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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
![[image loading]](http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/2439/eu31u.jpg)
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.
![[image loading]](http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/3210/eu32h.jpg)
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.
![[image loading]](http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/1624/eu310y.jpg)
The great powers of Italia are starting to coalesce under one banner of Christendom, soon our Crusade may begin in ti-...
![[image loading]](http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/7153/eu313.jpg)
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...
![[image loading]](http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/5066/eu319.jpg)
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!
![[image loading]](http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/9227/eu325.jpg)
Our enemies have the arrogance to taunt us?! This shall not go unpunished.
![[image loading]](http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/9628/eu329.jpg)
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.
![[image loading]](http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/3073/eu331.jpg)
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.
![[image loading]](http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/3315/eu333.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/7876/eu334.jpg)
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!
![[image loading]](http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/3682/eu335.jpg)
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!
![[image loading]](http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/4624/eu341.jpg)
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?
![[image loading]](http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/8288/eu342.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/2701/eu343.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/1148/eu348f.jpg)
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!
![[image loading]](http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/9690/eu345.jpg)
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.
![[image loading]](http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/5485/eu351.jpg)
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.
![[image loading]](http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/4978/eu356l.jpg)
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.
![[image loading]](http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/5159/eu360m.jpg)
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] +
   
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what game is this? it seems so complex :S
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EDIT: I fail at life.
It's Europa Universalis 3.
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The Crusades. Good Times.
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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!
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Well written AAR. Nice job, I enjoyed reading this!
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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.
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On December 10 2011 12:42 Fruscainte wrote: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!!
?!?!?!
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On December 10 2011 13:09 Entropic wrote:Show nested quote +On December 10 2011 12:42 Fruscainte wrote: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! Instead of screaming for the EMPERAH, we get FOR THE PAPACY!! ?!?!?!
For Christendom! sounds far more clever.
I'll think of something.
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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.
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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!
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Wow. What the heck happened in the Balkans and Asia Minor?
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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.
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Alright, part 2 will be coming most likely tomorrow. Been busy (aka watching streams and playing tribes)
To (more) war!
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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.
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I just have to ask.. have you managed to cleanse the byzantines, or are they still orthodox?
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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
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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.
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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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Frusciante, Y U NO come back to rhcp :/
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On December 12 2011 22:49 Order wrote: Frusciante, Y U NO come back to rhcp :/
Because I'm a bass player.
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Excellent job so far, characters make for even more colorful commentary (who cares what the actually ingame name is/was).
Liked the letter from the Hansa invasion the most.
Keep it up. Also: wtf Marocco&Byzantium
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On December 16 2011 10:44 Monsen wrote: Excellent job so far, characters make for even more colorful commentary (who cares what the actually ingame name is/was).
Liked the letter from the Hansa invasion the most.
Keep it up. Also: wtf Marocco&Byzantium
Byzatium gets ridiculous bonus' versus the Ottomans at first in D&T. It's sort of being balanced out for the next D&T patch, however, so maybe for my next AAR it won't be as flagrant 
Also, final exam is tomorrow morning. When I get back, I'll work up a nice cup of cocoa and start playing again.
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Enjoying the AAR thus far. It has almost inspired me to try out D&T, but not quite yet
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Finally done with those pesky exams! Sorry that it's a little shit guys, I lost my initial saves when I was like 25 years in, somehow, so I had to redo the entire thing including pictures and shit. So it may be a bit rushed, but I wanted to get an update out before tonight's end!
