Wow. Looks quite interesting. Never knew such a thing existed during this timeline.
Why You Should Play As Any Particular Character in CK2
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Could this thread be stickied please?
The search engine for this forum sucks and this thread is very useful.
The search engine for this forum sucks and this thread is very useful.
They've yet to listen to our repeated requests to do so, so I doubt it.
This start is challenging. How does one convert from Sunni to a Christian/orthodox faith? I sent my imam to a miaphysite region, would that work?
Try to move your capital in a miaphysite region, recall your Imam, hwe will do the opposite work (convert the region to sunni)
I love that thread. This should be sticky and op should get two internets as a gift for his awesomeness.
The thread is not stickied yet, but you can find the first post on the ckiiwiki.
Easier than browsing the forums.
Easier than browsing the forums.
I haven't tried this yet but it could work: being overthrown by the guys below you (start by a divorce and he'll come for the sultan seat in no time) then swearing fealty to ERE.
Do you mind if I put those two internets in my sig?
As an aside, I haven't forgotten about updating this, I've just had a hectic week.
Seconding Robert Guiscard and if you start at around 1100, his son Bohemund is another great choice. You're Norman adventurers who conquered southern Italy, your options for expansion are plentiful, you can swear fealty to the HRE if you're threatened, you can turn your minor principality/duchy into a great empire in a relatively short amount of time, you can return to your Viking roots and launch endless brutal naval raids on the Muslim populations of North Africa, you can go after Byzantium if you give yourself claims on the empire (which is something the de'Hautville family did try historically, so don't feel bad about cheating to get it in the game, they should have a special casus belli by default), if you do swear fealty to the HRE, you can assassinate or conquer your way to the conquest and unification of Italy (the duchess of Tuscany being an especially appealing opportunity for peaceful expansion), you've got multiple opportunities to make alliances and inherit lands because you have so many eligible children and won't have to wait a generation to breed your way to a sizable family, you can go on a Crusade and be an actual Crusader King. What's not to like?
I've even made Bohemund a Muslim after I conquered and granted him the county of Tyrus. He went on to conquer the Fatimids. There are so many potential directions that you can go and so many interesting scenarios to create.
Also, since the implementation of Republics, you've got several land hungry and wealthy nations eager to take your most valuable possessions from you, starting an arms race for control of Italy.
Many experienced players don't feel particularly challenged by this start, but I for one think you can make it as hard as you wanna make it. If your goal is to conquer all of southern Italy, yeah, that's done easily enough. If your goal is to conquer Byzantium or defeat the Fatimids during the first Crusade? That's a different story, but if you're succesful, you can end the Schism and reforge the Roman Empire.
I've even made Bohemund a Muslim after I conquered and granted him the county of Tyrus. He went on to conquer the Fatimids. There are so many potential directions that you can go and so many interesting scenarios to create.
Also, since the implementation of Republics, you've got several land hungry and wealthy nations eager to take your most valuable possessions from you, starting an arms race for control of Italy.
Many experienced players don't feel particularly challenged by this start, but I for one think you can make it as hard as you wanna make it. If your goal is to conquer all of southern Italy, yeah, that's done easily enough. If your goal is to conquer Byzantium or defeat the Fatimids during the first Crusade? That's a different story, but if you're succesful, you can end the Schism and reforge the Roman Empire.
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Just wanted to say thanks for the thread. I didn't know about Charlemagne's descendant. Suffice to say, his legacy has been restored to the throne of France and working on the HRE.
I haven't read the entire thread, so if someone had mentioned this guy before, I'm sorry:ninja:
Xxx Bosonid, duke of Provence 1066, an old and glorious family, and in the in-game family tree, he is a descendant of Makedon dynasty
Xxx Bosonid, duke of Provence 1066, an old and glorious family, and in the in-game family tree, he is a descendant of Makedon dynasty
Found some interesting starts in 1100.
Duke of Edessa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldwin_II_of_Jerusalem
Just south of Rum, in 1098 Edessa forms, as an independent Frankish Catholic Duchy, Surrounded almost completely by good Muslim neighbors. The preferred start is 1100 as the 1098 already starts you in the low end of an established house, while with the 1100 start you assume the role of Baldwin here, a sucessful Crusader who inherited the family lands of Edessa, historically he ends up as the King of Jerusalem, through unknown relations to the King Baldwin I, he passes the other suitors and obtains the throne. Now I'm not sure how it would work in game as in the trees they are not related, but it would be interesting trying to install Baldwin II, as the King of Jerusalem or simply trying to stay alive as Edessa. Quite a challenging start, probably requires quick fealty swearing to Jerusalem.
