- ARCHIVE - Grand Ducal Court of Livonia

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Kristiern Wasa greets the Scotsman

Welcome my ..err..son? *noticing the peculiar female looking clothes* ..Scotlands embassy is of course very well seen here in Riga, my handsecretary will show you to your quarters.

 

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Ambassador Culldoon speaks to Duke Wasa:


"My King has welcomed your Dutch trader and will allow him to open up shop in Scotland, we await the arrival of your Ambassador."

 

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Yes...I haven´t decided yet...perhaps you could help me. I am pondering the idea of sending this man, a fellow countryman of yours, now in my service,
Alistair McGoogle..what do you think?
He speaks the language, he knows your customs, he even drink that brown-yellow beverage of yours...biskey?...wiskai, ja, whatever..

 

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Ambassador Culldoon speaks to Duke Wasa:


"Aye i know McGoogle well we went to University together I think he'll be a fine ambassador for ye country."

 

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University?...Yes..I think he mentioned it once..or maybe twice...Glenfiddich..or Glenlivet..maybe it was Glenfarclas University, anyway, I know he is a educated man..so be it, he is my man in Edinburgh!!

 

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A messenger comes from Moskva with a message.

 

[Sharur]

A messenger enters quietly and hands a note to Lord Rasmussen. Rasmussen scans the note quickly and rises suddenly.

"Your Grace,

I apologize for interrupting, but a very important issue has come up. It seems that a 'Marshall Tott' has overthrown the old Swedish Union Council, and formed a new one with himself as head. Furthermore, it seems that he wished to break Sweden's bond of vassalage to the Danish crown. Needless to say, the King is not pleased. However, his forces were decimated in the war (which, I might add, was at the behest of Sweden), and he does not think that his forces alone can maintain control should Sweden rise up in rebellion. He wishes to know if he has your support. What should I tell him?"

 

[Longinus]

Matthias und Otton von Guildercrantz enter the Ducal chamber.
Matthias bows before the Duke and starts to speak.

"Dear Sire, We recieved most troubing news from Stettin and Kopenhagen..."

Otton takes the floor anger is clerly visable on his face.

"...Treacherous dogs from Hansa try to force king of Danemark-Norway to impose EMBARGO on our merchnts. Hansa behave like sole rulers of Baltic, Sund and whole Northern Trade..."

Matthias speaks with concern.

"Holstein do not make the whole case better as they signed "personal union" with Danemark. Now Sweden cries for breaking vassalage with their rightful rulers. Ideed, matters of Baltic become more and more complicated..."

"...we have to act together with all our might and determination."

 

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Kristiern Wasa sits in his chamber...thinks of his native Sweden with the green grass of Lindholmen...the trouts in the streams...midnight sun...strawberries...when suddenly a messenger brings him some disturbing news...

Hmm...this certainly is a rather silly situation, but we must be prepared to act...and act soon..otherwise this could develop into something very nasty....very nasty indeed..
He makes a sign to the messenger..Send for Herr van Wassenaer..this calls for some diplomacy...some shuttle diplomacy..make some ships ready...call Admiral von Lancken..

 

[Longinus]

Matthias und Otton von Guildercrantz enter the Ducal chamber.

"Good Sire, News from Stetin and Kopenhagen are most promising..."

Otton takes the floor disappointment is clerly visable on his face.

"...Istead of good ol' war Hansa, WHU and Danemark..."

Matthias speaks with joy.

"...finally reached agreement in the form we requested from the beginning."

Stettin Act of Cooperation.

Wendische Handels Union and Hansa Trade Union Agreement of Trade Cooperation.

Article I

In this agreement both Trade Unions recognize each other right to exist and claims on supremacy in trade. The main purpose of this agreement is to ensure close cooperation between both unions and prosperity for participating Nations. All current and future members of Both Unions shall be the subjects of this Agreement and shall benefit from this.


Article II

In order to expand and support trade between Hansa and WHU borders of shall be open for merchants of both sides and no entrance tax shall be taken from them. However, there will be specific tariffs put upon certain goods and merchants. Detailed list of such tariffs is included in the Appendix VII

Article III

Hansa Trade Union recognizes WHU’s supremacy in Baltic Sea and all Eastern realms. WHU recognizes Hansa’s supremacy in western realms and North Sea. Specific zones of influence are included in the Appendix IX.

