EU3 MMP2 Succession Game

This is a discussion thread for the EU3 MMP2 Succession Game.

Setup:
EU3 w/ both expansion packs
Magna Mundi Platinum 2 mod v1.15 w/ Hotfix

Rules:
Each player will play until his regent dies, whether that be 50 years or 50 days.
No reloading except for normal, "I have other things to do than playing this game" reasons. Setbacks are what make this game fun.
It is highly encouraged that at the end of each turn, the player post at least a brief summary of the events of their reign.
Normally in games like these there's a rule about not exploiting the AI. However, MMP2 is generally so difficult that I'm not too concerned about that. Do whatever you want, as far as I am concerned.

List of Players:
TinCow
CountArach
Monk
Warluster

Ok... so first things first, what nation should we play?

I'd prefer to avoid a major nation but something larger than a OPM might be a good idea due to likelihood of instant-annexation in the beginning. I almost always play in Europe, but I'm open to anything.

I've never played as any of the Italian states in MMP2 but it could prove interesting. If we didn't want to commit the resources to micro heavy Genoa or Venice (both need to watch out for Crimean/Ottomans swallowing up their enclaves) then perhaps Naples might be a fun game?

I must admit, I am very biased. I love playing games where you form a bigger nation. In that light, Teutonic Order might be interesting (if very hard), i've never played them in MM.

Those are both interesting suggestions. I've played in Italy more than any other spot, personally, but I've always done it as a Northern Italian power. Never experienced the game as Naples, which would be very different due to their not being in the HRE. Teutonic Order is also a very interesting idea. Another option that springs to mind that seems to be similar to those is Georgia. (I assume we're talking about the normal 1453 start date?)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TinCow

Those are both interesting suggestions. I've played in Italy more than any other spot, personally, but I've always done it as a Northern Italian power. Never experienced the game as Naples, which would be very different due to their not being in the HRE. Teutonic Order is also a very interesting idea. Another option that springs to mind that seems to be similar to those is Georgia. (I assume we're talking about the normal 1453 start date?)

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I normally don't play in Europe, truth be told I love the Rus steppes and Sengoku-Japan too much to be bothered with European politics! :laugh4: But i'll go where is agreed upon, and Italy seems very interesting with the many different states to be fought and brought to heel. :skull:

I've always started in 1399, but 1453 would be fine - it still leaves plenty of time to play.

Ok, if CountArach has no objections, we'll make it Naples. I'll wait for him to chime in first though.

Wish I had the game, so I could dive in (would need to check price, etc first). However, good luck you guys. :thumbsup:

Is it possible if I could join? I own EuIII and the two expansions.

Naples is fine by me... except that don't they start controlled by Aragon? That would make it rather boring to play. Also we should start 1453 IMO because that's what MMP is balanced for.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Warluster

Is it possible if I could join? I own EuIII and the two expansions.

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Certainly, but I highly recommend playing a few games with MMP2 before your reign starts in here. The mod is VERY different from the vanilla game, and it takes a while to learn.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CountArach

Naples is fine by me... except that don't they start controlled by Aragon? That would make it rather boring to play. Also we should start 1453 IMO because that's what MMP is balanced for.

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I agree that 1453 is generally the best start for MMP. For Naples, I agree that being in a Union would be annoying at the start, particularly for the first player. I just checked and we can avoid a Union if we start in December 1434 or July 1458. Since December 1434 is with a monarch who has been on the throne 20 years, that's likely to be a very short first reign. So, I'm inclined to go for July 1458 as the start date.

Any objections?

July 1458 sounds good to me.

Alright, I'll get this thing rolling and do the first reign today.

Alright, I have completed the first reign. My king died in September 1480. I will post the write-up with the save game this afternoon.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TinCow

Alright, I have completed the first reign. My king died in September 1480. I will post the write-up with the save game this afternoon.

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:thumbsup:

Kudos for getting the ball rolling TC.

Who is up next? If we go by join/interest shown, CA is up next with me at number 3 and Warluster bringing up the rear (for now).

Any objections to that rotation?

I agree with that rotation. If other people join in, they can be added on to the end. When we hit the end of the list, we're cycle back around to the beginning until the time limit is hit or we get tired of playing. Getting to work on the write-up now...

The Kingdom of Naples

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...Naples/map.jpg

On 27 June 1458, Afonso V of Aragon died. His illegitimate son, Ferrante, inherited the Neapolitan throne and the Kingdom was independent again for the first time in nearly 2 decades. Ferrante I was a strong King, skilled in most areas of governance.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...3/Naples/2.jpg

Yet, as he surveyed his Kingdom, there was relatively little to be proud of. Naples controlled all of southern Italy, but the land and the peoples were much poorer than their northern cousins. The cities were smaller, less developed, and there were no universities to speak of. Despite its size, Naples was not a great power, indeed it was poor and without friends. Naples specialized in Shrewd Commerce Practices, the king was a Patron of the Arts, and the nation had enacted Military Drill. These policies were all useful, but they were disorganized and did not clearly indicate a path to more advanced ideas.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...3/Naples/1.jpghttps://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...3/Naples/4.jpg

Naples had a massive coastline, making it supremely vulnerable to pirate raids, but it had no naval tradition to speak of, not even a single anchorage. Her navy was decent, but assembling a larger force would be difficult. The army was almost non-existent.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...3/Naples/3.jpghttps://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...3/Naples/5.jpg

The single most significant aspect of the world, as far as Ferrante I was concerned, was the Aragonese possession of Sicily and Malta. Naples retained strong claims on these lands, and re-uniting them with the Kingdom was an absolute necessity if Naples ever hoped to be able to exert influence in the northern Italian lands. Yet, there was no obvious way to regain those lands. Aragon remained strong, with an alliance to Portugal. Even Castille guaranteed Aragon's independence, making an aggressive war against Aragon suicidal.

So, Ferrante I decided to bide his time. He would invest in the economy of his Kingdom and do all he could to make it stronger... all the while waiting for Aragon to make a mistake. The local nobles felt that Ferrante I should form an alliance with Aragon, but he laughed at such a notion and simply ignored it.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...3/Naples/6.jpg

Ferrante immediately doubled the size of the Royal Army, keeping a standing force of 6,000 men. This was sufficient to suppress any rebellions that would occur as well as to deal with wars against minor Italian powers. Within a year or so, Ferrante I had sufficiently improved the government to add a new focus to his policies. After great deliberation, he chose to create Engineer Corps.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...3/Naples/7.jpg

This was not an ideal choice, for it did not benefit the economy, or alleviate the naval weakness of the nation. However, such a policy meshed well with Patron of the Arts and Military Drill, allowing his successors to freely pursue the more advanced scientific and military ideas, if they so desired. In this way, Ferrante I sacrificed short-term interests for the long-term good of his nation.

On the diplomatic front, an alliance with Tuscany was formed, and a formal warning was sent to Aragon. Should the Aragonese ever engage in aggressive warfare, Naples would be well-placed to regain Sicily and Malta.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...3/Naples/8.jpghttps://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...3/Naples/9.jpg

As Ferrante turned his attention to domestic improvements, there was both welcome and unwelcome news. On the positive side, the Renaissance was finally reaching southern Italy...

