Friday 16 March 2018

Persia: The Glorious War. Part 4 - Epilogue

14th of August
Darna Azna army is evacuated from the eastern India on board the recently deployed 3rd Fleet.

1st of November
Army of Babylon, sent from the invasion fleet, landed in Lima and begun it's march on Cuzco, to support two Persian armies already besieging the Inca capital.
Meanwhile, Inca forces begun pulling back from southern tip of their empire, to reach Cuzco before Persian forces take their capital.

9th of November
Squadron of Tengri nomad horsemen reaches Cuzco. Tengri troops, separated from other horse units for months, reached besieging armies ahead of the Inca armies slowly pulling towards their besieged capital.

30th of November
Army of Babylon reaches Cuzco, increasing number of troops besieging the Inca capital to 63.000

1783
Through winter and spring, Persian north invasion pushed almost to the Cuzco city itself, reaching the three armies besieging the capital. As Inca forces continue to consolidate it's armies and reclaiming territories taken over by the horse squadrons, their numbers swell - but seem to be disinterested in attacking the armies gathered at Cuzco.

While Persian armies matched south, Colonial forces proceeded west - claiming Inca territories in the delta of Amazonian river. There, remains of horse squadrons scored their biggest victories yet on the 8th of June 1783 - Inca army of 7.000 men retreating south from the advancing Colonial forces was ambushed by 10.000 horsemen.
Despite loosing 2.000 men, horse squadrons managed to decimate Inca army, who fled the battle with only 2.100 men left.

During this period, Punjab Empire was defeated in few battles in central India by the Allies. Giving them initiative in laying siege to remaining Punjab fortresses.

21 of June 1783.

The Sack of Cuzco.
After 323 days of the siege, Persian armies breached Inca defences around their capital. Ecstatic troops entered the city and begun looting it without regard to orders given them by officers. Massacre was a violent exclamation war, promising no mercy to those opposing the ancient Persian state.

11 of August 1783.
With fall of Cuzco and Allied armies marching freely across their territories, Punjab government agreed to the humiliating peace proposal sent by the Persians.
Punjab Empire was forced to return some of their core provinces to their southern neighbor - Maharastra and turn two border provinces to the Persians.

Punjab lost during the conflict almost 500.000 men, 400.000 of them in combat.
Allies, by comparison, lost over 800.000 men, but only 260.000 in battles, another 580.000 to attrition.

While Punjab Empire remains a great power, their defeat was a symbolic sign of inferiority to the Allied forces.

The war continues in South America however - as the invading troops grow near the Inca forces spread through the south of the continent.

8th of November.
Battle of Madre de Dios.
After years of skirmishes and sieges, great battle in the open field finally took place.
100.000 Persian troops stood against 130.000 Inca soldier marching to reclaim their capital of Cuzco.

Once again, Persian victory was very costly, with their total losses exceeding 50% of the army. While retreating Inca fled with almost 100.000 troops intact.

However costly victory, Persian army stopped their enemies from reaching Cuzco and forcing them to retreat.

10th of May.
Allied Colonial armies (121.000) defeated Inca forces (75.000) at the battle of Tarija.

9th of September 1784.

After series of humiliating defeats, Inca Empire accepted Persian peace. Granting last few Inca territories in North America to their Persian foes, alongside most of the Central America.
Allies lost in the conflict 1.095.000 men (720k to attrition, 375k in combat). Inca lost 797.000 troops (731k in combat, 66k to attrition).

EPILOGUE

5 year long war cost lives of over 2 million men on all fronts.
400.000 a year. 33.000 a month and over 1.000 each day.

Inca and Punjab Empire lost prestige and territories, but neither was brought to ruin. Inca Empire was left controlling entire South, and half of the Central America, while Punjabi lost only few border provinces.

Taid Empire strengthen it's hegemonic position, greatly expanding their puppet state - New Aztec Empire in the process. Alliance between Persians and Romans remained strong. But Malaccans, who were brought into the war on the eve of conflict by desperate Persian diplomats, trying to distract Punjab Empire from invading poorly defended Persia, quickly dissolved the alliance after the conflict ended.

Persia ended up reorganizing it's armies as a result of disturbing battle reports showing decline of effectiveness of cavalry in combat. However autonomous horsemen remained integral part of Taid military - thanks to their increased mobility and ability to penetrate into enemy heartlands while avoiding enemy armies.
From 20.000 horsemen sent to South America at the beginning of the war, 12.000 returned home, despite spending 3-4 years without any major reinforcements.


