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Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
We open this chapter in April, in the year 823 AD, as the Despot received reports that the war down south was still going strong. Looked like the Raja had the upper hand when it came to numbers.
The Despot hired the Bengal Band which contained two hundred archers. He ordered them to march down to the County of Bikrampur owned by Thakur Madanpal of the Pala Kingdom. The Commanders in charge of the Army of Kyriakos, starting with the army's right flank, was Euphemios, Kyriakos, and Theoktistos. (1)
Spoiler: Army Of Kyriakos
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The Despot decided he was too old and just could not command a flank with a missing leg. So he stayed behind to get an overview of the war and keep an eye on the Royal Court.
By the 7th of June he received a report from the army that stated they had to stop right within the border. The Raja was carrying out a siege against Bikrampur and they feared entering the county would trigger a three-way war.
As they waited the Great King sent another army against the Raja and was defeated. Which ended the war. The Raja won.
Spoiler: The Great King Is Defeated By The Raja
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The Despot was not disappointed - the Great King now had less then two thousand warriors, total, and was in debt. Over 200 gold coins in the hole in fact.
The army restarted the march on the County of Bikrampur and the Despot timed it so that the declaration of war got to the Great King right before his hired swords entered enemy territory. The Despot called forth his levies.
Spoiler: The Bikrampur War
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The Great King called his levies to arms also but he had a problem. The Despot's mercenary army was already within Pala's borders and they started hunting down the assembling soldiers.
The Despot's army had three battles in a row - all victories - against much smaller armies. One battle in August, one battle in September, and one battle in October in which the Despot's men lost a total of 3 men. The Great King's armies lost 230 men - which was all the King's men involved in the battles.
Spoiler: Small Victories!
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During this period of time the Raja Shurapala "The Cruel" formed an alliance with Thakur Punhun "The Butcher".
Spoiler: The Raja Shurapala Gains Another Ally
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Also, in October, the Royal levies were finally assembled and ready for battle! The Army of Dipanker was ordered south. The Commanders assigned to it, starting from the right flank, were Prabhase, Dipankar, and Caiytiska.(2)
Spoiler: The Army Of Dipanker
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So we end the war with three victories and the Despot staying home, sipping tea and trying not to worry too much, as he peasant-soldiers march down to join the smaller army of hired swords.
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Author’s End Notes:
1. Of course, Commanders would sometimes be replaced or move to different flanks throughout the war.
2. Ditto.
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Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
We open this chapter in October, of the year 823 AD, when the Despot is notified that a enemy army was in Pundravardhana carrying out a siege against his oldest daughter's castle. Seemed the Great King was trying to fight back. He was, in fact, one of the Commanders in the army!
Spoiler: Siege Of Pundravardhana
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The Despot responded by ordering both armies to converge onto the County of Pundravadhana. So the levies marched south and the hired swords marched north.
Spoiler: It's A Trap!
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Sometime in the start of November the Great King's army figured out that it was in danger and fled westwards. Sadly, for the Great King, his army assembling itself in the Capital sensed nothing. So the mercenaries turned west at the last second and hit the small army by surprise on December the 3rd. The northern levies arrived, acting as reinforcements, making the battle totally a one-sided battle in favor of the Despot's side.
Spoiler: Battle Of Banan
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On the 11th of December they reported a victory. Once again the Pala soldiers were wiped out to the last man while the Despot 's Commanders only lost 3 men.
For the next few months the Despot's army (as the two had become one) chased around the armies of the Pala who refused to allow themselves to be engaged. Finally in April a few of the enemy's armies collected in the County of Suvarnagram to siege it.
Spoiler: Siege Of Suvarnagram
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The Despot's army was ordered to move back to the Capital-County, cross the river, and attack the enemy from the north. If all went well, while the Great King would have some advantages, the Royal Army should crush the invaders.
Spoiler: Arminestra "The Wise"
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As the Depot waited he received news that his daughter Arminestra was now called "The Wise". He also received a letter from the Thikana (Countess) Jhotiya of the Lambakanna Revolt. It seems she felt her son Dappula would make a good husband for his daughter Kale. He refused. Outside of the fact that they were rebels and could get wiped out before the marriage even happened he also didn't think it was a good marriage for his second oldest daughter.
Spoiler: Marry Off Kale? Hmmmm...No.
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In May he was notified that his Protostrator had initiated a massive recruitment drive. This pleased the Despot greatly as one needed as many soldiers in a time of war as one could get.
Spoiler: Join The Army! See India!
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By the end of May Sivkaradeva Bhaumakara had left the Royal Court for of his father's own court. The Despot took some time to decide on a replacement and, in fact, when June arrived he was still thinking on the replacement.
Spoiler: Need A New Spy Master...
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In June he heard some good news. Agnimitra of Vijayapuran had started a Peasant Revolt inside the Kingdom of Pala.
Spoiler: Now Pala Had Two Wars!
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He was in such a good mood that he selected his wife as his next Spy Master and stationed her in the Capital-County to keep an eye out for plots and factions.
Spoiler: Queen Spy Master!
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Amazingly enough less than a week later the Duchess Eusebia passed away and Bhikkhu Isidoros inherited all titles. Now The Despot owed no favors to anyone!
Spoiler: Meet Doux Bhikkhu Isidoros
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This meant the Despot needed a new Upadhyaya and he selected Serapion - the Court Doctor. Serapion was sent to Kamatapur to help spread the knowledge and joy of the Greek culture among the populace.
Spoiler: Upadhyaya Serapion
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By mid-June he finally received news that the army had attacked the Great King's army, starting the Battle of Narikella.
Spoiler: Battle of Narikella
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While waiting for more news from the battlefield the Despot received news that shocked him. His second oldest daughter, Kale Dysnomia, had been murdered on the orders of Chat Vijaya.
Spoiler: Kale Dysnomia Is Murdered!
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Not only was he distressed by this event but his wife, his Spy Master, was distraught. She had failed to uncover a plot to kill her OWN daughter.
Spoiler: Another Victory
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As the Despot, and the Royal Court, mourned the girl's passing they received more news from the battlefield in the County of Suvarnagram. The enemy's left flank had collapsed and the whole army was fleeing. News of the victory was soon to arrive in July. The enemy lost over three hundred soldiers while the Despot's Commanders lost 110 men.
We close this chapter with two victories, a Royal Death, and a Despot planning the arrest of the murderer.
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Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
Sick of working under the hot sun all day in the fields? Tried of milking cows and herding goats? Don't enjoy working day in and day out in the ore mines for little pay? Want to impress women with tales of adventure and glory? Want to make your parents proud of you? Want to get away from the nagging wife? Need money fast? Debt collectors threatening to put you to work in the salt pans?
Join the Army! That's right - the Kingdom of Kamarupa needs you! Train to be the best you can be! Learn to ride horses, use a bow, handle a sword, and other skills to put on a resume. See far off lands, gain wealth, and get three meals a day. See you local army recruiter today. Skilled Archers get double pay!*
Signed,
Protostrator Ioustinianos
* All Traveling And Funeral Expenses To Be Paid For By The State.
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Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Nine : Death Comes To India
https://i.imgur.com/AmD4QbW.png
One Of The Dangers Of Living On The Trade Roads
We start this chapter in July, of the year 824 AD, with the Despot ordering the Protostrator Ioustinianos to assist with the arrest of Chat Sangramazk of the House of Vijaya.
Spoiler: Don't Let Her Escape!
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The investigators had found two women named Chat Vijaya. One had been inside the Royal Court and she was not only insane, hearing voices inside her head, but she also saw members of the Royal Family as her rivals.
Spoiler: Chat Vijaya
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On the 6th of July she was arrested and placed in the Castle's dungeons. Where the Despot planned to keep her till he was ready to judge her.
First, he had an army that needed to be told what to do next. As he thought about the next move he received news that the Great King Gopala II had just over a thousand men left, more than half from his Vassals. PLUS the Great King had not dug himself out of debt yet as he still owed over 40 gold coins. On top of that he was also fighting a Revolt.
Spoiler: The Great King Of Pala Not Doing So Well
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The Despot decided to send the army south to siege the County of Bikrampur. By the 28th of July the Army of Theoktistos, who was the main Commander, was digging ditches and putting up earthworks around the Castle of Bikrampur. Now the Despot had the time to deal with Chat.
Spoiler: On To Bikrampur
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The Despot walked down the stairs into the dungeon. He passed walls artfully stained with fake blood, the happy rats playing in their cages with their plush toys, the cupboards where bread was aged to just the right level of staleness. He was too focused on his inner thoughts to enjoy the walls that was designed to lean inward to look like they would crush the prisoners at any moment. Everything about the dungeon was created to drive people to begging for forgiveness were ignored by the Despot in the end as he approached the cell holding Chat Vijaya.
A 27 year old woman, not bad looking even with the second chin, she was married to Commander Kyriakos of Nalrajar Garh. They even had a daughter named Alexeia. Sadly the woman was also cruel and deceitful on top of the whole possessed thing.
She was impossible to talk to. She not only thought that the Despot and the Queen were her rivals but she also hated lowborn Kyra (but many women were likely jealous of Kyra). Chat had broken her bed and tossed her piss bucket at her jailer. She had even tried to kick one of the poor pet rats much to the dismay of the dungeon's staff. All he saw before him was a mad woman who needed to be put down. He knew Buddha would likely be disappointed with his thoughts but he could not stop thinking about Kale and the rest of his family.
He turned away from her, as she screamed and raged and spat, saying to his Protostrator, “Hang her.”
Chat Sangramazk of the House of Vijaya was hung from the neck till she was dead on the 30th of July, 824 AD, making her husband a widower.
Spoiler: Death And Marriage
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The irony was that he decided to marry the Commander to Kyra who was also a widow and had a child, a boy. It seems her husband Thoedoros Toxias had finally died. But not from his Aunt’s plotting. He had died from the flu!
The Despot went back to waiting for news from the army. In August he did receive some news that Bhikkhu Isidoros of Para-Lauhitya had started up the Gavelkind Succession in Kamarupa Faction.
Spoiler: Isidoros The Trouble Maker
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Which wasn’t going to happen. Isidoros had neither the troops, the skills, nor the political clot to carry out such a change. It was kind of perfect. He was a Bhikkhu, which translated to beggar, a religious leader. He had no family or offspring to pass the titles on to. Whatever foundation, whatever allies he gained, whatever power base he built would collapse the second he died. The person who inherited his titles would have to start all over again as they would also become a Bhikkhu.
A few days later he got news from his son in Kamarupanagara. His boy had collected a wonderful tithe of over 88 gold coins. The Despot had more money now then when he had started the war.
Spoiler: More Money!
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In October he received horrible news that made him fear for his army and his people. Consumption had spread over the eastern coast of India. It was even in the Kingdom of Pala. If it spread farther north there was a danger that the men in his army might start dying off. (1)
He received some news, more on the positive side, later that month when his wife told him she was pregnant.
Spoiler: Another Royal Baby On The Way
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Then he received some bad news, again, as the Peasant Revolt had ended. The Great King Gopala II had won, imprisoning the losers. This meant that all of the military might of the Kingdom of Pala could now focus on the war with the Despot.
As if to prove this point the Great King himself took an army to Pundravardhana, again, to put it under siege. The Despot’s army was busy at the time with their own siege. He decided that his army would likely finish taking the castle before the Great King’s army took the Duchess’s castle.
Spoiler: Siege Of Pundravardhana
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Later in December Raja Dharmarstha “Ironside” had formed a alliance with Maharaja Vanaraja “The Tormantor”. The Despot wondered if all the small realms were forming alliances out of fear of the Pala Brothers? Or was it just something happening by chance?
Spoiler: Alliances Are Forming - But Why?
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Also Dionysia Dysnomia, his granddaughter from his oldest son, needed the second stage of her education planned out for her. He selected the Martial pathway for her. She would learn strategy and tactics.
Spoiler: Dionysia Dysnomia's Continued Education
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In January, of the year 825 AD, he was notified that the defenders in the Castle of Pundravardhana launched a unsuccessful raid against the Great King’s army. They took heavy losses and in doing so ended up helping the enemy.
Nande, a courtier, needed some help from the Despot, his teacher. The Despot decided to teach the boy about being diligent. It DID stress the Despot out a tad but he felt it was worth it.
Spoiler: Nande Needs Guidance
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Later that month he heard the news that consumption has spread to the court of Shantideva Raj. This was bad. If it continued to spread north it would enter his Kingdom and maybe even his Royal Court.
Spoiler: The Consumption Has Spread
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But he would cross that bridge when it happened. Now it was time to start working on the plan to deal with the Great King’s army.
