Firstly, the map…
Secondly, a short run-down on each of the 17 ‘beginning’ nations (remember, if you want one not listed, just ask!), in no particular order…
— Begin quote from ____
Kalmar Union: Political union between Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland (including Swedish controlled Finland); marked by regular outbreaks of war between Sweden and Denmark regarding control of the Union.
Current monarch is Hans of Denmark; however, in real history he is renounced by the Swedes in 1501. Can you retain your hold on Sweden and form a great Northern Power? [Pop: 1.5 million]
Scotland (Scot.): An ancient nation marked by near constant warfare, both external (against England) and internal (amongst the many powerful clans).
Ruled by King James IV of Scotland, generally regarded as the most successful of the Stewart monarchs of Scotland [Wikipedia]. Will Scotland succumb to English invasion, or use her Highland warriors to expand her power? [Pop: 900,000]
England (Eng): A well-populated nation largely isolated from the rest of Europe by the English Channel and the treacherous Cliffs of Dover. The nation is beginning to see prosperity again, the bitter War of the Roses having ended twenty years previously.
Ruled by King Henry VII, the first Tudor King, England also nominally controlled Wales (a personal Fiefdom of the King), the French city of Calais, and the Pale, a small portion of Ireland around Dublin. Consolidate the Isles, or expand English power on the mainland? Questions, questions
[Pop: 2.3 million]
Ireland (Ire.): Claimed by the English Kings, dating to the Norman invasion, but much of Ireland was under the control of local nobility. The head of the Irish executive, the Lord Deputy, served at the whim of the King of England.
The current Lord Deputy is Gerald Gearoid Mór Fitzgerald, Eighth Earl of Kildare; will you crush the Irish rebellions for the King, or defy Henry Tudor and fight for independence? [Pop: 1 million]
Grand Duchy of Moscow/Muscovy (G.D. Muscovy): What would become a superpower of the 20th Century began as a Grand Duchy centred on Moscow. The G.D. is currently at the precipice of a second war with Lithuania.
Moscow is ruled by Ivan III, styled the Great, near the end of his historical reign. Will you recreate Ivans brilliant military victories over Lithuania, seek peace, or be disgraced by the combined power of Poland and Lithuania? [Pop: 6 million]
Livonian Confederation (L): A loose confederation that served as a forerunner to present-day Estonia and Latvia. Livonias location is extremely valuable tactically, and is coveted in Moscows westward expansion.
The Livonian Confederation is ruled primarily by the Livonian Order, an autonomous branch of the Teutonic Knights. [Pop: 250,000]
Grand Duchy of Lithuania (G.D. Lithuania) and Poland (Pol.): A large, formerly pagan state with close political and historical ties with Poland having the same leaders for most of the period from 1389; has engaged in one war with Moscow, and is preparing to engage in another.
G.D. Lithuania is ruled by Grand Duke Alexander Jagiellon, who is essentially also the King of Poland (his brother being the true King). Will you seek fresh war with Moscow, or will you seek peace to focus on the growing Ottoman threat? [Pop: 4 million]
Bohemia and Hungary in Personal Union (Boh. & Hung.): A nation ruled by an incompetent and docile King, undergoing a series of social and political upheavals; serfdom is collapsing, the nobility is refusing to pay taxes to maintain an army, and the Ottoman Turks are threatening.
As King W³adys³aw II Jagielloñczyk, a relation to the Royal Lines of Lithuania and Poland, how will you reform the feudal system while appeasing the nobility? Will you be able to defend against an Ottoman invasion? [Pop: 6 million]
Holy Roman Empire (HRE): A powerful and well-populated loose confederation of states under an elected King of the Germans and the Holy Roman Emperor. A new framework has recently been decided and the HRE is debarking upon a new path to power and prosperity.