Question for you all, as well. Would you prefer me to keep going as I do, only posting the general relevant stuff -- or would you rather prefer significantly more pictures detailing a lot of shit? I think those not too learned of the game don't realize just how much shit I'm going through every playtime, but I feel if I show -too- much it might be an overload of information. So please share some thoughts on that subject 
1470 - 1500 The Kingdom of God
The Milanese and their Vassals, Savoy and the Aquileia grow in strength to the North. With our banks excess increasing daily, the need for some more expansive projects have been called for. Two mighty constructs have been in planning for months, and finally are coming to fruition on the Milanese border. Firstly, a March on the border of the capital of Milan with such mighty walls, reinforced by the Lord himself, that at its completion the foreman was stated to have proclaimed that the Lord would never allow the province to fall until the end of times. Next, an embassy for all across Europa to come to discuss political matters --- mostly to proclaim their allegiance to us, however.
Near the end of the year, the English have been making rather...aggressive claims in the Black Sea, and attention has been gained by the Epicureans. Aggression by the heretics was taken against our Christian brothers, and we joined the good fight to protect England's rightful, Christian claims on their land. However, it was their war -- therefore, no actual gains were made other than the slaughtering of tens of thousands of heretics. After this minor conflict, an era of brief prosperity occurred. With such, came the forming of weights and measures to more accurately distribute wealth and trade amongst the nation.
On the week prior to the new year, came a messenger in the dead of night to the Embassy. Covered in rain and blood, he was quickly helped inside and treated to by bishops. Shortly after his arrival, he died from his travels -- and the reasoning was quickly noticed as his message's seal was broken. He had traveled from Central Europe, across the Alps from The Palatinate -- one of the representatives of the Holy Roman Empire. A borderline impossible path for a single man to traverse, but nonetheless -- it was irrelevant. Their message was all that mattered. The Palatinate called for an Alliance between our two great countries -- and it was quickly accepted. They would provide a worthy ally.
Shortly after, the traitorous Bohemians declared war on our Vassals in the Balkans -- for the 7th time. Quickly dispatching of our weaker allies in the East, their navy was nonexistent and began to plan to use the Croatians and Milanese to front an Invasion. However, with a little paying off, the Croatians began to see things as we did in the past -- and accepted neutrality in the conflict. Effectively cutting off any further Aggression from the Bohemians into our homeland. However, just as we began sending diplomats over to sue for a mutual agreement of peace -- came the declaration of war from the fools of the North.
Fools!
With our great wealth, the most holy army seen in the history of man was gathered. A force of nearly 50,000 honorable men coalesced into one. The Milanese were fools, and fell immediately into our trap. They were used to our resistance on the forefront from our past wars -- and seeing no resistance whatsoever, thought we were in a true state of weakness. As they split up their armies to push into our sacred ground, they signed their own death warrants. The Forces of God descended upon them like a wave and butchered them by the tens of thousands across the countryside, eventually until we eradicated their entire military and pushed into their homeland.
Our forces split into three separate contingencies and spread out among their homelands. No times for sieges, the reckoning of God was upon them. Sweeping across and immediately assaulting every fort come across, and met with complete and utter success with every passing province. It was reported seeing their men desert the forts in the hundreds, flocking away only to be cut down in their cowardice moments later by our forces. Men, women, and children were not spared. A message was being sent -- the Church is not to be toyed with.
After our success' in Milan, came the choice to move North into the Alps, into Germanic lands. The mountain regions of the Swiss was a long fought battle. Their valor and fighting ability rivaled that of even our Holy Army. As such, we promised to treat them with the utmost respect in our discussions of peace.
On December 31st, 1977 the representatives of the Church, Milan, Switzerland, and Bohemia met on Neutral ground in the Austrian capital. After hours of restless debating and discussion, an agreement was eventually met. The incessant failure of our "allies" in the East has gone on far too long. The Church officially releases Serbia from its Sphere, its Vassalage, and its Alliance as well as any further economic support due to its inability to support itself, nor keep true to the agreement of conversion to the one true religion. The Swiss, praising our military prowess, happily accepted our offer of joining the Church, on the terms of remaining independent to rule their Mountains alone. For the Milanese, they get the bad end of the stick. The Milanese were required to revoke all of its ties across Europe -- even to its closest Ally, Savoy. Its chauffeurs shall be emptied for the Church, and its two richest provinces shall be ceded to the Church.
