pre-TNESIV: Let The Bodies Hit The Four

Owen and Thy, sitting in a tree
K-i-s-s-i-n-g!
First comes love.
Then comes marriage.
Then comes baby in the baby carriage,
 
Raw stats, sans formatting. Just some interesting stuff to keep people occupied.

---

The Kingdom of Normandie – Shadowbound
Government: Centralized Bureaucratic Monarchy. The King has absolute power, but he delegates to the Haute-Conseil, approximately 20 representatives from the nobility, clergy, and mercantile sectors who have an advisory role. Anglie has its own semi-autonomous Conseil and there are calls to establish others, resisted thus far.
Initiative: Committed [Supporting the Hesperideans, major colony in Asphodel w/frequent skirmishes with Knights, Tupans, & natives, treaty port & expanding presence in India]
Society: Normand majority in the heartland of Normandy, a large semi-assimilated Anglien/Anglo-Normand minority north of the Channel, large and unhappy Occitan minority in maritime Aquitaine. Small Breton and Cornish minorities, and a rapidly dying off population of Circadian natives in the New World. Growing numbers of African slaves. Metropolitan Orthodox, with growing Remonstrant minority.
Factions [Strength/Confidence]: Haute-Conseil [5/3] Hautes-Fratries [3/5], Hinterland Ducs [3/2], Corneval [2/4], Conseil d'Anglie [3/4], Remonstrants [2/2]
Faction Descriptions: Haute-Conseil – The ruling council convened by the king. Currently the mercantile faction is in favor and the noble faction is out, in keeping with the reformist desires of the current dynasty. As such, somewhat internally divided on policy. Split on how to handle Remonstrancy.
Hautes-Fratries – Powerful mercantile guild-brotherhoods who have gained increasing levels of influence in Normand society. Support a strong fleet and measures to expand the colonial empire. Oppose entanglements with Aquitaine and Albia, which the monarchy has avoided. Very satisfied with state policy and their tax exemption; everyone else resents them. Favor toleration of Remonstrancy.
Hinterland Dukes – Neglected nobility who run things in the Vascon Bay. Somewhat alienated by state policy, and want the King to finish what he started in Aquitaine. Favor suppression of Remonstrancy. Want lower taxes.
Corneval – A duchy run by a cadet branch of the monarchy. Just uses the province as a cash cow to fund an opulent lifestyle in Italy. Don't care about much.
Conseil d'Anglie – As always, worried about Albian invasion. Wants more troops and fortresses, but ironically, more autonomy at the same time. Favor supression of Remonstrancy.
Remonstrants – A small but rapidly growing population among the burgher classes and some peasants. Favor abolishment of Church privilege and a return to the principles of ancient Christianity.
Economy: Maritime trading economy with significant manufacturing; economically productive but agriculturally deficient. Refocusing towards a New World plantation economy to satisfy domestic demand.
Taxation: Medium-High. Fairly substantial taxes are levied on land holders, the church, and inheritances, and a wide variety of products are royal monopolies. Tax exemptions exist for the Anglien territories and specific chartered Fratries.
Armies/Navies [Size/Morale/Supply]: Fleurs du Mort [17,000/Spirited/Replenished], Armee D'Albion [3,000/Confident/Replenished], Colonial Army [2,000/Confident/Weather-Taxed] / Fleet of the Bight [45/Confident/Replenished], Colonial Fleet [10/Confident/Weather-Taxed]
Military Description: Normandie has recently made the transition to a standardized, professional military. Army has a highly dedicated officer corps and the medium cavalry wing focuses on shock charges, along with large numbers of of musketeers using wheellocks and quality siege artillery. The navy is also highly advanced, with a number of heavy galleons staffed by good captains. Naturally this is expensive.
Prestige: 0

The Kingdom of Vasconia -
Government: Traditional Elective Monarchy. The Basque nobles of the land have, since the 12th century, elected their rulers from any eligible male or female from the royal lines.
Initiative: Unhindered. [Some island colonies in the Hesperides and fishing villages in north Circadia, marriage alliances with Asturias and Aquitaine]
Society: Basque majority population, with small minorities of Asturians and Jews. Firmly Metropolitan Orthodox along the coast, with Imperial sympathies in the south.
Factions [Strength/Confidence]: Royal Court [4/5], The House Avisca [3/1], The Free Captaincies [2/3], Peasants [1/4]
Faction Descriptions: The Royal Court – Currently favors alliance with Aquitaine and Asturias; distrusts Normandy and Toledo. Relatively cautious.
The House Avizca – A powerful duchy and traditional rival claimant to the throne. Associated with Imperial, Knightly, Toledan interests. Totally at odds with current policy and potentially willing to revolt.
The Free Captaincies – Independent Basque villages granted charters by the crown; most have set up whaling and fishing enterprises. Struggling to cultivate in the sugar islands due to opposition to slavery. Prefer low taxes and to be left alone.
Peasants – May God and the Virgin protect her majesty!
Economy: Primarily a maritime economy of fishing and whaling, augmented by agriculture and mining in the Pyrenis. Small cottage industries.
Taxation: Low. The royal house taxes foreign merchants and receives nominal fees from the villages in order to renew their charters.
Armies/Navies [Size/Morale/Supply]: The Queen's Army [6,000/Confident/Replenished] / Lehenego Flota [15/Spirited/Replenished]
Military Description: Small light cavalry pistoleri contingents and levied pike militia; not exactly a military powerhouse. Will probably hire mercenaries if attacked. Small but dedicated contingent of fast frigates.
Prestige: 0

