HRE NES

[appleciders]

Duke Arnulf of Bavaria to Doge Orso II Participazio of Venice
My king has given me leave to trade his salt to you. I would like 300 d. of leather, 300 d. of silks and spices, and 350 d. of potash, if potash is available. If potash is not available, I'll take 200 d. of wine and 150 d. of glassware instead.

[Cyclotron]

Doge Orso II Participazio of Venice to Duke Arnulf of Bavaria
What potash we have traded in the past has been primarily from German sources, and so we have none to offer you. We thank you for your business, the alternative deal you have suggested will be honored.

[appleciders]

One quick question about trades, if I might:

Trading for luxuries like silk, spices, glassware, or cloth produces higher trade profits, while trading for more useful products like iron, stone, or leather allows the doubling up on spending, right? So by purchasing luxuries from the Venetians, I'm more likely to get higher trade profits?

Also, what do I know about this "Odo" guy that came as the commander of the Burgundians?

[Cyclotron]

Originally posted by appleciders
One quick question about trades, if I might:

Trading for luxuries like silk, spices, glassware, or cloth produces higher trade profits, while trading for more useful products like iron, stone, or leather allows the doubling up on spending, right? So by purchasing luxuries from the Venetians, I'm more likely to get higher trade profits?

Yes, generally.

Also, what do I know about this "Odo" guy that came as the commander of the Burgundians?

You know that he is the Count of Neuchatel, and that King Rudolph II referred to him as his "trusted lieutenant." The Burgundinians haven't been here long, and you don't really know anything more about them or their commander.

[appleciders]

Fair 'nuff. Military orders forthcoming.

Duke Arnulf of Bavaria to Duke Vratislaus of Bohemia
I will be able to spare most of my army to press the reconquest of your Duchy this turn. Prepare your troops for battle. We march mid-spring. Our first target will be Pilsen, and if Pilsen is taken early, we will move on to Prague.

[Cyclotron]

Duke Vratislaus of Bohemia to Duke Arnulf of Bavaria
I am pleased that you have come around to my belief, good Duke. As much as I would like to hurry to Prague, it would indeed be wise to secure Pilsen first, though we must not tarry too long. I have around 3,000 of my men with me from the last battle - mostly infantry - and I believe that more will come to my banner once we enter Bohemia. May God give us victory!

[appleciders]

So my orders are in. Are we waiting on Foolish now, then?

[Cyclotron]

Yes. I know he said he might not be turning in orders for a while, but it's important that at least some diplomacy be done, assuming he's still around here. Important functionaries are waiting on his presence!

[foolish_icarus]

I have morning final tomorrow. Following that, I will put diplomacy as my first priority for the rest of Saturday. Following my last final on Tuesday, I will return to normal full orders-giving mode.

[appleciders]

You have finals on Saturday morning? What am I getting myself into?

[foolish_icarus]

Hooray, hooray, for the 13th of May!

yes, I'm not sure what the deal with that is. It actually works out fine for me, because I've got a final every other day. Besides, weekends and weekdays kind of blend together (in my experience) in college, Which Is A Good Thing

[Cyclotron]

Originally posted by appleciders
You have finals on Saturday morning? What am I getting myself into?

Hell

[foolish_icarus]

okay, arm soldiers of the Rhine Levy thusly

100 spears, light armor, shields

50 polearms, light armor

50 polearms, light armor, shields

50 bows, pavises

50 javelins, shields


which should use all my new recruits and armory stuff. The idea behind equipping some of the polearms dudes with shields is that they can advance with shields under projectile fire with some protection then put them away and close for close combat with weapons. How feasible is this?

This battalion will be commanded by the venerable Landgraf Cristianus von Mellrichstadt (the better to keep my eye on him, as I will later [not until my wife recovers] be returning to the east to campaign. Hopefully he will win many battles and die at the end of the campaign).
[Since I asked for him last turn, I get to send him off now, right?]

This regiment will be sent to join the other Magyar campaign forces.


Begin charging a small tax for goods being plied up and down the Rhine. Nothing so big as to discourage river transport, just enough to add a bit to my coffers. Collection will be done the old fashioned way: Private tax collectors will assess the fees, then turn over most of the money they get to the crown. This is how it will be. As much as necessary of the taxes we collect from there will be spent on a reasonable amount of enforcement. If a collecter frequently has charges of corruption or overcharging leveled against him, we will attempt to find a more honest man to immediately take his job.

And of course it had to be Reinhard von Fulda that got killed. Gah.


