Yeap, the trick is to make sure you aren't marrying into places with high authority. Nothing worse than not getting anything and seeing years of work lost because their titles can't leave.
In the Shadow of Certain, Painful Doom: Abyssinia
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Could you elaborate on this? Do you invite people with strong claims and marry them to your family .. and then start assassinating the current ruler and his family?
Just noticed this in my current game... All done by the AI, 0 intervention from me.. in fact I didn't even bother to check on the Zagwes until now. I am using CK2Plus though, maybe that had something to do with it? Long Live the Zagwe!
The reason they're doing well is because a certain SOMEBODY didn't throw away a certain FINGER BONE.
:rofl: knuckle bone actually...The reason they're doing well is because a certain SOMEBODY didn't throw away a certain FINGER BONE.
There's three ways to do it: The first is to marry into a duchy/kingdom with both low/medium crown authority and agnatic-cognatic succession that isn't elective. First, you marry your heir to one of their daughters, and then, through plots,assassinations, or blind dumb luck, you make your new wife is the only potential heir left. Then, your heir and his wife's children will be the heirs to both your kingdom and heir duchy/kingdom. That being said, it may cheaper/less dangerous to ensure that the only heirs left are sisters - some duchies are gavelkind succession (IE most of France) meaning that you can still gain land even if you fail to assassinate all the heirs.
The second way is less difficult. Marry someone with a claim to a duchy,county, or kingdom, and then press the claim at a later date. Strong is preferable but you're always more likely to get a weak claim. Then, have a kid with this person, off him, and press your new claim to whatever piece of land you've gotten a claim to. This may be a mite bit more difficult to do because weak claims to Kingdoms can only be pressed in regencies, succession crises, Queenships or if the second or third son is sitting on the throne, but can still be accomplished by offing the current king with assassins or plot.
Beware however, that some duchies are virtually immune to being inherited by members outside of their collective borders: Agnatic elective is a good way to avoid getting inherited by someone else, as you actually need to own land in the de jure duchy in order to vote for whom gets the realm. Seniority also has the same effect, but, A. I've never seen the AI use seniority, and B. Seniority is a good way to see your kingdom/duchy get inherited by some far-off great-aunt/uncle that's married to a duke in Russia.
The final way to do it is to gain land inside an elective realm (like Denmark,Norway,Sweden, and the HRE) and kiss enough ducal butt to get yourself into the Emperor/Kings seat when he dies, and then change the rules of the realm to suit you and your heirs.
Also be aware that Kingdoms/Empires with high/maxium crown authority do not allow king/duchy/county etc. titles to pass outside the realm, meaning that you'll need to be a vassal in that realm in order to play the wedding game.
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I want to say this is a very good AAR and reason enough to register at this forum. Looking forward to more updates!
I think CK2Plus added a mercenary unit that Abyssia could hire.
I also suspect the Zagwe's recent triumphs are only because they will NEVER benefit the main Zagwe dynasty, just some relatives that Philo will never get to play. The One-Natured God likes to torment the former Kings of Abyssia in such ways.
Thank you! I’m very glad you like it.
How is the wife? Deadly
Kanin_Usagi , Machiavellian, tnick0225, and IconOfEvi: It was only when you folks started to comment on the success that I realized Tesfaye III had back-to-back successes in the war and in the intrigue defending his daughter. Don’t worry. I’m sure success with the Zagwes it is like a karma thing—each success is repaid ten times over with failure later on.
Thanks, I certainly will. I also want to see where this crazy dynasty will end up.
Congratulations Philo - Well deserved on both counts!
Thank you! I appreciate it.
Wow, even the AI is better than me! LOL But really I just feel sorry for those Abyssinians kings and queens. They will probably never set foot in Sennar and experience all the joy it can bring them.
I do wonder if the latest Muslim patch has changed anything with the Caliphates that normally cause hell for the poor Abyssinians. If the Muslims end up fighting each other more often due to the new game mechanics, that might give the kings of Abyssinia enough breathing room to put up a sufficient defense.
The reason they're doing well is because a certain SOMEBODY didn't throw away a certain FINGER BONE.
OK, this is probably the real reason.
If CK2Plus does add the mercs for Abyssinia, that would be a great addition.
