Imperial Messenger Service

[Privateerkev]

Dear Kaiser, Dukes, Counts, and Electors,

I am happy to hear that the situation in Austria is stabilizing.

However, I find it regrettable that Duke Arnold feels the need to take the opportunity to not only sanction violence against a sitting Duke, but threaten electors over who they politically support.

I will support whom I wish to support without regard to Arnold's threats or temper tantrums. Having years of experience regarding Arnold's anger management problems, I can assure all of you that his bark is much worse than his bite.

If the Dukes wish to maintain the support of their electors, they need to protect their citizens and lead by example, not fear.

God be with you,
Jan

[AussieGiant]

Nobles of the Reich,

Of course I find Jan's open letter a disgrace to this Realm and a pathetic series of words that mean nothing to anyone with some vital sense of reality.

My attitude towards the self proclaimed separatist Becker is measured and accurate and certainly not something Jan could possibly defend unless he too did not have the best interests of this Riech at heart!!

His sanctioning of Becker’s action is boarding on treason and clearly undermines the Household traditions that have made this Realm what it was and will be in the future.

Of course having no real House himself and clearly showing no sign of respect for the Duchy he belongs too have long been theme's of his rhetoric and constant snipping.

I would certainly recommend Jan remains in Outremer for his entire life as his ability to work with others and generate good will and consensus are sadly lacking. Especially here in the homelands.

My words towards Becker are nothing more than a clear and defined set of parameters for him to make a clear decision. If he chooses to continue his separatist actions against House Austria then my promise is that action will be taken by this House to remedy the situation.

I've never bitten so I am unsure how anyone is able to determine whether my bark is more or less dangerous.

Long Live the Reich!!

[Privateerkev]

Dear Kaiser, Dukes, Counts, and Electors,

Duke Arnold has made some strong statements. Now, with all of you as my witness, I am going to dare him to back them up. I have been accused of bordering on treason and undermining Household traditions. Clearly, some people have different ideas on what it means to serve their citizens.

Arnold wishes to rule by fear and temper tantrums. I rule by serving and sacrifice.

So, I will now say what Arnold has said so many times in the Diet.

Duke Arnold, you have talked a great deal, now lets see some action. Bring a case of treason against me at the next Diet if you feel so strongly.

As for your bite, I have experienced it and it did not live up to the mythos you have built up for yourself.

The Dukes need to do what is right by their people in these trying times. This is not a time for Arnold to be grasping at power in a desperate attempt to hold onto his pathetic legacy.

God be with you,
Jan

[AussieGiant]

My Lords,

Essentially Jan has supported a man who is a self proclaimed separatist and someone that has forsaken his oath to me and his Duchy.

That seems a clear case of disloyalty and certainly not something that should be tolerated when the Reich is faced with crisis it has now.

Becker’s actions have directly affected House Austria's ability to defend itself and has resulted in two nobles from other houses providing assistance in these trying times.

How that is defensible is beyond me, and I would regard my handling of the situation as measured and clear.

Jan has on many occasions used guilt by association to validate his arguments. His own methodology would seem to be the best course of explanation as to where my comments are coming from.

I'm not going to back up anything as he requests.

I have no need.

The words he has said will be more than enough for those who wish to see this Reich return to dominance deal with him as they see fit.

I am taking action and the nobles that have remained loyal to me and this Duchy see that every day of their lives.

We are the one’s dying defending Austria.

We are the one’s that have remained firm in this time of crisis.

We are the one’s working together towards a common aim and purpose.

Those in Prague do nothing but worry and build their forces for the inevitable time that is approaching.

Jan’s clear delusion of the situation here in Austria only compounds his complete lack of understanding as to what is happening.

If he so freely wishes to forsake the Duchies and the Dukes and Counts that make them whole then I see a long and lonely time before him.

Long Live the Kaiser. Long Live the Reich.

[TinCow]

Citizens of the Reich,

I write this letter to formally state that the Duchy of Bavaria is supporting the claim of Sir Dietrich von Dassel to the Duchy of Swabia. I will not attempt to persuade you that Dietrich has some hereditary claim to the title. That is a trick that dishonest men like Hans turn to in order to further their station. Sir Dietrich is not such a disreputable man. Far from it, he acts out of a true love for his people and a desire to see them governed by a man who will truly protect their interests. At this very moment, Dietrich is leading a large army that includes many fine Bavarian soldiers to aid the people of Swabia in their hour of need. I have spent much time with Sir Dietrich in recent months and he has convinced me of his sincerity. I am certain that he will rally the peoples of this broken Duchy and protect them from the ravages of the French armies.

For those of you who doubt his motives, and my own for backing him, I will simply recount the history of recent events as we know them. Dietrich von Dassel has been a true and honest friend of Bavaria from the day he came of age. He was knighted by my own father, Duke Gerhard Steffen, for his actions in defending Marseilles against the French. In more recent times, Sir Dietrich single-handedly defeated a Byzantine army that was threatening Bologna. He did this at a time when he had been disowned by his own Duke and was without lands to call his own. He could have ignored that army that plagued Bavarian lands and marched homewards. Instead he risked his own life and sacrificed much of his strength in a selfless act. As if that was not enough, he then volunteered his men to aid me in the destruction of a second Byzantine army that was blocking my escape from Florence. Without the aid of Sir Dietrich von Dassel, I would not likely be alive today.

