Anniona Universalis (Pt. 2 Austrian Image Heavy Mega campaign)

[dragoon9105]

If you were looking for Part 1 you can find it Here!
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A Short Summary:

Welcome to the Second Part of Annionas of Austria. The continuing tales of the lovable inbred lunatics of House Anniona and their quest to reform the Holy Roman Empire. Previously in history the Anniona dynasty rose from obscurity out of the borderlands between Bavaria and Bohemia. quickly rising to power in the region ushering in an age of Religious and Imperial Conquest that would lead to a restored Western Roman Empire, the Christianization of Europe, Spain and North Africa. Though the Austrian emperors soon grew complacent after defeating the Sunset Invasion and the Dynasty fell into decay, decadence and collapse. House Anniona and its Cadet Branches still rule Europe but years of incest, corruption and possible demonic possession afflicting Austrian Emperors have shattered the once great Empire leading to the Infamous Edict of Vienna of 1412.

We Pick up the story in 1444, Where the Emperor Adalhard has been elected to the Throne following the death of Kaiser Welf the Gentle. Though only through the Grace of God and an Anniona Pope is Adalhard able to keep it. The days of old Holy Roman domination of Europa may finally be at an end.

Though we will see about that.

Some House Rules I'm keeping too.
1. Balkanization Before Eu4 for any hemogonous powers, though less severe than the Ck-Eu transition.
2. No Cheating, Obviously.
3. No dismantling the Empire myself
4. No Leaving the Empire
5. No Culture Converting accepted Cultures

Some Goals were shooting for can be done in any order
1. Restore the Empire!
2. Establish Colonies for Austria
3. Stop the Revolution, Unless we are the Revolutionary power in which case, Spread it like crazy!
4. Inherit a Elector Title.

Chapter List​

Introduction Part: 1 2 3 4 5 6
Chapter 1: The Cordoban Candidate
Chapter 2: Internal Affairs
Chapter 3: Consolidating Power
Chapter 4: The Unholy Union
Chapter 5: Trouble Brewing
Chapter 6: Growing Stronger
Chapter 7: Desperate Measures
Chapter 8: Betrayal Along the Danube
Chapter 9: A Whole New World
Chapter 10: Radbot the Righteous
Chapter 11: At Any Cost
Chapter 12: Finding Paradise
Intermission #1 1544
Chapter 13: Winds of Change
Chapter 14: The Triangle Trade
Chapter 15: The Council of Udine
Chapter 16: Viva Hispania
Chapter 17: The Austrian Purge
Chapter 18: Plague of Vienna
Chapter 19: Turning Point

 

[Crushric]

Woo! House Annonia über alles! I'm looking super forward to this little gem. Glad to have found it.

 

[dragoon9105]

Introduction Part 1: Britain and Spain

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Starting out Initial Roundup and introduction of Europe is Britain and Spain. We'll work West-East skipping over the Empire and Austria, saving them for last.

In Britain there is two Major Powers. Scotland and Britanny. The Isles were once divided between Anglo Saxon petty Kings, The King of Ireland, King of Scotland and the Bretons. Out of these states the Scottish holds the Kingdoms of Ireland and is the rightful ruler of the petty Kingdom of Lancaster. The Breton King is the head of state in Wales, England, Britanny and Lienster.

The Anglo Saxons have been isolated inbetween the major powers and no longer have a state to call their own. Never having been conquered by the Norse, or Normans the natives have instead embraced the Celtic traditions of thier overlords and a Breton influenced Britionic Revival is underway. The Kings of Britanny however are more concerned with continental affairs than the Welsh, and Britons of the Isles and have seized the Duchy of Anjou not long after gaining independence from the Austrian crown.

The Scottish are a more hardened and defiant sort. The Scottish and thier Irish subjects are the only peoples in Britannia who have not been conquered. Having fought off Breton and Norse invasions during the Medieval Era. The Scottish would be willing to more or less be left alone if not for Ireland.

