Concert of Europe: Gameplay Thread

[Lumine]

Statement from Denmark-Norway

We wish to declare our opposition to Catherine of Russia, and we request Ivan VI and Peter III join in alliance against the Tyrant of Moscow. We declare equal recognition of Ivan VI and Peter III and ask them to fulfill our request before they fall.

How can two kings rule at the same time???

Well, if Madame de Pompadour and a dozen royal lovers ruled France for years...

[Lumine]

Statement from Denmark-Norway

We wish to declare our opposition to Catherine of Russia, and we request Ivan VI and Peter III join in alliance against the Tyrant of Moscow. We declare equal recognition of Ivan VI and Peter III and ask them to fulfill our request before they fall.

How can two kings rule at the same time???

Well, if Madame de Pompadour and a dozen royal lovers ruled France for years...

There is only 1 King in France, and it has been me for many years now.

I hope that the King of Danemark will precise his thought on the matter, I'm truly intrigued.

If there was a King, why was Madame de Pompadour ruling over the state with near absolute power?

[Lumine]

ON FRANCIS OF LORRAINE:

His Majesty King Frederick prided himself on his ability to tolerate criticism from foreign heads of state, and on always keeping his patience despite the disturbing actions of some of the monarchs who formed or are part of the French-led coalition. The latest display of theatrics by Francis of Lorraine, is not only more befitting of an hysterical woman than a sovereign, it has had the virtue of finally breaking the patience of His Majesty King Frederick. He can not and he will not tolerate this poor excuse of a regent to blame him in such public manner for the suicide of Empress Maria Theresa, who His Majesty has grieved openly, just as he will not tolerate the other lies coming out of this most shocking speech.

The generals, the nobles, the soldiers, the clergy and the people of Austria want peace. Francis of Lorraine will not give them peace. Unwilling to listen to reason, unwilling to consider peace, he calls onto his subjects to march north and face the might of the Prussian military, and suffer at any cost if it means the bloodlust of Francis can be satisfied. Despite having a unique chance to end this war, he chooses to continue no matter how many die, no matter how his own family, lands and peoples suffer if it means that he can finally wield the power he's been too timid to use until now. He dares us to occupy all the cities of the empire and destroy all of its armies in the field, rather than make pace.

His Majesty King Frederick will not stand for this.

He makes it known here and now that while he is perfectly willing to conclude peace with Austria, he no longer considers Francis of Lorraine a man who can sign that peace. King Frederick does not recognize any authority of Francis of Lorraine as regent or in any future peace process, not after the display before the Diet of Hungary. His Majesty is perfectly willing to discuss matters with a suitable statesman in Austria that is not a dangerous, bloodthirsty maniac, and so remains attentive to the moment in which a different regent announces his willingess to negotiate. But so long as Francis of Lorraine keeps trying to rule the fate of the Empire, he will not treat with him, for the Kingdom of Prussia is now at war, not with a people or its armies, but at war with Francis of Lorraine.

His Majesty King Frederick also believes the magnitude of the insult and the danger to peace posed by Francis too large to stand, and so he feels forced to take dramatic, drastic actions that will be informed across the Empire very soon. But he does make one fact known with full clarity: the irresponsible Francis of Lorraine will rue the day he decided upon this course of action.

[Lumine]

GERMAN LEAGUE:

A historic date is upon us.

After the reckless actions of the Austrians have pushed the Empire into a costly war, the German princes and states begin to unite in outrage at the whole might of the French army marching into Austria, a move which directly threatens each and every German principality inside the Empire as many in Versailles have expressed their open desire to see the direct domains of Louis XV expand across the Rhine and into our lands.

After too many compromises, too many retreats, today the princes of Germany stand up and state a line on the sand has been drawn: this and no further. The Kingdom of Prussia, the Kingdom of Bavaria and the princes and rulers of Mecklenburg, Oldenburg, Hesse-Kassel, Brunswick, the Palatinate and Ansbach have joined their collective forces into a most noble German League. Putting our differences aside, we join forces to put an end to the threat of French domination in Europe, and to make sure we protect each other from threat and extortion while collaborating on matters of trade.

A wave of patriotism sweeps across the land as men and women are proud and doubly proud to be German, to be heirs to a great culture and a great history. Before us stands a unique chance to seize the moment and the future, and ensure the collective prosperity of our separate kingdoms and principalities against those who would see us bleed. Fellow Germans, for how long must we fight and bleed for foreign powers and foreign overlords? For how long must Germany stand divided and disunited as the French plot to expand, and the Austrians play a cynical game of chess in which we fight each other?

