Europe Divided, large MP game, AAR

[RedPhoenix]

Well after the intial trouble we got along well

Surprisingly little happened in terms of action, words flew in the air and protestants gained a stronghold in the north, will the catholics make a move?

Ottomans invaded hungary and took most of it. Austria declared war on the ottomans against Carlos advice while carlos was busy fighting with the empires of the new world. Once the ottomans reached vienna, carlos sent his expeditionary force to intercept the muslims, and peace was soon after concluded.

Spain ended up annexing incas, aztecs, mayas and zapotec.

Russia invaded astrakhan in the east.

France did nothing but fought internal struggle, and it seems bourbon took command of france.

[juv95hrn]

Denmark 1520-1540

The Danish crown after long and difficult decisions decided to break with the pope in Rome. The people so demanded and the authorities could nothing but agree with it that the papal legates were sinful and cared more about their own purses than the congregations souls. Enough was enough. Papal property was confiscated by the state and the monasteries golden cups paid for the funding of proper towns in the former fishing colonies of Greenland, Iceland and northern Norway. An efficient system of tax collection was installed in these areas and minor fortifications erected.

When Holstein treacherously broke their vassalship with Scandinavia’s supreme power the retribution was swift and exact. Immediate incorporation in the Danish state was the solution. Soon thereafter, not warned by this example, also Sweden chose to terminate their vassalship with Denmark. Maybe their newly won provinces on the eastern shore of the Baltic made them feel they no longer needed the protection of their overlord? Well if things went awry now they could no longer come to Copenhagen and cry for help. At least they too, along with a large number of German Princes elected to break with the corruption in Rome.

In a mysterious series of events no less than 3 influential nobles were brutally assassinated at the court in Helsingör. After each murder a potential killer was arrested, flogged, interrogated, flogged once again then decapitated, quartered, hanged and flogged to prevent instability to spread in the realm but to no avail. The murderer kept eluding the most scientific interrogation methods (flogging) our police corps possessed and struck again and again. If the last murderer was the proper one and the assassinations would finally end was not sure. If they continued the Crown would perhaps have to blame a minor state and start a punitive war as current political science prescribes.

Money was hoarded and the King and the Nobles were ferociously discussing weather to erect a cultural institution, perhaps an erotic museum to please the inhabitants of the capital or a refinery specialised in producing beer, light, heavy and dark.

To this effect a minor expedition was sent to the new world to trade with the natives in Florida. To the jovial red bearded captains surprise the natives immediately attacked the traders. Encouraged with large quantities of Danish beer the armed part of the expedition made short business with the rude savages. Some 30 industrious traders now send sugar to Copenhagen to sweeten the beer. The people rejoice and only wishes for the erotic museum to be constructed. The straw of the sugar canes also turned out to be excellent for the production of floggers to the joy of both the secret police and the future staff of the Copenhagen cultural institution.

[Prince Eugene]

France had a somewhat peaceful session. François I claimed the title Duke of Bourbon and used the very own army of Bourbonaiss to grant him all of the lands of the Duke which he had become. All of the feudal lords of France had been united under one banner under François. In the North the benevolent English handed over the French town of Calais. Our domestic policies were condemned by Spain even as Frenchmen are living in Artois. François, though a warrior king, knew that there was nothing that he could do against the Spanish will. He supported their spread of Catholicism into the new world. Financial contributions were made to the Papal States after François saw a mircale preceeding his temporary period of insanity.

Jaques Cartier explorer new lands for France and founded towns in Placentia and the Bahamas.

In the East Russian vigorously stomped over its inferior neighbors and Sweden expanded into minor Baltic states. The brutal but strong Turkmen from the East challenged the Habsburg claim to Hungary and seized the riches of that land for themselves. Christianity was attacked by the Ottomans, but the brave sailors of Venice and Portugal fought in its defence.

More later.
Screenshot below.

[TheArchduke]

Playing Pope for 4 years after that I changed to Austria as HollisticGod disappeared shortly. I then too over Austria as a permanent.

Was thrown right in the middle of a war against OE. Looked good intially then a massive assault on ottoman occupied Vienna happened and whamm both leaders died.

