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I suppose it may turn into a reasonably lengthed showcase of the game though, which is what France turned into (well, it did once the RNG decided to have allies work for you this time).
For a long term project, ypu coukd try recreating the germanic pagan world at its greatest extent (Scandinavia, Russia and eastern europe east of germany, the british isles and all the islands above it including iceland, greenland and north america!).
I thought it was a lot of fun at the time - early EU meets Caesar! If you want to get a feel, hop on over. [Edit: which I see you have already done: my warmest thanks ] I’ll be writing it on the assumption many people reading have never played the game, but it will have some familiar aspects (not the same in-depth dynasty dynamics of CK2 of course). The chapters will be short, sharp and concentrated on major gameplay and wars/battles, I think, but will see how it turns out!
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The Twelfth Thing of Rurik's Reign – Nygarðr, 27 June 879 (a summary of advice from Chapter 34)
The Twelfth Thing of Rurik's Reign – Nygarðr, 27 June 879 (a summary of advice from Chapter 34)
With the Kingdom of Garðaríki so recently established, many aspects of the new realm level laws, succession questions and possible outcomes from a successful subjugation of Merya (where war has been declared but no battles have taken place) are still being discussed and confirmed. On instruction from King Rurik, Chancellor Hrörekr has convened a meeting of the great and wise in the capital hold of Nygarðr to debate these arcane topics.
I have only a little experience with [Qs 1-3] those so I'll pass but I find it that instead of revoking a title I like just waiting for them to revolt and hand the title to me on a platter better.
[Re New Appointments] It's nice that the Norse have a court vulva. No wonder though there are no available candidates. Maybe you can find one among the Byzantines
I honestly don’t know where to get someone for this. If anyone has any good ideas on where I might find someone with all the right characteristics (including being Norse Germanic), I’d happily look there.
Why are you using the promote commander and present debutante decisions? I never used them and always called people from the people finder tool. Maybe I was doing something wrong but I think there was a better selection there. Not that the ones you got were not good enough, I just was too lazy to fire the decision and just grab whoever I liked from the pool.
OK, being new to the game, by ‘people finder tool’ do you mean the screen that pops up when you click on the vacant position? Or the list of court characters? Or is there another function I’m missing? The reason I’ve been asking for new blood (for example with the new commanders and wives for them) is that all the local talent wasn’t up to scratch (and I’m trying to populate with Norse Germanic courtiers to bring religious and cultural change by osmosis). In this realm, the talent pool seems to be very small – could be because it’s at the start? Or that I haven’t been looking in the right place. If you could give me a screenshot of the button/pool your’re talking about and where you access it, I’ll be able to see if we’re talking about the same thing – but my available talent is just not good enough yet.
I said: Although longer term, he would be looking back to the Baltic, where one or two coastal provinces within the royal demesne would be very useful for the founding of shipyards for those who would come after him – when his personally bound fleet of longships would return to their homes ports.
This has been a constant source of worry for me. If there is some obstacle on Baltics, you can try the polar sea as well but Baltic is the better target.
Yes, has been worrying me too, but raiding and kingdom building have so far been the priority. I’ll try the Baltics: hopefully any obstacle can be bull-dozed through (without making me the baddest boy in the known world – or after Arpad of Hungary, anyway, who has 30 countries in pacts against him!
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Ch34 Q1: Realm Laws 1.OK, given the unruly vassals I already had and have recently had many more forcibly added by subjugation, to me this was a no-brainer. I need this ace up my sleeve. But there are now some realm laws displayed that either I hadn’t looked at much before, weren’t there or have been added by the recent slab of DLC I got (all bar Jade Dragon now of the major expansions). First question: had I gone instead for Low Tribal Organisation, what do ‘Empowered Council’ and ‘War Declaration Committee’ do (briefly)? And in return for that, would I be able to directly ask my tribal vassals to provide liege levies (which I can’t at the moment), instead of having to ask them as allies? And in light of whatever the answer is, would this be worth pursuing as the next law reform (which can’t be attempted for ten years anyway)?
Per above, I was wondering when I should be generally aspiring to get whatever benefits accrue form giving more power to the council. As opposed to now, where they are just helpful gophers who do things for me but demand nothing and don't get to vote on my decisions!
Empowered Council will make other items start appearing on the council laws screen. In and of itself, it doesn't do much that I can recall, but it's required for the rest. Though at some point (I can't recall if tribal governments need increased tribal organization first) it can enable factions who will strive for increased council powers.
The war declaration committee means you'll need the council's approval to declare war at all (I can't recall if it's absolutely required or if they just become really unhappy if you go against them). It's a straight up/down vote, but there's lots of favor trading and diplomacy that can influence it, beyond the councilor's personalities. It can be really helpful to put loyalists in as your advisers.
For low tribal organization, the wiki says that the bonus is title revocation. Presumably one that can be used against all vassals (or at least all tribal vassals), but beware: other vassals won't like it if you do so without a suitable excuse. Direct levies (and taxes) aren't until high tribal organization, and can actual lead to fewer troops (if convenient in that they're directly controlled).
Tribal organization is ultimately required for reforming to a feudal kingdom. However, not being an unreformed pagan is also required (either by reforming the religion or adopting a religion of the book). And the tribal organization laws also include a series of escalating opinion penalty, so while you need to start enacting them well before you convert, you may not want to do so too early.
Thanks – from reading others’ AARs, I’m pretty sure you can go against a Council war veto, but you are labelled a Tyrant and it tends to spark uprisings. While you’re at war. Bad medicine! Which Specialist290 confirms below.