Ireland and the Irish by extension has flipped back and forth between both Celtic powers of Britannia. At first being part of the Breton Kingdom at its height in Medieval times when the Bretons controlled all the Land from Aquitaine up along the french coast to England Wales and Ireland. When the Bretons fell before the Empire and were integrated the Irish were free'd and quickly conquered by the ambitious Scottish Kings of the day. Only recently has Britanny retaken the valuable port of Leister, marking a return of potential Breton interest in Ireland.

Welcome to the Inbred Kingdoms of Iberia. The Iberian Penninulsa is dominated by Three major powers, the Kingdom of Cordoba, The reformed Umayyad Kingdom of Portugal and the Basque Kingdom of Navarra.

The Ummayyad dynasty having lost much of thier middle eastern holdings at the dawn of the Middle ages instead became enamoured with Spain. The Umayyads led a series of conquests eventually forming an Empire that ran from Aquiatine in the north to Mali in the south. Though such conquests drew the desperation of the Catholics of Europe and in response a Crusade was called, one of many that would be leveled against the Ummayyad to cull thier power. Over centuries the Muslim dynasty was weakened, would rise back to prominence and then weakened again, losing everything but the Kingdom of Portugal then being forced to convert to Catholicism or face destruction at the hands of the Iberian Princes. The Andalusians of the west may have still been destroyed, if not for the Destruction of the crown of Aragon, by the Upstart Navarra.

The Basques of Navarra spent the early half of the middle ages in exile and oppression under the Spanish and French regimes. This changed when the Fourth Crusade decimated the Ummayyad dynasty and opened the door for revenge. With Austrian Aid the Basques revolted against the Ummayyad and seized the lands of Navarra and Galicia. The Navarrans would maintain good relations with the Empire and eventually call on their alliance to seize Asturias from the crown of Aragon and later the Duchy of Aragon itself. With Aragon shattered and Basque culture rising to prominence throughout Northern Spain the Navarrans would be the predominant military power on the Peninsula, if not for one other power.

Cordoba was founded at the end of the Fourth Crusade. Founded by the brother of an Austrian Kaiser Cordoba quickly allied themselves with the Kings of Africa and Later Mali and continued the Recontista in full force in north Africa. Fueled by the old Andalusian heartland Cordoba cut a bloody swath across North Africa and eventually forced the Umayyads to flee their backwater holdings in Portugal. Though the success story would quickly draw to a close when the Kings of Cordoba challenged the recently rechristened Mali for control of the vital Sahara trade. Unable to defeat Mali on the field causalities began to mount and as the Kingdom weakened the Duke of Valencia broke free.​

The Iberian Kings have mostly kept to themselves, With the exception of Navarra and Portugal at first. The Kings of Cordoba, Aragon and duke of Valencia have always been close family. In order to keep unity against the Moors the Iberians had taken to intermarrying, over and over, and over, time the Anniona's of Spain had become accustomed to the practice, though there were of course disastrous results. Things became so bad that the King of Cordoba, a deformed inbred infant died with no heirs and the throne passed to his Nephew the young Prince Waldemar of Austria. under the Cordoban court Waldemar's health quickly deteriorated and by the time he was Emperor he was a sickly and depressed man that died not soon after, continuing the chain of events that led to the Fall of the Austrian Empire further east.

Hispania hangs in the Balance, a prize for the bold to grasp for. Though perhaps there is another option for them, westward into the lands of the setting sun.
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[Crushric]

Hey, would you mind showing cultural maps as well as the political? I'd be curious to see them, since you mentioned that you had a mod at the end of CK2 that added proper cultures for conversions. That is, if you don't mind.

