Amersfoort World Domination

Thousands of soldiers from neighbouring Utrecht surround Amersfoort. As the Burgemeester you are the one to make the choice to fight or not. The white-and-red of the Utrecht coat of arms overwhelm you. You are clearly outnumbered. You shiver and turn to your council. [[Council meeting]] <img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Utrecht_gemeente_wapen.svg/1200px-Utrecht_gemeente_wapen.svg.png">

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/zB9H3J8.jpg"> Two of your councilmen are strikingly convincing to you. First of all Cornelis van de Heuvel, a good friend of yours. He tells you to surrender te city and be a good leader to the people of Amersfoort. It's obvious that there's no way your army will be able to hold back the overwhelming amount of Utrecht soldiers. To fight would be suicide for both you and the city, he says. The other convincing councilman is the new guy on the council, Bastiaan van Toor. You don't really trust him as much, but he makes a solid point. Surrender and both you and Amersfoort will be at the hands of your arch-rival. Fighting in the surroundings of Amersfoort increases your chances as the terrain will be familiar for your army. Combine this with shooting from the Amersfoort walls and you might stand a chance of fending Utrecht off. Whose advice will you follow? [[Cornelis van de Heuvel]] [[Bastiaan van Toor]]

You decide Cornelis is right. You open the gates for the Utrecht soldiers. The rivalry between Utrecht and Amersfoort becomes clear as the Utrecht soldiers ravage through your town, pillaging homes and raping women. After murdering half of the population of Amersfoort they find you, hiding in your official residence. Before being able to defend yourself, you are captured and brought to the city square. A few hours later, your head rolls over the wet and shiny cobbles. [[Amersfoort city siege]] <img src="https://p0.pxfuel.com/preview/562/874/509/patch-road-wet-ground.jpg">

You decide Bastiaan van Toor is right, Amersfoort is a city to be defended. There is no way you will let Utrecht take over. Your archers and cannons are readied on the wall and by using smoke signals soldiers outside of the city are told to attack from the flank. After a heroic battle, losing countless soldiers and a combined effort of the people rationing food and water, Amersfoort withstands the Utrecht attack. Your people are safe and you can start rebuilding your city and army. [[Thriving Amersfoort]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/nhsNov8.jpg">

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/zB9H3J8.jpg"> After your successes fighting off Utrecht, Amersfoort becomes a thriving hub of economic power again. At some point, one of your councilmen, Antonius Albrechtsen suggests it might be time to try and expand a little further, incorporating other cities into Amersfoort's sphere of influence to make sure Amersfoort will be able to stand up to Utrecht again in the future. You think his suggestion through and say: [[Amersfoort will be fine]] [[On the attack]]

You disagree with Antonius. 'Amersfoort will be fine', you say. The economic prosperity that started after the Utrecht invasion does continue for a while and everything seems just fine. But after two years the Utrecht soldiers are at the Koppelpoort again, trying to get in. This time the amount of soldiers is so overwhelmingly large that you have no choice but to surrender. As the Utrecht soldiers enter Amersfoort and destroy the city inside out, they keep looking for you. Utrecht's leader is exremely angry about the resistance during the last invasion. He decides you are to watch your family to be slaughtered one by one and die by starvation afterwards. So it happened. [[Amersfoort city siege]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/26jx8Cu.jpg">

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/zB9H3J8.jpg"> You decide Antonius is right. It's time for Amersfoort to expand it's wings over neighbouring cities and build up strength to withstand Utrecht. As you assemble your council you get a few proposals. Once again, Bastiaan van Toor comes with an idea. He tells you to go straight for Utrecht. 'We beat them then, we will beat them again', he shouts. The other councilmen seem hesitant, but he was right last time. Antonius Albrechtsen himself comes with the idea to attack Zutphen. A much smaller town to the east of Utrecht that is considered the capital of Gelderland. He tells you their army isn't too big and the economic gains by conquering Zutphen are quite substantial. A third councilman, Johan Maurits tells you to attack and conquer Middelburg, a city far away in Zeeland. Johan says Middelburg just send their army to South America to capture Brazil and they will be weaker now. Where do we attack? [[Utrecht]] [[Zutphen]] [[Middelburg]]

