Road of Queens - CKII India AAR

[Midnite Duke]

The local chapter of PeopleEatingTastyAnimals named the Basilissa 'Tiger Lady'. Thank you for the updating.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Nine Hundred-Eighty-Two : Imperial Issues

“Would You Like This Big Sack Of Gold?”​

This chapter opens in early November, of the year 939 AD, with the Basilissa Eulalia “The Unfaithful” of Maurya noticing a tiny flaw in her Imperial Capital.

This important center of trade and the center of the imperial government had no fort to protect it!

“The most important county in the known world has no fort!” exclaimed the Empress in shock.

So she demanded her people go build one. She also decided to make Kamarupanagara the Crown Focus to help it prosper and grow.

The military engineers reported that the fort would be finished sometime in late November.

To cheer herself up she reviewed all the people she had killed. Well, ordered to be killed. Funny how she was the only one who seemed pleased with these murders.

And she needed cheering up for Countess Simonis of Lhoyu still refused to stop her plotting against the Empress.

“So…if she does try to claim one of my titles how will she go to war with me?” the Empress asked her Imperial Courtiers. “She has a Peace Treaty with me that does not run out till 945 AD.”

The Empress decided to focus on the Heir to the Duchy of Nadia, and the Countess’s son, Jayanarayan of Pala.

Sadly the boy didn’t like the Empress. BUT his Guardian was Exarchessa Jodhabai who did like the Empress. A lot. And would likely pass on this positive opinion to her student in time.

To reinforce this high opinion the Empress made the Exarchessa her Seneschal. In other words the organizer of feasts and entertainment.

But while that secured a good education from a loyal subject that wasn’t helpful now. The Empress wanted him to like her. So she sent him a nice bag full of coins.

Which he seemed to like.

The Empress seemed to hit on a new idea. If the current generation of Vassals hated her maybe she could get the next generation to like her?

 

[Midnite Duke]

The simplest idea with Countess Simonis is to assign her vassal contract to someone else. Giving away ducal titles would be nice. The gift benefits run out before the boy becomes an adult. Thank you for the update.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Nine Hundred-Eighty-Three : Arranged Marriage?

This chapter opens in early November, in the year 939 AD, with the Empress deciding to try to tie Jayanarayan to her family. So she wondered what would happen if she suggested he marry one of the members of her Dynasty.

So she sent out a request for him to marry Princess Pelagia. She assumed the Countess, who hated her, would turn it down. She was wrong.

“What do you mean it looks like it will be agreed to?” proclaimed the Empress when her Courtiers told her the request might be approved.

For she had forgotten the HUSBAND was the one who was the boy's Liege. Not the Countess. And he APPROVED the marriage.

Mostly because the Doux had no issues with the Empress. Either way it looked like the Doux was going to say okay to the arrangement.

“Oh really?” the Empress remarked. “The Countess must be pissed.”

The Courtiers assumed that she was. And there was much rejoicing.

 

[Midnite Duke]

Who is the girl? Empress is all about herself. Thank you for updating.

 

[Eurasia]

Who is the girl? Empress is all about herself. Thank you for updating.

One of her daughters I think. I made sure it wasn't her heir.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Nine Hundred-Eighty-Four : As The World Turns…

This chapter opens in mid November, of the year 939 AD, with the Zorawar of the House Kipchaki being imprisoned by Khagan.

Zorawar would not likely do well in jail. While he was in his early thirties he was scarred, with only one eye, and didn’t like the unfashionable prison garb they had given him.

The reason was clear. The Punjab, and its Dynasty, was engaged in the war against the Mongols. And Zorawar was one of his brothers.

“Remember when the Punjab were a force to be feared and the House of Kipchaki was made up of great warriors?” stated the Empress. “Now they get stepped by everybody and their mother. HA!”

There was also news that the Duchess Apollonia of the Jau Duchy was carrying the current Duke’s baby.

The Duchess didn’t seem very happy with the Empress so The Empress decided to send the woman some coins to improve her opinion. It helped a tiny amount. At least the Duchess now had a positive opinion of the Empress.

Then there was good news. The Doux of Nadia decided to agree to the arranged marriage between the Princess and his son. Then there was much rejoicing.

And yes, the Doux didn’t like the Empress AT ALL. But maybe he loved his son and wanted him to have a good marriage? Maybe he was a good man who just happened to have married a revolt starting wife?

