AAR POland -Lithuania

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The Kurland war.
1624. 376d.
The people in Curland declare themselves independent from their former oppressors of the Teutonic Order. Suddenly my rebelling province of Memel is part of them.
Now a difficult decision: they are at war with TK, we have a CB on them, should we annex them diplomatically or military? At the moment they are not part of any military alliance, so they are a cheap target….
I decide to DoW them. Our troops from the Russian border march in. The Curland troops engage the forces of TO, and are defeated. We defeat their demoralized bunch as they retreat into their homeland, and lay siege to Curland and Memel.

1625. 551d.
A new court party is held, and the King personally attends the festivities for keeping Ingermanland. He pronounces the hope that at the end of the next 5 years, Ingermanland will not only be polish, but also be reconnected to the rest of the kingdom.
The generals announce our troops are now courageous enough to enter unknown territories. What’s the deal, I wonder, about walking into some bush? The battlefield is usually more deadly.
We send a personal gift to the ruler of Baden, we are now very close friends (+128). Austria gets itself into a war against Turkey, Wallachia, Morroco and Algiers, together with Saxony and Bohemia.
The remnants of the Kurland army march to and from between Kurland and Memel, and get beaten up every time.
With both their cities besieged, the rebels in Kurland offer a white peace.
Abroad, Japan closes to the west. We capture the Kurland capital, and build new troops strengthen the siege of Memel. In September, Austria annexes Wallachia, after count Wallenstein captured its capital. But 25000 Turks are besieging and plundering Serbia, while another
12000 besiege Moldavia.

1626. 443d.
We send another personal gift to Baden, and its ruler declares we are their closest friends! (+200). The King dreams dreams of vasallizing Baden, and expresses this as his explicit wish to be fulfilled in the next 5 years.
In March Baden formally accepts our proposal to become our first vasal.

1627. 611d.
Saxony accepts Bosnia in exchange for a peace treaty with Turkey.
In March we capture Memel, and fully annex the country. This boosts our badboy rating from 8 to 15.
In April, Persia declares war on Turkey. Portugal and Papal States declare themselves to be on the side of Persia, while Morocco, Algiers, Nubia, Aden and Cyrenaica voice their support for Turkey.
To be able to fight its newest opponents, Turkey grants Bulgaria to Austria.
Sibir pays 47d to Russia for peace.
In December, Hannover revolts. We still have troops in Munster, who take of right away to defend the right of the royal crown.

1628. 885d.
We start the construction of the first goods manufactory in Posen. Several smaller nations already have one, but I suppose I am the first larger nation to build one.

 

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Another long peace

628 - cont'd
Another lesson from the latest war was that 4 religions gives problems with war exhaustion in a few years. So we lower tolerance to Muslims. With 6 colonists, and little chance to use them for real colonies, we'd better integrate those provinces in the kingdom.
In Oct France declares war on Spain. Baden, Aragon, Savoy and Tuscany join France. Russia, Wurtemberg, and Venice join Spain. A difficult decision, but we decide to dishonour the alliance.
A rebellion is Dobrudja is suppresses in a bloodbath, but not enough to push population down under 5000.

1629 323d.
France invites us to re-join the alliance.
Resaerching :
Land 12, expected Sep 1643.
Naval 8, expected Apr 1639
Stability 2, expected Sep 1632
Trade 7, expected Nov 1670
Infra 7, expected May 1948.
In November Memel revolts due to nationalism. Crushed in peasant blood, but not what we are waiting for.

1630. 403d.
A new leader, 3* general Sapieha is promoted and assigned to the army in Hannover. The King declares at the 5 annual Ingermanland party that. Surprisingly, Ingermanland remains his pet party. One young officer jokingly asks the King if this means he will raise its fortifications, but the king is 'not amused'.
In the west, the war is not going well fro France, as Aragon is completely annexed by Spain.
Wurtemberg pays 250d to Savoy for peace.

In the east Persia hands Kurdistan to Turkey and makes peace.

1631. 531d.
We check our trade positions and make some minor reinvestments in Holland and Isfahan.
In October, captain Dahajdaczny offers us himself, his ship and his crew. We offer him the 3 transports en route from Bremen to the west.

1632. 849d.
King Wladislaw IV Wasa now rules our nation.
France makes peace with Spain, and receives Bajou and Artois.
In September, Dobrudja revolts again. We loose the first battle, and the army retreats in panic to Bujak.
In December, Turkey declares war on Austria. It has its usual string on North African minors as allies, and Austria has Bohemia and Saxony as allies. The out come will be very predictable, as their land tech is even lower than ours (11), while Austria is sky high somewhere above 20.

1633. 1200d.
Time for a new goods manufactory, this one in Krakow (39/9).
Azow revolts, and the revolt is immediately crushed.
Land 12, expected Aug 1639.
Naval 8, expected Aug 1639
Trade 7, expected Apr 1662.
Infra 7, expected Sep 1942.
Monthly income = 134.
The king decides to send a personal gift to the French monarch to amend for our inactivity in the latest war.
Sahajdaczny arrives back in Bremen after reconnoitering the African coast, and we send him back right away with new transport ships.
Time to raise the fortifications in Posen to level 2. And perhaps France is willing to borrow some money? Indeed, but just in quantities of 20.

1634, 468d.
Minor investments in trade in Holstein.
Monthly income:
Tax 60
Goods production 33
Trade 41
Total 135 (all fractions rounded)
In May, the naval factory in Danzig burns to the ground.
Dobrudja revolts. (7664 inhabitants). Memel revolts. After a bloodbath of 17000 farmers, there are 7657 inhabitants left.
Several armies need reinforcements after beating down revolts. Surprisingly, Memel (nationalism 3%) revolts much more often than Azow/Kerch/Kouban (Religion +8%).

1635. 536d.

The 5 yearly Ingerman party is held. Of course the goal for the next 5 years does not change, and no one expected it would.
The goods manufactory in Krakow is completed. We build lots of new troops, spending the savings of several years.

Feb: Bujak revolts. We will bide our time. Every month population is -7%.
There are intense discussions at the court about a war against Turkey. The Austrian coalition seems to be winning, so it might be advantageous to grab a share of the pie. Hellas would be a good point to mount an attack on Morea. But our badboy rating is still high at +13, so we will simply have to wait.
On the defense, we upgrade the fortress in Hannover to level 2.

On the Balkans, 57000 Austrians, Bohemians and Saxons try to conquer Kosovo.
Later in the year, more peasants in Bujak join the revolt.
In October Turkey makes peace with Austria by giving up Rumelia.
Our explorer arrives back in Bremen with just 1 ship left, so we start the construction of several new vessels for him.
Azow revolts. The rebels are defeated, so we can now siege the town.

1636. 777d.
Muslim provinces:
Bujak 10721, -5%. Captured by rebels.
Dobrudja 7707
Kerch 7892
Azow 7115 (-5%)
Kouban 7120
Our explicit aim is to reduce population to the point where we can convert them to the true faith.
When we recapture Azow, its population is exactly 5000…. Alas, 1 too many!
In March, Azow and Dobrudja revolt. The rebels from Dobrudja attack our regulars in Besarabia. The revolt in Azow is easily crushed again, and we can now send a colonist.
In July, Kouban revolts. Great, the Azow army marches to the 7000 rebels. The colonization of Azow succeeds.
French pays some loans, and we offer them again, this time for 300 months.

1637. 1110d.
Start of a new naval equipment factory in Danzig.
Muslim provinces:
Bujak 10672, -5%. Captured by rebels.
Dobrudja 7707
Kerch 7892
Kouban 7114, -5%
In Feb Kouban falls, and again its number of survivors is exactly 5000.
Kleves renews the royal marriage despite a relation of -45. The royal marriage with Savoy is less problematical.
Kerch revolts, gr8! Bujak is captured, inhabitants down to about 8000. The army moves on Dobrudja. In November, Bujak revolts again.

1638. 415d.
Yearly income is now up to about 360. Monthly income 131. Probably way to low for experienced gamers.
When Dobrudja falls, its population goes down to 5700. Because the army in Dobrudja is out of supply, it marches back to Bujak and defeats the rebels. I order the army out of the province to Besarabia, but while it leaves Bujak the peasants revolt again. But the rebels have infiltrated into the town, and we must siege it. Good!

