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Crusader Kings III Available Now!
The realm rejoices as Paradox Interactive announces the launch of Crusader Kings III, the latest entry in the publisher’s grand strategy role-playing game franchise. Advisors may now jockey for positions of influence and adversaries should save their schemes for another day, because on this day Crusader Kings III can be purchased on Steam, the Paradox Store, and other major online retailers.
I second the portentious comment of reis91: Beware the Yanks!! It should be on your mind to gussie up the homeland defenses before the US arrival. Portugal is a prime place for an Allied landing zone. Are you considering any other mobile units besides (fairly) low level cavalry? Can these techs be leased from the other Axis partners? Is it worth the investment? On the edge of my seat (metaphorically) awaiting the next update.
The scenario I'm picturing would have a victorious Republican France. Third Republic, I guess it would be, right? And the Allies seemed willing to ignore Ethiopia, so long as Italy wasn't hostile.
I playtested something similar in beta. I'm sure things changed since then, but what I ended up with was French troops in Bavaria very quickly after the war started. I was shocked, to tell you the truth. Welcome, Sprites!
I always thought it was unrealistic to not allow negotiated surrender between factions. Churchill was startled when FDR proposed the total victory standard. I'll look more at HPP once I'm closer to having time to play a new game. Thanks!
Yeah, my early victories are making the mid-war strategy sound very expensive -- tanks, heavy ships, etc.
Thanks! And yes, the AI certainly has something to do with it. Impressive AI, all things considered, for standard frontal warfare, but not for what I'm doing.
I didn't think you'd be able to pull it off, but it seems you have South Africa on the ropes. I certainly didn't see that coming, many months ago. Here, let me have a bite of this tasty pie over here - hmm, tastes humbly.
I don't remember you as a naysayer, but if it was so, I graciously accept your pie. I was kind of surprised myself. But it was fun doing it!And that is only possible in the only game where paradox split Island into three provinces, two without ports.
Iceland, you mean? Yes, I expect inconclusivity.
Yes, that is a looming worry, although I have been using some of my influence to try to keep the US out of it. Not sure if I've showed any of that.
There still seems to be alot of Africa to go. Like a cake the size of a table!
Italy is doing some, but not much so far.The fortunate thing about Portugal's defensive stance is that there is really only one port from which to launch an invasion. You'll see me upgrade defenses soon. I'm beginning to worry about the British, too, after Madeira. Yes, I'll see what I can do with heavier weapons. I probably cannot afford to research tanks, but leasing sounds plausible.
Update sometime this week. Thanks for reading and commenting, everybody! Anyone else new?
A reminder about the AARLand Choice AwAARds! One week left to vote. This is NOT a plug for my AARs, but rather just an encouragement to participate in what has become a great AARLand tradition. I'm desperately trying to get my votes in, though in past rounds I've not had time.
Rensslaer
I've been reading this for a while but never commented. It's fantastic work you've done. Portugal games hold a special place in my heart because my first ever Paradox gameplay was as Portugal. Like you I saw potential in the vestigial empire. Unlike you, however, I was unable to realize that potential*. So I congratulate you again for doing so. Keep up the good work, I can't wait for the next update!
* In fact my disastrous reign left the metropole occupied
o. Needless to say a wish you better fortunes!
A reminder to please VOTE in the AARLand Choice AwAARds!
This is the last weekend to vote. I don't believe you can still vote Feb 1 (or maybe that's the last day).
Participation is way down from previous cycles. Please finish your votes if you've started.
This is NOT a plea to vote for my AARs -- there are plenty of great AARs -- but I don't wish for this great tradition (which favors new authors) to go out the window.
Thanks!
Rensslaer
This is the last weekend to vote. I don't believe you can still vote Feb 1 (or maybe that's the last day).
Participation is way down from previous cycles. Please finish your votes if you've started.
This is NOT a plea to vote for my AARs -- there are plenty of great AARs -- but I don't wish for this great tradition (which favors new authors) to go out the window.
Thanks!
Rensslaer
Império Novo
Chita burst out of the cloud deck which Aristides had used to cover their approach. The British cruiser was ready for them, having spotted them at range when they’d first observed each other, and then again en route as they’d dipped down to get their bearings.
Tracers leapt up at them from several gun platforms, some of them appearing to come close, others starting wide off the mark, and then closing in on them, even passing away again. Explosions along the flank of the ship, and blinkering from one of the more distant escorting destroyers, resolved themselves into black bursts of flak – anti-aircraft shells of heavier caliber, like they’d first encountered over Gibraltar.
