How I sent a mysterious messenger back to time to warn the Georgians: Georgia

[TheBagelmeister]

The Introduction of Our Story

It was a cold and clear December, the day after Christmas, in the year 1066. Bagrat Bagrationi, the fourth man of his name, had ruled over his nation for quite some time. It was one this day he was contemplating the invasion of the sheikdom of Kartli, a small Persian nation to the east of his domain, and a region just yearning to become part of the Georgian kingdom again.

However, now a time for the hunt. Several important men in the kingdom, himself, his son, an important noble, Gabriel Sefareli, and other various nobles and courtiers, were to go hunting in the forests at the foot of the mountains of Guria. They had, several days ago, left the warmer capital of the time of Kutaisi to go to their hunting lodge near the mountains, east of the capital.

So, there were going hunting in an rather unusually cold and snowy winter, but it made things more interesting. Anyway, as the story goes, Bagrat found himself seperated from the party over some time, after which he found himself in front of an "messenger from the future" (a man rumored to have arrived from my previous AAR some time around the collapse of the Georgian kingdom). What happened then and there is unknown to those except Bagrat or the "messenger from the future", and possibly to later members of the Bagrationi dyansty (such as Georgi II, his son). All that is known is that Bagrat recieved a "scroll from the future", which may or may not have had some useful information.

So, this is the story of a rather different Georgia, a Georgia in which an event occured which may or may not have any impact on the course of the nation. Let us only hope that Georgia rises to greatness through this event, and not the alledged destruction. This is the new story......

[Specialist290]

Well, this should be interesting.

[anonymous4401]

Having another go, eh? Just what changed this time?

[Veldmaarschalk]

Hopefully this AAR will be a bit longer

[Stroph1]

Good luck with Georgia. Always had a soft spot for Georgian AARs!

[TheBagelmeister]

Eh, 'tis a Good Day for a Drink

And so, after a day and night of hunting in the forests near the Caucasus mountains, the party returned to their hunting lodge. Bagrat was tired, cold, and hadn't yet read that scroll from the mysterious "time traveller" nor thought much about what was said, and, anyway, he needed a drink.


Bagrat IV Bagrationi - King of Georgia

Soon after returning to the lodge on December 27, Bagrat prepared to make some announcements to many of his courtiers for some appointments. But first, Gabriel Sefareli, a man who was viewed as a master in theology, requested to be appointed diocese bishop of the kingdom. Bagrat agreed, but also offered the hand of his only daughter, Miriam, in marriage.


Gabriel Sefareli - Diocese Bishop

Feeling his daughter was talented in the art of diplomacy, Bagrat appointed her the chancelloress of the kingdom.


Miriam Bagrationi - Daughter of Bagrat IV and Wife of Gabriel Sefareli and Chancelloress

As to his appointments, he looked at his various courtiers. There were no great military men, somewhat which was very unfortanate for a kingdom with very perilous borders, and rather frusturating for a king who wanted to strength them. So, he appointed Demetre Saghiridze, a man trained as a diplomat, to head his armies. In all honesty Gabriel was a better tactician, but he perfered the scholarly life, something which Bagrat did respect.


Demetre Saghiridze - Marshal

For his spymaster, he found in Giorgi Kakhaberidze, a man of skill in intrigue. Giogi was however, a scholar in theological issues, but this wouldn't be first nor the last time a man of religion found himself in politicals aiding the king. Thus, he appointed spy master of the kingdom.


Giorgi Kakhaberidze - Spy Master

Bagrat needed someone to handle the kingdom's finances and expand it's treasuries, and so, he appointed Burudukan Shavliani, a woman from Abkhazia, to become the stewardess of the kingdom.


Burudukanshavliani - Stewardess

Finally, there was Bagrat's family, his wife was Borena of Ossetia, a native of Alania, and the sister of the Alan's leader, Durgulel.


Borena of Ossetia - Wife of Bagrat IV

There was also, quite importantly, Bagrat's son, Giorgi II, a rather skilled administrator and general. Giorgi is currently set to be married to a distant cousin, Helena Bagrationi. Bagrat would soon intend to grant Giorgi his own plot of land within the kingdom.


Giorgi II - Son of Bagrat IV and Heir Presumptive

And so, after a lengthy talk with his courtiers and family, the usually energetic Bagrat prepares to relax. He soon has a rather loud drinking party in the hunting lodge and finds himself drunk, falling asleep.

For now, Bagrat is asleep, but soon, Georgia will so pretty awesome and become an empire. But first, they must not make some certain mistake the Georgia of the future has made, for this must be a story of victory and glory, not one of sad defeat and despair, so, we can have a sequel...!

[anonymous4401]

Kakhaberidze...

Well, you always hear of interesting names in CK!

[Fiftypence]

Great, more Georgia.

