Imperial Diet & Rules

[Nightbringer]

Jens Herden enters the room and gives those present a curt nod, he then walks over and joins Elberhard and quietly whispers a few words to him.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Kaiser Heinrich:

ELECTORS!

We are living in dark times. This much is clear. We stand surrounded by enemies, enemies that collectively have more manpower and resources than us. Enemies that have the blessings of that Tuscan snake, Gregory. Enemies that, because of Gregory's deceptions, firmly believe that they are in the right in destroying us! This is the most dangerous kind of foe, Good Electors, and we unfortunately find ourselves facing many of them.

Despite this, despite the loss of more Dukes than I care to remember at this juncture, we are finally starting to make gains. While the French have ignored my peace missives, they seem to be leaving a stable front to our west. In the East, we are avenging ourselves, with the Margrave's army from Magdeburg ready to strike out against the Poles and Budapest only so recently having been conquered from the Hungarians. To the south, our efforts against Milan are seeing progress as well, as those rebels are busy impaling themselves against the foreign ruler of Provence.

*The Kaiser stands up and walks out from behind his desk, starting to get more animated.*

Here in the center though, you may have noticed that there is a quite large Polish army nearby, threatening our capital city which I have only so recently reclaimed for the glory of the Reich. Some of you have approached me about recalling your armies from the front in order to assist this effort. This will not be necessary. What is more important is that you defeat our enemies far from here and restore the Reich's glory. As for me...

*He starts making elaborate, sweeping hand gestures.*

Do not worry about me! I solemnly pledge, here and now, that I will NOT! LET! THIS! CITY! FALL!!! My soldiers and I will defend this city to the last!!! And at the end of the day, when the residents of the city are afraid to leave their homes not from fear of Polish butchery, but because of the atrocious smell emanating from all of the Polish corpses that litter the streets, this city will still be in Imperial hands! This I pledge to you now!!!

*The Kaiser pauses for a minute as the Diet chamber erupts into general applause.*

Now then, I see we have some administrative issues to take care of. First of all, the mercenary issues. Prinz Leopold has done an admirable job in this capacity over the past Diet session. However, the process could be streamlined. Too often Electors may find themselves in situations where they need to quickly hire the services of mercenaries and the Marshal's approval is simply too slow to come. Therefore, I propose the following Charter Amendment:

Charter Amendment 4.1: The "Marshal" section of Charter provision 6.12 is amended to read as the following (changes are in bold):

Marshal:
Term: Self-nominated and elected every normal Diet Session.
Powers:
(1) Sole control over the Reich's mercenaries.
(2) Can recruit and disband mercenary regiments in any army, can move mercenary regiments to and from armies or assign to/remove from an Elector
(3) Recruitment and upkeep are paid for by a pool of funds which is sustained by an income tax on all electors automatically paid each turn.
(4) If Electors who wish to hire mercenaries for their own use are willing to pay for them entirely out of their own pocket, then they do not have to go through the Marshal to hire them. The hiring Elector is responsible for the entire costs of the mercenary army.
Penalties:
(1) If the pool runs out, mercenaries are paid for out of the Marshal's treasury.
(2) The Kaiser sets the 'Mercenary Tax' rate for the pool.

The second issue we have to deal with is the future of the Houses. Currently, Austria is the only line that is set to continue. They also hold by far the most provinces. This is the sole reason why I have held off awarding more conquered provinces to the Prinz. Leopold, when you ascend to the Kaisership, you have a responsibility to leave your House and be an impartial ruler. I do not want the future of the Reich to be a powerhouse, unified Austria and a secondary Brandenburg-Bohemia. I wish to see Swabia, Bavaria, and Flanders reestablished. I aim to take the first step towards this when my next daughter comes of age.

Leopold, I will at some point speak to you in private about these matters, but for now I welcome an open discourse about how best to secure the Reich's prosperous and balanced future.

God save the Reich!

[Nightbringer]

Jens Herden applauds loudly

[phonicsmonkey]

The Prinz stands to address the assembled Electors. He is resplendent in the black satin robes of Osterreich and the crown of the Imperial Prinz glitters atop his blonde head.

Mein Kaiser, good Electors, it is my pleasure to address you today.

Let me begin by praising the passion and commitment of my father the Kaiser. He is tireless in his defence of the Reich against our many assailants and I have nothing but admiration for his strong and concerted leadership.

As I have said to this body before I believe that our current woes are a direct result of our dividded interests and an indisciplined approach to foreign policy with our neighbours. Too often in the past we have charged off in opposite directions starting wars that we have been ill-equipped to finish. I have several matters to bring before you today, all of which will speak to this same theme.

