Imperial Diet VII

[OverKnight]

A letter arrives from Outremer

Electors,

With the seizure of Antioch, I would like to announce that it is, once again, the capital of Outremer.

This leaves Acre without a governor. I am pleased to elevate Sir Andreas von Salzgitter to the rank of Crusader Count. Acre is now his to command.

I congratulate Count Andreas, he more than deserves it.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Herrmann Steffen:

RIGHT!!!

Let's get down to business, shall we?

*Herrmann carefully examines all the spots on the Bavarian bench before choosing one, dusting it off, and sitting down. He looks around, then promptly rises.*

How do you do everyone, my name is Herrmann Steffen, I'm honored to be here, blah blah blah. Actually, I'm not - well, I am, but I'm not honored to be here here...

Anyway!

My point is, why am I stuck in bloody Nuremburg?! The place isn't even Bavarian anymore! What, did they think I, at the wisened age of 16, would be a good governor? HAH! Why am I not down in Italy, fighting with my comrades to take Italy back! Or...

*Herrmann rummages around.*

Christ Almighty, are there no maps around in this place?!

*After about a minute's waiting, a page carrying a large pile of scrolls rushes over to Herrmann.*

Much better. As I was saying: Or...

*Herrmann undoes one of the scrolls, finds his place, and points dramatically.*

Prague!!!

The place is in danger of a Polish attack. It must not be allowed to fall! Lorenz Zirn, an extremely capable general, is on the scene but he could use some extra heavy cavalry, could he not?

Chancellor, or Steward, or Kaiser, or whoever the heck's in charge of this operation, if you send me to Prague right now then I could get there in time to assist Lorenz in any operation we might plan for this campaign season! He gets some help, Prague gets saved, I get knighted... everybody wins!

*He pauses, then adds as an afterthought.*

Oh, congrats Uncle Matthias on all your victories in Outremer.

[Ramses II CP]

Yes, business, shall we? What in the name of all that is Holy is that pathetic old wreck doing controlling the Empire? Duke Arnold is ill, has he no second? Does the position truly devolve instantly to the Kaiser?

Why, the man still blathers on about my proclamation as though every man in Europe with letters hasn't already read it.

Furthermore what was a bloody Russian plague ship doing at the docks in Ragusa? Does our esteemed Kaiser have no comment on the matter? No concern for the health of our Chancellor? No dispatching his personal physician to the scene?

This smacks of treachery gentlemen! Treachery on the part of the Rus, if not... other parties as well. The Byzantines for one, and likely their sycophants the world over as well. Ragusa is not far from their border or their Italian ports, and certainly they have the means to purchase and outfit a ship as Russian.

The Reich is suffering a dark day. God help Duke Arnold, and God help the Reich!

Fritz von Kastilien

(OOC: Okay, I'm trapped at Hamburg momentarily, so consider this on hold until I get free or a letter or something. Couldn't let the Kaiser's comments pass. ;))

[OverKnight]

A message arrives from Outremer.

Kaiser Elberhard and my fellow Electors,

I have taken Adana in a night assault. The first settlement we took in the East has now been returned to Outremer, praise be to the Allmighty.

Casualties were light for attacking a Citadel.

Let me share these scouting reports as well.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

We have breached the main Byzantine line in the east, the settlements behind it are highly vulnerable. If this body and the Kaiser deem it wise, the sacking of these two Greek settlements would aid our treasury and disrupt our mortal enemy.

While no edict authorizing the permanent seizure of Caesarea has been passed, I feel it would be a welcome addition to Outremer. As a Citadel, it would replace Aleppo, and it would be easy to hold in the face of religious unrest. Iconium is another story, I feel it should just be raided for now.

I await the input of this body and the decision of the Kaiser.

I also pray that Chancellor Arnold will recover and be able to resume his duties.

Viceroy Matthias Steffen

Edit: Post Scriptum: I ordered repairs for the walls to begin at Adana. I made a bit of a mess going in, but if the Kaiser feels it is too expensive, I'm sure repairs can be delayed for a few years. I also took the liberty of razing the Catapult works for 1066 florins.