 

[dragoon9105]

Sure thing, I'll edit them into the First update (And i'll try to remember to include them in the later ones as well when relevant)

Also introductions are probably going to be coming at a higher frequency than updates so we can jump into actual game play sooner

Introduction Part 2: Charlemagne's Empire

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To put it bluntly France is a mess. The Region was united in its entirely during the reign of Charlemagne. Upon Charles' death however the region quickly splintered into the Kingdoms of France, Aquitaine, Middle Francia (Later renamed to Lorraine)

When France was officially integrated into the Austrian Empire it languished under the Electorate system. With no representation in the Imperial Electorate the French king revolted and failed. For his treason he was formally stripped of his title and disgraced and Without a King, the French suffered under a Viceroyalty system biased towards exploiting the region for Manpower, Taxes and development. Meanwhile the Kingdoms of Aquiatine, Burgundy and Britanny had been left relatively untouched even under Annioa rule and when the Empire fell were quick to declare their intent to reclaim the Karling Legacy and unite the region.

There were however, two Notable French states that had a more legitimate claim on the French throne. The Anniona duke of Champagne and the Powerful Lords of Flanders. The Dukes of Champagne were the traditional Viceroys of France in the past and were Austrian collaborators for Centuries. With the Empire no longer promising them protection they have failed at least for the time being to suppress the various french dukes into acknowledging their rightful claims on the french.

The Flemish however were part of a emerging wallonian culture born out of the lowlands inbetween France and Germany Proper. If the Flemish could add Paris to thier collection of Lowland cities they could quickly become the dominant power in the region, though of course this hinged on the Major powers giving the Flemish time to breath.

There was of course the Dukes of Poitou, the Original Kings of France. Though they recently have lost control of Anjou, and thier lands have Splintered, Should Poitou win the French Bloodbath they held the only, true claim to the French Throne.

French, Walloon, Breton or Occitan, a French Restoration is coming and the world will quake in fear when the Lords of France finally embrace the Great Blue Banners once more.

The King of Aquiatine was the last major power vying for control of the French. A great power in the region already aquiatine had other problems keeping it from moving north. The Kings of Burgundy and Britanny often rivals themselves had agreed upon one thing, Keeping the Occitans in their own lands. Aqutaine had become a Caged Lion, unable to strike north for fear of Breton or Burgundian intervention. Though Aquitaine was still powerful enough to deter any aggression from her Rivals for now at least.
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Germany was a different case. Unlike france the Germans had remained loyal to the Emperor for most of the Past and were allowed to keep their Kingdom. As a result Germany itself stands united as one of the most powerful nations on the continent. When the Empire fell the western Germans betrayed their emperor, something that will be long remembered. Considering the later reforming giving much more power to the Imperial states that stayed, perhaps it had been a mistake to stab the Kaiser in the back.

Other than Germany the other states of the Region the Danish republic, Luxembourg and Norway all had been expanding thier own reach in the region. The Danish Republic had originally been founded as the Republic of Sealand when the Kaiser in Austria secured the sound from Norsemen centuries ago. The Danes and German traders quickly assimilated into a new, Merchant culture, Danlanders. The Danes steadily expanded until they founded the Republic of Denmark in the 13th century and they have since expanded into the Baltic and Dutch coastline where they have become predominant naval power in the region and would be the dominant trade power in Europe, if not for the Duke of Holstien controlling the valuable ports of Lubeck and Hamburg.​

The Saxon Kings of Norway had also kept some Influence in the Region. Originally driven out of Saxony by the French six centuries ago the Saxons have returned time and again over the ages attempting to retake their ancient homeland. The Duchies of Mecklenburg and Prussia, while not actual territories held by Saxony had become integral in maintaining Saxon influence in the area. With the Powerful Bejovic dynasty at the helm in Norway, the Saxons may finally have the means to seize Brunswick and Holstein back, in the name of Widukind the Great.

Finally there is the King of Luxembourg. Originally a petty lord of France the Duke of Luxembourg inherited the duchy of Brunswich and used the Chaos of the Imperial Collapse to obtain both the Crown of Saxony and break away from the Kingdom of Germany. The Germans were Furious but quickly found themselves unable to stop the upstart Luxembourgers without risking thier holdings in Southern Germany to Burgundy, Bavaria and Bohemia. If Luxembourg can continue its spree of good luck and unite the crown of Lorraine once more they would have the means to unite their lands, and Drive the Germans out once and for all.​

 

[deded55]

I'm loving your AAR. Which mods are you using to add the new cultures and the graphics mod in EU4? Keep up the good work!

