Settings: hard/aggressive, no missions, played as Novgorod.
Goal: create a different Russia (I don't know in which way, but different from Russia created by Moscow).
The differences are somewhat apparent in the beginning. Novgorod is a republic, ruled by City Council made up of merchants. People are more free than in the rest of Russia, the war doctrine is more defensive (I'll put an end to this nonsense) and just a bit more oriented toward quality (in comparison to Moscow). The society is less aristocratic. Novogord still is led in battle by Princes, but in the peacetime they are always controlled by the City Council.
Intro: Sovereign Great Novgorod
Sovereign Great Novgorod. The last free city of old Rus'. Ruled by a merchant, led in battle by a Prince and defended by the axe of a freeman. The mob of the city has more courage than the ancient Romans and the merchant elite has more gold than any other city in Eastern Europe. The goods flow into the city from as far as India in the East, White Sea in the North, France in the West and Egypt in the South. The values of the city are mixed, this is true. On one hand we have freedom loving people, on another gold-hungry traders. But above all they love Rus' and would hate to see it ruled by foreign invaders or Muscowite autocrats. The people of Novgorod would do anything to preserve their way of life, whatever it is and restore Russia to its former glory. After all, it was them who saved Russia from Vikings in the battle at Neva River. It was them who defeated Teutons at Lake Peipus. It was them who preached the same old lesson to enemies of Russia again and again: come with a sword, die by a sword.
Part I: Two Cities
Year 1419. Two cities stand against each other, each eager to bring all of Russia under their command. The first, Novgorod, stands for old Russia: free and respected by others, with Princes having as less control as possible. The second, Moscow, is ruled by ambitious rulers, whose goal is to create a new Russia, modeled after its former conqueror - Golden Horde. They dream of creating an empire that would rule over the rest of the Orthodox world and where a Prince, or Czar, would have the absolute control of all of his subjects.
The battlelines are drawn rather quickly. Moscow and Suzdal' cancel vassalization with Golden Horde and ally against Novgorod. Novgorod is forced to seek allies among other Russian principalities. Pskov is the only one that agrees to side with the City. In many ways Pskov is like Novgorod, only less powerfull and, thus, more ambitious. By 1420 two alliances are at war, with Muscowites gaining an upper hand over smaller armies of Novgorod. Novgorod's merchants are reluctant to support large armies and the city pays for it dearly. Pskov, on the other hand, diverts all its resources to the war effort and prevails over its enemies. In 1423 Pskov army enters Vladimir, the capital of Suzdal', and the principality surrenders to the conqueror. By that time Muscowites are besieging Novgorod itself and Novgorodians expect Pskov to aid them in struggle. All in vain. Not only Pskov makes peace with Moscow, but it also drags Novgorod in war with Tver'. Novgorodians swear to avenge this treacherous behavior, but at the time they are too busy trying to survive Moscow's onslaught on the gates of the City.
Meanwhile, the old Russian foe makes a move again. As Ryazan' declares its independence from Golden Horde, the latter retaliates and invades the principality. In 1424 they sack the city and annex the province. However, as all of Russia mourns the fate of the city, Ryazanians revolt and after a year of strugle win their independence again. Ryazan' comes back on the international arena stronger than ever: it controls not only the province of Ryazan', but Voronezh, Tambov and Saratov as well.
In 1426 Novgorodians settle for white peace with Tver and merchants finally decide to let go off their gold. New armies are build, but they are still no match for Moscow's forces. The Novgorod's force captures Vologda by miracle and proceeds to besiege Moscow, while Muscowite armies besiege Volodga and Novgorod. In a race against time Novgorod's men manage to capture Moscow first, only days before Novgorod would be forced to surrender, and are able to dictate to Moscow the terms of the peace treaty. As Vologda joins Novgorod lands, Pskov annexes Tver' and brings the wrath of all of its neighbors upon itself.
Year 1427. Pskov is at war with Lithuania, Poland and Teutons, abandoned by Novgorod for being a lousy ally in times of a great need. In two years the armies of Polish-Lithuanian alliance annihilate the forces of Pskov and conquer Tver' for Lithuania. Novgorod captures Vladimir and, with the aid from Teutons, enter Pskov itself. Pskov is forced to cede Vladimir, pay 100,000 roubles in war indemnities and become Novgorod's vassal. The vassalge does not last long, as two years later Teutons return to annex the principality. While the mob of Novgorod is outraged, the City Council is more than happy, as this allows the City to conquer Pskov later without being viewed as an aggressor by the rest of the Russian principalities.
