It seems to me that no matter who I play as, production and trade give me more than tax. It seems realistic, though, but I wonder if it's true everywhere?
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I wouldn't say that it's true everywhere. In my Sunni Pope AAR, I made more money through taxation than with production or trading. In that AAR, I relied a lot more on taxation and production than I do in this AAR.
Chapter XXIII - In the Name of the Raad
After the assembly of the Raad of Amsterdam, von Schack attended a meeting with members of the small council. Lübeck had been occupied but the war goal changed to forcing Danzig through military means. After small council meeting, von Schack led the 16.000 regulars that were stationed in Lübeck to Danzig. They used the nearby fleet and reached the city in 1597. The siege engineers criticized the army composition. Only 1 artillery regiment meant a long siege of Danzig. The other armies have far more artillery available to them.
The Handelsgilde is pleased that the Raad has decided to vassalize Danzig, mainly for its strategic position in the Baltic coast.
The Battle of Danzig takes place in March, 1597, and von Schack triumphs over the skilled Danziger general Adrian von Seel. Even though von Seel is said to be the better military commander, he failed to achieve victory simply because he was heavily outnumbered.
After the victory, a siege camp is built outside the city with the intention to force the garrison to surrender after starving most of the city to death.
A messenger brings tragic news from Venice: The so-called Most Serene Republic has become a monarchy ruled by House Lucca! Domenico I proposes a strategic royal marriage with his ally Amsterdam but the Grand Republic declines by this insult. Amsterdam cannot support a monarchy that has overthrown a republican government. Some in the country, especially influential merchants of the the Handelsgilde, call to forfeit the alliance with the Venetians but von Schack decides against it, at least for now. Maybe the Venetians will be a useful ally in the future. If not, the alliance can still be cancelled.
In September, 1597, the garrison of Danzig finally surrenders and opens the city gates after a 201 day long siege. Shortly after, the Danziger accept to become subjects of the Grand Republic. They are force-converted to Protestantism which pleases the clergy of the Church of Amsterdam. The clergy is in particular happy that Protestantism continues to be enforced militarily throughout Europe.
Merchants are sent to Danzig to open an outpost for the Handelsgilde. Trade shall flow from Danzig via Lübeck to the Channel.
Another, larger office, opens in mid October in Lübeck after the city has been annexed in the previous month. The conquest of Lübeck meant the dissolvent of the Hanseatic League. Amsterdam is now the uncontested trade power in Northern Europe. The control over Lübeck increases the trade power in that node further which in return means that a larger amount of wealth reaches the capital. A fantastic development.
Back at peace, von Schack returned to the capital where he is confronted by delegates of the Raad of Amsterdam who remind him to release Siena as vassal. He is hesitant because the province of Siena follows the heretical Calvinist faith which means that releasing them as vassal makes them Calvinist, too. Converting the province is impossible due to religious zeal. The pressure to release them as vassal gets larger and larger and von Schack finally gives in to their demands on 27 November, 1597, after one of them pointed out that it is possible to force-convert the Sienese Republic afterwards and that is exactly what happens.
Amsterdam now has a presence in Italy through her vassal Siena. Siena is not turned into a march but this might change in the future.
The diplomatic corps report that they have reached an agreement with the Bishopric of Savoy. The Savoyard Bishop accepted to become a subject of Amsterdam under two conditions. He asks to be turned into a march against the hated French and furthermore, he requests to immediate reconquest of the lost Savoyard core provinces, especially Torino and Montferrato are high priority targets for him. The small council advises von Schack to agree to the negotiated offer with the Savoyards and so in January, 1598, Amsterdam gains a second subject in Italy.
Scouts are sent to Venice, Berlin and Valencia to inform Amsterdam's allies of her intention to go to war with France. Venice has no interest in supporting the Grand Republic, unlike Aragon and Brandenburg which agree to any military campaign against the Crown of France. Brandenburg is especially interested after being told that the Habsburgs might side with France. It is not a secret that Brandenburg and Austria do not get along well.
By March, 1598, all the formalities to set Savoy up as a march had been signed. The Raadpensionaris keeps his promise and declares war on France only three months after Savoy had become his loyal subject. The war goal is to reconquer all Savoyard cores and maybe take a few more towns in France. Avignon seems like a nice place with its fortified castle and beautiful riverside. The Bishop of Savoy always dreamed of ruling over Avignon which used to be the seat of the Papacy many centuries ago.
Brandenburg and Aragon turn out to be once again trustworthy allies. They accept the call to arms and side with the Grand Republic against France, the Habsburgs, Naples and Tuscany. After Siena noticed that the Grand Duchy of Tuscany had sided with France, they expressed their interest to rule over some Tuscan lands. von Schack responded with a letter saying that he cannot make a promise to conquer land for Siena as it is not his priority but he will try his best to please them, too.
30.000 soldiers had been stationed in Siena to protect Amsterdam's interest in Italy. This turned out to be of strategic value because after the declaration of war, they marched directly against the Tuscan army which they fought at the Battle of Tuscany in mid-March. Unprepared, the Tuscans suffer a crushing defeat and their entire army is annihilated. Siena celebrates this victory with festivities. The Sienese sing in the streets, drink wine and admit that life under Amsterdammer rule is good and more importantly safe.
Brandenburger forces reach the Low Countries from where they target the French cities along the Amsterdammer-French border but the quality of the French troops leads to some initial defeats. Meanwhile, Aragon begins to besiege towns near their border with France.
Despite these early losses, von Schack remains confident in a total victory. It might take some time but victory will come simply because of numeric superiority. That is why he declares a colonialism war on Portugal in the name of the Raad of Amsterdam which had given him the orders to conquer both Portugal and Castile.
