Dynamics of Eccentricity AAR

[DanaDark]

After reading several great AARs, I have decided I shall give my shot at it. This first post will simply be a small into and details to the game to be played.

MODs: Hafte's WWM, personalized.
Patch: 3.2b
Country: Mecklenburg. Subject to change. (Can form into new countries)
Options: All normal. Random lucky nations.

Intro: The value of a country is not simply the totality of its funds nor the extent of its borders. No, a country is valued by the quality of its people. In this AAR, I will take up different personalities for different leaders, slowly changing the shape of the country.

While I do intend to touch on some controversial topics such as religion, racism, even sexual-orientation, these topics are used solely for entertainment, not to push any underlying agenda. As well, even if I may have a bias in certain regards, which I do, I cannot control every aspect of the game, so even things I would prefer to happen may not. In these cases, I'll do my best to adequately represent both sides of the coin. It is my hope that instead of finding offense in anything, you'll instead root for a side! That being said, if you do find ANY particular detail offensive, be it a name, a line of text, etc. contact me immediately and I will do my best to rectify the problem.

This AAR will obviously not be the most realistic there has been. There are many old terms, languages, and histories I am simply not familiar with and will not make the futile attempt to even pretend I am. So, if you notice historical inaccuracies, technical inaccuracies, or even geological/topographical inaccuracies, I warned you!

Format: I will try and reduce confusion as much as I can with names and details. So, I have decided that country leaders, whenever mentions, will be in their country's color (or close as possible) and bold. The advisors and generals and such shall be in the country color but not bold. The HRE shall be in his color, bold, and italicized. I shall include pictures as appropriate, photoshoped to be scaled to show solely the relevent information.

During the course of this game, I welcome comments, suggestions, advice, and criticism. From time to time I may even ask advice on where I should steer the game.

Thank you!

 

[Brandenburg III]

Looks good. Consider me in waiting and subscribed. Good luck!

 

[DanaDark]

Game Session 1. Oct 14, 1399 to September 1, 1406.
The world has become a rather unstable place. The ideals of the past have been forgotten as leaders and countries begin to look to the future. It is no longer appropriate to stare blindly into the past, even though some few cling to it for warmth and comfort. Reality is sharp and cold; to survive, we must look to the future.

King Ulrich I of Mecklenburg knew reality. He had shaken the cold and unforgiving hand of it, and he was not afraid. Most men would buckle under such pressures, but no, not Ulrich I. Beginning on the 14th of October in 1399, Ulrich I woke to a new calling: the future.

Ulrich I: "Mr. Warncke, my trusted naval morale watched, keeper of merry time and tickler of fair women, have you found the two gentlemen that will lead our nation into greatness?" Our dear King had asked while slouched in his throne on the dim morning's dusk.
A. Warncke: Kneeling before the King, Albrecht Warncke declared, "Yes sire. They are actually brothers, the Wilcke brothers. Hagan a trader and Diederick, a military scientist specializing in land warfare." Looking up, Warncke added, "I have already issued them quarters and orders to begin their duties immediately. They are overjoyed at your majesty's most generous salary..."
Ulrich I: "Yes, I know. Salary. These brothers have made enough money today to buy their own country if need be. Our future is with them, may the grace of God shine upon us this day."

This newly found sense of future and prosperity quickly dimmed to realities ugly side: war. On June 14, 1401, Kind Eric VII of Denmark, leading both Sweden and Norway in addition to his own country, launched an assualt on Hamburg, Mecklenburg's neighbor. This war was to prove a dangerous situation, as Hamburg was part of the Empire, and surely the Emperor would not stand for foreign aggression. Emperor Zikmund I of Bohemia, our beloved Emperor, immediately went to war with Denmark. The Tuetonic Order joined the Emperor's forces as well.
Seeing that this war could cause grave problems for Mecklenburg if he sat by and did nothing, King Ulrich I chose to take moderate action. In order to further the advancement of the Empire, and to protect all of central Europe, Mecklenburg gave military access to both the Tuetonic Order and Bohemia.

H. Wilcke: "Your majesty, I am happy to report that we have managed to secure not only our home market, but that of Venice, Burgundy and France. Truly a remarkable feat within such a short time!"
Ulrich I: "Do not grow so complacent yet. We never know what to expect on the financial markets. Those awful merchant republics always have a knack for causing such trouble. I do not see how a country can function without a king ordained by God."
D. Wilcke: "I would harly call them functioning sire. You see, some people just want money in life. Riches and riches. If there was one around us, I'd suggest we immediately declare war. Luckily for our neighbors, there are none."

The time in Mecklenburg seemed to pass rather calmly, despite the Emperor's war against Denmark. This encouraged great stability throughout the Kingdom and gave King Ulrich I a sense of pride and subtle accomplishment. But he knew that peace was never something obtained and remained. He knew someday, perhaps soon, war would be knocking, and hell would break loose.

H. Wilcke: "No sire, we must indeed take up a national policy of trade promotion. Our merchants cannot get the best deals every day by mere faith. If we do not enact a policy now, we may suffer for it in the future."
D. Wilcke: "My brother has lost his head your majesty. The reality is quite simple, we must begin some form of military drill for our soldiers. You have already commissioned a large army of 4,000 infanty and 4,000 cavalry, should we not at least train them to be more useful than the common farmer?
H. Wilcke: "So we can have well trained, well fed, expensive statues? We have not seen war in years sire. While a military training drill would indeed boost the morale and affectiveness of our soldiers, we wont see any results now. With a trade policy, we can increase our trade income by 10% at least!"
Ulrich I: "Enough! I thought twins usually got along. You two seem hell bent on arguing me to my death! We will enact a military drill for our soldiers. My money will not have been wasted on glorified farmers, I need a military. Denmark is a grave threat, and no amount of merchants we have will stop them if they decide to rape and pillage their way through us."
D. Wilcke: "Your wisdom is matchless sire." Diederick gave a cold grin to his twin.
H. Wilcke: "As your wish. But when the common man can no longer afford bread, and your majesty is reduced to all but 10 harlots, remember who's wisdom you should have entrusted!" Hagan stormed out of the throne room, cursing at any that walked by.
It had become blazingly obvious to Ulrich I that the Wilcke brothers were not exactly on good terms with one another. But their small arguments hardly spelled looming disaster for Mecklenburg, and he really did enjoy their bickering.

((There was much going on throughout Europe at this time. I felt it only reasonable to focus on matters pertaining to Mecklenburg for now. Wow, my first AAR post ever... Im gonna cry. I need to practice more!)