The Kingdom of Asturias – TheDright
Government: Traditional Aristocratic Monarchy. Basic Latinate patrilineal descent with an empowered nobility and some input from the gentry.
Initiative: Unhindered. [Small settler and resource colonies in Asphodel.]
Society: Galician Latin, with a medium-sized Visego and small Jewish minority.
Factions [Strength/Confidence]: Royal Court [4/4], Partid de Tui [3/4], Partid de Leon [4/2], Burghers [2/2]
Faction Descriptions: Royal Court – Wants to balance the increasingly escalating ethno-factional feuds between Galician and Visego nobles. In favor of continued colonial expansion. Distrusts Andalusia but not yet willing to act.
Partid de Tui – The Galician nobles, who favor good relations with Andalusia, the Conciliar Church, and continued colonial expansion. Hate the Partid de Leon. Currently in favor.
Partid de Leon – The Visego nobles, who support the Aviscan claim to the Vasque throne, and hate Andalusia with a passion. Favor alliance with Toledo and the Imperial Church. Out of favor.
Burghers – Mostly sick of being taxed to death and hate being used and abused by the nobles.
Economy: Agricultural economy with maritime elements. Produces both staple crops for export and imports cash crops (sugar and molasses) from Asphodel.
Taxation: Medium. The entire tax burden falls on the mercantile class since the nobles, powerful as they are, have managed to wiggle out of any tax burden. The merchants pass it on to the peasants, naturally.
Armies/Navies [Size/Morale/Supply]: Royal Army [6,000/Confident/Replenished], The Company of the Mace [5,000/Confident/Replenished] / Royal Fleet [20/Confident/Replenished], Colonial Fleet [5/Confident/Weather-Taxed]
Military Description: Heavy cavalry with lances and sidearms, extremely richly trained but bordering on obsolete. A motley assortment of mixed infantry and Italian mercenaries scraped together to support the nobles whenever war is declared. Mostly light frigates and cogs, moderately well-armed and crewed.
Prestige: 0

The Most Christian Emirate of al-Andalus - Immaculate
Government: Federated Bureaucratic Monarchy. The state bureaucracy is composed of parallel religious courts governing most aspects of society, with Christians, Muslims and Jews receiving unique treatment. The Christian Emir is widely respected but prefers to delegate to local authorities.
Initiative: Committed.
Society: Diverse polyglot society of Arabs, Jews, and Latins of various ethnic groups, including Visego, Portucale, and Valenciano. Majority Metropolitan, with Mozarabic Rite in the south and the traditional Latin Rite in the north. Large Jewish and Muslim minorities; Jewish plurality in Asphodel and Muslim majority in Oran and Tangier.
Factions [Strength/Confidence]: The High Diwan [5/5], Visego Courts [3/3], Jewish Corporations [3/4], Islamic Courts [2/4], Asafids [1/1]
Faction Descriptions: The High Diwan – The central government of the Emir, which manages military affairs and adjudicates disputes between communities. Seeks to maintain policies of tolerance and outwit mercantile rivals in Genoa and Munster.
Visego Courts – “Visego” is the generic term for a Christian Latin. Would prefer the revocation of the trading monopolies given to Jewish companies, and that the Emir adopt European rather than Arab cultural standards. Given substantial authority over the military and wants to protect this.
Jewish Corporations – Large, interconnected enterprises which helped establish Andalusian mercantile dominance as far as the Indies. Want to protect their independence and monopolies over the nation's trade. [The Ikhwan al-Safardiyya is the most powerful of these.]
Islamic Courts – Most common in Granada, Oran, and Tangiers. Support continued Andalusian involvement in North Africa, and oppose the spread of Genoan influence. Also want to revoke Jewish trading monopolies.
Asafids – Radical Kharijite-influenced Muslims, rising in power in North Africa. Still existing in the shadows in Morocco but whispers of their influence have spread. Anti-everyone.
Economy: Internationalist trading economy based on plantation agriculture, with strong elements of specialist urban manufacturing. Naval industry and military industrial complex both notably advanced. Early stock exchanges and insurance industry; highly sensitive to speculative shocks.
Taxation: Medium-Low. Very high duties on the Gibraltar trade route ensures that rivals are virtually taxed out of the Atlantic. Domestic taxation is relatively low while at peace, but mechanisms exist to quickly levy taxes from the lower Diwans. Huge profits currently made on commodity resale.
Armies/Navies [Size/Morale/Supply]: Jysh al-Maghrib [9,000/Confident/Replenished], Legia di Visegani [12,000/Confident/Replenished], Circadian Garrison [1,000/Confident/Replenished], Javan Garrison [2,500/Confident/Replenished] / Fleet of al-Jedidah [25/Confident/Weather-Taxed], Fleet of Jebeltar [40/Confident/Replenished], Fleet of Alamir [20/Confident/Weather-Taxed]
Military Description: The particularist tradition of Andalusia means that a lot of units are supplied from different cultural backgrounds; so unit quality is fairly uneven. There is an elite core of musketeers and a lavishly funded royal artillery corps, however. The navy is mostly run by Jews, and is excellent; heavy galleons which are dual purpose goods transports and warships.
Prestige: 0

