The newly appointed Vakil of the country rose early that morning and stepped out onto his balcony, overlooking the southern part of the capital of Isfahan. He knew there was much work to be done to make sure the future of his country was a bright and prosperous one. Servants arrived from neighbouring rooms to dress him in his ceremonial garb, that he should be ready for this morning's audience with his beloved ruler, Shah Safi. Thank God my family are well away from this place, he thought to himself, drawing images in his head of terrible acts of revenge or punishment.
----
He slowly and humbly entered the official chamber of Shah Safi, mindful of every step and every word. Then he began to address the state of the empire...
[This is an AAR of Persia in a Grand Campaign. Difficulty setting is Very Hard and the AI is Agressive. I will play with both random and historical events and the annexation option is on, no matter what the consequenses. What bothers me is that the Swedish 1.06 patch is still not available but that will be downloaded ASAP and in the meantime I will use a more cautious style of play. I had a quick look at Kekkonen's Ottoman AAR and his two guidelines were good so I will adhere to them as well, i.e. to unite all members of the true faith under my rule (or in their own state), and 'death before dishonour' - to never back away from an ally and to never agree to a separate peace. Let's see how that turns out.
A couple of historical pointers before we go (I had a quick look at Persian history at around 1500):
The ruler Safi is not mentioned. In any case Persia was not united in 1492 but rather divided into several parts and, perhaps more importantly, was not shi'a but sunny (if there was an official policy at all). Isfahan was not made capital until under Shah Abbas II in 1623. For Persia the GC would rather have started in 1502 when Ismail defeated his worst opponent with the help of the old elite guard Ghezel Baash, 'the Red Hats'. During the next few years he imposed his rule over what is Persia in the EU map and over large parts of Iraq as well. He was shi'a and made shi'ism the official line in all of Persia (which was not overly popular everywhere). He founded the Safavid dynasty named after his ancestor Sheikh Safi al-Din, a ruler in the early 14th century. Shah Ismail's capital was Tabriz.]
'Sire, in looking over the state of the empire I came upon a few things that could potentially determine the outcome of your rule. Allow me to read You this short list:
1. Our inflation is at 10%. This will get worse before it gets better.
2. The morale of our troops is Very Strong, Sire. This is good news.
3. Large parts of our realm is underdeveloped and underpopulated. With the exception of Hormouz, everything east of Persis/Isfahan needs to be looked into.
4. There are large lands bordering our own which no power has yet laid claim to. These are free to be colonized by our own people.
5. Our own people seem to be very content with where they are, Sire. There are no settlers to be seen anywhere.
6. Natives in Baluchistan and Kalat are restless and have already raided several caravans in those areas.
7. The fact that You only see fit to appoint one diplomat a year is most certainly very wise, Sire, but this may hamper any expansionist efforts... I apologize Sire.
8. There are a surprisingly large number of merchants under our control. Unfortunately, establishing fees are high these days so we will have to keep them within our close surroundings. Two places that are cheap are Edo and Tianjin. If only we could find them... Yes, Sire, I digress, I am sorry.
9. Our empire is far reaching. However, the only road goes through the province of Kars, which gives it a very high strategic importance. I have some suggestions on how to improve the situation.
10. Iraq seems to be the logical choice for expansion both for strategic reasons and to incorporate the citizens of Basrah, who share our shi'ite ways, into our realm.
11. Our technological interchange with other countries is almost non-existant Sire. We will have to make do with our own research.
That concludes my list Sire. Now I suggest We get busy.
The first year of the reign of Shah Safi [1492]
Administrators are appointed in Tabriz and Isfahan. An expeditionary corps is sent to 'negotiate' with the troubled natives in the East. Peace is reached in Baluchistan March 12-14 and Kalat April 2-5.
Apr 27 France and allies declare war on Spain and allies.
Dec 9 France annexes Milan.
Shah Safi reign year two
Jan 1 Fresh capital into our coffers. 78 Dukats, there is room for improvement in this field. Our first appointed diplomat is saved away for later use. Administrators in Armenia and Persis will hopefully improve our income from those provinces.
