Civilize and Protect - Victoria 2 AAR [Picture Heavy]

[Darknotez]

From the ashes of Victory rise the States of Modern History.​

The Year of our Lord, 1836.​

Chapters

Spoiler

Part I - The New Century

Chapter I | Overview of the Empire
Chapter II | Mining Ventures in Sardinia
Chapter III | Loss of an Icon
Chapter IV | New Blood
Chapter V | The New Administration
Chapter VI | The Need for a Localized Government
Chapter VII | American Expedition
Chapter VIII | Unfinished Business
Chapter IX | Home Front Part 1
Chapter IX | Home Front Part 2
Chapter IX | Home Front Part 3
Chapter X | Infrastructure Development
Chapter XI | Diplomatic Influence
Chapter XII | Proxy Guarantees​

Backstory

Spoiler

The Ancyrian Empire​

In 768 A.D. the count of Ferrara, dies without an heir and his most trusted advisor and hunter, Valius Karius is chosen as his successor. Ancient Roman by culture, Valius solidified his power with marriages in many important families of the then Kingdom of Lombardy. A few generations later, the Karius Dynasty holds the northern parts of Lombardy, now called Kingdom of Italia.

In 935 A.D. King Carius, founder of the Kingdom of Ancyria, committed suicide on 28 January. His daughter, Athena, succeeded to the throne of the Kingdom with a grand ceremony in Ferrara(Later renamed City of Ancyria).
20 years later Athena is visited by an unknown figure from Central Africa who gives her a trial by survival. Athena survives all three trials.
She founds the Empire of Ancyria(Later changed to the Crimson Empire for a short while).
The Empress lived in good health for more than 200 years. During her rule the Empire expanded past Italia and into Iberia driving the Ummayads from Europe. The Abbasids from Arabia suffered catastrophic losses under the Ancyrian offensive to free Roman lands and return them to the Byzantine Empire. The Lands of Jerusalem were given as gift by the Pope in great thanks for driving the Infidels from Europe and Africa and most of Arabia.

In 1078 the Empire invades Francia and usurps all the lands all the way to Berlin, also taking the entirety the Kingdom of Denmark and Norway.

The Empress suspiciously died in her bedchamber and rumors have it her Kinsman ordered a guard to suffocate her with a pillow. Her great great great great great Kinsman, Marcellinuss takes the throne in a great celebration.

Whatever the cause, the Empress was the most prestigious and legendary ruler the Empire ever had. No ruler in the world did so much to alter the events of history.

Struggling with internal strife and the Romanization of the French and Germanic people, the Empire never expanded past its 1078 borders except for a few territorial annexations in southern Italy and west Croatia.

In 1268 the Danes declare independence in what historians call a 'Horrible War of Attrition' for the Ancyrian forces. The Kingdom of Denmark becomes independent taking also the lands of Norway in the process.

In 1512 A.D. the then Empress Quinta I of the Ancyrian Empire declared a war of Humiliation on the Polish Commonwealth that saw the Ancyrian Armies humiliated at the Battle of Constantinople in 1514. The war ended in 1515 with the border provinces of Oberlausitz, Niederlausitz, Berlin, Greifswald and Uckermark taken by the Commonwealth.
The provinces would not be regained until 1595 when Empress Septa I attacked the Polish-Byzantine Commonwealth in 1593 in retaliation for Empress Anna Leszczynski declaring an invasion of the Russian Empire, staunch ally of the Ancyrian people.

There would not be a war in Europe until the Caucasus Wars of 1680 where the Russian Empire would attack the Commonwealth to regain it's lost provinces in northern Caucasus. The war ended with a Pyrrhic Victory for the Russo-Ancyrian alliance.

In 1742 the War of the World would begin as a consequence of Danish Colonial Troops stepping into the British colonies of Brazil starting the Danish-British colonial war of 1742.

The British Government asked the Ancyrian Empress, Maria II Karius, for aid against the Danish aggression. The Ancyrian Armies soon began an advance into Denmark, who, under threat and with no allies remaining, ask for aid from the Commonwealth who intervenes in the war and so began the War of the World in 1743. It would last for 7 years with the Ancyrian and British Empires defeated, its armies dismantled and many colonies lost, as well as losing the province of Slesvig to Denmark. The province would never be regained and to this day remains a bitter defeat to Ancyrian Hegemony.

In 1836 the Empire is in dire need of reform, both militarily and politically.
​

The Age of Enlightenment has passed over Europe as a curtain of reason and understanding.

However, a new age is coming. The Age of Industrialization. And with it, Liberalism.

