Road of Queens - CKII India AAR

[Bullfilter]

I can see the Despot as host of some pastry-based cooking show modelled on Iron Chef. A lyrical ode to the chosen food challenge delivered at the beginning of each episode: “the chocolate iced orange scone challenge”, etc

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Five Hundred-Fifty-Eight : The War Ends

The Coming Of The Crusades!​

We open this chapter in early January, of the year 900 AD, with the Basileus Niphon enjoying a one course meal of fried fish, without any spices, and some barley water. He was somewhat surprised when the door to his chamber opened and his Magistros, the blind Duchess Anakhit, entered it with her tapping cane.

"From the expression on your face," stated the Basileus, "I am not going to be happy with the news."

"The War is over," remarked the Duchess without bothering to ask if he wanted the bad news first or the good news first. Not that there was really any good news.

"How...what....eh?" responded the Basileus with a piece of fried fish dropping back to the plate.

"Yesterday the Doux Dionysios passed away," replied the Duchess. "Before you ask...it seems to be a natural death. His son, Dionysios II, a legitimized bastard from one of his many love affairs, now has all his father's titles."

"And with the Doux dead I can no longer fight for his claims," grumbled the Basileus, "and, therefore, my just cause for the war is also dead."

"Yes my Liege," replied the Duchess. "But think of it in this way. We're now officially at peace. Outside of the raiders. Oh...that means the Chinese Guard went back to their barracks."

As the Duchess bowed and left the Basileus turned back to his fried fish and sighed. Would he NEVER get the Wall Map in order?

In late January the staff brought the Basileus even more bad news. The Protector General of the Empire of China had sent a letter to the Basileus of the Empire of Maurya. It was a polite letter but it stated that merchants from the Basileus's own lands were acting badly within the Yuan Empire. It said that the Chinese Emperor was sure that Basileus would do his best to "correct" such behavior.

Basileus Niphon was not in a good mood when he received this message and replied that how the merchants carried out their business was none of his business.

The Yuan Empire was NOT pleased with this reply.

Funny enough by February the Basileus was feeling much more enlightened. Maybe letting off pressure by his insulting reply to the Chinese Emperor had helped a little?

In March the Basileus was trying clear his mind to ponder the meaning of life, the universe, and everything when the Magistros entered the room with her tapping cane.

"What is it this time?" the Basileus sighed. "Did some of my Vassals try to kill each other? Did the Aztec start landing in India? Did my son in Markam hand over his Holding to the Raiders?"

"No my Liege," replied the blind Duchess. "It seems the Pope of the Sky God has declared some Holy Wars. I think the Christians call them Crusades. I assume they will be directed towards the Aztec."

Basileus Niphon looked confused. "Who will join these...Crusades? Most of his followers have been crushed under the heels of the Aztec while the rest of Christianity did nothing! Their greatest cities have been burned and many of their people converted. Those who did not have their hearts removed."

Funny enough the Basileus's question of who would join in the Crusades was answered the very next day. Two Holy Order had answered the Pope's call. One was the Knights of St. John. The Grandmaster was a Welshmen called Cynfelyn of the Knights Hospitaller. The second was the Teutonic Order. A German Holy Order with a Italian in charge. The Basileus was not impressed by either of the Orders. For they had, on paper, no soldiers.

On top of that the Leaders of the two Orders were NOT great warriors. In fact the Grandmaster was a weakling! All they had was a Title and some money.

A couple days later another Holy Order was announced. The Knights of Santiago whose Grandmaster Alfonso was a Castilian. He, at least, seemed to have some military skills. Just no soldiers.

Sadly, that news came with some bad news. The Raiders had finally taken the Trading Post. They ended up killing its 112 Defenders while only losing 36 of their own warriors.

But taking a Trading Post was a lot easier then taking a Castle. Even a wooden one. The Raiders didn't have the numbers to overwhelm the 900 Defenders of the Castle of Markam.

And on top of all that Kalyan of the House of Laxman died in bed. He was the husband of one of the Basileus's cousins which was the only reason the news was even brought to the Basileus.

The next day, as the Basileus was trying to take a short afternoon nap the staff brought him news of ANOTHER Holy Order. The Knights Templar which was being lead by the Grandmaster Papacyz. The Grandmaster turned out to be a Khazar and not bad with a sword to boot.

And the day after that the staff brought him news of ANOTHER Holy Order. The Knights of Calatrava lead by the Grandmaster Ordono. Another Castilian who, at least, knew which end of the sword to hold in battle.

