Liberté, Égalité, Hégémonie!

Tani Coyote

Son of Huehuecoyotl
Joined
May 28, 2007
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Liberté, Égalité, Hégémonie!

Napoleoniceurope.png


Welcome to my newest Civ 3 Conquests story, where I will be playing a map that uses Rhyes' Excellent map and mod as its core, but has made some changes (yet it's still fast as ever! I'm convinced he used some techno-voodoo on his mod. ;)).

---

The basics of this variant can be found in the Healthy Man of Europe AAR.

Some changes have been made since the last.

Spoiler :
1. Many resources possess special improvements that can be built in cities that have that resource within their radii. Every 20 turns, a raw materials unit is produced that can be shipped back home for 50 gold and 1 victory points. These buildings generally have a base cost of 8-9 shields that is multiplied by the cost factor.

2. Every civ has 2 victory point locations, the capital and a port city. The exception is the American states, who have none. Panama, Singapore, and Suez are each independent VP locations, and thus a point of dispute. China has three locations.

3. Once one has ~10 of some improvements(such as oil wells, diamond mines, etc.) they can build a "National x monopoly" or "Major x exporter" small wonder, which pays off 5% interest to the treasury, makes people in that city happier, and overall gives production benefits. It also improves ship movement due to your need for a strong navy. They have a base cost of 5, justified by the fact you've forked over a lot of of time and money developing the infrastructure needed to build them.

4. Religious wonders have been changed to make 3 happy in their city and 1 happy in all other cities.

5. Several improvements, mainly those related to commerce or education, give a small production bonus.

6. Workers are cheaper.

7. Historical cities are in place all over the world.

8. The number of civilisations has been reduced to 26. This is different from the last variant, which had all 31. The civilisations are:

China - 14

China has lost Taiwan to the Japanese and Indochina to the French.

Mongols - 14

The Mongols have lost Kazan to Russia and Shenyang to China.

Russia - 14

Russia is pretty strong still, but weaker than in my previous city placements.

India - 14

India has gained Burma.

Scandinavia - 12

Scandinavia now lords over much of the Swedish Empire in Russia.

Britain - 12

Britain has gained four cities in Australia - Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, and Hobart. It also rules Malta.

Spain - 10

Spain now rules Algeria and Morocco. It also has a colony in Hispaniola.

Portugal - 10

Portugal now controls 5 Colonial territories - Cape Verde, Recife, Luanda, Lubango, and Bissau. Due to their scattered locations and weakened production vs. Spain, they have harbors in all their colonies.

France - 10

France has been given Belgium. They also have colonies in Indochina.

Ottomans - 10

The elimination of the Byzantines has made the Turks the Big Bad of the Black Sea. Indeed, they have taken Russia's ports in the region! They also have taken Halicarnassus.

Rome - 10

Rome has lost Lombardia, but has taken over Greece as compensation! It also now rules Libya and Tunisia.

Netherlands - 10

The Dutch have been set up in Indonesia and Thailand.

Germany - 9

Germany starts out with the Netherlands and Denmark added to its territories. It also has Tanzania as a colony.

Persia - 9

Persia's position remains static.

America - 8
Inca - 8

America and the Incas remain constant in power.

Japan - 8

Japan now rules Ryukyu and Taiwan.

Aztecs - 8

The Aztecs now control the Mayan lands.

Egypt - 8

Egypt now controls Israel and Cyprus.

Arabia - 7

Arabia has lost Tanzania to Germany and Somalia to Axum, but has taken Iraq. They start with libraries in Mecca and Baghdad.

Austria - 7

Austria now rules over Lombardia.

Ethiopia - 7

Ethiopia now has Somalia.

Iroquois - 6

Iroquois are stilled screwed over.

Zululand - 6

Zululand has been beefed up in South Africa.

Korea - 3

Korea... is, well, Korea. It's been given extra units to compensate for its small size.

9. Alliances have been disabled, but as compensation, MPPs are now available from Code of Laws.

10. Rhye's Mod is the basis for the variant; I added some things here and there. All credit goes to him for making the awesome original map and mod.

