Sons of Mars (Redux)

[Tani Coyote]

To: Poland
From: The Holy See

The Holy See, noting its desire to convert the pagans of South America, the desire that Catholic land might not fall under a heathen power, and noting the relative spheres of influence of other powers in Africa shall purchase this province for the stated price.

Pope Julius III.

Poland confirms this sale and accepts His Holiness' offer.

 

[Tani Coyote]

Orders were supposed to lock earlier today but since some folks missed it I'll be nice and extend it for 24 more hours, this time the last.

The next update's going to take a while since I have to write a paper. I will be aiming to post one war a day to keep things fresh.

Oh, I'll also probably throw some sort of events your way so look forward to that.

 

[Tani Coyote]

Okayyyyy, orders locked.

 

[Sonereal]

THE ACTS OF TOLERATION​

BY THE GRACE OF HIS MAJESTY, KING CHARLES, SIXTH OF HIS NAME, KING OF THE SICILIANS, DECLARES that from this moment onwards, those who do not profess the Catholic faith are allowed to own property within Sicily, marry Catholics, and engage in business operations as if they were Catholics themselves. Converts to Catholicism are now allowed to hold official positions in the state apparatus.

 

[Tani Coyote]

==Hedjaz War==

The Ottoman Sultan has seen the opportunity to establish himself as ruler of Mecca and has ordered troops to invade the Hedjaz… however, Hedjaz has assembled an army of conscripts to resist the invasion. No less than 34 poorly-armed and poorly-trained divisions are present when the Ottoman forces arrive.

The Ottomans take 5 provinces, while the Hedjazi forces bunker down in the remainder. 3 Hedjazi forces are killed, while the Ottomans face the loss of no less than eight divisions. Though the Sultan’s resources mean the Hedjaz cannot hope to hold out for long, it is nonetheless a great show of defiance. More than half the Hedjazi forces desert after the battle due to lack of supplies or low morale, but a sizable force remains to annoy and harass the Turkish military for at least two years.

 

[Sonereal]

Hue x2

 

[Tani Coyote]

Hungary has signed a five-year non-aggression pact with the Papal States.

Yes gents, the fact I'm calculating things regarding the Papacy means that...

 

[Tani Coyote]

==Great Germanic War==

Part I: Battle of the Channel

The Catholic and Calvinist fleets have engaged in a naval battle to determine the fate of France. 4 Palatine vessels lead 9 Burgundian against 5 French and 2 Aragonese.

The resulting battle is devastating, with the entire Catholic fleet being sunk. Burgundy loses 2 ships by comparison. The whole French coast is placed under blockade. Neutral Dauphine and Aquitaine supply much-needed grain, but the likelihood of state collapse grows by the day as more people find the economy sluggish and their stomachs less full.

Part II: The Battle of France

Though it looks for a moment that France could weather the storm and hope for a Catholic resurgence to break the blockade, they soon face another threat: enemy ground troops. The Palatinate once more leads an incursion into French territory, leading Burgundy’s 13 divisions with its own 5. The French have 12 to protect themselves, but it’s hardly a fair match – the Palatinate’s troops are vastly better trained.

The French are routed and lose 6 divisions, while the Calvinist forces see the loss of 1 Palatine and 2 Burgundian forces. The French lose a third of their territory, including the capital in Paris.

Back east along the Rhine, the Papal and Palatine forces stare at each other in the hopes of the other dropping dead, but no shots are fired.

 

[Robert Can't]

The Manchester Declaration
​

It is hereby declared by the states of the Palatines under the hold of Prince-Elector Ernest the Confessor that from this day forward it is a crime against the state and God to condemn a man of a different denomination. Recent violence against Catholic civilians will not be tolerated and shall be punishable by death. It is our mission in this world that we can live together without our religion being used to oppress us. So long as the Pope holds power over the Catholic nations they are not free. There is no wrong in practising Catholicism however the power of the Pope must be challenged to save all our brothers who are not Catholic.

This declaration sets forth that sectarian violence is punishable by death and reaffirms the Prince-Elector's vision for a Europe free of Papal oppression. We hope, not just that this declaration will end persecution of minorities but also reach out to our Catholic brothers in other nations so that they too see that there is no glory to be found in playing puppet to the Pope's vile games.

 

[Jehoshua]

The Manchester Declaration
​

It is hereby declared by the states of the Palatines under the hold of Prince-Elector Ernest the Confessor that from this day forward it is a crime against the state and God to condemn a man of a different denomination. Recent violence against Catholic civilians will not be tolerated and shall be punishable by death. It is our mission in this world that we can live together without our religion being used to oppress us. So long as the Pope holds power over the Catholic nations they are not free. There is no wrong in practising Catholicism however the power of the Pope must be challenged to save all our brothers who are not Catholic.

This declaration sets forth that sectarian violence is punishable by death and reaffirms the Prince-Elector's vision for a Europe free of Papal oppression. We hope, not just that this declaration will end persecution of minorities but also reach out to our Catholic brothers in other nations so that they too see that there is no glory to be found in playing puppet to the Pope's vile games.

