The Imperial Chronicles: Augustus

Prologue

Holy Year 1527 – Emerald Keep, City of Grandesburg

Emperor Ioseph von Grandesburg did all he could to appear attentive in front of his courtiers. He barely slept a wink the night before due to his duties, yet it is his obligation to make sure that no issues remain unsettled before he could rest. As the sovereign of four million people however, it seems that two new problems pop up for everyone he could solve. Recently, a crisis has broken out between the Holy Empire and their eastern neighbor, the Kingdom of Frescya. There is a damp mood over the great hall as many nobles theorize amongst themselves on how the issue would proceed.

"I tell you, it will only be a matter of time before those damned Frescians declare war on us! We must raise our armies while we still have time." Baron Rudy von Seine warned.

"I don't believe that King Louise of Frescya would be so brash." disagreed Baron Alonso von Briscia. "He wouldn't risk a war on us over a few carts of merchandise."

"Over a few carts of merchandise, he wouldn't." Baron Rudy agreed. "But over his pride? He certainly will. To be slighted by a count would not settle well for a king.".

"Count Corentin von Sasont did what he had to do. He could not just turn a blind eye on the illegal shipment of magic crystals passing through his territory." said Baron Ratsig von Spilitz.

"What was so special about that shipment anyway?" asked Baron Alonso. "How could a few carts put the Empire at the brink of war?"

"Count Corentin managed to intercept a convoy of high-grade magic crystals mined from Drakonsberg he believed were en route to the Kingdom of Frescya." answered Baron Ratsig. "The issue is that these were classified military-grade crystals being researched by the Kingdom of Drakonia as a trump card for the Empire's armies."

"It would certainly be a bad thing if the crystals were to fall into Frescian hands." added Baron Rudy. "If anything, it tells us that those pigs have plans in clashing with us on the battlefield."

"Still, we cannot be rash." Baron Alonso insisted. "Harvest season is almost upon us and raising levies now might put our grain supplies at risk. Besides, they will have a hard time marching their army into Imperial lands. The Umbris Mountains and Rolling Hills separate us from the Frescians".

"You forgot that the Eastern Plains are like a funnel that would lead our enemies into the heart of the Empire." Countered Baron Rudy. "If they manage to reach Krassau, all they need to do is to wait as we starve to death. The Principality of Krassau is the breadbasket of the Empire which we could not afford to lose."

"And that is where the Eastern Garrison comes in Rudy. They were specially formed in order to prevent that very scenario from happening. I believe we are being overly worried at nothing." insisted Baron Alonso.

Emperor Ioseph inhaled deeply as he observed his nobles in the great hall talk amongst themselves. He has become weary of this scenario. As the Holy Roman Emperor for more than three decades, he had sometimes considered abdicating the throne. His only son and heir, however, Crown Prince Franz von Grandesburg is barely 12 years old and is still unable to rule. The responsibilities of the Emperor are endless, and one so young cannot handle such burden. Not only is Ioseph the Archduke of Grandis, as the Holy Emperor he also has lordship over eight other realms namely: the Free Cities of the Northeast, the Jarldom of Scania, the Duchy of Saxnia, the Marche of Rhinnus, the Principality of Krassau, the Prince-Bishopric of Zalksbury, the Confederation of Umbris and the Kingdom of Drakonia. While his authority over the other realms is very limited, he still is considered as the first among equals in the Electorate College. This college is composed of the nine electors who are the heads of the nine realms. Legally, the title of Emperor is voted by the college and could be any of the nine electors but over the last 500 years, the title has always gone to the Archduke of Grandis.