Road of Queens - CKII India AAR

[Bullfilter]

Excellent, one of the two behemoths at war with itself.

How did the Revolt happen? The different Cultures? The different Religions? Too many Non-Aztec among the Nobles? Something must have happened. Some cracks had appeared among the rank and file. How had they formed?

Probably an argument about whose axe was the bloodiest!

Of course there were still the Mongols…

Yes, there’s always the Mongols. A more immediate threat to Maurya than the Aztecs anyway.

 

[Midnite Duke]

Battle Blood-Axe! Lets Rumble. Tyranny revolts are usually when the leader gets a big head. My Basilissa check your crown fit. Thanks

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Forty-Five : A Unknown Plot, A Failed Gift, And A Tiger Hunt

This chapter opened in mid August, of the year 945 AD, with the Empress receiving news from the Realm of Lanka.

Thakur Mahasiva of Rohana had stopped his plot. But what plot that WAS nobody could tell her. Was it against his Liege? Against somebody else in the Realm? Who had he been plotting against?

Then Jahanshah approached the Empress and asked her for some help. Seemed he wanted her to bestowing a nickname onto him.

She declared his nickname the “Festive” though this barely touched his low opinion of her. And many felt this duty had been beneath her station.

In October she decided to send Didar a small gift.

While waiting to see what he felt about it she decided to announce a Tiger Hunt! She always loved killing things.

As the Elephants and mules were prepared, the food and drink packed, and the Empress’s outfits picked, she received no reply from Didar. Maybe he didn’t like the gift? The Empress was offended.

Near the end of October Servants were ready and the Guides had picked a camp site. The Hunting Party was off! Soon they arrived at the selected location, set up the tents, started the cooking fires, and posted Guards.

Would she find and kill a tiger? Join us in the next chapter and see!

 

[Midnite Duke]

Can we stake Jahanshah and Didar and see which attracts more tigers? One way to deal with unhappy nobodies. Thank you

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Forty-Six : Blackmail!

This chapter opened in early November, of the year 945 AD, with the Empress riding around on her favorite Imperial Elephant. When she received a letter from her Council via fruit bat.

Seems Alexeia Vijaya, the newest member of her Imperial Court and future In-Law, had been seen fooling around with Dysnomia “The Seducer” of Amdo.

She could let it go, tell everybody, or demand money to stay silent. She went for the money.

With that done she was able to focus on the Tiger Hunt.

In fact a few days later the Party ran into a tiger that ambushed them. But was easily killed by the Soldiers with their spears.

Then she received a somewhat rude reply from Prokopios who sent her about nine gold coins worth of payment but also threatened her. He said if she wasn’t silent about the whole affair he would do nasty things to her.

She mixed feelings about that. She didn’t like being threatened. But also his nickname was “The Seducer”. How would her spreading rumors about him hurt him in anyway?

He was the known father of the Count of Monyul. A bastard kid he had produced with the Duchess of Yarling. It was far too late for him to hide his naughty affairs.

By the time she, and the Hunting Party, had returned to the Capital they were greeted with cheering crowds of men, women, and children.

 

[Midnite Duke]

AI seduction focus is Evil. Doux Seducer should not hunt in family preserves. How large is the Dysnomia family? How did the young count acquire his county? Thanks

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Forty-Seven : A NEW Count

NO, Not That Kind Of Count. Sadly.​

This chapter opens in late December, of the year 945 AD, with the Empress realizing just how respected and wonderful she was.

She was full of zeal and everybody knew it. Mostly because she told everybody about how cool and humble and minty she was.

In February, of the new year, she was alerted to the fact that Theophanes Dysnomia, one of her nephews, needed the second stage of his education to be selected.

It was decided he would need to know how to handle the hidden dagger and the poisoned sandwich. After all, he was likely going to rule Guge sooner or later.

For his father would inherit the Kingdom of Guge from his older brother. So, hopeful, when the Prince died her nephew would become the new Khan.

But would the Kingdom of Guge be under her control? Maybe….there was a way.

So she pulled out some fresh paper, make some fresh ink with a ink stone she found under the throne, and granted the Prince a County.

