The Kingdom of Outremer

[TinCow]

I must say that like the rest of you, I was reluctant to see Duke von Kassel expose himself to attack from Hungarian forces. However, the plan he has mapped out is well thought-out and seems to propose a reasonable possibility of success. I will support his decision if he wishes to commit to this act.

[OverKnight]

Thank you Maximillian, I appreciate your support.

It may be too late in the season (OOC: I'm not sure if end of turn has been pressed), but I am confident that I can bring our cavalry back without delaying the Crusade.

[TinCow]

I have a question, my lords. Kaiser Henry has spoken as if he believes that his son, Hans, will be joining the Crusade with the returning Teutons. Yet Duke von Kassel's maps do not indicate that Hans is with the Teutons. What is the status of the Kaiser's son?

[OverKnight]

The last I heard the boy was in Budapest. I have heard rumors he has changed his mind yet again and wishes to join the Crusade.

That is commendable, but I for one will not wait for him, he has already delayed us enough. He could try to catch up, but that would be unwise. Still he takes after his grandfather, so he might just brave the Hungarians with only his retainers.

[TinCow]

If that boy ever arrives in my camp, he had best be prepared for a monumental haranguing. His petulance, indecisiveness, and disobedience has caused much strife for the Crusaders. We are engaged in an act of self-less service to God and the Papacy. There is no room for pompous young upstarts who think of themselves first and the Crusade second. I don't care who his father is, I will whip him myself if he causes further problems for us and then has the gall to show his face in my camp.

[TinCow]

Crusaders! We stand now at the edge of Christendom. The Venetians may be the enemies of the Reich and the Byzantines our allies, but in the heavens the situation is reversed. We now begin the long journey through strange and unfamiliar lands, populated by peoples who do not know the Word. There will be many trials before us, but we must remain true to our purpose and to ourselves. So long as we remain true to Christ, we cannot be defeated, even if our mortal shells are destroyed.

[TinCow]

Christian Brothers,

While preparing information to be sent to the Imperial Librarian, I was informed that a Jihad has been called by the Muslim infidels. A large Egyptian force has taken up arms and was last spotted somewhere north of Iconium. I must admit that I was somewhat surprised by this, as I assumed the Chancellor would have informed us if news of such an unholy mission had reached his ears. I can only assume that he is unaware of the Jihad, and it thus falls upon us to discuss the matter.

I do not know the ultimate objective of this army, but given its location in comparison to the Egyptian territories, I assume that it is marching against our Byzantine allies. While the Eastern Romans are certainly heretics in their own right, I am certain that we all agree that they are the lesser of two evils. We have journeyed this far to defend the lands of Christ and Christendom itself against the Muslim plague. What better way to begin our true purpose than by marshaling our Holy Armies to meet the Unholy Host of the Egyptians?

Crusaders, I propose that we send forth our scouts, locate this Egyptian Jihad, and destroy it as a symbol to all the infidels that their time of blasphemy and desecration is at an end.

[OverKnight]

It is good to be back among my fellow Crusaders!

Count Mandorf, if we encounter this Turkish Jihad while on our journey, I say we destroy them. As for seeking them out, that could delay our Crusade for years. Our goal is Jerusalem, the sooner we liberate the Holy City, the better.

[econ21]

Welcome back, Duke Otto. I salute your strategic cunning in recognising the potential to bring the cavalry back without delaying the crusade and your personal courage in volunteering for the task.

I agree with your stance on the jihad. We should engage it if we can find and reach it without overly deviating from our course (OOC: if it becomes a turn's move away). Otherwise, we must press on.

[TinCow]

That is a sensible plan and I will agree to it. We shall leave our fate in the hands of God.

[OverKnight]

Another consideration is that the longer we spend in Byzantine lands, the more we will anger our unwilling hosts.

[OverKnight]

My lords,

Depending on how the Jihad army moves (I assume towards Constantinople), I believe only the leading army of the Crusade would be able to engage it in 1182. If this is the case, should we move on without engaging?

When I have the oppurtunity I will send our spy ahead to see if he can give us a better estimate of their forces.

