Middle Ages: Interactive

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

Decisions:

Papal States:
1. Back the French in the war against the English
2. Expand Catholism into Moorish Iberia

Leon:
1. Attack the Moors, do not wait for help
2. Wait for help, it should come soon, right?
3. Unify the Spanish kingdoms

England:
1. Invade France's coast
2. Invade France through the Holy Roman Empire
3. Attack Scotland

France:
1. Invade England
2. Continue talks about a European Union
3. Invade Iberia, and assist Leon

Holy Roman Empire:
1. Attack France
2. Attack Poland
3. Continue forcing your demands

Seljuks:
1. Continue war in Egypt
2. Attack Arabia
3. Attack Persia

Byzantine Empire:
1. Excommunicate the Pope?
2. Attack Bulgaria
3. Attack Serbia

Sicily:
1. Continue fights in Tunisia, North Africa
2. Open a second front in Iberia

Song Dynasty:
1. Declare war on the Pope for his comments against you
2. Advance into Vietnam
3. Advance into Persia

Khitan Empire:
1. Continue the unification (should be done soon)
2. Advance into Siberia

[Comrade Alexeo]

Reichstag Headquarters
Frankfurt
Holy Roman Empire

"OUTRAGEOUS! ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGEOUS!"

"The Byzantines even now are threatening Vienna-"

"We've had no reports to suggest such a thing!"

"-we must strike back, and we must strike back now!"

"I concur! We have the Pope's blessing! We should not squander such an opportunity!"

"And leave ourselves open to France? Are you mad?"

"HOW DARE YOU-"

"Order! Order I say!"

"-YOU LOW-LIFE SON OF A-"

"Order!"

"The French would not dare attack us! They are already being placed on trial on heresy - assault would only cause them be burned with wet hay instead of dry!"

"-SLANDERING THE GOOD NAME OF MY FAMILY, WHICH GOES BACK-"

" To order! Order in Congress!"

"Your name is worthless, you cur!"

"Exactly! They are to be placed on trial - and because of us! Why wouldn't they attack? They have already lost everything - why not take what they can now?"

"-YOUR FATHER WAS NOTHING BUT A LYING SACK OF-"

"Shoot them all, I say! Let fly our arrows into Byzantium AND Paris! We control the Papacy now - we are the Kingdom of God!"

"BLASPHEMY! BLASPHEMY!"

"MY FATHER WAS MORE OF A MAN HIMSELF THAN THE REST OF YOUR LINEAGE PUT TOGETHER!"

"Order!"

"-FILTHY BLOODSUCKING HALF-WITTED SLEAZY SODOMITE PIGDOG!"

"The Baron Sigmund von Wilhelm of Bavaria!"

Instantly the room was silent.

Horns played, and the Baron, returned from Rome, entered the audience chambers, was bowed to by the Reichstag and bowed back, and spoke thus:

"Guten tag. I have just come from the Imperial Palace. Der Kaiser has ordered all noblemen in the Reich to call on their knights and vassals and asked for increased patrols along our borders with the Byzantines. At this point, he asks only that your vassals be organized into the groupings that they would be members of in case of war, and that you prepare your armouries to equip them as necessary. By no means should full mobilization and the actual equipping and arming of your vassals commence yet. It is at your discretion on how best to handle these tasks. That is all."

With that, the Baron bowed again, turned around smartly, and then exited the audience chambers.

Silence.

Then...

"And YOUR father was a low-life arse-sniffing mange-ridden toad-eyed foul-mouthed weasel!"

((Option 3, essentially, but gearing for war))

[Csargo]

Byzantium sees no benefit to a war, and chooses not to get involved

We're not at war with the Byzantine Empire.

Also you have no border with BE.

http://www.euratlas.com/big/big1000.htm

[Comrade Alexeo]

OOC: "Borders" here meaning "on that side of the Holy Roman Empire"

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

We're not at war with the Byzantine Empire.

Also you have no border with BE.

http://www.euratlas.com/big/big1000.htm

Remember, I am allied with France, when you declared war, I could have gotten involved. i decided not to.

