Hello everyone! This is my first AAR, I am a long time paradox game player and generally new to the forums, but have read many AARs and have subsequently been inspired to write one of my own. I will be playing as Sheik Muhammed al-Kalbi of Palermo on the starting date of 15th September 1066. I will be playing using the CK2plus mod but with the new empires turned off as well as the new heraldry disabled. Reason being as it gave House al-Kalbi a coat of arms featuring a boar...and it just didn't seem right for a muslim ruler to take that for their coat of arms!
I intend to play as I write but may get a little ahead of myself as I do tend to get engrossed in the game. So please enjoy, sit back and relax! I welcome all comments, ideas, criticisms so please get involved!
The tale of House Al-Kalbi
15th of September 1066
The Imam's call to prayer drifted into Muhammed's tower situated in the grounds of castle Monreale rousing him from his deep sleep. He awoke to find his young wife, Badra mn Misilmeri, had already departed to her prayers. The girl was young, comely and intelligent. Everything a man could ask for...except she was a Sunni whereas Muhammed was a Shia.
Along with nearly all his subjects, this was a relic from the breaking up of the Kalbin dynasty's Emirate. Muhammed's forefathers had ruled the island of Sicily fairly and justly in accordance with the holy Hadiths set down by the prophet. To fairly and to justly as it proved to be their downfall. The Sunni muslims that his family had allowed to live peacefully side by side with their shiite brothers of the faith had taken up arms and ousted the Kalbin's from power. Taking with them the west of the island as well as the smaller isle's of Malta situated in the channel between Sicily and the Shiite Emirate of Triploitania. Muhammed had only remained in power thanks to his Grand Vizier Ali mn Zoto. Another Sunni but a good man and a loyal friend to his family. After dressing Muhammed made his way to prayer to find himself part of the small congregation, mostly made up by the remainder of his council, prostrating themselves to the east.
With prayers finished Muhammed gather his small council and began setting them about his view to change the island and restore the Kalbin family to glory! He sent Ali west to begin sowing the seeds that would one day lead to the capture of Trapani. His Steward Mukhtar would remain in Palermo along with the Spymaster Malik to secure his reigns finances and his security. Muhammed entirely expected he would have great need of both these things in the coming years. A very capable Muslim, Mullah Omar also remained in Palermo to begin swaying the populace back to the Shiite way of thinking. His Marshal would also remain close at hand, ready to deal with any overt threats that may present themselves.
Later in the month Marshal Adam was informed that the estate of Graterri must return to the Kalbin family so that it's swords and coin may be turned towards fighting any threats that materialised. He was given full leave to remain on as Marshal to lead the Kalbin troops in battle but chose to take his leave. Salah, Mayor of Palermo took his place on the council, a man often described as having half the martial ability of the old Marshal!
16th of June 1067
Everyday facing the mob denouncing him for a heretic had taken it's toll on Mullah Omar, the blindness of the people drove him to great sadness leading him to take his own life. One of the local Mullahs replaced him however the turn of events did nothing for Sheik Mohammed's health, the loss of a valued friend and council member led to him becoming infirm through bereavement. Heir less at the age of 47, things did not look good for the house of Kalbin!
9th of August 1067
Praise to Allah! Muhammed's wife had seen the light and realised the true path of her faith!
March 1068
March 1068 saw a series of unfavourable events befall the Sheikdom, Vizier Ali was killed in 'an accident' while in Trapani. Sheik Muhammed was highly suspicious of this but on the bright side now saw his court favourably filled with good pious Shiite Muslims.
12th of November 1068
"Hayati..." Badra's soft voice rang out to Muhammed through the awning where he sat outside his high tower looking north over the Mediterranean sea. The cool autumn air blowing off the water cause him to cough violently into his closed fist. He did his best to stifle it but not before his young wife quickly made her way to him gently rest her hands on his shoulders. She had been much more tender since her conversion, the 15 ducats from Muhammed's own pocket spent on a lavish hunting bird had done much to warm her pesona as well. "Come inside, you know this air does you no good, besides you have a visitor." He acknowledged her silently by taking up his walking cane, rising from his chair and shuffling into his chambers. Once inside his blood began to boil, Grand Vizier Mustafa stood with what looked to be an impetuous smirk on his face. Muhammed grumbled to himself on how he had not given the Vizier leave to return from Trapani and with as much haste as his ill body would allow, he bore down on his visitor ready to unleash his fury.
