[RP HS] Holy Roman Empire (TWC/MTWII Gaming group) BURGUNDY/BAVARIA OPEN!

[HannibalExMachina]

someone tell england, huzzah.

[Dismounted Feudal Knight]

No tell, just link.

[Dismounted Feudal Knight]

Onto the French,
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen..._France_28.sav

Please note that I should be replaced, as I no longer hold an interest in hotseats here for the time being..

[Panda_Slayer]

As the the princeps Tarentinus and his docked with the ducal fleet at the port of venice he took note of island that was not an island but could almost Be considered a entire quay in of its self. Trumpets blared as Roger and his sister stepped off the galley and onto the ground, deck or what ever it was, he still wasn't sure. The doge came and embraced Roger and his sister, his retinue in tow ready to escort them to the cathedral.
The procession to the cathedral was rather slow and monotonous but weddings are weddings and traditions must be respected. As the bride looking wonderful as ever made her way through the streets being showered by petals and and flowers she looked a true daughter Sicily, even though she was being greeted as the new daughter and future of venice.
When the procession entered the cathedral and Roger handed his sister off to the future doge and ruler of venice the alliance and marriage were set in stone.
After the wedding rituals were completed The feast ensued, and what a feast it was, the tables were laden with all the best dishes and delicacy's from Sevilla to Damascus. And the finest reds from bourdeau plus strong ales hailing from bavaria. Roger and his Sicilian retinue even began to engage in drinking games with the Venetian nobility which Roger was unsurprisingly very successful in after all the halls of Tarentum are known for their wild and rather rowdy feasts and party's. This was no different.
(OOC more to come in the morning)

[Wieza22]

thanks guys for very good game i'm going to quit a phorum. I'm very glad to play with you guys. See ya and good fun with playing.

[paladinbob123]

shall we upload what has gone on before, in order , so that people have a idea of what has been going on , whilst we were away?

[Jadli]

The hotseat is back and continues on TWC again

To see turns/RP that happened in the last month and half, visit this thread

[Panda_Slayer]

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1jI...O2yqtoBFHq1D0S

[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.

[Captainnorway]

When will i get the save? the save here is the previous one....

[HannibalExMachina]

third times a charm

mebbe we should share all saves on discord, or whatever you kids do these days.

[Panda_Slayer]

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1O6...g1HHZ1q3R3txyW

[Captainnorway]

Franken https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JR6...ew?usp=sharing

Should we be concerned about the pope having 10 dread?
We also need to talk about the crusader states soon, management and such.

[HannibalExMachina]

plot twist, the pope is really the anti-christ



we should wait for a few more armies to arrive, and then RP a crusader council. sicily, swabia and upper lorraine are pretty close already.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=159...bfMQOn5VBGcRoJ



The Holy City loomed ahead, half shrouded in mirages of flickering heat. As they caught sight of their final destination, many of the crusaders lept from their horses, falling to their knees in fervent prayer.

The emperor himself stayed mounted, for he had made a public oath only to debase himself in front of the holiest of holies, the very sepulchre of the Lord.

But though no one would have ever accused him of being among the most pious of men, Henry felt a sense of a elation he hadn't known since the day he received the imperial crown. Here, finally, was the very place of the Lord's passion, almost in his grasp, as if he had to just extend his arm to take it.

But of course, he made himself aware as his more pragmatic side banished this brief moment of holy reverance, first he would have to take it by steel, over a mountain of stone and through a sea of blood. Already, a sprawling host surrounded Jerusalem, under the banners of the Pontifex and his latin vassals. To the south of the city, the cross of St.Stephen mingled with a host of other cruciform devices, to mark the camp of the hungarians.

Henry had not been aware of their presence in the holy land until his outriders had reported to him in his landing camp near Askalon. It had not seemed appropriate for an emperor to appear as a latecomer, so he had taken his mounted forces ahead of his footmen, and left the slower column under the command of the Archbishop of Milan.

Not that the Romans and Hungarians would rob him of a fight; the papal forces had only begun to set up siege engines, and the magyar host had yet to approach the city walls.

