Duchy of Franconia

Jan travels from the East for a short stay while the Emergency Session is underway.

Fellow Franconians,

I have heard of the new election coming up and I was wondering what we, as a house, are going to do about it. I wanted to talk in here and "keep it in the family" as it were, before participating in the diet session. While I like the King's idea of letting Ebelhard assume a "caretaker" chancellorship, what do we do if a Franconian runs against him? Is Ansehelm thinking of running a serious campaign? If so, do we throw the weight of our house behind him?

I never had any intentions on running a full and serious campaign. Hell, I would have voted for Elberhard myself. Would Elberhard not have competition I would throw myself in, mainly to see how Franconia and myself are doing compared to the rest of the Reich.

Well, now that it seems as if my father is running for chancellorship, my previous question seems moot. It would still be good to get a discussion going on in here since it seems the whole duchy is coming to witness the occasion.

All I can say is that I'm very please that the Diet has finally seen sense and now fully support my uncle Fredericus the Crusader with leading our Reich. Finally we can leave the troubled times behind us, and instead of trying to overcome the communication problems we had with the previous Chancellors, work on overcoming the real threats facing our Duchy and the Reich.

If only certain people of the Diet had made this choice years ago, it would have saved this house and the Reich itself much heartache.

:balloon2:

OOC: Fredericus is ur (adopted) uncle, ituralde

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gibsonsg91921

OOC: Fredericus is ur (adopted) uncle, ituralde

---

OOC: The way I read it, I think he meant to have a comma in there. Meaning that Fredericus could support his father.

IC:

My fellow Franconians,

Now that the diet session is over, I must be off for the East. I look forward to seeing all of you again as my time over here is always far too short. With my father's rise to the chancellorship, I think we can all look forward to better days.

Farewell

OOC: Nah, I mixed up Fredericus and Gunther. Changed it to uncle. :sweatdrop:

For reasons of my old age, and deteriorating health, I have decided to assign my eldest son Ansehelm the title of Steward of Franconia. He will be your man to turn to, and he will be your leader in my short absence.

I am hoping to be able to continue my office at the head of this house in little more than a week.

:balloon2:

In the absense of Gunther von Kastilien as Duke and a future absense of myself as Steward and Heir Peter von Kastilien has been made commander of our Householdarmy. He will thus have full control over it, since my father is getting weaker and weaker and I will leave for Russia soon.
He's one of the best generals in the Reich and I'm sure he will lead the FHA to new glory.

I hope to be a bulwark against our foes until the day I die.

Message to all Franconians

In the recent discussions in the Diet Franconians have been rather fightfull, and I'm not saying that that is not good. I like a good fighting spirit. However I do not like fighting in the Diet.
I hereby warn every Franconian (excluding Fredericus von Hamburg and Jonas von Mahren as I know they won't let themselves been drawn out of their holes) that he who tries to fight in the Diet might suffer consequenses as being stripped from ranks.

I do not wish any grudge against the other houses. If you wish one do it on your own. Don't, I repeat don't, drag your House into it.

an aide to Jan speaks

My dear steward,

My lord Jan respects what you say. But, he has never tried to drag this house into his feud with Duke Arnold. My lord is a man of principles and could not let Arnold's actions go unanswered. It was Duke Arnold that approached you regarding this matter. All my lord asks, is that he be given leave to...take care of Duke Arnold. He will accept full responsibility for whatever happens next. My lord would say these things personally, but I have not seen him since he followed Duke Arnold out of the Diet.

Jan walks into the great hall of Franconia

My fellow Franconians,

I have...dealt...with Duke Arnold. Now that unpleasent business seems to be behind me, I have something to say to all of you. I am dissapointed at the lack of support I saw in the Diet when Duke Arnold first verbally assaulted me, then physically assualted me, then had my knight killed. Ansehelm did all he could to back away from the issue as fast as his little heels could carry him. He even admits to cooresponding with Duke Arnold concerning this matter. Funny, I do not remember coorespondance. No member of this house wrote a letter to ask what was happening or to see how I was doing. I never expected help in taking on Duke Arnold. I took care of him myself and he will spend some time healing from what I did to him. But, how can this house claim to be a great house if it treats its members with such...indifference.

Now, I just recieved two letters from Ansehelm and Peter asking me to support Matthias for Chancellor. I will do so for my own reasons. But I find that its funny that now, when the Diet is in session, I all of a sudden am Franconian enough to talk to. Ansehelm could not disown me fast enough in the Diet when the going got tough. In fact, when he made his list of people who have pledged their support of Kaiser Siegfried, he put me on the list of all the non-Franconians who have voiced support and then said that all of the Franconians pledge to the Kaiser.

Well...I am Franconian!!!!

Not just when it is politically convenient for you. Not just when you need my vote. But always!! My older brother has been helping you defend Thorn for years!! Also, I would suggest that you get to know the Diet rules before you try to ban me fron that august body again my dear Ansehelm...

I will not easily forget the lack of support and love I have seen from my own house. And I will have to consider it long and hard before I aid any of you in your goals.

