Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Forty-Four : Another Victory And Another Blinding


Running Down The Enemy

We open this chapter in July, of the year 856 AD, with the Army of Eustathios giving chase to the enemy army. Where they go Commander Eustathios and his men would go. There would be no rest for the wicked.

Spoiler: The Army Of Eustathios Following The Retreating Rebels

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The second army stayed to lay siege to the County of Mainling. No doubt the Queen's stepfather was upset about that.

About a week later the Queen was told that Count Theophylaktos of Mangyul had passed the Religious Control Mandate Law.

Spoiler: Count Theophylaktos Passed The Religious Control Mandate Law

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"Oh no," sighed the Queen. "He is going to be a trouble maker, isn't he?"

Many of her staff shrugged and even Fortun just smiled and said, "Are not all the Vassals trouble makers?"

That same day she also received the news that the Count also founded a Faction to Increase Council Power in Kamarupa. The Queen just sighed and rubbed her forehead.

Spoiler: The Count Also Founded Faction To Increase Council Power In Kamarupa

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"Why would he start such a movement if he wasn't on the Council?" she asked aloud. Nobody had an answer for her.

Near the end of the month the Count forced Mayor Phokas of Gyirong to convert to the Orthodox faith.

Spoiler: Mayor Phokas Of Gyirong Is Forced To Become Orthodox

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"Well," said the Queen, "this will go on till I can tell him to convert to Buddhism and then he will change it all back."

"If he will listen to you," pointed out one of the staff.

In August the Queen received the horrible news that the 2 year old Anakhit Varzakzk had been released and, like her mother, had been blinded. Why would they blind a child? To keep her from inheriting? To prove a point? Maybe the leaders of the Rebellion were trying to send the Royalists a message?

Spoiler: The Rebels Blind A Two Year Old Child

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Shortly after that Count Pelagios of Nyima, the bastard son of the "Unfaithful" Rebel, had become a man and passed the Late Feudal Administration Law. At least he was loyal to the Queen.

Spoiler: Count Pelagios Comes Of Age And Passes His First Law

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He had become a hunter and wished to be a Councilor of his Liege.

In September the main army of the Royalists finally caught up with the enemy army who had stopped to reorganize. The Battle of Tawang had began. Commander Eustathios and his two flanking officers hit them with the archers and missile cavalry first.

Spoiler: The Battle Of Tawang Starts!

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The traditional exchange of arrows was not welcomed by the rebels as they broke under it quickly. By October the Queen's soldiers charged forward and all but the enemy's left flank crumbled.

The next piece of news was not about war but a plot. It seemed the Mayor Alexeia of Palcho wanted to kill a little girl for no reason anybody could detect.

Spoiler: Alexeia Plots Against Her Blind Niece

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Luckily the next piece of information was from the battlefield. The Commanded had released their mounted forces onto the battlefield. So the mixed cavalry and elephants had charged the enemy's tiny left flank which was acting as a rearguard.

Spoiler: The Enemy Forces On The Run. Again

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After that she got more local news. Seems Count Pelagios of Nyima had founded a Faction to Increase the Council Power in Nagchu. Which was not HER problem, thank Buddha.

Spoiler: Count Pelagios Founded His First Faction

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Then the Queen finally got the news of victory from the battlefield Commanders. Her forces had lost 304 men while the enemy had lost 1,113 soldiers. And one of the Rebel Commanders had been captured!

Spoiler: VICTORY!

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Commander Lakshmichandra was a lowborn 52 year old military man who enjoyed hunting and was looking to marry. He was charitable if a tad lazy. Nobody special.

Spoiler: A Rebel Is Captured And Hung

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Of course he was hung. Maybe the Queen was sending the rebel scum a message?

So we end the chapter with another victory and the third hanging in the Realm's history.

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Forty-Five : Politics Don't Stop For War


Keeping An Eye On The Vassals

We open this chapter in October, of the year 856 AD, with the birth of a new cousin. Her Spy Master, Aunt Princess Dionysia, had a baby boy named Pantoleon.

Spoiler: Pantoleon Is Born

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The Queen suggested the boy be tutored by councilors and courtiers. A good education for a future cog in the machine.

That same day the Duchess Arminestra joined the movement to increase the Council's power.

Spoiler: Duchess Arminestra Joins A Faction

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By November it was clear that Anastasia "The Unfaithful" was not doing well. Rumor was she was sick. True, it was said she was getting treatment but gout had been known to kill in those days.

Spoiler: The Rebel Leader

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On top of that she had less than three thousand soldier to continue to fight her losing war. And if, somehow, she won then she would have to deal with fellow-traitors who wanted some of the same titles she would be holding. Not really a well thought out revolt.

In fact the news was one of her fellow-rebels, Doge Himerios "The Wise" of Lhasa, had passed the Title Revocation Sovereignty Law. No doubt looking forward to reorganizing his NEW lands once they won the revolt. Poor fool.

Spoiler: Doge Himerios Passes The Title Revocation Sovereignty Law

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While the Rebels eyed each other and plotted post-revolt plots the Queen's Realm continued to function normally. For example, the Queen received a report that the County of Haruppeswara was doing well. The people were happy and so were the tax farmers.

Spoiler: Haruppeswara Prospers

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In January, of the year 857 AD, the Queen was told that her niece Eupraxia wanted to learn how to reject pride. The Queen put that in the back if her mind to deal with after the war came to an end.

Spoiler: Eupraxia Wants To Remove Her Pride

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Halfway through the month Count Varzak, also known as Count "Cottontail" among the Royal Court for his hopping in and out of Factions, joined another Faction.

Spoiler: Count Varzak Joins Another Faction

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The day after that the Castle of Mainling finally fell to the troops under Commander Pusyamitra. Looks like this time the soldiers were able to work together and wiped out the defenders with no cost to themselves.

Spoiler: Mainling Falls

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Near the end of January the Queen found herself having some troubles with the local nobles and sent Magistros Fortun forth to deal with the castle folks.

Spoiler: Fortun Is Sent Forth To Make The Castle Folk Happy

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In February the Great King Gopala III defeated the Thakur of Jumla. So now the Queen's husband only had to deal with the remaining invading Host. Maybe he DID knew what he was doing!

Spoiler: Another Enemy Defeated And Only One Left

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Less then a week later news came out of China that surprised the Queen. The Ming Dynasty had declared war on a 12 year old. Seems the Chinese wanted to subjugate the Realm of Guge. The Queen was interested to see how well the Chinese handled war in the region of India-Tibet.

Spoiler: The Ming Goes To War With Guge

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Later in the month the Count Varzak of Gyantse had become the new leader of the Gavelkind Succession in Kamarupa Faction. A day later Duchess Arminestra took over leadership of the Faction to Increase Council Power In Kamarupa.

Spoiler: Status Of The Factions

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In other words, people are joining Factions but also dropping out. The Factions were neither gaining power nor disappearing. This was likely because the most dangerous and powerful of the Vassals were already part of the rebellion and could not join the Factions.

In late February the enemy army was fleeing through the Capital of the Realm. The Army of Commander Eustathios had chased it around in a big circle.(1)

Spoiler: Going Around And Around

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It was pretty clear that the enemy was running out of steam. It was also clear that they would not make it out of the Capital before the Royalist forces arrived. The Queen made sure to alert the local populace to stay out of the rebels' way and to hide their valuables, their women folk, and their livestock.

Shortly afterwards her husband came into her throne room one day to brag about some new relics he had acquired.

Spoiler: Her Husband's Bling

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“Check out it out!” he said while showing her his new Collar of Pearls and Engraved Dagger. "I bet you wish your artifacts were cool like mine!"

As he left the throne room the Queen started to ponder if her husband was all together sane. She also wondered where he had gotten those items. Had he made them? Found them?

Spoiler: Preparing For Battle

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By the end of the month it was VERY clear that there was going to be a battle in the Capital and Commander Eustathios prepared his forces. Which in this case was just him grabbing Commander Basil from whatever booze shop he had been visiting at the time and dragging back to command the Army’s Right Flank.

So we close this chapter with an upcoming battle, a Despot showing off his bling, and a Queen pondering the sanity of life.
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Author's End Notes:

1. No, really. The Rebels had fled in one big circle.

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Forty-Six : Peace Comes To The Realm


Returning To The Old Homestead

We open this chapter in March, of the year 857 AD, with the Queen receiving news of the Battle of Madan Kamdev. The Royalists had opened up with the traditional exchange of arrows and missiles. Seems Basil had dropped out of the battle to get a drink. Sadly for the rebel scum their left flank was the weak link of their army. Even without Commander Basil they were still doomed.

Spoiler: The Battle Of Madan Kamdev

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Not only were they outnumbered their Commander was unskilled. Yes, "The Unfaithful" was a horrible military Commander. Soon the army clashed together as the infantry charged forward. Once again the Royalist had the advantage.

Around the same time news came of the fall of the Town of Nang to Commander Pusyamitra and his men. The defenders of the town were wiped without one man lost to the Queen's soldiers.

Spoiler: The Town Of Nang Falls

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Then the Queen got more news from the Battle of Madan Kamdev. The rebels were collapsing and the Royalists had already released the mounted troops on their center.

Spoiler: The Rebel Line Collapses

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The rebels were soon on the run and being chased down by the cavalry and elephants of the Royalists'. The farm plots and flat plains were perfect for their use.

As the Queen waited for news of the victory she received the good news that Duchess Arminestra had disbanded her Faction.

Spoiler: Duchess Arminestra Disbands Her Faction

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Reports came in that the rebels' right flank was trying to act as a rearguard to allow the rest to escape.

Spoiler: Last Moments Of The Battle

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Then the news came that the Battle of Madan Kamdev was a victory. The Royalists lost 216 soldiers while the rebels lost 687 men. And of course they went on fleeing. This time they turned around and decided to go north. Maybe they wanted to go clock-wise this time?

Spoiler: Victory!

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In April the Queen sent out feelers asking Anastasia if she was willing to give up now? But the response was negative. The Rebel Leader KNEW she was losing but was not willing give up yet.

Spoiler: Future Sore Loser

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The Queen got the news of Mayor Kale of Anini's death. A natural death at 63 years old. The Queen hoped that Kale enjoyed Buddhist Heaven.

Spoiler: Kale Dies A Natural Death

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The next day the Queen was alerted to her husband's illness. Seemed he had been suffering from food poisoning for a few days. She called for her Court Physician to help the Despot at once!

Spoiler: The Despot Is Ill!

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Near the end of April the Queen received good news from Fortun. The Magistros had improved her relations with the Bhikkhu Kyrillos of Cuowa. The Queen was pleased. It was always good to have the Buddhists happy with her.

Spoiler: Kyrillos Of Cuowa Likes The Queen Even More

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Then the Queen got the best news she could have received. In May the Army of Pusyamitra reported that it was close to overwhelming the defenders of the Temple of Lilong. Her staff believed that this would be the last straw for the rebellion. She hoped they were right.

Spoiler: Temple Of Lilong Under Siege

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When the news that the Temple had fallen to the Royalist without a loss among their own rank and file the Queen knew it was time to demand the rebels surrender.

Spoiler: The Town Falls

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After all, outside of the first battle, the Royalist had an unbroken chain of victories on the battlefields.

Spoiler: Only One Defeat On The Fields Of Battle

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On the 16th of May the rebellion was crushed and the war ended.

Spoiler: Peace At Last

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At this point the Queen cancelled the plot to kill Duchess Anastasia. It was no longer needed even if many of the backers were more then willing to help kill the "Unfaith" including the woman's own husband.

Spoiler: Ending The Plot

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After this the four Rebel Leaders are marched into the dungeons of the Queen. It is unlikely they will ever be seeing the light of day again.

Spoiler: Into The Dungeons With The Revolt Leaders

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In the end the war had seven battles and nine sieges. The Royalists lost 2,829 soldiers while the Rebellion lost 7,514 soldiers. The Rebellion had started out strongly but had soon found itself outnumbered and outfought by the Queen's forces. There are a few what-ifs written about this war. What if the Rebels had hired some soldiers to increase their numbers? Or what if the Rebels had shown some common sense and tried to hit the Queen's armies before they could combine themselves? Or what if more of the Vassals had joined the revolt? But those are for badly written what-if historical novels and we want to deal with facts here.

The fact is the Queen's levies were hardened veterans, her Commanders were experienced, and her Royal Retinue and mercenaries were professionals. It is unlikely untested farmers and herders assembled by the revolt's Leaders would have even a small chance to win in the end no matter how you look at it.

So we close this chapter with the Queen crushing the massive Rebellion and tossing the Leaders into the dungeons.

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Forty-Seven : Home Sweet Home


Welcome To The Rest Of Your Life

We open this chapter in May, of the year 857 AD, and we find ourselves in the cell of the Count Anastasia "The Unfaithful". It wasn't a bad cell. It was somewhat small but the straw only had a few bugs, the table was only had a little wobbly, and the food was only a little stale.

The door also kept the dungeon rats from dancing on her while she slept. She knew it could be worst. She could be blind.

