Chapter 132: Murder Most Convenient (2 January to 10 September 971)
Chapter 132: Murder Most Convenient (2 January to 10 September 971)
Previously, on Blut und Schlacht … Karelia had been dealt their just desserts once more and Eilif ignored the Danish-Polish War and looked after business closer to home. Though he was most pleased King Witosz II of Poland was now apparently a rabid cur, thanks to some powerful Hel-invocation on his part. And having the Jomsvikings as vassals and providing an essentially free personal army was proving useful: he would have to think of somewhere else to use them …
January-March 571
In early January 971, Eilif was in one of his periods of personal denial of small pleasures – such as torturing defenceless prisoners. He was able to gain a little piety by not maiming them. What a moral hero!
But this ‘moral period’ lasted only three days: on 9 January he noticed young Jarl Refr of Sarkel had no heir of his own dynasty … with Eilif himself standing to gain should something unfortunate happen to the young Holming noble. And after checking, Eilif confirmed he also stood to inherit the county of Tana – that trade route terminus he had been eyeing covetously for a long time now.
Revoking the title would lower the opinion of all his vassals, even though the Council would have given its legal approval. It was a big Empire and given the suspicions swirling about his Hellish activities, he decided to tread more carefully. Rather than invoking dark arts, Eilif resorted to more traditionally nefarious means: a murder plot was hatched instead.
As many fellow conspirators as possible were enlisted and by 25 January, it was getting crowded! Even Eilif’s brother King Sigurðr was happy to join in, as was the pesky Jarl Buðli and old Jarl Gorm, among others.
The Dark Fylkir’s prudence in not using the Dark Arts again too soon was rewarded that month, when suspicions abated about his secret pursuits: “Just malicious rumours”, many people concluded.
It soon proved that Eilif was not the only one intent on a bit of murder that winter. The vile and malodorous Jarl Kolbjörn had joined yet another plot by one of Eilif’s jealous concubines. They do like to play a bit hard, noted Eilif with dry and dark humour in his Infernal Journal. But I don’t mind a bit of rough trade and this presents an excellent opportunity to do some housekeeping.
Kolbjörn would not have agreed to abandon the plot if asked – which he wasn’t. Troops were sent instead to arrest him, but he got away and went into revolt.
Kolbjörn’s fight against Styrbjörn the Faceless had been going badly and Eilif Could muster his levies quickly and easily to confront the murderous swine, even if he did conclude a hasty ‘no casus belli’ peace.
In the Polish War, Podlasie was retaken by Poland on 27 January and Sejny two days later [warscore -43%]. While warning letters issued to the other identified plotters against Eilif soon resulted in a grovelling apology from Gytha, but an insulting one Chiefe Kalle. But he was too insignificant to worry about, while Gytha had done the Fylkir a favour by involving Kolbjörn. Shieldmaidens will be shieldmaidens, Eilif noted to himself.
Kolbjörn’s battle in Galich Mersky had continued against a smaller force of around 770 men from Yaroslavl even after the war for Galich Mersky had supposedly ended [not sure how that works], but Kolbjörn still lost the battle anyway by 10 February and routed to the south as Eilf’s troops ap[proached his lands.
Eilif once more resisted those impulses to torture prisoners on 7 March. No doubt he felt quite pious [well, 10 points more pious, anyway] in his own estimate.
On 8 March, Turov fell to Poland, followed by the church of Dubrovitsya on the 10th [warscore -52%]. By then, King Witosz health remained very poor, though he was receiving successful treatment by his Court Physician to alleviate some of the symptoms [Health -7 from rabies and -1 from severe illness, successful treatment +2 health]. Eilif hoped it only meant the Pole’s death would simply be more painful and drawn out as a result.
In mid-March, the young Jarl Ormr of Brabant came of age. He had no love of Eilif, but he did have the bold conquering spirit of his predecessors. Immediately declaring a war of conquest for Suffolk against that heathen Norse King Sumarliði of England. The two looked fairly evenly matched in personal troop strength, at least.
Eilif’s daughter Princess Ylva was of a similar age. Ormr would not (quite reasonably) consider a matrilineal wedding, but he was otherwise receptive to a marriage with the Imperial Rurikid House. It did not take long for the arrangements to be concluded.
The marriage ties created a non-aggression pact with the Emperor, satisfying his desire to be married and so making him now mildly approving of his liege. All without having to grant him land, a bribe or a Council position for which he wasn’t really qualified by talent alone.
