Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR

**Valley** · 2017-11-18, 02:09 PM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Thirty-Three : Border Correction Bureau

Agent Anderson

We open this chapter later in August when the Queen entered the throne room to find more artists and laborers working on the wall map. They seemed to be expanding the colors of the Indian realms northwards. Much of southern Tibet was being absorbed by India.

A tall man with grey hair and dark clothing was waiting next to her throne. He had a very large package in his hand and greeted her with a smile and a bow. "Oh Great Queen Arminestra II of Kamarupa, I bring you good news. You now have more holdings to command."

"Who are you and what is going on!" she demanded as she stomped over to the wall map. "One of those map people again?"

"Oh, no, no, no," said the strange man as he whiped out a tiny leather booklet. The Queen took it out of his hand and opened it. Like the earlier booklet it took some time for her eyes to adjust. "Agent Anderson of the Border Correction Bureau?"

"Anderson? What a silly... I mean, yes, Agent Anderson." He handed her the package. "We are adjusting the borders according to the newly defined spheres of influence."

"Influence?" questioned the Queen as he placed the heavy package on her throne and untied the ribbons. Scrolls poured out. She unrolled one and looked it over. It was a title. She looked at another one. It was a title. They were all titles. Titles for cities, counties, religious holdings. "What...?"

Spoiler: Too Many Titles

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"You now have a TOTAL of seventy-one holdings. As you are only allowed to directly control seven demesne according to your skills and educational background, as put down by the bylaws and codes of the Euro-Indian Paradox Agreement of 345 AD-"

"What?" interrupted the Queen, looking totally confused.

“Short version,” said the man with a smile, “You need to give away over sixty titles. More or less. Many are also titles you should not hold. Oh, if you could sign this to show I have delivered the package. And also there. Thank you!”

At that point Agent Anderson gave the Queen another bow, said, “Have a good day sweetheart,” and walked out.

The Queen spent the next few days in a haze of combing through her court for people who she could give out titles to. As she did so she realized just how hard it was. Not everybody was available to own land and only a few were able to be given religious holdings. Friends got titles. Most of her offspring and her brother’s offspring got titles. A husband would get a title and the man’s wife would get another.

In pouring over the court records she also found four children who needed a educational pathway selected for them. Her 4 year old son Eusebios would focus on math and counting coins. The other children, Alexeia, Stephanos, and Suryakk, were not related to her but she did her best, in her somewhat panicked state, to select the best future education for them.

Spoiler: Four Children Need Education

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Then she found a bright spot in her grey cloud. By giving her brother the Vihara of Sepla Prince Ioulianos would become a Bhikshuni and that would DISQUALIFY him from succession. Guess who got a temple?

Spoiler: No Kingdom For YOU!

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She also found two women to marry. Euphemia Toxias and Kale Toxias were both married off to male members of the court.

By the 31st of August the Queen was running out of people she could give titles to. At least, those that would not cause problems in the future. She didn’t want to give any to the Councilors as that would just give them land, money, and soldiers.

And giving a title to her husband would also be a problem. As her elder son would inherit the title and her elder son was a vassal within the Kingdom of Pala.

One idea was to create a Duchy and give it to Princess Anastasia. But first she suggested a matrilineal marriage between her and Sutasome of the House Tigin. He was Buddhist and of the right age to set up a Betrothal.

Spoiler: Future Royal Wedding

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As the Queen waited a reply she was notified the Great King Traillokyachandra of Bihar had created a Raj title. Like her he, and many of the other rulers, was trying to deal with the flood of new holdings. And she did the same.

Spoiler: Good Idea

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She created the Duchy of Bhutan.

Spoiler: Duchy Of Bhutan

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On the 17th of September she got the reply she wanted. The matrilineal marriage had been approved. Knowing the marriage was now set she gave her daughter a county and then the Duchy of Bhutan. She would make a very young Duchess but the Queen hoped it would give her daughter experience and skills she would need to become the future Queen.

