Chapter V: Border Tension
All most immediately, the former people of Thessaly demanded more autonomy. King Ferrante II responded with the entire army.
Battle of Kastoria:
Attacker: Peasants
Initial Forces: 5000 Infantry 1000 Calvary
Losses: 2169 Infantry 507 Calvary
Defenders: Naples, Achea
Initial Forces: 8000 Infantry 2000 Calvary
Reinforcements: 3000 Infantry 2000 Calvary
Losses: 1276 Infantry
Result: Defenders Win
The Artisans were equally frustrated with Naples, but learning from the peasants, they did not result to violence. Instead, they simply chose not to work. King Ferrante II being a diplomat, respected their means of protest and responded by abolishing a painful tax.
Tensions along the border with The Papal State were once again reaching a boiling point, with peasants on both sides engaging in clashes. An official decree was issued stating, "The violence must cease immediately. The Papal State is a formidable adversary. We will reclaim our rightful lands in due time."
Within two months, Naples was back at war. Not with The Papal State as was promised, but with Genoa. The last fifty years were not kind to Genoa. First, they lost their land on the Black Sea, then they lost their capital. Now, All that was left of this once mighty trade nation was Corsica and Southern Sardinia.
Battle of Cagliari:
Attacker: Naples
Initial Forces: 4850 Infantry 1940 Calvary
Losses: 113 Calvary
Defenders: Genoa
Initial Forces: 1000 Calvary
Losses: 1000 Calvary
Result: Attackers Win (Crushing Victory)
Battle of Bastia:
Attacker: Naples
Initial Forces: 5760 Infantry 2847 Calvary
Losses: 318 Infantry
Defenders: Genoa
Initial Forces: 2000 Infantry
Losses: 2000 Infantry
Result: Attackers Win (Crushing Victory)
At this point, Genoa was down and out. Their provinces were being seiged, their ports blockaded. It looked as if Naples would get everything they wanted. It came as a slap in the face then when Milan, also at war with Genoa, forced Corsica to be released as a sovereign nation.
The very next day, on July 16th, 1361, Naples fully annexed what was left. It was bittersweet, as it felt like half the prize was stolen.
With the nation growing quickly and their own power waning, the Nobility demanded that King Ferrante II once again grant them the privileges they had lost. Their demands were not met, instead they had even more privileges revoked.
The peasants were the next to cause problems. They were upset at living in unsanitary conditions and being on the brink of starvation. The King responded by ordering a massive project aimed at improve their situation.
On June 11th, 1365, Naples was called into war by Savoy. King Ferrante II had no intention of actually participating, but to keep his ally happy, he joined the war.
With The Papal State embroiled in their own war, the King hired mercenaries and waited for the right moment to strike. That moment came on July 7th, 1366, just after The Papal State lost a large battle. The two sides were fairly even however, Naples was at a slight disadvantage.
Battle of Urbino:
Attacker: Naples
Initial Forces: 14,000 Infantry 3000 Calvary
Losses: 212 Infantry
Defender: Urbino
Initial Forces: 3000 Infantry
Losses: 3000 Infantry
Result: Attackers Win (Crushing Victory)
The Papal State responded the way they were expected to, they Excommunicated Naples. Anger and unrest spread across the land. King Ferrante II was annoyed writing, "What do these fools truly want? First I wasn't pressing our claims hard enough, now they're upset that we're at war with the Pope. They repercussions were understood well before this war."
Battle of Rome:
Attacker: Lucca
Initial Forces: 5171 Infantry 1000 Calvary
Losses: 3255 Infantry 772 Calvary
Defender: Naples
Initial Forces: 12000 Infantry 3000 Calvary
Losses: 1077 Infantry 184 Calvary
Result: Attackers Win
October 18th, 1367, marked the end of The Papal State as serious contender in the war with the Battle of Velletri.
Battle of Velletri:
Attackers: Naples, Hungary
Initial Forces: 4820 Infantry 4850 Calvary
Reinforcements: 15,000 Infantry 3000 Calvary
Losses: 1591 Infantry 1588 Calvary
Defenders: Lucca, Hesse
Initial Forces: 10,041 Infantry 2535 Calvary
Losses: 5344 Infantry 1584 Calvary
Result: Attackers Win
King Ferrante II decided it was time to split up and siege, for the war was almost over. Unfortunately, Neuchatel, from Savoy's war, decided to catch Naples off guard. Before there could be recourse, the entire siege was eliminated. Troops arrived shortly to end Neuchatel's advance.
Battle of Grosseto:
Attacker: Naples
Initial Forces: 4950 Infantry 2970 Calvary
Losses: 1091 Infantry 505 Calvary
Defenders: Neuchatel, Milan
Initial Forces: 5059 Infantry 2000 Calvary
Losses: 1955 Infantry 1152 Calvary
Result: Attackers Win
The war was now just sieging Papal land. It finally came to an end on August 3rd, 1369, with Naples acquiring Ancona, Grosetto, and Perugia, and dismantling part of the Pope's alliance network.
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Author Notes: I'm almost to my 4th idea, and I'm not sure what to pick. It has to be diplomatic and I've narrowed it down to two. I could go for Conciliatory, which will get me 2 diplomats eventually. It will make vassals integrate faster and cheaper, give me 20% relations over time, and will give me 5% cheaper diplotech. It will also unlock policies that will give some nice bonuses including 10% Infantry Combat ability and 5% settler chance.
I could also go Merchant Adventures. It will help me when I get Exploration at idea 5. I'll get 2 merchants, 15% trade power abroad, 5% Trade income modifier, 15% steering, 10% global trade power, 10% trade efficiency, and 15% trade ship combat ability. It has no amazing ideas unlocked. The other benefit is I will be able to make buildings quicker which will lead to more force limits.
What do you guys think of these bonuses? Both seem really good to me.