Duchy of Franconia

[Ramses II CP]

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.

[gibsonsg91921]

Fritz, I trust you shall treat with those at Stettin forcefully and justly. As it remains, you have one of the largest armies in Franconia under your command. We will be overrun - we must recruit in Magdeburg and provide fresh troops for the entire Duchy. Let the roving enemies come to us - in our walled cities we will have the prowess.

[Ramses II CP]

What say you Dieter? Will you be thinning out the armies around Madgeburg? There appears to be one smallish army in the area that I could bring to battle and likely defeat, but my cavalry are depleted and my spearmen likely insufficient for combat with the larger Polish or Danish armies.

I trust you know the terrain, however, so if you have any advice or requests make them known and I will consider them.

I do believe Dieter could defend Madgeburg in some ease, but if all of the armies in the area move to lay siege he might well be in some trouble. We should look for a weak spot and try to strike them there.

Additionally I'm angry. I'm extremely displeased that the Danes dared strike me in the seat of my power. They must and will be made to pay.

(OOC: I'm very short on cavalry and spearmen, so I really don't think I could take on a Polish army, but Fritz is spoiling for a fight. That Danish half stack, or maybe a captain led, militia stack or something. Do we have good info on the stack compositions?)

[gibsonsg91921]

I lay under siege in Frankfurt, but as soon as the weather clears I can assist as well.

[gibsonsg91921]

My friends, I do not think I will survive this siege. In the event of my death, as I have stated before, Dieter Bresch shall be Duke of Franconia. Lead Franconia strongly, my friend. Do not succumb to inner turmoil or chaos. We must survive this catastrophe, even if I do not.

Fritz, dear older brother, I forgive you for leaving Franconia against orders and ravaging Sweden. Hopefully it will buy the land some respite against attack. Thank you for your support when I left with the Prussian Army to Constantinople.

Tancred, you are one of my closest friends, having traveled with me so far and so loyally. Serve the Reich well, and perhaps you shall marry into the royalty. I will not be able to become Kaiser, I fear, and if you are adopted by one of the nobility you have a fighting chance.

Dieter von Kassel, I have never met you, only your uncles. I have heard of your victories in the East and hope you shall continue this pattern in Franconia after my death.

Above all, remain stronger than the infighting that plagues Swabia and Austria. If by some miracle I live to fight another day, I shall continue to provide leadership for this land and drive out the Poles, Danes, and Rus. There are enough enemies abroad that we will have our hands full - do not fall into civil war.

[Ramses II CP]

Brother you are far more valuable to Franconia than Stettin. I can leave the city in the hands of some mercenaries and march to your relief, hoping that Stettin remains under siege until I return. If not, no great loss, but if you should fall... the loss will be terrible for Franconia and the Reich.

[gibsonsg91921]

Nay, I am no more important than the sum of Franconia! If we lose Frankfurt we shall not lose Stettin as well. I shall drive my men and remind them of what it means to be Franconian, and that if they do not prevail all shall die and the innocent civilians of Frankfurt shall be exterminated. I hope to live another die but if I die, do not let my sacrifice be in vain.

[Ramses II CP]

Congratulations on your victory my Duke!

Having viewed the situation in Franconia I am of a mind to abandon Stettin and attempt to recapture Hamburg. The city is of little value and the people, though cowed, are faithless and unmotivated. Additionally if I could recapture Hamburg I could then cut the head off the Danish advance and absorb their future attacks behind high walls.

Furthermore we have been scrambling so wildly in defense that we have been overlooking the larger picture. Something must be done to break up this so called 'Catholic Alliance' against the Reich. Perhaps I could negotiate with the Russians for the peaceful surrender of Stettin into their control in exchange for a cessation of hostilities. With you now Prinz, and de facto ruler of the Reich, to back my word the Russians would know I have the authority to act in your name. With one enemy out of the picture and Madgeburg a rock in the east against the Poles we might even, gradually, be able to turn the tables on these blasted Danes and push them back!

What say you brother?

[gibsonsg91921]

I am not of the mind to abandon any cities at this time. Hamburg is an important city, yes, but Stettin blocks the Polish and Russian advances. If you could negotiate with the Russians to ceasefire, that would be most excellent. I imagine your large treasury could persuade them, but I am uncertain as to their trustworthiness.

Nay, Hamburg is my cross to bear, and as soon as the area around Frankfurt is clear I shall return to it and recapture it.