Firstly, I am glad that he has begun by raising the issue of the Marshallship. While I take his compliment I believe that the position of Reichsmarschall has itself failed the Reich. While the Kaiser's proposed Charter Amendment partly deals with the issue, I would go further. It is my belief that the Reichsmarschall should have the power to raise and sustain an army which can be used in the common interest of the Reich, whether that be for defence or attack. Under the current set of powers there is neither adequate funding for the Marshall nor is there sufficient access to quality and loyal troops. To this end, I propose an alternative Charter Amendment as follows:

Charter Amendment 4.1a: The "Marshal" section of Charter provision 6.12 is amended to read as the following (changes are in bold):

Reichsmarschall:
Term: Self-nominated and elected every normal Diet Session.
Powers:
(1) The Reichsmarshall is no longer to have sole authority to recruit mercenaries, but shall have first refusal on their hire in priority to other nobles.
(2) The Reichsmarshall shall have the power to recruit troops from the recruitment facilities of any Duchy, to be paid for and supported from the Reichsmarschall's budget, with the consent of the settlement owner.
(2) Can recruit and disband mercenary and regular regiments in the Reichsmarschall's army, can move mercenary and regular regiments to and from armies or assign to/remove from an Elector
(3) Recruitment and upkeep are paid for by a pool of funds which is sustained by an income tax on all electors automatically paid each turn and by a flat tax on the proceeds from sacking captured settlements and ransoming enemies.

Penalties:
(1) If the pool runs out, mercenaries are paid for out of the Marshal's treasury.
(2) The 'Mercenary Tax' rate will be a fixed 10% rate levied against the income of all Electors. A further tax is to be levied of 50% on any sacking proceeds and on ransom proceeds to support the Reichsmarshall's budget.

I believe these changes would enhance the powers of the Reichsmarschall to the extent that all Electors could feel secure in the knowledge that there is a centrally controlled permanent defensive capability, accountable directly to this body, that can assist them should they come under attack from the Reich's neighbours, or indeed can take part in targeted offensive actions in pursuit of new territory should we have that luxury.

Secondly, I would propose that Count Jens Herden be nominated for the position of Reichsmarchall for the coming campaign seasons, until the next Diet session.

Thirdly, I have spoken in this body before about the need to re-enforce certain aspects of the Imperial Charter with regard to capturing settlements. While it was no doubt desirable to regain our lost lands as quickly as possible and without bureacratic impediment it is my belief that we should propose an Edict for each new territory that shall be captured by the Reich's forces in future.

To that end I propose that my own force shall capture Milan this coming campaign season, cutting off the serpents head and ending all effective resistance from the accursed Milanese.

I further propose that the capture of Stettin be considered authorised by our previous discussion on the matter, leaving the Margrave free to bring a further Edict to this Diet session as he desires.

Fourthly I would like to support the Kaiser's position regarding the eventual restoration of the lost Duchies of the Reich. It is not desirable that a single House should permanently dominate the Reich and I accept that this means that at some stage the power of Osterreich should be balanced in this way. I will engage in private discussions with the Kaiser and others on this matter once the Diet session is closed.

Fifthly, I would like to put the ownership of the captured fortress of Innsbruck to the Diet vote as is envisaged in the Imperial Charter. Even with the issue of House balance in mind it is desirable for the good of the Reich that Austria should have access to a castle for the recruitment of troops which can be used to defend against the Turkish threat to our East. Innsbruck should be made part of Austria, at least until such a time as we are in a position to transfer it to a restored Duchy of Bavaria.

I apologise for the extended speech but there are several matters at stake this session.

I urge all Electors to support my proposals and I welcome debate on these issues.

[Nightbringer]

Excellent speech! It is a joy to me that men such as you and our Kaiser are here to lead us in these troubled times.

I thoroughly support your proposals my Lord Prinz, and will gladly accept the position of Reichsmarshall so long as my fellow Electors agree to it as well.

I promise that if I am elected to the position that I shall do my utmost to both defend and expand the Reich. Although we have not yet come into direct conflict, it is clear that the Turks will soon become our greatest threat. I have now fought many battles in the East against the Magyar, and know that territory, and the ways of battle, well. No Turk shall beat me as long as I have loyal men at my side. If I were granted the title of Reichsmarshall, I would indeed have these men, especially if the well crafted proposal of the Prinz is passed.

Additionally, I know I have come into conflict with some members of this body, Jens nods to Theodericus but I shall of course put all that behind me in my role as Reichsmarshall, the common good of the Reich is far more important than any personal disputes.

More immediately though, I have an edict of my own to propose. In order to gain a strong castle in the East for the Reich with which to train troops against the Turks, I request permission to lead a force to capture the castle of Ragusa.

[phonicsmonkey]

The Prinz.

My thanks for your support Good Count of Budapest.

I take it from your words that you are seconding my Charter Amendment? But perhaps you could state such explicitly for the benefit of other Electors.

In turn I second your proposed Edict to capture Ragusa.

I also require a seconder to my own House Edict to capture Milan - would you be so kind?

[GeneralHankerchief]

Kaiser Heinrich:

Point of order, I believe that the Edict to capture Ragusa must be proposed in the proper form, e.g. as such:

Edict 4.x: The Diet authorizes the _______ of __________.