Please note that TinCow will be out of town from Oct 26 to Oct 28th. Thus, this turn may take longer than normal. I apologize for any delay; I have no further trips planned until the end of November and expect the game to proceed speedily after this turn.
The actions of the Electors, and the lives of the men under their command, have bought the Reich some time to breathe in 1324, but it will not last for long. Strategies that were developed years ago are beginning to become heavily flawed as the Reich’s enemies are now bringing the full force of their arms to bear on all areas.
In Outremer, Antioch and Aleppo remain free of siege, but the latter is cut off from trade by Byzantine armies which block the roads. Acre is not so lucky, as the Pope has once again sent his men to besiege its walls in compensation for the sins of the Reich. Kaiser Elberhard has advanced on Damascus with a strong army, but the Byzantines have responded to the threat in a grand manner. Tobromeros Comnenus has marched to the city’s aid with a truly fearsome host. If Elberhard is to reclaim the city, he will have to defeat it first.
In Franconia, Duke Ansehelm has evacuated Thorn and is marching west towards Stettin. He is being hotly pursued by a large Polish army and many more are within striking distance. In Stettin, Fritz von Kastilien has begun assembling a small mercenary fleet, though their purpose remains yet unknown. Magdeburg still stands strong in the heart of the Duchy, but Dieter Bresch has received little in the way of aid and his army is only moderate in size. He would fare poorly should the Danish move against him. Peter von Kastilien appears to have abandoned Franconia altogether. The last reports indicated that he had crossed the Rhine into Swabia with his entire army, leaving Frankfurt almost undefended.
In Bavaria, Fredericus Erlach has held his island for yet another year with a magnificent display of arms. The Sicilians will not soon forget their slaughter and will surely not abandon the assault on the island; a new army has landed on the shores yet again. Still, Count Erlach’s actions have kept the citadel free of siege works and it has inspired a newfound loyalty amongst the commoners. On the mainland, rebel-held Bologna finally fell to a Byzantine assault. Of the great northern Italian trade cities, only Genoa, Milan, and Venice remain under Imperial control, and all threatened by nearby Byzantine armies. In the citadel of Innsbruck, Duke Lothar assembled a mighty force of arms, but in a strange turn of events, gave command of it to the Swabian rebel Dietrich von Dassel, who immediately began marching west through the Alpine passes towards Bern.
In Austria, the heroic efforts of Karl Zirn, Lorenz Zirn, and Friedrich Karolinger have seriously delayed the Hungarian advance on Budapest. The Hungarian armies are still gathering, but the city will certainly remain free of siege for at least a short time. In Ragusa, Duke Arnold has created a massive army, just in the nick of time. The Venetians have advanced en-masse on the citadel and will certainly begin a siege if they are not stopped in the mountain passes. In happier news, Johann Zirn, the eldest son of Karl Zirn, has come of age in Budapest and stands ready to serve his House.
The rebellion in Swabia has come to a sudden and startling head. Athalwolf von Salza retreated from the walls of Dijon and returned north to guard Rheims against the French advance. When he arrived, he found the rebel Wolfgang Hummel with his entire army, preparing to move on the city. The two armies now stand across from one another and a battle will surely begin unless one of them flinches. Further east, Duke Hans has laid siege to Metz and is preparing to assault the city. However, Peter von Kastilien has marched his men hard and is within striking distance of the city. Should he choose to intervene in the Swabian rebellion, he could easily arrive in time to aid either Hans or the rebel defenders. In the south, Dietrich von Dassel is within striking range of Bern and the French have laid siege to the citadel of Caen.
As usual, please double-check wealth calculations to ensure accuracy.
Elberhard:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Antioch
Personal Wealth: 4 (3 carried over, 1 loyal Count income from Antioch)
Units Available: Turkopoles
You dispersed a good portion of your wealth to aid in the reinforcement of Antioch and Acre, and then marched south towards Damascus. You stand within sight of the city’s walls, but the Byzantine general Tobromeros Comnenus will not allow it to fall without a fight. It will certainly be a tough battle and will cost the lives of many of your men. What is Damascus truly worth to you?
*(A) Retreat to Antioch.
(B) Attack Tobromeros Comnenus, thus clearing the way to take Damascus.
(C) March south to aid Dieter von Kassel and the besieged garrison of Acre.