Earl of Galloway
Fergus of Galloway
You start on a Scottish peninsula flanked by a strong Scotland and nearly unified England. With only 2 provinces, starting as a kid, with no family or vassals, relying on nothing but an unrelated minor regent with a giant intrigue and a plot to inherit your lands, it truly would be challenge to not be gobbled into Scotland, or to even retain ones title once within it. Perhaps a suicide game but I'm sure the relative instability of Scotland could give you a small window to seize power.
Duke of Edessa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldwin_II_of_Jerusalem
Just south of Rum, in 1098 Edessa forms, as an independent Frankish Catholic Duchy, Surrounded almost completely by good Muslim neighbors. The preferred start is 1100 as the 1098 already starts you in the low end of an established house, while with the 1100 start you assume the role of Baldwin here, a sucessful Crusader who inherited the family lands of Edessa, historically he ends up as the King of Jerusalem, through unknown relations to the King Baldwin I, he passes the other suitors and obtains the throne. Now I'm not sure how it would work in game as in the trees they are not related, but it would be interesting trying to install Baldwin II, as the King of Jerusalem or simply trying to stay alive as Edessa. Quite a challenging start, probably requires quick fealty swearing to Jerusalem.
Earl of Galloway
Fergus of Galloway
You start on a Scottish peninsula flanked by a strong Scotland and nearly unified England. With only 2 provinces, starting as a kid, with no family or vassals, relying on nothing but an unrelated minor regent with a giant intrigue and a plot to inherit your lands, it truly would be challenge to not be gobbled into Scotland, or to even retain ones title once within it. Perhaps a suicide game but I'm sure the relative instability of Scotland could give you a small window to seize power.
Budivoj is already on there, but I'll add his younger brother, and a slightly different slant.
Henrik Nakonid,
Count of Lubeck 1073
Your father Guthskalco was a Christian ruler of the Wends (in game Duke of Mecklenburg), who was defeated and killed by the pagan chieftain Kruto. Your half-brother Budivoj tried to reclaim your family's honor, but was ambushed and murdered by Kruto. You and your nephew, both children, are all that is left of the House of Nakonid. You're the only Christian Pomeranian ruler in the world, with access to their Light Cavalry Gussar retinues. Even many of your own courtiers are pagans. Your county is pagan. Your neighbors are Denmark (who have a de jure claim on you from day 1), the HRE (who have a de jure claim on you as soon as the Duke of Saxony saves up the money to form the Duchy of Holstein), and your arch-enemy Kruto (who, as pagan duke of Mecklenburg, could launch a conquest CB on you as soon as he had the piety). Your only assets? A strong claim on the Duchy of Mecklenburg (good luck pressing it before someone holy wars them to oblivion), a capital with plenty of empty slots but 0-0-0 tech, and whatever you can beg, steal or borrow. Oh, and the motivation to track down Kruto and say "My name is Henrik Nakonid. You killed my father (also my brother). Prepare to die!"
Historically, Henrik was able to murder Kruto with the help of Kruto's wife, and then established a powerful Christian Wendish state. His sons, in true CK2 style, started fighting each other, and the whole thing fell apart; reverting to paganism and eventually getting hit with the Wendish Crusade. Can you do better?
Actually quite doable (especially if you start a couple years later, when Henrik is old enough to marry for an alliance), but a really fun start, which can go in any number of directions.
Henrik Nakonid,
Count of Lubeck 1073
Your father Guthskalco was a Christian ruler of the Wends (in game Duke of Mecklenburg), who was defeated and killed by the pagan chieftain Kruto. Your half-brother Budivoj tried to reclaim your family's honor, but was ambushed and murdered by Kruto. You and your nephew, both children, are all that is left of the House of Nakonid. You're the only Christian Pomeranian ruler in the world, with access to their Light Cavalry Gussar retinues. Even many of your own courtiers are pagans. Your county is pagan. Your neighbors are Denmark (who have a de jure claim on you from day 1), the HRE (who have a de jure claim on you as soon as the Duke of Saxony saves up the money to form the Duchy of Holstein), and your arch-enemy Kruto (who, as pagan duke of Mecklenburg, could launch a conquest CB on you as soon as he had the piety). Your only assets? A strong claim on the Duchy of Mecklenburg (good luck pressing it before someone holy wars them to oblivion), a capital with plenty of empty slots but 0-0-0 tech, and whatever you can beg, steal or borrow. Oh, and the motivation to track down Kruto and say "My name is Henrik Nakonid. You killed my father (also my brother). Prepare to die!"
