Imperial Diet V

[gibsonsg91921]

Not to diminish von Heidelburg's memory, but I personally have executed a fair number of Polish family members. I suppose that is what your aide told you, Sir Athalwolf?

[GeneralHankerchief]

Dietrich von Dassel:

It is with great regret that I have learned that Helmut von Hamburg has died in battle against the Russians.

While surely the lesser-known member of the family Helmut has assisted Franconia, especially Duke Ansehelm, in many operations including the Teutonic Crusade, and was a great warrior. He should be honored.

[Privateerkev]

King Jan looks shocked as he hears the news.

What!?! Why haven't I heard anything about this? I have seen no chancellor report or battle report on this issue! Surely, Duke Ansehelm would have sent word of this news. Sir Dassel, would you kindly tell this body where you heard of this information? It's not that I question your sincerity. It's just that I pray to God that you are wrong.

Jan sends an aide to track down someone from the Chancellor's office to find out more.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Dietrich von Dassel:

My apologies King Jan, it was just the usual rumors. I regret informing you this way and pray that those that I heard were false and that your brother will grace the halls of the Diet once more.

[Stig]

Ansehelms strumples into the Diet, look worn out after a long long ride

I'm sorry Jan, but gossip travels faster than me, especially if you've got the battle aftermath to deal with. Helmut indeed fell in battle. The Russians ambushed our entire right flank, after which Helmut saved it by driving his cavalry into theirs. Of the 25 man lost he was one, but thanks to him we did win the battle and crushed the Russians. Both their leaders decided to surrender, for they hoped to be used as ransom, but they were kinda shocked when they saw me. I can safely tell you that both of them are now down in a hole somewhere near Vilnius.

[Privateerkev]

The King calms down a little but still looks worried.

Sir Dassel,

I appreciate your words. I too hope that these rumors are indeed false. First the Russians bribe my brother-in-law. Now they might have killed my brother!?!

I will find some way to make the Russian court pay...

The worried look is replaced by an icy steel that electors in the Diet are not used to seeing displayed by Jan.

OOC: oops, I wrote this after I saw GH's post but before I saw Stig's.

[Privateerkev]

The King sees Duke Ansehelm for the first time in years. The Duke's words confirmed Jan's worst fears. Helmut's last words to Jan had been angry ones. Jan had always hoped that him and his brother would be able to reconcile. This was now never to be.

Jan sits back and takes in what he has been told. Then, he stands up to speak. His tone is sad and somber.

It seems my brother went the way he always wanted to. In battle fighting the enemies of the Reich. Helmut was always... full of anger. I hope... and I pray that he has finally found peace. May his soul rest in heaven.

Jan hangs his head.

Sleep well my brother. Sleep peacefully...

The Diet observes silence as Jan just stands there with his head hung. After a full minute, Jan brings his head back up and his eyes are firm and full of resolve.

Duke Ansehelm, the men in the holes in Vilnius are not my concern. My concern is with the Russian court. Twice now they have been responsible for the death of my family members. I think it is time we rock their safe and secure little world. I don't know what our situation is with regards to how many priests we have in the area or how many we can recruit. But I propose we look into forming a small group of missionaries and sending them on tour through Russian lands. My ire is not directed at the Russian people. It is not their fault that the Russian court is vile and corrupt. I wish for this missionary force to sow discord among the Russian population. When they hear the Word, the people will start to grow discontent with their leaders. Maybe this discord will turn to open rebellion. That will give the Russian court more to worry about than how to harass us.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Dietrich von Dassel:

If you truly want to rock the Russians' "safe and secure little world" then I suggest more military matters be taken. By the time it takes our missionaries to reach Russia and convert enough people, the Russian Court will still have found immense time to harrass us and perhaps those that were responsible for this will have died of natural causes.

On the other hand, we could send an army rampaging through their territory wreaking death and destruction in the name of vengeance to teach them. I personally believe that this option would be more effective.

[gibsonsg91921]

I'm sure you can look to Duke Ansehelm if you want Russians butchered.

[TinCow]

*Lothar looks quizzically at Dietrich von Dassel.*

An army rampaging through Russian territory? Is that not the very thing that ended in Helmut's untimely death? Perhaps this would be a good time to advise all young Franconians that playing second fiddle to another Teutonic Crusade may not be the best way to ensure their continued good health.

[Privateerkev]

Count Peter, Sir Dassel,

I appreciate your spirited advice on this issue but it was not quite what I had in mind. While I wholeheartedly support the defeat of Russian armies that are so foolish as to wander into our territory, I am not sure if this is a military matter. Duke Ansehelm led a highly successful raid deep into Russian territory and sacked Moscow. Yet, it has seemed to not dent the Russian's ability to cause us trouble. My idea was more of a long term strategy aimed at de-stabilizing the Russian leadership. My ire is not directed at the Russian people. While they deserve death when they take up arms against us, they deserve our mercy and guidance when they lay them back down.

