@Midnite Duke Alexandros dreamed of being the new Michael II, but in the end he was only a tenth of the Assassin his great-great uncle was.
- 1
-
We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.
Question is, will there ever be an assassin as good as him?
- 2
Ruler 1: Konstantinos V (769-775)
Ruler 2: Leon IV (775-780)
Ruler 3: Konstantinos VI (780-797)
Ruler 4: Eirene (797-802)
Ruler 5: Nikephoros I (802-811)
Ruler 6: Staurakios (811)
Ruler 7: Michael I (811-813)
Ruler 8: Leon V (813-820)
Ruler 9: Michael II (820-829)
Ruler 10: Theophilos (829-842)
Ruler 11: Michael III (842-867)
Ruler 12: Basileios I (867-886)
Ruler 13: Leon VI (886-912)
Ruler 14: Alexandros II (912-913)
Ruler 15: Romanos I (913-944)
Ruler 16: Stephanos (944-945)
Ruler 17: Konstantinos VII (945-959)
Ruler 18: Romanos II (959-963)
Ruler 19: Nikephoros II (963-969)
Ruler 20: Ioannes I (969- 976)
Ruler 21: Basileios II (976- 1025)
Ruler 22: Konstantinos VIII (1025-1028)
Ruler 23: Romanos III (1028-1034)
Ruler 24: Michael IV (1034-1041)
Ruler 25: Michael V (1041-1042)
Ruler 26: Zoe (1042)
Ruler 27: Konstantinos IX (1042-1055)
Ruler 28: Theodora (1055-1056)
Ruler 29: Michael VI (1056-1057)
Ruler 30: Isaakios I (1057-1059)
Ruler 31: Konstantinos X (1059-1067)
Ruler 32: Eudokia I (1067-1068)
Ruler 33: Romanos IV (1068-1072)
Ruler 34: Michael VII (1072-1078)
Ruler 35: Nikephoros III (1078-1081)
Ruler 36: Alexios I (1081-1118)
Ruler 37: Ioannes II (1118-1143)
Ruler 38: Manuel I (1143-1180)
Ruler 39: Alexios II (1180-1183)
Ruler 40: Andronikos I (1183-1185)
Ruler 41: Isaakios II (1185-1195)
Ruler 42: Alexios III (1195-1203)
Ruler 43: Alexios IV (1203-1204)
Ruler 44: Alexios V (1204)
Ruler 45: Theodoros I (1204-1221)
Ruler 46: Ioannes III (1221-1254)
Ruler 47: Theodoros II (1254-1258)
Ruler 48: Ioannes IV (1258-1261)
Ruler 49: Michael VIII (1261-1282)
Ruler 50: Andronikos II (1282-1328)
Ruler 51: Andronikos III (1328-1341)
Ruler 52: Ioannes V (1341-1354)
Ruler 53: Ioannes VI (1354-1376)
Ruler 54: Andronikos IV (1376-1385)
Ruler 55: Ioannes VII (1385-1390)
Ruler 56: Manuel II (1390-1425)
Ruler 57: Ioannes VIII (1425-1448)
Ruler 58: Konstantinos XI (1448-1453)
Post Restoration:
Ruler 59: Andreas I (1453-1499)
Ruler 60: Andreas II (1499-1555)
Ruler 61: Andreas III (1555-1626)
Ruler 62: Constantine XII (1626-1650)
Ruler 63: Iacobus I (1650-1705)
Ruler 64: Iacobus II (1705-1777)
Ruler 65: Iacobus III (1777-1837)
Ruler 66: Euphroysne (1837-1914)
Ruler 67: Michael IX (1914-1928)
Ruler 68: Eudokia II (1928-Current Ruler)
It remains to be seen. (Edit: Scratch that, a new Assassin has emerged)
Last edited:
- 3
Part 4: The First Golden Age (842-1025): Chapter 6: The Reign of Romanos I (913-944)
913:
Romanos became the new guardian of his young cousin Konstantinos, who was also betrothed to Romanos' daughter Helene. Romanos took a young mistress named Demetra. Romanos recognised his cousin as Symbasileus.