11. European Powers start with 3 techs rather than 2, and have roads next to their capitals. Coastal capitals will have the missing number of roads built elsewhere in the Empire.


---

I will be playing as the French, who enjoy 10 cities, 7 in Europe and 3 in Southeast Asia. Regent Difficulty will be used.

Come Christianity, I will not be able to hold deals with Islamic states any longer, except the Ottomans.

I must declare war on the British at first opportunity.

I must become an Absolute Monarchy when it becomes available, and become a Democratic Republic when that too, becomes available.

Let's begin! :)
 
Subbed.
 
Queuing up.

(excellent thread title, by the way)
 
Thanks Bucky. I try! :)

====

Chapter I: The French Despotate

Spoiler :
Spoiler Position :
turn1france.jpg


The French Empire starts off mostly good, even if it's positions are half a world away from eachother. So long as each half is strong, things will be good. The mostly-autonomous Vietnamese pay tribute to the High Despot of Paris for protection(yes I don't get it either), and this makes it a good relationship. As well, Vietnam will allow France to be in contact with two of the four superpowers right off the bat - China and India.

France's powers are Industrious, Religious, and Agricultural, so it's well built for growth AND Revolution(fittingly enough). This is a contrast to Britain's Commercial, Scientific, and Seafaring, which will make them the Big Bad of Western Europe.

Anatomy of the Superpowers(14-city countries):

Russia is Agricultural, Scientific, AND Religious, and this will make them quite potent.

China is Industrious, Agricultural, and Religious, so they could be quite a threat - fast workers AND an easier time producing them?!

India's Religious and Commercial and so is a minor superpower.

Mongolia's Militaristic and Agricultural, so their Siberian Empire could very easily churn out good troops with time. Fortunately much of their empire is woods so while they'll have good production, actually linking up the empire and getting good pop. growth will take some time.

Russia is therefore the Big Bad of Europe, easily able to fulfill Stalin's dream of conquering everything from the Urals to Spain if they feel the desire to. Best to keep them placated.

---

3000 BC starts with the basics: meeting as many civs as possible and acquiring as many techs as possible.

The Romans parted with Masonry for the Wheel, and the Wheel was given to the Spanish in exchange for Pottery, their starting worker(!) and 6 gold. The Spanish gave a much better deal than the arrogant British.

The Brits have already made their move and so no worker comes from them, but we do acquire the German and Roman workers too. Our Industrious trait will allow us to exploit these new slaves wonderfully, while the development of these Civs will be hampered for several more turns now.

Granted, the Capital produces a new worker every 10 turns, but in the meantime, a slight edge is to be had by France.

By 2950, moving garrisons out of their cities(All European cities start with a Warrior) in SE Asia has made China and India contact us. A close eye is kept on the tech levels of all neighbors so we can quickly pounce on new techs. Meanwhile, we're aiming for a Republic slingshot.

By 2900, quick use of tech flipping has allowed the amassing of 146 gold. India has given the rare tech of Mysticism to France in exchange for The Wheel; some gold was also acquired from them. As such, France is staying ahead of the pack, if only slightly, while the Republic slingshot does its work.

After some brief hoarding, by 2700, Mysticism was distributed to the Romans, Germans, British, and Spanish. The French treasury swelled to 767 gold.

2550 BCE, the treasury reached the milestone of 1000 gold. Being a tech broker could be time-consuming (or not thanks to CivAssist :mischief:) but it did pay huge dividends. The Romans continued to try to play catchup however, with several hundred gold often in their coffers.

By 2500 BCE, France acquires Dyes from Antwerp's surroundings. This will make the empire easier to maintain.

Come 2450 BCE, the Russians were finally contacted. Three of the superpowers were now in contact with France, for better or worse. At the very least, the Russians were short on Writing, but they did have Bronze Working. Some of the amassed wealth was forked over, and now, the French Despotate was ahead of yet another state despite its small size. Archers were being trained in Paris to protect the new regime(and possibly pick off German Amsterdam down the line.. :mischief:) against stronger, but more primitive states.

