True Sons of Ali

[Reykvolc]

August 1256-June 1272:

In December Shahanshah catches the Flu. In March 1257 my chancellor forges a claim on the Duchy of Kartli. In December I become friends with my youngest son, Aboulgharib. In February 1258 I become a Brilliant Strategist. I started my reign with 12 Martial, now I have 32 Martial. In March we defeat some raiders. In April Shahanshah dies. In less sad news, so does Kakheti. In September 1259 I forget to take Aboulgharib riding because I am in a drunken stupor. I apologize but he is still upset.

On November 2 1259 I die of Cancer at the age of 50. I have reigned for 31 years. My epitapth is “A zealous man, he fought for the glory of Allah against the heathens in one of the greatest holy wars of recent history.” My 3-year-old grandson Thoros inherits.

I am bright, but hunch-backed. My extremely competent mother Niki is both regent and guardian. She is extremely competent while being personally beyond reproach and free from unseemly ambition. I own too much land so Alania goes to Levon ve Balanjar, bastard descendant of a Nuffarid and related to the Danu family of Alania. In August 1260 my uncle and heir Tatoul comes of age. He is ambitious and good-looking, but his only talent is stewardship.

In June 1261 Derbent is converted to Sunni Islam. In July a playmate dies, but I am reassured by the thought they are in a better place now. I gain Idolizer. Some peasants revolt and are crushed. By July of 1262 I have become a bit of a bully of the other kids. I gain Rowdy. Mom decides on an Etiquette education for me.

In March 1264 the Catholics declare a Crusade for Jerusalem. Mom has us pledge our support to the Arabian Emperor who is married to my aunt. Most of our army though is wiped out at Merle in November by the Norse Queen of Man. In November 1265 the crusaders win.

In May 1267 I hear rustling in the bushes, but tell Mom rather than investigate. In February 1268 my steward collects a special tithe. In September Mom decides on a diplomatic education for me. I decide to be a good boy and not harass my mother on the balcony while playing horse.

In January 1269 my spymaster steals tech. In February, Indolent becomes Slothful. In March I decide to embrace the Alan culture of most of my subjects. In May Uncle Vesd kicks out Mom as regent.

In July 1270 a Greek vassal declares war on me for Alania. We hire mercenaries and a holy order. In February 1271 Idolizer becomes Erudite. I become Ambitious. Armenia and Usturt join our war. I have become very fond of a courtier girl named Vardo. Uncle tries to persuade me that she is beneath me. I give his opinion negative weight and betroth myself to her. I gain Honest.

Also I apparently became rivals with Mom at some point? Not sure why or how? In June we lose more men, but win anyway, at the Battle of Djavri. In February 1272 the Caliph calls for a Jihad for Egypt. In June we defeat the Greeks again. I come of age.

The Arabian Empire lost Paphlagonia to Hungary in 1262 but the following year gained Cilicia from Anatolia. Armenia has had a child ruler since 1263, but before then they reduced Karling Trebizond to a vassal. The Al-Turki Caliphs have lost some land in the north but absorbed several independent counties on the Nuffarid border. The Nuffarids are losing to a tyranny revolt. The Zakari haven’t done much in recent years.

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

My 3-year-old grandson Thoros inherits.

I come of age.

I'm surprised that the uncles didn't try anything (that we know of at least), seeing as one was ambitious and the other envious.

 

[dmurgell]

I decide to be a good boy and not harass my mother on the balcony while playing horse.

Also I apparently became rivals with Mom at some point?

Missed the opportunity when you had it...

 

[Reykvolc]

June 1272-August 1287:

Here I am! Skilled at diplomacy, but otherwise relatively ordinary. I am Ambitious, yet Slothful, Uncouth and Honest to a fault, but also an Erudite bookworm. I chose the Family focus and to Groom an Heir.

