• We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.

Cow Pie

King Harvest
42 Badges
Jun 7, 2003
507
0
Visit site
  • Stellaris - Path to Destruction bundle
  • Europa Universalis III: Collection
  • Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado
  • Crusader Kings II: Way of Life
  • Europa Universalis IV: Common Sense
  • Crusader Kings II: Horse Lords
  • Europa Universalis IV: Cossacks
  • Europa Universalis IV: Mare Nostrum
  • Stellaris
  • Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man
  • Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
  • 500k Club
  • Stellaris: Synthetic Dawn
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Stellaris: Distant Stars
  • Stellaris: Megacorp
  • Imperator: Rome
  • Stellaris: Ancient Relics
  • Crusader Kings III
  • Crusader Kings III: Royal Edition
  • Europa Universalis IV: Art of War
  • Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Crusader Kings II: Rajas of India
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Europa Universalis III
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Europa Universalis IV: Call to arms event
  • For the Motherland
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • Hearts of Iron III: Their Finest Hour
  • Hearts of Iron III Collection
  • Europa Universalis IV: Res Publica
  • Semper Fi
The Republic

Introduction
The Republic of Venice, in a world of King’s and Duke’s it was the one land where peace is still promoted. The leader of this peaceful land is elected, thus keeping him from becoming too strong. Power made monarchs may be all the rage in the rest of Europe but Venice was above all that. She most powerful navy in the world, the richest nation in the world, the protector of the Italian, Greek, and Slovak people.

Tommaso Mocenigo was the leader of the great nation, a bit weak willed not a very strategy minded Doge. He won the election on a mercantile platform, promoting peace and prosperity. He offended the Croats and got the Merchant Republic involved in a land war. Quickly he began to look for allies, the Habsburgs refused to be led by the Venetians but they had no objection about the Republic joining the alliance they set up.

The army of the Republic was not created to meet the enemy army on the field, quite the opposite. Like the Venetian merchants, the soldiers were primary to sneak and take advantage when it could be taken. Only on the sea did the Republic feel confident of its power, and only on the sea did the forces of the Republic hunt down and destroy their foe. But this foe barely knew how to work a fishing boat, so the Republic’s greatest advantage was immediately taken away.

Mocenigo for all his weak mindedness was well aware of what the Empire needed, and what it needed was to do what it had been doing. The Republic was strongest at peace, but his opponents saw the Republic as the rightful protector of the Slovaks. The Croats were a Slovak nation so what, was Mocenigo supposed to protect them from themselves?

This was Venice, the land of the Doge. Only time would tell if it would remain to be.

Settings

Hard/Furious

Goals:

Different goals for each Doge, but over all goals.

Save Constantinople from the Muslim hordes (I.E. keep Turks from getting the event that changes culture and religion).

Spread Republic to the Greeks, Italians, and Slav people.

Make all the above people good Catholics

Remain in good standing as far as reputation goes
 
Well, a better start than one would expect from a cow pie... ;) But seriously- this game will be extremely entertaining to watch!

Will be reading! :)
 
The Reign of Doge Tommaso Mocenigo

The 1st army of the Republic (1st army for short) arrived in Krain in February, while the Hungarians were in Istria, and Dalmatia. But the coast was secure for a long time, and Krain fell to the army in November. The Doge was in acting control of the army and he wanted the Hungarians out of the way so that the Croats could be conquered. But even the fall of Pest the next year in August did not convince the Hungarians. The whole coast line fell to the Hungarians, but Mocenigo pulled a diplomatic coup of his own by signing a truce with the Croatians. The war was over, except of course for the war against the Swiss.

The Doge was not a popular man, his proposed “peace and prosperity” was turning into “fight and gain nothing.” As has been said Venice was made up of merchants, who felt that any investment should have a pay-off. A truce was not seen as a pay off, especially against uneducated people who belonged under Republican control (i.e. Croatia).

His popularity wasn’t increased when he promoted a tax collector in Veneto. Finally a chance to redeem himself came in 1422, the Croatians had declared war on Austria, the Venetian incentive to take advantage of a situation kicked in, of course the army would have to leave Schwyz first but that was a minor detail.

