Still going strong, i see, keep it up. Out of interest how bad has your BB got? What is your current reputation, i think your expansion hasn't been too quick so i'm guessing that it's not too bad?
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Sideshow,
Nope, it hadn't been bad. I do believe I had posted my reputation somewhere in the last thread. If not, it was "tarnished." And I was pretty conscious not to let it get below that. I'm pretty sure you're aware that the reputation ranking is a basic classification at a glance of the old numerical BB. That way you don't have to actually open up the file to find it, you can just look at your diplo screen and get a good idea. In fact, its really been all I've needed to keep it controlled.
But don't worry, before its all over, I do get myself in one BB war.
Nope, it hadn't been bad. I do believe I had posted my reputation somewhere in the last thread. If not, it was "tarnished." And I was pretty conscious not to let it get below that. I'm pretty sure you're aware that the reputation ranking is a basic classification at a glance of the old numerical BB. That way you don't have to actually open up the file to find it, you can just look at your diplo screen and get a good idea. In fact, its really been all I've needed to keep it controlled.
But don't worry, before its all over, I do get myself in one BB war.
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Since freeing countries like Luxemburg lowers your BB, I guess you have managed to keep it low this way.
I wouldn't edit the files, either, it takes something away form the "I did it" feeling. I did it once, and only after the 3% revolt risk had gone, but still it didn't feel right.
Oh, and Sharur, I guess I have to whisper it now, shawng1 seems to be a little upset:
Sharur is the Master of the Universe but shawng1 is the Master of this AAR!
Excellent update, as ever.
I wouldn't edit the files, either, it takes something away form the "I did it" feeling. I did it once, and only after the 3% revolt risk had gone, but still it didn't feel right.
Oh, and Sharur, I guess I have to whisper it now, shawng1 seems to be a little upset:
Sharur is the Master of the Universe but shawng1 is the Master of this AAR!
Excellent update, as ever.
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Upset? me? nahhh.
I just had to get in on the festivities.
Thank you all once again, BTW, for your praise. It definitly makes it easier for me to keep up on this.
Speaking of which, chapter 14 follows presently.
I just had to get in on the festivities.
Thank you all once again, BTW, for your praise. It definitly makes it easier for me to keep up on this.
Speaking of which, chapter 14 follows presently.
Reminds me of a Japaness movie I saw some years ago.
Is this where you got the idea of the flute playing? Great AAR.Joe
Chapter 14
Chapter XIV- Two Papal Decrees (April 1571-1579)
On a rainy morning in the ancestral home of Waldendur in Potsdam Alcibiades looked out from his sitting room and discussed with his son MArkus the ways of guiding the affiars of the burgeoning German state.
"Father," Markus asked, how do we know when to press and advantage, and when to let it go?"
"Son," the Chancellor answered, leaning forward in his chair to make the importance of his point known, "You never let an advantage pass. You may not take it immediately, but you always take it. You may not always take it militarily but the von Rad's are masters of more than simply military maneuvering. Glory in battle is well and good. But we advance our causes many other ways as well. The criterion we use to judge how to tkae advantage of a situation are simple and unchanging. It is only the individual circumstances that make application more difficult."
"What are these "criterion," Father?"
The voice of the elder von Rad shifted into the monotone of the schoolmaster reciting a list of instructions.
1) Does the advantage allow us to advance the cause of "one Germany for all Germans?" This is always the preeminent concern. If you take the risk-as we did with Hessen, how will it aid the cause?
2) Are we ready to go to war? If yes, move to step 3. But if not, can we be ready in time to push the advantage militarily. If yes, then consider #3 at the appropriate time. If no, use the advantage to ease diplomatic tensions. Nations are thankful when when you decline to embarass them before other nations for their indiscretions. By easing tensions diplomatically, it puts them off guard, and prepares us for future activities--or maybe makes them a friend we can use--which is profitable as well.
3) Can we win? Brandenburg has never lost a single ducat or acre of land in a single peace settlement. Never one, my lad, since the von Rad's became councillors of Brandenburg. Even the infamous Second war with Burgundy, we didn't lose. We simply failed to take political advantage of winning. Consider that. 250 years of victory. It makes us a nation feared in the eyes of Europe. To live is to risk, to roll the dice means to tempt fate and see it twist and turn before us. But the key to invincibility is not attacking when you have the chance, it is something quite different."
"What father?"
"Not letting others take advantage of you. Now I have duties of state to attend to. They will be your duties soon enough. You are a bright lad, you have learned the character of the von Rad's well. You will govern well. But most importantly, judge everything in the perspective of the dream. The Vision of Glory. A Germany for all Germans, and the only fit capital is Berlin. Austria can rule Hungarians, Slovaks, Bulgarians, Slavs, and others if they wish to, and seemingly they suffr no consequence for it. But our vision strikes fear into the hearts of nations--as well it should. These other states desire a return to the days of petty-dukedoms and electorates. But those days are gone forever. And so is the opportunity to talk to you today."
