PART 43: Interlude: Reviving the Roman Name (1666-1677)
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KaiserHeinrichIVSalian
Field Marshal
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 11,921
IMPERIUM ROMANUN SACRUM: A ROMAN EMPIRE AAR
Welcome to my second AAR! You might remember me from my previous Crusader Kings 2 AAR, Kingdom of Heaven: A Papal World Conquest. (Thanks to landoIII for making the Playable Pope MiniMod and Free CB for Catholics Against Orthodox MinMod, without which it never would have been possible.)
This time, I’ll be playing Europa Universalis IV. We’ll be playing as what the game insists on calling the “Holy Roman Empire”, even though we all know that they were the true inheritors of the Roman legacy ever since Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne Emperor of Rome.
We’re going to start in the 1666 bookmark– that’s the earliest one after the “Roman Empire” became the “Commonwealth of the Romans” and forfeited any remaining claim they might have had to translatio imperii. This will be in a narrative story format. Please also note, when referring to the Commonwealth in game, I use the words “Greek” or “Byzantine” very often. This is simply because the characters in this AAR would not consider those schismatic dogs in the East “Romans”, any more than they would entertain Russia’s claims of being “Third Rome”. It should not be construed as any kind of bias on my part.
All images © to their owners.
House Rules
I will not be using any of the kind of gamey tactics Paradox encourages as they continue to cater to casuals such as “vassal feeding”, “blocking straits”, or “diplomacy”. I will play as historically and realistically as possible.
Goals
Primary Goal:
Secondary Goal:
Final Goal:
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Imperium Romanum Sacrum: A Roman Empire AAR (ongoing)
Kingdom of Heaven: A Papal World Conquest AAR (completed)
RömischerKönig
Field Marshal
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,211
Subscribed! Always good to see another HRE AAR! Be sure to check mine out as well.
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Holy, Roman, and an Empire: A German Reich AAR
Legacy of Charlemagne: Events & Flavor for the German Reich in EU4
The Rising Sun of Avalon: A FujiwAARa Empire
My AwAARds: 8x ACA AwAARd recipient (6x 1st Favorite), 4x Character WritAAR of the Week, 3x WritAAR of the Week, 3x Showcase, Fan of the week 1/03/09 & 9/02/14
fhfh778
Major
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 657
subbed
hope u can still do it even tho paradox hates german ppl so much
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REBEL FLAGS: boycotting paradox until they release magna mundi, fix germany, nerf france in all games. **** the BBB!!!! add to yr sig if you agree
KaiserHeinrichIVSalian
Field Marshal
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 11,921
PROLOGUE: Neuruppin, Roman Empire, 1666
A PLAN IS HATCHED
Engelbrecht Selasinky, soldier of Rome, walked through the empty streets of the grand imperial capital of Neuruppin, Germany. A heavy burden weighed on his heart: the losses of precious Holy Roman territory to the hateful Poles and their French puppetmasters. The sky was as grey as the color of the empire on the map he kept in his study. A poster fluttered on a wall, calling for more men for Kaiser Cain von Habsburg’s Army.
“Can Cain keep us safe from the Greeks…” he asked to the uncaring night air, not caring who heard. He was an honorable man who would do anything for the empire, and he commanded the respect of his men.
Cain I von Habsburg, Imperator Romanum
Suddenly, the gritty young soldier felt a hand on his shoulder, but not the ironclad gauntlet of an imperial guardsman, or the leatherclad gauntlet of an imperial spy, but the light touch that could only be a beautiful young woman.
The Princess Branwen von Habsburg
“I heard what you said about the Greeks…” intoned the woman. The soldier eyed her. She was wearing the low-cut dresses so popular with the ladies of the time and was so fair and beautiful she could only a princess of the imperial blood. Branwen I von Habsburg.
The soldier decided to probe her defenses. “I was simply asking a question, my lady…” he replied, “Far be it from me to question the honor of your father the Emperor for I am but a humble soldier, my lady”
The princess laughed, her golden tresses cascading down her pale white neck, “Nonsense, you are the great Engelbrecht von Brandenberg, general of the imperial army— right hand of the empress.”
“The empress…?” queried Engelbrecht, “But… ah. Yes, you would look quite fetching in imperial purple.”
“Then we are in agreement,” Branwen agreed. She kissed her champion on his stubbled cheek.
He led her back to his Neuruppin estate to finalize the details of their plan. Personally.
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Imperium Romanum Sacrum: A Roman Empire AAR (ongoing)
Kingdom of Heaven: A Papal World Conquest AAR (completed)
RömischerKönig
Field Marshal
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,211
Bravo! The characters are so real! This is just like reading a historical novel. You’re the next Harry Turtledove or S.M. Stirling! One thing, though. Wasn’t Branwen von Habsburg born in 1609? She would have been in her fifties in the 1660s, if my math is right. Still! A minor nitpick in a tour de force of an AAR!
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Holy, Roman, and an Empire: A German Reich AAR
Legacy of Charlemagne: Events & Flavor for the German Reich in EU4
The Rising Sun of Avalon: A FujiwAARa Empire
My AwAARds: 8x ACA AwAARd recipient (6x 1st Favorite), 4x Character WritAAR of the Week, 3x WritAAR of the Week, 3x Showcase, Fan of the week 1/03/09 & 9/02/14
KaiserHeinrichIVSalian
Field Marshal
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 11,921
Chapter I: Neuruppin, Roman Empire, 1670
LONG LIVE THE EMPRESS
The busy harbors of the great maritime city of Neuruppin
The bells rang out mournfully in mourning of the emperor Cain I von Habsburg who had died in a tragic window accident. Only Engelbrecht and Branwen and several burly but loyal retainers knew what had really happened to the emperor. An unfortunate affair, but like his fortunate affair with the princess Engelbrecht knew that one must make hard decisions to save the Roman Empire in a time of crisis.
