The Restoration of the Roman Empire in Just Over 50 Rulers - Modded Byzantium to Rome AAR (Gameplay Cancelled due to Save Breaking)

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

February 1st 769:
Basileus Konstantinos V was thrilled to finally declare the abolition of the Senate. He could not hide his frustration that it had taken a full month for his new Council to agree on it, however. With absolute power returned to the Empire, Konstantinos gathered the Council to inform them of his decision to invade the various Slavic chiefdoms that were settled in Greece and Epirus. Jeff said to Ben "You know what to do" and suddenly, the Basileus spotted a large army outside the Imperial Palace. Jeff said to him "It's all yours, my Basileus, all 250,000 soldiers". He was lost for words, but he hadn't even noticed the Armada in the ports - 1000 galleys for transporting this army.

Konstantinos placed many of his Strategoi in command of this strange army, split into units of 10,000. He decided that 2 units would be sent to the frontier Theme of Cherson to protect it from the Khazars, each province bordering the Emirate of Antioch and the Sultanate of Armenia would also get a unit each, 5 units would defend Constantinople, and the rest would be sent to fight the Slavic chiefdoms.

Remainder of 769:
The armies set out for their eventual destinations. In other news, the Basilissa Eudokia and the Symbasilissa Eirene both became pregnant with their respective husbands' children. Konstantinos did not partake in the war directly, leaving the risky business of battles and sieges to the Strategoi. One by one, the Slavic chiefs fell to the unstoppable Byzantine army. First to fall was the ruler of the Western Peloponnese region, followed by Thessalia, Epirus and Ohrid (soon-to-be-renamed Lychnidos). In the sieges, a number of courtiers were captured, with some being 'recruited' by Konstantinos to fulfil tasks in the Imperial Palace. Among these 'recruits' were a group of young women who Konstantinos took fancy to. He routinely visited them personally in their compact chambers to give them their tasks.

In the autumn of the year, Eirene and Eudokia both gave birth. Eirene's was a son, named Konstantinos after his paternal grandfather. Eudokia's was a girl named Melissa. Unbeknownst to Konstantinos, three 'recruits' were showing early signs of pregnancy.

770:
With the Slavic wars over, Konstantinos turned his attention to an uprising in Bulgaria. The High Chief of Strymon rose up against Khan Telerig because the Khan wanted to revoke the province of Philippopolis. Konstantinos demanded that Strymon hand Philippopolis to the Count of Maroneia, a neighbouring province within the Empire. This was granted, and Strymon and Telerig agreed a peace that gave the chief independence. Konstantinos then invaded Strymon to incorporate it into the Empire. This war was won quickly.

In the summer, the three 'recruits' gave birth. Two had boys and one had a girl. Konstantinos refused to acknowledge the girl's existence, but shocked everyone by not only declaring he was the father of the two boys, Michael and Kasjan (who Konstantinos renamed Ioannes), but also giving them full succession rights. Eirene also gave birth to a baby girl who was also named Eirene.

At the end of the year, Konstantinos noticed that he had new vassals after finishing the Slavic wars. The vassal in Epirus was a greedy man who wanted more land, so Konstantinos had the Iconoclast Patriarch excommunicate him so he could be executed, while the vassal in Thessalia got the entirety of the region before being transferred to his de jure liege, the Strategos of Hellas, Eirene's uncle Konstantinos.

771:
Konstantinos' second son Christophoros came of age, and was married to a woman named Zenobia, who apparently was a distant cousin of the giant Ben. Konstantinos invaded the Emirate of Antioch to seize the Emir's secondary title of Cilicia. This war succeeded, and then the Basileus noticed that his vassal in Cilicia was another greedy man, so once again an excommunication and execution was arranged. At the end of the year, Christophoros and his wife had a daughter, while Leon and Eirene had another son.

772:
In this year, President Jones informed the Basileus that a Jewish man had arrived at the court, fleeing persecution in Europe. Jones said that the man would make a fine successor as Magistros (his role). However a quick background check saw it transpire that the man had barely any diplomatic skills, and no other skills. Konstantinos decided to let both live, but warned Jones if he made another mistake he would suffer the same fate as the vassals in Epirus and Cilicia. Both Christophoros and Leon sired sons in this year, to Konstantinos' delight, as it strengthened the dynasty. To commemorate his second-born's achievement, Konstantinos made Christophoros the Strategos of Epirus.

773:
Konstantinos was bored in this year, as nothing happened other than a Strategos dying heirless, making him have to choose between a greedy man and a raving lunatic for the role. Also he had forgotten about the twins, Nikephoros and Anthousa, so they got random educations and random spouses that would pass on the Isaurian dynasty. Finally the Great Measles Plague started in 773, forcing the court into self-isolation.

774 + January 1st 775:
The year started with yet another greedy man making his existence aware to the Basileus, this time the Strategos of Adrianopolis. Konstantinos told him "This greed does not become you", but wished he could have had his guards seize the man. Hang on a minute, he's the Basileus, he can do as he pleases, but it was too late to go after Adrianopolis. Konstantinos noticed that Leon had befriended the other members of the Council, presumably to ease the transition period once he became Basileus.

The Strategos of Trebizond thought he had done a good deed by conquering a province in Tao from Armenia, but to his surprise, Konstantinos seized the province and declared that he would be executed if he tried any funny business again. The frontier Strategoi heard this ruling and decided, "Let's all invade Armenia". Konstantinos said they would be executed if they won their wars.

Bulgaria fell into civil war, but Konstantinos couldn't care less about utilising the situation to his advantage. Instead he decreed for a New Year's Celebration on January 1st 775. The Celebration was going well, but suddenly the Basileus started to feel uneasy. He decided to leave the feast and go to the chamber of a young 'recruit'. They engaged in 'conversation' which went on for hours until Konstantinos collapsed onto the floor. She thought he was just tired from their activity so she didn't think to call for help. Eventually, Eudokia, who already knew about his activities with the 'recruits', arrived and noticed that her husband's heart had stopped. She went to get Leon. Leon was distraught upon hearing the news but knew that this meant he was now the Basileus. He went to find the Council members, but was shocked to discover that his friends had disappeared, leaving him to pick up the pieces by himself...

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

775:
Whilst in the middle of a period of mourning for his late father, Leon was enraged to be interrupted by the return of the Strategos of Adrianopolis, once more asking for land. Leon fought back his tears and his brief desire to punch the man to diplomatically refuse his request. The lockdown started in 773 continued.

