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Ch86 Q1: Empire.This has already been discussed and I won’t be making the decision immediately, but it’s out there now and I’ve set out a little more of the basic geopolitics above. Happy to take general strategic and ‘gameplay’ advice now or down the track (whenever people feel like discussing it) as to which broad path people may favour. Could be game-smart or could be narrative/role-playing. I consider both legitimate factors.
Well, I know many will be against this but both for RP reasons, spreading the Norse religion reasons and gameplay reasons (still 32 vs 24 provinces to conquer in a lifetime is a big difference, and some from weak chiefdoms and some from crumbling realms) I'd still go for Russia. And the southern provinces are not poor like the northern wastes, some are in fact among the rich provinces of the world, and except the southernmost Noregr ones, all the non-Denmark rich Scandinavian provinces were part of Sweden already.
Ch86 Q2: Content Characteristic.So, do I take it that when it says ‘Content = Liege Opinion +25’, that only means for a vassal, and not a concubine? How about Courtiers?
Content is a positive modifier for any councillor to be a loyalist (although big landed vassals heavily tend to not be loyalist so this is more meaningful for courtiers).
As an opinion modifier, I know this makes vassals like you but I'm not sure if it's factored in for children, courtiers or significant others.
Ch86 Q4: Sacking the Queen?Hmm, maybe it could be a good idea. Rikulfr has only two skill points less than Ingrid and is very loyal already. Eilif still gets the benefit of he buffing for the various state skills stats. And it would make three loyalists on the Council. Eilif would be able to role-play it easily enough: Ingrid has been getting stressed from her work and is still suffering from that gout. ‘I’m doing it for your health and well-being, My Love. Oh, and now I’m calling a vote on that mandate law …’ <ducks hurled vase>.
Buðli returned a few days later with more mildly good news. His general work on advancing the realm’s interests had resulted in Frirek – Chief of Ghent – becoming better disposed. Not a bad thing, given his (sadly misplaced) desire to be on the Council.
Q1. Sadly you can't form Gardarik empire or Novgorod empire a great failing in the game, since your going for the nordic religion you should go for Scandinavia as the most religion/cultural equal.
Q1. Sadly you can't form Gardarik empire or Novgorod empire a great failing in the game, since your going for the nordic religion you should go for Scandinavia as the most religion/cultural equal.
I'd be interested in a pagan revival in its heartlands (scandinvia) in a place safe from Christian hands, expanding out to russia in time and seeding eastern Europe over time. Its a bit of a reversal of otl history where russia expanded into scandinvia. I suppose either empire will do as a name, but I go for Scandinvia basically because it's going to be the economic and military centre of your empire for the rest of the game unless you conquer somewhere like Germany, France or Britain. So over time, through wars in russia, wealth in Scandinavia and religious fervour, russia will be a sideshow. So you could indeed roleplay russia, its just they'd slowly turn towards the west anyway.
It seems like either empire could work. In my games I find I rarely end up forming an existing empire - I almost always pass the 8000 prestige mark before the 80% threshold. You’re probably tired of hearing it, but this too is dependent on being feudal. The reason is that as tribal prestige is too valuable as currency to hoard, but as feudal its mostly just a way of keeping score and tends to pile up.
I’d combine 3 and 4 into one answer. Ask the queen to vote for you in exchange for a favor, hold the vote(s), then show her the door. The answer should be moot if you follow this strategy, but you do not get the ten year wait if you fail to pass a law. There’s some shorter one, but I think it’s just on trying to pass the same law again. Also, I find that “undecided” voters never vote for me of their own choice. I think “undecided” means “open to bribery.”
“He may be a fat drunk who disgraces himself at public functions,” Eilif remarked to Spymaster Tihomir’s chief lieutenant in Nygarðr “But he is my fat drunk vassal, who remains loyal.”
I think that just say much about Eilif and the life he has led.
1) I have a preference for Russia, but either direction works .
2) You could mouse over the final opinion and see if it's being applied.
3) I usually buy a favor, and insist on them supporting my votes, then start the law change.
4) no opinion here
There is something like it I think but I may be remembering incorrectly. It's been 2 months since I last played the game now.
...
If anyone's interested, I recently spent a week with about fifty historical weapons of various kinds. Relevant to this aar would be two massive war axe heads and replica handles, and some truly nasty looking daggers. Basic arms are still spears, long shields and arming swords if they can get them in this period though so nothing too fancy. Image of a big viking or housecarl with a big axe head on short handle is very fictionalized.
The time has come for raiding! And to keep the vassals in check - a ruler's work is never done.
As noted above, to force someone out of a faction, "end plot" is not the right action. The two chiefs probably tried to kill someone.
Still, manually asking them to stop their plots gives a +25 opinion boost for having discovered them scheming (not because they like you more, but because they learn to fear you), so that helps. (Or it's only for plots directed against you, so that they don't immediately rejoin - for the latter case, I'm sure of it, for the first one you'd have to check).
Forcing someone out of a faction is done through an event in the spymaster's "scheming" action or intrigue focus.
Also, a raiding tip (won't matter much in Wales, but might come in handy elsewhere) - land in the top liege's demesne, even more so his capital, if you can. The AI doesn't raise a besieged county's levy, so you can take out vast amounts of his fighting force merely through laying siege, cripple it if you take the holding as it also takes out the potential levy. Capitals also offer prisoners.
And if your raiding target needs vassal troops to crush your raiders, it gives you plenty of time to get back to the boats as the vassal troops have no morale as they are raised.
Ch86 Q1: Empire. This has already been discussed and I won’t be making the decision immediately, but it’s out there now and I’ve set out a little more of the basic geopolitics above. Happy to take general strategic and ‘gameplay’ advice now or down the track (whenever people feel like discussing it) as to which broad path people may favour. Could be game-smart or could be narrative/role-playing. I consider both legitimate factors.
Both are nice. I'd consider mainly how happy the current king (Will it still be Eilif? We'll know should the time come.) is in Holmgarðr and Garðariki, so that he can aim for the empire of his capital.
Strategically there aren't big differences - well, the biggest one would be boats and travel times. Scandinavia does have far more boats, so if the Rurikids want to terrorize the coast, they are better served with Scandinavia. If they are happy with the ships they have, they can also live with assembling a great horde in Russia, then gather the men and strike out.
Ch86 Q2: Content Characteristic. So, do I take it that when it says ‘Content = Liege Opinion +25’, that only means for a vassal, and not a concubine? How about Courtiers?
My courtiers tend to either love or hate me. When they are inbetween, it's been a while that I looked at their opinions. I would guess it's also for courtiers. As for why it didn't apply to Holmfrid, well... that might have something to do with abducting her to serve as a concubine, perhaps?
Ch86 Q3: Vote Tactics. Do I just wait for them to decide? Would opinion boosts (bribes, grants etc, if any are available) do any good to sway them over? Or would that just be a waste of resources/influence at this point? Should I put it to a vote to force a decision, or is it only one attempt at a change of laws every 10 years (whether successful of not) and not worth risking unless reasonably sure of the final outcome?
Eilif's got money now. So it may be a good idea to buy a favour, and then call it in for the vote. Then force through whatever law fits best - perhaps now is a good time to get rid of the pesky Slavs and Finns.
Also, there is definitely a cooldown timer for attempting law changes, and though I'm not sure if it is ten years, it's always better to be sure about the vote's outcome.