914:
Romanos invaded the Caliphate to reconquer Jerusalem. Many battles were fought, and it ended with the Caliph surrendering not just Jerusalem, but also Baghdad. Demetra gave birth to a daughter.
915:
Romanos conquered the Sinai peninsula from the Empire of Kanem-Bornu. Demetra gave birth to a son named Theophylaktos.
916:
Romanos invaded Aghbania, the final remnant of the Kingdom of Armenia, ruled by the namesake grandson of the last King. The defeated Emir fled to neighbouring Khazaria. Demetra had another son, named Basileios.
917:
The Black Death returned, causing another lockdown. Romanos' sons Christophoros, Stephanos and Konstantinos all welcomed sons, named Nikephoros, Theophilos and Artemios.
918:
Romanos and Demetra engaged in discussions over their future as the Basileus took a vow of celibacy. They decided not to break up and have a completely romantic relationship.
919:
Symbasileus Konstantinos and Helene's struggles to conceive a child started. A priest asked Romanos to destroy Leon VI's thesis on alchemy.
920:
More pandemic stuff happened.
921:
A member of the family decided he wanted to be the new Andreas by assassinating a member of a cadet branch. He was thrown in jail.
922:
Romanos started to lose a lot of weight.
923:
Christophoros and Stephanos put on a lot of weight. The Black Death ended, and with it the lockdown.
924:
A random woman's husband wrote an angry letter to Romanos asking for her release. Romanos ignored the letter, leading the man to try and break her out. Romanos had both thrown in the oubliette.
925:
Romanos started doing annual penance.
926:
Romanos donated 100 gold to a charity. This meant nothing as the Imperial Treasury had approximately 250,000 gold in reserve.
927:
Romanos did more penance.
928:
Romanos donated 100 gold again.
929:
Romanos involved his children in his penance by reading passages from the Bible to them.
930:
Symbasileus Konstantinos put on a lot of weight.
931:
Christophoros and his wife Damiana decided they wanted to visit his younger brother Konstantinos, who had been made Strategos of Jerusalem after the birth of Artemios. They went on a boat. The boat was going to stop in Cyprus to resupply. Bad storms meant that the boat was derailed and sank off the coast of Krete, killing everyone on board. Romanos and Basileios were deeply affected by the death of their son and half-brother respectively. Damiana's father (her mother had died when she was young) was also heartbroken at the loss of his only child.
932:
Stephanos was diagnosed with a severe case of gout. Romanos worried that at 67 he was going to have buried two sons in consecutive years. However, Stephanos' condition remained somewhat stable. Romanos began doing penance again.
933:
Romanos donated to charity again. Helene finally became pregnant with her and Symbasileus Konstantinos' first child, after over a decade of trying. Theophilos had a son named Christophoros, after the baby's maternal grandfather (yes, a cousin marriage).
934:
Helene gave birth to a daughter. Romanos' grandson Nikephoros sired a son named Ioannes as well. Basileios seemed to mope around all the time since Christophoros' death.
935:
Romanos did more penance. Helene gave birth to twins, a girl named Demetra (ironic, as Demetra was basically her stepmother) and a boy named Romanos.
936:
Romanos decided to go to Jerusalem on a pilgrimage. However, with the memory of Christophoros lingering, Romanos decided to go by land. Much of his year was spent travelling to and from the Holy Land.
937:
Romanos' son Konstantinos killed a vassal of his in a duel.
938:
Konstantinos moved on to killing fellow vassals in duels. Theophylaktos was made Ecumenical Patriarch after the old one died.
939:
Konstantinos killed his brother-in-law in a duel, at which point Romanos demanded that his son relinquish his position on the Council and return to Jerusalem.
940:
Romanos and Demetra face-palmed as Theophylaktos decided to invade Bengal.
941:
Eusebia, a daughter of Basileus Michael III, died at the grand old age of 84. It made Romanos feel very old, as he was 76.