[TheBagelmeister]

The freakin' awesome Georgian Kingdom, but hey, it can use some improvement!

Bagrat's Plan To Export Some Very Strange Georgian Names Overseas

And so, in the early part of the year 1067, in the month of January, Bagrat and his men returned to his capital of Kutaisi, a city which could be a lot cooler. This did not mean the end of hunting and drinking, no. Now he was going to hunt Muslims, and drink after some very glorious fighting. No, it wasn't that he got a kick out of it, but Bagrat had a responcibility as king to do this for his people, and is God meant for him to do it, why not enjoy it?

Well, first, he figured his son Giorgi could use some land, he has come of age and is getting ready to enjoy an ages old practice of inbreeding, so why not let him ruler some peasants himself? "Well boy, like everyone else in Crusader Kings, your birthday apparently happens to be on the second day of January or something, so here's your gift, Tao," said the "Just" Bagrat. Anyway, it got Giorgi out of the house, the kid has been living with his parents a tad bit too long.

Well now, less soldiers to pay for, and less demense, which means more conquering pagans and Muslims, a duty God has meant for Bagrat, and something which he enjoys merely because it is his duty.


A family tree of the might Bagrationis, the Chosen People (they have to be, a time traveller came to save THEM of all the families of Europe)

Oh nice, a better courtier with a higher intrigue stat than your current one, Nina Versheli. Anyway, her name is a lot easier to pronounce than Giorgi Kakhaberidze...


Nina Versheli - New Spy Master, and someone who's going to make my morning routine a hell of a lot easier

Alright, its February, time for a time honoured tradition, pagan... er, Muslim, bashing. The sheikdom of Dwin looked ripe for conquest. They are ruled by Fadl ibn Shaddad, a 25 year old kid who's old man is fifty years older. Anyway, we want his sheikdom before his old man dies, so the conquest can be ever so much easier.

Hah, they have 250 men to defend their little territory, and no allies either. How easy it shall be, but eh, let's hope this isn't what Bagrat was warned about. It'd be a pity for it to all end here and now.

It's September, and their puny hill fortress is taken, and Dwin is mine! Mesoptamia decides being part of the Byzantine Empire ain't fun anything. And, my loving wife, noting her adsence on campaign, gets stressed. 'Tis a pity.

Anyway, the folks of Dwin seem to have a lot of problems with crime, so I build them a court of justice to teach those no-good-doers a lession.

It's 1068, and Bagrat notices the the chiefdom of Kasogs is raking in a lot of money, even though its only one province. Well now, Bagrat does have a thing for money for his drunken parties, so I must say, it's a good day. Preperations are made for a campaign to begin on March. However, Bagrat does pay that Kasogs having a few cards up their sleeve isn't part of this Georgia AAR.

Well, Bagrat has learned a very valuable lession during this campaign. Fighting pagans like the ferocious Buurgur of Kasogs is a very effective way to burn calories.

Well, its October, Kasogs is now a part of the Georgian kingdom, so it's time to begin teaching these poor savages a civilized, Christian, way of life. Anyway, my brother in law, the almighty Durgulel of Alania dies, and his son, Yasynya takes reign over Alania. On another note, the Byzantine Empire doesn't seem to be doing too well, now does it? 'Tis alright, the more they lose, we can reconquer!

On a really bad note, my only son, Giorgi, is severely wounded from the war. Terrible news for a father to hear, and considering he has yet to produce a male heir, a situation, which, combined with his sister's pregnancy, could lead to the Sefareli becoming the ruling dynasty. Or, some distance relative living in Byzantium.

Well, Miriam produces a daughter, Merab! Well, I guess that kid is probably up for grabs for whoever succeeds poor Bagrat. A good thing too, she has good stats.

Anyway, for more exciting news, more heathen bashing. The sheikdom of Kartli must die, I don't need any justification there. So, it's time for another annual campaign!

.........and Crusader Kings crashes! Guess the almighty Creator didn't mean for Georgia to annex Kartli. But, as I see things, best two out of three.

.... best of five...?
.... best of severn?
.... best of nine...?

Trust me folks, this will work.... eventually.

Well, back to January. Anyway, my wife is depressed. Something about me not giving her enough attention. Sheesh, what's her problem? It seems like everyone in my family has a mental or physical health problem. Well, I need some rest and relaxation, so more heathen bashing. P'atlun of Tiflis, time to die.

Its July, and Kartli is saved from some very not nice folks. A nice night for celebration and alcohol, to keep me away from my torn up family.


Georgia and her environs on a mid-summer's night of 1069. Well, atleast not heathen infested.

Well, good night for the night folks. And, do you guys want shorter and more frequent post?

[Fiftypence]

Your kingdom's looking healthy, but Derbent must die!

Well, good night for the night folks. And, do you guys want shorter and more frequent post?

