Diplomacy and Destruction (Interest Check/Signups)

So right now, it's around 1215 AD. Europe's a big pile of wars, alliances and back stabs as usual. Suddenly, all of the nation's experience revolutions of new proclaimed nationalities, and France, The HRE, Kievan Rus, and all of the other large empires explode into smaller countries. Some of these will prosper. Most of them will probably die. What will happen to yours?

Hello, and welcome to a mix of Grand Strategy and the Total War games. Kinda. Basically, you get to build an army and fight other people Total War style, while managing a country and dealing with other nations. You'll get to make a whole new nation, that could be either totally original, a copy of a historical one, or most likely a mix. Speaking of making a nation...

• So here are a few rules, to avoid making some sort of Super Holy Roman France.
  • Your nation can be as small as you like when you start it, but it can't be bigger then the size of Belarus. Your free to expand after that.
  • You can only recruit 4 battalions of military units per turn.
  • For convenience, the places you can place your nation is, excluding India,this.◊
  • If you, for example, say in your culture that your nation is terrified of the sea, you can not be a major maritime nation with a huge fleet. Stay true to your culture.

So, during your turn as a nation, you can do these things: Recurit units, recruit half units and build a fort, declare war, do a battle, and more diplomatic stuff.

So, on to making your nation!

• Signups:
  • Name: (Hope you know what a name is.)
  • Location: (Where your country is on the map.)
  • Culture: (Basic rundown of beliefs and values of your nation, maybe something your people are good at. Also, include your style of government.)
  • Religion: (What your people believe in. Could be anything, monotheistic, polytheistic, neither, or nothing.)
  • Unique Military Unit: (Your nation can have 3 unique units that have better stats then the regular ones. Could be anything.)
  • Other: (Anything extra you want to add that doesn't fit in the other categories.)
  • Flag (optional): (If you wish to make a flag for your nation, put it here.)

Stats, in order: Attack, Defence, Armor, Armor Penetration, speed. Ranges from 1 to 10. Defense is swapped out for range for ranged units. Naval units have 3 stats in order: Attack, Defense, Speed, and the number of troops it can carry. Siege Units have the following stats, in order: Attack, Ammo, and Speed.

There are 3 types of units: Militia, Regulars, and Elite. Custom units are Regulars, but have 4 points to put in to stats. Stats go up the higher you go, but they also take up more space in the army(1,2,3). Stats can't go higher then 10 or lower then 1.

Here's all the types of units, in categories(stats are in Regular, go up or down by 1 on other ranks. Also, the stat numbers are in order to the list above.):

• Infantry:
  • Melee: Spearmen(6,4,4,4,4) Swordsmen(5,5,5,5,5), Pikemen(4,8,4,5,4) Polearms(7,3,5,5,4) and Axemen(7,3,3,8,4).
  • Ranged: Javelins(7,4,3,6,4) Slingers(4,8,1,3,6) Archers(6,6,2,4,5) and Crossbowmen(6,5,2,6,4).
• Calvary
  • Melee: Light Calvary(5,3,2,4,9) Heavy Calvary(6,4,5,5,8) Knights(7,4,6,5,7).
  • Ranged: Javelin Calvary(Javelins with +3 speed), Horse Archers(Archers with +3 speed).
• Siege Equipment: Ballista(4,7,3) Catapult(6,5,2) Trebuchet(8,4,1).
• Ships: Transports(1,1,6,6) Light Ships(3,3,5,2) Medium Ships(5,5,4,4) Heavy Ships(7,7,2,4).

How units stack up: Swordsman are all around. Spearmen get +3 against Calvary, -1 against infantry. Pikemen good at defense. Polearms +2 against Calvary. Axemen good against armored units.

Javelins have short range but good AP. Slingers have best range but low damage. Archers are average. Crossbow men are archers with good AP but less range.

All Melee Cav good at charging into rears. Also is good at depleting morale. Javelin and Archer Cav is just the ranged units on horseback.

This is incomplete, but if you want, sign up. Suggestions are welcome.

Completed Signups: Sergey_Smirnov, Izshta, Cathari Sarad. Rather Random Rachel.

edited 21st Dec '16 12:15:55 PM by Skiller2

So, no Asiatic nations?

