Imperial Diet IV

[GeneralHankerchief]

Conrad Salier:

Everyone has a breaking point. The man has worked tirelessly to bring down what I and many others have dedicated our lives to. He brings up my former, unfortunate habits, insults my Crusader Counts, and questions all of our morality. Woe is me if one of my responses has a bite to it.

[Privateerkev]

My King,

Not only did your response have a bite to it, but apparently you sit on a pile of gold, bathe in a pool of diamonds, and take long walks on your personal mountain made of spice barefoot so you can feel it squish through your toes. If you are going to live such a decadent lifestyle, then I must insist that you share.

[Tamur]

Fritz grins so widely that his grin joins up with the scar on his jaw

Or, as the stylish English nobility would have it currently, put that mountain of spice in a large bowl, light it on fire, and let us sniff the smoke!

Fritz' ears turn red for a moment, and he resumes his scribbling on a scrap of parchment

[OverKnight]

Matthias's eyes narrow as Lothar spins his theories about Outremer. He smirks a bit at Jan's jests, but grows cold at the mention of Markus by Salier.

With all due respect King Salier, do not besmirch the memory of my fallen brother by bringing his name into this pointless argument.

Matthias turns a baleful gaze on Lothar.

Since my term began, I have not heard one complaint, one complaint, about the strength or composition of the House Armies, the Army of the Interior or the Teutonic Crusade. These forces outnumber those in Outremer by over three to one. I have assigned the needed men for each command, with no preferential treatment.

Save your anger for the Milanese, brother, for you will need it. You land in Sardinia next year and a strong army awaits you. You are the heir of Bavaria, start acting like it.

We all face challenges, we all have our battles to fight. Our enemies are numerous and belligerent, our focus should be on defeating them rather than these hollow debates.

[AussieGiant]

Arnold

Nice gentlemen. We seem to be avoiding pulling blades which is always a good start as far as I'm concerned.

Smiling at the Chancellor with obvious mirth

When can I kick the Sicilian's out of Austria Lord Chancellor? I actually don't have any battles to fight and my regiments and retinue are becoming harder to control with each passing month.

[OverKnight]

Matthias turns to Arnold.

Duke Arnold, you have the right to declare war against the Sicilians who are trespassing on Austrian lands. However, I would ask that you not do this. While our alliance with Sicilians is over and according to our diplomat can't be reestablished at this time, they are still valuable trade partners.

Also, I believe a Hungarian incursion into Zagreb might be in the offing, so your impatience might soon be alleviated. Count Lothar will be busy with Milanese as well and and my Father will be pursuing some rebels in the Alps. This means that if we declared war on the Sicilians, there are currently no forces to send against them.

We have enough enemies without adding another. The Sicilians may be foolish to have offended the Papacy, and they may be incompetent besiegers, but they have never done the Empire wrong. I would be loathe to war against them when we have others more deserving of our "attentions".

[AussieGiant]

Arnold

So...I sit in my Citadel and watch a Sicilian army camp outside it's walls for a year and I'm meant to clean my finger nails and play hopscotch?

I've got unreast, floggings, and Grom has taken to hanging my Priest out windows again...not to make a point, but simply because he's got nothing better to do.

Plus, I don't even want to know that Bane is doing in his spare time. At least he's not hunting down von Hamburg in Outremer, so that's a relief.

Their violating basic laws of the land and getting away with it.

Objectively I see your point Lord Chancellor, but can you please contact them and ask them to leave my lands?

[OverKnight]

OOC: There is no "Get of my land!" diplomatic option. I wish there was.

IC: There is a Sicilian fleet south of Ragusa, if this fleet does not remove the Sicilians in the next few years, I will consider other options. I might commision a diplomat to approach them to "convince" them to leave the service of Sicily, or I might go with your preferred course of action Duke Arnold.

If you are having discipline problems with your garrison, I suggest you take care of it. Surely a Duke with your fearsome reputation can enforce order?

[AussieGiant]

OOC: I know but I'm not really roleplaying that with Arnold

IC:

Scowling at the Chancellor

I said I have floogings and unrest. I didn't say they were a problem. The men a restless. They need something to do that's normal.

Believe me Chancellor there is no need for me to enforce anything other than looking at the men the wrong way. They get the message quick enough.

