Venice against the Ottomans

[Storey]

At least you'll run into a little less enemy fleets...

True but things didn’t slow down too much. Still getting out of that war did improve my spirits.

You are winning at sea because your enemies have poor naval tech. The moslems dont even have a fire phase for their galleys, which makes them an easy target for you. The Latins use warships, which perform very badly against galleys at low tech, but the period of galley dominance is coming to an end, as you can see by the losses you are starting to take.

Most of my European enemies have naval tech equal or greater than mine. I think during the war I was at level 5 and my enemies were at 6. My Muslim enemies were below me in tech with the possible exception of the Ottomans. I ‘think’ fighting in my home waters gave me another bonus in the sea battles??? Anyone know if that’s true? I’m going to have to stick with Galleys for another 25-50 years because of the cost of building ships. I just can’t afford it. Might be time to start thinking of moving my slider toward Plutocracy.

All this fighting is beginning to make the country-that-shall-not-be-named look positively friendly.

I don’t know Siena is getting pretty close to the highfalutin status of the country-that-shall-not-be-named.

who, those evil KNI of malta, killing all non Christian believers or the Spanish inquisitors?

Back in the EU II days I wrote an AAR about playing three countries in the same game. I think it was titled “Three Countries One Goal”. I’d play one for ten years then switch to the second for ten years and then the third and repeat the cycle. I then gave all three countries the same goal, which in this game was capturing the most provinces bordering the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea. The countries were The Papal States, the Mamluks and Georgia. It’s quite a challenge when you only control a country for 33% of the game. Georgia was going to be the greatest challenge in the game but I had no idea what pitfall lay in their future. There was this back water hole in the ground of a country called “Crimea”. At first they presented no problem. Georgia annexed them fairly early in the game but I soon discovered that keeping them annexed was going to be a serious problem. I don’t know how many times when it was time to play Georgia that I’d see that Crimea had revolted away and reform their country. It happened time and time again. Sometimes it would be entirely different provinces than the original provinces around the Black Sea but the bastard would still be called Crimea. It was fun in a sort of perverse, hair pulling kind of way. I would recommend trying the multi-country game. Just be ready for the unexpected.

Ottomans 2, Venice 0.
Soon a third attempt?

Define “soon”.

The country-that-shall-not-be-named has nothing on the epic level of warfare of this, now with naval clashes galore

Thinking about it I don’t think I’ve had a game with this many Sea battles. But then I usually don’t restrict the size of my fleets. I’ve just set an arbitrary limit of 15 ships to a fleet. Usually I do the huge killer size fleet but not this time. Makes it more interesting.

Joe

 

[Storey]

The pace of battle hasn’t slowed with the withdraw of the Moslem alliance. First Tuscany attacks my fleet off the coast of Crete and are defeated. Then France shows up with 2 warships and I defeat them but not before they are able to land an invasion force.

So proof that the AI does land men in the middle of a sea battle.





So although I win the sea battle I lose the land battle on Crete and they occupy the island but don’t have enough men to start a siege. Now I need to try to keep anymore landings from happening. I plan on moving one of my fleets to Veneto where I have 6,000 Cavalry and use them to liberate Corfu from the Genoese and Crete from the French.

December 1524 and the Spanish fleet of 16 warships and 15 transports, which I’ve had several battles already, again shows up off the coast of Corfu and I defeat them but what’s different this time is that I do it by the next day. From this point onward they were constantly defeated within 24 hours. Go figure. Maybe fatigue was a factor to explain the quick and sudden victories against them?

January 1525 and 11,000 rebels rise up in revolt on Crete and they don’t stand a chance against the 2,000 French.

Finally in early February I load my Cavalry and set sail for Corfu.






I admit this caught my completely by surprise.

Genoa instead of sending men to Corfu where my fleet sits waiting tries instead to relieve Cyprus from my siege even though France is the one who controls the province? I’ve seen this on land but this is the first time I’ve seen it on an island. Also instead of the usual couple of thousand men this time Genoa shows up almost 13,000 infantry. Way to go AI.





