The War of The Spanish Succession/Great Northern War

[Lord Winter]

The Great Northern War/ War of the Spanish Succession

The year is 1700 and tensions are running high in Europe. In the north, the Saxon's, Danes and Russian's have signed The Treaty of Preobrazhenskoye, binding them into an alliance against the young Swedish ruler and the greatest infantry in Europe.

The rest of Europe waits and watches the heir-less king of Spain. For when he dies both the mighty French and Austrian empires have claims, both of which would allow their kings to claim hegemony over Europe. However William of Orange stands in the way of the French, seeking to once again create a grand alliance to oppose the mighty Sun King.

It is a time of high stakes were the world order for the century will be decided. The time is ripe for a strong ruler who will be able to lead his nation to victory. It is a time were nations will rise and fall.

This a multi player interactive history in the style of Leigo's 17th centruy. I will give decisions regarding you nation each turn which you will respond to by PM. The thread will be for propaganda public announcements and diplomacy.

Map

Rules:

The turn will start with me posting a narration of what happened last turn. After the description I will post a series of decisions that you need to make this turn. You are welcome to use any of the suggestion that will be posted under it or make your own course of action as long as it is historically possible. You are not limited to the decision topics and may branch out and may change anything else you want. Be warned that all actions have their consequences.

Examples of actions that you will make include:

In the public thread:

A. Public declarations of war
B. Propaganda, this can effect public option in the story.
C. Changes in your government or official stances
D. Diplomacy

In PM. (Note: some info may leak)

A. Starting a war without a public declaration
B. Private diplomacy with other leaders by P.M. Note that I will play all Non Player Factions (NPF's)
C. Military plans: You can be as broad as you want (attack X city) or make complicated plans.
D. Military reforms and government reforms

Declaring a Winner

In this interactive there will be multiable winners in four different categories. Who ever holds one of these categories at the games end (1730) will be declared a winner. The categories and there current holders are:

Master of the Baltic: Sweden
Dominant Continental Power: France
Dominant Colonial Power: Holland
The power in the east: Ottomans

The master of the Baltic title will go to the most powerful nation in the Baltic sea region. This will be determined by both wealth and military might. Dominant continental power will be rewarded to the nation holding the most power and influence in Western and Central Europe. The third victory title will be measured by both the number of colonies and the wealth of the said colonies. Ability to control the trade routs between these will also be crucial in determining the winner. Lastly the power of the east is mainly focused on south-eastern Europe and will be determined by the nation with the most influence in the Balkans, Turkey and the Black Sea. Please note that it will be possible for one nation to achieve more then one of these goals. At the begaining of every year (every four turns) I will post a list updating the status of each victory condition.

Other Rules
A. Each turn will be three months of real time.
B. Please also note that not all deaths will follow the exact historical guide lines although natural deaths will be in similer years.

For the first turn you must find information about your nation including:

A. General diplomatic stances, treaties, claims and alliances

B. Economic strength

C. Army and naval organization and if possible the size of each.

D. Any major problems of the nation. (for example Russia's poor modernness)


Nations:


Sweden: Don Corleone
France: Franconicus
Spain: Swordsmaster
The Netherlands: Stig



Waiting list:

Banquno's Ghost
Inca
Leigo

[Franconicus]

I`d like to take France!

[Don Corleone]

I'd like to sign up. If we get to choose our faction, since France is gone, I'll take Sweden. If not, I'll take wherever you assign me.

God help me, I'm going to get fired! I've never ventured into Interactive History before... crikey, it's addictive. It's the Gameroom and the Monastery all rolled into one. I'm doomed!

[Franconicus]

Do not worry my friend! You have experience in dealing with little children and that is all you have to have in IAs. And be sure, France is at your side


Welcome in the game

[Stig]

Sounds fun, I would like to be Holland/England
God, I'm patriotic

[Lord Winter]

Welcome to the chapter house Don :wave:

Sweden will be fine.
I'll start in a couple days after I try an advertising campign through the other fourms.

[Franconicus]

[B] Nations:

Denmark
Sweden
Poland/Saxony (In personal union)
Russia
France
Spain
Austria
The Netherlands and England (in personal union)
Bavaria
Brandenburg
Ottoman Empire

Please note that Saxony, Austria, Bavaria and Brandenburg are all part of the Holy Roman Empire! All are part of the German nation!!

[seireikhaan]

Ottomans for me.

[King Jan III Sobieski]

Can I sign up for Poland/Saxony?

[Csargo]

I'll take Brandenburg.

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

This seems to be the place - your advertising campaign successfully lured me here Destroyer of Hope. I'll just take what's left and lead them to extermination - I've never played one of these very intriguing games before.

[Incongruous]

Could I take a hand in The Union and Orange?
After all, constitutional monarchy what!

[ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88]

I Take Austria
:-)

[Lord Winter]

Please note that Saxony, Austria, Bavaria and Brandenburg are all part of the Holy Roman Empire! All are part of the German nation!!

