HRE Roleplay Thread

[JadliSite Owner]

Post your RP here

[HannibalExMachina]

From the aft deck of his flagship, Henry overlooked the mirror-like expanse of the Mediterranean Sea. All around him sailed the transports and provencal war galleys of the crusading host, flying a plethora of banners displaying a multitude of crosses and imperial eagles.

For all the fervour he had exuded when he took up the cross, the emperor had never been a man to act without consideration. From the moment the pope had made his intentions known to him, Henry had set into motion the preparations for this vast undertaking.

So by the time his host, swelled by thousands of nobles, knights and their retinues during his march south through the Kingdom of Burgundy, had reached Marseille - now the richest city in the imperial domain - it's count had prepared not only provisions, and transport both hired and conscripted from provencal merchants, but also readied his own fleet of galleys, now rivaling those of the great martime cities of Genoa and Pisa.

Even before he had set sail, word had reached the emperor that a second host was already forming in Franconia, under the leadership of Werner of Maden, Landgrave of Thuringia, and Bearer of the Imperial Standard. The landgrave had long been a friend and ally to the emperor, a man known for his sharp and caustic wit. Though in recent years, no longer bearing the emperor's banner in person due to his own duties of running his domain, Werner had come to change a great deal. Though Henry knew not if due to introspection or extraordinary events, his old friend had embraced his faith with uncharacteristic fervour. Many already considered him one of the most pious nobles in the empire, and it was thus no suprise when he had fervently agreed to Henry's proposal of taking up the cross.

He could not be considered the greatest of the Empire's military leaders, but his zeal and humble dedication made him the ideal promoter of the christian cause. And, the emperor had soon realized, the perfect imperial candidate when it came to appointing a guardian of the holy city.

The emperor turned towards the ship's bow, where sailors had begun to shout and point ahead. A coastline could be gleaned far off in the distance, and Henry turned to the captain.

"Send a ship ahead to Palermo. I will be asking for the Count of Sicily's hospitality, and a chance for our men to get some terra firma under them."

i claim barcelona

[paladinbob123]

Leopold watched from the City of Wien as the Austrian contingent had joined the crusade, the day was marked by notable soldiers and nobles taking the cross , in a large ceremony on which the church partook , and the church bells rung throughout the city all day, for the event. At dawn the next day, the large army , which had been assembled in a rough camp outside the city departed eastwards as they had long planned the overland route, as they had good connections with the Hungary King , and provisions for such a journey had been agreed between them. After months of Travel , they took rest just eastwards of the Hungarian City of Esztergom , with the Hungarians sending out some of there provisions to help them on there way , on there holy cause. Having received no response from the Emperor on the release of the Styriences family to lead the troops , the command of the Austrian Crusader force was, left to Dietrich von Wien [ a young noble , with a great knowledge of Sieging ] and Otto von Diessen [The elderly family member sort a last campaign to cleanse his sins..] , to represent the Babenberg family itself and to give the Austrian faction some respectability.

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Elizabeth of Babenberg, first daughter to Leopold , rode in a carriage with a suitable bodyguard to the Bohemian City of Olomouc , where she was honourbound to present herself to the Bohemian Court, to see if there was any suitable nobles of there family , ready to wed. If not , there was, it seemed , no shortage of offers from other factions in the western half of the kingdom . She signed , as she was escorted to the Austrians elsewhile allies , parcelled between them at the behest of her fathers instructions...

Turn passed to Bavaria

[paladinbob123]

Hermann von Luxemberg , Duke of Bavaria , was more than a little drunk and a little annoyed at Bavaria's situation in the scheme of things. He had previously been to a little party in which the drink had flowed , more than usual and in his annoyance , at the fact , that Hermann von Formbach had taken the strength of Bavaria with him on his stupid expedition to Iberia , at the behest of the Pope , began to slowly fester in his mind . He began to hear whispers of other notable people in the city, saying that he , von formbach , showed more leadership than the current duke did in his current reign. After the drunken session , in a rage , he tried to sort out something he could do , with the financies of the state , which were in tatters after two civil wars, and with Regensburg still in Schwabian hands , and Parma , in the hands of Welf's son who refused him the cities tax's , his situation was rather limited.