Turns and storms out

As you may well know I did not want Franconia to be pulled into a war between the Houses. As Franconian I support you, as Steward I can't always do that, simple as that.

Sides you must understand, sometimes the killing of prisoners is needed.


(OOC: I never said IC that I supported Arnold, I only said that OOC)

My cousin Jan, I had no idea that the situation with Arnold became so grave, or else I would have helped you. I am loyal to my house, my family, and my friends.

This isn't about prisoners but we will have words about that later! You said in the Diet to Arnold that you did not agree with me and I couldn't be "controlled". You even suggested dragging my father into this so he could "beat" me. Do I need to pull up Diet transcripts!? You tried to ban me from the Diet, a power you don't even have!! You threatened me in here afterwards. If you can not even support and protect your own people, then I am glad you are not Duke yet!

ENOUGH!

Count Ansehelm was merely attempting to keep the peace between you and our oldest ally, Austria.

Now peace!

I did that all because I wish no harm in Franconia's relation with other Houses. We need them, on our own we are nowhere. Years ago I was as fightfull as you, I changed, because I need to take responsibilities now. Soon I will be the oldest Franconian, disregarding your brother as he seems to stay out of politics, in the open I can no longer speak like a Franconian, as I know my father he never could do that.

Aye, Franconians are known for being rabble-rousers and always ready for a fight, but Ansehelm has sobered up as of late, taking a more diplomatic route to things.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gibsonsg91921

ENOUGH!

Count Ansehelm was merely attempting to keep the peace between you and our oldest ally, Austria.

Now peace!

---

NO!

Its not enough! He was trying to keep the peace by selling me out!

Your relation to another house was more important than one of your own people. You have both been warned. If you work with one of my enemies again, or try to muzzle me in the Diet, you will be sorry. I took on one Duke and by God I'll take on another. I've always wondered just how Duke Arnold knew which ship I was going to be taking back to Outremer...

Sell you out? You started a quarrel with Duke Arnold, and Ansehelm was mediating best as he could.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gibsonsg91921

Sell you out? You started a quarrel with Duke Arnold, and Ansehelm was mediating best as he could.

---

Frederick only got involved after Bane threatened you! And how is it mediating if he only talks to one party!?! Ansehelm never talked to me about it. He only later made threats well outside of his granted authority.

Steward Ansehelm only has the jurisdiction to punish you for indiscretion. Calling our oldest ally a coward is not the way to go. The matter is concluded - if we cannot have peace and trust in our own house how can we get anything done for the Reich in the Diet?

I did not have the time to talk to you, because when I was going to write you all the bad already happened, I saw no more use in it.

(OOC: by then you already decided to write a story about it, couldn't be bothered to get into that)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gibsonsg91921

Steward Ansehelm only has the jurisdiction to punish you for indiscretion. Calling our oldest ally a coward is not the way to go. The matter is concluded - if we cannot have peace and trust in our own house how can we get anything done for the Reich in the Diet?

---

You yourself insulted Bane. And you were right to do so. But I couldn't? What logic is that? And the matter is not concluded until I say it is!! I have dealt with Arnold, now it is time to tie up the other loose ends in this matter. Hence my previous statements. I have put this whole house on notice. If you leave me hanging again, I will do everything in my power to torpedo this house's agenda. If you leave me alone and support me when I ask for it, you will find me quite agreeable to your plans. But if you ever give aid and comfort to a man who tries to kill me again, I will turn this house upside down.

And I will add, I was the first to support Kaiser Siegfried. And I have been very vocal in my support of him. But, it cut like a knife to see my name added to the list of non-Franconians who supported him. I will not forget that insult after I lost my best friend to a man who you never publicly denounced after he threatened both Peter and me.

I can not denounce Duke Arnold, my rank does not allow that. In the light of such things only your father, being chancellor, or the Franconian Duke would be able to speak to Arnold.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stig

I can not denounce Duke Arnold, my rank does not allow that. In the light of such things only your father, being chancellor, or the Franconian Duke would be able to speak to Arnold.

---

You could have said something! You could have been more supportive in the Diet like I have been for you. You bent over backwards to sniff that Duke's bottom! Maybe the real reason you and Duke Arnold aren't married is because your too busy buggering eachother!

You could have wrote me a letter. You heard I had been attacked yet I got not a word from a single member of this house. I recieved more condolences from members of Arnold's house than I did from my own.

And now you have the gall to just assume that I will support your legislative agenda!?! You will never take my vote for granted again! If I don't already agree with an edict, your going to have to work at convincing me to support it. I got hung out to dry to deal with that mad Duke on my own by my own house and I will not be taken for granted by those who treat me so!

I wanted to write you, but by then I heard you were going to duel, and I thought there was little I could do at that point.
You'd better talk to my little brother if you have problems in the Diet, he has the power, I lack it.

No, but if you want to lead your house then your going to have to start leading! You did try to do something in the Diet, but it as against me and for that piece of !@#$ duke! Don't now act like you couldn't do or say anything! You chose not to because it was politically expedient to do so. And if you are going to be politically expedient with me, then I am going to be politically expedient with you and this house. You want to go marching off into Russia? Good luck getting the votes for it...