776:
Leon was initially overjoyed to hear that his younger sister Anthousa was expecting a second child, but joy turned to tragedy when she died giving birth to a daughter named after her mother Eudokia. Leon refused to speak to anyone for a week after losing his sister. When he finally left his chambers, he decided to host a small family get together with his two adult brothers still residing in Constantinople, Nikephoros and Niketas. The event was a success and the brothers were never closer.

777:
Leon hated the idea of wars, and only went along with his father's wars as Symbasileus to prevent conflict. Therefore he wrote to the rulers of Armenia and Antioch, who were plagued by invasions from the frontier Themes. He offered to help them end their wars by arresting and delivering the unruly Strategoi to them. This plan succeeded. Leon also took note at the end of the Bulgarian civil war between two royal princes, which ended with Serbia subjugating Bulgaria.

778:
Leon conducted a census of the Empire and was thrilled to discover that his friend Ben was still alive, living in the Theme of Armeniacon. However, he was shocked to discover that Ben never wanted to speak to him again. Leon didn't know what he had done wrong. He also discovered that his other friends had perished in the Great Measles Plague, also wanting nothing to do with him. Leon went to his chambers and asked himself "Why does everyone hate me?"

779 and January 1st 780:
At the start of the year, Leon was informed that the never-ending Measles Plague had been joined by a Plague of Consumption. It was estimated that the Empire would be on lockdown until at least 783. In July, Leon contracted Consumption from a contaminated corpse brought into the Palace by the Court Physician. Leon asked him to do anything he could to help his ailing physique and constant coughs. When he realised he didn't have much time left in this world, Leon formally appointed his eldest son Konstantinos as Symbasileus, declared his future widow Eirene to be the leader of their son's Regency Council and asked his younger brother Christophoros, the Strategos of Epirus, to safeguard the military. Leon's health slowly declined as the year progressed, to the point where he stopped breathing on January 1st 780, surrounded by his wife, children, Court Physician and siblings. Eirene and Christophoros were in total command for now, as Konstantinos was just 10 years old...

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

780:
Konstantinos VI was crowned as the sole Basileus at the age of 10 following his father's death. His reaction to the coronation ceremony was "Can we get this over and done with, I want to play with my toys". The ceremony was attended only by members of the court as the lockdown continued.

781:
Konstantinos turned 12 in the fall, and a monumental event occurred. The young Basileus had become enamored with the daughter of a carpenter who lived in the court as a result of the lockdown. He requested that she join him in a barn near the Imperial Palace. Here he suggested that they 'cuddle'. She agreed, and they 'cuddled' in the barn for many hours. Konstantinos knew that nobody could learn of this, he was the Basileus, she was just the carpenter's daughter, he was 12 and she was 16. Luckily for him (as he had lost interest in her after the 'cuddle') there was no evidence of the event happening.

782:
Konstantinos was in the middle of the constant arguing between his mother Eirene and his uncle Christophoros. Eirene wanted to focus on the unruly vassals and bring them into line, Christophoros wanted to expand the Empire. The young Basileus said to himself "I can't wait to grow up so I can have both of these idiots banished".

783:
Christophoros managed to get his way, but he had to make a compromise. The Empire declared war on the young Chief of Avlonas, whose father had lost Epirus during the Slavic wars. This war ended in about 4 weeks. The lockdown continued, as although the Measles and Consumption were gone, they were replaced by Typhoid, Typhus and Smallpox.

784:
Konstantinos had been betrothed to a vassal, the Stratigessa of Abydos, but she died in the Great Pandemic. When Konstantinos heard the news, his reaction was "Oh no, anyway" as he inherited the entirety of Abydos as a result.

785:
Konstantinos came of age in October, and he decided to celebrate by seducing his aunt Eustathia. She was not amused. "Jesus Christ Konstantinos, I'm your aunt" she told him when he said that he loved her. He decided he needed to get experience in the art of seduction, so he found Zdenka, a Serbian 'recruit' who was the mother of his uncle Ioannes (Kasjan). As she was his 'recruit', he could have just ordered her to his chambers, but he wanted to learn how to make women adore him. In the mind of Konstantinos, Zdenka would be an easy target as no man but the Basileus could have their way with the 'recruits' and his father refused to do this, meaning she hadn't been with a man since his grandfather's reign. She eagerly engaged in 'conversation' with him.

786:
The Regency continued despite Konstantinos' majority, but he had a plan for the following year where he would end it. Zdenka gave birth to a son, but Konstantinos refused to acknowledge it was his, saying "Do you think I would touch that glutton?". Instead he focused on the next target of his affections, his sister. He had declared Eirene as his heir, because he had the following opinions of his brothers: "Leon would be a better general, Michael is bald and nobody wants a bald emperor (ironic) and Ioustinianos needs to be sent away before he finds a friend named Belisarios." Konstantinos managed to meet with his sister at a small lockdown party. He asked "Would you like to come to my chambers for a drink?", to which she agreed. After a couple of drinks on both ends, the two had a 'cuddle' in the Basileus' bed. However he lost interest in her after this and moved on to the next target, which his master plan relied on...

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

This interlude is from the point of view of Basileus Konstantinos VI, rather than the usual point of view of the player.

Warning: Some scenes may be NSFW

Everyone had gathered in the Imperial Palace. Patriarchs, Strategoi, foreign dignitaries (even non-Christian ones) and family members. I, on the other hand, couldn't wait to leave. The Ecumenical Patriarch approached me, asking "Are we ready for you to open the Council?" I replied, "Yes, but I need a favour." "Anything for you, my Basileus" "Good". As some of the dignitaries were busy conversing with one another, I approached the makeshift stage that was made for me. "Welcome to the Ecumenical Council of Constantinople". Not everyone seemed to hear me, so I shouted, "Silence, morons".

After getting the Council underway, I was greeted by a diplomat representing Radoslav the Blind, the self-proclaimed 'Tsar of Carpathia'. I refuse to acknowledge his fake Imperial title (the blind shouldn't be allowed to rule and there is only room for one Empire in the Mediterranean). He is just the King of Serbia, Bulgaria and Pannonia. I couldn't understand the diplomat so I got that serving woman Zdenka to get rid of him in any way.

The Ecumenical Patriarch began talking about the need to reunite the Church and address the Iconoclast Controversy. Many of the Patriarchs agreed that Iconoclasm needed to be renounced and declared a heresy. The Patriarch stated that on my behalf, the traditional Orthodox doctrine would be restored. And it was with that act the Regency Council was disbanded and my sole reign could begin.

