Alternate History - The Glorious Rise of the Byzantine Empire!

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Hungry Hungary - April 1521 - October 1522

April 23rd 1521

Hungary (Austria) declares war on us. Words cannot describe the dismay caused in the assembly hall by a fellow Christian nation attacking us when we stand so close to humbling the infidels of Islam. Let this betrayal not go unpunished, and by the grace of God does his children dawn the steel and turn their weary hearts north to fight fellow Christians in Hungary…

July 10th

Byzantine soldiers are routed in small border skirmishes in Moldavia. It appears that we will be unable to keep the Hungarians out of the empire before the imperial army is fully mobilized.

September 2nd

A larger force of 10000 foot is sent into western Moldavia and is met by a 5000/2000/0 Hungarian army that attacks immediately. The battle goes well until the cavalry’s first charge and our footmen are forced to retreat under terrible casualties.

November 20th

Further disasters strikes Byzantium as the beautiful art center, which was home to Byzantine artwork over the last thousand years is burnt to the ground. The city watch suspect it was some Hungarian nationalists hoping to bring about the quick surrender of our country by destroying one of our most sacred buildings. What the Hungarians did not count on was a spirit so strong that victory became the only option. How could the Hungarians stand against the might of that?

December 27th

Our Venetian allies report a large army of Austrians has assaulted their fortress in Istria. They do not know how much longer they can hold out.

France (Genoa, Savoy, Papal States, Helvetia, Scotland, and Navarra) Declares war on Lorraine (Spain, England, Poland, Milan, and Cologne)

Let us hope this Great War will drag the pathetic dogs of Austria into conflict in the west, and further weaken them in the east.

January 6th 1522

Our nations spirit shines through as our small Byzantine army breaks the walls of Kosovo and captures the province. Hungary has but one army in Moldavia. Let us pray the city holds so we can force a quick peace and win this disgraceful war.

February 14th

Our army reinforced with 5000 foot from Macedonia lays siege to Serbia.

May 25th

Moldavia falls to the Hungarians, but it will take them a couple of months to subdue the province and mobilize the army to their next target. We send Godspeed to our forces in Serbia. May they bring victory to the empire.

June 25th

Our newly created 2nd army is finally mobilized and has made a name for itself on its first day on duty, as the army of 18000/2000/10 routes the tired Austro/Hungarian army in Moldavia. Victory seems within our grasp.

July 16th

Serbia raised the white flag after a long hard winter siege and victory is ours. Hungary has no armies in sight and the harsh winter has decimated the Austrian army in Istria. We would continue the war, but our people are tired and if the army doesn’t return home their won’t be a harvest this year.

July 18th

The Byzantine Empire makes peace with the Kingdom of Hungary with Hungary agreeing to cede the province of Kosovo in return for a long peace. The ambassadors of Hungary look ashamed for their hasty war and quick defeat, unfortunately for them we feel they haven’t learnt their lesson yet…

August 13th

France ends the Great War in Europe by surrendering its treasury to the upstarts in Lorraine. 14,000 ducats won’t cover the bill for the wine they drank in Alsace.

August 23rd

Pskov with its 60,000 man army has been showing its admiration for the growing might of the Byzantine Empire for quite some time. Our diplomats feel its time and a quick negotiation brings Pskov into our alliance.

With news of this alliance the Crimeans appear in court satisfied with their conquest of Georgia and ask for a White Peace, and though I would have rather spit in their hands, instead we hand them a treaty in which we agree to White Peace.

October 29th
Persia forces Turkey to the Peace Table and wrest the province of Sivas from the war battered Turks. Turkey appears to be on its last legs dying as quickly as she grew, and yet so few feel any pity for them.

And so this ends the latest chapter of the great wars of Europe. Byzantium comes out the biggest winner capturing Smyrna in Turkey and Kosovo in Hungary, but the Crimeans managed to subjugate Georgia and things continue to heat up in the Balkans. The assembly is optimistic to our continued growth in the region but the powers around us might have something to say about that.

But time will tell as another round of wars ravages Europe as old and new players vie for power.

