HISTORICAL AAR: Al Djazair 1492-1532
First of all I want to apologize for possible typos or bad english sentences ( I am french and so is my Word program ;o) ). The idea of this AAR was born reading the other on the forum, from a message asking for an Al-Djazair report and the post from Sarges about historical play. So here is the task: to play a game 'historicaly' with such a weird country as this islamic-pirate lair.
As I will try to replay Algerian history , this put some restriction on me. 1- no annexion, 2- be a feal vassal ( ally ) of Turkiye, 3- practise daring piratery all around the mediterannean sea, 4- no colonies or tradepost. Because of the game costraint here is the solution I take for each point :
1- easy one , I will never annex territory by diplomatic or military way. I will only make 2 exception : I have right to secure 1 med island for operation of my galley fleet ( short ranged ), if my direct neighbour atack me I have right to annex territory from them ( 1 at a time ) to lesser their efficency in crushing me.
2- I will try to be ally with Turkiye all the game on, will ALWAYS go in war with them and NEVER make war to another muslim country ( except with Turkiye or when attacked ).
3- Difficult because it was my main income and not implemented by game so I manage to find a compromise. My trader will count as privateer and pirates in COT, but I restrict myself to 5 by COT ( stupid to have pirates monopilize in an aera ;o) ). I will also have right to raid coastal province for loot ( i.e. asking gold for peace ).
4- Easy too, because I receive no settler as Al Djazair, if event gimme some, I have right to make some Trade Post in slave area in Africa ( quite historical too ).
OK, that's all for settings so lets jump in time machine and back in Algiers 01 january of 1492 ( silly christian calendar, always wrong by centuries ).
Al Jazair Action Report: PART I (1492-1498: The beginning of the start )
AS I Arrive in Algiers, send by the Great Sultan Himself to take care of the destiny of his most trusted vassal, i was astonished by the beauty of the mediteranean coast here at Algiers, nothing like the sandy desert of Tunisia or Cyrenaica, but green rolling hill covered with fruit tree and vines as far as I can see. As I make my way to the palace, I notice that strangely the inhabitant look rather poor for a land as rich, it was my duty to bring them fortune.
The palace was beautifull but I wasn't here to rest or take some pleasure from the local harem provided by the Commander of Believer ( hum, not now in fact but perhaps I could manage to have time later on, just to give a look at ...). I ask to see the accounting book, a map of my new realm and the report from military and diplomatic manager. I was astonished to know that no previous budget record was avaliable so I take my first 2 decision as a ruler: appointed my friend Karim Abd-El-Raouni who has come to me as the new palace intendant and make the previous one beheaded on public place.
My treasure chest was a good surprise, I was affraid my predecessor has emptied it leaving but hopefully it still contain 94 Gold Talent ( from wich I instantly give 50 to my fellow Karim as his appointemet as Baycliff of Algiers ).
I notice that people beahve good but that the trade can be more dynamice [ Stability +2 ]. Then I checked teh map and it was another good surprise. My 5 province weren't rich but not poor either, and my capital city with 10000 people was a pearl. I was also pleased to see that I have an Iron mine in the mountain of Atlas, from wich I immediatly planned to make some weapon manufactury later on, and that the Oran area produce a good quality wine that can also benefit from some developpement. The only facility that I lack is the wood for construction of my war galleys but I have already noticed a little island south of Genoa with beautifull forest and near the french and italian coast a perfect spot to catch and install some port facility for my piratese friends.
Looking at my neighbour I notice that they all despise my puny country, and if it was not anoying from such a small country as Tunisia, the more bigger Morocco with his Huge land army, frighten me a bit, ezpecially when I notice he just doesnt have any port ( the only one was seized by the portuguese infidel ). Perhaps we could better our relationship in exchange for my support against them, we will see. For now on I have no one to send to them, but I hope to have soon some emissary.
I ordered a general review of troops and some fantazia in celebration of my nomination and was amazed by the good aspect and number of my army: 20000 man and 20000 horseman make me feel able to handle any christian threat ( even if they obviously lack of modern equipment ). I was really disappointed by the commander anyway, the ones I got come from rich family of the countryside with no military experience at all and who only enjoy the prestidge and cash from their charge. I think about cleaning all the mess by massive beheading but having no one to put in charge I have to wait for latter, but dont forget this idea ( in fact during the year that will follow on I will really think about this quite sometimes ).
