Road of Queens - CKII India AAR

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-One-Hundred-Thirty-Five : Vassals And Their Affairs

This chapter opens in late July, in the year 952 AD, with news about one her Vassals reaching the Empress’s ears.

Count Keshabsen of Monyul had, it seems, made sure his Lords had approved of the Late Feudal Administration Law a few days earlier.

This seemed like a good idea, no doubt, giving him more power within hs County. Also he was Sincere, Honest, and Brave. If a little Greedy. A perfect Vassal. But for one problem.

Well, two. He was a Bastard. And disliked the Empress. So she decided to try to fix that. By helping him overcome Greed.

She was able to help him overcome his sinful ways.

But it really didn’t help that much.

Then there was news in September about the Exarch Hrodgar “The Good” of Kham. Seems he had agreed to marry one of his sisters to one of the sons of Doux Gerasimos “The Ill-Ruler” of Yarlung.

Their Houses would not join, as the two selected were not to inherit the main titles, but it could form a Pact. The Empress was concerned but not too worried. Both Vassals hated her but she had something they did not. A massive army.

 

[Midnite Duke]

The Doux seems to be having a bit of trouble. I see three red modifiers and wounded.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-One-Hundred-Thirty-Six : Dealing With The Vassals

This chapter opens in mid September, of the year 952 AD, with the Empress getting news of a few openings.

For example there was a Commander position open and she also needed a Cupbearer.

Count Keshabsen of Monyul was selected for the Commader position. His skills for combat was so-so and he disliked the Empress. So hopefully he died in the next war.

The Cupbearer position was given to Commander Polykarpos. He was also the Mayor of Manikuta and liked the Empress. So he was less likely to put something in her drinks.

Then there was some good news. Seems Doux Antonios had become a Leader of the movement to make Dionysios for Maurya. And then, for some reason, disbanded it.

The Empress had no idea what had happened but was happy to know one more faction had disappeared.

There was also news that Exarch Hrodgar had become the Guardian for a child of the House Vijaya. A interesting development. But nothing to cause alarm.

On the other hand the Spymaster brought her news of a murder plot. Seems Gayatri of the House Karmantid was plotting to kill Bishwas Devi of the House Shantideva. Of course she was asked to cancel her plot.

Vassals will be Vassals after all.

 

[Midnite Duke]

-39, the count practically likes you, you should not be sending him to the front to be a victim of friendly fire. Oh, Lawyer Cheatem says that he put you in his will. Also, he is in a Double-D marriage. We cannot have any inbred seven-toed children bringing shame to the family name.
No Eunuch! You are Greek. The next jaywalker can volunteer for the post, rather than pay a fine.
Nice that the Exarch of Kham will try to make a Viking warrior out of the little 9yo Assamese. I wonder how many of your Norse have seen a boat?
Let the little people have their fun. If they are plotting against each other, they are not against you. Also a faction member may join a plot. It is easier to deal with an arrest than a faction.

Thanks for the update.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-One-Hundred-Thirty-Seven : Factions And Vassals

This chapter opens in late September, of the year of 952 AD, with the Empress receiving very annoying news.

Seems Bhikkhu Nikephoros of Para-Lauhitya had created a movement to bring Prince Niphon of the House Dysnomia to the Imperial Throne.

While he WAS a member of the Dynasty, and Greek, and a Buddhist he was also not within the Empire.

In fact the Prince’s Liege was Khan Bedugun of Bujakhin. And the Khan’s Liege was the Khagan.

In other words the Prince was part of the Mongol Empire. Even the Imperial Lawyers couldn’t figure out what would happen if the Prince became the Emperor.

Then the Bhikkhu joine the Faction to increase Council Power.

The Empress sighed. “Can we kill him?”

The Imperial Lawyers pointed out that would likely make things worse.

Then things got worse.

Princess Pelagia of Maurya, the Empress’s own daughter, was plotting to kill Simonis, the Empress’s granddaughter and Heir. Also the Princess’s niece.

Of course the Spymaster told the Princess to stop it at once.

Then in October the Count Theophanes of Viraja had founded the movement to make the Rajkumari Pelagia the Ruler of Maurya.

The Empress sighed. How many Pelagias were there in the Empire?

The Empress decided to just get drunk. Well, more drunk than normal and let the Lawyers figure out what to do.

 

[Midnite Duke]

Thank you for the updating. Are you playing on Holy Fury? That does not look like the Mongol Empire sigil that I am used to. If by some strange happening, the Prince gets the reins of the Emperorship. He would just like leave the Mongols and say "Free at last, no more shoveling horse-droppings for me."

 

[Eurasia]

Thank you for the updating. Are you playing on Holy Fury? That does not look like the Mongol Empire sigil that I am used to. If by some strange happening, the Prince gets the reins of the Emperorship. He would just like leave the Mongols and say "Free at last, no more shoveling horse-droppings for me."

I have all the DLCs, so yes. Looks like the Khagan is a follower of Islam. I have kind of lost track of the Rulers of the Mongol Empire.

 

[Chac1]

Although I have not commented much in a while, I see the empress has not changed her stripes. You have to hope she doesn't supply her legal experts with any alcohol for the empire's sake.

 

[Bullfilter]

The empire just seems to be cruising along but not expanding much. How about a nice, big juicy war of conquest somewhere? Any near term prospects?

 

[Eurasia]

The empire just seems to be cruising along but not expanding much. How about a nice, big juicy war of conquest somewhere? Any near term prospects?

