The Road to Epirus - A Hauteville Diary

[Nikolai]

Diary of duke Robert of Apulia,

September 16th, 1066


They call me «the Fox». I need to live up to that name. Not long ago, my family arrived to these shores. Mere mercenaries, we have risen to become rulers. Counts, then dukes. One day, I will become king.

But much remains to be done. I have petitioned the Holy Father to also be named rightful duke of Calabria, territory I rightfully own and control. He accepted.

But it is not enough. The Holy Father and the Holy Roman Emperor views me with suspicion. I need to prove myself.

And I know just how. By taking what is mine by right, by force. I will not move against the Holy Father. Not directly. But I suspect neither him nor the HRE will be glad for what comes next. The duchy of Salerno will be mine. Duke Gisulf will relinquish it, either willingly, or on the battlefield. I suspect the latter.

Robert Guiscard being crowned as Duke of Apulia and Calabria by Pope Nicholas II. (Source: Wikipedia)

 

[The Kingmaker]

Another @Nikolai AAR? How do you keep up such a frenetic pace, my friend?

Looking forward to seeing Guiscard's misadventures.

 

[Nikolai]

Another @Nikolai AAR? How do you keep up such a frenetic pace, my friend?

Looking forward to seeing Guiscard's misadventures.

Hey, my other AAR has gone down to 1-2 updates a month last few months, and the third one has been dormant since January, so, you know...

 

[The Kingmaker]

Hey, my other AAR has gone down to 1-2 updates a month last few months, and the third one has been dormant since January, so, you know...

Considering I've only managed two updates this entire year, your slowing down is still faster than my speeding up!

 

[Nikolai]

Considering I've only managed two updates this entire year, your slowing down is still faster than my speeding up!

Point taken.

 

[Cora Giantkiller]

Always love to get in on the ground floor for a new @Nikolai AAR.

 

[Nikolai]

Always love to get in on the ground floor for a new @Nikolai AAR.

Welcome! Glad to have you around Cora.

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

Mere mercenaries, we have risen to become rulers

The Holy Father and the Holy Roman Emperor views me with suspicion.

Maybe they are worried about the Hautevilles returning to their culture's Viking roots...

 

[Nikolai]

Maybe they are worried about the Hautevilles returning to their culture's Viking roots...

Valid point.

 

[Nikolai]

Diary of duke Robert of Apulia,

May 12th, 1067


I won. I knew I would. The fool Gisulf never knew what hit him. He lost the battle in January decisively. He should have given up then and there. He chose not to. Now I have taken his castle. He is my vassal. He might not be loyal by free will, but I will make sure he don’t move against me.

Tomorrow, we move north, to free Napoli from the Orthodox yoke. Count Sergios will not rule for much longer.

Statue of Robert Guiscard, 1700–1749, Lorenzo Ottoni. (Source: Wikipedia)

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

He is my vassal. He might not be loyal by free will, but I will make sure he don’t move against me.

One eye will have to be kept on him at all times, I think...

 

[Nikolai]

One eye will have to be kept on him at all times, I think...

It's not in the notes, but my first move in the dynasty tree was to choose the one giving permanent dread. The military path I chose for him was the one giving dread gain.

 

[The Kingmaker]

Uh oh, the updating machine is back!

Well done, @Nikolai. Looking forward to seeing where this goes.

 

[Nikolai]

Uh oh, the updating machine is back!

Well done, @Nikolai. Looking forward to seeing where this goes.

I have something like 20 updates like this written already! Just need to pace them out. Not sure how long I will go ingame, but I have played a few decades already.

 

[Cora Giantkiller]

Tomorrow, we move north, to free Napoli from the Orthodox yoke. Count Sergios will not rule for much longer.

Robert sounds like a nice guy.

 

[Nikolai]

Robert sounds like a nice guy.

He’s quite the character! Destined for greatness.

 

[stnylan]

This man has just a slight ego

 

[Nikolai]

This man has just a slight ego

He is a ruler, after all.

 

[Sirdramaticus]

I enjoy the voice of Duke Robert. Short, declarative sentences. No pretense that he is anything other than a conqueror. His self-insight is... refreshing. I'm wondering if he is a Klingon.

 

[Nikolai]

I enjoy the voice of Duke Robert. Short, declarative sentences. No pretense that he is anything other than a conqueror. His self-insight is... refreshing. I'm wondering if he is a Klingon.

Thanks a lot! He's a conqueror allright. Just you wait.