[Ramses II CP]

My Duke I have gotten favorable feelers regarding a ceasefire on the Russian front... if I am willing to grant them Stettin. They are dramatically overextended and vulnerable, but their armies are among the most difficult to pin down and defeat in detail. I intend to proceed with this deal and march for Hamburg; though I know you would prefer to recapture her yourself I will happily cede the city to your control on your arrival. This is a decisive moment in the conflict, the first of our many enemies has been bought off and turned aside. Perhaps in the coming years the Poles and Russians will fall to squabbling over their conquests and secure our eastern border on their own.

Dieter, Tancred I am hopeful that the eventual recapture of Hamburg will relieve the Danish pressure against Madgeburg and allow you to turn your forces against the Poles. We'll be consolidating a long border into a shorter one with Hummel's fledgling dukedom to hold our west. You may not agree with my actions, but I ask that you support them to the extent of not interefering or attacking the Russians in the near future.

[Dutch_guy]

Don't worry Fritz, I'm quite content with the idea of losing a strong enemy - I won't make an attempt to engage them. Actually, I daresay my army would be obliterated in the field. Lack of cavalry would hurt me too dearly to make it a worthwhile engagement.

[Privateerkev]

A letter arrives:

Fellow Franconians,

I have been busy in Bern settling my late husband's estate. Afterwards I plan to come back to Franconia for awhile to raise my son. When Outremer is more secure, I shall then move there to bury my husband in a more permanent place.

The rift between the von Hamburgs and the von Kastiliens is a large one. But it is one that I believe can be healed. However, allowing Fritz to retake Hamburg would permanently prevent that healing. This is a man who sacked his own city, not once, but twice. He went sailing off on a pirate raid while his Duchy burned. And he has refused to rescind the arrest order for my late husband, which was an attempt by Fritz to stain my husband's honor.

Hamburg can not ever be touched by one such as Fritz von Kastilien. I will not sit by and let my husband's people be butchered and robbed. The Danes have been compassionate in comparison to what Fritz is capable of.

I present Duke Peter with an ultimatum. I had intended to take my husband's seat at the next Diet session. If Fritz touches the city of Hamburg, I will see that as the final break between my family, and the Kastiliens. And I will defect from Franconia. I will either serve in the Diet under a different House or I will abstain from politics altogether.

Consider my words carefully, for I am raising two noble Franconian children, including a male. I am partially responsible for the future of this Duchy. The Kastiliens on the other hand have no children except for the late Kaiser's two daughters. But I will not serve a Duchy that so carelessly disregards their own citizens. The choice is yours.

Sincerely,
Alfgarda von Hamburg

[Ferret]

OOC: few quick points:
Dieter is in mourning for Jan so will be quiet
He will agree with Alfgarda and will help her deal with Fritz if neccesary
And btw are there actually any blood von Hamburgs left (bar Dieter's wife)

[Ramses II CP]

A fine jest, gentlemen, to allow this poor widow to believe that she could serve amongst her betters, but the time to end the jest is now. Your husband's pathetic rabble rousing cost the lives of three noblemen of the Reich in combat against one another, tens of thousands of peasants in religious riots, and left a fellow house, Swabia, in utter disarray and now you interrupt your grieving to lecture me on mercy towards our subjects? My actions have always been in defense of the Reich and for the greater good, even when a lesser mind might fail to discern them as such.

Your husband abandoned his subjects and his duties to raise an army against a fellow German at a time when the Reich was collapsing around him! At best he was a fool and a pawn, but he was still a noble of the Reich and I treated with him, even when we were enemies, with the respect due to his position.

You, however, are a peasant. Lucked into a marriage far above your station to a man who, had he any sense, would never have stooped so low. Any claim to position you might have had your husband sundered in his flight from Outremer. Queen of Air and Pretty Words, where are your armies to bleed for Franconia, or your monies to pay for her safety? Don't speak to me of maybe serving in a Diet someday when the wolves are howling at the gates. Get a sword, earn a scar, or find a hole to hide in while men buy your safety with their lives.

You mention your children. Go and see to them, quietly, as befits a woman of your station. They may some day be of some service to the Reich, even if not Franconia.



OOC edit: I think Gibson (Peter) said he would be out of town for a week, so if you two are planning to stop Fritz you'll have to do it while the Duke is 'occupied' or something.

[Privateerkev]

And btw are there actually any blood von Hamburgs left (bar Dieter's wife)

OOC: as for blood von Hamburgs, there were four lines as Fredericus had 4 kids (2 boys and 2 girls). Helmut is dead and was a bachelor so that line is dead. Jens von Kassel (who married in) is dead but he left a son (Dieter von Kassel played by Mini Econ and currently floating in a ship in the middle of the sea.) Dieter Bresch is not blood von Hamburg because he married in but his kids will be. And finally Jan. Jan is dead but he left two kids who are both blood von Hamburgs.

