Black Sheep: A Kara Koyunlu AAR

[BosniakWarrior]

Before I get into this After Action Report, I would like to say a couple of words. In a word, I am still a newbie. Although I've played several games with European countries, I am far from an experienced player. I am running EUII 1.08, AGCEEP.


I liked the forum about AAR's and decided I could try to create my own. When thinking about the nation, I wanted to pick a non-European underdog, so Kara Koyunlu became my choice. So here goes nothing


Black Sheep: A Kara Koyunlu AAR









A Brief History:


Kara Koyunlu, or in English "Black Sheep" were a Turkish tribal federation located in modern day Azerbaijan, Iraq, Iran, and Anatolia. The Black Sheep Turkmen were vassals of the Jalayirid dynasty in Baghdad and Tabriz from about 1375, when the leader of their leading tribe, ruled over Mosul. However, the Turkmen rebelled against the Jalayirids, and secured their independence from the dynasty with the conquest of Tabriz by Kara Yusuf.
However, in 1400, the armies of Tamerlane defeated the Black Sheep Turkmen, and Kara Yusuf fled to Egypt and sought refuge with the Mamelukes. He gathered an army and by 1406 had taken back Tabriz.

In 1410, the Black Sheep Turkmen took Baghdad. The installation of a subsidiary Black Sheep Turkmen line there hastened the downfall of the Jalayirids whom they had once served. Despite internal fighting amongst Kara Yusuf's descendents after his death in 1420, and the increasing threat of the Timurids, the Black Sheep Turkmen maintained a strong grip over the areas they controlled.

Jihan Shah made peace with the Timurid Shah Rokh, however, this soon fell apart. When Rokh died in 1447, the Black Sheep Turkmen annexed portions of Iraq and the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, as well as Timurid controlled western Iran.

Though much territory was gained during his rule, Jihan Shah's reign was troubled by his rebellious sons and the almost autonomous rulers of Baghdad, whom he expelled in 1464.

In 1466, Jihan Shah attempted to take Diyar Bakr from the White Sheep Turkmen, however, this was a catastrophic failure resulting on Jihan Shah's death and the collapse of the Black Sheep Turkmen's control in the Middle East. By 1468, the White Sheep Turkmen had swept away the last vestiges of the Black Sheep Turkmen.



Kara Koyunlu Horseman


Pattern



Mosque


Europa Universalis II Info:


Country: Kara Koyunlu

Religion: Sunni Muslim

Strating Year: 1419

Starting Provinces: Armenia, Kurdistan, Azerbaijan, Kirkuk, Iraq

Ethnicity: Turkish

Capital: Tabriz, CoT



Qara Yusuf had a lot on his mind. His brothers, and his fiercest enemies, the Ak Koyunlu were on the move East into the lands of his people. He was troubled beyond belief, yet he knew destiny was calling to lead his people to greatness. If he was to succeed he needed to introduce much reform, and battle was in the future without doubt. As the sun rose over Tabriz, Yusuf had gotten no sleep, yet he had many dreams for his people.






Part I:

Starting his campaign in 1419, Qara Yusuf realized the need for a larger military presence, so he trained an additional 5,000 Infantry in Iraq, 3,000 in Kirkuk, and 2,000 cavalry in Azerbaijan.

The army would be needed in case of attack from the Timurid Empire from the east, or the Ak Koyunlu from the west.

On January 19, 1420 Qara Yusuf managed to sign an alliance with the Ottoman Empire, Wallachia, Albania, and Bosnia.

Yusuf knew that the country's intrests would be better protected with allies on his side, especially allies in the nature of the Ottomans, who were steadily on the rise.

With the coming of July 2, 1420, Yusuf declared war on Egypt, in the interest of claiming additional land for the Black Sheep.

Hearing his call, the Ottomans and Wallachia joined, Bosnia and Albania choosing not to get involved.


Kara Koyunlu went into Syria with 20k troops and into Arabia with 7k troops.

Not being able to see his campaign end, Qara Yusuf died on November 18, 1420, and his son Qara Iskandar took the throne of the Black Sheep.


Throughout the land there was a deep sense of loss, and the women cried, the children wept as their leader was carried through the streets of Tabriz.

Iskandar had a large job infront of him, yet his father had taught him to be brave and to put the interests of his people, before his.