Ch86 Q4: Sacking the Queen? Hmm, maybe it could be a good idea. Rikulfr has only two skill points less than Ingrid and is very loyal already. Eilif still gets the benefit of he buffing for the various state skills stats. And it would make three loyalists on the Council. Eilif would be able to role-play it easily enough: Ingrid has been getting stressed from her work and is still suffering from that gout. ‘I’m doing it for your health and well-being, My Love. Oh, and now I’m calling a vote on that mandate law …’ <ducks hurled vase>.
If you can't bribe her, that's an option. But actually, bribing her instead of a random councillor would have a very nice side effect - as long as Styrkar inherits some day. As he'll eventually inherit his mother's money, so the 80 gold for the favour would find their way back into Rurikid pockets some day (as well as the little she gains for being seeress in the first place).
Still, it may also be worth it to just replace her. Less of a hassle if Rikulfr's a good yes-man.
The Nineteenth Þing of Eilif’s Reign – April 905 (a summary of advice from Chapter 86)
Given advice below and my re-learning of this point (haven’t played much with them to date) I think that may be the only option open at the moment anyway
A little bit more on intrigue in the next chapter, but it seems to me on reflection that scotching factions may be more about influence and opinion than edicts and orders?
Still, manually asking them to stop their plots gives a +25 opinion boost for having discovered them scheming (not because they like you more, but because they learn to fear you), so that helps. (Or it's only for plots directed against you, so that they don't immediately rejoin - for the latter case, I'm sure of it, for the first one you'd have to check).
Forcing someone out of a faction is done through an event in the spymaster's "scheming" action or intrigue focus.
Yes, you were right. There were plots and factions involved. Interesting re that opinion boost mechanic – I’ll have to try it out some time. Though not in the scope of the next chapter, as it had been played through before I read your advice.
The wooing of vassals was only a by-product of me wanting to increase the pace of threat reduction via statecraft, given plans for future expansion and the limiting effect of such powerful defensive pacts (which for the pagans varies in size between small to large with the seasons). Having said that … you will see what is done in the coming chapter!
“He may be a fat drunk who disgraces himself at public functions,” Eilif remarked to Spymaster Tihomir’s chief lieutenant in Nygarðr “But he is my fat drunk vassal, who remains loyal.”
I think that just say much about Eilif and the life he has led.
The time has come for raiding! And to keep the vassals in check - a ruler's work is never done.
Also, a raiding tip (won't matter much in Wales, but might come in handy elsewhere) - land in the top liege's demesne, even more so his capital, if you can. The AI doesn't raise a besieged county's levy, so you can take out vast amounts of his fighting force merely through laying siege, cripple it if you take the holding as it also takes out the potential levy. Capitals also offer prisoners.
And if your raiding target needs vassal troops to crush your raiders, it gives you plenty of time to get back to the boats as the vassal troops have no morale as they are raised.
Yes, raiding time! Good tip re hitting the county with the main troop levy. I’d noticed this a bit in the past, but you have confirmed and crystallised the thought – thanks! I’ve noticed the levy is instead added to the garrison, which prolongs the siege but at least traps them in the holding.
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Ch86 Q1: Empire.This has already been discussed and I won’t be making the decision immediately, but it’s out there now and I’ve set out a little more of the basic geopolitics above. Happy to take general strategic and ‘gameplay’ advice now or down the track (whenever people feel like discussing it) as to which broad path people may favour. Could be game-smart or could be narrative/role-playing. I consider both legitimate factors.
Well, I know many will be against this but both for RP reasons, spreading the Norse religion reasons and gameplay reasons (still 32 vs 24 provinces to conquer in a lifetime is a big difference, and some from weak chiefdoms and some from crumbling realms) I'd still go for Russia. And the southern provinces are not poor like the northern wastes, some are in fact among the rich provinces of the world, and except the southernmost Noregr ones, all the non-Denmark rich Scandinavian provinces were part of Sweden already.
Q1. Sadly you can't form Gardarik empire or Novgorod empire a great failing in the game, since your going for the nordic religion you should go for Scandinavia as the most religion/cultural equal.
I'd be interested in a pagan revival in its heartlands (scandinvia) in a place safe from Christian hands, expanding out to russia in time and seeding eastern Europe over time. Its a bit of a reversal of otl history where russia expanded into scandinvia. I suppose either empire will do as a name, but I go for Scandinvia basically because it's going to be the economic and military centre of your empire for the rest of the game unless you conquer somewhere like Germany, France or Britain. So over time, through wars in russia, wealth in Scandinavia and religious fervour, russia will be a sideshow. So you could indeed roleplay russia, its just they'd slowly turn towards the west anyway.
It seems like either empire could work. In my games I find I rarely end up forming an existing empire - I almost always pass the 8000 prestige mark before the 80% threshold. You’re probably tired of hearing it, but this too is dependent on being feudal. The reason is that as tribal prestige is too valuable as currency to hoard, but as feudal its mostly just a way of keeping score and tends to pile up.
Both are nice. I'd consider mainly how happy the current king (Will it still be Eilif? We'll know should the time come.) is in Holmgarðr and Garðariki, so that he can aim for the empire of his capital.
Strategically there aren't big differences - well, the biggest one would be boats and travel times. Scandinavia does have far more boats, so if the Rurikids want to terrorize the coast, they are better served with Scandinavia. If they are happy with the ships they have, they can also live with assembling a great horde in Russia, then gather the men and strike out.
Thanks all: evenly balanced views, matching the 50/50 I have in mind. There will be more of a hint at the likely future direction in the next chapter, but nothing is decided yet. Whether its Russia or Scandinavia pursued for the Empire objective, the merits of both building strong presence in Scandinavia and ‘Norsifying’ the Garðarikian-Rus heartland appeal. Both for gameplay but also for roleplay, narrative and ‘challenge’ reasons.
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Ch86 Q2: Content Characteristic.So, do I take it that when it says ‘Content = Liege Opinion +25’, that only means for a vassal, and not a concubine? How about Courtiers?
Content is a positive modifier for any councillor to be a loyalist (although big landed vassals heavily tend to not be loyalist so this is more meaningful for courtiers).
As an opinion modifier, I know this makes vassals like you but I'm not sure if it's factored in for children, courtiers or significant others.
My courtiers tend to either love or hate me. When they are inbetween, it's been a while that I looked at their opinions. I would guess it's also for courtiers. As for why it didn't apply to Holmfrid, well... that might have something to do with abducting her to serve as a concubine, perhaps?
Re Holmfrid … maybe, though if she had the content trait, you could argue she might adjust to her circumstances more readily than without it. The game and times vs modern morals and sensibilities can also be a little uncomfortable if you dwell on it too much: so I will stress that the methods and comments used in this AAR do not represent the personal views or ethics of the authAAR! If they did (as with most of us who dabble in CK2 in particular) you’d be rightly worried!!
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Ch86 Q3: Vote Tactics.Do I just wait for them to decide? Would opinion boosts (bribes, grants etc, if any are available) do any good to sway them over? Or would that just be a waste of resources/influence at this point? Should I put it to a vote to force a decision, or is it only one attempt at a change of laws every 10 years (whether successful of not) and not worth risking unless reasonably sure of the final outcome?
I’d combine 3 and 4 into one answer. Ask the queen to vote for you in exchange for a favor, hold the vote(s), then show her the door. The answer should be moot if you follow this strategy, but you do not get the ten year wait if you fail to pass a law. There’s some shorter one, but I think it’s just on trying to pass the same law again. Also, I find that “undecided” voters never vote for me of their own choice. I think “undecided” means “open to bribery.”