I marry my Vardo and she tells me she is pregnant! Unfortunately it proves to be a difficult pregnancy. She decides to go on a journey during the pregnancy. However, I learn that the stars will be auspicious when the baby is due. During this time I realize what is really important and set aside my rivalry with Mom.

The Greeks finally surrender and pay reparations. I decide to take advantage of my mercenaries and sieging to declare war on the Byzantine Empire for Albania. My reconciliation with my mother was timely as she passes away in October 1273. My daughter Vardo is born, named after her mother. In August 1274 I gain the nickname ‘the Frog’. In September my steward collects a special tithe. The Zakari finally succeed in conquering Tabaristan from the Nuffarids.

In January 1275 wife Vardo comes of age. She is perhaps not a genius, though she has an instinct for intrigue. In March she tells me she is pregnant again! I indulge her pregnancy cravings and she gains Glutton. My quick, but sickly daughter Yeran is born in October.

In November the Byzantines face reality that they can’t deal with me as their armies were wrecked attacking the Arabian Empire. I decide to celebrate by declaring a holy war on the Nuffarid revolt for Azerbaijan. My beloved Vardo dies of severe stress at the age of 16. In March 1276 Yeran also passes.

In June the Nuffarid revolt ends so I redeclare on the Nuffarids. In June 1277 I become jealous of how some of my courtiers are more talented at things than I am. I decide I have to accept that. I become Kind. In July I hear rumors people are plotting to kill me. In February 1279 the Nuffarids surrender. Similar to the Byzantines, without a real battle.

I decide to elevate Derbent from a duchy to a Kingdom to celebrate! I have no intentions of remarrying. I want my daughter Vardo to become Queen, so betroth her to her cousin Samsam. I decide on a Duty focus for Vardo. In December my spymaster ‘discovered’ grounds to arrest Sirhan Nuffarid, a Sunni who became my vassal when I conquered Azerbaijan.

In February 1280 I have a new issue! Allegedly my Jewish chancellor looked at a baron’s wife with lust in his eyes. I can’t be bothered to address the issue. In March the population of Derbent converts from Armenian to Alan culture. I learn all 3 of my uncles are backing a plot to kill me. Everyone is told to cease and desist. In August I find out my chancellor was stealing money from the treasury. He is imprisoned and banished.

In September, Uncle Tatoul presents evidence Uncle Vesd is a traitor. He revolts when I try to arrest him. Uncle Vesd is quickly defeated, Kasogia is revoked, and he is put in house arrest. I take over Samsam’s guardianship.

In December 1281 the Mongols finally manage to secure major gains, by gaining Egypt as a reward for being the largest contributor to a Sunni Jihad. There is a peasant revolt. They are crushed in July 1282. My marshal has some bright military ideas in January 1283. Fire arrows turns out to be a dead end, but there are still useful insights.

Someone has spread vicious rumors about me. I’ve drawn closer to my Uncle Aboulgharib, who always was the one who had the least problems with me. In August 1285 I see a picture of a hideous-looking person and am told that that is a picture of me. In November I gain a pet cat.

I decide on a stewardship education for Vardo. Gilan broke free of the Nuffarids, so I declare war to press a vassal’s claim. Their army is more or less annihilated by September 1286.

I start to feel sick in early 1287. I have grown Fat. In May Vardo tells me I need to diet before I become an immobile lump.

However, it turns out I had other problems. I develop dysentery, but fortunately my court physician/Uncle Tatoul has the bright idea to have me eat charred cat. However, despite that, on August 16, 1287 I pass away at the age of 31. I ruled for 18 years. My cousin Samsam inherits.