The three fellow-traitors, Eusebios Dysnomia, Herakleios "The Cruel", and Himerios "The Wise" all were in cells close to her. She knew that because she could hear them complaining almost continuously. They complained about the cracks in their doors that allowed in the cold drafts or the moldy bread that the staff brought them with their old cheese or the lumpy pile of straw that made it hard for them to sleep. And they complained that they were no longer addressed as Nobles.

The Queen had stripped them of most of their titles. Well, in the men's cases, ALL of their titles. For some reason, maybe a legal loop hole or just the Vassals acting up, the Queen could not revoke all of Anastasia’s titles. So Anastasia was still addressed as a Noble.

Spoiler: The Queen Revokes MOST Of The Traitors' Titles

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Only she was addressed as a Count. Somebody, when writing the report for the dungeon staff, had addressed her as a "Count" and not a "Countess". So she was now a Count. It didn't matter how much she pointed out she was a female. The dungeon stuff were bureaucrats. If the paperwork called her a Count she was a Count. Period.

She knew it was May and even the day much of the time. They were in the upper levels of the dungeons where people were treated relatively well. Three bad meals a day and a daily row call by Boss Hog to make sure everybody was alive and had most of their limbs.

One day Boss Hog, the man who ran the dungeons like his own little Realm, had the dungeon thugs pull the four from their cells and lined them up against one of the walls. The four stared at each other. They had not seen each other since they had been first brought to the dungeons.

Anastasia was disgusted by the appearance of the men. Their clothing was dirty and she could smell them. She was also alarmed by the lice in their hair and their thinner frames. It took her a few seconds to realize they were just disgusted at her appearance.

"Hello my little prisoners," the steward of the dungeon said gleefully. "I have some news for you. Then I have some bad news for you. First the normal news." He opened a large scroll, looked at it, and added, "Most of those titles that were taken away you have now been given to other people."

The man smiled and added, "And I plan to take great joy in telling you all the details."

Anastasia and the other three just sighed. They knew nothing they said mattered here. Boss Hog was the Lord and Master of the dungeon and only obeyed one person. The Queen.

"First, the Guru Adranos was given the County of Lhasa and then the Duchy of Lhasa," said the man with a grin towards Himerios who just stayed silent.

Spoiler: The NEW Doux Of Lhasa

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The ex-Doge had learned that trying to act all high and mighty with the dungeon steward meant no food for a day and no changing of his chamber pot. It was one thing to complain. They didn't mind that. But if you tried to order them about or insulted them...that was something else.

"The Queen was smart enough to give him the titles in the proper order. No republic this time," added Boss Hog as he gave the group a wink. "She learned, this one. Funny, he thinks he should be on the council BUT the one thing he is NOT good at is combat. So it is unlikely our new Doux will be launching any revolts any time soon."

"Now, Commander Eustathios was given the Barony of Nalrajar Garh," continued Boss Hog. "Now I know what you all are going to say. The Barony was the Queen's. And your right. She wanted to award the man for his good work with a NICE Barony that had a proper STONE castle and a loyal populace."

Spoiler: The NEW Baron Of Nalrajar Garh

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He waited to see if they had any reactions to his baiting and shrugged when they reminded silent. They were fast learners and one thing they learned was not to feed the man's enjoyment with signs of their discomfort and outrage.

"As for the new Duchess of Nyingchi," he said with a chuckle, "we have three year year old blind girl named Anakhit.”

Spoiler: The NEW Duchess Of Nyingchi

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Her stepfather could hold it in any longer and shouted, "WHAT!?!?"

Boss Hog chuckled again. "Yeap. The poor girl Count Anastasia blinded was given some of your lands. It was the Queen's idea. You once blinded a man so why not put a blind girl in your place?"

Herakleios "The Cruel" just grumbled and bent his face down. Not to hide shame as much as to try to keep people seeing the rage on his face. He knew Boss Hog would just enjoy the sight of it.

The man let off a loud laugh before returning to the large scroll. "Let's see...oh yes...the ex-Councilor Karz Faramarzzk was made a Mayor. Nice for him...always good to have a job."

Spoiler: A NEW Mayor

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He looked lower down on the scroll and said, "Oh yes, Count Anastasia should love this one. Count Ioustinos of Bumthang was given your County of Paro and your Duchy of Bhutan. He is the NEW and very loyal Doux of Bhutan. The Duchy of Bhutan is now whole. Which is what you ALWAYS wanted."

Spoiler: The NEW Doux Of Bhutan

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The woman just shrugged. She knew better than to give him a reason to punish her or make her life worse.

Boss Hog almost seemed impressed. He thought that news would have made the "Count" react more than that. He moved on to the next piece of news.

"The most loyal Doux Andronikos of Yarlung was given the County of Nedong," he stated with a shrug. "Which means he now had all the counties that belonged to his Duchy."

Spoiler: Doux Andronikos Gets The County Of Nedong

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"And one piece of information for you Eusebios," said the man with a glace towards Eusebio. Then he waited. And waited,

Eusebios sighed. He cleared his throat and said, "Could you please tell me the information?"

"Good, good," said the man as the rest of the staff chuckled. "Learning some manners. Just to let you know your eldest boy is getting a education in the fields of religion and culture. Nice of the Queen to treat the son of a scumbag like you as a normal human being."

Spoiler: A Rebel's Son Is Given A Education

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Anastasia watched Eusebios hold back his emotions. The men were not taking their stay here as well as she was. She still had a title and the staff used it. She was also use to not getting things her way.

But the men had almost ALWAYS had it their way. But now they were treated more like unwanted homeless bums in a high class tavern. They were not use to such treatment. Her stepfather, not having a drop of royal blood in his veins, received the worst treatment. They forced him once to clean out his own chamber pot when he tried to hit one of the rats with a cup.

And of course the first days in the dungeons had been the hardest. They had all assumed they would be treated with a certain amount of respect. But in the end they were forced to use MANNERS and be POLITE with lowborn scum. Say “thank you” when their meals were delivered and even say “please” when asking questions. What stupid rules!

“What is the bad news,” she said. She added, after the Boss of the dungeon glanced in her direction, “If I MAY ask. Please.”

The man nodded and smiled. “Yes, you may ask. All of you are going to the oubliettes. The Queen can’t kill you as that would make her a kin slayer and the Vassals seem to have issues with that. Well, maybe not in the case of her stepfather.”

Spoiler: Enjoy The Oubliettes

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Herakleios turned pale and could not hide the fear on his face. He gulped and started to sweat.

“So my dear Count and, and the rest of you scum, you have two choices.” Boss Hog pointed towards the thugs. “You can follow me freely. Or be carried.”

Count Anastasia followed of her own free will. The men had to be carried. They screamed. They kicked. They wept.

As they entered the dark lower levels of the dungeon the men just struggled more and more. It did them no good. They were being handled by professionals.

The Count just ignored them. She stepped carefully down the dangerous steps and kept her dress out of the filth on the floor. She also did her best to step around the friendly rats.

Soon they stood before the old man who ran the pits. Philemon. He met them with a lamp and gave them a cheerful greeting. It took very little time for them all to be placed in their individual holes.

Anastasia went down the ladder under her own power. Eusebios and Himerios were carried down their ladders and her stepfather put up so much of a fight that the thugs just tossed him in.

Before the lids were closed their new jailer peeked down on all of them and said, “I’ll check on you once a week. Maybe twice. My lovely wife will bring you slop in a bucket. Eat it. Don’t eat it. We don’t care. Enjoy!”

Her oubliette was worn and the stones uneven. Water covered everything and there was something swimming in the pool of brown liquid around her ankles.

The Count learned to sleep standing up. She learned to eat her slop no matter what her stomach wanted. She learned she was the second to use this pit as her sister Princess Eustathia had used it first.

The darkness, the screaming, the bugs, the rats, and the food....the horrible food was slowly turning her into a shadow of a person. And every day...or was it night...she heard her fellow-traitors complain, curse, and sometimes even scream in anger.

Yet, they still received news from the outside. For example, when one day getting the bucket of slop lowered down to her from the old woman named Baucis she was told that the Queen’s levies and hired scum had been released. The Army of Eustathios was the way home.

Spoiler: The Troops Were Returning To The Capital

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She cursed Commander Eustathios and his abilities. He had kept a force of hired thugs, farmers, and professional Royal soldiers working together for years. And had this mixed force winning battles to boot!

She tried to remember her lover’s face. She tried to remember her children’s voices. She even tried to remember how the snow in her old holdings looked blue under the midday sun.

So we leave the four traitors with their pits and their yummy slop. Next chapter we return to the Palace of the Queen with clean beds and warm rice pudding and rat free hallways.

[Valley]

The Slop Industry would like to point out that slop is both cheap and filling. Nothing wrong with some well-made slop to feed prisoners, orphans, pigs, school children, soldiers, in-laws, or family members you don’t like. Slop - The Mystery Meal of the FUTURE!

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Forty-Eight : Post-Rebellion Peace


Matchmaking Time

We open this chapter in May, of the year 857 AD, with the Queen moving on to peaceful pursuits. For example she remembered that Eupraxia Dysnomia wanted to overcome pride. The Queen went to the young woman to talk to her about how to overcome the sin.

Spoiler: The Queen Decides To Visit Her Niece

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In the end she helped Eupraxia remove the sin of pride from her life. The woman was grateful for the help and her opinion of the Queen raised slightly.

Spoiler: Eupraxia Is No Longer Proud

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It seems the dungeon staff had finally corrected a error in their records and were now calling Anastasia a Countess again. The woman still had three counties under her control not that she would be a danger to the Realm for very long. She was in the deepest, darkest, part of the dungeon AND ill. Even with the doctor visiting her it was doubtful she would last very long. The Queen would just have to keep an eye on the woman's offspring.

Spoiler: Anastasia Is A Countess Once Again

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With the Rebellion over the biggest problem the Queen had was the fact that she had two sons. The reason this was an issue was because her oldest son would inherit her titles and the Kingdom of Pala. And her youngest son would inherit the Kingdom of Bihar.

Spoiler: Two Sons Will Become Two Despots

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The Queen really wished her husband would get his act together and change the inheritance laws of his Realm. How can he be so good as military leader and but such a idiot when it came to running the rest of his Kingdoms?

To make herself feel better she ordered a Monastic School be built at the Temple of Durjaya in the Capital-County of Kamarupanagara.

Spoiler: A Monastic School Will Be Built

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The Queen was amused a day later when the Anastasia changed her primary title to the County of Sikkim. The reason this humored her was that this screwed up the paperwork and Anastasia was called Count again.

Spoiler: Anastasia Becomes A Count Again

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That same day Count Petros was made the Magistros of Doux Adrianos. At this point the Queen noticed that the Count had replaced his murdered wife with another. The Queen wondered how the new wife felt about him murdering his other wife. Or how the woman, named Parthena, felt about his Concubine.

Spoiler: Count Petros Has A New Position And Has A New Wife

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The Queen decided not to worry about him anymore and focus on the traditional matchmaking that seemed to have run in her family for decades. First, she went searching for her stepfather's ex-Concubines.

You see, the old man had married one of his Concubines and kicked the other two out. So Alexandra and Eunike were now available.

She found Alexandra, and her two daughters, and suggested she marry Courtier Wakhushakk. He was the oldest son of her Aunt (the Spay Master).

Spoiler: Alexandra Needs A Husband

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In the June the marriage was approved and Alexndra showed up in the Royal Court to marry Wakhushakk.

Spoiler: She Marries Wakhushakk

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A days later the Doux Ioustinos of Bhutan passed the Late Feudal Administration Law. The Queen was pleased - that Law seemed to be the first basic step of any good Vassal.

Spoiler: Doux Ioustinos Passes The Late Feudal Administration Law

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Shortly after that she got a betroth proposal from Manaticcuran of the Rashtrakuta Revolt to marry Agathe Dysnomia when she was of age. As the girl was the daughter of one of the traitors and the Queen would need to do something with her anyway this seemed like a fine idea. So of course the Queen said yes.

Spoiler: Marry Off Agathe When She Is Of Age? SURE!

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By middle of June the Queen's attention finally turned to Eunike and her daughter. The Queen decided her Doctor needed a woman in his life. So she send the proposal off.

Spoiler: Who Will Eunike Marry?

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Near the end of June the Retinue finally arrived at the Capital and was greeted by cheering crowds. Wives, children, and families were out in force to meet their husbands, fathers, and sons. These soldiers had been gone for over two years and they had been missed. People laughed and cried and there was some traffic jams caused by the chaos. Beer and wine shops sold out their stock within a few hours as families celebrated the return of their loved ones.

Spoiler: Family Reunions And Parties

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After that Doux Adrianos of Lhasa also passed the Late Feudal Administration Law.

Spoiler: Doux Adrianos Passes The Late Feudal Administration Law

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The proposal that Zenon and Eunike get married was accepted and Eunike came to the Royal Court for the marriage.

Spoiler: Eunike And Zenon Marry

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The Queen noticed her Upadhyaya was idle and sent Bhikkhu Pelagios off to the County of Amdo to try to help the poor misguided Christians. Buddhism needed to spread on the Frontier.

