The Orthodox Finns? An Aberration AAR

[tombom]

The Orthodox Finns?​

This is my first EU2 aar. Settings:

Country: Finland
Difficulty: Normal
Agressiveness: Normal (I'm not too good a player)
Mods: Aberration
Patch: 1.08

I chose to play Aberration as nobody else (as far as I know) is doing an AAR with it, so I thought I may as well try.


Information
In Aberration, Finland was converted to orthdox. It also took over the north of russia. Screenshot of the map (finland in green):

First update should come by Monday at the most.

 

[unmerged(12680)]

An Abby AAR? Could be nice...

 

[tombom]

Prologue
Finland is quite a large country. However, as it is centred in the north, it is subject to freezing winters which hamper military campaigns. It has been ruled by Ahti III since 1402. He is not a very remarkable man, and has kept the country going, but has not done anything noteworthy. To the west lies the Union of Kalmar, a dangerous foe who holds one last province in Finland. Just to the south lie the Hanseatic lands once owned by Novgorod. Around it lie other Russian states. Finland’s current treasury is 500 ducats. Finland is a decentralised, mercantilistic country with very few slaves and a lot of the power given to the less powerful. Finland still has its head in the past though and is undecided upon whether it should take a defensive or offensive stance. Much of its military is quite degraded and relies on numbers to pull through.

Recently Ahti III had had a meeting with his advisors. They told him that they wanted a united Scandanavia or at the very least a united Finland. Plans started to be made.

 

[unmerged(21937)]

I'll be following with interest.

 

[tombom]

Chapter 1 Part 1
Ahti III decided that he would prefer the country to be more innovative. He also set up a tax collector in Nyland, the capital province, along with Kexholm and Savolaks. In preparation for a future war, Ahti commissioned 6000 infantry to be trained in Nyland and another 3000 in Savolaks. He thought about his plans for a war. The Hanseatic League looked like an easy target, but it was allied with the powerful Teutonic Order. Instead, Ahti thought about invading the Union of Kalmar. They were in a war with four other countries and had no allies. However, he was not ready for war just yet. Ahti decided that the Catholics were enemies, remembering the people’s hatred at the Swedish “crusasde”. He said that Moslems were friends and not enemies though. Troops were constantly being trained in every part of Finland, a sure sign of the scale of the war ahead.

Finally, on September 17th 1419, Finland declared war on the Union of Kalmar. Troops marched immediately to take the last remaining Swedish colony in Finland. Meanwhile, a small army in the north attempted to block Kalmar’s access into Finland. However, they were unsuccessful and a siege soon began in Osterbotten. In December, winter set in. Supplies were low but the two enemies insisted on continuing the war. The siege of Abo was going well whilst the Kalmarians (made that word up) were finding it difficult to penetrate Osterbotten’s defences. The war seemed to be going well for Finland. A Kalmarian force in Abo was easily shrugged off, but it involved losses that the Finnish could ill afford. In March summer returned to Abo and it was easier to continue the siege. During the war emissaries from Muscovy came to offer an alliance, which Ahti accepted. Finally, on November 20th 1420, the city of Abo surrendered to Finland. This did not mean the end of the war however and Ahti realised he would have to do more to get Kalmar to accept peace.

Current Victory Points: 3
Leader: Ukraine with 57
Treasury: 28

At the moment I'm having fun. So I'm fufilling my main (unmentioned) goal.

I also granted military access to the Hanseatic League accidentally through the pop-ups. Should I edit it out?

 

[unmerged(21523)]

I haven't played with the Aberration Mod yet, so I hope to learn something from this. It seems vanilla AARs are an endangered species!

 

[tombom]

I haven't played with the Aberration Mod yet, so I hope to learn something from this. It seems vanilla AARs are an endangered species!

Indeed. I personally never play vanilla anymore. If I really want that timeperiod, I'll use AGCEEP.

Next update may have to wait for Tuesday, I'm not sure.

 

[unmerged(21937)]

Just one stab to cancel Military Access. Finland should have quite low stab costs, so you can afford that. Think of it as a random event giving -1 stab.

Also, as an advice, you'll get conversion event later for Finland (prov), in mid 16th century, though if you want you can wait for that, instead of converting it on your own.