The Byzantine Empire is ruled by the ve Khertvisi, who as the name suggests have their origins 400 years ago in Georgia. They’ve overseen the loss of Byzantine Georgia. Armenia took Abkhazia from the Byzantines, only to lose it to Thrace. Thrace is small, but powerful, ruled by an Anglo-Saxon dynasty. They have twice defeated Khazaria. The Mongols have already lost Egypt, now ruled by a Catholic Egyptian. The Haurids were overthrown in the Arabian Empire and now the Akabids of Palmyra now rule. The current Sunni Caliph is a 4-year-old and desperately fighting against vassals of neighboring rulers. The Nuffarids are generally declining. Nuraddin was forced to abdicate in favor of his son Salahaddin ‘the Just’. The Zakari ran out of men, so the realm was split into Ansari Khorasan and Ehsan Transoxiana. Before that happened Tabaristan and Zabulistan were conquered. The Ansari are trying to reduce the Ehsan to tributaries.

 

[dmurgell]

I want my daughter Vardo to become Queen, so betroth her to her cousin Samsam.

My cousin Samsam inherits.

Same cousin Samsam? Clever move.

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

I learn all 3 of my uncles are backing a plot to kill me. Everyone is told to cease and desist.

In September, Uncle Tatoul presents evidence Uncle Vesd is a traitor. He revolts when I try to arrest him. Uncle Vesd is quickly defeated, Kasogia is revoked, and he is put in house arrest.

I don't think that plot was ever going to succeed based on the infighting between the co-conspirators...

 

[Reykvolc]

August 1287-February 1301:

I am an attractive young man, but brooding and proud and indolent. I am culturally Khazar. My mother is regent/guardian. She is reasonably competent except at war. My heir is my brother Menumarot. He gets Alania as I own too much land.

In September the Nuffarids declare war to reclaim Azerbaijan. We white peace with Gilan. In May 1288 we suffer a horrific defeat at Baku with most of our army stackwiped. In May willful becomes Brave. In September I become rivals with my brother Menumarot. I gain Wroth. Around that time I have my first kiss with a carpenter’s daughter.

Mom decides to remarry to Azerbaijan’s heir. Poor timing as in April 1289 we are forced to cede Azerbaijan to the Nuffarids. In October I come of age. Frankly I don’t turn out great. I may be handsome and courageous, but its downhill from there. I am sloppy, lazy, hot-tempered, envious, gluttonous, and full of pride.

I decide to groom an heir. Several vassals broke free of Armenia, so I decide on a war focus. I declare war on Tiflis. It takes two battles and some sieging, but they surrender in January 1291. I decide to focus on being a Cavalry Leader. Some Khazar raiders are defeated. Next is Imeretia. However, one of Armenia’s vassals is also trying to conquer it. But I defeat them at the Battle of Bagrati where I show heroic bravery. I decide to focus on becoming a Mountain Expert.

Vardo tells me she is pregnant in December! She looks quite attractive pregnant. I gain the trait Lustful. I now have 6 of the 7 vices. In May 1292 Imeretia surrenders. I July I decide not to adopt a wolf child. My sickly son Araslan is born. In October I win at some wargaming. My son dies in December. In September 1293 a bunch of vassals led by Albania and including Uncle Tatoul, demand increased council authority. I refuse.

In January 1294 we smash them at Telavi and I capture Albania’s heir. In February I lose Envious. In September Vardo tells me she is pregnant again. A famous herald joins my court. In November the rebels surrender, have their lands revoked, and are executed. I give away 3 counties, but keep Albania. My daughter Sirin is born in April 1295. In August my wife persuades me to fire my spymaster. I appoint her to the position.

My brother has become decedent, so I demand he straighten up. He of course ignores me, so I arrest him and order him stoned to death. In October 1296 we defeat some raiders. In June 1297 Kartli declares war on us. In September Vardo tells me she is pregnant. We get the worse of some early skirmishes. My sickly, ugly son Vesd is born in April 1298. He dies in March 1299.

The decisive clash occurs at Narikala after a period of buildup on my part and attrition sieging on theirs. In July I lose Gluttonous. In March 1300 I kick a cat. I gain Cruel. In December Kartli surrenders. I then defeat some raiders.

