Imperial Diet IV

[Stig]

Lothar, why the house of Franconia? Arnold hasn't been swearing and cursing all through the Diet. Would you call that normal behaviour?

And where's the Kaiser anyway? I haven't seen him in a long time

[gibsonsg91921]

Last I heard, Kaiser Jobst von Salza and our brother Siegfried von Kastilien were off fighting a battle with the Emperor's Army of the Interior. But I haven't heard from them since.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Conrad Salier:

It is disconcerting that the Diet is still full of children bickering. I certainly hope that the Kaiser will be able to silence this ridiculous discussion once and for all when he returns.

[gibsonsg91921]

King Salier, I am glad of your presence. Perhaps you can return the sanity to this Diet and help ease the tensions between your protege Jan von Hamburg and your friend Lothar.

[Privateerkev]

Jan's Teutonic Knight returns to the chambers and reads off of a scroll

My lord has sent word back to the Diet and I will now read it in full:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Dear esteemed members of the Diet,

My knight, Frederick, has sent back his report and the scribe's full transcript of what has transpired here. I will first say that Frederick is my mouthpiece, and anything he says comes from me. Therefore, I am responsible for his words and me alone. If anyone has had a problem with what he has said, they are to take it up with me. A letter has been sent to the Teutonic Order stating the same. As for the specific matter concerning Duke Arnold, I hereby do not retract my words for what I said was the truth and is a matter the Diet should take seriously when it concerns itself with policy for the next legislative session. The murder of soldiers after they lay down their arms is a serious matter. To do it out of grief for a stricken comrade is one thing. To do it for...the sheer joy of it is something else entirely. For how we treat those in this world is of the greatest importance. I would hope that the Reich would stand for something better...something noble. Those like Duke Arnold threaten that opportunity with their despicable acts. To be clear, if you slaughter prisoners for the sheer joy and pleasure of it, then you are a coward. You can take this out on me if you wish but you have only yourself to blame for you are responsible for your own actions. It is my hope that this august body takes up this issue and debates it with the weight it deserves. As for Kaiser Jobst reprimanding me, I await his judgement.

Yours,
Jan von Hamburg

Frederick rolls up the scroll and addresses Arnold

My dear Duke, I would gladly go back to Outremer and serve at my lords side for he serves The Lord. But he made it clear that it was important to him that I be his mouthpiece in the Diet while he is busy and I will do that duty until he, or the Kaiser, remove me from this body. I have spent my life serving the Lord. I have guarded pilgrims, administered to the sick, spread the word, and fought the horse lords in Damascus. What have you done? You stroll in here and attempt to intimidate the Diet with your hulking bodyguards. You threaten my lord's cousin. You deny us the opportunity to save the souls of the ones you butcher. I swear by God that the horse lords have more honor than you. At least they don't pretend to be Christian...

[gibsonsg91921]

Frederick, this Diet should not get into personal attacks. If you have a problem with a member of its body, you should send a message to him. This is a place for which to conduct business, not sling mud upon our friends.

Chancellor Fredericus, I trust that Thorn is recruiting fresh troops constantly to replete itself and the nearby FHA, correct?

[Privateerkev]

Jan's Teutonic Knight Frederick:

And my good sir, just how is one supposed to bring up the slaughtering of prisoners without attacking the one who did it? If I said, "I would like to have us talk about how captured prisoners are ending up on pikes," I would expect Duke Arnold to take it personally because there is no other way to take it. He is an intelligent man and would obviously see that the matter brought up was about him. Now, my lord thinks it is best to be blunt and direct. Would Duke Arnold or anyone else here prefer my lord work in the shadows and whisper gossip like so many others do in the Diet? At least with Jan von Hamburg, Duke Arnold will know where he stands. There will be no knife in the back. My lord will treat the good Duke with the respect that the Duke refused to show fellow Catholics.

[TinCow]

Herr Frederick, was it not one of your own fellow Crusaders who so recently said "Caedite eos. Novit enim Dominus qui sunt eius"? It is good to know that there are a few Christians in the East who have the fortitude to do what is required, even when it is unpalatable. The Lord helps those who help themselves. If God did not wish for the Hungarians to be slaughtered, surely he would have granted them victory. As it stands, the Reich is the light of salvation in a world of darkness. All who oppose us are nothing more than heretics and deserve the pyre.

