Road of Queens - CKII India AAR

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Eighty-Nine : A Changing World

Burning At The Stake​

We open this chapter in January, of the year 844 AD, with the Queen being alerted to the death of Raja Dharmarstha "Ironside" of the Somavamsi Raj. Seems his death was linked to stress.

He had been replaced by his 44 year old son, Raja Ramachandradeva, who was already showing signs of being unwell.

Later she heard even more distressing news. The Count Kyrikos of Bumthang, the man she trusted above members of her own family, was plotting to try to take the Duchy of Bhutan for himself.

Of course the Spy Master asked him to stop but the damage had been done. The Queen fell deeper into the dark pit of her depression and drank even more.

In February, when she recovered from her drinking binge, she was notified by her network of agents and spies that Mayor Anthe of Drakchi, one of her half-sisters, did not just want to marry but she wished to marry a Ruler.

The Queen decided not to touch that request. There was nothing she could do about that.

Then news came out of the west of a shake up among the horse lords. Seems the Khazaria had been chopped in half and a new Realm formed right in the middle of the pieces by a Khagan Busir "The Lewd".

The Queen asked the scribes if all the official maps were to be changed and they said no.

"Within a year he will be dead and the borders will change again," one of them said. "So we'll wait and see."

The next piece of news was truly scary and made her go back to heavy drinking.

A 26 year old lowborn woman, name of Parthena, had been burned at the stake by the order of Princess Anastasia in the middle of March.

The Queen had heard tales passed down from her Grandmother's days about stake burnings but they were always done by neighboring Realms. To have it happen within her Kingdom and in such enlightened times - it was truly horrified her.

Later that month the Queen received the news that Begluk Zhetysu had died at the age of 31 due to complications related to Gout. Not only did this break the Non-Aggression Pact she had with the House of Zhetysu but also meant that her niece Dionysia, and her two surviving children, were strangers in a strange land. So the Queen invited her back to the Royal Court.

Near the end of March the Queen met the 1 year old Gabrielia Exotrochos. The daughter of her husband and his Concubine. The toddler seemed to like the Queen and was being taught to be a proper Greek and Buddhist.

On the 8th of April the Queen tried to cheer herself up by celebrating Buddha's birthday with sweets which she shared with her husband. Then she got drunk, of course, in Buddha's name.

Later that month Dionysia and her kids arrived. The mother was heavy with another child and the children were now, themselves, strangers in a strange land. The Queen learned that the one year boy had been given religious lessons to help him become Hindu.

The Queen decided to correct that by demanding the boy get a education in Greek Culture and Buddhism. The 11 year old Ozgul would be given to the Countess Kyra as a student to be tutored to be a proper Courtier.

Later that month the Queen was alerted to the fact that her own HUSBAND was trying to fabricate paperwork that would allow him to claim the Duchy of Yarlung.

Of course he was asked to stop such nonsense.

Then just a day after that Doux Wiryasini "The Wise" suffered a great loss when his wife died of Cancer at the age of 46 years. True, the man had two Concubines to keep him company but records show the Queen truly felt sad for him. Being a Doctor and yet not being to save one's wife? How painful it must have been to watch her die.

In May the Queen entered the throne room to find wood workers, artisans, and skilled jewelers working on the map on her wall.

She came closer and realized they were putting the Kingdom of Bihar back in.

"Oh yes," she said with a nod of her head, "I forgot with the death of "Ironside" the boy King is free."

"If you can call it free," sorted one of the jewelers without looking up. When he did look behind him he went pale and added, "I meant nothing by it oh great Queen. I did not know it was you."

The Queen dismissed his embarrassment with a wave of her hand. "What did you mean - if you can call it free?"

The man, a gray haired old jeweler, stood up with his cap in his hands and blushed a tad. "Well, the Great King Maharaja is in debt, begging your pardon, and outnumbered with three enemies. At least "Ironside" was an ally in such tough times."

The man gestured towards the map, adding, "Now the Great King is free to be stomped on and have his throne taken away. I feel sorry for the poor lad. If you get my meaning, oh great Queen."

He added with a shrug, "In a year or two we'll be back here taking his Kingdom off the map."

The Queen nodded and the man went back to working with his comrades. It was likely an encounter he would go home and tell his grandchildren about over their evening meal of boiled rice and fried fish.(1)

So we end this chapter with plots and plans, with surprises and deaths, and a Queen who was wondering about how the world had changed over her lifetime. Was it getting better or worse?