With no choice but to accept, their King was so distraught -- he returned home and died from stress but only days later.
Yeah, I know I put Switzerland twice. Come at me.
With this came the realization from the Pope: The Albanians. Although sharing much failure similar to the Serbians, their prowess on the waves was not to be ignored. They were vital to success in the seas against the many forces of evil that sailed across the seas, and blockaded the Bohemian ports in our navies absence. However, their government was in shambles. Their land was misused, its people poor and irreligious. The time came for their integration into the Church, instead of sharing the fate of being thrown to the dogs of the East.
However, an issue was still glaring -- the reunification of Italia. With absolutely no cause, nor any legitimate reason came the First War of Papal Aggression on the Sicilians and their Sardinian allies. These weak remaining city states were quickly integrated into the Church. At last, Italia was united under a single banner of Christendom! However, rumors of the unwarranted attack spread among Europa and Africa alike. Whispers spoke of the insane Pope and his over aggression.
Our reputation, tarnished, came for the most important declaration of human history --
The Declaration of the Kingdom of God by Pope Leo X
"Italia is now under the rule of the one true God himself. God has selected us as the chosen. We are under his gracious will, his protective wing, and his cautious eye. Throughout these last decades of turmoil, he has not once forsaken us in our lands. Our wealth is bountiful, our military mighty, and our people holy. Our first Holy Father, the Apostle Peter, came to Rome to spread the true Word. Since the fall of Rome less than a Thousand years ago, the Church has been in a state of rebuilding. Christendom has been in a Schism, and at the breaking point. Just when it was needed most, the Lord himself came to our Great Ancestors a century ago, and began his rightful reconquest of Italia. Now this land is God's again, and it shall never be removed from his grasp again. I hereby declare the Papal States, and all of Italia, the Kingdom of God. May their fight for Christendom lead them to the four corners of the Earth. Amen.
With the declaration came economic prosperity returning to new heights. Thousands flocked to the cities of Italia, and many willingly accepted the increase of Church Tax in the Capital -- increasing revenue. However, some argued that Italia did not just span on the boot -- but up fully to the Alps. Although not official, these words secretly rung true with the Pope....
![[image loading]](http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/7724/eu317y.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/6230/eu318.jpg)
In the years following came much peace and accumulation of wealth. After over half a decade of gathering money, the Pope called for a Second Crusade on the Hasafids. In their weakness, a contingency of 15,000 men landed in their capital days after declaration and began to siege. However, weeks after, the Milanese in their duplicity, felt that we were in a state of weakness with the Crusade. Making immediate peace with the Infidels, our army sailed North to Italia as the rest of our forces retreated back towards our homelands in Central Italia. The rejuvenated Milanese and their allies swept into our land, yet again in their impetuous nature. Word of their attack lead the Swiss to stay loyal to their word, and began to attack from behind as we gathered our forces from the surprise attack.
![[image loading]](http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/192/eu321e.jpg)
The three greatest generals in Italia's existence have coalesced into one army -- lead by whom the men called "Alexander the Great II." Great he was, splitting up the army into actually two separate contingencies. The Milanese saw our tactics last time, and were prepared for our glorious army to sweep over them. However, Alexander only lead 30,000 troops as 15,000 of his men retreated into the ships and sailed into Savoy itself to meet up with the Swiss general, and work on a full forced Pincer maneuver. Alexander was met with immediate success against the Milanese hordes, annihilating their armies wherever he went.
![[image loading]](http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/492/eu322.jpg)
The maneuver was genius, and met with success within years end. The Milanese constant aggression against its Christian brothers was finally coming to an end. With public outcry for lands reaching as far North as the Alps under the proclamation of the Pope, peace was struck. Milan would cede Ligura, the ancient trading city -- commonly referred to as the "Center of the World" with so much commerce. As well as that, they would cede almost all of their territory, including rich Venetian land to the East very willing to serve Christ. However, the countries remained to be dealt with at a later date. With our glorious crusade came even less outcry from Europa than expected -- in fact, being praised by most leaders by our eradicating of the Milanese menace.
