Four little fish in a very big pond.

[Cat Lord]

Now,
that's a challenge !

How could the AI be so dumb, and ruin your efforts each time...

Hopefully, you get the small advantage of less inflation...

Cat

 

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Norway 1654-1658

Back to Norway and I find it in fairly rude health. The most notable change since I was last here is that Nandewar is now a city colony. I fortify this immediately and raise a few troops into the bargain. We also move domestic policy towards free trade.

Our first expansive moves are to recover a trade position in Tago and Ile-de-France. By July, this yields fruit as monthly income surges to 8.2D. By the year end this is nearly risen to 10D and we have minted coins to allow a tax collector to be appointed in Nandewar.

In January, a new commander, Bjelke (3/2/3), arrives in Bergenshus. I doubt I will have much use for him.

In August 1655, Austria win a crushing victory over the Ottoman Empire and gain the provinces of Rumelia, Rhodes, Hellas, Konya, Dobrudja and Bulgaria. Turkey has now been reduced to two European provinces while Austria’s star continues to wax. In size terms, it is now nearly as great as the Russian Empire although Spain and France are larger when colonial territories are taken into account.

In January 1656, Sigurd V rises to the throne. His domestic skills are reasonable although he lacks somewhat in the field of diplomacy.

While waiting for sufficient money to promote a legal counsel in Nandewar we hold back on mercantile ventures. In this time we hear of more war in North America as France declare war on the Huron tribe who are supported by Creek and Dakota. Later in the month, Sweden declares war on Poland who are supported by Venice and Hanover. We support Sweden alongside Scotland. War taxes are raised across Norwegian lands.

In March we promote a legal counsel in Nandewar and our troops in Bergenshus board ship for Poland’s Dutch provinces. By April, they are off the coast of Holland and disembark to Zeeland. We win a swift victory over Polish recruits in the province and begin a siege of Vlissingen. In the meantime, Sweden has begun sieges in Hanover and Hinterpommern.

In June, news arrives that Dakota have paid Denmark 28D for peace. Ships are sent to Massachussets to bring the cavalry back to fight while further troops, and a few cannon are built in Bergenshus.

In October, a merchant company is formed giving us much needed cash to prosecute the war.

In January 1657, Nordmann is promoted while taking part in the siege in Zeeland. We must wait until we have captured Vlissingen before we can decide what we are to do with him. Our position is not helped in April when Hessen join in the war on the side of Poland.

Further cannon are cast in Norway and shipped to Zeeland as Poland seems content to mass over 60000 troops in Vorpommern. Finally they move to besiege Mecklemberg while the Swedes besiege rebel held Magdeburg.

As the walls of Vlissingen start to fail, Georgia add themselves to Poland’s allies while Austria comes, inadvertently, to our aid by declaring war on Poland.

In October, Zimbabwe agree peace with Netherlands after ceding the province of Table. Later in the month, Zeeland is captured and our forces are split with Bjelke leading the larger force to besiege Munster while Nordman takes a force to besiege Geldre. Both are besieged by the end of November.

In February 1658, we receive the welcome news that our fighting technology has improved (Land Tech 20). Shortly afterwards, news arrives that France have annexed the nation of Creek.

In March, Hessen forces of 6200 infantry and 5000 cavalry attack our siege in Munster where 10500 infantry, 1700 cavalry and 10 cannon are position. We are forced to retreat when 6000 reinforcements arrive. We lose nearly 70% of our forces. Shortly after, we agree peace with Hessen paying 8D in indemnities. The French cast Norway as a nation of cowards giving us a casus belli against them for a year.

By December 1658, Poland offer us 200D for peace. It is decided to take a risk with the AI and the siege continues. Russia continues to pound the eastern horde nations and takes the provinces of Karzak, Khila and Kyzylkum for peace. By the end of the month, Geldre still holds out so, with a change of heart, we offer Poland 275D for peace. They accept.

Money is then used to send colonists to Massachussets and merchants to Paris and Lisbon. And that’s it for another instalment of Norway where I have gained little but left them in a slightly improved position than before and with surplus funds available for development – although few uses for this.

 

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Zimbabwe1659-1663 and Dakota1664-1668

I watch enviously at the Dutch and their 24000 strong army situated in the south. They stole Table province from me - those miserable scum - and they are now trying to convert good honest pagans to Reformed Christians. Who would have thought it? It seems that they also destroyed all of my cavalry. I had left them with 28000!!

On the brighter side I have plenty of money to spend and a full complement of settlers. I also have a Naval Equipments Manufactory in Sofala bringing me to a grand total of five manufactories. First thing to do is to move towards freer trade. We send settlers to Ciskei, Natal and Transkei.

By February I notice we have a temporary casus belli against the Netherlands. I raise 5000 cavalry in Sofala for the prospective war. All money is diverted to treasury.

