Profanus Mundus - A sunday madness MP game AAR

[DarkieBabZ]

This AAR thread will consist of rich stories from our MP game, we are 20 players and hope to get as many as possible to give us their story.


Link to the game can be found here. http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/showthread.php?590615-Sunday-Multiplayer-Game-Alternate

Feel free to comment both on our game and aar's posted.

As requested, I post a playerlist (its not fully updated and we use the titles gained so far, not the starting ones, I will try to get a hold of all the starting dynesties)
Playerlist:

Frezzin - Despot of Armenia
jpr123 - Duke of Apulia
DCyDe - Duke of Moray
LinusTheMan - No Show
Teh_Donkey - Duke of Lothian
admiral drake - Duke of Saxony
HereticKannon - Doux of Antioch
JooHoo - Duke of Bavaria
TheKenwye - **Out this week**
Dreier42 - Duke of Toulouse
Keeper457 - King of Rus
ClayProof - Duke of Alania
Emperor Ike - Doux of Armeniacon
CoCayn - Duke of York
Sneakyflaps - di normandie - Duke of Normandy
Draug - King of Norway
DarkieBabz - Murzurphlos - Doux of Achaia
pumapaul - Duke of Gwenedd
Achab - Doux of ...
Dipwood -
Dabrowski -
Checco - Duke of Brabant

 

[Emperor Ike]

Index of the Assassin Stories.

Reformations

 

[Spinalcurve]

The story of the Nordheim family.

 

[DarkieBabZ]

House Murzuphlos

The year is 1066, The Byzantine Empire is at war with the infidels, in a defensive war.

To the south western part of the Empire in the province of Achaia, a Doux named Alexios of house Murzuphlos was having his daily meal, at his castle in Petras. Doux Alexios might have had half his men and his marshal fighting the infidels for the Emperor far to the east, but personaly Alexios didnt care about it at all, even if they would lose land to the infidels, because Alexios had plans for himself, plans to restore the empire's position in the west instead of the east.
Alexios knew that his position in Greece, was a golden opportunity to freely expand west, against the muslims aswell as the christians.
On a rainy day in 1066, it came to Alexios attention, that he might have a opportunity to gain some of the rich lands north of him, alexios carefully studied the opportunities of conquest. Alexios deemed it worth the try and thus started to get a claim on the province of Ragusa.

Year after year went by, The emperor might have won his defensive struggle agains the infidels, but Alexios could not have cared less, he was not interested in the east at all. Alexios had gained his claim on Ragusa and that was now he primary goal, the war for Ragusa was over before it almost started and Alexios could see his power grow.

Shortly after the conquest of Ragusa, one of Alexios spies came to see him with news from the west, it seemed that the Duke of Apulia, had gone to war with the muslims in Sicily, this could prove a good advantage for Alexios to strike the muslisms himself, since all of them had Apulia as the main threat and focus, whom of them would ever expext a strike from a Byzantine Doux???.

A few weeks later.
Alexios declared holy war to take Tripolitania, something that without doubt had shocked the muslim ruler, whom already was plagued by rebels in some of his provinces. Doux Alexios brave greeks was called forth, to fight for the glory of what Alexios called, the reconquest of the old lands. The large army of Achaia embarked upon the infidels and the enemy forces was crushed without much of a fight, Alexios brave men didnt have much trouble sieging one province after another. After a couple of years the muslims had been devastated and crushed, crumpling with fear of Doux Alexios they finaly gave up, Alexios would now be a most powerfull presense in Africa.
Meanwhile it seemed that the Duke of Apulia had gained all of Sicily, something that did worry Alexios alot, would he become friend or foe ?

The Unholy Alliance.

After Alexios conquest of Tripolitania, he recieved a letter from the Duke of Apulia, the letter said following.

"Enemy of my enemy, I propose friendly relations towards eachother aslong as the muslim threat lurks in Africa, what say you great Doux Alexios?"