1639. 645d.
Our army tech advances to 12. We can now build level 3 fortresses, just like the rest of Europe. Well, not exactly, most of the rest must be able to build level 4, judging from the archive graph.
Well, perhaps it's a good idea to expand the fortress in Posen. While we are on the topic of defense, let's build extra armies and dens a letter of introduction the Tsar.
The rebellion in Kerch swells on to 30000.
Bujak falls, and its population is down to 6150.
Savoy manages to sign a white peace with Spain, Venice and Russia.
I decide to upgrade the fortress in Ingermanland.
Bujak revolts again, and the rebels from Dobrudja move to Bujak. A personal gift to the Tsar improves the relation moderately (beloathed enemies)

1640. 420d.
Muslim provinces:
Bujak 6144, -5%. Captured by rebels.
Dobrudja 5757, -5%, captured by rebels.
Kerch 7820, -7%, besieged by rebels.
Kouban 5100.
Kerch falls to the rebels, so we can send in our troops to retake the town.
Of course it is time for the 5-year Ingermanland party, no surprises.

The surprise comes in June….

 

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Part 11: The Russian war – part 1.

Russia declares war on us!
Sweden follows, together with Venice, Spain and Holstein. And that while my badboy rating was down to 11.
Of course we call on our allies, but with little hope. Well France can keep Spain at bay, but we stand little chance against the combined might of Sweden and Russia.
Perhaps it should not have surprised me. Looking back I should have expected it. Russia had attacked about every weak neighbor it could find. Somehow I lived with the supposition that a strong army would be a deterrent. No sir. And PL did certainly not provoke them.

I set several things in motion:
a) general Sapieha (5/2/3) is ordered to Holstein. Holstein itself has no troops, but Russia controls the entire Danish/Norwegian territory. Sapiaha, in a strong defensive position can hopefully keep the Russians here at bay.
b) Radziwill, with 9000 foot and 23000 horse, is ordered to Novgorod.
c) Lowiczowic, 8000 foot, is ordered to defend Tula against Russians marching from Moscow. 8000 horse from Belgorod are ordered to his support.
d) The Swedes own 3 provinces conquered on golden horde and allies, Bogutjar, Lugansk/ Donetsk. Koniekpolski must lift the siege of Kerch and march on Swedish Lugansk.
The idea is to force at least one of the major opponents out of the war asap.
The army from Ingermanland is attacked by 5700 Swedish infantry. We defeat them and renew our march on Novgorod.
The Belgorod forces arrive in time in Tula to assist against 12000 Russians. We win, but only barely. They seem to retreat towards Moscow, where we pursue them. We lay siege to Lugansk! Snardiosvki is ordered from Kurland to Novgorod through Pskov.

Aug: We take a bank loan and raise more troops,
Kazanowski and Sybalski stop the siege of rebelling Bujak and Dobrudja, and match to Donetsk.
Our troops in Moscow pursuing stranglers are defeated in detail by a strong Swedish fordce of, uh, 5000 foot. 35000 Russians defeat 15000 raw recruits in Tula. The Swedish fordce in Moscow is reinforced to 25000.
With the winter in mind, I order an assault on Lugansk, which walls are down to –2. The battle rages all through September.
65000 Russians and Swedes assault Tula, but fail.
Sep: Snardiosvki is attacked by a numerical superior force of Russians, while traveling through Pskov. After a month of fighting it becomes increasingly clear he is not gonna make it, so he with draws to Welikia.
The year threatens to end with 45000 Russians and Swedes in front of Ingermanland, and 84000 more besieging Tula. 23000 besiege Welikia. I besiege Lugansk (-5) and Donetsk (-1). All my armies on the important northern and central front are beaten and in retreat.
But then, just before Christmas, Lugansk is captured. We offer a blank peace with Sweden, which they accept! Yahoo!!!
Alas, the rest of the future looks very black. All armies seem to be being hunted down,and Russia sieges 3 towns by yearend.

 

[Carolus Rex]

Kill 'em all!

Good one, waiting for more here.

 

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Part 12: the Russian war cont´d.

1641. 296d.
Less than in previous years, but somehow my stability dropped 1 point.
Now a difficult question arises: The peace offer screen for Russia as leader of the alliance shows 1 black cross. Should I use the money to bribe Russia to accept peace? Or should I trust that France will win the war against Spain? I decide to gamble on the latter, forgetting that I am no longer member of the alliance, as I refused to DoW on England.
With the new money we raise new troops, 10000 foot, 19000 horse. Throughout the winter Russia strengthens the army besieging Tula to 105000. We rest in winter quarters, and wait for spring.
All armies, including those which fought Sweden in the south, are ordered to the central and northern fronts, to besiege Russian cities. I would like to free Tula, but its fall seems inevitable.
In June Holstein is captured, and offers a blank peace. Tempting, as it would free 20000 men and a good leader. Instead I decline, and march the troops to Jylland. Their seem to be no Russian troops there, so it offers an excellent opportunity to capture a province or two unopposed.
In july 27000 poles spot a good chance to reconquer Tula, as only 2000 Russians remain behind. But they are soon defeated by 6000 Russian foot. They must withdraw with heavy casualties, but the remaining Russians are defeated by 9000 newly arriving troops.
Towards the end of the year, Savoy captures Oldenburg, and march their troops east. Welcome reinforcements!
Just after Christmas, we capture Vorones.
Situation:
39000 Russians besiege Ingermanland. Several smaller armies, 5-12000 men, march around without a clear purpose.
21000 Poles besiege Novgorod, without supplies. 6000 besiege Tula, and 5000 are in just captured Vorones. A further 23000 besieg Jylland. The savoyans number less then 1000 when they arrive.
Income: 1414.

1642. (?)
New troops all over the country.
In March France’s problems are enlarged by another war, as Wurtemberg declares itself independent. This time I am loyal to France. In march we recapture Tula. Due to severe frostbite, the army in Novgorod is down to 8000, and can no longer besiege it. The 6000 men from Tula march to Novgorod.
Abroad, Turkey pays Bohemia for peace and Spain pays Savoy for peace.
In July Ingermanland falls while its walls were just down to –3. Strange.
Holstein bothers us with needless white peace offers. Russia offers peace in exchange for Ingermanland. They defeat our newly recruited army at Tula and lay siege to it.
In October we capture Jylland. Russia rejects our offer of a blank peace.
In November, we take another bank loan. New troops should be ready by Apr, 1! The walls of Novgorod go down to -8!
In December, Novgorod falls, and Russia sues for peace offering Vorones. Instead, I decline, and continue the war. (The thought to accept was very tempting, with 3 loans life is expensive).

1643. 313d.
Income last year 1893.
The Jylland army marches on Kopenhagen and drives of 4000 Ruffians. With the assistance of the Novgorod army, the Tver siege makes finally some progress. Attrition, of course, is horrendous in winter.
In march we capture Tver. But Russia assembles an army of 87000 men to recapture Novgorod. Instead, in July, after several battles weakening our forces, we march on Moscow and Liptesk.
France demands and receives Hainault and France Compte from Spain. We capture Sjelland. We pay Spain 6d for peace.
In Oct, we progress to Central Government (7). I had all investments on Infra for the past few years, as I had several ‘bad government policies’ making this promotion last many, many decades. Now everything goes into land tech, still 3 years to go. Russia declines my offer for Novgorod and Vorones. In December, Russia rejects our proposal of peace for Novgorod.

1644. 326d.
Income last year: 1938.
Lipetsk is captured before Novgorod. Troops, troops, more troops!
Russia besieges Novgorod with 60,000. Its walls can fall any day now. I suggest peace for Novgorod and Tver and Russia accepts!
Now all investments switch from army to stability. There is just 1 war left, against Wurtemberg, and French troops besiege it. Priority uno, and secundo is the recapture of Kerch and Kouban before they declare their independence.

