Orders and reports thread

[econ21]

Chancellor’s report, 1216


My Lords,


Due to conservative spending in 1214, we began the year with twice our usual starting balance: 42,353 florins. This allowed me to indulge in some largesse to the church: an abbey was ordered to be built in Marseilles for Gerherd Steffen to recuperate in, while in Nuremburg work was begun on a cathedral dedicated in honour of the late Maximillan Mandorf.

The Pope invited us to begin our crusade to Damascus, but I will hold off a while. My brother, Duke Leopold, has requested to lead the crusade and must return from Thessalonica to Ragusa to head the force I am gathering there for him. Count von Hamburg is nearing Ragusa with both his adult sons and young Karl Zirn has reached there from Rome. There are also two sons of Jonas von Mahren at Ragusa. Their father will take over command of the Austrian Household Army now besieging Thessalonica. Duke Leopold has decided pressing an assault on Thessalonica would be too costly right now, so there will be a pause while more siege engines are constructed. I am hopeful the besieged Venetians will be emboldened by their superior numbers to attempt a sally.

Duke Leopold and Count Jonas face some interesting strategic dilemmas at the moment. They have two armies - the Austrian Household Army and the nascent crusader force. But they face three strong forces - a Hungarian army loitering around the border of Budapest; the besieged Venetians in the Thessalonica and their compatriots at Durazzo. I would welcome any opinions from Jonas or Leopold on how to respond to these challenges. I feel the enemy at Durazzo must be bloodied before the Crusade proper begins; I cannot risk letting Ragusa fall to Venice - it is in the process of upgrading to a Citadel and is far too precious to lose. As for the Hungarians, I now regret turning back Prince Jobst’s Army of the Interior from its march on Budapest.

The mercantile expedition has made landfall in North Africa although they are not as close to Northern Egypt as I would have liked. However, the Egyptian navy is powerful and my priority is to join their transports with those of Prinz Hans’s expedition to Constantinople. The combined fleet may be able to transport Duke Leopold’s crusade in due course. The merchants and priests will have to walk the rest of the way to their destination.

France has been excommunicated although I caution Swabians not to get too excited by this news given the venerable age of our Pontiff. The Swabian Household Army under Duke Scherer has stormed Rheims with very low casualties.

While the Russians besiege Thorn, our Baltic fleet has sunk two of their warships. The Franconian Household army has been unleashed on the Poles around Krakow. Duke von Kastilien reports bitter fighting and feels his army lacks the strength to push on to siege Krakow. I have authorised his withdrawal north towards Thorn. Another of the Duke’s sons, Peter, has come of age.

In the Levant, I cut down an Egyptian general who foolishly attempted to block my advance on Edessa. Next turn I will besiege the city, but it is clear it will not fall until I am out of office. Prince Ulrich has been authorised to hunt down a band of Turks trespassing around Adana, but deemed them not worth getting out of bed for.

My next report will be my last. I am sure you will be glad to be rid of me.



Kaiser Henry

[TevashSzat]

With Rheims newly taken, here are the build orders.

I do not remember the length of construction, but here is a general order.

church
ballista towers
next higher level church
militia square (i think, but its the barracks thing)

Please train additional militia to garrison the city as soon as possible.

[econ21]

Chancellor’s Report for 1218

The year began with disaster: despite having a strong garrison, the fortress of Thorn fell to a bold assault from a Russian force half its size. The only consolation from this bitter defeat is that the Russians chivalrously spared the fortress from being sacked or exterminated.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

There are, I believe, lessons from this bitter defeat. First, we cannot rely on garrisons to protect our frontiers. The garrison I provided for Thorn was the force that the late Maximillan thought sufficient to hold Adana against all comers - vis, three regiments of spearmen, three of archers and two of dismounted feudal knights. However, what was missing was clearly the late Maximillan or his equivalent - a distinguished general to oversee the defences. I know that the Count of Thorn will feel resentment that he was not kept in post to defend Thorn. However, in my defence I can only say that I had no knowledge that Russia would attack us until Thorn was besieged and I judged the priority to be the Count earning his spurs in battle against the Poles, so that then he could be used to freely command forces in Franconia and elsewhere.