It was in this mood , that his hand had re-found the letter , that Styriences had sent him , promising him six thousand florins , for the head of Leopold , head of the Austrian state. In his still drunken state , he called for a few followers and rode from the City into the nearby forest after making a appointment to meet the Gladius Domini ...



They met a small field outside the City , and the contract was handed to the assassin , who looked over the document. He conferred with one of the dukes followers, who relayed information to the duke.

"He says Milord , that the contract, will be differcult to achieve.......... , although perhaps not impossible now , as most of Austria's manhood has departed on a journey to the holyland", the follower continued, "But he will find a few suitable contracts nearby at hand , to sharpen his experience , and if such a thing is possible , he will find you out, to seek payment..".

The Duke said , nothing but nodded his head , in agreement , as his wine soaked form still kept his anger in check , and he rode off , in truth , still wondering if this was the right thing to do...

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Herman von Formbach read the message which had arrived from the Pope himself , requesting there presence at Corduba , to beat back the unholy enemy , but there ships soon had to again make the shoreline just northeast of the Town of Murica, where the population can out to greet them. Some severe trading began , as Hermann , spent the last of the monies he had , to restock the ships with more foodstuff and supplies for the last part of the voyage..

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The diplomate , Jocabo Cortes , from Castille , had just reached the edge of the City of Salzburg, and he was greeted by a young boy , dressed in a tabard of the duchy of Bavaria. The young boy gifted him with some food and a bottle of wine , from the vineyard of the province and the happy diplomat , made good his lodging in the city , before he wished to speak to the Duke himself on the morrow.

The shadowy figure that followed the diplomat  and all his movements that day , had little doubt , that the poisoned wine , he had provided to his child apprentice , would finish this contract , that would sharpen his position in the guild , and perhaps provide better access and services  , for perhaps his biggest contract of his life  for the Gladius Domini. He made sure that he observed the diplomat sampling the wine  that night and then departed for Wien , to make preparations for what would be his most challenging mission of his life.

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1278282029

Turn passed to Burgundy

[paladinbob123]

The Emperors Herald rode into the City of Zurich and began to state who he was and what his purpose was , when he was struck from his horse. He fell heavily to the ground , and several footpads took his armour and weapons , and the imperial message flew away in the wind, into a nearby puddle . Lawlessness had taken over inside the City of Zurich as the civilwar between factions and neither side had any wish to settle the fighting. Berthold II, the brother in law to the current Duke , had a significant positional advantage on his enemy , and with victory in sight , he had no heed to listen, for others wishing to stop him for the prize that was so close . Whereas the current duke had just managed to hire some mercenary pikemen and Genoese crossbowmen , with the promise of when the City was secure , that they would receive double there wages with a bonus. With another personage , Siegfried , Bishop of Besancon taking possession of the church , and protecting what innocence life he could , with his heavy mace in hand, smiting all that threatened the people in the name of the church , and acting as a third party. There was of course , a fourth faction , as some ragtag groups of citizenry resorted to banditry actions within the city , as losing there homes , or families , they preyed on all the could find, who were easy to subdue , and so the City of Zurich , intensified in small street to street combat.





{I leave the decision to the admin , about damages to various leaders, deaths, or casualties to units, and damage to buildings within the city..I will divide the factions thusly ..
a)Duke Berthold:- Bernald [bishop/general], Engel [general], 1 noble servants[cav],1 lowland pikemen[merc], 1 Genoese x-bow[merc]
b)Contender-BerhtholdII :- Otto [general], Razzo[General], 2 german knight [cav], 4 retinue spearmen
c)Siegfried [bishop/general] - Merc knights
d) Footpads :- 2 retinue spearmen..