I finally land my Cavalry in Corfu and promptly lose the battle.

I sail on to Crete and although I also lose the battle the French are eliminated. Not sure how that happened but they did disappear.





During the battle for Crete I get a Poor Government policies event and lose one stability point plus I lose -200 Infra investment and -200 Trade investment.

August 1525 and I finally recapture Cyprus from France.






As I send my fleet over to pick up my army in Cyprus I’m wondering what next?

My musings on the subject are interrupted.

I set sail with my leader F.della Rovere toward Corfu where I plan on finally evicting the few stubborn Genoese left on the island. As I get there Genoa counter attacks in Cyprus.

I win in Cyprus but lose again in Corfu. This is turning out to be harder than I thought. I was worried about France and Spain when it was Genoa who was the stud of the herd.


Denmark and Sweden just ended a war with Denmark winning Osterbotton, Bergslagen, Vastergotland and Smaland.

I limp back from Corfu to Veneto to recruit more men.






As I’m loading my newly recruited army onto my fleet for the showdown in Corfu I take a look at where I stand with Austria and decide what the hell I’ll make them an offer and damn if they didn’t accept.

This leaves me at war with just France Spain, Savoy and Genoa.





Since we have a lull in the fighting I took the time to look at Siena.

I was curious as to why they keep DOWing Venice and I didn’t get any answers. There is no CB of any kind so maybe the wars have been event driven? Or maybe they’re feeling pretty smug with Austria as an ally and just like to throw their weight around.





Took a look at France and was please to see that I was no longer at -55 but was now at the mansagable -36. I had nothing better to do so I made this offer.

And I’ll be double damned but they agreed. These guys are push overs.






All my vassals are once again free of foreign occupation. I’m at peace and I can hear the birds singing again and all it cost to get out of two wars was a total of 50 ducats.





1526 is quietly moving along when this happens.

WOW Hungary becomes a vassal of the Ottomans This turns this part of the world on it’s head. I would love to be part of this on Austria’s side.





A month later Algiers joins on the Ottomans side as does Wallachia.






A quick look around while I’m at peace.

For the first time I have galley loses due to combat not attrition.

Considering how long I’ve been at war I shouldn’t be disappointed in where I stand versus the other nations.

 

[Toio]

the french troops disappearing is due to having less troops than the minimum number as defined in the parameters. So, if they can reach their lands, they will put up a white flag and retreat , if not they will disperse. I cannot remember what that number is.

 

[TheArchMede]

You do get a bonus from being in your home waters in naval combat.

 

[Enewald]

I guess Ottomans shall beat those fools.
And then you shall more border with them.

 

[Stuyvesant]

I read this yesterday but I guess I didn't manage a response at that time.

Well, someone else gets to face half the civilized world for a change. Of course, the Ottos bring a little more in the way of armies to the table than you.

Good job riding out all the storms, and that for the measly sum of 50d (if memory serves - always a tricky assumption).

 

[CatKnight]

The Ottos vassalized Hungary!?

Wow. Kudos to the Otto AI! Once or twice (only) I saw the EU2 Otto AI force what amounts to a partition of Hungary between them and Austria. This is the first time I've seen them actually subjugate Hungary.

I think (if the game lets you!) you need to figure out how to get into Austria's alliance. If the Otto/Hungarian relationship continues, this could be curtains for southeast Europe.

 

[unmerged(86600)]

Like the vassalage, the Ottomans will annex most of Hungary by event in 1540 if I remember well, with the rest going on as Transylvania, whilst the Habsburgs will get a little slice in the north. So yes, you definitely need to get into that alliance and, after your bad boy goes under 10 you can use the triple horned ram that is the Austrian troop flow to keep the Turks busy, while you occupy strategic lands such as Morea, Alexandria etc.- and reap most of the benefits.

 

[aldriq]

Enjoy the birds singing while it lasts. That inflation is worrying, but then between low inflation or survival I know which one I'd choose too

I would recommend trying the multi-country game. Just be ready for the unexpected.

Indeed, so much so I'm on my second multi-country AAR already Quite an AAR school you created there.