 

[tombom]

Chapter 1 Part 2 or War on a Shoestring
Ahti ordered his troops to march northwards to Osterbotten to relive the siege there. He knew that otherwise people would lose faith in his skills. He faced a small contingent of Kalmarian troops. For some reason, his forces broke and ran off, despite the fact that it was 1:4 odds on their victory. Some people suggested “mind control devices” although Ahti had no idea what they were on about. Ahti decided that he needed to recruit more troops, even though it would bankrupt the poor country. But Ahti had his mind bent on destruction – well, destruction of something Kalmarian anyway. Ahti also accepted to give away his youngest daughter to the prince of Sudzal. Good news from the merchants came in that they had competed away some merchants from the Teutonic Order. News arrived that Kalmar had sent most of its troops away to support their other war effort. Ahti grabbed at this opportunity with both hands and sent his armies into Vasterbotten to try and exploit the situation. It was soon under siege. But then a Kalmarian army appeared out of nowhere! It had been a trick! Ahti did not have time to escape before he was attacked. Luckily, the Kalmarians were scared of the brave Finns reputation and soon ran off the field. An emissary from Muscovy also brang offers of marriage, again accepted. The siege was going slowly and bad news came when it was heard that the Kalmarians were besieging Abo. Ahti only hoped they would accept peace when one of their “mainland” cities was destroyed. By May 1422 the siege was going well while the Kalmarian’s siege was going badly. The clergy used this as proof that the Catholics were evil and God only respected members of the Orthodox religion. Finally, in June, the siege was won and the Kalmarians offered peace through gold. However, although it was tempting, Ahti refused. He wanted them to give up Abo to him. But the Kalmarians refused and so Ahti had to siege other cities. His target was Gastricland. Ahti heard that Kalmar had given up their siege of Abo, although there seemed to be no reason. It was hailed as divine interervention. Due to the devoted efforts of the clergy, Osterbotten converted to orthodox. Then disaster struck. The large Kalmarian armies returned to Gastricland and defeated the Finninsh troops there. They then moved on to Osterbotten to gain that back. It was an absolute disaster. Finally, Ahti accepted an offer of 100 ducats. The war was a terrible disaster, brought on by lack of planning and co-ordination and most importantly a lack of troops.

Victory Points/Standing: 14/52
Current Leader: Hungary with 68
Treasury: 145

That war was very stupid. The reason I attacked was because I didn’t have enough money to start with and was losing about 7 ducats a month. At least now I have a positive stream of money.

You may also be interested to know Guyenne took two of Languedoc's provinces before Savoie annexed them and Guyenne is now third on the leaderboard.

 

[unmerged(21937)]

I'd say you should have concentrated on improving your economy first. Finland is quite poor land and income without tax collectors everywhere is not too great.

Finland is quite weak at start, but it will get better.

 

[Machiavellian]

Interesting series of events so far. I don't know too much of Aberation, but it looks like you have your work cut out for you.

 

[tombom]

I'd say you should have concentrated on improving your economy first. Finland is quite poor land and income without tax collectors everywhere is not too great.

Finland is quite weak at start, but it will get better.

I know. I'm just far too impatient. But the war went okay for me though to start off with. It was just that magic 12 army that finally came in with a sense of dramatic irony. BTW, do Kalmar have any ships at the start? I assumed they had, but they probably don't. The reason I started the war so early was actually because they looked like they had few troops.

@Machiavellian: Yep, I certainly do. A not-so-good player like me struggles with these sorts of things.

 

[unmerged(21523)]

Well, 100 ducats isn't a total loss, especially as your enemies don't get to use it now. What direction will you turn now?

 

[tombom]

Well, 100 ducats isn't a total loss, especially as your enemies don't get to use it now. What direction will you turn now?

I'll probably build up my economy for a bit, and then I don't really know. I pretty much update it as I play it. And 100 ducats wasn't a total loss, but I could of got 175 at one point.

 

[TheArchduke]

An AAR where everything went according to the plan would be boring.

Nice!

 

[CatKnight]

Well, like Archduke said if everything went smoothly it'd be boring. It's true, settling for peace earlier may have paid bigger dividends .. but you made out reasonably well for yourself.

Yes, I agree, time to build up your economy a little ... but keep your eyes open. If the Kalmar Union or another neighbor gets in a war it may be time to join in.