Your army reaches Utrecht, as you once won against Utrecht by using your familiarity with the surroundings and shooting from the walls, Utrecht starts doing the same thing. Difference is: Utrecht's army was already far bigger. Within a day your army is destroyed and you are captured. Not a single soldier is left to defend Amersfoort and your city gets taken by neighbouring Zutphen a few days later. After being told your city was captured, you are beheaded on the main square. [[Amersfoort city siege]] <img src=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/DomTorenUtrechtNederland.jpg/266px-DomTorenUtrechtNederland.jpg>>

Attacking Zutphen turns out to be a great choice. As the cities army is by no means comparable to yours, the Zutphen city council decides to surrender to you. Since you are mainly looking for economic gains, it makes to sense to destroy the city and therefore you don't. Zutphen is yours and your economic and military presence grows. 'This tastes like more', as the Dutch would say. [[Who's next?]] <img src= "https://www.reislegende.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Berkelpoort-Zutphen-bezienswaardigheden-Reislegende-1024x683.jpg">

Though Middelburg is indeed ill defended at this point in time, you seem to have forgotten that going from Amersfoort to Middelburg is a long way and there is many cities, towns and villages on the way there. These places are not happy with an army from a city far away and you are being attacked continuously. As you arrive at the Middelburg gates, your numbers have severely dwindled. Besides, you receive news from home. Utrecht got word of you being in Zeeland and has taken Amersfoort with near to zero effort, murdering your subjects. You decide it might be better to stay clear of Amersfoort and become a deacon at the local Middelburg church. Your army dissolves. [[Amersfoort city siege]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/E2TCmsK.jpg">

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/zB9H3J8.jpg"> As your entire city council, including yourself are hungry for more. There is yet another choice to make. Who's next? Once again, three proposals come to your ears. Once again Antonius Albrechtsen comes up with an idea, he thinks attacking Zwolle is the best choice for now. This city isn't too large and much more like Zutphen. It's an easy way to increase affluence. Another councilmember, Adriaan van Toor, comes up with a different plan. He's aiming for something bigger. Adriaan believes it would be smarter to attack Groningen instead, as he believes this will add much more to Amersfoort's power. The other councilmen look at him disapprovingly. A third councilmember, Maik de Boer wants you to attack Maastricht. By taking this city he believes Amersfoort will take control of the south of the country, therefore becoming a force to be reckoned with. Where do we attack? [[Zwolle]] [[Groningen]] [[Maastricht]]

Antonius was right, again. Taking Zwolle wasn't very hard though some losses had to be endured. The city is yours and your power increased. Taking Zwolle doesn't really seem like an impressive feat to the other cities and Utrecht's growth was significantly faster. Utrecht sees you going for Zwolle as a sign of weakness and decides to attack Amersfoort again. They were right, taking Zwolle didn't help your city enough and after a long battle Utrecht takes Amersfoort. A large portion of your inhabitants starved to death and the people of Amersfoort are very unhappy with your performance. They bring you to the Utrecht overlords themselves and you are being shot in an alley, to be forgotten by time. [[Amersfoort city siege]] <img src="https://www.holland.com/upload_mm/3/7/2/68638_fullimage_zwolle_sassenpoort_818x512.jpg">

You agree with Adriaan van Toor, you attack Groningen. The battle is much easier then expected. Within Groningen a conflict between two religious groups kept most of the army busy for years already and they are exhausted before your siege even starts. One of the two religious groups, the Kabeljauwen, decide to align with you. By having them on your side, you have a Trojan Horse within the city walls. Within a few days the city is yours. Besides, word from Zwolle came. For Zwolle, peace and trade is most important and they want to prevent any bloodshed, which is why they ask you for protection in return for subjecting themselves to you. You have control over the entire northeastern part of the country. [[Amersfoort's rise to glory]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/yOBkJiO.jpg">

