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Email is back online and working flawlessly as possible. Seems a corrupt rule to prevent updates from the Diana Ross fan club created all my problems. Go figure!
Now all my 40,000+ email users are happy and content, and I can play again.
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After a nice, quiet winter, the year of our Lord 1500 actually started on April 1st, when our artisans became unhappy at the prospects of a prolonged war with Hungary, Austria, Bohemia, Wurtemberg, Lorraine and Bavaria; and no allies in sight. A decided one-half of our infrastructure investment was totally lost. It was a frustrating time for everyone.
But, as providence would have it, on the anniversary of my father’s birth, June 6th, that old scoundrel Ivan sent an emissary all the way from Moscow to invite us to his alliance with Venice, Ryazan, and Pskov. Such friendship and good fortune could not in good conscience be scoffed, and our Lord Protector responded in the affirmative without delay. His good spirits did not stop there, however, and despite my misgivings, on June 9th our Skargardsflotten of ~25 ships, both warships and transports, made its way to Kalmar Strait to load an army of 5,000 under General Dufwa for transport. The Lord Protector’s plan is to move through Hannover and Saxony and strike at the heart of Bohemia. It was an impulsive act, poorly planned and predestined to failure.
Dufwa did not arrive in the German Bight until September 21st, and although he wasted no time in getting moving, he insisted that the Skargardsflotten remain on patrol on the Bight instead of finding port. On October 6th, Saxony sued for peace with Austria, paying 118d for the privilege. On November 16th, Saxony paid for peace again, this time with Bavaria. By the time Dufwa managed to make his way to Hannover from Oldenburg on November 26th, the war was pretty much over, what with Saxony withdrawing early like they did, and he had no other choice but to start making his laborious way back to Sweden the following morning. I would recount the losses on this abortive attempt at a military venture, but my imbecilic secretary has managed to lose my notes as regards this period, and I must simply state that I remember that losses in warships from stormy weather was somewhere in the range of 3 to 5. I totally forget the loss of men that resulted from disease and hardship on the march and at sea, but I know it was not inconsiderable.
Imbecile! If you were not my own sister’s blood …
The entire year of 1501 was so uneventful that it almost eludes memory entire. Three changes only make the year even mentionable, and they were not insignificant in the least. The Svea Lifgarde saw a new leader in Bishop Hemming Gadh on the same day that Aleksander Jagiellonczyk became the new king of Poland-Lithuania, on January 1st. And then on November 16th, Hans was deposed, disgraced because of the debacle with Dufwa and his disastrous expedition. Sir Sten Sture Sjoblad, my friend and a true nobleman, was once again called upon to head our country.
January 7th, 1502 rolled around in the snow, allowing me the satisfaction of knowing that we had managed a royal marriage with Saxony (VP).
[OOC]-At the same time, the game indicates a FAILURE to keep Russia out of Scandinavia. Was it because of our alliance, or was there some province or provinces we were to take away from Russia to prevent that failure? That was a –33 in VP![/OOC]
Then in March of 1502 I realize the major achievement that has been made. My poor Sweden, home of all that is important to me, is truly a safe and stable country. (Stability +3!) It is on March 21st that we hear of the annexation of Holstein by Denmark.
Summer is warm and peaceful. The days are full of yellow sunshine and our people work hard as bees. The results of their labor are seen on October 1st, when we see a new quality gun become available for our proud navy. (Naval Tech 3 to Early Guns)
Sir Sjoblad, always looking to improve the lot of his country, helped to form a royal marriage with Cologne on Jan. 9th of 1503, still seeking allies for the necessity of war with our Danish neighbors, only to see his plans thrown awry on Feb.5th when Russia declares war against Kazan. I initially make the mistake of feeling sorry for the people of Kazan. Venice dishonors the alliance with Russia, which is to be expected of those people, living on the sea the way that they do. It is all so unnatural! Sir Sjoblad, caught by surprise, does little, but under pressure to bring Russian relations to a new high, personally helps to arrange a royal marriage with one of Ivan’s less hated nephews. All of which comes off quite elegantly on Aug.8th, 1503.
Our land tech improves to level 4 on Sept. 1st, when our army commanders learn the fine art of artillery support.
