Imperial Diet

[lilirishman1986]

What European nation do you suggest? Edict 1:16 is too broad. We would need to concerntrate the majority of our already depleted forces for such an offensive leaving a large part of the Empire vulnerable to other enemies.

[Warluster]

The second elector of Swabia stands up, pointing at the 4th Elector of Bavaria
I did not suggest a certian nation has there is many diffrent nations with weaknesses we can attack, I suggest we attack eiter a rich nation or a nation with heaps of land, Poland for example. I did not suggest a single nation as I would first like to hear the opinions of veryone else, it is not too broad of a subject, if I said Attack the pope in 10 years, amy=ny people would complain, and also compliment, if I said attack poland, many would complain, many would compliment, so the way I ahve suggested now is the best as, everyone can put forward a good suitable target, and it is a good time limit!

The Second Elector of Swabia sits down

[econ21]

Prinz Henry: I have seconded the edict that we approach Milan to make peace. Now that she no longer has any settlements on the mainland, there is little cause for war and the Pope's injunction means that prosecuting the war will be at considerable cost.

This session of the Diet is now closed for the proposing and seconding of edicts. Electors may cast their votes at the following location:

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=80126

Discussion may freely continue here as usual.

[OverKnight]

A messenger arrives from Otto von Kassel, he unfurls a letter and begins to read:

My lords, I wished to attend the Diet in person but unfortunately the situation in Milan has grown worse. I could easily sneak past this farce of a siege that Venice has cobbled together against us, but the city itself is close to rioting and with the threat of a Milanese attack on the horizon I must stay here.

To be blunt, the current situation in northern Italy is a mess. We have no army capable of offensive action, there are two Milanese armies threatening our new and old possessions, the Pope's army has cut off easy transit between Genoa and Florence and the Venetians seem to be marching on Innsbruck. We have forces scattered around Genoa trying to march past the Papal army and which could be destroyed piecemeal by the Milanese. Innsbruck has a sizeable force that could reinforce Milan or other places in Italy, but it is leaderless and has Venetian forces marching on it from the south and east. It is chaos. It is a disaster waiting to happen.

I will defend Milan to the last man, but with only my retainers and a unit of peasant archers I'm not sure if I can even hold the city from its own residents much less the Venetians or Milanese. I request that I be ordered to run off these Venetians so I can reinforce the city with mercenaries and newly raised levies. I do not ask this lightly, but with disorder around Genoa, the moves toward Innsbruck, and the distance from here to Dijon, I am not optimistic that outside reinforcement will reach me in time. We must remember that Milan and Venice are allies and can cooperate in combat.

I have sent my messenger with my votes. I have voted for edicts that will, I hope, allow us to reorganize and reinforce while avoiding excommunication. We must bring our lands in Italy under our full control, by eliminating the Milanese field armies, lifting the siege on Milan, and destroying the large brigand presence in the area, before taking further offensive action.

As for the Poles, I would hope we can lift the siege of Stettin and take a few territories before we hear from the Pope, but then we must hold. The only Catholic faction that has a worst standing with the Papacy than us is Sicily, and they are excommunicated. We have achieved much, but if we continue on our present course, we will lose it all and more.

The messenger rolls up the letter and leaves the Diet.

[Bizzair]

5th Elector of Bavaria

I second edict 1:16 provided that it does not lead to excommunication and that we attack the faction with the least amount of land. We cannot afford to be excommunicated by his holiness as it will cause great unrest among our lands. So i am suggesting we fortify our defensive postion in northern italy. Target Braslau in the interm and also try to provoke milan or venice into being excommunicated. This i believe will be the best course of action.

Then surely you don't second Edict 1.16

Please understand what the Edict says, his Edict purposes that a nation be destroyed in the next 10 years.

1. This is immpossible with our current infastructure
2. Will put the good of the Kingdom at risk of Enemys.
3. Will get us excommunicated.

how can you second an edicts, then give your reasons? Make sure you know what your seconding, if you only partially support it state the changes you would like to see in it, but surely you wouldn't second it!

