Duchy of Franconia

As I said, I want the SHA to try to take Antwerp, I believe that a victory can still steer this Reich in the correct direction, if not the SHA should defend it's part of Franconia at all cost. The Teutonic Army is occupied near Thorn, hence why I would like some temporary reinforcements from the SHA, after the remaining 2 Polish armies are dealed with I can steer the Army to take position between Thorn and Krakow. By then I WANT the army led by Tancred back in Franconia so he can Peter can take command of it. They can then take over the Southern Border of Franconia.

This way Franconia will be completely locked for enemies, and we will come out on top.


I also warn people that they are adviced to cooporate with me. Fighting Germans has little use, and Franconia will not be the one that started a civil war.


Furthermore I hereby openly remind my youngest brother that he is still officially under my protection and everything he says is more or less said by me.
The move on Constantinople might have been brave, it was not wise. It would have been wiser to consult me, as I could have arranged almost open passage ... I do have contacts.

Dieter Bresch enters the Franconian Court for the first time in his adult life.

Mein Duke I have arrived. I recieved word that you wish for me to be sent to Antwerp, is this correct? If so I would like to inform you that I am unsure about this decision seeing as the borders of Franconia are surrounded by Russians, Poles and Danes. I believe it would be best if I kept the Saxon army close to Hamburg and keep our border with the Danes short and easy to defend. If I take the army away (OOC: btw is the Saxon army the one in Hamburg or Madeburg? And what is the other one?) from Saxony I fear it will be left relatively undefended and Fritz and Peter may become dangerously exposed there. I will await to hear your thoughts and commands in person before making a move.

I also have a note for Fritz,
Dieter reads the note out loud: Get the hell out of my castle!

*Fritz enters the Franconian council chamber with some haste, then smiles broadly and approaches Dieter*

Dieter, it is indeed good, good to see you here. I had wondered if we would ever see you in this chamber.

And you come with your mind sharp. You raise a good point about Antwerp. We have solid control of the centre of our lands, and will have plenty to do in the near future simply to keep these lands safe from invasion.

On the point of the army, that is a bit more problematic.

You see, the men, they have been with me for several years. And to be honest, I believe there will be mass desertions if you take over control of the entire force! Nothing against you, personally. I personally would join your army in a heartbeat. If you had one, that is.

*Fritz smiles again, this time a bit less broadly*

They have been absolutely clamouring for Péter to lead them, as hero of the Lutherans. And I could only but accede to their request.

*Fritz grimaces sympathetically, and leans up against a nearby table*

Oh, and about the castle. I had been told the architecture was quite impressive, and Stettin will need to rebuild its church soon, so... just a little visit to draw up plans, you know.

I do not care if the men do rebel I have seen that some have deserted from you and Peter already, I have seen the records you know. And, no offence to you, you are not in a position to tell me what I can or cannot do. Duke Ansehelm appointed me as Furst of Saxony which means that all the responsibilities of a Steward are given to me concerning the matters of Saxony. That includes the allocation of army command and I am taking that honour for myself as I have not seen action for some time now. Bear in mind that if you disobey me then you are disobeying Ansehelm, and nobles that disobey their Dukes are considered rebels and punished accordingly. Do you want to be in the same situation as Swabia?

And about the castle, do not worry you are welcome to stay until you have finished your plans (OOC: that was more of a random OOC thing :2thumbsup: ) and can return to your own county. if you have any further problems with the command of the army then I suggest you go and ask Ansehelm for command of some of the Prussian army, seeing as he did allocate you and Peter to Prussia.

*Fritz stands upright at the mention of Dieter being Furst*

And is one of the responsibilities of Steward to create havoc in Franconia's finest household army? Dieter, I think you forget yourself! We are not divvying up a loaf of bread here! This is the security of the Franconian heartland we're talking about!

*Fritz suddenly starts pacing in front of Dieter*

I tell you what. I will forget we ever had this little disagreement if you agree to serve in the Saxon Army as... as the cavalry commander! Oh, now, don't look so disappointed in the suggestion. These are fine men, fine brave men who are the decisive force in every battle. I do not think they would rebel against you if you treat them well. Unless of course you come to them smelling as you do now.