End of Part I

[CatKnight]

Looks like a solid start Bosniak. Non-european AARs are always interesting reads. Good luck!

[Stroph1]

I wish you luck with the Black Sheep - not an easy challenge.

[zacharym87]

Man, I was going to do the Black Sheep for my next AAR! Guess that's what I get for waiting so long. Best of luck, Bosniak Warrior!

[BosniakWarrior]

Black Sheep: A Kara Koyunlu AAR Part II


"Sire!.........SIRE!"

Iskandar: "Huh...."

Guard: "Sire....you ordered me to wake you at dawn for the ride to Egypt"

Iskandar: "Oh...that's right...I'm sorry, but I haven't gotten much sleep since my father's death"


Iskandar woke to the red Tabriz sun rising on the horizon, since his father's funeral, the Egyptians were defeated, gaining the holy lands of Arabia and Medina to the Kara Koyunlu. Iskandar had a long ride ahead of him, to accept the fat Sultan's peace proposal, even though both of them knew war would be renewed shortly after.

Iskandar knew very well that the Ottomans did most of the dirty work in his father's war, and that giving them nothing in return would only come back to haunt him in the future.

No matter now, the horse was waiting....



January 19, 1424. Iskandar arrived in Egypt, accepting peace from the Sultan, gaining the lands of Arabia and Medina. Holy lands to the Muslims, and a great gain for the Black Sheep.

The Ottoman emmisary did not have a happy face, especially since he knew the Ottomans were cheated out of a great deal of land. Most of Egypt's provinces had been conquered by them, yet Kara Koyunlu negotiated peace only gaining themselves land.





Two years passed without incident, but on April 21, 1426, the mighty Timurid Empire declared War on the Kara Koyunlu. Only the Ottomans heard the Black Sheep's call this time, and Iskandar immediately sent most of his forces to the border provinces.

The Timurids went into battle half-heartedly, being defeated several times without gain of land, or siege of provinces. Iskandar negotiated peace for a considerable sum from the rich Timurids.

Qara Iskandar prooved his worth, and the people began to love him like they loved his father. He had succesfully defeated the Egyptians gaining two provinces, and successfully repelled an attack from the powerful Timurid Empire.

After the war, came several years of peace and prosperity. Kara Koyunlu's economy prospered and merchants began pouring in from every land imaginable.


Spices and perfumes from the Arabian penninsula, Silks from the far East, Ivory and Ebony from Africa, Oil and Pottery from Greece and Anatolia. All passed through the bazaars of Tabriz, and the streets ran thick with merchants and goods.



Iskandar transformed the capital Tabriz to a beautiful city of lights, water, and technology.




However, Iskandar grew tired of building, and wanted to give his people a greater gift, more land.

Almost 8 years after the war with the Timurids, Iskandar declared war on the shaky Egyptians once more.

This time however, it was his war, not his father's.

The official declaration of war was issued on December 4, 1436.

Aden and Yemen joined the side of the Egyptians while the Ottoman Empire and Irak joined Kara Koyunlu's side.

On August 19, 1437, Syria fell to Iskandar's troops after a vicious battle in which a stray arrow pierced Iskandar's neck, wounding him mortaly.

The leader died without an heir, and his cousin Jahan Shah, took the throne on April 22, 1438.



Just as his father, Iskandar dies at a crucial moment in the war, and just as his father, the people mourn his death with great sympathy and compassion.

He had ruled the nation for 18 years, bringing great stabilty and growth to his nation.

However, now it was Jahan's turn to proove his worth, just as countless rulers before him did, he also could not disappoint his people.




As if it were a sign from the heavens, on June 7, 1438 Egypt experienced a grave plague killing many of it's people and destorying many crops needed to fuel to war.

On December 15, 1438 Jahan Shah joined his allies the Ottomans in a war against the Byzatines and Morea, however, this would have to be a war in name only, since the nation was preoccupied with the Egyptians.

In October 29, 1439 Jahan's troops captured Lebanon and on April 1, 1443 Jordan fell to his forces as well.

Province after province fell to the Kara Koyunlu soldiers of the Black Sheep, and this time without the help of the Ottomans.


Finally on February 21, 1447 Jahan negotiated peace with the Egyptians gaining the important center of trade Alexandria, and the populous province of Syria as well.

[BosniakWarrior]

Thanks everyone, appreciate it!

