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Emperor Ike

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In the Name of the Emperor:
A Greek Tale

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The year is 1066 and the Byzantine Empire ruled by the Emperor Konstantinos Doukas spans from Bulgaria all the way to Armenia. Though the Empire lives in peace there is a constant threat of the Muslim hordes led by the Sultan of Seljuks. Though you might think that our story would start with Emperor Konstantinos, it doesn't .


Our story begins in a small county of Epieros, currently ruled by Juvanos dynasty.
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Family of Juvanos

Alexandros Juvanos (980-1030)
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Founder of the Dynasty and father of Zenon Juvanos and Mikhael Juvanos. He was born in Epireos to a wealthy family in the Count's court. He soon made a name for himself in the court and in the Empire and at the age of 28 he was given the title of Count of Alexandretta. During his time in Alexandretta he met his wife who gave a birth to Zenon in 1010. He also had off marriage child called Mikhael Juvanos. He died in 1030.

Zenon Juvanos (1010-1056)
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Child of Alexandros Juvanos and father of Nikolaos Juvanos, Helene Juvanos and Theodoros Juvanos the Bastard. Born in Alexandretta to Alexandros Juvanos and an unknown woman. He was an excellent warrior and commander in the Byzantine army. He left his home city at young age and went to Novgorod where he met his wife Marina Rurikovich.

He served as a marshal in the court of Novgorod before moving to Epireos. There his wife gave a birth to a son, Nikolaos in 1048 and a girl, Helene in 1050. The same year Zenon made a trip to Vidin where he met a young girl in the court of Vidin. This woman gave birth to Theodoros, a bastard son of Zenon. When Zenon heard about this he sent his best man to deal with the girl and the bastard son.

The assassin killed the girl but couldn't find Theodoros, who had been hidden in the Prince of Vidins castle. After the news of the girls death Zenon got ill. No one knew a cure for this illness and his condition worsened.

In 1055 he left back to Alexandretta where he died a year later.

Nikolaos Juvanos (104:cool:

Son of Zenon Juvanos and Marina Rurikovich. Born in Epireos along with his younger sister. After the dead of his father Nikolaos staid in the Court of Epireos with his sister. He served in the Counts army and quickly learned the ways of warfare. At the age of 18 he was elected as the new Count of Epireos.

Helene Juvanos (1050-)
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Daughter of Zenon Juvanos and Marina Rurikovich. Born in Epireos along with his brother. Her mother trained her in the ways of diplomacy and that is why she currently serves under his brother as the Chancellor of Epireos.

Marina Rurikovich (1020-)
mari.jpg


Countess of Zaozerye and mother of Nikolaos and Helene Juvanos. Former wife of Zenon Juvanos. Marina moved back to Novgorod after her husbands death and there she was given the title of Zaozerye and also married Mitzlav Rurikovich, Prince of Novgorod.

Mikhael Juvanos (1012-1056)
mikhael.jpg

The bastard son of Aleksandros Juvanos. He lived his whole life in Alexandretta and he has two sons, Isaakkios the Bastard and Stephanos Juvanos. Died in mysterious circumstances in Alexandretta.

Isaakkios Juvanos (1039-)
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Bastard son of Mikhael Juvanos and the current Marshall of Epireos. Has a lisp.

Stephanos Juvanos (1041-)
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Legitimate son of Mikhael Juvanos and courtier in Epireos.

Theodoros Juvanos (1050-)
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The Bastard son of Zenon Juvanos and a current steward in Principality of Vidin. Rumors say that he is crazed.
 
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Hmm, maybe you should have named your AAR "The Juvanos Bastards." :D

No, seriously, you have set your stage and I have gotten myself a beer and am waiting for the action to to start. :)
 
Hmm, maybe you should have named your AAR "The Juvanos Bastards." :D

No, seriously, you have set your stage and I have gotten myself a beer and am waiting for the action to to start. :)

Well actually the major charecters are the childs of Zenon, Nikolaos, Helene and Theodoros. The others are there just to bring some spice to the soup.
 
Prologue

Marriage

It was December and Nikolaos stood on the balcony dressed up in the traditional wedding uniform. Few moments ago he had married his own spy master Hermione Doukas. Though she was related to Konstantinos Doukas she had been exiled from Byzantion. Nikolaos didn't care what was the reason for this exile as he loved Hermione from the moment he saw her.
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He heard someone knocking on the door. "Coming" he said. His sister Helene came in. "Aren't you coming to cousin Isaakkios wedding?" She asked. "No, i don't attend to a weddings of bastards" Nikolaos said coldly. Helene sighed "He is your marshal, you should be more kind to him" Helene said and graped Nikolaos from the arm. "Isn't it enough that i let him be my marshal, what else does he want?" Nikolaos said and turned around. "And i have important matters to do and one of them is your marriage to the Alexios Kommennos" He continued. "I don't like that you make plans for me brother" Helene said and let go of his arm. "If father would be here--" Helene said but was cut off by Nikolaos. "But father ain't here" Nikolaos raised his voice. "Now go to the wedding" he said. Helene didn't say a word when she left the room.

