I think this thread needs some attention, of the Imperial kind. Unless Vile_Mortis posts soon, the campaign risks being de-railed. 20 days seems long enough - maybe the Emperor should let Bacchon take over?
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I think this thread needs some attention, of the Imperial kind. Unless Vile_Mortis posts soon, the campaign risks being de-railed. 20 days seems long enough - maybe the Emperor should let Bacchon take over?
I'd be more than willing to take it on immedeatly. I could use a break from modding.
Sorry about that, my Imperial attention has been elsewhere of late...Quote:
Originally Posted by [b
Ok I tried to send a message to him, but I didn't get a confirmation screen saying it has gone.
I think we may have to move on. Feel free to download the campaign.
Heh. I missed your post Emperor, oops. Wasn't paying attention. I'll download the savegame and start it up right.....now. I'll try and post a intro to my reign later today/tonight.
Cheers,
Bacchon
The candles guttered low, flickering in the warm breeze and casting jumping shadows over the square-shouldered man at his desk. He leaned back, rubbing his eyes, exhausted. He had the body of an aging warrior, one who has not seen a battlefield in too long, but his eyes burned bright with wisdom.
The ornate lettering at the top of the parchment before him spoke a grim tale. 1265. Had it really been twenty years already? So long, so much toil and blood, and yet, not much had really changed.
He blinked, clearing his eyes as he thought. Florins poured ever quicker into the kingdoms coffers, and right back out again just as quickly. The eternal warring with France drained both him and his country. It had all seemed so easy, when he was young and the crown of Doge was light on his head. The subjugation of Aragon, taking new lands in the Holy Land from the fading power of the Byzantine Emperor. But the Spanish had struck back, taking Navarre not a year after he'd conquered it. And the French, with their constant crusades, had weakened his northern borders and reclaimed Anjou for themselves.
He smiled grimly. They'd been quick for rue the day they'd continued their war against Italy. He'd taken Serbia and Edessa from them, only five years into his reign. And even now, a huge army was crushing their forces in Antioch. He would take the Holy Land from them, and then, perhaps, he would listen when they begged for the scraps of land they still held.
To the north, the Germans were quiet, not allies, not yet, but an easy peace reigned. Lorenzo was under no illusions that it had anything to with anything but the large garrisons he maintained. To the south, there was constant bickering with the Pope. Lorenzo shook his head. He was the greatest force for Christendom, and still the Pope clung to its alliances with France and Spain.
Spain was still refusing peace, even after all these years. Of course, it probably had something to do with all the Italian Inquisitors who were trying and burning Spanish generals and officials with a glee that bordered on sadistic.
Beyond Spain, the Almohads still hung onto their territory in the southern Iberian penisula and northern Africa. To the east, the Poles, the Hungarians and the Rus fought endless war with the steppe Kahns.
Ah, well, thought the aging Doge. The parchments would still be there in the morning...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, it's been 21 years, and things are going fairly well. Not as well as I'd hoped, or at all like I'd hoped.
I conquerored Aragon and Navarre first turn just for the extra GA points and to get rid of a hostile nation. I sued for peace with the French and the Papacy and took Syria from the Byzantines. I had intended to launch a Crusade or two at the Almohads, take away some of their GA points potential, but I've still got my hands full with the damn French...
Maybe I'll just have my Emissary wander around the French territory yelling Blitzkrieg a lot. Should make 'em nervous. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...icons/wink.gif
I've got a screenshot thing uploaded. I'll post it once it's available.
Cheers,
Bacchon
Ok here is the list from what i can make out...
Just to clarify things for everyone http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...icons/wave.gif
The_Emperor
Doge Vitale II (1087 - 1104) The Merchant King
Simon Appleton
Doge Vitale III (1104 - 1126 ) The Unready
Revenant69
Doge Jacopo I (1126 - 1160) The Savior of Jerusalem
Monk
Doge Enrico I (1160 - 1190 ) The Protector of the Cross
Mysterium
Doge Pietro X (1190 - 1220) The Friendless
Aleksandr Nevsky
Doge Enrico I (1220 - 1254) Shepherd of the Empire
Bacchon
Doge Lorenzo I (1254 - ?) Current Doge of Italy
Your name could be here
I wonder if there is any news from Bacchon? It's around a month now - it would be a shame to see this thread die.
