Civ Design Challenge III - Alternate History

[Keniisu]

I would love to see a scenario relating to a lesser known event. My ideas are..

Spoiler :

- What if the Kalmar Union never was dissolved?
- What if Germany remained divided?

 

[inthesomeday]

Which German division are we talking here, Cold War or Renaissance? Because the former might not be the best for the challenge, it's a pretty short timespan

 

[Keniisu]

Perhaps Renaissance would seem more fitting in this situation then.

 

[inthesomeday]

I'm + for that as the challenge, but if anyone has objections then we could do something else

 

[Cyphose]

Renaissance Germany (and, by extension, the Holy Roman Empire)? Sounds good to me; lots of possibilities for alternate history territory. Straight out of Europa Universalis with Renovatio Imperii, anyone?

 

[Natan35]

I'm + for that as the challenge, but if anyone has objections then we could do something else

Please pick something else... That's a sort of a nonsense challenge: why would you not want to rule all of Germany (AKA unite Germany)? Its like having a scenario where Napoleon decided to let his enemies be once he took control of France, despite the fact that they hated each other and totally ignoring his military skills.

 

[Urdnot_Scott]

tbf they didn't say *why* it was never unified, there are plenty of scenarios which would keep Germany un-unified (ified?) past 1871. Its not quite as simple as 'it would be nice to rule all of Germany, so I will'.

 

[GPuzzle]

It doesn't need to be as boring and nonsensical as you're thinking, Natan. Maybe "Germany" is split into 4 major states of Brandenburg, Bavaria, Hannover and Saxony who have one of the most complex political webs, each so powerful they control entire states through personal unions with Prussia, Italy (which does exist here), Britain and Poland (who's a major power). It can be one where the HRE was dissolved after the 30 Years War and therefore no one got strong renough to the point they'd be able to form Germany. Hell, maybe there's no Germany, only Austria!

 

[Hoop Thrower]

Yeah, it's not like we haven't done nonsense challenges before either like that time we had the city in the middle of Central Australia challenge.

 

[NiaoMeow]

Yeah, it's not like we haven't done nonsense challenges before either like that time we had the city in the middle of Central Australia challenge.

Hey!

 

[Keniisu]

Soo, are we doing the Germany challenge? I really like the idea and have some interesting conceptions for it!

 

[Keniisu]

Since it's been 3 whole days without a single challenge rebuttal or counter, then I think it's safe to call the Germany challenge and set it underway!
MAY THE DESIGN CHALLENGE REVIVE AND RISE ONCE MORE AS A THREAD TO STAND THE TEST OF TIME!

Spoiler :

My design is going be great.

 

[Arison]

How about this one?

The idea is what if Prussia hadn't gone through the Unification Wars. Prussia and Britain eventually intermarry and the monarchies unify the two countries. Considering the political systems were incredibly similar, the alternative history part is that there's only one house 'democratically' elected, but there would be separate parliaments and so multiple Prime Ministers, but only one per country. I don't think there

The Prussian-British Union

Leader: Wilhelm Windsor

UA: The Old Duchy: You may annex any city once converting it to your religion. If one of your cities converts to another religion it becomes a city state.

UU: Prime Minister: Unlike the Great General it replaces, you may only have one Prime Minister per Green Landtag at a time, but they grant extra Happiness to all cities and reduce the HP of city states when nearby. The Prime Minister can be spawned for a large amount of culture.

UB: Grün Landtag: Unlike the Courthouse it replaces, the Grün Landtag can only be built in your cities and increases culture production in all cities dependent on gold, however, requires Civil Service.

