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((OOC: My planned "Duke" title is intended to be "Duke of Naples and Capua" this actually covers the same area, but I just want to check that using two names for the Duchy is okay. Said Duchy also historically only covered Naples and the surrounding area, with Amalfi sometimes integrated.))

((Just to be clear, when you say Naples you're referring to the Napoli province in-game right? It gets confusing since I seem to remember that province being called Naples, as well as the entire kingdom. How confusing. :p Anyway, it's fine to me if that is indeed the case.))

I call the inquisition upon the Conde de Agramont, may God have mercy on his immortal soul.

-Raffaelo Módena, Primate of Sardinia, Archbishop of Cagliari

((It'd be more convenient if people accused each other of heresy before the vote, but we never know when heresy will strike. :rolleyes: Anyway, since an investigation is called, all clergy must now vote on whether or not to investigate Llorenç Alfons María de Agramunt. I'll give the clergy until tomorrow at 12pm PST so that it ties up with the other vote. If not enough people vote, I'll extend it another day. Here is the voting formate:

Investigate de Agramunt: Yes/No/Abstain

Also, if anyone is wondering, I shall do the whole catch the prince thing in a little bit, so that's coming up soon.))
 
Taking up the job of naval escort was boring, Ernst thought to himself.

He took the time to acquaint himself with some of the crew of the ship. There were rumors circulating about potential interception attempts, so Ernst had decided it would be him who would escort the ship on its way to... which country was it again? The crew refused to disclose the final destination, saying it was confidential. He had wondered if the ship had made its stop in Napoli yet.

Sometimes he thought that, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a head pop up from the cargo hold. He dismissed it as merely an illusion, for he was a man of 70 by now and he was getting migraines every now and then. Other times something would mutter
"When will we be there?" Once again, he thought it was an illusion. Even as he left the ship for keeping an eye out for, say, pirates, he would turn around, and the head would be there, staring intently at the admiral.

Just something weird with my brain, he would think as he turned back around to the bow, seeing the image of... were those boats? With pirate flags? Ernst would ask the watchman for a confirmation, and he said they were actually there, pirate flag and all. Distressed, he turned to stern and saw... yet another ship. Two figures, one having the features of a cardinal he knew and the other one bearing a striking resemblance to a general. Rushing to port, he saw... well, land, so no ships here, right? Until he saw a couple of shady figures rushing towards the boat, that is. Why were these boats all on a course towards Cagliari? Was the boat that he was escorting involved?

((I really don't discover the kid here; since my character's getting old, he thinks the child is but an illusion. :p))
 
Appearing at the Royal Court, En Alfonzo Narzis de Moncada makes his declaration.

Oh gracious lords! Oh holy fathers!

How could it come to this? How could good sons of Aragons, how could good Catholics, both in cloth and with swords at their hip, clash at each other, as if they were traitorous Jews or pagan Moslems? For are not the Church, Gods institution on Earth, and the Peerage, trusted lieutentants of the King, the two pillars on which our Realm lays? For have not our ancestors, annointed knights, pledged to protect the Holy Faith - and have not they, blessed by the Pontiffs, went to crusades to lands far away? So what does cause this sad conflict?

In meanwhile, I must say that I cannot agree with the License of Liveries Bill. Why should one forbid a noble to hire retainers, if one does not forbid a merchant or a citizen to hire servants or even bodyguards? If it because the venerable fathers that proposed the bill question the loyalty of certain lords to His Majesty or to the Cross? If such faults are proven, the people in question should be stripped of their lands and punished - but why punish the innocent as well? If it is because the most righteous clerics suspect that such retainers may become private armies of the nobles, not paying allegiance to the King, than they could demand that any hired force is to swear an oath of allegiance to the Crown that should be above everything. But I find the current measures too severe.

At the same time I must remind everybody that us nobles hold lands at the pleasure of the King - and it is for His Majesty to set the conditions of the feudal contract.

