Road of Queens - CKII India AAR

[Bullfilter]

Sometime in mid March a messenger otter caught up with the boat fleet

Loved the messenger otters. You otter have more of them!

PTHTHTHTHTHT!!!!

Is the tiger named Hannibal? Would he like to eat the hunting party with some fava beans and a nice Chianti?

The Tiger Hunt was a total failure and the Empress was NOT amused.

But the kitty gets to live.

There was also a open position among the Imperial Commanders. And this time it was a Courtier named Paschalis who was at the top of the list of available skilled military men.

Still think some external recruiting would be in order: the new guy is old and a bit mediocre. [Edit: misread his martial stat - a 20 is a fine commander]

 

[Midnite Duke]

A 72yo 20martial general is a great choice for a week of combat. My Basilissa, happiness is fleeting but goodness is eternal.

 

[Bullfilter]

A 72yo 20martial general is a great choice for a week of combat. My Basilissa, happiness is fleeting but goodness is eternal.

Oops - misread the small print on my phone: I thought it was a 12! He’s a good choice indeed.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Eight Hundred-Three : Showing Patience

Watching The Minute Hand Move​

The chapter opens in September, of the year 926 AD, with the Empress trying to show some patience as her Army marched south.

Her Court Physician, Kyriakos, had come back from his hospital visit and it seemed he had learned a great deal from his studies.

Because of this he had become a Renowned Physician. Which pleased the Empress.

By the ides of September the Empress received some bad news. Seems the Mayor of Karongshar was plotting to kill the Duchess of the Bangala Varman Raj. No reason could be found for this murderous plot.

“Tell the Mayor to cancel his plotting,” the Empress demanded as she tossed the report to one side.

By now the Courtiers had placed a waste basket next to her throne to catch the discorded reports. Yet the Empress would sometimes miss the basket on purpose. As if to annoy her staff.

The army of, the soon to be enemy, Kingdom of Orissa was still making its way through the Imperial lands to the north.

By early October her own Army was also still on the march. The Basilissa was growing bored and impatient.

On top of that she received news of a death. Seems Doux Mahendrapala II “The Tenacious” of the Kumanchal had died while bedridden and infirm on the 19th of October. His eldest son had taken his Titles and his holdings.

The Empress had mixed feelings about the New Doux. He barely liked her and his skills were pitiful. Seems he also wanted the Kingdom of Nepal for his own! At least his children were related by blood to her Dynasty even if they were not part of it.

There was ONE good thing to come out of the old Doux’s death. His Faction had been disbanded.

The NEW Doux did not waste time but passed his first Law before the end of the month. Making it so the Nobles gave him soldiers instead of coins.

At this point the Empress had noticed that the Doux’s wife had died a few years ago. It was surprising she had lasted so long with her history of illnesses and mishaps.

“The man needs a wife….my father would try to match him up with somebody,” mumbled the Baislissa to herself. “Let’s try that!”

The Empress tried to marry the New Doux to one of her Courtiers but the Courtier was unhappy with the arrangement and refused.

“Oh well,” responded the Empress who gave. “If he wants to get remarried he will have to find a less picky wife.”

Then she noticed that Princess Pulcheria of Maurya was no longer married. Her husband had died from the Flu just last year.

“Why don’t there people go see a doctor when they feel ill?” said the Empress. “Stupid people!”

“It can be costly to see a healer,” pointed out one of the Courtiers.

“Than they should get rich like me!” remarked the Empress. “Now bring me the list of available single men in the Empire!”

And so the list was brought to the Empress and she found a 49 year old man by the name of Shur of the House Rajabhata. He was a bastard but good at warfare and seemed to know how to balance an account book.

So she sent a request to his Liege the Doux of the Bangala Varman Raj.

The man, with a letter of approval, presented himself to the Court in November and the wedding was carried out on the spot.

And so the Empress tried to fill her empty time with such duties. But was still bored.

“Maybe a party?” she said to herself with a smile.

 

[roverS3]

Yes. The new queen has truly taken up matchmaking! I guess the apple doesn't fall that far from the tree after all.
The unsuccessful tiger hunt probably only made Lord Meow Meow happy, as he looks down from the afterlife, cheering on the tigers to run and hide.

 

[Bullfilter]

Her Court Physician, Kyriakos, had come back from his hospital visit and it seemed he had learned a great deal from his studies.