First the Despot hired the Rajput Band for 162 gold coins on the 19th of March. They assembled in the County of Kamarupanagara. Now he just needed the main army’s siege to end.
Spoiler: The Rajput Band
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As he waited his oldest son had another son. They gave the boy the name of Belisarios. The Despot suggested the boy learn about service and humility. The boy would need to learn to serve and not to command.
Spoiler: Belisarios Dysnomia
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Then in April he got the news he wanted. The siege of the Castle at Bikrampur had come to end. The Commanders lost 24 while the castle defenders were wiped out - all 1,453 of them.
Spoiler: The Castle Of Bikrampur Was Taken
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Now, instead of continuing with the attack on the county he ordered the army to head north and the smaller army to head south. They would come together in the County of Pundravardhana.
So we end this chapter with the Great King in a trap. Will he be lucky enough to notice it a second time?
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Author’s End Notes:
1. A progressive wasting away of the body especially from pulmonary tuberculosis.
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Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
We open this chapter in April, of the year 825 AD, with the Army of Kyriakos moving north. The Army of Captain Mahlakadeva (made up of the Rajut Band) waited in the Capital-County. His flanking Commanders were Dipankar and Caiytiska. The army waited to properly assemble the rank and file, to collect the supplies needed for the march, but to also to make sure that they timed their advance with the other army correctly.
Spoiler: Army Of Kyriakos
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Captain Mahlakadeva was a horrible pick as the Commander of the army for his military skills were pretty poor. It has been debated for centuries on why he was left in Command of the Band. By accident? The Despot liked him? Nobody noticed how badly he carried out his duties? No one knows.
The Army of Kyriakos were able to catch the Pala soldiers off guard and the Battle of Totaram Panditer Dhap began on the 20th of May. The Army of Captain Mahlakadeva marched in and joined the battle on the 23rd. This meant the Despot's men had over five hundred archers among their ranks. The Great King's army only had eighty archers.
Spoiler: Battle Of Totaram Panditer Dhap
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This proved too much for the enemy. The whole line started to fall back under the pressure and the cavalry was released to chase the fleeing soldiers down.
Spoiler: The New Baby Ioulia
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As the Despot waited for the next report his wife gave birth. The baby girl was named Ioulia. The Despot decided the girl would be tutored by guards and retainers to understand duty and diligence. The next report from the battle stated that the left flank of the enemy had totally collapsed. By the 6th of June the battle had ended in victory with only 40 lost on the Despot's side. The Pala Army lost 522 soldiers and one of their Commanders were captured.
The Commanders offered to give the Damapati Pusyamitra of Banan his freedom for 25 gold coins. The reason they did not ask the Great King to pay was because he didn't have enough coin! In the end Damapati happily paid for his freedom and afterwards his opinion of the Despot was in the positive - he must have been impressed by his treatment while a prisoner of the Despot's Commanders and staff.
Spoiler: Out Of His Own Pockets
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The two armies formed one and marched south back to the County of Bikrampur to lay siege to the City of Sutrapur.
In the July the wife of Commander Caiytiska Prabhasesoya, Kakanvati Kamarupanagarid, gave birth to a baby girl she named Sundari Caiytiskatkacer. The Despot choose Etiquette for the girl. Her teachers and education would focus on courtly behavior. He also made sure a letter was sent to the husband as he was with the army in the field and felt the Commander needed to be notified of his new baby.
Spoiler: Sundari Caiytiskatkacer
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As the Despot waited for news from the army he received news in August from the County of Pundravardhana. The Great King was back and trying to take the Castle again.
Spoiler: Pundravardhana Again!
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"Again!" exclaimed the Despot with a shake of his head. "With less than one thousand soldiers the Great King will take forever to take JUST the castle. I am getting sick of having my men marching all over the place. Let them stay in one place and get something done first. We have time."
And truly he was right about the time. For by September the city had fallen to his army. Not a man lost among the rank and file. The defenders on the other hand had paid with their lives. The army then moved on to putting the Trade Post of Bikrampur under siege. It was the last holdout in the county against the Despot's army.
Spoiler: The City Falls!
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As he waited he received the news that the Kingdom of Bihar was becoming even more of a mess as another Revolt exploded to life. He just shook his head. Did the offspring of the House of Pala NOT know how to rule a realm?
Spoiler: A Revolt Inside Bihar
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A few days later the Trade Post fell to his men. All 100 defenders were wiped out at no cost to his Commanders. The Great King's army was still trying to overthrow the Castle in Pundravardhana! The Great King's army just did not have the numbers to swiftly take the walls.
Spoiler: The Trade Post Was Taken
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"Now let us see if this idiot Great King falls for another trap," murmured the Despot as he prepared to write his orders to the army.
We close this chapter with the County of Bikrampur totally under the control of the Despot and the Army of Kyriakos getting ready for another march against the Great King.
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Author's End Notes:
OOC: If you are wondering how I am pumping out all these chapters I played the game for three hours, finishing the war in one go, and am just going through the images, breaking them down into self-contained, easy to handle, smaller chapters.
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Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
We open this chapter in October, during the year 825 AD, with the Army of Kyriakos taking the Great King by surprise. The Battle of Somapura Mahavihara started on the 20th with the exchange of arrows. Under the volleys of deadly missiles the enemy's left flank started to retreat first and Commander Caiytiska helped it along by charging in with the cavalry.
Spoiler: Battle Of Somapura Mahavihara Starts
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A few days later the whole enemy line started to fall back. The Great King's men were hugely outnumbered and just could not hold against the force applied against them. The final report to come in stated that the battle had come to an end on the 13th with a victory. Commander Kyriakos reported he had lost 20 men while the enemy had lost over 500.
Spoiler: Battle Of Somapura Mahavihara Ends
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But the Commander Kyriakos was not over with the fleeing enemy soldiers yet. He decided to chase them right into their own territory!
As the Despot waited for more information he had to deal with the daily life, and his daily duty, in the Capital.
For example in December Valerios had lost his favorite toy. The Despot realized it may have been his fault and he offered to buy the boy a new one. The boy rejected his offer - he was such a brat.
Spoiler: Valerios the Brat
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In January of 826 AD Princess Theodosia needed the second stage of her education to be selected for her. Her skills and character SCREAMED Intrigue. She would learn about working in the shadows to become a future Spy Master.
Spoiler: Princess Theodosia's Continued Education
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Later that month reports started to come in from the army. The enemy soldiers had run out of steam in the County of Mallabhum deep in the Kingdom of Pala. The Battle of Dihar started on the 9th of January as the archers exchanged volleys of arrows. The enemy melted away under the arrows and was chased down by the cavalry. They were wiped out to the last soldier. Commander Kyriakos only lost 4 men.
Spoiler: Battle Of Dihar
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At this point the Great King Gopala II, when asked to end the war, refused to give up even with less than five hundred soldiers in his military forces. He knew he was losing but declared he would fight on.
As The Despot waited for more reports from the field he received a request from his own wife. During one of the Council meetings held in February Queen Pavlina reported a rumor she had heard about an artifact and this time the Despot agreed that his wife should find it.
Spoiler: An Artifact?
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He did get a report on the 8th of February from the men in the field. The Army of Kyrikso was withdrawing as quickly as possible.
Spoiler: Leaving The Danger Zone
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The army was suffering not just from consumption but also they were losing men to a lack of supplies and from the dangers of the jungle. The County of Mallabhum could not support their number. In other words the men were dying of starvation from a lack of a proper infrastructure.
Spoiler: In The Clear
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By the 14th Fenruary the army was in the clear, in a county that could support their numbers and was free of sickness. By the 26th they were in the Capital-County of Laksmanavati laying siege to the Great King’s Castle. It had been agreed by all that if attacking the capital of the Pala Kingdom did not end the war nothing would.
That same day his Sakellarios (the Court Steward) Prince Ioulianos reported that trying to squeeze more money out of Kamarupanagara was causing negative results. The Despot decided to remove him from collecting taxes and ordered him to return to the Palace to help administer the realm.
Spoiler: Risk Of Revolt
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The Despot decided that MANY of his Councilors needed to be reassigned to new duties. Protostrator was told to go back to training the troops and his Magistros was told to come back home to perform statecraft to improve relations with the people his son had upset.
So we end this chapter with the Great King’s Capital-County under attack and the Despot worried about a peasant revolt in his own Capital-County.
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Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
We open this chapter in March, of the year 826 AD, with the news that the County of Kamatapur had embraced the Greek culture.
Spoiler: County Of Kamatapur Is Now Greek
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The Upadhyaya was now sent to the County of Kundina to do the same for them - to spread the Greek culture!
Spoiler: County Of Kundina Will Be Next
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Later that month Princess Theophano of Kamarupa, one of the Despot's many young daughters, came to him for a chat. The 8 year old had interesting view points on politics, economics, and crushing one's enemies. The Despot was happy to have one child who was not a brat.
Spoiler: What A Wonderful Girl
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The Despot received a report from Commander Kyriakos. It seems that a large number of the defenders in the Castle of Laksmanavati had starved to death. This would help shorten the siege greatly.
Spoiler: The Castle Of Laksmanavati Is Short On Supplies
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In June he was alerted that the Manichean Faith had overcome the Zoroastrain Faith. The Despot was confused.
"Didn't the Zoroastrain Faith already triumphant?" demanded the Despot.
"Yes, my liege," answered one of the servants.
"And now IT is the heresy?" continued the Despot.
"Yes, my liege," exclaimed the servants.
"And this concerns us how?"
"Er...."
Spoiler: Siege Of The Castle Of Suvarnagram
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In June the Great King had started the siege of the Castle of Suvarnagram. It was clear that the enemy planned to focus all its forces into the county. Still, with around 500 soldiers left, the Great King's army was not looked at as much of a threat.
In June the Despot also woke up one day and realized he no longer had a overwhelming lust for women anymore. It was nice in a calming kind of way.
Spoiler: No More Lust
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Sometime between the 2nd of June and the 13th of July the Castle of Laksmanavati fell to the Despot's men. We don't have any surviving documents that tell us when or how many were lost on both sides. But we do know that by the 13th of July Commander Kyriakos and his army was laying siege of the Castle of Gaur (the second castle in the County of Laksmanavati).
Spoiler: A LOT Of Hired Swords!
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The 13th of July was an important date because that was when the Despot was notified that the Great King had raised a massive army of hired swords. But instead of them marching west to free the Pala’s Capital-County they marched east. They were planning to join the rest of their forces. The Despot was horrified by this move - it seemed to him that the Great King planned for a long war of siege and counter-siege.
Spoiler: The Great King Needed A Short War
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In fact the Great King was likely hopeful for a short war. His kingdom had been rocked by a revolt during the war, was suffering under consumption, his vassals were more powerful than he was, his populace were unhappy, and he had become entangled into a second war. But it is clear to historians that the Great King did not really know how to properly handle his military forces.
So we end this chapter with the Despot realizing he had to make some hard decisions to win this war before the Great King made any gains and prolonged the war.
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Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
We open this chapter in August, of the year 826 AD, with the exchange of letters between Commander Kyriakos and the Despot. They needed to end the war as soon as possible and the Commander had asked for permission to do something dangerous. He wanted to rush the siege - not just wait for the defenders to slowly be killed one by one. No, he wanted to charge the walls, overwhelm the garrison, and take the castle as soon as he could. Despot Andronikos "The Bold" agreed to this plan.
The Army of Kyiakos charged the gates of the Castle of Gaur with the elephants who bashed down the doors. Once inside the walls were swept clean by the archers as the infantry plowed into the ranks of the defenders.
Spoiler: The Fall Of The Castle Of Gaur
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On the 16th of August the Castle of Guar fell to the attackers. The army lost over 500 men as did the defenders - a high cost for a siege but a small price to end a war.
And it did end the war. The Great King Gopala II had way too many things on his plate to continue this war. When the Commanders once again asked him if he was willing to end the war it turned out he was. He gave up the County of Bikrampur in return for peace.
Spoiler: The End Of The War For Bikrampur
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Peace came to the land. Well, the Kingdom of Kamarupa. The Great King still had another war to deal with but that was his problem.
The Despot knew enough at this point to know that peace was just a time to prepare for the next war. So he started working on collecting money for the next conflict. After all, he already had a claim to the County of Madhupur.
Spoiler: Peparing For The Next War
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Reviewing the numbers we find that the Great King lost about 4,968 soldiers while the Despot's armies lost about 755 soldiers. This is the result of eight battles and five sieges.