The Ikhwan al-Safardiyya [Andalusia] – Masada
Government: Corporate Oligarchy. The Sephardic Brotherhood is structured as a joint-stock company, with officers selected based on wealth and internal promotion.
Initiative: Lightly Committed. [Supporting piracy, slaving, and bar mitzvahs.]
Society: Mostly Jewish Andalusian elite, with a small but growing class of creoles, a rapidly declining population of Circadian natives, and a rapidly expanding population of African slaves.
Factions [Strength/Confidence]: N/A [Andalusian Faction]
Faction Descriptions: [N/A]
Economy: Colonial export economy. Cash crops are sent to the homeland in return for finished goods. Slavery is also becoming a major profit-driver.
Taxation: Very Low. Tribute is sent to the Emir, but most requirements are settled in kind.
Armies/Navies [Size/Morale/Supply]: Ikhwani Militia [1,000/Confident/Replenished] / Ikhwani Fleet [25/Confident/Replenished]
Military Description: There is virtually no land-based army, since Andalusian forces are called in if needed. The fleet, by comparison, is a well-crewed assortment of galleons and frigates, though they serve a dual-purpose as merchant shipping.
Prestige: 0


The League of Munster - ChiefDesigner
Government: Confederal Democratic Republic. Authority is delegated between local religious councils, burgher companies, and the raaden (assemblies) in which all God-fearing males of good standing® are entitled to elect a representative.
Initiative: Committed. [Heavy fortifications against Imperial encroachment, numerous colonial ventures in the Indies, Africa, and Americas.]
Society: Assortment of Flemings, Zeelanders, Low and High Germans, with a small Jewish minority. Almost universally Remonstrant Christian with a small, oppressed Imperial Orthodox minority.
Factions [Strength/Confidence]: Antwerp Guilds [5/5], Hamburg Guilds [4/3], Radical Remonstrants [2/2], Landed Gentry [2/1]
Faction Descriptions: Antwerp Guilds – Dominant faction; favor a strict policy of Remonstrancy as the state religion and continued confrontation with the Imperials and Arabs. Pro Normandy and Denmark.
Hamburg Guilds – Secondary faction; favor religious tolerance and rapproachment with the Frankish Empire. Alarmed by Danish ambitions in Pommern and Lubeck.
Radical Remonstrants – Also known as Charismatics. Believe that all earthly governments, even Remonstrant ones, have become corrupted, and that the re-creation of the true Biblical church and re-ordering of society will bring about the apocalypse. Favor female ordination and are consequently excluded. Some favor emigration to Circadia.
Landed Gentry – The inland landholding elite, recently dispossessed of all their official noble titles. Strong Imperial sympathies, deep resentments towards the mercantile class and the Remonstrant mob, and simmering on the edge of revolt.
Economy: International mercantile trading economy supported by agriculture and significant early mechanized manufacturing. Well developed access to credit, and a massive trading rivalry with Andalusia.
Taxation: Medium. The state exacts a flat tax on all mercantile profits made over a certain level, and institutes a labor duty for corvee labor on cash-poor lower classes who can buy their way out. Punitive tariffs on foreign merchants.
Armies/Navies [Size/Morale/Supply]:
Military Description: Infantry-heavy, organized, disciplined pike-and-shot formations. Some of the finest siege artillery in Europe, and pioneering fortification technology, especially around Cologne and Hamburg. Minimal light cavalry in a scouting role.
Prestige: 0

