The Gift of the Crimea

[Dhepee]

I was playing as the Germans started in Early. I built up my internal empire, three strong armies to defend myself, a bunch of princes. I had fought off the Hungarians and the French, but I was playing to only re-capture lost provinces and would only attack rebel provinces. My North Sea and Baltic trade routes were booming. I had ships out of Provence that had built a thin string all the way to the Black Sea. I was getting great trade income but I knew that a storm or an attack from the Italians, who always get jealous of trade empires would wipe me out. I happened to look over at the Crimea, it was rebel. Oh well I thought I don't have enough armies to secure it and defend my homelands, but then I looked closer. It was UNOCCUPIED, joy of joys, I sent a single spare unit of Royal Knights, and it was mine. I lost the port, but the shipyard was intact. I immediately started building peasents to build loyalty. There was a rebellion, two units of regular archers, crushed it in no time, lost 2 knights. Now I have a Black Sea province that is cranking out ships, and my Eastern Trade Empire is secured. I built up a defensive army and moved it to the Crimea in anticipation of the jealous byz or the soon to arrive Golden Horde. I'm raking in the dough, I have several very large armies ready to move towards the Horde when it arrives and all is well. I have never seen a completely empty province before, it was like a gift from the TW Gods.

[monkian]

I found Crimea empty when i was playing as the Byzantine Empire untill the Golden Horde reared their ugly heads- now its a constant battle to keep it from them http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[o_loompah_the_delayer]

I have seen this happen quite often, usually when say I am sieging rebels with a relatively weak army and the rebels try to break out. The rebels from neighbouring provinces pour into the battle, and if they win the neighbouring rebel provinces end up with no troops.

[The Wizard]

Well, that's a nice tactic for the HRE.. but I usually get pissed about 'em because I've experienced being wedged in between simultaneous attacks by the French, Italians, Danes and Poles... a four-front war, before the start of the 12th century http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/shock.gif

[Quokka]

The Crimea always starts completely empty. I have often seen other provinces empty. If there are a few rebel provinces connected and someone attacks and takes a neighbouring province then the surrounding rebels will unite to drive the invader out leaving many empty provinces.

[The Wizard]

Their loss... more ground and more money for you http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif

[Bevan of Hertfordshire]

I think the Holy lands better for cash

Antioch churns out about 2000 florins at this time, 1150's
and the other states are damn rich too.

Plus crimea is cold and wet and the locals laugh at my blue and pink hat. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif

[jadast]

I find empty provinces regularly on the eastern side of the map. I find these unoccupied regions seem to have low public support and I get uprisings when I move in unless I take a large garrison force. Most of these provinces are cash poor so I typically leave them till the end.

[The Wizard]

Quote[/b] (Bevan of Hertfordshire @ Oct. 18 2003,11:58)]Plus crimea is cold and wet and the locals laugh at my blue and pink hat. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif
LOL http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Yes, but blue and pink hat or not, you have a well-forged sword, and heavy armor, and many soldiers with all that... so the next time they laugh show em... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Bevan of Hertfordshire]

Not when my soldiers laugh at me

[The Wizard]

Then you need a bigger sword... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Bevan of Hertfordshire]

i was hoping my loud hat would terrify them into obedience http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif

[Cebei]

Crimea was famous for its cavalrymen. Even in the Ottoman times, Crimean Tatar cavalries were given honor in the army, but I dont understand why there isnt any unit bonus in that province. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

[The Wizard]

True... there aren't even any Tartar Cav in the game http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/redface.gif

[Vanya]

Quote[/b] (Wizzy @ Oct. 19 2003,03:27)]True... there aren't even any Tartar Cav in the game http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/redface.gif
GAH

And there is good reason for it. During the times spanned by this game, cucumbers had not yet been discovered. And thus, neither had tartar sauce.

The Tartars were "white" barbarians from the steppes that brought tartar sauce to the seafood loving peoples of Europe. In so doing, they fomented a rebirth of sorts, which directly lead to the Renaissance.

People could now better enjoy their fish meals without smelling all fishy afterwards. Tartar cavalry was reknown for carrying viles of their sauce in their saddles. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif

GAH

[The Wizard]

Yes.. Tartar horses are so good because they run on Tartar sauce The men riding them eventually get to eat their horses if their valor reaches 100, which gives them wings http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif