- ARCHIVE - Ducal Court of Lithuania

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A man in royal dress of a eastern Slavic style arrives in the court.

"Greetings I am Aleksey Vasilyevich Gordeyev of the royal court of Pskov will you accept me as the ambassador between Poskov and the might Kingdom of Lithuania?"

 

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We accept your ambassador to Pskov.

 

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Trumpet sound as a messanger from the Duke of Bavaria brings a gilden invitation with the symbols of the Dukes of Bavaria and Duke of Brandenburg upon it.

You are cordially invited to the joining of the House of Wittelsbach and the House of Hohenzollern with the marriage of Duke Wilhelm Albrecht of Bavaria and Lady Elisabeth, daughter of the Duke of Brandenburg. The ceremony and celebration will occur in Munchen at Schloß Wittelsbach on May 22 in the year of our lord 1422.

 

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An emissary from a far distant land

An emissary from a far distant land enters. He introduce himself as Ibn al Marbot from Algier.

“Greetings, ruler of Lithuania”

“I have words from my master Abu Abdallah Mohammed III, son of muslims, prince of the belivers and by the grace of Allah ruler of Algier. My master have found that the former ruler of Algier started a war against Your far distant land and that he sees no meaning continuing these meaningless fooliness. He therefore propose a peace betwen Our nations.”

The emissary then awaits an answer.

 

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Georgian Diplomat

"All Hail Vytautas, Grand Duke of Lithuania!"
exclaims a shot stocky bearded man with a plethora of knives in his red cassock.

I am Ruslan MELIKISHVILI, Eristavi of Aragvi. I have been sent by my Mepe (King) , Vartan Bargrationi of Georgia. We seek to establish an Embassy to further communication, Tarde and Friendship.

 

[Legolas]

*An accident in the forests near Vilnius*

/Early Saturday Morning/
The sunny morning in Vilnius was really nice, as it should be in such a great city. The market was about to begin, and many traders were travelling to the city.
The Noble council should have also be beginning at that time. Many nobles had gathered, and the Grand Duke Vytautas was there. However there was a lack of the 3 most known and powerful nobles. Jurgis Petrarka, duke of Gardin, Olgierd Smorytsin, duke of Smolensk and Skirgaila, duke of Vitebsk, were not present.
'What's wrong', some small noble asked.
'We lack three dukes to begin, we cannot begin without them.' there was a reply.
2 hours later, when they did not show up, the noble council was delayed to the other day. Noone knew what had happened.


/Saturday afternoon/
Kestutis Skirgaila, brother of the missing duke Skirgaila, walked slowly the streets of Vilnius, looking at the peasants, selling their goods in the market. 'it's good for them', he thought. 'They have their own small lives and do not fear for the great deeds. I wish to be one of them, especially in the troubled time like this.'
Apparently, he didn't know what will happen soon.
Minutes later, he heard some shouting in the nearby street. He was curious to know what's going on, so he turned there. Entering the street, he saw many peasants and some guards gathered around one terified merchant. He was babbling something. Getting closer, Kestutis heard some words:
'In the woods... there... just away from the walls... th-thh-three m-m-men...' The merchant couldn't say anything more.
Fearing for the worst, Kestutis called a guardman standing nearby.
'Do you know what is he talking about?'
'No, sir, I have no idea.'
'Then you should check. Call some men, and we will ride to that nearby forest.'
'Yes, sir!'
The guard ran away.


/Saturday evening/
After some preparations, the guards, led by Kestutis Skirgaila, rode away from the city. Arriving at the forest clearing, they heard some shouts. Readying their weapons, the guard company proceeded to the forest.
They noticed some men in a distance and rode there. There they saw what these 'thre men' were. Three corpses. Each covered with a piece of cloth. Kestutis climbed down from his horse and went to these bodies. When he took down the cloth, he was shocked and nearly lost the conscience.
The dead bodies were brutally beheaded and nearly without all skin, but the identity could be seen. These were Jurgis Petrarka, Olgierd Smorytsin and Skirgaila.

 

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A envoy from Novgorod steps into the court hurriedly and lays down a secret letter for the king of Lithuania.

