Road of Queens - CKII India AAR

[volksmarschall]

Well, one has to keep the cartographers both busy and grateful for nicer borders.

Nothing is better than nice borders. It solves a lot of problems. The most important being the aesthetics of the map itself. I don't want to stare at an ugly map!

I must say from an earlier update though. Prison food doesn't look too bad for the 9th century. Probably better than what most commoners ate!

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Four Hundred-Fourteen : Plots Within Plots

Murder Of A Concubine​

We open this chapter in May, of the year 884 AD, with the news of a another plot being brought to the Despot. Jherpala Bhar, a Protostrator, was plotting to kill Count Mandandeva of Rothas.

"So he wants the Count's title," remarked the Despot. "And he is willing to kill one of his own kin. Tsk, tsk. Tell him to back off."

Then the Despot received news that Chief Saru of Ghazna had joined a Pagan Pact opposing him.

"Buddha bless it," cursed the Despot. "I really hate this Pact thing. The other smaller nations are in danger of being overrun by smelly Pagan Horse Lords! They should welcome me with open arms. Or I'll crush them!"

One of the staff members lifted a finger and said, "The Chief is Pagan."

"Oh, right," replied the Despot. "Never mind then."

Then he received the good news that Duke Saua had left the Defensive Pact. This was great news.

This meant the Realm of Gondwana would be alone if the Despot decided to declare war on the Great King Tejapala II.

Then the Despot decided to carry out one of his ideas that had been bouncing around in his head. Marrying his second son to the youngest daughter of Raja Gopla "The Holy" of the Mana Raj.

A Raja who not only liked the Despot but seemed to be a man of great virtue. After all, they did call him "The Holy". So the request to arrange a betrothal between the two children were sent.

As the Despot waited for a response the Despot received news of another plot. Manhendrani of the House of Shantideva was plotting to kill one of his Vassals.

"Tell her to STOP plotting to kill Doux Rajyapala," demanded the Despot. "As much as he is starting to get on my nerves."

Then the Despot was given some good news. The Great King Tejapala II of Gondwana left the Defensive Pact. The Despot laughed at this. The Great King had been the only member in that Pact!

Then he received bad news. Maybe? Shah Ayeshah "The Unready" had joined a existing Pact against the Despot.

"I don't even know where he is on the map!" stated the Despot with a angry frown. "How can I be a threat to him?"

Then there was some good news. Doux Rajyapala demanded that Pujari Agnimitra of Kathmandu convert to Buddhism and the lowborn agreed.

"Well," said the Despot, somewhat pleased, "at least Buddhism is being spread like it should be."

Then a thing happened that caused the Despot great pain. The Spymaster Sophia "The Fox" was murdered on the orders of Count Ramapala of Damin-i-koh on the 26th of May at the age of 32. One of his best Spymasters and one of his loveable Concubines had been stabbed to death in the Palace!

As the Despot mourned the loss he received better news the next day. The betrothal between 10 year old Prince Raphail and the four year old Suvrata had been agreed to.

Now the Despot had the painful duty of picking a new Spymaster. He asked his people to compile a list of those best suited for the job. On the top of the list was the Doux of Varendra. The problem with him was his low opinion of the Despot. He also owed favors to many powerful people, he was Deceitful, and a Craven.

The Mayor Hierotheos of Reting on the other hand was loyal and not AS bad. The Despot decided to pick him.

He was quickly sent to uncover plots and discourage schemers. The Despot wished him longer life then the last one.

So we close this chapter with good news, bad news, and a horrible death at the hands of a assassin.

 

[stnylan]

Surely the Despot will seek redress against the actions of Count Ramapala?

 

[Eurasia]

Surely the Despot will seek redress against the actions of Count Ramapala?

We will see. The man's holding is too far to invade and killing him might not be in the cards.

 

[Arnulf Floyd]

This chapter was interesting and full of emotion especially murder of Sophia the Fox, I am sorry for Niphon, I hope as despot revenge Sophia in future

 

[Bullfilter]

A pity about Sophia - even the best Spymasters remain in danger. All those plots uncovered and halted - but she couldn’t do the same for herself. The revenge may have to be delayed or indirect by the sounds of it. Perhaps a relative or trusted councillor, or some such?

 

[Eurasia]

Folks, I spent two hours playing HoI3 last night and then my computer crashed. So I had something like 125 images but no save so I will have to start all over again. Also I woke up at 4 AM to make sure I am the first one in line to vote today so my AARs will likely be slow in updating for the next few days as I watch the results but also have other chores to do this week. Sorry about that.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Four Hundred-Fifteen : Another Murder!

