Imperial Diet

[OverKnight]

Otto listens intently to Dietrich's speech. He mutters something under his breath, ". . .sounds like my father. . .", while he rises to speak:

Thank you for your response Duke von Saxony. I see your views more clearly now. I only hope that caution and wisdom do not turn into passivity and folly. I would not abandon the initiative to our neighbors, yet it would not hurt to watch and wait, for a while at least, for a moment of weakness.

As for being a statesman, God forbid! I would much rather have a sword in my hand and a saddle beneath me.

Otto chuckles to himself and sits.

[Lucjan]

Dietrich, still smiling, can't help but chuckle.

Brother Otto, what more is a statesman than a warrior who is also adept at wielding the quill? It's a compliment, trust me.

You'll have to forgive me if my speech sounds like a lecture, I was just trying to touch on all points.

As far as caution and wisdom turning into passivity and folly, well, even I have a more anxious sword arm than that. And I imagine we'll all be given the oppertunity to use them soon enough. Besides, it would make me a fool to do all this lecturing on striking only when the time is right, then watching that time arrive only to do nothing when it presents itself. You can trust the lust for valor and honor to get the better of me when the time is right, as I believe I can trust that from all of you.

Oh, and Otto, I hope this little misunderstanding wasn't taken too harshly. I will be looking forward to meeting you and Steward Mandorf in the near future.

[AussieGiant]

Gruß Gott Mein Kaiser, esteemed Lords of the Reich,

Due to a small administrative matter in Vienna during the week, I would like to introduce myself as the new 4th Elector for the House of Austria.

Unfortunately my predecessor Lothar von Austria has had to take an unexpected leave of absence.

So with those administrative duties completed I would like to echo my Liege Lords concerns regarding the east.

Without a regional castle in the near future, I fear for our ability to exert and maintain influence against the Poles, Viennese and Magyars will be tenuous at best.

With our expansion opportunities against rebel provinces now completely exhausted due to the Keiser confirming Breslau has fallen to the Polish, any further eastern expansion by the House of Austria will be at the expense of our neighbours. Doing this with Militia and peasant archers will not bring results in an offensive war.

Additionally if things turn defensive, I’d like to draw the gentlemen of this Council’s attention to the map on the wall behind us.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...ap/KOTR009.jpg

If you would please note the distances needed to rapidly respond to any future threat from our current castles in Innsbruck and Staufen…that is some distance is it not?

I am entirely sure Prince Leopold will capture Prague, however the fact that he needs to conduct an unorthodox assault should not be lost on anyone gathered here today. Some here have made remarks regarding the delay in taking Prague but, having read the reports I can only say Prince Leopold is an astute and gifted commander given the situation. The fact that rebel settlements are fielding superior troops must be of concern to all.

I realise the expense, but I believe we must seriously consider our general position on this matter. Most, if not all Houses have a regional castle…if we don’t pursue this in the east…then…well…lets just say property prices might start dropping in Vienna soon.

Given most of my esteemed colleagues here have summer holdings in wonderful Vienna, that can’t be good for anyone…can it?

I would propose a more aggressive covert solution for the moment. That being spies for the regions of Venice, Poland and Hungary. The border towers are excellent, but static. We would have a much better chance of responding both tactically and strategically if we knew more about our 3 eastern nations.

Finally, I’d like to commend the Kaiser on his selection of wine. It really is excellent here in the Diet, far superior to what I am used to in Vienna.

[OverKnight]

Otto looks up from desk and rises to answer the new Elector:

Greetings Fourth Elector of Austria, welcome to the Diet!

You raise a valid point, the closest Castle to Vienna and Prague, may God grant it to us, is Innsbruck. As Castellan of Innsbruck I can assure you that troops raised and armed there are available to the entire Empire, not just Bavaria. Even now we near completion of a Smithy, which will make the Sergeant Spearman we arm the finest foot soldiers in the Reich. Yes, they are few years march from your frontiers, but I'm sure the Kaiser will see to deploying them before they are needed. If we are caught flat footed, may I suggest we could recruit routiers, mercenaries, to fill the gaps until the Castle trained reinforcements arrived.

I know this is not an ideal solution for Austria, but the alternatives available are less desirable. Your House would be within it's rights to convert Vienna or Prague to a Castle. However, that new fortress would only be able to arm and recruit peasant rabble and a few knights until better quarters were built. Considering that spear militia from either city would be superior to peasants and that we would lose revenue from converting the Town, it would be a poor trade.

Other Castles in the area, such as Magdeburg, already belong to other powers as you pointed out. I would advise patience. It can be a bitter pill, but sometimes it is necessary. I'm sure the Kaiser has this situation well. . .

As Otto is speaking a messenger arrives in the Diet and runs up to him. They speak in urgent whispers. He claps the messenger on the shoulder and sends him running out of the chamber. Otto turns to address the Diet again:

Pardon me my lords, I must leave! The next time we meet I hope to give you good news! Farewell!

Otto turns and sprints out of the chamber yelling for his horse to be saddled.

[AussieGiant]

Greeting to you von Kassel, thank you for such a prompt response to my inquiry. Although, as you have now left and I am essentially speaking to a rapidly closing door, I'll address my follow up comments to the rest of you.

von Kassels words are both concerning and comforting.

I am greatly appreciative of his immediate support of troops should our eastern borders be threatened in anyway.

However he did say it would take “Years” for these troops to arrive…now that is sobering.

This is certainly not ideal for Austria as he has mentioned. Or might I add, for the Reich as a whole.

In my deliberations it comes down to this. I realise that converting either of our holdings into castles would not be beneficial to the realm as a whole. However, for our own immediate well being we must have a solution in the east.

I ask our Kaiser and the gathered Lords for their opinions on the matter?

As I have just arrived…can someone please tell me were von Kassel is going in such a hurry??

[GeneralHankerchief]

Kaiser Heinrich: I welcome the new Fourth Elector of Austria, may he bring much honor to his house.

Sir, I am very much aware of your concern. Austria is indeed somewhat cut off from the rest of the Reich, but as Elector von Kassel has just stated before he left to take Bern, you will not be alone in this fight.

The way things are shaping up in the east, it seems that we will soon see ourselves in a conflict with Poland. Two armies are already in that theater, one commanded by Duke von Saxony and the other one by Duke Leopold. In addition, as you most likely know, watchtowers are present on Vienna's southern and eastern border, allowing us to see far. Once Prague is taken, I also intend to place watchtowers on the borders, as well as our spy into Polish territory.

Rest assured, Austria shall not be lightly abandoned or even surprised by the enemy should the worst come.

[Ignoramus]

Sigismund der Stolze slowly gets to his feet and adresses the new Austrian:

Greetings, noble elector of Austria, I am sure that your presence here at this Diet will be beneficial to the Reich.

You speak about the vulnerability of Austria; it is true that she does not, as yet, have a castle in her realms. Surely that, however, is up to Duke Leopold, is it not? Your point, however, is a valid one and I am sure will be appreciated by the Diet here assembled.

I know that the Poles threaten our borders. Why then, did we foolishly sign an alliance with these people? Surely the elector who proposed this edict must have been misguided in his sincere attempt to benefit our Reich. Nevertheless, I have no doubt that brave Austrians and Franconians will beat back the foe.