Imperial Messenger Service

[TinCow]

Edmund Becker and Other Rebellious Knaves,

The Duchy of Bavaria will not tolerate exploitation of her lands by non-Bavarians at any time, let alone in these dark days. I formally demand that Edmund Becker return the wealth he has stolen from Nuremburg to me personally and swear to keep his citizens from commiting such crimes ever again. It is clear to all that I cannot spare the time to march north and deal with the matter personally, but this period of crisis will not last forever. If all Bavarian properly is not returned to me by the end of the year, I shall extract it from Edmund Becker's hide with my bare hands... plus interest. It may take a few years, but that will only give me more time to devise unpleasant methods of repossession.

Lothar Steffen
Duke of Bavaria

[Cecil XIX]

Electors of the Reich,

I apologize, deeply and profusely, for what has happened as a result of my orders. My intentions were for my men to legally purchase goods and materials from the surrounding lands, and I had even hoped that some of the taxes and tariffs would go to the coffers of my fellow nobles.

My men have given me nothing that I requested, but have instead stolen from my countrymen. Were I not in a position to make things right, I would second Duke Lothar's proclamation. Instead, I will return to Dukes Arnold, Lothar, and Peter double what was stolen. Each of these men have a much greater need for soldiers than I. I will also release those responsible into the custody of those they have wronged, namely the same Dukes.

Let no one doubt my intentions, for it is not my will to contribute to this chaos.

Sincerely,
Edmund Bece

[AussieGiant]

Becker!!

It seems as if the actions of your merchants are beyond your control!!

Apologies all you want but the effects are the same. Three Duchies are now temporarily affected this year while this mess is sorted out.

The timing could not be worse and the Duke's in question have already sent me notes of displeasure.

I don't know what your playing at, but if you think that by yourself you can defend against Polish and Hungarian forces then you are delusional.

Why don't you send an observer to some of the battles being fought outside Budapest to gauge for yourself how our professional troops, commanded by some of the Reich's greatest General are fairing!!??

End this separation before you bring down Austria and yourself in one foul moment of selfishness!

I promise you Becker, when I decide the amnesty is over you will have one chance to reconcile before military action is taken.

Duke Arnold

[Tamur]

To the electors of the Reich:

I have received word from a reputable source that King Jan has foully abandoned Outremer, bound for the Reich's unstable centre, with malignant intent. My informant whispered many rumours of Jan's whereabouts but these are unfounded at present.

I urge all electors to keep watch on their troops, their territories, and their coffers. King Jan should be treated as a criminal! We must apprehend him at the first opportunity and bring him to trial when the Diet next convenes.

Fritz von Kastilien

[AussieGiant]

My Lords,

Word has reached me from Budapest.

Lord Zirn has defeated another Hungarian force in a night action.

I'm also please to announce that Johann Zirn has been knighted due to his skill and bravery on the field of battle.

On a more sour note I have heard that Becker is pleading a case to help defend Breslau on behalf House Franconia.

I'd urge Duke Peter to avoid dealing with the separatist as he can clearly not be trusted and must not be dealt with as an equal of any station.

Clearly Becker is feeling the adverse affects of sitting around watching Austrian nobles with assistance from Franconia and Bavaria make the sacrifices that HE should be making for his Duchy!!

Duke Arnold

[Privateerkev]

My fellow Germans,

This letter is being sent to every settlement in the Reich, as well as every noble.

I come to you in a time of great peril to ask you for your help. Events are going on in Europe that I can not ignore any longer. First off, let me introduce myself.

I am Jan von Hamburg, son of Fredericus von Hamburg. Veteran of the Second and Third Crusades. King of Outremer for 44 years. I have spent my adult life defending the Holy Lands and protecting a Papal Jerusalem. I have served the Reich, the Kaiser, and the Lord faithfully. And I am not happy.

I am not happy because I see a Reich torn apart by religious division. I watched as Alexander Luther poisoned the minds of many good people. One of them is Dietrich von Dassel who, with Luther at his side, murdered Pope Abbate, exterminated the city of Durazzo, and got the entire Reich excommunicated.

I have recently learned that my nephew has aggressively negotiated with the Papacy in order to get us reconciled. Now it is time for his uncle to finish the job. I intend to confront Dassel and Luther and bring them both to justice. Why such a strong stance against these two individuals you ask?

Because they represent a particularly violent strain of Lutheranism. Alexander Luther advocates violence, as even a cursory glance of On The Byzantines and Their Lies will show. Dassel has proven particularly malleable and receptive of these teachings, as his past brutal actions have shown.

Now this is not intended to alarm Lutherans who have remained peaceful. Nor those who loyally serve the Reich. But Lutherans who rebel against their fellow Germans need to be shown the full weight of the law. As a member of the Diet, I can assure you that your leadership saw the Lutheran menace coming. And we did nothing. We were afraid. Or we did not find it politically expedient. Duke Lothar and Duke Arnold could have done more to stop Dassel from killing the Holy Father but they refused, for their own reasons.

From among the Dukes, only Duke Hans has remained a loyal Catholic through all of this. And it is Duke Hans that is in most need of help. For Dassel and Luther have now set their sights on the Swabian Duchy. Afraid of what will happen to him at the next Diet, Dassel has decided to make himself above the law by usurping the Ducal throne. While Dassel is currently under siege in Bern, I do not believe that Duke Hans can take the city without horrible losses.

This is unacceptable. I intend to immediately join in the Swabian Civil War on the side of Duke Hans, rightful and legal Duke of Swabia. And I need your help. I need an army of Catholics to help me save the Reich from violent Lutheranism. I know you are out there, a silent majority. I know you are scared and discontent. I know you crave leadership.

Well, I am here to give you that leadership. I have left everything I cared for, a job I swore an oath to, and a duty I dedicated my life to, in order to come here and serve you. For I believe this is the struggle of our time. And I believe it is time that we all let it be known where we stand. And I stand on the side of God.

It was hoped by your leaders, that this whole Lutheran thing was just a phase and would blow over. Or, that everyone could co-exist peacefully. But, events in Donauwörth have proven that the more violent elements of Lutheranism will not let that happen. Since they can not gain primacy as the one true interpretation of the Word, they are instead trying to usurp political power.

So I put out a call. To all of the faithful. To the masses. To the veterans of our past great Crusades. To the Teutonic Order. To anyone who wishes for this darkness to end. Join me!

Together we can steer the Reich in a better direction.

Catholic Soldiers of the Reich, Unite!!!

[GeneralHankerchief]

A lone arrow is shot out from the besieged city of Bern one day. Attached to it is a short message, quickly spread and reproduced throughout the Reich. It simply reads:

I'm waiting.

[OverKnight]

Reward Offered

Let it be known to all citizens of the Reich that I, Matthias Steffen, seek the return of the Crown of Thorns to its proper place, the guardianship of the Kings of Outremer.

The Crown was last known to be in possession of Jan von Hamburg, but it is rumored that he sold the Crown to finance his unexpected flight to Europe. It is unfortunate that such a holy relic has been treated with such base and callous disregard for its sanctified history.

To right this wrong I offer a reward for the Crown of Thorns. The party who purchased the Crown is encouraged to come forward, they will be well compensated for its return.

Matthias Steffen