All my first set of colonists are successful and another is sent to Ciskei which expands to a city in May. We immediately begin work on fortifications.

In July, the Netherlands declare war on Malacca.

In May 1660, a tax collector is appointed in Ciskei as Transkei receives another 200 colonists to raise its size to level 4. Another group are sent in July of the same year. Shortly afterwards, the 780 citizens of Ciskei collect together and build a marvellous refinery in the province from which they hope to produce alcoholic beverages from the sugar. We are reliably informed that this will improve our trade investment or something like that anyway.

In October, Dakota settle with France paying 70D in indemnities. We choose this time to send merchants to the Ile-de-France centre of trade.

In 1661, Transkei expands again in May and fortifications in Ciskei are expanded further as funds continue to be diverted to treasury.

In March 1662, we receive a diplomatic move and relations with Netherlands improve to –150. I doubt it will stay this high for long.

As colonial expeditions to Transkei fail, we send another party in August 1662. When it succeeds, Transkei is officially declared as a city and we begin fortifications.

In late December, the Dutch forces in Karroo are reduced to less than 400 men. We take advantage of our casus belli and declare war on them, sweeping them aside with ease. More cavalry are raised in Transkei and Ciskei as reinforcements are rushed to the front. By the end of the year, Karroo is besieged and the bulk of our armies move on Table province.

At the same time we discover the province of Anatolia. Perhaps the Turks will make useful allies against the European oppressors.

In January 1663, Kamborapasu takes the Zimbabwe throne and a letter is sent to Turkey (57D for no effect +48). In the same month, Netherlands agree peace with Malacca taking the provinces of Palembang, Sarawak, Bali and Perak (oh dear). In February a force of 9000 Dutch attack our siege in Karroo and we are forced to retreat. Part of this force then moves to relieve Table province and we are again easily defeated by much smaller forces. Meanwhile, reinforcements in Ciskei attack the remnants of the Dutch in Karroo and inflict a crushing defeat on them with almost 5000 Dutch killed to less than 2000 Zimbabwe warriors. We also burn the Namaqua trade post and send our own colonists. The 4000 Dutch from Table now capture Bushman but we shall crush them.. Sadly we are unable to dislodge them and suffer another defeat although our losses were not so great as they have been.

Right in the middle of the war, our nobles claim former rights and we execute the traitors. Aristocracy –1 and stability –2.

We fail again to dislodge the Dutch from Bushman but receive better news when Karroo falls to our troops in November. Table still hold out although we finally succeed in relieving Bushman from the Dutch and capturing our province on 1 January 1664. Peace percentage is at +4% but I presume now that Zimbabwe will go on to lose this war.

Now for fun and frolics in the North American plains

**

Fun begins straight away as we are at war with England along with our allies Huron and Shawnee. Shawnee are also our vassals. The war seems to be in our favour as we control Nipigon, Superior, Mobile and Tuscaloosa while Huron occupy Niagara. Sadly, England seem to have regained ownership of Detroit. We send troops to capture both Detroit and Michilimakinak.

I suddenly realise that our city colony in Missouri is not fortified and surplus funds are used to build some. We also send another group of colonists to our exposed eastern province of Catskill.

A new conquistador is sent to chart unknown provinces to our east. More knowledge of where the Europeans are attacking from will be of great use to us.

Michilimakinak is occupied in February and Niagara is besieged in the same month.

By September, Detroit has fallen and England offer us 85D for peace which we naturally reject. We send them our own offer demanding Detroit and Nipigon but they reject us. We send a toned done offer in November demanding only the return of Detroit and payment of 50D in indemnities. England have no choice but to accept our most generous terms.

At the end of November, Huron discovers Catawba, an unclaimed tobacco province bordering our own Powhatan. We send further troops in to guard this as colonists are sent. Our colony is established in Catawba by March and further groups are sent. Hearing news of war in the east with our long term correspondence partners Norway, we send them a small letter and a gift (to +55)

Our second colonial expedition to Catawba fails so another party is sent. In the meantime, Huron is busy charting previously unknown French lands to the south of our new province.

In September Sibir achieves something of a first by agreeing peace with Russia for only 4D.

By October, Catawba has grown to a colony of 300 citizens while Huron has now discovered the Danish coastal province of Roanoke, a level 4 colony. Huron remains in Catawba to oversee further groups of Dakotan colonists. Our fifth attempt fails in December as colonists in Bayou generously build us 5 “so-called” warships.

In February 1666, the last of our groups of willing colonial volunteers is sent to Catawba and Huron leaves the province to explore some of the area to our north east.

In April of the same year we send a gift of tobacco to Norway (+51 to +66 )

On arriving in Oswego, we discover that it is not Huron the explorer but Huron the army colonel that has travelled north leaving the explorer in Catawba. The latter is quickly despatched north to take control of the situation.

