Wallachia's Destruction

[Duuk]

Ok, still new to EU and learning what works and what doesn't. This AAR would be a pretty good example of "What doesn't work". I tried a similiar strategy as the current "AAR of the Week", which is about Lorraine. You'll see how well it went for me.
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*Game notes: IGCv2.0k, EUv1.10, options set to CoT Moscow, Astrakhan, and Anglia. Normal Tax. Wallachia as the only valid player state.

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Diary entry from His Highness, Prince Radu cel Mare of Wallachia, confirmed in rank as vassal by His Excellency, the Sultan of Turkey (referred to hereafter as "Radu"):

1 January, 1492

The crushing weight of Turkish vassalage is driving me beyond reason. I loathe them at least as much as they hate me (Both nations have -200 relations). I must bide my time however, as there is no way that I shall survive otherwise. My nation shares borders with Turkey, Hungary, and Moldavia. This situation must be allowed to continue until the time is ripe. From my sources in the west, I have determined that conditions may be ripe for a turn away from the Moslem world. I shall lead this revolt myself, with the assistance of Vlad Tepes, Colonel of my Wallachia Regiment.

2 February, 1492

In an effort to inscrease our tax base, I have directed that a tax collector be promoted in Wallachia. The rabble are none to happy about this, but taxes are their lot in life. A small price to pay, if it leads my nation to greatness.

6 March, 1492

Failure in diplomacy! I have sent an emissary to Moldovia, asking them to be my ally, yet they refuse! Can they not see that together we have hope of being able to resist the Turk?

10 November, 1492

We have lured a minor Hungarian noble here, and he fell in love with one of our maidens. Hungary has agreed, and a royal marriage has been arranged. Hopefully this is a turning point in our relations toward the catholic nations.

29 November, 1492

The temerity of these people! The Turks have asked _me_ to join _them_ in an alliance! Luckily, this means they cannot know that in my secret heart I despise them. I politely decline this invitation, citing the pathetic Wallachian army and not wishing to burden the Turks with protecting my insignificant realm.

26 December, 1492

I have commissioned 5000 more infantry for my army. In the future, I need to expand this army more quickly. Shall I risk financial ruin in the name of success? Victory could be sweet, but should I fail all I have done is ruined my nation for nothing.

13 March, 1493

Success! We have arranged for one of our nobles to marry a young Moldovian woman. Our nations relations shall warm with the burning desire in their young hearts. Perhaps all hope is not lost for an alliance with Moldovia?

1 July, 1493

Our army reports they believe they can now fashion cannon. I think this is splendid, since our nation is within four months march of Constantinople, and the legendary walls of that city will likely need to be battered into submission if I am to succeed in being recognized as an independant state.

6 July, 1493

The Turks have declared war on the Mameluks! Is this the sign for which I was hoping? I believe it may be. I shall commence a campaign to increase our forces immediately.

9 July, 1493

I arranged for 400d worth of financing. If this fails, I have no idea how I shall ever repay such huge monies.

26 July, 1493

50 pieces of artillery ordered. This should give us the ability to win without question.

13 September 1493 -- A letter from Radu cel Mare, Self-Proclaimed King of Wallachia, to (no honorific) the Ruler in-fact of Turkey, the nation to the south:

This is a simple note to inform you that I consider Wallachia's state of vassalage to be ended. Remove our nation from your tributary list at once.

*Game note: DoW Turkey, the only way to break a vassalage. This not only ends the vassalage, but immediately leads to a state of war.

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I'll post more later, I have to organize my thoughts and keep the tears from my eyes as I review how this all turned out. Comments welcome.

Duuk

 

[Agelastus]

Somehow I think I can guess.................

An alliance and good relations with Turkey are useful at the Beginning of the game, so you can expand against Hungary and Moldavia before turning on the real foe..................

Nice AAR.............must get back to mine soon.

 

[Duuk]

..and the hits just keep on comin...

As you can tell from the first post, my strategy in this AAR was to break from Turkey at the first possible chance. I mistook the Turkish war with the Mameluks as a good chance. Odd, since I know from experience that the Turks always crush the Mameluks within 1 years of initiating hostilities. So maybe I was dumb.
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*Game notes remain the same as above. Currently, Wallacha is at War with Turkey - having thrown of their vassalage. Turkey is also at war with the Mameluks.

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From the diary of Radu cel Mare, self-styled King of Wallachia:

29 October, 1493

Rumours spread through the capital like wildfire. There is a 10000 man turkish force moving towards Wallachia, and Vlad Tepes with his 10000 infantry and 5000 cavalry is in Bulgaria. It was my intent to capture Bulgaria quickly and then negotiate a white peace with the Turk. It appears they might not accept a white peace. Orders have been sent to Tepes to recall him to defend our state.

3 December, 1493

The Turks have stopped their siege of my castle, yet it boads only ill. I believe they have discovered Vlad Tepes force moving in to deny them their victory.

...

The turks have assaulted our walls, but we held. By the grace of god alone, we live to fight another day.

1 January, 1494

At the request of Tepes, I borrowed more money in an attempt to quickly rebuild our forces. I am quickly losing hope, and feel that perhaps this was not a wise time to end our vassalage.

12 February, 1494

We have beaten the Turks back! They flee before our victorious armies! Tepes is my personal saviour! Perhaps now we can march upon the Turks and receive our independance.

6 March, 1494

Chaos reigns in Wallachia. Tepes has been routed, and it will be only a matter of days before the castle falls. I know in my heart they will put my head on a pike for all to see.

