The Final Crusade (EU3 AAR) (Image Heavy)

Fruscainte

4596 Posts

December 10 2011 02:45 GMT

The Kingdom of God

Stato della Chiesa. The State of the Church.

For thousands of years, Rome has been the cultural, military, and economic center of the world. Our Holy Father, the Pope, takes residence in Rome. Shortly after Constantine converted all of the great Roman Empire into the true faith, the Church was formed and our first Holy Father was elected by our holiest of men. Now, after centuries of waiting, the time has come. The heathens of the world have lived on in their cesspool of heresy and sin, and must be brought to justice -- under the banner of the Church -- in any means necessary.

It is time for the Final Crusade.

+ Show Spoiler [Out of Character Notes] +

The game is Europa Univeralis 3

Hey all, this is my first AAR. First of all, AAR = After Action Report for those new. Also my first thing ever really writing in type of fashion, so bear with me here. I'm learning this as I go! Nonetheless, the main purpose of this is to garner more interest in this fantastic game and to provide a bit of entertainment along with it. Depending on the reaction to this and how smoothly it runs, I may do more in the future to improve myself further.

I am not the most religious person out there, so I'm going to be intentionally hyperbolic in my statements and may be a little inaccurate. So, please pardon me any Christians out there who may get offended! If you have an issue, please PM me and I can sort it out personally with you

I will be playing on Divine Wind Patch 5.1 with the Death & Taxes Mod. Hard difficulty, Normal Aggression, No Lucky Nations.

D&T makes semi-drastic changes to the entire game, and, in my opinion, making it significantly more balanced. DW alone kind of sucks, but I feel D&T really makes it enjoyable with a spice of good challenge. Nonetheless, allow me to begin!

ca. 1399 - 1434

Europa! A land of heathens and false kings. In a time of man's hubris rising and "technology" taking over, it is time for Christendom to return to power. However, the true believers are small. Therefore, we must start small.

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Our brothers in the North, the great Province of Urbino, are loyal brothers to the faith. Vassalized under the banner of the Church. Providing economical and social support, they are crucial to the Church's survival in these early years of our Crusade. Northwest lies more City-States and an intricate web of alliances and deceit, along with the powerful Holy Roman Empire. Make no mistake, however, this "Empire" is run by man and we condemn it.

Social Reforms must be made in preparation for our holy war. The Aristocracy must be appeased in our earliest years to allow for adequate leaders and the support of the rich. We, the Church, also share a very unique form of government. We are not ruled by kings, we are ruled by our Holy Father -- the interpreter of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. With us being the Church itself, the Pope shall always support us in all of our doings. Let us hope our Father has great things in mind for us.

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The great powers of Italia are starting to coalesce under one banner of Christendom, soon our Crusade may begin in ti-...

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What is this?! The heretics have attacked, already! We are unprepared for war with a nation of this magnitude, there is only one hope for survival...

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Our Holy Father himself shall lead us into battle himself! To Glory! For Christendom!

We head North with what we could immediately scrounge up for our military and take the Milanese lands, however, the Napoleonic have joined in in the war against Christendom to our South. They must be eradicated. Our brothers of Sicily have come to our aid, however, and strike with a force greater and faster than ever seen on the world before!

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Our enemies have the arrogance to taunt us?! This shall not go unpunished.

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The first great step to uniting the world under Christ! Our Father looks down with pride upon us. However, our enemies to the North still build up, ready to strike with a force that outnumbers the Triple Alliance of The Church, Urbino, and Sicily. They must be dealt with, and swiftly.

Suddenly, during his evening prayer, the Holy Father was interrupted. A courier from Milan with a peace offering. "Let us cease this fighting for now, instead of wasting more lives fruitlessly." For once, they think rationally -- we accept. After a long year fighting, there is at last peace in Italia.

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Then...suddenly, only months after, our Holy Father had an idea. We have claims on the territory of Ferraria. Calling together a meeting between the military leaders, our Father made the case for assaulting the province. The military leaders were furious, the simple idea of aggression this shortly after war was ludicrous! Nonetheless, the case was made that the Napoleonic and Milanese were still recovering from war, and were in a truce with us -- they could not, and would not interfere.

So the order was given.

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Clearly wrong, a panic was sent like a shockwave through the Church. Our military was but a mere fraction of the force of the Milanese, whom now had full access to our territories from their mainland. With the addition of Naples to our South causing issues again, and the Sicilians refusing to break their truce -- The Kingdom of God is in a dire situation.

