Well, here it is, my first ever Crusader Kings AAR. Indeed it’s my first real game of Crusader Kings, so I have the distinct feeling of being a newbie! It’s a bit naughty of me to begin this AAR right now because I’m going to be away for the next two weeks and I won’t be posting anything during that time. However, having done quite a bit of research and having written the Prologue, I started to become paranoid that someone else would begin a new Hungarian AAR before I got back! If you are planning to write a Hungarian AAR, please feel free to continue - but just remember, I WAS HERE FIRST! 
The Árpád family are well-represented in 1.04a - I understand they have been “enhanced” from previous patches. You can choose to begin as Salamon Árpád, the boy-king of Hungary, which of course makes it pretty easy to hold onto the throne of Hungary since there are plenty of Árpáds about. Alternatively you can try the challenge of starting as László Árpád, Count of Bihar, which is what siekel did in his excellent Ladislaus I the Saint, and his dynasty which he completed a few weeks ago. From this beginning it’s a lot more difficult to get to the Hungarian throne. Finally you can do what I’ve chosen and begin as Géza Árpád, Duke of Slovakia, who starts the game first in line to the throne, but only as long as Salamon remains without sons to succeed him. Even then he has a claim to the throne as well.
Before I begin, though, a word to any Hungarian readers. The Árpáds were undoubtedly an outstanding family, the founders of modern Hungary. Much has been written about this great dynasty - but probably never in the way it’s about to be retold here... All I can do is to offer my humble apologies. Look on the bright side - this AAR might actually benefit Hungary’s tourist industry! That is, I might be more willing to make the effort one day of visiting your wonderful country! I have also decided to make a special effort with names and places. I will try to keep all the accents in place when writing anything Hungarian, and to indicate the approximately correct pronunciation of proper names. Please feel free to correct any errors - thus will this become a truly educational AAR!
As for game goals, these are as follows for the time being:
1) become the King of Hungary
2) keep the Kingdom of Hungary from disintegrating
3) bring the Pechenegs into the fold
4) become King of Croatia
5) survive the Mongol invasion
Apart from the last one all this was achieved historically by the Árpád dynasty, so I hope it won't be too taxing even for a newbie! The Mongols may be another story... Since this is my first real game I’ve no idea how I’m likely to get on and what other ideas might present themselves - we’ll just have to wait and see!
As for what we might call “personal goals” these are as follows:
1) learn as much as possible about CK, by getting help and advice from friendly readAARs
2) learn about the history of Hungary, and pass on some of it to others
3) write an entertaining account of the Árpád family saga
4) have fun!
And so, without further ado, one Prologue coming up...
The Árpád family are well-represented in 1.04a - I understand they have been “enhanced” from previous patches. You can choose to begin as Salamon Árpád, the boy-king of Hungary, which of course makes it pretty easy to hold onto the throne of Hungary since there are plenty of Árpáds about. Alternatively you can try the challenge of starting as László Árpád, Count of Bihar, which is what siekel did in his excellent Ladislaus I the Saint, and his dynasty which he completed a few weeks ago. From this beginning it’s a lot more difficult to get to the Hungarian throne. Finally you can do what I’ve chosen and begin as Géza Árpád, Duke of Slovakia, who starts the game first in line to the throne, but only as long as Salamon remains without sons to succeed him. Even then he has a claim to the throne as well.
Before I begin, though, a word to any Hungarian readers. The Árpáds were undoubtedly an outstanding family, the founders of modern Hungary. Much has been written about this great dynasty - but probably never in the way it’s about to be retold here...
All I can do is to offer my humble apologies. Look on the bright side - this AAR might actually benefit Hungary’s tourist industry! That is, I might be more willing to make the effort one day of visiting your wonderful country! I have also decided to make a special effort with names and places. I will try to keep all the accents in place when writing anything Hungarian, and to indicate the approximately correct pronunciation of proper names. Please feel free to correct any errors - thus will this become a truly educational AAR!As for game goals, these are as follows for the time being:
1) become the King of Hungary
2) keep the Kingdom of Hungary from disintegrating
3) bring the Pechenegs into the fold
4) become King of Croatia
5) survive the Mongol invasion
Apart from the last one all this was achieved historically by the Árpád dynasty, so I hope it won't be too taxing even for a newbie! The Mongols may be another story... Since this is my first real game I’ve no idea how I’m likely to get on and what other ideas might present themselves - we’ll just have to wait and see!
As for what we might call “personal goals” these are as follows:
1) learn as much as possible about CK, by getting help and advice from friendly readAARs
2) learn about the history of Hungary, and pass on some of it to others
3) write an entertaining account of the Árpád family saga
4) have fun!
And so, without further ado, one Prologue coming up...
