Orders and reports thread

[OverKnight]

1182 concluded

Count von Hamburg, after his victory outside Stettin, began to move to Magdeburg.

With some trepidation I decided to enforce the second part of edict 7.2. The Rome garrison, led by Captain Friedrich, engaged Pope Filippus in battle:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Warmonger is dead and his army dispersed. We lost 103 men and Friedrich is the man of the hour:

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He is an associate of Count Hans, and I'm sure the Swabians can make use of his services. I have moved him north, as I'm sure Count Salier will no longer want him as his second.

We shall see what the Papal election will bring us in 1184.

God save the Reich.

[OverKnight]

1184

I have finally received a message from Pope Lanbertus:

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This is wonderful news! Our excommunication of almost 40 years is over! God be praised! Needless to say, we are no longer at war with the Papal States.

Our reconciliation has caused a shift in the College of Cardinals and our standing with the Pope:

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I am glad to see an Imperial Cardinal first among the Preferati!

Of course, I must point out the following:

Charter Amendment 6.7: Any decision that would lead to the excommunication of the Reich has to be authorized by a Diet vote, requiring a 2/3 majority. In the event of a conflict, this Amendment supercedes Rule 3.3 and Charter Amendment 5.1.

This is the law of the land, and I will make sure it is followed. Woe to anyone who defies it. This may however, effect how I may pursue the goals and edicts of my Chancellorship. I will take steps to improve our relationship with the Papacy so we might have some flexibility in our course of action.


On to other news. . .

The French have once again besieged Dijon. I do believe however that the French agent has been expelled from the city. I will leave the decision whether to sally forth or to defend to Prinz Jobst.

Duke Hummel has a new son named Jens.

The Council of Nobles has requested we blockade Rhodes. This might take a while, and it is not a priority.

A Master Theologians Guild, chartered by the new Pope himself, has been built in Budapest.

The Egyptian Jihad Army has moved to the eastern walls of Byzantine Nicea, though they have not laid siege to the city.

The Crusade Army stands ready to attack the Egyptian Jihad forces, it only awaits an order from Duke von Saxony. A Byzantine messenger has informed me that Emperor John will march from Nicea to join the battle. I do not doubt his bravery, but his force is mostly siege equipment. (OOC: Still our first ally battle, ) :

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I await word on the battle. . .

[OverKnight]

1184 continued

Duke von Saxony has led the Crusade to victory against the Egyptians!

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showp...5&postcount=52

It is our holy mission's first victory, but not our last God willing. The Empire, of course, is now at war with Egypt. This is authorized by the original Crusade edict, if anyone was wondering.

The citizens of Nicaea have showered Duke von Saxony with praise and gifts, and they plan to hold a chariot race in his honor. Unfortunately this has delayed his army from moving (OOC: In winning the victory, Dietrich's stack moved into Nicaea's zone of control, ending his movement for the turn. Stupid Byzzies.)


TREACHERY!

I had ordered Duke Hummel to engage the bandits to the rear of his army, so he could be reinforced from Staufen and relieve the siege of Dijon. Yet he has not responded to my messengers and instead has gone rogue with the Swabian Household Army!

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He has laid siege to the French city of Rheims! This is in direct violation of the will of the Kaiser, Diet and myself! While he is technically not in violation of E1.7 or CA 6.7, he soon will be. I have been informed that due to this action that our standing with the Pope has fallen to reasonable (5/10). In pursuit of personal glory and vengeance, the Duke would cast us back into the Abyss!

[OverKnight]

1184 continued

With unrest abating in the Reich after our reconciliation, I have adjusted tax levels in many cities. We will soon be able to resume our normal level of construction.

Rome has built the first three Holks of the newly reformed Imperial Navy. Our ships immediately went into action driving a small French fleet from the seas south of Genoa. The keels of two Holks have just been laid in Thorn, the Baltic fleet will soon be reborn as well.

The first merchant of my term has been recruited as well. His guild training has paid off as he is a mercantile genius, he is currently trading coal but will soon depart north to trade fish, which is surprisingly lucrative.

Count von Hamburg will winter in Magdeburg and reinforce his troops. Depending on what happens in the new year, I may send him south against that large rebel force near Nuremburg, or north to watch the Danes.

Steward von Kastilien has again marched from Thorn to take Breslau, I hope he will draw out the Poles again. If they are focused on Breslau, they will not raid our cities in the interior.

The BHA, led by Count Steffen has been ordered to the French border. I hope this will distract the French from Dijon and make them divide their forces.

In the absence of the BHA, the Milan garrison, with assistance from some spearmen making their way from Innsbruck, engaged a small company of Venetian dismounted Knights that had wandered close to the city. They were routed and about 50 knights have retreated to the east.

Cardinal von der Pfalz successfully prosecuted a heretic southwest of Dijon. He is now considered a living saint by many.

Ortwinus Roht, a failed assassin in our service, died while attempting to sabotage the militia drill square in Paris. A pity, but an incompetent agent is not worth 200 florins a turn.

Friedrich Scherer will be sent to serve with Duke Leopold. The Austrians could use another noble on their front. I hope to get him blooded and knighted.