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Author's End Notes:

1. Later known as Grandpa "Potter" it is said that this man became the source of many of India's fairy tales including such greats as "The Tiny Ship That Couldn't", "Mr. Hamster Killed Santa", "Your Stepmother Is A Child Eating Witch", and "Never Get Involved In A Land War In Asia Minor".

Soon To Be A Motion Picture!​

 

[stnylan]

I had to chuckle at the book titles.

 

[roverS3]

I'm all caught up now...
What a ride, two wars in quick succession, both won with relative ease, while so many kingdoms are tearing each other, but mostly themselves, apart. In those troubled times of holy war, Aminestra II sure manages to keep her kingdom in one peace, and expanding... Not to mention the Attacking pugs.
I'm still reading this though my lack of experience with CK2 and the fast succession of updates, not to mention the random lack of notifications.
This is always a fun read though. Thanks

 

[Eurasia]

I had to chuckle at the book titles.

An evil chuckle no doubt.

I'm all caught up now...
What a ride, two wars in quick succession, both won with relative ease, while so many kingdoms are tearing each other, but mostly themselves, apart. In those troubled times of holy war, Aminestra II sure manages to keep her kingdom in one peace, and expanding... Not to mention the Attacking pugs.
I'm still reading this though my lack of experience with CK2 and the fast succession of updates, not to mention the random lack of notifications.
This is always a fun read though. Thanks

Welcome. I have to tell you the victories seem to be won with relative ease NOW but when I first started playing the game I lost A LOT of battles. Even against weaker enemies.

And the Arabian Empire is still big and solid. I am not looking forward To EUIV if it still is around.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Ninety : Concubines And Councilors

Ming Dynasty Concubines​

We open this chapter in May, of the year 844 AD, with the Queen deciding to deal with the Chinese Emperor again. It said he liked eunuchs. But surely all men also liked women?

The Queen was slightly drunk when she thought up this idea but she felt the best ideas were drunk ideas. She didn't drink ALL the time. Only on the days when the Moon was not full.

She decided to send Princess Dionysia Dysnomia to the Emperor to become his new Concubine. She would gain grace with the Empire and maybe even get something in return if she asked nicely.

The Queen did not feel so badly about sending her niece so far away from home. She heard that some Concubines even became Empresses. Sometimes. And her niece's unborn child would be born in a Palace in China. She wondered if it would be treated like Royalty?

Of course the niece's other kids would stay in India and become Courtiers of the Queen. They were harmless to her and she would make sure they had good, if simple, lives. Being harmless they would also likely be ignored by others in the Royal Family. So it likely they would have long if boring lives. But there were worse fates.

After sending her niece the Queen asked the Ming Empire for a Chinese Artifact in exchange. Would she get armor? A sword? A machine of war? She was very excited about to see what arrived.

And they did send her a beautiful example of Han craftsmanship. Ming Calligraphy. The Queen was...unimpressed. Surely it would impress visitors and increase her own face among her Vassals but it would not help her much on the battlefield or on the field of politics.

On the 31st of May she received a letter from the Emperor Zhunagzong of the Ming Empire. He had received the "gift" and was flattered to have a close relative of the Queen's as his Concubine.

"Well," said the Queen to herself as the messenger left, "at least that is one less relative to worry about."

In June it was back to the same old nonsense. For example, Basillike of Dimapur was plotting to kill Pollatapillai Chola.

Why a wife thought a Concubine belonging to a different husband was her rival and needed to die was a mystery to the Queen but the Spy Master sent Basillike a letter to ask her to halt her plot.

Then the Queen decided to start two new building projects. First her Palace needed Training Grounds. It would take awhile to build but she assumed the next conflict would likely be quite awhile away. She had the time - she hoped.

The second project was to build a town around the newest Buddhist Temple. If she wanted more troops she should also make sure she had enough coin to pay for them.

In July she received some good news. It seemed her Magistros, who no longer feared high places, had done a good job with Bhikkhu Pankratios. The Doux of Para-Lauhitya had developed a higher opinion of his Liege.

That was a wonderful turn of events. Maybe things would be better from now on?

She decided to try a long shot and send the Count of Kunggar, the young Christian Count, a "gift" of over 45 gold coins. And it worked. The Count now ALSO had a higher opinion of his Liege.

