So ... I am not sure I think the odds are good for the young lad to survive
- 1
-
We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.
Kostas seems to be taking control of the Empire. Hopefully his influence doesn’t outlast him - having two powerful families rule would be a disaster!
- 1
It seems so, I truly do hope Basarab II survives.
Oh don't worry, Kostas will be punished for his treachery.
Chapter 12: All the Khan's horses
Chapter 12: All the Khan's horses
The young Basarab II's regent, Kostas, had died at the ripe old age of 53. He would not be missed.
In his place, a man named Abd-al-Malik had been appointed. This man quickly bonded with the Khan, becoming a father figure of his.
Abd-al-Malik educated the young khan in struggle, and managed the empire with an even hand.
The Bashkirian Khagan decided to stop paying tribute to the Empire, calling it weak.
Abd-al-Malik was planning a retaliation, but he unfortunately died before that could happen, depriving the Khan of his father a second time.
In his place they appointed a man named Manuchihr, an expert in politics and a great orator.
The Nestorian minorities in Syria were getting more restless by the day, and it all came to a head with Manuchihr converting their churches into Zoroastrian temples. Several revolts flared up, but they would all be crushed.
As a reward for crushing them, Manuchihr was awarded the Duchy of Balkh, making him a Satrap and cementing him as the new power behind the throne. Thankfully, he proved much more loyal than the last power, telling the Khan that he would happily step down as regent if the Basarab was displeased. Basarab thanked him for his loyalty.
The Khan had been growing more curious by the day, likely due to his regent also having a thirst for knowledge.
Having reached the age of 12, Basarab II was now being tutored in diplomacy by the now quite old Manuchihr.
The Khan's curiosity about the natural world developed into skepticism, driving him to mistrust priests and religion in general, no doubt influenced by his equally cynical regent.
Speaking of his regent, Manuchihr had been accused of embezzling from the Treasury, but no proof was found.
News arrived from the West: hordes of pagans had started pillaging all throughout the West, as far south as Spain. Fear of them was very real in the Khan's court, but the fear eventually died down as these so-called Vikings became the stuff of legends, much like Amazons.
The old regent Manuchihr's sanity appears to have disappeared, as he has become completely insane. He was not replaced, however. Instead, the Khan now directly managed his lands despite being underaged, and left Manuchihr with the now-honorary title of regent.
Two revolts were put down by Manuchihr, earning him accolades in the council.
In the 11th year of his reign, Basarab II came of age. He was a natural at diplomacy. He took a wife. He immediately set his eyes on the City of the World's Desire: Constantinople.
He planned to take Cilicia first, due to its closeness to the border and its naval strategic value.
It was a hard fought war, but it was eventually won. During the war, he would be blessed with a child, and another was on the way by the time it was over.
The young Basarab II's regent, Kostas, had died at the ripe old age of 53. He would not be missed.
In his place, a man named Abd-al-Malik had been appointed. This man quickly bonded with the Khan, becoming a father figure of his.
Abd-al-Malik educated the young khan in struggle, and managed the empire with an even hand.
The Bashkirian Khagan decided to stop paying tribute to the Empire, calling it weak.
Abd-al-Malik was planning a retaliation, but he unfortunately died before that could happen, depriving the Khan of his father a second time.
In his place they appointed a man named Manuchihr, an expert in politics and a great orator.
The Nestorian minorities in Syria were getting more restless by the day, and it all came to a head with Manuchihr converting their churches into Zoroastrian temples. Several revolts flared up, but they would all be crushed.
As a reward for crushing them, Manuchihr was awarded the Duchy of Balkh, making him a Satrap and cementing him as the new power behind the throne. Thankfully, he proved much more loyal than the last power, telling the Khan that he would happily step down as regent if the Basarab was displeased. Basarab thanked him for his loyalty.
The Khan had been growing more curious by the day, likely due to his regent also having a thirst for knowledge.
Having reached the age of 12, Basarab II was now being tutored in diplomacy by the now quite old Manuchihr.
The Khan's curiosity about the natural world developed into skepticism, driving him to mistrust priests and religion in general, no doubt influenced by his equally cynical regent.
Speaking of his regent, Manuchihr had been accused of embezzling from the Treasury, but no proof was found.
News arrived from the West: hordes of pagans had started pillaging all throughout the West, as far south as Spain. Fear of them was very real in the Khan's court, but the fear eventually died down as these so-called Vikings became the stuff of legends, much like Amazons.
The old regent Manuchihr's sanity appears to have disappeared, as he has become completely insane. He was not replaced, however. Instead, the Khan now directly managed his lands despite being underaged, and left Manuchihr with the now-honorary title of regent.