Yes, I was planning on chasing up what was happening. But with him being the last person on the list there isn't as much pressure to do so.Quote:
Originally Posted by [b
Still I'll pm him.
No response to the PM in the past few days since it was sent...
So Bacchron's reign is up for Grabs And we are all out of contenders to the Throne
Come on guys... Come and re-create the Italian Empire
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...s/bigthumb.gif
The_Emperor
Doge Vitale II (1087 - 1104) The Merchant King
Simon Appleton
Doge Vitale III (1104 - 1126 ) The Unready
Revenant69
Doge Jacopo I (1126 - 1160) The Savior of Jerusalem
Monk
Doge Enrico I (1160 - 1190 ) The Protector of the Cross
Mysterium
Doge Pietro X (1190 - 1220) The Friendless
Aleksandr Nevsky
Doge Enrico I (1220 - 1254) Shepherd of the Empire
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...ns/gc-help.gif
Your Name could be here
Doge Lorenzo I (1254 - ?) Current Doge of Italy
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...ns/gc-help.gif
Well, put me up as well then http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...ns/biggrin.gif
I can just upload that last version and put it in my savegames map?
Yes if you download the latest game. (they are all listed by year I think) Place it in your savegames folder, and its there.Quote:
Originally Posted by [b
Give that a go and PM me if you have any questions.
*** Lord Orsini reporting from Venice to the Major Council. There have been no troubles with the ceremony, and his majesty Enrico I has been burried without troubles. His majesty the Doge has decided on some drastic reforms, I therefore ask the council for further instructions. Below is his diary, as our agent Antonio Barbarigo has copied.
Its 2 may, 1254, and I have taken up the crown of the Italian Empire as Doge Lorenzo I, king of Italy, Sicily, Byzantium, Jerusalem and Aquitaine. The empire is large, its fleet is unrivaled, and its army is great. However, its economy is weak and we are currently surviving on the treasury I have decided on some economical rearrangements... In honour of my ancestors I will not relieve my borders of their stress by conquering my enemies, but I will try and make peace where ever possible. What bothers me the most is the hostilities with his holiness the pope, for without him we cannot continue to bear the cross in battle with honour. Emissaries are sent out on diplomatic missions, while I've taken the time to inspect our border armies.
*** Lord Paganelli reporting on account of the Major Council from Constantinople to Lord Orsini the Chamberlain in Venice. We have received your message sealed. The lords have decided on the unregistred Gathering in Constantinople on the matter Doge Lorenzo I. His majesty's plans are extensive, but do not obscure the line of the Major Council. Caution is adviced, but no action is necessary... yet.
Ive started my reign without troubles. It's looking good for the Italians, but the king is a bit of a royal failure... Screenshots coming soon
Major Council's log, 1 may 1264.
*** Lord Orsini reporting from Venice to lord Bolomi. Here are the copies of the Doge's diary, as are created by our faithful agents. I await further instructions.
P.S. I'd like to demand the spy network to be enlarged to Venice. Also if possible, a little more funding might be necessary. The Doge is getting suspicious.
It's in the year 1257 that I have decided to write my notes in this ancient diary. Im sure my father would approve; he used to keep up a diary himself. Of course I do not write in it myself. I have appointed 5 servants to do this for me.
*** These men are spies, loyal to my house and family.
The French crusade that headed so cheerfully to Anatolia, has raided our country, taking many hotheads in their army. They even aided a French expedition to Lorraine, and our troops were forced to retreat. A military victory however was achieved when the blockade of Venice had been lifted and the Papal fleet had been destroyed.
*** A dire mistake of the Doge, I may add.
It is the year 1260 and I finally had time to settle down and go on with writing this diary. It's a difficult job for me, as I can't write myself nor read. I sincerly hope my son can get a better education.
*** His son Prince Enrico has been assasinated, as ordered. We have taken a smarter kid to take up his place.
The years behind me have been chaotic, although my biggest concern the economy is doing very well. The Pope had spoken out the ban, as we had attacked their fleet. My defence at the Conference of Rome was fairly futile. However, his holiness died of a heart attack the next year, and his follower decided to releave the ban.