Eilif's got money now. So it may be a good idea to buy a favour, and then call it in for the vote. Then force through whatever law fits best - perhaps now is a good time to get rid of the pesky Slavs and Finns.
Also, there is definitely a cooldown timer for attempting law changes, and though I'm not sure if it is ten years, it's always better to be sure about the vote's outcome.
More on all of these (process and game occurrences) in the next chapter, which I won’t ‘spoil’ here. Just to say Eilif takes advantage of a few opportunities to help prosecute his legislative objectives!
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Ch86 Q4: Sacking the Queen?Hmm, maybe it could be a good idea. Rikulfr has only two skill points less than Ingrid and is very loyal already. Eilif still gets the benefit of he buffing for the various state skills stats. And it would make three loyalists on the Council. Eilif would be able to role-play it easily enough: Ingrid has been getting stressed from her work and is still suffering from that gout. ‘I’m doing it for your health and well-being, My Love. Oh, and now I’m calling a vote on that mandate law …’ <ducks hurled vase>.
More on law passage in the coming chapter. Re org laws: yes, but per earlier answers (previous chapters) it's a matter of priority: the time delay applies to changing any realm law.
If you can't bribe her, that's an option. But actually, bribing her instead of a random councillor would have a very nice side effect - as long as Styrkar inherits some day. As he'll eventually inherit his mother's money, so the 80 gold for the favour would find their way back into Rurikid pockets some day (as well as the little she gains for being seeress in the first place).
Still, it may also be worth it to just replace her. Less of a hassle if Rikulfr's a good yes-man.
I bribed her earlier for opinion, but it wasn’t enough to make her a loyalist. As for the favour: there will be more money once the current raid (hopefully) brings the cash in. And per he above cryptic response to Q3, other options may present themselves. I’ll also have a follow-up question about a mechanical aspect of possible replacement in the next chapter. Something I could have done a quick experiment on if it wasn’t an Ironman game with an AAR associated, so added fear of getting it wrong even though I thought I knew the answer!
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Thanks you all for your responses and advice – always so very appreciated. As mentioned above, the next session has been played through (a day or two back) and the next chapter is well into the production phase now.
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Chapter 87: A Working Holiday (10 April 905 – 29 March 906)
Chapter 87: A Working Holiday (10 April 905 – 29 March 906)
Previously, on Blut und Schlacht … Þorsteinn leads Eilif’s raiders ashore in Glamorgan for a trip that mixes work with pleasure; at home, the King ponders the make-up of his Council, legal reform and options for future imperial ambitions; defensive pacts ebb and flow around him; and Grimr of Smaleskja seeks to win a Jarl’s crown for himself against High Chief Jaunule of Lithuania.
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April 905
As discussed (discretely, of course) at the recent Þing, Eilif at that time was wondering whether to ‘lighten the load’ of his unwell and stressed wife, Queen Ingrid, by considering alternatives to replace her as Seer. Replacements who may be more likely to act obediently in Council votes on key matters, such as legal reforms now and perhaps war declarations later.
On looking around, there was a dearth of available talent at court and Eilif was unsure whether Jarl Rikulfr of Smáland (considered quite a suitable and loyal replacement) would accept a call to take on the role. For now, there was no search for foreign possibilities and Eilif was reluctant to provoke marital disharmony. Ingrid remained in her post for the time being.
Ch87 Q1: Vassal Appointments to Council.Jarl Rikulfr’s name did not appear on the options list when I clicked on the ‘Appoint’ button for Seer. When I looked at his interaction screen directly, the ‘Appoint Councillor’ option was greyed out because there was ‘no honorary title to grant Jarl Rikulfr.’ My assumption (which I wasn’t keen to test at the time and get wrong) was that because he was not at Eilif’s court due to being a vassal, the vacancy would have to be created first by sacking Ingrid, then going to his screen to appoint him to the vacancy. What I didn’t want to do was sack Ingrid then discover Rikulfr (for some reason I was unaware of) was not available for the appointment. Is that the case? NB: see also something that happens a bit later below, which tended to support my assumption. I think. Also, there was the Þing advice about using different tactics to get Ingrid to vote as I wanted, so I held off. Subsequent events then changed the calculus.
On 10 April, Grimr had a force of over 3,500 warriors (having called a tribal army to his banners) in Vilnius heading to Memel – High Chief Jaunule’s seat. Since Grimr’s declaration of war, Minsk had apparently passed from Lithuanian to Polish rule, so Memel, over on the Baltic coast, was the only prize left for him to take.
A week later, Eilif’s nephew and Chancellor, Jarl Buðli, came to him with a ‘warning’. Apparently, old Chief Steinn of Gotland (one of Jarl Hildur’s vassals) now had an heir (a Chief Faste Gute of Lukomorie) who was a vassal of King Árpád of Hungary, meaning Gotland would be lost to the realm if Faste inherited. A short while later, Árpád transferred Faste’s vassal contract to another of his vassals, though it was unknown if this would have any effect on the succession for Gotland (it was thought not).
“All this makes my head hurt, Buðli. Is there anything I can or should do about the ‘warning’? This Faste not only owes his allegiance to Hungary – he’s a heathen Orthodox Christian as well!”
“I’m not sure, Eilif. These intricacies are a bit new to us in Nygarðr. I will ask the Þing.”
“Yes, do that please. For now, we’ll just have to hope that old Steinn hangs on a bit longer.”
Ch87 Q2: Succession Warning.Is there anything I can or should look at doing to remedy the possibility of Gotland’s succession taking it out of the kingdom? Given it refers to the vassal of a vassal, I’ve literally no idea at all whether I can and if so what I can do about it!
These dynastic machinations were the kind of problem that really did tax Eilif, who in his life had to work hard to overcome his natural ‘slowness’. But the love of a loyal hound was far easier to understand and a joy to appreciate. What was a bit of prestige compared to the pleasure of training his beloved dog Hunter?
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May-June 905
“My King,” said a somewhat gruff and hesitant Chief Jailer Birger, after being ushered into the King’s presence. “I wouldn’t bother you with this if it weren’t for the ah, rank of the prisoner, is all. I only have the one now. Jarl Eirikr.”
“Oh, what does he want, Birger?”
“He don’t like his nice dark cell, King Eilif. Drones on about wantin' ‘more suitable accommodations,’” recounted the old jailer – putting an exaggeratedly pompous intonation on the last phrase.
“Ah, more ‘suitable’, eh? Then we shall move him out of the nasty cell straight away. I have just the thing in mind for him!”
In mid-May, Sölvi received an unwelcome surprise in Satakunta, where he had been raiding in revenge for Chief Lalli’s earlier raid on Austerbotn. With attention focused on Wales, the first inkling of trouble was a rushed message that the Garðarikian raiders had been ambushed – by what looked to be a recently summoned tribal army!
Sölvi was ordered straight out – but first had to stage a fighting withdrawal and then survive a pursuit. They managed to escape by 2 June – with casualties, but still relatively intact.
The day of the defeat did bring some good personal news for Eilif. His concubine Edla let him know she was pregnant.