Feeling caught into a corner, we sent a courier to Milan's capital. We shall revoke our claims on Apulia to Naples. Only a few days later were we sent with a message -- of acceptance!

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Now at peace, Our Father took time to recuperate and pray. In this time, the military leaders were brought together again and began to discuss the Church's next course of action. Feeling the need for a stronger presence in the Sea's, the decision was made. We did not have the centralization, nor the economic potential to take any advanced ideas like those in the rest of Europa, so this would have to do -- for now.

On the day of September 21st, 1408 however, our Holy Father passed away. Only to be replaced days later with a new Father, a devout man with former military prowess. A gift from God himself! A message to begin to conquest anew, that we were not done. Italia was not the stopping point of this Crusade, it was like being told that Christendom must be spread across the world!

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Milan, thinking we were weak only after losing our Holy Father so shortly ago, have the gall to strike us again! But...to what avail?

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After but one routing of their main force, a Courier arrived shortly after declaring their want for peace. We were not ready for total expansion -- yet. We accepted, rather hesitantly. However, with this military success and higher military power came the cost of higher taxation. The people of the Church were not happy about this, and some heretics even had the arrogance to rise up against us!

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After restoring order after such an ordeal, some time passed. Suddenly, our Father called a meeting with the government of our brothers to the North. Our Father made his statement in front of their leaders:

"We have been separate for far too long, friends. We are all under the same banner of Christendom, and our nations have shared a relationship like that of brothers for decades now. It is time to stop this isolation, and to finally unite."

On the day of Tuesday the 15th, in the month of May 1415, the year of our lord, the Church was finally fully united by land for the first time in centuries.

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With this reformation of government and territory, the Milanese struck yet again. However, this time, it would NOT be tolerated. These heretics have lived in arrogance for far too long, and have oppressed our Venetian brethren for far too long. The Pope called every general into a meeting, and made one statement:

"Nothing less but absolute victory."

In conjunction with our Sicilian Allies, a two front attack was staged. The pope lead a contingency of 10,000 honorable men North into the Milanese mainland. Both the Sicilian and Churches naval powers went to the Eastern Strait to block any further advances on the Venetian mainland as well, as Sicilian troops were dropped on the Eastern Front as well. Shortly after landing, it would seem Europa united under the banner of Christendom: War Subsidies were provided by at least 6 separate European Nations to both the Church and Sicily. With the funds to support us, we began the final push. Our force of but a mere combined 22,000 managed to crush the Milanese force of 39,000 in the end. With them conquered, and the Napoleonic's conquered to the South -- peace was finally reached. Annulling all previous treaties Milan has had, and fully annexing the remainder of land from Naples -- the greatest victory of our time was upon us.

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However, our hubris began to get to us. We have made the same mistake that the rest of Europa has made in the past few centuries -- relying too heavily on man, but not God. Without even a nights prayer, the Pope called for another Crusade on the Hassid's to the South, in Northern Africa. With the Sicilian force at our back, we were met with almost immediate success. However, shortly after, the rest of the Islamic scum came to their aid only years after building up.

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Shattered, the Pope was said to have been locked away in his room for at least four weeks. The forces of God were struck down, our navies defeated by the heretics, and our mainland was almost fully invaded by the Islamic Nations. After heavy prayer, the conclusion was made: It was God putting us back into our rightful place. We are man, and we are weak. Learning his lesson, the Father called together a special mass for tens of thousands, praising God's great justice and power. He also mentioned how a vision came to him the previous night:

God does not want North Africa.

He wants the Holy Land.

+ Show Spoiler [Status at End of Playtime] +

Spray

United States402 Posts

December 10 2011 03:02 GMT

what game is this? it seems so complex :S

Fruscainte

4596 Posts

December 10 2011 03:04 GMT

EDIT: I fail at life.

It's Europa Universalis 3.

GeneralissimoNero

United States236 Posts

December 10 2011 03:06 GMT

The Crusades. Good Times.

Fruscainte

4596 Posts

December 10 2011 03:42 GMT

On December 10 2011 12:06 GeneralissimoNero wrote:
The Crusades. Good Times.

I was trying to think of something witty to make it WH:40k-esque, but raping and pillaging in the name of the Pope will have to suffice!

KtheZ

United States813 Posts

December 10 2011 03:53 GMT

Well written AAR. Nice job, I enjoyed reading this!

