I don't know. Shipping in general, the way things move through transportation and infrastructure, fascinates me to no end. Not particularly sure why, but that's the way it is.
Multiple people are welcome in a city, it just yields more benefits to have a city to call your own given that's one less area where you have to compete with someone.
Signups will remain open as always, though I am proceeding with Turn 1:
A brief explanation of the stats sheet:
-Shields and commerce are self-explanatory. Every unit/building costs shields, which the per turn shield production counts towards.
-Culture per turn is likewise self-explanatory. Being part of the ruling coalition of a city adds that Culture to your Prestige.
-To the far right of cities you can see the influence each faction has in it. One gold = one Influence. Factions can either seek to have the majority share of the influence, or form a coalition with another faction in the city. Either way gives you control of that citys production. Coalitions power over a city do not take effect until the next turn.
-Revenue is self-explanatory; it is how much you have available to spend. Call it EP, gold, whatever.
-Prestige is a measure of how much clout you have nationally. Pending prestige is how much will be added to your faction at turns end provided nothing changes. Prestige is increased by: governing cities with culture; income; the total Charisma of your faction; winning battles to which one of your characters are assigned.
-The Industries tab is a measure of how much ownership you have in each industry (bottom) as well as how much we have of each unit/building (top). Spend one EP to gain one point of influence in an Industry. The more influence you have, the more income you gain from that industry.
-Factions is a list of your characters and their traits. These qualities increase in value over time by relevant circumstances; partaking in battles, for example, increases Combat Experience.
-Troop Loyalties will remain blank until new units are produced.
-The Espionage tab is hidden, but it works like Industry and City Influence: spend one EP in a city to gain one espionage point in that city. The more espionage you have and the better your spymaster, the better your chances. While tasks like assassinations will be difficult (given that characters are fairly rare), sabotage is fairly straightforward.
We have arranged to trade Wine to the Ottoman Empire.
As can be noted, we have become the punching bag for many nations; we agreed to all these demands except the Thai. We simply cannot risk a war at present.
The Filipinos have declared open war against the Spanish from their city-state of Batangas. Given that the Spanish only have two cities on the island of Batangas and give us no reason to assume them amphibiously competent, this war could be indecisive.
Economic Developments
His Majesty is working to replace irrigation works with mines around the country; while this will decrease the birth rate due to less food, it will increase production. This is a good tradeoff in His Majestys view given that there is no shortage of food in Italia.
The X-Ray Machine was built in Rome; the machine was part of a slew of advancements that included our gaining a new Cruiser design, as well as the ability to hire Colonial Conscript Workers to improve the terrain of the colonies. Governors of the African territories are free to request the conscription of laborers there.
That concludes this years New Years report. Arrivederci.
Despite Italys peaceful, submissive demeanor, it should be no secret that it is wounding to Italys dignity to constantly pay off foreign extortionists, never mind how disgraceful it is that the seat of the Roman Empire rules such a small overseas territory. It is clear that while Italy plays the part of helpless so as to buy time to build its industrial base, we should plan for the long-term and consider our options now.
Invading France or Britain would be foolhardy no matter how much one slices it. While we could possibly score some victories over either, we would almost certainly lose our African possessions. The King has looked over his options and hereby presents them to his informal cabinet, LOligarchia.
Option A: The Balkan Alliance
Spoiler:
Attacking the Balkans would allow us to secure Albania and Greece, granting an enormous amount of prestige to Italy as it reclaims areas once owned by Venice and Genoa. We would be able to make full use of our navy in this campaign and the Balkans have no real obstacles to our victory, barring that Serbia would require use of land-based artillery to take without heavy losses. It would also give us a direct route to Turkish territory.
The major drawback of this campaign is that we would require an artillery group to take Belgrade and other inland cities.
Option B: The Mahdiyah
Spoiler:
Doing what mighty Britain cannot would bestow unimaginable prestige upon Italy, never mind it would link up our colonies.
Drawbacks of this campaign are that the Mahdists are heavily-armed and very numerous, meaning we will need to ship considerable amounts of troops into the area; we will also need to build an artillery force as all their cities are inland. Another drawback is that the Mahdists are an excellent counterweight to French and British influence in the area; it would be wise to avoid attacking them until the British and French have worn them down somewhat.
Option C: Spain
Spoiler:
We would be able to bring our naval power to bear against Spain, allowing us to seize the rich Catalan coastline for Italys purposes. By shipping troops through France we would be able to rapidly take Barcelona before rolling down the coast. Their two colonies in Africa are small and unproductive, so we could very easily seize those as well, increasing our holdings on the continent.
There are no real drawbacks to this campaign, as we can out produce the Spanish both locally and overseas, with Cuba and the Philippines being too far away to make an impact. If we wished to take all of Spain, however, we would need to build land artillery.
Option D: Austria-Hungary
Spoiler:
The Austrians still hold onto Trieste, and taking said city would be of great prestige for whoever did it. We would be able to use our full naval might here while also eliminating the potential threat of the Austrian fleet for good.
