Bulgarian Khanate from 690 AAR

[Dr_Quin]

~~~~~~Bulgarian Khanate~~~~~~
--------/ 692 - 797 \--------

Swiming with the sharks​

*Khan is ruller title equal sometimes to Prince or to King. It is mentined for first time about nomadic tribes of Central Asia.

The management of Bulgarian Khanate in the period 690-700 is a serious challenge I'm pushed between two strong powers - Byzantine Empire at South, the most hard enemy to beat (as my khanate is formed over their core territory...), and Khazarian Khaganate which holds several of my cores. Situation get even more coplicated by Avarian Khaganate at North - medium power, but with powerful allie - Khazars.

I'm starting game on Medium difficulty, with historical rulers, historical lucky nations and normal inflation.

First 8 years past in gaining stability and centralizating my country. I'm tryin to avoid any confrontation with Byzantians - they hold most of Balkans, some provinces in South Italy, Sicilly, Cosrsica, Balears and Asia Minor (thought they lost much of Asia Minor to Arabian Abbasyd).

I'm getting used with "war line" in the opposition in my government, but with tiny army of 15 000 horsemen I'm like a drop into the Byzantine ocean. Or if you preffer - Frankish or Arabian armies. There are many path to hell, but in the moment not even a one to the World Empire....

Suddenly "the silence in the universe were broked" as Byzantine chronist are used to say from time to time - in other words the slavic population of south regions of Avarian Khaganate made up a revolt. As Bulgarians are some mixture between Slavic and Bulgarian culture, we have to defend our brothers.....ok, cousins as they are still picking bannas from threes.

However after several months of non-stoping ambushes and battles between our army and avarian forces the manpower gets too late. It is better to go home while you are still on the top....or some where in the skirt of the mountain. We made a peace with Avarians in exchange of their province of Branichevo. How ever our Byzantine neibourghs don't look with good eye on our adventures. From time to time they put us under embargo, then cancelled it and so on...

After a whille I deciede to improve our economical situation. So I start a major project to build many objects in my provinces. I start with pubs...you know people like pubs, and there they train soldier skills (exept drinking). Then i enlarge the farmlands and put workshops and marketplace in every our provinces.

Everything is cool - treasury is full, now my army is consisted with 30 000 horsemen and 5000 infntry. Things are too good as Avarian Khaganate try to fight back - by invading Moldavia. Personally I'm keen on Florida and don't have any plans about Moldavia, ut my advisors and especially those nerdy Khan of my country argue with me all the time. Ok if this will earn me peace time on West Keys I'll destroy even whole Avarian Khaganate......

It seems I like too much Florida or opposite - don't like enough Avars, so such country is hardly founded on any map. In the same time as I were fighting Avars, Seven Slavic Tribes manage to revolt in West and Central Balkans, while Corsica manage to wipe out from other parts of Balkans Byzantine Empire. How ever Arabians didn't wait for second offert and get Dardanelles, Adrianopole and Viza, making Constantinopole Island. So BYzantians left only with today Greece territory...and a largy army.

 

[unmerged(146885)]

What mod is that?

 

[Dr_Quin]

It is hard to say - I started the game on Pax Nomadica mod (681-1999), but while change things converted it to "The Wolves mod" (690-2009). Both mods are based on today history of Rising Nations 8, Also japan and American Indian histories are copied from French Renasainsse 3.

 

[Dr_Quin]

Challenging the Fortuna

~~~~~~Bulgarian Khanate~~~~~~
--------/ 797 - 842 \--------

Challenging the Fortuna ​

My army now is 40 000 cavalry and 10 000 infantry. I like to get some acces to the Adriatic Sea but there are Seven Slavic tribe which opposite to the history are ally with Byzantine Empire. So I can't even insult them. On the other side The Corsica have Beroe and Philipopolis. In the mean time i change my religion from Tengrism (pagan believes) to the Orthodox. I hope this could make me friends with Seven Slavic Tribes, and I'm not so naive that Byzantine Empire will ever love me, but it is worth to try it...especially when they have 100 000 + army.

So my major plan is to wipe out from Balkans Corsica, and in the same time to isolate Seven Slavic Tribe from their ally - Byzantine Empire. So I start a war with Corsica, my cavalry destroy their 20 000 army just for a minute (PC game time :rofl and my infantry take one after another - Beroe and Philipopolis. Well not so bad if in the same time Seven Slavic Tribe and Byzanty didn't take the other pieces of the pie. Don't get me wrong - i preffer Shepherd's Pie more then this, but i need Second resort province such on Adriatic Sea.