Though Maastricht isn't the most powerful city. The battle is a fierce one. After two weeks of continuous fighting a third army arrives. The Archbishop of Cologne has come to protect his backyard. Against this multitude of armies, your men stand no chance. You surrender after being assured you will be left to live. And live you will, rowing on a slave vessel on the Mediterranean Sea. [[Amersfoort city siege]] <img src="https://media.smartbox.com/pim/10000022750961058538424.jpg">

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/zB9H3J8.jpg"> As Amersfoort is truly becoming a force to be reckoned with, you feel like you shouldn't stop expanding now. There's still much ground to be gained. Your council agrees. Once again three people come up with an idea. Like Johan Maurits, who has left for Brazil himself by now. Samuel van Houten believes Middelburg would be a good choice. The city is ill-defended as much of their army is still in Brazil. He also believes Middelburg would be the perfect place to conquer as Amersfoort would then have possessions on both sides of Utrecht, allowing them to make a pincer move on Utrecht. Bastiaan van Toor starts shouting again, according to him Amersfoort is now strong enough to go for Utrecht. The other councilmen remind you of the fact that like Amersfoort, Utrecht has also been increasing their numbers. The third one seems outrageous, Cornelis Lely tells you he is capable of building a dyke connecting the Northeastern part of the country that is under your control with North Holland, allowing you to move troops from your territory to Hoorn without passing Utrecht and Amsterdam. Though the fellow councilmen are amazed by the idea, some of them start laughing at this weird fantasy. Where do we attack now? [[Middelburg]] [[Utrecht]] [[Hoorn]]

Cornelis Lely kept his word. He built what he called the 'Cut-Off Dyke' and you are able to move your troops into the Northern part of North Holland. Completely surprised by your sudden appearance, Hoorn has no chance but to surrender. Taking Hoorn gave Amersfoort access to an important harbour, securing both shipbuilding and wood delivery. His plan seemed outrageous, but you are very thankful to him. [[Marchin on]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/tX5hl6G.jpg">

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/zB9H3J8.jpg"> Now that you and your armies have entered Holland, your councilmen believe it's time to choose another city in the province to attack. Holland is the most prosperous of the provinces and adding any of these cities to your sphere of influence would mean a great improvement of your power. Pieter Adriaanszoon van der Werff believes you should attack Leiden, the city is most known for its linen and its University, but isn't as big as Amsterdam. He believes taking Leiden should be a piece of cake. According to Abraham Boom, taking Amsterdam would be the best choice. Though the city is big and thought to be much stronger than Amersfoort, he believes its strength is overrated. Other councilmen tell him the victorious campaign got to his head. A third councilman, Jules Deelder, believes Rotterdam is the best point of attack. He sees the city as a key asset in taking control of the North Sea and believes you should try to take it as soon as possible. What is your command? [[Leiden]] [[Amsterdam]] [[Rotterdam]]

The attack of Leiden will forever be remembered as 'het Beleg van Leiden'. For almost a year, Amersfoort soldiers tried sieging the city and taking control. The Leiden inhabitants fought fiercely, rationed their food and by working together with the Watergeuzen they broke the morale of the Amersfoort soldiers, forcing them to retreat. Your losses are enormous and too big to overcome. While on the retreat, you choke on a meal of hutspot. Amersfoort continuously loses territory until the city itself is taken by Utrecht. [[Amersfoort city siege]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/URO37iM.jpg">

