Beware of the North - A Norway Extended Timeline AAR

[Challenger2008]

This is my first AAR, although I have already played a while I only just thought about doing an AAR about 10 minutes ago, so I'm going to give it a try. Enjoy!

Prologue

Advisor Norheim: "King Fairhair, I have some great news!"
Harald Fairhair: "NO! Exit, and come back and give me a proper greeting, else your head shall roll at thy feet!"
Norheim sighs and leaves the room, only to re-enter it.
Advisor Norheim: "O Lord Fairhair, the one and only true King with the fairest hair, I am honoured to be in thy presence!"
Harald Fairhair: "Truly I am flattered. What news do you bring?"
Advisor Norheim: "Norway stands united. Your plans of unifying the Norwegian people have proven successful!"
Harald Fairhair: "Excellent! It begins now... However, something bothers me very dearly"
Harald turns away, his long golden hair shining in the sunlight coming through the castle window. He holds his head in his hands.
Advisor Norheim: "What's the matter my king?"
Harald points to a map on his wall.
Harald Fairhair: "All these countries, all these lands... They do not belong to Norway. This MUST change, we must begin right away, before these people soil the lands upon which they live!"
Advisor Norheim: "Where next my king?"
Harald Fairhair: "Scandinavia!"

Here is the beginning scenario in 872

Chapter 1: A Growing Norway

The first 400 years of the story of this country are recorded in the Norse sagas, and later in the records kept by the Monarchs to document to endeavors and successes of their beloved Norway. By beginning the conquests of neighbors nearby, Norway was able to prevent another nation from getting a strong foothold in the Scandinavian lands. The gothic lands, Svealand, Danes, and the Sami peoples of Lapland all met the Norwegian army at their doorstep. Hard battles have been fought, but with the growing amount of land, so grew the power of Norway.

However, a mighty foe lay in the south: The Francians. This nation is never spoken of well in the Norwegian documents, as the defender of the Catholic faith, the Norwegians dared not touch any Catholic lands. With growing religious instability in the country, the central government decided to adopt the Catholic religion as the new state religion and renounce their old ways. Although the monarch himself did not believe in the message of Jesus Christ, his interests were for the future of Norway, and he knew this would have to be done.

With the Francians out of the picture, Norway was now free to attack some much desired Catholic lands, such as Ireland and some nations on the Baltic Sea. However, it was evident that one day this mighty foe would have to be met on the battlefield, but the longer time Norway had to prepare, the better its chances of success. A powerful ally was made on the opposite side of the East Francian border and that was the Italians. Faithful allies for years past, a personal union almost ruined the friendship of these two nations. Italy's monarch had died wishing the King of Norway to become King over both countries. However, Byzantium's king thought the old Italian king was out of his mind, and claimed that the throne be his. A bloody succession war proceeded, with Norway, Italy, and Moravia coming out victorious.

The Italians quickly discovered being under a personal union wasn't exactly a pleasant way to be. With none of the Italian ambitions being fulfilled, a war of independence ensued. Norway, realizing that granting them independence would be in their best interests, let them have their freedom, "At least until we share a border" retorted the Norwegian king at the time. Meanwhile, a quadruple alliance system had formed. Norway, Italy, Aquitaine and Moravia in the Great Alliance, were allied against East Francia, France, Byzantium, and England in the Quadruple Entente. Countries nearby were forced to choose sides. Sunni Umayyad joined the Great Alliance, whilst Catholic Asturias joined the Quadruple Entente. Tensions rose between these alliance groups, and with a new threat from the east, only one alliance would survive to face this new threat, all that was needed was a spark to ignite the flame of war.

Who will dominate? Only time will tell.

Europe in 1264

The Great Alliance

A new threat from the east

Join me in this Norwegian quest as we play this campaign until the year 2115. Many adventures are to come, and many stories to tell!

Contents:
Chapter 2: The 13th Century
Chapter 3: The 14th Century
Chapter 4: The 15th Century
Chapter 5: The 16th Century
Chapter 6: The 17th Century
Chapter 7: The 18th Century
Chapter 8: The 19th Century

 

[SigmaxMP]

We be watching!

 

[l3quack]

As a Norwegian I strongly aprove of this! Show them who the real masters of the world are And subbed of course!