Spoiler: Duchness Anastasia Of Bhutan

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In October the Kingdom of Pala, one of the realms NOT to profit from the moving into Tibet, declared a war to force a Raj to become a Tributary State. Almost sad really.

Spoiler: Kingdom Of Pala Goes To War

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By now the Queen was worn out and decided to hand over the job of passing out the rest of the titles to the Magistros. This was a mistake. In the end many of the members of the Council received Counties. Magistros Isaias gave himself more than one. Even her husband got a County which was what she had been trying NOT to do.

By the 11th of October she ended up with nine holdings and thirty Vassals. At least the Royal Court had gone down from over seventy members to about twenty-nine as many of her Courtiers had left to run their cities and temples. Only three of the Vassals had issues with the Queen. The rest seemed to be happy with her and passed on the coins they felt they owed her.

Spoiler: The Queen's Vassals

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She KNEW there would be problems in the future. She now held a huge Kingdom and many of the titles might end up in the wrong hands. Almost everybody in her family now had access to soldiers and money and reasons to fight each other.

On top of that Pala was no longer acting as a buffer to the rest of India. She now shared common borders with some of the most aggressive and powerful Indian rulers. What joy.

So we close this chapter with a Queen trying to recover from months of reorganizing her realm and foreseeing the years of fighting to keep it.

**Valley** · 2017-11-19, 10:15 AM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Thirty-Four : The Queen's First Festival

Norse Tibetans?

We open this chapter on the 11th of October, of the year 831 AD, with the Queen realizing that she had only two Commanders in her military. It must have been all the titles she had handed out - no doubt many of them had moved to their new holdings.

Spoiler: New Commanders

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So she picked four new Commanders out of the top four best military men among her court. Skill was the only thing she worried about. She cared nothing about how they felt about her. Among them was her own husband.

Spoiler: New Holdings

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The Kingdom of Kamarupa had more than doubled in size and so had her yearly income. Still, she needed to work on her military. She had over three thousand soldiers and with so much territory it didn’t seem enough. She would need more.

Spoiler: New India

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India itself had grown when the Indian rulers pushed their borders into Tibet. Some nations, such as the Kingdom of Pala, had no chance to expand being cut off from the territories. Punjab and Bihar (under Somavamsi) were the only major powers, along with Kamarupa, to spread north.

To recover from her wariness and relax a little the Queen decided to have her first feast after taking the throne. For the traditional gift for her husband she decided on a cape. Her father had loved capes and she saw no reason her husband should not also love capes. Capes were cool.

Spoiler: Party And A Cape

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The only person to refuse to come to her first feast was one of the barons. It was going to be a big party.

Spoiler: A Baron Refuses? What A Surprise...Not

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As they prepared for the party she received news that the Great King Traillokyachandra of Bihar was now known as “The Wise”. Funny, her spies said the old man liked her.

Spoiler: Another Wise

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Shortly after that the Palace was ready. The kitchens were full of hot food and chilled drinks. The servants were ready to receive the guests and the chambers were decorated with flowers and ribbons. Soon the MANY guests started to arrive.

Spoiler: The Feast Begins!

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While the party started to get into full swing the Queen went to her private chambers to look over some maps she had asked to be created. In the modern period we have graphs. In the Medieval period they had maps. Everybody likes maps!

The first map showed the cultures. It seemed that many of India’s cultures had spread during the past few decades. OR maybe the new Counts and Nobles were reinforcing their cultures onto their new subjects. Either way Greek culture had already become the culture of many of the Queen’s holdings.

Spoiler: Cultures

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The only thing that confused the Queen was the map showed Norse culture among the Tibetans. How? Who? Where? WHAT? How did the Norse culture get all the way from Northern Europe?

She shrugged and moved on to the next map. This map was showing the religious makeup of the new territories and most were Buddhists. But for a part of Tibet some of the holdings seemed to have also embraced the Catholic religion. How? Where? Did the Norse bring Catholicism with them?

Spoiler: Religions

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The Queen shrugged again and picked up the next map. This map dealt with diplomatic relations. Not much to show.

