Road of Queens - CKII India AAR

[roverS3]

The next piece of news was more…amusing…then anything else. On the last day of November the Lhasan Revolt collapsed. Seems the Casus Belli for the war had expired and the lawyers had stepped in to demand that everybody go home.

This is hilarious. These revolts have running clocks like sports events, and the incumbent can win by just running out said clock. Seems like a perfectly reasonable representation of Medieval revolts. Anyhow, I'm glad Lhasa is safe now.

I am wondering whether creating a powerful exarch to counter another naughty exarch isn't too risky. Sure, he might be on your side now, but powerful vassals are always dangerous, divide and conquer and all.

 

[Eurasia]

I am wondering whether creating a powerful exarch to counter another naughty exarch isn't too risky. Sure, he might be on your side now, but powerful vassals are always dangerous, divide and conquer and all.

In the long term it is likely not a good idea. Right now the NEW Exarch has a score to settle with the other Exarch. But after that dies down then I will have two powerful Vassals to deal with.

 

[Pants McPants]

This is hilarious. These revolts have running clocks like sports events, and the incumbent can win by just running out said clock.

This is why any prospective rebels need to work on their hurry-up offense.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Eight Hundred-Sixty-Five : What Now?

These Mongols Are Crazy!​

This VERY short chapter opens in early December, of the year 931 AD, with the Empress receiving some interesting news.

It seems that her nephew, Chief Theophilos of Artux, had been made the Designated Regent of the Mongol Empire.

In other words he was now the Designated Regent of Khagan Yokhunan, his Liege, who hated him. And who he hated right back. Not the best planning.

“These Mongols are crazy,” said the Basilissa. “Isn’t that right Bob?”

Bob was the Empress’s favorite pet rock. She had been grooming him at the time the news had come in. He had a habit of getting very dirty when not properly supervised. Many believed it was the jealous hunting dog trying to bury his archenemy.

So we end this chapter with the Empress telling her pet rock just how nutty the Mongols were.

 

[Midnite Duke]

If the Lunatic Empress thinks that your are nutty; you are not just a brick shy of a load but there is only a brick or two on the truck!

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Eight Hundred-Sixty-Six : Trapped

Silly Raiders!​

This chapter opens in early December, of the year 931 AD, with the Army of Timotheos approaching Duolubu’s Host.

The Raiders had totally failed to disengage from the local levies and were now in danger of being totally overwhelmed. It seemed other “armies” of local levies were marching towards the battle.

Up north Doux Einarr had finally taken the Fortress of Dulan. This swung the war into his favor. For the moment. His forces had moved on to lay siege to the City of Reshui.

Then in the middle of December the Empress’s Protostrator died after barely more than a month on the Council.

“What?!?!” exclaimed the Empress. “Was he killed?”

The staff explained that there was no evidence of foul play. It seemed he died a natural death.

Going over the lists of available replacements was a chore. At the top of the list was the Doux of Kathmandu who was the best candidate for the job. He was way above the others in military skills.

So, of course, he was selected as the NEW Protostrator.

“Let us hope he LASTS longer,” remarked the Empress with a frown.

Of course now that the Protostrator had been replaced by a Commander and NEW Commander was needed. Bhikkhu Tiberios of Hajo was the best man for the job. Sadly, that wasn’t saying much. But he was picked for the position anyway.

Back to the west the Host had stepped from the frying pan into the fire. First the levies now outnumbered the Raiders. Reinforcements, in fact, had joined in.

Then about a week later the Imperial forces jumped in and the Battle of Tingri began. Of course they let loose with their arrows and throwing spears. The traditional greetings.

So this chapter ends with a new Councilor and a new battle.

 

[Midnite Duke]

Twilight zone moment, there was already a commander named Bhikkhu Tiberios who was equally (un)skilled in martial! Tingri has turned into a death trap for the Raider Scum!

 

[Eurasia]

Twilight zone moment, there was already a commander named Bhikkhu Tiberios who was equally (un)skilled in martial! Tingri has turned into a death trap for the Raider Scum!

Yeah, I remembered the other Tiberios. Names are just being repeated. It has been a long game. And Tingri, indeed, was not a good thing for the Raiders. Nice to see a Vassal being proactive.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Eight Hundred-Sixty-Seven : Victory?

“Bring Out Your Dead!”​

This chapter opens in late December, of the year 931 AD, with two-thirds of the Host collapsing.

The missile fire was proving too much for the Raiders. The sky was dark with how many arrows, throwing spears, and darts were being tossed at them. On top of that even MORE local levies joined the battle.

