Choices are due by 8pm EST, Wednesday, November 21st. This is a HARD DEADLINE for any players who wish to fight battles in 1332, but more of a soft deadline for everyone else. I will be out of town for Thanksgiving from Nov. 22nd (Thurs) until Nov. 2th (Sun). As a result, I must be have the orders by Wednesday night so I can make any changes necessary so that the battles can be fought while I am away.
The combination of the mutually destructive Battle for Bern and immense pressures from foreign invaders have made this a very tough year for the Reich. If there is any bright news at all, it is simply that the attacks on the Reich are finally forcing some of the Electors to begin working together for a common cause.
In Outremer, the Great Fleet is finally complete and ready for departure. All that remains is for Kaiser Elberhard and Dieter von Kassel to board with their armies and begin the long journey back to the Reich. It will be a slow trip, and they will not arrive until 1328, but the fleet is very strong and they will easily see off any enemy or pirate fleets that are foolish enough to attack them. Matthias Steffen is determined to remain behind and his example has both inspired and shamed those soldiers in Elberhard’s and Dieter’s armies who fight in the name of God first, and the Reich second. They will remain behind with Matthias to the last man. Matthias’ authority as the leader of Outremer is growing as well. After negotiations, and friendly letters from Kaiser Elberhard and Dieter von Kassel on the matter, Pope Renaldus agreed to sell the Crown of Thorns to Matthias Steffen in exchange for the Holy Chalice and a moderate amount of wealth. The Pope is immensely displeased with the destruction of the Abbey in Bern, and he is very dissatisfied with the Reich, but so long as Matthias remains nearby with a powerful army, he will be pliant. Such is the nature of puppet Popes. Matthias will need such cooperation, for news of the departure of so much of Outremer’s military strength has not been lost on her enemies. Scouts report that the Byzantines are assembling again for a strong push and there are rumors that the Turks may even send their elite Janissaries in an attempt to seize the rich city of Antioch.
Franconia remains balanced on the edge of a knife. Stettin and Frankfurt were pacified, but Stettin soon fell to the Danish onslaught, making the pacification almost pointless. Frankfurt itself is now besieged once again by a strong Danish army and Duke Peter is trapped inside the city. He has a large army with him, but it is of mixed quality. One bright note is that Magdeburg survived the Polish assault and stands free of siege. However, there are no less than four enemy armies in the immediate vicinity. If they are not cleared out, the citadel will surely be under siege again soon. Next time, the enemy may bring artillery with them, and that would make the defense significantly harder.
Bavaria is under full scale assault by the Byzantines. Count Erlach attempted to whittle down the powerful Byzantine army besieging Milan, but the attack was a disaster. It resulted in the loss of a good portion of Count Erlach’s army and the entire garrison of Milan and barely scratched the enemy. Count Erlach then retreated to Genoa, where he was able to pacify the province, but another Byzantine army appeared and laid siege to the city, trapping him inside. Duke Lothar pacified Innsbruck and marched south, to engage the Byzantines outside Milan. He expected to find them heavily depleted by Count Erlach’s attack, but he was taken massively off-guard by the Bavarian defeat. In the confusion following the battle outside Milan, Duke Lothar managed to slip inside the city with his army. He now holds the walls, preventing it from falling, but he is massively outclassed by the Byzantines who will surely assault soon.
Swabia has been gutted by both the Battle of Bern and the French. The destruction of three full armies and the deaths of Duke Hans, his ally Jan von Hamburg, and the rebel Dietrich von Dassel have vastly reduced the strength of the Swabian defenses. In addition, none of the loyalists attempted to pacify the Swabian provinces, resulting in devastation across the board. Most worrisome is the loss of the Armoury in Staufen, which will prevent the recruitment of many professional infantry regiments. The French have not let up their assault on the Duchy, either. Caen and Rheims both fell to assaults and the invasion continues to push onwards with Bruges now under siege. That city has suffered doubly this year, as religious rioting has destroyed the City Watch, preventing the recruitment of militia even if the French siege were to be lifted. While Wolfgang Hummel’s pseudo-independent Principality has gained two new followers, it is doubtful whether these young men will be able to stem the tide that is surge towards them.