Portugal is also allied to Aragon but because Aragon is embroiled in the Amsterdammer war against France, they cannot protect their ally. Good for von Schack. A group of sell-swords arrive in Iberia. They are given the task to conquer Castile before taking on Portugal. Castile is landlocked which means they have no more colonies. von Schack was smart enough to make Castile a co-belligerent which will allow Amsterdam to conquer all of Castile in this war if victory is achieved.
The mercenaries make good progress against the Castilians. Unfortified provinces fall quickly and then the siege of Badajoz begins. This siege lasts for 212 days and ends on the very same day that the city of Florence succumbed to hunger and disease.
The army in Tuscany moves on to Urbino and Arezzo whereas the sell-swords continue to occupy Castilian provinces.
This war is particularly profitable for the Handelsgilde. They are selling more weaponry than ever before to the Amsterdammer army. Supplies are needed in Italy, France and Iberia and they expect that soon the battles in the Alps will require even more supplies. The Alps have a hostile terrain and fighting there can lead to high casualties, especially when attacking an enemy army.
Alaska and California are the two Colonial Regions in which the Grand Republic has no presence yet. This changes in December, 1598, when the Raadpensionaris finances an expedition to Guaycura. He hopes that the settlers will succeed in establishing a colony there. The voyage will take more than 500 days, says an experienced captain who criticise the undertaking, claiming that California is too far away to be colonized. The captain must have forgotten that Amsterdam succeeded in founding a colonial nation in Australia which is also far away and so his criticism is ignored.
By February, 1599, every single Castilian province has been occupied. Full annexation is accepted on 9 February in Gibraltar by representatives of the people of Castile. The Castilian King and his family had been executed. After England, Amsterdam eliminated another colonial competitor. Next on the list is Portugal. The sell-swords lay siege on Lisboa; another army is sent to Colonial Mexico to support Goud Mond's undertaking to occupy the Portuguese provinces in that area.
In Tuscany, Arezzo and Urbino have fallen and the siege of Romagna is looking well. A representative from Siena is once again pressing for peace with Tuscany. Siena wants control over Firenze, Umbria and Pisa.
Taking Firenze and Pisa would generate too much aggressive expansion and so the small council advice to give Siena instead Umbria and Urbino. The Sienese accept under protest and hope that Firenze will be conquered in a future war.
In France, progress is made very slowly. Mainly, because the army has been concentrating on Iberia first. A few Amsterdammer provinces fall under French occupation but are quickly retaken.
In the middle of the wars, von Schack dies a suspicious death. He is found poisoned in his villa in June, 1600. Different rumors are spreading through the Grand Republic. Some say this is the work of the French; others blame the Catholic Church. It remains unknown who poisoned the Raadpensionaris. Nevertheless, on 6 June, a successor is elected and William von Heinsberg, a member of a leading noble family, becomes Raadpensionaris. He had been trained in the arts of diplomacy by the diplomatic corps but his administrative and military skills are poor.
The Portuguese provinces in Colonial Mexico and in Iberia had already all been occupied by the time of von Schack's unexpected death and the former Raadpensionaris had been working on a treaty of full annexation.
von Heinsberg finalised the treaty and by September, 1600, Portugal was no more! The provinces in Iberia are given to Leon and the Portuguese colonial holdings go to Goud Mond.
The efforts to finish the war with France are intensified after the annexation of Portugal and Castile. The mercenaries that were fighting the Iberians reach Nice from where they start to occupy the former Savoard provinces. Cuneo falls first and then Torino. Later on, the sell-swords begin to besiege Avignon with its mighty fortifications. This promises to be a lengthy siege, despite the use of lots of artillery.
Eventually, Avignon falls but by that time a French army is liberating occupied provinces. Why the French are doing this is a mystery given that Brandenburgian and Amsterdammer troops are close to force the garrison of the French capital in Berry to surrender.
Meanwhile in Northern Italy, the Habsburgs engage in a battle with Leon. Outnumbered, Leon loses but they put up a good fight.
Six more months pass in which the French capital and a number of other provinces fall. Naples signs a peace treaty with Amsterdam after Aragon beat them. The Aragonese had invaded their territory from their base in Sicily.
The Habsburgs agreed to make peace after armies of Brandenburg and Amsterdam threatened to sack the Austrian towns in Northern Italy and the Alps. This increases War Score to a satisfactory level that allowed for peace with France.
The Treaty of Antwerp is signed by a representative of the French Crown on 9 May, 1601. Savoy is the country that profits most from this war because the French return all Savoyard cores to them and on top of that cede Bourg, Marseille, Avignon and the province of Rouergue to Savoy.
The Grand Republic stays at peace for only about half a year. An unexpected call to arms from the Protestant brethren of Trier against the invading Catholics of Luxembourg and Alsace interrupts the peace. The Church of Amsterdam had asked the Raadpensionaris to dispatche an army to protect Trier against these aggressors.
News reach the capital, that the colonists reached Guaycura safe and sound. They encountered a few natives but so far live peacefully with them. More settlers embark to California. Rumors are spreading that California has rich gold deposits but so far they have not been confirmed. The possibility of finding gold is motivation enough for many to leave the Low Countries.
After Quantity Ideas are completed in October, 1602, the Raadpensionaris signs The Colonial Settlement Act into law. The delegates had given von Heinsberg's predecessor strict orders in the last assembly of the Raad to sign this law as soon as possible.
Luxembourg has trouble beating Trier thanks to the involvement of Amsterdam. Soon the enemy armies are defeated and the combined defensive forces lay siege on Luxembourg's and Alsace's provinces.
With victory in the air, von Heinsberg declares war on Gujarat after a meeting with representatives of the East India Trade Company. For that mission, 33.000 soldiers are made available to the trade company. Persia, Bengal and Afghanistan side with the Gujarati.