Then there was bad news to greet the New Year. In early January, of the year 932 AD, the Empress was told that Exarch Basileios of Bihar had tried to revoke the County of Magadha and the Countess refused. So….Revolt!!!

“Why can’t my vassals behave?!?” demanded the Empress. Nobody had an answer.

Then there was more bad news. Slow Fever was reported in the County of Pundravardhand. Luckily the County had a Hospital.

Sadly it was already spreading and had reached the Imperial Capital! The Spymaster Bhikkhu Kyriakos, for some reason, had returned to the Capital to seclude himself in his quarters. Wasn’t he trying to direct a murder scheme in Guge?

Around the same time the staff was placing the NEWEST Revolt on the Wall Map.

“Look at that BULLY!” remarked the Empress as she pointed out all the forces belonging to Exarch Basileios. “Buddha is he annoying!”

Then a rider came with news of the Battle of Tingri. The battle had been won.

“And the numbers of our dead and those of the Host?” asked the Empress.

“Eh….we don’t know.”

“What do you mean we don’t know?”

The rider looked a tad embarrassed. “Well, as the Doux Vigrahapala of Bangala Varman Raj was in charge of the battle he was credited with the victory and received all the post-battle data. But we’re sure we DID win. And our troops are chasing down the Host even as we speak.”

“Well, he did show initiative,” murmured the Empress. “I guess I can’t be too mad. Go to the kitchens. Get something to eat and drink before returning to the Army.”

And so this chapter ends with a victory and a Empress worried about getting sick.

 

[Midnite Duke]

Why can't vassals behave? Easy! They are vassals!

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Eight Hundred-Sixty-Eight : The End Of A Trouble Maker

PEACE!

​

This chapter opens in early January, of the year 932 AD, with the Empress becoming impatient with Exarch Basileios of Bihar.

So she demanded he end his stupid little war with the Countess Margarita. It would hit her in the Prestige, because it would look kind of like begging, but she wanted this war to end and to end now!

The Exarch Basileios agreed to ending the war. And in doing so may have destroyed his chance of ever becoming a truly powerful man. For the Countess got her revenge!

For one of the results of the agreed Peace Treaty was the Basileios abdicating his title of the Kingdom of Bihar BACK to the Empress Eupraxia! Seems the man had not realized that part. Nor had the Empress.

“What a surprise!” she said before laughing for a full five minutes.

On top of that the rest of his titles went to Antonios, the NEW Doux of Magadha. Either the treaty had forced Basileios to give up his titles or the Countess had revoked ALL his titles.

On top of all that Basileios was no longer on the Council AND was no longer in the Empire. It could be the Countess banished him. Or he fled on his own. Either way the man was no longer going to be a trouble maker to the Empress. He had no lands, no vassals, and no soldiers.

The cherry on top of the good news cake was that the Countess now owed the Empress a favor!

Of course now they needed a new Imperial Commander. The Empress looked over the lists of available warriors and picked the Doux of Tirabhukti. He was the best out of all the choices. He was also good at fighting on mountain terrain which was a plus. There always seemed to be too many mountains in India.

Then she filled the empty Magistro position with his husband. He seemed to be skilled with dealing with people and was loyal enough.

So this chapter ends with the very happy Empress. And a not so happy Ex-Exarch.

 

[Midnite Duke]

Dealing with the Basilissa on a daily basis, a 21 dip is well deserved!

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Eight Hundred-Sixty-Nine : A NEW Army?

Surprise?!?!?​

This chapter opens in the middle of January, of the year 932 AD, with the Empress being told that she suddenly had a new army. A small one made up of only one hundred seventy four men.

Seems that before the Kingdom of Bihar had been returned to the Empress the Exarch had been rising a Royal Retinue. When the title was given to the Empress so was the Royal Retinue. Which was now part of the Imperial Retinue.

“Bring it to the Capital,” ordered the Basilissa. “It can wait here with us till the main body of my Retinue returns from chasing the Host around.”

And so this tiny army was ordered eastwards.

Then there was some bad news. And it was somewhat shocking. Seems the Imperial Upadhyayani, Bhikkhu Tiberios of Mada Kamdev, had been charging money for Religious favors. What was worse was the man had not shared with the Empress!

On top of that the Empress knew that the support of her Religious Vassals and subjects was very important when it came to keeping her power over the Empire. So the man had to be punished.

He was removed from office and replaced by Maurikios. The Court Guru. Surely such a man would be less likely to turn to sinful ways and more likely to stay true to his ideals and the Buddist Faith.