The ve Khertvisi have worked on consolidating the Byzantine Balkans. Anatolia has expanded to Crimea. Thrace continues to be active. Armenia is pretty powerful on paper but not very expansionist at the moment. The Al-Turki Caliphs are on the way out. The Akabids are defending against several neighbors. The Nuffarids tried to take Khorasan back, but lost. They have a child ruler. Ehsan fought back their southern neighbors and also conquered Gilan. The Ansari have been followed by the Vishtashbid.

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

My brother has become decedent, so I demand he straighten up. He of course ignores me, so I arrest him and order him stoned to death.

That may come back to haunt Samsam if his sons keep dying in infancy...

 

[Reykvolc]

August 1287-July 1307:
Managed to mess up my most recent save, so the previous update I guess is an alternate universe…

I am an attractive young man, but brooding and proud and indolent. I am culturally Khazar. My mother is regent/guardian. She is reasonably competent except at war. My heir is my brother Menumarot. He gets Alania as I own too much land.

In September the Nuffarids declare war to reclaim Azerbaijan. We white peace with Gilan. In June 1288 Willful becomes Stubborn and Ambitious. We suffer a defeat at the Battle of Takht-e Suleiman. Mom decides on a diplomatic focus for Menumarot.

The Nuffarids work on sieging us down while we reconstitute. In October 1298 I come of age! I am Proud and Ambitious and Stubborn, Just and Charitable, but an Envious Glutton. I chose a war focus, ambition to Groom an Heir. I marry Vardo. In December the Nuffarid ruler is killed by a vassal. His infant son inherits and the war ends. I might as well use my mercenaries, so declare war on an Armenian revolt for Tilfis.

In January 1290 Uncle Tatoul presents ‘evidence’ another vassal is a traitor. I see through the ‘incriminating letter’ and decide it is a good excuse to arrest him. In February Alania is successfully converted to Islam. In March I notice a courtier named Alitz seems interested in me. We start an affair and in May she tells me she is pregnant.

In December Vardo tells me she is pregnant. In January 1291 my delicate son Atrnerseh is born. I recognize him as mine. In July my son Vesd is born! In September the Armenian rebels attack us, but we win a crushing victory despite being significantly outnumbered. I become a Mountain Expert. They surrender.

In August 1292 Atrnerseh dies. I declare war on Imeretia. They surrender in July 1293. In October Gilan declares war on me. A bold choice. We smash their army and start sieging. In August 1294 I win a spear-throwing contest. I gain Brave. By July 1295 they surrender and pay reparations. In September I gain the nickname ‘the Proud.’ I march to deal with some Khazar raiders. At Madjar they inflict a crushing and very humiliating defeat. I go for a rematch, but am killed in a duel with a Khazar commander on December 9, 1296.

I was just 23 years old and reigned for 9 years. My epitaph is “Guilty of the sin of Pride, he wanted everyone to know of his greatness. A wicked man, Samsam will surely pay for his sins in the afterlife.” My 5-year-old son Vesd II inherits…

My spymaster becomes regent. He is Content, but has a ruthless and paranoid streak. My mother is guardian. Her mental health is not necessarily the best… Both of them are best at intrigue. My heir is my uncle Menumarot. He is a people-pleaser. He recently conquered Kasogia from another vassal.

Mom decides on an Etiquette focus for me. I decide not to explore an abandoned building with a playmate. In July 1298 I get fed up with a courtier boy named Alatey ve Balanjar bullying me. I gain Willful. In December, a bunch of vassals successfully pressure my regent into increasing the council’s power.

In May 1299 the Pope calls for a Crusade for Jerusalem. In February 1300 I lose my vest. I though manage to find it. I gain Conscientious. Uncle Menumarot gains the regency. I refuse to share my toys with the other kids. I gain Haughty. In May 1302 I decide not to charge Uncle while he is hanging out on the balcony. In September, the carnival comes to town, but I decide it is kind of dumb. I gain Timid.

