Okay, I started a new AAR, normal/normal, missions on, random/historical events on, with only my nation as a 'major', which means that, yes, ANY nation in Europe COULD be annexed! (Except mine, of course. 
) I'll try to do this in parts, and there will be some screenshots and some mentions of other wars, since Naples is not a big power and doesn't get in a lot of wars.
First part 1492 - 1502, The Republic of Naples... OR "How I survived Spain and lived to tell about it"
It was the Year of Our Lord 1492, and the country of Naples was facing a peculiar situation. Just as I was appointed Baron, Alfonso II found the country's sovereignty threatened. Years ago, our country became the vassals of Spain. Spain, a powerful country, seems to be on the rise, and no doubt that in order to stay in competition with the other powers, Spain will need all the resources it can get. Naples was the bottom part of the 'boot' of Italy, with a decent supply of resources. If Spain had control of this, they would have a new 'foothold', so to speak, in Southern Italy, and it would help if the surging Ottoman Empire tries to spread its heretic Islam into mainland Europe.
But we can't allow it. Naples was enjoying its political autonomy, and although we cherish our good relations with Spain, we cannot let them just turn us into another province of Spain. The larger countries for far too long have ruled this kingdom, and a good number of people feel it is time to be our own rulers.
January 1
Alfonso II is our current monarch, but his health is already failing. Our nobles have become 'impatient', which is not necessarily restless, but that could change any time. We are a mere vassal of the Spaniards, but we will have to change this very soon. For the time being, we will work on our budget and preparing for the worst.
January 18
Word came that the Russians declared war on Kazan. I did not care, for that was on the other side of the Earth. Besides, what good would these two accomplish other than bloodshed.
For the rest of the year, we have been building our treasury, getting ready. But the nobles and the people are growing more and more restless.
1493
January 1
It happened. After much consideration by the monarch, the nobles, and the advisors, we have sent a diplomat to Spain. The message, we are now at war. Word spread quickly, and everyone was devastated. This country may have been a vassal, but it was a peaceful country. Now we're in a situation that looks very bad. A war... with the mighty Spaniards? The Spaniards must think we're crazy!
(Game terms: Yes, I DID declare war on Spain. I must be crazy. Also, stability fell to -3, and Milan joined on the side of Spain, but they didn't do anything.)
February 1
17,000 people signed up for the Army on Napoli, under the leadership of Field Chief Judge Fedinand II. All infantry, though, since it costs us a good portion of our treasury just to suit them up.
February 16
News came that the infidel Turks declared war on the infidel Mameluks. Good, let them wear each other out.
April 19
Apparently, the Spaniards were not able to quash Grenada. Grenada only paid 250 ducats in indemnities. Although we condemn these infidels, they give us some hope that we can get out of this war with Spain without paying a heavy price.
April 30
Our old former rulers the French declare war on England. Their puppet Savoy and our neighbor the Papal States join in. No doubt the French will try to retake Calais.
March 11
Good news for us. The Spaniards become embroiled in another war, this time joining the Poles, Milan, and Lorraine against the Teutonic Order. However, I feel that Spain will not jump in anyway. Besides, they have us traitors to worry about.
May 18
While the French have been fortifying in Northern Europe and had many troops stationed, the English decide to go south... and invade Rome! Already analogies are being made between the fall of the Roman Empire and the sacking of Rome, and the English invasion force. I don't feel compelled to get involved, since we are in a war ourselves... speaking of which, where are the Spaniards?
June 23
The Teutonic Order pays only 48 ducats to end a potentially big war with the Polish alliance. I wish we would get off that easily.
June 10
The infidel Mameluks are no match for the infidel Turks. The Turks get Aleppo, Samaria, and Nuyssabin from them in the peace treaty that ended the war.
August 17
The Mameluks only lost three provinces. The Kazan lost their nationhood, as the Russians annex them completely.
September 1
Our stability has increased to +1 by now. Thank God this 'war' hasn't escalated yet.
September 8
The Poles, with our 'friends' the Spaniards, Milan and Lorraine declare war on the infidel Turks. Hopefully this war will wear out the Spaniards and the Turks, so we don't have to deal with them in the future.