Trying to expand but, to be honest, starting a war without a good reason might damaged her hold over her own Vassals. Even I don't trust most of them to start with. Also fear the Mongol Empire jumping into a war I might start. And not on my side.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-One-Hundred-Thirty-Eight : A New Member Of The Court

This chapter opens in late October, of the year 952 AD, and the Empress has received news that somebody was plotting murder. Again

Vijnayavati of the House Rajyapalid was planning to kill her Liege’s son and Heir. Why was she trying to do this?

She wasn’t on the list of those who could inherit the titles. But her husband was related to the Liege. Maybe if she killed enough of the folks on the list….?

Whatever the logic behind her plot she was told, by the Spymaster, to stop it.

Then there was Count Dan of Dulan. He was trying to get enough support to gain independence. Dan was such a trouble maker!

The Empress was somewhat upset about this. No matter what she did the list of Factions never seemed to become smaller.

There was also a small problem. Princess Pelagia of Maurya was stupid and childless. But at least she was loyal.

Then in early November a noble warrior presented himself to the Imperial Court. A veteran of many battles he desires to be a member of the Imperial House. He praised the Empress’s wisdom, honor, and taste in booze. Of course she welcomed him into the Empire.

Himerios of the House Janakpur was both brave and strong. And skilled in the art of warfare. A perfect future Commander. Once a position within the Army was available. He was also a Buddhist Greek. So maybe she should get him married off soon?

So we end this chapter with some good news for the Empress.

 

[Midnite Duke]

I am shocked that a count (ok two counties) can generate almost 10% of the Empress' force. Thank you for the update and cheers to the Basilissa.

 

[Bullfilter]

The council power faction looks like the only one substantive enough to worry about. Though still only 50%.

 

[Chac1]

If Himerios is loyal and likes the Basilissa's taste in liquor, maybe she will have gained a drinking partner too.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-One-Hundred-Thirty-Nine : Pre-Party Preparation

This chapter opens in mid November, of the year 952 AD, with the Empress going through some of the Imperial folders about her enemies.

The list of known plots was not very long. Nor surprising. Those on the list were, mostly, well known trouble makers.

The list of threats was longer but, once again, not surprising when it came to who was on it. Trouble makers all.

At least she still had good old Khagan Tuzniq. Her friend from Menumarotid-whatever.

This cheered her up a tad and she decided to have a party! In other words it was time to celebrate hope and happiness!

She sent out the messengers with the scrolls. The riders and the horses covered in flowers. Which somewhat annoyed the riders and the horses didn’t seem to happy about it either.

The cooks and servants were ordered to create a feast and prepare the Palace for the guests.

As she waited for the replies she decided on a cape for her husband. Capes were cool.

She did receive a reply from Countess Simonis a few days later. She refused to come to the feast. Was anybody surprised? No. Anyway, the Countess smelled.

And that just left more food and wine for the Empress and her guests. Let’s hope the party went well.

 

[Midnite Duke]

Arrest Doux Antonios! He has a plot and a faction and he strongly dislikes you! This is why that I do not automatically stop plots. Maybe a faction member will start a plot or refuse to quit (hello, arrest warrant). If a smallfolk (anybody but you) dies, oh well, flowers to the family is nice. Hopefully Smelly Simonis will join a plot. Faction member, hates you and stinks! Thank you for the update

 

[Eurasia]

Arrest Doux Antonios! He has a plot and a faction and he strongly dislikes you! This is why that I do not automatically stop plots. Maybe a faction member will start a plot or refuse to quit (hello, arrest warrant). If a smallfolk (anybody but you) dies, oh well, flowers to the family is nice. Hopefully Smelly Simonis will join a plot. Faction member, hates you and stinks! Thank you for the update

Only Countess Simonis is a true threat and likely waiting for the Empress to die before trying to take on the next Empress. Anybody revolts will be put in the pits. We all know what happens there. Grade F slop, friendly staff, cute rats.

 

[Chac1]

Anybody revolts will be put in the pits. We all know what happens there. Grade F slop, friendly staff, cute rats.

The pits are the pits. After all....

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-One-Hundred-Forty : Party! Party! Party!

This chapter starts in mid December, of the year 952 AD, and the rooms were full of food and perfumed flowers. The tables seemed to groan under the weight of platters of pastries, bowls of fruit, dishes of roast meats, and jugs of chilled wine.

Once everything was ready the guests started to arrive and were greeted by dancers and clowns and drummers. Attack pugs were there, of course, to keep people in line.

​

After a few days of drinking, eating, and telling dirty jokes to her quests the Empress was surprised by a group of monkeys entering through a open window. They made a big mess and caused a lot of chaos.

The Empress found this funny. Maybe because she was enjoying the party. Maybe because age had mellowed her out. More likely because she was drunk.

Funny enough this seemed to remove her stress while making her cheery. This likely helped increase her health a tad. She was still a drunk but without the stress she was doing slightly better.

Then it was time to exchange gifts and she gave her husband his brand new cape. Well, refurbished cape.

All evidence suggested the cape was a welcomed gift. The husband loved his wife. Even after being fired and seeing the Empress as a Tyrant. She even kind of liked him. A little. She may even feel a little sad if he died and she had to remarry.

So far everything was going great. Good food, good wine, monkey attack. But bad news was coming….

 

[Midnite Duke]

The Basilissa and her consort, both are young-looking for mid-fifties. He has a lonely family page. No grands or rents. No sibs or kids. Just a drunk, unfaithful wife. Does she refurb his capes or refurb spare capes. Thank you for the update.