Centule is now into his 30s, and has made significant movement towards consolidating the east. Things were going swimmingly, but then, well, things had to be put on hold for a bit.
So - what's the record for number of assassination attempts survived? I may be trying to break it ...
Hey, all - it looks like my update won't go up until tomorrow, since I got pulled into some stuff tonight and I won't be able to finish writing it. I can send the save to whoever needs it, however, if you want to get started playing.
The Lives of the Carolingian Kings Re-Examined Chapter 17: Centule the Great: 1310 - 1347 Herbert Tousslefander, Ph.D., et al.
... ascended to the throne at a very young age. His early reign was marked by near constant rebellion, as those lords who had been pacified by his father's personal greatness saw a chance to test the limits of the boy. Most of the surviving contemporary histories have focused on this era of his reign, and seem, in retrospect, to have been written by political or personal enemies.
...
Securing the Succession
... And soon after Centule's return from Crusade in Palermo, his wife presented him with a son, Frigyes de Vermandois, born on the 20th of November in 1321.
Frigyes was to be Centule's only son. Magdolna and Centule were never a fertile couple, and between them had only Frigyes and four daughters, two of whom died young. Aware of the succession's careful balance between himself and his brother Manasses, who never compeletely came to terms with the death of their father and Centule's elevation above him, Centule kept Frigyes close - raising the boy himself, and sparing no expense in his tutelage.
From an early age, Frigyes was unhappy at being left alone in the dark, and would complain loudly and often whenver night lights were not provided. This resulted in him gaining a reputation as a sort of coward.
When Frigyes grew older, and was preparing for his formal education, Centule decided to keep him at court, hoping that his heir might better learn the ways of noblmen and management - the recent rift between Centule and his brother Manasses weighing, no doubt, heavily on his mind. This proved to be a wise move, for Frigyes - despite his reputation - was perfectly suited to the hustle and bustle of the court, and found within himself a gift for diplomacy surpassing even his father's storied silver tongue.
Shortly after Frigyes reached reached his majority on the 10th of January, 1338, Centule, recalling his own problems upon first taking the throne as an untested boy, gave Frigyes numerous fiefs and titles over which to rule and, in a progressive move, arranged a marriage to a gifted noblewoman from an Orthodox family. As Centule's plans for expansion in the Holy Lands continued, he further increased his son's demesne, as experience and his successfull marriage dictated.
This was to stand him in good stead when he took the throne at the age of 25 following his father's death. ...
The Daughters of Centule
... Ermengarde, the eldest girl, was reputed to be a beauty even at a young age, and was kept by Centule's side, training to someday take the world stage as a great queen.
She was initially slow to talk, and had initial difficulties in forming friendships with the other children of the court. Eventually, though, the girl came out of her shell and developed several fast friendships, including with her younger sister, Ibolya. In her 13th year, an unknown issue with another nobleman's daughter materially affected her, and she was never quite the same afterwards.
She nevertheless retained her gift for management, and was accounted a great student of commerce and mathematics. The daughter of a great king and a sterling mind in her own right, she attracted powerful interests quickly, and was soon found often in the company of powerful noblemen. It was rumored, but never conclusively demonstrated, that she was the lover of a poweful Duke of Centule's realm, even though Centule himself had all but promised her hand to Philipp d'Ardennes, the King of Denmark, as a way to guarantee peace between their realms - Phillip's father, recently passed away, had been oftentimes at war with Burgundy and its vassals. The two - Ermengarde and Phillip - were nearly of an age, with Ermengarde the elder by only a few years. Thus, the marriage awaited only Phillip attaining his majority before it could be concluded. Unfortunately for Centule's plans, Ermengarde was found dead in her chambers, of hanging, only a few months before the ceremony.
Ibolya, the second daughter of Centule and Magdolna, was born in the winter of 1322.
Consumed with raising Ermengarde, his elder daughter, and Frigyes, his son and heir, Ibolya was turned over to the Augustinian nuns in Brugge for her early schooling. The girl grew up enamored of the secluded lifestyle, and when the time came to finish her education, she begged her father to let her remain in the convent. Dealing with the recent death of his brother and diocesan bishop Nicolau, who had oftentimes spoken of the girl's devotion to God, he allowed her to continue her studies there. Unlike her elder sister, Ebolya was shy - retiring, even, and preferred the company of books to people. Nevertheless, she was called to do her familial duty and, on the 5th of February, 1339, Ibolya was married to the heir of the Count of Ross, who stood high in the line of succession for the crown of Scotland. At the time of Centule's death in 1347, she was alive with three children.
Centule and Magdolna's third daughter, Julienne, was born on October 18, 1324. She was similarly raised and educated by the Augustinian nuns, and had a similar love of books. On November 8, 1340, she was married to the second-in-line for the title of Duke of Pomeralia, in a bid to secure the support of the northern provinces of the Burgundian empire, and act as a check upon any Danish expansion plans. At the time of Centule's death, she was alive, and had but a single daughter.
Centule and Magdolna's youngest child, a daughter named Eve, was born on the 28th of October, 1326, and died less than two months later. Although the couple remained visibly in love until Centule's death, they never had another child.
Expansion in the Holy Lands
... Centule came to a true appreciation of his own faith somewhat late in life, having before then largely paid lipservice to the Church. Upon his, for lack of a better term, reconversion, Centule developed a desire to see the Holy Lands returned to Christian rule. Instrumental to his plans was the assistance of Manasses, his younger brother and, until the birth of Frigyes, his heir. Between them, they created a sort of petty-kingship in the Middle East, which Manasses oversaw for his brother - the eventual goal being to create a full-blown King of Jerusalem to add to the Imperial Crown.
The plans of Centule and Manasses were unfortuantely disrupted by two major occurences. In early 1322, Manasses developed a falling out with his wife, Isabeu Boccasini, who was at the time serving as his spy master. It is believed that she, in return for a slight, began to feed Manasses poor information, which caused Manasses to attempt to break away from the Burgundian crown in August of 1326. The departure of the King's own brother, and a powerful noble in his own right, plunged Burgundy into a period of unrest.
It took almost a year of constant campaigning and thousands dead to bring Manasses back into the fold in May of 1327, but the greatest damage was to Burgundian momentum in the Holy Lands - it would be another 7 years before significant gains were once again made in the region. At that time, however, Manasses had firmly returned to the side of his elder brother, and the Burgundian petty-kingship in the Middle East saw great expansion - alternatively at the expense of the two great Muslim rulers, the Al-Murabatid throne and the Kingdom of Zenata. In recognition for his actions against the infidel, the Pope offered Centule the crown of the Holy Roman Emperor on the 28th of October, 1332, which Centule accepted, and hosted a grand celebration across all his realm.
Near the end of Centule's reign, in 1344, he and Manasses noticed the weakness of the Emirate of Hormuz - the Emir had, some time back, broken away from the protection of a larger Muslim king, and was attempting to proceed on his own. Together, the two concocted a plan to further consolidate Manasses's holdings and to add certain Greek and Byzantine lands to it. The plan worked flawlessly, and soon the Emirate of Hormuz was no more, consolidated into the Burgundian demesne.