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/10.jpghttps://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/13.jpg

...but the piracy that Naples was ill-positioned to control finally showed itself.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/11.jpghttps://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/16.jpg

It was not long before news arrived that foreign nations were expelling their Jews. With congregations of Jews in several Neapolitan cities already, Ferrante I decided to offer them refuge in Naples. He believed the economic benefits they would bring in the long-run out-weighed the unrest their presence would cause.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/14.jpg

The affairs of Europe outside Italy bothered Naples relatively little during the reign of Ferrante I, but there was one notable exception in 1460. Provence declared independence from France.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/15.jpg

This was significant, as the ruling house of that nation held strong claims to all Neopolitan lands. While they were a weak nation, they would have to be watched in case they ever decided to try and exercise those claims. That prospect could not be ignored, as even the Neopolitan nobles were acting uppity and demanding privileges.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/17.jpg

By the end of 1462, Ferrante I had finished his economic reforms. This had begun with re-directing the nation's policies to favor the market economy. Without any local centers of trade, and with no prospects of gaining one any time soon, Neopolitan traders would be in foreign markets. Thus, the benefits of a moral economy would be wasted on them.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/12.jpg

Ferrante I then established a strong Neapolitan trade presence in Venice, raised taxes to Very High levels in all provinces, and decided to begin minting coinage at a rate that would increase inflation by 0.1% per year. Such a level of minting would greatly aid the treasury, without crippling the nation by high inflation in future years. The result of these reforms was a surplus income of over 40 ducats per year. This money was badly needed for economic investment and piracy defenses.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/19.jpghttps://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/20.jpg

Around this time, Navarre offered an alliance to the King. Ferrante I laughed the Navarrese diplomats out of his court. Such an alliance could offer nothing to Naples but trouble. Yet the Navarrese were nothing if not persistent. They returned 5 more times with the same offer throughout Ferrante I's reign, all of which were similarly rebuffed.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/18.jpg

In 1463, the Pope made war on Urbino, in an attempt to unite his Italian possessions.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/24.jpg

Ferrante I cursed himself for not having warned the Pope against such a move, as this would have been the perfect moment to attempt to capture Rome itself. The northern Italian nations united against the Pope and he was inevitably defeated. Urbino actually gained Romagna in the subsequent peace treaty, though it was later returned to the Pope through diplomatic means. Ferrante I warned both the Pope and the Urbinese against future aggression, purely to give Naples an excuse to annex their lands in such an eventuality.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/28.jpg
https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/29.jpg

Shortly thereafter, Ferrante I at last convinced the Venetians to agree to an alliance. He had attempted to make such an agreement for over a year, but the Doge had been very stubborn. With the Venetian and Tuscan alliances, Naples had strong allies to aid it in Italian affairs. A trade agreement was also made, to reduce the risk to Neapolitan merchants in Venice itself.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/26.jpghttps://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/37.jpg

With the position in Italy strengthened, Ferrante I turned his attention back to Aragon. Ferrante dispatched his flatulent cousin to the Aragonese court, where his actions were inevitably seen as an insult. The nobles were also asked to re-think their mission of an alliance, and they responded with a far more sensible mission.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/30.jpghttps://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/43.jpg

With relations now sufficiently low, war with Aragon was not likely to cause much instability. All the while Naples was slowly growing stronger. The income generated by Ferrante's economic reforms was re-invested in the country. Artisan Workshops were built in every province, an Anchorage was constructed in Naples, and a Provincial Accountant was constructed in Calabria.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/23.jpg
https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/50.jpghttps://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/55.jpg

In addition, attention was devoted to combating piracy. Limited Provincial Defenses were organized in all provinces, and a Limited National Defense Plan was enacted throughout the entire Kingdom. While this worked relatively well to combat local piracy, the Barbary Pirates themselves were harder to contain. They raided Neapolitan provinces every few years, but aggressive diplomatic action by the King resulted in cash payments by the Barbary states that went a long way towards making up for the damage done.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/34.jpghttps://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/49.jpghttps://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/54.jpg

As the years went by, Ferrante I began to get restless about the lack of any progress in securing further lands in Italy. Naples needed to expand in order to grow stronger, and with the economy looking up, he decided to attempt it diplomatically instead of militarily. A royal marriage and and alliance was arranged with Urbino, with the hopes of convincing that small nation to become a vassal.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/44.jpg
https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/45.jpg

Unfortunately, while those offers were accepted, vassalage was apparently an impossible dream. Ferrante I did not even bother having his diplomats ask. In 1472, Venice declared war on Mantua.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/46.jpg

Naples was called upon to uphold their alliance with the aggressor, but Ferrante I balked at such an idea. Venice had no other allies except Naples, and they faced an alliance of nearly all of northern Italy as well as the Holy Roman Emperor, Austria. Defeat was inevitable in such a war, so Ferrante I abandoned the Venetians to their fate. The damage to Neapolitan prestige was nothing in comparison to the economic consequences such a war would have had. After 2 years of war, Venice eventually managed to buy its way out of war without losing territory, despite having nearly their entire nation occupied. Ferrante I smiled to himself for wisely avoiding that war.

In September 1472, the Knights of St. John appeared in the King's court. The island of Rhodes had recently fallen to the Ottomans, and they were seeking a new home for their order. They requested that Ferrante I give up Calabria to aid them. The King nearly had the men executed for their impertinence; such an idea was so insulting was almost worth of a declaration of war... had the Knights had any lands on which to declare war. Instead, he simply sent them packing with a severe tongue lashing. Little did Ferrante I know that the Knights of St. John would eventally play a crucial role in Neopolitan affairs...

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/47.jpg

Two years later, another diplomatic envoy from the Knights appeared. This time they were requesting ships to aid them against the Barbary States. Apparently the King of Aragon had donated the Baleares Islands to their cause. Ferrante I was pleased with the news, as it was one less province from which the inevitable enemy could draw resources. Still, Ferrante I was not pleased enough to pay the sums the Knights were requesting. They left empty-handed once again.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/52.jpg

In 1476, the Barbary Pirates attacked Apulia for the third time in as many years. The raid was devastating, and it hit just as Ferrante had invested in the Provincial Accountant in Calabria. The damage done by this raid forced Naples to take out a loan. This angered Ferrante I greatly, as he prided himself on having stable finances, but at least it would be an easy loan to pay back, given the reliable yearly income.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/56.jpg

Ferrante's anger was sated by the arrival two weeks later, of a diplomatic delegation from the King of Castille. Apparently the King was a friend of Naples, and wished to sign a military alliance. Ferrante I tried to suppress his glee, as this was a huge diplomatic coup that could be used against the Aragonese in a future war.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/57.jpg

The rest of the diplomatic world took note of this alliance, as it clearly indicated that Naples was no longer a minor power..

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/58.jpg

In March 1480, the Knights arrived in Ferrante I's court for the third time. As they were being 'escorted' out of the court, they managed to scream something about a war with Aragon. Ferrante I allowed them to return, and quizzed them about this in detail. The King of Aragon, it seemed, had declared war on the Knights, having thought twice about his decision to give up his islands to the Order.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/61.jpg

This was a major development, and Ferrante I considered it carefully. Naples had warned Aragon against aggressive warfare, and this was a valid causus belli without the risk of social unheval. In addition, all of Aragon's allies had abandoned them for such a dishonorable act against the noble crusading Order. At the same time, Malta had no other friends to speak of. If Ferrante I agreed to intervene, it would be a direct war between Aragon and Naples; the Knights could no be expected to provide much in the way of assistance. After some restless nights of indecision, Ferrante I send a diplomatic envoy to the King of Aragon to inform him that a state of war existed between the two nations. There might not be a second opportunity to remove the Aragonese from Sicily and Malta, and Ferrante I did not mean to miss this one.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/62.jpg

He immediately assumed personal command of the army, and ordered the recruitment of 3 more regiments to bring the Royal Army up to 9,000 men. The treasury was stuffed with money ready to pay off the loan which was about to come due. Ferrante I decided that the bankers could wait; the money was needed by Naples now.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/63.jpg

The Aragonese did not wait for the Neapolitans to assemble their new regiments, and they immediately invaded across the Straits of Messina. Ferrante I decided not to wait for the new regiments, and marched to the relief of Calabria. The battle was great victory, and the Aragonese were routed with heavy losses.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/64.jpg

Unfortunately, Ferrante I had underestimated Aragonese naval power, and the Neapolitan navy was blockaded by a powerful fleet and was unable to prevent the defeated Aragonese army from escaping back to Sicily. Even more unfortunately, Ferrante I had suffered a minor wound at the Battle of Calabria. While it was not immediately life-threatening, an infection set in that no amount of leeching would cure. On September 17, 1480, Ferrante I, King of Naples, died. His son, the unimpressive Giovanni I, inherited a Kingdom at war.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/65.jpg
https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/66.jpg
https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Naples/67.jpg

In his last will and testament, Ferrante I gave some advice to his successor:

My son, I regret that I leave to you this war that I have prepared for all my life. It is crucial that we are victorious. Sicily and Malta must be regained if we ever hope to have the power to deal with the rest of the Italian states, particularly those that are members of the Empire. Yet, this is a difficult war. The Royal Army is strong, and with competent leadership can defeat anything the Aragonese send against us. However, we are in dire peril at sea. We cannot cross to Sicily without defeating the Aragonese navy, and they outnumber us by a large margin. Fortunately, they are divided by the blockade of our coastline and their fleets might be defeated individually if speed and luck is with us. Perhaps taking out further loans to finance the construction of more galleys might be prudent, before making our move at sea.