Doux Alexios, was very surpised to see a catholic propose this kind of offer, but all in all it would have no real power even if he accepted to conduct friendly relations, infact Alexios saw this as a advantage, he would now be free to conquer agains the muslims without fearing the Duke of Apulia to ruin it. Thus Alexios accepted the invitation to make friendly relations.

In the year 1073, Alexios was dinning at his castle in Petras, he was very happy about what had accomplished so far on the battlefield, but now was the time to look upon grooming his firstborn son Mikhael to take over the rule someday. Mikhael looked like a good prospect for a heir and he had turned out very well, this made Alexios change the sussesion laws to Primogeniture.
Alexios noticed that the Emperor had a daughter named Zoe, she was 2 years younger than Mikhael and would pose a good marrige for him, so Alexious purposed that Mikhael and Zoe should get betroth for later marriage, this would give Alexios good relation to the Emperor and also a chance to mix house Murzuphlos with house Doukas. Alexios felt that his relations with house Komnenos was already good enough, normaly that would be the house that house Murzuphlos would mix with.



A few years went by..
Alexios got a important report from one of his spies in the west, it seemed like the Duke of Apulia had gone to war with Tunis and Africa, this posed a very lucrative opportunity for Alexios.
Alexios sent words out to the most influential men and vassals under him, he wanted to reveal a masterful plan to all of them, when all was gathered Alexios revealed that now was the time for action, now was the time for glory, Alexios would not only go to war with 1 muslim ruler, but two at the same time and do so without losing much gold nor men.

The following day with a bright sun ln the sky, Alexios declared war on Africa and Cyrenaica. Alexios started by attacking Africa, since they already had all their troops attacking the Duke of Apulia, weeks passed by without the enemy forces even being near and Alexios could see his brave men take over one province after another, it didnt take many months before he had gained all of Africa and thus ending the war in his favour.
The war agains Cyrenaica was still ongoing and the Cyrenaican lands was plauged with rebels. The war went on and on, without much resistance towards Alexios troops but it took many years before he captured his first province and even more years before the war ended without much conflict and in Alexios favour once again. But Alexios was not done yet, Syrte was still left and he wanted the province, Alexios declared war on them right away and in the year 1081, Alexios could see himself ruling a vast amount of provinces in Africa.

Alexios could now rest in the castle in Petras, educating his son Mikhael about warfare and rulling, Mikhael had turned out very well and his wife Zoe, was a good investment aswell. Now that Alexios had taken a vast amount of Africa he wanted to improve his relation with the allies inside the empire, thus Alexios requested that his friend and ally Doux Andronikos should become the guardian of one of his daughters, Andronikos happily accepted.

On a rainy day in may 1084, Alexios created The King of Africa, to show his newly gained position and power within the empire, thus Alexios would now be known as. Despot Alexios 1 of Africa. It was a glorious day and Alexios was very happy with the course of events so far, now he had secured not only a rich position inside the empire for his son, but also a kingdom. The newly gained power and prestige was not going unnoticed within the empire and several people with great powre inside the empire felt jealous about Alexios new position, plots where made and actions set in motion..

In the year of 1086, only 2 years after becoming Despot of Africa, Alexios was accused of heresy but alot of people, Alexios could easily disgard it as rumours, but then something suprisingly happened. The Ecumenical Patriarch, desclared Alexios for a heretic and swore upon his own life that this was the truth, Alexios could do nothing about this, all believed him a heretic now and thus he converted himself to live up to the false accusation.

This was ofcurse just the Emperor's way to get an exuse to revoke some of the rich tiles from Africa, but Alexios was not ready to give it up so he resisted, thus sparking a war agains the Emperor himself, Alexios called upon his best men to join him and fight to the very death to defend what was rightfully his. Alexios marched out of his castle in Petras and went towards the capital, if this would be his last action, atleast he could show that he was without fear and ready to fight for honour. Alexios came across a small woodland and decided to go through it instead of around it, when he went inside it felt wrong, like someone was watching him and before he knew it he was hit by a arrow in the throat, Alexios died at the spot.
It didnt take long before the news reached his son Mikhael who was situated in the castle of petras, Mikhael knew he had to announce this to the general populace.
After reaching the news people screamed in the street, The Despot is dead, Long live the new Despot Mikhael of Africa.