If the Queen worked it carefully, and didn't rush it, she might be able to get the boy in such a good mood he may be willing to convert. Maybe.

To help this along she sent the Upadhyaya to Kunggar. Maybe Bhikkhu Valerios of Hajo could convert the boy. Or even the mother? The Queen prayed to Buddha that she could do this without having to kill somebody.

Then she received even BETTER news from her staff. The Gavelkind Succession Faction had been disbanded! It seems that the Doux of Para-Lauhitya's change in his opinion towards the Queen had softened his political position and he had backed down from his silly idea.

The Queen, feeling she was on a roll, made two more decisions.

She recalled her Spy Master to the Palace. She wanted his eyes and ears near her. She wanted him to keep watch over the Royal Court. Plots had to be uncovered and stopped as soon as possible. She, and her Royal Family, had to be protected.

She also sent her skilled Magistros to the County of Kunggar to work on the young Count's relationship with his Queen. If he could be made to become closer to her then maybe the Queen could make him a Buddhist and fix the religious conflict between the two of them.

So we close this chapter on Concubines and Councilors with the Queen still drunk but more hopeful.

 

[stnylan]

The China interactions continue to fascinate. But all in all a more positive update.

 

[Bullfilter]

Re Ch 189: book titles = “mwuhaha!” On the burning: are there ever any clues provided as to why? Heresy? Treason? Parting one’s hair on the wrong side? Or just that the ruler is a cruel and arbitrary sadist?

On the calligraphy- does it have any beneficial effect? Or is it just an expensive wall decoration?

 

[Eurasia]

Re Ch 189: book titles = “mwuhaha!” On the burning: are there ever any clues provided as to why? Heresy? Treason? Parting one’s hair on the wrong side? Or just that the ruler is a cruel and arbitrary sadist?

On the calligraphy- does it have any beneficial effect? Or is it just an expensive wall decoration?

I checked and could find no reason on the surface for the burning. It be something done during the victim's life that left no clue to me but upset the duchess somehow.

And the calligraphy will increase the Queen's prestige.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Ninety-One : A Changing Map (Again)

Nomads Turned Into Peasants​

We open this chapter in July, of the year of 844 AD, we find the Queen searching for somebody to marry the Mayor, and Princess, Theophano. The Queen doubted she could find a Ruler for her to marry nor would she want to. But she did find a very nice man and invited him to the Royal Court.

Eustathios was a 37 year old Greek. He was brave, charitable, a Buddhist, and wanted to marry. And he was willing to relocate. Perfect!

The Spy Master came to the Queen later that month and said, "I have some interesting news for you my Queen."

"What is it?" she asked. "Is it good?"

"You may think so," he replied. "Damapati Traillokyachandra of Banan was asked to stop backing a plot against the Great King of the Kingdom of Bengal. Known to you and me as the Kingdom of Pala."

"Oh?" said the Queen happily, "Tell me more!"

"The plot was headed by Raja Jatakhadga II himself," continued the Spy Master, "to Fabricate a Claim on the THRONE!"

The Queen chuckled. "Oh that's rich. Right in the middle of a war with two other family members and the Great Kings finds his own people plotting against him."

In August Eustathios showed up in the Royal Court. He happy to be there and eager to get hitched.

Problem was that the Mayor, and Princess, Theophano refused to agree to marry the lowborn gentleman. The Queen was taken back by her refusal. Did she THINK a MAYOR would be marrying a REAL King or Ruler of another Realm? Was she crazy?

The Queen was so embarrassed and searched for a suitable wife for the man. She found a lowborn woman called Apollonia. She was somewhat young, at 16 years old, but Greek, Buddhist, and content with her life.

The Queen suggested to Doux Wiryasini "The Wise" that the couple get married to each other as he was the Liege to Apollonia.

As she waited for his reply (and the wedding) she walked into the throne room one day and noticed that laborers were working on her wall map again.

"What happened now?" the Queen asked the gray haired jeweler.

The man stood up and bowed. "Oh my Queen, did you not yet hear the latest news?" He handed her a piece of paper.

"Seems like a horse lord decided to settle down to become a proper King," he added as she looked over the paper.

"Thank you," she said, as she thrust the piece of paper at him and walked out of the throne room screaming for her staff.