Still, no time to waste. The servants and retainers of the host were ordered to dismount, to prepare a camp and begin their own siege fortifications, supported by a number of armenian archers Henry had taken into his pay. His scouts had reported a significant number of heathen auxilliaries in the papal camp, but Henry would not stoop to such lows. Soon, his own foot would arrive, and the second host under Werner von Thüringer had reportedly already reached Cyprus. With them alone, he would match the numbers of his allies, and the swabian and lotharingian hosts would follow not far behind the franconians. No word had reached the fleet about the other imperial hosts so far, but once they arrived, the might of the empire would be arrayed in numbers unseen in generations.

The emperor allowed himself a grim smile of satisfaction. Let his rivals and enemies of God alike see the power invested in him from on high, and let them tremble in awe.

[Jadli]

House Babenberg up! http://www.mediafire.com/file/33pja5...Austria_31.sav

[paladinbob123]

The funeral possession of Leopold of the house of von Babenberg, assembled at the city of Wien and with suitable retinue began its lone journey to Rome , were the margrave of Austria had previously made agreement , that he could be interred in the vaults of the Vatican , within easy distance of some of the major holy sites of the christain world. The procession was lead by many religious leaders and priests of Austria, who had been well pay in advance for there services, and the moved before the funeral march , with burning incense marking the way. Many of the townsfolk cried , some spat in contempt about their houses losing sons , and other family , but in general the mood , was one of sadness at the passing of there leader.

Some voices cried out for the return of Otto von Diessen to again provide stability to the house , as Leopold's absence was a great loss to the City in this turbulent time , and many where the calls of vengeance, as the smaller house of the court of Babenberg began to scuffle in readiness for the succession to come.



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

The Austrians crusader force began to move southwards towards the lands of the Bulgars on its way to Constantinople with no hint of the dire situation behind them in the capital[news travels slow across great distances in the medieval times]

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

Styriences was well satisfied at the events that had occurred , as he was now the heir by succession but his joy was short lived as the Frankish leadership had decreed , that the Austrian state to be temporary held until the young son of Leopold von Babenberg came of age, and the news did not meet his plans. He began to rage , at his jailers , and he began to eye, at possible escape routes and began throwing his money around , in attempts to bribe some of the more simple [and poorer] guards who were readily available for manipulation. He equally began to write to both the Pope and the other noble dukes around the Empire , that he was beginning held against his will , A notable Margrave by rite of Succession by blood without any reasonable charge against his character, and he had no problems at swearing his fealty to the emperor.


As Austria was a vassal of the Bohemian King ,he also wrote to him , his liegelord, protesting about his treatment , as he was being held , a true born noble without any charges against his character, and he should be released , to govern the Austrian state. It was both his right , to rule his territory as such was the will of God , and unless the Emperor didn't have a good reason for keeping him , under lock and key , that he should be "released" to do his duty. Even a Emperor must bow to the will of God , and the law , or at the very least , it would prove a bad precedent to lockup a person of noble blood , from being about his business in the duty he had to his people , for if he could do this once to one noble, without legal authority , then who else would be next?

Turn to Bavaria

[paladinbob123]

Hermann von Formbach moved his mighty army next to the Papal forces which were commanded by Telesphorus Marescallus , who had organised the Papal forces to surround part of the city. Herman moved forward with his close vassals to greet the commander , and took a immediate liking to the Italian commander , who exhumed confidence and competence at every pore of his being. The leaders gave a handshake and the papal leader greeted the reinforcements warmly[it was rather warm in south Iberia ] and the two commanders began to discuss where he should deploy his troops . Plans were discussed about how the two would expel the Umayyad regime from its hold on the Iberian heartland. The city itself was well known as a center of learning from its early conquest and rule of the Umayyad's, even now they could hear the call for prayer being called from the Great Mosque, of Córdoba. The great roman bridge still stood across the though Guadalquivir River, its 9m width still being the only route across the river and the most significant remnant of what was the greatest empire that had existed in the past.




Hermann grinned , and wiped the sweat of his forehead as the midday sun began to burn him, as his troops began to take over some of the Papal forces siege positions, allowing the Italian troops to take some much needed rest , as the Papal leader began to drawup plans for the assault of the City.