King Conrad of Germany to His Holiness Pope John X :

Holiness, [or whatever the proper title of address is]
I fear my armies and the armies of my subjects are all on campaign or standing ready to repulse attacks from the Magyar horde, and will be for some time. We could not hope to finish our fight and arrive to help you against the Muslims without a miracle of a grand order. I will pray for your success.


King Conrad to King Berengar :

Christian regents have nothing to fear from each other. Our armies pitch their tents in the wild east, and I have no reason to think they would ever set foot in fair Italia with malice in their hearts.


King Conrad to Doge Orso II Participazio :

As God wills, so it must be. If He wills Berengar to be crowned emperor, he will be. Unless he wills all the Magyars to be felled this year by his own swift sword, no amount of my own forces could go to Italy. I wish the Christians of your fair land God's Grace. Were I able to provide any help against the heathens you fight, I would.


King Conrad to Good King Rudolph II :

Thank you, I feel that the prayers of pious men such as yourself must have helped Kunigunde in her recovery, may God grant her health. And your soldiers, of course, will be welcome in the fight against the horde!


Conrad to Zoe Karvounopsina :

If you can stop the Magyars, stop them. They will not adhere to any treaty with us unless we deliver it to them with the broad edge of an axe. I must inform you that I intend to announce my support for the succession of Simeon of Bulgaria to the throne of Constantinople. I will pray that God grants a solution to both your realms, that you may find a peaceable path where no blood is shed.


King Conrad to Emperor Simeon :

I announce to the world my support for the succession of the rightful Emperor Simeon to his throne in Constantinople. May you reign well in the eyes of God, and may Christ guide you through his mercy to a solution where no Christian blood is shed.


King Conrad to Duke Heinrich :

May God bless your endeavors. I will certainly not make all your efforts for naught by taking you away from them prematurely.


King Conrad to Duke Erchanger :

I must call upon you to send out your troops to the lands of Franconia and Bavaria for defense against the Magyars, and, if they can reach, join the assembled forces to fight in the Magyar campaign. Send whatever forces you can spare help defeat this devil-led army that threatens Germania.

[Cyclotron]

Originally posted by foolish_icarus The idea behind equipping some of the polearms dudes with shields is that they can advance with shields under projectile fire with some protection then put them away and close for close combat with weapons. How feasible is this?

It is perfectly feasible. They just can't use two at the same time, and thus they might be vulnerable to being shot at while engaged in melee, but only a desperate commander (or one who didn't care about his troops) would fire into a melee anyway.

Pope John X to King Conrad of Germany
While I am saddened that you cannot join my holy host on campaign, I understand the pressing need of your similar noble endeavors against the heathen. My bishops and I shall pray that God grants you victory.

Doge Orso II Participazio to King Conrad of Germany
That is most unfortunate. I fear we may all be the worse off should he be coronated, but since I cannot change your mind I ask only that you be on your guard, and remember what I have warned you of.

Empress-Regent Zoe Karvounopsina to Duke Conrad of Germany
I am most displeased with your new stance against the rightful Emperor of Christendom. It may be that your actions require us to support the Magyars more fully in our own defense - and should that aid be brought against your country, you will find little sympathy from us.

Emperor Simeon to King Conrad of Germany
The Emperor gives his thanks to his amicus and noble ally King Conrad, rex germanicum, who has recognized the true Emperor of the Romans and is unafriad to take the side of God and Emperor. Though it may unfortunately be neccessary to fight Christians to claim what rightfully belongs to the Emperor, those who would stand in the way of Christ's rightful regent must be pushed aside for the glory of God.

The Emperor has announced that he will make what forces he has available in the north of his country to raid Magyar lands - though his Imperial Majesty unfortunately is occupied in Thrace with his army, Bulgarian raids upon Magyar lands may help divide their attention from your country. Once he is enthroned in Constantinople, he shall bring his full wrath to bear on the heathen Magyars.

Note:
I am very busy with finals until my flight home on the 17th. Thus, the 18th is the earliest day at which I will begin the update; we'll see.

[foolish_icarus]

This diplomacy is based upon my recollection that Duke Tomislav was going to march against the Bulgarians. If I err, please disregard.

King Conrad of Germany to Duke Tomislav of Croatia :

Through the course of events we have been led to declare support for two different aspirants to the throne of Constantinople. I cannot wish you success against my ally Emperor Simeon, and hope that God will change your mind about marching against the Bulgarians. Regardless, it is my wish that these matters of the east will not sour the good relations our lands and leaders have enjoyed. May God bless the friendship between our nations.