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Cool stuff. Good luck with the empire and whatnot.
Relevant OC:
Let the streets of Ventralis be washed with the blood of traitors. The masses have only one right, the right to die in honorable battle against the men of the Emperor. Go get 'em, Diane!
Let the streets of Ventralis be washed with the blood of traitors. The masses have only one right, the right to die in honorable battle against the men of the Emperor. Go get 'em, Diane!
No Waluigi.Relevant OC:
Let the streets of Ventralis be washed with the blood of traitors. The masses have only one right, the right to die in honorable battle against the men of the Emperor. Go get 'em, Diane!
Chapter 25: The World, And Everything In It
Chapter 25: The World, And Everything In it
The Mighty Khitan Empire and its ruling family had spent the last century achieving victory after victory. With a superior population and economic backbone thanks to control of the Rhine and Seine Rivers the Greatest Power in Europe had managed to turn such success into victories abroad, in America, Asia and Africa. The Fruits of success however could often be poisoned, The cost that came with administering a Vast Colonial Empire, and defending it were astronomical.
Despite reform and expansion the Empire a lack of resistance or threat often bred complacency or outright corruption throughout government. Even with the largest army and economic in the world the Khitan Empire relied heavily on its monarchy and absolute administration for stability, and the threat remained ever present that a new chain of poorly suited monarchs could tear all that the House of Caetye had spent a Millennia building.
With the Fall of the Ming fresh in his Mind as well Alexander spent much of his final years reforming matters of the succession and the monarchy in hopes that Cathay could avoid a similar fate when inevitably the reaper's scythe swung for the Khitan again.
The Overextension imposed on the administration from the annexation of hundreds of kilometers of Jungle and hostile Asian natives would put a massive financial drain on the Empire's expenses. The African garrisons had their own funding cuts and troops were siphoned to suppress rebellions in the new Imperial Province of Indochina.
The Empire had powerful colonies, a military renowned the world over. All while having vast urban cities for manufacture of finished goods and thanks to Emperor Alexander had spent fortunes on the creation and distribution of a university network across the Empire to support the arts and sciences.
All traditional signs pointed towards success, except for the more radical intellectual elements who claimed that absolute monarchy was in fact a dangerous and archaic style of government that brought more harm to the people it ruled than good.
However since the Emperor's illness and Emperor Alexander's repeated complaint at his inability to reform the endlessly complex bureaucracy of the Empire an aura of impending dread continued to hang around court.
Ultimately Alexander, recently burned by the italians in a similar war instead chose to negotiate, knowing full well the Bohemians wouldn't abide Khitan presence East of the Rhine without terms, negotiated the transfer of lands to Cathay after a second partition. Emperor Stanislaw agreed, and the war went forward with only the British, who feared the Bohemian-Khitan Alliance growing stronger.
Diane IV as had become common for her namesake would have own rule dominated by the First Partition of Bavaria as the British continued to be belligerent and fight tooth and nail in America and Africa. But it would not be an easy succession.
A Chinese Pretender and potential Warlord by the name of Jixi also rose up with a host of peasant and deserters naming himself Rightful Emperor of China and Cathay. However he would find even less success than Prince George and would be utterly crushed by Field Marshall Maxentius Abaoji. Jixi and his followers would be put to death by firing line. Prince George Meanwhile would be exiled to the Falklands under heavy guard.
Further news from Asia would bring news of Scandinavia's renewed success in the region. Deployment of proper armed forces into the mess of the Wu and Ming Dynasties, the Scandinavian Army had managed to reclaim Nordic China as well as push south to establish a land border with Cathay. Though Scandinavia ultimately would only drive the stake deeper into a once recovering Ming Dynasty, leaving the door open for Khotan and Shun to step in as the dominant Native powers in Central Asia after India's collapse.
The Kingdom of Sicily had managed to retake constantinople from Nikea which had finally brought the Great Sicilian debate to the forefront. Sicilian and Balkan Greeks each had their own vested interest within the Empire, but now the Sicilian Greeks were very much the minority and no longer held control of the royal family. Leo of Belgrade would use this as his opportunity to settle the debate once and for all and ask for the Council of Birds to crown him Emperor of the Greeks.