The loyalist survivors of the Battle of Bern have garrisoned the city for the time being. They make up a large army, but it is composed of a majority of low quality units since most of the survivors were from Jan von Hamburg’s Catholic volunteer army rather than Duke Hans’ professional force. They will follow any Swabian loyalist who comes to Bern. Otherwise, they will hold the city against the French. Also, all of Duke Hans’ wealth has been placed in the treasury in Bern. This currently amounts to 12, but two more deposits from Kaiser Elberhard are still in transit. As such, 5 more wealth will arrive at the end of 1332 and a further 2 wealth will arrive at the end of 1334. Any man, loyalist or otherwise, who physically occupies the city at the time, or after, the wealth arrives will receive it. However, the city is far from secure due to the ongoing religious warfare. Every turn that it continues, there will be a 50% chance that the treasury will be ransacked by looters and all wealth stored in it will be lost.
Austria is now beset by problems on all sides. The Byzantine push in Northern Italy has not ignored Venice, which once again is under siege, and this time a Bavarian army cannot rescue it. In the east, the Hungarians have reached the outskirts of Zagreb and are within striking distance of Vienna. Scouts in Ragusa report that the Venetians are preparing for yet another assault on that citadel as well. Karl Zirn has a powerful army outside Zagreb, but if he remains to defend the city, Venice will fall. If he moves on Venice, all of eastern Austria will be open. Duke Arnold also has a strong army, but if he leaves Ragusa, it will be taken easily by the Venetians. Lorenz Zirn has no army whatsoever, but he has resorted to drastic measures in Vienna. Desperate for money, he has confiscated all the wealth of the many rich merchants of that city. This has resulted in the destruction of the Great Market, Merchants’ Guild, and Merchant Bank, but yielded enough wealth to raise an entire army. However, the militia training facilities of the city were also destroyed in religious rioting, so Lorenz Zirn will have to go elsewhere to recruit an army, leaving the city vulnerable to the Hungarians and continued rioting.
War of Reformation Status in 1332:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Provinces Suffering Religious Warfare (City, Rebel Stack Name(s), Population Killed, Building Destroyed):
Vienna – Captain Aleksei, 2500, Militia Drill Square
Budapest – (None Placed), 1500, Leather Tanner
Venice – Captain al Mahdi, 2500, Dockyard
Milan – Captain Romaso, 2500, Inn
Nuremburg – Captain Hugo, 2600, Merchant’s Guild
Bern – Bernhard Ruppel, 2000, Abbey
Staufen – Captain Jean, 1350, Armoury
Metz – Captain Qassim, 1700, Thieves Guild
Bruges – Captain Basil, 1430, City Watch
Rheims – LOST TO FRANCE, Future status irrelevant unless recaptured
Caen – LOST TO FRANCE, Future status irrelevant unless recaptured
Magdeburg – Captain Conrrat, 900, Teutonic Knights Minor Chapter House
Total 1330 Deaths: 89,800
Total 1332 Deaths: 18,980
Total Cumulative Deaths: 108,780
Note: If you want to pacify a province with (None Placed) please let me know and I will spawn a non-rebel enemy army for you to attack.
Provinces Pacified (City, Elector Present):
Ragusa - Arnold
Zagreb – Karl Zirn
Prague – Edmund Becker
Genoa – Fredericus Erhart
Innsbruck – Freiderich Karolinger
Antwerp – Jan von der Pfalz and Ludwig von Bohmen
Stettin – LOST TO DENMARK, Future status irrelevant unless recaptured
Frankfurt – Peter von Kastilien
Elberhard:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Antioch, Acre
Personal Wealth: 0 (0 carried over, due to 2 sent to Hans in 1330)
Units Available: Forlorn Hope, Halberd Militia, Spear Militia, Town Militia, Crossbow Militia, Ballista, Turkopoles, Kwarizmian Cavalry
You are ready to depart Outremer. If there are any last-minute letters to be sent or arrangements to be made, it is time to do them.
*(A) The fleet is ready to depart. It is time for you to return to the Reich. (Note: You will be at sea for all of 1332, 1334, and 1336. No information or options will be given to you during this time. You will arrive outside of Venice at the beginning of 1338 and will be able to give orders then. If you want to do something that would be possible while at sea, such as changing your destination, you can send that to me via PM. Otherwise, the next few turns will be a bit boring for you, my apologies.)
