So, final note for the eu4 MP game. We had our last session of this campaign today. It only lasted 3 years before Spain was declared the winner. Here's the Spanish AAR.
Spain: 1704-1707, the 3rd Franco-Iberian War
Diplomacy had reared its ugly head. Portugal, overtaken by lunacy, decided to declare its "neutrality" and take over trading for every european country. In effect, extending the traditional Iberian partnership to all of Europe. This infuriated the Spanish Court, as this directly increased France's income in addition to rendering the current Spanish policy of pirating the everloving **** out of the Channel (where france was collecting) moot as Portugal also declared a ban on Piracy. It was, in short, catastrophic for Spanish plans of world domination. And there was nothing Spain could do to prevent the arrangement either. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Germany had both signed on as Spanish allies. However this had the predictable affect of Russia and Scandinavia (who's army was the only other one in the world potentially on par with France and Spain) ally with France. At best it was a wash, realistically if France was allowed time to gather it's allies and prepare it would likely be a complete disaster. Plan were drawn up for a rapid expansion of the Spanish army, with the Quartermaster General assuring the War College that Spain could feild over 1,000,000 troops given enough time to raise them, but they were eventually discarded in lieu of a daring quick assault. Spain would have to eat the penalties for breaking the truce, but France is was currently low on manpower and had troops in England. A quick attack gave Spain the best chance to triumph over the hated Frogs.
Spain declared war on March 1704, and the third Franco-Iberian War began.
~600,000 troops crossed the Pyrenees, split into 3 armies (250k, 250k, and 100k), while another ~150,000 troops stood in reserve. A rapid push was made northward with Southern France falling almost immediately to the waves of fort assaults, despite extensive fortifications in the area. No French Armies appeared, so the Spanish juggernaught continued to press northward toward Ile de France. A French army of 60,000 was finally spotted in Nevers, and battle was soon joined.
Bloody Victory at Nevers
The routed French fled to northern Italy, and unfortunately the exhausted Spanish Army was unable to follow. Instead the push continued northward, with many provinces in central France falling to lightning-quick Spanish assaults. With France declining to offer battle, Ile de France was swiftly conquered with a force of 200,000 Spanish Patriots. The Glorious Spanish Flag was raised over Versaille and the French King was forced to flee. However, the war was not yet over. Scandinavia and Russia finally joined on the side of France, prompting Spain to call in the PLC. A large joint French/Scandinavian force was able to catch the PLC army unaware on the German/French border and defeat them, but the PLC was able to retreat in good order. Fresh off their victory, the Scandi/French army turned west. The Spanish Army rallied and met them on the fields of Champagne.
Glorious Victory at Champagne
The Battle of Champagne would be sung of for centuries as despite horrific casualties the Spanish Army held and bled the French and Scandinavians nearly dry. The army of the PLC, fresh off their defeat, were still able to make it to the battle, providing the troops needed to finally break the French and Scandinavian lines dry. Following the battle, Germany (who had now entered the war), chased the remaining French regiments down and scattered them to the winds. The battle of France had ended in a decisive victory.
With the destruction of the French Army the nations of Scandinavia, France, and Russia formally surrendered to the allies and bent the knee to the rightful overlords of all Europe, the GLORIOUS SPANISH EMPIRE!
Iberia reina indiscutida!
No maps or ledgerdumps, as the game ended 3 years after start. They'd p. much all be the same.