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Good, as soon as a replacement arrives to take over the defense of Jerusalem, I will request to be moved north at once. I would be happy to relinquish command at Edessa to a more capable commander. I just want to be there when they come.
(OOC: I don't mind having my avatar in someone elses stack. Jan has lower command than everyone here.)
Conrad Salier:
Ideally, this would be Elberhard (taking over Jerusalem, that is). The County assignments in the past have seemed haphazard when compared with the Counts' actual posts (Karl Zirn, Count of Damascus, fighting the Turks for example). In the future I would like the Counts stationed closer to their actual Counties.
Sounds good to me. I haven't actually set foot into the county I have been governing yet. When it comes to moving around Outremer, what is the protocol? Do we ask you and then tell the Chancellor? Do we ask the Chancellor and then he confirms it with you? Or do we ask you and you tell the Chancellor where we all go? I'm still new at this and I wish to be clear on the chain of command in regard to who issues the orders from the top and who to send up questions and requests from the bottom. I'm sorry about all of the questions but I have learned that a clear chain of command is a good thing.
I figure with seven decidedly unique personalities, it would be best if we could shave off some of the flurry of letters that will inevitably go back and forth once things get more exciting. So as to not overload our mail systems. (OOC: I mean our PM mailboxes)
Conrad Salier:
If the Chancellor is a Crusader Count (as is currently the case), I would appreciate it if we put all of our suggestions/requests out here. If this is not the case, then put your suggestions/requests here anyway and I will personally liaise with the Chancellor.
So its basically the equivalent of carving into the long oak table in the great hall here in Antioch? Alrighty then!
With a big grin, Jan pulls out his dagger and starts carving into the beautiful oak table in the great hall. The scrawl on the table reads:
Please move me up to Edessa once Ebelhard or some other replacement relieves me at Jerusalem. Thank you.
The Chancellor is indeed a Crusader so send your messages here. I will attempt to keep Crusaders in there assigned settlements, though I reserve the right to redeploy if needed.
Count Zirn is already in Damascus, I'm in Adana, King Salier will be moved to Antioch, Prinz Elberhard to Acre, Count Jan to Edessa, and once Jan is there Count Fredericus will depart for Aleppo. I must consult my maps before I decide where Hans will go.
This all depends, of course, on how quickly the Mongols move toward us.
I will also do what I can to reinforce the walls of Edessa and Damascus.
As I said before, our specific strategy will be dictated by which of the two the Mongols choose to march on.
Karl Zirn:
Will the Acre Garrison look after Jerusalem?
edit: location
Conrad Salier:
Since protection of Jerusalem is Outremer's main priority I'm inclined to say that everybody has a role, but due to practicality most of the burden will be shouldered on the Count of Acre.
The King is correct. Oversight of Jerusalem will fall to Acre and Prinz Elberhard. If needed we can use our small fleet to bring in reinforcements from Adana, or bring them overland from the other settlements.
Whenever Edessa is not threatened, feel free to use me as a floater. I'd like to be where the action is. I've already had more than enough of sitting on my duff in settlements for years. I still have to work off the pounds I've packed on.
(OOC: I have had the "too comfortable" trait from back when my avatar was a NPC and sat in Damascus for years.)
I would like to be moved up to my brother in law (Jan von Hamburg) as soon as possible as well as although I am young I still have seen very little action and would love to wipe the smile off the mongol Khan's face.
I will do what I can to accommodate your request Sir Dieter.
OOC: Your avatar has already been knighted due to losing 2/3 of his retainers when Conrad Salier attacked the Mongols outside Aleppo. It's in this battle report:
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showp...&postcount=119
Conrad Salier:
I grieve for the loss of Count von Hamburg. He was a great man, Crusader, and Chancellor. Time and time again he protected Outremer and the Papacy by engaging and defeating the Saracens and Horse Lords. He will most definitely be missed.
