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Great update - looks like you're building for the future and not taking any stupid risks.
Speaking of which, who is the current count of Suenik?
Speaking of which, who is the current count of Suenik?
Chapter 12: Court Intrigue and Conquest - Revisited
As my wife is happily expecting another child for us (my fifth, her fourth I think), she also gets to know some of the other women at court. Nice to see she's fitting right in.
Whereas my daughter complains that since she's now chancellor, she ought to get paid more than the pocket money she's been getting so far.
She is the most capable chancellor i've had in a while, and also my darling eldest child, so I make an exception and grant her a decent sum.
Seriously, these norman counts have me all wrong.
It's just absolute suicide to take on the King if you only have one province.
Aaand Hereford sends a third child to be raised at my court.
Hm, maybe I should consider one of his children as future bride or groom for one of my children.
The only good norman is a de Breteuil...
Ah, apparently we've managed to lose that Armenian influence and are back on track, producing proper christian personalities.
Sybilla and I have a second child, a daughter this time.
Apparently it's not just the norman counts that have this whole "war with your liege, ally with foreign duchy" thing wrong.
Although the King of France would be a much less daunting foe at the moment than those normans on the English throne.
While I would be inclined to indulge my wife as well, seeing as we're not bankrupt at the moment,
it would also be nice to be able to improve our lands at some point instead of just throwing gold left and right.
This encouragement of spiritual thought has a profound effect on my wife,
and she gains a new reputation of chastity and religious zeal.
Ha! Although these armies are smaller than those in the recent First Glory of Morgannwg,
my regiment still outnumbers Brycheiniogs. The time for expansion is here once again!
Not now, Cai, and no, they're not slaves, just subjects. Go to your room!
The battle starts well. The Count of Brycheiniog doesn't even meet me on the field of battle personally, but sends some foreigner to lead his army.
I lead from the front, and drive that weakling Serb and his rabble before me.
It seems practically all his archers and pikemen were killed.
Strangely selective, that.
And no, I don't want your money, I want your land.
Oh look, England is on the way. At least it means that he probably won't just take the gold, but he could still steal the siege for himself...
Yes, he sent troops, but i'm still leading the siege. Maybe he doesn't have a claim, or maybe he's just being nice for a change... nah, that's not possible.
This is really starting to confuse me. The King of England does take the gold AND the land after the siege is finished, but I get the land anyway. It seems he didn't have any claims, so he installed me as the new Count of Brycheiniog... ah, that's better, so he wasn't actually doing me a favour after all, but instead just sent some troops to steal those 30 ducats from me. The sneaky git.
*sniff* She's just like my lost daughter. Of course i'll raise her!
Soon to come: more expansion, and more dealings with relatives. Will they be whacky? Or annoying money-grubbers?
As my wife is happily expecting another child for us (my fifth, her fourth I think), she also gets to know some of the other women at court. Nice to see she's fitting right in.
Whereas my daughter complains that since she's now chancellor, she ought to get paid more than the pocket money she's been getting so far.
She is the most capable chancellor i've had in a while, and also my darling eldest child, so I make an exception and grant her a decent sum.
Seriously, these norman counts have me all wrong.
It's just absolute suicide to take on the King if you only have one province.
Aaand Hereford sends a third child to be raised at my court.
Hm, maybe I should consider one of his children as future bride or groom for one of my children.
The only good norman is a de Breteuil...
Ah, apparently we've managed to lose that Armenian influence and are back on track, producing proper christian personalities.
Sybilla and I have a second child, a daughter this time.
Apparently it's not just the norman counts that have this whole "war with your liege, ally with foreign duchy" thing wrong.
Although the King of France would be a much less daunting foe at the moment than those normans on the English throne.
While I would be inclined to indulge my wife as well, seeing as we're not bankrupt at the moment,
it would also be nice to be able to improve our lands at some point instead of just throwing gold left and right.
This encouragement of spiritual thought has a profound effect on my wife,
and she gains a new reputation of chastity and religious zeal.
Ha! Although these armies are smaller than those in the recent First Glory of Morgannwg,
my regiment still outnumbers Brycheiniogs. The time for expansion is here once again!
Not now, Cai, and no, they're not slaves, just subjects. Go to your room!
The battle starts well. The Count of Brycheiniog doesn't even meet me on the field of battle personally, but sends some foreigner to lead his army.
I lead from the front, and drive that weakling Serb and his rabble before me.
It seems practically all his archers and pikemen were killed.
Strangely selective, that.
And no, I don't want your money, I want your land.
Oh look, England is on the way. At least it means that he probably won't just take the gold, but he could still steal the siege for himself...
