Just a thing here...
I noticed that, at game start, most countries have no allies or RM's or anything; this can lead to even more chaotic circumstances than we wanted.
So, some suggestions -
For RP reasons, a royal marriage between Porto and Eire. But not allies.
Military alliance of Languedoc, Navarre, Guyenne, Bourbonnais and Auvergne - this serves two purposes - it temporarily boxes in Brittany, Burgundy, and Savoy, and it also prevents Porto, Asturias and Leon from joining, as the alliance already has the 5 members the AI regards as a limit. (Thus, representing the fact that those countries will have to stand against Granada without help from southwest Gaul).
Mil. alliance of Burgundy with Lorraine - if only to prevent Lorraine being conquered really quick.
Mil. alliance of KoJ and Syria.
Mil. alliance of Byzantium with some of the Orthodox states nearby, RM's too - possibly even as vassals, but that might be too much. I would think that a strong Byzantium would not be the guy to mess with in the area.
Mil. alliance of Georgia and Armenia, for the dual purpose of defending against the Muslims and keeping them away from alliance with Byzantium.
Also (based on the backstories I'm working on) I could see adding Eire to the existing Brittany/Normandy alliance.
I noticed that, at game start, most countries have no allies or RM's or anything; this can lead to even more chaotic circumstances than we wanted.
So, some suggestions -
For RP reasons, a royal marriage between Porto and Eire. But not allies.
Military alliance of Languedoc, Navarre, Guyenne, Bourbonnais and Auvergne - this serves two purposes - it temporarily boxes in Brittany, Burgundy, and Savoy, and it also prevents Porto, Asturias and Leon from joining, as the alliance already has the 5 members the AI regards as a limit. (Thus, representing the fact that those countries will have to stand against Granada without help from southwest Gaul).
Mil. alliance of Burgundy with Lorraine - if only to prevent Lorraine being conquered really quick.
Mil. alliance of KoJ and Syria.
Mil. alliance of Byzantium with some of the Orthodox states nearby, RM's too - possibly even as vassals, but that might be too much. I would think that a strong Byzantium would not be the guy to mess with in the area.
Mil. alliance of Georgia and Armenia, for the dual purpose of defending against the Muslims and keeping them away from alliance with Byzantium.
Also (based on the backstories I'm working on) I could see adding Eire to the existing Brittany/Normandy alliance.