Duchy of Osterreich

The Duchy of Osterreich has as its seat the city of Wien. Always a rich city, in recent times Wien has become increasinly affluent as a result of the new silver mining industry. Since the elevation of Leopold to Prinz, the city has begun to take on a flashy, showy look, becoming festooned with statues, fountains and other symbols of municipal wealth and grandeur.

The Prinz himself resides and has his Court at the Palace, a gothic and forbidding building based around the old city Keep. Within its imposing walls a series of hallways decorated with armour, weapons and tapestries depicting the ancient legends of the Germanic people confront the visitor, before he is led into the main hall, a lofty space draped in reams of black silk.

Overall the atmosphere in the Palace of Wien is intimidating and forbidding - servants tend to speak in hushed tones and the passageways echo with the clash of mailed boots.

Nobles of Osterreich:
Prinz Leopold, Duke of Osterreich and son of Kaiser Heinrich
Count Jens Herden of Budapest.
Herr Harold Merode
Herr Elberhard von Essen

Lands of Osterreich:
Osterreich, capital: Wien
Local industry: Silver mining

Hungary, capital: Budapest

Battles:
The Battle of Breslau, 1083
The Battle of Silesia, 1086
The Battle of Wien, 1117
The Battle of Tyrol, 1123
The Third Battle of Innsbruck, 1123

Elberhard steps into the chamber containing the records of the Osterreich's battles. On his way he pays homage to the standard of the Duchy. After gesturing sharply to a Servant to bring him a glass of wine he sits at a table and begins poring over the records.

The Prinz, with a clash of mailed feet, passes down the corridor by the doorway to the tapestry and records chamber. Spotting Elberhard within he calls out to him as he strides past.

You, von Essen, haven't you something useful to be getting on with?

He is only half joking.

Elberhard nods deferentially to his Prinz.

I am ordered to march into battle with Count Herden. I just await the order to ride to the battlefield.

A messenger runs in, bowing to the Prinz before passing a note to Elberhard. Elberhard stands quickly, grabbing his cloak and turning to run out.

Forgive me, it appears I am called to battle immediately. A quick ride should get me to the field before the peasants have finished slaughtering eachother.

Elberhard returns. Although he bears a couple minor and healing injuries, his armor is gleaming as ever, and any damage that might have been done to it seems to have been repaired. If the Prinz is present he bows.

"An exhilarating engagement, sire. It was good again to bring death to the enemies of the Empire."