No more, we say. No more! It is time to take up the banner of our common culture, heritage and history. It is time to teach our enemies a valuable lesson. It is time to stand up for ourselves, together, and fight like we never have before. We have taken decisive steps for reconciliation and unity in embracing the Wittelsbachs as allies, and we are pleased to address Maximillian Joseph as His Majesty the King of Bavaria. Fear not, German princes, for the German League will welcome you to the fight for justice, honor and pride.

Rise up, my friends! Rise up, drive the French back to where they came, establish your rights as German states and reform this old Empire! Rise up and fight for what you know is right!

TO THE HAPSBURG SUBJECTS

Almost two years of hard, bitter war have passed us ever since this conflict was thrust upon all of us. Regardless of our allegiance and allies, we have all fought hard and nobly for what we believe, but not all those who have fought on this war appeared to have been rewarded as they should. The first impression His Majesty King Frederick drew from the hysteric speech of Francis of Lorraine before the Hungarian nobility was one of anger, anger at the recklessness of the “Emperor”, anger at the lies he spreads about us, anger at his disregard for the future of his own children, anger itself. We wasted no time in responding, making it perfectly clear we no longer recognize Francis of Lorraine as a man one can speak to for peace.

But there is another emotion to be drawn from that speech, leading to this proclaim directed at the subjects of the Hapsburg monarchy so all of its different peoples can read it and hear about it: we speak of gratitude. His Majesty King Frederick has been forced into war against the late Empress and the current Emperor several times, and in every opportunity, it was shown to him that the many peoples under Hapsburg yoke never seemed to be properly thanked, properly cared for despite the debt of gratitude those in Vienna owed to them. For example, His Majesty the King openly acknowledges you could hardly find more loyal subjects than those of Hungary, who fought long and hard for Maria Theresa even at the bleakest hour.

But, we ask ourselves, what do they have to show for that loyalty?

Ancient monarchies such as Bohemia and Hungary have been captured by the Hapsburgs for decades, their greatness reduced to a secondary role as Vienna makes all the decisions. Peoples of all cultures, and backgrounds, and beliefs are held together and commanded, while entire regions are traded away at the whims of the ruling monarch in Vienna. Hungarians, Bohemians, Croatians, Germans, Austrians and so on have fought, and bled, and died with dignity, courage and honor in a manner which His Majesty King Frederick cannot but respect and salute.

But, as he has drawn from the speech to the Hungarian Diet, little gratitude appears to have been shown to them. Even now, with peace at his grasp, Francis of Lorraine rejects any talk of it and commands what he believes are his unquestionable subjects to send more men, to march north despite of dangers or consequences, to be even more loyal than they have been thus far. And this despite being seen as a foreigner even at Vienna and amidst the Austrian court, let alone in the other territories he now commands as regent.

Hard as Prussia has fought so hard, it has never been with a sense of hostility against the many peoples suffering from the Hapsburg yoke. We invite all of you, nobles, clergymen, generals, soldiers, merchants and people from all backgrounds and beliefs to ask yourselves a question: is it worth it? Is it worth it to march, fight and die at the whims of our so-called Emperor? Is it worth it to remain loyal to foreign rulers who hardly seem to care? Is it worth it to see your ancestral laws crushed, your rights curbed, your beliefs attacked? Is it truly worth it?

We believe there are many inside the Empire who might as well answer no. The Kingdom of Prussia stands before you not as a deathly enemy, but as a potential friend. So ask yourselves, good men and women of the Hapsburg controlled lands, is it worth it to die for Francis of Lorraine?

[Lumine]

ON LIES AND DECEPTION

Clearly, there is nothing some allies of France will not do in order to make this war a far bloodied one, playing with forces they cannot understand or comprehend for the sake of their own despair. The latest of this ludicrous series of statements comes from the King of Sardinia-Piemont, who contiues the trend of those who push for a highly damaging, highly irresponsible "religious war" at any price in order for the war to turn into a long war of attrition.

His Majesty King Frederick II would note that during two years of war he has always counseled tolerance and has sought peace on several ocassions, only to be rebuffed by irresponsible foes. His armies have proven their worth defeating the Austrians and other armies, with no war crimes heard or known from the Kingdom of Prussia. Is is therefore surprising the King of Sardinia-Piemont would go for such an obvious, transparent lie as to talk about a "final solution", considering His Majesty King Frederick's desire for tolerance and the fact that not only Catholic nations fight as his allies, but people of different faiths as well.

Heed not the irresponsible, self-entitled calls of men like Charles Emmanuel III or Francis of Lorraine, for their only motivation is their own boundless ambition, for which they are willing to see all of Christendom and our continent bleed.

