Europa Universalis Classic: After Action Reports

[HolisticGod]

All,

Here it is. Mine'll be up a little later.

Rewards:

-3 BB for a good AAR
-5 BB for an excellent AAR
A fine arts academy for an epic AAR

 

[Tonioz]

French AAR 1520 - 1544

The session was started after a long 785km drive trip to two cities at Monday, so no negotiations passed. But at least i`ve talked with FAL a bit, and just before the session - with Joohoo.

After quick look at map, it was designed to attack Italy, watching for actions of von Frundsberg and Spain. The bad-dip monarch gave only 3 dips per year, so it took more than a year to grab Savoy, Genoa and Lorraine in alliance to defend them, get MA and then dow Papal States with their dog Tuskany.

Unfortunately 20K infantry were not able to assault successfully, so we had to siege after cavalry killed whole army of enemies. Siena fought them as well, so we used them a bit for sieges. von Frundsberg was noticed in wars with german minors, and then OE dowed for Hungary, and Austria dowed OE. Suprisely Spain didn`t notice for long time our activity, but when HAL noticed, he demanded immediatly retreating France from Italy, and as far as i remember, addiotionally, monetary compensation.

That was pretty ignored, and fortunately Spain needed time to prepare offensive. This timing was perfect for us. We finished sieging, and Marche surrended just when Spain dowed and assaulted Emilia. Before they finish successful assaulting, i could reach 100% and took 3 provs from Papal States and annexed their vassal Tuskany.

Spanish invasion was massive. First it was from Holland, from ships to Emilia - both 50-60K armies and from Naples. Totally over 150K, while France support limit was something like 110K or less. Nivenais, Champagne, Emilia was taken, and despite cav advantage my army near Paris was beaten by morale several times, and lost suprisely much comparing almost pure inf army. At Marche-Naples my cav army ruled good.

Minting was required to support losses, and Spain was very aggressive to intercepting me and trying to settle domination. But attrition and false attacks to make more attrition + cav armies start to let the situation more to status quo. But soon there were Paris battle, and despite cav advantage, losses were near same, and fresh reinforment of HAL killed almost whole north army including 2-2-4 leader.

At the same time mass sieging of south french provinces started, and the cav army from Italy was urgently called. 26K infantry left sieging Emilia. No more activity followed in Italy. Coming army from Italy kicked sieges, and with new reinforcement met in Berry several spanish armies. Was beaten retreated to Maine, but Spanish assault of Berry was failed, attritioned, and several months later with new french reinforcements the war was completely changed to French advantage. For series of this battles all spanish generals were killed.

The siege was kicked, a lot of small armies were destroyed, all french provinces except Nivernais were liberated. Spanish has troops only in Iberia and fresh built 12K cav in Naples. France controlled own land and new troops coming to form army near 80K. With this conditions i had about +20WS.

I offered HAL to peace for Franche Conte now or i`ll stabhit later. He refused this option, but when i patrolled Holland and start several sieges, he surrended. Franche Conte, Luxembourg and Artois were returned to proper frogs owner.

After the war i got CB on Siena and attacked their big alliance, vassalizing and taking ducats from Helvetia, Koln, Munster, Siena and Kleves.

AAR cookie: BB reduction.
Please erase manu from province: #401

 

[unmerged(11216)]

Brandenburg 1520 - 1544​

Heinrich walked quickly through the castle. He had barely recovered from the new year's eve celebration the night before. His steps echoed in the great halls, which only worsened the pounding in his head. "Mein Gott, that was the last time I enter a drinking contest with a russian". He started running upwards the stairs. As this was Germany, being late was bad. Being late when the most powerful man north of Prauge had ordered you to be on time was, however, worse. Joachim I Nestor was not a patient man. Constantly seeking to improve his nations prestige, aswell as his own, as suited to a member of the proud house of Hohenzollern.

"Entschuldigung Sire!" Heinrich entered the room, appologising for his late arrival.

The Prince-Elector stood by the window, staring out over his sleeping capital.

"Heinrich, not even the brothels have opened yet, I should have you knighted for being here at all" Joachim responded and turned around...

"Speaking about brothels, you do look like you've been wrestling with a prostitute all night my dear Heinrich?" The Prince-Elector smiled.

"Well, I visited Der Roter Löwe yesterday, and this russian guy Anton walked in and claimed he was the greatest drinker on this side of der Oder..." Heinrich looked down a bit ashamed.

"...and you did like any good Berliner would and challanged him for a bier drinking contest I presume?" Joachim responded joyfully.

Ja, und die resultat...well you see it here... Heinrich looked up with a bit of amusement on his face.

"Take my advice Heinrich, never enter a drinking contest with a russian!" The Prince-Elector re-established Heinrich's earlier thoughts.

"Ja, but atleast the bier was good" Heinrich walked towards the table in the centre of the room.

"Aye, I could imagine, the Bavarians may be upper-German snobbs, but they do make fantastisches bier" Joachim met Heinrich at the table.

"Did you bring what I ordered?" Joachim changed his tone of voice to a more authoritarian one.

"Yes Sire" Heinrich rolled out a map on the table.

Brandenburg's territorial domains had not changed much since the Margraviate's creation in the 12th century. This was something Joachim intended to change. Inspired of how the house of Habsburg had created some of the most powerful states in the world, the Prince-Elector wished to make a name of the Hohenzollerns. He would do this on the cost of other Imperial Principalities, as well as his mighty neighbour, the Kingdom of Poland.

"Guten Morgen Sire, Heinrich" Field Marshal Casimir entered the room.

"Willkommen Casimir, Heinrich beat you to it" Joachim said.