 

[Viregel]

Here's an idea:

Austria-Hungary, under pressure from the Revolutions of 1847, collapses into its component nations. Freed from the union, the ethnic German population of Cisleithania strive to bond with their Bavarian neighbors from the north. Demoralised by war with Prussia, Bavaria agrees to unite with Austria, leaving the new seat of the thousand-year-old empire teetering on the border with its new rival, Hungary. The empire expands quickly by marriage and war; the Catholic Poles revolt, bringing in new Baltic lands for the Holy Roman Empire. The Czechs and Slovaks soon willingly rejoin the union, now facing pressure from a resurgent Ottoman state to the south, having now subjugated much of the Balkans. Bismarck, however adamant that Bavaria must be incorperated into his new Prussian state, ultimately fails in this ambition, thwarted by Kaiser Franz Joseph. Never forgiven by Germany, no alliance is brokered between them, and the threat of Serbian revolt is crushed out of fears that the Ottomans could become powerful enough to unseat Christendom, thus forming a highly unusual alliance of the Catholic and Serbian Orthodox churches. Franz Joseph's heir - Wilhelm Alexander - takes the reigns of the Empire going into the 20th century. Through diplomacy, he establishes his Empire of Holy Rome as the dominant state in the region. Success after success ensues as he gradually builds up his Catholic dominance in the area, eventually fulfilling his lifelong ambition of taking Rome, and making her part of the empire.

Holy Roman Empire, 1900s
Leader: William Alexander
UA: Chiama di Roma - Units are stronger when fighting an enemy generating less Faith per turn than you. Capturing cities or makes your religion spread faster and the city will generate additional Faith.
UU: Kaisermanner (Great War Infantry, despite the fact WW1 wouldn't have happened in this scenario) - May be instantly healed by expending Faith. Receives a combat bonus when near cities following your religion, increased based on its Faith output.
UB: Holy Institute (Garden) - Does not require a river, but the city must have a religion. No base Happiness, but 25% of your Faith output is converted to Happiness. +3 Faith; this bonus is added while under construction.

Two things I'd say - firstly, I have no idea about most of the history here, and secondly, the design is unlikely to be terribly good as it's very weighted towards the late game without any way of getting a religion xD Guess it sort of fits the time period, though.

 

[GPuzzle]

This took me two days. I'm happy with this crazy world where Poland and Italy are major powers, Austria is hopelessly fractured, Hannover's still British and the French surrender to the Italians.

"If you believe that our petty squabbles are worth more than fighting against the French...", said Andrea Toriolo, one of the six men sat around the table. Six men, deciding the future of what could very well be a nation.

Andrea Toriolo, diplomat of Florence.

Paolo Anigonis, diplomat of Venice.

Lorenzo di Solini, diplomat of Naples.

Giovanni Sforze, diplomat of Milan.

Pietro Montealbini, diplomat of Savoy.

Cardinal Enrico, diplomat of the Papal States.

Six men, sat around a table, with a world-changing decision on their hands. The situation was unnerving. The French had very well made very agressive moves trying to estabilish dominance in the Italian Peninsula. They were armed with far more strength than any Italian state. They could very well completely conquer and threaten the sovereignty of any of the Italian states.

"... then you are but a fool."

The air in the room was so tense it was palpable.

"The Austrian emperor isn't coming to save us. If anything, he's coming after us. The Prussians are too busy trying to form Germany. The French are looking towards us with the eyes of a wolf looking at a sheep. The Brits won't risk fighting the French on land. We are all alone." Andrea kept on with his speech. "Therefore, the six of us must defend ourselves. There's two ways we can do this. Either we fight them one by one, and fall one by one..." He took a deep breath. "Or we fight them together and stand together."

"So, men. What are your votes?"

Andrea Toriolo... Yes.

Paolo Anigonis... No.

Lorenzo di Solini... Yes.

Giovanni Sforze... No.

Pietro Montealbini... Yes.

Cardinal Enrico... No.

One of the servants knocked on the door.

"Sires, we have... a surprise visit."

"Eh?" The six men turned to the door. A woman walked in. A woman all men had seen before.

Anna Adoretti. The very vision of sin, they called her. Beautiful, beautiful Anna, and yet with an intellect so sharp men claimed it could cut through the finest steel. A woman with a knowledge of Realpolitik so instinctive to her she had successfully engineered a plan for the dreams of her father, Vincenzo Adoretti, come true.

An united Italy.