The three Councilors stationed in the Capital-County met her in the meeting room later that evening with as much data as they could get in such short notice. The meeting had been unscheduled and therefore there wasn't even a plate of sweets on the table. How shocking!

"First," said the Queen, "what happened?"

"Seems the Khan Sircan wanted to switch the hard saddle for a soft throne," stated her Spy Master Tonke. "He wanted proper keeps, cities to collect taxes from, and public roads. Maybe he even wanted a proper bath. He ALSO wanted to make sure his children and his children's children were the ones in charge."

"The problem with getting all civilized," said the Protostrator, "is you replace the open grasslands with farms and mines and windmills. You can't support the millions of steppe ponies you need to keep thousands of mounted archers in the saddle. In fact those archers will spend less time practicing and hunting AND a lot more time milking, plowing, and learning how to work with stone and wood."

"In others words he traded his massive mobile army for a more stable and wealthier nation," added the Sakellarios with a smile.

"So the wolves just became dogs," said the Queen with a smile. Hunter peeked from under the table and tiled his head in confusion. The Queen patted him on the head and he went back under the table to chew on the old boot he loved to play with when not being trained by his handlers.

"To be honest I was not too sure about taking them on," said the Protostrator with a shrug. "But they just handicapped themselves. In a few years we might be able to take what we want from them. Or at least give them a bloody nose if they try anything."

"And they have problems of their own," said the Spy Master. "They have populations of Catholics and Norse just like we do. Also many of the NEW King's vassals will not be too happy with this change. And they have neighbors who are NOT too happy with them. In other words what is left of the Uyghur are alive and well. Not very strong but still a future problem."

The Queen smiled. "I want all the information you can tell me about the NEW Kingdom. Pacts, strengths, everything. Anything else to add?"

The Councilors shook their heads and filed out.

The Queen sighed happily. She heard a soft bark from under the table and peeked under it. "Want to join me for a late evening snack?"

The young dog barked happily. Snack was a word he knew.

"Let us go to the kitchen and see if they have any cold cuts for us," she said as she stood up.

A few days later the Spy Master brought her more news. It was nether good or bad. It was, in fact, kind of sad.

The Somavamsi was now rocked by a revolt. How the mighty had fallen.

Near the end of August the wedding between Eustathios and Apollonia was approved.

The Queen made sure they had a nice one. She hired dancers and musicians to entertain the guests. She had her kitchens supply the guests with fresh fruit, fluffy pastries and the best locally brewed beer.(1)

We close this chapter with the Queen trapped between her deep depression and her almost out-of-control glee at the stupidity of her neighbors.

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Author's End Notes:

Sura Time!​

1. Once again the beer was likely Sura (Surah) brewed by the nearby shops from local grain such as millet, barley, or rice.

 

[stnylan]

The Xia may be a future opportunity - but do you really want more Norse Christians in your realm?

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Ninety-Two : Collecting Information

Camel Caravan ​

We open this chapter in August, of the year 844 AD, but we do not find ourselves in the Kingdom of Kamarupa. We find ourselves deep in the newly created Kingdom of Xia which was ruled by the Khan Sican.

We find ourselves in a small unnamed village. Really a few small huts surrounded by small farming plots and a few fenced in animals. Dirty toddlers play in the dirt, along with some dogs, as those children old enough to work make sure the plants are unmolested by small rodents or insects. They also watch over the cattle and keep them watered. The adults take care of the very important ponies, repair farming equipment, and see to the daily chores needed to keep their families from starving to death.

A trader had appeared over the nearest hill and gave off a friendly shout. His camels did not just have bags attached to their humps but large platforms piled high with trade goods, such as bags of textiles and silks, iron pots of all shapes and sizes, farming tools, and other wares hanging from their harnesses.

The trader was dark from weeks in the sun, his skin dirty and his beard matted. He shouted another greeting and spoke the native language. When close enough to speak at a normal volume he said, with a grin on his face, "I come with trade goods from India and Tibet. I also know how to mend saddles, patch pots, sharpen blades, break ponies, sing songs, scare off the spirits and I bring news to those who want it."

The people greeted him happily. The women looked at his small iron pots, bone needles, colorful scarves, and other household tools. The men checked out his collection of small knives and asked for news. The kids just ran about the trader and his camels, giggling and playing tag.