By July we recover maximum stability and decide to introduce policies restricting a little the great freedoms that our subjects enjoy. It is far to great for an empire of our size (OOC: That stability cost kills us).

In August, more volunteers arrive to travel to the rich lands of Catawba. Funds are immediately found to send them. Catawba is officially declared as a city in October and is immediately fortified as the local natives join the local population. IN the same month news reaches us that Russia have taken Turgai and Karaganda in a peace agreement with the Khazak horde.

By April 1667, Huron has almost finished exploring the north with the discovery of Megantic and Ticonderoga (both empty), and Sebago and Penobscot (both French trade posts). We agree military access with the Aztecs and he heads south to explore further.

In June we decide to strengthen our southern defences by sending further colonists to Rio Grande on the Aztec border but Huron’s trip is cut short by news When France declare war on Shawnee. Huron is immediately sent north to capture French provinces while newly raised troops rush in to take French trade posts in the south.

By September we have lost Catskill but have gained control of several French trade posts. Ominously, there are many French armies moving around in the North and Huron is repelled when he attempts to take Bas-St-Laurent. While opportunities in the North are restricted by the movement of major French forces, we continue to attack in the south and Alleghany is besieged in early October.

In November 1667, Sweden makes a separate peace with Denamrk taking Smaland, Vastergottland and Barahona from the Danes and leaving Norway and Scotland to the mercy of the Danish alliance. I trust that none of them will be able to find Nandewar. In the same month, our treasurer is removed from office having been found directing 50% of our investments to infrastructure and the work to develop technology to build refineries. All monies are diverted to treasury to raise armies for the continuing war against France in which Alabama is besieged by the middle of the month and troops build up in Tennessee to mount a third siege in the last of the former Cherokee provinces. Huron’s armies of some 4000 infantry and 1500 cavalry remain pinned down in Megantic while reinforcements of 10000 infantry and 4000 cavalry from Irondekoit are sent north. Further west, our armies in Detroit are sent to deal with a small French incursion, probably consisting of just cannon.

By mid-December, a full siege is begun in Tennessee and a small force of 1000 men from Huron’s northern army manage to cut behind French lines and capture Shawnigan. Their mission is to avoid battle at all costs. By late December we engage in two battles against France. In Catskill 10000 infantry and 400 cavalry attack 600 French infantry and slaughter them all by early January with little loss. In Fox, we defend the crossing of the Illinois river with 7700 infantry and 2900 against a French force of 44 cannon.

When the French are defeated in Catskill, the month sees what could be a highpoint in the war for us as Laurentia is captured and Catskill is recovered. War percentage is now +12%.

In mid January, our forces in Catskill are attacked by 2700 French infantry. It seems my predictions may have been accurate as the French cannon succeed in crossing the Illinois river and slaughtering 1000 infantry and 200 cavalry while losing just 5 guns. Do I want some of those cannon or do I want some of those cannon. Knowing the Dakota’s when my first 100 cannon are attacked by 50 French infantry, they’ll capture every single one. Damn those French!! As if this were not bad enough, a large French force recaptures their trade post in Santee and forces us to lift our sieges in Tennessee, Alleghany and Alabama.

By the end of January, we are driven again from Catskill having lost 700 infantry and 100 cavalry to French losses of just 100 men. Thankfully, they will lose another 100 to attrition. The one bright piece of news is the capture of their province in Bas-St-Laurent by Huron’s cavalry and the taking of their trade post in Penobscot. For a moment, the war percentage was at +14% but they refuse to give us Bas-St-Laurent.

In February, France recapture Shawnigan and Laurentia.

In March, Huron manages to discover more French land in the province of Micmac. He decides to burn their trade post and colonists are sent to claim the land for Dakota. It is his last action as he sadly dies in March.

Little happens in the war for several months apart from provinces changing hands until July when two large battles take place with encouraging results for Dakota. In Tuscarora we attack a force of 3500 French infantry with 12800 infantry and 5700 cavalry. Although we fail to defeat the French, we lose only 1700 infantry and 100 cavalry while their losses are nearly 3000 men. Around the same time we win a battle in Illinois killing all 2400 French infantry while losing 700 infantry and 200 cavalry from an initial force of 6900 infantry and 2700 cavalry.

In August, we settle a colony in Micmac and gain our first port on the European ocean. The following month, we hear reports of harassment of our merchants in the Lenape centre of trade. We make no attempt to settle the dispute and choose rather to escalate it into a potential cause for war.

Late in the year be lay siege to Alleghany and Tennessee but both sieges are broken by the French. After losing further battles we succeed in improving our negotiating position with the defeat of a French army and recapture of Catskill. At –1%, the French refuse 50D for peace and the AI will be forced to fight the remainder of the war on it’s own.

