Herr Friederich, I think Count Ludwig refers to a certain young Elector, who has needlessly insulted the Count's Duchy, and seems to lack any such noble intents as Duke von Salza has. I doubt it was a slight aimed at you.
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Herr Friederich, I think Count Ludwig refers to a certain young Elector, who has needlessly insulted the Count's Duchy, and seems to lack any such noble intents as Duke von Salza has. I doubt it was a slight aimed at you.
*Lothar Steffen enters the Tavern and looks around. He nods his head toward the bartender, whom he is clearly familiar with. He then moves over to a corner of the room, where his retinue take over several tables from a group of minor nobles who scatter in every direction.
It is good to be back in Nuremburg after so long. I wish to point out to all men in this Tavern, that Nuremburg remains Bavarian at heart. It has been loaned to the Kaiser for a temporary period, but the citizens of the province are Bavarian and the province itself will return to Bavarian control in the near future. As such, I consider it to be my duty to extend my benevolent protection to all honorable Bavarians who live here. Any man, be he Elector, Count, Duke, Prince, or Kaiser, who harms one of my people in this Tavern will be personally accountable to me. If you have a quarrel with a local resident, you had best consult with me prior to taking any hostile actions. Doing otherwise will make me angry, and I assure you that none of you want that...
*Lothar Steffen leans back in his chair and signals to a nearby barmaid to bring an ale.*
Edmund Becker looks up from his drink.
"Apologies Duke Lothar. But I believe you have the wrong building. A common mistake, as the Diet is right next door. It will be on your left when facing out of the Tavern."
OOC: Aw man, I was looking forward to Lothar's response. You sure you don't want to keep that there, Tincow? A little levity never hurt anyone. :beam:
Dieter is just sitting at the bar sipping his spiked coffee when Duke Lothar bursts into the Tavern and gives a long-winded political speech. Puzzled, Dieter remains silent. Best to remain unnoticed. He does notice that no patron at the bar dares to interrupt Duke Lothar. Shaking his head, Dieter wonders what else will happen this Diet.
Dieter sits still and says nothing to anyone :clown:
Dieter is now quite confused about what he thinks he saw Lothar say. Maybe he imagined all of it. Dieter looks into his cup. He signals the bartender and says,
"Sir, could you switch me to just coffee?
Thanks"
Edmund reenters the bar just in time to notice von Essen's order.
"Did something odd just happen to you too?"
Get off the absinthe you bloody idiots!!
It will make you see and hear things no man should rightly experience in his whole life!!
I think the bartender had heard Becker's earlier offer and then confused it with my order. I think I got some absinthe by mistake. I could have sworn that I saw Duke Lothar come in here, and give a massively long winded speech.
I have switched my drink and hope that solves the problem.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Andreas walks into the tavern, nodding to Duke Arnold and the others as he makes his way to the bar.
Greetings, Duke Arnold. You as well, Dieter and Edmund. You wouldn't believe what someone leaving the bar said you two claimed to have just seen.
I think Dieter Bresch saw it too. It was amazing. Duke Lothar walked in and gave a gigantic political speech right in the doorway of the Tavern.
Others may claim it didn't happen but I know what I saw and I know what I heard.
I will keep better track of what the bartender puts in my drink from now on I assure you.
Dieter looks at his coffee cup suspiciously...
Ah yes, sometimes I wonder about a few of the bartenders here...
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Perhaps I have been celebrating a bit too had. I'm wondering how I got to walking in with the Bavarians...
who me? I didn't see anything whatsoever, nothing at all.
*Lothar turns to one of his retinue knights.*
Those men over there seem to be deranged. Perhaps they are rabid or maybe the French Pox has rotted their brains. Be wary. If their insanity causes them to commit violence, we must put them down quickly before they can harm others.
Dieter leaps up and charges at Lothar, knife in hand. Just before the killing blow connects...Dieter clears his throat
I agree mein Duke, it is amazing what drink can do to a man, I'm glad I don't share their greed for it.
I seem to be fine now that I'm just drinking coffee.
It's too bad Duke Lothar didn't really say what I thought he said. I found it to be truly inspirational. Absolute poetry. On par with the best orators man has ever known. Better than music.
But... since he didn't really say it...
Fritz returns to the bar, slamming aside the doors in haste as usual. As he enters he notes the men by the bar and gives them a quick nod, then moves purposefully to the table of Duke Steffen.
Word has just reached me, Duke Lothar, of your statements regarding violence towards the locals who frequent this bar. I cannot help but feel they are directed at the scuffle I was involved in the other evening. With that in mind I would have you know that no permanant damage was done to those drunkards despite their disrespectful attitude towards their betters.