May 12 Spain annexes Granada.
Jun 3 Our neighbours (and future subjects) Iraq enters an alliance with Venice, Hungary and the Hanseatic League.
Jun 10 Our eternal enemies the Ottomans declare war on the Mameluk Empire.
Aug 8 Aleppo falls.
Nov 7 Syria falls.
Nov 25 Lebanon falls.
Dec 3 An entire Mameluk army of 20000 men is annihilated in a very bloody battle.
Shah Safi reign year three
Jan 1 Our annual income has increased to 92 Dukats thanks to our loyal administrators, expansion of our trade and an improved stability all over our empire. A second diplomat is appointed. Our army technology is improved - we can now build cannon. These seem expensive however and are most certainly not needed for our righteous war against Iraq.
Jan 2 We declare war on Iraq, whose allies do not honour their alliance, making a good decision in not doing so.
Jan 8 The Ottomans take Nuyssaybin.
Feb 15-29 We defeat the Iraqi army in Hamad and later in Kirkuk.
Mar 16 The Mameluks retake Syria.
Nov 1 A peace is signed in which Lebanon and Nuyssaybin are ceded to the Ottomans.
Dec 26 We accept an offer of royal marriage from the Mameluks.
Shah Safi reign year four
Jan 1 Annual income increases to 93 dukats.
Feb 2 Our first army captures Basrah and moves on to Baghdad.
Apr 15 Our second army captures Kirkuk and also moves on Baghdad.
Apr 21 On finding that Baghdad is very heavily fortified [level 3] an offer of peace is sent to the Qalif, but he is not willing to cede Basrah and pay reparations of 250 dukats. The war continues.
Sep 5 With God on our side in this righteus war, Baghdad is captured and sacked just for good measure.
Sep 7 The treaty of Diyar Bakr is signed wherein Kirkuk and Basrah become Persian provinces, and Iraq pays war reparations of 240 dukats.
Sep 8 The 240 dukats are immediately invested in the forming of three new Artillery batteries.
Shah Safi reign year five [1496]
Jan 1 Annual income increases to 96 dukats.
Jan 24 Venice and Hungary change horse and invites us to be a part of their alliance. This is clearly an anti-Ottoman move. We accept.
[This concludes part one. Part two coming soon to a forum near you.]
Vakil Delirium
----
He slowly and humbly entered the official chamber of Shah Safi, mindful of every step and every word. Then he began to address the state of the empire...
[This is an AAR of Persia in a Grand Campaign. Difficulty setting is Very Hard and the AI is Agressive. I will play with both random and historical events and the annexation option is on, no matter what the consequenses. What bothers me is that the Swedish 1.06 patch is still not available but that will be downloaded ASAP and in the meantime I will use a more cautious style of play. I had a quick look at Kekkonen's Ottoman AAR and his two guidelines were good so I will adhere to them as well, i.e. to unite all members of the true faith under my rule (or in their own state), and 'death before dishonour' - to never back away from an ally and to never agree to a separate peace. Let's see how that turns out.
A couple of historical pointers before we go (I had a quick look at Persian history at around 1500):
The ruler Safi is not mentioned. In any case Persia was not united in 1492 but rather divided into several parts and, perhaps more importantly, was not shi'a but sunny (if there was an official policy at all). Isfahan was not made capital until under Shah Abbas II in 1623. For Persia the GC would rather have started in 1502 when Ismail defeated his worst opponent with the help of the old elite guard Ghezel Baash, 'the Red Hats'. During the next few years he imposed his rule over what is Persia in the EU map and over large parts of Iraq as well. He was shi'a and made shi'ism the official line in all of Persia (which was not overly popular everywhere). He founded the Safavid dynasty named after his ancestor Sheikh Safi al-Din, a ruler in the early 14th century. Shah Ismail's capital was Tabriz.]
'Sire, in looking over the state of the empire I came upon a few things that could potentially determine the outcome of your rule. Allow me to read You this short list:
1. Our inflation is at 10%. This will get worse before it gets better.
2. The morale of our troops is Very Strong, Sire. This is good news.
3. Large parts of our realm is underdeveloped and underpopulated. With the exception of Hormouz, everything east of Persis/Isfahan needs to be looked into.
