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CatKnight

Disciple of Peperna
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May 20, 2004
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In the Spring of 2004 Crusader Kings hit the forums with a roar, quickly earning its place in the sun beside the other Paradox titles.

Putting it nicely, the game had issues. CTD errors ravaged the AARs like Black Plague events. The game had unexpected bugs, like excommunicated Byzantine emperors and undead Muslim popes. Still, writers persevered and built the community that exists today - a CK community capable of awarding them a CrusadAAR's Chalice!

Eligibility:
While researching I determined 25 AARs eligible for nomination during 2004. Feeling this was far too many for one period, I split this in half based on the last time the AAR was posted to. Granted, this guarantees some time overlap but the alternative would be a careful analysis of every AAR and an arbitrary cutoff date of, say, "Ended on June 4, 2004." I believe this is a fair compromise.

To be eligible, the AAR had to be, within 2004:
1) Ended (in 1453 or at a given point by the author)
2) Failed due to a technical error
or 3) Abandoned, but the author made it clear they were doing so.

I also set a minimum number of updates by the author to reward some show of effort.

I tried to be lenient since we're dealing with older AARs and it's harder to gauge intent two years down the road, but if you believe I've overlooked one (or included one that's not eligible) - it's certainly possible. Point it out or send me a PM. I'll be happy to review it and post here either ratifying the AAR or disqualifying it.

How to Nominate:
Everyone can nominate once. They may nominate the same AAR someone else has (in effect seconding/thirding/etc. it,) or choose a new one. At the end of the nomination phase, the five AARs with the most nominations will 'advance.' (If there are less than five AARs nominated, they alone will advance. If there's a tie that takes us beyond five places, the tied AARs will advance as well.) I will ask a moderator to set up a poll for us, and we'll vote.

Deadlines:
The nomination phase will close on September 30, 2006.
Through October we will vote on the Chalice. We will also begin nominating for the second half of 2004 at that time.

Without further ado, here are your eligible AARs:

The Komnenus System, A Byzantine Empire AAR by Basil II
Empire of the South Slavs by Benjamin
The Witches Curse - A Croatian AAR v 1.02 by Brownbeard

An Attempt at World Conquest - Starting as Count of Plauen by Florian
Dragon's Tears by frogbeastegg
Reconquista: Tales of Aragon by hjarg
The Golden Fish Legend: County of Forez by Jestor

de Barcelona - Saviours of Iberian Peninsula? by Jylha
The Earls of Derby by richvh
The Carolingian Legacy by Solmyr

The Primary Chronicle of Polotsk by Solmyr
Beta AAR: The deeds of Salamon, King of Hungary by Tamas
Purple Lion: A bulgarian aar by tombom
 
I'll start it off with Dragon's Tears by frogbeastegg.
 
Just a note to say that your link for de Barcelona - Saviours of Iberian Peninsula? does not seem to be working.
 
First: Here's the correct link:

de Barcelona-Saviours of Iberian Peninsula?

Thanks, Stynlan!

Second:
I was asked to review a 2004 AAR for eligibility. The AAR was initially on my "Late 2004" list, based on my earlier comment that it'd be too much to go through all twenty-five 2004 AARs and try to rebuild the proper sequence.

I found this AAR ended on April 21, 2004 - which definitely makes it rightfully one of the earlier 2004 entries. After consulting with the author I've agreed to add it to the Early 2004 list.

Therefore:
Annalum Eburacorum - The Chronicle of York by AKjeldsen is eligible for nomination!
 
I want to nominate

Beta AAR: The deeds of Salamon, King of Hungary by Tamas

The pictures are no longer up, but I can remember this AAR still very well. It was the first AAR I ever read and it also was the one that convinced me that I needed to have this game, this was a game I had been looking for, for so long.
 
Jestor said:
I'll start it off with Dragon's Tears by frogbeastegg.
seconded.
 
Just your friendly neighborhood bump, folks!

We have four nominations covering three AARs! There are some fun AARs from this time period covering CK's early history and, as AKjeldsen pointed out, the many strange things that could happen with the early patches!

Also if you haven't already, check out the Crusader's Chalice: Jan-Jun 2006 Voting now going on. It's down to five there.

Nominations for early 2004, and voting for early 2006 end on September 30.
 
Reviews I:

Stynlan offered something similar to this for the older EU2 AARs, and I thought it'd be good to emulate him. Over the next few days I'll offer brief summaries of the AARs up for nomination. Reviews/summaries/comments from everyone are welcome!