I will accept a rough result of the battle...fought , althou if one of the contendors is still alive and his followers who haven't surrendered, they will seek additional mercenary forces next turn..also if a imperial army of greater than 15units arrives , then they could break the contesting forces apart...and a peace would be given shape...}

Turn to Saxony

[paladinbob123]

Lord Cancor of Skara observed the Viking troops , moving up to the east of the town , and didn't like the feel of the situation , they were clearly on Saxony land , and he felt threatened by there movements , as they were clearly observing the town. He promised Lothar he would cut down any threat to the newly taken town , and so he essembled , his troops , out of the city , and closed the distance to the enemy forces , as they formed shieldwall near the outside of the forest.

He placed his norse mercenaries at the front of his army , which equally formed shield wall , whilst his Saxony born spearmen, archers and cavalry brought up the rear. The norse mercenaries were surprised as the Viking troops broke from there spear wall to charge down the slight slope and caught them unawares.



The fight between the two axe welding forces was short and sweet as the Danish Vikings with there superior weaponary and position tore the heart out of the norse mercaneries who began to break from the battle, and rout to the rear , as Cancor sighed , forming his spearmen to form a bulwark against the norse fighters as they stormed further forward into his army group. He signalled to the horn blower to move the heavy horse to flank the norse invaders.

The heavy horse thundered across the snow covered landscape as some flanked the norse force to slam with a charge into there flank, which enfolded on itself as many fighters collapsed , but the other flank of cavalry had been intercepted by some heavy Danish axmen , who had held there ground , dispite taking severe losses. The battle became a quagmire , as it became a grinding match , as superior European armour faced against the fierceness of the norsemen , who used to the weather and terrain , were proving tough to kill.

After ten minutes or so , the enemy invaders began to break away from the combat , as the one decisive charge on the flank broke through to other parts of the battlefield , and the norsemen , believed that all was lost. Despite the elation, at the victory , it was found , that many of the troops killed carried banners of the Danish jarldoms to the south , and surely such a act, had opened war with the Danish people upon the Empire. As the Saxon forces , began to remove there wounded back to the settlement , and he made plans to disband the ineffective norse mercanaries , he began to think of a letter , he would have to pen to the empire , to warn them of the impending conflict.

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1278373663
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1278373762

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Lothar , still moved on his horse , that slowly carried him safely over the Swedish terrain through the snow and the hail , to the east coast , where the Saxony army  , began to construct a fort , to provide them with some relief from the awful weather they faced on this god-forsaken terrain. Soon campfires were burning , as other troops began to cutdown trees to provide the army with lumber to make a reasonable camp. Soon they had completed the camp and waited for the Saxony navy to make its way around the coast . So that they could finally support the Bohemians in there attempt to take Vilius.

Turn to Schwabian[I will post on saves area]

[Captain Melons]

Friedrich watched the smoke rising from the city in numerous places and heard the distant din of fighting. His army had set up camp on a hill overlooking the city as well as the garrison from Besancon which his nephew Otto von Alsace led. The situation in Zurich looked grim and Friedrich was worried that this revolt could disrupt all of Burgundy. The emperor would not be pleased if he failed to quell this swiftly, for he did not need more problems to add to the grand campaign to the holy land. While his nephew suggested storming the city immediately and arrest or kill all who resisted, Fredrich was cautious and stood down for now. He wanted to know more of the situation in the city and what the motives of the various factions were. The Duke of Burgundy was surely not a popular man in the city and perhaps this was a good chance for him to be erased from the picture, for he was a potential danger to the stability of Schwabia and Friedrich's new over lordship of Burgundy. But what if the people fighting against him are even more dangerous? Friedrich needed more information and so he sent messengers to demand audience with the faction leaders and gave them two days to gather all the information they could and report back. They were also to propose a meeting of the leaders with Friedrich outside the city on neutral ground, and if they refused, the city would suffer, for a large army always enjoyed a good sacking and looting.

[paladinbob123]

Leopold wiped a tear from his eyes as his first daughter Elizabeth von Babenberg was illuminant in her appearance, as she walked down the ilse of the church within the centre of Wien, for her marriage to Vladislav Přemyslovec, appanage duke of Upper Austria and third born son of King Vratislav, by the prague bishop Jaromír Přemyslovec which created a blood alliance between our factions.