Peace is made with Luxembourg but the war with Gujarat is only getting started. A year after enacting the Colonial Settlement Act, Bengali forces are pushing into the East India Trade Company's territory and Persian forces won a few sieges, too, but the Amsterdammer troops occupied strategic, fortified Gujarati provinces, including their capital. This increased the total war score to 39%.
39% is enough to make a peace that brings Amsterdam to her overextension limits: Six provinces are given to the East India Trade Company; the majority of them is in the Indus charter.
The second colony in California is also founded without much trouble. The Natives in the region are as peacefully as the ones in Guaycura.
The Americas stay the center of attention when Zwaard presses for war against her neighbor Chickasaw. Unlike the Natives in Guaycura, the Natives of Chickasaw are hostile and aggressive. There are rumors that they are even bullying Zwaard's settlers.
Osage joins Chickasaw in the war and immediately Nieuw Antwerp demands to conquer Osage for them, too. The colonial nations are getting greedy.
In the Low Countries, the people believe that there was no reason to declare war on the Natives. The Handelsgilde dismisses the rumors that Chickasaw is aggressive and claims that Zwaard made this up. More and more citizens are unhappy with von Heinsberg's rule. The small council fears a revolution. The mob is appeased by promising to end the war soon but when they find out that von Heinsberg is planing to annex Osage and Chickasaw the situation gets worse and houses are burning. Stability drops and the militia is sent to end this revolt.
The militia enforces a curfew for more than six weeks. This was absolutely necessary in order to regain control of the situation after Osage has been annexed by Nieuw Antwerp in 1605. The territory of Chickasaw is divided between Zwaard and Nieuw Antwerp. Three of Chickasaw's four provinces go to Zwaard and the other to Nieuw Antwerp. By June, 1605, the Grand Republic has returned to peace.
Author's comments:
I am quite happy with the progress Amsterdam made against the French. Beating them took some years but ultimately paid off. Savoy is now much stronger than they were before the war. The Bishop of Savoy has the militarist attitude which means that he fabricated lots of claims on Milan before he became an Amsterdammer subject. Most likely we will be enforcing those claims before they expire.
However, it might not be ideal to have two marches in Italy so I decided to make Siena not a march. Maybe we want to annex Siena at some point? Siena also has religious problems because a Calvinist center of reformation keeps converting their provinces to this heretical faith. We also have a claim on Firenze which our spies fabricated before Siena was released as vassal. This will allow us to declare war on Tuscany once the truce expires. Feedback on what we shall do with Siena and whether they should become a vassal of Amsterdam or not is as always appreciated!
My initial goal to set up a colonial nation in every colonial region by 1600 was too optimistic. Amsterdam still has no colonial nations in Alaska and California but maybe by 1650 that will change. It takes ages for a colonist to reach California.
Amsterdam's latest ruler is quite incompetent. The choice between the two candidates was difficult because both are quite bad. If he lives long enough then he might become useful once we unlock our next idea group which will most likely be influence ideas.
Edit: Fixed one of the image which was not displaying properly.
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Where are the Reformed Centres of Reformation? Can we conquer them and convert them?
Also, is France now the only remaining coloniser? I see they have some colonies in Canada but I just wonder if there is anyone else to worry about. Did Muscovy form Russia, for example, and are they in danger of colonising from their Pacific Coast?
Also, is France now the only remaining coloniser? I see they have some colonies in Canada but I just wonder if there is anyone else to worry about. Did Muscovy form Russia, for example, and are they in danger of colonising from their Pacific Coast?
Well, France is the only colonizer I am aware of. In the war with them, I decided against taking their colonies and instead went with weakening their position in Europe. I hope this won't turn out to be a mistake in the long run 
Sweden has not taken ideas that allow it to colonize and they have eaten Norway so I really think it is just France (and Muscovy).
Muscovy has not formed Russia because they refuse for whatever reseason to conquer the required provinces. Maybe it's their massive debts that prevents them from doing that. It's good for us though.
The Calvinist center of reformation is in St. Gallen, Switzerland. It is the only one in existence. We have a casus belli against the Swiss (reconquer Savoyard cores) so we could go to war against the Swiss. The question is if it is worth it. The Emperor, Saxony, will defend the Swiss together with their allies and the Emperor's allies.
Sweden has not taken ideas that allow it to colonize and they have eaten Norway so I really think it is just France (and Muscovy).
Muscovy has not formed Russia because they refuse for whatever reseason to conquer the required provinces. Maybe it's their massive debts that prevents them from doing that. It's good for us though.
The Calvinist center of reformation is in St. Gallen, Switzerland. It is the only one in existence. We have a casus belli against the Swiss (reconquer Savoyard cores) so we could go to war against the Swiss. The question is if it is worth it. The Emperor, Saxony, will defend the Swiss together with their allies and the Emperor's allies.
It looks like you will need two wars against Switzerland anyway as their total war score value is probably more than 100% so you couldn't force convert them and take the provinces you want for Savoy. Still, war for Savoy's cores seems like a good idea anyway, perhaps only once they have cored their new French provinces so their OE is low enough to take some extra Swiss land.
And don't forget to push north in Arabia to conquer Jerusalem from the Ottomans and to take the Alexandria trade power from the Mamluks.
And don't forget to push north in Arabia to conquer Jerusalem from the Ottomans and to take the Alexandria trade power from the Mamluks.
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Guys, I just noticed that when we upgraded to Empire rank the title of our ruler has changed from Raadpensionaris to Great Stadtholder. I only noticed this now. I think I will keep the title Raadpensionaris though, it sounds nicer than Great Stadholder.
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Great update! I probably missed it in my rush to catch up but is there a specific reason to not finish colonizing the North American eastern coast?