We don't have any information about the losses from the Siege of Laksmanavati. Historians suggest that the defenders may have lost anything from 500 to 1,000 men (based on the other sieges). One historian pointed out that the Army of Kyriakos had 4,933 men on the 2nd of June and 4,703 men on the 13th of July making a difference of 230 soldiers. It could be that that number is how many soldiers they lost during that siege. On the other hand they did start the Siege of Gaur on the 13th of July and some of those casualties could have resulted from that siege.
That means the numbers for the Great King could be as high as 5,968 soldiers and the armies of the Despot could have lost up to 955 soldiers. No matter how you look at it the Great King proved to be the inferior military leader.
On the 16th of August the Despot was alerted to something weird happening in his new county.
"Hey Dad," said Sakellarios Ioulianos, "did you order the construction of a Trade Post in the County of Bikrampur?"
"No," stated the Despot.
"Well..." The Prince looking a tad confused. "That's strange. Because they are rebuilding the Trade Post in your name."
Spoiler: Building A Trade Post In Bikrampur
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"How did that happen? We just got it!"
"Maybe....after it was destroyed in the siege the local Count decided to rebuild it," said his son.
"Even after we OCCUPIED it?" remarked the Despot.
"Well," said his son thoughtfully, "maybe, as we had not won the war and official got ownership yet, the Count Madanpal Ghosh still had control over the holdings?"
The Despot thought about it for a second and then asked, "Am I paying for it?"
"Nope,"
"Then it's all good," commented the Despot with a shrug.
A day later Nande Narubho, one of the Despot's students, was showing a aggressive side. The Despot decided to nurture it and help the boy develop a sense of bravery. Which he did.
Spoiler: Nande Is Brave!
Show
He came of age the very same day - a master of war, trusting, brave, skilled at siege warfare, both diligent and charitable. Even lusty, while looked down on by the religious leaders, was not a bad trait when you wanted people to make babies.
Spoiler: Nande Is A Master Of War!
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Of course the Despot found Nande a wife right away. Mahidevi Kamarupanagarid was not perfect but she was single and young enough to be a good bride. And they were both noble born.
Spoiler: Nande Is Married!
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Right after the wedding the Despot got a report that the Bihar Revolt War had ended and the Great King Traillokyachandra had won. The poor guy finally had some good luck!
Spoiler: The Bihar Revolt Ended
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A few days afterwards the Despot received the news that Princess Arminestra was suffering from dysentery. He called for his own Court Physician to attend her right away!
Spoiler: The Future Queen Is Sick!
Show
As the Despot waited for the news from the doctor he was told the Army of Kyriakos had finally entered home territory and he gave it permission to disband. Which it did, sending the farmers and herdsmen home while giving the hired swords their finally pay.
Spoiler: The Military Forces Step Down
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So we end the chapter with peace, a larger Kingdom, and a sick Princess.
-
Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Fourteen : Poor Barbara
https://i.imgur.com/jHpSKY7.jpg
One Artist's Impression Of Barbara Shortly Before Her Death
We open this chapter in October, of the year 826 AD, with the death of Barbara (the daughter of the Despot's concubine) from poor health. This was not just shocking due to her young age, she was only 36, but also because she had been married to a doctor. (1)
Spoiler: Death Of Barbara
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The Despot felt sorry for both his friend, for her loss, AND the husband. He quickly married Biegute Damayanti to Damayanti Kamarupanagarid, a 41 year old Buddhist widow who already had two daughters from another marriage.
Spoiler: Biegute Married (Again)
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The news later that month was that the Despot now had a fourth Trade Post on the Silk Road did nothing to really cheer him up though the accountants seemed happy. Soon the County of Bikrampur would be paying for itself. Well, in a few more decades after more development.
Spoiler: Fourth Trade Post
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Near the end of October he was notified that Duchess Arminestra "The Wise" of Varendra was being treated successfully by his Court Physician which brought the Despot great relief.
Spoiler: Feeling Better
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The Despot, on the 21st of October, asked for a overview of what was happening within India.
The reports flooded in. The Maharaja Gopala II was in a war with the Rani Rani "The Chaste" of Gupta Raj. The Rani was in two wars, one fighting Mahipata "The Spider" in the Bihar-Ayudha War. Mahipata "The Spider" was the leader of the Ayudha Revolt and was also fighting in two OTHER Revolts. The Kingdom Of Ayudha-
"Okay, okay," said the Despot, waving off any more reports. "I get it...you know, let us focus on my Kingdom. Let us review my tiny little Kingdom."
The reports poured in. The Despot had over three thousand soldiers and about 218 gold coins in the coffers. He had eight children, only two of which were male. He was on his second wife and second concubine. He had two Duchies and eight Counties he directly controlled.
Spoiler: This is YOUR Life
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"Yeah, guys, I know all this..." stated the Despot.
He had four close friends and two rivals.
"Wait two...? Never mind," grumbled the Despot. "How about giving me a run down of my Vassals?"
The servants gathered as much information as they could. The Despot had a total of ten Vassals under his direct control. Seven of them seemed to have a positive opinion of their Liege. The Duchess and two of the Buddhist Leaders were on top of the list. While the Bihikkhu of Para-Lauhitya was on the bottom of the list.
Spoiler: The Royal Vassals
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Many of those near the bottom of the list wanted a position on the Council and were very upset not to have said position. The only one who might be a threat to the Despot was the Bihikkhu Isidoros, who had land, troops, and money. Also, he had the lowest opinion of the Despot.
"Tough," said the Despot handing the reports back to his servants. "The Bhikkhu Isidoros isn't getting any position on the Council. Not ever. Even if it brings war. He has no support within the Council or among the other landowners. So forget him."
So we bring this chapter to an end, with the Despot feeling secure on his throne, a Princess who was healthy - well, not as sick, and a Concubine who needed his comfort.
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Author's End Notes:
1. There have been many theories about how Barbara died. The debate started almost as soon as she passed away. This discussion of the cause of her death was no doubt fueled due to the way she died but also the sympathy many people of the Royal Court, and later historians, felt for the young woman. To be honest, my dear readers, I find no mystery in her death. She was in her thirties in a time period where a person in their late forties was respected as an elder. In other words she was OLD for the time.
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Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
We open this chapter in October, of the year 826 AD, with the Despot Andronikos announcing he was holding a Diwli Feast. The letters were sent and the traditional gift selected for his wife. A necklace, of course, as always.
Spoiler: Have A Party And They Will Come
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Everybody agreed to come and the Despot decided this was a good time to fill one of the empty Commander positions. Nande Narubho was selected to be a new Commander within the military forces. The Despot also decided to make Commander Kyriakos Cupbearer of Kamarupa and make Commander Caiytiska the Royal Builder of Kamarupa. Both these men had been very active during the last war and the Despot felt they deserved these titles.
Spoiler: A New Commander And Giving Out Titles
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Then Uppalavarna dragged her husband before the Despot and demanded that the man be punished. She believed Ananta was unfaithful to her.
Spoiler: Cheating Husband?
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While Ananta Sangramazk of the House of Vijaya was greedy, lustful, and enjoyed eating to the point where he had more than two chins there was no evidence that he had any lovers. He didn't even have any friends. There was no rumors or anything to suggest he was cheating on his wife. The Despot had to judge the man innocent much to the woman's rage.
Spoiler: Can't Punish Him For Doing Nothing
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On the 1st of November, a day before the feast was to start, the Despot was carefully taken to one side by the Council and notified of Queen Pavlina's death.
"How did she die?" asked the Despot, his face a mixture of horror and grief.
Spoiler: Poor Health Again?
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"Like Barbara," said the Upadhyaya who was also the Court's Doctor, "Poor health. People are just not taking care of themselves as they should."
The Despot wanted to crawl into a corner and mope but knew he would have to be strong. The feast had to continue. To cancel it would just give into the darkness. So the next day the guests arrived to a Palace full of flowers and bright color and yummy scents drifting from the kitchen.
Spoiler: Greeting Guests
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Once all the guests were greeted and settled in the Despot went to the Council and selected Sabas Prabhavati as the new Spy Master. He was one of the Christian Freeloaders but he was loyal and NOT a landowner. He was sent to the County of Dimapur to try to find dirt on Bhikkhu Isidoros.
Spoiler: Sabas Prabhavati The New Spy Master
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Of course the Council pointed out he needed somebody to marry. And he decided on his friend and concubine Yajinavati. It just seemed natural to him. They had both lost somebody they loved to poor health. They could help each other overcome the grief.
The Council were against it. She was too old they said. The Despot would lose much prestige by marrying a lowborn woman. Marrying her would gain him nothing!
He married her anything. It just felt correct.
He was deep in his dark thoughts, and his fourth cup of wine, during the 15th of November when the monkeys joined the party. They ate the fruit, tossed wine cups at people, and caused chaos and confusion. For some reason the sight made the Despot forget his woes for the moment and start laughing. By the time he had finished laughing, and the monkeys had been chased out, he felt better. Much better. He found himself stress free. Now he could properly enjoy the food and drink and the party!
When it came time to give his new wife the necklace he noticed that she was still dressed as a concubine. As he gave her the necklace, placing it around her neck himself, he looked her in the eyes and said, "My wife, you are a Queen now. You must dress like one."
Spoiler: A Necklace For The New Queen
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The next day, when she attended the party, she had changed into something more fitting her new rank. When she came into the chambers where the feast was being held the Despot was amazed. His new Queen had selected material and attire that reminded him greatly of his first Queen.
Spoiler: The Darkest Night Of The Feast
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Soon the darkest night of the feast was there. The candles and oil lamps were lit. The best food and drink was given out. The guests celebrated the victory of hope over despair and good over evil. But all good things come to end - be they a wonderful party or a long life. Soon the guests had to leave and the mess cleaned up by the servants.
Spoiler: The Party Comes To An End
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So we close this chapter with a new Queen and a Despot who was learning to deal with the ups and downs of life like a true Buddhist.
-
Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
We open in December, of the year 826 AD, right after the party had ended. The Despot was resting in his throne room trying to recover from the sad series of events that had happened to him over the past few months. Still, the monkeys HAD cheered him up a little.
So when Magistros Kalodaye Ekasrinkesoya stepped forward with a scroll in his hands the Despot cringed. For the scroll was tied with a black ribbon - it was a formal death announcement.
"Who died now?" sighed Despot, holding out his right hand to receive the scroll.
"The Great King Gopala II had died a natural death," stated the Magistros as he gave the Despot the scroll.
Spoiler: The Great King Is Dead
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The Despot untied the ribbon and unrolled the scroll. The Great King had died at the age of 46. "Who is King now?"
The Magistros handed the Despot a second, larger, scroll. "The Great King Mahendra. He is 23 years old but he seems very skilled in the art of war."
Spoiler: Long Live The Great King
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The Despot took the scroll, unrolled it and looked it over. After a few moments he asked, "How did he get such skills? He seems more like his grandfather than his father."
"The Council believes he was a Commander in his father's wars," said the Magistros. "Be it victories or defeats he would have earned experience at leading men in battle. He might turn out to be a problem."
The Despot handed the scrolls back and said, "Keep an eye on him."
"Of course my liege," replied the Magistros after taking the scrolls. "You understand this means the peace treaty keeping you from declaring war on the Kingdom of Pala is now gone?"
"Yes," said the Despot with a smile. "All we need to do is build up our funds and wait for the perfect time to go to war again."
After Magistros left the throne room the Spy Master Sabas Prabhavati entered.
"My liege," said Sabas with a smile. "I may have something to discourage Bhikkhu Isidoros from misbehaving. I know-"
Spoiler: We have DIRT!
Show
"Don't tell me," replied the Despot, lifting his left palm up to stop Sabas from continuing. "Just blackmail him. And good work. You were amazingly fast in finding something to use on him."
A day later he was told that his daughter, Duchess Arminestra, was working on rejecting greed. He was also notified that she had overcome her illness AND had another baby on the way to join her other six kids.
Spoiler: Greed Is Bad
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"Six?" stated Despot, slightly upset, "Last I heard she had four...*sigh*...try to keep me in the know, okay?"
A day later he called forth his son, Prince Ioulianos, to his throne room.
"You called me dad?" asked Prince Ioulianos.
"My son," said Despot. "When your stepmother died she left something unfinished. A search for a lost artifact. So now YOU will be the one searching for the artifact. Have fun and don't die!"
Spoiler: The Search For The Lost Artifact
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Soon afterwards the Despot received a letter from Bhikkhu Isidoros of Para-Lauhitya. The man was rude but agreed to comply to the Despot's demands.
Right after that the Faction for Gavelkind Succession disbanded.