In April 1303 we defeat some raiders. Mom decides on an intrigue focus for me. Her mental health is continuing to decline, she is now rumored to be demon-possessed. In April 1304 Haughty becomes Groomed. Azerbaijan was inherited by Gilan, so we declare war to reclaim it.

In January 1305 I notice that my heavy-handed methods are resented by the other kids. I gain Kind. In February 1305 Gilan surrenders. Dwin had also declared war for the county, but I capture their leader in a quick battle. In April the Crusaders win against the Arabian Empire.

In August the Arabian Empire declares war on me for Alania. Uncle Menumarot dies and his young son is now my heir. My great-uncle Aboulgharib takes over the regency. In February 1306, Conscientious becomes Diligent.

In March 1306 I decide Uncle Aboulgharib has been doing a pretty good job running the country for me. I gain Just. Maybe I was too hasty though as in August we suffer a crushing defeat against the Arabian Empire at Sighnaghi. In February 1307 Uncle tries to persuade me to allow Mom to marry him. I refuse. In July we suffer another crushing defeat at Samiran. Just weeks later, I come of age…

In 1289 Anatolia regained Cilicia from the Arabian Empire which also lost Jerusalem to a crusade. Thrace continues to be small but powerful, conquering Tao from Armenia in 1302. Surprising as Armenia has a competent ruler at the moment. The Al-Turki caliphs have lost some land. The Nuffarids are continuing to head in a generally downward direction under Nuraddin IV ‘the Chase’. They are facing a decadence revolt but should win. The various Mazdaki realms continue to splinter. The Humayun recently conquered Gilan.

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

In December, a bunch of vassals successfully pressure my regent into increasing the council’s power.

Uncle Menumarot gains the regency.

The spymaster wasn't a very good regent, luckily Menumarot was a better one until he died.

 

[dmurgell]

In October 1298 I come of age!

I think you (Samsam) meant 1288.

 

[Reykvolc]

State of the World 1307:

The Muzarfaraddins died out in 1215 and Yemen and Abyssinia separated. Hasan ‘the Seducer’ Farukid inherited Abyssinia. His son Muhammad III conquered much of Yemen and pushed into Nubia. He was murdered in 1253. His son Uways ‘the Mutilator’ was overthrown by his uncle Nizam. Nizam’s minor great-grandson now rules. His son was murdered and his grandson fell in battle against Yemen. Yemen has a 7-year-old queen as their only vassal got annoyed with the previous ruler.

The Tulunids lost Egypt to a crusade in 1193. With the lost of their core they started a long, generally down-hill trend and are nearly gone. Alodia, Blemmyria, and Tahert are former vassals.

Egypt was formed in 1193 by the crusaders and ruled by Matheus ‘the Protector’ da Soana. His son Stane ‘the Holy’ expanded to Tripolitania and repulsed several jihads. His son Gabriel inherited in 1261, and fell in battle against the Nuffarids the following year. Ultimately the war was won by sister Marianou ‘the Glorious’, but the injuries sustained resulted in her dying comatose in bed in 1266. Her daughters Nixa and Tazirit inherited, before they fell to a jihad in 1281. Mongol rule would only last until 1287 and native Egyptian Catholics have ruled since.

The Mukhtarids of Morocco still rule. Their borders stayed stagnate for awhile. In 1212 Ptoleme II ‘the Old’ inherited. He won several wars against Kanem-Bornu. He also shortly before his death in 1260 formed the Kingdom of Valencia. The Nuffarids had gained Africa in 1156 and since then it had splintered. Ptoleme started the process of gobbling up, but it would not be completed until 1297. Ameska ‘the Frog’ has ruled since 1295. They are currently fighting Tahert.

Kanem-Bornu was ruled by the Zuwaido with very little drama until 1231. Some vassals did expand north through the Fezzan to the Mediterranean. From 1231-1244 there were 6 rulers. Land was lost to Morocco. Ultimately the fairly minor Nintasanayid dynasty gained power. Emperor Bakr ‘Son of Shaytan’ inherited in 1297. He has declared a holy war for Tripolitania.