During the war with Hormuz, the Al-Murabatids, weakened by their ongoing war with Zenata, attempted to quickly bully the Burgundian crown for payment while Burgundian armies in the Holy Lands were distracted. Unfortunately for their plans, the Emir of Hormuz surrendered shortly after their declaration of war, and the regiments which should have been embroiled in Anatolia and Cyprus were free to persecute the war against the Al-Murabatids. In the Holy Lands, Palmyra and Tripoli were shortly captured and brought under Manasses's rule, and by extension Centule's. In the peace proceedings, Centule became aware that, finally, he could press a claim to the Kingship over all al-Murabatid lands, but he stayed his hand for the moment.
The Plague
... It was during Centule's reign when the Bubonic Plague, also called the Black Death, began to affect Christian lands, beginning with those in the Holy Lands and eventually spreading throughout the known world. Although records from many nations are sparse, Centule's Burgundy kept extensive records of the plague's progress through his personal demesne, and given the geographical dispersion of his personal holdings, we can estimate the Plague's progress throughout Europe. Apart from the terrible loss of life caused by the disease, the other major effect of the plague was to nearly break the back of Centule's plans for the Middle East. His plans had revolved around, as he called them in multiple private letters, "the Three Hammers": Alexandria, Jerusalm, and Baghdad. These populous regions, between them, were capable of fielding armies in excess of that able to be called by nearly any other rule. The presence of the plague in their territories decimated the populace and, thereby, Centule's corps of troops, largely halting many of his expansion plans until much later. Althought the plague in Jerusalem was extremely short-lived - only lasting between September and October of 1328 - those in Alexandria and Baghdad were much longer. Baghdad suffered from June of 1326 until April of 1340, and Alexandria's plague lasted from May of 1329 until October of 1344.
In the mid-to-late-1320's, the plague was largely confined to the Middle East.
1326
1327
1328
1329
However, in early 1332, it was brought into Rome, possibly by traders visiting plagued Alexandria while moving goods around the Mediterranean. From Rome, it spread quickly north and east along the major trade lanes. Although Brugge was purged of the plague relatively quickly, the damage it did to the population and productivity of the previously idyllic country was still recovering at Centule's death more than a decade later.
1332
1333
1334
1335
By 1336, the Plague had reached the Iberian peninsula, and was ravaging Zaragoza and the Duchy of Navarra, a relative of Centule's and one of his most powerful Dukes.
1336
1337
In the 1340s, the Plague had largely run its course throughout Central Europe and the Middle East. In the early part of the decade, it reached Western Spain and modern-day Portugal, and - apart from holdings in Badajoz, had disappeared entirely from Centule's holdings at the time of his death.
1340
1341
1344
The Personal Toll of the Plague
Apart from the widespread deaths caused throughout his realm, many within Centule's inner cicrle were also affected by the plague. The first to particularly affect the king occured in 1327, when his brother, Nicolau, then serving as the Diocesan Bishop, contracted the plague late in August, and died in late January, 1328
Although the loss of his brother hit Centule very hard, personally, perhaps the most damaging to his reign was the loss of Isabeu, who had a unique gift and had been serving as his Spy Master. Her replacement, though talented, was nowhere near the same level, and this left the king dangerously exposed to the machinations of his enemies. This hole in the Emperor's defenses was made abundantly clear when he narrowly survived two separate assasination attempts, though taking grievous wounds in each, and was besought by treason, causing the loss of multiple regiments on campaign on multiple occasions.
Further damage was done to Centule's ability to rule his realm when his Chancellor, Giuditta, took sick and died. Although it is not confirmed that she actually died from the plague, the timing is right that it could have been.
Not all who caught the plague died of it, however. Nicolau's replacement as Bishop, Felip, caught the disease in 1333, but survived it, going on to have an illustious career in the military, and fighting a famous duel at a tournament against a rival. At Centule's death, he was still serving as Bishop, and only recently began to show signs of illness.
Mascarose de Vermandois, a distant aunt of Centule, similarly caught the plague in 1334, and, somehow, again in 1338. She was fond of giving money to various traveling miracle workers, and completely recovered from all illnesses in 1341. At Centule's death, the Dame Mascarose, at age 59, was serving as his Spy Master - a tough old bird indeed!
The Realm at Centule's Death
... Centule's actions expanded Burgundian influence across the known world. Were it not for two key setbacks - the brief disloyalty of his brother Manasses and the ravages of the Black Plague - he might have accomplished his goal of uniting all of the Holy Lands until Christian rule. As it was, he made significant moves in consolidating the Burgundian Empire under a series of powerful, regional Dukes with close, personal ties to the crown. Centule himself died in battle against rebels in Brittany, leading the Brugge regiment against the Duke of Brittany, who thought to use Centule's focus on the Holy Lands as a chance to strike out on his own. This was ever an issue for Centule's reign - multiple, brief rebellions plagued his empire, no doubt a consequence of managing such a large demesne using such primitive means. Upon his ascension to the many-tiered throne of his fathers, Frigyes was faced with uncertain loyalty amongst his vassals, a few small rebellions, and lingering uncertainty about his fairness in rule.
The Emperor is dead; long live the Emperor!
France
Owned by the crown, and a few smaller dukes. A couple of them have revolted - Eu, Lorraine, etc. - and a couple had been brought back. Brittany was getting revassalized when Centule though it'd be a grand idea to catch an arrow with his head.
The British Isles
Mostly in the hands of counts, barring one or two dukes of note - most of whom have land elsewhere. Mide kept revolting the entire time, so eventually I took the hit, annexed his lands to the crown, and gave it to a blood relative.
Iberia
Other than the Holy Lands, unifying Iberia was my pet project. Central and Western Iberia is in the hands of the Duke of Badajoz, who used to be good ol' Aunt Beatrix. She died and passed it on, but it's still pretty consolidated. I accidentally accepted a peace offering from Sevilla, which gave us everything except the lone territory he's got left. We've got claims on NW Spain and +100 rep with the Duchy of Galicia, which owns it. I'd been gradually paying him off in order to revassalize him without a war. The Duchy of Barcelona is in revolt, but is about to lose all their stuff, so bringing them back into the fold should be pretty easy.
NW and N Africa
NW Africa was really a target of opportunity - I was already at war with the liege of the Bey who controlled Canarias and Tharasset, and I had an idle army in Spain, so I took them. N Africa was more well-thought-out, with a vassal of mine (the Duke who owns Benni Yanni) starting short wars against various beydoms there. I assisted, and made sure he got the territory.
Italy and the Isles
Centule's Burgunian expansion in this area obviously began with the Crusade against Palermo, which gave me a foothold in Sicily. While taking Palermo, I went ahead and took the rest of Muslim Sicily, as well. The then-Muslim rulers of Corsica and Sardinia joined in, and they were, over time, taken over and added to the crown. At one point, Corsica had a heretic Count who decided to rebel, so I went in, kicked his ass from Naples, and then gave Corsica to the Sardinians. Several years later, the Sardinians tossed up a heretic who rebelled, and so the Legio Romanum (which had way more troops than him even when Plagued) sailed across, kicked their asses, and gave it all to Corsica. Who knows when the next heretic will show up here?