I don't really mind. Either way is good for me.

[anonymous4401]

Looks like Georgia was simply not meant to thrive!

[Singleton Mosby]

Nice start expanding your realm like that. Too bad the game crashed.

[TheBagelmeister]

Bagrat's Desire for Caviar, and the Heathen Bashing He'd Need to Do

Well, it was Christmas of 1069, and Bagrat had some gifts to hand out. Firstly, the man with the funny name, Giorgi Kakhaberidze, would recieve for himself a piece of land in the south, Dwin. Bagrat figured the man would have a fine time near the border, plus, Bagrat had a sudden desire for fish roe from the Caspian Sea, and we all know them heathens live there, so time for some killing.

Now then, Bagrat's son, Giorgi, who, for all we know is going to die without and heir, was given himself a rather nice gift, being made count of Kartli to add to Tao. However, he was also made Prince of Georgia, giving Giorgi a vassal to boss around. Anyway, Giorgi would probably be really happy with the cooler looking shield.

Now then, its 1070, and time to kill Derbent, no?

5583 Georgians vs....

3314 Derbentese. Hah, easy, unless they know how to hack, or if God is on their side, which can't be possible.

Well now, I do say, it's time for some blood.

Oh, damn good timing, Giorgi has recovered from his war wounds and is fighting again! And, it seem's he's been busy, for Helene, his wife, is pregnant.

...and, a new stewardess, with a funny name, Gulkan Sagirashvili!


This woman is going to make mail call difficult again. Why did I have to play as Georgia?

Well boys and girls, its April of 1072, and Derbent is dead, pretty much making me a strong power in the region. Bagrat realizes the more petty wars Georgia fights, the more manpower and taxation the Kingdom will have, so eventually, his residence can be in a much more luxurious capital. For now, Bagrat was enjoying the cavier that had been looted from the Persians. Tomorrow, Albania will be his!

The only caveat is apparently my son has a bad habit of getting into some sort of injury every time he fights. Maybe he'll recover just in the time for the next war... again.

And finally, a stroke of luck, and Georgia inherits a male courtier!


Nerse Sagirashvili, an estranged cousin of my steward. And, apparently, claimant to my capital. But he fights mean and dirty, so he's my new marshal!

Pisk... pisk... Poor Miriam, Gabriel, our esteemed Diocese Bishop, is dead. Time for her to get another political marriage, and more money for me! Oh, damn, no more money. Well, atleast with some luck, the Sagirashvili family will live on!

Speaking of which, Bagrat must get married too. His depressed wife was pregnant, but then died. So yes, I guess there's some money this time. How about a Rusisan?

Well, instead, I marry my steward. Yeah, I know, company policy frowns upon
office relationships, but I am the company, so take that!

Anyway, with the eminant collapse of the Byzantine Empire, some relatives come back home. I guess Georgia wasn't such a terrible place after all.

Well now, boys and girls, its June 1074, and well, the Turk don't like me, so they declare war. A pity.


Georgia in 1074, on the verge of either destruction or triumph. Found out next time on the next post....

[anonymous4401]

Is it destruction?

[Fiftypence]

Ah. Well, all you can do is keep suing for peace with the Turks over and over again and hope and pray they accept. It's not very likely, but it's possible.

[TheBagelmeister]

The Georgians (hopefully) pull out some really awesome moves

Bagrat's plan was rather simple. He knew this war was going to be hard, the Turks outnumbered the Georgians pretty badly. Bagrat has no intention on trying to defend his southernmost extreme province. Shirvan would be allowed to fall. Other than that, Bagrat hoped to launch a successful invasion into the Turkish held portions of Anatolia.

Anatolia, had, for a long time, been a source of manpower for the Byzantine, and the Turks annexing the easternmost extreme hadn't helped the Empire. However, while the Seljuks were Turkish and Muslim, the Anatolians were Greek and Orthodox, something Bagrat had working to him. If he could handle the war successfuly, Bagrat could turn Georgia into a very big regional power and begin some much more ambitious conquests...

All Bagrat knew at the moment was that winning the war was going to be extremely costly for the Georgian people, but it would be an absolutely vital victory to secure the safety of the nation.

Bagrat's biggest problem was the succession after him. He was already an aged man, 56 years old. His son, Giorgi, had already been wounded severly in battle and now how pnuemonia. His eldest son, Demetre, was only three years of age, indeed not fit for warfare.


Anyway, in the end, the Georgians lost. Another sad end for my Georgia AAR. Well, if you have any requests for some other obscure folks to rise to greatness, or fail miserably, please make them. It was a fun AAR for me to do, despite the disappointment, and I wouldn't mind trying some others folks, like Nubia, until one of them thrives.

[anonymous4401]

Yup, Georgia isn't meant for success..

[Fiftypence]

Poor Georgia is doomed, it seems.