Spoiler: No Factions Anymore!
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We close the chapter with the Despot feeling a lot better and the Kingdom of Kamarupa being a lot more stable.
-
Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Seventeen : World Tour, December, 826 AD
https://i.imgur.com/EKf0eNs.png
Welcome To West Francia...uh...Germany...hmm... Europe?
This chapter will be one in which we list the top seven military powers in the known world. And who was the Realm on top of the food chain in December, of 826 AD?
Caliph Mahdi "The Tormentor" of Abbasid had come far. Last time we saw him the man was a boy! With over twenty thousand soldiers he was one of the most powerful men in the known world. Now he had four wives, two male offspring, and over three thousand gold coins. He was doing very well on paper. Only in one war to boot. When we last saw him he was engaged in THREE wars!
Spoiler: Arabian Empire
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Too bad he is a loony. And his skills are not very hot. I can only assume he was on top due to the huge number of warriors and the huge bank account.
Let's move on north to the next Realm on the list. Welcome to the Byzantine Empire. The son of "The Usurper" Basileus Eustathios of the Byzantine Empire was on the throne. With over eight thousand soldiers he had some military skills and traits that looked good. He had crushed a few revolts and was training to be a great warrior too boot. He even had sympathy for Judaism.
Spoiler: Byzantine Empire
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On the other hand records showed that he was another lunatic AND owed the Jews money. Also, he was trying to put down another Revolt - it seemed the rebels wanted to put Prince Christophoro on the throne. Again - what was this? The third try? The biggest problem was the lack of ANY children. Lets move on. Who is next on the list? Guess who!
Kyros of Byzantine Revolt with his ten thousand warriors was a amazing piece of work. Due mostly to a lack of military skills and traits many historians wonder how did this Revolt even start with such a leader? On top of that he was a honest coward.
Spoiler: Byzantine Revolt
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But that's the Byzantine Empire for you - "Stable" is not a word they used a lot there, was it? In fact the Byzantine Revolt was fighting another war against their OWN Revolt. A Revolt within the Revolt. Let's move onto the fourth Realm on the list. Back to India!
The Maharaja Begluk "The Conqueror" of Punjab was older and even more powerful than the last time he was on one of the lists. With over eleven thousand soldiers he WAS the most powerful man in India. He had embraced Hinduism which should have improved his relations with his vassals and subjects. He was in a Holy War for Kabulistan at the moment.
True, he was stressed and cruel and liked to beat people up but what else would you expect from a "Conqueror"? Let us move onto the next Realm on list. To do so we need to move west. Far west!
Sultan Uways of Umayyad Sultanate was in Spain and spreading. He was young and while he had over five thousand soldiers and had a good amount of gold coins in his coffer I don't see him lasting long. He was in charge of a spread out empire and he just didn't seem to have the skills and experience to handle it.
Spoiler: Andalusia (Spain)
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As he was in two wars there was a chance he MIGHT prove himself in the flames of war. We would have to wait and see. Next!
We fly to Western Europe and we meet Grand Chief Heideke "The Cleansing Flame" of Germany. Outside of the six thousand Pagan warriors under his command there isn't much good to say about him. He was gay (not that there was anything wrong with that) and a coward and zealous and cruel. He did have some military experience and was strong but it is hard for me to picture how he ended up in power. On the other hand he seems to be winning his wars with West Francia and Bavaria.
On top of that he had a ton of kids which might backfire on the Realm after his death. It was a Tribal organization and that meant that the whole thing would likely fall apart when his offspring took their piece of the pie. Oh well, I wonder how long that will last? Next we move south.
We go to Italy and find Lombardy back on the list. King Adelchis II "The Monster". He had over six thousand soldiers to his name and WAS very much a military man. And that's about it. He was lustful, cruel, violent, and a coward. He had even expelled the Jews - no doubt due to being a zealous Catholic. He had four surviving children. Five if you counted the bastard his wife had with an unknown lover.
He was in a war with one of the Sultans and was pissed off at a bunch of people who had raided him. In the end can't really call him a bad Ruler but not a man I would want to have as a drinking buddy. And that was number seven on the list.
So that's the world's best...well... most powerful Realms and the Rulers in charge of them. In our next chapter we will move back to India and our favorite Despot.
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Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
We open this chapter in December, of the year 826 AD, with the Despot reviewing the offspring of his daughter, Duchess Arminestra "The Wise" of Varendra. In other words he wanted to check out how some of his grandchildren were doing.
The eldest grandson, Andromikos Dysnomia, was 16 years old and still unmarried. He was the heir to the County of Pundravardhana and the Duchy of Varendra. It was likely that he and his siblings were being kept away from marriage until the Duchess was Queen. Then she use them to make alliances AND kept them out of her way.
The second and third grandsons under the Duchess were Nikodemos Dysnomia and Leontios Dysnomia, who were 14 years old and 9 years old respectively, and were not really of much interest to the Despot.
But the next child, his granddaughter Anastasia Dysomia, was 6 years old and very much a interest to the Despot. She was being educated by her father Doux Dionysios "The Hunter". She was learning about duty.
Spoiler: Anastasia Dysomia
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The Despot felt this was a mistake. Anastasia would be made Queen after her mother and needed a proper education. He had nothing against teaching her duty but he was worried about the finer details of her education. What ideas and skills would she pick up? What traits would she inherit from her father?
The youngest children were Himerios, a 4 year old boy, and Esutathia, a 3 year old girl, both of which were being educated by their mother. Which was okay - Esutathia would be the backup if Anatasia passed away.
Anatasia Dysnomia didn't look flawed. But there was nothing special to her either. She was like unshaped clay and the Despot wanted to make sure she was properly shaped for the throne. He truly trusted his son-in-law to be a good husband and father. But he didn't trust him to be a good teacher for a child meant for the throne.
Spoiler: Request For A Student
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He sent a request that he become her guardian and take up her education. While waiting for a response he decided he needed to focus on something new. Religion was all well and good but he needed a change. He decided on working on governing well.
That same day he asked about any known plots happening in the Kingdom. Somebody he didn't know was trying to kill somebody else he didn't know and neither of them were a member of his Royal Court as far as he could see. So, he didn't care.
On the 23rd of December he was notified that Anastasia was now his student and ward. That was great news!
Three days later the Despot walked into his throne room to find a mob waiting for him.
"What is THIS?" he demanded as he worked his way through the crowd to his throne.
Spoiler: A Crowd Of Freeloaders
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"Well, dad," replied his son the Sakellarios. "This is one of those long detailed stories..."
"Hit me with it," said the Despot after he had settled into his throne. He had a feeling this would be bad news.
"Well," said the son leaning forward so only his father would pick up his voice. "Sangrama Anantazk was on top of the world. As you know, after his first wife died, he left our Court and his first family to join his father's court. He remarried and started a whole new family. He inherited the throne about two years ago. Lately Khotan was in two wars. One to subjugate Urabo and at the same time NOT be subjugated by Turtam. Well, it seems his Uncle decided he could do a better job and imprisoned his nephew."
Spoiler: Change Of Leadership
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"The Uncle took the throne and the wars cancelled out," continued his son, "You can not subjugate or be subjugated if you don't have a realm to your name."
"So he is now without land or title," said the Despot with a chuckle. "The Great Dead Beat returns!"
"Yes and now him, and his second wife, and new kids, and other family members including distant relatives, uncles, in-laws all came with him." The son glanced over the crowded throne room. "Seems a revolt started once the new Ruler took the throne. Funny that."
Spoiler: Shah Kanak "The Usurper"
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"To bring Dead Beat back to the throne?" asked the Despot hopefully.
"No," said the Sakellarios with a shake of his head. "The county in rebellion is fighting for independence."
"But WHY the cage hat?" whispered the Despot.
The son rubbed the back of his neck and looked a tad uneasy. "Seems he was told he could GO as long as he promised to behave. So he has to wear that cage on his head and be officially imprisoned by his Uncle. Kind of a gentlemen's agreement."
Spoiler: Free AND Imprisoned
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"In other words his Uncle does not want to pay room and board for piggy over there," remarked the Despot.
"Something like that," answered the son with a shrug.
So we close this chapter with the Despot double-face palming himself and with much of the Royal Family of Khotan now in the Royal Court of Kamarupa.
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Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
We open this chapter in late December, of the year 826 AD, when the Despot received a letter from Kutlug of the Khotan Revolt. It seems he was betrothed to Nanaidhat. She was one of the members of the House of Vijaya who had fled to the Royal Court.
Spoiler: Permission To Marry
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"And why is he asking my permission to marry her?" demanded the Despot after reading the letter a third time.
"Because," said one of the servants waiting on their liege, "you are now HER liege and they need your permission to marry."
"Give it to him!" remarked the Despot. "Why do I care? One less of that family to worry about."
By January the Despot got a confused reply from Kutlug stating that he would marry Nanaidhat and thanked the Despot for his suggestion.
Spoiler: A Royal Wedding
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"These Khotan people are crazy," the Despot mumbled to himself after reading the note for a third time.
Still, the man could not be THAT crazy. The marriage might give the rebel leader legit claims to the WHOLE of Khotan.
Anyway, the questionable Royal wedding reminded the Despot to check on the newcomers. Maybe they had some single women available to marry off to members of the Royal Court?
There were in fact two women available. One was the 24 year old Parvin Bharkhumanzk and the other was the 53 year old Darya Satazk. The Despot married them both off to men near their age. Well, Parvin married a 16 year old but she was lusty so the Despot doubted she was going to complain about it.
Spoiler: Newcomer Marriages
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He also demanded to know who his "Second" rival was. He knew about Count Anktsas of Aksu but who was the second one?
After some digging the servants brought him a name. Ayardhyame Buddhatalatkacer of the House of Aris.
Spoiler: Ayardhyame Who?
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"House of Aris..." whispered the Despot to himself. "Oh wait...yeah..."
Uppalavarna Buddhatalatkacer, the woman who he had insulted by not believing that her husband was cheating on her was not just a relative of Ayardhyame but was a close friend.
By insulting one woman he had made the other one hate him even MORE. Second-hand insult as it were. So now Ayardhyame was his rival. It didn't help that she was also a lunatic.
Halfway through the month he was notified of the natural death of Protostrator (Marshal) Ioustinianos at the age of 53.
Spoiler: Death Of The Protostrator
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Of course the first thing Despot did was follow tradition and marry the widow Ioanna to one of the newcomers. Avyaman Bharkhumanzk was 22 years old, fresh from Khotan and single. They were married a day later.
Commander and Cupbearer Kyriakos of Nalrajar Garh was selected as the new Protostrator. Nobody could have found a better man for the job. He was assigned to the County of Goalpara to help train the local levies.
Spoiler: The New Protostrator
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Now there was a Command position empty and the Despot selected another newcomer for the position. Ayeshah kure Naz'aktar was 16 years old and high skilled and newly married only that month. The young man's opinion of the liege was not as high as the Despot would have liked but he was still the best man for the job.
Spoiler: A New Commander
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Nothing really happened after that and this allowed the Despot to rest and relax for about a month. He wasn't a young man any more and he was starting to feel that he only had one war left in him. Maybe. He needed to prepare and prepare as quickly as possible.
In March he found himself getting ready to explode at the actions of one of his many barons. His wife calmed him down and by doing so helped him realize that he really didn't need to be so aggressive. He came to understand that he should be content with life.
Spoiler: His New Wife Helped Keep Him Calm
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It was also announced that land values in the County of Kamarupanagara had increased. If the coins were available it would be possible to clear enough land to make a new holding. It would just cost the Despot over 300 gold coins. Which he did not have. So he turned down the idea.
Spoiler: It Costs WHAT?
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In April Princess Arminestra made her son, Andronikos, a Commander in her military. This drew the Despot's attention to her holdings. He noticed that she was building Barracks in her Duchy Castle. This reminded him that he needed to keep working on the Kingdom's own military.
Spoiler: Commander Andronikos?
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So he ordered the building of a Militia Training Ground in Srihatta. It would cost over 146 gold coins which was more than half of his treasury AND take almost a year to finish. It hurt him, deep down, in his purse, but he knew it was needed.
Spoiler: Building A Militia Training Ground
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To help speed up the process he sent his son to oversee and help speed up the construction.
Spoiler: Help Speed Up The Process
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So we end this chapter with the Despot having ordered a new project and having made a few more happy wedded couples.
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Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
We open this chapter in May, of the year 827 AD, where we find the Despot trying to get Sangrama out of "jail". It turned out that while Shah Kanak "The Usurper" liked money he refused to let Sangrama out. Sangrama Anantazk had a claim on the realm of Khotan and, therefore, he was a danger to "The Usurper".