Also, Bari wins the award for "Most Revolts During Centules Reign," with, like, 5 or 6. They'd end, and immediately start again. Eventually, I ended up keeping the Bari regiment stood down and just had Naples come over and put out the brush fires.
Norway and Sweden
Sort of the next natural expansion point for Burgundy, since we've already got a lot of it and claims on all the important titles. I married a daughter into the house of the Duke of Pomeralia - a title created with his help when he was a count, and therefore granted to him - to shore up support in this region. Plus, as Reboot said, they're kind of the same color, so let's get rid of them. Also, the perennial second-place player is the Tribe of ... Whatever, across the water in Finland. It'd be good to take them down a peg or three - plus, they've got nice territory in England we can re-add to the crown.
Egypt
This is pretty much consolidated - there's just a couple little pieces left. One of them is owned by a vassal of the Prince of Cybarrheot, with whom we've been on pretty good terms. He does a good job of distracting the Al-Murabatids and the Kingdom of Zenata and letting me beat them up, so I never went after him at all. The other is an independent Beydom, which is basically free for the taking.
The Holy Lands and Iraq
My main target throughout my turn - my goal was to turn the whole thing red, but, as mentioned above, Manasses revolted and sent us into Realm Duress early, and the plague hit it late, which rather retarded my plans. Oh well - progress was still made, and you can now largely walk from Alexandria to Hormuz without touching foreign soil. Except Hormuz is revolting right now - but they've already lost one territory, and are about to be hit by the still-reduced-by-plague-but-still-big Bagdhad regiment, so that should be wrapped up pretty easily. You can still run north-south in Burgundia territory, though! There's quite a few independent beydoms in this area, too, which can be relatively easily annexed.
The Eastern Walls
Completely opportunistic expansion here - occasionally, a count would declare war on either the Duchy of Berry or the [Arch]Bishopric we'd created here. I'd move in, stomp them, and add them to the crown. If they were particularly unfit to rule, I'd take their land away and give it to Berry or the Bishop.
Fun stats:
I received the "Contract Law makes a vassal like you" event 115 times since I started counting; I got it twice in one day, once.
While undergoing realm duress, County of Holland, Duchy of Flanders, County of Grissons, County Asyut, County Senj, County Spoleto, County Valladolid, County Westmorland, County Almansa, and County Bordeaux were willingly vassalized.
I'll probably post more thoughts later, but I wanted to thank all of you - and especially our LP founder - for introducing me to this game. I had a total blast playing my turn - and now I'm finding it hard to go back to my Kindgom of Ireland game where, at best, my income is 20g.
Heh - reading about our need to do that in order to make EU more interesting is why I went with the, "Pick a random noble, make them in charge of this section of the world" method of handing out territory.
Also, let's say I wanted to get ready in advance to play a turn in our next game. What version of the game should I buy, and what patches should I have installed?
Just got it, however, I am out of town right now and will be back on Thursday night. Should be able to play then. Sorry I didn't check before I left...if I had I would have taken my computer. Worse, I didn't by CK on Steam (mumbles curses at Paradox for late adoption). I'll get on it as soon as I get back.
That's fine. I will be gone all weekend as one of my best friends is getting married. So the OP will go horribly neglected if you make an update! Oh no! Back Sunday night sometime. Possibly very hungover. Monday for real.
enlightenedbum on
Self-righteousness is incompatible with coalition building.
Just got it, however, I am out of town right now and will be back on Thursday night. Should be able to play then. Sorry I didn't check before I left...if I had I would have taken my computer. Worse, I didn't by CK on Steam (mumbles curses at Paradox for late adoption). I'll get on it as soon as I get back.
Don't have time to post a real update right now but I've lost a good portion of Spain, England, and Ireland to revolts. France is struggling through what can be seen as an inter-house war between several of the dukes most of whom were relatives.
As I Frigyes set pen to paper to begin to record my life as an instruction for my peers I wish to pause to note that the realm as left by my father showed an over-exuberance of spirit that has been all to often the affliction of our family. He left me a wide realm, but one in which loyalties could easily be divided and one which was difficult to transverse with even our best forces. I understand this exuberance as I seem to have been gifted with it myself. I hope however that the better forces of my energies and judgments can hold the Vermandois poet at bay a bit.
Some might say that I complain overly much. As any short history will show our realm was relatively at peace. No major wars or opponents existed. However on closer examination we can see that structural problems abounded. My family was feared for their warlike spirit and this allowed grudges to develop (OCC: bad rep). In addition our holdings were far flung (OCC: I view it as akin to cheating to have demanse provinces scattered as far as the middle-east as the game does a poor job of punishing you for it...yes the comp does it too but CK's AI is weak and needs the help).
To that end I began a program of attempting to elevate our relatives into positions of responsibility worthy of their bloodline so that Europe could see them as men of worth. It was scandalous that some of our heirs weren't even counts. Unfortunately I could not fix all these problems. I was able to address several though. One of these was the position of our dear cousin (OCC: I don't know the actual relation but cousin has always been used loosely) Guidliadore who was a humble count in England of little worth. His liege had been actively attempting to betray me and so was removed. I let him keep his seat in Chester and gave him the rank of Duke of Gloucester. He has served me well there and I have, as the records will show, showered him with additional titles as they have become available. Unfortunately England is a poor place and while he is loyal my more powerful subjects there are not.
Because of my ungainly holdings some minor clerks presumed to act on my behalf and announce a move of the seat to Alexandria while I was away on a hunt. This allowed some of my more unruly subjects to feel that they could, in a snap uprising, catch me while I was in a new place. They were, of course, wrong. I had access to few I could trust. So I sent my second son with a few good men of mine to establish a new court. My wife wailed in grief and I did my best to comfort her promising her more children. I was torn myself but I hoped the boy would grow accustomed to the place while he was young, and while he may grow to hate me, he is now the greatest hope of Christendom in the east with the newly established Ducal Seat of Alexandria. My wife does not know, but these decisions of state weigh heavily on me. If I could I would join her in tears.
Capital moves as a result
1348 is a day that will live in infamy. A minor count of low blood and two of my own relatives (one I had so recently elevated!) begin a series of minor battles that sucked the real into chaos. My ministers already mutter about the "Great Ducal War". I can't help to agree with the appellation as it is more than fitting.
The opening of the conflict was minor in scope. However, it wasn't the battle as such but the effects on the already weak spirit of my remaining vassals. As these were all by law my men their were divided loyalties throughout the country (OCC: I think I earned the tag further on in but the results have included the Realm Duress marker further on in)
Within a month of the first reports my vassals and potential enemies in Spain, Ireland, and England had begun to declare war. Some vassals merely slipped away in the chaos by renouncing their vows to us and refusing to pay further taxes (OCC: There were several "A Vassal Has Broken Away" events in addition to wars dropping. I have no idea who they were).
