As we enter into 1453 we’re given the opportunity to host a joust! I kind of like the idea of increasing the Morale of Brandenburg’s armies by 10% for 20 years, increasing Army Tradition, and increasing yearly Prestige.
We couldn’t easily afford the 21 ducats, and from what you’ve been saying I’m not so sure about the Admin Power. But it seemed worth it to get the improvements to my military, considering I intend to be at war from time to time and there are some empires around me that aren’t exactly slouches.
Honestly I had to ask you what the Splendor is. I understand it is gained over time, I think boosted depending on achieving missions(?), and can be used to purchase perks, which are specific to each “age” (of history). Maybe I’ll get to use some more Splendor and purchase something-or-other in the next couple of updates.
Speaking of not-slouches, Behemoth Lithuania is there, and we decide to improve relations with them to head off any unforeseen troubles in the future.
In 1454 the now tiny little Wolgast allies with Brunswick, one of my rivals. That could prove an irritation if/when we go to war with Brunswick. It could also prove quite handy in rounding out Brandenburg’s northern coastlines.
Charles I comes to power in a goodly portion of Europe relatively nearby to me. Burgundy isn’t a major concern for me right now, or so I think, but it bears minding. We begin improving relations with Burgundy.
And we get a new Pope in September 1454. Clemens VII issues a Papal Bull to increase liberality. The Renaissance begins to spread more quickly, and Florence embraces it. It’ll take a while to migrate north.
In November I decided to rebalance the Crown Lands, and ticked a lot of folks off. Most notably the Clergy, and this precipitated a revolt (which I had expected and prepared for). The rebels were quickly put down.
During 1455 Friedrich II did make some efforts toward improving the economy, and by the end of the year our monthly income had increased to a more comfortable level. The younger Friedrich, the Crown Prince, also acquired the Strict trait, improving Bandenburg’s Discipline for once he takes power.
The Pope excommunicated the ruler of Venice, but we barely took notice…
In 1456 there was a silly revolt that caused us a fair amount of trouble, but which was eventually resolved. Also in that year Denmark annexed Holstein, which didn’t make Friedrich II particularly happy.
Also that year Friedrich II resolved that he was going to undertake some diplomatic ventures with regard to the Holy Roman Empire. For the next couple of years (and beyond?) Brandenburg sent envoys to improve relations with each of the HRE Electors, in hopes of someday having more influence with regard to the Emperor.
In 1456 Castile conquers Granada, evicting the Mohammedans from the Iberian Peninsula.
And Brandenburg adds a second +1 advisor, improving Administration this time.
In 1457 Austria embraces the Renaissance, first, and later Sweden. It’s coming to Brandenburg too, but slowly.
That same year Friedrich II decides to accept an alliance with Wurttemberg, thinking that it might come in handy. There was another annoying rebellion – this time in Stralsund – killing more of my soldiers and taking some time to put down.
Many of you had advised a race to improve tech levels, and this was one that I had pursued prior to your advice. But in the future I will be more deliberate about chasing these jewels. I’ve always understood how important technology improvements are in Paradox games, but for some reason I allowed myself to get distracted by the many other uses of Power Points. In 1457 we may be a little late for acquiring Pike Squares, but I still think I’m ahead of almost everyone.
Our pursuit of better relations with HRE Electors is coming along well. By the beginning of 1458 we have 166 relations with the Palatinate, second only to the current Emperor’s Austria. We’re at 171 with Trier – only 34 points behind Austria. We’re Cologne’s 3rd choice, but still very respectable.
The Iberian Wedding occurs, and Castile enters a Personal Union with Aragon and Navarre. It had briefly fallen out of Great Power status, but now regains its place.
And meanwhile a new Pope (again!) is elected – Innocentius VIII.
As time wore on toward the final quarter of 1458, Friedrich II started to feel like it was time to test out his army and their new Pike Squares in combat. It had been 7 years since the war with Wolgast. Friedrich had been itching to take Rostock, Brandenburg’s core within the Kingdom of Mecklenburg.
But Mecklenburg had friends. Luneburg (meh) and Scotland (hmm) and Poland (Hmmm…). And, of course, it appeared that Poland would take their side if there were conflict, and not ours (Brandenburg also having a current alliance with Poland).
Then there was another possibility. Stettin was an irritating enclave into otherwise Prussian territory…
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