HRE and Byzies imploding? Great time to a count!

[lordreaven448]

So after using the glitch to play as Achaea, I saw the HRE implode with most of Italy declaring independence, and while Byzantium had soem revolts, not many to make me want to throw my money in with the lot, until pretty much all of Asia Minor revolt, and a few European provinces rebel. Sadly as I declared independence my king died with no heir (Was sure I had one, oh well:laugh: ). This is a must buy for me now.

Anyone have any similar stories?

 

[Mimetic]

The HRE fragmented in my Bohemia game. I mucked around with HRE politics for awhile, but eventually Saxony and Tuscany broke away at the same time. I took the opportunity to declare independence and bring Poland into the war. The emperor acknowledged my sovereignty and ended the war just before the 20 year limit.

Definitely got my hyped for the full game.

 

[Wezqu]

Well tried the demo being the heir to the Byzantium Empire. Some other vassal went to claim to the king that I was a heretic and the old bastard believed that. Then about year later the old fool died and I inherited him. Almost immidiatly the whole empire revolted including my little brother who was a count. Well my father had started a war against some pagans in the north and I managed to bring that war to victory before the revolting vassals managed to destroy my whole army. So every vassal had occupied something of mine and my brother was still demanding the crown. Well I thought to let my borther deal with the revolting vassals so I gave him the emperor tittle he wanted. Then one by one all of the vassals signed white peace with him. I was like "ok bastards". Well it was not a total loss I kept the land conquered from the pagans and what I inherited from my father as the only tittle my brother got was the emperor tittle. I most likely was most powerful prince in the realm and if I could have continued it longer than 20 years I might have taken the crown back later on.

 

[Raph]

Well, in one of my attempts as the heir to the Byzantine Empire, I plotted and killed my father for the title. Somehow, my vassals found ut and I was in a huge shitstorm with dukes declaring independence left and right. I finally succumbed and gave the title to one of my brothers, and immediately plotted to kill him Time ran out after that though, but it was really cool!

 

[Zalan]

I have a similar story but inverse
I was the Emperor of Bizantyne Empire(I have used the 400yrs modification).
I was able to enforce my power with absolute crown authority after 30 years of accurate diplomacy,murdering and bribing,conquering the South Italy only with vassallization and reaching the Georgia and Armenia with wars..
But when my Emperor dies(at 77),then the disaster begun!
Basically the 70% of Empire declare war to the new Emperor!
After many years of long and fragmented fights I was not capable to resist to the alliance of count and dukes and I give up to my brother...Holy shit,he restored the Empire immediatly after I give up with only few dukes still in revolt and I become Prince,with the demesne of Byzantion and Thrake. Well,after 20 years I was capable to enlist a great army and to gain the alliance of HRE,marrying my son to the daughter of the Emperor of Germany.
I declare war to my brother and win the war after 6 years of fight...Byzantine Empire is mine again!
Honestly,the best strategy game I have ever played!And this is only the demo!

 

[Sir Garnet]

On the other side of that story, I played the Doux of Armenia with the goal of creating a Kingdom of Armenia within the Empire. With the Imperial armies thrashing the Seljuks early on, things were going OK (though as a Bulgarian the foreigner penalty hurt), but things fell apart when Michael succeeded to the throne. There was a bewildering collection of wars to depose him, to replace him, to establish independence, and to reduce crown authority - and I think one other flavor of war. This caused a crisis situation and the money I was saving went to hire mercenaries to keep from being overcome by nearby internal enemies, foreign enemies, and both peasant and noble rebellion. The the legal tangles of succession the rebel count's rebellion ended with him a direct vassal of the emperor through some kind of technicality and claims on Mesopotamia were lost due to regime change there. Melitene actually became independent until the new emperor Andronicus took them over again. The old duke then died, followed by his 40+ son, and the grandson took the throne under a regent. Gavelkind didn't do much damage but did lead to a one holding demesne. At least the mercs helped finish the Muslim wars and take a couple more historically Armenian provinces for the Doux's demesne. At the end date the Duchy was bigger than it started but a roller-coaster ride and with the Seljuks poking around nearby, and the pageful of Byzantine succession/independence etc. wars was a good imitation of chaos.