I thought to myself "Keep talking Patriarch, so I can implement my next plan". I started to look at ways to leave the Palace undetected. I then approached my aunt Melissa, asking if she would take a walk with me to the coast. She agreed to join me. The walk took about an hour, although it would have been quicker if I wasn't trying to keep my disappearance from the Council a secret. Eventually we reached the coast. We started talking about the beautiful view and the fresh sea air. Melissa said "It's been years since I was last out of the Palace, hopefully the Pandemic ends at some point." I agreed, not letting her know about my escapades in a barn a couple of years ago.
I then asked her about love. "Is there anyone in the court that takes your fancy? Let me know and I can arrange something". She started to blush, saying "Yes there is, but I'm not sure he sees me that way". I told her "I'm sure he does" while biting my lip. Her face became a brighter shade of red. "He probably thinks I'm inexperienced in matters of love" she said. I mean, she is inexperienced, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I told her, "everyone has to start somewhere". She said "What if I become pregnant, though, then I'd be ruined". "No you wouldn't, and there are ways of love-making that you cannot become pregnant from, you could start there" I replied. "How do you know?". "Experience, a lot of experience, if you want I could show you" and she started kissing me as soon as I said that. "Show me Konstantinos, show me how to make love". I tell her to turn around and remove her dress. She obliges and then I remove my clothes. I told her "It often hurts the first time, especially in the NPZ" "The what?" "The No Pregnancy Zone" "Okay, do it". I unsheathed my sword and impaled her with it. She groaned "That's not that bad, can you go harder Konstantinos?" I increased my pace and her groans turned to screams of pleasure. After a few minutes she collapsed on the sand in climax. "Can we go again?" she asked. I said "give me a few minutes". Five minutes later I ask, "Ready for Round 2? This time we'll do it risky" "But what if I get pregnant?" "Then I'll marry you because I love you" She looked delighted when I said that and eagerly presented her front for me to impale with my sharp blade. I pushed her down on the sand and bit her neck, causing her to scream again. When we finished I told her we have to make our way back to the Palace.

We returned to the Palace and the Patriarch was still talking about Church unity. My new paramour entered through a different passageway, leaving none the wiser, until what I said once the Patriarch had finished speaking. "I need to call in that favour now, Your Holiness." "Of course, my Basileus, what is it for?" "Dispensation to marry my aunt". "Your aunt, Konstantinos? If I hadn't agreed already and if I could tell I had a choice I would not grant dispensation, but I know you're not one for taking no for an answer". I was thrilled and couldn't wait to tell her that we were going to be married. Little did I know that getting the dispensation now and causing a minor scandal would go on to prevent a major one....

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

787:
The marriage of nephew and aunt created a minor scandal due to the need for a dispensation from the Ecumenical Patriarch. However Konstantinos breathed a sigh of relief that he had gone ahead with the marriage when Melissa showed signs of pregnancy within weeks of the wedding. Eventually the Imperial couple welcomed a baby boy, named Leon after the previous Basileus. The little prince would have been scandalous if his parents hadn't married, as Konstantinos was seriously considering declaring his son as his heir.

788:
Melissa suffered from extreme jealousy, and Konstantinos realised she feared the current heir to the Empire; his sister Eirene. Of course the siblings had a dirty secret they planned on keeping to themselves. So Konstantinos had Eirene locked up, but he decided against removing her as his heir as there was already concerns over the health of young Prince Leon. Religious leaders suggested his deformities were caused by his parents' incestuous relationship. By Konstantinos' own logic, his son was ineligible to be Basileus (disliking Radoslav for being blind (see Interlude 1))

789:
The Pandemic seemed to never end, as Consumption returned to plague the lands. Konstantinos and Melissa welcomed another son, named after his father and completely healthy. The temptation to declare the newborn as his heir was great, but Melissa realised she would have to fight her brothers for control of the Regency if anything happened to her husband. The risk of Christophoros destabilising the Empire again was deemed too great to have an heir under the age of 16. Eirene remained the heiress, even though she was under house arrest, as she was popular among the vassals, the military and the Church, so she was seen as the compromise candidate.

790:
Konstantinos was bored so he decided to join a secret society known as Lucifer's Own. To join, he had to engage in 'conversation' with a random Persian woman. Konstantinos gladly took part and was able to become a member of the cult. When this didn't relieve his boredom, he engaged in 'conversation' with two 'recruits' simultaneously. These 'recruits' were twin sisters and both became pregnant. Konstantinos denounced the children when they were born.

791:
Konstantinos met the Persian woman again, and they began an affair. Melissa decided to gain her husband's attention by assassinating a minor Baron. This was discovered, and Konstantinos faced calls to punish his aunt-wife. His response: "Oh I'll punish her alright" while seductively winking at her. This led to the conception of another son, named Kaisarios.

792:
The Persian woman became pregnant, but her husband discovered the affair. He wrote a letter to Konstantinos asking "Are you sleeping with my wife?" Konstantinos wrote a reply letter denying the allegations. When the child was born, he refused to acknowledge it, but continued the affair. The Grandmaster of Lucifer's Own asked Konstantinos to sacrifice a dwarf, the Basileus obliged by kidnapping one from one of his vassals' courts.

793:
Konstantinos and Melissa celebrated the good news for their progeny. Christophoros had died in the Great Pandemic. The Imperial couple celebrated by holding a lockdown party. This wasn't good though, as a few members of the family became infected with Consumption. Melissa caught it but recovered, a cousin died, and his uncle Nikephoros, a wise man who Konstantinos had considered making Ecumenical Patriarch if the job became available, was left permanently bed-ridden.

794:
Konstantinos was greeted by a man in a cloak who offered to be his personal assassin. The Basileus hired the shadow man to kill for him, but told him there wouldn't be a mission for at least a year. What Konstantinos did not know was that this man was someone very close to him.

795:
The Great Pandemic finally ended, and the lockdown finished after more than twenty years. Everyone was able to go outside again, and Konstantinos decided to send his youngest brother Ioustinianos away to govern the Theme of Cherson, after the local governor's recent heirless death. The succession to Christophoros as military strongman of the family was a three-way contest between the Strategos of Cherson, Prince Leon (the Basileus' brother, not his son) and Cousin Staurakios, the son of the incapacitated Nikephoros. Melissa warned him he could be creating their son's worst nightmare. Konstantinos dismissed it, asking if she thought herself incapable of handling her three unruly nephews.