---

By 2400 BC, the monopoly on Writing is strong as ever; control of Philosophy and the Republic is practically assured. It's amazing the AI hasn't tried to force it out of us.

turn15chinatrade.jpg


2250 BCE, Riding is acquired from the Chinese. We see huge stores of wealth in Rome - 700+ gold - and quickly work to sell the tech off to whoever. The Romans took the tech for almost 600 gold, which easily recouped what was given to China. Most states had Bronze Working so China couldn't really pawn that off.

The Germans gave up 412 gold and 9 gpt for Riding, buying them time.

The Russians gave up 35 gold for the tech; they were close to discovering it most likely.

Britain gave up 193 gold and 1 gpt.

Things were going quite well... a tech lead of at least 1 tech on everybody! And it was an expensive tech - Writing - too!

turn17spanishtrade.jpg


In 2150, Iron Working is purchased from the Spaniards. The Spanish were chosen due to their isolation and thus inability to channel the funds into more techs from neighbors. The tech is promptly flipped to the Russian Bear, to keep Germany from seizing the market.

Come the 2100s, Wine starts flowing into Paris. The French Despot plans to become the largest wine-producing nation in Europe and the world once the country's developed.

2050 BC, the threshhold of 3000 gold is reached! When the Slingshot works(if it does hopefully), there will be plenty of cash to spend.

Come 1850 BC, we earn Philosophy but find out we need Code of Laws to reach the Republic. Growl. We decide to take Mounted Combat as our free tech.

1750 BCE, Horses are acquired, thus strengthening the French military capabilities. Enough horsemen could possibly seize the Rhineland... hmm.

turn25france.jpg


France is finally looking connected. Only Marseilles remains outside the road network. The roads are creating more and more wealth which will alow us to support the Republic whenever we get it.

The treasury also has reached the 4000 gold threshold thanks to Rome and Britain coughing up some dough for Philosophy.

Come 1750 BCE, it was obvious Britain and Rome were catching up, having developed a system of laws and mathematics. Rome, the least powerful of the two, was called to the table.

turn25rometrade.jpg


Rome was quickly bought off with 500+ gold. Britain and Rome's lead was erased. China immediately purchased Code of Laws for 450 gold so most of the cost was quickly recouped.

25 of 400 turns have been played. Looks Like France is off to a good start - it has more population than Russia! Power is steadily growing but not by much obviously. Culture is definitely growing thanks to the abundance of Temples being built.

Of course, since we're based on receiving money from outside the country - 32 gold comes in from other states but we only have a surplus of +27 gold! - we could run into issues down the line.

But, only time will tell.

turn25map.png
 
Should I write this AAR in present tense or past tense format?

Present tense is more down to Earth, but past tense is good for creating a narrative that sounds like it's from the history books.

Just want to know! :)

The first chapter was present tense; normally I write in past tense.
 
lurker's comment: I write in the past tense, but I liked the Present Tense in the first update, so first tense please!
 
I prefer past tense.

@CelticEmpire - it's a reference to 'Team America' and the song (by Kim Jong Il) "I'm so Ronery (lonely)"
 
I too prefer the past tense, though the first update was good.
 
Everytime I use the ronery joke at least one person doesn't get it. ;)

Chapter II: The Road to the Republic

Spoiler :
Come 1650 BCE, a Dyes factory was built in Strasbourg. This produces a unit every 20 turns that is worth 50 gold and 1 VP when returned to the capital.

The French Despot ordered embassies built across the world as well, to facilitate diplomacy. A state as wealthy as France should have envoys in every court on Earth!

1500 BCE, the Despot ordered the purchasing of some workers around the world with technology. This would slow down rival economies and enrich France's own. In total, 7 workers were purchased, mostly from the superpowers. Expensive, but the investment would pay off over time as France's economy surged while her rivals' slowed. The investment from just a single road built by a slave worker would take ~100(cost of worker) + 8 turns(time for slave worker to build road if Industrious) turns, not including countless roads built in that timeframe. It would take a while, but they'd pay for themselves.

