Knights of St. John

[Range]

I can't believe you are fast approaching the end date! Hmm... I see the Byzantines still hold Thrace!

Btw, I've played as the Knights before, and I got stomped within 9 years!

It's often the luck of the draw in smaller nations, or kingdoms...The Turks could have easily taken me out early as well. As for Byzantines they haven't been too kindly to me over the years. Don't be mad if I take them over...but, I'll give them one chance. I won't start a war against them, but if they go to war against me twice. So, they should be safe.

 

[volksmarschall]

It's often the luck of the draw in smaller nations, or kingdoms...The Turks could have easily taken me out early as well. As for Byzantines they haven't been too kindly to me over the years. Don't be mad if I take them over...but, I'll give them one chance. I won't start a war against them, but if they go to war against me twice. So, they should be safe.

I actually find playing as small nations to be most beneficial because one learns the game better imo. With large and powerful countries, you can not fully understand the micromanagement characteristics of the game and do very well because of the starting power and benefits - while with small nations, you really need to learn the game quick if you are going to survive. My favorite campaign I played (am still playing) is with Gelre! Turning them into the Netherlands by the 1530s!

 

[1anrs]

I actually find playing as small nations to be most beneficial because one learns the game better imo. With large and powerful countries, you can not fully understand the micromanagement characteristics of the game and do very well because of the starting power and benefits - while with small nations, you really need to learn the game quick if you are going to survive...

+1 - except I find Sweden rather good too. You have to work really hard to keep money and manpower into any decent state and you also start with colonies and unfortified provinces. I've never started as a very small country yet as I don't think I am quite good enough but I have failed miserably as Denmark in the first few decades a few times

 

[Range]

I actually find playing as small nations to be most beneficial because one learns the game better imo. With large and powerful countries, you can not fully understand the micromanagement characteristics of the game and do very well because of the starting power and benefits - while with small nations, you really need to learn the game quick if you are going to survive. My favorite campaign I played (am still playing) is with Gelre! Turning them into the Netherlands by the 1530s!

Great job...with Gelre! And, you're right about learning all the ends and outs when playing a smaller nation, or kingdom. Also, the trouble I find with a large nation is that there are too many points to take care of right from the start. I like to build a nation...while trying to survive with no resources. With France, and England, you know you're going to survive.

+1 - except I find Sweden rather good too. You have to work really hard to keep money and manpower into any decent state and you also start with colonies and unfortified provinces. I've never started as a very small country yet as I don't think I am quite good enough but I have failed miserably as Denmark in the first few decades a few times

I've got to try Sweden. Their tough, because of the lack of prosperous provinces, manpower, a union to get out of...and, they're strung out and around.

 

[volksmarschall]

+1 - except I find Sweden rather good too. You have to work really hard to keep money and manpower into any decent state and you also start with colonies and unfortified provinces. I've never started as a very small country yet as I don't think I am quite good enough but I have failed miserably as Denmark in the first few decades a few times

I agree, Sweden was the first country I played as in the EU series. Since they don't have a massive money revenue base in the beginning of the game. I, however, sometimes like to challenge myself with the "major powers" and play - what I call "semi-historical". For example, with Austria, I won't take Burgundy - will attempt to preserve as much of the HRE as possible (try to keep all the princes and electors alive), and keep the balance of power in Europe. Yet, I say semi because I am of course trying to "win" by having the highest score, and the borders don't necessarily have to reflect what they really were. But I really enjoy those types of games. Same thing in the TW series, I simply don't find WC and stomping over the enemy in every battle to be enjoyable.

I've got to try Sweden. Their tough, because of the lack of prosperous provinces, manpower, a union to get out of...and, they're strung out and around.

Perhaps we shall see Range ruling from Stockholm and getting crowned in the Uppsala Cathedral?!

 

[1anrs]

...I've got to try Sweden. Their tough, because of the lack of prosperous provinces, manpower, a union to get out of...and, they're strung out and around.

I would encourage you to do so, I had great fun. I basically rushed Denmark at the beginning and eventually controlled the whole of the Baltic and Eastern Europe down the Adriatic. Perhaps make an AAR out of it

I agree, Sweden was the first country I played as in the EU series. Since they don't have a massive money revenue base in the beginning of the game...
Perhaps we shall see Range ruling from Stockholm and getting crowned in the Uppsala Cathedral?!

Brilliant idea, I would definitely second it.

 

[Range]

Range as king of Sweden...not a chance guys. Range likes pulling the strings. Besides Range never gets involved in politics...okay maybe at times there's a need for him to get involved.

That sure is a beautiful church. Maybe there's a storyline there somewhere.

 

[Range]

KNIGHTS OF ST. JOHN

Entry 66​

Range, stirred up a hornet’s nest. I wonder what the Grand Marshal is going to say about this?

“Tell me…he’s not starting up again!” The Grand Marshal fumed.

“In taking Van…Range is only making things worse,” said the Grand Marshal within the safety of Manhattan.

News reached Range that a very large force of Persians were advancing. “We’ll meet them in Mosul,” said Range.