 

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Kehfee : I think you interverted some files when you handled this latest update.

THIS IS JUST A COPY OF YOUR PREVIOUS UPDATE, LAST TURKISH WAR AND CRIMEAN INTERVENTION, NOTHING TO DO WITH HUNGRY HUNGARY.

Apart from that I believe Lord Durham is right and the control of a stormed city after siege or assault is handed over to the one having the most troops there; I am not sure which troops count however : only infantry, infantry+cannons, or all of them.

 

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My Bad

I obviously screwed up the cut and paste. I will have to go home for lunch and fix that.

 

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I have placed the correct post above, and will now add the next installment in joy...

 

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Roman Wars

April 15th, 1523

Russia (Sweden, Denmark) declares war on the Golden Horde. Russia’s goal of eastern dominance continues as they drive farther south. They will make a useful ally when the time comes for the complete eradication of Crimea, which will be sweeter then Caribbean Sugar.

August 18th

Russia receives 137, 000 ducats in war indemnities for ending the war against the Golden Horde. A rather disappointing end to a war that had such promise.

November 14th

Spanish ambassadors in the Venetian court announced they had made contact with another civilization in the new world called the Incas, and that they had mobilized their forces to subjugate these people much like the Aztecs. The Doge expressed his concern to the assembly of Spain’s growing might, but our alliance is simply unable to do anything about Spain’s rise to power.

June 1 1524

I smiled to myself when the Venetians brought news that the state of Tuscany declared its independence from the Papal States. The diplomats in Rome must have been red in the face, as all their work to wed Tuscany to the pope had come undone in one single rebellion.

September 7th

Venice sends word to us that they require our aid in their war on the Papal States. It appears that the Tuscany rebellions have tied up Papal forces and the land is ripe for Venetian picking. The Assembly, which is always ready to deal a blow to the Pope readily, declares war on the Papal States.

November 11th

Enthusiasm for the Navy in Macedonia grows to a fervor as Merchants fund the construction of 9 warships in the harbor. These ships will come in handy in our war against the pope methinks.

November 19th

The Pope sends an ambassador before the assembly. Few senators show up to greet the ambassador and the ones that do are treated to a spectacle. As the ambassador brings news that the Pope has demanded the contents of our treasury for complete surrender. We play with the idea of forcing him to convert but when he turns white at the prospect we send him packing back to Rome in the host of our army. Rome will taste Byzantine might.

December 1st 1525

Our engineers have successfully been able to make a hand cannon, although they call them pistols. (Land Tech. Lvl 6 Early Pistols)

September 10

The short uneventful siege of Rome comes to an end. We have occupied the Pope’s capital and we decide to sit and wait to see what our allies do in their sieges in Romagna and Emilia.

February 23rd

Our commander unable to take command of the Romagna siege from the Mameluks and instead stands before the Pope and demands that he surrender the nations treasury. Which the Pope sulks about but readily hands over. Our army heads back home victorious with over 189,000 ducats.

January 1, 1527

The governments of the small states of The Palintat and Hannover. Embrace the protestant faith.

March 12th

The assembly expresses the desire for better fortifications. Bulgaria’s fortress size is increased. (Random Event Fortifications)

November 15th

Astrakhan declares war on the Crimeans. Let us hope they bleed the massive Crimean army dry and take a couple of provinces to boot. Although I believe that is just wishful thinking on my part.

January 1st 1528

Helvetia converts to the Protestant faith.

August 1st

Recruit 2000 foot in Moldavia.

January 1st 1529

Wurtemburg, the Hanse, and Prussia all convert to the Protestant faith. Soon I believe all of Germany and Baltic’s will have converted to the new faith.

April 14th

We have finally been able to save enough money to commission a new arts center in Byzantium. We will make it even more glorious then our previous one.

August 1st

Tuscany once again throws the yoke of the pope off its shoulders by declaring independence. On this same day the Pope is forced to surrender Emilia to Venice and Romagna to the Mameluks. Although I have no love for the Pope I would much rather see him control Italian states then my allies in Egypt. A pity that will have to change some day...