Fruscainte

4596 Posts

December 10 2011 04:05 GMT

On December 10 2011 12:53 KtheZ wrote:
Well written AAR. Nice job, I enjoyed reading this!

Thank you

If you have any suggestions of how I can improve my writing, please do tell. I feel like it was a little too choppy, personally, but I'd like to get some outside opinions on it for future updates.

Entropic

Canada2837 Posts

December 10 2011 04:09 GMT

On December 10 2011 12:42 Fruscainte wrote:

Show nested quote +

I was trying to think of something witty to make it WH:40k-esque, but raping and pillaging in the name of the Pope will have to suffice!

Instead of screaming for the EMPERAH, we get FOR THE PAPACY!!

?!?!?!

Fruscainte

4596 Posts

December 10 2011 04:12 GMT

On December 10 2011 13:09 Entropic wrote:

Show nested quote +

Instead of screaming for the EMPERAH, we get FOR THE PAPACY!!

?!?!?!

For Christendom! sounds far more clever.

I'll think of something.

Simberto

Germany11630 Posts

December 10 2011 04:33 GMT

#10

That was a pretty fun read.

Minor suggestions:

I don't think "dropped" is an appropriate term to describe medieval naval landings. To me, that word just feels a bit out of place. And generally, i think you could put a bit more personality into it, and maybe a bit less usage of ingame terms and instead substituting those with more flavourful ones. For example "Annuling all treaties Milan had" ---> "Forcing the Milanese King to publicly renounce all of the few allies he had left", "War subsidies were provided by at least 6 seperate european countries" ---> "Many european kings who were unable to directly contribute to the war for varying reasons still send large amounts of gold as a proof of their unending faith and support for mother church.", or something like that.

Edit: noticed i forgot some words.

Fruscainte

4596 Posts

December 10 2011 04:38 GMT

#11

On December 10 2011 13:33 Simberto wrote:
That was a pretty fun read.

Minor suggestions:

I don't think "dropped" is an appropriate term to describe medieval naval landings. To me, that word just feels a bit out of place. And generally, i think you could put a bit more personality into it, and maybe a bit less usage and instead substituting those with more flavourful ones. For example "Annuling all treaties Milan had" ---> "Forcing the Milanese King to publicly renounce all of the few allies he had left", "War subsidies were provided by at least 6 seperate european countries" ---> "Many european kings who were unable to directly contribute to the war for varying reasons still send large amounts of gold as a proof of their unending faith and support for mother church.", or something like that.

Yeah, I'll try to make it a bit more flavorful in the next update (probably some time tomorrow evening or something when I get around to it). I tend to write these things and just post them up immediately after a single proofread. So next one I'll type up and look at it again in an hour or so and see if I can make it a bit more creative.

Thanks for the advice!

BloodNinja

United States2791 Posts

December 10 2011 05:17 GMT

#12

Being choppy isn't a big deal if you have a good story and can weave it well into the character. For example, I recently read this ongoing AAR: http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/showthread.php?572234-Kill.-Them.-All.&s=c5878d71c3432f58ce2524e658f81e5c . Its not the greatest story but is all fits into the theme very well and is pretty funny at times.

Anyways, I love reading AARs, so if you are up to it keep it coming. Consider me subscribed.

CuteSmallHydra

Canada120 Posts

December 10 2011 09:39 GMT

#13

Wow. What the heck happened in the Balkans and Asia Minor?

Fruscainte

4596 Posts

December 10 2011 12:48 GMT

#14

On December 10 2011 18:39 CuteSmallHydra wrote:
Wow. What the heck happened in the Balkans and Asia Minor?

Hilariously enough, Epicurus + Corfu + Naxos + some Italian OPM's happened. And only them.

Fruscainte

4596 Posts

December 11 2011 02:40 GMT

#15

Alright, part 2 will be coming most likely tomorrow. Been busy (aka watching streams and playing tribes)

To (more) war!

Fruscainte

4596 Posts

December 11 2011 21:46 GMT

#16

1434 - 1470

Getting Your Feet Wet

After many long wars to the North, Italia is slowly beginning to unite under the banner of Christendom. After many months of prayer and thankfulness, a rumor was spread among the province of Rome -- a rumor of heresy to the East. The Greek Orthodox have spread their taint into our previous lands and spread their heresy so close to home. This, under any circumstance, can NOT be tolerated. Within a few days, a military force was assembled and our navy positioned for war. This heresy must be purged like the plague it is.

