Part XIX - Getting back on track (1600-1606)
Well, here we are again! So far, I've written up to 1600, and I've played up to 1615, so I have some catching up to do. Trebizond has some catching up to do as well, technologically, while getting rid of some nasty War Exhaustion. Here's a small update to that end, I expect to write up another one tomorrow.
The world's mightiest empires as of 1600 AD:
Allied forces shown in green. Seems like a fine situation, huh?
France is actually pretty helpful, even in rather distant wars.
Some cores from the Mamluks are coming in. The yearly income boost is always welcome.
As I already planned to do in the last episode, war is declared on the Timurid breakaways in September 1600.
One of them was already guaranteed by Delhi, but their forces were pretty exhausted straight from the start.
The others had no real army to speak of
The Glorious Imperial Assaulters make steady progress, and two of our enemies are finished in about half a year
Khorasan was too big too vassalize so we grab a bunch of provinces.
But our reputation went up too much.. While I never crossed the limit (22/29), France thought we were a rather bad boy! Or maybe they're just insecure and feel they're not awesome enough to be friends with us.
Remember how I lauded all my earlier posts with historical factoids about Trebizond and environs? They are getting harder and harder to get by, for the empire's home region anyway, since the whole Pontus area sort of faded into obscurity in the real 16th, 17th century. Yeah, I know, totally incredible. How can the Seat of Awesome become a backwater? But it did. Anyway, the information junkies among you might like
this. Timeline results on historical info search. I just discovered this Google tool and I sure love it. You can see how much was written on Trebizond in the 15th century, with both it's heyday and it's demise as an empire. Then a long period of nothing much, but in the 19th century and World War I, it became an important strategic location in various Turco-Russian operations.
Anyway, about that alliance! Bummer.. Having France as an ally is definitely a great deterrent. Russia's still with us, though.
By 1603 I start another war against an Indian minor
Oh yeah! The 33rd War of Trebizondian Aggression!
This war soon nets us..
A couple of nice provinces along the river Ganges, gold..
and yet another vassal.
Next, a promising war breaks out between two of my neighbours. I don't feel like joining the fight right now, and think I might just as well enjoy the match.
Meanwhile, some lucky sailors have been happily exploring tranquil Pacific islands (Kiribati and Tahiti), introducing victoglory to innocent hula girls left and right. Navy enlistments soon skyrocketed.
And we're colonizing in the other direction because the Pacific is so bloody far away from everything we know.
We're some 6 years ahead since the start of this episode and the world has become just a little more awesome. As I've said before, do not fear, Trebizond is here!