Orders and reports thread

[TinCow]

Continuation of 1158:

Thorn has fallen to the Franconian Household Army. Much praise is due to the House of Franconia, who have single-handedly fought off repeated Polish invasions. They have consistently defeated the Reich's enemies and secured the strategic castle at Magdeburg and the fortress at Thorn. Few Houses have ever accomplished single-handedly what Franconia has managed during my term.

As the year ended, Jonas von Mahren joined Duke von Saxony's rump Crusade army.

1160:

As my term as Chancellor comes to an end, there are a few pieces of news to relay.

First, I have received word that our allies, Sicily, have been excommunicated again, though I know not why.

Several children have been born: Kordula Steffen, Niesenn von Mahren, and Siegfried von Kastilien. In addition, I have adopted a religious man to assist Bavaria as I depart on the Crusade. His name is Conrad Salier and I hope he will serve Bavaria well.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Though my term as Chancellor ends at the beginning of this year, I have taken the liberty of seeing that the Crusader forces have been moved forward. There are now 3 armies that will eventually make up the Crusade. Prinz Henry and I are northeast of Venice and will reach Zagreb in 2 turns. Duke von Saxony and Jonas von Mahren are south of Prague and will reach Zagreb in 2 turns. Duke von Kassel is west of Prague and will reach Zagreb in 3 turns. In addition, the 3 priests and the spy outsize Zagreb have been assigned to the Crusade and should accompany us.

I have also taken the liberty of ensuring that Duke Leopold's siege of Venice began, as the Austrian Household Army was already adjacent to the city.

As I leave the office of Chancellor behind, I have some final words. First, I leave the Reich Treasury with 12,725 florins. I urge all landed Lords to carefully consider the future build queues for their provinces. With the capital of the Reich moved south and our continuing excommunication, there is a great deal of unrest in many of our cities. Constructions that promote happiness will be of great use to us.

In military affairs, there is mixed news. We now have two fortresses, at Staufen and Thorn, and three castles. Our ability to recruit many regiments of strong, professional soldiers has never been greater. The Austrian and Franconian Household Armies are strong and capable of immediate action against any foes. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the Swabian and Bavarian Household Armies. They both meet minimum strength requirements, but the quality of the troops available to them is poor and many units are under strength. The Bavarians are currently garrisoning Genoa, which would otherwise be in unrest, and the Swabians are likewise garrisoning Dijon.

Our enemies have suffered many defeats, but many still have a strong will to fight. There are four armies that must be noted. First, there is a very strong Venetian army which has appeared south of Zagreb. Second, there is a strong Polish army to the east. It currently poses no threat to us, but should be watched. Third, a French Prince and heir is leading a strong army which is approaching Dijon from the southwest. Finally, the failed Hungarian crusade army is returning to their lands. They have entered Imperial territory west of Dijon. This is a strong army which will be of immense danger to Swabia if war breaks out between our nations.

And with that, my term as Chancellor is concluded. My God have mercy on the Reich.

http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/kotr1160.zip

[econ21]

Prinz Henry: Build queues for

Staufen (please prioritise above Bern and Dijon at all times)
Turn 1-3: Continue armourer
4-6: Drill Square
7-10: Barracks

Dijon:
Turn 1: Finish Council Chamber
2-4: Upgrade large stone wall
5-6: Church
7-10: City watch
Note - please demolish the Thieves Guild asap!!

Bern: (lowest priority)
Grain Exchange (2)
Market (3)
Blacksmith (3)
Brothel (2)

Taxes for Dijon and Bern to be highest possible without red face. But avoid Very High if general present.

Swabian Household army:

Normal Garrison: Dijon but standing orders may imply positioning elsewhere.

Fieldmarshall: Count von Salza

Standing orders: defend Swabia settlements.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Kaiser Heinrich:

Build queue for Rome:

1. Cathedral
2. Council Chambers
3. Communal Farming

I hereby allocate Thorn to the House of Franconia.

[TinCow]

Build queue for Nuremberg:

1: Abbey
2: Council Chambers
3: Fairground

Taxes set as high as possible without rioting.

[OverKnight]

Build Queue for Innsbruck

Chancellor's Discretion, but please upgrade the Castle to a Fortress when population allows.


