The Kingdom of Outremer

[OverKnight]

The Kingdom of Outremer

The Revised Charter of the Kingdom of Outremer

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

1. The Kingdom of Outremer will consist of Antioch, Acre and Adana as its core territories, they cannot be given or bartered away. If they are lost, they must be reclaimed as quickly as possible. The Kingdom may also include up to three more territories, with preference given to Aleppo, Damascus and Edessa. However, no conquest is allowed of any territories belonging to an ally.

2. The Kingdom of Outremer is an integral part of the Reich. It is not a fifth House.

3. The function of the Kingdom is mainly defensive: to safeguard Jerusalem and protect the gateway to Christendom. However, conquest is permitted against heathens and schismatics as long as it does not endanger the defense of Jerusalem. If a Pope assumes power who excommunicates the Reich, Jerusalem may be taken, if needed, as part of his removal, but it must be immediately donated back to the Church upon reconciliation.

4. The Kingdom will be overseen by a Viceroy of Outremer, who will be selected by the Emperor from among the current Crusaders. A Viceroy is appointed by the Emperor at each regular Diet Session. Viceroys may be reappointed. The Viceroy will renounce all loyalties to his House for the duration of his appointment. The Viceroy of Outremer is permitted to resign, if the Emperor is willing to accept the resignation, upon which a new Viceroy is appointed by the Emperor. If the Viceroy of Outremer is deemed incapable of his assignment, he may be impeached by the Emperor and two Dukes, by the Prince and three Dukes, or by the agreement of all four Dukes. Upon removal, the Emperor will appoint a new Viceroy.

5. The Viceroy will command an Army, equivalent to a Household Army with the Viceroy assuming the role of “Duke”. If the Kingdom is larger than or equal to three territories, a second such Army will be placed at his disposal. He may delegate the day to day command of the Army or Armies to other Generals.

6. Outremer’s provinces will be governed by Crusader Counts, except for the designated capital, which is the personal domain of the Viceroy. The Crusader Counts are appointed by the Viceroy and serve at his discretion. They will gain +1 influence, but only if they are not already a Count in their Duchy, and only for the duration of their appointment. The cap of 6 influence for all but the Emperor remains. If any County is left unassigned, the Viceroy will set the build queue for it.

7. Both the Viceroy and the Crusading Counts must be physically located outside Europe for the duration of their appointments.

8. All four Houses of the Reich have a stake in the Kingdom. While the loss of many of the original Outremer Counties currently negates apportionment by House, assignment of Counties will ensure that each Duchy is represented by a Crusader Count if one is present. All efforts will be made to assign a Swabian to Acre and a Bavarian to Adana. Once there are two newly acquired territories, they will be governed by representatives of Franconia and Austria. While historical precedents will be respected, priority will be given to Crusaders who are in Outremer.

9. The Viceroy of Outremer is allowed to propose two pieces of legislation per Diet Session related to Outremer. Prior to being tabled in the Diet, these must be seconded by two Crusaders, or if there is less than two Crusaders, one will suffice.

OOC: The Viceroy will have +2 influence as presently given to the King. All references in the Reich's Charter to the King of Outremer are to be changed to the Viceroy of Outremer.

Provinces of Outremer:
Acre - Citadel
Adana - Citadel
Antioch - Huge City (Capital)

Crusaders:
Matthias Steffen - OverKnight - Viceroy of Outremer
Andreas von Salzgitter - Zim - Crusader Count of Acre

Rulers of Outremer:
Kings
1200 to 1210 - Kaiser Henry (Informal)
1210 to 1232 - Otto von Kassel (1210-1220 Informal)
1232 to 1276 - Conrad Salier
1276 to 1280 - Prinz Elberhard (Steward)
1280 to 1324 - Jan von Hamburg
1324 to 1332 - Kaiser Elberhard
1332 to 1340 - Matthias Steffen
Viceroys
1340 --------- Matthias Steffen

[OverKnight]

Matthias enters the new Crusader Chambers at Acre.

Andreas, I know you wish to stay with the army, but it is important that you are in Acre to command the garrison while I stay with the army to the north.

I again aim to goad the Greeks into an attack. There is risk involved with this plan however, and it would be for the best to have a Crusader in Acre in case the worst happens. I will not gamble the entire fate of Outremer on one throw of the dice.

Matthias smiles wryly.

Just the majority of the Kingdom's soldiers, God help me.

If the plan works, it will bring the day you have your own field command much closer.

Thoughts?

[Zim]

Andreas stands, looking unhappy but determined.

You are right, of course, Ki...Viceroy Matthias. It is better to have Outremer's other Noble protecting Acre. I shall set up a defense there as best as I can and send up the troops you request. I wish you luck against the Greeks and hope before long to be leading troops against them myself.

[OverKnight]

Matthias enters the Chambers, covered in dust and blood.

The Greeks fell for it, Count Andreas. They thought that my army, with many of the troops here in Antioch, was ripe for attack. Just as we planned.

Strategos Valsamon sought to force the Iron Bridge, and he met the same fate as all the other swine who have thrown themselves against it.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Basileus refused an offer for ransom, even though I had captured his General. A pity, the Reich could have used those 8,000 florins. Since he wasn't willing to pay, I wasn't going to send all of Valsamon back to Constantinople, just his head.

Matthias smiles coldly.

The rest of him was dumped into the Orontes, along with his men. The few survivors will not trouble us again.

I look forward to the new year.

Any thoughts on how we should proceed Andreas?

[Zim]

Hmmm, I may have to have a look at our maps. Are there any nearby Byzantines armies? If we have the forces perhaps we could take back another city for Outremer, Perhaps Adana or Nikosia?

Your plan for me to take a small force and assault Antioch before the Byzantines could respond worked flawlessly, as did your subsequent sitting on the Iron Bridge with a smaller force than usual to bait them into seeking their revenge. I would be inclined to trust your instinct, Viceroy Matthias.

[Zim]

Andreas stands after poring over some of Outremer's charts and maps.

Alright, although our position is much improved, there are a few possible difficulties. Several large Byzantine armies still roam around our position. Two Turkish ones do as well, and may attack English Damascus or continue past it to go after Acre.

On the other hand, the Greeks are unlikely to make it past the Iron Bridge. What few well trained armies they had have been destroyed, leaving larger but weaker, more poorly trained forces. Adana could be reached and taken this very season, but has a garrison powerful enough to put up a fight. If we had a blank check from the Kaiser I'd say we go for it, but as is it would be hard to protect Adana and Antioch after absorbing losses from the taking of the former.

I don't like it, but perhaps we should try to goad at least one more Greek army to attack us at the Bridge, then consider offensive options. If things continue to go well financially for the Reich, we may be able to hire troops soon.