Well, I am hoping that our colonial nations will colonize Eastern America for us. We have five colonists available to us who are all busy setting up colonies. Furthermore, the natives in Eastern America are quite aggressive and so colonizing elsewhere is easier. The AI does not suffer from Native American attacks and so if our colonial nations colonize that area then we don't have to deploy soldiers in those provinces. Given that France is the last remaining colonial competitor, I am less worried about someone else taking that land. By 1821, I hope we have colonized every single province in the Americas
We will most likely have votes regarding colonization in one of the upcoming assembly's of the Raad of Amsterdam. Soon, I want to switch our focus from the Americas to Southeast Asia which we need to colonize in my opinion.
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Letter to the Delegates of the Raad of Amsterdam; 25 July, 1606
Dear Delegate,
I write you today to inform you that I have sanctioned an expedition to establish a presence in China. The Ming are are expanding rapidly and it will only be a question of time until they reach India if we do not stop them. Therefore, we need an operational military base near the Chinese coast from which we may launch an invasion.
A first step towards such a military base is the founding of a colony on Taiwan. If the expedition successfully establishes a settlement in Sakam then more settlers are likely going to seek their fortune in Asia. Once we have colonized all three provinces in Taiwan, we will transport our largest army there and with the help of our navy we will secure passage from Taiwan to the Chinese Mainland once we are ready to declare war.
Our explorers have also informed me that island of Guam could also be used as a base for military operations but I chose Taiwan over it. Once Taiwan is colonized, more settlers will be sent to colonize other places in Asia.
I hope that by the next assembly of the Raad of Amsterdam our colonists have made enough progress in Taiwan so that we can vote on whether we shall invade the Ming or not. What I fear most is a westernized Ming. This is something that we have to prevent, if possible. Therefore, I have sent spies to infiltrate the Ming military. The Ming have an army similar in size to ours but the reports from our trusted spy network say that our moral, discipline and combat ability superior to theirs.
However, I do not expect us to be ready to declare war on the Ming within the next 10 years because it takes a long time for the settlers and supplies to reach Taiwan and then we also have to move our army and navy from Europe to Asia. This means that the numbers I received from our spies might be outdated by then which is why I have given them the orders to regularly update me on Ming's military matters.
Please do not worry that colonizing Taiwan slows down our colonial ambition in the Americas in any significant way. We have with Nieuw Antwerp a strong colonial nation in Eastern America that will be able to colonize in our name. Furthermore, we will support our colonial nations in the Americas with additional settlers from the Low Countries.
I write you today to inform you that I have sanctioned an expedition to establish a presence in China. The Ming are are expanding rapidly and it will only be a question of time until they reach India if we do not stop them. Therefore, we need an operational military base near the Chinese coast from which we may launch an invasion.
A first step towards such a military base is the founding of a colony on Taiwan. If the expedition successfully establishes a settlement in Sakam then more settlers are likely going to seek their fortune in Asia. Once we have colonized all three provinces in Taiwan, we will transport our largest army there and with the help of our navy we will secure passage from Taiwan to the Chinese Mainland once we are ready to declare war.
Our explorers have also informed me that island of Guam could also be used as a base for military operations but I chose Taiwan over it. Once Taiwan is colonized, more settlers will be sent to colonize other places in Asia.
I hope that by the next assembly of the Raad of Amsterdam our colonists have made enough progress in Taiwan so that we can vote on whether we shall invade the Ming or not. What I fear most is a westernized Ming. This is something that we have to prevent, if possible. Therefore, I have sent spies to infiltrate the Ming military. The Ming have an army similar in size to ours but the reports from our trusted spy network say that our moral, discipline and combat ability superior to theirs.
However, I do not expect us to be ready to declare war on the Ming within the next 10 years because it takes a long time for the settlers and supplies to reach Taiwan and then we also have to move our army and navy from Europe to Asia. This means that the numbers I received from our spies might be outdated by then which is why I have given them the orders to regularly update me on Ming's military matters.
Please do not worry that colonizing Taiwan slows down our colonial ambition in the Americas in any significant way. We have with Nieuw Antwerp a strong colonial nation in Eastern America that will be able to colonize in our name. Furthermore, we will support our colonial nations in the Americas with additional settlers from the Low Countries.
Signed by William von Heinsberg, Raadpensionaris of Amsterdam
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Next colonial possession should be the Philippines IMO. Create a link between Australian land directly to Taiwan eventually and create a great Pacific wall.
- May 6, 2015
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That sounds like a nice goal. The Philippines are still uncolonized so we could colonize it after having colonized Taiwan.
Are you against conquer the Ming
Indonesia is owned by Pagaruyung and Brunei.. I guess we could conquer them eventually.
- May 6, 2015
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Conquer all the lands! Voor Amsterdam!Are you against conquer the Ming
Indonesia is owned by Pagaruyung and Brunei.. I guess we could conquer them eventually.
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Chapter XXIV - The War for the Holy City
Raadpensionaris von Heinsberg was still dealing with the unhappy citizens when a letter reached him from Savoy: 12.000 Provencal Separatists successfully occupied Bourg and threaten to occupy more land. Savoy's 9.000 men strong army claims to be too weak to deal with the rebels and therefore the Savoyards ask their overlord for help. von Heinsberg sends an army from Calais to Nice to stop this uprising.
Reports also reached the capital that Provence was winning her war against France. They had declared war on France shortly after Amsterdam had beaten the French up severely.
Amsterdam's ambition to set up a colonial nation in California are progressing well. Two colonies in that area are almost self-sustaining and more settlers are on their way to colonize Seri and Nakipa.
Meanwhile in Europe, the Kingdom of Venice reports that 25.000 Bogomolists are rampaging through their realm. Another 7.000 Bogomolists have occupied Crete. Amsterdam has no interest in supporting her ally against the rebels because Venice had decided to overthrow their republican government.