The actual combat of the war was short lived. The Hungarian fools to the North did not have any navy to send their massive force to our borders, and the Austrians refused them the military access to do so. Although on poor terms with the Pope, the Bosnians also refused military access from the Hungarians -- allowing us our time to strike. In but a few short years of siege, all their fortress' were under proper Christian rule. An ultimatum was sent:

Convert and Serve, or die.

In our focus of battle, however, we forgot to watch the home front. A small trading nation to the North, the Hanseatic League, has declared war on us in the aid of their trading partner. In our foolishness, we allowed them -- past our blockade -- and into our lands.

Furiously that night, the Pope ordered the annihilation of them all. The force from the East returned and beat the army swiftly in combat, recovered its numbers, and, for the first time in history -- the Church sailed north.

As the ships arrived, it was in the dead of winter. Most of the original contingency sent did not survive, most perishing on the trip over and some from the battles. In fact, to this day, the only records of this invasion was a single letter in the journal of a Lieutenant of one of the Cavalry units:

"As we sailed North, the waters get colder and the air brisker. The galley's protecting our transport were not meant for open sea, and such, many fell merely from the waters on the trip. As we arrived, we found ourselves short one battalion of men lost in the storm before our landing. As we arrived, ice stuck to our armor and slows blasted our faces. On the first day, four men died from the cold. We have never seen snows like this in our home. It is unknown what man could live in these lands other than those touched by Satan himself.

After a long battle across the many provinces of the Hanseatic League, victory was eventually established. All of their richest provinces were stripped from their belonging and released, allies of the Church and bastions of hope in the North. The League's single remaining province was eaten up by the Danish but only a few months later. These men were known for their riches, their worldly possessions, and their indulgences. Now, they are an example. An example of what crossing the Church will mean for all of those foolish enough to do so.

As the men and ships returned, it was made clear immediately. The navy was in shambles and in no way fit for any future combat if we were to be relevant at all in the future in Mediterranean politics. On the 15th of January, 1443, conscription was legalized for the navy. In a speech to the generals, the Pope is recorded to have stated that "I don't care if it takes you twenty years, I want the world to tremble at our navy. Christ's Navy. I want no one to stand up to our influence. Never again shall a foreign power invade our home land."

So he said, so it was done. Within a year, the naval force doubled for almost no cost. In time, word came of (completely legitimate) papers giving claim to Sicilian land. Our brothers to the South have been instrumental to the Church's success, especially early on. However, a time comes for everything to end -- even this bond. Breaking the Alliance, the Holy Father declared war and our navy was put to its first test. Absolutely smashing the Sicilian navy, we were met with open arms at first. As we moved into the Sicilian mainland, a much more grim sight was beholden. Their country was ravaged by rebellion, and their government in shambles. They were far too weak to stay in power, their vulnerability was too easy for the Infidels to the South. They must be cleansed, for the betterment of Christendom.

Some city-states to the North also declared war. They were quickly dealt with. Firenze was rich and was integrated immediately into the empire. The Modenese were subjugated under the banner of the Church, but allowed some form of independence. They were to act as a political barrier between us and the Milanese, simply enough.

The New Year came, and a new sight of horror. The infidels have invaded our land! Hasafids taken parts of France, and the Moroccans provinces just in arms reach! The bravest men alive in Italia were gathered and war was declared. This was the final straw. The Infidels must be pushed back into the sea, and back to their backwards lands of whence they came! After regaining Italia's lands from the Infidels, a message had to be sent: Invasion.

Defeating their Navy in open combat multiple times, the invasion was set.

Both of their main armies were annihilated, but the Infidels were overwhelming in number. After years of combat, peace had to be called -- but in Christendoms favor. All of Italia's lands were recovered from the heretics. Furthermore, the Infidels were required to break their chain of alliance. Their greatest ally, for all these decades, was their sheer numbers. Now split up, they may be dealt with more accordingly and in pace.

After such a victory, the Pope gathered the men and women of Rome into a speech.

"Men and Women of Christ. The waiting has ended, and the time has come. For centuries the name of Christ himself has been under attack by Heretics and Infidels alike. In the future, these attacks will only increase in number. A leader must come into place. A unification must be met. No nation under Christ shall fall while the Church survives to any heresy. No Infidel aggression shall be tolerated under any circumstance. These waters, and these lands shall never succumb from God's grace. We are his chosen.