But, as with all things, there is replacement. Dieter Bresch, welcome to Outremer and may you help carry on Fredricus's legacy.
Yes, I mourn for the death of my father. But he would want us to continue his work here. And I have faith that Dieter will help continue my father's legacy just like I will strive to.
Indeed I will honour your father and will fight me hardest in Outremer in honour of his momory
Conrad Salier:
Some of Fredricus's staff have reported to me regarding his last words. Apparently they dealt with the Horse Lords and how they would be even more cautious, this time skirting around us. His staff reports that Fredricus condoned a strategy of us as the aggressors.
I for one agree with this strategy. We are tasked with defending the rest of Europe with this wave, and that does not mean that we can let this slide should they push through northern Anatolia instead of the Levant. I implore the Chancellor to march me and an army out to directly meet one of their armies in combat so that I may properly teach them about their place.
My King,
I respectfully request that I be allowed to accompany you. I know I said I would defend the city, but technically, attacking the horse lords away from the city is defending it. I am close enough to where I would not slow you down or force you to wait up. With the chancellor's permission, I can bring some of the garrison to get your army up to full strength. I would be honored to fight under your banner.
Humbly,
Jan von Hamburg
I have been in camp outside Antioch for a few years now, has my march to Edessa been cancelled or has something worse happened. I would very much like to join King Salier and Count Janin the defence from the horse lords.
(OOC: I just noticed I've been sitting around doing nothing for quite a few turns now)
Looking at the maps, it looks like you are on your way to Aleppo with some reinforcements. Its where a lot of our forces are gathering. We will try to hold them around Edessa, but if they get past us, we need forces on that bridge to Aleppo to create a last stand.
OOC: As far as I know, your being moved towards the upcoming battles.
Elberhard: The boss is dead? @#$%^&!!!ing hell! Poor bloke. Still he went out fighting - at the end of the day, you can't ask for more than that.
I don't know how many people know this, but it was always King Salier's intention to recommend Karl Zirn as his successor as King of Outremer. Seeing as we can't get in touch with the Kaiser right now to confirm it, I propose we make that appointment provisionally.
Pauses and takes a deep intake of breath...
But, err, the thing is that Karl is @#$%^&!!!ing flat out, sick in his bed. Some @#$%^&!!!ing nasty desert bug has got 'im. There's no way he is fit to rule at the moment.
Takes another deep breath...
So, with both the Kaiser and Karl out of action at the moment, I reckon that leaves me to decide who governs Outremer during this crisis. And I reckon I'm as good a man as any to do the job right now. Therefore, I am adopting the title of Steward of Outremer until such a time as Karl is fit to take on the duties of King or the Kaiser contacts us with his own assignment.
It's the Chancellor's call, but I believe we need to consolidate after the disaster at Edessa. I recommend Count Jan's garrison of the castle should be urgently reinforced by some decent men from the Chancellor's army. Then, I suggest the Chancellor take the rest of his army and protect Aleppo. With such large garrisons, I doubt the Horse Lords will even try to take Edessa or Aleppo.
Their target will surely be Antioch. Consequently, as Steward of Outremer, I request the Chancellor to designate the army under my brother Hans as the Army of Outremer. And I order it to return to Antioch to garrison that great city, the capital of Outremer, after first detaching a few good men to stiffen the garrison at Damascus (just to make sure the Horse Lords don't get tempted to go for a weakly defended city instead of Antioch).
My recommendation is that we hunker down behind our settlement walls and let the Horse Lords thrash around outside helplessly in the desert. When the time is right and they make a mistake, our armies can move out to strike them down.
Jan walks into Ebelhard's command tent. His armor is dusty and full of dents. He walks upright and with a purpose.
I am very busy right now so I will keep this brief.
1.) The King did announce in public during the 2nd Mongol wave that Count Zirn was to be his heir.
2.) But, with the Kaiser busy and Count Zirn sick, I think it is a good idea for you to take temporary control of Outremer as Sterward. I hereby swear fealty to you for as Steward of Outremer for as long as your appointment lasts.
