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The Austrian Elector pounds his desk supporting the Duke's words..
I heard rumours before coming here today and could not think it possible. This is foolishness!! There must be an Emergency Session to correct this folly!! We cannot war with the Church!!
continues to pound on his desk....
*Kaiser Heinrich bursts into the Diet, armor still on, with a look of ultimate triumph on his face. Energy is radiating from his person.*
Kaiser Heinrich:
Good Electors... I give you... ROME!
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
When I heard about Duke Otto's declaration of war, I rushed my army to Rome to assist my Bavarian friend in the war effort. They were caught unprepared and easily beaten.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
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At last, the grand jewel of Europe is back where it belongs... in Imperial hands! That foolish Antipope Gregory may bluster about, but he will not win. Although I am sure by now he is calling his puppet Christian nations to his aid. It's a shame he called a crusade on Tunis, really.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
As to the legality of this measure, I must rule in favor of Duke Otto. Article 3.3 of the charter only requires the Diet to declare war on nations that have not entered our land. If such as faction has, for example, Antipope Gregory and his army in Genoa, then the Duke or Chancellor is allowed to do so without authorization from the Diet. In no way was Duke Otto's act breaking any Imperial laws, neither was mine.
I now implore Chancellor Mandorf to follow this up and destroy our enemies forever! Send von Kassel and I to Genoa and let us meet this Antipope in glorious battle! We are leading the Reich into a period of unsurpassed glory!
To arms!!!
Duke of Franconia raises slowly from his seat and walks out from the Imperial Diet.
*stands and addresses the Diet with a look of glee on his face*
Now we truly are the Holy Roman Empire. Now what of Pope Gregory? I for one believe that his actions have been heretical in nature and that our actions are just according to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our forces now can rule northern Italy unopposed as we have expelled the forces of the Papacy, Venice, and Milan. We are now the supreme power on our southern front. I state that our war with the papacy must be a lighting war so that our attention may be turned to our threats in the East and the West.
Let us mark this day down in the histories as a triumph to be treasured forever! Take forth our standard Mein Kaiser and eradicate this Antipope
Kaiser Heinrich:
Ah, I almost forgot to give Chancellor Mandorf my build queue for Rome. How rude of me.
1. repair stone wall
2. town hall
3. leather tanner
*The doors of the Diet are thrown open with a deafening bang. Dozens of Teutonic Knights in full armor rush into the chamber, swords drawn. They form themselves into a semicircle, backs to the door, facing the center of the Diet chamber. More knights can be seen behind them, guarding the room from the outside. The Chancellor steps into the room, carefully remaining behind the cordon of steel.*
Rude. RUDE?!
You have committed the Reich to the fires of Hell! You have made us the targets for all who wish to gain favor with the Pope! Already we are attacked by Poland, Venice, Milan, and France. Now Denmark and Hungary will turn their armies towards us. How are we to protect our lands, our peoples, from so many enemies at once?!
You have perverted the law to serve your evil ends and you have manipulated me into providing you with the resources you needed for this blasphemy! I will NOT be your dog! You may be Kaiser and Otto may be Duke of Bavaria, but for now I remain Chancellor. You shall never again receive support of any kind from me. As your loyal minions fight and die in their unholy Crusade, you had best pray that the Prince of Lies animates their dead bodies to continue your war, for only in that way will you be replenished! The Bavarian Household Army will receive nothing of any kind until I am forced to supply it by law. Even then it will be manned with peasants rounded up from the stockades and brothels!
With God's blessing, Pope Gregory will slay you himself, but know that even if he falls I will remain! Your victory will turn to ashes in your hands and you will wither and die under my gaze. You will not survive what is to come!
*The Chancellor begins chanting in Latin and makes the sign of the Cross. His eyes close and his face turns upwards. He mumbles something quickly under his breath, before returning his gaze to the Kaiser. For what seems like ages, the two men stare at each other, unspeaking. Then the Chancellor turns on his heels and storms out of the Diet. The Teutonic Knights back out slowly, leaving the doors gaping open, the lock broken and the hinges bent.*
Jobst Von Salza leans back in his seat, commenting in no way of the recent turn of events, agreeing with Kaiser and Mandorf.