Immeaditly I sued for peace with OE who was happy to trigger the Hungary event and I got Carpathia, Odenburg and Pressburg out of it.(And cbs on the rest.)

Apart from the economic upbuilding I got a random conquistador named Regensburg. Rented Istria from Venice. Sailed towards Barbados and erected a colony there. And lateron explored Surinam to Itaimas to Magellans to Cuzco to Cartagena to Sierra Madre. Then he died.

Apart from a nice war from Venice against OE where he seemingly won due my rented Istria which helped him defend his possessions.

Not much more happened.

[Mulliman]

I jumped in as England only a few years until we ended for the night, so there isnt much i can say, hardly even try to narrate .
England hadnt turned Protestant (why?) and it was just a few years till the regular event, so i just waited for that one.
A little economic development, lots of missionaries failing, Spain being a bit agressive etc. etc....

[HolisticGod]

My tale is a long and winsome one, full of gallant warriors and daring crusades and suicidal play acting... It would see a holy war of epic and an Emperor divided against himself, a ravaging heathen faith and a gaggle of slightly less enthusiastic Christians, an epochal conflict between the forces of good and evil and an Archduke made Pope because his computer crashed and it took him for-ever to get back to the game.

Part One: Drums in the flatlands

The Emperor Charles V was a dashing, poetic young man with high-minded ideas about chivalry and romance and the manifest destiny of Catholicism which pretty much came down to avoiding Turks after dark. This is not to say he was a coward-on the contrary, he was very, very, very courageous and just real brave, and quite generous to poor, humble chroniclers such as yours truly. So courageous and brave in fact, that when confronted by naked pygmies two jungles, a desert, a mountain range and three thousand miles of water away his hand trembled only just as he signed their death warrants.

What Charles was was practical. He spoke the language of his far-flung subjects-whatever language that happened to be. He fought by the code of his many foes-whatever code that happened to be. He wore his panties in the fashion of his many Orders of knights-whatever fashion that happened to be. And when up against the barbaric Turk and his religious tolerance and cultural inclusiveness he kept his Cross in company that could appreciate it. Like Richard the Lionhearted, he slept with the King of France. Unlike Richard, he left getting slaughtered by Muslims to kin.

Moving to Spain and turning a besotted mountain village into a capitol at great expense despite the number of perfectly good capitols the country had lying around because his lungs were as sissy pink as the rest of him, self-styled Carlos left his far German possessions, namely the lands of Austria and the Holy Roman Empire of which he was sorta the head, to the cunning, wise, insatiable Archduke Ferdinand 1/2. Though his regency lasted only four years and is often eclipsed by the more conventionally "successful" but altogether less glorious reign of Ferdinand I, he left an indelible mark on the history of his nation, his beloved Holy Church and his favorite dark blue chemise tights.

Ferdinand the Magnificently Hung did not set out to overturn the (wise in hindsight) policy of his brother. An early believer in the School of Detente and Taking the Easy Way Out, his plan was to sit around for eight or nine years in case them folks up in them wooded lands decided it would be right nice to be Austrian for a little while. An Agnostic by boredom, he had no quarrel at all with the Turk, actually, until one fateful night of Mixed Rules Canasta changed the balance of international diplomacy and the destiny of mankind forever.

The exact story, I fear, shall never be known, but there was an incident with a glass of spice tea, Pasha Ali Achmed Abduhlla's pants, the dry cleaners being closed on Sundays and a difference of opinion over late game substitutions and whining like a baby over a stain. Suffice it to say, a week later the Sultan invaded Hungary.

Ferdinand, sure that the Ottoman monarch had teepeed his palace, declared war and sent other people to fight manfully in the Magyar plains. Forty-thousand set out under von Frundsberg and met a slightly smaller Turkish force outside Banat, skillfully crossing the Danube without getting "too wet," as the heartbreaking, courageous war diaries of the time put it.

