It is great to see this run being successful after so many attempts.
Yes, it seems that all this bad luck had finally been replaced by a concentration a good luck, with Skandenberg lasting 26 years, all events giving +3 stab for free and the possibility to ally Austria because they don't exceed their diplo relation limit, something that they almost always do. Another good things were the facts that the Ottomans did not take any Serbian province before me, and that Hungary or Venice did not attack Bosnia during my truce.
Now back to the AAR.
After the peace with the Ottomans in January 1492, it is time to reorganize. First thing I stop the defense edict in Edirne. This probably did a lot to stop the Ottomans to take the fort and so shorten thewar. It is definetly worth it when fighting against the Ottomans and their siege bonus.
As for merchants, I have already moved one from the Venice node to Constantinople after I took it. I just sent my light ships there too.
The new conquests have pushed my surexpansion to 66%, my national unrest to +0.68 (various king deaths have lowered my stability to 0) and my religious unity to 83% (despite the humanistbonus of +25%). First thing I do is asking the clergy for a theologian advisor and putting him in place, so at least unrest modifier is negative. I also use 75 DIP MPs to lower warexhaustion and bring the unrest to -3.31.
Regarding surexpansion, Tunis is already coring. Constantinople, part of the Thrace state and biggest province in the world known to me with 38 DEV, is costing 276 points, and Sinop 40. Ihave 67 and I pay immediatelly for Sinop. I also rise the local autonomy there to 100% as I don't care much about the money I can earn here. What is important is the fact that this province givesme access to the Caucasus for forging claims.
I sent a missionary to Sofia (with the united religion edict, it will still take 52 months).
Once all of this is done, I lose 4.4 ducats a month. I pay back the loan I take during the war and have now 211 in my treasure, enough to cover the 4 year phase of coring that will follow.Still I reduce my costs by razing the fort in the Macedonia province. With two forts in Edirne and Constantinople keeping the Bosphorus, the former is no more necessary. This reduces mydeficit to 3 ducats a month.
Once all this is done, my main issue is that my young king Pjeter I has no wife and no heir. And if he died, I will become the minor partner of Hungary or Austria, that will fight in a succession war. Problem is that I have 5 allies and 1 vassal. I have already a royal mariage with Austria, Hungary and East Frisia, and can't have one with Genoa (republic) and the Mamluks.The last available ally is Wallachia... but I don't want to keep them as ally. They contributed so little to the war against the Ottos that they did not lose any trust when they receive noland in the peace deal. So the first task of my diplomats is to cut this alliance. Despite the fact that I will again be at 2 above my diplo limit, I will then need to conclude anotherroyal mariage.
So I check who wants to marry me. 48 years ago only Bosnia was. My expansion since this date have changed this A LOT: every great European country except Muscovy will agree to marry me:France, England, Castille, Bohemia, Denmark, Poland. Austria and Hungary have already a mariage with me, Sweden, Aragon and Lithuania are minor partners.
It pleases me... but choosing another big power will probably bring me more trouble that it is worth right now, either because my current allies are their rivals (Poland and Hungary, France and Austria) or because they are too far to help and may call me in wars I don't want to participate.
So I check the list of countries with no heir and there is the Duchy of Ferrara. The Duke is 65 years old, so my family could take the title quickly. The Duchy itself has 3 Italian provinces for a total of 44 dev. It has a border with my rival Venice and itself rivals and is rivalled by only three small Italian states, Mantova, Lucca and Florence. So it is a rather safe choice and I take it. The wedding of Prince Pejter and the daughter of the Duke of Ferrara, Gaia d'Este, is celebrated shortly later.
Then my diplomats could return to their task of expanding Albania. I have three possible fronts during the truce with the Ottomans that will end in 10 years in 1502:
1) there is still this one province Bosnia in the middle of my lands. It is part of the commercial league of Venice, my rival. I finally reached 10 favor with Austria, that will join this war, but I don't want to fight a war until my war exhaustion and AE have not gone down a little.
2) from Tunis, I will fabricate claims on Tlemcem land to advance towards Iberia.
