Selim's Dynasty

[Morlac]

Originally posted by Snow King
Thanks for replying Morlac!

1. Normal/Normal (Give me a break, This is my first AAR)

5. Sorry. I think I could do it, but I need webspace. I'll ask my older brother when he gets back from his trip.

1. I think the consensus is that Normal/Furious is actually easier than Normal/Normal in some respects. When the AI is constantly fighting other AI nations, they spend less on technology, research and infrastructure improvements. They wind up considerably weaker. (Wish I had known that when I started my Spanish AAR...) So I think it's harder towards the beginning, as they are very aggressive and you are not very powerful yet. But after several decades of war, they start falling behind.

5. If you want to do it the quick way, don't try to post the shots inline in your posts. Just set up a page somewhere and link to the page. Several folks have been doing it that way, and it's not incredibly onerous. I think lots of companies still give away web space (Tripod and Geocities leap to mind...)

Tripod
Geocities

 

[Dale]

Yeah, I'm a long time player of EU and say that in the late stages, Normal/Normal is harder, because the AI has had money for infrastructure (especially those damn level 5 and 6 forts ). Basically, the AI has more time to spend on trade/research/infra spending if it's not fighting a million wars.

http://www.crosswinds.net is another website that offers free space. That's who I use. To see what Morlac means by setting up a webpage for the screenshots, take a look at my Venice AAR website.

Good luck with the AAR, it's coming along well. Also, the best way to get readers is to read others AARs and make comments.

 

[unmerged(8830)]

Great! After the vote, we are attacking Persia. By the way, I will be calling votes many times, and I love reader input. Thanks all of you for the great replies.

Part 1: 1505-1510

In the city of Constantinople, It was a dark and stormy night, the typical horror movie scene. Absolutely nothing happened . The next day was a bright and sunny day. The birds were twittering, and the sun was shining. I was walking through the palace to the sauna. I thought I heard light footsteps behind me, but I shrugged it off. Then, a person grabbed me from behind and held a knife over my neck. I moved my wrist ever so slightly, but this launched a tiny poison dart into his belly. He dropped almost immediately. Trembling, I realized Ali was serious when he talked of killing me.

The next day, I told the sultan of my advisors' advice. We were attacking Persia. We slowly built up the borders. Four forts and troop movements, but for some reason, Persia didn't feel threatened. Entering in an alliance with Georgia and Crimea for the Persian war, we felt confident. Unfortunately, soon after, our admiral died. We so underused him, I didn't even know his name. The next major thing happened as Crimea called upon us to honor the alliance against Poland.

After I thought about it, I said no. We were too weak to fight the polish hordes, and we wanted to crush Persia. Soon after, the seemingly perfect opportunity occurred as the Muhgals declared war on Persia. But, the war ended all too soon. However, the Persians were greatly weakened, and we declared war.

Soon after, the ugly Venetians declared war. Two front war! We decided to destroy Persia first. But the Venetians moved first! Soon, a battle with inferior Turkish forces in Kosovo showed them who was boss. In the west, the peace went lightning quick. Soon we made peace for Armenia and Iraq. Fearful of Persian vengeance, we fortified Armenia.

O.O.C. I think I am evolving this into a style more like Morlac's Spanish IGC. Since I am intending to play this at least to 1700 or 1792, I cannot write it all in first person. Next: part two of Chapter IV: 1510 to 1515.

 

[unmerged(9191)]

First-nice AAR.

Second-THAT WAS MY STORYLINE. ARGGGGGGGGGG. I already had half it written for my upcomming Naples AAR.

Third- Peace to start with Turkey is not always the best thing, since if im not mistaken most of there generals come early on.

 

[Morlac]

Originally posted by Imperial Army
First-nice AAR.

Second-THAT WAS MY STORYLINE. ARGGGGGGGGGG. I already had half it written for my upcomming Naples AAR.

Third- Peace to start with Turkey is not always the best thing, since if im not mistaken most of there generals come early on.

IA

Nice to see you again!

I can't speak for Snow King, but as a reader, don't sweat it if there are similarities in the storyline. Yes, an AAR should have a strong "hook" to get the reader involved quickly, but the hook isn't the whole thing. How you tell the story is far more important than the two-line "plot pitch". (A lot of Hollywood movies get made based on the pitch and fall flat in the telling )

If I may make a suggestion? If your planned hook was very close to Snow King's, why not collaborate? Not a tight collaboration, to be sure, since you're not actually playing a multiplayer game. But let's say that you too were planning on writing a similar time travel story wherein the protagonist goes back in time to correct a major problem like an Iraqi takeover. Have a couple of conversations with Snow King and have your protagonist going back in time to correct some of the new problems that have been introduced by HIS protagonist's messing with the time stream.

And if I might add -- time travelling protagonists are pretty common. My Michael is a time traveller of sorts, after all...

And re: Turkish generals. There's a period Snow King is coming up to between about 1520 and 1540 when he should have four generals at once. And of course, his best general ever will be Selim I from about 1512-1520. (But Suleyman is no slouch either, and if you're careful with him he'll last over 40 years...)