So we close this chapter with the war for part of Nepal ending and (what would later be called) the First Crusades having began! Even if only the Pope had any soldiers to add to it.

 

[Surt]

That a lot of Holy ... orders.

 

[Bullfilter]

Presumably they will start filling up soon, like retinues? More troops to fight the Aztecs has to be a good thing, I guess. Very inconvenient about that war - though even more for the Doux. That seems to happen abit with Nepal, doesn’t it? At least there’s no truce, I assume?

 

[stnylan]

Well, once they actually get constituted they should hopefully form a pretty useful force for the anti-Aztec wars.

Is the Pope still hiding in a Roman catacomb?

 

[Eurasia]

Is the Pope still hiding in a Roman catacomb?

Yes. Last I saw the Pope is still in Rome so I assume he is in the catacombs or the sewers.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Five Hundred-Fifty-Nine : More International News!

"Walls - They Keep The Animals In!"​

This chapter opens in the latter part of March, of the year 900 AD, with the Basileus trying to enjoy his simple meal of steamed rice and fried fish when he was given some bad news by his Spymaster Doux Nar Singh "The Cruel". It seemed that the Countess Puppadevi of Kotivarsa was planning to kill the NEW Doux Dionysios II of Kathmandu.

"Tell her killing 11 year old boys is not a nice thing," remarked the Basileus has he handed the report back to his Spymaster.

By April the Basileus was having a problem. He was feeling lonely. The solitude was starting to affect him. He found himself talking to his meals. Glancing out a window he noticed Gerasmos in the courtyard having a interesting conversation. Or at least it looked interesting. (1)

​

In the end the Basileus decided to fight the urge to go out and chat with the young man. He turned back to the teachings of Buddha to try to find peace and ignore the people in the courtyard. In the end it worked and he found peace.

Around this time the Army of Doux Hisen was approaching the County of Bome. It had been noticed that the Raiders have given up on Markam and were now marching towards Bome. Likely trying to find a easier target to loot.

​

A few days later Basileus Niphon was given news of another plot. Adrainos of the Royal Dynasty was plotting to kill Narsingh of the House of Mahindranarayan. At least the target was an adult.

"Tell Adrainos to stop plotting to kill people and get to start making BABIES," remarked the Basileus to his Spymaster. "That's what his father would want."

A day later the second Army, under Baron Pushyavarman, entered the Empire's borders. It had been moving its way to engage the Raiders ever since the war with Nepal had ended.

​

Near the end of the month the Raiders arrived to loot the County of Bome. But they were having issues with the wooden Castle. They had neither the numbers or the know-how to get past the walls. Not against walls defended by over a thousand soldiers!

The staff suggested, while the Raiders were in Bome, that a cheap Fort be built in the County of Markam. Basileus Niphon agreed as it would also be quick to put together.

As the Army of Doux Hisen approached the Raiders, in May, the Commanders decided they needed to balance out their Flanks and did so.

As Basileus Niphon prayed and pondered the words of the True Faith and waited for news of the crushing of the Raiders he was brought totally different news.

More Holy Orders! Kind of....​

The blind Duchess, the Magistros, came into his private chamber with her tapping cane. "I bring you news from the Middle East my Liege. It is related to the earlier news on the Crusades."

"What?" replied the Basileus looking from the text he was studying. "How...could they relate? Explain."

"First," said the Duchess, "The Caliph Zeyd of the House of Mirzid, and the Religious Head of his Sect, has declared it an era of renewed Jihad."

"Oh no..." murmured Basileus Niphon.

"And that generated a interesting reaction," commented the Duchess. "A day after his announcement the Bektashi Order formed under Dedebaba Bektash of the House of Bektaid. He is a Sunni Muslim."

Basileus blinked for a second and then said, "Wait...the Caliph who declared a Jihad was of the Shia Sect but the first Holy Order to form is from the Sunni Sect? Are they planning to fight EACH other?"

"I don't know my Liege," responded the Duchess with a shrug. "On the other hand Dedebaba Bektash does seem to know how to handle a sword. Even if he has no soldiers at the moment. Maybe they will go against the Aztec or the Christians or the Hindu. "

"And how it this related to the Crusades?" asked the Basileus.

"I can only assume this is a reaction to the Pope calling on the Christians to launch the Crusades," replied the Duchess. "After all the Christians are as likely to attack the Muslims as attack the Aztec."

A few days later Basileus Niphon was given some REALLY horrible news. Seems Damapati Civallapa "The Wise" of Patta was backing somebody named Malaiyaman on their claim on the Kingdom of Kham. In other words a vassal of the Realm of Mana was backing up one of the other vassals in a war with the Empire.