Chapter XIV- Two Papal Decrees (April 1571-1579)
On a rainy morning in the ancestral home of Waldendur in Potsdam Alcibiades looked out from his sitting room and discussed with his son MArkus the ways of guiding the affiars of the burgeoning German state.
"Father," Markus asked, how do we know when to press and advantage, and when to let it go?"
"Son," the Chancellor answered, leaning forward in his chair to make the importance of his point known, "You never let an advantage pass. You may not take it immediately, but you always take it. You may not always take it militarily but the von Rad's are masters of more than simply military maneuvering. Glory in battle is well and good. But we advance our causes many other ways as well. The criterion we use to judge how to tkae advantage of a situation are simple and unchanging. It is only the individual circumstances that make application more difficult."
"What are these "criterion," Father?"
The voice of the elder von Rad shifted into the monotone of the schoolmaster reciting a list of instructions.
1) Does the advantage allow us to advance the cause of "one Germany for all Germans?" This is always the preeminent concern. If you take the risk-as we did with Hessen, how will it aid the cause?
2) Are we ready to go to war? If yes, move to step 3. But if not, can we be ready in time to push the advantage militarily. If yes, then consider #3 at the appropriate time. If no, use the advantage to ease diplomatic tensions. Nations are thankful when when you decline to embarass them before other nations for their indiscretions. By easing tensions diplomatically, it puts them off guard, and prepares us for future activities--or maybe makes them a friend we can use--which is profitable as well.
3) Can we win? Brandenburg has never lost a single ducat or acre of land in a single peace settlement. Never one, my lad, since the von Rad's became councillors of Brandenburg. Even the infamous Second war with Burgundy, we didn't lose. We simply failed to take political advantage of winning. Consider that. 250 years of victory. It makes us a nation feared in the eyes of Europe. To live is to risk, to roll the dice means to tempt fate and see it twist and turn before us. But the key to invincibility is not attacking when you have the chance, it is something quite different."
"What father?"
"Not letting others take advantage of you. Now I have duties of state to attend to. They will be your duties soon enough. You are a bright lad, you have learned the character of the von Rad's well. You will govern well. But most importantly, judge everything in the perspective of the dream. The Vision of Glory. A Germany for all Germans, and the only fit capital is Berlin. Austria can rule Hungarians, Slovaks, Bulgarians, Slavs, and others if they wish to, and seemingly they suffr no consequence for it. But our vision strikes fear into the hearts of nations--as well it should. These other states desire a return to the days of petty-dukedoms and electorates. But those days are gone forever. And so is the opportunity to talk to you today."
OOC for Storey,
Very Good ! Actually the scene in the movie is based on a historical event, one of the more tragic events in their tragic history. During the Sengoku Jidai (Period of warring states) Takeda Shingen, the most brilliant commander Japan had perhaps ever known, did exactly this while laying seige to one of Oda Nabunaga's forts. As a result, the Takeda dynasty went from being a threat to establish itself as Shogun to completely crushed in less than a generation, as Shingen's son was not competent enough to defeat the able Nabunaga, especially as Oda was allied with the even more able Tokugawa Ieyasu--the eventual Shogun, who used this vacuum of power to catapult himself into the preeminent place of vassals to Oda. And when Nabunaga was assasinated, he split power with another of the Oda generals took the richest provinces of the realm in the deal, allowed him to rule, as he was old. Once he died, Ieyasu fought a quick war that united the realm and established the 250 year Tokugawa Shogunate.
But I digress.
Very Good ! Actually the scene in the movie is based on a historical event, one of the more tragic events in their tragic history. During the Sengoku Jidai (Period of warring states) Takeda Shingen, the most brilliant commander Japan had perhaps ever known, did exactly this while laying seige to one of Oda Nabunaga's forts. As a result, the Takeda dynasty went from being a threat to establish itself as Shogun to completely crushed in less than a generation, as Shingen's son was not competent enough to defeat the able Nabunaga, especially as Oda was allied with the even more able Tokugawa Ieyasu--the eventual Shogun, who used this vacuum of power to catapult himself into the preeminent place of vassals to Oda. And when Nabunaga was assasinated, he split power with another of the Oda generals took the richest provinces of the realm in the deal, allowed him to rule, as he was old. Once he died, Ieyasu fought a quick war that united the realm and established the 250 year Tokugawa Shogunate.
But I digress.