Chita rocked, as if beset by momentary turbulence, and then powered through the puffs of smoke toward their target.
One of the streams of tracers focused on the Portuguese bomber – the bright flashes practically near enough to feel their incandescent heat, Ari thought – and Chita shuddered under the impact.
“Damage?” Paulo called out.
From the back, gunner Afonso Esteves’ voice came across the intercom. “Captain, there is some damage visible in the starboard wing. And some damage to the aileron. But it doesn’t look that bad. I can’t see the front of the wing.”
Paulo peeked through his window, stretching to get a view. “I think we’re fine,” he said. “How’s it handling?”
Ari, still concentrating on his determined approach toward the warship, rolled his yoke one way, then the other, the plane maneuvering slightly in response. “Seems fine.” They dove onward. “How’s the approach, Manny?”
“Good,” their bombardier said. “A little low. You’re keeping control, right? This guy’s big enough I’ll just let go when it’s time.”
“Roger,” Ari confirmed. He pulled the yoke back, slightly, to lessen their dive.
Their target was large. He was used to facing destroyers, which were much smaller, or cargo ships or tankers, which were large, but which were nowhere near so menacing. His stomach constricted in dread. More shells crashed nearby, shaking their craft, and another machine-gun burst hit them, damaging nothing of great importance.
As they began to pass overhead of the target, Manoel called out, “Away!” and the plane lightened, jumped upward. Immediately, Ari threw it into a sharp bank to evade anti-aircraft fire. To the right, this time – he had criticized himself for always pulling predictably to the left. Surely, the gunners didn’t share notes on his evasion tactics, but somehow it seemed he should vary his tactics slightly.
A sharp crack, followed by a second, drew his attention to a new stream of light that now invaded the cockpit. Two holes in the metal above his head and to the right. He shared a startled glance with Paulo, who was just as glad to have not been hit.
“Sound off!” the copilot ordered. Voices began to report over the intercom in rough order. They sped away from the cruiser, and safety.
“A hit, Captain!” one of their rear gunners, Pascoal, shouted. “Very near, anyway! Water shooting all over their decks. I saw some debris.”
“Excellent work, guys!” Ari evaded in another direction, just to keep it interesting. They were getting further away. He was climbing, slightly, to get into the clouds again, but not climbing enough to greatly reduce their speed – speed was life, as the saying went. He banked hard enough to change their direction a little. In fact, he continued the turn enough that he could crane his neck to see back toward their target. It had changed direction, slightly, and… maybe had slowed? Was there a slight cant to the deck? Not enough to sink it, surely, but evidence of damage. “Definitely a hit!” he shouted for the benefit of all to hear. The announcement was followed by hoots and shouts of victory.
Ari was a warrior, of a sort, but he was not a soldier, or a sailor, like those Tommies on the cruiser. He was a flyer. And he was not even a professional fighter – not a career man. He still felt, sometimes, like he was a mere substitute for the professional warrior who should be occupying this seat.
How did he get into this again???
Well… His country was at war. And besides, if he had to be at war, this was at least an exciting way to fight. And… Yes, he could admit it. He was having fun.
…so long as he didn’t get killed. In fact, the exhilaration of not getting killed heightened his enjoyment.
“Great job, Manoel!” Ari spoke into the intercom. Their bombardier was probably the best in Portuguese service, he was convinced, having struck dozens of merchant ships from so many countries. Dutch, British, French… Several Turkish vessels, since the Turkish declaration of war. And even a week ago they’d sunk a Norwegian tanker bringing a shipment of oil from Iranian fields to one of the last Norwegian holdouts in the mountains along their coast. The ship had burst into a sea of flame.
May had been particularly profitable. Nine ships sunk, so far this month. With no critical land battles underway, they’d been able to spend their time at home, basing from their home airfield, in their own quarters, and launching after merchant traffic passing through the Straits of Gibraltar – that one place where all Allied cargo from Asia or the Mediterranean must travel.
“Manoel?” Paulo asked. Then, more urgently, “Manny?!”
Ari glanced over, and saw concern in his co-pilot’s thoughtful eyes, his fingers pressing the intercom contacts to his throat. Manoel was always hollering after his bombs hit their targets, and yet… he was quiet.
