actually, you would be surprised how long the AI takes to get their colonies past 700 
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As a matter of fact, Lord Joseph, England is the one neighbouring nation that does not continually dow, possibly because it is caught in a bankruptcy-cycle.
And that would be capital (the city or town which is the official seat of government in a county, state, etc), not a capitol (the building in Washington DC used by the Congress of the US for its sessions, or a building occupied by a state legislature, Statehouse). Definitions copied from Webster's. I am continually amazed by how many Americans seem unaware of the distinction.
And Ehrie and Sharur have been listening. Most astonishing. Yes, England does in fact have several colonial possessions with provincial status (and gaining them would lead me to war with the minor Indian tribes and the burning of a slew of trading posts), and yes, I have no intention of going sailing currently. When I have gained the Danish fleet, it will be soon enough.
Then I can prepare to take out the British Isles, North America, and Central America in one fell attack.
In an aside, notice that I do not accept all the tp's and colonies Portugal usually offers for peace, because that would lead me to war in India and Indonesia prematurely. (But soon. That huge Tago CoT which I have to part of is so tempting).
And that would be capital (the city or town which is the official seat of government in a county, state, etc), not a capitol (the building in Washington DC used by the Congress of the US for its sessions, or a building occupied by a state legislature, Statehouse). Definitions copied from Webster's. I am continually amazed by how many Americans seem unaware of the distinction.
And Ehrie and Sharur have been listening. Most astonishing. Yes, England does in fact have several colonial possessions with provincial status (and gaining them would lead me to war with the minor Indian tribes and the burning of a slew of trading posts), and yes, I have no intention of going sailing currently. When I have gained the Danish fleet, it will be soon enough.
Then I can prepare to take out the British Isles, North America, and Central America in one fell attack.
In an aside, notice that I do not accept all the tp's and colonies Portugal usually offers for peace, because that would lead me to war in India and Indonesia prematurely. (But soon. That huge Tago CoT which I have to part of is so tempting).
Professor, could you please elaborate on two issues? *hiding under desk*
1) Why is Norway still present?
2) What's wrong with snacking on Huguenots?
*has sudden urge to run*
1) Why is Norway still present?
2) What's wrong with snacking on Huguenots?
*has sudden urge to run*
*Student Legolas, who was silent during the whole lesson, raises hand. Whne given permission to speak, he stands up*
"Professor Ebbesen,
I would like to ask you about another attempt of World Conqiest. I have tried to do it with Saxony, and after about 15 years found myself in such a position:
Possesions: Saxony, Anhalt, Magdeburg, Poznan, Danzig, Kustrin, Hessen, Wurzburg.
Allies: TO (leader), Prussia, Venice, Mantua.
Wars: against Wurtemburg, Helvetia, Mainz and Lorraine without allies; against Lithuania without allies.
The enemies of mine are in relatively good position: Wurtemburg has 2 provinces and about 75k armies, Helvetia - 3 prov and 25k armies, Mainz - 1 prov and 15k armies. Lorraine is not in action, as they do not have any access to the fromtlines (surrounded by Burgunds). My position, on the other hand, is relatively weak: I just got off a war against Wurzburg and Hessen, annexing both, and my armies contain about 15/18/0 in the Western part, and 15/12/0 in Danzig, fighting against bastard Lithuanians, who have mil. access to Poland.
Now when the battles begin, all armies of Wurtenmburg go to besiege Wurzburg, and my funds (around 50 ducats) are not enough to raise enough troops to battle them.
So, my question is, Proffesor: what is the better way for me - should I lose Wurzburg and try to expand to the North and West first, or should I do my best to destroy Wurtemburg and then strike to the South, taking Austria and later Italy?
"Professor Ebbesen,
I would like to ask you about another attempt of World Conqiest. I have tried to do it with Saxony, and after about 15 years found myself in such a position:
Possesions: Saxony, Anhalt, Magdeburg, Poznan, Danzig, Kustrin, Hessen, Wurzburg.
Allies: TO (leader), Prussia, Venice, Mantua.
Wars: against Wurtemburg, Helvetia, Mainz and Lorraine without allies; against Lithuania without allies.