Back in character
The next day, April 23, 1571, we receive a message from the Austrian ambassador cancelling their military access. this motion renews their freedom to declare war on us. We will have to be on our guard. But we have the measure of the Austrians. We start recruiting new troops into our standing armies to replace the losses of our recent wars.
But in July of the same year, we get a truly surprising message. The Papal States declare war on us! The King laughs. I am not quite so amused, but I have to admit this is hard to take seriously. the Papal States did not even request their allies to aid them, and they have no acccess to march on our lands.But then, neither do we have access to theirs. This is slightly more difficult for us, as Austria would never give us military access. And we do not yet have access to the sea. There is only one way they can attack us from. That is through Hannover. If they are actually serious about this war, they will come that way. We have requested our allies to cal to arms as well. They all honor the alliance. Thus we would expect any Papal force to be defeated long before it gets to our borders. Certainly they will never return to their ships.
On July 15, we renew royal ties with the Danes, in september there is trouble in France, as Brittany rebels and Lorriane declares independance from Austria. We invite Lorriane into our alliance and they accept. On June 1, 1572, a peasant revolt is put down in Baden, and in August, we discover that the Papists indeed are serious about his little war. He has sent a force around the whole of Europe by sea and they disembark in Hannover. However, only 6000 men have survived the journey and the battle with the Hannoverians. We march 28000 into Hannover, and they defeat and annihilate the Papist invaders. they have no place to retreat, and not a man returns to their ships.
On October 1, Strassburg declares independance from Spain, and on Dec 20, the Papists decline a white peace, but weconsider it unlikely that they will be able to muster another expedition north. On December 12, we marry into the newly formed House of Strassburg. It seems as if the realm is returning to stability. But a meteor is spotted, and some peasant fools who know nothing of the way of the skys interpret this as some sign of doom (-1 stability), we exile the troublemakers. On Oct 21, 1574, we sign a white peace with the Papists, but they announce a new council the same day, a Council of Trent. They declare all Protestants and "schismatics," heretics, anathema, as if we preach some other Gospel than Paul's! Well, we know the Gospel is safeguaded by God and not councils of men.
The next day, April 23, 1571, we receive a message from the Austrian ambassador cancelling their military access. this motion renews their freedom to declare war on us. We will have to be on our guard. But we have the measure of the Austrians. We start recruiting new troops into our standing armies to replace the losses of our recent wars.
But in July of the same year, we get a truly surprising message. The Papal States declare war on us! The King laughs. I am not quite so amused, but I have to admit this is hard to take seriously. the Papal States did not even request their allies to aid them, and they have no acccess to march on our lands.But then, neither do we have access to theirs. This is slightly more difficult for us, as Austria would never give us military access. And we do not yet have access to the sea. There is only one way they can attack us from. That is through Hannover. If they are actually serious about this war, they will come that way. We have requested our allies to cal to arms as well. They all honor the alliance. Thus we would expect any Papal force to be defeated long before it gets to our borders. Certainly they will never return to their ships.
On July 15, we renew royal ties with the Danes, in september there is trouble in France, as Brittany rebels and Lorriane declares independance from Austria. We invite Lorriane into our alliance and they accept. On June 1, 1572, a peasant revolt is put down in Baden, and in August, we discover that the Papists indeed are serious about his little war. He has sent a force around the whole of Europe by sea and they disembark in Hannover. However, only 6000 men have survived the journey and the battle with the Hannoverians. We march 28000 into Hannover, and they defeat and annihilate the Papist invaders. they have no place to retreat, and not a man returns to their ships.
On October 1, Strassburg declares independance from Spain, and on Dec 20, the Papists decline a white peace, but weconsider it unlikely that they will be able to muster another expedition north. On December 12, we marry into the newly formed House of Strassburg. It seems as if the realm is returning to stability. But a meteor is spotted, and some peasant fools who know nothing of the way of the skys interpret this as some sign of doom (-1 stability), we exile the troublemakers. On Oct 21, 1574, we sign a white peace with the Papists, but they announce a new council the same day, a Council of Trent. They declare all Protestants and "schismatics," heretics, anathema, as if we preach some other Gospel than Paul's! Well, we know the Gospel is safeguaded by God and not councils of men.
On Jan 1, 1575, a peasant revolt in Hessen is put down, but putting it down costs 7000 of the 20000 men in place and 24 days of fierce fighting. And our stability is still less than ideal (+1) and our reputation still dimly viewed (tarnished). On Jan 18, 1575, our former vassals of Pommern now call the Danes their overlords. If we could perhaps bring Sweden into our alliance, we could squeeze the Danes between us and extract the German provinces from the Danish grip. But for now, we will continue as friends with the Danes.