So ends our first war in the West. Although we gain no land we are able to humble the Pope and receive some much needed funds, which helped rebuild the Arts Center in Byzantium that had burned to the ground during the war with Hungary.

Venice has began to show signs that it has recovered from the long wars with Turkey and is ready for some expansion. This new found ambition will continue with them dragging the alliance into new campaigns, some of which even the glorious empire of Byzantium is loathe to fight…

 

[das]

Maybe you should annex Hungary one day?

 

[Deaghaidh]

I like this one, you seem to have the right 'tone' for the Byzantines (self-righteous, seige mentality etc)

coupla things though:

By the renaissance, Byzantium had pretty much discarded all the pretense of being a Republic. They replaced the old, corrupt & inefficent Roman system of civilian bureaucrats with one based on military 'themes', or districts governed by military commanders. Their emporers were largely autocratic, though through the church they were able to drum up a lot of public support.

Also, do you plan on punishing the Venitians for their dishonorable attack on the God-guarded city in the fifth crusade? Or the Knights? The Knights are wanna-bes anyway, byzantium was the ultimate crusader-state.

Do you have CB on Naples and Sicily? if not, you should, as these were prized byzantine possessions until they were conquered by Norman invaders (see the Sicily AAR for details)

Out of curiosity, I take it the Kingdom of Serbia is not in play in this scenario? Note to scenario makers- it should be, as w/out the fall of Constatinople it would have survived. Perhaps the Hungarians diplo-annexed it.

You're quite right to wail on Hungary, who were always trying to compete with Byz. in the balkans diplomatically, economically, occasionally even religously. Show those semi-civilized Magyars what power really is (they should be easy pickings for you compared to the turks, or even Moldavia)

Good luck, see you in Jerusalem!

 

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Deaghaidh, I'm the scenario maker and I'm far ahead of you. In the Second Byzantine Saga not only Serbia is going to be independant, Bosnia will exsist as well. Btw, there is a poll in the Scenario Forum where you can vote on which scenarios you want to be included with the Second Byzantine Saga. Interested?

 

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In response I act like it is a republic because in a sense the scenario leader is the General Assembly. I have no emperors otherwise I would use that theme.

The Venetians are a dear ally that saw us through tough times with the Turks. I see no war against them in the forseeable future.

As for Naples and Sicily I don't have Casus Belli. I have a CB on Hungary, Poland, Wallachia, Venice, Austria, and Turkey.

P.S. I will most assuredly be seeing you in Jerusalem. Maybe Mecca after that

 

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Second Hungarian Campaign 1523 - 1535)

December 15th, 1529

The colonial powers in the west have been fiercely competing over lands in the new world. Today those competitive nations tempers came to a head as Portugal (Navarra, Morocco, and The Hanse) Declare war on Spain (England, Milan, Lorraine, Cologne, and Hessen). I suspect that Portugal will be making land grabs in the new world, while her ally in the North is going to attempt a grab at some of the German States.

Of course as far as the Assemblies objectives go, we could care less about these events as we continue to look north at the Kingdom of Hungary. Long has she stood as a thorn in our side. Taunting us behind her Austrian Alliance, not that we care about the Austrians. Venice is more then capable of dealing with them should the need arise. However Byzantines are known for their patience and we shall wait for the day when Hungary stands alone, and without her friends we shall strike breaking the Magyars forever more.

January 1st 1530

Sweden converts to the Protestant faith, soon methinks the whole of Northern Europe will be in the grip of this new religious fervor, although I secretly believe its little more then a money grab and a chance to throw off the yoke of Papal dictatorship by the Monarchs of these nations.

January 7th

In a little over five months since their successful campaign against the Pope the Venetians have now decided to drag us into a war in the far-flung west by declaring war in Navarra (Portugal). Politically I like the move as it breaks up Portugal’s alliance a bit, but I can’t see how the assembly will agree to send troops to the Iberian Peninsula.