Turn to Burgundy

[paladinbob123]

Berthold II looked out in alarm, at the massive schwaben army group which had descended on his fortified camp to the east of Zurich. The soldiers of the Schwabian army were lead by Friedrich, Duke of Swabia, and his army was at least double the size of the Burgundian forces. His anger grew when he had heard of the Imperial Ban , being called by the Imperial Regent , Konrad of Savoy. Burgundy rejected his voice on this matter, as they would only accept a Imperial Ban from the Emperor himself or the Imperial Diet, feeling that such a move by a mere regent was well out of his power , they objected, as they felt it was a unfair way of subverting the last terrority of Burgundy unto the imperial family [of which schwabia] was now part. The sheer nerve of the Schwabians was beyond a joke, and the frustration, which had been previously felt against his brother-in-law was now placed squarely onto the Schwabian forces and Frankish regent , but it did have one positive effect , as it united both Burgundian factions, to the defence of there realm against unjustified aggression from overbearing greedy neighbours.

The Forces of Swabia , were consisting of approx. 320 cavalry [of varying strength] , nearly 500 archers and the majority of over a thousand foot , mainly spearmen of both retinue and mercenary bands who had been hired to dig and prepare the siegeing fortifications. Forces of Berthold II were far fewer in umber but certainly experienced , as he had nearly five hundred heavy horse , and just over 500 spearmen , who had been bloodied in various conflicts. Berthold II , of Burgundy accepted his mistake in his politicking in his state, and held a short meeting with the notable characters, that had been isolated in the fort with him. Trapped with him , was Siegfried , Bishop of Besancon ,Royal chancellor, who was perhaps the living reminder of the dismemberment of there state to the favourite of the empire, Swabia despite the Papal-Emperor peace accord. Other nobles such as Otto von Veringan and Razzo von Tek , a Italian bastard of a nobleman had both had bought there retinue's to the Burgudian forces were also present with the meeting ,but of another , there was Rudi Halberstam , a german notorious berserker who helfed his axe , finding its weight held more than comfortably with his mighty frame.

"What can we do?" , cried Razzo , more than a little distressed about the situation they now sat-in.

"We must do what we must...for Burgundy", replied Berthold, "and it must be done quickly , for every hour that passes, their siegelines are nearing completition!"

All parties looked at each other , none wishing to speak ..

"If we can just get out of this trap" , replied Razzo, " I know of many mercenary bands that lurk nearby , as they have lost there employment when the civilwars were ended. They would be easy , to recruit, at the mere mention, of the promise of gold"

"But first we must unavail ourselves of the Duke of Swabia's forces and that will be no easy task", replied Otto von Veringan , as he scratched his backside.

All went quiet again, as there was little solution of what to do about the far greater Swabia foe , as the sounds of construction , hammer and nail , sawing and hewing progressed in the background to fill the silence .

"Ahhhh , stuff it ", replied Rudi Halberstam , the berserker who saw such things in simple terms, "All we have to do , is go outside and beat em!"

Otto clamped a hand over his face, at the lack of strategy, but Berthold being a person who was deeply learnt in strategy and combat , leapt up, at the comment .

"That's it !" , he cried , "They will not be expecting a sally........Organise all of our strength! I shall ride forth against the banner of Swabia , in a last death or glory charge. Such things should be decided between men of destiny!"

Many of the troopers didn't favour the attack, as they saw little hope , but all were disciplined troops who were loyal to Berthold. Many of the troops were experienced or veterans of other campaigns , so keeping the nagging thoughts of defeat away, they strapped on there armour and prepared weapons . Many took a last few gulps of whatever alcohol brew they had , or munched on the scant rations , expecting the worse. Finally after a good hour , the preparation had been made, and gate was opened in one side of the fort.



"This is a Good day to Diiieeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" , yelled the berserker , hefting his axe in the air with both hands , before he with little doubt in his own safety charged out towards the enemy siege lines."

"Attack" , cried Otto , as the forces began to stream out of the gate , following the fearless berserker who had made good ground towards the besiegers lines.

The berserker reached the siege lines and hacked down , three of the mercenary spearmen , who were only alerted by the sally from a blood spattered german welding a giant axe, now yelling at the top of his voice. Many observed the blood spattered axeman , as he fell'd another two of there comrades and decided that they were not getting paid enough for this ...and fled the battle.. soon the whole of the mercenary contingent seeing the rest of the burgundian spearmen follow the berserkers into the siegelines and the heavy cavalry lining up for charge , felt that there lives were worth living and that they had a urgent appointment to the northwest , and departed at haste.



