Introducing Something Called "Freedom." An Interactive Russian AAR
There was something unnerving about Ivan's eyes. It wasn't cruelty or madness lurking in them, that would be typical enough of past Grand Dukes of Moscow. It was more of an absence than some sort of possession. The possibility that the man did not have a soul.
"The outbreak of plague has devastated to our lands. We only request a temporary relief in taxes, until we can recover." The envoy from Pskov kept his head pressed to the floor, his voice quivering.
Ivan stood up and walked past the prostrate supplicant as if nothing had been said. At the door of the throne room he abruptly turned and those in the room tried to hide from his eyes in whatever way available. Look at the floor, look at the Pskovian, anything.
"Send his head back to Pskov with the message that there are limits to my charity and good will." A muffled scream came from the envoy as he was quickly overpowered by guards.
Ivan III took his leave. He was going to meet with his most trusted advisors to discuss the future of the Grand Duchy. The Pskovian was already forgotten.
I'm back after another lengthy absence (I'll spare you the details, but we're talking soap opera stuff here, friends). I thought it would be fun to try an interactive AAR and just see what happens.
The Basics
Nation: Muscowy
Scenario: Age of Exploration, 1492, vanilla version
Patch: 1.08, June beta
Difficulty: Very Hard/Normal
The Advisors to the Tsar
This will work a lot like in the earlier Austrian AAR. Just post what position you'd like and it's yours. Every ten years and at the start of the game the council will convene. I may call emergency sessions for specific issues as well (important historical events, some huge crisis). There will be several large issues that everyone will advise on, as will as specific advice appropriate to each role (i.e. The Metropolitan of Moscow suggests conversions/religious tolerances, etc). Advice should be equal parts what's good for the game and role playing of the position. Have fun and pick a role you can get into.
Military Advisor: Gives advice regarding army composition and maintainence. At present we have 100,000 soldiers, divided evenly between cavalry and infantry. At full support this army will cost us 47.5 Ducats a month. Our present economy cannot support such a large army. We estimate that a force of 53,000 could be supported. We have two leaders: Shenja 4/2/3 and Kholmski 3/2/3/1.
Naval Advisor: A good choice if you don't want to do much.
Gives advice on naval composition and maintanence and overseas exploration. At present we have no ships and one port in Ingermanland.
Metropolitan of Moscow: The head of the Orthodox Church. Gives advice on religious tolerance and conversions. Currently all provinces are Orthodox expect for Catholics in Kexholm. We are bordered by Muslims (Kazan, Golden Horde) and Catholics (Poland-Lithuania, Sweden, Teutonic Order.
Foreign Minister: Gives advice on alliances and other diplomatic matters. We are currently allied with Pskov, Ryazan and Crimea, but they have little love for us and cannot be considered dependable in a crisis (-108, -108, and +0, respectively). Kazan is a vassal, but they hate us (-200) and will likely renounce their allegiance as soon as it is opportune to do so. We are surrounded by potential enemies: Lithuania (-115), Sweden (-125), Golden Horde (-200) and the Teutonic Order (-115).
A reasonably accurate map of the region
Cossack Advisor: Gives advice on colonization and land exploration. Currently we have three colonies in Kola, Karelia and Arkhangelsk. The cities in these colonies have 100 residents each.
Financial Advisor: Gives advice on distribution of wealth, trade and promotion of infrastructure. Currently we have no tax collectors and are poor relative to our size (11.3 monthly income). We have one merchant in Moscow earning very little for us (1.57 Ducats/year). Investments are fairly evenly divided Stability is not a problem. We have 50 Ducats in our treasury.
General Issues
Two issues for all at the moment.
#1. The future direction of Muscowy.
Should we seek war or try to develop peacefully? Currently we only have claims on the lands of our allies in Pskov and Ryazan. We are surrounded by potential enemies and are quite poor for our size.
#2. Domestic Policies. What gets the "click?"
The Boyars in our lands currently hold significant power and make many of the ruling decisions in their lands (Aristocracy 8, Centralization 3). Our Orthodox heritage and limited rights for most discourage free thought (Innovativeness 2). We are neither especially protectionist or especially free in trade (Mercantilism 5). Our armies are reasonably courageous in battle, but consist heavily of peasants (Offensive 6, Quality 3). We are not a naval power (Land 7). The peasantry are slaves in all but name (Serfdom 9).
You can start claiming your role and posting advice immediately. I'll post updates about every day or so, probably taking longer at the start. All for Mother Russia!