As for why Leo did not instead ask to be crowned Roman Emperor the reasons were several fold. First, the Khitan existed and still maintained an unbroken line of succession back to the last Emperor in Constantinople. Second, the Empire while holding constantinople did not hold Anatolia or Rome thus making it less likely for Leo's claims to be taken with any legitimacy. Last the Republican influence within Sicily itself desired the change of title to more accurately represent the new liberal government of the Balkan Kingdom.
Needless to say the Despotate of Nikea was not amused at this turn of events but could ultimately do nothing having been run out of the city of Men's desire and pinned between Persia and now the Greek Empire.
I had quite a bit of spare time today and the Secret Project is progressing slowly so here you all go. No promises the Daily updates will continue but I'd like them to.
I had a bit of a shock when trying to get a mod working for the Multiplayer SOTD campaign where I almost lost all of my HOI screenshots + the conversion mod, Thankfully however I managed to recover them, So were on track! and the screenshots are now safely backed up elsewhere on the computer.
Ehh I'll get to it eventually, For now I like having the Karlings as Pets.
They screwed me over twice now, Fool me once and all that but I get the vague feeling italy and bohemia will have to pay for this
That sounds like Treason to me
Indeed, Here's hoping for another Millenia of absolute divine rule
I'm with Luigi on this one. Sadly though Diane turned out to be a nonstarter, robbed of her rule by Alexander living to be really old. Though its not often you get Star Child event rulers living through a regency to old age so I'm not gonna complain too much.
I had a bit of a shock when trying to get a mod working for the Multiplayer SOTD campaign where I almost lost all of my HOI screenshots + the conversion mod, Thankfully however I managed to recover them, So were on track! and the screenshots are now safely backed up elsewhere on the computer.
You really need to kill Toulouse and integrate Aquitaine. Got to have that Mediterranean port.
Ehh I'll get to it eventually, For now I like having the Karlings as Pets.
They screwed me over twice now, Fool me once and all that but I get the vague feeling italy and bohemia will have to pay for this
That sounds like Treason to me
Indeed, Here's hoping for another Millenia of absolute divine rule
Relevant OC:
Let the streets of Ventralis be washed with the blood of traitors. The masses have only one right, the right to die in honorable battle against the men of the Emperor. Go get 'em, Diane!
I'm with Luigi on this one. Sadly though Diane turned out to be a nonstarter, robbed of her rule by Alexander living to be really old. Though its not often you get Star Child event rulers living through a regency to old age so I'm not gonna complain too much.
Ah man, India is being a disappointment and collapsing now, that's kind of sad. At least Cathay can clam-in a bit more of Southern India without Bharat to intervene I guess. Through being descended from the Indian subcontinent myself (I'm not from India in case your wondering), I do want a native country from the subcontient to be strong. At least I still have Persia as a very strong Asian country. I'm also rooting for California to be the Great Power of the Americas cause it would be a nice balance of power to have a North American power in addition to Europeans, Africans and Asians. Japan would also be a nice replacement for India too, since they were a colonizer too, through they didn't fully live up to my hopes for them tbh.
Revolutions huh, well traitors revolutionaries and colonial separatists will never be able to break the will of the great Cathay monarchy (through like I said, the monarchy being replaced by an unstable and maybe repressive republic for Hoi4 in Victoria 2's endgame would make for an interesting game) Through if the REAL reason the Twelve Provinces want a revolution is so that a Hamilton style musical could be made 200 years later because of it, I won't judge, just as long as the monarchy stays in power of course.
I find the partition of China to be interesting, through I do wish Britain got their share of China like they were supposed to, since Scandivia's color is smiliar to Cathay. But we would have a similar problem to their color being similar to Japan who's also part of the partition so theirs that.
Its nice to see Greece here, which you don't see often around in AARs, let alone as a great power. I mean, its no Byzantine Empire but it's still something.