April-July 971
By 6 April Kolbjörn’s army – which he was leading personally – had stopped routing and was holding in Kostroma. Eilif’s lead element was already besieging two of his holdings (one to the south-west in Smaleskja) as the rest of the army approached.
Meanwhile, Eilif thickened the plot against Jarl Refr by adding another powerful Jarl to the mix.
Kolbjörn had taken Kostroma by 22 May, but Eilif had arrived in Yaroslavl at the head of the Jomsvikings on 5 June and began fording the Volga to give chase to the upstart. By that time, two of Kolbjörn’s four counties had been taken, one of the released forces moving on to Kolbjoorn’s seat of Sursdalar, the other to reinforce the siege of Smaleskja.
Pleasing news had come from Poland on 4 June. A Piast from a different part of Royal family of Poland had inherited the crown after Witosz died ‘frothing at the mouth’: like the low, snivelling dog he was, chortled Eilif to himself. The war might go on, but Witosz would not live to see its end.
Smaleskja tribe fell on 20 June, with the siege moving onto its temple. Eilif had arrived in Kostroma, but Kolbjörn had plenty of time to escape to Galich Mersky, powerless to challenge the separate siege of his capital.
On 26 June, Eilif tired of the siege and ordered an assault – the town falling without loss after it was realised only seven Vladimiran soldiers were manning the walls! He was soon marching to Galich Mersky to confront the rebellious Jarl.
On 5 July, one of the many conspirators ‘spilled the beans’ – and the rest of his dinner, by the looks of it – on the plot against Refr. If Eilif had had a reputation, it might have been ruined, but in this case he just shrugged and proceeded. By 25 July, Eilif both boosted the opinion of his Hellish Spymaster Emund and added another useful conspirator to the plot through a well-placed bag of gold.
Meanwhile, the two chief protagonists met in battle in Galich Mersky on 12 July. Botulfr by his side, Eilif led the centre host personally against Kolbjörn. The conclusion was foregone, the Jomsvikings barely raising a sweat in defeating the rebels.
By this time, Visendamaðr Egill had risen to be Eilif’s deputy in the Fellowship of Hel. He was not sure what had become of Knut – and didn’t care enough to check. But overall numbers had grown a bit, which was pleasing.
31 July brought victory in the siege of Sursdalar [+82% warscore].
August-September 971
Then on 9 August, the reinforced siege camp in Smaleskja reported that the temple complex of Velizh had fallen – Kolbjörn had been completely defeated and was now Eilif’s prisoner. Oh dear! The Emperor noted Kolbjörn’s old uncle Tryggve was his nominated heir. Hmmm …
Kolbjörn did not live out the day, being offered in a grisly sacrifice to Hel. Repercussions on Eilif’s soul? It seemed unlikely he had one left by then. Tryggve had always proven luckier and readier than his early nickname indicated. And very conveniently for Eilif, he did not inherit Kolbjörn’s claim on Sarkel.
Jarl Refr was by now of course well aware of the plot against him, who was behind it and who to hate for that. But he had not taken the precaution of secluding himself. How gallant, noted Eilif to himself with a malicious smirk, he will have to be 'rewarded' appropriately for that!
First, he decided to try to recruit his half-sister Princess Vigdis, who was still trying to murder the Empress from the safety of Denmark, into the Fellowship. This ultimately failed, but one consequence of this and perhaps the recent sacrifice of Kolbjörn was for Eilif to fall back under suspicion again.
Not Eilif’s most glorious moment, though not his worst either.
The levies were duly dismissed and the Guard and Jomsvikings began making their way over to Dorpat, from where the interrupted plan for some more border conquering could be resumed.
Just five days later, the wisdom of having brought Tryggve into the murder plot on Refr was born out. Perhaps it was also gratitude for the windfall after Kolbjörn’s downfall, but in any case the old Jarl came up with the old ‘hunting accident’ scenario and four weeks later – success!
And although the mishap was deemed suspicious and despite Eilif having been behind a known plot on the young Jarl, nothing could be proven! Hurrah and Hail Hel! The whole Jarldom of Sarkel was now Eilif’s.
Eilif would have to decide which of the newly acquired holdings he would keep and which to relinquish. Tana and its trade post, would of course be kept and developed (and feudalised eventually), as it had been the whole point of the exercise. It meant four others would have to be divested if he wanted to maintain the good will of his vassals.
Russia was a continent-spanning colossus, in terms of territory, at least. Though the Danish-Polish war dragged on, along with Russia’s involvement in it.
