Road of Queens - CKII India AAR

[Eurasia]

Sounds like some detective work is in the cards.

Duchess Zuqi of Tosali is a duelist and her image has blood on her face.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-One-Hundred-Three : Did She Do It Or Not?

This chapter opened in late September, of the year 949 AD, with the Empress going over the files of her new Heir.

Simonis of the House Dysnomia was Ugly, Suborn, and didn’t like the Empress that much.

The Empress couldn’t change the girl being ugly but she could give her a gift to improve her opinion of the Empress. This seemed to work.

But there was also the problem of her marrying Theophilos of the House Dysnomia. Not just the fear of inbreeding. But not knowing WHAT type of marriage it was. If it was a normal marriage than the husband would be in charge and may become the next Emperor.

On top of that she had received some interesting information from her spies. The Duchess Zuqi of Tosali was not only a Duelist. But lately she had been seen with blood on her face!

In fact she was missing a leg!

Could the Duchess have been the one who had wounded the Empress’s daughter and had been wounded in return? Or was it just a coincidence?

There was no solid proof to suggest she was a murderer. Well, that she murdered the Empress's Heir.

So the Empress drank and thought and pondered how to deal with the upcoming marriage.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-One-Hundred-Four : WAR!

This chapter starts in early October, in the year 949 AD, with the Exarch Danujmadhava of the Pala Kingdom starting a war with the Doux Vigrahapala of the Bangala Varman Raj. Doux was outnumbered but had more money and was a better warrior. or at least better than the Exarch at handling a sword.

The Empress sighed on hearing the news. The War covered her Wall Map with all kinds of new markers. Ruined a perfectly good piece of art!

And why?

Over ONE County. True, it was on the Silk Road and the taxes one could collect was pretty high. Which was nice. But all this over ONE County?

As she pondered what to do with this one-sided Civil War she was about to get even more BAD news.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-One-Hundred-Five : HOSTS!

This chapter opens in mid October, of the year 949 AD, with the Empress enjoying her sixth drink of the morning. When she received some news from the northwest.

Seems Daritai’s Host was looting the County of Qangtang.

“What? How dare he!” exclaimed the Empress.

But that wasn’t the only bad news.

It seems the Host of Sevenc, or Seveng, was raiding the County of Bumthang.

Right north of the Imperial Capital! It also seemed that local military forces were also responding to the raiders. It also seemed that the Army of Doux Gerasimos was already in the county. It seemed to be on the move but there was a chance it might start a fight with the Host.

“What? How dare THEY!” proclaimed the Empress. “Oh well, send in the troops!”

So the military were send to meet up with the raiders. At the time the Empress noticed that Commander Timotheos was the only one in charge of the Mauryan Army.

So she assigned two Commanders to the flanks. Count Dan was one and Mayor Polykarpos as the other.

Even while this decision was being made the Army of Doux had started to fight the Host. And were likely to be defeated. Badly. They should have keep moving.

“What can you do?” remarked the Empress on hearing about the one-sided battle. "As long as it isn't my soldiers being murdered."

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-One-Hundred-Six : FASTER!

This chapter opens in mid October, of the year 949 AD, with the Empress receiving some news from the Patoli Sahi Kngdom.

Seems the Earchessa had decided to take the County of Gauda from Nihalray “The Just”.

Not that the Empress really cared. She was too busy watching her army crawl closer to the Host on her Wall Map.

“Move faster!” she demanded of the marker. “FASTER!”

Then she received more news that the Non-Aggression Pact between Count Arsenios of Markam and the Duchess Zuqi of Tosali had dissolved.

“Maybe somebody died?” suggested one of the Imperial Courtiers.

“Don’t care!” stated the Empress. “Get out of the way of my view of the map! The map! MAP! MAP! MAP!”

A few days later the Empress was told that the Duchess had made her Lords pass the institution of the Title Revocation Allowed Law.

Which was confusing. Had she not revoked a Title BEFORE the law has been passed?

By the 24th of October the battle had ended and the local military were fleeing. The Host, after its victory, was trying to siege the local castle. And failing from lack of numbers or just not having the proper equipment.

Then the Empress was told that the OTHER Host was laying siege to Qangtang.

“Yes, yes, we’ll deal with them later,” remarked the Empress. “One Host at a time.”

Then it happened. The Host was so busy trying to lay siege they didn’t notice the Imperial Army until it was too late. Of course there was the traditional exchange of arrows. The Host had a good number of Archers and the sky was full of missiles going back and forth.

Who would win? Did the Host have a chance? How many good, Buddha loiving, Imperial soldiers would die?

 

[Bullfilter]

Did the Host have a chance?

Nah!

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-One-Hundred-Seven : Victory! Kind Of…

This chapter opens in early November, of the year 949 AD, with the Empress getting some good news.