On November 1, 1503, Turkey, Hannover and Sweden have to sign a White Peace with Austria due to lack of interest in the war, and our inability to reach our enemies in a graceful and potent manner.
So it was in December when my good friend Sjoblad made his way to Jönköping. On the 14th, news arrived of his death. Saddened immensely, yet all too aware of my duties, I oversaw the investure of Svante Sture Natt och Dag as our new Regent. While his official election did not take place until January, the new Lord Protector was in place and performing his duties by Dec. 16th.
Svante Nilsson, as he was more commonly called, as his first official act gave his blessing upon the royal marriage compact with Austria, our former foes from our misadventure with the Turks, on January 3rd of 1504. On May 1st, he further received the benefit of my hard work with Sir Sjoblad, when diplomatic efforts with Geneva pay off in improved relations with that distant nation (+25). The man then proceeded to sit back upon his laurels.
In January of 1507, after having done little to nothing on his own, Svante receives a commendation for keeping Nyland within the borders of Sweden (+20 VP). Hmph! And then, of all things, the man is presented with a present of 400 ducats from his fellow nobles and the more prominent businessmen. A Gift of State, they called it! The gnome then proceeded to use their “gift” to begin promoting bailiffs around the region so that tax collection would proceed more efficiently. Served the group proper, I say! Svealand, Vastergotland, Gastrikland, and Nyland (ha!) all saw promotions that June. And then, the man proceeds to dilly-dally with affairs of court, paying little heed to anything else.
Those were dark years for me. I had little to do at all. The year 1510 saw the Regent develop and enthusiastic interest in the Navy, and 7 new ships were ordered. Delivery saw a large celebration on June 1st, where the braggart made a pompous speech regarding the great destiny of the Swedish peoples. I got drunk.
News reached me on the 1st of January 1512 of Martin Luther and his Reformation. Such caught my imagination as little had in years. Then, as if in answer to a prayer, I am ashamed to say, Svante returned to the Lord, and Sten Sture the Younger was elected as Lord Protector of Sweden, praise be the day! Little did I realize at the time just how much change was to come from that day.
Email is back online and working flawlessly as possible. Seems a corrupt rule to prevent updates from the Diana Ross fan club created all my problems. Go figure!
Now all my 40,000+ email users are happy and content, and I can play again.________________________________________________
After a nice, quiet winter, the year of our Lord 1500 actually started on April 1st, when our artisans became unhappy at the prospects of a prolonged war with Hungary, Austria, Bohemia, Wurtemberg, Lorraine and Bavaria; and no allies in sight. A decided one-half of our infrastructure investment was totally lost. It was a frustrating time for everyone.
But, as providence would have it, on the anniversary of my father’s birth, June 6th, that old scoundrel Ivan sent an emissary all the way from Moscow to invite us to his alliance with Venice, Ryazan, and Pskov. Such friendship and good fortune could not in good conscience be scoffed, and our Lord Protector responded in the affirmative without delay. His good spirits did not stop there, however, and despite my misgivings, on June 9th our Skargardsflotten of ~25 ships, both warships and transports, made its way to Kalmar Strait to load an army of 5,000 under General Dufwa for transport. The Lord Protector’s plan is to move through Hannover and Saxony and strike at the heart of Bohemia. It was an impulsive act, poorly planned and predestined to failure.
Dufwa did not arrive in the German Bight until September 21st, and although he wasted no time in getting moving, he insisted that the Skargardsflotten remain on patrol on the Bight instead of finding port. On October 6th, Saxony sued for peace with Austria, paying 118d for the privilege. On November 16th, Saxony paid for peace again, this time with Bavaria. By the time Dufwa managed to make his way to Hannover from Oldenburg on November 26th, the war was pretty much over, what with Saxony withdrawing early like they did, and he had no other choice but to start making his laborious way back to Sweden the following morning. I would recount the losses on this abortive attempt at a military venture, but my imbecilic secretary has managed to lose my notes as regards this period, and I must simply state that I remember that losses in warships from stormy weather was somewhere in the range of 3 to 5. I totally forget the loss of men that resulted from disease and hardship on the march and at sea, but I know it was not inconsiderable.