Because of this he had become a Renowned Physician.

Very useful - and without getting one who is a rogue proselytiser who needs to be burnt at the stake!

Then she noticed that Princess Pulcheria of Maurya was no longer married. Her husband had died from the Flu just last year.

Well, she’s a little slow on the uptake given it’s her own daughter! Can’t blame that on the staff - legitimately, anyway.

 

[Midnite Duke]

Times to squash murder plots: Victim is

a) YOU​

b) a child.​

c) your heir nope that is why you have a spare. (Darwin's Law)​

​

Why not?

a) If they are plotting against someone else, they are not plotting against YOU!​

b) arrest warrants if they join a faction​

c) arrest warrants if they refuse to quit backing a plot​

d) entertainment value for you (think of it as tiger hunting while enjoying the comforts of home)​

e) most plotters are idiots and nothing gets done​

f) if successful, the victim (since it is not you) was probably an idiot and the world is better without them​

​

Will the Basilissa's party include dancing boy-toys wearing scanty clothing? My Basilissa, take care and may your boredom soon be relieved.

PS My lady, contrary to what the learned @Bullfilter wrote, everything is the staff's fault and nothing is your fault.

 

[Bullfilter]

Very good indeed!

Times to squash murder plots: Victim is

a) YOU​

b) a child.​

c) your heir nope that is why you have a spare. (Darwin's Law)​

​

Why not?

a) If they are plotting against someone else, they are not plotting against YOU!​

b) arrest warrants if they join a faction​

c) arrest warrants if they refuse to quit backing a plot​

d) entertainment value for you (think of it as tiger hunting while enjoying the comforts of home)​

e) most plotters are idiots and nothing gets done​

f) if successful, the victim (since it is not you) was probably an idiot and the world is better without them​

​

Will the Basilissa's party include dancing boy-toys wearing scanty clothing? My Basilissa, take care and may your boredom soon be relieved.

PS My lady, contrary to what the learned @Bullfilter wrote, everything is the staff's fault and nothing is your fault.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Eight Hundred-Four : Great Party!

Who Invited The Snake?​

This chapter opens in early November, of the year 926 AD, with the Basilissa deciding on a party to celebrate Diwali.

So the scribes made some lovely invites which were sent by mounted messengers to the Empress’s many Vassals.

She also had to decide on a gift for her husband. She selected a cape. Men loved capes! And at least a cape was cheaper than a horse.

A few days later she received a note from the Doux of the Bhar Raj. Seems he didn’t wish to come to the party. There was no reason given. It seems the man disliked the Empress.

As the staff prepared the Palace/Castle for the feast the Empress received some old news of a murder plot. Seems Ranjitsingha of the House Pala wished to kill Syamadevi of the House Pala. A 8 year old girl.

“What it is with people trying to murder children?” stated the Empress in confusion. “Like, if they fail they just make an enemy. And if they kill the kid they make even more enemies. Tell the dude to chill!” And she tossed the report onto the ground. Making sure to miss the basket completely.

Then she was told of news from the north. Seems the Khagan had released one of his Khans from his dungeons. A Khan known as Khudu “The Cruel” of Mengu-Timur. Why he had been released was unknown for it was thought he was a member of a Secret Society, a Demon Worshiper, Insane, and Deceitful.

“He should have been kept in the dungeons,” remarked the Empress with a shrug of her shoulders.

Then the Castle was ready. The tables seemed to groan under the weight of the platters of roasted chickens, the pots of steaming stews, and the bowls of sugared fruits. And of course there were pastries of all sizes and shapes, plenty of drinks to enjoy, and entertainers from all walks of life.

The guests were greeted with song and dance and refreshing drinks and warm towels to wipe off the dust of their journey.

As the Empress was trying to enjoy herself she was brought more bad news.

Seems Vina of the House Bangala Varman was plotting to kill Mulraja of the House Shantideva.

“I don’t care why she wants to kill him,” said the Basilissa as she refilled her mug with wine, “but tell her to stop.”

Then, around the middle of November, the Empress noticed her Army was missing a flank Commander.

So she picked Commander Paschalis, the newest Commander in her military, for the position.

