So, I have to say I’m quite excited about the map changes that are coming with 1.16/Mare Nostrum. Ireland and Hungary are getting overhauled, Scandinavia, France and Scotland are being revised, the Kongo Basin and Madagascar are getting (more than) some attention, and overall it seems that the amount of areas on the map in need of attention are decreasing steadily and considerably.
But one area that I’m disappointed didn’t get any, especially considering the focus of the expansion, would be Albania and Epirus. When the Balkans got overhauled back in 1.8/1.12, this area was arguably the most overlooked, with Albania getting only a buff to development and otherwise remaining an OPM culture and sticking out aesthetically in comparison to many of the map changes. Epirus, on the other hand, still existed as a significant political entity in the southern half of the province by 1444 and has yet to be added to gamestart.
This is rather disappointing to me, as I feel that Albania and Epirus should be divided provincially, for multiple reasons. As for a visualization about how this could be done:
Lezhe (Albania) in the north, Vlore (Ottomans) in the south, Durazzo (Venice) on the coast and Aetolia (Epirus) from Epirus.
Now, the advantages of splitting Albania and the inclusion of Epirus can be summed up as thus:
But I really just want it for this achievement:
Knights of the New Republic: As the Knights, be a Republic and own Kotor.
Now for areas; adding a few new provinces to the region would allow for better and cleaner areas, as the current ones are… a bit awkward. For sake of time, I’ll just list out how I think the areas can be altered for the better:
Epirote Ideas:
Morean Ideas:
So, yes that’s my case for expanding Albania and Southern Greece, and thank you for reading it.
But one area that I’m disappointed didn’t get any, especially considering the focus of the expansion, would be Albania and Epirus. When the Balkans got overhauled back in 1.8/1.12, this area was arguably the most overlooked, with Albania getting only a buff to development and otherwise remaining an OPM culture and sticking out aesthetically in comparison to many of the map changes. Epirus, on the other hand, still existed as a significant political entity in the southern half of the province by 1444 and has yet to be added to gamestart.
This is rather disappointing to me, as I feel that Albania and Epirus should be divided provincially, for multiple reasons. As for a visualization about how this could be done:
Lezhe (Albania) in the north, Vlore (Ottomans) in the south, Durazzo (Venice) on the coast and Aetolia (Epirus) from Epirus.
Now, the advantages of splitting Albania and the inclusion of Epirus can be summed up as thus:
- Makes Albanian easier to accept. Now, splitting Albania does not have to mean that the province’s development has to be split, either, and I think it would be a good opportunity to buff it. This would also mean that Albanian, as a culture, would be larger than the likes of Gothic and have a chance to be accepted instead of just easily converted away and forgotten.
- Shadow buff to Albania. While, barring player intervention, these changes will not affect the usual outcome of the region, it will make Albania be slightly more viable and last longer (like it did historically). By splitting off the Venetian and Ottoman parts of Albania, their cores on Lezhe can be removed, meaning they won’t start off with day one CBs. Likewise, as there would be more than province with Albanian, it would allow for an Albanian revolt to be more viable.
- Better representation of Venetian Power. Venice was one of the most important nations during EU4’s timeframe and one of the most important powers in the Mediterranean, which managed to hold its own against the Ottomans and even gained ground against them in a few instances. However, currently they’re rather on the weak(er) side, and Durazzo would be a good way to better represent Venice’s strength, as it was arguably their most important outpost in the southern Adriatic.
- Prettier Borders. Albania (and Epirus, for that matter) sticks out like a sore thumb in comparison to its surrounding provinces. While if you’re playing as the Ottomans it won’t make much of a difference since the whole Balkans will end up green, it will make a visible difference if you want to expand southwards as Serbia/Bosnia/Hungary or northwards as Byzantium/one of the Greek nations. Now, I imagine some will say that it will make the provinces harder to click on… and they’re right, but they’d be no more difficult to click on than others like Corfu, Ragusa and so forth (and if you’re playing EU4, you’re going to be zooming in and out a lot regardless).
- Prettier and better Areas. I’ll touch on this later in the post.
- More historical accuracy. Including Epirus at the start date would be another step in this direction, as it did exist as an independent nation in 1444 (and, I believe, is one of the only nations left that did exist in 1444 that’s not currently in game at start), but is only currently represented as a core because it only controlled the southern half of Epirus. The implications for Venice and Albania are also clear.
