Edge of the World part 10: a MEIOU and Taxes AAR. Attack on Shirvan
Game: Europa Universalis IV
Published: 2017-02-02, edited: 1970-01-01
Comments thread
Chapter the tenth, in which king Bagrat is assassinated and a regency is established.
Part of the campaign:
Edge of the World, a MEIOU and Taxes AAR
Previous part:
Notes on this AAR;
I'm playing using all of the DLC, bar Mare Nostrum, and with MEIOU & Taxes version 1.25. I have manually removed the 'amalgamation government' from the game, because its really annoying and railroads history too much. Due to this, I'm not running in Ironman. For more details, see here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/eu4/comments/4kovcx/edge_of_the_world_a_meiou_and_taxes_aar/d3h08b4
The Georgian Army marches directly to the capital of our hated foe striving to meet the inferior Moslem army head on, expectant of victory. As my father found defending against the Turks, cannon proves most effective at removing soldiers from well fortified positions. We will lead the attack with bombardments of bronze shot and then follow up with a charge of horsemen to seal the victory.
I'm playing using all of the DLC, bar Mare Nostrum, and with MEIOU & Taxes version 1.25. I have manually removed the 'amalgamation government' from the game, because its really annoying and railroads history too much. Due to this, I'm not running in Ironman. For more details, see here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/eu4/comments/4kovcx/edge_of_the_world_a_meiou_and_taxes_aar/d3h08b4
The Georgian Army marches directly to the capital of our hated foe striving to meet the inferior Moslem army head on, expectant of victory. As my father found defending against the Turks, cannon proves most effective at removing soldiers from well fortified positions. We will lead the attack with bombardments of bronze shot and then follow up with a charge of horsemen to seal the victory.
Our men take losses
Despite our numerical and technological advantage, we lose many men in the attack.
At first, the cannons failed to fire at all. The strange powder that makes them work apparently had not been crushed down enough. It only smouldered in the great bell-shaped barrels. This gave the Shirvani horse archers time to ride towards our ranks and pelt stalwart Georgian men with arrows.
Once the cannon were working properly, the attack began in earnest and the day quickly turned in our favour, but when all was said and done the fighting cost us nearly three-thousand soldiers.
Despite our numerical and technological advantage, we lose many men in the attack.
At first, the cannons failed to fire at all. The strange powder that makes them work apparently had not been crushed down enough. It only smouldered in the great bell-shaped barrels. This gave the Shirvani horse archers time to ride towards our ranks and pelt stalwart Georgian men with arrows.
Once the cannon were working properly, the attack began in earnest and the day quickly turned in our favour, but when all was said and done the fighting cost us nearly three-thousand soldiers.
Mercenaries are hired
Mercenary companies wandering though Georgia are gobbled up to form a new regimental company to help with the siege of Shirvan.
Mercenary companies wandering though Georgia are gobbled up to form a new regimental company to help with the siege of Shirvan.
Didi Bertha pays off
Despite the earlier failings of our new artillery, the Georgian cannon is more than capable of blasting down city walls. I hope this siege will not take long.
Despite the earlier failings of our new artillery, the Georgian cannon is more than capable of blasting down city walls. I hope this siege will not take long.
The fortress falls
It turns out that keeping a cannon supplied is expensive. I failed to account for this and twice during the siege our cannon fell silent for months at a time. Finally, after nine months, the Shirvani capital is ours.
Despite the long siege, the prize was well worth it. We found the heathen Melik holed up in his palace and the army took him prisoner.
It turns out that keeping a cannon supplied is expensive. I failed to account for this and twice during the siege our cannon fell silent for months at a time. Finally, after nine months, the Shirvani capital is ours.
Despite the long siege, the prize was well worth it. We found the heathen Melik holed up in his palace and the army took him prisoner.
A good deal
In exchange for his life, the Melik agreed to surrender much of the Shirvani border territories to Georgia, including their great capital city, which possesses wealth and grandeur to match that of Tbsili, if one can look past all the minarets.
In exchange for his life, the Melik agreed to surrender much of the Shirvani border territories to Georgia, including their great capital city, which possesses wealth and grandeur to match that of Tbsili, if one can look past all the minarets.
Shirvan is weak
Georgia is now the dominant state in Caucasia. Oh, I can feel the cold breath of prophecy on the back of my neck. I will be the prophesied king!
Georgia is now the dominant state in Caucasia. Oh, I can feel the cold breath of prophecy on the back of my neck. I will be the prophesied king!
Administrative duties
Alas, the work of a conquering hero is never done. I continue reforming the Georigan administration, bringing it into line with that of our Orthodox friends across the Black Sea. Also, I distribute funds to continue modernising the road network. Soon it will reach the gold mines in Alania, allowing the riches there to be taken directly to the mint in the capital.