Historically, Henrik was able to murder Kruto with the help of Kruto's wife, and then established a powerful Christian Wendish state. His sons, in true CK2 style, started fighting each other, and the whole thing fell apart; reverting to paganism and eventually getting hit with the Wendish Crusade. Can you do better?
Actually quite doable (especially if you start a couple years later, when Henrik is old enough to marry for an alliance), but a really fun start, which can go in any number of directions.
Great thread. Not sure how many times I've booted up the game and can't decide on who to play. This is a great help. Thanks.
Duke of Pomerania - 1122 or 1136 - Two start dates with a Pomeranian, Catholic ruler. You are independent, and the entire Pomeranian coast is still occupied by pagans (except your lands). If you are quick, you can grab the rest of the coast before the Germans/Polish/Scandinavians. One of the few starts with a playable, independent, Pomeranian ruler. Much easier now that the Kaiser doesn't have dejure claims anymore.
Bey of Tabaristan - Stamford Bridge - One of the few landed Persians at the start of the game, also Shia instead of Sunni. Try to usurp the Shahdom of Persia and convert it to Shia a few centuries early. Will work for most of the start dates before Mongols as well. Can also use ruler designer to create the Safavid dynasty.
Duke of Polotsk - Mongols Bookmark - You start as a Lithuanian Catholic, with claims on the nearby duchy of Lithuania. Your uncle holds that, and he's orthodox. You can form Lithuania fairly easily, and then try to drive out the Germans/hold back the Mongols. Alternatively, swear fealty to the Mongols and destroy them from within.
Bey of Tabaristan - Stamford Bridge - One of the few landed Persians at the start of the game, also Shia instead of Sunni. Try to usurp the Shahdom of Persia and convert it to Shia a few centuries early. Will work for most of the start dates before Mongols as well. Can also use ruler designer to create the Safavid dynasty.
Duke of Polotsk - Mongols Bookmark - You start as a Lithuanian Catholic, with claims on the nearby duchy of Lithuania. Your uncle holds that, and he's orthodox. You can form Lithuania fairly easily, and then try to drive out the Germans/hold back the Mongols. Alternatively, swear fealty to the Mongols and destroy them from within.
Holy Roman Empire
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezzelino_iii_da_romano
Ruler of Vicenza, Verona and Padua in the first half of 1200.
Considered one of the most ruthless and cruel feudal rulers in all the Middle Ages. At the time, he was said to be the antichrist or the spawn of the devil. A crusade was issued against him. Once he sentenced to death 10.000 citizens of Padua in a single day. He also enjoyed the mass use of torture. He was said to feel pleasure at the screams of people walled in alive, and that he would often command kids to be blinded for his own enjoyment. Supporter of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II in the war between guelphs and ghibellines, he married his daughter.
Here's a quote from The Picture of Dorian Gray about him:
« Ezzelin, whose melancholy could be cured only by the spectacle of death, and who had a passion for red blood, as other men have for red wine--the son of the Fiend, as was reported, and one who had cheated his father at dice when gambling with him for his own soul; »
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezzelino_iii_da_romano
Ruler of Vicenza, Verona and Padua in the first half of 1200.
Considered one of the most ruthless and cruel feudal rulers in all the Middle Ages. At the time, he was said to be the antichrist or the spawn of the devil. A crusade was issued against him. Once he sentenced to death 10.000 citizens of Padua in a single day. He also enjoyed the mass use of torture. He was said to feel pleasure at the screams of people walled in alive, and that he would often command kids to be blinded for his own enjoyment. Supporter of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II in the war between guelphs and ghibellines, he married his daughter.
Here's a quote from The Picture of Dorian Gray about him:
« Ezzelin, whose melancholy could be cured only by the spectacle of death, and who had a passion for red blood, as other men have for red wine--the son of the Fiend, as was reported, and one who had cheated his father at dice when gambling with him for his own soul; »
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