Second Time's A Charm!​

The chapter opens in May, of the year 884 AD, with the spies and agents and accountants and advisers bringing the Despot as much from as they could on Count Ramapala of Damin-i-koh. A Noble who LIVED within the Kingdom of Bihar.

The man was insane which, to be honest, was the only reason anybody could find for him killing the Realm's Spymaster. He had about five hundred troops and about two hundred gold coins worth of wealth.

"The fool isn't some far off Noble in the Middle East or a man I can't get at," mumbled the Despot with a cold voice. "He is one of my own. He will be dealt with."

There was more bad news in June as the Emir of the Uqqid Emirate joined a Defensive Pact opposing the Despot Niphon.

"Why is a 7 year old boy making such decisions?" pondered the Despot aloud. "Shouldn't his regent tell him not to do things like that?"

The Despot received more bad news. Ratnadevi was plotting to kill Rajaganeshe Mana. And nobody could explain why.

Later in June the Royal Retinue finally marched into the Capital. In other words they finally returned home to much cheering and celebration. Many a drink was shared in the local beer shops and many a child was conceived between a returning husband and waiting wife.

Then more bad news. The man the Despot was plotting to kill had returned to the Realm. Mayor Tryggve of Gonjo was back following his Liege's orders. Once again trying to find ways for Count Yilie to claim the County of Markam.

"Kill him," demanded the Despot. "Just kill him. Walk up to him. Say hi. And chop him to pieces with an ax. Everybody knows I want him dead so just do it."

The assassins followed the Despot's advice and just walked up the Mayor and killed him. No hidden daggers or bombs. A simple murder. And so the Mayor died and nobody could trace it back to the Despot.

Without any target to kill the Despot's plot fell apart. All backers just went their own way and pretended never to be in a plot. Of course they never sent back the money the Despot had given them as "gifts".

So the chapter ends with one good murder that pleased the Despot and a lot of mixed news.

 

[Arnulf Floyd]

Revenge is always sweet, I hope as Despot will get rid of all treacherous servants and vassals

 

[stnylan]

A successful plot at last

 

[JabberJock14]

Man that worked?! That getting rid of the chancellor thing NEVER seems to work for me. Or... against me honestly. I don't remember ever seeing my chancellor getting offed while fabricating a claim.

 

[Eurasia]

Man that worked?! That getting rid of the chancellor thing NEVER seems to work for me. Or... against me honestly. I don't remember ever seeing my chancellor getting offed while fabricating a claim.

It rarely works. In my private games I keep away from trying to kill people. But I am not trying to be too meta here. Well, not too meta. So I do try to kill people even knowing it will backfire sometimes.

 

[Bullfilter]

One down, one to go. The Fox-killer must die!

 

[MK1980]

does the murderer of sophia have the "known murderer" modifer? if he has, you should be able to arrest him without tyranny. and since he's a sub vassal, the arrest is without real risk - if it fails, the sub vassal will abdicate to his heir and flee the realm (unlike a direct vassal who would start a revolt after a failed imprisonment attempt). so you either get your hands on him and throw hin in the oubliette, or (effectively) banish him to become a courtier in a foreign realm.

if the game doesn't allow you to arrest him, you'd have to be more creative. maybe that would be a good opportunity to use the intrigue focus for a while? i think you didn't use that at all in this campaign so far. you can spy on people and if you find some dirt, you can imprison them for it. and sometimes you also get events to kidnap or outright murder the target. any of those would serve the purpose. your realm can do without foreign wars for a while and intrigue is nice for dealing with internal threats (or to stop potential internal threats before the become a reality)

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Four Hundred-Sixteen : Trying To Keep The Peace

Another Civil War?​

We open this chapter in late June, of the year 884 AD, with the Despot going over information about Count Ramapala of Damin-i-koh.

"This man killed one of the best Spymasters of the Realm," commented the Despot to his staff, "yet he seems to like me. And I can't seem to, legally, do anything to him."

"Do you wish us to...well, plot this death sire?" asked one of the members of the staff.

"No," replied the Despot. "We will hold off for a while. We'll create waves and, right now, I want the Realm to be calm."

Then he received news that Count Mahendra of Magadha and Doux Nar Singh "The Cruel" had arranged a marriage between Ratnavati and Srimanta Pala. The Despot wondered what they were up to?