Persia: The Glorious War - Part 3: Coals of Destruction

Throughout the Summer and Autumn of 1780 Persian army, supported by colonial troops slowly fought it's way south into Central America, at the same time stepped troops spread across southern tip of Inca Empire, executing scorched earth policy unopposed.

Romano-Persian army, after defeating Indian forces at Jaisalmer, went on the offensive.
Malaccan-Punjabi front remains stable, with both sides winning and loosing smaller engagements - however it becomes clear that the Indian forces - using their numerical superiority, will eventually weather down Malaccan armies.

With relatively uneventful progress across Inca Empire, focus of Persian Alliance shifts to eliminating Punjab from the war, before they can overwhelm their Malaccan enemies.

1781

31st of January
Two armies awaiting in East Zoastria for transport across the Pacific were redirected to support Malaccan front.

May-April
Inca armies proceed to chase steppe nomads decimating their countryside in the south of the Empire. Light and quick horsemen begin a hit&run tactics, avoiding major battles.

20th of April
Persians begin construction of their Third Fleet.

14th of July
Two Persian armies - Darna Azna and Ahura Mazda - landed in west India, attacking Punjabi

Summer
During the summer months, amount of Inca troops involved in containing horse units destroying south of their empire doubled and then tripled. As of 2nd of August, 16.200 steppe nomads faced over 100.000 Inca troops trying to destroy them.

At the same time, Persian invasion from the north reached fortress of Antioquia - gateway to the South America.

7th of November
At the battle of Derajat in west India, 38.000 Persian troops faced 43.000 Punjabi soldiers.
Persian won the day, but their losses left them with only 16.00 men, while the defeated Indian army retreated with 26.000 soldiers.
Costly victory, while contributing to current overall goal of eliminating Inca's only ally, might lead to reorganization of Persian army, decreasing overall amount of cavalry in their armed forces (Cavalry formations lost most of their complement, loosing 6.700 horsemen out of 8.000 put in the field).

16th of November
Akkadian and African Colonial armies (in total, 40.000 men) depart East Zoastria [Australia] on their voyage to strike at Inca Empire capital.

14th of January
After almost 200 days, Antioquia fell before a 126.000 Persian invasion force - gates to South America stood open.

Spring
Persian offensive into South America continues, with Colonial and Imperial forces spreading across the continent.

Horse squadrons - chased from the south by overwhelming Inca troops, left trail of destruction marching to north-west and Amazonia.

Punjab armies, despite facing Romans, Persians and Malaccan troops manage to hold ground, relying on local superiority of forces allied armies cannot achieve.

12th of July.
African Colonial Army and Akadian Army, after weeks on sea, landed on the coast of South America at close proximity to Cuzco - Incan capital.

10th of August.
40.000 Persian troops from ACA and Acadian Army begun siege of Cuzco. Meanwhile fleet that transported them there sailed north to pick up one of the invasion armies, with intention of sending it to support Cuzco siege effort.

Final stage of the war begins, with surprise attack on Inca capital. With their forces spread across the empire - chasing horse squadrons and defending their provinces from northern invasion armies, Inca's capital remains undefended. Question is - can Persians claim their target, before Inca armies pull back to defend their most important city?

Monday 12 March 2018

Persia: The Glorious War - Part 2: The Beginning

1779

7th of April.
War begun before Taid Empire was ready to proceed with the invasion. Incas, anticipating the coming conflict, executed a preemptive strike on Taid March - the weakest Persian colonial dominion in central north America.

1st of May
Despite 2nd Pacific fleet still under construction, Taid Empire declares War on the Inca Empire.

2nd of May.
Punjab Empire joins the war on the side of Incas
Roman Empire joins the war on the side of Persians
Empire of Malacca in Indonesia joins the war on the side of the Persians, promising them territorial gains at the end of the war - a desperate move designed to split Punjab forces.
Malacca, a great power on it's own, can field up to 116.000 troops.

2nd of June
First engagement of the war between Squadron of 19 Malaccan vessels and 6 Punjabi ships. Skirmish was won by the Persian Alliance.

1st of July
Persian Siege Army arrived at first Inca stronghold in Huichol province - first organised resistance encountered by the invading army.

16th of July
Punjabi army begins siege of Kashmir fortress.

5th of September.
Punjab army of 25.000 breaks the siege of Kashmir fortress, retreating from approaching 40.000 army lead by Kavadh.
Sieges across Inca border continue.
Malaccan fleet blocks Punjabi forts.

