Orders and reports thread

[GeneralHankerchief]

Conrad Salier:

Religious building is to be built in Antioch immediately after the Gunsmith is completed. If there is time after that, we are to proceed with the Cannon Maker.

[TevashSzat]

This is an update on Swbia's Household army. The army is to remain in Paris until further notice with reinforcements trained in Staufen if possible.

[Cecil XIX]

In light of recent events, I am updated the build queue for Venice so that the implementation of Edict 10.2 will be clear to the Chancellor.

1. Abbey
2. Cathedral
3. Huge Cathedral

[Warluster]

Chancellors Report
1244
Emperor Chancellor Jobst von Salza

Imperial Army Reports

Wolfgang Hummel and 3 units of dismounted Knights and 2 catapaults, has moved not far from Adana, where a large army is being trained for Wolfgang, so he can take the settlement of Iconicum.

The army in Corisca, the one led by Lothar Steffen, was evacuated due to problems from before Chancellor. The witch Danne was not killed/Captured, so the army was evacuated. Two priests are being trained in Rome and Florence for purposes.

The Army in Sardina though, the one led by Jens von Kassel, has not evacuaeted, but is not moving towards the Milanese Settlement yet.

Hans has started to travel back to Sofia, for training and personal reasons.

The European Imperial Army, led by Kaiser Jobst, has moved out of Danish Territory and is not far from Frankfurt, where a Large French Army is camping. Siegfred has joined the EIA Army for training.

The Expedition Army, set for Moscow, is currently being trained. It should only be a few years, and the Expedition shall move off. 3 Priests are also moving towards Thorn.

A Imperial Fleet has engaged and defeated a Russian Fleet. A small fleet is heading towards Bologna to pick up Matthias Steffen, where it will head to the Kingdom of Outremer.

Enemy Army Reports

There are several large armies near Thorn, a large Polish Army, smaller Polish armies, a very large Russian Army is approaching from the East, a problem which Count Ansehelm may encounter on his Crusade.

There is a large Danish army, just past our Northern Borders, it is threatening Hamburg. Though several English Armies have just sieged Antwerp.

There is a Very large French and Danish Army heading towards Frankfurt, which the EIA is defending.


The Portuguese are besiegeing Caen.

Duke Arnold is beseieged in his Fort in the Budapest Region (Rebels) Sigismund von Mahren is nearby.

Several battles have been fought between Byzantine and Turkish armies on the border of the Adana Province.

A large Russian Fleet is off the coast of Ragusa.


News on Cities

Inverness and Edinburgh were sold to the English for 2580 Florins. A meagre price, but that’s what the edict said, the highest price. We now have a VERY large problem of what to do with the Imperial Armies stranded in English lands. I am training a fleet of Imperial Ships to pick up the soldiers, to make sure we don’t damage relations.

Other

Lyse von Salza has come of age, and is looking for a suitable husband.

We have two gifted Merchants on the North Coast of Denmark, separately EACH of them are earning 211 florins of money.


Battles to be Fought

Duke Arnold can sally forth to fight of the Hungarian besiegers if he wishes.



(This shall be updated regularly)

[Northnovas]

Building queues,

Zagreb

1. Mining Network
2. Abbey
3. Crop rotation
Taxation to normal


Damascus

1. Ballista Towers
2. Land Clearance
3. Church

[Stuperman]

All Bavarian lands should have a tax rate that is as high as possible without the threat of Rebellion (Blue face).

[Warluster]

Chancellors Report
1246 and 1248
Kaiser Chancellor Jobst von Salza


Imperial Army Report

Matthias Steffen has started to head towards Sofia, where he will meet up with Hans army and they will travel to the Holy Land, together.

The Commanders and Garrison of Thorn have sallied forth and defeated the Polish Army.

The Russian Crusade army is massing near Madgeburg, It is nearly ready.

Several small Polish armies have twisted past our defences and are near Stettin.

The Polish near Thorn have blocked both bridges with Regiments, Ansehelms wish of moving to the CR army can not be done.



There is a Turkish army in the Adana Region, the Iconicum Offensive Army is ready to go.

Jan von Hamburg has joined King Salier’s army, which is retreating from the face of a Mongol Horde, after the last Chancellors ideas.

Successful! We have killed the cursed Witch Dannae! The Island offensives may continue!