Kaiser Heinrich:
Antipope Gregory was not approved by me, thus his claim is not valid and thus he is not the true Messenger of God. He has broken a system and tradition that has lasted over 1,000 years. All I am doing is simply adhering to Christian doctrine, before he twisted it to suit his own purposes. I am removing an usurper. If you do not believe that then you are a fool.
While I cannot say that I am glad to know our peasants may soon be revolting due to this act of war, I must also congratulate the Emperor for bringing Rome back into the empire and fulfilling a vow he has made.
While the pope may be angered, I do not believe his anger will last for long, considering how he is now landless and standing alone. He will crawl to our doorsteps in time to reconcile us, for he knows that with the Holy Roman Empire enclosing nearly all of Italy, he is better off having us as his allies than his enemies.
You dare proclaim that you will slay me? Slay your Kaiser, the one who has molded this Reich into the glorious nation that it is today?Quote:
With God's blessing, Pope Gregory will slay you himself, but know that even if he falls I will remain! Your victory will turn to ashes in your hands and you will wither and die under my gaze. You will not survive what is to come!
I have toiled my entire life to rebuild the Reich from the ashes of the First Investiture Crisis. I will not be stopped by the likes of you and your treasonous venom. Between the two of us, you are the only one who has broken Imperial law by threatening my life! That alone is grounds for death, yet alone impeachment!
The Sixth Elector of Swabia, Rupert von Zurich stands up.
It is a good thing that Rome has fallen. Greogory had no respect for our borders, and as such he was openly flaunting our authority.
I urge caution, however, that we do not provole the Sicilians by this act.
Dietrich Von Saxony enters the Diet hall leaving armed guards on the door.
"Gentlemen.As far as im concerned im still incharge of the safety of this city.Are you planning on going at each others throat here,since i run into armed knights here in Diet hall. My opinion is that indeed Mandorf is still Chancellor and i would really like to ask my father in law now,what next? Once you have killed Gregory,will you also kill the Danes, Hungarians and Sicilians who will no doubt attack us once they hear about our excommunication?"
Dietrich remains standing,staring at the Kaiser.
Duke Leopold has remained seated thus far, his hands grasping tightly onto the armrest of his chair. He had shaken is head solemnly upon hearing his father's announcements. Now he steeples his hands in front oh his face, resting his chin on it and listening intently to the uproar going on around him.
Fredericus von Hamburg stands, red in the face, but managing to maintain composure
I shall limit this speech to considering the legality of this action. I shall not note how Heinrich continually puts his own interests ahead of the Empire. How the north has always been ignored. How it now comes under threat due to stupid actions taken in faraway Italy.
Err, yes.. the legality. The Charter has been violated. I speak of Section 3.3. The second clause of that section, which comes to us from an old Roman law, is intended to ensure the security of the state. Originally, it was the Roman Consul who had the power to declare war upon trespassing armies, and the rationale behind giving this power to the Consul was that he could react quickly to invasions, even if the invader had not officially declared war. In our version, the dukes were added as it is their responsibility to protect their own duchies. It's a good law, if its intent is followed.
Its intent has NOT been followed. The Papal army in Italy was not an immediate threat. It has been in Italy so long that the Diet had plenty of time to discuss what is to be done, and it has decided that no action was necessary. Nobody considered the Papal army hostile, and for good reason. It would have been foolish for Gregory to attack us, when he had much more effective ways of opposing us, such as with excommunication, or even calling crusades as he has done against the Sicilians. These things he has not done. It should be clear to all that this army was of no military threat.
As such, the actions of Duke Otto von Kassel did nothing to ensure the security of his own duchy, and did everything to compromise the security of the rest of the Empire. Attacking the Pope is not the same as attacking some other invader, which is why the Diet allowed the Pope to remain in our lands.
It should be clear to any reasonable man that Section 3.3 of the Charter has been violated. However, these events highlight a fatal flaw in the Charter itself. It is no secret that the Kaiser was behind this. I cannot recall if this was publicly admitted anywhere, but it's obvious, as Genoa was granted to Bavaria immediately after Otto was made duke, and immediately before the war was declared. The Papal army, that was supposedly such threat to Genoa, hasn't even been attacked, while the Kaiser has immediately marched on Rome. It is no secret that this is merely a continuation of the Kaiser's personal conflict with Gregory, and no attempt to protect Bavarian lands.