While Sölvi retreated north to Austerbotn, the fortunes of High Chief Onni of Satakunta suddenly changed. On 4 June, word came that, full of confidence and with his tribal army at hand, he had decided to prosecute Chief Lalli’s claim to Häme. But Chief Hintsa ‘the Spider’ had not earned his nickname by being an easy target. Onni had called in one of his allies, but so too did Hintsa. But more importantly, Hintsa summoned his own tribal army to match Onni’s. Lalli himself had mustered his small levy in Uusimaa, but - blocked by the large force in Häme - began marching his men via Finland. On balance, Eilif hoped Hintsa would win this fight, for reasons of both state and revenge. Which for Eilif, were the same thing!
By 15 June the two Finnish countries had joined battle in Satakunta: Hintsa outnumbered Onni by a couple of hundred men. Eilif hoped it would be a long and even fight! In far-off Wales, there was now 24 gold in booty sitting in the ships’ holds. All the easily available coin from the hinterland of Glamorgan had been claimed. The rest would have to come from sieges of its castle, church and city.
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July 905
Sölvi’s raiders arrived in Austerbotn on 5 July – having lost more men to attrition during the retreat but (because it had been a deliberate withdrawal rather than a rout), the troops were soon back under control. He made to take his men via Kexholm to Uusimaa, to see if he could pillage down there. While Chief Lalli was marching his men to reinforce his High Chief in Satakunta, Onni was faring badly in the battle, which continued fiercely.
Eilif’s interests now ranged widely. The rich lands of Flanders – and the Holy Site of Zeeland – were of keen interest. While Duke Lambert of Luxembourg had taken the upper hand in his holy war against Olafr II of Noregr, he had his own problems with Chief Hroðgar of Metz (one of the old Swedish descendants left from when they ruled those lands) looking to conquer him! Perhaps it might give Olafr a chance to recover: Eilif would rather see a Germanic victory than a Christian one.
And to the south of Garðariki, Barsbek was at it again: this time he was having another go at ‘liberating’ Khopyor. It looked like he would be victorious once more.
And by mid-July, Grimr had occupied Memel in his subjugation war against High Chief Jaunule: victory for Grimr looked imminent [100%].
The next week, Cardiff fell. Another large haul of treasure was taken, with the siege now extended to the Bishopric of Landaff. It was less well defended and should therefore fall more quickly.
In Satakunta, the battle between Hintsa and Onni continued: even though Lalli had managed to reinforce, but by 22 July Häme still had the numbers and the morale of Onni’s troops was nearing collapse.
30 July brought the news that Grimr had won his war. He now styled himself Jarl Grimr of Lithuania and Memel was added to Garðariki. For some reason, Grimr thought Eilif had banished him from the Council and was somewhat put out by this, though that would wear off in time and he was still largely supportive. Perhaps it was his madness (and rumoured Hel-worshipping ways) that led him to believe this, Eilif speculated.
Ch87 Q3: Auto-firing from Council.For some reason, the game took Grimr’s promotion to Jarl to auto-cancel his membership of the Council (even though he remained a vassal), blaming Eilif for it. A little strange. If I’d appointed him again back straight away (which I didn’t, you will see), would the malus have disappeared? Or just been offset somewhat by the benefits of the new appointment? Also, will him taking a ‘foreign’ jarldom title lead him to seek to break away in a subsequent succession?
This left a vacancy – and as an Advisor [as far as I know – please correct me if I’m wrong] did not need any particular skill set, Eilif looked at different options, given it seemed Jarl Grimr would always be a glory-seeker rather than a loyalist in the Council. Of those who might be appointed within the realm, two options stood out. Jarl Nishkepaz II of Yaroslavl was powerful and angry at being denied a seat on the Council. He was otherwise content with life, so an appointment as Advisor (where his lack of outstanding skills would not matter) would do a lot to make this powerful lord far more reliable. Especially providing his levy in war.
The other option was Jarl Rikulfr, who had been seriously considered to replace Queen Ingrid as Seer. He too was a content man, and very well disposed towards the King. Rikulfr was already stressed, but Nishkepaz was currently violently ill. Eilif went with Rikulfr – who immediately showed himself to be a staunch King’s Man.
[NB: note here Rikulfr did appear on the list of those available for the appointment this time, re my earlier question at Q1 and assumption the position had to actually be vacant for him to show up. Unless it was something more to do with it being a Seer appointment – some disqualification I had missed.]
Eilif therefore had the numbers he needed to pass law changes – including medium tribal organisation as well as the religious control mandate. He decided to pass the control mandate, putting it straight to a vote now that he had the numbers. It took another three weeks for the formalities to be concluded, but Eilif had his first legal reform objective in the bag. And his Lawspeaker (and new Steward) Sumarliði confirmed that he would only have to wait another five years before passing another new realm law.
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August-September 905
Hintsa of Häme had a clear victory in Satakunta on 1 August: Onni and Lalli retreated towards Häme. Would Hintsa follow them, or stay to besiege Onni’s seat in Satakunta?
Eilif and Buðli had given up the detailed tracking of the comings and goings of the pact membership, especially the wildly fluctuating Pagan Pact – though it had been steadily building again of late. But one new addition did interest them in passing. Linda of Hordaland had recently taken over that Chiefdom and with word of her being considered a kin-slayer, it did not take much to figure out how that had happened! She was bright, devious, learned in the ways of the Gods and a shield-maiden. Eilif quite admired her. Even if she was pledged to the pact that opposed him. So perhaps she was best admired at a distance!
On 2 September, Onni’s main army (1,817 remaining) finished their retreat in Uusimaa. Sölvi’s raiders were in Kexholm by then, but quickly stopped where they were. A few days later Onni was heading back to Häme, while Lalli’s smaller contingent kept heading east in a shattered retreat. Sölvi stayed put.
In Wales, Llandaff was taken and the siege of Swansea began. The ships now had 125 gold in loot aboard. But the piety being gained from sacking Christian holdings and churches was not as much as Eilif had hoped it might be. And the extra moral authority gained was not as critical for his immediate purpose of religious reform, as the Germanic faith was at that time well above the level required. The prestige and gold would be useful, but he harked back to the advice of previous Þings. Perhaps conquests (if any could be managed against countries not in the Pagan Pact) would be a quicker way of gaining piety. That, and perhaps some temple building, though that would be very expensive.
On 27 September, Buðli was quite pleased to announce that his general efforts at statecraft had encouraged the young Jarl Bertil II of Brabant (five years old) to think better of the King [+20, to +26 opinion].
“That’s nice, Buðli, but I’m thinking that perhaps now we may need something more. A specialist Chancellor who could go out and about fabricating claims for us – including your inheritance as heir – at even a ducal level,” said Eilif in response. “And doing that yourself would risk your life at the hands of foreign rulers. That would be a tragedy.”
Buðli reacted with a mix of sadness but also appreciation. “I suppose I understand, Eilif. After all, I did suggest something similar recently regarding Ingrid.”
“I know you may be disappointed on one level, my dear nephew, but I think it’s for the best. The succession is too important to risk your life on foreign escapades! I hope you understand.”
“Of course, Uncle Eilif. You are the king – it is your call to make.”
Of the three outstanding diplomats in the known Norse world who were willing and able to join the Garðarikian court, one was young but female (and therefore ineligible for the position of chancellor). The other was too old to be any kind of long-term prospect. But Grimr Þorgilsson, the Marshal of Orknö, while known as a content man (among other things, including being both homosexual and possessed, like his namesake Jarl Grimr of Lithuania) was miserable in his current post. He was invited to court for an interview to be the new Chancellor.