The second war vs Russia and Sweden
Alas, no rest is granted our poor country. Still in January, Sweden declares war. It is joined by Spain, Venice, Holstein and … Russia. No, not again! The treacherous dogs….
Why oh why? My badboy rating is down to 10. Could it be that Frances badboy rating of 17 causes this problem? Would the AI be that smart?
I call upon my allies, but only France joins my war. Russia starts with a siege of Novgorod. Just 27000 men, but more are on there way. Great guys, these Russians. Great armies freeze faster. In February, the army has swollen to 60,000, all Russians.
We recapture Dobrudja. 15000 men to Karelia.
In march, the rotten swines in Turkey declare war on us. Why oh Why? Is this really because of the French badboy rating? If so, why don’t they attack France? Of course, Turkey brings its entire string of minor north African allies.
France annexes Wurtemberg back into its realm, no doubt further raising its badboy rating. We feel deeply ashamed of the behaviour of our ally. Kerch is recaptured, alas its population is exactly 5000, just like Dobrudja’s a few months earlier.
7000 Russians come and break the siege of 14000 Poles in Karelia. Tears!
The Turks besiege Hellas, and land in Azow and Dobrudja.
Russia, Venice and Holstein make peace with our vassal Baden (white peace). Finally, in September, our armies capture Vorones. Russia, alone, accepts a white peace. Sweden fights on. I hope to conquer some part of Sweden now it is weak. It must be weak, as its stability must be down to –2: it declared war a few years after a peace treaty.

Victory points:
Spain 2154
Poland 1742
France 1646
Austria 1488
Russia 951
I feel very satisfied, as Poland made a steep climb these last few years. A few decades ago the difference between Spain and Poland was 1800 vs 1200. But ther are still numerous problems to solve. Perhaps more than Poland can handle.

 

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Part13, Russian - Swedish - Turkish war, cont'd

(1642)
Dobrudja, under siege by 11000 Ottomans, revolts with 14000 peasants. Hurray, farmers!
Russia declares war on Sibir. The peasants in Dobrudja are defeated, but the two month battle extracts a toll of 4000 Ottomans. Just before the yearend, Hellas is captured by the Turks.

1645. 700d.
700!?!?!? Where do I get all that money from? Well, some war loans are about to expire, so you wont hear me complaining. The only reason I can think of is Novgorod. That province must be held at all cost! Or wait, my stability is back at +3, so everything is going into cash. I switch all investments from stability to land tech.
Income last year: 2049.
The 5 yearly Ingermanland party goes by virtually unnoticed. Some had expected the King to declare Novgorod the strategic aim for the next few years, but he sticks to the traditional Ingermanland.
Inflation is up to 8%, but the 2 new provinces offer 2 new opportunities to bring it a bit down.
In March we capture Holstein again. That should be one point for the alliance. I don't want Holstein, it would boost our badboy rating by another 5 point. But it is worth one point, I hope, in the negotiations with Sweden.
3700 French allies land in Bremen. In march 7000 men from Ingermanland and 13000 from Novgorod are ordered to Karelia, where Sweden is rebuilding its army. They arrive in time to crush the new recruits, 1000 horse with 30 guns.
In June, we recapture Kouban, and the Turks capture Dobrudja. The siege of Bogutjar (+3 to -3 in between October and January) is halting ( -8/-9 for 3 months. In July, the new recruist march on Nyland and defeat its garrison. We score a victory over the Turks in Dobrudja and over Swedes recruits in Nyland. We foolow them to the North but must retreat before superior odds (8000 Poles against 6000 Swedes, sigh). Well, next year we should get a raise in tech level.
The Turks make it up by landing 5000 men in Bujak. Kouban revolts again. We capture Bogutjar. Good, now just karelia or Nyland, and we can claim onwe of the rich provinces.
Peasant revolts in both Dobrudja and Bujak spoil plans of both sides in the south, as they defeat both us and the Turks. Turkey offers peace for Dobudja, Hellas and all or gold. Modesty does not seem to be part of their vocabulary. New Turkish reinforcements land in Dopbrudja, and are defeated by the peasants.

1646. 449ducats.
Income last year 2245.
Another war loan is coming up in December. With an interest of 9% it becomes a dire necessity to pay it off.
The walls of Karelia are at +2. The walls of Lugansk are at -6. Swedish morale is invincible, but we will win nevertheless. Swedish stability is -2. Hopefully this drastically cuts their income. We raise new troops in Besarabia to crush the rebels, and in Estonia/Ingermanland.
3000 Turks land in Azow, and when are 7000 men garrison is slowly grinding them down, 13000 more come ashore. The battle continues until February, when finally we are victorious. They seem to retreat towards Kouban, which is under rebels siege. General Radziwill captures Lugansk, and Sweden offers it in return for peace. Holstein keeps bothering us with needless peace offers. The retreating Turks do not arrive in Koublan, but in Kerch, and start to siege it. Koublan falls to the rebels.
Over the winter the army in Karelia dwindles down to a mere 1500 men. 16000 new recruits are ordered to Karelia. A Turkish assault at Besarabia fails. Radziwill pursues the defeated janisars to Kerch and beats them again.
In May we capture Karelia. Again they offer Lugansk. Of course their offer is declined. The real question is: should we offer peace for Karelia, or should we go for Nyland too and try to hold off the Turks for another year? Even bigger question: the pattern 2 years ago was that when we made peace with one nation, promptly another declared war, always keeping is up against 2 nations at once. If we make peace with Sweden, will Austria declare war?
I decide to take the risk of a war with Austria, and offer peace. They decline. When our troops enter Savolaks, the offer 2 low provinces, an offer we decline. Again we counter with an offer of peace for just Karelia, and again they decline. The message is clear: they want to loose Nyland. But as they continue to offer Bogutjar and Lugansk, the Polish diplomats also repeat our offer. Of course they decline again. Nyland turns out to have a medium fortress, so the troops march from Nyland to Savolaks, which has just a small fortress.
The Dutch campaign in northern France must have been successful, as France passes ownership of Calais to them. The Dutch republic now consists of 6 provinces. Turks land in Kouban, defeat our troops, loose to rebels, we retrun and defeat rebels.
In November, with the severe winter coming, 19000 men storm the walls of Olofsborg, and loose 4000 men causing 900 casualties.
At the end of the year, we pay off our second war loan. Just one left.

1647. 392d.
Income last year: 2183.
Ongoing wars:
France - Persia.
Poland - Spain/Sweden/Venice/Holstein
Poland, France/Tuscany - Turkey/Algiers/Morocco/Cyrenaica.
The year starts with a revolt in Tver.
North:
Memel revolts as the technical expertise of the army advances to musketeers (13). The Swedes, with their invincible morale, are gathering 20000 men in Nyland. In summer, the walls of Savolaks are down to -5. Suddenly, 5000 Turks turn up in Lithuania???? Where do they get from? Sapieha is with 7000 men in Holstein, and is ordered to Lithuania. Sweden besieges Karelia. In November we capture Savolaks. All the while tey bother us with needless peace offers. When we offer them peace, we get the option to convert them. No, I want provinces. 6 provinces? Ah, France has conquered Luxembourg and Alsace on Spain.
We offer peace for Karelia and Alsace, and they accept.
South:
But our armies recapture Kouban and we send in a colonist. The peasants in Dobrudja revolt again, and are beaten: a Phyrrus victory. Hannover revolts as we convert to counter reformed catholism. The Polish armies also retake Dobrudja, and here too we place a colonist. 23000 peasants in Hannover are butchered at the cost of 7000 veteran soldiers.
Turkey lands fresh troops in Azow. Kerch revolts again. Radziwill, who was trying in vain to capture Donetsk, is ordered back to Azow. In September, Turkey lands fresh troops in Dobrudja. In November, 9000 Turks land in Besarabia, but our 9000 men drive them back into the sea. Just as the Turkish troops in Azow are about to board ship, 19000 more Turks land in Azow. They finally defeat the Azow garrison, and the walls of Azow immediately tumble down from +3 to -3.