So, the short answer is that there is one male blood von Hamburg of age at the moment. But more are on their way.

[Ramses II CP]

Very well, Russia is pacified for the moment and Hamburg is safely back in Franconian hands. Given the latest round of correspondence between Dieter and I it seems safe to assume he will not want my aid at Madgeburg. With that in mind I will smash the Danes to the southwest of Hamburg and then return to the city to hold the walls. If my Duke has other orders I stand ready for them (OOC: TC will have to edit my army before I fight, so hopefully Peter will be back before if he want to change things). I am also dismissing many of my mercenaries in exchange for loyal German troops from Hamburg.

If anyone has anything to add?

Fritz von Kastilien

[Ferret]

Fritz I thought we had got over our differences and am happy to work co-operatively. it is just your actions and attitude to My Lady as of late which make it hard to do so. Then again, Tancred and I are perfectly capapble of holding off any sized force and will manage fine on our own. In my opinion the last word should be Peters seeing as he is the ruling power of this house.

[Ramses II CP]

I have raised no issue with you Dieter, it was you who came to me bearing insults and threats. If the widow had kept her mouth shut and not interfered in the business of men I swear I would have rapidly forgotten she still existed. Instead she tried to threaten and blackmail my House and my Duke. It was not to be borne. I and my army go whither Franconia needs them, the ramblings of peasants notwithstanding.

For my part this is the sole matter of consequence remaining between us. Forgo mentioning her and I will happily call all accounts squared.

[Privateerkev]

A letter arrives from Lady Alfgarda,

To all Franconians,

Fritz Kastilien has decided to blackmail me. He has threatened to kill, rape, and pillage the people of Hamburg unless I assist him politically against Dieter Bresch. True, he has occupied Hamburg peacefully for now. But now the entire city is his hostage. That is the very situation I had hoped to prevent and why I did not want him to set foot in that city in the first place. By Peter's silence, I can only assume that he approves of Fritz's actions against the people of Hamburg, as well as the von Hamburg family.

As such, I am announcing now that I will not take my husband's Franconian seat at the next Diet. I will remove myself from Franconian politics to take away Fritz's leverage. If he hurts the people of Hamburg, I will look into my legal options and attempt to take my children out of the Duchy as well. Andreas and Clare are two noble children that Franconia needs very much. With the exception of Kaiser Siegfried, the Kastilien men have not had much luck with women. As such, three of the brothers have no children and no wives.

This House had already lost my political support. But if the people of Hamburg are harmed, I will look into making sure this House loses a good portion of it's future. I had wished that it hadn't come to this. But I underestimated how much Fritz hates my brother-in-law, Dieter. Right now, the whole city is underneath his heel in an attempt to gain my compliance. I knew Fritz was worried about facing the consequences of his piracy, but I did not realize he had grown so desperate.

It will be up to Fritz and his actions that will decide whether I retire quietly or push for a Charter Amendment at the next Diet that moves my family out of this House, thus crippling it in the long term for lack of a new generation.

Lady Alfgarda

[Dutch_guy]

I have not followed this...argument long enough to have an opinion on it, but I do fail to see how two of Franconia's most powerful generals start this debate in such uncertain times. Dieter and myself are currently threatened by large Polish forces, and even though I have full faith in victory, one never can be sure what will happen. Not exactly smart to start this argument once again, when it would be best to forget about such trivial issues when the fate of the House is in the balance.

Lady Alfgarda, I very much doubt if your late husband would be pleased with path you're willing to take. I'm sure he would have never wished the people of Hamburg to suffer, but threatening (some might even call it blackmailing) to take away such important figures from our house is exactly the opposite of what your late husband has worked for his entire life - in essence the continuance of the House itself.

[Ramses II CP]

This letter is just the latest example of the hypocrisy of the von Hamburg widow. The last letter the widow put up here was a blatant attempt to blackmail the entire house of Franconia into leaving Hamburg under the control of her barbarian overlords, and now she has the termerity to accuse me of blackmail!

I deny nothing. I have sent letters to the widow informing her of her proper role, and that her chasing after Dieter was unseemly and inappropriate. These things are necessary for the just and respectable continuation of Franconia today, never mind some far flung day when Diets reconvene or sons come of age. We have enemies literally at the gates! I have no time or inclination to indulge the mad fantasies of a bereaved peasant girl. This very discussion has wasted enough of my time and energy already.

Furthermore, as I have already informed Dieter, I do not hate him. I will not bear his insults, but I have acknowledged that he is heir to the Dukedom of Franconia and a terrible foe to the enemies of our House. Dieter and Tancred's victories speak for themselves as to their effectiveness in defense of Franconia.