"Ja well, I was on my way home yesterday when I passed der Rote Löwe, and this russian guy stumbled out, and yelled something about being the greatest warrior on this side of der Oder. With my pride I couldn't stop myself from challanging him to a fight" Casimir pulled up his shirt and showed great bruises all over his stomach. "He knocked me unconscious, and I woke up not long ago. Strangely I have the worst pain in my rear, must've hitten the ground pretty hard."




*Room silent*




...aye, never fight a drunk russian... Joachim said with a low tone.

Now, come join us for our future expansion plans. I need your military expertise to develope a geniously evil plan that simply can't go wrong. Joachim ordered his Field Marshal to the table.

After many hours of debating between the three men the masterplan was ready. Nothing could go wrong now.

War was declared on the first target, Hannover. After a brilliantly executed campaign by Casimir, the Hannoverian greater resource-base took out its right. The principality started to spit out new troops, and soon the Brandenburgian city of Magdeburg had fallen. Casimir was held responsible and was hanged by the orders of Joachim.

A daring assault was launched into the fields of Magdeburg in an attempt to route the Hannoverian army. The world kept its breath. Despite being outnumber two to one the Brandenburgian forces succeeded in almost annihilating the enemy. Now began a hunt for the remainder of the Hannoverians. It took several months before Brandenburg finally stood as victor. Hannover was annexed.

In the east things were moving. The Grand Duke in Moscow had long seeked to extend his domains into Polish lands. The war between the two states had exhausted Poland, and Joachim realised that now was the right time to strike. 12 000 men was assembled for the campaign. Poznan was soon taken, however Poland had started to deploy his forces in the west rather than trying to repell the invading russians. The new Brandeburgian commander Georg made a brave attempt in trying to take Krakow, but had to flee through Bohemia in the wake of superior polish forces.

In the north, Joachim's Pommeranian allies were sieging the rich merchant city of Danzig. Brandenburg's efforts were re-directed here to support the siege. Georg quickly were elected as the head commander of the coalition army, and after a long siege the mighty fortress fell. Russian armies were now as far as at the gates of Krakow itself, and Poland realised that they could no longer continue this war. Peace was signed, with Poznan and Danzig being ceded to Brandenburg. This was a gigantic boost for the Magraviate's economy.

Sadly during the war, Joachim I Nestor had passed away. His conquests were to be continued by the new Prince-Elector, Joachim II Hektor(from now on known as only Hektor). Hektor had interests elsewhere. He soon left the alliance his father had entered with the Baltic states of Pommern and the Teutonic Order, and instead allied himself with the Hanseatic League (Bremen, Mecklenburg and Oldenburg). The League had definately lost much of its former power, but could still muster an army with little over 90 000 troops.

In the north, Sweden had struggled with Denmark over dominance of Scandinavia. It started to look like Denmark finally had to cave in to the pressure of the ambitious swedish king. The Danish vassal, Holstein had to abandon their own defenses to aid their master. Hektor saw his chance. Georg was ordered to invade Holstein and capture Kiel. Being busy with the swedish siege in Copenhagen, Denmark could not assist their allies. Holstein was soon incorporated into Brandenburg. After this entire Jylland was occupied, and Denmark was forced to empty their treasury to bribe the germans.

Filled with confidence, Hektor launched another invasion, this time against a fellow Elector, Saxony. The Saxons proved to be a tougher nut to crack, as they defeated the Brandeburgian field army several times before finally having to go on the defensive. Unfortunately many princes now feared the emerging power in northern Germany, resulting in a declaration of war from a number of states. The Prince-Elector had to direct his effort to face an combined Pommeranian-Teutonic army at the gates of Berlin. The invaders were repelled, and sieges were established all over Pommern.

Brandenburg faces a very tight situation in the future because of its geographical position.

In the West the French are trying to expand their influence over the Rhine.

In the East, an ambitious Russian Grand Duke has almost succeeded in annihilating entire Poland and stands knocking on the doors of Germany herself.

In the North the newly emerged Swedish power has succeeded in conquering the entire scandinavian peninsula.

In the South, the Emperor in Vienna have gone on a vassalising streak in entire southern Germany.

How will the Prince-Elector face up to these challanges?

 

[HALNY (HAL)]

Spain 1520 - 1544

Spain have 0 bb and everybody knows how bad english writer I am, so there is no chance to get any reward. In this case I decided to make short but nicely looking (I hope) AAR.

 

[King John]

Austria: 1520-1544


Kurt Von Salzburg was a new addition to the court of Vienna, son of an old, venerated count in the city that bears his name, a great friend of the much older, weary Emperor of the Hapsburg empire, Karl. He showed much promise as a scribe and a storyteller, in the quaint renditions of old greek bedtime stories such as "Hercules: Let no head stand higher than another on this beast" and the highly provocative historical novel "How Jason, a Greek, was the first to discover America".

He was summoned one day to a meeting with the esteemed emperor. At the crack of noon, for Karl these days did not care to wake himself early, and who could blame him- Kurt found himself standing before this remarkable, and yet sad, in some ways pathetic man. Remarkable in that he was the one to unite the realms of Spain, Austria and Burgundy, creating the strongest Empire since Charlemagne. But then managed to lead it into horrible defeats against the grossly poorer and weaker kingdom of France, AND the godless Turks, that was something that he would never forgive himself for. That was why he was sad and, aside from his esteemed title, quite pathetic looking as a man.

But if Kurt had these thoughts on his mind, he did not show any sign of them. He made a reverent bow, in spite of having known the monarch from childhood and having been on fairly informal terms with him and his nephews. This was an important meeting, and he knew better than to make light of it.

"Welcome, my boy. Come here, have a seat. I trust the ride from Salzburg was a pleasant one? You weren't rained on too badly?" It had rained horribly all day the past few days, while Kurt was in transit.