The fleet was colorfull and really modern, 20 warship ( pirates capitains with time service in official fleet ) and 5 transport ( recent prize ) was just enough for my need, in fact I planned to raise a huge fleet of cheap galleys to complement it. The commander was again a great dissapointment mainly because it was the port officier and that that my capitains spend more time avoiding him for their smuggling operation than listening to his order in battle. Once again I sigh, but I know that a famous Pirate was supposed to come soon, he will have the charisma to handle the fleet and turn it in a behemoth who will crush all the italian fleet one by one ( to begin with ).
01/1492: I soon received order from the Sultan himself, he was engaged in a conflict with the Mamelouk Califat and ask me to sign an alliance so I will be able to join with him in his next war. I answer that I will send an emissary when I will get one. Anyway the war go on the Sultan way with 20k soldier besieging the Aleppo castle, and the mamelouk main army still way back to sthe south near Cairo. Time they join the fight they will be exhausted and Alep taken.
I was finishing my answer to the great Bayezid II when my friend Karim , newly appointed calif of Algiers come with a worried look, the treasure was running dry faster than a slave tongue in saharian salt mine. I ask him to take every measure avaliable: reduce army and navy maintenance cost, taking more taxe, suppress all invest but no prevail and the treasure still lose money at alarming rate, in a year it will be empty. AS I cant take any loan from now on, it will just help me being ruined faster, I take a bold action course: to invest all possible asset in trade and pray that the new dynamic will help to even the things [ put the stability slide all the way up, so loosing 4.3 Talent by month, hoping to get the *.25 bonus before my treasure run empty ]. As bad news never travel alone I recieved word from my spies telling that the Genoan have fortified the island I had in mind and secure a strong italian alliance, this put an halt to all my willing of quick developpment.
03/1492: I received news from the Sultan about the seizing of Aleppo, my treasure wouldn't be in such a mess I would have ordered huge celebration. Anyway the Islamic world is in mourn today: 35.000 spanish soldier have plunder the pearl from the West, the magnificient Granada kingdom is no more. Too bad, but they was just condemned, I thanks Allah to have put some watery barreer between the christians and me, and swear to have them paid in good gold for their action. I recieve repport of the existence of all-time-frozen area north of poland and France, but dont believe in such myth. [ Sorry for Danish and Sweden player but I just dont know our lands so I will not able to tell you alot about there ;o) ].
06/1492: The sultan has crushed 2 mamelouks army in Syria and seize the area but he was forced to retrat back to Aleppo because of the coming of a giant ( 34.000 men ) relieving Force. My economic politics was successfull and my dynamism allow me to send some merchant to Alexandrie ( in war with my friends but the cheaper and safer place to send them from now on ). Alas my extraordinary measure were unsuccesfull as I am still losing money [ -1.7 ], I thought about disbanding some troups but they are cheap and I will have to sell ships to really affect something but there is really a dramatical set of action and I just LIKED 'my fleet in being' so much. Thinking about what troups disband I receive a blessing from Paradise, I will have the Unbelievers paying for what they have done, contacting my spys and pirates captains I learn that a small italian province ( Parma or something like that ) will be a good target for a looting raid. AS hope was giving me new force, I feel realy depressed to know that we can send troups before more information on army and so, I ask the delay but they just dont know when the spies will be back [ no diplomat to go to war and I just dont know when I will get one, too bad it was a great idea, and a good way to burn some useless trooper ].
07/1492: I received bad news from my 'traders', the war situation in Alexandrie make the sea far too much patrolled for them to do their job. I have choice of sending them reinforcement or waiting for the spy return. Gasp, I hate that choice. Anyway I just decide to send another 'Trader' to the zone, but I am down to 2 month of treasury before bankrupt.
08/1492: Miracle, Allah bless the daring, I am no more loosing money. I manage to gain 1 gold talent by turn, thanks to my privateers at Alexandrie. There is a lot of celebration in Algiers, especially in the fleet and army quarter ( knowing they wont be sacrified on the budget altar ). With such a joy I doesnt want to make them feel how much I am worried, because we only survive by single string. If the 'trader' disappear from Alexandrie then we are broken...