 

[Midnite Duke]

The Duchess is a Dysnomia female, it is risky wager to bet on hubby being father. Are the Kipchakis horse-lords who have become the local strongmen in the Punjab? Is the WWE promoting the conquest for we have 'the Scrouge' versus 'the Tyrant'? Thank you for updating.

 

[Bullfilter]

No Mauryan conquests for a while. Any expansion plans on the horizon?

 

[Eurasia]

No Mauryan conquests for a while. Any expansion plans on the horizon?

She is trying but without 'claims' it is hard to start a war. I mean, you can start one without a 'claim' but than her vassals would become even more pissed.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Nine Hundred-Eighty-Five : A Chain Of Claims

This chapter opens in early January, of the new year 940 AD, with the Empress checking out all the information they had on the Countess Simonis of Lhoyu. The one who had caused so much trouble with the rebellion and was trying to start another one.

“Wait…isn’t she a Duchess?” remarked the Empress on reading the woman’s file.

“Nope,” replied a Courtier. “You took some of her titles, remember?”

“But her husband is a Doux,” stated the Empress, “Surely that makes her a Duchess.”

“Nope,” said the Courtier.

“Oh….it says here she has a weak claim on the County of Radia,” remarked the Empress. “Oh…Vassals can’t fight each other anymore. She must REALLY hate me.”

Funny enough the Countess of Radha also hated the Empress and also had a County she wanted. Seems she had a weak claim on the County of Tamralipti. But Vassals, outside of loop holes, could not fight each other.

And the Count of Tamralipti also wanted somebody’s title and also hated the Empress.

“Jerks,” remarked the Empress as she tossed the files towards the floor. “Too bad they can’t fight each other anymore. Most of the trouble makers would kill each other if I let them.”

 

[vandevere]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Nine Hundred-Eighty-Five : A Chain Of Claims

This chapter opens in early January, of the new year 940 AD, with the Empress checking out all the information they had on the Countess Simonis of Lhoyu. The one who had caused so much trouble with the rebellion and was trying to start another one.

“Wait…isn’t she a Duchess?” remarked the Empress on reading the woman’s file.

“Nope,” replied a Courtier. “You took some of her titles, remember?”

“But her husband is a Doux,” stated the Empress, “Surely that makes her a Duchess.”

“Nope,” said the Courtier.

“Oh….it says here she has a weak claim on the County of Radia,” remarked the Empress. “Oh…Vassals can’t fight each other anymore. She must REALLY hate me.”

Funny enough the Countess of Radha also hated the Empress and also had a County she wanted. Seems she had a weak claim on the County of Tamralipti. But Vassals, outside of loop holes, could not fight each other.

And the Count of Tamralipti also wanted somebody’s title and also hated the Empress.

“Jerks,” remarked the Empress as she tossed the files towards the floor. “Too bad they can’t fight each other anymore. Most of the trouble makers would kill each other if I let them.”

I always say if they're too busy plotting against each other, they're generally too busy to plot against me!

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Nine Hundred-Eighty-Six : Promise To The Buddhist Society

This chapter opens in early January, of the year 940 AD, with the Empress checking out the Wall Map.

She remembered that she had promised her follow Buddhists a Temple to the True Faith. And she had decided Kodalaka Mandala had a holding available and, therefore, was the best place to build.

The reason she had waited so long was simple. She needed to wait till she had enough coins in the coffers to employee the skilled labor and buy the material needed for such a project.

The problem was she STILL didn’t have the money.

“Darn it!” remarked the Empress as she had the Accountants recount all the coins. “Do it again!”

But they reported there still wasn’t enough and she would just have to wait.

“I hate waiting,” she mumbled as she eyed the list of her Councilors.

There was a problem in that two of them didn’t like her. Which was a problem as one of them was her Skymaster, or Mystikos, and the other was her Protostrator, or the head of her military, and that could cause her a LOT of problems. Also they were both members of her Dynasty which meant they also likely wanted her titles.

“I miss Mew,” she said to herself.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Nine Hundred-Eighty-Seven : A New Spymaster

This chapter opens in mid July, of the year 940 AD, with a Temple being built in Kodalaka Mandala. The Empress finally had the funds to dish out the coins needed to hire the workers and buy the materials.​

It was reported that it would be finished by 942 AD.​

In August the Empress’s niece, Apollonia, approached her to show her concern for the Empress’s eating habits. Basically she was worried that her aunt was gaining a little too much weight.​

And the Empress, instead of receiving it as an attack on her person, took it to heart and decided to try eating less.