"Well, yes. I was, but it was very pleasant, I stayed quite warm the whole way, because you see, the coat that your nephew so thoughtfully forgot in Salzburg last month, that big wonderful heavy coat I bought him last Christmas, I wore that on the way, because I thought, if I'm bringing it back to him, what better way to carry it than on my back? It was unfortunate that it got rained upon, but indeed, it kept me dry. I thanked him for leaving it as soon as I arrived".

"I noticed Franz was very... excited to get that back from you. Did he thank you for bringing it back for him also?"

"Well, ha, the look on his face would've been compensation enough. I walked up to him, took off the coat, and tried to drape it over his shoulders. He jumped back when I tried flinging it over him, then grabbed it and thanked me for washing his coat for him, 'but next time, please have the sense to have it dried off before returning it', he said. Served him right though. I never did get a thank you letter."

After some more small talk, they finally reached the real purpose of the interview.

"Kurt, you have a way with words. Would you be willing to write a little history of my reign? I'm getting old, I know I haven't exactly been the ideal man for the job, and don't try patronize me, I know I've made some serious mistakes". And here he broke eye contact, fixing his gaze on a picture of one of the hapsburgs of yore, hanging off on the far wall. "I've also made some contributions that I think my descendants wouldn't be entirely ashamed of. You are the one who must write it. You may not have the most literary respect in this country yet, and you may be inexperienced, but that will change. You're a friend of the family, I know you will not try to smear my name, but you also know me well enough to write honestly without fear of censorship or retribution."

He waited a few seconds to reply. "Thank, you, my lord, this is such an honor. I promise you, I will do my very best to write in the truest, most enduring way, so that everyone will know the reign of Karl V, and not forget it."

"Well, don't get carried away".

"I'll try not to include anything embarrassing. But I'm going to put all my energy into this. Again, thank you for the privilege."

And that night, he started on what would be his greatest project to date, the most important, and the most prized of all his works. It took him two years, from 1540 to 1542 to complete. It sold in all the corners of Europe, passages of it were quoted in all the German speaking courts, and countless invitations were sent to Kurt, asking him to stay in this or that court.


That story is far too long to post here, but the Nephew Franz Joseph, jealous and ambitious, also wrote a piece on his uncle. It pertained to the years 1520 to 1544, roughly as far back as his memory would stretch. It was done without the permission of the Emperor, though Franz claimed that it was given, and was written somewhat inappropriately, making the most of Karl's mistakes, which Kurt himself hadn't balked at, but once was enough for that, and Kurt had done it more fairly, more thoughtfully and anecdotally. Franz's work was a scandal.

And so it goes:

My uncle, Karl V Hapsburg, has been purported to have done many things in his life, but the truth is that in military matters, he has failed almost unfailingly. When I was a child, he ignored the advice of his Austrian advisers in the strategy for a war against France, sending Spanish armies to fight in the north of France and into Northern Italy, where supply was scarce, and was inversely related to the heavy losses his armies sustained. What he should've done was to focus on Italy entirely, in particular on forcing the French out of the Papal States before they were peaced out, where he could've had military access and all the supply his armies needed. The French would've lost their vanguard; he could've cut them off in the north as they made their retreat, if they weren't already eliminated, using the fleet for mobility. Not gaining military access in Savoy as well was an unfortunate mistake.

Instead of pushing the French out of the Papal States and then going on to secure a relatively easy victory, Spanish armies were stretched out on the plains of Northern France and destroyed piecemeal, easily outmaneuvered on the French home turf.

It all in all resulted in a humiliating peace, where the French ruler was able to condescendingly offer his magnanimity by only demanding three provinces, when he could've easily taken four or five.

Meanwhile, the hero von Frunsburg, rest in peace, fought a gallant war in Hungary to stop the Turkish advance, which coincided conveniently with the French war. But fate brought defeat in the end, and the Hungarian empire collapsed when it's capital fell after the death of king Lajos. Austria inherited what remained, and peace was declared, but it wasn't much. Karl should've fought on, but it seems that he had no backbone after the French ordeal.

All this activity did help in uniting the Germans, but slowly. In 1526, the Hapsburg knack for marrying into illustrious families paid off, yet again, when the Bohemian royal line expired, the nearest claim being none other than Karl my uncle. But two years later, the Turks returned and Karl, his armies undergoing operations in Germany, and still sore from the fight with France, bowed to Turkish demands almost instantly, giving away Steirmark, Istria, Carpathia, and one other province thereabout, much to the shame and disappointment of all Christians, I'm sure. I believe the recent death of Frunsburg at the time demoralized him so that he simply did not have the will, assuming he had any of the courage to begin with.

The next decade and a half were spent making slow acquisitions in Germany and expanding the empire into the new world. But for the most part in his foreign policy, he lived always in the shadow of France and the Ottoman Empire. Neither Spain nor Austria have the right combination of resources and leadership to stand up to either, so it is hardly a surprise if we, the humble citizens of the empire, do not remember fondly the days of Karl V, or Carlos I. If I someday become ruler of the Empire, as is my right, I will not let this situation continue, for I know that the name of Hapsburg is not entirely empty, but I do not believe that any good will come as long as THIS man is on the throne.



Karl did not have the heart to banish his nephew for such preposterous writing, which undermined his ability to rule effectively. Ferdinand, his brother, steadily bore more and more of the administrative duties, as Karl himself began to consider abdication. Kurt and Franz have become bitter enemies, which may become very dangerous for the former, considering that Franz is the next in line for the throne after his father, while the Empire itself is becoming more and more decentralized. But perhaps in the end, all of these things will be forgotten. Perhaps the Turks will come and capture Vienna, annex the rest of the Austrian branch, and then go on to reestablish the Moorish kingdom in Spain.