In the Americas, the territories of the Great European Powers are rioting in the streets. Even decades after the last European War, the taxes remained high, the farmers have no subsidies. The legal status of colonists is not recognized even today in the British Parliament. The other governments of Imperial Europe do not even want to hear about things such as rights of the common man and parliaments ruling over countries.

Uncertainty dwells in the air.





​

Thank you for reading the prologue to my new AAR! This game is the result of a conversion from CK2 to EU4 to Victoria 2(and hopefully to Hearts of Iron 4).

Big thanks to Idhrendur and his team for the converters!

 

[Darknotez]

Chapter I | Overview of the Empire

Budget: At the turn of the century, the budget of the country was severely unbalanced, military spending was taking a massive toll on our imports tariffs and the taxes needed to be balanced to allow the growing of the middle class.

With many adjustments, the state economists swiftly turn the tide of the shrinking economy to bring in many profits, at the cost of no military spending. For, as one economist put it, "What use do we have of the army? We haven't had a war in over 20 years!"

The military is not structured correctly and hadn't been since the last war. It will probably need an internal voice to be re-structured in the future. As no one cares that much about it. There is no future for a military career. Not in these times of peace.

The world of 1836. The Ancyrian Empire stands proudly among the World Powers, despite a lackluster army, and a non-existent navy, with our heads on our shoulders. Our empire gave birth to important figures such as
Catherine de Medici, Caterina Sforza and Remus Antonio!

Current population census of 1836: The Romanized population within the Empire has widely been regarded as the same race, culture and beliefs. We are Roman Christian above all else, and the rest of our population will hopefully soon be integrated completely.

Our Empress, Marianna Karius, enters her 50th Year of continued rule over the Empire. The Karius dynasty dates far back to the 6th Century, being responsible for the creation and care of the Empire ever since. No small responsibility on anyone's shoulders.

However, the Conservative Party, which was appointed in 1755, handles all the other specialized aspects of the Government, from the economy to infrastructure.

At the dawn of the new century, Ancyrian scientists worked hard to develop new technologies which could aid the hardworking farmer, the inexperienced artisan and the new factories which sprung over every inch of the country.
Mechanical production was the point at which our scientists reached currently. Who knows what new tools they will come up to in the aid of the common man.

The army however, was left alone. The soldiers still used muskets developed and manufactured a hundred years earlier. Cannons as well.

Photo: 1822 Mortar Cannons, Ancyrian Territories, Southern Danish-Ancyrian border, North America.

Our current production is somewhat self sustaining. From tobacco to wheat to clothes, our people produce enough to sustain themselves over a crisis, and to export what's left around in times of peace:

On 21st of March, 1836, the state of Bunyoro from Central-East Africa approached Ancyrian diplomats at the Embassy in Lodwar and prompted them with a Military Alliance to aid each other in times of war. However, the Empress did not see any needs for an alliance with a state so deep within the African continent, far away from any Ancyrian border.

​

And now we stand to move forward with the times.

 

[Darknotez]

Chapter II | Mining Ventures in Sardinia

On the Polish front, the armies are de-mobilized and standing unattended. The soldiers can't wait to finish their rotation before heading back home to their loved ones. Their food rations also keep running out all the time. The Army Organizers don't have anyone to keep them in check.

Photo: Ancyrian-Polish Border Army Camp. Close to City of Berlin:
http://www.smh.com.au/cqstatic/12z7v7/broadmeadows camp.JPG

What was once a border filled with 1.5 Million soldiers during the 2 Year War of 1625-1627, it now stands home to not even 90,000 soldiers.

The 11th Army still hasn't received reinforcements to supplement their losses from the Stendal Fire of 1830.

Painting: Fire of the Province of Stendal, 1830. Massive losses were infringed on the state.

The British and Danish navies circle the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
"The Empire has no need for such things as big fleets." Our Empress commented once.

On 22nd of March, the Native State of Tarascan proposed an alliance to the Ancyrian Government. The Empress agreed as this would most certainly prohibit Swedish and Danish further expansion into the Mexican region.

On 6th of June, expeditions underground unveiled a great iron deposit but one that would be reached at great cost of lives and resources. The Government reluctantly agreed. Germanic peasants on the outskirts of Meiningen will be used for the dangerous missions anyway.

On the 23rd of June, botanists were happy to propose to our Government an expedition, deep into the forests of Madama, making promises of things such as new healing herbs, more spices.

The expedition will leave from the port of Catania.

Hearing the news of an alliance, another state, this one also deep within the African continent, offered an alliance. However the Empress again disregarded this as there is no need for the help of a state so far away from our borders, and since we have no interests in the region for now, the alliance offer will be rejected.

