Imperial Diet & Rules

[GeneralHankerchief]

Kaiser Heinrich:

Let it be known that if the Margrave once again amends his legislation to meet Leopold's request, I will automatically second it.

(OOC: tired, need nap.)

[The Celtic Viking]

Theodericus der Bartige, rather bored and tired tone

"Fine. Here's the final draft.

Charter Amendment 4.1c

Should Charter Amendment 4.1b pass, the following should be added to the Reichmarshall position:

Penalties:
(3) The Reichmarshall's army has two priorities, in order of importance:

a) To defend the Reich's current possessions
b) To reclaim lost settlements

As such, the Reichmarshall's army cannot be used to conquer new territory, unless expressively authorized to do so by the Diet. This, however, cannot surpass priority a) or b).

(4) The Reichsmarschall shall use his centrally funded resources and position for the benefit of the Reich as a whole and not in pursuit of the individual interests of himself, anyone else, his Duchy or any other.

I trust this will pass without any further objections. If you need me, I'll be in the nearest bar."

Theodericus gathers up his papers, tips his head to the Kaiser, salutes Friedrich and then leaves the Diet.

[phonicsmonkey]

I second Charter Amendment 4.1c and thank the Margrave for his mastery of the art of compromise.

[Ignoramus]

Harold Merode, somewhat confused, enters the Diet.

"Mein, Kaiser, what is going on? Forgive me, but I fear I have not kept up with the times."

[phonicsmonkey]

The Prinz.

Ah Herr Merode! May I applaud your impeccable sense of timing...good to see you here! Once you have your bearings you might begin by swearing the Imperial Oath so that you are able to vote.

[phonicsmonkey]

Ernst of Melk rises to speak on behalf of the Prinz.

As a reward for his excellent service thus far, Prinz Leopold would like to elevate Elberhard von Essen to Count of Tyrol, granting him Innsbruck as his personal fiefdom until such a time as it ceases to form part of Osterreich, at which point he will be granted another territory.

Also, Herr Harold Merode has decided to leave Osterreich and join the House of Brandenburg-Bohemia. We wish him well in his future employ.

[The Celtic Viking]

Friedrich von Eisler motions to speak.

"As we now have the Reichmarschall position expanded and publicly financed, we need to clear up the bureaucracy behind it. For obvious reasons we must keep a separate account of how much money is for the Reichmarschall, so that none of it gets lost in someone's personal pockets, by accident or worse. We should also require the Reichmarschall to clearly inform us when and on what he spends it on, and on the status of his army. This is party for the reason of transparency itself - we have a right to know what our money is being spent on - but also to ease the transition between one Reichmarschall to the man who replaces him. Otherwise there might be misunderstandings or even disputes about which soldiers belong to the Reichmarschall's army, financed by the taxes, and which are the personal belongings of the man who served that position, financed by his own money.

I would also like to remind Count Jens Herden that he is serving as Reichmarschall now. His responsibility is first and foremost to create and to command the Reichmarschall army, so while he can - at present - go off on his own adventures, he may only do so as long as it doesn't interfere with his responsibilities. No taxpayer money can be used to aid the conquering of any province at the present either. If he isn't done with his campaign before the Reichmarschall army is battle-ready, he must abort it, for the Reichmarschall's army must always be ready to move out, and it cannot do so without its commander.

I hope this is recieved in the friendly spirit it was intended; I have no doubt that the Reichmarschall will be strictly professional in his duties. In conclusion, I, on behalf of my master, Margrave Theodericus der Bartige, and the Margravate of Brandenburg-Bohemia, wish the Count the best of luck in all his endeavours - including capturing Ragusa. "

Friedrich von Eisel tilts his head and is about to sit down when he quickly stands up again.

"Apologies, for I almost forgot: Margrave Theodericus der Bartige has decided that if the Osterreich still wants cavalry from Magdeburg, he in his grace has decided to allow Count Jens Herden to use them as his own. The Margrave still wish to retain the right to recall his cavalry, though."

About to sit down again, he suddenly changes his mind.