On March 7, we send a letter of introduction to Saxony. they call us "closest of friends" in response once again. On June 10, we revoke our military access with Poland, causing another burst of distress among the nobles (+1 again). On October 12, we renew royal ties with the Scots, and 1575 ends with a new nation in Iberia as Catalunya declares itself independant from England. In November, Spain declares itself Sole Defenders of the Protestant Faith. We consider sending them a note asking if they even know what the "Sola's" of the Protestant faith stand for. But it isn't worth our effort. It is clear to us that a nation that has no province that understands the teaching of Luther cannot honestly consider itself Protestant. On November 6, war breaks out between Bohemia, Denmark, Scotland, and France on one side against Austria, Spain, Bavaria, Navarra, and the Knights on the other.
With Western and Central Europe--besides our alliance--in flames, the time is right to turn the rod of office over to my son Markus. He is ready for the labors ahead. May he prosper and do well.
On March 7, we send a letter of introduction to Saxony. they call us "closest of friends" in response once again. On June 10, we revoke our military access with Poland, causing another burst of distress among the nobles (+1 again). On October 12, we renew royal ties with the Scots, and 1575 ends with a new nation in Iberia as Catalunya declares itself independant from England. In November, Spain declares itself Sole Defenders of the Protestant Faith. We consider sending them a note asking if they even know what the "Sola's" of the Protestant faith stand for. But it isn't worth our effort. It is clear to us that a nation that has no province that understands the teaching of Luther cannot honestly consider itself Protestant. On November 6, war breaks out between Bohemia, Denmark, Scotland, and France on one side against Austria, Spain, Bavaria, Navarra, and the Knights on the other.
With Western and Central Europe--besides our alliance--in flames, the time is right to turn the rod of office over to my son Markus. He is ready for the labors ahead. May he prosper and do well.
Originally posted by Sorcerer
Sharur is the Master of the Universe but shawng1 is the Master of this AAR!
Works for me
Shawn, you show remarkable patience in this aar. Although I don't have EU2 yet (4 more days...), in EU1 I could hardly stay at peace for more than 10 years
Sharur,
Thanks. To me patience is the key to playing a European minor. But even more since I wanted to avoid (as much as possible) being coopted into the wars of major nations, which means steering clear of an alliance that would've provided me "easy" protection. When I'm a major, I can allow myself to be a whole lot more aggressive. That said, the worst tail-kicking I ever took was when I played as Turkey. I managed to conquer half of Venice, then I landed the BB wars--plus being Muslim in Europe made my life no fun either...
(Well other than when I played as Scotland, allied with France, France declared war, and England let Calias go and attacked me with everything...)
Thanks. To me patience is the key to playing a European minor. But even more since I wanted to avoid (as much as possible) being coopted into the wars of major nations, which means steering clear of an alliance that would've provided me "easy" protection. When I'm a major, I can allow myself to be a whole lot more aggressive. That said, the worst tail-kicking I ever took was when I played as Turkey. I managed to conquer half of Venice, then I landed the BB wars--plus being Muslim in Europe made my life no fun either...
(Well other than when I played as Scotland, allied with France, France declared war, and England let Calias go and attacked me with everything...)
I'll be posting the next installment tomorrow (that is, Sunday) afternoon (my time) I should be able to put another screenie up too at that time.
Thanks again. And BTW, I have to tell you that I just made a really cool arrangement for a future chapter. Not to tip my hand, but they'll be some excellent contributions coming in the not-too-distant future. Not that we're turning this into an RPG thread. Far from it, as always, it will advance the narrative. I promise...
Thanks again. And BTW, I have to tell you that I just made a really cool arrangement for a future chapter. Not to tip my hand, but they'll be some excellent contributions coming in the not-too-distant future. Not that we're turning this into an RPG thread. Far from it, as always, it will advance the narrative. I promise...
Chapter 15
Chapter XV- The Baptism of Fire (June 1580-1594)
Markus von Rad sat in the same sitting room his father had lectured him 9 years before. Today, however, the sun was shining, and he was master of Waldendur. And that sunshine pouring n might seem to exemplfy for many the way of life in Brandenburg, joy and light. We enjoy peace with all our neighbors, our alliance with Saxony and Hannover is the oldest and most stable in all of europe. Our military is the equal of any in the world, our economy is strong, our diplomatic position strong as well, at least as strong as being a Protestant nation can make it. Our borders stretch from Silesia and Kustrin in the East, through the home provinces and our loyal vassals, to Kleves, Pfalz and Koln in the west, with Luxembourg a vassal as a buffer against France, another member of our alliance which owes its very existence to our goodwill and protection, then through Baden and Wurtemburg in the South. One would think all is well indeed.
