Duchy of Austria

Arnold:

Lorenz, Lord Zirn, Count Karolinger

Do you prefer money (resource points to recruit local units) or do you want me to send professional troops?? (Troops will arrive at the end of the turn, money arrives for this turn).

Let me know your wishes gentlemen. Lord Zirn please inform me as to Karolinger's decision.

Tancred!!

I know the messenger service is inconsistent at this time...but for Christ sake...can you let me know what you are going to do!


The Venetian's are coming so there will be more bloodshed soon!!

Duke Arnold.

Karl Zirn:

I have used my wealth to purchase some Pavise Crossbowmen. The best we can do are militia units I would prefer professional troops from Ragusa then the exchange of wealth at this time.

We have another Bodyguard unit Johann is waiting for us in Budapest. I would like to see Lorenz Zirn get that artillery piece in Vienna and he may need some financial assisitance to purchase.

I have not heard from Tancred and it maybe possible for Karolinger to head west soon. Though I think we should offer assistance to rebuilt the 1st BOA army before he does leave.

I believe they are two Hungarian armies east and southeast of the Budapest. The one appears well trained and equipped but I do not know the composition of the second.

Arnold:

I will be sending you and either Karolinger or Lorenz as many DIK as I can.

Combined with your missle regiments this should be the best combination.

Lorenz going the Vienna to recruit more troops and some cannon would be the best idea.

Depending on what Karolinger does I will either send some DIK to him or Lorenz.

I believe I will meet the Venetian's in the mountain passes.

Duke Arnold

I wonder whether the situation calls for my return yet. I shall wait at least one more time before my departure East.

As for money or army, I'd rather have the troops. Dismounted Knights are what I command best, so the choice is natural.

As for rebuilding BHA Otto, no thank you. I will take the Knights from Duke Arnold, and my former army but no more; you will need the rest. And I have Innsbruck loyal to me. The Citadel will furnish me with many troops, hopefully.

OOC: I'll pm TC, telling him I'll stay in the area and assist once more the others, okay?

OOC:

Good to hear from you WH

I'll send 6 regiments of DIK to Budapest. Northnovas can work out the details once they arrive.

Cheers
AG

THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS! Edmund Becker dares mess with us. I'm sorry if this is not intended Duke, but I will send the serpentines I was able to recruit to Budapust. I will then recruit 1 militia and build a fort near Vienna to stop that imbecil Becker from plundering our resources.

Karl Zirn:

I would have to agree. We can't wage a war without resources. If he wishes to hole himself up in Prague so be it but he can't take what we need to do the fighting now. I would support a defensive position and have Lorenz built a fort to block any further incursions from Prague.

That serpentine will be of great use. I feel I may not have the proper resources for a push and may have to fall back to Budapest. I have a cannon and 2 missile regiments with no calvary. If I can't soften the enemy up before the main assault I will just wear my army down and even a victory will be a defeat with the high casualties that would occur. I am open to any suggestions for tactics. They do have the superiority in numbers. I don't know if a night attack will be enough of a punch to stop their offensive maneuvers.

Any suggestions Friedrich, Duke Arnold?

Arnold:

Count Lorenz,

Your instincts are spot on young man. Send the Serpentine's to Budapest and then go north!

Your objective is to prevent the separatist Becker from further damaging our ability to defend Austria!!

The actions of his merchants is reprehensible and another clear departure from sound thinking for the overall good of the Duchy.

Gentlemen, he is clearly thinking only of himself in this time of crisis and he will be brought to heel as soon as possible!!

Lord Zirn!!

I would still stay on the offensive and attack at night. While casualties maybe high your night time fighting skills should keep them low ni a front shock attack with you hitting one flank. Perhaps Lord Karolinger could accompany you as additional cavalry for the action? His service to date has been exemplary so please ask if this is a possibility.

And Zirn...keep your son safe...he may also be used as additional cavalry but you know how vital he is to the Duchy at this time!

Tancred is still out of communication although he does seem to be heading for Budapest.

I, on the other hand have had a gut full of these #$%ing merchants with swords. The next communiqué you receive from me will be covered in Venetian blood...the road to Daruzzo is going to be lined with heads!!

Duke Arnold

Arnold:

Lord Zirn,

I am cut off from Ragusa, but have every intention of gutting these bloody merchants into the next century with immediate effect.

What that mean's is, I can't send you troops at the moment.

I have word that Tancred is heading to assist you.

With that in mind do you want money at this time or troops later?

Duke Arnold

I will send you personal orders by separate messenger.

Gentlemen!!

The situation in Austria is still critical.

Firstly I would like to thank Duke Lothar for lifting the siege of Venice. His actions have had a direct impact on our ability to defend against the Venetian's and Hungarian's.

Lord Zirn, Lorenz, Sir Tancred and Count Karolinger,

I'm inclined to refit my army from Ragusa this turn and attack the Venetian's immediately. While this would deprive you all of professional troops for the moment it would allow me the send professional troops to you all the following turn.

Count Karolinger,

Do you intend to return to your Duke or remain in Austria? I certainly believe the three of you could mount a combined attack and lift the siege this turn.