Zach, sorry man, I had no idea


I'll try and update it daily


I'll be lucky I last until 1600!

[tombom]

I'm far more of a newbie than you.

Good AAR and an intresting country. keep it up.

[BosniakWarrior]

Black Sheep: A Kara Koyunlu AAR Part III


Jahan Shah was nervous that he wouldn't be able to fill the hopes of the people, and the empty shoes of Qara Yusuf and Qara Iskandar, two great leaders.



He had already negotiated peace, but now it was time to move west, and attack the rich Timurid Empire, just as they had attacked Kara Koyunlu once.


On October 4, 1455 Jahan Shah issues an official Declaration of War against the Timurid Empire. Mazardaran, their allies soon joined them. Our new allies, the Golden Horde, joined our side of the conflict.



On June 3, 1456 the war was gradualy progressing, and the province of Tabriz had fallen to Jahan's troops. In the middle of the war, on July 3, 1456 Jahan Shah, issued a Reformation of the Army act, in which the soldiers of his empire were given new armour, and trained to the latest techniques.




Finally, on February 3, 1462 Jahan Shah signed a peace treaty and an end to the seven year long conflict between the Timurids and Kara Koyunlu. Jahan's nation gained the provinces of Tabriz, and Hamadan.



Kara Koyunlu was now a large, vast nation. Stretching from Armenia in the north, to Medina in the south, and Alexandria in Egypt.


Choosing peace over war, and choosing wisely, Jahan Shah chose not to start the Sheep's War against his brothers the Ak Koyunlu. Since his nation and the White Sheep had been allies a long time now, and since they had no significant land, war was not a wise choice for his people, peace endured in the land.



Later the next yar, on November 11, 1467 Jahan Shah, the man that finished the second Egyptian war, and secured two provinces from the Timurids, died of natural causes.


In Tabriz, the capital, a statue of the monarch was erected infront of the military acadamy in his honour.

The relatively young, and sometimes foolish Hasan Ali took the throne of the Black Sheep.


As his first act while in power, Hasan Ali signed an alliance on August 2, 1478 with Tunisia, Granada, and Tlemcen.


However soon after, Hasan Ali was forced to enter a war against Castile, Aragan, and Portugal, which would be in name only.


Hasan realized his mistake, so on February 8, 1481 He joined the Ottoman Empire, Ak Koyunlu, Karaman, and Irak in an alliance.

Soon after, he was dragged into a war against Poland, again, in name only.

By July 24, 1488 Hasan Ali had gained considerable experience as leader, not a militaristic one, but a diplomatic one at that. He prooved this by issuing a Regulation of the Medical Proffesion act, and soon after Azerbaijan, and Kurdistan gained a large number of population.


On July 4, 1489 Kara Koyunlu found themselves on brink of war once more, this time from Venice. The Ottomans declared war on the Italian nation, and the Kara Koyunlu heeded their call. This time however, the threat of invasion would be very real.



Realizing the danger, Hasan Ali doubled the amount of troops in Alexandria and sent additional cavalry through Egypt.




The threat from Venice would be proven harmless, and peace was signed shortly after.

Under Hasan rule, a lot of things flourished, including the Sunni Muslim religion, which proved itself when Tabriz converted to state religion on November 18, 1494.



When it came to Medicine, Hasan prooved he knew what he was doing so on May 29, 1498 he issued another Regulation of the Medical Proffesion act, Medina and Arabia gaining population.

Although he had never fought in an actual battle, Hasan's love of the military was great, and on February 12, 1500 Hasan Ali reformed the army once more as a gift to the people to greet the new century.

Hasan also gained the trust of other countries, and through diplomacy, was allowed to take detailed maps of the world back home to Kara Koyunlu. Exploration ruled supreme in 1500, and the Black Sheep learned much.


Kara Koyunlu 1502


Europe in 1502


In 1501, feeling the need for a larger navy, Hasan Ali built several warships in Alexandria.

Soon after Hamadan, converted to Sunni Islam, and now all the provinces in Kara Koyunlu were Sunni.