796 + January 1st 797:
Konstantinos began the year by welcoming a daughter, named Eudokia after Melissa's mother. The Grandmaster of Lucifer's Own returned, seeking another dwarf sacrifice. "This woman sure has a thing for dwarves" remarked Konstantinos. This time he convinced the brother of the Strategos of Trebizond to join his court, where he was then imprisoned and sacrificed. In the summer, Konstantinos realised his vassals were allying with each other via strategic marriages. He went to his assassin and said "I've got some jobs for you. Make sure you wipe out the dynasties of Thessalonika, Mallorca and Charsianon". The shadow man quickly got to work and the deeds were done by November. Konstantinos integrated these provinces into his personal demesne. Unbeknownst to him, a plot was brewing. On January 1st 797, Konstantinos was meeting his mother Eirene (who he was on very bad terms with), when he was ambushed by his assassin. He heard a commotion coming from his sister's quarters. The younger Eirene joined their mother and the assassin in cornering the Basileus. "Please, what do you want?" Konstantinos screamed out. Eirene the Younger stated "Everything, brother, just like you took everything from me. I'm going to take your crown, your sword and your life". The Empress Dowager grabbed the Imperial Crown and placed it on her daughter's head. Eirene grabbed a dagger and cut Konstantinos' sword off, and the assassin took the dagger to slit his liege's throat. Basileus Konstantinos VI instantly dropped to the floor and slowly bled out. Eirene said "Throw his corpse in the sea and let us find his aunt"....

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

797:
Following Eirene's coup, the body of Konstantinos VI was thrown into the sea. Eirene had her aunt and rival Melissa arrested for incest and treason. When Eirene visited her in her cell, she said "You're just jealous that he chose me over you".

798:
Eirene conducted a census, which noted that the Ecumenical Patriarch liked to eat human flesh. She thought to herself "Surely someone who commits a crime that serious shouldn't be in a position of power."

799:
Remember the Great Pandemic? Well now say hello to Great Pandemic 2: Pandemic Boogaloo. Another Consumption outbreak. Eirene isolated herself and the court again.

800:
With the new Pandemic in full swing, Eirene decided to name a successor, just in case the worst happened. She decided against her brothers Leon (too martial focused), Michael (too intrigue focused) and Ioustinianos (too busy being a Strategos). She announced that her wise uncle Nikephoros would succeed her if she died prematurely.

801 + January 1st 802:
Eirene was informed that the peasants were blaming cats for the new Pandemic. She ordered her physician to experiment on the creatures to see if they were causing the Pandemic. The results proved they weren't and Eirene told the peasants that they needed to leave the cats alone. They started to, but would find a new scapegoat in the coming years. Eirene got a strange letter demanding she find and deliver a dwarf to some random Persian woman. Eirene refused, but wondered who the Persian woman was. She wouldn't get the chance to find out, because on January 1st 802, she woke up to her male co-conspirator in the death of Konstantinos VI holding the same dagger to her throat. "Go ahead, do it" she said to him. Even if she had survived the initial attack, she likely would have been poisoned by the rusty blade. Nikephoros became the new Basileus, but could he be the one to bring the Empire back under control?...

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

802:
The aging Nikephoros was proclaimed Basileus following the assassination of his niece Eirene. As he was permanently fixed to his bed, he was forced to entrust someone with the day-to-day administration of the Empire. He chose his eldest son Staurakios, who was crowned as Symbasileus just days after his father's accession. Staurakios was renowned within the Empire as a legendary fighter, some called him 'The Empire's Best Since Belisarius', leaving war-hungry Strategoi hopeful for the future. Nikephoros ordered for hospitals to be built.

803:
Nikephoros started to become hungry living in seclusion due to the Second Great Pandemic. He noticed that a greedy courtier was eating more than their fair share of food. The Basileus decided to eat them as punishment. Nikephoros expanded the hospitals.

804:
Nikephoros' daughter Eudokia was caught having an affair with her uncle-in-law Georgios (the husband of Eustathia) but her uncle-husband Michael was none the wiser. To keep it this way, Georgios was sacked as Marshal, imprisoned and castrated. The baby girl born of the affair died in infancy. Nikephoros continued to expand the hospitals.

805:
Nikephoros ate Eustathia and then had Georgios beheaded. The hospitals were upgraded again.

806:
Nikephoros was dismayed to hear of the death of his fellow cannibal the Ecumenical Patriarch. He decided to eat a 'recruit' to mourn his late vassal. The new Patriarch told him who were to blame for the Great Pandemics. It wasn't cats, but the Jewish populace of the realm. Nikephoros had them banished before anything nefarious happened. The hospitals received more upgrades.

807:
Nikephoros was still hungry so he ate more people. He also continued to build hospitals.

808:
The Second Great Pandemic finally ended and the lockdown ended. Nikephoros was shocked to discover that he hadn't lost any of his excess weight during the period of self-isolation. He was still bed-ridden, however.

809:
Staurakios started to grow frustrated at the restrictions his father was placing on him. He secretly joined Lucifer's Own to help him deal with Nikephoros. However, he just wouldn't die.

810:
Nikephoros' health started to decline in this year. Staurakios was secretly overjoyed as it meant he would be Basileus, however a storm was brewing, and the Isaurian dynasty was about to come to blows with itself...

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

Section 1: POV of Prince Leon
January 1st 811:
In many ways nobody saw it coming, but at the same time everyone saw it coming. Uncle Nikephoros died in his sleep, leaving Cousin Staurakios as the newest usurper of my throne. I despise Staurakios, everyone thinks he's perfect, the 'New Belisarius turned Basileus'. The aristocracy are craving bloodshed, and Staurakios says he is willing to give it to them, but I know he's bluffing. He's aware that if he leaves Constantinople for even a second, I'll seize power. Therefore he keeps the Empire at peace, unwilling to risk his throne for glory. My supporters believe in our cause. The instability, the plagues gripping our Empire is caused by the idolatry my brother restored to prominence, which I will immediately reverse. I'll also deal with Armenia once and for all, my father should never have made peace with the Sultan on behalf of the Strategoi. Antioch is safe for now, following its subjugation by the Caliphate. But how do I deal with my throne-stealing cousin?...

Section 2: POV of The Assassin
June 1st 811:
It's time. He has to die, tonight. Luckily for me, I have access to his bedchambers, where he peacefully sleeps alone. "Goodbye" I whisper to him, while plunging my dagger into the heart of his neck. He dies instantly, and I leave the chamber undetected...

