Four little fish in a very big pond.

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Lord and ladies, friends, romans, countrymen and other assorted readers of distinction. You are hereby invited to my first EU II AAR. In this particular game, I will be rotating play between four different countries: a most novel concept, I sure you'll agree.

I'm playing the game here with minor nations : that's if a man and a dog might be considered as a minor nation. Each country is run for five years before the next takes over and the AI is left to deal with the 15 years whilst I am otherwise engaged.

The only setting I can remember is Very Hard: AI agressiveness normal.

To be honest, I've already started the game so the AAR will begin with Prussia in 1474.

So enough of the formalites, I will begin with a brief summary of Prussia as I left them in 1459.

Technological development was respectable but monthly income was pitiful. Both my existing provinces were still under my control although they also both suffer from cultural difference penalties. Trading income provides a very important supplement to this to bring monthly income to 4.8D per month.

Diplomatically, we are allied with Poland, Lithuania, Bremen and Pommern. While a strong defensive alliance, they're also a little too aggressive which I found out last time I went back there and found us at war with Pskov and Naples and a small fleet of ships scattered around Europe - of which I managed to get two transports back home safely. They also had debts of 200D which I was forced to renew but left them with 220D in case the AI decided to repay the loan.

One of my biggest concerns with the alliance is that Poland or Lithuania will try their hardest to diplomatically annex them while I'm not there. I'll see how this particular problem pans out.

One other little problem I left them with was a war with Muscovy. I don't have any great concerns that Prussia is under threat since my standing army of 25000 infantry and 2500 cavalry should be enough. The biggest problems are that

a) All that money I saved to pay of the debt will be spent on more troops that my income can ill afford to support.

b) the continuing alliance makes the threat of diplo-annex greater.

The only benefit from wars - and it was Prussia who declared war on Muscovy - is the extra bonus I can pull from war taxes.

Our maps are slightly better than when they started owing to the fact that I was leading the siege of Naples and got their maps (including some of the Indian coasline) when the capital fell. Hopefully, the AI might also use the opportunity to bring those troops back home.

Anyway, we'll shortly find out.

 

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hmm This should be interesting.. *looks for the subscribe thread button* lol

 

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Well let’s start with the good news: we have repaid the loan and still have control of Memel and Prussia. Our navy is nicely tucked away in port and we seem to have built a couple of warships to add to the two transports that we had. Unfortunately, the AI obviously decided to fight against Muscovy and now we have no armies.

Our alliance has changed dramatically and is hardly ideal: Denmark, Bremen, Hessen, Munster and Kleves. Apart from Denmark’s control of Kurland to the north, our neighbours, Poland and Lithuania are in an alliance with Pommern and Saxony. Our own alliance ends in 1482 so there’s little prospect for grabbing any land.

Plenty of wars still going on with the most interesting being Portugal against Makassar, Mallaca and Brunei. I smell some burning trade posts. The most interesting European war is between the English alliance (Burgundy, Gelre and Aragon) against Scotland, Auvergne, Bourbonnais, Genoa and Navarra. England have two provinces under control of Bourbonnais and Navarra respectively, Aragon have captured both Scottish province but have lost two to Navarra and one to Genoa, and Burgundy has two provinces controlled by Genoa.

Technology is developing well with Land and Naval Tech at 3, Trade at 2 and Infrastructure at 3

January brings a flurry of diplomatic news are Aden agree to become vassals of the Mameluks and solitary Ireland declare war on Scotland who took a battering from England early in the game. France and Genoa support Scotland with Bourbonnais agreeing to join the war a few days after dishonouring the alliance

February arrives and our income is down due to lack of trade activity. Merchants are sent to Veneto, Liguria and Tago although only the latter is successful. It will repay the investment of all three in less than three years.

On the domestic policy sliders we shift towards centralisation (Now at 0). Investments are shifted to trade.

Our next objective is to rebuild our armies in case of war. 4000 troops are raised in Prussia.

In August, Burgundy agree peace with Genoa ceding the province of Holland and Cyprus agree to become vassals of Venice.

In September, Portugal agree peace with Malacca paying 34D in indemnities.

By then end of the year, we have reinstated the most important marriages in Europe and are able to agree an exchange of maps with Sweden gaining knowledge of northern provinces and sea routes.

In August 1475, Lithuania suffer a crushing defeat at the hands of Muscovy being forced to cede Livland, Tula and Welikia to the Muscovites. Moscow’s star it most clearly in the ascendant and now border our alliance partners Denmark to our north. Who will they go for next? Three days later, Saxony cancels it’s vassal status to Poland.