 

[HolisticGod]

The First Treaty of the Vistula
​

In the year of our Lord fifteen hundred and twenty eight, being the fourth day of the third month of the Julian Reckoning, it is hereby recognized by the parties general His Highness the Grand Prince of Muscowy and His Highness the Elector of Brandenburg that,

His Highness the Elector having declared his intention to intercede Against the Common Union of Poland and Lithuania in their Aggression upon the Princely Dominions of Muscowy,

and thusly to make War against them, to and upon and Over the banks of this River Vistula, in common with the Grand Prince,

and having ample Soldiery for this purpose, but Horse insufficient and want of Supply, to have Need of the Grand Prince's generosity, and fearing for the fate of Danzig and of the Kingdom of Prussia, its Throne occupied by Usurpers of the Inferior branch of House Hohenzollern,

and the Grand Prince having no designs on such lands and places which might be Concerned, but of those lands and Places which interest in Lithuania and the Ukraine and in and about the Right bank of the River Vistula here,

and also want of Friendship and Christian magnanimity with the Lutheran Confession of Christ, hallowed be His name,

Share in common the War against the Union of Poland and Lithuania, and to this,

Do hereby Agree upon,

an Alliance, of such Duration as the Parties general do concur, and Toward the aims concurred,

and that the Grand Prince shall render such Aid as is requested, and shall Recognize as the Elector's the Province Poznan and the City of Danzig and its hinterlands and the Kingdom of Prussia, being of Hohenzollern descent,

and that the Elector shall Recognize the suzerainty of the Grand Prince over the Vistula and all the Lands to its East, and over All the Russians of the East, Now and ever After before God.

Signed upon the Vistula before God Almighty and His witnesses on the Earth,

His Highness Vasily III Ivonavich Grand Prince of Muscowy and of Vladimir and Suzdal and Ryazan, Prince of Novgorod and of Pskov

His Highness Joachim I Hohenzollern Elector of Brandenburg, Magrave of Magdeburg

 

[HolisticGod]

The Second Treaty of the Vistula
​

In the year of our Lord fifteen hundred and thirty eight, being the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the Julian Reckoning, it is hereby recognized by the parties General His Imperial Majesty the Padishah of the Osmani Turks and His Highness the Grand Prince of Muscowy and His Highness the Archduke of Austria,

His Highness the Archduke having Lately made War upon the common Union of Poland and Lithuania, crossing with his armies Thereby this River Vistula,

and Intending to obtain from him the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania certain Territories, among them Hinterlands of this River Vistula and Lands beyond,

and having been Thwarted in this Purpose by the Padishah, Sultan of the Osmani Turks, Emperor of the East, having agreed upon with the Grand Prince his Mediation,

Did the Grand Prince thus conclude to mutual Benefit that,

The Archduke shall Refrain from crossing this River Vistula and shall Recognize the Grand Prince's suzerain of this River Vistula and the Lands East, and shall not Encroach to the displeasure of the Padishah,

and the Padishah, most Merciful, most Just, most High, shall refrain from War to obstruct this End

Signed before God Almighty and His Witnesses,

Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, the Lawgiver, the Just, Padishah of the Osmani Turks and All Turks and of the East, Caliph most Holy, Protector of Mecca and Medina and the Holy Pilgrims, of Baghdad and of Alexandria and Jerusalem, King of Hungary and Such Places in the Balkan Peninsula

Grand Prince Ivan IV Vasilyevich of Muscowy, and of Suzdal and Vladimir and Ryazan, Prince of Novgorod, Lord of the River Volga

Archduke Ferdinand Habsburg of Austria, Duke of Styria and the Tyrol and the Ostermark

Editor's Note: This is the Russian text of the historic Second Treaty of the Vistula, signed in 1538. The Turkish text does not survive, but was purported to be of similar language. The Austrian, however, stipulates several notable differences, particularly in the address of Suleyman I as "King of Hungary..." and "Padishah." Most of all, Ferdinand, in accordance with his brother Emperor Charles' policy of confrontation, would not accord him his Imperial dignity. The Austrian text refers to Suleyman as Chief of the Turks, much as Suleyman often referred to Charles as the King of Spain.

 

[King John]

After vague rumors of a military reduction under the old King of the Turks, and then the report that the king himself had been injured in a fishing accident, there came a tangible piece of evidence that suggested the entire Balkans and all of Hungary had been stripped to the bone, with mere skeleton garrisons to defend the largest fortresses. Why? Perhaps to save on maintenance costs, perhaps because the old fox thought Austria was cowed for good. We may never know, but I believe it was God's will.

Karl, cautious as he was after the mistakes of youth, let himself be convinced by his brother, nephew and others of the court that this was the opportunity they'd waited for. It was time to launch a campaign that would clear away the shadow of defeat.

I originally wanted to try sending cavalry forces all the way across the Balkans and intercept his armies just as he was done recruiting them in Constantinople. I didn't test out the time it would take to reach there, compared to the time it would take to recruit soldiers, so this plan was by no means foolproof, and put into action, I didn't reach the mark I aimed for. My force of 14k or so rode down and found A 25 or so k force assembled in Constantinople by the time I got there. It may have had low enough morale to attack it, I don't know. I didn't try it- even if it wasn't, the OE's max morale is higher than mine, and had I lost, I would've lost that entire army, which I could've have afforded, while winning would've only been worth the resultant battlescore.

So I pulled back to Banat, leaving a small covering force so I'd know when his army came up. Had enough time to capture Carpathia, Magyar, Budapest, and then captured Banat after I think turning back one Ottoman attack across the river. There had been nothing in my way.

But now the dragon was waking up. A 40k army showed up in Serbia, after my covering force had evacuated, and then started to maneuver into its vassal territories. I DOW'd Wallachia, but it was a silly move because its own armies were too large to occupy the provs anyway.