Section 3: POV of Michael the Elder
June 2nd 811:
I am horrified to discover the dead body of the glorious Basileus Staurakios in his chambers. A servant declares, "Hail to the Basileus Michael I, Long may he reign". I need to find this assassin, find out what he wants and behead him for his treason. Eudokia gathers our son Nikephoros and explains to him that his uncle Staurakios was killed in his sleep. There's also the small issue of Leon to deal with...

Section 4: Multiple POVs (Indicated by L for Leon, A for Assassin and M for Michael)
January 1st 813:
L: Finally, I have the support from the elite needed to depose the new usurper, Uncle Michael the Slaveborn. We march on the Imperial Palace, demanding that Michael vacate immediately if he has any desire to live. He doesn't appear...
M: I'm surrounded. I know I'm not getting out of this alive, Leon won't spare me even if I surrender. In which way, should I die, with honour fighting to the death, or dishonour by suicide or execution. Suddenly I hear a noise...
A: He isn't getting a choice. I sneak up behind him and stab him in the back with my dagger. He screams out "Murder!", but the guards are already escorting Leon into the Palace as the new Basileus. I run to my designated hiding space, leaving no clues to my identity...
L: He's dead, I'm now the Basileus. 16 long years since Konstantinos died has been dedicated to reclaiming my birthright. I better survive this assassin going around though, otherwise everything was for naught...

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

813:
Crowned following the assassination of Michael I, Leon immediately set out for war in Armenia, leaving his younger brother Michael in charge as Regent (which annoyed the Basileus' adult son Bardas). He demanded the King, who had adopted local customs while retaining religious fealty to the Caliph, surrender a province in Coloneia. The King gave it up, hoping to avoid conflict. Leon invaded Armenia anyway, in an attempt to conquer the Emirate of Mesopotamia. The war lasted the best part of the year, with a famous battle in Cherson, where the Basileus' youngest brother, the local Strategos Ioustinianos fought the army of the Caliph, who defended their tributary state. Leon led his army into battle, defeating and capturing the King. Peace was signed, and Mesopotamia became part of the Empire. Leon used his victory as justification for the restoration of Iconoclasm, declaring that the idolatry of his predecessors weakened the Empire.

814:
Fearing the Assassin, Leon remained in Armenia. However he was shocked to discover the news that the King died in his sleep, with suspicions of murder arising. Leon decided to take advantage of the situation by demanding the southern portion of Tao, which was handed over. Leon then invaded to seize the Emirate of Armenia. This war lasted into the following year. Bardas had a son who he named Basileios.

815:
In January the war with Armenia ended when Leon captured the young King in a siege. The King fled to his ancestral holding of Edessa, while his vassals in Georgia declared independence. However he quickly put the rebels down.

816:
Leon caught Typhus but recovered. He maintained his stay in Armenia, bringing his wife Eudokia, which led to the conception of their second son Konstantinos.

817:
Leon decided to crown his young son as Symbasileus, enraging Bardas who had refused to accept the Iconoclast Restoration. Michael also showed his disgruntlement at the decision, citing Leon's ill health caused by excess weight and the risk of Bardas overturning their efforts to restore Iconoclasm. Carpathia asked Leon to help them convert to Iconoclasm. Leon agreed, and he oversaw the baptism of the Empress, the heiress of Radoslav the Blind.

818:
Leon finally restored the office of the Iconoclast Patriarch, which had been left vacant after the Council of Constantinople in 787.

819 + January 1st 820:
Leon visited Carpathia to see how the Empress and her subjects were getting on. He was left disappointed in the effort, or rather lack of, made to convert Carpathia to Iconoclasm. A number of vassals were murdered in their sleep, which signaled to Leon that the Assassin was at large once more. He returned to Constantinople, deciding to relieve his brother of his duties for failing to deal with the Assassin. Before he could find Michael however, he was ambushed. "Hello, you have something belonging to me" the Assassin said. "What?" exclaimed Leon. "That crown is mine, and you know it". Leon tried to call for his guards, but the Assassin chuckled, "They can't hear you". Leon said "What do you want, gold, land, women, you've got to want something?" The Assassin said "Your crown, and I'm willing to swap it for something you've always wanted". "What could you give me?" Leon asked. The Assassin said "Mother's approval, brother. This was all her idea, of course I expanded on it when she died 20 years ago, but killing Brother was her idea, not mine or Sister's." "Michael, you traitor, guards!" Michael took his dagger out and stabbed Leon in the heart. Leon's final view of the world was watching his brother take the crown off his head and place it on his own. He then bellowed "Let the games begin".....

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

820:
46 years of ambition had come to this. Michael II was crowned Basileus by the Iconoclast Patriarch. He began his reign by calling for the assassination of a vassal who made the grave error of asking the new ruler for land. The vassal was killed in his sleep.

821:
Michael and his niece-wife Eudokia (the daughter of his brother Konstantinos VI (who he murdered)) welcomed their second son Pantoleon. The young prince was born with many deformities though, and was not expected to live for very long.

822:
Pantoleon died aged just 1, and Eudokia died a few months later of a broken heart. Michael responded to this development by beheading the bearer of the bad news. He vowed never to remarry, instead using 'recruits' to sate his need for 'conversation'.

823:
The Black Death broke out in Bruges, in the Frankish Empire. Michael's response upon hearing the news was "I knew this would happen". More vassals were assassinated.

824:
The Plague reached Constantinople, and Michael and the court entered seclusion. The Imperial guards were ordered to keep a close eye on Michael's nephews Konstantinos, Kaisarios, Athanasios (all sons of Konstantinos VI), Bardas and Konstantinos the Younger (sons of Leon V), just in case they tried anything.

825:
Konstantinos VI's aunt-widow, Melissa, died of the Bubonic Plague in her jail cell after more than a quarter of a century of imprisonment. Michael celebrated her death by executing a 'recruit' for no other reason.

826:
Large numbers of Strategoi began dying in the Plague. Michael decided to revoke many of their titles from their heirs to prevent consolidation of titles through marriages, vassals who refused to comply mysteriously fell out of windows.

827:
Michael was annoyed that a fat nomad asked to marry his teenage niece. Michael's spies discovered that the Khan of the 'Uyghurs' had a daughter the same age as Michael's niece Eirene. Michael wrote an angry letter to this Khan, calling him a REDACTED and suggesting his daughter should be REDACTED and killed. He had the letter laced with poison for good measure. The Khan would never bother him again. A Prince of Rus made the same mistake, but in his defense, he wasn't much older than Eirene. Michael didn't send a letter, he just had him killed using plague corpses flung into his capital fort by his acquaintances in Carpathia, who were still Iconoclast and wishing to be friendly with Constantinople.