*Fritz wrinkles his nose, but with his scars, it appears more like a sneer than anything*

I would definitely suggest a bath.

Ansehelm:
I want to take Antwerp, because it will give us shitloads of more income and the victory their might turn in our favour.
Sides, if it comes to a Civil War Antwerp might be important to us.

Hence why I want the SHA to take it, don't care who leads it either Fritz or Dieter.

For internal protection I want the Army led by Tancred to return, for the time being it's more than strong enough to defend Frankfurt.

In due time I plan to go out of politics for a bit and hence why I plan to give the Teutonic Army (and Prussia) to Fritz at about 1230. That also means that Fritz will get to control the official defence of Stettin, which is his city.

For the time being Dieter will not take control over the entire SHA as you will lead it together anyway, this because Fritz knows the men.

Bah this is outrage! I come here all the way from Outremer for this army and now you change our mind the very day I arrive and tell this traitorous Lutheran he can have my army! What of the men Peter controls? I should at least have them and any others that can be recruited from my castle! If you have given me the position of Furst then I shall make the decisions on the command of this army and not have to sit and watch you give in to your little brother.

Edit: And Fritz, you say you know these men yet there are thousands of them and I am sure you really only know a few of the commanders. I have seen the reports that also say that a large majority of the army has been freshly recruited or are simply mercenaries and I highly doubt you know them. But that does not even matter, soldiers are soldiers and they will not desert me lest they face the consequences, despite following a chivalrous code I do not tolerate traitors. You even say yourself that they would follow me sop where is the problem? And @*&^ you, you cheeky &%$£* you smell worse than anyone I've ever met, and you'd be surprised by the people you meet in the holy land.

However I see that these men do mean a lot to you so I shall consider allowing you to keep some of them. I'm sure that with the current disregard for the charter that you could get away with commanding a small third Franconian army.

*Fritz raises his eyebrows and holds up both hand in a motion of defence*

Hold there, Dieter! I truly did not mean to insult you with the bath comment, and I am exceedingly sorry it was offensive to you.

*The corner of Fritz' mouth flicks upward for a moment, then returns to normal*

I certainly do not want Franconia to end up like some other houses, self-destructing due to bitterness and rancour. So, since Ansehelm has stated the obvious fact that the men do know me, shall we sit down and carve up the units in detail? I'm sure we can reach an amenable agreement. There's no use in cluttering the council chambers with all this talk.

Besides, my cook has just finished some splendid roast veal which we simply must attend to.

And Ansehelm, you can rest assured that I will spearhead the taking of Antwerp. I had not thought of the income it could provide us, but with the city we could be the wealthiest house in the Reich!

*Fritz begins walking out of the chamber towards the great hall*

A messenger enters, bearing a letter with Tancred von Tyrolia's seal.

Quote:

---

Fellow Franconians, Hail !

I will heed the word our Duke has spoken, I will leave the Constantinopel Region. Razing every building to the ground, and marching my entire force back home. Hiring as many extra soldiers as I can get my hands on. I do have an idea, however. I would like to use my force to attack deep into Polish lands, attacking them from behind, and hopefully managing to divert some of their forces from our eastern frontier. This can be done, especially seeing as how I'm coming from the south. and will not be expected.

I will listen to wht you have to say on the matter, I hope I be shown some leniency on the matter.

- Tancred.

---

:balloon2:

Dieter storms out of the chambers in pure frustration and mutters:
Might as well go back to Outremer if this is what promises turn out like here, at least Jan gave me what he said he would.

I never said Fritz could have the army. He will just stick around, as he has to be somewhere. Dieter will be the official commander, who tells the troops what to do is up to you two to decide.

And Tancred, the Poles are not our enemies anymore, our enemies are within the Reich. It's best to stand strong as one Franconia, anyone who decides he knows better is on his own.

