The Kingdom of Outremer

[econ21]

Chancellor, you are to be congratulated on assembling such a powerful host. For my part, I would be inclined to split the crusade into two. It will take a long time to reach our destination and if we are to capture settlements before Jerusalem - whether Adana, Antioch or wherever - the advance guard may lay siege first, giving the rearguard time to catch up.

I would recommend that if we do divide our forces, the advance guard leave behind some spears and cavalry to accompany Duke Otto. His dismounted knights and pavise crossbowmen are valuable assets that must be protected. It may be best to aim for two fairly balanced and equal sized forces. It may even be prudent for one other general to wait to join Duke Otto. I would be willing to wait for him at Zagreb if the Council judge it wise.

[OOC: two half stacks may get into more interesting encounters than a scarey full stack.]

[OverKnight]

A fine army Chancellor, your work is inspired. Perhaps we should add a few units of militia as arrow fodder?

Mein Prinz, I would be honored if you were to wait for me. I'm not so sure about Rupert though, he came back quite shaken from his mission with you. (OOC: Very nice read, a good twist on the inquisitor.) The first army should set out as soon as possible. I'm sure events will ensure that the second will catch up eventually.

Two armies would be useful, we could maximize the amount of men we could bring, and it would increase our flexibility. Move apart, fight together, as they say. If the leading army stops to give battle or besiege a town, the trailing army could leap-frog them and move on, or reinforce if necessary.

I would suggest the spy stay with the leading army. The priests, as has been suggested, should fan out ahead of the army. They will convert the heathens and provide some useful intelligence, though not of the quality of a trained observer. Are we planning to send some of our Cardinals? Or will it just be the newly recruited priests? Of course, we could send them ahead completely, if Jerusalem has a Catholic resurgence, it will make it easier to hold. I doubt our gift to the Papacy will meet with much approval if the Muslim inhabitants of the city riot and throw off their new master.

May God grant us success in this enterprise! For He has certainly given me a headache thinking about it.

[Jalf]

Apologies for my late arrival. I would be honored to join the crusade.

I see no need to force militia to join us on this journey, especially not as "arrow fodder"
von Mahren speaks the last words dripping with sarcasm

Our militia are local citizens who have agreed to undergo basic military training to defend their home. They should not be forced to march thousands of miles, especially not if their only purpose is to die.

There seems to be agreement about splitting the army, which sounds like a clever strategy. May I suggest the Prinz at least stays in the rear army. That one is less liable to be ambushed, and to be blunt, an ageing duke is more expendable than a royal Prinz.

As for me, a mere knight, I am expendable as well, and would prefer to follow my Duke von Saxony, but I will go wherever I am needed for the Crusade to succeed.

[econ21]

Welcome, Jonas, welcome! Now we are five! This will be a most formiddable crusade!

[OverKnight]

Welcome von Mahren.

My lords, the Venetians are threatening Zagreb, our rally point, and have taken a bridge to the east of the new castle on our route. We seemed to have decided not to take the southern road to the Hellespont, and so avoid marching through their lands as to conserve our forces. Yet, the gathering Crusade Armies, with Duke Leopold away assaulting Venice, are the only sizeable Imperial forces in the area. The fate of Zagreb may depend on us unless the Austrian Army breaks their seige of Venice and marches back.

What should be our approach here? As I see it, the first option is to avoid all contact with the Venetians and march to the Holy Land as best we can with our rally point disrupted. We'd preserve our forces, but but they would be split. Von Saxony, von Mahren and I are north of that river, the Prinz and Chancellor south of it. I'm not sure how the northern forces could proceed without violating Hungarian territory.

The second option is to engage Venetian armies that are on our line of march, including our rally point, but not to seek out further battles even from nearby enemies. We will take casualties, but we can start our journey more quickly.

The third option is to leave our territories with a bang, crushing all Venetian forces around Zagreb and then starting our journey. We'd take more losses than in option two, but we'd leave the Reich more secure.

I would support the second option. At the least, we must not allow those four Venetian units on the bridge east of Zagreb to disrupt the meeting of our forces. They must be driven off so that we can start the Crusade at the designated place. As for Zagreb itself, I would be uncomfortable leaving it in peril. We are on a Holy Crusade, but we cannot forget our duty to the Reich. If the Venetians besiege Zagreb, and Leopold is unable to return in time, I fear we must also relieve the castle.

Your thoughts my lords?

[TinCow]

I agree, Duke von Kassel. We could certainly engage the Venetian army, but our losses would surely be staggering. After such a battle we would have to wait for further reinforcements to be trained before departing and we simply do not have the luxury of time in the matter. Zagreb is vulnerable, but it is a castle and can hold out for some time. If the Austrians believe that the Venetian army must be confronted immediately, then Duke Leopold could easily abandon the siege of Venice and march eastwards. If he left now, he could arrive by next year, before the Venetians would have any chance to assault the castle.

We must not squander our strength in this fight. Austria has a choice to make: attempt to hold Zagreb until Venice falls, or abandon the siege of Venice and defend Zagreb. The Reich will surely face many difficult times in the years ahead, but do not forget why this is so. We are under repeated assault due to our excommunication. The objective of this Crusade is to attempt to redeem ourselves in the eyes of the Pope. We will do more good by traveling east as fast as possible. Until we reach Muslim lands, let us fight only when our paths are blocked and we have no other choice.

Since our orders will have to be relayed to the Chancellor, I would like to discuss again Prinz Henry's proposal about appointing an Imperial Liason. I was serving in this role until recently, but since I am no longer Chancellor, I do not hold this position anymore. Obviously, if a Crusader is elected to Chancellor, he should be the Imperial Liason. However, if this does not happen, I would gladly continue my service in this role. (OOC: I think the Imperial Liason should post Crusade movement/attack orders in the Chancellor's Reports thread, like with Household Armies)

[Ituralde]

A messenger from the House of Austria arrives in the Crusader Council and starts reading a message from Duke Leopold

Honoured Crusaders!

I am as concerned as you are by the presence of a large Venetian host south of Zagreb. However this should not impede your advance on the Holy Land. While my forces are still tied up in Venice I will assault the city as soon as possible to make a quick return to Zagreb.
While this may give the Venetians the time they need to storm Zagreb castle, it will be easier for me to wrest it from them once I know that my back is secured and the Venetian capital is crushed. We can not afford to abandon Venice again, it is ripe for the taking and far more important than Zagreb.
I appreciate your concerns for Zagreb Castle, but agree that you should not make more contact with the enemy than is absolutely necessary to pass through Croatia towards Byzantine lands.