Response to the Manchester Declaration​

The unchristian hypocrisy of the Palatinate is manifest clearly in the face of facts. The Palatinate accuses the Papal States of acting the warmonger, when it was the Papal States, in humble service to the will of the Prince of Peace, that last year offered end to the war to the Palatinate if only they would return the lands rightly belonging to Ireland to that Kingdom and ceased its hostilities, initiated fecklessly on no obligation to Brandenburg, against Prussia, whom the papacy was by treaty made before the throne of the celestial King and the court of heaven bound to defend in event of war being declared against it.

Yet to this offer no reply was given. Likewise this year, manifesting our desire for peace the Papal States refrained from battle in the hope that the Palatinate would still heed our call for the peace of God to be restored. Yet taking advantage of our christian charity, they took the opportunity with their Burgundian allies to invade France in the same manner as they invaded the Irish territories in Britain, despite France having made no attack on Burgundy or the Palatinate, be it that the Kingdom of France in full and honourable fulfilment of its obligations was in a state of war with Burgundy and Hesse due to the said nations declaration of war on the Papal States (for indeed it was not the papacy that declared war on the Palatinate or its allies). It is thus clear that it is not the Papal States that is the warmonger, or the peddler of violence.

It is likewise clear that it is not the Papal States that is the tyrant over nations an "oppressor". For the Papal States has in no manner whatever entertained imperialistic conquest of its neighbours, as the Palatinate and its allies do in France, and in the rightly Irish realms of Britain. Indeed was it not the Papacy in harmony with its allies and for the glory of Christ the Saviour saw the reconquest of Hispania completed, to the benefit of our allies in Aragon, Spain, Sicily and Venice who joined us on this crusade, while at the very same time the Palatinate in its imperial designs in full knowledge of the consequences due to Prussias defensive pact with the Papal States initiated the internecine war that currently wages between Christians by intervening in the local conflict between Brandenburg and Prussia? The reality of what has transpires all attest to the truth of our words, and the falsity of the accusations of the Palatine Calvinists.

Yet, despite the hypocrisy, lies and slander emanating from the Palatinate. We retain our humble submission to the will of the Lord, and again offer the fruits of peace in the name of the Prince of Peace to the Palatines. Immediately restore to the authority of the French and Irish Kings those lands unlawfully taken from them making peace with them, and likewise assert an end to war with us and our clients and allied states and there can be an end to this conflict between us. Should the Palatinate refuse, than we shall respond in accordance to our obligations to your absurd aggressions.

sincerely

Julius III pp.

 

[Civ'ed]

Sich Declarations of Tolerance and Recruitment​

In light of the religious wars plaguing Europe, has hereby decreed the following:

• The State Faith shall nominally remain Orthodoxy
• All Denominations of Christianity, Mohammedanism, and Abrahamism shall be tolerated
• In accordance with these laws, Apart from Ruthenian, Hebrew, Polish, Rumanian, Bulgarian and Tatar shall be recognised as important languages
• Minor recognized languages shall be Russian, Hungarian, Armenian, and Chuvash, as well as Latin for diplomacy.
• Each Religion and Culture is granted these priviledges, on the condition that they also supply to and aid the Sich in its existence.

Signed,
The Sich Rada,
The Khan of Qirim,
The Duke of Galicia,
The Prince of Moldavia.

 

[Tani Coyote]

==Great German War==

Part III: The Battle of Poland

Despite the hassle of Palatine forces to its West, the Prussian forces have also declared war on Poland. Poland defends itself with 9 regulars and 27 conscripts, outnumbering the better trained 20 Prussian divisions. Will numbers be enough, however?

The Prussians kill, capture and rout 7 Polish divisions, while the Poles slay 6 Prussian. Prussia is able to seize 12 Polish provinces, being far behind schedule.

Part IV: The Battle of Wales

The Irish military invades occupied Wales with 25 divisions; the Palatinate have left 20 divisions.

The invasion is a disaster, with the Palatinate triumphing due to superior training and tactics despite their fewer numbers. It is still a bloody battle – the Palatinate loses 4 divisions whereas Ireland loses 7. The Irish forces are fortunately numerous enough to prevent the loss of further territory, but it has quickly become apparent the war in Britain may not end for some time.

While there are mild incitements among civilians on both sides of the occupation line, no serious power shifts occur.

Part V: Battle of the Baltic

Poland sends 5 ships, backed by 4 from the Palatinate, to crush the Prussian navy.

Neglected in funding as it is, Prussia’s fleet doesn’t stand a chance and is sunk without even a consolation sinking. The result is most of Prussia’s trade routes being cut; the once-mighty Prussian forces now teeter on the edge of bankruptcy. That a planned loan from the Sicilian Bank did not go through enormously hurts the matter even further. The small reserves left in Ruegen are soon overpowered by the locals, as they are unable to call for support due to the Polish blockade.