But this is where the Charter is flawed. The Kaiser is supposed to be bound by the Charter too, but if he alone is given the power to interpret it, he will be able to find all manner of loopholes for himself and his minions. Therefore, Sections 3.9 and 5.4 of the Charter must be amended. In the cases where it is the Kaiser that is personally violating the Charter, or using his powers to interpret it in a way to advance his personal agenda, he must be held responsible. Thus, when we next enter a formal session of the Diet, following the example of how the Romans dealt with issues of military incompetence, I shall propose the following amendment:
1. (a) The words "His rulings are final." are to be deleted from Section 3.9, and (b) The following is to be added to Section 5.4: "However, if three of the four Dukes agree that the Emperor is violating the Charter himself, or that he is allowing others to do so, they may establish a temporary tribunal to adjudicate on a particular rules dispute, and/or to place on trial those responsible for the Charter violation."
This is how I propose that this reform be enacted. Suggestions and alternatives are, of course, welcome.
Since we are in something of an emergency situation that was brought about by the Kaiser himself, I now urge the Prinz to ignore that the Kaiser is perfectly capable of attending the Diet, and to himself call an Emergency Session, using Sections 3.9 and/or 5.5 (the power to be a deputy in Kaiser's absence).
Dietrich Von Saxony:
"Indeed.Maybe we should call for emergency Diet and talk about the amendment Count Von Hamburg in his wisdom has suggested. I see that that kind of measures may have to be taken for this kind of misfortunates not to happen again."
Kaiser Heinrich:
I must disagree with Count von Hamburg's assessment of our Charter.
You lack the authority to decide this. Duke von Kassel, who is responsible for the safety and well-being of Bavaria, assessed the situation and deemed that Antipope Gregory was indeed a threat and should have been removed. I trust his intent with this matter, as should you all.Quote:
The Papal army in Italy was not an immediate threat.
It has been violated only in spirit, if at all. Regardless of the origin of laws, they should still be weighed equally, for they are still law.Quote:
It should be clear to any reasonable man that Section 3.3 of the Charter has been violated.
This was a strategic decision. The Antipope now has nowhere to retreat to. His forces are unable to be replenished, and now we can combine forces and remove him forever.Quote:
The Papal army, that was supposedly such threat to Genoa, hasn't even been attacked, while the Kaiser has immediately marched on Rome. It is no secret that this is merely a continuation of the Kaiser's personal conflict with Gregory, and no attempt to protect Bavarian lands.
If it is legal, I fail to see the problem. Besides, I believe that I am a rather good determiner of what is good for the Reich as a whole, since I am bound to no House.Quote:
or using his powers to interpret it in a way to advance his personal agenda
If he does so, he is most definitely violating the charter, since I am most certainly not absent. If he calls for an emergency session I will override him.Quote:
Since we are in something of an emergency situation that was brought about by the Kaiser himself, I now urge the Prinz to ignore that the Kaiser is perfectly capable of attending the Diet, and to himself call an Emergency Session, using Sections 3.9 and/or 5.5 (the power to be a deputy in Kaiser's absence).
Everything is well in hand. There is absolutely no reason to call an emergency session, aside from the chance to give the Antipapal puppets a chance to please their master and curtail this campaign before it has completed.
Also, Duke von Saxony, I will fight whomever wishes the Reich harm. Once this campaign finishes, a new, true Pope will be placed on the Seat and we will be reconciled. It will be painless, I assure you.
Dietrich Von Saxony:
"Mein Kaiser. How it will be painless? Becouse we others have all died and feel no pain anymore?.I hope that the Prinz will join the Diet soon,so we can hear his opinions about how this situation is so great to the reich."
Dietrich looks the Kaiser in disbelief in his eyes.
Kaiser Heinrich:
There will be one short battle. I am making my way to Genoa now to face the Antipope, and will be joined by Duke von Kassel and his Household Army. Combined with the Genoan garrison, we shall outnumber the Antipope's forces, and considering the fact that we possess the finest soldiers in the world, we will surely win. After that, order and doctrine will finally right themselves, and we will be reconciled.
