An English AAR (GC 1.08). Something a little different..?

[unmerged(1996)]

Hi all. Thought I'd take a quick break and see who's around...

Vimy - Thank you, I was quite impressed with my own cleverness as well . The 'Metallica' plan seems to be becoming more and more of a possibility by the minute...

Couer de L - Thanks very much for the pointers. Siberia is fairly low down on my list of possibilities, but as I'm fast running out of anywhere else to send my colonists, it's moving closer to the top even as we speak. Just the thought of all those lovely gold mines... And oh, look, another typo , you'd think I'd check my facts before I put the post up, wouldn't you . I'll edit the AAR but again, thanks for the save... As for William of Orange... wait and see...

T.F. - Works only once? What, you think I'm actually going to conquer them? Hell, no, that there's a permanently baited Frenchie-trap for the rest of the game . But thanks for the tips anyway, I'll bear them in mind in case I decide to take 'em out anyway. Re: Saxony... wait and see. Re: Angevin Empire... in the pipeline...

Sgt B - Heck, I wish I could remember, but basically, France seems to enjoy marching her armies up and down the country and they never seem to be based in the same province from one month to the next, and the Turks always seem to be thinly spread around Ragusa but then always end up with an army in excess of 100k just in time for the siege. Guess the Sultan must keep 'em somewhere. Under the bed? And yes, by 'war footing' I do mean diverting money from research. And no, I haven't been reducing the maintenance of the army and navy during peacetime. It's something I don't know enough about to mess around with, and while it may have been useful during the L-o-o-o-o-ng Peace, I think I'd probably just forget to bump it back up again when I went to war and end up being royally decimated. And I ain't in the mood for convertin' right now nor any time soon. Lookin ' to git me a Holy Roman Emperorship...

 

[unmerged(3107)]

The AAR continues to be fun.

For a free CB against France, I have taken to sending a bunch of merchants into their COT. Once I hit five traders, the Parisian curs inevitably hit me with a trade embargo and voila I have (i) a Casus Belli and (ii) within 24 months another two French provinces. It is, as they say in France, une morceau de gateau.

Of course, in my England GC I am Reformed so I can dominate trade in any given centre pretty darned quickly - but I would think that this approach would work for you as well if your trade tech is high.

PS - I'm glad to see you're taking advantage of the whole Siberian thing.

 

[Sgt. Bloomfield]

Ariel: All this talk of Siberia and the Netherlands... What happened to Eqypt and the Holy Land?

Grundius: You asked about Empires in Arms. The game was developed in the late seventies, then published by Avalon Hill. AH went belly-up at some point, and has been bought by Hasbro. Whether EiA is still available, I don't know. There is plenty of info on the web, since it is one of the best confict simulation games ever, and certainly the best campaign game for the Napoleonic era. Start here:
www.bomis.com/rings/eia (list of links)
www.throneworld.com/eia/ (pbem AAR)

Ariel: Let's have some screenies to look at while we read about the next war.

 

[unmerged(3517)]

In my English game, even though I bought the loyalty of the French to the tune of +200 they still declared war on me during the latest (of many) attack on the Portuguese in 1681. Turned out fine, as I took over all their TPs in India and North America, then bought them off for 500 ducats. This last war was a great one for me--I've annexed Pommerania, giving me my first foothold in Northern Europe, took Recife and Sunda from the Portuguese along with taking over their TPs in India and Indonesia, and am still at war with Genoa and Savoy--until my mediterranean fleet arrives. Maybe I'll post some screenshots when I figure out where to put them.

Rob

 

[Chas]

2 things that really surprise me:
1. No Indian revolts? I needed big standing armies to deal with them, and as I remember it was not just when war fatigue set in, but nationalism as well.
2. No Dutch cities other than in the Netherlands. By the mid 17th century all the games I have played have seen many Dutch cities, and that's what makes them so hard to annex. e.g. Northern Canada (I know you put paid to those), western Canada (at least a couple), some in Brazil, lots usually in the East Indies, including those you are just starting on, sometimes a few in Central America, some in Africa (I know you burnt those before they could get established). What do you think happened?

 

[unmerged(2351)]

Indian Revolts ?

Originally posted by Chas
1. No Indian revolts? I needed big standing armies to deal with them, and as I remember it was not just when war fatigue set in, but nationalism as well.

I have to agree here as well. In one of my games as England I took over the whole of the Indian sub-continent. However, I had to keep huge armies in all of the major province's. As far as I can remember the smallest I had was 35k, with the largest being close to 70k (in Delhi to protect the CoT).