Raising his hand Fritz briefly forestalls Lothar's attempt to answer.
This being said, I am a soldier and I have a soldier's sensibilities. My frustration at having to deal with my enemies in the Diet with only the sword and fist of my voice and wit may well have boiled over into taking umbrage too easily when I meant only to attend here peacefully. I tend to talk with my hands when words seem insufficient or overused. I recognize, however, that I am a guest in your lands and I come now to offer my apology if I have offended your noble self.
Bowing deeply, Fritz's face remains unreadable.Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
:egypt:
Péter walks into the Tavern.
Ah, Fritz, the nerve of Duke Lothar! Who is he to say I don't support you enough?
Péter notices Lothar sitting right next to Fritz.
Oh. Good afternoon, friend. I'm sorry to hear your little plans for Swabia failed. If you need any money, I'm sure you can assassinate the head of the Merchant's Guild for it.
Péter turns to talk to Fritz.
I have decided to give you our brother's old County of Thorn when it is reclaimed. What happened in Stettin is in the past now. Thorn is a mighty abode and a great bulwark to defend against the Poles. Tancred can be governor of Stettin.
Péter sits down at the table with Fritz and Lothar.
Barkeep! A pint for Fritz and I and your finest, purest absinthe for Lothar. It's all on me.
*Lothar laughs heartily.*
Oh my, Peter, such brave statements. Did those words come from your own brain, or is your head so far up Elberhard's ass that his thoughts are coming out of your mouth?
Perhaps I should publicize a private letter you wrote to me just after being released from prison. I doubt your benevolent patron will enjoy reading it, but perhaps the rest of the Electors will find it educational.
OOC: I thought an argument with you would be funny.
Ha! You would be a fool to publish that letter. I know not how it incriminates me, or Elberhard. The rest of the Electors would know your scheme and the jig would be up. Your publishing it would prove its truth. It's no secret that I politically despised Hans and Elberhard, but you have secrets, dark and numbered, that would be interesting if they came to light.
Feel free to publish that letter. In fact, I dare you to. As if you haven't made enough of a fool of yourself as it is.
I haven't forgotten my brother's murder, you pig.
Secrets, yes, I have many secrets Peter, but none that someone as thick-headed as you would be capable of figuring out. What secret is it that you think I will expose myself of? I assume you are refering to your statements in that letter about this mysterious 'Order' that you thought I was a part of. Need I remind you that my reply to you was that I was not aware that any such Order existed? Please explain, my old friend, how that disclosure could possibly injure me.
If you truly want to determine who is harmed greater by the statements you made in that letter, perhaps I should show it to everyone in this Tavern. Would you like me to do that, Peter? If there is nothing that incriminates you, then surely you would have no problem with it, would you?
Whatever you say, Headmaster. I have letters that incriminate you more than you'd like to believe. I can read the letter myself, if you'd give me time to fetch it. I keep it nearby, as I am always on the lookout for evidence that would prove you and your Order killed my brother.
Péter leaves the Tavern, comes back about a half hour later after conversing with Lars and Ulrich.
All members of the Tavern, here is this mystery letter that incriminates me so.
"Duke Lothar Steffen, hail!
I have recently been released from prison. While in Rome, I heard whispers of a secret Order that maintains the Reich, and that you were one of the members. I desire to join, if you trust me. I will do anything to get back at Hans and Elberhard.
Peter von Kastilien"
What incriminates me? I would like to get back at Hans and Elberhard? Would you like to press that matter? As I can produce more letters if you like that were prior to our correspondence.
So, Peter, you admit that you desired revenge on the Kaiser and on Hans, yet now you proclaim to be an ally of the former Duke of Swabia and you kiss Elberhard's shiny arse daily. I have more letters along the same lines that you sent to my dear friend Dietrich von Dassel. In those letters you proclaim similar things, going so far as to support Dassel in his efforts to overthrow Hans. Would you like to disclose those same letters as you have done with your little scribble to me?
It seems you only lost your will for such bold moves when Kaiser Elberhard bribed you with the title of Prinz. You once held such high standards that you marched on Constantinople itself in order to prevent Unification. After you were imprisoned by Hans and Elberhard, you swore vengence against them. Like me, you then supported the rebel Dietrich in his plans to overthrown the Kaiser's own brother. All that bluster and bravado went out of you like a candle being snuffed as soon as another title was dangled in front of your face. I am glad that Ansehelm is not alive to see what you have become. He would be embarassed that anyone so two-faced could hold the noble von Kastilien name, let alone the Duchy of Franconia.
Because of course, there's nothing more dishonorable than not liking those who killed your little brother.