The Kingdom of Denmark – angst
Government: Absolute Monarchy. Denmark is a power feared throughout northern Europe for its military prowess and famously centralized administration.
Initiative: Lightly Committed. Leading vassals in Lubeck and Abodritia (Pommern), major coastal fortifications against Lithuanian attack in the Baltics.
Society: Norse Danish majority, with a medium-sized, semi-assimilated minority of Svedish in Svedmark and a medium-sized, non-assimilated minority of Finns in Finnmark. Small minorities of assorted Baltic peoples. Germans and Slavs under separate administration. Conciliar Orthodox with a small minority of Remonstrants.
Factions: Royal Court [5/5], Rådmænd [2/4], Svedish Gentry [2/2], Baltic Nobility [2/3], Finns [1/1]
Faction Descriptions: The Royal Court – Partisans of the King in the national civil service, clergy, and military. Wish to keep the nobility largely marginalized and divided. Hate pretty much everyone but Pskov.
Rådmænd – Middle-class and low-nobility officials brought up through Denmark’s compulsory national education system. Wish for continued royal patronage and continued suppression of noble interests.
Svedish Gentry – Mostly resentful of Danish dominion. Want increased autonomy under local leadership and a reduction of taxes. Periodically revolt when the opportunity arises but currently cautious.
Baltic Nobility – Descendants of old Crusader lineages assimilated into Denmark in the past century under Russian and Lithuanian pressure. Understandably appreciative of Danish protection. Clamoring for war with Lithuania.
Finns – Vapaa Suomi! Currently too weak to revolt however.
Economy – Pre-industrial maritime economy with strong supporting cottage industry and agriculture. Danish merchants rule the Baltic but are effectively locked out of most foreign markets.
Taxation – Medium-High. Denmark levies a direct tax on the incomes of the monied classes and collects in kind from the peasantry. Taxes are strict but royal bureaucrats are careful not to push the people too far…yet.
Armies/Navies [Size/Morale/Supply]: Danska Hæran [24,000/Confident/Replenished], Baltiska Forsvarat [5,000/Confident/Replenished], Svenska Hæran [4,000/Confident/Replenished] / Kongeliga Flåtan [40/Confident/Replenished]
Military Description: Denmark is known for controlling a large and well-organized military force, with standardized combined-arms tactics of pike and cavalry, with a supporting force of muskets. The medium cavalry are especially well-renowned for scouting. Artillery is somewhat outdated. The navy, a mixture of galleons and fluyts, is unchallenged in the Baltic itself, but rarely ventures out of it thanks to Albian and Remonstrant hostility.
Prestige: 0

The Frankish Empire – Grandkhan
Government: Federated Imperial Pseudo-Constitutional Monarchy. The Frankish (or Ecumenical) Empire is a vast colossus of parallel state civil and religious administrations. It has become somewhat centralized with a number of Circles sending Reichskanzlers which sit in the Imperial Diet at Frankfurt. Imperial authority is currently at a near 3-century high.
Initiative: Lightly Committed. [Formal alliances with Imperial Orthodox powers: Albia, Moravia, Genoa, and Constantinople. Nominal overlord of the Knights of Alexandria.]
Society: Polyglot assortment of High and Low German with significant regional dialect differences. Large minorities of Burgundians, Bohemians, and Lombardians. Officially and universally Imperial Orthodox, with a small and highly-suppressed Remonstrant minority, and a small, barely-tolerated Jewish minority.
Factions – Kaiserstadte (4/5) The Red Circles [3/4] The Grey Circles [3/2], Bohemia [2/4], Burgundy [3/3], Lombards [2/2], The Papacy [2/5]
Faction Descriptions: Kaiserstadte – The domains personally held by the Emperor, a band of territory that stretches from Frankfurt to Aachen. Utterly loyal to his Imperial Majesty.
The Red Circles – Informal alliance of circles in support of the Imperial Church and the Frankish ecumenical project. Supports war with the Remonstrants and Italians to restore the glory of the Empire.
The Grey Circles – Seek a return to the old rights and privileges of the ancient nobility. Wish for an end to imperial taxes and reconciliation with the Conciliar churches.
Bohemia – An independent kingdom leal to the Frankish Emperor. Supports the protection of Moravian brothers and maintenance of true religion. Loosely allied with the Reds.
Burgundy – A wealthy, powerful kingdom in its own right that has toyed with independence but is currently loyal to the Imperial project due to marriage alliances and a controlling influence in the diet. Content with its current autonomy. Associated with the Greys.
Lombards – A puppet kingdom led from Ferrara. Local communes hate the King's authority and would prefer to defect to the Ambrosians.
Economy: Semi-feudal agricultural economy with significant mining, milling, and cottage industry. Stagnant trading sector due to near-landlocked position.
Taxation: Medium-Low. Direct taxes levied on the Kaiserstadte and the church supply most imperial revenue, and the Circles are left to manage their own affairs in return for military assistance.
Armies/Navies [Size/Morale/Supply]: Kaiserliche Heer [28,000/Devoted/Under-Equipped], Sachsenisch Reichsarmee [14,000/Confident/Replenished] Burgundise Armie [12,000/Confident/Replenished], Bohemsky Armada [7,000/Confident/Replenished] / Mittelmeerflotte [10/Confident/Replenished]
Military Description: A renowned heavy cavalry wing famed for devastating shock charges and extremely high morale, but somewhat outdated equipment and tactics overall. Levied pike and melee infantry of generally low quality but based around a doctrine of overwhelming enemies with numbers. Siege artillery run by Italian specialists. A nominal galleass fleet, “Genoa is the Emperor's navy” a common phrase.
Prestige: 0
 
In good time Tolni :)
 
I'm so excited!
 
