Seneschal's and Nobles' Reports

[OverKnight]

Taking the save.

[OverKnight]

Please see an understated Conseil post for information.

KOTF-1095-3

[Ramses II CP]

Taking the save.

[Ramses II CP]

Save is back:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/omdzc0...OTF-1095-4.zip

[_Tristan_]

Save taken and back

Move the Order men into Frankfurt in support of the King.

Hermant is still outside the city.

[AussieGiant]

Taking the save.

[AussieGiant]

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=199&id=5001

Moved everyone to Caernarvon.

[OverKnight]

Taking the save.

[OverKnight]

Seneschal's Report for 1096

Please update your SOT posts.


Current Events

Captain Hans, leading the German army west of the Moselle, decided to personally congratulate me on my new position by attacking me under cover of darkness at the ford. How rude of him. It would have been funny if I had died in the battle before my term really even began. All that spilling of ink and recounting of votes wasted, a shame.

Well no worries there:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The survivors managed to escape in the darkness and fled to Bern. (OOC: A few odd things here: 1. A captain led stack initiated a night attack. 2. I was never given the option to release/ransom/execute. 3. Hugues gained the "Respectul to Prisoners" trait, meaning the computer just auto released the prisoners. On the plus side I gained the Nightfighter trait.)

Dublin is now besieged by the English. Our spy, Aubert Fevre, was expelled from the city.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Kaiser Maximillian has joined the large German army southeast of Frankfurt. No doubt he seeks vengeance for his capture by the Dauphin. Speaking of Prince Louis, he has yet another adoption offer. I leave it to his Highness to decide. (OOC: Ramses, if you want to give me standing orders for how to deal with adoption offers let me know.)


Domestic Affairs

Metz has been upgraded to a Wooden Castle, Bruges now has a Grain Exchange and Antwerp a Small Church.

When the Realm has a spare florin or two, I will begin recruiting merchants. Duc Alain has done a fine job to keep us in the black, but we could use more sources of revenue.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Foreign Affairs

I will renew negotiations with those obstinate ponces in England this year.

I will ask Princess Constance, if she is agreeable, to use her contacts in Rome to increase our reputation in the eyes of the Holy Father. (OOC: TheFlax, let me know what plans you have for Constance.) Only the Empire, at war with the Papal States, has worse relations with the Church among the Catholic powers.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

An attempt will be made to negotiate with the Empire, however there are currently no diplomats nearby.


Military Affairs

As I mentioned, the last German army west of the Rhine has been dispersed. However the Eastern Front is still very active.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Frankfurt is threatened, and a company of Germans to the north might be trying to take an end run at Antwerp. The city is vulnerable, as there are no nobles there to lead a defense.

Survivors of failed German invasions, mixed with possible new recruitment, continue to gather in Bern and Staufen. They may become a threat.

However, we cannot ride off into German territory to face them or besiege their settlements. We are on the defensive so the coot in the Curia doesn't excommunicate us. Killing them on our lands is perfectly fine. Have at it.

Also, due to losses in my latest battle, my army is worn down. I have few spearmen left to protect my archers. Others, I hope, will step up to protect the area as I seek reinforcements.

Speaking of reinforcements, until Metz is properly built up, the only place in the Kingdom where archers and cavalry can currently be recruited is Toulouse. The only cities that can produce spear militia are Paris and Frankfurt. I would rather rely on home grown forces than mercenaries.

I ask the cooperation of the Dauphin and King when it comes to providing new companies and reinforcements. To bring properly balanced armies into the field, I will need their help and permission to move newly recruited companies from Toulouse and Paris to where they are needed. I can assure everyone that spear militia from Frankfurt will be available.

OOC: I'm asking that the SOT entries for Toulouse, Frankfurt and Paris be changed so that newly recruited units may be moved out of the settlements for deployment.


Recommendations

First, I need volunteers to build watchtowers in Iberia, in the areas bordering English possessions and anywhere we lack proper scouting. It's a dirty job, but it needs doing.

Upper Rhine: My own army will be seeking reinforcement. Would either Prince Louis, Duc Raymond or both assume responsibility for the area?

Lower Rhine: The Order and King Philippe are faced with a large German army commanded by Kaiser Maximillian. Should we face them in the field, or await a siege? Or are there other options?

Wales: With Dublin besieged, I see few reasons for the nobles of Bretagne to remain in the area, though I may be wrong. Considering we have only two flotillas of ships in the area, any withdrawal of men back to the continent will be in phases. Perhaps we should start now?

Duc Alain, please let me know what your Grace and your vassals wish to do. I will retain control of the ships, as our agent needs to be transported from Eire as well.

Please bring any suggestions or comments to the Conseil.


The save: KotF-1096-0

If needed I will extend the open save period, since this is a new term.

[ULC]

Taking the save

[ULC]

Sorry bout the wait - save returned.

Gaetan wishes to petition the Seneschal for a single unit of mercenary crossbowmen to defend the pass.

[Ramses II CP]

Taking the save.

[Ramses II CP]

Save is back:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/jrmz4y...otF-1096-2.zip

[KnightnDay]

Taking the save

[KnightnDay]

Save back

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=199&id=5008

Thomas went on a visit to Rheims to take in a play and returned to the ford.

[Braden]

Taking save

[Braden]

Save back - KotF-1096-4

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=199&id=5009

[_Tristan_]

Taking save

[_Tristan_]

I'm handing the save over to OK directly... Please wait...

[OverKnight]

I am taking the save.

[OverKnight]

Prince Louis stuck his chin out west of Bern, and some Germans decided to take a swing.