Ariel, have you had any such problems in India as yet ? If not, I reckon it's only a matter of time, especially if you are embroiled in a war elsewhere...........

About time we had another update as well isn't it ??

 

[unmerged(1996)]

Morning All. Quick info dump before I do fb-fb. The project I'm working on is nearing its launch deadline of June 1st. This means that I'm insanely busy right now, working 8am to 7pm most days and so this is how the updates are going to work for the time being: I'll try to do an fb-fb in the morning, but I won't be updating the AAR until lunchtime each day, and then only as much as I can get done, but I will try and put something new up every week day. Screenshots will be added as and when I get the chance. Thanks in advance for your patience and understanding

Meerschaum - Hmmm, hadn't thought of trying to provoke a trade embargo as a means of gaining a CB, but I'll certainly give it a go. Ile de France shouldn't be too difficult to infiltrate, although my trade tech has been sadly neglected due to my drive for military superiority and languishes somewhere round about the 6 or 7 level...

Sgt B - Re: Egypt and Holy Land - no comment... Re: Empires in Arms, thanks very much for the info. I'll look into it at some point, although I don't actually have enough people that I know who I could get together for a game... Three new screenies are up on http://website.lineone.net/~ariel.jo/eu/page4.htm and more will follow, hopefully by the end of the week.

robrodgers - And the lesson we can all learn from that is that you can't trust the bloody French - secret double agent Fournier being the obvious exception to the rule

Chas - Okay, now I'm worried. The revolt risk stands at 0% across India at the moment, what with most of them being either Moslem (for whom I have a decent tolerance set) or pagan. The Dutch never really got started with their colonisation. Almost as soon as they went independent they were jumped on by France who took half their territory. They managed to get a few trade posts set up in New England but only one or two in the Far Eastm where I was pretty much dominating. Then when the Dutch allied with the French that gave me the perfect opportunity to burn their trade posts every time we went to war, and by the time I steamed in and annexed them they still didn't have a city to their name. Plus, they never controlled a trade centre (or at least, maybe Holland for a short while) and seemed to spend all their revenue on their army (they had standing forces approaching 140,000 to protect two provinces at one point). All in all, things worked out unlucky for them, but lucky for me...

Genghis - Again, I'm worried now, I'll have to see how it all pans out... update at lunchtime...

 

[Bronski71]

Just another new bloke...

Hi there!

Just wanted to fall in the choir of "What an AAR!!!"'s... I've already thought about doing one of my own, inspired by this epic. But being mid- to endgame (1640's) playing Russia (GC) I put that on schedule for the next game.
Nice moves, by the way. Did you have Krautland in mind from the very beginning, of was it just taking the chance when it arouse?
And one more question in preparation of my own AAR: How do you manage to keep track of events? I mean this must be more time spending on making notes than rather playing...

Incredible, though! Keep it going, lad!

 

[unmerged(1996)]

Bronski - Thanks very much. It's always nice to know my ongoing efforts are still appreciated . Re: Germany, I had actually intended to steer clear of the whole big Protestant mess in the interests of maintaining my policy of trying something 'a little different' and concentrate on the Catholic south of Europe, but when I got the chance to annex first the Netherlands and then Hessen and Kleves in order to weaken France I thought what the heck, might as well. As far as keeping track goes, I have Notepad (or better, Wordpad) open in the background, and then Alt-Tab between the game and the notes. I tend to type up as fully as I can as I play, rather than using shorthand and trying to remeber what all the abbreviations mean at a later date...

Right then, update in about half an hour...

 

[unmerged(1996)]

The Outbreak of War and the Constitutional Crisis of 1688

January 1688

Tax 1004d. A pre-emptive gift is sent to Saxony (+142 to +181) in the hopes that this will sway them in the coming war. We then hold our position, awaiting the inevitable act of aggression from France that will lead to our seizure of Holland, Freisen and Cologne.

On the 6th we drive the Nipponese fleet back to port, having sunk all three warships and a transport.

On the 14th our prediction is fulfilled as both France and Portugal declare war on us. Unfortunately Saxony declares for France, which means our diplomacy was not as effective as we had hoped, but Marlborough and I have a contingency plan to deal with this development as well. Persia dishonoured her alliance with France, which is interesting.