The debate was put to rest when a young man named Wittsock took the assembly floor. He had the bearing of a wise man. I am sure he would have made a fine Emperor had the republic had any desire for one. (Random Event appointed an advisor for 13 years + values to monarch attributes). Needless to say he showed the futility in supporting this campaign and so Byzantium did nothing in the west.

August 19th

A few Portuguese war vessels were spotted off the coast of Athens. We immediately dispatch the Thracian fleet that spots the Portuguese as well. A quick battle ensues and the Portuguese flagship is boarded and captured. In the captains quarters we find extensive maps of Portuguese holdings in Brazil and Africa. Truly a great find as we now debate if we should put our colonists to work.

January 1st, 1531

Hessen, Thuringen, and England all embrace the Protestant faith.
August 14th

Establish trade posts in the Karroo, Ciskei, and Table.

August 22nd, 1532

On this day our ambassadors have informed us that the Austro-Hungarian alliance is no more and so the assembly unanimously votes in favor of war against the Kingdom of Hungary. Their ambassador is informed and our armies already fully mobilized, begin the trek north.

September 24th

Our army marches unopposed into Serbia and immediately sets siege to the fortress. It is also on this day that the Hungarian diplomats present themselves before our assembly and demand 250,000 ducats for peace. Although we admit that the Hungarians small army in Transylvania will pose a future problem we could not at this point accept their peace proposal.

December 25th

On a cold Christmas day, our tired army cheers as the defenders in Serbia raise the white flag. We order the army to continue on to Bosnia, where they will meet up with 10000 fresh footmen.

October 2nd, 1533

The siege of Bosnia is over as they raise the white flag in surrender we now have two Hungarian provinces firmly under our grip, however the Hungarians have recruited footmen in the North and they have laid siege to Moldavia.

December 12th

The province of Moldavia has fallen to the Hungarians. Quite distressing, but we have a contingency plan against such a thing as our army in Thrace is mobilized to route the Hungarians in Moldavia.

March 19th, 1534

The Hungarians beat our army of 30000/8000/0 soundly. Both sides suffer light casualties but we are forced to retreat.

April 18th

Our army in Hungary has achieved another success as our cannons managed to demolish the walls of Pest. The governor there cedes the city and the province is ours.
June 22nd

Our army re-entered Moldavia unopposed and on this day we reclaimed the province for our own.

October 28th

The province of Magyar falls under our control. With the Hungarian capital firmly in our grasp we can make the Hungarians honor any peace we desire…

January 1st, 1535

The Hungarians meet Assembly members in the city of St. Arcadium and sign a second peace treaty in this treaty the Hungarians agree to pay 212,000 ducats and cede the provinces of Bosnia and Croatia.

With this money the assembly agrees that we should send a state gift to Persia. We are in need of another ally and we feel the Persia is the best country to see the benefits of the Byzantine alliance. We are correct as the Shah greatly welcomes the gift and is open to the idea of an alliance. (Relations 23 – 143)

And so ends the Byzantines second campaign against the Hungarians. We managed to reclaim more of the Balkans and now have two severely crippled nations on our Borders. The nations of Turkey and Hungary have lost large pieces of territory and their policies and objectives have become those of defense rather then offense.

The only threat to Byzantine might have, lie in the Catholic nation of Poland. The polish juggernaut has built a large standing army and they seem fully ready to expand their already large country. One will have to watch them closely…

AAR aside I should mention at this point that both Wallachia and Moldavia were annexed in the second Moldavian war after Stefan the Great died. I never made that clear in the AAR or in my notes. Screenshots of this period would have cleaned up the problem, but I believe my first screenshot is in 1540, and so there shouldn’t be anymore confusion.

 

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Strength through Peace.

January 1st, 1536

The nations of Brandenburg and Denmark embrace the protestant faith. Though I have no care for Protestants and their ilk, I must say I prefer their company to that of the Spanish and their Catholic cronies. Perhaps it is time we wed our churches together once more with the Pope bending knee and accepting the Orthodox faith. Honestly could it be any other way?

March 1st

Our messengers bring word that Hungarian nationalists in Croatia have overthrown the civic government. The governor has been killed and nearly 13000 rebels have fled to the woods.