@Ihdrendur covered most of the high points, so I'll just go over a few areas of uncertainty:
Empowering the War Declaration Committee also means that council members cannot form or join factions while the Council is content. There are basically two ways the Council can become discontent: By default immediately after a new succession, and by the ruler defying / overruling a council vote (which also, naturally, comes with an opinion hit for being a tyrant) -- so yes, you can overrule your council if you disagree with the outcome; just be aware that there are consequences, and plan accordingly.
There's never really a "good" time to surrender power like that if you can help it, but if you have to (voluntarily) give up power, best to do so when everyone likes you -- it may be a rough ride every now and again until you manage to feudalize, but once that happens you can gradually reassert your ruler's authority and tie up loose ends.
On a tangential note, since it's going to be more important as you gradually give more power to your council in your quest to raise Tribal Organization, take note of the five main Councilor Stances, which heavily factor into how they'll vote on a given issue:
•Loyalists will basically support the ruler so long as they themselves aren't being directly harmed.
•Pragmatists want a strong realm overall and will support de jure wars and the ruler paring down over-powerful vassals, but they will also tend to veto "military adventurism" if the opposing realm is too powerful, and they don't want to see anyone getting too powerful -- including the ruler.
•Glory Hounds are basically the inverse of the Pragmatists, supporting "glorious" wars to expand the realm and break the might of powerful foes (basically the "Leeroy Jenkins" Council Stance). On the plus side, they want to see the realm strong and will support attempts at centralizing power -- but at the same time, that same respect for strength tends to mean they'll oppose you weakening powerful vassals without cause.
•Zealots, as the name might suggest, will pretty much support anything that weakens religious enemies and oppose anything that harms pious members of the same faith.
•And finally, Malcontents are basically the inverse of the Loyalists, opposing anything the ruler wants unless they personally stand to gain from it.
As always, the wiki has more info about what all goes into voting considerations if you're curious.
Many thanks for all that – very useful. Yes, one of the DLC I got relatively recently included that new screen and voting attributes – fortunately at the moment they don’t vote on anything, but it will eventually have to happen – it seems ultimate progress demands it.
Q1 - Tribal Organization is your pathway to Feudalism. You can't go feudal without max tribal organization, so damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead. Empowered Council simply means that - your councilors become more assertive about bending the Kingdom to their will. Unfortunately, two powers will be given to the council every time you increase your tribal organization. Empowered Council and War Declaration Committee are actually a net benefit. With War Declaration Committee, any vassal that is on the council won't join a faction. So if you throw those vassals that hate you onto the council, they very suddenly have power to lose. They can still murder you though, so watch out.
OK, thanks for making it clear – I’d only had a vague general idea of that till now (banished in my thoughts to the fuzzy future). I will probably have to make that the next legal priority. And now, I have to worry about all these unhappy new vassals I’ve subjugated, as well as those perennially murderous Slovenskys! Although the plot closest to home so far was within the family, when the Queen plotted to kill Helgi (before he converted to the true Germanic faith).
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Ch34 Q2: Realm Laws 2.‘Low Tribal Organisation’ would (I presume in ten years’ time) give me the next option of changing to ‘Low Centralisation’. The demesne and vassal limit increase figures are simple to understand. Just a wise thing to enact when the chance comes? No real hidden drawbacks? One for the future (20 years off now, I guess), but just curious.
All vassals will probably become unhappy about it (both a small ongoing opinion penalty and a larger time-limited one). And they'll occasionally form factions to decrease it. They'll probably also form factions to decrease tribal organization, too.
The main thing to keep in mind is that you're actually (slightly) reducing your vassal cap. The numbers listed are the absolute bonus you get over the default, and you already get a +10 to your Vassal Limit from Minimal Centralization. Basically, as you go further up, you're trading the ability to manage more vassals for the ability to control more territory directly. Other than that, pretty straightforward.
Thanks all – when the time comes, and per other comments above, I’ll have to consider the path to feudalism and whether it means I must grasp the nettle to increase centralisation as well as tribal organisation. But not yet (still getting my head around the tribal basics and kingdom level issues now).
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Ch34 Q3: Realm Laws 3.If this (Vassal Obligation Laws) was here before, I’d either not seen it or forgotten about it (maybe it’s a new Kingdom level thing). Looks like these are part of the ‘only one every ten years’ limit. Again, any here you think are worth aspiring too, in any particular order, or that need precursor tech advances or law changes? I see them appear in AARs every so often, but don’t really know what they do or how useful they are. Not after a full description (that can always be sought on the wiki, I guess): just broad thoughts and advice, shared experience, etc. Relative values may also differ from feudal to tribal realms, I’m assuming.
When you get big and powerful, making feudal vassals give you a little taxes instead of just troops can make you wealthy, too. If I play a Byzantium game, that's one of the first things I do. Other than that, it's pretty situational and the defaults are good.
The chief thing to remember about your vassal preferences is that your vassals prefer to "play to their strengths" and don't want to give up the one thing they specialize in: Feudal lords prefer sending cash to troops, and city / merchant republic vassals prefer sending troops to cash. Otherwise, Ihdrendur pretty much nails it -- once your realm gets big and advanced enough that you can maintain sizable retinue forces and hire mercenaries for extended periods of time without breaking the bank, you can afford to relax your feudal vassals' levy restrictions.