Build Queue for Bologna

After Large Stone Wall is finished:
1: Council Chamber
2: Paved Roads
3: Abbey


Build Queue for Milan

1: City Hall
2: Abbey
3: Inn


Build Queue for Genoa

This includes input from Gerhard Steffen.
1: Church
2: Large Stone Walls (I believe the population will support this when Church is finished.)
3: Paved Roads
4: Council Chamber


Build Queue for Florence

1: Church
2: Merchant's Wharf
3: Council Chambers
4: Shipwright


Please set tax levels to avoid rioting.


BHA Orders

Army Commander: Gerhard Steffen

The army is to garrison Genoa until such time as it is up to strength and the city can police itself. The Army will assist in the defense of Rome, if needed, or the defense of Bavaria against France. I would like to see Gerhard's skill as a commander tested, so if it can be done without great risk or endangerment of other tasks, send the BHA against Marseille. This will help stabilize our western front.

[Kagemusha]

I will promote Jonas von Mahren as count of Magdeburg. Also from this day forward,Count Von Kastillien will be the Steward of Franconia and has the power to order the Franconian household army.

[TinCow]

Orders for the Crusading Armies:

Duke von Saxony will move south towards Zagreb with Count von Mahren, leaving behind 2 Armored Spearmen, 1 Sergeant Spearmen, and 2 Teutonic Knights. Maximillian Mandorf will move towards Zagreb with the entire force under his command, where he shall join up with Duke von Saxony's army. Duke von Kassel and his army will continue moving towards Zagreb. The regiments left behind by Duke von Saxony will move to join up with Duke von Kassel at the earliest opportunity. Prinz Henry will split off from Maximillian Mandorf's army and join with Duke von Kassel's army, immediately if it can be done without danger, whenever it is most convenient if it cannot, though preferably before Maximillian Mandorf's army reaches Zagreb.

The end result will be two armies that are separated by approximately 1-2 turns movement with the following composition:

Lead Army:
Duke von Saxony
Maximillian Mandorf
Jonas von Mahren
2 regiments Sergeant Spearmen
2 regiments Armored Spearmen
2 regiments Peasant Crossbowmen
1 regiment Teutonic Knights
partial regiment Dismounted Feudal Knights

Trailing Army:
Prinz Henry
Duke von Kassel
2 regiments Dismounted Feudal Knights
2 regiments Pavise Crossbowmen
2 regiments Teutonic Knights
2 regiments Armored Spearmen
1 regiment Sergeant Spearmen

The Lead Army will depart Zagreb as soon as it is formed and begin the journey to the Hold Lands. The Trailing Army will follow after as quickly as possible. The first stage of the route will be as follows: Stay in the Zagreb province and follow the road towards Sofia. If we are not at war with Hungary when we near the Hungarian border, we will turn south and head off-road to Byzantine territory in the general direction of Thessalonica. When we reach the road that runs between Thessalonica and Constantinople, we will follow it east, heading for the southern crossing of the Hellespont. Both armies will continue on this path until further orders are given. If we are at war with Hungary when we reach the Hungarian border, the Armies will simply take the fastest route possible to the Hellespont.

At this time, the Crusade Armies will avoid battle with enemy armies unless they directly block our path. We will engage any hostile armies that block our path that are small to medium in size. The Crusaders must be informed of large armies in our path so that we can make a decision on whether to engage them.

The three priests and the spy near Zagreb will accompany the armies. The priests will move ahead to the Holy Lands, providing intelligence about which factions control which settlements along the way. They need not wait for the Crusading Armies for any reason. The spy will move with the Lead Army, scouting ahead for potential enemies.

[Ituralde]

1174:

As requested the Crusade has moved on into Hungarian territory and has found a hillside West of Sofia, where it set up a defensive position. The Hungarian forces were busy chasing Rebels in their own lands and so have not attacked the Crusaders yet. They have brought in reinforcements from north of the Danube now and the way their armies are positioned now, they have nearly succeeded in driving a wedge between our forces. I advise the Crusaders to stay close together and set up their next camp just East of Sofia. That will enable them to clear the Citadel come next season and avoid contact with the Hungarian forces.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Another event of note between the seasons was the intrusion of Polish forces deep into our heartland. They have once again used the dense forests between Prague and Stettin to smuggle their armies deep into our territory. They are currently besieging Frankfurt!

