Imperial Diet III

With a ale in one hand Arnold stands

I second CA 10.2.

I've got a border the size of my war horse's scrotum and not even a second Knight to cover the ground!!

The Austrian coffers are the size of Russia's and I couldn't spend all the money I have on ale if I tried...and I've tried gentlemen!!

Do you know how many suits of armour I have...let me just say it took 4 wagons to get my suits out east for the impending carnage I'm going to administer to those Hungarian pig molesters!!

I've lost count of how many houses I have...

Turning to the ex Count of Venice in query, his advisory holds up both hands in response.

Turning back to the Diet floor, Arnold motions over his shoulder at the number of fingers being held up

More than 10 actually.

I think we should give Sofia to someone...hell, how about the English? I'm sure they'd love the beach front property.

Ansehelm stands again, looking at Arnolds direction

Young Arnold, I suggest you'd sober up. We are discussing matters of state here, would you want to drink you're welcome at Schloss Folklung, in the high north have some damned good gluhwein.

And as to why I second CA 10.2; I believe it's important that we keep attacking however, seeing the internal troubles, Bavaria is a good example, it's also important not to expand too far. Currently some cities need good governors, we can't go out and conquer if we can't even control our own citizens.
Expansion is dangerous, the crusade I wish to lead can be dangerous, however it will make sure we are safe in future. Holding settlements however is something different, as we need more garrisons, more money to support these, and more importantly longer borders. And next to that we will meet new enemies. Other nations don't trust us, once we reach other nations they will approach us with caution, and most likely with armies.

I too second CA 10.2, so as to slow down our expansion and focus on the interior. I believe that CA 10.1 is necessary as well - Hans, for his very prosperous chancellorship, is blamed for abusing his power, and this way a fresh list of Edicts to fulfill will increase a chancellor's accountability.

*Late at night, the doors to the Diet burst open and a deathly pale Conrad Salier stumbles in.*

Conrad Salier:

GAH! Hashish says, hashish wants... I have seen, hashish has let me see, I... have seen...

CHAOS!

T-terrible h-happenings... Jerusalem burns, Horse Lords beheading... drinking blood, making deal with Turks... T-technology... gunpowder is the weapon of S-Satan, it explodes, hashish tells me, it shows me... c-c-c-cities... e-...e-...exploding...

Pope dead, Cardinals dead, all dead, hashish is never wrong... it has s-showed me... in the past... Otto d-dying, Horse Lords re-returning, p-plague... m-my... my... mo-mo-mother... now it shows de-destruction... Reich is in ruins, Rome is r-rubble... Satan on Palatine Hill, t-triumphant...

SAVE YOURSELVES!

*Conrad collapses and starts drooling. A large portion of the plant hashish falls out of his pockets and is visible for all to see.*

OOC: (Gotta process the last post before I do IC) List of Legislation:

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showp...17&postcount=9

IC:

Matthias is startled and jumps up from his seat, where he had been working on some paperwork. He rushes over to Conrad:

What the hell is Hashish? Some eastern god? Someone help me move him to a bench. Get a surgeon, for the love of God!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gibsonsg91921

Hans, for his very prosperous chancellorship, is blamed for abusing his power, and this way a fresh list of Edicts to fulfill will increase a chancellor's accountability.

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Quite an accusation you put in the room here. I believe you wanted to explain where exactly I have allegedly abused power?

As for CA 10.2, I believe I can second that. It would not afterall interfere with any of the other edicts proposed, as those settlements taken can be given to our allies or the pope, to create a buffer zone.

Truly, Hans, I do not believe you abused power. However, there have been outcries against your building plans in settlements, and whether justified or not, in this case no one is hurt.

Bursting into the Diet Chambers in his night gown and hat Arnold hears Matthias's cry, turn back into the corridor he screams

For the love of God, get a surgeon!!!!

Looking sternly in the direction of Hans and Peter, Arnold shouts

Gentlemen, I think politics can be left for the moment. There's a man down in the chamber.

OOC: The timing is too good not to take advantage, sorry guy's :)

Indeed there have been outcries. Outcries that are unfounded and unjustified as by clear wording of the charter.
Thank you for elaborating, Sir Peter.

Now, would someone please get the medicus from his chamber?

Indeed, we pass fewer and fewer edicts each Diet session. CA 10.1 is a way to reevaluate the situation in the middle of the term, and revise goals if necessary. It also makes contingency edicts possible (Ex. If Edict X.xx is passed, then you must follow Edict Y.yy).