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The crusaders from the Austria faction had made good time this season , reaching the City of Nagyvárad, deep within Hungarian territory . Otto von Diesen sent a report back to Leopold , to say that all was well , and he would send another report when they were nearing the ancient city of Constantinople .

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The Holy Roman Emperor had relented that the Styriences family members could join the crusade , if they took the cross, but they refused on two grounds , that firstly the Austrian crusade was already deep within Hungarian lands , and secondary , there was perhaps chances to escape in the now rather lessened lands of the germans, who was now facing a lack of manpower , as a fair proportion of the strength of the franks had already departed to the holy land, in such circumstances they was always scope for desperate men.

Turn to the Bavarians

[paladinbob123]

Eric von Plain , moved away from the building which slowly started to burn away. The preacher Ludwig Lechsgemund body lay within the now flame ridden building , his corpse already silenced with a well tightened cord around his neck. Eric moved away slipping silently away into the crowd, which now formed below the building as they sought buckets of water to put the fire out , but his task was done , as he moved towards his horse , and began to move towards his new contract , and perhaps hardest job yet , as he moved towards the city of Wien

Sharpen the knife , he mused in thought to himself ,  as he reviewed his contacts in the City on the horizon



--------

Herman von Formbach's company disembarked on the Iberian coast , within view of the great City of Cordoba which now show the Flags of the Holy See . The company formed camp for the day, before a messenger was sentout to seek guidance from the leader of the Papal forces in the Iberia City.

Turn to Burgundy

[paladinbob123]

Some of the City of Zurich stood in ruins with the great church at the center had been burnt down , in the struggle and the people had fled the city, taking up some form of slums around the outskirts. Two large Schwabian army groups had descended on the City , camping on the outskirts and issuing threats to both combatants, to cease the fighting and submit themselves to the rule of the Empire.

Both Berthold I [Current Duke] and his erstwhile Brother-in-law Berthold II both exited the city from different locations  ,with a significant heavily armoured bodyguard and submitted themselves to the Schwabian army commanders, as each plead there case to each commander of their armies[as there are two of em ].



Berthold I , submitted that he had the stronger claim as . he was of the legal bloodline , and the rulership of the domain , was his by birthright, Where-as Berthold II , had the support of a greater portion of the Nobility , as he was the more capable ruler , who had previous done most of the governing whilst his "brother" had been enjoying the comforts of his position rather ruling. Berthold II also argued that he was part of the bloodline now, as he had married the dukes sister. The bishops where particularly upset at the damage done to church property , and wished either party to pay for the damages done , to church land and buildings, where-as the towns folk , just wanted a safe living environment to conduct there trade...

[I shall leave such a solution to the Swabian army leaders , as they have the military might , to authorise what they will , although without the legal authority of the emperor , it might cause some problems later on....]

[paladinbob123]

Kuno von Northheim took the cross , with a fair proportion of the nobles of Saxony.A rather large contingent of riders from Saxony , also followed suit , as a sort of peace had fell upon the duchy of Saxony , and more than a couple of mercenaries sought there fortune , in countries far beyond there imagining. Being that this was a massive cavalry force with no foot levies , it made very good time , as the head southwards towards venice. They camped out , just north of Wurzburg , for the first step of there crusade.



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Lothar , the aging duke of Saxony, took the voyage across the short sea to join the Siege of Visby. He formed his men up on the eastwards position of the forces of bohemia which were commanded by Svatopluk Premyslovec , and was happy , that he still had time for one more battle before the Lord called him to his side in Heaven. The two forces which had been foes in the past , had been forgotten and many of the small companies of each retinue swapped tales and beverages to make the siege easier in this cold and forsaken island.

----------------------------------------

Under the command of the Mercantile guild , Albrecht vom Laurenburg , a Frankish merchant who had the rites to the silver market , southeast of Magdeburg was stripped of his control of the Saxon's silver. The guild had commanded such a thing would be better under Saxon merchant guild regulations and so new regulations were written up which denied this market to the Frankish representative.