Then, even while the Empress was on the hunt for the Great White Tiger, she had an idea. Why not invite Duke Jau Wenshunu to spend some time with her? It would likely help strengthen the bond between them.

So we end this chapter with a new (tiny) army, a new Upadhyayani, and the Empress inviting a Ruler of another Realm to come and spend time with her.

 

[Midnite Duke]

Fastest way to lose your head: Not sharing with the Empress.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Eight Hundred-Seventy : Killing Animals And Making Friends

Medieval Hunting​

This chapter opens in late January, of the year 932 AD, and the Empress had received some old, but annoying, news.

Seems the Doux of Magadha was plotting to kill his own brother - who was also the Heir to his titles. Why this was something he wanted was unknown.

On the Wall Map the staff were slowly moving the piece that was the symbol of the main body of her Retinue. It was still chasing the Host.​

Shortly afterwards Duke Jau Wenshunu showed up to spend time with the Empress.​

He showed up just in time for the hunt for the White Tiger to begin. The Empress had thought the hunt had already started but once again she had been wrong.

“Always fun to kill thing,” the Empress told the Duke with a wink.​

In early February Mew’s Revolt continued. It looked like it was swinging his way again. If the Doux of Qamdo didn’t become more active in his tactics he would soon be defeated,​

The Duke enjoyed the hunt. It gave him and the Empress time to chat and also allowed him see a part of her Empire. He learned about her and her Realm.

So we close this chapter with the Empress on a hunt with the Duke and them getting to know each other better.

 

[Midnite Duke]

Hopefully, the tiger escapes and the Duke will be uninjured. It is rare to see a lord trying to kill his heir!

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Eight Hundred-Seventy-One : A Useful Marriage

Arranged Marriages
​

This chapter opens in early February, of the year 932 AD, with the Empress having a interesting exchange with the Duke.

It was time for the Duke to leave. But before he did he confessed that he had enjoyed his time with the Empress so much that he felt he owed her a favor!

The Empress pondered how best to use the favor. Also she knew that the Duke’s opinion of her was very high. So she decided on a marriage. His Heir was his only son. And her Dynasty had plenty of young women within its ranks.

So she suggested a arranged marriage. It was a normal marriage - no favor could change that. On top of that it would create a non-aggression Pact between her and the Duke. Not a bad thing.

A reply came very shifty. A letter from the Duke, a very friendly one, agreed to the arranged marriage.

So we end this very short chapter with a future marriage to look forward to and a very happy Empress. Too bad there was still a Revolt going on.

 

[Midnite Duke]

Revolts, so what. Important things like wedding receptions need attention. Her father loved a wedding reception.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Eight Hundred-Seventy-Two : Illnesses

The Doctor Will See You Now!​

This chapter opens in late February, of the year 932 AD, with the Empress’s staff and Imperial Courtiers begging the Basilissa to shut the gate of the Palace/Castle.

Slow Fever was just outside the walls and the residents feared for their lives.

But the Empress refused. “If we shut ourselves in how will we receive news from the outside? How will I run the Empire?” The Empress snorted at the members of her Imperial Court. “Where will we get fresh food without access to the river or the farms? What happens when we have eaten the last horse, dog, and elephant? Which of you will be put on the menu? Eh?”

Most of the Imperial Court agreed that she had a point but still didn’t look happy about it. Logic did little to calm their fears.

Her Empire was not the only one suffering from a epidemic.

Europe, in the area some people optimistically called “France”, was suffering from both Syphilis and Slow Fever. Slow Fever had even crossed the Channel to the County of Suffolk. No doubt due to traders from the mainland.

Even Northern Europe was having problems with Consumption. Hopefully the raiders from the North were not spreading it!

But there was some good news. Two people owed the Empress a favor. Both Duke Jau Wenshunu and Countess Margarita of Magadha owned the Empress a favor and that was very good news.

Basilissa Eupraxia “The Quarreller” of Maurya was doing pretty well herself. Her military was large, her Treasury was full, and she had a Hunting Dog. On the other hand she only had direct control of TWO counties. The County of Haruppeswara and the County of Kamarupanagara. Should not a Empress have more counties under her thumb?

So the Empress was worried about becoming ill but was too brave to close off the rest of the world to save herself. Or maybe too insane?

So we close the chapter with the Courtiers worried but the Empress refusing to hide from death.

 

[volksmarschall]

Of all the grim reapers, I've always thought the crow was the most terrifying!