Ducal Court of Pommerania

[unmerged(4640)]

Five men enter the Pommern court, four knightly guars flanking a young but regal figure, new to the Pommern court;

"Your Grace, I am Prince Amory of Latvia. My father sends me here to ask of you a favor. As you know, we are to help our friends the Danes restore order in Sweden. More specificly, our army is to hunt down their rebel leader who took the King prisoner.

Now, we ask that Pommern grant the Kingdom of Latvia a Rite of Passage through Ingermanland. We would be willing, to drop our claim upon Ingermanland, if you would be willing to let us through.

I know that Pommern is a friend of the Swede, but may I assure that our cause is noble. And that, if indeed the rumors are false, that Pommern was involved in this, then there is no reason for you to not allow us through the lands that were once ours.

I am sorry, your grace, but I must ask that you make your decision quickly. Time is running out before we must move."

He then awaits an answer.

 

[Longinus]

Joachim smiles to Latvian knights.

"Gentlemen,

That is a noble task indeed, Sparre should be caught and punished.

However, at the same time I have serious concerns as Swedish conflict already escalated too much and as Prince-Protector of Sweden it is my duty to serve my subjects.

Still I understand your point of view that is why I am more then eager to grant Latvian troops right of passage through my lands. Though I have one wish that must meet with your approval, the sole purpose of this war is to put Sparre's rebellion, there will be no monetary and land gains for Latvia and other participants. After all this is war against few Swedish rebels not Swedish realm as a whole.

Moreover a group of Pommern knights will accompany Latvian contingent and will look carefully how the quelling of rebellion is handled.

I think this is all gentlemen, should Latvia agree I will grant you safe passage."

 

[unmerged(4640)]

Prince Amory smiles, then after a quick thought, speaks once more;

"Yes, your grace, we only wish to put down Sparre's rebellion. I assure you that Latvia will gain no lands nor tribute.

And we would of course, welcome your knights to accompany us."

 

[Longinus]

Joachim nods.

"Very well gentlemen, Latvian knights and soliders have my permission to go through my lands. May God be with you, I shall dispatch orders and knights who will accompany your army soon."

 

[Longinus]

6th of April AD. 1432

Second pregnancy was much calmer and bearable for Christine, perhaps because she felt Joachim’s presence and was started to treat Stettin as her home?

When her time came everything went swift and without much problems. Loud cry echoed around the hallways and corridors of old ducal palace announcing the birth of new Greif…

Mid-wife rushed into Joachim’s chamber announcing the joyful news.

“Your Grace! Everthing went perfect, Christ… ahhh Milady feels very good and child… your son is as fit as a fiddle!”

There was much happiness in Stettin that day, a heir was born…

Joachim and Christine decided to name him Casmir, after Joachim’s father and many other Greifs before him.

 

[Bagricula]

A letter arrives from Nuremburg bearing the Wittelsbach seal:

"My Beloved Sister,

Congratulations, Christine! News has reached me through the Pommeranian embassy of your successful birthing. Young Casmir isn't it? They said it was an easy delivery. You have no idea how it lightened my day to hear that you and your son were okay.

I have taken young Frederick, Nora's son as my heir, since his father, who was very dear to me, departed, and the County of Wurtemburg has been left without a leader. I hope you, Joachim, and your children will come and visit me in Nuremburg. It grows dreadfully lonesome with some many politicians and courtiers scheming around me all the time. Ilse provides constant merriment, though she says she misses you.

With this letter, I sent a saddle I had made when I heard of Casmir's birth. It should match his size in a few years, when he begins to ride and should look splendid when he rides with his father before his people. The figures as you might guess, are Greek. They were taken from some artwork we found on the crusade. I hope he grows up to be as clever as the Athenians and as brave as the Spartans.

Please write. Take care of yourself. Find Casmir a good godfather, and keep the Lord ever near your heart.

Love,
Erich"

The sevant also carried a package containing an ornamented saddle:

 

[unmerged(9313)]

Anders Henriksen once again appear in the Hansa Trade Council. With him he brings a document of consideral size.