Q3 - Not worth bothering with at this point. It's very micro. The only one that you need worry about while tribal is the tribal slider, but you have other priorities at the moment IMO. The other 3 are for feudal vassals - barons, mayors, and bishops.
Again, thanks for the specific pointer. In due course, I’ll have a look at the tribal slider just to see how useful any of it might be in the future.
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Ch34 Q4: Merya, Subjugation and Titles.So, above you have my working hypothesis on what happens next:
a) Rurik still gets all the current Meryan realm lands on victory, even the ‘undeclared’ vassals.
b) Though I’m hoping, because they won’t have had any titles stripped off them directly, it will just be swapping one liege for another and the others won’t be as angry about the change of management as Tyueykezhut.
c) The Jarldom of Merya title would transfer across ready-made, with that fourth Jarldom (whether Merya or another, determined by some unseen pecking order of seniority/value) going to Helgi.
d) I could then also create Rostov if I wanted to (though don’t see why I would as yet).
Any additional or contrary views or advice always welcomed. Will need to come to grips with all that by the time the victory is secured and Tyueykezhut becomes the next to be forced into ignominious subjugation. Rurik is nothing if not grand and arrogant these days. This is a way for him to substitute figurative for actual cohones!
I think that, now that you're a king-tier ruler, you'll simply force duke-tier Merya to swear fealty to you while he keeps his vassals and titles, but otherwise the logic should be sound -- if you were of equal rank to your target, you'd gain their top-rank titles, and all vassals they had would become sworn directly to you.
That’s OK with me for now, though I’d rather it had gone to one of my sons. He can look after all his pesky vassals instead of me. And if he crosses the line – well, his head will be used to invent football!
Q4 - I'm actually going a different way and treating this as a primer on vassal management. As a King, you can now have Ducal vassals, which can have Count vassals of their own. 3 vassal counts hate your guts? Make one a Duke and make the other 2 counts his problem instead of yours. They'll plot against him instead of you for the most part. (They can still join assassination plots within the Kingdom, so be careful) 1 vassal count hates your guts? Make a friendly Count in his duchy the Duke, and bury the hater. Flood those haters with the Court Chaplain and the "Settle Tribe" councillor option (forget which one it is lol) to make them your religion & culture.
Also, make the time to start revoking those Slavs. Once you're done with Merya, start strengthening your realm from within in order to make those Organization hits less painful. You're going to have to keep raiding, a lot, so it isn't like you won't be doing anything. But let that threat decay and handle some internal politics.
Edit - Pagan subjugation only seizes titles of a higher or equal rank to your own, As a King subjugating a Duke, you'll have a shiny new Duke that hates your guts.
As mentioned before: this is interesting stuff and instinctively makes some sense. How a new Jarl will go, given I still personally hold all the other Jarldoms, will be interesting. And different again when the sons inherit and there are 3-4 of them under the king. In the meantime, if he keeps all his vassals, I may decide I think he has too many. Though I won’t be sure I can do much about it under my current tribal laws unless he steps out of line (ie, with my recently enacted Revocation Law, “traitors or unlawful subjects”).
I am not sure if the title of Jarldom of Merya (Duchy of Jaroslavl) will transfer to you. To my understanding, there is a strong chance that the High Chief of Merya will be your vassal and keep his vassals. If nobody has the Jarldom of Rostov, you could create it (I always do when I have the chance to because 1- prestige 2- somebody else might create and beat me to it 3- why not 4- probable slight obsessive compulsive disorder). One problem in your case might be about having too many jarldoms is a shrinking demesne after succession, but if you have 7 Jarldoms in the end Helgi will inherit 3 while the others will inherit 2 so he will have around 7-9 demesne provinces if I am not mistaken. How many demesne do you have now / prefer to keep?
I will see how it eventually unfolds and what options (if any) are presented. I may need some more money to do much more Jarldom creation, too. Setting up the kingdom cost a bit and this war will also cost more than I earn. And I’d like to have more gold for emergencies (mercs), buildings, etc. Need to find the time for some more raiding!
I haven't been able to see last weekend so have some catching up to do...
Just leafing through comments though, vassal issues aren't so much problems as 'which solution am I willing to pick?', for there are many ways to get rid/diffuse/fob off any vassal who isn't a perverted powerful duke or king tier. Since you are tribal, and the leader of raids, bribery is actually a very cheap option for the most part. Most of your vassals earn almost nothing in revenue, whilst you can earn hundreds in raiding. Plus leading them in a successful war really increases their respect. And since you are on gavelkind as well, you are far and away the most powerful person in the realm in terms of land and manpower, so realistically they can't do much to you anyway aside from plot to kill you. And as we know, that works out...almost never.
Per above, if I can find some time for more raiding while I still have ships (ie while Rurik lives) I’ll have more money, but I’m not really that well provisioned at the moment and tax/trade earnings are still a pittance. But for the foreseeable future the King is, as you say, way and above the most powerful in terms of demesne forces and it will hopefully stay reasonable even after the inevitable diffusion of power after succession. Just need to ensure Helgi keeps a large demesne when he inherits. Hopefully his half-brothers don’t war with him.
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As always, many thanks to those who comment and those who read. Off now to give those heathen Mordvins of Merya a damned good thrashing, Viking-style!
“Óðinn á yðr alla! (Odin owns you all)!” “Tyr!” “Have at ye, ye worthless heathen Mordvins!” etc etc
A single spear will soon be thrown over their heads – if the tricksy scum can summon the courage to stand before us in an open field of battle!