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Poles have also appeared in force around Thorn castle once more. It seems that the capture on Breslau will have to be delayed until those forces are dealt with.

In the south the Venetians have reappeared close to Zagreb Castle. Once again fielding a sizeable army, which on closer inspection turns out to be made up of untrained Militia forces. Once Leopold has crushed the Hungarians at their capital, he will take care of this threat.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

In the South the Milanese troops have consolidated. It seems that the Milanese nobleman has only brought siege equipment with him, but he is now supported by a large contigent of riders, making his force one to be reckoned with. The Pope is still quiet.

In the West the French have brought up some more troops, but have not made any decisive moves yet, neither against Dijon nor to relieve Metz.
The source for the unrest in Dijon could be identified in a French spy. We were not able to expell him yet and he was even able to cause riot in Prince Jobst absence. Not even his reappearance in the city has appeased the populace enough. I trust in the Princes counterspy abilities though to root out the troublemaker.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The beginning of the season saw the trial of well-known Heretics in the Reich, with different outcomes though. While neither Eusebius von der Pfalz nor Charles Otterbach were able to dennounce Michel de Lannoy...

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Cardinal Herden was quite successful in bringing God's justice upon Tancred von Tyrolia.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

With much joy, do I bring you the glorious news that Chancellor Leopold was able to defeat the Hungarian garrison and has captured the Magyar capital!
Hans performed formidable in the assault and has been knighted by his uncle.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

With these good news, we turn to the North where Fredericus von Hamburgs forces are engaging the English who have sat outside Hamburg for so long.
Fredericus von Hamburg was victorious and has driven off the English scum! He now hurries south to spare Frankfurt similar fate.

The Crusaders have moved south into Thessalia, while Duke Otto von Kassel has taken command of the Crusaders rear-guard.

[Ituralde]

Over the course of the last few turns as from 1176 the following towns are ready to upgrade their walls according to their growth. Please inform me if you want to change the build queues of those settlements accordingly:

Stettin
Vienna
Bern
Frankfurt
Florence

[FactionHeir]

If there are funds to spare, please upgrade Bern to a minor city (I think its that?). Feel free to cancel the construction of the blacksmith instead (or move the wall before the blacksmith so the progress is saved and no florins wasted)

[Ituralde]

1176:

The year begun quite eventful with the attack of Frankfurt. The Polish have taken all their courage and attacked our former capital.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Our reports revealed that the Polish force was badly trained.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The brave Milita led by Captain Sigismund did their best to repell the assailants. In the end they were victorious and Frankfurt was saved!

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Polish are not held by back by this defeat in their Eastern operations. They have moved sevarl smaller stacks in position within striking distance of Thorn castle. Gunther von Kastillien tried luring them to battle, but they withdrew several times, leading to a draw near Thorn. It seems that the countryside surrounding this castle will see many more battles in the future.

The Hungarians remain quiet, after the Fall of their capital. Their large force East of Vienna has not moved. Neither to attack the Austrian captial or to reclaim Budapest. After the Crusaders have passed their territory into now Venetian Thessalia, the troops around Sofia have travelled north. With the roads clear Otto von Kassel was able to negate the cavalry into Thessalia right behind the Crusaders, not having to take the longer way around through the wilderness.

The Venetians seem to have reemerged though and the appearance of the Crusaders on their soil has brought at least two sizable armies into the vicinity of Thessalonica. The Crusaders have already moved on though and are now on the border to Byzantian territory.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

As requested our diplomats tried to negotiate Military Access but the Byzantines refused it again. I went ahead and gifted them 200 florins for the next 10 turns in accordance with Edict 6.5. Once the gift was accepted I even gave the Byzantines another 1500 florins for Military Access, even granting them access to our territory, to make the passage of the Crusaders easier, but they still refused!

In the South the Venetian army seems not interested in Zagreb, but instead is now heading for Venice. The Venetians seem intent on reclaiming their former capital. I will be hard pressed to intercept the intruders and this will leave Vienna and Budapest virtually undefended. It seems like once again the fate of Venice lies in the hands of the Bavarian Household Army.