A few days later the snake charmer she hired was a big hit with the guests. They were amazed at his skill at controlling the snakes with his voice and his flute. The Empress made sure after the show he was paid well and given some good beer to enjoy.

As November turned to December it became time for the traditional exchange of gifts. The Empress gave her husband the cape she had picked out for him and he seemed pleased.

As she was enjoying some curry fish the staff alerted her to the fact that the Army was finally in position for the next war. All that was needed was for her to send a declaration of war.

“After the party,” remarked the Empress to her Courtiers. “Can’t have a war during a party.”

Soon it was the darkest night of the Diwali Feast. The lamps and torches were lit, the guests were given sugared fruits and chilled wines, and everybody celebrated the Hope defeating Despair.

The party finally came to an end. The guests were happy, the dishes and drinks had been perfect, and the snakes had not killed anybody. The Empress was very pleased.

“Now we can go to war,” said the Basilissa to her staff as the last guests left.

 

[Midnite Duke]

Glad to see that the Basilissa has priorities. Party first then war. What did hubs get the Basilissa? Happy Orissa Hunting, My Lady!

 

[Bullfilter]

This chapter opens in early November, of the year 926 AD, with the Basilissa deciding on a party to celebrate Diwali.

A trailblazing and unprecedented decision.

“Like, if they fail they just make an enemy. And if they kill the kid they make even more enemies. Tell the dude to chill!”

Ah, the voice of the younger generation. Hip to the vibe on the streets.

“After the party,” remarked the Empress to her Courtiers. “Can’t have a war during a party.”

Wise words.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Eight Hundred-Five : The War Starts

The Queen Joins The Levies In The Field
​

This chapter opens in mid December, of the year 926 AD, when it was noticed that the Orissa army was approaching the border of the Mongol Empire.

But in January, of the year 927 AD, it was noticed that the army had turned around and was coming back.

“Never mind that!” proclaimed the Empress and she tossed the report to the floor. “Send in our troops! Send the declaration of war! Let’s get this war started!”

And so the Army of Doux Dionysios III was ordered to enter the lands of the Kingdom of Orissa.

As the Empress waited for the perfect time to start the war she received some good news from the Duchy of Qamdo.

The Doux Einaar had his Council pass the Law of Absolute Rule. It was a good idea for any Ruler to pass such a law. Kept the people in line.

When the Imperial Army was about to enter the county the demand was sent on behalf of the Empress’s daughter.

The Mauryan Ducal War for Exarchessa Eulalia’s Claim on Khinjali Mandala had started.

Amazingly the enemy raised four thousand soldiers to defend themselves. Knowing that rushing into a battle while outnumbered was NOT a smart tactic the local Commanders decided to charge in ANYWAY.

“Well,” replied the Empress. “We call forth the Levies.”

And so the Levies were called forth. As farmers and peasants and herders collected their weapons and armor to assemble into their units the Empress called forth for her own weapons and armor.

“I will go to war myself!” she proclaimed as she went to get her horse. “I will go to war like the Queens of old!”

Even as she left the Palace in full plate on her most powerful warhorse news came from the south. The Battle of Nilamadhav had started.

Of course the two sides exchanged arrows and spears. The enemy had the numbers but no trained military Commander.

Then there was news from the north. Seems a Khan had joined the Overthrow the Khan faction. Seemed there were a lot of insane vassals among the ranks of the Mongol Empire.

The Empress also received two pieces of bad news from within her own Empire.

The first piece of bad news was Qishiq Ivarssin of the House Xiaokhitai was seeking to kill a 13 year old of his OWN House.

“Why is everybody trying to kill kids?” remarked the Empress when she saw the report. “Weirdos.”

The second piece of bad news was that Uzur’s Host was looting the Capital.

The only good part about this was the Empress had already joined the Army of Basilissa Eupraxia.

“Fool!” she shouted when she saw the report. “I will crush you!” She pulled out her sword and pointed it to the Capital. “Kill them all!”

“Ma’am,” said a soldier next to her horse. “We’re days away from the Capital. Maybe hold that thought till we engage them in battle.”

“Oh…alright,” murmured the Empress as she put her sword away.

Her husband was in Command of the other Army of Levies and was marching them eastwards to the Capital. He was be arriving after she did. But that would also mean the Raiders would be pinned down by the smaller army and not able to flee when they noticed the larger army.