Yes, he sent troops, but i'm still leading the siege. Maybe he doesn't have a claim, or maybe he's just being nice for a change... nah, that's not possible.
This is really starting to confuse me. The King of England does take the gold AND the land after the siege is finished, but I get the land anyway. It seems he didn't have any claims, so he installed me as the new Count of Brycheiniog... ah, that's better, so he wasn't actually doing me a favour after all, but instead just sent some troops to steal those 30 ducats from me. The sneaky git.
*sniff* She's just like my lost daughter. Of course i'll raise her!
Soon to come: more expansion, and more dealings with relatives. Will they be whacky? Or annoying money-grubbers?
Enewald: You're really going at it with the Welsh&sheep-jokes, eh?
Iain: I had a save in 1082, just about the time that Suenik made those declarations of war, and checked: Grigor is dead, Hovhannes Gardman-Abghania is (at 32 years old) the Count of Suenik, his 14-year-old son Senekerim is next in line. Other than that, he has 4 live and 2 dead daughters, 2 brothers aged two, and 6 younger sisters. I believe the County has survived until 1097, but didn't check that save. The dynasty should have little problems surviving though
Sorry about the long delay before this update, first week of semester hit me harder than expected. Hopefully the pace will pick up a bit now that that's over, should be able to do a couple of updates per week at least.
Iain: I had a save in 1082, just about the time that Suenik made those declarations of war, and checked: Grigor is dead, Hovhannes Gardman-Abghania is (at 32 years old) the Count of Suenik, his 14-year-old son Senekerim is next in line. Other than that, he has 4 live and 2 dead daughters, 2 brothers aged two, and 6 younger sisters. I believe the County has survived until 1097, but didn't check that save. The dynasty should have little problems surviving though
Sorry about the long delay before this update, first week of semester hit me harder than expected. Hopefully the pace will pick up a bit now that that's over, should be able to do a couple of updates per week at least.
Fantastic stuff so far, I really like how you've made the main character so likeable and that the story isn't one of constant triumph.
I agree - stories where there's always the likely hood of everything going wrong as always more interesting!
And thanks for the update on Suenik! I'm always interested in "alternate realities".
And thanks for the update on Suenik! I'm always interested in "alternate realities".
Oh.
Your Empire doubled itself in size!
It'll do so a few times yet. Hopefully. Once for sure.
Interesting move by the King of England. Predictable but interesting!!!!
What do you mean predictable? How is it predictable that he first nearly dispossesses me, and now that i'm feeling strong enough for some fighting again, he instead helps me. It's baffling, that's what it is.
Well, I started out with him being a decent guy, but at the latest when he became a prodigy I realised he's just about the best possible king there is: wise, valorous, just, etc... Cai should be awesome in his own right, but probably somewhat more interesting too. You'll see why eventually...
And to you and Iain about the fact that it's not a constant triumph: no, it isn't. Morgannwg will continue to grow and prosper, with some hiccups, but it'll be a while before it can hold it's own against England (and cut them down to size a bit).
And i'm off to edit some screenshots and write that update!
Chapter 13: Kids - you teach and nurture them, and one day they just off and leave...
Before we get into the tedious business of running a large dynasty in a realm as small as mine (I mean, if they were spread all over a country, it wouldn't be that bad),
let's take a quick look at some locations of interest in Europe:
Byzantium seems to be over the worst of the rebellions, although their Emperor has decided to move to Crimea for some reason.
I think that island duke over there now owns Byzantium.
Christian Nubia is no more. They're a sheikdom now.
Ouch. I guess I shouldn't complain about a big dynasty in a small realm, Hovhannes the Awesomely Named (I need to send him an invitation to the Club) is going to have it even worse in a few years, if not already.
Castille is up and coming it seems, with the main christian competition in Spain being the Duchy of Barcelona.
France, however, isn't really itself anymore. All but 3 dukes are independent now.
Champagne couldn't think of an original colour and copied Brittany.
Those de Breteuils are really hogging my attention.
Ascelin is gaining fame and reknown because my court is so much better than her fathers.
This happens again at the end of the year, too.
And so my (adult) courtiers continue to flee from my court, because i'm excommunicated.
It's strange that the children just gain more fame here.
This was the conman who claimed to be a talented negotiator though, so good riddance.
My wife is almost as good a spymaster. Also, I only just noticed that my stepchildren are de Bourgognes too.
I married Iestyn to Helie over there, what a coincidence!
At 43, i've still got the skills. I have lots of relatives, sure, but my own family's branch is still the minority at the moment.
No! Those English counts are crazy.
I want to be on good terms on all the celts.