1648. 283d.
Income last year: 1955. We are sorely missing income from the conquered Swedish provinces.
The year starts of well with the elimination of Turkish forces in Kurland.
I offer Turkey peace for 250d, but they refuse. My badboy rating is still unchanged at 10, despite repeated peace offers to Sweden for 1 province while I had 4 stars.
Karelia revolts with 3000 peasants, and they drive of our entire demoralized northern army of 15000 men. Turkey offers peace for 93d and Hellas. I am inclined to agree, but postpone. Azow falls to Turkey. 2000 Turks in Dobrudja take 2000 casualties out of 9000 men before going down.
France has given its English provinces to England in return for peace. France, come on, send troops against Turkey! Fr+PL vs Turkey and France vs Persia are the only wars left. Turkey keeps sending in detachments against Dobrudja.

Battle points:
PL: 294
Austria 265
Spain 220
France 152

Economy points:
Spain1133
France 836
China 796
Portugal 572
England 565
Turkey 508
PL 495

Turkey keeps sending small contingents to Dobrudja. We keep beating them, but battle losses remain high. Finally, in December, 2000 Turks send our 14000 men army into headlong retreat.

1649. Start of the Deluge. 303d.
Income last year: 1949.
I wonder if we will have to face new offensives this year of our neighbours. As it is, Turkey is slowly winning terrain. Turkey sends reinforcements up to 14000 men to take Dobrudja. With Azow regained by rebels, the King offers the Turks 250d for peace. That means we have money for new troops, and also to expand the fortress in Bremen.
The Ottomans reinforce their army to 19000, and take Dobrudja. Radziwill retakes Kerch. Sapieha besieges Memel. In the north, Karelia is brought back into line. We defeat Turkey bin Dobrudja, and start to siege the country.
Turkey lands new troops in Azow and sends our troops into flight. They offer peace in exchange for Hellas plus 3 gold. Tired of war, I accept. War exhaustion was op to +8 when I last checked, and that was some time ago. France does not even send a fleet, let alone troops. I should not have granted it any provinces in the peace with Sweden/Spain. Noble stupidity.

 

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Many identical experiences with my russian AAR I see:
1) Remote allies rarely help you. Remote allies of AI enemies often help out.
2) The AI clings on to certain provinces in peacenegotiations - despite lots of stars.
3) Warexhaustion is a bitch. My breaking point is usually when it reaches +10 in a number of provinces.

How are your techstandings compared to the other GPs at this time?

 

[unmerged(8545)]

Up to now I observed several advantages of the AI:
a) fleets do not suffer attrition at sea
b) ai nations do not seem to suffer war exhaustion

I do think France tried to help me out against Russia, but the AI is very unpredictable. Perhaps that's only too human.

War exhaustion, btw, seems to be more of a problem for poland than for Russia. Russia seems to have less religions to manage then Poland. Russia is less likely to have to cope with protstantism, as long as it doesnt fight its way along the baltic coast. Far Karelia can be converted with a colonist.

I'll try to post a tech standing comparison soon. To be exact, I will have to lift them from the save file, which is some work as tehs efiles are rather large.

 

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Poland part 14 - The great deluge
(well, hopefully not)

1650, 324d.
Income last year: 2001.
Of course we raise new troops, especially in the north, where 3 provinces have a +3% revolt risk. 2 provinces have their defenses improved. The generals invent refined saltpeter(14). Bujak revolts, but that is not serious. Memel is the entire year under siege.

1651. 324d.
Income last year: 2030.
New troops in Azov and the north.
The only ongoing war is between France and Persia. It is also probably the reason the allance never expires.
Everyone refuses to share maps.
Turkey declares war on Bohemia. Of course its faithful allies follow the leader. Austria and Saxony come to the rescue of Bohemia.
Trade positions have eroded during the 10 year wars, so we must catch up again. Memel recaptured.

1652. 409d.
Income last year: 2072.
Armies: 24000/45000/128
Improve fortresses in Podolia and Besarabia.
Bujak and Kerch revolt.

Fourth English war
Then, in April, England declares war on France. Iroqouis, Netherlands and Teutonic follow this example. Tusacny, Hyderabad and Helvetia join France. France asks us to hounor our obligations. Difficult, as Teutonics have 46000 highly trained men in the environment, while the Dutch have numerous small (9/10k) armies in the Field.

The as always overdiligent Dutch open the campaign by marching on Munster and laying siege to Koln. The Teutonic forces march west, giving the Novgorod and Ungermanland armies opportunity to lay siege to Livonia. Gulp, their fortress is LARGE.
The Dutch concentrate 41000 men on Munster.
In august our traders advance their techniques to protectionism (7). 60000 Dutch besiege Munster. 21000 French in Artois are studying the weather. 165000 storm Calais and take it.
Munster is captured, and instead of ordering one month of celebrations the Dutch move on to Hannover. They try to storm this town, but a timely assault from 12000 young recruits from Bremen breaks the siege of 46000 Dutch.
Over 6 months, the army besieging Livonia decreases by about 2000 men/month. Walls still at +6 by year end.

1653. ?d.
Income last year: 2043.
Assembling all troops in the west we march on Munster and lay siege. Livonia’s siege is broken by returning Teutonics, who go on to besiege Kurland. Here their force is broken by 70000 French, with whom our returning soldiers siege and storm Livonia again.
With lots of luck we recapture Munster. Lots of French soldiers stream east to help against the Teutonics.
Russia, Spain, Sweden and Holstein also declare war on England, Netherlands and Holstein.

1654. 337d.
Turkey makes peace with Bohemia and receives Kosovo. Frankly I don’t understand this, Austria’s army is as good technically as the French, they should be able to walk over the Turks right into Thracia.
In June France makes peace with England: Oldenburg and Munster??? to France. Something is wrong here. It was mine, remains mine, no reason to include it in a peace treaty. I am sure that it was not captured again. I look again, it is still mine though the peace treaty says it goes to France. A program bug? I reload the January save.

Attempt 2:
We start to siege Holland, but the soldiers are overawed by the magnificence of this fortress and move on to Zeeland. In the North, Livonia is slowly giving way under the weight of (mostly) French numbers and expertise. Polish troops in Munster are beaten by Dutch troops, who lay siege to Munster again. They give up and return home. Munster remains ours. The Dutch troops are beaten by our French allies, so we march on to Zeeland and start to siege it.

1655. 335d.
Kerch revolts but is retaken. We capture Zeeland in November. French and Polish troops remain besieging Livonia. After Zeeland, we move on with 15000 men to the Hague. The Dutch army of 3000 men nearly defeats our 15000, and what is left is insufficient to siege the town. Luckily, we have raw recruits in Bremen.
The Dutch refuse to give up Zeeland in a separate peace.

1656. 339d.
Income last year: 2185.
Again the Dutch refuse to give up Zeeland in a separate peace.
In May, England accepts peace with France, Wessex changes into French hands. Polish nobles at the court are enraged, this peace comes too early. A few more months, a year more would have given us access to the Dutch seamaps, enabling Polish expansion all over the globe.

1657. 307d.
Revolts in Kerch bring its population below 5000. The new colonists convert the entire province to the true faith, so we have just Bujak as a problem. Karelia also revolts, but on the happy side I note that Novgorods revolt risk is down to 2%.The Dutch make peace with Russia by granting them Zeeland. The army is greatly expanded.

1658. 333d.
Nothing special. Just lots of new troops. Poland stretches from the Netherlands to Russia, from the Baltic to the Black Sea, making it a hard country to defend.

1659. 469d.
Income last year: 2171.
Turkey and Persia are at war, but have not yet exhausted each other.

1660. 660d.
Novgorod is the strategic place to hold for the next 5 years, the king announced at the 5 yearly Ingermanland party. Some suggested to change the name, but tradition prevailed.
We spot a new opportunity for a trading post in Africa, but alas colonization offers just a chance of 33%. Twice traders ship to Louga, but are butchered by natives. The third attempt succeeds.
That provides a harbour for future attempts to sail to India.

1661. 797d.
New and repeated revolts in Bujak decrease the population below 5000, so a colonist converts the population. The first real bunch of colonists succeeds to establish itself. Revolts in karelia and Tver are hard to suppress, as a local disaster of unknown origin eliminates the entire army in Livonia.