 

[Paratek]

Yay! I love it when converted saves actually turn out well. This should be quite an interesting EUIV run. Have you thought about converting it to Victoria II once the EUIV section is done?

 

[dragoon9105]

Sorry about the delay, currently moving so things have been a bit hectic.

The Mods I'm using are:
Crusader Kings 2: Culture Breakdown It splits French, Germany and Italian up into proper subcultures and is fully compatible with EU4.
Europa Universalis 4: Graphical Map Improvements Flattens the map and makes it look more similar to Victoria II, though I'm still looking for a better map Mod

And for the Record, I am indeed converting to Vicky HoD and possibly even HOI if the scenario allows for it and the converter is willing to tolerate a game carried all the way from the 8th century.

Introduction Part 3: Bejovics of the East

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As we head east we enter the land of the Bejovics. The Most powerful Medieval house after house Anniona the Bejovic Dynasty united Ruthenia, Russia, Poland Norway and Finland in ages past. Originally Pagans the Bejovics converted to Christianity after many humbling defeats at the hands of the Teutonic Order and Austrian Empire. With Catholicism having taken the stage relatively early in Europe the Russians and Polish bowed not to the Byzantine Orthodoxy but the Pope in Rome. Eventually all of the Bejovic dynasty would convert and bring peace and salvation to the Slavic and Finnic peoples in the untamed wilds of the east.

The Kingdom of Sweden had been Anniona for centuries ever since the Second Crusade. The Anniona's of Sweden would develop a fierce rivalry with the Bejovics of the surrounding Kingdoms, making great gains early on during the reign of Osterhild by seizing the Kingdom of Poland. The Bejovics eventually returned, backing a Kinsman pretender and running the Swedes out.​

The Bejovics had always favored Slavic and German peoples over the Native Baltic tribesmen and spent much of the Medieval era russifiyng the Baltic coastline until only the Estonians stood in Defiance of Bejovic resettlement Policy. The Russian resettlement policy however had drastic effects on the economic health of the region as brigand and poverty grey rampant. Eventually the Kings of Lithuania were forced to look outwards, to conquests in Finland and Pommerannia to retain their independence from their cousins in Ruthenia. Though Finland could not resist, Pomerania instead had fallen under the Danish Republic's protection.

Poland fared far better, instead the Bejovics of Poland adopted the native customs and after winning independence from Sweden, Poland stood independent and proud despite the latterloss of Silesia to the King of Bohemia. Weakened but not defeated the Poles had survived the Christian conquests of france and germany and if they play their cards right, could become a unifying force for the Region. Of course Norway and Ruthenia were still much more powerful. Ruthenia in particular while a protector against the Western Powers would be a dangerous foe if crossed.​

With the Fall of the Austrian Empire, Ruthenia was new rising power of Northern Europe. The Bejovics of Ruthenia had ruled from Kiev almost as long as the Annionas had claimed to be the true Kaisers of Rome. Originally rising from obscurity themselves the Bejovics forged an empire in the dark times reaching from the Elbe in the west and Steppe in the east. Eventually the original Ruthenian empire collapsed into the Kingdoms of Pomerania, Poland and Lithuania. The Pomeranians being the only Bejovic kingdom not to survive.

With the fall of the Kingdom of Rus at the end of the Medieval era Ruthenia now stood supreme over all the Russias. The Mongols, now in collapse were now easy targets and of course Austria, the longtime Rival of Ruthenia had been weakened which had meant the greeks were exposed to Russian steel as well.