What I like about your second point is that it ties in nicely with the successes that Tesfaye III has been having recently. It’s not just that each success will be paid back later with interest in failure. No, rather we will never be able to enjoy the successfully blossoming fruit that is continually just out of reach. The more successes that help it, the more our frustration at not being able to reach it. Perfect!
Axe27, BogMod, and RebBrown: thanks for the gameplay discussion. Axe27, thank you for the detailed and helpful tips! Everyone should be sure to check out Axe27’s full tip in his original post, above.
Thanks! I’m glad you like it, and I’m honored that it prompted you register in the forum. I hope you enjoy the many interesting and fun things that it provides!
Chapter 66
While my wife goes to a convent, I spend the entire time with my lover. I mean, isn’t that what one does when your wife goes to a convent? Unfortunately, Caesar has such vigorous blood that the women tend to become with child a bit too easily. Sure enough, my mistress Konstantine becomes with child. As soon as I learn this, unbidden a memory resurfaces: my wife Theophano riding alongside me in a hunt. A wild boar surprised us and felled her horse, sending Theophano tumbling out of sight, behind a boulder, with the boar after her. I turned my horse and rushed back, and as I heard horrible death noises I thought surely my new bride was now dead. Then I cleared the boulder and saw the aftermath. Theophano was calmly wiping her hunting knife, which was—along with herself—covered in blood and gore. A dead boar lay at her feet, while a few feet away lay a pile of boar entrails. The thing that struck me most, however, was her face. She looked bored. I really should try to remember memories like this when I feel my blood stirring near Konstantine.
At 79 Spymaster Iskinder Solomonid should not be climbing rock cliffs, but he tries anyway and falls to his death. Apparently he heard there was some kind of bird—I think they called it a Black-Chested Snake Eagle—that had a nest he was trying to reach. He wanted some feathers from around the nest, who knows why. I will never understand these Monophysites. Now I must again search for a new spymaster.
I consider my options for spymaster. There’s not much of a choice here. With my wife’s abysmal intrigue and her hatred of me, I would prefer to pick someone else. Even the barely competent Staurakios is better than her. I do a search of Byzantium at large for both chaplain and spymaster and can find no one willing to join my court in Sennar… not that I blame anyone, of course. I will tap Staurakios for spymaster and leave my chaplain position open for now. With the great work that the last chaplain did, I feel this can slide a bit until I find a new chaplain.
At least the husband’s displeasure is not a problem. He’s safely in my prison... I know—I am low.
My second bastard is born, a girl that Konstantine names Eugenia. This birth forces me to decide whether I will legitimize the child or denounce her. I don’t want her to be eligible to succeed in the dynasty tree, but I would like to recognize her. In the end I don’t risk it and denounce her. Anyway, I need to start covering my tracks with my wife. My very life is probably at stake.
A few months after I had my chancellor scour in vain the Byzantine Empire looking for new courtiers to help govern my county, a group of Greeks arrive unexpectedly at my castle, requesting an audience. They are courtiers from eastern Byzantium who claim they have heard of Caesar Zagwe’s exploits in defense of our realm and wish to join my court to aid me in my noble campaigns. Several of them are quite talented, so this is welcome news indeed. I happily welcome them to my court, and instruct my servants to find them quarters.
Artemios of Saint Symeon seems to be their informal leader. Their having a hierarchy of power separate from mine is not a problem with me as Artemios is so deferential in his manner to me. He joins my court from the county of Suenik. The other members of his group from Suenik include Ivan Vladislav and Apollonios of Saint Symeon. Innokentios Branas is from the county of Tortosa and Mleh Siwnik is an Armenian courtier from the County of Tmutarakan.
Gates of what?!
Chancellor Demetrios and I are near my new courtiers when we see Apollonios do some quick movement with his hands—I could have sworn it looked like a signal—while facing Laurentios, my steward and general who regularly subtly undermines me. Laurentios shows no sign of seeing anything, but Demetrios seems to notice it as well, and his face becomes ashen, but only for a moment. Then he notices me, smiles, and excusing himself, quickly leaves the chamber. Strange behavior, but Monophysites like Demetrios can be expected to act strangely.