[Privateerkev]

Jan's Teutonic Knight Frederick:

But if we kill them, how can we save them? My lord Jan and I are of the mind that living converts serve the Lord better than dead ones. Once a man takes up arms against the Reich, he is to be killed. But, once he has laid those arms down, he is to be saved. Thus is our duty as Crusaders. For it is the Lord that has put us here to do His work in His name. We are but soldiers of the Lord and we must follow orders. It is through good deeds that we earn our rightful place as rulers of the known world. It is what separates us from the barbarians. Like Rome, the Holy Roman Empire will be the beacon of civilization that shines around the whole world! We should at least act civilized or what kind of example are we showing to everyone else?

[Ituralde]

A young Franconian Knight enters the Diet. His hair is cut short in a fashion similar to that of his father Gunther von Kastillien. His face looks young, but his eyes carry the look of one who has seen battle and the lines below them suggest that sleep has been a rare luxury for this man. With a grave voice he starts to address the Diet.

I am Siegfried von Kastillien and together with Emperor Jobst I have fought against the Danes threatening our Empire in the north. The armies surrounded us are scattered and their remnants have been ransomed back to the Danish King. The army besieging Hamburg has been defeated and the threat to the north of our Empire is no more. I personally led the charge to relieve Hamburg and no Danish soldier remains on Imperial soil.

It was in my third battle under Emperor Jobst, after defeating Danish Militias and battle-hardened War Clerics that outnumbered us during the recent night, that we faced the last remnants of the Danish armies surrounding us in the early morning. The defenders had catapults with them, shooting their fiery projectiles with deadly accuracy Emperor Jobst bodyguard was hit before making contact with the enemy. Once the few defenders had been scattered it fell to me to find the Emperor surrounded by the charred remnants of his bodyguard. Though he was badly burned there was still life in him when I arrived and so it was in these very arms that Emperor Jobst died.

Spreading his arms wide for everyone to see, Siegfried lowers his head in silent mourning. Letting a moment of silence pass for the Diet to understand these grave news.

As you are all aware, Jobst von Salza never named his Heir to this Diet. Young in years he probably wanted to wait for the right moment to make his announcement. Death was faster though, but fortunately not fast enough to let me hear his dying wish. He has named his Heir, and the name he spoke was Siegfried von Kastillien.

So it is at this dark hour that it falls to me to carry on the legacy of Emperor Heinrich, Henry and Jobst. I swear upon the Holy Bible to do my utmost to protect this Empire and its citizen from any harm here and in the Afterworld. I am, as of now, Emperor Siegfried.

With careful steps the young Franconian Knight ascends the dais on which the Emperors throne is situated and slowly takes his seat and casts a slow glance around the room, tilting his head just so that he appears to be staring down his nose at every Elector.

An elaborate recount of the four battles fought in the north involving the circumstances of the late Emperor's death will be published by my scribes shortly.

[Privateerkev]

Shocked at the news, Jan's knight is silent but quickly regains his composer.

Mein Kaiser, may I be the first to voice my heartfelt sorrow at this horrible news. If I may have your leave, I need to get this word to your cousin in Outremer at once.

Frederick walks in front of the dais, bows, stands up straight while putting his fist to his heart and proclaims in a booming voice.

Long live the Kaiser!

Frederick turns smartly and walks out in precise military steps.

[Stig]

*Ansehelm, who stood up merely to great his little brother sank in his chair again*

Dark time, dark times we live in indeed. He never properly knew Kaiser Jobst, we had some conversations, mainly about Russia, but that was it not much. Kaiser Henry died not long ago, but, as hard as it may sound, that death was forseen. Kaiser Jobst had his the best years of his life in front of him.

And I'm sorry but, in this hour, this day of darkness, I must congratulate my little brother with saving the Reich. I'm sure the Kaiser would have been proud if he knew that you managed to save the entire north.

I do not wish the celebrate a new Kaiser, we lost to many good men in the past months. At moments like these we *Ansehelm looks from Peter to Lothar to Arnold and to the door the Teuton just closed* we should forget the brawls we have between the Houses. At moments like these we should stand strong, united, as a strong empire, to show our enemies that we can recover, from even the worst position we have been in the last decades.

*Ansehelms turns to Peter*
Why on earth our little Siegfried?

[OverKnight]

Matthias looks in shock. He had left the Diet for only a few hours, but on his return he is faced with this news.

I am confused, Siegfried von Kastilien was a Prinz? When did this happen?

Forgive me Count Siegfried, but do you have proof that the Kaiser has named you his heir before he died? I have heard of your great triumph against the Danes, and you have my thanks for that, but. . .Kaiser? I mean no disrespect, but this is hard to believe. You are the fourth son of a Duke, not an unenviable position, but hardly in the line for the throne which you now sit upon.

A cyncial man would say. . .but enough of that. I'm afraid I will need more proof than just your unwitnessed recollection of the Kaiser's last words before I will bow to you.