From behind them, a wide-eyed and excited Aaran unbuckled himself from his seat, in a burst of action, and jumped toward the hatch to go check on their friend in the compartment below.
Ari wasn’t having fun anymore.
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Well-crafted update and that last line is a kicker, after all the excitement it reminds us of the costs of war.
I was wondering how our fly-boys had been doing. Not much for them to do in the battles recently reported. Exciting episode and sad ending. Alas, to lose a friend....!
I've been reading this for a while but never commented. It's fantastic work you've done. Portugal games hold a special place in my heart because my first ever Paradox gameplay was as Portugal. Like you I saw potential in the vestigial empire. Unlike you, however, I was unable to realize that potential*. So I congratulate you again for doing so. Keep up the good work, I can't wait for the next update!
* In fact my disastrous reign left the metropole occupied
Thanks, Nuarq! Welcome! Heh - Portugal as your first Paradox game ever? That's pretty good -- Portugal can be fascinating to play in any age. Its worldwide colonies, or the potential for them, are a good draw. I've done pretty well for myself, but I still cannot guarantee I won't meet the same fate.
Good to have you along!Exactly!
I guess I'm a little amazed that Portugal never got gobbled up by Spain, historicially. I started -- seems like maybe it was after I started this game -- reading the Sharpe's Napoleon books, and some of those were set in Portugal.Thanks! Believe it or not, two hours before I posted this, I didn't think I was even going to be doing a narrative scene. "It takes so much time to prepare," I thought to myself! :rofl: When inspiration hits, it hits. I used a couple paragraphs (the part about being a professional warrior) I'd written months ago, and the whole rest sprung from that.
Enewald, you should check your left ear. I think Khan left a snark-bug in your ear or something.
Neither did I, honestly. But I figured Chita's crew had gone a bit too long without casualty. Through some dangerous missions, even -- many low-level bombing raids, etc. This was, I think, the first time (in game) Chita had gone up against a real warship. I think maybe there was a cruiser in the first scene (or its 2nd part), but they didn't take it on head-to-head. Play with fire, and you can get burned.
Thanks! I truly appreciate the value of your comments here, as a fan of narrative fiction. It seemed like a natural counterpoint to Ari's expressed feeling of enjoyment, so long as he didn't get killed. I do miss writing fiction on a regular basis. I've been thinking I need to get back into it, and yet I don't really have time.
Well, they often were present briefly, but their presence was never a make-or-break contribution since earlier in the war. Chita has been involved in various land campaigns to tip the balance, plus has been used for reconnaissance over both Gibraltar (shown) and Madeira. I felt it was significant, and worth noting, the VOLUME of kills in May 1940, when she was finally able to sit in a home base and work on merchant shipping. I was shocked, truly, in game. That Gibraltar corridor is so rich you can't help but hit something, and Portugal is uniquely positioned to have access to the shooting gallery! They were sinking one ship every 2-3 days, I think.
Okay, I Am Siam has been updated, and I'll do Sforza next. I'm...
Don't laugh!
I'm about to start a 4th active AAR! :8
It will be a Semper Fi game -- I got my first look at Semper Fi last night, and I played for 5 hours straight, completely losing track of time until 3:00 a.m. (which is fine since I'm almost kinda snowed in today). It's nothing special, really -- just an experiment. But it might be interesting. It will be called Kriegsgefahr. I'll let you know when I start it. It's nothing that will greatly distract from this game, or my other AARs.
Everybody, again, thank you VERY much for your attention and comments. I do value them!
Rensslaer
Having had a free hand in the East Indies for quite some time, it was somewhat of a shock for Captain Tomas, leading the Viana do Castello flotilla of destroyers, to find a British squadron steaming through the Straits of Malacca.
It was somewhat of a surprise, too, to find that the British fleet was apparently unescorted. All in all, British naval activity in the east had been quite disrupted, so it’s entirely possible that no such escort was to be had.
Tomas’ destroyers inflicted some serious damage – sinking several ships – before the troop transports disappeared into a squall line and could not be rediscovered until….
Two days later (one day after lost contact), they appeared on the approach to Oosthaven, meaning to effect a dramatic reinforcement of the garrison there just as Portuguese forces were closing in from two directions on the island of Sumatra.
A brief skirmish with small deck guns between British and Portuguese transports ensued before the Portuguese destroyers raced in and finished the battle.