====

On the Value of the Worker:

Worker Costs 100 gold - 1 Worker working flat terrain(plains/grasslands)

9 Turns - 1 Road
18 Turns - 2 Roads (9 gold accumulated)
27 Turns - 3 Roads (27 gold accumulated)
36 Turns - 4 Roads (54 gold accumulated)
45 Turns - 5 Roads (90 gold accumulated)
54 Turns - 6 Roads (135 gold accumulated)

In a nutshell, it will take ~47 turns to pay off the cost of the worker provided it works on its own and works grasslands. This is not including if they work together(which amplifies benefits), or if any commercial improvements increase the income gleaned.

Workers Cost 200 gold - 2 Workers working flat terrain(plains/grasslands)

5 Turns - 1 Road
10 Turns - 2 Roads (5 gold accumulated)
15 Turns - 3 Roads (15 gold accumulated)
20 Turns - 4 Roads (30 gold accumulated)
25 Turns - 5 Roads (50 gold)
30 Turns - 6 Roads (75 gold)
35 Turns - 7 Roads (105 gold)
40 Turns - 8 Roads (140 gold)
45 Turns - 9 Roads (180 gold)

We still end up with an average of 47 turns it looks like, but getting stuff done quicker means more time for compounding benefits like that of the Bank or Marketplace, or even the Manufactories.

3 Workers becomes inefficient per capita for the simple fact a third worker only reduces the job rate by 1/4, unlike the second worker who reduces it by half. 8-4-3.

4 Turns - 1 Road
8 Turns - 2 Roads (4)
12 Turns - 3 Roads (12)
16 Turns - 4 Roads (24)
20 Turns - 5 Roads (40)
24 Turns - 6 Roads (60)
28 Turns - 7 Roads (84)
32 Turns - 8 Roads (112)
36 Turns - 9 Roads (144)
40 Turns - 10 Roads (180)
45 Turns - 11 Roads (220)
47 Turns - 242. The average is not maintained, so 3 workers per tile is inefficient per capita, but it does have the promising effect of speeding up compounding. (But we don't have markets at the moment so compounding is not factored in)

====

1400 BCE, Russia and Scandinavia aligned themselves with an MPP. The English soon requested one from France, but they were rebuffed; the Despot was more focused on closer ties to Spain.

Sure enough, come 1350 BCE, the Despot arranged for his son to marry the King of Spain's only daughter. The result was the Franco-Spanish Alliance.

While many Spaniards feared a takeover of the crown by the French, it was made quite clear that Spain would reman independent. At the very least, the Habsburgs would not be allowed to put their own favorites on the Spanish throne, which they had long tried to do to encircle Rome.

1300 BCE, France officially adopted a faith similar to the individual ones practiced in Britain, Scandinavia, and Russia. This strained relations with the Spanish, who were of a different cult, but it was patched up easily enough.

turn36romedeal.jpg


1200 BCE, the Republic was acquired from the Romans. 1000 gold was acquired from the English in exchange for Mounted Combat.

turn38republic.jpg


1100 BCE, the French Despotate became the French First Republic. More autonomy was granted to the estates, while the Despot position was replaced by the First Consul, who governed with a Cabinet composed of the heads of 6 other major French cities - Brest, La Rochelle, Marseille, Antwerp, Strasbourg, and Lyons. Vietnam had a Cabinet-level position that was advisory and not given any actual power; it was appointed collectively by the other 7. The 7 Consuls wielded Executive Power; the First Consul ruled for live or until removal/abdication, but the other 6 had 5-year terms and were limited to two consecutive terms. The Consul of Paris(the First Consul and the head of state by extension) traditionally led military institutions, but other roles were often shuffled amongst the other Consuls based on the political situation. These roles could be Commerce, Foreign Policy, Culture, Research, Health, and various others.