September 30
Meanwhile, somewhere else, Aden declares war on Oman. At least they don't have the Spaniards on their tail... where are they, anyway?
1495
January 1
We made several white peace offers to Spain, with no results. Furthermore, our monarch Alfonso II has passed on. Ferdinand II now becomes our ruler, though I think maybe his rule will be short.
March 2
The infidels Turks have invaded Messina, in Sicily! This is a mixed blessing to us, and the Spaniards may lose its foothold in which to attack us. (When ARE they attacking us, anyway?) On the other hand, I hate to contemplate the effects of a Turk invasion of Naples. Compared to the Spaniards, the Turks are a lot worse.
April 1
(Game terms: Random Event)
There is treachery in our ranks! We shall simply eliminate them. They feel our war with the Spaniards is stupid. I could almost agree with them, but I shall destroy them still.
April 18
The Spaniards repulse the Turks from Messina. We are in no doubt next.
1496
January 1
The 'Phoney War' continues. We invest in land tech, in the hopes of our Army being able to fight well when the Spaniards invade.
April 7
The Poles get Bujak from Turkey in the peace treaty, ending the war. Now the Spaniards feel Naples is their next target.
May 3
The Spanish march from Messina to Apulia to seige our city. This is it. We sent our Army to intercept.
July 4
Failure. The Army of Napoli is too weak. They retreat with moderate losses though, and inflicted some casualties.
October 4
We sent the Army back again, but lost once more. We must free Apulia!
October 10
To contemplate disaster, I took out a loan, ready to use it in case the Spaniards succeed. I do not use the money though.
December 14
The Papal States are lucky in their war with England. Not only have they repelled the English siege of Rome, but they got Leinster and Connaught in a peace treaty with England. The Pope has control of parts of Ireland? What is the Earth coming to?
1497
January 2
Our monarch is gone, and our country is thrown into an odd succession. Instead of another king, the people of Naples have installed the "Republic of Naples". Do they think a "Republic" will do better than a King?
January 18
A war throws the Balkans into chaos, with Venice, Persia, Hungary, the Mameluks, the Hanseatic League and Grenada declare war on Turkey. I wonder if this odd coalition can do the job of shrinking the Ottomans.
May 27
Once again, our Army marches in Apulia, but lose again. We must be strong.
October 15
The Mameluks get Samaria from Turkey in a peace deal. That's it?
April 25
A Russian-Dane alliance declare war on the Golden Horde. But no surprise if this turns out to be Russia's war.
September 26
The Spaniards besiege Apulia again. We must do something!
1499
January 30
The 'war' still goes on, and the Spaniards can't seem to capture Apulia. I wonder about their military. Also, news come that the Golden Horde paid 224 ducats to Russia.
April 6
We tried one final time to push away the Spaniards, but lost again. However, attrition and the battles have taken their toll, and the Spaniards can no longer storm Apulia. We are saved for now.
The Spaniards can't storm Apulia, the fools. Can't they just send more troops? I don't get them.
1500
March 20
A new century, and the 'war' goes on, and nothing happens. We hope a White Peace can be signed soon, so we decided to do nothing but build up our Army and wait. I repated the loan, thankfully, so no worries about a potential economic crisis. Meanwhile, the Venetian merchants have got a big prize, as they get Bosnia, Trabzon, and 213 ducats from Turkey. I guess luck was on their side.
April 26
England finally concedes Calais in the peace deal with France, ending that war.
1502
July 1
For a long time we waited. A 15k Army was built, while the Spaniards just STOOD there in Apulia, losing men to attrition. A diplomat from Spain was sent from the monarchs Ferdinand and Isabelle to our city. After many months where nothing really happened, Spain decided to accept our independence from vassalage, and to call off the invasion. Naples was finally free, only this time we have a Republic instead of a Kingdom. I must say it is one of the strangest wars ever conceived. No doubt this phoney war will go down in history, but at least the people of Naples can say proudly: We are free!
End Part 1
Coming in Part 2: While Naples recovers from the phoney war, what will the new Republic do to better relations with Spain? Also, find out how the odd Venetian alliance does against a Papal alliance as well as a Turkish army that seems to be sleeping on the job! All in Part 2!