Having as many colonial nations as Amsterdam also causes problems. The most common problems between colonial nations are border conflicts. Such a border conflict erupted between Nieuw Antwerp and Amsterdammer Antilles. Nieuw Antwerp decided to bully Amsterdammer Antilles who then sent their militia as a response. Removing the Director of Nieuw Antwerp seemed like the right thing to do but at the end, von Heinsberg was advised by the small council to let them sort it out themselves.
Savoy presses for war against Switzerland in August, 1605, but this makes no sense because they are still busy coring the provinces which were taken from France. The militarist attitude from Bishop Ludovico II gets problematic. He wants too much too soon.
Instead of focusing on Europe, the Grand Republic shifted her interests to Africa where Medri Bahri is targeted. Mercenaries sail from the East India Trade Company's Indus charter to Assab where they arrive in October.
War is then declared on them with the conquest casus belli. They are surprised that their ally, the Mamluks, backstab them by dishonoring the alliance. The Mamluks cannot be trusted. Ethiopia is also at war with Medri Bahri. Medri Bahri had called for a Jihad against the Ethiopians.
The main army of the mercenaries marches on Enderta and two smaller stacks of 2 regiments each are sent to Angot and Hamasien.
In November, 1605, the small council informed von Heisenberg that the colonies which were believed to be in Colonial California are in Colonial Mexico instead! Oh no! This severely delays any plans to establish a colonial nation in California. Settlers immediately embark to Quileute which is in Colonial California.
Provence made peace with France on 5 December, 1605, after King Charles X de Valois agreed to cede Poitou to them. The diplomatic corps reported that there are currently thirteen active wars in the world. Interesting are the Lithuanian Conquest of Kuban and the Ming Conquest of Setsen but also the Tunisian Conquest of Melilla which sees Tunis and Morocco fighting Tlemcen and the Ottomans.
After Massawa is occupied, the entire navy of Medri Bahri is sunk in the Red Sea by the fleet of Amsterdam and the Ethiopian ally Alodia.
Ethiopia has occupied two of Medri Bahri's provinces which prevents Amsterdam from demanding full annexation in March, 1606. All provinces that are under Amsterdammer occupation are annexed, however. Where possible, autonomy is increased to reduce revolt risk. All these provinces follow the heathen Sunni faith and have a non-accepted culture.
Back at peace, the small council suggests to prioritize on colonizing Asia. Ming is growing larger and larger and some fear they might colonize in the future. There is uninhabited island called Taiwan across the Chinese mainland. Maybe Amsterdam shall colonize it?
It is estimated that an expedition to Sakam in Tawain will take more than 600 days but the Raadpensionaris agrees to finance it anyways and immediately settlers prepare to leave the Low Countries for Taiwan.
Religious unity is still low with just 67% despite having access to three missionaries. A fourth missionary is very important and the military is making plans to attack either the Papal State or the Ottoman Empire with the goal to conquer one of the other Holy Cities.
Spies being to forge documents to gain a claim on Sinai and at the same time armies are transpoted from the Low Countries to Siena. The Raadpensionaris wants to keep his options open. One of the possible plans, see Amsterdam attacking Milan. Milan is allied to the Papal States which could be made a co-belligerent. Being at war with Milan would allow Savoy to press her three claims on Milan. The Pope is allied with blobby Lithuania, Provence and Galicia-Volhynia next to Milan-
The other plan sees Amsterdam fighting the Ottoman Empire with the intention to conquer Sinai, Gaza and Jerusalem. The Ottomans are only allied Oman and to Tlemcen. The latter one is said to dishonor the alliance in case of a declaration of war.
Lithuania gets even blob bier in August, 1606, when news spread through Europe that the Lithuanians have demanded the full annexation of Crimea in their latest war. Crimea is gone.
The alliance with the Venice is dissolved in January of the following year. The Bogomolist rebellion has caused Venice to become finically unstable which means they won't support any Amsterdammer wars anymore.
The Handelsgilde opens a small outpost in Taiwan to trade with the local population. Soon they discover that tea is a popular drink in Ming. Not many in Amsterdam drink tea yet but the demand for it is slowly but steadily increasing.
Because Lithuania's realm just got bigger and because Savoy had not finished coring the provinces taken from France, von Heinsberg targets the Ottomans instead of the Papal State. 27.000 mercenaries are on their way from the Red Sea to the Gulf o Suez and 56.000 troops are stationed in Siena, ready to cross the Mediterranean Sea.
On 4 June, 1607, war is declared on the Ottomans and as expected only Oman sided with them. Tlemcen broke the alliance.
The Ottomans immediately use they naval superiority in the Mediterranean Sea to sink the fleet that was supposed to bring the troops from Siena to Gaza.
At the Battle of Nablus, 25.000 Ottomans and 2.564 Amsterdammer die. The battle lasted only for a few days. A month later, the Amsterdammer forces engage the Ottomans at the Battle of Gaza where they once again beat the Ottoman army.
Reinforcements arrive from the Horn of Africa and are sent to fight Oman. The fort in Hadramawat falls first; then they move to San'a where they besiege the city for 214 days.
The colonists arrive in Taiwan and successfully begin to colonize the island. They send word to the capital that more settlers are needed to completely colonize the island.
Tunis informs the world that it annexed Tlemcen in May, 1609. A short colonial war between Kanonskogel and Tapuia results in the annexation of of Tapuia and Tupiniquim.
In September, Oman is forced to cede four of her provinces in Arabia to the Grand Republic in a separate peace treaty which is signed in the Omani capital Masqat.
Administrative and military technology reach level 17 in November, 1609. This increased administrative efficiency by +20%, unlocks access to universities and increases calvary shock, among other things. Furthermore, sunday schools are established to provide education in religious and moral matters for children of the poor.
Amsterda gives 1600 ducats to Savoy and Siena each. Savoy reportedly had debts and Siena could also use the money quite well.
The Ottomans managed to retake a few provinces because one of their armies kept evading a confrontation with the Amsterdammer forces. That was until the Battle of Içel where that army was forced to retreat to the other side of the Bosporus.