Their army started using vassals to maneuver into Hungary, bypassing the part of the Danube that I was defending in Banat. I DOW'd Wallachia, but it was a silly move because they had too many armies there for me to invade anyway.

The enemy came into that forest prov next to Magyar and tried assaulting it, failing, and was pushed back, while leaving a force in Banat to seige it back. I evacuated Banat as soon as I saw their army crossing the Danube, so it was uncontested.

I was stabhitting at this time. The OE tried invading Pest, which I defended, and lost. Then it assaulted the forest prov again and took it this time, then went to Magyar, where I met them with an army of about equal size and lost. Then they assaulted and I tried attacking again, only to lose again, after which the assault succeeded and I was no longer able to stabhit. I'd shot off about four prior to that, though.

Then they went to pest and I brought my reinforced army there and won a pretty significant battle, moving my pure cav army to Banat next, where I arrived before theirs, killing the army they had before their defeated army from Pest arrived. After it arrived and made a hasty retreat, they offered Steier, which I suppose I could've rejected in order to demand more, but my MP pool was getting low. Steier was a good peace.


Karl was criticized heavily for not pushing for more. Particularly by Franz Joseph, his nephew, and his brother Ferdinand. They pushed him into fighting another war, this time with France, which was though initially successful, doomed to defeat, and in the end a white peace was signed, leading Karl to finally abdicate the throne.

After this, Spain and Austria split up. Austria was inherited by his brother Ferdinand, who quickly began a military reform and then promoted his son to field marshal. It wasn't long before he bore down on the Brandenburgers for their aggression against Hessen, a vassal of the Hapsburg's. It had been scandalous enough for the former emperor to tolerate Brandenburg's blatant aggressions in the north, but now that it involved a subject of the Hapsburg family, inaction was no longer possible. After a long period of negotiation, war broke out.

Ferdinand decided that the only way to bring about order was for the Margrave himself to swear allegiance to the Hapsburg's. And fortunately a show of force was enough to convince him that this was now the only way.

Ferdinand's final act of the session was to have built a refinery in Baden. More wine means more drinking, and this archduke's advisers tell him that national inebriation is good for the economy, so let it be so.

 

[Tonioz]

French AAR 1544 - 1565

Just before the session the Peaceful King of France received threats from south neighbor. Spain King threated us with his new invented nuke Alba, ignoring last weapon inventions by France - new muskets. That made the start of the session very worring, all the time afraiding of dowing of south neighbor. Besides i got impression like Austria wanted to join Spain, and look abilities to move turks out of the deal.

At the beginning of the session i dowed my alliance minors to force-vassalize them to avoid possible attack on them by Alba & C. Wow, LT14 gave me nothing. 60K army with CRT couldn`t assault medium fort and 30K - small ! So i had to siege all that. Thanks Spain didn`t dow.

Spain annexed a lot of pagans, and luckily gave me time to finish minors, which took ages with coast provinces with medium forts. Finally i annexed all them, and soon Spain dowed me. Around 1549-1550.

At this time i finished trade4 and went minting. Next rehost showed i have trade3 and far to make it ready to 4th level !!! I`ll attach screenshot later from home, and ask for compensation in investing (exact value i`ll add later too).

Then the war started. Following John advised Spain took MAs from all minors and my vassals. First Alba came to Liguria and after while he sailed to Mantua. Then he tryed to attack me in Lombardia. At this time 16K cav army sieged Marche. Several month later i made secret route of my 46K cav army with 2-2-3 leader Schwyz - Piedmonte - Liguria, and then strike Emilia-Tuskany-Marche. Alba reacted late to cross river from Mantua. So i killed all 16K. Then Alba caught me in Firenze, i retreated same day as the battle start. Then Alba intercepted me in Emilia, i retreated same day again ! Without combat losses, Alba annihilated me on retreating to 5K !!! Lost 40K cav for nothing in 2 days. But i brough inf in Milan, merge army there before Alba attacked again, and retreated in fire phase - this time without losses.

There were no activility at South-West and North-East, but Alba kept guarding in Liguria, while rest of Italy started to be sieged. The situation look rather hopeless. But because of not much acitivity first years of the war, we almost reached 1552, when Guise 3-3-4 comes. So France started to rebuild, often going over the support limit to match Spanish invasion. Soon Guise came to Lombardia and was attacked by Alba across the river. Alba was sure in his superior. But i brough enough infantry, so in fire phase Spain lost a bit cavalry and half of morale. And despite i got enough losses in shock phase, Alba army was cut down to 4K ! Next i attacked Romagna to kick army there, then other small armies, and all spanish troops withdraw themselves from Italy. Romagna and Emilia got spanish control.

At this time HAL attacked at north my Paris army. Very successfully, despite i had more cav. Later i found it was 2-2-4 vs my 2-2-2. And he killed nice at retreating. Soon my north 47K army was wiped out. Again i started to build urgently new cav armies, and in 1552 Conde came to head them 4-2-3. A couple of years came more with struggling. My 50K reinforcement could come and kick all spanish home to Holland, but Paris was fallen, and Picardie assaulted successfully by Spain. When HAL was kicked to Holland, he built more reinforcements there, and soon came back to me. Second time he got advantage at those front, winning not bad. But keeping cav reinforcement for north army let stable situation there.

At south i assaulted Romagna and sieged Emilia. After Emilia became mine (or not ?), Alba collected troops and appeared in Liguria. So we made the battle near Firenze. About 50K of Alba vs 60K of Guise. After two phases only cavalry left. Alba was slighty winning, so once we had like 25K vs 25K, but after all 8K cav Alba left and about 15K of Guise. And i went 20K-25K reinforcement from Schwyz, they were reaching Lombardia at this moment.

At same moment Alba attacked me, big cav army of Conde attacked north army of Spain and after all with big losses whiped out spain with general. Giving free road to siege whole NL and get WPs. I offered white peace, and it was accepted. Horray, France survived Alba invasion.