Dieter re-enters the chambers after calming down but his anger starts again upon hearing Ansehelm

Well if I am the official commander and hold the position that dictates who commands the army then why the *&^%$ hell can't I have it!? From where i stand I can see no lawful reason for Fritz to keep this army and if he does refuse to hand it over then I will think of him as a traitor to the Reich and treat him accordingly. I see that your lack of judgement is extremely evident mein Duke as you now think that you can lure people back from wherever you want offering fancy gifts only to leave them with nothing and boot them out as soon as they arrive. it is a wonder how you became a Duke with such a controversial mind.

Ansehelm:
Well, I can't help you're not listening to what I say.
I never said who would be commander. But that atleast 2 generals were leading the army. As I have two available. Not long ago I had too little generals, now I have too many.

And people who critise can always lose their position.

Fine then take away this position you speak of. As far as I can see I don't even have one, you took it away before I arrived just to please your little brother! So this is how feudalism really works eh? Well if this is the case then I want nothing to do with either of you, I'll just sit in my castle and leave you to do what you damn well please.

Ansehelm:
As I said before, Franconia works as one unity, who does not fit in get kicked out. I gave you the change to fit it, but you come in here demanding things, that's not the way things go.
I make up what happens, no-one else does, and none of you is getting worse treatment than others.

I am only demanding the things that you promised to give me. Earlier you yoirself said that you will retire from politics and leave the two Fursts to make all the decisions yet now you change your mind and say that no one is allowed anything unless they are your brother. And I believe that I am being treated badly, being offered powerful positions to come home from Outremer and then being shut out on the doorstep with nothing is not at all fair in my book. And yet again I ask, what of the soldiers in Hamburg?

Ansehelm:
This is not the time to retire from politics, I'm going to do that when this all is over. Then the Fursts will have full power.

And, last time I checked Hamburg didn't have any garrison.

Ansehelm:
I only now found out what really happened to the SHA.
Let me tell you this. It is 1 army, not 2, and led by either Fritz or Dieter. The men in Hamburg should rejoin with the rest and attack Antwerp now. Furthermore I want Peter to take about 4 regiments and join me near Thorn.

Also we should prepare Frankfurt to host a new Diet again, it used to be the capital.

Excellent, brother. The Diet building is now a dining hall, but it would work well still.

Ansehelm:
Meine Herren,

I suggest we stick together, if we take, we do not take from ourselves, we take from our enemies.
Do not attack your fellow good Franconian, I know you have problems getting along, but there are more important things to do.

For now we should stuck to the cities we have. I think Fritz and Dieter can cover our Northern border from Stettin, Magdeburg and Hamburg. Tancred is far away so it might be wise for Peter to move south, we do lack a proper recruitement center so watch it carefully. The coming year I will do all I can to relieve Thorn, and whent that's done the enormous wealth that is generated by this Duchy can put us through.
We should start bringing all armies to warstrength, and making sure we produce a fourth one so that every Elector has an army. We have the money anyway. I will stay in the east and block of all Poles and Russians trying to get through, even if I would have to pay with my life, Thorn will never fall as long as I'm alive.

I suggest that Peter takes his army South and stations himself near Frankfurt I don't trust the Swabians, would things come to it we might be able to strike them where they are hit most hard, Staufen, that would also give us one of the best Castles in the Reich.

I suggest Fritz and Dieter ride of to Stettin, from there they can ambush Danes, who don't come in great numbers anyway, and maybe if needed support the Teutonic Army.

I will free Thorn again and after that send some men and money West, for Dieter to use to build him an army. With that he will then take position near Hamburg. When Dieter has about 8 regiments Fritz can take over from Peter in Frankfurt and Peter can move to Breslau, which he hasn't seen in a long time. From there we might be able to protect ourselves against Edmund Becker.

I suggest Tancred choses a save way to return to Franconia, Italy is a mess and he might be able to use that to sneak through and get money here and there.

Franconia has always been to most important Duchy in the Reich, we've always been the drivers, while other used to sit back and relax. Now we can make them pay.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: this also is a great way of making Peter Kaiser, Franconia comes out on top ... and claims rulership ... Ansehelm will have died, be sick, be old, be out of politics anyway.