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October 905
Onni was back in Häme by 5 October and laying siege to Hintsa’s holding, who remained in Satakunta doing the same to Onni. Sölvi kept a wary eye on both of them from Kexholm.
Grimr Þorgilsson arrived in Nygarðr on 9 October, bringing his shield-maiden wife (Gurli the Unfaithful) and young son with him. He seemed to respect Eilif well enough and, although he seemed to be slightly more likely to be another glory-seeker than a loyalist, Eilif hoped that might change with the added sweetener of being appointed to high office. And it would be almost five years before another realm law could be passed, so the king took the risk.
“Congratulations, Grimr, you are the new Chancellor of the great Kingdom of Garðariki!" Turning to Buðli, Eilif tried to be conciliatory. "Thank you for your great service, nephew. I hope you may be able to put the stress of your excellent but draining time behind you now.”
As hoped, this was indeed enough for the new Chancellor to declare himself of the King’s Party on Council, just like Buðli before him.
Grimr's first mission was to venture to Gorodez, to see if he could fabricate a claim not just on that county, but perhaps the entire high chiefdom of Murom. Not only was it part of Garðariki’s de jure lands, but if High Chief Kinyak inherited it, the old realm of Mari (as it was under the dreaded Saksa the Monster) might be re-forged. And two of the counties of the de jure duchy were already part of Garðariki.
During this time, a number of Eilif’s vassals, including his son Styrkar, has been trying their own hands at raiding. A few reports came back of treasure fleets returning, the largest being from Jarl Þordr of Vestergautland, who brought back 128 gold after raiding Grandmaster Sancho of the Knights of Santiago and Queen Iberia of Asturias.
Later that October, Sumarliði dropped into Nygarðr (from his settler-rustling in Ladoga) to give Eilif a report on the economy in Holmgarðr.
“My Liege, Holmgarðr is no longer prospering,” he said, with a dead-pan delivery.
“Oh, er, that’s a bit of a pity, Sumarliði …” Eilif began, until his Steward raised a polite hand.
“Instead, it is positively flourishing!”
The home county and capital of the kingdom was becoming quite a prosperous centre, especially compared to the region around it.
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November 905
At this time, for reasons that escaped the Garðarikians (and didn’t concern them enough to bother researching), a small new kingdom came into existence on their western border, breaking away from Poland. Six-year-old King Sedziej of Bohemia, a Polish worshipper of the Slavic Gods, was in charge, after his father died ‘under suspicious circumstances’ a few months before. Perhaps Sedziej split from Poland on his succession? At his regent’s suggestion, of course!
Hintsa took Satakunta[warscore now 37% in his favour] on 7 November and hastened back to his home to once again confront Onni. And this time, Onni’s ally from Sápmi, High Chief Ára with another 700 men. Ára would arrive just three days after the beginning of the battle. Sölvi decided to head to Uusimaa again to try his luck.
A day later, in Wales, Swansea fell. Much treasure was taken and more piety than usual earned, but at the cost of 171 of the raiders during the siege. At the same time, a competitor raiding party from Ångermanland was sighted in St. George’s Channel – making for Dyfed! Þorsteinn’s next target! Done with Glamorgan, the Garðarikians moved quickly, hoping to head them off from the rich takings on offer.
Eilif’s private journal of the time, found in the Rurikid scroll trove, noted that Buðli had taken his removal from the Council remarkably well [opinion still +89, with no 'sacked from the Council' malus scores – is that because he’s the heir? Just seems ironic the one I didn't sack myself had the penalty, while the one I did was happy with it!]. And he seemed no longer to be suffering from the stress that had plagued him earlier. On the other hand, the King was worried about Queen Ingrid. Interpretation of his notes from the time have led modern scholars to deduce she was by then suffering the effects of depression, on top of the stress evident earlier and the continuing problem of gout. At only 34 years old, she was not in the best of health.
Back over in Wales, on 18 November the Garðarikian raiders had beat the Raiders of Vagn (of Möre) to the punch in Dyfed and had begun reducing the castle at Dinefwr and were looting the countryside. The frustrated Vagn was heading back to his boats. In Finland, Hintsa and Onni clashed once more, this time in Häme, on 21 November. By 27 November, Hintsa had 2400 men and Onni (with Ára's reinforcements) had 2,322. The battle seemed evenly poised.
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December 905
As the two evenly matched Finnish armies battled in out in Häme, Sölvi arrived in Uusimaa to grab some quick loot from the fairly rich coastal county in early December - though the locals seemed to have hidden it very well. Barsbek declared his conquest of Khopyor complete on 16 December, usurping the chiefdom from Temir Temrid. His seemingly endless run of victories continued.
Also at that time, Eilif became aware of a plot to kill his new Chancellor – apparently an old enmity from his time back in Orknö. The Spymaster (and concubine of the Chief) Alfrið was behind it. No wonder Grimr had wanted to get out of there! Even though Alfrið was ultimately a subject of the King of Noregr, Olafr II, it seemed she had enough regard for Eilif to consider his request to cease the plot. The letter was sent: Grimr now had a powerful sponsor.
On 21 December, a letter arrived from Tihomir in Constantinople: good news this time. It enclosed documents explaining technological advancements he had researched in the great Byzantine capital. The results were not applied immediately, but would be in due course.
A day after this, a report came from the north: Hintsa had won yet again, with the (neutral towards Garðariki) Sápmi company (now only 413 men) retreating towards Austerbotn and Onni (with only 1,492 men left) heading back to Uusimaa. Hintsa remained in his capital of Häme for now, with his 2,230 troops.
This put the focus back on Sölvi, who had not extracted any treasure at all from Uusimaa since he’d arrived. He checked with his personal seer, who confirmed he was still ritually entoggled for raiding – but the Gods favour was not on them [ie I finally noticed the little raiding symbol was not present on the unit map icon *facepalm emoji*].
“Ah, of course, that’s it!” exclaimed his seer. “Your earlier defeat at the hands of Onni’s tribal host in Satakunta has shamed you in the eyes of the Gods and the people of Uusimaa, who are part of Onni’s realm. This is why you find no riches here, Sölvi.”
The commander slunk away back to Kexholm, tail between his legs, having made a rookie raiders’ error.
The year 904 AD ended with another update from Eilif’s vassals in Brabant. They were glad to be at peace with both King Olafr and Duke Lambert. Hroðgar of Metz now occupied more of Lambert’s territory, though Lambert in turn still had a large army assembled and occupied some of Olafr’s territory. But Olafr was back, with an army of just over 1,900 men, trying to recapture some of his lost land from Lambert. Eilif was happy enough to be a spectator in this little three-sided drama for now.
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January 906
The new year began with an apologetic letter from Alfrið of Orknö, vowing she would no longer seek to murder Eilif’s new Chancellor. Eilif took the opportunity to review the many murder and fabrication plots bubbling away in the kingdom, which he usually just let run along. The people did want to have their fun. But he identified three which were - or may be - against his interests. One, to kill Queen Ingrid, was an old plot which was outside his power to stop, but had never gained any traction [11.4% power]. The one against Ivar he had considered previously: the plotter would not stop if he was asked, and Eilif was not worried enough to risk a confrontation over it.
