria I will defend my House and then attack until there is nothing left!!

As much as it pains me to say it we are at war with the Pope and I will not sit by and avoid combat.

I might not have started ANY of this but by God I will finish any and all those who resist me!!!

[Stuperman]

Dieterich Von Dassel, Thank You, Your assistance allowed slip back to my home county of Ajaccio, so that it can be properly defended.

[RoadKill]

Be with it then you fools! If glory and pride to you means wasting thousands of men, then you can have your glory.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Dietrich von Dassel:

Wasting men?

Zirn, had we followed your strategy then we would have lost all of Italy below the Po by now.

Right now we have not lost all of Italy below the Po and are in good position to keep all of our Italian territories, with probably only Rome falling.

Plus, had we followed your strategy the Byzantines would still be at more strength. Right now we hold what we held before and the Byzantines have paid a greater price than us.

I don't call that glory. I call that smart defense.

[econ21]

Diet Speaker: My God! The Byzantines are here! They are in the city, slaughtering every man, woman and child! Run, Electors, run! Run for your lives!

But wait for me….