Enemy Army Movements

A very large French Army, which was heading towards Hamburg, has gone west, and is heading towards Paris, men shall be trained as they are elite soldiers.

A large Russian Army is heading towards Thorn.

A medium Danish Army is Westwards to Hamburg.

From the looks of it, the Venetians are now on land.

A medium English Army is camping near Paris!

Caen has resisted the Portugals efforts.


City News
No Construction was completed, but several buildings have started construction in Venice, Zagreb and Damascus.


Battles To Be Fought

Arnold has defeated a Sally Forth.

Ansehelm has defeated the attackers.

Emperor Jobst is fighting a battle against a Danish Army.

[flyd]

Chancellor's Report, end of 1248 through start of 1252

Good Electors,

This is my first report to the Diet, and depending on what the Mongols do, may well be the last. When I inherited the office of Chancellor in 1248, the first thing I noticed was that many of our fronts were undermanned given the threats they were facing. The Outremer, of course, will always be undermanned, given the sheer numbers our eastern enemies are capable of fielding. The situation around Thorn was very bad, with the garrison itself being very small, and a large Russian invading army nearby. The Swabians were under strength as well, but did not face any immediate threats, and the Bavarian armies were very small and spread on two islands. I suppose only the Austrians were well off, with a large army besieging Budapest.

I have attempted to fix this problem. At the end of 1248, every castle in the land was training troops, most at full capacity. Most did in 1250 as well. In the homelands, the highest priority was Thorn, drawing troops from as far away as Innsbruck. The Swabians also received some reinforcements. As a result of the heavy recruitment, the construction was reduced. However, there were sufficient funds to fix all damage caused by the rioting during the previous years. Enough was left over to begin the construction of three cathedrals, four abbeys, and other small churches and chapels during the two years.

In the Outremer, Karl Zirn has advanced towards Iconium, defeating a Turkish army, and now besieges it. As it was apparent that the Mongols would advance on Edessa, I rallied all the remaining troops there. At the end of 1250, there may have been around 2500 Imperial troops there, in three armies commanded by me, Elberhard, and Conrad Salier. In 1252, the entire Mongol army, well in excess of 4000 strong, moved towards Edessa. As I have already communicated to the crusaders, I do not believe this army can be engaged in the open field, and have instructed Elberhard and Salier to withdraw. I will remain in Edessa to delay the enemy, while further defensive preparations take place in and around Aleppo.

in Franconia, the von Kastiliens declined to break out of Thorn in 1250. As a result, a large Russian army has bypassed it and now threatens Franconia. It has not advanced very far yet, however. Some reinforcements have arrived near Thorn already, and others are on the way. Hopefully, sufficient troops can be rallied quickly enough to engage the invading Russian army.

In Austria, Arnold has continued to besiege Budapest. Sofia was given away to the Greeks in 1250, and Hans has started towards the holy land.

In Swabia, the Swabian household army has remained near Paris, moving around as necessary to face potential invading threats. A large French army lurks nearby. The Swabian army has received some reinforcements from Staufen.

In Bavaria, Gerhard Steffen has left Corsica, on the assumption that the Spaniards or the Sicilians will be competent enough to defeat the remnants of Milan. His army was used to supplement Lothar Steffen's army, which assaulted Ajaccio on Corsica. I believe you are aware of the result.

There is nothing else of significance to report.

Chancellor von Hamburg.

[flyd]

Chancellor's Report, end of 1252 through start of 1256.

Good Electors,

I bring you my second report. I need not reiterate what my overall objectives are, I think you know. I shall dive right into theater-specific comments.

The Outremer. Iconium was taken by Karl Zirn in 1252, and given away to the Greeks the same year. They still hold on to it as far as we know. Zirn encountered a large Turkish army on his way back, which followed him to Adana. In 1256, that army has been destroyed. The Saracens threatened the south somewhat, with two large armies invading the Papal lands around Jerusalem. For a moment, it appeared that one army would threaten Acre also, and Jan von Hamburg was dispatched south. However, both armies attacked the Pope at the end of 1254. One Papal army was defeated and Jerusalem was besieged, but the Pope sallied with success. No large Saracen armies currently threaten Jerusalem, which is well-defended. The Mongols failed to siege Edessa in 1254, and in 1256 moved along, crossing the river Euphrates to the north. I must admit that this passage was unknown to me. I attacked the rear of the Mongol formation, destroyed a part of the trailing army and withdrew to Edessa. Currently, three Mongol armies remain at full strength, with two of them across the Euphrates already. The fourth army has no heavy cavalry and is now led by a captain. The enemy artillery has also been reduced, though I do not know if they have any in their leading armies. Recruitment has continued at maximum capacity. Both Elberhard's and Conrad Salier's armies are now at full strength (about 1500 each).