A second lesson of Thorn is that our borders have become stretched, especially with Household Armies assigned to conquer neighbouring provinces. When Thorn fell, the Franconian army was far away outside Krakow. Similarly, when Genoa was menaced, the Bavarian army was in Corsica. When the Hungarians threatened Breslau and the Venetians massed at Durazzo, the Austrian army was in Thessalonica. Now the Swabian army is at Rheims, I fear for Marsellies and Metz. Duke Otto has said that it is the Chancellor’s responsibility to balance the imperatives of implementing edicts for conquest with the need for homeland defence. Perhaps there is some truth in this, but I believe Houses should exercise more oversight over the deployment of their forces and provide more nuanced edicts or standing orders that recognise the primacy of defending our borders.

In response to the loss of Thorn, I began the march northwards of Duke Kastilien’s battered household army from outside Krakow back to Thorn. Unfortunately, a small Polish army blocked the road north and we are once again subject to a Papal injunction to desist from attacking them. Consequently, the FHA was forced to go off road and skirt round the Poles. To speed up the march on Thorn, I detached the catapult batteries from the FHA and sent them to Breslau under the Count of Thorn’s command.

In Rheims, the Swabian Household Army is under siege by an inferior French army. I have yet to learn if the Duke of Swabia will lead a sally out of the city. After the debacle of Thorn, I will not authorise a junior commander to fight the battle. [OOC: no autoresolving here!]

Prince Jobst has crushed a rebel army south of Frankfurt. North of Rome, Steward Scherer has finally reached the rebel army menacing our interior. I await news of the battle.

Near Ragusa, Duke Leopold has joined with the bulk of the army to be formed into a crusade. Count Salier is bringing up more knights. I do not say that all the nobles gathering there will join the crusade but I am giving my successor as Chancellor the freedom about who else to include (beyond Leopold, Salier and Zirn). Before departing, Duke Leopold and the next Chancellor may wish to strike down the Venetians massing around Durazzo. Otherwise, I fear that they will do to Ragusa what the Russians have done to Thorn. There is also the strong Hungarian army wandering around the borders of Budapest. Count Mahren remains besieging Thessalonica, but I believe this endeavour may prove futile just like the Bavarian strike at Corsica and the Franconian march on Krakow. I should also report that Spain and Denmark have embarked on the crusade to Damascus. In other Austrian news, Zagreb has accepted a Merchant’s guild.

At sea, a small Egyptian fleet has reached Ragusa and sunk some of the ships that transported Conrad Salier to Ragusa. This means that we are unable to reinforce the crusade with units from the BHA despite Steward Steffen’s generous offer. The ships returning from landing our mercantile expedition in north Africa encountered a much larger Egyptian fleet. Fortunately, the enemy did not strike but I was sufficiently alarmed to send the ships to join with Prinz Hans’s armada. I pray that our large naval force will be sufficiently strong to protect the transports bringing the Prinz’s army to Constantinople.

I declined an offer of marriage for Demuth von Hamburg. There was nothing wrong with the young suitor, but with all the Kastiliens, von Hamburgs and von Mahren’s swanning around Rome and Ragusa, the last thing I felt the Reich needed was another Franconian trying to make an impression.

In the Levant, I drove off a small band of Egyptians under a chap called Medhat Karfur. At the time, I lacked any full regiments of pavise crossbowmen and the difficulty of dealing with Medhat’s one regiment of Mameluk archers has impressed on me the importance of having sufficient missiles if we ever have to face a horse archer force such as that of the horse lords. I recommend that the next Chancellor increase the proportion of pavisers in our Outremer archers as a precautionary measure. After the battle, I ransomed Medhat back to Edessa and have assembled a strong army on the approach to the city.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Without decent archers, Henry finally corners the Mameluks.

Now that Antioch is mainly Christian, I have moved our many Cardinals and priests to Damascus to convert the population in advance of our crusade. I hope our crusaders will be able to occupy the city without having to massacre its population. I have ordered all our settlements in Outremer to recruit more priests. I believe some priests should be sent to Edessa if the next Chancellor intends to take it from the Egyptians as I would recommend. Our spies have encountered the horde of horse lords south of Baghdad. A diplomat is en route to parley with them.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Here’s Jonny! (Or Ghengis or whoever)

That ends my last annual report. I will provide short review of my full term in office shortly.


Kaiser Henry

[Dutch_guy]

After my son's courageous participation in the Franconian Household army's intense battle of last year, he is now knighted - and fully able to lead a force of his own in battle.

