The Nineteenth Thing of Rurik’s Reign – May 886 (a summary of advice from Chapter 49)
First, some general commentary responses before we go to the detailed questions. Regarding which – and probably not surprisingly – the most active debate was over the fate of poor Ferverdyn 'the Imbecile Prisoner'.
Thanks for the new episode, it was dearly awaited by me
As are your comments by me.
King Sigurdr ‘Snake-in-the-Eye’
Yes, the original ‘legendary/historical’ ones are the best.
proposing a match between his granddaughter Yngvild and the young Danish prince, who was of a similar age.
Good match, with a brethren nation quite away from our invasion plans short or long term. They hold 1 of the 5 holy sites.
Indeed.
Next, Rurik took action to propose a widely supported betrothal with the young King of Sweden. His own daughter Ulfhildr would be pledged if the young King’s Regent and Council agreed.
Another good match, but with a nation closer to us and our probable invasion plans. In total, our in-laws have 2 of the 5 holy sites. Ostlandet holds one that we can go for, and the final 2 are just too far away. So barring a fortuous inheritance of Denmark or Svithjod, reforming the religion will be a job for a grandson of Helgi, I guess (and that's good, maybe until then the new DLC is out and you decide to buy it with the custom religion reform thingy).
Yes, I will tackle all then if/when it comes. For now, I thought I’d play with the marriage mechanics a bit and get some decent dynastic links in play (see what might be turned into alliances).
While the Jarldom title would (on current reckoning) go to Tyueykezhut's brother, Nishkepaz would inherit Pereyaslavl Zalessky, with the rest of Tyueykezhut’s chiefdoms split with his four other (younger) brothers. But Nishkepaz should be the strongest of them, should have a strong claim on the Jarldom title and may well seek to encroach on his younger brothers’ lands. And in the meantime it would bring a pact of non-aggression with his father the Jarl.
What kind of inheritance sends the main title to a brother before a son? If that is a prestige based inheritance, we can also beef our son-in-law's prestige in some ways (seat at court etc) so he gets to inherit. Also, there's a good chance the children of this marriage turn out to be Norse.
I will have to check on it specifically next session, but I’m assuming some kind of elective gavelkind. Also, the son is young and the uncle (if he ever does inherit) is older. And he can always be hastened on his way if he hangs around too long and proves troublesome.
The first possible target is the independent Bardunid Emirate. They control Iskendarun in Syria and Famagusta on the island of Cyprus.
Your AARs have a tendency of going near my grandma's mountain house
That’s what happens when you come from one of the cradles of world civilisation, I guess. I’m sure the Roman AAR will get there too eventually, though that is still a long way off!
Even if they don’t, surely they would be able to find enough pickings from the golden shores to make it worthwhile.
I think the ships will be completely full before then. I suggest going with the independent realms just to be on the safe side. One suggestion would be to try the Caspian sea. It can also be reached by the river system and modern day Azerbaijan seems to be in the hands of an independent ruler. Those are also rich places to raid.
May have a look there subsequently. A new raiding fleet is building (if Helgi can manage to keep/get his hands on it) and there will be a need for raiding for many years yet.
Meeting on neutral Garðarikian soil in Kexholm, a great battle began on 10 April.
Fertilizer is always welcome.
Quite.
Of great interest though was the clearly ambitious Gradimir’s decision to launch a personal attempt to conquer the county of Mozhaysk (part of the de jure Jarldom of Tver and thus of Garðaríki itself) from the infidel King Dyre of Konugarðr!
Good for him, more territory to give to a loyal Norseman (or Gradimir's Norsified offspring to inherit)
Hahah!
If Gradimir’s levy is smashed, I will hardly be devastated. But if he adds Mohasysk to the kingdom without me having to lift a finger, that is also positive.
Exactly! This is a win-win for us.
Certainly.
“Yes, My Liege, the Prince speaks true. Gradimir is but one of a number of bordering chiefs who have seized what they see as an opportunity to take advantage of Dyre’s ill-advised Holy War against Mari. There are now three would-be conquerors in the very early stages of trying to take a border province each.”
Maybe we should go for a bite ourselves after this raid party
Quite possible, hopefully after satisfying the five-year peace ambition.
but on 15 May they had seized Bjarmia itself.
Yes, a bit of a liberty, if you ask me! Ostlandet certainly didn’t ask Rurik.
ᚔ ᚱᚢᚱᛁᚲᛁᛞ ᚔ
Ch49 Q1: Transfer of NAPs. So, in brief, would the NAP now forged transfer to Tyueykezhut’s brother (the uncle of Nyshkepaz) on Tyueykezhut’s death, or would that void it with the Jarl, with it simply holding with Nyshkepaz as the husband? And second, as Asa is Rurik’s daughter (and only Helgi’s half-sister) what would the status of the pact be if Rurik dies? Would it lapse or transfer to Helgi?