I have calmed down a little bit since I first heard the news and I leave my earlier suggestion as just a thought for the Diet to chew on. Being of a different faith, we have different options with Russia than we would against a Catholic nation and I believe they could be used to our benefit. This would have the added bonus of giving more of our priests missionary experience which tends to propel them up into the College of Cardinals faster.

Monopolizing the College of Cardinals has served us quite well. I remember my father's stories of defending Hamburg during the Excommunication and holding sway over the College helps ensure that, that will not happen again.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Dietrich von Dassel:

We are being bullied around... by a Guild??!?!

It has recently come to my attention that the Assassins' Guild has ordered us to comply with their requirements or some of our commanders would face their wrath. Electors, this is a Guild bossing around the most powerful entity in the world! Are we going to allow them to do this and then "graciously reward" us with a measly ten florins?

I urge all Counts of cities with Assassins' Guilds in them to order them immediately dismantled during the upcoming Diet session. This is a clear slap in the face that must be dealt with. Show these cowards that there is no place in the Reich for their empty threats!

[Privateerkev]

Sir Dassel,

It's even worse than you stated. We pay to have those buildings erected. So, we pay for the privilege of being threatened by these people.

I agree with Sir Dassel, the Assassin's Guild has gotten too uppity and need to be shown their proper place. I never did care for their methods but I used to grudgingly admit that they were "useful". It seems they are outliving their usefulness.

10 credits? If anything, thats even more proof of their contempt for us.

[OverKnight]

Matthias enters the Diet wearing a stylish new hat.

Sir von Dassel, I agree it was forward of the Guild of Assassins to speak to me in such a manner. However their request was easily met. I fear that they feel a bit unappreciated as the number of their men in our service is so low, just one agent actually. Though he has been busy.

The Guild House in the Reich is in Stettin, so it will be up to Count Fritz von Kastilien if he wishes to destroy their establishment. However, the Guild can be useful despite their threats. The removal of the heretic Dentupes pleased the Church and we have sent two Kings to their eternal reward as well.

If they impose more outrageous demands on us, then we can remove their Guild from the Reich.

[Privateerkev]

I will say Chancellor Matthias, that is one mighty fine hat you are wearing.

But anyways, if they only have one guild house, it would be relatively easy to destroy their network in the Reich with Count Fritz's permission should they be so audacious as to demand something like this from us again.

[econ21]

The Diet Speaker: Now that Chancellor Matthias has submitted his final report to the Diet, I declare the thirteenth full session of the Diet open! There will be a three day period for the submission of Edicts and Charter Amendments, closing on 15.00 hours Sunday (UK time). There will then be a 24 hour period of voting.

There will be no vote for the Chancellorship, as the Kaiser is exercising his perogative to rule for one term. We are honoured that he has agreed to open the Diet by giving a speech outlining his aims for the coming term.

Kaiser Siegfried enters the Diet and addresses the Electors:

Nobles, Electors, fellow Romans!

For centuries we have carried the proud heritage of our Roman ancestors, not only in name, but in our heart and soul. In the past the shining beacon of Roman leadership has often acted as a guideline for our struggling Empire on its way to greatness. Never before in our history were we this close to spanning the vastness that once was the Roman Empire. Our armies march from the English Channel in the West, across the Rhine wide into the Eastern Steppes. Dalmatia and many lands along the Danube heed our call. Just recently we conquered all of the Italian peninsula, making us the supreme masters of the ancient heartland of our ancestors.

However there lies much before us, before we will truly master all the realms once ruled by the Roman Empire. What will further spur our ascent to greatness is another thing that has not been given during the past centuries. For the first time since Honorius and Arcadius the two Roman Emperors have decided to forge their dynasties together for the future greatness of the Roman Empire. My wife Theodora and I, Emperor Siegfried, form the link between the Western and Eastern Roman Empire!

Now the time has come to crush our common enemies and cast away our differences, and not let ourselves be hindered on our way to greatness. The Holy Roman Empire can once again rule the known world, its borders stretching from the Atlantic to the deserts of the East, while our combined armies patrol our borders to safeguard against our enemies. If we unite, no one shall stand before us!

While Siegfried raises his fist in triumph, the Empress smiles brightly, an adoring look on her face as she watches the Emperor.

This is why I will take my turn as Chancellor to let these things come to pass. While I can trust you to strike at our enemies and be the military arm of my vision, I myself, must seek out our most trusted ally to negotiate the future of our dynasties. I will travel on a diplomatic mission to Byzantium that will ensure its success and establish our supremacy over the Roman Empire. I will leave the Empress and of course, my trusted Prince Elberhard to oversee the Diet and act as my Stewards during my absence. I will still carry out my duties as Chancellor, but all communication will go through Prince Elberhard, as he has courteously agreed to assist me and act on my behalf.