Dietrich just stares at the Kaiser thinking "He talks about killing a Pope like its just meaningless business like hanging a robber.May God have mercy on his soul."
Gunther of Eichstadt is handed another message by a courier. Looking like he'd rather face the gallows, he stands to read the message:
"Kaiser, mein Prinz and my fellow Electors.
I certainly understand the consternation that runs through the Diet. I can only imagine the scene that must be unfolding in the chamber. This must be a terrible surprise for some of you.
Yet, think of the advantages. Duke Dietrich von Saxony and the Franconians can move against the Poles again unhindered. Once a true Pope is restored to the throne of Peter, he will look more kindly on our battles against our enemies. Rome is ours now, and a major part of our destiny is fulfilled. You might object to the means of our endeavor, but can you easily dismiss what we have and will accomplish? Having taken Rome, would you give it back? Having gotten rid of an overly temporal Pope, would you put another in his place?
The coming times will be difficult, but progress is not made without sacrifice. The world changes, and we must adapt. We will build a new order, and the Empire shall be at the apex of it. I ask that you join us in doing so. I will not ask for forgiveness, only your understanding. Once I have finished the work of Bavaria in Italy, I will return to the Diet. I will face you all then, answer your questions, rebut your condemnations, and sit among the electors once again. I look forward to that day.
Duke von Kassel"
Prinz Henry: I have been asked to give my opinions to the Diet on our current situation. Electors, you may leave now - what I have to say is of no consequence. I have no powers at this point. And even if I did, what could I do? Run to the Pope and beg for our forgiveness? Turn back time - liberate Rome and remove our excommunication? No, the die is cast. We are where we are.
But you want my opinion? You want my opinion on an unprovoked war of aggression committed by our men, by my father? You want my opinion on the Eternal City sacked and looted at our hands - it's people butchered? By God, even the Goths showed more restraint than us! Those godless barbarians were models of civility and respect compared to us. You want my opinion on the prospect of vast crusades of righteous Danes, Hungarians, Frenchmen, Poles and who know who else marching on our heartlands? You want my opinion on prospect of the Holy Father lying dead at the feet of my unholy father?
Electors, this is a sin - a damnable sin. It will take decades, centuries maybe, to wash the blood and guilt from our hands.
But I am powerless. And we are where we are.
Dietrich Von Saxony:
"I agree completely with Prinz Henry. This is where we stand and we cant turn the tide. For this reason i have ordered the Franconian Household army to resume our offensive against the Polish.While i dont like what has happened. I wont allow my Franconians to be butchered like sheeps and just wait for the slaughterer to arrive. While i dont support Kaisers decison to disgrace Rome and kill the Pope.I will strike down any forces that threaten Franconia.Were they Polish,Danes,or Devil himself. It is pointless for me to stay here in the Diet, so i will take my leave and move to Magdeburg to coordinate our efforts from there."
Dietrich Von Saxony leaves the Diet.
Jonas von Mahren stands, looking pale
I will follow my duke. The Reich may not currently be ruled by sane men, but the lands of the Reich still need protection, and now more than ever. I fear I may be needed at Prague very soon, and once news spreads of our most recent misdeeds, probably half a dozen other places as well. Know that I will defend the lands of the Reich to the last. While Franconia and Austria are threatened, I cannot afford to waste time arguing in the diet over morals and the righteousness of attacking the pope.
follows Dietrich von Saxony out
5th bavarian elector stands slowly with mind boggeled
Scheiße! The deed is done and now we must look for to our defenses. What has happened cannot be changed however I look at our goals and taking Rome is one of them. I do not agree with the timing of taking this holy city, it is inevitable that we do. I am a pious man devout to God. God has willed us to take this city. We must now look to secure peace with the papal states so that we will not be excommunicated for the rest of our lives. I suggest we take a city that is of unimportance to us and than donate it to the papal states so that a pope of God's fortune may preside. I suggest Ajjocio, Tunis, or Tripoli this way we can show the papal states it was for there own good and the rest of God's children.
I know this sounds like a renagling deal but our goal is to capture Rome not destroy his Holiness. Let us pull a slight of hand towards the papal states. Show them that we still embody the rights of God by dedicating a city to them.
