HRE NES II: Der Aufstieg

[Cyclotron]

King Rudolph II of Burgundy to King Heinrich of Germany (and for all German Dukes)
Could I perhaps be informed of your troop strength and intentions this coming year, that we might best cooperate our efforts in the field?

[appleciders]

Duke Arnulf of Bavaria to Duke Eberhard of Franconia
I shall leave this in your capable hands. Bavaria's forces will move to secure the passes; as soon as you reach them, assume command.

OOC: Yes, Venice.

[Nimitz]

Duke Vratislaus to the One who will lead the Army
I am leaving the Army I send under your direct control for now. All I ask of you is that you use it well and smartly. I hope to have it back somewhat intact. I may take a more direct control of it should the King attain peace and I be able to not worry over the magyars.

[foolish_icarus]

you are trapped in Venice, yes?

Duke Eberhard responds, with all necessary secrecy

Indeed. I am personally accompanying my own army, and can take command of any situation that requires a Duke's judgment.
If you would, please have your generals send very trustworthy envoys to me with their plans of advance so that our armies can work in concert.
In the coming season I intend only to advance to a secure location in the passes until lines of defense, supply, and secure withdrawal routs can be established that will allow actual penetration into Berengar's lands without risking being cut off and obliterated, but if any of you have plans for a more ambitious immediate advance, please inform me and I will do my best to have my armies participate.
Further, I have set up a system of ciphers to guard sensitive communications which I hope you all will adopt, but no such system is foolproof so we must be sparing in our sensitive communications.

[appleciders]

Duke Arnulf of Bavaria to Duke Eberhard of Franconia and King Heinrich of Germany
My friends, I have a particular favor to ask of you. With myself trapped in Venice and the King going to Pressburg to negotiate with the Magyars, no noble more prestigious than a Graf will be with the German army. I ask that Duke Eberhard personally accompany the German army; I have carefully placed only my most trustworthy generals in command (with the exception of Markgraf Eberhard, who is needed in Carinthia) but I would rest easier knowing that a Duke was in ultimate command of the army.

[appleciders]

And mine are updateable us well, and I'll get in tactical and strategic PMs in tomorrow, after my last final is over.

[foolish_icarus]

Happy Birthday!

my orders are on the page before last

[Micha]

Originally posted by Cyclotron
In celebration of your GM's 21st birthday, let all Dukes receive free mead

Now that we have mead, let's get those orders in

Henricius I, by the Grace of God King of Germany, Prince-Elector and Duke of Saxony, Margrave of Thuringia, Count of Ringelheim and the Eichsfeld, Lay Abbot of Hersfeld, says: Happy Birthday Cyclotron, Lord of the world from the pillars of Hercules to the steppes of the east! May your wisdom guide us for eternity! Praised be you!

Micha says: Happy Birthday Cyc! I hope you haven´t partied too hard... I wish you the health and strength to do whatever your desires ask you to do (which, of course, includes continuing this wonderful NES )! Happy Birthday!

[Cyclotron]

In celebration of your GM's 21st birthday, let all Dukes receive free mead

Now that we have mead, let's get those orders in

[appleciders]

Duke Arnulf of Bavaria to Doge Orso II Participazio of Venice
Certainly.

[Cyclotron]

Let's get those orders in, people!

Doge Orso II Participzio of Venice to Duke Arnulf of Bavaria
We were hoping to be able to hire those mercenaries ourselves, as the Croatians are some of the few local mercenaries that are readily available to us. I would prefer if you could draw upon mercenary groups we cannot access - Franks, Slavs, Vikings, Magyars, and so on.

[appleciders]

Duke Arnulf of Bavaria to Doge Orso II Participzio of Venice
I may ask you for assistance in using the money to arrange to hire Croatian mercanaries to assist my own forces, in addition to those that the King of Germany will ask for. I thank you for your help.

[Cyclotron]

Doge Orso II Participazio of Venice to Duke Arnulf of Bavaria
I don't think that will be neccessary; there are not many available mercenaries in the area and they are within our current means. If you think your money would be better used in preparing your own army, I can attempt to have it smuggled into Bavaria. Of course, there is always a chance that it could fall into the hands of the Emperor if our efforts fail.

[appleciders]

Duke Arnulf of Bavaria to Doge Orso II Participazio of Venice
To the Emperor's terms? What, that I surrender myself unconditionally? I cannot do that. I would rather go down fighting, especially against him, rather than you. Myself and my men are yours to command. I also carry with me a sizeable treasury from the Pope; with your permission, I might attempt to hire some additional forces to defend the city.

[Cyclotron]

Doge Orso II Participazio of Venice to Duke Arnulf of Bavaria
I do not want bloodshed between us in my city. If you will not agree to the Emperor's terms, than I am forced to defy him - I only hope you have fully considered the consequences of your actions.

As Duke of Venice, I have responsibility for all armed men within the Republic. I am hereby enlisting you and your men in the city's defense; you and your escort may return to the German ranks as soon as your army arrives here. I cannot spare the sailors or marines needed to safely take you to Istria when a siege may be nigh, and I will not send your armsmen away when I could use them here.