I mostly do these between classes. :p

The Kingdom of Denmark – angst
Government: Absolute Monarchy. Denmark is a power feared throughout northern Europe for its military prowess and famously centralized administration.
Initiative: Lightly Committed. Leading vassals in Lubeck and Abodritia (Pommern), major coastal fortifications against Lithuanian attack in the Baltics.
Society: Norse Danish majority, with a medium-sized, semi-assimilated minority of Svedish in Svedmark and a medium-sized, non-assimilated minority of Finns in Finnmark. Small minorities of assorted Baltic peoples. Germans and Slavs under separate administration. Conciliar Orthodox with a small minority of Remonstrants.
Factions: Royal Court (5/5), Rådmænd (2/4), Svedish Gentry (2/2), Baltic Nobility (2/3), Finns (1/1)
Faction Descriptions: The Royal Court – Partisans of the King in the national civil service, clergy, and military. Wish to keep the nobility largely marginalized and divided. Hate pretty much everyone but Pskov.
Rådmænd – Middle-class and low-nobility officials brought up through Denmark’s compulsory national education system. Wish for continued royal patronage and continued suppression of noble interests.
Svedish Gentry – Mostly resentful of Danish dominion. Want increased autonomy under local leadership and a reduction of taxes. Periodically revolt when the opportunity arises but currently cautious.
Baltic Nobility – Descendants of old Crusader lineages assimilated into Denmark in the past century under Russian and Lithuanian pressure. Understandably appreciative of Danish protection. Clamoring for war with Lithuania.
Finns – Vapaa Suomi! Currently too weak to revolt however.
Economy – Pre-industrial maritime economy with strong supporting cottage industry and agriculture. Danish merchants rule the Baltic but are effectively locked out of most foreign markets.
Taxation – Medium-High. Denmark levies a direct tax on the incomes of the monied classes and collects in kind from the peasantry. Taxes are strict but royal bureaucrats are careful not to push the people too far…yet.
Armies/Navies [Size/Morale/Supply]: Danska Hæran [24,000/Confident/Replenished], Baltiska Forsvarat [5,000/Confident/Replenished], Svenska Hæran [4,000/Confident/Replenished] / Kongeliga Flåtan [40/Confident/Replenished]
Military Description: Denmark is known for controlling a large and well-organized military force, with standardized combined-arms tactics of pike and cavalry, with a supporting force of muskets. The medium cavalry are especially well-renowned for scouting. Artillery is somewhat outdated. The navy, a mixture of galleons and fluyts, is unchallenged in the Baltic itself, but rarely ventures out of it thanks to Albian and Remonstrant hostility.
Prestige: 0
 
Question: do you mind to rename my nation to just Kingdom of Moravia?
Or at least tell me what the Panonnia bit entails to? Is it a part of the Kingdom or is it a de jure title?
 
Question: do you mind to rename my nation to just Kingdom of Moravia?
Or at least tell me what the Panonnia bit entails to? Is it a part of the Kingdom or is it a de jure title?

*Panonnian élite revolts*
*dies*
fin
 
Question: do you mind to rename my nation to just Kingdom of Moravia?
Or at least tell me what the Panonnia bit entails to? Is it a part of the Kingdom or is it a de jure title?

The shorthand can be the Kingdom of Moravia, if you like. Pannonia is an important de jure title though; your nation claims the whole of the legacy of Great Moravia, which includes the Pannonian plain.

And you still control a liiiiittle of it, actually. Many Avars live there, though they roam the whole of the Plain as nomads, passing between Magyar, Serbian, and Moravian jurisdictions as they please, supplying the numerous small forts of this highly contested region with mercenaries and also targets.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pannonian_Basin See?