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

Constaninople, Byzantium

The Senate is eerily quiet, then one Senator stood up

"The Holy Roman Empire clearly threatens the free world!"

"How? Did His Majesty say that Western Catholic problems remain in the West? If the Holy Roman Empire decides to reign supreme in Western Europe let them!"

"But their greed only hungers for more! Soon they will invade Italy, Poland, Russia, Bulgaria and eventually us!"

"We have never done anything to the Holy Roman Empire, why will they do anything to us?"

"They are an evil Kingdom and must be stopped!"

Basil was tired of this.

"SILENCE!"

The Senate room quickly fell silent, Senators sitting down.

"It is obvious that the Holy Roman Empire is a problem to France. I do not wish to be part of Western Europe's affairs. They have already shown they are not capable of unfiying themselves religously, and have yet to help Leon or Spain fight the Moors. Sicily is a nation I have admired. They can act out what they claim to do. Thus we have sent a diplomat to King Roger"

"BUT YOU SAID WE WILL NOT BE INVOLVED WITH WESTERN EUROPES AFFAIRS! IF WE MAKE AN ALLIANCE WITH THESE CATHOLICS THEIR TURMOIL WILL SPREAD TO BYZANTIUM!"

"Enough"

"YOU LIED TO THE SENATE, BASIL!"

'ENOUGH!, guards remove that Senator from the room"

Basil's guards siezed the Senator and dragged him out of the area. Senators murmured about it.

"Basil what will happen to that Senator?"

"He will be tried at outbursts against the Emperor and outbursts at fellow Byzantines, gentlemen"

And with that, escorted by his guards, Emperor Basil II left the Senate.

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

Der Kaiser has ordered all noblemen in the Reich to call on their knights and vassals and asked for increased patrols along our borders with the Byzantines

You don't have any border with me, unless Bulgaria falls.

[IrishArmenian]

OOC: The Moors The one who I told you all to fight...



Then perhaps this European Alliance is not a good thing. It seems that you seek disunity in the world. I urge all other European Nations to avoid allying with the European Alliance.

How dare you level these allegations against the Kaiser! He is a true and pious man!

Good Pope, who else is fighting against the heathens as we speak? I honestly know Sons of Sicily are, but where are the other nations?

[Warluster]

Kings Palace-Paris
The king sat on his throne,waiting for the advisors to come in, they all filed into the throne room. The king raised his head, "Now,I am sure,gentleman that you know we are here today to discuss the current ways of our French Empire, right?" I murmur of Agreement went out, one advisor spoke out, "The European alliance wou-"He was cut off by another advisor, "The European alliance was a complete waste of time and money, Europe does not want Peace! Only war!!" The king looked at him, "What makes you think this?" he asked, the advisor looked at the king, "Well,for one sir, we offer it, the best terms, and they ignore it!! Complete Ignorance!!!! Only Sicily has enough decency to sign it!" The king looked angry, "Speak of no nation like that again! They are all comrades-in-arms!" Another advisor spoke out, "What if we,perhaps great one,invade Iberia and help Leon?" he siad in an helpful tone, the king was thinking for a while,during which the advisiors started speaking again, then the doors were flung open and a general walked in, the king looked up, "How DARE you just stroll in here!!" he roared. The gneral looked aplogetic, "Sorry sir, just I have one suggestion, we invade England?" at once a roar of protest went up, "Look what happened to them when they attacked us!?" , "We would go down to there level then!!", the king calmed them down, "I have decided that, we should at once help the cause of Christianity and help the Countrie of Iberia, other then the moors, we can then hopefully link up with Sicily?" A murmur of agreement went out, the decision was decided.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I choose option 3, invade Iberia and help Leon, and other countries there. All land won on the Iberian land is to be given to Portugal. All land won in Africa, I will keep. I will try and link up with Sicily.

[CountArach]

Message from the Pope Silvester II, Rome to all Catholic Nations

We have this constant bickering amongst ourselves, yet I can see that it has now gone too far to be cured, however I wish you all to follow the example of France and to fight the Heathens in Moorish Iberia. Leon needs all of the help she can get! If all of us can show our unification in the face of the Moorish menace, a stain on our great continent, then perhaps an alliance will be a good thing.