The enemies of mine are in relatively good position: Wurtemburg has 2 provinces and about 75k armies, Helvetia - 3 prov and 25k armies, Mainz - 1 prov and 15k armies. Lorraine is not in action, as they do not have any access to the fromtlines (surrounded by Burgunds). My position, on the other hand, is relatively weak: I just got off a war against Wurzburg and Hessen, annexing both, and my armies contain about 15/18/0 in the Western part, and 15/12/0 in Danzig, fighting against bastard Lithuanians, who have mil. access to Poland.
Now when the battles begin, all armies of Wurtenmburg go to besiege Wurzburg, and my funds (around 50 ducats) are not enough to raise enough troops to battle them.
So, my question is, Proffesor: what is the better way for me - should I lose Wurzburg and try to expand to the North and West first, or should I do my best to destroy Wurtemburg and then strike to the South, taking Austria and later Italy?
If I may offer my humble opinion, the best course of action is to proceed south. The provinces are richer, and there are 2 CoT's to be gained.
*raises hand*
Excuse me Professor. Have you suffered a mild stroke in the past? I only ask in that you continually call the country Siebenbürgen (meaning "seven castles") by the name "Siedenbürgen" which, unless I am very much mistaken, means absolutely nothing in this context. If I remember my Biology 306 course, this is a common problem suffered by those who have sustained massive brain damage as a result of a stoke.
*runs for cover behind Norgesvenn*
Excuse me Professor. Have you suffered a mild stroke in the past? I only ask in that you continually call the country Siebenbürgen (meaning "seven castles") by the name "Siedenbürgen" which, unless I am very much mistaken, means absolutely nothing in this context. If I remember my Biology 306 course, this is a common problem suffered by those who have sustained massive brain damage as a result of a stoke.
*runs for cover behind Norgesvenn*
*turns desk over to simulate barricade*
Well, it is possible that Siedenbürgen is some Danish name for 'european province causing much aggro', but I doubt it. Did you bring the wet sponge, MrT?
Well, it is possible that Siedenbürgen is some Danish name for 'european province causing much aggro', but I doubt it. Did you bring the wet sponge, MrT?
*throws a piece of paper into the back of the Professors head and says "Sharur did it!"
WHACK-WHACK-WHACK
Ouch
Ouch
Ouch too
And the principal would like a word with you after class, MrT, Norgesvenn, and Carolus Rex, you naughty boys.
Ouch
Ouch
Ouch too
And the principal would like a word with you after class, MrT, Norgesvenn, and Carolus Rex, you naughty boys.
Oh, great Carolus! Now you'll get us expelled... or in detention... wait a mo'... detention means playing EU II? Right? Right?
High quality, defensive army? Interesting, exactly the opposite of what i got...
Anyway, i was wondering if you will catch up quickly, but (despite the obvious differences), BB conquest speed seem quite similar compared to mine.
Anyway, i was wondering if you will catch up quickly, but (despite the obvious differences), BB conquest speed seem quite similar compared to mine.
I wanted to be able to besiege quickly, thus defensive, but also to have some chance against rebels, thus quality. It does make for rather high troop prices, except for artillery, which is seldom needed.
Attempting to limit oneself to 4-5 years wars does slow down things a mite - as does crushing all those damn rebels. But I am finally approaching Infra4 (judges). I Just need another 4000 out of the 97000 required investment
Originally posted by Norgesvenn
Oh, great Carolus! Now you'll get us expelled... or in detention... wait a mo'... detention means playing EU II? Right? Right?
Yeah.
*throws another paper in the back of the Prof's head, he doesn't notice....throws his maths book and his chair on the Prof, he doesn't notice, he's just lying on the floor...."lazy old people"...*
Transfer Student
Umm.. hi. I just transferred, and was wondering if this class is full. Thanks.
Umm.. hi. I just transferred, and was wondering if this class is full. Thanks.
Installment the seventh
The European Wars: In Violence we Trust
Grumblmblergmaklfjgnakflg.,fgd.. What's all that noise? I told my neighbour not to torture cats in the morning. A man is entitled to his sleep. If he doesn't stop I'll... No, that is too good for him. I'll.. Erhm. What? I seem to be lying in the classroom.
Item: I am lying in classroom 666.
