Moldavia (Merveilles du Monde Map Game)

Principality of Moldavia ‎Țara Moldovei (Moldavian) Timeline: Merveilles du Monde (Map Game)
Poland 1454 - Present
Capital		Suceava
Official languages		Moldavian
Regional languages		Greek; Russian; Turkic
Ethnic groups		Moldavian; Turkic
Religion		Orthodox
Demonym		Latin
Government		Feudal Principality
-	Voievod of Moldavia	Stephen IV Mușat
History
-	Organization of Moldavia	1352
-	Failed Moldavian Revolt	1359
-	Independence from Poland	1454
Population
-	1475 estimate	1,000,000
Currency		Taler

The Principality of Moldavia is a southeastern European nation located along the northern coast of the Black Sea. Moldavia is bordered by Polish Galicia and the Republic of All Rus' to the north, by the Khanates to the east, by the Byzantine Taurica to the south, and Hungary to the southwest.

Currently ruled by Stephen IV Mușat, Moldavia is experiencing a period of relative growth and prosperity, given its position on the Black Sea and extensive trade with fellow Orthodox nations.

History

1320 - Moldavian heartlands conquered by Hungary from White Horde (Battle of Barlâd)

1352 - Dragos Voda forms Principality of Moldavia under Hungary

1359 - Failed revolt led by Prince Bogdan the Founder (Battle of Focsani)

1381 - Sack of Iasi by Prince Andrezej of Poland

1454/5 - Independence under Alexandral

1470 - Stephen III becomes Prince of Moldavia, begins to attack the Crimeans

1474 - Stephen III takes Odessa

1504 - Stephen III "the Great" dies; succeeded by grandson Stephen IV

Government

Royal Family:

• Stephen III "the Great"
  • Alexandru x Irene (of Byzantines)
    • Stephen IV

Economy

• Capital: Suceava
• Main Trade City: Irodoraș (OTL Kherson)

Military

The Moldavian military is a large force, numbering as much as 40,000 troops. The Moldavian military is renowned for its use of a number of cavalry units, including the cossacks. The approximate breakdown of the Moldavian military is as follows:

• Infantry (25,000)
  • Militia (10,000): Primarily composed of peasants, the militia drills twice yearly in peacetime to ensure their preparedness. The militia are on the frontline as responsible for protecting their local villages from Tartar raids.
  • Pikemen (6,000): Effective against enemy cavalry units on the plains and steppes, the pikemen tend to come from the lower ranks of the burgher class. A small amount of pikemen serve in a more permanent capacity, but most are only called upon in times of war.
  • Arquebusiers (9,000): Hailing from a rich tradition that dates back to 1475 with the Moldavian invention of the shoulderstock, arquebusiers are drilled regularly in peacetime to ensure integrity and morale. They provide shock and heavy casualties on the battlefield.
• Cavalry (13,000)
  • Cossacks (8,000): An extremely light cavalry, the cossacks grow up riding on horseback. They are effective in raiding enemy lines and supply chains. Used to great effect on the plains and steppes, the cossacks are made up of middle class farmers from the eastern parts of the nation.
  • Hussars (3,000): An elite type of cavalry units of Moldavia, these are minor nobles who often wield firearms. While they are light cavalry, they are more effective in traditional, pitched battle than the cossacks but inferior to the heavily-armored knights.
  • Knights: (2,000): Comprised of the uppermost gentry and nobility of Moldavian society, knights owe fealty to the Prince of Moldavia, and fulfill this duty through military service. Heavily-armored, some may also double as leaders of infantry units (especially the pikemen and militia).
• Artillery (2,000)
  • Cannoneers (2,000)

Moldavian military tactics are quite distinct from those of Western Europe. This is often attributed to the fact that Moldavia places a heavy reliance on cossack troops, which are most effective for raiding enemy lines and supply chains.

Foreign Relations

Positive

• Russia
• Byzantine Rome
• Transylvania

Neutral

• Georgia
• Serbia-Bulgaria

Negative

• Poland
• Tartar Khans