I must say this is truly unsettling time for me. However God will forgive us and i know he will. If God does not understand and forgive us.....than He is not God......... and we need not worry....
bows and walk away to pray
Josbt Von Salza says nothing, and wishes he was back at his home, in Dijon, but notices the repetiveness of what people are saying, and everyone seems to be leaving, so he stands
What have those Electors been taking!? Why can't everybody just sit down like adults and discuss the matters! people barging in here and there, Knights walking around like its a loo! The stuff which is said around here I might think it is!
A spy could easily slip into this Imperial Diet! A SPy could just walk in when everybodys leaving during diet session! it absurd, and if you have things to discuss don't leave! We've all got places to attend to!
Jobst Von Salza sits
Kaiser Heinrich:
It is okay, Prinz Henry, I would not expect you to understand. After all, you have always been weak.
Antipope Gregory has never been the Holy Father. He has never received my approval, a tradition which all Popes for the past millenium have followed. Why should he be the one to break it? He is not the Messenger to God, because I did not decree it so. He is nothing more than a snake, one who has woven his way through your hearts and corrupted your heads.
Once this war is completed, we will take our proper position as the head of Christendom. Every Pope for the next thousand years will be a friend of the Reich, and those who are our enemies face eternal damnation, for the true Pope will be there to make sure of it! I am leading us into a prosperous future, and if you do not see it now, or later in your lives after my death, then eventually someone will recognize what I have done here. And they will lament the fact that I was under-appreciated, even hated for my noble actions that brought the Reich into a golden age.
It will be an impossible feat for the Danes, Hungarians, and other factions to marshal a full-scale invasion in such a short amount of time. By the time they do, Antipope Gregory will have been deposed and the new, true Pope put on the Seat. Then, he will reconcile us, with absolutely no harm done.
So what is your plan if we don't despose of the Old pope? WHat happens if the Hungarians and Danish do invade? Have you thought of that?!
Kaiser Heinrich:
We will, and they won't. It's as simple as that.
Walks back into the diet after praying, talking to priests, and debated in his mind what has happened
Walks to the middle
If it is war that God grants then it is war all shall get. God has granted me the power to be strong like the apostles before him. I do not fight for a men in power nor do i fight for the devil in the shape of tyrants but rather i fight for God. God is my only true calling and the only one i shall ever answer to. No man can ever move me to what i think is ill will but He will always command my direct obedience. These actions have precursed me to take up the sword and shield, not for you Kaiser or mein Duke, but for the people you have put in harms way in this decision. It is the freedom of the common folk that i put myself in harms way for. I realize, I now fight for the Reich itself.... and everything it stands for. And! Not for the "noble" gentlemen who call themselves leaders. I now fight for the people and those who call themselves God's children.
I swear to God and all his saints (Cuts his hand with a blade, letting blood drip off) that if this war sacrifices any of our civilians in our cities that i will personally hunt down all in the name of God, which are responsible for this act. Yes that is a threat and you be sure to mark my words and mark them well. You know who you are....and Don't you dare mock me with your words because they are hollow with your rash decisions. Rome is now ours but at a cost that i do not think you are ready for. My plight has been known before this council and I will fight for those who have been neglected. I have always been humble before mein Lord and I know God favors me for my service!
God is with me men! Mein Chancellor is with me! Who Among you will stand and fight for the people! Who among you will show the courage and valour of the Reich. To protect our inhabitance from evil. I want to know now who will fight in the name of the LORD and for his PEOPLE! WHO IS WITH ME! Raises Sword in the Air
Stabs a sword in the middle of the Diet sticking to the ground. Then walks out with armor and shield in hand, staring at his Duke with rage for him and his enemy while all the ready to fight a battle as a soldier of God..no matter what his rank
I wish I shared the optimism of the Kaiser, the Danes will be looking to Hamburg to make thier Kingdom contigous (sp?). Hungary has showed agression in recent years, and how well can we trust the Sicilians? so far we have been attacked be everyone of our 'allies'.
I am truly happy to see the antipope gregory sweat, and for you Kaiser Heinrich to have your revenge. But Great empires fall when personal vendettas, aspairitions, and politics become more important than the intrests of the state.
*the 6th elector of Bavaria sits, hoping the storm of emotion has passed, and wondering who the 5th elector of Bavaria is going to fight with no sword.*