Road of Queens - CKII India AAR

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Ninety-One : A Ally in Khiva?

This chapter opens in early June, of the year 948 AD, with the Empress receiving interesting news from a far off relation.

Seems the Count of Artux, Theophiloes, had decoded to link his House, via marriage, with the House of Koto.

The Empress frowned at this. Shah Ksmarjune of Khiva WAS a Buddhist. But still, why link up with HIS family? He wasn’t even independent.

On the other hand Khiva was involved with the spice trade. Or was it? It was FAR from rich. If one judged by the lack of funding it had.

"What is that idiot boy up to?" grumbled the Empress as she scanned the record. She was looking for a clue of WHY the boy had agreed to such a union.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Ninety-Two : Tiger Hunt! Wait…

This chapter opened in late June, in the year 948 AD, with the Basilissa Eulalia “The Unfaithful” of Maurya being bored.

She was pissed off at Blush Kuntuadi and his disappearing Host. She wanted to see the Realm Prosper but nobody trusted her. Just because she was a murderer. To be fair so was most of the known world’s Rulers.

She was also known for her religious knowledge. When not killing people.

She also had a weak claim on the Duchy of Lhasa and the County of Kathmandu.

She had plenty to do to clean house and secure her power. So of course, she decided on a Tiger Hunt! Riders were sent out to all four corners of the Empire to invite the Vassals.

“But we thought you said you wouldn’t hunt tigers anymore,” pointed out the Imperial Council. “You almost got killed last time!”

“Lies!” stated the Empress. “I never said any such thing.”

“We have witnesses,” remarked one of the Council Members.

“In the corner!” ordered the Empress.

So for a few hours the whole Imperial Court had to stand in the corner.

While she had the Servants, and Imperial Soldiers, and Hunters get the Hunt organized she received one refusal from Doux Antonios.

“Good,” was the reaction of the Empress. “He is a drunkard anyway.”

By July the Hunters, and the Elephants, and the hunting dogs, and the supplies, and wine selection had been completed and the Hunting Party was marching to the location selected by the Guides.

Soon the camp fires were lighting up the night as the Guards protected the tents from wild animals. Which was funny as they were there to find wild animals…

It didn’t take that long to find one. Soon the Scouts reported that they had detected a tiger!

At first the Empress was going to ask for a spear. But then remembered the last time she grabbed a spear in a tiger hunt and decided to order the Imperial Soldiers to go forward.

The tiger was encircled, trapped, and impaled on many spears. The Empress was pleased. For another tiger rug would soon be added to the many tiger rugs that covered the floors of the Castle/Palace.

The Hunting Party, no longer hunting, broke camp and marched back to the Capital.

They were greeted with cheering crowds. And glared at by house cats. But in the end the Empress, and many of the populace, were happy.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Ninety-Three : With A Husband Like That…

This chapter opens in early August, of the year 948 AD, with the Empress deciding to do something to improve on her Castle.

So she decided to have the Castle Walls upgraded. It would only cost about 135 gold coins worth of wealth.

She sent her husband, the Sakellarios, to oversee the work on the walls. That should help speed up the project.

And the Chinese still had a ship off the coast. Where did the rest of the ships go? Were they spying on her?

Then the Empress was given news of a murder plot. Seems Germanos of the House Dysnomia was scheming to kill Propkopios of the House Dysnomia.

Seems both were on the list to inherit the County of Amdo. Germanos was at the bottom of the list. While Propkopios was one of the men on the top. Seemed this branch of the family liked to reuse names.

Then there was news of ANOTHER murder plot. Seems the Duchess of Tosali was plotting to kill the HEIR of the Empire. That’s right! The Duchess Eyupraxia II of Varendra, who had recently been wounded in a duel, was now the target of a murder plot.

“Tell her to stop!” demanded the Empress. “Nobody kills my offspring. At least they shouldn’t.”

It really pissed the Empress off. After all the things she had done for the Duchess of Tosali.

And it turned out her Son-In-Law was backing the plot.

He was asked to back out of the plot to kill his own wife. The Empress, to be honest, wasn’t happy with him. Son-In-Laws were not meant to plot murdering their spouses.

 

[Chac1]

Congratulations on this AAR placing in the tabulation for one of the best Quarter 3 AARs in the ACA competition (AARland Choice Awards). Glad to see others supporting your work too, as I definitely voted to honor this long-running work. Well done.