Athalwolf von Salza:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Staufen (religious warfare), Bern (religious warfare), Metz (religious warfare)
Personal Wealth: 1 (0 carried over, 1 bonus for starting in Metz)
Units Available: Town Militia, Mercenary Spearmen
With Hans’ death at Bern, you are now the new Duke of Swabia. Your Duchy is under assault from all sides and your resources are stretched to the breaking point. There have been no attempts to pacify the religious warfare and it has cost you dearly, particularly in Staufen. Your advisors inform you that Metz still resents loyalist rule and it will gladly open its gates to any rebel who tries to enter. Wolfgang Hummel is nearby and may try just such a thing. If you want to ensure that they do not defect from you, you will have to move into the city immediately.
However, your advisors also inform you that your men are very uncomfortable with the idea of facing Wolfgang Hummel again in their current state. With the exception of the regiment of Armoured Spearmen you hired from Staufen last year before marching, your men are all survivors of the Battle of the Flemish Crossroads. Wolfgang Hummel now significantly outnumbers you and most of your men believe that fighting him would be tantamount to suicide. If you attempt to oppose him without a decent army, some of your regiments may defect to save their own skins.
*(A) Move south to Bern and take command of the loyalist army there, along with Hans’ wealth.
(B) Move to Staufen.
(C) Garrison Metz and hold it against the French and rebels.
(MISC) In addition to the above, you may pacify whatever province you go to. This is not a default choice. You must actively submit orders and fight a battle to do pacify a province.
You were a faithful friend and vassal of Duke Hans. However, his death has greatly changed the political landscape of Swabia. Athalwolf von Salza is the new Duke of Swabia and you do not yet know how much he values your aid or skills. To make matters more complex, you have been left to garrison Staufen with no aid or resources. Bern is a good distance away and you could easily and safely travel there. Inside you would find the loyalist survivors of the Battle of Bern, along with a large sum of wealth that used to belong to Duke Hans.
However, the logistics are complicated. There are no other defenders for Staufen; if you leave it will be empty. It will take a good deal of time to march to Bern, organize the army, and march it back to Staufen. If Wolfgang Hummel chose to march on Staufen, he would arrive before you could return and the castle would be totally open to him. If you remain in Staufen and Wolfgang marches on the citadel, you would stand the very real prospect of being trapped inside with no aid whatsoever. That would not be good. To add yet another complexity, as Duke Athalwolf von Salza wields greater authority than you with the loyalists. If he decides to move to Bern, he will be able to easily usurp your command and take Hans' wealth for his own, even if you got there first. Perhaps it would be a good idea to discuss these matters with your new Duke.
*(A) Move to Bern, take command of the loyalist army there, and pacify the province. If Athalwolf von Salza also moves to Bern, simply remain in the safety of the garrison.
(B) Remain in Staufen and pray that Wolfgang Hummel does not march on it.
(C) Flee to Nuremburg.
(D) Bend knee to Wolfgang Hummel and support his claim to Swabia, giving him Staufen as your gift.
Wolfgang Hümmel:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Bruges (Rebel Capital) (religious warfare and besieged), Antwerp
Personal Wealth: 4 (2 carried over, 2 base from Antwerp)
Special Ability: When you are within the borders of the County of Bruges, you can recruit Mercenary Flemish Pikemen for 2 wealth per unit. When you are within the borders of the County of Antwerp, you can recruit Mercenary Flemish Pikemen for 2 wealth per unit and Hand Gunners and Arquebusiers for 3 wealth per unit. You may not hire any units from Antwerp other than those listed in this Special Ability.
Units Available: Mercenary Spearmen, Free Company Men at Arms, Free Company Longbowmen
You hired 2 regiments of Flemish Pikemen before pacifying Antwerp, then you hired a regiment of Flemish Pikemen and a regiment of Arquebusier to garrison the city. You also petitioned the King of England to allow you access to his Free Company mercenaries. The King was only a fair-weather supporter of Hans and with his death any bonds he has to loyalist Swabia have been cut. He has agreed to aid you. However, the English have completely withdrawn from the continent. You will have to pay an additional 1 wealth to ship over the mercenaries from across the Channel. You have already taken advantage of his offer and hired a regiment of Free Company Men at Arms.
New Special Ability Gained: You can hire Free Company Longbowmen and Free Company Men at Arms whenever you want, but you must pay 4 wealth for each regiment.
You then marched south towards Metz. You are within a few days march of the city and the local peasants tell you that the city will welcome you with open arms. However, Duke Athalwolf von Salza is nearby with a small army. He could complicate matters a bit, though his army is weaker than yours and his men are surely demoralized from their prior defeat at your hands. Another factor to take into account is Staufen. Ehrhart Ruppel is currently the only man garrisoning the citadel and reports indicate that he has no wealth to his name. If he leaves the citadel to take command of the army in Bern, or for any other reason, the citadel will be totally defenseless. If you marched directly for it, you could seize it before he could return.