CA 10.1 still needs seconders, so if you want to ensure a smooth chancellorship, then support it!

I have been considering whether to support it or not.
While I agree that it would be a good idea to evaluate progress during midterm, a lengthy diet session does slow down progress and may result in too much bureaucracy.
If it was reworded to something along the lines of:
"There will be a one-day quick voting period during the 10th year of a chancellor's term to determine whether a limited diet session should be opened for 48 hours. Result is by simple majority. During this limited diet session, orders for household armies may be updated as if they were given before the start of the chancellor's term and edicts may be proposed only."

I should note though, that even that CA would have a low chance of passing as we do have systems for emergency diets in place.

You speak wise words, Hans, I shall reword the amendment immediately.

Edit - updated.

Shaking his head at the scene in front of him Arnold bellows out the Diet doors

How's that Surgeon coming along?

Salier is going purple by the looks of things!

Carry on Peter, I wouldn't want one of our members near death experience to interrupt the Reich's politics.

OOC: is salier still in here? geez edict 10.4 better doctors lol that stoner

*The Bavarian clerk from before stands up again.*

My lords, it appears that this hashish is not a diety, but a plant. It is grown in the east and if smoked or eaten will cause some certain... effects on the person who takes it. Speaking with the members of his staff, it appears that King Salier has been smoking it for some time now.

Also, although the distraction is regrettable, two candidates for Chancellor have spoken and so far disregarded the King's previous question. I will now restate it in case, due to events, they have missed it or forgotton.

Quote:

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What are your detailed plans regarding the Kingdom of Outremer, and how much are willing to invest in order to ensure its safety?

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Prinz Jobst stands, and wipes his forehead

I hope you get better King Salier...

I suggest the Diet proposes a sutiable amount of money to be spent in Outremer, it would be more then we spend on our houses, but not too much it de-stabilises are economy. I would put just enough money into it so it stays protected with good armies, but does not ruin our finance.

Prinz Jobst sits

Henry: I would like to discuss the merits of the candidates for Chancellor. It seems we have three or four.

First, there is my heir - Prinz Jobst. God willing, the Prinz will take up the post of Chancellor by right in due course. I am sure he will serve the Reich with distinction but would understand if the Diet was cautious about handing one man too much power.

Similarly, with Prinz Hans, no one can doubt the man's ability - both on the battlefield and governing the Reich. However, I believe power corrupts and already I am concerned about our heavy use of assassins. Prinz Hans is our mightiest general and I am sure he will play a leading role in our affairs for many year to come. But I believe now may be a good time to give another an opportunity to lead.

I have heard rumours that Prinz Hummel will stand. The Prinz of Antioch is a fine man to have at your side in a battle, but it is no secret that he and I have differing attitudes to the role of chivalry. This is a man who exterminated the settlement he was governor of. I cannot question Hans's chivalry over a few assassins' victims and overlook that.

So that brings me to my preferred candidate: Count Fredericus von Hamburg. Fredericus is a man of the old school who has given a life of service to the Reich. First, in the wilds of north and eastern Europe, then on crusade to Damascus. He is of my generation and I make no excuses for saying candidly that, unlike the other candidates, this will likely be his last opportunity to stand for the highest office. He is a Franconian and it is about time that House, perhaps the most embattled of all, was given full access to the powers of the Chancellor. He is currently in Outremer and, as night fighter, is well placed to lead our response to the second wave of the Horse Lords. Finally, he is a man of the highest chivalry, loyalty and piety. I urge you all to consider voting for Count Fredericus - a man whose time has surely come.

Ulrich Hummel stands up, ignoring the drastic scenes going on before him.

Mein electors, I formally announce mein intention to run for Chancellor.

The Reich has grown very large, very large indeed. I shall embark on a period of stabalisation, as well as punishing the Reich's enemies.

Firstly, I shall divide the Reich into several provinces governed by electors of the relevant houses.

I shall create at least eight various provinces guarded by an army quartered in a city consisting of half militia and half soldiers.

Charter Ammendment 10.3
"The Reich shall be divided into several provinces, governed by the relevent Duchies. Each province shall have a reserve army of at least 6 units, consisting half of militia and half of soldiers."