July 7th

Colonel Ehrensvard informs us that he forced the rebels out of the woods and routed their army. Byzantine might is once again firmly established in Croatia.

May 14th, 1537

Prussia along with the Teutonic Knights and Pommerania has declared war on Poland (Astrakhan). Although a man can appreciate the Prussian bravado one might question the futility of such a weak front against the might of Poland. Although I can’t help but remind myself of our own glorious stand against the Turks, which has forever turned the tide of history, but then again Prussia is no Byzantine Empire!

May 19th

The Shah in Persia has warmed considerably to our diplomats. Even going as far as visiting our most holy capital. Although the man seemed quite civilized he could not hide his admiration of our most beautiful city. After a night of wine and with the help of Mameluk diplomats (As that nation had strong ties to Persia) we were able to convince the Shah of the advantages that lay within our alliance. As he signed the treaties we could not help but smile at the plight Turkey would be enjoying in the near future.

May 21st

Assemblymen De La Gardie raised a valid point today of the value of having the Austrians in our alliance. At first the assembly (myself included) was against the idea, but thoughts of Polish knights breaking their teeth on the mighty walls of Vienna whilst our armies slit into the soft Polish underbelly carving a mighty swath of territory which would allow us to more easily subjugate the Khan’s of Crimea was simply too much to argue. We voted unanimously to send the most expensive gift in the capital, which would be presented, to the Hapsburg’s so that they may warm to the idea of all the things Byzantium civilization might offer.

August 8th

Kleves (Baden) declare war on Hessen (Cologne, Spain, and England). It might be interesting to see which German fish might become bigger at the expense of another.

September 21st

One answer is provided rather quickly as Hessen annexes Kleves.

April 24th, 1538

Prussia is forced to surrender its treasury to Astrakhan in return for peace, so that they may fend off the Polish. I must say things look grim indeed for Prussia if they are forced to pay off Barbarians to merely survive.

April 30th

We draft 6000 foot in Bosnia, and another 7000 in Kosovo. We send another gift to Austria as our diplomats point out that their alliance with Bohemia is close to expiring.

June 4th

Poland completes the first leg of their objective as the humble Prussia and then promptly annexes the nation.

July 1st

Our engineers have displayed an improved pistol with the refining of metal bullets. (Land Tech Level 7).

September 7th

We sink our hooks into Austria further by arranging a royal marriage with them.

September 10th

Poland annexes Pommerania further increasing their presence on the Baltic region.

September 14th

Smyrna quite surprisingly rises in revolt. It is quickly put down but strange nonetheless. (Random event Smyrna revolts)

November 13th

General Prinz is beaten soundly by rebel rabble in Bosnia. Our largest army was located their and the Assembly was none to pleased with Prinz’s less then stellar effort.

January 18th, 1539

Ehrensvard moves his forces into Bosnia and crushes the rebel’s presence.

March 15th

Build a naval refinery in Hellas. This should help stimulate our shipping and naval capabilities which have been sorely lacking up to this data. (Random Event Naval Yard in Hellas)

April 7th

Russia along with Denmark, Sweden, and Pskov has declared war on the Golden Horde. Astrakhan rallies to the Hordes cause along with Poland, which I believe is simply attempting to curtail the Russians attempts at expansion. As I finish reading this news a boy comes to my door. The assembly will be convening in three days hence. I suspect I know what it is about but I do not tarry, as I grab a few belongings and head for the capital…

 

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Check out Scenario Forum

I will have another update in about two hours. In the mean time I suggest everyone check out the Scenario forum where General Suvorov and others are taking suggestions for the Second Byzantine scenario. It looks like one of the more ambitious scenario's I have seen to date and I really look forward to it.

There is even a poll going and I don't know if its closed yet, but you can pick a special event to happen within the game.

I already voted.

 

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The 1st Polish War (1539 - 1546)

April 10th 1539

The Grand Assembly has convened, and all the talk is of the war in the North. Poland has been garnering our ally’s attention more and more these days. With her stunning victories along the Baltic coast, her large standing army, and the scandalous alliance with the Khanates in the east. Byzantium has looked at the relatively undefended borders of Southern Poland for some time. The province of Bujak is by rights the territory of the Byzantine Empire and it may be time for us to claim it once again.