I will that you give him the same respect as you would give me and my orders, as the words he will say and the actions he will undertake will be my will, and my will alone. Thus before I leave, I propose the following legislation that shall guide your military progression on our recapture of the Roman Empire.

I propose:

Edict 13.1
The Franconian Household Armies are authorized to conquer the city of Antwerp and the city of Krakow from our mutual enemies. On conquest of the mentioned cities, they are immediately given to the House of Franconia, by will of Emperor Siegfried.


Edict 13.2
The Swabian Household Armies are authorized to conquer the city of Bruges, thereby assisting our British allies. On the conquest of the mentioned city, it is immediately given to the House of Swabia, by will of Emperor Siegfried.


Edict 13.3
The Austrian Household Armies are authorized to conquer the city of Bucharest and the fortress of Sofia. Once Bucharest has been conquered it will be given to the House of Austria, by will of Emperor Siegfried. Sofia will be gifted to our Byzantine Allies.


Edict 13.4
The Bavarian Household Armies are authorized to conquer the city of Thessalonica, thus helping our Byzantine Allies against the Venetians. Thessalonica will be gifted to our Byzantine Allies.


These Edicts will ensure that our borders are consolidated, while all enemies between ours and the Byzantine lands are crushed. With a common border, we can concentrate on our outer enemies, so that by the end of my term, we will be ready to follow the Roman Empire in its conquest of the known world!

[econ21]

Elberhard: All right, Electors - you heard the man: the @#$%^&!!!ing gloves are coming off! I second all of the Kaiser's motions. And may God have mercy on our foes.

[Privateerkev]

Dear Kaiser, Prince, Dukes, Counts, and Electors,

First off, I second Edict 13.1, Edict 13.2, Edict 13.3, and Edict 13.4.

At the beginning of this term, there was a spirited discussion on how to bind Outremer and the Duchies together. Outremer will always be in need of nobles to help fulfill the Reich's Holy Mission there. And the Duke's need to become more involved in the process. My proposed CA is an attempt to accomplish both goals.

I have written this CA on a piece of fine parchment Duke Arnold once gave me as a symbol. It was his patient conversation with me that helped spur some of these ideas into motion. And, it is House Austria that has suffered heavily in these recent years. Which makes Duke Arnold's sacrifice of nobles for Outremer, even more selfless and deserving of recognition.

Charter Amendment 13.1
Charter Amendment 9.1 is amended to read as follows (changes in bold):

6. Outremer’s provinces will be governed by Crusading Counts. These will be appointed by the Dukes for any province allocated to their control in the same manner that counties are granted to bonded counts. The Dukes and the Emperor will set the build queue for any provinces without a Count which are allocated to their control.

8. All four Houses of the Reich have a stake in the Kingdom. Damascus is assigned to Austria; Adana is assigned to Bavaria; Acre is assigned to Swabia; and Aleppo is assigned to Franconia. Antioch will be the capital of Outremer and an Imperial province governed by the King of Outremer. Edessa will also be an Imperial province, governed by a Count chosen by the King of Outremer in the same manner that counties are granted to bonded counts. The Crusading Count for a settlement must come from the appropriate House. They will gain an additional +1 influence (over and above any influence for being a Count of a European settlement). The cap of 6 influence for all but the Emperor remains.

This legislation accomplished three things at once.

1.) Dukes will appoint the Crusader Count of the county that belongs to their Duchy instead of the King.

2.) Crusader Counts will be bonded counts and not appointed at Diet sessions. This will allow for more flexibility.

3.) The Crusader Count bonus would be re-instated.

This would make the Duke's more involved in the governing of Outremer yet would ensure that nobles would come and take up the task of the Crusades. Letting the King pick the Crusader Counts to Ducal Counties just makes the King seem like a threat and an opponent when the King needs to be a partner.

I thank you for your time and I will now yield the floor.

[AussieGiant]

Arnold:

@#$%^&!!!in Jeesuss...

[AussieGiant]

Glancing at King Jan,

That was directed at the Kaiser and Prinz, not your proposal.

[Privateerkev]

Sir Jan smiles

Well, seeing as I have heard you call me far worse, I wouldn't have taken it bad if it was directed at me.

[econ21]

Kaiser Siegfried rises again to reply to King Jan's proposals for Outremer:

Before returning to the major issues of Outremer and the fate of the Reich, I have a few administrative announcements to make.

Following Duke Scherer’s resignation, I will follow his recommendation and appoint Hans as Duke of Swabia.
King Jan will be reappointed as King of Outremere.
Cagliari will be given to the House of Bavaria.
Paris will be allocated to the House of Swabia.
Any territories not incorporated via a CA will be abandoned.

