Idle note of something that showed up in a Byzantium game I am playing.
They end up in weird places.
They end up in weird places.
In the Shadow of Certain, Painful Doom: Abyssinia
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Spent my free time over the past few days reading through this AAR and it is probably my favorite.
Hi folks. Again I will have to post on Wednesday instead of today. For the next month I'm involved in something that takes up my weekend hours, so mid-week is more doable for me to see what latest craziness the Zagwes have got themselves into.
Superb AAR. Sometimes I think I enjoy reading good AARs of Paradox games more than actually playing them. Oh, add me to the nostalgic faction that would like to see old school Monophysitism return to prominence!
At least keep the Zagwes going,...on one of the feet left to them. 
Enjoy your weekends.
Enjoy your weekends.
Bad luck in war, bad luck in reading, bad luck in revenge... this dynasty is cursed. Although, if they do get a power duke perhaps that would lift the curse? Or just set them up for a bigger fall?
Yes, he reminds me a bit of Tesfaye Zagwe (the first one) with extra virtues. I imagine him sitting in his room a lot.
LOL, the blood thirst has gotten you!
Hmm?! Oh yes, wasn't that one of the seven golden virtues? Or maybe one of the vices...
Hiring a mercenary captain with the nickname "The Careless" for a book sounds like a smart move and I whole-heartily support this decision.
You just know he's dog eared many pages and broken the spine.
LOL, I love 0:26 when the Gelada Baboon gives the sneak attack signal to the main body of baboons after the decoy. You can learn strategy from baboons! They should employ a reserve force, though.
Wow, that is interesting. I guess that would be another strategy, to assimilate into the Muslims instead of the Byzantines to avoid the usual game start wipe out process.
It really is.
Thank you! I appreciate it. I'm glad you like it.
Who is this lazy nut job?
Thanks!
Thanks! That is high praise indeed to be compared with the fun of playing the game. And I agree with you about the return of Monophysitism. Personally, I would like to see a return of Monophysitism and the Ethiopian culture. The latter may be difficult because despite my attempts to keep an Ethiopian contingent in the Zagwe court, the last Ethiopian courtier never had a child. She's now 40.
At least keep the Zagwes going,...on one of the feet left to them.
Enjoy your weekends.
Thanks!
Indeed.
Chapter 81
My ex-marshal Appollonios, who will one day die to fulfill my revenge on my father’s murder, has been regent long enough. Appollonios’ liege is released from prison. “Merciful” Basilissa Ioanna releases the Doux… after she blinds him, of course. Her father was the Impaler, after all. If I ever think that I have the reputation for being a tyrant, I simply look at how others see my liege and I feel better.
I am no longer patient. Why should I be?
My truce with my liege is running out soon. This is worrying.
My half-sister is an interesting blend: she is an amazing strategist coupled with an utter and complete lack of tact. If it were not for her non-existing people skills I might consult with her on matters of state. Another reason to avoid doing that is that she loathes me for having her both poisoning her mother and causing her to fall to her death. I guess I can understand that.
With the martial abilities of my half-sister, it will be good for her to keep busy in ways that will not threaten me. I find a good matrimonial spouse for my half-sister. He will be the best (male) warrior in my realm. As a side bonus, this will also cement an alliance with Doux Nikephorus of Charsianon, which is a duchy not too far away.
With this Charsianon alliance, I now have many alliances now throughout Byzantium. Not that any of them would really stick their neck out to help me, but at least in theory I now have a healthy base of support from the doux of Byzantium. Perhaps this will be enough to keep my liege from attempting to again steal my titles.
The faction to lower Byzantium Crown Authority is up to 70% of the troops possessed by Basilissa Ioanna. Looks like most all the doux hate Basilissa Ioanna because of her propensity to steal titles… wait a minute… I recognize the latest faction member to join. It is Duchess Eudgenia of Cyprus—my half-brother’s wife and carrier of my heir’s future duchies. What is she doing threatening my dynasty’s future holdings like this? Doesn’t she know that she won’t be able to pass on her inheritance to my line if she’s childless and in prison or dead?
I am beginning to wonder if my liege is insane. Civil war is brewing, and she declares war on a large infidel kingdom just to our south, the Emirate of Yousifid.
There’s my husband, wishing he could be spymaster.
There are two more courtiers that would be more capable at being steward than Count Bartholomaios. But unlike the good Count, they don’t command any troops, so I conclude that the marginally-competent Bartholomaios is doing a bang up job and should be retained.
