Time to try a CK AAR! I was just playing, but as I went along I thought this might make a good AAR so here goes.
1.04a w/ 1066 bugfix and SECK
Very Hard/Furious
No cheating/reloading etc.
Several copys of saves *sigh*
Starting as the Count of Aargau
I'm going to play in a role-playing style, that is my playing style will chage with each ruler to match his stats, traits etc. I like screenshots so you will see a few of them here.
PART 1: The short reign of Werner II
The afternoon was cool and the winds where calm as Werner von Habsburg looked out from Havichburg and saw a hawk soaring overhead. Werner thought about what the hawk represented to the House of Habsburg, that it was chosen by his grandfather Radbot as the family’s familiar for it’s fierce hunting and strong defense of it’s territory. The hawk represented the Habsburgs well, “We have much in common noble bird.” Thought Werner. Indeed they do, the hawk is not aloof and majestic as the eagle and will hunt and swoop down on prey anywhere and take what it needed, unlike the falcon the hawk could not be easily trained to be subordinate to any master. Werner knew that his family’s pedigree was not as fine as the other dukes and counts of Germany, but that they had much more to lose and the Habsburgs had much to gain.
Werner von Habsburg, Count of Aargau
Reginlind von Habsburg, Werner's wife
The Habsburg family tree looked impressive stretching back to Charlemgne, but these were mere boasts and nothing could be proven. This was a ploy by Radbot to bolster his family’s reputation as most of the nobility of Germany traced their line back to Julius Caesar. The truth was that the Habsburgs were descended from the Dukes of Alsace. Specifically from Eticho family who ruled over Alsace and Swabia in the 7th century. They eventually gained more prestige by intermarriage with more powerful families.
Werner’s grandfather, Radbot built the castle in 1020, choosing a site most central of all his holdings in case of attack. The site was on top of a hill named Wulpelsburg and Radbot could easily bring his forces down upon an attacker quickly giving him a definite strategic advantage. When the castle was finished Radbot invited his brother-in-law Bishop Warner to view the structure. The bishop noticed the walls of Havichburg were not thick like most castles of the time. The count told Warner that the wall would be raised tomorrow, the next morning Radbot showed off his new wall the Warner. Surrounding the entire castle was the garrison mustered to look like a living wall. The count said, “The loyalty and bravery of my soldiers are my best defense.” The bishop commended him for his faith in his men.
Havichburg today
Werner again thought to himself, “We have always used marriage and diplomacy to gain wealth and lands. I most look to our ancestral lands for opportunities.” Werner pulled out a map of western Germany. “We should return to Swabia.” he thought. The current Duke of Swabia was a man named Rudolph Rheinfelden, whom had no sons as of yet. “This could be the opportunity I need.” Thought Werner. If he could arrange a marriage between his son Otto and Rudolph’s oldest daughter, than his grandson would inherit Swabia and the Habsburgs would rule it as Eticho did.
Rudolph Rheinfelden, Duke of Swabia
The Duchy of Swabia
Werner shared his plan with his wife Reginlind and his son Otto. They all thought it was a wise plan and would be achieved peacefully without conflict. Life went on with the day to day tasks of rule for Werner. His son and daughter Ida started their education in Werner’s court. The Habsburgs attracted some of the best men and women from all over Germany. As such Otto and Ida had very good instructors indeed. Werner built up his military capabilities, harvested the forests and planned for an expansion to Havichburg. All was well until the spring of 1070 when smallpox came to Alemannia. Smallpox claimed the life of Werner on September 12, 1071. Young Otto only 11 years old became count of Aargau and planned to follow what his father had in mind. Tragedy struck again on March 3, 1072 as Otto’s mother Reginlind died of smallpox as well. Smallpox had left many dead in Aargau and many more permanently damaged, like Ida Otto’s sister who did not die but was ill for many of her years. Otto now had to guide Aargau and House Habsburg to emerge from the plague and begin his father’s plan to inherit Swabia. Otto had a very different approach than his father, as we shall see.