Nikolaos returned to his desk and sealed the letter that was going to be sent to Alexios.
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War of Seljuk Aggression


"My lord, my lord" Steward Christina rushed in to the room. "Emperor has raised an army to repel the invading barbarians" she explained. "The Prince has gone to the war too" Christina continued. "Calm down, did the Prince leave any note for us?" Helene asked. "No" Christina answered. "Then we won't go to war" Nikolaos said. "This is not our war but if we are called for war then we answer" he continued. "Now is there any word from Paphlagonia?" Nikolaos asked.
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Good news

Nikolaos smiled to her sister. "Alexios has accepted the marriage" He said. "Now go and prepare for the journey to Paphlagonia" Nikolaos continued. "I am so happy" Helene said. "For myself and for you dear brother" she continued. "For me?" Nikolaos sounded surprised. "You don't know?" Helene asked. "Hermione is carrying your child" she said. "What?" Nikolaos said. "Yes, she hasn't told you?" Helene said. "I will meet you later" Nikolaos said and rushed out of the room.
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He ran trough the hallways to the royal bedroom. "My darling, what is the matter?" Hermione asked. Nikolaos walked to her and hugged her. "We are going to have a son" Nikolaos said.
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Chapter 1: Empire in trouble


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It had been almost a year since the Seljuks attacked the Empire. Emperor Doukas had been killed in the Battle of Armenian plains and now his cousin Michael Doukas, only 17 years old took the throne.

Not everybody approved this election and there were uprisings in several principalities. First ones to rebel were the Prince of Armenia Minor and Prince of CibyrrHaeot. Both of them were known for their lust for the crown. While the Empire was struggling to suppress the rebels and beat back the Seljuks, Nikolaos was on a hunting trip in North Bulgaria.
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News from home

It was January of 1068 and Nikolaos and his party were returning from Bulgaria when he met an messenger from Epireos just few miles out of his castle. "My Lord, i have news from your wife" messenger said. "Please tell me" Nikolaos said. "Your wife has given birth to an healthy baby boy, my lord" the boy said. "That is great news" Marshall Isaakkios said and tapped Nikolaos on the back. "We shall hurry to the castle and we shall have a great feast" Nikolaos said and made his horse to gallop. "Wait for us, my lord!" Isaakkios yelled and followed his liege.
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Behind closed doors

It wasn't a secret that many of the Princes thought that the new Emperor was too unexperienced and wasn't the right one to rule. Nikolaos had been in many secret meetings where counts and Princes had openly challenged the Emperor, of course without the Emperor knowing of it but Nikolaos loyalty lied with the Emperor and the Empire. Princes loyal to the Empire often insulted those who weren't or were under the rule of disloyal Prince.
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Insult in the Tourney

Nikolaos and his family were sitting in the benches when Prince of Dyrrachion approached him. "Aren't you the Count of Epireos?" He asked. "Yes" Nikolaos answered. "The one that harbors bastards?" Prince continued. Nikolaos didn't answer anything. "Hey everybody look what we have here, a bastard lover!" the Prince yelled. Crowed turned to the Prince who was pointing at Nikolaos.
insult.jpg

"You take those words back!" Nikolaos demanded. "Or what?" Prince said. Nikolaos didn't say anything but stood up and jumped towards the Prince, knocking him down from his saddle. Nikolaos gave a few good punches for the Prince before his bodyguards dragged him off. "I will get you for this you swine!" the Prince yelled while his men escorted him out of the area.


Deal with Venice

In December Prince of Epirus made a deal with the Republic of Venezia.
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Another bastard for Juvanos

One cold winter night Nikolaos left his bedroom and walked trough the castle to the servants quarters. There he met an young and beautiful maid. This night produced an bastard child for Nikolaos named Gennadios.
bastard.jpg


Choices

In March 1069 the worst happened. Prince of Epirus betrayed the Emperor and joined the Rebel Alliance. Soon after this an envoy came to Epireos and presented a letter. This was from the Prince. He asked that Nikolaos would raise his armies and join the Prince in the quest for independence.
choice.jpg


What shall Nikolaos do? Shall he risk everything by going war against the Empire or will he swore loyalty to the Empire and join against the Prince?

This is something you shall decide!
 
For the Empire, against the princes!
I say you should do something funny, let the Emperor have one province, while you control the rest of the empire through counts. :p
Shogun? :D
And what names are you giving to your kids!?!?!? :eek:

And the insult was a bit odd.... :p

And is the prince of Epirus a Palaiologoi?
 
For the Empire, against the princes!
I say you should do something funny, let the Emperor have one province, while you control the rest of the empire through counts. :p
Shogun? :D
And what names are you giving to your kids!?!?!? :eek:

And the insult was a bit odd.... :p

And is the prince of Epirus a Palaiologoi?[/QUOTE


That shogun thing would be kind of hard to without edits. Only possible way would be to conquer the Empire and then grant a title to count of Byzantion.

