Scotticus & Antoku - *slaps forehead* I actually completely forgot about that little connotation... :rofl:
Enewald - You just want anarchy before the time comes for you to yell that line of yours...
AlexanderPrimus & canonized - I get it now... I've never seen Star Trek VI, so thats why I never got the line...
Leviathan07 - David is dead... and it looks like there's no Solomon to take the reins... as for Mehtar's death, I'll just say it will likely surprise you (and everyone).
As for Spain, at the present, its broken up into five Exarchates along the following lines:
The next update is about a quarter way done... I'm going to post a teaser tomorrow or Sunday between now and the next official update. For the first time, we'll get to see some events from Heraklios' perspective! For now, though, I have the last section of the character summaries up below. The Fifth Generation is massive - and my guess is the Sixth Generation, while small now, will grow as it matures and more characters are added to the tale...
Basilieos Komnenos – Called “the Magnificent.” Prince of Apulia and Calabria from 1157 till 1167, then co-Emperor from 1167-1169, sole Emperor from 1169 onwards. Arguably the greatest military mind ever produced by the Romanoi – victorious in the Syrian Campaign (1164-1167), Almeria Campaign (1170-1172), Toledo Campaign (1173-1177), the Moroccan/Italian Campaigns (1179-1186), and the Cuman Campaign (1188). Brave, chivalrous, kindhearted, antithesis of most Roman rulers. Created the Spanish
hyperexarchate. Increasingly ill, fraught with succession problems.
Demetrios Komnenos “Koutsos” – Older brother of Basilieos Komnenos, Prince of Kappadokia. A hunchback with a slur, was never considered for imperial succession. Brilliant, loyal, often serves as Basil’s regent while the Emperor is away on campaign. Was
Kaisar from Basil’s sole Emperorship in 1169 to 1186.
Sophie Komnenos – Daughter of Theodoros Komnenos, and wife of Basil Komnenos. Intelligent girl, inclined towards the darker arts of statecraft – often did “dirty work” necessary for Basil’s rule, even over the Emperor’s objections. Totally and wholly loyal to her husband.
Leo Komnenos – Basil’s younger brother, Prince of Apulia, Calabria and Salerno. Dubious loyalty at best, known to have taken French coin in the past. Rather incapable administrator.
Rodrigo Jimenez – One of Basil’s best friends from childhood, son of exiled Spanish nobility, acted often as an Imperial spy. Notorious lecher. Loyal. Tapped by Basil to become
hyperexarch of Spain. Dallied with Empress Sophie, thus father to the secret bastard Heraklios Komnenos.
Alexandros Thrakesios – Childhood friend of Basil, son of disgraced Romanos Thrakesios. Became a well known commander in the Roman army. Married Basil’s sister, father of Basil’s nephew Romanos Thrakesios. Died in the horrific Battle of Menorca.
Enguerrand Komnenos – Basil’s youngest brother. Skilled diplomat, became first
Exarch in Spain. Has grand ideas of his place in Roman politics, jealous that Rodrigo became
hyperexarch. Has been known to take French coin.
Clemente Kosaca – Prince of Kairouan,
Megos Domestikos and outside of Basil, one of the most formidable military commanders in Roman history. Basil’s second in command for most of the Spanish campaigns – named
Megos Domestikos. Head of the army faction at court. Daughter Sophia was married to Thomas Komnenos, but was murdered by Mehtar Lainez.
Sultan Sulieman Arslan – Emir of Esfahan from 1141-1152, Sultan of the Seljuk Empire from 1152 on. Brilliant commander, chivalrous, launched the most devastating Turkish attack on Romanion since the days of Alp Arslan. Managed to penetrate as far as the Marmara, camped within sight of Konstantinopolis. Made peace for a paltry sum of land, on belief that a greater enemy was coming from the east. Has kept the peace since.
Drogo Capet – King of France from 1155 onwards. Has aspirations for rebuilding Charlemagne’s Empire. Noted plotter, had designs on Spain, Italy and Germany. Set up enormous spy network across Europe to carry out his plans. Outwitted King Richard of England, and now has set his son Louis on the English throne. Temporarily thwarted by the Roman Emperor during the Moroccan/Italian War. Suffered a poisoning attempted by his eldest son at Roman encouraging. Now sends coin to discontents within the Roman Empire in an effort to weaken it.