Lorenz,

Give thought about moving towards Prague and defeating the Hungarian force marching towards our centre. We can not afford to lose income from this force going unopposed through our interior.

What are your thoughts on the next moves?

Duke Arnold.

Countrymen!

I have submitted some suggestions regarding our current situation by correspondence. I will let the Duke make the final decision when he is fully briefed but would like some feedback from Tancred and Lorenz for any further options that I did not see.

Karl

Karl Zirn:

After discussing with the Duke there will be a withdrawal from Budapest.

OOC: WH is away but will have the C option so he will safely leave the city.

Lorenz Zirn:
Duke Arnold!!!
I have been incharge of Budapust for many years. I have devoted many lives towards it. I have sacraficed hundreds of lives just regain it from the rebels; and now you tell me we are to abandon it!?

That is nonsense! Too much has been given to let this city fall. Here is my opinion. I will take every single available garrison in Vienna, and ask for the surronding cities to arm me with any men they can spare. I will then take the men I was able to rally and hit the Hungarian basturds outside of the city.

I am angered by the cowards who dare flee Budapust, you fools. Do not flee and return. Gather all the men you can and remain in Budapust with the best men you can find. With the forces I can rally, I will weaken the enemy outside of Budapust, even if it will cost me my life. I pray to God I will be able to make it in time.

This is my proposal Duke Arnold. It is your choice to accept it or not.

Arnold:

The decision has been made and the orders given Lorenz. We will withdraw for the moment and regroup.

Karolinger will rejoin his Duke while Lord Zirn and his son head towards Zagreb.

Sir Tancred will move to a defensible position near Vienna also.

Lorenz ,the situation is not winnable at this moment. We are bleeding the Hungarian's inch by inch but we can not afford a defeat that would leave the entire region defenseless.

Contact Lord Zirn and discuss with him what is the best move at this time for you.

NO ONE is a coward Lorenz and to suggest otherwise is to ignore events that have happened right before your own eyes. Having read the battle reports from Ragusa the actions EVERYONE has taken to date show bravery and dedication beyond the call of duty.

Throwing our troops away on an unwinnable situation will simply leave the northern part of Austria completely open.

You are not authorised to attack. Follow Lord Zirn's orders and we will discuss our moves for next turn.

My lords please also note that Jan von Hamburg has appeared near Venice and is proclaiming various attitudes towards myself and the situation in the Reich as a whole. I request that none of you deal with him directly and refer any contact made to me immediately. His call for troops in the region must not impact our own ability to defend Austria, just as Beckers actions have previously.

Duke Arnold

Karl Zirn:

Lorenz, I admire your spirit but to win the war you have to pick your battles and the situation in Budapest is not in our best interest at the moment.
The only fool is the one in Prague who has all those troops that could be used defending Austria instead of travel excursions fighting Poles. If we had those men for Budapest the situation would be much different for the Duchy. Please advise if there is any action you would like to take by correspondence.

Lorenz Zirn:

Then so be it.... You are my Duke and I shall obey. I am still in great depression to let my city fall but I shall do, if running away is the only way we can win. I will wait for your command for what I shall do.

Arnold:

Lorenz my boy!!

We are not running away. This is a withdrawal under good order.

I promise you my friend, we will take back Budapest and you will have your city back!!

Austria will be whole again...for the moment not, but it will!!

Have no doubt about that Lorenz. I will expend every last breath in my body to accomplish this task.

Duke Arnold

Lords of Austria!!

Firstly let me publicly state my gratitude and heart felt thanks to Count Karolinger and Sir Tancred for their sacrifice and service to Austria.

I will personally extend my thanks to your respective Dukes for all that you have done for Austria in this time of crisis.

Now to other matters.

Jan von Hamburg's actions have clearly impacted the situation here in the Reich. I'm not going to comment now as there is far more important things to do than discuss what has already occurred. However I would ask the nobles of Austria to not forget.

The religious unrest has intensified to the point of open organised conflict.

While I understand the populace and their grievance in this manner and both sides of the conflict have their points...I will not tolerate open warfare against the Duchy and the secular powers that govern it!!

Moreover, everyone’s first priority is to pacify their respective provinces. Without resources we will perish.

Give me your thoughts gentlemen!!

Duke Arnold

Lord Lorenz, Lord Zirn,

There are only three of us.

Lorenz, I can't fault your thinking with regards to Vienna. There's no point have the merchant class fat and happy if there is nothing to be fat and happy with once this is all done.

My thoughts on your aquired wealth is to recruit professional soliders.

I send me a potion of the wealth, I will then raise the troops you desire and then force march then to you immediately. Some wealth should be spent to give you an operational force in as soon as possible but the entire reason I have fought so hard to hold Ragusa is to allow us to recruit prefessionals.

If you are in agreement then let me know how you wish to allocate the resources and I will go to the quarter master immediately and relay your orders.

(OOC: I expect I can recruit immediately from Ragusa but it will take some time to send them. I will check with TC and get back to you on the timing. Therefore I recommended you hire the best troops you can to give you some force and then wait for the professionals to arrive soonish.)