The Pope, in a moment of pure inspiration from God Himself, chose to renew my claims as inherited from my father as Emperor of the New Rome. It is a kindness that will not be forgotten. May family be always loyal to the Vicar of Christ. His recognition will help slow the cancer from spreading but I am afraid that it has come several crucial months late.
I release vassals from my rule on those Unruly Isles and many of my minor holdings in Slav territories in order to tighten my grip on France. To that end many of my most distant conflicts begin to diminish. I am even, without constant sea invasion, able to quell the Duke of Champagne and some rebellious counts that joined him. However the battle in Spain goes poorly as many of my lands there are held by my enemies and now the Duke of Aquatine has joined in the fray.
Also, I've attempted restructering the ME a bit. Our relative out there has been granted quite a bit of land. That with our son in Alexandria makes us a formidable dynastic force in the near east now.
Come on, now - be fair. I gave huge parts of the Middle East to Manasses, who's got a pretty good claim on the whole shooting match as Centule's brother and is Rebellious to boot.
That, and I set up Beatrix (who died and left everything to Jean) as the future queen of Spain.
As I'm playing this I'm realizing that what I want in CKII is for titles to go extinct or to become honorary. The king of Norway is currently in Croatia and I was totally blindsided when the Duke of Orkney (a former loyal vassal now sucked up into the Ducal War) was in charge of a good chunk of Norway and part of Russia.
As I'm playing this I'm realizing that what I want in CKII is for titles to go extinct or to become honorary. The king of Norway is currently in Croatia and I was totally blindsided when the Duke of Orkney (a former loyal vassal now sucked up into the Ducal War) was in charge of a good chunk of Norway and part of Russia.
Watch out for Berry, too - he's got a duchy in England, I think, but most of his stuff is in Russia. I inherited most of that, so totally not my fault.
In CKII, I want a better search function.
I want to be able to find the Sens regiment without scrolling all over the map looking for the dudes with my flags. I want it to say, "You typed Maovia; did you mean the Duchy of Mazovia?"
I also want, when clicking on my own sovereign, for it to show my the list of titles I can usurp and who I'm taking them from. I don't want to have to find the Duke of Wherever, usurp his title, move on to the King of Otherplace, usurp his title, etc.
Sorry, work was a pain since we had a release and my boss is not a fuzzy-wuzy during such times. One of the dev's got told that, "he f*cking didn't have any second chances coming," in a room full of people after he had spent 24-hours awake trying to resolve an issue. Sitting down right now and continuing.
Sorry, work was a pain since we had a release and my boss is not a fuzzy-wuzy during such times. One of the dev's got told that, "he f*cking didn't have any second chances coming," in a room full of people after he had spent 24-hours awake trying to resolve an issue. Sitting down right now and continuing.
Well, at least you've got your priorities in order ...
But seriously, that fuckin' sucks. Sorry to hear that.
In other news England is now "pacified" along with Ireland at significant losses including one forced peace treaty. Micheal the heir has been set up in a fake Duchy (why can't they tell you what the boundaries are???) in Ireland that I think is a Spanish title.
I continued my reign with the Blessing of His Holiness the Vicar of Christ and the Successor of Most Holy Peter Lord of the Apostles. His recognition of my rule and his support in such a troubled time when he himself had been cast out by my own families forces was a blessing that I will never forget. It made my decisions related to Zolst all the more painful. I recognized that I had hurt the boy but there are duties in being a king. I hope that he will learn that some day.
The help of the pope and the arm of my marshal allow me to stave off some of the more worried vassals. However, while I never have open rebellion I suffer from unruly petty counts and the continuing Ducal War.
The Duke of Orkney who so long had supported me willingly and who had been able to pacify some random German rebels had lately turned on me. It was a shock and he was able to occupy my holdings in the low country before I could return my armies from central France where they were attempting to re-seige my holdings in Paris and Sens. He took all of my holdings, forced independence on me and seized the main part of the treasury (29k+).
The war in England goes well as my vassals under the My Cousin the Duke retake various rebellious provinces and encourage others to join under my banner.
Ireland and England both quiet for a while as I am forced to either give up claims or white peaces are signed.
My marshal, who has served me well, died while on campaign. I am forced to name Ladislav as my martial as no other noble men where available. There are whispers that he is losing trust in me due to the many wars. Overtime though I am able to reverse his worry and he serves me well.
OCC -> I should note that I purposefully hamstrung myself by _only_ choosing men for any post except for when my wife was able to fill the roll. I think the game is far to forgiving in granting women nobles roles in court.
Young Micheal has not been given a roll worthy of his state. I have given him a small holding Ireland previously but I elevate him to the Lesser Kingship of the Emerald Isle. He needs to develop experience and I need to see if my father has made a mistake in reaching to far to fast. Am I accidentally pursuing a path of gluttony?
The Count of Oldenburg had been part of a mixed force that I was using in Germany to keep various minor princes in line. Unfortunately the sweep of the Ducal War made him think it was time to break free. He was crafty and had planted treason in my force in central France it would be some months before I could bring him to heel. My councilors informed me, much to my shock, that he inspired many others. How could such a petty nothing shake all of Iberia?
At this Pommerania in Africa and Galacia both return to our Lordship.
In mid-1357 the Ducal War effectively ends. While the realm is still troubled and there is war in Spain and Southern France all major fighting has ended in the Central and Northern France, England, and Ireland where the war started. The Duke of Champagne our cousin is weakened and now independent. He will eventually be displaced by his own vassals while Our Will is turned elsewhere.
Shortly there after our troubled Cousin Roal of Toscana who we had elavated to the Duchy of the same returns. We are also able to liberate southern France and strip Friedrich of several of his Ducal titles.
As I begin to experience the first tastes of peace in my realm my daughter falls ill. I have shorted Micheal, dispatched Zolst, and now God reminds me of my losses by taking little Tunder. I will lose two daughters and never really have two suns even as much as my wife and I struggle to grow our family. I laugh to hear the servants talking of our mating. I love her dearly, but our sins must weigh heavily on the mind of God because we are unable to bring the bliss of our marriage to fruition.
By 1359 my opponent in Russ, the so-called, Duke of Brunswick, cedes a territory in Spain and declares peace. Also in that year I move the capital to the Lowlands of Brugges. If I am unable to my heirs should see to it their our holdings in Northern France all connected.
With France at peace my vassals cease their murmuring and I am able to turn my attention to my Father's advances in Spain.
I am forced to fight a small battle in France as I push back various Spanish interlopers. While I do this I meditate on the gifts the Holy Father of Rome has given me and I adjust how my realm deals with the monastic orders. I grant several tracts of land so that they may pray for both me and my followers. Their industry acts as a boon to the industry of the realm as a whole.
In 1360 my bishop dies. My predecessors had been lax in training men for the ministry. I am left without a candidate for many years. This is a further sign of my personal failures.
However by 1362 I have been, through the Grace of God, able to bring peace to Spain.