After that there were long long negotiations, ended in signing 4 sides peace deal until 1579. Habsburgs used that to dow Brandenburg and make him surrender without resistance.

AAR cookie: BB reduction.
Trade investments: +2138

 

[HolisticGod]

The Treaty of Naples​

In the year of our Lord fifteen hundred and sixty four, being the third day of the fifth month of the Julian Reckoning, it is hereby recognized by the parties General His Most Catholic Majesty the King of Spain and His Highness the Grand Prince of Muscowy

His Most Catholic Majesty being Amenable to the Terms proposed by Fyodor Karamazov of Muscowy, herein Empowered by His Highness the Grand Prince to make such Preliminary advance and agreement Toward these Ends as he deems Necessary to their conclusion,

and Having gratitude for other Services rendered by His Highness the Grand Prince, and being Inclined to the expansion of Trade and of the peaceful Commerce,

and His Highness the Grand Prince desirous of the Expansion of such Commerce to the West, and seeing fit to Conclude with His Most Catholic Majesty such other Terms as have been in the Past agreed, and to Reaffirm them,

and possessing now Ports on the Seas Baltic and Black, at the very Summit and root of Europe, thereby

His Most Catholic Majesty the King of Spain grants to His Highness the Grand Prince of Muscowy Right of Commerce and Navigation in his Waters, and as is Necessary to their fit travel his Ports and Shores, and further,

He grants such Capitulations in the vicinity of New Spain as Agreed.

His Highness the Grand Prince of Muscowy shall Execute in full Faith his agreements with His Most Catholic Majesty, and makes Oath for his Ships and their Crews that shall they Obey the laws of the Sea and of the Spanish Crown, and should they Deviate thusly he shall Submit them to His Most Catholic Majesty for Judgment and shall pay such Restitution as is Fair before God.

Signed before God Almighty and His Holy Witnesses Father Francisco Belucchi, Archbishop of Naples, and in absentia Father Pter Ivonovich Metropolitan of Moskva,

King Philip II of Spain, and of Aragon and Castille and Leon and Valencia and Naples and Jerusalem and Sardinia and Sicily, and of the Far Shores and the Western Sea

Grand Prince Ivan IV Vasilyevich of Muscowy, and of Suzdal and Vladimir and Ryazan, Grand Duke of Lithuania, Prince and Protector of Georgia, Prince of Novgorod, Lord of the Kievan Rus, Master of the River Volga and the River Don and the River Dneiper

Editor's Note: Fyodor Karamazov's long and perilous journey to Naples on behalf of his country and Crown (and self) was among the most profitable in history. Karamazov, however, greatly exceeded his authority in signing the preliminary agreement, fearing Spain might award the unexpected Capitulations to another power if he did not. On the return journey, treaty firmly in hand, he feared greatly for his Prince's reaction, but in vain. Ivan IV was overjoyed by the results of his adventurer's negotiations, thought by the Kremlin at first to have been a lark. That Karamazov's hand was cut off that night had nothing to do with the treaty but rather with where it was relative to Mrs. Ivan IV's thigh at the time.

Due to the time lapse, the Grand Prince of Muscowy did not sign the treaty until a year after it was negotiated.

 

[Tonioz]

French AAR 1565 - 1591

Well, war started by aggression of Habsburgs again. Spain doubled fleet around 1576, and it was clearly that at 1579 the peace will end. Unlike rich Austria, France still couldn`t allow to build manus. According sayings it was seen that Spain aims on OE now.

Before that at the begining of the session, John used OE WE +3 and troops of OE far from Hungary (Joohoo again let this mistake to move army far outside) and dowed (John didn`t load OE between session, eh ? ) immediatly. Some time OE could make comeback, but then lost and agreed to peace with two provinces. Soon after that we dowed Venice and splitted it. Took a lot of time to find Venetian fleet in Sund and near Livland to kill it and get peace.

France invested in trade5, and since 1571 started to invest LT, which was mistake still. When i got LT16 and about 7 years left to LT17, Spain already got LT17. I supposed he will attack with LT18, Farnese and Alba, which should end, knowing John, in unlimitted demands.

But time passed, in 1578 i reached LT17 and Spain still had LT17. In 1580 Austria dowed OE. I asked several times if that 1 on 1, but was not granted the answer. At the end i was told "you know in december", so it was obvious Spain should join. So France took DotF and joined OE alliance. DoTF fucked LT18 tech date from 1584 to Jan 1587.

All this seven years of war France invested in LT, living on census taxes (at the end some loans), and thanks OE for helping with ducats (about 1000-1300 i suppose, and i sent him 600 ducats and the beginning of war). OE minted for two of us, spending a lot of ducats for troops and fleets, same as Spain. France made a bet to finish LT18, which cut placed troops abilities.

Tactic was quite nice for us. Farnese spent most time of jumping from west Austria to east one and back, and rarely make losses, though earning WS. At the beginning Austria started heavily on Hungary, but France occupied about 6 provinces at west of Austria, and then send Guise cav army to deal at plains of Hungary. The situation was stabled there, but soon Farnese arrived Hungary too, but then turned back to kick French sieges at the west.

After many battles and taking control of two west austrian provinces, i could get even +35WS on Austria, and OE had about +30WS as alliance leader as top. At this time Austria was passive, and even OE took control on couple of Austrian provinces. But then OE won the sea, sent Osman army to Veneto, lost vs minor army, lost the sea, and that complete falling down for OE. At the same time i took Guise from Hungary back to Italy, because Farnese moved finally to Italy and started sieging there with massive cav army.

Alba showed at 2nd-3rd year of war in Bearn with assault army and with cav. He took Bearn, Gascogne, but failed in Poutai assault and was kicked back. He wasn`t able to control the region after all.