*Face turns red with anger at the pure ignorance in the diet*

Edicts everywhere! Why do we not worry on what we have, instead of worrying about enemys and allies etc. Lets get the Riech under control before we control anything else!

[ArchdukeEvan]

Pray tell fair country man how we can get the Reich under contral without dealing with other nations?... are they not one and the same?... If you can make a proposal to gather this nation together without dealing with outside threats then by all means say so... elsewise it seems to make sence to deal with the threat that has armys and is bent on the Reich's destruction in the mean time

[Bizzair]

We must atleast try to make peace, then worry about upgrading military and trade infastructure.

Then please the pope, I do hate saying this, but he has the power to excommunicate us, the last thing the Riech needs is to have 12 Nations at war with them.

Atleast try to make peace, if not we will deal with them. But we must try to avoid self destruction, and brain storm some good ideas instead of putting forward stupid edicts that theres no reason behind.

[Warluster]

Edicts are ideas! We brainstorm the edicts! We are thinking about alliances and wars and stufff, thats the whole reason of edicts! Because if we went around saying lets make an alliance with this person, this person and this person, then whos is going to carry those orders out!? There not official, where if you have a good idea, then you put it in a edict and people will actually consider it!

[ArchdukeEvan]

Dear Elector of Austria... pray if you have a way to make ideas known... and turn them into orders without Edicts... then by all means try that way... but short of pulling out a sword and using threats there is no way for that to be done... Edicts are the ideas that are turned into orders... without them this Diet would be piontless!

[nazgul3]

[Through a sarcastic smile]

Maybe the 3rd Elector of Austria should show us how imprudence will get the job done at of his own exstensive exerpience. Since you are so eager maybe you should join the conquest in Italy first hand and get your hands stained with blood. Better yet why don't you join the front lines of the army and lead by example. I am sure there is a nice italian archer wanting to make your acquaintance.

[Sits with laughter]

[Kagemusha]

"My dear 5th Elector of Austria and 5th Elector of Bavaria.To whom Austrian Elector are you talking to? As far as i know it was the 2nd Elector of Swabia who talked before you two? Maybe you should take it easy with the beer here in Imperial diet,so you would regognice who is who?"

Third Swabian Elector sits down laughing and takes a sip of beer.

[ArchdukeEvan]

3rd Swabian elector... if you paid attention to the presvious conversation you would relize that we are talking to the 3rd Elector of Austria and not to any Elector of Swabia untill just now... maybe YOU should put down the Beer and listen to the conversation...

Sits with a smirk and a slight laugh

[Bizzair]

*stands up, ready to fight back*

By all means! Edicts are great, but why so many? Why can we not state and idea, and sculpt it into such a fine edict the purpose it? Instead of one Elector blurting out his idea and making it a FINE PRINT edict, why not just state your idea, then we can all purpose changes and opinions, then when we feel fit purpose the edict.

My dear 5th Elector of Bavaria, I have no problem fighting, I did not say anything to insult how our men fight for the Riech, I will fight if needed, and if it is warranted.

I do not see the point of carrying on wars we cannot properly fund, and be excomunnicated and have the rest of Europe cast an iron curtain on us, we shall not be shunned, does this make any sence to you!

*sits down, not bothering with his beer, disgusted at the slobs in the diet and the unprofesionalism of some of the Electors edicts that are childish and show slelf pity.*

[GeneralHankerchief]

Kaiser Heinrich:

I see no harm in proposing a number of edicts. The problem, however, is sorting out the good ones from the bad ones and I trust this esteemed body to have the brainpower to do that.

[Warluster]

Very right Kaiser!

This diet is here for suggesting the ideas, putting it into edicts, if you do not like the edict, then do not vote for it!! I am also greatly suprised to see this place turn into a small Mead Hall, mead is good, but it may affect peoples decisions!