Jan bows his head to Ebelhard out of respect.
3.) With your's and the Chancellor's permission, I want to be immediately reinforced with units from nearby armies, and then I want another crack at the Mongol general. His army is depleted. While I agree with letting the other three Mongol armies mill around the desert, that particular general needs to die. And he needs to die now.
I will wait for your answer. Now, if you will excuse me, there is much that needs to be done in Edessa.
Matthias speaks, his voice as cold as ice.
King Salier's loss and the destruction of his army is a heavy blow.
I will salvage what I can from this.
Matthias nods to the Prinz and Jan.
Your plan is a good one your Highness, but I am loathe to abandon the ford north of Edessa or the bridge east of Aleppo. I believe we can still hold the Mongols at the river and Edessa. Jan will remain in Edessa to recruit a new bodyguard, and I will reinforce him as best I can.
If you will excuse me Gentlemen, there is something I have to take care of.
Matthias turns to leave, but speaks over his shoulder.
Oh, congratulations on your new wife, Prinz Elberhard.
Matthias walks out.
Elberhard looks stunned at the mention of a wife. He grabs one of the departing Chancellor's entourage, a recently arrived knight from Austria.
“Jesus @#$%^&!!!ing Christ! A marriage arranged behind my back by the Chancellor?! And @#$%^&!!!ing elephant balls knew about it before me?! @#$%^&!!!. I don't know whether to be happy I am beating the old @#$%^&!!!er to the altar or outraged because he knew it before me."
Elberhard pauses and then adds to the Austrian:
"You tell your Duke; it's a sad @#$%^&!!!ing day when our @#$%^&!!!s become instruments of diplomacy!"
He walks over to Jan and mutters:
"Good luck at Edessa, mate. Maybe the Chancellor is right to hold the bridge and the ford, but what if the Horse Lords through everything they have got at one of the those points? Could one army of ours hold against four of theirs?"
Jan replies to Ebelhard,
The one army would have a better chance against three instead of four. I will ask this again. Please, allow me some reinforcements from the Chancellor's army and let me at that depleted army that is right at my city's walls. The general of that army deserves swift justice. The Chancellor is worried about my chances at survival but there are times when you throw caution into the wind. And we have arrived at one of those times. The King, God bless his soul, will rest easier once that general is either captured or dead.
It is sad indeed to see a good friend and leader fall in battle. But for now, we must waste no time with mourning and instead ready our arms if we are to strike swift and true.
In the meantime, I shall accept my brother as steward to Outremer in order to allow actions to continue smoothly.
I am still awaiting the specified regiments of soldiers that I requested with approval from the late King Salier from the chancellor. I hope that this will now be done more expediently seeing how the enemy will be quite bolder in its attacks after their victory.
Adalberth unfolds the scroll with the approved regiments
A few days later...
Well, since the Chancellor attacked that Mongol army while I was refitting mine, my earlier request is pretty much moot. I will continue with resting and refitting my army and preparing the city for attack. When my army is ready, I wish to be given leave to strike targets of opportunity when they appear around the city.
Fellow Crusaders,
I am happy to see that Chancellor Matthias is running for re-election. I hope that any of you give careful thought before potentially splitting the Crusader vote. I would like to see us unite behind the current Chancellor as he has shown that he has our interests truly at heart. I think if there are any disagreements with this, they should be hashed out in here or in private so as to show a united front. These are just my thoughts on the matter.
I agree that the Chancellor has done very well in his term and I will almost certainly be voting for him this time but before I make my final decision I would like to see who else runs for Chancellorship.
Dieter, the Prince has just announced that you will be taking over my father's lands in Aleppo. Congratulations on your promotion Crusader Count! You are now officially Franconia's representative in Outremer. This deserves a beer at the Tavern.
Indeed it does my fellow count, I'll pay for yours as well