Reports of an increasing amount of Game Hunting in Gabe province, state of Tunis. The Empress will herself take part in this. She always loved game hunting.

On the 20th of August however, days before Empress Marianna embarked on a trip to northern Africa, our Intelligence Service reported that the Danish Secret Services were planning an incursion into the tribes of Pueblo, Central North America.

And with it, a map painting was brought to us, claimed to have been taken and copied from the original war plans for the Pueblo tribes.

This news of Danish expansion is not unheard of, which is why the Empress continued with her journey to the state of Tunis to start a hunting expedition with the royalty of Russia, Denmark, Austria and Britain.

 

[Darknotez]

Chapter III | Loss of an Icon

The Empress died. There is no one to replace her. We can only hope that her heir, Princess Nicolette, will carry the empire on her shoulders. But she is still young, at a mere 21 of age.

Uncertainty veils over the government as the diplomats and economists wonder what type of person the new Empress will be.

In England, the Victorian Times newspaper already distributed copies of their newspaper which showcase the news of her death on their frontpage which means our neighbors also found out very fast. Who knows who will strike Ancyria as it lays in mourning over the death of her Empress.

In the Territories, the colonists increased the frequency of the riots. The colonial police is left with too little manpower to enforce the law.

Days later, the heads of state from all our neighbors arrived for the burial ceremonies. They all send their condolences.

We now wait for one month before the ceremonial appointment by the Pope for our new Empress to begin to take the throne.

 

[Darknotez]

Chapter IV | New Blood

The Empress passed away and the heir, Princess Nicolette, will be crowned in the 31st of October, 1836.

In the Americas, the Colonial Police suffer casualties as they try to maintain order.

In 1804 a fella by the name of Napoleon attempted to rally the French citizens of the Empire that still longed for the day where Francien Empire stood strong in Europa. However, the French haven't had a state for their own since 1156. After starting a so called revolution in Italian and French regions, the revolt was put down at a high cost and their leader executed. His screams of a righteous and fair system where every man and woman had rights was incompatible with our true Roman values.

However, his voice was still heard in houses, churches, coffee shops, universities. For his armies were supposed to have been defeated, his ideals appear to have remained stuck. And how do we combat these ideals? We must see what the Empress decides.

In the territories outside Europe, the natives of the lands we claimed and civilized are unhappy with the way that the system treats them. Copying from what Empress Marianne acted on these matters, the temporary regency council signed a request for the complaints to be ignored at all costs.

The Liberals, as they call themselves, are trying to deceive the System. Our Regency Council just banned these meetings in the Catalonian lands.
And the African states are fighting among each other again. The state of Songhai asked for military access but in the spirit of neutrality, the Government rejected.

"What is this new ideal, this Liberalism?" The Princess asked in the room full of economists and politicians.
"Nothing to worry about dear." Her husband proclaimed, the esteemed General Matteo Pianelli told her.
But a new General who just finished Military School in the city of Ancyria stepped forward closer to the couple. "Pardon me My Princess, could I indulge your Highness in this concept of Liberalism?" He asked. The General identified himself as Ferdinando Canevaro
And the Princess listened. She listened with eager at these new concepts of freedom of expression, rights of men and women of all status.

The husband was not pleased and soon reprimanded Ferdinando later that evening. But the soon to be Empress interjected and dismissed her husbands accusations. Even more, she gave Ferdinando her ear on every matter politically and militarily. She liked how open he would discuss these things and how much he knew on every aspect of life. He dreamt of a reformed Ancyrian Military, a reformed political system and more.

And so he was given the task of reforming the Army. We will see how that will turn out.

The Princess was crowned and as she sat on the throne for the first time, as the Empress of Ancyria, she asked for the newspaper, something she never read about before Ferdinando told her about them.

We now have a new path ahead. Where will our new Empress take us?

 

[HIMDogson]

Good start. We're there previous AARs for this? If not, what culture does the Empire originally come from? It seems panlatin to me.

 

[Darknotez]

Hello!

There were no previous AAR's for this, this game is a continuation from my CK2 start in 768 converted to EU4 1.19 and then to Vicky 2 3.04 latest version. The empire the way you see in Europe did not change almost at all in EU4, as the Polish-Byzantine Union made sure of that .

Also, the Empire was formed in 1150's. The Dynasty is called Karius and the culture is Roman and always was Roman. To be honest, I was rather sad that most of the culture was converted in CK2 so in EU4 everything was Roman which meant not a lot of nationalistic reprisals in Vicky 2.

Anyway, thanks for reading Cheers and Happy New Year!

