40 Years On: Friedrich von Manstein's Brandenburg

[stnylan]

The overall feeling I get from these updates is a nation moving from a period of great and somewhat frenetic activity to a more moderate, gentle pace. A little how a moutain brook becomes a meandering river. On the surface more peaceful, but with a stronger, more insistent, and possibly deadlier current.

 

[Snake IV]

That IS a nasty inflation. You've been too gready.

And it is white, beautifully, beautifully white

 

[unmerged(58610)]

That cannot be the end of the von Manstein line. Who will win the state's victories now that the current monarch barely knows which is the business end of a cannon.

Now you are colonising, perhaps Quest for the New World maybe perfectly plausible in game.

 

[coz1]

Fb-fb:

Lord E - Indeed. This was a period to tread carefully and pick and choose when I wanted to go to war and not the other way around.

SonofWinter - You make a very good point and it is true. I am certainly paying for my early "crimes" as it were.

Draco Rexus - Well, thankfully I think I got it under control just in time. You'll see that I do well to lower inflation (though it takes a while) and do my best to catch up.

Dr. Scarabus - It certainly has been interesting to me. I like to play somewhat realistically, but also carefully so as not to get too large too soon. I think it's worked out well.

Storey - That's very true - a larger country can handle it much easier. But as I said - when I have inflation in the 20s and France has none, then I had better start trying to find a workaround.

J. Passepartout - Yeah, but not if it means getting bankruptcy events! Especially when they don't really apply.

stnylan - So true. It's all done for a purpose.

Snake IV - I don't know about greedy, but perhaps a litle careless (or more than a little.) And I thought you'd like the white. Strange that no one else commented on it. :rofl:

Chief Ragusa - A well timed comment on QftNW. Read and see. As for the von Manstein's - well, that's how it shook out. But Billerbeck is doing a fine job and now thankfully has some good hands to asisst.

To all - and now for the next update. It is ready and waiting to be posted. But before I do, I thought I'd offer a little extra screenie for our good friend Director:

I couldn't resist snapping that when it happened in game. Thanks for all your great comments, folks!

 

[coz1]

* * *

* * *​

And so, in the year of our Lord 1535, our realm moved into what I have often considered “the quiet years.” They would last through 1542 and see much progress at home and abroad, but we were able to stand back and reflect on our growth as an Empire and myself and von Hohenzollern especially were able to keep his majesty calm in times of crises such that he did not jump to that oh so easy conclusion to war with our neighbors. It was not to last, of course, but for this short time, we did all we could to make us as ready as possible for when that day would come that young Johann Siegmund II desired to prove himself to the world.

As usual, our efforts were focused primarily in three areas – colonization, diplomatic overtures towards our vassals and doing all we could do lower inflation and raise our technology compared to our neighbors. I, of course, was primarily responsible for the first, von Hohenzollern on the diplomatic front, and Schach on the finances. And it was a good working arrangement, as we were able to make great strides. In fact, I was able to report to the Emperor that in April of 1535, I would receive word from the newly formed city of Santee on the coast of what many were now calling “America.”

Immediately a fort was built there to protect those people and our efforts would push forward in both Moron and Guantanamo. We did have enough revenue during this period to send colonists every year near the first of the year, as well as enough left over for gifts we would send to vassals. Some might consider the work tedious, as much of the year was spent simply monitoring such things, but we were lucky enough that the Emperor did enjoy his pleasures and so we would be treated to many fairs and feasts and tournaments to keep our spirits, and those of the people, high.

There was to be an episode in 1536 which would surely effect young Johann Siegmund II’s thinking in the years to come and that was yet another spillover of rebellion into Hinterpommern. These border raids had been going on for years, and I do think it was then that he and Schach began to plan for what was to come eventually to secure that border, but von Hohenzollern and I were not privy to those discussion, so I cannot be certain. We were sure to put down the rebellion in Hinterpommern soon after it began in June of that year, but it would remain a lasting memory, to be sure.

There was also a tragic instance in the following month of 1536 in which a feud would spring up between minor nobles in Anhalt, but our Emperor was swift to see that our interference might well disrupt things more than they already were. We might have taken control of the situation, but then we would have had two houses angry at us rather than the one. Instead, we allowed those families to sort out their troubles, and though it would create some mild disturbance in that province for some time, it would soon return to the normal state of things.