While the blockade hurts us the longer it goes on, time may still be our friend in this war. The Aragonese King has greatly angered his people with this war against a fellow Catholic, without a causes belli. His country is completely destabilized and this is wrecking havoc at home. His losses in the siege of the Knights on the Baleares and against our own army at Calabria have raised Aragonese war exhaustion high. If we can hold on long enough, rebellions may begin in their home provinces. Hold on, my son, and have faith. With some skill and luck, you will be the man who regains our rightful control over Sicily and Malta!

Save Game File

Giovanni I ascends to the throne amidst much fanfare, though those who had known him from childhood were truly hesitant about what the future held for Naples...

OOC: I'll play the game later today. Breakfast time now.

OOC

Holy cow. 75% blockade.. that is not good! :sweatdrop:

May Giovanni lead our great nation through this crisis!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Monk

May Giovanni lead our great nation through this crisis!

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With 4/4/4 I fear he may not be the man for the job :laugh4:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CountArach

With 4/4/4 I fear he may not be the man for the job :laugh4:

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Stranger things have happened? :help:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Monk

Holy cow. 75% blockade.. that is not good! :sweatdrop:

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Yeah, it's an odd war. Once the remaining regiments are done building, Aragon won't have any chance of beating us on land. However, we can't invade Sicily because of their naval power. At the same time, I think attrition really is on our side. The blockade isn't moving war exhaustion more than .01 or .02 per month, while Aragon is already hugely exhausted with -3 stability. It's possible we could wait them out. It's also possible it'll be a war with a lot of staring across the straits of messina with little action. Shouldn't be hard to peace out with a white peace or for 25 ducats if it gets too annoying. I admit, I didn't anticipate the size of their navy when I started the war. I thought they were just slightly larger than us, not 3 times our size. :oops:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TinCow

Yeah, it's an odd war. Once the remaining regiments are done building, Aragon won't have any chance of beating us on land. However, we can't invade Sicily because of their naval power. At the same time, I think attrition really is on our side. The blockade isn't moving war exhaustion more than .01 or .02 per month, while Aragon is already hugely exhausted with -3 stability. It's possible we could wait them out. It's also possible it'll be a war with a lot of staring across the straits of messina with little action. Shouldn't be hard to peace out with a white peace or for 25 ducats if it gets too annoying. I admit, I didn't anticipate the size of their navy when I started the war. I thought they were just slightly larger than us, not 3 times our size. :oops:

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I doubt you had your ruler's untimely death in your calculations either, all part of the fun however. :yes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Monk

I doubt you had your ruler's untimely death in your calculations either, all part of the fun however. :yes:

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Yep, though I was aware of the risks. I didn't make him a general at all until then, even on multiple rebel-squashing campaigns, because I didn't want to risk his death. It seemed a worthwhile risk at that point though.

Also, I forgot to mention... despite the war, we're still at negative relations with The Knights due to my refusal to give them Calabria earlier. This means that the two chapters of the Order in our provinces can be closed and confiscated, for 25 ducats each. Since The Knights are almost certainly going to be annexed by Aragon anyway, those 50 ducats might be more useful than the chapter houses would be.

Well my reign has been played. It lasted almost 3 years to the day, but those were 3 incredibly hectic years with almost non-stop action... there were moments where I had my head in my hands thinking "How do I get out of this one?" I'll do the write-up this afternoon and pass along the file then.

Sorry to interject But I think you guys just made me make up my mind about getting EU3. :laugh4::laugh4: Thank you.

I just realized a few of the screenshots were mixed up in my write-up. I have fixed the errors.

Well I am more than half way through the write up and it is looking like it will be quite long. A lot of stuff to get through in 3 years of play. It is also 2am so I'm not going to get it done tonight. It will almost certainly be done about 12 hours from now though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cultured Drizzt fan

Sorry to interject But I think you guys just made me make up my mind about getting EU3. :laugh4::laugh4: Thank you.

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:2thumbsup:

Take your time CA, but I am anxious to learn in what state I shall inherit the kingdom. :beam:

OOC: Let me apologise for this being so long. I will never use 1 word where 20 will suffice.

The Reign of Giovanni I

September 17th 1480 – September 11th 1483

Naples was at war with the Kingdom of Aragon upon Giovanni rising to the throne of his father. The war had wracked the country economically and had shown the naval power of Naples to be completely lacking and inadequate for a Kingdom that wished to one day dominate the Mediterranean. Nevertheless, it was a war that Giovanni was forced to fight with all the resources available to him.

Giovanni immediately took control of the Royal Army, and would prove to be a fair military commander, in part thanks to the lessons that the military establishment had learnt in the early days of the war. There was, however, a slight strategic problem that was perceived. The Aragonese army were making the crossing from Sicily to Calabria, whilst simultaneously transporting a small raiding party to the eastern holdings of Naples – a manoeuvre that was only possible thanks to Aragon’s complete domination at sea. A cavalry regiment disembarked in Abruzzi on 28th September.

In response to this Giovanni split his army in two parts. The largest part consisted of 4 infantry regiments and a cavalry regiment, whilst the smaller part consisted of a cavalry regiment and an infantry regiment, which was sent to Abruzzi, where another infantry regiment was being raised. This small force on 17th October and had routed the enemy by the 19th.

https://i141.photobucket.com/albums/...alisedpic1.jpg

The larger army had a far harder task at hand, however. The Aragonese King Alfons VI successfully made landfall in early November in Calabria and immediately engaged. The King had brought 6 regiments of infantry with him, but fortunately for King Giovanni was hampered by making beach fall and the mountainous terrain in Calabria. Truly Calabria was going to be a rather difficult task for any potential invader.

https://i141.photobucket.com/albums/...alisedpic2.jpg

With the defeat of Naples King Giovanni realised that the war could be won simply by remaining on the defensive. Yet at the same time, Giovanni realised that this would not be enough for his subjects. As such he took his father’s advice and took out a rather sizable loan, which was immediately invested in the construction of 3 galleys. However, this rather meagre addition to the Neapolitan navy would prove largely insignificant throughout much of the war as the Aragonese navy had successfully pinned the entirety of the existing navy in the ports of Calabria.

Another invasion of Calabria was attempted throughout January 1481, this time with a larger force. However, King Giovanni’s forces were entirely unified and easily defeated the Aragonese King again with extremely light losses on his own side. The treasury, however, was another matter. The two loans that had been taken out thus far in the war were proving quite a strain on the economy and meant that a sustained period of 0.2% inflation per year was deemed necessary.

In early April the Aragonese attempted another landing in Abruzzi, this time with infantry. King Giovanni’s response was to send two cavalry regiments north to deal with this potential threat. It was at this point that the defining moment of King Giovanni I’s reign would take place. The Pope declared war on Naples’ ally Urbino.

https://i141.photobucket.com/albums/...alisedpic3.jpg

https://i141.photobucket.com/albums/...alisedpic4.jpg

After considering for the majority of a day over whether to join this war, rumour reached the court of the King that all of the Pope’s allies had abandoned him to his fate. Their belief was that it was not becoming of a Pope to declare war on sovereign states. Meanwhile, Urbino’s allies had willingly joined the war, as well was the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. This meant that a third of Italy and Austria already stood unified against the Papal States. It was this that decided the King’s mind.