10/1492: The mamelouk surrender in front of the mighty Sultan force, they give him 34 gold Talent, and the province of Lebanon and Nouyadimm [spelling]. A strange choice as the Sultan could have ask for Aleppo or Damas, anyway next time I will be with him and provide my clever advice and invaluable help on the negociation stage. I manage to send another 'Trader' to Alexandrie we are far more safe, really 'trading' is alife savior for such a fine country like mine
) .
12/1492: In North , France broke is alliance with Lorrain and declare war.Oddly enough , perhaps for surprise purpose, his only army(52.000) is on station in Provence and will not be able to stop the invading Lorraine Army of 20.000 men to invade and take Champagne. If all christian make war like that it will be really be more easy so take their land than the virtue of a tavern dancing girl.
1493: I received the Yearly taxes: 38 Gold talent, use them to send more privateer. France annihilate Lorrain army and siege the capital.
02/93: Allah be blessed finally I received my first emissary from the court, I immediatly send him to Istanbul to secure the alliance with the Sultan. [ doing so I successfully finish my first mission, 10 VP nice ].
05/93: France finnaly totally annexed the poor Lorrain, I am unsure of the wisdow of this move as now France is really isolated on diplomatic stage ( perhaps we could ally latter ). I am very pleased to see some other pirates operating near Cyprus, good not to feel too much alone ( even if they do compete with mines ).
06/93: A strong alliance was set in Europa Poland, Spain, England and Napoli all attack a country named Teutonic Order that I doesnt even know where is it. It must be some really powerfull and strong empire for those to gang on it with so much troups. I really missed the Northern part of Europa and will try to send some spy to steal map of this foreign lands.
1494: I was successfull in developping and reforming the army and a big effort is done [ special event +175 gold Talent in Land tech, really good for a country who's annual budget is 38 ]. Having bettered the budget I put th army back in training, in hope of future conflict. I also manage to make elected Calif in Kabylie another of my trusted friend. things getting good. I am doing so well that the Sultan agree to marry one of my nephew with the sister in law of one of his second wife cousin , what a great honor for my family. I was really successfull in my piracy operation and manage to send one to Genoa coast ( good thing, I will have more information on the land before we go after them ). I finnaly have news from the Mighty and Fabled land of the Teutonic Knights, they do manage to earn their peace for a cheap price: 77 GT, facing numerous and strong opponent they must be really powerfull to achieve such a result. I dare to have answer from my diplomats so I can send some to them.
1495: Trying to go after Genoa trade turn to be bad invest, they are jealously patrolling their sea lane and my 'privateer' get distroyed. So I turn to another idea and send a huge fleet of 3 at a time, this way I am sure to wreck some havoc and perhaps weaken their patrol. This bold plan cost me all my income but turn to be successfull as 2 of them manage to seize base in the area. I have report a price raising from my vizir, that worried me: I am not rich, it was difficult enough to pay old price, new one could become unreachable [ inflation of 2%,seems huge to me as my Sweden in 1660 has only 4% ].
Getting bored of the pacefull life, I planed some operation. My spy report that the christian leader, the false prophet called 'Papa' feel really secure in his so called sacred-lands. he hasn't secured any alliance and his army his puny (14k) and separate in his 2 other province, no one his guarding Rome. I feel the scene his ready for some bold raiding action. By night I order to board 20k men and 10k cav i.n my fleet and to set sailled to Roma. Surprise is total as there is no army waiting for us, and their fleet is on the Adriatic side. [ I declare war with my ship ready to invade Roma, that's my idea of a raid ( you dont phoe before to know if he was ready for you )]. Willing not to let time for reinforcmetn to come I launch the assault and my men are quickly rooted by the outnumered defender. The officier broke at the first gunfire, in fact for lots of them it was their really FIRST gunfire. I forget about the idea of beheading all of them, instead I am now thinking about impaling them all...
The Papal Fleet ( 5 odds ships ) stay carefully away from my forces, too bad for them they are crushed by an expeditionnary force of 74 ships !! send by my Turkish ally, it is so good to feel supported. The papist counter attack with a force of 14k and 300 cav , I confront them with my surviving 12k and 7k cav ( damned sea travel and missed assault ). I won the day annihilating them all in losing only 2.000 men, muslim cav. advantage is really to his best. Anyway I just begin to fear that my dashing loot raid became a long siege war as I was unable to break the city by assault. Later in the year I crushed a second papist army of 4k recruit with barely some losses on my side. I receive report that the siege is successfull, the walls begun to crumble, I wait for the breach.