I honestly don’t know where to get someone for this. If anyone has any good ideas on where I might find someone with all the right characteristics (including being Norse Germanic), I’d happily look there.
OK, being new to the game, by ‘people finder tool’ do you mean the screen that pops up when you click on the vacant position? Or the list of court characters? Or is there another function I’m missing? The reason I’ve been asking for new blood (for example with the new commanders and wives for them) is that all the local talent wasn’t up to scratch (and I’m trying to populate with Norse Germanic courtiers to bring religious and cultural change by osmosis). In this realm, the talent pool seems to be very small – could be because it’s at the start? Or that I haven’t been looking in the right place. If you could give me a screenshot of the button/pool your’re talking about and where you access it, I’ll be able to see if we’re talking about the same thing – but my available talent is just not good enough yet.
There's this button on bottom right corner that you can use to filter and find any person in game. I use that to filter all the people in my diplomatic range who would want to join my court and is my religion and sort by the attribute I am looking for. The button looks like two persons one behind the other. See the wiki page, there is a screenshot.
That’s OK with me for now, though I’d rather it had gone to one of my sons. He can look after all his pesky vassals instead of me. And if he crosses the line – well, his head will be used to invent football!
Now that I think again, there is also the possibility that the high chief becomes your vassal but does not keep his vassals and they become your direct vassals since his title is not an actually duchy level title but more like a primus inter pare county. This is smaller probability though. I'm curious to see what happens.
I will see how it eventually unfolds and what options (if any) are presented. I may need some more money to do much more Jarldom creation, too. Setting up the kingdom cost a bit and this war will also cost more than I earn. And I’d like to have more gold for emergencies (mercs), buildings, etc. Need to find the time for some more raiding!
Once you are near the badboy limit, you'll find a ton of time to raid while it cools off, and after the next round of wars you'll have a lot of cash in your pockets to create any title you like
Now, it is time for BLUT UND SCHLACHT FÜR DAS MERYAN SCUM
Character's finder tool can be used to find anyone already in the game, alive or dead. The actions options create new characters for your court with your religion and culture.
Never ever empower the council for any reason.
Tribalism laws are required for feudalism and centralisation laws are required for the day you stop being gavelkind (but want to keep some land).
Vassals are unruly on new titles and claims and such only for a little while. Tyrannical acts and realm inhertance changes stick around the longest.
Since you are now a king, more marrige options are open to you as well as court positions. People are more likely to join your plots and holy wars as well. That being said, being pagan means very few powerful people will want to talk to you. And it also means you move closer to the top of crusading targets.
As a powerful Pagan you will have to deal with the most annoying people in the game. Roman Catholics. (And before anybody gets upset I was born Roman Catholic - so )
As a powerful Pagan you will have to deal with the most annoying people in the game. Roman Catholics. (And before anybody gets upset I was born Roman Catholic - so )
As a powerful Pagan you will have to deal with the most annoying people in the game. Roman Catholics. (And before anybody gets upset I was born Roman Catholic - so )
Indeed - I’m role playing as best I can to take Norse culture and the Germanic religion forward. Who knows how it will pan out - could be pushing the figurative uphill, I know, but in part it’s also a learning element for cultural and religious change (some Road of Queens inspiration there, too, Eurasia ).
I’ll see whether Rurik’s descendants stick with it or are forced to go the path of conversion to a reformed religion - eg Catholic or Orthodox Christianity or Islam being the most likely. But once Gardariki/Rus is sorted, a combination of raiding, Holy Site securing and reform of the True Germanic Faith could be in order. Will at least try before feeling I need to welcome St. Cyril or his equivalent.
I think the biggest problem with Empowered Council is how hard it is to get rid of. You either need councilors that love you, or that you can bribe, every ten years until it is gone. A lot of times I will leave it Empowered with War Declaration on just because I have other laws to pass. As a Tribal it's unavoidable.
Finally read all of it. Subbed, I am also a relative CK2 newbie and I really wish I read some of these tips before my recent CK2 playthoguh and look forward to using them now
And yeah the character finder is very useful for finding marriage prospects, council members, even good claims and is a very useful tool, since it gives you all the characters.
Also the style is interesting, I'll think about reading your Turkey HOI3 AAR when I have time (too many AAR's in too little time)
Finally read all of it. Subbed, I am also a relative CK2 newbie and I really wish I read some of these tips before my recent CK2 playthoguh and look forward to using them now
And yeah the character finder is very useful for finding marriage prospects, council members, even good claims and is a very useful tool, since it gives you all the characters.
Also the style is interesting, I'll think about reading your Turkey HOI3 AAR when I have time (too many AAR's in too little time)
Thanks so much, Adamgerd! You will find similarities and differences with TT: it too is faithful to the gameplay, but it’s a game I’m far more familiar with (though with no claims to great expertise). And there are a lot more narrative elements to it. Nice to have another relative newcomer aboard - I’ve found all the advice a very useful ‘force multiplier’ in trying to learn a new and pretty intricate game.
Chapter 35: Odin Owns You All! (27 June – 11 October 879)
Chapter 35: Odin Owns You All! (27 June – 11 October 879)
Previously, on Blut und Schlacht … Rurik has proclaimed the creation of the Kingdom of Garðaríki – and quickly sees to expanding it towards its de lure limits; the Great Tribal Army is assembled and approaches the forces of Merya; the Chancellor seeks to work out legal questions arising from the creation of the new kingdom and the likely effects of succession laws; and the hunt continues for talent to populate the offices of the realm.
