The real story of the last session crusade (long one)
Forums are up so I can finally post it here.
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All right, after reading some posts here, especially made by Slargos, I think some clarifications are in order.
First of all - nobody threaten Russia to join Crusade, this is total bull. Austria offered Russia to join and they agreed because they saw how orthodox people were suffering under tyrannical ottomans rule and because they had much to gain from the war with ottomans (could we say Crimea?
)
During 6 years before the start of Crusade Austria made every effort to keep a peace in Christdom, stoping war in Saxony and preventing hostility between Brandenburg and Bavaria, giving both Russia and Poland independence warranties when they keep complaining to Austria about hostile intentions by each other (as it turned out Russia was right when they suspected Poland of dirty play, I wish I would listen to them before relying on the honor of polish king). Emperor also managed to get France promise that they will not interfere with crusade, and in the same time after long negotiations the promise was given by Spain Emperor to support the holy struggle against infidels. Finally austrian province was freely given back to Bavaria to heal the bad blood between them and Austria, which was the result of a actions by my predecessor. And Bavaria proved that it to be trustworthy ally, fighting honorably by the Austria side in the battles to come, I would like to thank them here.
The goal of Crusade was of course to liberate Jerusalem from sultans tyranny, and to free christian population from muslim opression. Unfortunately things didn't turn out as planed. ;(
The reason for this was the treachery by two countries - France and Poland. I was told repeatedly that this game is about RP, and this is the only reason why the Austria Emperor came up with the idea of Crusade (after all why in-game Austria should care for muslim province of Jerusalem???
). So it is hard for me to understand the position of France and Poland, both deeply religious catholic countries, when they choose to side with infidels vs. fellow catholic crusaders. Surely the are in-game reasons for it, but from RP point of view as well as from historical examples this doen't make much sense. After all the France was the main participants in practically all crusades, as anybody who read anything about history of crusades should know. (and please don't tell me about Francisco's dealing with sultans, I know about it but it had nothing to do with any of crusades)
But at least France had decency enough not to backstab the countries who were actively fighting ottomans in the first row. So even while catholic France and Spain fighting their own private war while ottomans (who were obviously tipped about crusade, either by France or by Poland) were clashing with crusaders all across Austria/Ottomans border, the was still a hope for the Crusade. However the dirty betrayal of Poland was what really turned the tide of battles against christians.
Now let me make it clear - Poland was the first country that Austria contacted when it was looking for allies vs. ottomans. They immediately agreed, and they repeatedly stated that they will fully support crusade many times during the years of preparations. They were worried about northern russian neighbors, and they asked the Austria Emperor to promise that in case of Russian aggression the Austria will help Poland. The Austria's respond was to get Russia in the crusade, which was done successfully, and in addition to that Poland had the promise of the Emperor that in case Russia will backstab Poland the Austria will immediately come to its help. Which is quite ironic, considering the fact what really happened...
Again, Austria NEVER threatened any other country to join Crusade, directly or indirectly. It would go against the very spirit of Crusade, and I was trying to RP this aspect of Crusade very accuratly, beleiving that ED is indeed RP game. (For example I didn't contact Persia to try to pursue them to hit Ottomans in the back when the Crusade would start, as I would do in regular EU game, for they were not christian and therefore had no business in aiding Crusade)
All participants of Crusade were christian volunteers, ready to fight and to die for the dream of liberation of the Holy Land in the name of our Lord.
Also Austria warned all potential Crusaders that ottomans are very strong enemy, and the battle will be hard one. After all, Crusades are not for the faint of heart
)
After betrayal of Poland, when instead of attacking ottomans it choose to attack Austria, the Slargos was repeatedly asked why have he done so. He never gave any answer, other than he said that Austria missed some mystical diplomat that was send to it by Poland.
LOL what a lame excuse
Austria listened very carefully to Poland's concern and did everything it could to make sure that Poland will feel safe from Russia, when Slargos was repeatedly whining how he was afraid that big russian neighbor will attack him. Most important - Crusade was being organized during SIX YEARS (!!) between 1604 and 1610. I admit, it is possible that if Poland diplomat was send during the brief moment when 10 other countries was asking Austria about different aspects of proposed crusade, that Austrian Emperor could miss one (and no more than one) polish diplomatic later. All I can say is - DUH! Poland had SIX YEARS to settle any issues with Austria, if there were in fact any in the first place. Instead, Poland was pretending to actively support crusade all along, never voicing any type of concern, until the day when Crusade started and instead of honoring his word Slargos instead choose to send its armies to attack fellow christian Austrian, Bavarians and even Pope himself (!) in the back while they were fighting infidel Turks.
So why have Poland done this? It should be very clear to anybody. All this story of the "mystery diplomat" is either total lie, or in the best case scenario a lame excuse to hide the obvious truth. (And BTW being asked at least 5 times, even publicly in EU lobby why Poland betrayed its christian neighbors, Slargos never gave a straight answer, instead replaying some nonsense like "Austria should listen to its allies".
Yeah, right.
Notice that even here on this board he is still not telling what exactly Austria didn't listen too, as far as Poland concerned.
The truth about polish king's position is very simple and being what it is the Slargos obviously would prefer to hide it.
Slargos feel that instead of risking the war vs. strong ottomans they could instead use the opportunity and grab a province or two from neiboring Austria. Never mind that Poland repeatedly promised to join crusade. Never mind that they were siding with enemy of christdom, betraying its fellow catholics to the infidel turks. Never mind that Austria did all that Poland asked it to do, agreeing to all polish pleas concerning its neighbors. LOOKIE HERE, THERE IS A PROVINCE TO GRAB!!!
Very good roleplaying Slargos.
Frankly I wasn;t going to post here after this session, but reading some bullshit repeatedly told by Slargos I feel that I should indeed made a facts straight and stop Slargos of trying to rewrite the history while spiting lies about me. He went too far, so now he will have to live with it. Few more examples:
Slargos wrote:
Yes. Perhaps not an extremely bright move by the russian player. Apparently he was forced into it under threat of a crusade being called against him.
Another bullshit from Slargos. As I said Austria was never forcing any country including Russia into joining crusade, much less treating to call crusade vs. Russia. Just ask the russian player about it, if you are not afraid that it'll crash your little sand castle.
Slargos wrote:
Poland joined the defensive alliance and was promptly declared upon by the Russians.
Poland wished to honor the non-aggression treaty but russian troops spilled over the border before a response could be delivered.Thus, it is Poland's view that the breaker of the treaty is the grand prince and not the polish King. This outrageous behavior will be punished severely unless Russia agrees to a white peace and a free hand for Poland to mop up the Austrians in the west.
Yeah, right. Alliance to defend turks from catholcis, aye Slargos?
After promising for the six years to do just opposite? Yeah, the Polish King is very honorable indeed. It's just damn Austria and Russian monarchs who are oathbreakers, no questions about it.
Ahh, did I forget to mention the little fact that Poland said to Austria that they would like to grab some provinces from Russia later on? Want me to dig up logs of that conversation and post it here? Ooops, sorry Slargos, didn't want to let it sli...
Aldo wrote:
Slargos gave all us non-participants a brief view of what happened yesterday but I still can't say I got a good picture of the events during the session.
Well I hope this post will give all participants and non-participants of the last session a real picture what was going on.
After all, Austria was in the middle of this, being the main supporter and organizer of this Crusade, so I hope this will give all who are interested a real picture what did happen, not the Slargos's fantasies.
With best regards,
Austrian Emperor