I love the balance of power between the Great Powers in this AAR so far too. We got Colonial Empires of Great Britain, Scandinavia, all competing against each other, and they are a nice colonial trio too. We also have an secondary European Trio between Italy, Bohemia and Sicily/Greece always going head to head with each other because of their goals, but also united in their common interest to eat Bavaria and the Balkans. Then we have colonial outside Europe that are always a treat, from Persia with Persian Australia to pretty impressive kingdoms in Africa like Tunisia and Mali. I remember hoping that when India formed, they would be a good balancing power to Persia but sadly it looks like they are going to fail to do that it seems. I'm excited to see how the Balance in power in Victoria 2 plays out and how the World Wars will be shaped by it.
It seems that I have an unfortunate experiences with a lot nations that start off great that I root for, only to be disappointed by when they start failing or are mediocre in performance, like Japan and now India, or are underdogs that I hope survive but don't, like the Knights of Santiago. Maybe I have unrealistic exceptions for alot of countries I get excited for or and I should be more realistic, but it still makes me sad.
Is it just me, or did I take Cathay to be a bit more humanist empire than it seems to be in these recent updates. I mean they are egalitarian and humanist in culture, willing to integrate native religious in their faith and its somewhat progressive with women in its government, through I'm pretty sure its fairly traditional in the social level. I know Humanism is not one of Cathay's idea groups in game, but I personally see it to be humanist myself.
At least Cathay can clam-in a bit more of Southern India without Bharat to intervene I guess. Through being descended from the Indian subcontinent myself (I'm not from India in case your wondering), I do want a native country from the subcontient to be strong. At least I still have Persia as a very strong Asian country. I'm also rooting for California to be the Great Power of the Americas cause it would be a nice balance of power to have a North American power in addition to Europeans, Africans and Asians. Japan would also be a nice replacement for India too, since they were a colonizer too, through they didn't fully live up to my hopes for them tbh.Revolutions huh, well traitors revolutionaries and colonial separatists will never be able to break the will of the great Cathay monarchy (through like I said, the monarchy being replaced by an unstable and maybe repressive republic for Hoi4 in Victoria 2's endgame would make for an interesting game) Through if the REAL reason the Twelve Provinces want a revolution is so that a Hamilton style musical could be made 200 years later because of it, I won't judge, just as long as the monarchy stays in power of course.
I find the partition of China to be interesting, through I do wish Britain got their share of China like they were supposed to, since Scandivia's color is smiliar to Cathay. But we would have a similar problem to their color being similar to Japan who's also part of the partition so theirs that.
Its nice to see Greece here, which you don't see often around in AARs, let alone as a great power. I mean, its no Byzantine Empire but it's still something.
I love the balance of power between the Great Powers in this AAR so far too. We got Colonial Empires of Great Britain, Scandinavia, all competing against each other, and they are a nice colonial trio too. We also have an secondary European Trio between Italy, Bohemia and Sicily/Greece always going head to head with each other because of their goals, but also united in their common interest to eat Bavaria and the Balkans.
Then we have colonial outside Europe that are always a treat, from Persia with Persian Australia to pretty impressive kingdoms in Africa like Tunisia and Mali. I remember hoping that when India formed, they would be a good balancing power to Persia but sadly it looks like they are going to fail to do that it seems. I'm excited to see how the Balance in power in Victoria 2 plays out and how the World Wars will be shaped by it. It seems that I have an unfortunate experiences with a lot nations that start off great that I root for, only to be disappointed by when they start failing or are mediocre in performance, like Japan and now India, or are underdogs that I hope survive but don't, like the Knights of Santiago.
Maybe I have unrealistic exceptions for alot of countries I get excited for or and I should be more realistic, but it still makes me sad.Is it just me, or did I take Cathay to be a bit more humanist empire than it seems to be in these recent updates. I mean they are egalitarian and humanist in culture, willing to integrate native religious in their faith and its somewhat progressive with women in its government, through I'm pretty sure its fairly traditional in the social level. I know Humanism is not one of Cathay's idea groups in game, but I personally see it to be humanist myself.
