Sforza!!! - A Milan AAR

[Olaus Petrus]

I'm pleased to see that your colonial empire is expanding, but I fear that it will mean wars against the natives and other colonial powers. In colonial war capacity of your nave have huge importance and I fear that English could beat you at the sea.

 

[Rensslaer]

Well, I don't have time just now for more feedback, though I appreciate your comments! I do like my new avatar. Quite nice. Thanks!

And I have but just a few comments and screenshots before the next logical stopping point, so I'll just go ahead and let you have it, so you can have something to chew on before I get to the next major update:

_________________________________________________________

Now, I mentioned that I would not describe most of the revolts. Mostly, they’re few and far between, and usually they’re quickly dispatched.

I got another of those “taxes too high” events for Cordoba. I saw only 6 regiments rising, so I took a chance on the 12,000 troops I had in the immediate area being sufficient. Not a bad bet. Not really…

The pic you see above shows us about to win… After about 2,000 casualties and probably 2 months worth of fighting! They got a jump on us. Bad die rolls. Ick.

We made a little progress with colonization…

Beefing up our presence on the South Atlantic island outpost of St. Helene, and gaining a presence on the Venezuelan coast. Our Florida attempts failed. I wonder if it’s worth trying again.

Then, after a long hiatus which had made us almost forget we had ever had any aggressive allies (memories of Brandenburg flash through our minds!), we are reminded of our treaty obligations.

 

[germanpeon]

And I have but just a few comments and screenshots before the next logical stopping point, so I'll just go ahead and let you have it, so you can have something to chew on before I get to the next major update:

By "logical stopping point" I assume you meant "just before it got interesting. Argh!

 

[Terraferma]

Nooooo! Dont stop colonization efforts on Florida! Do not falter! Pwez.

 

[unmerged(58610)]

Time to expand your north german holdings. I'll bet most of the Milanese had forgotten they had any territory up there.

Keep up the coloinzation!

 

[Dearnen]

YAY! Time to liberate more of Northern Milan!

What?

Oh come on, you know it's all part of the Milanese Empire. The people up there just haven't gotten the memo yet.

 

[coz1]

Too bad about Florida. I say try again. After all, where else will you retire to when you get old?

 

[VILenin]

Hmm, Austria beating up on its neighbors and dragging you along for the ride. I say you attack and Ottomans and let Austria get roughed up a little bit, then, when your alliance w/ Austria's expired, jump them before they become too much of a threat.

And those are some tough rebels. What kinda taxes do you have in Cordoba to piss them off so much? Do you take their firstborn sons or something?

 

[Lordban]

Four days spent reading through this exceptional AAR bit by bit, and every bit has been an enjoyable ride along with... a rather bellicose Milan, who doesn't pick the fights but who certainly doesn't want to go back to peace without gains for itself

I've started playing EU3 a week ago, and this AAR has given opportunities to pick up very interesting hints and advice, within the body of the story, in the comments of many readers and in your feedback; for this I'd like to thank you in particular, Rensslaer, and I would also thank everyone who contributed to the thread

 

[Elecwaves]

Four days spent reading through this exceptional AAR bit by bit

If by bits you mean averaging 22 pages a day, that's quite the spare time

 

[Olaus Petrus]

Don't give up in North America. Gaining footholds is beneficial for your empire. And you should try to solve that Polish war quickly. Your interests lie elsewhere than on the Baltic Coast.

 

[unmerged(53911)]

St Helena?! Are you planning to send someone into exile?

Do you have a presence in South Africa (I forget )? Is this part of a plan for colonizing Australia and Micronesia? What gives? :wacko: Or is it just because is was uncovered and uncolonized? [Kinda like climbing a certain famous mountain in Nepal.]

 

[Dearnen]

St Helena?! Are you planning to send someone into exile?

Do you have a presence in South Africa (I forget )? Is this part of a plan for colonizing Australia and Micronesia? What gives? :wacko: Or is it just because is was uncovered and uncolonized? [Kinda like climbing a certain famous mountain in Nepal.]

Even if he doesn't have anything down there or any plans for the area, it's not a bad idea to have a presence. The island can serve as a staging point should an unexpected opportunity arise. It's also not a bad idea to grab strategic locations simply to deny anyone else from getting it. Of course, St. Helena isn't as strategically vital as a lot of other colonies, so maybe he did do it just because it was there.

