Concert of Europe: Gameplay Thread

[DKrol]

June 1757
George II of Great Britain

A Proclamation From Kensington Palace

Over the last several months, His Majesty the King has heard from his strongest Generals, smartest ministers, and loyalest Holy Men with regards to the Stuart Rebellion in Ireland. After reviewing, debating, and praying on many options, His Majesty the King has come to a decision on a method to secure peace across His Realms. His Majesty the King has decreed that full emancipation shall be granted to all Catholics in England, Scotland, and Wales, as they have already proven their loyalty to His Majesty the King. Further, His Majesty the King has decreed special instructions for the Catholics in Ireland.Any Catholic man who renounces the Stuartist line and who renounces the Pope's claim to absolute temporal authority shall be allowed to inherit property, vote in elections, and serve in His Majesty the King's Army and Navy for so long as he remains loyal. He shall also be forgiven of any crimes he may have committed against His Majesty the King during the current state of rebellion. It is His Majesty the King's intention to unite his realms once more in peace under His watchful guidance rather than continue the period of bloodshed and violence among countrymen.

God Save the King!

[GoTfan]

June 1757
George II of Great Britain

A Proclamation From Kensington Palace

Over the last several months, His Majesty the King has heard from his strongest Generals, smartest ministers, and loyalest Holy Men with regards to the Stuart Rebellion in Ireland. After reviewing, debating, and praying on many options, His Majesty the King has come to a decision on a method to secure peace across His Realms. His Majesty the King has decreed that full emancipation shall be granted to all Catholics in England, Scotland, and Wales, as they have already proven their loyalty to His Majesty the King. Further, His Majesty the King has decreed special instructions for the Catholics in Ireland.Any Catholic man who renounces the Stuartist line and who renounces the Pope's claim to absolute temporal authority shall be allowed to inherit property, vote in elections, and serve in His Majesty the King's Army and Navy for so long as he remains loyal. He shall also be forgiven of any crimes he may have committed against His Majesty the King during the current state of rebellion. It is His Majesty the King's intention to unite his realms once more in peace under His watchful guidance rather than continue the period of bloodshed and violence among countrymen.

God Save the King!

The Most Serene Republic is grateful that His Majesty has extended this olive branch.

[Kingpoleon]

A Declaration for Poland:

We, the King of Denmark-Norway, recognize Alexander II and the Sejm's authority over Poland-Lithuania. It was, at one time, our greatest fear when the Prussians seemed to ally with Augustus III - our sworn enemy. We are thankful that they and the Sejm have seen stability and common sense restored to these lands.

[Lumine]

Proclamation from Sanssouci:

His Majesty the King of Prussia welcomes the news of the Treaty of Gdansk, and thanks His Majesty Alexander II of the Commonwealth for his efforts at bringing peace between the Kingdom of Prussia and the Commonwealth. His Majesty remains convinced as always it was French intrigue that led to the conflict between both nations, and reaffirms his belief that Prussians and Poles should not bleed for the sake of Versailles and the whims of bloodthirsty monarchs. And while we regret the news of the Treaty of Brussels, His Majesty remains a friend to the Dutch people and government, and hope the day comes in which the shameful annexation of rightful Dutch lands by the overambitious French is reversed.

Welcome are as well the news that come from Great Britain, our wise friend and ally King George II making a decisive, bold move for mercy and tolerance which might prove to be an example to all. Much has been made by the Pope and King Louis XV about a War of Religion, a cynical ploy by desperate monarchs all too keen to push Europe to the brink of war, famine, starvation and death. We see no such war. What we see is a quest for dignity and justice across our continent, rejecting the aggressions and the tyranny of Louis XV, Maria Theresa and the usurper Elizabeth Petrovna. We consider these monarchs guilty of countless deplorable actions, ranging from their endless intrigues, acts of aggression, pillage and rape of nations and its peoples, and the tyrannical rule which they hold over their oppressed subjects.

The alliance which the Kingdom of Prussia forms part of is a diverse one. Orthodox, Catholics, Protestants and Muslims have all put their differences aside in gestures of supreme tolerance and friendship to react to the outrages planned and executed each day from Versailles. Only a most urgent, noble cause could cause monarchs and nations of such different backgrounds and beliefs to unite, and our resolve is certain and true. We ask the other allies of France and the neutral nations of the continent to compare the behavior of both alliances and make a judgement regarding which one is more tolerant, which one more committed to a just war, which one poses less of a threat to the security of Europe.