Marginally-competent Spymaster Staurakios comes to me whispering how the new Greeks wanted my Great-Aunt Ganet’s old quarters as Artemios’ chambers. They were quite insistent about this, he says. I can tell that Staurakios doesn’t trust them. Then I notice Staurakios is wearing one of those Monophysite necklaces, which is a surprise as he was a proper Orthodox only a couple of months ago when I appointed him as spymaster. I tell Staurakios that not only am I giving Artemios the old quarters of Ganet, but I am also giving Artemios the position of Spymaster, effective immediately. This should give Staurakios more time to properly observe his new religious interests. I do this not solely from malice, but for pragmatic reasons as well—unlike Staurakios, Artemios has exceptional abilities of intrigue.
That aggressive leader face she inherits from her mother’s side.
My daughter, Duchess Dionysia, has just come of age. I am proud of her. Even before adulthood she managed to increase her direct rule by one county (that of the count that had warred against us). I am a bit worried for her though—aside from her grasp of the martial arts, all of her other abilities are subpar. She is, on the other hand, gregarious, patient, and kind, which are traits that will help avoid displeasing her subjects. (She is also a bit greedy, but this can be forgiven a duchess.) But for all her limitations, she is also an aggressive leader, which will stand her in good stead. As a woman she will not lead on the battlefield, but in the battlefield of court she shows no mercy and ruthlessly cuts down anyone opposing her. In a nice way, though.
I review the laws of Sennar, something that is almost never done here, as the laws are few in number and not beheld with any particular feeling of respect by the peasants and cityfolk. The one exception are the laws governing the production of tej; these laws are viewed as almost religious in authority. Today though I am reviewing the succession laws. Someone I was in correspondence with—I’m not sure if it was the Makarios that is Bishop of Decani or the Makarios that is Bishop of Claudiopolis… or maybe a Machiavellian from somewhere else—was mentioning succession laws and how to consolidate dynasty holdings. Rather than have my dynasty’s holdings split into weakness over my many, many children, it would be better to consolidate them into one person. An elective law of succession, whereby the rulers of holdings determine who is to be their new liege, is promising. I rule all the holdings, so I can pick my daughter the Duchess as inheritor of Sennar. The beautiful thing, too, is that my dynasty and court would all move then to Armenia, away from this godforsaken hellhole. Then my dynasty could actually grow in power, until they are strong enough to wrest Abyssinia back from the infidels, making our line a line of kings and queens again.
I have a clerk write up the change in succession to election and then apply my count's mark to seal it as law. It is done. My daughter is now direct in line for Sennar. May she never have to step foot here. My hope is she can leave it for the peasants and baboons to do as they like.
That same bored look she gets when… when…
It is fortunate that I have appointed a capable spymaster recently, for I receive some horrifying news. My new spymaster discovers a plot by my wife to murder me. My wife hates me with every fiber of her being for several reasons, but the latest and largest reason is that my change in the succession laws has completely cut her children out from inheriting the rule of Sennar. I can understand her being angry that her children will not rule, but she also lives here. How could she want our children to be exiled here?
With all of my side romances I should have seen my wife's murderous rage coming, but this information still shocks me and fills my gut with icy fear. Whatever my faults, I have always known I can rely on my bravery in the face of danger. I never felt incapacitated by fear. But now I feel the cold in my gut radiating out to my arms and legs. Will she murder me with a knife when I am drunk on tej? Will she find me alone in the forest while I hunt and murder me with a well-placed arrow? Will she disembowel me like that boar while I sleep at night? I should be trying to think of ways out of this danger, but my mind remains dumb with fear. I have lost my bravery.
While my wife goes to a convent, I spend the entire time with my lover. I mean, isn’t that what one does when your wife goes to a convent? Unfortunately, Caesar has such vigorous blood that the women tend to become with child a bit too easily. Sure enough, my mistress Konstantine becomes with child. As soon as I learn this, unbidden a memory resurfaces: my wife Theophano riding alongside me in a hunt. A wild boar surprised us and felled her horse, sending Theophano tumbling out of sight, behind a boulder, with the boar after her. I turned my horse and rushed back, and as I heard horrible death noises I thought surely my new bride was now dead. Then I cleared the boulder and saw the aftermath. Theophano was calmly wiping her hunting knife, which was—along with herself—covered in blood and gore. A dead boar lay at her feet, while a few feet away lay a pile of boar entrails. The thing that struck me most, however, was her face. She looked bored. I really should try to remember memories like this when I feel my blood stirring near Konstantine.