For all of that, though your ambitions in southern Swabia will have a high cost. You have already lost Caen and your new vassals have only a small army and limited wealth between them. It is unlikely that they can save Bruges alone. If they are not reinforced, Antwerp may fall eventually as well. If you wish to keep those provinces, you had best defend them. If you intend to abandon them, you should inform your new followers immediately so that they can evacuate before the French or Danes move against them.
*(A) Move to take Metz. After the city is yours, pacify the province.
(B) Move to take Staufen. If Ehrhart Ruppel leaves the citadel, you will arrive first and occupy it without a fight. If he does not leave, you will besiege the citadel with him inside it. You may also pacify the province, regardless of what Ehrhart Ruppel does.
(C) Move to Bruges and attack the French army besieging the city. You may pacify the province before or after fighting the French.
Ludwig von Bohmen:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Bruges (religious warfare and besieged)
Personal Wealth: 3 (3 from personal savings)
Special Ability: When you are within the borders of the County of Bruges, you can recruit Mercenary Flemish Pikemen for 2 wealth per unit. When you are within the borders of the County of Antwerp, you can recruit Mercenary Flemish Pikemen for 2 wealth per unit and Hand Gunners and Arquebusiers for 3 wealth per unit. You may not hire any units from Antwerp other than those listed in this Special Ability.
Units Available: Mercenary Flemish Pikemen, Hand Gunners, Arquebusiers, Mercenary Crossbowmen
You have joined Wolfgang Hümmel in his rebellion against the Swabian loyalists. In thanks, he has given you the County of Bruges. However, this is a poor gift, as it is currently beset by religious warfare and besieged by the French. Without Wolfgang’s aid, there is little you can do to aid the city. Your lord has marched south and appears to be pursuing ambitions in central Swabia. If he does not return north to aid Bruges and Antwerp, you may want to consider abandoning the coastal provinces and marching south to join him.
*(A) Hire a regiment of soldiers (specify type) and march to join Wolfgang Hümmel, wherever he is.
(B) Hire a regiment of soldiers (specify type) and hold Antwerp.
(C) Hire a regiment of soldiers (specify type) and attack the French outside of Bruges. The only possibility this has for success is if you can use the regiments and resources of your fellow rebel, Jan von der Pfalz. Even then, it will be very risky.
Jan von der Pfalz:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Antwerp
Personal Wealth: 2 (1 from Antwerp for loyal Count, 1 bonus for starting in Antwerp)
Special Ability: When you are within the borders of the County of Bruges, you can recruit Mercenary Flemish Pikemen for 2 wealth per unit. When you are within the borders of the County of Antwerp, you can recruit Mercenary Flemish Pikemen for 2 wealth per unit and Hand Gunners and Arquebusiers for 3 wealth per unit. You may not hire any units from Antwerp other than those listed in this Special Ability.
Units Available: Mercenary Flemish Pikemen, Hand Gunners, Arquebusiers, Mercenary Crossbowmen
You are a minor Swabian noble and spent several years as a military trainer in Staufen under Duke Hans. For your own reasons, you became discontent with his rule and decided to join Wolfgang Hümmel to make a better future. The men you were training liked you a great deal and, since Duke Hans was at Bern fighting Dietrich von Dassel, they agreed to join you. They amount to a regiment of Mounted Sergeants and a regiment of Armoured Spearmen. You are now in Antwerp, which has been given to you as your County by Wolfgang Hümmel. You control your loyal regiments, plus the small garrison of the city that Wolfgang left behind.
The situation is tenuous, though. Nearby Bruges is besieged by the French and beset by religious warfare. Without Wolfgang’s aid, there is little you can do to aid the city. Your lord has marched south and appears to be pursuing ambitions in central Swabia. If he does not return north to aid Bruges and Antwerp, you may want to consider abandoning the coastal provinces and marching south to join him.
*(A) Hire a regiment of Mercenary Flemish Pikemen and march to join Wolfgang Hümmel, wherever he is.
(B) Hire a regiment of Mercenary Flemish Pikemen and hold Antwerp.