After the 1500's though, generals get worse and rarer. The 1700s are absolutely awful (I think there are 2 in the whole century...)


By the way, Snow King -- the dear departed admiral was probably Kucuk Daoud, who springs a leak in 1506. You should still have Kemal Reis until 1511, though...

 

[unmerged(8830)]

Originally posted by Imperial Army
First-nice AAR.

Second-THAT WAS MY STORYLINE. ARGGGGGGGGGG. I already had half it written for my upcomming Naples AAR.

Third- Peace to start with Turkey is not always the best thing, since if im not mistaken most of there generals come early on.

Hi, Imperial Army!
1. thanks
2. Oops, sorry. But I think time is big enough for the both of us ...
3. Yes, And in 1520-1530, I'll be KILL, KILL, KILL Muhahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!! Cristians don't stand a chance!

 

[unmerged(8830)]

Okay, this is the fastest posting AAR, and the other writers are probably feeling pretty jealous right now. Yes, I have a lot of time on my hands. So after this I'll lay off for a while.

Part Two: 1510-1515

Jeeze, I mean, right in the middle of 1510, as I'm dealing with Venice, Hungary Declares war! And the entire Austrian alliance. Oh my god, uh oh. Just then, I find out the beginning of the AAR is wrong! Selim I just ascended. Sorry bout that! And he's a General with 25,000 men under his command! But, the Austrian alliance has many men, and I am hard pressed!

Fortunately, Turkey is saved by Selim, as he utterly crushes Hungary, and we get Croatia and Pest! Then a revolt in Sinai (huh!? It's a colony) and... um well, the peace with Venice was lost in a um... fire, yes that's right, fire (WP)!



Part Three (last for this Chapter):1515-1520

I got England to love us! And Exchange maps! Good cash! We discovered the New World! And by the way, my character converted to Islam. A new Muslim! Some time, an Islamic World!

Civil war in France. Infidels vs. Infidels, if you don't mind me saying so .Unfortunately, the good news ends with a revolt in Pest! And again, just as the first on is over! One would think these Catholics are more trouble than they are worth! And then, the course continues its downward course as Sinan, hero of Egypt, Persia, and the best loved of all Generals, dies .
This is only slightly offset by the Lt. General Bali.

As the first treaty expires, we declare war on Persia, followed by declarations of war from The Austrian Alliance, and Venice. The sultan was furious, and ordered them destroyed. A vicious two front war was fought, ending in gains of Kurdistan from Persia, a white peace with Austrian Alliance (thank Allah, they had 80,000 troops in Pest!), and a peace with Venice gaining (for us) 750d and Illyria.

O.O.C. I'm exhausted. Almost five years of war! We are officially in 2nd place right now, but Poland and Spain could crush us now, France could if it was closer, and even the Austrian alliance could hurt us badly. By the way, feel free to criticize.

 

[Morlac]

Sounds like you're doing well, indeed.

Who (if anyone) are your allies now? You said you got England to love you, but are you in an alliance with them? (Not that they can do you much good over there...)

You are going to keep having two front wars (or more) for quite some time to come, and it will get much worse when/if Poland decides to take a piece of you. I would say that you had better neutralize one of your two fronts long before that happens.

How many diplomats/year are you getting? If your ruler is good diplomatically (Selim is good at everything, I think!) perhaps you can make a concerted effort to either cement a strong local alliance of your own or enter one of the existing ones. This is the period when you will be most vulnerable -- you probably have a high BB value from annexing and conquering provinces, but you are still small enough to be hurt badly by multiple DOWs.

Also, don't be afraid to offer gold for peace to a big alliance. The Austrians seem to have quite effectively prevented you from really pushing your wars on Persia (only 3 provinces in 2 wars, if I recall). It may be worth 250d to get them off your back the day after they declare war, rather than waste time, money and men trying to fight them to a minor victory.

(In my Spanish IGC, I bought off the Turkish alliance many, many times rather than fight them. I wound up containing and enveloping them from almost all sides, leaving them only a few ways to expand -- right into my enemies )

 

[unmerged(8830)]

Persia's next. I've got in an alliance with Oman, Hedjaz,Hafsid, and Algeirs. That's your only tidbit . I've talked too much today. like I said, I have too much time.

P.S. Does annexing Persia give any BB points?

 

[unmerged(8830)]

Yes I know, I have too much time and post too much, but since no one else has posted for 3 days, I'm wondering if any of you are still reading this. If so, I will write more.

 

[unmerged(7347)]

I read!

 

[Morlac]

I'm still here, still reading, still complaining about the deafening silence...

 

[unmerged(8830)]

Well, for Yoghurt and Morlac,and all those other potential readers (and for my own enjoyment...):

Chapter V: An Islamic Empire
1520-1525

The trumpets blare as a new leader ascends the throne! All hail Sulyman! His first act of office is to improve forts. A great many flanks need to be secured. Obstructing us are the peasants ("Sir, the peasants are revolting!" "Indeed, they are ugly!"). Soon however, we strike another vein of fortune, and we get the brilliant commander Ibrahim. More forts are erected, and Sulyman, Sultan of Turkey, Egypt, the Holy Land, and Greece, presents our declaration of war.