 

[Darknotez]

Chapter V | The New Administration

The Just Invasion of Pueblo is proceeding as planned by the Danish Government. Many Ancyrian politicians expressed their support for the annexation of the tribes and thus promoting the Ancyrian Values of old, civilizing the barbarians of the world.

In our own Territories, the resources produced by our slaves are reaching high standards on the market. The plantation owners expressed their gratitude for the Government Subsidies we provided and granted us a massive stock of high quality cotton.

While slavery is banned on the European continent, it's use was still allowed in the Territories to aid the colonists who were in short supply of manpower. The Catholic Church has had yet to ban slavery while the Protestant Church banned it in the 1700's which meant the colonists were not unhappy about it's use..

Back on the Old Continent, General Canevaro finished the early stages of Army re-organization. Every province on the Polish border had no more than 21,000 men Armies, with 3 Infantry Regiments supported by 3 Artillery Regiments and linked to one Cavalry Regiment.

And while the internal affairs of the nation were of interest to the Empress, she wanted reports of everywhere we had territories, of the neighbors we shared.

In Asia Major we had territories on the continent of Australia and New Zeeland, on the Papua New Guinea islands.

The most powerful of all these Asian nations was the Chinese Empire. It's armies rivaled that of Ancyria in numbers.

On the Indian subcontinent, the Deccan Empire was engaged in a war with its neighbors.

Her Husband always had something to add in regards to these advanced yet primitive minded states. He said,
"And while they managed to copy Byzantine technology, their culture was still primitive. All they did was war but now with more advanced weapons and artillery. It is very disappointing that the Polish Monarchy or the Russian Monarchy never attempted to civilize these tribes of India and Asia."

However General Canevaro did not share that point of view with the Empress Nicolette's husband. He was nicknamed by her husband as the liberal fanatic after all the interjections he had over the opinions of all politicians. The only reason he was still not executed for treasonous beliefs was because the Empress pardoned him every time.

Soon the new year arrived and the Upper House of the Government was re-arranged.

The Liberal politicians which shared General Canevaro's point of view have diminished a little. Many switching sides to the Conservative party. They probably were never liberals by any true sense of the word.

On the 5th of May, General Canevaro finished the defence plan in case of a Polish invasion and presented it to the Empress.

The plan would allow the south armies to advance while the northern ones would stand in case of any attacks and to aid the southern armies. This would only work if the Polish never fully reinforced their border, which means it is just a short term plan.

In Ancyria, the engineers began working on the first experimental railroad just like the British constructed on the English country side.
This will allow the Royal Family to visit the farmlands surrounding the City of Ancyria.

Current diplomatic status of Europe.

The Polish Government still has not signed an alliance agreement with the Byzantines. Which is beneficial for us.

 

[Ilmen]

Is this converted save from EU4?

 

[Darknotez]

Hello Ilmen, yes it is. From version 1.19.2 to version 3.04(Latest) on Victoria.

 

[Ilmen]

Is there any AAR from EU4?

 

[Darknotez]

Haven't made any AAR's about this save before. This is a conversion from CK2 to EU4 and to Victoria 2.

 

[Darknotez]

Added a bit of a backstory in the main post.

 

[Darknotez]

Chapter VI | The Need for a Localized Government

In the Americas, the colonists still riot in the streets due to high taxes and inept ruling by the Continental Ancyrian Government. And with many cultural differences(in great part due to religion) the political officials usually get into massive trouble, many getting killed by fanatical Catholic colonists.

As a result, the Empress, with guidance from her trusted advisor, General Canevaro, orders the Ancyrian Governors to evacuate two of the Territories in North and South America, prompting the colonists to be ruled by colonists, under Dominion Governments.

First we have Imperial Colombia owning the North-Eastern part of the South Americas.

And then we have the United Ancyrian Territories situated in North Americas.

The Caribbean Territory will still be ruled directly by the Continental Ancyrian Government in case of any rebellious incentives by the new Dominions. Ave Imperatrix Nicolette!

Let us hope this quells colonial dissent a bit.

 

[HIMDogson]

You might want to start building factories, especially if China industrialized before you.

 

[Darknotez]

Chapter VII | American Expedition

The husband of our dear Empress, General Matteo Pianelli, convinced the Conservative Party that the Empress would wish nothing more than to bring civilization to the barbarians in the Americas. He pressed on saying that the Empire's prestige on the world stage diminished since the last war. That we must show the world that our armies are fearless even after many years of peace. And so the Operation Falling Bird was initiated.

Our agents infiltrated the Pequot territories easily as they were still tribes which almost never patrolled their borders. The justification for war has begun.

