Austrian Invasion of Hesse

[Sultan Annatar I]

Austrian

[/color] Invasion of Hesse[/b][/u][/size][/center]

The Austrian Empire vs. The Duchy of Hesse

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Austrian Troops:
Light Infantry: 300,000
Heavy Infantry: 150,000
Cavalry: 100,000
Cannon: 450
Quality: Mediocre

Hessian Troops:
Light Infantry: 100,000
Heavy Infantry: 30,000
Cavalry: 5,500
Cannon: 210
Quality: Mediocre

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Objective One:

Attempt a peaceful end to this invasion by using your diplomatic status as the Holy Roman Emperor and your troops already stationed on the east bank of the Rhine. Failing this, you can always apply pressure to the capital, Kassel.

[Caroline I]

-- France state that we shall be defending the Duchy of Hesse.

To commit:

Light Infantry 300 000
Heavy Infantry 300 000
Cavalry 300 000
Cannon 300

Ability Level: Good
_______________________________

-- We request a defense objective.

-- We also request to enter negotiations with the Hessian Government to state that if they wish to become a French Client Republic, or a part of French Republic itself our armies shall be their armies, and their freedom shall be our freedom.

-- We remind the Austrian Emperor that we see this as a direct violation of private agreement, a betrayal, and treachery of the highest distaste. We suggest he either rapidly enters negotiations with us, in private, or he commits more troops to his offensive. We assert that we would rather see The Duchy of Hesse a free nation rather than Austrian or even French as a result of this act.

[Sultan Annatar I]

The French troops will arrive in time for a later objective, due to movement of the troops, sending out orders etc..

Your message to the Hessian Duchy will, however, be taken into consideration for Objective One.

[Emperor Francis I]

OOC: Can I say it is ludicrous that France can request a defence objective as:
a) Hesse is in the Holy Roman Empire and therefore I have jurisdiction over it and France doesn't;
b) France had planned an invasion, and agreed a split to Hesse with Saxony;
c) France cannot "defend" Hesse, it can only attack Austrian troops on the east bank of the Rhine, therefore a defence is physically impossible;
d) players shouldn't be allowed to demand they defend NPCs because they don't want another player taking them.

Also, I will be PMing my letter to His Grace for this objective to you as I wouldn't want it to be intercepted by the French or used by them in formulating their plan.

EDIT: I've just realised - I'm certainly not happy that you've, in fact, already decided there will be a second objective and that there's no way my diplomatic measures will succeed after the first one.

[Sultan Annatar I]

Objective One: Diplomatic Assignment for the Duke[/u]

The Duke of Württemberg is to be sent to Kassel, carrying the following letter hand-written by the Emperor himself,

"Your Grace,

May I request a few moments of Your Grace's time in order to listen to my thoughts on the current situation in your Europe, the threat of the French Republic, and the future of our nations?

Your Grace will already be aware that war and turmoil already lie on our doorstep, we are sure that he is aware that The French Republic already occupy our friends and kinsmen to the west in The Rhineland, and are looking towards our friends in the north, in Oldenburg, and farther south in Switzerland, to conquer next.

Napoléon has also managed to persuade the Prussians to enter into an alliance with the French Republic, and this is grave news indeed for both of us. Prussia will use its position as France's ally to invade all of Germany and beyond - Prussia already invades our friends in Mecklenburg, and from the reforms it appears as if Prussia is positioning itself in preparation for an invasion of all provinces of the Holy Roman Empire.

Napoléon speaks about an independent Duchy of Hesse, but please do not be deceived: it was only two years ago that the French laid down plans for a joint invasion of Hesse with Saxons, and to split your country in half - a treaty which, to this day, is still in force. What Napoléon ultimately wants is to use your position at the heart of Germany as a through-road to Prussia in order for Prussia and the French Republic to link armies to invade all the free peoples of Europe.

The French do not want an independent Duchy of Hesse, they want to turn it into a client state and just trample all over it on the road to deposing other monarchs. If the French ever invaded Hesse, the French would make sure your Grace would lose his throne. Hesse would, in their eyes, just become a useful - but, ultimately, just strategic - possession of the French Republic.

As you can see, our enemies are closing in around us and it is at this time that those of who remain loyal to the Holy Roman Empire need to stand together who else we will fall. It is my duty -as the Holy Roman Emperor- to defend the Holy Roman Empire against all evil, and so far I have diligently done this by placing Austrian troops alongside the Hessians in the defence of the Hesse and the East Bank of the Rhine to be a bastion of strength and righteousness against the unholiness which flows from the French Republic.

And this is just the most recent example of how Austrians and Hessians can work together, and is a testament to how German-speaking people can stand together in the face of strong opposition: a partnership which has lasted a thousand years. This is also proof of my commitment to the Duchy of Hesse and to the protection of Christendom and Monarchy.

However, the threat of war is ever increasing, and we do not want Hesse to become some battlefield just so the French can invade destroy other regimes. It is for this reason that we believe that the safest option for the people of the Duchy of Hesse is to become a part of the Austrian Empire as I believe it is a stronger opponent to the threat of republicanism than any other in Europe, being the most powerful opponent of the French. Furthermore, the Holy Roman Emperor has declared that the Austrian Empire should be considered the successor state of the Holy Roman Empire should it fall, and so if the Holy Roman Empire falls, the best chance German leaders have of retaining their current ways of life is with the Austrian Empire.

But, we are determined to never let the Holy Roman Empire fall. The Duchy of Württemberg is already under the wing of the Austrian Empire and is already feeling the benefits of this due to the protection it has from the French (we know that the French had designs for Württemberg, and these have been destroyed thanks to the Austrian Empire), the increased patriotism, and the improved wealth.

These are all benefits which the Duchy of Hesse can also enjoy. His Grace, The Duke of Württemberg will be sent with this letter and it is hoped he will be able to convince you further of the threat of the French and of the majesty of Austria within The Holy Roman Empire.

I, as the Holy Roman Emperor, was chosen by the most important noble and religious men in Germany to lead and defend the most powerful Empire in Europe: and it is my esteemed opinion that the best option for the future of the Empire is for the Duchy of Hesse to join with the Austrian Empire, and it is for this, and the reasons above, that we hope Your Grace will think over everything that has been said here. Within the Austrian Empire Your Grace will retain the security of his position on the throne, and the people of Hesse with be united with the other Germans of Bohemia, Austria and Württemberg.

We hope Your Grace gives consideration to everything I have said for the future of our nations. If Your Grace wishes to negotiate the terms of any settlement, of any other issues the Duke may have, I would be very keen to hear: I open my eyes, my ears, and my heart to you.

Awaiting your response in sincerity and in friendship,

Signed: His Imperial and Royal Majesty Emperor Francis I and II of the Austrian and the Holy Roman Empires "

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The Duke of Hesse quickly responds with a letter of gratitude to the Austrian Emperor and willingly accepts the terms of surrender. With the same terms as the Duke of Württemberg signed to.

[Emperor Francis I]

We wholeheartedly accept and look forward to a long and prosperous friendship.

Signed: His Imperial and Royal Majesty Emperor Francis I and II of the Austrian and the Holy Roman Empires

[Sultan Annatar I]

War is over!