We ask they make this judgement and take up the cause of tolerance and justice, and reject the bloodthirsty proclaims coming from Rome and Versailles alike.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

King George's wise proclamation only reaffirms the simple truth that out of two alliances in Europe one stands for the lofty ideas of religious tolerance, inclusiveness and harmony, while the other attempts to prolong the shameful life of dark ages mentality, but cannot succeed.

[windjammer]

Statement regarding the Brussels treaty:
France is glas to have ended the hostilities with the Netherlands. We have countless times in the past tried to improve relations with the Netherlands. We hope that this will be the beginning of a golden age for the Franco-dutch diplomatic relations.


Regarding Poland, we applaud the end of the civil war, and as well the end of hostilities between my realm and Poland. We never wanted that the Polish king declares war on US and we hope as well it will be the beginning of fruitful diplomatic relations between our two realms.


Finally, France would like to remind everyone that we didn't declare war against *anyone*. Prussia, GB, the Netherlands, the Ottomans, Portugal and the former king of Poland *all* declared war against my realm, despite for some of them countless attempts of signing non aggressive pacts. It shows that France isn't an aggressive country and wants peace in Europe, France has ended for example centuries of hostilities with Austria.

But France is ready to défend itself against any foreign aggression. And France is defending itself well, as 2 of its aggressors are already gone.

[Kingpoleon]

King George's wise proclamation only reaffirms the simple truth that out of two alliances in Europe one stands for the lofty ideas of religious tolerance, inclusiveness and harmony, while the other attempts to prolong the shameful life of dark ages mentality, but cannot succeed.

The Pope's alliance with France is shameful indeed. It is our hope that all Popes be men of peace, as all men of God are, not one who wants to start another Crusade.

[Spamage]

News

Habsburgs Captured by the Prussians! MARIA THERESA MURDERED?!

Following the suprise Prussian attack on Vienna and the subsequent fall of the city, the Royal Family was determined to flee to Hungary, where they held a wide base of support. Despite this, Prussian Cavalry units caught up to the Royal Convoy, slaughtering the guards and encircling the carriages. Their progress had been slowed by the sheer number of children Maria Theresa was trying to save.

Upon capture, the Empress acted haughtily, refusing to surrender. She shouted for her children to remember their origins and to never betray their rights as members of the most prestigious house of Europe. While she seemed to have been secured, hours later she collapsed, foaming at the mouth. Clearly she had ingested some sort of poison. Her children, as well as her Prussian jailors, watched with horror as the last true Habsburg passed away. With her death Austria has lost their most decisive leaders.

Naturally many have blamed the Prussians for the sudden death, specifically Frederick II (due to his long-term rivalry with her). The Prussians argue that she likely commited suicide, too proud to bend the knee. Regardless, with her son and heir Joseph in Prussian custody (being whisked north with his siblings) the Austrian war effort seems to have been dealt a fatal blow. Military commanders are refusing to take any offensive actions unless the Royal Family is returned to them, fearing for the safety of their leaders.

ELIZABETH OF RUSSIA STABBED TO DEATH!

In a move to placate the angry peasants, and unite the nation in the face of rebellion, Empress Elizabeth prepared to take actions in favor of her less fortunate subjects. Intending to give them land, Elizabeth held an official ceremony to announce the new moves. Her proclamations were met with widespread applause, before the audience was suddenly witness to a horrific murder.

One peasants stormed to the Empress, many thinking him overly grateful, before pulling out a knife and stabbing her several times. Elizabeth fell back, covered in her own blood as the assassin was dragged away. Surviving for several hours, and moved to her royal apartments, the Empress was admant that Grand Duke Paul be her sucessor, with Catherine as regent. She expired hours later, mourned widely by those who knew her.

Catherine, seizing the regency, ordered the murdered tortured. After hours of brutal treatment, he gave the name of the man who had paid him off. This man too was aprehended in St. Petersburg and after several days, gave up the name of a Prussian spy who had given him gold in order to arrange a conspiracy to kill the Empress. Monarchs everywhere are outraged by the atrocity committed by the Prussians.