"I have two messages for you, gentlemen." The body of all men was frozen with a mix of excitement and nervosity. "First, the province of Tyrol has successfully separated itself from the Austrian Empire."

The air had somehow gotten tenser.

"Second... I, as the representant of the Republic of Tyrol, vote yes for the unitement of the Italian nation."

"Then it is decided."

The six men and one woman walked out into the balcony of the royal palace in Rome.

"People of Italy, heed our call! Our country has been united, our provinces tied by blood once more!" Pietro's booming voice echoed throughout the piazzas in the city. The event was of great importance for all.

"Today, the Italian Kingdom has been estabilished..."

A tear fell from Anna's face. From now on, they had changed the course of history.

-- Excerpt from "Vineyards of Yesteryear", by Andrew di Toretto.

The formation of the Italian kingdom was swift. The news reached all countries within a day - the Italians had access to radio, which the French or the Austrians lacked. Within a week, forces were mobilized to four key points. Venice, Tyrol, Milan and Savoy. The navies of the Naepolitans and the Venetians were immediately mobilized.

The king, or, rather, queen, was chosen that very evening. Anna Adoretti herself would lead the Italian nation through those times of troubled war.

The state of early deployment from Italian troops worried the Austrians, whose sovereignty was threatened by the revolution in Tyrol and the French, who desired the Italian Peninsula as a way of becoming the most powerful state in the European Theater - yet, those two states had their own worries. Britain saw the opportunity and started to seize French colonies. Meanwhile, Austria was under great instability, and Prussia was caught in a surprise attack by the Russians.

The initial stages of warfare proved the superiority of Italian tactics. Rather than columns - fast, mobile groups that could drive around the enemy lines and catch them offguard in the confusing, hill-filled terrain of Northern Italy. Yet, those groups were of artillery. The Radianos, the artillery platoon made of but two men who communicated with a central through radio. Darting around the battlefield, the platoon spread chaos amongst French and Austrian lines.

France's own revolutions sprouted - not from any separatist group like the Austrian Empire, but rather those of different political beliefs. The French retreated. Too much instability. Austria collapsed under its own weight. It had become too unwieldy. Split into several different states, what once was a major power had become naught but a shadow of its former past. The Polish were the second to split - and quickly would proceed to defeat the Austrians, the Prussians and the Russians to solidify itself as one of more nations that would shape this new theater that would be mid-1800s Europe.

Prussia's defeat at the hands of the Polish hurt its dream of an unified Germany. The Bavarians saw the opportunity and took the South of Germany for themselves, creating an hegemony that extended from what was Saxony to what was Baden. The British still held Hannover. For the Prussians, only Bradenburg and Holstein - besides some of the Prussian coastline.

Italy's success in the war elevated it to the point of great powers of this new theater. Their success in colonizing Northern Africa and what is now Southern Asia was unparalleled, maybe only rivaled by the British in India, China and Southern Africa. Colonists which had perfected methods of extraction of resources. Their rudimentary harbor - the Fluttuante - was incredibly effective. Floating logs, tied to one another, serving the purpose of loading new and interesting materials from the new world. In addition, incredibly effective at unloading troops out into the battlefield - showing its power when the French once again declared war against the Italians, but were swiftly defeated by some of the fastest amphibious operations ever seen. The French were completely caught off-guard by how fast the Italian army was.

The cities of Italy were great points of new and old culture mixed into one. From the Roman times to the great ages of the Reinassance to the glory of Italy in this day, it shone as a beacon of light, reason, culture and prestige. All thanks to the sheer audacity of one woman.

Anna Adoretti.

-- Excerpt from "The Woman and the Sea - how the plans of a woman formed one of the world's greatest nations", by John William Andersen.

The Kingdom of Italy​

Leader: Anna Adoretti

UA: La Donna del Mare
Land Units gain +1 Movement while at War and do not lose all Movement upon embarking. Yields from tiles with improved Luxury resources are also provided to cities with National Wonders.