Chapter 26: The Channel War
Chapter 26: The Channel War
With the Death of Diane IV the Kingdom of Cathay found itself scrambling to reorient itself in the face of growing internal problems and a fastly deteriorating diplomatic Landscape in Europe. Italy and Bohemia had been growing too powerful now for well over a century and nothing had been done due to loyalty and disinterest by those with the true keys to power when other opportunities awaited in Asia.
Diane ultimately died childless forcing a Crisis the Kingdom had never before seen. Prince William the late Diane's brother was the rightful heir but was well into old age, considered incompetent and untrained for the throne and whose children had kept the Surname d'Aubigny after their french blooded mother. This left George as the Eldest of the House of Caetye but he was in exile for treason against the Empire as well as the Caetye branches in Italy and Bohemia. In the Meantime Diane's Husband, Erik of Scandinavia presided over a regency council to determine the next Monarch.
After a Three month Interregnum of bribes four major contenders had been narrowed down. The Prince George was the least likely, as he was considered a Traitor and an exile so in reality there was only three contenders with the forth being left as a sign of respect to the Cadet Branch of Avalon.
Ultimately a decision was made and the Local Claimant, Bernat D'Aubigny was chosen on the condition that Diane's esteemed nephew change his surname to reflect that of the House of Caetye with the same condition applying to any of his heirs. The General accepted and was Coronated in Ventralis, Emperor of Cathay, Defender of the Eastern Wind and Protector of the Realm after what would amount to a 2 Year Interregnum in total.
As for why Bernat-Aton was chosen the reasons were muddled. There was a firm argument that as closest male relative of Diane IV after Prince William but that was often the law of Other European Monarchies overall, the Khitan had already remained more Egalitarian and Eastern in Philosophy, choosing the most able candidate regardless of Gender or Age.
The Other Argument was simply that Bernat-Aton would have allowed the Khitan Empire, the Greatest Country in the world to retain its independence rather than be Put into Personal Union with Bohemia, or an unofficial personal union under the Italian Monarchy both countries that would have used the Khitan Army and fleet more for their own benefit than for the Khitan Royal court.
A year after their marriage Crown Prince Alexander would be Born and would grow in a boy very much the child of both of his parents, with talents reaching across all facets of government.
With a new administration at the helm, one of the first major events would be the arrival of Enlightenment thought in full force. Universities to coffee houses buzzed with activity not seen before in the Empire, Industrialization had begun its slow turn forward in the Coal rich core territories of the Empire and the Army was once again in full mode for reforms.
In Cathay in Particular there had been an Emphasis on keeping that core of veterans as large and skilled as humanly possible which has given it a decisive quality edge over other Empires. Growing populations and consolidation however meant that armies continued to expand in size the world over while education and drill techniques were only improving lessening the great gap in army quality between the Empire and everyone else.
Finally Scandinavia, after New Ventralis, one of the 12 Provinces successfully led a campaign into Vinland and Seized land illegally with its local militia. An Act that along with refusals of cooperation in regards to Scandinavia's Asian Colonies had put Scandinavia firmly in bed with Italy and against its longtime ally.
The Strategy was initially successful as Khitan naval dominance had allowed easy transport to Ireland and a swift landing into scotland thereafter enabling a march down from scotland into the British core territories to force a favorable peace deal.
In the South meanwhile General Shahab Quintilius landed on London itself in a pincer movement, something only enabled by the superior sized Khitan Navy. The Resulting Battle of London effectively demolished British War Enthusiasm, allowing the focus to switch away from the Isles and To Bavaria, a British ally who was also a belligerent.
America had always been spared this sort of interference however, so at least in the Twelve Provinces it was seen as a new Tyranny rather than an old tradition.
The result was a stunning success as old rank and file positions were purged and new more talented officials passed the tests with ease and filled their place. The Effects of course that that hopefully this and further talented generations would continue to climb the ladder of government positions and overall improve efficiency across the board.
The Blame for most with power in the Empire and Europe was entirely on the liberal Greek Government in place within athens. Considered corrupt and unable to officially rule a country to the same pedigree as a divine monarch it did not take long for Khitan and Bohemian forces join together and march on Athens. The Council of Birds was dissolved and the Monarch empowered to bring the Empire to heel. The Consequences of this action however would echo across the world.