At 79 Spymaster Iskinder Solomonid should not be climbing rock cliffs, but he tries anyway and falls to his death. Apparently he heard there was some kind of bird—I think they called it a Black-Chested Snake Eagle—that had a nest he was trying to reach. He wanted some feathers from around the nest, who knows why. I will never understand these Monophysites. Now I must again search for a new spymaster.
I consider my options for spymaster. There’s not much of a choice here. With my wife’s abysmal intrigue and her hatred of me, I would prefer to pick someone else. Even the barely competent Staurakios is better than her. I do a search of Byzantium at large for both chaplain and spymaster and can find no one willing to join my court in Sennar… not that I blame anyone, of course. I will tap Staurakios for spymaster and leave my chaplain position open for now. With the great work that the last chaplain did, I feel this can slide a bit until I find a new chaplain.
At least the husband’s displeasure is not a problem. He’s safely in my prison... I know—I am low.
My second bastard is born, a girl that Konstantine names Eugenia. This birth forces me to decide whether I will legitimize the child or denounce her. I don’t want her to be eligible to succeed in the dynasty tree, but I would like to recognize her. In the end I don’t risk it and denounce her. Anyway, I need to start covering my tracks with my wife. My very life is probably at stake.
A few months after I had my chancellor scour in vain the Byzantine Empire looking for new courtiers to help govern my county, a group of Greeks arrive unexpectedly at my castle, requesting an audience. They are courtiers from eastern Byzantium who claim they have heard of Caesar Zagwe’s exploits in defense of our realm and wish to join my court to aid me in my noble campaigns. Several of them are quite talented, so this is welcome news indeed. I happily welcome them to my court, and instruct my servants to find them quarters.
Artemios of Saint Symeon seems to be their informal leader. Their having a hierarchy of power separate from mine is not a problem with me as Artemios is so deferential in his manner to me. He joins my court from the county of Suenik. The other members of his group from Suenik include Ivan Vladislav and Apollonios of Saint Symeon. Innokentios Branas is from the county of Tortosa and Mleh Siwnik is an Armenian courtier from the County of Tmutarakan.
Gates of what?!
Chancellor Demetrios and I are near my new courtiers when we see Apollonios do some quick movement with his hands—I could have sworn it looked like a signal—while facing Laurentios, my steward and general who regularly subtly undermines me. Laurentios shows no sign of seeing anything, but Demetrios seems to notice it as well, and his face becomes ashen, but only for a moment. Then he notices me, smiles, and excusing himself, quickly leaves the chamber. Strange behavior, but Monophysites like Demetrios can be expected to act strangely.
Marginally-competent Spymaster Staurakios comes to me whispering how the new Greeks wanted my Great-Aunt Ganet’s old quarters as Artemios’ chambers. They were quite insistent about this, he says. I can tell that Staurakios doesn’t trust them. Then I notice Staurakios is wearing one of those Monophysite necklaces, which is a surprise as he was a proper Orthodox only a couple of months ago when I appointed him as spymaster. I tell Staurakios that not only am I giving Artemios the old quarters of Ganet, but I am also giving Artemios the position of Spymaster, effective immediately. This should give Staurakios more time to properly observe his new religious interests. I do this not solely from malice, but for pragmatic reasons as well—unlike Staurakios, Artemios has exceptional abilities of intrigue.
That aggressive leader face she inherits from her mother’s side.
My daughter, Duchess Dionysia, has just come of age. I am proud of her. Even before adulthood she managed to increase her direct rule by one county (that of the count that had warred against us). I am a bit worried for her though—aside from her grasp of the martial arts, all of her other abilities are subpar. She is, on the other hand, gregarious, patient, and kind, which are traits that will help avoid displeasing her subjects. (She is also a bit greedy, but this can be forgiven a duchess.) But for all her limitations, she is also an aggressive leader, which will stand her in good stead. As a woman she will not lead on the battlefield, but in the battlefield of court she shows no mercy and ruthlessly cuts down anyone opposing her. In a nice way, though.