The French have not been idle either and their Crusading Army from Tunis has now landed near Marseille. It is a large force of trained soldiers, so either way Gerhard Steffen will see some important battles in the future.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

In the West the French are quietly moving their troops around Rheims, making no advance into our territory, not even our former regions surrounding Metz.
Their spy is still causing unrest in Dijon though and although we know of his presence, we were not able to root him out yet. As a result the Riots in Dijon continue.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

On top of the unrest caused by the French the recent visit of Michel de Lannoy seems to have lessende the faith of our subjects drastically. Not even the completion of a church in Dijon was able to appease him. As one step Eusebius von der Pfalz has tried and executed a Heretic by the name of Oxyntia who was trying to draw on the popularity of Michel de Lannoy.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The later has meanwhile moved on north near the French border. Another attempt from Charles Otterbach to dennounce him has failed. Michel de Lannoy seems to be on a holy mission and won't be stopped that easily. Our only hope is that he continues into French territory to wreak havoc there.

At the turn of the seasons Guildsmen from a Explorers Guild have approached us and ask to set up on of their Houses in Venice. I leave the choice whether to accept or decline to Emperor Henry, as he is currently in control of Venice.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Conrad Salier has finally assembled enough men in Florence to attack the Milanese intruders. I hope to hear of his victory soon.

[econ21]

Kaiser Henry: On the matter of the Explorer's Guild at Venice, if we have no other such guild in our kingdom, my mild preference would be to accept the Explorer's Guild. It may be a useful place to train some of our generals in logistics, so that they may maneouvre more rapidly.

However, if we have another such guild already in one of our settlements - or if the Chancellor prefers not to accept for some other reason (for example, in the hope of attracting a merchant's guild), I will decline the Explorer's guild.

EDIT:

On further review, let us accept the Explorer's Guild in Venice.

Build queue for Budapest

When current building completed, please queue Drill Square (to get halberd militia)

Also demolish Master Thieves Guild asap (we have too many thieves guilds already).

[Ituralde]

Tax levels in Vienna, Prague and Budapest are to be set to Very High.
Happyness is to remain above a blue face. This overrides any tax settings.

Build priorities Vienna:
Merchant Bank
Great Market
Mining Network

Please begin with whatever building the current treasury allows.
Vienna will not accept a guild house from the following guilds:
Assassins' Guild, Thieves' Guild, Explorers' Guild, Theologians' Guild

Build priorities Prague:
City Watch
Fairground
Brothel

Should funds be too low, go ahead with the brothel as its cheap to build.
Prague will accept any guild.

Build priorities Budapest:
Printing Press
Merchant Bank
Militia Drill Square

Build priorities Ragusa:
Chapel
Blacksmith
Jousting Lists

I will not add further constructions, as I'm pondering to convert Ragusa into an efficient Trade Port. This depends on the outcome of peace negotiations with the Venetians though.
Ragusa will accept any guild.


Orders for the Ducal Army:

Duke Leopold will lead the Ducal Army.

The Army will be positioned in the Southwest of the Budapest region where the Paved Roads cross into Croatia. Duke Leopold although nominally leading the Household Army will stay in Vienna. Should a threat arise to either the Eastern or Southern border the Army will move out immediately to counter it.
Should Edict 8.7 pass and the Venetians refuse the peace offer, the Household Army will move south to destroy and exterminate Durazzo.

[Dutch_guy]

The tax levels in all cities are to be set as high as possible, until the risk of riots grows to great (read, until happiness levels sink bellow the blue face).

Now for the building queues:

Stettin

church
brothel
town guard.

Frankfurt

merchant bank
printing press
tavern.

Thorn

armourer
siege works
jousting lists

Magdenburg

paved roads
armourer
archery range

Breslau

Inn
ballista maker

Hamburg

merchant's wharf
mining network
market
city watch

Funds should be allocated in the following order:

Frankfurt
Hamburg
Thorn
Magdenburg
Stettin
Breslau

Guild are accepted in all cities, but I am leaving it up to the various governors of the settlements to decide where their priorities lie in that field.