(C) Hire a regiment of Mercenary Flemish Pikemen and attack the French outside of Bruges. The only possibility this has for success is if you can use the resources of your fellow rebel, Ludwig von Bohmen. Even then, it will be very risky.
Péter von Kastilien:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Frankfurt (besieged with you inside it), Magdeburg (religious warfare and trade route cut by enemy armies)
Personal Wealth: 7 (3 carried over, 3 base from Frankfurt, 1 bonus for starting in Frankfurt)
Units Available: Forlorn Hope, Town Militia, Spear Militia, Crossbow Militia, Teutonic Knights
You hired a regiment of Teutonic Knights, then pacified the province of Frankfurt. You then made a passionate appeal to all Franconians, high and low-born alike. You explained to them the plight of your Duchy and ask for aid to protect their own lands and families. This has resulted in a moderate levy of the local townspeople to aid you. They have joined you as a regiment of Merchant Cavalry Militia, a regiments of Mounted Sergeants, two regiments of Forlorn Hope, a regiment of Crossbow Militia, two regiments of Spear Militia, and a regiment of Town Militia. Altogether, they are not a strong force, but they will provide much needed support to the small number of professional soldiers that remain in your army. You will need it, as well, as the Danes have renewed their offensive and besieged Frankfurt once again. Magdeburg has survived the Polish assault, but the armies near it will not be able to aid you this year, as they are hemmed in by both Polish and Danish armies.
Note: You cannot recruit more than two regiments per turn while besieged. You will have to lift the siege to be able to recruit more.
*(A) Abandon your army and flee Frankfurt through a secret escape tunnel.
(B) Hold the walls against the Danes (You may not hire more than two units per turn while besieged)
(C) Sally forth against the Danes.
Fritz von Kastilien:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: None (Stettin is held by the Danes)
Personal Wealth: 2 (8 carried over, -6 for upkeep for 19 merc units)
Special Ability 1: For the rest of the cataclysm, Stettin will pay you 2 wealth per turn and your Duke 2 wealth per turn, but only when you start your turn in the province. If you start the turn outside the province, you will get 0 wealth and your Duke will get 1 wealth.
Special Ability 2: For the rest of the cataclysm, small groups of mercenaries will join your army for free at irregular intervals. In addition, you can hire any mercenary unit available in Europe, even if they are not available in your current territory. All mercenary recruitment costs are 1 less for the duration of the cataclysm, to a minimum of 1. However, the mercenaries require a large amount of wealth to sustain them. Beginning in 1330, you will have to pay 1 wealth per 3 mercenary units per turn (rounded up, to a maximum of 6) to keep them from deserting.
Units Available: Any European Mercenary Unit
You have pacified Stettin, but it fell to the Danish assault. You are now in a precarious position. Your army is large and powerful, but it requires a great deal of wealth to keep it going; wealth that you have not generated since the sack of Stockholm. Unless you find a way to pay for the army very quickly, most of them will desert you.
*(A) Disband all of your mercenaries immediately (prior to fighting any battles) and flee to Magdeburg. You will recoup the 6 wealth you paid for their wages this year.
(B) Attack some of the Polish and Danish armies outside Magdeburg, then disband all of your mercenaries and flee to Magdeburg. You will not recoup the wealth you paid for their wages this year.
(C) Assault Stettin immediately, using your artillery to break down the walls and gates. Sacking the city once again will have horrendous consequences, but it will supply enough money to maintain your army for a few years. Occupying it will prevent any negative consequences and the income from the city next year, combined with plunder from the defeated Danish army, will provide you with just barely enough wealth to pay your army’s wages, assuming you do not spend any now. However, you will fall short by a great amount starting in 1336 if you do not find wealth in some other fashion.
Dieter Bresch:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Magdeburg (religious warfare)
Personal Wealth: 3 (1 carried over, 1 from starting in Magdeburg, 1 plunder from battle)
Units Available: DIK, DFK, Armoured Sergeants, Sergeant Spearmen, Pavise Crossbowmen, Peasant Crossbowmen, Peasant Archers, Imperial Knights, Feudal Knights, Mailed Knights, Mounted Sergeants, Mounted Crossbowmen, Bombards, Grand Bombards, Cannons, Serpentines
You have survived the Polish assault and lifted the siege. However, there are still four large enemy armies in the immediate vicinity, blocking all traffic into and out of the province. In addition, Magdeburg has not been pacified and will continue to suffer the effects of religious warfare until it is. The Teutonic Knights Chapter House was destroyed this year and odds are that you will lose a major military facility soon if the religious warfare continues unchecked. It is in your best interests to pacify the province immediately, and then eliminate as many of the neighboring Danish and Polish armies as you can. Any that you leave behind will likely lay siege to the citadel once again and there is a chance that they could bring gunpowder artillery with them, vastly increasing the difficulty in holding the walls. Tancred von Tyrolia is nearby and can likely aid you in your attacks.