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Saxon diplomats were worried about the diplomatic incident which had been brought about by the fight with Danish troops near Skara , and hurried to the Danish court , to try and stop the recent mobilisation of Danish troops on the Frankish border. They hoped indeed that a rapid diplomatic could stave off any escalation of the conflict , which might spill over into Frankish terrority due to the recent alliance with the Emperor and his Frankish subjects.

Turn to Schwabia

[Captain Melons]

Friedrich sat with his nephew in his tent, drinking wine and joking with his nephew. He had made up his mind before the Burgundians even arrived for his spies in the town divulged the situation in every detail, but it was better to give the illusion of talking it over and making them wait. His choice was Berthold I, for a multitude of reasons. First, he was the rightful ruler by blood. Second, a weaker ruler meant a weaker Burgundy or what remains of it. Third, by choosing a weaker ruler, another civil war was inevitable between the two Bertholds which would give him another reason to take Zurich and he gambled on the Emperor's annoyance of the Burgundian problem in granting him permission to finally eradicate them and merge their lands with his. And if it does not go this way, a weak Burgundy suits Schwabia just fine.

Friedrich smiled to himself and sipped his wine. He would make them wait a bit longer.

[HannibalExMachina]

The emperor entered the comital palace of Palermo amidst a group of the empire's most exalted dignitaries, chief among them Henry of Luxemburg, Duke of Burgundy, and the venerable Archbishops of Milan and Ravenna, both undergoing the ardous untertaking of holy war despite being men in their sixth decade.

Many among the imperial entourage could not but marvel at the works of saracen artisans, married to older roman and newer norman designs, evocing a splendour and sophistication previously unknown to even those who had witnessed the grandeur of the holy city of Rome.

Most breathtaking of all was the grand palace chapel still under construction, where Henry and his companions had first repaired to, giving thanks for their save delivery upon these far-off shores.



The archbishop of Milan, himself master of one of christendoms most splendid temples, had even exclaimed: "How can it be, that the hands of heathens and reavers could erect such a spendid display to the power of God?"

Henry had made no reply, for what rebuttal could even the crowned head of christendom offer, in the face of such riches?

It was then, still troubled by those thoughts, that they were brought before Count Roger, master of Sicily and second in power only to the Dukes of Apulia themselves, and sole master in the absence of the Duke.

The appropriate introductions were made, pleasantries exchanged, and thanks given. The count, a man at home both among warriors and politicians, was willing enough to defer to the emperor's rank, but Henry could not but notice the sharp edge beneath a surface polished far in excess of what he knew or expected of norman conquerors, though he had to admit to himself that he had never met one of such achievements as the Bastard William, or the late Guiscard of Apulia, after all.

But though his expectation had been somewhat subverted, the pieces of this mosaic would not distract him from the larger picture.

"Mylord, we have seen much splendour in your halls. It would appear to us though, that you have been holding out on us still." With a smile to the count and assembled dignitaries to take every sting out this little jest, Henry continued: "We have yet to lay eyes upon your lovely daughters. We are informed they are the envy of even lands as fabled for their beauty as these."



It had been a long journey, and the host had suffered much privation while crossing the alps, with the chill of winter still in the air.

But finally, they beheld the jewel that was Venice, set into the lapis plate of the mediterranean sea.

Set atop his horse, overlooking the lagoon, Werner von Maden gave a short prayer of thanks. The first part of their journey was completed. Now, they would entrust themselves to the mercy of god once again, as they embarked upon this most deluvian of His domains.

Passage had already been arranged by the emperor's foresight, and a small number of hired galleys would protect the transports on their way east. The swabians had made similar arrangments, and Count Werner hoped they would travel in concert, for the mutual protection of both forces.

There had been some rumours of political upheaval amongst the venetians, and the arrangment between the Doge and emperor that would see the leader of the Serrenissma travel alongside them with the bulk of his fleet, had been cast into doubt.

But such were the vagaries of politics, especially where so many dissenting voices were concerned. Had not the Roman Republic fallen to such infighting, to be only raised again by the hand of its first emperor?