Item: An unused book on math, "Equations for Dummies", is lying on my forehead.
Item: I seem to be sporting a chair straddling my nether regions. This can't be good.
Item: I seem to detect sniggering of the defcon 3 variety.
Item: Miss Starbright seems to have left. Damn.
Item: ......
Item: I am lying in classroom 666!?"?¤!¤)(¤=#¤??
* jumps to his feet scattering book, chair, and papers *
Welcome, class!
As you no doubt recall, our invasion of Europe was progressing apace, despite the occasional rebellion or so. Initially our focus will be on crushing protestants, mopping up the Russian remains, and forcing peaces with the various Hordes at minimum cost.
Round nine: 1668-1670
As you can see, smart timing allows us to cut these wars short, gaining Vologda, Vladimir, Nizhgorod, Tver, and Pskov from Russia, Sudeten from Saxony, and annexing Nibia. We also achieve Land11 and gain some spiffy new uniforms, in fact they look just like the one our transfer student is wearing? What a coincidence. Welcome to the class, Hanseatic Steve. I hope you have acquainted yourself tolerably well with the background material. There will be no mercy shown come exams. Onwards to glorious battle!
Round ten: 1670-1676
Beginning with the Pommeranian declaration of war, it is finally time to let our numerically superior troops take the fight to the protestants. Though dreadfully outnumbered, the protestants are, apparently, extremely good at defense.
On the other hand, losing a couple of armies due to military incompense, and then shooting the generals, can be said to encourage les autres, so to speak, so that's all right.
And look what just happened! Our colony Ensenda (gained from Castile) has become a Centre of Trade in the Americas! It might just be worth shelling out the 2x246 ducats needed to enlarge the population to provincial size. Good news!
Oh, and our beloved puppet funded a spontaneous fortification program in Tunisia. Just what we needed. Another rebel haven, dammit. But these things happen.
But as you can see the war progresses with the occasional land grab and annexation, and, of course, the independence of the French Catholics from England. This time in Vendée. This is becoming a habit.
I wish this war would end, however. With the annexation of the French Catholics in 1675 only the Persian alliance, Eire, and Saxony are at war with us. But Eire keeps demanding Macedonia and our new CoT, despite having a 0% war score - and they refuse to accept 400 ducats instead! What insolence. I guess we will just have to brave the seas again. After all most of the naval nations aren't at war with us right now, so our ships just might survive.
Ah. Well. How many of you predicted this would happen?
December 1675: Unhappiness amongst the Peasantry in the sixth year of the war.
The AI strikes back.
Perhaps one should reconsider the Irish proposal? Or find some way to stop the Persians, who seems to have eliminated the 30K army that was guarding Isfahan? And proceeded to storm the fortification. And succeeded. Also, the rebel situation is getting slightly out of hand, here.
Right. Don't panic. First, annex Saxony. Second, give up our CoT in Isfahan to Persia. They are bound to accept this for peace (and they do). Third, make a neutral peace with Eire despite being storming Leinster. Yes, my students, we have acquired peace, though at a high cost. Now, let those peasants feel my wrath.
The lengths to which one will go to obtain peace, 1676
All considered we gained 15 provinces and gave up one, but that one was a real loss.
While we rearm, please notice that we have finally achieved Trade4 and can now embargo other nations! From now on we should embargo every single nation that is at war with us.
There is just one slight problem. A century or two ago, we started making trade agreements with the owners of Centres of Trade, in order that we be not so easily expelled. Unfortunately, despite all the universal bruhaha, those agreements are still in force, and breaking them causes a loss of stability. This means that the sooner we annex the nations with which we have trade agreements, the better. In a few rare cases, like Portugal or England, it may prove smarter to take the stability hit in connection with the annexation of some other nation. On the positive side, now it is finally time to reap the rewards for the monstrous investments in trade. And to start investing in infrastructure, of course.
Round eleven: 1677-1682
Notice how, just as you are happily annexing right and left, something bad occurs? In this case, corruption. Since our stability raising cost is nearly 10,000, and we have no nations on hand to annex, let us ignore the unsanctioned corruption. 168% inflation isn't that much worse than 158%, after all.