[Lumine]

Woe on the deposed Duke of Lorraine, a pifitul window into what would happen if Hamlet were Emperor. It breaks the heart of His Majesty the King of Prussia to see Francis of Lorraine brought down into hysterics and a lack of self-control when Europe needs statesmen and not insane, incompetent rulers.

His Majesty the King will offer a suitable reward to any author who can inmortalize the apparent insanity and hysterical behavior of Francis of Lorraine into a play (written in German) for all good Germans to witness, laugh, and reflect.

[Lumine]

The Kingdom of Prussia recognizes the League of Armed Neutrality and committs to respecting its sovereignty and neutrality. We will be watching this noble humanitarian mission into Germany most carefully, being ready to ensure its safety against potential aggression from Francis of Lorraine following his hostile and public outbursts against Venice.

We will note, however, that for all the attempts at softening its image the Kingdom of France for all purposes showed its disregard of the sovereignty of Venice and its neutrality by forcing the passage of its armies from Northern Italy into Austria, and despite this supposed willingness to negotiate from the enemy coalition, previous terms continue to be refused.

May the different peoples of Austria and the Hapsburg monarchy take note of the continued bellicose attitude of Francis of Lorraine, who denies you peace while trying to send his armies to suffer.

[Lumine]

FREDERICK THE GREAT

Sitting at the border of one of the windows of the castle in Prague in which he had taken temporary residence, King Frederick of Prussia – we’ll pass from mentioning his many fortunate and unfortunate nicknames bestowed by allies and enemies – admired the view of the city and pondered on his life, drawn into motivation after a rather unfortunate attempt at playing the flute. He’d arrived into Prague a few days along with his main army: the seemingly all-conquering heroes of Salzburg and Vienna who had been forced to retreat by the French. So many different thoughts crossed the mind of the King, invested as he was to decide on the best course of action.

Going through his forties now, he was becoming painfully aware of the advance of age. The last time he’d gone to war he was but a young monarch, stunning the world by occupying Silesia and drawing Maria Theresa to the brink of collapse. With characteristic energy and courage his enemy of fifteen years had ruined some of his plans, but it had been Frederick who’d come up on top. The war now seemed more successful, yet at the same time more complicated on account of the unholy alliance of the French. He was getting older without being an old man yet, and the thought made him wonder – as it made dozens of rulers wonder alike – on what the future had in store for him… and whether he had the skill to overcome the odds.

Mind you, not everything was bad about growing older on that context. Those same fifteen years ago young Frederick practiced his “anti-machiavellian views” and knew little, if anything, of strategy, warfare and the life of the soldier. He knew he’d grown in stature, otherwise he would not have experienced the untold joy in seeing the surrender of Vienna through at last. He didn’t exactly miss what had been a terrible childhood either, as the terrible memories of the Soldier King and the poor, unfortunate von Katte would never go away. But the ambivalence was there, influencing the King’s mindset as his strategic conflict mirrored the sheer contradictions of his growing age.

-Your Majesty. – An aide de camp had entered the room – Francis of Lorraine continues to push for war on his latest proclaims. –

Stupid man, Frederick thought. What was the point of having to stand that non-entity as Emperor? Every single day after the capture of Prague the King congratulated himself on at least not having voted for Francis to become Emperor a decade ago, as clearly it had been the wrong choice. He’d surrender if he had any sense, before an Austrian general thinks him the second coming of Wallenstein. But no surrender was forthcoming. If anything, the end of the war was both closer and farther away that when this unholy mess had started. And much as the King could congratulate himself as his forces stormed Dresden, Prague, Munich and Vienna, the war was far from over. The pesky French had taught him a valuable lesson at Graz, bitter memory he would not forget.

-Your Majesty? –
-Yes, we heard you. – The King answered back, almost speaking on a personal way – Assemble the General Staff and the war council, there are several matters to discuss. –
-Yes, Your Majesty. – The aide attempted to leave the room –
-One last thing, lieutenant. – Frederick looked him directly to his eyes – Is it ready? –
-We should receive news of failure or success anytime soon, Your Majesty. –
-Good. – Frederick waved for him to leave –

He looked again at the flute he’d left at a nearby table, but he wasn’t in the mood for music. He wasn’t in the mood for literature either, his latest attempt at reading a French author on philosophy only reminding him of the war and his declining taste for anything French. Such surprises he wanted to spring, so unlikely for any of them to succeed. His pressing thoughts on age returned to his mind, and Frederick wondered again on how things would end. Would it end with Berlin burnt to the ground and Frederick pondering on the merits of death? Would it end on the triumph he dreamt of? Would it just be another war as the balance of power merely restarted? So many questions, and so little time…

