Imperial Messenger Service

[GeneralHankerchief]

A message to the Electors of the Reich, from Alexander Luther

I am alive. I have fled the terrible Battle of Bern, survived, and am currently located far from the ravages of war. Do not try to find me. It would be a folly to do so, and frankly, there are better things that all of you could be doing.

From my hideout I have observed the Reich suffer greatly. As you all have probably surmised, we are in trouble; in danger of falling. We may blame this on whomever we wish - my personal grievances still lie with Kaiser Siegfried and his harebrained policy of reunification with the blaspheming Byzantines - but at this point it is like locking the stable door after the horse has left the barn. We're here, and we must deal with it.

I admit that I am at least partially to blame for the situation we find ourselves in at the moment. While I have only been teaching the Word of the Lord, my teachings have been quite un...Orthodox, no pun intended. At times my followers have done more than I have advocated, namely the destruction of the various churches and their participation in the War of Reformation that currently stews, both at Donauworth and elsewhere.

The whole point of Lutheranism is to see the people of the world have a more individual relationship with the Lord; to interact with Him on a more personal level. I was always against the idea of some Papal shaman or Byzantine Patriarch handing out orders made up out of nowhere. What makes him so special that only he can communicate with the Lord? No one's faith should have to depend on others. Yet, I fear that this is exactly the path we are embarking on. Unless a miracle happens, the Reich's people will forever doomed to be ruled by other, inferior Europeans, and will be made to listen to some French Pope or Greek Patriarch. Then, we are all doomed, in this life as well as the next.

One of the many things I learned at Bern was my ability to recruit an army, and quickly. The error was using that army against fellow Germans. Dietrich von Dassel, God rest his soul, claimed that the sooner he united Swabia, the sooner he could focus on driving out the enemy but the war just kept on going. I figure I can still raise an army. I figure that, if I, a religious leader, attach myself to another one of the Holy Roman Empire's mighty generals, legions of religious folk ready to defend their country and their faith to the end will quickly rise up and assist in defeating the invaders.

I offer myself up to you. Any general that wants me can have me. Send a message via this Service; it will reach me. I will then contact you privately.

However, I am not stupid. I will not go to those who have fought against Lutherans in the past in the name of Catholicism or the supporters of Hans, who sought to have me burned at the stake. I must be reasonably certain of your good intentions: namely, to use me to help recruit people to drive out the invaders and reclaim the Reich. If you use me and my men against fellow Germans, I will leave, as will my men. I have already survived one terrible battle that pitted German against German, and have no desire to see another one. Also, be advised that my presence will probably anger Catholics in the area and the War of Reformation may intensify where I am at.

I want the Reich united. I want the Reich strong again. At this point I will do anything to help. In 1340 at the Diet Session I will be present and negotiate with Kaiser Elberhard, probably the leading Catholic figure in the Reich now, to end the terrible War of Reformation eating us all, should he wish to receive me. These negotiations will be, of course, public.

Remember, if you desire my services, use the Imperial Messenger Service. It will get to me.

God save you all.