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June 879
Gumarich’s notes reveal that the creation of the kingdom sparked a search for talent to stock the realm with suitably qualified – and fertile – Norse men and women of the true Germanic faith. The next recruit was already an established Marshal among the Normans: but he was willing to join Rurik, who liked the fact Hrolfr de Normandie was not only the foremost Norse commander willing to join him but was also an expert in commanding flank formations. An invitation was duly sent. Kjartan, Marshal of Hjaltland, was also a possible prospect, though he seemed to be stressed by his duties. He would be kept in mind. And Rurik was also interested in hiring an accomplished Shield Maiden as a commander – which may be his next recruitment action.
Hrolfr was also keen to be wed – of which the king heartily approved. But a search of single Norse Germanic adult women from all realms [within diplo range or not] revealed none readily willing to come to Garðaríki! So a debutant would again have to be sought.
Iliana – from the newly acquired Vyazma – would do. We shall meet her in a little more detail later, when she is introduced to her new husband.
Ch35 Q1: Great Hunt.Back when I started, there was a Great Hunt decision available (seasonal, but greyed out when not in season). It disappeared a while back from the options. I’m assuming it must have been associated with the Hunting focus and disappeared (without me noticing at first) when Rurik took up Scholarship/Learning. Is that right?
I’m also assuming ‘Hold a Great Blot’ should appear again nine years after the last one (would have to check to see when it was). So, there don’t seem to be any other hold a party/festival etc minor decisions that come up now (and yes, I checked up and down the slider to make sure). Does that seem right for a tribal ruler? I’m not missing or doing something that prevents them appearing (other than not engaging in the hunt)?
While scouring the records and foreign reports for military talent, Prince-Marshal Helgi sought a ranking by reputed martial ability of the known world’s military leaders – from all countries. It was no great surprise when it was found Rurik was considered the greatest general in the world. He was closely followed in reputation by Shah Ya’kub of Sistan, then a range of others from diverse religions and cultures.
July 879
We are fortunate that Gumarich der Schreiber accompanied Rurik on this campaign. He left detailed notes and maps of the manouevres of that summer and autumn, which we are now able to use to reconstruct what was called the “Russian-Yaroslavian Subjugation War”, despite the fact both realms were known by different names at the time. [One of Paradoxian history’s little conundrums. ]
Rurik, leading his small personal regiment and the Great Tribal Army, arrived in Uglich on 6 July and noted Tyueykezut’s unified demesne levy was three days away from arriving back in his capital of Yaroslavl. Rurik sought to meet him there, though knew the traditional cat-and-mouse game of the smaller trying to dodge the larger army would likely ensue. Grimr’s Smolenskians and the main body of Rurik’s demesne levy were still some way off. But he was more than happy with the numbers he had – and also wanted to protect his precious levy base as much as he could from casualties. The troops with him were frankly both more expendable and were motivated (in the Tribal Army’s case) by a fierce desire for blood, battle conquest and selection by the Valkyrie’s to fight for Odin in Valhalla.
Sure enough, within a couple of days, the Meryans abandoned their march to Yaroslavl and turned instead towards Uglich. But in this counter-marching they had lost precious time, and would not arrive until 25 July. With Rurik due in Yaroslavl on 13 July, he reasoned if he kept going, he may then be able to hook south and catch the Meryans before they could make it to Uglich. He therefore refused to be distracted and kept marching to Yaroslavl.
On 11 July, Hrolfr de Normandie arrived at court. Dan, who had first joined Rurik as a commander for the Great Raid of Britannia almost 11 years before (in November 868), was deemed surplus to requirements and replaced by the new man: to have summoned a Marshal all the way from Normandy then leave him ‘on the shelf’ would have been pointless. Perhaps Dan would once again rise to command or gain employment with one of Rurik's vassals. He had the same martial ability as Chief Svetozar and was better skilled in the handling of light foot, but Rurik did not want to offend the touchy Slovensky chief by depriving him of his command. Yet, anyway. So Dan had to make way.
On 13 July, as the follow up levy force gradually mustered towards Tver, Rurik arrived in Yaroslavl. He immediately moved to block the Meryans advance on Uglich: they could either continue and risk being ambushed in Uglich, or stop cold again in Merya – sitting ducks for Rurik’s bloodthirsty tribal warriors.
Sure enough, the next day Tyueykezut discovered the ploy, halted and turned tail, trying to flee south. Rurik gave chase, hoping to catch them cold this time. Looking to his forces available, much as he had wanted to promote Hrolfr to command one flank and leave Sverker in charge of another, the Great Tribal Army could not be broken up [or I couldn’t find any way to do it, at least]. Rather than having one small regiment [his remaining personal event troops, now fewer than 200] isolated and exposed to likely devastation on a flank, all were concentrated in the centre division, which was commanded by Rurik himself. The Great Tribal Army regiment remained under the personal leadership of Vsemil ‘the Cleansing Flame’. He should enjoy hacking away at these heathen Finnish Mordvins … if they would ever stand and fight!
Rurik had moved faster than Tyueykezut (who commanded the opposing centre division): they met in open battle in Merya on 21 July 879.
“Odin owns you all, you heathen swine! Come and meet him!” Insults and the traditional spear are thrown, arrows loosed, axes and swords brandished. The crows circle and the Valkyrjur wait to pounce on the fallen of both sides.