The Castle’s Walls had been upgraded. Again. Not that she needed to be told this. It was her Castle, which contained her Palace, so she noticed when the walls was finally finished.

More importantly there was also news from the Battle for Bumthang. And the Host was already melting away as only one flank of their line held up.

Soon the Imperial Cavalry was let loose on the enemy to chase them down and murder as many of the Host before it could escape. Soon there was only a small group of raiders trying to fight off the Imperials.

By the 22nd of November the Commanders reported that they had won the battle.

But it wasn’t as one-sided as many battles of the past. The Host HAD a lot of Archers and the numbers lost by the enemy wasn’t as high as many would of liked.

It was a victory. Maybe even a major victory. But just barely. As the Imperials lost 329 soldiers while the Host lost 521 men.

Of course the Imperial forces started to chase after the Host as they headed north.

In December there was some more good news. The other Host, under the command of Daritai, had some trouble when their camps were raided. And they suffered heavy casualties.

What wonderful news! Seems both Hosts were having problems. Maybe raiding wasn’t the best lifestyle?

 

[Bullfilter]

That host fought pretty well. But a win is a win.

 

[roverS3]

Finally caught up again. That host is embarrassing the Imperial Army, anything less than a 3-1 casualty ratio against armed peasants is worrisome, less than 2-1 is a scandal. The next battle better be a very one-sided slaughter, or the Imperial Army is going to need some serious reform.
Considering the questionable popularity of the Empress, the Imperial Army's loyalty and competence are key to keeping the vassals in check and potential foreign invaders from even trying. Hosts should be opportunities to demonstrate the Imperial Army's overwhelming might.

On another note, is there still floorspace for new tiger rugs or are they hanging them on the walls now too? (hence why they added some new ones)

 

[Eurasia]

On another note, is there still floorspace for new tiger rugs or are they hanging them on the walls now too? (hence why they added some new ones)

That's why we had to build the walls. For the tiger skins. But don't tell the lower class. We told them the walls were there to protect them. HA! Silly lower class.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-One-Hundred-Eight : Chasing A Host

This chapter opens in the middle of December, of the year 949 AD, with the Army of Commander Timotheos chasing down the defeated Host of Sevenc. Or is it Seveng?

The problem was it looked like the Host was planning to run all the way to the western border. Unless it stopped to rest or was ambushed by local forces, it was likely it was going to escape.

With the coming of the New Year was news of a plot. Seems Tokarma of the House Dysnomia was plotting to kill Rameshwar of the House Pala.

Searching the records showed no REASON for this murder plot. Killing the man would gain the woman nothing. No titles or wealth would come to her if the man was dead. Nor were they rivals. It was truly a mystery.

“Have the Spymaster tell her to stop,” ordered the Empress on reading the report. “We can’t have people who kind of like me being killed. That’s not right.”

Then there was bad news.

Seems that the defenders of Bairab attacked Daritai’s Host and failed. They lost a lot of people before retreating.

Then there was more bad news. Seems the Duchess Zuqi, who had finally cleaned her face, was scheming to claim the County of Viraja.

“Tell her stop being a trouble maker!” remarked the Empress with a grumpy face. "He is related to me which means HANDS OFF!"

The Commanders chasing the Host to the south reported they were about to hit the border. Should they cross or stop?

The Empress pondered and drank and pondered. Maybe the Imperial Army should break off and go after the other Host?

 

[Bullfilter]

Host of Sevenc. Or is it Seveng?

Whichever translates as “chicken” in Mongolian.

Maybe the Imperial Army should break off and go after the other Host?

Not worth the effort. Hit the other host.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-One-Hundred-Nine : Good News And Bad NEWS!

This chapter opens in mid February, of the year 950 AD, with the Empress making a decision.

The Army of Timotheos was told to go north and attack the Host of Daritai who was still causing trouble.

Then there was news from the Count of Viraja. He had the Lords of his holding pass the Institution of the Religious Control Mandate Law. A smart move but it might upset a few people.

And what upset her was the damn war happening. It was messing up her Wall Map.

So she sent a message to the Exarch to demand he end his war at once. Of course there was a chance he would refuse or demand something in return if he did end his war.

While the Empress waited for a reply she received some good news. Seems bandits had attacked the Host. Many of Daritai’s men had been killed.

A reply from Exarch suggested he was willing to cancel the war for money. A lot of money. She agreed though the Accountants could be heard sobbing into their books.

At least they could not fight again for about three year due to their White Peace Treaty.

As the Army approached the Host there were reports that the Host didn’t have enough food. Seems their soldiers were starving.

Then there was more good news. The Faction led by Doux Antonios of Magadha to place the Duchess Eustathia in charge of Bihar had disbanded.​

She also asked her Upadhyayani to improve the opinion of the Buddhist Rulers and Leaders towards her. Their opinions of her had gone down lately. Mostly due to that event during the business trip where she told them all to shut up.​

This helped a little in increasing the Temple Vassals’ opinion of her as a whole.