942:
Romanos was once more asked to burn Leon VI's thesis, he once again refused. He did penance one last time.
943 + January 1st 944:
Romanos donated to a charity. His health declined due to his lack of eating and his advanced age. Symbasileus Konstantinos readied himself to become the sole Basileus. However, the Symbasileus realised his brother-in-law Stephanos was plotting something. Basileios was being suspicious. Theophylaktos was sent back from his invasion of Bengal with his tail between his legs. On January 1st 944, Demetra left Romanos' chamber, and a cloaked figure entered, brandishing an old, rusted dagger.
"Goodbye, father" the figure said softly before stabbing him in the chest. Romanos died instantly, and before anyone could react, Stephanos got his half-brother Theophylaktos to crown him Basileus...
Romanos became the new guardian of his young cousin Konstantinos, who was also betrothed to Romanos' daughter Helene. Romanos took a young mistress named Demetra. Romanos recognised his cousin as Symbasileus.
914:
Romanos invaded the Caliphate to reconquer Jerusalem. Many battles were fought, and it ended with the Caliph surrendering not just Jerusalem, but also Baghdad. Demetra gave birth to a daughter.
915:
Romanos conquered the Sinai peninsula from the Empire of Kanem-Bornu. Demetra gave birth to a son named Theophylaktos.
916:
Romanos invaded Aghbania, the final remnant of the Kingdom of Armenia, ruled by the namesake grandson of the last King. The defeated Emir fled to neighbouring Khazaria. Demetra had another son, named Basileios.
917:
The Black Death returned, causing another lockdown. Romanos' sons Christophoros, Stephanos and Konstantinos all welcomed sons, named Nikephoros, Theophilos and Artemios.
918:
Romanos and Demetra engaged in discussions over their future as the Basileus took a vow of celibacy. They decided not to break up and have a completely romantic relationship.
919:
Symbasileus Konstantinos and Helene's struggles to conceive a child started. A priest asked Romanos to destroy Leon VI's thesis on alchemy.
920:
More pandemic stuff happened.
921:
A member of the family decided he wanted to be the new Andreas by assassinating a member of a cadet branch. He was thrown in jail.
922:
Romanos started to lose a lot of weight.
923:
Christophoros and Stephanos put on a lot of weight. The Black Death ended, and with it the lockdown.
924:
A random woman's husband wrote an angry letter to Romanos asking for her release. Romanos ignored the letter, leading the man to try and break her out. Romanos had both thrown in the oubliette.
925:
Romanos started doing annual penance.
926:
Romanos donated 100 gold to a charity. This meant nothing as the Imperial Treasury had approximately 250,000 gold in reserve.
927:
Romanos did more penance.
928:
Romanos donated 100 gold again.
929:
Romanos involved his children in his penance by reading passages from the Bible to them.
930:
Symbasileus Konstantinos put on a lot of weight.
931:
Christophoros and his wife Damiana decided they wanted to visit his younger brother Konstantinos, who had been made Strategos of Jerusalem after the birth of Artemios. They went on a boat. The boat was going to stop in Cyprus to resupply. Bad storms meant that the boat was derailed and sank off the coast of Krete, killing everyone on board. Romanos and Basileios were deeply affected by the death of their son and half-brother respectively. Damiana's father (her mother had died when she was young) was also heartbroken at the loss of his only child.
932:
Stephanos was diagnosed with a severe case of gout. Romanos worried that at 67 he was going to have buried two sons in consecutive years. However, Stephanos' condition remained somewhat stable. Romanos began doing penance again.
933:
Romanos donated to charity again. Helene finally became pregnant with her and Symbasileus Konstantinos' first child, after over a decade of trying. Theophilos had a son named Christophoros, after the baby's maternal grandfather (yes, a cousin marriage).
934:
Helene gave birth to a daughter. Romanos' grandson Nikephoros sired a son named Ioannes as well. Basileios seemed to mope around all the time since Christophoros' death.
935:
Romanos did more penance. Helene gave birth to twins, a girl named Demetra (ironic, as Demetra was basically her stepmother) and a boy named Romanos.