In the following month, England receive 158D from Scotland in indemnities and Aragon hands back control of Strathclyde and Lothian but receives its Spanish provinces back from Navarra. The English alliance is now free to battle against Genoa while their allies Burgundy fight the remainder of the Genoese alliance.

In February 1476, Tuscany (Bavaria, Siena, Muscovy and Bohemia) look to take advantage of Genoa’s apparent plight and declare war. France, Scotland, Auvergne, Bourbonnais all support Genoa. We shall soon see.

In August of the same year, rebels in Iraq pledge allegiance to Aden. Our maps now extend to the province of Yemen.

In the following month, our land technology improves to level 4. Our commanders now work on methods of hurling our soldiers at fortifications. We agree to free trade with Poland while news from the east reports that the Hedjaz have agreed to become vassals of Ak Koyunlu.

In October, an ambassador from Castile arrives to inform us that they wish to be known now as the kingdom of Spain.

In November, Poland annexes Pommern gaining the provinces of Vorpommern, Hinterpommern and Magdeburg and stretching west right up to the borders of our other allies. I fear there may be war on the horizon. Poland’s first troop movements are to leave their western borders and move east.

In December, fresh from a rather fruitless campaign against Algeria, Morocco turns on the nation of Songhai.

In the first month of 1477, Aragon agrees to become vassals of Spain.

On February 19th, 1477, Martin Truchsess von Wetzhausen becomes our new Duke. He is a little more capable than the previous incumbent.

Later in the year, we sign trade agreements with France and Lithuania to protect our trade position while I am absent.

In November, war breaks out again in the east as Ak Koyunlu declares against the Timurid Empire and are supported by the Golden Horde

In February, 1478, Sweden announce that they will guarantee the independence of Prussia. A fine and noble gesture and one that we look forward to them honouring over the coming years should the need arise.

In March, England agree to pay 200D to Genoa in return for peace. Meanwhile, in Italy, Genoa has already taken the city of Florence and Siena now lies at their mercy. However, in the east, news is bad for them as rebels, formerly from Polish held Azov, have successfully captured three isolated provinces of Azov, Crimea and Kaffa and have Kerch under siege. Perhaps they plan to establish an independent nation for themselves.

As the new year dawns, and my short period in Prussia ends, we see that France now controls all of Eire’s former provinces. Perhaps it may have been a little rash of Eire to try to take advantage of Scotland’s temporary vulnerability.

News arrives from Spain that Isabel and Fernando will now rule as rule monarchs of the nation and Bohemia follows Sweden’s lead in guaranteeing our independence. Both may be useful allies if Poland should attempt to step too far.

As I leave Prussia our army has been increased up to 10000 foot and 1000 cavalry. Our income is now a little more respectable at 6.2D per month and we are on the verge of technology advances to Naval Tech 4 and Trade Tech 3. Treasury is a mere 17D owing to the need to rebuild our army but partly also for sending merchants.

Still, on victory points we have 369 putting us in 10th place and less than 100 behind leaders England on 464.

Now to….

Nah! I’ll let it be a surprise.

 

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Time for a trip to the dark continent where we shall now follow the fortunes of Zimbabwe. It is a land-locked country comprising five provinces and with no contact with any other nation except knowledge of the local centre of trade in Zanzibar. Technology advancement is sloth-like and the only good point going for the nation is a gold province yielding a respectable income.

And as at 1464, that was basically the position of Zimbabwe. They had Level 1 tech in Land, Naval, Trade and Infrastructure. Monthly income was 14.2D of which over 60% came from gold. They had a standing army of 11500 foot and 500 horse, and treasury of 371D with little to spend this on. Barring any unforeseen developments, my next objective is to reach Infra 2 and build a fine arts centre in Zimbabwe.

On arriving back, I find everything as I left it apart from there being only 171D in treasury and a loan has been taken out. Perhaps the fine arts centre was a little too much like wishful thinking. Never mind, make another move to centralisation (Now at –2) ensuring an immediate increase in infrastructure to Level 2. Now to pay off that obscene loan that we do not need.

In 1480 we get a new tribal chief in Mavura I. He appears to be as effective as the previous one, which is to say, not a lot. Unfortunately, our witchdoctors are powerless to prevent him being taken by evil spirits and Mukombero replaces him the following year and he orders the loan to be repaid.

