Duchy of Swabia

[Ignoramus]

Duchy of Swabia

My fellow Swabian electors, our Kaiser has graciously provided us and all other Duchies with quarters in the Diet. Please retire here to discuss plans and suggestions concerning Swabian interests.

Sigismund der Mutige, Count of Lorraine, Elector of Swabia.

Nobles of Swabia:

Duke Athalwolf von Salza - Duke of Swabia
Count Erhart Ruppel- Count of Helvatia
Count Ludwig von Bohmen - Count of Flanders
Andreas von Salzgitter

Electors of Swabia:

Duke Athalwolf von Salza - Second Elector of Swabia(Warluster)
Count Erhart Ruppel - Third Elector of Swabia, (FactionHeir)
Count Ludwig von Bohmen - Fourth Elector of Swabia,(deguerra)
Andreas von Salzgitter - Fifth Elector of Swabia (Zim)
Swabian Elector I - Sixth Elector of Swabia (Tristan de Castelreng)

Lands of Swabia:

Swabia - Capital: Staufen. Part of the ducal demesne of Athalwolf von Salza, Duke of Swabia.
Lorraine - Capital: Metz. The lands of , Count of Lorraine.
Helvetia - Capital: Bern. The lands of Erhart Ruppel, Count of Helvetia.
Burgundy - Capital: Dijon. Part of ducal demense of Athalwolf von Salza, Duke of Swabia,Count of Burgundy.
Champagne - Capital: Rheims. The lands of , Count of Champagne.
Flanders - Capital: Bruges The lands of Ludwig von Bohmen, Count of Flanders
Normandy - Capital: Caen Ducal Demense

Dukes of Swabia:
Prinz Henry: (1080 - 1170)
Ulrich I: (1178 - 1186)
Frederich I: (1200 - 1286)
Hans I: (1286 - 1330)
Athalwolf von Salza: (1330 - ?)

Counts of Lorraine:
Sigismund I: (1090 - 1142)
Judda I: (1142 - 1178)
Ulrich I: (1178 -1248)
Wolfgang I: (1248 - 1280)
Jens I: (1280 - 1282)

Counts of Burgundy:
Henry I: (1126 - 1140)
Jobst I: (1140 - 1246)
Athawolf I: (1280 - 1330)

Counts of Helvetia:
Henry I: (1106 - 1168)
Hans I: (1168 - 1330)
Erhart Ruppel: (1338 - ?)

Counts of Champagne:
Elberhard I: (1244 - 1308)

Counts of Flanders:
Ludwig von Bohmen: (1338 - ?)

Counts of Belgium:
Athalwolf von Salza - (1330 - ?)

Counts of Normandy:
Athalwolf von Salza - (1330 - ?)

[Warluster]

OOC-Does evry house of HRE get a HQ?

IC-

Excellent! Absolutely splendid! Perfect! Excellontao!

Now to discussion!

As I was saying before, if we destroy one nation in Europe, we could install fear into peoples minds! What do my fellow Swabian Electors say?

Also- In battles, when we capture soldiers, I say this- If we are to capture over 1000 soldiers, we are to ransom them, if we capute less then 1000, we kill them? This is good by the fact is, if its for a nation we hate, they will hate us even more, and they will be scared of us! They will cower!

[econ21]

Fellow Swabians, I believe this talk of destroying other nations is premature. Given that we are at war with three other nations, and face three others on our borders, it is our Empire which is at risk of destruction. The loss of Bologna has shown that our first priority must be to secure our borders.

In the Diet, I have proposed that Houses be given more say in the defence of their realm. The immediate issue for Swabia is France. I believe should start giving thought to the force requirements in our provinces in the event of war with France. After the current crisis is over, we should also start to think about redeploying our own commands to the west - leaving North Italy to the Bavarians and perhaps the next Chancellor, if he wishes to focus efforts on that war zone.

[Ignoramus]

Prinz Henry speaks wisely, fellow Swabians. After the crisis of Italy has past, we must protect the western border of the Reich from the French. Our spies have reported that they have many men in mail and coif, and equally skilled as our own. We must be on the watch.

May I suggest that we seek to gain permission to seize Marseilles? Provence has always been part of the Reich until they defected to the French King. Perhaps they thought that puppet would be better equiped to protect them, I do not know. Anyway, it is a natural addition to Burgundy, and thus should be one of Swabia's goals in the future.