The British transports were all sunk, with considerable loss of life among the embarked soldiers, only a few of which were picked up by the rescue operations before the sharks of the Sunda Strait had their way with them. Some survived simply because the sharks had become engorged and disinterested.
A day later, the dispirited and beleaguered defenders of Oosthaven, and what Dutch government officials remained there, surrendered to advancing Portuguese infantry.
The Portuguese general staff was becoming concerned, though. First, in Madeira, and now in the East Indies, the Allied war effort was demonstrating a shift away from utter panic and flight toward some small degree of counteroffensive mentality.
Their fears were confirmed, again, when on the 20th of May a British squadron attempted to land on the Portuguese islands of the Azores.
The British attack, which was of decent size, was turned back because this amphibious invasion – the first the British had attempted since Gallipoli in 1915 – was met with stiff resistance and because of obvious flaws in their plan was unable to cope with changes necessitated by an opposed landing.
Nevertheless, it had become clear that the United Kingdom was beginning to get its wits about it again. And that was disturbing, and somewhat frightening, considering the might which she could still wield. Worse, Portugal seemed the most obvious first target for a counteroffensive, as she lacked the defenses, technology and depth of Fortress Europa in the north.
Because the window for completing conquest might be closing, to be replaced by a long defensive watch, it seemed more important to settle things in the Far East more conclusively. The two British infantry divisions huddled in the Malayan hills were not much of a fighting force, but they were hunkered down in defensive positions and would need to be rooted out. A series of successive battles were implemented against them – attack, sap the strength of the British holdouts, pull back, rest, recover, and then attack again. The British, without the ability to resupply and otherwise recuperate, would eventually be worn down and captured.
On the 31st of May, the British struck again. This time, at Macao, across the bay from British held Hong Kong. General Costa Oliveira had been moved into operational command at Macao, and he led a stiff resistance to the attempt.
Fortifications had been begun at Macao, and while they were not complete, they did contribute to the defense in their constituent parts (not really, gamewise, but it’s a logical story, yes?). The British attack was relatively strong, the Macao defenses, like many others, being comprised of understrength divisions which had been the mainstay of the Portuguese war effort thus far. This first landing attempt could be defended against, but (as in Malaya) it was possible the Portuguese could be worn down over time.
This threat would have to be dealt with. Naval and air assets were reassigned to Macao. Damage inflicted by the FW-200 Condors of General Bettencourt’s squadrons successfully damaged enough of the British fleet that operations were suspended and they returned to Hong Kong.
Even thereafter, attempts were made to impact the port and airfields at Hong Kong, to perhaps forestall another invasion attempt, but these proved entirely inadequate to the task and were soon stood down.
Despite building pushback from the British, Portuguese offensive efforts continued. A fleet arrived off Dutch Guyana in mid-June, and a landing was made there by the 4th Cavalry against the undefended Dutch colony. However, it was quickly ascertained that the British had defenders in British Guyana, and there was concern that the British presence might be strong enough to pose a threat to the whole operation.
Another landing was made against the undefended British island of Barbados. However, British raiders from St. Vincent, using light boats, crossed over and began to harass the Portuguese there.
In South Africa, to close out this wartime history of May to June, 1940, another South African division of Militia had been surrounded at Karasburg, and was being reduced by a steady attack by the 1st Cavalry.
Another South African division remained trapped further north, along the coast, and a third body of Milita to the south waited to be attacked, having sapped its own strength in an unsuccessful attempt to break through to Karasburg. The remaining defenders of Capetown were on their last legs, one division already retreating to the east, and the other preparing to do so.
It was somewhat of a surprise, too, to find that the British fleet was apparently unescorted. All in all, British naval activity in the east had been quite disrupted, so it’s entirely possible that no such escort was to be had.
Tomas’ destroyers inflicted some serious damage – sinking several ships – before the troop transports disappeared into a squall line and could not be rediscovered until….
Two days later (one day after lost contact), they appeared on the approach to Oosthaven, meaning to effect a dramatic reinforcement of the garrison there just as Portuguese forces were closing in from two directions on the island of Sumatra.
A brief skirmish with small deck guns between British and Portuguese transports ensued before the Portuguese destroyers raced in and finished the battle.
The British transports were all sunk, with considerable loss of life among the embarked soldiers, only a few of which were picked up by the rescue operations before the sharks of the Sunda Strait had their way with them. Some survived simply because the sharks had become engorged and disinterested.