1496: Siege going on, I decide to recruit an infantry complement to send another assault, and discover that my men are really cheap: 4 GT for just 1.000 of them, so I raise a force of 7.000 men. that's cheap but ot cheap enough because it take all my treasury anyway.
In february I crushed another army of 7k men, and refuse a white peace. Nothis time they must pay for Granada realm destruction. I receive news of military improvement, good things troups always learn faster under fire [ tech level 2 ]. SIege is going on really good but I receive annoying news from my ally, he was sending an helping force. Fearing that he rob me of my capture, and with the town ready to fall I decide to send another troups contingent of 7.000 men.
Great !! Roma fell, victory is ours and before the Turk come. I decide to be generous to the city and only plunder the church an Vatican palace, and make beheaded all of chef defender, and half of my own officier. Anyway the Turkish force turn to be of only 5k men and begin their way to other papal estate. Unwilling to turn them agaisnt me by deprieving them of land they could take, but not willing to see this loot raid became an annexion war I negociate a peace with the pope I manage to have captured. I ask for 1.000 GT for his release and my troops leaving his city. He agree and there is much rejoicing in our ranks, we leave the city and go back to our beloved Algiers with our ships full of Papal treasure chest and loot. Alas we were robbed, when time come to make the count we only managed to get 60 GT for all this crap, and we have to share we our allies. In the name of Allah , I swear those christian traitor will not be so lucky next time, I will plunder them with no mercy at all.
Next time we will go for a smaller and richer target. Genoa looks fine, but Parma too, we will dcide about it latter. Anyway there is good in every bad and Hedjaz is amazed by our success and willing to join our alliance, we welcome our islamic brother [ and the 10 VP for the mission) ].
Later this year there is news of great action in the eastern territory as the treacherous Rossya invade our fellow Kazan khanat. There is a lot of rejoicing and celebration as they manage to crush a 50.000 russian army and to seize victory for a 184 GT price. I ordered a 2 day hollidays to celebrate this great victory ( and for myself recovering of the welcoming party of the Hedjaz emissary ).
But the islamic world is also a world of fight brother against brother, and I was sad to know that the Golden Hordes attack Astrakhan, and especially to know that soon after Astrakhan is besieginf the Horde capital city. It is silly to attack a muslim brother and much more silly to do so without an army ready .
1497: The semi-failure of the roma expedition has some good effect as having less troup I get more budget. Anyway I received a lot of pirate willing to join my troups [ event : +5 merchant ]. Alas I already got the more I can feed [ already 6 merchant and no gold to send them ], and it is a great lose for latter on, and a great profit for the port tavern as the unoccupied equipage roam through them. I do manage to conclude another alliance with a fellow muslim country: Oman, from wich I hope to buy the map of rich Indian colonies.
The hords after all win his conflict against Astrakhan, managing to seize Uralsk and Donetsk and to secure a 124 GT loot. With them and the sucessfull Kazan I fell better about the expansion of Rossya, If I can make somme alliance between the 3 major country of Kazan, Horde and Astrakhan perhaps we can stop rhe Russian dead in their track.
There is trouble with the unbeliever too as the alliance of England, Poland and Napoly ( spl. ) once against unite their forces against this time Scotland. those fellow began to have quite a reputation of ganging on feeble state, and earn the deserved nickname of the 'gang of bad guys'.
Lately I managed to marrry the Oman califat daughter to another of my nephew. Good thing as I guess that our relationship will became closer and closer.
1498: I look at my beautifull and prosperating city from the window of my palace an another clever plan strike me with the sunset light. I will seize the Corsica Island from Genoa and made it a pirates galley base. From there I will harass the Genoan trade, and will be able to loot them and their profitable trade much more easily. Going to my desk I began to draw battle plan, I need at least 30k men and cav and a sea force or 30 or more galleys to duel the Genoa fleet of 34 ships. As I was unaware of the willingness to fight of my allies ( except the Sultan that have always helped me ), I planned to be able to handle it alone. But with my meager income it will take me quite some time to raise the needed forces. Will Allah bless me ?...
Next post :
Part II: War preparation are not always peacefull ( 1499-1509 )
[This message has been edited by Greywolf (edited 08-11-2000).]
[This message has been edited by Greywolf (edited 08-11-2000).]
[This message has been edited by Greywolf (edited 08-11-2000).]
[This message has been edited by Greywolf (edited 08-11-2000).]