Spoiler: Please Take Him?
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The Despot really could not debate that point - this MAN had dumped his kids from his marriage with his first wife to go and become the ruler of his father's realm. Sangrama Anantazk even hated the Despot for imprisoning and hanging Chat - one of the daughters he had left behind. The one who had killed one of the Despot's daughters - the Princess Kale.
Spoiler: Sangrama WAS Kind Of A Jerk
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It was just so embarrassing to see the fat man walking about with that weird cage hat. Also it was awkward when Sangrama's children from his first wife meet the children from the second wife. At least all the Despot's children got along.
For a few months all the Despot did was wait. Not much was happening within his Kingdom. War still rocked India but not in his little corner of it.
He did work hard at ruling his realm and that soon became stressful. Dealing with complaints and checking reports and double-checking other people's work.
In September he became depressed by the unlimited amount of work that always seemed to greet him every time he entered his throne room.
Spoiler: Too Much Stress!
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In October the Great King Mahendra finally won his war. The Rani Rani "The Chaste" could not subjugate the Kingdom of Pala. The Great King dismissed the hired swords and had less then a thousand warriors left. Most of which were not his.
Spoiler: The Great King Won The War...Kind Of
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The Despot wished to wait before starting a war. He wanted more funding and he wanted to see how well the boy held his realm together. Even if the Great King built up his military to full strength he would be outnumbered by his own vassals.
Spoiler: A Weak Great King
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In November his son, Sakellarios Ioulianos, came to the Despot asking for more money to search for the artifact. This time the Despot agreed. Yes, he needed to save up for a war but he also knew that sometimes you spend money to make it. Or in this case find a artifact. And who else would he trust with a large amount of coins with no questions asked?
Spoiler: Throwing Money At The Artifact Search
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Later that month the Militia Training Ground in Srihatta was completed. This pleased the Despot slightly as it meant a slight increase to his own military.
Spoiler: Srihatta Gets A New Militia Training Ground
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In December he called two of his Councilors back to the Capital-County. His son the Sakellarios was called back to help administer the realm. And the Spy Master Sabas Prabhavati was called back to uncover any plots against the Royal Family or members of the Royal Court.
Spoiler: Councilor Recall
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Later that month, in order to try to fight his depression, even though he knew it would cost coins he should have been saving, he announced another festival.
Spoiler: Trying To Beat Back The Darkness
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He also picked the necklace as a gift without even a second thought. The only person to refuse to come to the feast was Bhikkhu Isidoros of Para-Lauhitya. Of course.
Spoiler: Surprise? Not Really
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The Palace was ready for the guests. It had the flowers, the food and drinks, and the ribbons. Sound and color greeted the guests in the form of jugglers and jesters and entertainers.
The Despot was pulled out of the party once as Princess Dionysia needed the final stage of her education selected. Being her educator the Despot picked diplomacy and statesmanship for her studies.
Spoiler: Future Statesman
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He returned to the party in time to give Queen Yajinavati her necklace. When the high point of the feast came during the darkest night of the season, when the candles and lamps were lit, the Despot still felt depressed. It just was not enough to help fight back HIS own darkness.
Spoiler: Failing To Fight Back The Night
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When the party came to an end the Despot smiled on the outside but he still felt tired and old on the inside.
So we close this chapter with the depressed Despot slowly preparing himself and his Kingdom for another war.
-
Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Twenty-One : Peace Is So Boring
https://i.imgur.com/6sJpRZ1.jpg
Military Training - THIS Is A Pointy Stick
We open this chapter in January, of the year 828 AD, with the Despot meeting Ramtish Anantazk, a 12 year old boy from the House of Vijaya. He needed his new liege to decide the second stage of his education. The Despot selected a military education for the boy. For a very good reason.
Spoiler: Future King?
Show
You see Ramtish was descended from TWO Royal bloodlines and had a claim on the realm of Khotan. It was likely in the future the boy would end up leading a Host to go grab the crown for himself. The Despot wanted the boy to have the skills needed for such an endeavor.
In February he was notified that the Protostrator of Para-Lauhitya wanted to kill the Sakellarios of Para-Lauhitya.
Spoiler: Trouble In The Duchy Of Para-Lauhitya
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The Despot sighed. “Isn’t the Sakellarios also the HEIR of the Duchy of Para-Lauhitya?”
“Yes, my liege,” said the Spy Master. “Should I alert Bhikkhu Isidoros that one of his councilors plans to kill another?”
“No. Just tell them to behave.”
Later that month Ayeshah kure Naz’aktar and his wife had twins, a boy named Sayan and a girl named Sercan.
Spoiler: Sayan kure Ayeshah
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The Despot suggested the boy learn about money and keeping the books while the girl learn about becoming a future Lady of the Court.
Spoiler: Sercan kice Ayeshah
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He didn’t like it but he knew that, as the realm grew, soon the Kingdom would need many skilled leaders to run the counties and duchies. Educating them was one thing. He wished it could be as easy to insure their loyalty.
March was slow and he didn’t have to make another important decision until April.
It seems that his wife was pissed off at one of his Courtiers and wanted him removed. The problem was that this Courtier also was the Despot’s Magistros Kalodaye Ekasrinkesoya. The man was loyal, skilled at his job, and was one of the most stable Courtiers in the Royal Court. He was content, brave, charitable, and a poet. And looking good for a man in his early 80s.
Spoiler: Replace Who?
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The Despot refused to replace him. The Queen was disappointed but this did little to change her high opinion of her husband.
Spoiler: Wife Was Slightly Upset
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In May he was told that his daughter, Princess Arminestra, had removed one of her Commanders from the military. But it seemed she didn’t replace him with anybody else which seemed weird. The Despot was worried a little about that but kept any advice to himself.
Spoiler: Iordanes Fired
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In August Princess Theodosia, one of his daughters from his second marriage, needed some guidance and he was more than willing to help her even if it meant adding even more stress to his life.
Spoiler: Princess Theodosia
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In September he was told that Princess Dionysia, also a daughter from his second marriage, was thinking a LOT about justice and fairness. He decided, in this case, to NOT intervene. There was nothing wrong with being just.
Spoiler: Princess Dionysia
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Later that month the Despot realized WHY Princess Arminestra had left an empty position within the Duchy’s military. Her second son had come of age and was skilled in the art of war (if a tad slow). She gave him the empty position.
Spoiler: Nikodemos Hired
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In October it was recorded that everybody loved his dog. But nobody wrote down WHICH dog they loved. Just that his dog was loved. Most historians assume it was the hunting dog.
In November he received an envoy from the Thakur Pumhum “The Butcher” of Bhakkar. It seems that after a visit from the Despot’s wife the Thakur (Count) felt a non-aggression pact would be a good idea.
Spoiler: Pact With "The Butcher"
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True, “The Butcher” was a drunk lunatic. But he seemed to like the Despot and also it was unlikely that the two realms would be at war anytime soon. So the Despot agreed to the pact. It was put into effective the very next day.
In December the Despot asked his Spy Master about one of his favorite Vassals - Isidoros.
“So how is the Doux of Para-Lauhitya?” asked the Despot when the Spay Master had collected as much information as he could carry into the throne room.
“Well my liege,” replied Sabas Prabhavati, pulling out one of the scrolls he had brought in, “It seems the man has pissed off his religious betters. I am not sure if it is because he is lusty OR the rumors of him delving into the occult.”
“Well, that’s good,” stated the Despot. “Anything else?”
“Well,” said the Spy Master pulling out another scroll, “he still wants a seat on the Council and hates you for other reasons. Seems he wants another county also.”
“Tough,” commented the Despot. “Anything else?”
The Spy Master glanced at another scroll. “Seems he has cramps.”
“Good.”
“But he is receiving excellent treatment so the cramps don’t really bother him much.”
“Well, that sucks,” grumbled the Despot. “So he is the same as ever. A pissed off, power hungry, old monk who isn’t very good at being a Buddhist.”
“That about sums it up my liege,” said the Spy Master.
“And when he dies he will be replaced by somebody just like him,” said the Despot with a sigh.
“Likely,” stated the Spy Master as he collected up his scrolls and bowed before departing.
And as we close this chapter let us take a peek at the Despot of Kamarupa and the Great King of Pala.
Spoiler: Despot of Kamarupa
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The first thing you will notice is the Despot’s larger income and greater military strength. Time is on his side as the longer he waits to declare war the more funding and the more men he can bring to the war.
Spoiler: Great King of Pala
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But his age is becoming a factor. The longer he takes the more likely he will die before the war happens. And that COULD cause problems which we will cover in the next chapter!
-
Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Twenty-Two : Learning With Despot "The Bold"
https://i.imgur.com/Nb4tFJa.jpg
Pudding. And The Promise Of More Pudding!
"Run!" shouted one of his grandchildren, "He wants to have family time with us!"
The Despot sighed as the children ran out of the play room. He just wanted to have some quality time with them. Was that so wrong? True, it involved a lot of rambling stories and tall tales and lies, but didn't all fathers and grandfathers talk about how great they were?
He had won wars and killed tigers and lost a leg. He was allowed to put a twist on many of his stories, surely?
He sighed and was about to leave the play room when he felt somebody grab his left hand.
"Hey Dad, can I talk to you about something?" asked Princess Theophano. His 11 year old daughter from his second wife who happened to also be one of his friends. She seemed to ENJOY spending time with him.
"Sure honey," he said. He sat down on one of the tiny kid's chairs and pointed at another chair. "Pull up a seat."
She pulled a chair closer to him and sat down. "I need to ask something."
"This isn't about sex is it?" asked the Despot. "Because I was told your nannies explained that kind of stuff to you kids."
"No, I want to ask why you are pushing yourself for a war that you could leave to my half-sister Princess Arminestra. SHE has the claim. Why not just let her do it when she becomes Queen?"
Spoiler: Arminestra "The Wise"
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"Oh...well," said the Despot rubbing his chin. "Let me explain what happens if I die before carrying out the war."
"You won't die."
"Well, not today," replied the Despot, knocking on his wooden leg, "but one day I will and than Duchess Arminestra becomes Queen Arminestra "The Wise". And when she becomes a Queen she will end up with THREE Duchy titles. And you know what they means?"
"She has to give one up," said Princess Theophano. "And the Duchy of Varendra is the one she would likely give up. It only has one Trade Post unlike the other two Duchies she would inherit from you."
Spoiler: Duchy Of Varendra
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"Yes," said the Despot with a nod. "She would likely keep Pundravardhana while giving the Survarngram to somebody before making them the Doux or Duchess. In other words give them a worthless county and a worthless Duchy while keeping the other two."
The Despot leaned forward and added, "But she could still go to war for the third county in their name. The County of Madhupur would go to whoever holds the Duchy though."
"Oh..." said the Princess. "But if YOU go to war you can get the County of Madhupur for her NOW. And when she becomes Queen and has to give up the Duchy title she could keep BOTH the County of Madhupur and the County of Pundravardhana. She can decide to keep the GOOD counties and only give up the bad one."
"Yes," said the Despot. "So she gets the wealth and ALSO does not create a powerful Duchy with two counties."
"Thanks Dad," said Princess, "It is nice to know what is going on."
"And knowing is half the battle!"
"What?"
"Never you mind," said the Despot. "Now run along. I think the kitchens made some rice pudding. I bet you can get some before supper. As long as the other children don't eat it all!"
As the Princess ran off the Despot stood up and cracked his back.
"I think war will be coming soon," he said to himself. "Very soon."
-
Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
We open this chapter in December, of the year 828 AD, with the hiring of the Bengal Band. Captain Vasudeva was in charge of his hired swords with Commander Prabhase on his right flank and Commander Theoktistos on his left flank. They were ordered to march south to the County of Laksmanavati as soon as possible.
Spoiler: Army Of Vasudeva
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While Despot waited for his first army to be in place he received the news that Sumaise "The Troubadour" was trying to kill Bharkhuman Satazk of the House of Vijaya. The Spy Master promised to demand that she stopped.
Spoiler: Sumaise the Plotter
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On the 20th of February the Despot sent a declaration of war to the Great King. The war, named Kamarupa Ducal War for Princess Arminestra's Claim on Madhupur, had started.
Spoiler: Formal Declaration Of War
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The Battle of Puthia started shortly afterwards when the Captain's army marched into the Capital-County of Laksmanavati RIGHT when the Great King was assembling his local levies. The Great King was able to keep the center from collapsing but his flanks melted away under the assault.