The Senate was created as an advisory body to the Consulate, tasked with gathering information and relaying it to them; their exact power tended to vary on the Consuls' own interests. Whereas the Consuls governed the nation for the good of their constituent provinces, the Senate was meant to govern for the good of every citizen and the state. This was achieved in an era of limited democracy by existing institutions appointing them - while the number could vary, 1/3 had to be jointly appointed by all seven Consuls, another third by each individual Consul, and the remaining third by provincial governments. Because of this, the number of Senators was almost always 21 plus a multiple of three, so that each Consul could get two favorites(1 "jointly" appointed by agreeing to support the other Consuls, and 1 they each appointed independently). As a result, the Consuls had influence over 2/3 of the Senate at all times, making it more like a rubber stamp at times.

Senators served ten-year terms, but had to wait for another Senator to sit down before they could serve a second. Most Senators were traditionally aristocratic. Senators also served as the interpreter of the laws where they were vague; only a vote by the French Parliament could overturn these rulings, and so the Senate's primary power was judicial.

The Legislature had some independence but was very bureaucratic given the times. Every town elected a representative, who went to the county, and all the county representatives elected the provincial representatives - often themselves. Every province was guaranteed one representative, but provincial income determined how much the total voting power was. The number of representatives fluctuated constantly, and it was often a battleground of populism vs. strategic value. The Legislature passed laws that were absolute, but open to interpretation by the Senate.

For war to be declared, the Consulate had to vote unanimously for it and get a simple majority, or the Consulate had to vote simple majority and get a qualified majority from the Parliament(66%). Parliament could declare war without the Consulate's asking first, but they had to acquire a 75% in favor.

Which branch dominated tended to shift based on the strength of the Consuls and Legislature(weak Consuls made for a stronger Senate in particular but the Senate had little in its own right to be powerful).

---

The First Consul would have a long difficult road ahead of him. What was a healthy surplus every year turned into an annual, if minimal, deficit. While the treasury was quite fat, would it be able to keep the state afloat, especially once foreign contributions ran out?

Disbanding one of the fleets helped balance it perfectly, but what about the need to build infrastructure in the cities? The citizens needed granaries to hold food, Temples to worship, Barracks to house their protectors. Politics could be such a pain...

38 turns in now! We have 5 grand but will it be enough to overpower the AI?
 
I love this.

/subscription poast.
 
Comments are encouraged! They remind me that I'm actually writing and not just posting ramblings.

Chapter III: A Medieval Republic

Spoiler :
turn39strategicmap.png


The Consulate believed that France, while it enjoyed a lead, had many issues. First, the revenue stream was chaotic, dropping and rising as roads were built and old tributes expired.

Never mind that France had to dish out several gpt just to maintain an alliance with the Spanish. It helped ward off enemies since Spanish troops could easily protect the flank, but it was seeming more expensive. Spain was advanced enough, however, to be of use, and so the alliance was deemed to be worth keeping; at a time when the French Army still was using Warriors in places, throwing off an alliance wasn't a good idea.

The expanding road network, and more productivity in the cities was compensation for the new Republican state, even if it was a painful transition. Lyons was growing now that local managers more efficiently handled the food supply, so that would help. Irrigation was becoming worthwhile, which would spur growth and thus the economy with time.

But what would really assist the French people would be acquiring more land. The Germans called it lebensraum, how appropriate they were the best targets.

The alliance stopped southward movement, the Channel and Royal Navy northward, and the Alps southeastern. It was only possible to go East, into Germany or Austria.

Antwerp was only a few miles from the German border, so close even units that weren't mounted could attack and take it. Taking Dusseldorf on the Rhine would seize Germany's iron mines, paralysing them forever and expanding resources France could use as bargaining chips. The paralysed German state could then become a client state of a "repentant" France, so they could be built up and used against other foes. Germany, furthermore, possessed only 6 cities on the continent to France's 7, putting them at a slight disadvantage. Seizure of their western border would facilitate the concession of their colonies abroad, wherever they were.

Austria was far behind, and this was, reasoned the Consulate, a French opportunity as much as an Austrian hinderance. They were also far weaker than all other European powers, having only 7 major cities at home but with none abroad. Their cities did have more wriggle room however, and that made them potent in their own way. Russia would also likely take an interest in a collapsing Austria.