It was war.

https://i141.photobucket.com/albums/...alisedpic5.jpg

For a reason that complete eludes subsequent historians, King Giovanni was granted control of the war against Rome. The reason, in the opinion of this author, is that the Emperor was already busy with other wars such as that which he was waging against the Teutonic Order, and that Venice did not wish to risk the ire of the Pope to the same extent. Nevertheless, the Neapolitan King was granted control over any future peace negotiations.

The small force that Giovanni had sent north continued its task and routed the Aragonese forces. Meanwhile, however, the soldiers of Urbino had defeated the Pope’s forces and driven them south into Napoli itself, thus placing 6 enemy regiments in a position to attack the Kingdom’s capital. King Giovanni, seeing this, ordered the 2 cavalry regiments to attack with the support of three 3 regiments of infantry sent from the Royal Army. This army proved up to the task of attacking the Pope’s demoralised army and the cavalry pursued them into Apulia.

https://i141.photobucket.com/albums/...alisedpic6.jpg

Whilst this happened, seeing a moment of weakness in the Neapolitan defence, King Alfons VI decided to strike again at Calabria. This time he did so with an overwhelming force. A full 14000 men were sent against Calabria, standing against the 7000 men of King Giovanni. The campaign for Calabria lasted a great while and was only truly won when the cavalry that had been pursuing the Papal forces rushed south from their victory and leant their weight to the efforts. It is considered an amazing effort on the part of the Neapolitan King and stands out as one of the finest Italian military victories of the late Middle Ages.

https://i141.photobucket.com/albums/...alisedpic7.jpg

Given that the Papal forces could not be pursued once again they had moved to Abruzzi and laid siege to that province. 4 battered regiments still remained of the force and time was taking its toll. King Giovanni led 4 of his own regiments, reinforced by fresh recruits, and after two battles managed to crush every last man who had once been loyal to the Pope alone. The Pope had no army left, yet the navy was proving to be a menace. King Giovanni was not concerned by this, however, as he had long resigned himself to the fact that Aragon was going to overpower him on the seas anyway.

September 1481 saw it necessary to extend the first bank loan that had been taken out. This in turn meant that even more minting of coins was required for the economy to stay afloat. Inflation was raised to 0.25% with the expectation that it would leap even higher as time wore on. In addition to this King Giovanni ordered special emergency war taxes to be raised across the Kingdom. This was the only way he could see the war being funded in future. Further bad news came on 27th October, when it was announced the Aragon had annexed the Knights back into their realm. Naples was alone.

The new Aragonese King Enric, who had taken over from his father on October 12th, decided to make a renewed assault upon Calabria to see if he could achieve what his father could not. In addition, a simultaneous attack was launched on Napoli by sea. Enric made his attempt on Calabria with 13500 men, whereas Giovanni was forced to defend with 9000. Surprisingly, Enric succeeded where his father had not and managed to eject the Neapolitan army from Calabria, though he paid dearly for this loss.

https://i141.photobucket.com/albums/...alisedpic8.jpg

Enric immediately besieged the key towns and called upon his cavalry force that was in Napoli to come south to further fortify his position. This would ensure that Giovanni could not simply take them apart piecemeal. However, after this force had retreated to Claabria a further force landed in Napoli, which was quickly dealt with by Giovanni’s forces, a move which greatly raised the morale of his army.

A peace offer arrived early in the new year 1482 from the Papal States, asking for a white peace. Given that they had no army remaining and a battered, though still effective, fleet, King Giovanni saw no reason why he should accept this deal. He hoped that the sieges of Romagna and Roma would end soon so that peace could be concluded favourably, including some compensation for Naples.

https://i141.photobucket.com/albums/...alisedpic9.jpg

Whilst Giovanni bided his time and defended from various assaults on Napoli it was reported that the Aragonese were pulling out of Calabria. Their army was suffering from the severe effects of attrition, and already the number of effective soldiers in Giovanni’s army outnumbered their opposite number. Whilst this was occurring, a break-out was attempted from the port of Calabria. The Aragonese fleet had been recalled to Aragon proper and as such the naval war was tilted in Naple’s favour somewhat. The breakout went well for the first few days and it looked as though Naples might well be successful. It was at this point that the Papal fleet joined the naval battle on the side of Aragon. They had 16 galleys in the port of Messina, a force that on its own outnumbered the Neapolitan navy. The flight back into Calabria was uneventful, though King Giovanni gave up any hope of cutting off the retreat of the Aragonese army.

Another naval attempt was made in June, with a similar result. This time, however, the Neapolitan navy performed the rather risky strategy of fleeing to their north-east towards the Gulf of Taranto, hoping that the Papal forces would not pursue and that, by remaining away from the major Aragonese ports they could gain some room for manoeuvre. As it happens only half the Papal navy pursued the fleet, capturing a ship in the process and sinking another. However, the Neapolitan navy had made it to Apulia where they could repair and launch later attacks on the Aragonese. These attacks would later prove to be rather ineffective and did not lead to any victories.

https://i141.photobucket.com/albums/...lisedpic10.jpg

Finally, on 2nd August 1482 the Pope placed the entire nation of Venice under interdict, meaning they were excommunicated. This was hardly surprising given that Venice had occupied. Romagna and were defeating the Papal forces at sea, including blockading the port of Roma. However, this placed King Giovanni in a rather difficult situation. He had the choice of either going along with the interdict, or ignoring it altogether. As it was, Venice had come to have close ties to Naples during the war, and as such Giovanni decided to continue operating much as he had beforehand, and ignored the interdict. This brought the ire of the Pope, but King Giovanni was rather unconcerned given that he believed he had already earned that ire.

https://i141.photobucket.com/albums/...lisedpic11.jpg

In September 1482 only 2000 Aragonese remained in Calabria, the rest having been evacuated back to Sicily. Complete naval domination was simply not guaranteed any longer and the attrition meant that only a small hostile force could remain in Calabria for any great length of time. King Giovanni realised this and defeated this token force with the greatest ease on the 18th September. Now that his Kingdom was safe, he turned to ensuring that it could continue operating economically.

The war had taken its toll on the Kingdom. Inflation had been raised above 0.6% per year and the treasury was almost empty, both due to the effects of the blockade. The Kingdom was spending a huge amount of money every month simply repaying the two loans they had taken and it was unthinkable for the Kingdom to be able to continue this war for any meaningful length of time. The breaking of the siege of Calabria brought some relief and inflation was able to be reduced to 0.3%, however it was still far beyond what any other Kingdom could imagine.

In December it became necessary to once again resort to taking out a loan, this time for the sole reason of keeping the treasury afloat. However, this meant that for the first time in over a year the Kingdom had some extra money to play with and on December 3rd an envoy was sent to King Enric I of Aragon. Naples offered the rather low amount of 10 ducats in exchange for peace and this deal, amazingly, was accepted by the war-weary Aragonese King, who had seen his own nation in economic and political turmoil.

https://i141.photobucket.com/albums/...lisedpic12.jpg

Immediately upon hearing that this had been accepted King Giovanni ordered for the army and navy to have their funding cut back to peace-time levels, as well as disbanding parts of the army, despite the fact that the Kingdom was still at war with the Papal States. Secondly, he ordered for war taxes to cease, which would only have caused rebellion across the nation at a time it could ill-afford it. The raising of the blockades more than made up for the lost revenue that this would have offered.