On March 14, 1516 Hasan Ali died, and his heir Safvet Ali took the throne of the Black Sheep. Hasan Ali had ruled the nation for almost 50 years, not seeing a single day of combat and bringing much internal and external development to Kara Koyunlu

[Readers please note that AGCEEP has Hasan Ali as the last ruler of the Kara Koyunlu because they get absorbed by the Ak Koyunlu, however I added my own rulers to the list because my game is going past that point. All the names are historically correct, but are however, fictional.]

Safvet started his rule rather young, just as his father did. But in an almost complete opposite way. His father signed an alliance as his first act, Safvet went to war with Dullkadir, heeding the call of the Ottomans on July 3, 1517.

Dullkadir almost immediatly invaded Kurdistan with 21,000 troops and Safvet sent his personal guard of 12,000 soldiers into Kurdistan to repell the attack.


Dullkadir suffered heavy losses and were defeated out of Kurdistan.

On July 21, 1518 the Ottoman Empire annexed the one province nation of Dullkadir and the Black Sheep got the many thanks of the Sultan in Istanbul.




Later the next month, Safvet Ali was again dragged into another war, this time with the Bosnians. On March 28, 1519, however, the Ottomans annexed Bosnia as well.


By 1520, Kara Koyunlu's economy had grown significantly with two Centers of Trade in their hands, one in Azerbaijan and the other in Alexandria.




An interesting development happend in 1525, when Rebels took 2/3 of Egypt, revolting against the weak and greedy Mameluk Nobles


After many years of peace, Safvet joined the Ottomans in a war against the strong Polish nation on July 7, 1542...



Western and Central Europe in 1530

Note Tuscany is uberstrong, and France has most of the Danish mainland.


End of Part III.

[BosniakWarrior]

Readers please be aware, since I haven't gotten much interest in this AAR, I've decided to finish the game with Kara Koyunlu entirely and then post all of the Chapters at once

[Skymning]

That's a shame. Even ia few hasn't posted in your AAR doesn't mean noone is reading it. I would like you to continue this marvelous piece of work. And I think many others would like that to

[BosniakWarrior]

Well, since you put it that way I guess I can continue


New chapter coming up today!

[zacharym87]

I second the effort to keep up the good work. You have a fine AAR going here and it'd be a shame to stop going ahead with it.

[BosniakWarrior]

Black Sheep: A Kara Koyunlu AAR Part IV


The war with Poland came and went, no interaction had happend, the Ottomans merely paying tribute to the Polish victors.


Note Poland is superstrong



Safvet had greater visions for the Black Sheep than a petty fight with the Poles.

On May 5, 1543, Safvet Ali signed a trade agreement with the greatest trading empire of the world, Portugal and on June 1, 1560 he did the same with Spain, another giant of trade.

Ruling little less than 44 years, Safvet Ali died of a mysterious fever on December 23, 1560.

Safvet Ali left no heir, and a far cousin of his, Yasser Shah took the throne of the Black Sheep.

Yasser had been the provinical governor of Armenia for 15 years, but with all of his experience, he was still terrified of taking the reigns of large nation.




On January 12, 1561 shortly after his ascent to the throne, he was forced to heed the call of the Ak Koyunlu in a war against the Hungarians.

Later than month, on January 20, 1561 Yasser Shah created a national bank in Azerbaijan that would increase trade efficiency for the people of his nation.



Through the 1560's came many wars by the Ottoman Empire, all of which Yasser Shah joined, in his alliance to the Sultan. Wars with Austria, Hungary, Poland, and others

On April 15, 1568 Yasser created an Arts Academy in Azerbaijan, in the city of Tabriz.



Yasser was a lover of art and often imported artisans of many nationalities and specialties to the capital and to the new academy of art.

Among other things, Yasser fell in love with red wine, imported from the Italians. On January 4, 1590 he built a Refinery in Alexandria which would produce alcoholic beverages.



Yasser Shah would come to pay for his love of alcohol later on in his life. The clergy of Kara Koyunlu often shunned Yasser for his drinking.

An interesting development happend on May 4, 1598 when the nation of Persia was created from their former oppressors, the Mughal Empire. Yasser immediatly sent diplomats to better the relationship with the Persians.



On a cold day, December 20, 1599 the Center of Trade in Azerbaijan was moved to Isfahan in Persia. Yasser was stunned, and fell deep into depression, drinking away his health.

One morning, on January 15, 1600, a guard found the miserable Yasser hanging by his neck from his ceiling. The shah had died, but his brother, Azem Shah was now ready to take the throne.


