Imperial Diet VII

[_Tristan_]

Be it Rennes or Bordeaux... I personnally do not care as long as it is the furthest into French territory...

I still think Rennes would be the better choice but will leave the matter i more capable hands...

[Ramses II CP]

Entering the Diet chambers Chancellor Fritz von Kastilien moves immediately to the head of the great table and addresses the functionaries and others present, who can carry word to all the nobles of the Reich.

I reproduce here two documents among some dozen more which were sent to me privately by Elberhard's former guardsman, Captain Jan. I wish them entered in the public record, for good or ill. Following them are my thoughts on this matter, and the fool who brought them to light and now lies under Lord Becker's control.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Bürgermeister Ortlein,

I have immediate need of a goodly sum of money for extensive repairs to the walls and fortifications of the Duchy’s great cities. I require that you raise, in all haste, the sum of 50,000 florins for this purpose. I care not what means you use, though I encourage you to look to our Milanese subjects first and foremost. Taxation, repossession, and confiscation are all acceptable, so long as the monies are ready by the 9th day of next month.

I will take delivery of this sum personally at my residence in Florence. It is also my explicit order that this taxation not be recorded in the books. This is a private levy of funds, it is not intended for the Bavarian Treasury. The Steffen family retainers will see to the repairs; there is no need to involve outside parties. Marking it in the books would simply confuse matters and ensure that the subtotals did not add up properly when they are checked on the first day of the New Year.

I have faith you will have no problems carrying out these orders. If you accomplish them without error, there is a large estate outside Ajaccio that is in need of a new Lord. Perhaps warmer weather would help with that cough of yours.

Lothar Steffen
Duke of Bavaria

Captain Schneider,

The sum you have demanded is in the custody of the man bearing this note. We have checked the chests personally and have ensured that all 50,000 florins are in place. You are, of course, free to count them yourself. Do not fret yourself about the money being traced. Those who contributed it are not likely to speak up, nor would any German lend them an ear even if they did.

We expect the matter to be carried out promptly and competently. No doubt is to be left as to the survival of S. Use whatever method of butchery you feel necessary to ensure that there is no life left in his body. A simple decapitation is usually effective, but we know your reputation for the dramatic, so we will allow a bit of artistic license if you wish it.

The man who carries this note is also a competent scout and he shall aid you in the tracking. We have received word that S shall be returning from Constantinople in the next few weeks to address the Diet in person. That will surely make his route predictable and allow him to be intercepted at an opportune spot.

Make sure that your men disperse after the attack and instruct them not to speak of it or to spend their payment until they have departed the Reich. The Order will be greatly displeased if we have to clean up any mess left behind by your men. Do not fail us, or we shall have to write a similar note to the man charged with your death.

Voice
*Below the strange signature is a small mark written in red ink. It is an oval, or perhaps an eye, inside a pyramid.*

I feel no great wish to impugn the dead here, but I will make it known that my opinion was previously that, at best, Kaiser Elberhard was the tool of traitors in service to Byzantium. It was not within the realm of my imagination that a German noble could raise hands against another. It would appear that I was either very wrong, or the former Kaiser's plan was much, much deeper than I imagined.

It is curious to my mind that just as the last army of the Greeks is about to be expelled from Italy that this convoluted, complicated, one might even say Byzantine plot surfaces regarding the assassination of my brother.

A strange light has come into the Chancellor's eyes, and though his face remains impassive it begins to darken somehow.

Having said that, the evidence presented is compelling. There are several sources claimed for the documents, some of which can be independently verified. I have no choice but to take them at face value.

Without seeming to move in any way, without using a single muscle, Fritz's visage suddenly fills with black rage.

Know this! Whomever is responsible, your time is at an end. I have let this matter go by the wayside for too long while I struggled to push forward the Reich, but blood calls to blood.

By God I call Lothar Steffen to come forward and answer these charges immediately. His aids, allies, and servants too are called to account. You have found great success under my brother, the Kaiser, and I, the Chancellor, these past few years Lothar. I pray that you have some answer for these hideous charges, something that exonerates you. I pray that you bring it forward quickly.