On 11th February the Kingdom of Castille asked the Neapolitan King to honour his alliance and to declare war on Granada, Algiers and Morocco. There were no way that King Giovanni could possibly have considered this offer, because he was still engaged in one war and needed time to recover peacefully. The African fleets would have wrecked havoc, much as the Aragonese had only two months previously. So the King decided not to honour the alliance instead, and the Castillians left, utterly baffled as to why someone would not follow their wishes.

https://i141.photobucket.com/albums/...lisedpic13.jpg

Good news was to arrive on 30th April, however, when it was announced that Rome itself had finally fallen to the forces of Urbino. The Papal States now had all their Italian holdings occupied by a foreign aggressor. Immediately upon receipt of this news, King Giovanni ordered for a peace envoy to be dispatched, offering the Pope relatively favourable terms. The Pope was to give up Romagna to the Venetians who had captured it, and would pay war indemnities to the Kingdom of Naples. Unsurprisingly, the Pope accepted these and for the first time in the reign of Giovanni I there was peace for Naples.

https://i141.photobucket.com/albums/...lisedpic14.jpg

King Giovanni spent the following months engaging in peaceful diplomacy in an effort to ensure that Naples would have support in any future engagements. A marriage with a minor Castillian noble was announced and an alliance was signed with Siena. This ensured that central Italy was likely to assist Naples in any future wars and simultaneously meant that the northern border was secured. Urbino, Tuscany and Siena were now all allied with Naples.

https://i141.photobucket.com/albums/...lisedpic15.jpg

This period of peaceful tranquillity could not be enjoyed by King Giovanni for too long, however, as he died in the late afternoon of September 11th after long weeks of the fever. In his time as King he had not fostered a son and instead his eldest surviving daughter Queen Giovanna III rose to the throne. Many surrounding nations were unhappy with a woman sitting on the throne and this showed through in the intentional snubbing of the Queen by several ambassadors. The Castillians also requested the Pop to declare the aforementioned marriage annulled, a request that was, rather unsurprisingly, granted.

https://i141.photobucket.com/albums/...lisedpic16.jpg

https://i141.photobucket.com/albums/...lisedpic17.jpg

https://i141.photobucket.com/albums/...lisedpic18.jpg

Shortly before his death King Giovanni dictated some advice to his successor. It read as follows:

Dearest Giovanna

I have left you with a Realm that is content and at peace. The treasury is overflowing, though this money should be saved and used to pay off the three debts that I was forced to accrue in my time as King. You already have enough money to pay off the first of these loans, and it should not be difficult to save up enough to pay off the second loan.

The army is unprepared for another war, and the navy was weakened during the wars, though both would serve their purpose in the result of another Aragonese assault. Calabria is an absolute stronghold and do not forget that, with the combination of the straights of Messina and the mountainous terrain, it poses a huge problem for any invader, even one with naval dominance. Attaining naval dominance is the only way that we can have any hope of winning Sicily for the Realm.

I have faith in you.

Your loving father,
King Giovanni I


OOC: Here is the save file:
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=199&id=5156

I’m more than happy to explain any of the goings-on and any of the decisions I made. I was uncertain about the war with the Papal States but I decided a few things. Firstly, we need as many friends in Italy as we could get, and that was certainly achieved. Secondly, I thought we could get away with eventually getting money out of the war, which we did. Thirdly, my King only had 4 as a diplomatic skill and seeing as I was unsure I used this as a tie-breaker. Either way, it all worked out for us.

I also found it strange that I ended up getting quite attached to my character and felt a bit sorry for him, having this period of troubles for his Kingdom. Roleplaying can be amazing sometimes.

Got the save, will begin later today. :book:

Well, done CA! I didn't expect Aragon to amass armies quite that large... good to see my lack of foresight with the Aragonese war wasn't fatal. Hopefully Venice will hang on to Romagna for a while... if it isn't in Papal hands at the time of the next (inevitable) war, I'm pretty sure we'd be able to take Rome in a peace treaty, which would be a big gain for Naples.

Good luck guys. I'll be watching

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TinCow

Well, done CA! I didn't expect Aragon to amass armies quite that large... good to see my lack of foresight with the Aragonese war wasn't fatal.

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There was a moment, right after I lost in Calabria, where I paused the game and had my head in my hands. I was just like "Oh no... this war is lost..." and I was just determined to hold on for as long as possible. Still, it seems that Calabria is truly just a death trap for any potential invader. They get -3 to all their attacks when crossing and take large amounts of attrition.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TinCow

Hopefully Venice will hang on to Romagna for a while... if it isn't in Papal hands at the time of the next (inevitable) war, I'm pretty sure we'd be able to take Rome in a peace treaty, which would be a big gain for Naples.

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Yeah that would be really good and would get us quite close to dominating Italy. On the other hand I think that a lot of nations get a casus belli against us if we do take it - defending the faith and whatnot. Oh, and they still hold on to Avignon so we can't annex them in one go unless that has been taken.

Just a random little note about the Knights - when they were annexed out of the Baleares they ended up moving to Corfu after Venice granted that to them. There may be a potential for some sort of future attack there, but I think it is likely the Ottomans will arrive first. That said the Ottomans are really struggling this game. Albania (!) is defeating them in a war and so is Hungary.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CountArach

Yeah that would be really good and would get us quite close to dominating Italy. On the other hand I think that a lot of nations get a casus belli against us if we do take it - defending the faith and whatnot. Oh, and they still hold on to Avignon so we can't annex them in one go unless that has been taken.

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Capitals which are totally isolated from the rest of a nation's possessions (including no sea route) can be taken in peace treaties. With the Papal States holdiing Roma and Avignon, it should be possible to demand Roma in a peace treaty without annexing them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TinCow

Capitals which are totally isolated from the rest of a nation's possessions (including no sea route) can be taken in peace treaties. With the Papal States holdiing Roma and Avignon, it should be possible to demand Roma in a peace treaty without annexing them.

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I did not know that, that's interesting. We shall see.

Just loaded up the save for a first look and it looks like I've got some reorganization to do.

Pre-turn assessment is our nation survived the war with Aragon but not without a number of wounds. WE is high and the interest is really hurting our monthly income. We're actually in the red for monthly, but still maintain a nice lump sum at the end of the year. I fear if we went to war that would change quickly.

Aragon hates us us after the war but we've got potential allies everywhere. I don't think we'll ever be fighting against her alone again, I think i'll work to make certain of that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CountArach

Just a random little note about the Knights - when they were annexed out of the Baleares they ended up moving to Corfu after Venice granted that to them. There may be a potential for some sort of future attack there, but I think it is likely the Ottomans will arrive first. That said the Ottomans are really struggling this game. Albania (!) is defeating them in a war and so is Hungary.

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The Ottomans are fighting a coalition of Albania, Hungary and Bavaria (and the Emperor of the HRE himself). They are in a tough spot. If WE wasn't so high I might consider a few token landings in greece.

Starting my turn now!

If EU3 wasn't still so expensive, I would probably buy it and join this game. :laugh4:

As it is, I am content just to read the awesome write-ups you guys are doing. Keep it up! :2thumbsup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Monk

Pre-turn assessment is our nation survived the war with Aragon but not without a number of wounds. WE is high and the interest is really hurting our monthly income. We're actually in the red for monthly, but still maintain a nice lump sum at the end of the year. I fear if we went to war that would change quickly.

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I will generally mint a lot to pay off loans as quickly as possible for that reason. One huge change from vanilla to MMP2 is just getting used to the idea of having a bit of inflation in the early game. As long as inflation remains under 5%, I don't worry about it too much... particularly with National Bank not being available at the beginning of the game anymore. MMP2 is absolutely brutal on finances, but I guess that's what makes it so rewarding when you succeed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TinCow

I will generally mint a lot to pay off loans as quickly as possible for that reason. One huge change from vanilla to MMP2 is just getting used to the idea of having a bit of inflation in the early game. As long as inflation remains under 5%, I don't worry about it too much... particularly with National Bank not being available at the beginning of the game anymore. MMP2 is absolutely brutal on finances, but I guess that's what makes it so rewarding when you succeed.

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Yeah. It's been a constant struggle between keeping inflation low and needing new coins minted. Truth be told I normally cheat a little and turn off inflation, but its an interesting (and troublesome!) mechanic to manage.

I played around 10 years last night and will finish up today. I have a feeling this could be a long reign since Queens cannot take to the field. :laugh4:

Played 20 more years, bringing the current total to 30 and am at 1513 now. Still not done. :skull:

Gonna take a break and try to get through the rest of the reign a bit later. I think Giovonna will go down as the most disliked ruler of Naples, but she's done good work for the nation. Ungrateful wretches! :help:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Monk

Played 20 more years, bringing the current total to 30 and am at 1513 now. Still not done. :skull:

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:dizzy2:

Oh wow... I'm glad you got a long reign though. I felt kind of guilty leaving you to clean up my really shoddy finances and I was worried that that would be the entirety of your reign.