Also the old Duke of Jau had died and now her Niece was now the Duchess of the Jau Duchy. So being on her good side was a good idea at this point.

Then in mid August her Spymaster, who hated her, died. He was murdered or killed by rogue elephants or something like that. The Empress didn’t care - she was too busy laughing about her good luck.

The son gained the titles. The Empress sent him some coins to make him have a higher opinion. Which seemed to work.

Of course now she needed a NEW Spymaster. Near the top of the list, the second one from the top, was Exarch Danujmadhava of the Pala Kingdom. A Noble who SEEMED to even like the Empress.

So he was now the Spymaster. To be honest likely not the position he had wanted. As it well known that Spymasters had shorter lifespans than many on the Council.

Of course he was called to the Capital to scheme and search and poke his nose in other people’s business.

So at least now most of her Council liked her. Most.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Nine Hundred-Eighty-Eight : Trying Out The Peasant Diet

This chapter opens in mid August, of the year 940 AD, with the Empress trying to find a replacement for her Protostrator.

She really HATED Doux Dionysios III of Kathmandu in that position. Sadly anybody who would be good at the position also hated her.

Then in late August the Empress was told by her new Spymaster that Dhireshwar Visayapati was plotting to kill Hypatia Dysnomia. The SISTER of Doux Dionysios. And the woman didn’t like the Empress either.

“Good,” remarked the Empress. “Let her die. Oh, wait, you already told him to stop, don’t you?”

The Spymaster nodded.

“Damn,” murmured the Empress.

It was unknown why the man wanted to kill Hypatia. Though, he WAS a lunatic.

On the other hand the Empress had gone on a diet and was feeling much better. She had started what was called a Peasant’s Diet. You know, shepherd stews, veggies, and so on. So she lost some weight and became more healthy. Still, carrots were not as tasty as pastries.

 

[Bullfilter]

Very close to finishing page 200 - we should leave post 4,000 to you!

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Nine Hundred-Eighty-Nine : Party! Party! Party!

This chapter opens in late September, of the year 940 AD, with the Empress pondering about the mysteries of life, love, and the Buddhist Faith.

She decided to spend more time reading the scriptures.

In October the Empress decided it was time to have a seasonal feast to celebrate the Diwali. The invitations were sent out by riders, owls, river otters, and small children.

And as for the traditional gift for her husband she picked out a nice cape for him.

A few days later she received two letters turning down the invitations. One was the Mayor of Malda. Who didn’t like her. And the other person who refused to come to the party was the Doux of Kathmandu. D’uh.

As the Empress decided on the menu, the entertainment, the seating arrangement, she was told, by her Spymaster, that Salasthamba of the House Vijaya was plotting to kill Kanak of the same House.

Digging a little deeper into files on the House of Vijaya suggested the two men were rivals.

“Tell him to stop,” said the Empress to the Spymaster as she picked out the pastries she wanted served during the feast.

Guests started to arrive and were greeted by dancers, drummers, and servants handing them warm food and chilled drinks.

And so the feast had begun! Also, the Empress now ruined her diet.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Nine Hundred-Ninety : Nobody Can Behave!

This chapter opens in October, of the year 940 AD, with the party having started and the guests enjoying themselves. But the Empress wasn’t having much fun.

Seems every time she was going to fill her plate or refill her glass her Courtiers brought her news.

For example Exarch Danujmadhava had bisbanded his Faction to bring Gavelkind Succession to the Muarya Empire.

Which was good. But did little to decrease the Factions pestering her and her Empire.

One Faction was for making Prince Sonpal “The Ill-Ruler” the Ruler of Nepal. Who was the Leader of the movement? Prince Sonpal of course.

Then the Courtiers brought her bad news. Doux Dionysios III, who had refused to come to the party, had started a war with the NEW Count of Kotivarsa to claim the five year old’s County. How brave of the Doux. The boy had no skills and maybe a seventh of the soldiers the older man did.

“How DARE he start a war during MY party!” exclaimed the Empress. “Tell him to stop. Tell him to have Peace with the boy right now!”

And so the demand was sent to the Doux. Though there was a chance the Doux would say no OR demand something in return.