 

[Challenger2008]

Because I play very fast paced, I won't really be going into every detail of the game. It may not be a typical AAR, but instead I will just post screenshots from time to time and write what's been happening, and of course let you know of major wars and such. I do need to play this very quickly as I have almost 1000 years to do before PI releases Art of War and this save will be forever broken

 

[delpiero1234]

I do need to play this very quickly as I have almost 1000 years to do before PI releases Art of War and this save will be forever broken

You have all the time you want and you can keep playing your savegame even after PI releases AoW. How? Create a backup folder of your game. You can launch EU IV without running steam from that folder and continue playing with version 1.7.3. This means you will have two copies on your system allowing you to play both AoW and 1.7.3 savegames.

 

[Challenger2008]

You have all the time you want and you can keep playing your savegame even after PI releases AoW. How? Create a backup folder of your game. You can launch EU IV without running steam from that folder and continue playing with version 1.7.3. This means you will have two copies on your system allowing you to play both AoW and 1.7.3 savegames.

Well that is excellent then I'll try not to panic about it haha

 

[delpiero1234]

Well that is excellent then I'll try not to panic about it haha

Just make sure to create the backup folder before AoW gets released.

 

[Challenger2008]

CHAPTER 2: THE 13TH CENTURY

A long period of peace ensued for Norway. Things were not looking so peaceful further south though. The Volga Bulgarians had their attention in Anatolia. Though too afraid to touch the Sunni lands of Abbasid, they attacked Byzantium. Needless to say, Volga Bulgaria came out successful, taking up many Byzantine lands as their own.

Thus Byzantium was cast slightly further from the Quadruple Entente, cancelling their rivalry towards Norway as they realised that Norway was a huge threat to them at this point in time. Instead, the most generous and kind Norway accepted them into the Great Alliance, seeking to forget the past.

The Bulgarians were seen as too closely related to the Volga Bulgarians. Despite their rivalry and them being different religions, the culture was the same and neither of them were part of any alliance in Europe. Both Norway and Moravia wanted to declare war to drive them out of Europe. But the Norwegian diplomat got caught in the snow and was a bit slower in doing so, so Moravia started the war quicker, which Norway humbly accepted to join.

After years of warfare against the Bulgarians, the Norwegians started having manpower problems, and peaced out separately, gaining the provinces of Bratslav and Podolia (renamed Podolien by the Norwegians).

Shortly after, the foolish Asturians declare war on Aquitaine for the territory of Navarra. Their timing is impressive, catching both Norway and Italy on low manpower, and also catching Moravia and Byzantium busy in the war against Bulgaria still. They call in East Francia, and Norway, appointed the new war leader, calls in Moravia, Byzantium, and the Umayyad Caliphate. Who will win?...

Meanwhile, Volga Bulgaria, taking advantage of Bulgaria’s weakness, declares war on them like an eagle waiting to scavenge on the dead remains of nations. They are always watching from where the sun rises. The war with East Francia results in victory for the Great Alliance, whilst Volga Bulgaria has also expanded into more Bulgarian territories. Norway gains the provinces of Hamburg (renamed Hamborg) and Potsdam. The next screenshot shows the peace deal, and the further expansion of Volga Bulgaria.

And thus concludes the events of Norway in the 13th Century. Will East Francia rise again? Will the Great Alliance last? Will the Bulgarian culture look any better on the map and stop having such terrible borders? Only time will tell…

 

[Challenger2008]

Anyone still watching this? Cuz I won't keep posting chapters if people don't see them. I kinda don't really wanna do such detail anymore I really do just want to play my game at x5 speed! Instead, I'll post a picture every hundred years and say what's happened, so here goes:

CHAPTER 3: THE 14TH CENTURY

About 3 more wars with Volga Bulgaria have pushed the border back significantly. The Great Alliance stands strong, but Byzantium chose to switch sides again, and keep losing. I have gained the Northern part of Crimea from them as punishment. In England, I've expanded too, gaining much of Northern Scotland and to my surprise Orkney was still Norwegian culture! East Francia hasn't been at war for a while anymore, instead it's just Byzantium, England, Asturias, and France, who all get territories taken from them in wars. Manpower is proving to be the only reason I ever peace out before 100% occupation, but at least I still get what I want from my enemies. As for now, I will continue expanding into Volga Bulgaria and be very opportunistic when it comes to wars in central and Western Europe

 

[Proninjaw]

Anyone still watching this? Cuz I won't keep posting chapters if people don't see them

I'm still watching this. I think this is really good, I like how it is century by century.

 

[Challenger2008]

I'm still watching this. I think this is really good, I like how it is century by century.