Spoiler: The Battle OF Puthia Starts
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By March the center was all that remained and the Great King showed great skill in holding it together. Soon Pala reinforcements arrived but they collapsed almost as soon as they took up their positions on the flank. The Great King and his core of loyal troops were all that remained. Again. By the 23rd of March the Battle of Puthia came to an end.
Spoiler: The Battle Of Puthia Ends
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The Captain lost 62 men while the Great King lost 298 soldiers.
In April it became clear that the Despot was no longer capable of any kind of work. He could not remember faces or names, didn't know where he was, and saw things that did not exist, like unicorns, fairies, and Vikings.
Spoiler: The Despot Becomes Very Ill
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Commander Theoktistos happened to be the Despot's Regent AND was also marching with the army. That kind of made sense as many of the decisions that needed to be dealt with were on the battlefield.
Spoiler: The Regent Takes Command
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Within the Kingdom of Pala a small war started as the Raja Dharmapala II of Nadia started a war with another realm. Which meant his soldiers were now no longer available to the Great King AND another enemy army would be marching about messing up the Pala's counties.
Spoiler: Raja Dharmapala II's Own Little War
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By May the levies had assembled together and under Commader Caiytiska with the flanking Commanders Dipankar and Ayehah they started to march west towards Madhupur to siege it.
Spoiler: The Levies March Forth!
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While the Despot went in and out of the real world and his inner dream world he was notified that Princess Dionysia had the bad case of the flu. He ordered the Court Physician to focus on his daughter and not on him.
Spoiler: Dionysia Had The Flu
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Between treating the Despot and the sick girl the Court Physician Serapion would become known as a Renowned Physician!
Spoiler: Serapion Becomes Renowned
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In June the hired swords, who had been chasing pieces of the Pala military forces about the map for months, were able to capture a small army and attack it. The poor fools didn't even have trained officers among them! On the 3rd of June the Battle of Fathabad started. Even as the armies exchanged arrows Pala reinforcements were on their way to help their comrades. Would they arrive in time?
Spoiler: Battle Of Fathabad Starts
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The next day, even as the Commanders fought the enemy, they received horrible news.
On the 4th of June, 829 AD, the Despot had died comatose in bed at the age of 58. Duchess Arminestra was now Queen Arminestra II "The Wise".
Spoiler: The Despot Is Dead. Long Live The Queen!
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The Regent stepped down and Prince Andronikos Dysnomia become the new Heir to the throne (though everybody knew this would likely be changed).
Spoiler: The Regent Steps Down And A New Heir Steps Up
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And of course the Councilors were all removed from the Council. The new Queen would have to select new members.
Spoiler: The Council Steps Down
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So we close this chapter with a siege in progress, a battle being fought, and a new Queen who needed to direct a war while rebuilding her Council and securing her throne.
-
Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Twenty-Four : Battles And Politics
https://i.imgur.com/gH1ALJ4.jpg
Artist's Impression Of The New Queen (1)
We open this chapter in June, of the year 829 AD, as the Queen tries to help the Kingdom of Kamarupa survive the death of her father AND a war.
The first duty she was to carry out was to decide the second stage of Princess Theophano's education. She decided her half-sister was to become a future diplomat.
Spoiler: Princess Theophano's Education
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Then she picked her next Heir - her daughter the Princess Anastasia Dysnomia. She wanted to make sure a Queen followed her reign. Is that not what the First Queen Arminestra, her grandmother, had wanted? A line of Queens?
Spoiler: The New Heir
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Then she spent the next few hours selecting her Councilors. All her picks were based on loyality first and skill second. She didn't want a problem with her Council during a time of war and change.
The first on the list was Isaias who became her Magistros. He seemed both loyal and skilled.
The second on the list was good old Kyriakos as Protostrator. Seemed a waste NOT to bring him back.
The Sakellarios was the one-eyed Wiryasini "The Wise" who the Queen had never heard of but she liked his nickname.
The Spy Master (Mystikos) was a Mayor. Bosporios was neither as skilled as she would have liked nor as loyal but he was the best she could find. The more skilled people hated her guts so it was best to be safe.
Serapion was also called back to be the Upadhyaya. He was the most skilled on the Council but, like Kyriakso, still hurting from being removed from it in the first place. She would have to work on the hurt feelings of many members of the Council once the war was over.
Spoiler: The New Council
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It was brought to her attention that she could, if she wanted to, usurp the Monastery of Para-Lauhitya from Monk Isidoros. But she saw no reason to - it would just upset the man even more. Why bait the tiger? Also being a Buddhist Temple Leader seemed to be what blocked him from marrying. Why mess up a good thing?
Spoiler: Take A Monastery?
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On the 5th of June the paperwork had been processed and her new Heir, Princess Anastasia, was certified. She also became her daughter's guardian and became responsible for her education. True, Prince Nikodemos was unhappy about his ward being taken away from him but she felt her second son would recover from the blow.
Spoiler: The Future Queen
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It was announced the next day that the Raja Dharmapala II of Nadia had won his war and now could join his liege in the conflict with the Queen. The Queen was not impressed.
Spoiler: The Raja Of Nadia
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That same day the report came in from the Battle of Fathabad. The enemy army was fleeing the Queen's cavalry. By the 14th of June the battle was over. The Queen's army had lost 15 soldiers while the Great King had lost 129 soldiers.
Spoiler: The Battle Of Fathabad Ends
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The Queen hired a second mercenary unit the Rajput Band, and had them start marching to join the siege in the County of Madhupur.
On the 17th of June the Queen was alerted to the fact that the army in the County of Kumara Mandala had been attacked by the Great King who had assembled 1,721 soldiers. The Battle of Kumarakhali had started even while the losers of the earlier battle were still trying to flee. There were even Pala reinforcements on the way. The Queen was worried the hired men might not hold up against such numbers.
Spoiler: The Battle Of Kumarakhali Starts
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By the 25th the reinforcements had joined in but the battle was still too even. The Great King had the numbers but the Bengal Band had the Commanders and the Elephants. By July the enemy's right flank had failed while the enemy's left flank had charged the Bengal Band's right flank - trying to use their numbers to overwhelm the defenders. Soon the Great King's flanks were collapsing and the Queen's army focused all its might on the remaining center.
Spoiler: The Battle Continues
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During this period the Queen had joined the siege at Madhupur which meant messages from her Commanders in the field got to her quicker while messages from the Palace took longer.
So she sat in her military tent outside the besieged Castle of Madhupur receiving reports and replying to them. For example, she was notified that Commander Ayeshah kure Naz'aktar and his wife had given birth to another baby boy which they had named Fezl. The Queen suggested they teach the boy the Buddhist faith.
Spoiler: Fezl Is Born
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Shortly after that the Battle of Kumarakhali came to an end. The Queen's forces had lost 251 men while Great King had lost 524 AND the Commander who had been in charge of the King’s right flank.
Spoiler: The Battle Of Kumarakhali Ends
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While the Queen was known for being cruel she was almost known to have a head for business and asked a small ransom for Commander Govindachandra.
Spoiler: A Commander For Ten Gold Coins! What A Deal!
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While waiting for a reply the Queen got a scroll from her Spay Master. It started that the Isidoros had started a Faction to put Prince Ioulianos on the throne.
Spoiler: Prince Ioulianos For Despot?
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The Queen snorted and crumbled the scroll. “Not going to happen,” she hissed as she burned the paper over one of her candles.
In August she received the 10 coins for the release of Commander Govindachandra. The letter from the Great King was short but also polite.
Spoiler: More Money!
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We close the chapter with the Queen firmly in control of the war and trying to keep control of the Kingdom.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's End Notes:
1. There seems to be a debate among historians on just WHAT Queen Arminestra II looked like as she was a mixture of Greek and East Indian blood. There has been no images of the Queen found among historical records or artwork from the time period. Much of the images of the Queen were made AFTER her reign and are believed to be less than accurate. It is likely we will never know just what she looked like.
-
Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
We open this chapter in September, of the year 829 AD, with a little comparison between the Great King Mahendra of the Pala Kingdom and Queen Arminestra II "The Wise" of Kamarupa.
The Great King was a military man. He commanded his armies and he commanded them from the center. Sadly, he was either outnumbered or outfought at every turn. And even with hired swords he only could build up about two thousand soldiers.
The Queen had been raised and educated carefully to be a well rounded ruler. She had gained experience as a Duchess, running her own vassals and holdings. Now that she was a Queen she let others command her armies. Which now numbered over six thousand warriors.
The Bengal Band had been wandering the Kingdom of Pala. They spent much of their time chasing the fleeing enemy soldiers, collecting cheap postcards, and getting those stupid snow globes. You know the ones. The cheap ones that always leak over the years and get glitter all over the place. Anyway, where were we? Oh yes.
The Great King finally assembled a large army and launched an attack on the Queen's hired swords on the 12th of September. With reinforcements on the way. Maybe? And so the Battle of Bansberia started.
Spoiler: The Battle Of Bansberia Starts
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After the traditional exchange of insults and arrows the enemy's left flank charged in to overwhelm the Band's right flank. And completely failed. The Great King in the center soon found himself under fire from most of the archers and his troops also started to flee.
Spoiler: The Battle Continues
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Soon the only part of the enemy still fighting was the enemy's right flank. The Queen received news of the victory on the 22nd of October. But it was a close thing as the Bengal Band lost 207 men and the Great King lost 286 men.
Spoiler: The Battle Of Bansberia Ends
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The Queen realized that the Bengal Band would have to be replaced as they were no longer a effective fighting force and dismissed them. After all the Rajput Band was already on the payroll and had joined her in the County of Madhupur. She knew that the Great King did not have the numbers or the funding now to defeat her.
As she enjoyed the sight of the burning towers, broken walls, and a body filled moat she received a letter from The Great King Mahinda II "The Chaste" of Lambakanna Kingdom. He suggested that Princess Theodosia and Rajkumar Rajasinha become betrothed. She agreed. Her step-sister would become a Queen. Far, far away.
Spoiler: A Future Marriage
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Later in the month of November she was able to help Ramtish Anantazk learn about being patient. It also reminded her that he was one of the many within the House of Vijaya who could claim the crown of Khotan.
Spoiler: Being Patient
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So of course she suggested that him and Princess Dionysia get betrothed. Which they both accepted because she was the liege to both of them.
Spoiler: Another Future Marriage
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She also hired the Alan Riders and ordered them to join the main army. You could never have too many hired warriors. Soon the Army of Captain Saros would make her main army even more massive.
Spoiler: The Payroll
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The Queen was notified that the Thakur Shanibhangar of Madhupur had sent his Chancellor, Mayor Ranasura of Pabna, to try to grab her title. Or one of them.
Spoiler: Oh No You Don't!
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"Fool!" she said on learning of this. "How will he claim my title from a dungeon?"
Later that month she found out not only had the Mayor gotten the claim but his liege had used it.
"Never GOING to HAPPEN," stated the Queen when she heard that. "The fool is in a dungeon! How will he take any of my titles away from me?"
At the end of the month the Castle of Madhupur finally fell to the Queen's army. The next target of the Army of Caiytiska was the City of Pabna. The Queen was looking forward to crushing that city.
Spoiler: Castle Of Madhupur Falls
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Council meetings were rare but still happened. The Councilors, those available, would come down to the siege to report to the Queen and receive orders.
During a meeting in December the Spy Master Bosporios told the Queen of a rumor about another lost artifact. The Queen found it interesting and did not dismiss the idea of hunting it down. But she felt that the Kingdom, and its funds, should focus on the war for the moment.
Spoiler: Another Lost Artifact?
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After the meeting it was brought to her attention that Princess Eustathia, her other daughter, had no educational pathway set up for her. The Queen decided the girl would focus on duty.
Spoiler: Princess Eustathia NEEDS A Education
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Later she was also told that Prince Leontios, one of her sons, needed the second stage of his education decided on. She selected philosophy and religion for his future.
Spoiler: Prince Leontios Learns About Learning
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At the turn of the year the Princess Theodosia finally came of age and finished her education becoming a master of intrigue. The Queen told her to pack and prepare to leave for her new home.
Spoiler: Princess Theodosia Gets Ready For Marriage
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The Queen also gave a writer patronage to work on the family's chronicles. It cost her over 86 gold coins but she was okay with that. She was rich and it would make for good public relations.
Spoiler: I'll Be Famous!
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On the 7th of January Princess Theodosia left to marry Rajkumar Rajasinha. One less member of the family who might cause her problems. Well, the Princess could STILL try to cause the Queen problems but it would be hard to do from so far away.
