Wallachian Recucerirea

[Blust]

Welcome to my 2nd Wallachia's playthrought (3rd playthrought, if we take a moment to remember the infamous Knight's who crashed twice, RIP) ! As you can guess, I kinda like this country.

A few months went by since the first I played this nation, and I expect to do better than last time (where I even went bankrupt). My objective was to get the Dracula's Revenge achievement. Done.

Now, we'll look for the bigger picture : driving the Ottomans out of the Balkans, then Anatolia, then wiping out their existence. And then, we'll start to secure the prosperity of christianity by taking control of Rome. And, why not, try to convert as much people as possible ?

This is Wallachia. A beautiful country, quite young (founded in 1330) but with a strong history. It used to be bigger, with a sea access in Bessarabia, but we lost it a few years ago after a defeat against the Ottomans.

Our first move will be to get rid of Mircea Basarab. He's a fool and not much more competent than our actual king, but most importantly : he's not a Draculesti. Mircea might be from the dynasty of Wallachia's founder, but we need the son of the dragon to lead us.


This glorious name is a reminder than Vlad II is a member of the Societas Draconistarum (the Order of the Dragon), a knight order which only aim to defend the christianity, especially against the Ottoman Empire. This is a legacy we can not afford to throw away, especially to some 2/1/2 heir.

And so, our dynasty will prevail. Mircea Basarab accidentally fell on his sword. Sometimes, bad things happens. But this time, it was a lucky accident.

Unfortunately, we do not have an heir. Not even a wife. And so, Vlad II marry a fine woman from Hungary, and improve the relationship between us and Poland in the mean time. One of them might become our major asset against the biggest threat we can imagine : the muslim armies of Mehmet II.





We have a peace treaty against the Ottoman Empire. For now. But they won't stay inactive while time flies by. They are already lurking over Albania, Serbia and what's left of the Byzantium Empire. Not to mention the entire Anatolia. We have to act and get more power before we become interesting in their eyes.

We currently have 3 choices :
- expand into the Balkans, by attacking the Ottomans. Which would be a disaster without proper allies.
- expand into Hungary, which would be a disaster as we are linked by the sacred union of marriage. And also they might crush us.
- expand into Moldavia, vassal of Poland. Again, their army would tear us apart pretty easily.

By the way, by "3 choices", I meant "3 legitimate choices." There's a 4th. Not a glorious one, but we do not seek glory at the moment. We are looking for survival. On the other side of the sea lays our fate : we shall attack one of these small insignificants countries.




The 11th of December 1444, Wallachia is at war against Circassia. An orthodox tribe, alone, waiting to be conquered. And in a few months, it's done. Circassia kneel before Wallachia.

Vlad II receiving the oath of loyalty from the chief Petrezok, leader of Circassia.​

This is the first vassal, and a decisive foothold in Caucasus. But there's no time to wait, the Ottomans are already at war against Byzantium.

 

[stnylan]

Nice to see you do another AAR.

 

[Tom D.]

That was a very funny introduction (and a subtle way of dealing with your older AARs). Looking forward to this, subbed!

 

[Blust]

Thanks you for your kind word ! Let's make Anatolia orthodox again together !



A few weeks after making Circassia an obedient vassal, Vlad II attacks Imereti. A small, diplomatically isolated nation.
Within the first days of war, their army is crushed, and the proud Wallachian's army can start raiding every province.
Gold is flooding the treasure, and in December 1449, the king of Imereti concede two provinces to Wallachia. With Abkhazie and Odishi added to the kingdom, Vlad II can now finally be part of the Caucasus.

The same year, Venice remind Bosnia and Serbia who's boss, and Dulkadir cut Karamanie in half.



In 1452, Byzantium is gone, crushed by the Ottoman's greed. Meanwhile, Georgia eat what's left of Imereti. In the west, France annexes Britain entirely, while Tlemcen and Spain wipe Grenada off the map.


The 1rst January 1454, Vlad II annexes two provinces from Georgia (who were Imereti's 2 years ago). A few days after the peace treaty, Ana Hunyady gives birth to a strong boy. An heir !

As we can't deny fate, the prince shall be called Georges. Saint Georges was a roman legionary, born in Anatolia, patron of the now ancient country of Georgia. Some said naming a Draculesti by the name of the famous dragon's killer was a terrible prophecy, but none dare to contest Vlad II.

