1753 – The Hispanian Civil War (Part II)
((The event is just all the random stuff that happened between updates.))
The first battles of the war occurred at sea. The Flota Venice caught a small Austrian trade fleet unawares and managed to capture two vessels. Meanwhile, the Flota Genoa made a break for Valencia, only to encounter a tiny French fleet. It easily crushed it, but the fleet was slowed down. The Flota Genoa just barely made it to Valencia before the Grande Armada arrived and blockaded the capital.
Over in Anatolia, the Byzantine army continued to clean up the pesky rebels bit by bit.
In Italy, both the Phoenixes and Imperials made a move. The Phoenixes sent the Exercit Firenze under Blanco to take Umbria, with the Exercit Provence securing parts of Northern Italy. The Austrian army floated about the region, securing provinces. As for the Imperials, the Exercit Napoli under Crown Prince Francesc marched on the vulnerable Sicily.
Over in Iberia, Montségur and Villanova attempted to catch Leon in Madrid, but the general safely retreated to his home, just out of reach of the Phoenixes. Thwarted in their attempted attack, the Phoenixes marched south to test the fort at Granada, especially after wind of a massive French army somewhere in the Pyrenees surfaced. Men were also spotted on both sides being recruited for the nearby Exercit Madrids.
The Greeks secured another victory against a rebel force in Anatolia. It seemed that time favoured the Crown as it gathered men and resources to use against the rebels. As for Pausanias, he made the decision to secure the straits before moving onto Constantinople, focusing on the Anatolian side.
In mid-June, the Exercit Athens was spotted in Sevilla, just out of reach of the Phoenix forces. The Exercit Jerusalem then showed up in Libya, occupying parts of North Africa. This was countered by the appearance of the Exercit Africa in Morocco.
By July, all of Sicily had been taken by the Imperials. The loss of their leader’s home was certain to have a demoralizing effect on the Phoenixes. A few days later, Austria managed to capture Rome, followed by the Exercit Firenze taking Umbria. The way to Napoli was now open. Thankfully for the Imperials, the court had moved to Sardinia months ago, a much safer location.
A Phoenix gambit was revealed in August as a single regiment took Natal in South Africa from the Imperials. With the region completely undefended, this single regiment could freely take provinces as it pleased.
The Greeks eliminated a rebel force in Syria, one less threat to the throne. The rebellion was losing momentum as the rebels moved slowly and allowed the Basileus to gather his forces and pick them off one by one.
France attempted to make a push into Austria, but the Austrian forces in Italy intervened. Despite a further 30k men arriving for the French, the Austrian numbers were too great and the assistance of the Exercit Provence kept them from breaking through. The French were pushed back, although both sides suffered large numbers of casualties.
The Imperials made a massive move on Iberia near the end of the summer. Three separate armies appeared in northern Aragon and started occupying provinces. Valencia was soon under siege. With the Imperials having greater numbers, and the French army lingering somewhere up north, Montségur had no choice but to remain in Granada and hold a defensive position as Aragon was slowly retaken.
In international news, the recent conquests by Sweden had inspired a change in the nation. In September, the king of Sweden proclaimed himself king of Scandinavia, a new nation born from the old one. As to what this change entailed, no one was certain.
It seemed that things were completely opposite in Iberia compared to Italy. The Imperials had the superior numbers in Iberia and had Montségur and Villanova trapped down south. The Phoenixes had managed to take all of Northern Italy and the fort in Napoli was the only thing keeping them from the south. In Africa, the Exercit Africa moved on Ceuta, while the Exercit Jerusalem disappeared for a bit, only to show up in Iberia to aid the capture of Aragon.
The French made a poor choice as they attempted to attack an Austrian army of equal size with another Austrian army right next door. Predictably, things did not go well for them. Their army was crushed and forced to retreat as the Austrians casually resumed their siege.
In Asia, Ming caved in to their western enemies. They ceded several provinces to Delhi, and one to Bengal. A few neighbours had their lands returned, and Xi was set free. Ming was crumbling.
Ethiopia lost land to Kaffa, another shift in the region.
The Greeks had mostly secured Anatolia with the elimination of another army.
As the year neared its end, there was no clear winner yet. Someone needed to force a victory or see Hispania descend further into chaos.
((That was an incredibly frustrating playthrough. The game crashed once when sending out a diplomat, and then my laptop crashed right before the end of the year and the checksum changed for some untold reason. The quicker this coup ends, the happier I’ll be.
I realize there are no really decent maps here, but they shall be shared in the private chats. I’ve also decided to implement a few changes. From now on, any province captured that is not still protected by a fort will defect to the occupying side after the turn ends. So, for example, Northern Italy is now Austrian (as promised by alscon), Umbria belongs to the Phoenixes, parts of Africa shall change hands, while Sicily is now Imperial. Also, I’m introducing ways to end this war more quickly, if pulled off successfully. If the army that Montségur leads is stackwiped, he is considered captured and the coup dies with him. If the Imperial capital is taken, the Emperor is captured and the coup succeeds. A note to the Imperials, I will not allow you to move the capital around willy-nilly. It must remain in Europe and I must be told that it is moving ahead of time. If there is an enemy army in the province, it cannot be moved.
Anyway, orders should be sent in by
Wednesday at 12PM PST. The Asian armies and navies, as well as the nearby colonies, are now up for grabs. We have two armies of 32k men each, a transport fleet, the Colonial Armada, and a few trade fleets.))