Post your CK2 empire!

[icedt729]

Taking your reforged Rome into the EU era would be interesting, you're basically a western counterweight to China. Kind of leads to some of the discussions we've been having on the EU4 forum about the rise of Europe in the EU time frame; would Europe have risen so rapidly if it had been unified like China? I'd tend to think no, as like China it wouldn't have the imminent threat of rivals to spur it towards constant advances. Like China, your Rome might fall into the High-Level Equilibrium Trap.

I'd actually argue that the Roman Empire DID fall into that trap. They had steam engines from the first century AD onwards, but they never applied them to industrial purposes. Like the antebellum American South, slave labor was so cheap and abundant in the empire that industrialization wasn't economical.

 

[A_Dane]

What year did you start in as Nubia?

 

[Deaghaidh]

I'd actually argue that the Roman Empire DID fall into that trap. They had steam engines from the first century AD onwards, but they never applied them to industrial purposes. Like the antebellum American South, slave labor was so cheap and abundant in the empire that industrialization wasn't economical.

Sure, the question would be whether this second Roman Empire would experience the same thing. Another scenario is that this Uber-Rome and China are neighbors, and thus competition between them might counteract the tendancy toward stagnation.

Another interesting point: as this Rome already has a water route direct to China, as well as a large portion of the land route under its direct control, there's really no reason for much exploration of the Atlantic. Unless Imperial authorities massively miscalculated the Earth's size (as Columbus did) they would recognize that a shorter sea route than the one the had was simply impossible. The only motive they might have is cutting the desert nomads out of the trans-sahara gold-salt trade.

If Danarca carries this one forward into EU3, I'd advise him to put Rome and China in the same tech group, so as to pose an actual challenge.

 

[Comradebot]

What year did you start in as Nubia?

1076 I think.

And while maybe Abyssinia is more realistic to take than Italy, I also enjoy having other Miaphysite states in existence... besides, my first goal was to reclaim the desert... not some silly mountains.

That, and Italy has a piece of the Pentarchy, Abyssinia does not. And itll look prettier if I ever take this game to EU.

 

[Deaghaidh]

1076 I think.

And while maybe Abyssinia is more realistic to take than Italy, I also enjoy having other Miaphysite states in existence... besides, my first goal was to reclaim the desert... not some silly mountains.

That, and Italy has a piece of the Pentarchy, Abyssinia does not. And itll look prettier if I ever take this game to EU.

I can appreciate a goal of having all the Pentarchs. But on the other hand, Abyssinia is part of the domain of one you control, no? And so close to your heartland.

As far as map wise, I'd think a coherent East Africa would look pretty. But if you're commited to a Mediterranean strategy, you'll need to round out your borders in Italy, and maybe grap Tunisia. Then just personally proclaim Carthage a Pentarch and cut the Byzantines out entirely, Constantinople is only one for political reasons anyway. Spares you trying to conquer the Byzzies heartland with that dangerous Ilkhanate next door.

Looks like another entertaining one to take to EU 3 (or 4?). A three way standoff in the East Med between Byzantine Empire, Nubian Empire, and Ilkhanate, with a robust Armenia in the middle. An overgrown France and united Ireland-Scotland are bad news for England, the HRE fragmented but alive, and East Europe a mess.

 

[icedt729]

Speaking of Abyssinia, I just started a new Zagwe campaign tonight and though the Fatimids stretch from Sicily to Poland to Anatolia to Africa, I've survived nearly a century with all of de jure Ethiopia! And the Fatimids only have ten times my manpower and twice as much as the Holy Roman Emperor! It'll be fun to see when and how they squash me.

 

[Rozmarzony]

My united Africa.

All titles except Nubia are titular.
Arabian Empire have only 8 de jure provinces (from Jerusalem).

Poor Islam.

 

[qbln]

Spoiler

My united Africa.

dat golden horde.

 

[Danarca]

Is that... Mongol culture in Austria? And Italian culture not just doing well, but being spread in Andalusia!?
What sorcery is this!!?

EDIT: Doh, first screenshot didn't load. Most impressive Golden Horde I've seen :O

 

[Rozmarzony]

GH conquered central and east Europe along with Bavaria and Bohemia kingdoms from HRE.
Then they went catholic, some khagan married to salian princess and after few decades his son pressed claim during civil war.

Ilkhanate at some point has all Arabian peninsula, Persia and Byzantium but then crusade from Sicily and holy wars from GH and Timurids (who converted to tengri early) came.

At the start of the game Konstantinos X was tyrant, and Greeks put Eirene on the throne, which resulted in black tsar of Byzantium. (Most of royal houses are DNA freaking out by my marriages)

 

[Hackworthy]

My first Muslim empire, started as a custom Sultan of Egypt in 1066.

 

[Antonius66]

My empire of Hispania starting in 1066 as Galicia.

 

[prymcik]

I present to you the Commonwealth of Poland-Lithuania.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[MasterOfGrey]

P-L would require a mod wouldn't it? (fair effort for the time frame though btw)

 

[prymcik]

Well yeah, had to create and event (did it with some help). As to the extent of my 'empire': Sweden conquered most of Lithuania but was defeated by the Norse, due to my elaborate scheming I inherited the Swedish leftovers and Ruthenia, Cumania just seamed like an obvious target to me. Bracing myself for the Mongols.

 

[MasterOfGrey]

So, this is my recent game as Galicia->Leon->Hispania as the Jimena brother capable of becoming Portuguese.

Diplomatic Map Mode:

Direct Vassals:

De-Jure Kingdom Mapmode:

So as you can see I do have some rather large king vassals. I spose I like to play it close to the edge.

I actually have the kingdom title for Andalusia from a convenient crusade but I'm going to set that up in north Africa so neither Africa or Mauretania get too strong, and I just like re-drawing the traditional borders.

So yeah, I'd love to hear your thoughts. I think my next step is to war France for the rest of Aragon since they're at war with the muslims of north africa..

 

[revjor]

All Hail Emperor Ugg?

 

[Wallain]

Playing my personal mod:

Spoiler

I'm, of course, the big blue blob in the north.

 

[revjor]

Playing my personal mod:

Spoiler

snip da pic

I'm, of course, the big blue blob in the north.

What mod is that? This mega Africa pleases me.

 

[Wallain]

What mod is that? This mega Africa pleases me.

The Africa thing is from the excellent North African Expansion Mod. I merged it with my own mod, and added some additional stuff to Sahara (Trade routes), Denmark and filled out Siberia personally. Also changed the entire (With NAE as the natural exception!) de-jure set-up myself.