In 1455, Vlad II attacks Trebyzond, but Samtskhé invade the city first, and annexes them. Meanwhile, Shîrvân has conquered Georgia. The kingdom of Wallachia now faces new ennemies, as well as rebels.

But the savages of Gazikumukh backstabbed Shîrvân and forces them to release Georgia, which doesn't have a peace treaty with Wallachia anymore.
Unfortunately, the kingdom have to deal with rebels and Samtskhé's impudence. The city of Kars is annexed.


Meanwhile, the Aq Qoyunlun crushes Qara Qoyunlun. Lithuania, independant, takes for himself half of Crimea's territory, while Ramazan destroys Dulkadir, before pledging allegiance to the Ottomans for a handful of ducats. Cowards.


Diplomatically, something changes. After refusing to recruit officers from the Ottomans and refusing to host one of their traitorous inventors, Vlad II must face the truth : Mehmet II doesn't hate him. At all. He doesn't even desire his territories anymore. That's suspicious, but also a great news. An emissary is sent to increase this new relationship. It is just a ruse to win some time, because Wallachia doesn't have any ally in case of war.
But this situation isn't good from Hungary's perspective, which is now hostile to Wallachia. They even break the royal marriage between the two countries, and the wallachian's nobility is panicking.
Furthermore, Hungary attacked Venice and took every territory they had in the Balkans. A rebellion rise in Wallachia's capital city, led a terrible general (0/0/1/0), with barely enough troops to breach into Tirgoviste. But it's enough for the king.

The Ottomans allows Wallachia to travel accross their lands, and the rebellion is crushed with severity. A dark legend is born.​

But it is now 1465, and the army is exhausted. Hungary looks terrifying, and even Vlad II is worried. Thankfully, Wallachia is blessed with a surprising and welcomed news : Mehmet II, before passing, swore to protect Wallachia's independance.

Lithuania is growing strong, while Wallachia is reinforcing his control of the Caucasus.​

Within a few days, and barely noticed, Trebyzond and Albania are annexed by the Ottoman Empire in 1470. The Great Horde attacks Crimea, and Wallachia follows. An easy victory, with a small reward : Matrega is added to the territory.




But, weary, Vlad II passes away in August 1471. As we mourn, we also rejoice, because the king Georges Draculesti is now our ruler. He is young, loved and calm.
Poland, courtised for years by our best diplomat, accept to marry our young king. And, a few weeks later, agree to an alliance. Wich displeased very much the Ottomans, who desn't feel like defending our country anymore. But for now, they still do like us. Let's take profit of this. Times will change.

 

[stnylan]

Very confused by the Ottomans sudden change of heart!

 

[0Viorp]

I like it you have a fun way of writing.

 

[guy.citron]

What happened? Did Hungary defeat you?

 

[Blust]

Sorry for the wait ! New job, new home, but no internet ! I still played tho. Let's continue this story !



In 1473, wars happens. Serbia is mostly annexed by the Ottomans. Bosnia mostly annexed by Ragusa. Georgia is mostly annexed by Wallachia (that's us !). Milan and Florence are fighting for Italy's domination.
Our ally Poland looks healthy, and not interested in wars, but keep a great army ready. Perfect.

3 years later, Shîrvân is split between Qara Qoyunlun and Wallachia. In the west, Hungary is defeated by a coalition led by Poland. Northern Hungary is annexed by the Polish, while Bosnia is freed, and Serbia's and Venice's cores are back to their rightful owners.

Hisn Kayfâ, diplomatically vassalized by the Ottomans, looks bigger after the war between their overlord and Aq Qoyunlun.



Our king, Georges, son of the dragon, takes a national decision : the army will focus on quantity. The more soldiers we have, the better. Muscovy, the orthodox kingdom in the north, growing strong, thinks alike and proposes to marry a daughter to a member of our family.
We are obviously happy, and soon, another alliance is born. Wallachia is safe for now.


In July 1485, Hisn Kayfâ are peacefully annexed by the Ottomans, who takes Bagdad from Qara Qoyunlun. Their strength is unmatched.



In 1490, the Qara Qoyunlun are wiped off the surface of Earth by Ajams, Gazikumukh and Wallachia. But in the meantime, the Ottomans are eating the Mamluks without any trouble, and are starting to lurk over Wallachia's territory. A diplomat is sent to Constantinople, with the order to return only in case of war.