The infidels were beaten back and eventually sealed out of Hungary after a series of brilliant maneuvers by the famed General, acting no doubt under orders directly from the clairvoyant and artful Archduke. However, the crusade Ferdinand expected never materialized, probably because the Christian monarchs were a bunch of weenies, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get the Bohemians and Hungarians to stop sending tens of thousands of troops to Kosovo. When asked, they simple replied, "Maddy, Maddy, Maddy."

The new Sultan, less pissed by the legacy of a drunken, passionate night of Canasta than Ferdinand writing "carrier pigeon Suleyman the Shagnificent at 86 My Sublime Porte, Constantinople" on latrine walls all over the campaign route (which he traversed at a safe distance of four hundred miles). This dude, it can safely be said, beat the shit out of the Austrians, who retreated like Charles V at the sight of polyester sheets. Methinks, though, that he doth protest too much.

But nothing could prepare Christendom for what came next, or even get it to pay attention, as the insidious heathen prepared to march on Vienna.

[RedPhoenix]

A letter from his Majesty Karl V, Carlos I , the holy roman emperor, to the empire.


With a heavy heart have I looked down upon the fields of germany, only to see how divided it is now becoming. Why are the princes of Palatinate and Brandenburg quarreling over hannover land while the emperor was busy with fighting righteous wars for christaianity in america and on the balkans. Why are you attempting to tear down the very ties that fold us together?

I shall not just stand idle and watch this unfold.

The prince of hannover must be released from captivity and the lands returned to his person immediately, in future I shall not be as lenient if in matters of the empire, the emperor is not atleast consulted before action is taken.

If this is not complied to, perhaps the empire should do better in confiscating the lands of these rebel princes and giving them to more loyal subjects?

The emperor is very concerned with the spreading of protestantism in the northern regions also, and demands local princes take measures to securing that the pure faith prevails!

"Signed with the imperial seal"

[RedPhoenix]

A letter from his Majesty Karl V, Carlos I , the holy roman emperor, to the prince of Denmark.


Are the actions of the danish prince in fact directly attempting to provoke a direct conflict with the empire, annexation of holsteins fiefdom must result in denmark aknowledging it self as a prince in the empire and thus subject to the empires laws.

The alliance between denmark and france must immediately be abandoned, and denmark must affirm its position as part of the empire or face punitive action to liberate holstein from danish hands.

Also is denmark truly attempting to tear down all good relations between him self and spain by intruding on land promised by his holiness to the christian kingdom of spain.

A speedy reply is expected.

"signed with the imperial seal"

[juv95hrn]

To the King of Spain, Naples and Sicily

Regarding the ancient Danish land of Holstein-Gottorp we refer to the Ancient tractat of Wieslingen 1186 AD where it is clearly stated that this dukedom shall eternally be under the rule of the Danish crown. When the Duke chose the cancel his vassalization it was contrary to the intent of this treaty and he was replaced. The new Duke of Holstein, also the King of Denmark, choose in his infinite wisdom to incorporate the Dukedom with the Danish crown thus no longer being a part of the Holy Roman Empire. On the other hand the Danish government wishes to agree in her outrage over the violation of the independence of other German Dukedoms. Denmark declares her intention to preserve the independence of all protestant German states in the Reich.

As an independent Kingdom at the same level as that of Spain, only being more ancient and venerable, the Danish King makes alliances with whomever he chooses whenever it pleases him.

If the papal puppet of Rome has promised lands to the Spanish crown where Danish settlers has planted their seeds and opened their markets concerns us not. We will however ask one of our Bishop’s lowly clerks to look into the matter to examine if the note bears any legal justification. If it does the answer will be forthcoming shortly.

Signed
Danish ambassador to Paris
Jürgen von Putzdorff auf Ankelschlamm

[RedPhoenix]

Ulrich of württemberg was a betrayer to the empire who killed his marshall hans von hutten because he had an affair with hutten's wife and wanted to marry her and attacked the peaceful imperial city of reutlingen. in order to protect the empire and punish him the swabian league, which includes bavaria as one of his leaders, invaded his lands
by leave of his imperial majesty Karl V. Thus the bavarian claim on wurttemberg is legimate and must be respected, and bestowed upon the loyal subject, the duke of Bavaria.