Also, bigger than present-day Belarus, I assume?

I feel like that if we include Asia as well, players who choose to be there would be isolated from the ones in Europe, especially if either of them is landlocked.

Yeah, present day Belarus. I feel like it's an average enough size.

Also, going to sleep now. Will update and stuff when I wake up.

edited 11th Dec '16 11:36:51 PM by Skiller2

WIP

• Name: Osnaria Hegemony
• Location: Around where Poland would be, it entails the cities Kolberg (Kolobrzek), Köslin (Koszalin) and Schivelbein (Swidwin)
• Culture: Osnaria is a young yet very proud nation, handiwork is valued quite a bit in there and the nation rightfully takes pride in manufacturing the best armor. There are numerous fortresses scattered around the countryside.
  • Government: The government is a mixture between a stratocracy and a monarchy. Each free city has one place in the Council of Generals, they will assign their highest military leader (usually the commander of the oldest local regiment) to it when there is a matter that would need attention, this council has the authority to vote the next king and new laws first need to pass through them. The members of the council are named Supreme Generals. While they will personally meet should a serious matter arise they for most of the time they leave an adjutant (usually named Sargent, regardless of rank) for less pressing matters, this position is considered to be quite the honor.
  • Military: The military doctrine is based on defense, further building upon the nations vast knowledge of making the best armor. It is considered every soldiers utmost duty to protect civillians first and foremost, further strengthening the defensive doctrine.
• Religion: 51% Pagan, 41% Orthodox, 8% Other
• Unique Military Unit:
  • Schlächter: Unique Axemen
    • Stats: (Attack: 7, Defense: 3 + 3, Armor: 3 + 1, Armor Penetration: 8, Speed: 4)
    • The Schlächters are clad in heavy armor and take up a large shield and warhammer to fight.
  • Helebardier: Unique Pikemen
    • Stats: (Attack: 4, Defense: 8 + 2, Armor: 4 + 2, Armor Penetration: 5, Speed: 4)
    • The Helebardiers are clad in heavy armor and use the Halberd instead of the normal Pike along with a large shield.
  • Panzerreiter: Unique Heavy Cavalery
    • Stats: (Attack: 6, Defense: 4 + 3, Armor: 5 + 1, Armor Penetration: 5, Speed: 8)
    • Panzerreiter don heavy steel armor - both the rider and the horse - and take large steel kite-shields into battle along with a cavalery lance. Used as shock cavalery.
• Other: None
• Flag: The flag is made up of two connected circles in dark grey, over a background of orange. The emblem consists of a shield in front of two crossed warhammers but the emblem is only used on armour.

Edit: Wait... 1015 AD? Ack, need to do some research... does make most of my plans invalid tho XD

Edit 2: Well... at least there was chainmail at that time so there's that. But plate was 13th century... so my first plan is oficially down the drain XD Seems Halberds are also a no-no :P

edited 14th Dec '16 5:12:06 PM by Sergey_Smirnov

Eh, 13th century would probably be better. Fixed.

Ah right then assuming a bit farther devlopment at least so pikes and stuff would see halfway widespread use.

got a few question now though:

1st: Are we assuming all units to be the same as long as they are not special ones? This seems to be slightly strange considering that notz only the armor and weapons will be sometimes drastically different but also the combat itself, if one looks at different fencing techniques one will see many large differences, canI assume this will not be accounted for? (Not accusing of anything, mere curiosity)

2nd: Upkeep - armies are expensive and there should be a limit to what a country realistically can feed

3rd: Can secret alliances be a thing? I presume this could work over PM's but in reality there was always this small chance of the messenger be captured by someone or spies, etc, which can not be accounted for in PM's, is there any plan to implement this?

Alright, here is my nation.