21st of September
Battle for Ayutthaya (Malacca) begins.
37.000 Punjan forces vs 13.000 troops.

26th of September
Sami Agi Anvar (Malacca) arrives to Ayutthaya province to support weakening army defending it.
With 46.000 troops under his command, the situation on the field changes dramatically. 36.000 Punjabi troops must defend against 56.000 Malaccans.


29th of September.
Malaccans defeat Punjabi forces at Ayutthaya

22nd of October
Horse army of 20.000 departs East Zoarstria [Australia] heading to South America.

24th of October
64.000 Punjabi troops destroy a 12.000 strong army of Malaccans.

23rd of November
64.000 Punjabi troops begin siege of Jaisalmer fortress at the Persian border.
Punjabi exploit their victory over Malaccas, besieging Ayutthaya.
Roman army of 55.000 men marches through Kirkuk heading east.

1780

22nd of March
Roman army arrives at Siwi at the Persian-Punjab border.


27th of May
After 331 days of siege, first Inca fortress of Hoichol falls to the Persians.

21st of June
Horse Army arrives at Kawesqar. South America. 20.000 men were instantly split into 4 squadrons, each heading in different direction to spread destruction across Inca's underbelly.

23rd of June
Second Transport fleet gathered at the Basra Port, departing into long voyage to East Zoastria [Australia] to join it's older counterpart in transporting troops to South America.

24th of June
48.000 Romans defeat 44.000 Punjabi troops in a border battle.

1st of July
Tlaxcala fortress of Inca Empire falls to colonial troops.

13th of July.
Joined Romano-Persian army defeats Punjabi army besieging Jaisalmer fortress.

23rd of July
First battle between Inca army and Persian invaders.

On July 5th 11.000 Persian troops from the 2nd Colonial Army were ambushed by 44.000 Inca soldiers. Outnumbered 4 to 1, Persians defended their camp for a week, until Babylonian Army (20.000) arrived on the 13th and Army East (20.000) arrived on the 14th, followed by 52.000 troops from Taid March and Persian California arriving few days later.

With over 100.000 troops against them, Inca army was forced to retreat, losing 11.000 troops and 1.200 cannons in the process, giving Persians first victory over their arch enemy.
Triumph however was costly, especially for the decimated 2nd Colonial Army.
From 11.000 men, only 2.300 defenders survived.
Their heroic deeds granted their army a new title - Spenta Mainyu.


First part of the war involved relatively few engagements, with battles focusing mostly between Punjab and Malaccan troops in East Asia. Persian troops, mostly unopposed begun it's invasion from the north, while the steppe raiding cavalry was transported successfully to the southern tip of Inca empire, destroying enemy infrastructure.

Projection for the war remains uncertain however, as Inca main forces didn't engaged Persia so far, and Capital of Cusco remaining safely in their hands - with bulk of their forces still away from the frontlines, transporting main invasion force across the Pacific would be a highly risky maneuver.



Persia: The Glorious War - Part 1: Prologue


It is year 1779
Aztec Empire - once a mightiest nation in the world, controlling great parts of Europe and Americas lies in ruin, overran by their southern neighbor - Inca Empire.

Europe rose it's head, with Roman Empire, Trebizond and Papal States taking apart leftovers of Aztec colonies. Once tribal Khazar nomads created powerful kingdoms of Bulgaria, Tver and Vakrimid in Eastern Europe, bringing stability and prosperity to their people.

Abbasid Caliphate controlling middle east since VIII century, is nothing but a shadow of itself, destroyed by Taid Persia and Muaskarid Beduins.

In the Far East, Indian Empire of Punjab separates Taids from Chinese kingdom of Xi and Mongolian Khotan.

In Americas, Mighty Inca Empire battles for control with Taid-colonies - New Aztec Empire, Persian California and Taid March in the north, while South America is fully under Indian control.
With XVII century coming to an end, a final showdown between two powerful alliances is about to begin.


Taid Alliance.

Zoroastrian Persia - controlled by the Taid dynasty, spans across entire Middle East and Western Asia, with number of colonies in Africa, Australia and America. They are the biggest and most sophisticated nation on Earth, but with military force spread thin between very remote colonies.
Taid Empire is home to great number of peoples and faiths - leading to limited unity of occasional revolts.