 

[Eurasia]

Congratulations on this AAR placing in the tabulation for one of the best Quarter 3 AARs in the ACA competition (AARland Choice Awards). Glad to see others supporting your work too, as I definitely voted to honor this long-running work. Well done.

Thanks you! It is shared third place but still good for a AAR which is so old.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Ninety-Four: Falcons

This chapter opens in late November, of the year 948 AD, with the Empress’s husband, Arsenios, explaining to his wife that he had become amazed at the speed and power of the hunting birds and begged her to get him a bird.

So she decided to give him a proper falcon. Who could refuse his huge puppy dog eyes?

The husband was VERY pleased with his new hunting bird. Though he still saw his wife as a Tyrant.

Funny enough the Chronicle of House Dysnomia has nothing for the year 948 AD. The most interesting fact was from the year 942 in which a star killed three people in the County of Dulan.

Then, at the start of the year of 949, the Basilissa Eulalia “The Unfaithful” finally saw the Realm Prosper. So what should she be doing next?

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Ninety-Five : Trade, Somthing, Profit

This chapter opens in early January, of the year 949 AD, with the Empress trying to decide what to do next. She was getting older and worried about the future of her Empire.

So, of course, she decided to build up a war chest. Money was always a good thing to collect.

Then, later that month, there was bad news. The Duke of the Jau Duchy had died. Or had been killed im some way. Breaking the Non-Aggression Pact between the Empire and the Duchy as hs wife had been a member of the Imperial Dynasty.

And the son was NOT a member of the Dynasty. And didn’t like the Empress.

The annoying thing was his own Heir, as he was too young to have any offspring, was a member of the Mongol Empire. If things went badly the Mongols might end up blocking the Empress’s plans for the south.

On the other hand there was few threats against her. And few Movements trying enforce their own ideas on her Empire. That pleased her somewhat.

In late February the Empress’s husband, who was also her Sakellarios, approached her with an idea about setting up a trade route with a foreign Realm.

She agreed that it was a good idea. After all trade brought caravans to the Empire which brought her more imported goods to tax. Always good. Also it would help her build up her war chest.

Would this idea make her a lot of money? Or was she setting herself up for failure?

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Ninety-Six : The Trading Expedition Is A GO!

This chapter opens in late February, of the year 949 AD, with the Empress figuring out how to start the Trading Expedition.

It was time to outfit a ship and hire a crew for the Expedition to other lands.

There were a few options. One was to buy a ship and hire a crew. One was to hire bandits to steal a ship. And one was to give up on the whole idea and use the money to buy cool stuff.

She decided to purchase a ship and hire a crew. It cost over 200 gold pieces in wealth. But she was sure it was likely the best choice. Hiring bandits might have backfired.

Also as word of her expedition spread a group of Bhikkhus stepped forward and asked to come with. They were even willing to pay for part of the expedition with temple funds if they could come on the journey to help spread the word of Buddha.

The Empress agreed. Mostly because, well, the coins they offered.

By March the ship was ready, the crew picked, the trade goods loaded up. Now it was time to sail off and see what part of the world was willing to trade with the Empire!

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Ninety-Seven : Death Of A In-Law

This chapter opens in late March, of the year 949 AD, with the Empress being alerted that the Non-Aggression Pact with the Doux of Nadia had ended.

Seems the marriage her Dynasty had with the man’s eldest son had ended due to Jayanarayan of the House Pala dying.

This meant Pelagia, a Courtier of Maurya, who was also related to the Empress, was now available for marriage. Match Making!

And the Empress knew who was eager to marry. Nar Singh of the House of Sin. Who was young, somewhat loyal, and somewhat well rounded in his skills. So she sent a request to the man’s Liege.

By April the two were married and the Empress felt good about herself. Even as she stepped onto the sailing ship and prepared to go TRADE!

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Ninety-Eight : Finger Food

This chapter opens in late April, of the year 949 AD, with the Empress and her Trade Expedition sailing to Menumarotid.

This was NOT impossible. Just somewhat unlikely as, most historians pointed out, much of the Realm was land locked. Unless the ship sailed all the way around Africa and Europe to get there via the North Atlantic.

Khagan Tuzniq II “The Tyrant”, was a Muslim, and didn’t have a very high opinion of the Empress when she stepped off the ship.