Secondly, I will create frontier regions on the edge of our borders to stablise the Reich. The interior of the Reich shall experience the true Pax Romana while I, Ulrich Hummel, reign.

I will make a stenuous effort to sack both Novgorod and Moscow. These cities shall be gifted away to our allies.

Finally, I shall conquer both Corsica and Sardinia. I am sure that the isle of Sardenia will be well appreciated by our allies, the Sicilians.

My last promise is this: Each household army shall never be beyond a state of effective fighting under mein reign.

Ulrich Hummel resumes his seat.

Count Ulrich, your amendment is intriguing, but it can be more specific. How many provinces, and which settlements will make up each province. Are they governed by a Count, Duke, or something in between?

Ulrich gets to his feet to respond.

Herr Kastilien, your question is a sound one. The provinces shall be governed by an elector appointed by the Duke.

The provinces shall only consist of territory belonging to one Duchy, lest their be disputes of allegience.

The provinces shall consist of no more than 7 territories.

Ulrich resumes his seat.

It is an interesting proposition: I second Amendment 10.3

King Salier,

I believe that Outremer should have all resources available that allow fluent construction of essential structures and maintaining the army of Outremer at full strength, divided in two brigades, north and south, at Aleppo and Acre respectively to deal with threats quickly and effectively.
For the moment, where the Mongols are approaching once more, I have authorized additional spending in Outremer to train large armies consisting of medium cavalry, pavise crossbows and armoured sergeants. After the Mongols are defeated, the least experienced forces are to be disbanded to save florins in the treasury, so that the force guarding outremer is not excessive that what is required.

During my term, I have allocated approximately a third of our funds to Outremer anually during the first invasion. During the latter years, that has decreased to a quarter and has proved to be quite effective as you can see.

*The Bavarian clerk rises once more.*

Prinz Hummel, I believe that you have been asked a similar version of this question by King Salier before, but I feel the need to ask it once again due to your comments.

You state that "I shall embark on a period of stabalisation, as well as punishing the Reich's enemies." How exactly do you plan to accomplish these two, seemingly contradictory, goals?

Also, the King's previous question regarding Outremer remains yet to be answered, Prinz Hummel.

I thank those candidates that have taken time to reply already.

I have not gone in great detail on the Outremer. I have already stated that Crusader tactics were always reached by consensus, and I have no doubt that we will be able to agree on a detailed plan to repel the Horse Lords. Certainly, our overall objective is clear: to protect the Christians of the Outremer. All Mongols must be destroyed before they reach any of our cities.

I do find it a bit silly to be asked, by Conrad Salier of all people, what I plan to "invest" to ensure the Outremer's safety. The same Conrad Salier who was with me on Leopold's crusade, who was with me outside of Damascus when I was the only one to join Leopold in his final battle, very, very nearly succeeding in following him into martyrdom.

But I guess you mean "invest" financially, which seems of secondary consequence. Still, victory must be ensured, so the army must be prepared as best as it is possible, and replenished when it takes losses. If the Outremer falls, it will be because of lack of faith, not because of lack of money.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hans

I should note though, that even that CA [10.1] would have a low chance of passing as we do have systems for emergency diets in place.

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The issue with that is that only the Kaiser of Prinz may call an emergency Diet, and if a count needs an edict passed he will have to wait until it is too late.

Or that Count could just contact the Kaiser,Prinz or Duke and ask for a emergency session?

True, but I still believe that there is not enough protection for those with less power.

My Prinz makes a fine point. CA 10.1 has noble, but unnecessary intentions. In truth I think that there is such a thing as too much oversight, and that we currently have just the right amount: The electors meet enough to dictate general policy, but not too much to henpeck the Chancellor into a specific implementation. If we go any further then we are now, the position of Chancellor stands risk of becoming toothless!

On another note, I second Edict 10.2

Ulrich Hummel stands up.

I would urge that the Reich retain the city of Riga. Such a town could be turned into a stronghold of the Teutonic Order, whose knights could protect the eastern front of the Reich from the attacks of the Russians.

Prinz Jobst stands

Charter Amendment 10.3...

Jobst throws his arms in the air

I do not get it!

"Provinces to be divided and governed separately"? I thought thats what Duchies already did!?

All the land in this Empire is divided, and governed by Duchy's already, the cities are then governed by Count's! We already have garrisons and Household Armies!

That edict, I say, is useless, as it has already been enforced, as I have proven, its already happening.

Prinz Jobst sits