As the Levy Armies acted like a VERY slow moving vise the Empress hired the Alan Riders and the Marathi Company. Professional hired soldiers would prove useful. The Alan Rider, appearing in Mongolia territory, were sent to attack the enemies’ armies in the north.

The Marathi Company, assembling in the southern part of the Empire, marched towards the official war.

And so the Empire was once AGAIN in a war AND dealing with bandits. And the Empress was about to be in a battle.

 

[Midnite Duke]

Warrior Basilissa! Be Careful, My Lady!

 

[Bullfilter]

Amazingly the enemy raised four thousand soldiers to defend themselves. Knowing that rushing into a battle while outnumbered was NOT a smart tactics the local Commanders decided to charge in ANYWAY.

That’s bold. could Be a tough battle - hoping quality and leadership win out.

“I will go to war myself!” she proclaimed as she went to get her horse. “I will go to war like the Queens of old!”

That’s the spirit!

The second piece of bad news was that Uzur’s Host was looting the Capital.

Very inconvenient indeed.

As the Levy Armies acted like a VERY slow moving vise the Empress hired the Alan Riders and the Marathi Company.

Good moves too - no mucking about. Interested to see how this one works out.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Eight Hundred-Six : Off With A Limb

Medieval Spear​

It was mid February, of the year 927, and as the Empress rode along side the hundreds of Imperial Levies that she commanded a messenger hawk came with news from the south.

But it wasn’t news from the war. It was from her Upadhyayani, Photios, who reported that he had converted a lowborn named Fuguzhi.

“Boring,” remarked the Empress as she tossed the report to the road. And was fined for littering.

Then the Battle of Hajo began. The Empress herself charged in at the head of her outnumbered army. The bandit Archers filled the sky with a cloud of arrows as there was the traditional exchange of missiles between the armies.

The Basilissa rode into the ranks of the bandits, her men following, as she cried out her battle cry and attacked the enemy with her sword. The enemy line formed up into a wall with their shields even as her men slammed into it.

To the south the Orissa forces were already falling back against the smaller Imperial Army.

Seems the Imperial center had fallen back under the pressure of the enemy forces. As the Royal forces pushed their way forward they found themselves in the crossfire of the Archers of left and right flanks. And like the Romans at the Battle of Cannae could not bring their full numbers to bare.

Of course they panicked and were now running through the forest with the Imperial Cavalry chasing after them.

At the same time the Royal forces of Orissa were finding out they were no match for the Imperial forces, even with mercenaries among their ranks, it seems Bhikkhu Abed of Siling, a lowborn, was searching for a way to kill Leontia of the House Triblattities.

Of course the Empress was kind of too busy to respond to these events. For as she pushed into the enemy ranks she found herself cut off. The enemy soldiers overwhelmed her own soldiers and even, somehow, killed her horse without killing her.

But instead of whining about it or retreating she got back onto her feet, brushed off the dirt, spotted the Raiders’ Commander and went after him.

Uzur, armed with his spear, seemed to not know how to handle it. Its tip seemed to move about the air in a confused pattern. Till he sliced off the Empress’s leg and her scream seemed to flood out the noise of the battle surrounding them.

As the Queen was carried away from the fighting, leaving one leg and a lot of blood behind, she grabbed the nearest soldier and said, “No retreat! Do you hear me! NO RETREAT!”

The soldier nodded as he, and his comrades, took the Empress to the medics to try to keep her alive.

So the Levies stayed, fighting the bandits in the Capital of the Empire, waiting for reinforcements to arrive.

 

[Midnite Duke]

This is not a good thing for the Basilissa's longevity! May Buddha's grace help heal you, My Lady!

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Eight Hundred-Seven : Victories

“HOLD THEM BACK MEN!”​

This chapter opens in mid February, of the year 927 AD, with the Battle of Nilamadhav slowly coming to a close.

The Imperial center had fled but this would not help the enemy forces. The Orissa soldiers were already being chased by the Imperial Cavalry. And soon the battle was a victory for the Empire. The Imperial Commanders had lost 457 men while the enemy had lost 1,116 men. A major defeat for the Kingdom of Orissa.

With the enemy fleeing the Army settled down to lay Siege to the Castle of Khinjali. The 823 defenders would not likely hold out very long against the thousands outside their walls.