Yet Markus knew a Biblical truth, "Pride goes before the fall." If one thing was certain right now in Brandenburg, they had a nice, new, high and lofty perch to fall from. And accompanying that would be many willing candidates in the roll of precipitor of the fall. Starting with basically the whole Catholic world. No, the time for pride was not now. It was very likely that if Brandenburg found itself embroiled in one war anytime soon, many other nations might join in the fray as well.
So on June 2, 1580, we extend France military access through our lands to allow them to engage Austria via our roads. Giving them this freedom of movement means that they cannot themselves declare war on us without first revoking the access. Their Polish allies still might however, and they could take advantage of that opportunity. And Poland has no interest in any favors from us. But they do not frighten us either. France, with its large army, the most advanced in the world, does cause us concern.
March 4 brings Portugal into the vassalage of Spain. The summer is quiet, and on October 20 I counsel the King to begin to gather power to himself and centralize the realm. On Aug 18, 1581, there is a wave of peasant unhappiness in brandenburg (Randomn Event) it is put down quickly. On Nov 1, 1582, our military integrates improvements (lvl 15 land).
Chapter XV- The Baptism of Fire (June 1580-1594)
Markus von Rad sat in the same sitting room his father had lectured him 9 years before. Today, however, the sun was shining, and he was master of Waldendur. And that sunshine pouring n might seem to exemplfy for many the way of life in Brandenburg, joy and light. We enjoy peace with all our neighbors, our alliance with Saxony and Hannover is the oldest and most stable in all of europe. Our military is the equal of any in the world, our economy is strong, our diplomatic position strong as well, at least as strong as being a Protestant nation can make it. Our borders stretch from Silesia and Kustrin in the East, through the home provinces and our loyal vassals, to Kleves, Pfalz and Koln in the west, with Luxembourg a vassal as a buffer against France, another member of our alliance which owes its very existence to our goodwill and protection, then through Baden and Wurtemburg in the South. One would think all is well indeed.
Yet Markus knew a Biblical truth, "Pride goes before the fall." If one thing was certain right now in Brandenburg, they had a nice, new, high and lofty perch to fall from. And accompanying that would be many willing candidates in the roll of precipitor of the fall. Starting with basically the whole Catholic world. No, the time for pride was not now. It was very likely that if Brandenburg found itself embroiled in one war anytime soon, many other nations might join in the fray as well.
So on June 2, 1580, we extend France military access through our lands to allow them to engage Austria via our roads. Giving them this freedom of movement means that they cannot themselves declare war on us without first revoking the access. Their Polish allies still might however, and they could take advantage of that opportunity. And Poland has no interest in any favors from us. But they do not frighten us either. France, with its large army, the most advanced in the world, does cause us concern.
March 4 brings Portugal into the vassalage of Spain. The summer is quiet, and on October 20 I counsel the King to begin to gather power to himself and centralize the realm. On Aug 18, 1581, there is a wave of peasant unhappiness in brandenburg (Randomn Event) it is put down quickly. On Nov 1, 1582, our military integrates improvements (lvl 15 land).
Jan 1, 1583 brings a peasant revolt in Hessen, which is rapidly put down. Also England declares itself defender of the Catholic Faith. We find this amusing when more of its home provinces are Reformed than Catholic. On Sept 1, Croatia rebels from Austria. This is a convenient distraction of our attention, for on the 28th of September Hannover receives a Declaration of War from the Netherlands, and we find ourselves in the less-than-enviable position of defending one of our vassals (Hannover), against another (the Dutch). We march a total of 38000 troops from Pfalz and Hessen, into Oldenburg, where they are joined by 10000 Hannoverians, and a battle is joined with 18000 Dutch. After fierce fighting, we are victorious. Hannover besegies Oldenburg, so we march on Geldre.
But oddly, on May 1, 1585, the Hannoverians make peace with the Dutch paying 125d. We call in the ambassador and ask him if the elector of Hannover has had some difficulty discerning whose cities were under seige when he made peace. But since the ducats don't come out of our treasury, and will flow into ours (in part) in either case, we have little more than a humorous concern for this development. We return the remainign 26000 troops to Baden, where we expect they will soon have further use...
On Oct 15, we form royal ties with the newly named "Russia" and with Suzdal. Also Prussia has been annexed, to our disappointment, by Courland. On Sept 12, 1585 Seiderbergen is devoured by the ever-gaping maw that is Austria. In October, we are afflicted by a failure of the beaureucracy to enforce ordiances (-1 stability "random" event). However, the rest of the year is quiet except for reports that the Austro-French war have come to an end. In March 1586, Bohemia surrenders Erz, Moravia, and Sudeten to the Austrians as well. This leaves Bohemia only one province left from its former glory. So does Austria treat its former friends.