My suspicions are correct and the forum is open for those for and against war with Poland. Venetian diplomats are concerned with the occupation of Kurland that Poland’s mercantile empire is growing far too fast for Venetian tastes. The Mameluks have no real gains for themselves by fighting a war with Poland but are willing to give any aid they can for the alliance whereas Persia hopes to gain land from the Khanates should they declare in favor of Poland.

So on April 10th, 1539. The assembly unanimously votes to declare war on the Kingdom of Poland/Lithuania. (Later we hear word that only the Golden Horde comes to Poland's aid and that Astrakhan has betrayed the alliance.)

May 16th

Hessen puts an end to the German war by annexing Baden. Hessen acquiring both Kleves and Baden is looking like quite a promising power in Germany.

July 15th

Our armies march unopposed into the province of Bujak and go about the task of preparing for a siege on the provincial capital. Scouts report that no Polish relief is within site for the defenders of the fortress.

September 26th

A small detachment of our main siege army marches into Bessarabia and promptly lays siege to the fortress there as well.

November 16th

Our siege force in Bujak accepts the town’s outright surrender. Our first objective is achieved with minimal loss. The assembly then advises the military to send the armies without dally to the province of Krementjug. We must force a quick end to this war before Poland can achieve peace with Russia and turn its forces south against us.

January 18th 1540

Our armies arrive in Krementjug and commence a siege of the fortress there. A small Polish army is heading south whether to relieve Bessarabia or reclaim Bujak we cannot tell.

January 27th

Bessarabia surrenders to our siege army at the same time the Polish army slips into Byzantine territory and lays siege to Moldavia.

April 11th

As more Polish forces move south, we ask for and receive Bujak in compensation. The assembly feelings are quite mixed as we were hoping for more, but in the end it was better then nothing.

April 14th

Sweden accepts peace with the Golden Horde in return for 131,000 ducats and the province of Bogutjar. I personally believe that Sweden will have a hard time holding onto that province for any length of time.

January 1st, 1541

The Teutonic Order converts to Protestant.

June 1st

Croatia revolts and we are forced to divert relief soldiers headed for Poland to crush the rebels. Which are finally put down on the 15th.

July 10th

Spain receives Oporto from Portugal in return for peace.

November 1st

Croatia revolts again but this time the army is present and puts down the revolt quickly.

January 21st, 1542

Spain declares war on the Inca’s again.

February 13th

In a brazen move capable only by the Byzantine diplomats. We manage to successfully invite Austria into our alliance just as their old alliance with Bohemia expires. Let the rest of Europe stand against our might!

March 17th

Mattias Horn was arrested today for being implicated in a corruption scandal. The assembly is in an uproar as the former minister of finance nearly bankrupted the empire. (Random event: Corruption increases inflation 25%)

June 4th, 1543

Poland takes Bogutjar from Sweden in return for peace.

January 1st, 1544

We have the necessary funds to build a naval center in Rumelia. The project is put to a vote and assembly agrees to proceed with the building in the city harbor immediately.

September 2nd, 1545

Poland proves its might as the major power in eastern Europe by wresting Lipetsk from Russia, whose Baltic alliance was severely humbled in this war.

January 1st, 1546

Saxony and Bohemia convert to the Protestant faith.

The war with Poland has mixed success. The original plan laid before the council was the quick assault of Southern Poland followed by a few well-orchestrated sieges that would result in the capture of a few provinces. We had hoped to meet our objectives and take Bessarabia and Bujak in the peace negotiations. However with the long winter the Russian siege armies in the north suffered horrible attrition, and Poland was able to free up manpower that was sent south. With Moldavia under siege and large armies heading south we quickly sued for peace rather then have our fortunes reverse upon us.