[Privateerkev]

Dieter unrolls a copy of the Charter on his desk

Lets see...

I'm looking for the part of the Charter that says that the Kaiser automatically takes over as Chancellor when the current Chancellor can not perform his duties.

Hmmm....

I can't find that part.

Can someone tell me what clause stipulates this?

Anyone?

[flyd]

Arnold is still chancellor. If he wishes to have someone he trusts run day to day matters for a while, I see no issue with that.

[Privateerkev]

Ok, can someone please point out the clause in the Charter that allows the Chancellor to choose a second.

Nothing against the Kaiser, but I did not vote for him to be Chancellor. And since the Charter does not go over this possibility, it is obvious we need some sort of legal resolution.

Or do we just ignore inconvenient laws?

[GeneralHankerchief]

Herrmann Steffen:

Well, someone's got to keep this show running! I mean, we all saw what happened during the period where there was no central leadership. We all remember right? Treachery, massive loss of territories, massive loss of cash, three separate rebellions... death... uh...

Anyway!!!

I agree that this issue needs to be addressed at the next Diet Session, but doing it now would be a waste of time. By the time we drag everyone's butts in here to call for a session and propose resolution that will straighten this out, Uncle Arnold will have fully recovered from the plague and yelled at all of us for acting like little fairies.

[Privateerkev]

Ok, can someone point out the clause that makes it legal for there to be "second" to Chancellor until the next Diet session?

And I am still waiting on answers to my first two questions.

So, now that makes 3.

And it pains me to hear that following the law is a "waste of time."

[flyd]

Point out the clause that makes it illegal. This is also hardly the first time a steward has been appointed. With a lack of law either prohibiting or allowing, we'll follow tradition.

[Privateerkev]

Point out the clause that makes it illegal. This is also hardly the first time a steward has been appointed. With a lack of law either prohibiting or allowing, we'll follow tradition.

No, point out the specific point that makes the Kaiser's actions legal. Unless he is using his power of legal interpretation. In that case, since it involves him, we'll need the 4 Dukes to make a ruling. Or, we could just call an emergency session, and pass a CA that allows for this possibility.

But ignoring this just doesn't seem to be an option.

Also, please point out the part of the Charter that says we can just "follow tradition".

[Ramses II CP]

I am glad that you have mentioned stewardship, as, indeed, Duke Arnold does have a steward. His name is Karl Zirn, and he is currently administering the Duke's duties, well, all of them except the Chancellorship. The Kaiser, to my knowledge, is steward only of Imperial soldiers (under Fritz's breath; certainly not steward of his wife or his tongue), and that a recently claimed and questionably legal matter in itself.

In any case if the Kaiser wished to be Chancellor he had only to run for the position openly, not scheme to take it. Surely a man of such commanding presence and authority would have won easily against a mere freehold Count such as myself.

I wish Duke Arnold godspeed in growing healthy. The Reich needs him!

Fritz von Kastilien

[Privateerkev]

All that we would need to solve this is an emergency session. We had one with regards to Chancellor impeachment. We had one with regards to Chancellor resignation. Now we need one with regards to Chancellor incapacitation.

I have no problem with the Kaiser being Chancellor, as long as it was legal. Since it is not legal, he needs to cease and desist from running the Reich immediately.

He has already exercised his prerogative so he can not do so twice. There is no provision in the Charter for this situation so we must create one. If people insist, I can read out the relevant parts of the Charter at length to prove that there is no law supporting the Kaiser's actions. But I don't think anyone wants that...

[GeneralHankerchief]

Herrmann Steffen:

All right, I think I may have something here.

Now, Sir von... uh...

...Essen! Sorry, I'm new...

Your complaint is that the Kaiser is temporarily assuming the office of Chancellor whilst Duke Arnold recuperates from whatever is ailing him, even though it says nowhere in the Charter that he can... correct?

And also that the Kaiser has already exercised his prerogative to assume an automatic Chancellorship...

Correct?

Now, however, when the Kaiser did exercise his prerogative, he did so in 1308, because the current, ah, Chancellor, had died. He did not enjoy a full 10-turn length of rule, even though ten turns is what all Kaisers are entitled to.