Eilif’s nominal military power was now considerable, his prestige high and piety adequate. A good stock of Dark Power to hand as well, though using more at the moment could be risky. One thing he does need more of is gold for nation- and tax-building, so a new raid rather than another border conquest is an option. As would be a new Great Holy War if neither Poland or the Italian Crusade appeal.
The Germanic religion had continued to expand, with two more counties converted since November 970.
Though it was more difficult to spread Norse culture, though some other parts of the Motherland outside the four Crown Counties had made the change in recent years.
ᚔ ᚱᚢᚱᛁᚲᛁᛞ ᚔ
Questions
Most of these are related to general strategic options, but as always any relevant hint, comment or suggestion is welcome.
Ch132 Q1: Divestment. I’m thinking the four marked in yellow, but will check first re possible merchant republic declaration in the Baltic re Raseborg. A temporary surplus of one holding might be accommodated for a while, but I’d need another way to increase Eilif’s demesne limit in the mid-term. Any thoughts or advice welcome.
Ch132 Q2: Poland. What would the impact of being on the losing side against Poland be for Russia? I know no territory is at risk, but will there be a prestige or financial penalty and is it likely to be sizeable (I couldn’t seem to pin it down with the mouseovers, but may have been looking in the wrong places). Also, with the Jomsvikings back under arms and the levies and Guard recovered somewhat, if I thought the numbers might make it work, would it be possibly worth striking Poland again, or just let it go? Can provide more info on that by request, if anyone is interested.
Ch132 Q3: Crusade in Italy. Similar question re the anti-Germanic Crusade in Italy, per @Midnite Duke ‘s earlier question. Can provide more info on request for that too, if the Þing thinks it’s worth it. Though my first instinct is to steer clear of it, unless a massive loss of religious authority is at risk.
Previously, on Blut und Schlacht … Karelia had been dealt their just desserts once more and Eilif ignored the Danish-Polish War and looked after business closer to home. Though he was most pleased King Witosz II of Poland was now apparently a rabid cur, thanks to some powerful Hel-invocation on his part. And having the Jomsvikings as vassals and providing an essentially free personal army was proving useful: he would have to think of somewhere else to use them …
ᚔ ᚱᚢᚱᛁᚲᛁᛞ ᚔ
January-March 571
In early January 971, Eilif was in one of his periods of personal denial of small pleasures – such as torturing defenceless prisoners. He was able to gain a little piety by not maiming them. What a moral hero!
But this ‘moral period’ lasted only three days: on 9 January he noticed young Jarl Refr of Sarkel had no heir of his own dynasty … with Eilif himself standing to gain should something unfortunate happen to the young Holming noble. And after checking, Eilif confirmed he also stood to inherit the county of Tana – that trade route terminus he had been eyeing covetously for a long time now.
Revoking the title would lower the opinion of all his vassals, even though the Council would have given its legal approval. It was a big Empire and given the suspicions swirling about his Hellish activities, he decided to tread more carefully. Rather than invoking dark arts, Eilif resorted to more traditionally nefarious means: a murder plot was hatched instead.
“Excellent!” remarked Eilif gleefully to his Council. “He is already at war and getting a bit of caning anyway!”
Kolbjörn’s fight against Styrbjörn the Faceless had been going badly and Eilif Could muster his levies quickly and easily to confront the murderous swine, even if he did conclude a hasty ‘no casus belli’ peace.
Eilif once more resisted those impulses to torture prisoners on 7 March. No doubt he felt quite pious [well, 10 points more pious, anyway] in his own estimate.
On 8 March, Turov fell to Poland, followed by the church of Dubrovitsya on the 10th [warscore -52%]. By then, King Witosz health remained very poor, though he was receiving successful treatment by his Court Physician to alleviate some of the symptoms [Health -7 from rabies and -1 from severe illness, successful treatment +2 health]. Eilif hoped it only meant the Pole’s death would simply be more painful and drawn out as a result.
“May his victorious war turn to bitter ashes in his mouth!” Eilif snarled at a silent Council assembled to deliver news and do the business of the realm.
In mid-March, the young Jarl Ormr of Brabant came of age. He had no love of Eilif, but he did have the bold conquering spirit of his predecessors. Immediately declaring a war of conquest for Suffolk against that heathen Norse King Sumarliði of England. The two looked fairly evenly matched in personal troop strength, at least.
“Speaking of matches,” Eilif remarked to the Council, “I see young Ormr is without a bride and desires marriage. I think I have just the deal for him – and me.”