And what should be a little bit more greeny :

The good news for me is that Corsica is absolutely devastated by the war. They have only Corsica left as they territory, but Corsica is former Bynzatine territory.

Honestly I'm pretty disturbed by the new shift of powers on Balkans - Seven Slavic Tribe have West Balkans, Byzantine Empire - South Balkans. Greeks are ally with Armenian Kingdom and Cypros as well. So hole area is mined by their allies. Then I found in my desk the old map describing which territory I intend to occupy.

You probably ask yourself which is the huge grey stain? The Mighty Frankish Empire which stocks huge armies on our borders in order to....well scary us. They succeed.....:wacko:

So for now I'll stay calm as good boy.

 

[Dr_Quin]

When you are in Balkans fight as Balkanians fight...[/

~~~~~~Bulgarian Principality~~~~~~
--------/ 843 - 851 \--------

When you are in Balkans fight as Balkanians fight...​

* Principality was the first cristian government for moast of East Eurpean countries with pagan history.

I'm good until 843 when something strange happened - The mighty Frankish Empire collapsed! So they have their 120 000 army, but not more then 23-9 provinces. Some of their provinces are directly attached to my territory. So it is time to make Florida more close to my borders - I hate Visas problems.

Before:

and After...

So I told my soldiers that they fight for glory (not Florida) and the war began:

The result wasn't what I expected - I manage to destroy Frankish Army by ambushes and battles between minnor of their forces not more then 20 000. But I manage to capture only one of their provinces - Nove Zaimski situated in Panonia.

So I decided that my Khanate needs a change. A major one. I start spreading the idea of Bulgaria as a Principality. This would change our name upon nations in the world, they 'll see that we are not any more ignorant barbarians, with stronger then their armies. Now we are Christian barbarians with stronger army .

So 8 years passed in smashing revolts of narrow minded people which don't like principality government, and in gaining stability. However our "brothers" - Seven Slavic Tribe did avoid any chance to get more closer to us - they reject, to grant us right of passage, alliance, trade contracts. So the war was inevitable.

My 40 000 cavalry destroyed Seven Slavic Army of 22 000 mixed soldiers for less then a month. In same time Byzantine Empire as well with Cypros and Kingdom of Armenia entered in war on the side of Slavs. In the begining there were no byzantine armies on the borders, so in less then 3 months I occupy whole Seven Slavic terriroty.

 

[Dr_Quin]

Swiming with the big fish...

~~~~~~Bulgarian Principality~~~~~~
--------/ 851 - 891 \--------

Swiming with the big fish...​

As there were no host to fed me up I occupy Komotini, Rila and South East Macedonia. However Byzantine army get finally on The Balkans and return this territory, allong with Philipopolis and Beroe. So I started a guerilla war with them. Smashing two armies of 18 000 mixed soldiers, one 7 000 and many of 1000. In the end I reoccupy again Komotini, Rila and South East Macedonia and made Byzantine Empire an offer they can't refuse. So they didn't :rofl:

Slaves were devastated by me, but Byzantians weren't too much harm as they have many island provinces and still have much more profit then me. However as we speak about profit they issue embargo against us. In the same time Franks declare war on Slaves in order to restore partly their lost mighty.

So I focus mainly on developing of my new provinces. This take me much time - about 20 or so years. But in the end I have 50 000 cavalry and 10 000 infantry. I'm 2 levels above Franks in land technology and I'm most technically advanced country (well everything from my treasury goes for science). So it is time to get ill...I mean mighty. So I declare war on Frankish agressors, my democratic soul can't stand their boots over my slavic brothe...a cousins!

So I wiped out tired Frankish forces from the west side of the Balkans ang seize all of their provinces in the region. However slaves became my anclave which is kind of annoying and I declare war to them. Offcourse their Byzantine allies declare war to me. After I erase Slavs I get my forces on South. After previous War Byzantine forces were equal as number to mine, but not so ellite and powerful. So in 2 major battles i destroyed their army and advanced in South. It is one thing to seize territories with cultures as yours but it is more difficult to occupy truelly their territories. But you never know until you try

So In the end of the war Byzantine Empire is not any more Empire it became Metropolia. It is not any more mighty power, it is still factor in Balkans, but not in hole Europe. Now i have only one rival in the region - Abbasyd Caliphate. I tried to bribe them in order to get military passage in their territory but they always reject my proposal. So Constantinopole is safe so far.

However I don't hate Byzantians, but I want that they have. Maybe someday my country will became their heir. Who knows?