Someone really wants me to hate these Bretons, though.
But i'm just too much of a people person. I get along so well with everyone.
Except the normans. Here's one de Breteuil i'm not too fond of after all.
And this is the Duke of Gwynedd. One day, I will have to face him in battle.
If I am to be King of Wales, Gwynedd must bow before me first.
Cai is being trained as a general now, so valour is the preffered virtue.
He understands me wrong and gains a romantic view of things, but in terms of being a tactician, it's probably all the same.
Oh yay, a new Papal Controller. Is that the 3rd or 4th or what since William unjustly excommunicated me? I've lost count.
I ask him (and some other nice dukes in the Celtic lands) to take care of some children, as a gesture of good will.
Everyone else accepts, even Nyitra, but Munster is obstinate.
He's been rude to me before. This will be remembered.
Hm. I'm going for the "for now". I'm not quite ready for open war, and anyway,
the last time I disrespected Robert he nearly took everything from me.
Hywel the 2nd Prodigy of Morgannwg graduates into fine steward material.
He will likely serve me some day.
... Unless he decides to make like his brother (2 years older) and leave.
It's a pity, he was a decent soldier.
Will these dynastic child-raising shenanigans never end? When will Morgannwg expand once more? Will Cadwgan ever manage to be friends with everyone? Coming soon, to a theatre near you!
Before we get into the tedious business of running a large dynasty in a realm as small as mine (I mean, if they were spread all over a country, it wouldn't be that bad),
let's take a quick look at some locations of interest in Europe:
Byzantium seems to be over the worst of the rebellions, although their Emperor has decided to move to Crimea for some reason.
I think that island duke over there now owns Byzantium.
Christian Nubia is no more. They're a sheikdom now.
Ouch. I guess I shouldn't complain about a big dynasty in a small realm, Hovhannes the Awesomely Named (I need to send him an invitation to the Club) is going to have it even worse in a few years, if not already.
Castille is up and coming it seems, with the main christian competition in Spain being the Duchy of Barcelona.
France, however, isn't really itself anymore. All but 3 dukes are independent now.
Champagne couldn't think of an original colour and copied Brittany.
Those de Breteuils are really hogging my attention.
Ascelin is gaining fame and reknown because my court is so much better than her fathers.
This happens again at the end of the year, too.
And so my (adult) courtiers continue to flee from my court, because i'm excommunicated.
It's strange that the children just gain more fame here.
This was the conman who claimed to be a talented negotiator though, so good riddance.
My wife is almost as good a spymaster. Also, I only just noticed that my stepchildren are de Bourgognes too.
I married Iestyn to Helie over there, what a coincidence!
At 43, i've still got the skills. I have lots of relatives, sure, but my own family's branch is still the minority at the moment.
No! Those English counts are crazy.
I want to be on good terms on all the celts.
Someone really wants me to hate these Bretons, though.
But i'm just too much of a people person. I get along so well with everyone.
Except the normans. Here's one de Breteuil i'm not too fond of after all.
And this is the Duke of Gwynedd. One day, I will have to face him in battle.
If I am to be King of Wales, Gwynedd must bow before me first.
Cai is being trained as a general now, so valour is the preffered virtue.
He understands me wrong and gains a romantic view of things, but in terms of being a tactician, it's probably all the same.
Oh yay, a new Papal Controller. Is that the 3rd or 4th or what since William unjustly excommunicated me? I've lost count.
I ask him (and some other nice dukes in the Celtic lands) to take care of some children, as a gesture of good will.
Everyone else accepts, even Nyitra, but Munster is obstinate.
He's been rude to me before. This will be remembered.
Hm. I'm going for the "for now". I'm not quite ready for open war, and anyway,
the last time I disrespected Robert he nearly took everything from me.
Hywel the 2nd Prodigy of Morgannwg graduates into fine steward material.
He will likely serve me some day.
... Unless he decides to make like his brother (2 years older) and leave.
It's a pity, he was a decent soldier.
Will these dynastic child-raising shenanigans never end? When will Morgannwg expand once more? Will Cadwgan ever manage to be friends with everyone? Coming soon, to a theatre near you!
"What do you mean predictable? How is it predictable that he first nearly dispossesses me, and now that i'm feeling strong enough for some fighting again, he instead helps me. It's baffling, that's what it is."
Snaake, I was being very facetious on this one, sorry for the weird humor. I find this game to be very random and therefore nothing seems to be predictable at all in this game. Therefore, I agree with you how the AI will do baffling things that will defy predictability.
BTW: This last detailed post was brilliant!
THX
Snaake, I was being very facetious on this one, sorry for the weird humor.
