The world falls at the end of my spear...militia: A Milanese story

**Ken Carson** · July 25, 2011, 05:04 PM

So I'm in the middle of my first venture to H/H with Milan, a faction I have never before played. I thought I'd give you all an update as to how things are progressing.

Phase 1: I rounded up my family members and sent them to varying cities. I quickly grabbed Florence, Bern, and Ajaccio, but Sicily beat me by one turn to get Cagliari. I allied with the Papal States as usual and set up a nice little money line for his Holiness to use on hookers and booze, or whatever...

Phase 2: Sicily annoyed me by beating me to Cagliari, but they neglected to defend Palermo or Naples. 2 units in each? Ship rerouted. After a turn of besieging Palmero, I get the "cease hostilities" note from my good buddy in Rome. I notice however that he wouldn't excommunicate me for my misdeeds, but rather just be pretty upset. I siege the walls and notice my crosses went down by a mere 2 (7 to 5). So I leave a garrison and send the rest to Naples via ship and attack the small unit outside the walls. As expected, the Sicilian leader backs up his units, but my militia surround him and kill him. It is a close victory, but we are one step from Naples.

This is where something strange happens. After defeating him, all 3 Sicilian cities turn rebel! They apparently had some tough luck acquiring Cagliari and Tunis, but their loss is my gain. I take those two and Tripoli to establish a sea trade empire, converting all 3 to cities for the free upkeep and kick ass militia.

The African nations also allow me to build up Papal favor by converting the heathens to Catholicism. In fact, by turn 20, me and the big Fella have a perfect relationship again. See what a difference a few florins and priests make?

Next installment...my island cities receive a lot of unwanted attention...

**Sweger** · July 25, 2011, 05:27 PM

The exact same happened to me as well! See thread: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=467513

The conclusion that was made was that they lost all their family members. That is probably what happened to you too my friend!

**_Elysium_** · July 26, 2011, 06:21 AM

Originally Posted by Sweger

The conclusion that was made was that they lost all their family members.

I deliberately aimed for that in RTW. I've destroyed quite a few factions that way.

**Re_Minder** · July 25, 2011, 07:02 PM

How come this is the place for AARs?

**Ken Carson** · July 25, 2011, 09:51 PM

Phase 3: As I am expanding trade in my empire, a host of enemies arise. The Holy Roman Empire attacks Milan, Venice blockades Naples, France blockades Ajaccio, and the Moors blockade Tunis. Fortunately, I had been building a navy to sustain my Mediterranean empire (something I often neglect) and I quickly dispatch the French and Moorish navies. Milan annihilates the besieging Germans to the tune of 91% dead to 18% for me. I follow up by sending armies from Florence and Genoa to attack Bologna, smiling happily knowing that the Kaiser has recently been excommunicated. Bologna falls next turn with little resistance.

Also, Venice has not broken their blockade of Naples and is also excommunicated. I talk with my friend the Pope and ask him to lower the boom on Venice by calling a crusade against the capital city, but he wasn't too keen on the idea. So I gifted him 1200 florins and asked again. He told me he had just been thinking about that very same idea himself and called a crusade against the Venetians. Venice fell just two turns later but three of my generals joined the crusade and my entire garrison in both Milan, Naples, and Bologna were able to join the crusade seconds before it ended for an experience boost.

Also, around this time the Moors come begging for forgiveness for their blockade. I say sure, no problem, Give: Algiers. They agree to give me the fortress and so the small besieging army that was en route turns into a garrison.

My empire grew, but with more territory to defend, the enemies became more troublesome...