Long restrained anger, and pure malevolent menace pour out in Fritz's words now. There is, perhaps, even a hint of madness.

For if you have not... know that I will have your head. I will burn your retainers at the stake. I will crucify your soldiers until the peasants of Bavaria wonder at the forests of screaming men. I will tear down your cities and exterminate any hole that gives you shelter. Though Heaven itself stand between us, I will conquer it and call you to account for the death of Siegfried.

If the Chancellor's words carry any sway, there will never be a trial. I have seen enough that, unless Lothar can give me answer, every power at my disposal will be bent to his destruction. If you would wrest these powers from me, you will be aligning yourself with my enemies, and placing your men at his side, and your cities at the same risk as his. Do not imagine that I will set aside control of the resources of the Chancellorship to settle this debt.

For a moment the dominating fury recedes from Fritz.

Any who would stand aside from this conflict, stand aside! Declare your neutrality, stand your ground in the field, and speak no further until I have settled this dispute. Be aware that your every word can place you in danger. I will root out this vile plague into the very ground from which it springs, burn it's vines and stretching lengths to ashes, and salt the earth it once grew in.

The Reich's armies are suspended from offensive action. Men at march may be subject to assault, or to being taken in irons, if they have not clearly declared their loyalty to me first. The Reich's nobles are also ordered to make their loyalties known, or to risk capture or death. This is an order which has thrived in darkness and shadow, to drag it into the light will require extraordinairy measures of us all.

Chancellor Fritz von Kastilien

[TinCow]

*Lothar Steffen stands.*

Frauds. Forgeries. Those documents have been manufactured by someone, or some group of people, who are clearly interested in ruining me. My actions in defence of the Reich speak for themselves. If you choose to believe circumstantial evidence and a few swirls of ink over the word of a Duke of the Reich, then I doubt there is much more I can say that will change your mind.

*Lothar's eyes narrow.*

I respect you, Chancellor von Kastilien, but know that I will not stand for idle threats and coercions. You had best cease your accusations and go about the business of your position. I am by no means defenseless, and it would sadden me greatly to have to dispose of one of the more competent Chancellors the Reich has ever seen.

[OverKnight]

As the situation develops, there is a hushed but animated conversation among the few Outremer functionaries in the Diet. A messenger is soon dispatched from the Chamber, running for the next ship.

[gibsonsg91921]

Lothar Steffen, these documents were found in the possession of a Milanese assassin by Count Edmund Becker. These are not forgeries, and our experts in the royal palace, Bavarian experts, can determine as such.

Lothar Steffen, if you do not come quietly, I shall take you by force.

I, Péter von Kastilien, call an Emergency Diet Session to authorize me to strip you of your title of Duke of Bavaria in favor of Herrmann Steffen.

CA E3.1 - If a noble, be it a Count, Duke, Viceroy, Army Commander, Knight, or one of any title with right to vote in this Diet, conspires against the state and due evidence is brought up, they may be stripped of their title by the Kaiser.

CA E3.2 - If a Duke is stripped of their title due to conspiracy against the state, the Kaiser may choose his successor.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Herrmann Steffen:

God damn it! God damn this! God damn you all for bringing this back into the light!

Are we really going to drop everything and fight another bloody civil war over this? Need I remind you gentlemen what happened the last time this issue was brought up? It's interesting how I, who was underage at the time of the Cataclysm, seem to remember it best.

But no, apparently that doesn't matter. To hell with the rest of the Reich, there's blood to be settled. Never mind that we are still reeling from the effects of the Cataclysm, never mind that disunity now would plunge us back into mortal peril, never mind any of that! You men who should know better need to thump your chests and say that you avenged your honor! So yeah, go ahead and do that. Go ahead and do that while the Reich burns, gentlemen.

I'm sick of all of this. If you need me, I'll be doing something that matters, like organizing a push into France. Hopefully it will be well done enough to keep the French away while you children play out your little blood feud.