 

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Nicolaus Fuyara

A man with downtrodden clothes seeks an audience with the Lithuanian duke. He speaks fairly good Latin, but this does not impress the guards. Instead, dissappointed, he only tours Riga for a few days and then boards a fishing vessel for Livonia..

 

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Brother,

I am back again, after a short period of Vacation and would like to invite you to a state banquet. We have much to discuss, my dear brother.

May Good be with you.

 

[Legolas]

/Reactions to the assasination/

The terrible news spread quickly thourought the realm, and after a few weeks the whole country was talking rumour after rumour, from the continued war against the Hordes to the massive invasion force of the Greeks landing in Jedisan. However, most of the rumours were not true, but some, unfortunately, were.

The three duchies whose dukes were murdered started to sink into turmoil. However, the son of Olgierd, Adolf Smorytsin, with his guard corps quickly took control over his father's lands and became the next duke of Smolensk. The duchy of Gardin, as there was no heir to its rulership, was merged with the duchy of Naugardukas, thus ending all possible rebellions in the area.

However, the duchy of Vitebsk had caused many problems. After a few days, the local guards found several strange letters, pointing to the possible murderers. Four possible assasins were arrested and put under trial. After long 'talks', they told that they were hired by 'some noble from the north' to kill 'at least three important persons of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania'. The assasins were given a death penalty.

Further investigation showed that it is highly possible that 'noble from the north' being some high ranking official of the Duchy of Pskov. Tensions in the realm are rising, and the border with Pskov is heavily guarded.

 

[Longinus]

A tired messenger arrives at the court. He bows before the Duke and hands him a letter.

"Noble Duke,

Know that Pommerania is once again an open country, therefore we would like to discuss estblishing a diplomatic mission in Lithuania.
We would like also to speak about Trade which is one of the main source of the income in Pommern.

I wish you health and good fortune.

by his own hand,

Joachim Zbigniew Friedrich von Klenau-Kaminski of the Greif, heir to the ducal throne of Pommerania, Regent and Protector of the Country."

 

[Legolas]

/Assasination investigations continues/

The newly raised armies of Lithuania did not waste their time. Day and night they searched most of the country, trying to find any clues about the real murderer of the three Dukes. There were no results for a long time, but...

'Hey, over here!'
'Yes, what?'
'Look, leader, this box seems interesting.'
'Yeah? Let me look at it... Wait, it is locked. Give me the dagger'
'Yessir!'
'Ok, now... comeon! Alright, here it is... Now, what do we have here? A bloody dagger, a note and...'
'What is it sire?'
'Everyone!!! On the horses! We ride to Vilnius immediately!'

[After a few days, in the hall of Magnus Dux]

"... And so, Your Grace, after reading the letter and examining the chestplate, we can say it for sure: the murderer is residing somewhere to the North of Lithuania, most probably in Muscowy. He may even be one of the Duke's favourites. It is up to You, Your Grace, what to do. The relatives of the Dukes ask for revenge. They are ready to fight whomever is the murderer."

The guard captain bowed and left.

 

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A middle aged man obviously Russian by the fur he wears, walks gently into the good court of Lithuania and speaks.

Greetings I am Vladmir Voltulslov of the Grand Ducal court of Moskva, and I ask of you kindly if you will have me be a median here in your lovely court. I also bring good news from Princess Alexandra of Moskva. She agrees to faithfully search for the culprit of murders in Lithuania. She has stated, that it shall be her first priority. She has said, she could not believe such a thing has happened here, and grieves for your losts. She says that she shall, find the conspirators and bring them to you if they are in the vicinity of her realm.

I hope and pray that you will accept me, and I hope that you will befriend our humble state.

He patiently awaits a response.

 

[Legolas]

[Magnus Dux stands up and speaks]

"Vladmir Voltulslov, I accept you as an ambassador from Muscowy to Lithuania.
It is a great new that the Princess of Muscowy took this matter to her first priority. I thank you for your help and hope that the matters will be cleared out in a little time."