ANd if the edict is useless, people will not second it, they will leave it, and thus the edict is gone, I see no reason why you Third Elector of Austria has to worry over such things, and I do not blurt things

[Ignoramus]

Chancellor Sigismund der Stolze rises once again and discreetly clears his throat before speaking.

Mein electors, you have asked for what I would do to address our current situation in Italy. Depending on what edicts are passed and what are not, I will attempt to engage Count Manno Galli, whether as the agressor or defender that is not important. I am sure that as I had no difficulty in defeating the Milanese, that there should be no problem for the Kaise, our ablest general and rightly so, to better them.

Sigismund calls the Bavarian messenger over to him.

You may tell your lord, Count Otto, that I shall move everything to relieve him of the unfortunate predicament that he is in. I hope to have punished the Venetians for mocking the valour of one of our most capable generals.

And finally, noble electors, I will preserve our frontiers agains the Poles. However, I cannot be sure of the loyalty of one or two generals in our midst, so that does not assist me in my endeavours.

Chancellor Sigismund politely resumes his seat.

[AussieGiant]

And those two General's would be whom Chancellor?

[nazgul3]

5th Bavarian Elector stands in confidence

Mein chancellor if it would please you, allow me to take the message to mein noble count for this is much too important of a mission to allow for some messenger boy. Enstrust in me, noble sire, and i assure the count will receive this letter with great speed and vigilance.

5th Bav elec..sits happily

[Jalf]

Jonas von Mahren stands, looking mildly amused
First, thank you for inviting me to this Diet session, my lords.

It seems our noble chansellor finds it hard to trust those who disagree with him.

looks briefly across the Austrian and Franconian seats, at the empty seat of the duke, and at a few outspoken electors

Well, let us just hope our Chancellor's own judgment will be sufficient to lead us through the current wars then.
Nevertheless, I am at the Reich's service and eagerly awaiting an assignment. I expect a few generals will be needed at the Polish border.

sits down again

[TinCow]

A minor Bavarian official stands up in the back of the room.

My Lords, Steward Mandorf apologies for his absense from the proceedings as of late. He has been in seclusion in Nuremburg due to private matters. He expects to return to the Diet soon.

[ArchdukeEvan]

well... i am sorry to say... but I must attend to personal matters at my lands in the South of Austria... i will send messangers if i need to say anything to the Diet...

In an aside to the remaining Austrian Electors

I am sorry my fellow Electors... but I must leave for the week... an inoportune time I know...

Back to the Diet

Excuse me... I must hurry...

Leaves Diet in a flustered rush

[lilirishman1986]

*the elector stands slowly and speaks in a matter of face voice*

My fellow electors while in the Diet we have resolved that we need peace on our southern front do we have a plan of battle for defense or attack on Poland much less other areas threatened? I believe we need a united strategy rather than single commanders forging there way slowly.

[Kagemusha]

A knight in full armor,covered on blood and mud enters the Diet.

" I bear an message from The Duke of Franconia. A terrible battle between My master Dietrich Von Saxony and army of Polish Nobles have been fought near stettin.223 Polish Noble men will never breath the same air as we and 45 of the best Knights of the Reich lay dead on the field and over hundred Spearmen and Peasants lay there too with their masters. But nonetheless My Master Dietrich and Jonas Von Mahren are both alive and Victorious!"

The Knight wabbles away from the Diet door and an loud grumbling noise can be heard as the exhausted messenger grunbles outside on the floor.

[OverKnight]

A messenger arrives from Milan:

My lords, Otto von Kassel has repulsed a small Venetian attack on Milan, but the city is again besieged by a much larger Venetian force. I pray the Prinz reaches Milan with reinforcements in time!

The messenger sits, exhausted form his journey.

[econ21]

(A spokesman for Prinz Henry): The Prinz congratulates the Duke of Franconia on a timely return to public life! The Duke's victory over the Poles was hard fought and by the narrowest of margins, but that narrow margin is the difference between triumph and despair.

The Prinz wishes to inquire of the Duke about Jonas Ehren's performance in the battle. Has the young man won his spurs and been knighted on the field? From the heavy losses endured by his escort, one would assume he performed his duty with valour.

