Duchy of Franconia

**Ramses II CP** · 12-07-2007, 23:06

Let me do this brother, you are too important to risk in this battle and my men are experienced. If I can draw on the forces you have at Frankfurt I can assemble an army that the Danes will feel obligated to attack from across the bridge. So long as Dieter and Tancred remain in the citadel they will be safe (I'll do my best to keep them out of the way. If they enter from the far edges they should be safe, as long as the Danes do cross).

And if I should fall, you will still be available to destroy these Danes and save Franconia. It is not quite the same thing if you die and I then relieve the siege as Franconia would lose her Duke and most powerful noble, and the Reich would lose their Prinz and the Voice of the Lutherans. This is my duty, no matter what Dieter has spoken of me.

**Ramses II CP** · 12-07-2007, 23:10

OOC: Ahh, TC is almost certainly right. I'd forgotten the position of the bridge. Okay, seriously, Fritz should go first. I'll damage them enough that Peter can clean up, worst case scenario. I don't like fighting with reinforcements (i.e. I hate have my army enter the field all scattered out) and I really, really don't want to lose someone else's avatar, so it's okay if I retreat Dieter and Tancred and most of their men, right? I don't believe negative attributes accrue from that.

I was just looking at their stacks and I'm confident I can hold them at the bridge, and I'd give 90% odds that I can make at least the first one cross (The second may or may not get passive AI bugged. No way to tell). The only question mark will be whether or not Fritz survives the cannons, and I'm willing to take that risk. Far better for Franconia if Fritz risks it than Peter.

**gibsonsg91921** · 12-08-2007, 00:14

Haha! Dear brother, I would not grudge you the first strike, but you cannot think I am too important to avoid battle! I must ride to save my friends and for glory! A death in battle is a death well earned, and I shall not sit around in the halls of Frankfurt waiting for a long, bitter end.

**Ramses II CP** · 12-08-2007, 00:26

OOC: Okay, I'll bring ten companies down from Hamburg and recruit 2 Merc spearmen and 2 Pavise Crossbowmen if you can send me your 3 militia crossbowmen, your merc spearmen, and 2 companies of Teutonics. The bombard will make them attack, the three spearmen will cap the bridge while our massive barrages of bolts make them fight in the shade and then the ribault and a Forlorn Hope charge will break them. Teutons and my Albanians to chase the remnants. If I have a whole company die out, and those cannons may make it happen, I'll retreat Dieter and Tancred but use their non-general cavalry to help clean up and knock out those cannons. I'll send in my orders and recruitment request.

IC: My Prinz, your place at the head of the Reich simply means that you must have a little more care with your life. It isn't that you must avoid battle, but with these cursed cannons on the field and experienced crews to man them... Well, the Danes would not be above seeking to behead the Reich and the Lutherans at a single stroke. If I can at least cripple them, if not drive them from the field, then you shall certainly have your day. If not this day, then there remain many enemies to face! Those Poles to the east will not sit in the woods forever, and my own forces will, no doubt, be mauled even in victory.

Fritz von Kastilien

**gibsonsg91921** · 12-08-2007, 00:35

OOC: I'll send you the non-Teuton troops, but those Teutons are Peter's personal elites. Like the Teutonic Crusade, they've given in to savagery and are serving me, a non-pious superstitious mauler.

IC: Alas, Fritz, I am no precious cargo. Were I to die, some other would become Prinz, perhaps one more acceptable or more authoritative. I wish for no death except for one in battle in my time. My time is not nigh.