The King soon stormed out the room, tired of the futility of his thoughts. Taking the stairs he walked to the walls, the new garrison saluting him as Frederick closely inspected the place. After barking a few orders and chastising or congratulating soldiers as it seemed appropriate the King placed his hands at the border of the wall and gave another good luck at Prague, and allowed himself a smile. A tough city, Prague. It had evaded him as many times as he had captured it, and when he captured it, it was often at the critical time of a conflict. Perhaps this was indeed the beginning of the end, or perhaps, as any third-rate philosopher would note, the end of the beginning. But there simply was no way to return to how things had been before the alliances had suddenly shifted.

-Brother. – Prince Augustus William approached, a smile on his face –
-Any news? – Frederick didn’t look back, fixated as he was on the near hypnotic sight of Prague –
-We received confirmation. We’re prepared. –

King Frederick of Prussia smiled.

Well, those bastards certainly won’t see this one coming.

[Lumine]

His Majesty King Frederick would note that Catherine Alekseyevna and the infant Paul "Petrovich" have no claim to the Russian throne, Elizabeth Petrovna having usurped the throne of the rightful Tsar a decade and a half ago and the infant Paul having been openly acknowledged as a bastard by his own supposed father.

With growing parts of the continent recognizing the illegal nature of this "regency" and the puppet rule of Catherine through the bastard Paul, we request Catherine Alekseyevna not to be recognized as the official representative of the Empire of Russia for any peace conference, that role belonging to the rightful Tsar Ivan VI.

[Lumine]

As expressed earlier, the Kingdom of Prussia respects the League of Armed Neutrality and unlike the French it has never undermined or ignored Venetian sovereignty, but we express our concern at the fact that the League would include amongst its motions the idea that all belligerents ought to be condemned in this war, and further more, that the Hapsburg princes captured after the fall of Vienna should be merely returned.

The first because as we have made it clear again and again, it is the French-led coalition who recklessly provoked this war through intrigue and diplomatic isolation, while members of its coalition such as Austria have rejected peace overtures for the sake of their own ambitions. We would find it unfair to see the Kingdom of Prussia, the Ottoman Empire, Great Britain, the Kingdom of Denmark-Norway, the Kingdom of Bavaria and our other allies condemned thus.

The second because it would be nothing less than an insult to the sacrifice of the brave Prussian and Ottoman soldiers to release the captives after the sacrifices incurred in the last military campaign, particularly with a warmongering Emperor in Francis of Lorraine, who continues to press his subjects to march north and fight without any regard for the consequences while showcasing an evident unwillingness to negotiate. While recognizing the right of Venice to debate its matters, we nonetheless humbly ask them to reconsider the nature of these motions as currently worded.

[Lumine]

ON CORSICA:

There are many who may wonder why was it that we made the decision to make a bid for the island of Corsica, many who would describe it a strange gesture given its significant distance from Prussia itself and the evident challenges it would pose to rule the island from Berlin. Those who wonder about such matters misinterpret our goal entirely, for our intentions regarding Corsica are not of domination.

For years I, Frederick II of Prussia, have personally admired the efforts of the brave Pasquale Paoli, one of the greatest Heroes of our Age, who along with his little handful of brave men has fought long and hard for the independence of his native land, ruled by the principles of Enlightenment and the common goal of improving the lives of Corsicans. But an undeniable truth was that this noble struggle for justice was under serious threat in the future.

There was no doubt in my mind that should a foreign power and enemy such as the Kingdom of France or the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont acquire the rights to Corsica, it would not be long before thousands of soldiers invaded the island and crushed its desire for freedom with crimes such as the ones we’ve seen committed across the Netherlands. How could I then remain indifferent to the fate of the Corsican people?

President Pasquale Paoli has called upon us to live up to the principles of Enlightenment, and I am pleased to stand today after a stirring round of victories in the battlefield to state that such has been my intention all along. In perpetuity, the Kingdom of Prussia hereby recognizes President Pasquale Paoli as the rightful head of government, recognizes the Corsican constitution as it currently stands, and freely and without any conditions cedes the rights bought to the Republic of Genoa to the Corsican people, masters of their own fate.

We, however, have a keen interest in seeing Corsica thrive and progress. It would serve little purpose for us to grant Corsica its freedom only to see it fall prey to a French expedition. I therefore wish to propose to President Paoli that the Corsican Constitution is amended, allowing for the creation of a personal union between the Kingdom of Prussia and Corsica with myself as their joint monarch. Nothing would give me greater honor than be King of Corsica, but I request the Corsican Diet itself to make that decision.