828 + January 1st 829:
Michael caught the Bubonic Plague. His Court Physician was able to temporarily reprieve him of his symptoms, but the Plague struck him down again. Realising he was on his deathbed, Michael had more vassals assassinated, and purged the country of a junior branch of the dynasty - the Christophorians, descendants of Strategos Christophoros I of Epirus, the second son of Konstantinos V, - bringing Epirus back under direct Imperial control. Michael's younger brother Ioustinianos died in December, leaving Cherson to be taken over by his grandson, also named Ioustinianos. Michael II died of the Plague on January 1st 829, succeeded by his son Theophilos, who was seen by many vassals and relatives as an idiot...

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

829:
Theophilos the Inbred became Basileus upon the death of his father Michael II. His first act was to lift the lockdown despite the continued existence of the Bubonic Plague in the realm. However Constantinople was no longer affected by it.

830:
Theophilos' advisors told him he needed to get married, but he decided to go hide away from them instead.

831:
Theophilos started to upgrade the hospitals his kinsman Nikephoros I had built. He hid away from the world again.

832:
Theophilos' sister Elaiodora came of age. She married their maternal uncle Athanasios (the youngest son of Konstantinos VI). Konstantinos VI's eldest son Leon died, with the affects of inbreeding contributing.

833:
Konstantinos VI's second son Konstantinos died after suffering from poor health for many years (unrelated to inbreeding). Theophilos sent Leon V's son Konstantinos to govern Armenia for him. Athanasios became a Strategos as well.

834:
Basileios, the grandson of Leon V, had a son named Theophylaktos, however his wife died in childbirth. Theophilos hid away again.

835:
The Black Death had been gone for many years, but Typhus returned, leading to another lockdown. Theophilos hid away once more.

836:
Theophilos started to write letters to elderly priests in Armenia, who considered the Basileus as a friend. He also suffered a stroke, but quickly recovered.

837:
This Pandemic was the shortest yet, as Typhus went away and the lockdown ended once more. In June Theophilos hosted a bride show to find a wife for himself. He chose a suitable woman who was simultaneously the most beautiful and ugliest woman Theophilos had ever seen, but she was a genius.

838:
Theophilos and his wife had a daughter named Eirene, who was betrothed shortly after birth to her cousin Michael, the son of Theophilos' older sister Philippa.

839:
Theophilos and his wife had a son named Michael, who was crowned as Symbasileus and declared the heir to the Empire. The Basileus hid away to pray yet again.

840:
Theophilos ordered for the hospitals to be upgraded again. His wife died suddenly. Theophilos declared a week of mourning across the Empire.

841 + January 1st 842:
Theophilos introduced two of his elderly priest friends to each other, however they didn't get on. Theophilos prayed some more in seclusion. On January 1st 842, he suddenly suffered another stroke, but this time it was fatal. The young Michael was now guided by his aunts and uncles-in-law, who had religious agendas to fulfill...

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

This Interlude is rare in that it isn't from a POV of a character per say, but it is from the POV of the 'author'. I've seen a few commenters suggest that the AAR is taking a history-book format, so this Interlude is technically set in the Present (after the save), with the author of the history book we are reading explaining the Council to those with less of an interest in the history of the Restoration of Rome.

Interviewer: This is Claudius Anatolicus from the Roman Independent, the best news service in the Roman Empire, and I'm here to interview Julius Isauros, the author of the Complete History of the Isaurian Dynasty from 769-1453, the biggest and best book written about the Imperial Dynasty and the Empire.
Author: Hello Claudius, readers, listeners and viewers. If you don't know who I am, I'm the guy who writes all the history textbooks you had to read in college, Julius Isauros.
Interviewer: Obviously, by your surname, you are a member of the Isaurian dynasty. Do you think that makes you the most qualified historian on the matter?
Author: I suppose it does. As an Imperial Prince I had access to secret diaries, edicts and other troves of information that only people with security clearance (i.e members of the Imperial family) can access.
Interviewer: An Imperial Prince? That's a fancy title.
Author: Yes it is, but I am Her Imperial Majesty's nephew.
Interviewer: Surely you must have insider information about Her Imperial Majesty that outsiders don't know about.
Author: Yes, but I won't talk about it. If you want gossip you should interview Smbat Mamikonian, but I guess you don't want activists accusing you of supporting MRGA. I'm here to talk about the Second Ecumenical Council covered in my comprehensive history book, the 842 Council of Constantinople.
Interviewer: Alright.
Author: The 842 Council was convened in Constantinople after the death of Emperor Theophilus. The Regency Council led by his sisters Philippa and Elaiodora, alongside their husbands Nikephoros (the son of Michael I) and Athanasios (the son of Constantine VI), decided to renounce Iconoclasm once more in the name of the infant Michael III. The Ecumenical Patriarch gave a few words at the event, the Regents ordered slaves about. Michael probably soiled himself as he was likely not trained. Carpathia, which had been converted by Leo V, refused to attend and remained Iconoclast until the Great Slavic War conducted by Basil II. The Empire would continue to follow Orthodox Christianity until the Restoration, at which point the Religio Romana was reformed. It is suggested that followers of the Pontifex in Rome were pleased at the end of Iconoclasm in Constantinople, although they were aware it remained in Carpathia. Followers of Muhammad were outraged, however, accusing the Regents of idolatry. That should be an explanation of the Council and the surrounding context for entry level historians who might otherwise be overwhelmed by the dynastic jargon I often use in the books.
Interviewer: Thank you for your time. Ladies and gentlemen, give a round of applause to Julius Isauros.

Julius leaves the interview location and checks his phone for news. Of course the first thing to come up was Mamikonian suggesting that the influential Senator Alexander of Hibernia was only appointed because of his connections to the Imperial family. "Yes, he is Aunt Eudokia's maternal great-grandson, but it's not like Mamikonian was born a peasant now was it" Julius thought to himself. Mamikonian was a controversial figure in Imperial politics, as the leader of the Iconoclast Party and the 'Father of MRGA' as his opponents derided him. He saught to destabilise the Empire, whose boundaries had been as they were for centuries, by invading China and Sub-Saharan Africa. He was also a successful businessman who Aunt Eudokia had schemed against to prevent the Iconoclasts forming a coalition with the other Abrahamic parties, who were left as minorities after the brutal uprising against the Restoration of the Religio Romana centuries prior, but were becoming more influential due to outbreeding the Romans. Senators like Alexander had their jobs to prevent Mamikonian from starting a global conflict but also to protect the Imperial family, for Mamikonian was also opposed to anyone telling him what to do. Julius turned off his phone and went to sleep, dreaming of the next piece of Imperial history to explain on national news outlets....