Until then,
Alex Gariepy
) I'll try to do this in parts, and there will be some screenshots and some mentions of other wars, since Naples is not a big power and doesn't get in a lot of wars.First part 1492 - 1502, The Republic of Naples... OR "How I survived Spain and lived to tell about it"
It was the Year of Our Lord 1492, and the country of Naples was facing a peculiar situation. Just as I was appointed Baron, Alfonso II found the country's sovereignty threatened. Years ago, our country became the vassals of Spain. Spain, a powerful country, seems to be on the rise, and no doubt that in order to stay in competition with the other powers, Spain will need all the resources it can get. Naples was the bottom part of the 'boot' of Italy, with a decent supply of resources. If Spain had control of this, they would have a new 'foothold', so to speak, in Southern Italy, and it would help if the surging Ottoman Empire tries to spread its heretic Islam into mainland Europe.
But we can't allow it. Naples was enjoying its political autonomy, and although we cherish our good relations with Spain, we cannot let them just turn us into another province of Spain. The larger countries for far too long have ruled this kingdom, and a good number of people feel it is time to be our own rulers.
January 1
Alfonso II is our current monarch, but his health is already failing. Our nobles have become 'impatient', which is not necessarily restless, but that could change any time. We are a mere vassal of the Spaniards, but we will have to change this very soon. For the time being, we will work on our budget and preparing for the worst.
January 18
Word came that the Russians declared war on Kazan. I did not care, for that was on the other side of the Earth. Besides, what good would these two accomplish other than bloodshed.
For the rest of the year, we have been building our treasury, getting ready. But the nobles and the people are growing more and more restless.
1493
January 1
It happened. After much consideration by the monarch, the nobles, and the advisors, we have sent a diplomat to Spain. The message, we are now at war. Word spread quickly, and everyone was devastated. This country may have been a vassal, but it was a peaceful country. Now we're in a situation that looks very bad. A war... with the mighty Spaniards? The Spaniards must think we're crazy!
(Game terms: Yes, I DID declare war on Spain. I must be crazy. Also, stability fell to -3, and Milan joined on the side of Spain, but they didn't do anything.)
February 1
17,000 people signed up for the Army on Napoli, under the leadership of Field Chief Judge Fedinand II. All infantry, though, since it costs us a good portion of our treasury just to suit them up.
February 16
News came that the infidel Turks declared war on the infidel Mameluks. Good, let them wear each other out.
April 19
Apparently, the Spaniards were not able to quash Grenada. Grenada only paid 250 ducats in indemnities. Although we condemn these infidels, they give us some hope that we can get out of this war with Spain without paying a heavy price.
April 30
Our old former rulers the French declare war on England. Their puppet Savoy and our neighbor the Papal States join in. No doubt the French will try to retake Calais.
March 11
Good news for us. The Spaniards become embroiled in another war, this time joining the Poles, Milan, and Lorraine against the Teutonic Order. However, I feel that Spain will not jump in anyway. Besides, they have us traitors to worry about.
May 18
While the French have been fortifying in Northern Europe and had many troops stationed, the English decide to go south... and invade Rome! Already analogies are being made between the fall of the Roman Empire and the sacking of Rome, and the English invasion force. I don't feel compelled to get involved, since we are in a war ourselves... speaking of which, where are the Spaniards?
June 23
The Teutonic Order pays only 48 ducats to end a potentially big war with the Polish alliance. I wish we would get off that easily.
June 10
The infidel Mameluks are no match for the infidel Turks. The Turks get Aleppo, Samaria, and Nuyssabin from them in the peace treaty that ended the war.
August 17
The Mameluks only lost three provinces. The Kazan lost their nationhood, as the Russians annex them completely.
September 1
Our stability has increased to +1 by now. Thank God this 'war' hasn't escalated yet.
September 8
The Poles, with our 'friends' the Spaniards, Milan and Lorraine declare war on the infidel Turks. Hopefully this war will wear out the Spaniards and the Turks, so we don't have to deal with them in the future.
September 30
Meanwhile, somewhere else, Aden declares war on Oman. At least they don't have the Spaniards on their tail... where are they, anyway?