In July the Despot was given the bad news that Count of Varanasi was plotting to kill Narpal Narpalid. In other words it looked like the Count was trying to kill one of his own people because they hated each other. They REALLY hated each other. Sad.

Later the Despot's friend introduced him to one of his friends. The Despot decided to do his best to make a friend out of his friend's friend. Didn't the Buddha say something about friendship was magic?

That same day the Despot was told that the latest plot to kill Narpal already had three backers! He demanded that Count Jatanpala himself tell the three backers to leave the plot at once.

The Count was sent to ask Prince Sundaridevi, Vigraharaja, and Roshandeva. All evidence suggested the three would agree to back out of the plot.

The Great King of Gondwana had joined a Defensive Pact opposing the Despot. Again. It was almost like he could not make up his mind.

Near the end of the month Bhikkhu Dorotheos of Taktshang became a Rival of the Despot. They just could not agree on how to treat the lower classes. Dorotheos, who was a member of the Savaka-Sangha, was both Cruel and Zealous. And he treated the peasants horribly. Likely due to his own lowborn upbringings.

In August the Despot received some very bad news. The 55 year old Ronak of Nagchu had started a Civil War to bring Gavelkind to the lands of Doux Pelagios the Gentle. And she had enough troops to make it a tough war for the Doux!

The Despot thought on it. He was to inherit the Doux's titles as it stood right now. Yet he really did not want to pay for peace when trying to increase his funds. The Despot wondered if it was best not to get in the way of the Revolt.

On the other hand the Doux did owe the Despot a favor. Maybe the man could be made to stand down and surrender? That would bring peace. But did the Despot want to force Gavelkind Succession onto the Doux of Nagchu?

So we end with a Civil War and many choices for the Despot to pick from.

 

[stnylan]

The tough decisions are the ones the despot needs to back.

Perhaps he can find a little pony to be a friends with.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Four Hundred-Seventeen : Securing The Future

Being Crowned Again​

We open this chapter in August, of the year 884 AD, with the Despot being alerted to the fact that the position of Master of the Royal Elephants was open. A prestigious position with a very small salary. The Despot was given a list of people available for the position and decided on Doux Gopal "The Holy". He wasn't at the top of the list. In fact he was the fifth one on the list.

He was selected because he had a high opinion of the Despot and seemed to be a virtuous man. Well, he wasn't called "The Holy" for nothing. And a poet! Though, to be honest, he sure had a LOT of children for a virtuous man. *Nudge*nudge*wink*wink*

After that the Despot got semi-good news. It seems Ronak, due to her revolt, had disbanded her Gavelkind Succession movement in Nagchu. After all, that was the whole point of the Civil War.

Then rumors came from the north, out of the Saua Duchy, which the Despot had nicknamed the "roof" of the Realm. It seems that Duke Saua had another Revolt on his hands. The "roof" might end up being made up of a bunch of tiny "roofs" at this rate.

"Damn thing is going to be leaking Mongols all over us soon," said the Despot. He was trying to make a joke but not even he found it funny.

It was also decided that the Despot would call in that favor Doux Pelagios owed him by demanding his Vassal surrender to Ronak.

A few days the Doux agreed to this and the Revolt came to an end.

The result was not just peace brought to the lands but that Count Ronak of Xainza had a very high opinion of the Despot and decided she owed him a favor! Which was okay. Not great, after all she was just a Count but it was still okay.

With the Realm at peace and with over 400 gold coins of wealth in the treasury the Despot could delay no longer the need to deal with the Kingdom of Bengal or the Kingdom of Bihar. First he destroyed both titles, much to the horror and rage of the subjects in those areas. This pained the Despot because it meant that many of those Vassals who liked him now loathed him!

Now he had to create them AGAIN before somebody beat him to it! Luckily he had both the coins and the right to do so!

So at the cost of 400 gold coins and some Karma, somehow, he recreated both titles but now with the rules of his PRIMARY title!

Still, it only left about 30 gold coins in the coffers and a lot of people pissed off at the Despot. Well, at least his daughter would now gain all the titles.

"I guess we better take a look on how this has changed the opinions of my Vassals towards me," grumbled the Despot. The staff cheered and went off to make a list of opinions. They loved making lists.

So we close with the Despot making sure that all five Kingdoms will go to his daughter. But at what cost? AT WHAT COST!?!

 

[Arnulf Floyd]

Another good chapter

 

[stnylan]

Can't make an omelette....

 

[Surt]

That was drastic, now the former hairs should hate the Despot for this little despotic display of despotism.