Well, I've just refound Kadoc, the last Cornish Earl of Cornwall. He's still around in 1066 (both Stamford Bridge and William the Conqueror start) but will disappear in a couple of months, like in history. While he's supposed to be descended from the ancient Kings of Dumnonia, he starts as a guy with just a wife and brother, daughter and some nephews, with a dynasty officially founded by his landless father. Apart from Ralph de Gael (Earl of Norfolk), he's the only ruler in Britain with the Breton culture. You can form the Duchy of Cornwall as soon as you make the money.
Why You Should Play As Any Particular Character in CK2
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Tsar Kaloyan the Roman slayer (King Kaloyan I of bulgaria) In the Latin Empire start. This is a man with an axe to grind, and he habitually ground it into the latin empire and the byzantines. This is the man that resurrected the bulgarian empire, although the game rightfully calls him king (although he requested an imperial title, Pope Innocent III thought king of Bulgaria and Wallachia was enough).
I think this was a fun start, if you wait till they are distracted you can press Kaloyan's claims on the latin empire lands early and you have plenty of directions to expand (if you don't want to limit yourself to slaying romans). You start with a strange cultural dynamic as well, your wallachian territory is ruled by your Tengrist Cuman vassals.
I think this was a fun start, if you wait till they are distracted you can press Kaloyan's claims on the latin empire lands early and you have plenty of directions to expand (if you don't want to limit yourself to slaying romans). You start with a strange cultural dynamic as well, your wallachian territory is ruled by your Tengrist Cuman vassals.
1100.8.3.: England, Kingdom of
King Henry 1 de Normandie
Last of the de Normandie kings of England. Can you make sure your house doesn't shatter into pieces and honour The Conqueror's legacy? Or is the house of de Normandie destined to die out like it did in reality? (Actually there are 2 other kings who are direct descendants of William the Conqueror, however since they both born to other houses he practically is the last norman king of England.)
King Henry 1 de Normandie
Last of the de Normandie kings of England. Can you make sure your house doesn't shatter into pieces and honour The Conqueror's legacy? Or is the house of de Normandie destined to die out like it did in reality? (Actually there are 2 other kings who are direct descendants of William the Conqueror, however since they both born to other houses he practically is the last norman king of England.)
Dunno if this has been said but there is a decedent of king Cnut in france, 1066 although he's landless so needs to be given some territory before you can play as him.
Duke of Duklja Mihaljo the 1st - Starts independent - needs one province to create Serbia. Easy right? Well not when both of those provinces are in the ERE. One is owned by your 9th son (that's right 9th) The other by the heir to the ERE not a man you want to get on the wrong side of. Can you form Serbia and go on to unite the Slavic kingdoms?
King Sancho II of Castile (1st 2 bookmarks): Why play as El Cid when you can play as his liege? Use a young Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar to command your army as you plan to bring Iberia under your realm. Your brother is not exactly on good terms with you and the usual Muslim infidels are everywhere. Can you avoid Sancho's historical fate?
Erik the Heathen, Jarl of Uppsala. Available from Sept 15, 1066. Starts with a claim on the Swedish throne and about half the kingdom as his vassals, so can usurp the throne with a little luck. Is also a Norse Pagan. Can you reconquer Scandinavia for Odin and Thor, or will you succumb to the Christian tides?
You have to cheat to play him (either with the character select or putting playable = yes in the religions file for pagans - or playing a mod that has playable pagans). But it's certainly an exciting experience.
You have to cheat to play him (either with the character select or putting playable = yes in the religions file for pagans - or playing a mod that has playable pagans). But it's certainly an exciting experience.
Petros Tournikes, 1066-1068. Other characters are for weaklings who want high stats or easy expansion opportunities. House Tournikes doesn't baby you with such things. It offers you the chance to play an insignificant count at the utmost extremity of Christianity and the Roman empire. Claw your to greatness with sheer bloodyminded determination for nothing will be given to you. When you finally raise your dynasty to the purple you will know that you earned it, dammit.
Reynald (Renaud) de Chatillon, Prince (Duke) of Antioch from 1153-1160. Historically, an opportunist who married for land, tortured bishops for money, and broke treaties for profit. He was one of the major stumbling blocks to peaceful coexistence between the Muslims and the Crusader States. After his capture at the Horns of Hattin, Reynald was berated for his "maleficence and perfidy" and beheaded by Saladin himself. In game, this is a tough spot. Reynald is a Skilled Tactician with four of the seven deadly sins (and Deceitful besides!) and a 0 Diplomacy. He controls two of the three counties in the Duchy of Antioch, with the third being held by the dreaded Assassins. Raynald never swore fealty to the Byzantines, and he proved a fractious vassal of Jerusalem. If you follow that path, be prepared to be dogpiled quickly by Holy Wars.