[econ21]

Chancellor’s final report

My lords, I promised a final report summing up my term in office. Unfortunately, it has been delayed by the need to travel from Edessa. And my achievements have been somewhat overshadowed by the recent disasters at Thorn and over the Danish crusade. However, I do have some last comments on the state of the Reich at the end of my Chancellorship.

Assignments: Rheims is assigned to Swabia. Antioch and Aleppo remain formally Imperial settlements. However, as per the draft constitution of Outremer, Aleppo is informally assigned to Franconia.

Territory: We ended my period in office with a three extra provinces (Antioch, Aleppo and Rheims) but lost Thorn. I believe we should seek to maintain this modest rate of expansion.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[OOC: To maintain the challenge - the AI can at last field large armies to defend threatened places such as Thessalonica, Krakow and Edessa.]

In the coming Diet, we may wish to complete the conquest of Outremer by taking Damascus and Edessa, although work will have to be done to convert the local population if we are to avoid a rebellion such as that which occurred in Jerusalem. I have already moved our many Cardinals and priests from Antioch to Damascus; I would urge the next Chancellor to move some to Edessa as well. Outremer also needs a facility for training spies to avoid unrest. Thorn should be retained and Krakow taken; however, I am unpersuaded by the case for further territorial expansion.

Military: Our armies have been largely upgraded, although Franconia still requires more pavise crossbowmen. However, we face multiple threats along our borders - from the Hungarians, the Poles and now from the Danes. I am sympathetic to the case for second Household Armies. However, this case varies by House: Franconia is most in need - especially now that the Danes are at war with us. By contrast, the Bavarian Household Army could even be downgraded in size. On reflection, I would oppose formally establishing second Household Armies but would recommend that the Chancellor do it informally when required. We must also recognise that our enemies have grown in strength and that quickly taking enemy settlements may become rare - we achieved it at Rheims, but were thwarted at Ajacco, Krakow, Thessalonica and Edessa. Perhaps we should fight with more dispersed forces to try to induce the enemy to attack us outside of its fortifications?

Economy: Although I began my term in office frustrated that I was unable to build much that our governors desired, the cost cutting measures I implemented and the effect of past investments soon changed this. Since that first year in office, there has been sufficient income to authorise every building I have wished to authorise. I would urge the next Chancellor to keep a careful eye on our economic situation in order to continue being in this happy position. If, as I expect, we need more armies to defend our borders, rather than expand our military, I would recommend splitting some of our Household Armies - Prince Jobst has shown that a small, upgraded force can easily triumph over larger lower grade enemies.

Diplomacy: Our alliances had begun to bear fruit until the unfortunate incident with the Danish crusade. Hopefully, we can put things right. I would like to see peace overtures made to all our Christian enemies. We must recognise - as has occurred with the Poles - that Papal restraint provides only a very short window for offensive action against brother Catholics. Moreover, the biggest challenge we face is now the pagan horse lords. I believe we are ineluctably on a collision course with them and we must prepare for this. I volunteer to take my army and block their approach to Damascus, although I would appreciate a few more of King Otto’s excellent pavise crossbowmen for the task. My ability as a night fighter may allow me to buy the crusade needed time to reach Damascus first. I have not much time left for war and offer myself to the Reich in one last service.

Yours,

Kaiser Henry

Summary information on Kaiser Henry's Chancellorship, 1200-1218

Build queues in Kaiser Henry's Chancellorship

Italics indicates authorised


List of Battles in Kaiser Henry's Chancellorship


FA=field battle (attacker)
FD=field battle (defender)
SA=siege assault (attacker)
SD=siege assault (defender)
YA=sally (attacker)
YD=sally (defender)
AA=ambush (attacker)
AD=ambush (defender)

[OverKnight]

Build Queues for Outremer

Adana
Blacksmith
Barracks
Shipwright

Antioch
Abbey
Council Chambers

Aleppo
Chapel
Garrison Quarters
Drill Square
Barracks

Acre
Paved Roads
Blacksmith
Drill Square

Tax levels should be set to avoid rioting.

Orders for the Army of Outremer

I will command the army. As I consider the army currently under Kaiser Henry's command an Imperial one, my Army will be formed by drawing off some of the elements of the Adana and Acre garrisons and new recruitment, if possible. The Army will converge at Acre.