Amsterdam seems like a crazy choice as it is the most powerful and biggest city in the country. There is however one weakness in Amsterdam, which is their 'Canal Belt Mentality'. As you surround the city with your army, the citizens of Amsterdam start protesting against war on the streets, they preach an ideology of non-violence, making the Amsterdam city council unable to respond. Amsterdams burgemeester, Femke Halsema, personally gives you the keys to her office. You've just conquered the biggest city in the country without bloodshed. As word of this reaches other cities in Holland, Leiden and Rotterdam think your army is so big that Amsterdam capitulated without even fighting. Both cities congratulate you and offer you their subjectivity in return for protection. [[The road is wide-open]] <img src="https://www.huren.nl/media/cache/resolve/rental_item/uploads/images/rental_items/5dd65f5b89e58988704323.jpg.jpeg">

Do you really expect Amsterdam and Leiden are going to let you pass their territories unharmed on the way to Rotterdam? They aren't. Your army is intercepted by a combined effort of the two cities, your men are demotivated because they are fed up with your poor leadership and your army disbands. The Amsterdam city council forces you to become their court jester, leaving Amersfoort without an army. Sadly, this time the walls didn't stand a chance against the wrath of Utrecht. [[Amersfoort city siege]] <img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/8899/17643378523_8511ed4a7f_b.jpg">

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/zB9H3J8.jpg"> As you are now seemingly the most powerful city in the country, the road is wide-open for you. There is only 3 more cities to conquer to become the single ruler in the land, one of them your archenemy, Utrecht. Your council wants you to make a choice, what city is next? You yourself believe it is time to attack Utrecht and you are not the only one. There are countless calls for Utrecht to be the next target. Utrecht has forever been your nemesis and now is the time. A few councilmen vouch for Middelburg. The city plays an important role in the control over the North Sea and functions as a central point in overseas relations. Bastiaan van Toor, who previously always chose Utrecht points out that Maastricht is another option. Now that Amersfoort is so powerful, the Archbishop of Cologne shouldn't be a problem anymore. What city is next? [[The battle of Utrecht]] [[The battle of Middelburg]] [[The battle of Maastricht]]

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/zB9H3J8.jpg"> You've decided to attack your archenemy, the city of Utrecht. This city has been a major problem for Amersfoort since the dawn of times and you still hold a grudge against the city because of the siege around a decade ago. You have a choice to make. Do you wish to attack the city in the same fashion you were attacked back then? Attacking the city hands-on and trying to destroy as much of it as possible or would you rather starve the city by cutting it off from its supply chains? [[Hands-on approach]] [[Starve]]

Your councilmen weren't wrong. Middelburg was taken without much resistance as most of its army was still in Brazil. Amersfoort therefore has control over the North Sea, besides as part of Brazil was conquered by Middelburg, part of Brazil is now owned by Amersfoort. The coffee and sugarcane produced here increases Amersfoort's standing and economic power. [[South or rival]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/E2TCmsK.jpg">

Bastiaan van Toor was right. The Bishop of Cologne did not pose any threat and both he and the Maastricht army are easily beaten. Amersfoort takes control of the south of the country. [[In doubt]] <img src="https://media.smartbox.com/pim/10000022750961058538424.jpg">

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/zB9H3J8.jpg"> As the entire northern, southern and eastern part of the country are now in Amersfoort's hands, there is only two options left for further conquest. Either Middelburg, a gem on the North Sea with an important harbour and international ties or nemesis Utrecht is to be Amersfoort's next victim. The council by no means cares what city is the next to attack. You as the burgemeester have become the absolute ruler of Amersfoort. What's next? [[The attack on Middelburg]] [[Archenemy Utrecht]]

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/zB9H3J8.jpg"> As the entire northern and western part of the country are now in Amersfoort's hands, there is only two options left for further conquest. Either Maastricht, a beautiful city in southern Limburg, protected by the Archbishop of Cologne or nemesis Utrecht is to be Amersfoort's next victim. The council by no means cares what city is the next to attack. You as the burgemeester have become the absolute ruler of Amersfoort. What's next? [[The attack on Maastricht]] [[Archenemy Utrecht]]

