Duchy of Franconia

**Dutch_guy** · 03-01-2007, 23:39

Magdenburg is currently held by the Poles, right ? That would make matters all the more easy for us, for how can the mighty Reich tolerate it's enemies in the hart of it's domain. Ridiculous.

So yes, action needs to be taken as soon as we can. I think proposing an edict which states the house of Franconia wishes to take Magdenburg for the Reich as soon as possible would do the trick. If one of our generals were to lead the assault it would be even better.

I am currently not allowed to do so, but I'd be happy enough to fight with one of our more veteran Generals.

**Jalf** · 03-02-2007, 00:14

You need to keep in mind that we are stretched very thin already, and some in the Diet may just see "those madmen want to take yet another city, when we can barely hold the ones we've got".
Seen in that light, it will be shot down quickly and brutally by the Diet, I'm afraid.

Not least because the majority seem to be biased towards the southern lands, and may not want to mandate any action that takes military attention away from their own lands where they want as many troops as possible.

We need to emphasise that this is not a matter of expansion, but of defense. Magdeburg gives the Poles access to the heart of Franconia, while making troop movements very much harder for us. We have a huge border to protect when Magdeburg is Polish.

If we were to take the city, our border would become much smaller and easier defensible.

I myself am willing to take what men I can gather in the vicinity and lead the attack.

Perhaps since certain members of the Diet still seem to doubt the loyalty of our Duke, this would be a more viable proposal?

**Kagemusha** · 03-02-2007, 08:18

Von Kastillien and Von Mahren. I agree mostly with both of you. Magdeburg should be taken,so the heart of the Reich would not be vulnerable to Polish attacks anymore. If the Diet grants us permission to do that, i would like to lead the assault myself in order to redeem myself within the eyes of the Diet. After that i would like us to be in situation where you Counts would have all earned your spurs and could take responsibillity of operating on your own designated directions,so i could concentrate on other things and Governing our Franconian Duchy from Frankfurt. Currently there is a small army of the Vendic allies of the Polish, between Magdeburg and Stettin. I would be happy if i and Von Kastillien could destroy that army,so the Vendic woodsmen with their axes,would not be defending the walls of Magdeburg incase we get the permission to take it in the next Imperial Diet. After that i would like to have Count Von Hamburg to join me on the assault against Magdeburg, so we would be in situation where you would be all knighted.

**Jalf** · 03-02-2007, 22:50

If the diet can accept that, I agree it would be ideal. The more of our generals can gain experience and a knighthood, the better. We may need every leader soon enough. My proposal is simply in case they still doubt your loyalty so much that they won't grant you permission to attack Magdeburg. In that case, another knighted general could do the task instead. One they have no historical disagreements with, and at least we'd have improved our defensive position, whether or not the Diet choose to trust you.
I am not sure the Kaiser is easily convinced to forgive, especially when it is so obvious that he, and not you, have failed and need forgiving. He may, out of spite and wounded pride refuse you any chance to "redeem" yourself, knowing full well that your loyalty to the Reich has always been beyond any doubt, quite unlike his own.

In any case, we can't afford to waste too much time discussing this. We must get the Diet's approval soon, before Poland launches a major assault from Magdeburg. If you think you can get permission to lead the charge personally, do so. But if the Diet won't accept it, another general should take command of the battle instead. Of course, in that case, I could still take one of the unproven generals with me.

I have said my piece. I will leave the final decision up to you, mein Duke. When we ask the Diet for permission to take Magdeburg, should we gamble on the chance for you to once again prove your loyalty to the Kaiser, and hope that this time it will make a difference, or shall we play it safe and suggest a general whom the Kaiser and Chancellor have no reason to distrust?

**Kagemusha** · 03-03-2007, 05:00

Jonas Von Mahren.In the diet there will be an edict proposal that The Reich will take Stettin during the reign of the following Chacnellors reign. It will be not that Dietrich Von Saxony will take Magdeburg. Maybe you are forgretting who is your Duke,when you put your name before. Maybe you would like to put ahead proposal that Jonas Von Mahren will take Magdeburg alone? As i sayed. I want to win this war and then let my trusted Counts fight for Franconia.Especially you Von Mahren.You should not expect that Magdeburg will come to you automatically. If you think that you will garner more support in Diet then your Duke who just knighted you, go ahead amd make your own proposal.

**Dutch_guy** · 03-03-2007, 13:56

Von Mahren puts some interesting views on the table, I would have thought personal dislike would come second to the empire. But sadly, I'm misguided and wrong.

However, if it can not be our duke due to some personal grievances of the past, then it should be Von Mahren. He is the only other knighted general present, other than Dietrich himself, and I'm sure Magdenburg will prove easy enough to capture for someone with his abilities.

I do hope that it is somehow possible for me to fight in that battle also. I am growing older and older, and have yet to command a battle personally. This worries me, and it affects my honour. Not something I like a great deal.

**Jalf** · 03-03-2007, 18:49

I am not forgetting who my duke is. I am also not doubting your skills as a general. I have been in only one battle so far, so there can be little doubt your greater experience would be a major advantage. The only doubt I put forth was whether or not the Kaiser and Chancellor will be able to see past their wounded pride and their past grudges with you, my lord. If they can do this, all is well, and you, as the Duke of Franconia, should certainly lead the charge for Franconia. If they can not do the right thing, we must find another way to gain approval for the attack on Magdeburg, because that city is vital for the defense of Franconia, the Reich, and even our capital. And these things must come before any one person's pride and personal dislikes.

I have not made a proposal in the Diet myself because, as I said before, it is your decision to make. I was merely presenting possible obstacles, so that you can consider all relevant factors before talking to the Diet.

**Kagemusha** · 03-04-2007, 21:14

I have the pleasure to inform that our options of army commanders are getting multiple all the time. Gunther Von Kastillien have been knighted on the battlefield of Stendal after showing courage rarely heard of. It seems while we destroyed the Polish forces that attacked us,they are building troops rapidly in Magdeburg and soon will be again in situation to attack us. We should get our forces gathered so we can fight united. Von Mahren, i may have some intresting personal suggestions for you soon,but i will get back at them later.