Imbecile! If you were not my own sister’s blood …
The entire year of 1501 was so uneventful that it almost eludes memory entire. Three changes only make the year even mentionable, and they were not insignificant in the least. The Svea Lifgarde saw a new leader in Bishop Hemming Gadh on the same day that Aleksander Jagiellonczyk became the new king of Poland-Lithuania, on January 1st. And then on November 16th, Hans was deposed, disgraced because of the debacle with Dufwa and his disastrous expedition. Sir Sten Sture Sjoblad, my friend and a true nobleman, was once again called upon to head our country.
January 7th, 1502 rolled around in the snow, allowing me the satisfaction of knowing that we had managed a royal marriage with Saxony (VP).
[OOC]-At the same time, the game indicates a FAILURE to keep Russia out of Scandinavia. Was it because of our alliance, or was there some province or provinces we were to take away from Russia to prevent that failure? That was a –33 in VP![/OOC]
Then in March of 1502 I realize the major achievement that has been made. My poor Sweden, home of all that is important to me, is truly a safe and stable country. (Stability +3!) It is on March 21st that we hear of the annexation of Holstein by Denmark.
Summer is warm and peaceful. The days are full of yellow sunshine and our people work hard as bees. The results of their labor are seen on October 1st, when we see a new quality gun become available for our proud navy. (Naval Tech 3 to Early Guns)
Sir Sjoblad, always looking to improve the lot of his country, helped to form a royal marriage with Cologne on Jan. 9th of 1503, still seeking allies for the necessity of war with our Danish neighbors, only to see his plans thrown awry on Feb.5th when Russia declares war against Kazan. I initially make the mistake of feeling sorry for the people of Kazan. Venice dishonors the alliance with Russia, which is to be expected of those people, living on the sea the way that they do. It is all so unnatural! Sir Sjoblad, caught by surprise, does little, but under pressure to bring Russian relations to a new high, personally helps to arrange a royal marriage with one of Ivan’s less hated nephews. All of which comes off quite elegantly on Aug.8th, 1503.
Our land tech improves to level 4 on Sept. 1st, when our army commanders learn the fine art of artillery support.
On November 1, 1503, Turkey, Hannover and Sweden have to sign a White Peace with Austria due to lack of interest in the war, and our inability to reach our enemies in a graceful and potent manner.
So it was in December when my good friend Sjoblad made his way to Jönköping. On the 14th, news arrived of his death. Saddened immensely, yet all too aware of my duties, I oversaw the investure of Svante Sture Natt och Dag as our new Regent. While his official election did not take place until January, the new Lord Protector was in place and performing his duties by Dec. 16th.
Svante Nilsson, as he was more commonly called, as his first official act gave his blessing upon the royal marriage compact with Austria, our former foes from our misadventure with the Turks, on January 3rd of 1504. On May 1st, he further received the benefit of my hard work with Sir Sjoblad, when diplomatic efforts with Geneva pay off in improved relations with that distant nation (+25). The man then proceeded to sit back upon his laurels.
In January of 1507, after having done little to nothing on his own, Svante receives a commendation for keeping Nyland within the borders of Sweden (+20 VP). Hmph! And then, of all things, the man is presented with a present of 400 ducats from his fellow nobles and the more prominent businessmen. A Gift of State, they called it! The gnome then proceeded to use their “gift” to begin promoting bailiffs around the region so that tax collection would proceed more efficiently. Served the group proper, I say! Svealand, Vastergotland, Gastrikland, and Nyland (ha!) all saw promotions that June. And then, the man proceeds to dilly-dally with affairs of court, paying little heed to anything else.
Those were dark years for me. I had little to do at all. The year 1510 saw the Regent develop and enthusiastic interest in the Navy, and 7 new ships were ordered. Delivery saw a large celebration on June 1st, where the braggart made a pompous speech regarding the great destiny of the Swedish peoples. I got drunk.
News reached me on the 1st of January 1512 of Martin Luther and his Reformation. Such caught my imagination as little had in years. Then, as if in answer to a prayer, I am ashamed to say, Svante returned to the Lord, and Sten Sture the Younger was elected as Lord Protector of Sweden, praise be the day! Little did I realize at the time just how much change was to come from that day.