Focus rather on Prussia. Prussia the country, not Prussia the province. Prussia has only 13,000 men under arms, all of them stationed in their capital with a superior general and superior weapons. The only solution is to hit them with massive amounts of troops.
See, it works! Though we lost about 30% of the first 60,000 men that hit the defenders, notice how only 11,000 men remain!
And the second wave knocks them down to... 8,000 men? At a cost of 30,000 men? They fight impressively, but it will avail them naught.
Since the fourth wave completely annihilates the remaining 4,000 men.
But, admittedly, the losses were significant. In such cases you should always blame a general (ideally a political rival of your puppet's) and execute.
On the positive side, Siebenbürgen, Pommern, Novgorod, Prussia, and Russia, have all been annexed in this war, and the German principalities are being cut down to size. It leaves our territory with fewer holes, which is neat, as is the 10% deflation in 1680.
Gaining 9 extra protestant provinces forces us to end the no-tolerance protestant policy. Instead we will tolerate Muslims, Orthodox, and Reformed at +1%, Protestants at 0%, and Catholics at -1%. This should, on average, work out well, though it will, unfortunately, mean rebellions even in Catholic provinces as wars progress. But needs must when the devil drives.
And this time, I give Eire Macedonia for peace. From now on and until they are conquered, it will always be easy to force them to the table. I'll just need to retake Macedonia each time, which is trivial, if a bit hard on the population, but since when did they matter anyway?
Round twelve: 1683-1688
What can I say? Sweden in winter is a bad place for troops. Fortunately the strategy perfected for Russia (keep pouring in troops to replace casualties) works excellently.
Why are you waving your hand, Sharur?
Oporto!
Bless you.
No, look at Oporto
A fairly rich province belonging to us in the Iberian pensinsula, what-what? Anything happened. Rebelled, did it?
No, professor: A Refinery!
How cute, what a neat little refinery. Much like the others we have captured. It will likely not last long. They do have a tendency to be razed by the rebels, you know.
Now, what is going on up there. Russia has declared independence from us in Moscow and Vologda while you were distracting me!
But, professor, I.... Oh, no!
WHACK!
Ouch
And be grateful that you aren't Christian like those fools in the simulation, or I would have you turn your other cheek, so to speak.
By 1687 you will notice that we have reached Infra3, and Infra4 and chief judges are only... 93,000 ducats investment in the future (assuming no further inflation). This will take some time.
But I am longing for peace, again. Notice how, even in catholic France and Germany, the rebel situation is.... becoming a problem.
I would like peace soon, 1688
Fortunately peace is easy to obtain, thanks to an easily invadable Macedonia, though it takes another two months. But I see that you are nodding off, because, as interesting as this obviously is, and as vitally important to you further careers it is too, you nevertheless seem to be ignoring me in order to play slaughter-the-infidel. That being the case, I will abbreviate my descriptions, and let you suffer the subsequent loss of wisdom with equanimity. And don't do that in class, Carolus Rex. It is utterly disgusting. I'll allow Dustman to flatten your kitty, should you continue.
The Byzantine World, 1689
As you can see, we now have a brief respite of two years before the wars break out again. Let us use the time wisely to gather our inherited fleets into one grand fleet, and use it to ferry troops to the new world. We will also need to do some colonising in Cuba to provide safe harbors. It is time to take on the Aztecs. Being of a warlike disposition, they will probably attack as soon as we border them. This can be assured by diplomatically annexing Ragusa, which will be the next obvious step. Since most of the European continent is under our control, we can also begin diverting forces to take out the Hordes and after them, Persia.
Annexing Ragusa brought us a colony next to Mali, so now Mali will need to be put in its place every now and again. Conquering Mali will have to wait, since that would bring us into war with Songhai, then Benin, followed by Kongo, and we don't have the troops to spare, since we are still, as you must have noticed, using every single missionary we can get our hands on (so to speak), as well as investing in infrastructure.
Ok, the first Aztec campaign was a mixed blessing, what with losing 50,000 out of the 70,000 man expiditionary corps, but it did gain us Yucatan, Campeche, and Tampico. Now we just need to ferry in troops in preparation for the next war.