My son Zolst continues without a battle in Egypt. His work there has been well done. Where I have waded through blood he enjoys peace. It is a reminder that the sins of the father can be visited on the son. I swear I will bring peace and I will grant my son the recognition he deserves. I have done nothing in Egypt. He has. Long Live the King of Egypt! I have wronged all my children, but you most of all Zolst.
In 1365 my vassals have the final laugh at the expense of my blood. An assassin wounds me while I am on campaign in Africa. The wound festers. I retire to France to seek various healers who all fail. If I die I will die in the arms of my wife.
Spain has brought only death to my family and my subjects. I release two of my Ducal Cousins with the titles Kings-Electors of the Empire. They with other Duke's, Counts, and my royal Sons, will form a new legislative body that will hopefully decrease the instance of bloodshed. I wish to make the throne eligible for election also, but it would betray my sons all the more. By 1366 the empire sees a formal peace, minus some squabbling amongst various vassals that I remain above, for the first time.
The peace brings with it more willing vassals who swear loyalty to me. But my time must come shortly. The Lord sees to it that my blood will not stain Europe for much longer. The punishment is painful, but I like many in my family see the glint of romance in it. I will be free soon and my realm will be free from both me and my father. As I fight more I love him less. Maybe this is my greatest sin.
Here I, Zoe, finish my husbands writing. He was right that his sons misunderstood them, but they were loyal in the end and came to see his final hours. I pray that they maintain the peace. They are separated by an ocean of love and fact. God save the Valadois.
What is the break off date? I don't think I've ever played CK to the finish.
Haven't used mediafire before so I hope this works: Save Game
If not let me know. Good luck to whoever is next. Try to leave a semi-rational Europe and do it with goo RP.
Posts
Centule is now into his 30s, and has made significant movement towards consolidating the east. Things were going swimmingly, but then, well, things had to be put on hold for a bit.
So - what's the record for number of assassination attempts survived? I may be trying to break it ...
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
So, who gets the save file? I'm working on the update, and should have it up today or, at worst, tomorrow.
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
So unless Red Robe or a newbie post in the next 24 hours, it's starkiller.
Bjorn survived 2...although he was done in by the injury he received in the second.
[edit] probably the greatest top of the page ever [/edit]
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
The Lives of the Carolingian Kings Re-Examined
Chapter 17: Centule the Great: 1310 - 1347
Herbert Tousslefander, Ph.D., et al.
...
Securing the Succession
... And soon after Centule's return from Crusade in Palermo, his wife presented him with a son, Frigyes de Vermandois, born on the 20th of November in 1321.
Frigyes was to be Centule's only son. Magdolna and Centule were never a fertile couple, and between them had only Frigyes and four daughters, two of whom died young. Aware of the succession's careful balance between himself and his brother Manasses, who never compeletely came to terms with the death of their father and Centule's elevation above him, Centule kept Frigyes close - raising the boy himself, and sparing no expense in his tutelage.
From an early age, Frigyes was unhappy at being left alone in the dark, and would complain loudly and often whenver night lights were not provided. This resulted in him gaining a reputation as a sort of coward.
When Frigyes grew older, and was preparing for his formal education, Centule decided to keep him at court, hoping that his heir might better learn the ways of noblmen and management - the recent rift between Centule and his brother Manasses weighing, no doubt, heavily on his mind. This proved to be a wise move, for Frigyes - despite his reputation - was perfectly suited to the hustle and bustle of the court, and found within himself a gift for diplomacy surpassing even his father's storied silver tongue.
Shortly after Frigyes reached reached his majority on the 10th of January, 1338, Centule, recalling his own problems upon first taking the throne as an untested boy, gave Frigyes numerous fiefs and titles over which to rule and, in a progressive move, arranged a marriage to a gifted noblewoman from an Orthodox family. As Centule's plans for expansion in the Holy Lands continued, he further increased his son's demesne, as experience and his successfull marriage dictated.
This was to stand him in good stead when he took the throne at the age of 25 following his father's death. ...
The Daughters of Centule
... Ermengarde, the eldest girl, was reputed to be a beauty even at a young age, and was kept by Centule's side, training to someday take the world stage as a great queen.
She was initially slow to talk, and had initial difficulties in forming friendships with the other children of the court. Eventually, though, the girl came out of her shell and developed several fast friendships, including with her younger sister, Ibolya. In her 13th year, an unknown issue with another nobleman's daughter materially affected her, and she was never quite the same afterwards.
She nevertheless retained her gift for management, and was accounted a great student of commerce and mathematics. The daughter of a great king and a sterling mind in her own right, she attracted powerful interests quickly, and was soon found often in the company of powerful noblemen. It was rumored, but never conclusively demonstrated, that she was the lover of a poweful Duke of Centule's realm, even though Centule himself had all but promised her hand to Philipp d'Ardennes, the King of Denmark, as a way to guarantee peace between their realms - Phillip's father, recently passed away, had been oftentimes at war with Burgundy and its vassals. The two - Ermengarde and Phillip - were nearly of an age, with Ermengarde the elder by only a few years. Thus, the marriage awaited only Phillip attaining his majority before it could be concluded. Unfortunately for Centule's plans, Ermengarde was found dead in her chambers, of hanging, only a few months before the ceremony.
Ibolya, the second daughter of Centule and Magdolna, was born in the winter of 1322.
Consumed with raising Ermengarde, his elder daughter, and Frigyes, his son and heir, Ibolya was turned over to the Augustinian nuns in Brugge for her early schooling. The girl grew up enamored of the secluded lifestyle, and when the time came to finish her education, she begged her father to let her remain in the convent. Dealing with the recent death of his brother and diocesan bishop Nicolau, who had oftentimes spoken of the girl's devotion to God, he allowed her to continue her studies there. Unlike her elder sister, Ebolya was shy - retiring, even, and preferred the company of books to people. Nevertheless, she was called to do her familial duty and, on the 5th of February, 1339, Ibolya was married to the heir of the Count of Ross, who stood high in the line of succession for the crown of Scotland. At the time of Centule's death in 1347, she was alive with three children.
Centule and Magdolna's third daughter, Julienne, was born on October 18, 1324. She was similarly raised and educated by the Augustinian nuns, and had a similar love of books. On November 8, 1340, she was married to the second-in-line for the title of Duke of Pomeralia, in a bid to secure the support of the northern provinces of the Burgundian empire, and act as a check upon any Danish expansion plans. At the time of Centule's death, she was alive, and had but a single daughter.
Centule and Magdolna's youngest child, a daughter named Eve, was born on the 28th of October, 1326, and died less than two months later. Although the couple remained visibly in love until Centule's death, they never had another child.
Expansion in the Holy Lands
... Centule came to a true appreciation of his own faith somewhat late in life, having before then largely paid lipservice to the Church. Upon his, for lack of a better term, reconversion, Centule developed a desire to see the Holy Lands returned to Christian rule. Instrumental to his plans was the assistance of Manasses, his younger brother and, until the birth of Frigyes, his heir. Between them, they created a sort of petty-kingship in the Middle East, which Manasses oversaw for his brother - the eventual goal being to create a full-blown King of Jerusalem to add to the Imperial Crown.