[TinCow]

Milanese? I do hope you tortured the fellow after you got your hands on him. The Milanese are notorious liars and frauds. They are also known to hate the Reich with a passion due to our destruction of their short-lived independence. Have you forgotten that I have previously shown this Diet evidence that the Milanese themselves were behind the assassination of Kaiser Siegfried? It makes perfect sense that they would now falsify evidence to try and harm the Reich further. They hate Bavaria above all other Duchies, since we control all of their former lands. That makes me the perfect target for this conspiracy they are engaged in. Do not let yourself be drawn into it, Péter.

[gibsonsg91921]

If you recall, Lothar Steffen, Hans had an investigation of his own after the death of Siegfried, before you could conduct yours, stating that a prominent member of Bavaria was behind this. However, you were so bold and swift as to have your own investigation, casting away the blame from yourself and onto the Milanese. The Milanese are all but extinct, and fools in battle. I do not think them capable of assassinating the Emperor of Germany in her prime.

Herrmann, if your father is a man and comes clean, there shall be no need for blood. If he sees it appropriate to fight over it and start a civil war, he shall get one.

[Ramses II CP]

Lothar Steffen, if you have evidence to present in counter to what the Diet records hold then bring it forth! I have heard, and even accepted, the excuse that the documents from your previous investigation were lost with Florence, but Florence has now been recovered. Is there anything you can offer this body or me personally that will demonstrate your innocence?

I do not need to hear anything further about forgeries. The documents in question form a self supporting web, and the man in Lord Becker's possession would have to have been paid in God's own coin to come forward and confess killing my brother. Lord Becker will not hold him forever, and when I get him the rest of his long, long life will be spent begging for death.

Hermann Steffen, I ask that you declare your loyalties in some haste! If you are neutral, as you suggest, and intend to stand aside and hold ground against the French then be explicit. I don't want to suggest that a man must fall in the shadow of his father, but unless you speak clearly to your intent your actions will be suspect. The assassination of a former Kaiser, and most especially my brother, is not a matter that can be swept back under a rug.

Mein Kaiser, I am not prepared to believe that a trial will serve justice. How long has this matter lain still under the rough waters of the Reich? Will we leave it to other men to settle the blood debt of the von Kastiliens?

What's more, how deep does the conspiracy go? Your correspondence on this matter suggests to me that there may be rot in many houses.

Fritz von Kastilien

[GeneralHankerchief]

Herrmann Steffen:

If I explicitly declare neutrality, as you wish, Chancellor, then I have given into the feud already. I will not fall into your trap. I will not lend credibility to any side of this conflict. The Reich cannot afford any more of this.

[TinCow]

I regret that I have nothing to produce except my word. As you all know, my pride and treasure was the Florentine Pleasure Palace. I worked for years to have it constructed and I chose it for my personal offices, due to the security and privacy that I knew it could provide. We all know that it was completely destroyed by the Byzantines at some point during their occupation of the city. Any evidence that I once had that could aid my case was lost when that building was razed. I am thus forced to rely only on my word to prove my case.

I will say this.

I swear before God Almighty and upon the soul of my glorious and noble father, Duke Gerhard Steffen, that I, Duke Lothar Steffen, have never in my life committed an act that was intended to harm the Reich. I swear that everything I have done throughout my life has been for the good of all citizens of our lands. I vow that I will continue to protect the people and act in their best interests, no matter what the personal cost to myself.

I will have the head of any man who says that my oath is false in any way.

[gibsonsg91921]

Ha. Not harm the Reich is subjective - in assassinating my brother you harmed the Reich more than anyone ever could, plunging us into bitter inner turmoil. Conspiring against Hans? We both saw Hans as a political threat, but the most brilliant commander the Reich has ever seen was hardly a physical threat to anyone but our enemies. On the other hand, I often find I agree with your method of politics, yet you are a greater threat to peace than any member of this body.

Can you swear on your father's grave and before God that you were in no way involved with the assassination of Siegfried von Kastilien? Bravado you have, manhood you have none.