Another plot though was a concern: His own spymaster Chief Tihomir (a bit of a tricky customer) was backing a plot by Chief Ladimir to fabricate a claim on Buðli’s Jarldom. And it had quite a bit of support [80.3%]. Ladimir himself would almost certainly resist a call to end it and, with the current state of affairs, Eilif thought he was not well positioned to spark a potential confrontation about it. Though he might at a later date. But Tihomir may desist if asked, even if it was by no means certain. Eilif gave it a try – it was his nephew and heir under the hammer here, after all. And it was unseemly for his own Spymaster to be making mischief at the royal family’s expense. The favoured part of the family, anyway!
And to Eilif’s pleasure (and a little relief) Tihomir did stop, replying by polite letter 11 days later.
Ch87 Q4: Stopping the Plots.Any views as to whether I should have (or now should) handle these differently? Any considerations I should have taken into account but seem not to have looked at?
Edla gave birth to Eilif’s third child, a daughter named Halla, on 2 January 905. The Court Tutor would oversee her early education, which would be in money matters, with the assistance of local artisans and merchants.
But what would centuries later become known as the ‘circle of life’ then turned. The next day, the doughty old warrior Þorsteinn, one of the most brilliant soldiers of his era, succumbed to cancer over in Wales at the age of 62. The raid had to go on though: his command was transferred to the troublesome Chief Nikita (who, as confided in his private journal, Eilif hoped might get a fatal wound in some Welsh sortie). Sölvi – who had been sent for ‘extra training in raiding procedures’ took over command of the right flank from Nikita. The raid had now amassed 223 gold – with the fleet capacity of 330. A few more successful sieges should see the raid finished.
And by 26 January, more treasure was loaded aboard and the next siege begun. Again, Eilif was pleased with the treasure and prestige this would bring, but fretted at the slow increase in his reputation for piety. Something more productive needed to be done in that regard.
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February-March 906
The past months of healthy outdoor living while training his faithful dog Hunter paid off for Eilif: he was feeling fitter than ever!
In early March, Eilif remembered the documents Tihomir had sent from Constantinople. After an exchange of notes with Steward Sumarliði and Marshal Vihavald, it was decided that Church Infrastructure would be improved in the economic sphere. The last basic area of knowledge that could be improved in the military field was in cavalry tactics but – given they rarely commanded any cavalry in battle – the Garðarikians held off on that for now. Perhaps the effort would be saved for a more useful doctrine later.
On 28 March, Tyddewi fell in Dyfed. This last haul of gold had virtually filled the coffers. Nikita decided that it was not worth waiting around for another siege, when only some of the treasure could be fitted aboard. And it may be the King would have other plans by now for the soldiers involved, given they had been away for around a year now. The men began to pack up their camp and load back aboard the boats. Once ready, they could sail back to nearby Flanders, drop off the hoard, and find out whether Eilif wanted them to sortie out again or come back home.
Those next plans would be shaped in part by what might be tackled on Garðariki’s borders without inciting a prohibitive response from the Pagan defensive pact in particular. And the news Chancellor Grimr brought him was not promising.
“I’m sorry, My Liege, but the pagan pact opposing you had never been stronger or more numerous. 26 realms are currently signed up, including some powerful ones: Jorvik, Chernigov, Noregr, Metz, Mordva, Mari and Murom among them. There is hardly a single border realm not aligned and in league with the others against you. The same Christian realms also remain banded together, with another 16 countries members in that pact.”
“You are telling me that, at the moment, there is not one decent target for nearby conquest, Grimr?”
“Nary a one, King Eilif.”
“Hmm, that’s a pity.”
“We can see if any drop out and offer a suitable target for absorption in the time it takes the fleet to return from Wales to Flanders . But for now, it may be more raiding, as an ill-judged attack could bring a dreadful response upon our heads.”
“I will talk to Queen Ingrid. Perhaps, if we get enough treasure from raiding, we can start building some temples, here in my ‘home counties’. And there may be some other ways to build my reputation for piety that we have not yet tried. My immediate concern remains reforming our faith, before it becomes dominated by the ‘new’ religions.”
“I will ask the Þing again, King Eilif, just in case there is some arcane method for doing so that we have missed.”
Ch87 Q5: Scraping up Piety.With no blot for the best part of eight years and easy wars against heathens seemingly hard to engineer at the moment, other than building temples and the steady trickle of piety from raiding, have I forgotten something else worthwhile I should be looking at? I suppose I could swap to a religious focus once the hunting one has run down.
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Questions
Ch87 Q1: Vassal Appointments to Council. Jarl Rikulfr’s name did not appear on the options list when I clicked on the ‘Appoint’ button for Seer. When I looked at his interaction screen directly, the ‘Appoint Councillor’ option was greyed out because there was ‘no honorary title to grant Jarl Rikulfr.’ My assumption (which I wasn’t keen to test at the time and get wrong) was that because he was not at Eilif’s court due to being a vassal, the vacancy would have to be created first by sacking Ingrid, then going to his screen to appoint him to the vacancy. What I didn’t want to do was sack Ingrid then discover Rikulfr (for some reason I was unaware of) was not available for the appointment. Is that the case? NB: see also something that happens a bit later below, which tended to support my assumption. I think. Also, there was the Þing advice about using different tactics to get Ingrid to vote as I wanted, so I held off. Subsequent events then changed the calculus.
Ch87 Q2: Succession Warning. Is there anything I can or should look at doing to remedy the possibility of Gotland’s succession taking it out of the kingdom? Given it refers to the vassal of a vassal, I’ve literally no idea at all whether I can and if so what I can do about it!
Ch87 Q3: Auto-firing from Council. For some reason, the game took Grimr’s promotion to Jarl to auto-cancel his membership of the Council (even though he remained a vassal), blaming Eilif for it. A little strange. If I’d appointed him again back straight away (which I didn’t, you will see), would the malus have disappeared? Or just been offset somewhat by the benefits of the new appointment? Also, will him taking a ‘foreign’ jarldom title lead him to seek to break away in a subsequent succession?
Ch87 Q4: Stopping the Plots. Any views as to whether I should have (or now should) handle these differently? Any considerations I should have taken into account but seem not to have looked at?
Ch87 Q5: Scraping up Piety. With no blot for the best part of eight years and easy wars against heathens seemingly hard to engineer at the moment, other than building temples and the steady trickle of piety from raiding, have I forgotten something else worthwhile I should be looking at? I suppose I could swap to a religious focus once the hunting one has run down.
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King Eilif, now ruling a large and far-ranging realm, was far happier with the attitude of his Council after some changes of personnel in the last year.
Ch87 Q1: Vassal Appointments to Council.Jarl Rikulfr’s name did not appear on the options list when I clicked on the ‘Appoint’ button for Seer. When I looked at his interaction screen directly, the ‘Appoint Councillor’ option was greyed out because there was ‘no honorary title to grant Jarl Rikulfr.’ My assumption (which I wasn’t keen to test at the time and get wrong) was that because he was not at Eilif’s court due to being a vassal, the vacancy would have to be created first by sacking Ingrid, then going to his screen to appoint him to the vacancy. What I didn’t want to do was sack Ingrid then discover Rikulfr (for some reason I was unaware of) was not available for the appointment. Is that the case? NB: see also something that happens a bit later below, which tended to support my assumption. I think. Also, there was the Þing advice about using different tactics to get Ingrid to vote as I wanted, so I held off. Subsequent events then changed the calculus.
I cannot think of a probable reason at the moment, but when you click the appoint button you should be able to see whoever is possible to appoint at that position. Did we have male seers before?