"Really?" mumbled the Basileus trying to finish some herbal tea. "Just...really? Find out who this Malaiyaman is and what their army size is and so on. GO! Oh...and get me some more tea. My tummy is upset by all the simple foods."

As this was happening the Basileus finally got some GOOD news. For some reason the Doux Hisen disbanded his Independence Faction. There were no Imperial Faction left!

In late May Basileus Niphon received some more GOOD news. The Battle of Zhamo had started with the normal, traditional, exchange of arrows, darts, and missiles. And the Imperial forces had a heck of a lot more Archers and Missile Troops than the Raiders.

By the end of the month the Raiders had collapsed and were fleeing the Imperial Cavalry. The landscape was PERFECT for the use of Horse units and War Elephants. It was said the War Elephants had a lot of fun tossing screaming Raiders into the air and then stomping on their heads when they tried to crawl away with broken limbs. So adorable! By June there was barely a hundred Raiders on the field. They were trying to act as a rearguard and failing.

Soon news of the defeat came by rider. The Battle of Zhamo was a great Victory! The Imperial Army had lost 11 men while the Raiders had lost 205 warriors. Almost two thirds of their original force had been killed on the field.

So we close with Basileus Niphon being very happy about the defeat of the Raiders and the lack of Political Movements against him. Having forgotten about the Claims War on Kham for the moment.

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Author's End Notes:

1. This is somewhat confusing because, from what historians could found out, the chamber Basileus Niphon had been using for meditation HAD no windows for security reasons.

 

[stnylan]

But plotting to kill people is apparently so much more interesting than making babies!

 

[Bullfilter]

More fly swatting required by the soldiers of the Empire, it seems.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Five Hundred-Sixty : Life Goes On

Death Of A Doux​

This chapter opens in early June, of the year 900 AD, with the Basileus Niphon entering a dreamlike state. He lost track of time and space and seemed to become one with the Holy Words. Or the lack of good food and social interaction was causing him to hallucinate.

Later on in the month the Spymaster brought the Basileus news. It seemed Jira of the House of Shantideva was trying to kill Asima of the same House. Evidence suggested that Asima had a habit of fooling around with other wives' husbands which COULD be the motivation for the plot.

"Tell them to stop," remarked the mellow Basileus as he tried to focus on the Words of Buddha. "It is unbecoming of Ladies of a Noble House to try to kill each other."

To the North the two Imperial Armies had joined together by July. But there was a debate about what to do next. Should they continue to chase the defeated Raiders. OR release the Levies so they can have time to recover for the upcoming Claims War?

​

In August, while the Commanders were still discussing this, the Basileus found himself learning more and more about himself, the True Faith, and his place in the world around him.

Shortly after this the Council of Shigatse passed the Religious Control Mandate Law. No doubt this would allow Doux Lakshminarayan II “The Accursed” even more power over his vassals.

​

Soon Doux Hisen, after exchanging some letters with the Basileus, decided to release the Levies and march the Retinue back to the Imperial Capital. So over three thousand soldiers were told to go back to their farms and businesses while the professionals marched south.

In September the Emperor was given good news. Maybe. Vina of the House of Visayapati was pregnant again. Which was great news. Unless the baby wasn’t his. Which would make it horrible news.

The Basileus just shrugged and tried to lose himself in the Holy Words of Buddha again.

In the ides of September the Basileus received a letter from Arahnar Knsetravridha that stated the man was pleased with the Basileus’s progress and that his mission had been completed. The Basileus rejoiced and left the chamber to return to his throne room.

He was shocked to find his throne room covered in cat toys and to find his throne covered in scratches. Seems Lord Meow-Meow had taken over the throne room as her very own while the Emperor was away and had used the throne as a scratching post. Basileus Niphon was not happy and it is said that Lord Meow-Meow had to hide in the dungeons with her friends, the dungeon rats, till the Emperor was in a better mood.

After the throne room had been cleaned up and the throne repaired the Basileus was in a slightly better mood. So when he received a request to pick the second stage of Orestes’s education he was in a somewhat humorous mood. The third son of Doux Pantoleon of Yarlung it was unlikely the boy would become anybody of import. He would likely become nothing but a “breeder”. So the Basileus decided the boy would learn to become a future Steward. Which he would be pretty bad at being Indolent and Haughty.

“Hehehehehehe!” he giggled as he signed and sealed the letter. “Hehehehehehehe!”

