Now THAT is sneaky

[HydroAC]

The Roman Empire was busy eliminating the last of the Muslims (Hunufi, heretic Shia) in 1349. Byzantium and then the Roman Empire had endured dozens of Jihads, and the early Jihads were life and death affairs for the Empire. So this war is the culmination of 500 years of effort.

My forces were overwhelming and just on the eve of complete victory Emir Hishram of the Rafiquid Emirate contacts me to say he has converted to Orthodox.

The Holy War was instantly over.

The Emir even joined the Hermetic Society, so he is now a colleague of Emperor Theodosius III of Makedon.

I have to hand it to the AI on this one: In the face of extinction they choose a tactic that saves their duchy for another day. I am...impressed. I may just give them a non-aggression pact.

Now...to the Mongols who gave me so much grief...

 

[Achab]

Come on, such a cynical approach to ones sincere conversion to the true religion. You should rejoice that your brother in faith found the path of light after all.

 

[HydroAC]

Come on, such a cynical approach to ones sincere conversion to the true religion. You should rejoice that your brother in faith found the path of light after all.

You know, you were right.

I just checked and the leaders of every town, temple, and castle are now Orthodox, and a third of the territory has converted. I guess they did mean it.

I don't see a way to give them a non-aggression pact. I did invite the Emir to go stargazing with me.

 

[Kipman2000]

Seems to me the AI does this when it faces extinction or an overwhelming defeat. Had it happen at least three times in my last play through

 

[Semigall]

Seems to me the AI does this when it faces extinction or an overwhelming defeat. Had it happen at least three times in my last play through

Have seen it many more times. Done it myself too.

 

[AlexArgos]

Hopefully for you it was a sincere conversion and they don't remain secret Muslims.

 

[Heiliges Thüringens Reich]

Hopefully for you it was a sincere conversion and they don't remain secret Muslims.

"Hope is the first step on the road to disappointment"

 

[HydroAC]

Hopefully for you it was a sincere conversion and they don't remain secret Muslims.

That is a good point.

I looked at their leader and his province did convert to Orthodox, which leads me to believe that he did convert for real. He is a Mastermind Theologian and Trusting, but also deceitful. He does have sympathy for Islam, which is worrying. His attitude toward me is +59 (which includes the bribe I sent him), which is pretty amazing considering I just invaded his country. The other leader in his small nation also has sympathy for Islam. All of the city and temple leaders are now Orthodox and none have sympathy for Islam.

Bottom line: I'll have to keep an eye on this.

I wonder if I suck up to him with bribes and gestures of good will if that will make any difference.

 

[HydroAC]

About a decade has passed. All the former Shia heresy provinces have now converted to Orthodox. So it looks like it was a legit conversion.

 

[afrodius]

Hopefully for you it was a sincere conversion and they don't remain secret Muslims.

The fact that he joined the hermetics is a good sign though. If he was a secret Muslim he probably would have joined or founded a secret cult.

 

[Rokh]

I'm hoping he secretly remained Muslim in order to form a secret cult and convert everybody in the Roman Empire except you. That's what I'd do.

If you can't beat them, join them. And them rip their entrails from the inside. Oh, yes...

 

[Tatterhood]

Is it really "sneaky" when there's literally just a decision in the intrigue menu to do this if your religion is at low enough MA?

 

[HydroAC]

Looks like the formerly Shia enclave is indeed Orthodox.

One of my nephews took up residence in enclave and decided to be an adventurer to claim my throne.

My new Orthodox friends burned him at the stake for being a heretic (Catholic). Nice!