In contrast, Hans has consistently demonstrated that he is unfit to rule a County, let alone a Duchy. His first act as a new Elector was to disobey orders and abduct a large group of knights from the First Crusade. He used these knights to gain personal glory against the Hungarians, knowing the entire time that he was putting the very security of the entire Crusade at risk by depriving them of much of their mounted strength. During his time in Outremer, he consistently sought to further his own station at the expense of others. A noble and honorable young Swabian, Jens Hummel, was killed while under the command of Hans in a battle against the Mongols. This was a needless and pointless battle. The Mongols were already broken as a threat to Outremer and more forces could have easily been assembled to defeat their remaining army without risking great bloodshed. However, that would have required that Hans share the glory with another general. Instead, he assaulted the Mongols alone and Jens Hummel paid the ultimate price so that his fellow Swabian could have yet another victory to brag about in the taverns.

In recent times, Hans has been single-handedly responsible for much of the evils that have befallen the Reich. When Peter von Kastilien took the brave and bold decision to march on Constantinople to prevent the atrocity of the ‘unification,’ Hans was the first man to volunteer to stop him. He cared not that it might require the shedding of fellow German blood or that his actions would support the ‘unification’ policy which was destined to destroy the Reich. No, he only marched east with an army and a will to shed the blood of his fellow Germans. As a result, Hans’ own people have clearly and unambiguously demonstrated their distain for his rule. Paris, Dijon, and Metz all rebelled against his authority, more provinces than any other Duchy. Furthermore, his actions have caused two of his own Electors to take up arms against him. Surely this demonstrates that the people desire a new leader.

Therefore, given the honorable manner in which Sir Dietrich has conducted himself, the friendship that Sir Dietrich has consistently shown to Bavaria, and the desire of the Swabian people for a new Duke, I have chosen to give Sir Dietrich the full support of Bavaria in his efforts. I know that under his wise and noble leadership, the Duchy of Swabia will survive and prosper. I urge all Electors to do what they can to aid Sir Dietrich in his noble mission, for the good of Swabia and the Reich.

To those, who wonder why I have given Bavarian resources to a Swabian when my own Duchy is so desperately in need, I say this: While Bavaria is itself beset with enemies from all sides, I simply cannot turn a blind eye to the plight of good German peoples, no matter which Duchy they call home. Count Friedrich Karolinger is already serving to aid Austria in the east and now Sir Dietrich von Dassel will receive Bavarian support in the west. Duke Ansehelm is doing a remarkable job defending Franconia, but should he find himself truly in need, Bavaria will aid him. We Bavarians will find a way to defend our lands and aid our neighbours at the same time, even if it puts own own lives at risk. We will not abandon our friends, even when times are hard for us. It is only through such common bonds of friendship and cooperation that we can hope to live through these dark times. As yet another demonstration of the good-will of Bavaria, I hereby pledge to the entire Reich that I will personally liberate Rome and restore it to the Kaiser, or I will die trying.

Praise God!
Long live the Reich!

Lothar Steffen
Duke of Bavaria

[GeneralHankerchief]

Fellow Electors,

I thank Duke Lothar for his continued support and generosity. If the rest of us showed the same spirit of cooperation then we would have our enemies beaten back in no time and concentrate on the betterment of the Reich's people.

Sadly, this is not the case. Duke Hans has failed to reply to my claim despite both inside and outside support. Therefore, I offer him an ultimatum:

Renounce your claim to Swabia. Agree to appoint me as Duke. I will grant leniency and amnesty to you and your supporters. I will even name you Count of Staufen, despite it being the Swabian capital, in recognition of your long service to the Reich and Swabia.

You have twenty-four hours to respond. Otherwise action that I do not wish to take will be taken. Please act for the good of the people of Swabia, Hans. I will not be this lenient again.

Electors, my priority is to keep Swabia united and powerful. I want to kill the French, not good Germans. I did not wish for the situation to come to this but in the long run I must do what is best for the people.

Signed,
Dietrich von Dassel

[FactionHeir]

Duke Hans of Swabia wishes to extend his greetings to the noble Counts and Dukes, and of course the honorable King of the Levant and Emperor of our Holy Roman Empire.

He feels that at this time, there is no need to reply to the ramblings of overconfident rebels and cutthroats who wish to bring another dark age over the empire.

However, in his wisdom, and belief, that no more blood of Swabian descent should be spilt than absolutely necessary, he graciously will accept the surrender of Wolfang Hümmel and Dietrich von Dassel, if they will lay down arms instead of inciting further infighting and civil wars, and allow them to use their forces to fight the French alongside the loyal and true Swabians.

If however, they feel the urge and craving for Swabian blood, the Duke regretfully will see no choice but to respond in equal measure.

In addition, Duke Hans of Swabia is most displeased at Duke Lothar of Bavaria's actions and wishes to warn Bavaria that their lack of faith and support of rebellion will not soon be forgotten.