936:
Romanos decided to go to Jerusalem on a pilgrimage. However, with the memory of Christophoros lingering, Romanos decided to go by land. Much of his year was spent travelling to and from the Holy Land.
937:
Romanos' son Konstantinos killed a vassal of his in a duel.
938:
Konstantinos moved on to killing fellow vassals in duels. Theophylaktos was made Ecumenical Patriarch after the old one died.
939:
Konstantinos killed his brother-in-law in a duel, at which point Romanos demanded that his son relinquish his position on the Council and return to Jerusalem.
940:
Romanos and Demetra face-palmed as Theophylaktos decided to invade Bengal.
941:
Eusebia, a daughter of Basileus Michael III, died at the grand old age of 84. It made Romanos feel very old, as he was 76.
942:
Romanos was once more asked to burn Leon VI's thesis, he once again refused. He did penance one last time.
943 + January 1st 944:
Romanos donated to a charity. His health declined due to his lack of eating and his advanced age. Symbasileus Konstantinos readied himself to become the sole Basileus. However, the Symbasileus realised his brother-in-law Stephanos was plotting something. Basileios was being suspicious. Theophylaktos was sent back from his invasion of Bengal with his tail between his legs. On January 1st 944, Demetra left Romanos' chamber, and a cloaked figure entered, brandishing an old, rusted dagger.
"Goodbye, father" the figure said softly before stabbing him in the chest. Romanos died instantly, and before anyone could react, Stephanos got his half-brother Theophylaktos to crown him Basileus...
- 2
- 1
Old Shenanigans return. How did you get Jerusalem and Baghdad in same war? How close are you to Bengal? Thanks for the update.
- 1
- 1
@Midnite Duke I got Jerusalem and Baghdad in an invasion war for the Kingdom of Jerusalem (Alexander Bloodline founded by Romanos' grandfather Basileios, which was also how Theophylaktos was able to declare war on Bengal), but I was able to siege down all of Iraq as well before the Caliphate surrendered. Basra (de jure Iraq) is the closest province I have to Bengal. I don't know why Theophylaktos' AI declared war on Bengal specifically (He only has about 1k troops, and Bengal had 5k).
- 2
What was so controversial about Leon's alchemy?
Truly a pious man! Donating 0.04% of the treasury takes a lot of effort.
What!?- 2
Haven't a clue, it was an event for the Society Romanos was a part of (Leon was part of the Hermetic Society and Romanos was part of the Community of Saint Basil).
I know that scaled costs are controversial, but I would like for the donation to be scaled by monthly income (By the end of Romanos' reign I was making five donations a month).
Yeah, Alexander Bloodline in the control of the AI (I'm going to regret landing Romanos' grandsons, aren't I? Then again, only Theophylaktos has tried anything like that).
- 2
Scratch that, I realised why nobody else is declaring invasion wars. I have disallowed vassal wars (a crown law), the other vassals are dukes whose de jure lieges (Kings) do not exist, but the Ecumenical Patriarchate is a titular Kingdom not under Byzantium, and therefore it has its own crown laws.
- 3
Part 4: The First Golden Age (842-1025): Chapter 7: The Reign of Stephanos (944-945)
944 + January 1st 945:
Stephanos was crowned by his half-brother Ecumenical Patriarch Theophylaktos. His first act was to invade Lombardy to conquer the remainder of the Kingdom of Sicily. The war was a resounding success, as not only did Stephanos conquer Sicily, he also conquered Lombard Dalmatia. The Queen of the Lombards was ambushed, deposed and executed by her vassals, who abolished the Kingdom. The Kaiser of Germania mopped up parts of the remnants, as did the Pope. Stephanos returned to Constantinople in triumph. Theophylaktos beatified their father Romanos for his piety and services to Christianity. This caused a rift between the half-brothers, as Stephanos (along with Christophoros and Konstantinos) had never gotten along with his father. On January 1st 945, the gout-ridden Basileus returned to his chambers to rest. He was ambushed by the new Assassin. A quick throat-slit meant that Stephanos was dead. Theophylaktos decided to return the throne to the rightful Basileus....
