Duchy of Franconia

**gibsonsg91921** · 11-15-2007, 23:04

Fritz, you are forgiven. Prove your loyalty on the battlefield! Regardless of the reason, you sacked Stockholm and brought home a large amount of wealth. My recommendation is that you transfer it to Dieter at Magdeburg so he can raise a strong contingent of highly trained reinforcements for you.

Tancred, my friend! You have returned from Austria, and not a moment too soon. We must retake what is ours! Hamburg, Thorn, Krakow, and Breslau are lost, and the remainder of Franconia is in jeopardy. For this, I will be recruiting another promising military commander to be promoted to General and take part in our council in the coming years.

**Ramses II CP** · 11-19-2007, 19:47

OOC: Before I speak in character I want to make sure I have a good grasp of things. The situation as I can see it is that Stettin has (almost certainly) fallen while Fritz stood by, err, watching. I regret to say it, but the only thing I can see to do now is recapture the city and sack it while attempting to terrorize the populace into obeying me and giving stiffer resistance to the next wave of Poles. Fritz respects Peter, is on even terms with Tancred, and just barely tolerates Dieter due to the previous power struggle over control of the army. We're all Lutherans, except Dieter whose affiliations are unknown or unexpressed but probably neutral or uninterested. Franconia has been a house divided under Ansehelm, but Peter has a good chance of bringing things back in line.

And my mercenaries are going to be hungry for blood and money. Sounds like fun.

**Tamur** · 11-19-2007, 19:54

OOC: Brilliant summary, that's precisely right. The only other possible item to work in is his relationship with Alexander Luther. Fritz fiercely defended him before the cataclysm, and his continued existence may be an issue in the next Diet session.

**Privateerkev** · 11-19-2007, 20:00

OOC:

Don't forget Jan's wife. Jan was staunchly anti-Lutheran. And quite anti-Kastilien because of his father's feud with Gunther. He might be dead but she will take an active role in politics until their son grows up.

**Ramses II CP** · 11-19-2007, 20:31

OOC: Oh excellent, and Fritz has shown a bit of disrespect to the fairer sex as well. I have a feeling I should change my tag after some of the things I'm going to have this chap carrying out.

**Ferret** · 11-19-2007, 20:51

OOC: Dieter had very similar views to Jan but had less of a grudge for the von kastiliens, he doesn;t really mind Peter but he doesn't/didn't like the others. So anti-lutheran but probably going ot go mad because Jan dies, I'm really struggling to decide what to do.

**Ramses II CP** · 11-19-2007, 22:24

Peter, my Duke, are you seriously suggesting I transfer 'it' all to Dieter? While certainly I will do my part to defend the homelands I must ask what our dear cousin has done to earn such a reward, other than schism my own army when these invasions first began? I drew this coin forth from the Danes with the blood of my men. It was hard won and well earned. It cannot simply be given up at the drop of a word, even from my Duke.

With that in mind, do you have a request Dieter? How much cash do you feel you need to maintain the defense of that impregnable citadel, given that your current force is far larger than my own and supported by Tancred's own army? Perhaps a small sum could be freed up from my own mercenary levies, or perhaps after I have dealt with the situation at Stettin I could simply march to your aid myself. I would very much like to speak with you, dear cousin, in person.

**Ferret** · 11-19-2007, 22:36

OOC: I think Peter meant that you transfer the money to Dieter so that he can recruit some men for you, as he has better troops availible at Magdeburg. Gibson, correct me if I'm wrong.

edit:
see here:'transfer it to Dieter at Magdeburg so he can raise a strong contingent of highly trained reinforcements for you.'

**Ramses II CP** · 11-19-2007, 23:03

OOC: Too much reading today trying to catch up! My eyes are tired. ;)

Ahh, well, I've had the messenger flogged for his error. Still not entirely certain this is my best method of procuring new troops. I'll know more after I can determine the ground situation at Stettin.

**gibsonsg91921** · 11-19-2007, 23:11

In either case, it would be a mutually beneficial decision. Of course your great sacking has earned you money, Dieter's central position and access to recruitment would benefit the entire Duchy.

**Ramses II CP** · 11-20-2007, 04:51

Stettin has fallen to the Danes with very little fighting. I mean to recapture it immediately. Recruitment will have to wait.

I am quite wroth to see my loyal subjects roll over and become Danish lapdogs at the first chance, just as I am outraged that they chose to raise arms against me in rebellion again. There will be a reckoning.

**Ramses II CP** · 11-21-2007, 20:43

My fellow lords of Franconia, Stettin has been retaken and her citizens have discovered the price of their failure. Unfortunately this leaves Stettin in poor economic shape, and the Danes have destroyed all military facilities in the county (OOC: That's Fritz's version of the story anyway). No recruitment of troops will be possible at Stettin for the forseeable future.

However, I am in control of enough money to fill out my casualties from the assault. Unfortunately there are a great many enemy soldiers between me and Madgeburg, and my own depleted forces will not suffice to clear them away. I cannot reliably send money to Dieter unless we can push out the invaders.

My men stand ready to answer any call to aid in a fight in that area, providing I could reach the battlefield. Otherwise I will call up more mercenaries and assault some of those men in the future.