In 1499, Crimea is reborn, Theodoros is annexed by the Ottomans and the Great Horde concede two provinces to Wallachia.
In Italy, Naples breaks his chains and wins against Florence. In Germany, Austria inherits what's left of Burgundy : not much, but an access to the Manche sea.



In the age of colonialism, something important changes : the Ottomans have annexed the south of Lithuania. They are province away from bordering Muscovy. Which is great news for us.
Naples continues to eat Italy, while France starts expanding into the Holy Roman Empire and holds a foothold in England : Dorset.
Ibera is a mess.

1513 is the end of the Teutonic Order. But the Livonian Order is eating the north of Lithuania.




In 1521, Hungary is the prey we were waiting for.
With only Austria to defend it, Hungary doesn't stand a chance against Wallachia and his allies : Poland and Muscovy. The war will last 2 years, and will allow Wallachia to finally expand into Europe, as well as reducing the hungarian threat.
Glad by this war, the Ottomans decides to gives almost 6 ducats each month to Wallachia.

The Ottomans are VERY rich and generous.​

4 provinces are annexed, including Pest, the capital city. Hungary is now cut in half ; Poland and Wallachia are the only one able to eat the eastern part.



In July 1535, Transylvania takes it's independance. In July 1536, Transylvania becomes Wallachia's vassal.
In 1537, Muscovy takes a few provinces from the Great Horde : Yekatarina Rurikovich now shares a border with Mehmet III Osmanoglu.

Finally, the Ottomans and the Muscovits are lurking over each other territory.​

In 1539, Muscovy forms Russia, while the Danes annexes fully the Livonian Order, but Sweden takes it's independance from it.

In 1542, Venice attacks Hungary and takes a few coastal provinces. Our new king, Alexandru Draculesti attacks Hungary in the mean time, enjoying an easy victory. He is also the one who decides to annex Circassia to reinforce our presence in the Caucasus. But a problem remains : the eastern frontier of the Causasus is held by Gazikumukh and Ajams.
Poland is thinking the same way because Moldavia, after being downgraded to vassal, is annexed the same year.

Here we are.​

But in 1549, a new war is incubating...

 

[stnylan]

Welcome back, and excellent to see Wallachia grow. The Ottomans do look fearsome though.

 

[TheRealRemus]

This ist great to read! Love it! One day Im going to try this my self. Thanks for the Inspiration.
Oh ans good luck with your Quest.

 

[Blust]

Wallachia is well known for it's diplomats and their reputation. They also possesses a large manpool of soldiers. And thus, with the promise of land to Russia, and a bunch of favors from Poland, they declare war, the 1rst March of 1549, to their swore ennemy : the Ottomans.

The first move is to attack by surprise a small army : they're defeated, and forced to retreat inland, giving us time to raid the european part of the Ottoman Empire.

Embushes and raids : the first year of war is a terrible blow to the Ottomans. The first night of battle was their nightmare.​

The objective was clear but nonetheless difficult : conquer Silistrie, the coastal province, and keep it. After several bloodbaths, the Russian army is holding the frontline against the Ottoman's troops and his allies. Poland is conquering the forts in the Balkans, while we finally breach Constantinople.

We aren't greedy enough to conquer Constantinople, for now. Therefore, we loot everything the army can.​

With both sides exhausted, the peace is signed. Two provinces for Russia, two provinces for Wallachia, and some gold for the three winners.

There won't be peace anymore. We can now consider being at full-time ready to defend from the Ottomans. Forts are built. Claims are fabricated. Armies are training.

Slowly, Ragusa was growing, and is now looking juicy. Unfortunately, they are allied to France.
We will deal with them later. Let's keep preparing the future war.

1565. The Order of the Dragon declare another war against the muslim invaders. Poland, controler of Curia, calls for a Crusade. Perfect.
This time, the Ottomans are blown away within a few months. But they hire huge stacks of mercenaries and soon, Russia is exhausted. They are fighting in their land, without any artillery. But they hold. And while they hold, Poland and Wallachia are raiding Anatolia. The Ottomans have no choice but to call for peace.
The Sultan agree to give Constantinople, Vidin and Bourgas to the Crusaders. This is a milestone, a great victory, calling for many others to come.