4. There are large lands bordering our own which no power has yet laid claim to. These are free to be colonized by our own people.
5. Our own people seem to be very content with where they are, Sire. There are no settlers to be seen anywhere.
6. Natives in Baluchistan and Kalat are restless and have already raided several caravans in those areas.
7. The fact that You only see fit to appoint one diplomat a year is most certainly very wise, Sire, but this may hamper any expansionist efforts... I apologize Sire.
8. There are a surprisingly large number of merchants under our control. Unfortunately, establishing fees are high these days so we will have to keep them within our close surroundings. Two places that are cheap are Edo and Tianjin. If only we could find them... Yes, Sire, I digress, I am sorry.
9. Our empire is far reaching. However, the only road goes through the province of Kars, which gives it a very high strategic importance. I have some suggestions on how to improve the situation.
10. Iraq seems to be the logical choice for expansion both for strategic reasons and to incorporate the citizens of Basrah, who share our shi'ite ways, into our realm.
11. Our technological interchange with other countries is almost non-existant Sire. We will have to make do with our own research.
That concludes my list Sire. Now I suggest We get busy.
The first year of the reign of Shah Safi [1492]
Administrators are appointed in Tabriz and Isfahan. An expeditionary corps is sent to 'negotiate' with the troubled natives in the East. Peace is reached in Baluchistan March 12-14 and Kalat April 2-5.
Apr 27 France and allies declare war on Spain and allies.
Dec 9 France annexes Milan.
Shah Safi reign year two
Jan 1 Fresh capital into our coffers. 78 Dukats, there is room for improvement in this field. Our first appointed diplomat is saved away for later use. Administrators in Armenia and Persis will hopefully improve our income from those provinces.
May 12 Spain annexes Granada.
Jun 3 Our neighbours (and future subjects) Iraq enters an alliance with Venice, Hungary and the Hanseatic League.
Jun 10 Our eternal enemies the Ottomans declare war on the Mameluk Empire.
Aug 8 Aleppo falls.
Nov 7 Syria falls.
Nov 25 Lebanon falls.
Dec 3 An entire Mameluk army of 20000 men is annihilated in a very bloody battle.
Shah Safi reign year three
Jan 1 Our annual income has increased to 92 Dukats thanks to our loyal administrators, expansion of our trade and an improved stability all over our empire. A second diplomat is appointed. Our army technology is improved - we can now build cannon. These seem expensive however and are most certainly not needed for our righteous war against Iraq.
Jan 2 We declare war on Iraq, whose allies do not honour their alliance, making a good decision in not doing so.
Jan 8 The Ottomans take Nuyssaybin.
Feb 15-29 We defeat the Iraqi army in Hamad and later in Kirkuk.
Mar 16 The Mameluks retake Syria.
Nov 1 A peace is signed in which Lebanon and Nuyssaybin are ceded to the Ottomans.
Dec 26 We accept an offer of royal marriage from the Mameluks.
Shah Safi reign year four
Jan 1 Annual income increases to 93 dukats.
Feb 2 Our first army captures Basrah and moves on to Baghdad.
Apr 15 Our second army captures Kirkuk and also moves on Baghdad.
Apr 21 On finding that Baghdad is very heavily fortified [level 3] an offer of peace is sent to the Qalif, but he is not willing to cede Basrah and pay reparations of 250 dukats. The war continues.
Sep 5 With God on our side in this righteus war, Baghdad is captured and sacked just for good measure.
Sep 7 The treaty of Diyar Bakr is signed wherein Kirkuk and Basrah become Persian provinces, and Iraq pays war reparations of 240 dukats.
Sep 8 The 240 dukats are immediately invested in the forming of three new Artillery batteries.
Shah Safi reign year five [1496]
Jan 1 Annual income increases to 96 dukats.
Jan 24 Venice and Hungary change horse and invites us to be a part of their alliance. This is clearly an anti-Ottoman move. We accept.
[This concludes part one. Part two coming soon to a forum near you.]
Vakil Delirium
