Quote Originally Posted by Askthepizzaguy View Post
Helsinki for every faction besides Russia
My beloved and most holy Roman emperor sent a small force against the pagan rebels in Helsinki early on and built a modest but capable defensive fort to discourage invaders, as well as a church. Our cadres of Helsinki-trained priests then went out into Orthodox Novgorodian lands and converted them to the One True Faith, quickly turning the priests into cardinals. Between that and donating a couple of troublesome duchies to the Church, Pope Gregor the Corrupt and his eight Imperial cardinals have ruled the Roman throne for over a decade, and I assure you it will be one of Gregor's pupils who next takes the crown of John the Baptist.
And when the Mongols weaken Novgorod from the East (they were first reported about 15 years ago), my invasion force, built up gradually over the years, will have easy access from out of Finland and will be welcomed as brothers in faith by the 80 percent of Novgorod's citizens who are Catholics, undoubtedly chafing under their heretical Orthodox masters. And my Helsinki-based navy in the Gulf of Finland will make sure the Imperial-Novgorodian War doesn't spill onto my home territories. It shouldn't take more than five years to polish them off, I think.
No, Helsinki's a fine little spot, if you're in for the long haul.