Corsica would retain its constitution and its laws, but it would remain linked through the House of Hohenzollern and a common monarch, allowing Prussia to take a firm, permanent role as the protector of Corsica against foreign aggression. I believe this arrangement to be in the best interests of both Prussia and Corsica, and I make a clear warning to the French-led alliance: Corsica is an independent, sovereign, neutral nation. Any act of aggression or intervention will be taken as an act of aggression on Prussia itself.

I hope the Corsican Diet and President Paoli will allow me the honor of becoming their Monarch and protector, and once again I celebrate the heroes of the island that has fought so hard for their own liberty. For liberty, nation, and justice, long live Corsica!

ON OTHER MATTERS:

We regret the news of the passing of Pope Benedict XIV, who while a rival on account of his dangerous words regarding a religious conflict was nonetheless a respected figure in Prussia.We are convinced His Holiness died of advanced age, and that is all we have to say on the matter.

Of graver concern is the news that the Austrian government has shamefully tried to blame His Majesty King Frederick for an attack on Emperor Francis of Lorraine, a monarch already so reviled one of his own subjects seemingly felt pressed to murder him. We note that there is no real evidence presented by the Austrian government, just as there was no evidence presented by the usurper regent of Russia on the matter of Elizabeth Petrovna.

Francis of Lorraine is clearly trying to draw attention out from his own unpopularity, and the Kingdom of Prussia denies here and now any involvement on this matter. Should Austria wish for the world to believe these wild allegations, they would do well in presenting evidence other than "confessions" brought by torture on their own subjects.

[Lumine]

On the madness of Francis of Lorraine

His Majesty Frederick II notes that yet again it is Francis of Lorraine who proves to be the biggest obstacle to peace, his war-related madness leading to make a statement so dramatic that all but means Austria will not negotiate and will continue the war despite the stunning defeats inflicted upon them. His Majesty now feels forced to reveal Francis of Lorraine was offered advantageous peace terms that included the concept of young Joseph II retaining the Imperial crown plus the bulk of the Hapbsurg lands, the Kingdom of Hungary and the Archiduchy of Austria under his crown.

The Regent refused us, stating that we'd have to destroy all of his armies in the field and occupy all the major cities in the Empire before he made peace. Are those the words of a stateman? Is that how a monarch who cares about his people negotiates? Peoples of the Hapsburg lands, your Regent was offered very generous terms, and his refusal has only caused more senseless death and ruin as the prestige of Austria and the House of Hapsburg collapses. Taking this uncompromising, reckless attitude on behalf of the Regent will only cause you pain and suffering. For how long will you tolerate the madness of Francis to govern you all?

As to the Kingdom of Prussia, we've had it with this madness. Decisive action is to come.

[Lumine]

Dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire:

 

A Proclaim by His Majesty Frederick II and the German League, directed to all the Princes, Estates and Peoples of the Holy Roman Empire

Much has been made about the future of the Hapsburgs and the Holy Roman Empire following the fall of Vienna and the reckless regency of the insane Emperor Francis of Lorraine, with several varying suggestions flying around as to what should be made. We decided to offer conciliation to the Hapsburgs first and extend the olive branch, and we were rejected. We refrain from drastic action to be responsible, defeated Francis and his allies in battle and the Emperor still refuses to see peace through, launching outrageous accusations upon us, expanding the war to other fronts, bringing Russians, French and Piedmontese into Germany to invade our fellow Princes and States and neglecting his sacred duties as Emperor.

I, King of Prussia, am not the monster some would have you believe. I do not believe in forcing children to be converted to a faith they don’t believe in when I have so passionately defended conciliation between Protestants and Catholics. I do not believe in harming guiltless boys and girls whose only crime is to be the sons and daughters of a madman. But what I do believe is that the present situation is just not sustainable. Now that Francis of Lorraine has made it clear Austria will continue to fight, I feel left without further options of conciliation, pressed instead to a course of action I originally wished to avoid, but that as I write this word seems like the right thing to do.

I ask a simple question.

What is the point of the Holy Roman Empire on this day and age?

Two years ago the great philosopher Voltaire, friend to us and to anyone who believes in the ideas of Enlightenment noted that “This agglomeration which was called and which still calls itself the Holy Roman Empire was neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire.” It is with regret that we note this to be true. Gone are the days of greatness. Gone is Charlemagne, Otto I, Frederick I and II and the Hohenstaufens. What we are left with is an ancient, no longer useful institution which has become an instrument in the hands of the Hapsburgs to force their will across all of the Germany, rewriting the map as they see it, removing princes as they like, curbing rights when they can, inviting foreigners to invade us if they profit from it.  