The plans of Centule and Manasses were unfortuantely disrupted by two major occurences. In early 1322, Manasses developed a falling out with his wife, Isabeu Boccasini, who was at the time serving as his spy master. It is believed that she, in return for a slight, began to feed Manasses poor information, which caused Manasses to attempt to break away from the Burgundian crown in August of 1326. The departure of the King's own brother, and a powerful noble in his own right, plunged Burgundy into a period of unrest.
It took almost a year of constant campaigning and thousands dead to bring Manasses back into the fold in May of 1327, but the greatest damage was to Burgundian momentum in the Holy Lands - it would be another 7 years before significant gains were once again made in the region. At that time, however, Manasses had firmly returned to the side of his elder brother, and the Burgundian petty-kingship in the Middle East saw great expansion - alternatively at the expense of the two great Muslim rulers, the Al-Murabatid throne and the Kingdom of Zenata. In recognition for his actions against the infidel, the Pope offered Centule the crown of the Holy Roman Emperor on the 28th of October, 1332, which Centule accepted, and hosted a grand celebration across all his realm.
Near the end of Centule's reign, in 1344, he and Manasses noticed the weakness of the Emirate of Hormuz - the Emir had, some time back, broken away from the protection of a larger Muslim king, and was attempting to proceed on his own. Together, the two concocted a plan to further consolidate Manasses's holdings and to add certain Greek and Byzantine lands to it. The plan worked flawlessly, and soon the Emirate of Hormuz was no more, consolidated into the Burgundian demesne.
During the war with Hormuz, the Al-Murabatids, weakened by their ongoing war with Zenata, attempted to quickly bully the Burgundian crown for payment while Burgundian armies in the Holy Lands were distracted. Unfortunately for their plans, the Emir of Hormuz surrendered shortly after their declaration of war, and the regiments which should have been embroiled in Anatolia and Cyprus were free to persecute the war against the Al-Murabatids. In the Holy Lands, Palmyra and Tripoli were shortly captured and brought under Manasses's rule, and by extension Centule's. In the peace proceedings, Centule became aware that, finally, he could press a claim to the Kingship over all al-Murabatid lands, but he stayed his hand for the moment.
The Plague
... It was during Centule's reign when the Bubonic Plague, also called the Black Death, began to affect Christian lands, beginning with those in the Holy Lands and eventually spreading throughout the known world. Although records from many nations are sparse, Centule's Burgundy kept extensive records of the plague's progress through his personal demesne, and given the geographical dispersion of his personal holdings, we can estimate the Plague's progress throughout Europe. Apart from the terrible loss of life caused by the disease, the other major effect of the plague was to nearly break the back of Centule's plans for the Middle East. His plans had revolved around, as he called them in multiple private letters, "the Three Hammers": Alexandria, Jerusalm, and Baghdad. These populous regions, between them, were capable of fielding armies in excess of that able to be called by nearly any other rule. The presence of the plague in their territories decimated the populace and, thereby, Centule's corps of troops, largely halting many of his expansion plans until much later. Althought the plague in Jerusalem was extremely short-lived - only lasting between September and October of 1328 - those in Alexandria and Baghdad were much longer. Baghdad suffered from June of 1326 until April of 1340, and Alexandria's plague lasted from May of 1329 until October of 1344.
In the mid-to-late-1320's, the plague was largely confined to the Middle East.
1326
1327
1328
1329
However, in early 1332, it was brought into Rome, possibly by traders visiting plagued Alexandria while moving goods around the Mediterranean. From Rome, it spread quickly north and east along the major trade lanes. Although Brugge was purged of the plague relatively quickly, the damage it did to the population and productivity of the previously idyllic country was still recovering at Centule's death more than a decade later.
1332
1333
1334
1335
By 1336, the Plague had reached the Iberian peninsula, and was ravaging Zaragoza and the Duchy of Navarra, a relative of Centule's and one of his most powerful Dukes.
1336
1337
In the 1340s, the Plague had largely run its course throughout Central Europe and the Middle East. In the early part of the decade, it reached Western Spain and modern-day Portugal, and - apart from holdings in Badajoz, had disappeared entirely from Centule's holdings at the time of his death.
1340
1341
1344
The Personal Toll of the Plague
Apart from the widespread deaths caused throughout his realm, many within Centule's inner cicrle were also affected by the plague. The first to particularly affect the king occured in 1327, when his brother, Nicolau, then serving as the Diocesan Bishop, contracted the plague late in August, and died in late January, 1328
Although the loss of his brother hit Centule very hard, personally, perhaps the most damaging to his reign was the loss of Isabeu, who had a unique gift and had been serving as his Spy Master. Her replacement, though talented, was nowhere near the same level, and this left the king dangerously exposed to the machinations of his enemies. This hole in the Emperor's defenses was made abundantly clear when he narrowly survived two separate assasination attempts, though taking grievous wounds in each, and was besought by treason, causing the loss of multiple regiments on campaign on multiple occasions.
Further damage was done to Centule's ability to rule his realm when his Chancellor, Giuditta, took sick and died. Although it is not confirmed that she actually died from the plague, the timing is right that it could have been.
Not all who caught the plague died of it, however. Nicolau's replacement as Bishop, Felip, caught the disease in 1333, but survived it, going on to have an illustious career in the military, and fighting a famous duel at a tournament against a rival. At Centule's death, he was still serving as Bishop, and only recently began to show signs of illness.
Mascarose de Vermandois, a distant aunt of Centule, similarly caught the plague in 1334, and, somehow, again in 1338. She was fond of giving money to various traveling miracle workers, and completely recovered from all illnesses in 1341. At Centule's death, the Dame Mascarose, at age 59, was serving as his Spy Master - a tough old bird indeed!
The Realm at Centule's Death
... Centule's actions expanded Burgundian influence across the known world. Were it not for two key setbacks - the brief disloyalty of his brother Manasses and the ravages of the Black Plague - he might have accomplished his goal of uniting all of the Holy Lands until Christian rule. As it was, he made significant moves in consolidating the Burgundian Empire under a series of powerful, regional Dukes with close, personal ties to the crown. Centule himself died in battle against rebels in Brittany, leading the Brugge regiment against the Duke of Brittany, who thought to use Centule's focus on the Holy Lands as a chance to strike out on his own. This was ever an issue for Centule's reign - multiple, brief rebellions plagued his empire, no doubt a consequence of managing such a large demesne using such primitive means. Upon his ascension to the many-tiered throne of his fathers, Frigyes was faced with uncertain loyalty amongst his vassals, a few small rebellions, and lingering uncertainty about his fairness in rule.
The Emperor is dead; long live the Emperor!
France
Owned by the crown, and a few smaller dukes. A couple of them have revolted - Eu, Lorraine, etc. - and a couple had been brought back. Brittany was getting revassalized when Centule though it'd be a grand idea to catch an arrow with his head.
The British Isles
Mostly in the hands of counts, barring one or two dukes of note - most of whom have land elsewhere. Mide kept revolting the entire time, so eventually I took the hit, annexed his lands to the crown, and gave it to a blood relative.
