Road of Queens - CKII India AAR

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Four : All The News Fit To Complain About

This chapter opens in late May, of the year 941 AD, with the Empress receiving news that was….mixed.

Count Nihalray “The Just” of Gauda was asking his Nobles to hand over soldiers instead of coins. Was the Count planning on a conflict?

Then she was told a lowborn named Velmayka had been imprisoned by the Mongols. No doubt due to the never ending invasions the Khagan kept launching westwards to expand his Empire.

Then it turned out the Doux of Kathmandu was also demanding soldiers from his Nobles instead of coins. Were all her Vassals planning something they had failed to tell her about?

Then the Tharkur Jayavarmadeva of Tummana ransomed his daughter away from the Doux of Bhar Raj. It seemed during their conflict the Doux had captured a few of the Tharkur’s offspring.

Funny enough the Tharkur's wife was still a prisoner of war. No doubt she was a little upset about that.

Then there was news in June that Eusebia of the House Boilas was plotting to kill the Countess of Goalpara. Who happened to be a member of the Dysnomia Dynasty. AND the wife of her Liege.

“Tell her to stop,” demanded the Empress. “Only I am allowed to punish or imprison or kill members of my own family.”

Then there was some good news. Seems that the Empress’s attention towards the Duke of the Jau Duchy was working. She was slowly gaining the man’s trust and friendship.

Then there was amusing news in July. Seems Basileios’s Host was SLOWLY marching towards India. Slowly.

But he had one problem. No income. How long would the coins in his pockets last? What happens when he can’t pay for food, equipment, or payroll?

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Five : Changes Among The Rank And File

Military Training​

This chapter opens in early July, in the year 941 AD, with the Empress going over the issues her Empire had.

For example all the plots. Well, to be honest, there were not that MANY plots.

Then there were all the trouble makers. Who she REALLY wanted to kill. Though there were less threats then reported.

Then there were the Religious Leaders. A few who didn’t like her. The nerve!

On the other hand the Temple she was building in Kodalaka Mandala would be done next year. Which might increase the opinions of the Religious folks towards her.

Yet there was some bad news from the coast. Measles were spreading north. Still, maybe it would kill some of the people she didn't like. A silver lining in a dark cloud?

At this point the Empress decided it was time to replace her Protostrator. The Doux of Kathmandu was just so ANNOYING.

But all the good warriors hated her guts. Only Afsar, one of her Commanders, liked her and have some skills with tactics.

So of course he was selected. His first duty was to help organize the army.

The Empress decided to give him a “gift” of a purse of coins to increase his opinion of her.

Of course with Afsar now on the Council there was a empty spot among the Imperial Commanders. But the Empress knew the perfect replacement. Somebody skilled in tactics and somebody who she would not mind getting killed in battle.

Of course it was the Doux of Kathmandu. Buwahahahahahahahaha!

 

[Bullfilter]

Either Dionysius serves well as a commander or dies gloriously in battle. Well, unless he revolts first!

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Six : Prisoners Released

This chapter opens in August, of the year 941 AD, there was news from the Doux of the Bhar Raj.

Seems he made some money selling prisoners back to their family. Seems the Thakur of Tummana wanted his family members back. First his wife.

Then one of his daughters.

And while this was happening in India the Host of Basileios was marching through Oleshye. She pondered having him assassinated but realized it would be almost impossible to kill a moving target.

“I guess we will just have to wait for his arrival,” murmured the Empress. “Then have him killed.”

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Seven : More Politics

This chapter opens in late August, of the year 941 AD, with news coming out of the Mongols Empire.

Another enemy of the Khagan had been imprisoned. Thakur Iracentira of Racakonda, who had been part of the Mana Kingdom which had been under control of the Ayudha Kingdom, had likely been captured in a battle or a siege.

Then a Temple was finished in Dimapur. This was somewhat of a surprise as the Empire had not funded the project. It had been built by Bhikkhu Nikephoros of Para-Lauhitya.

Then in September the Empress received some alarming news. Her nephew Theophanes had been influenced a little TOO much by his Guardian. Who happened to be his father. Seems the boy had embraced the Cuman culture.

So the Empress suggested, to the herself, that her Upadhyaya become the new Guardian. Though she think too much about the fact that the Upadhyaya did have a gambling problem.