Ch87 Q3: Auto-firing from Council.For some reason, the game took Grimr’s promotion to Jarl to auto-cancel his membership of the Council (even though he remained a vassal), blaming Eilif for it. A little strange. If I’d appointed him again back straight away (which I didn’t, you will see), would the malus have disappeared? Or just been offset somewhat by the benefits of the new appointment? Also, will him taking a ‘foreign’ jarldom title lead him to seek to break away in a subsequent succession?
I believe the malus would stay but gets somewhat offset by the appointment. Him having a foreign jarldom shouldn't affect a breakaway, but that stuff is quite random anyway.
Grimr's first mission was to venture to Gorodez, to see if he could fabricate a claim not just on that county, but perhaps the entire high chiefdom of Murom. Not only was it part of Garðariki’s de jure lands, but if High Chief Kinyak inherited it, the old realm of Mari (as it was under the dreaded Saksa the Monster) might be re-forged. And two of the counties of the de jure duchy were already part of Garðariki.
Do we also have the de jure claim CB on Murom? We own the Kingdom of Rus title but I'm not sure if we can press all 3 counties in one war with that CB.
Eilif’s private journal of the time, found in the Rurikid scroll trove, noted that Buðli had taken his removal from the Council remarkably well [opinion still +89, with no 'sacked from the Council' malus scores – is that because he’s the heir? Just seems ironic the one I didn't sack myself had the penalty, while the one I did was happy with it!].
Ch87 Q5: Scraping up Piety.With no blot for the best part of eight years and easy wars against heathens seemingly hard to engineer at the moment, other than building temples and the steady trickle of piety from raiding, have I forgotten something else worthwhile I should be looking at? I suppose I could swap to a religious focus once the hunting one has run down.
Ch87 Q1: Vassal Appointments to Council. Jarl Rikulfr’s name did not appear on the options list when I clicked on the ‘Appoint’ button for Seer. When I looked at his interaction screen directly, the ‘Appoint Councillor’ option was greyed out because there was ‘no honorary title to grant Jarl Rikulfr.’ My assumption (which I wasn’t keen to test at the time and get wrong) was that because he was not at Eilif’s court due to being a vassal, the vacancy would have to be created first by sacking Ingrid, then going to his screen to appoint him to the vacancy. What I didn’t want to do was sack Ingrid then discover Rikulfr (for some reason I was unaware of) was not available for the appointment. Is that the case? NB: see also something that happens a bit later below, which tended to support my assumption. I think. Also, there was the Þing advice about using different tactics to get Ingrid to vote as I wanted, so I held off. Subsequent events then changed the calculus.
There's various versions of the game where you can't give certain council titles to everyone, especially if in a culture that requires certain special traits to be a certain council member. Seer might be one of those, it would make sense if it was.
Ch87 Q2: Succession Warning. Is there anything I can or should look at doing to remedy the possibility of Gotland’s succession taking it out of the kingdom? Given it refers to the vassal of a vassal, I’ve literally no idea at all whether I can and if so what I can do about it!
You can take it back for yourself, but that's it. Or conquer it back when it leave. Later on, you can make this sort of thing illegal so to prevent it from happening.
Ch87 Q3: Auto-firing from Council. For some reason, the game took Grimr’s promotion to Jarl to auto-cancel his membership of the Council (even though he remained a vassal), blaming Eilif for it. A little strange. If I’d appointed him again back straight away (which I didn’t, you will see), would the malus have disappeared? Or just been offset somewhat by the benefits of the new appointment? Also, will him taking a ‘foreign’ jarldom title lead him to seek to break away in a subsequent succession?
Yeah this happens sometimes too. Not sure if it's meant to happen or not because sometimes it does and sometimes not. If you or someone's else gets taken off the council, you can't put them back on again for some time.
Ch87 Q4: Stopping the Plots. Any views as to whether I should have (or now should) handle these differently? Any considerations I should have taken into account but seem not to have looked at?
Be more popular, richer, more pious, etc. These are all soft core ways of doing it. Actively murdering anyone who plots against you may help but it might make things way worse. Which obviously means most players do it for fun if they get bored. Other than that, bribing everyone, removing as many people from direct vassalage as possible etc etc. Empire management basically. If you aren't deeply unpopular and a hateful human being, and your vassals are still plotting against you, something is wrong with the empire.
Ch87 Q5: Scraping up Piety. With no blot for the best part of eight years and easy wars against heathens seemingly hard to engineer at the moment, other than building temples and the steady trickle of piety from raiding, have I forgotten something else worthwhile I should be looking at? I suppose I could swap to a religious focus once the hunting one has run down.
You could pick where you want your family's personal estates to be, I suppose. Much better to do that before forming the empire than centuries afterwards. Then upgrade the shit out of your land and make some money. If you truly have nothing to do after that, maybe build a wonder or something. that might be cool. My Lancaster game has a few now and they're all pretty interesting. There's some religious, cultural and geographical distinct ones too. Wales for example can host several giant underground cities for some reason, whilst pagans can build massive stone circles and repair Stonehenge.
Oh, and stop walking your armies through scandinavia. We've already covered that's a waste of time if not playing defensively. Use your ships.
Q2: there is one thing you can do. If someone with a title outside your realm inherits a title in your realm that is higher rank, they will join your realm and pull in their existing land instead of leaving. So you could potentially give the “inheritance warning” count a duchy (Assuming the prospective heir is not also a duke). I usually don’t bother unless the titles are important for some reason.
Q5: you so far have not used the most powerful part of being a germanic pagan. You can literally attack any coastal county anywhere in the world that isn’t your religion. You get piety for both fighting and winning the war. Declare on a few Irish counts at the same time, then find some other isolated and Balkanized area of the world and repeat. You’ll be reforming in no time. Also religion focus ASAP, you get a ton of piety from events.
Q1: something similir happened to me. In my case I found out that a court chaplain can only be:
a: unlanded or
b: a religious vassal
It seems to apply to seers, too.
Q2:Give Steinn a young, lusty concubine and hope he got lucky? If he get a son, even if illegitmate, he would probably make him his heir(?). Or what MatthewP said, especially if you can vote the religious revocation law (as I see you did).
Q5: probably religous focus is necessary. Pity pagans don't get pilgrinage, but random event shoul get you some piety (how much do you have at the moment? Could you post a recent image of Eilif's character sheet?
Well, you need only about 300, even just raiding would be enough (eventually)
Some way to speed it up.
Ask your seeres to 'build zeal', it would give around 1 piety/month with her skills (just disband the troops if they spawn, because if you don't start a holy war soon they'll go away and you'll lose piety.
Take the theology focus
use the religious revocation title. I'm not 100% sure but it your ex-vassal revolt and you beat him you should gain piety becasue are of different religion.
the wiki say "raise a runestone" but I can't find any number about piety, it only mention prestige.
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The Twentieth Þing of Eilif’s Reign – March 906 (a summary of advice from Chapter 87)
The pace may have temporarily slowed down a little because I ws getting a few extra Talking Turkey eps done, then needed to ‘go to Rome’ again, and also our summer cricket season has started again (I perhaps foolishly play for two teams most weekends Saturday – also captain of that team - and Sunday and fill in for another couple on and off during the week). But the Rurikids will fight on!
Do we also have the de jure claim CB on Murom? We own the Kingdom of Rus title but I'm not sure if we can press all 3 counties in one war with that CB.
