Pyotr Veliky
Father Russia
The final battle for supremacy in Italy
In February 1540 I declare war on Venice. All my alliance members except Saxony join the war to serve as cheap cannon fodder. With two sizeable armies that had been positioned earlier I move in to besiege the two provinces that I intend to gain in this war: Marche and Mantua. Venetian resistance is minimal and brushed aside without breaking a sweat. The troops in Mantua face desperate counterattacks, but dont move an inch. The first success of the war is reported in August 1540 when Marche is captured, followed in October by the fall of Mantua. To make it clear to the Venetians that these two provinces are best given up, I head for Venice itself. Due to some interruptions by the Venetian navy I do not reach the city until April 1541, when a siege is begun. From Istria a Venetian army of 14,000 constantly tries to dislodge my siege force, but it is beaten back every single time which, in effect, not only seals the fate of the city, but also the fate of Venice as an Italian based empire.
In July 1542 the war crazy Austrians declare war on Poland, the same country that kicked their butt not too long ago and that while the Ottomans two years earlier annexed Hungary! Vienna clearly has its priorities straight :shakehead Now I have to decide if I will join this war or not. When I see that Poland is supported by Denmark, Saxony and France, I quickly conclude this war is a lost one. There is no way I could get anything from it before Austria is overrun by the French, Saxon and Polish hordes. I wish them all the best, politely decline their request and return to the matter at hand: ripping Venice apart.
Some Venetian generals or admirals must have had a chat with French colleagues, because for some reason they too show a particular interest in Corsica. Numerous landings are attempted and all of them are repulsed by the garrison stationed on the island. The suicide attacks on Veneto also continue as if they would actually have a chance of succeeding. After countless tries, even the Venetians themselves accept there is nothing that can be done and in July 1543 they offer me Marche, Mantua and 33 ducats for peace. I accept. Not only does this peace give me two extra Italian provinces, it also means north and south Italy are now connected. Apart from the obvious strategic importance, this also has significant consequences for my economy, since it ends the penalty that I endured on income from my four southern provinces because they lacked a land connection with the capital. In more ways than one, this was a very lucrative war.
Austrias losses in the war against virtually the whole of Europe werent as big as expected, btw. They lost Wurtemberg to France and Zeeland to Denmark. This is a screenie from Central Europe at the end of 1543:
Old weak allies, new powerful friends
Despite slow growth in both economic and military power, the world is still a dangerous place for Italy on its own and allies, therefore, are needed. Although Austria often seems more of a hindrance than an asset, I dont have a lot of choices and thus find myself yet again tied to Vienna in an alliance that also consists of Russia.
In 1544 I suffer a major economic setback when my centre of trade in Liguria disappears by event which results in the Venetian CoT now controlling virtually all Italian trade.
After a short war against Cleves, Austria in 1545 declares war on England. With Rome nearby and a sizeable navy to intercept English ships to the Italian peninsula at my disposal I see a good opportunity to at least get some money out of this war. Within a year Rome has fallen and several English vessels lay on the bottom of the Ligurian Sea after which peace with England is agreed upon for the price of 157 ducats.
On the economic front things also look good when in 1549 I finish promoting mayors in all my provinces. The most important feature of a mayor is the fact that he battles inflation which in essence lets you add a small amount of cash each month to your pocket money without creating inflation. Mayors are my favourite improvement in the game since they free up so much funds to invest in other things like manufactories and colonization. For me, mayors provide the fuel needed for a serious money making machine.
Also in 1549 the carrousel of war is again given a spin, this time by Russia as it declares war on Poland. This not only drags me and Austria in, but also Polands allies France, Saxony and Denmark. Like in the previous war where France was involved, I head for Piemonte and Provence in the hope of gaining a province from the French. Surprisingly, the first battle I fight is against a small Danish force in Lombardia. I fight them one more time in Piemonte and also win a battle against a French army when in April 1550 the Ottoman Empire declares war on Austria. Both Russia and I join the war.