This put Basileus Niphon into a much better mood. He felt like he was a better Buddhist and had developed a more moderate, Temperate, view of life.

In November he was brought news by his own agents among the people. Seems Count Achalraja of Chunar had accepted the suggestion from Doux Mukundanarayan of the Shantideva Raj about a marriage between two of their vassals. Always with the plotting and the scheming and the marriages!

A few days later, while looking at the Wall Map, the Basileus noticed that his daughter had created her own Retinue. He was so proud!

Then Basileus Niphon was brought some very important news. It was a mixture of good and bad.

The good news was that Doux Hisen had died in bed. Seems it had been a natural death. The trouble maker had finally passed away at the age of 63!

The bad news of the new Doux was Tishifan. The old Doux’s son was from one of the Concubines and he had little to no skills and barely liked the Basileus. It was also likely the Old Doux's wife would try to KILL him to give HER son the titles!

So we close with the Empire turning its focus onto the upcoming Claims War and the death of a OLD trouble maker who was replaced by a likely NEW future trouble maker.

 

[Bullfilter]

If he’s going to be a troublemaker, better Tishifan is a mediocre one. Especially his plotting skills - looks like he could become roadkill on the Road of Queens.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Five Hundred-Sixty-One : Warrior Queen?

An Artist's Impression Of Malaiyaman Of The House Of Cataiyarman​

We open this chapter in early December, of the year 900 AD, with the Basileus Niphon realizing he had never received a summary of casualties from the latest war with Nepal.

“Tell me how many men we lost!” he demanded of his staff.

When they finally brought the numbers to him it was not a pretty picture. The war had been made up of seven sieges in which the Empire had lost 121 soldiers and the Nepalese had lost 2,322 soldiers. BUT the Empire, on top of that, had also lost 2,202 men from starvation.

“Ouch...” remarked the Basileus on seeing those numbers. “Well, that’s why we’re letting the Levies recover.”

He had also noticed that there was Minor Titles available. The Old Doux’s death had left a few empty. The first position to be filled was that of the Master of the Hunt. The “Accursed” Doux Lakshminarayan II was given this Minor Title.

There was also a Commander position now open and this was given to Doux Pelagios “The Gentle”.

Funny enough, less than a week later, his Court Physician went up and left. Nobody even bothered to figure out what had happened or where he went off to. The Basileus just shrugged and picked Bhikkhu Kyriakos who was very Loyal and better skilled than the last Imperial Doctor had been.

A week later the Retinue finally marched into the Capital. It was greeted by cheering wives, sons and daughters, and the local bar keeps. They wanted their customers back.

The second they were back in their barracks they reorganized themselves into one powerful flank instead of the three weaker ones they had arrived in. And the soldiers, many having suffered on half and even quarter rations during the early part of the conflict with Nepal, promised never to complain about the military's cooking again.

While the military forces returned to daily routine of being professional, if slightly bored, soldiers the Basileus demanded more information on WHO was claiming the Kingdom of Kham!

As stated before Damapatie Civallapa “The Wise” was fighting to put Malaiyaman of the House of Cataiyavarman on the throne of Kham. But the staff was able to dig up more information on Malaiyaman. She was the daughter of Theophanes Dysnomia, one of the Emperor’s cousins, and granddaughter of Himerios “The Wise”, one of Emperor’s Uncles.

“Wait a minute....” The Basileus glared at the report. “Theophanes Dysnomia tried this in 885 AD! He brought over seven thousand warriors and tried to claim Kham. He ended up in my dungeons and died there two years later. And now his daughter seeks to do the same thing!” (1)

The report from the agents and scholars suggested the woman was multitalented and would make a good Warrior Queen. Basileus Niphon was almost impressed. If it weren’t for the fact she hated him she might have made a good Vassal. Too bad she would likely end up in the dungeons like her father before her.

So we close this chapter with Basileus Niphon closely watching the Raiders to the north and also waiting for the arrival of a Host from the south.

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Author's End Notes:

1. Chapter 429 - Road of Queens - CKII India AAR

 

[stnylan]

That was a wee bit cruel to impose on the young man-to-be. Not very karmic of the Despot (not that he cares).

 

[Bullfilter]

At least she can follow in her father’s footsteps - all the way down to the oubliette!

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Five Hundred-Sixty-Two : Too Much Information!

Crusade For Northern Italy? Or ALL Of Italy?​

This chapter opens in mid December, of the year 900 AD, with the Basileus finding out more about Malaiyaman of the House of Cataiyavarman.

