Imperial Diet VI

[econ21]

Elberhard: Duke Arnold, King Jan - I am most dissatisfied at the turn the discussion of the Ragusa affair has taken.

The army being raised there is an unauthorised one. I did not request its raising. If Duke Arnold did, he did not inform me. So long as the army remains commanded by a committed Lutheran, it is unsafe to allow it to be camped so close to the home of the Holy Father in Durazzo.

Earlier, I agreed to Duke Arnold's request that Duke Hans army be called off Ragusa and that the Duke be allowed to take control of the situation. I now see that my agreement was unwise.

Duke Hans will take his army - formerly the Kaiser's army, now we can call it the Prinz's army - and blockade the Lutherans at Ragusa. He will take no further action until Duke Arnold arrives to help resolve the situation, but the Lutherans will not be allowed to levy more men from the countryside nor to leave the Citadel.

[Privateerkev]

King Jan bows to the Kaiser and sits down without saying anything further.

[TinCow]

While you men are so busy trying to start a civil war in the Reich, I would like to request the aid of the Kaiser and the King of Outremer. I have received word that Adana has been gifted to Byzantium as planned. My brother Matthias has stated several times that he would fight such a move. I was therefore very surprised to see that this had been accomplished without any disturbance whatsoever. As a result, I attempted to contact my brother in Outremer to discover what had transpired.

I have been unable to do so. It seems that no one in Outremer knows where my brother is at all. He has simply disappeared along with a group of his most trusted soldiers. This disturbs me greatly, as it should the entire Diet. Not only is Matthias my brother, but is also the longest-serving Chancellor the Reich has ever known. I therefore request all possible aid in locating him as soon as possible and ensuring that he has come to no harm. Since King Jan is still nominally in charge of the forces of Outremer, I fully expect him to lead up this investigation. Of this, I am glad, for I know his chivalrous nature will not let him abandon one of his men.

[Privateerkev]

Duke Lothar,

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I knew of Count Matthias's intention to hold Adana. I assumed that when the hand-over happened, he would come south to meet up with us. I will look into this at once.

Jan writes a note and hands it to Gunther who leaves.

[Stig]

Ansehelm:
As I said Lothar, I would stand by your brother would I be there. He is a true German, not a traitor to his country. I have the feeling more is happening than just some Lutheran uprising. All true Germans are slowly disappearing.
Some of the most loyal men in the Reich are gone. Peter, one of the most loyal man I personally know. Matthias now, another of undisputed loyalty.
Arnold, another loyal German is being criticized by someone who holds the title of King of Nothing, even though we know Arnold is another loyal man.

I also want to speak for disbanding the Prinz' Army as soon as Duke Hans has finished his task. There is currently no Prinz so keeping an extra army costs money, too money we could spend on better things.


And I'm getting fed up by the fact I know nothing of Tancred von Tyrrolia. The Chancellor lost this man and an army with him, and I see no progress in finding him.

[Tamur]

*Fritz von Kastilien enters the Diet, waits for silence, and approaches the floor*

Friends, I bring news. Or, I bring rumour to be more exact.

I have met with Lothar's accuser. Or met with someone who speaks for him. There was an unfortunate use of masks and disguised voices, which irritates me to no end.

*Fritz shouts out while wildly looking about the chamber* If you want to bring forward damning evidence, do it now, coward!

*Fritz' nostrils flare, he shakes his head and composes himself*

Be that as it may, Lothar's accuser has told me that he has evidence of two things. First, that Lothar made an agreement with the leaders of the Assassins' Guild to do away with Siegfried. Second, that the man hired to lead the killers was none other than the mysteriously disappeared Tancred von Tyrrolia.

*Fritz makes a wide grin and laughs derisively*

I suggest that this Diet withhold judgment on such pronouncements until Hans' investigation has run its course. I have tasked two of my staff to perform their own inquiry into these charges.

It may be that these investigations prove some or part of this. On the other hand, it may that these are specious lies concocted by some ambitious member of this assembly who wishes to gain political advantage over the house of Bavaria. If it is the last...

*Fritz pauses and sweeps the Franconian bench without resting on anyone particularly*

...I pity the man who has done such a despicable thing.

[Privateerkev]

Jan addresses the Diet,

In light of Duke Lothar's concerns, and with the Kaiser's blessing, I am going to immediately take AoO north to Adana in order to investigate the situation concerning Count Matthias. I will issue a full report to the Kaiser when my investigation is complete. If Count Matthias is in Adana, we will find him. If he is in trouble, then a whole army is coming with me to lend him assistance.

I ask that you keep Count Matthias in your prayers.

Jan leaves the Diet

[AussieGiant]

Once Jan leaves the Chamber Arnold turns on the Kaiser.

Smashing his fist in emphasis Arnold's voice sounds like cold steel.

An audience with you if you please my Lord!

[econ21]

Elberhard: Duke Arnold has requested that I make clear that he retains my confidence in his ability as Duke of Austria. I would like to state publicly that I accept his assurances that he was not responsible for raising the army in Ragusa. Neither was I responsible. It is precisely this lack of control over the emerging army that is cause for alarm.