That being said, what is the source of this trouble, gentlemen? Is it the fact that I peacefully recaptured one of the great cities of Franconia while also inking a ceasefire with one of our greatest enemies? Or is it this foreign peasant meddling in the work of men? If she truly stands aside from politics then she has already done all I asked of her, and so all this latest nonsense from her is simply air and bluster.

In any case, if we need the von Hamburg heir... well, I've just built an orphanage in Hamburg where he would be welcome and extremely well treated, never subject to the political machinations of a desperate woman.

[Ferret]

Tancred, I woud like to thank you for your invaluable services to me and the people of Magdeburg. Without you we may have already fallen by now. If my wife would let me I would adopt you into the royal family

I have nothing to say to Fritz, he is not worth it and I have more important matters on my mind.

[Ramses II CP]

Well done Dieter, Jan would be proud. You picked a fight and ran away as soon as it looked like it wasn't going your way.

I still have no particular problem with you and will forgive your unwarranted insults if you only leave the widow out of our discussions.

Now if we're done playing at fighting, what's to be done about the real fighting? I still have not heard whether my aid is requested at Madgeburg or not.

Fritz von Kastilien

[gibsonsg91921]

OOC: Geez, thanks for putting all of this in my hands while I'm gone! Uff da.

Brother! Dieter! Peace, my friends! Fritz, you have done Franconia a great service by retaking Hamburg. I do not relish the idea of giving up Stettin to the Rus, but it is better than having it taken violently. We must keep a watchful eye on that border.

Where is this quarrel, however? Why do the nobles of Franconia fight? Do not insult each other, for we are adults and men and not young girls.

[Privateerkev]

OOC:

Well thats what happens when the Duke is away.

Your getting the crash course in Ducal crisis management.

[Ramses II CP]

The Danish army southwest of Hamburg has been annihilated and the prisoners put to the sword. I am returning to Hamburg for a parade at the insistence of her citizens. The dispute between Dieter and I was not instigated by me, nor in fairness by Dieter, though he did insult me, but by the von Hamburg widow's absurd blackmail attempt, which you rightly ignored my brother. I am, as always, at your service.

As to the Russians, if they violate the ceasefire I signed with them then I will personally teach them the error of their ways and reclaim Stettin along the way.

[Ferret]

Mein Duke, it looks as if the Danes are planning to starve me out of Magdeburg and I have no hope of sallying against them alone. I urge you to combine forces with Fritz and break the siege, lest this key Citadel be lost and manned by a mighty host of Danes.

[Ramses II CP]

Straight from hurling insults to pleading for aid. I don't suppose there's an apology or reconciliation forthcoming? You just expect me to bleed for your freedom.

Whatever my Prinz wills I happily will do, short of leaving Hamburg defenseless, but I must say that you should have sallied immediately when they laid siege and destroyed them. If your army is now incapable you have no one to blame but yourself.

Fritz von Kastilien

[Ramses II CP]

All OOC:

All right, if Peter and I can muster enough ranged units, including the bombard I have, then we should be able to force them to cross the bridge and attack us. At that point it's all about how good our plug is, but we should be able to beat captain led stacks. That's the good news and the easy part.

The bad news is that, IIRC, their cannons are the kind that can shoot almost all the way across the battlefield, so any general that takes the field is risking his life and utter defeat on nearly random luck. Even if you sit all the way in the back a shot could miss or skip back there and hit you. The worse news is that Tancred and Dieter are going to be the first reinforcements onto the field on the wrong side of the river and there's no way to preven that, as far as I know.

I'm happy to risk Fritz, he's got good HP attributes and if a cannon gets him I won't miss him much. I can recruit some merc spearmen to be a good plug, use the ribault to cause a rout, and chew them up as long as they actually cross. If they don't cross I can bleed them a little bit, but I'll take heavier losses, so I'd say we need to have 2 more companies of crossbowmen/archers than their first stack has archers to make sure they cross.

The other side of the coin is putting a stack behind them and letting Dieter sally, but if you haven't done that yet I'm guessing there's some reason like TC won't let you? That's the safest way for the avatars, but it risks the loss of Madgeburg and the complete destruction of that army and those two avatars if there's a total defeat (Rout before anything rallies inside the citadel).

Discussion?

[Ferret]

OOC: hmmm you seem to be the best tactician here, I haven't sallied because I'm rubbish at sallies to be honest and I'd have to fight both large armies. If you can attack then do, if not then I'm sure they'll assault the walls eventually and then I can repeat what happened to the Poles.