So now the Prince was a Count and his opinion of his Liege was pretty high. Too bad his skills sucked. But that was kind of in his nickname.

But now if he became Khan his Realm would be part of the Empire. Right? Right?!?!

 

[Eurasia]

Okay....why is he wearing that fur cap?!?!

 

[Midnite Duke]

For all the plans of mice and basillas, there is a chance that Asalup II's wife is about to drop an heir. I think since Guge is of higher rank than Viraja. If Girgen inherits, he will take Viraga out of the empire. Mirror, mirror, who is the most prestigious and if you say anyone else, a bunch of ruffian boys will break you into a thousand pieces. Thank you

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Forty-Eight : Trouble Makers And Spices THAT Don’t Flow

This chapter opens in mid February, of the year 946 AD, when the Empress was reading about her favorite subject.

Herself. But there also was news about a flood inside the book about her family and Empire. So she gave a little to charity.

Which made the folks in the Savaka-Sangha very happy.

But while they liked her she had a list of Factions who did not. So many movements!

And then there was those who the Spymaster thought of as threats to the Empress and the Empire. Individuals who, in some way or another, were threats to her rule.

The biggest trouble maker, the biggest threat, seemed to be the Doux of Magadha. Which wasn’t a surprise. He hated the Empress and wanted to be on the Imperial Council. He was also a drunkard and a coward who had not the soldiers nor the money to truly threaten her.

Then it was pointed out to her that, due to all the fighting and the feuding, the Spice Trade over the Land Routes were suffering. The Spices didn’t seem to be getting very far west. Outside of some of the Sea Routes.

In fact there seemed to be no Spice Trade happening in Western Europe at the moment! Though Africa seemed to be getting the Spice Trade due to the Indian Ocean Sea Routes.

Well, at least the Empire was still profiting from the Trade Routes. And, to be honest, isn’t that what really mattered?

 

[Midnite Duke]

Agreed, so long as the Basilissa is fat and happy; what else is there? Thanks

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Forty-Nine : So Much Plotting!

This chapter opens in late February, of the year 946 AD, with the Empress receiving a request from Konganivarman of Karmarupanagaran Band.

Seems he needed, or wanted, more men for his mercenary band. The Empress agreed to this for the simple fact that he was a very good military leader and warrior.

Then there was some good news. Bhikkhu of Para-Lauhitya had disbanded his Faction to bring Gavelkind Succession to the Empire. That was very good.

But the list of Factions seemed just as long as before. Which was bad.

Then she was told that her Magistros, the Mayor of Dibarumukh, had been doing a great job. So she decided to reward him. Though it is unknown HOW she rewarded him as there was no evidence that money was withdrawn from the Treasury’s coffers.

Then she was told some bad news. Seems the Count of Magadha was plotting to kill one of his brothers so he could inherit their title.

There was TWO reasons he needed to kill his brother for the title. One, the Count of Magadha was only a Count because his wife was the Countess of Magadha. And, two, his brother only had a daughter. Once the Count of Goalpara had a son THAT offspring would become the Heir. The Count of Magadha was running out of time if he wanted his own title.

“Tell the Count NOT to kill his brother,” demanded the Empress.

Then there was news of another plot in April. The Duchess of the Bhar Raj was plotting to kill her own husband. The reason? Her son was the next in line to inherit his titles.

But her husband had many Concubines and there was always the chance he might select the one son that WASN'T one of her sons to become the new Heir. She had decided that she would not allow THAT to happen. Also it didn’t help he was an Unfaithful Lecher who had also Legitimized a Bastard. Who knows how many sons were out there! Her son’s future was at stake and she was going to make sure her husband didn’t mess it up!

“I doubt she will stop but try to tell her to stop anyway,” the Empress requested.

Then, later in April, there was ANOTHER murder plot reported. This time Lokpala Bhar was plotting to kill one of his nephews. Because the nephew was between him and getting the brother’s title of Count of Gauda.

The problem was there was a LOT of people between Lokpala and the title. A total of four in fact. He would have to kill four family members to get his brother’s title.

