LJNES - Lords of Sicily

To: Sicilian Nobles and King Giorgio I of Sicily
From: Lord Machés

I propose that as a contingency plan to our present state of affairs, we enter into negotiations with the Napoli with an eye to perhaps finding ways around the blockade if the Napoli decide that discretion is the better part of valour.

For instance asking for in principle support from the Napoli to safeguard our vessels travelling through Napoli waters heading to Napoli ports or on through Napoli ports.

Or allowing our vessels to fly Napoli flags while in transit and if that is possible to perhaps provide at cost a guarantee of safety for our vessels flying there flags.

To: The Lord of Fort Tussas, Sicilian Nobles and His Majesty
From: Lord Machés

We would be most interested to attend this banquet and also ask for permission to perhaps inquire into the marital status of any daughters that the lord might happen to have and any other daughters that the other Noble Lords might happen to have. Although particular attention should be paid to any female relatives His Majesty might happen to have.

To: His Majesty and Sicilian Nobles
From: Lord Machés

Asks for support on the creation of a Monopoly to fund the safeguarding of shipping in these dark times. Lord Machés will endeavour to protect vessels from Tunis heading to Naples and Venice if he can garner a set % in tolls from trade originating from Sicily to Venice and Naples. These funds would be used to expand and maintain Northern Sicily’s fleet.

Lord Machés will of course provide the Crown with proceeds from the remainder as payment for the granting of a monopoly. He would ask that the other Lords do not interfere in this necessary measure to safeguard shipping from the enemy. He would also like the Lords and His Majesty to note that even during peace time security for trade and shipping is warranted and that this monopoly should not be allowed to cease.

To: Lord Machés, His Majesty and the Sicilian Nobles
From: Kuccio

I would like to remind all that most Nobles with a coastal domain are in possession of their own naval vessels. Why would forcing merchants from our own domain to pay taxes to another lord for protection they can receive from their own be beneficial for all? I will continue to provide an escort to my own domains merchants, as I should be, as I will not willingly force my vassals to pay a foreign lord needlessly.

To: Lord Machés, All Nobles and the King
From: Lord Hugi

I agree with Kucio, we all serve the same King and instead of trying to harm one another for greater glory we should be trying to do what's best for Sicily and King Giorgio I.

To: Lord Hugi and Lord Kuccio:
From: Lord Machés

Message duly noted if each lord is to control his own waters then I shall not endeavour to interfere in the actions of these Lords merchants, if these lords think they can protect their merchants without interference then it should be noted that help shall not be forthcoming in the interests of respect for their personages.

I shall for the interest and safety of my own shipping refuse to provide aid or assistance to the above lord’s merchant vessels since it seems they will guarantee all their own. As I appear to own the waters around the vicinity of my province and since I will not have on good conscience the death of their sailors and merchants on my soul I would ever so politely ask that they do not use my waters.

To: Lord Hugi and Lord Kuccio
From: Lord Machés

You do however both consent to attending the feast at Fort Tussa and consent to the proposition of negotiating with the Napoli strategies to evade the blockade.

To: His Majesty
From: Lord Machés

My message to Lord Hugi and Lord Kuccio is strictly in line with their wishes and I shall consider if sending emissaries to inform the Venetians and Napoli to respect there wishes of non interference and non payment of tariffs and we shall in due time hear their replies.

To: Lord Machés
From: Lord Kuccio

I will be attending the feast at Fort Tussa. Petty arguments should not get in the way of the bonds between fellow countrymen and noblemen. Also, it would be an insult to the king not to appear!

To: Nobles, King
From: Lord Hugi

Lord Hugi will be attending the feast at Fort Tussa.

To: Lord Kuccio
From: Lord Machés

The King should most definately attend and who's to complain about a feast that the Lord of Fort Tussa is putting on... i dearly hope he has put some funds aside because i think it would be un-becoming for lords of our respective rank to bring a small entourage, to spread his largesse and greatness around we must bring everyone

To: Sicilian Nobles, King of Sicily:
From Fort Tussa:

Then Let the feast begin! Bring your noble households!

Yes, I have daughters, and how refined they are!

OOC: You were joking about the funds, right?

To: Fort Tussa
From: Lord Machés

No good sir the funds should be furnished to provide for our entourages of course... and our soldiers and our faithful retainers and our servants and our horses and our dogs and our hawks and falcons...

The Prince of the Realm should do much to improve his standing with the feast of course.

To: King Gorgio I, Sicilian Nobles
From: Andrea Botolenni

I am deeply grieved, but I am afraid I cannot make an appearance at this banquet. I have spent time enough away from my lands in service of Sicily, and now a few rather urgent problems require my attention.

To: Sicilian Nobles, Lord Machés
From: King Giorgio I of Sicily

We will attend to the glorious feast, and we look very pleasantly upon the event. Also, we want to say that the monopoly intrigues us - we are very curious at the subject, as it will centralize the state more than it was before.

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OOC: Ok, I will clarify the rules a little bit on the economy part... Apparently I forgot to write that it costed 1 gold to assign population to stuff (I think). Otherwise, you all sent fine orders. sp1023 you shouldn't worry about Mongols Those who do not manage to send orders btw you get your economy banked Note that the updates will have very little focus on Sicily currently; this update is mostly concerning the (to you uninteresting) war in Gaul and Spain. Always remember to keep you updated on the history.

I will change the Knight units to Cavalry units as I found out knights were first invented in the 10th century xD. A formal Cavalry army will be 20 horses, because there is a difference in price, and I will double your number of cavalry because of this. and Napoli's offer will be written in this update. Oh, and The Royal Bloodline and Noble Bloodlines will be written in the Noticeboard sometimes after next update.

lord_joakim said:

To: Sicilian Nobles, Lord Machés
From: King Giorgio I of Sicily

We will attend to the glorious feast, and we look very pleasantly upon the event. Also, we want to say that the monopoly intrigues us - we are very curious at the subject, as it will centralize the state more than it was before.

--

OOC: Ok, I will clarify the rules a little bit on the economy part... Apparently I forgot to write that it costed 1 gold to assign population to stuff (I think). Otherwise, you all sent fine orders. sp1023 you shouldn't worry about Mongols Those who do not manage to send orders btw you get your economy banked Note that the updates will have very little focus on Sicily currently; this update is mostly concerning the (to you uninteresting) war in Gaul and Spain. Always remember to keep you updated on the history.

I will change the Knight units to Cavalry units as I found out knights were first invented in the 10th century xD. A formal Cavalry army will be 20 horses, because there is a difference in price, and I will double your number of cavalry because of this. and Napoli's offer will be written in this update. Oh, and The Royal Bloodline and Noble Bloodlines will be written in the Noticeboard sometimes after next update.

Click to expand...

OOC: Worry about mongols? What?

OOC: You wrote in your orders you would patrol your borderlines to watch for Mongols. Even if I appearently misunderstood you, I will still post the following:
A) The Mongols did never reach Sicily
B) The Mongols weren't very reknowned for their naval capabilities (See invasion of Japan)
C) The Mongols doesn't appear before 300 years or so has passed OTL

OOC: Oh... I was thinking about PwnNES. Sorry. I meant barbarians and Tunis.

Er, will the update be posted?

EDIT: Oh, darn, sorry for the double post.

The update will be up tomorrow or tuesday, but probably tomorrow.

It won't be so long between updates in the future. I only lack Naples' stats currently, but I will be able to have them tomorrow. (I live two places)

Stats have been changed. Update is being written.

Update I: 712 AD Summer to Winter

The Tunesians have completely shocked the whole Ardan army and have managed to win an crucial battle, killing of the main part of the Ardan land military. Also, Tunis have captured several areas in Spain. Arda managed as a small counter to somehow halt the important naval forces that Tunis have by conquering the Hispanic side of the Gibraltar Strait. Ardan nobles want to surrender their Hispanic holdings to Tunis.



In the mainland of Europe, the Frankish-Gothic wars reached a stalemate. The important war to the south and the fear of the Arabs has stopped the kings from fighting. Peace will soon happen.



Other news:

Anglia is still struggling with internal lack of unity, regional barbarians and the small warlords in the area. Byzantium is having a slight minor problem with some Turkish nomads in Anatolia, but it is not very important, at all, as they are fended off easily. The Tunesians have acquired a major foothold in the Mediterranean economy, keeping Sicily out of the trade system.

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Decisions to make!

From: King Giorgio I of Sicily
To: Sicilian Nobles

The Embargo
The Napoli has said very friendly to us that a trade embargo with Tunis would be a very hazardous idea, especially when seeing what they had done against the Arda kingdom in Gaul-Hispania. However, they want Province 30 for the deal, and with that they agree to help keep out the Tunesians from the markets in Venice and Genoa.
We have some possibilities:

Counter the offer
There is a chance Sicily will look more darkly upon us, but there is also a chance they will agree to a cheaper deal.

Agree to the offer
Agree to the offer and grant province 30 to Naples.

Stop the negotiations
We will then look for another solution.

A War in Hispania

Dear noble friends, we suppose our glorious should attemp to intervene in the conflict in Hispania; this would enlarge the area of our importance. We should do more influental deeds in this world! I propose that we should attack the Tunesians if we have the resources to do so, otherwise we should establish neutral colonies and claim Spanish lands as long as we still have the possibility.

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BONUSES: sp1023 did a good job hosting the grand feast for the whole of Sicily. Even though it did cost him 1 Food and 1 Gold for the celebrations, Giorgio thinks of it as an excellent thing to do, and congratulates him (+2 Royal Favor).

lord_joakim said:

Update I: 712 AD Summer to Winter
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BONUSES: Masada did a good job hosting the grand feast for the whole of Sicily. Even though it did cost him 1 Food and 1 Gold for the celebrations, Giorgio thinks of it as an excellent thing to do, and congratulates him (+2 Royal Favor).

Click to expand...

Err, Fort Tussa held the banquet.

\But very nice update!

OOC: Great Update

To: Sicilian Nobles, King Giorgio I
From: Lord Hugi

Lord Hugi agrees with attempting to attack Tunis now while their attention is diverted. Now is our best time to strike and if all of Sicily cooperate success can almost be assured. Also the Franks and Goths fear Arab movements in Europe and may willingly participate or be able to be bribed to assist us in this war if it goes ahead.

If we are planning to go to war with Tunis then there will be little need to sign an embargo with Naples against Tunis as such I believe their to be no need to go ahead with this. Maybe Naples would be willing to align with us against Tunis as well. This would have to depend on the price I don't think we should give any Sicilian lands to any nation.