UB: Fluttuante
Harbor replacement. Immediately built in Conquered Cities. No maintainance cost. Luxury Resources generate +1 Production and +1 Culture.

UU: Radianos
Artillery replacement. Ignores Terrain Cost, and does not need to set up to fire.

 

[DudewiththeFood]

Spoiler :

During the Polish-Russian War of 1812, Poland-Lithuania holds out until Prussian reinforcements turn the tide in the north and the war ends in overall stalemate. Following the war, Stanisław August is able to reform the army under the guidance of Tadeusz Kościuszko. Poland is able to defeat a subsequent Russian invasion and forms a strong alliance with Prussia.

When Napoleon rises to power occupies Vienna during the War of the Third Coalition, the coalition falls apart as with a hostile Poland-Prussia, Russia is unwilling to commit armies to Austria's aid. With the Confederation of the Rhine, Prussia sees Napoleon as a threat and forms the Fourth Coalition but being Anti-Russian and therefore Pro-French, Poland breaks the terms of alliance and stays neutral. Without that route to Germany, the Russian forces are unable to come to Prussia and cannot stop Napoleon invading and 'liberating' Saxony and Westphalia.

With the Peninsular War and the Fifth Coalition, Poland took Napoleon's side and fought Russian and Swedish armies in the north. Napoleon is able to defeat Austria and with the expulsion of Britain from Iberia, the war concludes although guerilla warfare continues. As part of the peace treaty, Poland reclaims its full territory from before the First Partition.

Taking his Grande Armée, Napoleon crosses through Poland and launches his attack on Russia. With Polish help, he quickly reaches Moscow. The scorched earth policy kills many men but he is quick enough to reach enough food stocks that most still survive to return to Europe/France.

The losses still encourage a sixth coalition and with Austria and Prussia finally fighting together, Poland remains neutral. Napoleon is able win early battles in Germany but as the Peninsular war resumes, his forces are split and slowly depleted. He is killed as the allies converge on Paris.

Having lost territory to Prussia following the Congress of Vienna, the Kingdom of Saxony aligned itself with Poland and with Catholic Bavaria aligned with Austria, Prussia had few regional allies other than Russia. Following the Prussian-Saxon Wars during the 1850s, Polish intervention results in Brandenburg being annexed into Saxony which emerges as the leading German state.

Through marriage, Bavaria eventually becomes an Austrian possession. Tensions between Russia and the Ottoman Empire develop into full blown war during the 1880s. Initially, France is the only external power actively supporting the Ottomans but Russian successes in the Balkans forces Britain and Poland to join the alliance. In response, Prussia, Austria and Denmark take the Russian side leaving the numerous remaining German states to take sides. This is known as the Great War.

The war causes great strain on both the Ottoman and Tsarist monarchies which fall apart soon after the war. As a result, many nations in Eastern Europe show the first signs of independence movements away from the powerful empires – Russia (in its new form), Austria and Poland.

The Great War is particularly bloody in Germany with many the neighbouring states at war with each other which drives apart most notions of nationalism. Following the war, the annexation of most small states to one power another and the peaceful incorporation of Hanover into Saxony a decade later, the largest states are Saxony, Prussia, Bavaria, Westphalia and Württemberg. Prussia had been briefly occupied after the war but proved too much trouble for the Saxon armies to pacify and declared its independence.

Saxony

Albert I

If Not By Peace
The first three cities a civilization founds will remain in resistance for twice as long. Other cities (including City-States) suffer only half resistance. Units gain a 10% bonus against enemy civilizations who have a city within 7 tiles of a Saxon city.

Kruppe Gun - (replaces Artillery)
Only has a 150% bonus against cities but gains a 15% bonus against units at full health and is slightly stronger (25 and 32 strength).

Spoiler :

The Kruppe engineering dynasty in Essen was a driving force in the transition from from muzzle to breech-loaded cannon. When some of their earliest muzzle-loaded cannons couldn't be sold abroad, one was initially gifted to the King of Prussia. However, crossing Saxony it was seized and Alfred Kruppe. However, after a demonstration, he was released and Albert I of Saxony so impressed that he commissioned hundreds for military use. With the Kruppe's partnership, Saxon artillery proved a vital asset during the Great War and during the early 1900s.