So I urge all people to enter the war against the Moors and to spread the cause of our true faith against them. If this can be done with unification, then we can sort out the political mess we have before us. The Papacy still wishes to remain neutral in the affairs of mainland Europe, yet I shall say this:

The Moors shall die.

I choose option 2.

[Warluster]

Thankyou Great Pope for mentioning France in its great effort to rid Iberia of them, rid the world of them! But there is also Sicily who are fighting the Moors, remember that they invaded Africa? Yes,they are helping as well, as mentioned in the European Alliance.

[Warluster]

France, on trial!? No one is trialling our great country!! We have done no such thing wrong!!! being blamed for unknown things, the only thing we have done wrong is suggest an allied Europe(No one other than Sicily and France want that) and to make minor changes in our country, we are being trialled because the HRE's OWN allies declared war, and HRE is complaining about Byzantium notioning war? When there very own allies (not to mention them) declared war on a fellow catholic country (France!!), it was lucky you gave those guards to the Pope or you would have been excommunictaed just like England! Think anout that one KAISER!!!

[Conqueror]

Khitan Empire:
1. Continue the unification (should be done soon)
2. Advance into Siberia

Option 1.

[Motep]

Emperor Sung T'ai Tsu has died last night. I, Emperor Kao Tsung, have been named emperor. I move to conquer the persians, and continue our plans to take your holy land for the pope. May we bothe benefit from this venture, and hopefuilly make amends.

Emperor Kao Tsung to the Pope.

(i choose option 3)

[IrishArmenian]

I choose to conitnue my fight against the Moors.

[Warluster]

OOC-Who has not posted in there decisions yet?

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

Leon

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

Ignoramus, you need to start being more active.

Heres the chapter.

It’s a sunny day out, a French soldier patrols the area. Until he sees something. English!

England has invaded France’s coast unopposed. This is due to France sending Her troops to Iberia to fight the Moors. The Pope, has sent hundreds of priests into Iberia to preach Catholism. It seems the war is not only being fought with swords. The Holy Roman Empire has continued pressing his demands on France and Europe, and has also geared the knights up for war. Sicily has captured Tunisia, and has moved on to Algeria. Byzantium’s Basil II declared war on Bulgaria. China has lost their Emperor, and the new Emperor orders the invasion of Persia. This could bring China and the Seljuks into conflict. The Seljuks have continued the war in Egypt. They have advanced as far as the Suez. The Egyptians are marching their army toward the Seljuks.

[Warluster]

What!! The English!!! There traitors!!! Pope!! How dare they!!Quick, get the Pope's phone number! :Ring Ring: "Who's speaking?" "Hello Mr.Pope, it is king of France,England just invaded!"
"thanks old chap, I'll be there in a tick!" OOC-Sorry for off topic..

[Csargo]

What!! The English!!! There traitors!!! Pope!! How dare they!!Quick, get the Pope's phone number! :Ring Ring: "Who's speaking?" "Hello Mr.Pope, it is king of France,England just invaded!"
"thanks old chap, I'll be there in a tick!" OOC-Sorry for off topic..

What did you expect?

[Comrade Alexeo]

Reichstag Headquarters
Frankfurt
Holy Roman Empire

"-SMELL LIKE CABBAGE!"

"How DARE you! My daughter smells of the sweetest roses - I think you mistake her for your OWN swine of a daughter!"

"Order! Order!"

"Quiet! All of you! This is madness!"

"YOU CALLOUS RAT-FACED LYING SACK OF-"

"We have more pressing matters at hand now!"

"And since when are you in charge, Adolf? Are you der Fuhrer now? The leader? Eh?"

"-UNCOUTH TACTLESS HANG-NAILED-"

"Order!"

"Dammit, Himmel, shut up!"

"BLASHPHEMY! BLASPHEMY!"

"-BUCK-TOOTHED SWINDLING-"

"Hans, messenger from the Imperial Palace!"

Silence, followed by horns.