Far from a harmless relic of the past, the Empire has turned into the hereditary fiefdom of the Hapsburg family, now beholden to the whims of Francis of Lorraine and his unstable, bloodthirsty puppet regime. Must all of the German princes be slaves to this madman, and by extension, slaves to his French master in Versailles? My friends and fellow Germans, Francis I has been a worse than useless Emperor. He has brought us war, pestilence, chaos and disaster. He is Germany’s Helen of Troy. And I would be breaking my sacred oath to God and to my people by continuing to recognize that madman as having any power over Prussia, or indeed, any power over the German princes.

Let the record show we sought conciliation. Let history write we made proposals. Let the people remember Francis of Lorraine decided to prosecute this war, running himself, his family and what was left of the empire his family wrecked in pursuit of their own ambition. After consultation with our allies and fellow princes of the German League, we have taken a historic decision. It is now clear in our minds that we cannot rely on Francis of Lorraine to be our Emperor now that he has brought the French and the Russians to our lands to murder and crush our brothers. It is also clear the institution he purports to represent has long ceased to defend the interest of the German princes.

Today and now, gathered as a clear majority of the Prince-Electors of the Empire, we in the German League, and myself as King of Prussia and hopefully of Corsica as well, decree the End of the Holy Roman Empire and its permanent dissolution. We consider the bond between the Emperor and the Hapsburg family with the German Empire as severed, the office and honor of Emperor as vacant and lapsed, and all subjects and members of this now deceased Empire as released from their duties and obligations. We consider the Prince Electors, Princes and Estates and members of the Empire as absolved from their duties.

However, we do not take this step to merely create a vacuum that France will only exploit to expand beyond the Rhine. The German Princes and Estates must join forces and collaborate in new, dynamic manners. The Kingdom of Prussia reaffirms its commitment to the German League, and immediately proposes that tariffs be slashed in half amongst members, that all members recognize our esteemed ally and member Maximillian III Joseph as King of Bavaria, and that once this war is over we and the representatives of every member convene to discuss the future of the German League in unison and friendship, not beholden to the tyranny of an Emperor from Lorraine.  

We invite all the German Princes and Estates to join this German League, and be offered lasting protection against our enemies and those who invade and defile Germany, enjoy the benefits of increased trade and collaboration, and leave behind the yoke of Hapsburg tyranny. We will welcome you regardless of whether you are Protestant or Catholic, whether you fought or not for the Hapsburgs in the past. Together we can achieve so much for our own peoples, for our own countries, for the common but separate entity known as Germany. Prussia has indeed taken firm leadership of the League on account of the war and its founding members, but do not be mistaken. His Majesty King Frederick II swears here and now before you he will not proclaim himself Emperor. He wishes to be the protector and champion of the rights of Germans, but not their master or a tyrant.  

Long live the German princes and their peoples!

[Lumine]

His Majesty King Frederick II of Prussia is pleased to announce that after some negotiations undertaken with the Kingdom of Sweden a separate peace between Sweden and the Anglo-Prussian-Ottoman-Danish Alliance is to be concluded, putting an end to one of the most noteworthy theaters of the current war and hopefully signaling a new age of peace and cooperating between our alliance and Sweden:

Treaty of Christiana

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x His Majesty King Frederick II, King of Prussia

[Lumine]

Proclamations from Berlin

1.- His Majesty King Frederick is pleased to inform President Paoli and the Corsican Government have accepted their proposal, understanding the relevance of Corsica governing itself in autonomy while under the protection of the Prussian crown. His Majesty therefore and hereby assumes the title King of Corsica, and appoints his youngest brother Prince Augustus Ferdinand as Viceroy, assuming ceremonial duties and strengthening the bond between Prussia and Corsica.

2.- It is with hope and optimism that we see peace with Sweden at last concluded and signed, ending here and now any opposed territorial claims between Sweden and Prussia and establishing Pomerania as a formal, lasting province of the Kingdom of Prussia and Corsica. We hail the brave soldiers who fought across Pomerania and Norway and their commanders Field Marshal Keith and Prince Henry, and we salute the bravery and honor of both the Danish and
Swedish armies.

3.- We do not recognize the so called "reunion" of the defunct "Imperial Diet" in Frankfurt, nor we recognize their hostile, outrageous declarations. The thrones of Bohemia and Saxony remain vacant with no monarch crowned, and so no one possesses the right to cast votes for those titles. All Francis of Lorraine has for his propaganda efforts are the votes of three Archbishop-Electors, against whom stand a clear joint Protestant and Catholic majority of Brandenburg, Hanover, Bavaria and the Palatinate.

