HRE NES II: Der Aufstieg

[Cyclotron]

Originally posted by Nimitz
I like all my choices too and wish to keep them avalible for later choosing; it is kind of overwhelming. But for now I will pick Hrabì Ondrej z Trutnov for his experience.

That's fine, I can keep them around for the next time you call up generals. I would prefer, however, if you wrote which one you are choosing in your orders - I refer to your orders and pretty much nothing else when updating, because I don't want to reread the entire thread.

[Nimitz]

Ok I'll add him into the orders.

[appleciders]

A couple quick questions:

Donaugraf von Wein is still available as a general, right?

When I transfer Carinthia to Eberhard, I'll lose both von Wein and Markgraf Eberhard as generals, because they'll be Carinthians, who are subject to Eberhard, not to me, right? Or can I still draw on them for generals?

[Cyclotron]

"General" is not a actual rank; it is just an informal designation of who is leading your armies. You can pick people as generals regardless of their allegiance... whether they will be more loyal to you or the new Markgraf is your own decision to make. So long as relations between you and the Markgraf are good it shouldn't be a problem.

Edit: This is a reminder to Micha telling him that, unless Giovanni shows up (which seems doubtful, his last post was more than a month ago in the earlier thread) I will be playing the Count of Friesland this turn and will cooperate with Saxony's plans in Friesland.

[appleciders]

Duke Arnulf of Bavaria to Doge Orso II Participazio of Venice
I have come into possession of about 1,300 Magyar warriors I am looking to dispose of. I have no desire to simply release them to fight me again, I do not want to keep them in camps where they will need to be guarded and fed, and I am loath to keep them as slaves myself, where they might escape or be rescued by their fellow warriors. Are you in the business of trading slaves? These are hearty, healthy men in their prime, who I'm sure would command a respectable price overseas, where their owners would not fear Magyar reprisal. I would be willing to actually give these men to you. I am sure this is well below the going price, but I am likewise sure that you would need to hire guards to transport them to port. In such a situation, it does not seem quite fair to ask a price for them. If you accept, we might consider this a reimbursement for the favor you did me in helping to defeat Luitpold von Frelsing.

Duke Arnulf of Bavaria to Duke Tomislav of Dalmatia
I congratulate you on the treaty you have reached with Bulgaria and offer my most heartfelt wishes that peace can be maintained between Christian peoples in the future. I come to you to ask a favor; now that you have reached a peace treaty, even if a tenuous one, you will not require quite as much from your army. I have need to hire a small number of Dalmatian cavalry to assist me against the Magyars. Since the defeat of these predators is in both of our best interests, I hoped that you might release even as few as 100 of these light cavalrymen to my service.

[Cyclotron]

Doge Orso II Participazio of Venice to Duke Arnulf of Bavaria
Indeed, we do have a hand in the slave market, and we are always in need of galley slaves. I accept your proposal; I cannot afford a long venture, but if you bring them through Brenner Pass in your territory I will arrange for a mercenary guard to escort them the rest of the way.

Duke Tomislav of Dalmatia to Duke Arnulf of Bavaria
Make no mistake about the truce between myself and the Bulgarian King; his continued aggression against my neighbors and allies makes any peace between us fleeting at best, and he knows this well. I am disinclined to release any men from my service in such times, but because you have not shown hostility towards me despite you King's poor choice of allies, and because I sympathize with your plight with regards to the Magyars, I will arrange for a small amount of men to be released from obligations to me and available to hire themselves out.

*mercenary board updated*

[Cyclotron]

On this day in the year 800, Charlemagne was crowned "Imperator Romanorum" by Pope Leo III in Rome.

Merry Christmas, NES-ers. Have your egg nog and then turn in your orders!

[Cyclotron]

Three Magyar horsemen have been intercepted outside the winter camp of the combined Imperial and German army. They have claimed a right of free passage to deliver a message to the "chiefs of Germany," apparently from a Hadúr (warlord, great chieftain) named Tarhos. It is unknown who exactly this is, what his role in the current war is, or where his lands or forces lie.