- Interesting and challenging new starting positions. Both Epirus and Albania would offer this (Albania already does, but more Albanian provinces offers more options), along with the potential for new achievements.
- More strategic options for the region. Albanian being bigger and lasting longer as a nation with an independent Epirus would indeed affect strategies for the nearby nations, be it the obvious Byzantium, one of the Balkan or Italian states, or a dark horse such as Athens, Ragusa or Aragon.
- Would not alter the outcome of the area radically. While anything can happen with player intervention, the game would otherwise most likely go the course it’s designed to if left to the AI. And, being such minor changes, it wouldn’t add much, if any, lag.
- Cypriot. Even if the others are shot down, I would appreciate this one being added in. After centuries of Latin rule (and, later, British rule), heavy interaction with Italian traders, and general isolation from the rest of Greece for so long, an independent Cypriot identity that mixed Greek with heavy Latin influences had emerged by 1444 and would only get stronger as time passed – enough that there is a Cypriot nation today. The ruling Franks considered themselves Cypriot, and the populace seemed to accommodate them on that, too; there was no major revolt against Lusignan rule and no widespread pro-Byzantine sentiment. However, to avoid having another OPM culture within the Byzantine Group, I would recommend Cyprus as a province get split; Nicosia in the north and Limassol in the south. Being as it already has a high base development (and as Cyprus usually doesn’t go anywhere for a while barring player intervention, it only increases even more), and the Ottomans, Mamluks, Genoese and Venetians all fought over the island for its strategic importance, I think it would be a logical split and inclusion.
- Epirote. Yes; there actually was Epirote separatism throughout and even before EU4’s period. After Epirus became the Despotate, it clashed on multiple occasions with the restored Byzantine Empire until it was reannexed and made semi-autonomous. However, by that point, there were already many native Epirote nobles who supported an independent Epirus; Nikephoros II Orsini had managed to escape to Italy with the help of such nobles, and later returned as Byzantium was engulfed in another Civil War to rally the nobles and reestablish an independent Epirus. Likewise, as Epirus was a point of diffusion for so many different cultures – Serbian, Albanian, Greek and Italian – it also developed a more distinctive regional culture from the rest of Greece. Epirus would later go onto be a very troublesome region for the Ottomans, as the locals rose up against Ottoman rule on multiple occasions and the Ottomans themselves only exercised loose control over the region, and Epirotes would go on to be some of the most important members of the Greek independence movement. Provinces with this culture would be Epirus, Aetolia and Corfu.
- Morean. If Epirote was distinctive for being something of a melting pot culture, Morean was distinctive for being the exact opposite; even as the rest of Greece slowly adapted to Ottoman rule, Greeks in Morea remained borderline Byzantine. Along with Epirus, Morea was the center of Anti-Ottoman sentiment in Greece, with the Ottomans never being able to quite bring the region completely under their rule, and it was there that the klephts (or some proto-form of them) first emerged soon after Ottoman rule was solidified over most of Greece. Provinces, obviously, would be Morea and Achaea.
But I really just want it for this achievement:
Knights of the New Republic: As the Knights, be a Republic and own Kotor.
Now for areas; adding a few new provinces to the region would allow for better and cleaner areas, as the current ones are… a bit awkward. For sake of time, I’ll just list out how I think the areas can be altered for the better:
- Getting rid of the awkward-looking and rather ahistorical ‘Northern Greece’ area. Instead, Epirus, Aetolia, Vlore and Corfu can be joined together to make an ‘Epirus’ area, while Thessaly, Macedon and Kastoria can be rearranged into a new ‘Macedonia’ area.
- Skopje, instead, can be moved north into the ‘Serbia’ area, while Zeta (with Kotor) can be joined with Durazzo and Lezhe into an ‘Albania’ area.
- The two parts of the Aegean, Eastern and Western, can simply be merged into a single ‘Aegean’ area, consisting of Rhodes, Chios, Naxos, Negroponte, Crete, and Cyprus (or Nicosia and Limassol). Biga, on the other hand, can be attached to the ‘Hüdavendigar’ area, as I don’t think it was attached to the Aegean under the Ottoman administration like it was underneath Byzantine.
