1682 sees the war in two parts. In the west the forces of King Karl have just finished with the battle with France and have turned to start to move east. The east sees the forces and lands of Lithuania suffering under Russian aggression. It is important to break the strength of the Russian soldiers. The two main forces of the Scandinavian army are split into two groups one under the command of Christian Gyldenstjern and the other under the command of the veteran Ulrik Wallenburg.
One half goes south to ravage the forces of the Austrian forcing them to retreat to one of their smaller holdings only to surround and destroy them. At the same time this happens Ulrik commands the force marching towards Lithuania. Then the forces of Poland see additional battles to weaken and break their threat. It is a simple matter of tactics. Numbers will produce wins even in the mountains and forests thus breaking the will to fight of enemies. Poland quickly surrenders and admits their defeat leaving only Russia to contend with.
The first battles with Russia are a bloodbath on Lithuanian soil. Tens of thousands of Russian soldiers dying as Ulrik drives east to lift the sieges and break the enemy forces. With the war not even complete such are his victories that the tide of the war has reversed with Russia losing now. Along with the new commander sent out to help lead the forces in the east they become a terror to the enemy.
While the Russian King sees huge losses under his command he is still able to make Lithuania surrender and leave the war. No matter as this puts the real battle squarely on the shoulders of King Karl who is more than capable of completely crushing the upstart eastern power. The people however grow weary of the protracted war and under pressure from them Russia is humbled but not broken. However Scandinavia does get some land from it.
“Your Highness! Sire, we should have pressed the war on longer. We could have really done some damage to Russia.” Ulrik has returned to Stockholm, summoned by King Karl to reward him and given high rank in the court.
“It was time. The people were tired of war. We had other things to focus on and could not worry about these small matters.” King Karl was 41 now and had been at war for more than a decade straight. Even though he was not always on the front he too was tired of it.
“Sire…at least let me commission a war cabinet so that wars in the future will not fatigue the people so?”
“Granted. Furthermore it is time to invest in the army again. We have done a lot of mountain fighting. Our numbers are not always able to be brought to bear in such locations so we must ensure we have the finest weapons.”
“Very…very well sire.” Ulrik was a soldier. He lived for combat. Yet he had an oath he had to follow.
“When then will our next moves be if I might ask? Our enemies in Europe still are not pleased with us.”
“We ignore then from now and chase diplomacy. Milan shares my family line. We will form tighter bonds with them. Furthermore Bavaria has long been in a union with us. It is time we integrate them into the nation properly. The new world additionally still is not fully colonized in the south so we must make sure Spain doesn’t claim it all.” King Karl rattled off the list of things as if they were as simple to do as writing a letter.
“I would like permission sire to move into the east. There are nations there that we could humble and their valuable lands could be made even better under our dominance. Additionally you could see about annexing the Palantine.”
“Ahh, a good suggestion. I had some thoughts to work towards breaking up the entire Holy Roman Empire but eating parts of it like this is just as good I think.”
“What about our nation? Improvements across the land will offer us either more people or higher taxes. I suggest the manpower.”
“No no, more wealth. Our position as the dominant power in Europe is not in question.” Ulrik didn’t like that but there was something else that he could push for.
“Your Highness, the work of the diplomats has offered some interesting options. Those nations who aren’t Kingdoms like Scandinavia well…we could invade them without upsetting other lands.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. It is about…counter-revolution I believe they said.”
“I will take that under consideration. You can go now Ulrik. I will consider your desire for war in the east.”
“That is all I ask Sire. China…China would be quite the prize.” He repeats as he bows his way out of the chambers.
One half goes south to ravage the forces of the Austrian forcing them to retreat to one of their smaller holdings only to surround and destroy them. At the same time this happens Ulrik commands the force marching towards Lithuania. Then the forces of Poland see additional battles to weaken and break their threat. It is a simple matter of tactics. Numbers will produce wins even in the mountains and forests thus breaking the will to fight of enemies. Poland quickly surrenders and admits their defeat leaving only Russia to contend with.
The first battles with Russia are a bloodbath on Lithuanian soil. Tens of thousands of Russian soldiers dying as Ulrik drives east to lift the sieges and break the enemy forces. With the war not even complete such are his victories that the tide of the war has reversed with Russia losing now. Along with the new commander sent out to help lead the forces in the east they become a terror to the enemy.
While the Russian King sees huge losses under his command he is still able to make Lithuania surrender and leave the war. No matter as this puts the real battle squarely on the shoulders of King Karl who is more than capable of completely crushing the upstart eastern power. The people however grow weary of the protracted war and under pressure from them Russia is humbled but not broken. However Scandinavia does get some land from it.
“Your Highness! Sire, we should have pressed the war on longer. We could have really done some damage to Russia.” Ulrik has returned to Stockholm, summoned by King Karl to reward him and given high rank in the court.
“It was time. The people were tired of war. We had other things to focus on and could not worry about these small matters.” King Karl was 41 now and had been at war for more than a decade straight. Even though he was not always on the front he too was tired of it.
“Sire…at least let me commission a war cabinet so that wars in the future will not fatigue the people so?”
“Granted. Furthermore it is time to invest in the army again. We have done a lot of mountain fighting. Our numbers are not always able to be brought to bear in such locations so we must ensure we have the finest weapons.”
“Very…very well sire.” Ulrik was a soldier. He lived for combat. Yet he had an oath he had to follow.
“When then will our next moves be if I might ask? Our enemies in Europe still are not pleased with us.”
“We ignore then from now and chase diplomacy. Milan shares my family line. We will form tighter bonds with them. Furthermore Bavaria has long been in a union with us. It is time we integrate them into the nation properly. The new world additionally still is not fully colonized in the south so we must make sure Spain doesn’t claim it all.” King Karl rattled off the list of things as if they were as simple to do as writing a letter.
“I would like permission sire to move into the east. There are nations there that we could humble and their valuable lands could be made even better under our dominance. Additionally you could see about annexing the Palantine.”
“Ahh, a good suggestion. I had some thoughts to work towards breaking up the entire Holy Roman Empire but eating parts of it like this is just as good I think.”
“What about our nation? Improvements across the land will offer us either more people or higher taxes. I suggest the manpower.”
“No no, more wealth. Our position as the dominant power in Europe is not in question.” Ulrik didn’t like that but there was something else that he could push for.
“Your Highness, the work of the diplomats has offered some interesting options. Those nations who aren’t Kingdoms like Scandinavia well…we could invade them without upsetting other lands.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. It is about…counter-revolution I believe they said.”
“I will take that under consideration. You can go now Ulrik. I will consider your desire for war in the east.”
“That is all I ask Sire. China…China would be quite the prize.” He repeats as he bows his way out of the chambers.