 

[Rensslaer]

Real life got in the way of my keeping up with your epic AAR for a couple months. Fortunately your break was in that same period, so it only took me 2 sittings to get caught up! I was able to find a Collector's Edition in stock finally last week and bought it. The waiting to get a CE worked out well, because if I had bought the game before, I wouldn't have had time to play it anyway. Anyway, your AAR along with a couple of others have provided me the inspiration to start my first effort, with very modest goals, as Savoy. Thanks for the inspiration and lessons

I'm honored, Jalandar! Welcome! Thanks for saying hello. Glad I could be of assistance in inspiring you to get the game. Savoy, along with Milan, was one of my favorite countries to play during Betatest. I also enjoyed Saxony, Hesse, and Thuringia, for what it's worth (if you start at 1453, you'll never get to see Thuringia, but if you advance the clock until it's there, it's really worth the thrill of playing a 2-province minor in the middle of Germany!).

These peaceful protests that Milan is not a warmongerer will turn violent as your listeners refuse to believe you.

I just found a 17-year period when Milan was NOT at war. Chose not to participate in two of them, actually, so... Admit I'm a pacifist or I shall ground you into dust!

Okay...all caught up again. Wars in Germany, wars in North Africa, all ending well for you. And another isolated german province for you. How weird. Nice job finally connecting your two African enclaves. It was finally nice, during your brief 3 years of peace to see some of the economic side of the game. Also, this was the first time I was introduced to building things, i.e. forts, shipyards, constabularies...it was interesting to see. Nice to see you spend some time on the colonies as well. All in all, a well rounded set of updates.

Thank you! Glad to see you're keeping tabs!

Hey Rensslaer, you could use this avatar I just made. Though, in return I demand an update

Kyle, thank you! I'm finally all set up. I'm rather enjoying this new avatar. I had the old EU II Habsburg shield (ironically) for a long time because I didn't like the Prussian shield from EU II. This is only my 3rd avatar, then.

I really like your AAR, and I must say I'm impressed by your incredible progress as Milan! I'm looking forward to the next update!

Thank you! And welcome, Nehekara! I'm hoping to have another update up soon. It's mostly written. Weird stuff coming up, i several updates!!!!

Nice updates there ! I actually only today found out you're back from that two month slumber Made my day

Excellent to hear! Thanks for coming back, and for commenting!

Ahh .. the beauty of conversions ! Though I suppose those negative research events aren't as bad if you're not particularly researching in that field for a while , right ?

Yes, I don't worry about them so much. They seem almost routine. Wait till you see the events that hit me a little ways down the road, though! Wow.

And the money keeps rolling in....

I've gotten myself (foreshadowing) into another set of wars all in a string (all at someone else's declaration, mind you! ), and some weird stuff otherwise that changes this a bit.

Excellent economy, highly regarded military, thriving trade empire. Very nice. And colonizing Florida is an interesting choice.

Having tried once at Florida, I tried again, and got it. That's coming up, too. I'm quite not myself today, for all the foreshadowing I'm doing! Where are the cliffhangers? Well, I guess my hint of weird events will have to do.

I'll be back for more feedback, and hopefully an update, in a while. Lunch is over, so I have to run on back to work.

Thanks, everybody!

Rensslaer

 

[VILenin]

I just found a 17-year period when Milan was NOT at war. Chose not to participate in two of them, actually, so... Admit I'm a pacifist or I shall ground you into dust!

:rofl: I'm sure those who you've crushed appreciate your enlightenned views.

 

[Rensslaer]

:rofl: I'm sure those who you've crushed appreciate your enlightenned views.

Oh! The ignominy!

Must I really have to stoop to defending myself?

Here is my evidence:

Witness that there are 14 wars of aggression declared against Milan, and only 3 wars actually started by Milan!

I rest my case -- we are a peace loving empire. lol

As you can see, by the way, the Index is finally up to date! Linked from the first post in the thread.

Rensslaer

 

[stnylan]

Of course you are a peace-loving Empire, you are just very good at war. Being very militaristic in no way stops you being peace-loving, right?

 

[Tem_Probe]

Of course you're a peace-loving empire. Its not like fighting the AI counts as being a warmonger. The AI must die! *suddenly remembers this is a SP game and walks away brandishing his torch*

 

[Rensslaer]

England, Portugal and Castille trying to cash in on Milan's backyard. We can't have that. I'm cheering on the Algerians. Not against the peace loving Milanese, you understand. Fighting that combination will require a powerful navy.

Yeah, let them beat each other up for a while! I'll get the territory in the end. One of them is sure to declare war on me...