Spoiler: The Upadhyaya Works Two Jobs At ONCE

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She got a letter via bird from the Upadhyaya once he arrived in the county. He alerted her to the fact that a Chinese army was marching west pass the border. It was not doing so well as it was losing soldiers to a lack of supplies. They had not planned their invasion of Guge very well.

This reminded the Queen of Khan Sircan II of Xia. The young Ruler who was under the Ming's protection. But when the staff brought her reports on the Realm of Xia it was simple to see that the Ming was not helping it at all. Khan Sircan was deep in the middle of four conflicts and there was no sign of Chinese forces helping him at all! The Queen felt sorry for the Dwarf Khan.

Spoiler: The Little Khan

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Talking about wars her husband, who was still sick, was also in the middle of a new war. A war against the Kingdom of Ayudha. Which he was losing. Maybe he DIDN'T know what he was doing when it came to military affairs?

Spoiler: Despot Is Losing A New War

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The Queen decided she needed some time to herself. She also realized two kids were bad enough. If she had more that would just cause even more problems. So she took a vow of Celibacy.

Spoiler: The Queen Takes A Vow Of Celibacy

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Most likely she just wanted to impress her religious subjects or wanted to stay away from her ill husband.

So we close this chapter with the Queen deciding to give up sex and cutting off the Despot.

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Forty-Nine : More Marriages And A Concubine


Greek Concubines

We open this chapter in June, of the year 857 AD, with the staff bringing the Queen the news that Count Theophylaktos of Mangyul seemed to have a good opinion of his Liege. It may be possible to ask him to convert to Buddhism. She was also told he was in hiding for some reason.

Spoiler: Count Theophylaktos Of Mangyul Is Asked To Convert

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So the Queen asked the Count to embrace the Buddhist Faith in late June. In July the Count converted. The Queen was very pleased as this meant her Vassals were all Buddhists. Of course, this does not count those of the local courts or Duchies.

Spoiler: Count Theophylaktos Become Buddhist

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The Queen noticed that the Count Pelagios, the bastard, was 16 years old but still single. This time she planned to pick a woman he could not refuse to marry. So she invited a few women to the Royal Court based on their skills and talents.

Spoiler: Count Pelagios Is Old Enough To Marry

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Pusuwan of the House of Sen was a 18 year old Buddhist woman. Besides the rumors of preferring other women the Noble Lady looked great on paper. She wanted to marry and was one of the top Theologians of the Faith. She was also charitable, chaste, and diligent. She arrived in the middle of July and, of course, the Queen proposed she marry Count Pelagios.

Spoiler: Sen Pusuwan

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Her staff said it was very likely the Count would agree to such a proposal. Later that month her second invite showed up. Taoge a lowborn woman who also wanted to marry. She was temperate and kind. She was also ambitious and deceitful. What made her so interesting was she was a good administrator. She wouldn't be a bad match up for Doux Adrianos of Lhasa. So, of course, the Queen sent a proposal.

Spoiler: Taoge

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Once again, the staff suggested that it was likely that the Doux would agree to such a marriage. In fact the Doux's reply came first as he agreed to marry Taoge. No doubt he wanted heirs of his own to pass on his titles. And her skills with money didn't hurt.

Spoiler: The Doux Marries Taoge

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Count Pelagios's reply came in August and he also agreed to the marriage. How could he really refuse such a wonderful wife?

Spoiler: The Count Marries Pusuwan

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Everything seemed to be going well. Then the Queen heard some news that upset her. The Queen's own husband agreed to take a Concubine from Thakur Lakshmichandra of Saptagrama. Her name was Vina of the House of Pala and she seemed like a nice young woman. Funny enough she seemed to have a higher opinion of the Queen than the Despot.

Spoiler: The Despot Takes A Relation As A Concubine

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The problem wasn't the woman herself. The problem with this was the Despot was likely going to have more CHILDREN! And the more children he had the more spread out his titles would be when he passed away. The Queen decided her husband was a idiot.

Later in August the Queen, and the other members of the Society, went to a nearby monastery. They spent the day doing chores such as mopping the floors, cooking the meals, and cleaning the windows. Afterwards the Abbot gathered all the members to show them the great relic the Monks had safeguarded for generations.

Spoiler: Nice Relic But Not Great

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The Queen thought it was nice but not as impressive as her Chinese Robes.

So we close this chapter with the Queen having helped a few of her Nobles find good wives and realizing that her eldest boy is going to have a tough time when he became the next Despot.

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Fifty : A Tiger Hunt


Keeping Cool

We open this chapter in September, of the year 857 AD, with the Queen getting sick of politics and her husband's whining. Turns out his Concubine didn't seem to like him. Or he didn't like his Concubine. She really didn't know - she didn't really listen to him much.

Spoiler: A Tiger Hunt!

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So the Queen decided to get away from it all with a Tiger Hunt! She sends out the letters to invite her Vassals as the hunting party is assembled. The guides debate the best places to hunt with the hunters while servants pack up the tents and soldiers sharpen their spears.

Spoiler: A Refusal

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The only person to refuse the invitation to the hunt was the Mayor Niketas of Mahasthangarh a grumpy old lowborn with dreams of glory but no skills or talents to support his dreams.

As the preparations for the hunt continued the Queen was alerted that her Magistros, Fortun, had used his wit and charm to improve relations with the Mayor of Itanagar. Well, at least that balanced out the Mayor that disliked her.

Spoiler: A Mayor Who Liked The Queen?

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Soon it the hunters and guards and servants and cooks and dogs were ready. The hunting party was soon on its way to the camp selected. By the evening the group had arrived and started setting up the tents. Along side the tents staff set up the cooking fires and dining tables. The Queen ended the day with a good meal and a warm bed.

Spoiler: The Hunt Begins!

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The next day the hunt began! While searching for a tiger the Queen could not help but think about what was happening back home. She realized that she wanted to have TOTAL control over her boys' education. Why did she give them to somebody else to teach them? What was she thinking? So she sent a letter back to the Council to assign her sons as her own wards.

Spoiler: The Queen Decides To Educate Her Sons Herself

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After many weeks the party's scouts finally found a tiger in October. The Queen had the choice to either attack it by herself or order the soldiers to do it. Not being a warrior she ordered the soldiers forward with their spears.

Spoiler: A Tiger Is Killed

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Too late did the tiger notice it was being surrounded and tried to escape. In the end it was taken down by the attacking soldiers with dozens of pointy spears. The Queen is very pleased.

On the way back, while riding in her Royal Elephant Platform, the Queen realizes that many of her Minor Positions, such as Regent, are empty. What was she thinking going on a tiger hunt without first selecting a new Regent or Cupbearer?

She selects the Doux Ioustinos of Bhutan for her new Designated Regent. The young man was brave, loyal, and content. Who else would she pick?

The NEW Baron Eustathios of Nalrajar Garh was selected for the new Cupbearer.

And as for the Master of the Royal Elephants she decided to give it to Count Theophylaktos of Mangyul to reward him for converting to Buddhism.

There was also a empty Commander position. The Queen decides on the best military man available. Satyavarman Satyavarman didn't like the Queen but she figured that would not matter on the battlefield.

Spoiler: A NEW Commander

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By the time she and the hunting party returned home she was feeling semi-relaxed. While she had done some work during the hunt that just meant less work when she arrived home.

Spoiler: Palace Sweet Palace

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And her sons enjoyed seeing the new tiger rug in the private chambers of the Palace. Her husband was still whining. But this time it was about a defeat of his army in the last battle. The Queen just rolled her eyes at this.

Then the staff alerted her to why the Count Theophylaktos was hiding. Seemed a Count Ioannes of Chios was plotting to kill the Count. Nobody could tell her the reason though. A long history of two feuding families? Inheritance issues? Rivals?

Spoiler: A Murderous Plot?

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So we close this chapter with a tiger dead and a Queen slightly more rested then before.

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Fifty-One : Surprise Top Seven List!


Holy Wars And Revolts

That's right folks! In this chapter we will list the top seven military powers of the known world! This time we seem to have a lot of Revolts and a lot of Holy Wars plus a lot of Hosts and Raiders in the mix too. It seems amazing to me but Europe seems to be getting worse! So who were the Big Boys on the 26th of October 857 AD?

So we move west from India to the Byzantine Revolt ruled by Martha of the House of Diogenes. Maybe I should have said Big Girls? She had over eighteen thousand soldiers but not much else. She was more of a religious person with her nose in the books.

Spoiler: Byzantine Revolt

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Yet she seemed to have started a Revolt to support some Prince's claim on the Byzantine throne. We will see who wins in a couple of years.

The next Realm on our list is the Arabian Empire. The Ruler was still Caliph Al-Mahdi "The Wicked" who was now dealing with two Host attacking him AND a Revolt.

Spoiler: Arabian Empire

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Sadly, while he had over seven thousand soldiers he was in debt by over 5000 gold coins! And was being attacked with vicious rumors. Was this the end of the Empire?

We head back to the Byzantine Empire to find Basilissa Iouliana with over fourteen thousand soldier. But she was also in debt. Not a good thing while at war.

Spoiler: Byzantine Empire

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It does not help she was a lunatic but at least she was no longer sick. Well, in body anyway. But what would the Byzantine Empire be without a fight over the throne?

Now we head to the west to Spain. The next Realm on our list was a Umayyad Revolt who was ruled by Ubayd of the House of the Qashid. He had over twelve thousand warriors AND he was in a few conflicts. Not only was he in Revolt against the Umayyad Empire but is also hostile towards Raiders AND another Umayyad Revolt. (See Bonus Material)

Spoiler: Umayyad Revolt

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Ubayd had also, somehow, offended the Religious Authorities. Maybe it was his sympathy for Christians and non-existent Judaism? Yes, it seems the Empire had split up into infighting Revolts and no matter how you slice it the future looks dark for the Spanish Moors.

We then move on to our next Realm in Italy. We meet the Queen Appa “The Unfaithful” of Lombardy. With her eleven thousand soldiers she was both fighting off Raiders AND in a Holy War For Tunis.

Spoiler: Lombardy

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The amazing thing about her was her unfair nickname because all records suggested she not only REJECTED attempts to seduce her BUT she was a religious student.

For the next Realm on our list we move back to India to see the Kingdom of Ayudha. The Great King Tejapala “The Wise” had over five thousand warriors and was in a war with the Kingdom of Pala.

Spoiler: Ayudha

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He was cruel, gluttonous, and rumored to be a man who enjoyed torturing others. And while shrewd he didn’t really come across as “Wise”.

So we go back to Spain to see the next military power, and last military power, on our list. Another Umayyad Revolt run by Hussayn “Holy” of the House of Suleymanid. He had over six thousand warriors and was also hostile towards one of the other Revolts on TOP of fighting the Umayyad Empire.

Spoiler: Another Umayyad Revolt

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It looks like Spain has become a war zone. If the Empire there collapses into a lot of bricking states what will happen? Will the Italians take advantage of it? Or will the Franks/French be able to pull themselves together while the Moors fight each other?

Bonus Material!

Bonus Material! That’s right, I decided to add some more information to the chapter to help fill it out and add to the above!

Badshah Shamir of the Umayyad Empire was a 15 year old Ruler who is pretty much doomed. With just over three thousand soldiers he was fighting three Revolts, a Holy War, and dealing with a Raider. What happens here in the next few years will be an important event that may change the very face of Europe.

Spoiler: Badshah Shamir Of The Umayyad Empire

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And who was in charge of all these Raiders we talked about on the list? Well, many are Khans but most are under King Alfr’ “The Whisperer” of Svipjod the Christian Ruler of the Norse. Oh no, not more Christian Vikings! And many of his nobles were also Roman Catholics. It seemed that the Norse had finally decided on their true Faith. Of course, this meant they can declare Holy Wars against their Pagan neighbors as while as Raid all the other Realms.

Spoiler: King Alfr' Of Svipjod

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The Roman Catholic Moral Authority was at 68 percent at this point. This isn’t bad but the Sunni and Hindu are still on the top of the Religions List.

Spoiler: Pope Marinus

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The Pope Marinus “The Purifier” was cruel, arbitrary, and deceitful. In other words he was a horrible Pope. But he must have been happy with the increase in Authority. Was it caused by the Norse King? Maybe. That depended on how long the Christian Kings in Svipjod ruled. Being Christian MIGHT mean the Pagans surrounding them could also declare Holy Wars on them!

So we close this chapter with Spain in danger of falling apart while the Roman Catholics might be making a come-back. Thanks for reading and next chapter we return to India and a certain Queen.

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Fifty-Two : The Realm Prospers


Wealth And Happiness

We open this chapter in October, of the year 857 AD, with the Queen riding a wave of fame. She had killed a tiger and before that had crushed a revolt. Many of her new Vassals were very happy with her and her military forces now numbered beyond six thousand. And the accountants were projecting at least 900 gold coins a year. More or less once you remove the expenses of Retinue upkeep.

Spoiler: The Queen Is Doing Well

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Her husband was not doing as well. By November not only was he still sick BUT he was losing his war with the Kingdom of Ayudha. In the end it looked very much like her husband would have to kneel to Great King Tejapala "The Wise".