Stephanos was crowned by his half-brother Ecumenical Patriarch Theophylaktos. His first act was to invade Lombardy to conquer the remainder of the Kingdom of Sicily. The war was a resounding success, as not only did Stephanos conquer Sicily, he also conquered Lombard Dalmatia. The Queen of the Lombards was ambushed, deposed and executed by her vassals, who abolished the Kingdom. The Kaiser of Germania mopped up parts of the remnants, as did the Pope. Stephanos returned to Constantinople in triumph. Theophylaktos beatified their father Romanos for his piety and services to Christianity. This caused a rift between the half-brothers, as Stephanos (along with Christophoros and Konstantinos) had never gotten along with his father. On January 1st 945, the gout-ridden Basileus returned to his chambers to rest. He was ambushed by the new Assassin. A quick throat-slit meant that Stephanos was dead. Theophylaktos decided to return the throne to the rightful Basileus....
- 3
- 1
Stephanos really should have watched his diet (and not colluded with an Assassin -it never ends well) if he wanted to reign for longer.
- 1
- 1
Part 4: The First Golden Age (842-1025): Chapter 8: The Reign of Konstantinos VII (945-959)
945:
Konstantinos VII finally ascended to his birthright at the age of 44, after 33 years of Regents. He was crowned by his brother-in-law Ecumenical Patriarch Theophylaktos.
946:
Konstantinos and his wife Helene brought their children on a tour of the Empire as they couldn't bear to be separated from them.
947:
Ecumenical Patriarch Theophylaktos canonised his late father Romanos I for his piety and chastity (Slightly ironic, seeing as Theophylaktos' mother was Romanos' mistress, not his wife).
948:
Konstantinos joined the Community of Saint Basil, of which his saintly father-in-law was once a member.
949:
Konstantinos donated 100 gold to charity.
950:
Konstantinos' eldest daughter Aikaterine came of age. She married a dashing young courtier and they welcomed the first of their ten children that year.
951:
At the start of the year, Demetra came of age, she also married a dashing young courtier and they would also go on to welcome ten children. Romanos, the elder of Konstantinos and Helene's two sons, came of age at the end of the year. He was crowned as Symbasileus but did not marry yet.
952:
The younger son, Leon, came of age and married. The couple would have a daughter that same year.
953:
Kyra came of age, married a courtier and welcomed the first of her eight children. Leon had another daughter.
954:
Zenobia, the couple's sickly youngest daughter, came of age and married a courtier. Their son Eugenios was born, but inherited plenty of his mother's health problems. Leon and his wife had twin girls. Symbasileus Romanos finally married.
955:
Romanos and his wife welcomed a son named Basileios, after the legendary Basileus. It would prove to be an apt commemoration. Zenobia had another sickly son. Leon had another daughter.
956:
Romanos and his wife had a son named Konstantinos. Basileios killed a venomous snake that entered his crib. Zenobia had yet another sickly son, who died shortly after birth. Leon was growing frustrated as his newest child was his sixth daughter, but he still had no sons.
957:
Basileios drank poison but survived. Young Konstantinos seemed to do nothing but sleep. Zenobia's second son died. Shortly after, she had a fourth son. Leon finally had a son, named Iakobos. Konstantinos sent his son to govern the Theme of Albania in the Caucasus Mountains. Romanos and his wife had a daughter. Helene was killed in a duel by the Strategos of Dyrrachion. The Strategos, a nearly 80-year old man, was arrested by Konstantinos. Konstantinos did penance and donated to charity. The Basileus turned down a marriage request from a kinswoman in Anatolia, whose first husband had been killed in a duel by his brother the day before Helene's death.
958 + January 1st 959:
Zenobia had a fifth son, but he also died in infancy. Leon died in an accident, leaving baby Iakobos in charge of Albania. Romanos had another daughter. Konstantinos was an obese man who had lost the will to get out of bed altogether after the deaths in quick succession of his wife and son. He started eating and eating and eating. Eventually he succumbed to a heart attack caused by nonstop eating on January 1st 959, leaving Romanos in charge of the Empire...