"Men of the Hansa... I have come to speak with you, and you will listen to what I say. You have brought a great disaster upon yourself, for you have deceived God Almighty, financed slaughter and injustice.
The crown of Denmark now knows of your financing of the pirate fleet that plundered and butchered Danish merchant vessels not so long ago, just about the time that the Swedes rebelled. The Hansa paid and supported the bloodthirsty pirates, who left the Danish waters red of the blood from hundreds of innocent sailors. Their families are now without support, and you, "gentlemen", have made hundreds of children fatherless.
Also, you have cost the crown huge amounts of money, weakened its fighting power. You obviously planned this with the Swedish rebellion in mind, intending to give the rebels a helping hand, but you failed! The crown had its vengeance, and the Swedes were crushed at the Battle of Stockholm. Sparre was caught, and from him we got the information.
I always knew that the Hansa was a ruthless organization, but I never thought they would go as far as murder and plundering. You are weak men, obviously on your way down, if the only way to "protect" your Hansa is to kill Danish sailors.
My king is furious, but he is tired of fighting. He will give you one week (ooc: to Friday) to consider how you will compensate the crown for your crimes. If you defy him one more time, I suggest you take a look at the killing fields outside Stockholm. You have pushed a man of justice too far, and he has made a new policy never again to turn the other cheek.
One week, you murderers, I will return in ONE week..."

The Dane walks out and leaves the copy on the council table. It is a copy of Sparres confession.

I, Erik Sparre, hereby confess that I, and I alone was the initiator of the rebellion against the crown of Denmark, the mercenaries used to manage with the coup was hired by myself, after selling various estates of my own.

Some support was given to me by German nobles, but I know not who, it was all secret and all I received was a location to retrieve the aid, no one ever met me.

I hereby also confesses that I, and I alone gave approval and support for the Hansa cities of Sweden to give support to piracy actions against the crown of Denmark, however the ships was not only Swedish, I supported the actions. But not caring about who did it.

I acted alone, and I did it for Freedom, nothing else.
Signed
Erik Sparre

 

[Longinus]

ANNUAL TRADE EVENTS​

MAJOR TRADE EVENT TABLE​

The leaders of certain trade organizations reap the rewards of their hard work. Some merchants are more active and some are less. Certain states and organizations signed profitable deals and agreements. Trade is flourishing in their realms.


1. Thriving trade routes bring in hitherto unseen revenue for the realm, this year. (+1 econ, +1Tech and +1 Morale for 1 year )

2. Astronomically prosperous trade raises the morale of the entire populous... (+1 Morale +1Tech for 1 year )

3. Excellent trade aids commerce at every level... (+1 eco for one year)

4. Trade is flourishing, huge incomes. (+1 Tech for 1 year )

5. Trade is flourishing

6. Trade is average this year.

7. Trade is average this year.

8. Traders break even.

9. Pirates and Bandits took all the profit ( -1 Morale for 1 year 1 in 2 chance of effect)

10. Crippling losses by traders. ( -1 Morale, - 1 eco for 1 year)


NOTE: Good RP will regularly affect these rolls.


MAJOR trade events:



* Bremen: consistent and good trade RP, lots of good agreements, prime chairman of Hansa, Imperial Trade Commissioner, excellent RP of trade war (-3 to the roll)
A 10 is rolled 7. Trade is average this year.

* Denmark: consistent and good trade RP, part of newly formed Genista and most active part of it, new Sund due imposed (-2 to the roll)
A 3 is rolled 1. Thriving trade routes bring in hitherto unseen revenue for the realm, this year. (+1 econ, +1Tech and +1 Morale for 1 year )

* Pommern: consistent trade RP, lots of good agreements, leader of WHU… modesty doesn’t allow me to enumerate more of my qualities (-2 to the roll)
A 7 is rolled 5. Trade is flourishing

* Friesland: consistent and good trade RP, very skillful play etc. although not very good spot but indeed smart and intelligent RP keep it up and modifiers will improve J (-1 to the roll)
A 9 is rolled 8. Traders break even.

* Aragon, little trade RP, fight Venice Tixini or you loose it (straight roll)
A 2 is rolled 2. Astronomically prosperous trade raises the morale of the entire populous... (+1 Morale +1Tech for 1 year )


note to BzAl: all Eco bonuses and loses are semi-permanent, it means that max nation eco rises/drops by one for one year.

