It looks like you've got quite some way to go before Prussia will give you anything of value. Well written story! 
Joe
Joe
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Feedback:
coz1: Well, you see, I actually don't have any cavalry. That's for when I have a larger manpower pool to draw from, because I'm down to three hundred or so reserves. That was the first tradition event I've ever seen, but it let me get a somewhat decent general, so that my monarch doesn't have to command all the battles.
Pommerania is stubborn, and you shall see just how stubborn they are in the next update.
Storey: Thanks for reading, and yes, Prussia is going to take a while.
All: Update coming up.
coz1: Well, you see, I actually don't have any cavalry. That's for when I have a larger manpower pool to draw from, because I'm down to three hundred or so reserves. That was the first tradition event I've ever seen, but it let me get a somewhat decent general, so that my monarch doesn't have to command all the battles.
Pommerania is stubborn, and you shall see just how stubborn they are in the next update.
Storey: Thanks for reading, and yes, Prussia is going to take a while.
All: Update coming up.
The Year of Our Lord Sixteen Hundred Twenty
The following year was not quite as hectic as 1619, but still resulted in much aggravation for Duke Johann. He had hoped to bring the succession war to its conclusion quickly, especially given Austria’s ‘victory’ over the Evangelical Union in the past year. Unfortunately, the obstinacy of Prussia’s allies, and our inability to physically attack Prussia, led to a long, protracted war.
In late January, Duke Johann sent harsh, but somewhat reasonable peace terms to Bogislaw von Wolgast, the regent for Pommerania while Franciszek was under house-arrest.
Von Wolgast sent the emissary back, empty-handed, and Duke Johann finally realized that the war would not be quick, and was far from over. Duke Johann led the army out of Pommerania, towards Lüneburg. The province was taken by Mecklenburg, with the aid of some Saxon troops, but the Duke of Oldenburg defeated our liegemen, and rebesieged the undermanned fortress. The Duke marched to the aid of the beleaguered garrison.
It was then, I suggested a unique stratagem to the Duke. Why should we not ask the Duke of Lüneburg to become our vassal, as he wished to reduce the suffering of his people? Thus, Oldenburg would no longer directly threaten our allies. Duke Johann thought it a good plan, and ordered me to Lüneburg to negotiate the terms. As I suspected, the Duke of Lüneburg was a reasonable man, unlike his allies. He agreed to swear fealty to Duke Johann, and pay a small indemnity to cover the war costs. He also recognized the Duke as Lord of Mecklenburg and Lübeck, something that carried much weight in neutral courts.
By mid-February, the Duke moved his forces into Lüneburg, and engaged in a short battle with the outnumbered Oldenburgers, in which the Duke was victorious. He pursued the armies of Oldenburg back to their capital, and defeated them there. Thus began the eight month-siege of Oldenburg.
After the fall of Oldenburg, Duke Johann sent another peace offer to von Wolgast, with slightly more lenient terms. Unfortunately, the legendary Pommeranian stubbornness still ran strong.
The Duke was surprised, in late October, to receive a letter from Count von Goeben, a major Lord within the province Oldenburg. His letter expressed his admiration for Duke Johann’s character and leadership. It went on to indicate that the nobility of Oldenburg would be quite happy to be directly ruled by Duke Johann. The Duke kept this in mind, and within two weeks, demanded full annexation of Oldenburg from the First Estate of the province of Oldenburg. Though it was nearly unanimously accepted, I warned the Duke of the consequences to reputation that annexation could entail.
By November, Ferdinand broke his truce with Friedrich von Wittelsbach, declaring war on the Palatinate. This shocked Germany, and prompted Duke Johann to order the hiring of Hessian mercenaries to provide a first line of defense in case of Hapsburg attack.
The Holy Day came once more, and though progress had been made, Christian still fought Christian. This conflict must be displeasing to the Lord, but we are mere mortals, and are bound to the wheel; forced to labor until we die.
The Duke was surprised, in late October, to receive a letter from Count von Goeben, a major Lord within the province Oldenburg. His letter expressed his admiration for Duke Johann’s character and leadership. It went on to indicate that the nobility of Oldenburg would be quite happy to be directly ruled by Duke Johann. The Duke kept this in mind, and within two weeks, demanded full annexation of Oldenburg from the First Estate of the province of Oldenburg. Though it was nearly unanimously accepted, I warned the Duke of the consequences to reputation that annexation could entail.
