Are there any Charlemagne story guides?

[GabrielLoki]

So I've reloaded the game a dozen times after getting my butt kicked by 2 or more factions every time i start the scenario. I've tried everything I could to disperse the factions... Can't give them what they want, can't say no to them. Really at a loss here. I can't even get into enjoying the story itself because just a month after I hit play, factions are declaring war on me. So far I haven't made it to 770 even a single time. It's been pretty unfair to a friend of mine too; I'm asking him for advice and all that's accomplished is make him regret getting me into this game.... He doesn't know what to tell me because he didn't have to deal with factions so early in the scenario.

 

[szmik]

No Conclave here, but it should apply regardless. And it should be easier to manage with Conclave I think -> more options with council.

1. See why your vassals have low opinion. Most of it is due to poor land/title distribution. Transfer vassalage where aplicable, placate with honorary titles, commander/council appointments, gold, duchy titles. But only those who are strong and whose opinion can get past 50 after pleasing them.
2. Plot revokes, especially against low opinion vassals, they're going to hate you, but if they rebel alone, you'll crush them, revoke title and put someone content in their place.
3. Use spymaster action against strong faction members, but it's lottery.
4. Arrange marriages/betrothals and non-aggresion pacts with vassals, so they won't join factions (may not be applicable for Charlemagne start)

 

[GabrielLoki]

Queen mother has 2 months to stop a minimum of 2 faction leaders starting from january 1st 669. Poor karl begins his career almost universally hated by his vassals(-50 opinion). he has only two children, both bastards. he gets the option to legitimize his son(which historically he never did).

 

[PK_AZ]

What faction are they? If they don't want independece/another king, maybe you could buy some time just doing what they want?
Also, are you playing with or without Conclave? It's important because with Conclave you can (and imo should) make your powerful vassals your advisors, so they a) like you more b) cannot join faction unless you die/do something against councli will.

 

[GabrielLoki]

Independence and elective succession(which if granted opens a whole new army of factions). I do not have conclave.

 

[Aries666]

I did this (without conclave) a couple of weeks ago. From what I remember there are two powerful dukes in southern France and you have several vassals that are de jure theirs. You can either a) transfer to the de jure duke, grant titles etc or b) transfer them to a neigbouring duke, this usually results in dukes fighting one another and not you. I believe you have several other dukes who also want vassal transfers. You need to go to your vassals screen mouse over their opinion and it will say desires x county/baron/bishop then go to transfer vassal and transfer the relevant vassal (they usually float to the top if they are de jure for that character). This will create a net +35-45 opinion swing as you remove desires x and replace it with granted x. Another trick is if you have a powerful count in a faction just transfer him to any random (preferably weak and happy duke) this will remove said count from the faction as he is no longer your vassal.

As for the story, this is pretty much correct. https://www.reddit.com/r/CrusaderKi..._are_all_of_the_charlemagne_story_events_and/

 

[GabrielLoki]

Actually, one of the faction leaders is a powerful count with 3 counties... and he just happens to be neighbor to a powerful duke faction leader... Of course, it could be entirely different vassals next time I try this scenario, but it is usually two specific vassals that cause trouble.

 

[Aries666]

Actually, one of the faction leaders is a powerful count with 3 counties... and he just happens to be neighbor to a powerful duke faction leader... Of course, it could be entirely different vassals next time I try this scenario, but it is usually two specific vassals that cause trouble.

So give the count to a duke who isn't currently in a faction. If there are no dukes create a duke tier title and hand him rebellious counts.

 

[GabrielLoki]

That's another thing I'm worried about. I have to act extremely fast(within 2 months of starting the scenario). I can create 8 Duchy titles, I think... but don't know if I have enough gold for even 1.

 

[Aries666]

I don't see your problem, when I did this I didn't have a single faction fire and I did the things I have already suggested to you.

 

[GabrielLoki]

Not one faction, even though half of Europe despised you? Any idea why the factions keep firing on me?

 

[szmik]

I think you have opinion management problem. Use above guidelines.

 

[Aries666]

They will fire once they get to 100-120% of your power. Go into your factions screen and find any vassals with around +20 opinion of you give these one honorary titles and or gifts essentially any that you can get over +40 opinion. Betroth your bastards to powerful faction members if it will result in a non-aggression pact. Follow the previous advice you hold quite a few bishops that are de jure someone else's and several counts transfer them all to their de jure liege.

Honestly I did this first attempt and the only difficult bit was beating Widukinds Saxon revolt.

 

[GabrielLoki]

How much does it cost to create all those duchy titles? I've only got 40gp at the start of the scenario.

 

[Aries666]

How much does it cost to create all those duchy titles? I've only got 40gp at the start of the scenario.

Around 100 gold, click on the create title button at the top, this will bring up the title screen. Mouse over the create title button and it will tell you the conditions and costs of creating the title.

 

[GabrielLoki]

200 gold per duchy actually... and I don't have that kind of gold within 2 months of starting. The factions reach 160% power within 2 months, then declare war on me at the worst possible time.

 

[Robert II]

200 gold per duchy actually... and I don't have that kind of gold within 2 months of starting. The factions reach 160% power within 2 months, then declare war on me at the worst possible time.

Borrow from the Jews and possibly expel them. Ally with Lombardy. Assassinate dukes with no heirs so you get more land. The duke of Flanders should be first. Transfer counts to loyal dukes. Try and get a non aggression pact with Aquitaine or another powerful vassal with betrothals to your bastards and siblings.

 

[GabrielLoki]

Can't borrow from the Jews, don't have that option. Have no plot power and no gold to get plot power.

 

[Aries666]

I don't know what else to tell you, this eminently doable, all the information is there in the game and people have told you where to find.

 

[GabrielLoki]

I'm sorry. The last bit of advice you gave me about borrowing from the Jews? That's an intrigue decision, right? But it's simply not there. That said, I've taken much of your advice when possible(the money issue not withstanding) and have managed to cut down immensely on the factions. There is now only one faction, and it's not half as powerful as before.