DEV DIARY 10: Al-Andalus
"Like the tailor who uses his needle to sew together pieces of cloth, so I used my sword to unite my divided provinces... I leave you, my son, a pacified domain; it is a bed on which you can sleep untroubled, for I have taken care that no rebel will disturb your slumber"
This was apparently said by Al-Hakim I, butcher of Al-Andalus. In game terms, I have given him Impaler, Wroth and Deceitful to account for things he did to those who rebelled or the fact he invited ton of nobles for a banguet and had them all killed.
He holds most provinces in Al-Andalus but most of his sons have been added to game, meaning that AI likely hands them out soon and this will lead to internal instability over time.
As far as vassals go, his kinsmen hold d_valencia (with claim on kingdom) as they were exiled there after rebellion. Two other dukes are from game files themselves. Christian count was added to Toledo, who acted as Caliphs taxman but who later ended up crucified. This might have happened before 821 but what the heck.

Zaragoza is held by Visigothic converts (tried looking for names but could not find any so used games history files). One of the vassals is ahistorical Berber (might been bedouin) vassal whose historical son took control of Zaragoza in 840's. The control of Caliph was occasionally quite weak in the area but for now, they are not tributaries as Al-Hakim put down most so I assume at this stage nobody wanted to give him any trouble.
Speaking of tributaries, the area between Andalus & Asturias is held by one province tribal realms (as AI puts little priority in taking such areas) who act as tributaries for Asturias, simulating the sparsely populated buffer zone between Muslims & Christians. Rulers are ahistorical visigoths/suebi, as per province culture.
Andalus has tributaries as well, Banu Qasi & Navarra, as both of the rulers rose to power with backing of the Caliph. Banu Qasi has claim on d_zaragoza as on his later days, the ruler took control of it and declared himself "third king of Spain".
Asturias is held by old, chaste king. Succession here will be complicated if no heir comes out (as happened historically), with two people from different dynasties holding claim to the kingdom.
Finally in Pyrenees, we have two one province realms. One is duke of Aragorn, who was installed by help of Pamplonan king. Other is the previous duke of Aragon, living next to it and holding claim to two duchies. What's more, he is one assassination away from inheriting d_gasgocne from his distant kinsman.
That is all for now. Until next time.