The decision was made: Germany would be crushed. The Republic would stabilise its finances and gear up for a war with the Germans, which would hopefully be the first of many French conquests in Europe.

1000 BCE, the Consulate approved the purchase of several foreign labor bands. They were all acquired for 80-90 gold, so they'd pay off handsomely with time. In addition, they were maintenance free; 2 workers together had the same effect as a native laborer, but they were free.

975 BCE, the Chinese gave a labor gang and a large pile of gold to learn the art of the Republic.

950 BCE, Russia, in the midst of a revolution, gladly gave away the secrets of Monarchy to France in exchange for Philosophy and a pile of gold.

900 BCE, Rome was convinced to sign an MPP with France thanks to the secrets of Monarchy.

turn46asatemple.jpg


850 BCE, while France's Roman allies built a large Temple to the Oracle of Rome, a building with similar effects - the Asa Temple - was constructed in Paris. It honored the French Gods, and as such, happiness spread throughout the Republic. As Marseilles was linked up to the capital via road, unity - and the use of it as a weapon - could finally be felt. In Vietnam, a road was paved through the jungle to Da Nang, hooking up the three cities there by land and water.

825 BCE, the Vikings gave up both coined gold and raw gold in exchange for Philosophy. Gold would make the people happier due to its status as a luxury that humans around the world drooled over.

turn51middleages.jpg


French scholars paid the Indians to teach them the secrets of an efficient legal system to enforce the laws of the land, necessary for any good society to function for long. The Consul was surprised to hear his court musicians suddenly stop playing the old beats in midplay and proceed with something entirely new. He also now had a very nice wig, so he shrugged it off.

Now in what would later be called the "Middle Ages" by scholars, France evaluated its position - its main tech rival was Rome, on which France only had Currency. Next in line were Britain and Russia, which France had Construction, Currency, AND Nordic Cults on.

Overall, things were good - metropolitan France was prosperous and the most populous region in the globe, and even "stronger" powers like Britain, Russia, and Rome were behind. France's alliances with the Spanish and Romans nullified war on the southern borders, making foreign policy much easier.

700 BCE, the last French galley fleet was dismantled and repurposed into wood. The French state ran deficits almost all the time, but could offset them with gold reaped from techs released to the unwashed masses. France's deficits were also giving it the most advanced research team on the planet, capable of completing some technologies in 4-5 turns!

"Deficit spending is good, provided it forms the basis of an investment that will pay off in the long-term. It's the fundamental rule of a business, and it's the fundamental rule of this state's finances." The Consul of Antwerp, Minister of Finance, would say.

Aid to Scandinavia was also approved when it was noticed their treasury was running low; a low treasury would force them to disband improvements, including their capital's harbor! This would in turn toast FRANCE'S reputation.

turn53sinomongolianwar.jpg


675 BCE, things got interesting. Mongolia attacked China, whatever the former was. Diplomats, while in Russia negotiating one deal or another, had overheard some of Russia's ministers talking of a land by the same name. Perhaps they were a great power? Indeed, the distance between Russia and China, if filled by those Mongols... it made the Consulate shiver. But at the very least, China's resources would be consumed, making them much weaker and keeping them from seeing Vietnam as a target.

650 BCE, the pact with the Spanish ended. Their loss; their troops would now have trouble reaching frontiers in the East.

turn55stonehenge.jpg


More importantly, a site known as Stonehenge was erected in Strasbourg, further enriching the culture of the French faith even as a new faith was just around the corner...

turn55britishalliance.jpg


The Spanish were soon replaced with the British as allies of the French people. It was disgusting, but they would be able to keep Germany in line. Britain was also the foremost of the European powers besides Scandinavia and Russia.

650 BCE also had the Romans enter the Middle Ages, when the French Consulate gave them the concept of a Legal System in exchange for being told how to sail.

turn58dutchextortion.jpg


625 BCE, the DUTCH tried to extort France. They were told to go back to their Spice Plantations, and sure enough, their leader said he was more focused on painting leftovers from last night's dinner than destroying France. Hmph. The Consulate approved funds to speed up the recruitment of powerful horse archer divisions, and also intended to enlarge the defensive forces.

turn58chineseextortion.jpg


France was humiliated in 575 BCE when the Chinese got Sailing out of France for free. There would be hell to pay.

