Imperial Diet & Rules

[phonicsmonkey]

Ernst of Melk arrives, soggy from the inclement weather.

I rejoice to be back in Frankfurt! Heil Kaiser Heinrich the re-conqueror of the Reich's capital!

We must all hope that similar success greets the Prinz as he rides against the Milanese.

The Prinz would remind the Diet that the embargo on offensive action against the Magyar has expired. Still, Osterreich will proceed with caution lest we enrage the pontiff once more before we seize that capital of theirs.

We shall wait until the arrival of the Brandenburg cavalry before mounting our assault on Budapest. What word of their arrival at Wien, good Margrave?

[GeneralHankerchief]

Kaiser Heinrich:

I believe that, due to the muddy conditions of the roads plus the army's general exhaustion after the battle, the Brandenburg cavalry's arrival will be delayed for a turn.

(OOC: TCV never got a chance to take the save after I finished the battle and I didn't move his guys afterwards.)

[phonicsmonkey]

Ernst shakes himself dry.

Indeed, I know from my own rather damp experience that journeys in these conditions must take longer than expected.

Still, once we hear they have departed and get a sense of how long their journey may take we can perhaps take a small risk and proceed with our plans, confident that they are on their way.

In fact the Prinz specifically instructed me to gain this Diet's backing for our invasion of Hungary. We intend to strike foremost at Budapest. Herden, who is even now encamped at the Danube crossing deep in Magyar territory, will defeat the depleted army of Petri of Nagyszombat, driving it back into the city walls. He will then lay siege, trapping the Magyar inside. Whether to assault or nay will be determined by the likelihood of Magyar reinforcements arriving to break the siege. Our agent in Hungary should give us advance warning of that. The Prinz prefers that we starve them for as long as possible before taking the city, the better to conserve our limited troops for the next stage of the invasion which will either be Bran or Ragusa depending on intelligence gathered by our agent.

All the while Harold Merode, commanding the Brandenburg cavalry, will patrol the Hungarian countryside in an attempt to intercept and drive off any relieving armies.

Do we hear any objection to this plan?

[GeneralHankerchief]

Kaiser Heinrich:

I trust the Austrians' appraisal of the situation on the ground in the East too much to object. So long as Duke der Bartige is not at issue with who exactly is to take control over his horsemen, I suggest that the plan be implemented posthaste.

[Nightbringer]

Sounds excellent to me. I look forward to finally putting them in their place after these years of attacks upon us.

[Askthepizzaguy]

An emissary from the Turkish Sultanate arrives unannounced, flanked by a Hungarian prisoner, who reads a prepared statement.


"Hear my words, infidels!

You have entered lands claimed by Sultan Jalāl al-Dawlah Malik-shāh. The Sword of Allah will cut through these lands and remove the heads of all who stand before Jalal al-Dawlah's unstoppable armies. You are warned not to interfere, or you will face the wrath of the Almighty. You must embrace Islam if there is to be any hope of redemption for you.

Remove your armies from the territory surrounding Budapest, immediately! The lands formerly known as 'Hungary' belong now to the Sultan.

All true men kneel before Allah. Make your choice wisely."


The Hungarian prisoner looks to the ground, as the Turkish emissary waits for a reply, stern-faced.

[Nightbringer]

Right, I'll get right on that.
Jens Herden turns his back to the emissary, and faces the Kaizer.

My Lord, Our forces should secure control of th city in question next season, as such, I would like to ask where ownership of it shall fall. While I would of course rejoice in claiming it myself, it is ultimately your decision.

[phonicsmonkey]

Ernst frowns.

Herr Herden, as I'm sure you have not forgotten you are not part of the landed gentry yet and unless the Kaiser (or indeed the Prinz) wishes to make you so you are not eligible to claim conquered land. As it is your liege's army you are leading, unless the Kaiser wishes to create a new Duchy or keep the city for his own demesne, by rights it should form part of the Duchy of Osterreich.

I assume by this request you are simply displaying ignorance and not outright treachery to your liege the Prinz.

Still, you would be advised to keep your ambitions to yourself lest you enrage your lord.

To the intruder.

Sir, I know not how you slipped past the guard but only the Kaiser is empowered to conduct diplomacy on behalf of the Reich. I suggest you make your approach to him through the proper channels and refrain from shouting your threats here.