1662.
Czarniecki ships to Louga. When he gets there, he starts exploring south. When he succeeds at the end of the year, the territory already has a name and is called Senegal by its Portogues owners.
The naval advances to compass (9). Russia accepts peace with England as Cornwall becomes Russian.

1663. 1200d.
Naval equipment factory is started being constructed in western Pommerania.
Czarniecki sails south and tries to explore another coastal province.
I seem to have missed that Persia and Turkey made peace. The last reports mentioned Persian armies victorious in battles. The sultan does not seem to be unhappy with inactive generals, as he declares war on Austria. Morroco, Algiers, Crimea and Georgia join Turkey. England, Netherlands and Teutonic knights declare war on Austria side.

1664. 352d.
Income last year: 2112.
Nouakchot, a new trade center on the African west coast, is a new monopoly.
Our trade level advances to liberalism(8).
This years budget is entirely spent on fortress upgrades in Dobrudja, Bujak and Kerch. An attempts to establish a trade post in Tassaret fails. Dakar turns out to be colonized by Venice.
Turkey acknowledges its error by declaring war on Austria but escapes with a fine.

1665. 446d.
Income last year: 2262.
At the yearly ‘Ingermanland’ party, the King mumbles something about conquering Holland, but as luck wants it the Dutch diplomats are not present. Formally the goal is keeping Novgorod.
An extra gift of 400 cash from the traders is welcome and goes directly back into trading positions. And into fortresses in western Europe.
Persia denies our traders access to Isfahan, which was always a very rich source of wealth for us. At the moment it just has a sleeping war with Portugal and Morroco at hand. If it still blocks us when it goes to war with Turkey again, we know what to do. For the moment we just expand fortresses in the south.
And expand our trade in Mascate to replace our losses in Isfahan.
In Africa, Palanas is already occupied.

1666. 548d.
Income last year: 2683. It pays to pay attention to trade positions.
The navy improves its fire range(10).
In december, Turkey declares war on Saxony. Of course it gets support from Algiers, Crimea, Georgia, and Morroco. Bohemia supports Saxony. We close the year with a trading post in Tassaret.

1667. 531d.
The army invents normal pistols(15). Hopefully a small advantage against the Muslim fanatism when we engage Turkey or Persia. We need new fleets in the south, and the rest of the budget is spent on fortress upgrades in former crimea country.

1668. 435d.
The generals invent the squadron formation (16). New fortresses in the west and in Krakow. New troops in Azov.
In August, the military alliance with France expires. This time we take the lead: France, Baden, Tuscany and Hyderabad. Helvetia refuses. A reformation of the navy boosts ship development.
In December our army engineers invent light artillery(17). Michael Wisniowicky rules our glorious nation.

1669. 401d.
Income last year: 2444d.
The army engineers invent caracole(18). Still all investments go into the army. Many western nations are at 35+. Later in the year it advances to circumvallation lines (19). I now switch investments to 50% army / 50% navy.

1670. 693d.
A new trade center opens in Besarabia. 5 merchants queue before its gates as it opens. This event dwarfs the 5 yearly Ingermanland party, as the King repeats its speech of 5 years ago. Just the same text, but hardly any one notices.
The admirals invent topsails(11), so the ships will probably sail a bit faster. Throughout the year we fight a lengthy trade war with Turkey for control of Mascate. Land level tech increases to mobile artillery(20).

1671. 539d.
After the long and expensive trade war with Turkey in Mascate, here is a list:
Novgorod 255 total, 4 traders, 41 revenue.
Kurland 53/5/11
Danzig 153/5/35
Holstein 95/5/19
Holland 389/5/79
Anglia 131/1/5
Tago 564/5/115.
Nouakchott 47/6/38
Mascate 497/5/105
Isfahan 589/5/0
Besarabia 284/6/191.
Naval tech increases to forward guns(12). The fight for control of Mascate continues. Expensive at 19d/trader.

1672. 616d.
Income last year:
Karelia revolts. We recruit new troops in Ingermanland.
Naval tech advances to early optics(13).
Land tech advances to mortars(21).
Again we have to fight hard for the monopoly in Mascate. Russia is the only other trading nation here, and has just 1 merchant left. The nobility donates 400 to cash.
Kleves, joined by the Palatinat, declares war on the Netherlands. England, teutonics and Austria support the Dutch.

1673. 1147d.
Tiem for a new goods manufactory in Hannover. A fleet with 7000 men sails from Besarabia to west Africa. There is a trade post with an adjacent province which our army might explore.

1674. 347d.
Income last year: 2505.
Jan III Sobieski rules Poland!
Turkey still fights for Mascate, so again we send 3 merchants. Nad 2 to Besarabia.
Naval tech advances to armored mast(14).
The Teutonic order signs a white peace with Spain, and the Palatinat pays 109 to England.

1675. 626d.
Poland is saving money for 2 weapon workshops. At the 5 annual court party, the King reads again the scroll with his speech of 10 years ago. At the end of the speech some people are heard to be snoring. The King looks irritated, but cannot discover the guilty.
Heretics convert Bujak from counter reformed catholic to catholic.

1676. 850d.
Spain declares war on France. Spain is, of course, joined by Russia, Sweden, Holstein and Venice. Baden, Tuscany and Savoy all join France. We are of course, loyal to France. This starts the third Russian-Swedish war....

 

[unmerged(8319)]

Originally posted by CitizenPaul
Up to now I observed several advantages of the AI:
a) fleets do not suffer attrition at sea

In fact they do, but they just don't loose ships from attrition. You can see it if you catch an enemy fleet at sea.

Originally posted by CitizenPaul


b) ai nations do not seem to suffer war exhaustion

War exhaustion, btw, seems to be more of a problem for poland than for Russia. Russia seems to have less religions to manage then Poland. Russia is less likely to have to cope with protstantism, as long as it doesnt fight its way along the baltic coast. Far Karelia can be converted with a colonist.

Is there any way to tell if enemy provinces have warexhaustion?

Btw.: Nuakchot is in the far east
Edit: no it's not. That's Nukhodka. Confusing

 

[unmerged(8545)]

Is there any way to tell if enemy provinces have warexhaustion?

uhm, not that i know. But I did notice Turkey at war with Wurtemberg, literally for decades, while I enjoyed peace and had fog of war off. I never noticed any rebellion.
Wurtemberg owned some adriatic sea coast province, and Turkey controlled it. That situation lasted for many decades while both refused to give in.

 

[unmerged(8319)]

I've seen the same thing where Denmark held some part of Turkey for about 50 years and being at war with them. Yet Denmark never had any revolts.

OTOH it looks like you can inherit warexhaustion if you gain a province from an enemy in a peacetreaty but are still at war with somebody else. In that case the new provinces start off with warexhaustion and possibly a revolt

 

[unmerged(8545)]

OTOH it looks like you can inherit warexhaustion if you gain a province from an enemy in a peacetreaty but are still at war with somebody else. In that case the new provinces start off with warexhaustion and possibly a revolt

I would find that very realistic. The province has been depleted first by years of say, Swedish warfare vs Denmark, then by Swedish taxcollectors for its war vs Russia. When it changes hands to Russians, the Russian taxcollectors inherit a depleted province from which they ty to raise taxes for their war against Poland or Persia. At some moment the population is bound to get fed up.
At least I would.