And done! Oct 1515 and I can finally pass this on. I'll get to a write up soon and upload once its finished, either tonight or early tomorrow morning.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CountArach

Oh wow... I'm glad you got a long reign though. I felt kind of guilty leaving you to clean up my really shoddy finances and I was worried that that would be the entirety of your reign.

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It certainly did define the first five years. It felt like every time I payed off a loan another popped up, I remember saying out loud "Jeeze guys, how many loans did we take?!" :laugh4:

Fortunately I had other things to worry about through my reign. We have bigger problems than our financial situation - but you'll see that soon enough. :yes:

Well I am still around, so I guess its mine turn now?

I tried a game as Austria in the 16th (Or 15th) century. I realise that they are probably the easiest to play, but I have some experince with the game now.

Looking forward to see the writeup, Monk! I'm am very curious to see what else happened, other then the tonne of financial problems.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Warluster

Well I am still around, so I guess its mine turn now?

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Yep you're up next.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Warluster

Looking forward to see the writeup, Monk! I'm am very curious to see what else happened, other then the tonne of financial problems.

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As am I... I think the worst-case scenario would be a fight against the Italian States AND the Emperor because then we can't use Calabria as a choke-point.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Warluster

I tried a game as Austria in the 16th (Or 15th) century. I realise that they are probably the easiest to play, but I have some experince with the game now.

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If you have an questions about how MMP2 works, don't hesitate to ask. It's stupidly complex sometimes and the manual skips over a surprisingly large amount.

Giovanna III took control of the country in 1483 on the heels of the brutal war against the Aragonese, fought in defense of The Knights' sovereignty as a state and for control of Calabria. The war itself is considered a small defeat, as the Knights were forced to relocate to Corfu and the Neapolitan throne incurred massive war debts.

The situation in 1483 was dire, with pirates running amoke on the coasts, interest and inflation rates soaring and an army tired and demoralized from constant fighting - Giovanna had her qork cut out for her. Her first order of business was on the line of economic reforms, increasing the treasury in an effort to stave off deficits and help pay back the debts gained during the war. Although her edicts were at first looked upon with disdain, they proved wildly successful. By 1487 - all war debts had been repayed and Naples was once more a debt free nation.

https://i182.photobucket.com/albums/...lha/loans1.jpg

https://i182.photobucket.com/albums/...alha/loan2.jpg

https://i182.photobucket.com/albums/...lha/loans3.jpg

Such responsible tactics earned her much love within the commerce and aristocrat factions, who threw their support behind the crown in great numbers. With such support, Giovanna expanded Naples' trade, launching an incentive into the Lubeck markets and grabbing a huge share of the market within two years! With the expanding economy, however, came problems.

Pirate raiders had always plagued the shores of Naples, and during the war the scoundrels took advantage of the nation's preoccupation with Aragon and had grown into a serious problem. Giovanna desired to enact a National defensive measure against them, one that went further than the Limited efforts of her Grandfather! Yet there was simply not enough coin to be found, it is said that Giovanna was furious, how could there not be enough coin? She had nearly single-handedly balanced the nation's credit!

It was, unfortunately, the reality of the situation. Pirates were ransacking coastal villages, preying on Neapolitan trade and THe Knights, an order dedicated to fighting them just a stone's throw away in Corfu, did nothing to aid! The queen sent missive after missive, demanding the Knights send patrols into the Adriatic, but there was always an excuse. The Grandmaster always had something else to do. And when he refused to meet with The Queen's messanger one late Tuesday, in the Augest of 1486, Giovanna had enough.

https://i182.photobucket.com/albums/...ha/StJohn1.jpg

The Priories of St. John across Naples were closed, their assets siezed, and it was made a punishable crime to wear the symbol of The Knights in public. The Grandmaster declared Giovanna's acts blasphemous and appealed to the Pope for aid, but the Holy Father, already under pressure from Neapolitan threats to stay idle, did nothing.

https://i182.photobucket.com/albums/...ha/Naples1.jpg

Three months later, Giovanna made it official. The Knights of Corfu were declared enemies of the Neapolitan thone, criminals who in their inaction had not only dragged Naples into a costly war against aragon but had let pirates have their way with Christian shipping. Naples declared war upon Corfu and an invasion force of three thousand men invaded Corfu.

https://i182.photobucket.com/albums/...nightswar1.jpg

The Grandmaster was defeated in the field, his men retreated to their fortifications and the port was put under naval blockade. Refusing to surrender, however, the Corfu Knights fought off the siege desperately hoping that someone would come to their aid. However, their inaction against the pirate threat had not only been noticed by Naples, but by all the powerful city states. Only Genoa protested the landings on Corfu, but they knew better than to openly support the Knights.

https://i182.photobucket.com/albums/...nightswar2.jpg

Corfu was captured. Though she had no legitimate claim to the island, Giovanna annexed the Knights domain declaring their sovereignty null and void. The international community was shocked, but with the strain on their coffers provided by the pirates, they elected to say nothing.

With the Corfu Knights defeated, their priories siezed and all their riches added to that of naples, Giovanna declared an unofficial war against the pirates of the Adriatic. Her efforts lead to great works of defense built along the coastlines. Under her new anti-piracy measures, no village would be left unguarded, and by the end of her reign every last pirate gang who operated along the Neapolitan coast had been hunted down. Shipping activity skyrocketed in response as country after country declared piracy activity dropping to all time lows.

Shortly after the war against the Knights, a new Pope was elected by the Holy See. Unfortunately, it was no secret that the new Pope was in the pocket of the Aragonese throne - most thought nothing of it until the Papacy declared open war upon Urbino! Naples, having sworn to come to their ally's aid, responded by declaring war upon Rome, as did many other states of Italia. Against such a strong alliance, the Pope was easily defeated.

Giovanna petitioned the Allies to allow Naples to take control of Roma, but save Urbino, the was a nearly unanimous objection. Naples had recently been accused of involvement in the death of the Austrian king. Though a cruel lie, Naples had been successfuly framed with the event and her reputation severely tarnished. The allied coalition would not accept Naples in control of Roma. Therefore, Giovanna pushed to allow Urbino to take control. Some even protested this, as with the long history of Marriage between the two dynasties, they argued it would be the same as naples controlling Roma through them! Such arguements, in the end, failed.

https://i182.photobucket.com/albums/...ioninitaly.jpg

The papacy lost the rights and privileges that came with ruling Roma and Naples' most trusted allied gained the ancient legacy of the city. While disappointed at the turn, Giovanna was glad such a compromise could be reached.

But while Napes had been fighting against otehr Italian interests, its truce with Aragon had expired. Giovanna had considered warning Aragon and setting her nation on the path to another war with the strong power - but she never got the chance!

https://i182.photobucket.com/albums/...alha/spain.jpg

The thrones of Aragon and Castile merged to form a united Spanish nation, which now controlled nearly all of the western Mediterranean. Naples, however, was not without allies. Even as Spain strengthened its new position, Portugal reached out to those surrounding the juggernaut, and in a surprising move guaranteed the independence of Naples. With such a guarantee, Giovanna felt relatively at ease. Spain would not risk crossing Portugal just to start a war with naples, but Sicily still groaned beneath their occupiers. A new strategy would be needed to deal with the diplomatic solution.

Sadly, Giovanna never had the chance to formulate it. She continued in her campaigning against pirates and introduced a bold new reorginization of the military. She increased the standing force from six to eight thousand, and introduced first the Longbow, and later the Wheel-lock rifle. She was seen as a modernizer, bringing her nation into new ideas whether it wanted them or not. She followed the examples of her Grandfather, heavily favoring Market Economy and worked tirelessly in expanding trade in both Lubeck and Orlan.

https://i182.photobucket.com/albums/...a/Anewking.jpg

Giovanna died on Thursday, 16th of October 1515. The circumstances of her death have remained a mystery. Some say she was given a rather large dose of poison, others say it was simply her time. She had led the nation for over thirty years and had seen it through multiple social, economical and international crises. Despite the bickering and the objections she faced, the nation mourned greatly - as if they had lost a motherly figure. If she had known how they mourned, Giovanna would never have believed it for she always said "Let them hate me, so long as they are safe."

