Imperial Diet & Rules

[phonicsmonkey]

A messenger arrives with a scroll bearing the seal of Prinz Leopold. Ernst of Melk rises to read it to the gathered nobles.

Nobles of the Reich,

I fear for the safety of Frankfurt and wish to do all I can to defend it. However, the reality is that my army, currently in the field under Sir Jens Herden, is at least four and perhaps five seasons march from the capital and will arrive too late to prevent it falling into Polish hands, if indeed that is the intention of that army.

As for myself I have this season defeated the Hungarian Prince in a duel south of Wien and sent him fleeing back to Budapest. I'm of a mind to send Herden there to capture the city forthwith and while it is seemingly undefended.

As for Frankfurt, I note that the Polish army is comprised of ten divisions excluding its commander. Frankfurt is garrisoned by four, Premyslid has three within two seasons' march and can be reinforced by Der Bartige and perhaps even the Kaiser at a push. There are also mercenaries for hire which I will of course authorise in my capacity as Marshal.

Indeed, I will even pay for these from my own pocket should any man step up to the task of defending the capital.

What say you nobles of the Reich? Who shall defend our capital? Or should I divert young Herden, while you allow the city to fall and let me recapture it once the Poles have had their way with its women and the Kaiser's treasury and in doing so pass up the opportunity to add the Hungarian capital to our great empire?

Ernst looks around the chamber for a response from the gathered nobles.