Duchy of Austria

[AussieGiant]

Raising his goblet to his fellow Austrian nobles Arnold downs the glass in one swift gulp.


Christ I'm going to need a few more of those bottles Lord Zirn!! The bloody tavern resembles the Diet chamber at the moment.

Of course that lunatic Fritz then goes and challenges ME to a joist...is he mad??

Anyway!!

Remember to submit your tax and build queue's to the Chancellors office before the election men, otherwise Fritz or myself can do what we want...which might not be a bad idea.

Apologies to both Dieter and Hapsburg as there are currently no Count-ships to allocate at the moment.

I'll post up the Austrian House Army orders in the next day or two.

Karl your still head of the 1st AHA, I plan and sending you, Johann and Dieter towards Budapest. Let me know if this is agreeable to you or not.

Hapsburg, I need you to quell the rioting in Vienna as soon as possible. I'll request as many militia troops as possible to assist you in that action.

[Privateerkev]

Dieter munches on some more cheese blocks,

No apology is needed Mein Duke. The situation is what it is. Furthermore, I don't believe Counties are "entitlements". They are rewards for loyalty and service. I need to do something worthy of rewarding first.

I'm already looking forward to this Diet session being over. It has just degenerated into pointless bickering and arguing. I know I had some part in that and have privately reconciled with Sir Fritz in order to do my part at bringing a certain level of civility back to the Diet.

It certainly has been an exciting first Diet Session!

To that, Dieter takes a sip of wine.

[Cecil XIX]

My lords, as you are aware a Hungarian army is menacing Vienna. Given the state of the Reich, we cannot aford for Vienna to be besieged. The loss of trade will be sorely felt. With that in mind I ask Karl Zirn to leave his artillery train behind and engage the Hungarians immidiately. Once the battle is won Lord Zirn's artillery will be able to march close enough to Vienna that they could call upon him for support if attacked. Once that is done I will be to return to Prague.

[AussieGiant]

Arnold:

What ever is decided then please let me know the results as soon as possible.

Saving Vienna from a siege is more important than the half stack between Lord Zirn and Vienna. We can ignore that this season and then better defend Vienna in the next season.

[Northnovas]

Karl Zirn:

What the $%@# is going on Steward???? What has the Duke gotten into in Ragusa? I am too damn old to be running around the running this House.

First thing first von Essen my son we must get your official spurs along with von Hapsburg who has been sitting in this damn town drinking. We will meet and rid of the Hungarians still lingering in the Vienna Region. I want you to command Vienna till Lorenz returns from Prague. I am sure Becker would like to return to his city.

As for Lorenz he will clear the Poles out of Prague Region.

I don't know what is going on down there I have had no instructions form the Duke but I will send Johann down there to see what is going on.

OOC: Karl did pick up some strong language in his old age.

[Cecil XIX]

With all due respect Count Zirn, I believe I should be the one to relieve my county. I have more than enough time to bring them to battle.

[Northnovas]

With all due respect Count Zirn, I believe I should be the one to relieve my county. I have more than enough time to bring them to battle.

Becker, I was just following the Kaiser's orders and did not know you were available. If you have the higher command then you should relieve your city. I did receive correspondence for Herman Steffen to join in the fight to earn his spurs.
I will let you make the arrangements and orders to defend Prague.
I will concentrate on the issue in Vienna and have our young commanders here earn their spurs so they will be able to get a commission to lead.

[Northnovas]

Johann Zirn:

This is a dark day for the Austrian House and Zirn family. It is my understand that he was a distant relative. His loss will be felt and his ruthlessness on the battlefield. It is heartening to know that he died in battle has a noble knight and not from the wretched Black Death that is affecting our nation.
Rest in Peace my noble knight.

[AussieGiant]

Chancellor Arnold:

This is a grim day for Austria and it will be hard felt by all.

He was a lion both in the chamber and on the battle field.