In my expert and infalliable legal opinion (HAH!) Elberhard still has 8 years left where he can rule and it will not be challenged by the Diet. Now, naturally, he can still use this at the beginning of a Diet session, however this would be highly impractical as we'd all need to be dragged back after his time is up to just go, pass some new laws, and elect somebody else.

Or, he could use that time piece by piece as the need arises, as is such the case here.

[Privateerkev]

And again, there is no law that specifically gives the Kaiser the right to split his prerogative. For that, we would need an emergency session in order to pass the required CA. Or, the Kaiser could "interpret" the Charter to give him a split prerogative as long as 2 Dukes agree.

Either result would allow us to be following the law. Something we are currently not doing at the moment...

[GeneralHankerchief]

Herrmann Steffen:

Yeah, but I don't see anywhere where it says he can't split up his prerogative either, so it's up to interpretation either way...

...but since it's the Kaiser...

Aw man, this sucks.

I don't care how this is solved, so long as we keep everything moving!

[Privateerkev]

Well, since it was Duke Arnold that handed over the reins, we could probably assume that he would give his permission for the Kaiser to interpret his prerogative this way. So, we just need one more Duke to agree to this interpretation and then it is probably all good.

I guess my problem is that we were kept in the dark. I thought the Diet was to be considered and included in decisions regarding the Charter. It even says so in my "Welcome to the Imperial Diet!" pamphlet I received.

[FactionHeir]

I am rather surprised that you would question your duke's decision to have the emperor act as his steward. Is that what you call loyalty nowadays?

Anyway, if I read the archives correctly, when the late emperor Siegfried embarked to Constantinople, Elberhard had acted as his steward for the position of chancellor and there did not seem to be much disagreement with that.

Seeing how this created a precedent, there is nothing wrong with emperor Elberhard assuming stewardship by the wishes of the current chancellor duke Arnold.

[Privateerkev]

How dare you question my loyalty to Duke Arnold!

This regards our following the law you nitwit!

As for the previous term of "Steward Elberhard", that was an obvious use of the Kaiser's prerogative. Now the current question is whether the Kaiser can split his prerogative.

It seems that all we need is another Duke to give his blessing and then the Kaiser will be able to assume the Chancellorship for the remaining balance of his "term".

And could you kindly point to the part of the Charter that says we can follow "precedent".

We're up to 5 questions now.

Is the law really that unimportant? What else can we ignore? It saddens me to see the law treated so... cavalierly...

[Cecil XIX]

The Kaiser does not need the charter's permission to do something. That would be absurd, for even if the document could be made long enough to allow for every good and wise course of action it would be too long to be of any use. Go ahead and take action if it bothers you, but know that the burden of proof rests with those who want to make change.

[Privateerkev]

I would argue that the Kaiser does need the Charter's permission to usurp a Chancellorship. If he is not elected, or not using his prerogative, the Kaiser can not just assume the position.

Or are we living in a dictatorship and no one bothered to tell me?

What if the Kaiser was less competent than the current Kaiser? Would all of you still be so complacent? I say we should be consistent with how we apply law.

[Cecil XIX]

Unless you can point to a provision in the charter outlawing the Kaiser from doing this, any use of the phrase usurpation is simply wrong.

If you think this a problem, then do something about it. Talking by itself is a waste of time.

[Privateerkev]

No Count Becker,

You have to point out the part of the Charter that says that the Kaiser can split his prerogative. I have already pointed out the relevant part that shows how we can get out of this legal mess.

As for "doing something". I have. I have called for the Dukes to make a ruling regarding whether the Kaiser can "split up" his prerogative. And I have called for an emergency session that will allow us to pass a CA that covers the possibility of Chancellor incapacitation.

There is not much else I can do outside of a Diet session other than what I am currently doing.

It seems we have just had a coup and no one seems to care.

Very curious...

[FactionHeir]

In any law, precedent does not need to be written into the law. If something happened previously and one was not reprimanded for it even though someone was able, then another can in future call onto this right of precedent.

You also seem to ignore that I pointed out the fact of his stewardship prior to Siegfried's assassination. Only after the assassination did he use his prerogative.