3) from Sinope, I will fabricate claims on Samtskhe and Circassia in Caucasus area. This is the first task given to my diplomats. Circassia is allied to Muscovy so a not go, but Samtskhe is only allied to Circassia and so I can attack it and draw the latter without the Russian coming to play.
Oh by the way, my economy is well better than what I thought. Estimates were done with the Ottoman paying war repairs of 2.3 ducats. Once all their land has been liberated, they are paying in February 12.3 !!! The next months it fell to 4 and remained there. The Ottos had still the highest income in Europe at 41 ducats per month, but England, Mamluks and Venice are close (all between 40 and 35).
One of the problems I have with my future plans is the small number of my transport ships: I have only 3. And I am already well above my naval limit at 27/23. I have 6 light ships and 18 galleys. Fun fact: only 7 were built in an Albanian port, 10 are former Ottoman ships and 1 was taken from the Tunisian navy. But I don't need so much galleys. Venice is the second galley owner in Med and has only 9. So my idea is to sell 7 galleys and to build 5 transports ships to have a more equilibrate navy. I first target my allies: Austria buys 2 galleys for 20 ducats and Hungary 5 for 60. With the money I immediatly order the planned 5 transports.
And then I went to speed 5. Two events gave me 50 ADM points each in 1492, this certainly will help to core Constantinople. The old duke of Ferrara died without heir, but a von Hasburg inherited the duchy. Before the end of the year, I have no more deficit, mainly thanks to war repairs from the Ottos.
In January 1493, 17k Byzantine separatists rise in Macedonia. The 25k Albanian army was waiting for it in Edirne and is ready to crush them. But I decide to not send the army. The fort in Edirne is enough so that the rebels can take Macedonia without adding more separatism year, and I hope that they will go in Ottoman territory. In March I have enough ADM MPs to pay the full coring cost for Constantinople (267) and I fabricate a first claim in the Caucasus, for the province of Gourie belonging to Samtskhe. It is the only province reachable from this country, so I recall my diplomat and send it increasing relationship with the Pope. My other diplomat is in Circassia.
In March, the prince Pjeter and the princess Gaia have a son. It has a shitty name, Gjergj (how do you say this???) and bad values of 1/2/3, but at least there is no more risk of personal union.
In May the separatists from Macedonia move... to Edirne, and lay siege to it. So the Albanian army is sent to take care of them. It cost 3300 men, more than our manpower reserves.
In June Castille rivals me. I knew I would have to fight it one day, but that is unexpected at this stage.
In August my diplomat fabricate a claim on the Circassian province of Adyngue, and remains in place as two other coastal provinces are reachable.
In September, an unexpected event changes the diplomatic situation in the Caucasus. Some years ago Samtskhe and its ally Circassia attacked Trebizond, and Theodoros joined the latter. In a classical EU4 pattern, the attackers have occupied Trebizond while Theodoros invaded Circassia, and the latter has been forced to peace and to cancel its alliance with Samtskhe. Damn, I was planning to use it to draw Circassia in a war. Still, that means that Samtskhe is now at war (even if it is winning) and without ally, and I have a claim on it. With my current surexpansion, conquer it will probably be a bad idea, but I can vassalize it (it had 35 dev).
Main issue is the lack of transport ships. Only 6 are available (2 more being built) so only 6k men can land in Samtskhe that has an army of 8k. I sent a galley to the Black Sea to check where its army is (marching to Theodoros will be perfect). And the transport fleet start to bring the army from Constantinople to Sinope, that is closer from Samtskhe. In October the ships are in place and see the whole Samtskhe army in Gourie, the only province of its territory where I can land. So the solution is to ask military access to Circassia and it is done quickly.
In December 1493, while the Albanian fleet is still busy carrying the army to Sinope, our Hungarian army calls us to arms against Bohemia, allied with Salzburg, Memmingen, Nuremberg and more important the HRE Emperor, the Palatinate. Florence, Austria and Moldavia are already engaged with Hungary, so that seems a fairly inegal fight in our favor, especially as Bohemia is already losing a war against Poland and Lithuania. I accept the call at arms, but with no intention to cancel my attack on Samtskhe.
