Excelsior
Mariner
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posted
11-11-14 09:34 AM
EDT (US)
27 / 101
Mary is what, four? Otherwise I'd go for it. 
@SCENTOR:In order to make it easier on you and me, I’m not going to announce any economic investments, unless I find something absolutely tantalizing. Instead, I’m going to work off Spain’s historical approach of New World expansion and large tax bases to fund anything I need to do, and try to avoid bankrupting Europe by extensive wars.
If you don’t mind, consider every year that I’m not in war/preparing for war as small, reasonable economic advancement. This should most easily simulate me not raising taxes to pay for wars, and allowing my subjects to invest in their economic futures. It would also avoid arguments as to what qualifies as good investments, why so-and-so’s investments pay better than others, etc. Economic treaties should still help, however.
Duke William Charles informs his loyal friend that he is perfectly free to make trade agreements with the French, but he cautions him to be careful and not allow Bavaria’s economy to become solely dependant on French trade. War with the Valois is imminent, should the French continue their machinations to acquire the Low Lands, Navarre, and Italy. If this can be avoided Charles will be certain to do so. He assures William that Charles intends to work with the Pope and through diplomacy as much as possible to prevent needless wars with the French.
On the note of “special assignments,” Charles asks Duke William to perform one for him. It has come to his attention that the Danish have executed all the nobility of Sweden, in the “Bloodbath of Stockholm.” The Danes are also annoying Dutch and Hanse merchants with their exactions. Charles asks the duke to assemble an Imperial army of some 20,000, and lead a punitive expedition against the Danes, giving Gustav Vasa time to restore order in Sweden. Charles informs the Duke that Sweden will prove a valuable economic ally very shortly, especially if Sweden is able to form a union with Norway, and, if possible, Denmark.
This war will require much preparation. Supplies, logistics, and even a reserve army should the Danes defeat the first will be necessary. Charles expects the preparations to take the rest of the year, and the invasion will take place the following year. Successfully prosecuting this war will give the Imperial generals and advisors experience that will prove vital in the future.
PAPACY Charles sends emissaries to the Pope, informing the Pope that Charles, as the Holy Roman Emperor, feels it necessary to push back the hordes of the Ottoman infidels, and to defend Christendom. However, Charles feels that a more powerful alliance could be formed if the Pope were to design it, rather than Charles himself. Charles feels certain he could develop a strong alliance between Italy, the Empire, and Spain by himself, but the Holy Alliance would be more powerful if the Pope would give it his sanction and support.
Charles outlines the following plan: Firstly, two years of preparation. Navies must be prepared, armies equipped, supply lines developed, allies made, etc.
Secondly, a multi-pronged, multi-continental attack. Charles will enter into diplomacy with the Safavid and Mamluks, thus bringing Persia and Egypt against the Ottomans.
A combined Imperial and Italian attack on the Balkans. Greek Orthodox Christians are still the most numerous inhabitants, and will rise heavily in support of the Christians.
A Hungarian-Imperial attack in the Black Sea area. This will be followed up by Naval control, if possible.
An Italian and Spanish naval war to gain the Levant. This will be supported by the
Spanish General Corduba will lead an assault from Naples and Sicily on the Pelopennesus and the Greek isles, in order to gain naval bases for the Spanish fleet, and to force the Turkish fleet to only operate where they can get supplies from Asia Minor. Corduba will almost undoubtedly be joined by some 10,000 Maniots and an estimated 50,000 other Greeks from the Peloppenessus.
A Spanish invasion of North Africa.
Charles expects that the Balkan, Black Sea, and Naval initiatives will take several years to finalize. He believes the North African and Greek Isle operations will be successful much sooner, as Ottoman warpower will be busy elsewhere, and will be cut off from North Africa.
As soon as North Africa is consolidated, and the time ready, the Spanish fleet and army will launch the final assault by striking Syria. The Turkish forces should be spread out in every direction but Syria, and striking Syria will render the Ottoman Empire completely fragmented. Taxes and supplies will only be able to reach Asia Minor by the Caucasus Mountains, which have large Christian populations.
Charles believes that his plan offers both the necessary elements of pushing back the Turkish expansion, and a plan to effectively end the war by taking Syria and the Holy Land.
This plan may sound stupid, to go up against the Ottomans like this, but you must recall Spain did historically go up against them, albeit ten or twenty years later. My plan involves making an alliance with the Safavids earlier than Spain historically did, as well as bringing on war with the Turks before Europe is bankrupted by the Hapsburg-Valois wars.
France Charles states that all the Burgundian territories he currently owns were inherited from his ancestors, the dukes of Burgundy. He is uncertain as to what Francis is talking about, and feels a personal meeting would be fruitless unless a basic outline is at least provided, with reasonable doubts being provided against Charles' rights.
SCENTOR Charles orders a tercio to be sent to Navarre, to train with the current garrison in Navarre. He expects the mountainous terrain to be ideal for training the men for war in the Balkans.
Another tercio is sent to supplement the garrison in the Netherlands, due to the impending war with the Danes. Orders are given to build a squadron of warships in the Netherlands to support the existing fleet against the Danish.
Orders are sent to General Corduba in Naples, outlining the war plans against the Turks. His advice is requested, as well as orders given to increase the army for the expedition. Corduba is also warned about apparent French efforts to reestablish a presence in Northern Italy, where Corduba drove them out a few years earlier. Charles assures Corduba that they will again contest French ambitions in Northern Italy with force if need be, and gives him permission to prepare for such a conflict.
I assume that, as Corduba is in Naples, there will be no conflict between Spanish and French forces unless we explicitly move north. I don’t mind having a strong defense. "It looks like a huge shark just took a bite out of Excelsior's ass"-Colonel Kyle Riggs, Star Force: Storm Assault[This message has been edited by Excelsior (edited 11-11-2014 @ 08:32 PM).]
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