Led by the Warrior Tsarina Olga Bejovic the Ruthenians look to be on an irreversible course of conflict with the Byzantines in the South and Hegemony of the east. Ruthenia is for all intensive purposes the Big Brother of the Bejovic Kingdoms, A Watchful protector, ensuring the Annionas are to be forever locked out of Politics in Slavic land. Should the Ruthenians expand this relationship, there could be a fair shot at uniting the Bejovic lands once more.​

Russian was the only Legal language spoken within Ruthenia itself and Non-Slavic peoples for the most part were brutally oppressed in comparison to the rather soft regime of the Austrians. Should thier efforts in Finland succeed Eastern Europe may soon become a complete Slavic Hegemony with only the Greek colonies in Tataria not included in the Russian bloc.

Long have the Ruthenians wished to earn the respect of Europe and finally now it could be achieved. If The Ruthenians could defeat the Byzantines and take the Crimea, A New Empire, A Third Rome may rise in the east. A Russian Empire that could span the Continent and shake the very foundations of both Europe, and Asia.​

 

[Milobe-115]

For the Annonias!

 

[mayorqw]

I'll be following this

 

[Lunarc]

We can say AEIOU in this world?

 

[dragoon9105]

Indeed we can, Though, Austria has already conquered the world, We just need to get it back

Introduction Part 4: Lands of Alexander

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Once the Most Powerful Nation in the world, The Byzantines spent the early half of the Medieval Era in almost seemingly irreversible decline, With the Power Shia caliphate in the east constantly harassing the Greeks and invading Anatolia the Empire had fallen far beyond what her founders originally intended. The Byzantines, threatened by the Powerful Austrians in the north Instituted an elective Monarchy.

This helped the greeks for a time allowing them to hold onto the Anatolian Peninsula through a better Unity of the Theme system, however due to the Greek system the Nobles were quickly phased out being replaced by a Military Junta of powerful Greek and Anatolian dukes. Though the Winner of each election claimed to be Emperor all the same.

Austria still humbled the Empire at every turn however, and the Greeks would spend hundreds of years favoring Military or Noble rule until finally when the Austrians signed a border agreement declaring a peace between Rome's Children.

This would be all the Greek Themes needed. With the Shia caliph focused wholly on reclaiming the Holy land from the Germans the Byzantines instead went north, into the Crimea and Alania and carved out a new heartland in the steppe. Though the Land was not nearly as rich as Anatolia proper Cumanian Cavalry using Byzantine equipment and tactics became the menace of the east and finally the Empire struck back, seizing several duchies in Persia and reclaiming trebizond. Linking the Empire by land once more.

With a land connection the Greek navy plummeted in influence almost immediately and the trade Nations of Venice, Genoa and Alexandria arrived to fill the gap. It is no small coincident that the Shia's in Anatolia who were hostile to all christians regardless, Greek, German or Italian soon found themselves on the receiving end of a Crusade.

With Austria and the Greeks finally working together the Muhammid caliph was humiliated and the Knights of Saint John were appointed to head the Rechristianization efforts in the east. The Greeks while dissapointed in not having reclaimed the land themselves were at least grateful they know had a dedicated ally in Anatolia against the Bedouins. The Knights, did not trust the Greeks however and remained under protection of the Kaiser, Until the Collapse where the Kaiser was forced to expel the Knights Hospitalier and Tuetonics from the Imperial court and were left alone in the wind.​

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The Crusader States of Africa, Egypt and Jerusalem had managed to survive the religious wars that raged throughout the region. Africa herself had consolidated their territory very early and later served to assist the King of Cordoba and Kingdom of Egypt against the Heathens of Africa. With her lands spared the violence of the warfare and destruction that had plagued the Levant and North Africa. The Desert had once again begun to bloom, though for how long was a matter of debate.