By 29 July the fight continues; Tyueykezut in the centre has of course taken the brunt of the attack. Knowing his cause was in trouble he had summoned his vassals: the day before he had received word from the first of his vassals to answer the call to arms – but that sizeable levy remains two provinces away in Mochkava. The damage being born by the Garðaríkan host from the two unopposed flanks was easily manageable.
August 879
A few days later and the two sides had come to grips in melee. First the enemy centre broke and fled. Vsemil then directed his ferocity and that of the Tribal Army to the enemy’s left, which also broke soon after. By 3 August Rurik’s men had fallen upon the enemy’s remaining right flank. A battlefield report from Vsemil, cited by Gumarich, described the great carnage being inflicted in the close combat. By this point, around 25 Yaroslavians were falling for every Gardarikan warrior. It was a bloodbath – and greatly enjoyed by the merciless Norsemen and their (admittedly Slavic) regimental commander. A few days earlier, on 1 August, the other two Meryan tribes had summoned their levies, but it would surely be too little, too late.
By 5 August, the last enemy flank had broken and the pursuit began – aided by the light cavalry squadron of the Great Tribal Army, who would kill another 150 Meryans as they chased them over the next week.
The pursuit ended and the victory was formally declared and on 12 August. 115 Norsemen would be knocking on the doors of Valhalla, while 457 of the enemy were also given over to the Valkyrie’s judgement.
A later depiction of the aftermath of the Battle of Merya. Rurik (left, in the Garðariki-red tunic and his banner behind him) and Vsemil (mounted, right) can be seen in the middle of the painting. Wounded are tended, equipment mended and preparations made to resume the advance, while the cavalry harry the enemy as they flee south-west. Boats can be seen in the distance on the Volga River, along whose southern bank the Garðarikians would advance towards Suzdal.
By this time, Þorsteinn, commanding the main body of Rurik’s personal levies, had arrived in Tver and was sent on to Pereyaslavl Zalessky (south of Merya) to begin investing the stronghold there. Rurik headed south-east to Suzdal, to dispatch another of the vassal levies that had mustered there, before they could join their comrades to the north in Kostroma.
By 22 August, Rurik had intercepted the Suzdal tribal levy and initiated a very uneven combat. There was nothing sophisticated about it: two central divisions met head-on. Rurik outnumbered his relatively lightly equipped enemy five to one. By 25 August they too were in full flight. Plenty of blood, though not much battle! Elsewhere, Tyueykezut’s fleeing main host had picked up the Mochkavan levy who joined them in their flight south-west: they would simply be ignored for now. The small Kostroman levy continued to head to Merya, but crossing the Volga would delay their progress.
September 879
The brief and lop-sided ‘Battle’ of Suzdal ended in another victory for Rurik on 2 September. An easy slaughter with very few Garðaríkian casualties. The best kind.
ᚔ ᚱᚢᚱᛁ ᚲᛁᛞ ᚔ
Gumarich tells us that the rigours of the campaign trail did not prevent Rurik – a true polymath for his time and people – from simultaneously pursuing his scholarly studies of the stars. In fact, the nights on the trail provided an ideal opportunity for Rurik to observe the heavens and, by candlelight in his command tent, dictate his notes to his faithful scribe. He had come to a startling conclusion.
“My faithful Secretary, I have confirmed through my studies, with certainty, that the earth is a great globe upon which we sit. How we stay fixed to it, I know not. But sit upon it we do!”
The scribe is secretly shocked, but keeps up a brave face and remains quiet, except for a murmured “Indeed, My Liege.”
“And – you may wish to take a stool, my good man – it is the earth that revolves around the sun, not it around us, no matter what we think our eyes may tell us!”
It was a testament to Gumarich’s training, poise and long association with the King that he remained calm, registering interested surprise rather than profound shock. In recent years, the King had developed a somewhat wild-eyed demeanour when declaiming with such excitement. The scribe knew well the limits of his position.
“My King, this is - ah - momentous news. What will you do with it, may I enquire?”
“That is the question, Gumarich. I have a range of options and must decide which course to take.”
Rurik then walked outside, lay on his back, stared at the crystal-clear autumn night sky, and pondering his choices and their implications.
After some time, Rurik returned to his tent and addressed his scribe, as recorded in Gumarich’s highly confidential personal journal.
“Gumarich, I know I need hardly remind you after all this years as the keeper of my secrets, but I must swear to you to never utter a word of this to any living person,” the king told him. “Take my final notes on this matter, but guard them with your life.”
“Everyone else must think that I have learned all I can about the stars and have completed my studies, satisfied I have learned all I may from them. I will continue my studies, but alone and in secret. Should I proclaim this knowledge widely, it would undermine my position with the Godi, our priests and zealous believers in the Faith.”
He paused briefly, then continued. “People like me!” he said, thumping his chest to emphasise the point.
“They would call me heretic – which as King and would-be champion of the Germanic Faith I simply cannot afford. And do not wish. I believe I have both the learning and faith to reconcile this startling knowledge with my steadfast and zealous belief in the Gods – but I know very many would not. For that reason, my discovery must remain a secret. And I have all the prestige and acclaim I need as King and Conqueror. The public aspect of my project to study the stars is at an end.”
“Of course, my Great King. I am your Secretary and will take this to the grave.” And indeed he did – happily and with a great deal of relief, given the disquieting nature of the king’s supposition – which he confided (only to himself) could be the product of the king’s so-called lunacy suffered after his incarceration and castration in Pisa.