Normally the duchy would be bestowed upon his son christoph who is not guilty of his father's crimes, but there is clear evidence that he sympathizes with protestant heresies and might want to convert his country, leading all his subjects inevitably to HELL .

[Twoflower]

The Duke of Bavaria, most loyal subject of his Imperial Majesty and the Holy Church, is pleased by the Emperor's wise and generous decision. At the next Imperial Diet, he will take all required oaths as new Duke of Württemberg and receive the Reichssturmfahne, the Imperial war banner, that is since 1495 beared by Württemberg.
As his first act as new lord of Württemberg, he will restore the main church of Stuttgart to the pure faith and asks the pope for a legate competent of blessing it and cleaning it of all the heretic acts that have taken place there. He is right now looking for gifted painters, artisans and architects to make it a splendid temple for the Lord, Christ and the Virgin.The church will be renamed to Church of St. Joseph, the patron saint of fidelity in marriage, to remind everybody of the sin of the adultery committed by the former Duke.
In the following years, he will direct all his efforts towards leading the whole country back to mother church. He hopes all princes still true to the pure faith will back him up in that.

signed
Franz Xaver von Zweiblum,
advisor and secretary of Wilhelm V, Duke of Bavaria and Württemberg and Prince of the Empire

[RedPhoenix]

After 10 years of brutal fighting in the lowlands, both sides
are finally ready to talk about the future and possible
coexcistance of the 2 peoples, even though the holy inquisition
wishes for the extermination of these vile heretics, even they
have come to understand the possibilites of peace. What if
both sides could find a common ground and catholics would be
allowed to have a state religion statuts in the lowlands
not any less important than the state religion of reformed.

The reformed brothers, many veterans of wars on the same side,
many childern of those who fought for the same side. In the
end are they so different? They would pledge their blade and
purse to the service of the church and king of spain. And
aid by all means necessary those goals that the king would
pursue. They recognize the urgency of and immediate threat
christianty face, and only wish to be recognized as a part of
it. They are willing to take the same side in battle, and
face the infidels storming europe from the east, together.

April the 3rd in the year of our Lord 1568. Peace conference in Brabant.

The representatives of the dutch, and those of the court of
King of spain Felipe II. Met in closed chambers, talks went on
for hours, days it seemed at times. Would a conclusion ever be
reached some wondered... when finally they emerged.





Admiral D.Juan of Austria who was leading the peace conference,
stepped forward on the balcony, and addressed the people of holland,
who were all gathered in the market beneath the stathouse of Bruxelles to
await what the talks would bring to them.


The noble people of holland! Spain has agreed to give autonomy
to the people of holland, in exchange for their pledge to
from here on to the eternity, offer their blade to the service of
the king of spain. The service of the christian faith, and that of
the union bonding us together.

The crowd went exstatic, parties erupted throughout the lands,
there was finally peace.. and liberty!!!

[RedPhoenix]

Spain During the years of our Lord 1541-1568

Carlos, allways had been a man of duty and honor. As a skilled diplomat he was able to avoid bloodshed inside the empire, even though malicious forces were at play.

Yet the attrocities commited by the vile Turks could not be forgotten. Diplomatic dialogue took place with the seemingly peacefull french across the border to the north, France even suggested they would aid in a possible crusade by if no other means then by sending their fleet to aid. So preparations for driving the infidels out of europe took place.

Most loyal righteous catholic nations agreed that the turk expansion must be stopped. And christan lands reclaimed... even hopes of resurrecting the Kingdom of Jerusalem, to which Carlos had a rightfull claim, was put forth.

So it began, the armies of christendom moved across the infidel borders, and at first seemed to be unbeatable... then the first setback happened... Duque De Alba... commander of the invading forces was wounded and killed in a simple assault on a minor fort in croatia. The forces did not halt however and many battles were fought in the coming months and the turks were being beaten out of the way of the armies of the true faith.

Then the unthinkable happened, France had secretly been plotting to destroy the very heart of christendom, and to side with the devil and betray his faith. For some unthinkable reason all protestant nations rallied behind France to destroy all hopes for christendom. Sweden, Denmark, England all declared war on the catholic league, for no apparent reason except that they must have been following the words of their father in
HELL .