Hans:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Bern, Staufen, Rheims, Metz (held by Rebels), Dijon (held by Rebels), Paris (held by France)
Personal Wealth: 8 (2 carried over, 3 from Bern, 1 from Staufen, 3 from Rheims)
Special Ability: You are miserly and a total cheapskate: all military recruitment costs 1 less for the duration of the cataclysm, to a minimum of 1.
Units Available: None
You put out a call to all faithful Swabians. Two nearby Bishops have joined you, but the response amongst the people has been far less than you had hoped. A small number of former Crusaders arrived to pledge their spears to you, but little else. It appears that the people are simply too scared of backing the wrong side in the rebellion with the outcome so uncertain. All attempts to find further volunteers of any kind will be futile until you can defeat at least one of the armies marching against you. Your attempt to assemble a catapult in the field from nothing more than stripped trees and sweat has failed. You will need to find a proper siege works in order to build artillery. You have invested a small amount of wealth to improve the equipment of the men remaining in Staufen. This is being done as fast as possible, but only three regiments can be equipped in this manner per year. The remaining two will receive their new armor and weapons at the end of this year. You also sent 5 wealth to Athalwolf von Salza, allowing him to recruit a unit of Mercenary Spearmen and a unit of Mercenary Pavise Crossbowmen.
You stand outside the walls of Metz, with a large and capable army that is ready to begin the assault. However, scouts inform you that Peter von Kastilien is nearby with a sizable host. His intentions are currently unclear, but he could make the attack on the city far more difficult, or far easier, if he chose to do so.
*(A) Retreat to Staufen.
(B) Attack Metz. If Peter von Kastilien decides to aid the rebels, he could arrive before your attack is ready to begin, forcing you to fight both the rebel garrison and his army at once.
(C) March south towards Bern.
Dietrich von Dassel:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: None
Personal Wealth: 0 (0 carried over)
Units Available: None
You have finally returned to Swabia, and at the head of a powerful army. Duke Lothar Steffen gave you the best men available from your combined armies. You then spent your entire wealth to hire a regiment of Zweihanders. Duke Lothar Steffen paid for two additional regiments of Zweihanders and a unit of Bombards to aid you in your march. You are within striking distance of Bern, but your scouts report that the city is fiercely loyal to Hans. They will not lay down their arms, no matter the circumstances. If you want to assume control of the city, you will have to do it by force or by starvation.
*(A) Besiege Bern and starve out the garrison. This will take at least 2 turns.
(B) Attack Bern, using your cannons to breach the walls. (Will require you to fight a custom battle and report the results. If you are victorious, the garrison of Bern will be disbanded, some of your army may be disbanded depending on the casualties you sustain, and Bern will fall under your control. Please specify the actions you will take upon entering the city, such as sacking, destroying buildings, throwing coins to the poor, etc.)
(C) Divert your army north towards Staufen. Due to the lack of roads in the Alpine passes, you will not be able to reach it this year.
Athalwolf von Salza:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Dijon (held by Rebels)
Personal Wealth: 0 (0 carried over)
Units Available: Halberd Militia, Spear Militia, Town Militia, Crossbow Militia, Catapults, Ballistae, Bombards, Grand Bombards
After recruiting both mercenary regiments in the area, thanks to the funds sent to you by Duke Hans, you retreated from the walls of Dijon. You moved back towards Rheims to protect it from the French who are about to break through your border fort, only to find yourself faced with the army of the rebel Wolfgang Hummel, whom you previously fought in Normandy. His force is larger than yours, but a portion of it is composed of poorly trained commoners. The small garrison of Rheims is loyal to Hans and would certainly aid you in the battle if you chose to commit to it. However, they are loyal only to a point. Should you refuse to defend the city from Wolfgang’s army, they will certainly lose faith and open their gates to the rebel.
*(A) Abandon Rheims and retreat towards Staufen.
(B) Fight Wolfgang Hummel for control of Rheims. The garrison of Rheims will be added to your army for the battle.
(C) Defect and join Wolfgang Hummel… assuming he will take you as a vassal.
Wolfgang Hümmel:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Caen (Besieged by France), Bruges (Rebel Capital – cannot be moved again)
Personal Wealth: 4 (0 carried over, 3 base from Bruges, 1 bonus from Bruges for Rebel Capital)
Units Available: None
You have won the hearts of the people of Bruges. They expected a brutal dictator, and you brought them prosperity. You spent every last florin you had to repair the Town Hall and build a new Merchants Quarter in the city. The people are overjoyed with this kindness, something they did not expect to receive in the midst of a civil war. In response, a large number of men have assembled to aid you in your effort. Most are poorly trained commoners (Peasant Archers and Town Militia) but the local siege engineers have provided you with two new Ballistae to supplement your army. Your kindness will not be forgotten in Bruges any time soon.
