Your Majesty,
my condolences for the brutal death of your brother. May Your rule be prosperous, for his death will not be for nought. Such a vicious regicide will surely not happen again. The Guardia Real should take extra measures for Your safety.
As the Marshal will be indisposed for some time and has proposed a plan that exceeds our financial abilities, as general I would propose to include some artillery regiments into the army, as their effects may prove devastating, especially in sieges. The shorter they are, the less casualties we take. Artillery is but one part of the future of warfare, and we should not lack behind. I propose to include at least four such regiments into our armies for now, as they are expensive and their use on the battlefield is limited. I am sure that with the years, we will have to augment that number, but it should be enough for our actual needs.
Your loyal subject,
General Luigi Castelozzi, Count of Palermo
I appreciate your suggestions, for surely who would know what is better for the army than a general? I personally believe it wise to have at least one regiment of artillery in all four of our current armies, which of course equals the number you have suggested. If the Marshal is indisposed, I will make the necessary changes.
- His Majesty, Ferran II de Trastámara, King of Aragon and Naples, and Protector of the Greeks
((A letter to King Ferran II. de Trastámara))
My King
I can't express my wrath at the assassin. Not only has he killed your brother King Alfons VI., no, he has also killed my father Joseph von Thun who you have surely met in the past. It's a shame that he was killed just as he was about to offer his services again. I hope the bastard's son suffered heavily, he truly deserves to burn in hell...
Since one of our generals fell in the battles, I would like to claim said position. Since I was able to study in one of the universities of Aragon, I'm fairly used to the new technology called "artillery" and would like to command those ((Fire focus, to make it clear)). Regarding the Marshal's plans about regiment size, may I state that it would be the wisest to have as much artillery as infantry and cavallery combined, at least to the point where our treasury can still afford it? That way, our artillery can do great damage without being attackable itself, since the front line would hold attacks on the back line, erm, back.
By the way, my wife has recently given birth to my first child and son, Càrlo von Thun.
Your loyal subject
Stefano von Thun
Count of Zaragoza
PS: If you have any clues on the bastard's family, I would truly like to lead our troops against him. His family killed my father, and I wish to repay this with their blood.
((OOC vote:
Keep national focus if it is still locked))
((Private Letter to Stefano von Thun))
I was not even aware that your father was attacked during that tragic night. I can only say that the man responsible has paid dearly with his life, so hopefully that offers some comfort. He was a great man that did much for our country, as can be seen by the fact that you hold a title.
I'm afraid that de Agramunt's position has already been filled and we don't need another general at the moment. However, if one of our three generals happens to meet a tragic fate, and I can only hope they won't, or if they choose to retire, you shall be the first one I will consider as the next general. ((It appears we have an extra general slot, so I guess I can have another general, so ignore that. I rolled a 6 for you, so that is how many pips you'll get.))
As for artillery, I do not believe our treasury could ever support having half the army consisting of it. They are expensive creations, ones that we must add to the army in moderation to avoid bankruptcy.
- His Majesty, Ferran II de Trastámara, King of Aragon and Naples, and Protector of the Greeks
((letter to the new King of Aragon))
Your Majesty,
As a furnisher of the Royal House I want to congratulate yourself for your ascension to the throne, albeit in so saddening circumstances due to the abrupt death of your predecessor.
As Lucca recently acquired Western Emilia, me along with the Lucchese merchants will have better access to the goods of North Italy and as consequence to enlarge our volume of trade across the Aragonese crown lands... Still, I fear for my country surrounded by various enemies. I made years ago a suggestion to the previous ruler to slowly increase the Aragonese influence across Italy, befriending the Lucchese Republic. I hope you will be more willing to accept the potential benefit we could both take from an enduring friendship. A proclaim of guarantee of Aragon to Lucca would be the ideal in my humble opinion.
Anyway, I and soon my son would continue to offer our array of services to the Aragonese Crown, if you are willing to concede us any type of role which could be fitting for my capacities.
Respectfully,
Francesco Guinigi, merchant of the Repubblica di Lucca.
((Private letter to Francesco Guinigi))
My opinion on northern Italy is the same as my brother's: it is not the time nor place to get involved there. The Emperor still watches over the region and any interference their will draw their ire. Maintaining relations in the region will also place unnecessary strain on our diplomat relations ((aka we don't have a free diplomatic relations slot)).
- His Majesty, Ferran II de Trastámara, King of Aragon and Naples, and Protector of the Greeks
At court
Your Majesty,
I am deeply saddened by the death of your esteemed brother. I pray your reign may be long and prosperous.
To those who are speaking of an army of artillery, as treasurer I would like to make absolutely clear - this is fantasy. We have at most the funds to support three or four of these guns. Nothing associated with them is cheap; the vast quantities of metal needed, the expertise of the gunsmith, the remuneration of those testing the weapons (the guns frequently inexplicably rip themselves apart upon first testing them).
((I agree with those who have already posted: don't change the focus if the timer hasn't worn off.))
My opinion is in sync with that of the Treasurer's. We cannot afford too many regiments of artillery.
- His Majesty, Ferran II de Trastámara, King of Aragon and Naples, and Protector of the Greeks
((It appears as though I'm going to have to drop this; I seem to have fallen completely behind during these last few turns. I appreciate you letting me join, and apologize for my lack of involvement. With luck I'll be able to give IAARs another a shot in the future.))
((Too bad that you don't have the time, but I understand.
Well this means we now have a free merchant slot, so if someone wants to be an official merchant of Aragon, put your name forward.))
((Okay, I'll add you in. This is a bit embarrassing, but the RNG gave you only one pip. Guess it was bound to happen after getting all those high rolls.
))
((OOC vote: I think you should be able to change the focus at the king's death. Perhaps only at the king's death, save for exceptional circumstances.
By the way, I am going on vacation the next weeks, so I might be less/not active depending on the situation.))
((Good to know. If the game decides to kill off your general, but he still lives in this iAAR, I might just retire him. He's probably getting old anyway.
Speaking of retirement, people should start keeping in mind the age of their characters. As we near the 16th Century, some characters will reach 100. If I'm forced to kill off any characters, I will assume they died without heirs and their titles are up for grabs, although a player may reclaim them if they create a new character of the same dynasty. That won't stop someone else from swooping in and taking the title before they can do that though, so I recommend killing off your characters before they reach 100.))