So mein Duke after telling me to arrest Fritz you are now changing your mind and letting him have the army again? I plead with you once more to at least let me have some of my men and my castle back, I will be appealing to the men shortly to take the right path. After all who would want to follow someone who sacked their own city? I would also like to remain in Madeburg for the duration of my army creation as I will not be of much use in Stettin with just my Bodyguard and I am sure Fritz will be able to hold off the Danes for now, he has done since he took up command after all. But I must still thank you for your willingness to pay for a new army for me and I will be content waiting in Madeburg waiting for it to assemble.

You can stay in Magdeburg if you want to, just know that Fritz should take another army to Stettin as I need back up (and people in Stettin need to be shown who's the boss, hence why it was sacked).
Note tho, that this year most money will go to myself, since I really need it, if I want to protect Thorn well.

Also I suggest we look through our cities, many might have building we do not need, like Theologicians Guilds, razing them to the ground will give us money. All pleasure buildings, barracks and churches and the like should be kept tho, we and the people need them ... what's Frankfurt without a good pub.

I would very much like to rampage through the lightly defended Italian coastal cities, but I am loath to abandon Constantinopel. Seems such a waste, why not use the city - in one way or the other ?

:balloon2:

Destroy all of its buildings, and loot the city with your army. This will also make them more loyal to you, as you have earned them much wealth.

You can leave a small garrison, and destroy the unimportant buildings, then move out and go city by city. You can sack Thessalonica on your way west.

I understand.

However, I will reside in Constantinople for a bit longer. The wealth I currently possess will enable me to hire at least some sort of force large enough to make the trip a success. Plus, thessalonica will still be there in a year or two.

:balloon2:

Tancred, the forces you can assemble with your wealth will be stronger from Thorn or Magdeburg. Come there.

A rider comes in looking haggard. He unrolls a scroll

Quote:

---

Dear Franconians,
While I have been away for some time, I still keep tabs on what is said in here. I still have access to Franconian civil service reports and the like. And what I have seen disturbs me.

1.) It is unfortunate that one so loyal as Dieter Bresch is treated so badly. This man came to Franconia because of the promises of Duke Ansehelm. It is clear now that the Duke just wanted Dieter back and was willing to say anything to make this happen.

2.) It is unbelievable that Count Fritz sacked his own city. This man shouldn't lead a regiment, let alone a whole army.

3.) It is even more unbelievable that Count Peter tried to usurp the throne. And what is this talk with moving the Diet? It is disbanded. And it won't be back in Franconia if I have anything to say about it.

4.) What is this talk of raiding other Elector's lands and destroying Theologians Guilds. Is Ansehelm that drunk for money and power?

So, for all of these reasons, I am going to seriously rethink my relation with the rest of this House. I am currently consulting with my lawyers to see the feasibility of denying Ansehelm some or all of the money he gets from Hamburg. I do not want to see that money used for ill purposes to hurt innocent civilians. And I am taking it upon myself to mentor the heir of Franconia in the ways of chivalry out here in Outremer. Dieter von Kassel has just come of age in Acre. He will lead Franconia into a new and better direction once Ansehelm finally dies.

I would wish you all good luck but I am afraid that your fortune will just be bought from the suffering of others. Of course I make an exception for my brother-in-law. He knows how I feel and this hostile letter is not meant for him.

King Jan

---

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: I am talking to TC about getting 1 or 2 points knocked off of Ansehelm's income. I'll let you know what he decides. :beam:

Jan is insufferable. I didn't try to usurp the throne, there was no heir chosen yet and I tried to become heir to protect the interests of the Reich, not my own.

Dieter Bresch has come home, demanding an army that Fritz has been leading most competently. They can jointly command like Tancred and I did.

An insult to Ansehelm is an insult to Franconia. He is wiser than you ever will hope to be.

And Fritz didnt sack the loyal in his city. He kept his army loyal on the blood money of the evil magistrates of the city.

Ansehelm:
King Jan is not a Franconian, and we do not listen to him.
You are not Count of Hamburg, I already uncounted you.