Your have marched to the walls of Rheims to add it to the Principality of Swabia, but your way is blocked by your old adversary, Athalwolf von Salza. The city will never be yours so long as he remains in your way. The expected French siege of Caen has also begun. Unless you immediately march to its aid, it will surely fall.
*(A) Retreat to Bruges
(B) Fight Athalwolf von Salza for control of Rheims. If he decides to fight, the garrison of Rheims will join him for the battle.
(C) Move to Caen and attack the French armies besieging the citadel.
Ansehelm von Kastilien:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Thorn (trade route blocked), Stettin, Hamburg (trade route blocked), Frankfurt, Magdeburg, Breslau, Krakow (held by Poland)
Personal Wealth: 11 (3 carried over, 2 from Stettin, 3 from Frankfurt, 2 from Breslau, 1 plunder from battle)
Units Available: Spear Militia, Town Militia, Bombards
You have abandoned Thorn and marched west towards the safety of Stettin. A large Polish army is only a day’s ride behind you and more are following them. Stettin itself is within reach of the Danish. Your army remains strong, but there are too many enemies to face at once. Where shall you make your stand?
*(A) Move to Magdeburg.
(B) Attack the Polish army behind you, then take up a defensive position near Stettin.
(C) Move past Stettin and attack the leading Danish army advancing on the city.
Fritz von Kastilien:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces:
Personal Wealth: 4 (1 carried over. 2 from Stettin for loyal Count. 1 bonus for starting in Stettin)
Special Ability: For the rest of the cataclysm, Stettin will pay you 2 wealth per turn and your Duke 2 wealth per turn, but only when you start your turn in the province. If you start the turn outside the province, you will get 0 wealth and your Duke will get 1 wealth.
Units Available: Spear Militia, Town Militia, Bombards, Any European Mercenary Unit.
You have assembled a fleet of mercenary cogs, sufficient to transport your entire army, and more mercenaries are flocking to your banner every day. You have also hired a unit of Bombards to allow you to attack settlements without waiting to build siege machines. Already a unit of Free Company Men-at-Arms has appeared in Stettin to join you and more are sure to follow. The mercenaries will not stay for long, however, unless you can feed their desire for wealth. You can attempt to do so via your own purse, but you do not have enough coin to keep them all in your service.
New Special Ability Earned: For the rest of the cataclysm, small groups of mercenaries will join your army for free at irregular intervals. In addition, you can hire any mercenary unit available in Europe, even if they are not available in your current territory. All mercenary recruitment costs are 1 less for the duration of the cataclysm, to a minimum of 1. However, the mercenaries require a large amount of wealth to sustain them. Beginning in 1330, you will have to pay 1 wealth per 3 mercenary units per turn (rounded up, to a maximum of 6) to keep them from deserting. Transferring mercenary units to another avatar will cause them to disband.
*(A) Remain in Stettin and continue amassing forces.
(B) Set sail for the city of Arhus. The city is very heavily defended and death is a very real possibility, but the plunder would be immense.
(C) Set sail for the citadel at Oslo, which is lightly defended. The Danish fleet patrols the waterways regularly and there is a chance some of your ships will be sunk, resulting in the loss of a portion of your army.
(D) Set sail for the city of Stockholm.
Péter von Kastilien:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Breslau
Personal Wealth: 3 (2 carried over. 1 from Breslau for loyal Count)
Units Available: None
You have moved southwest and crossed the border into Swabia. Your scouts report that Metz lies to your west and the rebels inside are besieged by Duke Hans. The citadel of Staufen lies to the south with a weaker garrison. The Metz rebels will certainly not survive without aid if Duke Hans assaults the walls, which he is capable of doing at any moment. With your exceptional logistical skills, you could steal a march on him and arrive at the city before he began his assault. While Duke Hans’ army is stronger than yours, the rebels in Metz would almost certainly join with you and the city would likely greet you with open arms if you were victorious in the battle.
*(A) Return to Frankfurt
(B) Move to Metz and support the rebel defenders. If Hans attacks, the garrison will ally with you for the defense of the city. If you are victorious, or if Hans retreats from Rheims, the rebels will welcome you as a savior and open the gates of the city to you.