One may conclude that the time for peace was finally upon Sovereign Great Novgorod. One couldn't be more far from truth. Even before the war with Pskov was over, the Swedes in alliance with Denmark declared war on Novgorod. First two years the Swedish-Novgorod border saw nothing, but light skirmishes. Novgorod even organises an expedition behind enemy lines, which reached as far as Lappland. Later these brave men would be hunted around Sweden until their last glorious stand at Skane, where they would perish to a last man, nevertheless sending Danish army running.
In 1432 the war heated up. While both Vikings and Russians were equipped with more or less equal weapontry, the former had better-trained armies (quality) and better generals too. Novgorod war doctrine called for larger armies, but this time the enemy would outnumber the City's forces 3:1. By 1434 the situation became dire indeed. Swedish forces were in control of all Novgorod cities, but Vladimir and the only hope of Novgorod rested on the shoulders of some 24,000 militia and 6,000 cavalry. The merchants of the City managed to come up with 50,000 roubles to buy Denmark off, and people of Kexholm fortify their city in the middle of the winter, right under the noses of Viking soldiers (event: fortress in Kexholm). While Swedes are busy besieging Vladimir and Kexholm, the militia liberates Novgorod and hunts down small Swedish parties sent to forage. Russian winter can be the worst enemy and the best ally. Novgorod men learnt well how to use it to their advantage during the last war with Moscow. As the cold takes its toll on Swedes, they begin to retreat toward their border. They make it as far as Olenets, where they are ambushed by Russians. With main Swedish force destroyed in the forests of Russia, the King in Stockholm has no choice but to agree to a white peace (victory -28% for Novgorod).
Only then comes the time for peace. Novgorod continues to colonise Russian North, establishing cities in Kola, Arhangel'sk and Korelia. The City Council declares a war on Muscowy, feeling that upkeep of a 42,000-strong force should be justified by the conquest of one or two provinces. Moscow puts up a token resistance, before surrendering Nizhgorod and paying 250,000 roubles. Novgorod does not even demands vassalisation, as it is set on a course to conquer Moscow sooner or later.
By 1438 the tax collectors are promoted in every province udner the pretext that the Republic (for Novgorod is a Republic) needs more money to defend itself against the aggressors. The City enters the alliance with Ryazan' and Ukraine and begins the fortification campaign across the land.
A year later the City Council decides that people of Kexholm deserve a better fate than to die Catholics and, therefore, missionaries are sent to convert the province. They demand a lot of money, as the job of a missionary is a risky one. Evidently, the martyrdom isn't as popular with Christians as it used to be.
In 1439 Ryazan' declares war on Golden Horde. Unfortunately, Novgorod armies don't even have time to make it to the border before the peace agreement is reached. As for the positive news, the Novgorod army adapts more offensive doctrine, which should help them more on the battlefield.
In 1441 the dark news from the West reach the City. Dissapointed with the results of the last war Swedish nobles overthrow their King and pledge their allegiance to Denmark. The peasants raise in revolts across the country, but Danish armies do not hesitate to put them down
with brutal force. The Viking North is united and presents a real threat to the City. The Council sends for the Prince and his family, asking them to arrange a royal marriage with Denmark, and other neighbors, while they are at it. Prince happily complies.
Like Denmark, Teutons too waste little time expanding their domain. The same year they bring the Duchy of Prussia into the Order. Their lands now stretch from Pommern in the south to the gates of Novgorod in the north.
In year 1443 the last chapter of the struggle between Novgorod and Moscow is written. A short, bloodless siege convinces the boyars of Moscow to abandon their Prince and give the keys of their city to the Novgorod envoys. A year later Kexholm converts to One True Orthodox Faith and by 1445 all of Novgorod cities are fortified and ready to be defended against possible invasions. All Russian lands, except the ones that are controlled by foreigners, are united in one alliance, where Novgorod is the strongest player. As for Moscow... It still stands proud and beautiful... with Novgorod garrison keeping an eye on the city from behind the walls of Kremlin.
Goal: create a different Russia (I don't know in which way, but different from Russia created by Moscow).