The recent discovery of the Rurikid scroll trove was the first time anyone became aware that Rurik had made this epochal discovery centuries before many in the west would acknowledge it as scientific fact. Gumarich noted that he had nightmares for years afterwards, imagining himself clawing onto the earth to keep from falling off it, into a great abyss (the Underworld?) or worse: falling through an eternal nothingness, forever, and never hitting the bottom.
Gumarich der Schreiber's nightmare.
Rurik was by this stage of his life an accomplished – indeed a masterful – scholar. He had taken a relative weakness and turned it into a strength. Even if it was to be as a private rather than as a public and acknowledged (and likely vilified) thinker as far as his studies of cosmology were concerned.
King Rurik of Garðariki – a scholar of astronomy and a circumspect 'round-earther' and heliocentric, many years ahead of his time.
Ch35 Q2: Nicknames.Tempting as it was to grab the prestige and obtain a nickname, both in-game and in-character, I decided against Rurik betraying his religious convictions and antagonising the very priests and zealous Germanic followers he is seeking so earnestly to promote. People will volunteer their views on the pros and cons of going public – I hope they do, anyway – but I do have one question. Is the nickname simply a cosmetic reflection of an event or perception of a character? Or does it have any known concrete effect or modifier? My assumption is not, but of course I don’t know. In this case, I thought choice 2 at least gets the scholar trait. Options 3 and 4 seemed non-starters to me. Unless, of course, studying in secret starts some other possible track (ie the secret getting discovered or some such), which opting for the +2 bonus does not risk?
ᚔ ᚱᚢᚱᛁ ᚲᛁᛞ ᚔ
Back to the war, and Grimr’s Smolenskians (seeking to link up with Rurik’s main host as autonomous allies) would intercept the small Kostroman levy in Merya in just over a week, the latter having just arrived there after crossing the Volga. The rest of the Meryan forces remained in flight, leaving Rurik (in Suzdal) and Þorsteinn (in Pereyaslavl Zalessky) to conduct their sieges untroubled.
The Smolenskians made contact with the enemy on 11 September as predicted, commencing the Second Battle ofMerya. More Garðarikian levies assembled in Tver: they would be dispatched as necessary from there, probably to join Þorsteinn.
It took a month of skirmishing, manouevre and then pursuit for the latest battle in Merya to come to its conclusion. The Meryans put up a good fight and pushed Rurik’s allies. Reports received after the battle showed that at first things seemed close-run, but by 4 October the enemy had broken. The pursuit ended on 11 October, with the enemy’s commander being captured. Grimr takes him prisoner – the battle securing him a decent share of the campaign’s glory – and once again demonstrating the steadfast and welcome support of Norse Smaleskja to the cause!
A later engraving, commemorating the Smolenskian victory at the Second Battle of Merya on 11 October 879 CE – worthy allies indeed.
Much as Rurik would like to reinforce his standing with Grimr (and show his gratitude for his longstanding and steadfast support) with the award of an honorary title, he must wait until the young man reaches his maturity – almost nine years yet. Though if there was later need to have a loyal vassal take on additional lands, once his sons were properly catered for … it would be considered in due course. His focus on young Chief Grimr Holming’s prospects did however lead Rurik to realise the recent reallocation of Jarldoms on the founding of Garðaríki had led to an unfavourable perception among his vassals. They believed he directly owned too many such high-level titles [irrespective of Rurik otherwise being under the demesne and vassal limits, though it makes sense as a mechanic].
Holmgarðr was now designated as a Jarldom within the Kingdom of Garðariki. Together with the conquered Jarldoms of Belo Ozero (automatically formed after the defeat of Chud) and Tver (usurped after the recent victory there), that made three now held directly by Rurik. The succession orders for each are listed below.
The Jarldom of Holmgarðr, containing most of Rurik’s personal demesne and to be inherited by Helgi, would be off-limits to any reallocation. Belo Ozero contained some territory currently held by Rurik personally; while it could probably be let go at a pinch, he preferred to keep it under his direct control until Eilif inherited, unless circumstances changed. The counties of the Jarldom of Tver, on the other hand, were all in the hands of troublesome, newly-subjugated vassals. Perhaps it might be a logical target for gifting? It was due to be inherited by his youngest son, Dyre.
But could it be allocated now to someone else reliable? If not the young Grimr, then perhaps some trustworthy but un-landed Norse Germanic courtier? Either the most loyal of his commanders, or maybe one of the men already on his Council (who would not therefore agitate to join it? He would take advice on this matter – though his Councillors would naturally be biased in their views! Or would that alienate Dyre and set him up as a future opponent of Helgi? The King therefore sought discreet advice from learned experts before he decided anything.
Ch35 Q3: Dispensing with a Jarldom.So, any thoughts from the hive mind are welcomed on:
1) Should Rurik indeed dispense with one Jarldom now, rather than wearing the malus and waiting until the succession?
2) If he were to allocate a Jarldom, should it be Tver?
3) And if so, to whom should he allocate it? Dyre, to cement his inheritance? A current Councillor, to put it in safe adult hands now? Or to either Grimr or a suitable un-landed courtier with the right credentials?
4) Another Duchy could be created for Dyre later, if necessary – or not if contra-indicated, to prevent fragmentation.
ᚔ ᚱᚢᚱᛁ ᚲᛁᛞ ᚔ
Questions
As always, any commentary on any aspect of the game or story (not restricted to the specific questions raised) is very welcome.