Eilif’s daughter Princess Ylva was of a similar age. Ormr would not (quite reasonably) consider a matrilineal wedding, but he was otherwise receptive to a marriage with the Imperial Rurikid House. It did not take long for the arrangements to be concluded.
ᚔ ᚱᚢᚱᛁᚲᛁᛞ ᚔ
April-July 971
By 6 April Kolbjörn’s army – which he was leading personally – had stopped routing and was holding in Kostroma. Eilif’s lead element was already besieging two of his holdings (one to the south-west in Smaleskja) as the rest of the army approached.
On 5 July, one of the many conspirators ‘spilled the beans’ – and the rest of his dinner, by the looks of it – on the plot against Refr. If Eilif had had a reputation, it might have been ruined, but in this case he just shrugged and proceeded. By 25 July, Eilif both boosted the opinion of his Hellish Spymaster Emund and added another useful conspirator to the plot through a well-placed bag of gold.
ᚔ ᚱᚢᚱᛁᚲᛁᛞ ᚔ
August-September 971
Then on 9 August, the reinforced siege camp in Smaleskja reported that the temple complex of Velizh had fallen – Kolbjörn had been completely defeated and was now Eilif’s prisoner. Oh dear! The Emperor noted Kolbjörn’s old uncle Tryggve was his nominated heir. Hmmm …
First, he decided to try to recruit his half-sister Princess Vigdis, who was still trying to murder the Empress from the safety of Denmark, into the Fellowship. This ultimately failed, but one consequence of this and perhaps the recent sacrifice of Kolbjörn was for Eilif to fall back under suspicion again.
The levies were duly dismissed and the Guard and Jomsvikings began making their way over to Dorpat, from where the interrupted plan for some more border conquering could be resumed.
Ch132 Q1: Divestment. I’m thinking the four marked in yellow, but will check first re possible merchant republic declaration in the Baltic re Raseborg. A temporary surplus of one holding might be accommodated for a while, but I’d need another way to increase Eilif’s demesne limit in the mid-term. Any thoughts or advice welcome.
Russia was a continent-spanning colossus, in terms of territory, at least. Though the Danish-Polish war dragged on, along with Russia’s involvement in it.
Ch132 Q2: Poland. What would the impact of being on the losing side against Poland be for Russia? I know no territory is at risk, but will there be a prestige or financial penalty and is it likely to be sizeable (I couldn’t seem to pin it down with the mouseovers, but may have been looking in the wrong places). Also, with the Jomsvikings back under arms and the levies and Guard recovered somewhat, if I thought the numbers might make it work, would it be possibly worth striking Poland again, or just let it go? Can provide more info on that by request, if anyone is interested.
Ch132 Q3: Crusade in Italy. Similar question re the anti-Germanic Crusade in Italy, per @Midnite Duke ‘s earlier question. Can provide more info on request for that too, if the Þing thinks it’s worth it. Though my first instinct is to steer clear of it, unless a massive loss of religious authority is at risk.
Eilif’s nominal military power was now considerable, his prestige high and piety adequate. A good stock of Dark Power to hand as well, though using more at the moment could be risky. One thing he does need more of is gold for nation- and tax-building, so a new raid rather than another border conquest is an option. As would be a new Great Holy War if neither Poland or the Italian Crusade appeal.
ᚔ ᚱᚢᚱᛁᚲᛁᛞ ᚔ
Questions
Most of these are related to general strategic options, but as always any relevant hint, comment or suggestion is welcome.
Ch132 Q1: Divestment. I’m thinking the four marked in yellow, but will check first re possible merchant republic declaration in the Baltic re Raseborg. A temporary surplus of one holding might be accommodated for a while, but I’d need another way to increase Eilif’s demesne limit in the mid-term. Any thoughts or advice welcome.
Ch132 Q2: Poland. What would the impact of being on the losing side against Poland be for Russia? I know no territory is at risk, but will there be a prestige or financial penalty and is it likely to be sizeable (I couldn’t seem to pin it down with the mouseovers, but may have been looking in the wrong places). Also, with the Jomsvikings back under arms and the levies and Guard recovered somewhat, if I thought the numbers might make it work, would it be possibly worth striking Poland again, or just let it go? Can provide more info on that by request, if anyone is interested.
Ch132 Q3: Crusade in Italy. Similar question re the anti-Germanic Crusade in Italy, per @Midnite Duke ‘s earlier question. Can provide more info on request for that too, if the Þing thinks it’s worth it. Though my first instinct is to steer clear of it, unless a massive loss of religious authority is at risk.
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