The differences are somewhat apparent in the beginning. Novgorod is a republic, ruled by City Council made up of merchants. People are more free than in the rest of Russia, the war doctrine is more defensive (I'll put an end to this nonsense) and just a bit more oriented toward quality (in comparison to Moscow). The society is less aristocratic. Novogord still is led in battle by Princes, but in the peacetime they are always controlled by the City Council.
Intro: Sovereign Great Novgorod
Sovereign Great Novgorod. The last free city of old Rus'. Ruled by a merchant, led in battle by a Prince and defended by the axe of a freeman. The mob of the city has more courage than the ancient Romans and the merchant elite has more gold than any other city in Eastern Europe. The goods flow into the city from as far as India in the East, White Sea in the North, France in the West and Egypt in the South. The values of the city are mixed, this is true. On one hand we have freedom loving people, on another gold-hungry traders. But above all they love Rus' and would hate to see it ruled by foreign invaders or Muscowite autocrats. The people of Novgorod would do anything to preserve their way of life, whatever it is and restore Russia to its former glory. After all, it was them who saved Russia from Vikings in the battle at Neva River. It was them who defeated Teutons at Lake Peipus. It was them who preached the same old lesson to enemies of Russia again and again: come with a sword, die by a sword.
Part I: Two Cities
Year 1419. Two cities stand against each other, each eager to bring all of Russia under their command. The first, Novgorod, stands for old Russia: free and respected by others, with Princes having as less control as possible. The second, Moscow, is ruled by ambitious rulers, whose goal is to create a new Russia, modeled after its former conqueror - Golden Horde. They dream of creating an empire that would rule over the rest of the Orthodox world and where a Prince, or Czar, would have the absolute control of all of his subjects.
The battlelines are drawn rather quickly. Moscow and Suzdal' cancel vassalization with Golden Horde and ally against Novgorod. Novgorod is forced to seek allies among other Russian principalities. Pskov is the only one that agrees to side with the City. In many ways Pskov is like Novgorod, only less powerfull and, thus, more ambitious. By 1420 two alliances are at war, with Muscowites gaining an upper hand over smaller armies of Novgorod. Novgorod's merchants are reluctant to support large armies and the city pays for it dearly. Pskov, on the other hand, diverts all its resources to the war effort and prevails over its enemies. In 1423 Pskov army enters Vladimir, the capital of Suzdal', and the principality surrenders to the conqueror. By that time Muscowites are besieging Novgorod itself and Novgorodians expect Pskov to aid them in struggle. All in vain. Not only Pskov makes peace with Moscow, but it also drags Novgorod in war with Tver'. Novgorodians swear to avenge this treacherous behavior, but at the time they are too busy trying to survive Moscow's onslaught on the gates of the City.
Meanwhile, the old Russian foe makes a move again. As Ryazan' declares its independence from Golden Horde, the latter retaliates and invades the principality. In 1424 they sack the city and annex the province. However, as all of Russia mourns the fate of the city, Ryazanians revolt and after a year of strugle win their independence again. Ryazan' comes back on the international arena stronger than ever: it controls not only the province of Ryazan', but Voronezh, Tambov and Saratov as well.
In 1426 Novgorodians settle for white peace with Tver and merchants finally decide to let go off their gold. New armies are build, but they are still no match for Moscow's forces. The Novgorod's force captures Vologda by miracle and proceeds to besiege Moscow, while Muscowite armies besiege Volodga and Novgorod. In a race against time Novgorod's men manage to capture Moscow first, only days before Novgorod would be forced to surrender, and are able to dictate to Moscow the terms of the peace treaty. As Vologda joins Novgorod lands, Pskov annexes Tver' and brings the wrath of all of its neighbors upon itself.
Year 1427. Pskov is at war with Lithuania, Poland and Teutons, abandoned by Novgorod for being a lousy ally in times of a great need. In two years the armies of Polish-Lithuanian alliance annihilate the forces of Pskov and conquer Tver' for Lithuania. Novgorod captures Vladimir and, with the aid from Teutons, enter Pskov itself. Pskov is forced to cede Vladimir, pay 100,000 roubles in war indemnities and become Novgorod's vassal. The vassalge does not last long, as two years later Teutons return to annex the principality. While the mob of Novgorod is outraged, the City Council is more than happy, as this allows the City to conquer Pskov later without being viewed as an aggressor by the rest of the Russian principalities.