On April 1, however, my concerns begin to come to pass. Venice declares war on us. With this, teh French declare war on Lorraine, assuming we will be to distracted to aid them, Lorraine calls for allied support, and we provide it. However, all of this brings the Pommernian dogs into conflict with us. And they begin to march 52000 men on Berlin. We summon troops from Sudeten and Baden north to defend the home province. 35000 men engage the Pommernian attackers on Auguest 30. They fight valiantly, but the weight of numbers begins to tell until the second army arrives fro mBaden by forced marches and throws itself into the fray. They arrive on the Pommernian flank just as our 1st army is giving way. The result is a Pommernian rout. We chase the 30000 survivors back to Pommern.
but we cannot enjoy this victory, Bavaria and Mainz declare war on us too, hoping to grab land in the south from us while our attention is diverted. We raise troops in our southern provinces to use against Bavaria. On Nov 26, we engage the rattled 30000 remaining Pommernians and inflict another crushing defeat on them. We then lay seige to Vor Pommern. The remainder fo the winter is quiet except for the sound of our seige guns in VorPommern.
On June 5, 1587, we engage 12000 Bavarians with 7000of our own men in Wurtemburg, we are victorious on the 23rd. On July 4th we sign a white peace with France, and on Sept 1 a white peace is signed between Hannover and Pommern, thus our 17000 survivors of the battles with Pommern are now free to turn and march on Bavaria.
On July 4, 1588, 12000 Brandenburgers engage 7000 Bavarians, and we are victorious. We consolidate our forces into a single 23000 man force and march on Bavaria. They are engaged by 15000 Bavarians in Bavaria. The engagement is brutal, 11000 bavarians are slain. Btu our general misgages the reality of the battle and retreats with 18000 men. We send the General a warning to not allow himself to make the mistake of retreating before an inferior foe again, and he attacks once again. the result is the slaughter of the final defenders of Bavaria.
On Aug 15, Bavaria is beseiged, btu the troops of Mainz manage to sneak up on us in Hessen and pillage the province. We assemble an allied army of 41000 men which marches on Mainz. Their 15000 defendwers are crushed. We lay seige to Mainz. On Dec 15, Bayern falls, and we march on Ansbach. But on Jan 7, an assault on Mainz fails to take the province.
March 4th sees a white peace with the Papacy and Crimea, Mainz is falling (-1), but on July 16, we accept peace with Bavaria for 125d, we however, maintain our stranglehold on Mainz. Aug 1 brings a Hugenot revolt against the Catholic nation that is (supposedly) England. On the 27th Mainz falls. they come to us asking for mercy, but discover that we have invoked the policy "one Germany for all Germans." They are ordered to hand over all rights to their province and see it added to the Brandenburg's realm, their lineage deposed, their nobility exiled. Thus the price for attempting to land-grab from Brandenburg and failing.
But oddly, on May 1, 1585, the Hannoverians make peace with the Dutch paying 125d. We call in the ambassador and ask him if the elector of Hannover has had some difficulty discerning whose cities were under seige when he made peace. But since the ducats don't come out of our treasury, and will flow into ours (in part) in either case, we have little more than a humorous concern for this development. We return the remainign 26000 troops to Baden, where we expect they will soon have further use...
On Oct 15, we form royal ties with the newly named "Russia" and with Suzdal. Also Prussia has been annexed, to our disappointment, by Courland. On Sept 12, 1585 Seiderbergen is devoured by the ever-gaping maw that is Austria. In October, we are afflicted by a failure of the beaureucracy to enforce ordiances (-1 stability "random" event). However, the rest of the year is quiet except for reports that the Austro-French war have come to an end. In March 1586, Bohemia surrenders Erz, Moravia, and Sudeten to the Austrians as well. This leaves Bohemia only one province left from its former glory. So does Austria treat its former friends.
On April 1, however, my concerns begin to come to pass. Venice declares war on us. With this, teh French declare war on Lorraine, assuming we will be to distracted to aid them, Lorraine calls for allied support, and we provide it. However, all of this brings the Pommernian dogs into conflict with us. And they begin to march 52000 men on Berlin. We summon troops from Sudeten and Baden north to defend the home province. 35000 men engage the Pommernian attackers on Auguest 30. They fight valiantly, but the weight of numbers begins to tell until the second army arrives fro mBaden by forced marches and throws itself into the fray. They arrive on the Pommernian flank just as our 1st army is giving way. The result is a Pommernian rout. We chase the 30000 survivors back to Pommern.
but we cannot enjoy this victory, Bavaria and Mainz declare war on us too, hoping to grab land in the south from us while our attention is diverted. We raise troops in our southern provinces to use against Bavaria. On Nov 26, we engage the rattled 30000 remaining Pommernians and inflict another crushing defeat on them. We then lay seige to Vor Pommern. The remainder fo the winter is quiet except for the sound of our seige guns in VorPommern.