*(A) Pacify Magdeburg, but do not attack the Polish and Danish armies.
(B) Pacify Magdeburg and attack some or all of the Polish and Danish armies.
(C) Abandon Magdeburg and retreat towards Frankfurt. All roads are blocked by enemy armies, so you will have to move cross-country. This will slow you down and prevent you from reaching Frankfurt this year.
The siege of Magdeburg has been lifted and you can now freely move in and out of the citadel. Your situation is almost identical to that of Dieter Bresch. Refer to his description for more details..
*(A) Pacify Magdeburg, but do not attack the Polish and Danish armies.
(B) Pacify Magdeburg and attack some or all of the Polish and Danish armies.
(C) Abandon Magdeburg and retreat towards Frankfurt. All roads are blocked by enemy armies, so you will have to move cross-country. This will slow you down and prevent you from reaching Frankfurt this year.
Arnold:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Ragusa, Venice (religious warfare and besieged), Zagreb, Vienna (religious warfare), Budapest (religious warfare and besieged – will remain ‘besieged’ until further notice, even though the AI is not actually besieging it. This is because I had to artificially break off the siege to allow Friedrich Karolinger to flee in 1328. If I hadn’t it would still be under siege now or would have fallen.)
Personal Wealth: 3 (0 carried over, 1 base from Ragusa, 2 base from Zagreb, 1 bonus for starting in Ragusa, -1 from gambling)
Special Ability: Enjoys a Wager gives you a 50% chance of losing 1 wealth per turn and 50% chance of winning 1 wealth per turn.
Units Available: Zweihanders, DIK, DFK, Armoured Sergeants, Sergeant Spearmen, Pavise Crossbowmen, Peasant Crossbowmen, Peasant Archers, Teutonic Knights, Imperial Knights, Feudal Knights, Mailed Knights, Mounted Sergeants, Mounted Crossbowmen
You recruited a regiment of Armoured Sergeants and then pacified Ragusa. You Duchy is faring better than most at the moment, but with the Byzantine successes in Northern Italy, you once again find yourself with too large a border and too few armies. You have two armies, under yourself and Karl Zirn, and a third Count without an army, but with a great deal of wealth. To the west, the Byzatines are besieging Venice and the Bavarian armies are trapped themselves and cannot aid you. In the east, the Hungarians are nearing Zagreb and Vienna. In the south, the Venetians are preparing for another push on Ragusa. On top of this, there will be difficulty in deciding how to move your armies without aggravating religious warfare. This is problematic since you have more provinces than Electors and thus, even if you pacify every province, at least one will have a risk of suffering from renewed violence every year.
*(A) Remain in Ragusa and hold the walls.
(B) Remain in Ragusa, but attack the Venetian army in the mountains as well.
(C) Leave behind a small garrison in Ragusa, then move north attack the Hungarians outside Zagreb.
Karl Zirn:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Zagreb
Personal Wealth: 7 (5 carried over, 1 base from Zagreb for loyal Count, 1 bonus for starting in Zagreb)
Units Available: Spear Militia, Town Militia, Merchant Cavalry Militia, Ballista
You still have the strongest army in all of Austria and there are some difficult choices to make this year. Austria simply has too many borders to defend and not enough resources to do it. If you move to Venice to lift the siege, religious warfare could erupt again in Zagreb, not to mention the possibility of the Hungarians attacking the city. If you remain in Zagreb, keep the population pacified, and attack the Hungarians, Venice will surely fall. At the same time, Vienna remains embroiled in religious warfare and will suffer greatly if it is not pacified. It is also within reach of the Hungarians. No matter what you do, there will be consequences elsewhere.
*(A) Garrison Zagreb and hold the walls.
(B) Remain in Zagreb, but attack the nearby Hungarian army.
(C) Move north to Vienna, pacify the province, and attack the Hungarian army that is moving on the city.
(D) Move west to Venice, pacify the province, and lift the Byzantine siege.
