The Timurids Revisited!
Okay as promised here's my new proposal for modeling the Timurids and their subsequent decline.
Only change to the 1419 setup, is that the Timurids gain fortifications in Kyrgisistan and Tadjikistan so as to discourage the Uzbeks and the Chagatai from taking them.
As its long been suggested, the during the reign of Shah Rukh, playing the Timurids should be relatively easy. Despite the large decentralized nature of the Empire, by 1419 Shah Rukh had established himself above all other claimants. Therefore events like "Dissent in the Timurid Empire"(296600) are getting the boot as they just aren't historical. (War exhaustion should cripple the Empire if it decided to war instead of focus on developing its infrastructure)
Its with the death of Shah Rukh that the Timurid event sequence changes drastically. Rukh's death triggered massive revolts across the Timurid Empire as the various Timurid factions felt they had a decent shot at toppling the newly appointed Ulugh Beg. Thus we shouldn't have a binding of rogue Timurid states to Ulugh Beg (like what the Ascendency of Ulugh Beg event currently does). Instead, at this ascendency, the Timurid Empire should start incurring revolt risk and become quite unstable. Then in the "Death of Ulugh Beg" event (called "The Split of the Timurid Empire" for those following along with Isengard's events), the Empire shouldn't split into two pieces (Khorasan and Transoxiana) but should instead split into three main statelets, with the option of a revolting Afghanistan.
Timurid situation (circa 1449)
provinces with dots indicate that they will be ceded via event to their respective color coded countries, that weren't historically owned but should be ceded if owned
So the new plan is that Ulugh Beg's death triggers a three-choice event with the choice A, creating these two new nations. Because I know people hate deterministic events (despite the fact that this breakup was pretty much inevitable set into motion prior to the games start), choices b and c allow the option of trying to fight a pretty much hopeless fight (essentially a bunch of revolt risk, revolts and other awfulness-so that although its terrible, choice a is the easiest course). The player no longer has the option of choosing a faction and instead is required to follow the line that links up with the Mughal Empire.
The other big change involves Transoxiana and the rise of the Mughals. Until the Uzbeks took Samarkand (towards the end of the 15th century), there really isn't a differentiaion between Transoxiana and the Timurid Empire. Thus it doesn't really make sense to allow Transoxiana to revolt free from it. So I'm consigning Transoxiana to 'revolt=no' as it is still useful in existing in sequences post the Timurid period. Now while it was fun to have the idea that Babur should attack the Timurid Empire and then eventually fight his way down to Afghanistan to form his Empire, it just doesn't really work with the EU2 engine. So instead, we will default back to the Timurid Empire->Mughal Empire sequence which should allow for a healthier Mughal Empire and virtually guarentees their existence unless the Timurids happen to get wiped out.
Now whats the deal with this new Fars revolter?
Fars
Okay here is my list of reasons to include this revolter:
-during all of Shah Rukh's period, this entire portion of Iran was ruled for the Timurids under various governors and so theoretically had the Empire been stable enough some rogue prince would have established himself in the region (in fact, Rukh only gained the region after taking it from its autonomous ruler, Khalil Sultan, in 1414).
-when the Timurids splintered in 1447/9, this region was not ruled by Khorasan or the Timurid Empire. Details are sketchy at best, but essentially this portion of modern day regained its independence
-this makes the work of the Kara Koyunlu easier, as instead of fighting the entire Timurid Empire and negotiating a peace, they simply have to eliminate this completely decentralized, revolt prone, Timurid rump state.
-this is the only region of the Timurid Empire that can't be given its independence during the reign of the Timurids despite the fact that there were princelings in the region. (Turkmenistan has Khorasan, Transoxiana can be released to simulate Ulugh Beg's governorship, Afghanistan and Baluchistan can also both be released) So for consistency sake, something should cover this region
-additionally there were attempts by Kara Koyunlu princes to establish a nation here subsequent to their destruction
-this revolter wouldn't be an issue wouldn't be an issue for Persia as it should have the line 'no=PER' considering that I don't currently know of any issues Persia had in keeping the region under firm control
(Those of you who have been around for a while should recognize this suggested Fars nation as a reincarnation of my idea of having "Shiraz" be independent.)
Questions, comments, concerns that need allaying?