Mikhael was not a heretic in anyones mind and he had no problem making a white peace with the Emperor, being married to his wife surely had an influence aswell. The danger was over and Mikhael could now begin to plan what he wanted to accomplish as the Despot of Africa. But first he wanted to live his life and enjoy his marrige to Zoe.

Many Many years went by and the Emperor waged one war after another, but like his father Mikhael didnt really care about the expansion to the east, but rather the west. Mikhael was very fond about reading books of the old Roman empire to the west and about the glory it achieved, this gave him a glorious idea, why should Rome not become part of the true empire once again ??. Mikhael wanted to get a claim on Rome and thus started working on it, but he knew that he would not be able to take on the might papacy alone, so he started to improve his relation to powerfull people inside the empire. Mikhael made sure that his son Konstantinos become betroth to a girl from house Komnenos. Mikhael had also gained a claim on the Kingdom of Abyssinia, they might only have one province left far down in Africa, but it would still be something to think about.

Despot Mikhael of Africa, was reading in one of his favourite books about the old empires, when suddenly a young man stormed into the room, he said the following "Despot, We have done it, we made the claim on Rome, you can reconquer it to the true empire now" Mikhael was delighted, he was ready for war, ready to write himself into history as the conqueror of Rome, he declared war on the Papacy right away and made preparations for the war.
Mikhael started by calling his allies into the war, most accepted to support Mikhael in such a glorious cause. Mikhael also pressed his claim for Abyssinia.

Mikhael was very fast to conquest Abyssinia deep down in Africa, but his war agains the Papacy was not going well, the pope had called upon a 15000 men strong army and Mikhael only stood with 6000 men. Mikhael's men was brave but they were crushed by the pope's men, Mikhael keept sending more people to fight the Pope's army, but each time he only killed a small number of his men, after a few years the Pope's army was down to 6000 men, but Mikhael didnt have any left at all, so he had to hire mercenaries, but what Mikhael didnt know was that a close ally would be waiting for him with a powerfull army.

Upon reaching the outskirts of Rome with his 3500 men, Mikhael could see his friend and ally Doux Manuel 1 of Armeniacon, from house Komnenos. Doux Manuel had more then 5000 men ready to help Mikhael take on the last army of Rome and together they assaulted the Pope's army. The battle was long and bloody but at the end of the day Mikhael and Manuel could see themselves victorious. It would not be many months before the two brothers in arm had taken over Rome and in the year 1100 the Pope concede and Mikhael could celebrate the glorious victory of gaining Rome. Mikhael didnt forget Doux Manuel's contribution and he made sure that Mikhael would always support him in future matters.

 

[Spinalcurve]

The Beginning of von Nordheim Dynasty - The 3 rulers 1066-1105

As the story start, the first of Duke von Nordheim of Bavaria was Otto II, married to Richenza of the family Ezzonen. He was blessed with 6 children, 3 boys and 3 girls. Ethelinde, Heinrich, Siegfried, Kuno, Mechtild and Ida.
The firstborn was Ethelinde although the law of Bavarian duchy says women may inherit. It is first and forehand the sons who has the right to inherit the father. So Heinrich was by right the successor to Otto.
Anyway, the Duchy of Bavaria is quite a duchy, medium to size, 8 provinces big. The economy isn't the best hey it is a good start.The Duke himself start with a single demesne, rest of it is controlled by counts, mayors and bishops.