Spoiler: Her Husband Is Not

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Later that month she received a letter from Iracacimman of the Pandya Kingdom that Prince Cayanravarman should marry Gabrielia Dysnomia. Gabrielia was 17 years old women and one of the many offspring of the Four Traitors. So of course the Queen said yes.

Spoiler: Marriage Proposal From Pandya

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It was a pretty harmless marriage as the Prince was the fifth person in line for the throne. There was even younger cousin in there somewhere. So unless the King plus four other people died all at once it was doubtful Gabrielia would ever become a Queen and be a danger.

Spoiler: The Queen Accepts

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Next door to Pandya her Aunt Theodosia was not enjoying her second marriage. Her husband had started a war against Pandya - a Pandya Revolt. And they were losing. HOW the Takakad Ganga had dragged the Kingdom of Pandya into a "REVOLT" in the first place was a mystery as they had been two different Realms.

Spoiler: The Pandya Revolt????

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In the end the Queen dismissed the conflict. That part of India was not for her to worry about. It would clear itself up long before the borders of Kamarupa ever came that close to the region. She decided that southern India was just crazy. And a great place to dump unwanted family members.

In December the Queen spent over 600 gold coins to start workers building a Buddhist Temple in the County of Kamatapur.

Spoiler: The Queen Orders The Building Of A Buddhist Temple

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Then she spent another 90 or so gold coins on a personal visit to the County of Sakya. She visited the elders, chatted with the peasants, and gave out some donations.

Spoiler: The Queen Visits The County Of Sakya

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In January her Spymaster Dionysia Dysnomia found some dirt on the Duchess Arminestra II. But as the woman was not involved in a plot or a faction at the time the Queen felt it better to do nothing. Why stir up the pot and CAUSE trouble?

Spoiler: Why Look For Trouble?

Show

Soon her accountants came to her and announced that the County of Kamatapur was, after a period of peace and good management, doing very well. And reporting record intakes when it came to tax collecting.

Spoiler: The County Of Kamatapur Is Doing Well

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So we end this chapter with wealth, peace, and prosperity. Of course the click of gold coins can sometimes attract unwanted visitors. Dun-Dun-DUNNNN!

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Fifty-Four : A Cowardly Councilor


Cheeky Bandits!

We open this chapter in March, of the year 858 AD, with the Queen getting a arranged marriage proposal from the Gugese Revolt. Seems they wanted Rajhumar Kalyan to marry Agathe Dysnomia.

Spoiler: A Marriage Proposal From A Revolt?

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The Queen agreed. Agathe was one of the many offspring of the "Four Traitors" (as the peasants were starting to call them) and getting her out of the Realm, like her eldest sister, would be a good thing.

It seems that with the invasion of Guge some of the populace or Nobles thought it was a good time to rebel. The Kingdom of Guge had been somewhat weak even BEFORE the Ming Invasion and the Queen doubted the rebellion would be stomped out anytime soon. Of course if they get a marriage tie with a another powerful Realm that might help them in the future.

Spoiler: A Map Of Guge

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"Hmmm," said the Queen to herself as she looked over the small map of Guge. "They may be the smartest rebels I have ever heard of. Good timing and long term thinking."

That day the Queen was also asked to select the second stage of education for Valeria Dysnomia. The girl was destined to marry Pelagios Dysnomia, of the Pandya Revolt, and the boy would need a strong future wife. So the Queen decided the girl should learn the arts of war.

Spoiler: Second Stage Of Valeria's Education

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Later that month the Queen heard some amusing news. Seems his husband’s Concubine, Vina Pala, was heavy with child. But it seems she had become pregnant by somebody else besides the Despot! Of course the Despot thought of her as a unfaithful harlot. Not that he had liked her much to start with.

Spoiler: The Despot's Concubine Cheats On Him!

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"He brought it on himself," chuckled the Queen.

Then the Queen heard reports that caravans and traders were being attacked by raiders in Kamarupanagara. Right in the Capital-County! Attacking the very people traveling roads only a few dozen miles from her own Palace!

Spoiler: The Protostrator Is Told To Deal With Some Bandits!

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"How dare they!" the Queen shouted as she tossed the reports to one side and stood up. "Scribes! Scribes! I need to send my Protostrator a letter! He needs to come back to the Capital to deal with the bold scum!"

After the Queen sent the letter she started to wait for the news of the bandits' defeat. In April, as she continued to wait her received news that Mahalakshmi of the House Sankhyavat had died. This woman was, or had been, the mother of the Raja of Shantideva Raj. Seems she died of a heart attack.

Spoiler: An Old Woman Dies

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A few days later the Queen heard even more bad news. Her Protostrator Isaias had decided to not move at all. He had deemed it too dangerous. He felt his pretty face was too important to get damaged.

Spoiler: The Protostrator Refused To Search For the Bandits!

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She could arrest him but decided to handle the bandits herself.

"Bring me my weapons and armors!" commanded the Queen. "And I will select those of my Royal Guard who are willing to follow their Queen into battle!"

As she prepared herself for battle, picking out her best Guards, and packing iron rations for the road the Queen heard that Duchess Arminestra was back to being a trouble maker. She had founded another faction. A Gavelkind Succession in the Kingdom of U-Tsang movement.

Spoiler: The Duchess Founded The Gavelkind Succession In U-Tsang Faction

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Soon the Queen headed out with her men. It was a small party and was able to find the bandit camp easily. The Queen and her men were able to sneak in after sunset. The bandit guards were easily overwhelmed as they were not very alert. It seemed they never realized they were being hunted. The bandit leader's was the largest tent which made it easy to find. She and her men were able to enter by slipping under the edge of the tent on the opposite side of the entry and away from the nearest campfires.

Spoiler: The Queen Goes After The Bandits Herself

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As she placed her blade on the leader’s neck he awoke. Maybe it was the feel of the cool metal on his skin or maybe it was bad timing. Either way he died as the Queen slit his throat open. She then turned away from cooling body and, with her men, charged out of the tent. She planned to fight her way out of the camp.

And so we end this chapter. Will the Queen fight her way out? Will the bandits overwhelm her? Join us in the next chapter where we give you the answer!
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Author's End Notes:

OOC: The latter events in this chapter happened because of a mis-click. I, in fact, was going to have her organize soldiers to take care of the raiders but clicked on the second option by accident. After that I just did what I thought would fit her character. She wasn’t a warrior but I wanted her to do her best to follow in her foremothers’ footsteps. So what happens in the next chapter is purely based on fate and not my choices. Just like real life. Enjoy!

[Valley]

How to play?

Sorry, it is not a interactive story. Just me making a story out of a ongoing game.

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Fifty-Five : The After Life


The Queen's Guide

Queen Eupraxia of the House Dysnomia opened her eyes in shock. She remembered the pain and the feeling of steel entering her body. The coughing, the bright oxygen rich blood, the face of the bandit as he impaled her on his blade. She remembered collapsing as her men shouted in anger, the clash of metal, the ground reaching up to hit her face.

She slowly stood up and realized she was no longer in armor. She was in a white dress and all around her she could dimly see the fighting. But it was like the tents and men and weapons were made out of a fog. Even the sounds were soft as if her ears were stuffed with bee's wax.

"What has happen-"

She stopped talking when she saw her faded out shape at her feet. Well, to be more correct, her feet was in her washed out body. She quickly stepped out of her armored chest and tried not to scream. She could see it but her feet had gone through it. It was there but it was a ghost. She was a ghost!

"Welcome," said a voice behind her. She quickly turned, her hands up and palms outwards, as she acted to defend herself.

Before her was...a person. The Queen could not tell if the person was male or female. Or...to be honest, even human. It was...like the still fighting soldiers around the Queen...faded. Yet at the same time more solid.

IT and the Queen were both there while the others were not. Yet the thing before her was more strange and inhuman than what was happening about her.

"Hello...?" said the Queen with a uncertain voice. "What has...where am...please tell me what is going on?"

"You have passed on from the flesh," said the thing. "I am your guide to the next stage of your journey."

"I died?" said the Queen.

"That is the term many from the first stage call the change," said the guide with a nod. "It is really not correct. Energy can never be destroyed and neither can one's mind."

As the thing talked the queen noticed the images around her were becoming weaker and the sounds softer. Soon the two individuals just stood in a bright fog. Or maybe, the Queen thought, they were just standing in nothing.

"Am I going to heaven?" asked the Queen.

"It is called many places," said the guide. It seemed in no hurry and added, "It is more of a center for rest and reflection. You will judge yourself and decide the next step of your journey."

"Judge myself?" said the Queen.

"Who best to judge you then yourself," stated the guide.

"Well," said the Queen trying to understand what was happening, "I tried to be a good Buddhist. Will...will I meet Buddha?"

"He has continued his journey," said the guide. "He and the other First ones have traveled far."

"First ones?" said the Queen.

"Buddha, Jesus, the Raven," answered the guide. "Those who first become aware of the endless journey."

"So which is the true Faith?" demanded the Queen.

The guide was silent for the first time and seemed to be searching for the proper words.

"The Truth is like a diamond with many facets. Many faces. Those in the first stage of their journey rarely can see the whole Truth. Only certain pieces of it. The Christian Popes, the Muslim Prophets, the Shinto Priests see faces of the Truth but never the whole. All the Faiths hold some Truth but not the Truth."

The guide finally held out a hand, gesturing for the Queen to follow, adding, "Sometimes the whole Truth does not become clear until one is in the fourth or fifth stage."

"You mean I will be reborn?" asked the Queen as she started to follow the guide.

The guide shook its head and took a few seconds to word the answer properly. "If you wish. To return to the same stage might not teach you anything new. You will be picking your next stage of education. Your next...focus. You may wish to try something new. A different being. A different world. A different universe with different laws of reality maybe."

"Oh," said the Queen not really understanding. She suddenly stopped and asked, "What will happen to my sons? My family?"

"They will finish their first stage in their own speed and in their own way," replied the guide. "We all follow our own paths."

The two walked into the fog. Or was it just a lack of something they walked into?

So we close this chapter and this scene, allowing the Queen to continue her journey of learning, and we will return to our world in the next chapter!

[Rockphed]

Sorry, it is not a interactive story. Just me making a story out of a ongoing game.

I'm sure if we gave you ideas you liked you would use them. The problem is that I suspect you are both playing far enough ahead of where you are posting and too good a player for us to give you ideas you like. I do appreciate you trying to give people information they ask for.

Edit: One question: is the raiders event similar to the events that can get you robin hood? I didn't think you had let your treasury go negative so I want some more OOC information about this event.

[Valley]

I'm sure if we gave you ideas you liked you would use them. The problem is that I suspect you are both playing far enough ahead of where you are posting and too good a player for us to give you ideas you like. I do appreciate you trying to give people information they ask for.

Edit: One question: is the raiders event similar to the events that can get you robin hood? I didn't think you had let your treasury go negative so I want some more OOC information about this event.

Thank you.

From I understand this Bandit event came with the Rajas Of India DLC and only happens in India. I knew about it before starting the game but I had the impression it only happened once. So far this is the third time it had happened. I think there is a chance of it happening with each character.

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Fifty-Six : A Very Young Despot


A Medieval Funeral

On the 12th of April, in the year 858 AD, scouts found a abandoned bandit camp. In it they found many dead Royal Guards and robbers mixed together. They also found the Queen's body.

It looks like the bandits overwhelmed the Queen and her soldiers. Then, realizing their leader was dead AND that they had killed the Queen, the bandits fled the county. From the look of their tents and equipment it seemed like they did so in a panic. The scouts carefully transported the Queen’s body, along with the dead soldiers who tried to protect her, back to the Palace.

Spoiler: Long Live The New Unskilled Despot!

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The Queen had died in battle and had left behind her 5 year old son, Niphon, as the Despot of the Kingdom. The boy had inherited the Queen’s many artifacts but also had inherited some problems.

Spoiler: Your Relics Belong To Me!

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New Council members needed to be selected and he had too many lands for a such a young Ruler. At least the treaty with the Ming was still in place. Maybe the Regent could help him?

The Regency started the day after. A Regency that would end only when Despot Niphon became a young man at the age of 16.

Spoiler: Regent Ioustinos of Bhutan!

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The Regent, Doux Ioustinos of Bhutan, was very loyal. His titles, and continued existence, was due to the boy's mother and grandmother. He planned to do the best he could to make sure the next decade was stable and calm to return the favor.

The Regent first suggested to the Despot that he switch the Crown's focus to the County of Kamarupanagara. "We want to focus your business and attention on the Capital for now," he carefully explained to the young boy, "as we don't know which of the three counties we will be giving up. But we do know we would never give up the Capital-County."

Spoiler: Crown Focus

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The boy nodded his head though the Regent did not know if Niphon really understood or not. His face was red from the crying. It would take a long time before the boy, and his younger brother, recovered from the mother's death. The father was rarely around.

Next the Regent turned to the Council. All the positions but for the Upadhyaya were empty. Bhikkhu Pelagios of Madan Kamdev had stayed and, in fact, was still in Amdo trying to convert the unfaithful.

The Regent started combing the files and records of the Royal Court to find the best candidates for the seats.

Mayor Karz of Reting, who had BEEN on the Council before, was the best man for the job of Magistros. He was kept in the court to work on relationships.