After some haggling over this and that, items and coins were exchanged, and then the men invited the trader into one of the huts.

They shared with him some milk and fresh lamb meat. Rumors and news was exchanged for the people were starving for happenings from the outside and the trader was willing to give them all the information he could. In exchange he eagerly listened to their own tales and gossip. No doubt happy to be among people after so many days on the road.

The children helped him afterwards to prepare his camels for the night. The people had invited him to sleep in one of the larger buildings used as storage. A few blankets on the floor and he was ready for a good night's sleep.

But he did not sleep. After he made sure nobody else was around and that most of the village was settled down for the night he lit a tiny candle, pulled out pieces of paper, and added what new information he felt would be important to his Master.

He was just not a trader but also a spy. It was more of a hobby he had picked up a few years ago when he was deep in debt.

A man, his current Master, had offered to help him out of debt in return for the trader keeping his eyes open and his ears close to the ground. In other words the poor trader would pay back his "loan" with information.

Even if the trader had known his Master worked for the Queen's Spy Master he would not have cared. He kind of enjoyed the cloak-and-dagger business. It added spice to an otherwise boring life.

And on his travels over the past few weeks he learned much. For example, the Khan Sircan, was pretty ill. He was suffering from diarrhea AND abdominal pains. This, no doubt, added fuel to his paranoia and cruelty.

That explained why most of his vassals disliked him and cheated him out of his fair share of the tax income. In fact, from what he could tell, ALL his vassals disliked the Khan.

As for Pacts the Khan only one Ally. The Chief of Sibir. And the man could not be called an ALLY really as he was a Tributary. He was forced to give over some of his yearly income to the Khan.

And the Chief had no soldiers to his name. No doubt because the Khan was taking some of his money. Also it was more likely because the Chief only had one county to his name and no vassals. Pitiful.

In a war the Khan would not receive help from anybody. Not even extra help from his own vassals. It looked like even his Spy Master, his own wife, had a bad opinion about him.

This was the type of information the trader's Master would be pleased with.

The trader carefully hid the pieces of paper in his boots, put out the light, and went to sleep.

The next morning he started off bright and early, after giving his hosts a few gifts and accepting their parting gift of some dried meat. It was last a long time and travel well.

As he moved off he gave one last wave. He would be home in a few weeks, after visiting many such villages, with both information and a profit. Yes, he enjoyed his new hobby.

So we close this chapter with a tiny peek into the world of the shadows and next time we will return to the Queen and her Royal Court.

 

[Bullfilter]

As always, love the little speech bubbles in the picture. Do they grow mint in their garden? Would go a treat with some yoghurt over some nice skewers ...

So, on the new kingdom of Xia: is that where the large Mongol Revolt was in a recent post? I wonder what happened to it, or whether that is another group the Khan will have to worry about.

Nice diversion into the countryside and a good way to impart what could otherwise be quite dry information.

 

[Eurasia]

As always, love the little speech bubbles in the picture. Do they grow mint in their garden? Would go a treat with some yoghurt over some nice skewers ...

So, on the new kingdom of Xia: is that where the large Mongol Revolt was in a recent post? I wonder what happened to it, or whether that is another group the Khan will have to worry about.

Nice diversion into the countryside and a good way to impart what could otherwise be quite dry information.

Yes, the Xia is where the Revolt happened. But Leader of the Revolt died or disappeared or was taken out after the Revolt. I don't know what happened but the Khan Sican, the powerful ally, took over.

And he does not need outside enemies with vassals like that.

 

[stnylan]

Smells like an opportunity

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Ninety-Three : Accidentally Death?

Surprise!​

We open this chapter in September, of the year 844 AD, with the Queen being told that her Protostrator Kyriakos died in a unexplained accident.

"What happened?" demanded the Queen to her Spy Master. "What was this unexplained accident?"

"Seems the Protostrator was killed by a venomous snake bite," said the Spy Master Tonke reading the report he had received. "The poor Protostrator was staying in a tavern during his search for the lost artifact. A nice one too, wonderful reviews, said to have good food and close to many of the attractions, famous for its-"

"Get on with it!" cried out the Queen.

"Sorry," said the Spy Master with a cringe. "Anyway, in the morning he went to the kitchen to enjoy some fresh pastries they had made, ones with roasted peanuts and honey in them, and found a cobra hiding in one of the bread baskets."