A few years into the game Otto made a proposal to the Duke of Lombardy, Albert Azzo II, with a generous reward, agreed to help Otto fight the Duke of Swabia Rudolp I von Rheinfelden, as Otto got a claim on the title through the marriage to Richenza Ezzonen.
When the war was declared, Lombardy stood ready with 2000 brave souls. What they did not count of was that Otto had underestimated the cunning Swabian ruler. Rudolph I had made an alliance with the Bavarian neighbour Bohemia who joined the war quite unexpectly.
A rather awkward situation for Otto emerged but with the fine Italians the war turned to Bavarian favour, until Baden declared war on Lombardy...Azzo had to make a tactical move south and left Bavaria alone. The coffer of Otto's was good
though so some mercenaries was bought. During this war, Otto died in an illness. his son Heinrich, a grown man, took his father's place and the war was soon over. A long grief of a year then was hold in Bavaria for the brave Duke. But
then a year of celebration took place to celebrate the expansion of Nordheim territory.

In peace time, other things have to be handled, like what to do with the rest of the family. Mechtilde, the second-last child of Otto, and Heinrich sister was married to the regent of Leon(the King Fernando was a child), Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar
also known as El Cid. With them a son, Menendo and a daughter was born and the de Vivar family was saved.

Heinrich was betrothed and later married to the Duchess of Meissen, Kunigunde I, who borne him a daughter after some years who was named Amalie.
During this time, and no scribe is sure how it happened but Heinrich got sick of syphilis, a uncurable and deadly STD. But his wife did not infect him, so who did? Nobody knows.

A few years later he died of the sickness and now Amalie, the young daughter got crowned as Duchess of Bavaria and Swabia. And very soon after a sibling was born, a boy, named Peter. The mother took care of him in Meissen while Amalie
was raised in Oberbayern. Amalie did have the right to inherit Meissen but now when there was a boy born, he is to be the successor of Meissen.

Well Amalie grew up happily in the castle, but became a amateurish plotter. Soon Baden attacked Bavaria over Swabia, but after a strong defensive, they had no chance to take what was rightfully Bavarian. The war ended with Hermann I of Baden
gave up the claim on Swabia! Another war started, this time it was Amalie who engaged Österreich after she found out a "forgotten" claim on the Duke of Österreich's home province. There was not much the defenders could do and Amalie once
again was the victor.

As Bavaria now moved east, Amalie started to look more east, and south. To the Kingdom of Croatia where she asked to marry one of the prince's of Croatia. After some failed tries they finally agreed, Bojan moved in to Castle München.

Many years followed and two daughters to Amalie and Bojan were born. Estelle and Madeleine.

The last thing that happened during these years was that Bavaria and Lombardy made another joint operation, this time together against Baden, terms were agreed, Mantua to Lombardy and Steiermark to Bavaria. This war is not done just yet
but it will be over quite soon.

 

[Seen]

Could you put a list of players and their chosen empires/kingdoms/dukedoms/counties for those of us not having the game?

This looks to be epic btw, 20 players. Wow.

 

[DarkieBabZ]

Could you put a list of players and their chosen empires/kingdoms/dukedoms/counties for those of us not having the game?

This looks to be epic btw, 20 players. Wow.

Just click the link I posted, it will take you to the MP first page, you can see the player list there, its not fully updated but close. Happy to see you enjoy our MP AAR. Also, all people will "as far as I know" state the house they started with, IE. I started as the Doux of Achaia of house Murzuphlos, (its stated in the aar) the player)
But I will see if I can make a player list with Dynesties and start area, so you don't have to see the updated list on the game site.

 

[Seen]

Just click the link I posted, it will take you to the MP first page, you can see the player list there, its not fully updated but close.

That part of the forum is only accessible for people that have the game.

 

[DarkieBabZ]

That part of the forum is only accessible for people that have the game.