The war raged from side to side, Spain invaded most of english colonies in the new world, war in europe was mostly a standstill with none gaining much ground as spains forces were divided on multiple fronts no real offensive could be mounted. In the end Venice gave Dalmatia to the ottomans, Spain gave orania. Austria gained magyar from the turks. The betrayer of christianity and embracer of satan, Frances hunger was filled with the screams of virgins in Artois and Rousillon. Yet in his devilish greed, France took the only gains for his league of fools, showing for good that he was only after his own interest in this matter. His "allies" were left out dry, may they one day find the good in their hearts and renounce this bastard of the devil .

May the christianity prevail in the years to come and may the betrayer of the mother church burn in HELL .

[Javier (Pibe)]

Despite french attack on Liguria I hope Europe would be united in the following years. Genoa's demands are simple, peace and prosperity for all.

[manitou333]

We are finally free

I, Willem of Orange, and the people of the Netherlands would like to thank King Felipe of Spain and his emmisary Juan de Austria for finally allowing us self rule. I am pleased that their need not be anymore bloodshed between us, many Dutch soldiers have fought for Spain against all of it's enemies, and I pleased that their sacrifices will not go unrecognized by King Felipe.

Having myself grown up in a Catholic household I understand that King Felipe has concerns about our new religion, and the teachings of Calvin, but he need not be concerned. We will be tolarant of all Christian faiths, as we are all children and followers of our Lord. Indeed if King Felipe wishes he may leave agents in the Netherlands to see that we keep our word on this matter.

I accept the pledge presented by Juan de Austria, that we the free people of the Netherlands will continue to fight in service of the Kings of Spain and the true defenders of Chrisandom.

Mike D.

[Phadishar]

Started too play Persia as a perm player and took over for some other player. Too insure the Shiite as a religion I was forced too break an allicne with Baluchistan and conquered 2 of three provences. I have 3 strong neigbours The Mughal Empire, Ottoman empire and Russia. OE and The Perisan empire see no use in being enemies as long as the Christianity as treathing us. That leaves the persians with an enemy too the north and east. But the russians have little interest in Persia and The Mughal Empire is far too under developed to be and threath in the long run.
Soo The Sultan of Persia decided too have and Aggresive Policy instead of a defence one. First target was the Chagatai Khanate. WHich the sultan easy laid under himself totaly consuming it. The whole silk road is under Persia influence. But with the silk road under Persian controll another Great enemy showed up.. china.
Violent clutches happened in the beginning between china and it's allies against the Persian empire because of culturel differences. But peace came and the Sultan married away too daughters one too china and another too chinas ally Tibet. For now the situation is stabel. Tolerance and understanding is a must.

[juv95hrn]

Denmark 1540-1600

A small colonial presence was established in North America quickly growing by the years. Lots of fur fish and naval supplies were shipped through Danish hands in Nipissing and soon a rich Centre of Trade had been created here.

Denmark sided with France in an alliance together with other protestant brother nations. While England fought off the aggressive Spaniards in America Danish forces were keeping rebellious peasants in check in England. Sometimes with great success, sometimes with less. It was feared that Danish army training and equipment were getting obsolete. At the end of the war France had gained some land from her enemies but the situation returned to status quo otherwise from that.

The Huron Indians, heathens and savages, were soon to be domesticated under Danish rule. Further to the south the Dutch were learning another Indian people the ways of Europe and the joy of servitude.

Late during the century Austria had a fall out with her former allies. France invited this catholic state into the alliance and Denmark grudgingly accepted. Soon the Papist warmonger in Vienna charged her part of Europe into war by attacking Genoa. Dog bites dog and the archbishop of Copenhagen jokingly commented it in a war sermon. Once again Denmark joined battle. Dutch forces in Africa were attacking Swedish possessions in Ivoria. To take the pressure off of them A Danish offensive was launched across the Niagara Falls. Soon however superior forces drove the Danish army back to their starting positions. France demanded that Denmark should take joint action with them and seal of Dutch ports. When the Danish navy arrived at their destination the French navy was nowhere to be seen and the Danish navy was soundly defeated losing many ships. Had the cowardly behaviour of the French fleet been anticipated the battle would have been broken off way earlier but standing to their word the Danes fought until their last breath until finally forces to retreat. Then ended the second grand war of coalitions.