As Maximilian I, de facto head of the House of Habsburg and Holy Roman Emperor, you must consolidate the HREs power after a major blow in 1499 defeat by the now-independent Swiss Confederacy. [Pop: 13 million]
Most Serene Republic of Venice (V.): An influential, affluent city-state centred on the city of Venice; considered to be the greatest sea power in the Mediterranean, only recently being challenged by the Ottoman Empire for the title. At the dawn of 1500, it is at war again with the Ottomans.
The current leader of Venice is Doge Agostino Barbarigo. At age 80, he is nearing the end of his life. Venice also maintains control over the Mediterranean islands of Cyprus and Zakynthos, as well as area around the towns of Methoni and Corfu. [800,000]
The Duchy of Milan (Milan): An independent duchy since the 13th Century, Milans greatest asset is its knowledge. A strong patron of the arts, it will prove to be a birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. However, the Duchy is claimed by King Louis XII, and only a well-trained army of Swiss mercenaries protects her independence.
Milan is lead by Duke Lodovico Sforza, of the House of Sforza. How will you preserve the independence and strength of the Duchy against the Italian ambitions of the French? Only time will tell. [Pop: 400,000]
Kingdom of France (France): The largest and most populous territory in Europe, France represents perhaps the most absolute monarchy on the continent. However, though she is at peace with the English, the Spanish, and the Holy Romans, she is in the midst of the Italian wars.
The reigning French Monarch is middle-aged King Louis XII. France has occupied the northern portion of the Kingdom of Naples, and (at least in this game) controls Genoa and Corsica (as protectorates of the French Empire). Will you continue your fathers ambitions in Italy, focus on colonial efforts, or look for new opportunities for expansion? [Pop: 15 million]
Kingdom of Spain (Spain): Recently formed as the union of the Crowns of Aragon and Castille, Spain is well-populated and well-placed to begin the age of colonialism in the Americas being as Papal authority was given only to Spain and Portugal to control land beyond the European continent.
Spain is ruled jointly by Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon (though primarily by Ferdinand). With Columbus successful voyage eight years earlier, peace with France, and territorial possessions in the Mediterranean (including the Balearic Islands, Sardinia, and Sicily), can you capitalize on Spains position? [Pop: 9 million]
Kingdom of Portugal (Port.): The only other nation granted Papal authority to control lands outside of Europe, Portugal has already begun exploring far afield and will even this year reach India.
Portugal is ruled by King Emmanuel I, the Fortunate. Will you expand to Africa and Asia, will you defy the Pope and seek the New World, or will you sit at home in front of the computer? I mean. [Pop: 1 million]
The Papal States (P.S.): A large section of central Italy governed exclusively by the Pope and centred on Rome.
The Papal states are currently controlled by Pope Alexander VI. [Pop: 2 million]
The Kingdom of Naples (N.): In an extremely precarious position, with French troops occupying the northern half of the Kingdom and an obstinate French King with eyes only for Italy. War is a must to regain control of the Kingdom, and though Spain supports you now, it may only be temporary
Naples is ruled by King Frederick IV. [Pop: 4 million]
The Ottoman Empire (Ott. Emp.): Originally a small Turkish state centred south of Constantinople, the Ottoman Empire has rapidly expanded its influence through the Balkans and into the heart of central Europe. She has developed a powerful navy, and is challenging the Venetian hegemony of the Mediterranean; she controls most all trade from Asia, and has profited highly off of it.
The Ottoman Empire is ruled by Sultan Bayezid II. Will you continue your war against Venice, expand further into Europe, or expand your influence against the minor sultanates around you? [Pop: 8 million]
— End quote
Now begin!
Kalmar Union-
Scotland-Chancellor Shaw
England -Allegheny
Ireland -Warr
Grand Duchy of Moscow/Muscovy-
Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Poland-Todd
Bohemia and Hungary-Lazlow
Holy Roman Empire-
Most Serene Republic of Venice-Der Fuhrer Dyszel
The Duchy of Milan-Veerilion
France-
Spain-Alejandro the Penguin
Portugal-
The Papal states
Naples-
The Ottoman Empire-
Romania(No stats though unless someone knows any?)-packilvania
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