I can’t (as far as I know) access the CBs at the moment because the levies are raised for the raid and so the DoWs are greyed out. Will have another look when I fire up the game for the next session and see if there’s any more I can glean.
He has over these years and his stats have improved through some hard work and events.
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Ch87 Q1: Vassal Appointments to Council.Jarl Rikulfr’s name did not appear on the options list when I clicked on the ‘Appoint’ button for Seer. When I looked at his interaction screen directly, the ‘Appoint Councillor’ option was greyed out because there was ‘no honorary title to grant Jarl Rikulfr.’ My assumption (which I wasn’t keen to test at the time and get wrong) was that because he was not at Eilif’s court due to being a vassal, the vacancy would have to be created first by sacking Ingrid, then going to his screen to appoint him to the vacancy. What I didn’t want to do was sack Ingrid then discover Rikulfr (for some reason I was unaware of) was not available for the appointment. Is that the case? NB: see also something that happens a bit later below, which tended to support my assumption. I think. Also, there was the Þing advice about using different tactics to get Ingrid to vote as I wanted, so I held off. Subsequent events then changed the calculus.
I cannot think of a probable reason at the moment, but when you click the appoint button you should be able to see whoever is possible to appoint at that position. Did we have male seers before?
Yes, I had the list of who was available, just wondered why he wasn’t on it. Yes, we’ve had male seers before the Queen. But more info has been provided below.
There's various versions of the game where you can't give certain council titles to everyone, especially if in a culture that requires certain special traits to be a certain council member. Seer might be one of those, it would make sense if it was.
That seems to be it! Thanks, very helpful. If I can verify during subsequent gameplay I will.
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Ch87 Q2: Succession Warning.Is there anything I can or should look at doing to remedy the possibility of Gotland’s succession taking it out of the kingdom? Given it refers to the vassal of a vassal, I’ve literally no idea at all whether I can and if so what I can do about it!
You can take it back for yourself, but that's it. Or conquer it back when it leave. Later on, you can make this sort of thing illegal so to prevent it from happening.
Q2: there is one thing you can do. If someone with a title outside your realm inherits a title in your realm that is higher rank, they will join your realm and pull in their existing land instead of leaving. So you could potentially give the “inheritance warning” count a duchy (Assuming the prospective heir is not also a duke). I usually don’t bother unless the titles are important for some reason.
Thanks for that – could be a useful ploy for the future, but (as you say) not worth doing if it’s not an important title (for whatever reason) and I don’t think this one is.
Q2:Give Steinn a young, lusty concubine and hope he got lucky? If he get a son, even if illegitmate, he would probably make him his heir(?). Or what MatthewP said, especially if you can vote the religious revocation law (as I see you did).
Haha, the concubine could be worth a try! I’ll have a look again next session.
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Ch87 Q3: Auto-firing from Council.For some reason, the game took Grimr’s promotion to Jarl to auto-cancel his membership of the Council (even though he remained a vassal), blaming Eilif for it. A little strange. If I’d appointed him again back straight away (which I didn’t, you will see), would the malus have disappeared? Or just been offset somewhat by the benefits of the new appointment? Also, will him taking a ‘foreign’ jarldom title lead him to seek to break away in a subsequent succession?
I believe the malus would stay but gets somewhat offset by the appointment. Him having a foreign jarldom shouldn't affect a breakaway, but that stuff is quite random anyway.
Yeah this happens sometimes too. Not sure if it's meant to happen or not because sometimes it does and sometimes not. If you or someone's else gets taken off the council, you can't put them back on again for some time.
Ch87 Q4: Stopping the Plots.Any views as to whether I should have (or now should) handle these differently? Any considerations I should have taken into account but seem not to have looked at?
Be more popular, richer, more pious, etc. These are all soft core ways of doing it. Actively murdering anyone who plots against you may help but it might make things way worse. Which obviously means most players do it for fun if they get bored. Other than that, bribing everyone, removing as many people from direct vassalage as possible etc etc. Empire management basically. If you aren't deeply unpopular and a hateful human being, and your vassals are still plotting against you, something is wrong with the empire.
OK, will bear this in mind. Eilif’s length of reign is now getting reasonable for the longer-term vassals and will of course gradually become better for the newer ones. He’s reasonably popular and the prestige is building, but there will always be religious and cultural issues while the kingdom (and the vassals) remains ethnically and religiously diverse. The rationalisation of direct vassals will continue over time and has of course already happened a little.
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Ch87 Q5: Scraping up Piety.With no blot for the best part of eight years and easy wars against heathens seemingly hard to engineer at the moment, other than building temples and the steady trickle of piety from raiding, have I forgotten something else worthwhile I should be looking at? I suppose I could swap to a religious focus once the hunting one has run down.
Yes, I will be looking for breakaways from the pagan pact who are decent targets when I’m in a position to do something about it (eg in between raids or after the strategic raiding period is over).
You could pick where you want your family's personal estates to be, I suppose. Much better to do that before forming the empire than centuries afterwards. Then upgrade the shit out of your land and make some money. If you truly have nothing to do after that, maybe build a wonder or something. that might be cool. My Lancaster game has a few now and they're all pretty interesting. There's some religious, cultural and geographical distinct ones too. Wales for example can host several giant underground cities for some reason, whilst pagans can build massive stone circles and repair Stonehenge.
Oh, and stop walking your armies through scandinavia. We've already covered that's a waste of time if not playing defensively. Use your ships.
Are wonders from one of the more recent DLCs? I’ve frozen this one before Jade Empire and Holy Fury. For the immediate term, I’ll focus on piety and religious reform, plus building the wealth and technology of my relatively backward realm (and of course incorporating richer and more advanced lands if I can – grabbing Sweden certainly helped there).
Q5: you so far have not used the most powerful part of being a germanic pagan. You can literally attack any coastal county anywhere in the world that isn’t your religion. You get piety for both fighting and winning the war. Declare on a few Irish counts at the same time, then find some other isolated and Balkanized area of the world and repeat. You’ll be reforming in no time. Also religion focus ASAP, you get a ton of piety from events.
Ah, of course, thanks for reminding me! I was looking at that at one stage for Noregr (Naumadal) but was blocked for cultural reasons. I’ll see if any juicy and realistic targets present themselves. Kind of like a permanent raid, in some ways. If I’m still seeking piety when I can next change focus, I’ll go with religious, thanks. Very helpul advice indeed.
Q5: probably religous focus is necessary. Pity pagans don't get pilgrinage, but random event shoul get you some piety (how much do you have at the moment? Could you post a recent image of Eilif's character sheet?
Well, you need only about 300, even just raiding would be enough (eventually)
Some way to speed it up.
Ask your seeres to 'build zeal', it would give around 1 piety/month with her skills (just disband the troops if they spawn, because if you don't start a holy war soon they'll go away and you'll lose piety.
Take the theology focus
use the religious revocation title. I'm not 100% sure but it your ex-vassal revolt and you beat him you should gain piety becasue are of different religion.
the wiki say "raise a runestone" but I can't find any number about piety, it only mention prestige.
Re the runestone: this came up quite some time back in a previous Þing (I had also seen the same wiki). I recall we worked out either it was wrong, or perhaps was right when written but changed after some patch/DLC. Doesn’t give piety, alas.
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As ever, thank you all for the advice and support. Next step is to play another session, then write and publish the next episode! Wish Eilif (ie me ) luck …
