1481-1485
So it seems I’m forging an empire(-let)! Now, obviously, the alliance with England becomes even more important as they might easily turn from my ally into a foe. I invest in provincial account in Connacht, I’m not planning to develop this prov beyond this. I hope to use it only as a springboard to my exploration adventure in the future. Not much else happens in 1481. Next year my 6-star alderman dies so I re-recruit my 4-star banker. Luckily, I paid for seasonal markets before – I want to keep my merchants happy. I also see Sweden gets a different monasticism option than other countries I’ve played so far. I believe their Bridgettines is flavour stuff.
Peace is illusive. In January 1473 England attacks Leinster, I duly follow. It’ll take some time to regain stab, but I’m not going to invest in it. I was planning to opportunistically grab some prestige in this war, like in the previous one. But somehow I mis-coordinated everything: my troops came too late to the battle, my ships brought me no profit from blockade (is it because - due to my third province - my abhorrence got abbrorrencer?) and I even let Lensterians loot Connacht. Can anyone beat me in mismanaging a war?
Leinster is going down quickly, yet its diplomats managed to voice their displeasure with our conquest of Connacht, Hmm… In August Brittany, the protector of all the Irish (how plausible is that?) offers white peace and I accept. More disruptive than this war turned out to be a trade crisis. And the stir down there in Poland, but to my relief they attack TO + LIV.
In March 1484 England annexes Leinster and continues its campaign in Brittany, again they seem to be serious about intending to grab some land. In December I get to choose my next NI and with distant, I admit, yet existing colonisation prospects I decide to combine the two a naval idea and a shot for ME&C. It’s not optimal naval idea for the Hanseatic Danzig but if I want to reach beyond the Baltic and beyond being a small trading nation Naval Provisioning is the only option. Soon we say goodbye to various abhorrences and we welcome… ‘lack of naval interest’. ‘Bless’ you Ubik!
My newly-discovered naval focus, prompts me to use another feature of MM: hiring fair. I want a naval advisor. I choose Ősel as it gives me 0 taxes anyway. First to offer his services is a naval reformer and I take him on. Expended anchorage is built immediately. All in all, it was quite an expensive operation, but in line with Danzinger spirit. For the sake of balance and in fear I might attract Poland’s attention as soon as it’s done with TO, I hire 1k cavalry; I have 5k troops altogether.
In June England offers Brittany an extremely generous peace; practically leaving it at the (no) mercy of France. I don’t know what to make of it. Clearly, England AI proved stupid here: it sent huge armies, suffered attrition, maintained troops, wasted time and manpower to siege/assault towns and all for nothing. But from my point of view: fewer English holdings on the continent, fewer chances to clash with France. Well, there’s Calais of course and its just a matter of time…
By September Poland is at peace again. Again I’m a bit mystified by its peace treaties too. Hopefully, this means Poland and TO will have to have another go at it. In November I regain stability and in December it’s election time again. Of course I keep Ferdinand Feber. It seems to me I got -1 reputation this time as it fell from around 2.5 to 1.5.
Internationally:
1482
Hungary takes Budjak and vassalises Moldavia, apparently Moldavia got dragged into the Balkan conflict. Later on Hungary vassalises Bosnia.
France annexes Armagnac.
Muscovy – Crimea: white peace.
Castile dows Granada; there are still quite many scripted things in MM, this is one of them; not that I’m complaining, from experience I know that even though it’s scripted the reconquista at times fails/drags on/has unexpected or undesired results. This war is short; Granada loses Gibraltar.
1483
Muscovy – Mameluks: white peace
1484
Poland dows TO
Naples dows the Papal States
Austria – Denmark, a highlight from this war with no end, Austrian army evaporated; btw see poor Oldenburg it was taken by Cologne, retaken, and now Munster holds it
1485
France (& its vassals) attacks Navarre( + Brittany + Aragon); very clever I have to say; this will make the situation in Brittany interesting. Aragon gets ‘we are vicious fighters’ troops spawns but I doubt they’ll stop le Blob.
Cologne / Hesse – Denmark: white peace
On religious front ‘Renaissance Ideas’ started firing. Sadly, all countries save Wűrtemburg went for ‘Church must come first’. Burgundy first chose ‘Secular Humanism’ but later the event fired for them again and church won. Can anyone explain it to me why the ‘Ideas’ fire more than once for some nations? The religious system is very complex. Does the Catholic world need to get corrupt Popes to strengthen the future reformation?