License of Liveries Bill: No

Peace with Jolof: Let Portugal Decide
Mission: Rival

[Landed Noble, Count of Girona]
 
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I stand against the idea to call the inquisition on Duke de Agramont (so no to inquisition)

((also, welcome to the party @Marschalk , liking you as a player already, lets hope our characters can become friends also ;) ))
 
To Ferran, Second of that Name, of the House of Trastamara, the King of Aragon,etc ((Michaelangelo - Private))

Your Majesty,

Leaving my ancestral lands and having arrived to your capital, I do not want to spend a minute of my life in idleness or vain pleasures - for my duty before your Throne is above everything for me. The House of Moncada owes everything it has to your royal predecessors - and would never forget its debt of honor. Up to now we have always stood by the Crown, being the first to support It during the times of turmoil - and wish to continue this tradition.

I ask my august master to have my humble skills at his disposal and, coming from a military dynasty and taught to be a captain of men from childhood, may serve you as General within your armies, leading the troops to battle, or as Diplomat, having manifold experience of travels to distant countries.

My only wish is to be useful to my Sovereign.

Your obedient servant,
En Alfonso Narzis de Montcada, third Conde of Girona

 
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To Ferran, Second of that Name, of the House of Trastamara, the King of Aragon,etc ((Michaelangelo - Private))

Your Majesty,

Leaving my ancestral lands and having arrived to your capital, I do not want to spend a minute of my life in idleness or vain pleasures - for my duty before your Throne is above everything for me. The House of Moncada owes everything it has to your royal predecessors - and would never forget its debt of honor. Up to now we have always stood by the Crown, being the first to support It during the times of turmoil - and wish to continue this tradition.

I ask my august master to have my humble skills at his disposal and, coming from a military dynasty and taught to be a captain of men from childhood, may serve you as General within your armies, leading the troops to battle, or as Diplomat, having manifold experience of travels to distant countries.

My only wish is to be useful to my Sovereign.

Your obedient servant,
En Alfonso Narzis de Montcada, third Conde of Girona

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We have more need for a general than we do a diplomat, so having you serve in our army would be preferable. You shall be a general then.

- His Majesty, Ferran II de Trastámara, King of Aragon and Protector of the Greeks

((I've done the roll and you have 9 pips to work with. Give me a stat focus or what you want your stats to be, keeping in mind that siege must be lowest.))
 
His Majesty receives a letter from Duc Francesc, which meticulously and comprehensively explains and illustrates his opinion on recent subjects in court. It principally focuses on the proposed "License of Liveries Bill", and explains why such bill is nothing more but a disgracefully bad proposal, and why His Majesty should avoid it.

License of Liveries Bill: No
Peace with Jolof: Take a Province
Mission: Money

[Landed Noble, General]

Duc Francesc ... de Loarre
 
((I've done the rolls for the "catch the prince" thing we have going on here. I'll admit right away that this is the second time I did the rolls because the first time no one caught him and all but one of the players got caught doing it. That'd make for a lame story. The second time was more agreeable.

If I'm going to let everyone involved IC their own part, there has to be strict guidelines to ensure everyone follows the events that are meant to happen. I know it's tricky to roleplay something when multiple people are involved. Try your best to coordinate your ICs to fit the events I have laid out. So here we go.

1. None of the conspirators were identified or caught. No player may at any time mention anything in their IC that specifically implicates another player.
2. 05060403 was the only one to successfully get to the prince, so no one but him may IC anything that involves the prince. 05 may include the prince in his IC, as long as he doesn't directly control his actions. You are free to force him to do anything against his will or have him do anything a child would do for an adult. As for what you do with the prince after this whole debacle, that is up to you. You can return him to the capital, keep him hostage, or even kill him if you wish.
3. 05 and Federico accidentally interfered with each other, so they must encounter each other at some point, but without identifying each other. Since Federico is my character, I'll let 05 IC an encounter with his ship if he wishes.
4. delpiero1234 also interfered with 05, so the two can write some IC where their ships clash or whatever they please. Just remember that 05 cannot be implicated during it.
5. wzhang29 interfered with Von Habsburg's plans, so those two may IC something as well. Seeing as Von Habsburg is trying to capture the ship at port, perhaps he can accidentally go for one of wzhang's ships or wzhang catches his men at port. Either way, Von Habsburg cannot be identified.
6. Both alscon and Morgan McCloud experienced no interference, but neither did they succeed in reaching the prince. They are free to IC something, but it's not necessary.