Not that Hans would have heard them; he was, of course, a deaf-mute. He marched in, bowed (he was not bowed to, obviously), and nodded to the Baron Sigmund von Wilhelm of Bavaria.

The Baron left his seat and moved down to Hans, whereupon he was handed a small note. Sigmund bowed; Hans left; the note was opened.

"The Byzantines have invaded Bulgaria," he said calmly, almost apathetically, although in truth he was just as shocked as...

"OUTRAGE!"

"SCANDAL!"

"WAR-MONGERERS!"

In a flash the room was filled with the voices of the Reichstag, which were in no way coherent:

INSANETERRORTRAVESTYMUSTHEATHENWARARMYPOPEDISASTER

von Wilhelm raised a hand, and the room fell silent immediately.

"I will be arriving by the time you finish this note-"

"His Magnificent Illustriously Glorious Eminence, the Servant of Jesus Christ, the Servant of the Apostles, the Emperor of the World, the Most Pious Holy Roman Kaiser Otto the Third!"

Ta-ta-taaa!"

The doors opened and in walked the man - possibly the most powerful in Europe - himself.

A shudder ran through the room; a shiver down every lord and priest's spine.

Der Kaiser? Come to the Reichstag? Why?

Indeed, it was highly irregular, and at first Baron von Wilhelm, normally the quickest man in the Empire, stalled - should he return to his seat? Or wait where he was?

He stared at the little note while the Reichstag members rose and bowed - some so deeply they hit their heads upon the backs of the men in front of them - and then turned to the Kaiser:

"My liege, how... unexpected? We are humbled by your presence-"

Otto raised a hand and the Baron fell silent immediately.

Der Kaiser stared at the Reichstag, and the Reichstag stared back.

Something was wrong. Something was very, very wrong.

Otto III was privately considered - for of course they could not say so in public! - rather... soft by the members of the Reichstag. Not that he was necessarily a bad man or even inept, but generally occupied more with matters of the Church than the Empire, of the Kingdom of Heaven rather than the Kingdom of Germany. He enjoyed going on pilgrimages and collecting relics, and was not known for having a very forceful personality - that was the trademark of his Deputy Commissioner, Baron Sigmund von Wilhelm, whom everybody knew would succeed Otto...

"The Byzantines have invaded Bulgaria."

"Yes, my liege, we received your message-"

Raised hand. Silence.

"This cannot be tolerated. Our flank cannot be risked. The Duke Josef von Speyer of Carenthia will lead a campaign into Hungary and Croatia in order to normalize the situation. The Pope has already been informed that I consider this an essential part of our 'war' against the Byzantines, of which we have already received his blessing and promise of funds."

Then the Duke stood.

"I thank you, your excellency, for appointing me to this command."

Otto nodded, and the Duke sat down.

"Am I to take it, then, my liege, that we are indeed at war with the Byzantines?" This from Sigmund.

"Nein. I do not wish a full-scale war yet, and neither, I think, does Basil II. Duke von Speyer, under no circumstances are you to seek any actual engagement with Byzantine forces in the unlikely event that you encounter them. Take any means necessary to defend yourself, of course, and do not surrender the initiative - but do not take the offensive."

"Jawohl, mein Kaiser-"

"Under pain of death."

"Er... ja, ja, mein Kaiser. I shall do as you command."

"That is all."

And with that, Otto III left.

***

So began the preparations for war.

The previous planning of the Germans came in handy; the armouries quickly began to deplete as vassals were equipped with spears, shields, bows and arrows. Knights shared boastful tales of past glories and assured each other that it was they who would be the first to kill.

Slowly but surely, the force began to assemble at Klagenfurt. The Duke of Carenthia had placed under his command a small but ambitious force of some 3500 spearmen and 2000 bowmen, assembled from the gathered vassals; all received leather breastplates and helmets, and the spearmen large shields. Some 250 knights would travel alongside the Duke, and a siege train of two catapults (dismantled, their pieces in carts) rounded out the assortment.

Josef von Speyer was loathe to attack Hungary until he could assemble a greater force; he would first attack and take the small, weak Kingdom of Croatia, presenting an immediate front to the Byzantines while a more suitable army for invading Hungary was prepared.