[_Tristan_]

I swear before God Almighty and upon the soul of my glorious and noble father, Duke Gerhard Steffen, that I, Duke Lothar Steffen, have never in my life committed an act that was intended to harm the Reich. I swear that everything I have done throughout my life has been for the good of all citizens of our lands. I vow that I will continue to protect the people and act in their best interests, no matter what the personal cost to myself.

Duc Steffen,

Your oath is so loosely worded that indeed no one could prove you commit parjury while uttering it...

You seem more a vile lawyer with that oath than a respectable general and noble of the Reich...

[gibsonsg91921]

OOC: My Emergency Diet Session CA's need seconders...

[TinCow]

I have never committed treason against the Reich, as everything I have ever done has been for the good of all. I will continue to do these good works until my dying breath. The Reich is more important than any individual Elector, no matter what office he may hold. If you disagree with that, then you are a traitor to our people.

I am accused of the assassination of Kaiser Siegfried. Even if it was true that I was involved in such an act, would that really have been a crime? Kaiser Siegfried was single-handedly responsible for the disasters of the cataclysm. He unilaterally pursued that absurd policy of Unification, even though nearly every Elector was opposed to it. He gave away numerous provinces to our rivals and converted most of Outremer to a heathen religion! Under the circumstances, I believe that Siegfried was the greatest traitor the Reich has ever seen. Any actions were justifiable to prevent him from further harming our people. Whomever killed him, I applaud them and would gladly offer them a banquet in Florence.

Wearing a crown and being given the title of Kaiser does not make a man noble, nor does it make his actions proper. Need I remind this body of how Siegfried came to his crown in the first place? How many of you really believe that good Kaiser Jobst von Salza truly named that unknown and low-ranked Franconian to be his successor when he fell on the field of battle? Not even Hans believed that! Siegfried fabricated his claim to obtain the Throne, and then used his position to betray the Reich! Can any of you honestly say that Siegfried was a good Kaiser who benefited the people? Even Siegfried's own brother, Kaiser Péter, opposed his actions.

[gibsonsg91921]

Siegfried was a poor Kaiser, yet there is no proof of his fabrication of his claims. A Council of Dukes resolved that matter. He was a fool and inept, yet there are ways other than treason of putting an end to idiocy, ways I am no stranger too.

[TinCow]

Such as betraying the Kaiser and marching to sack the capitol of our 'allies' the Byzantines? How can those actions be noble when they resulted in a war between two nations that has taken the lives of countless thousands of loyal Germans, while the death of Siegfried was the killing of a single man, but so heinous that civil war is once again threatened over it?

[AussieGiant]

The voice of the herald announces the arrival of Duke Arnold and retinue.

There is are three long echoing knocks on the Chamber door.
What follows is a troops of black clad guards and the Duke's personal retinue armed to extreme levels.

Smiling broadly the Duke walks steadily into the Chamber. Making a bow to the Kaiser he then nods his head at the Chancellor and a few others.

Gentlemen,

I've been brought up to speed on my way here and it seems we need to calm the #$%^#$ down just a little at this time.

Before any man's liberties are threatened or even attempted to be removed...

That statement is followed by the black gauntleted hand falling on the pommel of his sword.

Why don't we start following some type of process here!!

Those aggrieved parties, whoever they are, should be making specific official and evidence backed accusations at this time. I don't see any of that right now.

All I see is a a bunch of assumptions, accusations and hearsay supported by some words written on paper.

At the risk of sounding like one of my most hated lawyers;

Just who the #$#%^ing hell is being charged with what!!??

And what is the evidence supporting it!!?

And finally, are we going to allow justice in the form of accusation and defence or simply another free for all!!?

I'd like a free for all because I'm in need of some killing to get rid of this #$%#ing awful moniker!!

Gazing around the Diet Chamber, the Duke unsheathes his dagger and begins to clean his nails.

In a quite voice Arnold says to no one in particular while concentrating on his nail cleaning.

And I'd suggest everyone threatens each other a little less in the next few hours...

[Northnovas]

Johann Zirn

A tired, a bit ragged looking man stands from the Austrian bench. Nodding to his Duke in a half hearted agreement.