Alas, the work of a conquering hero is never done. I continue reforming the Georigan administration, bringing it into line with that of our Orthodox friends across the Black Sea. Also, I distribute funds to continue modernising the road network. Soon it will reach the gold mines in Alania, allowing the riches there to be taken directly to the mint in the capital.
Our defences are excessive
Since Georgia has little to fear in the East anymore, I order two of the border fortresses to be torn down and the stone used to build up the local farming communities. They were expensive to defend and offered us no protection from our more dangerous enemies in the Steppes and Anatolia.
Since Georgia has little to fear in the East anymore, I order two of the border fortresses to be torn down and the stone used to build up the local farming communities. They were expensive to defend and offered us no protection from our more dangerous enemies in the Steppes and Anatolia.
The road reaches Alania
Finally the road work that my father started is entering its final stages. The road to the gold mines will soon be complete.
Finally the road work that my father started is entering its final stages. The road to the gold mines will soon be complete.
Military thought
New military concepts have reached Georgia from across the Black Sea. Apparently the eastern European kings have mounted small cannon that they call 'hand guns' on horse-drawn carts. These so-called Waggonberg have been deployed to great effect against the Ottoman Siphai cavalry and I believe that they will make a most useful addition to the Georgian army.
Aside:
Anyone here ever play Age of Empires 3? I think the War Wagons from that game might be referring to this Waggonberg Infantry tactic.
Also, JANISSARIES. MORE JANISSARIES. I'M SCOTTISH.
New military concepts have reached Georgia from across the Black Sea. Apparently the eastern European kings have mounted small cannon that they call 'hand guns' on horse-drawn carts. These so-called Waggonberg have been deployed to great effect against the Ottoman Siphai cavalry and I believe that they will make a most useful addition to the Georgian army.
Aside:
Anyone here ever play Age of Empires 3? I think the War Wagons from that game might be referring to this Waggonberg Infantry tactic.
Also, JANISSARIES. MORE JANISSARIES. I'M SCOTTISH.
Ghazi raiders
The White Horde has sent a force of Ghazi's to steal land for them. Such outrageous actions cannot be tolerated! I order my commanders to cut off the heads of each man they kill, and send them back to their Moslem pretenders unshaven. That should teach them to attack us in the fashion of weak-blooded cowards.
The White Horde has sent a force of Ghazi's to steal land for them. Such outrageous actions cannot be tolerated! I order my commanders to cut off the heads of each man they kill, and send them back to their Moslem pretenders unshaven. That should teach them to attack us in the fashion of weak-blooded cowards.
Their challenge is met
The army, now either mounted or riding on carts, is much faster than the artillery and so it reaches the invaders first.
Our new military formation seems excellent at defending. I am sure they can hold out until the big guns arrive.
The army, now either mounted or riding on carts, is much faster than the artillery and so it reaches the invaders first.
Our new military formation seems excellent at defending. I am sure they can hold out until the big guns arrive.
An explorer returns
Inspired by the tales of the Chinaman whom rested in Tbsili so many years ago, a Georigan explorer set out east, and discovered the court of Great Ming. He made extensive notes and maps of his travels.
His adventures have now thrilled the court for weeks. He tells many strange and wondrous tales of these distant people, who have barely even heard of the Christ and his father, the Lord God. The Patriarch is eager to send missionaries to these new lands.
Inspired by the tales of the Chinaman whom rested in Tbsili so many years ago, a Georigan explorer set out east, and discovered the court of Great Ming. He made extensive notes and maps of his travels.
His adventures have now thrilled the court for weeks. He tells many strange and wondrous tales of these distant people, who have barely even heard of the Christ and his father, the Lord God. The Patriarch is eager to send missionaries to these new lands.
The battle is won
The Ghazi warriors stood no chance. Ill-organised and drunk on glory, they failed to pose much of a threat. In fact, many of the Georgian Army's casualties came from friendly fire. I must have them drill more in use of these new weapons.
The Ghazi warriors stood no chance. Ill-organised and drunk on glory, they failed to pose much of a threat. In fact, many of the Georgian Army's casualties came from friendly fire. I must have them drill more in use of these new weapons.
Rebellious sentement
A year passes, but in this time religious discord has been spreading. The Ghazi's ignited a fire in the hearts of my heathen subjects and now they have risen up in open rebellion, claiming they want to create the 'Caliphate of Georgia'. I will not stand for such nonsense and order the army to put these fools down.