Any pretense of good, noble intentions by Francis of Lorraine has been refuted by his own actions, daring to pass sentence of death upon our good friend and ally King George and His Majesty King Frederick as well, combined with the open calls by Francis to extend war across all of Germany, and worse, to turn it into a religious war that only suits his purposes. Shame on Francis of Lorraine, the tyrannical maniac who purports to sink us in a sea of blood, shame on him and his efforts to pit German against German, Catholic against Protestant.

We thank our allies in the German League who continue to stand by us and those who have joined our cause. We stand with the majority of the Prince Electors, we stand with the majority of Germany, and we shall prevail in the fight against tyranny.

4.- We've considered France an enemy for the past two years, and fought against King Louis with determination. But His Majesty the King of France speaks the truth, the rising escalation of this war and the calls of irresponsible monarchs such as Francis I can only make this situation worse, driving us back to the chaos of the Thirty Years War as all of our nations bleed to death. We are committed to fight the tyranny of Francis and his refusals to seek peace, but we do not close the door to peace. We thank King Louis for showing restraint and a willingness to seek peace. We will reach out and talk to others, and we will seek a reasonable solution to conflict.

[Lumine]

After extended and productive negotations, several of the powers involved on this war have reached an agreement for peace, one which we hope will be lasting and helpful. We regret Francis of Lorraine and his Imperial League staying away from the road of peace, but we believe this Treaty of Paris will be of much help to Europe:

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[Lumine]

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x Frederick II, King of Prussia and Corsica.

[Lumine]

To the people of Austria, the Habsburg lands and the members of the Imperial League:

Sweden has made peace. France and most of its allies have made peace. You stand alone and practically without allies on this bloody struggle, defending the pointless cause of a tyrant who refuses to entertain a reasonable peace and chooses not only to prolong the war, but turn it into a fearsome War of Religion.

Is it worth it to continue this struggle against the odds? Is it worth it for you to kill your brothers for the sake of madness? Should Germany and the Habsburg Lands bleed and tear themselves apart for the sake of this Emperor?

His Majesty the King of Prussia believes this to be wrong, and offers you once again a chance to leave this conflict and spare yourselves from its consecuences. We ask you in sincerity and with concern, abandon this doomed cause, for we do not fight against you, only against Imperial tyranny.

[Lumine]

The Prussian Ambassador to Warsaw is likewise recalled for consultations. We note that the Kingdom of Prussia and Corsica does not recognize Catherine Alekseyevna's latest agreement with Poland.

[Lumine]

Truly, there are few men as unique as Francis of Lorraine. Many things he could be, such as a competent monarch, a caring ruler, a wise emperor, a capable general, a successful diplomat, a firm husband. But he choses to be what he is, an insane tyrant so bent on keeping his Imperial dignity and title, which he did not bother to use for years, that he would continue to plunge us all into war, destruction, famine and death even as his allies abandon him and show how futile, how pointless is his cause.

There you have a man who chose not to use his title of Emperor to allow his wife to do the hard work for him, and who after finally deciding to make use of his title prevented peace from being negotiated and plunged us all into this situation, passing arbritrary sentences, offending entire nations, abusing his supposed powers and claiming to defend institutions and values that benefit only him. Even his so much vaunted title of "Emperor" only came to be through the use of military force and other suspicious methods.

This is a man who freely allowed foreign enemy armies to roam across Germany and the Empire for the sake of his own personal ambition, a man who sends thousands of his subjects into battle only to meet pointless deaths despite bravery, a man who persist on defending what cannot be defended, a man who pits Germans against each other and stokes the flames of religious warfare to suit his own needs. And he calls himself a defender of the defunct Empire? He, a foreigner who has been the cause of wars and who has never truly aided his subjects purports to be the voice of justice? No one could believe such an act.

This tyrant asks who our enemy is? We'll oblige him. Our enemy isn't Austria, or Hungary, or Bohemia, or any German Prince or State. Our enemy is that foreigner sitting atop his throne, deposed Duke of Lorraine and failed last Emperor, Francis of Lorraine. He, enemy of peace, enemy of conciliation and tolerance, enemy of understanding and reason, is nothing but an enemy to Germany and the former members of the Empire, and a danger to peace in Europe. We have fought and bled for Germany and its estates, beaten back the French and Russians, and made peace.

And what has he done? In doing nothing he's done harm. In doing something, he's done harm. Open your eyes, peoples of the defunct Empire, and see your enemy.

[Lumine]

OOC: The turn is over already, I suggest we refrain from further proclaims at least until the end of turn update.