To be able to focus fully on the Ottomans, Austria agrees on peace with Poland handing over both Cleves and Hessen to France, which is clearly becoming the dominant force in Germany. Russia and I, however, continue the war and in June 1550 I manage to take Provence after which I turn east to Piemonte. Like last time, however, I am again not given the chance to really hurt the French when in October Russia concludes an alliance peace with France netting 200 ducats. The (for me uninteresting) war against Poland and Denmark comes to an end almost two years later with Russia agreeing to pay 200 ducats.
The war against the Ottoman Empire however is still going on and Austria is taking a serious beating in a slugfest that is about to turn really ugly for them. My attempts at securing a separate white peace are merely laughed at by the Porte and it is at this point that Poland declares war on Austria, swiftly followed by France, Saxony and Cologne. With the Austrians already giving ground to the Ottomans in the south, there is no way they can mount a defence in the west, north and east against the hordes that are about to be unleashed upon them. Recognizing a lost cause when I see it, I decline Austrias request for help and leave the alliance.
In 1557, two years after the Polish declaration of war, Austria looks like this:
Seems I made a wise choice not to join them
In the end Austria lost Wurzburg and Ansbach to France (January 1559) and Magyar and Ruthenia to the Ottoman Empire (October 1560). Some bitter pills to swallow, but not as bad as expected. Still, Austria seems to be losing its position as a first tier power as it is being overtaken by both the French and the Ottomans. This fact is of great importance when deciding my own stance on the diplomatic stage. Allying myself with Austria would mean joining them in their journey down the abyss, it would mean joining the losers, not the winners. It is clearly time for Italy to find another set of allies.
In 1562 the French alliance falls apart as the Huguenots break free from France and none of its alliance members respond to French calls for help. I see a good opportunity to form a new alliance and start sending gifts to the French King to improve our relations. My diplomatic coup is successful when in September 1562 Im accepted into an alliance with France and Desmond. Italy now has at its disposal the biggest cannon fodder factory known to Europe. This alone guarantees Italys safety for the time being and gives me the possibility to focus on building an economy capable of sustaining a kick ass war machine of my own
In February 1540 I declare war on Venice. All my alliance members except Saxony join the war to serve as cheap cannon fodder. With two sizeable armies that had been positioned earlier I move in to besiege the two provinces that I intend to gain in this war: Marche and Mantua. Venetian resistance is minimal and brushed aside without breaking a sweat. The troops in Mantua face desperate counterattacks, but dont move an inch. The first success of the war is reported in August 1540 when Marche is captured, followed in October by the fall of Mantua. To make it clear to the Venetians that these two provinces are best given up, I head for Venice itself. Due to some interruptions by the Venetian navy I do not reach the city until April 1541, when a siege is begun. From Istria a Venetian army of 14,000 constantly tries to dislodge my siege force, but it is beaten back every single time which, in effect, not only seals the fate of the city, but also the fate of Venice as an Italian based empire.
In July 1542 the war crazy Austrians declare war on Poland, the same country that kicked their butt not too long ago and that while the Ottomans two years earlier annexed Hungary! Vienna clearly has its priorities straight :shakehead Now I have to decide if I will join this war or not. When I see that Poland is supported by Denmark, Saxony and France, I quickly conclude this war is a lost one. There is no way I could get anything from it before Austria is overrun by the French, Saxon and Polish hordes. I wish them all the best, politely decline their request and return to the matter at hand: ripping Venice apart.
Some Venetian generals or admirals must have had a chat with French colleagues, because for some reason they too show a particular interest in Corsica. Numerous landings are attempted and all of them are repulsed by the garrison stationed on the island. The suicide attacks on Veneto also continue as if they would actually have a chance of succeeding. After countless tries, even the Venetians themselves accept there is nothing that can be done and in July 1543 they offer me Marche, Mantua and 33 ducats for peace. I accept. Not only does this peace give me two extra Italian provinces, it also means north and south Italy are now connected. Apart from the obvious strategic importance, this also has significant consequences for my economy, since it ends the penalty that I endured on income from my four southern provinces because they lacked a land connection with the capital. In more ways than one, this was a very lucrative war.