I posted a playerlist for you, its not fully updated and it lacks the starting picks for some (since we got higher titles) but again, the aar's should tell you what we picked and yes you are absolutely right, if you don't have the game you can't watch it, so sorry for that comment, its abit late

 

[Emperor Ike]

House of Assassins​

Reformations​

From the beginning of times there have always been people who serve to uphold the balance of power in the world. They had always served a higher purpose, acting as the hands of God and doing his will. Not much was known about this secret group of people and they had been known by many names. The Romans called them Liberalis Circulum, the Circle of Liberals. And the people of 1066 know them as the Hashshashin or the Dark Brotherhood. Their location or where they operate from is unknown, no one has ever been able to catch one the assassins. The assassins have never failed or if they have no one ever knew about it. Ioannes Kommenos, Doux of Armeniacon, had a great responsibility as he was the Grand Master of the Assassin Order. Just like his father before him was. This responsibility had run trough the family as long as there had been a Kommenid dynasty. Also not everyone of the Kommenid dynasty was suitable for the Order, only the eldest son would receive the training and knowledge while the other members would continue their normal lives. So Ioannes had trained his son Manuel to become the next leader of the Assassins and uphold the balance of power in the world.

In 1071 Ioannes Kommes died and Armeniacon and the Assassin Brotherhood passed on to Manuel. Unlike his father Manuel wanted to reform the idea of Assassins and bring every member of his dynasty in to it. He wanted to train a breed of assassins, masters in the shadowy arts.

Manuel had three brothers, the Doux of Antioch.

And Doux of Paphlagonia. Against Antioch Manuel had no intentions to move but Paphlagonia was in his way to become a great power. Also Doux of Paphlagonia was only hafl-brother to them. Not worthy of becoming part of the assassins.

Under the leadership of Manuel the assassins grew stronger and soon word of their deeds reached the Western world. In 1081 the heir to the Apulian Duchy contacted the Assassins and asked them to kill his father who was incapable of ruling the Duchy and was going to divide it. Manuel accepted this as the heir offered gold in return. Manuel's best assassins moved to Apulia and without leaving a trace killed Robert of Apulia. Gold was received and the assassins returned home.

Manuel didn't like killing children so he allowed his brother Alexios to grew up to become a man. But there was a down side to this plan, Alexios managed to get two heirs. And eventually Manuel was forced to kill Alexios and his two sons in order to get Paphlagonia. The assassinations remained hidden and Manuel become the Doux of Paphlagonia.

As Manuel began to get more sons he decided that in order to keep the realm intact and undivided it was better that the eldest son inherits it all and becomes the Grand Master of the Order.

Manuel's Court Chaplain was caught of stealing money but managed to flee the realm before he could be captured. Few months later he was found dead in Venice. Throat cut open.

Not all assassinations were about gold. Manuel wanted to form alliances with the Kings and Doux of the East Roman Empire. So he did favours to them. One of these favours was the assassinations of the Despot of Africa for the Prince of Africa.

Once again Apulia called for help of the assassins. They wanted to kill Henri de Capet, heir to the Duchy of Tunis. Once again gold was offered and Manuel accepted the job. Henri de Capet met his end in an accident where ten camels ran over him. Gold was given and Assassins returned home. But later Manuel heard that Apulian Duke had planned on inheriting the Duchy of Tunis but it seemed that the ducal laws made the King of France the legal heir.

The Despot of Africa requested the help of Manuel in a different from of killing. He wanted help in order to fight against the Pope and conquer Rome. Even though there was nothing for Manuel to gain in this war he agreed. And almost two thousand strong armies of Armeniacon were shipped to Orvieto where the first victories of these war were won. Together with the Despots armies Papal armies were driven from Orvieto and the province seized. Armeniacon armies advanced towards Rome to defeat the remnants of the Papal armies.

After a long siege of Rome the city finally fell to the Armeniacon armies. The Pope was forced to surrender Rome to Africa. The Greek armies were victorious and once again the True Roman Empire ruled over Rome.

 

[Mehow_pwn]

Can't wait for the updates from the last session we had. It will be a nightmare to write lol.

 

[Seen]

Write! Write! Write!

 

[DarkieBabZ]

Write! Write! Write!

I will try to make one during next week, it will cover 2 session, but in all honesty the game is a big mess atm, since all team work and crush the AI. so we lack nice stuff to write about that seems "fun for a aar" nevertheless I will try. We are many that type in another mp aar and its alot more interesting atm. but again, fear not I promise to make a proper tale here