Regardless, the emperor decides the interpretation of the charter, and this part of the charter affects the chancellor more so than the emperor, thus giving him the authority to do as he pleases.

[Ramses II CP]

I must say, von Essen, I'm impressed. Everyone opposing you seems to be saying that if the Kaiser wanted to disband all our armies and sail off to Cyprus they'd be fine with that because it's not specifically outlawed in the Charter. What a fool's debate!

The Kaiser needs specific legal permission to take any action above his station, just as would the Dukes, Counts, and other nobles of the realm. A system in which the law must preclude every stupid act it's leaders might choose is a system destined to fail under it's own weight.

We, the nobles of the Reich, chose via vote one man to lead us and guide our nation and that man is no longer at the helm. His position has been usurped by the same man who, in his last turn at power, led us directly into the maelstrom of the cataclysm. This is madness. Wake up!

Fritz von Kastilien

[econ21]

Elberhard: @#$%^&!!! it - a coup my arse! A usurper, my @#$%^&!!!.

Duke Arnold is sick and asked me to look over the shop till he is better - how is that illegal, still less a coup?

I am not exercising a royal perogative - I am doing a bloke a favour.

If the Prinz or three Dukes wish to call an Emergency Session of the Diet to legislate over a chap calling in sick, be my guest.

So far, I have done precisely nothing in my capacity as "Steward" except talk some @#$%^&!!! to you lot. If you want me to stay in this sublime state of inactivity and talk more of the same, then I am quite happy to indulge you.

[TinCow]

Duke Arnold will obviously not be calling for an Emergency Session. As I trust his judgment in this matter, neither will I. Unless Duke Peter feels the need to do so with his powers as Prinz, I suggest this matter be dropped and the Diet focus its attentions on the GODDAMNED ENEMIES THAT ARE ASSAULTING THE REICH ON ALL SIDES!

[Privateerkev]

I would like it stated for the record that the Kaiser has just committed a coup. We are now being run by someone we did not elect and the law does not allow for.

I'll admit it is a kind and gentle coup but it is still a coup.

God save the Reich...

I'll go now and let others stew in that revelation. I have fighting that needs to be done. Also, it seems the Diet no longer has a purpose since the Kaiser has just usurped sole power for himself. While we couldn't have had a nicer guy doing it, I shudder at the thought of what would have happened if a less honorable and capable person had done what Elberhard just did.

von Essen leaves.

[TinCow]

*Lothar Steffen shakes his head in wonderment.*

A coup requires by nature that the man committing it seize power that is not his. Kaiser Elberhard has seized nothing! Duke Arnold gave him that power due to the exceptional circumstances of his illness. You might as well say that Stewards commit coups against their Dukes when they rule in their stead! Would you all prefer another year or two of anarchy over a minor, secretarial substitution?

*Lothar can be heard to mutter under his breath, "It is a shame that more of these 'Electors' did not perish in the previous crisis."*

[econ21]

Elberhard: @#$%^&!!! it, that's it. I will not be accused of such villainy by that prattling self-righteous youngster who is exiting this Diet so that we may all see the shaft of truth and justice radiating from his arse!

I am calling an Emergency session of the Diet! This session will be open for 24 hours.

I am proposing:

CA what the @#$%^&!!! ever: The Chancellor can appoint a Steward should he temporarily be unable to attend to his duties.

Later, I will probably have to propose Charter Amendments allowing the Chancellor to defecate, procreate and pick his nose but one thing at a time, eh?

Once I get two seconders, I will immediately put it to a vote which will be open for 24 hours. As a result, the vote may well run concurrently with the Diet session, so if you wish to hear what other pearls of wisdom will emanate from the mouths of Fritz and Essen, then wait a while before voting.

I will say this however - if anyone attempts to use this session to prevent Chancellor Arnold from resuming his duties once he is fighting fit, then you will see what it is like when a Kaiser abuses his position!

You can now talk amongst yourselves. Let's hope our enemies spend this time doing the same.

The Kaiser follows Essen outside the Chamber, although his shieldbearer manages to divert him from following the youngster's path once he exits the hall.