In February 1494, the Albania forces are ready. 13k men are in Sinope, 7k abord ships ready to land in Circassia and 5k in Albania just in case. My force limit is now 31, but I lack manpower for regular units and money for mercenaries. The available troops should be more than enough. Samtskhe is still at war with Trebizonde (fully occupied) and Theodoros (free) with 58 war score. On Valentine Day, I declared war to Samtskhe for the province of Gourie. the day after 7k Albanian land in Circassia... and I discover that Ottomans had given access to Samtskhe and so my army can march from Sinope to the enemy country. Just after that an event dicreases my stability by 1 to -1, and I have not enough MPs to rise it. So the Circassia army reboard ships and sail back to Sinope while Circassia is informed we no more need access. In May, Trebizonde surrenders to Samtskhe and is annexed. in June the whole Albanian army (including the 5k men left in Albania at start) are besieging Trebizonde. In September stability is increased to 0 at the cost of 150 ADM.
In January 1495 I used MIL MP to keep down Ottoman separatists in Constantinople and more for Orthodox fanatics in Sofia. In March Trebizond fell. The Albanian army marches to Taro and attacks the 8k enemy army in the mountains. The enemy general is better and if the battle is won, Albanian losses are higher than the enemy ones. I also discover that the enemy capital is under siege by 9k rebels of Samtskhe nobility. The remains of the Samtskhe army cross the sieged capital and march to Tbilissi beyond it. In June I ask my nobles for more troops and received 5k men, not enough to cover losses. This month Albanian troops occupy Tao and Gouri. The small Samtskhe navy based at the latter is forced to sea and destroyed by my fleet that captures a light ship. In July I decide to propose peace to Samtskhe. Continuing the invasion will require two battles and a siege against a level 3 fort in mountains, and will cost me more manpower. And with current score, I can ask for Trebizonde, Gourie and Lomsia, the enemy capital, and 120 ducats. This will give me access to Qara Qoyunlu, that has no allies and only MIL tech 6, against 8 for me and Samtskhe.
Just after the war coring is started for Gourie and Trebizonde. The province of Kars (the new name of Lomsia) is too far to be cored yet. Like Sinope, Gourie and Kars are not important for my economy and I rised autonomy to 100% to reduce unrest. Trebizond could be useful and remains at 75%. And the Samtskhe nobility rebels leave Kars and march to Tao, the new capital of their country, whose army is trapped in Tiblissi. I also send a diplomat to fabricate a claim on Qara Qoyunlu.
During this time, the war started well for Hungary: Memmingen concedes defeat in November 1494 and Ausburg in May 1495. Then it loses an ally, Ferrara, that accepts white peace from the enemy. The war score went not high mainly because almost all Bohemia is occupied by Poland and its allies. Now that my little personal war is done, it is done to do something for my ally. My transports load 4 infantry and 4 artillery units in Gourie and sail them to Albania, the other will follow.
In November 1495, Constantinople is cored (fully as it is part of a state that existed before it was taken). I give it to the burghers, and can milk them after some more buttons for 150 DIP MPs. I used these and my reserve to buy the fifth idea of the Influence group that gives +2 diplo rep. It also boosts my trade in Constantinople node that rises from 1.4 to 3.5 ducats per month, almost bringing my economy in the positive (with five manned forts and army at full maintenance).
In December 16k Albanian troops are in Austria. They included my 5 artillery units, more than anybody in the conflict, so I decide to help with some sieges. In February 1496 my guns reach Salzburg, sieged without artillery by the Austrian army. Salzburg surrenders in March. The Albanian army marches to Nuremberg and reachs it in April. In May Bade, who joined the Emperor side against Hungary, surrenders. Nuremberg surrenders to the Albanian army in November. Reports that an Ottoman revolt is growing in Constantinople then convinces me to march my troops back to Albania. Nuremberg concedes defeat in January 1497, and Albania received 1 of the 45 ducats it gave. Thanks a lot !