A day later, the dispirited and beleaguered defenders of Oosthaven, and what Dutch government officials remained there, surrendered to advancing Portuguese infantry.
The Portuguese general staff was becoming concerned, though. First, in Madeira, and now in the East Indies, the Allied war effort was demonstrating a shift away from utter panic and flight toward some small degree of counteroffensive mentality.
Their fears were confirmed, again, when on the 20th of May a British squadron attempted to land on the Portuguese islands of the Azores.
The British attack, which was of decent size, was turned back because this amphibious invasion – the first the British had attempted since Gallipoli in 1915 – was met with stiff resistance and because of obvious flaws in their plan was unable to cope with changes necessitated by an opposed landing.
Nevertheless, it had become clear that the United Kingdom was beginning to get its wits about it again. And that was disturbing, and somewhat frightening, considering the might which she could still wield. Worse, Portugal seemed the most obvious first target for a counteroffensive, as she lacked the defenses, technology and depth of Fortress Europa in the north.
Because the window for completing conquest might be closing, to be replaced by a long defensive watch, it seemed more important to settle things in the Far East more conclusively. The two British infantry divisions huddled in the Malayan hills were not much of a fighting force, but they were hunkered down in defensive positions and would need to be rooted out. A series of successive battles were implemented against them – attack, sap the strength of the British holdouts, pull back, rest, recover, and then attack again. The British, without the ability to resupply and otherwise recuperate, would eventually be worn down and captured.
On the 31st of May, the British struck again. This time, at Macao, across the bay from British held Hong Kong. General Costa Oliveira had been moved into operational command at Macao, and he led a stiff resistance to the attempt.
Fortifications had been begun at Macao, and while they were not complete, they did contribute to the defense in their constituent parts (not really, gamewise, but it’s a logical story, yes?). The British attack was relatively strong, the Macao defenses, like many others, being comprised of understrength divisions which had been the mainstay of the Portuguese war effort thus far. This first landing attempt could be defended against, but (as in Malaya) it was possible the Portuguese could be worn down over time.
This threat would have to be dealt with. Naval and air assets were reassigned to Macao. Damage inflicted by the FW-200 Condors of General Bettencourt’s squadrons successfully damaged enough of the British fleet that operations were suspended and they returned to Hong Kong.
Even thereafter, attempts were made to impact the port and airfields at Hong Kong, to perhaps forestall another invasion attempt, but these proved entirely inadequate to the task and were soon stood down.
Despite building pushback from the British, Portuguese offensive efforts continued. A fleet arrived off Dutch Guyana in mid-June, and a landing was made there by the 4th Cavalry against the undefended Dutch colony. However, it was quickly ascertained that the British had defenders in British Guyana, and there was concern that the British presence might be strong enough to pose a threat to the whole operation.
Another landing was made against the undefended British island of Barbados. However, British raiders from St. Vincent, using light boats, crossed over and began to harass the Portuguese there.
In South Africa, to close out this wartime history of May to June, 1940, another South African division of Militia had been surrounded at Karasburg, and was being reduced by a steady attack by the 1st Cavalry.
Another South African division remained trapped further north, along the coast, and a third body of Milita to the south waited to be attacked, having sapped its own strength in an unsuccessful attempt to break through to Karasburg. The remaining defenders of Capetown were on their last legs, one division already retreating to the east, and the other preparing to do so.
How is it realistic to encircle an unit by attacking only from one direction?
Long arms. Or.... Hooves, in this particular circumstance.
THe Portuguese cavalry appears to the bewildered South Africans to be everywhere at once. The British activity is a clear indication that the free range the Portuguese have hitherto enjoyed -because you've worked hard doing it is coming to an end. rap up the Dutch East Indies and South Africa. You could do with knocking out Hong Kong which is the last naval base the British have in the Far East. You've been building for a defense of the homeland. I think you're about to have that fight.
Love the image of the engorged and disinterested sharks!!
I might have concentrated more effort to reducing the South African situation in order to derive a "peace" dividend by subduing that enemy and freeing troops to maraud elsewhere. Have fun in the Antilles - I hear it's wonderful this time of the year!!
I might have concentrated more effort to reducing the South African situation in order to derive a "peace" dividend by subduing that enemy and freeing troops to maraud elsewhere. Have fun in the Antilles - I hear it's wonderful this time of the year!!
STOP! COOKIE TIME