In March the 1st Army, although greatly reduced, was making quarters in Schwyz. The day after seventy five ducats were taken from the Swiss for peace, this served to raise more troops to make up for the fallen soldiers. It somewhat cleared up the blemishes on Mocenigo’s record, but not much.

It came time for an election when Mocenigo died suddenly. Riding a platform that was different completely from Mocenigo’s Francesco Foscarini demanded a military build up on land and that the Republic spread their idea’s to the Greek and Slav people. His governing would be flawed terribly and the financial affairs of the Empire would be stressed like never before, he would go from being the most popular Doge in recent memory to the most hated, and back again.
 
A very nice, very readable start. I'll follow this, especially if there's pictures, which I'd very much like but I better not mention in case you can't host them anywhere in which case I'd have made you feel bad, maybe bad enough to give up, which of course I would hate myself for, so let me just rephrase that, really I don't want any pictures!

(Unless you want to stick some in, that's OK...) :D
 
Stroph1 Well if I can make it to 1500 and have just a slightly tarnished reputation I shall be quite satisfied, and won't hesitate to unleash the Republic armies on Europe... like the other guy, I forget his name began with 'N' ended with 'eon' ;)

Rhodz & Hajji Giray I Thanks to both of you

Farquharson Oh my... I'm afraid I can't put up pictures, and I shall have to abandon the story because I cannot show the story to the full potential, I shall simply have to retire as a failure from writing.
 
I kid

The Warrior Doge Francesco Foscarini

The first act of the new Doge was to direct the 1st Army to attack Krain, they arrived in October, by June of the next year it was in Republican hands. In August the Croatian government was taken, and so was Krain. With minimal casualties the Doge had achieved greatness, and the officials began arriving shortly to properly incorporate Krain into the Republic. The day was August 19, 1424.

Any other Doge worth his salt would have changed his focus to repairing the weakened monetary funds. But Francesco Foscarini felt that as long as there was a surplus then there was no need to make the economy any stronger. All he could think about were his armies, he garrisoned the islands of the Republic, this was not in itself that bad of an idea except for the great lengths he was going to. The island of Ionia received the largest garrison, by the time Foscarini was satisfied it was almost seven thousand men.

This disturbed the aristocracy to no end. It was obvious that such steps meant a war with the Ottoman Empire, valuable trade partners. The Merchants revolted and defeated General Carmagnola, he gathered men at Istria, always suspicious of the Veneto merchants, and put down the rebellion.

The next step was to attack the Italian Bloc, it reaffirmed the faith in the Doge. Mantua was attacked, they were aided by nearly everyone: Tuscany, Duchy of Athens, Siena, Modena, Papal States, Ragusa, and Bosnia. By now two armies were formed but the still small East army did not move to block the Ragusans who marched through the lands of Venice. 1431 Mantua was annexed, and only the plea’s of the nations of the world kept the Warrior Doge’s armies from marching across the Po (that and the twenty thousand + Papal Army ;) on the otherside ). But were the armies were still the navy was defeated by a coallition of ships from Ragusa, and the Papacy. At once in his eyes Foscarini ‘s suspicion that the 1st Navy of the Republic (1st Navy for short) was no longer needed to dictate the terms of the Republic. He would focus on the land forces the shift destabilized the Republic.

1432 Peace settled, Mantua was annexed and Tuscany, as a sister Republic agreed to a truce, the people were not unhappy. The Patriarch of Rome was a dreadful creature but one that any good Catholic would tolerate, and attacking him was heresy. No they had gotten what they wanted, for now.
 
Very nice Cow Pie, your off to a running start. But do you mean slavic, slavs, or slovenes in the first update instead of slovaks (the slovaks live between Ukraine, Hungary, Bohemia (Czech Rep.), and Romania, with the present day capital at Bratislava.
 
rafjorbro said:
Very nice Cow Pie, your off to a running start. But do you mean slavic, slavs, or slovenes in the first update instead of slovaks (the slovaks live between Ukraine, Hungary, Bohemia (Czech Rep.), and Romania, with the present day capital at Bratislava.

In this particular game I'm referring to the Province culture labeled: Slavonic, the Culture in the provinces of Krain, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Bulgaria. and upon consultation with the handy dandy map of Slav migration (yes I have one :D) I see that the Krain and Croat branch currently under my control are called "Gepids." Never heard of the name myself my research of Eastern Europe, and indeed of the migrations in general is severely limited.