Ch35 Q1: Great Hunt. Back when I started, there was a Great Hunt decision available (seasonal, but greyed out when not in season). It disappeared a while back from the options. I’m assuming it must have been associated with the Hunting focus and disappeared (without me noticing at first) when Rurik took up Scholarship/Learning. Is that right?
I’m also assuming ‘Hold a Great Blot’ should appear again nine years after the last one (would have to check to see when it was). So, there don’t seem to be any other hold a party/festival etc minor decisions that come up now (and yes, I checked up and down the slider to make sure). Does that seem right for a tribal ruler? I’m not missing or doing something that prevents them appearing (other than not engaging in the hunt)?
Ch35 Q2: Nicknames. Tempting as it was to grab the prestige and obtain a nickname, both in-game and in-character, I decided against Rurik betraying his religious convictions and antagonising the very priests and zealous Germanic followers he is seeking so earnestly to promote. People will volunteer their views on the pros and cons of going public – I hope they do, anyway – but I do have one question. Is the nickname simply a cosmetic reflection of an event or perception of a character? Or does it have any known concrete effect or modifier? My assumption is not, but of course I don’t know. In this case, I thought choice 2 at least gets the scholar trait. Options 3 and 4 seemed non-starters to me. Unless, of course, studying in secret starts some other possible track (ie the secret getting discovered or some such), which opting for the +2 bonus does not risk? Ch35 Q3: Dispensing with a Jarldom. So, any thoughts from the hive mind are welcomed on:
1) Should Rurik indeed dispense with one Jarldom now, rather than wearing the malus and waiting until the succession?
2) If he were to allocate a Jarldom, should it be Tver?
3) And if so, to whom should he allocate it? Dyre, to cement his inheritance? A current Councillor, to put it in safe adult hands now? Or to either Grimr or a suitable un-landed courtier with the right credentials?
4) Another Duchy could be created for Dyre later, if necessary – or not if contra-indicated, to prevent fragmentation.
ᚔ ᚱᚢᚱᛁ ᚲᛁᛞ ᚔ
Odin owns them all!
Rurik believed the main battles of this war to subjugate Tyueykezut have probably now been fought, though there is a chance one of the defeated Meryan levies may limp back to contest the issue before the sieges can be concluded and Tyueykezut forced to acknowledge him as his True King and Suzerain. For now, the Valkyries’ work done, Odin will judge which of the battle dead will join his warriors in Valhalla – and which will be left to the tender mercies of Hel in the underworld.
I think the biggest problem with Empowered Council is how hard it is to get rid of. You either need councilors that love you, or that you can bribe, every ten years until it is gone. A lot of times I will leave it Empowered with War Declaration on just because I have other laws to pass. As a Tribal it's unavoidable.
I must admit I'm yet to really come to grips with the in-game council mechanics when it comes to wheeling and dealing (them not having any power yet, really). I can read about it in other AARs, which provides some nice context, but it's not the same as doing it, of course. Another learning experience to look forward to - and for Gumarich to document for posterity!
Ch35 Q1: Great Hunt. Back when I started, there was a Great Hunt decision available (seasonal, but greyed out when not in season). It disappeared a while back from the options. I’m assuming it must have been associated with the Hunting focus and disappeared (without me noticing at first) when Rurik took up Scholarship/Learning. Is that right?
I’m also assuming ‘Hold a Great Blot’ should appear again nine years after the last one (would have to check to see when it was). So, there don’t seem to be any other hold a party/festival etc minor decisions that come up now (and yes, I checked up and down the slider to make sure). Does that seem right for a tribal ruler? I’m not missing or doing something that prevents them appearing (other than not engaging in the hunt)?
Ch35 Q2: Nicknames. Tempting as it was to grab the prestige and obtain a nickname, both in-game and in-character, I decided against Rurik betraying his religious convictions and antagonising the very priests and zealous Germanic followers he is seeking so earnestly to promote. People will volunteer their views on the pros and cons of going public – I hope they do, anyway – but I do have one question. Is the nickname simply a cosmetic reflection of an event or perception of a character? Or does it have any known concrete effect or modifier? My assumption is not, but of course I don’t know. In this case, I thought choice 2 at least gets the scholar trait. Options 3 and 4 seemed non-starters to me. Unless, of course, studying in secret starts some other possible track (ie the secret getting discovered or some such), which opting for the +2 bonus does not risk?
To me, I haven't seen any effect of a nickname, it just seems to reflect your traits, which do affect you but the nickname itself does not seem too though I may be wrong
Ch35 Q3: Dispensing with a Jarldom. So, any thoughts from the hive mind are welcomed on:
1) Should Rurik indeed dispense with one Jarldom now, rather than wearing the malus and waiting until the succession?
2) If he were to allocate a Jarldom, should it be Tver?
3) And if so, to whom should he allocate it? Dyre, to cement his inheritance? A current Councillor, to put it in safe adult hands now? Or to either Grimr or a suitable un-landed courtier with the right credentials?
4) Another Duchy could be created for Dyre later, if necessary – or not if contra-indicated, to prevent fragmentation.
1, 3, 4) I dont have much experience with gavelkind so dont really know
2) I usually make my decision for giving away on the manpower and gold of the counties in it, though I am not sure if that's the most effective way
] I’ll be writing it on the assumption many people reading have never played the game, but it will have some familiar aspects (not the same in-depth dynasty dynamics of CK2 of course). The chapters will be short, sharp and concentrated on major gameplay and wars/battles, I think, but will see how it turns out! 