Iberia
Other than the Holy Lands, unifying Iberia was my pet project. Central and Western Iberia is in the hands of the Duke of Badajoz, who used to be good ol' Aunt Beatrix. She died and passed it on, but it's still pretty consolidated. I accidentally accepted a peace offering from Sevilla, which gave us everything except the lone territory he's got left. We've got claims on NW Spain and +100 rep with the Duchy of Galicia, which owns it. I'd been gradually paying him off in order to revassalize him without a war. The Duchy of Barcelona is in revolt, but is about to lose all their stuff, so bringing them back into the fold should be pretty easy.
NW and N Africa
NW Africa was really a target of opportunity - I was already at war with the liege of the Bey who controlled Canarias and Tharasset, and I had an idle army in Spain, so I took them. N Africa was more well-thought-out, with a vassal of mine (the Duke who owns Benni Yanni) starting short wars against various beydoms there. I assisted, and made sure he got the territory.
Italy and the Isles
Centule's Burgunian expansion in this area obviously began with the Crusade against Palermo, which gave me a foothold in Sicily. While taking Palermo, I went ahead and took the rest of Muslim Sicily, as well. The then-Muslim rulers of Corsica and Sardinia joined in, and they were, over time, taken over and added to the crown. At one point, Corsica had a heretic Count who decided to rebel, so I went in, kicked his ass from Naples, and then gave Corsica to the Sardinians. Several years later, the Sardinians tossed up a heretic who rebelled, and so the Legio Romanum (which had way more troops than him even when Plagued) sailed across, kicked their asses, and gave it all to Corsica. Who knows when the next heretic will show up here?
Also, Bari wins the award for "Most Revolts During Centules Reign," with, like, 5 or 6. They'd end, and immediately start again. Eventually, I ended up keeping the Bari regiment stood down and just had Naples come over and put out the brush fires.
Norway and Sweden
Sort of the next natural expansion point for Burgundy, since we've already got a lot of it and claims on all the important titles. I married a daughter into the house of the Duke of Pomeralia - a title created with his help when he was a count, and therefore granted to him - to shore up support in this region. Plus, as Reboot said, they're kind of the same color, so let's get rid of them. Also, the perennial second-place player is the Tribe of ... Whatever, across the water in Finland. It'd be good to take them down a peg or three - plus, they've got nice territory in England we can re-add to the crown.
Egypt
This is pretty much consolidated - there's just a couple little pieces left. One of them is owned by a vassal of the Prince of Cybarrheot, with whom we've been on pretty good terms. He does a good job of distracting the Al-Murabatids and the Kingdom of Zenata and letting me beat them up, so I never went after him at all. The other is an independent Beydom, which is basically free for the taking.
The Holy Lands and Iraq
My main target throughout my turn - my goal was to turn the whole thing red, but, as mentioned above, Manasses revolted and sent us into Realm Duress early, and the plague hit it late, which rather retarded my plans. Oh well - progress was still made, and you can now largely walk from Alexandria to Hormuz without touching foreign soil. Except Hormuz is revolting right now - but they've already lost one territory, and are about to be hit by the still-reduced-by-plague-but-still-big Bagdhad regiment, so that should be wrapped up pretty easily. You can still run north-south in Burgundia territory, though! There's quite a few independent beydoms in this area, too, which can be relatively easily annexed.
The Eastern Walls
Completely opportunistic expansion here - occasionally, a count would declare war on either the Duchy of Berry or the [Arch]Bishopric we'd created here. I'd move in, stomp them, and add them to the crown. If they were particularly unfit to rule, I'd take their land away and give it to Berry or the Bishop.
Fun stats:
I received the "Contract Law makes a vassal like you" event 115 times since I started counting; I got it twice in one day, once.
While undergoing realm duress, County of Holland, Duchy of Flanders, County of Grissons, County Asyut, County Senj, County Spoleto, County Valladolid, County Westmorland, County Almansa, and County Bordeaux were willingly vassalized.
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
... for anyone who wants it.
I'll probably post more thoughts later, but I wanted to thank all of you - and especially our LP founder - for introducing me to this game. I had a total blast playing my turn - and now I'm finding it hard to go back to my Kindgom of Ireland game where, at best, my income is 20g.
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Heh - reading about our need to do that in order to make EU more interesting is why I went with the, "Pick a random noble, make them in charge of this section of the world" method of handing out territory.
Also, let's say I wanted to get ready in advance to play a turn in our next game. What version of the game should I buy, and what patches should I have installed?
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Good luck for when you get back, Starkiller!
And, uh ... Sorry about the reputation thing.
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Some might say that I complain overly much. As any short history will show our realm was relatively at peace. No major wars or opponents existed. However on closer examination we can see that structural problems abounded. My family was feared for their warlike spirit and this allowed grudges to develop (OCC: bad rep). In addition our holdings were far flung (OCC: I view it as akin to cheating to have demanse provinces scattered as far as the middle-east as the game does a poor job of punishing you for it...yes the comp does it too but CK's AI is weak and needs the help).
To that end I began a program of attempting to elevate our relatives into positions of responsibility worthy of their bloodline so that Europe could see them as men of worth. It was scandalous that some of our heirs weren't even counts. Unfortunately I could not fix all these problems. I was able to address several though. One of these was the position of our dear cousin (OCC: I don't know the actual relation but cousin has always been used loosely) Guidliadore who was a humble count in England of little worth. His liege had been actively attempting to betray me and so was removed. I let him keep his seat in Chester and gave him the rank of Duke of Gloucester. He has served me well there and I have, as the records will show, showered him with additional titles as they have become available. Unfortunately England is a poor place and while he is loyal my more powerful subjects there are not.
Because of my ungainly holdings some minor clerks presumed to act on my behalf and announce a move of the seat to Alexandria while I was away on a hunt. This allowed some of my more unruly subjects to feel that they could, in a snap uprising, catch me while I was in a new place. They were, of course, wrong. I had access to few I could trust. So I sent my second son with a few good men of mine to establish a new court. My wife wailed in grief and I did my best to comfort her promising her more children. I was torn myself but I hoped the boy would grow accustomed to the place while he was young, and while he may grow to hate me, he is now the greatest hope of Christendom in the east with the newly established Ducal Seat of Alexandria. My wife does not know, but these decisions of state weigh heavily on me. If I could I would join her in tears.
Capital moves as a result
1348 is a day that will live in infamy. A minor count of low blood and two of my own relatives (one I had so recently elevated!) begin a series of minor battles that sucked the real into chaos. My ministers already mutter about the "Great Ducal War". I can't help to agree with the appellation as it is more than fitting.
The opening of the conflict was minor in scope. However, it wasn't the battle as such but the effects on the already weak spirit of my remaining vassals. As these were all by law my men their were divided loyalties throughout the country (OCC: I think I earned the tag further on in but the results have included the Realm Duress marker further on in)
Within a month of the first reports my vassals and potential enemies in Spain, Ireland, and England had begun to declare war. Some vassals merely slipped away in the chaos by renouncing their vows to us and refusing to pay further taxes (OCC: There were several "A Vassal Has Broken Away" events in addition to wars dropping. I have no idea who they were).