The Komnenus System, A Byzantine Empire AAR by Basil II
Started: 23 Jun 2004 (1066)
Ended: 16 Jul 2004 (about 1179 - CTD)
Title: Prince of Kappadokia, then Emperor of Byzantium
Length: 6 pages

Told primarily as journal entries from the emperors and noble family of House Komnenus (and a particularly evil - but effective - steward/co-empress), this AAR sees the resurrection of the Byzantine Empire. Basil was careful not to fight nations not 'historically' part of the Roman Empire and was well on his way to restoring the Pax Romana when disaster struck. Most of the pictures from this AAR are still up.

Empire of the South Slavs by Benjamin
Started: Aug 28 2004 (1066)
Ended: Aug 28 2004 (1158, CTD)
Title: Count of Rashka, then Duke of Dioclea, then King of Serbia
Length: 1 page

Mostly told in as a novel-like narrative, this follows a boy from being exiled to a tiny provincial county by his father to becoming duke, and his heirs restoring Serbia and claiming Croatia as well as the Holy Land. There are no pics, but vivid descriptions of the personalities involved and you especially get a feel for King Dmitar the Conqueror.

The Witches Curse - A Croatian AAR v 1.02 by Brownbeard
Started: May 6, 2004 (1066)
Ended: Jun 6, 2004 (1302, WC)
Title: King of Croatia
Length: 1 page

Told mostly in first person monologue, this covers the rise of Croatia to conquer Europe at the dawn of the fourteenth century. Brownbeard started by suggesting a 'witches curse' to explain perceived errors in Croatia's setup for the 1066 scenario, and used these witches as explanation for his conquests.
 
An Attempt at World Conquest - Starting as Count of Plauen by Florian
Started: May 11, 2004 (1066)
Ended: Jun 15, 2004 (1215, WC)
Title: Count of Plauen, later Duke of Prussia, then King of Lithuania
Length: 2 pages

Told mostly in a third person monologue, Florian begins by attacking Baltic tribes, then goes on to eventually recreate Lithuania. From there it's non-stop warfare, first in Iberia then through Europe itself. Any screenshots are links attached to the text speeding the read along.

Dragon's Tears by frogbeastegg
Started: Jun 6, 2004 (1267)
Ended: Jul 8, 2004 (1267, Completed)
Title: Duke of Gwynned (fanfic)
Length: 1 page

This is pure story: As frogbeastegg says, this has little to do with the game except perhaps peripherally. It alternates between the last Welsh Duke of Gwynned and his English conqueror, spending significant time with the lady Duchess and her efforts to hold Gwynned together and adjust to her new life with the English. Not necessarily a tale for the weak, as frogbeastegg isn't shy about exposing us to the realities of medieval life. No pics.

Reconquista: Tales of Aragon by hjarg
Started: May 18, 2004 (1066)
Ended: Jun 18, 2004 (1118, Completed)
Title: King of Aragon
Length: 3 pages

This is a blend of historicalnarrative - not unlike a chronicle, and gameplay with some light storytelling. This covers Aragon's efforts to unify Iberia, up to and including open warfare with his brothers of the Jiminez family. Though the AAR implied a wrapup post that was never written, given Iberia's unification I judged this was the probable intended end for the AAR.


The Golden Fish Legend: County of Forez by Jestor
Started: Jul 10, 2004 (1066)
Ended: Jul 12, 2004 (1069, Saved Game Lost)
Title: County of Forez
Length: 1 page

Similar to frogbeastegg's work, this is more story driven. It is primarily a tale of the Count and Countess of Forez trying to have a male heir, while the steward turns her husband, the heir apparent, against them. Her plans involved a prophecy that the Golden Fish would appear 'when the Crown of the Fleur-de-Lys and the Crown of the Republic Country are united.'
 
Great idea to make summaries. It helps me remember what they're all about. Thanks... :)


Now just to nominate one... :confused:
 
Reviews III:

The Earls of Derby by richvh
Started: Apr 18, 2004 (1066)
Ended: Apr 20, 2004 (1118, Defeated)
Title: Count of Derby
Pages: 3

Using what I'd call a first person game log format, a series of short diary entries by three of his characters, rich paints us an exceptionally detailed look at county-level CK play - births (this was back when you could breed your courtiers), deaths, and random events. He seemed to be in full swing when Muslims countered crusade with jihad and swarmed England.