1495
January 1
We made several white peace offers to Spain, with no results. Furthermore, our monarch Alfonso II has passed on. Ferdinand II now becomes our ruler, though I think maybe his rule will be short.
March 2
The infidels Turks have invaded Messina, in Sicily! This is a mixed blessing to us, and the Spaniards may lose its foothold in which to attack us. (When ARE they attacking us, anyway?) On the other hand, I hate to contemplate the effects of a Turk invasion of Naples. Compared to the Spaniards, the Turks are a lot worse.
April 1
(Game terms: Random Event)
There is treachery in our ranks! We shall simply eliminate them. They feel our war with the Spaniards is stupid. I could almost agree with them, but I shall destroy them still.
April 18
The Spaniards repulse the Turks from Messina. We are in no doubt next.
1496
January 1
The 'Phoney War' continues. We invest in land tech, in the hopes of our Army being able to fight well when the Spaniards invade.
April 7
The Poles get Bujak from Turkey in the peace treaty, ending the war. Now the Spaniards feel Naples is their next target.
May 3
The Spanish march from Messina to Apulia to seige our city. This is it. We sent our Army to intercept.
July 4
Failure. The Army of Napoli is too weak. They retreat with moderate losses though, and inflicted some casualties.
October 4
We sent the Army back again, but lost once more. We must free Apulia!
October 10
To contemplate disaster, I took out a loan, ready to use it in case the Spaniards succeed. I do not use the money though.
December 14
The Papal States are lucky in their war with England. Not only have they repelled the English siege of Rome, but they got Leinster and Connaught in a peace treaty with England. The Pope has control of parts of Ireland? What is the Earth coming to?
1497
January 2
Our monarch is gone, and our country is thrown into an odd succession. Instead of another king, the people of Naples have installed the "Republic of Naples". Do they think a "Republic" will do better than a King?
January 18
A war throws the Balkans into chaos, with Venice, Persia, Hungary, the Mameluks, the Hanseatic League and Grenada declare war on Turkey. I wonder if this odd coalition can do the job of shrinking the Ottomans.
May 27
Once again, our Army marches in Apulia, but lose again. We must be strong.
October 15
The Mameluks get Samaria from Turkey in a peace deal. That's it?
April 25
A Russian-Dane alliance declare war on the Golden Horde. But no surprise if this turns out to be Russia's war.
September 26
The Spaniards besiege Apulia again. We must do something!
1499
January 30
The 'war' still goes on, and the Spaniards can't seem to capture Apulia. I wonder about their military. Also, news come that the Golden Horde paid 224 ducats to Russia.
April 6
We tried one final time to push away the Spaniards, but lost again. However, attrition and the battles have taken their toll, and the Spaniards can no longer storm Apulia. We are saved for now.
The Spaniards can't storm Apulia, the fools. Can't they just send more troops? I don't get them.
1500
March 20
A new century, and the 'war' goes on, and nothing happens. We hope a White Peace can be signed soon, so we decided to do nothing but build up our Army and wait. I repated the loan, thankfully, so no worries about a potential economic crisis. Meanwhile, the Venetian merchants have got a big prize, as they get Bosnia, Trabzon, and 213 ducats from Turkey. I guess luck was on their side.
April 26
England finally concedes Calais in the peace deal with France, ending that war.
1502
July 1
For a long time we waited. A 15k Army was built, while the Spaniards just STOOD there in Apulia, losing men to attrition. A diplomat from Spain was sent from the monarchs Ferdinand and Isabelle to our city. After many months where nothing really happened, Spain decided to accept our independence from vassalage, and to call off the invasion. Naples was finally free, only this time we have a Republic instead of a Kingdom. I must say it is one of the strangest wars ever conceived. No doubt this phoney war will go down in history, but at least the people of Naples can say proudly: We are free!
End Part 1
Coming in Part 2: While Naples recovers from the phoney war, what will the new Republic do to better relations with Spain? Also, find out how the odd Venetian alliance does against a Papal alliance as well as a Turkish army that seems to be sleeping on the job! All in Part 2!
Until then,
Alex Gariepy