Zeughaus - (replaces Armoury)
All adjacent units heal 5hp each turn. Any garrisoned unit costs no maintenance and provides a further 10exp for new units.

 

[Natan35]

OK. This is not going to be impressive. In my defence, the site denied me from sending my original post....

The assassination of Bismarck signed the end of German nationalism. That showed exactly how divided the German people actually were. The assassination rose many question marks, especially from the Prussian military, who's dominance quickly faded as it fell to disarray... The Austrians, seeking to keep their status with German states, quickly marched onto Germany. Coming from the south, they quickly attacked and captured Prussian military outposts in Bavaria. Soon, the entire area came under the control of the Austro- Hungarian empire, and just as the Prussians were preparing for the counterattack - Emperor Franz Joseph desired peace. His German counterpart was sure to agree, not wanting to risk additional territory. He had other problems: armed groups, each with its distinct ideology started appearing amongst the German states. This signed the start of the so called "German Internationalism", a period marked by massive foreign presence in German soil, mainly conscripts in service of their countries, who came to Germany to support one of the armed groups... Each group had its own foreign backer. The only two sides who didn't participate in this... Cutting of the German cake were Austro - Hungary and Italy. Those two countries were in a war of their own. The Sardinian efforts of uniting Italy weren't fancied Franz Joseph... He thought that it was quite a silly idea (you can't blame him, his own country was a mix of many nationalities, assimilated into a single nation with the help of a unique system of courts). Anyway, Franz Joseph desired a very certain piece of land in Italy: Sicily. He wanted it for his plan of "uniting the Roman Empire" as he was rumored to say. Some say that he thought that he was blessed by god. Well, the Pope thought so too, after his army successfully rushed to Rome, liberating The pope and returning his one of his former lands. But Franz Joseph's Blessing didn't end there... He managed to get France to declare war on Italy, saving his forces from being surrounded by the Italian army. The Imperial army, backed by Bavarian conscripts and mercenaries from the burning German battlefield, now could advance to the south of Italy. Morale was high in the Austrian army... After a few days of no fighting, Italy sued for peace, offering the emperor his wish as part of the peace deal. Austria was going under a golden age, it seemed... Now that it had an access to the sea, the Emperor searched for experts to build him a fleet... After a few years, he made another move... Not willing to mess with the alliances formed in Europe After Germany's Division, he declared war on the Ottomans, writing another chapter of the Ottoman- Habsburg rivalry. His flagship, the Maria Theresa, led his fleet to the coasts of North Africa. In Europe, the Ottomans were no match for the Austrian garrison, and in north Africa... Austrian presence was soon felt.

- Sir Ernst Gombrich, "A Little History of the World", Chapter 38: "The Actual Last Conqueror".

Austro-Hungarian Empire (Franz Joseph)
UA: The Peaceful Warrior
When founded or conquered, cities start with a sum of production for war you declared and peace treaty you signed. Conquered cities grant +3% culture in the rest of the empire during peace treaties, and grant golden age points upon signing them.

UU: Habsburg Class
Replaces Ironclad. Starts with +1 strength for each 10 turns of golden age your empire went through. Suited to fight vs. Cities, against whom it receives a 33% combat bonus on both attack and defence. It may also move after attacking them.

UB: Richterhalle
Replaces courthouse. Has no maintenance during golden age. Additionally, it may grant you a free unit upon adopting a social policy (may only happen once per city). If this happens during a peace treaty, gain an additional unit.

 

[DudewiththeFood]

My design is going be great.

*coughcough*

 

[Keniisu]

That was for the Germany idea, but sadly it wasn't chosen. I haven't a thing for this

 

[Cyphose]

The Germany idea definitely was chosen. Some people took that to mean a unified German power, others took it to mean that the powerbase of the Holy Roman Empire collapsed entirely and other nations rose from the ashes (like GPuzzle's Italy).