By November, Ferdinand broke his truce with Friedrich von Wittelsbach, declaring war on the Palatinate. This shocked Germany, and prompted Duke Johann to order the hiring of Hessian mercenaries to provide a first line of defense in case of Hapsburg attack.
The Holy Day came once more, and though progress had been made, Christian still fought Christian. This conflict must be displeasing to the Lord, but we are mere mortals, and are bound to the wheel; forced to labor until we die.
Pommern seems to be really stubborn. Hopefully war doesn't last too long anymore. You soon need peace inorder to prepare for war against Catholics.
So that war seems mostly successful. But other wars threaten anew. I get the feeling thus far all has been just a prelude.
Pommern sure is stubborn, glad to see you have forced the other countries into peace, but you soon have to force Pommern to accept peace also or else you might get hit by the warmongering Ferdinand also…
Well, you are asking for a bit much. That first peace offer was over 100%!
But in time they will give in, I suspect. Now what is this with Austria...
But in time they will give in, I suspect. Now what is this with Austria...
My those Pomeranian's are a stubborn lot. Nice end run on Oldenburg by way of Luneburg. So, now that the big one is here, do you give up on Pomerania or finish them off befor getting involved?
I have returned! Thank you all who are still hanging around. I must apologize, as I've had a very stressful past few weeks. But, now, an update arrives.
Feedback:
Olaus Petrus: That's certainly true. I think the sole reason why they haven't capitulated is because of those two damned boats in the Baltic. Still, it's time to cut the war short, even if it results in a less favorable peace.
stnylan: Yes, you happen to be standing in the middle of the prelude. Once this war ends, the real one begins.
Lord E: As you shall see, I have kept an eye on Austria throughout this war. For some reason, I refuse to trust the motives of a country which insists on maintaining a twenty thousand man army on my border.
coz1: Me, impose a brutal peace!? Never! My demands are going down, so as to wrap up the war. This still leaves an unconquered Prussia I cannot reach.
grayghost: As I've hinted in my previous feedback, some form of resolution to Pommerania will take place. However, Austria is quickly becoming more powerful than I can hope to stand. It will be an interesting next couple years.
Update coming in the next few moments.
Feedback:
Olaus Petrus: That's certainly true. I think the sole reason why they haven't capitulated is because of those two damned boats in the Baltic. Still, it's time to cut the war short, even if it results in a less favorable peace.
stnylan: Yes, you happen to be standing in the middle of the prelude. Once this war ends, the real one begins.
Lord E: As you shall see, I have kept an eye on Austria throughout this war. For some reason, I refuse to trust the motives of a country which insists on maintaining a twenty thousand man army on my border.
coz1: Me, impose a brutal peace!? Never! My demands are going down, so as to wrap up the war. This still leaves an unconquered Prussia I cannot reach.
grayghost: As I've hinted in my previous feedback, some form of resolution to Pommerania will take place. However, Austria is quickly becoming more powerful than I can hope to stand. It will be an interesting next couple years.
Update coming in the next few moments.
The Year of Our Lord Sixteen Hundred Twenty-One
Part One
Part One
Observers throughout Europe watched with horror at the dual wars ripping the Holy Roman Empire apart. Of the two, the struggle between Hapsburg and Wittelsbach captured the passions of the continent. The fanatic Romanists and Protestants saw in it a grand religious contest to decide the future of Protestantism in Europe. Sixteen Hundred Twenty-One began the dry years for the Protestant cause. Friedrich’s armies continued to harass the Imperial forces, but were heavily outnumbered. Von Mercy, von Wallenstein, and Tilly were masters of the Art of War, and won every pitched battle with the Protestant forces. Friedrich, realizing the ever increasing armies bearing down upon him, realized he must resolve the conflict, and quickly.
Breisgau, an outlying dominion of the Hapsburgs, was Friedrich’s target. He besieged it with the majority of his troops, leaving just a couple detachments to slow down the Romanist advance.
Ferdinand quickly reacted to this violation of his demesne, and sent Tilly with fifteen thousand men across Würzburg and Bavaria, intimidating the Catholic League into alliance against Friedrich. Von Wallenstein took twelve thousand men towards Ansbach, and was joined by six thousand South German auxiliaries. This army easily swept Friedrich’s screening forces aside, and besieged the fortress.