The new king is even less fortunate having a powerful force of competing chiefs rise up against his rule (OOC: Nobles ally against King). The chief chooses to deal harshly with the rebel leaders (-4 stability, +4 revolt risk for 36 months, two revolts in Zimbabwe and one in Rozwi, Arist –1, Central +1 ). Forces are raised in our other provinces while those in Zimbabwe are forced to flee from the uprising being outnumbered by some 3 to 1. Another uprising occurs in Nembire in July of the same year as our gold mines are closed down by the rebels in Zimbabwe. The rebels in Rozwi are defeated in October and Zimbabwe is cleared by the end of November.

However, we are less fortunate with the rebels in Nembire and the city is taken in March before relief can arrive. When it does, our warriors are soundly defeated. In August 1482, both Sofala and Rozwi rise up. We defeat the rebels in Sofala but are once again beaten by the rebels in Nembire. Our forces race towards Rozwi to relieve the town but are beaten back by the new rebel forces as more troops are raised in Sofala.

In March 1483 we get peasant unrest (+3 revolt risk, ) and a revolt in Nembire. But finally in April we can relieve Rozwi and march on Nembire to defeat the new rebels and recapture the town.

By the time it comes to save the game, Nembire is still held by rebel forces and the revolt risk in the two neighbouring provinces is, partly due to this fact, at 3%. I can only hope that the AI can deal with the rebel situation while it lasts (three more months) without having to resort to borrowing money when it does not need to. As it happens, we now have a slightly larger army than before with around 2000 cavalry. Furthermore, we still have more money than we started with, finishing the round with 66D.

All the same, a rather bad time to play Zimbabwe and I would have much preferred the more usual one of the “Your stability has dropped/Your stability has increased” variety. If asked to decide whether I made the correct choice with the nobles event, I'm still a little uncertain. The alternative now doesn't seem so bad but the main reason was that I wanted both of the domestic policy sliders to move as they did rather than in the opposite direction. I think I was just unlucky with the second event that stuck every province on +7 revolt risk just from events.

I’ll now pop off and see how my next nation is progressing without my wise direction to guide them.

 

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We now visit the plains of North America to see how the Dakota tribe are doing. Like Zimbabwe, this country is land-locked except we know of several other tribes. Relations with all the other tribes are good and we have an alliance with the Shawnee which may well lead to war with the Iroquois and Lenape at some stage.

If Zimbabwe’s tech development was sloth-like, these boys have a sloth on morphine. They have Level 1 in our four categories but level 2 is a pipe-dream with 32000D needed for Land or Naval tech 2.

One advantage of the Dakota is that I get to colonise the lakes area. Although a significant drain on income, I consider this a serious long term investment and a strategic one. Typically, a level 1 colony will repay the initial investment over a period of nearly 100 years. But growth rates are good and my 7 existing colonies are gradually moving towards becoming level 2 colonies. Strategically they are important because they create a buffer for my capital for when the explorers arrive while also providing supplies for my braves in case of war.

Partly because of this and the relatively low (6.0D per month) income, I had few available funds with just 67D left in treasury when I left it 15 years ago. Our armies number just 8018 foot.

I arrive back and everything is as I left it. Treasury funds are up to 325D so we can use this to colonise the remaining empty lands.

First actions though are to move domestic sliders towards Centralisation (to –2), and to send personal letters to Shawnee (+158) and Huron (+168). Colonists are sent to Michilimakinak and Nipigon.

Did I mention earlier that there might be some threat of war? Well guess what happened on 5th January. Being noble and brave as we are, we support the Shawnee against the aggressive Iroquois tribes and their Huron allies. It is at this time that I notice we have made contact with the Lenape tribe and I offer them a place in our alliance, which they sadly reject. Perhaps we should offer to draw closer with a marriage before trying to make another attempt. In the meantime, Shawnee would do well to offer us an exchange of maps – we already have military access.

In February, Lenape agree to a royal marriage but our supposed allies in Shawnee refuse to share explorations with us thus hindering any attempts we might make to help them in their war. Well let us wait and look to defend our own colonies first. The prospect of capturing either the Iroquois or Huron capital look fraught with danger as access to either is restrictive and both are surrounded by an unknown number of their own provinces from which they may launch continual raids to relieve any siege.

A quick look at the archive shows wars amongst the southern Indian tribes while my other nations are at peace. Prussia is now part of the Poland-Lithuania alliance. I don’t know if that’s a or a

In June we send another letter to Shawnee (+161) and continue to mass troops on the border with Shawnee ready to move against the Iroquois and Huron invaders. No doubt once the AI gets control of Dakota again it’ll be asking itself what the HI did with all that money it had saved up carefully..

Once I reach 17000 troops in Fox, I decide to stop building. Although we lack any knowledge of Iroquois or Huron troops, I am confident that this will serve my immediate defensive needs. Shawnee already has 14000 troops on the Iroquois border but they are no signs of combat yet.