The Likely more sustainable of the three Crusader states, Africa was a dominant force in Levantine politics ever since its capture and rechristianinzation during the reign of Gotzelo centuries ago. The Powerful republic of Alexandria had quickly grown to dominate the trade in the region. Egypt however had found herself quickly running out of heathens to actually expand into and instead fabricated claims that justified an invasion of Southern Jerusalem. Conveniently timed just before a Jihad the Egyptians seized the lower half of the holy land. When the Jihad had been declared they Egyptians then decided it best to seize the city of Jerusalem as well. An unopopular but otherwise practical move as when the Austrian Empire struck back at the Muhammids Egypt would prove to be an invaluable base of operations.

With the lands of North Africa and the holy land being subjugated by catholic foreigners for so long the region evolved into a melting pot of German, Latin and Arabic cultures. Namely North Africa whos people quickly began to identify themselves as German despite many on a whole not being from Germany. A Similar situation had occured in the Holy land in Arabia though these efforts were cut short by muhammid counter invasions making the region as a whole more chaotic.

Egypt however took the opposite course. Instead of evolving the German Kings of Egypt gradually adopted more and more native customs. The Kings of Egypt adopted the Title of Muktar from the Native Arabic and re instituted the practice of Slavery though after the Sunset invasion this particular policy fell out of favor. As well as other traditions that were viewed as too 'Aztec' as after all, losing the Kaiser's favor could mean almost immediate destruction by the Shia's of the east.​

Speaking of the Shia we have finally reached the edge of Europe. The Great and Powerful Muhammid Caliphate. With the fall of Sunni Islam in the west the more Radical Shia faith grew more and more powerful in the Levant. When the Austrian crusades ripped the Sunni heartlands of Mecca, Egypt and Jerusalem from Alah's faithful the remaining Arab states found unity, and safety under the Muhammid Caliph.

The Muhammids did not waste any time establishing themselves as the sole major power in the region and destroyed the Abbasid Caliphate in its entirety. Of course opening the way for the Ummayyad in the west to reclaim their rightful title, if only for a short while.

The Muhammids had expanded in every direction since, only finally being stopped by the Mongol Khanate in the North, Indian Raj of Kosala in the east and of course the combined efforts of Austria and Byzantium in the west. With the Mongols now in Collapse and Austria's concerns shifted to reuniting her empire the Muhammids are free to reclaim the Holy land.​

Though first the Muhammids still have to remove the revolting Sultan of Arabia, Mansur Ladid as well as the ever defiant Bedouin horde of Syria who still had loyal followers scattered throughout determined to overthrow the decadent Caliph.

Though the region had previously been a volatile and unstable part of the world the Muhammids efforts to exterminate Foreign traditions within their empire had been widely successful and these revolter states likely would not last very long.

Next up we find out whats been going on in Austria.
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[TheAnguishedOne]

I didn't even notice this thread was up yet! These examinations of the known regions is fantastic, seeing the setup of the world before you begin. Glad to hear you're planning on continuing into V2 as well.

 

[dragoon9105]

Introduction Part 5: Heir to the Empire

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We have finally arrived at the Empire. Ever since the Edict of Vienna the once unfied holy roman empire has been fragmented into 25 Princes. New Emperors would be elected from each of the seven electors. The King of Wallachia, The King of Bohemia, the King of Sicily, the King of Serbia, King of Bulgaria, Duke of Carinthia and the Holy Father himself.

The King of Burgundy while having won independence during the Imperial Collapse rejoined the Empire in hopes of being electored Emperor. Adalhard however had bought the loyalty of the Bohemians as well as made several concessions to the Papacy ensuring Austria retained the throne, at least for now.

What remained of the Empire was the Official districts of Italia, Carpathia and Austria. Though Italia had been held only through shrewd diplomatic deals, and the fear of the Italian princes of the Powerful Kings of Burgundy and Germany whom both had designs on the rich Northern cities.