Baron Eustathios of Nalrajar Garh, Cupbearer AND Commander in the army, seemed to be the best person for the position of Protostrator. He was assigned to organizing the military forces.

Dionysios Dysnomia, a Courtier in the Royal Court and cousin to the Despot, was picked to be the next Sakellarios. He was soon helping the Regent run the Realm and the Despot's many holdings.

The Mystikos, the last seat to be filled, was given to Wakhushakk of the House of Vijaya who was told to stay in the Palace where he could listen and scheme.

Spoiler: The Mostly New Council

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All the new Councilors had positive opinions of the Despot. Maybe not great opinions but the Regent felt they were good enough for now. A stable Council was better then none at all.

Next the Regent focused on the military forces. There was an empty position. The Regent picked the best military man not already in the armies. Mayor Supratisthitavarman of Itanagar had a bad opinion of the Despot. But the Regent cared nothing for that. Like it or not the man was drafted into the military for his skills.

Spoiler: A New Commander

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Now to deal with the counties the Despot would have to give up. And who to give them to.

The County of Amdo was on the top of the list. Not on the Silk Road, with the wrong culture and wrong religion, it seemed like a good idea to give this property up.

Spoiler: County Of Amdo

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Fortun, a Commander and Ex-Councilor, seemed to be the best person to hand it over to. It pleased him greatly and, as a skilled military man, it was unlikely any idiots would try to start a revolt while under his watch. The new Council agreed with his decision.

Spoiler: The NEW Count Fortun

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The County of Sakya was the next one on the list. It was not on the Silk Road and was also of the wrong culture. AND the populace was still "adjusting" to being "librated" by the Realm.

Spoiler: County Of Sakya

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Varshasb Sangramazk, a Commander in the armies, seemed the best person to give the county over to. The Commander was happy with his new title and was more than capable of holding it with his military experience. And the rest of the Council agreed.

Spoiler: The NEW Count Varshasb

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The County of Goalpara was the next on the list the Regent had made. Good old Goalpara. A county that had been fought over and marched over many times. Yet was, in the end, pretty worthless.

Spoiler: County Of Goalpara

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First the Regent pondered giving the county to Yajiyavati of the House of Birapalid. But her skills would have made her a horrible Countess. He then wondered if Arjunavarman of the House of Dasaratha would make a good Count. It seemed the one thing the man WAS good at was making money.

Spoiler: Rejected Picks

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But his fellow Council members was split on giving the man a title. Maybe it was that he was the wrong religion? Or maybe the man's dislike for the Despot? The Regent withdrew the suggestion and looked for somebody else.(1)

Spoiler: The NEW Count Dirghanakhe

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The Regent searched carefully and then found the person he needed. Dirghanakhe Indratewesoya of the House of Urabo, husband of the Mayor Alexeia, was a content man with great skill at making money. He was also a Buddhist and the Council seemed to like him. He was made Count of Goalpara.

The next day the Regent woke up and started work compiling information about the Vassals of the Royal Court. He wanted to get an impression on who was with the Despot and who would be a trouble maker.

Spoiler: The Vassals Of The Royal Court

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While there was many who disliked the Despot the most dangerous of the Vassals was the Duchess of Varendra who no doubt felt the crowns belonged to her. The Duchess of Nagchu, the Duchess of Qamdo, and the Bhikkhu of Para-Lauhitya also disliked the Despot but not so much that they could not be reasoned with. Or bribed.

The Regent then listed out the Bhikkhus according to opinion and looked them over. Most of the Temple Vassals had a low opinion of the Despot. But that made sense as the young lad had yet to have a chance to DO anything for the religious folks. Maybe when the Temple was completed the Despot could get credit for it?

Spoiler: The Temple Vassals

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Getting the lists together had taken most of the day and the Regent retired that night tired and wondering if he could do this for the next ten or so years?

The next day Regent, after a small breakfast, turned to the Realm's spies and agents. He wanted to see what plots and schemes were brewing within the Kingdoms. Likely, this took less time to gather then information about the Vassals.

There was still the plot by Ioannes to kill Count Theophylaktos. As Count Ioannes was not of the Realm he did not have to listen to the Spy Master's demands to halt his scheming. There was also the three Factions active but they were pretty weak and the Regent wasn't really worried about them.

Spoiler: Plots And Factions

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And of course there were the "Four Traitors" in the dungeons. Three of which were pretty harmless. The Countess Anastasia still had holdings, three counties, and could still be a threat to the Despot. If she escaped.

So we close this chapter with the Regent trying his best to keep the Kingdoms under control as the two boys mourned their mother's death.
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Author's End Notes:

1. Acting Regents became members of the Council which could cause deadlocks in some decisions. Such as in this case where three voted no and three voted yes.

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Fifty-Seven : The Start of The Regency


A Crowd Of Maras

We open this chapter in April, of the year 858 AD, with the Regent and the Council firmly in control of the Realm. Of course, it had only been days since the death of the Queen. Who knows what would happen in the next few months or years?

Spoiler: The Regent And The Council

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Later that month Count Varzak of Gyantse had his own Council pass the Religious Control Mandate Law. Sadly, the Regent learned Cuiba, the Count's wife, had died during the birth to her second daughter Funa Varzakzk.

Spoiler: Count Varzak Passed A Law And Lost A Wife

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The Regent felt sorry for the woman. First she had to marry Count "Cottontail", then she was blinded, and then she died during childbirth.

Count Fortun "The Wise" passed the Late Administration Law like all good Vassals did who wanted to control their holdings with an iron fist.

Spoiler: Fortun Passes The Late Administration Law

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Near the end of the month the Regent was alerted that the Great King of Pala had sent his Concubine and the unborn child to China. What was he thinking? Was it some form of damage control or was he just being cruel?

Spoiler: The Pala Concubine Sent To China And Count Haripaladeva Is Told To Stop Plotting

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At around the same time the new Spy Master reported that Count Haripaladeva was plotting to claim the Duchy of Qamdo. Of course he was told by the Council to knock it off.

The Regent at this point realized that the Royal children were being tutored by somebody who was not worthy of being their teacher. It was the reason the Queen had taken over their education before her death. Yet the Regent was not allowed to change their Guardian. It just wasn't allowed.

Spoiler: The NEW Court Tutor

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So the Regent just changed the Court Tutor to somebody else much better equipped to educate them. It turned out the Councilor Dionysios Dysnomia had many of the attributes and talents needed by a future Ruler. So the Regent picked him!

In May Count Dirghanakhe of Goalpara had the Title Revocation Allowed Law passed by his Council. The Regent wondered how he planned to use the law?

Spoiler: Count Dirghanakha Passed The Title Revocation Allowed Law

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Later the Regent and the Council received news that the Great King of Gopala had BURNT a man at the stake. The Mayor Krishanmishra of Farthabad at the age of 66 who, according to the spies, seemed totally innocent of anything. The Regent was really starting to wonder about Gopala and if he was cruel or just inbred?

Spoiler: A Person Burnt At The Stake In Pala!

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Mid May Count Theophylaktos, who was still in hiding for fear of being murdered, founded his own faction to Increase Council Power in Kamarupa. While a member of the Council the Regent knew this was NOT what the late Queen would have wanted and ignored the Faction. In fact he ignored all of them. There was four of them but each one, by itself, was pretty weak.

Spoiler: Count Theophylaktos Founds A Increase Council Power Faction

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Later afterwards the Count Varshasb of Sakya passed the Late Feudal Administration Law. Always a good first move.

Spoiler: Count Varshasb Passed The Late Feudal Administration Law

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In June the Duchess Arminestra joined the Gavelkind Succession in the Kingdom of Kham Faction. This DID worry the Regent. If the trouble makers started joining each others' movements they could, by accident, create a Faction that COULD be powerful enough to cause problems. They would have to be watched.

Spoiler: Duchess Arminestra Joined The Gavelkind Succession In Kham Faction

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At this point the Regent got the Despot's permission to get access to the treasury. He used some of the Realm's funds to give gifts to all the other Councilors. It helped to increase their support, and opinion, of the Despot. It did cost a total of 112.9 worth of gold coins to do so. But he felt it the money worth it.

Spoiler: Gifts Given To Councilors

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In the middle of June the Regent was looking over an update from the Kingdom of Pala when he noticed three things. One, the Great King had been given the nickname "Son of Mara". As a Mara was a demon or devil this was a horrible sign of just how cruel and evil the man had become.

Spoiler: The Son Of Mara? Oh Boy...

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Second, he had a new wife. Vijnayavati of the House of Munda was a 33 year old Buddhist woman who already had a daughter and seemed nice enough. The daughter was the third thing he noticed.

"Does that mean we have a sister?" asked the young Niphon. His younger brother repeated the word "sister" while playing with his toy soldiers.

"No," said the Regent with a frown. "Rajkumari Rani seems to be your...12 year old aunt."

Spoiler: Step-Sister-Aunt?

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"That's silly," said the Despot. "How can I have a 12 year old aunt?" "Silly," repeated his younger brother.

The Regent just shrugged. He could not explain it himself without digging deeper into the Pala Family Tree and, to be honest, the idea of what he might find scared him.

In July news came from the west. Maybe it was the infighting in Spain or maybe it was just their time but the Shi'a were gathering to fight for their rights and their place in history.

Spoiler: Shi'a Raise!

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The Regent found it interesting but knew such an event would only affect India if it broke the power of the Sunni on the western borders. Otherwise it was just a piece of news to be filed away and forgotten.

So we close this chapter finding out more about the Pala Family then anybody should know and the Realm still stable.

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Fifty-Eight : Loose Ends


Taking Care Of Business

We open this chapter in July, of the year 858 AD, with the Regent deciding to improve relationships with two of the Duchesses. In other words bribes.

First he focused on the Duchess Mah of Qamdo. A Buddhist Norse woman with no real talents or skills. Why was she the Duchess? He sent her a gift that was equal to 28.9 gold coins.

Spoiler: A Gift Given To Duchess Mah

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She did seem pleased afterwards. Next the Regent sent a gift worth 29.1 gold coins to the Duchess Theodosia of Nagchu. Who was crazy and would make a better friend than an enemy.

Spoiler: A Gift Given To Duchess Theodosia

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This also pleased her. Both having positive opinions of the Despot also pleased the Regent because it meant they were less likely to plot against the boy AND it also meant they were giving the Despot his share of the taxes collected in their holding. If nothing else the Regent had learned how much the Royal Dynasty loved their income.

Spoiler: Slight Increasing The Income

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The Regent checked the building site in the County of Kamatapur. It looked like the Temple would be finished on time in September. At this time he made sure everybody on the work site knew that the Despot had agreed to continue to pay for the project. In fact it had already been paid for in full but the peasants didn't need to know that.

Spoiler: The Temple Is Still Being Worked On

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Then the Regent's attention moved onto Isaias Prabhavatiguptid. The Ex-Councilor who got the Queen killed and, at one point, even tried to seduce her.

Spoiler: Bye-Bye!

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He could not jail the man or banish him or cut his head off. But it turned out he could ask the man to simply leave the Royal Court in the name of the Despot. Refusing the Despot such a request was, of course, impossible. Funny enough being exiled seemed to make Isaias dislike the Despot slightly less.

This placed Isaisa Prabhavatiguptid in the court of Thakur Vishwarupsen "The Scholar" of Lumbini who himself was under the Raja Lakshminarayan "The Wise" of the Bangala Varman who was a vassal under the Great King Gopala III.

Spoiler: County Of Lumbini

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Sadly, for Isaisa, this also placed him in the combat zone. The county he was now in was occupied by the Kingdom of Ayudha. So not only was he now in a strange land but he was in enemy occupied territory. Funny enough while he took his wife it seemed he was a good enough, or bad enough, father to leave his only child behind in the Royal Court. Where she would be safe.

Near the end of the month the staff reported that the County of Bikrampur was doing very well. The people were happy and wealthy. The tax farmers were also happy and many were seen dancing in the streets.

Spoiler: County Of Bikrampur Is Doing Well

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In August the Spy Master reported that Sangrama Vijaya was trying to kill HIM! And the plot already had two backers to boot! Nobody EVER liked the Spy Masters.

Spoiler: The Spy Master Is The Target Of A Plot?

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Of course they were all asked to stop their plotting. Wakhushakk was too good a Spy Master to lose.

Spoiler: Prince Leontios For The Next Despot? Really?

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Then a few days later Bhikkhu Adrianos had founded a faction to make Prince Leontios the new Despot. This alarmed the Regent till he remembered that most of the Despot's Vassals wanted power for themselves. Why would they join to put the Prince in power? Why replace a kid Ruler with a adult Ruler?

Spoiler: Gift Given To The Bhikkhu

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The Despot decided there was no harm tossing a gift towards the Bhikkhu. It cost about 48.4 gold coins - the man was not cheap - and it would make it easier, in the future, to maybe get him to disband his own faction. Or at least keep him out of the other factions.

So we end the chapter with the Regent trying his best to make people happy with the Despot and defusing issues before they came about.