Taid Persia supported Roman Empire throughout middle ages, as both nations faced the same foe - Abbasid Caliphate. In following centuries Persia was a strong supporter of Roman Restoration - bringing stability to Europe, creating front against Aztecs and Muaskarids - who took over Anatolia from Abassids. Roman Empire, while on the rise, faces a lot of internal struggles, as well as growing animosity with Catholic Sweden and Papal States. Orthodox Romans see their Taid ally as a future supporter in their war of hegemony in Europe.


Inca Alliance.

Inca people control a unified continent of South America. Technically advanced, with a single religion and culture they present a formidable nation that could rival more fractured Taid Empire.

Inca's chief ally is a Punjab Empire. Both states fought with Persians before and now, with their alliance in place, would force Taids to fight a war on two, very remote fronts.


Plans for the war:

Inca-Punjab Alliance operates on the idea of confronting Persians on two fronts - in India and America, and force Taid dynasty to split it's armies between both theaters of war.
Persian colonies in America won't be able to hold the line against Indian invasion for too long, and Hindu armies of Punjab have a fairly easy access to the heart of Persian heartland in Nishapur.

Incas can field up to 270.000 men - against combine army of Persian colonies numbering only about 60% of that number.
At the same time Hindu army can field up to 235.000 soldiers to attack eastern flank of the Persian Empire.

Plan for the alliance is to look for an advantage on one of the fronts, end either overrun Persia or her American colonies - forcing Taids to sign a peace treaty.


Romano-Persian Alliance cannot allow the war to enter a slow, grinding phase. Taids plan to strike at Inca Empire with all their might, leaving only token force of 40.000 men and heavily fortified border to guard their Punjab flank. They also rely on Romans to aid them, before their defences are overwhelmed.

Persians armies numbering 163.000 men would advance south from the colonies, tying Incas main forces, while second group of armies of 140.000 would cross the Pacific in two transport fleets, striking at the soft underbelly of the Inca Empire, preferably taking control of Cusco - Inca capital. Persian Army is characterized by uncommonly large formations of cavalry - over 90.000 horse soldiers with 172.000 infantry (compared to 9.000 cavalry and 138.000 infantry for the Inca and 14.000 cavalry to 155.000 infantry in Roman army).
Cavalry units are design to be detached from their home armies and take control over undefended territories at lightning speed. Persian horsemen carry the tradition of their steppe forefathers - Mongols, Turks, Kipchek and Tangut who once ruled Central Asia.

Persian army of 40.000 would guard Punjab border and another 23.000 remain spread across the Empire, keeping peace in the subjugated territories.

Persians can count of support of about 200.000 colonial troops, and up to 150.000 Roman allies (while Rome commands much greater forces, it is unlikely they'll be able to spare any more troops to a remote Indian frontline).

Please, keep in mind, Roman Empire is named Byzantium within the game mechanics. Such name would not be used by Romans or their contemporaries. Term "Byzantine" was used to describe Eastern Roman Empire for the first time, in the middle of XVI century - 100 years after fall of Constantinopole to the Ottomans.


Tuesday 28 November 2017

Persia: Year 1420

Aztec Empire
With civil wars quelled, Aztec Empire joined the Great Holy War against Egipt. With the massive armies at their command, barbarians tore through Muslim defences, incorporating once core Islamic province into their Empire.

Following their conquests of Bulgaria, Aztec forces managed to push Romans beyond Dniester, claiming whole eastern Balkans for themselves.



Christian Europe
King Henri IV von Diepholz in the last years of his life, managed to return Kingdom of Bavaria into Austrasian fold, however both Moravia and Bohemia remained independent states - both of which control minor territories in the Western Europe as well.

New ruler - king Barthelemi 'The Monster' - involved himself in a Svea Rike (Sweden) war against Khazars for control over Estonia.
Sweden remains, despite feud with Norge (Norway) one of the only stable kingdoms in the Christian world, and with decline or Austrasia, it might be the most potent Catholic kingdom in Europe, lagging only slightly behind Roman Empire.

In the mentioned time period, the last wave of Nomad settlers chose to make their home in Eastern Europe, forming Khanate of Vologda.

In this perilous period of European history, with Nomads in the East, Aztecs controlling British Isles, Iberia, Greece, parts of Italy and Balkans, that identify of Western Culture was forged around the ideas of Christian unity, ingenuity and experimentation that may-- some day -- save the Western World from approaching oblivion.




Middle East

Aztec conquest of Egipt was still fresh news, when in the year 1407 Zoroastrian Holy War against Syria begun. Abbasid Caliphate, still in shock after losing their African province, could not mount sufficient resistance.