[Privateerkev]

Well, it probably would not be a good idea for Bane to wander around Outremer without you. There are scores of Teutonic Knights that would just love to get their hands on him. Not to kill him mind you, just to pull some pranks on him. Now I know you think Teutonic Knights are humorless dour men, but I assure you that they have a healthy and somewhat sick sense of humor. Maxmillian was just telling me the other day that one favorite prank they love to play is called the "Camel Toe." He says it involves a camel...

I don't think I want to hear the rest...

[Tamur]

Fritz stands tall, fire in his eyes

Those of you who have not heard, the Danes attempted to do away with my brother and our Kaiser, Siegfried! We must punish them by every means possible. I do not care what the consequences!

He pounds his fist on the table before him and sits.

[Tamur]

Fritz stands again, his deep-sunk eyes shining

And furthermore, let me say that I am sick, sick, sick of the Polish walking into my family's hard-won lands as if they had nothing better to do than tromp over ripening crops and savage innocent townsvolk. I want Krakow!

Fritz lets out something between a grunt and a sneeze, and seats himself lightly on the bench

[Stig]

A strange looking man comes walking into the Diet. He has a big beard and wears the armour of a Teutonic knight.

Meine Herren, mein name is Gert von Runstede, I am the infantry commander of Herzog Ansehelm von Kastillien. I have come to bring you news from Russia, and some other messages Ansehelm has for the Diet.
The first message reads:

Meine Herren,
My loyal comrade in arms Gert here brings you the latest news from Russia. When and if you get this we will have past Riga and we are on our way towards Novgorod. As it is now we had only have to fight one major battle, in which we have beaten the Russians with everything we got. I intend to fight some Russians near Novgorod in near future, however for now I would like the Russians to come to me, instead me coming to them, yes we can easely defeat the garrison in Novgorod, but Moscow is out target and has main priority, on the return run we can see for other cities.

Ansehelm also gave me a message concerning Thorn:

Meine Herren,
First of all I wish to annoy you with a complaint. Some time ago I gave the chancellor a build queue for Thorn, that the best barracks should be made in the city, as it would need them, we can't even properly recruit Armoured Sergeants in one of our most important castles. Next to that, instead of building nothing building has begun with an Armourer, against my personal orders, at that time as Count of Thorn, no as Duke.
About the Poles, Thorn has always been dangerous territory, that is why I requested countship there. As for the Poles, we should easely be able to beat them. My little brother Peter is one of the most potential commanders in the Reich, and my other younger brother Fritz is making some headway as well.

And here is a message concerning unser Kaiser:

Meine Herren,
I wish to inform you to I'm pissed off, to say the least, with the attempt on the life of my youngest brother, who happens to be our Kaiser. If I would be in the position to do so I would strangle the Danish king myself. He does not deserve to live, he who gives such orders. I have nothing against murder, but one does not kill a ruler, kill his helpers if you want to, but going after a Kaiser is not done.
I suggest we send one of our top assassins to return the favour, and next to that I suggest we send some reinforcements from Thorn to the Imperial Army and march into Danish territory, mainly to annoy them.

I have to return to Russia now gentlemen, but someone will come soon, as I heard that shortly after my leave Ansehelm has send another messenger to bring some news about Ducal matters.

[OverKnight]

Matthias reviews the build queue for Thorn and mutters an oath under his breath. He speaks to the Diet.

A barracks will be built immediately in Thorn.

Edit: Thorn can actually recruit Armoured Spearmen with the current buildings. The next barracks building would give them a boost in experience. Still, I will accede to the Steward's request.

As for an assassination attempt on the Danish King, our only assassin is currently near Krakow. I will, however, send a spy to join the Kaiser's army to ensure his continued security.

[Tamur]

Gentlemen, my apologies for my outbursts yesterday. I... I must admit that I was deeply shaken by the news of the attempt on Siegfried's life. Our father, were he alive, would have been devastated by this news, and...

Fritz pauses and squints, then breathes deep

I will work to contain myself better in the future.

[Cecil XIX]

You needn't apologize, Count. Both myself and the Steffen family have already lost brothers, and I think I can speak for them as well when I say we would not hold someone's outrage against them.

[Stig]

Another messenger walks into the Diet, wearing a fur hat and coat, strangely looking in Rome

Meine Herren, I have come to bring you a second series of messages from Duke Ansehelm, as he did not want to send all messages at once, in case either Herr Gunther or I got intercepted by the Russians.
His first message is concerning his brother Fritz:

Meine Herren of the Diet,
I hereby inform you that my younger brother Fritz has been named Count of Stettin, and that he, by this inherits the County of Stettin from our father Gunther von Kastillien.

