Imperial Diet

[Braden]

Electors,

Certain misunderstandings followed by uncharacteristic behaviour by the other Electors of Austria have come to light.

I formally insist that all the Electors of Austria contact me as soon as is possible, this is a formal meeting. We will resolve and unify our interests so that there will be no further public issues between Austria and the other Diets without first direction from either myself or the second elector.

I do not address you in dishonour though, but we must realise that we need to convein to establish a long term view and a code of practice for the Diet.

I am aware that many of the issues have occurred due to my absence...this will not happen again without sufficient contingency.

Leopold

[TinCow]

Mein Kaiser, it is certainly possible for the citizens of Nuremburg to contribute more of their income to taxes than they currently do. However, the people must be compensated for such an onerous levy. I will agree to the increase if you will agree to give Nuremburg and Innsbruck construction priority in the event that a lack of Imperial funds prevents investment in some settlements.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Kaiser Heinrich: Yes, Elector Mandorf, I suppose that is not too much of a problem. Hopefully due to your agreement this problem shall not have to arise in the first place.

[Warluster]

The second elector of Swabia stands up
I only just got news of this great victory Dietrich the Duke Of Franconia won us, I wish to congratulate you on this great victory
The elector raises his hand in congratulations

[Lucjan]

Duke Dietrich stands and nods to the Swabian elector before rubbing his chin in thought, something clearly on his mind.

Much thanks, again.

News has reached Hamburg that things are going well in other parts of the Empire also. What can be said of our progress in Florence and Metz, as well as our potential prospects in Prague?

What has Venice been up to as well? Allies they may be, but I'm sure they realise it is only by strategic necessity. Once we gain a level of power their twisted little Doge decides he's uncomfortable with he'll scrounge up his militia and try to make a move. I'm sure many of our southern lords are counting on this, that they may put him in his place and take Venice for our own. But it is important to not let such 'friends by necessity' feel like they're not being watched, or they may make their move before we're fully prepared to put them down, otherwise they might set our plans back for a short time with their inconveniences.

[Ignoramus]

Sigismund der Stolze stands up before the diet, his face full of admiration.

I will not let it be said of me that I did not congratulate the Duke of Franconia on his marvelous victory over the Saxons in Hamburg. He showed good insight and wisdom in the way that he conducted a dangerous assault. Our Reich is blessed indeed to possess such men of bravery, valour, and loyalty.

[OverKnight]

Otto can be seen nodding in agreement to Dietrich's speech, he stands and speaks to the Diet:

The Duke of Franconia is correct my lords. While we are indeed allied with these merchants, I'm sure they would turn on us for much less than 30 pieces of silver. With one army in Venezia they can move to threaten Bologna, Vienna, or Innsbruck. They control the Adriatic and could blockade Bologna at will, cutting off trade in our only developed port.

By mentioning this I am supporting the Duke's call for keeping a close eye on our "allies", but I am not calling for renouncing this treaty or advocating a preemptive strike. The Diet passed edict 1.4, which I voted against, and we have an alliance. Being the first to betray our word would damage our future negotiations with other powers.

This should not stop us from watching them for the first sign of their inevitable betrayal! Once they strike at us we, having been vigilant, can rain down destruction upon them, secure in our knowledge that our fellow Christians will see us as the aggrieved party!

The Kaiser, in his wisdom, has kept our frontiers with Venice strong. Perhaps another watchtower or two on our borders would assist us in monitoring them, but that is merely a suggestion.

Glory to the Reich and the Kaiser! May his enemies die quickly and in great numbers!

Edit: Otto notices the new face in the chamber and speaks on the way back to his seat:

Welcome to the Diet, Elector Sigismund!

[Lucjan]

Dietrich, following Otto's speech, stands and raises a finger in the air, as if making a point.

Just to elaborate on my concerns, it must be said that the alliance with Venice was always intended as a simple measure of securing our Italian situation while Florence was besieged.

It has always been expected, and I have always anticipated that this alliance would not be beneficial to us only in its initial existance, but moreso in its disintigration. When Venice does decide to break the treaty, we will have every right and reason to exact the just punishment they deserve.

In essence, the alliance was intended as a weapon against our ally.

I am simply raising the issue now to make sure that none among us here become too comfortable, or too leniant in our watch of the Italian dogs. I am just assuring that we keep our eyes open, and our soldiers ready.