Spoiler: Diplomatic Relations

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She moved onto the next map which was about the economy. That was more interesting. It showed that the Silk Road had changed slightly. She moved to a map with more details and smiled.

Spoiler: Economy

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Her daughter the Duchess of Bhutan had a county on the Silk Road. Also the Queen’s mostly useless County of Kamatapur now was also part of the Silk Road.

Spoiler: Two New Spots For Trade Posts

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The Queen was very happy to see that. Now her daughter could build her own Trade Post and the Queen, when the Kingdom became advanced enough, could build a Trade Post in Kamatapur if she wanted to. The shift in the Silk Road promised her and the Kingdom even more wealth than before. Also many of the new holdings were on the Silk Road heading overland towards Europe. Which would increase business and, therefore, her share of the income.

The Queen moved onto the next map and this one was about how people felt towards her. In other words Opinions. Most people liked her. But for Raja Dev Singh of Shantideva to the south and her own Doux Isidoros who both has their own issues with the Queen.

Spoiler: Opinions

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She made sure the servants took the maps to the archives and rejoined the party.

Soon it was time for the traditional gifts and her husband was pleased with the new cape. Shortly after that the darkest night of Diwali was there. The candles were lit, the drinks were poured, and the rich food passed out.

Spoiler: Gifts And Light!

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But all parties come to an end and so did this one. Many guests had hundreds of miles to travel to get back to their homes. Some would have to work their way through mountain passes and snow filled valleys.

So we close this chapter after the Queen’s first feast, with a larger India, and Norse Tibetans as neighbors.

**Valley** · 2017-11-19, 07:59 PM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Thirty-Five : The State Of Tibet (Part One)

Roof of The World

My dear readers there have been many times I have taken you to see the great military powers of the known world. And a few times I have taken you to see the realms of India or other realms related to our story. Today I will take you on a journey of the Queen's new holdings.

I will try NOT to overwhelm you with too many details and give you more of a summary, a small tourist brochure, as it were.

As you know Counties are formed in Duchies. And Duchies are formed into Kingdoms. A few of the new counties had, traditional, belonged to Duchies within the Kingdom of Kamarupa. But most of the new holdings belonged to two unformed Kingdoms. The western counties belonged to the Kingdom of U-Tsang and the eastern counties belonged to the Kingdom of Kham.

We will start off with a few that had, traditional, been part of the Kingdom and yet, somehow, had been split off by past events long forgotten.

The County of Sikkim had once been, a long time ago, part of the Duchy of Kamarupanagara. When it became part of the Kingdom it was given to the Duchess. In this case, the Queen.

Spoiler: County Of Sikkim

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The County held a Castle, City, and Temple. The main religion was Buddhist but the culture was Bengali.

Spoiler: Counties Of Monyul And Lhoyu

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Only two other counties were part of the Kingdom of Karmarupa and both were under the control of the Masgistros Count Isaias. The County of Monyul and the County of Lhoyu which both were part of the Duchy of Sutiya (which did not exist). One even was part of the Silk Road.

The man had FIVE counties under his control and, likely, if given time could buy a Duchy title or two. The Queen would have to keep an eye on him.

The rest of the counties were in one of the two Kingdom mentioned above. Let us get started with the western Kingdom of U-Tsang. We will somewhat zigzag about so get a sick bag ready.

The most important of those holdings, at least to the Queen, was the County of Paro, part of the Duchy of Bhutan, which belonged to Princess Anastasia. Sadly for her Count Kyriakos of Bumthang was the Protostrator and answered only to the Queen.

Spoiler: Counties Of Paro And Bumthang

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The next counties on our tour, to the north of Bhutan, are those of the Counties of Taktse and Lhunze. The County of Taktse belonged to Count Wiryasini "The Wise". In other words the Queen's Sakellarios and Court Physician. He controlled two counties - one in each of the Tibetan Kingdoms. The County of Lhunze was controlled by Count Ananta.