With 67% War Score, Amsterdam proposes a peace treaty to the Ottoman Empire which sees them ceding the Holy City of Jerusalem as well as some provinces in the Aleppo and Alexandria trade nodes. The Ottomans agreed to this proposal on 12 December, 1610, and Amsterdam received her fourth missionary on top of a lot of aggressive expansion.
The missionaries are working tirelessly to raise religious unity but it is still at just 64%. Maybe religious ideas are necessary to combat low religious unity?
On 20 February, 1611, Amsterdam wants to further increase her influence over the Horn of Africa by conquering the four provinces which belong to Warsangali. General van der Mark is entrusted with this mission. He has 25.000 men at his disposal. Warsangali has 7.000 men. An unfair match but who cares? Amsterdam certainly doesn't.
Two colonies are already being built on Taiwan and a third one is planned. More and more settlers reach the island that borders the mighty Ming. Other settlers are sent to colonize Guam.
In November, 1611, Aragon sends a call to arms. They declared war on the Papal State with the intention to conquer Roma! Lithuania, Provence, Galicia-Volhynia, Milan and Venice sided with the Pope! Amsterdam honors the alliance.
100% War Score with Warsangali is reached in January, 1612, but full annexation is only demanded in July of the same year due to overextension.
French Canada is formed as a colonial nation by France in the summer of 1612. This makes France the first country next to Amsterdam to successfully establish a colonial nation.
By September, 1612, Amsterdam's forces have breached the walls of Roma where they are conducting a siege together with support from Scotland. Problematic is Amsterdam's depleted manpower pool. For the first time since taking quantity ideas, manpower has become an issue again. The war against the Ottomans cost lots of manpower. More than 28.000 men are needed to reinforce the armies.
The city of Roma falls ayer 246 days and gets occupied by Amsterdam. This prevents Aragon from conquering the Holy City.
At the same time, Milanese and Venetian forces are troubling Savoy. Most of Savoy is occupied by the enemy. In order to defend Savoy, Amsterdam has to first occupy the fortified province of Genoa which is blocking the army's route from Roma to Cuneo. At Cuneo, 24.000 Milanese are besieging the province.
The Duke of Scotland, reports that his colonies in Brazil have formed a new colonial nation: Scottish Brazil! And Leon has begun colonizing Colonial La Plata!
Besieging Genoa is more than difficult. Each siege phase lasts for 46 days due to local fortifications and because of defensive ideas on which Milan is focusing on. This allows the enemy to occupy Savoy completely. Bishop Carlo Emanuele is upset that the Raadpensionaris has failed to protect them.
In March, 1613, Sakam becomes Amsterdam's first self-sustaining colony in Taiwan and as announced to the Raad almost seven years ago, a fleet together with a large army will get deployed in Taiwan once the war with the Papal State comes to an end.
The tea exports from Taiwan to the Channel are limited but the amount of tea that reaches the capital is desired by many. Prices for tea increase and despite that, tea becomes Amsterdam's national drink after some citizens experimented with sweetening the tea with sugar. Mixed with sugar, the tea is consumed by the rich, the poor and the wicked. Consequently, the demand for sugar also increases and the Handelsgilde highly profits from that given it has almost a monopoly over the sugar trade.
The war between the Papal State and Aragon ends about two years after the initial declaration of war in August, 1613. Roma remains a Papal province. A pointless war. The winning side gained nothing. How disappointing. Amsterdam basically lost two years of time by honoring that silly call to arms.
Back at peace, the small council presents Raadpensionaris von Heinsberg with four new charts. One of them is on religion and it becomes clear that religious unity is still low. Catholicism accounts just for 1.0% of the population. It is all the Sunni provinces that are angering the Church of Amsterdam. 23.6% of all provinces follow this heathen Sunni faith.
Good news arrive from Guam: The settlers there are doing well and more and more supply ships reach Guam.
One month after the war for Roma had come to an end, a secret letter from Taiwan reaches the Raadpensionaris. The sender is no other than the leader of the Amsterdammer spy network in Ming. The spy network compiled a new map of the area and more importantly stated how strong Ming was at the time the letter was sent.
The rumors that Ming had the second largest army in the world, after Amsterdam, are true but Ming's latest wars with Afghanistan, Mongolia, Yarkand, Baluchistan and Buryatia completely depleted their manpower pool. Amsterdam's manpower pool is also depleted.
The Ming are ruled by the militaristic Emperor Zi I Zhu and their only ally is Hsenwi but with an army that large, it is no surprise that Ming is mostly hated by her neighbors.
After having conquer Tlemcen, Tunis started a new war. This time their target are the Venetians, especially the Venetian island of Crete. Things are looking splendid for Tunis that has also occupied Provence's coastal province. Provence has sided with Venice in this war.
Amsterdam stays at peace but Nieuw Amsterdam does not. The colonial nation was given the orders to declare war on French Canada in October, 1613. Of course, Niewu Amsterdam obeyed.
The Raadpensionaris sent a letter to all delegates informing them that the assembly of the Raad of Amsterdam will convene on 15 December, 1613.
The world in December, 1613:
Assembly of the Raad of Amsterdam; 15 December, 1613
On 15 December, 1613, the delegates convene in the Raad's chambers. Raadpensionaris William von Heinsberg gives the opening speech:
Honorable Delegates,
Thank you for making it to tonight's assembly. We have important business to discuss which concern Europe and our ambitions in Asia.
Issue 1: SwitzerlandThank you for making it to tonight's assembly. We have important business to discuss which concern Europe and our ambitions in Asia.
The Calvinist Center of Reformation in St. Gallen, Switzerland, keeps converting the provinces of our loyal subjects Siena and Savoy. Representatives of the Church of Amsterdam have asked repeatedly that we end the spreading of this false heresy by conquering Switzerland. Our march Savoy has a valid casus belli on the Swiss.