Németek Ura -
It sours me to be forced to barter with you, but bonds of family and love compel me. You have among your captives a man called Zoltán, who shares my blood. While you remain my enemies as long as you refuse to submit and pay us tribute, I would offer you gold for his safe return, and would remember such actions at a time when you might wish for kindness from us.

Tarhos hadúr, Jaszi magyarok nagyhadúr, Árpád nagyfejedelem fia.

The riders do not claim to speak for the Hadúr, but have said (one speaks fairly crude German) something to the effect that they have been instructed to relay any correspondence from the "Németek" to the Hadúr immediately, and that failure to release them (they are being held as enemy scouts currently) would incur the wrath of their chief.

[appleciders]

Release these Magyars back outside of Bavaria, and instruct them to tell their chief that mere gold will not convince me to release this man, who has scourged far too many German cities and wil doubtless take more Christian life should he be released.

[Micha]

King Charles III of France and Lothairingia to King Heinrich I of Germany

With the rise of a new dynasty in East Francia, it seems fitting to hold a formal mutual recognition of our kingships, something never formally done with your predecessor. I propose that, to further secure both of our reigns, we sign a bilateral treaty outlining our borders explicitly, recognizing each other's right as monarch, and forswearing any claims on each other's territory. I hopefully await your reply.

King Heinrich I of Germany to King Charles III of France and Lothairingia

I agree with your proposal to sign a bilateral treaty securing our reigns. We regard the broders of the German duchies as they are, with the inclusion of the lands of our Frisian brothers and the heathen lands to the east and north, as our territory. I recognize your rightful claim on the lands of the Franks West and South of these borders.
May your reign be long and healthy.

Signed, King Heinrich of Gemany

Emperor Simeon I of the Bulgarians, Greeks and Romans to King Heinrich I of Germany

It pleases me greatly to hear of the victory of the Germans against the heathen Magyars. Christ is indeed glorified by every noble people that recognizes the true Emperor and fights valiantly against evil. I have made every attempt to aid my loyal subjects in Germany and support your rule; my plans to involve the Pechenegs against the Magyars, traditionally enemies on the steppes, have met with success - though the pagan Pechenegs are certainly no great friends of ours, their presence may yet be helpful in distracting the Magyars from our lands.

Once the immediate business of the Magyars is out of the way, I desire some assistance from the German people in my endeavour. Your successor recognized me as the true Emperor of Christendom; indeed, your Pope has recognized me as the true ruler of the Imperial City. As my royal vassal and as a fellow Christian, I request the detachment of a significant force of German soldiers - whose valor is well known - to fulfill the feudal obligations of the Germans and assist me in my Thracian campaign against the usurper Admiral that even now plays as "Emperor" upon the throne that is rightfully mine.

I will certainly reward you for this example of your wisdom and loyalty.

King Heinrich of Gemany to Emperor Simeon I of the Bulgarians, Greeks and Romans

We appreciate the interference of the Pechenegs, but as you very well know, Germany is in no way able to send even the smallest detachment of troops away. We bleed ourselves dry in this crusade against the heathen Magyars, and we rely on the services of foreigners to supplement the armies we field ourselves. There is no way we could help you yet.

Once the Magyar threat is dealt with, there is a wide array of possibilities for our peoples to aid each other.

Until then, the best of luck

Signed, King Heinrich of Germany

[Micha]

Duchy of Saxony - Orders

• claim 1400 light armour pieces, 600 shields, 400 spears and 1100 Magyar bows from the loot of the battle of Tirol (since no other duchy than Bavaria has claimed those)
• merge all 1400 new recruits and the "chivalry" into the "Saxon army"
• equip the Saxon army as follows: 255 knights, 575 sergeants, 330 Saxon Guards (light, spear, shield, bow), 270 Spearmen (light, spear, shield, Magyar bow), 800 Saxon Raiders (light, sword, Magyar bow)
• Make Landgraf Theudobald von Osnabrück commander of the Saxon Army
• put both other generals on "hold" for future appointments, generate a third one for next year
• Spend 450d on filling and repair of granaries
• Spend 1000d on extending the road network in Saxony
• Join Saxon army with the German and Imperial armies
• King Heinrich is to meet the Emperor if possible to discuss affairs (bishopric of Bohemia, fate of Carinthia, imperial army assistance, future of Friesland in the German Kingdom)
• The army in Friesland will receive supplies worth 300d and will take part in any campaign the Frisian Count desires.