Spoiler: Counties of Taktse And Lhunze

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Traveling to the northeast we run into the Masgistros Isaias again and another one of his counties. The County of Kunggar was, in fact, his main title. It was also part of the Silk Road. Next to him was the County of Nedong ruled by the Upadhyaya Serapion.

Spoiler: Counties of Kunggar And Nedong

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The next county on the list was just north of the Queen's County of Sikkim. The County of Gyantse was controlled by Count Avyaman. Because of the culture of Bengali there was a slight revolt risk.

Spoiler: County Of Gyantse

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Moving on north we find Prince Himerios, one of the Queen's sons, Lord Mayor of Lhasa. His County of Lhasa is right next to the County of Kunggar. Controlled by the Masgistros. The Lhasa was on the Silk Road.

Spoiler: County Of Lhasa

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Northeast of this the Masgistros controlled the County of Lhunzhub which was part of the Duchy of Lhasa. This meant he controlled two out of the three counties to that Duchy and could, if he got the funding, create the title and TAKE the County of Lhasa from the Prince if he wanted. Another reason for the Queen to watch him.

Spoiler: County Of Luhunzhub

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Bordering Lhunzhub were lands controlled by the Queen's best friends. The County of Xainza is controlled by Theodosia and the County of Tibetan Plateau is controlled by Nonna. The Plateau also had Catholics and therefore a small risk of revolt.

Spoiler: Counties Of Xainza And Tibetan Plateau

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The last on our list from the Kingdom of U-Tsang is the County of Ando controlled by Prince Eusebios, Lord Mayor, son of the Queen. This was likely the most dangerous region to be as it was flanked by many other realms. Like the point of the spear. It also had Catholic subjects which, as said before, did make the revolt risk higher than within the older Indian holdings.

Spoiler: County Of Ando

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Funny enough the Queen had accidentally selected a Greek Freeloader for the local religious site so the county had a Bishopric which would likely make things harder when it came to converting the populace.

Spoiler: A Bishopic?

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So we close our chapter having seen half of the new territories. Next chapter we will complete the tour!

**Valley** · 2017-11-20, 08:06 AM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Thirty-Six : The State Of Tibet (Part Two)

Bloody Vikings

Welcome lovely readers! In this chapter, as I promised, we will tour the region that use to belong to the Kingdom of Kham. Which sounds like something out of old fantasy novels from the 1930s. This region may be interesting to you and also, for the Queen, a revolt risk being that Norse culture seemed to have spread throughout some of the counties along with Roman Catholicism.

Let us start NEAR where we left off in the northern most part of the new territories. So we start with the County of Banbar controlled by Princess Eustathia. The populace is Norse Catholics.

Spoiler: County Of Banbar

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The next counties to the south are the Nyingch and the Bome. Bome was the second county to be controlled by Wiryasini "The Wise". And the County of Nyingchi is the last county under Count Isaias. Both counties were on the Silk Road, which was good, but also had a populace made up mostly of Catholic Vikings, which could be looked at as bad.

Spoiler: Counties Of Nyingchi And Bome

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The next county along the border before the edge of the known world is Markam ruled by Count Gopala, a Commander and the Queen's Master of the Hunt. Outside of the normal populace of God worshipping Norse this is also the SOURCE of the Silk Road in this region of the world.

Spoiler: County Of Markam

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The last two counties in the unmade Kingdom of Kham are Medog, controlled by the Despot Dionysios, and Mainling, controlled by Count Yase. The County of Medog was in danger of being passed on to the Queen's son in the Kingdom of Pala - something she could not legally block unless she took her husband's title away from him. And the County of Medog had both the Silk Road and a non-Greek culture which meant it had a slight revolt risk.

Spoiler: Counties Of Medog And Mainling

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So we close this short chapter having shown you the new territories with all their inherit problems and future time-bombs that tick away. Can the Queen remove her husband's title? Can she somehow take away from her Councilors' power without damaging her own position? And we learn that Vikings are real! Who knew?