In January 1497, an Albanian diplomat finishes to fabricate a claim on Karthi, the province of Qara Qoyunlu near our recent conquests. It has a fort but an unmanned one, so should be taken easily.
In May, Bohemia accepts a peace deal with Poland and gives it 5 provinces. This will allow Hungary and his allies to at least occupy the Bohemian territory and especially the war goal, Olomouc. The same month Liege accepted peace imposed by Hungary, leaving Bohemia with only one ally, the Palatinate.
In August, a chance event converts Sinope (a possession) to Catholicism. In September, 18k Ottoman separatists rise around Constantinople and siege the city. The Albanian army was waiting in Edirne and defeated them quickly, but a the cost of 6000 casualties.
In the north the Hungarian war against Bohemia is not going well. Many rebels took large parts of Hungary, while Palatinate troops retook their capital. The Albanian army again marches north to help.
In January 1498, I paid 116 ADM MPs to rise stability to 1. Elsewhere a diplomate forged a claim on Bizerte, a province belonging to Tlemcem. In April I can choose a new Age hability (I have reached 5 objectives, so can choose one every 6 years) and I chose the one giving +1 in battle in the same terrain as my capital (mountain). This will be useful for the next war in the Caucasus. This month too Gourie is cored and I can launch the coring of Kars. In May my artillery help the Hungarian to retake one fort held by rebels, and then my army marches towards Bohemia. In August Palatinate accepted to retire from the war, leaving Bohemia alone. In November Albanian guns assist the Austrian army to take the fort of Pilsen, and then march to Praha besieged by the Hungarians.
In February 1499, the Protestant Reformation starts in Münster. In March Praha fell after less than 6 months of siege, not bad for a lvl 3 fort. In May the last Bohemian province is occupied and Bohemia surrenders. Hungary took only one province (Olomouc), war repairs and money.
In June, everybody starts talking about the Ottomans preparing to attack Qara Qoyunlu. I am planning it too and want to be first, but the poor Sultanate had already increased its military preparation and the fort at my border is now fully manned. So no hurry, in July my fleet starts transporting my army from Macedonia to Gourie. In September Qara Qoyunlu is attacked, not by the Ottomans but by Gazikumuk and its allies Biapas and al-Fadli. The Ottos followed less than one week later. I wait until end October to have 16k men in Kars and then declare also and lay siege to the fort of Karthli, just before an Ottoman army reach it.
More north, in January 1500, a coalition of German states led by Brandenburg and including Austria attack Poland.
Karthli fell in May 1500. At this stage all the other provinces of the country are occupied by the Ottos, except the capital Tabriz, still under siege, and the fort of Chirvan taken by Gazikumuk. The same month, I buy the 5th Humanist idea (-10 years of separatism) and this gave me the third Albanian NI (+1 prestige/year)
In March 1501, I reach military tech 9, again before the Ottos. The same month Tabriz fell. Qara Qoyunlu has no more any troop or province but still don't surrender. The Albanian troops scatter to occupy a maximum of provinces if Qara Qoyunlu signed a separate peace with the Ottomans. But they did not and in March 1502, the situation is still the same when the truce between Albania and Ottomans is over. And still the same in July when rebels pop up and attack one of Albanian small armies, that is helped by others and crush them. In August Gazikumuk is the first to sign a peace deal with Qara Qoyunlu, taking Chirvan.
In January 1503, the Pope excommunicated France. Burgundy is Curia Controller.
In April 1503, Ottomans concluded the war with Qara Qoyunlu by taking 9 of their provinces. In June Albanian troops have occupied 7 of the 8 remaining provinces and are sieging the last one, the capital Tabriz.
In December 1503 I bought influence idea 6 (+1 diplo relation limit) and ADM tech 8. I also forged a claim on Erivan, one of the provinces the Ottos took from Qara Qoyunlu.
In February 1504 Tabriz fell and the war score is now 100. I finish the war by taking Karthli for me and vassalizing Qara Qoyunlu, with some bonus money.
See the red country SE of Tabriz: Timurids.
And now time to go to bed.