• Name: United Republic of the Benelux
• Location: The Benelux region between modern day Germany and France. Cities: Amsterdam, Bruxelles, Lëtzebuerg.
• Culture: A young nation. The people there are mostly fisherman and traders, as almost all of their cities and towns are on the coast. The type of boat you have marks your social standing and wealth.
  • Gonvernment: Benelux is made up of 3 Duchies, being Nederland, Belgium, and Lëtzebuerg(Luxembourg). In those Duchies, are very many counties. The wealthiest or most influential people in the counties are made counts. The counts them elect a Duke. The 3 Dukes then finally elect a ruler, called the Grootshandelsschëffer, or Grand Merchant. The Grootshandelsschëffer controls the army, foreign affairs, production, and a national treasury. Laws are made by the duchies, along with construction. Each of the Duchies has a treasury, that gives 10 percent of its earnings to the national treasury.
• Religion: 80% Protestant, 17% Catholic, 3% other.
• Unique Military Units:
  • Langzwaardmannen: Unique Swordmen
    • Clad in a leather and chainmail combo, these swordmen carry long two handed swords to the battle. (7,5,6,6,5)
  • Oorlogsschip: Unique Heavy Ship
    • Heavy Ships specifically built for war. Faster and more agile then normal. (7,8,4,5).
  • Schipaxtmennen Unique Axemen
    • Clad in the same leather and chainmail combo, these axemen carry boarding axes, used on ships. (7,4,6,8,4)
• Other: Nothing.
• Flag: Here◊.

edited 20th Dec '16 9:27:48 AM by Skiller2

1. For units, I'm making some sort of Rock-Paper-Scissors sort of thing, with RNG for unit losses. If you mean fighting styles, that would go under Unique Units.

2. Yeah, how about every nation starts with 3 cities and you get to have more units the more cities you conquer. Each city gives you 5 maximum units. You also start with no units, to prevent 1st turn wars.

3. Eh, we can just say that they use messenger birds that don't fail. Also, yes on secret alliances.

edited 12th Dec '16 8:44:22 AM by Skiller2

Ok, 13th century. I approve even more.

Oh, other thing that you should add: Major personages (leaders, generals, etc.). Also possibly a the capitol.

Name: Free County of Talabec

• Location: North-western coast of modern-day Germany
  • Capitol: Talabecheim, a coastal city with a large port and shipyard facilities.
  • Other cities: Hamburg, Bremen
• Culture:
  • Electoral Monarchy: Similar to the Holy Roman Empire it used to be part of, the reigning monarch is elected by the electors. The current title-holder is the Countess-Elector Emanuelle von Tessenik. The Elector nature refers to both the holdover that the Countess was formerly and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, as well as an elector in the court of Talabec. Unusually, if the elected count dies, the late count’s wife is occasionally confirmed as Elector-countess. Emaline is the latest to which that has happened, and also the youngest, her husband having died leading an army during the split from the Empire.
  • Talabec tends to be at the forefront of metalworking technologies, and has (primitive, but extant) plate armor.
  • They used to form a proud part of the Holy Roman Empire, and thus their view of others is colored by the HRE’s diplomatic relations.
  • They have a surprising amount of religious diversity, as noted below. They also have
• Religion: 40% Roman Catholic, 36% Protestant, 10% Pagan of some variety, 14% Other/none
• Unique Military Units:
  • Talabec Cavaliers (Knights)
    • Cavaliers wear heavy armor and carry glaive-like weapons, sans the back spike and with straight, double-edged blades◊. Can fight both mounted and on foot, generally starting on the former and transitioning to the latter as combat continues. A unit of cavaliers forms the current count’s bodyguard, and the count himself usually has training as a cavalier. Mounted: A7 +1, D4 +3, AR6, AP5, S7, M7 (Speed drops by 3 when dismounted)
  • Dragons’ Teeth (Polarmsmen):
    • Soldiers clad in black plate armor with gold trim. They wear the best armor that Talabec can produce and carry long halberds or glaives. A7 +1, D3, AR5 +3, AP5, S4, M7
  • Talabec Irregulars (Swordsmen):
    • The Talabec Irregulars are rather famous mercenaries who are sort-of sponsored by the government. They consist of people from all over the world, often fleeing their homeland. Joining the Irregulars can grant, after enough years of service, citizenship. They are generally regarded as very well trained and extremely honorable. There is not one instance of a company of Irregulars being bribed to the other side. The only thing they will not do is fight against (formerly the HRE) Talabec. A5 +2, D5, AR5 +1, AP5 +1, S5, M7
• Other:
  • As far as stability goes, Talabec is… actually doing rather well, as long as you’re not near the top of the government. There are a few revolts here and there, which the military is currently tied up in putting down, but mainly the upper echelons are currently attempting to figure out what the fuck to do about foreign policy now that the HRE has basically disintegrated.
• Flag: A white double-headed eagle with spread wings on a black/red/gold background.