And his second message concerns the naming of an heir to the Duchy of Franconia:

Meine Herren,
By various means I have heard that some people, a certain, obvious one in particular, want me to name an heir. I however did not wish to do so, as I want it so that my oldest son or daughter would inherit the Duchy. It is however so that I am on a dangerous mission and might die. However I call on this:

4.7 Dukes and Counts should name a successor, who will take over their titles and settlements when they die. If no successor is named, the oldest natural son inherits, (if none, oldest adopted son; if none again, then the oldest son-in-law).
Charter Amendment 8.1:
Clause 2: Amend 4.7 by adding: If a Duke resigns, the Kaiser appoints a successor.

Would I die the Kaiser, who happens to be my little brother, will name a successor.
If anyone from Franconia calls on some sort of dispute over this, may he rot in hell, if that even exists.

[Privateerkev]

Cousin Fritz,

Sigismund is right. Passion in the Diet is normal. I for one would be sad if everyone lacked emotion. As for the attempt on the Kaiser, the Chancellor has made it clear that he is seeing to the Kaiser's security and I have faith in him and his abilities. We lost one Kaiser to the Danes. We won't let them take another. What I find ironic is that this assassination was sanctioned by the same man that paid us to assassinate his father. Maybe he is trying to tie up loose ends. Maybe he needs to alleviate the suspicions of his own nobles. Maybe he is afraid that we will do it to him too. While I would love for there to be peace on our northern border, they need to learn that they can not do this with impunity.

[Tamur]

I wish to publicly thank Duke Ansehelm for my appointment. I hope to carry it off with as much heroism as our father did.

And I thank you greatly Sigismund and Jan for your consoling words. You are true friends.

The small smile that had formed on his face disappears as Fritz continues

That said, I agree with you wholeheartedly Jan. I will not pound my fist on the table today, but the Danes cannot be allowed to continue such acts.

It will be some time before this Diet meets again to determine policy. Until then I will be as the slave of the ancient Scipios, whispering into your ears after dinner, Arhus delenda est. Such behaviour cannot go unpunished.

[Warluster]

Athalwolf von Salza stands, staring at Kaiser Siegfred

One Kaiser has already been brought down by the Danes, if it is the last thing I do, I shall make sure no one ven trys to think of assasinating you mein Kaiser.

He looks away, a twinkle in his eyes.

If you wish, be could go north and use some, lets say, burn and churn tactics? We could pay back the Danes for every they've done, go inot our land, kill German Men, and kill my father...

Athalwolf sits

[Cecil XIX]

The Chancellor's report for 1270 is troubling. I fear the Byzantines repudiation is a direct result of the ill will the Reich has gathered from our numerous wars. So, the time is right to make peace with one of our numerious enemies, specifically the Venetians. These men are unique in having the good sense to stay out of our land, something even the Sicilians can't seem to to understand. I also think that we could go even further by convincing them to submit to us as a vassal state, so that they could pay us the tribute that we deserve as the Holy Reich. I urge the Diet to debate this idea, as proof to the world that we can accept a former foe who treats us justly will serve as an excellant example alongside the fate of Milan.

[Stuperman]

This news of a Sicilian war is most troubling indeed, but something that I have suspected was inevetable ever sonce the Sicilian attack on the pope. With the Spanish presence on Sardinia it further complicates the situation. Infact I warned about this very situatuation in the Bavarian Dutchies offices, our army stranded away from europe, myself stuck in the north dealing with some 'swiss' rebels. Rome, our capital is effectively undefended.

I think we should give up caligari, trade it to the spanish for florins, maps, an alliance, what ever we can get from them, and Lothar and the BHA should sail on Naples or Plamero Immediately. (OOC: this would have 2 effects, gaurding our southern front, and strengthening the spanish, IIRC we were hoping for a strong spain to fight later in game. I also know that an alliance might be impossible cause of the whole HRE>Spain>Portugal diplomatic triangle)

We can't afford to share a boarder with such trecherous Italians, and with little papal objection the timing couldn't be better.

[TinCow]

*Lothar nods in agreement.*

My father's plan is a sound one. Cagliari is of little benefit to the Reich as a citadel, since Ajaccio is better developed and close by. Furthermore, it will take a great deal of time and money to convert it into a profitable trading center. The resources of the Reich would be better spent on other things. By disposing of Cagliari, the Bavarian Household Army would be freed to defend the Imperial Capital, and the entire Italian mainland, from Sicilian attacks.