Another letter is sent to Shawnee in December (+165).

In March 1485, stability returns to +3 and investments are concentrated on Infrastructure where our next level is expected to arrive in just another 100 years

In June 1485, Shawnee again refuse to share their explorations with us. For me this is definitely a Casus Belli but unfortunately the game will not grant me this. They had better just wait for the next border dispute or diplomatic insult.

In September, our villagers sight a meteor (-1 stab).

Another letter is sent to Shawnee in December (+173) and the diplomatic offensive continues in June 1486 with another letter (+178)

In August, the population of Milwaukee reaches 200 and our annual income makes another dramatic leap of 0.9D

In November, foreign trade competition brings us demands to impose tariffs. We agree to these requests (Mercantilism +1).

At long last, on February 1487, a white peace is agreed between Iroquois and Shawnee without a scalp taken on either side. The only significant impact of this war has been to increase our own armies to 17000 and those of our allies and neighbours, Shawnee to 29000.

With the war concluded, we decide to send a group of colonists to Superior province. The attempt was a failure.

By July of the same year, stability has recovered to maximum and our warrior forces have returned to Mesabi to protect the core provinces.

In November 1487, we reinstate our tribal links with the Iroquois tribe.

In January 1488, another party of Indian settlers are sent to Nipissing on the border with the Huron tribe but this too is an expensive failure.

In May, poor government policies harm our technological "advancement" and harm our stability. We lose approximately half of the recent investments in trade and infrastructure which I had overseen.

My last move was to reinstate the tribal marriage between the Dakotas and the Hurons (+181)

At the end of the five years, my biggest achievement has been to bring forward Land and Naval tech advances, through domestic slider changes, by over 7 years to 1813 and 1824 respectively. By 1529, I can confidently predict that we will be estimating our land tech advancement to level 2 to before 1800

Other notable achievements have been to spend a lot of money and to extend our colonial empire by two provinces. I confidently expect that at least two, and possibly five, of my earlier colonies will have reached 200 population when I return.

Monthly income has soared to 6.3D (an increase of 5%) although this would be higher if we were at maximum stability. In fifteen years this may even exceed 7.0D!!

Oh well, a rather tedious little five year period. Perhaps we might have seen some Spaniards by the time I return although I’m not sure if I’ll know whether they have or not.

And my victory point total has risen now to 189 placing me a respectable 69th in the world league.

 

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We now turn our next five years to the cold Himalayan plateau which is Tibet. When I last left them we were without alliance but had recently gained two provinces from China as the middle kingdom fought wars on practically every front. It was a war I found myself with and was simply taken as an opportunity for a quick gain. As it was, both provinces (Qinghai and Qilian Pendi) were Muslim so would need to be converted for long term gain.

Technology is more advanced than either Dakota or Zimbabwe but still significantly more difficult that Prussia. They had reached both trade and infrastructure technology of 2 and were almost 90% of the way to reaching land tech 2. On the assumption that, the latter has been reached, it will be interesting to see whether or not money (131D in treasury) has been spent to convert the muslim provinces or to upgrade fortifications.

Monthly income is a respectable 12.1D with over half of this coming from trade in Delhi, Malacca and Kyoto.

Finally, we received a goods manufactory in my previous turn so things were certainly looking good for Tibet when I last popped in for a visit………..



I return to find much good news. Treasury is down to 98D but I can assume this may have been in part due to revolts in our Muslim territories which we still possess and have not yet converted. Revolt risk is now down to 2% but we have also acquired the province of Xinjiang which is Buddhist. Since this has a revolt risk of 0%, I can only assume that the provinces defected to Tibet since I was last here.

Next piece of good news is that we have an alliance with Assam and they are our vassals and have been so for eight years. Relations with them are +200 so our main objective for this period will be to attempt to annex them diplomatically. The one major fly in the ointment is that they have their independence guaranteed by Vientiane and Ayutthaya whose alliance with Dai Viet now appears to control almost all of South East Asia.

Finally, we appear to have inherited another manufactory (weapons) in our new provinces of Qinghai.

Our first moves are to promote a tax collector in Xinjiang and to raise 2000 foot and 1000 cavalry to inprove the defences in the nationalist provinces to the north. We also move the centralisation slider towards centralisation (-3).

Throughout the rest of the year, we reinstate Royal Marriages with our fellow Buddhist nations of Dai Viet, Ayutthaya and Vientiane while raising troops in Lhasa bound for Assam. Our plan is to offer full membership of the Tibetan enlightened brotherhood and then gain admittance into the Ayutthaya alliance.