There was something unnerving about Ivan's eyes. It wasn't cruelty or madness lurking in them, that would be typical enough of past Grand Dukes of Moscow. It was more of an absence than some sort of possession. The possibility that the man did not have a soul.
"The outbreak of plague has devastated to our lands. We only request a temporary relief in taxes, until we can recover." The envoy from Pskov kept his head pressed to the floor, his voice quivering.
Ivan stood up and walked past the prostrate supplicant as if nothing had been said. At the door of the throne room he abruptly turned and those in the room tried to hide from his eyes in whatever way available. Look at the floor, look at the Pskovian, anything.
"Send his head back to Pskov with the message that there are limits to my charity and good will." A muffled scream came from the envoy as he was quickly overpowered by guards.
Ivan III took his leave. He was going to meet with his most trusted advisors to discuss the future of the Grand Duchy. The Pskovian was already forgotten.
I'm back after another lengthy absence (I'll spare you the details, but we're talking soap opera stuff here, friends). I thought it would be fun to try an interactive AAR and just see what happens.
The Basics
Nation: Muscowy
Scenario: Age of Exploration, 1492, vanilla version
Patch: 1.08, June beta
Difficulty: Very Hard/Normal
The Advisors to the Tsar
This will work a lot like in the earlier Austrian AAR. Just post what position you'd like and it's yours. Every ten years and at the start of the game the council will convene. I may call emergency sessions for specific issues as well (important historical events, some huge crisis). There will be several large issues that everyone will advise on, as will as specific advice appropriate to each role (i.e. The Metropolitan of Moscow suggests conversions/religious tolerances, etc). Advice should be equal parts what's good for the game and role playing of the position. Have fun and pick a role you can get into.
Military Advisor: Gives advice regarding army composition and maintainence. At present we have 100,000 soldiers, divided evenly between cavalry and infantry. At full support this army will cost us 47.5 Ducats a month. Our present economy cannot support such a large army. We estimate that a force of 53,000 could be supported. We have two leaders: Shenja 4/2/3 and Kholmski 3/2/3/1.
Naval Advisor: A good choice if you don't want to do much.
Gives advice on naval composition and maintanence and overseas exploration. At present we have no ships and one port in Ingermanland. Metropolitan of Moscow: The head of the Orthodox Church. Gives advice on religious tolerance and conversions. Currently all provinces are Orthodox expect for Catholics in Kexholm. We are bordered by Muslims (Kazan, Golden Horde) and Catholics (Poland-Lithuania, Sweden, Teutonic Order.
Foreign Minister: Gives advice on alliances and other diplomatic matters. We are currently allied with Pskov, Ryazan and Crimea, but they have little love for us and cannot be considered dependable in a crisis (-108, -108, and +0, respectively). Kazan is a vassal, but they hate us (-200) and will likely renounce their allegiance as soon as it is opportune to do so. We are surrounded by potential enemies: Lithuania (-115), Sweden (-125), Golden Horde (-200) and the Teutonic Order (-115).
A reasonably accurate map of the region
Cossack Advisor: Gives advice on colonization and land exploration. Currently we have three colonies in Kola, Karelia and Arkhangelsk. The cities in these colonies have 100 residents each.
Financial Advisor: Gives advice on distribution of wealth, trade and promotion of infrastructure. Currently we have no tax collectors and are poor relative to our size (11.3 monthly income). We have one merchant in Moscow earning very little for us (1.57 Ducats/year). Investments are fairly evenly divided Stability is not a problem. We have 50 Ducats in our treasury.
General Issues
Two issues for all at the moment.
#1. The future direction of Muscowy.
Should we seek war or try to develop peacefully? Currently we only have claims on the lands of our allies in Pskov and Ryazan. We are surrounded by potential enemies and are quite poor for our size.
#2. Domestic Policies. What gets the "click?"
The Boyars in our lands currently hold significant power and make many of the ruling decisions in their lands (Aristocracy 8, Centralization 3). Our Orthodox heritage and limited rights for most discourage free thought (Innovativeness 2). We are neither especially protectionist or especially free in trade (Mercantilism 5). Our armies are reasonably courageous in battle, but consist heavily of peasants (Offensive 6, Quality 3). We are not a naval power (Land 7). The peasantry are slaves in all but name (Serfdom 9).
You can start claiming your role and posting advice immediately. I'll post updates about every day or so, probably taking longer at the start. All for Mother Russia!