And it is time to rid the world of the Hordes, but to get rid of the Golden Horde, we need to ban them from our alliance first, which requires a casus belli. Fortunately, there is a simpler way, which will also rid us of the Netherlands, whose traders take up valuable space in our centres of trade. When the Sibir, Nogai, Khazak, and Uzbekh Hordes declare war in October 1697, I ask the alliance partners for help, for the first time since the annexation of France. The refusals from the Netherland and the Golden Horde follow within days. Their declarations of war on their old friend and master follows within a month. No excuse not to finish them off now, really.
The annexation of the Netherland, 1698, does spark off a trade post war, as Kongo, Zimbabwe, and other illustrious nations become aggravated by the presence of emperialistic Byzantine trading posts that used to belong to the Netherlands.
During these wars our good puppet dies, and is replaced by Konstantinos XIII, who is, unfortunately, less competent than his predecessor, both diplomatically and administratively. But his reign does start auspicious with the defection of five English colonies in the Americas to us all with medium forts, namely Conneticot, Catskill, Manhatten (the centre of trade), Delaware, and Cheasapeake. But England still has more than a few colonial provinces remaining. This brings us into direct conflict with the Iroquois, for which we are ill prepared. Nothing to do but raise more troops.
January 1701 sees us emptying the manpower pool, a truly impressive feat, but the troops are put to good use as we finally invade Eire and Scotland. All of Englad is fortified with medium fortifications, and hightech Scots with invincible morale keep pouring down from the Highlands, but in the end, we will persevere!
What are a few tens of thousands of casualties amongst friends?
Actually, just taking Østlandet, Wessex, Cornwall, and Bristol, counts as a major victory, as I am sure you will agree. And Eire is left with only their capital by 1702. Meanwhile our Eastern armies are busy dismembering Persia, having overrun the Hordes.
The peace of January 1703 is well deserved. The meteor sighted in March less so. I truly wish the peasants were less superstitious.
Horde annexing:
October 1703 Sibir
October 1703 Nogai Horde
April 1704 Golden Horde
October 1704 Khazak Horde
(The Uzbekh Horde will survive for now, since the Mughal Empire blocks access to their capital. These things happen.)
August 1704 sees the greatest shakedown as yet, as the Huron agrees to pay 2100 ducats for peace, and actually do so. Which is, of course, an indication that I should have pressed them for even more. 2100 ducats for the right to survive for another five years before being annexed - what can their financiers be thinking?
The second half of this decade sees a new war with Castile, Denmark, Persia, and Scotland shedding provinces. Our European conquest is nearly completed, and our only dangerous border is the common one with the Mughal Empire. And though strong, that Empire is not strong enough.
In 1710 the emperor dies, good riddance, and Alexius VI takes the throne, an altogether brighter puppet. Perhaps we will finally mananage to control inflation, convert the remaining orthodox and reformed provinces, and conquer Africa and India during his reign - and perhaps not. This remains to be seen.
The Byzantine World, 1710. Now Bordering the Mughal Empire
(The border runs approximately from the Uzbekh Khaganate Baluchistan, approximately)
The American possessions, 1710
(Note west coast of South America is unknown territory, so no invading the Inca's. It's a long way to land31...)
The European Wars: In Violence we Trust
Grumblmblergmaklfjgnakflg.,fgd.. What's all that noise? I told my neighbour not to torture cats in the morning. A man is entitled to his sleep. If he doesn't stop I'll... No, that is too good for him. I'll.. Erhm. What? I seem to be lying in the classroom.
Item: I am lying in classroom 666.
Item: An unused book on math, "Equations for Dummies", is lying on my forehead.
Item: I seem to be sporting a chair straddling my nether regions. This can't be good.
Item: I seem to detect sniggering of the defcon 3 variety.
Item: Miss Starbright seems to have left. Damn.
Item: ......
Item: I am lying in classroom 666!?"?¤!¤)(¤=#¤??
* jumps to his feet scattering book, chair, and papers *
Welcome, class!
As you no doubt recall, our invasion of Europe was progressing apace, despite the occasional rebellion or so. Initially our focus will be on crushing protestants, mopping up the Russian remains, and forcing peaces with the various Hordes at minimum cost.
