Crusader Kings II Succession Game 2: Electric Boogaloo

[ObadiahtheSlim]

What are you going to do with the reparations money? We should maybe upgrade our keeps to give us more troops.

[Grif]

Still waiting on that next chapter.

[AgentPaper]

Still waiting on that next chapter.

Sorry, didn't have any time to play it out today, was stuck in a U-haul all day. I should hopefully have enough time tomorrow, and have the writeup done that night. Worst case, it'll be until Monday.

[Flickerdart]

What are you going to do with the reparations money? We should maybe upgrade our keeps to give us more troops.

It's always seemed to me that this isn't really worth it - you can spend something like 600 gold and get a measly dozen soldiers, or you could spend that money on mercenaries to seize more land and get way more levies from it.

[AgentPaper]

It's always seemed to me that this isn't really worth it - you can spend something like 600 gold and get a measly dozen soldiers, or you could spend that money on mercenaries to seize more land and get way more levies from it.

This used to be the case, but vassal levies were heavily nerfed, and your own levies generally buffed (since martial now makes them better), so it's a much better investment than it used to be. That said, you're still generally better off using your money on mercs.

Unfortunately, though, we don't have all that many options as far as using mercs goes, at least for now. I also wasn't able to play today (stuck unloading aforementioned Uhaul all day long...somehow), so I'll have to complete it tomorrow. Next chapter should be up a bit after that.

[OrcusMcP]

It's always seemed to me that this isn't really worth it - you can spend something like 600 gold and get a measly dozen soldiers, or you could spend that money on mercenaries to seize more land and get way more levies from it.

As Agent Paper said, it's more worth it than it used to be. Plus, mercenaries don't get better with time. Your own demesne/vassal levies will. Investing in the castle buildings is much more of a long-term strategy.

[Hydranova]

And upping Training Grounds increases your Retinue Cap as well, further making mercenaries useless. Those 3g Varangian Guardsmen sure are helpful when you're just starting out, but over time they get dwarfed heavily.

[AgentPaper]

As Agent Paper said, it's more worth it than it used to be. Plus, mercenaries don't get better with time. Your own demesne/vassal levies will. Investing in the castle buildings is much more of a long-term strategy.

Well, not really, though. If you can use the vassals to press a war that you normally wouldn't they can effectively buy you more levies in the long term by helping you conquer more land.

Of course, this is mostly only true if you are high on CBs and low on troops, which is often the case early on in the game. If you have enough troops to press all of your CBs already without issue, then hiring mercenaries doesn't give you any long-term benefit compared to upgrading your troops.

[Flickerdart]

Any progress on the update? I eagerly await the inevitable decline and suffering that will come after this fleeting victory.

[AgentPaper]

Chapter 9:

After the celebratory feast (using the Sultan's own supplies) was over, and the glow of righteousness and victory had passed, I again returned to the war-tent, to take stock of our current situation.

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There was little doubt that we would win this war handily, but still I did not want to waste too much time, lest the fat sultan come back for revenge too soon.

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Wasting no time, I order the troops to assault the undefended cities and churches that have been laid bare by previous sieges, then lay siege to Barcelona once again. The stubborn king still refuses to accept my demands, and I start to wonder if he holds out now just to spite me.

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Exactly as I had worried, Khaireddin has again mustered his forces, this time seeking a weaker target. I give thanks to god that I had not wasted any time in finishing this war, as old king Louis certainly has no chance of standing against this, even with the heathens weakened as they are.

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Fortunately, it seems even Louis has a bit of common sense to him, as he finally relinquishes the throne, which is enough to fend off the heathen vultures, at least for now.

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With our new liege, we now belong to the kingdom of Burgundy, which constitutes a rather large empire spanning much of central Europe. Hopefully the added bulk will make Khaireddin think twice before trying to steal our rightful lands again.

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After weighing my options, I decide to erect a new castle in the mountain pass of Navarra, to serve as a bastion against the heathen hordes. I also begin...negotiations with my sister to take the county for myself, as part of a shift of focus from Aquitaine into the Iberian peninsula.

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With domestic matters settled and the realm once again at peace, I decide to show my thanks to God by going on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. It is a shame that such a holy place is held by heathens. If I were younger, perhaps I would try to rally my Christian brethren into some sort of "great holy war" to reclaim it, but my bones ache. Alas, it seems some things must be left to future generations.

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Unfortunately, not long after I return, it seems that Khaireddin is up to his old tricks once again. He has declared war on my new liege for Aragon once again.

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As I watch the heathens swarm our lands again, I feel the icy grip of death sneaking up on me. My dreams are filled with death, and I fear I am not long for this world. I am forced to hand over control of our troops to my marshal, lest the stress of the war harm my health.