I find this game to be very random and therefore nothing seems to be predictable at all in this game. Therefore, I agree with you how the AI will do baffling things that will defy predictability.BTW: This last detailed post was brilliant!
THX
Chapter 14: A New Age Begins
And right into business:
Hm, it seems Munster was more agreeable when I asked him a second time.
Capricious man, that.
Against type, I send young Seferus Morgan to be educated by priests.
Wait, did I say priests? I meant THE POPE!
More children for me. I arrange a feast in my wife's honour.
Well, I don't mind using my enemies to make new friends.
It's just gaining new enemies that's not really my thing.
I send this problem off to the church.
Those Aberteifis are really starting to get on my nerves.
I give my wife some spending money, she's stuck with me this far.
She asks again later, but I tell her she already got 20 ducats, what did she spend all of it on already?
Ah yes, long era of peace, all that goodness. I'm glad the people are glad, and i'm earning more money.
I really need to get a new court jester - he made some old joke about the peasants finding a second field.
As if that hasn't been heard before. However, this gives me more income once again. A Feast!
*sob* Finally, after 14 years, 2 months and 6 days, the Pope is finally in need of some quick cash and offers me a chance to redeem myself from the unjust excommunication bestowed upon me at the whim of the usurper William. It is hardly just, but God knows I have suffered enough, and I gratefully pay up. This leaves me nearly 200 ducats in debt, but such is the price of acceptance in the catholic church, it seems.
A feast is no longer good enough, I arrange a festival to celebrate!
I refuse to believe my wife is having an affair, immediately after my restoration to the church and to the grace of God.
With my diocese bishop, nonetheless.
Young Cai is shaping up to be quite the soldier. That list over there are the other potential generals I have lazing about in my court.
I eagerly await his graduation.
A note about Otto at the bottom there: he's some German widower who mysteriously decided to move to my court, bringing several of his children with him. His oldest daughter is an intricate webweaver though, so I got a new spymaster out of that. The problem is, everyone keeps wanting to marry her. I suppose i'll have to wed her to one of Cais 3rd cousins to silence all the rest of Europe.
Also, it seems Llywelyn has come quietly crawling back. And I seem to recall Caradog leaving my court years ago as well. And Steffen. They've all come back. It's almost like the old times again.
When he does, I think I might name him as marshal, and then I can show him personally how this conquering business is done by knocking Deheubarth down a notch.
Robert the Treacherous has died, it seems. Still, I remain cautious on the eve of conquest, as I don't want to risk my plans going awry due to yet another English king invading me. So I defer to him... for now.
Ah, finally, a sensible offer of alliance, from an independent duke instead of some count in England who's just started a war with his liege the king.
I accept, even though I suspect there'll be little use in it.
Oh, so she was sleeping with my diocese bishop!
I'm vexed, but at least no children were conceived during the affair, so the succession remains pure.
Apparently Hywel is worried about early-onset male baldness, and has thus opted for the "shaved head and a beard" look.
He tells me it's quite popular among christian arabs.
I prefer to think about him leaving court as an internship.
Us prodigies are bound together by the strands of fate, he will return to Morgannwg one day.
I have selected Arddyn to be Cais future bride. She's of the right age and a well educated, virtuous young lady.
A fitting bride for a future king, and a decent advisor for him in several fields as well.
And she's his 3rd cousin.
Brycheiniog is ever more rich. And so am I.
And here we have Cai, finally graduated. With honours! He's the best strategic mastermind the British Isles have seen in decades, and has a decent eye for investment as well.
Despite some minor personality flaws, i'm certain he will be a great king one day.
I notice he's already showing a preference for ermine trim.
And it's time to show him what must be done to become one.
The fortunes of Morgannwg seem on the rise: a prodigy, no longer excommunicated, still on the throne,
his son a brilliant strategist like none before him, provinces continuing to prosper and more children being born,
and new lands to rule just around the corner. So: What happens next?
And right into business:
Hm, it seems Munster was more agreeable when I asked him a second time.
Capricious man, that.
Against type, I send young Seferus Morgan to be educated by priests.
Wait, did I say priests? I meant THE POPE!
More children for me. I arrange a feast in my wife's honour.
Well, I don't mind using my enemies to make new friends.
It's just gaining new enemies that's not really my thing.
I send this problem off to the church.
Those Aberteifis are really starting to get on my nerves.
I give my wife some spending money, she's stuck with me this far.
She asks again later, but I tell her she already got 20 ducats, what did she spend all of it on already?
Ah yes, long era of peace, all that goodness. I'm glad the people are glad, and i'm earning more money.
I really need to get a new court jester - he made some old joke about the peasants finding a second field.
