Imperial Diet

[Ignoramus]

Sigismund der Stolze stands up and addresses the Diet.

I am humbled by the honour that the Diet has bestowed upon. Let it be known that I will rule fairly and justly throughout the Reich. I shall defeat her enemies, and reward those who serve her.

Long live Kaiser Heinrich and the Reich!

Sigismund der Stolze resumes his seat quietly.

[OverKnight]

Otto von Kassel sits at his desk studying the latest voting results as provided by the Prinz's scribes (OOC:Thanks econ). Holding them in front of him, Otto rises to speak:

My lords, as most of the active members of the Diet have voted, I would like to comment on the results.

It seems the Diet, in its wisdom, has rejected the two most extreme edicts, 3.4 and 3.5., leaving the Chancellor with an interesting, but dangerous, middle ground to act in.

It is obviously the will of the Diet that Milan be quickly and utterly crushed, the passage of edicts 3.1, 3.8, and 3.15 show this. Edict 3.6 would perhaps be the only brake on this, but if it is ruled that it contradicts 3.8, than in the case of Milan at least, 3.8 would take precedence.

While not calling for a direct attack on Rome, 3.5 failed to pass, the Diet has chosen almost all aggressive acts short of war itself. We are to keep our alliance with Sicily, keep attacking Milan with no consideration to Papal condemnation and have designated the Kaiser the leader of our assault on Rome if it comes to pass. Again, 3.6 serves as the only restraint on this aggression by forbidding an attack on Rome, hence no declaration of war, and not allowing us to pursue any war to excommunication. As I mentioned before, the possible exception to this might be Milan.

I congratulate Count Sigismund der Stoltze on his election to Chancellor, but I do not envy him his task of building a cohesive whole out of these disparate edicts.

The possibility exists, despite the lack of a war with the Papacy and edict 3.6, that we will still be excommunicated. What will we do then? There is no authorization for war against the Papal States in the books, and we are directly forbidden from taking their seat of power. Other edicts call for acts that would continue to anger the Pope, making reconciliation difficult if not impossible.

What I am trying to say is that if we are excommunicated our response to it would be hamstrung by the current edicts that are likely to pass. War is out and reconciliation would be very difficult. That leaves us suffering under a prolonged excommunication, the horrible effects of which we have already covered in previous debate.

I suggest that if we are excommunicated during Chancellor der Stoltze's term that an emergency session of the Diet immediately be called. That way, we can asses the situation and decide on a proper course of action without the constraints of previous edicts.

Again, congratulations Chancellor der Stoltze! I look forward to the day when you bring those upstart Milanese back into the Reich!

My lords.

Otto sits, and returns to poring over voting results.

[AussieGiant]

My Lords, Gentlemen,

Firstly congratulations to our new Chancellor, Count Sigismund der Stoltze!!

At this point of proceedings I’d like to state my understanding of the edicts.

We are in a position to strike Milan to the point of reducing our standing with the Pope, BUT not to the point of being excommunicated. It seems very simple to me.

[AussieGiant]

The 4th Elector of Austria receives message from a scribe...he reads it intently, his eye open wide at the end...stand rather slowly the address the floor.

It has come to my attention gentlemen that my statement is not accurate.

My apologies to Sir Otto, he is indeed correct in his assesment.

It seems a small detail in the constitution will mean edict 3.8 will override 3.6.

I do believe we are heading down the road of excommunication in the near future.

If you would excuse me for a time gentlemen...

...I'm going to take myself outside and conduct a jousting session with Helmut. I'd like to get a feel for how my colleagues in Vienna are going to react to the news I bring them.

while heading toward the outer doors you hear the receeding voice of the 4th Elector shouting

Erwin you filthy sod!! Get my armour ready...and make sure its the one with the reinforced cod piece...I'm going to need it!!!

[Ignoramus]

Chancellor Sigismund der Stolze stands up with a grave expression on his face.

My fellow electors, Kaiser Heinrich, and my lord, Prinz Henry, I have just ordered Otto von Kassel to assault the rebellious city of Milan. May God grant him success that all future rebels may fear the wrath of the Reich.

Chancellor Sigismund resumes his seat.

[Ituralde]

Chancellor Sigismund! I would also like to extend my best wishes to your ascension to this important office within the Reich. I am convinced that the loyalty and chivalry you have shown in the past will suit you well to guid our Reich through this troubled times. I am confident that with your abilities you should be able to fulfill all Edicts proposed by this Assembly. I don't see 3.8 and 3.6 as being mutually exclusive, although to fulfill both would take some care a man that has shown so much promise during the last years should be able to do this.

Concerning the situation in Austria, the Venetian presence there makes me a little uneasy and if it were up to me I would take a small escort with me to follow the path of the first army. I think a watchtower between Vienna and Innsbruck in the Danube valley could put an end to the blind spot we've developed for that region. To hear that another small detachment has dared to intrude in our lands does not bode well. While I don't think that a dire enough reason is supplied yet, the Venetians are well on their way to break this alliance.

Meanwhile, with the retirement of Conrad von Schüsselen the post of Second Elector of Austria has become vacant and I'm pleased to announce that the former Fourth Elector of Austria shall henceforth occupy this important office and act as my voice in this Diet should I not be able to attend to our meetings. That is, if he survives the ordeal he is planning to put himself through.

Before I conclude I put all my faith in Otto von Kassels abilties as a commander and am sure that Milan will soon be back in the Reich, where it belongs!

[OverKnight]

A messenger rushes into the Diet and announces:

Otto von Kassel has captured Milan! The Reich is no longer divided!

He caught most of the garrison outside their city square, after killing their commander they surrendered on the spot. My lord decided to spare them as cornered men are vicious and he wanted to preserve his forces so that the Chancellor will have a strong garrison. No doubt the Milanese scum will try to retake their capital.

The city was sacked and my lord is sending nearly 11,000 florins to add to the Imperial coffers.

My lord Otto sends along his commendation to the spy who opened the gates, he did excellent work. He also wishes to thank the Chancellor for entrusting him with this command and who wisely infiltrated the agent into Milan before the assault.

My lord said that he would send along a full battle report shortly.

The messenger bows and exit.