[Diplomacy] After the Carrot Comes . . . the Next Carrot?

An all-so-familiar time has come once more. The Emperor is excommunicated and at war, while rebels rage in another part of his nation. With any luck, this has instilled some amount of worry into the hearts of the small nations of the Empire, as the possibility of imperial protection begins to waver.

In other words, it's the best time to capitalize on some fearmongering.

A letter is sent out to the same nations as before, barring those few that have since declared other allegiances or accepted the offer of associate state.

To the nations of Swabia, and its surrounding regions:

You will no doubt recall some years ago, when the offer was made to you of associate status within the Swiss Confederacy. This status entails complete and assured protection by the Swiss from all outside threats, as well as observer status on our central council, alongside other benefits.

At the time that this offer was first made, the Empire was in turmoil. The Emperor had been excommunicated, and it seemed uncertain that peace would ever again reign in the lands of the Germans. Now, tragically, history repeats itself.

In this time of renewed turmoil, the Swiss Confederacy once again repeats its proposal to you. The downsides of accepting this offer are nonexistent: it is our vow to you that what remains of the Swabian League will pose you no threat should you join; precedent establishes that Imperial immediacy is maintained in such a situation; and you gain the protection of a sure ally in the Swiss in addition to that of the faraway home of the Empire's ruler.

If you doubt that great benefits will come to you should you join the Swiss, look to how our own lands have been improved in the past years, growing richer and more powerful than could ever have been imagined. Accept our offer of associate status, and the same may come to you.

Signed, your brothers in the south,

The Tagsatzung of the Swiss Confederacy