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[X] Representatives of the Crownlander magnates, primarily Senators – the Zborowski brothers, for example.

These guys or the Ruthenians I think. Clergy is an option, but that seems too conservative for campaigning, somehow.
 
By the way, I can understand our Prince being somewhat informal with his cousin, but calling him "Orphan" all the time to his face might be a little... annoying for him, especially since it comes from him really being one. Imagine yourself in his place, I don't think you would appreciate that. The same goes for Stanisław's father calling him "Prince Sierotka" when speaking with us. It's a nickname, but calling somebody by his nickname all the time is very condescending, if not insulting.

What can I say? The clergy always loved the Habsburgs as staunch Catholics, as well as enemies of heretics and heathens. They will surely support him.

Funnily enough, the Zborowskis were supporters of the Habsburgs, with some other Crownland magnates to boot. Like it says on the tin, some will go along with it, since politics, politics...

I don't believe in this one. Zamoyski was the mastermind behind Bathory's ascension to the throne and was his staunchest supporter. They both cooperated brilliantly and funnily enough, Samuel Zborowski was Bathory's guest in exile, therefore he will most assuredly support him as well.

A lost cause to be fair. Protestant and from the opposite camp when it comes to Imperial politics. We can't promise them nothing they don't have already, with the exception of granting Ducal Prussia full independence, yet no Sejm will ever accept it. Not to mention the fact, they the simply cannot vote in the election, only provide money and support from the shadows.

I can see them supporting the Habsburgs, since the Ruthenians (both rich and poor), unlike other Crownlanders, loved a good scrap and the Turks with their vassals were primary targets. There is also the matter of Lublin but nothing will ever come from it, not without a civil war or facing destruction at the hands of foreign invaders.
I want to ask the following of you, as our subject matter expert: of the Crownlanders and the Ruthenians, which one will we not succeed without? I have a feeling that the answer is 'the Crownlanders,' but I'm not sure if maybe the Ruthenian nobles have enough clout that a path to victory is possible with them.
 
I want to ask the following of you, as our subject matter expert: of the Crownlanders and the Ruthenians, which one will we not succeed without? I have a feeling that the answer is 'the Crownlanders,' but I'm not sure if maybe the Ruthenian nobles have enough clout that a path to victory is possible with them.
The Crownlanders, without so much as a doubt.

They are much more numerous (which matters in the election, since numbers decide here), prone to bribes (the poor) and their magnates are more influential in the general state of affairs in the Commonwealth.

Having said that:

[X] Representatives of the Crownlander magnates, primarily Senators – the Zborowski brothers, for example.
 
[X] Representatives of the Crownlander magnates, primarily Senators – the Zborowski brothers, for example.
 
[X] Representatives of the Crownlander magnates, primarily Senators – the Zborowski brothers, for example.
 
[X] Representatives of the Crownlander magnates, primarily Senators – the Zborowski brothers, for example.
 
XXII. October 25, 1574-May 12, 1575. Kraków to Stężyca, Polish Crownlands.
Frost falls early this year. The days become shorter, and the burden falls upon your shoulders, now fur-cloaked, to bring a foreigner into the arms of the Commonwealth.

It is a lonely winter. Marszowski cowed into quiet, Mariana tight-lipped, your brothers running about Lithuania; Krzysztof fighting Tatars in the South, Septimus politicking amongst the Ruthenians — even Sierotka has returned to his estates. You're effectively alone in the Crownlands, your retinue and wife and her ladies all about and, yet, alone. Father is around, of course, but not in much of a speaking mood, rather holding a miniature court in his wing of Wawel. You reckon that those who you talk to go to him straight after.

As for the Friar… Well, you're not sure what to make of the Friar anymore. Do you still Confess as much as you used to?

[] Yes.

[] Yes, but you're beginning to mind your faith.

[] No.

[] No, and you feel an itch to replace him.

You find yourself, each and every day, speaking with someone new, explaining the decision for Maciej on behalf of the family as much as for yourself. It was your decision in the end, after all, for your cousin deferred to you; may God guide you both. You meet a dizzying array of men of all names and of all sorts of senatorial ranks: the aging Andrzej Tęczyński, the doubting Calvinist Hieronim Sieniawski, Sierotka's brother-in-law Mikołaj Mielecki, a fiery Zebrzydowski scion just about your age, and the coughing and wheezing Jerzy Jazłowiecki, who died during the early spring's mud. It's hard to keep track of them all, especially as the cold and dark dulls your senses, filling you with the melancholic humor. But, for the family, you must press on and do your duty, no matter how badly you wish you stay in your chambers.

And you answer the same questions again and again: why this young Maciej, and not the Emperor himself? Eyebrows cock and arms cross and the backs of necks are scratched but they do listen, and closely, too — God is good, they seem to still be aboard the ship, no matter how incredulous or even unnerved.

The Zborowscy remain a mystery, though, perhaps the card of the Fool in the mix (though certainly anything but). You expected fruitful conversations with any number of the brood of five, but they all tell you one thing: "it should have been the Emperor, and Samuel needs to come home." The rumors have it that they strengthen their private armies by the day. Until their missing sixth brother is allowed back into the realm, they shall be as statues. The infamis in question, meanwhile, has become a fixture in the Transylvanian court.

Indeed, it's all very frustrating. Everybody is keeping quiet, moving little, and speaking even less. If nothing else, it at least seems that the camps have not migrated, no matter how shaken the Habsburg faction may be by the bet placed upon young Maciej.

The trees begin to blossom before you know it, and you find yourself leaving the wintry haze, either renewed by faith in the Lord or in your fellow man. And it's good timing, too: a sejm is convening at Stężyca on May 12 or, well, a bit of a pre-sejm? A summit all the same.

Do you...

[] Hasten to Stężyca.

[] Stay in Kraków; await the arrival of the Archduke's procession.

Then, move as one to Stężyca – if you can make it in time!
 
[X] Yes, but you're beginning to mind your faith.
[X] Hasten to Stężyca.
 
[X] No.

Our friar doesn't seem to do anything other than bring the character personal torment and ruining our relationships with friends and family.

[X] Hasten to Stężyca.

It's time to gather like-minded fellows who will suggest the correct things to the young, foreign king who has a desperate need of wise advisors.
 
[X] No, and you feel an itch to replace him.
[X] Hasten to Stężyca.

I am definitely not whipped irl why do you ask.
 
[X] No, and you feel an itch to replace him.
[X] Hasten to Stężyca.

Never liked the guy anyway.
 
Time to correct the mistake I foisted upon us and or character. I'll take our newfound ability to moderate vice as a consolation prize for a wrecked marriage. Here's hoping it's not broken beyond repair.

[X] No, and you feel an itch to replace him.
[X] Hasten to Stężyca.
 
You're effectively alone in the Crownlands, your retinue and wife and her ladies all about and, yet, alone.
By the way, we've been using Crownlanders (Koroniarze) as a synonym for Poles for so long, that I completely forgot, that Lithuanians also had a slang term used by the Polish: Charders (Boćwiniarze), since adding -men or -landers seems to be too far fetched. From chard (boćwina, boćwinka), due to the Lithuanian love for root vegetables in their cuisine, especially beetroot.
 
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[X] No, and you feel an itch to replace him.
[X] Hasten to Stężyca.
 
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