**Valley** · 2017-11-21, 11:12 AM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Thirty-Seven : Duchy Of Lhasa

A Council Meeting

We open this chapter in December, of the year 831 AD, with the Queen examining the position of her Magistros. As you know Count Isaias of Kunggar had five counties under his control. Even though he was totally loyal to her the Queen felt he was too powerful and could become even more powerful. But he had one problem. No offspring.

Spoiler: Count Isaias

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The Queen would inherit his titles when he died. True, he had a wife. But the Mayor Kale of Anini, while 37 years old, was a lesbian. There might be children but when you add their dislike of each other it was doubtful.

Spoiler: Mayor Kale

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She still worried. The man could become the most powerful man in the Kingdom and, therefore, the most dangerous man to her rule.

As she mused over how to handle the Magistros she turned to the problem of her husband. She COULD take his title away but first she would have to break her Non-Aggression Pact with her own husband. Both of this acts would upset her husband and her Vassals. In a way the long term damage of such actions were worse than losing the county to a foreign power.

She also realized her Spy Master was still hanging about the County of Dimapur doing nothing. She called him back to the Capital-County of Kamarupanagara to uncover plots and discourage Vassals from doing stupid things.

Later in the month of December the Raja Trailokyavarman had won the County of Chunar from Great King Traillokyachandra “The Wise” in the Ayudha Ducal War. This is somebody’s VASSAL with less than a thousand soldiers defeating the Great King who had over four thousand. HOW?

Spoiler: Who Are YOU?

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As the year turned from 831 AD into 832 AD Dionysia Dysnomia became a woman and a mistress of diplomacy. It was time for her to marry her future husband.

Spoiler: Dionysia Dysnomia Becomes A Woman

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She was married that very day. The Queen hoped them good luck in their future. They would need it.

Spoiler: Dionysia Dysnomia Gets Married

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Now it was time to deal with one of her many problems. She created, at the cost of 100 gold coins, the Duchy of Lhasa.

Spoiler: Queen Creates The Duchy Of Lhasa

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And then handed it over to Prince Himerios. Which made HIM the liege of Count Isaias of Kunggar. This also meant the Count left his position on the Council.

Spoiler: An Ex-Magistros

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The Queen now needed a new Magistros. The best she could find was Yudhisthire Gayakasyapesoya. He had pretty much disliked her before his new appointment but he had been at the top of the suggestion list for the position. He had no land, no money, and was honest. He would have to do. He was sent to perform statecraft and improve relations with the Nobles and Vassals within the Capital-County.

Spoiler: A New Magistros

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The Queen needed to pull the Council’s fangs. But if she filled it with powerless Councilors would she not end up with a worthless Council?

So we end this chapter with the Queen fixing some issues and still having a million other issues to solve.

**Valley** · 2017-11-22, 09:22 AM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Thirty-Eight : Ming Declares War

KHAM!

We open this chapter in January, of the year 832, with Haripaladeva of the House Rashtrakuta marrying Hoysaladevi of the House Pandya Alupa. A completely worthless marriage that did nothing to help the Queen. This was one of those marriages set up years ago and now the logic behind it was long forgotten.

Spoiler: Arranged Marriage

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Later in the month the Ming Empire, to enforce their subjugation of a tributary state, had General Dong Xingcheng of the Western Protectorate declare war on Pandya.

Spoiler: Ming Goes To War

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The Queen was slightly confused. "Did the Ming Empire declare war with the tip of India? Really? How are they getting down there? Do they have boats?"

Spoiler: Pandya

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She had her answer soon when she was notified that the Ming army had appeared in India.

Spoiler: Ming Army

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"How big is it?" asked the Queen her attendants.

"Reports say about six thousand soldiers," was the reply from one of her attendants. "But remember this is only ONE of their armies." The Queen was still not THAT impressed.

Spoiler: Not Handling Stress

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In March the Court Physician explained to the Queen that she was working too hard. He suggested that she slack off some. But she refused. True, she did become stressed but she felt it was worth it. She HAD slacked off once when passing out the titles and LOOK at what had happened! Never AGAIN!