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Fifty-Nine : Relics


A Royal Death

We open this chapter in August, of the year 858 AD, with the Regent hearing some frightening rumors. It was rumored that the Bhikkhu of Para-Lauhitya had an interesting collection of relics. Many of which he had inherited from those who had come before him.

Spoiler: Bhikkhu of Para-Lauhitya HAS Relics?

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It was, in fact, an impressive amount of relics. Some created by local artists and some imported from CHINA. It made the Regent shiver to wonder what some of the items in the Duchy's vaults could do.

Near the end of the month Loukas Dysnomia, one of the many children of the "Four Traitors", had turned 12 and needed his second stage of education selected. The Regent looked over the boy's impressive talents and decided on the one thing he was neither good nor bad at.

Spoiler: A Future Diplomatic?

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The boy would be taught everything he needed to become a good diplomatic. And as far away from the sword and the dagger as possible.

In the middle of October Thakur Nanya Dev of Kumara Mandala was placed in jail by the Great King. The Regent was told that the Noble was accursed of being a Apostate.

Spoiler: Another Victim For The Stake?

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At the time the Regent was more concerned with the two eldest members of the Royal Family that COULD be a real threat to the Despot. Mayor Leontios of Yumai was one. He might NOT be powerful in wealth or soldiers. But if Vassals and Nobles decided to back him claims on the Realm it could start another dreadful war. And he had two lovely daughters to help form alliances with others.

Spoiler: Mayor Leontios

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A smart and powerful Vassal who wanted to have Royal Blood in his family might back the Mayor in return for a marriage of one of his sons to one of the daughters. This might explain why the Mayor was blocking any match suggested by the Palace.

Then there was the Princess Eustathia. She didn't dislike the Despot as much as she had hated her own sister but she still believed she deserved the Realm's many crowns for herself. Amazingly she had somehow gotten a position on the Council of the Ming General.

Spoiler: Princess Eustathia

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Funny enough her oldest son was on the Despot's Council AND the Despot's Tutor. How amusing her own children seemed NOT to care in the least about the crowns?

Spoiler: Ming Treatise On Law

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Shortly after this an artifact, a Ming Treatise on Law, was delivered to the Palace. After some questioning of his own staff the Regent realized that the item came from the LATE Himerios's estate. Himerios "The Wise" had finally died in the dungeon at the age of 36.

Spoiler: Himerios "The Wise" Dies

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Of course the Regent decided to help the widow find a husband. After all Mahendrani Khsetravridhid had children to feed. Also she didn't like the Despot and the Regent wanted her out of the Realm as soon as possible.

Spoiler: Mahendrani Needs A New Husband

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So he suggested that Marzoban Cagri "The Seducer" of Khotan marry her. The staff suggested the man would agree to it as he wanted to marry. And it would put her in a part of the world that was always having some kind of war. Far away.

Spoiler: Thakur Nanya Dev Of Kumara Mandala Is Free

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A few days later Thakur Nanya Dev of Kumara Mandala was released from the Great King's dungeon. The Regent wondered at the change of heart. Was the Great King sick?

In November the reply to the marriage proposal arrived. It was acceptance. Mahendrani was sent to Khotan to marry her new husband.

Spoiler: The Marriage Proposal Is Accepted

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In the middle of November Duchess Mah founded an Independent Faction! The Regent felt the factions were getting out of hand. And the most powerful and dangerous of those was the Prince Leontios for Kamarupa movement.

Spoiler: An Independent Movement?

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The Regent called the Magistros, Mayor Karz of Reting, to the throne room. There they had a small meeting in which the Regent unfolded the problem. The relationship between Bhikkhu Adrainos and the young Despot needed improvement. More then what just money could do.

Spoiler: The New Magistros Is Sent Forth!

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So the Magistros was sent to try to bring the Bhikku of Para-Lauhitya to the loving side of the Despot.

So we close this chapter with one Royal Death and the Regent trying his best to deal with the slowly growing threat of the Factions.

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Sixty : More Realm Politics


Working Hard For The Realm

We open this chapter in December, of the year 858 AD, with the Regent receiving good news that the Upadhyaya had converted a local subject. Gyaltsen of Amdo. A lowborn 33 year old man who happened to be the Sakellarios of Count Fortun. The Regent would have liked the whole COUNTY converted but you have to start somewhere.

Spoiler: Gyaltsen of Amdo

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It seemed that Count Fortun, after becoming the Count, had a hard time finding people for his Council. But he was not one to give up. Not only had he placed his wife on his Council BUT he had gone and gotten himself a Concubine and made HER a Councilor also! Sima Yuanyuan isn't very skilled, very smart, or very trustworthy, but maybe she was selected for her wide-hips first and was only made a Councilor when he could find nobody else? In fact the Count had made her his Upadhyayani which was likely the only seat she could handle with any skill.

Spoiler: Count Fortun And His Women Folk/Councilors

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Later that month the Regent received some bad news. The Duchess Mah had joined the movement to Increase the Council's Power in the Realm. As you can guess the Regent was not happy with that at all.

Spoiler: Duchess Mah Joined The Increase The Council Power Faction

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In February, of the year 859 AD, the Regent requested access to the treasury again. With the Despot's permission he started two new building projects. One was in the Castle of Kamarupanagara. The Castle REALLY needed a Keep. It cost a lot and would take a long time but would help make the Capital that much harder to take.

Spoiler: Building A Keep And A Castle Town

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He also ordered the building of a Castle Town at the Castle of Pundravardhana. Increasing the income of the Realm was always a good idea. And it wasn't as pricy as the Keep.

Later that month the Regent and the Royal Court received some good news. The Protostrator had discovered a man of great military skill. Not only that but he seemed to like the Despot. Kind of.

Spoiler: A Good Military Man Is Found

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But all the Commander positions were full! So the Regent picked the least skilled of the Commanders and replaced him. Everybody was happy about this. Well, not the Ex-Commander, Mayor Suprartisthitavarman but nobody really cared what a lowly Mayor thought about things. And his name had been too long anyway.

Spoiler: A NEW Commander

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In late March the Regent received...news. Not bad nor good. Just news. Count Harendranarayan of Madhupur had died of Pneumonia. And his 3 year old son replaced him with his mom acting as his Regent and Tutor.

Spoiler: A Count Dies - Long Live The New Count

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In April there was the normal, everyday, news. The Great King Gopala was losing the war he was having with the Great King Tejapala of the Ayudha Kingdom. Soon Pala would likely become a Tributary State of the Kingdom of Ayudha. And the maps would need to be changed again.

And the Great King Basawa of Guge, a 14 year old Ruler, was losing his war with the Ming AND losing against two Revolts. Who knows WHAT the map would look like after this. No doubt the Wall Map Union enjoyed their job security. Or were they a Guild?

In late April the Regent received some good news. Count "Cottontail" -er- I mean Varzak disbanded the Gavelkind Succession in the Kingdom of Kamarupa. Well, at least that was one less movement to worry about.

Spoiler: A Faction Is Disbanded

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Now the Regent decided to send the Count a tiny gift. To "encourage" him to stay out of politics. It improved the Count's opinion towards the Despot. The Regent just hoped the Count stayed out of trouble.

Spoiler: A Gift For Varzak

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So we close this chapter with a few building projects and the Regent continuing to do his best to keep the Realm from splitting into a dozen tiny petty Kingdoms. Like Europe.

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Sixty-One : A Great Change In the Middle East


A Revolt Wins?!?!

We open this chapter in May, of the year 859 AD, with the Duchess Anakhit of Nyingchi forming an alliance with Count Varzak of Gyantse. Which made sense as he was her father.

Spoiler: The Duchess Anakhit And Her Father Become Allies

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In June one of the Despot's aunts, Mahidevi Chhinda, the wife of the Mayor of Yumai died of Cancer. Which the Regent doubted would help to make the man more manageable.

Spoiler: An Aunt Dies

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A arranged marriage finally ticked over as the groom, Kalyan Laxman, finally became a man and was old enough to marry Agathe. The Regent, in the Despot's name, made sure to sent out a reminder.

Spoiler: Kalyan Laxman Is Ready To Marry

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Around that time Agathe's older sister, Gabrielia, was trying to defeat fear.

Spoiler: Gabrielia Wants To Stop Being A Coward

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In July Agathe went off to marry Kalyan who was no longer part of a Revolt. In fact he and his father seemed to be part of Guge and YET not taking part of any of the military operations.

Spoiler: Agathe And Kalyan Marry

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How could a Noble be part of a Realm and not AUTOMATIC be part of the conflicts it was fighting? Was that even allowed? The Regent was starting to realize why many of the past Rulers were either drunks or completely stressed out.

Then in August the news, shocking news, mind blowing news, history changing news was finally received by the Regent and all of India. The Shi'a had a Kingdom of their own! Their Revolt had won against the Arabian Empire and Kingdom of Mirzid had been formed under a 4 year old Ruler the Caliph Mirza. If the boy lived to adulthood he could be trouble for the crippled Arabian Empire.

Spoiler: What? WhAt!? WHAT-WHAT-WHAT!!!!!

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This was amazing and the impact it would have would be huge. The Arabian Empire had been defeated and, in fact, was still fighting another Revolt! Was this the start of the end for Islamic power? Would the split allow others from outside the borders to snap up the pieces?

Spoiler: A NEW Religion In The Top Seven

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In September the new Temple to Buddha in the County of Kamatapur, named Mainaguri, was completed.

Spoiler: The Temple Of Mainaguri

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This gave the Despot another Baron title. Being that it was a Temple he could not, according to the laws, own he had to give it up. So the Regent helped the Despot with the paperwork to hand the title over to a new Buddhist Monk by the name of Bhikkhu Philaretos. A 25 year old man who was trusting and honest and very much a scholar.

Spoiler: A New Religious Vassal

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It looked like the Religious Leaders were a tad happier with the Despot after the Temple was finished. Though this might have to do with some of them receiving bribes earlier and the addition of a new Monk.

Spoiler: The Religious Vassals Seem...Happier

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And the new Temple DID help increase the Moral Authority of the Buddhists on a whole.

That same day Lazaros of the House Dysnomia turned 12 years of age and needed the second stage of his education selected.

Spoiler: Lazaros Will Make A Fine Accountant

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The Regent decided that bookkeeping would be good enough for the son of a "Traitor" even though the young boy seemed to have no issues with the current Despot. His eldest brother was even his teacher.

The Regent heard that the Despot was having issues with one of his playmates. Seems Euphemios was going out of his way to win all the games he played against Niphon. Euphemios was a member of the Royal Family and a son of one of the remaining "Four Traitors".

Spoiler: Childish Games

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The Despot declared that he would command the 6 year old to stop. The Regent knew there was no right answer. If the boy did nothing he may end up being bullied. If he did do something it might get worse. The Regent let him pick his own pathway in this case. The boy would need to learn how to solve problems.

But it got worse. They ended up getting into a fist fight and the Royal Guards had to pull them apart. It seems Euphermios lost his temper and told the Despot to get lost. And the Despot threw a punch.

Spoiler: Life Long Rivals

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Now the two 6 year olds were rivals. For life. They hated each other and the Despot was now rowdy. Which may help him in any future military training but might also cause problems in his long-term development and relationships with others.

So we close this chapter with the Middle East starting to crumble and the Regent wondering about a vacation. The Tibetan Frontier sounded like a nice place this time of year. Skiing and hot Yak butter tea sounded somewhat relaxing. Maybe pug-sled rides and some falcon hunting?

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Sixty-Two : Foreign Affairs


Map Changes?

We open this chapter in September, of the year 859 AD, with the Regent deciding that Eustratios Dysnomia, the son of a “Traitor” and unemployed, needed a wife. A wife far, far, far away.

Spoiler: Eustratios Dysnomia Needs To Be Taken Care Of

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So the Regent suggested that the young man have a matrilineal marriage with Faghira. Her greatest asset was that she was on the other side of India.

Spoiler: A Marriage Proposal

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The only person who was not happy with the marriage proposal was Eustratios who felt his future wife was too old. Luckily, nobody cared what he thought and the proposal was sent.

Spoiler: Proposal Accepted

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By October the couple was married and Eustratios went to live with his wife. Who was a follower of Islam interestingly enough.

This piece of fact sparked the Regent’s interest in what was happening in the Arabian Empire. He sent his scribes and staff to collect the information for him. Soon they had enough data to give him a general outline of what was happening in the Middle East. And it wasn’t good for Islam.

The war which the Caliph Al-Mahdi “The Wicked” had lost with the boy Caliph Mirza had been a nasty one. His current first wife was in the boy’s dungeons and the last first wife before that had died in the boy’s dungeons. He only had one wife left available to him who was not behind bars. The horror! In fact all his daughters and his mother were also in the dungeons.

Spoiler: Caliph Al-Mahdi

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But his problems did not end there. He also had another Revolt trying to break off from the Empire AND he had a Host’s Leader trying to claim his throne. He was STILL heavily in debt and his military forces were understaffed.

The Regent then decided to learn more about what was happening closer to home.

“Bring me news about the Guge! How is the young Great King doing?”

Turned out Great King Basawa was dong badly. He was fighting a war with the Ming, which he was losing, and a war with rebels, which he was just started to win. If he could last one more year he could be formally crowned and get married. Maybe in time to try to turn things around and beat back the Chinese.