Round nine: 1668-1670
As you can see, smart timing allows us to cut these wars short, gaining Vologda, Vladimir, Nizhgorod, Tver, and Pskov from Russia, Sudeten from Saxony, and annexing Nibia. We also achieve Land11 and gain some spiffy new uniforms, in fact they look just like the one our transfer student is wearing? What a coincidence. Welcome to the class, Hanseatic Steve. I hope you have acquainted yourself tolerably well with the background material. There will be no mercy shown come exams. Onwards to glorious battle!
Round ten: 1670-1676
Beginning with the Pommeranian declaration of war, it is finally time to let our numerically superior troops take the fight to the protestants. Though dreadfully outnumbered, the protestants are, apparently, extremely good at defense.
On the other hand, losing a couple of armies due to military incompense, and then shooting the generals, can be said to encourage les autres, so to speak, so that's all right.
And look what just happened! Our colony Ensenda (gained from Castile) has become a Centre of Trade in the Americas! It might just be worth shelling out the 2x246 ducats needed to enlarge the population to provincial size. Good news!
Oh, and our beloved puppet funded a spontaneous fortification program in Tunisia. Just what we needed. Another rebel haven, dammit. But these things happen.
But as you can see the war progresses with the occasional land grab and annexation, and, of course, the independence of the French Catholics from England. This time in Vendée. This is becoming a habit.
I wish this war would end, however. With the annexation of the French Catholics in 1675 only the Persian alliance, Eire, and Saxony are at war with us. But Eire keeps demanding Macedonia and our new CoT, despite having a 0% war score - and they refuse to accept 400 ducats instead! What insolence. I guess we will just have to brave the seas again. After all most of the naval nations aren't at war with us right now, so our ships just might survive.
Ah. Well. How many of you predicted this would happen?
December 1675: Unhappiness amongst the Peasantry in the sixth year of the war.
The AI strikes back.
Perhaps one should reconsider the Irish proposal? Or find some way to stop the Persians, who seems to have eliminated the 30K army that was guarding Isfahan? And proceeded to storm the fortification. And succeeded. Also, the rebel situation is getting slightly out of hand, here.
Right. Don't panic. First, annex Saxony. Second, give up our CoT in Isfahan to Persia. They are bound to accept this for peace (and they do). Third, make a neutral peace with Eire despite being storming Leinster. Yes, my students, we have acquired peace, though at a high cost. Now, let those peasants feel my wrath.
The lengths to which one will go to obtain peace, 1676
All considered we gained 15 provinces and gave up one, but that one was a real loss.
While we rearm, please notice that we have finally achieved Trade4 and can now embargo other nations! From now on we should embargo every single nation that is at war with us.
There is just one slight problem. A century or two ago, we started making trade agreements with the owners of Centres of Trade, in order that we be not so easily expelled. Unfortunately, despite all the universal bruhaha, those agreements are still in force, and breaking them causes a loss of stability. This means that the sooner we annex the nations with which we have trade agreements, the better. In a few rare cases, like Portugal or England, it may prove smarter to take the stability hit in connection with the annexation of some other nation. On the positive side, now it is finally time to reap the rewards for the monstrous investments in trade. And to start investing in infrastructure, of course.
Round eleven: 1677-1682
Notice how, just as you are happily annexing right and left, something bad occurs? In this case, corruption. Since our stability raising cost is nearly 10,000, and we have no nations on hand to annex, let us ignore the unsanctioned corruption. 168% inflation isn't that much worse than 158%, after all.
Focus rather on Prussia. Prussia the country, not Prussia the province. Prussia has only 13,000 men under arms, all of them stationed in their capital with a superior general and superior weapons. The only solution is to hit them with massive amounts of troops.
See, it works! Though we lost about 30% of the first 60,000 men that hit the defenders, notice how only 11,000 men remain!
And the second wave knocks them down to... 8,000 men? At a cost of 30,000 men? They fight impressively, but it will avail them naught.
Since the fourth wave completely annihilates the remaining 4,000 men.
But, admittedly, the losses were significant. In such cases you should always blame a general (ideally a political rival of your puppet's) and execute.
On the positive side, Siebenbürgen, Pommern, Novgorod, Prussia, and Russia, have all been annexed in this war, and the German principalities are being cut down to size. It leaves our territory with fewer holes, which is neat, as is the 10% deflation in 1680.