At Acre, the Army will perform oversight on Antioch, Aleppo, Jerusalem and the advance of the Mongols. The Army will respond to any of these that are threatened, or in the case of the Mongols, becomes a threat. If Adana is besieged by a force that the local garrison cannot handle, the army will move to relieve the Fortress. I hope the Chancellor will take great care in making sure that one of these goals is not over pursued to the detriment of the others, though the defense of Jerusalem is paramount.

If the Chancellor has any questions feel free to contact me.

[Ituralde]

Build priorities for Vienna:
Crop Rotation
Militia Drill Square
Inn

The Inn may be built whenever the funds don't allow for more expensive investments.

Build priorities for Venice
Community Farming
Fairground

The upgrade of the city defense to Huge Stone Walls should have absolute priority over the above mentioned buildings.

Build priorities for Ragusa
Blacksmith
Jousting Lists
Armoury


Orders for the Austrian Household Army:

The Austrian Household Army will be led by Jonas von Mahren.
As soon as a Austrian noble, who is not on Crusade, gets knighted he will take over command of the Army.

Jonas von Mahren will have full control over the movements of the Army. I have contacted him, that he should bring the siege of Thessalonica to an end, one way or another and return to the Austrian homeland. He should pick up the younger Austrian nobles on his way north and defeat the Hungarians loitering in our territory.

[OverKnight]

List of Battles in Chancellor Matthias Steffen's Term
This will be kept up to date


FA=field battle (attacker)
FD=field battle (defender)
SA=siege assault (attacker)
SD=siege assault (defender)
YA=sally (attacker)
YD=sally (defender)
AA=ambush (attacker)
AD=ambush (defender)

[OverKnight]

1262

The Egyptian force threatening Acre marched to the northeast to attack Jan von Hamburg. Facing 7:1 odds, I ordered him to retreat a bit north. The Egyptians turned traitor soon after giving up the pursuit, most dispersed and only a small rebel force blocks Jan's path.

After destroying the Rheims Thieves Guild, the miscreants had the gall to request another be built, I declined.

Relations with the Moors have fallen to very poor, while they have risen to amiable with Portugal.

I finally received a wedding proposal for one of our spinsters, Hedewigis von Saxony. The man is ancient, but any port in a storm.

The Pope has taken note of Siegfried's victory over the Danes.

No offensive action was planned against them anyway, I will make sure our actions do not violate this request.

Damascus and Marseille need new walls. Three other cities also needed them when I took office. They will be at the top of the list for new projects.

Some rebels south of Breslau have been destroyed.

Both Prinz Elberhard and Count Fredericus have won victories against the Mongols, but their two remaining leaders elude us. They will be hunted down.

This is all that remains of the second wave.

Peter von Kastilien has slain the Polish King and dispersed many of their forces near Thorn. He took many losses though and ends the year facing another Polish Army his equal to the south. I am rushing in reinforcements from western Franconia led by Jonas von Mahren. The good news is that the way is clear for the Teutonic Crusade to leave in 1264.

I still await word on Count Hans's battle against Sultan Moussa, who has unwisely trespassed on our lands south of Aleppo, and Duke Arnold's battle against some rebels south of Zagreb.

Jan von Hamburg has crushed the rebels to his south. I salute his bravery in deciding to take them on with only his retainers. The way is now open for him to join the Crusade.


1262 Update

Count Hans caught Sultan Moussa south of Aleppo.

The Saracens were defeated but the man who ordered the attack on Jerusalem lives to fight another day. He retreated east to the desert wastes of his own territory.

Duke Arnold, on his way to Ragusa, attacked some brigands south of Zagreb. The garrison of the city aided him.

The Duke sent the bandits to hell. He now has a reputation for being cruel and cunning. (Raking in the dread AG).

Do you remember how Prince Kolbein of Denmark asked us to kill his King? Well, you can call the cur King Kolbein now.

I doubt this will change much with Denmark, but we did need the money.

Edmund Deines has denounced a heretic west of Dijon after a fellow priest failed. I hope the two can stamp out heresy in the region.

Rudolf Ruesdorf has also cleansed Adana of a heretic.

Two priests have arrived on Corsica to cleanse the Island of the taint of the foul, but dead, witch Danae.

Jerusalem is besieged by my and Karl Zirn's Crusade forces. Count Hans will arrive next year.