Help with Poland

**cpearce** · February 05, 2008, 05:13 PM

Ok, so I started a new game on H/H as Poland. It's my first time playing a non-western power. Things were going pretty well, at first. I made a quick grab at the three territories to the west and north, doubling my size quickly. I ended up taking Prague from the rebels, and I think that really pissed off the HRE because, despite being my ally, they attacked me only a few turns later. I have been in constant warfare with them since. They refuse to accept any of my ceasefire offers.

I have destroyed all of their invading armies and taken Frankfurt and Nuremburg, but they still refuse to call a truce. On top of that, the Pope keeps telling me to stop fighting them, even though they invaded me! I have good realtions with the Pope, but so does the HRE. What's worse is that after a number of years of war between me and the HRE, Denmark has joined the fray, also declaring war on me. I have now taken two Danish territories as well, but they also refuse to sign a truce. Finally, NONE of my other allies (Milan, France, Hungary) will agree to join me against either of my enemies.

What can I do to get these guys to sign a peace treaty with me?! Both powers simply refuse every ceasefire agreement I propose. My armies are holding their own against both, but because I am fighting two powers at a time, I don't have enough strength to take either of them out completely. As I keep spending all my money on armies, my cities are falling behind on upgrades. I honestly want peace with these guys, so I can have some time to build up my economy, but they won't budge. What do I do? Someone help!

**Samir** · February 06, 2008, 06:40 AM

give them one or two of their provinces back!

but before you do so, destroy all buildings in it (which should pay at least a little bit for your expenses in the war), so that the city is worthless for them except that they have to spend tons of money to rebuild and garrison.

most likely the provinces will rebel anyway (especially with some help from your spies) so you can retake them without a diplomatic incident.

And withdraw your armies to your territory and set up an ambush somewhere on the main roads with them. Poland is ideal for ambushes anyway. and that way you dont have too many surprising visitors...

if nothing helps, then ignore the pope and go for them until they are dead. if the pope excomms you, kill him with some assassins (the ones you used to finish off the danish or german family members), the new pope will reconcile you anyway. Some donuts, young choir boys and some 200fl/turn tribute will cover the rest.

Besides that
Conquer east and south. (Orthodox Islamic factions wont bother the pope)
Send an army to Jerusalem or try to get a crusade into the middle east going and capture some stronghold in the Levante
Send priests to the pagan/orthodox east (always at least 3 to 4 priests in the same province) so you get a shot at the next pope which helps with waging war against the Danes and the HRE.
Ally with France

Ally with Milan

(dangerous though)

**Pyrebound** · February 08, 2008, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by Samir

but before you do so, destroy all buildings in it (which should pay at least a little bit for your expenses in the war), so that the city is worthless for them except that they have to spend tons of money to rebuild and garrison.

But do NOT touch the church. Hurts your relations with the pope by like 1 cross for destroying even the lowest level church.

**Mr Harold** · February 08, 2008, 01:02 PM

Hello, cpearce

I think the two previous replies have adequetly answered your question, but I have some more to add.

Originally Posted by cpearce

On top of that, the Pope keeps telling me to stop fighting them, even though they invaded me! I have good realtions with the Pope, but so does the HRE.

When the Pope tells you to cease hostilities with HRE, obay him, and wait for them to attack. Usually this will reult in HRE being excommunicated, so you can invade them all you want. Your relationship with the Pope will not be affected.

Originally Posted by cpearce

Finally, NONE of my other allies (Milan, France, Hungary) will agree to join me against either of my enemies.

Improve your relationship with one or two of them, by donating some florins as a gift a couple of times, this should persuade them. Also, sweeten the deal with map information and money until the deal is balanced or generous if you can stretch that far.

Hope this helps

XKillerX