I applaud King Jan's proposition concerning Outremere and I urge every Elector to support it. I have mentioned earlier that I would put forward a referendum regarding the future of Outremere. The King's proposal covers many of the concerns voiced here and thus its result shall determine the future of Outremere. If we can once again get the Duchies to stand behind this goal, like the Dukes before them, Otto von Kassel, Dietrich von Saxony, and Duke Leopold, then the future for Outremere is bright and we will always be the defenders of Christendom.

If the Duchies withdraw their support for Outremere, then there is little reason to carry on. It would be an empty hull. We need all the strength and dedication to carry this endeavor onwards, so I once again remind you that my stance on the issue is clear. I hope yours is too. Remember, that once the Roman Empire is restored to all its glory those lands will be ruled by us. Why conquer it from the infidels a second time?

If any Elector has concerns about my plans, let me say this: I understand your reasons, but it is my vision. If some here don't share it with me, I am truly sorry. I have a mission that will lead the Empire to greatness never dreamed of by our forefathers. I will restore our rightful place in history. It must be done, with or without your help and guidance. So before I leave, I want to remind you that you can choose whether you want to take part in the glorious future to come or stand idly on the sideline while destiny fulfils itself..

With the last words the Emperor leaves the Diet chambers to the discussions of the electorate. Already focusing on the diplomatic mission ahead of him.

[Tamur]

*A messenger converses quickly with the Diet guards, and is allowed to enter*

Fritz von Kastilien wishes to know if he is to remain outlawed throughout the Diet session. I will await to bring him word of your decision in this matter. Thank you.

*He bows and exits*

[econ21]

Elberhard looks puzzled at Fritz's request:

Elberhard: @#$%^&!!! it, mate - I can't even remember why he was expelled! Tell him to come 'ere and apologise for whatever the @#$%^&!!! it was, then he's welcome back.

@#$%^&!!!, it's not liked he killed anyone ... did he?

[Privateerkev]

The King bows at the Kaiser before he leaves.

Alright, I wish to make the following official announcement regarding Crusader Counts:

Adana: Matthias Steffen
Aleppo: Dieter Bresch
Acre: Prince Elberhard
Damascus: Karl Zirn
Edessa: Unassigned

And to Count Fritz's messenger, if memory serves, Count Fritz is allowed to return at the beginning of this Diet session. Also, with all due respect to Prince Elberhard, I don't think Count Fritz is required to apologize though such a move may be wise. The Kaiser was quite clear that the banning had a time limit.

[FactionHeir]

Hans listens as Siegfried speaks (a rare sight) and a faint smile can be seen crossing his lips

I wish to thank Emperor Siegfried for his wise decision in finally agreeing to the requests of House Swabia and will, to honor his judgement, second edicts 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 and 13.4.

[Privateerkev]

Also,

I wish to congratulate Duke Hans on his promotion. May the Lord keep you through many happy and prosperous years.

[econ21]

Elberhard: King Jan, I don't recall what @#$%^&!!! Fritz got himself into but whatever it was, he'd better @#$%^&!!!ing well apologise for it! We must have order in this Chamber and that means transgressions must be followed by repentenance. As religious men, I think we can agree on that?

And, of course, King Jan, the Kaiser and I second Charter Amendment 13.1.

[Privateerkev]

Forgive me my Prince. I only thought that since the Kaiser set a time limit, then the return would require no apology. As keeper of the peace in the Diet, that decision is of course yours to make. I apologize for speaking out of turn.

Jan bows his head.

[TinCow]

*Lothar listens to the various speeches dispassionately. He appears to be neither pleased nor angry.*

A stronger alliance with Byzantium is a worthy quest, but I hope the Kaiser remembers that his first duty is to Rome, not Constantinople. His proposed Edicts are strategically sound and I support them on those grounds. That said, I am most displeased to see that this legislation allocates provinces to to every House but Bavaria. Furthermore, it concerns me to note that the Kaiser has stated that he will give Cagliari to Bavaria. Surely the Kaiser is aware that Cagliari was traded to Sicily over 6 years ago as part of the ceasefire agreement. Therefore Bavaria receives nothing of any value, despite the fact that we have bled and died in copious numbers to maintain the security of Rome itself.

I hope that the Kaiser will take this inequitable arrangement into consideration when deciding what to do with Naples and Palermo. Speaking of which, I propose the following Charter Amendment as a Ducal Edict.

Charter Amendment 13.2: Palermo and Naples are to be incorporated into the Reich.

Proposed: Matthias Steffen
Seconded: Lothar Steffen, Fredericus Erlach

As a gesture of faith and goodwill on the part of Bavaria, I will still support Edict 13.4 and dispatch HA Gerhard to take Thessalonica, if the legislation passes. I firmly hope that Bavaria's contributions to the Reich will not continue to be neglected by the Kaiser or his Stewards.