Imperial Diet

[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.

[Braden]

It appears that there has been some misinformation given. Whereas it was stated that an instruction for building was required for Austria, there was already one given by my Second Elector.

However, I would like it noted that the instruction that has been forwarded by myself and NOT the Second Elector holds at this time.

The Electors of Austria are currently in conference to decide the final outcome of our requirements for Vienna and Austria but they will NOT be to convert my fair city into a Castle!

However, that brings us to a point where The House of Austria are clearly without a military establishment and to this point I will petition the Keizer to allow Austria to have control of the next suitable Castle that is absorbed into the Reith.

On the subject of Venice, I am clearly in agreement with Dietrich, we will use them as we see fit but allow them a short leash.

[Ignoramus]

It appears that the valiant efforts of our Prinz have gone unnoticed. I will not allow this to happen. I fully commend and congratulate our Prinz and my Duke, Henry, on his marvelous victory over the rebellious Burgundians at MEtz.

[OverKnight]

Otto, who had been dozing in his seat in the Diet, snaps awake as Sigismund speaks:

What? Oh, yes. Yes! How rude of me, of course the Prinz is due our congratulations! As are you Elector, even if you were too modest to speak of your own exploits in the battle. I see the Kaiser chose well in his addition to the royal family.

Not only was it an brilliant assault with few losses, but we beat our "cousins" to the west to the prize! Well done!

Victories to the north, south and west! The Reich is on the march.

[Warluster]

the second elector of Swabia stands up, a look of guilt upon his face
I congratulate you Prinz Henry, Metz is finnaly ours, I also have anothewr thing to say, i feel I have not been contrbuting to the Diet, I shall put more effort in from now.
He sits down