Spoiler: Bye-Bye Princess Theodosia
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We close this chapter with the Queen one step closer to winning the war and securing her place in history.
-
Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Twenty-Six : Can You Have Too Many Soldiers?
https://i.imgur.com/JUSF4cE.jpg
Siege! Siege! Siege! Spam! Er... Siege!
We open this chapter in January, of the year 830 AD, with the fall of the city of Pabna. The Queen enjoyed the burning buildings and the crying women. But the Mayor somehow escaped her grasp.
Spoiler: City Of Pabna Falls
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Also the Riders had arrived and, for some reason, Captain Saros had reorganized the Commanders in charge. His hands were slapped by the Queen and she reorganized it the way she wanted it.
Spoiler: Change Of Commanders - Twice
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Soon after her men set up the next siege around the Temple of Bogra she received news of the siege of Bikrampur by the Great King.
Spoiler: Enemy Siege In Bikrampur
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The Queen had to make a decision. She could stop the siege and attack the Great King. Or she could continue the sieges on the enemy's county. She decided to continue - she felt they could take the whole county before the enemy took one of her castles.
As she waited for the priests to be wiped out she received news that the Great King Traillokyachandra had won his war over the title for Thakur of Chunar. It seemed the Great King who had lost his earlier wars was starting to win his latest wars. The Queen wondered if she should keep an eye on him? He was now the oldest of the to Great Kings and it could be he was starting to be a effective ruler.
Spoiler: Great King Traillokyachandra Wins His War
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She was also told that County of Pundravardhana had become Greek! She was very pleased. Not only was she becoming a Warrior Queen but the Kingdom was slowly becoming a Greek Realm in the middle of South East Asia.
Spoiler: Greekness Spreads
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She was also notified that the County of Kamarupanagara was getting so many people they could use another temple. While the Queen wanted to build one in the name of her grandmother she did not have the money for such a project at the time. She had money but not THAT much money.
Spoiler: Build A Temple? No?
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Near the end of March the Temple of Bogra fell to her soldiers. The Priests HAD put up a fight but in the end they were just too outnumbered.
Spoiler: Temple Of Bogra Falls
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Now there was just the Trade Post left! So the small group of defenders, numbering about 29 men, were attacked by an army of 5,641 soldiers
In April they were finally overwhelmed. The region now belonged to the Queen. She would have decide how to handle the enemy army within her borders.
Spoiler: The Trade Post Of Madhupur Falls
Show
So we close the chapter with the County of Madhupur totally occupied and the Queen preparing to march on the Great King.
-
Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
We open this chapter in April, of the year 830 AD, with the Queen trying to enforce her demands on the Great King. But he ignored her stating that it was "just a flesh wound".
After this reply the Queen ordered her army to march southeast to break the siege in Bikrampur. Of course she was with the army even though she was not in command of any of the flanks.
Spoiler: Go Southeast Young Soldiers!
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In May the Great King realized what was happening and broke the siege to flee. The Queen had mixed feelings. They enemy had failed to take the castle but she had failed to engage the Great King. Sieges were nice but in order to win the war she had to defeat the enemy on the battlefield.
As the Queen planned out her next move she received a scroll from the Magistros Isaias. It seemed that the County of Suvarnagram was having problems and she could send the Magistros to deal with either the Castle or the Town. She decided on the Castle.
Spoiler: Magustros Sent To Suvarnagram
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The army's scouts reported that the Great King's army was heading towards the County of Madhupur. The Queen ordered the army to take a long about route so as not to cross any rivers. Attacking across a river would be a huge drawback.
Spoiler: Enemy Siege Of Madhupur
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By the 22nd of July the Great King’s target was confirmed and the Queen prayed that the Great King would be so focused on the siege that he would fail to notice her approach.
As the troops marched closer and the Queen rode in the swaying wagon where she slept, ate, and conducted business when on the road she continued to receive messages.
One delivered in August told her that the people of Suvarnagram had taken the Greek culture for themselves. Once again this greatly pleased her.
Spoiler: County Of Suvarnagram Became Greek
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She was also told that Princess Dionysia could use some guidance. The Queen decided to teach her half-sister about diligence but failed. The girl had her own ideas.
Spoiler: Princess Dionysia NOT Learning From The Queen
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In September the Queen was able to engage the Great King’s army. It seems the Great King failed to put out any scouts this time. The Battle of Pabna had started. The Horse Archers gave the Queen’s army a huge advantage and really added to the volley of arrows and missiles into the enemy’s ranks.
Spoiler: The Battle Of Pabna Starts
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In fact the Great King’s right flank could not handle it and fell back. Then the enemy’s center could not hold. Then the Queen’s army sent in the horse and the Great King’s whole line retreated. In the chaos of the charge, among the thundering hooves and screaming horses, the Queen’s second eldest son was killed in combat. Prince Nikodemos had fallen in battle against Thakur Ganeshwar Singh of Samatata.
Spoiler: Death Of A Prince
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In the middle of the battle they brought the Queen her son’s body. The Queen was in mourning before the battle had even come to an end. But a part of her was also somewhat relieved. This was one less member of the family trying to claim the throne. Also, while a good warrior he had been a tad stupid. It was better this way for everyone in the end. He would now go down in history as a Hero and not a foolish idiot.
Spoiler: The Battle Of Pabna Ends
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By October the Commanders had abandoned their soldiers to their fate. Without any leaders the army could not hold out and was finally defeated on 9th of October. The Queen had lost 122 men while the Great King lost 752 men - about a third of his army. Frankly, the fact that the Great King’s army had survived such odds was amazing.
So we close this chapter with the Queen and her army giving chase to the enemy.
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Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Twenty-Eight : The War Comes To An End
https://i.imgur.com/bNhTqxJ.jpg
The Final Countdown...er...Battle!
We open this chapter in October, of the year 830 AD, with the Queen riding in her campaign wagon reading messages and responding to them as it rocked and shook. The thousands of wagons, horses, and infantry who shared the road with her wagon made the sound of a soft thunderstorm as they all marched along.
She had received a letter stating Princess Dioysia of Kamarupa needed her guidance. It seems the girl was refusing to listen to her elders and was always thinking for herself. Not the best thing for a girl who would become a powerless wife whose sole reason to exist would be to pump out babies. The Queen tired to teach her patience. And failed again.
Spoiler: Princess Dioysia Refuses To Listen To Her Betters
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In November the Queen and her army finally caught up with the Great King and his retreating men. And so the Battle of Bishnupur started. First came the exchange of missiles. The right flank, with the Great King, turned out to be the weakest link.
Spoiler: The Battle Of Bishnupur Starts
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Soon the enemy army was in total retreat. As the flanks melted away Commander Jhau of the House of Malla tried to keep the center in order. But defeat came on the 13th of December.
Spoiler: The Battle Of Bishnupur Ends
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The Queen lost 41 soldiers while the Great King lost 580 men. He also lost Commander Jhau Malla who was captured during his fight to protect the fleeing army.
Spoiler: Commander Jhau Malla Captured
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The Queen sent a rider to the Great King with a message demanding he give up the County of Madhupur in return for peace. The poor King agreed and the war came to an end. Due to the end of the war the Queen released Commander Jhau Malla, without asking for a ransom, who was happy to be going home. The Queen was more than happy to let the Commander go home. It seemed he had many claims within the Kingdom of Pala itself. Who knows how much trouble he might cause the Great King!
Spoiler: Peace And Release
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After the signing of the peace treaty the Queen and her army started the long march back home.
Reviewing the war showed that during the six battles and four sieges the Queen lost 1,373 soldiers while the Great King lost 4,517 soldiers. Some historians jokingly point out that this meant the Great King had slightly improved over his father - the joke being he lost slightly less soldiers while causing slightly more deaths among the enemy's ranks.
On the way back home the Queen started working on getting her Court and Kingdom in order. First she sent a proposal of a matrilineal marriage between Prince Andronikos, her oldest son, and Amritakala of the House of Ramnaid.
Spoiler: A Matrilineal Marriage
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Then, knowing her Vassals would STILL be complaining about her having three duchies, she made her Stepmother Yajinavati first the Countess of Suvarnagram and then the Duchess of Narikellid (Varendra).
Spoiler: From Stepmother To Vassal
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Her Stepmother had no living offspring and was too old to have any more. She was also loyal and somewhat skilled. Perfect pick.
The new year opened with a reply to her marriage proposal and Prince Andronikos went to join his loony wife. Now he would be somebody else’s vassal and problem.
Spoiler: Prince Andronikos Off To Marry
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A few days later Raja Shurapala "The Cruel" of Shantideva Raj died of cancer and his son, Dev Singh, took the title. The new son was a 36 year old man, married, and pretty much hated the new Queen. He had a few claims to lands he wanted to return to his family but with less then four hundred men it was doubtful he would be getting any of those lands back.
Spoiler: A New Raja On The Border
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In February the Queen and her army crossed the border and she dismissed the levies and gave the hired swords their last bag of coins.
She then tried to build a Trade Post in Madhupur and hit a wall. FIRST, the County was still controlled by Thakur Shanibhangar of the House of Chikore. She could still build in a Vassals' holdings. But if she did make a Trade Post there HE would get the money. He was a honest and content man. Who just happened to dislike the Queen. Very, very much.
Spoiler: NO Trade Post?
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SECOND, he was the Vassal of the new Duchess. In winning the war she had gained the County which had been linked to her Duchess title. When she gave up the title of the Duchy the County went with it! So she could not remove the man because he was now under the Duchess Yajinavati.
THIRD, on top of that she COULD NOT build a Trade Post there even if she controlled the County. It was explained to the Queen that the Kingdom had the infrastructure to handle three Trade Posts. It now held, by luck or accident, FIVE Trade Posts. She could not order a new Trade Post to be built anymore than she could order the moon removed from the sky.
Spoiler: Limited By Infrastructure
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She thought on this. And she thought. Then she smiled.
As the Duchess the Queen had been able to build a Trade Post for her Capital-County. So the new Duchess might build a Trade Post in the County of Madhupur if she wanted to. She would not be stopped by the Kingdom’s limits anymore then the Queen had been when she had been a Duchess. The Kingdom might get a Sixth Trade Post after all!
In February she sent Upadhyaya Serapion to the County of Bikrampur. It seemed that the county was a mixture of Buddhism and Hinduism. That would not do!
Spoiler: Spreading The Word Of Buddha
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Near the end of February she sent her Spy Master to the County of Dimapur to uncover some dirt. She needed to deal with the Meddling Monk Isidoros of Para-Lauhitya. She needed him to drop his idea of replacing her with her brother.
Spoiler: Digging Up Dirt
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So we close this chapter with the end of the war and the start of the Queen’s education on ruling a Kingdom.
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Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
The Queen settled into her Palace and her private chambers and her throne room. It was time to make the Kingdom stable. Well, as stable as she could make it.
But before we go over her actions when she settled in let us review, Queen Arminestra II "The Wise" of Kamarupa, herself.
At the age of 38 years she had already been a Countess and Duchess before becoming a Queen. She had been focusing on business and trade before her father's death. She was shrewd, cruel, zealous, and deceitful. She was also lusty but was working hard to overcome that sin. But she had some merits including being patient and just. She had four surviving boys and two girls. She also had nine siblings.
Spoiler: Queen Arminestra II "The Wise"
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With more then three thousand soldiers under her command and almost seven hundred gold coins in her coffers she was in a very powerful and secure position.
At this point she now had thirteen Vassals. Most of them held her in a good light. Five were not so kind in their view of their Queen. Bhikkhu Isidoros seemed to dislike her the most.
Her income was nice and steady. By the time the next war happened she would be comfortably wealthy.
She also decided it was time to fulfill her Grandmother's promise to build a temple to Buddha. She looked around and selected the County of Goalpara. It would cost less there than in other counties.
Spoiler: A New Temple
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The Spy Master and the Upadhyaya were already working on their projects. The rest of the Council were assigned their own projects. Magistros worked on improving relations with those in the Capital-County while the Protostrator was sent to train the soldiers in Pundravardhana. The Queen also assigned the Sakellarios to Goalpara to help build the temple.
Spoiler: The Council
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She noticed that her brother's eldest child, Dionysia Dysnomia, was old enough for marriage. The Queen selected a husband she felt was good enough for her niece. Begluk of the House of Zhetysu was a relative of a Khagan and was also pretty far away.
Spoiler: First Proposal
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She also found Mah Parvizzk was single and sent a proposal to Cehandar kure Naz'aktar. A man with many claims to his name and many voices in his head.
