INTERLUDE XVII
Decision Time (1800)
Interactivity allowed by Mr. Capiatlist and Qorten. Thanks, guys!
I think it would be fun to change things up for this last walkabout. I randomized six nations, ignoring a few completely unsuitable candidates (protectorates and colonies). Of those six, I selected three countries I would not mind playing through to the end that I think we might manage some fun with.
I would like YOU to choose which of the three. Here are your choices:
AYUTTHAYA
Ayutthaya has been the baddest nation in this part of the world the whole game. They bullied Lan Xang pretty thoroughly when we were there, and held their own against all comers. Something happened to wreck them mid-game, but as you can see they're back and in a solid position.
I'm not too worried about Ayutthaya's war with Portugal due to distance. If we go here, we're going to try and mess with Indochina and Indonesia. Brunei and Majapahit are vulnerable, and while Shan and Dai Viet are allied, we're stronger than both of them together. We might even annoy the Ming for an encore.
AZTECS
I have a soft spot for the Aztecs and Inca surviving the whole game. The Aztecs have been pretty quiet, subjugating Zapotec and Maya early on. To my knowledge they've fought precisely one war and lost.
Aztec has a great local ally in Brittany, and while their tech is a little questionable, they should have the advantage of local numerical superiority. If we go here, we're going to try and give the Aztecs an empire to stand the ages: Take down Portuguese Mexico and perhaps even Dutch Mexico.
NETHERLANDS
Fed by event chains, the Netherlands quickly turned into a world power. They have colonies world wide and just came out of a long war where they humbled Great Britain. They have great allies, some impressive enemies (Brittany and Spain), and have warned all their Imperial neighbors to behave including Mainz.
I can count the number of nations the Dutch can't take on mano-a-mano on one hand. If we go here, we're going to give the term 'Going Dutch' new meaning.
What say you? Where shall we go?
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