If its any consolation, I know all about the history of Falasan and don't see the connection either. Then again, I know little enough about Hammarsett. Presumably the connection is the origin of the colonists - primarily from the very south east rather than the realms that did most of the fighting. I know CE originally supported Coria having a claim on the territories given their involvement in the fighting, but Munro would be correct in recalling that sustainability would have been a problem. Not so much distance from capital or the likes, I believe the reason was actually lack of nobles at that time. It was all or nothing, as the Duchy needed its regions whether with Coria or to survive as a new realm. The theory was, obviously, yet another buffer, an ally closer to home to hit the likes of the Barony should the north fight the south yet again and to lock in MI as a consequence of losing the war. Obviously, given that CE and their closer allies didn't take as much interest in the new colony as they did in Coria's leadership, that seems to have flopped somewhat.
As for Carelia, leadership is an issue. Carelia's well aware of that and kudos to the military heads there on a constant effort to improve. Outsiders don't see it because the results haven't shown themselves, but I am aware of the efforts they're putting in to find an extensively considered military framework. Despite this, the failure of results of these admirable efforts falls to the leaders of Carelia (primarily, but not limited to military) for the reasons listed. I tend to agree with both criticisms. Carelia lacks the organization that tends to motivate players. I've always said CE is the best realm, and that's OOC and seperate to any loyalties my characters may have. The reason for this is threefold.
- First, there is a clear path of advancement. Nobles are quickly drawn into Knighthood. When a region finds itself without a lord, an election is held where any noble can step forward and campaign the sitting Lords and Ladies for their support. Often, this is realm-wide, but the more savvy tend to go with the personal touch (and target Dukes who have more votes). Lords and Ladies make most of the non-tatical decisions in the Senate. All fairly clear and simple - properly done.
- Second, leadership. There's a clear way of getting there, but its also decisive. Any time there isn't general agreement, a vote can be held which will answer the question fairly promptly. While the Senate can discuss for weeks or more the diplomatic stance of the Empire, its the seperate military leadership that puts it into effect. There, they have the authority, the chain of command and a definitive voice. Orders are rarely countermanded and morale is typically high as most armies come with a fairly proud history, along with a degree of rivalry as to which is better.
- Finally, propaganda. Its not the purpose of this post - I no longer have any characters in CE - but everyone knows CE is the best. They're the biggest, have the strongest army and have reliable allies at their back. When was the last war they actually lost? These are things that I am well aware were held against CE - their success - for long before this contentital war of all wars began. CE is not liked, but few can claim to look down on them in any of the realms. That makes fighting them somewhat problematic, especially if they happen to wipe your armies out now and then. On the flip side, these same things are told to every or almost every noble in CE. That leads to a fair amount of confidence and the feeling of being on the winning side, which will motivate players far more than knowing that you've a long hard fight ahead with no sure result in your favour. Motivation, both within CE and the effects of its reputation on the motivation of their enemies.
Carelia has problems on each of those front. Advancement is hodge-podge. The person with the best claim is good - falls perfectly within the hopes of Tom - but wouldn't it be better if the appointments went to the courtiers and what-have-you, so that nobles are not drawn away from the battlefield? Makes sense. Problem as I see it is that the bulk of your nobles, especially those seeking to work their way up the ladder, will end up in the offensive armies. That is where the bulk of the nobles will go, especially during war. Those same nobles fight to take regions back or acquire new regions, but because of two mind-sets; the appointment of previous lords automatically and the appointment of rearguard nobles over vanguard nobles, its often the case that either a fairly inept lord is reappointed due to his claim (when the opportunity really should be used to find someone who'll take a greater role or not make people wince when they read their messages) or someone who's done little to none of the losing troops and getting hurt again and again finds their way into a position of some power and affluence. This hurts morale as much as anything else, and damages a player's will to persist. Were I in CE, I'd be confident of getting a Lordship a lot sooner than I would were I in Carelia despite the noble:region ratio, as they're far more likely to elect someone who's involved far and wide rather than someone who happens to have been the lord of the region a couple of years ago or lost the region due to bad management.