One drawback of this action is that wed need an artillery force to push any further inland; we would need to limit our advance to Trieste for this reason. The biggest con to this campaign is that the Austrians are under the protection of Germany; if we are not prepared, we could very easily see swarms of well-trained German troops attacking us in both Europe and Africa. The Government thus sees reason to leave this plan for the long-term.
Option E: Ottomans
Spoiler:
Ah, the Sick Man of Europe. It would be very prestigious to defeat what was once the great threat to Christendom, while we would also be able to increase our holdings in Africa through an acquisition of Libya.
The main drawback to this campaign is the Turks would be able to match us more or less in both Europe and Africa; we should wait until we have a considerable advantage before striking. The Turkish Navy is far from small as well, so we would definitely need to amass more ships before considering a war.
Option F: Japan
Spoiler:
We would be able to gain local superiority over the Japanese by shipping troops via the Trans-Siberian to Korea; they have 3 productive cities to our 5. Conquering Korea would grant us a solid base in Asia to consider campaigns in China or the Pacific.
The main drawback of this campaign is that supply lines would be sluggish given that the Trans-Siberian is not finished. We would also not be able to use our navy in this campaign, needing a large amount of land artillery to roll down the peninsula. Finally, Japan would be able to make use of their excellent fleets to harass us if they felt so inclined.
All options are on the table, and His Majesty Umberto I awaits your input.
Ambassador of ScandinaviaPuetro Rico Foreignstan here
I believe for the sake of world borders, and how immediately useful the city would be for Italy, that you should take Trieste now. You got the Alps to protect yourselves from the Krauts, and you can easily whip your people into artillery regiments (It's not like they were going to live productive lives or anything).
Oh also ScandinaviaPuetro Rico Foreignstan demands a 30 G tribute kthxbai
Cipriano: What are you saying, Eugenio? We must attack Trieste, whatever the cost!
Martino: I agree, Eugenio! What on earth are you on about?
Eugenio: We must be realistic here! Only we will endorse an attack on Austria, and nobody else. On the other hand, between the Mahdists and Japan our vote could be decisive.
Guido: You're talking rubbish, Eugenio! We should vote for Trieste to show Italy that the Nationalists have not given up on our fallen brothers!
Leonezo: Our Spymaster is right! Italy will understand as long as our message is clear in Cabinet and in public. If we don't send mixed signals, it should be alright.
Cipriano: ... I suppose you have a point, Eugenio. As long as we make our point clear, it should be fine. Between the two options, which should we vote for?
Eugenio: In my opinion, this is a decision for General Martino Donati. I may be our political expert, but Martino has the best understanding of military affairs of all of us.
Martino: A campaign against the Mahdists would be very risky. With good leadership, a campaign to conquer Korea should be much less so. I believe Korea would be our best option.
Cipriano: Any objections?
[nobody speaks up]
Cirpriano: Then it's decided. As soon as we can we attack Trieste. For now, we bring civilisation to Korea.
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Though it would not be our first preference, the Nationalists will support the Japanese option. If we must ignore our brothers and fight the uncivilised races instead, we should focus on sure victory rather than risk defeat.
In addition, the Nationalists have two things to mention. First, that we wish to insist upon building up land forces wherever we can. Even if we gain all of Africa, it will mean little if we cannot save our brothers in Trieste, Corsica, and Nice/Savoy. Of these, Trieste is our first priority.
Second, we have a general, Donati, who we would recommend for the campaign. Donati not only has great experience, but appropriate caution for the campaign. Battles can be notoriously unpredictable, and a rash assault could thus risk defeat and humiliation. Caution is ideal for such a campaign, especially as we have long streams of reinforcements.
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Cipriano nominates himself for Governor of Taranto, promising to begin constructing an army to complete the liberation of Italy and reclaim Trieste.
Eugenio sends a message to the other oligarchical factions. If they are willing to support Cipriano for Governor, they will receive support in return.
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Finally, war plans. Though these are a Royal preserve, we believe advice worth considering. The Nationalists are of the opinion that if we attack Japan, we should
besiege the cities one by one (OOC: Wait outside to cut off food and shields) and wait until we have overwhelming force. It is vital to stave off defeat.
If we attack the Mahdists, we should take advantage of the French colony. First, we station overwhelming force outside Adawa and wait to declare war until we can win without losing units. Second, empty our garrisons in eastern Africa save Asmara and take Addis Abba. We can replenish these later, as Addis Abba needs only a token garrison. We can probably use a peace treaty to take Fashoda, then break it to conquer. Otherwise, take the weaker then the stronger.
In either event, we should get careful info first (OOC: Right of Passage agreement to send a unit in to check. When done, we send it out the turn we declare war). We should not attack until we are sure of success.
If the Nationalist candidate is in charge and we follow said plan, we are willing to change our vote to the Mahdists. Martino Donati's war plans and command outweigh the benefits of attacking Japan over the Mahdists, particularly given that our colonies will be close together and capable of mutual reinforcement.
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