MINOR TRADE EVENT TABLE

Some nations are not as active as others but still their merchants are quite active or those countries simply occupy important spots. They may have also signed some good agreements or are part of certain trade organizations.


1. Good trade raises the morale of the populous......... (+1Tech and +1eco for 1 year )

2. Good trade aids the artisans........... (+1eco for 1 year )

3. Trade is flourishing, huge incomes (+1 Tech for 1 year )

4. Trade is flourishing.

5. Trade is average this year

6. Trade is average this year

7. Traders break even.

8. Pirates and Bandits took all the profit ( -1 Morale for 1 year 1 in 4 chance of effect )

9. Bad losses by traders. ( -1 Morale for 1 year 1 in 2 chance of effect - 1 econ for one year)

10. Bad losses by traders. Your nations incompetance seems to blame ( -1 Moral, 1 in 4 chance of effect, -1 tech 1 in 2 chance of effect, - 1 eco for one year )


NOTE: Good RP will regularly affect these rolls.


Minor trade events:


* Gelre: member of Hansa, active and finally RPs trade (-1 to the roll)
A 8 is rolled 7. Traders break even.

*Pfaltz: melancholy not only touched Erich but also Pfaltzan merchants (straight roll)
A 4 is rolled 4. Trade is flourishing.

* Portugal: RP trade, active, slowly stepping up on the trade ladder (-2 to the roll)
A 5 is rolled 3. Trade is flourishing, huge incomes (+1 Tech for 1 year )

* Mameluks : trade roll justified for earlier incarnation as Hedjaz (-1 o he roll)
A 2 is rolled 1. Good trade raises the morale of the populous......... (+1Tech and +1eco for 1 year )

* Siberia: nice RP and interaction with others. (-1 to the roll)
A 3 is rolled 2. Good trade aids the artisans........... (+1eco for 1 year )

* Golden Horde: some trade RP, good spots etc. (-1 to the roll)
A 2 is rolled 1. Good trade raises the morale of the populous......... (+1Tech and +1eco for 1 year )

* Venice: hehe Wulf is slowly rebuilding Venetian treading empire after defeats it suffered because of Mongols (-2 to the roll)
A 4 is rolled 2. Good trade aids the artisans........... (+1eco for 1 year )

* Oman: ahhh little trade RP but (straight roll) justified
A 8 is rolled 8. Pirates and Bandits took all the profit ( -1 Morale for 1 year 1 in 4 chance of effect (rolled 1) )

* England: great RP during formation of Genista (-1 to the roll)
A 6 is rolled 5. Trade is average this year

* Castille: great RP during formation of Genista and earlier achievements (-2 to the roll)
A 8 is rolled 6. Trade is average this year

* Latvia: part of Genista but little trade RP but (straight roll) justified
A 1 is rolled 1. Good trade raises the morale of the populous......... (+1Tech and +1eco for 1 year )

* Burgundy: leader of TE, no trade RP but still (straight roll) justified
A 7 is rolled 7. Traders break even.


note to BzAli all Eco bonuses/looses are semi-permanent, it means that max nation eco rises/falls by one for one year


All rolls were done by Rebelodicus


NOTES:

If there is no RP in the setting up and continued use of the agreement there will be penalties to the roll. With excellent or good play, the opposite will be the case.

If an alliance, trade agreement or anything else springs from nowhere, there will quite probably be a bad event (or simply bad modifier) if I notice.

Any complaints or comments and suggestions on these events send to my (Longinus') PM inbox, please.

If you decide to play the trade aspect of the game, RP it. Otherwise, there will be negative modifiers upon the rolls (Trade is collapsing, merchants are being pushed back etc.) or simply there will be no roll for them.

Massive production of trade agreements is okay but will often lead nowhere.

Thank You for attention

Longinus, Your friendly trading auto-bot

 

[unmerged(9600)]

A letter arrives for Joachim, attached to a small package. The messenger is quite a rough-and-ready-looking man, having passed through the chaotic marches of occupied Poland unscathed. However, he wears on his chest the eagle of Austria, which might have amounted to some protection.

The letter reads: Joyous Christian greetings, noble Duke.