Switzerland, a member of the Holy Roman Empire, is allied to Nuremberg and Ulm. They also enjoy protection from the Emperor. The current Emperor is our Protestant brethren, Friedrich August of Saxony who will be able to call Alsace, Bohemia, Saxe-Lauenburg, The Palatinate, Ulm and Nuremberg into the war.
Our current manpower reservers are still at 0 but we have a large army and our two allies, Brandenburg and Aragon, would both join us. It should be noted, that Saxony is currently in a defensive war against the Ottoman Empire which went to war with Austria.
Shall we declare war on the Swiss within the next 10 years?
Option 1: The time for war has come!
Option 2: We are not ready for war!
Option 3: Calvinists are Protestants! -We need to protect the Swiss (form an alliance with Switzerland)
Issue 2: Idea GroupSwitzerland, a member of the Holy Roman Empire, is allied to Nuremberg and Ulm. They also enjoy protection from the Emperor. The current Emperor is our Protestant brethren, Friedrich August of Saxony who will be able to call Alsace, Bohemia, Saxe-Lauenburg, The Palatinate, Ulm and Nuremberg into the war.
Our current manpower reservers are still at 0 but we have a large army and our two allies, Brandenburg and Aragon, would both join us. It should be noted, that Saxony is currently in a defensive war against the Ottoman Empire which went to war with Austria.
Shall we declare war on the Swiss within the next 10 years?
Option 1: The time for war has come!
Option 2: We are not ready for war!
Option 3: Calvinists are Protestants! -We need to protect the Swiss (form an alliance with Switzerland)
In about eight to nine years, we will be able to pick our next idea group which will without a doubt be the last one that 'matters'. The choice is between Religious Ideas and Influence Ideas.
Religious Ideas will allow for faster conversion whereas Influence Ideas will allow us to finally integrate Scotland.
The Scottish liberty desire is currently at 40%; religious unity is at 67%.
Option 1: We shall embrace Religious Ideas
Option 2: We shall embrace Influence Ideas
Our colonies in Taiwan are prospering. In Middag, the soil is particularly fertile and tea plantations enjoy great success there. Given the recent increased demand in tea, this is good news. Generally speaking, Asia seems to be rich, very rich. This can been seen by the profits that the East India Trade Company has been making lately.
Overextension and our military limit the amount of wars we can fight simultaneously. We can either invade the Ming from our base in Taiwan. Leading generals suggest that our army would be ready to declare war on Ming in about three years, that is if we do not declare war on the Swiss. If we declare war on the Swiss first, then the generals advice to wait with a declaration of war.
Ming is rich and strong. The development in some of their provinces is quite high and many of their provinces produce valuable goods including chinaware and tea.
The alternative target would be the Philippines. The advantage of conquering the Philippines before taking on Ming would be that any trade we'd steer from Ming flows via the Philippines to Malacca and from there via various other nodes to the Channel.
Among the targets in the Philippines are Pagarruyung, Brunei and Majapahit. Each of them has different allies. We would not have to fear losing such a war. A military analysis suggests that taking on one or more of those countries will be possible even while being at war with another party.
Option 1: Declare war on Ming (if we go to war with Switzerland first then this will wait)
Option 2: Gain a foothold in the Malacca trade node within the next 10 years
Overextension and our military limit the amount of wars we can fight simultaneously. We can either invade the Ming from our base in Taiwan. Leading generals suggest that our army would be ready to declare war on Ming in about three years, that is if we do not declare war on the Swiss. If we declare war on the Swiss first, then the generals advice to wait with a declaration of war.
Ming is rich and strong. The development in some of their provinces is quite high and many of their provinces produce valuable goods including chinaware and tea.
The alternative target would be the Philippines. The advantage of conquering the Philippines before taking on Ming would be that any trade we'd steer from Ming flows via the Philippines to Malacca and from there via various other nodes to the Channel.
Among the targets in the Philippines are Pagarruyung, Brunei and Majapahit. Each of them has different allies. We would not have to fear losing such a war. A military analysis suggests that taking on one or more of those countries will be possible even while being at war with another party.
Option 1: Declare war on Ming (if we go to war with Switzerland first then this will wait)
Option 2: Gain a foothold in the Malacca trade node within the next 10 years
We have the option to sign an alliance with a rather unlikely country, Persia. The Shah of Persia is interested in allying us and he could be of help in future wars against Oman, the Ottoman Empire and against countries in India.
Please note, that we are already above our diplomatic relations limit (currently 7/5). Our monthly increase in diplomatic power is +6.
Persia is at war with Oman with the goal to Purge Omani Hersey. They have a maximum army forcelimit of 43.
Option 1: Allying these heathens will upset the Church of Amsterdam!
Option 2: Ally Persia after their war against Oman comes to an end!
Gentlemen, those are the four issues we need to discuss. There is planty of time to discuss the issues before casting your vote. I have instructed my advisors to answer any questions you might have concerning these issues.
I also want to point out that we have kind of forgotten about our vassal Danzig. They received little love over the last years. Therefore, I ask you what shall we do with them?
Let me remind you that the polls close on Friday at 13:00 CEST.
Please note, that we are already above our diplomatic relations limit (currently 7/5). Our monthly increase in diplomatic power is +6.
Persia is at war with Oman with the goal to Purge Omani Hersey. They have a maximum army forcelimit of 43.
Option 1: Allying these heathens will upset the Church of Amsterdam!
Option 2: Ally Persia after their war against Oman comes to an end!
Gentlemen, those are the four issues we need to discuss. There is planty of time to discuss the issues before casting your vote. I have instructed my advisors to answer any questions you might have concerning these issues.
