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Hello fellow paradox members, I will start a new CK2 AAR in which I play as House Strazzi, a custom dynasty that I have created within The Most Serene Republic of Venice. I will play from 1066 until the end of the game and will try to find a way to make Venice and by connection House Strazzi the dominant power in the eastern Mediterranean. Just a disclaimer, I am very new to the AAR process so it may not be as perfectly executed as other aars that have been created. Also if you haven’t already read it you guys should check out Before Plantagenet which is a high quality aar which has convinced me to start my own. Also feel free to add constructive criticism or suggestions when necessary. I have every DLC except some of the unit packs, Sunset Invasion and Rajas of India. So without further adieu let’s begin.
September 1066
Patrician Ludovico of the newly formed House Strazzi stood on one of the balconies of his family palace, the Adriatic in all its glory captivated him. Before her death when he was 25 his mother often told him that his eyes were as blue as the sea before him, but as he stood there, pensive he realized that it was simply one of those things that his mother told him while she raised him to make him more confidant.”Not that it really worked, of course it didn’t help that my father, a merchant of modest means did not legitimize me until he neared death. But at least she cared enough to try and she was indeed a very loving mother.” He inhaled the warm autumn air feeling truly at peace when he was interrupted by the voice of his chancellor Benedetto
a tall and thin blond man,”My patrician I request that you meet with the council today to discuss some pressing matters particularly that of seeking out a suitable bride.” Hiding a scowl Ludovico silently nodded and after a pause responded,” Of course, summon the council to discuss this.”
“Yes my liege”
As Ludovico followed him through the humble let elegant confines of his family palace he thought about how he ended up here,”My maternal grandfather had captained a galley in the service of the Serene Doge and after helping to annihilate a band of pirates near Dalmatia was promised to be rewarded with this palace, the title of patrician and the city of Veglia. Unfortunately the reward was delayed until this year and my grandfather died two years ago. Fortunately months before her own death my mother convinced the Serene Doge to transmit these titles to me.” Once they had traveled through the corridor they found themselves in the council chambers where Ludovico sat at the head of the table helping himself to a glass of red wine and an apple while Benedetto sat to his right drinking some water. Within a minute the rest of the council entered the room. His marshal Boris
a local Croatian, who was known to reward his bravery and hard-work with visits to the local brothel, in which he generously paid the prostitutes for their time, sat to his left. Yet despite this exterior he was a scholar at heart and spent a significant amount of time reading philosophy. Then came his spymaster Pietro Faliero,
who was willing to do gruesome things for his liege provided that he was well compensated, who sat to his far left. His older brother steward Vitale Faliero
who despite his meek demeanor was a man of ambition sat across from him. Finally, directly opposite to Ludovico sat Riccardo
who’s vow of chastity made him a decent enough candidate for such a career.”Lets begin” ordered Ludovico.
“We have narrowed down the search to a three primary candidates, bring in the portraits.”
At his command servants waiting outside the double doors brought in the portrait of a pretty teen with black hair, green eyes fair skin and full lips. “This is Rocca de Hauteville
, she is niece to Duke Robert the fox of Apulia.”
“She is young and pretty I admit, but is there some sort of catch?”asked Vitale
“Yes actually, her uncle demands a hefty bride price of three hundred florins to wed her due to her distinguished ancestry.” Responded Benedetto
“She would help you scheme though”quipped Pietro
“What do you think my patrician?”
Ludovico sipped his wine,”Show the other candidates, I will not make a decision until I see all of their portraits and see what benefits and drawbacks each union has.” the next portrait of young brown haired woman was then presented,”Unia de Combron
, her brother is the Baron of Combron.”
“That is in France is it not?” asked Riccardo
“Indeed it is.” confirmed Benedetto
“You know what they say about many young french women?” Riccardo suggested
And then without waiting for an answer he bluntly said,”They are whores and the descendants of Satan.”
Boris added input of his own,”I don’t see why the former is such a problem, eager women are more likely to please the men that they are with and will have more children with them.”
“You would know wouldn’t you” replied Riccardo with a smirk
Before the two could argue further, Benedetto slammed his fist on the table and raised his voice,”Enough damn you, stop acting like clods, you two are learned men. It’s only the Angevins who are descended from satan.”
Can we continue men? I value your consul and would hate to lose it.”
Quiet enveloped the room until Benedetto cleared his throat,”She has a bride price of 100 florins and thus I would consider her a good compromise between paying a large bride price for a woman of high status and not paying one at all for one of equal status to you.”
“You all have good points but I would rather not marry her as she has a haughty look and I would rather have a faithful wife.”
“Very well my liege, bring in the final portrait.”
The servants brought in the final portrait, that of a blonde woman with delicate looking features, dark eyes and a brooding stare.
“I do confess that I am most interested in this beauty, what is her name and age?”
"She is Ricciarda Contarini
, the youngest child and only daughter of Serene Doge Domenico,
the second of his name to rule over Venice. We believe she is in her mid twenties and her father will not require a bride price.”