“What about the Bulgarians. They’re advancing on Nis.”

“Rose will stop them.”

“What good does he think he’s accomplishing?" The Grand Marshal's words flashed. "This purging must stop.”

Rose did stop them. "How many men did we lose Major Sloan," asked Rose.

"Nine in all, General Wignacourt."

"It's a shame we lost any at all."

"Yes, sir...I mean.."

"Take Care of business captain."

Back in Manhattan:

“I warned him!” Screamed the Grand Marshall.

“But, sir, the army follows Range.”

“You are so wrong general.”

“Our army follows God”

But, the purging went on.

“Now, Bulgaria…when does it end?” The Grand marshal cried out.

“General, he’s tearing our people apart.”

“Many say, he’s doing God’s will.”

“No, General…he’s insane.”

All so many miles away:

"Byzantium...what are they thinking," roared Range. Of course, Range knew one way to draw a country into war was to go to war against that nation's ally. Bulgaria was the Byzantine's Empire's ally.

 

[volksmarschall]

The Battle of Nis looks like a lopsided engagement! In such cases, I always like to think I forced the army to surrender, sort of like Napoleon against Mack at Ulm, but then again, since I have an obsession with the history-book AAR, that might explain that!

A great victory over Bulgaria nonetheless! Damn the Byzantines, they brought upon their own decline and fall! :glare:

 

[AsdfeZxcas]

Sack Constantinople! Again!

 

[Range]

The Battle of Nis looks like a lopsided engagement! In such cases, I always like to think I forced the army to surrender, sort of like Napoleon against Mack at Ulm, but then again, since I have an obsession with the history-book AAR, that might explain that!


A great victory over Bulgaria nonetheless! Damn the Byzantines, they brought upon their own decline and fall! :glare:

Your history would be just fine here as well. Should I give them another chance?

Sack Constantinople! Again!

There's no hiding the fact...they're in the way.

 

[volksmarschall]

Your history would be just fine here as well. Should I give them another chance?

You should crush them! No reason to let me change how you should play the game!

 

[Range]

You should crush them! No reason to let me change how you should play the game!

Crush...kill...destroy...crush...kill...destroy...

 

[Range]

KNIGHTS OF ST. JOHN

Entry 67​

Range received a communicate form Grand Marshall. In reading it, Range howled up to the moon in anger. “Grand Marshal, The Sovereign Head of the Knights Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem…as if he’s been instrumental in bringing peace to the holy land…”

The Grand Marshall had forbid Range from taking any other lands…under the threat of death if Range went against his command.

“What are we to do other than accept the Grand Marshal’s wishes?” I asked Range.

“We’ll take as much land as there is time to fight for it," he replied. "We’ll just not take full ownership of the land until the bitter end of our journey."

“We’re we the cause of this war?”

“And, what did we do to merit this enemy?”

“Neither do we want their land. We’ll settle for a white peace.”

He was murdered,but by whom? We have many enemies.

With our infamy being so high…we couldn’t possibility take additional lands.

 

[AsdfeZxcas]

What are you talking about, can't take more land? SACK CONSTANINOPLE AGAIN! AGAIN!

 

[volksmarschall]

“Neither do we want their land. We’ll settle for a white peace.”

I suppose you did that just for me!

I am still amazed at how far you taken the Knights in this game!

 

[blsteen]

Ah the Grandmaster seems to be flummoxed by Range...Meck should have had some cash

 

[Range]

What are you talking about, can't take more land? SACK CONSTANINOPLE AGAIN! AGAIN!

Well, I gave them a chance.

I suppose you did that just for me!

I am still amazed at how far you taken the Knights in this game!

It was a lot of fun. As for Constantinople...the game isn't over. They can still mess up.

Ah the Grandmaster seems to be flummoxed by Range...Meck should have had some cash

Bewildered, or perplexed...or has he just forgotten what the Knights are supposed to do?

 

[Range]

KNIGHTS OF ST. JOHN

Entry 68​

Range is forever telling me I would be going home soon…as he had to the others. “I thought you knew,” I told him. “I can never go back…for I only have such a little time left.”

Then today, Range came to me to say I was going on a little trip. “It’s all set.”

“What is?” I asked.

“You’re going up line…way up line. And, when you return everything with you will be fine…no more sickness…you’ll be cured.”

I just stared at him not saying a word. How could he not remember that I had no one alive in my world…cured, or not, if I returned to my world, I would be alone in a land of strangers. I had hoped he would keep me around as his little sis, as he liked calling me.

Sir Farly

Sir Farly would accompany to the time far up line, where a cure awaited me. We were gone for what was weeks, but when we returned no time had passed at all. We returned mere moments after we have set off. But, now I was completely cured.

So close to the end of the journey there was very little time left for everything Range intended to do.

At times, it was nearly impossible when one war ended and another started.

All kingdoms seemed to line up to be take a beating.

“This time, we’ll be rid of them,” Range vowed.

I’ve had enough of them.

That’s all she wrote…the Ottoman Empire is gone.

 

[AsdfeZxcas]

The Ottomans are dead! All hail the Knights!