Short I know more to follow, Otto will be a little busier than his dad. Please comment at will.
1.04a w/ 1066 bugfix and SECK
Very Hard/Furious
No cheating/reloading etc.
Several copys of saves *sigh*
Starting as the Count of Aargau
I'm going to play in a role-playing style, that is my playing style will chage with each ruler to match his stats, traits etc. I like screenshots so you will see a few of them here.
PART 1: The short reign of Werner II
The afternoon was cool and the winds where calm as Werner von Habsburg looked out from Havichburg and saw a hawk soaring overhead. Werner thought about what the hawk represented to the House of Habsburg, that it was chosen by his grandfather Radbot as the family’s familiar for it’s fierce hunting and strong defense of it’s territory. The hawk represented the Habsburgs well, “We have much in common noble bird.” Thought Werner. Indeed they do, the hawk is not aloof and majestic as the eagle and will hunt and swoop down on prey anywhere and take what it needed, unlike the falcon the hawk could not be easily trained to be subordinate to any master. Werner knew that his family’s pedigree was not as fine as the other dukes and counts of Germany, but that they had much more to lose and the Habsburgs had much to gain.
Werner von Habsburg, Count of Aargau
Reginlind von Habsburg, Werner's wife
The Habsburg family tree looked impressive stretching back to Charlemgne, but these were mere boasts and nothing could be proven. This was a ploy by Radbot to bolster his family’s reputation as most of the nobility of Germany traced their line back to Julius Caesar. The truth was that the Habsburgs were descended from the Dukes of Alsace. Specifically from Eticho family who ruled over Alsace and Swabia in the 7th century. They eventually gained more prestige by intermarriage with more powerful families.
Werner’s grandfather, Radbot built the castle in 1020, choosing a site most central of all his holdings in case of attack. The site was on top of a hill named Wulpelsburg and Radbot could easily bring his forces down upon an attacker quickly giving him a definite strategic advantage. When the castle was finished Radbot invited his brother-in-law Bishop Warner to view the structure. The bishop noticed the walls of Havichburg were not thick like most castles of the time. The count told Warner that the wall would be raised tomorrow, the next morning Radbot showed off his new wall the Warner. Surrounding the entire castle was the garrison mustered to look like a living wall. The count said, “The loyalty and bravery of my soldiers are my best defense.” The bishop commended him for his faith in his men.
Havichburg today
Werner again thought to himself, “We have always used marriage and diplomacy to gain wealth and lands. I most look to our ancestral lands for opportunities.” Werner pulled out a map of western Germany. “We should return to Swabia.” he thought. The current Duke of Swabia was a man named Rudolph Rheinfelden, whom had no sons as of yet. “This could be the opportunity I need.” Thought Werner. If he could arrange a marriage between his son Otto and Rudolph’s oldest daughter, than his grandson would inherit Swabia and the Habsburgs would rule it as Eticho did.
Rudolph Rheinfelden, Duke of Swabia
The Duchy of Swabia
Werner shared his plan with his wife Reginlind and his son Otto. They all thought it was a wise plan and would be achieved peacefully without conflict. Life went on with the day to day tasks of rule for Werner. His son and daughter Ida started their education in Werner’s court. The Habsburgs attracted some of the best men and women from all over Germany. As such Otto and Ida had very good instructors indeed. Werner built up his military capabilities, harvested the forests and planned for an expansion to Havichburg. All was well until the spring of 1070 when smallpox came to Alemannia. Smallpox claimed the life of Werner on September 12, 1071. Young Otto only 11 years old became count of Aargau and planned to follow what his father had in mind. Tragedy struck again on March 3, 1072 as Otto’s mother Reginlind died of smallpox as well. Smallpox had left many dead in Aargau and many more permanently damaged, like Ida Otto’s sister who did not die but was ill for many of her years. Otto now had to guide Aargau and House Habsburg to emerge from the plague and begin his father’s plan to inherit Swabia. Otto had a very different approach than his father, as we shall see.
Short I know more to follow, Otto will be a little busier than his dad. Please comment at will.
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