I also want to point out that we have kind of forgotten about our vassal Danzig. They received little love over the last years. Therefore, I ask you what shall we do with them?
Let me remind you that the polls close on Friday at 13:00 CEST.
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Issue 1 - Option 1
Let's get that core back for Switzerland and destroy that Centre of Reformation. Who has stronger missionary strength, us or Savoy? Will either of us be able to convert it if we take it? Or do we need to reduce Switzerland to an OPM with the Centre of Reformation and then force convert them?
Issue 2 - Option 2
We need Influence ideas. We have a lot of growing vassals and need to start annexing them. With Jerusalem under our control and Rome soon to follow we will have five missionaries. Whilst the extra strength from Religious ideas would help us catch up, it is actually only a short term benefit and will be a waste of time later on. We can always consider taking Religious ideas later if we need a boost but the longer term benefit will come from Influence ideas.
Issue 3 - Option 2
Having recommended war with Switzerland I cannot also recommend war with Ming as these cannot easily be handled at the same time. However, our Asian expansion should continue and so expanding our influence in the Malacca and Moluccas nodes seems like a good idea as we can do this and fight Switzerland at the same time.
Issue 4 - Option 1
We don't need Persia as an ally. If we need more wars with the Ottomans then an independent Persia to attack like a vulture will help keep the Ottomans down and allow us to keep eating into Turkey from Africa if we want to. Maybe later, once we have annexed a couple of vassals, we could consider releasing a Greek vassal and feeding more of Europe to them to save admin points and eventually have the Mediterranean as a lake with us (and Leon) on all sides of it!
Let's get that core back for Switzerland and destroy that Centre of Reformation. Who has stronger missionary strength, us or Savoy? Will either of us be able to convert it if we take it? Or do we need to reduce Switzerland to an OPM with the Centre of Reformation and then force convert them?
Issue 2 - Option 2
We need Influence ideas. We have a lot of growing vassals and need to start annexing them. With Jerusalem under our control and Rome soon to follow we will have five missionaries. Whilst the extra strength from Religious ideas would help us catch up, it is actually only a short term benefit and will be a waste of time later on. We can always consider taking Religious ideas later if we need a boost but the longer term benefit will come from Influence ideas.
Issue 3 - Option 2
Having recommended war with Switzerland I cannot also recommend war with Ming as these cannot easily be handled at the same time. However, our Asian expansion should continue and so expanding our influence in the Malacca and Moluccas nodes seems like a good idea as we can do this and fight Switzerland at the same time.
Issue 4 - Option 1
We don't need Persia as an ally. If we need more wars with the Ottomans then an independent Persia to attack like a vulture will help keep the Ottomans down and allow us to keep eating into Turkey from Africa if we want to. Maybe later, once we have annexed a couple of vassals, we could consider releasing a Greek vassal and feeding more of Europe to them to save admin points and eventually have the Mediterranean as a lake with us (and Leon) on all sides of it!
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Issue 1
Option 1;
We can not let the Savoyards suffer the pull of heretical ideas.
Issue 2
Option 2;
Scotland and Amsterdam must become one.
Issue 3
Option 2;
The Chinese can wait until after we have destroyed the heretics. Until then, we should gain power in South-East Asia.
Issue 4
Option 2;
The Persian are a useful tool, and since they are but heathens, we need face no qualms abandoning them for the greater good.
Option 1;
We can not let the Savoyards suffer the pull of heretical ideas.
Issue 2
Option 2;
Scotland and Amsterdam must become one.
Issue 3
Option 2;
The Chinese can wait until after we have destroyed the heretics. Until then, we should gain power in South-East Asia.
Issue 4
Option 2;
The Persian are a useful tool, and since they are but heathens, we need face no qualms abandoning them for the greater good.
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Issue 1 - Option 2
Since it's basically a combined vote with Issue 3, I feel war with Ming will be more interesting and fun. Religious unity is down the drain anyway, this one center of reformation isn't going to make much of a difference. Your vassals will just have to man up and take it.
Issue 2 - Option 2
As much as I enjoy the vassals being there on the map (especially Scotland is so pretty), it's hard to argue against Influence ideas. The AE impact, vassal integration, dip rep AND relation slot will all be a boon. Religious ideas on the other hand, will give you a very powerful CB and that's about it. The unity is low and that may 'feel' wrong, but you don't really seem to be having any actual rebel problems. So in essence, it's just a number that you want higher, but it's not really hindering you.
Issue 3 - Option 1
Lets see how strong this Ming really is, they look terrifying at the least. After the letdown that was the war with France, we really need to take on some strong country. Maybe make some situational allies if you actually declare on them.
Issue 4 - Option 1
They won't be of any use, you warred the Ottomans without them pretty easily. And as you state you're already over your relations. With possible dip ideas and annexation in the future, there's no point picking up an ally you don't need.
Since it's basically a combined vote with Issue 3, I feel war with Ming will be more interesting and fun. Religious unity is down the drain anyway, this one center of reformation isn't going to make much of a difference. Your vassals will just have to man up and take it.
Issue 2 - Option 2
As much as I enjoy the vassals being there on the map (especially Scotland is so pretty), it's hard to argue against Influence ideas. The AE impact, vassal integration, dip rep AND relation slot will all be a boon. Religious ideas on the other hand, will give you a very powerful CB and that's about it. The unity is low and that may 'feel' wrong, but you don't really seem to be having any actual rebel problems. So in essence, it's just a number that you want higher, but it's not really hindering you.
Issue 3 - Option 1
Lets see how strong this Ming really is, they look terrifying at the least. After the letdown that was the war with France, we really need to take on some strong country. Maybe make some situational allies if you actually declare on them.
Issue 4 - Option 1
They won't be of any use, you warred the Ottomans without them pretty easily. And as you state you're already over your relations. With possible dip ideas and annexation in the future, there's no point picking up an ally you don't need.
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