[Lumine]

A Public Proclaim to all the Monarchs, Nobles, Clergymen and Peoples of Europe:

“England hath long been mad and scarred herself.
The brother blindly shed the brother’s blood.
The father rashly slaughtered his own son.
The son, compelled, been butcher to the sire.
All this divided York and Lancaster,
Divided, in their dire division."

While I’ve never had a liking for Shakespeare and his ghastly plays*, there is a quote on his oft performed Richard III which appears unusually relevant to the divide which we see across our own continent. With ease you can replace “England” for “Europe”, “York and Lancaster” for “Catholic and Protestant”, and have a window into a chaos which threatens to engulf us all.

Two years, almost three have seen most of the armies of the continent fighting across the land, with laudable instances of bravery and terrible moments of crime all together in a war which seems to harken back to an area of inhumanity we had hoped to leave behind. We stand in mutual distrust and distaste, surrounded in fire, blood and the returning specter of the much-dreaded plague, and the death toll rises.

As an anointed monarch, I shall answer before a higher power for my actions and my decisions once I’m gone from with Earth, but my conscience, whether you choose to believe it or not, is clean. Not only have I no involvement with the failed attempts on the life of Francis of Lorraine and His Majesty Louis XV, I remain convinced the spirit and the letter of the Treaty of Paris was carefully followed and respected by the Kingdom of Prussia and Corsica as no Prussian soldier has stepped foot on Russia, abiding thus to the clause of no military intervention to leave those who follow the cause of Ivan VI or Peter III to wage their war.

You may choose to believe the contrary, but that is your decision, and your decision alone.

In terms of the chaos currently present in our continent, we’ve taken steps to reduce the damage. We’ve made peace with Sweden and France, and we are taking steps to address the latest developments in Russia to ensure no situation goes out of control for the powers involved. But what concerns me the most is the ongoing struggle across Germany, a struggle which has already costed thousands of lives and threatens to cost even more.

Make no mistake, I remain convinced as ever that the advantage possessed by the German League and our alliance remains crucial despite the last setbacks, and that this war can and would be won. But one has a duty to consider the cost this would bring on our own lands, subjects, allies and even our enemies. It would make little sense to continue such a costly war until Germany turns into a wasteland of division and hatred, and so we have decided to take a different course of action in hopes for understanding and moderation.

We have extended an olive branch to Francis of Lorraine, and we are prepared to start reasonable negotiations to see an end to the current conflict before it engulfs us all in something neither side can escape.

All of us have lost much on the current road. Young Archduke Joseph has lost his brave, respected mother. I have lost my dear brother Prince Henry, bravest among the bravest and true hero of Prussia. Men and women have fought, bled, suffered and died for different causes they believe in.

May we keep an open mind, and hope a suitable solution can be found.

*: Believe or not, it seems Frederick the Great loathed Shakespeare.

[Lumine]

From His Majesty King Frederick:

We are grateful to our allies for their displays of sorrow over the death of our beloved brother Prince Henry, and we will take steps to ensure his memory is never forgotten.

As to the developing situation on the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth we are prepared to confirm the Kingdom of Prussia and Corsica has formally granted refuge to His Majesty King Alexander II, his family and all of his supporters who require asylum and protection due to the highly violent and concerning situation taking place inside Poland.

We have not always agreed with the decisions taken by His Majesty King Alexander II, but we have always been sincere in our desire for friendship since the signing of the Treaty of Gdansk, which solved our past differences. We could not sit idly as his power waned away and the personal integrity of the King looked certain to be compromised, and so we are convinced offering him asylum was only the right, compassionate thing to do.

Let the record show the past weeks what we have seen from the National Assembly in Warsaw are acts of extreme violence and bloodshed, in apparent disregard for law or order. An ultimatum has been issued to us, demanding we return Alexander II for what we can only believe will be a show trial for him to follow the fate of the late Augustus III.

We hope the National Assembly has no hostile intentions against our realm, but something we will not do is to willingly hand over a fellow monarch to stand a trial such as this. We will not betray or breach the trust put on us by the King and the Royal Family. We have pledged to our honor to keep them safe, and that is exactly what we intend to do.

[Lumine]

It pleases me to inform the Most Serene Republic that negotiations with Austria are well on their way, and the Kingdom of Prussia is confident that a peace agreement will soon be signed to put an end to the bloodshed across Germany.

[Lumine]

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x Frederick II, King of Prussia and Corsica

We echo the recommendation of the Chairman of the League of Neutrality as an arbiter for future disputes regarding the treaty and particularly among members of the German League and the Imperial League.

A statement will soon be released from His Majesty.