Eastern Franconia. The siege of Thorn was broken with a sally in 1252. By 1254, sufficient reinforcements had accumulated to directly attack the invading Russian army under Miroslav. Ansehelm von Kastilien defeated this army just west of Thorn. In 1256, he moves south to destroy a large Polish army. Currently, one army is active in Eastern Franconia, and is just over 1000 strong. Further reinforcements will be necessary so that both a strong crusade army and a strong Franconian Household Army can be formed. However, if all immediate threats are destroyed, the crusade may depart early, and the FHA built up over time. Conversely, the crusade will not leave unless the threats are destroyed or the FHA is at strength.

Western Franconia. A separate theater really, quite isolated from the east. Large Danish armies have been lurking in the area for a long time. In 1254, they conducted a large scale invasion. I estimate that the total strength of the invading force was around 5000 men. The only field army in the area was the one under Kaiser Jobst and Sigfried von Kastilien, which was probably under 1000 men. One of the Danish armies besieged Hamburg (perhaps 1500 men), while the remaining force, in three armies, surrounded Jobst and von Kastilien in a forest just south of Hambug. I have not received a detailed report on this battle, but it does appear that all Danish forces were destroyed, with von Kastilien in command. As you know, Kaiser Jobst died in one of these engagements. Von Kastilien's army is now quite depleted, and reinforcements are inbound.

Austria. Arnold captured Budapest in 1252. In 1254, the city was besieged by a large Hungarian army, with two more Hungarian armies following. Total estimated strength of perhaps 3000. Arnold's force sallied, and, receiving reinforcements proceeded to destroy all three armies. No further large enemy armies are now in Hungary proper, but others are no doubt in what remains of the Hungarian kingdom. Reinforcements are inbound.

Swabia. No events of interest occured in Swabia, although Paris was temporarily threatened by a large French army. Duke Scherer maneuvered between it and Paris, but the French decided to attack to the west anyway.

Bavaria. Bavaria has been quiet. Some recruitment has been performed at Ajaccio to reinforce/professionalize the Bavarian Household Army. I have not received news of the destruction of the Milanese yet. I plan to send an expedition to Sardinia as soon as the boats arrive, to assess the situation.

There is nothing else to report.

Chancellor von Hamburg.

[flyd]

Chancellor's Report, end of 1256 through start of 1258.

Good Electors,

I has only been two years since my last report, and my term does end soon, but this is a very volatile time. I'll get right into it.

Our alliance with Sicily is no more. The Sicilians have landed an army at Durazzo and attacked the Pope. They have been repelled by the Papal troops, but we needed to abandon one of our alliances. This decision was not as easy to make as it appears. Although aggression against the Pope is the most despicable act imaginable, the Sicilians have been, if my memory does not fail me, our oldest allies, even during the time we had our own... issues with the Papacy. Even so, I could not side with them.

I shall finish with the regional notes.

This is the current situation in the Outremer:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

As you see, the Mongols have been trapped. Karl Zirn holds Adana, Conrad Salier holds the bridge north of Damascus, Elberhard holds Aleppo, and I hold Edessa. If the Mongols continue to avoid a fight, they have nowhere to go but Turkish lands. Else, they must attack us at our castles or across bridges.

Not everything went as well, however. The fleet that was transporting Matthias Steffen was attacked by a large Egyptian fleet. Although the two fleets were evenly matched, our fleet lost. One of the ships was sunk, but the Lord must have been looking over Steffen that day. His ship escaped, and an escape to the east was possible. Steffen has reached the shore of Asia, and disembarked, for it is unsafe to continue on a severely depleted fleet. He will continue overland unless a fleet in the Outremer can be assembled.

In Eastern Franconia, no major threat to Thorn remains, although there are many small enemy armies about. The crusade should be able to leave at the start of the next Chancellor's term.

In Western Franconia, the Danes have invaded again and besiege Hamburg. Siegfried von Kastilien is there with a reinforced army.