Marlborough’s plan then swings into action. York and 60,000 men march into Holland and Marlborough attacks Cologne with a similarly sized force. The Hessen garrison of 40,000 marches on Saxony. Our channel fleets put to sea and our Home Army of 40,000 prepares to cross to Picardie and then Paris. Our forces in northern Italy hold their positions for the time being but stand ready to send reinforcements into France if required.

Whilst war begins in Europe, France also eliminates the natives in Brunei and so we send a trader. If they have ships in the area we will find and sink them before too long but in case they attempt to attack our holdings we recruit 6,000/3,000 in Bangkok, 6,000 in Mekong, 4,000 in Malacca and 3,000 in Bali, upgrade the fortifications in Malacca (to lvl 4) and build new fortresses in Bali and Mekong also.

Then on the 22nd Persia and Denmark (Russia) declare war on us also. We call on our allies and Austria dishonours our alliance by refusing to fight Persia and is therefore unavailable to call on to fight Denmark, but Spain and Poland support both endeavours as usual. We extend the olive branch to over-worked Austria by immediately inviting them back into our alliance and they gratefully accept. The Teutonic order dishonoured Denmark but we have no wish to join forces with the Protestant heretics in so bleak a corner of Europe and so we do not send an emissary to invite them to join us.

On the 24th our channel fleet of 6/0/18 is attacked by 3/0/1 French ships who have better wind than us and are able to drive us up the coast to Wessex, which will slow our invasion plans somewhat. Curses.

February 1688

Marlborough lays siege to Cologne on the 3rd. On the 4th we invade Istria and encounter a small garrison, and our army en-route to Saxony is attacked in Anhalt and force-marches their way forward rather than face an enemy twice its size. Meanwhile our first two New Zealand colonies are both successfully established. Our west channel fleet of 24 warships falls on the 2/0/1 French squadron on the 6th and the French are eliminated by the 11th. We are victorious in Istria on the 11th and launch an immediate assault rather than face attrition in the mountains. Holland is besieged on the 13th.

On the 15th we suffer a constitutional crisis. I am summoned by his majesty James II to visit him at Hampton Court Palace. He has already intimated that he wants to discuss the possibility of our nation adopting the Protestant faith as our national religion, something with which I am less than comfortable. When I arrive at the palace, I am admitted to the King’s private chambers where he outlines his plans to me. Then, tragedy. I turn away for a moment to allow His Majesty some privacy at the chamber pot, and the next I know there is an almighty crash and when I turn back, James II lies dead before me. He has tripped and fallen towards the fireplace, struck his head on a fire-iron and smashed his skull. I call for the servants to attend to the fallen King, hand them the impliment that wrought his doom, and with a heavy heart full of mourning for our most Protestant King James, I turn my mind to the unpleasant but most necessary task of finding a successor.

The King’s daughter, Mary, is of marriageable age but too young to be sole monarch and thus we must find her a suitable husband to be ruler of our great nation. The other members of the Privy Council suggest that I might be a suitable choice, but I demurely turn down the suggestion, and put forward instead an eminently more suitable candidate, one that will help to cement relations with our new provinces in Europe.

William, Duke of Orange, is my choice for the new King of England. A native of the Netherlands and of a true and faithful Catholic family, William’s ancestors were one of the few nobles to refuse the conversion to the Protestant heresy and William himself was one of the first Dutch lords to swear fealty to the English crown upon the annexation of his native realm. A wedding is hastily but respectfully arranged. William, though, is currently serving as an officer in Marlborough’s army, attempting the liberation of Hollandand is unable to return to England for the time being. We hold the wedding by proxy, with the Pope officiating Mary’s ceremony at Canterbury and Marlborough performing a field marriage in Holland, and pray for His Majesty’s safety and well-being, not to mention his swift return to England.

 

[unmerged(1996)]

Sorry folks, that's all I had time for. I'll try to get the rest of the war finished off after work...

 

[Sir James]

Gobsmacked...
You may get a few comments if there are any Orangemen around.

 

[unmerged(2351)]

Bloody Hell !

Mary getting married to William of Orange...............wait until some of these guys start !!!!

Great twist to your uniquely compelling story though mate. Cannot wait (as per usual). As you know what's coming (in narrative terms, compared to game terms), one can guess there are even more twists and turns before 1792

 

[unmerged(1996)]

Okay, gonna nip me this one in the bud...

Firstly, let's remember, this is a fictional Alternate History, folks. I am not making any sort of political statement, neither am I attempting to offend anyone or their sense of history or national identity. I am making up a story based on the developments in the game, wherein England has remained staunchly Catholic since 1492 and even houses the Pope in Cantrebury... Everyone got that? Eveyone okay with that? Good. Heck, even Oliver Cromwell was a Catholic in this timeline, never mind Charles Cromwell and William of O.

