Janissaries Forward! PBEM 109 DAR

[Tophat1815]

Good heavens,its come to Turkey bankrolling France and Russia? You fellows need to seriously redress this situation in Europe.

[06 Maestro]

ORIGINAL: Tophat1812

Good heavens,its come to Turkey bankrolling France and Russia? You fellows need to seriously redress this situation in Europe.

[:D] Well, I am not quite bankrolling them-just a little loan. I'm really not privy to their internal money affairs-I can only go by what I see in the nations comparisons. The way things have gone on from this point, I have given some aid to France. I suspect that what I have spent so far will be a drop in the bucket compared to what is coming.
Turkey has got the gold, but it didn't come easy.

[Zap]

Hi Anthony,

Whats your status? I was curious as to wether you will be able to soon be a major player(conquering more territory) in the near future.

How do you see your role in your world?

[06 Maestro]

Hi Zap

The skies the limit LOL. I think Turkey is doing pretty good right now-running in 3rd place. The economy is roaring-building everywhere. However, the game has a long ways to go-and Turkey has a built in handicap of improvements costing about 20 times more than the European powers. I also still have a level 3 feudal level. This means that my provincial improvements take longer.

There are a great many variables in the details. The overriding strategic situation is that the alliances will shift and someone-including my mighty Ottoman Empire is going to be slammed hard-perhaps more than once. The way I see it there is really only two possible winners in this game-Austria and England. Austria can only win if England (Kingmaker) will be happy with second place. If they stick together, I will never get into top place-and likely will get slammed. I can now fight both England and Austria at the same time, but if Prussia comes to help Austria, or my good buddy to the north in Moscow, I'm toast.

I seriously doubt that the mighty English King, Kingmaker, will be happy with a second place finish. For him to move from second to first in glory, Austria needs to be broken down a bit. England by itself cannot do anything to Austria-it will need help. What I foresee is joining a war to smash Austria with England and others. After Austria is taken out, England and Turkey will be far ahead of the other Empires. It may be possible at the conclusion of that war that I will have gained enough key provinces to put me in the lead in a very short time. England and Turkey are separated by about 130 glory points. Turkey is gaining 11 per turn (average that will increase) and England is gaining about 12 on average. So, it will not take much of an adjustment for me to overcome his slight lead. On the downside of that situation is that the Ottoman Empire will become the target of all Europe. I can do nothing against the English Navy-but England Army will be too small to threaten me. However, Austria will be more than ready for vengeance against me-and some others will jump in just for some cheap pickings. After I'm attacked by 3 or four major powers, Turkeys glory will be in the tank.

There are other variables in all this, such as the time frame. if this whole circle starts too soon, I will be coming back with a stronger than ever army looking for just vengeance. If they wait too long, I may be able to hold out to the end of the game. Kingmaker seems to be setting the agenda-he is up to something right now-massing in Italy.

Another wildcard is France. Turkey and France have seemed to be natural allies in this game. It is likely we will have a formal alliance sometime in the future. Depending on how strong France becomes in the future, things could turn decidedly in Turkey's favor.

The bottom line is that there are too many variable and too much time left in this game to really know how it will end. At this point I am covering as many bases as I can. The Turkish Navy has been allowed to rot-not sense in going to great expense to build kindling wood for the British Navy.

As of now, Turkey is a powerhouse-no doubt some are both jealous and fearful-they should be.[:D]

[Zap]

Anthony can you post a more recent economis advisor screen/ And some other screen updates/

[06 Maestro]

Hi Zap

I have been taking screen shots as I play now so the updating will be somewhat easier. I think I have quarterly shots now.

Currently (3 years further down the road from my last screenies) I am dropping taxes to maximize production-especially of textiles, wool/cotton. I need that for major new barracks building. It might seem crazy, but I am hell bent on catching up in doctrines-and surpassing the Europeans. Textiles are my one real advantage-and I am going to maximized that advantage.

Turkey's current tax rate is about 20%-down from 30 (max). I intend to take it much lower. Of course, that lower rate cannot be maintained for long. I have a UCI of 11%-soon to be 10. I'm afraid there will be war long before it gets to zero.