"Okay," said the Queen holding out one finger. "First off that ISN'T unexplained. In fact that is highly detailed." She held up another finger to add to the first one. "Second that does not sound like an accident. How did a cobra get into the kitchen?"

"They say it happens a lot," replied the Spy Master. "The cobras come in for the warmth and also seem to like the scent of freshly baked bread."

"Right..." stated the Queen. "Okay...either way I need a new Protostrator. And we need to make sure his son is taken care of."

The Queen was somewhat in shock. To be honest the Protostrator Kyriakos was likely one of the best military men since Protostrator Pelagios.

Bhikkhu Pelagios, known as the Warrior Monk, had been a Commander under Queen Arminestra and had been promoted to Protostrator under Despot Andronikos. Many historical plays had been written about him. Mostly ethical stories about honor and battles and Buddhism but still very popular among the Monks and Nuns.

Kyriakos had somewhat a similar history, starting out as a Commander under Despot Andronikos and then being promoted to Protostrator by the Despot after a couple of wars leading troops in battle. That means he had been serving in the military longer than Queen Arminestra II had been on the throne. If only he had not loved baked goods so much...

Who would replace him? It would be hard to find somebody skilled AND loyal enough.

"But before I forget it I will need to pick somebody else to find the lost artifact," added the Queen. “After all I am paying for it!”

She selected Doux Wiryasini to continue the search for the rumored artifact. He was loyal and man of many talents. If anybody could find it he surely could. Of course she had felt that way about Kyriakos...

As for the Protostrator she selected Commander Isaias who was both skilled and loyal and only 33 years old. He was told to continue the training of the troops.

Of course, now she needed a new Commander. Somebody skilled and loyal to the Kingdom and...

"Prince Eusebios!" exclaimed the Queen aloud. Her most loyal and less loony of her offspring. He would make a fine Commander. She gave him the empty Commander position and moved on to the next issue.

Count Ioustinoa of Bumthang had taken over his father's title. But his County Court was so small he was forced to educate himself.

The Queen looked over some of her Royal Count and realized that Doux Wiryasini was the perfect pick. He had a very high skill in stewardship. Just the thing a young Count would need to learn! She sent the proposal to the young Count at once.

In October the young Count agreed to accept the new Guardianship.

That same day her scouts along he northern frontier reported movement of troops heading north. Seems one of the Dukes of Xia had declared a war on the Khagan Ituk of Uyghur.

"Wow," remarked the Queen. "Already have a war between the two. I thought it might take a few years at least. You would think the Khan of Xia would try to keep his vassals under control."

Later that month the new Protostrator and his wife had a baby boy. The new kid named Jayapala Pavakid was being trained to grow up Hindu. Of course the Queen put a stop to that and demanded the boy be educated in both the Greek Culture AND the Buddhist Faith.

At the same time the Queen was notified that the Princess Eupraxia, the future Queen of Pala, needed the second stage of her education mapped out for her.

The Queen decided the girl would need to learn about diplomacy (even if she was a fussy girl) because such a skill would greatly help her with her vassals. After all, she would be a Greek Queen in a Kingdom of Non-Greeks. She would need to learn how to handle her subjects with words. And if that didn't work her future husband was a man with great military skills.

Near the end of the month Doux Wiryasini reported that he was making progress in his search for the artifact.

So we close this chapter with the death of a great military man and the invention of a new saying that has been passed down for generations - "The Early Bird Is Killed By Snakes At Breakfast."(1)

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Author's End Notes:

1. Not a well known saying outside of India BUT it is a saying. Many a child has used it for an excuse to try to sleep in late and get out of going to school. It rarely worked.

 

[stnylan]

That is a great saying

 

[Bullfilter]

You played the snake bite for all it was worth - and very well too. Most amusing!

I can see why Wiryasini is called ‘the Wise’ - some impressive stats. He’s the court doctor as well isn’t he? If so, I take back my comment some time back about blaming him for dodgy cures etc. resources like him must be used!

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Ninety-Four : Another Councilor Dies!

Scribes Working To Keep Track Of The Queen's Activities​

We open this chapter in October, of the year 844 AD, with the Queen deciding she had enough coins to start two new building projects. The first was her Castle in the County of Haruppeswara. A new Castle Town would help bring in the cash but it would take almost two years.