[Warluster]

If Swabia is allowed, I volunteer to take Maresilles.

[econ21]

Prinz Henry: The Diet will not support a war of aggression, not while we are still fighting three other wars. However, I fear war with France will come soon whether we will it or not.

We must look to our defences - we have three border settlements: Dijon, Bern and Metz. I suggest that we form a Swabian standing army based near Dijon. If we plan our location appropriately, we should be able to support small garrisons in each of the three border settlements. In the event of a French attack, we should be able to repel the French and then persuade the Chancellor to allow us to launch a counterstroke.

Marseilles is a possible target, but I wonder if it will overstretch our lines too much? Rheims seems a more logical choice - if taken, Metz would no longer border France and we would still have three border towns (Rheims, Dijon and Bern) that could be defended by a single standing army. Moreover Rheims is close to Paris, whose capture would be a severe blow to the French, and to the riches of Antwerp and Bruges.

I believe two of us at least should join a Swabian standing army. The third could serve in North Italy if the Chancellor requires. We can alternate command of the army to make sure all have opportunities to distinguish themselves.

We should give thought to the composition of a standing army. I believe a force of around 10 units plus generals would be authorised by a future Chancellor (more might be permitted if war breaks out).

I would suggest:

2 generals
2 knights (mounted sergeants at a pinch)
3 crossbows or archers
5 armoured sergeants

In time, we would aim to replace most of the armoured sergeants with swordsmen - when we have upgraded Staufen sufficiently to train them.

[Warluster]

hm, thta seems well enough. You have looked at what we can and could do, and the best way. but we also have to look at the consequnces.

The French obviously would be at war with us, but they also may have allies? DO they have any allies? If so we need to look into there positions and armies. We also need to know the location and size of the main French army, if there is any, and if there in a good spot to attack us.

If we take Rheims, I suggest setting up watchtowers around it, and possibly place a ambush in prepartaion of the counter attack???

But all up, it seems a good plan, now we just have to present that to the diet.

[TevashSzat]

I agree with econ21. The best defence is a good offence and when my recieve my avatar, I will gladly join any army that seeks to defend our western borders or attack the French

[FactionHeir]

I would suggest increasing the amount of cavalry by 1 or 2 units at the cost of armoured sergeants as spears are only of use against cavalry and generally are slow and weak troops.

Other than that I agree with Prince Henry and would also like to suggest that we consider diplomacy with the English to possibly force the French into a war at two fronts.

With a bit of luck, we may even be able to sell an alliance to the English and thus fill our coffers somewhat.

[Ignoramus]

Currently, only Swabia is loyal to the Kaiser. That raises some concern. I think we should concentrate on crushing Venice rather than the Poles. The Poles are not as wealthy as our Venetian foes, and thus are not as dangerous. I am sure that the Franconians can hold theri own against them.

[econ21]

I would suggest increasing the amount of cavalry by 1 or 2 units at the cost of armoured sergeants as spears are only of use against cavalry and generally are slow and weak troops.

OOC: I agree about effectiveness, but 4 cav (& 3 missiles) are the maxima allowed for a small army under our historical army rules. Hopefully the patch will give a boost to spears.

Other than that I agree with Prince Henry and would also like to suggest that we consider diplomacy with the English to possibly force the French into a war at two fronts.

With a bit of luck, we may even be able to sell an alliance to the English and thus fill our coffers somewhat.

In character: This is an interesting idea, Elector; I suggest you propose it as an Edict in the next Diet.

[econ21]

Prinz Henry: Count Sigismund, I have made a private address to you and our fellow Swabians at the facility that you have provided for us. However, perhaps our strategy against the French could more easily be discussed here or indeed in the Diet itself?

Your motion 5.11 is a little too aggressive for my taste - you will see that I have proposed an alternative for fellow Swabians to consider privately.

I realise the hour is late for you; perhaps we can discuss this after you have rested?

[tripwirescars]

I just wanted to say that I am proud to be the 7th elector of Swabia. I shall do my best to forward the glory of the Holy Roman Empire!

