Is it possible to get the Merovingian and Niall Bloodlines as unreformed Germanic ruler?

[Urloc the Great]

The Merovingian BL usually can be saved if you grant him a city, but that requires that you are already his liege or at least christian. By the time the Age of Viking starts he is probably already too old or even dead to get any offspring.
The Niall BL can easily be acquired if you are catholic. But you won't get it easily if starting as a Germanic ruler.

I have thought about reforming the Germanic faith with Cosmopolitan, Syncretism and Autonomous (for the Syncretist trait), but that might take too long.

Are there any other options to get the Merovingian and Niall Bloodlines as unreformed Germanic ruler?

 

[jonjowett]

There's no problem with Niall (or Briain) - they usually survive long enough that you can invite bloodline members via favors.

As Germanic, you have the additional option of raiding Ireland and capturing children/women with the bloodline. (Keep them in your prison until they're adults, then recruit/concubine them.)

I have personally bred Niall/Briain into my rulers' bloodlines in many different runs, because access to tanistry succession can be an incredibly useful option (eg. for non-pagan tribals).

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Merovingian blood is theoretically possible to save, in many different ways, and many people have done so. However, it probably needs to be the main focus of your run, and I've never thought it was worthwhile tbh. (The main benefit of the bloodline - spawning great warriors - only works if you are unreformed Germanic... which is a very painful compromise.)

 

[majdavlk]

yes, why wouldnt it?

you can also try seducing them and producing a child