The new king Ferrante II, was greeted with suspicion and mistrust, possibly because of the shadow out from which he stepped. With a balanced deficit, a newly formed and strong army and diplomatic ties to many states in Italy (many through marriage) he had found himself command of a strong country. What he would do with that command, is beyond the scope of this recounting.

Save file


OOC: Yes. We got the Framed! event, and while at 3/21 rep! Must have been 1 in a 100,000 chance. I lead us through it as best we could and got the rep down pretty low again. I think we're at around 7/21 now. :yes:

Excellent work Monk! We are in a very nice position now for sure. It looks like Venice is doing rather well, having taken Ferrara as well as retaining Romagna. I'm really not sure what we can do about Spain - maybe incite rebellions? Even then that's risky whilst we have a relatively high reputation.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CountArach

Excellent work Monk! We are in a very nice position now for sure. It looks like Venice is doing rather well, having taken Ferrara as well as retaining Romagna. I'm really not sure what we can do about Spain - maybe incite rebellions? Even then that's risky whilst we have a relatively high reputation.

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:bow:

Venice is in a rocky position. They just lost a war against most of the other northern powers and were forced to pay a large tribute. They have suffered numerous rebellions and are only now really recovering.

As for Spain: They look tough but they have no allies. Aragon was allied with France and when Castile took majority control when the two merged, France was put off. The situation became tense right before i finished my reign, France annexed Navarra and now Spain holds a CB on them. An opportune DoW when the two inevitably clash might let us take Sicily, but its still a long shot.

I think keeping strong relations with Urbino is our best bet for new territory, keeping up a RM with them as long as possible. We might inherent their lands if we're lucky. :yes:

Ach, I'll never understand the finer details of EUIII. The only country I can play as is whichever one is the most powerful. Naples would be far beyond my grasp of gameplay.

I notice that Serbia has managed to absorb Bosnia, Ragusa, and Montenegro. Interesting....

Ug... the Spanish union. I was hoping we'd get Sicily before that happened. It's going to be a lot harder to beat Spain than Aragon. :wall:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Monk

OOC: Yes. We got the Framed! event, and while at 3/21 rep! Must have been 1 in a 100,000 chance. I lead us through it as best we could and got the rep down pretty low again. I think we're at around 7/21 now. :yes:

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I get Framed about once per game. The MMP team are liars if they say it is rare. It happens to me in pretty much every game. The few times when I've had the cash to try and prove my innocence, it's failed as well. I'm generally resigned to dealing with the 10 BB every game at this point.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TinCow

Ug... the Spanish union. I was hoping we'd get Sicily before that happened. It's going to be a lot harder to beat Spain than Aragon. :wall:



I get Framed about once per game. The MMP team are liars if they say it is rare. It happens to me in pretty much every game. The few times when I've had the cash to try and prove my innocence, it's failed as well. I'm generally resigned to dealing with the 10 BB every game at this point.

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It was a tough situation to be sure. Before the merger, Aragon and France were Best Friends Forever. If I would have tried to get Sicily I know we would have been destroyed. Now, Spain and France are at each otehrs throats. If spain gets DOW'd by France, there's a high chance Portugal will join in, and if that happens Sicily might not be so hard to take.

It's a long shot, but our hopes f or Sicily have always been thus. :beam:

FYI:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Warluster

I downloaded it on the Friday and was ready to finish the entire thing Friday night, but for some reason the save game won't load. I click on the save game and it is just endlessly going with that hourglass spinning.

I'll have another go later today but if I can't fix it by Monday I am going to have to skip my turn to keep the game moving.

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If we hear nothing from Warluster by tomorrow, I'll start the next reign.

Alright, I'll step into the next slot. I'm a bit busy tonight so unless my reign is really short, I will not be finishing it today. I'll definitely start playing though.

I just loaded up Monk's saved game to start the next reign, and it won't load. When I select the file from the save game list, the hourglass just spins endlessly and the game never loads. CountArach, can you try to load the save? Monk, can you try and make another version of that save and/or double check that the save you posted loads properly?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TinCow

I just loaded up Monk's saved game to start the next reign, and it won't load. When I select the file from the save game list, the hourglass just spins endlessly and the game never loads. CountArach, can you try to load the save? Monk, can you try and make another version of that save and/or double check that the save you posted loads properly?

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It works absolutely fine for me, mate. Is it possible that you put it in the right save games folder? It has to go in the mod/MMP 2/save games folder, rather than the vanilla one.

Nope, it's in the right place. I just d/led it again and put it in there again to check, and the hourglass just sat there and turned for about 5 minutes until I gave up. I couldn't even CAD out of it and had to reset the computer to get out of the game.

Did you guys patch EU3 with the non-beta version of the 3.2 patch? I know that came out shortly after we started this, but I didn't update because I was afraid it would cause problems with this game.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TinCow

Did you guys patch EU3 with the non-beta version of the 3.2 patch? I know that came out shortly after we started this, but I didn't update because I was afraid it would cause problems with this game.

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I definitely used the correct (ie - Beta) specs and I'm sure Monk did as well or else he wouldn't have been able to play my save file.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TinCow

Nope, it's in the right place. I just d/led it again and put it in there again to check, and the hourglass just sat there and turned for about 5 minutes until I gave up. I couldn't even CAD out of it and had to reset the computer to get out of the game.

Did you guys patch EU3 with the non-beta version of the 3.2 patch? I know that came out shortly after we started this, but I didn't update because I was afraid it would cause problems with this game.

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No. I followed the MM install instructions to the t and used the exact version of 3.2 that they specified (still a beta build). I just tried to load the save-game still on my comp and it loaded just fine, I haven't tried the one on the .org but seeing as this one I have works fine for me... I am uploading it within a few moments.

If that one doesn't work for you guys... :help: so fingers crossed.

Re-upload.

At work now and can't test it. Will do so when I get home. I've also posted a thread on the EU3 tech support forum, so hopefully this will get figured out.

Worth noting that this appears to be the exact same problem Warluster is having.

No joy on the re-upload. I tried my own save from the first reign and I could load that just fine, however I could NOT load CA's save game either. I'm suspecting that you two might have a different installation than I do, which perhaps let you read my saves but doesn't let me read yours. Can you check what version you see on your main menu screen in the bottom left hand corner? Mine says:
EU3 v.3.1(VIOG) Mod: Magna Mundi Platinum 2 v.1.15

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TinCow

EU3 v.3.1(VIOG) Mod: Magna Mundi Platinum 2 v.1.15

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EU3 v3.2 (TPAJ) Mod: Magna Mundi Platinum 2 v.1.15

It was the one that they linked to in the how-to-install thread.

Yep, that was the problem. Updated the EU3 patch and Monk's save loads perfectly fine. Beginning my reign right now!

Ferrante 2, the Revenge

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../naples2/1.jpg

Giovanna III's eldest son, Ferrante, was not an intelligent man. When the Queen's advisors arrived in Ferrante II's room to inform him that he had become the next King of Naples, they found him staring at a wall and picking his nose. After a few hours of explaining what the death of his mother actually meant, Ferrante looked at them blankly and responded.

"Ferrante King?"

The advisors looked at each other for a moment, before one of them nodded his head slowly and firmly.

Ferrante threw his arms up in the air and shouted, "FERRANTE KING!"

The next day, Ferrante convened the assembly of the royal court to issue his first orders as the ruler of Naples. After a great deal of ceremony, the feudal lords arrived to pledge their loyalty to their new King. He rose slowly to his feet, looked at his audience, and made clear his policy for the coming years.

"Ferrante want shiny things!"

He then attempted to take grab the earrings from the wife of a minor nobleman. When she screamed and ran away, Ferrante looked on in confusion. A nearby advisor whispered to the new King that he could not simply do whatever he wanted, the nobles were bound to him by a feudal contract which gave them certain rights. Ferrante punched the advisor in the face.

"FERRANTE KING!"

Thus ended several centuries of Feudal Monarchy in Naples.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../naples2/2.jpg

Ferrante quickly grew bored with the council, and made his lack of interest clear.