As if that hasn't been heard before. However, this gives me more income once again. A Feast!
*sob* Finally, after 14 years, 2 months and 6 days, the Pope is finally in need of some quick cash and offers me a chance to redeem myself from the unjust excommunication bestowed upon me at the whim of the usurper William. It is hardly just, but God knows I have suffered enough, and I gratefully pay up. This leaves me nearly 200 ducats in debt, but such is the price of acceptance in the catholic church, it seems.
A feast is no longer good enough, I arrange a festival to celebrate!
I refuse to believe my wife is having an affair, immediately after my restoration to the church and to the grace of God.
With my diocese bishop, nonetheless.
Young Cai is shaping up to be quite the soldier. That list over there are the other potential generals I have lazing about in my court.
I eagerly await his graduation.
A note about Otto at the bottom there: he's some German widower who mysteriously decided to move to my court, bringing several of his children with him. His oldest daughter is an intricate webweaver though, so I got a new spymaster out of that. The problem is, everyone keeps wanting to marry her. I suppose i'll have to wed her to one of Cais 3rd cousins to silence all the rest of Europe.
Also, it seems Llywelyn has come quietly crawling back. And I seem to recall Caradog leaving my court years ago as well. And Steffen. They've all come back. It's almost like the old times again.
When he does, I think I might name him as marshal, and then I can show him personally how this conquering business is done by knocking Deheubarth down a notch.
Robert the Treacherous has died, it seems. Still, I remain cautious on the eve of conquest, as I don't want to risk my plans going awry due to yet another English king invading me. So I defer to him... for now.
Ah, finally, a sensible offer of alliance, from an independent duke instead of some count in England who's just started a war with his liege the king.
I accept, even though I suspect there'll be little use in it.
Oh, so she was sleeping with my diocese bishop!
I'm vexed, but at least no children were conceived during the affair, so the succession remains pure.
Apparently Hywel is worried about early-onset male baldness, and has thus opted for the "shaved head and a beard" look.
He tells me it's quite popular among christian arabs.
I prefer to think about him leaving court as an internship.
Us prodigies are bound together by the strands of fate, he will return to Morgannwg one day.
I have selected Arddyn to be Cais future bride. She's of the right age and a well educated, virtuous young lady.
A fitting bride for a future king, and a decent advisor for him in several fields as well.
And she's his 3rd cousin.
Brycheiniog is ever more rich. And so am I.
And here we have Cai, finally graduated. With honours! He's the best strategic mastermind the British Isles have seen in decades, and has a decent eye for investment as well.
Despite some minor personality flaws, i'm certain he will be a great king one day.
I notice he's already showing a preference for ermine trim.
And it's time to show him what must be done to become one.
The fortunes of Morgannwg seem on the rise: a prodigy, no longer excommunicated, still on the throne,
his son a brilliant strategist like none before him, provinces continuing to prosper and more children being born,
and new lands to rule just around the corner. So: What happens next?
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Another new province incoming?
Well done with sending little welsh kids to the pope.
He even lifted your excommunication.
Well done with sending little welsh kids to the pope.
He even lifted your excommunication.
Yupyup, double update today. Just finished editing the screenshots for a third, but I doubt it'll make it to here tonight anymore. I once did an update of this quite tired at about 3 AM, and wasn't that pleased with the results. No new humour, just shorter texts. :/
Fookison: Ah. It can be quite... challenging to try and discern for sure when someone's being sarcastic and when not, if all you have to go by is text...
Enewald: Is it you with the dirty mind, or me? Then again, before reading your post I didn't think of anything... improper about sending young boys to be educated by the Pope.
Anyway, the next updates a saucy one. With plenty of action, and a familiar diplomatic maneuver in use once again...
Fookison: Ah. It can be quite... challenging to try and discern for sure when someone's being sarcastic and when not, if all you have to go by is text...
Enewald: Is it you with the dirty mind, or me? Then again, before reading your post I didn't think of anything... improper about sending young boys to be educated by the Pope.
Anyway, the next updates a saucy one. With plenty of action, and a familiar diplomatic maneuver in use once again...
Conquering and a mighty ally (Flanders... hahahahaha...) what can possibly go wrong??
Conquering and a mighty ally (Flanders... hahahahaha...) what can possibly go wrong??
They actually turned out to be a relatively useful ally, compared to some i've had (eg. Brittany in this game). They do have something like 4 demesne, plus the same amount of vassals.
Yup. Too bad I had to give him land later, due to needing prestige, and not wanting the -0.3 per month from a (eldest?) son having no land. But i'll get to play him eventually! Just a shame about his intrigue...