Konstantinos VII finally ascended to his birthright at the age of 44, after 33 years of Regents. He was crowned by his brother-in-law Ecumenical Patriarch Theophylaktos.
946:
Konstantinos and his wife Helene brought their children on a tour of the Empire as they couldn't bear to be separated from them.
947:
Ecumenical Patriarch Theophylaktos canonised his late father Romanos I for his piety and chastity (Slightly ironic, seeing as Theophylaktos' mother was Romanos' mistress, not his wife).
948:
Konstantinos joined the Community of Saint Basil, of which his saintly father-in-law was once a member.
949:
Konstantinos donated 100 gold to charity.
950:
Konstantinos' eldest daughter Aikaterine came of age. She married a dashing young courtier and they welcomed the first of their ten children that year.
951:
At the start of the year, Demetra came of age, she also married a dashing young courtier and they would also go on to welcome ten children. Romanos, the elder of Konstantinos and Helene's two sons, came of age at the end of the year. He was crowned as Symbasileus but did not marry yet.
952:
The younger son, Leon, came of age and married. The couple would have a daughter that same year.
953:
Kyra came of age, married a courtier and welcomed the first of her eight children. Leon had another daughter.
954:
Zenobia, the couple's sickly youngest daughter, came of age and married a courtier. Their son Eugenios was born, but inherited plenty of his mother's health problems. Leon and his wife had twin girls. Symbasileus Romanos finally married.
955:
Romanos and his wife welcomed a son named Basileios, after the legendary Basileus. It would prove to be an apt commemoration. Zenobia had another sickly son. Leon had another daughter.
956:
Romanos and his wife had a son named Konstantinos. Basileios killed a venomous snake that entered his crib. Zenobia had yet another sickly son, who died shortly after birth. Leon was growing frustrated as his newest child was his sixth daughter, but he still had no sons.
957:
Basileios drank poison but survived. Young Konstantinos seemed to do nothing but sleep. Zenobia's second son died. Shortly after, she had a fourth son. Leon finally had a son, named Iakobos. Konstantinos sent his son to govern the Theme of Albania in the Caucasus Mountains. Romanos and his wife had a daughter. Helene was killed in a duel by the Strategos of Dyrrachion. The Strategos, a nearly 80-year old man, was arrested by Konstantinos. Konstantinos did penance and donated to charity. The Basileus turned down a marriage request from a kinswoman in Anatolia, whose first husband had been killed in a duel by his brother the day before Helene's death.
958 + January 1st 959:
Zenobia had a fifth son, but he also died in infancy. Leon died in an accident, leaving baby Iakobos in charge of Albania. Romanos had another daughter. Konstantinos was an obese man who had lost the will to get out of bed altogether after the deaths in quick succession of his wife and son. He started eating and eating and eating. Eventually he succumbed to a heart attack caused by nonstop eating on January 1st 959, leaving Romanos in charge of the Empire...
- 3
- 1
- 1
Part 4: The First Golden Age (842-1025): Chapter 9: The Reign of Romanos II (959-963)
959:
Romanos II was crowned by his uncle Ecumenical Patriarch Theophylaktos. He took 5 mistresses and refused to even speak with his wife after she gave birth to their youngest daughter. He told her she was too old for him now (even though she was only about 20). Konstantinos VII was beatified.
960:
The 5 mistresses gave birth, with 3 sons and 2 daughters being born. Romanos had no interest in the day-to-day administration of the Empire, instead leaving it to the Council and to eunuchs. Romanos was sent a letter from the ruler of the 'Great Song' - the new Chinese Imperial dynasty. Romanos remarked "There's been about five dynasties in my lifetime, these upstarts won't last". A Jurchen warlord ventured west as a result of the change in dynasty.
961:
Romanos had another illegitimate son. His father was canonised, meaning he was now the son and grandson of saints. Under the Edict of Basileios, Romanos had to name a Designated Regent in case he died before his son Basileios came of age. He chose his cousin Nikephoros.