Were the Duke to be close to Ragusa with an army, I would be happy to entrust a resolution of this issue to him. Unfortunately, facts on the ground dictate that Duke Hans is better placed to intervene. This is no reflection of a lack of trust in Duke Arnold, just an appreciation of geography.

I am grateful to King Jan for bringing this issue to my attention, but would ask that it does not lead to a rekindling of the feud between him and Duke Arnold that we all so vividly recall from the past. I wish the King every success in his efforts to track down Matthias Steffen.

[AussieGiant]

Arnold bows his head just slightly towards the Kaiser. He then begins writing orders handing them to his Sword bearer Szczepanski, Grom and Bane.

[Stuperman]

Mathais missing? This is most Disturbing news indeed, King Jan I emplore you, help find my wifes brother, she has already lost one. It would kill her to lose another.

[GeneralHankerchief]

*A Swabian clerk is handed a piece of paper. He reads it, sighs, and stands up to address the Diet.*

My lords, the following is a message from Dietrich von Dassel, who is currently halfway between Ragusa and Durazzo.

Gentlemen,

Thank you so much for your wonderful idea about what to do with my army. Without bright, intelligent, paranoid Electors such as Sir von Hamburg, Duke Hans, and Kaiser Elberhard I would have never thought to attack Pope Abbate. You must all be congratulated on your military sense.

I go to Durazzo to end re-unification once and for all. This madness has gone on for too long. Godspeed, gentlemen.

Oh dear.

[Privateerkev]

While King Jan has been away in Adana searching for Matthias, a lone clerk staffs the Outremer table. Upon hearing the news from the Swabian clerk, he speaks.

Outremer clerk:

My lords,

It is amazing how, even now, Sir Dassel attempts to avoid responsibility for his actions by blaming others. I know I speak for my King when I ask that everyone do what ever is possible to protect the Holy Father. Furthermore, excommunication will rip the Reich apart at this fragile time. All of the civil unrest and blood that comes out of this will be on Sir Dassel's hands.

The clerk bows and sits down looking quite distraught.

[Stig]

Ansehelm:
So, Jan doesn't like it that Dietrich sends messengers, and here we have a messenger of his own.
No meine Herren, Herr von Dassel does what he thinks is best for the Reich, just like Peter. We should talk with people like them, it's obvious what happens if we don't, we're seeing that even now. If we ignore them they will take matters into their own hands.
Many mistakes have been made, especially by some who claim to be ruling parts of the Reich.

[Tamur]

Noble electors, I would like to stay and discuss Count Dietrich's latest moves. However, I think my time will be better spent putting down the revolts in my county. I wish you all well.

*Fritz strides quickly from the chamber, shouting for his horse*

[Privateerkev]

The clerk speaks

Outremer clerk:

Duke Ansehelm,

With all due respect, I meant that Sir Dassel is blaming my King, our Kaiser, and Duke Hans for his march on the Holy Father. My statements had nothing to do with Sir Dassel's use of clerks and I apologize profusely if my words led you to believe otherwise.

[Stig]

Ansehelm:
How does it come, that no-one who works for a Von Hamburg understands sarcasm?

[FactionHeir]

Another Swabian clerk stands to read a letter

My Lords,

My Duke informs me that while he may not be able to intercept Dassel in time, the Bavarian HA near Thessalonica would be able to reinforce the Papal forces at Durazzo before Dassel reaches them with his artillery.

[TinCow]

*Lothar Steffen slams his fist onto the table.*

NO! I will not have a Bavarian army be responsible for starting a Civil War within the Reich! I do not care what the consequences are, my Duchy will not be the first to shed the blood of their brothers! If Hans wants a Civil War, the blood will have to be on his hands, not mine!

[Stig]

Ansehelm:
There will be no need for civil war. Many of us agree on points. It's just a handfull of people who don't agree with the majority. That's no proper cause of a civil war, an uproar maybe, no civil war.

*Ansehelm gets out an knife and throws it into the table in front of him*
And if someone thinks he can start a civil war, let him keep in mind that the Teutonic Army is still strong, made up of many veterans of the attack on Moscow, these men know what it is to march half the world and attacking someone, so don't think you can sit save in some castle you stole.
Let that be a warning to everyone here, if someone thinks of starting a civil war, remember this: you will have this up you, and you will not like it.
*Ansehelm puts away his knife*

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

That reminded me of Jones:

[GeneralHankerchief]

*The Swabian clerk receives another paper and audibly groans. After being recognized he begins to read it aloud.*

Ahem... Gentlemen, it seems that Sir von Dassel has... graced... us with another letter.

Come on Hans, can't catch me? Can't be in twelve places at once? Can't match up with the lowly von Dassel, who isn't even a Count? You must be slipping, my lord. Surely this isn't the same Hans the Mighty who never resists an opportunity to boast his accomplishments to the world.