[econ21]

I do not think it would be sensible to engage a Jihad with only half the crusade; the losses would be too great. However, if the target is indeed Constantinople, we may be able to combine to defeat it without it taking us too far off our path.

I agree our spy's activities should be devoted to tracking down the jihad. It might be wise to send the spy to Constantinople and if the jihad is not found, to have him backtrack through Anatolia along the likely path of the jihad from Muslim lands. If the jihad is found to be near us, I do not believe we should ignore it. If we can quickly unite to intercept it, we should do so. But if it just eludes us, heading for Constantinople, I think we should review our situation before pressing on.

Constantinople is too important a city for its fate to be ignored without careful consideration. Given that we are currently so near the city, if it is threatened imminently, I would be inclined to move to defend our allies. If we are too late and it falls but we are still in the vicinity, we might even think about retaking it. Whether we return it to our allies or claim it for the Reich, the benefits may well justify an extra turn or two's time added to the crusade.

[OOC: A full stack jihad vs crusade battle for Constantinople would be too juicy to pass up!]

[OverKnight]

I will pass on more information once we have it next year. The spy will indeed shadow the Jihad army.

OOC: A Crusade meant for Jerusalem sacking Constantinople? We're Germans, not Venetians.

[TinCow]

We must stop the infidels at all costs! They are a threat to all Christendom and their foul religion must be stopped and pushed back into the Eastern wilderness. If both armies cannot combine to attack them immediately, let us block their movements with the lead army, while the rear army brings up our strongest and most capable fighters.

[Kagemusha]

Then God´s will it is.Lets kill the heathens.

[OverKnight]

Very well, it seems the will of this Council is that we pursue the Jihad army and destroy it.

Let me make some suggestions.

First, Duke von Saxony should lead the battle. He is already in command of the vanguard, and I see no reason to change this.

Second, select elements of the rearguard army should be brought up to merge with the vanguard. If we are to battle Jihadists we should bring the full strength of the Crusade against them. We must do this to keep our casualties low, so we may continue to Jerusalem. (OOC: We should form a balanced full stack to take on their 22 unit stack)

Third, the Kaiser and myself should be in a mobile cavalry reserve behind the main army. (OOC: We have more than 20 units, so keep whatever is left over in a small army that can be brought in as reinforcements, I suggest all cav. Henry should be left out of the attacking stack, otherwise he commands. Let's give Dietrich a good send off.)

Your thoughts, my Lords?

[econ21]

Sounds like a plan, Chancellor.

[OverKnight]

The new configuration of the armies:

Vanguard:

Duke von Saxony
Count Mandorf
Count von Mahren
2 Teutonic Knights

3 Dismounted Feudal Knights
5 Armoured Sergeants
1 Sergeant Spearman

4 Peasant Crossbowmen
2 Pavise Crossbowmen

Rearguard:

Kaiser Henry
Chancellor von Kassel
Count Hans
2 Mailed Knights
1 Teutonic Knights

2 Sergeant Spearmen

I tried to assemble a balanced assault army, with a cavalry reserve. If needed we could leave behind the 2 Sergeant Spearmen for a short while.

I would also like to welcome Count Hans to the Crusade. You have picked an interesting time to join us young sir. Should we kill the fatted calf?

[Kagemusha]

"Im ready to destroy the heathens. I have started to worry that i might not even see one before im buried in this god forsaken land. But then on other hand who know´s if i live 100 years and outlive everyone on this crusade."

Dietrich sits down laughing to himself.

[econ21]

I would also like to welcome Count Hans to the Crusade. You have picked an interesting time to join us young sir. Should we kill the fatted calf?

The Kaiser with consternation: By God, Chancellor Otto! I know my son has caused us some angst - and put on a little weight - but there is no reason to call him a fatted calf! And killing him is rather an extreme punishment for his insubordination.

[OverKnight]

I am sorry for the misunderstanding, it was a poor attempt at a joke. I was referring to one of the Parables of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke.

http://nephi.org/prodigalson/

No offense was meant.

[econ21]

The Kaisers looks astounded at the Chancellor and then roars with laughter: My dear Chancellor, do not apologise - I understood you completely; it was I who was making a poor attempt at a joke.