I review the laws of Sennar, something that is almost never done here, as the laws are few in number and not beheld with any particular feeling of respect by the peasants and cityfolk. The one exception are the laws governing the production of tej; these laws are viewed as almost religious in authority. Today though I am reviewing the succession laws. Someone I was in correspondence with—I’m not sure if it was the Makarios that is Bishop of Decani or the Makarios that is Bishop of Claudiopolis… or maybe a Machiavellian from somewhere else—was mentioning succession laws and how to consolidate dynasty holdings. Rather than have my dynasty’s holdings split into weakness over my many, many children, it would be better to consolidate them into one person. An elective law of succession, whereby the rulers of holdings determine who is to be their new liege, is promising. I rule all the holdings, so I can pick my daughter the Duchess as inheritor of Sennar. The beautiful thing, too, is that my dynasty and court would all move then to Armenia, away from this godforsaken hellhole. Then my dynasty could actually grow in power, until they are strong enough to wrest Abyssinia back from the infidels, making our line a line of kings and queens again.
I have a clerk write up the change in succession to election and then apply my count's mark to seal it as law. It is done. My daughter is now direct in line for Sennar. May she never have to step foot here. My hope is she can leave it for the peasants and baboons to do as they like.
That same bored look she gets when… when…
It is fortunate that I have appointed a capable spymaster recently, for I receive some horrifying news. My new spymaster discovers a plot by my wife to murder me. My wife hates me with every fiber of her being for several reasons, but the latest and largest reason is that my change in the succession laws has completely cut her children out from inheriting the rule of Sennar. I can understand her being angry that her children will not rule, but she also lives here. How could she want our children to be exiled here?
With all of my side romances I should have seen my wife's murderous rage coming, but this information still shocks me and fills my gut with icy fear. Whatever my faults, I have always known I can rely on my bravery in the face of danger. I never felt incapacitated by fear. But now I feel the cold in my gut radiating out to my arms and legs. Will she murder me with a knife when I am drunk on tej? Will she find me alone in the forest while I hunt and murder me with a well-placed arrow? Will she disembowel me like that boar while I sleep at night? I should be trying to think of ways out of this danger, but my mind remains dumb with fear. I have lost my bravery.
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That trait loss... is just so perfect.
Nice update.
Also, seriously, THE GATES OF HELL!? That's kind've intimidating.
Nice update.
Also, seriously, THE GATES OF HELL!? That's kind've intimidating.
The gates of hell is an event chain where a giant pit opens up, and no one likes you until you fix it. The choices were all pretty funny too, but its generally a bad event, and I think very rare, I only had it once. But the guy probably isn't the spawn of Satan. Unless he has connections to the Duchy of Anjou. All in all a tremendous update. Although why your wife wants to kill you and have your daughter inherit, I have no idea. Isn't that entirely against her interests?
Thanks, the bravery trait lose was perfect timing. It was like the AI knew exactly what it was doing.
Thank you! And thanks for the info on gates of hell. And you are right about the bad logic of murdering Tesfaye III right after he changes the succession laws. That would just cement her children getting nothing. What she should do is threaten him with something nasty unless he changes it back.
Forgive her, killing the thing that is causing her issue has worked for her very well in the past. Perhaps killing Tesfaye and then Dionysia, may just get her somewhere.
Funny read. What a great return to Sennar. Obviously nobody cared for/noticed your glorious expedition and your wife is at your neck. Life can be soo great !
True, in the Middle Ages killing whatever was causing your problems probably was not a bad idea in many circumstances.
Thanks! One good thing about his expeditions, though, is that it puts some distance between him and his murderous wife. I wouldn't be surprised if Tesfaye decides to make continuous armed defense of his liege his top priority.
Thank you, but I cannot take credit for it. It was Machiavellian's excellent idea. I tried to credit him within the story itself but spelled his name wrong; I have now corrected it. If we ever get out of Sennar into Armenia, this will be the thing that made it possible. Thank you Machiavellian!
Some things never change
Very true
Sometimes I don't know who's more helpless - the Zagwe's who keep getting snared in webs by Greeks, or the Greeks who keep coming to Sennar anyways
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