Imperial Diet

[TinCow]

It is indeed wise to exploit a weakness when it is revealed. Though I believe fervently that the rightful order should be restored in Rome, I am not such a fool as to think we can march our armies into the Eternal City without causing much strife to our homelands. I fully support the form of policy Prinz Henry advocates, but only after Pope Gregory is burning in the fires of hell! He has already excommunicated our Kaiser and has proved himself a fervent enemy of the Reich. We cannot pander to him nor grovel to him without losing a part of our soul!

Let him waste away and die, then let us use politics, trade, and any other resources at our disposal to gain influence in the Vatican. With influence comes power, and eventually the ability to restore the rightful order to Christianity.

[Lucjan]

Dietrich smiles, bemused at the current exchange, and leans forward in his seat. He fixes his gaze on the Steward of Bavaria.

Most surely our good Mandorf understands that at the moment the Reich is not excommunicated at all, we're simply not in the Pope's best of graces. As such, it would not be prudent to intentionally incur Papal condemnation by invading one of our Catholic neighbors without a cassus belli, without a reasonable, internationally recognizable cause for war. This would be wholy unwise.

My father used to recite a little saying. "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me." My point is that the Pope has excommunicated us in the past, and I feel we've all had our moment of ire for the man because of it, but let's not give him a reason to do it again. Instead, let us use his weapon to our advantage. Let it be said that the House of Franconia stands firmly beside the wisdom of the prince. You are wise beyond your years brother Henry.

[Ituralde]

With the votings concluded I'd like to take the floor once again to adress matters I consider dire for the House of Austria and the good of the Empire.

Conrad von Schüsselen bows respectfully to the assembled Nobles:

With the previous heated discussion concerning the representative of god in this world I have to align myself with our wise Prince Henry, he speaks true and his feelings mirror mine. We should not anger the Pope, not as Christians and not as Holy Roman Empire. We had our differences but honour prevailed and we were able to settle the conflict honouring timeheld traditions. Dear Elector Mandorfs outbursts do indeed worry me a little. He surely is a man as pious as any of us, but I fear he has not forgiven the Papacy for their recent actions. In the light of his statements, having him and the House of Bavaria in control of Bologna within striking distance to Rome, makes me worry indeed.

Which brings me to the next matter of the general allocation of fiefdoms in Italy. I still beg to hear a reason for the land distribution as decreed by our dear Kaiser. Those who know me, can testify that my interests have lain in Italy for decades no. I have fought along your Grace against the Italians many times and taken time to study them. To be honest I had hoped for at least a little fief on the peninsular to put my studies to use and enjoy the remaining years of my waining life. Alas, my wish has not been granted yet.
Furthermore I have to disagree that Edict 2.4 tries to establish firmer ties with Venice. It merely announces once again, that once the Empire gives his word it is not broken. We are all men of honour that surely stand to their word.

As mentioned before, Edicts have been passed once again, but a clear strategy for the further years has not been established. Maybe we should try to push our discussion in that direction. Maybe men of more widsom want to take the lead in this. I have taken up enough time of the Diet already.

Conrad sits back down again. He looks a little weaker than usual and his speech seemed to have drained many of his limited reserves.

[IvarrWolfsong]

Cardinal Scherer, having whispering in Latin to his attendants, again turns his attention to the Diet...

I beg your pardon friends and brothers, may I belatedly respond to our Kaiser's question?

Frankly, my Emperor, no I am not up to the task by myself. Even Our Savior used the apostles to spread the Word, and I am just a lowly sinner unworthy of the redemption He granted me through his death. The assistance of other men of the cloth will not only aid us in converting the pagans of Stettin, but will ensure there are well respected and pious men in the Imperial clergy who will, in time, perhaps, ascend to the College of Cardinals. I am getting old, and when I pass on the Reich MUST have a presence in the College.

However, I understand and applaud the Kaiser for his reluctanence to put any additional financial burdens upon his subjects. Regardless of whether 2.8 passes or not, I hope I may go to Stettin with his Highness's blessing.