As it was, we still had our work to do and we kept at it with all of our energy and focus. Once more, in 1537, our policies in the new world were shown to pay off as the city of Moron was to send word that they too were now a full city, teeming with over 2,000 hearty men, women and children. I do believe that our policy to trade with the natives was very helpful in integrating them with our settlers. And of course, a fortress was soon built there as well.

There was also much for von Hohenzollern to focus on as 1537 played out, namely a wonderful trade agreement he signed with the good people of Würzburg. And it would come at a rather ironic time, as we were to learn that our old friend Pignatelli had recently been hired by Gelre to manage their trade, at which point he up and died. It seemed as though he was as useful to them as he had ever been to us.

There was to be some slight disturbance in the Empire during the year of 1537, but von Hohenzollern did his best to watch over the Emperor’s best interests. Burgundy was to go to war with Wurttemburg near the end of the year, and wisely von Hohenzollern had sent back a request by Burgundy of military access with a strongly worded letter explaining we could not possibly allow such a thing. Thus, when the Burgundians had sacked Wurttemburg’s capital, they had no way to reach Salzburg and were finally forced to sign a white peace. I do believe it was a strong reminder of who exactly was in charge in the Empire and a strong rebuke to Burgundy. But I have sometimes wondered if they did not take too much offense.

But through these acts, it did make many in our own realm feel much more inclined to come along to the idea of their rightful master. Several of our provinces that might have held some ties elsewhere but to Brandenburg then began to easily accept their place in the greater scheme of both Brandenburg itself and the wider Empire. Tax revenue would go up, as well, from these acts as they were certainly more inclined to pay than they previously had been. And the chance of revolt was considerably lessoned. Finally, the strength we were showing throughout the empire enabled us to make overtures to Kingdoms and Duchies previously thought too far away to matter. Though in truth, many of those considered were done so in a defensive theory, we also hoped to convince them to join with us in the Empire. Our primary focus as the year turned to 1538 was in Milan.

They had grown large over the years, settling many of the issues of Northern Italy, and had pushed both Burgundy and Venice. Both von Hohenzollern and the Emperor were inclined to ask them for an alliance, especially if war was to come with Austria. We were able to raise relations with Milan well during the years and would continue to do so, even with the following year seeing them lose some provinces to Venice. And on the military front, Schach was having quite good success, as by the end of that year, we were able to introduce some new structure and firepower to our land forces.

But my happiest day of this period of quiet growth would certainly have been in late 1539 when we were finally able to convince certain men to come to us and sign on to go forth and explore those strange and exotic worlds that we had only heard about. The early candidates were less than savory, and so we would have to choose carefully who it was we sent on such missions, but to finally have established a foothold in the new world, and to have gained the reputation of a colonizing nation was much to our credit as a realm and peoples.

1540 would see much of the same as the previous years, the only happenings worth note to mention being the royal marriages we entered into with both Wurttemburg and Sweden, as well as a strange occurrence in Burgundy when they would change their government to an “Administrative Monarchy,” whatever that might be. Strangely enough, I thought we had been doing just fine in such practices within the age-old form we had grown accustomed to in the Empire. But the Burgundians were also strange peoples and one cannot judge them too harshly, I suppose. Though I doubt one would find the Kingdom of France doing such a thing, and so I suppose those in Burgundy will always remain second best in those lands. Who is to know?

1541 would also be a quiet year, with are usual gifts and colonies, but so to a marriage signed with Flanders and a push for more innovative ideas by Schach. As I stated already, these were quiet years. But all this would change as the calendar turned to 1542. For it was in this year that I was first involved in discussions for what would be happening very soon. In January, I was invited to the royal palace and sat in meeting with Schach, von Hohenzollern and the Emperor. There I was informed that the Imperial Fleet was soon to sail to the Baltic and port in Hinterpommern. As well, von Hohenzollern was able to sign a treaty of alliance with Milan finally. I was unsure of which direction we might be moving, but it was clear there would be some action either against the Teutonic Order or Austria. But I did not pry and they did not offer more than a surface level intelligence on the matter. I was simply informed to curtail spending for a time so that our budget might remain strong and our coffers full.

And when in September, we began building large cast iron cannon along our eastern border, I was almost sure of where we were to head. This was certified when I was informed that General Georg Albrecht von Merchantz was heading to Neumark where he would join his brother already stationed in Hinterpommern. It was clear that the quiet years were over. After this period of peace, we were once again to march to the drumbeats of war. If only General von Manstein would have been there to at least see it. I can only hope that he did from on high. Either way, the border raids would cease. And our forces were to test if they were truly as strong as those neighbors around us.