EDIT: Now finished

edited 20th Dec '16 2:35:02 PM by Izshta

Added ships, as those are pretty important. Light, medium, and heavy relate to combat power and speed. Also used for trading and stuff.

edited 12th Dec '16 9:52:31 AM by Skiller2

Made quite the prgress, religion tho... I plan to make this a pantheon along the lines of the greek one although I don't think that'd be too wise if the others ake a monotheistic approach, will some countries around me which are not player controlled be able to have the same faith? I'd rather not defend against crusades every turn

Being around Poland, most of the countries would either be Pagan or Orthodox. I don't think they do any crusades, but the Pagans might raid your nation.

Also, added some stuff about units. Feel free to change your unique units if you wish.

edited 12th Dec '16 10:14:51 AM by Skiller2

going wiht Pagan then... can at least come close to that

Made unit ranks and assigned stats to all of them. Please do the same for your custom units.

• Name: Kingdom of Sicily
• Location: Island of Sicily, Malta, Mezzogiorno. Cities are Palermo, Naples and Valletta.
• Culture: A proud kingdom, Sicily is a mix of different ethnic groups, from Normans to Greeks to Italians to Arab. Ruled from Palermo, the kingdom's people are skilled seamen and warriors, but are well known for their traders and merchants. Their navy is mighty indeed, with war galleries giving them extra speed, protecting trading vessels of the kingdom. Malta is ruled by the Order of Malta, a knightly order which has chapters across the kingdom. They answer to the Kingdom of Sicily.
  • Ruled by House Hohenstaufen, originally from Swabia.
• Religion: Mainly Roman Catholic, with Orthodox and Muslims.
• Unique Military Unit:
  • The Knights of Malta. Uses maces and warhammers, along with swords. (9,4,6,7,5)
  • War galleries. Propelled by oars and sails, they are faster and smaller than average naval ships. (6,6,6,4)
• Other: The flag is that of OTL Sicily.

edited 14th Dec '16 3:52:38 PM by Vampireandthen

Cool, more players! I was tempted to be Sicily, but decided against it.

Err... is there some explanation as to what which stat does? (As in First is attack etc, I can't seem to find one)

It all goes into the combat system I made. So your attack is how much damage you do multiplied by 5, so if you had 5 for attack, you would kill 25 units. Defense, if it's higher then Attack, subtracts the damage you do by a fourth, so now it's 19 units killed. Armor, if its higher then Armor Penetration, subtracts the units you kill by another fourth. Armor Penetration, if its higher then Armor, doesn't give you a penalty. Speed is, well, speed.

Does that make sense?

While itz makes sense I meant which is which, there's 5 numbers, but I didn't found any explanation which number is which stat, sorry ;^_^

Can I just assume they're in the order you told them so

(Attack, Defense, Armor, Armor Penetration, Speed)?

Also, what about range... morale maybe?

edited 12th Dec '16 1:13:47 PM by Sergey_Smirnov

Yeah, they are in order. I should have explained that when I wrote. Range is defense in ranged units. And morale would depend on the rank, so how about 3 for Milita, 5 for Regulars and Custom Units, and 7 for Elites.

Roger :)

I shall make a map for this. Also, do naval units.

Wouldn't it make sense for the special units to be elites?

Actually, let's have Custom Units have the morale of Elites but base stats of Regulars. To avoid them being too OP.

Awsome. I tried to make a map, but my art skills suck.

edited 12th Dec '16 4:56:54 PM by Skiller2

Added a flag section, in case you made one or there is one you want to use. You don't have to put it in the sign up sheet, though.

edited 12th Dec '16 8:47:12 PM by Skiller2