And she agreed! Which was good news. And she rewarded herself with a cookie.

Then there was better news.

Count of Gauda, one of the trouble makers, had disbanded his movement to bring Gavelkind Succession to the Kingdom Kamarupa.

Then she was asked to select the second stage of Konstantia’s education.

“Who is she again? Huh, whatever,” said the Empress. “Have her trained in bookkeeping.”

And so another member of the Dynasty was sent to the Accountants.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Eight : Confused Family Tree

This chapter opens in mid October, of the year 941 AD, with some news from the County of Madhupur.​

Seems a fellow member of the Savaka-Sangha, who was also related to the Empress via one of her grandmothers, had died of old age. Bhikshuni Dionysia of Baghabarihat had died at the age of 70.

Then there was news from within the Mongols Empire. The Khan Eljigedei “The UnReady” of Uriankhai had disbanded his movement to Overthrow his own Liege.

Then things got weird. The Thakur of Tummana had ransomed one of his Wards from the Doux of the Bhar Raj.

Which was weird as the girl’s mom was a Concubine to the Doux who had imprisoned the Concubine’s only daughter. Not that the Doux was the father. How did THAT happen? And the mother was the daughter of the Thakur?

“I don’t want to know,” mumbled the Empress as she tossed the report at the nearest fireplace to watch it burn.

 

[Bullfilter]

Some rocks are better left unturned.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Nine : Green Thumb

Flamenco Hybrid Tea Rose​

This chapter opens in October, of the year 941 AD, with weird news coming from Basileios’s Host.

Seems Basieios was not longer leading his troops. Had he stopped at a rest area? What was going on? Where was he?!?!?

Yet the war was still going on. Strange.

Then the Empress received news that the Doux of Kumanchal was now known as the “UnReady”. No doubt because he had no idea how to balance his books. Or maybe he didn’t know how to put on his pants? Who knew.

Then the Empress received news that Chief Theophilos of Artux wanted to groom an heir. Funny enough she missed an important piece of information in his file.

And it seemed the Host was off break and on the march again. Still had a long way to go. Hopefully they had packed enough box lunches.

Then in December Sotapanna Amritakala contacted the Empress. Seems she had achieved a great step in rose breeding. She had developed a rose from a red one and a wile yellow one. Of course the Empress wanted to have some!

So of course she decided to go visit Sotapanna.

Then it was time for a arranged marriage to final be carried out. Rajkumar Vinayakapala of the Kingdom of Guhilot had come of age and was ready to marry the Empress’s niece.

Now the Great King of Sindh would have to approve of the marriage.

But by January, of the year 942 AD, he agreed to the marriage.

“One more member of my dynasty out of the way,” mumbled the Empress happily.​

 

[Bullfilter]

That host on its long march is going to end up like the old guy in The Shining: get all the way there then cop an axe in the head as soon as they go though the front door!

 

[Midnite Duke]

Thanks for the updates. With the northeasterly route, the host may run afoul of the Mongols as Saray is prime Golden Horde real estate.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Ten : A Temple Is KIND Of Finished

This chapter opens in January, of the year 942 AD, with the Empress getting some good news.

Seems Count Sonpal had disbanded his movement to make himself the Ruler of Nepal. Likely because nobody had supported his grab for power. Besides himself.

Then there was more good news. Commander Timotheos, and his wife, had given birth to a second son. Who now needed the first stage of his education selected.

The boy’s name was Theophilos. The Empress selected Struggle. He would live in the school of hard knocks. Hopefully he survived. Unlike his brother.

Then the Empress finally arrived at Amritakala’s garden. Where she was asked to help work on the woman’s garden.

And totally messed up. And ended up with dirty hands She was slightly embarrassed.

In mid January the Temple in Kodalaka Mandala was finally finished to the pleasure of the Religious Leaders and the Buddhist Society.

The first thing she did was to order the building of a Temple in the Temple Holding.

Now she had to decide who to give the Temple Title to? And how would it profit her?

 

[Midnite Duke]

The result, dirty hands, suggests that RNG knows the Basilissa well. The closing line is an excellent description for the Empress. Thank you for updating.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Eleven : The Measles Are Coming

This chapter opens in mid January, of the year 942 AD, with the Empress plotting to ruin the life of Doux Dionysios III of Kathmandu.​

IF she gave the Temple to his son the boy would not be able to marry and produce children. Buwahahahahahahaha!

