AAR - 15/09/2013 - Novgorod
Okay, so started with a Norwegian invasion. Not unexpected, so I sent my army up to Kola and beat them back once, with the intention of restoring wink's province to him. Then, the Livonian Order attacked. Initially, I thought this was fine. I'd been wanting to vassalize them for a while, and this seemed like the opportune moment with Cazz backing me against Norway. I fell back and started seiging Livland with Cazz moving into Norway, before I realised that Livonia had been in a coalition with Muscowy, which meant I was at war with Muscowy. Again. Thankfully, this was only a coalition, so despite very rapidly losing 3 provinces to Muscowy, after taking the Livonian capital I forced a white peace, and just after restored wink's province too him. Unfortunately, my army was shattered and for the second time this game, at an incredibly inopportune moment Orthodox rebels spawned in the same province as my army and butchered them. I had managed to get a +2 missionary advisor and was finally able to convert Novgorod to Catholicism, when these Orthodox rebels swept down towards Novgorod. Unfortunately for me, they were super-rebels, destroying Swedish and Polish stacks with ease, seemingly against the odds. Without much choice, I was forced to convert back to Orthodox. I had managed to convert two of my provinces to Catholic though, so hopefully I can get some Catholic rebels later and convert back. I also managed to core most of Livonia, so I'm no longer over-extended and my tax is starting to pick up. Generally speaking, things are looking okay, now.
My goals for the future: vassalize Livonia. My neighbours are now Livonia, Muscowy and Muscowy's vassal states, Pskov, and Norway. Pskov has good relations with me, no claims on my territories, and generally I expect no attack. Norway is currently engaged in war with Denmark. Muscowy is still far too threatening for me to be able to deal with. However, Livonia is both a) beatable, and b) a nuisance. They shall fall.
Aside from that, wait for Catholic rebels, and then convert again. It's going to be a long and difficult process, but I want to remain competitive a few centuries later and part of that involves Catholicism and Westernization.
Super-super long-term? Fuck Muscowy over. At the moment, that's just a distant dream.
Diplomatic state at the end of the session: Truce with Livonian Order, Yaroslavl, Muscowy, Ryazan, Norway.
Province Count: No change.
Vassals or PU: None
At War With: None