Early in 1490, we sign trade agreements with all three members of the alliance.

In August 1490, our stability returns to maximum while news from the south reports that Bengal have captured the Ayutthaya province of Mandalay. It will be interesting to see if our potential allies would like us to support them in this war from the north. Bengal’s fortresses are generally stronger than our own but most of their armies are concentrated against their other enemies and an opportunist strike could well yield dividends. We continue, in the meantime, to raise more troops in our core provinces.

In December 1490, we gain army reformations bringing forward our next advance in land technology by three years.

We are slightly saddened to hear news of a peace being agreed between Arakan and Ayutthaya with indemnities paid from the latter to the former. Since this ends the war with Bengal, there is little chance that we will be able to take advantage of their troop placement and must continue with our goal of annexing Assam.

In April 1491, we gain a diplomat willing to travel to Assam to proffer our generous hand of friendship and union. However, we opt to wait for a while in order for further diplomats to be available to send to Ayutthaya at the same time.

In the intervening period we manage to expand our trade positions in Delhi and Malacca, bringing, between them, an additional monthly income of approximately 2D.

In March 1493, heretics in Qinghai province stir up revolt amongst the peasants. Reinforcements from Lhasa are able to bring the province to order.

At long last, in July of the same year, our troops are placed on the Assam border and our generous offer is put forward. The foolish headstrong leaders reject our offer out of hand and cancel their vassal status with us. We decide to offer them a royal marriage which they accept. Nonetheless, our relations have been damaged somewhat (+165).

And as this was my last action in the five years, it ended on a disappointing note and the work of the AI was largely undone. My achievements were solely related to improving the army, from around 7000 to 20000, and in increasing monthly income by over 25% to 15.6D. With victory points now at 271, Tibet is in 35th place: an achievement which I may have as much to thank the AI for as from my own efforts..

But there’s always next time. Now it’s back to Prussia….

 

[Carolus Rex]

Nice.
Please continue.

 

[Dexmach]

This is a very interesting experiment.
Keep upthe good work

 

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Split personality

I can't wait to evaluate the impact of 4 different nations on your psyche Keep it up!

 

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Re: Split personality

Originally posted by Mimir
I can't wait to evaluate the impact of 4 different nations on your psyche Keep it up!

I am very confused

Prussia's next update is on the way

 

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Prussia 1494-98

Prussia, Jan 1, 1494

The first thing I notice on returning to Prussia is that they have built up the army a little by adding cavalry to number little over 10000 infantry and 5000 cavalry.

Diplomatically, we are in an alliance with Lithuania, Denmark, Oldenburg and Mainz and have agreed to become vassals of Lithuania. Our first moves are to cancel our vassal status with Lithuania and restore many former royal marriages with France, England, Poland, Hungary and Austria.

Our merchants have lost much of the valuable trade in Tago and Veneto and only have little in our local trading centres. Tedious work, but I’ll have to make sure that this position is improved.

Technology improvements have given us increases in Land, Naval and Trade and resources are directed to Infrastructure to allow us to promote legal counsels.

To the west, the earlier wars have ended and the biggest gains have been for France who have grabbed three provinces in Ireland, two in Brittany, both from Bourbonnais and one from Auvergne. The only minor country left now in France and the Lowlands is Gelre who have also annexed Luxembourg. Genoa have expanded their lands gaining Firenze and retaining Holland but have lost Kaffa in the east to the newly formed Crimean nation. The knights hospitallers have now moved to Malta.

Muscovy maintains its large eastern empire and has changed its name to Russia. It now holds two centres of trade in Novgorod and Moscow and already has two manufactories. The only other nation to own one, as far as I can see, is Bavaria.

My arrival in Prussia is swiftly greeted by letters from Russia and Sweden guaranteeing our independence: my sentiments entirely.

Shortly after, word arrives that the Ottoman empire has declared war on Georgia who are nobly, but foolishly, supported by their allies Byzantium.

When financial information arrives in February, I see the pitiful state which I have inherited. Military maintenance now is nearly 20% of our income while trading income has fallen by over 50%.

Domestic policy is reviewed in March where I notice slight shifts towards narrowmindedness, offensive policy and troop quality. Innovation is encouraged to improve our lead in technology (slider back to 0).

Rumours also reach us from the west that Spain is colonising some regions called Puerto Rico and Honduras while Portugal seems keen on taking a provinces known as Tiracambu.

By October, we have regained maximum stability but our first mercantile venture to Tago is not a success.