962 + January 1st 963:
Romanos and a mistress had another illegitimate son, this one being named after himself. Romanos realised that one of his female vassals was married to a Sunni Muslim, and her children were following the Caliph. He ordered her to convert her children, and had the husband assassinated when he didn't convert. A Catholic vassal lost her religious freedoms after marrying a member of the Imperial Dynasty, converting Sardinia to Orthodoxy. On January 1st 963, Romanos was abducted by a shadowy figure. The figure took him to a safe house, where it was revealed that his wife and her new lover were plotting to overthrow him. The shadowy figure gave him a choice -Abdication and Vows or Death. Romanos chose to die rather than give up his throne. The Assassin cut his neck off with the old rusty dagger, with his wife's lover now in charge of the Empire...
Romanos II was crowned by his uncle Ecumenical Patriarch Theophylaktos. He took 5 mistresses and refused to even speak with his wife after she gave birth to their youngest daughter. He told her she was too old for him now (even though she was only about 20). Konstantinos VII was beatified.
960:
The 5 mistresses gave birth, with 3 sons and 2 daughters being born. Romanos had no interest in the day-to-day administration of the Empire, instead leaving it to the Council and to eunuchs. Romanos was sent a letter from the ruler of the 'Great Song' - the new Chinese Imperial dynasty. Romanos remarked "There's been about five dynasties in my lifetime, these upstarts won't last". A Jurchen warlord ventured west as a result of the change in dynasty.
961:
Romanos had another illegitimate son. His father was canonised, meaning he was now the son and grandson of saints. Under the Edict of Basileios, Romanos had to name a Designated Regent in case he died before his son Basileios came of age. He chose his cousin Nikephoros.
962 + January 1st 963:
Romanos and a mistress had another illegitimate son, this one being named after himself. Romanos realised that one of his female vassals was married to a Sunni Muslim, and her children were following the Caliph. He ordered her to convert her children, and had the husband assassinated when he didn't convert. A Catholic vassal lost her religious freedoms after marrying a member of the Imperial Dynasty, converting Sardinia to Orthodoxy. On January 1st 963, Romanos was abducted by a shadowy figure. The figure took him to a safe house, where it was revealed that his wife and her new lover were plotting to overthrow him. The shadowy figure gave him a choice -Abdication and Vows or Death. Romanos chose to die rather than give up his throne. The Assassin cut his neck off with the old rusty dagger, with his wife's lover now in charge of the Empire...
- 2
- 1
- 1
Part 4: The First Golden Age (842-1025): Chapter 10: The Reign of Nikephoros II (963-969)
963:
Nikephoros II was crowned by his uncle Ecumenical Patriarch Theophylaktos. His first act was to survey the geopolitical surroundings. He noticed that the Caliph had been dethroned in Arabia and forced to flee to India. The Shaybanid Dynasty, which usurped Arabia, Egypt and Persia, was weak as this was a recent development. Nikephoros married his lover Theodosia, the widow of his cousin Romanos II. The Basileus declared war on the Shaybanid Badshah to reconquer all of Egypt. The war lasted 8 months, and ended with Byzantium annexing not just Egypt but Persia as well. The Shaybanid Badshah Mahmud was forced to flee to India and become a vassal of the Caliph once more after Arabia declared independence. The Empire took nearly 200 prisoners in the war. Nikephoros executed all of the men, 'recruited' five women and banished the rest. He then engaged in 'conversation' with these women. A mad monk tried to assassinate Nikephoros, but the Basileus was saved when his stepson Basileios entered the room and impaled the would-be assassin.
964:
Nikephoros fell off of his horse and was left infirm as a result. Theodosia gave birth to a daughter. The 'recruits' who varied in age between 23 and 13 gave birth to children.
965:
Nikephoros was left bedridden after a stroke.
966:
Nikephoros couldn't leave his bedside. Ioannes, the son of the Basileus became the new Designated Regent as it was feared that Nikephoros would die before Basileios came of age.