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

842:
Michael III inherited the throne after the death of his father Theophilos, but a Regency Council was assembled due to his minority. It was led by his aunts Philippa and Elaiodora.

843:
Consumption broke out again. Elaiodora and her entire family perished, leaving Philippa and her husband Nikephoros in complete control over the Empire. The court entered self-isolation.

844:
Some vassals petitioned the Regent for land. They were told to go away before they were executed.

845:
Some Berber Emir decided to raid Neapolis. The local vassal decided to let him.

846:
The Croatians, vassals of Carpathia, decided it was their turn to raid the Empire, raiding the Dalmatian coast, with the Republic of Ragusa letting them go ahead.

847:
A late Strategos was declared a saint. The old governor of Trebizond (whose brother was sacrificed by Konstantinos VI) was awarded this honour for his piety.

848:
The lockdown ended.

849:
Another disease outbreak meant that one year to the day of the lockdown ending, another one was declared.

850:
Prince Bardas, the son of Leon V, had a stroke but recovered. At the age of 12, Michael was never more sure of Basileios becoming his successor should he die childless.

851:
More vassals asked for land and were turned away.

852:
The lockdown ended once more.

853:
Basileios became a grandfather after his daughter Basillike had a daughter named Markia. She was immediately betrothed to the Regent's newborn son Evangelos.

854:
Michael's sister Eirene came of age at the start of the year. She married their cousin Michael, the son of Philippa and Nikephoros. At the end of the year, Michael came of age and Philippa agreed to transfer power to him on January 1st 855, starting his sole reign over the Empire...

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

855:
Having finally came of age, Michael was able to do as he pleased. He started passionate affairs with four women in his court.

856:
One of Michael's mistresses gave birth to a daughter, Michael acknowledged her as his daughter.

857:
Another mistress gave birth to a son named Andreas, who Michael declared a legitimate child.

858:
Michael's other mistresses gave birth to daughters who were acknowledged by the Basileus.

859:
Andreas was joined by a full brother named Sebastianos who was also legitimised.

860:
Michael invaded Armenia to conquer Edessa. The war was long. A major battle took place at Manzikert which was being seiged by Armenia. The Imperial Army won the battle and moved on to occupy Edessa. Michael and a mistress had another daughter.

861:
The war in Armenia ended with Edessa and its surrounding provinces under Armenian control transferred to Byzantine control. The Caliph, who defended his tributary, was also forced to give up his holdings in Cyprus. The Emir of Kakheti declared independence from Armenia and the Kingdom was abolished. Kakheti was then conquered by Michael.

862:
Michael and his mistresses went to a retreat together in Thrake, where they could engage in 'conversation' to their heart's content.

863:
Basileios remarried as Michael did not see a suitable heir among the children of the Symbasileus.

864:
Basileios and his new wife had a son named Leon. Theophylaktos, Basileios' son from his first marriage, also got married.

865:
Michael and a mistress had a son named Theophilos after the Basileus' late father. Theophylaktos and his wife had a son named Romanos.

866 + January 1st 867:
The Ecumenical Patriarch had the cheek to ask the Basileus for money after some priests volunteered in the hospitals. Then he demanded that Michael be more proactive in wiping out Iconoclasm in the Empire. Michael remarked to his four mistresses, who were lying in his bed together, "That insolent bastard. I should have his head cut off for his trouble-making". The mistresses offered to help Michael through love-making. This led to two more daughters being conceived. In August, Bardas, the elderly and sickly father of Basileios, was killed in a duel by the Strategos of Samos. Michael ordered for Samos' arrest, but he rose up in rebellion, proclaiming himself Basileus. The rebellion was quickly crushed, and Samos was stripped of his titles and his life. Many courtiers seemed uneasy after this. On January 1st 867, Michael was planning to visit his mistresses when he was ambushed by a shadowy figure. The figure slit his throat. Michael bled out, and his body was discovered by his Symbasileus Basileios, who was now the sole Basileus of the Empire.

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

867:
Basileios ascended to the throne following the sudden assassination of Michael III. His first act was to pass the Edict of Basileios, which would outlaw children from inheriting the throne, meaning his eldest son Theophylaktos would inherit if he died before his younger son Leon, who was born in the Purple Chamber at Michael's insistence, came of age. The new Basileus was obsessed with militaristic expansion, pledging to mop up the remnants of Armenia.

868:
Basileios' other obsession started. He began to search for the tomb of Alexander the Great. He had another son, named Alexandros after the legendary conqueror, but his wife died in childbirth. The Basileus fell into a deep depression and took a vow of celibacy.

869:
Basileios discovered the tomb of Alexander. He used this discovery to declare himself and the Isaurian dynasty as the heirs of the King of Macedon.

870:
Basileios declared war on the Caliphate to reconquer all of Syria. Many major battles were fought in Syria and neighbouring Assyria. The Empire occupied Syria, Assyria and the province of Suenik. Many of the Caliph's relatives were captured in the siege of the capital Damascus.

871:
The Caliph surrendered, giving Basileios all of the occupied territory in return for the safe release of his sons. Basileios turned his attention to Abkhazia, an Iconoclast former tributary of the Empire that broke free when Michael III was assassinated. A quick invasion led to Abkhazia being integrated fully into the Empire. The former Armenian King was forced to surrender Kartli after losing a war with Basileios.

872:
Basileios declared war on Khazaria to reclaim Eastern Cherson. The war lasted many months, but the provinces were reconquered and held by Basileios until a suitable date.

873:
Basileios had over a hundred prisoners captured during the wars he had fought. He decided to deal with the overpopulation problem by executing half of them.

874:
Andreas, the eldest (illegitimate) son of Michael III, was made the Strategos of Abkhazia. The Strategos of Cherson received Eastern Cherson.

875:
Basileios' depression deepened. He built a tavern at the Hagia Sophia so that he could drink his sorrows away while meeting the Ecumenical Patriarch.

876:
The deposed King of Armenia died, and Basileios went to war to quickly conquer Azerbaijan, which was successful.

877:
Another Pandemic started, leading to a lockdown. The Ecumenical Patriarch died.

878:
The new Ecumenical Patriarch died. Andreas was imprisoned after assassinating the Strategos of Thracesia, a distant relative and the last male descendant of the cannibal Basileus Nikephoros I (reigned 802-811). Basileios noticed that Leon had befriended Maurikios and Dionysia, two illegitimate children of Michael III.