Gaining 9 extra protestant provinces forces us to end the no-tolerance protestant policy. Instead we will tolerate Muslims, Orthodox, and Reformed at +1%, Protestants at 0%, and Catholics at -1%. This should, on average, work out well, though it will, unfortunately, mean rebellions even in Catholic provinces as wars progress. But needs must when the devil drives.
And this time, I give Eire Macedonia for peace. From now on and until they are conquered, it will always be easy to force them to the table. I'll just need to retake Macedonia each time, which is trivial, if a bit hard on the population, but since when did they matter anyway?
Round twelve: 1683-1688
What can I say? Sweden in winter is a bad place for troops. Fortunately the strategy perfected for Russia (keep pouring in troops to replace casualties) works excellently.
Why are you waving your hand, Sharur?
Oporto!
Bless you.
No, look at Oporto
A fairly rich province belonging to us in the Iberian pensinsula, what-what? Anything happened. Rebelled, did it?
No, professor: A Refinery!
How cute, what a neat little refinery. Much like the others we have captured. It will likely not last long. They do have a tendency to be razed by the rebels, you know.
Now, what is going on up there. Russia has declared independence from us in Moscow and Vologda while you were distracting me!
But, professor, I.... Oh, no!
WHACK!
Ouch
And be grateful that you aren't Christian like those fools in the simulation, or I would have you turn your other cheek, so to speak.
By 1687 you will notice that we have reached Infra3, and Infra4 and chief judges are only... 93,000 ducats investment in the future (assuming no further inflation). This will take some time.
But I am longing for peace, again. Notice how, even in catholic France and Germany, the rebel situation is.... becoming a problem.
I would like peace soon, 1688
Fortunately peace is easy to obtain, thanks to an easily invadable Macedonia, though it takes another two months. But I see that you are nodding off, because, as interesting as this obviously is, and as vitally important to you further careers it is too, you nevertheless seem to be ignoring me in order to play slaughter-the-infidel. That being the case, I will abbreviate my descriptions, and let you suffer the subsequent loss of wisdom with equanimity. And don't do that in class, Carolus Rex. It is utterly disgusting. I'll allow Dustman to flatten your kitty, should you continue.
The Byzantine World, 1689
As you can see, we now have a brief respite of two years before the wars break out again. Let us use the time wisely to gather our inherited fleets into one grand fleet, and use it to ferry troops to the new world. We will also need to do some colonising in Cuba to provide safe harbors. It is time to take on the Aztecs. Being of a warlike disposition, they will probably attack as soon as we border them. This can be assured by diplomatically annexing Ragusa, which will be the next obvious step. Since most of the European continent is under our control, we can also begin diverting forces to take out the Hordes and after them, Persia.
Annexing Ragusa brought us a colony next to Mali, so now Mali will need to be put in its place every now and again. Conquering Mali will have to wait, since that would bring us into war with Songhai, then Benin, followed by Kongo, and we don't have the troops to spare, since we are still, as you must have noticed, using every single missionary we can get our hands on (so to speak), as well as investing in infrastructure.
Ok, the first Aztec campaign was a mixed blessing, what with losing 50,000 out of the 70,000 man expiditionary corps, but it did gain us Yucatan, Campeche, and Tampico. Now we just need to ferry in troops in preparation for the next war.
And it is time to rid the world of the Hordes, but to get rid of the Golden Horde, we need to ban them from our alliance first, which requires a casus belli. Fortunately, there is a simpler way, which will also rid us of the Netherlands, whose traders take up valuable space in our centres of trade. When the Sibir, Nogai, Khazak, and Uzbekh Hordes declare war in October 1697, I ask the alliance partners for help, for the first time since the annexation of France. The refusals from the Netherland and the Golden Horde follow within days. Their declarations of war on their old friend and master follows within a month. No excuse not to finish them off now, really.
The annexation of the Netherland, 1698, does spark off a trade post war, as Kongo, Zimbabwe, and other illustrious nations become aggravated by the presence of emperialistic Byzantine trading posts that used to belong to the Netherlands.