 

[Lucifer]

It is very generous of you about not going to war against Ottoman as long as they are weak, as you can't help them to grow faster.
But but...I have The idea!
Just surrender to your other ennemies, so you will get weaker, and Ottomans relatively stronger. :rofl:
Anyway, I still wish you the best!

 

[Director]

So the 'Merchants of Menace' are wearing out the opposition, eh? Good for you - I'd have wet myself and quit the game some time ago.

I agree with the other posters. If you can get anything off of Siena, they have richly deserved it.

 

[Storey]

the french troops disappearing is due to having less troops than the minimum number as defined in the parameters. So, if they can reach their lands, they will put up a white flag and retreat , if not they will disperse. I cannot remember what that number is.

I seem to remember that occurring if they fall below 1,000 but I don’t know the real number.

You do get a bonus from being in your home waters in naval combat.

That was my guess. That’s why I’ve stayed in close to home. I lost just two battles doing that last war but if I want to expand Venice’s power I’m going to have to take a chance and challenge my enemies in their home waters.

I guess Ottomans shall beat those fools.
And then you shall more border with them.

When (notice I said “when”) I go to war with them I plan on hitting them where they don’t expect it so they can have as large a border with me as they want it won’t help them. Gosh I think that sounds like bravado to me!

Good job riding out all the storms, and that for the measly sum of 50d (if memory serves - always a tricky assumption).

I was genuinely surprised they accepted my offer. Funny thing is I never received a peace offer during the entire war from France. Even when they were 55% ahead of me in the war. Was it because they captured two of my vassals and didn’t know how to handle it?

The Ottos vassalized Hungary!?

Wow. Kudos to the Otto AI! Once or twice (only) I saw the EU2 Otto AI force what amounts to a partition of Hungary between them and Austria. This is the first time I've seen them actually subjugate Hungary.

I think (if the game lets you!) you need to figure out how to get into Austria's alliance. If the Otto/Hungarian relationship continues, this could be curtains for southeast Europe.

I was taken by surprise when the Ottomans vassalized Hungary. I don’t remember if they did that in EU II, it’s been too long since I’ve played the game. My main aim it still to get in an alliance with Austria and thanks to the events I’ve had our relations have improved to the point where I can hope to do so. We’ll have to cross our fingers and see what happens.

Like the vassalage, the Ottomans will annex most of Hungary by event in 1540 if I remember well, with the rest going on as Transylvania, whilst the Habsburgs will get a little slice in the north. So yes, you definitely need to get into that alliance and, after your bad boy goes under 10 you can use the triple horned ram that is the Austrian troop flow to keep the Turks busy, while you occupy strategic lands such as Morea, Alexandria etc.- and reap most of the benefits.

At the risk of foretelling what happens you are correct about Hungary. Now I have to figure out how to turn it to my advantage. Great minds work alike. I’m way ahead of my current situation but I’m planning on looking hard at Alexandria and it’s COT as a first strike if I ever get out of this endless loop of war with my neighbors. Did I mention that great minds work alike?

Indeed, so much so I'm on my second multi-country AAR already Quite an AAR school you created there.

I’m going to have to stop by the EU III forum and see what’s happening with you and CatKnight.

Just surrender to your other ennemies, so you will get weaker, and Ottomans relatively stronger.

Hey in a strange perverted way that makes sense. I might have to try it.

So the 'Merchants of Menace' are wearing out the opposition, eh? Good for you - I'd have wet myself and quit the game some time ago.

I agree with the other posters. If you can get anything off of Siena, they have richly deserved it.

I wore the opposition down to the bone and then I ground them into dust and then I wet myself... Er wait a minute that wasn’t how it was suppose to go. I deal with Siena in a different way. In a way just as affective but not as satisfying.

Joe

 

[Storey]

1526 and peace at last. Enjoy, embrace, a real Kumbaya era has arrived.



My relations with Europe and others.

I celebrate by spamming marriage offers around Europe. I don’t care where or who I just do it. Soon England is the first to accept my offer. It’s a cheap way to improve my relations with countries I don’t want DOWing me.