967:
Basileios was able to read a strange book that was written in Latin, despite the fact that everyone spoke Greek.
968 + January 1st 969:
Nikephoros' health continued to decline. Basileios was becoming a bit of a ladies man in his teenage years. Ioannes' wife had a stroke after giving birth to their youngest daughter. While Basileios was becoming a great man, his younger brother Konstantinos was always sleeping. On January 1st 969, Nikephoros II suffered a near-fatal stroke, but the job was finished by the Assassin, who entered the chambers and smothered him with his shirt. Ioannes was now the Second Regent for Basileios, but what would his first move be?...
Nikephoros II was crowned by his uncle Ecumenical Patriarch Theophylaktos. His first act was to survey the geopolitical surroundings. He noticed that the Caliph had been dethroned in Arabia and forced to flee to India. The Shaybanid Dynasty, which usurped Arabia, Egypt and Persia, was weak as this was a recent development. Nikephoros married his lover Theodosia, the widow of his cousin Romanos II. The Basileus declared war on the Shaybanid Badshah to reconquer all of Egypt. The war lasted 8 months, and ended with Byzantium annexing not just Egypt but Persia as well. The Shaybanid Badshah Mahmud was forced to flee to India and become a vassal of the Caliph once more after Arabia declared independence. The Empire took nearly 200 prisoners in the war. Nikephoros executed all of the men, 'recruited' five women and banished the rest. He then engaged in 'conversation' with these women. A mad monk tried to assassinate Nikephoros, but the Basileus was saved when his stepson Basileios entered the room and impaled the would-be assassin.
964:
Nikephoros fell off of his horse and was left infirm as a result. Theodosia gave birth to a daughter. The 'recruits' who varied in age between 23 and 13 gave birth to children.
965:
Nikephoros was left bedridden after a stroke.
966:
Nikephoros couldn't leave his bedside. Ioannes, the son of the Basileus became the new Designated Regent as it was feared that Nikephoros would die before Basileios came of age.
967:
Basileios was able to read a strange book that was written in Latin, despite the fact that everyone spoke Greek.
968 + January 1st 969:
Nikephoros' health continued to decline. Basileios was becoming a bit of a ladies man in his teenage years. Ioannes' wife had a stroke after giving birth to their youngest daughter. While Basileios was becoming a great man, his younger brother Konstantinos was always sleeping. On January 1st 969, Nikephoros II suffered a near-fatal stroke, but the job was finished by the Assassin, who entered the chambers and smothered him with his shirt. Ioannes was now the Second Regent for Basileios, but what would his first move be?...
- 2
- 1
- 1
Is Basileios a 'Child of Destiny'? How old? The Assassin takes out regents as well. Thanks
- 1
Basileios is a Child of Destiny. He's currently 13 going on 14 in 969. This new Assassin is far more dangerous, because he doesn't actually want the throne for himself.
- 2
Those bloodline bonuses must be nice. They stack right?
The same dagger has been used for all these assassinations? If no one's ever cleaned it, you'd just need to nick the target to give them some horrible disease.
Doing what the Romans never could. Will you keep Persia even though it's outside of the traditional Roman borders?
Never gotten one of those. How does that work? Do they just have extra stats?
- 1
Yep, but Romanos II didn't have the Romanos I bloodline because it doesn't automatically pass through a female line.
Yeah, but as they die instantly, nobody realises how effective the dagger could actually be (I might have the next Interlude take advantage of the dagger)
Yeah, this is a Restoration of Rome and a World Conquest in one save.
They are overpowered. He gets a load of modifiers that give him extra stats, extra health, and iirc once he's an adult he'll have INFINITE invasion wars (instead of just the one from the Alexander bloodline) as he'll be considered a 'Great Conqueror'. (Edit: Although I'm not actually sure it'll work properly as I made Basileios the Child of Destiny through the cheat mod, as the Wiki says that the Alexander bloodline (as well as the Immortal, Boudica bloodlines) prevents you from becoming the Child of Destiny)
Last edited:
- 3