I hope that isn't too confusing. It's hard to arrange something like this with multiple people going for the same thing. Just have fun with your ICs. :)))
 
((Ofc this is private))
The mercenaries returned and instead of treasure they brought a small child... What was the King doing? Why was this kid so important? Why did the king send him on this trip? If he was so important, that child couldn't stay with him, his reputation will be ruined! Maxime requested a report from the admiral of the fleet. They first encountered another fleet that was chasing the same ship. They were sailing under Neapolitan flag with banners of county of Salento right under them. Whoever that was they lost them soon after not interfering with each other. So he was not the only one after the ship... Other must have felt the same way about it! After that encounter nothing happened until they got into a fight with a fleet sailing for the Trans-Pyrenean Trading Company and they were under command of a Sardinian merchant! That must have been Francesco Chiave! Damn him, he almost ruined his plan!! But could he really blame him for engaging pirates? I guess not. They won the fight and scared them off sinking one cog... Shame that the company had to lose it... It's never good to hurt your business. And all of that for what?! A kid, but as soon as Maxime talked to the child, claiming to rescue him from the pirates, he knew this was much bigger. The kid turned out to be the kings grandson. First of all he should be sent back to his grandfather. If someone found out about his involvement all of his work would be ruined, and he probably arrested, and surely executed. That could not happen. Maybe the king will show some gratitude after he returns his relative? That could be useful to increase the power that the Saint-Pierre family wields in the TPTC, and maybe the company can be expanded! So he wrote a letter to the king and sent the kid to the royal palace.

((To the king)

Your Majesty!
News have reached my that your grandson got kidnapped by some pirates! Do not worry, I was sailing to our African provinces to pick up some goods and I have encountered the pirates. Our fleets fought fiercely, and I have almost lost my arm during the encounter! We almost lost, but tides have turned when one of my brave man jumped to the enemy ship with a torch and set fire to it! Then all of us found some new courage and defeated the pirates! Sadly the ships belonged to the Trans-Pyrenean Trading Company and they got damaged pretty bad. But that is not that important, after all your relative is safe, and I'm sending him back right now. When you receive this letter he should be very close, or maybe he has already arrived.
Maxime de Saint-Pierre,
head of the Trans-Pyrenean Trading Company

((Sorry if that disappoints someone, but that was my plan all along, and I'm not a very good writer so I couldn't think of anything better.))
 
Your Majesty!
News have reached my that your grandson got kidnapped by some pirates! Do not worry, I was sailing to our African provinces to pick up some goods and I have encountered the pirates. Our fleets fought fiercely, and I have almost lost my arm during the encounter! We almost lost, but tides have turned when one of my brave man jumped to the enemy ship with a torch and set fire to it! Then all of us found some new courage and defeated the pirates! Sadly the ships belonged to the Trans-Pyrenean Trading Company and they got damaged pretty bad. But that is not that important, after all your relative is safe, and I'm sending him back right now. When you receive this letter he should be very close, or maybe he has already arrived.
Maxime de Saint-Pierre,
head of the Trans-Pyrenean Trading Company

King Ferran cursed to himself. His attempt to send the young prince away had failed miserably. According to the letter he received, the boy had been kidnapped by pirates and then rescued by members of the Trans-Pyrenean Trading Company. If the boy had at least been killed in the rescue attempt, that would have solved his problem. Now he had that brat around ruining his succession. He'd need to think of another plan.

((Private - 05060403))

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Thank you for returning my grandson to me. I had not realized his ship had been intercepted by pirates on its way to Naples, but thank God he is safe. To repay you for your daring rescue of the prince, the Crown will pay to repair any ships of yours damaged in the battle. It is the least I can do.

- His Majesty, Ferran II de Trastámara, King of Aragon and Protector of the Greeks
 
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Thank you for returning my grandson to me. I had not realized his ship had been intercepted by pirates on its way to Naples, but thank God he is safe. To repay you for your daring rescue of the prince, the Crown will pay to repair any ships of yours damaged in the battle. It is the least I can do.