Come 475 BCE, the teachings of a Jew residing in Marseilles began to gain currency, even after he was executed by the French government, fearing his power. Later French governments adopted this faith, Christianity, to unite the many pagan traditions into one that the state could lord over. The Papacy was to be founded in Paris, and a Crusade launched from Antwerp against the heathen Germans.

375 BCE, with Christianity well-developed in the Republic, the Consulate released Theology to Rome and England, netting a few dozen gpt as much as a large lump sum. Meanwhile, a beeline was being made to Education so that could be given to Rome and thus nullify the Oracle's bonuses. Mwahaha!

By 300 BCE, the ranks of the Horse Archers had increased to 6, which, if numbers remained true, would mean there were enough offensive units to take Amsterdam and Dusseldorf. Now there would merely need to be enough defenders to hold off the Germans.

275 BCE, word arrived Rome had aligned itself with ... Ethiopia. Whatever that was.

turn70papalstates.jpg


250 BCE, the Papacy established itself in Paris. The Pope, sitting on the Throne of St. Peter, would be a valuable asset to the French in gaining influence(The Papacy gives 10 culture per turn so you can see how this adds up!).

And The Pope wanted a Holy War against the German scoundrels.

Agents revealed Dusseldorf to have 3 protectors, while Amsterdam had 5. The German fleet's presence in Amsterdam would make the city that much more valuable. 6 Horse Archers and 2 Spearmen could attack, but the King did not like those odds. He needed more troops first.

225 BCE, to try and re-assert their waning power in the face of Christianity's strength, the Vikings tried to extort Horses from the French Consulate. The Consuls laughed their envoy all the way back to Trondheim, and the Scandinavian bluff was called.

----

Consul Charles Martel of Paris, the first in a line of Consuls that weren't of the line of Merovech(the legendary Despot), stood before the Senate. The Senate, composed of the wealthy, could from time to time act as the real legislative body of the French state. Getting their support was what made things go smoothly.

The First Consul took a deep breath before beginning.

"Friends, allies, Senators of France. While the era of deficits is over and surpluses have returned to our land, we have new issues that have come with a new age.

Our cities, while prosperous, are becoming harder to keep order in; with so many people, stability is under threat. And stability comes before productivitiy in the functioning of a Great Power. While the clergy have worked to alleviate discontent, even they cannot deny that it is a delicate balance we are seeing.

France has long pulled ahead by the profit gleaned from acquiring and selling technologies and skillsets. But our advantage could come to an end soon; we are seen as militarily weak, and rivals are quickly becoming potential enemies. They will erase what our predecessors worked so hard to build with great efficiency if we do not become stronger.

We have also built ourselves upon keeping a large investment of laborers to build roads, irrigate the fields, and construct mines to fuel our factories. This has given us a huge advantage over our rivals... but alas, without further growth, our pool of workers is now a liability more than an asset, being paid to build roads to nowhere. To build mines that will be untapped and fields that will go unharvested.

What we need... my friends, is a new frontier. The frontier spells opportunity for all citizens, from the wealthiest to the poorest. A new frontier provides lands for settlement, new resources to be tapped, new fields to be harvested. It increases our ability to project power, as much as it gives opportunities to the common man and land to the wealthy one."

He was sure to place emphasis on the last part.

"Germany is a perfect candidate. Their lands are within striking distance. Our forces are superior on the offensive. Their ports and natural resources are all along the Rhine, which straddles our border. Their cities are depopulated, meaning our settlers will have had all the hard work done for them by Germans long since gone. Ill defenses and room for plenty of growth, as well as the ability to strangle a rival in the long term, makes Germany the perfect target.

So what say you, Senators? Will France let the Germans be on the doorstep to Paris forever? Or will we take what is rightfully ours and enrich this great nation with the power and wealth it deserves?! All in favor, say aye!"

