V&V Event 2 - A Time of Troubles

**Cecil XIX** · 12-20-2010, 04:04

The campaign season of 1098 was much more mixed than those previously - a decided improvement. Theodericus der Bartige easily crushed the town militia besieging Magdeburg with his trained knights. Southwards the news was more bleak, as Venice quickly seized Innsbruck and eliminated it's small garrison. But help would come in the unexpected form of Pope Gregory who, alarmed to see Christian princes decending upon one of their own like a swarm of vultures (or so he says), has issued orders to Milan and Poland to cease their attacks for seven seasons. Both have complied for now, although Milan is besieging Bern and is "refraining from attacking the Empire" in such a way as to starve the beleagured Swiss. The King of Poland has decided to take this time to seize Pommern, and has placed Stettin under siege. Though the noose continues to tighten, there is still some hope: Prinz Leopold has dispatched Herr Becker and Jens Herden to meet up with the Frankfurt garrison, with orders to sweep south from Innsbruck to Bern. Will they be successful?

**Cecil XIX** · 12-24-2010, 07:02

The season of 1099 continued the give-and-take nature of times, as the Reich continued to give more than it took. The King of France assaulted and occupied the city of Bruge, and has surely set his sights on Antwerp as well. Poland continues to besiege Stettin, the Prince of France has Marseille in a vice-grip, and Milan continues to starve out the Swiss.

This last act of defiance has caught the eye of the Pope, none too pleased at the Duke of Milan's attempted legal wrangling. He has excommunicated Duke Bernardo, and the entire Duchy of Milan. For his part the Duke shows no signs of backing down, and has continued the Siege of Bern.

More news came from the return of Duke Premyslid to Prague. As his beleagured mercenaries dispersed themselves due to lack of funds, the Duke quickly came down with a stunning affliction that left him bed-ridden. Fortunately the day-to-day running of the Duchy is much simpler than that of the Reich, and the Duke does not requrie a de facto replacement. Still, that is not to say the situation is not without peril...

Stormclouds remain over the Reich. Are the first rays of light beginning to break through?

**Cecil XIX** · 12-28-2010, 05:27

The season of 1101 did not provide the respite that the Reich had hoped for. The garrison of Stettin sallied in a last-ditch attempt stop the King of Poland, but his cavalry archers and heavy retinue of cavalry outmanuvered them, drew them out and cut them down. France and Milan continued thier attacks on the Reich's cities, leaving Marseille and Bern in perilous straits.

Worse still, another Kingdom has attacked the Reich. King Knud of Denmark, alarmed by the strengthening of Poland's presence in the Baltic, has laid siege to Hamburg. The loss of this settlement would leave the Reich wide open to attack. Although Poland is resting after receiving the Pope's decree, neither France nor Denmark are under such obligations and they continue their assault. In addition, Hungary and Venice are massing their forces.

It seems the noose is continuing to tighten. Will anything save the Reich?

**Cecil XIX** · 01-04-2011, 07:00

The season of 1102 saw a brief but spirited attempt at resistance to the Reich, as well as an unprecedented defeat.

Helmut Becker laid siege to Innsbruck on the orders of his lord the Prinz, but it was soon apparant that the Venetians had well prepared for this: It was not long before a second Venetian army marched north under the command of Barbus Selvo. Helmut decided a quick march was in order to intercept this new threat before he was enveloped, but no sooner had he departed then Alessandro Selvo departed from Innsbruck with his garrison. Despite an agressive attack, Barbus Selvo's army held firm long enough or Alessandro to arrive and lend his strength. Outnumbered and outmanuvered, Sir Helmut had little choice to order a withdrawl, which soon turned into a route. His army has now moved back into Bavaria.

Even more troubling than this is the news from Provence. Prince Louis has led his army into Marseille itself! The whereabouts of Count Zirn are currently unknown, but it appears the Prince of France was able to enter the city without a fight! If this is true, it would be the result of either extraordinary subterfuge or... negotiations.

Speaking of which, the locals in Saxony are wondering why King Knud is maintaining the siege of Hamburg rather than storming the castle and overuning the single regiment defending it. Perhaps the King is also awaiting to hear the result of some diplomacy?

The possibility that the Reich is negotiating with it's enemies is disconcerting to the people, but it does raise new hope that the Time of Troubles will soon be over. Still, it is hard to imagine that the terms of these talks will be very favorable...

**Cecil XIX** · 01-09-2011, 06:26

The season of 1104 was dominated by French efforts to expand eastward. All other nations made no new effort to attack the Reich, as the Poles were forbidden by the Pope, the Venetians were seemingly content to secure Innsbruck, and the Hungarians apparently had other matters to deal with. The Milanese and the Danes continued their sieges of Bern and Hamburg, respecticely.

King Phillip of France has laid siege to Antwerp, in a bid to consolidate his control of Flanders. As Duke Hummel did not have to fight in any battles thus far, he has his full compliment of soldiers sans the regiment of Peasant Archers under siege in Hamburg. The King has brought ten regiments, including a team of siege engineers and their ballistas. Both sides command a considerably portion of their realm's resources.

But more shocking is the fate of Count Zirn, now revealed. In order to save himself and his desmense he has sworn fealty to the Kingdom of France! Provence has many ties to the French lands, so this is not too surprising, but it is another humiliation for the Reich to endure. How much more can it take?

**Cecil XIX** · 01-13-2011, 20:17

The season of 1105 saw the storm beginning to end for the Reich. Prinz Leopold has sucessfully brokered peace with Denmark, receiving tribute in exchange for Hamburg. He has also ordered the recruitment of militia throughout the cities he controls, giving the Reich a much-needed boost in fighting men.

And they will be needed, as another castle as fallen. Duke Bernardo of Milan has finally seized Bern, and added Switzerland to his domain. With the loss of Bern and Hamburg, Magdeburg remainas the only castle in the Reich. Count der Bartige has a great responsibility on his shoulders.

But there has been more good news this season. Prinz Leopold has finally taken a bride; a fine german woman named Judda. Their marriage has given the people much to celebrate, and is an important step in preventing a succession crisis. This season has seen a great uptick in the Reich's fortunes, one it's people hope will continue.

**Cecil XIX** · 01-20-2011, 03:26

The season of 1107 saw a minor miracle for the Reich: There were no new attacks against the Empire. The realms of Europe seem content with their holdings and are now turning to other affairs. With this, the Time of Troubles seems to be at last drawing to a close. The biggest news in the realm has been Prince Leopold's decision to offer Helmut Becker the hand of his sister, Princess Agnes. Becker eagerly accepted of course, and has now established himself as an important figure in the Reich.

Coincidentally, the next regularly-scheduled Diet session is approaching. It is hoped that this will provide the Reich with the opportunity it needs to renews it's spirit and embark on the road back to greatness.