Rather than Accept foreign backed Autocracy the Greeks rose up instead and a call rung out across the Balkans.
"The Phoenix Rises"
"Democracy Soars"
"Down with Traitors!"
"Down With Kings"
"We Will Never Be Slaves Again"
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First off, totally not Patrick Stewart Bernat-Aton's best stat should've been maxed diplomacy.
Second...
Second...
The Hohenzollernverse is leaking...
The Revolution is Here. Colonies are growing restless, War is Coming
Perhaps, But Then I really would be France, and without Aquitaine Europe would Just be Massive blobs with no minors powers outside Portugal and Ireland, cant have that.
I'm sure this will all blow over....
Yea Persia is Persia, This is about 3 grand campaigns ive played (2 in Multiplayer) Where Persia got large amounts of development becuase of how rich the region is in CK2. Between the Silk road and generally a sort of Russia esq position where it can expand into more rich lands or eat Steppe or go into india its really powerful, next time around im gonna have to look into either balkanizing the region somewhat or kneecapping it a little to prevent a repeat.
America has an, interesting result to say the least. The Revolution ends up being also quite interesting.
We fix the color issue in Victoria so dont worry too much about that, as for the Underperforming GB yea, They just never really got the fuel this game to get started the AI already has to be forced to colonize properly in Asia the fact that Persia and India beat them to all the best stuff doesn't help. Japan though, Oh Japan has yet to fight.
I Know its pretty good. Greece wasn't me by the way, That was Sicily being Sicily, All the nation formations were my only meddling fixing Bohemia's PU situation becuase in the Normal conversion, Bohemia Pu's Poland and then Poland just declares war on Bohemia and eats them, which didn't really feel appropriate considering.
Also, The Knights of Santiago live on in Portugal, they are Protestant and the only 'Christians' left in the world. That counts for something!. As for the Greece, Well, I'd say its better than seeing a return of Byzantium, under the name, Byzantium in 1700, when nobody would call it that. Still, Both inferior options to me given the choice
The True Heir to Byzantium is the Knights. Remember Kids, Real Knights don't form Jerusalem or Byzantium, At worst they Escape to America instead.
But eventually, a sick pet must be put down. For its own good.
Perhaps, But Then I really would be France, and without Aquitaine Europe would Just be Massive blobs with no minors powers outside Portugal and Ireland, cant have that.
I'm sure this will all blow over....
Ah man, India is being a disappointment and collapsing now, that's kind of sad.
Yea Persia is Persia, This is about 3 grand campaigns ive played (2 in Multiplayer) Where Persia got large amounts of development becuase of how rich the region is in CK2. Between the Silk road and generally a sort of Russia esq position where it can expand into more rich lands or eat Steppe or go into india its really powerful, next time around im gonna have to look into either balkanizing the region somewhat or kneecapping it a little to prevent a repeat.
Revolutions huh, well traitors revolutionaries and colonial separatists will never be able to break the will of the great Cathay monarchy (through like I said, the monarchy being replaced by an unstable and maybe repressive republic for Hoi4 in Victoria 2's endgame would make for an interesting game) Through if the REAL reason the Twelve Provinces want a revolution is so that a Hamilton style musical could be made 200 years later because of it, I won't judge, just as long as the monarchy stays in power of course.
America has an, interesting result to say the least. The Revolution ends up being also quite interesting.
We fix the color issue in Victoria so dont worry too much about that, as for the Underperforming GB yea, They just never really got the fuel this game to get started the AI already has to be forced to colonize properly in Asia the fact that Persia and India beat them to all the best stuff doesn't help. Japan though, Oh Japan has yet to fight.
Its nice to see Greece here, which you don't see often around in AARs, let alone as a great power. I mean, its no Byzantine Empire but it's still something.