The Politics in Italy were complex but ultimately it boiled down into several rivalries. Burgundians despised the Carinthians, and the Austrians and were friendly with the Sicilians. The Sicilians despised the Papal State, Serbia and Genovese and were friendly with the Burgundians and Carinthians. The Papal state despised the Sicilians and Tuscans and were friendly with the Austrians. The Genovese, being a republic were despised by everyone and loved by virtually nobody. The Carinthians had generally been disinterested in the region outside of wanting to secure the cities of Venetia and seize the rich Lombard lands.​

The Eastern half of the Empire was far more consolidated than Italy. Almost every major player was also an elector of the Empire which had forced the region into an uneasy stasis. Due to triple Serbia-Wallachian-Bulgarian Electorate rivalries quickly formed between the Kingdoms of the Balkans.

When the Queen of Serbia's first and only son was assassinated at the close of the year the Empire had nearly collapsed into civil war. Only through the quick efforts of Emperor Adalhard had the war been avoided and at the cost of any hope of bringing Serbia back into the Loyalist camp. The Kingdoms of Wallachia and Bulgaria now wished to have the Kaisers favor in their conflicts with eachother yet also wished to one day become Emperor themselves, a powerful Dillemna.

In the North the Bohemians had other concerns, mainly with expansions north into Poland and Germany and had thrown their lot in with Emperor Adalhard, at least for the Moment. The Bohemians had long been loyal subjects of the Kaiser after all, it was only natural that Austria and Bohemia could continue to benefit from an alliance in these trying times.
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The Empire itself was quite diverse culturally. The Italians, without a King had devolved into petty rivalries, a second period of city states not unlike ancient greece. Though like ancient greece a new era of Scientific, Artistic and political advancement had begun to blossom. In the larger Italian cities such as Milan, Rome, Florenze and Liguria the Renaissance has hit in full swing. Though some of the Ideas rising from it may not have been the best for the health of the Empire.

In the East the many of the Germans who had stayed loyal to their Kaiser had taken to calling themselves Austrians. Austrians as a whole were loyal to the Kaiser directly, though they had also been Austrians under the Duke of Carinthia and Queen of Serbia. In the Pannonian basin the germanic peoples who had settled and intermixed with the native Avar and Bulgarian populations had begun to identify themselves as Gothic. The remaining Germans were those of Bavaria who identified more with thier own duke than the Kaiser. There were also large Avar and Bolgar minorities around Wallachia, as well as a few greek holdouts in the south.

It would be up to Austria to unite her squabbling children and reunite the Empire, once or for all, though the road would be long, and hard. Croatia was not an ideal heartland to rebuild the Empire, but it would have to do. Austria was weak but it was no matter, all of the Princes would bow to the the Annionas again, Eventually.​

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[TheAnguishedOne]

Twenty percent? Ouch. Still, as you said, the Princes will bow one day again, and the kings who betrayed the HRE will be conquered. They shall all kneel...

What comes next now? The start of the gameplay, or do you have any more introduction chapters?

 

[dragoon9105]

One more short introduction tomorrow, Dealing with what happened to the last Crusaders.

 

[Crushric]

Well, so far, so good. Have you made any other changes to the scenario? Like, decisions and other flavor events unique to your version of the game. Or will it basically be mostly vanilla outside of the starting scenario?

 

[Andrzej I]

For being such a widespread dynasty, there's not too many Annionas on the thrones of Europe.

 

[dragoon9105]

Well I actually went through and removed or renamed quite a few ruling houses. I also disabled a few events (Made sure Burgundian succession for instance was turned off).

Ran into a pecuiliar issue where if i left the Vanilla dynasties Eu4 kind of freaks out and Me, Britanny and Ruthenia PU basically everything on the map within a few years. So I renamed alot of the minors, Changed the Dynasty names of Germany, Britanny and Navarra to be Anniona with a region suffice edited on afterwards or in germany's case, the German word for traitor.

Though as far as the Bejovics, I left them alone in Ck mostly because They just did so well and left me alone, Whereas the Umayyads did well but the Pope did better Otherwise I added a few states in America we will meet later, And replaced most of the Sunnis in Malaya with Catholic and Coptic states to represent the Spice trade being controlled by the Catholics instead this time around.

