Here's three campaign ideas, all of which I've done personally (though I have only done the second in Ironman):
1) "Crossroads of Europe":
The county of Krain in 867 is in a rather convenient location to expand in any direction- to the West lies Italy, to the South lies Byzantium, Serbia, and Croatia, to the East lies Bulgaria, and to the North lies Bavaria and the Pagans beyond. Even more interesting, House von Babenberg would go on to rule Austria and was a rather powerful house within the HRE for a time. The von Babenbergs also happen to be descended from the Robertians, the same bloodline the Capets are descended from and much later on in history, several Byzantine Emperors. Considering that you're also starting under the King of Italy, you nearly have a claim to the old Roman Empire minus Iberia and Britain or perhaps you may consider uniting two different Roman Empires- Byzantium and the yet to be formed HRE. Either way, you stand at a crossroads, but what will you make of it?
2) "Making William Jealous"
One thing that tends to rarely happen in CK2 is the formation of Norman culture, but even more rare is the formation of English culture. Starting in 867, pick your favorite Viking to conquer Brittany. From there, completely rewrite the history books by dealing with the Anglo-Saxons across the Channel almost two hundred years before William of Normandy. Afterwards, perhaps you put the Angevins to shame as well by uniting England and France while waiting for the idea of a new culture to come around in 1100. Bonus points if you can reform the faith rather than converting to Catholicism.
3) "The Augustus Wears an Iron Crown"
The year is 867, and you are the only Lombard ruler around. You know inevitably that the Byzantines will march into Salerno, since they seem to still think Sicily is theirs. Fortunately you remember an old saying- "If you can't beat them, join them". The current Basileus will have no qualms with your decision to swear fealty, but what he doesn't realize is that he's just given the means for a barbarous Lombard to work his way up to the Throne. It was after all barbaric tribes such as the Lombards that brought down the original Roman Empire, but instead of destroying perhaps it is time your turn to create instead. Re-form the empire your ancestors helped destroy, though this time the Roman Empire will be an Empire made by Lombards for Lombards.
1) "Crossroads of Europe":
The county of Krain in 867 is in a rather convenient location to expand in any direction- to the West lies Italy, to the South lies Byzantium, Serbia, and Croatia, to the East lies Bulgaria, and to the North lies Bavaria and the Pagans beyond. Even more interesting, House von Babenberg would go on to rule Austria and was a rather powerful house within the HRE for a time. The von Babenbergs also happen to be descended from the Robertians, the same bloodline the Capets are descended from and much later on in history, several Byzantine Emperors. Considering that you're also starting under the King of Italy, you nearly have a claim to the old Roman Empire minus Iberia and Britain or perhaps you may consider uniting two different Roman Empires- Byzantium and the yet to be formed HRE. Either way, you stand at a crossroads, but what will you make of it?
2) "Making William Jealous"
One thing that tends to rarely happen in CK2 is the formation of Norman culture, but even more rare is the formation of English culture. Starting in 867, pick your favorite Viking to conquer Brittany. From there, completely rewrite the history books by dealing with the Anglo-Saxons across the Channel almost two hundred years before William of Normandy. Afterwards, perhaps you put the Angevins to shame as well by uniting England and France while waiting for the idea of a new culture to come around in 1100. Bonus points if you can reform the faith rather than converting to Catholicism.
3) "The Augustus Wears an Iron Crown"
The year is 867, and you are the only Lombard ruler around. You know inevitably that the Byzantines will march into Salerno, since they seem to still think Sicily is theirs. Fortunately you remember an old saying- "If you can't beat them, join them". The current Basileus will have no qualms with your decision to swear fealty, but what he doesn't realize is that he's just given the means for a barbarous Lombard to work his way up to the Throne. It was after all barbaric tribes such as the Lombards that brought down the original Roman Empire, but instead of destroying perhaps it is time your turn to create instead. Re-form the empire your ancestors helped destroy, though this time the Roman Empire will be an Empire made by Lombards for Lombards.