879:
Basileios and Leon fell out over differences over the future of the Empire. Leon was upset that he had not been made Symbasileus yet, but Basileios told him that at 15 he was still too young. Basileios the Younger, the maternal grandson of the Basileus, attempted to intervene in the arguing, but to no avail. Theophylaktos refused to support his half-brother's claim of superiority in the line of succession, revealing his own ambitions for the throne. Another Ecumenical Patriarch died.

880:
Basileios the Younger was sent to Damascus to be the new Strategos. Leon came of age and was declared the new Symbasileus and heir, angering Theophylaktos. Andreas was finally punished for his crime by being covered in tar and put in the stocks. Basileios realised that Thracesia had a posthumous son, who could be given the land back when he would come of age. The boy was safe with his mother in Epirus, away from Andreas who was in a Constantinople jail cell.

881:
Maurikios was sent to be Strategos of Anatolia by Basileios. Leon felt that his father was isolating him from his allies in the court.

882:
The Ecumenical Patriarch died and Basileios had some drinks at the tavern in the Hagia Sophia.

883:
Basileios' daughter Sophia died, further increasing the elderly Basileus' depression. Leon began to prepare himself for the inevitable.

884:
The Pandemic ended, which was good as people were starving to death over the past year.

885 + January 1st 886:
Basileios was frequently at the tavern, drinking his sorrows away. After yet another Ecumenical Patriarch died, another lockdown was declared with a new Pandemic reaching Constantinople. Basileios decided that he had gone through enough in his life. On January 1st 886, he went to his chambers and drank and drank and drank. Leon discovered him drowned in his beer. The new Basileus decided that he would not just bury his father, but also the animosity between the two. Leon decided he wanted the Empire to be the most advanced country technologically and medically in the world...

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

886:
Leon VI was crowned as the sole Basileus. He immediately ordered for the expansion of Imperial hospitals.

887:
The hospital upgrades were finished.

888:
Alexandros was made Symbasileus at the age of 20, just in case Leon died heirless. Leon married his first wife, a half-sister of his friend Dionysia. She would give birth to a stillborn son.

889:
Leon got the Ecumenical Patriarch to grant him a divorce. Leon remarried later in the year. Romanos also got married.

890:
Leon's second wife became pregnant, but a stableboy was the father. The Basileus had both executed.

891:
Leon joined the Hermetic Society, led by his sister-in-law (Theophylaktos' wife). The duo would become friends as they bonded over their shared interests.

892:
Romanos' first son Christophoros was born. Theophylaktos died in an accident. A priest was murdered.

893:
Leon started observing the stars. He remarried again, but his third wife died a month after the wedding.

894:
Leon went to Arabia to buy a strange book off a mad monk, called the Necromonicon. Leon read it. Romanos' second son Stephanos was born. Leon married his first wife's niece, but quickly got a divorce as she was ugly.

895:
Leon and his widowed sister-in-law destroyed the laboratory of an Arabian mayor. Leon built his own observatory on an island. Romanos' third son Konstantinos was born. Andreas finally died in prison.

896:
Leon befriended a cannibal. He went to look at the stars again. Dionysia's son died suspiciously.

897:
The cannibal died. As did Leon's former sister-in-law. Romanos' wife replaced her mother-in-law as the Basileus' friend and fellow Hermetic. Another person's lab was destroyed. Leon married his fifth wife, but she repeated the second wife's mistake, so two executions were carried out.

898:
Leon looked at the stars. Leon considered sleeping with a mutual friend (they met a few years prior thanks to the cannibal), but decided against it.

899:
Leon went hunting for ingredients for his lab. He killed a deer and took all of its organs.

900:
Leon married his sixth wife, an older widow who was a friend of a vassal of the Strategos of Cherson. They had a son named Konstantinos, but she died in childbirth. Leon decided against remarrying again, and hoped to live to see his son come of age so he could send Alexandros to a monastery.

901:
Leon studied the stars again. Romanos and his wife had a daughter named Helene, who Leon decided would marry his son when they both came of age.

902:
Leon needed a new apprentice as Romanos' wife and a monk were killed on successive days. He choose his Steward. The Caliph declared a Jihad for India.

903:
The Jihad was successful. Leon studied the stars. Leon wrote a Magnum Opus on Alchemy.

904:
A man named Anaximandros asked Leon to take part in a chariot race. Leon did, but was nearly killed by a man named Spyridon. A pirate named Kyrillos stole the recipe for Greek Fire. Leon had him abducted. Anaximandros returned asking him to join another charity race, but Leon arrested him.

905:
Leon built more hospital upgrades. Construction techniques improved in Constantinople.

906:
Leon found out that China was in a Civil War. How did he find this out, you may ask? A refugee turned up in Constantinople, who was sent back to China to die. The Civil War ended in a few months, and the Liang Dynasty was established.

907:
Leon was confused to get a letter from an Army officer. It turned out that Basileios had sent an army into Russia during the war with Khazaria (whose Empire stretched from Scandinavia to the Urals), and the army had been abandoned there. Leon launched a rescue mission, and the soldiers returned to Imperial territory (Cherson).

908:
A vassal's son was murdered. Leon remarked "Is the Assassin back from the grave?".

909:
Leon looked at the stars.

910:
Leon ignored his friends and family to look at the stars.

911 + January 1st 912:
Leon decided to stop looking at the stars. He made up for lost time with friends and family. However, he died of a sudden heart attack on January 1st 912, leaving his younger brother Alexandros as the reigning guardian of young Konstantinos. However, Alexandros was a very sickly man, meaning things could get interesting...

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

912 + January 1st 913:
Alexandros II ascended as the guardian of his nephew Konstantinos. As the new Basileus' health was declining rapidly and severely, he arranged for Romanos, the son of his half-brother Theophylaktos, to take over if needed. A courtier gave birth to a bastard daughter. Alexandros had mother and baby assassinated, but spared the father as he was married to the Basileus' niece. Alexandros remarked to himself "I had to do all of this, killing the tainted, the impure. The sanctity of marriage needs to be respected". The Basileus reflected on his assassinations of priests, monks and Romanos' late wife for their affairs, concluding that the eradication of extramarital sex was a necessity. Alexandros never married, because he thought women saw him as nothing more than Leon's fat younger brother and would cheat on him. His logic was "If someone would cheat on Leon, everyone would cheat on me". The Basileus did love his food, and on January 1st 913 he choked on his swan. Romanos was now the guardian of his son-in-law-to-be Konstantinos...

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

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...

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

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....

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

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...