Edmund Becker:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Prague (Rebel Capital)
Personal Wealth: 5 (0 carried over, 3 base from Prague, 1 bonus from Prague for Rebel Capital, 1 bonus for starting in Prague)
Units Available: Crossbow Militia, Town Militia, Spear Militia, Mercenary Pavise Crossbowmen
You recruited three regiments of Spear Militia and pacified Prague. Your County is once again at peace and the people are grateful for your wise and dedicated leadership. However, you now face the danger that you have been preparing for over the last several years. The collapse of the Franconian defenses to the north has allowed the Polish armies to cross your borders unopposed. An army now sits a short distance from the city and you will surely be under siege soon. For all your efforts, your army remains largely a militia force, and this makes victory against a professional army very difficult and costly, as you saw at Breslau. Fortunately, your fame as a good and noble protector of the people has paid off. An old, retired soldier has offered his services to you as a military trainer in gratitude for keeping his family safe and prosperous for so many years.
New Special Ability Earned: Every year, you may ‘train’ one full-strength unit of Militia to a higher level for free. Crossbow Militia can be trained to Pavise Crossbowmen. Town Militia and Spear Militia can be trained to Armoured Sergeants.
*(A) Hold the walls of Prague.
(B) Attack the Polish army in the field.
(C) Abandon Prague and retreat west to Nuremburg.
Lorenz Zirn:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Budapest (religious warfare and besieged – will remain ‘besieged’ until further notice, even though the AI is not actually besieging it. This is because I had to artificially break off the siege to allow Friedrich Karolinger to flee in 1328. If I hadn’t it would still be under siege now or would have fallen.)
Personal Wealth: 21 (1 carried over, 20 from confiscating the wealth of the Viennese merchants)
Special Ability: You are a Budding Bureaucrat and Good with Taxes. If you start your turn inside a province you control, you will gain +2 instead of the normal +1.
Units Available: Forlorn Hope, Town Militia, Merchant Cavalry Militia, Bombards, Grand Bombards, Cannons, Serpentines
You seized the assets of all merchants in Vienna for the war effort. This has resulted in the destruction of the Great Market, Merchants’ Guild, and Merchant Bank. While it will not have many consequences in the short term, it will take a great deal of time and money to rebuild these facilities and the Reich will suffer from the decreased income for many years. However, for the time being you can celebrate, as you are rich. You had better put that money to some good use, however, or it will all have been for nothing. You did not hire any militia after seizing the assets last year and the fates have played a cruel trick on you, as the Militia Drill Square was destroyed by the ongoing religious warfare. Vienna has lost the ability to produce Halberd Militia, Crossbow Militia, and Spear Militia. Unless you want an entire army composed of Forlorn Hope, Merchant Cavalry Militia, and artillery, you had best find someplace to spend your wealth.
*(A) Leave the garrison of Vienna behind and travel to Ragusa to recruit an army.
(B) Hire the most absurd army the world has ever seen and pacify Vienna.
(C) Stay in Vienna, but send the wealth to Duke Arnold.
Lothar Steffen:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Milan (religious warfare and besieged), Genoa (besieged), Innsbruck (trade route cut due to you being besieged in Milan), Nuremburg (religious warfare)
Personal Wealth: 4 (2 carried over, 1 bonus for starting in Milan, 1 bonus from Deep Pockets)
Special Ability: Deep Pockets means that you produce +1 wealth per turn, no matter where you are or what your circumstances.
Units Available: Forlorn Hope, Spear Militia, Town Militia, Crossbow Militia
Fredericus Erlach:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Genoa (besieged with you inside)
Personal Wealth: 4 (0 carried over, 3 base from Genoa since Duke Lothar is cut off and cannot receive his share, 1 bonus for starting in Genoa)
Units Available: Forlorn Hope, Spear Militia, Town Militia, Ballista
Your assault on the Byzantines outside of Milan was a disaster and his cost you many good men. However, you were still able to pacify Genoa and its income is a welcome sight to you. Unfortunately, Genoa cannot supply you with professional regiments and the Byzantines have besieged you inside its walls. Your army is outnumbered by the enemy, but your men are of good quality and you are more than a match for your foes from behind the walls. If you take the field, the result will be less certain.
Note: Your special ability is now gone, as all possible units have been upgraded.
*(A) Abandon your army and flee through a secret escape tunnel to Innsbruck.
(B) Hold the walls against the Byzatines (You may not hire more than two units per turn while besieged)
(C) Sally forth against the Byzantines.