 

[tombom]

Chapter 2 Part 1
After the disastourous war, Ahti realised he would need a much stronger economy to aid Finland. He ordered a tax collector to be built in Olonets. He was currently gaining money at the rate of 2 ducats a month, although he knew that this would not be enough. Three merchants were sent to Novgorod to try and tap in to the trade there. The merchants did well, competing away merchants from Tver and Ryazan. Ahti was now 45. He was starting to feel the onset of illness, although it did not bother him greatly. Other merchants from Finland were starting to converge on Novgorod and Finland's share of the trade expanded. One problem was the rising inflation. Ahti was told that by diverting money away from the treasury, he could reduce the rise of inflation. The Finns began to recognise Olonets as part of Finland and many emigrated there [new land claimed]. The merchants in Novgorod were soon trading more than any other nation, even the Hanse. Many were jealous of Finland's new position, but they did not make a move. Ahti agreed to allow the Golden Horde military acces, although what use they would have for it was unclear. On December 8th, 1426, a meteor was sighted. Many of the peasants were scared and were unable to complete their everyday tasks. On March 3rd, 1427, Ahti suddenly contracted a terrible illness. No-one knows what, but it made him bed-ridden. On his deathbed, Ahti thought about his heir Ahti IV. Ahti IV was similar to Ahti III but he didn't have quite as much diplomatic tact as his father. Nevertheless, he was a resolute man.

April 22 1426, Ahti III's deathbed:
Ahti III lied in bed, staring straight up to the ceiling. He was barely breathing, let alone thinking. He never heard the knock on the door. "Father?" Ahti IV entered the room. He dared not get too close to Ahti III but stood nearby. "Son?" croaked Ahti III, his voice barely audible. Ahti IV knew the end was near. The sunset caught his tears as they streamed down his face. "Be careful." "I will, father". Ahti III never heard these last words.Within an hour the news was all over the castle. Ahti IV was now king. Soon he would be crowned. What many wondered though was what he would do for Finland....

Finland's Score/Place: 48/23
Leader/Score: Granada/108
Treasury: 82


Interesting Notes:
-I saw a settler from UoK go to the Azores.
-I reloaded three times on the first day (don't ask me why) and the first three times, Scotland got The Norwegian Question (vassalises Norway). However, this time it did not. It happened about a year later.
-Scotland has taken two provinces from Brittany on the British Isles and they are left with just cornwall (not unusual). Yet the Hanse haven't been touched yet.
-Union of Kalmar are in a war versus Bourbannis, Norway, Scotland, and Burgundy. That was the reason why i originally declared war on them.
-Smolensk was getting destroyed by TO and teh Hanse. But the only province that got taken was taken by the GH.
-Tuscany now ones Emilia, Siena and Marche.
-Byzantium, Armenia, Georgia and Crete are in wars versus all the Anatolian minors and the Godlen Horde. Byzantium managed to take sivas.
-The TO relations haven't changed a bit since the start.
-The TO-Hanse alliance now includes Oldenburg, Brabant and Gelre.
-At one point bavaria was in three wars:
(Allies Salzburg Wurtemburg and Munster)
1. Allies vs Auvergne
2. Allies vs Brittany, Normany, Eire, Pommern, Baden (they made peace with these just before 4 started I think)
3. Allies vs Genoa, Sicily, Tuscany and Istria (this was the only war on at the end along with teh TO alliance)
4. Allies vs Scotland, Bourbannis, Norway and Burgundy
5. Allies vs Gelre, Brabant, Hanse, TO and Oldenburg.
-Hungary annexed Croatia as always.
-Both Asturias and Leon (only remaining Christian spanish) are down to one province vassals of Granada.
-After the Khalifate destroyed Syria, Damascus suddenly popped up in Syria's only province and made its government fall.
-Bavaria ended up with 12.5 badboy after annexing about a third of germany.

@CatKnight: As I put in my notes above, UoK were in a war with four countries before I went to war with them. They just didn't send enough troops away for long enough.

@All: Thanks for your encouragement. I really appreciate it.

 

[unmerged(21937)]

You are proceeding nicely. That more personal touch with the kings reminds me quite a lot of CK.

You are just a bit under 10 years in so far. Finland should get more exciting by mid - late 15th century and the ball should really start rolling on 16th. In the predeterminated section anyway (event & leaders). Of course who knows what all you manage to pull off even before that.

 

[tombom]

Sorry for the lack of updates. Hopefully I'll do one soon.

 

[unmerged(25124)]

Interesting - I'll be looking forward to updates.