But the battle was far from over , as the Duke of Swabia began to rally, what men he could to him , whilst organising a rough battle line with his significant archer forces. Berthold seeing his berserker charging off into the background as he began to purse the mercenary spearmen , knew that the momentum was with him , but he would have little time to cash in , this minor victory and organised his cavalry to ready for a charge at the rapidly organising enemy force. Calling his nobles to him , they formed a line , and when he was satisfied , called the charge at the swabian forces .

The swabian duke , cursed as he looked up at the wall of steel that approached at speed , and shouted at his archers to fire , the spearmen prepared to resist a charge, as the cavalry wall approached ever closer . Archers lifted there bows and fired a quick volley , which perhaps overshot most of the cavalry , as it was hard to predict the range ,and the nearness of the approaching cavalry unsettled a lot of the bowmen , as they had not prepared there ground for combat at this time.

There was a mighty crunch as the steel wall of cavalry met the spearmen. Some areas the spearmen , just disappeared from view as the cavalry tore into them , over them and pass them , as if they were just mere wheat from a cornfield. Other areas, had stiffer resistance , as pockets of spearmen , who were well experienced and trained went into rough schiltrom positions , and although they lost many men , they still held there ground. The fight hung in the balance, as more and more forces from the swabian army began to move towards there duke from the siegelines, who called urgently for all his men to gather on his position. The banner of the Swabian duke floated high above the battleline and Berthold swung his sword down , taking a arm from a swabian spearmen who confronting him.

"There my lords! " ,cried Berthhold, " There is the head of the snake!, A large ransom for whoever can bring me, his head!", he shouted upon seeing the Schwabian banner, around a particularly packed area of the field, with fierce fighting.

Razzo von Tek, the Italian bastard who had been happy to serve in Burgundian service , rode his bodyguard deep against where the Flag of Swabia floated in the mild breeze, his warhammer making swishing sounds as he bought down another of the mounted swabian knights, as he closed on the Swabian dukes position. Fighting was fierce, but the promise of ransom , which could perhaps secure him lands, made him push forward , risking perhaps more than he should, until finally after some minutes of fighting , he saw the Swabian Duke , fighting heartily against some burgudian spearmen who had finally caught up with the main fight. Frederick , busy with felling his spearmen opponent with a downward blow, didn't see the warhammer , smashing against the side of his helm , giving him a glancing blow. Swaying he , nearly fell from his mount, caught by one of his bodyguard , who called for cover , as he shepard'd the swabian noble from the field , whilst he was still dazzled from the blow.

Seeing the Swabia duke being lead away from the field , the rest of the swabian forces , fearing the worse began to rout, others seeing there fellows flee , sunk to the ground in exhaustion and asked for surrender , whilst the rest of the swabian cavalry contingent fought a fighting withdrawal to cover what forces they could from the field..

Berthold II prevented the majority of his cavalry from pursing the retreating swabian forces, as he sort to control his men and recollect them , in case of they became separated or they faced a sudden counterattack. Razzo , as good as his word ,still held plenty of energy after the fight and volunteered to ride out to the local inns and taverns he knew, to recruit mercenary companies and promised to return in a week with a sizeable force. Giving his consent, Berthold allowed him to go , and also sent out his Otto to recruit native burgundian people, who perhaps had fought in the past in the defence of his state. He warned everybody to regroup at the fort , in a weeks time , before they would ride out, to relieve the siege of Zurich, before he slumped to the ground , exhausted both mentally and physically. His road to recoverly involved being plied with copious amounts of alcohol to celebrate both his victory but privately , to recover his nerves at surviving such a battle. Personally he didn't think they could win , but by placing his army, into a position, were they had to fight with everything they had or die, had given them victory as his forces fought like lions, but he needed time to recover.



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

The force that assembled at the fort , a weeks later , was a who's who collection of troops ,there was a large Slavic mercenary force , which was made of both mounted and foot. There were some Genoese crossbowmen who were famous for there service,well experienced with a escorting Italian spearmen .Some Lorraine spearmen with two forces of native bow troops and woodsmen , meet-up with the now swelling army group, which then proceeded to march on Zurich. Berthold II was in a good mood , and even the berserker , Rudi , had returned , mainly unscathed from his charging run, but he did sport a now rotting head, which he had collected as a trophy, which hung from his belt , which put most people off from talking to him , about his heroic action.