First of all I want to apologize for possible typos or bad english sentences ( I am french and so is my Word program ;o) ). The idea of this AAR was born reading the other on the forum, from a message asking for an Al-Djazair report and the post from Sarges about historical play. So here is the task: to play a game 'historicaly' with such a weird country as this islamic-pirate lair.
As I will try to replay Algerian history , this put some restriction on me. 1- no annexion, 2- be a feal vassal ( ally ) of Turkiye, 3- practise daring piratery all around the mediterannean sea, 4- no colonies or tradepost. Because of the game costraint here is the solution I take for each point :
1- easy one , I will never annex territory by diplomatic or military way. I will only make 2 exception : I have right to secure 1 med island for operation of my galley fleet ( short ranged ), if my direct neighbour atack me I have right to annex territory from them ( 1 at a time ) to lesser their efficency in crushing me.
2- I will try to be ally with Turkiye all the game on, will ALWAYS go in war with them and NEVER make war to another muslim country ( except with Turkiye or when attacked ).
3- Difficult because it was my main income and not implemented by game so I manage to find a compromise. My trader will count as privateer and pirates in COT, but I restrict myself to 5 by COT ( stupid to have pirates monopilize in an aera ;o) ). I will also have right to raid coastal province for loot ( i.e. asking gold for peace ).
4- Easy too, because I receive no settler as Al Djazair, if event gimme some, I have right to make some Trade Post in slave area in Africa ( quite historical too ).
OK, that's all for settings so lets jump in time machine and back in Algiers 01 january of 1492 ( silly christian calendar, always wrong by centuries ).
Al Jazair Action Report: PART I (1492-1498: The beginning of the start )
AS I Arrive in Algiers, send by the Great Sultan Himself to take care of the destiny of his most trusted vassal, i was astonished by the beauty of the mediteranean coast here at Algiers, nothing like the sandy desert of Tunisia or Cyrenaica, but green rolling hill covered with fruit tree and vines as far as I can see. As I make my way to the palace, I notice that strangely the inhabitant look rather poor for a land as rich, it was my duty to bring them fortune.
The palace was beautifull but I wasn't here to rest or take some pleasure from the local harem provided by the Commander of Believer ( hum, not now in fact but perhaps I could manage to have time later on, just to give a look at ...). I ask to see the accounting book, a map of my new realm and the report from military and diplomatic manager. I was astonished to know that no previous budget record was avaliable so I take my first 2 decision as a ruler: appointed my friend Karim Abd-El-Raouni who has come to me as the new palace intendant and make the previous one beheaded on public place.
My treasure chest was a good surprise, I was affraid my predecessor has emptied it leaving but hopefully it still contain 94 Gold Talent ( from wich I instantly give 50 to my fellow Karim as his appointemet as Baycliff of Algiers ).
I notice that people beahve good but that the trade can be more dynamice [ Stability +2 ]. Then I checked teh map and it was another good surprise. My 5 province weren't rich but not poor either, and my capital city with 10000 people was a pearl. I was also pleased to see that I have an Iron mine in the mountain of Atlas, from wich I immediatly planned to make some weapon manufactury later on, and that the Oran area produce a good quality wine that can also benefit from some developpement. The only facility that I lack is the wood for construction of my war galleys but I have already noticed a little island south of Genoa with beautifull forest and near the french and italian coast a perfect spot to catch and install some port facility for my piratese friends.
Looking at my neighbour I notice that they all despise my puny country, and if it was not anoying from such a small country as Tunisia, the more bigger Morocco with his Huge land army, frighten me a bit, ezpecially when I notice he just doesnt have any port ( the only one was seized by the portuguese infidel ). Perhaps we could better our relationship in exchange for my support against them, we will see. For now on I have no one to send to them, but I hope to have soon some emissary.
I ordered a general review of troops and some fantazia in celebration of my nomination and was amazed by the good aspect and number of my army: 20000 man and 20000 horseman make me feel able to handle any christian threat ( even if they obviously lack of modern equipment ). I was really disappointed by the commander anyway, the ones I got come from rich family of the countryside with no military experience at all and who only enjoy the prestidge and cash from their charge. I think about cleaning all the mess by massive beheading but having no one to put in charge I have to wait for latter, but dont forget this idea ( in fact during the year that will follow on I will really think about this quite sometimes ).