[Stig]

*Ansehelm looks up*

Please, oh please, we'll do stuff like this tomorrow. I would like to ask the same questions as you do, we all would like to know. But our ruler died here, let's atleast give him 24 hours of respect.

[TinCow]

*Lothar Steffen looks ashen at the news of Kaiser Jobst's death.*

God rest Kaiser Jobst! As just and fair an Emperor, this world has never seen. It is an abomination that he was taken from us in the prime of his life. The Reich will surely be poorer for his passing.

*Lothar turns and looks at Siegfried von Kastilien.*

I too would like to know if you have any evidence to back your claim to the throne. I do not cast aspersions on your character, for you are a man I have never had cause to question or doubt. However, you must surely acknowledge that it is most... unusual... that such a young man as yourself, entirely out of the line of succession, now finds himself to be Emperor. The tradition of having Swabian Emperors was well accepted and good for the Empire, as Swabia has been known to be a fair and impartial House. Yet now Franconia, the single strongest House in the Reich, elevates its youngest member to the throne? I assure you, that had it been *I* who claimed to have been named Emperor, your brothers would be similarly cautious.

Produce some proof of what you say or otherwise explain to us how this came to pass. If you then separate yourself from Franconia and rule as a true impartial Emperor, you will have my loyalty just as Kaiser Jobst did.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Conrad Salier:

You all sicken me. Truly, you do. The Reich's leader, one of the few men we could all turn to, has been unexpectedly taken away from us. The man should be given some proper respect before the question of his heir is resolved.

[gibsonsg91921]

Herr Salier is correct. Let us have a moment of peace and silence for once to respect our dead Kaiser Jobst von Salza. I'm sure the late Kaiser's loyal bodyguard Dieter will be able to confirm my brother's claims, but for now we shall reminisce and remember our lost.

[FactionHeir]

May Emperor Jobst rest in peace, for he surely looks down upon us in god's haven now.
While his term was short, he did help in starting to bring the empire back from the brink of destruction the late Hümmel caused, and for that he shall be remembered.

[Ignoramus]

Conrad Hohenburg, a Swabian knight rushes into the Diet with an angry expression on his face.

"Usurper! Usurper!" he screams at Siegfried von Kastillien, "You are scum, you despicable dog, for what you did to Jobst, Kaiser of the Reich."

Conrad, ashen-faced at the obvious displeasure of his outburst, apologised to the Diet.

"But, mein electors, you see before you an usurper! Kaiser Jobst trusted the battle to his care, and Siegfried abandoned him in the midst of battle. This usurper then had the shocking nerve to place the Kaiser's crown on his own head.

"This, this, Franconian!" spluttered Conrad, "has dared to take from Swabia the Imperial Crown. Not only did he in effect murder the Kasier, not only did he ignore the blood right of the late Kaiser Henry's two sons, Hans and Elberhard, he also ignored the right of this Diet to appoint a successor to the Kaiser. Thus, I henceforth renounce allegience to the usurper Siegfried and acknowledge Henry's two sons, Hans and Elberhard, rightful Kaisers.

Futhermore, I urge all true electors to renounce their allegience immediately.

Mein lord, Wolfgang Hummel, authorised this message.

Conrad Hohenburg bows and leaves the Diet.

[Privateerkev]

Jan's Teutonic Knight Frederick:

Before we go running around the Diet screaming, lets get some things clear. As far as I know, the Diet has no right in appointing a successor. Nor can there be two or three Kaisers at once. The Kaiser is appointed by God through his servant on earth his Holiness the Pope. It is not up to us. If Emperor Siegfried was chosen by God to lead the Reich, then it is not up to us to argue. We have our own section of the government where we elect leaders and debate legislation. But, the Emperor is above lesser men and is God's appointed servant over the German people. All we need to clear this matter is Papal blessing. You do not have to like who was chosen to become Emperor but you better get used to it. Because he is our Emperor!!

Frederick turns towards the dais.

My lord has instructed me to tell you that, if you wish, he will return from Outremer at once to pledge fealty before you publicly so there will be no question as to who he serves. In the meantime he has giving me leave to pledge my sword to you and to make sure there will be no more...disruptions in this august body.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: for a fun game, replace every instance of the word "god" in this post, with the word "M2TW". Inspired by FLYdude.

[OverKnight]

Matthias, looking increasingly alarmed, stands to speak again. He first turns to Conrad Salier.

I apologize my King, the shock of hearing about Kaiser Jobst's death combined with Count Siegfried's announcement caused me to forget protocol.

He turns to the rest of the Diet.