Speaking of Duke Leopold, he has arrived at the castle of Ragusa. Our agent in place has opened the gate for him. As there is only a Venetian noble and his retainers garrisoning the castle, he has been ordered to attack. This way, we will avoid Papal interference. I am glad to be back in the Church, but I did not miss the meddling. I await word from the Duke about the outcome of the assault. . .

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showp...9&postcount=53

Ragusa is ours! We have suffered no further loss of standing with the Pope for taking it. I would urge the Kaiser to order roads to be built in our new acquisition as mobility is a key concern on our large southeastern front. Duke Leopold will winter in Ragusa to rest and rearm.

Prinz Jobst has asked permission to sally out of Dijon to attack the French. I have agreed, but I remind the Prinz that the men serving under him are Imperial troops and not members of the Swabian Household Army. I await word of the outcome. . .

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showp...7&postcount=54

Prinz Jobst has won a heroic victory! As Vienna became a burial ground for the Venetians, Dijon is a Necropolis for the French! I salute the Prinz's bravery and wisdom in his decision to sally forth.

Acting on Friedrich Scherer's suggestion, I have contacted the English and sounded them out about attacking the French. This proposal was considered very demanding, even with the offer of a 1000 florins. I withdrew it before making an official proposal so as to not harm the influence of our diplomat.

I have written Duke Hummel, warning him of the peril he is in. I have had no response.

[OverKnight]

1186

My agents tell me that Duke Hummel's siege of Rheims has caused a French response:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The French chose not to attack, nor have I any word if Hummel plans to.

Our diplomat near Rome, Heinricus Plittersdorf, has been bribed into the service of the French. A waste of money in my opinion, his many failures in negotiating with the Papacy had already ruined him.

The experience of the Count of Venice in trading has paid off, a Master Merchant's guild has been built in his city.

Unfortunately, we have lost the last merchant recruited before my term to the same Byzantine merchant who struck before. A poor show of gratitude for the Greeks.

Speaking of the Byzantine Empire, they have made peace with the Egyptians.

That annoying French agent in Dijon has been eliminated.

The Hungarian Boris Janos has been made a Cardinal.

The Pope has ordered us to cease hostilities with the Venetians for 8 years (4 turns), or risk excommunication. The Pope, surprisingly, made no mention of France. A pity for the Venetians that we already have Ragusa. I have no intention of advancing against them, so I will gladly comply.

Soon after this, more serious news reached me about the Pope:

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I mourn the passing of Pope Lanbertus, for Cardinal Aston could have easily forsaken our agreement, but did not.

I was a bit shocked when I saw who the candidates were for his replacement:

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It seems Cardinal von der Pfalz is now more favored than Cardinal Herden among our delegation. More alarming to me was the presence of the Sicilian Cardinal Amocacci in the Preferati. Ironically, I had hoped for this six years ago. But now, the Sicilians would vote for their own, we would not have their support for our Cardinal. This was a blow, as the Venetians and Hungarians had 5 votes total. If they both voted for Burislev we would be in terrible danger.

While I deeply wish to have an Imperial Cardinal become Pope, this was not to be our year. I decided to throw our support behind Cardinal Amocacci:

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The gamble paid off, we are now very high in the favor of Pope Pisanus:

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I have written to the new Pope and asked him to give his blessing and sanction to our Crusade. I await his reply.

[OverKnight]

It has been exactly 40 years since we were cast out of the Church. We have toiled and sacrificed to restore the Reich to the Vangaurd of Christendom and Europe. We have been accepted back into the Church and now I have heard from Pope Pisanus:

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We, who were pariahs, are now the Sword of Christ! Our Crusade to free the Holy City from the Infidels has been blessed by the Pope! With God's Grace, nothing will stop us! Glory to God, the Kaiser and the Reich!

[OverKnight]

1186 continued

The Crusade Armies have officially taken the Cross. With renewed vigor and faith we have traveled a great distance:

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I would point out the Turkish Jihad Army east of Caesarea. It seems the Turks will try to take Constantinople despite the failure of their Egyptian brethren. Adana seems lightly defended, and debate continues in the Council of Crusaders if we should take it.

News has reached me that Duke Hummel has accepted my offer to abandon his vendetta against the French and take the Cross. First he must extricate himself from the French forces surrounding him. I await word of the result. . .

I have a messenger from Steward von Kastilien. His forces have arrived at Breslau, and our spy has managed to open the gate for him. The garrison of Breslau is small and led by a Polish nobleman, but a large army of ballistas and levies are southwest of the city and would attempt to assist if the Steward attacks:

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I await word on what he plans to do. If the Steward attacks this turn we could seize Breslau without risking interference from the Pope. However, if he waits, he might have the chance to fight a defensive battle to his advantage or wear down the forces in a siege. (OOC: Kagemusha, you're covering for Dutch_guy, please let me know if you wish to attack this turn)

I have heard from Steward von Kastilien, he will lay siege to Breslau. He expects a Polish attack in response, and prefers to meet them on the defensive. I will respect his wishes in this matter.