During these wars our good puppet dies, and is replaced by Konstantinos XIII, who is, unfortunately, less competent than his predecessor, both diplomatically and administratively. But his reign does start auspicious with the defection of five English colonies in the Americas to us all with medium forts, namely Conneticot, Catskill, Manhatten (the centre of trade), Delaware, and Cheasapeake. But England still has more than a few colonial provinces remaining. This brings us into direct conflict with the Iroquois, for which we are ill prepared. Nothing to do but raise more troops.
January 1701 sees us emptying the manpower pool, a truly impressive feat, but the troops are put to good use as we finally invade Eire and Scotland. All of Englad is fortified with medium fortifications, and hightech Scots with invincible morale keep pouring down from the Highlands, but in the end, we will persevere!
What are a few tens of thousands of casualties amongst friends?
Actually, just taking Østlandet, Wessex, Cornwall, and Bristol, counts as a major victory, as I am sure you will agree. And Eire is left with only their capital by 1702. Meanwhile our Eastern armies are busy dismembering Persia, having overrun the Hordes.
The peace of January 1703 is well deserved. The meteor sighted in March less so. I truly wish the peasants were less superstitious.
Horde annexing:
October 1703 Sibir
October 1703 Nogai Horde
April 1704 Golden Horde
October 1704 Khazak Horde
(The Uzbekh Horde will survive for now, since the Mughal Empire blocks access to their capital. These things happen.)
August 1704 sees the greatest shakedown as yet, as the Huron agrees to pay 2100 ducats for peace, and actually do so. Which is, of course, an indication that I should have pressed them for even more. 2100 ducats for the right to survive for another five years before being annexed - what can their financiers be thinking?
The second half of this decade sees a new war with Castile, Denmark, Persia, and Scotland shedding provinces. Our European conquest is nearly completed, and our only dangerous border is the common one with the Mughal Empire. And though strong, that Empire is not strong enough.
In 1710 the emperor dies, good riddance, and Alexius VI takes the throne, an altogether brighter puppet. Perhaps we will finally mananage to control inflation, convert the remaining orthodox and reformed provinces, and conquer Africa and India during his reign - and perhaps not. This remains to be seen.
The Byzantine World, 1710. Now Bordering the Mughal Empire
(The border runs approximately from the Uzbekh Khaganate Baluchistan, approximately)
The American possessions, 1710
(Note west coast of South America is unknown territory, so no invading the Inca's. It's a long way to land31...)
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Professor, woudln't it be prudent to invade the Spanish capitol, thus giving you the maps you need?
"Ooh, my head... say, why is there another England in Arkangelsk?"
WHACK!
"Uugh..."
WHACK!
"Uugh..."
Teacher, how do you make your maps so large?
And do you think you can conquer it all, teacher?
And do you think you can conquer it all, teacher?
Lord Joseph - I presume you mean the Castillan capital, since the Spanish were only alive for a very short while. I have already taken the Castillan and Portuguese capitals several times, but neither of them got around to discovering the west of South America, unfortunately.
Sharur - Words fail me.
Faelin - To get large maps I set the screenmode to 1280x1024 and make my screenshots. I don't play using this resolution, since I only have a 17" monitor. And I'm not sure if I can manage to conquer it all. That damn inflation has set my so far behind in research, and hence in income, that a couple of the nastier stab. hitting random events at the wrong time (when there is nobody around to annex immediately, say), could set me back by decades. And even if I manage to eradicate all competition, it will be hard to get colonies or TP's everywhere. I'm way behind in that race, and don't get many colonists. But let's see. Who knows, I might get hit by civil war instead. I haven't faced one of those since EUI, so I am long overdue
Sharur - Words fail me.
Faelin - To get large maps I set the screenmode to 1280x1024 and make my screenshots. I don't play using this resolution, since I only have a 17" monitor. And I'm not sure if I can manage to conquer it all. That damn inflation has set my so far behind in research, and hence in income, that a couple of the nastier stab. hitting random events at the wrong time (when there is nobody around to annex immediately, say), could set me back by decades. And even if I manage to eradicate all competition, it will be hard to get colonies or TP's everywhere. I'm way behind in that race, and don't get many colonists. But let's see. Who knows, I might get hit by civil war instead. I haven't faced one of those since EUI, so I am long overdue