Kaiser Jobst was a good man. He was a voice of reason in the Diet and honest. His skills as a General were great, who could forget the heroic defense of Dijon against the French? Or his triumphant first battle against the Milanese in the Alps when he was just a squire? Yet I truly wish that the Kaiser had made a public announcement of his choice of heir. It would have saved us much sturm und drang.

If proof can be brought forward that Count Siegfried was named heir, I will gladly bend the knee, for the Reich must have a Kaiser. I will not yell, or threaten or invoke the will of God, all I ask is confirmation besides the word of one man.

[Privateerkev]

Jan's Teutonic Knight Frederick:

The Kaiser shall be addressed as Emperor Siegfried as he earlier proclaimed. He is no longer Count Siegfried. To continue calling him such is a mark of disrespect. I will assume that the shock of the event has caused some to...lapse in protocol.

God wills it...

[Ignoramus]

Conrad Hohenburg cannot contain himself.

Mein electors, I am worried about Kaiser Hans' safety. This usurper, Siegfried, had no scruples in murdering the late Kaiser Jobst. Surely we must protect the new Kaiser at all costs.

Conrad resumes his seat.

[Privateerkev]

Jan's Teutonic Knight Frederick:

Conrad, you may wish to inform your lord that he is both accusing the Kaiser of murder and claiming that someone else is Kaiser. These are both crimes.

Frederick turns towards the dais

My Kaiser,

If you will it, I will eject this person from the Diet and order patrols to go find the young Hummel in the Outremer and put him under arrest.

[Warluster]

Dieter enters the Diet, his face bowed. He stands in the middle

Mein lords, I am a loyal servant of the deceased Jobst von Salza. A shall never recover from the shock, of standing, only to see, him, charred...

Dieter quickly wipes away tears

I, here on the late Jobst's orders. Am expected to announce his chosen Heir.

He never told anyone, offically, that Siegfred was to be the heir. Except me, and I am here to pass on his words. Siegfred, is now offically, Prinz, and now, he is crowned Kaiser, of the Holy Roman Empire!

My deceased lord, has given me a number of itmes to pass on, and a letter.

Dieter coughs...

And a mission...

I, shall, keep following his orders, which he has written in ink for me. I wish Kaiser Siegfred, a happy rule.

I hope you can all attend the funeral.

Dieter whips around, a leaves the Diet, following behind him, are two cloaked men, both bearing pistols.

[Cecil XIX]

Sigismund pauses from massaging his temples to address the diet.

I suppose that's a much proof as we're going to get. Given the severity of the issue at hand I will observe a day of silence out of respect for the previous Kaiser, after which I will swear fealty to Siegfried if no new evidence presents itself.

Please understand my thoughts, my lord. I am fully willing to accept that the late Emperor did indeed name you as his heir. But this issue is too important for a rush to judgement one way or the other (looks pointedly at Frederick and Conrad), and establishing a consensus too early will only make it more difficult to see done.

Rest assured that I will repay Siegfried for this doubt should his claim be proven true.

[OverKnight]

Matthias shakes his head ruefully at the news and mutters to himself:

I wish your horse was as fast as Siegfried's Dieter.

Matthias kneels before Siegfried and bows his head.

My most humble apologies Kaiser Siegfried. I am your man. I am sorry for making a mountain out of a mole hill. I'm sure the suddenness of Kaiser Jobst's death, and the quickness of your Majesty's ascension has affected us all.

Matthias rises and returns to his seat.

[Ignoramus]

Conrad rises again.

"Matthias Steffan, you are a traitor to the true Kaiser, Hans. For this treason, you will surely die.

As for Kaiser Hans, I urge him to throw this usurper and his supporters out of the Diet!

Conrad resumes his seat.

[Cecil XIX]

Conrad, you are only helping chaos and disorder! Hans has made no claim to the title of Emperor, so stop addressing him as such. Acusing others of treason and wishing for thier deaths is the kind of talk that can tear this Diet apart, and the last thing we need is a Civil War over this issue! Calm down, and let every man speak in turn! That is the only way to ensure that the true Emperor assumes the throne!

[Stig]

*Ansehelm stands and walks forward to Hohenburg*

You disgust me you little man.
Prinz Hans never claimed the position of Kaiser, yes he's one of the best chancellors I know, next to that he's the best general. But he never claimed Kaiser
You disgust me, not only do you insult my little brother, but you also happen to insult your new Kaiser. I might be able to live with the last thing, because that's for a Kaiser to solve himself, but I can't live with the first thing. Nobody insults my little brother.

I don't do fighting in the Diet, but I know some people who do.
*Ansehelm looks at Arnold*
Where are your Dread Knight and Berserker?