Richard de Normandie – King of England from 1163 until 1176. After Basil of Romanion, arguably the greatest commander in Christendom. Eagerly joined the Papal Crusade called for Spain, cooperated well with Romanoi plans. Undercut by Drogo, abandoned Crusade to attack the French King. Killed in Battle in 1176.
Heinrich VI Arpad – King of the Germans, Emperor of the West. Styles himself a diplomat and a plotter, but not in the league of Drogo. Outmanuevered by the French King while on Crusade, was forced to return home to deal with numerous noble rebellions. Barely has control over his realm.
Knud Knytling – Irascible, ancient King of the Danes. Has a sharp tongue and sword for anyone who annoys him – especially Boleslav of Poland.
Boleslav Premyslid – Rather dimwitted King of Poland. Eternal enemy of Knud Knytling. Their rivalry prevented them from going on the Crusade.
Magnus Knytling – King of Sweden, secretly sent 200 longships to Majorca, launching the first strike of the Crusade and given Sweden a Mediterranean toehold.
Lord Amalric – Distant cousin of Drogo, French ambassador to Konstantinopolis and center of Drogo’s spy ring there. Attempted to use one of his agents to subvert the Romans, instead was assassinated on orders of Empress Sophie.
Brunhilde von Oesengaarde – Double agent, working for the Romans but secretly giving information to the French. Was milked by Rodrigo Jimenez for information on her spy networks, then tossed aside when her usefulness was up. Her information led to the assassination of Amalric.
David Komnenos – Eldest son of Basil Komnenos. Excellent strategist, smart politician, was regarded by many as the most capable of his older sons. However, had a long vengeful streak, and like his grandfather, had a inclination to poison. Led the relief force that saved the Emperor in Spain in 1184, was named
Kaisar and
Exarch of Mauretania. Married Alienor Capet, daughter of King Drogo, and had one son, Alexios Komnenos. Was assassinated by Mehtar Lainez, on orders of his brother, Thomas Komnenos.
Manuel Komnenos – Second eldest son of Basil, Prince of Tangiers. Indolent, lazy, and hedonistic, never considered a serious contender for the throne. Resents all of his brothers, but is too lazy to do much about them.
Thomas Komnenos – Third eldest son of Basil, formidable warrior, if not so formidable commander. Proud, vengeful, with a ferocious temper. Worships the ancient ideas of what it meant to be Roman, and loud advocate of retaking Rome. Named
Exarch of Tarraconensis. Married Sophia Komnenos, who was then murdered. Thomas blamed David, and ordered his best friend and spymaster Mehtar Lainez to kill David.
Heraklios Komnenos – Fourth son of Basil Komnenos. Still a boy, shows little inclination for things military, but is has a sharp mind for things scholarly and statesmanlike. After infighting between elder sons, was named in Basil’s will as senior-Emperor, with David as junior.
Romanos Thrakesios – Son of Alexandros Thrakesios, nephew of the Emperor, named
Exarch of Baetica. Still a young man, easily led around by
Hyperexarch Rodrigo Jimenez.
Mehtar Lainez – Son of
Strategos Gregor Lainez. Secretly in love with his best friend, Thomas Komnenos. Taken at a young age into the Imperial Hand at Sophie Komnenos’ insistence, trained in art of sabotage and assassination. Became unearthly at these skills, became Sophie’s personal “assistant,” later Spymaster for Exarchate of Tarraconensis. Had a personal feud with David. Witnessed Thomas and his wife making love, became enraged and killed her, before claiming before Thomas he had evidence linking David to the assassination. Assassinated David Komnenos on Thomas’ orders.
Murad Arslan – Son of Sulieman Arslan, and presumed heir to the Seljuk Empire. Was an aggressive young man during the Syrian campaign, since has had time and experience to hone his skills and tone down his arrogance.
Alienor Capet – Daughter of Drogo Capet, wife of the now dead David Komnenos. Was immediately shunned by her husband on her arrival. Gave birth to son Alexios – second in line to the French throne, as well as the Roman throne. Fiercely protective of her child.
Louis Capet – Son of Drogo Capet, King of England. Was to succeed to his father’s Empire, but has shown himself weak willed and easily persuaded – the Roman offer of a title persuaded him to attempt to kill his father. Still sits in confinement, despite being Drogo’s heir.