---


The Frankish Empire – Grandkhan
Government: Federated Imperial Pseudo-Constitutional Monarchy. The Frankish (or Ecumenical) Empire is a vast colossus of parallel state civil and religious administrations. It has become somewhat centralized with a number of Circles sending Reichskanzlers which sit in the Imperial Diet at Frankfurt. Imperial authority is currently at a near 3-century high.
Initiative: Lightly Committed. [Formal alliances with Imperial Orthodox powers: Albia, Moravia, Genoa, and Constantinople. Nominal overlord of the Knights of Alexandria.]
Society: Polyglot assortment of High and Low German with significant regional dialect differences, especially Burgundian. Large minorities of Burgundians, Bohemians, and Lombardians. Officially and universally Imperial Orthodox, with a small and highly-suppressed Remonstrant minority, and a small, barely-tolerated Jewish minority.
Factions: Kaiserstadte (4/5) The Red Circles (3/4) The Grey Circles (3/2), Bohemia (2/4), Burgundy (3/3), Lombards (2/2), The Papacy (2/5)
Faction Descriptions: Kaiserstadte – The domains personally held by the Emperor, a band of territory that stretches from Frankfurt to Thuringia. Utterly loyal to his Imperial Majesty.
The Red Circles – Informal alliance of circles in support of the Imperial Church and the Frankish ecumenical project. Supports war with the Remonstrants and Italians to restore the glory of the Empire.
The Grey Circles – Seeks a return to the old rights and privileges of the ancient nobility. Wishes for an end to imperial taxes and reconciliation with the Conciliar churches.
Bohemia – An independent kingdom leal to the Frankish Emperor. Supports the protection of Moravian brothers and maintenance of true religion. Loosely allied with the Reds.
Burgundy – A wealthy, powerful kingdom in its own right that has toyed with independence but is currently loyal to the Imperial project due to marriage alliances and a controlling influence in the diet. Content with its current autonomy. Associated with the Greys.
Lombards – A puppet kingdom led from Ferrara. Local communes hate the King's authority and would prefer to defect to the Ambrosians.
Economy: Semi-feudal agricultural economy with significant mining, milling, and cottage industry. Stagnant trading sector due to near-landlocked position.
Taxation: Medium-Low. Direct taxes levied on the Kaiserstadte and the church supply most imperial revenue, and the Circles are left to manage their own affairs in return for military assistance.
Armies/Navies [Size/Morale/Supply]: Kaiserliche Heer [28,000/Devoted/Under-Equipped], Sachsenisch Reichsarmee [14,000/Confident/Replenished] Burgundise Armie [17,000/Confident/Replenished], Bohemsky Armada [8,000/Confident/Replenished] / Mittelmeerflotte [10/Confident/Replenished]
Military Description: A renowned heavy cavalry wing famed for devastating shock charges and extremely high morale, but somewhat outdated equipment and tactics overall. Levied pike and melee infantry of generally low quality but based around a doctrine of overwhelming enemies with numbers. Siege artillery run by Italian specialists. A nominal galleass fleet, “Genoa is the Emperor's navy” a common phrase.
Prestige: 0

The Ambrosian System –
Government: Hegemonic Republican League. Milan is primus inter pares, given full control over military affairs, though local burgesses run their own cities, and the other great cities (Cremona, Mantua, Verona, Torino) accept Milan's role as protector for their mutual benefit.
Initiative: Unhindered. [Marriage alliances with Aquitaine. Strong rivalries with Genoa, Florence, and the Empire.]
Society: Lombardian Italian, with local regional variations, and a tiny German minority in the alpine cantons. Strong adherents to the Metropolitan church, with some Imperial sympathists.
Factions [Strength/Confidence]: Zarivacci Clique [4/5], Agliano Clique [3/2], Scuteri Clique [2/4] The Metropolitan of Milan [3/5], The Milanese Mob [4/5]
Faction Descriptions: Zarivacci Clique – Controls the current Metropolitan and Francesco Zarivacci holds the baton for the System's armies. Imperial ambitions for building a System across Italia.
Agliano Clique – Controls most of the mercantile sector. Favors coming to terms with Genoa and Florence to improve trade. Some Imperial Church sympathies for this reason. Unpopular.
Scuteri Clique – Support from landed gentry and smaller families. Holds the balance of power and tends to prefer a conservative, defensive posture. Tightly allied to Aquitaine Marquizates by blood.
The Metropolitan of Milan – Currently held by a Zarivacci, essentially a propaganda wing for the batoniere at this point. Extremely anti-Imperial Church.
The Milanese Mob – Currently manipulated into feverish support for Francesco Zarivacci due to his successful skirmishes with Florence and Genoa, but liable to turn on a dime.
Economy: Urban crafting economy with secondary elements of agriculture and trade. Currently economically disadvantaged due to poor access to foreign markets.
Taxation: Medium-Low. High tariffs on everyone but Aquitaine, and various small taxes levied on local populations, varying by jurisdiction.
Armies/Navies [Size/Morale/Supply]: Colonna D'Aurea [15,000/Confident/Replenished], Colonna di Mantua [7,000/Confident/Replenished] / Flotilla D'Aurea [5/Confident/Replenished]
Military Description: An modern force of pike-and-shot squares, largely raised from pseudo-nationalized mercenary forces that are contracted permanently to the state to prevent disloyalty. Particularly good small arms technology, indifferent medium cavalry; excellent artillery. Very small fleet.
Prestige: 0