 

[unmerged(8545)]

The third Russian-Swedish war

Th war with Spain, Sweden, Russia and Venice has just been declared.
The army is in good shape, 54000 foot, 83000 horse and 145 guns. 58000 and 80 guns are in the Azow region, deployed with the purpose a war against Persia. They will move east, with the specific goals of Astrakahan, Klamuk and Volgograd.
10000 men are in the important north east theater. A weak force, which will be brought up to strength with new levies.
The rest of the forces are deployed in the west and center of the country and are ordered to converge on Holstein.
Our cash position is 800 ducats, which allows to recruit troops throughout Poland.
Our main weakness is the lack of leadership. Our troops, I am afraid, will have to pay in blood for the lack of talented generals. Just Jan III Sobieski seems to be around.
The king himself formulates a strategic plan, in which the majority of the Azow forces will capture Astrakahan and surrounding areas. In the west we will fight a defensive battle holding the Ruffians, pardon Russians, at bay by occupying Holstein. Thus pressing Russia to accept peace while gaining 1 or 2 provinces, next year we can concentrate on Sweden for more substantive territorial gain.
The start of the war goes well as we score quick victories against numerically superior forces of Russians in Kalmuk (18000 vs 26000), Mecklenburg (33000 vs 55000) and Novogorod (3000 vs 5000 and later 3000 vs 7000).
But while these battles are being fought, 56000 Holsteiners slip through our lines and lay siege to Munster, and 50000 more Russians assemble in Jylland. The move to Bremen, where Jan Sobieski beats first the Russians and then the Holsteiners. They retreat. King Jan scores several minor victories in Holstein, and just 8000 Ruffians escape east.
Meanwhile, in the east things are going less well. A corps of 16000 men commanded by Swicki besieged Moscow at the start of November. I ordered a detachment for siege operations to remain, while the rest withdrew to Tula. Somehow orders were misunderstood, as half of them withdraws to Tula and the other half to Novgorod. The latter half runs into powerful Russian forces and is butchered.
So far for this years plan. Everything is going a whole lot slower than planned.

1677 366d.
Fearing many casualties the troops in Astrakahan storm the battered walls, but are assaulted by angry peasants in the rear, forcing them to retreat to Kouban.
Russians attack the new recruits in Mosyr, who get reinforced by 3000 French who carry the day.
Spain attacks and destroys both our African possessions. Our only success is the capture of Swedish Lugansk. Russia has conquered French Wessex. After 9 months of siege, the walls of Moscow are down from +5 to +4. We capture Volgograd.
On the diplomatic front we close the year by offering Spain a white peace. To our surprise, they accept!
That eliminates one of the 3 main opponents. Russia offers Volgograd for peace.
Our land tech increases to explosive balls(22).
Our diplomats must have been asleep, as England, Austria and Holland are also at war with Spain, Russia and Sweden. May the win great victories! Munster is about to fall before Holstein.

1678. 208d.
New troops. Unclear why income is so much lower, except that Ruffians plundered a lot of provinces. Holstein offers a white peace.
Sweden starts offering white peaces. Not enough. In February Russia again offers Volgograd for peace,
12000 Venetians turn up to besiege Hannover. King Jan Sobieski interrupts his march east and drives them of. In spring we drive of the rebels In astrakahan and siege the city. !5000 Swedes storm Lugansk and fail, many of them falling in the attempt, leaving 10000 men behind. 20000 veterans attack them but fail, leaving 10000 corpses behind.
Swedes defeat Teutonics besieging Pskov, and recaptures Lugansk. A relief army of 15000 is defeated by 7000 Swedes with invincible morale.
Our soldiers invent mixed formations(23). The Russians drive us away from Novgorod. But are with too few to besiege it.

1679. 274d.
After 21 months of siege, the walls of Astrakahan are still at +3, unchanged. In June, Moscow falls! I take a warloan to recruit new troops. War exhaustion is at +2. The Teutonics fight several fierce battles for Pskov against both Swedes and Russians.
In October, we offer Russia a separate peace for Astrakahan and Volgograd, which they accept! Astrakahan has a refinery which remained intact throughout the fighting around it, so our trade development will benefit. It is also the reason why I preferred Astrakahan to Pskov.
Now just Venice and Sweden remain. Of these two, Venice can get a white peace, but the King would like to annex entire Sweden if we get a chance. If not, Nyland and Savolaks are an acceptable minimum return on investment.
There is one unexpected booty from our conquest of Moscow, and that is that we suddenly have maps of the entire world. The bad news is that the entire world, with the exception of East India and Indo china, has been colonized.

5000 Swedes start to besiege Estonia in November and we wish them happy camping.
On closer inspection of the peace treaty I note something went wrong. I thought that I, as leader of the alliance, made peace with Russia, separated from its alliance. Now Russia seems still at war with France, Baden and Tuscany. Again a bug? I don’t understand.

In the original plans the peace with Moscow should have been signed within a year. It has taken from 1676 till 1679, nearly 4 years. Lack of good leaders played an important role, but the original plan was also hopelessly optimistic. We might well have to downgrade our Swedish ambitions too.

1680. 305d.
Patkul is reported to be a young talented officer and is promoted to general.
We start by recruiting new troops in the North, in and around Novgograd. After that we spent money on placing traders in Siberia, Indo china and east India. None of the provinces are very promising, but we shall grab as much as we can.
With all our armies in winter quarters, King Jan Sobiesky finds time to preside the five annual Ingermanland party for keeping Novgorod. The goal remains unchanged for the next 5 years.
The land technology of the army rises to siege land mines(24). Astrakahan revolts. A slight oversight in our war goals: We now have a muslim province with 33000 inhabitants.
In spring we move to Nyland, while Swedish forces in vain attack our army in Volgograd. Nyland, gulp, has a LARGE fortress. Its walls remain undamaged throughout the summer siege, and in October the armies lift its siege discouraged for Karelia and Savolets.
In the south Lugansk is captured, but as our troops leave for their barracks in November, 20000 Swedes turn up and lay siege to it. 7000 Swedes attack 7000 Poles in Ingermanland but after a bloody battle they retreat.
When I save and quit the game, Poland has 2401 victory points, compared with Spain 2308 and France 2144. For the first time, Poland is the leading nation in Europe!

1681. 323d.
Campaign=Poland 1681
ENG=34/23/1/5/6 (land tech/naval tech/stability/trade/infra)
FRA=33/22/2/5/6
HAB=33/21/3/6/6
CHI=33/08/3/4/6
SWE=32/22/3/6/6
HOL=32/22/3/5/5
BRA=32/13/3/7/7
VEN=31/23/3/6/6
POR=30/23/3/5/6
SPA=29/22/0/4/5
POL=24/14/3/8/7
RUS=20/07/3/5/4
PER=15/07/1/4/5
TUR=12/08/3/4/4
I have not listed all nations, just the great powers and those minors that I might get into conflict with. Looking at this list, I am no longer convinced that annexing Sweden is a viable option. Swedish armies should be able to crush us. OTOH, every province we can capture should weaken Sweden and strengthen us. So once we can capture some provinces, why stop? Unless war exhaustion or war debts are killing us.

In the far east colonies require upgrading, and trade positions in Novgorod, Danzig and Tago need attention. That’s half our budget, the rest is needed for new troops. In the south Kouban revolts due to war weariness. Sweden still has 19000 men besieging Lugansk, which soon falls to them, after which they advance to rebel held Volgograd, which allows us to recapture Lugansk.
Tavastland is captured by us.
The army advances to carabine(25).
Navy advances to fire ships(15).
At the start of winter, we lift the siege of Finland, but continue the siege of Savolaks.
Austria and Venice make peace, return to status quo. Baden receives Zeeland from Russia in a peace treaty.

1682. 343d.
Last years colonization attempts have failed, but lack colonists to try again.
Persia pays gold to Algiers to get rid of a long lasting war.
In spring we capture Savolaks. On to Vinland!
Land tech advances : explosive shells(26) and later to handgranades(27).
Sweden captures Volgograd and defeats our army in Lugansk, which they besiege. They offer us peace for Savolaks and Lugansk, which we decline.
King Jan Sobieski, with 7000 men, defeats 11000 raw recruits in Vinland. But the defeated Swedish troops unite with other troops and defeat us. Netherlands receives Oldenburg from Sweden for peace.

1683. 350d.
The entire budget is spent on new troops. 10000 Swedes make much better progress at Savolaks then 13000 Poles at Osterbotten. They reconquer Tavastland in spring.
Land tech advances to Grenadiers(28). Despite their lower income, the Swedes recruit and have 30000 men marching around in summer. All our conquests fall to them. All summer, from March to September, the walls of Osterbotton remain at –4.
With 19000 Poles I attack 14000 Swedes in Savolaks but get beaten. They retreat on Osterbotten: 8000 Poles are insufficient to besiege a 5000 men garrison? Out of the 19000, just 1000 arrive in osterbotton despite a timely retreat. Horrible. And just 1000 Swedish casualties.

