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The Farthest Fortress; (Baltic Germans rise again)
Topic Started: Mar 24 2013, 10:25 AM (299 Views)
Rhadamanthus
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Legitimist

Amidst a gloomy spring shower, in old Riga Castle gathered several of the most prominent noblemen of the Baltic country. Dressed in military uniforms not unlike those worn by their grandfathers, they spoke with seriousness about events near and far. The Baltic Germans had dwindled since the time when Felix Yusupov ruled Russia, when their fathers had formed the backbone of the Russian Empire. Their country was no longer really even part of that empire anymore, as the restoration of Tsar Paul had caused a fissure and subsequent neglect had led the Baltic Germans to go their own away, unaffected by the affairs of Russia. Much of Estonia, for strategic reasons, had remained under Russian control. But Livonia and Osel continued largely as they had in the past, only a little more isolated and a little less worldly. The great castle-lords of the Baltic country, however, discussed their affairs as if theirs was a greater country than it was, as if all the strange events they discussed were theirs to influence as they saw fit. They rarely chose to influence such events. But aloofness threatened to become irrelevance.

But the decision as to whether to engage the world was not solely in Baltic German hands. Riga and other cities in Old Livonia had once been part of the Hanseatic League. They continued to be important trading centers among the Northern nations. Traders from Russian, German, and Scandinavian countries all travelled the Baltic Sea and its ports, spreading not only goods, but news and ideas from throughout the world. The isolation of the Baltic country following the fall of Yusupov and the Dominion Wars could not be sustained forever. Already, every strange idea could be heard in the markets of Baltic cities, and it seemed unlikely that the latest war in Europe would not be felt within the Baltic country's borders. The men assembled at Riga Castle were determined that engagement with the world at large would be on their terms.

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The old fortress had originally been built by German Crusaders, the Livonian Order, determined to retain German and Christian control in a strange land. It had since been renovated and rebuilt a number of times, but for the Baltic German noblemen, it was a proud symbol of their ancient heritage. Their ancestors had been the vanguard of a mighty culture, had brought German culture and Christianity to an alien people, and slowly brought forth a country from primitive, virgin soil. The Swordbrethren of old had been men of renown, men of honor and valor, and their descendants aspired to the same martial values. They desired simultaneously to build the future and to honor their traditions and their ancestors. They looked in two directions at once, forward and backward, out toward the trade ships on the coast and in toward the land and the old castles. But they were resolve to decide their own course.


Edited by Rhadamanthus, Mar 31 2013, 10:28 AM.
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Rhadamanthus
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As usual, the first item to be discussed was foreign affairs. The gathered noblemen, prominent members of the Noble Corporations of Livonia and Osel, still considered themselves and their opinions to be widely influential throughout Europe. Hence it was of the utmost importance that their stance on foreign affairs be determined at every meeting. In fact, though the council was somewhat informal, its stated purpose was strategic. The reality was that the Baltic country had not played a military-strategic role in Europe for some time and many of the high ranking officers felt that their country was losing its values and tradition as a result. They felt that their grandchildren were growing up in such a way that they believed the lie that peace was the natural state of mankind, and war an occasional, unfortunate disruption. The old noblemen understood the hard truths of the world, which were the like the scars of so many battles. Man is a beast of prey. Conflict, his natural habitat. War, not peace, is the natural state of mankind, and peace is an odd interlude in the general course of life.

Alexander von Wrangel pled with his peers that they engage the tumultuous events of their time.

"Brethren, the crusade bathes Europe in blood. What sort of men are we to sit aside? The fate of Europe may well stand before to be decided, especially with the Greek Empire having crumbled."

He paused for dramatic effect, "It is for us, and us alone to decide whether Europe belongs to Pope in Rome or the Pope in Cologne, or whether she shall be free."

Friedrich von Berg responded, "I am a Lutheran. What is it to me whether one Pope or another pretends to govern Christ's Church?"

As most of the men gathered were members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Baltic Countries, this was greeted by hearty cheering. The principles of the Reformation were widely venerated by the more pious of the Baltic Germans.

Jurgen von Wahl interrupted the cheering, "The Teutonic Knights fight for the Pope in Rome. They are our ancient cousins. The are Germans. Surely we owe them our support?"

Berg retorted, "The Pope in Cologne is a German too. Cologne is a German city. I have no Pope, but if I must choose one, I will choose a German Pope."