Article IV

In order to balance both unions and improve relations between merchants, Prussia will be encouraged to leave Hansa and join with WHU. The exact border between both Unions will be in Duchy of Holstein while Maclenburg will have free hand to choose the side although encouraged to remain in the Hansa.

Article V

In accordance with article VI, should any union aquire benefits in areas divided between the unions as stated in Appendix IX, both unions shall work for the other union to aquire the same benefits.

Article VI

Both Unions hereby declare to support each other and help to open new trade routes and any trade possibilities. Let this alliance least forever and ever. In order to strengthen the agreement duke Johann II of Bremen and Regent and Protector of Pommern Joachim of the Greif heir to ducal throne will sign this agreement as well.

 

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Kristiern Wasa is about to make a journey...when the news of the Pestilentia reaches the court of Riga..

The Plague is here?...again?..hmm..better call off the journey to Sweden then...at least for the time being..

 

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Plague in Riga!

The Pestilentia has reached the harbour of Riga..The plague is spreading with high speed, from the docks to the merchants rows in city..from the poor to the rich..and within a week has reached the Ducal Palace..

Duke Kristiern Wasa and his wife and beloved son Johan lies with high fever..the servants are ill too..may God have mercy upon Livonia!...

 

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A letter arrives:

Kirsten Wasa, Archduke of Livonia

As you undoubtly know, the Lord Allmighty deemed it time to take my father, Johann II, founder of the Hansa, Richter von Germania and Duke of Bremen, away from this world and into His Heaven.

As the heir of Bremen, it is now my resposibility to carry on my fathers work, and therefore I invite you, a longtime friend of Bremen, to witness my coronation as Duke of Bremen.

The coronation will be held in the city of Bremen on the 16th of march in the year of Our Lord 1426 [OOC: saturday 17th].
It is my hope that you or any representative you wish to send will attend the ceremony.

By his own hand in Stettin
Johann Küster,
soon to be Johann III, Duke of Bremen.

 

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Paul von Russdorf reads the letter from Bremen..

"These times looks like the end of the world..both Kristiern and Philippa are fighting for their lives...

A clerk suddenly appears, shouting:

The Heir is dead!!....Little Johan Kristiernsson is dead mylord! ...Swept away with the pestilentia..May God be good to the little boy

Paul sighs..*No, no, no, no...we didn´t need that*
He walks away to the table and reaches for a piece of paper...
The title says:

The will of Kristiern Nilsson Wasa

 

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A Russian man garbed in dusted riding leathers takes von Russdorf aside and speaks with him privately. They seem to strike up a serious conversation and move into a private room.

 

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Paul von Russdorf meets the Pskovian gentleman..

I am sorry, but Kristiern is lying with high fever..we suspect the worst...the plague has already killed his son!
I`m in charge for as long as the Duke is sick..what can I do for you?

 

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Death Strikes

The "Herold" on the Square of Riga:

The Grand Duchess Philippa is dead. The God almighty, have taken her soul up to the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven..

 

[HJ Tulp]

Johan van Reye walks to the Duchess.
"I want to say how sorry i am for you for the death of the Duchess."

 

[Longinus]

Although the news from ducal palace are grave Wolfgand decided to continiue his mission. His job here was done and now when plague vanisqued he was ready to depart.

He talked in private with Paul von Russdorf and finally said goodby to him. They became friends during his perlonged stay in Riga.

He had to replenish supplies and hire some more mercenaries and help but he was eager to step on the trail once again.

They left Riga with rising sun. Wolfgang shauted.

"Next stop - PSKOV!"

 

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A letter arrives from the east, born by a tall, lanky man with tousled black hair. He contorts himself into a deep bow before relaying the letter in a pleasant tenor voice. Several liveried servants carry in some heavy-looking chests behind him.

Noble and Righteous Grand Duke of Livonia,

I have just received news of your dear wife's passing here in Pskov. You and I both know our versions of hailing Almighty God are somewhat different, but I wish to share with you my sincere Christian condolences. Though I know it cannot bring your wife back, I wish to present you with these furs of sable that you and your kin might comfort each other in their warmth.

In addition, I have dispatched my advisor Patrek Dolgoruky to serve as permanent ambassador to your court from mine. I hope his services to you are as useful as they were to me.

By his own hand at Pskov,

Aleksandr IV

Grand Prince of Pskov, Prince of Novgorod and of Olonets.

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Afterwards, Dolgoruky steps back and waits for the Duke's steward's response.