Count Otto can be assured that the Prinz is within reach of Milan and should be able to support the Count in the event of assault. However, the Prinz's army is considerably smaller than might have been expected from Edict 4.8. That called for a "large army". The Prinz's current force numbers a mere 500 men, while another 1100 still stand idle and leaderless in Innsbruck. It is unclear how this force can be expected to stand against the Venetian host, let alone reinforce our Italian possessions and hunt down marauding rebels.

Electors, this is a letter that the Prinz has drafted to the Chancellor (OOC: Ignoramus, your PM box is full again!):

Chancellor,

I am grateful to be approaching Milan, but I hope my current command is only an advance guard. Edict 4.8 called for a large army but my command numbers a mere 500 souls and cannot be expected to resist the large Venetian forces in Lombardy. We have 1100 men idle and leaderless in Innsbruck. I need most of these men with me, urgently, or I fear I will soon lie dead on the field.

To make my intention clear - Edict 4.8 called for my command to reinforce Milan and all our other Italian settlements so that they can resist assault by the Lombard league. It is also to be large enough to defend in the field. I cannot see how these tasks can be accomplished with my present force. Already the modest Venetian force approaching Milan appears to outmatch mine and I have not yet detached any men to garrison our settlements.

I would also request that you gather together the forces surrounding the Pope and unite them under my father's command in Genoa. I anticipate my command and that of my father uniting to form a single field army - I would be happy to serve under my father's leadership. Our current blockade of the Papal army serves no function but merely leaves Genoa defenceless.

Yours

Henry

[Kagemusha]

A rugged figure enters the Diet and sits on the place of the Duke of Franconia. Dietrich Von Saxony is in no better shape then the messenger he dispatched before him.

"Mein Kaiser,Mein Prinz,fellow Dukes and Electors. I have returned after long absence from the matters of the Reich. I have just fought with the Polish near Stettin and im bit tired."

One of Dietrichs clerk´s says something to his ear and he continues:

"Mein Prinz.About Jonas Von Mahren.He is a knight if anyone should be. At the end of battle of Kamienski,he had only 2 of his retainers still able to ride and Young Mahren chased the Polish still like the Angel of Death. Johan Von Mahren is a Knight."

Dietrich sits back on his place and drinks heavily of his wine glass.He is absolutely exhausted.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Kaiser Heinrich:

I congratulate Count Otto on his well-deserved victory against the Venetians, and wish him luck against the incoming assault. I also remind Chancellor Sigismund that I and my men are available and are not that far away, in Genoa.

*The Kaiser catches a glimpse of Dietrich von Saxony's seat, filled for the first time in years. He says nothing as he exits.*

[Kagemusha]

Duke of Franconia watches Kaiser leave the Diet with expression that he is not particularly amazed of the Old Kaisers reaction towards him and continues sipping his wine,while talking with the Franconian Electors with small enough voice that the other houses cant hear what they are talking about.

[Ignoramus]

Chancellor Sigismund der Stolze listens to a messenger that has just rushed through the Diet. His face looks grim as he rises.

"Mein electors, I have just received word that the Venetians are assaulting Bolonga. This is grim news indeed. The odds against the Reich are four to twenty-five, but I am sure that our men will fight to the last.

Gott save the Reich!"

Sigismund slumps to his seat.

[Warluster]

Jobst von Salva walks in, a look of amzement on his face

Recently I fought the veneatians in north italy, we were victorious! Our host of men easily overran the Veneatian traitors!

But to other news- When i was travelling to the battle site (Near City of Milan) I saw firsthand some sites, and heard.

One is this, I saw the Papal Army camped right next to Genoa, if this has been talked of I aplogise for not listening, but it was horrible! They are allowed to camp right next to our cities? Right near our men? people?

Bah!

And the Turkish! I heard from one soldier they currently reside (siegeing) the cities in Sardina and Corisca!

Bah!

Jobst von Salva sits down, still pleased at his victory.