At this point, Gregor von Benckendorff stood up and addressed the crowd, many of whom were shouting the words "Rome" or "Cologne." He believed that other affairs must come first.

"Brethren," Benckendorff began, "Before we join the war, we must give due recognition to neighboring nations. We have two neighbors, both of whom hold land in our ancient country. Much of Estland is in the hands of Russia, our old friends. Courland is in the hands of the strange state of Quaon. If we are to enter the war, we should join on the side of the Russians, the side of Cologne, so that we might redeem our kinsmen in Estland."

Wrangel said "Are we fighting for land or for glory? Would the Russians even understand us anymore?

Karl von Stamm responded, "You speak of the Guranburg Treaty."

Wahl smirked, "I too will speak of the Guranburg Treaty."

Benckendorff rolled his eyes, "Always, you men speak only of the Guranburg Treaty."

Stamm, "No discussion of foreign affairs can continue without addressing the matter of the Guranburg Treaty. I recommend that we table the current discussion and address the shame of Guranburg."

As had happened so many times before, there was a brief spirited debate among those present, and it was decided that the most important issue was the Guranburg Accords, the ancient shame under which the Baltic Germans still labored. Once it had been decided, Stamm addressed the room.

"My brethren, our ancestors carved this country from a strange wilderness, a den of witchcraft and paganism, and the shaped it into a might sword, the first weapon of Germandom and Christianity. Our honor and the honor of our fathers was tarnished when we allowed the Persians and their Asiatic allies to defeat us in Georgia. The German nation was shamed at Guranburg. We cannot engage with Russia as long as the Russians adhere to the Guranburg Treaty."

Benckendorff, "But wait! The Russians share our shame. Surely they too will want to avenge themselves. They are not so different from us."

Wahl, "Are they not? What do they know of honor? They prance around Europe, butting their noses into every conflict, while 'Transcaucasia' as it is now called, remains under a false law and the Scythirians mock them at every meal. The Russians do not care cleans the shame of Guranburg. Only we can do that."

Benckendorff, "You exaggerate. The Russians know honor. Our ancestors would not have served alongside them if that were not the case. You do not remember. They are more like us than you might think."

Wahl, "No, it is you who do not remember. They were once like us, but they throw that away every day. Yusupov was the last Varangian. Those who succeed him are aliens to us."

Berg, "But what of Alexei? He is the Tsar now."

Stamm, "True, Felix loved Alexei as his own son."

Wahl, "Yes, he did. But that matters not, brethren. When Tsar Paul returned, he took his own son back to him, as is a father's right. He turned his son's mind against Yusupov and against our honor. And now, Alexei raises his own sons in the same manner. There is nothing for us in Russia."

Benckendorff, "What about our kinsmen in Estonia? They remain under Russia. Surely, we desire to reunite with them, and surely, they can help us with Alexei."

Stamm, "I fear that any path to Guranburg must go through Russia."

Berg, "I would welcome the Russians' friendship, but they cannot be our masters again."

Wahl, "I do not trust the Russians, but I do recognize their importance. But Guranburg must never be forgotten."

Wrangel, "It will not be forgotten, but we cannot treat with Russia, or anyone else in Europe, as simply a collection of noblemen. We require a State, such as we have not had since we parted ways with Russia. I propose that we make this council permanent, a permanent military government for our State."

At that proposal, a heated debate broke out between the various other nobles present at the gathering. Those who had spoken were the most prominent, but everyone had a chance to state his opinion before the matter was decided. In the final vote, it was overwhelmingly decided that the formation of the Baltic State was necessary to maintain Baltic German honor.


*****


PROCLAMATION OF THE BALTIC STATE
Addressed to all the Princes and Powers of Europe

On this date, the Noble Corporations of Livonia and Osel, as well as the provisional council of free noblemen of Estonia and Courland dwelling outside of Russia and Quaon, hereby announce the formation of the Baltic State, which shall consist of all the traditional country of the Baltic Germans outside those portions currently governed by Russia and Quaon. The Baltic State will be governed by the Supreme Military Council of the Baltic State, consisting of the high military officers of the Baltic State, as well as members elected by the traditional Noble Corporations. The constitution of the Baltic State is stratocratic and its culture German. A president of the Supreme Military Council of the Baltic State will be elected to preside over the Council. He also has the authority to represent the Baltic State abroad as president of the Baltic State, though his authority is subject to the Supreme Military Council. The first such president will be Alexander von Wrangel. The Supreme Military Council will meet in Riga.