 

[unmerged(24320)]

coz1: ...I would receive word from the newly formed city of Santee on the coast of what many were now calling “America.”...also, Moron...forts built...

splendid progress ! !

coz1: ...von Hohenzollern was able to sign a treaty of alliance with Milan finally...I was simply informed to curtail spending for a time so that our budget might remain strong and our coffers full...Either way, the border raids would cease. And our forces were to test if they were truly as strong as those neighbors around us.

aye, time to show the TO what to do about raiders ! !

excellent update ! !

 

[stnylan]

Looking east again? It's been a while since Brandeberg turned her eye that way.

Perhaps also colonise our good friend's home-place?

 

[unmerged(66313)]

Excellent progress with your colonisation efforts. Now all we need is Havana; we can do with some quality cigars.

Good luck in teaching a lesson to these raiders from the TO. I thought you'd go after Erfurt first, but obviously the raiders are causing some problems that need to be dealt with as soon as possible.

Billerbeck is doing a fine job!

 

[unmerged(53911)]

Always fun catching up! Looking forward to the "Titanic Teutonic Contest" that's brewing in the East. I think that it is important to secure that border. Good luck and good writing!

 

[J. Passepartout]

Has anyone colonised Mobile since that screenshot?

This could be an interesting war. We are assured of victory, methinks.

 

[Director]

His Majesty King Felix welcomes you to Sweet Lunacy's County Seat (formerly known as Mobile, Alabama) in this, his Time of Misrule, Merriment and Frivolity!

Something of what you may see as you come ashore.


If you feel faint and giddy, we recommend another adult beverage followed by vigorous leaping and screaming, "Throw me somethin' Mister!"

Please remember that seriousness is a misdemeanor and sobriety is punishable by prank.
Beads and cups are worth fighting for. Whole families have died feuding over stuffed animals.
Learn to 'swing those beads, chile!' and say, "You want a Moon Pie with that?"
Discover what the Azalea bushes are really good for!

Above all, enjoy your stay but rememeber: the Kingdom of Mirth dissolves back into mist at the stroke of midnight of Mardi Gras Day!​

 

[SonofWinter]

Time to change one of your NI from the +5% tax to +10% efficiency (forgot the word, sorry) since you have these colonies it will give you more research income and once you hit 50% you get those population boom events. +1 to base tax +??? to province manpower.

I'm not saying you have to, but it might be useful.

 

[Deaghaidh]

Galloglaigh? I'm I right in thinking those are Galowglases? As in Irish mercenaries?

*Hopes for a new video card for his birthday so he can play*

Looking forward to the Teutonic Order getting what's coming to them, for decades of mismangement.

 

[Corbett]

The Teutonic Knights are an anachronism; a relic from a prior era. Pray remind them of the folly of their ways, and incorporate them into what I can only now call the Grand Electorate. Perhaps the von Hohenzollerns can form a newer, greater Kingdom of Germany? Speaking of Germany, could I get a picture of your European empire?

 

[Deus]

Teutons are a prime subject for some land grabbing. Do you have any cores on the Teutons?

Remember parts of HRE are far north, so to complete the Teuton project would take at least a century.

Good to see you colonization efforts moving along.

 

[unmerged(58610)]

Good to see Austria wearing its familiar colour!
Your ai Milan is doing almost as well as Renss' - must be its imperial purple colouring!

I see the solution to your Teutonic Order problem is the familiar drang nach osten. You'll definitely need a von Manstein for that; the von Merchanz' just don't have the same ring of menace.

 

[FlorisDeVijfde]

Great to see such a strong Teutonic Order. In EU2 some nations were most difficult to play but it seems in EU3 everyone has a chance. This probably because the events are less country-specific (until now I only encountered the Hanseatic League-event).

 

[Lord E]

The colonies are growing and your empire is increasing, that is good news. New units for the army that will be very good I think especially if you are really planning to march east again. Marching east will secure your border so I think it is a very good idea.

 

[Graymane]

Lots of juggling going on, trade, upcoming land wars, colonizing. Sounds like you are having a lot of fun =)

 

[unmerged(62421)]

Quite the empire you got there.

How are your relations with your neighbors, (both european and colonia)?
If, and when will you start spreading out in Germany again?