I love the balance of power between the Great Powers in this AAR so far too. We got Colonial Empires of Great Britain, Scandinavia, all competing against each other, and they are a nice colonial trio too. We also have an secondary European Trio between Italy, Bohemia and Sicily/Greece always going head to head with each other because of their goals, but also united in their common interest to eat Bavaria and the Balkans.
It seems that I have an unfortunate experiences with a lot nations that start off great that I root for, only to be disappointed by when they start failing or are mediocre in performance, like Japan and now India, or are underdogs that I hope survive but don't, like the Knights of Santiago.
I Know its pretty good. Greece wasn't me by the way, That was Sicily being Sicily, All the nation formations were my only meddling fixing Bohemia's PU situation becuase in the Normal conversion, Bohemia Pu's Poland and then Poland just declares war on Bohemia and eats them, which didn't really feel appropriate considering.
Also, The Knights of Santiago live on in Portugal, they are Protestant and the only 'Christians' left in the world. That counts for something!. As for the Greece, Well, I'd say its better than seeing a return of Byzantium, under the name, Byzantium in 1700, when nobody would call it that
. Still, Both inferior options to me given the choiceThe True Heir to Byzantium is the Knights. Remember Kids, Real Knights don't form Jerusalem or Byzantium
, At worst they Escape to America instead.
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Bernat-Anton will make a fine Emperor, especially thanks to his talented wife and promising heir.
On a more global front, having three powerful nations out for you was already bad news. Greece kicking off revolutions spells bigger problems though.
On a more global front, having three powerful nations out for you was already bad news. Greece kicking off revolutions spells bigger problems though.
I like how Greece, a country whose known for being the cradle of democracy in ancient times, was one of the first countries to switch to democracy in this AAR as well. That's actually really appropriate. Through I can imagine this idea of democracy in Greece's past before will lend a lot of cultural legitimacy to the Revolutionary Republic in the eyes of the Greek intellectual population. So I can imagine the republic to be pretty strong due to having an example to follow from their history. Anyhow I'm actually interested in what this Revolutionary Greece can accomplish. Maybe some sort of Greek Napoleonic Wars soon.
Also you have accidentally quoted one of your reposes to my statements about Persia and India in your recent post. You may want to fix it just so its easier to tell which statements are mine and which are yours dragoon.
I actually would kind of like to see some sort of democracy in Cathay tbh, with the monarchy in power of course. I mean, I know that the Annionas had some sort of democracy in Austria eventually. But it didn't really have much power and it was still an Absolute Monarchy anyways, and I'd rather have something different than an Abolitionist power-stomp across the world again.
Through I can imagine this idea of democracy in Greece's past before will lend a lot of cultural legitimacy to the Revolutionary Republic in the eyes of the Greek intellectual population. So I can imagine the republic to be pretty strong due to having an example to follow from their history. Anyhow I'm actually interested in what this Revolutionary Greece can accomplish. Maybe some sort of Greek Napoleonic Wars soon.Also you have accidentally quoted one of your reposes to my statements about Persia and India in your recent post. You may want to fix it just so its easier to tell which statements are mine and which are yours dragoon.
I actually would kind of like to see some sort of democracy in Cathay tbh, with the monarchy in power of course. I mean, I know that the Annionas had some sort of democracy in Austria eventually. But it didn't really have much power and it was still an Absolute Monarchy anyways, and I'd rather have something different than an Abolitionist power-stomp across the world again.
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The thing about revolutions is that they revolve.
You protest against tyranny and autocracy
Next you are executing people because they are a threat
Then you are getting executed because you are a threat
And then your juniors end up setting up another autocracy.
You protest against tyranny and autocracy
Next you are executing people because they are a threat
Then you are getting executed because you are a threat
And then your juniors end up setting up another autocracy.
Well it is a colonial power that has gone head to head with Italy and Bohemia, two strong nations, and remained intact. So I wouldn't really call it small and weak at all.
That is true, through it didn't really occur for the thirteen colonies when they had their revolution in OTL. But then again their goal was to break away from a country, not overturn a government like the French Revolution did. So theirs that.
Yes, I think revolution is really misapplied there. War of Independence is more accurate to my mind. Though it does sit in a greyer area.