Seneschal's and Nobles' Reports

[_Tristan_]

Taking save

[_Tristan_]

Le Rapport Royal de l'an de Grâce 1117




This year has been wrought with successes but at a dire cost once again. Duc Thomas, new to the Ducal Crown, has fallen, struck down by the bolts of the Reich. This new death has heightened His Majesty’s resolve that a ceasefire be concluded with the Reich.

In the wake of Duc Thomas’ death, Prince Henri has been bestowed the title of Duc de Lorraine as victor of the battle to defend Frankfurt.


Affaires diplomatiques

Our diplomats have been busy this year but as yet unsuccessful. They have presented themselves at the courts of the Russian Czar, Hungarian King and Milanese Duke with offers that their hosts have considered very generous but have rebuked nonetheless. It seems we are viewed suspiciously by most of the realms.

Severin de Brie, after successfully organizing the handing over of York, has gone back to that city to present the Scottish sovereign with an offer for Edinburgh next season.

Being true to their reputation for stubbornness, the Germans have refused our offer for a ceasefire, though we offered a King’s ransom in gold. They have even gone as far as insulting us by saying they could afford the losses of this war and were glad of our offer as it offered proof we were close to the breaking point. His Majesty wonders what will be necessary to bring them to accept their defeat.

The Scottish diplomat has once again been spotted heading for Caernarvon. What can be discussed between enemies is a matter of guessing…

Affaires militaires

Once again the German aggression on our lands has been repulsed, but at great cost. The Lorraine Ducal army has suffered severe losses, which our treasury will seek to compensate. This success must not make us forget also the victory scored by Comte de Châtillon at Bern. The Bourgogne army of Bern will see some retraining as well.

Prince Louis has launched an assault on the Moors’ southernmost holdings, facing a large concentration of men.

His Majesty has made a great step kicking the English out of the British Isles by taking Edinburgh. The mission of the Council of Nobles expired, the port of the city now belonging to France. The city will soon be offered to the Scots, while His Majesty intends to sail back south to Nottingham.

Recrutement

Here is the list of our recruited and retrained forces.

Few men have been trained this year, the priority being given to the retraining of our losses. Only Bruges saw an addition to its garrison as public order there has always been a problem.

Albion

The King’s army was to be retrained in Nottingham with the purpose of assaulting the last English settlement and the King with his cavalry had already taken ship. Orders are being sent to have the fleet turn around as a Danish fleet has been spotted approaching the English coast.



It carries a large contingent of Viking raiders.

Our Council of Nobles advised of this new development has asked us to blockade the port of Arhus to prevent any reinforcements of this invasion force.

Germany

Far from being deterred by their last defeat, the Reichlanders maintain their aggressive stance. Herrmann Erlach marches west again. Another army follows the North Sea coastline, bearing down on Antwerp.

Large forces are also gathering around Nuremburg.

The German prince Leopold has been discovered in Innsbruck, hiding from the Inquisition, no doubt.

Iberia

Though the Prince wished to build fortifications at the feet of the Jabal Tariq as the heathens call the southern mountainous tip of Iberia against further Moorish incursions, the cost of such temporary constructions would be better used elsewhere. However, a fleet could interdict the straits at a lesser cost hence His Majesty grants Prince Louis permission to recruit a mercenary fleet to that effect.

Though the Moors do not take kindly to the presence of His Majesty’s son in their lands, a large contingent of their troops marched north towards Portugal rather than attack our Prince and face certain death.

Cordoba is also garrisoned by a large force that could sally out. His Majesty advises his son to keep his fleet at close hand in case he needs to withdraw quickly.

Italy

A clue to Milan’s refusal of our generous diplomatic offers has been given by the discovery that two large Milanese armies are crossing the Alps and are nearing Bern.

Affaires intérieures

Military buildings have been completed this year, further strengthening our northern, southern and eastern borders.

Garrison quarters have been commissioned in Toulouse and Bern. A Market in Bruges and a Town Hall in Marseille.

Several priests have been deployed in our lands where they were needed. We would not want to draw the attention of the Inquisition.
One of our priests has even been sent on a mission to track down and bring to God’s justice the heretic Abraham, who preaches that Germany and France are the new Sodom and Gomorrah. Let us pray he reaches him before the Inquisitor and thus brings proof of our orthodoxy and our faith.

News have reached from our merchants from far abroad. They have ventured deep into the wilderness of Africa and discovered riches beyond comparison. They tell of trees bearing golden fruits and men and women sold as cattle. Though these might be tall tales, the money they sent to the treasury gives them some credit. They have heard rumours of large bones of a fine white material, of a finer quality than whalebone and in larger supply.