But he seemed to change his mind when she gifted him the elephant.

In fact he seemed to share some traits with her. But still saw her as a Infidel. Also a murderer. But what could you do?

There was ALMOST a problem. At dinner her husband decided to eat with his hands instead of using the forks and knives which were available to him.

So she explained that it was just how Buddhists ate their meals. Which seemed to work. It was either that or call him a idiot in public and she realized that might not go well.

Hopeful the rest of the expedition went as smoothly. Little did she know...

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-Ninety-Nine : Decisions

This chapter opens in early May, of the year 949 AD, with the Empress getting a letter from a trained seagull about Princess Bhogavati of the Pala Kingdom. One of her Wards.

The girl needed some guidance. Should the Empress teach her to reach for greatness or to be patience? The Basilissa decided to teach her to be patient. Though this meant the Empress now had no patience.

And so the Princess became patient which was good. That evening the crew had roast seagull.

Then, a few days later, there was bad stuff. The Empress was walking about the court of the Khagan Tuzniq II when her heard a loud discussion which was going from loud to very, very, very intense. Seems one of the Bhikkhus was engaged in a wild theological debate with one of the local Nobles. This could get out of hand.

So she told her fellow travelers, the Buddhist Leaders within the Expedition, to shut the [CENSORED] up and leave the locals alone. The Muslims were NOT to be pestered or picked on or insulted.

The bad result of this was they were all pissed off at her.

And yet on the other hand the Khagan and her had become very good friends. VERY good Friends.

With the NEW Trade Route set up the Empress returned with a ship full of wares to sell. And she made a good profit. And with the promise of more profit as the route brought more wares, and taxes, over the years.

Lots and lots of profit. Lots of money will now pour into her coffers.

Which means she finally fills her War Chest.

So we end this chapter with Basilissa Eulalia with a bunch of new income sources, the War Taxes, being a Trader, and having Business Contacts, one of which was a new friend. Money, money, money. What will she do now?

 

[Bullfilter]

The expedition was well managed and wildly profitable in the end. There will be no shortage of money for some time. Will the Basilissa use this war chest to, you know … go to war?

 

[Eurasia]

The expedition was well managed and wildly profitable in the end. There will be no shortage of money for some time. Will the Basilissa use this war chest to, you know … go to war?

If she can go to war. Otherwise she may use it for other reasons.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-One-Hundred : Putting The House In Order

Paperwork, Paperwork, Paperwork!​

This chapter opens in late May, of the year 949 AD, with the Empress going over the lists of Buddhist Rulers within her Realm.

Even those with a positive opinion of her didn’t have a very high opinion of her. Telling them to shut up during the Trade Expedition had caused some hurt feelings. She would have to work on improving her relationships with the Buddhists within her Imperial Court.

As her husband, also her Sakellarios, had helped to bring her great riches and, outside of using his hands to eat, had done a good job during the Expedtition. So he was rewarded a amount of wealth equal to 200 gold coins.

Then, in July, the Count of Dulan asked for a reward for being such a loyal servant. He asked for the County of Haruppeswara. At first she was going to refuse but then agreed to this request. Maybe old age was getting to her?

Sadly, all this work to make a profit was making her sleep less and less. It caused her some stress.

Also the position of Chancellor was available. She selected the Bikkhu of Durjaya. Akakios wanted to be Council Member AND had a good opinion of the Empress. He was also Just, Honest, and Kind.

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

But attention focused back onto the Count of Dulan again. When she asked him to switch to Gavelkind Succession. This would force him to give his two titles to two different offspring.

He agreed though he knew it would likely cause problems for his children. The two who ended up getting a title would likely try to claim the other title sometime down the line and, therefore, infighting. The man wasn’t the brightest star in the sky but even he could see enough of the future to understand the issue Gavelkind would cause trouble for his House.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-One-Hundred-One : What An Idiot!

This chapter opens in late July, of the year 949 AD, with the news that Count Theophilos was doing something stupid again.

Seems he had tried to build a Fort in the County of Inder. Which had failed.

Why? Because the County didn’t belong to him. In fact it belonged to the Mongol Empire and him trying to build there just likely pissed them off.

“What an idiot!” proclaimed the Empress. “How many times Is he going to try to build a Fort in a County he does not own?”