Farnese started with sieging Marche, but then he got some cannons and 5-10 inf, which was enough for him to assault small forts successfully ! At one point i better the moment, and attacked 35K cav of Farnese by 80K cav of Guise. I saw clearly losing first two days without giving losses to Farnese, retreated, and down to 55K cav. Farnese started to rule region, assalting whole Italy upto to Po river, except Siena. His brough nice reinforcements.

That was very successful year for Habsburgs - Austria kicked OE, and France lost in Italy, not able to send any troops to Austria. 1,5 years left to CRT of France, but i had -47WS on Italy, thanks he didn`t stabhit. Romagna min fort assaulted by me back, -40WS, Farnese is going there and taking it. I showed 30K inf army with Guise in Emilia and started assault (failed), 60K cav was moved from Liguria for support. Farnese lost troops by attrition and attacked me by 45-50K army. Shock phase was nice, i left with 44K cav and 20K inf, Farnese lost to 7K cav. Intercepted him, and Farnese had chances to save his life, but his reinforcement retreated to different ways, so i killed some in Siena, Lazio, Naples and Farnese visit to Naples was deadly for him.

Alba died before that historically after moving to Languedoc, winning there by morale via by big cav army. Winning against it by crossing river in Provence, historically died, and left with almost no troops from those 40K army. Spain didn`t bother me more.

I got new leader when intecepted Farnese - 3-3-4. Assaulting Italy back was unexpectedly nice - failed only 3-4 times and finished clearing whole Italy. But it took time, while Austria finished OE. And less than 1 year before CRT, Austria forced peace OE. I still believe our force peace rule is stupid. Took 4 provs.

When i killed Farnese, i offered all sides global WP, informing i reach LT18 in a year. John refused and said i should work more. Okay, i did.

After reaching LT18 in November 1586, i could mint finally to stand big army. First two assaults of small forts by minor army of 30K inf were not successful, but when new armies came, Austria was fastly smashed without direct combat even. Tirol and Wurtemberg assaulted. Standed in Bavaria. Erz, Ostmark assaulted, Bohemia was failed though. Being John, i could demand much more from him than just returning 4 provs to OE. But i agreed on that.

After that i was going to realize our victory in this defending war, as 2 provs from Spain, but Joohoo offered them alliance WP instead of separate.

AAR cookie: BB reduction.

 

[ArmOrAttAk]

Nice AARs

 

[King John]

The Sultan cedes Venice, Istria, and Carpathia to the Archduke of Austria. Both sides, the Ottoman Empire and Austria agree to a NAP for exactly one century.


Signed, Archduke Rudolf






The monarchs of France and Russia are welcomed to contribute their signatures as well, to bear witness to the terms of this agreement.

 

[Spinalcurve]

The Sultan cedes Venice, Istria, and Carpathia to the Archduke of Austria. Both sides, the Ottoman Empire and Austria agree to a NAP for exactly one century.


Signed, Archduke Rudolf






The monarchs of France and Russia are welcomed to contribute their signatures as well, to bear witness to the terms of this agreement.

Signed by Selim

 

[HolisticGod]

The Tzar's Embassy to Vienna concurs with this concord, and extends His Majesty's most heartfelt joy at this final act toward peace in Europe.

Signed,

Prince Ivan Shuiski
Minister to the Imperial Court at Vienna

 

[King John]

Austria: 1565-1566


"My intelligence reports that the Sultan has once again left his defenses wide open, trusting in his false god to protect him from our invincible armies."

Ferdinand walked to and fro in front of a half circle of military men, in the secret war room. "Franz, it is you who I trust most of all. Your generalship was proven in the Hessen War. Now it is time for you to serve your homeland. I am placing you in command of the forward army charged with rushing their capital."

Franz was already aware of this, of course. It was merely a formality for the sake of the generals and ministers present.

"How much time do you need to prepare an army, and devise a plan that will get you to the city"

A bow. "My lord, I humbly thank you and will do all I can to justify the trust you have placed in me. I have spent years preparing, the plan is ready. I will mass cavalry and ride in a direct path. 15,000 men should be sufficient to hold the countryside and delay their mobilization. We will live off the land. Christians will be encouraged to rebel. Muslims will be shown the vengeance of God, and it will inspire terror that will lead to panic and chaos, a flood of refugees into the city before we envelope it, which will ultimately lead to their starvation and who knows? Maybe they'll capitulate."

"It's a good plan, Franz. You will be provided with as many men as you need. The rest of you will orchestrate the liberation of Hungary. We will begin simultaneous siege's of every major city above the Danube, as well as the province's of Krain and Croatia. Colonel Graf, you will lead your forces through Serbia and Croatia, establishing lines of communication after Franz's advance."

The details of planning and logistics proceeded more slowly than the overlay of strategy and designation of commands, but there was a vibe emanating in that room, elevating the mood and the collective energy as they all visualized the downfall of the Turkic invaders and reestablishment of Christianity, with their names imprinted in the legends of time.

------------


"General, our scouts have returned. There's still no sign of resistance, only scattered bands hiding in castles. They're scared of us, sir"

Upon his high mount, standing atop a hill parallel to the mighty Danube, Franz could see the tips of mountains. That would be Bulgaria, just thirty miles ahead. And then onto the plains of the Aegean and the Byzantine capital.

Byzantines. One hundred and thirteen years since they had ruled over these lands. Or at least, the city itself. If such a mighty empire could lose that jewel of a city to Turks, the chances are good for God's crusaders taking it back, he thought.

Turning to his chief aid, he barked off some orders. We'll pitch camp here for the night, standard watch. Tomorrow we leave at dawn.