A footnote of the deal came from the Greek city-state of Morea. Recently released from the Epicrueans and even more recently becoming independent, they showed their valor in the war. Taking the entirety of Sicily and Sardinia before our scouting ships noticed their tiny, yet powerful fleet transporting amongst our waters. With such valor came a promise of protection if they would convert to the true religion -- quickly met with agreement by their King.
![[image loading]](http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/3158/eu323ligura.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/9227/eu325.jpg)
After the wars end, came the Era of Peace -- 12 years of utter peace. No rebellions, no wars, no aggressions in our outlying areas. Pure, perfect peace. With such peace came a chance for yet more expansion. As our ducats reached over 2,000 came a need for organization. The bank was simply not cutting it anymore and, frankly, was no longer needed to produce wealth. As such, the bank was released to the public and a Bureaucratic organization was set up to make sure taxes were taken in an orderly fashion and projects were done hastily. With such massive centralization and organization came a great increase of technology. The invention of the cannon, the first in all of Europa, came at the hands of a Roman scientist. Quickly being integrated into our armies, a use for the massive gold filling our banks was presented. The forts protecting our provinces are hundreds of years old, and the product of hundreds of wars and assaults. It was time to upgrade them to something modern, for the increasing Heathen and Infidel threat.
![[image loading]](http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/9476/eu327v.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/2677/eu326.jpg)
I don't think you realize how fast I got all these forts with +11.51 magistrates/yr and 2800 ducats
However, at this very time -- Martin Luther is becoming a Monk. In but a few short years, his influence shall forever change the landscape of Europa, territorially and religiously.
The world ca. 1500:
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so after all this, you never did end the schism :p
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On December 17 2011 21:49 turdburgler wrote: so after all this, you never did end the schism :p
In due time.
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Just started reading, really enjoying it. FYI - Naples should be referred to as Neapolitan, not Napoleonic.
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On December 17 2011 23:44 deafhobbit wrote: Just started reading, really enjoying it. FYI - Naples should be referred to as Neapolitan, not Napoleonic.
Ah, was unsure. I think I actually used both at times. Well, they're but dust under my heels at this point so too late
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Alexander the greatest
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Sorry for the delay. And depending on how much the Steam sale fucks my wallet over today, next part may come today, tomorrow, or the day after.
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Estonia4644 Posts
this is such a great and such a fascinating read! Do keep going! :D
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1500-1532 Winter is Coming
+ Show Spoiler [disclaimer] +I played this game while thoroughly pissed off, and I'm writing this now even more frustrated by the results. So pardon for the unusually shit writing  I just want to get this part done so I can move onto the next one.
In the first year of the new century, the Christian nation to our East has always proved to be a loyal nation. Their vigilance in the fight against us those years ago, and their outright loyalty since our agreement, has lead the Church to debate annexation with their leaders. Over the course of months and plenty of under the table, and loosely veiled bribes ("donations") the Republic of Morea seceded its territories to the full control of the Church peacefully. Immediately, superior Forts and Churches were built in the lands to modernize and reteach them the Word of God.
To the North however, word came of the Heretic Martin Luther. His writings, the 95 Thesis, which were the basis of his heretical teachings, was posted on the eve of All Saints Day, and his heresy quickly spread all across his homeland like a wildfire. The province was the first to secede against the Church, despite multiple threats and attempts at bribery. Nonetheless, the Protestant Reformation had truly begun. Yet, they were far beyond our Sphere and Military reach to change their minds, so we could do nothing but watch helplessly.