At last I am forced to leave the AI to its own devices while I return to Tibet to see how they are faring against opponents who don’t cheat as much as the French do. I must admit that Paradox have got the French AI behaviour down to a tee. Next time I play a normal game, I’m going out of my way to hurt the French as much as they have hurt my beloved Dakotans. After that it will be the Dutch for what they’ve done/will do to poor little Zimbabwe and the Danes for their acts of aggression against Prussia, Dakota and Norway.

While I’m on a OOC rant, it’s so nice to see that real life can provide some sort of retribution. The Dutch get beat by the Irish the French by the Danes and the Danes by the English

 

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Sorry guys' but it looks like this little AAR has reached its limit. I've reached 1700 but have suffered now about 10 CTD's in that year.

Unless, I can solve this one, I'll have to start a new one where I shall startt by crushing France.

 

[unmerged(1996)]

Lionheart - Say iy ain't so! It's been really interesting on all four fronts for the last few installments... fingers crossed that you get the CtD problem sorted...

Although the whole 'crushing France' angle sounds inherently satisfying. As Kleves, I assume

 

[unmerged(3525)]

Originally posted by Ariel
Although the whole 'crushing France' angle sounds inherently satisfying. As Kleves, I assume

Sorry but I can't take the risk with Kleves. I'd be taken apart as the bad boy of Europe before I had a pop at France.

I've gone for the easy option of Burgundy and those Frenchies are getting a damn good thrashing I can tell you.

After France I may be forced to turn on England in retribution for the atrocities that they would be destined to commit on the poor defenseless Dakotans if they were to be allowed. Denmark is also high on the list with their silly hats and their future acts of aggression against Dakota, Prussia and Norway. And the Dutch are going to be slapped good and proper before they even form any independent ideas of their own.

 

[Lord Durham]

Originally posted by Lionheart
Sorry guys' but it looks like this little AAR has reached its limit. I've reached 1700 but have suffered now about 10 CTD's in that year.

Unless, I can solve this one, I'll have to start a new one where I shall startt by crushing France.

There's a couple of good threads in the Support section dealing with CTDs. Hopefully you can lick the problem. This AAR is much too good to abandon. Good luck.

 

[unmerged(3525)]

I'll check those threads out but it will probably take another week before I can understand them properly. In the meantime, I'll use the time to get up to where I keep crashing.

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

Tibet is a very confusing place when I return in 1669. In fact all of South East Asia is in turmoil. Tibet is allied to Dai Viet and Khmer and are in two wars against Ayutthaya and Assam and against Manchu and Nippon. Ayutthaya and Assam are also in a separate war against Arakan and Delhi.

In our war with the South East Asian countries, Ayutthaya has captured both Kwai and Laos while our allies, Khmer have captured the capital of Assam. Our war exhausting is at +6 in non-core provinces and with stability at zero I see litte option but to end our wars quickly. We break our forces away from our siege in Ayutthaya-owned Shan (Delhi were siege leaders) and bring them east to regain some of our lost provinces. The bulk of our forces in Assam - and rotting away – are sent north to tackle the Manchu threat where Kangxi is seen approaching with 55000 men under his command.

In early January, Denmark settle with Norway paying 154D in reparations. Go Norway!!

In March we decline a peace offer from Assam demanding 21D. Perhaps I ought to have accepted but Assam are unlikely to cause us any problems and I don’t won’t to be alone in a war against Ayutthaya when they are already ahead. Shortly afterwards, the Netherlands sieze Riau in a peace settlement with Atjeh.

Throughout the year we concentrate our efforts on Manchu and win several battles as we fight our way towards their capital. We also begin a siege of Laos to recover the province from Ayutthaya.

In November we have a boundary dispute with Delhi but agree to settle the issue (+30 relations, +1 stability, -15D : Value or what?)

By January 1670, we finally begin a siege of the Manchu capital, Beijing. Our objectives are to gain the Manchu maps and with successive battles over the Manchu nation we also have a strong negotiating advantage over them even though our armies are seriously outnumbered.

Throughout 1670, the siege of Beijing continues as does that of Laos. At the same time, a mixed Nippon-Manchu force is besieging Tanh Noah. When Laos falls in August, our forces are sent to besiege Bangkok and leave Tanh Noah to the mercy of the Manchurians. All throughout this time, a second siege force builds up on the Manchu border although rebels are present in Qinghai

Disaster strikes in September when a large Manchurian force manages to destroy our army in Hebei and relieve the city. Not one Tibetan remains alive. It is time to reconsider our position and very likely that we shall accept the first offer that Manchu brings to the table.