If you want to be known as the man who started the civil war by catching up to the dastardly von Dassel and his devil-worshipping Lutherans then by all means, march faster! Come on, you must have it in you somewhere!

Ugh... I resign. Somebody else can read these *#%! letters now.

[econ21]

Diet Speaker: Count Peter von Kastilien is to be released from prison in Rome into the custody of the Duke of Franconia.

Mutters into his beard:

...and God help us all.

[gibsonsg91921]

A man last seen in the Diet thirteen years ago enters again.

"Home sweet home," Peter thinks.

ELECTORS! I return triumphant from my journey to Constantinople! I knew you couldn't afford to hold me in prison for long, with the Lutherans on my side.

Count Becker and Duke Hans, you forgot about Tancred. A grave error. Wahrheitburg is now part of the Most Holy Roman Empire!

Peter glances at Empress Theodora for a fleeting moment, then continues.

I wish to go home to Franconia, quickly. But first, I shall be celebrating our triumph over the Greeks in the Tavern! Lars and Ulrich brought me countless riches from sacking Constantinople, and Greek coin is valued well. Join me - all night, all men drink for free!

Laughing and singing loudly, Peter leaves the room and walks down the street.

[Privateerkev]

The clerk at the Outremer table just buries his head in his hands in disbelief.

[FactionHeir]

The Swabian clerk rises

Forgive me for the interruption, but Duke Hans did suggest to the Austrians to secure their eastern front to ward off Tancred if he tried to infiltrate after your capture.

I have no words for your release, but my Duke will certainly have his own view on that matter.

[Privateerkev]

The clerk picks his head up and speaks,

Outremer clerk:

Is Peter even able to speak in here? It was Kaiser Elberhard who banned him, even though he did hold a different position at the time.

[gibsonsg91921]

Peter's veteran warrior, whose names is Jonas, speaks. He is a teetotaller and doesn't like to drink.

My name is Jonas. I was born by the twin rivers Cuomo. But enough about me.

Jan? Yeah he can. Elberhard gave Péter full reinstatement at the Diet when he released him. Go figure!

And, Hans? There's no way Tancred is stupid enough to try and attack his own countrymen. It would take a total moron to use armed force to try and prevent something catastrophic. Really stupid.

Jonas's voice trails off...

Reminds me of someone...

[Stig]

Ansehelm:
Since Peter is now in my custody I think I can safely tell you that he will move to Hamburg to join forces with Fritz untill Dieter arrives. Peter and Fritz are to defend that border of the Reich, and if possible I want them to move at Antwerp. A clear victory might be good for the Reich.

[econ21]

Diet Speaker: Duke Ansehelm, on the subject of Antwerp, I am pleased to report that our English allies have entered the war with Denmark and are currently besieging the city. I have no great faith they will succeed, but they will weaken our foe.

On another matter, Kaiser Elberhard has asked me to communicate to you the result of King Jan's investigation into the whereabouts of Matthias Steffen:

King Jan's report on the whereabouts of Count Matthias

My Kaiser,

Please make this report available to the Diet in full.

Myself and a small group have left the army behind in Aleppo so as to be unassuming and hopefully unnoticed. I have taken my party through Adana and here is what I found.

1.) From questioning the Adana crusaders, as well as locals, the Adana garrison complied with the handover peacefully.

2.) According to their testimony, Count Matthias was on patrol up north when the handover happened. He was not at the Citadel.

3.) I found a battle site where Count Mattias's horse and bodyguards were found dead. The marks in the sand show that the Count was dragged away and that there were many attackers. Arrows recovered are of Turkish design.

4.) From visiting local village leaders, I learned a local mercenary unit had been hired to ambush someone. The mercenaries are of Turkish descent but do not belong to the Turkish Army.

5.) Up at the northern Adana border, a caravan informed me that a convoy headed into Caesarea. A wagon had a wounded man on it and the men in the convoy bore the markings and dress of Byzantine soldiers.

6.) While I was allowed to travel around Adana without hassle from the Byzantines the atmosphere has changed. My party is prepared to defend itself at a moment's notice.

7.) I have received an intelligence report from a reliable source that Matthias may be alive up in Caesarea.

8.) Because of this intelligence, I am taking the party north to Caesarea to see what I can find.

9.) If he is indeed held by the Byzantines, then I will demand his immediate release. If they refuse to comply, then I will extricate him by force and make our way back south.

I ask the Diet to keep Count Matthias in your prayers.

Yours,
King Jan

From this report, it appears that a renegade Byzantine general may have kidnapped Matthias Steffen in order to ease the transfer of Adana. Kaiser Elberhard assures the Diet that, despite our fraternal feelings for the Eastern Romans, King Jan and the Army of Outremer North will conduct aggressive negotiations for Matthias Steffen's release.

[gibsonsg91921]

Péter von Kastilien walks back into the Diet.

They have Matthias? Those @#$%ers. I'll give 'em some aggressive negotiations. Just say the word, and Tancred takes Nicaea. Or anywhere else we feel like.

Once again, the Diet takes a while to realize that I am right, but it happened.