Kingdom Denmark
Svend Estridsen 1047-1074. Historically he feuded with Haldrada and had little success in military affairs and fathered an impressive twenty or more children. To reflect this he starts with many children to secure alliances and inheritance and a claim on England. Whether you attempt to reunite the North Sea Empire, create the Kalmar Union or restore the Danelaw you've got plenty of options open. You can start the baltic crusades early and take your share of the pagan land. You start with a small but stable kingdom and if you're lucky the Holy Roman Empire will neglect to counter your growth in the north allowing you plenty time to become a great northern empire. The Huskarl (housecarl) retinue adds some strong muscle you can put to good use. With reasonable goals and a little luck the north is yours!
Svend Estridsen 1047-1074. Historically he feuded with Haldrada and had little success in military affairs and fathered an impressive twenty or more children. To reflect this he starts with many children to secure alliances and inheritance and a claim on England. Whether you attempt to reunite the North Sea Empire, create the Kalmar Union or restore the Danelaw you've got plenty of options open. You can start the baltic crusades early and take your share of the pagan land. You start with a small but stable kingdom and if you're lucky the Holy Roman Empire will neglect to counter your growth in the north allowing you plenty time to become a great northern empire. The Huskarl (housecarl) retinue adds some strong muscle you can put to good use. With reasonable goals and a little luck the north is yours!
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Emirate of Ghana, Mali, 1066, Muslim Character
Tunka Cisse- Neither you nor your family has great stats or starting position. However, you are easily in the best position to form the kingdom of Mali, and if you are able to slowly dismantle the Almoravids to the north, you may yet become a presence on the world stage. Not to mention that they are the only neighbor there, meaning that if you keep good relations, you can build in peace.
More characters later.
Tunka Cisse- Neither you nor your family has great stats or starting position. However, you are easily in the best position to form the kingdom of Mali, and if you are able to slowly dismantle the Almoravids to the north, you may yet become a presence on the world stage. Not to mention that they are the only neighbor there, meaning that if you keep good relations, you can build in peace.
More characters later.
January 18th 1169
Emir Saladin I of Alexandria
The famed Saracen general and leader of Egyptian forces during the 3rd Crusade
Emir Saladin I of Alexandria
The famed Saracen general and leader of Egyptian forces during the 3rd Crusade
Here are two that I noticed were not up there yet
Simon De Montfort, a good starting point would be around 1225, Leader during the baron's war against King Henry III, he became the defacto leader of England for a short time before his death in battle, starting off as a simple earl, making Simon's rise match that of history might be a challenge, but one worth a try
Robert I of Scotland or Robert the Bruce, Who doesn't want to play as the great Scottish king, can you too take advantage of the Edward II to raise Scotland to new levels, and can you unlike the Bruce leave a heir whom can continue the dynasty and cement Scotland as a power in Europe.
Simon De Montfort, a good starting point would be around 1225, Leader during the baron's war against King Henry III, he became the defacto leader of England for a short time before his death in battle, starting off as a simple earl, making Simon's rise match that of history might be a challenge, but one worth a try
Robert I of Scotland or Robert the Bruce, Who doesn't want to play as the great Scottish king, can you too take advantage of the Edward II to raise Scotland to new levels, and can you unlike the Bruce leave a heir whom can continue the dynasty and cement Scotland as a power in Europe.
Really? Pity. Here's a few you might find a little more difficult:
Sunni
Tlemcen
---Aba-al-Mu'min Almohad, Emir of Tlemcen, Jan 1st 1145:
Two decades of Almohad revolt at last begin to bear fruit. You are the chosen successor of El-Mahdi; destined to a Caliphate but a Emir for now. The Almoravid Sultans in the west continue to cling to power they do not deserve. Take advantage of the divided and weak Emirs to your east or take the fight directly to the murderers of Ibn Tumart, but move quickly. The end is coming.
Africa
---Tamim Zirid, Sultan of Africa, 1066:
Ifriqiya was the Zirids', the prize of conversion to Sunni Islam and rebellion against the Fatimids. But it is theirs no longer. The Bedouin have carved your domain into a series of Emirates each larger than the sliver of land that has remained under your rightful rule. To regain your birthright will take wise statesmanship, ruthless strategy, and a great will. Succeed, and perhaps an entire continent will bear your name.
Shia
Oman
---Muhammed Nabhanid, Emir of Oman, Jan. 1st 1154:
Sixty-four is rather old for a Bedouin rebel. Perhaps it is good that you are one no longer. The Seljuks have at last surrendered all of Oman to you, but with a lone son still not of age you might not be able to make too much of it. Should your line survive the attentions of the equally large Emirates on either side of you, the Sultanate of Arabia is a natural goal. Even then the Sunnis surrounding you should make for a tense and eventful game.
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