Yes, but at this time the Empire was so decentralized that emperor couldn't keep control of all his subjects thus rendering him to a fairly ceramonial role (however the emperor as the head of austria still had a ton of power).

Bopa England/Netherlands is already taken.

Omanes Russia's still open and had a large role in the war; however they are encountering internal dissent and a large array of problems realated with Peter the Great's efforts of modernizing the nation.

Denmark, Spain and Baveria are also open.

[CountArach]

Denmark!

[Tran]

What's the point without Spain? I'll take Spain! I hope it won't be too difficult...

[Franconicus]

What's the point without Spain? I'll take Spain! I hope it won't be too difficult...

It won't! If memory serves, you're going to die soon

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

Omanes Russia's still open and had a large role in the war; however they are encountering internal dissent and a large array of problems realated with Peter the Great's efforts of modernizing the nation.

I'll have a go at Russia then. It sounds like a very enjoyable challange.

[Banquo's Ghost]

Ah, I see I'm too late.

It looks to be a fascinating interactive though - I'm looking forward to reading how it goes.

[Warluster]

I will take Bavaria, if it is not taken...

Though looking from BG's post it is... uh well.

[Banquo's Ghost]

I will take Bavaria, if it is not taken...

Though looking from BG's post it is... uh well.

No, don't worry. I'd only be interested in a faction I know something about, as I don't have the time to research a whole new history. Those are already taken.

I haven't a clue about Bavaria.

[Stig]

Hence why I went for Holland

[Franconicus]

On behalf of the King of France and Navarre Jean-Baptiste Colbert de Torcy, the Foreign Minister of France, makes this declaration to all European rulers:

France is ruled by our King, Louis Le Grand, for many years now. During this time, the increase of wealth and strength of our great nation has been matchless.

The base of this boom is the well organized administration. Our land is united and centralized. The Catholic Church follows the leadership of the King. Our manufactories are unique and the productivity of our country is unexampled. The export of French goods brings a benefit of 18 million Livres per year.

Our army had to fight several wars to repel the challenges of our neighbours:

Contest for precedence
War of Devolution
La ReunionWars
War against the League of Augsburg

Our nation was victorious in each conflict.

Today, our nation is respected as the dominant nation in Europe. Now, thee is no reason for further military confrontations. France wants to live in peace with all her neighbours. There are only some minor issues left that – as we believe – can be solved in a peaceful way.

France has currently a ceasefire with Spain that was agreed to last for 20 years. This agreement will end in 1704. France has also build new or modernized 160 fortresses to protect her frontiers. These fortresses, designed by the genius Sébastien le Prestre de Vauban, show the defensive character of the French policy.

Today, France has the strongest army and the strongest navy. Even in peacetime our army fields 280,000 men. They are well trained and well equipped.

France has also increased its colonies. Besides La Nouvelle France there is also Tschandarnagar (1673), Pondichery (1674) and the isle of Martinique. In 1683 La Salle found the French colony Louisiana at the Mississippi River. In 1660 the French Crown purchased Haiti, in 1664 Guyana as well as parts of the Senegal and Madagascar.

However, the happiness of a country is not only measured by the strength of its army or the national income. France is also the leader on the field of culture. The French living style is desired all over the world. Nowhere else life is dominated by theatre, poetry and luxury like at Paris. With envy the other nations call our King ‘Le Roi Soleil’!

France shakes hands with all her peaceful neighbours. We are willing to share the advantages of French culture and technologies with our friends.

[Don Corleone]

I'm thinking maybe I need to stop and watch how IA's go when one person is responsible for a faction before I enter into one as well organized as this. Therefore, I'd like to step down, and allow Banquo to step in as the King of Sweden. It will be fun to watch!

[Stig]

Got a question, what is the exact starting date?
After all Willem III reign in England ended it 1694.

Or am I playing as the small alliance England and the Dutch had?

[Franconicus]

I'm thinking maybe I need to stop and watch how IA's go when one person is responsible for a faction before I enter into one as well organized as this. Therefore, I'd like to step down, and allow Banquo to step in as the King of Sweden. It will be fun to watch!

Just look at Legio's 17th century IA. There you see how the game goes!!

By the way, the game hasn't started yet. Right now everyone is supposed to give an introduction of his kingdom. Then DoH starts the game.

Certainly you can start making alliances anyway.

BTW. You will have a warm welcome at Paris!

[Lord Winter]

The starting date is 1700.

My sources say that it was just his wife that died in 1694, are you sure?

[Stig]

Yeah his wife died in 1694, which, according to our Dutch history books meant that he was no longer king of England, they however maintained an alliance against France, which attacked in 1701.

[Lord Winter]

This states actions of William after the death of Mary II. The next queen, Anne also did not asscend the throne untill 1702 (williams death). However if you think that it's more historcal to split them that can certainly happen to.

[Stig]

Well it will allow for another nation, and people really seem to be wanting to play this game.