Thank you that really helps me out because I do dread doing so much detail year by year for 1000 years!! I will not stop letting you guys know how this goes, maybe I might even carry on and do Century-by-century semi-AARs for my future campaigns, the next one that I will play after Norway will be the nation of HAWAII!

 

[ssuperflash1]

Dude, just go out there, conquer Europe, and post every 100 or so years, this is a great AAR! You usually don't see AARs like this.

 

[Challenger2008]

Dude, just go out there, conquer Europe, and post every 100 or so years, this is a great AAR! You usually don't see AARs like this.

I would've thought mine would be of a lower quality due to this, it's a really pleasant surprise to see that it's liked and if it is then I might as well doAARs of this sort for every campaign I do in the future

 

[ssuperflash1]

I would've thought mine would be of a lower quality due to this, it's a really pleasant surprise to see that it's liked and if it is then I might as well doAARs of this sort for every campaign I do in the future

You should try a literary/textbook style AAR too, it can be fun. I did it with France in Victoria 2, and for my EU4 one.

 

[Challenger2008]

You should try a literary/textbook style AAR too, it can be fun. I did it with France in Victoria 2, and for my EU4 one.

I looked at it and I think it's a brilliant idea, I'll give it a go in the future!

Posts may now be slightly slower, as I have hit the vanilla timescale and in terms of things to manage, they have really increased. Colonization's begun, and techs being unlocked now give me much more things to think about haha

 

[Challenger2008]

CHAPTER 4: THE 15TH CENTURY

In this century, Norway experienced intense expansion, almost constantly being at war with its neighbours. For the majority, they expanded to the east into Tengri territory, spreading the true faith of Catholicism with relative ease. Eventually, Bulgarian became an accepted culture in Norway as it comprised 20.6% of the population of Norway in 1500 AD. A wild population boom caused the territories of Northwestern Siberia to be colonized by people eager to improve their standard of living by creating businesses and securing new farmland for themselves in this area. Despite the harsh climate, the Norwegians have developed good methods for farming in these areas.

To the south, bitter wars between Sunni nations ravage the middle east, sometimes the violence spilling into the Caucasus and Anatolia, where Norway is also involved in some conflicts. The Umayyad Caliphate, strong allies of Norway for years past, is always requesting for help with wars against a powerful Tunisia and Abbasid Caliphate, mainly to help in the defense of the dwindling Tulunid Caliphate, in the Egypt area. Norwegian victories in the Caucasus and Umayyad victories in the Atlas mountains have kept the Tulunids alive, prevented the Abbasids and Tunisians from increasing their influence, and also got Norway a strong foothold in the Caucasus region.

The rise of Protestantism hit hard in central Europe, though Norway was barely affected by it and kept the Heretics at bay. Moravia was overwhelmed by the spread of influence that they converted, ultimately leading to the dissolving of their alliance with Norway. England was also converted. Though the countries around central Europe in this time are large and are able to sustain large armies also, religious revolts were easily crushed. Meaning that East Francia and France remain catholics, much to the annoyance of Norway, who are constantly competing with East Francia for control of the Curia.

A few wars with England and East Francia led to the acquisition of new Norwegian lands, including Cumbria from England, and Altmark from East Francia. Though these are small gains, note the pink coloured Anhalt as the East Francian enclave. This country was allowed to remain free due to the reluctance of Norway to defeat nationalist rebels spawned in Norwegian occupied East Francian territories. Thus Anhalt gained independence and were very fond of Norway. Small persuasion was needed and Anhalt were quick to vassalize to Norway.

In the mid-15th-Century, England set a small base on the western half of the uninhabited island of Iceland. Norway quickly reacted to this and colonized the eastern part. This quickly led to the discovery of Greenland, which Norway quickly gained control of. Ultimately, looking to block England's influence from expanding, Norway kept colonizing westwards into arctic territories, which were easy for Norway to colonize as they were used to harsh arctic environments. Eventually, a war broke out in Europe ending in Norwegian victory and the annexation of English Iceland. At this point, Norway has complete arctic domination. Colonization continued and the first colonial nation was established, Nye Norge.

The new century greets us with a new war once again against Abbasid and Tunisia. Though victory seems inevitable, who knows what other wars await Norway on the horizon? Perhaps their time is limited, and like all great empires, they may not last forever.

 

[AppoX]

Great AAR, will follow.