My sister’s son Tesfaye Zagwe has become ambitious. That is only suiting given his name, and it is fitting since I took him under my wing as a tutor. May he live up to the greatness in his name of Tesfaye. Later he becomes kind. Maybe one day he will be as kind as I am. Although as a leader I must restrain my kindness. Too much kindness can cause problems, so often as ruler I have to do unkind things, but they are always for a kind cause.
I completely forgot about this prisoner. Twenty years in prison and still alive! Oh well, he could be trouble if we let him go, as he has a strong claim on one of the counties I now possess. His not having any children is convenient as well, and it is much easier to keep him childless when he is buried alone in the bowels of my dungeons. Because I am so kind, though, I instruct the Head of the Prison Guards to keep him apart from the pickpockets and murderers and to give him an extra bun every other Friday. A little something to look forward to.
First he wants to be spymaster and now steward? Why is my idiot husband trying to rock the boat? Shouldn’t he be off practicing his dueling skills or something? My rejection of this is going to make him like me even less. Not that it causes too many problems. He is so shy that he just goes and sulks in his room. That tends to make him even more cross, though, as I’m storing quite a few books there now.
Several other infidel kingdoms attempt to help the Yousifid Emirate, but they cannot stop the purple Imperial avalanche, and Ioanna crushes the Yousifids. Surprisingly the Byzantine Lower Crown Faction does not rebel. Maybe she knows what she is doing after all. Now the Byzantine Empire is extended one more duchy to the South, and apparently she has called the faction’s bluff and averted civil war…
In unfortunate timing on the part of the faction members, they wait until the external war with the infidels is over before declaring civil war to lower crown authority. Wouldn’t their job be easier if Basilissa was engaged in a two-front war? In any case, now I have to worry about rebels coming to sack my holdings for wealth to fund their little revolution. Why can’t people just leave me to my books? This civil war has forced me to find my copy of Ceasar’s Civil War, and I simply cannot put it down. How it must have been to live in the ancient times of Ceasar in the middle of such excitement!
My ex-marshal Appollonios, who will one day die to fulfill my revenge on my father’s murder, has been regent long enough. Appollonios’ liege is released from prison. “Merciful” Basilissa Ioanna releases the Doux… after she blinds him, of course. Her father was the Impaler, after all. If I ever think that I have the reputation for being a tyrant, I simply look at how others see my liege and I feel better.
I am no longer patient. Why should I be?
My truce with my liege is running out soon. This is worrying.
My half-sister is an interesting blend: she is an amazing strategist coupled with an utter and complete lack of tact. If it were not for her non-existing people skills I might consult with her on matters of state. Another reason to avoid doing that is that she loathes me for having her both poisoning her mother and causing her to fall to her death. I guess I can understand that.
With the martial abilities of my half-sister, it will be good for her to keep busy in ways that will not threaten me. I find a good matrimonial spouse for my half-sister. He will be the best (male) warrior in my realm. As a side bonus, this will also cement an alliance with Doux Nikephorus of Charsianon, which is a duchy not too far away.
With this Charsianon alliance, I now have many alliances now throughout Byzantium. Not that any of them would really stick their neck out to help me, but at least in theory I now have a healthy base of support from the doux of Byzantium. Perhaps this will be enough to keep my liege from attempting to again steal my titles.
The faction to lower Byzantium Crown Authority is up to 70% of the troops possessed by Basilissa Ioanna. Looks like most all the doux hate Basilissa Ioanna because of her propensity to steal titles… wait a minute… I recognize the latest faction member to join. It is Duchess Eudgenia of Cyprus—my half-brother’s wife and carrier of my heir’s future duchies. What is she doing threatening my dynasty’s future holdings like this? Doesn’t she know that she won’t be able to pass on her inheritance to my line if she’s childless and in prison or dead?
I am beginning to wonder if my liege is insane. Civil war is brewing, and she declares war on a large infidel kingdom just to our south, the Emirate of Yousifid.
There’s my husband, wishing he could be spymaster.
There are two more courtiers that would be more capable at being steward than Count Bartholomaios. But unlike the good Count, they don’t command any troops, so I conclude that the marginally-competent Bartholomaios is doing a bang up job and should be retained.