That tech advisor should do much to make up for the lack of military skill of your monarch. And nice work converting and colonizing, not to mention trading. I was going to ask - do you have any plans, while you have the trading co. event, to spread out into Asian trading houses? They are rich and the competition might be less, or so I have read.

Thank you! Actually, that 2nd CoT I've established myself in is an Indian CoT. I'm starting to get some "visibility" over there on the subcontinent, so I can start trading.

I am not expecting Milan to seek war against anyone at this time. Is this the Renns we know and love?! The time to concentrate a little more on the colonies is at hand. That will fit in with this period of peaceful expansion.

Yes, the colonies get bolstered quite a bit in coming years, which is nice. Peace would be nice, but as you now see... Those meddling neighbors!

I'm actually reading about the Boxer Rebellion right now. Interesting, though it was a nasty business to be sure. And it looks like I get to be the first one here to compliment you on your new avatar: very classy looking!

Thank you! I'm quite proud of the new avatar! Incidentally, anyone interested in a good quality (lack of detail, but still very good) WW I naval combat game should check out HPS Naval Simulation (or something like that). What book are you reading about the Boxer Rebellion? I read one not long ago that was very good (just before writing many of my Kaiser Wilhelm II scenes, which fit great!). My son is actually doing a report on the Boxers now -- the Society of Righteous Fists!

oh, i am also curious to see how that contact with the Creek Nation turns out ! !

I haven't seen anything pop up yet. But I'm sure something will happen eventually. I have a crafty little plan, with regard to those native American empires...

"Voice of authority is not Prussian eagle anmyore. Voice of authority is not Prussian eagle anmyore. Voice of authority is not Prussian eagle anmyore."

But how do you know I don't mean to form Germany, by capturing Prussia, and turn them against Austria to direct their future? "Yes, Fraulein, I'd like to order a Habsburger, please. Well done."

Very nice new avatar Renn. Looks cool.
Keep up the good work Milan is looking good

Thank you!

I'm pleased to see that your colonial empire is expanding, but I fear that it will mean wars against the natives and other colonial powers. In colonial war capacity of your nave have huge importance and I fear that English could beat you at the sea.

I've selected foreign provinces where the natives are generally amicable. Hopefully this will prevent many revolts. Just wait for the English Navy... You'll see.

By "logical stopping point" I assume you meant "just before it got interesting. Argh!

Sorry! I'm addicted to cliffhangers! I can't stop!

YAY! Time to liberate more of Northern Milan! /QUOTE]I have BIG plans for northern Germany!

Four days spent reading through this exceptional AAR bit by bit, and every bit has been an enjoyable ride along with... a rather bellicose Milan, who doesn't pick the fights but who certainly doesn't want to go back to peace without gains for itself. I've started playing EU3 a week ago, and this AAR has given opportunities to pick up very interesting hints and advice, within the body of the story, in the comments of many readers and in your feedback; for this I'd like to thank you in particular, Rensslaer, and I would also thank everyone who contributed to the thread

Thank you! I'm very honored, Lordban! Welcome! That's exactly as I'd intended it -- a confluence of tactics and strategies between me and the readers.

If by bits you mean averaging 22 pages a day, that's quite the spare time

lol Funny! But true, indeed. Welcome, Elecwaves!

St Helena?! Are you planning to send someone into exile? Do you have a presence in South Africa (I forget )? Is this part of a plan for colonizing Australia and Micronesia? What gives? Or is it just because is was uncovered and uncolonized? [Kinda like climbing a certain famous mountain in Nepal.]

Actually, I do have colonies in South Africa, as well as Micronesia. I'll expand them, gradually.

Even if he doesn't have anything down there or any plans for the area, it's not a bad idea to have a presence. The island can serve as a staging point should an unexpected opportunity arise. It's also not a bad idea to grab strategic locations simply to deny anyone else from getting it. Of course

Exactly right! I'm building a string of sheltering naval outposts around the world, so I don't have to risk losing ships between far flung locations. St. Helena - Cape Colony - East Indies, etc. I used the same sort of strategy in Fire Warms the Northern Lands, which is what saw "Prussians in Peru" (the name of a Gilbert & Sullivan comedy in my timeline! ).

Thanks for reading, everybody! I've got another update almost ready, and was going to do it tonight, but wanted to catch up on feedback first. Won't have time to post tomorrow, probably. Friday, for sure.

Rensslaer

 

[unmerged(53911)]

Renns, as I read your AAR I am often remided that those who wish for peace, must prepare for war! Looking forward (as always) to the next update.