The assassination of Emperor Cain
The bells rang a mourning toll but to Engelbrecht’s ears they were cause to celebrate. The Greeks would be punished for their cruel conduct to the Pope. The French would be punished for their insolence and general heir of Gallic arrogance. The Poles would be punished for their various crimes as well. Rome and the von Habsburgs would rule Europe once again.
Branwen von Habsburg, Imperiatrix Romanum
He looked at the new Kaiserin as she lounged in her throne, watching the famous chariot races at the Neuruppin hippodrome. Oh, he knew that she’d have to marry for political reasons. It was fine by Engelbrecht. He knew in whose hands she had really placed her destiny.
“War is coming, my lady…” he reminded his empress. “The Greeks, the Gauls, the Danes, the Poles— all covet the fleeting glories of Rome.”
The empress regarded the newly promoted general demurely. “Build me an army…” she gently ordered.
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Imperium Romanum Sacrum: A Roman Empire AAR (ongoing)
Kingdom of Heaven: A Papal World Conquest AAR (completed)
KaiserHeinrichIVSalian
Field Marshal
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 11,921
Chapter II: Neuruppin, Roman Empire, 1671
THE NEW LEGIONS OF ROME
The Neuruppin Forum, heart of Roman Imperial power
General Selasinky surveyed his troops proudly. He was so proud of them, lined up in the forum, golden standards and steel armor alike glinting in the rising Roman sun.
“Men of Rome,” he announced, “It is our mighty legions that made us foremost among the civilized nations, scourge of Greek and Gaul alike. And if we’d known where Denmark was back then, we probably would have conquered them as well. We will avenge the Pope! We will avenge Germany! We will avenge fallen Norway! We will avenge Britannia losing a war against the Ayiti that one time! For now we live in an age of global empires. First Germany, then Europe, then the world!”
“S.P.Q.R.!” cried out the men in one booming voice. The forum echoed with the clatter of musket on shield.
“I can’t hear you…?” asked of his men Engelbrecht.
“S.P.Q.R.!” yelled the men loudly.
Legate Engelbrecht Selasinky leads the Legion of Germania in an exercise
He drank in their adoration, putting his hands on the hot stone of the balcony and leading forward. He continued, “I have in my hand a papal bull from Silvarius IV himself! From the Holy See of Orbetello, he bids us to at long last restore order to what has been lost to Christendom by centuries of heresy, foreign invasion, and heathenry, in his name and God’s! For the P in SPQR stands not just for people, but also Pope.”
“Hail Caesar!” cheered the Legions.
The cowardly Greeks who usurped the empire for their own nefarious purposes
The Holy Roman Legion routing a Greek army
“You must never forget– you are the legions of Rome! While those pathetic wretches in Constantinople are beset by strife and chaos as their peasants tear down the edifice of state for the false dreams of dead Athenians, you are the true inheritors of Augustus Caesar himself! Loyal to a strong empress of a strong empire!”
Rioting overtakes false Byzantion as serfs despoil the Holiest of Holies
Engelbrecht raised his hand in a Roman salute. The men all saluted back.
Behind the balcony’s curtain, unseen by the Legionaires, the beautiful young empress waited.
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Imperium Romanum Sacrum: A Roman Empire AAR (ongoing)
Kingdom of Heaven: A Papal World Conquest AAR (completed)
RömischerKönig
Field Marshal
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,211
Wow! That was exciting! I felt like I was really there! Can’t wait for the next update!
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Holy, Roman, and an Empire: A German Reich AAR
Legacy of Charlemagne: Events & Flavor for the German Reich in EU4
My AwAARds: 8x ACA AwAARd recipient (6x 1st Favorite), 4x Character WritAAR of the Week, 3x WritAAR of the Week, 3x Showcase, Fan of the week 1/03/09 & 9/02/14
KaiserHeinrichIVSalian
Field Marshal
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 11,921
Thank you!
I don’t want to give too much away, but the next one is pretty exciting. I’m finally unpausing the game!
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Imperium Romanum Sacrum: A Roman Empire AAR (ongoing)
Kingdom of Heaven: A Papal World Conquest AAR (completed)
KaiserHeinrichIVSalian
Field Marshal
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 11,921
Chapter III: Neuruppin, Roman Empire, 1672
THE MOMENT OF TRUTH
The Reichstag demonstrates their support for the Empress
“The worst has happened,” the empress sobbed, “The Danes have attacked our loyal provincial governor in Britannia! The Greeks have sided with them!”
“So have the French!”
Isabeau I de Valois-Vexin
Queen Margareta I af Belev of Scandinavia
Emperor Alexios Radziwill the Greek
“It’s all coming apart,” she sobbed again.
“Fear not, my lady” said Engelbrecht Selasinky, kissing her hand, “The diet has voted for war. Already I have mobilized your legions for you on a grand invasion of Gaul.”
She embraced him, drawing from his strength. “You’re so brave and strong,” she whispered.
“I will not fail you,” answered Engelbrecht.
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Imperium Romanum Sacrum: A Roman Empire AAR (ongoing)
Kingdom of Heaven: A Papal World Conquest AAR (completed)