With Poland fresh off victories against Prussia, Pommerania, Sweden, and Russia the loss to Byzantium seems like a small blemish on the armor. With even larger armies in the Poland proper we are forced to turn our eyes south towards possibly easier pickings. It occurred to me that the other day I overheard some merchants complaining about the stranglehold Turkish merchants had down in the market square. Perhaps the assembly could come up with a solution to help our economy and sate the war hungry expansionists in the assembly.

 

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Next Update

The next update should be ready tommorrow and there will be screenshots.

Any questions or suggestions?

 

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Re: Check out Scenario Forum

Originally posted by Kehfee
I will have another update in about two hours. In the mean time I suggest everyone check out the Scenario forum where General Suvorov and others are taking suggestions for the Second Byzantine scenario. It looks like one of the more ambitious scenario's I have seen to date and I really look forward to it.

There is even a poll going and I don't know if its closed yet, but you can pick a special event to happen within the game.

I already voted.

Thats actually a vote for a special scenario. Great AAR.

 

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My mistake I knew that. I picked the Sponsored Crusade with the knights

 

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First Balkan War - 1546 - 1549

January 6th, 1546

Turkey has held a monopoly within Thrace for quite sometime. Even with the governments backing our merchants have had a difficult time prying them from the marketplaces. Needless to say some of the Assembly members (merchants of course), have been hinting that perhaps military intervention is required to pry Turkey from our ports. Of course other senators proposed that there must be some other way of regaining our market share without resorting to warfare, but since no other ideas were forthcoming we declared war on Turkey.

February 17th

Our army beats 14000 Turks in Anatolia due to superior numbers and firepower, unfortunately we suffered heavier casualties which would set back our ability to wage a prolonged siege we at least were able to remove any threat of military intervention in Northern Turkey.

As our soldiers were clearing the battlefield and preparing to besiege Bursa. The Kingdom of Hungary (without the benefit of alliance) declared war on the Byzantine Empire. Most senators agreed that Hungary’s futile attempt to reclaim lost provinces would warrant little concern and urged the bulk of our forces concentrate on ending our war with Turkey.

April 13th

Venetian troops laid siege to the province of Serbia. Austrian troops also moved into Carpathia and Magyar.

April 14th

As an added bonus the Crimeans whom were allied with the Turks also declared war on us, and were soundly beaten in a naval battle at Marmarra.

May 10th

We send 14000 foot soldiers to occupy the Hungarian provinces of Maros. Upon arrival they lay siege to the fortress located there.

May 28th

Our siege army in Maros successfully routed 6000 Hungarians attempting to lift the siege, with news of the victory came word from the Turks demanding reparations in the form of our entire treasury. We countered with the offer of the complete sacking of their capital which was sure to happen soon.

June 6th

Another small siege force is sent into the Hungarian province of Ruthenia.

July 2nd

Yet another small infantry force is sent to hold the province of Banat.

July 24th

The Turkish stronghold of Bursa falls and the Turkish capital province of Bursa is now firmly in our hands. Once again in vice versa fashion Hungary now demands our treasury in return for peace, but with five of their provinces either under siege by us or our allies we see no point in peace on their terms.

January 12th 1547

The Turkish province of Angora now falls under the Byzantine war machine. Although Turkey is ripe for the picking we lack the ability to continue sieges for the moment perhaps it will be time to sit and deal with the heathen Turks.

May 9th

After nearly a month of negotiations the Turks agree to surrender Angora to the Byzantine empire and the provinces of Trabzon and Sivas to the Persians. The Shah in Isfahan sent his warmest thanks for our deft negotiations, which helped him continue the growth of his empire. Of course he was quite welcome and made aware that all people eat at Byzantine’s table.

July 8th

With the Turkish campaign complete we turn our attention north to Hungary were a small siege army finally captures the fortress in Banat.

August 11th

Our soldiers in Maros finally wear down the starving defenders of the town, whom surrendered the city on this day.

September 2nd

Poland apparently angered by losing a province that is rightfully ours declares war on us. All of our allies come to our aid, but a war with Poland was not what the assembly was hoping for. In the next convening our the senators I will suggest that we make peace with the Hungarians to deal with this new threat.