- His Majesty, Ferran II de Trastámara, King of Aragon and Protector of the Greeks

Your Majesty!
The ships are just objects! You do not have to pay for the repair, the company owns plenty of them. I have another reward in mind. I humbly request that the Trans-Pyrenean Trading Company would be granted a monopoly in trade with Italy. I do think we have proven that we deliverer fair sum to the crown and we know our job. I also propose to create a smaller branch of the TPTC that would take care of trade in Africa. In return the crown would receive most of the profit from African colonies. ((So add colonies in Africa to trade companies)) If this is too much to ask I shall back down. You are the highest authority in this country after all.
Maxime de Saint-Pierre,
head of the Trans-Pyrenean Trading Company
 
Your Majesty!
The ships are just objects! You do not have to pay for the repair, the company owns plenty of them. I have another reward in mind. I humbly request that the Trans-Pyrenean Trading Company would be granted a monopoly in trade with Italy. I do think we have proven that we deliverer fair sum to the crown and we know our job. I also propose to create a smaller branch of the TPTC that would take care of trade in Africa. In return the crown would receive most of the profit from African colonies. ((So add colonies in Africa to trade companies)) If this is too much to ask I shall back down. You are the highest authority in this country after all.
Maxime de Saint-Pierre,
head of the Trans-Pyrenean Trading Company

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Giving the Tran-Pyrenean Trading Company a monopoly in Italy may be near impossible, for our relations with some of the Italian states are strained and both Genoa and Venice would interfere. As for Africa, that I can grant. Your company shall handle all trade between Aragon and its African colonies.

- His Majesty, Ferran II de Trastámara, King of Aragon and Protector of the Greeks
 
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Giving the Tran-Pyrenean Trading Company a monopoly in Italy may be near impossible, for our relations with some of the Italian states are strained and both Genoa and Venice would interfere. As for Africa, that I can grant. Your company shall handle all trade between Aragon and its African colonies.

- His Majesty, Ferran II de Trastámara, King of Aragon and Protector of the Greeks

Your Majesty!
Thank you for trusting me and my company. I will try as hard as I can to not disappoint you and your successors.
Mxime de Saint-Pierre,
head of the Tran-Pyrenean Trading Company



Act of the Trans-Pyrenean Trading Company's Monopoly in Africa
The Tran-Pyrenean Trading Company is granted a monopoly in trade with Aragons colonial possessions in Africa. From this day forward all of the trade shall be handled be the TPTC. In return the Crown shall receive 3/4 of income coming from trade with those possessions, and the Trans-Pyrenean Trading Company will pay for the administration of the provinces. All the trade routes shall be patrolled by both parties (Royal Fleet, and the Trans-Pyrenean Trading Company's trade fleet). Any damage that would be caused by the native population shall be repaired using funds from the Royal treasury.


Trans-Pyrenean Trading Company
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Logo of the TPTC v2
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Flag of the TPTC v2
(Thanks @Firehound15 for the awesome designs)
((Current members of the TPTC:
Philippe de Saint-Pierre - head of the company, member of the council
Miguel Villanova - XXX

countless unnamed merchants, bureaucrats, sailors, explorers
Current council members:
Philippe de Saint-Pierre 1cvp
Representative of the Crown 1cvp

(10/12 slots free)​

Current charters:
Monopoly for sell of Aragonse goods in France
Monopoly for sell of French goods in Aragon
Monopoly for trade in Aragonse African colonies​

Here is a short run-down on how this company functions:
- Head of the comapny will always belong to Saint-Pierre family.
- Each member can be granted a higher "rank" in the company
- Higher "rank" members are given priority on joining the council
- All the decisions are made by company's council
- The head of the council wields the real power in the company
- He is elected after each updated
- Each councillor has 1 Council Voting Point (CVP), and the head holds 2 CVP
- Council consists of 12 members
- Each member of the company is free to propose reforms


If you are interested in joining TPTC write a letter to a member of the council. We also have an IRC channel. If you want to talk about something type in /join #tptc

Remember that the Trans-Pyrenean Trading Company is always recruiting! Join today! ;) ))
 
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((If anyone is wondering, I just needed 05 to post a law so I could keep record of the monopoly in Africa. There's no vote on it since it's his "reward" for finding the prince.))
 