***His holiness has been assasinated, as ordered. We have bribed the new Pope with a large sum of gold.
In Rome, I also declared war on France. I have decided to let my royal relations with the French crown get me enough political strength to claim the whole kingdom. Our armies have marched into Continental France and Serbia.
1262 was a joyful day. I finally have been crowned as official king of France, Serbia and Aquitaine. However, the pope disagreed, and excommunicated us again. The economy is unrivalled in the known world, and more then 10 thousand florins are gathered in taxes and tolls all over the land, every year My farther might have been proud.
*** In this year the Major Council decided on creating a spy network, to give us more reliable intelligence. The excommunication was a bad mistake made by the Council and I, the Chamberlain, lost my presidentship to Lord Romali of Constantinople. As Romali was an incompetent fool, I had him assasinated. Lord Bolomi, my cousin, took up his presidentship.
1264, 10 years after taking up the reign over my beloved country, I decided after my good friend Lord Orsini urged me, to take up the pencil again and write down my history. The economy is doing well. Horses and steel ploughs have been introduced almost everywhere, and the results are finally showing. The treasury has been replenished, but the councellors demand more and more money from me. Although Orsini says it is necessary to keep the kingdom safe, Im having different thoughts.
*** Alarmingly, the Doge is not as stupid as he looks. Im doing my best to keep him from going into that direction.
*** Lord Bolomi, president of the Major Council, reporting to Venice. We have received your message, but its seal was broken. We advice serious caution, and we urge you to assasinate all of your messagers. Sadly, we cannot fund you more than we already do. We receive many demands, and Venice is already getting a big share. We might have to cut in some of the bigger receivers if they do not give enough profit in return...
10 years into my reign, and I've decided to be a bit more aggressive then I should have been. It's a pain to defend such a long border and kicking out the dangerous French was absolutely necessary. Further aggression I hope to avoid. The economy is doing very well (13000 profit/year). I feared for difficult battles against my enemies, but I guess a few months playing exclusively medmod has let me overestimate the A.I. a bit...
Excellent stuff, being in the format of a historical log works very well.
Sorry to hear about your troubles with the Pope and the French, but I guess we have so much money now we have entered the nobody likes me portion of the game.
Anyway goodluck with the rest of it http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...s/bigthumb.gif
***Lord Orsini reporting to the Gathering of the Major Council in 1280. Here are the copies of His Majesty's dairy, as the Doge has given me personally. As I've made clear earlier, His Majesty was aware of our communication. However, he did not see anything wrong in it, and he decided to give me his aid. He must really trust me, or be really stupid. Actually, I think both are appropiate...
It's been 4 years since I wrote in my diary for the last time. Peace is finally settling in the world, but the last years have been straining. The Germans had crossed the north border, but were defeated near Como (Province Milan) and yet again by Venice. This was however their last act of hostility...
*** The organised attack by our agents on the German treasury was probably the reason.
When the pope suddenly died of a heart attack, his army commander lord Baldini gathered all his men, and, claiming we had assasinated his holiness, invaded Tuscany. However, the modern army stationed there was more then they could handle. On advice of the Major Council I pressed on the election of my cousin as the new pope; and soon the Papal states accepted a cease fire.
*** Of course the Pope was assasinated by our agents. This was the second and hopefully last time the fool in Rome will excommunicate His Majesty...
I write again in the year 1280, and the years are starting to count. My son has come of age, but he suffers from a sickness, making him a little fat. I've decided to keep him close to me in Venice, for I do not have much hope he will survive a battle.
*** This prince is a fool, filled with ideas of honour and a horrible eating habit. Perfect for our plans.
It's been 8 years since the last time our troops marched to war. That was the glorious crusade to Cyprus, a little kingdom that dared to oppose the Pope. Although Im eager to go to battle once again the Major Council tries to keep me from doing anything. They've got spies everywhere, and no one is to be trusted, not even my dear friend Orsini. He has made clear that the Council only has the greater good of my dynasty as goal. I sure hope it is...
*** The doge is at least smart enough not to oppose the Council. We are sure some of our people are more loyal to the crown than to us, therefore I've let the whole court be transported to Ibiza. They are replaced by Flemish farmers, who certainly know no word Italian.