Qasid rule over the Empire of Hispania proved surprisingly durable and peaceful. They ruled half of Hispania and northern Morocco. Then in 1226 Balashk ‘the Lion’ inherited. He smashed into Catholic Spain, conquering Valencia, Aragon, Navarre, and Castile by his death in 1272. His successors were more mediocre and the current ruler, Hilil, has embraced Catholicism.

The Sultanate of Badajoz dates back to 1053 when Umar ‘the Mule’ Marwanid created it after conquering Lisboa from the Catholics. His son Antso rapidly expanded the kingdom in wars against other vassals. He then also inherited the Duchy of Cordoba. This allowed his son Garsiya in 1073 to create the Kingdom of Andalusia. This left them easily as powerful as the Emperors. However, they stayed loyal until their extinction in 1163. Zirwal Gilen then ruled until 1201 and he had a Content personality. His daughter Aamira celebrated turning 16 by overthrowing her older brother in 1209. She married an Abbadid. She died in 1224, her son ruled until 1251 but had no kids, so her husband Ma’n inherited, then his cousin Musa. That side of the Abbadid family still rules, now as tributaries of Hispania.

Raolf ‘the Apostle’ von Supplingenburg inherited his father’s duchy of Leon and his mother’s duchy of Toulouse as Burgundian vassals. However he eventually broke free and created the Kingdom of Asturias in 1197. His son Jacme (1215-33) conquered the duchies of Asturias and Portucale and created the Kingdom of Galicia. His son Jacme ‘the Hammer’ added Galicia proper. His brother Raolf ‘the Sword of the Lord’ finished off expansion by conquering Castile. His minor grandson Frances now rules.

The Stjarna kings of Ireland created the Kingdom of Brittany in 1188. They were overthrown by the Trolli in Ireland in 1288. A junior branch regained Ireland in 1233 but the realms remained separate. King Kolbein ‘the Holy’ (1243-72) married Queen Blanka ‘the Usurper’ of Aquitaine (1258-65). Their eldest son’s line died out in 1297. Their second son Halfdan ‘the Protector’ was awarded Jerusalem in 1265. His son Bersi ‘the Protector’ elevated the combined kingdoms to the Empire of Brittany in 1304. His toddler son Folki now rules.

Karling descendants were overthrown as Burgundian Emperors in 1232. Beornygth ‘the Careless’ was forced to abdicate on the second day of her reign. Since then there have been 9 transfers of power, 7 violent. Result: near-extinction of the realm.

The Le Tellier family ruled France with very little drama other than the occasional familial violence until Marguerite ‘the Usurper’ de Mello overthrew her uncle in 1278. Her son Roger ‘the Sword of the Lord’ has ruled since 1290.

The Pernstein family managed to establish dynastic rule in the Holy Roman Empire from 1122-1241 and 1258-77. Their greatest ruler was the Blessed Wenzel III who managed to conquer and integrate the Kingdom of Lotharingia. They ran out of men not in the church, one of whom became Pope Benedictus ‘the Wise’ (1292-1307).

In 1159, Hungary fell to the crusaders. Olga ‘the Protector’ Vyatich (5 virtues, 0 vices) was granted the Kingdom. She created the most impressively pious royal lineage I have ever seen in Crusader Kings. She added Bessarabia before her death in 1174. She embraced a life of celibacy in old age. Her son the Blessed Briachislav conquered Muntenia. His sister the Blessed Yelizaveta (5-0) ruled until 1198 before dying on pilgrimage. Then her daughter Saint Dobrava ‘the Right-Believing’ (4-0) inherited. She conquered Oltenia before dying of the Plague in 1231. Her son Voislav ‘the Monk’ (2-0) had an unremarkable reign. His daughter Yevpraxia ‘the Nun’ (4-0) has ruled since 1255. She conquered Moldavia. She has no kids, so a vassal will inherit. But Davyd of Reggio nell’Emilia is worthy of the legacy, 3 virtues, zealous, with a beatified father.