Bavaria will need to reorganize somewhat now that we are no longer allied with Sicily. Although too late for my Chancellorship, I expect that Lothar Steffen's army will leave Corsica to protect Rome. We have received indication that the last Milanese stronghold is still under siege, and may surrender in 4 years.

There have been no events in Swabia.

That is all.

Chancellor von Hamburg.

P.S. Condolences to my brothers on the death of Agnes von Saxony.

[flyd]

Chancellor's Report, end of 1258 and end of Chancellorship.

Good Electors,

I wish I could end my term in office on a positive note, but it is not to be. Jerusalem has been sacked by the Saracens. The attacking army was less numerous than the Papal garrison and besieged the city for only one turn, but was still victorious in the assault. The Pope has lost his life. One of our cardinals was easily elected, and the Papacy is now based in Durazzo.

The Mongols have moved south and are now outside of Aleppo, but have not besieged it. They may decide to bypass it, which is why the Damascus garrison was strengthened as much as it could, in case some were wondering. The Danes no longer siege Hamburg, and our good allies, the English, have gone to war with Denmark, attacking them near Antwerp.

However, it looks like the Milanese have managed to save themselves for the time being. Their last citadel was two years from surrender, but the Spaniards have lifted the siege and agreed on a ceasefire. A large Sicilian army remains on Sardinia.

The Reich now, is much stronger than it was when I was elected. In the Outremer, we have four full-strength armies, whereas at the start it would have been difficult to assemble one. Franconia was virtually without an army, and now has one assembled, and perhaps a second if reinforcements are collected. All other house armies have received reinforcements as well, and remain strong, though the Bavarian one could use some work. Almost all cities in the Empire now have the highest level of church possible, or are currently constructing it.

During my term, we experienced large-scale invasions by the Mongols, the Turks, the Russians, the Danes, the Poles, and the Hungarians, while the Pope has been constantly attacked by the Saracens. All of these threats still remain. The Mongols, though heavily reduced, still retain about 3000 troops in our lands. The Turks have been assembling at Caesarea, and are about ready to send another army our way. The Saracens have sacked Jerusalem. The Danes still have multiple large armies around Antwerp, and probably in Denmark too. I know not of what Poland and Russia are up to, but I doubt we've seen the last of them. At least one large Hungarian army has been spotted. The French have been busy with Portugal, but they do outnumber us in the region significantly, and one French army has been sitting on our border for a long time. The Sicilians are currently neutral, but who knows what will come from them. We are still not out of the woods, but we are better prepared now.

Chancellor von Hamburg.

[AussieGiant]

Duke Arnold Austria

AHA command is to be handed over to Sigismund von Mahren.

Further orders are to be given to Sigismund von Mahren. If edict 11.5 is passed then Bran is clearly a target of opportunity.

Duke Arnold is to collect the Imperial, Feudal and Mailed Knights being sent to Budapest as reinforcements, and form an small four regiment Cavalry only force. This is to engage all rebel forces in the Austrian interior and wipe them out.

Once this is complete he is to head for Ragusa to ensure Sicilian encroachment is deterred and to personally oversee the continued training of reinforcements for the AHA and send them on their way to Sigismund.

Taxes in all provinces to be yellow face or better.

Build Orders:

Ragusa

Armoury
Baron's Stables
Gunsmith

Budapest

Militia Drill Square
Alchemist Lab
Ballista Towers

Vienna

Huge Stone Walls
Gunsmith
Alchemist Lab

Venice

Dockyards
Merchant Bank

[gibsonsg91921]

For Breslau, ensure that the highest possible gunpowder building is constructed.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Conrad Salier:

Build queue for Antioch:

1. Leather Tanner
2. Market
3. City Hall
4. (time permitting) Gunsmith

[Cecil XIX]

The tax level at Prague is to be set to low.

The build queue-

1. Gunsmith
2. Armourer
3. City Watch

[TinCow]

Build Queue for Forence:

Inn
Taven
Coaching House

Taxes set as high as possible without rioting.

As I am commander of the Bavarian Household Army, I will state how I would wish it to be used. This is not, of course, my decision as my father is Duke, but in the event that he does not give orders for it, perhaps the Chancellor will find some measure of guidance in mine.

My preference is that the BHA be rebuilt quickly from the men available in Ajaccio and anywhere else that can be found to assist. The BHA will then be used to assault Cagliari as soon as possible. Once this is completed, I would prefer that the BHA be returned to the Italian mainland and stationed near Florence, so that it can easy protect Rome and march on Naples, should a war with Sicily break out.