The Baltic State hereby foreswears and permanently rejects the villainous Guranburg Accords. The Baltic State recognizes the late Prince Felix Yusupov for his attempts to roll back the criminal treaty. Furthermore, any person found attempting to enforce or propagate the Guranburg treaty within the aforementioned boundaries of the Baltic State is subject to summary execution. The foundation of the Baltic State is honor, and the Baltic State will go to war whenever necessary to defend its national honor and to cleanse the nation of shame, including the shame of Guranburg. The Baltic State hereby requests recognition from foreign nations.
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Porcu
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"Work is the curse of the drinking classes."

The Parliament and People of Porcu are eager to become acquainted with their neighbors to the East, but will withhold official recognition of the Baltic State at this time.
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Margrave
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Is very much a holla-back girl.
 *  *  *  *  *
The Margraviate of Brandenburg- Vorpommern and Margrave von Lebus congratulate the Baltic Peoples in the creation of the new Baltic State.

The Confederacy of Middle Eastern Socialist States cares not for the affairs of Europe unless it can somehow gain from it, and as such does not react to the formation of a Baltic Union.
Edited by Margrave, Mar 31 2013, 05:11 PM.
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Whal
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"Life is too short to be wasted on bad scotch"
 *  *  *  *  *  *
The Federation of United East German States wishes to congratulate the newly formed Baltic State and expresses keen interest in establishing relations with fellow Germans. Although the Federation is currently taking no stance on formal recognition at this time, we cordially invite Baltic representatives to Vienna at their earliest convenience to discuss the nature of future relations.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Emirate of Al Whaladya officially recognizes the newly established Baltic state and supports its rejection of the Guranburg Treaty.
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NRE
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Map Tsar and Southern Gentleman

Official Statement
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire would first and foremost like the congratulate the Baltic German community for the organization of a state for their people. Long have the families of Baltic Germans served in the military and the government of his majesty, the Tsar. Their service and dedication to his rule has never been question and may hold title within his court in honor of their untiring service. In a courtesy to the Baltic German State, the Russian Empire would like to inform its military government that the Treaty of Guranburg is no longer in effect. That treaty has, quite recently, been dissolved and the Treaty of Transcaucasia has taken its place. The Baltic German State should therefore harbor no fear in having the Treaty of Guranburg enforced upon them. Finally, the Russian Empire can only hope, in light of this new information, they will renounce any acknowledgements given to the great usurper.

-Russian Foreign Ministry
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Rhadamanthus
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President Alexander von Wrangel will soon announce a diplomatic tour, and will seek relations with all interested nations, first in Europe, then in the world.

Responding to the Russian statement, the Baltic Germans had this to say "While we are glad to be informed of current circumstances and are glad to see that the Russian still strive in the spirit of Yusupov, we seek not the supersession of the wicked Guranburg Treaty, but its negation. We do not seek slavery under a new name, but the full reversal of the shame of our nation, when the banners of the German and the Russian went down before Scythirus."

Finally, it was announced that Jurgen von Wahl would be dispatched to Toledo to act as the Baltic State's ambassador to ICON.

OOC: Please let me know if I need to do anything else to get him recognized by ICON. Also, I think I'm going to do diplomacy with Porcu first, and after that the German states and Russia if NRE desires it. Anyone else interested, after that unless there is something pressing. But I will probably start a new thread for diplomatic meetings.
Edited by Rhadamanthus, Apr 4 2013, 06:53 PM.
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NRE
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Map Tsar and Southern Gentleman

OOC: Put your delegate on the ICON list RD.
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Rhadamanthus
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OOC: Thanks NRE, I'm going to start stirring up trouble in ICON :lol:
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Rhadamanthus
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OOC: Slight revision - Instead of "Supreme Military Council," I will use the term "Supreme War Council" to refer to the governing body of the Baltic State. The change in connotation does not reflect a change in my vision of the government or its policy. But the word "military" strikes me as too academic in tone.
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Kasnyia
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Chairman of the Bank
Cologne recognizes no treaty that had the Gasselist military regime as a party, and so duly recognizes our German brothers on the Baltic coast.

- Cardinal Richard O'Malley,
Head of the Order of Colognian Jesuits,
Chief Spokesman of the Papal See of Cologne
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Rhadamanthus
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OOC: After some discussions with NRE and TC, I would like to announce that the Baltic State is being transferred to TC's primary control. I may occasionally RP in it with his permission, but going forward it will be wholly his nation, and I will be doing a different country in the near future.
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