Being as strong as Amersfoort is right now, Middelburg and its lack of men is no match for their army. Middelburg is conquered and Amersfoort has control over the North Sea. There is only one city left to conquer - Amersfoort's archenemy, Utrecht. As spirits in Amersfoort are high, there isn't really a choice of whether Utrecht will be attacked, only about how Utrecht will be attacked? Should we attack the city directly or should we block Utrecht's supply chains to starve the city? [[Hands-on approach]] [[Blockage of Utrecht]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/E2TCmsK.jpg">

You've decided to attack your archenemy, the city of Utrecht. This city has been a major problem for Amersfoort since the dawn of times and you still hold a grudge against the city because of the siege around a decade ago. You have a choice to make. Do you wish to attack the city in the same fashion you were attacked back then? Attacking the city hands-on and trying to destroy as much of it as possible or would you rather starve the city by cutting it off from its supply chains? [[Hands-on approach]] [[Starve]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/zB9H3J8.jpg">

Being as strong as Amersfoort is right now, both Maastricht and the Bishop of Cologne are no match for their armies. Maastricht is conquered and there is only one city left - Amersfoort's archenemy, Utrecht. As spirits in Amersfoort are high, there isn't really a choice of whether Utrecht will be attacked, only about how Utrecht will be attacked? Should we attack the city directly or should we block Utrecht's supply chains to starve the city? [[Hands-on approach]] [[Blockage of Utrecht]] <img src="https://media.smartbox.com/pim/10000022750961058538424.jpg">

You are obviously the more powerful city, just like Utrecht was when they attacked Amersfoort a decade ago. However, the Utrecht city walls and surroundings have the same function as yours did a decade ago. The battle for Utrecht is fierce, but by rationing and shooting from the walls, you suffer the same fate as Utrecht did. You lose and the losses in your army are enormous, giving Utrecht the opportunity to chase you to Amersfoort. Unlike last time, this time there's barely any time to prepare the defence and Utrecht manages to take the city. The people of Amersfoort think greed for revenge got to your head and accept Utrecht as their new ruler. The province of Utrecht with the city of Utrecht leading it is born. You are brought forward for execution and are quartered and hung on display. [[Amersfoort city siege]] <img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/02/Utrecht_provincie_wapen.svg/1200px-Utrecht_provincie_wapen.svg.png">

<img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E7spuQPXsAAR9YH.jpg"> Your troops surround Utrecht. No food, water or medicine is to come in. After a month the first messages from inside the city come, asking for help and crying about starvation. As Utrecht is not Leiden this Beleg van Utrecht seems to be working. After three months, a representative of Utrecht's city council comes outside of the walls to negotiate a peace with you. Utrecht accepts you as their ruler and the city you have always hated and seen as your archenemy is yours. You open the blockage and the people of Utrecht are happy to finally have proper food and medicine. Remaining cities took note of your tactics and surrender themselves, making you the sole ruler in the land. Congratulations, Amersfoort is now dominating 'the World'. <img src="https://i.imgur.com/wNWIhSo.jpg">

<img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E7spuQPXsAAR9YH.jpg"> Your troops surround Utrecht. No food, water or medicine is to come in. After a month the first messages from inside the city come, asking for help and crying about starvation. As Utrecht is not Leiden this Beleg van Utrecht seems to be working. After three months, a representative of Utrecht's city council comes outside of the walls to negotiate a peace with you. Utrecht accepts you as their ruler and the city you have always hated and seen as your archenemy is yours. You open the blockage and the people of Utrecht are happy to finally have proper food and medicine. Congratulations, Amersfoort is now dominating 'the World'. <img src="https://i.imgur.com/wNWIhSo.jpg">

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/XVv9Eti.png"> Welcome to the game: Amersfoort World Domination. In this game you will be playing as the burgemeester (mayor) of Amersfoort in his struggle for surival. [[Amersfoort city siege]]