Welcome to AARland and my humble AAR, @StrategyGameEnthusiast ! I am honored you chose my story as your starting point! 
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Malik al-Muazzam Rurik “the Ill-Tempered” of Russia
Malik al-Muazzam Rurik “the Ill-Tempered” of Russia (1092-1138)
Realm at the death of Rurik, notice how the lost Northern lands have mostly returned to the fold peacefully. Not my doing.
The religions of the world. As you can see, Russia is pretty unified in the faith of Ash'ari Islam.
But culturally, it's pretty diverse!
- The Rurikids as soon as Rurik ascends to the throne, goes to war to claim the Russian throne. King Hemingr II of Gardariki, the kingdom, presses his claim, declaring the Pinsk usurpers.
- All while he is fighting the war for Hungary his father started, and this he wins in 1096, only to lose almost the entirety of Hungary to a Cathar uprising that has been festering while he has fought Hemingr up north, and Poland who declared a war for a border duchy.
- Then, another neighbor, this time a remnant of Lithuania still independent, declares war for border lands, and gets Sweden, a Pinsk vassal, to join them in the rebellion!
- In the end, Poland in 1098 wins their war, claiming Russian lands for themselves, and then a vassal of the HRE decides to declare war for a border county. Is there now a Pinsk curse?
- Seems so, for in 1099 the war with Sweden and allies are over, and Russia has now lost Sweden, Sapmi, Finland, most of Hungary and a border duchy.
- 1100 sees victory in the war against Hemingr, but loss in the war against the HRE vassal.
- Troubles continue, as 1101 sees an independence war barely managed to be fought to a white peace two years later. This is actually named the Time of Troubles, the professor tells us.
- In better news, the legendary Sahabi of Hârlau is founded in 1103, the Holy Order quickly utilized in the 110-1108 Crusade for Moldavia. The Catholics are superstrong, but with cunning and lots of allies, Rurik manages to win the crusade after four years of heavy fighting.
- Then, as if not there had been enough war, Rurik declares war for Khazaria, recently renamed by their new rulers the Bulunid Khanate. Five years of fighting ends in victory.
- And then…there’s peace? For years? All wars he is called into, he just pays himself out of it. And, importantly, he adopts clan ways. The last of the Norse ways, the tribal ways, give space for an organization more similar to other Muslim realms.
- These years of peace build up prosperity in the realm, which flourishes after these Time of Troubles are over. Nifty.
- Finally, in 1138, Rurik dies and leaves the realm – both Russia and Khazaria – for his son Dmitriy II.
Realm at the death of Rurik, notice how the lost Northern lands have mostly returned to the fold peacefully. Not my doing.
The religions of the world. As you can see, Russia is pretty unified in the faith of Ash'ari Islam.
But culturally, it's pretty diverse!
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Cathars in Hungary--that's unexpected! The Rurikids could pack a lot of living into short lives, but the Pinsks can give them a run for their money with longer reigns.
I see old Tamar has the Georgian spirit. (Yes, yes, she's not born yet; just a joke about how well Georgia seems to be doing for itself. Except according to the culture map the Georgians are actually Alans.)
I see old Tamar has the Georgian spirit. (Yes, yes, she's not born yet; just a joke about how well Georgia seems to be doing for itself. Except according to the culture map the Georgians are actually Alans.)
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Why, Alan was just old George’s brother!
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Your Rurikids are heavily Islamicized now, and your student really seems to have taken an interest. Will wonders never cease?
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Thanks for this update. (Also, welcome again to @StrategyGameEnthusiast .) Personally, sad to see the Rurikids fail. But Russia is certainly headed along an interesting path....
Yes, it is good to see the student's ("nifty") interest. Who wouldn't be interested in watching what unfolds during the Islamification of Russia?
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Well this is all very sad, though I suppose a Rurikid revolt succeeding would have been most of out of character.
Given the student has started to show interest only after the evil Pinsks have turned up perhaps they picked the wrong course?
Given the student has started to show interest only after the evil Pinsks have turned up perhaps they picked the wrong course?
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Death at 84, reign of 46 years. The Pinsk are more of a typical @Nikolai character than the cursed Rurikid. Islam is doing very well. Thank you for the update.
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I'll add my voice to the welcome of @StrategyGameEnthusiast !
All's well that ends well I suppose? Most of Hungary lost, but Scandinavia peacefully reclaimed, and no split with Khazaria on succession.
Also, I like how the Byzantines are a different flavor of Islam to everyone else. It makes them unique.
All's well that ends well I suppose? Most of Hungary lost, but Scandinavia peacefully reclaimed, and no split with Khazaria on succession.
Also, I like how the Byzantines are a different flavor of Islam to everyone else. It makes them unique.
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Welcome @StrategyGameEnthusiast!
Were Sweden and most of the Sapmi lands reclaimed by your vassals? Or did Sweden just peacefully accept revassalization?
The Pinsk Russia is definitely unstable...
Were Sweden and most of the Sapmi lands reclaimed by your vassals? Or did Sweden just peacefully accept revassalization?
The Pinsk Russia is definitely unstable...
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Yeah, their revolt had been festering for a long time while I was waging war for the land, so when I won, they were already close to victory and I suffered for it.
Parts of Georgia at least is Georgian, not sure if the Alan lands were Alan from the get go or if someone culturally converted it?
I sense I miss an important piece of the puzzle for this joke.
Wonders upon wonders, it's like the story is starting to take hold of her!
You're very welcome!
The Rurikids must just bide their time some more... Nobody expects the Rurikid inquiaition!She is taking to the subject!
It's been a wild ride, for sure.No no, the Pinsk are still Heirs to Rurik. They have every right to be in this course.
Right?
It was on time!All is well....so far.
I really like the Byzantines in this run too!I think they were yes. Sweden changes kings like others changes socks, so there is that.
Russia is unstable, be it under Rurikids or Pinsk...
Hehe right? With that name and all...StrategyGameEnthusiast said:
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The name Georgia derives from the Persian word for wolf, but folk etymology connects it to St. George. Alan, like George, is a common male name and so George could conceivably have a brother named Alan.I sense I miss an important piece of the puzzle for this joke.
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Well it started out rough, but currently everything looks tiptop. Only 70 more years or so, to see the Mongols arrive.
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There are more Cathars than there are Orthodox Christians, and all because Byzantium went Muslim. God bless the CK3 alt-history machine.
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Thanks, guys!Precisely.
Sure, Mongols sounds....fun.
It's amazing, right?
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Malik al-Muazzam Dmitriy II of Russia
Malik al-Muazzam Dmitriy II of Russia (1138-1150)
- Times of troubles seem to be back, this guy immediately gets and independence war, risking losing half his empire. Only managed to salvage the situation due to his powerful allies.
- Then is is kinda nice going though, building things, keeping peaceful. A bit boring, but surely it was for the best for his subjects. I guess.
- Then he removes the Scandinavian elective from the empire of Khazaria, removing another piece of Norse ancestry. When he dies, his second son will inherit. Probably means war between brothers still, though, no? Means no chance of non-Pinsk rulers voted in though.
- Then, being old, he dies. His oldest son Stanislav “the Insane” inherits Russia and his second son Yuriy inherits Khazaria. Good graces, next lecture is a must to attend, I think.
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Your Ash'ari Rus' are an interesting bunch. It does illustrate something interesting though. Malik's queen's attire seems to indicate she's from India or central Asia... or at least affected by some cultural norms that differ from the native Rus'. Having Islam instead of Christianity means your Russians are mingling with very different neighbors than they did historically, and it's starting to show in their culture.
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Yeah, most of my queens are Muslim or Hindu/Indian.
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