The last of the Persian wars is going well when:
Austria
Poland Lithuania
Venice
Hungary
Moldavia
declare war in quick succession. However, they are reluctant to carry out their words with actions, and all have WP's made upon them.

1525-1530
The era is punctuated with sadness as our valiant Lt. General Bali dies in some obscure Persian province. Sulyman, however saw the end of the Persian Wars in site, and urged them on, even as he and his army guard the western front.

Now, however, we hear that a new brand of heretics has declared itself. The Protestants finally have several countries officially support them. Oh well, like Caesar said, divide and conquer. No wonder the Europeans don't understand this. Their "Renaissance" is just discovering what we have known since it was said.

Now this is a date which will live in the history books. November 1528, on a cold and bitter day, the realm of Persia is annexed. All hail Turkey! All hail Sulyman! Sultan of Turkey, Iraq, Persia, the Holy Land, Egypt and Greece. Ruler of the largest contiguous empire on the planet. Protector of all Islam! To Sulman, the most powerful man in the world!


O.O.C. I wonder if Sulyman has earned enough titles to be crowned Caliph of Bagdad. I'm sure he is the greatest monarch in the world. Now I know, what ever the VP's say (2nd most powerful, still behind Spain), Turkey is the most power ful nation in the known world.

My goals up to 1600 now is:
1. Unite all Muslim nations, that is, Turkey, the Hedjaz, Oman, Aden, Nubia, The Hafsid Empire, Algiers, Morocco, and the Mougals, under the banner of a single alliance, and vassalize as many as I can until 1600.

2. Carefully guard all borders, and annex Hungary and badly hurt Austria by 1600.

3. Slow European colonization of India, by fostering good relations with the Mougals, and colonizing it and East Africa first.

4. Eliminate Christian control of the Western Mediterranean Islands, IOW annex Venice and the Knights.

5. March into Italy and threaten the heart of Christian-dom.

 

[unmerged(7347)]

If I remember it right the turkish sultans did earn the title as Caliph, but I dont think they called themself "Caliph of Bagdad". Bagdad was one place among others where a Caliph have had his seat.

Nice goals you set up and congratulations to your victory over Persia. Thoose guys are allways anyoing and deserves to be annexed

 

[unmerged(9191)]

hey hey hey, dont attack my italian people....

PS-were still screwed in world history matters.

 

[unmerged(8830)]

Chapter VI: too many wars to count....
1530-1535

Last night I had a brilliant idea. Why not convert the pesky Shiites? So all the colonists were dispatched to Persia. In keeping with the first goal (which is starting to look like a long shot...) I send gifts to the Mughals, the only Sunni nation that hates us. Also I make many RM's in keeping with the brother ship of good Muslims. Soon after, the revolts begin again.

Then a new signal beacons, as we honor the alliance against Aden. Soon after, Moldavia declares war. I see more BB wars coming, so I make a WP in both of my wars. However, this doesn't help, as no less then
Venice
Hungary
Austria
Georgia
Wallacia
The Knights
Ragusa
Uzbekistan
Declare war, and most are WP except that I have a shortage of diplomats! So Venice is bruised and loses Istria and the Cyclades, and the Knights are forced to give up 2000 (holy cow!) Ducats. The most spectacular defeat in this series of wars was the crushing of an Uzbek army 10 times the size of ours!

O.O.C. Next I declare war on Hungary, WP all their allies (it works so well!) and reduce them to a tiny size (3 or 4 provinces).

Audience please! Should I go on an annexing spree, or should I not drive up the BB?


By the way I.A., I won't hurt your Naples unless they declare war on me, which means they will likely be defeated several times...

Yoghurt: It was too much a temptation, they were so easy to kill, after all, their monarchs trait was Instability...

 

[Morlac]

Well, a bloody conquering spree is in keeping with goals 2, 4, and 5 you cited above. However, you might want to take a decade or so to absorb your gains, quiet some of the revolts, build up your armies, consolidate your diplomatic efforts and alliances, build up infrastructure, etc.

On the other hand, since your run of good generals draws to a close around 1540, you might want to think about one more *very fast* war before then if you think you can accomplish something strategically significant. (And then take the break to consolidate.)

After annexing Persia and taking various other provinces, I would imagine your BB is pretty high. Get those screenshots up!

 

[unmerged(9191)]

KILL THEM ALL WHILE YOU CAN!!!

 

[unmerged(7347)]

I vote for an INVASION OF NAPLES WHERE YOU SLAUGHTER EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND... CAT!

he,he,he just kidding I.A.



Let the cats live.

 

[unmerged(9191)]

Originally posted by Yoghurt
I vote for an INVASION OF NAPLES WHERE YOU SLAUGHTER EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND... CAT!

he,he,he just kidding I.A.



Let the cats live.

Go ahead kill the cats, just leave me soilders.