Lord Zirn,

I have no thoughts for you at this moment. The reports from the field are vague at best. What are you initial thoughts on your movements?

OOC: This information is an IC representation of the information I have received about raising an army using Ragusa this turn.

Lorenz,

I've spoken to the quarter master general and recruiting staff here in Ragusa.

If you remain in Vienna this turn and do nothing in that province you will receive all the professional troops you need at the end of this turn and the only action available to you would be to pacify Vienna.

I would therefore highly recommend you send me a recruiting order and money for me to raise this force and send it to you at the end of this turn.

With this army you can certainly "get in the fight" and help relieve some of the pressure we are facing.

I look forward to you immediate reply.

Duke Arnold.

Karl Zirn:

I will remain in the Zagreb region and fight the Hungarian army to the east of Zagreb. I would like to aid the city of Venice but it is too far and will leave us exposed. Depending what the Hungarians do with Budapest if they rest or continue west I may have the option of aiding Vienna or go west to Venice.
I want to ensure that Zagreb is secure.

Arnold:

A sound strategy Lord Zirn.

Good luck and god speed!!

Duke Arnold

Lorenz Zirn:

Then all is well, with a fresh professional army at hands, I can easily crush those Hungarians. Lord Zirn if you don't mind me suggesting, I think you should not go to Venice and stay in Vienna. If the Hungarians take Budapest Vienna will be in a terrible spot it is best if the two of us was there to protect Vienna as we can not lose another major settlement.

Arnold:

Lorenz, your orders have been place with the quarter master general.

The following professional regiments will arrive later this turn and will enable you to crush the rebel force south of your current position.

3 x DFk
3 x Armoured Sergents
1 x Pavise Crossbowmen.


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OOC: This is the only move TC will allow you to make this turn AND receive the troops using the resources you have.
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IC:

Gentlemen,

I highly recommend we fight the fights we can this turn.

Therefore that mean's Lorenz should attack the rebels once he has received the troops from Ragusa.

Lord Zirn should attack the Hungarian army near Zagreb.

I will move to block the Venetian army approaching Ragusa.

Duke
Arnold

Lorenz Zirn:

Duke, I am stuck on optionsto pick. Shall I garrison Vienna and defend it against all foes.

You should alo take in consideration that Nuremburg remains in the grips of religious warfare and her Lords are stuck in Italy defending against the Byzantines I could ride northwest to Nuremburg and pacify the province in an attempt to prevent any further destruction, and then return immediately to Vienna.

Arnold:

That's a negative Lorenz, do not attack Prague.

Let me confer with Lord Zirn and I will get back to you.

Hold and await further instruction. While wiating I'd recruit a unit of Forlorn Hope. In addition, as we have lost Budapest, you are now Cout of Vienna for administration purposes please oversee the approriate duties and forward on any issues. (OOC: This is a technical issue to allow for more money in the game mechanics...I think.).

Duke Arnold

:clown: Couldn't help the Top Gun reference and military style request.

Karl Zirn:

Duke Arnold just to clarify from our latest intelligence I would recommend that Lorenz Zirn hold and recruit in Vienna. Some artillery would be nice. There is a small Crusading Army of Hungarians to the east and I don't know if there destination is Vienna. We cannot loose anymore cities.

I am secure in Zagreb but would like to top up the army. I have some wealth to share in the recruitment. I think a return to Ragusa and built up would be wise the Venetians have some large armies to the east.

I am unsure of the 1st AHA next move. Venice is under enemy control but no army has left to head east. I fear if I venture to far east they may take the opportunity to move on our western front. Though I want to protect the region I do not want to sit. I may force the hand of the Hungarians at the first bridge.

What do you say with the wealth can we take advantage of our situation and pool our money to recruit some high quality regiments?

Arnold:

#@^%$#$ me!! I just saw the field reports!!

I don't know where these %$#^#ing Venetian's are getting all this money and men but it seems as if Satan himself is aiding them!!!

I'm pulling back recruiting like a bastard and holding the fort so to speak.

I would recommend both of you send me money so I can recruit and send professional soliders to you. Of course that would mean no offensive actions this season.

Venice is lost...we can't help it anymore. Duke Lothar has done his best and there is nothing more I could ask of him. We hold here until we are dead or the situation changes.

Both of you could camp just outside the cities and tempt the two respective Hungarian armies next season. Neither can attack with more than one army as far as I can tell.

We are three nobles with three armies and three provinces. We've done very well considering the situation, but this does seem to the "end game".

Given the situation holding would be the most prudent course of action. We simply build up as much strength as we can combined together and make them bleed as hard as possible.

Thoughts?

I agree Duke that we should bring the fight to their territories but, now is not the time, we need seige equipment men, these things we do not have. Currently I will go to Vienna and defend it with my life, I will recruit one or two cannons.

Karl Zirn:

Agreed lets use this up coming year to recruit and resupply. I will send my wealth to Ragusa for higher quality troops. Then we can move forward next year.