The Carolingian Legacy by Solmyr
Started: Jun 12, 2004 (1066)
Ended: Jul 17, 2004 (1172, CTD)
Title: Count of Vermandois, then Duke of Poitou, then King of Navarre
Pages: 5

Told more or less in a history book format and with ample pics, Solmyr weaves a game/story of dynastic revenge on the hated Capets by his Vermandois. After using Agnes to secure Poitou, he seceded to Germany, then took Navarre (and later Iberia and Africa) in a series of reconquistas to build his Carologinian Empire.

Annalum Eburacorum - The Chronicle of York by AKjeldsen
Started: Apr 16, 2004 (1066)
Ended: Apr 21, 2004 (1120, CTD)
Title: Count of York, then Duke of Prussia
Pages: 5

Using a medieval chronicle style to good advantage, with plenty of ingame explanations and a few pics, here we see the County of York rise to prominence not so much in English circles, where the king and his liege lord Norfolk remained strong until right before the end, but through Baltic conquests. This also may be the earliest example of the Teutonic Knight random landgrab around Marienburg.

de Barcelona-Saviours of Iberian peninsula? by Jylha
Started: Apr 21, 2004 (1066)
Ended: May 19, 2004 (1117, Completed)
Title: Duke of Catalonia, then King of Castille
Pages: 2

A third person narrative implying a courtier of the dukes of Catalonia noting down history, this is a quick ride through the early version of CK Iberia. Catalonia takes decisive action against the Muslims as the AI realms (Castile, Aragon, etc.) wither under their attacks. In a series of campaigns Jylha secures the Iberian peninsula for Christianity.
 
And last, but not least:

The Primary Chronicle of Polotsk by Solmyr
Started: Apr 26, 2004 (1066)
Ended: May 7, 2004 (1129, CTD)
Title: Prince of Polotsk
Pages: 2

Told mostly as third person narrative, with some explanation of game details and a little storytelling, Polotsk was on the way to world power when the dreaded CTD showed up. Solmyr roleplayed his characters, especially Stanislav the Bloody who'd just killed his wife for not producing an heir. This AAR also has plenty of pics.

Beta AAR: The deeds of Salamon, King of Hungry by Tamas
Started: Mar 11, 2004 (1066)
Ended: Mar 14, 2004 (1117, Completed)
Title: King of Hungary
Pages: 1

This AAR follows the life of a single ruler, the Hungarian king from the 1066 scenario. Primarily a mixture of game play/'log' with some historical narrative aspects, he fought numerous campaigns to consolidate Hungary and crusaded against the Levant.

Purple Lion - A Bulgarian aar by tombom
Started: Jun 27, 2004 (1337)
Ended: Jul 18, 2004 (After 1339, Abandoned)
Title: King of Bulgaria
Pages: 2

Mostly historical narrative/gameplay with some roleplaying and storytelling, tombom sets out to reunite the Byzantine Empire and pushes deeply into Asia Minor (Turkey). He has some dynastic fun and character modding on the way.
 
Nice work on the mini-reviews, CatKnight. :)
 
Today is September 15. We have fifteen days left.

We now have five nominations covering four AARs. Please take a look at the AARs and see if any interest you. Most of them are short, enjoyable reads.

Also if you haven't already, check out the Crusader's Chalice: Jan-Jun 2006 Voting now going on. We have 15 votes in so far ... do we have yours?

Nominations end on the 30th!
 
Okay CrusadAARs, we have seven days left!

Let me show you where we stand:

Nominations:
(2) Dragon's Tears by frogbeastegg
(1) The Witches Curse - A Croatian AAR v 1.02 by Brownbeard
(1) The Carolingian Legacy by Solmyr
(1) Beta AAR: The deeds of Salamon, King of Hungary by Tamas

The following AARs are also eligible: (Links above)

Annalum Eburacorum - The Chronicle of York by AKjeldsen
The Komnenus System, A Byzantine Empire AAR by Basil II
Empire of the South Slavs by Benjamin
An Attempt at World Conquest - Starting as Count of Plauen by Florian
Reconquista: Tales of Aragon by hjarg
The Golden Fish Legend: County of Forez by Jestor
de Barcelona - Saviours of Iberian Peninsula? by Jylha
The Earls of Derby by richvh
The Primary Chronicle of Polotsk by Solmyr
Purple Lion: A bulgarian aar by tombom

It's not too late to add your nomination. As you know, the 'rules' say top 5, but if we have a tie that makes it more than 5, then we'll bring them up to.

Nominations close next Saturday. Let's hear what you have to say!
 
I would like to nominate the Komnenus System by Basil II.
 
Nominations are closed! Thanks folks!

Hopefully the poll will be up later tonight. I'll start prepping us for Late 2004