1684. 325d.
Due to winter, King Jan Sobieski has just 6000 men left in Osterbotton. The walls are still at –4. The Swedes in Savolaks do not seem to suffer. Despaarte, Jan selects the remnants of his 4 corpses and orders a march on Karelia. Unfortunately, half the corpses march Jamtland, westwards. The Swedes leave Savolaks, marching east and south. We have just 6000 men left, while I can observe at least 26000 Swedes marching in neighbouring provinces. 11000 new recruits pop up and defeat the 3000 men of the King. With a second warloan we recruit extra troops.
Army tech advances to bayonet(29). Our new recruits are defeated in Tver (1000 foot, 1000 horse, 10 guns) and in Welikia (3000 foot, 3000 horse, 20 guns). Swedes roam all over the country. The Swedes chase them through Smolensk and beyond. Midsummer, of the 8000 new recruits, we have 3000 left. The rest died and deserted while being untrained.
Naval tech advances to improved rigging(16). We could build shipyards, but we don’t.
Just before Christmas we capture Lugansk in the south.

1685. 405d.
The extra money is just because I shifted all investments to cash a few days before new years eve.
The situation is serious. Instead of waging a war of conquest on Sweden, 26000 Swedes besiege Tula, Welikia, Livonia and Kurland.
It is time for Ingermanland perty, but no one thinks of partying in this time of distress. The entire budget is spent on reinforcements (4000 foot, 8000 horse). 6000 new Swedes turn up to besiege Estonia, while 7000 can be seen in Ostenborg.
The Swedes besiege Tula with 7000 men, and Sobieski marches to the rescue with 15000 but is beaten. But bit weakens the Swedes sufficient to break the siege of Tula. So the King marches on to Estonia, where another 7000 Swedes are causing trouble.
The Christmas present is Astrakahan, which we re-conquer on the rebels. But Memel, Bremen Mecklenburg and Dobrudja are now revolting, so we got more work to do.

1686. 411d.
Mecklenburg declares itself independent as Hanseatic league. Sweden repeatedly offers Lugansk for peace, but I conquer Tavastland and Donetsk. Lugansk is too little. I ask for Tavastland and Savolats, but they refuse. Revolts are infectious, and spread faster than the plague. No investments in research, everything goes into cash and all cash is transformed into

1687. 447d
With revolts erupting throughout the country, I offer Sweden peace for Tavastland and Savolets. They agree!
When I log off, Spain has regained the lead in victory points.

 

[Carolus Rex]

Great stuff. I'm impressed that u can keep it up with this low traffic.

 

[unmerged(8319)]

Yeah, but he is made of a special stuff. Quote from AAR:

'Our land tech increases to explosive balls(22).'

I suppose that is canonballs

And at another detail, I suppose 'Vinland' is infact 'Nyland' or else I'm not sure I understand that part of the AAR. Just a minor glitch though. Rest is good.

Do you dare declare war on anyone now? It sure seemed like tough enemies. And what about the HL that declared independent? Are you still at war with them (if so, exhaustion won't go down ofc.).

Well, I'm off to update my own AAR.

 

[unmerged(8545)]

'Our land tech increases to explosive balls(22).'
I suppose that is canonballs.

I guess so too.

And at another detail, I suppose 'Vinland' is infact 'Nyland' or else I'm not sure I understand that part of the AAR. Just a minor glitch though. Rest is good.

'Vinland' should be 'Finland', to the west of Nyland.

Do you dare declare war on anyone now? It sure seemed like tough enemies. And what about the HL that declared independent? Are you still at war with them (if so, exhaustion won't go down ofc.).

Sweden was very, very tough. So was Russia. I was very glad that Spain did not turn up and that France kept Spain busy.
But I suppose your 4 way war against Sweden/Turkey/Persia/Poland wa stougher still. Russia has an gr8 advantage in her low infantry cost. Poland is lacking such an advantage.
And yes, there are numerous things to clean up. Still at war with Hanze=Mecklenburg, and with Venice.
Just signed peace with both tonight. Also a couple of rebellions and warloans to deal with.

 

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Poland part 16 - restore peace and order

1687. 4xxd.
After the war with Russia and Sweden the country is in dire shape. Numerous provinces are in revolt. Mecklenburg has declared itself independent and is besieged by French troops. Priority Uno is getting Sobiesky there. The manual says the highest ranking leader receives the captured town, and a French or independent Mecklenburg would cut of part of the kingdom. Sobiesky marches on revolting Ingermanland while our last remaining northern ship sails to it. After defeating the rebels, Sobiesky arrives in time in Mecklenburg to take part in its siege.
Venice offers peace for a ridiculous amount. We counter with a blank peace offer which they refuse. So we expand our armies and turn east to expand our colonies. Hey, surprise: Russia now controls Nakhoda! How can that be? Did I have a trade post or a level 1 colony there?
What ever it was, it is gone.
Astrakahan is another problem. No troops are left in that area, so some recruits march to Bessarabia to be shipped. Kurland rebels are defeated, but revolts again with 68000 peasants.
Army tech advances to regimental organization (30). The next war with Sweden will be fought with equal land tech, I am sure.
The walls of Mecklenburg are down to -4 when I order an assault. The Polish/French armies are victorious. Without taking foreign reactions into account I order the annexation of the mini state. French troops also help to retake Memel.

1686. 282d
Revolting provinces: Munster, Bremen, Kerch, Astrakahan, Kurland.
General Mazowieki scatters the rebels in kurland and marches west to besiege Bremen.
Savolaks and Tavastland are small, so 2 colonists are send to convert them. Also the fortress in tavastland needs upgrading. This leaves little money for trading and troops. Alas, I need a 3rd bank loan to raise new troops in the Azov-region.

1689. 348d.
Astrakahan and Bremen are the remaining trouble spots. Of course the new conquests Tavastland, Savolaks and Orenburg could rebel any moment.
Army tech advances to army commisionary(31). I has expected that the morale of the Polish troops would by now advance to Invincible, just like the Swedish. Perhaps the next upgrade. Else there is some reason I don't understand. Most investments go to trade in Mascate.
In summer we recapture Astrakahan and Bremen. But Tavastland revolts and defeats the regular army.
All colonization attempts and trade posts fail, except for Hanoi which expands to 200 people.

1690. 354d.
Tavastland is the only province in revolt.
Army tech develops to gallop charges(32). Army morale remains stuck at very strong, and does not grow to invincible like the Swedes. Why o why?
Investment in trade positions in Besarabia and Novgorod.

1691. 456d.
Current wars:
- Russia and Venice vs Teutonic Order
- Morocco vs Portugal, Persia, papal States and Genoa.
- England and Teutonic Order vs Sweden
- Austria against Sweden and Holstein.
Major current alliances:
1) Austria - England - Netherlands - Inca - Palatinat - Teutonic order
2) France - Poland - Baden - Tuscany - Savoy.
3) Spain - Russia - Sweden - Holstein - venice - Brandenburg
4) Portugal - Persia - Papal States - Genoa - Mysore - Tunesia.
The king plots a new campaign of conquest, for which we need an absolutely spotless reputation. And a strong army.
Naval tech advances to refined salpeter(17). Mecklenmburg revolts but the peasants are butchered.
Spain is struck by civil war and sardinia and a 3 province Aragon are new states. They both acceopt our invitation for a royal marriage but refuse to become part of our alliance.
Mayors are pronmolted in all new provinces to bring down inflation.

1692. 438d.
Income last year = 2439.
150 dcuats improve the relation with aragon but still they refuse to join our alliance.
Spain annexes the remnants of the Inca empire.
Naval tech develops 18 pounders(18).
Re-establishment of the trade in Tago.

1693. 539d.
Novgorod is the most prosperous city, so its fortress is upgraded to level 4. Krakows fortress is raised to level 3.
One problem with the few colonies we have (Hanoi, Cuttack) is that they have negative population growth. Everything is at peace, and I wonder if there is any way to turn this around.

We pay off the first war loan.
In May, Russia declares war on us, followed by Sweden, Holstein, Venice and Spain.
That means the fourth Russian / Swedish war has started....