A year passes, but in this time religious discord has been spreading. The Ghazi's ignited a fire in the hearts of my heathen subjects and now they have risen up in open rebellion, claiming they want to create the 'Caliphate of Georgia'. I will not stand for such nonsense and order the army to put these fools down.
The first group of rebels
Without proper leadership and only fanaticism to drive them, the first group of rebels is swiftly dispersed.
Without proper leadership and only fanaticism to drive them, the first group of rebels is swiftly dispersed.
The second group of rebels
Only a few Moslems are willing to rebel against their king in the East, probably because they have seen how swiftly such events are snuffed out many times over.
Only a few Moslems are willing to rebel against their king in the East, probably because they have seen how swiftly such events are snuffed out many times over.
The last group of rebels
However in the south an actual army has been created. This group of fanatics has a leader who is mildly competent and they are holed up in a well-defended mountain base.
I am not willing to waste men in an attack, so I order the army to hold back.
However in the south an actual army has been created. This group of fanatics has a leader who is mildly competent and they are holed up in a well-defended mountain base.
I am not willing to waste men in an attack, so I order the army to hold back.
The king is dead
King Bagrat was found dead in his chambers this morning, knife wounds clear across his body. Nobody is claiming responsibility for this, but I suspect that the nobility he so foolishly snubbed had a hand in it.
The kingdom has fallen into a regency, since the old king's son is far too young to take the throne. The nobility have strongly pleaded a case for the regency to pass to them, but I just about was able to block them.
I advised Bagrat for many years, and I mean to continue his policies until his son comes of age in two years time.
King Bagrat was found dead in his chambers this morning, knife wounds clear across his body. Nobody is claiming responsibility for this, but I suspect that the nobility he so foolishly snubbed had a hand in it.
The kingdom has fallen into a regency, since the old king's son is far too young to take the throne. The nobility have strongly pleaded a case for the regency to pass to them, but I just about was able to block them.
I advised Bagrat for many years, and I mean to continue his policies until his son comes of age in two years time.
Dealing with rebels
These rebels must be stamped out, before they can inspire yet more rebellion.
They have been forced out of the moutains looking for food, but they have found none. The terrain and the supplies are against these heathen scum, so I send word to the commanders of the army to attack.
These rebels must be stamped out, before they can inspire yet more rebellion.
They have been forced out of the moutains looking for food, but they have found none. The terrain and the supplies are against these heathen scum, so I send word to the commanders of the army to attack.
The nation must recover
Years divided between either war or rebellion have stripped Georgia of her youth. I make it the policy of my regency to work towards repopulating the country's farms and villages.
Years divided between either war or rebellion have stripped Georgia of her youth. I make it the policy of my regency to work towards repopulating the country's farms and villages.
The rebels are eliminated
The army by now finds dealing with these Moslem radicals a cinch. Despite their numerical advantage, Georgia carries the day, taking many captives.
The army by now finds dealing with these Moslem radicals a cinch. Despite their numerical advantage, Georgia carries the day, taking many captives.
The regency of Gegechkori
I am just a humble philosopher, only versed in statecraft from what little I have picked up living in Tbsili. But that is no excuse for me to run this country into the ground. I will send out diplomats and keep good relations with our neighbours. I will send wisely on keeping the roads in shape, and the army up to date.
When Erekle gains the crown and becomes Erekle I Bagrationi, King of Georgia, Gegechkori the Natural Philosopher will be remembered as the man who gave it to him.
Thus ends part 10 of Edge of the World.
I've been busy playing HOI4 these last few days, so no episodes.
I've gotta say, Paradox seems to have done well with it so far. There aren't any glaringly obvious bugs, even if it is a little easy to outsmart the AI. If you want a good-looking WWII simulator, go ahead and buy it. If you want a more complete WWII simulator, wait for the steam summer sale to start and keep an eye out for HOI3 to go on sale. Or, don't buy either and save money!
I am just a humble philosopher, only versed in statecraft from what little I have picked up living in Tbsili. But that is no excuse for me to run this country into the ground. I will send out diplomats and keep good relations with our neighbours. I will send wisely on keeping the roads in shape, and the army up to date.
When Erekle gains the crown and becomes Erekle I Bagrationi, King of Georgia, Gegechkori the Natural Philosopher will be remembered as the man who gave it to him.
Thus ends part 10 of Edge of the World.
I've been busy playing HOI4 these last few days, so no episodes.
I've gotta say, Paradox seems to have done well with it so far. There aren't any glaringly obvious bugs, even if it is a little easy to outsmart the AI. If you want a good-looking WWII simulator, go ahead and buy it. If you want a more complete WWII simulator, wait for the steam summer sale to start and keep an eye out for HOI3 to go on sale. Or, don't buy either and save money!