March 1527 and Spain annexes the Aztec empire.

The war between Austria and the Ottomans ends in December 1527 with the Ottomans paying 95 ducats for peace. That’s followed almost immediately by Austria annexing Mainz.






Austria just can’t sit still.

A much ado about nothing event.

I’d love to use the CB against Siena but the are allies and a vassal of Austria so that’s a no go from the get go.






My sloooooow recover in my BB score drags on.

June 1530 and Austria gets Poland to pay them 50 ducats for peace and Austria is once again at peace. I don’t like them at peace.

December 1530 and I get a gift to the State of 100 ducats and our naval technology reached late Medieval (level 6).






It’s taking me a minimum of 5 years between tech advancement.

I’m looking around for something to do while I continue to wallow in peace when I decide to try this. There isn’t any grand plan here it was just something to try out.

I succeed and is this the start of a trading empire? I’ve never gone pure trade in a game. I’ve always built colonies but right now they cost way too much and my success rate is only around 40% so trade it is.

Lets take a look and see what Venice can see of the world.

A nice event comes along.

I went with “add excess revenue to the treasury”. I couldn’t pass up the -2 inflation









November 1532 and Spain asks for military access and I agree. Just another reason for them not to DOW me.








A chance to move a slider and I go defensive.

I lose -.08 to land morale with this move but I have plenty of morale from Free Subjects +.25 and Quality +.20.







November 1534 and the Ottomans add Hamadan and Tabaristan to their Empire. Okay so they’re almost... big enough to attack... but not quite.





1535 rolls around and in September I reach (Renaissance) land tech 12.

In November I receive notice that Milan refused to continue to be my Vassal. They are still in my alliance but this can’t be good. What’s going on here??? Sure enough I look at the log and see that Milan went with “The Viscount-Orleans dynasty has claims”. I enter a royal marriage with Milan in the hope of stopping whatever it happening. Hey I was desperate A few days later Milan leaves out alliance and becomes a vassal of France. Okay this isn’t a surprise but I still was hoping something would come along and stop it.

January 1536 and Austria annexed Tuscany.






June 1536 and my alliance expires. Hmm ten years without a war? Hard to believe but before I try to renew the alliance I look around and wonder. I have +79 relations with Austria, we have a royal marriage so I decide to give it a try and ask to join Austria’s alliance. They agree Finally I’m in a strong alliance. True my alliance leader acts somewhat like a mad dog in the noon day sun but still I prefer being in the alliance because of this.

This was just after Austria annexed Siena.

 

[parachute]

Oh no! No more Siena DOWs :-(

 

[Stuyvesant]

Wow, you're all nice and cozy, cuddled up in your snow-white Austrian comfort blanky.

Good of you to finally have a strong ally, even if it means you'll be at war for the rest of the game. Hey! At least your alliance won't expire anytime soon!

Seriously, I want to see how the next few wars go, to see if they are noticeably different from past experiences. Maybe you can gain some provinces again?

 

[Enewald]

I would be very afraid of the white blob by now...

 

[unmerged(86600)]

Good job. Now unleash the Austrians upon the unsuspecting Turks and pray that they can't hold onto their Italian conquests so you can, erm, politely vassalize them in the future. And colonization should definitely be one of your most important goals. Just be careful about Tordesillias areas and the Spanish ability to take your colonies at will, without a DOW, barring strong troop presence. (I forgot about it more than once).

 

[TheArchMede]

I think you need the "Exceptional decade" event.

Royal marriages are always rejected below -150 relations and always accepted between -5 and -150 relations (at least they were in EU2). Above -5 it depends on things like the dip ratings, badboy etc. So you don't need to spam, unless your objective in spamming was to drive relations below -5.

 

[aldriq]

Finally!!! I guess you won't miss Bosnia now Have you decided yet how to divide the world between you and Austria?

 

[parachute]

Now, the only right thing to do, would be to continue this awesome AAR as Bosnia, the faithful ally deserted by its liege! -- Shame on all things Venice!