Holding his mitre in place, Cardinal Scherer bows to the Emperor.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Elector Conrad, the reason that Austria was not allocated any settlements was because Prague was not taken in time for the midterm session. This is not me pushing the House in any way, it would just be rather ridiculous. I believe Steward Mandorf touched on the point earlier. Rest assured, you will have Prague and hopefully Breslau by the time of the next session.

Cardinal Scherer, I do understand your perspective, but please understand mine. I, unlike you, have not devoted my life to religion, which requires little thought towards any other subject. I have devoted it to leading, and when leading, several factors must be taken into account. Religion is a priority, yes, but it is not the number one priority. Successful management and expansion of a large Empire is, so I do not wish to needlessly spend money in one specific field unless it is of high importance. I wish you and von der Pfalz well on your mission, Cardinal.

[Lucjan]

Dietrich shakes his head, quietly disagreeing with some of the Emperor's recent statements, but making no vocalisation about them. Instead, he prefers to add this event to his own private insights. He wastes no time though in offering up his services to the cardinal, leaning forward against the table in front of him as he speaks.

"Cardinal Scherer, let it be known that, while Emperor Heinrich can spare little time himself in the pursuit of the Holy Roman Empire's spiritual necessities, there are many amongst this court whose time is much less taxed and abated by the ever growing list of tasks that leading our great empire requires. After all, is that not the purpose of the Dukes, the Stewards, and all others who serve the Emperor? To mitigate the stress of maintaining the Reich by offering up the task of governance in all its forms where the Emperor himself cannot personally be present. The servants of the Reich are not here simply to banter back and forth in the diet and deliberate on edicts and laws, but also to impress on the people the rule of our great leader in his absence. We are here to govern our cities, our castles and our people. We are here to lead our people to war in defence, in conquest, and in practice. We are here to oversee the growth of people's culture, their heritage, and their pockets! But not only that, are we also not here to ensure that every man in the Reich's lands has heard the word of the Lord, has pledged his spirit to God, and holds within himself a heart of true, spiritual health? Good Cardinal, worry not the Emperor with the matters of the local Dukes. You have my word that your passage through Franconia, and, once Stettin has fallen, your continued presence there, will be allowed every liberty and moment of my time that is required of me in order to spread the word of God to those pagan lands. Such good German men should not be deprived of the true faith, left by their neighbors to worship in the dirt the false icons of old, pagan gods and be deprived of the enlightened path that we walk.

If there is anything that you may need, just let me know."

Finished with his speech, he sits back up against his chair and crosses his arms. He feels content, believing that, if anything, the Cardinal will not leave the diet with too much of a sour taste in his mouth, and he may have salvaged them from Scherer returning to Rome with a completely poor opinion of the Reich.

[Ituralde]

It saddens me that you have misunderstood my desires once again mein Kaiser. I do not cherish the Eastern lands with their religious quabbles and uprisings. With their heretic and pagan ways. I'm not saying the House of Austria is not up to the task of appeasing those provinces and bring them fully into the Reich once again, but close to our borders and already within our grasp lie the rich, civilized and prosperous lands of Italy, yet you deny us any fiefdoms within those lands. Regional preference you say. Why is it that other Houses get to reap the fruits cultivated over centuries while we have to plow the barren fields that lie to the East?

My interest lies in Italy and I will not rest until the House of Austria gets its rightful share of rich Italian soil. I think I've heard from the House of Bavaria sentiments regarding Bologna. And you seemed eager to have Prague stormed immediatelly, rather sacrificing German soldiers instead of letting hunger, thirst and disease takt its toll. If Bologna is not to your liking and you'd rather prefer fiefs to the East maybe a mutual agreement can be reached? Surely this should be discussed by Duke Leopold and Duke Mandorf, I'm just showing avenues of opportunity here.

Conrad von Schüsselen casts a rather exasparated look around the Assembly before settling down. Ever since he had to leave the army in Italy due to his bad health his claims on Italy have taken a turn to the wors. If only he had been younger and able to lead a regiment of men for himself, capturing one of those rebellious cities personally, would he have been rewarded with the view across the rolling hills of Tuscany already.