By early 1671, the tide has turned in the Manchu-Dai Viet war as Dai Viet drives the Manchurians back across the border and besieges the province of Lanzhou. Our armies in the region are now brought south to bear against the Ayuthaya armies who are now on the defensive after losing control of three province to Khmer and Delhi

In May we get hit by poor government policies and infrastructure and trade investment suffer badly. In the war with Ayutthaya we win several battles and Bangkok remains under siege as the Ayutthaya armies are near to destruction.

In June we begin occupation of Sarakham and infantry are raised in neighbouring provinces to bring the city under siege. Our siege army from the home provinces are sent past Kwai to capture the southernmost province of Phuket.

In July, Ayutthaya narrowly fail to raise the siege of Bangkok. Reinforcements are quickly sent in to maintain the siege. While they are retreating our second army defeats a small Ayuthaya force in Phuket and lays siege.

By September three of our western provinces are occupied by rebels as Kachin revolts and the rebels sieze the fortress. Bangkok falls but Ayutthaya maps reveal nothing new to us. A small infantry group are sent north to Sarakham while the bulk of the army are sent west to Kwai in order to cut of the Ayutthaya forces retreating from Phuket.

Late in the year, the remnants of the Ayutthaya armed forces gain a rare victory and drive our siege force from Phuket.

In January 1672 we suffer a revolt in Qilian Pendi while rebels from Kachin drive our newly recruited forces in Lhasa. They shall be left to freeze.

Ayutthaya are once again driven from Phuket although we have insufficient force to mount a siege. In March we suffer a second revolt in Sichuan province. Our small armies in the region are sent from Nepal to relieve Lhasa and are successful. By August, we have an army of 5700 infantry and 950 cavalry who are sent to Sichuan to relieve it from over 8000 rebels. When it falls shortly after, our forces in the region are diverted north.to relieve Qinghai and Qilian Pendi.

In late August, Austria cedes Silesia, Moravia and Carpathia in a peace agreement with Poland. At the same time, another battle against Ayutthaya sees their army reduced to less than 1500 men.

Qinghai is relieved in September and our armies rush to to the same in Qilian Pendi. Another battle in Sarakham sees Ayutthaya fail to lift the siege and the city capitulates immediately freeing up troops to press the war in Phuket.

In October, we defeat the rebels in Qilian Pendi and can now turn our attention to recovering Kachin and Xinjiang(Sichuan)

The new year in 1673 brings us reports that Mataram have been annexed by the Netherlands. Then, Ayutthaya offer us Sarakham and Phuket for peace. We now have a port and can deal with the rebels. We immediately upgrade the fortress in Sarakham (to level 2)

As we begin to clear up the rebel problem, we must also deal with Manchuria. Half our southern forces are sent to recover Tanh Noah while rebel-held Xinjiang is besieged in April. A mixed Manchurian-Nippon force is defeated in Tanh Noah in May and the city is put under siege.

While moving north towards Kachin, we are attacked by Manchu in Sichuan Pendi. Although we are successful in repelling their attack with the help of Dai Viet forces, our army is almost completely destroyed.

To make matters worse, Mekong revolts in September and the fortress is seized. But the citizens in our outer provinces are aware of their danger from revolts and, even while under siege, they succeed in improving the fortifications in Bago (to Medium)

In November Kwai revolts again and is captured by rebels. We begin a siege of Kachin in the north but now have serious problems in the south with rebels in three provinces and two controlled by them in Mekong and Kwai.

In December, China declares war on Dai Viet and we decline to join our allies. There is far too much clearing up to do with the rebels and the Manchu war. Talking of which, we make a final extra generous offer to Manchu in December but they decline this. Hopefully the AI should get some reasonable terms from them.

All in all, it was not an unsuccessful period in control of Tibet although it will be if we cannot regain control of our wayward provinces and get rid of the war exhaustion. Income is very low, being less than that over 100 years earlier. Most of this is due to our shocking trading position. Our biggest gain has been to control a port

 

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I do really hope you are able to solve your CTD problem. As one possible solution, if the crashes only occur in 1700 then how about editing the save game file to 1701, play a year, save, exit, edit the date back to 1701, and then play the year again? It might wreak some hovoc with any scripted events but would otherwise work.

Great series of instalments you've written, Lionheart. This is one of the most enjoyable threads going at the moment.

 

[unmerged(9948)]

I have been getting CTD's as well when I play the same American Indian tribe as Lionheart. Maybe something is up? Has not happened at all when I have played Castile, England, and several others. I have expierence the ctds on both win 2000 and xp pro, but only with that tribe.

 

[unmerged(3525)]

Dagger: Prior to the 1700 crashes I was getting with Zimbabwe, Dakota was always the worst for the CTDs.

For the moment I'll give this one a little rest while I spend a little longer working my way through a few years of Burgundy. Then there is the "problem" of remembering how to download screenshots - nearly there.

Until then, let's hear a little more from Norway.