The Count resolved to banish such doubts from his mind. All was as God willed it, and they would reach their goal under their own protection. All that was left was to establish the state of the swabian preparations. Word had reached him on their march through swabia, about unrest in burgundy and Duke Friedrich's march on Zürich. This might delay their embarkation significantly, unless the swabian vanguard would leave without their Duke.

Werners impatience to see the holiest of holies had been gnawing on him for months, and he doubted he could bear further delay.

Finally, he turned to his entourage: "We will not be delayed. Send word to the swabians at Görz and inquire as to the state of their preparedness. If need be, we shall depart alone. Inform them that we shall make our first stop at Ragusa, so they may catch up with us."

At this time, the emperor would have likely reached the southern end of the italian peninsula, weather permitting. He was resolved to join his liege before he entered the Agaean, and the devil take those encumbered by lesser duty.

[HannibalExMachina]

The messenger had arrived in the dead of night, and since then Ruprecht, Archbishop of Mainz and Archchancellor of the Empire, had been secluded in his study, attended only by his personal secretary. Outside, a chorus of birds announced a new morning, while the night sky faded into the goldshot purple of early dawn.

The bishop pinched the bridge of his nose, and stretched his aching back. The message had not been an unexpected one, but this didn't lessen its impact one bit.
Rapoto von Vohburg, Margrave of the Bavarian Nordgau and Imperial Regent, had been a men of more than sixty years, and his health had been failing him for some time, though unkind voices had spoken about his tendency to inflate to quite a degree, or even outright imagine any illness he suffered from.

Be that as it may, the emperor's right hand had taken to his bed one night, and never risen from it again. It was now Archbishop Ruprecht's solemn duty to act as the executor of his last will and testament, and to enact them in accordance with the emperor's commands.

The margrave's second son, and undoubtedly his favourite, already endowed with the County of Provence, would inherit his title and most of his bavarian possession. The youngest would be endowed with the County of Toulouse by the emperor, while the eldest had to be satisfied with the smaller County of Carcassone.

The most important issue however would be the imperial regency. In order to aquaint the nobility with his rule, the emperor's oldest son and heir, Konrad of Savoy, would take on the mantle of regent. But it did not end there.

Turning back to his scribe, the Archbishop began to dictate what might amount to the most important duty he had ever discharged:

"To the Lords of the Empire, salutations

It is the emperor's will that, in order to confirm the line of sucession, you shall assemble in the City of Frankfurt at the earliest opportunity, to there cast your vote on the sucession of Konrad, Count of Savoy, as King of the Romans.

signed

Ruprectus Archiepiscopus Moguntinus et Primas atque Archicancellarius per Germaniam"

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this may require a bit of context:

to represent the dynastic part of the HRE monarchy, if the emperors heir has the royal german trait, the game automatically makes him rex romanorum. in that case, there is no election popping up when the emperor dies.  historically, many emperors would have their sons elected king while they were still alive (the emperors, the heirs couldnt be dead oc).

if the players and admin agree with this, id like to hold such an election, with modifications to the rules: there wont be another candidate, the vote just carries or fails. each faction has one vote, my own representing the franconian nobility. the status of burgundy and austria is unclear atm, so we shall have to see how that turns out. their vote may devolve to a faction within the faction, such as supporters of the underage austrian heir or the current FL, or of the two bertholds and the burgundian bishops, depending on RP. the rector of burgundy and the king of bohemia could play an additional role in this.

[paladinbob123]

Leopold received reports that the current Austrian contingent had received just south of the Hungarian City of Gyulafehervar, and that conditions were still good. There was some reports of bandits to the west , but the Hungarians had mobilised two small forces and moved them to destroy anything threathening there state. Food supplies for the crusaders was starting to run low however , and they would have to negotiate with the next Hungarian city for extra food to complete the land trek down to Constantinople.

Turn passed to Bavaria
[might be a slight delay as asking admin for a rule check]

[paladinbob123]

Von Formbach'c mercenary company finally caught sight of Corduba , with the Papal forces already had at work , with the siege , being going on for some time. He sent his cavalry to move up quickly onto the positions , with the infantry lagging behind, as they eagerly moved towards there holy task..