A Spanish envoy arrives in November to inform us that Spain has declared war on the Maya nation. I don’t suppose that they will tell us where this nation is. It does however appear that they have found many lands across the seas and more settlers are seen heading towards regions called Everglades and Mazatlan.

1495 brings in a little income to supplement our meagre treasury as a further attempt to expand our trade in Tago meets with failure. Our merchant does bring news that Portugal are now sending settlers to Parnaiba. We agree to a royal marriage with Portugal to help us gather more news on these colonial ventures.

In February, our naval commanders report that we have improved our technology (Level 5).

In September, Luxembourg declares its independence from Gelre and it’s declaration of war breaks up the French alliance. Spain quickly agree to join the Anglo-Iberian alliance while France, not unexpectedly, forms a new alliance with Scotland. The French alliance is quickly joined by Gelre, Bremen, Genoa and Eire.

As the new year dawns, we issue a sudden declaration of war on Saxony setting us on collision course with Poland whose forces are scattered across Germany. Only Lithuania agree to join the war on our side giving us a strong ally. We raise a loan a recruit 4000 men in Memel while our armies march on Danzig. Denmark then treacherously join the war on the side of Saxony.

In February, Austria’s envoy reports that their alliance with Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia, have declared war on the Ottoman Empire.

The first Polish troops arrive in Prussia by March as Lithuania besieges the danish province of Kurland. A second Lithuanian force is defeated by combined Polish and Saxony forces in Mazovia

In May, we receive a direct investment in our land technology of 250D. A very timely gift.

Austria’s war with the Ottoman empire ends early in August with indemnities paid to the heathen Turks. The Ottoman empire were to have little opportunity for peace as Genoa and the French alliance declare war two months later.

In September we are betrayed by our Lithuanian allies who agree peace with Saxony for a mere 8D. Now we are in grave danger over being overwhelmed by the Polish forces in Prussia.

November sees combat in Danzig as a large Polish force attempts to relieve the city. After a hard fought battle, we succeed in defeating them but not before we have suffered grave losses ourselves. Fortunately, the siege can be maintained. November also brings news that we have occupied Kurland but without sufficient men to mount a full siege. Reinforcements are sent from Memel. A full siege is completed in December as a small Danish force is defeated in battle in the province.

As 1497 arrives, Lithuania decide to declare war on the Ottoman Empire. They ask us to support them and we foolishly agree. February brings another small battle in Kurland where Danish forces are defeated. At the same time, another battle in Danzig sees a fine victory against Poland as our 11000 men defeat a force of 19000. However, we are unable to maintain the siege and our forces retreat back to Memel after evading the Polish/Saxony siege force in Prussia. In April, Saxony offers us peace for 25D and we decide to accept as the walls in Prussia are weakening. It has been a costly, and ultimately fruitless war for us. We can be thankful that we still retain control of our core provinces but it has been a bitter lesson for us.

Our thoughts turn now to increasing our income and paying of our debts. After four merchants are sent, we succeed in gaining a foothold in the rich Tago trading centre.. Our merchant is forced out of business within a month.

Friedrich von Meissen rises to become the new Duke of and sees a sad picture of poverty and weakness. He agrees to put all investments to treasury in order to repay our loan.

Poland have meanwhile turned their thoughts to Bohemia and a declaration of war is sent with Poland, Denmark, Saxony and Bremen against Bohemia, Hungary, Austria, Croatia and Mainz. Venice sees their own chance and declares war on Hungary and are supported by their allies who include Sweden, Bavaria and Helvetia.

In July, our military experts report an advance in our land technology (level 6) and begin working on field artillery.

In August we lose a merchant fro Danzig which causes much unhappiness amongst them. Valuable investments are looted as merchants across Prussia rise in protest for better protection (Unhappiness amongst merchants: -200D from trade).

As the new year arrives, von Meissen relieves me of my responsibilities to the state. “Five years of gross mismanagement and neglect”, he declares, “must now come to an end”. I do not expect my replacement to fare any better. Indeed, I fear that he may send our armies off south to fight against Turkey. Rest assured that I will return once the Duke has gone and I will no doubt have much to repair when I do so.

 

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Zimbabwe1499-1503 and Dakota1504-1508

I return to Zimbabwe to find our former rebel province under control again while our armies have been swelled by 15000 infantry. Treasury funds have increased to 156D and both land and trade technology have reach level 2. Furthermore, our gold province of Zimbabwe has had its fortifications expanded and a weapons manufactory has appeared in Chibuene.

Moving first to domestic policy we continue the drift towards centralisation (to 0).