Spoiler: Second Proposal
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She also found out that Ranisa Satazk's husband, the Dead Beat Dad, had finally died with that stupid cage hat on his head. The Queen decided the woman should taste something of the wealth and power her ex-husband had no doubt promised her. So she sent a proposal to Shah Vaisranvane "The Tormentor" of Kroran whose first wife had died from illness.
Spoiler: Third Proposal
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The Queen found that the twins Silamata and Varshasb had been neglected during the war by her father and herself. So she selected the second stage of their education. Both would learn about acting in the shadows.
After going through her Royal Court she cast her eyes outside the border and focused on the Raja Dev Signh of Shantideva Raj. The 36 year old ruler hated the Queen and she knew the only way to bring him into the Kingdom would be to stomp him flat.
Spoiler: Raja Dev Signh Of Shantideva Raj
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But his son...
Spoiler: Giving Away A Concubine
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The poor man and his wife had no children yet. Why not give him a concubine? And she had the perfect choice! Nikoltte was a lowborn 18 year old single woman who was cruel, stupid, zealous, depressed, and a hunchback. It is likely her and the man's wife would try to kill each other. And so the Queen sent the offer.
As she waited for the responses to all her proposals she also glanced over to the ruins of the once WHOLE Kingdom of Pala.
Spoiler: Great King Mahendra Of Pala Kingdom
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The young Great King Mahendra of Pala Kingdom was still a great warrior - on paper. With less then two thousand warriors and fifteen vassals who were likely plotting his death he was in a very dangerous position. It would take some time and energy to recover his power and wealth. At least he only had one son to take over the throne.
Spoiler: Great King Traillokyachandra Of Bihar
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His uncle Great King Traillokyachandra of Bihar had over five thousand soldiers but was trapped in two wars and a deep depression. In some ways his position was just as dangerous and unstable as his nephew's.
So we close this chapter with the Queen firmly sitting on the throne, already weaving her web of plots and schemes and plans.
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Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
I'm just posting to say that even though I'm not commenting, I am nonetheless reading and enjoying this. Keep up the good work :smallsmile:
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Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
We open this chapter in February, of the year 831 AD, with the Queen announcing her first tiger hunt after ascending to the throne. As the riders spread out over the countryside to deliver the letters the court started to pack up the tents and food and weapons needed for the hunt.
Spoiler: Tiger Hunt Time
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Mayor Birapala of Habiganj, a man who felt he should be on the Council, refused. His excuse was that he had business to attend to.
Spoiler: Busy With Business
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In March she got the replies to her marriage proposals. All were accepted. Dionysia Dysnomia was sent to join her husband Begluk.
Mah went to marry kure Naz'aktar of the House of Nandin.
And Ranisa went to marry Shah Vaisravane of Kroran.
Later, on the 6th of March, Nikolettea went to become a Concubine.
Spoiler: GOOSE! Er...Concubine!
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All the replies were polite and also friendly. Either the senders liked the Queen or they respected her power and skill.
Spoiler: The Hunt Begins
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Shortly after that the Hunting party left and arrived at the camp. Tents were set up, guards placed to secure the approaches, and the fires starts so the cooking could begin.
As the Queen and her hunting guides, soldiers, attendants, and elephants searched and searched for tigers she received news that Rajkumor Rajasinha of the Lambakanna Kingdom had died. There was a suggestion that his death was NOT natural. Either way Theodosia Dysnomia was now a widow in a foreign court.
She also received a note from the Palace that Silamata Sangamazk of the House of Vijaya needed her guidance. She sent a reply that the girl should keep on her course and embrace order. The girl developed patience because of this suggestion.
Spoiler: Silamata Sangamazk
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She also was given a letter sent to her by the Duchess Yajnavati. Seems the woman had evidence that Bhikkhu Anatolios of Madan Kamdev was planning treason. The problem was the evidence was spotty at best and the Queen’s own sources could detect nothing to suggest that he was plotting anything against anybody. So she kept the information to herself. Why go looking for trouble? She was sure trouble would be coming for her soon enough.
Spoiler: Treason? Really?
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In April her also was alerted to the fact that Ramtish Anantazk of the House of Vijaya had come of age and was a Master of War. Which would prove useful if he ever wanted to go claim his homeland as his.
Spoiler: Ramtish - Future Warlord?
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Prince Valerios, her half-brother, needed the second stage of his education selected. In the end he was sent on the road to learn philosophy and religion. But she also reminded herself that the boy wanted the throne. When he became an adult she would have to decide what to do with him.
Spoiler: Prince Valerios - Future Problem?
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By the 8th of April the hunting party had returned to the Palace. The hunt was a failure. No tigers had been found. But the Queen didn’t mind. Many felt it was bad luck but she had learned from her parents that you make your own luck. Bad luck was just a excuse that losers made to cover their lack of skill and planning.
Spoiler: Failed Hunt
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So we end this chapter with a few pacts made but no tigers skinned.
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Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Artanis
I'm just posting to say that even though I'm not commenting, I am nonetheless reading and enjoying this. Keep up the good work :smallsmile:
Thank you! It isn't work when it is this much fun. :smallsmile:
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Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
We open this chapter in April, of the year 831 AD, with the Queen giving out a minor yet important title out to one of the members of the court.
She decided that the Designated Regent should be Nonna Eustratiostkacer. She was a simple Courtier but also a close friend. The Queen trusted her.
She also decided that Baroness Nikarete of Somapura Mahavihara should be given the title of Court Musician in the hopes that this Vassal would have a better opinion of her liege.
As the Baroness was a Buddhist Nun in charge of a temple the Queen realized there was another way to get the religious members of her Kingdom on her side.
Spoiler: Focus On One's Soul
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On the 8th of April the Queen decided to focus less on material wealth and more on the religious life. The next day she announced she would be going on a pilgrimage.
Spoiler: Pilgrimage Time
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But where to visit? Well, her family had always visited the tree where Buddha achieved his own enlightenment so why not her? She notified the Royal Court that she would go to Bodh Gaya.
Spoiler: But Where To Go?
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The Spy Master came to her throne room while she was packing and announced he finally had dirt on Bhikkhu Isidoros. "Now," he said, "you have three choices on how to deal with him. You can blackmail him-"
"Blackmail," replied the Queen.
"Well," he said, "don't you want to hear the other two choices?"
"Blackmail."
"Okay then..."
A few days later the Queen got the reply from Isidoros. He was rude but willing to back out of his current Faction. And did so.
Spoiler: Isidoros Stops Making Trouble For Now
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So on the 9th of May the Queen was off with a few dozen guards and a few members of her court and cooks and servants and many of the necessities that a Royal Queen needs.
She left after putting Nonna in charge as her Regent.
Spoiler: Nonna Becomes Regent
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The Queen traveled in style. In her campaign wagon with other wagons following full of wine and food and dresses. Most people mistook it as a trade caravan. They would still stop at taverns, of course, so she could take a bath and top off on supplies. At least the region was at peace and stable for the moment.
Near the end of May she received a letter about Andronikos Dysnomia. Seemed her nephew needed the second stage of his education picked out. She decided he would grow up to be a warrior.
Spoiler: Andronikos Dysnomia Turns 12 Years Old
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Sometime in June the Queen felt something was not right. Was it the food? The swamp they were passing through? Something was not right. But they needed to keep going!
Spoiler: Does This Food Taste Weird To You?
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The next day she was shivering, sweating, and all around felt terrible.
Luckily Wiryasini was there for her and after examining her stated she had the Flu. He tried giving her a cold footbath. It was freezing but helped with the sweating a little.
Spoiler: That's Cold!
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Near the end of June the wagon train finally reached Bodh Gaya. Now it was time to seek enlightenment. Surely the Buddha would not let her illness keep her from understanding the mysteries of the universe?
Spoiler: Bodh Gaya Is Finally Reached
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By July it seemed that she was being tested. For her knew something was very wrong.
Spoiler: Something Bad Is Happening
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She refused to let it keep her from learning. She went out to listen and chat and meet others. She would learn about the world no matter how ill she became.
Spoiler: I Will Learn From The People!
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But soon she was forced to return to her bed in the wagon. The Flu had grown stronger and now racked her body with pain.
Spoiler: The Flu Hits Hard
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As they started on their way homeward as quickly as they could the Court Physician Wiryasini "The Wise" came to the Queen in her wagon. He give the Queen several different choices for her treatment. She demanded he stick to the ones he knew well.
Spoiler: So Many Choices
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He made her eat live fish. They wiggled a lot but at least they were tiny.
Spoiler: Wiggling Fishes And Getting Home
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Funny enough they reached the Palace on the very same day that she started this strange treatment. It was nice to be back in her own bed without all the rocking and all the noise. A day later the Regent stepped down.
Spoiler: Nonna Steps Down
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By August the Queen had recovered fully and all that remained of the Flu was the bad memories and a bucket full of unused fish.
Spoiler: The Flu Was Gone
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So we close this chapter with a Queen who was feeling much better and, hopefully, had a much better position with the Buddhists.
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Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
Folks! Just to let you know I have added the Jade Dragon DLC and will test it with my Byzantine Empire game to see if it breaks anything. If everything looks good the next chapter will be interesting but likely not till the weekend. :smallbiggrin:
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Re: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR
The Queen entered her throne room in August and found herself in the middle of chaos. Men were working on her lovely wall map. Symbols were being replaced all over India and whole region of the once empty Tibet Plateau was being filled with borders and names.
Spoiler: Tibet Had PEOPLE?
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"What is the meaning of this?" demanded Queen Arminestra II "The Wise". All but one of the men ignored her. The one, a frail looking old man, stepped forward with a smile and his hands held together.
"Good morning my dear lady," he said while giving her a short bow. "We are here to update this old maps. Really, dreadful how outdated they have become, don't you think?"
"Who are you?" asked the Queen as she looked over the old man. His rich clothing suggested either a noble background or somebody who dealt in the finer things in life. There was no guards nor any suggestion of heraldic badges or a signet ring. Yet she assumed he was a member of some guild or other.
"Who am I? Who am I?" said the man with a gleeful chuckle. "Oh...where did I put that piece of paper." He started to search his cloak and then with a furnish handed her a small leather booklet.
She opened it and for a second the paper inside seemed distorted. It must have been tired eyes for a second later the letters became crisp and clear. “Agent Smith of the Cartography Correction Bureau?”
“Smith?” said the man with a mixture of humor and surprise. “Oh, yes, Agent Smith.” He gave off a weird kind of laugh, as he keep his mouth closed, so it came out more like a series of hums. “We’re here to correct this wall. As you can see it was very outdated. Why, it even had the wrong national symbols.”
Spoiler: The NEW Kingdom?
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The Queen stared at the map and said, “My Kingdom’s symbol is not a elephant’s head.”
“Oh dear woman, of course it is. Of COURSE it is,” stated Smith. “My records are very clear on that.” He put his tiny leather booklet into one of his many pockets that seemed to exist in his attire.
He then pulled out a rolled up map and handed it to her. “You should see the Middle East.”
Spoiler: The NEW Middle East?
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The Queen unrolled the scroll. “What is ALL this?”
“Mountain ranges. Deserts. All the maps have to be updated. Whole region that were once said to be populated - nothing was ever there. Shocking state of affairs.” The old man shook his head and looked very upset.
“Now my Queen, we will be busy here for a time, replacing everything,” continued Smith with a gesture towards the doors, “and I understand your Council had some information for you about the Ming Empire?”
Spoiler: Ming Empire...?
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“The WHAT Empire?”
“Oh yes,” said the old man with another weird chuckle. “Yes, seems the Middle Kingdom does not like being neglected. I am sure your Council will explain it to you. Yes, yes.”
The Queen moved out of the throne room and entered the dining room the Council liked to think of as their Meeting Chamber.
The Queen looked at her Council and said “EXPLAIN!”
After a few confused starts and some embarrassed looks the Council explained that the Ming Empire was a massive empire to the East which had only now started to send feelers west.
Protector General Dong Xingcheng was the Empire’s eyes, ears, and voice and it was suggested that the Queen try to get on his nice side. And the nice side of the Empire as a whole.
Spoiler: General Who? *SNICKER*
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“And why should I care?” stated the Queen.
The answer she got was not to her liking. Not only did the Eastern Empire control the Silk Trade. It was rumored that they had armies that were huge. MASSIVE. Armies that could easily, if the Empire wanted it, take all over India.
The Queen sighed. This sounded like it was going to be one of those years.
So we close this chapter with the Ming Empire entering the game of politics in India and the rest of Eastern Europe.
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OOC : This is more of a silly sub-chapter just to help set up the changes and so my statement that the next REAL chapter will like show up during the weekend is totally valid.