"Oh, and I don't want this to be misunderstood as an attempt to assure anyone of the well-meaning behind what I first said about the Count. The two things are wholly seperate and independent of each other. I wish now I had said this before I said anything else. That is all."

He once again nods his head and sits down, this time finished for sure.

[Nightbringer]

Indeed, the army is my true problem at this point. I have some men with me on loan from the Prinz, as well as a few that belong to my countship, but at present there is no army of the Riechsmarshal. I hope that, with the approval of this council, I may capture Ragusa and use it to build up a suitable army. I will of course do this as quickly as possible, but if necessary I can retreat towards our heartlands now and attempt to raise some mercenary forces, but I would prefer not to.

[Nightbringer]

Jens Herden, having been gone for a couple of weeks, re-enters the courtroom looking harried

greetings my fellows. As I hope you know, as the Reichsmarshall I am dedicated to protecting the lands of the Reich, but without an army there is little I can do. I have been working to amend this problem but will need your co-operation. I have scoured the training grounds all over the Reich personally to find where new troops might be trained to form a new army of the Reichsmarshall. As these facilities fall under your respective jurisdictions, I request permission to use them to train troops. The treasury of the Reichsmarshall shall cover all expenses for training and maintaining these troops. I have composed a list organized by city...

Herden unfurls a scroll he has been carrying

Innsbruck

2 units of sergeant spearmen, 860 florins

1 unit of mounted sergeants, 460 florins

Vienna

1 unit of spear militia, 320 florins

Budapest

1 unit of spear militia, 320 florins

Prague

1 unit of spear militia, 320 florins

finished, Jens Herden puts away the scroll.

I shall of course give myself permission for the use of Budapest, and I ask that the rest of you do the same. I would also like to mention that I have transfered a unit of mercenary crossbowmen and a unit of spear militia from my personal army to the position to further increase its ability to protect all our lands. I ask that the rest of you also consider donating some troops if possible. I understand that the Margrave and the Prinz are currently using their armies, but I did come across 1 unit of peasant archers and 1 unit of mounted sergeants in Innsbruck that would compliment the Reichsmarshall's army nicely.

Finally, I request that the Prinz finance the building of dirt roads in Vienna. This will significantly increase the speed at which I may move to defend threatened areas of the Reich.

[phonicsmonkey]

The Prinz gives his consent to the recruitment of troops for the Marschall's army at Wien. The Count of Tyrol will need to decide regarding Innsbruck. As to the matter of roads this will be considered after the battle at Genoa.

[Zim]

You can recruit in Innsbruck

[Nightbringer]

Excellent, have you decided about those troops currently holding there? Or do you intend to use them yourself which is certainly understandable.

I simply await the word of the owner of Prague, the Margrave correct?

[phonicsmonkey]

oOC:Those troops already at Innsbruck are mine and I'll most likely be using them, tbd once I know the results of the big game

[GeneralHankerchief]

Kaiser Heinrich:

I see we have some administrative issues that need to be taken care of due to the Zirn matter among other things. Therefore, I am calling an Emergency Session of the Diet, effective immediately.

I will be issuing statements of my own sometime within the next day. Right now my foreign advisors have informed me that a particularly brutal Caliph east of Anatolia has been slain and I need to do leader-ly things with this information.

[The Celtic Viking]

Friedrich von Eisler:

"I apologize for any inconvenience, but in the chaos that has ensued from the whole Milan drama, I would like to have some things cleared up, specifically in regards to the position of Reichmarschall. May I ask the current one, Jens Herden, to give a full account of the office's situation, including how much money it has and how many men are currently serving under it. For the sake of bureaucracy and transparency, I would suggest that the Reichmarschall makes regular updates on any changes, so that we all may know what our money is being spent upon."

[Nightbringer]

Ahem,

In my capacity as Reichsmarshall I have recruited one unit of spear militia (320) in Budapest with the permission of myself,
I have also recruited two units of sergeant spear men (860) and one unit of mounted sergeants (460) in Innsbruck, and 1 unit of spear militia (320) in Vienna
and leaving the Reichsmarchall's funds at 1019.
I then re-sieved 1131 florins from von Essen's heroic capture of Zagreb, bringing the total to 2150.

