The Fatimid Caliphate: The state of things
Ah, what a game. After weeks of backfiring inheritances and AI shenanigans I finally got my house in order, taking the Fatimid Caliphate from this:
During session 7, after finally securing the throne, to this:
In session 10. I would happily gloat over my successes, but that will have to wait till the end of the post, first lets look at the other powers.
Power of course fluctuates wildly in CK, depending on kings stats, disease, rebellion,events and monetary policy. As such I will consider potential capability over time, not income and manpower levels at any precise point in time. Further I do not count wars against AI not guaranteed by players as aggression, but peaceful expansion
First the Atlantic Powers;
The Kingdom of Normandie
Normandie came bloomed late but has managed to become a medium power, they have however not yet managed to clear their home turf from foreigners, most of its growth have been from diplomatic concessions. On the warfare front they have been less successful, failing to save England from Danish aggression or securing much of it for themselves. Future friction over England is expected, with the possible help of Lotharinga, and possible expansion against AI Galicia
(N.Spain/SW.France).
During the Caliphates war against the al-Murabits of Spain their allies the Normands demanded the entire Fatimid treasury for a white peace, causing us to lose a fishery and much grumbling in Alexandria.
The Fatimid Caliphate has little diplomatic contact with these northern barbarians, our nations have no common enemies, we do not foresee having to intervene in their affairs to protect our interests, we do not expect hostile actions against us, relations are expected to be cordial.
The Kingdom of Lotharinga
Lotharinga led a successful expansion early game, but was cut of by the Roman Empire. They still hold Switzerland and earlier diplomatic deal point to a willingness to sell south european land of, perhaps they will exchange it for Brandenburg? Lotharinga too battled with Denmark, but to no avail. They hold some Irish land and further friction with Denmark is expected, perhaps seeking to throw them of the Continent?
The Fatimid Caliphate has little diplomatic contact with these northern barbarians, our nations have no common enemies, we do not foresee having to intervene in their affairs to protect our interests, we do not expect hostile actions against us, relations are expected to be cordial.
The Kingdom of Denmark, Scandinavia, Scotland, Mercia, Eire and Asturias, Honorary King of Norway
Denmark, Lion of the North, came roaring onto the world stage 2 sessions ago when they managed to seize control of the British isles. Having pushed the Welsh out of the game and survived Lotharingan, Normand and Russian aggression with the mere loss of Gotland they have angered and worried most players on their half of the map. Whispers of strange men coming down from the mountains abound. Denmark holds all the provinces of importance in England, meaning they can field an army strong enough to fight both the other Atlantic powers combined when on the defensive. By the very nature of multiplayer games Denmark more or less has to evict France and Lotharinga from the Isles or face continuous power struggles. But should they succeed the Russians may see this as a chance to expand into Scandinavia from their forward positions in north Sweden and Gotland without angering the other powers to much? Expect serious warfare to break out soon if Denmark doesn't manage to placate the other powers, and even if it does expect war in the near future.
The Fatimid Caliphate has little diplomatic contact with these northern barbarians, our nations have no common enemies, we do not foresee having to intervene in their affairs to protect our interests, we do not expect hostile actions against us, the Calipha is still miffed about getting called a sultan...
The Eastern Powers;
The Kingdom of Poland
Oh poor Poland, less than even its modern day equivalent it started out aggressively but collapsed under the weight of controlling the entire kingdom as personal demense, briefly annexed by Denmark it will now not be able to do anything without the support of a Great Power. Its only hope of expansion is to be the beneficiary of a great coalition against one of the Colossi, gaining Bohemia from a defeated Rome of the Baltics/Kievan Rus from a Russian gangbang in a balancing of power. However neither one has sufficiently enraged its neighbors as of yet.
The Fatimid Caliphate has little diplomatic contact with these northern barbarians, our nations have no common enemies, we do not foresee having to intervene in their affairs to protect our interests, we do not expect hostile actions against us, relations are expected to be cordial.
The Kingdom of Croatia and Magyars, Defenders of East Rome
The Croats are new to the Great Game, and right out of the gate the Colossi scrambled to bring them into their sphere of influence, Russia helping them conquer Hungary, Rome countering with giving them the Queen of Cities. Currently sundered Croatia will when the recover from their civil war be an important player in the crossroads of civilizations, standing to gain handsomely from any confrontation between Russia and the Empire. The Fatimids are happy to see the Balkans snatched away from its Greek rivals and intend to protect them from any territorial aggression.
The Fatimid Caliphate has some diplomatic contact with these civilized barbarians, our nations have possible common enemies, we do not foresee having to intervene in their affairs to protect our interests, we do not expect hostile actions against us, relations are expected to be cooperative.
The Asian Powers;
The False Kingdom of Byzantium, Bulgaria and Rum
The main adversary to my peaceful expansions the Komnenids and the Fatimids have been embroiled in several wars, the first a vicious attack in concert with Persia when my armies disappeared due to a bug when we rehosted costing me Baalbek and Damascus. The second started by a Greek vassal ended with the gain of Aleppo, Edessa, Baalbek and Monreal when KoM refused white peace. Third started with one of my vassals declaring war on his liege and ended with a white peace after some heavy battles. The Fourth was mainly naval action during the confusion of the second Persian war, with the Greeks gaining Crete and I Cyprus, with no battles between us proper. Relations between us remain tense, with the Greeks holding Crete and the Syrian coast and Greeks in the Caliphate face rising persecution. The Thessalonian courts calls for the Fatimids to be destroyed in concert with the Greeks history of belligerence are taken very seriously by Alexandria, even if we would prefer peaceful coexistence
The Fatimid Caliphates diplomatic contact with these debauch barbarians has proved them deceitful, our nations have possible common enemies, we do not foresee having to intervene in their affairs to protect our interests, we expect hostile actions against us, relations are expected to be unfriendly.
Next; Persia, the Empire, the Caliphate and All the Russias!