Affaires de la Cour et du Monde

Several nobles have flocked to the banner of Lorraine and his Majesty congratulates them, as the Duchy is in dire need of noble arms to defend against the Reich. Let us all celebrate Sieur André des Vaux, Villain de la Salle et Chrétien Saisset.

It seems His Majesty’s son Charles draws the attention of many ambitious nobles. Another one has come forward proposing himself for adoption after the refusal of the last one.

Recommandations

His Majesty will renew negotiations with the Reich. In the meantime, his Majesty would be thankful if at least one of the Order Knights were to go back to Antwerp to organize the defenses there. Another one has permission to go to the coast and hire a mercenary fleet (OOC: or change his SOT to allow the King to do it) to be sent to Arhus.

His Majesty renews his authorization to Prince Louis to recruit a fleet of mercenary ships to interdict the straits between Europe and Africa.

His Majesty advises all commanders to bring froth their request for supplies in facing their upcoming fights.


OOC : Please update your SOTs (with a date, please... it helps keeping track of what changes have been made... )
Posting build queues will help your settlement have construction started. No build queue may mean no construction.

New save is here : KotF-1117-0

Save will be open until Thursday 12:00 GMT approx.

[Braden]

Taking Save.

[Braden]

Save Back

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=199&id=5123

I've distributed what full or nearly full companies were in Frankfurt. Also moved some part companies into Frankfurt for retraining when possible.

[shlin28]

Villain steals the save to do some Villain-y tasks.

[shlin28]

KotF-1117-2

Moved Villain to a more defensible position.

[Ferret]

taking the save

[Ferret]

KotF-1117-3

[Northnovas]

Taking the save.

Saved returned

Save KotF-1117-4

Moved to Antwerp

[Ramses II CP]

Taking the save.

[Ramses II CP]

Save is back:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/zjkijd...otF-1117-5.zip

Moved my various forces near Granada towards the bridge south of Cordoba.

edit: Forgot to add I hired a merc ship to block the pass at Gibraltar per the Seneschal's request!

[OverKnight]

Taking save.

[OverKnight]

Save back, I moved Chretien towards the fun, he's east of Metz.

KotF-1117-6

[Ituralde]

Taking the save!

[Ituralde]

Save is back: KotF-1117-7

Moved Simon de Montpierre to Frankfurt.
Couldn't move Alexandre le Sueur, maybe someone should do that.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=199&id=5129

Save back. Watchtower built west of Pamplona.

[Braden]

Save taken.

Moving Alexandre le Sueur

[Braden]

Save back

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=199&id=5130

Moved Alexandre le Sueur to Frankfurt.

Ensured a Mercenary Cog was hired at Antwerp for the King to move where needed next time Trist picks up the save.

[_Tristan_]

Taking save - Senechal at work

[_Tristan_]

Shlin28, you have a defensive bridge battle



Make Lorraine proud !!


OOC : Please save as soon after the end battle scroll or ransom scroll so I can get to see the remaining AI moves.

[shlin28]

Taking the save...

[shlin28]

Apologies for the delay, had to go and eat dinner

Anyway, got a heroic victory. Before I could press escape however, another German army immediately attacked me. I saved it at the pre-battle scroll. Please make sure my army retreats, Tristan

KotF-1117-11

[_Tristan_]

Le Rapport Royal de l'an de Grâce 1119






This year has once again seen the House of Lorraine distinguish itself on the battlefield. Sieur de La Salle has managed to hold a bridge from twice his number of Imperial men, scoring an heroic victory. Only the arrival of a German relief force forced him to retreat and abandon the bridge he held so valiantly.

Affaires diplomatiques

Our diplomatic dealings remain inconclusive. Neither the Scots, the Poles nor the Venetians are willing to enter into an alliance with us.

In Constantinople, Geoffroi de Cressonsacq managed to extort trade rights from Emperor Alexius.

In Germany, our diplomat has gone to their capital to discuss a ceasefire that would benefit both our kingdoms.

Another of our diplomats has almost reached Rome but his reports tells of strange events happening in the Holy City. Egyptians diplomats are rumoured to have been seen walking the halls of the Papal Palace, takng flight from the city when arrival of our diplomat was announced. And now, one of the Pope's general is preventing our man from crossing the Rubicon. What is happening in Rome ?

Affaires militaires

Recrutement

Frankfurt retrained one company of Sergeant Spearmen. Bern retrained two such companies and one of Peasant Archers. Nottingham retrained one company of veteran (OOC : Gold chevron) Mounted Sergeants.