The fleet was colorfull and really modern, 20 warship ( pirates capitains with time service in official fleet ) and 5 transport ( recent prize ) was just enough for my need, in fact I planned to raise a huge fleet of cheap galleys to complement it. The commander was again a great dissapointment mainly because it was the port officier and that that my capitains spend more time avoiding him for their smuggling operation than listening to his order in battle. Once again I sigh, but I know that a famous Pirate was supposed to come soon, he will have the charisma to handle the fleet and turn it in a behemoth who will crush all the italian fleet one by one ( to begin with ).
01/1492: I soon received order from the Sultan himself, he was engaged in a conflict with the Mamelouk Califat and ask me to sign an alliance so I will be able to join with him in his next war. I answer that I will send an emissary when I will get one. Anyway the war go on the Sultan way with 20k soldier besieging the Aleppo castle, and the mamelouk main army still way back to sthe south near Cairo. Time they join the fight they will be exhausted and Alep taken.
I was finishing my answer to the great Bayezid II when my friend Karim , newly appointed calif of Algiers come with a worried look, the treasure was running dry faster than a slave tongue in saharian salt mine. I ask him to take every measure avaliable: reduce army and navy maintenance cost, taking more taxe, suppress all invest but no prevail and the treasure still lose money at alarming rate, in a year it will be empty. AS I cant take any loan from now on, it will just help me being ruined faster, I take a bold action course: to invest all possible asset in trade and pray that the new dynamic will help to even the things [ put the stability slide all the way up, so loosing 4.3 Talent by month, hoping to get the *.25 bonus before my treasure run empty ]. As bad news never travel alone I recieved word from my spies telling that the Genoan have fortified the island I had in mind and secure a strong italian alliance, this put an halt to all my willing of quick developpment.
03/1492: I received news from the Sultan about the seizing of Aleppo, my treasure wouldn't be in such a mess I would have ordered huge celebration. Anyway the Islamic world is in mourn today: 35.000 spanish soldier have plunder the pearl from the West, the magnificient Granada kingdom is no more. Too bad, but they was just condemned, I thanks Allah to have put some watery barreer between the christians and me, and swear to have them paid in good gold for their action. I recieve repport of the existence of all-time-frozen area north of poland and France, but dont believe in such myth. [ Sorry for Danish and Sweden player but I just dont know our lands so I will not able to tell you alot about there ;o) ].
06/1492: The sultan has crushed 2 mamelouks army in Syria and seize the area but he was forced to retrat back to Aleppo because of the coming of a giant ( 34.000 men ) relieving Force. My economic politics was successfull and my dynamism allow me to send some merchant to Alexandrie ( in war with my friends but the cheaper and safer place to send them from now on ). Alas my extraordinary measure were unsuccesfull as I am still losing money [ -1.7 ], I thought about disbanding some troups but they are cheap and I will have to sell ships to really affect something but there is really a dramatical set of action and I just LIKED 'my fleet in being' so much. Thinking about what troups disband I receive a blessing from Paradise, I will have the Unbelievers paying for what they have done, contacting my spys and pirates captains I learn that a small italian province ( Parma or something like that ) will be a good target for a looting raid. AS hope was giving me new force, I feel realy depressed to know that we can send troups before more information on army and so, I ask the delay but they just dont know when the spies will be back [ no diplomat to go to war and I just dont know when I will get one, too bad it was a great idea, and a good way to burn some useless trooper ].
07/1492: I received bad news from my 'traders', the war situation in Alexandrie make the sea far too much patrolled for them to do their job. I have choice of sending them reinforcement or waiting for the spy return. Gasp, I hate that choice. Anyway I just decide to send another 'Trader' to the zone, but I am down to 2 month of treasury before bankrupt.
08/1492: Miracle, Allah bless the daring, I am no more loosing money. I manage to gain 1 gold talent by turn, thanks to my privateers at Alexandrie. There is a lot of celebration in Algiers, especially in the fleet and army quarter ( knowing they wont be sacrified on the budget altar ). With such a joy I doesnt want to make them feel how much I am worried, because we only survive by single string. If the 'trader' disappear from Alexandrie then we are broken...