Running start? This is slow by this time in my last game I was already in control of Greece :D, granted things have changed between games.

I am unable to post screenies myself, on a side note, but if someone contacts my on AIM or MSN I can send one.
 
Gepids...

Anyway, excelent start Cow Pie, seems that you've gotten the Republic off to a strong start. Im suprised you got away with that war against the whole of Italy. I am, to this day, afraid of attacking any alliance with the Pope in it.
 
Try photobucket for screenies.

As for the story, nice beginning. I like how you have split it up by Dige. Will you be role-playing them? And I wonder if that move towards land is a good one? Venice is a sea power, after all. I would hate to see her fall behind Genoa of all countries.
 
coz1 said:
Try photobucket for screenies.

As for the story, nice beginning. I like how you have split it up by Dige. Will you be role-playing them? And I wonder if that move towards land is a good one? Venice is a sea power, after all. I would hate to see her fall behind Genoa of all countries.

Role playing? probably not to heavy, I'll probably make up personalities as they pop up to serve my own needs in the game. The guy's after my warrior Doge are gonna be a bit more reform minded, as the current one didn't build any taxcollectors or anything.

The move toward Land isn't complete more like just a couple clicks for that Doge, we move back towards the sea as time goes on, and Genoa becomes less of a problem as times goes on.

and the problem I have with screenies is that I can't upload them to any site that I've tried, not even Yahoo in order to email them to someone.

Estonianzulu

I was kinda happy about the peace deal, I'm not scared of the Pope though, just his army :D
 
Last edited:
The Catholic Sword

The Republic would not join any more foreign wars for awhile, the call to arms was heeded of course when Austria went to war with Helveita in 33, but no troops were sent and the share of booty that the Venetians received from the peace treaty was hardly deserved, not that the Doge complained. The troops had already stripped Schwyz of its valuables, much like they did to Constantinople during the Crusades.

When Austria Declared war on Hungary it was another matter, the Eastern army was sent into action, and took the target, unfortunately the Austrians used our success to their advantage and settled for taking a token sum from the Hungarians, how Venetian of them.

For allowing this, perhaps unjustly, Foscarini’s image suffered. He began to withdraw from even his military reforms, he was becoming frugal with a ducat, nobody could think of a good reason. At the end of February in 38 he funded a missionary movement to Ionia. Had the military man converted to minister?

The next year another war on the Swiss and the same price as last time, 75 ducats that went towards a planned missionary trip to Crete.

Dec, 5 1443, the Island of Ionia was converted to the Western church, the Doge was commended by the Pope and his reputation began to recover.

In October two years later the alliance with Austria fell apart and the Doge reformed it promptly, with himself in charge only now did it become known just what the Doge was planning.
 
The Liberator

Six more years of waiting brought the Doge the circumstances he needed. The Ottoman Empire was at war with another Turkish Horde, the great army was ready and the 1st Army was en route. In a meeting with the Senate Dictator, as he was now being called, Foscarini outlined his policy for the last few years.

“Friends, Venetians, Country men, lend me your pocket books! We war with the Ottoman menace, not because I wish to see our great Republic destroyed, but because I want to see it saved. I go not to save the House of Osman, but to bury it.” The Republicans were unmoved by such a silly speech. “When I saved the money to convert Crete and Ionia, both successful ventures need I remind you that increased our overall income.” He had regained their attention. “This was also to ensure they would remain faithful during this great investment I am about to embark on. The House of Constantine could fall at any second, the Ottomans must not be allowed to gain this great tradition, we shall protect the Eastern Empire from her enemies, they are after all good Catholics now.”

A great cheer rang through the Senate, the fate of Byzantine had been the hot European political issue for many decades. Each nation said they wanted to help but no military aid could be given. The Republic was determined to provide that aid, the Ottoman’s would be crippled now and destroyed later.