[Northnovas]

Johann Zirn:

This is truly a dark time in the Austrian House. Another young noble has fallen in battle, Dieter von Essen died in lifting the Siege of Vienna against the Hungarians. He fought bravely till the end routing the enemy regiment and hold the flank till the reinforcements arrived.

I have made my sister a young widow and I hope that she will forgive me.

My Duke, if you could make the announcement in the Diet I am too heavy with grief.

[Cecil XIX]

My Duke,

I wish to hold at Prague. Breslau is the gateway to the Reich, and we are their only enemy. Taking it demands the coordination of Franconia and Austria, as almost every soldier the Poles have are near either Magdeburg, Breslau, or Krakow.

I realise money is tight, but any spent to retrain my soldiers would be appreciated. At the very least Prague will not be besieged in the next two years.

I do not know the exact workings of this Plague, but if it helps than please have my army encamp just east of the city. I myself must remain in Prague to ease the suffering of the people.

[Northnovas]

Johann Zirn:

The Austrian House morns the loss of Count Karolinger. His contribution to the defense of Vienna against the Hungarians will never be forgotten. He was a true hero to this House and personal friend of the Zirn family. Rest in Peace.

[Northnovas]

Johann Zirn:

I see that Vienna is disease free and ready to recruit we have three able commanders. Recruitment is the concern right know. Budapest looks right for an attack but has several experiences armies east of the region and the city will be besieged quickly if captured.

Zagreb is under siege and there are two large forces in the area with Ragusa being in jeopardy of an attack. There may not be time to finish the Venetians.

The question who is available and what area of responsibility do they wish to command? It would be nice to attack Budapest and relieve Zagreb but I do not think we can recruit enough men for both.

I feel Zagreb should be relieved and remove the enemy from our interior.

Other Commanders comments or suggestions?

[AussieGiant]

The Chancellor:

Count Zirn

I'm of the same opinion as you. We must hold outside Vienna while we deal with our interior.

I'll head back north, pick up troops at Ragusa and block the Hungarian's coming south. Then I'll continue up to relieve Zagreb.

I'm going to erinforce you with canon and high grade militia/pike (which is a great combination actually) to hold Vienna. I'd like you to do that in the field if possible and screen any approach by the Hungarian's on Vienna and Zagreb.

Hapsburg and your brother will be placed in Vienna until they are able to re-take the field as commanders.

You have the 1st AHA at your disposal, while Lord Becker has the 2nd AHA.

[Northnovas]

Duke Arnold Austrian House

Dear Uncle,

I am alarmed at the state of the Reich and the division that has taken place. I am also surprised of your role with the Order that has been revealed. I am very disappointed at what has developed and sides being chosen. I wonder what my father would have thought if he were alive today? I see that Jan has made a stance already.
Unfortunately I can’t make that commitment. I am concerned for the welfare of Austria and concerned that Hapsburg has taken a prominent position granted by the Kaiser. My concern is for Austria and what will happen to her after this ordeal has ended. However, I will not sit on the fence and wait for a winner like some nobles. I will choose and I will go with the side that honours the laws this Reich and House were build on. I know my father would have wanted me to fight for the just cause and I will have to fight for Imperial Forces.
You have my brother we are a house divided. I shall contact the Kaiser and let him know my intentions and possible see that he grants the right and proper noble to rule the Austrian House.

Respectfully,

Maximillian Zirn

[AussieGiant]

Maximillian,

I thought this might happen...you where never as close to me as Johann was and to invoke your fathers name to me is poor form young man. I believe the opposite would be true if he were alive today.

I ask you one more time, join us!! Do not fall under the sway of those nobles that only seek power and domination over their subjects.

As for that idiot Hapsburg, then I can only say that IF we are defeated I would prefer the bastard Hapsburg never set foot in this Duchy again. You are certainly more deserving that him and I can only hope your Tyrant leader can see that.

Know this...I can't keep you safe on the final battlefield my nephew. You have chosen sides and the nobles of the Order and the Republic are not to be trifled with. We WILL die for this cause and I will not ask them to pull short their blows for the sake of family.

Duke Arnold
Illuminati Grand Master