Around this time she noticed how old her younger husband had become.

Also the Host had been attacked by bandits again in late April. That’s what you get for raiding in bandit country.

Then there was bad news. Very bad news. Horrible news!

​

The Host had overcome the defenders and broken through the walls of the Castle. Over a thousand defenders had died while the Host had lost less then two hundred. Not counting the raiders lost to bandits and such. And lack of food and clean water.

On top of that the Host had looted all the gold from the Castle. The horror!

The Empress sighed and shook her head. Well, at least her Army would stomp them into the ground.

 

[Bullfilter]

I was just thinking it has been a long time since there has been a war of expansion. Any prospects available at the moment?

 

[Eurasia]

I was just thinking it has been a long time since there has been a war of expansion. Any prospects available at the moment?

There is a Council Member working on claiming some holdings I believe. Or they were....hmmmm....Still, south seems to be the best direction to expand.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-One-Hundred-Ten : They Escaped!

This chapter opens in early May, of the year 950 AD, with the Army of Timotheos heading north and about to hit the Host.​

The Empress really hated Hosts. They burned her holdings, looted her stuff, and made her look bad in the eyes of her people.

They were already started on the next Siege. Trying to overwhelm the defenders of the City of Burog.

At this point in her life the Empress realized that she was no longer zealous. She, in fact, felt somewhat bored about many of the topics that use to interest her.

On the other hand she was amused to find out the Duchess of Tosali was now known as “The Legless”. Even though she still had ONE leg. So the nickname didn’t really make much sense.

Then she received some bad news from the Spymaster.

Count Harendranarayan of Madhupur was scheming to claim the Duchy of Varendra. From his own Liege. Who was a member of the Imperial Dynasty.

“Tell the Count to STOP,” replied the Empress on hearing the news. “Tell him that the Imperial Dynasty is not to be messed with.”

Then she received a report from the Commanders in Qangtang. Seems the Host fled. With all the gold. Leaving behind a burning Castle.

To say the Empress was upset would be an understatement. But she didn’t order the Army to chase down the Host. It would just waste more resources and time. And men of course. Men were costly to replace.

 

[Bullfilter]

But she didn’t order the Army to chase down the Host. It would just waste more resources and time. And men of course. Men were costly to replace.

While irritating, the correct course. Faster and smarter than many hosts.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-One-Hundred-Eleven : Planning For The Future

Medieval Tax Farmer
​

This chapter opens in late July, of the year 950 AD, with the Empress deciding she needed to help the Castle of Bairab. Which happened to be on fire.

The Empress was going to pay for the Keep being upgraded. Which she did.

How the engineers and laborers would rebuild the Keep during a fire was up to them.

Around the same time the Army of Timotheos was told to return to the Capital.

There was also some good news in mid August. Seems Bhikkhu Nikephoros of Para-Lauhitya had disbanded his movement to bring Gavelkind Succession in Kamarupa. The Empress didn’t like him very much but was happy he had given up on the idea. Why all her Vassals seemed to like Gavelkind Succession for the Empire was crazy.

The City of Nayagarh, in the County of Khinjali Mandala, was building a university. The Empress decided it would be a good place to also build a Toll Booth.

So a Toll Booth it was. Maybe it could help pay for the school?

Of course she sent her husband to the County to oversee the projects. That WAS one of his jobs after all. Sadly he didn't have much in the way of skills for his position but at leasat it kept him from under foot.

The Empress took a load off her own feet by having her Imperial Guard carry her throne around while she enjoyed a few cups of wine. Well, a dozen cups. Well….

The Empress hoped that no more Hosts would be showing up. And that no more friends would be passing away. At least nothing else could go wrong. Right? RIGHT?

 

[Bullfilter]

Chapter One Thousand-One-Hundred-Eleven

1,111 - quite a milestone!

How the engineers and laborers would rebuild the Keep during a fire was up to them.

At least nothing else could go wrong. Right? RIGHT?

Uh oh, she said it! Or thought it, anyway. Gout and a face-removing physician here we come!

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Thousand-One-Hundred-Twelve : Chinese Military NOT Available?

This chapter opens in late September, of the tear 950 AD, with some interesting news from China.

Seems the Chinese Empire was not doing so well. There had been a series of droughts and the people were starving. It was rumored that China would no longer be able to help its Tributary States. And its trade, the caravans and ships, were no more.

Though the Accountants said the Trade Income was still pretty stable. Maybe it would take some time for the changes to happen? Either way that meant the Empress could take some action.

It was time to go after the Jau Duchy again!

And so her Magistros, the Bihikkhu Akakios of Durjaya, was sent to Kalinganagar. To try to claim as much of the young boy’s holdings as he could.

It was funny how many Council Members seemed to be on the Southern Frontier. At least they were working hard for their money.