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The person entered in the guise of a messenger , wearing well worn travel clothes and , looked wareworn with his many days on horseback. Giving his paper's to the guards at the gatehouse , they grunted , giving them a cursory glance , but he knew they couldn't read any of the text that was on the paper. After a little while at looking at him up and down , they motioned him forwards with the Manorhouse.

The Manorhouse was quiet at this time of night , as it had just turned early evening , the man moved swiftly across the grounds , and disappeared into the shadows , checking on whether they had left the package , where he requested. Moving to the rear wall , he found the spot and found the bags with his equipment hidden in a tall shrub. He had bribed a member of the household, which he had been cultivating for the last month , in the hope , that his access would prove useful. Content that his means , for his escape was at hand, he returned to moving in the open , moving across the manorhouse gardens , back to the side of the manorhouse , where he stripped himself of the travel clothing , down to his lighter assassin's gear underneath . Ready for action , in his lighter armour , he moved to the wall and began to climb , using the various embellishments the architects had added to the manorhouse , to aid his way up the building.

Once he had reached the second storey he edged his way across the ledge , reaching the other frontage of the building, and finding the window open , entered the Margrave's Chamber. The Margrave was hard at work at his desk , answering letters, to his followers and did not see the person who entered his room , but after a while he did sense somebody was watching him. Without turning around he addressed the new vistor.

"Who is there?" , asked the Margrave, wondering who it was at this time of night.

"We are the Gladius Domini........ We are the sword of God. Your life is forfeit for your ill service and your God. He has no more use for you.....", spoke the hooded figure in a voice which hissed in the its quietness . The assassin kept himself out of sight and hugged the shadows of the room.

"Are my children .....to be spared?" , answered the Margrave , with a slight stammer in his voice , as he tried to remain calm , in such dire circumstances.

"They are ....", replied the figure

"And the form of my ....death is to be quick?" , stammered the Margrave , at least a little reliefed that his family would be spared.

"I was told to offer you two choices......One quick and painless , the other less so , if you provide.......Complications..", hissed the figure , as a arm dressed in light black clothing moved out of the gloom of the room into the light and left a small vial on the margraves desk , before disappearing. The Margrave who had still not turned around , glanced at the small bottle and asked again.

"Do I have time to say my goodbyes?", asked the tear stained Austria noble.

"No.." , replied the figure, "Be quick or I shall have to resort to less happy methods."

The Margrave reached out with his trembling hand , taking the vial , and quickly drunk the contents. He quickly wondered how something so deadly could actually taste so nice , when all went black, and the assassin caught his head , before it dropped and lowered it to the desk. Removing the vial , which he pocketed, he checked the margrave's pulse , and seeing no result , left by the window content in a job well done.

[Margrave of Austria has died, New heir will be Styriences his brother-in-law , until his direct heir comes of age...it had admin approval.]

Turn to Burgundy

[paladinbob123]

Berthold still held the city of Zurich , and the cityfolk began to repair the damage, as life began somewhat as usual , but Berthold II had withdrawn to a fort with the majority of forces for the Burgundy people. Conflict had been averted for now, but there had been no resolution to the conflict , as the schwabian forces who had previous maintained "good conduct" between the factions had made no clear decision and prevaricated on what to do, now they had redrawn but the battleline were still drawn. Ultimately no decision could be agreed , until the Emperor returns , and that could be sometime before he returned from the Holyland.

turn sent to Saxony

[paladinbob123]

The crusader army moved rapidly at speed, as the all cavalry army of Saxony moved south and made a temporary camp south of Regenburg on its route to the sea. Kuno von Nothheim recorded his progress in his annuals of history that his assistants carried with them, to note there glorious victories they would achieve before they returned home.

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Lothar , Duke of Saxony , now in his sixties , fought well in the battle for Visby, admiring the Bohemians capability for war , and was grateful , that they fought as allies , rather than as foes. A messenger reached him that the Danish were again , threatening there new terrority of Skara , and so he gave his apologies to his erstwhile allies , but departed at speed. There ships dropped the army on the nearest landfall , and the Saxony force , spend west to reach the new Saxony colony.