Two revolts were put down by Manuchihr, earning him accolades in the council.
In the 11th year of his reign, Basarab II came of age. He was a natural at diplomacy. He took a wife. He immediately set his eyes on the City of the World's Desire: Constantinople.
He planned to take Cilicia first, due to its closeness to the border and its naval strategic value.
It was a hard fought war, but it was eventually won. During the war, he would be blessed with a child, and another was on the way by the time it was over.
Constantinople is a lofty goal indeed. How long before we see the Pechenegs crossing the Bosporous and making for Europe?
- 1
An invasion of Byzantium is approaching. Perhaps this is revenge for the Greco-Persian Wars and Alexander’s Conquest?
Erm, the Regent was insane and won two military campaigns? Dang.
Erm, the Regent was insane and won two military campaigns? Dang.
- 1
That narrative could be used to please the priests. Hmm...
Yes, it seems fortune favors the completely-unhinged-and-off-their-rockers.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I am terribly sorry for not updating the story today, something came up in my personal life that I have to deal with. So I won't be able to stick to my daily release schedule, but I'll try to manage infrequent updates. Hopefully in a week or two I'll return to daily updates.
Chapter 13: Res Publica
Chapter 13: Res Publica
Khagan Basarab II successfully centralized the realm, and then sought for the evolution of the state, for it can't remain a tribal confederation forever.
He thought of a way of pleasing his vassal clans, the ones whom built this empire in the first place, among them the Kani Kara clan, and decided to reform into a republic ran by merchants and gold. He abandoned the nomadic title of Khagan, and now called himself Grand Prince, and all the important clans became Patrician families, forming the Five Families, who advise the Grand Mayor on how best to run the realm.
Soon after this great reform, Basarab would be graced with an heir, named after himself.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry for the short chapter, hopefully I will be able to write longer ones soon, but I didn't want to leave you guys out in the cold.
Khagan Basarab II successfully centralized the realm, and then sought for the evolution of the state, for it can't remain a tribal confederation forever.
He thought of a way of pleasing his vassal clans, the ones whom built this empire in the first place, among them the Kani Kara clan, and decided to reform into a republic ran by merchants and gold. He abandoned the nomadic title of Khagan, and now called himself Grand Prince, and all the important clans became Patrician families, forming the Five Families, who advise the Grand Mayor on how best to run the realm.
Soon after this great reform, Basarab would be graced with an heir, named after himself.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry for the short chapter, hopefully I will be able to write longer ones soon, but I didn't want to leave you guys out in the cold.
A Pecheneg mechant empire? Can't say I was expecting that. Interesting development.
- 1
A Pecheneg Republic? Interesting. This should be able to commercially dominate the world...
- 1
That quite a change - but I am sure a profitable one
Yes, this would suit Basarab's ambitions for Constantinople. After all, isn't it the main trading hub in the Mediterranean?
Chapter 14: The Conquest of North Africa
Chapter 14: The Conquest of North Africa
On his way back home, Basarab encountered a dog said to be holy to the Zoroastrian faith. He adopted this dog as his own, and it accompanied him as his pet on all his journeys.
The cooks had noticed the Grand Mayor's appetite growing by the day, but dared not question Basarab about it.
Basarab was then alerted to a political situation in Ifriqiya: the old Sultan had died and left many children behind, and one of these boys was now in his court. Basarab's cunning then enabled him to use this child's claim to the African throne as a casus belli, and invaded the kingdom.
On the way there, he was informed that his concubines were pregnant, and children were on the way.
(AUTHOR'S NOTE: I was very surprised to see three pregnancies in a row, I thought the same event fired thrice or something, but no, Basarab apparently is well-endowed in matters of fertility)
He achieved easy victories and before long the Sultanate of Africa was under Pecheneg control.
On his way back home, Basarab encountered a dog said to be holy to the Zoroastrian faith. He adopted this dog as his own, and it accompanied him as his pet on all his journeys.
The cooks had noticed the Grand Mayor's appetite growing by the day, but dared not question Basarab about it.
Basarab was then alerted to a political situation in Ifriqiya: the old Sultan had died and left many children behind, and one of these boys was now in his court. Basarab's cunning then enabled him to use this child's claim to the African throne as a casus belli, and invaded the kingdom.
On the way there, he was informed that his concubines were pregnant, and children were on the way.
(AUTHOR'S NOTE: I was very surprised to see three pregnancies in a row, I thought the same event fired thrice or something, but no, Basarab apparently is well-endowed in matters of fertility)
He achieved easy victories and before long the Sultanate of Africa was under Pecheneg control.