 

[unmerged(8545)]

Poland 17 - Fourth Russian/Swedish war.

Russia has just declared war on us, together with Sweden, Brandenburg, Venice and Spain. Cash is limited, just 300 ducats.
The army is small, 20000 foot, 33000 horse and 150 guns.
The Russians seem well prepared, as an army of 92000 can be observed from Moscow on its way to Tula, and 43000 adjacent to Novgorod. They have several smaller corpses around of 5-20000 men.
Mistake: those 92000 did not just go to Tula. The majority walked into Novgorod and take it by storm. 55000 Brandenburgers siege Hannover, while 5000 brandenburgers send 22000 Poles lead by the King to the flight.
Using the familiar strategy of concentrating on one enemy at a time, the polish forces capture Lugansk and Osterbotten. I offer Sweden peace for Osterbotten, which they refuse. They counter by offering peace for Lugansk, which I gladly accept!

Holsteiners besiege western pommerania, Russians control Munster, Russians storm Tula but fail. Mecklenburg falls to Holstein.
Army tech advances to flintlock(33).
6000 Russians defeat 5000 (1500/3000/8) Poles woith ease. Just 1000 left, while causing barely 1000 casualties. My army tech should give me a huage advantage, but it doesnt. Patkul may not be the greatest leader, but the Russians had none.
The Russians besiege Tula and Tver, while I besiege Kustrin and unimportant Alga. Minor oversight: the russians have another large army, 78K, coming up through scandinavia.

For the first time in centuries we fail one of the kings strategic directives: we do not control Novgorod. The king assigns Ingermanland for the next 5 years.

1695.
Austria declares war on Holstein and Sweden. French troops recruited in east prussia defeat some Holsteiners, but are eliminated when more Holsteiners and Brandenburgers turn up. Alga falls so we can move on to Orsk. In the North, we have a small army besieging far Karelia. Russia rejects a blank peace offer. The strategy is now to a) capture/besiege as many small Russian provinces as posible, in order to obtain a favourable separate Russian peace asap, while b) trying to limit Brandenburger and Holsteiner conquests.
After we will have made peace with Russia, we will go for the annexation of Brandenburg - if we have time and energy left.
In a wave of desparatism, our soldiers invent grapeshot(34).
Despite our technical superiority, the more numerous Russians, brandenburgers and Holsteiners go on to besiege/capture western pommerania, mecklneburg, Tver, Tula, and Ingermanland. Polish forces still concentrate on small weak provinces such as Far Karelia, Narvik and Orsk. The Russians refuse a blank peace offer while we have 1 star. By November, the walls of Kustrin show their first signs of weakness (from +6 down to -1).

The Russian Tsar must have suffered a mental attack: He dcelares war on Austria too. Venice and Spain follow this example. England, Netherlands and Georgia join Austria. This new war has pros and cons. Pro is of course the welcome help of fresh troops against Russia, Venice and Spain. France and Savoy are already doing well against Spain, having liberated 2 provinces, but I am unable to obtain a peace for them against a separate Spain.

1696. 354d.
The Russians are trying their hand at Tula and Ingermanland. I try to capture small Irgiz. With some luck, I will be able to gather enough troops to break the siege of Ingermanland.
While we have 2 stars in the peace negotiations, Russia refuses a white peace. Russia counters by a peace offering trade post memba, which the polish court declines. No total peace, but peace with Russia only!
Sobieski dies, which is a serious blow to our fighting strength. Kustrin is taken by our troops! A major assault by Brandenburgers on our forces in Kustrin is repulsed. Pursuit to Berlin, while their other army takes east pommerania and continues to Danzig.
Naval tech advances to long range fire(19).

1697. 327d.
Army tech advances to Hussars(35). We repulse an attack on Kustrin, but suffer a reverse (24000 Poles are no match for 17000 just recruited Brandenburgers) when pursuing them to Berlin. The polish forces retreat to Kustrin, where they are defeated again by pursuiing Brandenbugers and they retreat even further to West Prussia. Here they get reinforced and reassault the Brandenburgers in Kustrin. The returning 27000 Poles are defeated by 14000 Brandenburgers, but at least they cause a good number of casualties before being driven back in panic. Meanwhile general Patkul besieges East Pommerania. Still, during this year the balance slowly shifts in our favour. There are no longer large stacks of Brandenburgers, Holsteiners or Russians walking around at will through Poland.
Despite 6 stars, we cannot force a separate peace with Russia for Kalmuk. A revolt in Astrakahan cuts of the supply to the eastern armies besieging Orenburg. The Russians make a come back here by retaking Orsk.

1698. 324d.
The year starts awful as our 20K army is repulsed by 4K Brandenburgers, taking 6000 casualties.
Current wars:
- Turkey, Georgia and NA minors vs Saxony and Bohemia.
- Austria vs Sweden and Holstein
- Russia, Venice, Holstein and Brandenburg vs Poland, France, Baden, Tuscany and Savoy.
- Turkey and NA minors vs Russia
- Russia and Spain vs England, Austria and Georgia.
- Venice vs Austria and Georgia.
- Netherlands vs Spain and Russia.
Even the most experienced diplomats are at a loss in this poloitical mess. But somehow these none allied allies did something positive, as we have regained control of Mecklenburg and Munster.
Russia keeps ssending us emissionaries offering Memba for peace, but these offers turn out to be for an alliance peace, while I want a separate peace with Russia. They keep refusing blank peace offers, which forces me to siege Novgorod. In the south, I siege rebelling Astrakahan. allowing the Russians to retake our conquests in this area.

1699. 366d.
Income last year: 2048.
Austria seems to suffer from war exhaustion: I can see revolts in Rumelia, Wallachia, and Ruthenia. As usual, the entire budget is spent on new troops.
We recapture western pommerania in the west and novgorod in the east.

1700.
after western pommerania we move on to holstein and take irt by storm. Thats one source of enemies less to deal with.
We could annex the country, but i preserve our reputation for the annexation of brandenburg. Instead I demand the coinversion to catholicism, which they accept. According to the manual that should give a load of vps. We'll see.
Russia rejects a peace for Kalmuk.
The army invents shock tactics(36). The walls of Brfandenburg go dow to -2. But magdeburg is the strongest (mighty fortress) and probably the last. Hannover is besieged by Patkul, who cleared munster from the Russians.

1701. 334d.
Besieging Hannover, Brandenburg, Pskov and Orsk.
The enire budget is spent on new troops. I am trying to create a large cavalry army in the south.
Things are going fast now. In march the pollish armies retake Hannover, while in May Brandenburg is taken. Both armies now head for the mighty fortress of Magdeburg: 10000 infantry, 43000 cavalry and 118 guns.
Army tech advances to bayonet assault(37).
In the northeast Pskov is taking and we continue with a siege of Livonia, which is no longer independant but annexed by Russia.
It would be nice if it could become ours in the peace negotiations, while russia remains with the badboy points for annexing it.
Brandenburg now makes repeated peace offers throwing in Kustrin. Russia pesters us with Meba+Kola peace offers. In the east, we burn a couple of trade posts and take barabinsk. Brandenburg recruits 23000 mercenaries which we defeat. Peasants rise to besiege Russian held Tula.

1702. 282d.
The walls of Magdeburg are down to 0. In the north east Russia regains the initiative and lays siege to Novgorod. I must lift the siege of Livonia to break that siege. Memel still holds out to rebels, but in the south east Russia fought my rebels in Astrakahan while I defeeated his rebels in Kustanai in order to find a passage to Siberia.
With an unexpected stroke of luck Magdeburg is taken in March, after which Brandenburg becomes an integral part of the Polish Kingdom.
With revolts breaking out everywhere, I settle for preace with Russia, requiring Pskov and far away Barabinsk.

Revolts are left in Savolaks, Munster, Mecklenburg, Memel, Tula, Azov, Volvorgad and Astrakahan. I take an extra bank loan to start building a trade post adjacent to Barabinsk.

 

[Carolus Rex]

Booo, get away from sweden.

Heh, u really should give Austria a whooping, they're getting a wee bit too big for ur safety.