The opening field for the Danes.
My analysis:
With few troops, a single province, and a poor economy, the Danes are in no position to roll up the map just yet. This faction is not a direct threat to anyone, for a sneak attack against their rivals would require the commitment of their entire armed force, with no reserves. A suicidal proposition, perhaps? I think not, against this AI… but if our opponents were competent, it certainly would be a losing proposition.
Our largest rival and threat lies to the south, the so-called Holy Roman Empire. Their forces are spread out and weak, but they are too large in number and their economy boasts the ability to engage us in a prolonged conflict right from the start. Were they committed to our destruction, they would almost surely have it.
For now… diplomacy is our greatest weapon. And we have just the emissary to deploy that weapon. Our Princess will engage and defeat the greatest empire in Western Europe, without raising a single sword. Witness the shocking events unfold.
We have managed to secure a peace with our great nemesis… and so much more. Map exchanges, trade rights, alliances, and three, count them, THREE of their provinces for the bargain basement price of 1000 florins per turn for only 6 short turns. That’s just 2000 florins a province… and they are already making 1861 florins per turn total. In 4 turns, I will have turned a profit on this little exchange.
I think that our allies are fools. A fool and his empire are soon parted. Not to mention the fact that we have reduced their recruitment capabilities by half, and quadrupled the size of our empire in a single turn.
With such bold opening moves, you can bet that the rest of the game will not disappoint…
Still turn one.
My King recruits a ferry and takes himself much further south this turn than he would have by land. This way we can lay seige to Magdeburg with a full complement of troops and advance towards Prague faster. The mercenary ferry will be disbanded due to it’s upkeep.
Quite an expensive ferry ride, 1000 florins. I believe it is worth it. You may feel free to disagree.
Hamburg falls next turn, adding a fifth province by turn two. A rather large jump, wouldn’t you say?
Observe the money-making power of these recently purchased provinces. Also take note of the fact that the HRE is split in half, and their remaining provinces are pathetic. If you’re looking for AI weaknesses, this would be a rather large one.
With only 43 troops lost, this battle was easy. Mercenary troops come in handy when you need to seige a settlement. Given our overwhelming 10-3 odds, this was rightfully an auto-resolution battle.
I prefer to fight pitched battles where my leadership skills are actually needed.
Magdeburg will be under seige next turn. It is only turn two, and I am already the greatest empire in Western europe.
A general was adopted this turn. I have declined marriage to a suitor for my princess. She is far too valuable as an emissary. Magdeburg will fall next turn.
My treasury is almost bare. My mercenary troops desire to be paid… I suppose my only option is to trade on my good name in exchange for florins. More diplomatic strikes are necessary to move forward.
A diplomat I recruited in 1080 has made it to the british Isles. I have made alliances with the Scots and traded maps and trade rights. I have also secured their loyalties and their treasury in exchange for mere promissory notes to attack their greatest rivals…
What fools. I have done the same with the Hungarians. They are also our allies and puppets. Their florins are now… mine.
I have made alliances with the British, the French, and the Milanese. Magdeburg has fallen. Many more promises to attack rivals have been sold to our dimwitted allies.
Our treasury is now overflowing, and our empire is the richest and most powerful in all of Europe. None dare attack us now. We have too many loyal dogs to unleash upon our enemies.
I am now eyeing these three rebel settlements. None shall resist the rule of the Danish empire. My adopted general builds an early warning system in preparation of betrayal by our so-called allies, the treacherous Roman empire.
Our southern states build roads and assemble defensive militia.
An assembly of militia men meet us in the Prague region. This bloated province is too tempting a treat to pass up.
Mercenaries and militia men lay seige as our generals ride ahead of our main force, which is too slow to lay seige this turn.
Prague will fall…
Sicily, Venice, and Poland have joined our little collective, and their florins have been added to our own. I have also drained the HRE’s coffers by repeatedly offering our assistance to their rivals… those florins I paid for their provinces are now returned to us.
They have exchanged half of their empire, effectively, for a promise to attack.
Not just cheap and exploitative… crushingly effective.
I begin recruiting more troops in all my regions, and I send my scouting diplomats to establish peaceful relations with more factions.
Their cultures will adapt to service us.
I have allied myself with the Papal State, and have declared war upon the aggressors who have invaded Christendom.
Their resistance is futile. Our treasury exceeds 36000 florins… a large army would be easily recruited with such a trove.
We have assimilated thousands of mercenaries into our empire. Our three generals now command the finest army in the Western world. We now spread out to add more provinces to our collective.
The Holy Roman Empire now looks small and defenseless compared to us… It has only been six short turns.
Would that I could end this crusade right now, I would conquer Poland and Hungary, and then the HRE and Italy north. None would be able to resist us.
Danish campaign: Lands to Conquer
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