Spoiler: Great King Basawa

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Maybe not.

“Tell me of the Dwarf Khan of Xia,” demanded the Regent.

The scribes brought him news of a Realm in the flames of war and under the iron heel of the Ming.

Spoiler: Khan Sircan II

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Yes, not only was the Xia a Tributary State of the Ming Dynasty but it was involved in TWO wars which were both, somehow, related to the Realm of Kroran. With less than two thousand soldiers it was unlikely the Ruler would ever win a war or gain freedom. And of course the Chinese are not lifting a finger to help him.

“And our cheerful neighbor in Saua?” asked the Regent.

Duke Saua Wenshunu “The Chaste” was in a war with Uyghur which he was winning. He had also turned the tiny Kroran into a subject state.

Spoiler: Duke Saua Wenshunu

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In other words it was his Tributary State. Too bad he wasn’t helping them from being gobbled up by the other Realms who were fighting over them.

Spoiler: Nobody Important?

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But how long could he keep “wining” with less than three thousand warriors and less than ten gold coins worth of money in his coffers?

So we close this chapter with the Realm of Kroran being the prize of two wars and the Regent happy to be living in a stable, powerful, and rich country.

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Sixty-Three : More Information


Something Wrong With Your Map Guys

We open this Chapter in October, of the year 859 AD, with the Regent noticing a crowd of workers had assembled at the wall map in the throne room.

The Regent left the Despot's side. The Despot was too busy doing homework while sitting on his throne to notice. Seemed the crowd, made up of jewelers and goldsmiths, were pointing at the wall and discussing something. The Regent moved forward to listen in. Seems that many regions of the known world were being rocked by wars and revolts. The crowd, made up of members of the Map Guild (or Union) were debating if they should start changing parts of the wall map now or wait till things settled down.

The Regent peeked at one of the scrolls they were debating about and noticed a map of what many people called, wishfully, Spain. Looked like the region was being rocked by at least two revolts. It could be awhile before things settled down.

Spoiler: Spain

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Another part of the world was a Kingdom called Powys. It was on a large Island off the coast of Europe. It seemed a Welsh Queen named Elinor of the House of Eadricing was trying to hammer a Realm out of the local holdings. Like her father before her.

Spoiler: Great Whales

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In fact she was dealing with a revolt, two wars, and raiding from Vikings. Luckily she seemed to know how to use a sword and how to handle people. The crowd at the wall map were debating what to call the Island in the future. The name they seemed to favor was Great Whales.

On top of that the Svipjod were causing the map makers some problems as they had a habit of changing the map all the time. In fact at the moment their leader, the Catholic King Alfr, was in three wars. Seems the Guild (or Union) hated the Norse Raiders and their continuous changing of the borders. The Norse even owned a few holdings in the "Hot Spot" in Western Europe.

Spoiler: The Vikings

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Even the Pope seemed to be involved in a war though the map makers didn't really seem to care why. It was the final results that mattered to them and their profession.

Spoiler: The Pope

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And the Byzantine Empire was having another revolt or civil war or whatever it was called. On top of that it looked like pieces of it had been bitten off around the edges. No doubt other Realms nibbling off territory when the Empire was too busy to do anything.

Spoiler: The Byzantine Empire

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Then there were Realms closer to the Kingdom. Such as the Kingdom of Pala which was about to lose their war with the Kingdom of Ayudha. It was a war to force the Great King Gopala III to become a Tributary State which would change that WHOLE part of the map. The map makers debated how many jewels and gems of a certain type they would need to help edit the map wall.

Spoiler: Kingdom Of Pala

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The Regent walked away. He learned very little about the map makers but had learned a little bit about the world outside the Realm. Or at least he had learned that the Kingdom of Ayudha may be the only enemy the Despot should worry about in the future.

So we close this chapter with the Regent telling the Despot that he should never trust the Ayudha.

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Sixty-Four : Inherit Issues


A New Baby Half-Brother

We open this chapter in October, again, in the year 859 AD with the Regent being told that Princess Theodoisa, the Despot's Grandaunt, was wishing to defeat envy.

Spoiler: Princess Theodoisa Wants To Reject Envy

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A few days later Chet Dysnomia was said to embrace the Greek culture. Which was weird as you would think a member of the House of the Dysnomia would start out Greek.

Spoiler: Chet Becomes Greek

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Near the end of the month Kyros Dysnomia needed the first stage of his education selected. It seems he had been neglected. The boy was the son of one of the "Four Traitors" and the brother to the Despot's rival. The Regent decided that the boy should study Greek culture and the Buddhist Faith.

Spoiler: Kyros Learns About His Heritage

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Learning about one's Heritage was always a good idea.

In November the Regent noticed that the Councilor and Court Tutor Dionysios Dysnomia was still single. "That will not do," murmured the Regent. "The late Queen would be rolling in her grave."

Spoiler: Dionysios Dysnomia Needs A Wife

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On top of that the man wanted to marry! So why not help? And the Regent found the perfect match. A 21 year old Buddhist woman who wanted to marry. A Noble named Skayn Kutlugzk of the House of Tigin. She was trusting, shrewd, and a strong warrior to boot!

Spoiler: Skayn Kutlugzk Would Make The Perfect Bride

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Of course a marriage proposal was sent. And was accepted near the end of the month.

Spoiler: The Couple Marries

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Around the same time Gabrielia Exotrochos became 16 and old enough to marry. While a woman of many talents she was also daughter of a Concubine which might hurt her in the husband hunt. Still, the Regent decided to do his best for her.

Spoiler: Gabrielia Needs A Husband

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And the Regent found the perfect match in the newly commissioned Commander Andronikos. Of course it was a matrilineal marriage as he was a lowborn. Both agreed to the marriage.

Spoiler: Another Marriage

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In December Count Varzak joined the Independence Faction and the Regent decided that he didn't like the man. The Count flipped-flopped all over the place and could not be trusted.

Spoiler: Count Varzak Causes More Trouble

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Then news came, with the turning of the year, to the Royal Court which was more bad than good. Another Prince of Pala had been born, a half-brother to the Despot, and he was now Heir to the Kingdom of Bihar. Prince Hypatios, who had been heir to that crown, was now heir to NOTHING.

Spoiler: Another Prince Is Born!

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The Regent was looking over the map wall in the throne room one day when he noticed that some of the map makers were back and discussing an addition to the wall. Seems they were debating if to add, or not to add, a Family Tree of the House Dysnomia for the young Despot.

Spoiler: Family Tree

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The Regent walked away. It was none of his business and would likely be a cool addition to the wall. No doubt it would impress visitors to the Palace.

So we close this chapter with a few marriages and a very angry Prince of the Realm.

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Sixty-Five : More Projects


Overflowing Coffers

We open this chapter in January, of the year 860 AD, when the accountants reported to the Despot, and his Regent, that the Royal Treasury held wealth equal to over a 1,000 gold coins. The Regent suggested that the Despot use the money to continue to build up the Kingdom.

Spoiler: Money Money Money

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But before they could decide on what building project to fund first they received the news that the Despot's stepmother, Vijnayavati, had died.

Spoiler: The Despot's Stepmother Had Died

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The Regent decided to peek at the family tree. How could the woman's daughter also be the Despot's aunt. And found to his horror that at one point the stepmother had been the Great King's father's Concubine! The girl had been the offspring of the Despot's Grandfather on his father's side.

Spoiler: EWWWWWWW!

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The Regent decided to focus on work after that. Maybe he could wash away the dirty feelings. So he suggested that the Despot start a Sick House in the Hospital in Haruppeswara. It cost over 340 gold coins but at least would be finished within a year.

Spoiler: Starting On A Sick House

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By April the Great King Gopala III had remarried. Amazingly this 16 year old woman had the same name as his last wife. She was a lowborn who was content and lustful at the same time. No doubt he had picked her for the sole purpose of producing more children. One hoped.

Spoiler: Another Stepmother

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In May the Duchess Theodosia "The Cruel" had passed the Title Revocation Allowed Law. Maybe she planned to do some reorganizing of her holdings?

Spoiler: Duchess Theodosia Passes The Title Revocation Allowed Law

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A few days later Count Pelagios disbanded his movement which was demanding more power for the Council in the Duchy of Nyima. Maybe he knew something others did not? Or maybe he was just being careful?

Spoiler: Count Pelagios Disbands Increase Council Power In Nyima

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Then Count "Cottontail" Varzak had Aghatzak, a lowborn woman in his court, imprisoned. Nobody knew why. There was neither hints or rumors of any wrong doing on her part.

Spoiler: Count Varzak Imprisons A Woman For No Reason?

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Nothing came of it. In fact near the end of the month she was released, well banished, and fled to another court. The Regent wondered if he would end up as crazy as some of the other Nobles?

Spoiler: And Then She Is Freed

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In June the Despot and Regent decided to order another building project. A Keep was started in the County of Markam. Where else would such a structure most be needed but on the Frontier?

Spoiler: A Keep Is Started In Markam

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In July the Castle Town of Pundravardhana was finally expanded with better roads and larger warehouses.

Spoiler: The Castle Of Pundravardhana Finished Its Castle Town

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Even after all these projects had been started the Despot was still very rich. In fact by July the coffers were almost back to over 800 gold coins. Mostly due to the massive income from Trade Posts and the Despot's own private holdings.

Spoiler: Still Money Money Money

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So we close this chapter with the Regent and Despot working together to keep the Realm safer, stronger, and wealthier.

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Sixty-Six : A Host And An Adventurer


Not THAT Kind Of Adventurer Guys

We open this chapter in July, of the year 860 AD, with the announcement that the Great King Gopala III had lost his war with Ayudha. He was now a Tributary State to the Great King Mahendra "The Chaste".

Spoiler: Great King Gopala III Lost His War

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The Regent and the rest of the Royal Court were not surprised. It was doubtful that the Kingdom of Pala could have won their war. In fact many felt that the glory days of the Kingdom of Pala were long past.

In August the Regent and the Despot decided to start two new projects. They first ordered that a Church be built at the Temple of Durjaya. They also ordered the building of a Church Town at the Temple of Hajo. Both Temple complexes were in the Capital-County of Kamarupanagara.

Spoiler: Two New Building Projects

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Later in the month the Great King Gopala III entered another war. A war that wasn't even centered on him. Seems he joined in a conflict to help defend the Raja Sambhuyasa of the Kalinga Ganga Raj from Raja Sumbhakaradeva II of the Bhaumakara Raj.

Spoiler: Great King Gopala III Enters Somebody Else's War

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Why? The Raja Sambhuvasa was the Tributary Ruler under the Great King's command. It was likely Gopala was protecting his investment.

Spoiler: Raja Vs. Raja

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In September one of the Despot's Courtiers declared a claim on the Raja Nettabhanja of the Somavamsi Raj.

Spoiler: A Host Is Born

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Barjena of the House of Satuavarman had, somehow, raised a Host and had collected 500 gold coins. So next to the Retinue was now another brand new army.

Spoiler: Barjena Prepares Barjena's Host

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The Despot was amazed to see a army outside the Palace that was not his soldiers. He spent many days on the balconies watching the military camp as the officers recruits men, armed the men, and drilled the men.

"Is that his Host?" the boy asked for the billionth time. In October the Host had finally completed their preparations and was starting its march southwards. The Despot watched it with interest as the sun's light flashed on spear tips and wagons loaded with supplies rumbled over the roads. It was like watching a knocked over ant hill as the mass slowly flexed and shivered and funneled between the buildings.

Spoiler: The Host On The Move

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"Yes," said the Regent. "Already on its way to claim his prize. If he can. Now it is time for your studies. I believe you are studying the elements today. And may I suggest NOT starting any more fires."

The boy gave a pout as he went off to learn about earth, air, water, and fire.

Later in October Chet turned 12 years old and needed the second stage of her education selected. It was decided that she should learn as much as she could about bookkeeping and administration. You could never have enough female accountants.

Spoiler: Chet's Second Stage Of Education

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In November there was news that Zhilugu of the House of Wanyan was gathering men for an attack on the Despot's holdings. He was an ambitious fourth son of a Count and had nothing of his own. So he planned to take it from the young Ruler.

Spoiler: An Adventurer!

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"How many soldiers does he have?" asked the Despot somewhat alarmed.

"None," replied the Regent after looking at the reports on the adventurer.

"Oh," said the Despot. He seemed less alarmed now. "Well, how much money does he have?"

"He has not a coin to his name," replied the Regent with a half-shrug.

"Oh I see," said the Despot. He now looked more confused than alarmed. "So...what do I do about him?"

"Nothing," said the Regent. "Wait till he becomes a REAL threat and then worry about it."

"Shouldn't I do something BEFORE he gets an army?" asked the Despot. "Like kill him?"

"Already checked," said the Regent with a smile. "Too far away to plot against."

So we end this chapter with one Host leaving the Realm and another semi-threat of a possible Host maybe, one day, showing up. Kind of. Sort of.

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Sixty-Seven : Illness Strikes Again!


House Of Sick

We open this chapter in November, of the year 860 AD, as the Keep in the Castle of Kamarupanagara was updated with taller walls and more dangerous defenses.