On June 5, 1587, we engage 12000 Bavarians with 7000of our own men in Wurtemburg, we are victorious on the 23rd. On July 4th we sign a white peace with France, and on Sept 1 a white peace is signed between Hannover and Pommern, thus our 17000 survivors of the battles with Pommern are now free to turn and march on Bavaria.
On July 4, 1588, 12000 Brandenburgers engage 7000 Bavarians, and we are victorious. We consolidate our forces into a single 23000 man force and march on Bavaria. They are engaged by 15000 Bavarians in Bavaria. The engagement is brutal, 11000 bavarians are slain. Btu our general misgages the reality of the battle and retreats with 18000 men. We send the General a warning to not allow himself to make the mistake of retreating before an inferior foe again, and he attacks once again. the result is the slaughter of the final defenders of Bavaria.
On Aug 15, Bavaria is beseiged, btu the troops of Mainz manage to sneak up on us in Hessen and pillage the province. We assemble an allied army of 41000 men which marches on Mainz. Their 15000 defendwers are crushed. We lay seige to Mainz. On Dec 15, Bayern falls, and we march on Ansbach. But on Jan 7, an assault on Mainz fails to take the province.
March 4th sees a white peace with the Papacy and Crimea, Mainz is falling (-1), but on July 16, we accept peace with Bavaria for 125d, we however, maintain our stranglehold on Mainz. Aug 1 brings a Hugenot revolt against the Catholic nation that is (supposedly) England. On the 27th Mainz falls. they come to us asking for mercy, but discover that we have invoked the policy "one Germany for all Germans." They are ordered to hand over all rights to their province and see it added to the Brandenburg's realm, their lineage deposed, their nobility exiled. Thus the price for attempting to land-grab from Brandenburg and failing.
We consolidate the 27000 troops that fought against Maniz and Bayern and send them against the last enemy in striking distance--Friesen. On Dec 27, our battle pennnants fly outside the gates of Friesen and our mines and trenchworks cover the posts from which we hope to batter these renegade Dutchmen into submission. On Feb 10, we finally return to optimal (+3) stability. But our reputation is worse than ever ("rather bad"), so even if we desired to annex Friesen, we could not dare the political consequences. The seige progresses slowly but uneventfully until at last Friesen falls on Aug 19. They are forced to accept a treaty of forced vassalage to the Hohenzollern throne and 100d turned over forthwith to our treasury. They consider themselves fortunate to still have something resembling sovereignty, and accept.
We march these 24000 survivors back to Mainz to garrison against the inevitable revolts to come. But somehow Bayern has found a way to weasle its way out of the treaty it signed and declare war on us again! This time they find the Genoan to support them in their endeavors. We march on Bayern with 20000 men from Brandenburg and 23000 from Mainz march on Ansbach. Both are beseiged by Dec 21. But before the seiges has even been organized, the Genoans had decided this was not a war that suited them and asked us for a white peace.
We launch an assault on Bayern, it succeeds, and we turn the survivors on Ansbach as well. On Jan 17, 1591, the Bavarians offer up 185d for peace. We accept, for now, but we warn them that this is the last time that a declaration of war upon us will be bought off, regardless of what consequences it might bear upon us in the outside world.
We also take steps to further centralize the realm (+2 stability, 2 centralization). Aug 1 brings the inevitable peasant revolt in Mainz, it is rapidly put down. And in October, we reorganize land tax values in Magdeburg to increase efficiency (+1 tax value). On Oct 17, we send a letter of introduction to Luxembourg which they respond to by affirming our "very dear friendship." And we also observe that Pommern has been diplomatically annexed by Denmark. This is convenient for us. For it makes two potential enemies into one. The Danes seem to be interested in taking Austria's place as the land-grabbers of Central Europe. We will deal with them in due course. But not today.
On Jan 2, 1593, we are recited the work of a certain William Shakespeare by an English diplomat in our royal chambers. It is as exquisite as their foul tongue will allow. but the summer sees another test of our resolve. France, with its allies Denmark, Scotland, Bohemia, and Poland all seek to set upon our realm. 21000 men march from the capital to VorPommern, which has failed to recover from our last visit. France has instigated this war to retake Lorraine, so it would seem, and they had allied with us, which drew us into the war. But the Danes are shocked to discover what the rest of the world knew. We are bold, audacious, and ferocious at war, and the Danes are on the retreat. Poland attempts to lay seige to Silesia with 23000 men. We send 17000 from Mainz while we raise 11000 more in the home provinces. The 17000 engage in Silesia in September, but are thrown back. We consolidate the 15000 survivors with 4000 new troops raised in Brandenburg and send them back into Silesia, again they are defeated. But this only leaves 10000 Poles, which are engaged almost immediately by 7000 more troops from Kustrin. This breaks the back of the Polish attack. They flee, and we march on Danzig, hoping to force the Poles out of the war by surrendering the only German province in their realm.