The military situation is similar. Too many cooks. Carelia has fairly impressive retention of its military leadership. The problem is, a lot of the former leaders forget the fact that they technically don't have the authority, they are no longer Marshals or Generals and are, in fact, widely unknown among the greater populace of nobles. These same gents still send orders, occassionally contrary to orders coming from the Marshal or Vice-Marshal, but that's not so bad as they've about as much an idea of what the plan is as the officers. The blame in Carelia's case, therefore lies in Leta and Nathan's hands in my mind. Carelia needs a firm direction as to what they hope to achieve in this war. That lies at the monarch's feet as does giving clear direction as to a simple chain of command and a simple path of advancement, or expectations, for the ordinary Knight. Nathan needs to be far more decisive too. He's a good General, knows his stuff, but my experience of his military leadership tells me that he needs to be willing to make the call, even the wrong one. Good odds he'll make the right call as often, or more often, than the wrong one, but that is far far better than not making any call at all until it is too late and Carelia's armies are working at whatever their Marshal thinks best. That's a lack of unity in action for the armies and with the general lack of organization (the Shields, for instance, seem to lack a clear division in responsabilities and, from what I've observed, wander where the individual thinks they are most needed. This can have three or four courtiers making the trip to the same region, with half the number turning around to head for another destination when it becomes clear others have got it covered. That's a few days of one or more courtiers not doing their work when they're sorely needed.
But yeah, I don't mean to draw a roadmap for Carelia or anything. I certainly don't mean what I've said as an insult or a lack of belief in their potential. They once had a strong reputation, deservedly, but they no longer stand as tall as they could. Changes are needed. If any here disagree, look at the progress of the war over these past few months. Little enough, but with the exception of Skalk and the occassional visit to Alatol, it seems the fighting is done on Carelian land. Not a good way to win a war. Carelia, in my mind at least, is ripe for expansion and success. They are the only realm that can actually start eating up CE should the war go their way. Colonies are not out of the question, but Carelia can directly benefit, rather than indirectly, should improvements be made and their leaders become more decisive.
Simple and to the point. Not my post I'm talking about. Instead, I refer to what Carelia lacks and really needs to get back. A clear internal system and no distractions or lack of sureness in their path, whatever that may be.
I claimed CE was the best. Others will surely disagree, and yet I'm being objective, or as objective as I can be. That does not make them infallible. That does not mean I believe they can hold out forever if things don't change. It does mean that Carelia, in my humble opinion, could do with learning a thing or two from them. Not to emulate, but to make their own and to get their house in order so they can fight and win, rather than fight and lose over and over again.
Disclaimer: I'm biased. Probably out of touch with certain elements involved. And avidly interested. Gotta be the best topic on the forum
Finton.
P.S. On the original subject of this post, which I unsurprisingly drifted quickly and extremely far away from, Coria's support wasn't ever needed for the founding of the colony. Would the colony exist without CE, Tara and Talerium though? I have my doubts. Hammersett wasn't founded because Coria couldn't manage another Duchy at that point in time, but it could easily have not been founded had Coria been able to manage another Duchy. The discussion of a colony, and Hammersett's fresh existence, would likely have gone no further than a brief consideration had Coria stated a willingness to take the Duchy. They weren't willing to, so a colony effort was put together. Coria, if I remember it right, had no real involvement after declining, and Hammersett came into existance with the determination of those nobles looking to forge their own, new path on Atamara. Would Coria have demanded a Duchy from Eston? Despite what Darka did to Eston, or perhaps because of it, I suspect Coria would never have done such a thing because surrendering Eston's capital after not contesting Darka's own expansion would have been very bad for Eston and, obviously, they probably wouldn't have agreed, no matter who was winning the war.
Some thoughts.