Looks around at the sombre Crusader Council and whispers sheepishly to Duke Otto: I only hope we make a better fist of running the Reich than we do of humour.

[OverKnight]

Otto cracks up in a mixture of relief and understanding of the Kaiser's joke. His expression becomes more serious as he speaks:

Ah, of course. I am afraid matters of state and Crusade have blunted my appreciation for a good jest.

Due to my move to block in the Jihad army, the army dispostion I gave earlier is now defunct. I will attempt to restore it in the new year before we attack.

May God bless our righteous attack on the infidels.

[TinCow]

Chancellor von Kassel, my Duke...

*Maximillian Mandorf kneels and bows his head.*

For whatever critcisms and insults I have thrown your way in the past, I am truly sorry. By reconciling the Reich with the Pope, you have cleansed all of the stain of our past actions. It is the beginning of a new era of a true Christian Reich! You have succeeded where both Duke Leopold and myself failed. I can never express my thanks to you for seeing this matter brought to a close. I feel as if the weight of the world has been lifted from my heart.

*Maximillian stands and turns to the rest of the Council.*

Fellow Christian Knights, with the Reich once again in the Pope's favor, I think it is time to request his official blessing on our Crusade. Let us petition the Pope to call a full Crusade on Jerusalem!

[OverKnight]

Otto smiles and looks a bit flustered but also proud:

I have only balanced the scales on my actions in the past and the present. We shall see now what the future holds. Yet I am relieved as well. We can go forward now.

After we battle the Jihad, I will write the Pope. God willing our victory will be the evidence the Pope needs to recognize our Crusade.

Still, even though we did have a hand in his elevation, we are not high in Pope Lanbertus's standing yet. We have much to prove. If I cannot get his recognition this year, I will endeavor to do so until I have it.

Edit: OOC: We're 6/10 on the Pope-o-meter. We'd probably have done better with an Imperial Cardinal, but wait a few years, we might get lucky again. Lanbertus has two good qualities, he's forgiving and he's old.

[FactionHeir]

Hans, who had been camping somewhat secluded from the rest of the crusader camp, first heard the news of reconciliation after a rider dismounted in camp and out of a sudden a great cheer was to be heard among the common folk. Wondering what would case this commotion, he had sent for one of the camp guards to explain.
With these news, he finally could with good spirit officially announce his partake in the crusade. It would also mean that he would have to face the elder members who certainly would have their own thoughts about his perilous journey through hostile lands. But he was ready. With the reconciliation, it was time for him to reconcile with the others as well, he thought to himself. And without much further ado, he helped Adalberth onto his feet and marched towards the officers' tent.

[TinCow]

*Maximillian Mandorf is standing in a corner with a few Teutonic Knights. After spotting the new arrival, he murmurs a few words to the men, who snorth and attempt to stifle a laugh. Mandorf turns to face the Kaiser's son.*

It is nice to see that you made it here in one piece. Please tell me you are not here to abduct our entire infantry line this time.

[Kagemusha]

Duke Von Saxony

I think that this is one of the happiest days of my life. I think that this is work of the Lord. At the same day we are back in the grace of the mother Church and the same day we have utterly and completely destroyd the heathens who tryed to capture the lands of the Christians. We lost little over hundred of our men and almost none of our Knights. Only 45 of the Jihadist escaped from the battle and scattered to four winds.The rest are dead.

Here is my short report:

http://img12.imagevenue.com/img.php?..._122_861lo.jpg

Dietrich smiles happily and sips some water.

[econ21]

Kaiser Henry: Gentlemen, gather round! By God, this is a time for a toast and a feast!

Wine is distributed to the entire Council, who circle round the command post.

Noble crusaders, I give you four toasts.

First, to my son Hans, for bravely travelling to join us on his own, using his guile and cunning to evade all danger!

Second, to Duke von Saxony, for leading our crusade to a first, magnificent victory over the heathens!

Third, to Count Manfred, for inspiring us to come on this great quest to regain our immortal souls.

And finally, to Chancellor von Kassel, for achieving what few of us thought possible in our lifetimes, a reconciliation with Rome!

Gentlemen, I am truly honoured to be in such company.