Soon, very soon, the Roman Empires would meet head-on...

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

Senate Building, Constantinople

Basil II stood up, calmly, and announced

"Bulgaria is what we need to start the restoration of the Roman Empire"

"Sir, the Holy Roman Empire has become increasingly unfriendly, and this could mean a war" A senate rose, saying "And the Pope will call a war against us"

His Holy Patriarch stood up

"The Pope will be excommunicated if he tries anything with us" His holyness announced.

"Sir, we have reports that the Byzantine Army has already swept into Bulgaria and will start the Siege of Sophia soon" A senate said.

"The Holy Roman Empire has nothing to do with us, and their knights are no match for Roman lances. We must secure our front with the Danube river, and I do not see why the Holy Roman Empire is so cautious." Basil II said.

"Sir, if the Holy Roman Empire do attack us in Bulgaria, what should we do?" A senator asked.

"Fight back" Basil II replied.

Basil II left the Senate.

[Ignoramus]

I was going to send in my decisions, but I need time to enter into diplomacy.

[Warluster]

Kings Palace-Paris
The advisors once againsat there, waiting for the next meeting. This was a special one, the fate of nations in there hands. The king walked in.
"Sorry Gentlemen, we have a slight problem in our midst."
They all leaned forward to hear.
"The English have invaded." the King whispered.
A sudden chain of Explosions whipped threw the place, an explosion of voices.
"OUTRAGEOUS!!HOW DARE THEY" one roared, No one turned to queiten him, as most were alll so yelling,
"They have already been pardoned,barely..."
"What is the Pope doing?!"
The king looked angrier,
"I will hear no negative words against our Pope in this room."Said the King,
"Well sir, I say an Holy War should be declared-" anroar of agreement went out"-they have violated the Pope's terms! Attacking another Catholic nation!!Horrible" , one advisor got up, "No worries,they will pay, blood,land and Economy!" once again a roar went up.
The king cleared his throat with a small cough.
"There is no need to worry, I will lead our army personnaly and expel them from France,MESSENGER!!" he yelled, an messenger ran in,
"yes sir?" he murmered,
"Send a message to the Pope, NOW!!!" he roared, the king then told him everything he wanted in the message.
"Good,now to other issues.."he said queitly,
"What other issues are there!?" spoke an adivisor,
"Do not speak of free will in the Kings Company!" yelled an bodyguard.
One advisor got up,
"Permission to speak sir?" he asked, the king nodded.
"What of our Crusade to Leon, what will happen?"
The king thought,
"Abandoned, we will return to it after we defend our fatherland!" he said with an gleam in his eye.
"If the Pope does not act against England soon, we will have to abandon him, this is a serious matter which,if the Pope does not act, we will take seriuosly" he said.
"I will not let France stand for this! England attacking against Catholic laws, the Pope's laws! The Holy Roman Empire blaming us for nothing at all! And the Crusade, put in front of our country! I will not stand!"roared the King.
"YES!!FOR FRANCE!!" the meeting was finished with The French National anthem.

[Conqueror]

So how much longer till I'm the master of all Mongolia?

[CountArach]

The Pope walked out of his private quarters. Why did he have to Pope at that time?

That morning had brought many messages. Firstly, and most critically, France was being invaded by the English. Oh well, nothing to be done for it. The English were failing to see reason as it was anyway, and they were already excommunicated.

Secondly, excommunicating the Byzantines would mean excommunication from the Greek Catholics, and a possible invasion of Rome. Rome would be able to hold, and perhaps...?

An idea struck the Pope.

"Someone get me some paper! I need to send a message to the Catholic nations!"