The Household army orders are as followed:

The army is to be commanded by Duke von Kastillien and shall wage an aggressive war against the Poles, destroying all enemy armies en route to Krakow. A city which we shall take. For the taking of this city, and for dealing with the missile cavalry heavy Poles, I urge the chancellor to re-enforce the household army with catapults, and some cavalry, be it light or heavy.

Krakow will be attacked, and put under siege for some years. I am willing to starve out the city unless attacked by Polish re enforcements, or by the trapped Poles in the city.

[Stuperman]

Build que for Genoa:

I'm not going to give specific orders just that the chancellor should focus on missle type military and economic buildings

(OOC: I'm at work for several more hours and don't have access to the game till later tonight, I'm looking for pavise crossbowmen [if they can be built in cities] and then economic buildings [ports, trader types, banks/printing press, farms in no particular order].)

[Northnovas]

Building queue for Zagreb

After the chapel

1. Paved Roads
2. Convert to City

As a agreed that Ragusa will the main Fortress for the area.

[econ21]

End of year Chancellor’s report, 1200 AD

My Lords,

I write to you outside of Antioch, on the eve of a climatic battle. Three Egyptian armies are poised to strike. I ask for your prayers for Count Hummel and our men in the struggle that is to come. One way or another, tomorrow will decide the fate of the fledgling state of Outremer.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

And, no, I won’t be autoresolving this one…

Since assuming the office of Chancellor, I have immersed myself in the minutiae of office. I remain profoundly impressed by the strength and stolidity of the Reich as bequeathed by my Duke Otto and his predecessors. Nonetheless, I have identified a few concerns.

(1) Our armed forces are generally backward - with many regiments of unarmoured sergeants, peasants and militia. Only the Swabian Household Army consists of top of the line regiments - dismounted feudal knights, pavise crossbowmen, armoured sergeants and mounted knights. I have decided to embark on an extensive recruitment programme to upgrade all Household Armies to this standard. This year alone, I have recruited seven regiments of dismounted feudal knights, two regiments of pavise crossbowmen, three regiments of armoured sergeants and three regiments of mercenaries (Turcopoles). After negotiation with Duke Kastilien, I have authorised the construction of an archery range in Thorn so that the Franconians may benefit from the construction of steel arbalests. All this recruitment has meant I have had precious little money to spare for the economic investments I emphasised in my manifesto, which leads me to my second concern.

(2) Our finances - although showing a healthy net income of 20000 florins - are inadequate to meet all the construction plans of our governors. I would like to increase this surplus, so that I can authorise more of your build queues. The only way I could envisage increasing this surplus in the short run was a programme of retrenchment. This is doubly necessary given the future increase in upkeep from the military recruitment already reported on. To this end, I have disbanded twenty seven regiments of militia and peasant missile troops, ten regiments of peasants, seven of sergeant spearmen, five of mercenaries and four regiments of knights. Inevitably, this retrenchment leaves our forces leaner and our borders more lightly guarded which brings me to my third point.

(3) I am concerned that our large interior has no mobile force to police it and more generally that we lack a strategic reserve. Consequently, I have ordered Prince Jobst to begin training the nucleus of an Imperial Army. This will be available to respond to any emergencies such as a rebellion, a Polish incursion in the east or a new war in the north or south. My immediate concern is with the powerful ex-crusader armies of England and Scotland currently travelling deep in our interior. In the longer term, I believe it is right and proper that the Reich have its own standing armies, similar to Household Armies. These might appropriately be led by the Chancellor, the Kaiser and the Prince. If this initiative is successful, Prince Jobst and I may propose such legislation at the next Diet. However, I do not wish to go down in history as a war fighting Chancellor but rather an architect of a new Pax Romana. This leads me to my fourth and final concern.

(4) Diplomatically we are on poor terms with all but the Papacy. In accordance with recent edicts, Milan was offered peace for 5000 florins and just rejected it; Venice was more defiant in its rejection of peace for 4000 florins. I confess I am at a loss to know how to improve our standing, although breaking our alliance with the Moors will surely lower it further. Presently, I am inclined to increase the offer to Milan and postpone breaking out alliance with the Moors - although I recognise both moves may be opposed by some in the Diet. I would hear your views on this matter.

I trust the above has provided you with information on our progress and some food for thought. Now, I must turn now back to the matter at hand and prepare for battle.


Kaiser Henry