Austrias losses in the war against virtually the whole of Europe werent as big as expected, btw. They lost Wurtemberg to France and Zeeland to Denmark. This is a screenie from Central Europe at the end of 1543:
Old weak allies, new powerful friends
Despite slow growth in both economic and military power, the world is still a dangerous place for Italy on its own and allies, therefore, are needed. Although Austria often seems more of a hindrance than an asset, I dont have a lot of choices and thus find myself yet again tied to Vienna in an alliance that also consists of Russia.
In 1544 I suffer a major economic setback when my centre of trade in Liguria disappears by event which results in the Venetian CoT now controlling virtually all Italian trade.
After a short war against Cleves, Austria in 1545 declares war on England. With Rome nearby and a sizeable navy to intercept English ships to the Italian peninsula at my disposal I see a good opportunity to at least get some money out of this war. Within a year Rome has fallen and several English vessels lay on the bottom of the Ligurian Sea after which peace with England is agreed upon for the price of 157 ducats.
On the economic front things also look good when in 1549 I finish promoting mayors in all my provinces. The most important feature of a mayor is the fact that he battles inflation which in essence lets you add a small amount of cash each month to your pocket money without creating inflation. Mayors are my favourite improvement in the game since they free up so much funds to invest in other things like manufactories and colonization. For me, mayors provide the fuel needed for a serious money making machine.
Also in 1549 the carrousel of war is again given a spin, this time by Russia as it declares war on Poland. This not only drags me and Austria in, but also Polands allies France, Saxony and Denmark. Like in the previous war where France was involved, I head for Piemonte and Provence in the hope of gaining a province from the French. Surprisingly, the first battle I fight is against a small Danish force in Lombardia. I fight them one more time in Piemonte and also win a battle against a French army when in April 1550 the Ottoman Empire declares war on Austria. Both Russia and I join the war.
To be able to focus fully on the Ottomans, Austria agrees on peace with Poland handing over both Cleves and Hessen to France, which is clearly becoming the dominant force in Germany. Russia and I, however, continue the war and in June 1550 I manage to take Provence after which I turn east to Piemonte. Like last time, however, I am again not given the chance to really hurt the French when in October Russia concludes an alliance peace with France netting 200 ducats. The (for me uninteresting) war against Poland and Denmark comes to an end almost two years later with Russia agreeing to pay 200 ducats.
The war against the Ottoman Empire however is still going on and Austria is taking a serious beating in a slugfest that is about to turn really ugly for them. My attempts at securing a separate white peace are merely laughed at by the Porte and it is at this point that Poland declares war on Austria, swiftly followed by France, Saxony and Cologne. With the Austrians already giving ground to the Ottomans in the south, there is no way they can mount a defence in the west, north and east against the hordes that are about to be unleashed upon them. Recognizing a lost cause when I see it, I decline Austrias request for help and leave the alliance.
In 1557, two years after the Polish declaration of war, Austria looks like this:
Seems I made a wise choice not to join them
In the end Austria lost Wurzburg and Ansbach to France (January 1559) and Magyar and Ruthenia to the Ottoman Empire (October 1560). Some bitter pills to swallow, but not as bad as expected. Still, Austria seems to be losing its position as a first tier power as it is being overtaken by both the French and the Ottomans. This fact is of great importance when deciding my own stance on the diplomatic stage. Allying myself with Austria would mean joining them in their journey down the abyss, it would mean joining the losers, not the winners. It is clearly time for Italy to find another set of allies.
In 1562 the French alliance falls apart as the Huguenots break free from France and none of its alliance members respond to French calls for help. I see a good opportunity to form a new alliance and start sending gifts to the French King to improve our relations. My diplomatic coup is successful when in September 1562 Im accepted into an alliance with France and Desmond. Italy now has at its disposal the biggest cannon fodder factory known to Europe. This alone guarantees Italys safety for the time being and gives me the possibility to focus on building an economy capable of sustaining a kick ass war machine of my own
). I'll probably never play EU1 again, due to this annoying bug which clears out all your stored diplomats, traders, and colonists when you save, exit, and reload.
).