[econ21]

Elberhard:


Build queue for Rheims:

Leather tanner
Militia drill square
Mining network

Some thieves have made a base in Rheims. Please drive them off and demolish their guild.


Build queue for Acre (Order may be switched at Chancellor's discretion):

Marksman's range (to get mounted crossbows)
Ballista towers

[Privateerkev]

Build queue for Edessa:

1.) cont. Abbey
2.) cont. Abbey
3.) Ballista towers
4.) Ballista towers cont.
5.) Ballista towers cont.
6.) Gunsmith
7.) Gunsmith cont.
8.) Gunsmith cont.
9.) Leather tanner
10.) Leather tanner cont.

Keep taxes and races as is.

[AussieGiant]

Sigismund,

Please give order to the Chancellor for the Austrian House Army.

We are obliged to do this before he comes to power.

Arnold

[Northnovas]

Building queues

Zagreb

1. Crops
2. Fairground
Taxes to normal for a few turns.

Damascus

1. Balista Towers
2. Land clearing
Should be do for upgrade can increase taxes if it will stay green.

[Cecil XIX]

The AHA is to be used to fulfull Edict 11.5, except when it is necessary to relieve Austrian cities.

[Stuperman]

Build Ques for Bavaria:

Marseille:
-Brothel
-The next city walls(I think they will be avaiable)
-Dockyard

Nuremburg:
-Brothel
-Merchant Back
-Grand Market

Innsbruck:
-Finish Citadel
-marksman's range
-Baron's Stables

Milan(OOC:If Necessary OK, I'm not sure what the whole Chancellor(maybe) and Crusader count thing means here):
-Merchant Vault
-Tavern

Genoa:
-Dockyard
-Tavern

Bologna:
-Mining network
-Cathedral

queues deliberately kept short to allow for Financial flexibility.

[Stig]

Build Queues for Thorn
-Update to the newest Barracks possible in 20 years

Orders for the FHA as mentioned in the PMs (taking Matthias gets the chancellorship). Peter von Kastillien will take the command and attack the Poles now directly north of the FHA. Then the army will move south to occupy the bridge south east of Thorn. This is the ideal place for defence. We (Gunther, Peter, Ansehelm) discussed things and this bridge should be used as a base from which to attack armies from, while trying to return to it every turn.

[FactionHeir]

Build queues for Swabia and Bern:

Paris
Armourer
Merchant's Bank
Alchemist Lab

Dijon
Finish walls
Inn
Blacksmith

Staufen
Barracks
Master Armourer
Tourney Field

Metz
Finish Paved Roads
Council Chambers
Great Market

Bern
Alchemist's lab
Blacksmith
Cathedral

SHA Orders:
The SHA is to stay under the most able command of Duke Scherer and protect our western front from the French and possibly rebels, if no captain-led force can be dispatched for the latter.
The SHA is allowed to raid French armies outside of Imperial lands if victory is a distinct possibility and the way back is secure.
Staufen is to reinforce the SHA with top of the line Imperial knights and eventually Zweihanders.

Priests are to be recruited where Catholicism is wavering (less than 90%) and all guilds except thieves, explorers and theologians guilds may be accepted.

Steward Hans of Swabia

OOC: I will fill those in as soon as I can. Dont have access to game right now so what I post may not be completely applicable.
Update: Fixed the queues

[OverKnight]

Chancellor's report for 1160

King Salier brought his forces from north of Antioch and attacked Khan Subutai the Wrathful outside Aleppo before I had formally taken office. Fortunately Prinz Elberhard was able to assist.

It was a bloody battle but we prevailed. Of course all battles against the Mongols are bloody.

I have been told Dieter Bresch (unclaimed Avatar) was knighted for his bravery in the battle, though I await a report from King Salier.

The remaining Mongol army known to us is led by the new Khan Orda. His forces were slightly north of Subutai's and he was unable to come to his aid.

While King Salier's army is battered, I have cobbled together a new army to strike at Khan Orda. However as I was drawing profesisonal forces from as far south as Damascus and I am waiting on reinforcements, the army will not be able to attack until next year.

The army has been placed under the command of Prinz Elberhard as King Salier's bodyguard took many losses and is recuperating in Aleppo. If Orda is foolish enough to attack Aleppo or Elberhard, then we can put an end to him.