The Kingdom of Croatia was formed in 1075 by Ivanis ‘the Liberator’, as a revolt by the cultural Dalmatians against Burgundy. However the Byzantines and Serbia controlled half their de jure land. So things stayed until after the de Soana family inherited in 1147. Agapito conquered Spilt. His son Gauzoili ‘the Sword of the Lord’ conquered Hum from the Muslims. He also managed to get his brother Matheus selected as King of Crusader Egypt in 1193, which the family would hold until 1281. His son Agapito ‘the Depraved’ added Syrmia in 1216. His grandson Give ‘the Apostle’ now rules. He conquered Bosnia from heretic breakaways from the Byzantines in 1283.

The Byzantine Empire has improved their position in the Balkans, but achieved little in Italy. The ve Khertsivi have managed 3 peaceful within-family power transitions, first to achieve that since the Choniates dynasty died out in 1234.

The Balashkids ruled until 1120. Their vassals expanded in Morocco. Eventually though they weakened, losing Castile to Burgundy in 1119 and then being overthrown by the Basque Qasids the following year. Beja was then also lost to Sardinia and Corsica in 1140. However on balance the religious map in Spain has been remarkably stable.

Frances became ‘the Great’ (1011-21) and added Sardinia and Corsica to the realm. Aquitaine reached its peak under Roubald ‘the Tenacious’ (1031-47). He expanded in Spain, usurping Asturias and Valencia. At his death it went to a cousin, but that line died out in 1057. Everything except Asturias went to the de Mortemart family. However a female inherited in 1043 and Aquitaine split off from Sardinia and Corsica, being ruled by the de Boves. Valencia ended up with a obscure dynasty called the Capets.

Other than York being inherited by a French vassal, not much has changed in the British Isles. England is still ruled by the of Hampshire and their last violent transfer of power was in 1141.

By his death in 1185, Arnfin ‘the Liberator’ had managed to consolidate most of de jure Norway. His son died soon after him. The af Alclud dynasty then ruled until 1249, with Rolf ‘Son of Satan’ adding Nidaros. The Gisking dynasty have ruled ever since.

The decline of Burgundy has left Sweden a shattered mess. In Finland not all that much has changed. Ostrobothnia, Gotland, and Savonia are all ruled by the same dynasty. Karelia is a Prince-Archbishopric.

Most of Russia has experienced the cycle of subjugation by the Khazars and ‘liberation’ by the Poles. Novgorod was only formed in 1295 as part of a liberation revolt against Finnish rule. Vladimir though has much deeper roots. The Vyatch founded it in 1062. In 1178 the King of Bohemia seized it by right of his mother. Native rule returned briefly, then the Khazars conquered in 1241. Finally in 1266, Demid ‘the Ill-Ruler’ Arovich restored Russian rule. But in 1291, his nephew fell fighting a revolt, ending their line. Trifon Kobylin now rules. He recently conquered Moskva.

Khazaria proper was not too active until fairly recently. They had a lot of internal disorder, several different dynesties. However, finally the Yavanteyids came on top. Menumarot ‘the Wolf’ (1097-1116) had an unremarkable reign. However, his sons seized power in 1126 at which point Baghaturid broke away. First Yabghu ‘Son of Satan’, then Kissa, and since 1138, Kamaj ‘the Chase. Under Kamaj rapid expansion has occurred. He finished off the Bolghar remnants and conquered Carpathia. Perm and Chernigov were reduced to tributaries. He is currently defending against the Bulgaria formed by a liberation revolt against Karling Thrace.