13 March, 1494

Wallachia falls. The Turks feel generous though, and accept 238 ducats as the price of our freedom. Wonderfully though, they do not require us to remain their vassal. A costly and painful victory.

*Game Note: Likely, had I not been flagged as a player nation, they would have annexed me. However, since I wanted to play this a bit more, I decided to interpret this as an indemnity for a nominal independance. In other words, I wanted another chance to redeem myself.

Wallachian History Text Excerpt: 1 April 1494 thru 30 October 1494

At this point, the economy of Wallachia wasn't doing anything terribly exciting. It had been taxed and burdened into nothingness. Radu took out several loans and feebly attempted to rebuild his shattered armies. A cousin of Vlad Tepes took control of the 2nd Wallachian Regiment. However, this expansion was much more than the wallachian economy could ever hope to support. It is well known that Radu was aware of this fact, and chose to ignore it foolishly. His diplomats were spreading money around the courts of Europe, trying in vain to line up allies for the future. Poland and Moldavia both received "gifts", but this did not seem to sway them enough.

Diary entries of Rady cel Mare, King of Wallachia:

1 November, 1494

Financial ruin is upon us. Bankruptcy is here, much as I have tried to avoid it. Our forces are demoralized, and there seems little hope that our economy can rebound. Sadly, I know I will be forced to take more loans, at ruinous interest, if I am to fully realize independance from the shadow of the Turks.

6 January, 1495

I signed some of Wallachia's property in collateral for 400 ducats worth of finance. Little do the bankers know I will refuse to surrender these goods should I need to default. I am, after all, the last bastion of the Pope at the very gates of the Turks! I will be continuing to rebuild my forces, and also sending more gifts to the Poles. Glory be to god, but I need a Great Power to guarantee my borders.

1 October, 1495

Bankrupt again. Oddly, it seems to hurt less the second time. The bankers are complaining about my defaulting and refusing their collateral. I have several of them executed. Vlad Tepes enjoys their slow and agonizing deaths. It seems to awaken him. Perhaps he'll keep this in mind for our next battle against the Turks.


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Next up: January 1496 - December 1499

Radu tries his hand at diplomacy. Turking War 2 -- The Sequal

il Duuk

 

[Estonianzulu]

So far your not doing bad for breaking away so early, if it was me I would have already been wiped off the face of the planet and Turkey would own Wallachia. (usualy in my AAR's when a the nation I play can be annexed I end the AAR, usualy because by then its hopeless.)

 

[Duuk]

shoot first, ask questions later

*Games notes: As above, and things are getting worse by the day. Inflation is in the 70s and 80s, prices are skyrocketing, and the army consists of roughly 28000/3000/100 Peace with Turkey was enforced on 13 March 1494, so if I had the sense god gave a mule, I would have used 5 years to rebuild, right?

History Text on the subject of Wallachia 1496

The year 1496 was uneventful for Radu's realm. Suffering from high inflation and a ravaged economy, under any normal conditions this province should have fallen under the sway of one of the greater powers in the area. Radu however was not one to take defeat lightly, and, as history would show, was only waiting for a chance to reverse the losses.

From the diary of Radu cel Mare, self-styled King of Wallachia

25 June, 1497

Austria and her allies have declared war upon the Turk. I fear this may be my chance, but I know in my heart the people of Wallachia would surely depose me if I were to break the peace. ( I had no desire to take the huge stability hit just yet.) However, it is most tempting, considering Austria, Hungary, Bohemia, Wurtemburg, and Baden are all in the fight.

5 July, 1497

I have decided to be bold. War is declared on the Turk. Vlad Tepes is ordered to advance on Bulgaria. With luck and the grace of god, we will redeem our nation from the ashes.

10 July, 1497

A wonderful omen! Poland has joined the war against the Turk! I have commissioned more troops, I feel in my bones we could win this war and take lands we need to create a great nation.

27 September, 1497

We have met the Turkish horde, and beaten them. Tepes is now in position to siege Bulgaria. Imagine, Wallachian troops hold the field after meeting the Turk. Amazing.

1 November, 1497

Bankruptcy again. Our nation's economy is shattered, but if we succeed, we will redeem ourselves.

7 January, 1498

Hungarian forces have occupied Serbia. The Turk are reeling. Is this possible?

11 April, 1498

Vlad Tepes has conquered Bulgaria! The Wallachian flag flies over foreign lands. My question is now, should I order Vlad Tepes to continue and try to capture more lands?

1 May, 1498

Turkish troops have entered Wallachia. A siege is commencing, but my hopes are high. Word has gone out to Vlad Tepes to break the siege. The Turks have rejected our offer of peace. I was willing to settle for only Bulgaria, I didn't even demand reparations. Very generous of me.

9 July, 1498

Vlad Tepes has routed the Turks from our walls. We now hold our own lands and Bulgaria uncontested. I have ordered more troops, 5000 infantry and 2000 cavalry. The Turk is beaten, my mission now is to convince him of that. I have ordered Vlad Tepes to take Rumelia.

24 July, 1498

The Turks have offered peace, and they are willing to concede Bulgaria. I have wisely accepted this offer. Imagine, Wallachia humbling the Turks.

History Text, Wallachia at the end of 1498

Though Wallachia held Bulgaria, its economy was shattered. Bankrupt again in December, the new year seemed to hold mixed promise for the new King.

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il Duuk

 

[Pan Zagloba]

Good work so far, we look forward to the continuation...

Zagloba

 

[Storey]

I'm afraid you've fallen into the revolving door of bankruptcy curse. I haven't seen anyone really succeed with a small country starting out with this hard of a knock on the economy. It will be interesting watching you try. Good luck and stop taking loans!