********

Norway is having another one of those years. With four loans at interest rates of 13% to 15%, we have annual interest costs of 116D (or 10D per month). Military maintenance costs are 6.6D per month at half cost.

If there are good points it is in our continued tech advancement to Land 22, Trade 5, Infra 5. However, we will probably have to worry about treasury for some time yet.

We have two naval commanders on the same transport in Massachussets which is a level 1 colony. There are four transports in Nandewar but they have nowhere to go. I commission two more transports in Bergenshus to help transport the 20000 odd troops in Massachussets back to Norway..

After all this funds are at 114D and the next loan is due in October next year.

In January, the North American Indians go to war with each other as Huron, Shawnee and Dakota pit themselves against Lenape and Iroquois. Siena also cast of their vassal status from Genoa.

When February arrives we see our monthly costs are unsupportable and so we disband nearly 10000 infantry and 1700 cavalry. Knowing that bankruptcy is not far away, we decide to spend our money by sending colonists to Massachussets.

We make more drastic reductions in March to bring troop numbers down to a more manageable level.

In June, Dakota accepts terms with England. The list of provinces that they cede is so long that I shall weep for many days to come. I reproduce it here just for the record.

Rio Grande
Micmac
Bayou
Detroit
Biloxi

England is next on the list after France for countries to stab in the back at the first available opportunity.

By this stage our income has risen to 9.5D against expenditure of 10.7D. Perhaps bankruptcy might be staved off until another two colonial parties can be sent. A fifth loan is taken out in July and merchants are sent to Liguria.

Massachussets expands in August and more colonists are sent.

In December, Dakota accept peace terms with France. Wichita, Concho and Mississippi go to France as she confirms her place at the top of the list of most hated nations in the world. How realistic can this game get?

In February we send a third party to Massachussets as it continues to grow. Now to force a quick bankruptcy which arrives in July 1675. Income is sent to treasury to avoid raising more loans and to raise money to support possible colonisation attempts.

In January 1676, French make the claim in the Chambers of Reunion and the rest of Europe defies them. This could be fun to watch.

In May of the same year, Siena agree to become vassals of Genoa. It did not take them long to change their minds. The following month we are forced to accept nobles demands for old rights or accept a –3 stability hit (it is now +1). We make an immediate policy switch towards centralisation.

By October we have sufficient funds to send another group of colonists to Massachussets. The following month, Navarra claim independence from England and declare war on their former masters.

In March 1677. we send a trading party to Sebago just inland from Massachussets. At the same time Denmark jump on the bandwagon to partition Dakota. Huron agree to support Dakota for what it is worth.

When our trade post in Sebago opens in July, another party of traders are sent.

In December, Prussia cast of the shackles and claim independence from Hessen. Poland and Hanover support Hessen against the plucky Prussians.

1678 begins with census taxes allowing us to send a further colonial party to Massachussets. We shall leave this on the brink of becoming a city. Prussia join a military alliance with the Ottoman Empire, Morocco and Persia although I doubt that this will serve them too well

The rest of the year is spent expanding our trade post in Sebago and in improving our trade position which was helped by a rush of merchants in the middle of the year.

In November we reach full stability and look towards a new period of boom and bust while I’m away.

And that’s it for another five years of doing little. I’m now 57th in the table of VP’s with 370 so it’s slow progress for Norway. Perhaps more luck next time. Now let’s see what mess Zimbabwe have made of themselves.

 

[unmerged(1996)]

The Dakota AI lost Rio Grande, Micmac, Bayou, Detroit, Biloxi, Wichita, Concho and Mississippi? In the space of two years?

Personally I think I'd have done a fair bit more than sob quietly in a corner...

 

[unmerged(6777)]

Originally posted by Ariel
The Dakota AI lost Rio Grande, Micmac, Bayou, Detroit, Biloxi, Wichita, Concho and Mississippi? In the space of two years?

Personally I think I'd have done a fair bit more than sob quietly in a corner...

Yup. Homicidal rage springs to mind.

I really hope you can sort out the CTD problem since I'd like to see whether you're able to do anything to resurect the Dakota who I've become quite fond of over the years.

 

[unmerged(3525)]

Back in Africa, Zimbabwe is seen to be at war with Poland alongside Morocco and Persia. For some reason we are not in alliance with either. War exhaustion has reached +4 in non-core provinces but with stability at +3, their revolt risk is under control.

We now have massive armies in our core provinces totalling 93000 infantry and 14000 cavalry. We have little use for these at the moment and I expect I will have to disband many of these unless I can find something for them to do. For the moment I shall leave them be since you never know what the 6th January may bring. We have also reached land tech 6 and are well on the way to developing artillery unlike those slovenly Dakotans who still only have blowpipe technology

Provinces in the south are as they were so the AI failed to capture Karroo or Table from the Dutch. Other colonies are slowly expanding and parties are sent to Inhambane and Natal.

In January, the Ottoman Empire offers us a place in their alliance with Persia, Morocco and Prussia. By joining their alliance, we also join a war against the Mameluks and Hedjaz.

By February we discover Egypt and 20000 men are sent to attack the Mameluk capital.

With successful expansion of Natal and Inhambane (to level 6 and 5 colonies respectively), we send two more groups in March to Inhambane and Niassa. In the same month we move domestic policy towards freer subjects. The improved production efficiency will generate an extra 0.5D per month.

By now we are investing 50% of income to infrastructure. The rest is to treasury.

More colonists are sent to Inhambane in May. A city is inaugurated in the province in July. In August we reach infra level 3 and divert 50% of income now to Land Tech.

Meanwhile our troops arrive in the Turkish province of Lindi and are attacked by the natives there. We are driven back and the natives burn the trade post there. We send a trading party of our own.

We reject a white peace offer from the Hedjaz and discover that they are shortly annexed into the Ottoman Empire. In December we kill the natives in Lindi after our trade party failed to establish an outpost. Another group are sent immediately and successfully establish a trade post in January.

Later in January, Scotland join a war with Poland, Hessen and Hanover against their old allies Sweden and Norway. Go Norway!!! A quick glance a the archive shows the Dakota alliance are still at war with the Lenape alliance and that Tibet are in a war against Ayutthaya and Assam.

In July, we send a group of colonists to Lindi. The same month, we discover the Turkish trade post in Morogoro. In September 1680, our new colony in Lindi is established providing a port for our three warships By November of the same year, we have sufficient funds to fortify Inhambane.

News arrives in March 1681 that Morocco have taken Geldre from Poland in a peace settlement. I think this means that the Netherlands have a CB on Morocco (our allies). At the same time we send a colonial party to our level 2 colony in Zambezia.

In May we discover the province of Tanga revealing the nation of Zanj with its capital in Rufiji. They are a remarkably advanced nation with land tech 16 and naval tech 10. The same month also brings failure in our attempt to expand Zambezia.

In November 1681, we discover another Turkish trade post in Arusha. The following month we send a final colonial party to Natal province. A city is established in the province in February 1682. At this time, Morocco declare war on the Songhai nation and all of our allies refuse to support them. We, however, agree to support Morocco and they reveal to us their capital in Gao.

In August we send another colonial expedition to our level 3 colony in Niassa. In September, Prussia is annexed by Poland. Our attempt to expand Niassa fails in October.

In November we discover Galana and continue our march north to Egypt

In January 1683, census tayes arrive and allow us to build fortifications for Natal. In April of the same year, we receive reports that some of our merchants have been harassed by those of the Netherlands. Choosing to escalate the complaint we gain a casus belli against the Dutch and a fall in relations to –200. Shame that it is too late for me to do much against the Dutch.

In May another colonial party is sent to Zambezia. By now war exhaustion is up to +8 in our southern provinces and revolt risk is 2% in Transkei. Our attempt to expand Zambezia fails for a second time as our warriors discover the province of Tana in the north.

In July we accept a white peace with Songhai but are still at war with the Mameluks. In October, the Mameluks agree peace terms with the Ottoman Empire ceding Elbruz to Persia and Yemen and Aden to the Ottomans. We are now at peace and are not at risk from revolts. I notice also that our neighbour bonus in land and naval technology has increased dramatically (+32 for land, +18 for naval). Perhaps our border with Zanj is helping us here.

And so I must leave Zimbabwe after making solid progress in all areas. We are now far better informed of the world about us having gained knowledge of around 10 new provinces. We have also expanded our lands and two more of our colonies have reached city status. I have high hopes for Zimbabwe.

I can not say the same for Dakota, talking of which…..


**

Well apart from news that you’ve already heard, we also lost Powhatan in a war with Denmark so now we’re down to 16 provinces and both Catawba and Matagorda are isolated.from our inland provinces. Fortunately they have both had their fortifications expanded to level 2 so they are not as vulnerable as I might have feared.

Our army size is respectable with 28000 infantry and 4000 cavalry. We also have an explorer in Matagorda and a conquistador in Fox who can only travel to discover Connecticut. Our explorer is sent to discover land around the undiscovered province of Havana using the Aztec port in Yucatan as a base.

With 482D in treasury (and no loans!! ) we send a personal gift to Norway for their wars in the east and raise troops across the realm. We also decommission half of our navy in Matagorda. Troops are sent to border provinces of Huron and Shawnee to check for movement in French provinces.

Our attempt to expand the Catskill colony fails so we wait until our conquistador, Ottawa, arrives there in April before another attempt is made.

In May, France declares war on England. At last our mortal enemies are fighting each other. In June, Russia gains Uzbek and Nura in their war against the Chatagai Khanate. By this time we have charted French border provinces and discover that they have around 8000 men in the south and 2000 in the north. England have nearly 22000 split between the north and south. In the same month, Seneca discovers Guantanamo bay and the French trade post in Guantanamo province.

In July, we send a third group of colonists to Catskill and troops board off Matagorda bound for Tampico and exploration of Aztec lands. In October, Seneca charts the Spanish province of Honduras whiule returning to port in Yucatan. A second exploration party is sent to the region to chart other islands and provinces. Our party in Aztec lands discovers the region of Tlaxcala.

In November Catskill expands again to a level 6 colony and we shall leave this to grow naturally to a city. At the same time, Seneca charts the Spanish trade post in Havana while journeying north up the east coast of the continent. Shortly after this, we here a report that Russia has declared war on Sweden who are supported by their loyal, but rather stupid allies, Norway.

In January 1685, Seneca discovers the ocean region known to the Spanish as Cape Canaveral. He continues north while troops continue to mass on the French/Huron border. Mingo’s infantry party in the south discover Atlixco and then heads south. In March a second party of explorers land in Tampico and head north. By the end of the same month, Seneca has charted as far as the coast of Carolina before having to return to port.

In May we suffer damage from the lack of enforcement of internal ordnances which causes a switch to a less central policy (Centralisation –1).

By June our troop build up in Huron territory has now reached 11000 infantry and 4000 cavalry. A similar force is situated in Catawba while various smaller forces are arranged around the empire.

Discoveries continue throughout the year with new provinces explored in Saltillo, Tehuacan, Savannah, Jalisco and Capeche and in the ocean region of Cape Hatteras

In September, Cologne takes Mainz from Burgundy in a peace settlement. By October, England have captured the province of Tennessee from France to add to those in Wichita and Concho. However, England’s case is weakened somewhat when Austria pay France 425D in indemnities for peace. France settle with England in January 1686 paying 200D for peace. Neither country are now at war and we await the time when one will decide to attack us. We only have to wait four months as England declare war on our allies, the Huron. We rush to occupy as much English land as we are able to.

By June we have captured Rio Grande, Nipigon, Superior and Megantic but are defeated in battle by the English in Hindua. By August we have occupied Penobscot, Bangor and Micmac and send a peace offer to England demanding the return of Micmac and Rio Grande. They agree to our demands We now have our Atlantic port back and Seneca is sent on his next expedition to the north to link the sea routes. Our conquistador, now in Micmac is also able to explore French provinces to the north of Micmac.

Our first action after the war is to send a party of colonists to Micmac to return it’s culture to that of our own. For Rio Grande, it is too late and we shall leave this to grow naturally to a city (rather than take the 3% nationalism hit).

In October we suffer and unprovoked revolt in Wisconsin but troops raised for the war are available in Fox to handle the situation. By November, Ottawa has explored two new French provinces bordering Micmac and one of the exploration parties in Aztec lands has completed the exploration in the south and can return by land to Matagorda now that we own Rio Grande again.

Micmac expands in December and more colonists are sent.

In February 1687, Catskill expands to a city and is immediately fortified. The following month, Seneca explores as far as Massachussets bay and can now reach port in Micmac to continue exploring north. In April, we finish our exploration of Aztec lands and our second unit can return to Matagorda.

A final colonial party is sent to Micmac in July as Seneca charts the gulf of St Lawrence. In the strait of Labrador he discovers an English colony in Belle Isle. Micmac becomes a city in November and is immediately fortified.

Now is time for a quick war against the French. We send our declaration in November and our allies support our cause. Now for the lightning strike that was so successful against the English. By late December we send them our peace offer demanding the return of Wichita and Concho. The French accept This is perhaps, Dakota’s finest hour.

In early 1688, we send colonial parties to Wichita and Concho to try to bring them to a position where they are resistant to cultural changes. Concho expands in March at the same time that Ottawa discovers the English colony in Saguenay. Ships are sent to allow him to embark and discover provinces further north. However, pirate ships are in the region and disturb the operation. Ottawa is forced to return to Micmac.

In June Norway pays Genoa 29D for peace as further colonists are sent to Wichita. Colonists are sent to Concho in August.

The clearance of the pirates in the bay of Fundy allows Ottawa to embark ship and discover Isle Royale. In November he completes the exploration of Labrador as Seneca voyages east towards Europe. I leave Dakota with Seneca off the coast of Greenland heading east.

And so ends one of my most fun experiences with the Dakotans. I pleasured myself immensely with their stunning victories over the English and French which came courtesy of much improved maps and a large number of territories which I could quickly occupy and gain negotiating leverage. Given that both accepted the offers immediately, I wonder if I could have asked for more although I am always conscious of the risk that a long drawn war against either side would bring us into battle situations which Dakota rarely win.


Zimbabwe in 1684
North America in 1689