November 21st

I had hoped the assembly would see the wisdom of my words and make peace with the Hungarians before the Polished mobilized and arrived at our doorsteps, but my words fell on foolish ears and our army in Bujak managed to force the surrender 14000 Poles. However this is but a small probe from the Polish host headed for Moldavia. I fear the semi-civilized Poles may swallow up our brave soldiers.

November 29th

Our armies recently returned from their campaigns in Hungary stand ready on a battlefield of our choosing and route a much larger force of some 25000 poles.

December 21st

Poland refuses our diplomats offer of peace. I begin to despair as I am brought news that another Polish army is about to enter Moldavia.

January 4th, 1548

Poland with a force of about 19/2/0 manages to route some 30000 Byzantine infantry in Moldavia. Our citizens flee the city before the Polish host can surround and lay siege to our fortress there. I will implore the Assembly to make peace with Hungary so that we may withdraw our remaining forces there and set about driving Poland from our homeland.

January 30th

God smiles on his faithful as our religious brothers in the North declare war on Poland. Russia a long with her Baltic allies will force Poland to split her forces. We may stand a chance yet. Perhaps a shrewd commander could even turn this war to our advantage.

February 3rd

Applause roared through the halls of the assembly as our diplomats brought news that we forced Hungary into ceding Banat in return for peace. As if that was not good enough our commander in Bessarabia brought us word that our forces had managed to capture the fortress. With Polish armies headed North we send word to proceed on to Krementjug.

March 7th

Our army has begun the siege of Krementjug.

May 8th

The fortress in Krementjug was in ill need of repair and it fell to our cannons quickly. We will have to improve defenses here when the province falls under our control.
January 1st, 1549

As if 1548 wasn’t good enough for the fortune of our empire 1549 starts off with a boom, as Jean Calvin submits his mandate. I have seen copies of these ideas and I must say I find them impressive. It ought to cause even more turmoil in the West. Even more so the Zwingli ever did.

January 30th

The frigid Polish winter has been a source of suffering for our brave soldiers and had it not been for the warmth of God’s love for his chosen children we may have not succeed, but a Byzantine seeks to emulate the holy father and interpret his will in hopes that we can even hope to compare ourselves to even the smallest part of his vestige. It is by his will that we believe Podolia has fallen to our charge.

February 28th

Our soldiers fresh off the conquest of Podolia lay siege to the Ukraine. Polish forces are still occupied with the Russian threat in the North perhaps we can make a large land grab.

July 1st

The province of the Ukraine falls into our hands, and our scouts bring news of a large Polish contingent headed south. We will make peace at the soonest possibility.

July 2nd

We receive Bessarabia, Podolia, and 250,000 ducats in return for Peace and a promise to not interfere again until the war with Russia is completed. Had they known how exhausted our troops were they may have not offered such a lucrative deal.


The Second Turkish war (or third I can’t remember) ended up flaring into a Balkan war. Our hard work in diplomacy has made us near invincible in the Balkan region as Turkey and Hungary are completely surrounded by either Mameluks and Persians or Venetians and Austrians. Poland still might be the most powerful kingdom in the east and it was only by luck that Russia declared war on Poland, with her forces occupied, the taking of the weakly defended Southern Polish provinces was a simple act of patience. Byzantine has now blossomed into a great power and even grander conquests would soon before our grand armies with victory as the only possible outcome…

 

[The Danish King]

Great AAR! Maybe some screenshots?

 

[unmerged(4493)]

Great AAR!!!

Maybe if you concentrated in a couple of years in peace and a good fleet to round up your enemies. If you like, maybe test your navy first in the always good and wealthy italian peninsula.

Of course you could also try to take a more economic venture, probably profitable, and put some traders in the Med CoTs.

Well, just thinking out loud. Great AAR again and good luck in conquering the those headens!!!

 

[unmerged(3424)]

Unfortunately peace wasn't my forte' in this game however Italy is a rich territory and Byzantine merchants can turn a penny anywhere. You can be sure Italy is on the agenda along with a lot of other goodies.