[Cyclotron]

Originally posted by Micha
The army in Friesland will receive supplies worth 300d and will take part in any campaign the Frisian Count desires.[/list]

Because I am controlling the Count of Friesland currently, I will rule that the Count is deferring to you with regards to strategy. If you wish to give battle orders, do so, otherwise the plan will be decided by your commanding general (which is also fine).

King Charles III of France and Lothairingia to King Heinrich I of Germany
Though on most matters we seem to be agreed, I hasten to remind you that Friesland is a vassal County of the King of France, and thus under feudal obligations rightfully under my dominion. While I deeply appreciate the presence of your forces there, that presence does not change the fact that the fealty of the Duke is owed to my person, not that of the King of Germany.

Another Magyar message

A Magyar party has returned quickly from the South to the Imperial and German camp, with a response to the Duke of Bavaria's reply.

Németek Ura,

Fine then, if gold will not buy my brother's freedom, then we shall offer life. We hold one of your protectors in our grasp, a man that calls himself Von Dortmund. He is one of your warriors that claims to come from the land of your Prince, captured from you by the Gyula.

I offer the life of my brother for that of Von Dortmund. Show my messengers my brother so that I know he is alive and what condition he is in. If you wish to make the exchange, we shall do so on the plain south of Pressburg.

Be warned. Twice now your people have kneeled and then stabbed us in the back after we accepted your surrender. We have little reason to trust your treacherous nature. I will have a man with a sharp sword near Von Dortmund at all times, and I promise you the Németek shall weep and curse your names as well as ours if we unleash our full vengeance upon them.

Tarhos hadúr, Jaszi magyarok nagyhadúr, Árpád nagyfejedelem fia.

A lock of hair has been included in the message, presumably that of von Dortmund.

[Cyclotron]

I will be updating within the coming week. If you haven't gotten orders in, do so within the next few days, or be UDWOTed!

[appleciders]

Duke Arnulf of Bavaria to King Heinrich of Germany
My lord, Magyar emmissaries have informed me that your knight von Dortmund still lives, and have offered his life in exchange for that of the Magyar commander Hadur Zoltan, who I currently hold in custody. As this concerns your general and not mine, I leave this decision to you; do you want to ensure that Zoltan never threatens German soil again, or retrieve your general von Dortmund?

[Micha]

Originally posted by appleciders
Duke Arnulf of Bavaria to King Heinrich of Germany
My lord, Magyar emmissaries have informed me that your knight von Dortmund still lives, and have offered his life in exchange for that of the Magyar commander Hadur Zoltan, who I currently hold in custody. As this concerns your general and not mine, I leave this decision to you; do you want to ensure that Zoltan never threatens German soil again, or retrieve your general von Dortmund?

King Heinrich of Germany to Duke Arnulf of Bavaria

The Magyars are lying, the hair lock doesn´t prove anything. Von Dortmund was a heroic general and will be remembered as a symbol of German bravery. May he rest in peace.

Kill Zoltan!

King Heinrich of Germany to King Rudolph of Burgundy

(secret)

My trusted friend, my prayers wish for your recovery each day, so tell me, how are you?

I need to hear your opinion upon an affair that bothers me:
The King of France clings to his claims on Friesen, but does not involve a single soldier in the fierce battles against the Danish invaders there. I know that you have sent a regiment of your fine warriors to help the Frieses, as have I. It should be the responsibility of every true Christian ruler to help his brothers against the forces of evil. I am planning to offer the Frisians German protection - as our vassals. This will be viewed as an offensive act in the eyes of the power-hungry but unfaithful French King, so I am humbly asking for your point of view in this matter...

I remain as your loyal friend,
King Heinrich of the Germans, Duke of Saxony