The Pope, in a moment of pure inspiration from God Himself, chose to renew my claims as inherited from my father as Emperor of the New Rome. It is a kindness that will not be forgotten. May family be always loyal to the Vicar of Christ. His recognition will help slow the cancer from spreading but I am afraid that it has come several crucial months late.
I release vassals from my rule on those Unruly Isles and many of my minor holdings in Slav territories in order to tighten my grip on France. To that end many of my most distant conflicts begin to diminish. I am even, without constant sea invasion, able to quell the Duke of Champagne and some rebellious counts that joined him. However the battle in Spain goes poorly as many of my lands there are held by my enemies and now the Duke of Aquatine has joined in the fray.
Come on, now - be fair. I gave huge parts of the Middle East to Manasses, who's got a pretty good claim on the whole shooting match as Centule's brother and is Rebellious to boot.
That, and I set up Beatrix (who died and left everything to Jean) as the future queen of Spain.
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Watch out for Berry, too - he's got a duchy in England, I think, but most of his stuff is in Russia.
In CKII, I want a better search function.
I want to be able to find the Sens regiment without scrolling all over the map looking for the dudes with my flags. I want it to say, "You typed Maovia; did you mean the Duchy of Mazovia?"
I also want, when clicking on my own sovereign, for it to show my the list of titles I can usurp and who I'm taking them from. I don't want to have to find the Duke of Wherever, usurp his title, move on to the King of Otherplace, usurp his title, etc.
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Well, at least you've got your priorities in order ...
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
In other news England is now "pacified" along with Ireland at significant losses including one forced peace treaty. Micheal the heir has been set up in a fake Duchy (why can't they tell you what the boundaries are???) in Ireland that I think is a Spanish title.
The help of the pope and the arm of my marshal allow me to stave off some of the more worried vassals. However, while I never have open rebellion I suffer from unruly petty counts and the continuing Ducal War.
The Duke of Orkney who so long had supported me willingly and who had been able to pacify some random German rebels had lately turned on me. It was a shock and he was able to occupy my holdings in the low country before I could return my armies from central France where they were attempting to re-seige my holdings in Paris and Sens. He took all of my holdings, forced independence on me and seized the main part of the treasury (29k+).
The war in England goes well as my vassals under the My Cousin the Duke retake various rebellious provinces and encourage others to join under my banner.
Ireland and England both quiet for a while as I am forced to either give up claims or white peaces are signed.
My marshal, who has served me well, died while on campaign. I am forced to name Ladislav as my martial as no other noble men where available. There are whispers that he is losing trust in me due to the many wars. Overtime though I am able to reverse his worry and he serves me well.
OCC -> I should note that I purposefully hamstrung myself by _only_ choosing men for any post except for when my wife was able to fill the roll. I think the game is far to forgiving in granting women nobles roles in court.
Young Micheal has not been given a roll worthy of his state. I have given him a small holding Ireland previously but I elevate him to the Lesser Kingship of the Emerald Isle. He needs to develop experience and I need to see if my father has made a mistake in reaching to far to fast. Am I accidentally pursuing a path of gluttony?
The Count of Oldenburg had been part of a mixed force that I was using in Germany to keep various minor princes in line. Unfortunately the sweep of the Ducal War made him think it was time to break free. He was crafty and had planted treason in my force in central France it would be some months before I could bring him to heel. My councilors informed me, much to my shock, that he inspired many others. How could such a petty nothing shake all of Iberia?
At this Pommerania in Africa and Galacia both return to our Lordship.
In mid-1357 the Ducal War effectively ends. While the realm is still troubled and there is war in Spain and Southern France all major fighting has ended in the Central and Northern France, England, and Ireland where the war started. The Duke of Champagne our cousin is weakened and now independent. He will eventually be displaced by his own vassals while Our Will is turned elsewhere.
Shortly there after our troubled Cousin Roal of Toscana who we had elavated to the Duchy of the same returns. We are also able to liberate southern France and strip Friedrich of several of his Ducal titles.
As I begin to experience the first tastes of peace in my realm my daughter falls ill. I have shorted Micheal, dispatched Zolst, and now God reminds me of my losses by taking little Tunder. I will lose two daughters and never really have two suns even as much as my wife and I struggle to grow our family. I laugh to hear the servants talking of our mating. I love her dearly, but our sins must weigh heavily on the mind of God because we are unable to bring the bliss of our marriage to fruition.
By 1359 my opponent in Russ, the so-called, Duke of Brunswick, cedes a territory in Spain and declares peace. Also in that year I move the capital to the Lowlands of Brugges. If I am unable to my heirs should see to it their our holdings in Northern France all connected.
With France at peace my vassals cease their murmuring and I am able to turn my attention to my Father's advances in Spain.
I am forced to fight a small battle in France as I push back various Spanish interlopers. While I do this I meditate on the gifts the Holy Father of Rome has given me and I adjust how my realm deals with the monastic orders. I grant several tracts of land so that they may pray for both me and my followers. Their industry acts as a boon to the industry of the realm as a whole.
In 1360 my bishop dies. My predecessors had been lax in training men for the ministry. I am left without a candidate for many years. This is a further sign of my personal failures.
However by 1362 I have been, through the Grace of God, able to bring peace to Spain.
My son Zolst continues without a battle in Egypt. His work there has been well done. Where I have waded through blood he enjoys peace. It is a reminder that the sins of the father can be visited on the son. I swear I will bring peace and I will grant my son the recognition he deserves. I have done nothing in Egypt. He has. Long Live the King of Egypt! I have wronged all my children, but you most of all Zolst.
In 1365 my vassals have the final laugh at the expense of my blood. An assassin wounds me while I am on campaign in Africa. The wound festers. I retire to France to seek various healers who all fail. If I die I will die in the arms of my wife.
Spain has brought only death to my family and my subjects. I release two of my Ducal Cousins with the titles Kings-Electors of the Empire. They with other Duke's, Counts, and my royal Sons, will form a new legislative body that will hopefully decrease the instance of bloodshed. I wish to make the throne eligible for election also, but it would betray my sons all the more. By 1366 the empire sees a formal peace, minus some squabbling amongst various vassals that I remain above, for the first time.
The peace brings with it more willing vassals who swear loyalty to me. But my time must come shortly. The Lord sees to it that my blood will not stain Europe for much longer. The punishment is painful, but I like many in my family see the glint of romance in it. I will be free soon and my realm will be free from both me and my father. As I fight more I love him less. Maybe this is my greatest sin.
Here I, Zoe, finish my husbands writing. He was right that his sons misunderstood them, but they were loyal in the end and came to see his final hours. I pray that they maintain the peace. They are separated by an ocean of love and fact. God save the Valadois.
Haven't used mediafire before so I hope this works:
Save Game
If not let me know. Good luck to whoever is next. Try to leave a semi-rational Europe and do it with goo RP.