War of the Three Tsars Erupts in Russia

News of Elizabeth's death, and the hasty coronation of the infant Paul, brought a wave of chaos to the Empire. In far off Siberia, aided by foreign agents, Paul's supposed father Grand Duke Peter proclaimed himself Peter III, denouncing Paul as a bastard and Catherine as a whore. Many reformists and "new men" have rallied to his side, with vast swathes of the empty Siberian lands lending their support. Peter has tried to cultivate an image similar to that of his grandfather, Peter the Great, and his support may be much larger than it seems.

The Cossacks likewise celebrated the death of Elizabeth, blaming Catherine herself for the murder. Coupled with their territorial gains, their numbers also make them a key player in the brewing civil war. Their support of Ivan VI, the second would-be Tsar remains unshakeable.

Catherine, meanwhile, has enjoyed the backing of the Orthodox Church, the traditionalists, and the military. All see her as a source of stability and a true Russian. Despite the fact she was born in Germany, the regent (unlike her husband) embraced the Russian language and Orthodox religion.

Russia has been thrown into domestic troubles by the murder of Elizabeth and the liberation of Peter. It remains to be seen how the Empire will respond to the brewing storm. Some are already christening the new period as the dawn of a Second Time of Troubles. Whether or not ths is true will soon be determined.

Street Fighting in Warsaw between nobles and peasants

With the institution of the constituational monarchy in Poland following the Father's War, questions and disputes are already arising over the new system. With the Sejm's power having been increased, there are still many in Poland-Lithuania who feel left out of power, particularly the vast mobs of peasants who were crucial in the overthrow of Augustus III. The proclamations of liberty pronounced at the Second Union of Lublin and the coronation of Alexander II have only further emboldened them. The common people, riled up by newspapermen, have begun to demand that the Sejm be reformed into a bicameral legislature, with the citizens having the ability to vote on membership to the lower house. The nobles, content with the level of reform just achieved, have pushed back and demand that the new order be protected.

Tensions in Warsaw have grown over the past few months, with street fighting erupting between the two factions in several locations. More than a dozen peasants and artisans were murdered in the capitol by Sejmist gangs, organized specifically to repress rebellion. Alexander II attempted to calm the situation, but realized how limited his power was when the Sejm refused to crack down on the killers. Thus, though the peasants are appealing to "Good King Alexander", there has been little he can do to stop the Sejm's decision to keep a large portion of the nation disenfranchised. It is likely this strife will only further develop in the unstable new government with the most radical peasants calling for the heads of the leaders of the Sejm.

Queen Louisa Ulrika Flees Sweden

With her husband seeking to stop her scheming, and her new home at war with her old, Louisa Ulrika resolved to escape her unhappy situation. When word reached her that Adolf Frederick would put her under house arrest should she not cease to undermine his rule, she disguised herself as a servant and fled across the Baltic. Rather than go join her brother in Prussia, she instead maintained she is a neutral party in the fight between her husband and family and moved to Oldenburg instead. Louisa Ulrika has denounced her husband's system of constitutional monarchy as an "unnatural monster" though has not publicly placed blame on her husband, instead on those advising him. While Adolf Frederick was saddened, and his children miss their mother, some argue the situation was for the best.  

[Lumine]

FROM THE BATTLEFIELDS:

His Majesty the King of Prussia issues the following proclaim from the battlefields of Bohemia:

Facing a seemingly critical situation due to the might and size of the enemy armies, many probably believed this could have been the end of His Majesty and his glorious military career. Yet as events continue to show, His Majesty Fredrick II and the Prussian Army have not lost the ability to astonish and surprise. While the defeat in Graz is most regrettable, it is outshined in importance by the decisive victory of His Majesty at the Second Battle of Salzburg and the Capture of Vienna, twin battles which alongside the excellent performance of Prince Henry of Prussia in Prague have saved Prussia from potential disaster. From this day henceforth, His Majesty will issue medals for all the soldiers and officers who fought these decisive battles, who will be known across Prussia as the "Heroes of Salzburg". His Majesty will be taking further moves to ensure the legacy of these victories is never forgotten.