The Ak Koyunlu and Dulkadir came to the aid of the Ottomans and these two forces, especially the former, would prove to be more dangerous to the Republic’s progress. The first battle took place at Corfu, the garrison fought off an invading Ottoman Army, and the 1st fleet destroyed the navy that was trying to pick up the defeated fighters. The Ottoman force was destroyed to a man in the sea. Meanwhile the Ionian regiment crossed over to Asia Minor and began to siege Smyrna, the first real naval battle took place in The Cyclades. A medium sized Ottoman force was sent into retreat, shortly thereafter the 1st army unloaded into Macedonia

1452

Meanwhile Crete converted to the Catholic faith, apparently afraid of being the target of this Venetian Crusade. But the Hungarians tried to take advantage of this and declared war on Austria, the Venetians joined the war gladly, apparently the Hungarians had forgotten that the Republic could fight on two fronts. But could she fight on three? Genoa declared war on Georgia, who’s allies all could interfere with the progress of the 1st navy. Even the Emperor joined the war, at first he denied but he rethought the decision. Here was a chance, to keep the Turks out of the great city by taking control, plans were made.

But those wars did not matter, another truce with Hungary, and Genoa making peace with Georgia all kept any plans for expansion from coming to fruition. Reinforcements from Italy boarded the fleet in July and the fleet once more made the journey to Ionia. In August Macedonia fell and the army moved on to Bulgaria were an Ottoman army was beaten. Hostile fleets were engaged and destroyed in Oranto and Crete respectively.

1453

Finally in February the reinforcements from Italy arrived and went to the aid of the two field armies. The war against the Ottomans on Asia progressed smoothly, Smyrna fell and the Ottoman Army was once more beaten at Anatolia. Unfortunately the European Army was not to be beaten so easily, after Bulgaria fell Rumelia was chosen as the logical next choice, the army of Osman refused to be beaten and reinforcements had to be sailed in. In September Anatolia fell, which left the Republican armies in quite the problem, until it was realized the Trabzon was a friendly Orthodox province that needed liberation, but that realization didn’t come for some time still.

1454

The Ak Koyunlu armies were beaten by the 1st army, and in October the Ottomans were beaten at Trabzon. Peace offers were now being made, the Republic demanded Bulgaria, Smyrna, and Macedonia for peace. Those provinces it was deemed would serve well to protect the Eastern Empire. From the Ottoman Allies he wanted nothing but peace, as they were too many, numerical wise, to deal with.

1455

In a secret manuever to aid the siege of Trazbon the 1st fleet arrived in the Eastern Black Sea, only to find an Ottoman Fleet en route to raid our new allies, the Genoans (heresy yes I know) lands. It was a mighty fleet and will go down in history as such, many ships were lost on both sides but the Ottoman fleet was sent into retreat with only twenty ships remaining. Indeed it was discovered they reached their target and indeed defeated the Genoan fleet on many occasions.

1456

Trabzon fell but the Ottomans still refused any peace. Angora fell also, the next year the army moved on to Adana which fell. This was followed by the allied naval victory over the Ottomans in the Western Black Sea.

As quickly as it was gained Trabzon was lost back to a liberating Ottoman force, but such things will be rectified soon enough. The Battle of the Black Sea since being fought has gone down in legend.

The Admiral of the 1st fleet had noticed a small skirmish being fought off the coast of Kaffa, two ships with the Genoan flag were being hemmed in by maneuvers performed by the superior Ottoman Navy. Quickly the coarse was changed, the galleys of the Republic moved quickly and escorted the Genoan warships out of the thick of things. Then the main Genoan fleet joined the battle, more then forty ships were arrayed, the Ottoman navy was smashed and destroyed completely. The Venetians were the unreputed naval power of the East Mediterranean once more.

1457 it was over, for the Warrior Doge that is, he died in his sleep, his dictatorship at last at an end. The new Doge was a navy man, who was no doubt pleased about the success that the navy was meeting. He however was more reform minded then his predecessor, even if his abilities did not reflect that. Pasquale Malipiero had inherited the war in the East, we shall see if he can end it.
 
Farquharson said:
Those Ottomans seem to be a mite stubborn, but I'm sure the new doge will sort things out soon enough!

Yea this was my first game on Very Hard/Furious in awhile (I liked the nice short game where my Empire stretched from Normandy to Russia :D) and the Ai's refusal to make peace really irks me; especially with Venice because the prolonged war only hurts me.
 
Go Cowpie. AI refusals of peace simply fuel more war against them. I always get mad at the AI and make it pay. :p

Good job so far with Venice. I'll have to play them sometime. :)