I was bold, and I stopped Unification. I wished Hans and Elberhard out of power, and now Hans is dead and Elberhard has little authority.
Swore vengeance against them? Ha. I still hated them, but I wasn't a fool enough to attack them or to support rebellion. I am a man enough to stomach those I politically despise to prevent civil war. Your foolish war killed tens of thousands.
Perhaps you'd like to know the whole part of the deal. Elberhard told me if I attempted to infiltrate your little "Order," I would be set free. I was ordered to maintain the posture of hostility towards them in an attempt to get evidence for you to reveal yourself. My brother is dead, Lothar. It's taking a lot of self-control to not kill you for it right now.
Fritz shakes his head at the offer of a drink, and at the dispute between Peter and Lothar.
'My brother, my Prinz, I still abstain from liqour, and I am distressed to hear these barbs traded between two steadfast Dukes of the realm. It is unimaginable that Duke Lothar had anything to do with the death of our little brother.'
Pausing briefly to think, Fritz continues in a curious tone,
'...and yet, this matter of a secret 'Order' does cause me some distress. Is this some branch of the Assassin's Guild? I have heard rumors that the Saracen pigs have extended their black influence even into Catholic lands, but I cannot imagine them funding that attack on our Emperor and risking further Crusades in answer.'
'No, no, the only logical answer I can see is Byzantine treachery, and they proved it with their hideous subsequent actions. Lothar supported Lutherans in their just resistance to the Emperor's vicious brother, but that ended with the death of Hans, Dietrich, and Hummel. There is nothing left there to argue about but corpses.'
'It strikes me as likely that Elberhard has manipulated this confrontation between two of his most powerful opponents to insure his own power. Don't let the Emperor have this to crow about with his cronies.'
:egypt:
My war, Peter? You speak as if I started that whole mess in Swabia. Do you forget that it was Wolfgang Hummel who rebelled first, and then Hans himself who exiled Dietrich, thus forcing another of his vassals to rebellion? I did nothing more than provide aid to an honorable man who had been a long-time friend to Bavaria. In contrast, you compromised your values and your beliefs to save face and gain power. At least I have the fortitude to stand up for what I believe in and state so honestly and directly. You accuse me of being part of some secret, duplicitious organization, yet I have spoken nothing but plain truth from the first day that I declared my support for Dietrich. I have never denied my involvement in Swabia, nor my motives, yet you have never even had the courage to admit your own stance until I forced it out of you.
Duke von Salza enters in time to hear the letter being read out by Prinz Peter, and then silently listens before speaking up
Lothar, if you do not deny being involved with the Dietrich part, does this not brand you a traitor? Dietrich attacked the rightful Duke of Swabia, and sought to bring down the man who the Kaiser himself acknowledged to be Duke?
If you are not a rebel, then why did you support Dietrich when he was clearly a Rebel? Why not provide the BHA to us Loyalists, thus helping us destroy Wolfgang Hummel and in the end achieving what you set out for with Dietrich; a unified Swabia?
Duke von Salza calmly waits for the Bavarian Duke's reply, ordering a Swabian wine.
I will answer you question, Athalwolf, after you explain your own purpose for betraying Hans and aiding Dietrich.
*Lothar reaches into a box and pulls out an old, dog-earred letter. He clears his throat and begins to read.*
Originally Posted by Warluster:
Is there anyone else who wishes to criticize my actions and pretend they are high and mighty? My box of letters is very deep, and you never know what I will find in it...
Dear Sir Dietrich,
Recently I have been in Swabia, in the centre of this rebellion. The traitor Wolfgang Hummel has moved against Rheims, and I have garrisoned the City to stop his invasion into Loyalist Swabia.
I believe Hans is not going to move to help me, he wishes to take Metz. My pleads would be ignored. Seeing as you have achieved many things, one among them destroying the Pope.
I have heard you are taking Swabia under your leadership, and with Bavaria's support, this makes the claim Official. If you come to the aid of Rheims and its garrison, and help us destroy the traitor Wolfgang, I shall happily join your forces.
I would pledge my loyalty to you as Duke of Swabia, Hans has passed his time. If Kaiser Elberhard rules out against your proclamation, I may have to retire to Spain.
Will you come to the aid of Rheims, thus I shall pledge my loyalty to you as Duke of Swabia.
Athalwolf von Salza,
Commander of the Swabian Defense Force
Never had the courage to admit my stance? Ha! Elberhard knew the whole time that I disagreed with his and Hans's policies. That didn't stop him from making me his heir. Do you know why? (OOC: Because the game said so!) Because I stand up for a united Reich! Crawl back into your hole, Lothar. I long for the end of this Diet session so you may return to Bavaria and die nobly in battle with the Greeks.