Matthias Steffen:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Milan (trade route blocked, religious warfare, and besieged – you’re lucky I’m still even listing it! Next turn I will cease, as you will be King of Outremer and be forced to renounce your ties to Bavaria.)
Personal Wealth: 0 (0 carried over due to 3 spent to acquire Crown of Thorns)
Units Available: Forlorn Hope, Halberd Militia, Spear Militia, Town Militia, Crossbow Militia, Ballista, Turkopoles, Kwarizmian Cavalry
It is 1332 and the evacuation fleet is prepared, yet you still stand on the Iron Bridge, waving your fist in defiance at the enemies of Outremer. This, and the successful acquisition of the Crown of Thorns through political negotiations with Pope Renaldus, has vastly increased your reputation over the past several years. The people are beginning to believe that you are Saint Maximillian reborn; the embodiment of holy justice itself without hesitation and without mercy for the blasphemers. Every last true Christian soldier (Unhorsed Knights, Crusader Knights, Crusader Sergeants, Pilgrims, Religious Fanatics, and Grand Crosses) has decided to remain in Outremer with you. These men will surely be needed in the times to come. Scouts report that the Byzantines are assembling again for a strong push and there are rumors that the Turks may even send their elite Janissaries against you. The English garrisons in Aleppo and Damascus to your west form a political barrier against the enemy, but politics are fickle here in Outremer. The English garrisons are too weak to oppose a full enemy army and they will likely sulk behind their walls and watch the enemy pass by, should they decide to do so. Today the Iron Bridge remains the only avenue into Outremer. Tomorrow that may not be so.
*(A) Hold the Iron Bridge. When Elberhard and Dieter von Kassel depart for the Reich, fetch the Crusaders they have left behind and bring them to the bridge to join your army.
(B) When Elberhard and Dieter von Kassel depart for the Reich, fetch the Crusaders they have left behind and take them with you to garrison Antioch.
(C) When Elberhard and Dieter von Kassel depart for the Reich, fetch the Crusaders they have left behind and take them with you to garrison Acre.
Friedrich Karolinger:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Innsbruck
Personal Wealth: 7 (5 carried over, 1 from Innsbruck for loyal Count, 1 bonus for starting in Innsbruck)
Units Available: Zweihanders, DIK, DFK, Armoured Sergeants, Sergeant Spearmen, Pavise Crossbowmen, Peasant Crossbowmen, Peasant Archers, Teutonic Knights, Imperial Knights, Feudal Knights, Mailed Knights, Mounted Sergeants, Mounted Crossbowmen
You are home in Innsbruck and the province is pacified and secure. That is a unique thing in Bavaria. You have a modest amount of wealth and it would be a good idea to begin recruiting an army. The reinforcements will surely be needed in Italy and Nuremburg remain in the midst of religious warfare.
*(A) Recruit some soldiers and remain in Innsbruck.
(B) Recruit some soldiers and march north to pacify Nuremburg.
(C) Recruit some soldiers and march south to hold the alpine pass against the Byzantines.
(MISC) In addition to the above, order the confiscation of all non-essential resources for use in the war effort. This will yield 10 wealth which can be spent immediately, but will remove all future income of any kind from Innsbruck, including both the base and the starting bonus.
Dieter von Kassel:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Controlled Provinces: Acre
Personal Wealth: 0 (0 carried over)
Units Available: Forlorn Hope, Halberd Militia, Spear Militia, Town Militia, Crossbow Militia, Ballista, Turkopoles, Kwarizmian Cavalry
You spent your wealth last year to hire a regiment of Teutonic Knights, a regiment of Armored Spearmen, and a regiment of Pavise Crossbowmen to bolster your army. You also hired a regiment of Spear Militia to aid the garrison of Antioch. You are ready to depart Outremer. If there are any last-minute letters to be sent or arrangements to be made, it is time to do them.
*(A) The fleet is ready to depart. It is time for you to return to the Reich. (Note: You will be at sea for all of 1332, 1334, and 1336. No information or options will be given to you during this time. You will arrive outside of Venice at the beginning of 1338 and will be able to give orders then. If you want to do something that would be possible while at sea, such as changing your destination, you can send that to me via PM. Otherwise, the next few turns will be a bit boring for you, my apologies.)
(B) You have had a change of heart. Remain behind in Outremer.
Turn 7 - 1332
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