In accordance with Edict 11.1, I immediately contacted Pope Miccele the Corrupt, the new Pontiff after the loss of Jerusalem, and asked for a Third Crusade.

The demands of the Edict left me with little time to find a Crusade force. As Adana had the largest professional force left in Outremer not commited to the Mongol threat and the Turks were quiet, Karl Zirn took the Cross and has been dispatched south with nine units of men. He is currently north of Acre.

I recruited two units of Armenian Archers south of Smyrna, which allowed me a force large enough to take the Cross myself. I reboarded my ships, though I had to hire a mercenary galley to help carry my men, and set forth for the Holy Land. My fleet is now west of Acre.

Jan von Hamburg has traveled from Damascus to join the Crusade as well, but due to the demands of reinforcing Aleppo and garrisoning the city, he did not have enough men to form his own Crusade army or take the Cross yet.

Karl Zirn will have overall command of the Crusade until I am knighted.

I have sent almost all the Priests in Outremer towards Jerusalem. Increasing the Christian faith in the area will assist the Crusade in occupying and holding the city. Before departing Gaza, Cardinal Helmut von Austria tried and executed a heretic, Shabana of Damanhar.

An overview of the Crusade and Jerusalem:

An Imperial Priest near Jerusalem has written to tell me that the city still suffers from the plague. I will keep an eye on this.

Duke Scherer has moved east and laid an ambush for the French Force north of Metz. If they move south they will be in for a surprise.

The Duke's forces have been reinforced with Militia Spearmen for now. Professional footmen will be reaching him from Staufen soon.

Many florins were spent on the reinforcement and repair of three of the House Armies, though it might take a few years to reach them. Our main Castles are in the interior, while the HAs are on the frontier. Ironically, the HAs closest to Castles are having more difficulty rearming. The Franconian HA cannot currently reinforce as the Teutonic Crusade is using all the resources of Thorn. The Bavarian HA is in Ajaccio, but the Castle cannot train bowmen, they will have to be brought in from Innsbruck.

I have begun implementation of CA 11.5. The intial expense of recruiting Militia is severe.

We have achieved a naval victory in the Baltic against the Danes.

Rebuilding of our navies will have to wait until my financial reforms have begun to work.

Speaking of those reforms, I have tightened taxation in many of our cities. There will be no rioting, however I will keep a sharp eye on our people's happiness. All Merchants are currently trading resources or are on their way to trade. For example, the Mongol incursion close to Aleppo forced a merchant inside the walls, he has been sent back out to trade spices and will bring in arround 800 florins a year. With such attention to detail, I hope to raise revenues.

In respect of Kaiser Jobst's last wishes I have arranged a wedding.

I await word on three more battles this year, Peter von Kastilein faces a Polish Army, Kaiser Siegfried is striking at another Danish incursion and Duke Arnold has some rebels to run down.

Kaiser Siegfried has put paid to the Danes, I almost feel sorry for them.

Which reminds me, when I assumed office, the only mission waiting to be completed was an assasination. It appears yet another Danish Prince wants to off his King so he can assume the throne. Something is yet again rotten in the State of Denmark. Despite the recruitment of many assassins during Chancellor Hans's term, only one is left to the Reich. Much like a Pope, the job has a short life expectancy.

Peter von Kastilien has smashed the Poles.

Duke Arnold has eradicated the rebels southewest of Budapest.

[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.

[FactionHeir]

Wolfgang Hummel is hereby declared Count of Metz until further notice.

[OverKnight]

1264

The year began with sad news.

The Duke of Franconia succumbed to his long illness. He was a true German and a stout defender of our eastern frontier. He brought Breslau into the Reich and defeated the Poles again and again. He will be missed.

But for each end there is a beginning. Kaiser Jobst's son has come of age in Rome.

Treachery! One of own Electors has gone over to the Russians!

Perhaps he grew tired of being the world's oldest squire. I had sent him north to administer Venice, but a Russian diplomat bribed him on the way. Needless to say, he will be hunted down like a dog.

We have been approached by the Polish Prince, I assume he has heard of our skills at regicide.

The Teutonic Crusade has departed Thorn and nears the border with Russia. They will leave the Reich next year.

Antioch is ready to become a city. Walls will be built as soon as possible.