(C) Move to Metz and support Hans in his attack on the rebels.
(D) Move to Staufen and besiege the citadel.
Dieter Bresch:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Magdeburg
Personal Wealth: 2 (0 carried over, 1 from Magdeburg for loyal Count, 1 bonus for starting in Magdeburg)
Units Available: DIK, DFK, Armoured Sergeants, Sergeant Spearmen, Pavise Crossbowmen, Peasant Crossbowmen, Peasant Archers, Teutonic Knights, Imperial Knights, Feudal Knights, Mailed Knights, Mounted Sergeants, Mounted Crossbowmen, Bombards, Grand Bombards, Cannons, Serpentines
You hired a regiment of Armoured Spearmen. You continue to hold Magdeburg firmly and your army is likely sufficient to repel at least one Danish attack, should they assault the citadel. However, you would be vastly outnumbered in the field if you attacked alone. Duke Ansehelm is retreating from Thorn with a large army and is nearing Stettin. You could likely join up with him and present a strong combined force, if you wished to.
*(A) Remain in Magdeburg and recruit a regiment of Armoured Spearmen.
(B) Join forces with Duke Ansehelm.
(C) Attack the Danish armies west of Stettin.
Jan von Hamburg:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Antioch, Aleppo (trade route blocked), Acre (besieged)
Personal Wealth: 2 (0 carried over, 2 base from Antioch – Please note, an error was made last turn in giving you 1 bonus for starting in Aleppo. Since Aleppo had a loyal Count, he was the only one who could receive that bonus. The same is true of Antioch. This has no impact on your wealth; you are not responsible for the error and so will not be accountable for it. This explanation is just to inform you why you received a bonus for Aleppo last turn, but not a bonus for Antioch this turn.)
Units Available: Forlorn Hope, Halberd Militia, Spear Militia, Town Militia, Crossbow Militia, Ballista, Turkopoles
You hold the eastern ford near Antioch and your previous victories have made the Byzantines wary. Aleppo is not under siege yet, but the roads are blocked and you have no way to communicate with the citadel. Your army is battered, but with your skill and cunning, you could likely hold the ford for at least a short while longer without aid. Attrition appears to be your greatest enemy, however. The defenders of Outremer have simply exhausted all willing volunteers in the area. Unless you press men into service against their will, you will have to rely on normal recruitment to replenish your armies. Given the tenacity of the Byzantine attacks and the likelihood of additional attacks by Egypt and the Turks, your lines are beginning to look increasingly stretched.
*(A) Hold the eastern ford.
(B) Attack the Byzantine army blocking the road to Aleppo.
(C) Move south to rescue the besieged garrison of Acre.
Tancred von Tyrolia:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: None
Personal Wealth: 0 (0 carried over)
Units Available: Mercenary Pavise Crossbowmen, All units Arnold can recruit, but only with his permission.
With the blessing of Duke Arnold, you spent your wealth in Ragusa to hire a regiment of Pavise Crossbowmen, a regiment of Balkan Archers, a regiment of Dismounted Imperial Knights, and two regiments of Armoured Sergeants. You are now safe on the road north from Ragusa with a small, professional army. Your aid is needed in many parts of the Reich. Where will you go and whom will you ally with?
*(A) Continue to move east to Budapest to aid the Austrians against Hungary.
(B) Move south to Ragusa to aid the Austrians against Venice.
(C) Move west to Venice to aid the Bavarians against Byzantium.
(D) Move towards Prague to ally with Edmund Becker.
(E) Move north towards Franconia.
Arnold:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces:
Personal Wealth: 19 (6 carried over, 1 from Ragusa, 3 from Venice, 3 from Vienna, 2 from Budapest, 2 from Zagreb,1 bonus from starting in Ragusa, 1 from gambling)
Special Ability: Enjoys a Wager gives you a 50% chance of losing 1 wealth per turn and 50% chance of winning 1 wealth per turn.
Units Available: Zweihanders, DIK, DFK, Armoured Sergeants, Sergeant Spearmen, Pavise Crossbowmen, Peasant Crossbowmen, Peasant Archers, Teutonic Knights, Imperial Knights, Feudal Knights, Mailed Knights, Mounted Sergeants, Mounted Crossbowmen, Catapults, Ballistae, Mercenary Pavise Crossbowmen
You hired two regiments of Dismounted Feudal Knights and a regiment of Imperial Knights. Ragusa is now the most heavily defended spot in the Reich, and not a moment too soon. Three massive Venetian armies are descending from the passes east of the citadel. They will soon be concentrating around your walls unless you stop them in the open fields.