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((Since 05 has made a post for his trading company, I think I should share the rules I've written up for trading companies. Also, since courtiers now have trading companies as their special thing and have the most influence on exploration and colonization, I'm going to open the ability to financially back colonies to all classes. It seems a bit silly that landed nobles with all their money shouldn't be involved. As for clergy, they may wish to get involved in converting the natives to the true faith. Colonies for everyone! :D

Trading Companies

At any time any courtier, preferably a merchant, may choose to found a trading company. They will be required to write up a charter and keep track of all members. Trading companies at first are general and simply act within the kingdom. However, they may be granted monopolies on certain regions, as represented by in-game trading companies. To claim monopolies on these regions, the trading company must petition the king for the right to sole operation within the region. Once the right is granted, all provinces within the region are added to a trading company. If the trading company becomes successful enough to grant an extra merchant, that in-game merchant is assigned to that trading company. Members of the trading company vote on which member will take the position and receive the extra voting power. A trading company may also choose to keep the merchant as an NPC, such as when there are more in-game merchants than members of the trading company. In this case, the head of the trading company receives the extra voting power.

Every trading company must make a post that includes their charter and a list of members. I will link to this post in the table of contents for easy access. The trading company should also have a clear method for determining the head of the company, whether it is determined by blood, seniority, or a vote. It should be noted that only courtiers may join a trading company.
))
 
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Whilst the duke's comprehension of cannon and civil law is certainly lacking I do not see any particular grounds to investigate him for heresy.

- Cardinal Sastre

((Investigation of de Agramunt: No))
 
After three months at the colony a ship had arrived from the TPTC with much nedded provisions, though still no women. A letter had also arrived that explained the company now had a monopoly on the region.

"I suppose that is good," Alejandro said to his first mate.

Alejandro's crew was still finishing the burials of five of the original colonists who had succumed to the dreaded ague. The lumberyard and huts were still not complete. Worst of all, they still had not secured any ivory. The company would not be pleased now that they secured the monopoly.

There was still much work to be done.
 
Since the cannons *could* reach the ships rather easily, Ernst focused on the only thing left, for now... the shady figures approaching the port. They managed to board. They were scurrying around, hastily, checking everywhere they could for "a prince." Unfortunately, they were on the wrong ship, for the one at port was the admiral's; all of the figures except two escaped (those ones were killed on the spot after refusing to respond to the question on their employer). Ernst cursed. Then he turned back around... to see that someone had already made off with "the prince."

"Scheiße."

When he demanded an explanation from the cannoneers, they replied that most of their cannonballs missed. Ernst cursed again. He turned towards bow, and the pirate ships were making their getaway. Who would be behind this, Ernst would never know.

The ship with the supposed Cardinal on it was also moving away, albeit not so much as successful. He had heard reports of two more ships, one flying a Neapolitan banner and the other unidentified. They supposedly stalled the pirates for some time before they got here.

Whoever the person behind the pirates was, Ernst swore they would not get away with it.
 
Raffaelo stood in front of his fireplace in the Archbishop's Palace slowly throwing papers in the fire. These letters contained all the details to his plot to seize the prince's ship and much more intrigue relating to Aragon. With his plan to seize the prince failed and his call to the inquisition wavering, Raffealo found his position increasingly precarious. He therefore made two decisions.

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Dear Court of Aragon,

I have two major issues to discuss. One is that I will be departing for Africa as a missionary and also to see if I should back any colonies with the remaining D'Este fortune. I will not relinquish Cagliari nor resign. I merely wish for, lets just call it a change in scenery. In the interim I will be adopting a distant relative of mine as my heir. May I introduce Maximillian of Habsburg D'Este, cousin of the Holy Roman Emperor and Governor of Tirol. My dynasty is extinct and I pass the torch to this dear kinsman in hope of a bright future.

As for the inquisiton, however futile I vote Yea
-Raffaelo, Primate of Sardinia, Archbishop of Cagliari.
((If you didn't notice I am applying to be a missionary.))
 
((If you didn't notice I am applying to be a missionary.))

((Yay, our first missionary! How exciting. :) I'll add you in then. Just a note for the future, archbishops don't really have heirs since the Pope picks the replacements, but in reality everyone is pretty much guaranteed to keep their archbishopric with their characters.))