- Also, ‘Morea’ should be renamed to ‘Hellas’. Athens’ inclusion makes it a bit of a weird designation.
- And while not really a part of this, the ‘Form Greece’ decision can be changed to include Aetolia instead of Epirus and Negroponte (it lists Naxos but, curiously, not Negroponte), as it’s a bit outdated.
Epirote Ideas:
Traditions: +4 Tolerance of Heretics, -15% Mercenary Maintenance (as the Tocco were Catholic, Epirus would technically be another Crusader Kingdom, all of whom have +4 Heretic Tolerance in their Traditions)
Albanian and Serbian Tribes: -20% Mercenary Cost
Description: While the core Epirote state has been reunified, the many Serbian and Albanian tribes who once made petty kingdoms out of it remain. Instead of ostracizing them, we should employ these tribes to help bolster our forces.
Memory of Epirote Conquests: -10% Core Creation Cost
Description: Once, Epirus was the mightiest of the successor states. Thessalonica and Athens bowed to us, the Nicaeans and Latins feared us, and Greece accepted us as her master. While those days are centuries past, the dreams of such a rule again are not, and we actively pursue them.
Latin Knights: +10% Cavalry Combat Ability
Description: The most elite of our army remains the cavalrymen armed and trained in the Western style. Some are native Greeks, others are Italian mercenaries, but all are effective at what they do.
Chronicle of the Tocco: +1 Yearly Prestige
Description: The Chronicle of the Tocco details our ascent to the Despotate of Epirus, our fair rule and our ties to the Empire, and our conquests of the surrounding lands. We should have it published in a simple form of Greek so all people can read and appreciate it.
Italian Advisors: -10% Military Technology Cost
Description: We have come to realize our military is woefully inadequate compared to our neighbors. And so we should leverage our ties with the Italian city states and try to reform our military with modern tactics and weaponry.
Metropolis of Knowledge: -10% Idea Cost
Description: Ioannina, known since Byzantine times as the Metropolis of Knowledge, is becoming a center of the burgeoning Greek Enlightenment, where more Western thought and ideas are beginning to enter our lexicon. As we have always been more keen in our connections with the West than the rest of Greece, we should embrace this trend.
Crossroads of the Adriatic: -15% Accepted Culture Threshold
Description: Epirus has always served as a point of cultural diffusion. In Ancient times, it was where Greek culture met the Illyrians to the north. In Roman times, it was where Roman culture entered Greece, and Greek Rome. Over the centuries, these lands have seen Normans, Franks, Saracens, Bulgarians, Serbs, Turks and Iberians. Even now, it remains a melting pot, where Greek, Slavic and Italian influences all intersect and converge, and we have always tried to patronize all sides.
Ambition: +10% Global Trade Power
Albanian and Serbian Tribes: -20% Mercenary Cost
Description: While the core Epirote state has been reunified, the many Serbian and Albanian tribes who once made petty kingdoms out of it remain. Instead of ostracizing them, we should employ these tribes to help bolster our forces.
Memory of Epirote Conquests: -10% Core Creation Cost
Description: Once, Epirus was the mightiest of the successor states. Thessalonica and Athens bowed to us, the Nicaeans and Latins feared us, and Greece accepted us as her master. While those days are centuries past, the dreams of such a rule again are not, and we actively pursue them.
Latin Knights: +10% Cavalry Combat Ability
Description: The most elite of our army remains the cavalrymen armed and trained in the Western style. Some are native Greeks, others are Italian mercenaries, but all are effective at what they do.
Chronicle of the Tocco: +1 Yearly Prestige
Description: The Chronicle of the Tocco details our ascent to the Despotate of Epirus, our fair rule and our ties to the Empire, and our conquests of the surrounding lands. We should have it published in a simple form of Greek so all people can read and appreciate it.
Italian Advisors: -10% Military Technology Cost
Description: We have come to realize our military is woefully inadequate compared to our neighbors. And so we should leverage our ties with the Italian city states and try to reform our military with modern tactics and weaponry.
Metropolis of Knowledge: -10% Idea Cost
Description: Ioannina, known since Byzantine times as the Metropolis of Knowledge, is becoming a center of the burgeoning Greek Enlightenment, where more Western thought and ideas are beginning to enter our lexicon. As we have always been more keen in our connections with the West than the rest of Greece, we should embrace this trend.