10/1492: The mamelouk surrender in front of the mighty Sultan force, they give him 34 gold Talent, and the province of Lebanon and Nouyadimm [spelling]. A strange choice as the Sultan could have ask for Aleppo or Damas, anyway next time I will be with him and provide my clever advice and invaluable help on the negociation stage. I manage to send another 'Trader' to Alexandrie we are far more safe, really 'trading' is alife savior for such a fine country like mine
) .12/1492: In North , France broke is alliance with Lorrain and declare war.Oddly enough , perhaps for surprise purpose, his only army(52.000) is on station in Provence and will not be able to stop the invading Lorraine Army of 20.000 men to invade and take Champagne. If all christian make war like that it will be really be more easy so take their land than the virtue of a tavern dancing girl.
1493: I received the Yearly taxes: 38 Gold talent, use them to send more privateer. France annihilate Lorrain army and siege the capital.
02/93: Allah be blessed finally I received my first emissary from the court, I immediatly send him to Istanbul to secure the alliance with the Sultan. [ doing so I successfully finish my first mission, 10 VP nice ].
05/93: France finnaly totally annexed the poor Lorrain, I am unsure of the wisdow of this move as now France is really isolated on diplomatic stage ( perhaps we could ally latter ). I am very pleased to see some other pirates operating near Cyprus, good not to feel too much alone ( even if they do compete with mines ).
06/93: A strong alliance was set in Europa Poland, Spain, England and Napoli all attack a country named Teutonic Order that I doesnt even know where is it. It must be some really powerfull and strong empire for those to gang on it with so much troups. I really missed the Northern part of Europa and will try to send some spy to steal map of this foreign lands.
1494: I was successfull in developping and reforming the army and a big effort is done [ special event +175 gold Talent in Land tech, really good for a country who's annual budget is 38 ]. Having bettered the budget I put th army back in training, in hope of future conflict. I also manage to make elected Calif in Kabylie another of my trusted friend. things getting good. I am doing so well that the Sultan agree to marry one of my nephew with the sister in law of one of his second wife cousin , what a great honor for my family. I was really successfull in my piracy operation and manage to send one to Genoa coast ( good thing, I will have more information on the land before we go after them ). I finnaly have news from the Mighty and Fabled land of the Teutonic Knights, they do manage to earn their peace for a cheap price: 77 GT, facing numerous and strong opponent they must be really powerfull to achieve such a result. I dare to have answer from my diplomats so I can send some to them.
1495: Trying to go after Genoa trade turn to be bad invest, they are jealously patrolling their sea lane and my 'privateer' get distroyed. So I turn to another idea and send a huge fleet of 3 at a time, this way I am sure to wreck some havoc and perhaps weaken their patrol. This bold plan cost me all my income but turn to be successfull as 2 of them manage to seize base in the area. I have report a price raising from my vizir, that worried me: I am not rich, it was difficult enough to pay old price, new one could become unreachable [ inflation of 2%,seems huge to me as my Sweden in 1660 has only 4% ].
Getting bored of the pacefull life, I planed some operation. My spy report that the christian leader, the false prophet called 'Papa' feel really secure in his so called sacred-lands. he hasn't secured any alliance and his army his puny (14k) and separate in his 2 other province, no one his guarding Rome. I feel the scene his ready for some bold raiding action. By night I order to board 20k men and 10k cav i.n my fleet and to set sailled to Roma. Surprise is total as there is no army waiting for us, and their fleet is on the Adriatic side. [ I declare war with my ship ready to invade Roma, that's my idea of a raid ( you dont phoe before to know if he was ready for you )]. Willing not to let time for reinforcmetn to come I launch the assault and my men are quickly rooted by the outnumered defender. The officier broke at the first gunfire, in fact for lots of them it was their really FIRST gunfire. I forget about the idea of beheading all of them, instead I am now thinking about impaling them all...
The Papal Fleet ( 5 odds ships ) stay carefully away from my forces, too bad for them they are crushed by an expeditionnary force of 74 ships !! send by my Turkish ally, it is so good to feel supported. The papist counter attack with a force of 14k and 300 cav , I confront them with my surviving 12k and 7k cav ( damned sea travel and missed assault ). I won the day annihilating them all in losing only 2.000 men, muslim cav. advantage is really to his best. Anyway I just begin to fear that my dashing loot raid became a long siege war as I was unable to break the city by assault. Later in the year I crushed a second papist army of 4k recruit with barely some losses on my side. I receive report that the siege is successfull, the walls begun to crumble, I wait for the breach.