“Very well chancellor Benedetto, send out my request for her hand in marriage.”
“Indeed a good choice.” agreed Vitale, satisfied that his liege wouldn’t have to pay a bride price
All the other members of the council also appeared to agree with this decision.
“Now as to your orders, Benedetto is to improve relations with our Serene Doge, Boris wil train troops in the city, Vitale will collect taxes, Pietro will investigate local schemes and Riccardo will improve relations with his holiness Pope Alexander the second.”
As the council members began to file out of the room Ludovico got up and stopped Vitale,”What do you require Patrician Ludovico?”
“I’m sorry, I nearly forgot that we shall need to build trading posts in Veglia and Senj.”
“A wise course of action, Ludovico.”
“Thank you and goodnight Vitale.”
Although he was practically bursting with excitement at the prospect of being married Ludovico was able to drift to sleep.
September 1066
Patrician Ludovico of the newly formed House Strazzi stood on one of the balconies of his family palace, the Adriatic in all its glory captivated him. Before her death when he was 25 his mother often told him that his eyes were as blue as the sea before him, but as he stood there, pensive he realized that it was simply one of those things that his mother told him while she raised him to make him more confidant.”Not that it really worked, of course it didn’t help that my father, a merchant of modest means did not legitimize me until he neared death. But at least she cared enough to try and she was indeed a very loving mother.” He inhaled the warm autumn air feeling truly at peace when he was interrupted by the voice of his chancellor Benedetto
“Yes my liege”
As Ludovico followed him through the humble let elegant confines of his family palace he thought about how he ended up here,”My maternal grandfather had captained a galley in the service of the Serene Doge and after helping to annihilate a band of pirates near Dalmatia was promised to be rewarded with this palace, the title of patrician and the city of Veglia. Unfortunately the reward was delayed until this year and my grandfather died two years ago. Fortunately months before her own death my mother convinced the Serene Doge to transmit these titles to me.” Once they had traveled through the corridor they found themselves in the council chambers where Ludovico sat at the head of the table helping himself to a glass of red wine and an apple while Benedetto sat to his right drinking some water. Within a minute the rest of the council entered the room. His marshal Boris
“We have narrowed down the search to a three primary candidates, bring in the portraits.”
At his command servants waiting outside the double doors brought in the portrait of a pretty teen with black hair, green eyes fair skin and full lips. “This is Rocca de Hauteville
“She is young and pretty I admit, but is there some sort of catch?”asked Vitale
“Yes actually, her uncle demands a hefty bride price of three hundred florins to wed her due to her distinguished ancestry.” Responded Benedetto
“She would help you scheme though”quipped Pietro
“What do you think my patrician?”
Ludovico sipped his wine,”Show the other candidates, I will not make a decision until I see all of their portraits and see what benefits and drawbacks each union has.” the next portrait of young brown haired woman was then presented,”Unia de Combron
“That is in France is it not?” asked Riccardo
“Indeed it is.” confirmed Benedetto
“You know what they say about many young french women?” Riccardo suggested
And then without waiting for an answer he bluntly said,”They are whores and the descendants of Satan.”
Boris added input of his own,”I don’t see why the former is such a problem, eager women are more likely to please the men that they are with and will have more children with them.”
“You would know wouldn’t you” replied Riccardo with a smirk
Before the two could argue further, Benedetto slammed his fist on the table and raised his voice,”Enough damn you, stop acting like clods, you two are learned men. It’s only the Angevins who are descended from satan.”
Can we continue men? I value your consul and would hate to lose it.”
Quiet enveloped the room until Benedetto cleared his throat,”She has a bride price of 100 florins and thus I would consider her a good compromise between paying a large bride price for a woman of high status and not paying one at all for one of equal status to you.”
“You all have good points but I would rather not marry her as she has a haughty look and I would rather have a faithful wife.”
“Very well my liege, bring in the final portrait.”
The servants brought in the final portrait, that of a blonde woman with delicate looking features, dark eyes and a brooding stare.
“I do confess that I am most interested in this beauty, what is her name and age?”
"She is Ricciarda Contarini
“Very well chancellor Benedetto, send out my request for her hand in marriage.”
“Indeed a good choice.” agreed Vitale, satisfied that his liege wouldn’t have to pay a bride price
All the other members of the council also appeared to agree with this decision.
“Now as to your orders, Benedetto is to improve relations with our Serene Doge, Boris wil train troops in the city, Vitale will collect taxes, Pietro will investigate local schemes and Riccardo will improve relations with his holiness Pope Alexander the second.”
As the council members began to file out of the room Ludovico got up and stopped Vitale,”What do you require Patrician Ludovico?”
“I’m sorry, I nearly forgot that we shall need to build trading posts in Veglia and Senj.”
“A wise course of action, Ludovico.”
“Thank you and goodnight Vitale.”
Although he was practically bursting with excitement at the prospect of being married Ludovico was able to drift to sleep.