Spoiler: Keep In The Castle Of Kamarupanagar Was Finished

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In December the Sick House was finished in the Hospital of Haruppeswara. Which meant now two counties had functioning hospitals.

Spoiler: A Sick House Was Finished In Haruppeswara

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A few days later, worrying about a MAYBE future adventurer, the Despot and the Regent decided to build a Fort in the County of Markam. It would make it harder, or at least make it take longer, to take the holdings.

Spoiler: The Despot Orders The Building Of A Keep

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The New Year came and went. The Regent seemed to feel the time move like a thick syrup. As the Despot was so young there was no tiger hunts or seasonal parties to fill the time. Only classes, homework, and more class for the young boy. And only paperwork for the Regent.

In February, of the year 861 AD, the Regent received a report from his fellow-Councilor Mayor Karz. Seems he had improved the opinion of Bhikkhu Adrianos towards his Liege. Hopefully this would bring about good things.

Spoiler: The Bhikkhu Adrianos Liked The Despot A Little More

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In fact he disbanded his movement to make Prince Leontios the new Despot of the Kingdom of Kamarupa. This was wonderful for it not only meant one less movement to deal with but it also meant that, for now, the Bhikkhu was likely going to behave.

Spoiler: Adrainos Disbanded His Faction

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News came out of Pala that Count Mahendrasingha had finally crushed his tiny revolt. A tiny revolt that the Regent had not even bothered to tell the Despot about. Being so tiny.

Spoiler: Count Mahendrasingha Crushes His Revolt

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Around the same time Count Petros of Kunggar passed the Levy Shifted Noble Obligations Law. In other words his vassals would have to supply the Count with more soldiers then before. The Regent wondered what the Count was up to?

Spoiler: Count Petros Wants More Soldiers For SOME Reason

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Not wishing for the Magistros to grow fat and lazy the Regent sent him to the County of Banbar. Mayor Karz of Reting promised to try to do his best to increase the Duchess's opinion of the Despot. If he could do that maybe the woman would disband her Independence Faction.

Spoiler: The Magistros Is Sent To The County Of Banbar

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In March the Despot became very sick. Very sick. The Regent made sure to call the Court's Physician to the boy's side at once.

Spoiler: The Despot Started To Puke

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So we close this chapter with one less Faction and a very worried Regent.

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Sixty-Eight : The Healing Arts


Where Does It Hurt?

We open this chapter in March, of the year 861 AD, with Zenon coming to the Despot's private chambers to examine him. Zenon listened to the heartbeat in Niphon's big left toe, measured the size of the young boy's earlobes, and sniffled at the Despot's eyeballs. Zenon finally looked very serious and said, "You have the FLU!"

Spoiler: Rare Onion Water?

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"What do I do about it?" asked the Despot. The Zenon answered that the boy should drink a tall goblet of onion water after each meal. "And no skipping the treatment!" added the Zenon as he left. "After EVERY meal."

The boy was too sick and weak that even the bullying he received from the boys was something he could not handle. He ignored it and stayed under the covers of his bed.

Spoiler: No Time For Bullies!

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In April the Despot was still sick. It was hard to explain just what was wrong with his body as being a young boy he was slightly too scared and too inexperienced to find the right words. Zenon, once again, came to the Despot's private chambers. He checked the boy's tongue, burned one of his hairs to see what color smoke it made, and weighed the boy on a large set of scales.

Spoiler: Still The Flu - Take This Acorn

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"Good news," the man said with a smile. "You are NOT a witch and I don't have to report you to the Physician's Union. But you still have the FLU! Here, put this acorn under your pillow when you sleep."

"Will that help him?" asked the Regent as the Despot took the acorn. Zenon looked somewhat offended and demanded, "Have you ever seen a tree with the flu?"

Around the same time Prince Digasumana raised a Host and left Count Shaw's Court to press his claim on his dead father's Kingdom of Lambakanna. Almost two thousand soldiers under his banners were already on the march.

Spoiler: Prince Digasumana's Host

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And march they would as the Realm the man was after was on the southern tip India. Would the Great King Mahasiva "The Impaled" be able to keep his Realm safe?

Spoiler: Kingdom of Lambakanna

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The next piece of news came from the Kingdom of Pala. Raja Lakshminarayan "The Wise" had disbanded a Faction. The Regent didn't bother to pass this news on - why bother the sick Despot with something that had no affect on him?

Spoiler: Unimportant News From Pala

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By the end of April the boy was confined to his bed and the Physician Zeon came to the Despot offering many types of treatments. The Despot asked for only treatments that were known to work.

Spoiler: Choice Of Treatments

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So Zenon brought him sow's piss to drink. Yes. Sow's urine. Yellow and still slightly warm.

Spoiler: Pig's Piss

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A few days later the Despot and Regent learned that Duchess Mah had passed the Ruler War Declaration Sovereignty Law. The Duchess, in other words, was to decide when war would or would not be declared within her lands.

Spoiler: Duchess Mah Passed Ruler War Declaration Sovereignty Law

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A few days later, while walking past the wall map, the Regent noticed it had been changed. The Kingdom of Pala no longer existed as a Sovereign State.

Spoiler: The NEW Wall Map

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So we close this chapter with a very sick Despot and the disappearance of the Realm of Pala on all the maps.

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Sixty-Nine : Politics As Always


No Rest For The Regent

We open this chapter in June, of the year 861 AD, with the Great King Gopala losing one Tributary State while gaining another. Not that the Regent cared. The Great King, himself, was a Tributary Ruler. Nobody was impressed by the Pala Family. They had torn their own Realm into pieces with infighting and worthless conflicts.

Spoiler: You Win Some And You Lose Some

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The Regent invited a female Khitan of the House of Bei, called Yanmu, to the Royal Court as he planned to marry her off to one of the Commanders. Many of them were single. Seems he had caught the matchmaker bug. The woman arrived late in June and was very talented in almost everything but public relations.

Spoiler: A Commander Marries

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He sent the marriage proposal to Commander Satyavarman of the House of Satyavarman. In the name of the Despot, of course. The Commander had to accept even though he didn't like it.

That same day Leontia Dysnomia needed her first stage of education picked. Seems she had been neglected by her parents. Course, one of them was a traitor in the dungeons, so that didn't help her much.

Spoiler: Leontia Dysnomia Needs A Childhood Focus

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The Regent decided she would be educated by Nobles and Councilors. No reason you couldn't have a few proud Ladies in the Royal Court. They made great trophy wives!

Then in July the Regent received news that Kalyanavati Satyavarman was trying to kill Commander Andronikos. Of course she was told to stop along with the two people backing her. Nobody wanted the brand new Commander killed before he could prove useful.

Spoiler: A Murder Plot Is Uncovered

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That same day another child needed an educational pathway chosen. Another child neglected by the system. It wasn't his parents' fault. They were dead.

Spoiler: Another Child Needs A Childhood Educational Focus

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So the Regent picked servants to train the boy so he learned about humility and service. The Regent was hopeful the boy would prove to be useful and harmless in the future. Because he had a LOT of claims being the son of one of the "Four Traitors". True, his traitorous father was dead but the boy, like his oldest sisters, needed to be taken care of. Neutralized. In a non-violent way, of course.

Spoiler: The Young Despot Is Well!

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In August the fever finally broke and the Despot was well again. No more puking and no more piss drinking. On top of that he was still pretty rich and his military forces had increased to more than six thousand warriors as more Vassals developed higher opinions of him.

So we close this chapter with a happier Despot and a happier Regent and a happier Realm.

[Valley]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Two Hundred-Seventy : The Game Of Politics


A New Player Enters The Game?

We open this chapter in August, of the year 861 AD, with the Regent deciding to help educate the Despot a little about politics and the game of power.

"Today," said the Regent as he stood next to Niphon's throne, "we're going to try to get on the Ming's good side with a gift."

"Surely," said the young boy, "they would care nothing for gold. They are rich."

"We could always give them an artifact," replied the Regent with a smile.

"But all our artifacts are valuable!" stated the Despot, somewhat shocked at the idea of giving away one of the Dynasty's Treasures.

"There is one we can give away," pointed out the Regent.

Spoiler: A Useless Treasure

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So the Realm of Kamarupa offered the Emperor Dong Xizong the Legendary Balantes. An artifact, true, but one that was pretty useless. Yet an artifact none the less.

Spoiler: Here, Have This Piece Of Cr-Er...I Mean Artifact

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The Emperor was very pleased and this increased the Grace the Realm had with China.

Spoiler: Increased Grace

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Then a few days later a Trade Post was built in the Capital-County of the Kingdom of Pala, Laksmanavati, which was also part of the Despot's inheritance.

Spoiler: A Trade Post In The Capital Of Pala

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"That was nice of your father to make another Trade Post for you," remarked the Regent with a smirk.

"But," asked the boy, "why did it take the Pala Dynasty so long to build a Trade Post on the Silk Road going through their own Capital?"

The Regent opened his mouth, thought for a few seconds, closed his mouth, looked confused, and then said, "I have no idea."

Later on in the month the Spy Master Wakhushakk of the House of Vijaya was murdered by Count Xiaokhitai Yanxi of Qamdo!

Spoiler: Spy Master Wakhushakk Was Killed

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The Regent helped the Despot pick the new Spy Master. They selected Princess Dionysia, the current Count Musician and past Spy Master under the Queen, as the NEW Spy Master. The Regent suggested the Despot give his kinswoman a small "gift" to put her in a good mood.

She was assigned to the Capital to scheme and uncover plots. And maybe not get killed.

Spoiler: A NEW Spy Master - Kind Of

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Next the Regent and the Despot wanted to help the widow Alexandra find a new husband. So they went to the Commanders and found one who was unmarried. True, he didn't WANT to marry, but he had no choice.

Spoiler: Alexandra Remarries

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One day the young Despot was playing with his trusty wooden stick horse, which he named "Cottontail", and found his Regent, Doux Ioustinos of Bhutan, enjoying some fresh air on one of the Palace's many balconies. The man was facing away from the boy and for a second the boy realized he could shove the Regent off the balcony.

Spoiler: The Despot Decides To Let The Regent Live

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His opinion of the Regent was pretty low. But he knew that the Regent had a very HIGH opinion of his Liege and it was likely, if the Regent was killed, that his replacement would not be as nice or as skilled. So the Despot just rode by.

By September the Despot's sister-aunt had come of age, had been married, and was now Rajkumari Rani of the Pala Kingdom. She had married Sambhuyasa of the House Kalina Ganga and all offspring would be of his Dynasty.

Spoiler: Sister-Aunt Marries

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News from China was received in October. Seems they won their war with the Guge. The Great King Basawa was now old enough to rule on his own and was no doubt pretty bitter about it.

Spoiler: News From China About Events In India

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When the Despot heard about this he turned to the Regent and asked, "Why don't more Realms has peace treaties with China? Like we do?"

The Regent opened his mouth, closed it, looked confused, and then said, "I don't know. It would seem like commonsense, to be honest, but they don't."

Later that month the Despot was helping in the garden and for a few seconds, out of boredom, debated tickling one of the gardeners but decided against it. He was starting to realize he was going to be a leader and needed to take things....well, seriously.

Spoiler: To Tickle Or Not To Tickle

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A report soon came in that the Keep in the County of Markam had finally been finished. The Regent was pleased. That was one more barrier invaders would have to overcome if they wanted to take Markam.

Spoiler: The Keep At County Of Markam Is Finished

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Shortly after that the Despot came to the Regent with a request.

"Could you tell me how my prisoners are doing in my dungeons?" he asked. "The three remaining traitors I mean."

"Of course my Despot," answered the Regent. He had his staff check up on the prisoners and soon they brought back a small report.

First off the Countess Anastasia was sick with the Gout, which she was being treated for, AND also a Lunatic. She hated the Despot with a passion but as it was unlikely she would live much longer that wasn't really an issue.

Spoiler: Countess Anastasia And Prince Eusebios Both Are Insane

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Prince Eusebios had also snapped under the pressure of being in the dungeons. He didn't hate the Despot as much as his sister but there was still enough anger there to make visiting a danger to the boy. And then there was Herakleios "The Cruel" who was a drunkard. WHERE he would be getting the booze was anybody's guess. But he was still sane and didn't dislike the Despot as much as the others.

Spoiler: Herakleios Is NOT Insane

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Near the end of October strange news came from the west. Someplace in Europe strangers from beyond the Atlantic Ocean had landed and tried to buy land in exchange for beads, feathers, and gold dust. When they were refused they threatened the local people with curses and the anger of a far off Emperor.

Spoiler: Strangers From Across The Atlantic

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Many people believed it a myth but the Despot knew that, once, the Vikings had also been myths to the people of the Realm. So he did worry about these strangers appearing in Tibet or along the coast of India. Would he be able to protect his holdings from raiders?

So we close this chapter with China winning a war, the Despot asking some good questions, and a new power arriving onto the stage - though nobody knew this at the time.
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Author's End Notes:

OOC : Bad! BAD GAME DESIGNERS! The Aztec were not around yet. Mayans, yes. Aztec NO!