His Majesty also offers his most sincere condolences regarding the death of Empress Maria Theresa, who while an enemy, was a worthy rival to the King on account of her unyielding spirit and courage. His Majesty gave orders that no harm should come to the Empress or her family, and so we remain convinced she took her own life due to the scale of the defeat inflicted upon Austria. His Majesty had no reasons or motive to see the Empress harmed, and so he grieves on the death of a rival and fellow monarch with such dignity, courage and resolve, with all flags across Prussia ordered at half-mast to mark this regrettable event. His Majesty also wishes to reassure that the Duke of Bavaria, Archduke Joseph and other noble prisoners will be treated with due respect and humanity, but he extends an invitation to the remaining Generals inside the Hapsburg lands to carefully consider their options.

It is with horror that we have also learned of the death of the usurper Elizabeth Petrovna in Russia, and even more the concerning news that come from the chaos inside the Russian Empire and the actions of one Catherine Alekseyevna, claiming a false regency for an even more false Tsar. His Majesty angrily denies this so called conspiracy to murder the usurper, noting that all "evidence" comes as the result of torture from the ruthless agents of Catherine Alekseyevna. This is nothing more than a despicable plot to cement a so called regency that faces imminent collapse and chaos, and His Majesty denies here and now any involvement in this matter. Once again the Kingdom of Prussia restates its support for Ivan VI as the rightful, lawful Tsar of All Russians, and looks forward to seeing him coronated and sitting on his rightful throne soon.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

In the end, usurper Elizabeth Petrovna fell a victim to her own plots, unable to hold the stolen crown and, consequently, her own life. Let her fate, those of a degenerated nymphomaniac child tortured, be a lesson to all would-be pretenders that the God Almighty will strike down every one of them in due time. Usurper Catherine shall fall too.

At the same time His Sacred and Imperial Majesty mourns the death of Empress Maria Theresa. Although she was our sworn enemy at the battlefield, only a fool or someone with a rotten soul can't see and appreciate her nobility and bravery.

[windjammer]

France mourns the death of Elizabeth the great and Maria Theresa.

[Lumine]

REGARDING THE BATTLES OF SALZBURG AND VIENNA

Having stated earlier that he would seek to preserve and honor the legacy of this historic victories against Austria and the House of Hapsburg, His Majesty King Frederick II of Prussia hereby commands a large-scale memorial to be built in Berlin celebrating the battles and honoring allied and enemy fallen on the battlefield.

A significant part of this memorial will be devoted to the heroics of the brave soldiers of the Ottoman Army, whose support was crucial to His Majesty's daring strategy by drawing enemy forces away from Vienna and fighting a brave battle across the Danube despite the odds. Another part will also be devoted to Empress Maria Theresa and her courage, in proof that His Majesty bears no ill will to the fallen Empress and remains devastated on account of her suicide.

His Majesty also asks composers and musicians across Prussia and Germany itself to compose a march in honor of the battle, by the name of "The March on Salzburg". The best composition will be chosen by the Court Composer and granted the honor of becoming one of the official songs of the Prussian Army, his author granted a suitable reward and honors.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

His Sacred and Imperial Majesty is proud of his soldiers, who fulfilled their mission of tying up the Austrians. At the same time the Sultan cannot escape wondering what if these wonderful men had better equipment and training, how big the victory would've been. We are clearly behind European powers in modern technology and modern military thinking. Let it be a undeniable lesson we must take care of our soldiers by modernizing the army. And we will.

[YPestis25]

Statement from Stockholm Palace

His Majesty Adolf Fredrick is deeply saddened to hear of the deaths of both Empress Elizabeth and Maria Theresa. Their deaths are a reminder that the costs of this war are not limited only to lowborn. His Majesty hopes and prays that peace is around the corner and that this wretched war can come to an end.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

In the eyes of His Sacred and Imperial Majesty the so-called Catherine Alekseevna is nothing but a common impostor, a wench, a thief of family jewels, a bastard maker and a murderess (the death of Elizabeth Petrovna came at a very convenient time for her). No self-respecting rightful monarch of Europe will ever suffer admitting a harlot among their ranks, anointed by the God himself. A woman who couldn't remain loyal and obedient to her lord and husband cannot be trusted in anything.