Despite Saxony’s unpreparedness for conflict with Austria, Ferdinand insisted that von Mercy remain in Prague with twenty thousand men, both to discourage Bohemian insurgents and to defend the border with Saxony. To Duke Johann, this was excessive. The ‘defensive’ army outnumbered that of all Saxony by a factor of four. Reverend Böhme used this provocation to begin advocating the oppression of the small Romanist minority within the Duchy. At this time, he made little headway, but as Saxony’s situation worsened, even the Duke could not resist the temptation to consolidate his power.
Frederick looks to be in deep doodoo. Even if he takes Breisgau, if Tilly and Wallenstein converge he's toast. The duke better do something fast or the protestant cause is going to nosedive.
Friedrich will pull out a victory, I hope. Dangerous times, but that very confusion means lots can still happen, good and bad.
Rensslaer
Rensslaer
Twenty thousand men on your boarder These Austrians sure can’t be trusted, that is one large army that I am sure they could have used on other fronts if it hadn’t been for the fact that they are probably planning something evil, something very evil…
These Austrians sure can’t be trusted, that is one large army that I am sure they could have used on other fronts if it hadn’t been for the fact that they are probably planning something evil, something very evil…
Alright, second part of the update is ready.
Feedback:
grayghost: Even if they don't converge, he's toast. However, due to a quirk in the military access rules and separate peace arrangements, Friedrich will stay alive. More on that later.
Rensslaer: Austria seems a monster to me, but I guess that's due to Franco-Swedish neutrality. No Protestant champion as of yet.
Lord E: Over the course of the year, it increased from twenty thousand to about twenty-eight thousand. I have no idea where he's getting the troops, but if the Ottomans stir up some trouble, I figure I have a good shot at Austria.
Second part will be up in moments. Thanks for reading, everyone.
Feedback:
grayghost: Even if they don't converge, he's toast. However, due to a quirk in the military access rules and separate peace arrangements, Friedrich will stay alive. More on that later.
Rensslaer: Austria seems a monster to me, but I guess that's due to Franco-Swedish neutrality. No Protestant champion as of yet.
Lord E: Over the course of the year, it increased from twenty thousand to about twenty-eight thousand. I have no idea where he's getting the troops, but if the Ottomans stir up some trouble, I figure I have a good shot at Austria.
Second part will be up in moments. Thanks for reading, everyone.
The Year of Our Lord Sixteen Hundred Twenty-One
Part Two
Part Two
The War of Mecklenburgian Succession worried the rest of Protestant Christendom. They did not fancy Protestant warring with Protestant while Ferdinand von Hapsburg ripped apart the Protestant champion. Duke Johann was painfully aware of this. I am of the belief that had there been an honorable way to avoid this war, the Duke would have taken it. Unfortunately, the jealous Duke of Prussia left Johann no choice in the matter. The King of Denmark came to Leipzig on behalf of the Evangelical Union to seek a mediated settlement between Saxony and Prussia.
King Christian and Duke Johann were of a like mind, that the war was draining Protestantism of her vitality to fight the Romanists for her rights. As such, there was little discussion needed on the matter. Saxony had clearly won the war against four Dukes by herself with some help from Mecklenburg. The captured Duke of Pommerania, Franciszek, attended the discussions between Christian and Johann. He was most amenable to the formation of an alliance with Saxony once the succession war ended. He requested I send word to von Wolgast that a truce had been signed between Duke Johann and himself. I, of course, complied to his request.
I did not know it until after the treaty-signing, but Franciszek was so impressed with Duke Johann’s Christian attitude towards the war, that he offered to swear fealty to the new, rising leader of the Protestant cause in Germany.
An emissary also left Leipzig for Königsberg, to secure a status quo peace with Prussia.
Through the rest of the year, Duke Johann focused on bringing his former enemies into an alliance against Austria.
By the end of the year, Friedrich von Wittelsbach’s pleas for aid became more and more shrill as his lands were occupied by the Romanist forces. Though these pleas tore at Duke Johann’s heart, Saxony was not yet ready for war. Entering against Austria before having a prospect of victory would be the height of rashness. King Christian, however, unthreatened by Imperial armies, joined Friedrich’s war with the Hapsburgs.
Good to see you got peace with your enemies; you shouldn’t fight against other Protestants when there is the evil Catholic emperor to fight against… Your alliances is increasing and soon you will stand strong and united as a Protestant leader fighting against Austria, shall be interesting to see if Christian can do well, but I fear it will end like it did in real history, with a great defeat.
Maybe it's to soon but when you've conquered and claimed a sea province will you colonize to enlarge your treasury?
You need a continuous path from your capital to the sea to colonize, so just Oldenburg doesn't cut it.FlorisDeVijfde said: