It is now 1183.
Genoa attacked me, with Venice as an ally. I stripped Genoa of all but Tuscany, and destroyed Venice - pillaging the land before returning to my new border of Genoa-Savoy-Burgundy-Schweiz.
France denied England the right to crusade, and consequently lost the entire north coast - because they refuse to remove their now 4700 strong force from my borders.
I have few allies now due to the wars with two minor factions - and until recently everyone rather despised Aragon.
I have 3800 men still in the Pyrenees, divided between the King in Aragon, and a general in Navarre.
They are the only troops guarding Iberia, as every coastal province neighbouring me has between 4-7 ships as a defense from a very belligerent, opportunistic Byzantine navy.
My other forces consist of 4 armies in central Europe - one in Provence, Genoa, Burgundy, Schweiz. Each is 1100 - 1300 strong, with the uniform troops I described earlier.
I destroyed a Venezian army 1200 strong under a 6 star general with my cavalry alone - with 33 losses!
These are my greatest, most modern strength.
I also have another army in Morocco, 1103 strong - very good for defending against the Almoravids - who are too strong and versatile for me to attack, (And not worth the war with Egypt), but easily kept in Algeria.
With all this military power focusing on holding what I have in the current situation with increasingly powerful France, (I am seeing many silver shields - and England is in civil war!), I have only just enough economy for another 1200 strong army - +2 armour, +2 weapons, 3 morale as a base value on the units within.
My income is now 552 with the new army created. I have no trade, however I am afraid to expand my navy!
I cannot see many fair targets for conquest, unless I invade Britain. Italy I shall not touch. I want nothing more in central Europe.
I will explain the diplomatic situation more, (I enjoy it!), but then I must go to bed!
France holds Aquitaine to Champagne, Brittany to Tolosa. She is at war with England.
England holds only Flanders, Lorraine, Friesland, Normandy and Wessex. At war with France.
Genoa holds Tuscany. Allied with Papacy.
HRE holds Swabia, Tyrolia, besieged in Champagne. At war with Bohemia, myself (inactive), and Almoravids due to a persistant crusade.
Almoravids hold Algeria. At war with myself and Sicilia. Allied with Egypt.
Sicilia holds Sardinia, homelands. Allied with myself.
This gives a picture of my immediate vicinity - the East is divided between the Byzantines and Egypt. The North-East between Novgorod and Lithuania.
Should I pick a neighbouring target - or crusade? Or disband this new army - which will give me 1357 per turn. (All provinces are taxed very highly.)
Thank you again for your interest!
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