Don't you think that it is a little bit early to talk about the distribution of land conquered by the Crusaders? Already your are squabbling over the riches of an unpicked fruit. Time will tell where the Crusade will lead you and I am sure that whoever is Kaiser at that point will know to reward those who undertook this strenuous journey first and foremost. Isn't it already stated that only our Emperor shall assign conquered provinces. I think this should suffice for anyone.

I appreciate von Steffens concerns about the state of Austria. It is true that I had wished the Crusade to begin at a later point so that someone from my House would have the ability to join. The way it is I can not go, because I am needed to defend my lands. It truly seems to be fate as the Swabian Elector has pointed out. Why he chose to insult me, because of this, eludes me though.


The Diet is drawing to an end and one of the most important tasks of whomever will become Chancellor has only been lightly touched upon by this Diet. Excommunication, Excommunication and how to remedy it.
So far I believe there are those that hope that once the Crusade reaches its destination and offers the Papacy Jerusalem we will be reconciled. I agree with them, but would also like to point out that this will take a very long time. Time we do not necessarily have, time that our people won't give us. Unrest is running large and I'm curious how any future Chancellor will be able to keep the populous Italian Cities from rioting.
Then there is the Kaiser who wants to sit out every Pope between the current and our Preferati Otterbach. This will also take time, and furthermore will not be as fool-proof. As von Mandorf has pointed out, even a Pope Otterbach would be at war with us and find it difficult to sign peace when he has nowhere to go to.
The third option proposed by me is to give the Pope land now. Be it permanently or not is up to discussion.

I have considered giving up Zagreb for the cause, seeing as it's already beset by Venetians on all side. This would weaken the Austrian border for at least the duration of the Crusade and I don't think we can afford this. The next option could be Venice. I am sure of its fall soon, but then it will not belong to me and I have my doubts whether mein Emperor would give it to me if I would pass it on to anyone else than Pope Otterbach.

All the while I'm pondering on this I wonder why I should do it though. I took no part in the machinations that led to our current situation, quite the opposite I opposed them vehemently from the beginning. Yet I would be the one to pay a high price for everyone of you. I seem to be the only one that has considered this, which makes me ask whether I am surrounded by selfish men, not willing to sacrifice their own land for the greater good of the Reich.
Should I be selfish too then? Should I hold on to my possessions and see how long our excommunication will last? How we lengthen our time in purgatory?

It is a difficult decision that lies in the days ahead of us, so before I do anything rash I would like to hear this Diet's opinion on these matters. How long do you want to wait before we are reconciled? How long can you wait?