- ARCHIVE - Grand Ducal Court of Livonia

[unmerged(1057)]

Paul von Russdorf looks with disbelief on the latest example of french diplomacy

What is he talking about? Never mind, we should archive this piece of paper anyway

 

[Stormbringer]

A letter arrives form Novgorod

My friend Wasa, I would like to help you, but the affairs of the state must go before personal feelings. I will not attack you and will brevent Moskva from doing so too, if you will give me back the 2 provincess you have takwn from Novgorod before. If you do so, I will help you in your war as much as I can without actually entering the war. You ask about Russian politics? Well, Alexandra was quick to act when she was offered the alliance by Mongols, and entered it, when she realised what she did she ran back. There are no politics in Russia. There are only personal feelings and hatred towards Mongols, and desire to unify Russia.

Well, I hope I will not have to enter in a war against you.

Still your friend,
Mikhail Olel'kovitch

 

[Stormbringer]

A man dressed in Russian clothes enters the court.

"Your higness, I am Sergey Dushkov from Novgorod. I have been sent here to serve as an ambassador from Novgorod to your country. My Princess wishes you good luck in the war your fighting, and is sorry that he is unable to help you at the moment "

The man then awaits the DUke's desision

 

[Longinus]

Party of Pommern merchants arrive in Riga.

After speking with Pommern diplomats, Wolfgang Albreht of Danzig, was granted the audience with the Regent.

"Herr Paul von Russdorf, Regent of Livonia,

I am sent here by my master Joachim von Klenau-Kaminski of the Greif Regent and Protector of Pommerania.

My mission here is simple, Pommerania wish to establish CLOSE trade relations between our two states. I think that both sides can benefit from this. We can offer you good prices and lower our tarrifs for Livonian Merchants in Stettin if you do the same in Riga.
I think that Pommern and Livonian traders should cooperate in Baltic not fight each other. Riga and Stattin are far away from each other and competition for Baltic routes is unneccessary.we can divide our zones of influance fairly. Although Livonia is involved in war I think that it should not influance trade and our trade relations. Let's divide trade form politicks."

He smiles.

"I am also most pleased to give your Lord a gift from my overlord as a mark of good will and friendhip."

A man brings two barrels with premium Pommern salt.

"May his meals be even tastier becouse of this fine salt.

Now I await your anwser."

Wolfgang bows.

 

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Paul von Russdorf welcomes the Pommeranians

Splendid, indeed a great proposal..

I will have the papers ready in just a couple of hours.
Our foreign secretary, Jan van Wassenaer, is keen on opening a branch of his firm, Wassenaer & Sons, in Stettin as soon as possible...You heard of it?..Yes, he trades in Dutch cheese mainly, but also armour and weapons..

Take this gift of 6 barrels of Rewaler Königsbräu with you back home as a mark of the eternal friendship between our realms..

 

[Longinus]

Josef smiles.

"That is what I call positive attitude. Herr von Russdorf I accept your gift of Rewaler Königsbräu with plesure. I have heard of Wassenaer & Sons and I am sure that they will be most welcome in Stettin as it is trurly an open city.

Now maybe we could eat and drink something together and speak about further trade cooperation... yes we have divide our zones of influance..."

 

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A road-weary and dust-ridden man dismounts his horse and enters the court of the Grand Duke, his splendid white and green clothing still dazzling under the layer of road dust. He bows once and begins his prepared speech.

Greetings and most humble Christian benedictions, my lord. I am Ivan Fedorovich and I have been sent here by His Highness the Grand Prince of Pskov, Fedor I, to act as his agent and diplomatic representative to your court.

His Highness the Grand Prince extends his good will and he hopes that despite the religious differences of our realms, that we two nations will have a close and cooperative relationship.

Ivan Fedorovich bows once and steps to the side.

 

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A royal letter arrives

Loyal freind,

We are pleased to hear that truth and rightiousness won through in your endeavors. Evidently our full services were not required. This is good.

It will not be long before we joust upon the feild, i am sure, but the issue of France and Scotland must be addresed first.

The Sheltering and promotion of Heretics within Scotland will be stopped and their king replaced under force of arms. The other matter of France remains on the edge.

We assume they will resume conflict when they hear of their new vassals plight. So it is, that i seek you reasurance that your word given before the ceasefire still stands. That in the event of outside interfearance you would come to our aid.

Give love most warm to little John and dear Phillipa

I will see if i can garnish a present from this war for my neview. Kiss him for me.

Your close comrade and freind

By his own hand en route to Warwick

 

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A delegate from Moskva enters the wonderful court of Riga and pleas.

Your majesty, it is with grave concern the war has plagued Moskva and Novgorod again. We are most ashamed of not helping you before, as we were quite disfuntional ourselves. However the time has come to do battle with the discrace of Suzdal and their bastard Master the Horde. They slaughter like butchers and kill innocent Russian Christians. They burn whole villages without a care. Truly the work of Satan!Your highness, we come here today to beg of your forgiveness and your assistence in this war to save the faith in the East!We also wish to congratulate you on peace as it was most disturbing for us to remain neutral in that conflict, please forgive us...

The delegate bows and waits for a reply in worry.

 

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Yevgenii Burlakov stirs his great mass from his seat before the Grand Duke.