Part VI: Battle of the Elbe

12 Prussian divisions ride in to conquer the last of Brandenburg. Brandenburg enjoys the support of 2 Palatine divisions. Brandenburg defends itself with 3 regulars and 7 conscripts.

Prussia kill 5 Brandenburg divisions and 1 Palatine. Prussia loses only 2 units, but occupies the whole of Brandenburg except for newly-liberated Ruegen. Brandenburg’s forces regroup with the Palatinate within their borders.

 

[Tyo]

OOC: so why didn't the loan go through?

@Brandenburg: Seeing as I own 99% of your territory and crap, let's try to work out peace?

This is the proposal. The remaining provinces of what was Brandenburg can become a client of Prussia or opt to join Saxony or the Palatinate(if they decide to accept a white peace); if either are interested they can purchase the remaining land for gold.

Alternatively Brandenburg can remain entirely independent if it contributes to the war with Poland. When the war ends, the remaining provinces can enjoy independence guaranteed by Prussia with no further obligations.

 

[Tani Coyote]

Sone missed orders lock.

===

Brandenburg defers to the Palatinate.

 

[Jehoshua]

Hungary has signed a five-year non-aggression pact with the Papal States.

Yes gents, the fact I'm calculating things regarding the Papacy means that...

Well, I suppose Machiavelli did say that fear is better than love.

At any rate, its amusing how my relative power has substantially increased this turn thanks to the drain war has placed on a certain protestant power.

 

[Double A]

Isn't Robert winning?

 

[Jehoshua]

Actually no.

He's made no substantial gains and all this time he's been frittering away blood and treasure on war at the expense of everything else, precisely because he has to put everything into the war to avoid decisive defeats on the ground due to being outnumbered, and due to him fighting a three (now four thanks to his push into France) front war.

Meanwhile I have almost certainly been able to expand my holdings from 30 to 52 provinces this year without a shot being fired, and cultivate my economy and army concordantly with precisely 0 losses to myself. The result of this is relatively my power has greatly advanced compared to the Palatinates since my economic power outweighs its own. Seeing as money translates into potential military power my relative war-waging capacity is enhanced. This combined with the continued Irish ambition of regaining their lands from Palatine aggression (lets be honest, Robert intended to invade Ireland anyway), the political realities on the ground. and the support of my allies and clients (who outnumber the palatinates allies, one of whom has already been de-facto eliminated by Prussia) means that despite the gains in France, the relative balance of power has actually shifted in my favour, suggesting that its peripheral gains in France in particular are not sustainably able to be held should the Palatinate continue the war (rejecting the papal peace offer of status quo ante-bellum). This is particularly so should Alexandia-Egypt or Scotland join in on the dog pile (the former being formally at war with the Palatinate already btw).

Now of course, being honest about it, a perpetuation of the war despite almost certainly resulting in a Catholic victory, would be in the long term a bad deal for Il Papa. Since the relative power of Catholic Christendom would be drained compared to the power of potential threats that are actually able to threaten its core interests (ergo, why I am offering a peace to begin with, that combined with the fact I didn't start the war and didn't want it to begin with). But this doesn't change the fact that the trajectory is inexorably in my favour (relative to the Palatinate) should Robert persist in the current hostilities. The cost benefit ratio (for both parties) simply is such that war is not in either of our interests at this time.

 

[Double A]

Well, you're certainly doing well, but your allies are getting screwed over hilariously. I wonder how that makes them feel.

 

[cpm4001]

Well, you're certainly doing well, but your allies are getting screwed over hilariously. I wonder how that makes them feel.

IC: Wouldn't say Ireland's getting screwed over hilariously...some minor setbacks perhaps, but we'll recover .

OOC: I'm actually having a great time. Sure I'm losing but it's nothing unrecoverable and it's all a game.

 

[Jehoshua]

Well firstly I didn't initiate the war, it was initiated due to the Palatinate forcing the invocation of binding alliances. But as to allies only two are actually doing that badly, Tyo and France. Aragon has only lost two fleets (and did very well out of Papal initiatives in Granada) and Ireland on the defence has effectively run a stalemate rather than to a decisive loss (and it would probably have won the battle if someone hadn't missed a turn/failed to militarise in the first turn....). The rest of the Papal associates have lost nothing, and Wurrtemberg and Bavaria could be said to have been protected from harm by the massive Papal army parked there right across from the Palatine capital.

Anyways to the two nations that have faced major issues. Firstly I warned Tyo that invading Poland at the present time was a bad idea, so his woes are attributable to his strategic follies rather than any Papal machinations. If he had listened to me he would be in a relatively better spot (one could argue, whether his decision was the best one depends on how his Polish war goes I suppose, the economic situation he's in surely would be less dire if Sone had put through the loan). As to France the macro-strategic situation as I noted would predicate that remaining in the Papal fold is the superior option compared to opting out, considering in particular that the Palatine/Burgundian hold on eastern France is likely to prove unsustainable should the war persist (unless of course the Palatinate wants to lose control of core interests)