They reached the City of Zurich within a week of easy marching and observed the Frankish and schwabian forces which besieged there forces in the Capital . Keeping his cavalry well back , he assembled a large force of spearmen , with Slavic infantry , and missle support to harass the Frankish forces which sieged the south-eastern part of the city.Whilst he moved his cavalry under the command of Otto , around the lee of the settlement to strike at the rear of the forces when it was prudent to do so.

Konrad the Imperial Regent held a reasonable force of experienced cavalry whilst his swabian ally Otto Lantgravius Alsatie held the majority of forces , with not a few experienced knights of reknown within there armies. Combined the two forces of Burgundy against the forces of Frankia & Swabia were evenly matched . The battle between the Burgundian forces and the joint Frankish-Swabian alliance was long , as the latter slowly gaining the upper ground , when the forces from within the city sallied . If the forces had been commanded by the inept Berthold I, then the battle would have been lost , but Berthold I had realised that Bernhard, Bishop of Konstanz was the far better commander , and in this critical moment allowed him command.



Seeing the surprise blow inflicted on the Schwabian forces, Otto who commanded the remaining cavalry of Burgundy charged his force in , with the Slavic cavalry harassing the flank . The resulting charge from these two groups threw the schwabian army into a rout, and the Frankish regent threw his sword down in disgust at the swabian lack of morale. Seeing that now was not the time , to push further hardship on the franks and swabian peoples , Berthold II , settled for ransom , and allowed the Frankish -Swabian troops to withdraw in good order.



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

Whilst the dead were being collected for burning , the two leaders of Burgundy , met on the fields outside of Zurich, and there was a tense moment, as the two combatants who had carved up burgundy looked at each , and the aides of both sides feared a resumption of hostilies. But instead Berthold II , knelt to his brother-in-law and asked his forgiveness at his recklessness. Berthold with tears In his eyes , bade he standup, embracing his estranged brother , and all was forgiven in this time of conflict . Berthold I sought his brother-in-laws advice about the imperial ban , and Berthold II gave him what advice he could , to perhaps seek help from the Pope , as he feared the Imperial Ban would not be sanctified without the Emperors say-so and hoped to overturn it, but equally there would have to be somesort of compensation paid to both schwabia and frankia , to seek forgiveness , for there losses.

There would also have to be sacrifice , Berthold II , told his brother , and he told him of a meeting with a crusading Templar master who awaited him at a nearby church , were he would "take the cross" and lead Burgundian armies , for the greater glory of God , and to revile him [and his army] of there sins this day.



Berthold II , had lead the mighty Burgundian army group to surround the church where the Templar master , had been staying before he wished to move onto the Holy Land. Berthold II confided with the master, and the Templar master , with the church's priest absolved him of his sins , before he took the cross in the rather smart and elegant church , south of the city of Zurich,the first of many as the rest of the Burgundian troops equally sort the cross, as burgundy sought Papal support , in regret for the troubles they had caused...



Turn to Saxony

[paladinbob123]

Lothar , the elderly Duke of Saxony, [yes , he still lives :d] rides with his men westward, driving them hard to reach the conquered settlement of Skara , wondering whether he will be in time to provide help to the besieged settlement on the coast.

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At the snow surrounded town of Skara , yet another rebel force of norse wanderers armed for conflict move out of the woods. They were a unshaven lot , obviously been displaced from there home , perhaps they were even survivors of the siege of Visby, and were looking for a place to make there base , whilst they sought out there options.


Lord Cancor , sent down for more norse mercenaries from the nearby port, and regretted now disbanding the last troop of them , and looking up to what he imagined was the Lord God , he promised him , he wouldn't disband the new lot of norse mercenaries , instead he promised he would make them part of his levies, turning them into good Christian soldiers.



The fight was short and sweet , but rather bloody and Cancor started to wonder whether it was worn the cost , to keep these god-forsaken lands, as the blood price it had claimed , was getting bigger and bigger.




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

Kuno's von Northheim , crusader army of Saxony leader, finally reached Venice , as there ambassador sought out a trade agreement with the venetians to give them clearance to cross to the holyland. Kuno was unsure whether the venetians, would ferry his army across the sea , or that Saxony would have to fund there own passage, at this time , and hoped the emperor had left instructions at the port with the Doge.



Turn to Swabia

https://www.dropbox.com/s/jqy2kix67d...en_31.sav?dl=0

[Captainnorway]

i'm surprised that you actually won those battles
Good Job