[Then he sits down]

 

[Stormbringer]

Ambassador from Novgorod

Greetings. I am Mikhail Sedov and I am an ambassador from Novgorod. Novgorod would like to join in your alliance with other Northern Countries. This proposal should be given to TO, but I was unable to find their Court. Also, Novgorod would like TO to sucseed 2 of our National Provinces back to us. We badly need a port in the baltic and TO already has 3. We will gladly accept any propositions of Your alliance that would result in Novgorod gaining a Port in the Baltic.

My prince is anctiously awaits your responce.

 

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Vladmir rises in anger and says:

My grace, this gentleman supposdly represents the good Republic of Novogorad and demands land back like that, and an alliance!? My gord lord, this is an outrage! They come in with no friendships between them and Lithuania and demand that they be allies and land! What is this? It is a bid to destroy the good ally of Moskva it is!I pray that sanity will rule here in this matter.

On an other note the good Princess wishes to turn the criminal over to your grace!He has been found and a bunch of others with him! They were found in the streets of Moskva, and the man in charge of it was Mohammed Kavil of the Golden Horde! He was obviously planning to ruin the relations between our two nations! I beg of you to do what you see fit with this man of evil. My Princess, instructed me to bring him unto you and here he is in a closly tightened cage! Take him and do what you want with this scum!

The ambassdor then brings in his envoy and with it the criminal and a bunch of other hooligans! Afterwards he sits down and begins to think of Novgorad's sanity...

 

[Stormbringer]

I am afraid I was misunderstood. Novgorod does not DEMAND anything. We do not demand the land back. We ASKED to join the allaiance, and noted that if we would have at least one port in the baltic it would strengthen us immensly, and therefore strengthen the allaiance. If this does not suit Lithuania then we will not insist on anything, and hope to remain good friends.

 

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Vladmir rises and in a disappointed tone says:

Her excellency feels that if the land is given to the Republic of Nogorad it will upset the ballance in Russia. It will pose a threat to the Grand Duchy of Moskva, and such a move will not be tolerated, as it threatens our nation's survival. We will not accept any more power given to the Republic as it is a threat to Moskva. Novgorad wishes land and is thus growing in imperialist thought. They would surely wish to invade Moskva and ruin the peace in Russia. They had made clear of their ambitions to expand in the Baltic and this is only but one step towards acheiving such ambitions, they will not settle for that. They will continue to expand and even in Lithuania if given the opportunity.We in Moskva know of the ambitions of the Republic and do not look kindly on it.

Her excellency wishes peace and stability in Russia, and she feels that Novgorad's expansionist ambitions will ruin that in the future. You must not give Novgorad a port it will ruin all of Russia and possibly Livonia as Novgorad will want that too. We pray that every decision you make in this issue will be just and we have faith that it will our good friend Lithuania.

 

[Legolas]

[Magnus Dux riises from his throne and speaks]

"Gentlemen, please calm down. There is no need for harsh language between ambassadors. Now, if you have calmed, let's start discussing the matters.
Firstly, I wish to thank the good Princess of Moskva for being so quick in finding the murderer. He will be punished for his crimes, and the matter will be taken to serious consideration. I hope that this will not impair the relations between Lithuania and Muscowy, and that Muscowy would be willing to aid us if the worst, a war, starts.
Now, to Novgorod. The possible entrance to the Baltic league will be taken to consideration in the next meeting of our alliance. I cannot promise anything, but I will tell the Duke of Livonia about your matter. And, there is no need for neither Muscowy nor Novgorod to worry: if any of these two countries starts a war, the other side can count on Lithuanian friendship. Both your countries are our friends, and we will not let you to destroy each other.
I hope that this cleared things out.

[Magnus Dux then takes his seat]

 

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Vladmir rises and says:

Good sir, the Principally of Moskva will like to extend appologies to Novgorad for the accusations it pushed. We wish to live in peace, and even though we have our differences and many at that, we believe that one day we will be able to work them out despite our current quaralles.We in Moskva only wish for peace and prosperity reign in Russia not war and destruction.

On another note, Moskva looks forward to further diplomatic gains with Lithuania and hope to remain good friends. Hopefully we will be able to help each other out in whatever the matter is in the future.