[FactionHeir]

Sent you a PM

[econ21]

OOC: Anyone want to second a House OOC Charter Ammendment to give the crusade extra movement points? factionheir: you suggested it, what would be the precise commands? Open console, select stack, right click and type Reset?

This would allow our crusade to move at the same speed as official ones and mean we could get to the Holy Land in 10 turns rather than the 20 or so TC indicated it will take.

[Ignoramus]

OOC:I am a bit dubious about doing that. If we move that quickly we won't have a chance to suffer troop shortages - something that would make a Crusade perfect.

What do you think, econ?

[econ21]

OOC: I've not found desertion to be a big problem with crusades; it normally only hits me when I head away from the target (e.g. sailing round north Spain, from Britain). I think TC said he crusaded by land (as England) without losing men.

The faster crusader movement idea would mainly be to cut in half the time we spend twiddling our thumbs. Taking longer would give the AI longer to build up, so I am not that concerned personally. Just factionheir did express some impatience in the OOC thread and a House amendment would be one way of dealing with that concern.

[FactionHeir]

OOC:
Not really impatience, but I figured that for those involved in the crusade, pretty much idling and without communication with the diet (you are far away) for 2 chancellor terms could be more or less boring, don't you think?

As for how to do it:
move selected character as far as you want.
open console typing:
character_reset "firstname lastname"
or if the character has a title or no last name
character_reset "firstname"
if the character has a double lastname (i.e. der stolze)
character_reset "firstname lastname1_lastname2"
for a captain led army
character_reset "Captain firstname"
for an admiral
character_reset "Admiral firstname"

Everything case sensitive as the name appears in game. special characters are replaced by standard ones, so that ö = o, ä = a, ' = _ etc.

The only issues would arise if a character had a title and his first name was very common among other exisiting characters who do not have a last name or the same first name and a title. Rather unlikely at this stage of the game. In that case, the wrong character regains the movement points (but those tend to be priests sitting around town anyway, so who cares :p)

After checking the cruade composition, you'd really only need:
character_reset "Maximillian Mandorf"
character_reset "Henry"
(hopefully that will trigger the HRE Henry and not the English Henry, but I've never had that problem and it wouldn't matter since we aren't fighting England at this stage and they get new movement points when their turn starts anyway)

[econ21]

Thanks, factionheir. Anyone else want to second such an ammendment? I need 2 Swabians behind me to propose it.

[FactionHeir]

I would second it :)

[Ignoramus]

I'll second it. I am also considering putting forward a proposal regarding the Crusade.

[TevashSzat]

Heck I'll second it too

[FactionHeir]

Are there any policies we should vote together on as a House, fellow electors?

[Warluster]

it seems not. Swabia has had a quiet spell of late. No one wishes to speak, but I ask, I am behind times in Dijon, and ask, are the french still in the pass to Bern, or are thye vanquished?

[econ21]

My understanding is that we have spotted a significant French army under the command of their Prinz, but it is north of Marseilles. As you are commander of the Household Army of Swabia, Count von Salza, I would advise you to regularly check on our situation (OOC: download savegames) throughout the next Diet. It looks like Duke Leopold will be elected Chancellor and it would be good to cooperate closely with him in the defence of our realm.

[econ21]

Ignoramus: your PM box is full. Please vote!

[Warluster]

The Reich mourns as the Great Kaiser Heinrich is dead, and the diet enters a time of mourning.

Rest In pEace Kaiser.

Nad long live Kaiser Henry, may your reign be wise and strong!

[econ21]

Kaiser Henry: Fellow Swabians, it is with regret that I take my leave of you. As Emperor, I can belong to no House but Swabia will always hold a special affection in my heart.

As I have explained in the Diet, I believe that acting as Duke and Prince may have compromised my ability to fully represent Swabia. Therefore, I think it is better if Prince Jobst remains Count of Dijon, rather than become Duke.

I am appointing Ulrich as Steward of Swabia until such a time as he can recapture Metz, which by rights is part of his wife's estate.

My son Hans, as my first born, is now the free hold Count of Staufen.

[Ignoramus]

Ulrich Hümmel:
Swabian electors, please retire to our meeting chambers where we can discuss the recent events.

[econ21]

Kaiser Henry: The Steward has reminded me that, as Swabia's capital, it cannot be given to a Count. Therefore, I appoint Hans to be Count of Bern instead of Staufen.