The Most Serene Republic of Genoa - Communisto
Government: Republican Oligarchy. The symbolic ruling doge is selected from a number of patrician families in an arcane and poorly understood process. Anonymous councils led by masked inquisitors govern the affairs of the state in association with mercantile and military leaders.
Initiative: Over-Committed. [Leading vassals in Egypt and Constantinople, supporting a trade and conquest venture in South America through the Circadian Order, formal alliances with the Frankish Empire, major coastal fortifications in Italy, Greece, Africa, and Cyprus]
Society: Ligurian Italian elite ruling over a diverse polyglot society of Mediterranean peoples including Greeks, Sicilians, Berbers and so on. Mostly Imperial Catholic, with some Conciliar sympathies. Muslim majority in Africa. Small minority of Jews.
Factions [Strength/Confidence]: The Doge [1/5] Inquisitori [5/5], Capitani del Mare [4/3], Albiani [2/3], Cefaluni [2/2]
Faction Descriptions:
The Doge – Effectively a mouthpiece since the 14th century. An important prestige position handed out as a gift to appease a faction.
The Inquisitori – The governing councils of the state. Riven with secret internal factions. Generally a bastion of support for Constantinople and Egypt, the two “bulwarks against barbarism”, but currently torn on whether or not to pursue an eastern or western strategy.
Capitani del Mare – The council of admirals who set military policy independent of (or rather, in tension with) inquisitorial guidance to prevent politics from intervening with war-fighting. Prefer focusing on Andalusia, against whom some Captains have supported the Circadian venture. Reluctantly supporting the Eastern Mediterranean strategy, prefer an Atlantic, anti-Andalusian focus.
Albani – Descendants of Latin crusaders, mostly Italian but with a few other national identities scattered about, that rule over Greece, Crete, and Cyprus. Individually weak, strong supporters of the buffer realms of Aegypt and Constantinople. Resentful of high taxation.
Cifaluni – A powerful independent noble house that rules the island of Sicily. Mostly prefers to be left alone to manage its affairs, but is happy to support war with Naples or Africa. Resentful of high taxation.
Economy: Maritime trading economy with significant elements of naval manufacturing and urban industry, and lesser elements of agriculture. Somewhat deficient in raw materials and manpower. Suffering from poor access to Atlantic trade.
Taxation: High. Serious extractive taxes of numerous origin levied on landholders, and mandatory galley service for urban peasantry incapable of paying a head tax. Tax exemptions for Muslims to prevent a revolt.
Armies/Navies [Size/Morale/Supply]: L'Esercito Repubblicano [10,000/Confident/Replenished], L'Esercito Orientale [8,000/Confident/Replenished], Figli del Leviatano [3,000/Spirited/Replenished] / L'Armata di Mare Occidentale [60/Spirited/Replenished], L'Armata di Grecia [45/Spirited/Replenished]
Military Description: A medium-sized force of skilled marine infantry with excellent musketeers. Garrison troops in the colonies are lower quality and sourced from local populations. Excellent and modern war galleasses with a few square-rigged oceangoing ships. Excellent esprit de corps and professionalism in the navy and marines. Excellent naval artillery.
Prestige: 0
 
Yeah guys, you're welcome to rename your armies, navies, and even your factions (though the latter will require special consultation with me first). You cannot, of course, control the desires of any factions but the controlling faction, typically the royal/imperial court or dominant clique.

I encourage you to name (and rename) your armies, as they'll obviously need to get shuffled around during the course of the game. Though you're welcome to do that after the NES actually begins. Armies with creative names may or may not have a higher esprit de corps. :p
 
The Ambrosian System –
Government: Hegemonic Republican League. Milan is primus inter pares, given full control over military affairs, though local burgesses run their own cities, and the other great cities (Cremona, Mantua, Verona, Torino) accept Milan's role as protector for their mutual benefit.
Initiative: Unhindered. [Marriage alliances with Aquitaine. Strong rivalries with Genoa, Florence, and the Empire.]
Society: Lombardian Italian, with local regional variations, and a tiny German minority in the alpine cantons. Strong adherents to the Metropolitan church, with some Imperial sympathists.
Factions [Strength/Confidence]: Zarivacci Clique [4/5], Agliano Clique [3/2], Scuteri Clique [2/4] The Metropolitan of Milan [3/5], The Milanese Mob [4/5]
Faction Descriptions: Zarivacci Clique – Controls the current Metropolitan and Francesco Zarivacci holds the baton for the System's armies. Imperial ambitions for building a System across Italia.
Agliano Clique – Controls most of the mercantile sector. Favors coming to terms with Genoa and Florence to improve trade. Some Imperial Church sympathies for this reason. Unpopular.
Scuteri Clique – Support from landed gentry and smaller families. Holds the balance of power and tends to prefer a conservative, defensive posture. Tightly allied to Aquitaine Marquizates by blood.
The Metropolitan of Milan – Currently held by a Zarivacci, essentially a propaganda wing for the batoniere at this point. Extremely anti-Imperial Church.
The Milanese Mob – Currently manipulated into feverish support for Francesco Zarivacci due to his successful skirmishes with Florence and Genoa, but liable to turn on a dime.
Economy: Urban crafting economy with secondary elements of agriculture and trade. Currently economically disadvantaged due to poor access to foreign markets.
Taxation: Medium-Low. High tariffs on everyone but Aquitaine, and various small taxes levied on local populations, varying by jurisdiction.
Armies/Navies [Size/Morale/Supply]: Colonna D'Aurea [15,000/Confident/Replenished], Colonna di Mantua [7,000/Confident/Replenished] / Flotilla D'Aurea [5/Confident/Replenished]
Military Description: An modern force of pike-and-shot squares, largely raised from pseudo-nationalized mercenary forces that are contracted permanently to the state to prevent disloyalty. Particularly good small arms technology, indifferent medium cavalry; excellent artillery. Very small fleet.
Prestige: 0
 