All Senators erupted into applause as they approved the proposal, what few who disliked the idea going along with it for fear of ridicule and alienation.

One week later, France declared war on Germany. The Franco-German War was hoped to be a quick, profitable conflict that would strengthen France beyond its wildest dreams.
 
Chapter IV: The Franco-German Wars

Spoiler :
turn72germandusseldorf.jpg


Dusseldorf was easily captured, though one Horse Archer unit was lost. The hills and lack of roads north of the city would make it hard for Germany to quickly retake its lost Iron mines. Germany's Wines were also taken, plunging the region into unhappiness.

While Amsterdam's 5 units prevented an easy capture, Horse Archers did screen the city, eliminating 1 of the resident Archer bands.

By 175 BCE, the Germans still hadn't tried to retaliate, likely out of fear of Anglo-Roman intervention. Amsterdam would be as good as France's.

150 BCE, seeing that the Germans had their tail between their legs, the Consulate did not extend the Alliance with the foul British. Furthermore, as a deterrent against the Germans, all Archers became Crossbowmen, making them far more deadly on the defense.

turn75stpeter.jpg


125 BCE, the Pope's official residence became Strasbourg, to try and disprove claims that the Pope was a puppet of the Consulate.

turn75crusades.jpg


Shortly afterward, the Pope declared the Franco-German Wars part of a series of Crusades against the pagan Theocracy that ruled Germany.

What was amusing was that the German invasion force finally showed up - a single Archer on the hills near Dusseldorf. :lol:

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Plenty of injuries were incurred, but no units were lost taking Amsterdam. The Settler band there was enslaved, and the German navy in port destroyed. The citizens didn't even bother resisting. If Germany didn't accept peace soon, it would find a French invasion force at the gates of Berlin. In the meantime, an extra source of Dyes was to be had; Danish Germans were also to be had if Berlin was too powerful on the defense.

The German Archers, incapable of doing harm and on a hill, were left alone for the time being. They could be butchered when they actually presented a threat. The presence of the Archers had already drawn a declaration of war from the battle-hungry Romans, and that would make things interesting.

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75 BCE, an extremely-lucrative deal was cut with the Romans. France's treasury problems would be over for quite a while. They paid quite a bit to have the Oracle stop being so useful... :rotfl: France's role as cultural hegemon would be secured with the Oracle no longer functioning. Britain was soon given Education as well for almost 800 gold. The French treasury was being restored to its former glory ever so slowly.

1 CE, the Romans declared war on the Russians! :mad:

25 CE, Marseilles was hit with the Black Death...

75 CE, Spain and Russia signed an MPP...

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In better news, the Hagia Sophia was built in Paris, making France the center of both Orthodox and Catholic Christianity. The Consulate made sure that France would be a tolerant haven for Orthodoxy and Catholicism, but nothing else.

Spain declared war on the Romans...

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But at least Berlin finally fell! The German capital was seized, and for once German citizens put up a fight.

Germany, meanwhile, collapsed. Denmark, Tanzania, and the Baltics all declared independence, with Riga as the new capital city. Danzig, the remnant of Germany, was forced into being one of the four constituent states of the new United Federation of Germany, which was German in name only.

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The Federation, however, was all too eager for peace, and so sold out Denmark to gain it. At last, the Franco-German Wars were over, after nearly 300 years of constant on and off warfare. The "frontier" that was long desired had finally been obtained.
 
You got Copenhagen? Go Viking and use it to do an invasion from the flank against the Sassanach!
 
Right now, I'm focusing on the Spanish. Due to Rome's warmongering(worst allies ever!) I may be at war with them soon. Simply because they'll attack Rome in their own territory most likely(it seems just ENTERING someone's territory can trigger a MPP though. Imagine that)... and then when I attack Spain, I'll get Russia against me. Methinks it's time for an alliance with the Scandinavians!
 
Well the Vikings approve! :viking:
 
The Germans really fell pretty quickly there. Had they been at war with someone else prior to your war? The lack of any counter-attack is really surprising.
 
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