Almost 100 year after taking Byzantium, the Ottomans are now facing the wrath of the christian alliance.​

Bohemia and Brandenburg aren't glad by how the things are going though. But Austria is taking a like in Wallachia. A diplomat is sent to court their archduc.


Hungary is once again attacked by Venice, and Wallachia decide to take advantage of it by attacking it at the same time. Ragusa joins the party too. Then Milan.
Hungary is gone. Every country took a bit of it. Milan now owns Dalmatie. Ragusa still growing.

1582. Another fast war against an Ottoman empire already exhausted from a war to conquer the Mamluks. Edirne, Plovdiv and Tarnovo are now a part of the Wallachian kingdom. This decisive war will put an end to the easy access to the Balkans the Ottomans once hold. But their navy still dominate the entire Mediterranean sea. Our grande "Premiere Armada" is still nothing but a fleet of merchants and transports troops, barely able to survive alone at sea.
1583. Astrakhan is seized from the Great Horde. A fully developped province. Expensive then rewarding.

10 years goes by in relative peace. Naples takes Sicily. Sweden push the Danemark out of Scandinavia and takes Riga.
And finally, in 1584, Daghestan is annexed. We can now close our border of Caucasus. Without our consent, no one will cross our mountains. Let's just build forts to make sure no one will try by force.

 

[stnylan]

Ahh, it has taken a wee while, but it sounds as if the tide has turned against the Ottomans.

 

[TheRealRemus]

Screenshots! We demand screenshots of thy Reich!

 

[Blust]

The Crusade to save the christians from the Ottomans continues, but first, let's end the threat of the Great Hord. And what a surprise when we invade Astrakhan ! It's rich, very rich.

A pleasant surprise, thanks you Khan.​

Now we can focus on the Ottomans. A quick but wonderful war grant us a few more provinces. Enough to block their armies off the Balkans.
They may officially own some european lands, but in truth, they can't even send troops there anymore. Unless they remember they have ships. Now we'll play the waiting game, and help christian rebels to revolt.

December 1596.​

However, it's time to start to care about our western side. Austria agrees to an alliance, and we'll have to select our first target. Ragusa and Venice can grant us a coastal province, giving us claims to the eastern side of Italy.
But they are all heavily protected by strong ennemies, even some of our own allies !


In February 1598, we are truly blessed ! Serbia and Albania revolts and takes their independance from the Ottomans, unable to access in time to those provinces in trouble.
As we ally Albania and develop our friendship with them, we annex Serbia. Meanwhile, Milan makes their move and annex the italian side of Venice. They strongly hold the north of Italy, with a western Genoa unable to do anything alone, while Naples own south Italy. If we attack one of them, the other one will dominate Italy, and may form it.

Spain is looking more interested by his conquest of Maghreb than by the possibility of an alliance with us. France is allied with our ennemies and rivals and refuse to ally us.
Let's just vassalize - peacefully - Albania for now.

Lucky Albania. Freed itself from Ottomans, only to kneel before Wallachia.​

The new king, Leon Draculesti, in a briliant war in 1608, annex a bunch of provinces from Venice, including the strategic island of Crete, as well as giving Albania, our newest vassal, the sweet province of Ragusa.


In 1618, Ragusa pays the price of his greed : Serbia supports rebels from the country and forces it to give back his land. Venice, trying to take advantage of it, conquer a few provinces, but is immediately attacked by Milan, who is now in strong position in Croatia.

10 years later, the Ottomans loses more provinces, unable to safely siege the territories conquered in the Balkans, getting killed while trying to cross the Bosphorus.
Historically, when sieging Constantinople in 1450, in the war against Byzantium, Mehmet II is said to have sent his fleet by land because of Genoa's blocus. Looks like their new Sultan isn't as innovative as his predecessor was. Good.




In 1630, Naples uses a bold move : he annexes Rome. The christian world is shocked. It might be the time to strike, unfortunately, he allied Milan and France. Surprising, and annoying.

In 1631, a new challenger appears : Hungary takes it's independance from Ragusa. They're both not pleased to see me bordering them.
But Hungary disappear really quick, so, it was a pleasant but short news.

A healthy Wallachia is a Wallachia beating Ottomans.​

Soon, the Balkans will be free, and it'll be time to strike the Ottomans in their homeland. Anatolia, soon, we'll come for you. And let's not forget the rich Egypt.