*(A) Remain inside Ragusa and continue recruiting men for the defense of Austria.
(B) Attack the Venetian armies to the east.
(C) Abandon Ragusa and retreat to Zagreb.
Karl Zirn:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Zagreb
Personal Wealth: 4 (1 carried over, 1 from Zagreb for loyal Count, 2 plunder from battles)
Units Available: Halberd Militia, Crossbow Militia, Spear Militia, Town Militia, Ballistae, Catapults, Mercenary Pavise Crossbowmen
Your brave attacks on the assembling Hungarian armies have halted the entire enemy offensive against Budapest. They will continue to assemble to the east of the city, but it may be a year or two before they attempt to push on it again. Your efforts have bought Austria some much needed time. Your army is now heavily depleted and in need of reinforcements. You had best prepare for the next wave of Hungarian attacks while you still have time. Duke Arnold has sent three regiments of Armoured Spearmen to Budapest, where they await you.
*(A) Return to Budapest, retrieve the Armoured Spearmen waiting for you there, and recruit more men.
(B) Attack the Hungarian armies that continue to assemble nearby.
(C) Return to Budapest, retrieve the Armoured Spearmen waiting for you there, and then move north to march on Prague.
Edmund Becker:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Prague (Rebel Capital)
Personal Wealth: 7 (2 carried over, 3 base income from Prague, 1 bonus for Rebel Capital, 1 bonus for starting in Prague)
Units Available: Town Militia, Spear Militia, Mercenary Spearmen
The local gentry have responded to your call to arms and joined you with their retainers. They are strong enough to form a regiment of Feudal Knights and a regiment of Mounted Sergeants. You have now exhausted all available volunteers in Prague. New recruits will have to be purchased or found elsewhere. With the additional hiring of three regiments of spear militia, the city is now well defended, though the majority of your regiments are militia.
*(A) Remain in Prague and continue to build your wealth.
(B) Move towards Breslau to defend it against the Poles.
(C) Move towards Breslau to ‘annex’ it for the good of Prague.
(D) Move towards Nuremburg to ‘annex’ it for the good of Prague.
Lorenz Zirn:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Budapest (Will produce -1 loyal Count wealth until 1326)
Personal Wealth: 5 (4 carried over, 0 from Budapest for loyal Count, 1 plunder from battles)
Units Available: Halberd Militia, Crossbow Militia, Spear Militia, Town Militia, Ballistae, Catapults, Mercenary Pavise Crossbowmen
By joining forces with Karl Zirn, you have aided heavily in the defense of Budapest. Your city is safe for at least a year or two. However, there are three generals in command of one depleted army. If you ever want to have control of an army of your own, you had best accumulate your own forces.
*(A) Return to Budapest and assume control of the garrison, hiring more militia to aid in the defense of the city.
(B) Return to Budapest and assume control the garrison, including the Armoured Sergeants sent to aid Karl Zirn.
(C) Attempt to seize control of the army from Karl Zirn and Friedrich Karolinger.
Lothar Steffen:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Ajaccio, Florence (held by Byzantium), Bologna (held by Byzantium), Milan, Genoa, Innsbruck, Nuremburg
Personal Wealth: 15 (5 carried over, 3 from Milan, 3 from Genoa, 3 from Nuremburg, 1 bonus from Deep Pockets)
Units Available: Zweihanders, DIK, DFK, Armoured Sergeants, Sergeant Spearmen, Pavise Crossbowmen, Peasant Crossbowmen, Peasant Archers, Teutonic Knights, Imperial Knights, Feudal Knights, Mailed Knights, Mounted Sergeants, Mounted Crossbowmen, Bombards
Fredericus Erlach:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Ajaccio
Personal Wealth: 8 (3 carried over, 1 from Ajaccio for loyal Count, 1 bonus for starting in Ajaccio, 3 ransom paid by Sicilians)
Units Available: Peasant Archers, Ballistae, Imperial Knights, Feudal Knights, Mailed Knights, Mounted Sergeants, Catapults, Bombards, Ballistae
You attack on the Sicilian army was a battle that has become legendary in the short time that has elapsed since. Your refusal to bow to the Sicilian invaders, or to cower behind the walls of Ajaccio, has won you a great deal of prestige amongst the dubiously loyal citizens of the island. You have inspired and impressed them and they are now flocking to your army in a steady stream. However, the Sicilian invaders will not stop, even after such a great defeat. You have bought yourself some time, nothing more. Already another Sicilian army stands on the shores, preparing to march on the Citadel. You know with certainty that eventually they will land two armies at once.