If I might offer one small alteration to this plan though: let us tear down the citadel of Cagliari and make it a simple city before handing it over to the Spaniards. This will remove the threat of the island being used as an army recruitment center, should we ever find ourselves at war with Spain. It would also prompt the Spanish King to improve the profitability of the island. This would benefit us if we ever found the island in our possession once again.

[Northnovas]

Karl Zirn:

I commend young Lothar for his deeds of removing the Milanese blight. They are no longer an issue to the Reich. I support the words of the Bavarian House. The fortress has no use but if we can use it for peace with the Spanish then so be it. I do think we should convert it to a city before the exchange. Let them have some economic gain from it and not a military advantage against us.

[Stuperman]

Lothar and Karl bring up good points, I couldn't agree more with them more, turning Caligari into a city would add appeal for the spanish king, and lessen the threat to the HRE.

[Privateerkev]

Jan von Hamburg walks into the Diet. No longer baring the full regalia of the Crusader but still bearing a small subtle patch on his armor marking his participation in the Holy cause. He nods to his cousins and brother-in-law. He stands at the Franconian table to speak.

My fellow electors,

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I say this, but Fredericus the Crusader died peacefully not long ago. My father lifted us up from the dark Chancellorship of Ulrich Hummel. He fought in the Crusade to take Damascus. And is directly responsible for defeating two waves of Mongol hordes. He believed in the Holy mission of Outremer. He was a true German and we are all the lesser for his absence. I hereby call for a moment of silence in the Diet out of respect for this man.

Jan waits a full minute. The Diet is still as a tomb.

Thank you and God bless the Reich

[OverKnight]

Matthias bows his head and after the moment passes nods to Jan.

Your Father will be missed, Count Jan.

Matthias thinks a bit and speaks again.

As for the previous discussion. . .

I would need permission from the Kaiser to convert or donate Cagliari. It became an Imperial holding once it was seized.

Unless we donate Cagliari to Spain this year, I believe their fleet near Corsica will make landfall and they will attack Ajaccio. Even gifting them Cagliari might not be enough to head off a war. I might be wrong, but if their intentions are peaceful, why send the fleet to Corsica, rather than to Sardinia to pick up their men?

Part of me wishes to attack the Spaniards now while we have the initiative, but for that I again need the go ahead of the Kaiser, for the Spanish are trespassing on Imperial lands.

Until there is a decision on this, I will not leave Cagliari undefended. This will delay our strike against Sicily, but my spy near Naples tells me there are no Sicilian forces threatening our land borders. They can't even backstab correctly.

[Ituralde]

Emperor Siegfried raises to adress the Diet, he looks especially cheerful.

Chancellor Matthias, your judgement and your leadership of the Reich have been outstanding so far and your ideas ring true with me. I leave the final decision to you and you may decide the fate of Cagliari. A war with Spain would directly involve the Bavarian Household Army, so you should maybe talk with your Duke about this matter. Either way I authorize whatever action you have in mind.

May I once again repeat how pleased I am about your diplomatic success with the Byzantine Empire! Finally our two great Empires are joined by royal ties. The wedding ceremonies will require much preparation though and I fear the Byzantine protocols are very strict on these matters. I may not find the time to adjucate on every little squabble raised within this chamber for some time. I appoint the Prince to oversee the order of this hall in my absence.

If you will excuse me now, my ship will soon leave for a visit to Constantinople.

[AussieGiant]

Arnold

Chancellor!! It's a mixed bag of results sir.

While I am pleased we are at war with Sicily and I'm more than happy to now get involved with splitting heads again, I can't say I'm happy with the nuptual's I see.

Dear Chancellor, while I'm aware the Kaiser needed a wife...and you have done a splendid job getting the wedding organised, I must strongly point out that the "Line of Austria" is dangerously close to being extinguished.

I need an Heir sir, and I need one now!

[OverKnight]

A flash of irritation comes across Matthias's face as the piercing voice of the Duke of Austria shatters his contemplation of the many important issues facing the Reich.

Enough! If you wish an official heir so badly, why not just legitimize one of the legion of bastards you've most likely fathered. I'm sure there are candidates in every whore house, tavern and pig sty from here to Thorn!

I have the defense of Outremer to plan, war on every front, crumbling alliances that need to be shored up, a silk monopoly to break and armies to rebuild. I'm sorry that your marriage bed is not a priority!

If an oppurtunity arises to get you married off, you'll be the first to know Duke Arnold. Now leave me be!