Up to the north the Battle of Hajo continued. The Imperial soldiers were slowly being cut down, one by one, by the bandits who had superior numbers. The center, in fact, collapsed and the Levies were in flight.

Then the Empress’s husband showed up with reinforcements and the tides turned. In fact, by March, the enemy center collapsed as the bandits found themselves on the defense. Soon the whole battle line of the enemy was collapsing.

The center of the bandits’ line fled the plains leaving behind the Imperial Cavalry to wipe out the stragglers on the flanks.

While this was going on the Middle Kingdom decided to make the Great King Sharva III and his Realm a Tributary State. This was somewhat confusing.

It was confusing because the Kingdom of Rashtrakuta was already a Tributary State to the Great King Gangakavilasa of Karnata.

Who wasn’t lifting a finger to help the Kingdom of Rashtrakuta. Likely due to the two wars and the one revolt he, himself, was involved in.

But the Chinese were very serious about it as they had troops marching through the Empress’s lands on their way to war.

Back to the up north, at the Imperial Capital, the Imperial forces were chasing off the last of the bandits.

When the Battle of Hajo came to a close the Imperials had lost 139 while the bandits had lost 471 men.

“Chase them down!” screamed the Empress when her husband came to see her after the battle.

Her stump was bandaged and bloody but she refused to stay in her tent. She used a spear to hop about, demanding a horse and another sword, as the medics tried to calm her down.

“NO!” she shouted. “Hunt them down! Chase them to the border! Gut them like fish!”

And so the Army of Basileus Romanos, with the Empress commanding one flank, gave chase.

Then a report came from the north. Another Host, this one under a raider called Toghoril, was attacking the County of Bome.

But it was felt that Captain Anbazuk, and his Riders, would crush them so nobody was really worried.

So this chapter ends with two victories and another Host arriving in the Empire to loot and pillage.

 

[roverS3]

What's going on? So many pillagers and bandits roaming around in the Empire. That's definitely not good for the Empress' reputation. If the imperial administration can't keep the peace inside it's own borders, some may start questioning the validity of their ruler's power, and we can't have that.
Eupraxia hobbling about on a wooden leg probably won't do much to dispel the image of a weakened ruler who can't keep her own territory under control. Or it might go the other way, showing the common people that the Empress puts her life and limb on the line to safeguard her people.
On the bright side, maybe the wooden leg will chase away some potential suitors, reducing the risk of having another bastard child due to her promiscuous ways.

 

[Midnite Duke]

Slow Death to Bandits! Slow Death to Chinese! Bandits Coated with Honey and staked to Fire Ants Mounds seems about right. Buddha, Please Protect the Basilissa!

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Eight Hundred-Eight : Kill Them All!

Buddha Knows His Own!​

This chapter opens in the ides of March, of the year 927 AD, with the Army of Basileus Romanos, and his wife, chasing down the Host of Uzur.

The Empress was having a rough time of it because of her missing limb. She spent much of her time in a supply wagon on top of stale hardtack, salted fish, and barrels of cheap beer.

When they stopped to rest and eat and train the Empress would watch the soldiers drill and have flashbacks. In the end she decided that Uzur would pay for her limb with his life.

And so the Empress, with her one leg and bloody face, now had a Rival.

As this was happening the Siege of Khinjali continued. The attacking Imperial were slowly getting reinforcements while the defending enemy were slowly losing men to the stray arrow and thrown rock.

The reinforcements in the form of the Marathi Company was still a long distance away even by the time April rolled about.

Up north the Alan Riders were slowly approaching the Host of Toghoril. Who were too busy looting to notice the large hired company of cutthroats coming to get them.

As the Empress rode in the wagon she received some news from outside the Empire. Seems Prince Niphon had become a Commander of his Liege. She was happy to know her son was alive and getting promoted.

Even as she got this news her husband continued to chase the retreating Host.

Funny enough the Army of Orissa to the north had run into one of the Armies of the local Nobles. In this case the Army of Lhasa. Who was getting their butts kicked.

Then news came that the Host of Toghoril had been taken by surprise by the Captain Anbazuk and his Riders. They had more Mounted Archers and Spear Throwers than the Host and it was likely that the Riders would be the victors.

And so the chapter closes with the Empire continuing to fight the Hosts and the Kingdom of Orissa.