In my capacity as Count of Budapest I have trained one unit of town militia at Budapest (310) and hired one unit of mercenary crossbowmen (860). This leaves his funds at 1519.

I have also donated 1 unit of mercenary crossbowmen and 1 unit of spear militia to the army of the Reichsmarshall and consolidated the troops of both positions in the city of Budapest.

I encourage anyone else who has spare troops to donate them as well. Once this army has regrouped I intend to stay watchful on the mid-East border where most of our enemies seem to be attacking from at this time.

[Nightbringer]

The Reichsmarshall nods approvingly as he examines a scroll of parchment.
It seems my last round of recruiting has gone very well, troops from all over the Reich are taking up arms and will soon be ready to crush the Reichs enemies. However, I have need of still more troops.
The Reichsmarshall unfurls another scroll and tosses it down onto the table.
With your permission

Budapest
Spear Militia (320)
permission granted

Vienna
Spear Militia (320)
permission pending

Innsruck
Sergeant Spearmen (430)
Peasant Archers (200)
Mounted Sergeants (460)
permission pending

I would also like to sponsor the building of dirt roads (500) in Vienna. This will make movement for my armies much easily, furthering my ability to protect the Reich.

This would leave my total funds at 1119.


I also have a special request as Count of Budapest. I would request that the tribute I am paying to my lord the Prinz be lowered slightly. I am currently losing money every turn and cannot take any action for fear of bankruptcy.

[The Celtic Viking]

Theodericus coughs.

"The Reichmarschall's funds cannot be used to sponsor the building of any infrastructure. It's for the army and nothing else. If you wish to use your own money to do it, that's fine, but if that's what you meant you should be more clear about it."

[Nightbringer]

I thought perhaps an exception could be made for the building of roads as this greatly aids the army. However, if this is unacceptable I will use funds from my personal holdings.

[The Celtic Viking]

"It is unacceptable. My money is not to be used to improve someone else's property."

[GeneralHankerchief]

Kaiser Heinrich:

Good Electors,

I believe that it is time that Austria and Brandenburg received some sister Duchies. Right now, I currently have direct control over five provinces: Frankfurt, Antwerp, Nuremburg, Genoa, and Milan. Frankfurt of course will stay in my possession, however, the other four provinces are up for grabs. Generally, I am looking to restart two of the lost Duchies, Bavaria being one of them. Flanders is looking like the other one at the moment as all Swabian lands are currently lost to us.

I am currently accepting public applications in this Diet. The only two men ineligible for these new positions are the Prinz and the Margrave, for obvious reasons. You will be judged based on your clear and concise outlining of the plan for your Duchy and how your actions as Duke will benefit the Reich as a whole and not just your new House.

[Zim]

Von Essen steps into the Diet hall. In contrast to his last appearance here his armor is covered with dirt and scratched, its upkeep untended to. Dark circles under his eyes attest to his lack of sleep lately. Slowly Elberhard walks towards the Emperor's throne, kneeling upon reaching it and holding out his sword towards his leige.

"My Emperor. Due to my gross incompetence in the Battle for Zagreb a noble defender of the Reich has fallen. Your servant Von Magdeburg perished while I allowed myself to stray from my duties as a leader of an army to the Reich.

This crime is unforgivable, but I know that the Empire's need for soldiers them does not allow me to face the justice I am actually due. Therefore I offer my sword and fortune to you to do with as you see fit in defense of the realm. Also henceforth I will accept no land or titles beyond the humble one of knight. My only request, unworthy as I am to make it, is the chance to spill the blood of your enemies."

[phonicsmonkey]

The Prinz frowns.

Von Essen you have nothing to feel ashamed of. Von Magdeburg fought bravely and fell in the service of Reich and Duchy as may we all one day, God Willing.

I urge you to reconsider once the emotions of the situation have receded. Under your command the Reich has gained the city of Zagreb from the hated Magyar - you should feel proud of your achievement for which I applaud you.

The Reich has need of men of your quality at all levels, but particularly in the higher ranks of the nobility which have been cruelly stripped of our finest.

[Nightbringer]

I must resubmit me request to raise troops for the army of the Reichsmarshall.