Celebration and joy! The House of Grief shall continue, and Joachim's name shall endure, as a son has been granted him by our almighty God. Although you and I have had great disagreements on the Diet floor, it is always a great pleasure to see the birth of a one day great man. And I have heard that the labor of the lady Christine was swift and free from the agony which often curses women.

At any rate, I have sent you a gift, enclosed in the package below. It is meant to be a gift towards the Duke of the Pommern. However, since the noble Duke Kazimierz is still afflicted with his injuries from his imprisonment by those blackguards, I have sent it to you in trust. I am also throwing a ball in honor of the birth of young Casmir in Vienna tomorrow night.

In serious matters for a moment, know that if an attack is made on the Pommern without very good reasoning, Austria will stand up to defend those who have done no wrong. Although Denmark has evidence that Bremen has been using dishonorable piracy against them, I have heard no such evidence implicate the lands of the Grief. And so I am unsure why, after the conclusion of the Swedish rebellion, that hostility remains.

Enjoy your new family, and God's blessing be upon you all.

Albert von Habsburg, Fifth of that name, Archduke of Austria.

The package contains a small box. Joachim opens it to reveal a ring, made of the purest gold. Although it is crafted out of one stip of gold, a metalworker clearly spent a great deal of time creating a braided design over the ring. On the smooth top surface of the ring, carved out of a red stone is an exquisitely detailed griffin, just as on the arms of the Pommern, as well as scrollwork passing down the sides of the ring, artfully done. Truly a masterwork.

 

[Schlieffen]

(In the Golden Horde)

Damdinsuryn addresses the men through a German, probably a captive from the Crusades who stayed with the Horde. Although the powerful tone of the Great Kahn's voice is not behind the language, the echo of his voice still resonates slightly in the halls.
Gentlemen, the show of humility is not needed, at least to so great a degree. If you wish for passage to the rich East through our new Crimean ports, access to the furs of Russia and Siberia, or the Gold of Samara you mearly must offer us something in return. Because of our recent dealings with the Venetians and our ties to the East, there is little that can be offered that we do not already hold. Our food stocks are full, our nobility is content with their goods, our weapons are of the highest grade, and our navy has been... suplimented with Genoan ships. If you wish for us to trade you must make an offer that...

The Kahn, and thus his translator, are broken off by Tikhtamysh, the Kahn's Military Advisor.
My Kahn, the Siberians have...
He looks at the banner carried by the Germans and pauses for a moment with an expression somewhere between fury and fear. Eventualy the Kahn expresses a desire to know what was to be said and he continues, glaring at the delegation out of the side of his eye as he speaks, although more quietly then when he first entered. He leaves after a short reply from the Great Kahn, glaring at the Germans as he leaves.

The translator finishes the sentance after a few words from the Great Kahn.
...make an offer that benifites the Horde as well as your own lands.

 

[unmerged(8054)]

Adolf Mannheim, Bremer ambassador, hands a letter to Joachim of the Greif. Since the letter is sealed with the Greif-Schussel symbol used to symbolise Bremens and Pommerns military alliance, and since rumors abaout the Bremer-Danish war has allready reached Stettin, the contents of the letter hardly comes as a surprise. Still, Joachim opens the letter i privacy.

 

[unmerged(4640)]

A letter arrives in Stettin, carried by what seems to be a Latvian messenger. But, when looking at the seal, it's not Latvian nor Teutonic. It's....Prussian? What does this mean?

"Joachim of the Greif, Regent-Protector of Pommern, Prince-Protector of Sweden,

It is with great regret that I send this to you now. I hoped, that we could indeed be friends and live in peace. I thought that our Right of Passage agreement for the war in Sweden was a good first step. But now, I see that I was wrong.

The honorable people of Latvia will protect their friends and allies in Denmark from the aggressive actions of the Greif-Schlussel Allianz.

It is a sad thing, that the blood of innocent men will have to be spilled over so little a thing. But, our noble cause to free the imprisoned peoples of Prussia and Narva will, in the end, justify their deaths and they shall not be in vain.

I now state, so that there can be no confusion.

I herby declare that a state of war exists between the Kingdom of Latvia with the Knights of the Teutonic Order and the Duchy of Pommern.