By October 1410, Persian Dynasty, for the first time since rise of Alexander the Great over 1700 years ago, gained access to Mediterranean Sea.

Fall of Egipt and Syria marked the final decine of Abbasid Caliphate, following it's Umayyad counterpart in previous centuries.
Disorganised and internally conflicted - Muslims faced the critical decline of their power across the known world. While still in control of many lands - their once intimidating empires are now dwarfed by Aztec and Persian enemies.


In this time period, first recorded mentions of renewed Sino-Persian relations - which stopped with the fall of Sassanid Empire.



Persia: Year 1400

Year 1400 - Trends and Forces:


Following period of relative stability, civilisations of Europe and Middle-East were plagued by massive uprisings. Peasant, religious and cultural struggles spread through the kingdoms like wild fire.

Aztec Empire - series of revolts resulted in 4 different rulers controlling the Aztec Empire in a period of five years. It left the powerful empire unable to join Great Holy War of High Priests against Muslim Egipt.

Austrasia - one of the most spectacular falls of the last decade - Austrasia's eastern province rebelled, proclaming itself as independent Kingdom of Bavaria... only to be forced to split again, giving birth to Kingdom of Bohemia and Duchy of Moravia

Holy Roman Empire - disappointed by the weak state of the Empire, ruling elite decided to rejoin Roman Empire after death of their former ruler.

Abbasid Caliphate - a long-standing Decadence Revolt in Abisynia, which Caliphate could not suppress is slowly gaining enough momentum, forcing Abbasids to consider it a major threat to their integrity-- threat they might be unable to stop.

Mauskarid Caliphate - young state came under fire from all directions and is now fighting for it's survival while Roman forces try to reclaim their territories in Anatolia.

Generally unstable Nomadic Khaganates were victims of same separatist movements, with Khaganate of Bulan dealing with an independence revolt encompassing over 50% of their territory. 

It is worth taking not of Kingdom of Pomerania which existed as an independent state since 1130, slowly accumulating territories and power in the region. With decomposition of Austrasia in Central Europe, Pomerania advanced to be one of the major powers in the region.

Plague, that spread across Scandinavia, failed to cross the Baltic Sea.


Persian Empire:

Cradle of Civilisation spreading from Indus to Red Sea enjoys the rare - in current global climate - time of peace and prosperity under Shahanshah Khurshid. Expanding it's influence across the region Persian Dynasty is most likely to gain as her enemies struggle...







Monday 27 November 2017

Persia: Year 1380

Aztec Empire
It's been a century since Aztecs expanded across Europe, subjugating peoples of all races, nations and creeds.
Their empire, while large and disjointed, proven itself resilient to the forces - internal and external, that tore other nations apart in the history of Europe.

It comes will little surprise then, that barbarians managed to retake their Italian territories from Danes, who were left with precious few allies when the Aztecs returned.
King Merten, son of Giselher, died in battle against them, and with his death, Danish claim for Italian throne died as well.

While the city of Rome still stands as a beacon of Christianity - it is surrounded by hostile infidels.

Aztecs scored one more victory in the last two decades - they managed to push Romans over the Danube, winning large parts of the eastern Balkans for themselves.

Christian Europe
In 1361 Roman Empire split - separating Catholic Holy Roman Empire, from the Orthodox Romans.
Both states, sharing provinces of the Western Europe, came from the separation greatly weakened.

Loss of Italy and Bulgaria to the Aztecs left kingdom of Austrasia, as the only major Christian power in Europe.

Far to the north, in the stable - even if unable to project power - kingdom of Svea Rike, a new plague, the type unseen for centuries, begun.

It spread quickly through Scandinavia and in the year 1380 looked huntery over the Baltic Sea...






Middle-East
Last two decades saw a major war between different branches of Taid family, over domination of the Persian Empire. Between years 1363 and 1368 Emperor Zia was deposed from the throne, which he managed to reclaim after death of his cousin who usurped the control over the Empire.

In the same period, reports of a Mongol adventurer - Tamerlane - spread across northern borders of Persia. Despite great armies the young man gathered, he couldn't defeat the experienced and much better organised Persian troops.

Between years 1367 and 1374 Zoroastrians renewed their struggle for Arabia, eventually reclaiming it from the hands of Abbasids.

Khurshid - grandson of Zia - young Emperor, governs the largest nation in the known world - taught by the example of his grandfather however, he knows better than to feel truly safe, even among his greatest allies.