Budapest
2 Spear Militia (640)
permission granted

Vienna
2 Spear Militia (640)
permission pending

Innsruck
Sergeant Spearmen (430)
Peasant Archers (200)
Mounted Sergeants (460)
permission pending
total of 2370
This would leave my total funds at 1558.

[phonicsmonkey]

The Prinz stands to petition his father.

Mein Kaiser, I humbly submit that the city of Zagreb be added to the Duchy of Osterreich in recognition of our successes against the Magyar and our ancient territorial claim on their lands.

He bows before sitting to await the response.

[The Celtic Viking]

Margrave Theodericus der Bartige:

"Oh yes, you 'humbly submit' that Zagreb should be added to the Osterreich, like you 'humbly submitted' that Budapest should be added to the Osterreich, or how you 'humbly submitted' that Innsbruck should be added to the Osterreich, or how you 'humbly submitted' that Nuremburg should be added to the Osterreich... tell me, is there any city in the Reich, or indeed the world, that you wouldn't be humble enough to submit to be added to the Osterreich?"

He turns towards Jens Herden.

"And all the while the Reichmarschall is granting himself more and more authority, acting like the mere asking for permission is the same as him receiving it. Is this sort of arrogance normal behaviour in the Osterreich? I will leave it to the actual owners of the facilities in question to decide whether they want to impeach him for it, but if they do, I shall certainly support it. If this is tried anywhere in Brandenburg-Bohemia, I assure you that this is exactly what I would do.

Until a formal charge is made, though, I request that the Reichmarschall recognizes that it is in the north that he is needed, not in the south, and fulfills his duty by marching up here and providing the defence that his army was created for, instead of lolling about in the south. We're not paying this tax for your looks, so forget the suntan and do your job."

[Nightbringer]

I would not need to assume this authority if the good owners of those lands would be so kind as to reply to my requests. I have taken the liberty of ordering their recruitment as this is a time of crisis for the Reich. We are being attacked by hostile forces on all fronts and in grave need of new troops.

As to your other comments, I am certainly not lolling around in the South. I have in fact just ridden ahead of my main army which is currently marching to the capitol to fight off the Pollocks. This army will be bolstered by these new troops as it marches. Once that threat is dealt with, I shall likely head back to the South East as the Hungarians are amassing new armies and the Sultan of the East can only be a short time from attacking us. You seem to have a large force of soldiers in the north, far larger than any such troops in the South, and are such a superb commander that surely you can take on any small force attacking your lands, as I hear you have so recently done.


Ah, it seems the good Prinz has indeed taken heed of my request and given his permission, but I must ask that von Essen, despite his recent trauma, give the rights for recruitment in Innsbruck.

[The Celtic Viking]

"Oh, I see, you think them not having answered you gives you the right to sidestep the law and do whatever you want. So what's next? If someone denies you his facilities, will you take them by force, 'because if he had given you his permission, you wouldn't have had to use violence'?"

[phonicsmonkey]

The Prinz, ignoring the dispute between the Margrave and the Count.

The good Margrave may not be aware that the cities of Innsbruck and Nuremburg are earmarked for inclusion in the new Duchy of Bavaria. I will be releasing my claim on these cities once the Duchy is established and once, in the case of Innsbruck, we have secured alternative and equivalent recruitment facilities in the form of Ragusa, currently held by the Magyar but our next planned conquest.

Similarly the city of Milan, once I have recaptured it from our Italian foe, will I believe form part of the new Duchy.

This will leave Osterreich (Kaiser willing of course) with Wien, Budapest, Zagreb and Ragusa. Not unreasonable given our selfless defence of lands not our own and our series of victories against our common foes.

Perhaps the Margrave should look to his own conquests rather than churlishly disputing the claims of others.

[Nightbringer]

"Oh, I see, you think them not having answered you gives you the right to sidestep the law and do whatever you want. So what's next? If someone denies you his facilities, will you take them by force, 'because if he had given you his permission, you wouldn't have had to use violence'?"

In a time of crisis action is more important than procedure. This was a necessary action if the Reichsmarshall is to have an army with which to defend our lands.