One may conclude that the time for peace was finally upon Sovereign Great Novgorod. One couldn't be more far from truth. Even before the war with Pskov was over, the Swedes in alliance with Denmark declared war on Novgorod. First two years the Swedish-Novgorod border saw nothing, but light skirmishes. Novgorod even organises an expedition behind enemy lines, which reached as far as Lappland. Later these brave men would be hunted around Sweden until their last glorious stand at Skane, where they would perish to a last man, nevertheless sending Danish army running.
In 1432 the war heated up. While both Vikings and Russians were equipped with more or less equal weapontry, the former had better-trained armies (quality) and better generals too. Novgorod war doctrine called for larger armies, but this time the enemy would outnumber the City's forces 3:1. By 1434 the situation became dire indeed. Swedish forces were in control of all Novgorod cities, but Vladimir and the only hope of Novgorod rested on the shoulders of some 24,000 militia and 6,000 cavalry. The merchants of the City managed to come up with 50,000 roubles to buy Denmark off, and people of Kexholm fortify their city in the middle of the winter, right under the noses of Viking soldiers (event: fortress in Kexholm). While Swedes are busy besieging Vladimir and Kexholm, the militia liberates Novgorod and hunts down small Swedish parties sent to forage. Russian winter can be the worst enemy and the best ally. Novgorod men learnt well how to use it to their advantage during the last war with Moscow. As the cold takes its toll on Swedes, they begin to retreat toward their border. They make it as far as Olenets, where they are ambushed by Russians. With main Swedish force destroyed in the forests of Russia, the King in Stockholm has no choice but to agree to a white peace (victory -28% for Novgorod).
Only then comes the time for peace. Novgorod continues to colonise Russian North, establishing cities in Kola, Arhangel'sk and Korelia. The City Council declares a war on Muscowy, feeling that upkeep of a 42,000-strong force should be justified by the conquest of one or two provinces. Moscow puts up a token resistance, before surrendering Nizhgorod and paying 250,000 roubles. Novgorod does not even demands vassalisation, as it is set on a course to conquer Moscow sooner or later.
By 1438 the tax collectors are promoted in every province udner the pretext that the Republic (for Novgorod is a Republic) needs more money to defend itself against the aggressors. The City enters the alliance with Ryazan' and Ukraine and begins the fortification campaign across the land.
A year later the City Council decides that people of Kexholm deserve a better fate than to die Catholics and, therefore, missionaries are sent to convert the province. They demand a lot of money, as the job of a missionary is a risky one. Evidently, the martyrdom isn't as popular with Christians as it used to be.
In 1439 Ryazan' declares war on Golden Horde. Unfortunately, Novgorod armies don't even have time to make it to the border before the peace agreement is reached. As for the positive news, the Novgorod army adapts more offensive doctrine, which should help them more on the battlefield.
In 1441 the dark news from the West reach the City. Dissapointed with the results of the last war Swedish nobles overthrow their King and pledge their allegiance to Denmark. The peasants raise in revolts across the country, but Danish armies do not hesitate to put them down
with brutal force. The Viking North is united and presents a real threat to the City. The Council sends for the Prince and his family, asking them to arrange a royal marriage with Denmark, and other neighbors, while they are at it. Prince happily complies.
Like Denmark, Teutons too waste little time expanding their domain. The same year they bring the Duchy of Prussia into the Order. Their lands now stretch from Pommern in the south to the gates of Novgorod in the north.
In year 1443 the last chapter of the struggle between Novgorod and Moscow is written. A short, bloodless siege convinces the boyars of Moscow to abandon their Prince and give the keys of their city to the Novgorod envoys. A year later Kexholm converts to One True Orthodox Faith and by 1445 all of Novgorod cities are fortified and ready to be defended against possible invasions. All Russian lands, except the ones that are controlled by foreigners, are united in one alliance, where Novgorod is the strongest player. As for Moscow... It still stands proud and beautiful... with Novgorod garrison keeping an eye on the city from behind the walls of Kremlin.
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nice to see you still around here. i tried playing my first game of EU2 as novogorod, but i got bumrushed by muscovy, sweden, and a host of other russkie states, and quit as all my cities were going up in flames. good start thus far. i'll definately be keeping an eye on this one, to see the new russia become the master of the orthodox world.