Nothing happens for a year while we save to build fortifications in Chibuene to protect better our manufactory. In March 1550 the necessary funds are available and the work proceeds.

OOC: I also notice at this time that Prussia has made peace with the Ottomans. Hopefully they did this before they marched their armies across Lithuania.

In August 1501, our merchants become unhappy that they are only allowed to travel to Zanzibar and not to richer centres of trade. I suggest to them that it might be helpful if they find other places to trade but they are not to be so easily appeased. (-200 to trade or 3 years’ worth )

Fortifications in Sofala are later expanded in Janaury 1503.

So after a brief and uninteresting five years I’m off to Dakota.


****************

Like Zimbabwe, Dakota have taken the opportunity of raising more troops in my absence. We now have 24000 scattered around our provinces. Treasury funds are now up to 260D so I believe some more colonisation is on the cards. The only small disappointment is that we are at +2 stability.

Getting down to work we continue again our trend towards centralisation which has fallen back in my absence (back to –2). Colonists are sent to the last remaining empty provinces of Superior and Nipissing.

Also in my absence, both Fox and Wisconsin have passed the 200 population threshold with Sault, Oskosh and Missouri on the verge of expanding to the same level.

In February 1504, we notice that we have a Casus Belli against Shawnee. Since our current alliance will expire in three years time, we will have six months to exercise this. The choice is clear, we shall prepare for war in the meantime and then join the Iroquois alliance before crushing the Shawnee, gaining their maps and territory into the bargain.

Preparations begin in earnest with troops raised and money diverted to raise yet more.

By May, we here of the success in our two colonisation attempts. We have now nowhere left to colonise so must look to the upcoming campaign against Shawnee to resolve this problem.

By the end of the year, we have 33000 braves on the northern border of Shawnee in the provinces of Detroit and Michilimakinak. These outnumber known Shawnee warriors of 28000 although one of their provinces remains hidden from us.

In April 1505, certain Dakota princes agree to by land from us in our new colonies and in the province of Duluth. The additional 100D will provided much needed impetus to the recruitment effort. (OOC: Sale of offices costing –1 tax value in Duluth and +3 inflation)

In April of the following year, a further 16000 troops have now gathered into Fox and, from these, 10000 troops march into Miamis to demonstrate our support for the Shawnee alliance by our willingness to offer our warriors for their defence. Quite by chance, some of our warriors also make careful plans of the Shawnee defenses which are no better than the small barricades that defend our villages. A further 9800 then repeat this by marching into Hindua provinces. The Shawnee tribe will doubtless pay for whatever it was they did to wrong us.

In September of the same year, our stability increases to +3. It will probably not remain there when we declare war. A small matter of common pagan beliefs and a royal marriage will no doubt upset the people when we go to war. No doubt in eagerness to prove themselves in battle, a further 5000 men present themselves in Superior. (OOC;: Enthusiasm for the army )

As 1507 arrives, we have 66000 warriors poised to destroy Shawnee. Finally the day arrives and when our alliance expires on February 7th. Our troops on the border march towards Hindua as our official diplomat is sent to deliver the declaration of hostilities. Quite astoundingly, the Shawnee chief responds that, since they are offering us military access, we cannot declare war. A somewhat bemused diplomat returns emptyhanded.

Rather confused at this minor problem, we instead agree to reform our alliance and then declare war on the Iroquois. (OOC: that maintenance cost was killing me so I thought it better to use it to kill someone else. With the stability drop, our costs were over 85% of income).

By May, Onondaga, Irondekoit and Mohawk are all besieged and two hastily conscripted Iroquois armies are defeated. We have yet to see their main army. This arrives in Mohawk in August and is barely defeated. Another 12000 strong army arrives in the same province in September and we once again survive. Reinforcements are rushed through Shawnee provinces to maintain the siege.

Luck turns against us as a small force breaks the siege in Onondaga. More forces are diverted to drive the defenders away and recommence the siege in December.

In January 1508 a large Iroquois force of 19000 attacks our siege in Mohawk as the city walls weaken. Once again we win a heroic victory and continue to besiege their capital. Reinforcements are rushed from Irondekoit.

We are then hit by a wave of heretical talk believed to originate from Iroquois who have met strange white men from across the great water. Some are even said to believe wild talk of there being only one god and of no such place as the Happy Hunting Grounds. Efforts to suppress the talk only succeeds in provoke unrest (Wave of Obscurantism : +3 revolt risk)

The Iroquois continue to attack us in Mohawk but the siege continues. Finally, Irondekoit falls in April and the Iroquois offer 350D for peace. Now we have some idea how much money they have to spare. Shortly after, Mohawk falls and we gain maps of more lands towards the oceans. Amongst these we see all of the Huron lands, some Creek lands to the south, one English trade post in Chesapeake and a few empty provinces near the Iroquois.