1496: Siege going on, I decide to recruit an infantry complement to send another assault, and discover that my men are really cheap: 4 GT for just 1.000 of them, so I raise a force of 7.000 men. that's cheap but ot cheap enough because it take all my treasury anyway.
In february I crushed another army of 7k men, and refuse a white peace. Nothis time they must pay for Granada realm destruction. I receive news of military improvement, good things troups always learn faster under fire [ tech level 2 ]. SIege is going on really good but I receive annoying news from my ally, he was sending an helping force. Fearing that he rob me of my capture, and with the town ready to fall I decide to send another troups contingent of 7.000 men.
Great !! Roma fell, victory is ours and before the Turk come. I decide to be generous to the city and only plunder the church an Vatican palace, and make beheaded all of chef defender, and half of my own officier. Anyway the Turkish force turn to be of only 5k men and begin their way to other papal estate. Unwilling to turn them agaisnt me by deprieving them of land they could take, but not willing to see this loot raid became an annexion war I negociate a peace with the pope I manage to have captured. I ask for 1.000 GT for his release and my troops leaving his city. He agree and there is much rejoicing in our ranks, we leave the city and go back to our beloved Algiers with our ships full of Papal treasure chest and loot. Alas we were robbed, when time come to make the count we only managed to get 60 GT for all this crap, and we have to share we our allies. In the name of Allah , I swear those christian traitor will not be so lucky next time, I will plunder them with no mercy at all.
Next time we will go for a smaller and richer target. Genoa looks fine, but Parma too, we will dcide about it latter. Anyway there is good in every bad and Hedjaz is amazed by our success and willing to join our alliance, we welcome our islamic brother [ and the 10 VP for the mission
) ].Later this year there is news of great action in the eastern territory as the treacherous Rossya invade our fellow Kazan khanat. There is a lot of rejoicing and celebration as they manage to crush a 50.000 russian army and to seize victory for a 184 GT price. I ordered a 2 day hollidays to celebrate this great victory ( and for myself recovering of the welcoming party of the Hedjaz emissary ).
But the islamic world is also a world of fight brother against brother, and I was sad to know that the Golden Hordes attack Astrakhan, and especially to know that soon after Astrakhan is besieginf the Horde capital city. It is silly to attack a muslim brother and much more silly to do so without an army ready .
1497: The semi-failure of the roma expedition has some good effect as having less troup I get more budget. Anyway I received a lot of pirate willing to join my troups [ event : +5 merchant ]. Alas I already got the more I can feed [ already 6 merchant and no gold to send them ], and it is a great lose for latter on, and a great profit for the port tavern as the unoccupied equipage roam through them. I do manage to conclude another alliance with a fellow muslim country: Oman, from wich I hope to buy the map of rich Indian colonies.
The hords after all win his conflict against Astrakhan, managing to seize Uralsk and Donetsk and to secure a 124 GT loot. With them and the sucessfull Kazan I fell better about the expansion of Rossya, If I can make somme alliance between the 3 major country of Kazan, Horde and Astrakhan perhaps we can stop rhe Russian dead in their track.
There is trouble with the unbeliever too as the alliance of England, Poland and Napoly ( spl. ) once against unite their forces against this time Scotland. those fellow began to have quite a reputation of ganging on feeble state, and earn the deserved nickname of the 'gang of bad guys'.
Lately I managed to marrry the Oman califat daughter to another of my nephew. Good thing as I guess that our relationship will became closer and closer.
1498: I look at my beautifull and prosperating city from the window of my palace an another clever plan strike me with the sunset light. I will seize the Corsica Island from Genoa and made it a pirates galley base. From there I will harass the Genoan trade, and will be able to loot them and their profitable trade much more easily. Going to my desk I began to draw battle plan, I need at least 30k men and cav and a sea force or 30 or more galleys to duel the Genoa fleet of 34 ships. As I was unaware of the willingness to fight of my allies ( except the Sultan that have always helped me ), I planned to be able to handle it alone. But with my meager income it will take me quite some time to raise the needed forces. Will Allah bless me ?...
Next post :
Part II: War preparation are not always peacefull ( 1499-1509 )
[This message has been edited by Greywolf (edited 08-11-2000).]
[This message has been edited by Greywolf (edited 08-11-2000).]
[This message has been edited by Greywolf (edited 08-11-2000).]
[This message has been edited by Greywolf (edited 08-11-2000).]
