- ARCHIVE - Great Principal Court of Russia

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A letter arrives from Constantinople, bearing the seal of the Great Khan of the Golden Horde.

Northlord Mikhail,

I have heard much about the goings on in your lands, and how there is some dispute between your priests and the Patriarch who I have allowed to rule from my city. Know that the Golden Horde is strictly neutral in the dealings of the Orthodox Church. However, Ryazan and Suzdal are ever under my rule, and I will not allow them to be absorbed by another state of the Rus.

Gerhard Schroder, Sixth Scribe,
writing the words of
Bars, Great Khan of the Golden Horde, Overlord of the Western Khans, Descendant of Jenghiz Khan through Batu Khan, Shield of God, Victor of Constantinople.

 

[Herr Doctor]

von Scholz speaks with Duke of Novgorod in private...

 

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Another letter from Constantinople arrives at Moscow.

Northlord Mikhail,

Yes, the Great Northern War was tiring on my warriors, especially my Siberian Ohrdu. I shall not lightly go back to war in the north. In the matter of Pskov, they are an independent nation who pays no tribute to me, and so they are free to do as they wish. We worked together in the Great Northern War because of a common foe, but now our interests lie in different areas.

The matter of Suzdal is more complex. Under the laws of the nations, given unto the Rus by Batu Khan, the princes of Ryazan and Suzdal must be confirmed by the Great Khan of the Golden Horde, just as your wife Alexandra was. And I am loathe to give up my rights as sovereign. I have heard little news of the goings on in Suzdal, because of my occupation in the Balkans, but I had not heard that Yuri, the prince of Suzdal under my rule, had died. If it is so, then I shall send an emissary to the north to look into matters of rulership.

Gerhard Schroder, Sixth Scribe,
writing the words of
Bars, Great Khan of the Golden Horde, Overlord of the Western Khans, Descendant of Jenghiz Khan through Batu Khan, Shield of God, Victor of Constantinople.

 

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A letter arrives from Constantinople.

Northlord Mikhail.

I have found it to be true that the prince of Suzdal still lives. Your sources must have been in error. I have no word of his son's health, although I hope that it is good. In the matter of succession, it is greatly tangled by the interrelation of the Russian princes. Yuri of Suzdal was Alexandra of Moscow's uncle, and Alexandra was Alexandr of Pskov's cousin. I am told that even the princes of Tver and Ryazan might be able to make a strong claim on the throne of Suzdal, should Yuri die without issue. However, this is not a situation that I would look forward to, since another situation could easily start a Second Great Northern War.

However, it is my intention that the Prince of Suzdal should be forever subordinated to the Great Khan of the Golden Horde. Regardless of who I would choose as prince, that one would serve me and be bound by my will. I have already surrendered much of what was mine in the north. It would be a mistake to think that I will continue such behavior.

Gerhard Schroder, Sixth Scribe,
writing the words of
Bars, Great Khan of the Golden Horde, Overlord of the Western Khans, Descendant of Jenghiz Khan through Batu Khan, Shield of God, Victor of Constantinople.

 

[Longinus]

Wolfgang Albreht of Danzig didn't have good time in Moscow, although he menaged to sign some minor contracts with Russian merchants Prince of Russia wasn't very enthusiatic to his propositions. Once again he requested an audience.

When he entered the chmber he bowed befored the Prince and started to speak.

"Your Grace,

I must say I am concerned and sad about your dealings with Holsteinian merchant. The fact is that he act against the will of high council of Hansa which already stated it's opinion on this matter.

Furtehermore, I do not understand your... or rather Holsteinian ridiculous dream about trade route through lands of cold and remote north Rus. Wendische Handels Union offer your merchants safe passage through Pskov and good deal but you seem reluctant and seek most... hmmm... icconventional enterprises which will take huge amount of monies and time to develop. Also your reluctancy closes your merchants markets of Baltic and West.

Please reconsider our offer, for the sake of prosperity in Russia and good bussines it proposes."

 

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A message of reply comes from Poland

"I thank you for your sentiments noble man, however I believe that I have been the King of Poland for many years now contrary to whatever you may choose to believe.

I am interested in hearing more about your proposals, when you have more information and when you have worked out who I am I would be most happy to host you in Poland. I will lodge you in the finest suite in the palace.

Now I must leave to attend the affairs of the court."

 

[Wulfram]

A letter arrives from Mystra

"Your Highness,

I understand a significant amount of money was lent to you by my predecessor. Since you are now at peace, and the Empire is threatened by the Duchy of Athens, I request that you repay this as quickly as is possible.

I thank you for your understanding

Constantine Paleologus"

 

[Stormbringer]

"Wolfgang Albreht,
I understand your proposal very well, but I am afraid I cannot take it, as my relations with Pskov are still very hard, and the Kniaz of Pskov seems to seize every apportunity to do me harm. On the other hand Hansa merchants offered me a very interesting proposal to build seasonal ports in the North. It will take some money and time, but it could turn into a stable trade route into the North Sea. Again, Pskov insists on creating problems for me there, and denies my merchants right of passage. I am afraid that I cannot sign any agreement a pert of which Pskov is. If Hansa merchants are acting without permition from the High Council, then this deal will not work out, and you have nothing to worry about. For now my desision stays, at least until Pskov stops it's hostile acts against me."