Nobles,

This indeed a serious matter and I am shocked at the allegations presented by the Chancellor but do not question the authenticity of the documents or the Kaiser’s call fro an Emergency Diet. However, to let the Chancellor’s words stand without trial we need a deliberated and methodical look at the facts. Please let’s not rush into this and see what Duke Steffen can bring to answer to these charges.

We must also remember that we are at war. There was talk of asking his Holiness for a Crusade against the French. I thought this a bold and strategic move by the Chancellor. Young Steffen has asked are we to fight each other and forget about the enemies at our door. Do we loose Swabia to the French, Austria to the Hungarians, Franconia to the Poles and the Byzantines regain Italy? We can’t let this happen!!

We must continue to fight because our enemies are not going to wait and let us settle our internal matters.

Chancellor, I am for an investigation and my Kaiser you have my loyalty to the Reich but I will not be distracted with internal affairs when the enemy is knocking on my door.

[Ferret]

I second both CAs.

There doesn't need to be a civil war, all I that is needed is the death of one murderous man. We have all heard the rumours about him and those with any sense can see he is not a valuable asset to the Reich. If we let him live he can control this nation, any man who opposes him can be killed, we cannot let him get away with this.

[gibsonsg91921]

Indeed - Johann and Herrmann are correct. The investigation must continue, but not at the expense of the Reich.

I shall take command of Lothar's army, with him as my second-in-command. We will defend Italy and the Reich together until this is solved. Until then, Herrmann Steffen shall be Steward of Bavaria.

Count Edmund Becker, who is in possession of the evidence and the assassin, shall conduct the investigation as he is impartial, with no personal gain either way.

Emergency Session is adjourned. Fritz, see to it that I take command of Lothar's army. I will keep him close.

[Ramses II CP]

Fritz von Kastilien rises from his place with a fresh demeanor of calm.

I will confess to having spoken in haste, in no small part due to my own guilt at having set aside the matter of my brother's death as settled. There are times when the need to act overcomes the need to know in me.

I am greatly displeased, however, to see the recent comments of Lothar Steffen. Siegfried was a poor Kaiser and leader, his claim to the throne was originally suspect, though later verified, and his surrendering of territories to Byzantium was extremely ill advised, as was his assent to the Unification plan.

And it matters not one whit.

He was my brother! My blood!

His murderers will begin their punishment here, on earth, under my own hands. I vow it. Any who give shelter or protection to the murderers, any who act to deny me my natural right to vengeance as Siegfried's older brother, and any who would seek to subvert justice will go into the same stew as my enemies.

If Kaiser Peter wishes there to be a trial, then let there be a trial. If titles and lands are of some relevance, let them be taken. At the end of the process, though, my hands will know the necks of my brother's killers. Including the man Lord Becker holds. And no walls, no prisons, no judges, and no armies will bar my way.

Fritz returns to his seat, still calm, but with a gaze full of darkness and the promise of blood.

[gibsonsg91921]

Fritz, you shall have to save some of the murderers for me.

Do not resort to rash action yet. Any conspirators will be needed to be tried. This Jacobus Stoyan must be questioned by Becker.

Lothar and I will go on the crusade as the Greek threat has been neutralized in Italy. I do not crusade in the name of the Pope, but rather the doom of the French.

[Cecil XIX]

*Edmund Becker strides into the Diet.*

Noble Electors, forgive me for my late entry. I have been making accomodations for the mercenary who participated in Kaiser Siegfried's assassination. He is safe, and ready to stand trial. His is not Milanese, he is a Bohemian who has lived as a mercenary outside of his homeland for most of his life.

We are not liars and frauds.

As for the accusations, they are simple. Duke Lothar Steffen stands accused of plotting and fundng the murder of Kaiser Siegfried I. The evidence presented are the twelve documents, independantly verified with many bearing Duke Lothar's handwriting, as well as the testimony of one Jacobus Stoyan, the aforesaid mercenary.

I stand ready to begin the investigation into these crimes. (OOC: How exactly does that work?) I know I will have the full confidence of Bavaria and Franconia, both of whom I have rendered aid to in the past.