On a more positive note, the Treasury has passed 100 thousand florins Our wealth is spent in reserves, the investments in the new banking houses and in the newest technologies. Also, lord Bolomi the Cardinal of Milan has asked my permission for the initiation of the inquisition. As Im not really experienced with holy things I gave him all the power he needed.
*** As we suspected, our doge is an atheist. We should keep that in mind if we have to murder him one day.
I greet you, Major Council I ask you not to spy on me much longer, it's getting rather annoying.
*** How rude of His Majesty
*** (written in haste, in a separate note) I urgently request more recources and spies for the capital. Someone is rapidly undermining our networks. 20 of my most loyal servants have dissapeared. Unknown troops march in the streets. The house of lord Piccolomini has been burned to the ground. I suspect the queen is behind all this.
*** Lord Paganelli reporting to the Chamberlain Orsini in Venice. We have received your message sealed. We urge you to be extremely cautious. This is a serious situation, aid is coming immidiately. Try to blackmail the queen, try to keep his majesty's trust in you. More I cannot say, for we suspect all the lines to be tapped.
Crisis in the Major Council They're not so allknowing as they thought http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...ns/biggrin.gif
Anyway, it's going very well with the Italians. The borders are defended by at least 2 stacks, there is peace with the pope and I am gaining 20000 florins every year. Italy is the super super power in Europe, only the Golden Horde and the Almohads might be able to put up some resistance. I'll put up some screenshots when I've got more time http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...icons/wave.gif
***Lord Orsini reporting to the Major Council from Corsica, 1284. The King is Dead, Long Live the King I am pleased to inform you that his majesty Doge Lorenzo I has been poisoned and killed at the venerable age of 59. More information on the events of the last 4 years soon.
Ok we need another new King http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...ns/gc-help.gif
GAH Can't get the screenshots to work. I promise I'll end my write up, but I don't know when yet...
BTW: Doge Lorenzo I shall be recorded in the big book of history as The steward. He didn't get his magnificent steward and magnificent builder virtues for nuthin'
OK. Based on The_Emperor's reply in the PBM Master List thread I started, it seems players are needed for this one.
I can start playing this coming weekend. I've played Italy before, but have never played Expert. So it would be a decent challenge.
afrit
Thanks for taking this up.
The game should be on the org's pbem filespace. Feel free to start. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cg...icons/wave.gif
All right. I started playing.
At a Villa ovelooking Bastia Citadel, Corisca 1284
Doge Enrico III, age 26, listened intently as his father's advisor, the old Orsini defended himself. My liege, I have always been a faithful servant of your father I beg you, do not dismantle my - I mean your great father's- work.
Enough with your lies replied the young Doge. I am Lord of Italy and only I decide where to take Her. I will restore Italy to the glory days of the Emperors of Rome. I WILL be the new Emperor, and Italy will again rule the coasts of the Mediterranean. Mare Nostrum Est .
With these words, the young monarch declared the goal of his reign: to reconquer all that was the Roman's domain: Iberia, Africa, Asia Minor, Illyricum, Gaul and Brittania. In short, to make the Mediterranean an Italian lake. Of course, the greatest city in the realm will not be Rome anymore, for it has become the abode of the ever-meddlesome Popes. Rather Venice, Queen of the Sea, will be the new Rome.
This meant that some of the alliances his father have built will be destroyed, and new ones may be formed. It also meant constant war. But the King was confident that the treasury bequeathed by his father, at 216,651 florins would be plenty.
Orsini's protestations were to no avail. Soon after, the young King had him arrested, weighted with the gold he loved so much and thrown in the raging waters of the Ligurian sea.
[This is a GA game, but all the goals are done except conquest and Homelands. And Italy is so strong, that others will gang up on it. To make it challenging. I will try to reconquer the old Roman world. This will mean war with Almohads, Golden Horde, France in Anatolia. It also means, Novgorod and Germany may get too strong for my successor. We'll see how it plays out]
Afrit
Can I do this one after you?
I never played the reign I volunteered for. It was too much to manage and I got sucked into other games.
I'm sure it's fine by everybody for you to go ahead and play the last reign (I'll delete my previous post to avoid confusion). You may be able to finish the game and conquer all.
Afrit
Hmmm... ok send me a pm