 

[Fionnix]

Loving this AAR, probably my favorite at the moment

can't wait to see how huge you will be by the next update

 

[Challenger2008]

Thanks guys I do appreciate the appreciation! Hahaha

 

[Challenger2008]

CHAPTER 5: THE 16TH CENTURY

Norway! Land of the free and wealthy. Not to everyone however...
Some consider it to be a powerful close ally, others tremble in fear at their superior military and consider it a land of warmongers and lunatics. As national identity is beginning to take shape around the world, countries fight to spread their culture and influence far and wide. This is a time of large, prosperous nations. In Europe, Norway and the Great Alliance have decisively won against the Quadruple Entente. Italy has largely expanded into the Balkans, and Aquitaine and Umayyad have both expanded north, taking French and Asturian lands. Norway, Aquitaine, and Italy all share the same dynasty of "de Medici". Though clearly of Italian origin, this fact is somewhat of a taboo for Norwegian nobles, preferring to believe that the royal bloodline is pure Norwegian blood!

For other nations however, things are not so dandy. East Francia has enemies on all fronts, shrinking in size each year. The Dutch independence ravaged them further, spawning a powerful Netherlands that was quick to join the Great Alliance. Volga Bulgaria exists no more, now France's and England's days are numbered with the Aquitanian and Norwegian advances. The main target of Norway now is England, not fearing any of its allies and laughing in the face of any coalition that forms against them. Asturias has fled Europe having lost all its territories in the region, and moved its capital to South America, next to its Brazillian colonial nation, seeking better safety there. Byzantium's time is also coming to an end, with the Italian and Moravian armies in the West and North, and Sunni Abbasid securing Anatolia for themselves, Byzantium has nowhere to flee.

Elsewhere in the world, tales are told of wonderful spanning empires. The Far East prospers under almost total Japanese control, while the Indian region enjoys peace and stability for all Indian people under Hindustan. Abbasid struggles to stay a major world power, though frequent conflicts with Norway and the Great Alliance have damaged the prosperity and integrity of Abbasid. Confucianism as a religion is scarce, having mostly been replaced by the Japanese Shinto religion. Hindustan strives to be a more tolerant society, allowing its multicultural peoples practice any religion they want. Though the official state religion is Buddhist, few of its provinces are actually followers of Buddhism. The Tengri nomads seem to be losing a grip on central asia. With the Volga Bulgarians conquered by Norway, and the Merkits conquered by Japan, only the Turkish Kara-Khanid remains in the middle. Their independence is indeed challenged by Japan, as multiple enclaves within Japanese China have persuaded them to go to war with Kara-Khanid to clean up their borders. Whether they will continue to expand within the Khanid heartland is matter best left for time to solve.

The cultures of Europe have experienced drastic changes. The Norwegian language has spread far beyond Scandinavia, though still only 51.3% of the population of Norway actually speaks Norwegian. This does not come as a surprise due to the rapid expansion of Norway into other nations' lands, and the government looking to focus more on colonization and trade rather than changing the cultures of people already compliant with local rule. Thus the spread of Norwegian has slowed down, yet still not completely stopped, as some focus is still put on changing cultures. The old span of East Francia echoes to this day, in large minorities of Germanic peoples in Italy and Norway. The same can be said about Greeks in Italy and Abbasid, and Anglo-Saxons in Norwegian England. Aquitaine and France are both Cosmopolitaine and Catholic, though they fight like two rival brothers to the death.

Even though Europe may be becoming an inhospitable place for some cultures, they have looked to find other homes. The Asturian Castillian flourishes in Central South America, and France are also looking to Patagonia as an escape plan away from Europe. England has created large colonies in Northern South America and the Caribbean. Though they may think they are safe, all they are doing is turning a localized conflict into a world war, as Norway and the Netherlands are also big colonialists. Much of North America, especially Canada, is controlled by Norway. Small wars with natives have given Norwegian colonial nations a huge boost in that area, whilst the Norwegian conquistadors are finding the wonderful gold stockpiles of Mexico. Eilert Land in Western Africa is a thriving place for African trade, and let's not forget the pioneers of Siberia (expanding Norway's way of life deep into this frozen forest) and those of the Amazon (introducing Norwegians to this new thing called the hot climate!).

And so we must draw this chapter to a close. Of course the new century greets East Francia with Italian armies at their doorstep, though Norway is out on this one as they were already at war with East Francia when Italy decided to join in too. Will the demise of the Quadruple Entente create internal rivalry within the Great Alliance? Is South America really as safe as the Asturians and French believe? Or will Japan decide they want to conquer everything? Only time will tell us...