And as for William marrying Mary, I checked on the BBC History website first, and that's what actually happened Genghis old m8. Mary II was the daughter of James and she and William ruled jointly until she died (in 1694?) and William ruled alone until 1702...

 

[unmerged(2351)]

No problemo

I guessed as much, hence the "uniquely compelling twist" comment.

Do you reckon you'll be done and dusted by this w/e ?
Reason I ask, is that I finish at the client site I'm working at this Friday and have no idea where my company is going to send me next (I'll miss all of the free time to surf ) On top of that I'm in hospital on Monday for a cartilege operation, so no idea when I'll be returning to work (shame).

Saying that, during my enforced layover, I'm sure I'll get in plenty of EU hours

 

[Sir James]

Calm down...

Just complimenting you on your plot twists - no political comment or offence meant.

Your ability to rationalise fixed historical events with the alternate history of the game is exceptional. This, coupled with narrative imagination such as the King's close encounter with a blunt object, plus the repeated whipping of the French, are what makes the AAR so compelling.

 

[unmerged(3518)]

A fireiron Ariel? He "fell" on a fireiron? Regicide, even in moments of necessity, is a damnable act...not that I'm trying to suggest that this is what happened at the Court of St. James, no no! I think the AAR just took a very interesting twist...I'm really looking forward to the next few years. If your hints are anything to go by, we're in for a bit of fun.

As for your deadline, I for one understand completely: I'm in the same business as you (on the sales side) and we're in the same boat here. Keep it up m8! And good luck to you.

Vimy.

 

[Sgt. Bloomfield]

Ariel, great little teaser there.

Now, I've always felt that Charles Cromwell was something of a brute, headstrong and simple, but to find that he would take matters in his hand like that... I say, let the Kings of England look out when they take private counsel from the Privy Council.

And marriage by proxy? Not a concept often mentioned in canon law, I think. As a devout Catholic, you are no doubt aware that in the eyes of the Holy Church, no marriage is valid until consumated. But perhaps Cromwell, in his unfailing zeal to serve his country (if not his King), took the burden of consumating the marriage by proxy upon himself, while the happy groom is away in the low countries?

 

[Barkdreg]

AAAAAAAAAh!
You did it again, how I'm a supposed to be studying when you
keep writing such an incredible AAR.
Really I'm considering the creation of some kind off AAR-anonymous.

 

[unmerged(1996)]

Genghis - Short answer: No. Long answer : Nu-uh. I'll be sorry indeed to lose one of my most frequent advisors if that is indeed the case, but I'm sure you can find a modem somewhere to drop by on and keep up to date? After all, that's what internet cafes are there for, right?

Sir James - No offence taken at this end, I just wanted to make sure unnececessary offence wasn't taken elsewhere. And thank you for the kind words. I'll whip the French some more (they love it really) and tell them you sent me

Vimy - Regicide? What are you suggesting Sirrah? That Charles Cromwell, as a good and loyal Catholic, found it necessary to commit murder most foul upon the person of the King just because he had developed Protestant sympathies? Surely not...

Sgt B. - Re: great little teaser. That's not the first time I've been called that, but it is the first time it's happened in public and oh, hang on, I've got a message coming through...

Sirrah. I had thought to forgive you for dishonouring my name by refusing to even show your face at the time appointed for our duel when I realised you were actually a resident of New England and therefore had obviously turned up at the wrong common by several thousand miles. However, this further slight to my person and my honour simply will not be tolerated. Headstrong and Simple, Sirrah? Once I have finished thrashing you to within an inch of your life, I shall brand those words into your bloodied back with a red hot skewer. And as for your prefidious insinuation that I have interfered with the person of good Queen Mary, words cannot fathom to the infamy of your vile aspersions. Never set foot in England again, Sirrah, for you are hereby outlawed under penalty of death!

Yours, with kind regards to Mrs Bloomfield and the nippers,
C. Cromwell.

Well, there you go. Guess you ticked him off good and proper this time Re: Marriage by proxy, if I remember my history aright, didn't Henry VIII (Gawd bless 'im), marry Anne of Kleves by proxy and then refuse to consumate the marriage once he'd met her and decided she had 'a face like a Flanders mare' or somesuch?

Barkdreg - Great, someone else who's blaming me for failing their exams Willpower, man. Willpower! I've heard of it, apparently it's good stuff...