However, on May 16, Lorraine makes peace with France for 25d, and thus the war ends. We are not entirely satisfied at this result, but we can hardly blame little Lorraine for wanting to get out of a war with France. Dec 2, 1594 sees a further development of our land technology (lvl 15), and aside from still-existent technical hostilities with Spain, all is returning to quiet. We can say that we have passed our baptism of fire. the whole of europe took turns trying to defeat us. But we held them off. This was due to our superior training, superior leadership, superior ability to maneuver, and superior willpower, as well as the smile of Divine Providence on our realm. And once again, not only have we not paid a ducat or a single tract of land out in peace settlements. But we added a state and several hundred ducats to our treasury.
That said, we do not wish to repeat this experience again. and if we gfo to war with all the powers again too soon, we will be defeated. Our manpower reserves are very low following all of these conflicts.
We march these 24000 survivors back to Mainz to garrison against the inevitable revolts to come. But somehow Bayern has found a way to weasle its way out of the treaty it signed and declare war on us again! This time they find the Genoan to support them in their endeavors. We march on Bayern with 20000 men from Brandenburg and 23000 from Mainz march on Ansbach. Both are beseiged by Dec 21. But before the seiges has even been organized, the Genoans had decided this was not a war that suited them and asked us for a white peace.
We launch an assault on Bayern, it succeeds, and we turn the survivors on Ansbach as well. On Jan 17, 1591, the Bavarians offer up 185d for peace. We accept, for now, but we warn them that this is the last time that a declaration of war upon us will be bought off, regardless of what consequences it might bear upon us in the outside world.
We also take steps to further centralize the realm (+2 stability, 2 centralization). Aug 1 brings the inevitable peasant revolt in Mainz, it is rapidly put down. And in October, we reorganize land tax values in Magdeburg to increase efficiency (+1 tax value). On Oct 17, we send a letter of introduction to Luxembourg which they respond to by affirming our "very dear friendship." And we also observe that Pommern has been diplomatically annexed by Denmark. This is convenient for us. For it makes two potential enemies into one. The Danes seem to be interested in taking Austria's place as the land-grabbers of Central Europe. We will deal with them in due course. But not today.
On Jan 2, 1593, we are recited the work of a certain William Shakespeare by an English diplomat in our royal chambers. It is as exquisite as their foul tongue will allow. but the summer sees another test of our resolve. France, with its allies Denmark, Scotland, Bohemia, and Poland all seek to set upon our realm. 21000 men march from the capital to VorPommern, which has failed to recover from our last visit. France has instigated this war to retake Lorraine, so it would seem, and they had allied with us, which drew us into the war. But the Danes are shocked to discover what the rest of the world knew. We are bold, audacious, and ferocious at war, and the Danes are on the retreat. Poland attempts to lay seige to Silesia with 23000 men. We send 17000 from Mainz while we raise 11000 more in the home provinces. The 17000 engage in Silesia in September, but are thrown back. We consolidate the 15000 survivors with 4000 new troops raised in Brandenburg and send them back into Silesia, again they are defeated. But this only leaves 10000 Poles, which are engaged almost immediately by 7000 more troops from Kustrin. This breaks the back of the Polish attack. They flee, and we march on Danzig, hoping to force the Poles out of the war by surrendering the only German province in their realm.
However, on May 16, Lorraine makes peace with France for 25d, and thus the war ends. We are not entirely satisfied at this result, but we can hardly blame little Lorraine for wanting to get out of a war with France. Dec 2, 1594 sees a further development of our land technology (lvl 15), and aside from still-existent technical hostilities with Spain, all is returning to quiet. We can say that we have passed our baptism of fire. the whole of europe took turns trying to defeat us. But we held them off. This was due to our superior training, superior leadership, superior ability to maneuver, and superior willpower, as well as the smile of Divine Providence on our realm. And once again, not only have we not paid a ducat or a single tract of land out in peace settlements. But we added a state and several hundred ducats to our treasury.
That said, we do not wish to repeat this experience again. and if we gfo to war with all the powers again too soon, we will be defeated. Our manpower reserves are very low following all of these conflicts.
Screenshots
Perhaps it would be much better if the screenshots were in either the diplomacy view, that way we can see you're territory and vassals, or the political view?
Perhaps it would be much better if the screenshots were in either the diplomacy view, that way we can see you're territory and vassals, or the political view?