Denmark has strong trade, science and economy, her navy is respectable even if her army is weaker than most and not as modern. The protestant revolution seems not to be threatened by the papists. It seems to be a prosperous century laying ahead of her.


Danish colonial possessions in 1600

[Aldo]

Russia 1540-1600

Russia has experienced a period of peace and growth. The country is still behind Europe in most aspects but as it is knowned: The way of Europe is not the way of Russia.

West of the Urals Russia grew southwards when the Crimean lands was divided with the Ottoman Empire. During the start of the Siberian colonization Poland demanded, under threat of war, the ruthentian provinces of Poltava and Donetsk.

Russia was at this time strong in terms of gold, stabilty and manpower but unaware of who may back the Polish demands the Tzar decided to give in. In exchange for the new Polish rule over Poltava and Donetsk Poland ensured that no agression will be directed towards Russia from Polands part. The ceded provinces would also find some independence from the Polish state, including total religious freedom which meant that they were to remain orthodox.

Moscow should now be considered the capital of the othodox faith. Although Russia did not persue the Greek appoach the vast majority of the orthodox followers live under Russian rule as the true faith is almost extinct in the Balkans, Minor Asia, Levante and Nubia. In Georgia it is still very much alive and it is the objective of Russia to protect the remains of the ancient religion.

To increase the income from the Russian center of trades trade agreements have been signed with the mighty trade nations of England, Denmark and Sweden.

[Slargos]

Warzaw, Poland. Current day.

Zygmunt III sits in his favourite chair in the war-room. The large table infront of him is a model of eastern europe with markers for the polish and allied armies, aswell as the enemies: The Austrians, the Bavarians and the Russians.

Surrounding the table is a horde of commanders of the army, their aides, messengers and servants, milling about. Messengers arrive with news and leave with orders.
One particularly worn-out man approaches Hetman Lubomirski and tugs at his coat. Whispered words turns the usually grim looking Hetman into a vision of joy. Lubomirski hurries over to the king and exclaims excitedly: "My liege! The Ottoman armies have won a major victory against the Habsburg horde in presburg, not many leagues from Vienna! Surely the arrival of Chodkiewicz's army broke the Habsburgs' morale!"

Zygmunt stares blankly ahead, not wanting to acknowledge this great victory, not even to himself, in fear of getting overconfident.
There was still those markers symbolising the russians raiding in Lithuania to handle. This war would not be over for some time yet...

Warsaw, Poland. The previous decade. The beginning of the war.

The message arrived by one of the emperor's personal servants. "We go to war in one year. God Save us All!"

Zygmunt stared at the missive. Would God truly save them all? What would he do to protect Lithuania from the russian horde once the polish armies were busy fighting the Ottomans in a pointless war over lands that had sworn allegiance to the Habsburgs despite the claims Poland had to them?

Zygmunt had already signed the alliance though, and there was nothing to be done. Messengers were sent to the Habsburgs to ask for funds to pay for the equipping of the armies that would fight in this german war.

Weeks later, they returned with empty hands. The Emperor had not even granted them audience, but had instead left them to a lowly courty functionary who'd assured them the Emperor would see them "eventually".
New messengers were sent every week for a whole year, but they all returned emptyhanded or with flowery words and promises that "russia will not attack".

No. This would not do. Poland would not throw away its youth in a war where there would be no gains but that of continued existance as the Habsburg's lapdog.

War was declared in January of 1610 and Polish armies were ordered to march south, without specific movement orders.
Zygmunt was waiting for the reply of Ahmed I, Grand Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.
The reply arrived a week later along with a chest of gold. The Ottomans agreed to the Polish terms and sent along military advisors that would instruct the Polish field Hetmans in the plans of the Sultan.

The armies were given march orders. Move into Bohemia. Secure ancient Polish claims for the King and rout any germans attempting to halt the invasion! God is With Us!