[AussieGiant]

Leaning against the inside of the Austria bench and therefore able to take the centre position when needed at a moments notice, Arnold points his dagger at Duke Bresch.

Who the @#$%# are you talking about Bresch?

As I pointed out earlier, snide comments and unsubstantiated claims of death are a dangerous business.

Why don't you place those gold plated balls of yours on your forehead man and tell everyone here who you are accusing?

Coming off the bench and pacing a little way into the chamber centre, the Duke turns to face all parts of the Diet.

I've still not seen any formal charge and I'm unsure exactly which part of the charter allows a Kaiser to selected a Ducal Steward without the respective Dukes consent. Given that lack of process here and the decisions that are being made based on this lack of a case, I'm inclined to march the 2nd AHA to the very walls outside just to ensure my liberty and freedom to speak.

At this point the Dread Duke's voice raises substantially.

The letter of the law should be at observed under extreme times my Lords, we must at least try and separate ourselves from the #$ing barbarian's we have come from and especially when we are hard pressed!!

The fire in his eyes is clear for all to see as Arnold places his hands on the scribes desk.

Siegfried was our Kaiser and for that I gave him my loyalty and my oath, but he was also a #$%#ing disgrace in my opinion!! Any man that disagrees is following his heart and not his head!! Blood bonds aside, and I can feel for our Chancellor in this regard, it was the beginning of where we stand today that was brought on by him and him alone!!

The one thing I have realised at my age is that our exalted positions require us to "think" before we make judgements and take action...

I demand "due process" or I'll start taking what I want and crushing those that wish to exert the idea of sheer power on this Chamber or its nobles.

I can conduct myself either way with equal success so I do not mind.

Smashing his steel encased hand on the hard wood shatters the desk.

I want the man named who is accusing Duke Lothar and I want the charges laid out here and now before any further arbitrary decision are made. Otherwise I'll feel compelled to make my own arbitrary moves in response.

-edit-
Damn I missed it by 6 minutes. Assume I said all this before Becker arrived.

[AussieGiant]

Duke Arnold

At least Lord Becker has outlined the issue finally.

Do we have someone personally tabling this accusations or is it simply "The Reich?"

I would like to view these documents and have the man present himself here in this Chamber for questioning.

Raising an eyebrow at Becker

And exactly how independent are you Lord Becker? Are there any "new" developments I should know about?

[Ferret]

If the Lord had decided to give a single grain of intelligence when you were born then you would see that it is obvious who I speak of. Have you yet realised who this emergency session is about?

[OverKnight]

At the news that an Emergency Session started, another messenger was dispatched to Outremer, when it was halted, another messenger was quickly sent after the first.

[gibsonsg91921]

I accuse Lothar Steffen of conspiracy in the death of Siegfried von Kastilien. The evidence, 12 documents in the possession of Becker and the testimony of asssassin Jacobus Stoyan.

Lothar Steffen will be unable to carry out his duties as Duke while in my custody. Hence, his heir and son shall be Steward.

I take command again of the army I brought to Lothar in light of this evidence, and Lothar shall stay in the army with me, all with the authorization of the Chancellor.

Apologies for the confusion, Arnold. Everything I have done is within my power.

[TinCow]

While in your custody? I will not submit myself to your false authority! You have no legal right to do any such thing. You are arranging a show trial on the word of treacherous Milanese and falsified documents! Under those circumstances I will never permit any man who proclaims himself my enemy to set foot within my camp. Do not fool yourself into thinking that any Bavarian army will heed your word over mine. I have ruled this Duchy for longer than any Duke in the Diet, excepting Arnold.

If you wish to have a proper, civilized trial to discuss these false accusations, I shall play along with the farce. However, if any man attempts to restrain me or take control of any Bavarian army, I shall resist with every resource at my disposal. I assure you, Electors, that I have extensive resources. Shall I remind you that this very Diet itself meets in Nuremburg? I would not recommend testing the loyalty of the oldest of Bavaria's provinces. You will not like the result.