~Signed

Walter I von Stadion, King of Latvia.
Hermann von Erlichshausen, Grand Master of the Teutonic Order."

 

[unmerged(4640)]

Prince Amory looks back on the foreign soil as they cross back into Latvian land. He smiles, wondering what would have happened had he not made it out in the dark of night.

 

[unmerged(9313)]

A letter arrives from Denmark, with instructions to be read aloud in the duchal court.

"To the Greif Warmonger

How come you can feel insulted by being called a warmonger, when it is true? Does the truth hurt your ears? Your pathetic duchy is playing a mighty dangerous game with Denmark, a dance with the dead. You chose to let war be your answer to everything, but still you claim not to be a warmonger. You are a sad man, when you refuse to acknowledge fact and instead live on lies and deceat.
You have failed your Christian duties, you have failed your responsebilities as duke and you have failed as a human being. I feel pity for your soul, as it is lost and will burn in Hell for all eternity. I hope God grants you his mighty forgiveness, for you will not find it anywhere else."

Signed
Christoffer III
King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden

 

[unmerged(4640)]

A letter arrives from Riga;

"You Grace,

Such irony, in your words. Did you not support the Livonians? Now, if my memory is right, was not the Teutonic Order a branch of their military?

So is it that, you support the Teutonic Order spilling the blood of Catholics for the Tryants of Livonia when you were their allies, but now you say it is not right?

~Signed
Hermann von Erlichshausen, Grand Master of Teutonic Order."

 

[unmerged(4640)]

A letter arrives from Riga. With the personal seal of Walter von Stadion.

 

[Wulfram]

A letter arrives from Venice

"Marcin Kalinowski herbu Kalina, head of Pommern treasury,

We will honour our obligations, though I feel the war against Denmark is unjustified. We cannot however provide more than the minimum value suggested without compromising our defences in the event of conflict with the infidel.

Antonio Mocenigo, Doge of Venice"

 

[Bagricula]

A letter arrives from Nuremburg bearing the Wittelsbach seal:

"Dear Brother,

My heralds have told me about the indecisive outcome of the battle of Jutland. Know that your men have my prayers. I had hoped that this conflict might not come about, or might be resolved quickly. I now, must make all efforts to limit the scale of this war, as you know.

I am particularly concerned for our family, since the forces of Latvia have yet to mobilize and could easily reach Stettin. If you could send Christine and the children to Heidelburg, they can take up residence in the Rhineland until the conflict is resolved. Though I would adore to meet them in Nuremburg, I don't think the stress of politics would be good for Christine added to the insurmountable stress of her anxiety for your safety. I implore you to think of their safety against their wishes. If I know Christine at all, she would be willing to ride into battle alongside you as my mother did with my father, but she is a mother now, and must be around to care for your children.

Godspeed,
Erich von Wittelsbach"

 

[Lord E]

A messenger from France is seen galloping against the Pommeria capital. When he arrives he wlaks to the french ambassador and hands him the letter from the king.

The french ambassador,Jean Michaud walsk to the ducal court and asks to speak to the duke. He wlaks foward and boes deep.

"Most noble duke.I bring with me an letter from France about the request you and your envoy in France has asked for. I am very happy to see that the king as already signed it and we hope that this can be good for both Pommeria and France."

He takes forth a letter and gives it to the Duke.

Pommerian-French financial treaty

The kingdom of France after the request given by the Pommerian envoy in France Janusz Rokosinki in the year of the lord 1432 AD, herby offers the state of Pommerian the loan of 10 000 ducates
(1 eco)

X Louis XI, King of France

 

[Wulfram]

Another letter arrives from Venice

"Marcin Kalinowski herbu Kalina, head of Pommern treasury,

In answer to your curiosity as to how we intend to take advantage of our recent agreement with Denmark, I would point out to you that Venetian convoys have been trading with the English port of Southampton for centuries. It should prove of little difficulty to continue on to the baltic sea, and the very distance from Italy and the mediterranean of that sea should ensure that Venice has little competition and thus high prices for our fine wines, glass, spices and silk - and similarly high profits when our ships return to the mediterranean with Amber and Furs.

I hope that this letter proves informative to you, and pray that peace returns to the north soon.

Antonio Mocenigo, Doge of Venice and Dalmatia"