The Pope decided to redirect his attention to the East, yet again. The Great Schism was what caused all of this turmoil within the Church. These Heretics to the North thought if the Greek could do it, so could they. Well, that could NOT be allowed under any circumstance whatsoever. With some quick information gathering, it was quickly learned that the Byzatines were the main bastion of Greek Orthodox. Their downfall would mean the downfall of the entire heresy, and an example for the Heretics to the North.
Feeling confident, the Pope amassed his armies to the East in Greece and declared war on the heretics.
He knew this would have to be a test of patience, the behemoth has grown to a considerable size -- almost as large as the Church -- and must not be underestimated. We would have to strike faster and harder than ever before, and so we did. 60,000 Holy Warriors rushed into their Southern most provinces and overwhelmed the dilapidated forts in but weeks, especially with the help of our cannons that they did not discover yet. Taking their provinces, our forces never quite met in direct content. The Epicureans denied military access to the Byzatines and, after two years of waiting, the Byzatines cracked under our pressure.
In Venezia, the independent state was attacked and then annexed by the aggressor Milan almost instantly of its release. This, simply, would not be tolerated. This was the last time this aggressor, this....this fool would be allowed to do anything against his brothers in Christendom again.
Blockading the ports of Venezia, and not wanting to do TOO much damage to the city of which we wanted to liberate for the Church, our troops quickly moved in and slaughtered the Milanese defenders. Immediately turning around to Lombardia, our troops routed the Milanese in an embarrassing fashion -- in the day of fighting, they retreated.
Turning up to Lombardia, the Milanese capital, our troops marched across many more armies and scattered battalions and squashed every one of them. As soon as we marched upon the Capital, the siege lasted but only for a few days and they finally seceded. The Age of Milan was over. Almost all of Italia was finally under the Church's utter control.
Our armies were mighty, unbeatable. To our South came word that the Byzatines not only dropped support for their Epicurean allies, but rumor had it that war had been declared between the two nations. Immediately, our armies sailed East to Greece, of which they gathered and prepared for war. Byzatine could wait, the Epicureans must be squashed under the boot of the Church and have their heresy stomped out.
Back home, the chauffeurs were filling up rapidly -- thousands of ducats pouring out almost into the streets of Rome herself. As such, came the decision for some more advanced projects than usual. With being such a cultural center and the second most populated province in Italia, Napoli was to construct a University to further spread the teachings of God.
After construction had been started, the Byzatines took two provinces away from the Epicureans just before we invaded and sued peace. Immediately we struck and our armies swept over their already beaten lands and secured their provinces in less than two months time. These fools used to be strong, moreover, they used to be a strong Christian nation of which we could rely on in the East. They had fallen to the Orthodox lies, and had allowed themselves to face defeat far too many times. Annexation was the only answer for such a cumulative amount of crimes against Christendom and the Church.
Observing the financial records, one of the Advisers of the Pope noticed a glaring issue -- our Navy is greatly undersized of its true strength. The State could, in reality, support the doubling up of the Naval forces. With such glorious news, came a massive project to spend the rest of the Church's surplus. Almost 25 large battle ships were put into immediate construction across all of Italia.
I don't have the force limits after construction, but 40 heavy ships is a doozy.
On the eve of the Year of 1514, came the Council of Orleans -- where the Pope was happily sitting at the head of. With much debating and arguments, our Holy Father finally decreed that massive reformations to the Church must be made by all Christian-loving nations to survive this second Schism. The Clergy must renounce their worldly habits and preaching in direct counter to the Protestant teaching was to be taken upon by all Priests across Europa and the World. Signing it, and sealing it, this decree was sent out to all nations whom stayed to the true Catholic Faith across the world.
Immediately after the decree, the Heretical nation of France had declared war on our Catholic brothers of Austria. In the name of Christendom, did we join the fray and begin an immediate invasion of France.
...And we were met with nothing but success.
Defeating their entire main contingency, one of our Divisions moved North into a Vassal of France. Sweeping in, we had one goal in mind -- turning them on their former allies and providing a Christian ally to the West. Destroying as little land as possible, we laid siege and within weeks, they surrendered peacefully and their Vassalation under the Church began. Immediately, their armies turned around and engaged their former Allies.