"These lies of Moskva have worn heavily against my Kniaz, Yuri, but I can restrain myself no longer. Despite the ancient enmity of our peoples, we have always dealt fairly with each other; but these lies are unconscionable."

The older man pulls a handkerchief from his pocket, and coughs into it.

"In the lands of the Horde, and in Suzdal, Orthodoxy flourishes. We, unlike Moskva and Novgorod, have not forgotten Christ's teachings. We turn the other cheek. We live in peace with our neighbors. We render unto Caesar what is Caesar's."

"Your highness, you have always been mindful of the need for peace between our peoples. Do not be swayed by the impassioned pleas of hot-headed youths, for that is indeed what these children who rule in Novgorod and Moskva are. Content yourself with a peaceful friendship with all of Russia, and leave us to resolve our own problems."

The old man bows, and coughing, sits down.

 

[unmerged(3110)]

A letter from England

Brother in law and dear freind

England has reinstated it's rightfull claim to France and brings truth with vengeance against our mad foe, and the Heretical Scots.

We ask that you help by ensuring the Papal edict of outsider interests being kept out of our conflict.

Protect our east from those that might interfere against gods will. If you would be so kind.

May you live long and prosper brother.

By his own hand in Warwick

 

[Stormbringer]

"My friend,
I am glad that the war in Europe is over for you. Unluckly, the war in Russia is becoming more and more. I write you to ask for your support in this war. Pskov have declared war on us, and I have heard from you that you would like that city. With you at our side we will win this war easilly, and, trust me, you will be revarded greatly for supporting us. I hope that you will come to our help soon.

Always your friend,
Mikhail Olel'kovitch, Kniaz Novgorodskiy"

 

[Gabriel Anthony]

,

Sven says his final farewells to his Livonian compatriots, knowing that although his mission was succesful, peace had returned to the Empire, and Bohemia was still sovereign.

The great loss life will probably be the end of him.

 

[Longinus]

Wendische Handels Union

After weeks of negotiations Pommern delegations and Livonian experts reached the agreement.

Wendische Handels Union

Article I

Wendische Handels Union is founded by Duchy of Pommerania and Grand Duchy of Livonia. However, as initiative to form this union came from Pommern the main seat of the Union will be in Stettin. Therefore, House of the Greif and Pommern Gulids promise to cover majority of expenses connected with organization of Union in Stettin (with construction of the main Building included).

Other posts of the Union shall be build in other towns and ports of Pommerania and Livonia. Outposts of the Union shall be also build in friendly countries with permission of local guilds and rulers.

Article II

The goal of Wendische Handels Union is to seek new trade oppotunities and make barter between involwed countries even more profitable.

The main area of operation is Balic Sea and friendly landlocked countries.

Article IIb

In order to avoid any possible arguments, Pommern and Livonian traders agree upon certain zones of influance.

These zones are specified in Appendix LIIIc.

Article III

Any other fiendly country is allowed to enter the Union if all member agree upon that.

Article IV

Wendische Handels Union wish to establish friendly relations with other important powers on the market like Hansa, Genua, Venetia, Flandres, Ille de France.

This charter shall be expanded if any involved side wish to see here any other points.

 

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Sir Rowan Andrews comes before Grand Duke Wasa.

"Saa"

"I don't think you require my services any more, where my country and King do. I must return to the Diet immediatly my lord"

"By your leave, SAA!"

A stiff militiristic bow later, he is on his way to the door and his awaiting retinue.

 

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Yevgenii Burlakov approaches the Grand Duke and asks to speak with him for a moment.

"Your Highness, forgive my age, but are the rumors true that Livonia has allied with Novgorod and Moskva to war against Pskov? My kniaz and I fear that we must have heard wrong (it would not be the first time)."

 

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A letter for the Grand Duchess

Dearest sister Phillipa

I hope you and your family fair as well as i do. The Scotish Regent has been deposed and King James returned to his rightfull place. This has left me in possetion of StrathClyde. I have decided to give the christening present of naming Little John, Earl of Hamilton. and presenting him with both a city residance and hunting estates nearby.

I send this in hope for a bright future

Your loving Brother

 

[unmerged(6324)]

The Russian messenger has yet to recieve a humble reply, however he enters the court of Riga again, and bows humbly before his majesty. He then rises and speaks.

My lord, it is with my pleasure that we in Moskva have repelled the evilest of foes, the Islamic horde!We humbly wait your assistence, please, help us for the sake of God!

The messenger bows most respectfully before the Grand Duke, he then waits for a reply.

 

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A Muscovite Royal Carriage and its guards move swiftly north across Ingermanland and Kexholm to Karelia.

 

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A man wearing the style of the Kingdom of Scotland enters and bows before Duke Wasa:


"Greetings Duke I am Keith Culldoon and I bring the warmest regards of Scotland and her King James I. He wishes to extend his hand of friendship to you and your nation. Also i bring fine gifts of wool and whiskey for your enjoyment, and for your son a minature bagpipe. My King wishes to inform you that soon you will be related though marriage to the King of England's niece Joan Beaufort to him in Scotland. The invitations will be sent our shortly. He Also wishes for you to accept me as your ambassador, and for you to send one to Scotland as well I await your response."