Those names are currently game generated but i can edit you to be one of the childs =) What comes to the insult i really couldn't think an medieval insult. Yes Prince of Epirus is still Palaiologoi.
 
Support the Emperor, I say. Breaking free from lieges is so common in CK that it will be refreshing to see somebody play as a loyalist. Especially as this is called "In the Name of the Emperor."
 
Enewald said:
Does the normal vanilla ck or deus vult give that kind of greek names? :confused:

I have played a lot with greeks, never met that kind of names. :p

Actually all the names are greek and deus vult has them in its char name file. Only Juvanos is something i made up =)

Also there is two other dynasties named after one of this forums member =)

The_Guiscard said:
Support the Emperor, I say. Breaking free from lieges is so common in CK that it will be refreshing to see somebody play as a loyalist. Especially as this is called "In the Name of the Emperor."

Well then a loyalist it shall be =)
 
Loss of a son

In September 1069, Blassios the oldest son of Nikolaos died. Some thought that this was the Princes doings and that he had killed Blassios because Nikolaos had refused to lend his armies for the Prince. Nikolaos though devastated by the death of his heir was looking forward as his wife Hermione was pregnant.
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Loyalist

In October Nikolaos sent an envoy to Byzantion to meet with the Emperor and ask that if the Emperor would help Nikolaos to gain the title of Epirus and Corfu he would in return swore to protect the Emperor and the Empire with his life. The Emperor was more than happy to gain a loyal vassal.
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To Defeat the traitors

The Armies of Prince of Epirus marched to Epireos where they met the forces of Nikolaos. The battle lasted only for a week and Prince of Epirus and his armies were forced to retreat to North to Dyrrachion which had also rebelled.
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Nikolaos didn't bother to pursuit them but instead moved to Árta where he was joined by forces of Byzantine Princes.
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There was little to no defense in the castle of Árta and the castle fell in December.
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Byzantine forces in the north had captured the Prince of Epirus and Count of Corfu. They were brought to Àrta where they signed the peace treaty proposed by Nikolaos. This treaty gave both titles of Count of Àrta and Prince of Epirus to Nikolaos but this also included the title of Corfu to be given to Nikolaos.

Emperor asked if Nikolaos would join his armies in order to defeat the Rebel Alliance and bring glory to the Empire. As Nikolaos had promised he joined the armies under Emperor Nikephoros but first he visited home.
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Birth of a Son


When Nikolaos, now Prince of Epirus returned home his wife had good news. She had given birth to a son in November. Nikolaos named this son after his first son.
birth-1.jpg
 
Enewald said:
Doesn't the tittle sound a bit loyalist? :p

Well it could refer to something like Juvanos wanting to be the emperor or something like that =)


Morsky said:
It pays to be a loyalist to the Byzantine Empire, what with elective law and all. :) Also, a good Medieval insult: "Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!". :D

It does indeed but you always must make your dynasty member the heir.
I need to keep that insult in mind.
 
Or next time the insult might be 'My dad had a bigger penis than your dad had'
or 'I have more bastards than you have', 'u r gay'.

Basileios was named after Blassios? :confused:
 
Or next time the insult might be 'My dad had a bigger penis than your dad had'
or 'I have more bastards than you have', 'u r gay'.

Basileios was named after Blassios? :confused:

It doesn't necessarily meant that he would be named the exact same as the one he is named after. =)
 
Birth of another son

It was a great day in September 1070 when Hermione gave birth to another son. Nikolaos thought that this could be his heir and named the boy Nikolaos.
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War makes friends

While Nikolaos was campaigning against the rebels he met other loyalist from all over the Empire. Notable of these were the Count of Belgrade who fought with Nikolaos in Dyrrachion and Archibishop of Athens and the Count of Nikomeida who both helped the Empire in the battle of Crete.
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Poor health in the family

Years passed, peace was made with the rebels and Nikolaos was able to return home. His cousin Bishop Stephanos had caught illness and was in a bad condition.
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That autumn Nikolaos now oldest son passed away.
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A year later an miracle worker came to the castle and offered to heal Stephanos for a small sum of gold but Stephanos refused. He thought that it was heretical to do such things.
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Sending the bastard far away

In 1075 Nikolaos sent his bastard son, Gennadios to Novgorod. There he would cause no trouble and no one would ever know that Gennadios is son of Nikolaos.
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Crusade and Palaiologos restoration

It was a year 1076 when news came to Epiroes that Pope had called a crusade to regain Jerusalem.
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emp-1.jpg

Two years later Georgios Palaiologos was crowned as the Byzantine Emperor. He started the Palaiologos restoration and declared war on Prince of Armenia. Nikolaos joined this campaign knowing that the Emperor was the son of the former Prince of Epirus.