Oh Also, I played with India a bit but we'll see that in this update...

Introduction Part 6: The Last of the Known World

The Mongol Khanate had been the preeminent power in Northeastern Affairs of Europe for the later part of the Middle ages. With the coming of the black death the Mongol Empire collapsed. The Ming overthrew thier Mongolian oppressors in China which had ignited a second age of petty clans and warlords in the steppe. The Line of Genghis had become weak, fat and corrupt, Warlords such as the Khan of Yugra, the Khan of Altay rose up though were never able to gain sufficient support to actually overthrow the empire, resulting in a fragmented mess of pretender states throughout the region.

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However a new Khan, a Great Khan did finally managed to unseat the Borjijin, the Warlord Ogodei. A Competant administrator and diplomat Ogodei used his skills to reunite the warring Mongolian clans of the east and with a vastly numerically inferior force overthrow the line of Genghis in its entirely. Though Mongolia had shown her weakness, and times were changing. If there was to be a new Era of Mongol Conquests they would need to be swift, and deadly.

Further south the Lush and Peaceful Indian subcontinent had turned into a firestorm. A New type of Monsoon had arrived on the Indian coastline only a century ago, the Teutonic Order. German invaders seeking fortune, glory and salvation in the name of almighty god. The Tuetons originally were thought to be a temporary thing, When the Austrian Kaiser seized the land in the first place it was only through a maddened attempt to prevent the black death. The Tuetons however stayed, and built a small Empire along the rich Indian spice trade.

With this wealth the Christians expanded Inland, at the expense of the Rajas of Gujrat and Malwa. The Remaining Princely stated reacted in Kind, and a Confederation under the Raj of Kosala formed in response to Teutonic aggression. The confederation however was disorganized and cumbersome and when they finally faced the teutonics on the field, they were soundly defeated. Worse still Christianity had begun to seep into India through the Tuetonic controlled cities, spreading like plague.​

The Kosalan and Pricely response was swift, Christians were quickly persecuted, executed and otherwise driven underground outside Teutonic lands. The Order expected this only merely used it as further excuse to press Inland and request help from Egypt and Abyssinia. Kosala itself was rather untouched by the Orders conquests and instead began to prepare for the true conflict, the one that would forever decide the fate of the subcontinent.

Outside the Order however another particular movement of Indian Catholics adopted their own brand of Christianity. Herman Anniona, was a scholar first and foremost and during his travels in the Levant he uncovered several ancient texts speaking of the dead religions and heretics of Christianity. Herman had taken some of these teachings to heart as he journeyed further and further east. When Herman arrived in India he spoke of the great Kaiser Christopher to prove his his teachings correct, and found Thousands willing to follow him.​

Herman was criticized and ousted as a Heretic by the Catholic faith, though this only freed the Young prophet to turn more radical. He abandoned any pretense entirely, took his sister to wife and declared himself King of Messallia naming himself the True Prophet of Lucifer. Though Herman quickly took his new religion and bended it to his own will rather than become a slave to its teachings. Herman modified his new faith with Indians traditions and this new Messallian spreadbegan to spread like wildfire across East India.

Now the Prophet Herman was dead and his firstborn son Hermant was.. well incompetent and deformed, for no reason in particular, certaintly not his parentage. The Authority of certain Messallian traditions may have been weakened bit the Kingdom itself was still growing exponentially despite a pure blooded Anniona at the reigns.

The Flames of holy war had only just begun to burn in India. The Lunatics of Messallia, the Confederation of Kosala, or the Teutonic Order. All on a course to unite the Subcontinent once and for all, and only one would get the prize.

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[TheAnguishedOne]

Ogodei has an interesting tale, doesn't he? His borders might be rather random, but his feat of unite people is impressive. Perhaps they'll be able to remain a power in their region.

As for India... ah, the Teutonic Order. Love them. Aside from them, Messalia is a rather interesting situation. Their current 'True Prophet of Lucifer' may lead to their downfall though, what with his impressive stats.