 

[stnylan]

Wallachia is a true power now, the Balkans largely secured and Constantinople reclaimed. Would be nice to link the two parts of the realm, and defeating the Ottomans never gets old...

 

[Blust]

Yes, my goal is to annex completely Anatolia for multiple reasons : it's rich, it's Ottoman's territory and it could be nice to have a kingdom that isn't cut in half.

Nothing happens for a few years. Then, a war explodes. The hardest war. Austria, Russia, Poland and Wallachia are barely enough to hit the Ottomans hard enough to exhaust him. But slowly, they do. For a price. The old king of Wallachia isn't greedy, he is tired and wants to relief Wallachia's people from the wrath of war.

A single province in Egypt is annexed, as well as the last Gazikumukh's province, and a few more for Albania. It might be time to invade Italy or the Mamluks, but let's enjoy peace for now.

A foothold in Egypt. What a bunch of crusades couldn't do, we will finish.​

As if the christian kingdoms finally awakens, Naples attacks Tunis while Wallachia is attacking the Mamluks.
Christiandom is reclaiming the african lands. In Egypt, the coast is annexed, while the fight goes on in Tunis.

Is Naples trying to be forgiven by the Pope for taking Rome by attacking infidels ? Could be.​

It's good to see a fellow kingdom spreading love and peace in north Africa, but it could be better if this very kingdom wasn't such a mean guy. After the 3rd insult towards the holy kingdom of Wallachia, it's time to act.

We'll proceed the same way we did against the Ottomans the previous war : we just take one province, but a strategic one. Just so they can remember who they're dealing with, and that we can strike anytime we want. And we could also just gobble them later. And maybe eat Rome ?



Radu III Draculesti, our new king, son of Constantin Draculesti, declare the war against the catholic Naples. This isn't the first time we have to attack a fellow christian, but it's always with pain and sadness that we do.

The war is very short. Naples was diplomatically isolated after conquering Rome. Only Milan is willing to help. But they could field barely 30,000 soldiers each, while we sent twice as much in Italy (and let the remaining half in Egypt).

As expected, a single province is taken in Italy, and another in Tunisia. As a warning. But Rome is also liberated by the generous wallachian king. Milan loses a couple of provinces in the Balkans, but that's fair game, they involved themselves in our business.

There is no time to celebrate though, the Ottomans are recovering power and starting to get alliances.

Immediately, Wallachia, Poland and Russia charges.

Crossing the Bosphorus to attack Ottoman's home : Anatolia.​

Once again, a great victory. The Ottomans were crushed. Their possessions in Europe are gone. Only remains Cyprus island (owned by the Mamluks) and Rhodes island (owned by the Ottomans). Radu III even annex a piece of Anatolia, to make crossing the sea easier.

One last war against the Mamluks, one against Serbia, and Radu III Draculesti can finally rest, in autumn 1673.

A ruler worth some gold, this Radu III.​

2 years before Radu III passes, this was Wallachia. A legacy to carry on.​

 

[stnylan]

Well that does look nicer, but those Ottos still look to be quite a power

 

[Blust]

Do not worry, we are going to strike them hard and fast !

They're already on the decline, their power is a thing of the past.



After the tragic death of Radu, Walachia's people thought this was the end of the country's glory. But little did they know, it was going to be even more prosperous. Vladimir Draculesti, the new king, had great plans for Wallachia.

As soon as he could, he seized what was left of Tunis, allowing Naples to keep it's share of Maghreb. Then, he proceeded to destroy Mamluk's dignity. Finally, he took a few more Ottoman's provinces on the Bosphorus.
Now, the Ottomans are stuck in Anatolia, without any hope to invade Europe, and no way to retreat.

The Sultan and his advisors, reading the terms of their complete surrender.​

This was only the beggining. Vladimir I began a campaign to modernize the country : he built a huge amount of buildings, especially for trade and navy, then secured his borders with multiple forts and castles. Another short war with Ottomans took place ten years later, and Syria was released.

The king spent a lot of money to develop his country. Basically all of it.​

In the south, Aden formed the kingdom of Yemen. In the north, as Poland's power is decreasing, Wallachia break the alliance, which lasted centuries. In Africa, France is pushing into Mali, while the eastern front isn't changing much, with Ajams and Sistan completely immobilized.

 

[stnylan]

Just need to make the map tidier, is all.