With the Southern half of their territories now under Papal control, our forces returned home briefly to regenerate and allow their spirits to rise again after a year of constant fighting. In the meantime, a new invasion plan of the Northern territories was concocted. One Division would handle the West, and the other two would join up and sweep across from the East and destroy every Province in its wake.
However, in the middle of the maneuver, a messenger arrived in Rome...
Those bastards! This was their plan all along, to bait us into a War with the powerful French and then use it to attack us when we were weakest. Immediately our troops retreated from French lands and back into Italia. Peace was quickly taken for what we could gather from the French, the freeing of two sovereign states and two lands of which the Church had claims on for decades.
Satisfied, our contingency of 60,000 moved East and was met with a terrifying sight -- the forces of Austria, what was previously or brother in Christ, was swarming over our lands with a force greater than ours in every fashion. We would not even waste the time to engage such a massive force, it would only mean unnecessary death for our men. The Austrians had victory, we merely retreated back into Southern Italia and waited for their demands...
As we retreated, news came from the East. A beaten messenger, coming on an almost destroyed messenger ship brought the news -- the Byzatines were attacking our Eastern claims. Infuriated, the Pope showed true anger for the first time in his entire life. Although not officially recorded, it was said to be overheard by the guards outside the room of the fit that the Pope called his entire country one of "fools and cowards" and that he would refuse to allow two nations to beat us around. As such, our forces regathered and prepared for a sail East as the Austrians continued to march on our territory.
As soon as the troops were about to move out, a scientist in Rome discovered a second use for the Gunpowder used on our cannons which we have abused for so long -- rifles. Astounded by the discovery, every soldier on the field was equipped with one of these "rifles" which were produced in the tens of thousands immediately after their discovery. With a modern military force came an invigorated Pope.
As the troops sailed East, the Austrians called for a discussion of peace. The Pope sat alone, face cast down as the Austrian King gave his demands. The Church was to release its richest provinces to the North, of which we spent all those decades fighting for and gaining claims on as sovereign states. Feeling rather cocky, the King also demanded quite a sum of gold to repay its funds in the war -- a sum that cut our balance in half. Begrudgingly, the Pope signed for agreement on the peace deal. As he returned home, he swore that within the Century, the Austrians would fall under the Might of the Church and would regret ever crossing their brothers in Christ. As such, as soon as he returned to Rome, the Pope immediately Excommunicated the heretical Austrian King.
Thankfully, the Burgundian's, thankful for our help in their release from their French captors, immediately gave us the promise of Alliance in future endeavors despite the treaty.
Despite losing so much land, the Church had a mission to accomplish in the East. With the Armies lined up for war, the Navy moved around the boot and immediately slaughtered the entire Byzatine navy, even capturing one of their transport ships near the end. Our mighty navy moved to the Strait between Greece and Italia, and ferried our massive Armies over in but a couple of Months. The Heretics have already taken quite a number of territories, but it was merely a setback.
Our 40,000 man army reclaimed all of our lands, and utterly annihilated the superior in number Byzatine military. None were permitted to survive, and after their defeat and the reclamation of our lands, our two Divisions carved a path of destruction into the European side of Byzatium -- taking all of their territory on that side of the Mediterranean in but a few months. In the face of utter defeat came the taunting offer of peace.
Laughing in the messengers face, he was killed and our forces moved onto the Capital of the Heretics -- the start, and now the end of the Great Schism -- Constantinople.