While an usurper herself, Elizabeth Petrovna at least had the royal Russian blood of Peter the Great flowing in her veins. Despite complicated history between our two nations, His Sacred and Imperial Majesty the Sultan weeps over Russia's degradation since the times of Peter (our sworn enemy, but a respectable leader) to current state of affairs. However, he is convinced once the rightful Emperor Ivan IV is restored to his stolen throne, he could again look across the Black Sea at an equal.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Apologies to everyone (especially Spamage), but I'm afraid I'm gonna have to drop out   While I've really enjoyed this game, I don't know that I can give it the attention it deserves for RL reasons, so it wouldn't be fair to you guys for me to stay in.  Best of luck everybody (especially the Irish NPC, show those Godless English heathen who really runs Ireland)!

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

S**t

I hope when there's an opening and you'd have more time, you'd rejoin X.

[windjammer]

Apologies to everyone (especially Spamage), but I'm afraid I'm gonna have to drop out   While I've really enjoyed this game, I don't know that I can give it the attention it deserves for RL reasons, so it wouldn't be fair to you guys for me to stay in.  Best of luck everybody (especially the Irish NPC, show those Godless English heathen who really runs Ireland)!

The Pope died at the same time IRL right?

Best of luck with everything X, I hope you will rejoin .

[Lumine]

ON RUSSIA

As the Most Noble Sultan of the Ottoman Empire has noted, it is truly sad to see the Russian throne usurped by Catherine Alekseyevna, born Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst, in the name of the infant Paul. Across the continent there are many who already ask why would Catherine have any claim to a regency in the name of any Tsar, a woman with no Russian blood on her veins, known not only for her cruelty and ambition but on account of her lust. Even Paul's supposed father has noted his suspicions that the boy is not his, but the son of one of Catherine's countless lovers.

Peoples of Russia, the whole world asks of you, what will it be? Will it be a foreign born ruler for you, who is unable to speak Russian without an accent and was born into a different culture and religion, pulling the strings of an illegitimate child? Or will it be a young, courageous man who is of Russian royal blood through and through, who not only speaks the language has knows the customs, but who is also well acquainted with the suffering of the people? What will it be? The Kingdom of Prussia stands by its pledge that Ivan VI should be a Russian ruler and not a puppet, and from now on our court will accept marriage proposals for Ivan from the Russian aristocracy.

[Kingpoleon]

Statement from Denmark-Norway

We wish to declare our opposition to Catherine of Russia, and we request Ivan VI and Peter III join in alliance against the Tyrant of Moscow. We declare equal recognition of Ivan VI and Peter III and ask them to fulfill our request before they fall.

[windjammer]

Statement from Denmark-Norway

We wish to declare our opposition to Catherine of Russia, and we request Ivan VI and Peter III join in alliance against the Tyrant of Moscow. We declare equal recognition of Ivan VI and Peter III and ask them to fulfill our request before they fall.

How can two kings rule at the same time???

[Lumine]

Statement from Denmark-Norway

We wish to declare our opposition to Catherine of Russia, and we request Ivan VI and Peter III join in alliance against the Tyrant of Moscow. We declare equal recognition of Ivan VI and Peter III and ask them to fulfill our request before they fall.

How can two kings rule at the same time???

Well, if Madame de Pompadour and a dozen royal lovers ruled France for years...

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Both Sides Do It™

[windjammer]

Statement from Denmark-Norway

We wish to declare our opposition to Catherine of Russia, and we request Ivan VI and Peter III join in alliance against the Tyrant of Moscow. We declare equal recognition of Ivan VI and Peter III and ask them to fulfill our request before they fall.

How can two kings rule at the same time???

Well, if Madame de Pompadour and a dozen royal lovers ruled France for years...

There is only 1 King in France, and it has been me for many years now.

I hope that the King of Danemark will precise his thought on the matter, I'm truly intrigued.

[Lumine]

Statement from Denmark-Norway

We wish to declare our opposition to Catherine of Russia, and we request Ivan VI and Peter III join in alliance against the Tyrant of Moscow. We declare equal recognition of Ivan VI and Peter III and ask them to fulfill our request before they fall.

How can two kings rule at the same time???

Well, if Madame de Pompadour and a dozen royal lovers ruled France for years...

There is only 1 King in France, and it has been me for many years now.

I hope that the King of Danemark will precise his thought on the matter, I'm truly intrigued.

If there was a King, why was Madame de Pompadour ruling over the state with near absolute power?