It turns out that not only had her father died in Niphon's dungeons but so had her GRANDFATHER after being captured and tossed into them in May of 857 AD. He had been one of the many who fought under the banner of Anastasia "The Unfaithful" against Queen Eupraxia. They had gone down in history as the "Four Traitors". Which suggested this likely went beyond just claiming a Kingdom. (1)

The Magistros was recalled from the County of Rayapura, the Capital of the Kingdom of Satyavarman, and was told to work on improving relationships with the local Nobles. (2)

Etrekid's Host was also being shadowed by agents of the Spymaster. Basileus wanted to know where the Host was at all times.

While this was happening the Duchy of Sana to the north was involved in a few conflicts. First, it was in a massive war with the Mongol Empire. Which the Duke's allies SEEMED to be winning.

Then there was a Xia-Sana Vassalization War in which the Duke was TRYING not to lose. And a Civil War with the Council he was trying to crush. Yeah, he had his hands full.

Near the end of December the Basileus received two pieces of news. The first bit of news was that Doux Tishifan had his Council pass the Slightly Levy Focused Noble Obligations Law. Meaning he would demand more troops from his Nobles and less coin. Maybe he felt the need for a strong defense with all the fighting on and near his borders?

The second bit of news was not as good. The Doux had founded his first political movement. A Gavelkind Succession Faction for the Kingdom of Kamarupa.

The Basileus just sighed. "I think the Northerners are crazy. Maybe all that Norse blood in the veins?"

In January, of the year 901 AD, while waiting for either the Host or the Raiders to do something the Basileus asked for a update on his kin in the Kingdom of Lanka. Sadly, there was nothing the Basileus could do to cure the Great King Konstas of being a Cruel Drunkard. But at least he was Honest about it.

And he had a male Heir. So, hopefully, the island Dynasty would continue to grow and thrive.

In early February a dusty rider came to the Palace and, after downing a couple pints of foamy beer and eating a whole loaf of fresh bread still warm from the oven, he came before Basileus Niphon with some interesting news. The Pope had finally given his followers a target. He had declared that the Kingdom of Lombardy would be liberated.

The Pope offered "absolution" of the sins of all who took part in the mission of saving the souls of those under the Aztec's boot. Or sandal in this case.

The Basileus just looked confused. "Outside of the Holy Orders who will answer his call to arms?"

A few days later the Basileus received some weird news. It seems Nahal, the mother of the NEW Doux of Qamdo, had been sent off to the Chinese Empire.

"WHY would Doux Tishifan send the ONE person in his local court who WAS totally loyal to him AWAY?!?!" murmured the Basileus to Lord Meow-Meow.

Lord Meow-Meow had stopped hiding in the dungeons when she heard that the Basileus was in a better mood. Though, it was said, she still would hang out with the rats on certain nights. They would roam the hallways of the Palace. Singing, drinking, and tilting the tapestries.

The cat just shrugged. She had decided, long ago, that the apes were a silly race.

So we close the chapter with little action but a lot of news for Basileus Niphon to take in.

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Author's End Notes:

1. Chapter 246 - Road of Queens - CKII India AAR

2. This is strange. By all accounts the Magistros had a few meetings with the Emperor while, at the same time, meeting with the Great King Barjena. It had been suggested that the blind Duchess either moved back and forth between the two Capitals by fast horse OR was a witch and flew on a broom. Evidence suggested a fast horse as nobody believed a BLIND witch could properly fly.

 

[stnylan]

One has to agree with Lord Meow-Meow - the apes are indeed a silly race.

 

[Bullfilter]

Indeed, the cat is on to something. Looking at all the antics, she must truly wonder which is the evolved species.

So, even though it wasn’t Niphon himself that would have done the original imprisoning of the grandfather, it says ‘in Niphon’s dungeons’? I guess it refers to the current owner?

 

[Eurasia]

So, even though it wasn’t Niphon himself that would have done the original imprisoning of the grandfather, it says ‘in Niphon’s dungeons’? I guess it refers to the current owner?

Yeah. The dungeons are his now so it says everybody died in his dungeons.

 

[LordDamien]

That aztec empire is quite scary and i worry that nobody is safe from them. That and I do not think the crusade will be successful!

Also, I hope you do not mind if i borrowed Author notes for my own AAR. ( it is such a nice concept! )

 

[Eurasia]

That aztec empire is quite scary and i worry that nobody is safe from them. That and I do not think the crusade will be successful!

Also, I hope you do not mind if i borrowed Author notes for my own AAR. ( it is such a nice concept! )

Welcome to the AAR. And go right ahead. It helps add favor or details or insert something ooc.