It took all of another month getting through the mountain passes. Only one rider died on the way, his horse suddenly collapsing, dropping the man sideways over the side of a cliff. That sort of terrain scares the bejesus out of folks from the river country of Silesia, but nobody anticipates the effect on the horses.

There were no ambushes, not even a sight of resistance. Not that there were a lot of people in these parts at all, and most of them were Christians, but when they emerged into Thrace the sights changed. Mosques in every village, panicky expressions on many officials as they realized who was entering their cities. And for good reason. The first city they entered, the daily call to prayers ended in the burning of a mosque, with many inside, and quite a few fleers bleeding on the streets. It wasn't my intention, thought Franz, but why should I punish my men for showing initiative?

As they came closer to the city, signs of drills and recruitment became apparent. That was hardly a surprise. Nobody expected the Empire to fold just because a bunch of Christians showed up in their shiny suits and their pointy metal helmets. There would be a fight, sooner or later.

"Fan out. We need to scout the area. There ARE troops in the region, and they WILL engage us, but it's likely that they are raw, and that they will be disorganized. We must get to them and disperse them before they have a chance to organize".

Meanwhile, the official orders were to kill on the spot any imams or "holy men" they should come across, along with anybody who resisted the requisition of food and supplies. How many priests had the Muslims slaughtered when they first came? How many innocents had died, or worse, been forced to convert and suffer the fires of Hell? There was nothing the Christians could do to them that they didn't deserve. A week passed by.

-------

"General, we've traced them to Rhegion. We estimate 30,000 men. Plenty of cavalry. More coming in daily. They've got plenty of supplies coming in as well, on ship."

"Sentries?"

"I shot arrows into two of them, and then they swarmed after me. It was like I threw a rock at a bee hive".

Franz spent a moment in thought. "Well, I think it's time we sent these bastards to a nether region".

-------------------------

What a sight. Fourteen thousand helmets and breastplates bristling in the sun. Now, if I could pick one day to turn into a bird, this would have to be it. And then I would go and poop on the heads of the Turks. I wonder what birds think when they see these kinds of formations. What strange animals these humans are. Or no, perhaps not. Birds fly in formation for protection, so do humans. Perhaps they see it the same way we see them when they flock together to migrate. There goes another flock of humans.

Wolfstein, Captain of a regiment of Tirolers, observed Franz sitting upon his jet black steed, sporting a full suit of armor, flanked by all his top aides and his squire, the epitome of chivalry. This was really going to be a story for generations to relive wasn't it, he thought. Franz was going to be a hero of the age, of the ages to come. He would be the next Charles Martel, perhaps ushering in a reconquista of Asia Minor and the Holy Land. What would I be? Another nameless hero. No, I'm going to make a name for myself. I know the business of war. This is going to be my day.

The Bosphorus marked the horizon to the left. About a half mile in front lay the Turkic Army, fully assembled, slowly advancing. As it approached, it became clear that not all were militia. In fact, Janissaries filled the center, also supporting the ends of their left flank. Spahi could be seen wheeling behind, bearing to the north, no doubt intending to flank the Christian right.

Franz had seen this and had his cavalry moved slightly to the right, behind a hedgehog of pike. They waited. Terrain ran slightly upward to their position, so as long as they stayed there, they had the high ground. The Turks, however, were impetuous, almost contemptuous of the Christian positioning, as they steadily marched forward, then went a cry, and another as the heathens screamed to the name of their false god and broke into a charge.


Wolfstein's regiment was out in front, center left. "Steady men. Steady". This is it. Here they come. His pike was up, he was ready. "Deus vault!" Shouted one of the officers. The chant picked up. 50 ft. 30 ft. 20 ft. 5... He took aim at one of the janissaries, jabbed the pike into his face as he charged in. Pulled it back, but the end was hacked off.

Dropping the pike, he picked up his sword and rushed into the crowd of Turks.
It inspired the men, and they fought like madmen. They pushed the enemy back slowly, but the line didn't give. The janissaries are the cream of the Turkish army, he thought. They won't drop their swords and flee. And this was a Turkish delight. What? How do these thoughts enter ones head at a time like this. He sliced the arm off of one about to slay one of his men. There was no time for thanks, your welcome, plenty more arms to hack.

Twenty minutes later, the battle still raged. Bodies were beginning to mount. He was now standing on the top of a pile of Turks, playing king of the hill with two or three at a time. Then he heard the cry of "retreat!!" from the north, where upon looking, he could see Turkish standards waving where once the Austrian line had held.

There was an urge to fight on, to try to change the battle's course, but his men were already wavering. This was not going to be his great day. Where was Franz? Was he killed? Wolfstein made a steady withdrawal, fighting the whole way, until the right flank troops began to mesh with his own, causing panic. As his own men lost their nerve, there was no longer a point in fighting. They all ran, and Wolfstein ran with them.

------------------


6,000 men made it out alive, many of them no longer bearing weapons. It turned out that Franz had sent the cavalry in to deal with the Spahi's, rather than letting them fall on the pike first, and they in turn had sent the cavalry running, with no other place to go, right into the Austrian pike. Amidst the confusion, the Spahi's charged in, easily breaking the line, followed by a torrent of janissaries and militia.

The only thing that mattered now was getting home intact. Shameful as it was, they needed to salvage what they could and deliver it to their brethren, who might yet have a chance of winning this war.


More to come later.

 

[King John]

Nice AARs

Ooh, an audience . I'll have to check my spelling errors from now on

 

[HALNY (HAL)]

Ooh, an audience . I'll have to check my spelling errors from now on

And I will stop to write AARs. I am ashamed to go with my english to public o

 

[unmerged(58575)]

these are some really classy AARs you've never thought of becoming authors?

 

[King John]

Well, we do get paid in the form of BB reduction, and perhaps, perhaps a FAA. It's not the best publishing deal out there but it's enough to get by.