[Mus]

Maestro, I agree with your assessment of the strategic situation, particularly regarding France. I think the key to a Turkish victory, if possible, lies with allying with France in a short victorious war against Spain, and then using France to counterbalance English and Prussian power while you deal with Austria. Similarly, Russia is in a situation where many of his glory targets are in Prussia and Austria and maybe you could secure an alliance with him.

Provided at that point you are in possession of many Austrian target provinces (and maybe some seized Spanish and British territory in Italy and N Africa) you should then have a glory production lead you can sit on and try to defend.

If you hammer Austria with a Feudal Levy reform roller coaster ride (provided that isn't against the rules by agreement) Austria should be crippled enough that they will find taking revenge difficult.

PS. Would it be possible to post some screenshots showing the OOBs of some of the countries neighboring you? I am particularly curious what the heck is going on with Russia in this game. Russia should be able to build it's way out of the waste situation by building courts and be emerging as a powerhouse with a 750kish Army 10 years into the game. Then again Anthropoid might be badly mismanaging or has gotten himself badly defeated several times earlier in the game that I missed.

[06 Maestro]

Hi Mus

I think there is a good chance of an alliance between Turkey and France. France is hell bent on retaking/punishing Spain and Spain took some N African territoies early in the game that are important to Turkey-I shall have them [;)]. There certainly are some common issues for Turkey and France-and some common problems. However, we do have an advantage in that the current alliances/sympathies must shift in a way that will be favorable for both. France has a strategic dilemma of being able to concentrate against Spain with Prussia and Austria holding a dagger to its back. France is so far down the glory ladder now that England may not mind assisting in a war against Spain. Also, at some point England must assist some effort to humble Austria if the English King wishes to win this game-the big question is at what point will he decide to take action towards that point. I think my earlier analysis is still valid.

After a successful war against Austria and Spain the Ottoman Empire will have reach a zenith in power and glory. As long as England can maintain its lead, The O.E. will be safe in the number two spot. Should I overtake England, which is possible, it will be a fight for my life to combat England and its minions-which owe it dearly.

When I get going again on posting updates I will include some shots of the national comparisons. My intell on Austrian forces is still spotty, although sometimes I can see everything. Of course, I do have a good picture of their economic assets and training doctrines. What I can tell you now is that both Russia and Prussia have had long term problems with moral-ranging from the mid 100's to the mid 200,s. I really don't know why they are afflicted in this manner, but it has been long term. Also, Russia has built up the most massive force in existence.

All powers, except for Turkey seem to be racing ahead with a maximum buildup at this time. It may very well be that war will break out again this summer-it will be some aggression by someone other than me. Turkey can easily be at full strength if need be. Turkey is now gaining 48 in experience per quarter compared to 7 in 1792 (its Jan 1804 now). This amount will continue to increase, but it will certainly slow down. I am generally at the point of needing to build level 4 and 5 (and a couple special places, 6) barracks. At 56 in gold and 16, 24, 36 in textiles, it has become more difficult to keep going-but it is still going. One little thing creped up on me; a shortage of wood. I was concentrating on money and textiles so much I forgot that wood costs for barracks is the same as textiles-and textile production was double wood for many years. My large surplus has dissipated. The shortage will be handled with trade with France and possibly Russia.

Regarding an alliance with Russia; it may be possible, but I seem to have some difficulty in communication with the Czar. I am not sure if I can even work out a trade deal with him. An alliance would benefit both our Empires, I shall give it a try later on. The Czar has a peace treaty with Austria that is good for about another 2 years-this long separate from any surrender conditions.

[Tophat1815]

Can we get an economy adviser and army screen-shot set please? Trying to follow and learn from France and Turks.Love to see what/how Russia is doing things but such is life.

[06 Maestro]

The year 1801 opens with the Ottoman Empire growing in power and confidence. However, there is no end in sight to the war with Austria. Although the Austrian Empire has clearly suffered more in this long war, it has some great resilience and some secret supporters. I am no longer fearful defeat, this war is keeps sapping the wealth and slowing down development of the O.E. There is no great joy of the continuation of this conflict-we are stuck in a strategic stalemate that may not be broken for many more years. If Turkish military doctrines were on a par with the Austrian Empires, this war would have been over by now. This is the great quandary; I cannot engage in building the required depots as long as the war lasts, but I cannot give up, or quit without some type of success.