 

[Dr_Quin]

The ambitions of the young Lions

~~~~~~Bulgarian Principality~~~~~~
--------/ 891 - 935 \--------

The ambitions of the young Lions...​

My new provinces need development so the building work starts in every corner of my empire. Now i could say that Bulgarian Principality is a Empire, a major power in region of Europe. For now the World powers are Tang China and Abbasyd Caliphate. So i'm trying not mess with them. For 20 years and so I made my country the most rich, with the biggest profit and most advanced in science meaning. My army is tiny compared to two superpowers - Abbasyds and Tang. But it is elite and mobile army.

In 822 Milan became "dishonorable scum" which gave me casus beli against them. And i start a war in which Destroy their 34 000 army and seize all their territories in Balkans, and lay a hand over North Italy with provinces of Venice and Liguria which are trade centers :rofl:

Offcourse I get used to it but Byzantine war declare war to Milan as well. On the other side Tuscany seize other Italian provinces of Milan, while Lombards get their south provinces. So Milan - the largest navy power in Mediterranean after the Byzantine Empire became a minor power.

I'm definitely large now. However I'm not huge as Abbasyd Caliphate. Or maybe I'm to ambitious? What can I say...

Suddenly my foreign advisor tell me the good news - we have got now a core in Tessaloniky - teh second trade center in Balkans.Well it seems it is time to free our brothers...no matter they are greeks.

However I'm fascinated by legends about Constantinopole. So I send my infantry by navy to sige the city. However Byzantians manage to block my navy in Bosforos and my 10 000 infantry is not enough to besiege 8800 garnisson of Constantinopole. On the other side Almost hole Hellas (today Greece) fall under my power. So in the end of the war...

So my country became monster - mixture between different countries.

Now having North Italy markets and Tessaloniky in my armes I'm kind of rich. Not enough to buy holiday in Florida, but working on it.

The World in 930 A.D.

 

[exenter]

Can you post a link to the mod because I can't find anywhere in this forum.

 

[Enewald]

Yes, link please.
Looking awesome.

 

[unmerged(122389)]

I think you can find it by following the link on his sig.

 

[Dr_Quin]

I will go to the other mod threads to see what is their structure and tomorrow I'll try to write English version. I have list of main changes which could gave you some overview, but it is not like kind of review. So if somebody like more information he\she could wait or ask me for brief info on PM's

 

[MizarNX]

I found them googling:

PAX NOMADICA (for IN)

THE WOLVES (for HTTT)

Good AAR, I'll be following.

 

[Sybot]

Interesting AAR and mod, but with such a long time scale it'll probably be hard to not conquer the world.

 

[Dr_Quin]

I tried to make an topic but I don't have the rights to do such. So I'll change my signature and linked it to English speaking thread on our mod site.

Time scaling is long and yes it gives you a chance to conquer the world. But there are about 120 events for forming of new countries in time frame of 800-1400 and 1945-1999. So lets imagine you are the ruler of the world. Then a message appears which say that nobles from some culture wants to form state on our territory. You have two options - to agree and keep your stability or to reject and to lost stability + change of culture in several provinces. So if you are giant it is huge damage to lose stability. Well it is still easier with longer time frame but i like the idea to start somewhere from 1 A.D. and to end up in 2010 However with many experiments although modifications of Rising Nations and Renesans 3 I concluded that the maximum game play time is 1319 years and 3 or so months. In Rising Nations review is written that you can play from 1800 and something till 13 000. Well after second world war my games were always crash. So in fact if somebody knows mod or way to enlarge game play time to 2000 years, please let me know i want to give it a try.

P.S. Sorry about my English but the word grammar and myself can't exist in same time and dimension

 

[Dr_Quin]

Now Bulgaria is Tzardom or in other words Empire. However my empire is still tiny one with huge differences in its cultures. My economy is stronger then my military so I'm not good enough developed to compete Abbasyd Caliphate or Byzantine Empire (or at least to get rid of Constantinopole). As in Europe I'm weak maybe i have to find a spot where my potencial became kinetic energy. So I start scouts mission in South Directions. After some years I found the exotic country of Benin. My sailors doesn't know anything about it, but my military advisor said that it is offensive when they don't give us military access. Well I must admit he is right, maybe they haven't heard about European manners? No problem we'll gave them this knowledge for free. Well Almost for free...:rofl:

The war is short and very effective. The natives are more then us, but we have the treasures of science knowledge, as our armies too.

However politic affairs are not sunbathing with pink glasses, so Slavic tribes of Devliani aren't dudes. Moreover they are animists and as such defenders of Benin. The good news for me is that they own the strategic provinces of Istria and Carniola in order to connect my Italian provinces with my Balkan body.

Years slide away in battles between me and Devliani tribe until occupation of their hole territory is fact. If I seize there cosy country I'll get direct access to the Baltic sea. However my main goals are - Get Constantinopole and get hole World. My progress currently is around 0 % so I gave up The baltic dream

So my country is finally compact, almost all of my provinces are connected with each others.

But the war started because of Benin is not over. Kongo the main South African Power is not used with my methods of diplomacy in far corners of the world. Although their army is too "compact" and kind of ancient to defend their point of view. I need about a month to occupy their territory. Then they have to gave freedom to Loango.....I guess some kind of tribe, but not very sure...

 

[Dr_Quin]

The ambitions of the young Lions

