Clearly this is an issue that divides the senate. It might be already clear by the number of votes that each option is getting, as four senators vote for reduction in offensiveness while two vote for increase and one does not vote on the issue. But I do find great the argument from senator Gandolfi that we must be offensive in order to defend ourselves :rofl:
Clearly senator Gandolfi has read "De re militari" from Flavius Vegetius Renatus, "Qui desiderat pacem, bellum praeparat; nemo provocare ne offendere audet quem intelliget superiorem esse pugnaturem"
In any case, as per rules and precedence, when two senators ask for an election, they get it. Currently the DPs votes stand at:
1) O- (4 votes)
2) O- (3 votes)
3) A+ (2 votes) with precedence for being first choice over other 2 voters (O+, A+ and O- in that order).
What I will do is close the election, and in order of not delaying further the session, I will apply an increase in Aristocracy in 1539. For 1549 and 1559 I will move the offensive slide according to the results of the following appendix to election 48:
[size=+1]Election 48b. Offensive Domestic Policy[/size]
Simply state if you prefer the siege bonus or the shock bonus. Remember to put it between quotes so I can find it easily.
Our current situation is at offensiveness 4. The siege bonus is acquired at offensiveness 1 and the shock bonus is acquired at offensiveness 9. Other effects are:
Code:
Off. 1 Off. 9
Morale difference: -0.15 +0.15
Artillery cost: -9 D +9 D
Fortification cost: -45% +45%
shock: -1 +1
siege: +1 -1
The importance of the bonuses cannot be overstated and clearly outweight all the rest. Being offensive 1 or 9 are both equally viable in SP and respond to personal preferences. The shock bonus is very important in the first half of the game, and the shock malus of O1 does have an impact. As the importance of fire increases, fortresses increase and morale is obtained through technology, the siege bonus becomes more important. There is really no point in paying stability for going all the way in offensiveness or defensiveness once the bonus is obtained.
Elections 47 and 48 are now closed. Results for elections:
Election 47. 1539-1549 International relations
Dear Friends: Spain (5/5 votes), Theodoros (4/5 votes) and Bulgary (4/5 votes).
Friends (with carry over): Hungary (4/5 votes), Papal States (4/5 votes), Austria (4/5 votes), The Knights (4/5 votes) and France (3/5 votes).
Adversaries (with carry over): Ottoman Empire (5/5 votes), Genoa (4/5 votes) and Portugal (3/5 votes).
Enemies: Egypt (3/5 votes)
Peace was decided (4/5 votes).
Election 48. 1539-1559 Domestic Policies
1539: Increase in Aristocracy
1549: Change in Offensiveness to be determined
1559: Change in Offensiveness to be determined