Then the lawyers stepped in and told the Empress children could not hold Religious Holdings.

“Spoil sports,” she murmured to herself. And tried to find another way to annoy the Doux.

She found it!​

She gave the new Temple to Kanwar of the House Bhar. One of the Doux’s Concubines.

Now she was a Bhikshuni she dumped the Doux. After all, as a Religious Leader she couldn’t be somebody’s Concubine. That would be weird.

This NEW Religious Leader also had a high opinion of her new Liege. Which was a good thing.

And the Doux had one less sugar baby. HA!

This was followed by some horrible news. The region where the new Temple had been built in was in danger. The Measles was moving northwards along the coast. Closer to the new Capital. And the Army.

 

[Midnite Duke]

Romanos has a tangled family tree with a father that is a product of a double Dysnomia union and his maternal grandmother from family Dysnomia. With that lineage, one wonders how the new Bhikshuni was ever a concubine. Thank you for updating.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Twelve : Holy War!

This chapter opens in late January, of the year 942 AD, with the Empress becoming a better Buddhist.

And Humble. HAHAHA! Sorry, that was kind of funny.

Then she also gave some money to the poor. Which pleased the Savaka-Sangha.

Then in March the Thakur of Tummana ransomed another kid, this time a son, from the Doux of Bhar Raj.

Then the Empress was told that the Lords of U-Tsang had approved the Slightly Levy Focused Obligation Law. Seems the Exarch of the Pala Kingdom had the need for soldiers over coins.

“Weirdo,” mumbled the Empress. “Wealth is always more important.”

Then, in April, the Aztec Empire announced a Holy War for Maghreb.

Seems the fathered God of the Americans wanted Africa. Or at least parts of it. The Sultan of the Muhallabid Sultanate WAS part of a Anti-Aztec Pact and, therefore, would in theory have many allies helping him defend his lands. But would they be enough against the Aztec warriors who would soon be swarming to North Africa?​

 

[Midnite Duke]

With less than 2K, the Sultan may need some allies, if the Aztec nation joins the call. Thank you for updating.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Thirteen : The Host Got…Lost?

We Are SOOOO Lost!​

In May, of the year 942 AD, it was noticed that nobody could tell the Empress where the Basileios’s Host was located.

“What do you mean you can’t find them?” asked the Empress as she examined the NEW Wall Map. “How do you forget where over thirteen thousand soldiers, with pack train and support units, is? That’s impossible!”

“Well, impossible or not, we can’t find them,” reported the Courtiers and the Members of the Council. “We can’t find a atom of rumor of where they are at.”

“That’s impossible!” repeated the Empress. “They have to find grain for their horses and mules. They need fresh water for their soldiers and there would be hundreds of campfires every night! You should be able to SMELL them!”

“Maybe the Basileios is a witch?” suggested one of the Courtiers.

“Did you just suggest my Dynasty has witches in it? In the corner!”

“Which one? We’re in a new Palace?”

“That one! Over there! That’s the NEW corner!”

“Not that corner! Nobody likes that corner. It smells.”

“To the corner!” commanded the Empress.​

Also, the Basileios, due to taking so long was starting to lose the war he, himself, had started.​

 

[Midnite Duke]

The Empress could win by doing nothing. Thanks for the update.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Fourteen : Looting And Scheming!

This chapter opens in late May, of the year 942 AD, with news coming from the border.

Seems Duke Jau was raiding his neighbor and looting the province.

And the Thakur of Nandapur was NOT happy about being raided.

Then in July there was VERY interesting news. Seems Zoe, a lowborn Concubine to the Doux of Nadia, was planning on killing her Liege’s eldest son. Jayanarayan of Pala who was only 12 and not yet a man.

She was doing this so HER son can be the next in line to inherit everything.

“Well, at least she has a GOOD reason to try to kill her Liege’s eldest,” remarked the Empress. “But tell her to stop anyway.”

 

[Midnite Duke]

Good Reason or not, she should not kill a kid, but on the day, he turns sweet sixteen. Thanks for updating