I'd expect it to pass on one more generation but i'm not really sure if it would transfer to a brother. My course of action would be either to try to prop up the son-in-law's chances or to kill off the brother. Is Nishkepaz second in line of inheritance?
I think from memory he is next in line Jarldom title, but will have to check next session.
Your NAPs with the Norse kings should both transfer to Helgi. Not sure about the other one, because that succession is a bit weird. Even then Helgi should be able to sign a NAP with someone that had a NAP with Rurik.
Thanks - I will find out in due course!
ᚔ ᚱᚢᚱᛁᚲᛁᛞ ᚔ
Ch49 Q2: Ferverdyn’s Fate. This isn’t a vote per se, but anyone who would like to say how Rurik the Just should deal with poor Ferverdyn can have their say. I’m wondering too (just out of pure interest) whether, if released, he would stay around or head back to Cornwall.
Executing a hapless Norse would not suit Rurik the Just. Is there an open "court idiot" position or something?
If you want to keep him around, see if you can marry him matrilineally with a woman at your court. If you don't have and, just present a debutante, but first make sure you can do all this. It's a waste of money on Paper, but one never knows. If you just let him go right now He Will be sent back to Cornwall.
I'd would be tempted to try and keep Ferverdyn about somewhere - call it a charitable act.
Maybe you can ask Ferverdyn to join your court. (There's a Recruit Prisoner dialogue option for unimportant prisoners who like you.)
I don't think it would be useful, but you could do it for roleplaying reasons.
Do him a favour, let him honour the gods at the next blot.
As far as I'm aware if you released him the game would eventually purge him for being unimportant. You might as well just use him for the blot
Unless you actively recruit him. Has he any use? Life is cheap in CKII. Stats aren't.
he has all 0s as stats and he is an imbecile. as a charity to the world in general, i usually find imbecile spouses to imbecile people so they do not spread their imbecility genes around.
the only use could be something like a court fool but i'm not sure if that's something in game. i cannot think of any uses for him other than be a RP element.
Have we finally found a reason to use the Court Jester title?
There is a jester option. Being given the title nets an opinion penalty with whichever vassal you honoured with it.
not really what I had in mind, one thinks finally getting out of the dungeon as a broken man and being let to exist in relative luxury in court would make a very grateful imbecile.
Rather than comment on each reply on Ferverdyn separately, I’ll do so in general. In essence, I know he’s useless in any game sense. It seems a bit cruel to sacrifice him at the next Blot given his long incarceration, conversion to Norse ways and Rurik’s reputation for justice. Then again, a good Norseman would be happy to let himself be sacrificed at the Blot. And he is now of age. And Rurik might think of it being a just and humane gift for Ferverdyn. I think Court Jester, while appealing in one sense, could be a little harsh. And Ferverdyn wouldn’t have the wit for it. If there was a Village Idiot, appointment, perhaps!
So I think Rurik will decide to release him: the manner is the question. Either a release to a court sinecure to let him harmlessly (and without cost to the realm) while away his years; release through the Blot; or even see if there was a marriage match for him in another court – if there’s even anyone out there who would accept him! You will have to read the next update to find our what Rurik decides (I haven’t done so myself yet).
ᚔ ᚱᚢᚱᛁᚲᛁᛞ ᚔ
Ch49 Q3: Event Troops Again. I don’t know if any of this will work or whether (because they were on board ship) Rurik’s personal troops would also be exempted from immediate recall (ie disbandment), but thought to take some extra insurance. Also, I think there is still something wrong with the arrival dates the mouseovers are providing for armies – it shouldn’t [edit] take three months to get there!! More on that in another question below.
No responses to this one (which was a bit rhetorical anyway), so I will see what happens – hope the requirement doesn’t arise or, if it does, that the ‘insurance policy’ works.
ᚔ ᚱᚢᚱᛁᚲᛁᛞ ᚔ
Ch49 Q4: Bug? Anyone familiar with this one (problem with mouseover on arrival dates for units)? If not I’ll try to find somewhere to report it as it doesn’t seem to be resolving itself. I hope it isn’t an indication of something worse/corrupted.
I haven't seen this one before :/
No idea
Hmm, if symptoms persist, I guess I’ll need to see a Customer Support person. And hope it doesn’t corrupt the game. In the interim, I’ll load up a random new game and see if the same thing happens there (indicating a more general game engine problem) or just with this game (a game/file problem).
ᚔ ᚱᚢᚱᛁᚲᛁᛞ ᚔ
Thanks for the comments, answers and suggestions. Now it is off to the Rurikid archives again to discover what happens next to Old King Rurik the Just and his hoped-for dynasty!
'Old King Rurik'. An idealised portrait painted some 700 years after his death.