To illustrate the military difficulties, I will show the current doctrines for The Ottoman Empire, and then Austria.

[06 Maestro]

The Austrian Doctrines.
Jan. 1801

Austria had a very significant lead in military ability in 1792. The gap had only widened until very recently. In 1792 the O.E. was earning about 7 "experience" per quarter while the A.E. was over twenty. It had reached 30 while Turkey's slowly climbed to the lower 20's. With the occupation of Poland, the O.E.'s experience climb to 30 per quarter while Austria's dropped back into the 20's-I finally had achieved parity in that area, but at the rate of a few points per quarter, it would take a century or so to get caught up to Austria's standards.

One glaring example of its supremacy is the "formation drilling" doctrine. This doctrine will cost The O.E. 270 experience points. At the starting rate of 7 per quarter, this would take nearly 10 years by itself.

This situation has been, and will continue to be, first and foremost in my strategic planning. Major advances have been achieved, but there is a long ways to go to get caught up-and then achieve supremacy.

[06 Maestro]

Strategic View
Jan '01

[06 Maestro]

England had joined the war against Spain. This was clearly done not to help France, but to gain additional prize territories for the English Empire. Although there is nothing so wrong with that, it seems strange that England was so hell bent on punishing Russia for its surprise attack on Prussia, but seems to act as if the same dastardly act was OK if France was the target. Seems like a double standard.

Spain has suffered from the entrance of England none the less. The Spanish fleet was largely scuttled. This eliminated another possible threat to Turkish interests.

In this map you can see the location of the English "BEF". It slowly made its way across N.Africa before moving into Italy.

[06 Maestro]

Hear are the recent battle reports-Spain is being worn down. However, France is still very much damaged from the early surprise DoW which led to some horrific losses.

[06 Maestro]

The actions of the Austrian Emperor in sending a diplomat to cause insurrections in the Ottoman Empire shows just how desperate he is. This is an action that has been shunned by all for about 7 years.

I knew he was up to no good, but the viscousness of this act still took me by surprise. Upper and lower Moldavia broke away from the Empire. This had a very unfortunate affect of sending the second Army and additional units back to Istanbul.

Due to the earlier problems of the Austrian cavalry unit threatening my supply lines, I had largely withdrawn from Austria/Poland. The 2nd Army was in Moldavia at the time of the insurrection-as were multiple other units. I now need to move them back north ASAP. DoW Moldavia and recapture that area. This has cost me several months in possible actions against Austria-and production-including that from lost moral caused by the insurrection.

[06 Maestro]

Another view of the forced redeployment.

The units go to the designated rally point. It makes sense for disrupted divisions, but not for this sort of thing.

[06 Maestro]

In the military report you will notice the current experience rate of 29. It was at 32 before the insurrection and withdrawal from Poland. You can also see that my "ally", England, is "wavering". I strongly suspect England of keeping the Austrian Empire financially afloat during the long war. England has money to burn.

[06 Maestro]

Here you can inspect the top 22 units of the Ottoman Army-sorted by moral.
In 1792 the typical moral was about 2.5-it has been a long road.

[06 Maestro]

Economy
Jan. 1801


The economy is still growing. There is a good amount of surplus money each month, but it can easily be spent. There are many provinces that are languishing in improvements simply for a lack of money. I try to maintain a reserve of gold in excess of 1000-it is not always easy to do.

The unit cost increase level is now down to 24-a small, but appreciated improvement. At this rate it is nearly impossible for me to build new merchant ships or diplomats-forget about a guard division.

I still receive 1500 feudal levies each month in addition to the draft-a tidy amount that adds up. I have tried to maintain the population. Even so, it has dropped bellow the 100 mark recently. Austria's has dropped into the 50's-and many important provinces have "0" population/manpower.

[06 Maestro]

Production Report

This is the current level of major items that are produced each month. These amounts should increase greatly in the years to come. There has been much effort put into paving the way for quick economic expansion-with paver bricks.