Metz trained two companies of Sergeant Spearmen and one of Peasant Archers. Nottingham trained a new company of Mailed Knights and a Cog.

Albion

As feared, the Vikings have disembarked near Edinburgh. After sending some of his veteran cavalry to be retrained in Nottingham, His Majesty has sailed back to Scotland and has taken position in the city. It is the second largest in our Royaume and deserves to be duly protected.



The fleet hired in Antwerp has been sent towards the port of Arhus to prevent any reinforcements of this invasion force and to pursue the goal wished by the Council of Nobles.

Germany

Time and again, we have repulsed the German aggression on our lands and still they keep coming.

But now, the Germans may face a new threat as many of their armies are reported to have marched east.

Still, a large part of their military might threaten our lands.

Herrmann Erlach is back to the frontline and he marches on Antwerp.



While the force that forced Sieur Villain to withdraw has taken possession of the bridge in Franconia.




Iberia

The straits have been blockaded by the fleet under the Prince's command. Further incursions by the Moors should thus be prevented.

But the Germans, villainous miscreants that they are, are threatening to remove our fleet and open Europe to the Muslim hordes.



Thanks to Sieur d'Anjou watchtowers, our men have been able to locate the fleet used by Prince Henry of England in his foolish attempt to capture Bordeaux.



Italy

The Milanese have lightened their massing of troops on our border, taking on a more defensive stance.




Affaires intérieures

Military buildings have been completed this year, further strengthening our northern, southern and eastern borders, ie Garrison quarters in Bordeaux and a Bowyer in Pamplona.

Some more military buildings have been commissioned : a Drill Square in Bern and a Bowyer in Caen.

A spy has been recruited in Reims and will make his way posthaste towards Spain. A merchant has been established in Paris. A priest has also been ordained in Zaragosa to help spread the word.

Our priest sent on a mission to track down and bring to God’s justice the heretic Abraham, who preached that Germany and France are the new Sodom and Gomorrah, has successfully brought his lies to the light. The blasphemer has been burnt at the stake. This has earned our man of the cloth some kind of respect as a true Servant of God.

Even the Inquisitor bowed before his accomplishments.

But we must not weaken in our faith or we could meet the same fate as this blasphemer. A Holy Questioner has been spotted making inquiries near Dijon. Let us pray he will not find any of us wanting in our faith.



Our merchants in Africa have secured the deposits of gold and stock of the fine ivory that is carved out of the tusks of famed elephants. His Majesty would pay a king's ransom to have such an animal in his army.


Affaires de la Cour et du Monde

Sieur Villain de la Salle is the Man of the Hour in Paris. He is celebrated and toasted in evety inn, tavern and manor of the city. Maybe will he be noticed by Prince Charles ? (OOC : Got a MoH offer for Villain de la Salle with Charles as benefactor... Ibn's choice...)

War rages in Sicily with the Kingdoms at each other's throat. Not only is Sicily at war with Milan but it is now also at war with Venice.

If any of you find their faith in God flatering, be reassured that He stands on our side. Only this year he has claimed the lives of both the Moorish and Turkish Sultans. May they burn eternally in the fires of Hell.

A new noble has made his appearance at court (OOC : Tamur's avatar). Only the future will tell if he will make an impression or be forgotten come next year.

Recommandations

His Majesty will deal with the Viking threat.

His Majesty would be much obliged if his son Louis could march against the Moors that threaten the Catholic Kingdom of Portugal. Requests for reinforcements should be adressed to his Majesty's aide de camp.

OOC : Fewer screenshots this time as I didn't get the construction and recruitment reports (maybe due to the save during the AI's turn).

OOC : Please update your SOTs (with a date, please... it helps keeping track of what changes have been made... )
Posting build queues will help your settlement have construction started. No build queue may mean no construction.

New save is here : KotF-1119-0

Save will be open until Saturday 12:00 GMT approx.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

Save taken, Micheal moved into Pamplona


https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=199&id=5136

[OverKnight]

Taking save.

[OverKnight]

KotF-1119-2

Moved Chretien to Frankfurt.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Taking the save.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Moved Charles to Rheims.

KotF-1119-3

[Braden]

taking save to merge units etc

[Braden]

Save back

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=199&id=5138

I have merged units in Frankfurt and then moved them to ambush position outside Frankfurt.

Villain should pick these up, if everything goes according to plan, if not there is enough forces able to help each other out in the area to best the German army nearby.

I note a Spanish princess also there and Henri's hoping for a marriage offer...you never know