​

The second project was in the County of Markam where she ordered the building of Stables. Once completed men could be recruited and trained to be Light Cavalry. Archers, Light Infantry, and Light Cavalry worked best on the steppes and against the skirmish tactics of the Horse Lords.

Of course the Kingdom of Xia was now a Feudal Realm and may start developing a more European composition of armies. Heavy Infantry, Heavy Cavalry, and so on. Which was also fine - the Queen’s Archer heavy armies would do very well against such targets as well. And she could hire elephants which did well against almost anything.

In November Great King Srimanta of Bihar was no longer a boy. He was now a man. A MAN who was stressed out, depressed, and in debt. While his Kingdom was being attacked by three enemies he liked to party. Amazingly he had no wife but had three Concubines.

The Queen would feel sorry for him if he wasn’t such a twit. Partying while in three different conflicts? Why not just toss your gold coins into the streets? She decided to continue to call him the boy King for she saw no maturity there.

Later that month a messenger entered the throne room and stated, “Oh Great Queen! Bhikkhu Tonke of Cuowa is DEAD!”

“Oh no!” replied the Queen. “Was it an accident?”

“No my Queen,” said the messenger.

“He was MURDERED?” exclaimed the Queen. She looked thoughtful. “Oh, of course. He was my Spy Master. I bet somebody stabbed him with a knife in the-”

“Eh...no my Queen,” cut in the messenger, “he died a natural death.”

“Really?” remarked the Queen. She frowned and added, “No snakes or anything like that?”

“Snakes?”

“Maybe a snake pretending to be something else,” suggested the Queen. “ Maybe in a costume with a tiny hat? Or maybe it was pretending to be a baked good. Like a snake cake?”

“Nooooo,” said the messenger looking somewhat confused. He glanced down at his letter and said, “Just a normal death. He was 64 years old. And a widower. It was just his time.”

“I see,” said the Queen with a frown.

“You sound disappointed,” commented the messenger.

“No, no, no-no-no,” responded the Queen. “Just...surprised. I would have thought the Spy Master would have died...in a less boring way.”

“What?” replied the messenger looking a tad nervous. “I’m leaving now...”

The Queen leaned back in thought, to think of who to make her next Spy Master, as the messenger backed out of the room slowly. Very slowly.

There were two people who were on the top of the list. The first was Pankratios and the Queen knew she would never pick HIM to be her Spy Master. She would be dead within a week.

The other choice was the Princess Dionysia of Kamarupa. A half-sister who owned no lands, had no troops, was pretty skilled in the arts of the shadow. Her opinion of the Queen was low but still in the positive. She was selected and told to watch the Royal Court carefully.

The Queen also asked Doux Wiryasini to add another job onto his plate by going to the County of Goalpara to see if he could improve on their local economy.

Near the end of the month her half-sister reported a plot which was centered in the Republic of Qamdo. It seems the Protostrator of Qamdo was plotting to kill the Heir of the Republic.

Of course he was told to stop it. And the Queen was somewhat amazed on how fast the new Spy Master had uncovered the plot so shortly after taking up her position.

Then in December she was alerted to the fact that Bhikkhu Pankratios was causing trouble again. He had started a new Faction to Increase the Council’s Power within the Kingdom. Even though such a Faction would do NOTHING to help HIM gain power.

“He is doing this because I didn’t pick him as my Spy Master, isn’t he?” said the Queen aloud when she heard the news. The Queen grumbled to herself and then decided she needed to do something to try to keep the Vassals under control.

On the 13th of December the Queen had her Council pass the Controlled Realm Inheritance Law. From then on Vassal Title Inheritance would be regulated to make sure Titles did not pass to another Realm.

Sadly, it would not work on existing problems, such as the mess surrounding her Christian Count, but it would stop such issues from happening again.

So we close this chapter with another death in the Council and the Queen taking another step to help tighten her control over her Vassals.

 

[Eurasia]

You played the snake bite for all it was worth - and very well too. Most amusing!

I can see why Wiryasini is called ‘the Wise’ - some impressive stats. He’s the court doctor as well isn’t he? If so, I take back my comment some time back about blaming him for dodgy cures etc. resources like him must be used!

The snake thing was given to me by the game - I just ran with it.

And Wiryasini is an amazing Councilor and Doctor. Very useful.

 

[stnylan]

Is this snake-fetish the first sign of dementia