"Ferrante want sex."

The advisors whispered amongst themselves for a while, and the King's request was soon granted.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../naples2/3.jpg

A few weeks later, it rained. Ferrante took it as a personal insult and ordered that diplomatic warnings be sent to most of Italy. One advisor informed Ferrante that this list of nations included several that Naples was allied with. Ferrante threw the man out the window. The warnings were sent out without further delay.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../naples2/4.jpghttps://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../naples2/5.jpghttps://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../naples2/6.jpg

Further warnings would continue to go out to random nations all over Europe throughout the rest of Ferrante's reign.

When the first month's taxes came in, Ferrante was not pleased with the results. After bandaging their wounds, the advisors informed him that inflation was high and growing higher, and that this inevitably made goods more expensive, but that such a situation was necessary to keep a steady income flow.

"Ferrante balance budget!"

When the advisors explained that if he did this, he would lose money, Ferrante looked at Rogerio de Sequeria and Pelayo Portocarrero, both of whom were dressed very finely due to their high salaries. Ferrante crushed their heads against the wall.

"Ferrante balance budget!"

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...naples2/10.jpg

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../naples2/7.jpghttps://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../naples2/8.jpg

Soon, Ferrante discovered the ocean.

"Ferrante like boats!"

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b.../naples2/9.jpghttps://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...naples2/15.jpghttps://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...naples2/21.jpg

After a few years of his rule, the peasants began to complain about the living conditions in Naples. Ferrante listened to their complaints carefully and respectfully, nodded in agreement with much of what they said. When they were done, he rose and, with a broad smile on his face, stabbed the nearest peasant in the face.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...naples2/18.jpghttps://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...naples2/27.jpg

And the nobles rejoiced.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...naples2/11.jpghttps://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...naples2/26.jpg

As the Reformation spread throughout Europe, Ferrante's advisors repeatedly tried to explain to him the significance of the growing split within the Church. Ferrante simply drooled on himself and picked his nose. After several weeks of this, the advisors gave up and simply let the religious issues continue as they always had.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...naples2/12.jpghttps://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...naples2/29.jpg

One day, the Church gave Ferrante a lot of money. Ferrante prayed 7 times a day from that moment until the end of his life. Mostly, he prayed for more money.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...naples2/28.jpg

In 1527, Spain declared war on Grenada. As Spain had been warned by Giovanna III, this was a legitimate causus belli for war.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...naples2/25.jpg

A diplomat from Grenada arrived in Naples to request Ferrante's aid against Spain. Upon further questioning, it was discovered that France, Hungary, and the Pope were aiding Spain in the war. The advisors threw the diplomat from Grenada down a well and promised to never mention the war to Ferrante. There was much rejoicing.

Soon Ferrante heard of a man from a foreign country who promised to give him more shiney things. Ferrante was pleased.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...naples2/22.jpghttps://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...naples2/23.jpghttps://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...naples2/24.jpg

Unfortunately for Ferrante, the wealth this man brought into the kingdom was too shiny and irresistable. On July 9, 1532, Ferrante choked to death on a ducat he was licking. His son, Gabriele I, did not look favorably on the man who gave him the coin.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b...naples2/30.jpg

Save Game

Haha, brilliant. Well I'll try to play this through. I've got a very busy weekend ahead of me, so I can't guarantee when it will be done. I shall do my best.

Simply amazing TC. Simply amazing. :laugh4:

I apologize for leaving you with such high inflation, it was the one black mark on my reign that I truly hated, but it was necessary to keep us afloat through all the pirate hunting and loan repayments. :embarassed:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Monk

I apologize for leaving you with such high inflation, it was the one black mark on my reign that I truly hated, but it was necessary to keep us afloat through all the pirate hunting and loan repayments. :embarassed:

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It's not really that bad, I just didn't want it to go up further. I spent a large amount of my reign staring at the advisor screen waiting for a master of the mint to show up, but we never got one. With an Admin rating of 4, Ferrante II wasn't able to do much to reduce the inflation (I think it's at about 6.3, from 6.7) but at least it didn't go any higher. Generally, my reign was just profitable because there were absolutely no good opportunities for a war. We can now (when not at war) maintain positive yearly income while still reducing inflation at least slightly. There's also about 220+ ducats in the bank. Ferrante II didn't have good enough stats to do any of the province decision improvements to the buildings, but I did add three more anchorages. I didn't actually expand the fleet, because I was hoping I'd be able to pick the next idea before my turn was over and I was going to pick a naval idea. That would have made ships much cheaper to build by reducing our naval penalty, but I never got that far. That's why there's so much cash sitting around, though you two are free to spend it as you wish, of course.

Brilliant indeed. :)

Edit: Ma bad, didn't notice the next page. :embarassed:

I should be able to play through it and write it up (Assuming it isn't a massive reign) tomorrow.

Well it seems I may have inadvertantly deleted my euiii.exe, which is a problem for obvious reasons. I'm going to have to completely re-install the game and get everything going again, which will take me a little while. Sorry about the delay but if someone else (Monk?) could play the next turn that would be awesome. By the end of that I should be ready to go again.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CountArach

Well it seems I may have inadvertantly deleted my euiii.exe, which is a problem for obvious reasons. I'm going to have to completely re-install the game and get everything going again, which will take me a little while. Sorry about the delay but if someone else (Monk?) could play the next turn that would be awesome. By the end of that I should be ready to go again.

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Hm. So would you like to temporarily switch slots? I'll play this go and then you take the next? If that's the case I'll download tomorrow and begin.

It's near midnight here so I'm not gonna be getting to anything tonight. :sleeping:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Monk

Hm. So would you like to temporarily switch slots? I'll play this go and then you take the next? If that's the case I'll download tomorrow and begin.

It's near midnight here so I'm not gonna be getting to anything tonight. :sleeping:

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That would be the ideal situation, yeah.

Sorry again guys. I have no idea what happened.

Not a problem, lately I've been getting into a game as Silesia. If you've never tried them I highly recommend it. Their three starting ideas are absolutely superb (all 3 work for the Liberte, etc. specialized idea) and make regaining stability unbelievably easy. They also start only 1 slider move away from the Balanced Policies bonus, which makes that a given right from the start. Silesia is in the same culture group as the Czechs and Polish, which gives interesting (and extensive) expansion options into Bohemia, Poland, and Hungary if you can join in on an opportunistic war, and allows for easy out-of-HRE expansion, which is unusual for a HRE member. They are relatively prosperous as well, for a landlocked nation, and can support an army up to their landforce limits if need be. It's been interesting so far, and my goal for this game is to gain a Protestant victory in The Long War and eventually dismantle the HRE, neither of which I have ever accomplished before.

I'm also really looking forward to when MM is adapted to HttT. The new causus belli system is making me drool.

FYI, something has come up and Monk is not likely to be able to take the next turn. CA, go ahead and do it whenever you have the time.

I haven't really played MM admittedly, but I am interested in giving the game a shot if you are allowing sign ups. :yes:

(Though that saved game seems corrupted.)
(Actually, the whole mod seems corrupted.)

Looks like I have to retract, MM isn't working right, for some reason it keep saying the date is 1 AD.

HTT comes out tomorrow apparently though. :yes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Beskar

I haven't really played MM admittedly, but I am interested in giving the game a shot if you are allowing sign ups. :yes:

(Though that saved game seems corrupted.)
(Actually, the whole mod seems corrupted.)

Looks like I have to retract, MM isn't working right, for some reason it keep saying the date is 1 AD.

HTT comes out tomorrow apparently though. :yes:

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You're probably not running the right EU3 patch for MM. MM requires the old beta 3.2 patch, and I don't think it works with the final version released recently. In addition, MM has already patched itself beyond the version we're playing here, so doing a completely up-to-date EU3 and MM installation would (I'm pretty sure) be incompatible with the save games we have posted here.

I'll hold out some hope that CA can get his game working, but if not we can just abort this and start up a new game with a fully patched version once MM has been adapted for HTT (which, as far as I have been reading, won't take very long).