We now can also see the Iroquois armies which still number over 23000 to our 28000 in their lands.

Our armies then move to capture other Iroquois provinces before the year is out. Onondaga falls to our forces after a long siege and Shenandoah is occupied and besieged. However, an Iroquois army defeats our own in Mohawk and drives them towards Irondekoit. They then lay siege to their capital and it takes two attempts before we occupy the capital again by October.

In November, we besiege Oswego before a conscript force is swiftly beaten away. By late December, it is clear that we must make peace with the Iroquois. However, they reject our generous offer to take only Irondekoit and Onondaga. Very well, the sieges will continue.

I leave Dakota in the balance. Stability is still low and revolt risk is present in our home provinces. Three Iroquois provinces have been captured and two other are under siege. However, our armies in Iroquois territories number just 22000 against 26000 Iroquois warriors. We still own 4 provinces, 6 level 2 colonies and 5 level 1 colonies. Victory points are now 258 putting Dakota in 64th place. Let us hope that the peace resolution will help to add a few more.

I fear that our strong bargaining position with the Iroquois will be lost when my successor takes the reigns. But at least I have a few more maps and know where other nations are. That and knowing what it takes to mount a serious invasion in this part of the world.

 

[Carolus Rex]

In a way this reminds me of Storey's game the Alliance.

 

[unmerged(6777)]

This is turning out to be a very interesting game. I like the regionally diverse nations you've chosen and I'm entertained by wour writing. Keep up the good work!

 

[unmerged(3525)]

Originally posted by Carolus Rex
In a way this reminds me of Storey's game the Alliance.

Hey! Is that some sort of accusation! Stand up and say it too my face like a man

There is absolutely nothing about this game that is not completely original

 

[Storey]

That's okay. My "The Gods did play" was also completely original.

Joe

 

[Carolus Rex]

Originally posted by Lionheart


Hey! Is that some sort of accusation! Stand up and say it too my face like a man

There is absolutely nothing about this game that is not completely original

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, no?

 

[unmerged(3525)]

Tibet 1509-1513

As I arrive back, news arrives that the Tordesillas treaty has been agreed by some strange Christian people. For some reason, they believe that outside Europe, the land should be divided between Spain and Portugal. We decide that we do not like them.

Back in Tibet, little has changed since I was here last. Assam is once again our vassal and the opportunity to diplomatically annex them will come again during this turn. Our army strength is about the same as I left it while our trading position is fairly strong.

One area where the AI has made no improvements was to fortifications which are still minimal. With 97D in treasury we shall attempt to work on this. Our first moves are to send a letter to Ayutthaya (+156 to +165) and a merchant to Malacca. We also move our domestic slider towards Plutocracy (+2).

Atjeh is seen sending colonists to regions known as Bandung and Sarawak.

We fail to expand our trade in Malacca but send a further letter to Ayutthaya +174.

Throughout the period, 50% of income are invested in infrastructure while the rest goes to treasury to fund our fortification plans. Our first expansion is in Qinghai province in August 1510. This holds our weapons manufactory but also a Moslem population which still needs to be converted.

In March 1511, we establish cantonnements in Gangdise which increases local manpower available by 1000. In the same month, our alliance with Assam expires and we immediately offer them a new alliance. In April, Ayutthaya, Dai Viet and Vientiane are all admitted into the same alliance.

In January 1512, we decide to send a mission to Qinghai to show the heathen the paths to enlightenment. Other fortifications can wait.

Throughout the period, Delhi and her allies fought a war against Gujarat, ultimately gaining Baluchistan and Candahar for Delhi and Indus for Orissa. In 1513, the same alliance declared war on the Mughal empire.

Prior to completing the five year period, Qilian Pendi fortifications are expanded in anticipation that my successor will attempt to convert the province.

At the same time, plans to annex Assam were delayed due to lack of diplomats. Perhaps there will be a more opportune time to do this.

 

[unmerged(6777)]

Out of curiousity, if you leave the budget sliders at 50% treasury and 50% infrastructure when you save and then switch countries, when you come back 15 years later are they still in the exact same place of does the AI change them at all?

 

[unmerged(3525)]

Mr T: The AI always changes the investment sliders. What it looks like when I get back depends largely on whether or not the country is at war (well over 50% and often 100% to treasury) or not (about 60% land tech, and rest even between trade, infrastructure and treasury)