The English Crusade Army has entered our territory and is now between Frankfurt and Magdeburg.

I await word on four battles.

Count Karl Zirn will be leading the assault on Jerusalem.

Kaiser Siegfried is attacking a Danish Army on the border of Antwerp.

Prinz Elberhard and King Salier have cornered Khan Orda and Khanzada Jebu, respectively, near Aleppo.


1264 update

King Salier and Prinz Elberhard have finished the Mongol threat. Kaiser Siegfried has driven the Danes from our territory.

Karl Zirn has lead the Crusade to triumph!

An Imperial Diplomat is travelling to Durazzo, we will be able to transfer Jerusalem next year. I know there is talk of governing the city for a few years, but Edict 11.1 did call for an immediate transfer back to the Papacy. Two years is the best I can do.

In gratitude for Karl's role in leading the attack, I have given him the Veil of Veronica, one of the relics obtained from the city.

The contentment stemming from the Crusade has allowed me to raise taxes. Mighty armies and impressive buildings require money.

Taking the ex-Crusade forces, I cleared the countryside around Jerusalem of the three Egyptian armies. They have all retreated to Gaza. Even after the transefer, I will keep an Imperial force in the area to monitor the Egyptians.

It took four of our Priests, but a heretic has been tried and executed south of Jerusalem. We have so many priests in the area, the amount of Catholics has nearly doubled in four years (~60%).

Duke Arnold, using a fleet to get by the Sicilians blocking his way, has arrived in Ragusa.

Duke Gerhad Steffen and Athalwolf von Salza have moved north to Florence in pursuit of the traitor Jens von Kassel. I hope to catch him in the new year.

Peter von Kastilien has moved to the bridge south of Thorn. I hope to have him link up next year with Jonas von Mahren's reinforcements. This leaves some Polish forces to the north, but they are contained.

[OverKnight]

1266

We are now the most Advanced Faction.

Denmark and Scotland have made peace.

Our diplomat arrived in Durazzo. Jerusalem has been formally handed over to the Pope.

Our priests have done their work well, 74% percent of the population is Catholic. They will stay put until any heresy is stamped out.

One of our holy men, Lukas der Bar, has been promoted into the College of Cardinals.

With the transfer in place, I have taken ship for Adana, Count Zirn has returned to Damascus and Count Jan remains with an army near the city. We will not let the Egyptians catch us sleeping again.

Edit: Speaking of the Egyptians, I have sent King Salier and Count Hans (FactionHeir: I didn't get your message until after the move) in pursuit of Sultan Moussa.

By using a pincer movement, I hope one of the armies will bring him to battle in the new year.

The Milanese have driven the Sicilians off Sardinia. Only the Spaniards remain east of Cagliari.

A Merchant Guild has been accepted for Rheims.

Florence is ready to upgrade.

Oddly enough, the English ex-Crusade Army, led by King Davy, has moved further into our territory, they are now between Nuremburg and Prague. I will follow this situation closely.

The Swabian and Austrian Household Armies are fully reinforced. They will begin offensive operations soon. The Bavarian Household Army will take ship from Ajaccio in the next year once the Pavise Crossbowmen arrive.

The two Polish Armies trapped north of the river have moved. One marched to the bridge east of Thorn but was blocked by Peter von Kastilien. The other foolishly besieged Thorn.

Peter has run off the army facing him and is now ready to lift the siege and destroy both Polish armies. I await word of this battle. . .

The Poles around Thorn have been dispersed. Peter will rest and rearm in Thorn while Fritz von Kastilien assumes command of the Franconian Household Army for now.

The Teutonic Crusade, led by Ansehelm von Kastilien, faces its first battle against the Russians on the border with Riga. I await word of this battle. . .

The Crusade is triumphant and will move further into Russian territory.

Duke Gerhard Steffen has cornered the traitor Jens von Kassel at Florence's port. I await word of this battle. . .

The traitor is dead and Athalwolf von Salza has been knighted by the Duke. The young Knight will travel to his Duchy, and my father will continue north to face a large rebel army in the Alps west of Innsbruck.

1266 Continued

Grim News, two of our merchants travelling to Baghdad to trade silk have made an unfortunate discovery.

I hope this new Khan shows more sense than his predecessors and stays in the East. If this new Mongol wave enters our lands, they will meet the same fate as the first two. Their bones will lie sun bleached and unburied in the desert just like their fallen brethren.