This NES is going to officially launch one week from today on Monday, March 16. Orders will be due on the evening of Friday, March 20, so begin thinking about your plans even if your stats aren't up yet. The first update will be posted on the evening of Sunday, March 22. It will cover a period of 5 years.

If you are going to war, I will handle this through a period of 2 year mini-updates. If you plan on going to war on the first turn, give me military orders for two campaign seasons. These details will be posted in the rules of the new thread.

If the war isn't over by the end of 2 years of fighting, I will post a mini-update on Saturday and solicit player input IMMEDIATELY. They can continue the campaign or negotiate right then and there. If I don't get input, the war will probably stalemate for the rest of the turn.

So be available. (Players who do not go to war will not be penalized for their sanity. )

---


The Most Serene Republic of Genoa - Communisto
Government: Republican Oligarchy. The symbolic ruling doge is selected from a number of patrician families in an arcane and poorly understood process. Anonymous councils led by masked inquisitors govern the affairs of the state in association with mercantile and military leaders.
Initiative: Over-Committed. [Leading vassals in Egypt and Constantinople, supporting a trade and conquest venture in South America through the Circadian Order, formal alliances with the Frankish Empire, major coastal fortifications in Italy, Greece, Africa, and Cyprus]
Society: Ligurian Italian elite ruling over a diverse polyglot society of Mediterranean peoples including Greeks, Sicilians, Berbers and so on. Mostly Imperial Catholic, with some Conciliar sympathies. Muslim majority in Africa. Small minority of Jews.
Factions [Strength/Confidence]: The Doge [1/5] Inquisitori [5/5], Capitani del Mare [4/3], Albiani [2/3], Cefaluni [2/2]
Faction Descriptions:
The Doge – Effectively a mouthpiece since the 14th century. An important prestige position handed out as a gift to appease a faction.
The Inquisitori – The governing councils of the state. Riven with secret internal factions. Generally a bastion of support for Constantinople and Egypt, the two “bulwarks against barbarism”, but currently torn on whether or not to pursue an eastern or western strategy.
Capitani del Mare – The council of admirals who set military policy independent of (or rather, in tension with) inquisitorial guidance to prevent politics from intervening with war-fighting. Prefer focusing on Andalusia, against whom some Captains have supported the Circadian venture. Reluctantly supporting the Eastern Mediterranean strategy, prefer an Atlantic, anti-Andalusian focus.
Albani – Descendants of Latin crusaders, mostly Italian but with a few other national identities scattered about, that rule over Greece, Crete, and Cyprus. Individually weak, strong supporters of the buffer realms of Aegypt and Constantinople. Resentful of high taxation.
Cifaluni – A powerful independent noble house that rules the island of Sicily. Mostly prefers to be left alone to manage its affairs, but is happy to support war with Naples or Africa. Resentful of high taxation.
Economy: Maritime trading economy with significant elements of naval manufacturing and urban industry, and lesser elements of agriculture. Somewhat deficient in raw materials and manpower. Suffering from poor access to Atlantic trade.
Taxation: High. Serious extractive taxes of numerous origin levied on landholders, and mandatory galley service for urban peasantry incapable of paying a head tax. Tax exemptions for Muslims to prevent a revolt.
Armies/Navies [Size/Morale/Supply]: L'Esercito Repubblicano [10,000/Confident/Replenished], L'Esercito Orientale [8,000/Confident/Replenished], Figli del Leviatano [3,000/Spirited/Replenished] / L'Armata di Mare Occidentale [60/Spirited/Replenished], L'Armata di Grecia [45/Spirited/Replenished]
Military Description: A medium-sized force of skilled marine infantry with excellent musketeers. Garrison troops in the colonies are lower quality and sourced from local populations. Excellent and modern war galleasses with a few square-rigged oceangoing ships. Excellent esprit de corps and professionalism in the navy and marines. Excellent naval artillery.
Prestige: 0
 
Top Bottom