Crossroads of the Adriatic: -15% Accepted Culture Threshold
Description: Epirus has always served as a point of cultural diffusion. In Ancient times, it was where Greek culture met the Illyrians to the north. In Roman times, it was where Roman culture entered Greece, and Greek Rome. Over the centuries, these lands have seen Normans, Franks, Saracens, Bulgarians, Serbs, Turks and Iberians. Even now, it remains a melting pot, where Greek, Slavic and Italian influences all intersect and converge, and we have always tried to patronize all sides.
Ambition: +10% Global Trade Power
Morean Ideas:
Traditions: +10% Land Morale, -10% Fort Maintenance
Refurbish the Hexamilion Wall: +20% Fort Defense
Description: The Hexamilion Wall is located in a strategic position, stretching across the Isthmus of Corinth, but it has fallen into disrepair and is horribly outdated. We should rebuild it along more modern standards and take full advantage of its location!
Title of Despot: -20% Time to Fabricate Claims
Description: The title of Despot was originally conferred on the ruler of Morea by the Emperor, designating him as heir apparent. Though the empire is gone, the importance of the title still stands. Let us use it to legitimize our claims as the rightful heirs to the empire.
Albanian Influx: +15% Manpower Recovery Speed
Description: Our homelands have slowly become depopulated due to constant wars and Turkish raids. Let us invite Albanians to migrate into our lands and help rebuild our reserves.
Venetian Outposts: +1 Diplomatic Reputation
Description: The Venetians already have established a strong presence across our peninsula, and if we make concessions to them in key ports, we can use their connections with the rest of Europe to find allies in our struggle.
Reconstruction of the Peninsula: -10% Build Cost
Description: Continuous conflict across our peninsula has resulted in widespread destruction, and many fortresses, churches and monasteries lie in ruin, leaving it a shadow of what it once was. We should begin a program of reconstruction.
Maniot Recruitment: +10% Infantry Combat Ability
Description: The Maniots are a fiercely independent people that live in southern Morea and are renowned for their martial prowess. They’ve prospered under our rule, and so they will gladly contribute to our army.
Continuation of Byzantine Monasticism: +2% Missionary Strength
Description: Morea is home to many ancient monasteries that survived the carnage that engulfed the region. Housing many priceless frescos, and more importantly, devoted monks, we should sponsor them and experience a resurgence in our culture and faith.
Ambition: -1% Yearly Army Tradition Decay
Refurbish the Hexamilion Wall: +20% Fort Defense
Description: The Hexamilion Wall is located in a strategic position, stretching across the Isthmus of Corinth, but it has fallen into disrepair and is horribly outdated. We should rebuild it along more modern standards and take full advantage of its location!
Title of Despot: -20% Time to Fabricate Claims
Description: The title of Despot was originally conferred on the ruler of Morea by the Emperor, designating him as heir apparent. Though the empire is gone, the importance of the title still stands. Let us use it to legitimize our claims as the rightful heirs to the empire.
Albanian Influx: +15% Manpower Recovery Speed
Description: Our homelands have slowly become depopulated due to constant wars and Turkish raids. Let us invite Albanians to migrate into our lands and help rebuild our reserves.
Venetian Outposts: +1 Diplomatic Reputation
Description: The Venetians already have established a strong presence across our peninsula, and if we make concessions to them in key ports, we can use their connections with the rest of Europe to find allies in our struggle.
Reconstruction of the Peninsula: -10% Build Cost
Description: Continuous conflict across our peninsula has resulted in widespread destruction, and many fortresses, churches and monasteries lie in ruin, leaving it a shadow of what it once was. We should begin a program of reconstruction.
Maniot Recruitment: +10% Infantry Combat Ability
Description: The Maniots are a fiercely independent people that live in southern Morea and are renowned for their martial prowess. They’ve prospered under our rule, and so they will gladly contribute to our army.
Continuation of Byzantine Monasticism: +2% Missionary Strength
Description: Morea is home to many ancient monasteries that survived the carnage that engulfed the region. Housing many priceless frescos, and more importantly, devoted monks, we should sponsor them and experience a resurgence in our culture and faith.
Ambition: -1% Yearly Army Tradition Decay
So, yes that’s my case for expanding Albania and Southern Greece, and thank you for reading it.
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