The crowd was said to number in the hundreds of thousands, and the roar of cheers was so loud -- that the Pope became nearly deaf in his age. With such a statement, came a great responsibility. The Navies of Christ must be anywhere and everywhere at but a moments notice. With such, organization became a great issue in the State. Centralization was improved, and then became known the issue of our overwhelming debt and lack of money. As such, a National Bank was formed to organize money and loans across the nation. The effects were immediate, our income increasing ten fold yearly. With this newfound wealth came an even mightier navy -- and the need for a man to lead it.

Hailing from Roma himself, this man was selected to lead the Church to victory in the seas. With such reformations came momentary weakness -- and that is when the Infidels dared to strike.

...and we found a new powerful ally.

The newly formed State of Croatia may not have had a mighty navy, but an army it did have. The Spaniards backed our war with subsidies, and our income skyrocketed. Although perhaps a bit hyperbolic, it was said the leader of the National Bank stated that the Church was in fact GAINING double the money per month than what was previously made per year less than a decade earlier. With this wealth came a magnificent army, and a magnificent man to lead them. Years of victories lead to one final push against the Moroccans for victory. Revenge for their previous attacks and pushing us out of Africa.

Their armies were thrown at us by the tens of thousands. A man on the front lines recorded in his journal that for every man on the line, there were ten Infidels charging. However, even at such a disadvantage, their allies were no longer able to help. Their weapons were antiquated, and their tactics....nonexistent. With Christ on our side, and modern technology backing it, victory was achieved in staggering numbers. Their total casualties were averaged at well over 100,000. The Church's? Less than 5,000. With such a staggering defeat came the breaking up of nations.

Their land was poor, their people heretics, and the Spaniards have made it known of their want for that land. We had no conflicts with our brothers in Christ, but left them a bit of a gift. The land was split and divided, what remained of their wealth confiscated, their navy annihilated, and their land scorched. With the introduction of new states in this area, came the introduction of new conflict between the Infidels -- enough to keep them fighting among themselves for quite a while.

Finally, a street was paved. A destination was given. Almost all of Italia is united under one banner of Christendom. The Infidels to the South have been cleansed, and the Balkans are teeming with Christianity with our previous wars. Our nation is rich, our army mighty, and our Navy -- mightier.

+ Show Spoiler [Off topic Note] +

If anyone wants the savegame, simply PM me.

I also have exams this week. They're easy enough, but don't expect another update for at least 2-3 days unless I find myself with way too much time on my hands.

Euronyme

Sweden3804 Posts

December 12 2011 00:11 GMT

#17

I just have to ask.. have you managed to cleanse the byzantines, or are they still orthodox?

Fruscainte

4596 Posts

December 12 2011 00:36 GMT

#18

On December 12 2011 09:11 Euronyme wrote:
I just have to ask.. have you managed to cleanse the byzantines, or are they still orthodox?

Oh, I'm sure word of their heresy will reach Rome soon enough

Simberto

Germany11630 Posts

December 12 2011 10:07 GMT

#19

That was pretty good. Apparently you are going into full W40k mode there, purging heresy and all that good stuff.

Regarding the writeup, and since you specifically asked for feedback, i think it could use a few more names. Like that Cavalry Lieutenant who wrote the letter (which was a very good idea, btw), just compare if he was not just some cavalry lieutenant writing a random letter, but instead Lieutenant Vincenzo Corleone of the Lords Own 13th Cavalleggeri who wrote back home to his loving wife. Or those popes who gave speeches, they deserve a name, too.

Fruscainte

4596 Posts

December 12 2011 13:45 GMT

#20

On December 12 2011 19:07 Simberto wrote:
That was pretty good. Apparently you are going into full W40k mode there, purging heresy and all that good stuff.

Regarding the writeup, and since you specifically asked for feedback, i think it could use a few more names. Like that Cavalry Lieutenant who wrote the letter (which was a very good idea, btw), just compare if he was not just some cavalry lieutenant writing a random letter, but instead Lieutenant Vincenzo Corleone of the Lords Own 13th Cavalleggeri who wrote back home to his loving wife. Or those popes who gave speeches, they deserve a name, too.

I was going to give a name, but my pope died (missed the screenshot, didn't even notice until like 10 years after) and I didn't remember it. I'll make sure to do that in the future, however. Thanks for the feedback!

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