His Vizier in anticipation sunk down to one knee and raised his hands towards his Sheik to ward him off, it mattered none. The Sheik began to raise his cane with his feeble arms but just when he was ready to strike he noticed the parchment his council man bore in his palms. Muhammed cracked it open and read it...once, twice and a third time just to be sure. Mustafa looked up from the floor and the Sheik realised that it wasn't a smirk of disrespect, but a grin. A grin of glee and anticipation.
I intend to play as I write but may get a little ahead of myself as I do tend to get engrossed in the game. So please enjoy, sit back and relax! I welcome all comments, ideas, criticisms so please get involved!
The tale of House Al-Kalbi
15th of September 1066
The Imam's call to prayer drifted into Muhammed's tower situated in the grounds of castle Monreale rousing him from his deep sleep. He awoke to find his young wife, Badra mn Misilmeri, had already departed to her prayers. The girl was young, comely and intelligent. Everything a man could ask for...except she was a Sunni whereas Muhammed was a Shia.
Along with nearly all his subjects, this was a relic from the breaking up of the Kalbin dynasty's Emirate. Muhammed's forefathers had ruled the island of Sicily fairly and justly in accordance with the holy Hadiths set down by the prophet. To fairly and to justly as it proved to be their downfall. The Sunni muslims that his family had allowed to live peacefully side by side with their shiite brothers of the faith had taken up arms and ousted the Kalbin's from power. Taking with them the west of the island as well as the smaller isle's of Malta situated in the channel between Sicily and the Shiite Emirate of Triploitania. Muhammed had only remained in power thanks to his Grand Vizier Ali mn Zoto. Another Sunni but a good man and a loyal friend to his family. After dressing Muhammed made his way to prayer to find himself part of the small congregation, mostly made up by the remainder of his council, prostrating themselves to the east.
With prayers finished Muhammed gather his small council and began setting them about his view to change the island and restore the Kalbin family to glory! He sent Ali west to begin sowing the seeds that would one day lead to the capture of Trapani. His Steward Mukhtar would remain in Palermo along with the Spymaster Malik to secure his reigns finances and his security. Muhammed entirely expected he would have great need of both these things in the coming years. A very capable Muslim, Mullah Omar also remained in Palermo to begin swaying the populace back to the Shiite way of thinking. His Marshal would also remain close at hand, ready to deal with any overt threats that may present themselves.
Later in the month Marshal Adam was informed that the estate of Graterri must return to the Kalbin family so that it's swords and coin may be turned towards fighting any threats that materialised. He was given full leave to remain on as Marshal to lead the Kalbin troops in battle but chose to take his leave. Salah, Mayor of Palermo took his place on the council, a man often described as having half the martial ability of the old Marshal!
16th of June 1067
Everyday facing the mob denouncing him for a heretic had taken it's toll on Mullah Omar, the blindness of the people drove him to great sadness leading him to take his own life. One of the local Mullahs replaced him however the turn of events did nothing for Sheik Mohammed's health, the loss of a valued friend and council member led to him becoming infirm through bereavement. Heir less at the age of 47, things did not look good for the house of Kalbin!
9th of August 1067
Praise to Allah! Muhammed's wife had seen the light and realised the true path of her faith!
March 1068
March 1068 saw a series of unfavourable events befall the Sheikdom, Vizier Ali was killed in 'an accident' while in Trapani. Sheik Muhammed was highly suspicious of this but on the bright side now saw his court favourably filled with good pious Shiite Muslims.
12th of November 1068
"Hayati..." Badra's soft voice rang out to Muhammed through the awning where he sat outside his high tower looking north over the Mediterranean sea. The cool autumn air blowing off the water cause him to cough violently into his closed fist. He did his best to stifle it but not before his young wife quickly made her way to him gently rest her hands on his shoulders. She had been much more tender since her conversion, the 15 ducats from Muhammed's own pocket spent on a lavish hunting bird had done much to warm her pesona as well. "Come inside, you know this air does you no good, besides you have a visitor." He acknowledged her silently by taking up his walking cane, rising from his chair and shuffling into his chambers. Once inside his blood began to boil, Grand Vizier Mustafa stood with what looked to be an impetuous smirk on his face. Muhammed grumbled to himself on how he had not given the Vizier leave to return from Trapani and with as much haste as his ill body would allow, he bore down on his visitor ready to unleash his fury.
His Vizier in anticipation sunk down to one knee and raised his hands towards his Sheik to ward him off, it mattered none. The Sheik began to raise his cane with his feeble arms but just when he was ready to strike he noticed the parchment his council man bore in his palms. Muhammed cracked it open and read it...once, twice and a third time just to be sure. Mustafa looked up from the floor and the Sheik realised that it wasn't a smirk of disrespect, but a grin. A grin of glee and anticipation.