My sister’s son Tesfaye Zagwe has become ambitious. That is only suiting given his name, and it is fitting since I took him under my wing as a tutor. May he live up to the greatness in his name of Tesfaye. Later he becomes kind. Maybe one day he will be as kind as I am. Although as a leader I must restrain my kindness. Too much kindness can cause problems, so often as ruler I have to do unkind things, but they are always for a kind cause.
I completely forgot about this prisoner. Twenty years in prison and still alive! Oh well, he could be trouble if we let him go, as he has a strong claim on one of the counties I now possess. His not having any children is convenient as well, and it is much easier to keep him childless when he is buried alone in the bowels of my dungeons. Because I am so kind, though, I instruct the Head of the Prison Guards to keep him apart from the pickpockets and murderers and to give him an extra bun every other Friday. A little something to look forward to.
First he wants to be spymaster and now steward? Why is my idiot husband trying to rock the boat? Shouldn’t he be off practicing his dueling skills or something? My rejection of this is going to make him like me even less. Not that it causes too many problems. He is so shy that he just goes and sulks in his room. That tends to make him even more cross, though, as I’m storing quite a few books there now.
Several other infidel kingdoms attempt to help the Yousifid Emirate, but they cannot stop the purple Imperial avalanche, and Ioanna crushes the Yousifids. Surprisingly the Byzantine Lower Crown Faction does not rebel. Maybe she knows what she is doing after all. Now the Byzantine Empire is extended one more duchy to the South, and apparently she has called the faction’s bluff and averted civil war…
In unfortunate timing on the part of the faction members, they wait until the external war with the infidels is over before declaring civil war to lower crown authority. Wouldn’t their job be easier if Basilissa was engaged in a two-front war? In any case, now I have to worry about rebels coming to sack my holdings for wealth to fund their little revolution. Why can’t people just leave me to my books? This civil war has forced me to find my copy of Ceasar’s Civil War, and I simply cannot put it down. How it must have been to live in the ancient times of Ceasar in the middle of such excitement!
The duchess is so kind it is frightening! A good and meaty update (I found the previous a little short, to be honest). I wonder if the civil war will work and if you will use the new possibilities of factions to rise.
Awesome as always - good job, sir
Philo32b, are you going to post some kind of global affairs overview? I must say that it would be quite interesting to take a look at Europe during infamous Zagwe's (mis) adventures. Btw what year is it? Are mongolian hordes coming soon to crush eastern rim of the Byzantium? You know, since you control Armenia it is inevitable
Philo32b, are you going to post some kind of global affairs overview? I must say that it would be quite interesting to take a look at Europe during infamous Zagwe's (mis) adventures. Btw what year is it? Are mongolian hordes coming soon to crush eastern rim of the Byzantium? You know, since you control Armenia it is inevitable
Oops, it seems our good Basilissa will have some fun oiling up her father's stakes! Fortunately for the Zagwes, she will have too much on her hands to try revoking titles once more.
Would it be beneficial to you for the faction to lower crown authority succeed? Or is it a negative proposition?
I tend to think that there are good things and bad things. The empire would be less powerful, but maybe it is already powerful enough. She would have more of her own troops but depending on the current level of crown authority, she could be threatened by powerful vassals (although she has a good enough number of alliances). If the empress win against those rebels, she may be busy by punishing them, but she may also become more powerful (crushed a major rebelion).
All in all, I think it would be better for the good and kind duchess if the empress lose the war. However, lets not forget the incoming mongols nor the possibility that the civil war lenght be so great it ruins the empire (by external interventions).
2nd read is just as good as the 1st, though the 2nd time I understood what was going on more!! Thanks for new chapter!!
Awesome as always - good job, sir
Philo32b, are you going to post some kind of global affairs overview? I must say that it would be quite interesting to take a look at Europe during infamous Zagwe's (mis) adventures. Btw what year is it? Are mongolian hordes coming soon to crush eastern rim of the Byzantium? You know, since you control Armenia it is inevitable
I am pretty interested in what year it is as well, those Mongols have to be right around the corner and playing so close to the East End of the map they can and almost always do change the landscape over there.I would say maybe plotting an escape back to Africa, but at the same time in my current game the Mongols are taking of Axum so I guess they don't mind going south as well.
I would also like to see what the rest of the world looks like, ever since this last patch I have seen HRE take over the majority of Africa north coast of Africa.
I'd suggest trying to inherit something in England so that the arrival of the Mongols doesn't tragically cut short the wonderful misadventures and general incompetence of the Zagwe's
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