Even though he felt great pain for losing his brother, he couldn't help but being angry at what Yasser had done to the nation. Not only did he lose the Center of Trade in Tabriz, he had severely hurt the economy through his mindless spending.

Azem took it upon himself to rebuild the nation and to make it the greatest power in the Middle East. On September 10, 1605 Azem greatly upgraded the fortresses in Kurdistan, and Azerbaijan.


On May 19, 1623 Azem hired the services of Abdul Mersin, a Conquistador native to Alexandria


Azem Shah spent his reign fixing the economy, establishing and fixing relations with his neighbors, exploring the world, and improving the military of Kara Koyunlu.

Finally on June 8, 1644 Azem was asked to join the war with the Uzbeks against Sibir, Azem agreed. On July 5, 1646 peace was signed and Sibir payed a hefty tribute to the Black Sheep.


Seeing his chance at gaining new information of the new world, Azem Shah established a great relationship with the newely formed nation of Ukraine. Azem visited Bogdan IV in Kiev, and through his help gained new maps and information of far away provinces in the Americas.







Western Europe, 1633


Finally, after nearly 65 years of rule, Azem Shah died of natural causes in his palace, at Tabriz. All of the city attended his funeral, and the women threw flowers at his casket as it was being carried trough the streets.

He had fixed what his drunken brother had caused, and helped better the nation as a whole. He opened the eyes of the people of Kara Koyunlu by showing them maps of the new world, and now his son Azem II was ready to ascent to the throne of the Black Sheep.

Azem II, was not Azem Shah's first son, rather in back of the line. Yet his father favored him out of all and he became the rightful ruler of the Black Sheep.

He was merely 18 when he took the throne on May 8, 1665. Soon after, on January 3, 1670 he entered an alliance with the greedy Ottoman Empire. Shortly after that, he was dragged into war against Spain and Poland, two powerful nations of Europe.


Realizing the danger of losing Alexandria, he reinforced the city walls and hired additional soldiers to protect it's gates. A force of 21,000 Spaniards attacked the city on March 27, 1671 being repelled by a force of 17,000 Black Sheep soldiers.





Finally, on February 10, 1674 a peace treaty was signed, and the danger was over.

Breaking all borders on August 29, 1676 Azem II Shah established a Kara Koyunlu colony in Leone, on Africa's west coast. The province had little to no natives, and was rich in gold deposits. The people of Kara Koyunlu rejoiced and many volunteered to pioneer the new land.




Azem II engaged in his first war with the coming of April 1, 1677 at age 30, with his allies the Ottomans.

Seemingly, the fat and greedy Mameluk Nobles insulted the Sultan in Istanbul, and war was inevitable.

Fighting his first battle at the plains of Jordan, Azem II captured the province from the Egyptians. Battles were also won at the Delta and Sinai





On December 28, 1680 at age 33, Azem II had gained the provinces of Delta, Sinai, Jordan, and had succesfully established a colony in Leone....


but what would the future hold for the ruler?

[zacharym87]

Interesting game you're having there--Russia is dead and Poland is positively gigantic! I'm interested to see where else you can go playing the Kara Koyonlu as a colonial power!

[BosniakWarrior]

Yes I know, in none of my other games has Poland become so big!

They've swallowed up all of Russia as well


Tuscany is also a modest size in this game, far bigger than usual.

[scotty]

You know something is wrong when the Golden Horde is still around...

[CatKnight]

I wouldn't worry about replies, Bosniak. It takes a little while to build up a following! A few people will...well, decide your AAR isn't for them and go away. A few will respond. And several more will quietly read and enjoy. The number who respond goes up as you become more well known and start developing friendships on the boards.

Your game looks good. I agree, Poland's HUGE! I would..watch closely though. I just finished a game where Poland was gigantic 'til about 1770.... by 1819 they were down to one European province. Of course, with Russia, Prussia and Austria down....

[Hastu Neon]

Right, don't worry about replies! Consider also that lots of people (like me ) don't spend much time here during Christmas Holidays. Anyway, I've enjoyed the reading. And the map of Europe is quite surprising... Poland is to be scared!

[BosniakWarrior]

Well thanks guys, I appreciate that

[BosniakWarrior]

Sorry guys its gonna be another couple of days until the next update


I've come down with the flu and I havent had time to write..