Then she waited as she watched the war unfold on her Wall Map. Around her the guests continued to drink, and dance, and eat, as they were unaware of the war that raged just south and southwest of the Capital.

Along with all the other revolts and invasions that was marking up the Wall Map.

The Doux’s reply came in November and, of course, he wanted a favor in return. In the end she agreed.

Then there was news from the far south. Seems Bhikkhu Hadaka of Mihintale had stopped backing a plot to kill his Liege the Great King Theophylaktos “The Chaste”. Turns out this was the second person to drop out of the plot.

“The second? You guys failed to inform me of the first person to drop out?” replied the Empress as she looked up from the report.

The Courtiers nodded. “You get mad at us when we tell you stuff.”

“In the CORNER!” she shouted.

“See!” replied the Courtiers as they went into the corner. “So uncool.”

By the 2nd of November the war between the young Count and the Doux had ended in a White Peace.

And then there was more news from the south. The Bhikkhu Vikrama of Samatakuta had also abandoned the plot against the Great King Theophylaktos.

“Good,” remarked the Empress. “I would hate for the other branch of the Dynasty to get assassinated.”

Then the traditional gifts were exchanged and all evidence suggested her husband was happy with his new cape.

At this point the Empress pondered locking herself in one of the kitchens and spending the rest of the feast alone with the roast chickens, fried fish, and many bottles of locally produced beers. She also gather a pile of knives just in case.

See if the Courtiers could get to her now!

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Nine Hundred-Ninety-One: End Of The Party

This chapter opens in early November, of the year of 940 AD, with the party continuing. And the Courtiers continuing to bring the Empress news she didn’t want. Even after she had locked herself into one of the kitchens and had armed herself with a pile of knives they still kept bringing her news.(1)

For example it seemed that Prananrayan of the House Shantideva was plotting to murder Helias of the House Komnenos Doukas. A two year old boy.

“Tell him to stop,” remarked the Empress on hearing the news. “And how did you get in here? The door was locked. Get out!”

A little later she told Theophanes of the House Dysnomia that it was time for him to go home. He told her that they should race home. And she agreed to it.

Because of this he turned out very playful. This story makes no sense. (2)

The Empress also noticed something funny. The father of Theophanes was Prince Girgen “The Unready”, who was married to her sister, and would inherit his son’s titles. His son was Khan Asalup II of Guge. And he was married to another sister of hers.

This was funny because Prince Girgen’s marriage was matrilineal. So he youngest son was of the House Dysnomia, as stated above, and if HE inherited Guge then that would be a THIRD branch of the Dynasty on the map of India.

Soon it was the darkest night of the Diwali and it was time to celebrate the victory of good over evil, light over dark, and hope over despair. Lamps and candles were lite, drinks were drained, and there was much cheering.

And soon the feast was over. The Empress was pleased with the results. There had been no monkey attacks and nobody had gotten drunk. On the other hand there had been no magic users showing up with tricks to entertain the party goers.

Maybe that was for the best? So the Empress left the kitchen she had tried to hide in and went back on her diet.

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Author’s Notes:

1. It is believed the Courtiers had the ‘master’ keys that allowed them to unlock all doors in the Palace/Castle.

2. Why would she leave the feast? And she was already home.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Nine Hundred-Ninety-Two : A Secret Meeting

This chapter opens in mid November, of the year 940 AD, with a meeting happening in a small tavern in the Capital. The small tavern was known for having good beer, good fish dishes, and good, thick, sound proof walls.

One of the private rooms had been rented by four men. Four itelligent Agents.

The four Agents were all employed by different Nobles within the Empire. But they were professionals who were willing to work together when they needed to. Like now.

“So,” said one of the Agents after the maid had delivered their drinks and left the chamber, “any idea on why the Empress is now focused on the County of Laksmanavati?”

“I don’t know,” said one of the others. “My Liege if going nuts trying to figure out why she switched her Crown Focus to her old holdings and away from the Capital.”

“My Liege is threatening to replace me if I don’t found a answer soon!” said another before downing his mug of beer. “I might need a job by next week.”

The fourth Agent said nothing and soon the rest were staring at him.

“You know don’t you?” stated the first Agent.

“I can guess,” said the last of the Agents before sipping his wine. “I think she plans to move the Capital.”

There was shocked silence.

"Well," said one of the Agents after a few moments of silence, "I say we order a second round of drinks. Before we all go tell our Masters the news."