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Cancor , duke of Sweden, saw the Danish force coming out of the early mist on the hills, and sent a young squire down to the port to hire another troop of the nearest norse mercenaries they could find. Once the group had arrived with the promise of gold , rather than allowing the Danish forces time to deploy , he sallied out with all haste and brought them to battle . The battle was short and sweet , and there was little time for tactics as either side hurled themselves each other. The battle swayed favouring either side , and the battle was bloody with the fierce axes of the norse-men being used on either side.



Eventually the righteous people of Saxony triumphed on the field of battle, although it was a near run thing. A lot of the casualties had wounds so bad , that many wouldn't live to see the next sunrise. But others , with the cold region being so extreme, it lessened the loss of blood, which allowed a lot of the minor wounded individuals to limp of the field to seek treatment. Cancor awaited the arrival of Lothar to secure the situation they were in .



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A Saxony diplomat approached the Danish court to ask for a ceasefire , to solve the issues between them and the Danish kingdom, but the King rejected any overture , insulting the Saxony peoples and calling them weak and so the struggle will continue.

Turn to Schwabia

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1zqfvs8644jqqy6/HRE_Schwaben_30.sav?dl=0

[Ventos Mustel]

At last, the first army of Lothringen reaches the Adriatic Sea, and embarks on hired ships, eager to reach the Holy Land. Duke Gottfried is shortly behind, but there is a lack of sufficient transport for all the men who have answered the call. More will have to be built, or brought from home, and that means delays.

Further distractions include an inane demand from the Explorer's Guild to invade London, and the need to confirm the Imperial succession. The former can be safely ignored, the latter requires attention. Gottfried cannot abandon the crusade to return to Frankfurt himself, but sends his uncle to vote for Prince Konrad in his stead.

[Captain Melons]

"So, it seems we finally have permission to put an end to this Burgundian problem once and for all" Friedrich said, smiling. He set down the message that the imperial envoy had delivered to his camp. It has been 2 weeks since his forces left Zurich in the hands of Berthold. However, it seemed that there was trouble stirring yet again in the Burgundian city which has prompted him to return yet again. This had gone according to plan since everyone has become annoyed with the Burgundian problem it seemed. "We shall go back to Zurich and besiege them yet again. All of their forces we encounter shall capitulate to us on pain of annihilation." Friedrich told the messenger. Soon Schwabia wil be united with Burgundy and his plan will come to fruition. The future of the family looked promising indeed.

The crusading Schwabian armies made good progress on the ships recruited from Venice. The fleet has met up with another Frankish crusading fleet on the southern tip of Greece moving east. The crew and soldiers aboard the ships were eager and excited to reach the holy land, while the nobles were salivating at the prospect of new holdings that they would conquer for themselves.....and for God of course.

[HannibalExMachina]

The city of Zürich was engulfed in a sea of men, busy erecting siegeworks. Konrad of Savoy, Imperial Regent, looked on as his mounted forces joined the rear ranks of the besieging army.

Having taken in the preparations with an eye well schooled by the best tutors in the empire, he sent his heralds forward.

Making their way quickly through the swabian siege lines, the riders bearing the imperial eagle and Konrad's personal standard halted just out of bow range of the main gate house. There, they adressed the defenders in loud, ringing voices:

"In the name of the emperor, and by command of his chosen regent, this City and all holdings of those within are hereby declared subject to the Imperial Ban. Land, lives and sundry possessions of all rebels against the authority of the emperor are forfeit, and they are declared outlaws in all lands of the empire. In the name of Henricus Quartus, Dux in Francia, Rex Italiae et Burgundiae, Romanorum Imperator, Fidei Defensor, it is declared."

Their message delivered, the heralds turned around their horses and made their way back. Konrad knew the same would happen at this very hour in front of the other Berthold's camp. The die had been cast. The burgundian impertinence would end here.

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