OOC - more coming later... ;)

[IrishArmenian]

I read the letter from France.
Dearest King of Sicily,
The English have attacked the Coast around Caen and Bruge. Being an ally and a friend of our nation, we seek your aid. We are well aware of your situation against the Moors, but you can help us in other ways. We realise that you are of the same stock of the Anglo Normans and thus, wish to see if your opinion of their treacherous attack might convince them to hold their sword hand while France defends Catholicism in Iberia. Any other aid would be welcomed, O great friend.
Sincerely,
Le Roy
While Robert was rapt in thought, I opened the discussion. "What is to be done about the treacherous English?"
Walter, always rational and well spoken spoke, "We are all Normans, why not ask them to stand down?"
Simon, my somewhat naive, yet always sincere and loyal son seconded the Chancellor "Of course, Blood forms the strongest bonds. They cannot ignore their brothers!"
Robert, my brother, shared his opinion "Well, we cannot totally abandon the war against the heathen Moor. If we did, our battles and conquests up to this point would be for naught."
Everyone murmured agreements, unable to grasp the reason why England attacked such a noble and good nation.
Walter ventured an idea "What if we were to persuad all of Catholic Europe to stop trade with England, surely that would economically cripple them and decrease their forces!"
I approved "An embargo, a wonderful idea. But that will not be all that can be done"
Simon disagreed "We cannot abandon our cause in North Africa."
Robert cautioned "Boy, you have much to learn, I said earlier we cannot totally abandon North Africa. How about going on the defensive?"
Walter expressed his view "Exactly! We go on the defensive, hold the areas we have taken and withdraw troops from our most secure postions, namely Tunis as it is far behind our lines and assist the French using our superior archers and infantry. Who can stand up to such a coalition of infantry, archers and calvary?"
I explained the plan "Yes, it is settled. We will fortify our positions in Africa, relieve some troops in our most strongly defended encampents and have all relieved troops assembled in Tunis. Robert, you will sail to Tunis and wait for the army to assemble there. After the army has been gathered, they shall be loaded onto boats. You shall go with them, land at Marseille, and march to Paris where you will be under command of only the King of France, unless he specifies otherwise, though I trust he will allow you to work semi-indepededtly. Forsake honour and pride, dear brother. Seeing as we have a much weaker army than the English, we must work with the French and use guerilla tactics. I want you to maximise English Casualties while minimising our own. Advise the French King that you should operate in Northern France, preferably Normandy, you remember it, don't you?"
Robert confirmed "Of course, brother."
I continued "Good, I cannot stress enough the importance of guerilla techniques."
Robert exited via the large wooden door, leaving Walter, Simon and I in the room.
"Simon, prepare for a journey. You will campaign around Italy for support. Make sure to ask for approval of the embargo and military support. My son, You must learn a trade much more important than that of a military leader. To be King, you must be able to play the diplomat and speak charismatically. Keep a level head, stay collected, be respectful. Learn the importance of humility, but do not lose your dignity. You must walk a very thin line, but if I did not think you were up to it, I would not have you go. Have the first ferry to the mainland and your finest horse prepared. You may go now."
My son then left Walter and I.
"Walter, I have kept you here for good reason. You are the wisest man I know. Simon has much to learn, and Robert is too warlike to understand the delicate times we live in. Send a letter to the Pope, explaining why we have currently ceased Catholic expansion in North Africa. Send a letter to the King of France telling him of Robert's arrival and that Robert should be allowed to work indepedently for most of the time. Send letters to the other European Nations allowing them time to prepare for Simon's arrival. Let them know that by coming to the aid of France, they are allowing for a faster resolution to this problem that will allow us to continue with our campaign against the heathens."
"My scribes' wrists shall be sore, my lord." He chuckled.
I let out a laugh. "Time is of the essence, my friend."
We both left the chamber. How would this sequence play out?

[Warluster]

Oh thankyou Sicily! When the Vile English have been beaten back, France will send troops to help you in Africa! And of course, you're army may work independantly of course. We are VERY,VERY grateful for your show of care as the Pope has no time to act, we had our army in Leon! They attacked us while our backs were turned! There cowards I say, attacking while our backs are turned... i wonder what the HRE thinks that there once noble allies are now attacking people when there backs are turned? What do you think Kaiser?

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

Basil II has opened up trade routs with England, in hopes to help their economy.

[Warluster]

What!!?? But Byzantine is my ally, and there helping my enemy? So there opening, you mean you want France to go DOWN? Are you France's ally?