KotF-1096-6

Ramses, try to save as quickly after the battle as you can.

[Ramses II CP]

Taking the save for this battle now (in the middle of a thunderstorm )

[Ramses II CP]

Save is back, battle won, but I'm not happy with the way things happened. The prisoners from the battle were automatically released to Bern for some reason and Louis was attacked a second time, with those men being called as reinforcements. I probably could've fought that battle and won it anyway, but the AI wouldn't have attacked if not for the bug of the prisoners going free and it would've been a completely cheesy affair of charge, rinse, and repeat, so I retreated instead.

There's really nothing to be done about it, and it'll be good IC fodder for Louis' aggression, but I find it pretty annoying not to be able to control that after a battle. Anyone have any idea why it happens?

edit: Fixed the matter spoilered below on suggestion.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/zmnrnz...otF-1096-8.zip

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

http://www.mediafire.com/file/yiyxzz...otF-1096-7.zip

(BTW I think this save is before the second attack, I saved as fast as I could, so just hit retreat for Louis OK)

[Braden]

Can't think why this is happening, hopefully it won't break the game we're having, don't think there's president for it though

...I'll check the M2:TW main sections for this tomorrow, might have been mentioned already.

[OverKnight]

Taking save.

[OverKnight]

Seneschal's Report for 1098

Please update your SOT posts.


Current Events

Prince Louis was attacked outside of Bern. I do not have his report, but I've heard he bled them before falling back. Bern seems packed to the gills with Germans, but many of them are likely depleted companies.

I'm sure that the Dauphin will be overjoyed to hear that he has a third daughter:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

He also has another candidate for adoption.

Kaiser Maximillian has moved north and is now east of Frankfurt, well within a season's march.

The Pope has a task for us:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

While I realize Valencia is not a priority for the Realm, as it is meant as a bargaining chip, we do not want to anger the Pope. Unless the King objects, I will order the construction of a chapel within the time allowed.


Domestic Affairs

No building projects were completed this year, though several were started in 1096. Metz has begun building a Garrison Quarters, Rennes and Dijon small Churches and Zaragosa a Town Watch.

I adjusted some taxes but kept them within the parameters given to me by the Nobles.

Two priests were recruited in Paris and Toulouse. While we must convert Cordoba, heresy is still rife in our own lands and must be addressed.

A merchant has been recruited in Paris. The first of many I hope.

Alphonse la Hire graciously volunteered to build watchtowers. He has built three already on our border with English territory. I'm sure the Chevalier, if willing, would be a fine addition to any House.


Foreign Affairs

Princess Constance contacted a represenative of the Church and made a donation offer:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

As a result our reputation with the Church has increased (OOC: From 3 to 4).

I also had Geoffroi Cressonsacq approach the Germans at Staufen with a peace offer:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Which was rejected. We will need to offer a great deal more money or land for peace. If anyone has any ideas, please bring them to the Conseil.

I have decided to remove Severin de Brie from the negotiations with the English. I have recalled Herve de Savoie from Iberia to start new talks. He negotiated our alliances with Portugal and Spain, and is by far our most skilled diplomat. He should arrive at Bordeaux within a season or two.

Instead of negotiating with the English, I tasked Severin with something more suited to his skills. He reached a deal with a Hungarian diplomat outside York. We granted them a trade agreement and maps for 1,000 florins, which they barely accepted. Severin will return to Scotland. Which reminds me, are we still interested in an alliance with them?


Military Affairs

On the Eastern Front, there are two major threats: Prince Louis's incursion near Bern has caused the Germans to gather there and the Kaiser still threatens Frankfurt.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

While I appreciate the Dauphin's aggresiveness, the Germans are far more likely to be excommunicated if they attack us on our soil.

I have reinforced at Metz. Once the Garrison Quarters is finished we will be less reliant on Militia.

I have accepted the Dauphin's gracious offer of his Mounted Sergeants. One company was dispatched to Dijon, where militia is also being recruited as requested, and one is on its way to me. Therefore two companies of Peasant Archers await the Dauphin's command in Toulouse.

Recruitment of spear militia has begun in Frankfurt, so that the city is garrisoned once the King leaves. I also took the liberty of recruiting a militia company in Antwerp, just in case Captain Hermann ever moves west. Reims also received a company of militia to ensure the city is always garrisoned.

Our spy in Ireland was picked up by our fleet, which is now back in Wales. I place this fleet under the command of Duc Alain de Rohan, so that he and his men may return to the mainland as they see fit.


Recommendations

I still need volunteers to build watchtowers in Iberia and anywhere we lack proper scouting.

Upper Rhine: The forces at Bern concern me, but we have enough men in the area, assuming Duc Raymond will allow his forces to leave Dijon, to counter any attacks or sieges. I would recommend that Gaeten de Rethel withdraw to a safer location. I would also like to know if Prince Louis will be staying in the area.

Lower Rhine: The Order and King Philippe are again faced with a large German army commanded by Kaiser Maximillian. Should we face them in the field, or await a siege? Are they even still interested in Frankfurt?

Wales: Duc Alain has ships to begin withdrawing his men, I leave it to him to arrange this. Just try not to get sunk.

Please bring any suggestions or comments to the Conseil.


The save: KotF-1098-0

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

Taking the save.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

Save back. Yvon established a watchtower to help us scout out the Milanese, with the Seneschals permission of course. As well as surveying my new land.


KotF-1098-1

[KnightnDay]

Taking the save

[KnightnDay]

Save back

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=199&id=5014