 

[Longinus]

Wolfgang smiles.

"Your Grace,

Your words are wise indeed. I also do not fully understand Pskovian hostility. I swear I use my influances as a chairman of Wendische Handels Union and advisor of Joachim of the Greif to convince Pskovian Prince to cooperate with you.

Know that I am not worried about Holsteinian err... icconventional enterprises but rather the fact they violate Stettin Act of Cooperation.

I also think Pskovian merchants are not interested in war but rather peace and good deals with Russian ones. I pray that we will reach suitable agreement and soon Russian goods from Moskva will flow through Pskovian lands directly to Western markets to increase profits and prosperity of both sides."

 

[Stormbringer]

Mikhail speaks

"I am very glad that you understand me. I wish for nothing else, but a stable trade route to western markets, but for now I will not sign an agreement, because of Pskov's actions. For now we will try to create a stable trade route through the North as to be as little dependant on Pskov as possible. If the times, and the Pskovian attitude change, I will be glad to repen these negotiations. For now I would like for you to stay here, and maybe try and create some deal, that is not that large-scaled."

 

[Wulfram]

A letter arrives from Mystra

"Your Highness,

I apologize for bothering you, but the Athenians have attacked Mystra and were only repelled at great cost. I need the money you owe the empire and I need it now.

Prompt repayment would bring my eternal gratitude.

Signed,

Constantine Paleologus"

 

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A letter arrives from Pskov.

Mikhail,

Perhaps my judgements have been hasty. If you are truly committed to stability and mutual profit in Rus, then I see no object to letting your merchants pass through my territory should you agree to sign the Pommeranian treaty. As a sign of good faith, I have dispatched several WHU merchants in my employ to begin negotiating trade contracts should you agree. I urge you to consider Wolfgang Albrecht's offer very carefully and come to the right decision.

By his own hand at Pskov,

Aleksandr IV

Grand Prince of Pskov, Prince of Novgorod and of Olonets

 

[Stormbringer]

Issyidor enters the city and brings the news from Constantinopol. The Patriarch will accept the return of the Russian church, and Russians will be allowed to keep their catholic missions in Moskva. As there is no longer any disagreements between the leaders of the Russian church, and the Patriarch of Constantinopol, the Church in Russia will return to the church of Constantinopol. There was only one person who was unhappy - St.Sergius. He planed to become the new Patriarch of the Russian church, and the idea of rejoining Constantinopol seemned obsurd to him. He protested this desision openly, and refused to sign the agreement. He was latter arrested by the orders of the Kniaz and send to a distant monastery in Archangelsk.

It was desided that Issyidor will go back to Constantinopol, as the people in Russia do need contact with the Patriarch in Constantinopol.

Mikhail Olel'kovitch is about to leave on a trip to Poland, so a council of Boyars will deside things for him during his absence.

 

[Wulfram]

A letter arrives from Mystra

"Your Highness,

I apologize for bothering you again, but the situation has worstened, with the Ottomans choosing to wage war upon us.

In your last letter, you stated that you did not have the money to repay us. I would not presume to tell you the state of your own finances, but the recently updated guide to National Statistics states that you have.

If this is correct, I request you send the money with all speed.

Signed,

Constantine XI in christ the God, King and Emperor of the Romans"

 

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The King of Poland returns out of the speaking in private to the Russian

"That is good my friend...I will propose to Lithuania that you are invited into the Eastern Alliance."

 

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A messenger arrives from Poland

"I must correct you good man, I am not actually fighting in a crusade, but am granting all crusading countries passage through my lands.

For me to go to war would be risking a jihad. Is this what I want? Certainly not! Especially if I am not getting anything in return for it. Perhaps you may come up with an offer which will convince me to risk a jihad."

 

[driftwood]

A note arrives from Constantinople:

Grand Prince,

God has struck down the Butcher, ransacker of Constantinople, Bars Khan, cursed be his name for all eternity! I urge you to liberate our brothers from his yoke, but especially so that your armies can come to aid us in Constantinople - for if the Latins arrive, they will never allow themselves to be dislodged from the City again.

For the sake of Nova Roma, may God bless your armies!

John XV, Ecumenical Patriarch

 

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A note arrives from Poland bearing a single message

"We will join in the war against the Horde"

 

[Herr Doctor]

Hienrich von Scholz speaks:

"Your magesty, Adolf VIII, Regent of Holstein, heard about your war against Horde. He think that it wasn`t a good idea to become this war. But if you think it`s good time... Do your masgety remember about our plans?.. Any way if you need money now Holstein can give you a loan. If you need it you can contact with my lord in Kiel."

 

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A message arrives from Nogai

"Because you dare to declare war on my Mongol brothers, you too will now learn what the blade of a Nogai warrior feels like. After we have defeated your armies on the feild of battle, we shall slaughter all of your livestock, take your wives to be our concubines, and burn your cities. No Russian men shall be spared to let this weak race continue to exist on the face of the earth. It is time for the Orthodox heathens to die!"