The Yavanteyids settled in Carpathia in 1167. The Bihorids took over Khazaria. They conquered much of Russia and settled down themselves in 1217, forming the short-lived Empire of Lagoda. The Kibarid dynasty took over. Significant peripheral areas were lost, particularly to Poland. Then in 1288 Possessed, Lunatic, Samaritan heretic Tabghac ‘the Ill-ruler inherited. Vassals Bulcan and Chernigov broke away. Tabghac died in 1300 and the following year his brother Menumarot was overthrown and executed by Yabghu Khuterkin.

Vokan ‘the Grinner’ Donyid converted to Islam. He conquered Bashkiria in 1167. His son Ozhmeg was overthrown in 1190 by Kuaz Vymid, a Pagan. He conquered Sakmarra. Little expansion happened for a while. His cousin Sektev inherited in 1246. He would rapidly expand the realm into Siberia, forming the Kingdom of Sibir in 1272. He converted Perm back to Islam. His grandson Zhueng II now rules.

Poland slowly consolidated its southern and western frontiers. In Scandinavia, rapid expansion occurred under Wojciech ‘the Missionary’ (1040-59) and his son Wojciech III (1059-70). They also added Volhynia and large parts of the realm of Courland/Lithuania. His son Konrad (1071-94) pushed back the Khazars. Eventually things destabilized after that though, with a bastard line seizing the throne in 1119. Further instability followed, Norway was lost, and a child now rules.

In 1192 the Gryfita dynasty ended a period of instability in Poland. In 1212 Gerdautas formed the Wendish Empire. But his son was overthrown in 1222 by the Doliwa. They lost power to Piotr II ‘the Butcher’ z Garbowa. He would start expansion deep into Russia. His grandson Piotr III would continue it. His nephew Malowuj now rules. He recently conquered Bohemia. In 1280 a vassal was made King of Lithuania. Rapid consolidation followed and now Prendota Jastrzebiec rules near half the realm.

The Thizid Cumans have long been the dominate steppe power other than the Khazars. Their borders have been remarkably stable by any standard, much less steppe, over the last 150 years. Their tributary network has ebbed and flowed though over time. The Cilbu dynasty ruled from 1125-1211 before dying out. Sotan ‘the Lion’ (1215-48) Sircan defeated the Mongols. His son Bonek VI ‘the Oppressor’(1248-92) reduced another Mongol attack to a pyrrhic victory but grew unpopular at home. On his death, Tugor ‘the Eastern Wind’ Uzlukid was chosen as Khagan.

The Kirghiz Istami still rule in Xia. 5 of the first 7 rulers died violent deaths. In 1216 the Mongols managed to conquer their half of the Tarim Basin. They joined the First Thizid Alliance. They regained Kumul in 1241. Munglig reduced them to a tributary, they broke free, they were reduced to a tributary, broke free again. Apparently Mongol-fighting improved family harmony as unnatural deaths have ceased.

Munglig ruled the Mongol Empire from 1241-60. His pyrrhic victory over the Cumans gained him the nickname ‘the Slayer of the Cumans’. On his death though, a non-Borjigin was chosen, Horkhudagh ‘the Hammer’ Telingid who got Egypt thanks to jihad contributations with the last event troops. On his death it was lost. His son Megujin ruled until being murdered by his wife in 1305. Chilagan, grandson of Munglig, now rules.

As you can see on the map, the Mongols were stopped pretty much cold in their tracks by the Thizid Alliance! That really is all they managed to conquer other then temporarily the Tarim Basin from 1216-41 and Egypt 1281-87.

Khotan has been anarchy ever since Mongol rule ended. Finally in 1291, Shalci II ‘the Hideous’ finally eliminated the rival Ozuncuid family. For some reason they embraced Khitan culture. Karashar has been ruled by the Tocharian Ozmi since 1241.

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

As you can see on the map, the Mongols were stopped pretty much cold in their tracks by the Thizid Alliance! That really is all they managed to conquer other then temporarily the Tarim Basin from 1216-41 and Egypt 1281-87.

How did they fail?... (what was wrong with the event-spawned troops?)