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Not wanting to see my realm destroyed by my incompetent sisters, I order the laws of succession be changed. In a stroke of genius, I realize that the necessary change is quite simple: Rather than the old inheriting, it should be the young! If only I had been given the reins of this realm when I was 10 years younger, how much more good could I have done?

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With my legacy secure, the feelings of dread recede, and my mind clears again.

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I also get word that my sister has finally given up hope on holding Navarra, allowing me to move our capital and completing my plan to shift our focus. After making the move, I must say that it feels good to finally be amongst other Basque men and women.

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Meanwhile, my marshal informs me that our war is going exceedingly well, with a major battle at Teruel sealing our dominance over the heathens. Comforted in the knowledge that our new liege can protect us much better than the one before, I retire to my chambers to get some well-earned rest.

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Rolling: BEGIN!

[Hiro Protagonest]

(1d100)[33]

Weeeeeoooooo

[OrcusMcP]

NO WHAMMIES!

(1d100)[56]

It's half a whammy.

[Sallera]

Are we rolling for second turns already? Thought we were going to give everyone a shot first.

[AgentPaper]

Are we rolling for second turns already? Thought we were going to give everyone a shot first.

Oh, I knew there was a preference for new players, but I didn't know how it worked. So we just don't roll until round 2 or something?

[Cristo Meyers]

Gonna sit this round out. Not likely to have a lot of free time next week. Gonna be out of town next weekend.

[Flickerdart]

Hooray, a chance! (1d100)[88]

Roll, roll, roll your boat, gently down the stream...

[IthilanorStPete]

No rolls of 90+ to beat...yet...

(1d100)[85]

Was feeling good, then I saw Flickerdart's roll.

[Guancyto]

Well, what we could do is roll smaller dice if we've gone recently, that way it's unlikely but not strictly impossible to get the same people multiple times

Like,

Just went: Don't roll
Went 2 turns ago: 1d20
Went 3 turns ago: 1d40
Went 4 turns ago: 1d60
Went 5 or more turns ago: 1d80
Haven't gone yet: 1d100

[AgentPaper]

Well, what we could do is roll smaller dice if we've gone recently, that way it's unlikely but not strictly impossible to get the same people multiple times

Like,

Just went: Don't roll
Went 2 turns ago: 1d20
Went 3 turns ago: 1d40
Went 4 turns ago: 1d60
Went 5 or more turns ago: 1d80
Haven't gone yet: 1d100

Probably better to do like a -10 modifier or whatever, that way you don't have to re-roll if you mess it up.

[IthilanorStPete]

Well, what we could do is roll smaller dice if we've gone recently, that way it's unlikely but not strictly impossible to get the same people multiple times

Like,

Just went: Don't roll
Went 2 turns ago: 1d20
Went 3 turns ago: 1d40
Went 4 turns ago: 1d60
Went 5 or more turns ago: 1d80
Haven't gone yet: 1d100

Could we just have the people who've already had a turn not roll until everyone's gone at least once?

[Guancyto]

Could we just have the people who've already had a turn not roll until everyone's gone at least once?

That... could work too!

[Grif]

Could we just have the people who've already had a turn not roll until everyone's gone at least once?

That was how it worked last game.

(1d100)[97]

Goooooooooo~

[Flickerdart]

That was how it worked last game.

>_>
<_<

[AgentPaper]

That was how it worked last game.

Right, sounds fine to me. Just ignore my roll then.

We should probably post this rule in the OP, just to make it official and reduce confusion, though.

[Farix]

And...(1d100)[14]

Love you too RNG.

>_>
<_<
[Snip]

Beautiful

[Guancyto]

Dammit Flickerdart it counts all Lowborn as the same dynasty, if you get Kinslayer just before inheriting you'll...

...actually be in pretty good company with like 40% of the heirs I've had over the course of this game, but still!

[OrcusMcP]

Eh, I thought we could still roll but give preference to those who haven't gone yet. Doesn't matter now, because Grif, but you may consider my roll withdrawn.

Plus, gotta keep you all on your toes.

[Flickerdart]

Dammit Flickerdart it counts all Lowborn as the same dynasty, if you get Kinslayer just before inheriting you'll...

...actually be in pretty good company with like 40% of the heirs I've had over the course of this game, but still!

I think they fixed it, and now Lowborns count as separate dynasties.

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

(1d100)[72]
COME ON COME ON (though with my girlfriend in town and my work schedule it may take me a few evenings...

Nope, not gonna cut it.

[Grif]

>_>
<_<

What.

*plots to murder Flickerdart*