Our force surrounded the Western portion of the city, as our mighty Navy blocked the Strait between the East and West. For almost the entirety of a year, our cannons pounded on the walls of the city as our Navy sent cannons into the cities Trade Districts from the safety of the Sea and blocked any supplies being ferried over from the East. A letter from a man to his family in the East captured the situation:
"Every moment the sound of a cannon is heard. Almost no one gets any sleep from all the sound. It sounds almost like a metronome, for every other second a blast from a distant shot is sounded. Dozens die everyday from stray cannons striking their homes. No one leaves their homes for fear of death from the cannon fire into the city from the Blockade. Those defending us in the City are terrified of when the Papal's will strike for we are weakened more and more every day. I fear my own life, as it may be taken with every ringing of those cannons in the distance. Our country has abandoned us to the dogs, and I fear there is nothing left of which we can do."
After 200 days at Siege, the cannons broke a section of the massive Wall surrounding the city and our troops flooded in. In a few days, their forces defending dropped below 500 and days later, they surrendered -- allowed to retreat back East with their honor.
After the Siege, all that remained was the backwards lands to the East of the former Ottoman Empire. Hardly modernized, and using Forts that had endured hundreds of years of constant war, our forces conquered the remainder of Byzatine land in less than a years time. With such, our two Nations met. The Byzatines would first and foremost convert all of their lands to the true Faith of Catholicism. Furthermore, their richest claims in the West other than their capital would be annexed by the Church and furthermore, they are to renounce any and all claims on Papal land.
The Great Schism was finally over.
The World as we currently know it:
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Question:
How far would you guys like me to go with this? Do you want me to play all the way to 1821, or would you rather me stop at a certain point? Because at some point, it may get rather redundant doing basically the same shit over and over, especially late game. If you want more of this, I have absolutely no issue doing such as it's pretty fun -- however, if you want me to do 150-200 years per AAR to keep it fresh, I would be just fine doing that as well.
And please do leave some thoughts if you have them. It's a big morale booster to know that people are reading these things and I'm not just mindlessly posting
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I would love it if you kept going. I actually find the late-game interesting to read and the battles fun to look at. You could probably do larger chunks of time as you mentioned to keep things from getting monotonous.
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Estonia4644 Posts
+1 i would also love if youd kept going has been a fuken fascinating read so far i do skim over some stuff, and then read thoroughlly through the rest, hard to even pinpoint what to modify but yea, has been great so far, and i hope you keep going ! for ze papacy!
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Fuck guys, sorry x-x Bad news.
I installed the D&T 4.0c beta to test it out a bit, and it wiped ALL of my saves somehow. I just realized that as I just downpatched to the version I was using for this game. Unfortunately I can't continue =/
If you'd like I can start another one though?
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I wish this happened earlier, truthfully, because I'm a 160 years into a boss Bar game x-x And all the fun parts already passed. Hm, drop me some ideas and I'll take them into consideration. Just no new world shit.
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try taking over the world as prussia. I think it would still be good.
Otherwise you could try and redo the papal empire. I just got into this and it was really well done.
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You should do a Japanese game where you eventually unite Japan and colonize the Americas. That or do a game as a Native American tribe
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New world is way to boring.
Why not take a handful/all of country's, put them into a randomizer and pick the top one.
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Estonia4644 Posts
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Yup. Either Persia or Ethiopia. I'll flip a coin or something.
Fucking power went out in my school, so I'll be dropping Part 1 some time tomorrow.
Be on the look out! It will be a new blog.
And please drop comments and shit in it, I love to hear criticisms and likes. It helps a lot when I know people are actually reading my shit
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Would be helpful to know under which new ID you will be posting from now on. Ethiopia seems cool, I'm in the middle of a Songhai game (good part is over, westernized and doubling the income of second richest nation) which was pretty hilarious at times. No forts makes for fun wars, I beat Malis 20+ army with 5 guys running amok in their empire until they dispersed due to bankruptcy 
Other options I'm considering atm are Gotland ( I'm so hot every neighbour wants my butt) and Riga, planning on doing a colonisation game there.
For aar'ing I'd suggest the always fun to play Knights or one of the (smaller?) Hordes. Both make for good roleplay.
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Estonia4644 Posts
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