But sadly she would soon be receiving some bad news…

 

[Bullfilter]

Then, in July, the Count of Dulan asked for a reward for being such a loyal servant. He asked for the County of Haruppeswara. At first she was going to refuse but then agreed to this request. Maybe old age was getting to her?

Madness! Did the Empress have too many counties? And whythis greedy count? She’s normally so mean she wouldn’t give a beer to a thirsty bard!

Also the position of Chancellor was available. She selected the Bikkhu of Durjaya. Akakios wanted to be Council Member AND had a good opinion of the Empress. He was also Just, Honest, and Kind.

In this was game of thrones, these noble characteristics would spell a quick and grisly demise for the Hand of the King.

But attention focused back onto the Count of Dulan again. When she asked him to switch to Gavelkind Succession. This would force him to give his two titles to two different offspring.

Gavelkind!? You know what the Empress would say about people seeking it of her … is she now just toying with the Count now? Or really entering her dotage?

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-One-Hundred-Two : When It Rains…

This chapter opens in late August with the Empress being given some horrible news.

Shurapala had passed away at the age of 51. He wasn’t that old. Oh, Buddha, why? WHY? Of course she decided to drink to his memory. Because that is what he would want her to do. Right?

Funny enough at the tavern was the prayer meeting she was meant to attend. Lucky that. And she noticed Akakios was falling asleep. She decided to wake him.

She tried to gentle about it at first but then had to slam her elbow into his side. He seemed upset at first but soon realized what had happened and thanked her.

Sadly prayer did not help her forget the death of her friend. And she got drunk. She was now a drunkard.

And then things went from bad to very bad. In September at the age of 27 years her Heir and daughter, the Duchess Eupraxia II of Varendra, died from severe injuries and her son took her titles. The husband was now the boy’s Regent.

Somehow this meant that the Non-Aggression Pact with Lanka had ended.

But the Heir to the Empire was now one of her Granddaughters. Simonis of Dysnomia. Who was two years from becoming an adult and marrying. Which meant the Empress would have to live another two years just to make sure nothing bad happened with a transfer of power.

“Wait a minute,” mumbled the Empress. “Isn’t her mom the Duchess Zuqi of Tosali? Who was plotting to kill the Duchess Eupraxia II of Varendra last year? A plot Eupraxia’s own husband had joined? Did Zuqi hire a duelist or somebody to fight and wound my daughter? Just so HER daughter could be the next Ruler of the Empire?”

The Council looked a little concerned by this thought but pointed out there was no evidence to suggest the duel, and wounds that resulted from it, could be traced to a scheme.

“We’ll see,” she murmured to herself.

 

[Bullfilter]

She was now a drunkard.

Something she’s been striving to achieve for a long time through diligent hard work. Congratulations are in order.

her Heir and daughter, the Duchess Eupraxia II of Varendra, died from severe injuries

Well, if more consolation drinking was in order, now’s the time.

Empress would have to live another two years just to make sure nothing bad happened with a transfer of power.

Heavy drinking will surely help. Still, at least it’s only a couple of years, though a regency would be a pain, even if it’s short.

“We’ll see,” she murmured to herself.

Sounds like some detective work is in the cards.

 

[Eurasia]

Sounds like some detective work is in the cards.

Duchess Zuqi of Tosali is a duelist and her image has blood on her face.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-One-Hundred-Three : Did She Do It Or Not?

This chapter opened in late September, of the year 949 AD, with the Empress going over the files of her new Heir.

Simonis of the House Dysnomia was Ugly, Suborn, and didn’t like the Empress that much.

The Empress couldn’t change the girl being ugly but she could give her a gift to improve her opinion of the Empress. This seemed to work.

But there was also the problem of her marrying Theophilos of the House Dysnomia. Not just the fear of inbreeding. But not knowing WHAT type of marriage it was. If it was a normal marriage than the husband would be in charge and may become the next Emperor.

On top of that she had received some interesting information from her spies. The Duchess Zuqi of Tosali was not only a Duelist. But lately she had been seen with blood on her face!

In fact she was missing a leg!

Could the Duchess have been the one who had wounded the Empress’s daughter and had been wounded in return? Or was it just a coincidence?

There was no solid proof to suggest she was a murderer. Well, that she murdered the Empress's Heir.

So the Empress drank and thought and pondered how to deal with the upcoming marriage.