A few months later the Empress finds out about these plans and starts a massive fight with her husband because he never consulted her on the matter. Which mean that General Canevaro would soon also learn of this so called betrayal on the stage of politics. He protested in front of the Conservative Party while promoting his naive idealism of liberalism. The politicians having had enough with his complaints, tossed him out of their Headquarters.

The war with the Pequot Tribes was inevitable it seems. The Government was hell bent on invading peaceful tribes in the north.
The 2nd and 28th Armies embark on the Imperial Battlefleet commanded by a now brought back from retirement Admiral.

General Pianelli himself ordered the embakration of the 2nd and 28th Army from the borders of Romagna and began his journey across the Atlantic.

The Newspaper, 3rd of June, 1837.

On the shores of North America, General Pianelli gives command to a good old friend of his, brought back from retirement, to take charge of the 28th Army. General Colonna is renowned for his farmous charge of Zagreb in 1804 during Byzantine-Ancyrian skirmishes.

The plan was drawn by the two Generals and soon the time will come to apply it.

The 28th will occupy the province of Newark while the 2nd will march to the capital, reaching it before the tribes have a change to mobilize themselves. The Fleet will provide Naval Bombardment if any is requested.

The Casus Belli was gained. It was now time to act!

In the meantime, we discovered Mechanical Production!

And we begin researching Medicine.

The Budget of the Empire was pointed towards aiding and subsidizing any imports by our citizens. However that was just for a short period of time. It is now required to increase tariffs on imports.

"Let us march onwards brothers! To victory and glory! Let us civilize these barbarians like our forefathers before us!" General Pianelli upped the Army morale before the war was declared. While still poorly equipped as the Army is still not funded at all(Slider is at 0% due to economical problems) the soldiers will hopefully do well against bows and arrows.

The War plan is proceeding nicely.

There were no military encounters when the 2nd Army reached the Heartland of the Pequot tribes.
And reports are coming in of 3,000 Pequot tribesmen marching south.

During the war, many discoveries are made by our esteemed scientists.

The 2nd ambushes the Pequot Army New Bedford.

It was a slaughter. However many Ancyrian brothers and husbands died on that field.

The siege of the Tribes territories is proceeding nicely. And in the meantime, the news!

Indeed. It seems this war made our Byzantine neighbors re-consider any future aggression towards our Empire.

General Pianelli will be regarded as a hero of the Empire and perhaps the Empress will forgive him now. But General Canevaro kept protesting that this invasion of the tribes was a grave mistake. We must focus all our attention on reforming and completely re-organizing the Army.

Another 6,000 Pequot army would appear, trying to ambush the 2nd Army at New Bedford.
But this as well was with no success. The natives were slaughtered.

The tribes chieftain, Tatobem, approached General Pianelli and offered him the lands he wanted.

However Pianelli wanted more. To send a message that those who dare oppose us would suffer horrible fates. So he ordered his men to apprehend the chieftain and his escorts and behead them. Then send the heads to their people as an acceptance of the peace offer. This would be received with extreme hostilities back home as only barbarians perform these kinds of acts.

The two Generals then marched on to Long Island to celebrate with their troops their new hard fought victory!

They all sang while marching
'Ave Generale! Ave Generale! The Empire succeeded once more!'
'We all fought hard for our great kind'
'And we'll proudly do it again!'

Back home however, General Canevaro was wary. This war should've never happened. He thought he was failing in convincing his Empress of the Liberal ways.

 

[Darknotez]

@HIMDogson Yes. I will begin to shortly build factories but something came up.

 

[Darknotez]

Chapter VIII | Unfinished Business

The Commonwealth declared War on the 24th of April, 1839. The Ancyrian Government issued no press release as of yet.
The Danish, British and Russian Empires have broken all diplomatic channels with our Government.

We've been betrayed.

Our long lasting allies, the British and the Russians have shown their true faces. Perhaps they know something we don't of the Commonwealth's Strength? No matter. Ancyria will prevail even against all odds!

At least our ally Austria joined! We know who our true friends are now. Onwards brothers!
The Canevaro War Plan was initiated.

Let us hope General Canevaro can protect our territories, at least until General Pianelli arrives with the dispatched expeditionary armies.

May God have mercy on us all!

 

[HIMDogson]

Ancyra seems to have this war in the bag even without her allies. I'd say only a revived Byzantine Polish alliance can threaten the Empire.

 

[Darknotez]

Indeed! Ancyria will halt the Commonwealth at its doorstep! I hope...

And we cannot get a PU over Byzantium It's Vicky 2