~~~~~~Bulgarian Tzardom~~~~~~
--------/ 935 - 1018 \--------

The ambitions of the young Lions...​

*Tzardom is title equal to Byzantine Emperor and Frankish Emperor (after 800). Tzars are "the spiritual sons of Byzantine Emperor (who appears o be the father). The only two recognized tzardoms were Bulgarian and Russian as to became Tzardom you need recognation by Constantinopole Patriarch and Byzantine Emperor.


I used next few years to stabilize my power and to develop the new provinces. Well i developed them so I was without any occupation for a long period. You know what stupid ideas you can get while you are bored, so the best which I get is to "incorporate: Morea in my country. I don't hate them - the opposite I like them with exception for their flag.

If we speak about Morea we have to mark to things - they are orthodox and they are Greeks. With Byzantine Empire is the same, so it is not surprise for me that Byzantians declare me war again. This time I'm faster and clever - instead of sieging Constantinopole I start to seize their island provinces.

However Cyprus enter in war on the side of former Morea. They still holds Azovian provinces, which are part of my Bulgarian heritage, as Fanagoria were the ancient capital of Old Great Bulgaria. Well the most important is that Fanagoria gave profit every month, so this is good heritage as well...

Bynzaty finally reveal the ugly truth - they have older civilization, bigger navy, better diplomacy, but we are braver....our armies as well. So in the end now we poses approximately the half of Aegean islands, The East, West and North coast of Black Sea and finally we step in Asia Minor.

Byzantians aren't any military threat for us from now. The main enemy will became the glorious Abbasyd Caliphate.

Recently i work over "The Wolves" mod in order to gave orthodox countries some kind of alternative of Catholic pope. Orthodox have their Universalis Patriarch. Some countries have their own Patriarch which is subordonate to the Universalis Patriarch. But to became patriarch you need to build first bishop church, then archibishop church, and then patriarch one. However such activities are very expensive. So I need about 6-7 years to finish them. In the end you get smaller revolt risk and better tax modifier, so it worths in long term.

While my architects build churches in Balkans i send mu scouts to see if there is really shortcut to the Tang (China). However they discovered some lands, which don't looks much like China.

In the same time somewhere in the Atlantic I sent brave people....well my neibourghs which make much noise in order to discover peaceful place. They are not so dumb and manage to settle colony. Much more to built a city.

But not everything goes in my direction. The news surprise me - the Montenegrians rise in revolt. I have two choices - to gave them freedom or to suffer. I choose to gave them freedom and to sneak when they'll fall down.

It seems that Montenegro is bad social model as soon Transilvanian people seek for their freedom. I thought low taxes and not existing inflation in my country are heaven on Earth!

My country is heavily shacked by this huge changes. Who knows if we make it through....the time will show.:wacko:

 

[unmerged(59077)]

Interesting mod; as far as I can see the province density is not causing problems.

Where can I get these mods you're talking about?

 

[Dr_Quin]

Not only just Transylvania, but as well Pechenegs and Cumanians migrated in West which means in Bulgaria. I lost about 20-30 highly developed provinces with cores. So I lost as well about 300-350 profit yearly.

Soon my allies - Franks send me a message that they are in troubles - war with Austria.

At least my colonial adventure in West Africa gave good harvest. Now I'm among the main powers in Western Africa compared with Mali, Abbasyd Caliphate and Kanem Bornu.

The war with Austria get extremely well. With Franks we divide their territory into "our territories". Everything go so fast, that I can't even shot it (exposure time is not enough long)

I'm bored. This mean soon there will be war in som corner of the World. Kongo is very interesting choice for such activity....

So soon they shrink to just one province. My main goal, after getting Constantinopole is to extend my lands in Africa from coast to coast. This will cut any ambitions of south countries to extend in North and the opposite.

 

[Dr_Quin]

The mod is available for download Here , but you need to register in order to download it. However it is still very buggy and very large, because we are trying to change it.

Here you can read about some feautures in the mod.

By the way you have very interesting AAR in your signiture.

 

[Enewald]

Why have you not added the mod as a mod to the Eu3 Modding forums on these fora?