New Special Ability Earned: Every year that you remain on Corsica, a unit of Peasants will join your army for free. Every year, you may ‘train’ one unit of Peasants (or a unit that was at one point previously Peasants) to a higher level. Peasants can be trained to become Peasant Archers, Peasant Crossbowmen, or Sergeant Spearmen for free, or Mounted Sergeants for 1 wealth. Peasant Crossbowmen can be trained to become Pavise Crossbowmen for 1 wealth. Sergeant Spearmen can be trained to become Armoured Spearmen for 1 wealth. Mounted Sergeants can be trained to become Mailed Knights for 1 wealth.
*(A) Abandon Ajaccio and flee across the sea to Genoa, with your entire army.
(B) Hold the walls of Ajaccio.
(C) Attack the Sicilian army in the field.
Matthias Steffen:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Milan (trade route blocked), Aleppo (trade route blocked)
Personal Wealth: 0 (0 carried over)
Units Available: Forlorn Hope, Halberd Militia, Spear Militia, Town Militia, Crossbow Militia, Ballista, Turkopoles
You hold the Iron Bridge north of Antioch and the city remains safe for now. The Byzantines are wary of attacking you across the bridge, and for good reason. You will likely be safe so long as you hold your position… at least until they circle around to the east and hit you from behind.
*(A) Hold the Iron Bridge.
(B) Retreat to Antioch.
(C) Move south to aid the besieged garrison of Acre.
(D) Abandon your army and hire a smuggler to carry you west to Bavaria. Since you have no money, you will have to sell one of relics. It will take 2 turns for you to reach the mainland.
Friedrich Karolinger:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Innsbruck
Personal Wealth: 3 (1 carried over, 1 from Innsbruck for loyal Count, 1 plunder from battles)
Units Available: Halberd Militia, Crossbow Militia, Spear Militia, Town Militia, Ballistae, Catapults, Mercenary Pavise Crossbowmen
By joining forces with Karl Zirn, you have aided heavily in the defense of Budapest. The city is safe for at least a year or two. However, there are three generals in command of one depleted army. If you ever want to have control of an army of your own, you had best accumulate your own forces. You must also decide whether to remain in Austria or whether to return to Bavaria.
*(A) Move west towards Venice to aid Duke Lothar Steffen against the Byzantines. The survivors of BHA Otto will go with you, but they are very small in number.
(B) Retreat to Budapest and ask Duke Arnold for the resources to build your own army.
(C) Move north to Prague and offer your services to Edmund Becker.
Dieter von Kassel:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Acre (besieged with you inside)
Personal Wealth: 6 (4 carried over, 1 from Acre for loyal Count, 1 bonus from starting in Acre)
Units Available: DFK, DIK, Armoured Sergeants, Sergeant Spearmen, Pavise Crossbowmen, Peasant Crossbowmen, Peasant Archers, Teutonic Knights, Imperial Knights, Feudal Knights, Mailed Knights, Mounted Sergeants, Ballistae, Catapults, Trebuchets, Bombards, Grand Bombards
You attempted to persuade two regiments of Papists stationed outside of Jerusalem to join your cause. Unfortunately, luck was not with you and you returned empty handed to Acre, barely escaping incarceration. Once there, you recruited a regiment of Pavise Crossbowmen with the wealth sent to you by Kaiser Elberhard. The Pope’s anger with the Reich remains undiminished and unfortunately you are once again the target of his wrath. A large army has laid siege to Acre, trapping you inside. It is far more professional than the last one and it would pose a far greater risk to sally forth against them. However, you are likely strong enough to defend the walls, and you could wait for them to assault.
*(A) Use a secret passageway to escape from Acre undetected. You will have to leave your entire army behind, but you will arrive safely in Antioch.
(B) Sally forth against the Papal besiegers (recruitment limit lifted after the siege is lifted).
(C) Hold the walls and wait for the Papal army to attack you (may recruit maximum of 1 unit)