“Why are my Vassals so stupid?” mumbled the Empress. “Tell him to stop. No killing children! No killing half the family!”

Seems Spring brings out the murder plots.

 

[Midnite Duke]

A word about the factions in Maurya: Why? Does any non-lunatic, non-imbecile believe that a council would be smarter than the all-knowing Basilissa? Does anyone know which Niphon that they support? Or do they address their festival of lights letters to Dear Niphon and hope that a Niphon (any will do) will bring goodies? I like how the 'plot to kill' is rephrased to 'wish to see dead' when spouse is plotting. Thanks

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Fifty : Events In Europe

This chapter opens in late May, of the year 946 AD, with the Empress passing the Wall Map and doing another double take.

Seems the Revolt in the Aztec Empire had been crushed.

The Leader of the failed Revolt, Tlatoani Musa of the Karimid Sultanate, was under House Arrest. He had not just been imprisoned and had his title taken away from him. Oh no.

He had also been Slandered by the Emperor and now there was rumors being spread about him. He had not been killed, for that might make him a martyr, he had been put under house arrest like a naughty school boy.

The man hated the Emperor. Even more than he hated the Empress. He could be trouble for the Aztec Empire. If he ever escaped. Of course, if he escaped and was captured….they might not be so soft on him in the future.

She also noticed that the Byzantine Empire still had a Civil War going on. But there was also something happening WITHIN the Revolt.

Another Revolt. A Religious Uprising. A Religious War happening within the Religious Revolt. The Empire was going to be cleaning up after this for decades.

 

[Midnite Duke]

A revolt against a revolt, just another day of peace and harmony in the Byzantine Empire. (three different religions) Thanks

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Fifty-One : Tying Up Loose Ends

This chapter opened in mid June, of the year 946 AD, with the Empress glaring at the Religious Wall Map.

Her Upadhyaya was hard at work trying to convert the people of the County of Samatata.

It was, really, the only hold out against Buddhism in her Empire. In fact the Empire contained three of the Holy Sites linked to Buddhism.

Then she decided to stop trying to sway Didar and work on her Spymaster.

The Spymaster liked her. But she felt he could have a higher opinion. A Spymaster always needed to have a high opinion of their Liege.

She was feeling...contained. The Empire need to grow. But how?

 

[Midnite Duke]

Skymaster? Misprint for spymaster or personal religious guru? Thanks

 

[Eurasia]

Skymaster? Misprint for spymaster or personal religious guru? Thanks

Misprint. But Skymaster does sound cooler than Spymaster.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Fifty-Two : The Count of Mustang Gets A Break

This chapter opens in mid August, of the year 946 AD, with the Empress receiving some old news about the Countess of Lhoyu.

Seems the Lords of Lhoyu had passed the Revocation Allowed Law. No doubt giving the smelly trouble making Countess even more power.

The Countess was a interesting person. She was a Gardener who owned a Fountain and Pavilion. Which suggested a certain civilized nature. Yet she was also a Duelist who had, recently, defeated another person in a duel.

And she hated the Empress with a passion.

In August Thakur Udaysangh of Chauragarh declared war on the Count of Mustang. And it was canceled.

Having a soft spot for the Count the Empress decided to make him the Viceroyalty of the Kingdom of Napal.

It was also pointed out to the Empress that many positions, many Minor Titles, were empty and needed to be filled. Also there was a empty Commander position.

Lakshminarayan Munda, The Royal Builder, was high on the list of warriors and was made a Imperial Commander.

While the NEWEST Exarch Sonpal “The Ill-Ruler” was made the new Cupbearer. And the young Exarchessa of Bengal was made the Senschal. A honorable title if nothing else.

Then the open position of Master of the Royal Elephants was given to the Bhikkhu of Nilamadhav.

Now loyal Vassals were even more loyal and in position of power, kind of, within the Imperial Court. All in a good day’s work!

 

[Midnite Duke]

What is the opening photo? How does the AI press claims without declaring war on the top liege and do an immediate invalid war (Mustang)? Thanks