On top of the stress of overworking she found out she was with child. Which added even more stress - she was going to give birth to another person who would want the throne.

Spoiler: Another Royal Baby

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On the other hand she received the good news that the Temple in Goalpara was finished. Now she needed to pick a holder for it. Somebody without land and without power. A nobody.

Spoiler: Temple Of Sri Surya Pahar

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She selected Mahidevi Kamarupanagarid to become the Bhikshuni of Sri Surya Pahar. She seemed happy about the title and the Queen was happy with her.

Spoiler: A New "Beggar"

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This gave her one more religious leader under her reign. All of them were happy with her but for Bhikkhu Isidoros. She was starting to get annoyed with the whiner.

Spoiler: Religious Leaders

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In April Countess Theodoisa of Xainza was looking to reinforce some buildings within her holdings but the Queen really felt the old structures should be torn down and replaced anew. The Queen told her to tear down the old houses and use the material to build the new ones. This seemed to please the Countess. Maybe because she knew the Queen was being honest. BUT she was also suggesting an additional idea that she knew would please her friend Theodosia.

Spoiler: Countess Theodoisa of Xainza Needs Advice

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Later that month Count Avyanmam and Countess Ioanna gave birth to a baby boy named Varzak. And the Queen was somewhat relieved as she didn't have to make a decision. The PARENTS decided what educational pathway their boy would take.

Spoiler: Varzak

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The Queen also decided it was time to take another step. Not just for her but the future of her family. She created the Kingdom of Kham!

Spoiler: Kingdom Of Kham

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So as the Queen sat on her throne, trying to balance her two crowns on her head, she received some sad news. It wasn't about a massive war or the birth of a new nation. It was about a old woman who died of cancer. Vijnayavati, wife of the old Raja, had finally died at the age of 66.

Spoiler: Sad Times...

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It was like a part of the past had faded away. Like when one heard of a great author of books or a great singer of folk songs had died. It was as if a piece of the puzzle from one's childhood was missing. You could try to put the puzzle together but it wasn't the same.

Near the end of April news came that was a tad more cheerful. The County of Markam had been totally converted to the Buddhist faith. Now the Catholic Vikings were Buddhist Vikings! Which to be honest didn't really sound any better...

Spoiler: County Of Markam Becomes Fully Buddhist

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So we close this chapter with the Ming declaring war, the Queen fulfilling her Grandmother's promise to Buddha, and now having two Kingdoms under her command.

**Valley** · 2017-11-25, 11:28 AM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Thirty-Nine : A Private Retinue

Royal Archers

We open this chapter in late April, of the year 832 AD, with a Queen who is somewhat stressed, cruel, and shrewd. She had over four thousand soldiers, twenty-eight Courtiers, and thirty Vassals.

Spoiler: Overview

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Too bad she only has 86 gold coins worth of wealth. By May she noticed that the Great King Mahendra of the Pala Kingdom was in a war with the Raja (Duke) Ramachandradeva of the Kalinga Ganga Raj. Seemed a little unfair to her but so be it.

Spoiler: Side War

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She also started to build her own retinue. Mostly made up of Archers with a few Heavy Infantry the full unit would have 250 soldiers once complete.

Spoiler: Royal Retinue

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On the 17th of May her brother Bhikkhu Ioulainos of Sepla died from cancer. He was replaced by a lowborn female Buddhist named Parthena.

Spoiler: Eldest Brother Dies

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The Countess Theodosia of Xainza was now a widow but the Queen did not feel any reason to force her friend to remarry. The woman had three kids and seemed perfectly happy.

Spoiler: Countess Nonna Needs Advice

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In June the Countess Nonna was looking to reinforce some buildings that, frankly, should have been torn down and replaced. The Queen, once again, suggested they be torn down and the material reused to build the new houses and watchtowers. Everybody was happy.

In July one of the twins, Varshasb, needed some guidance as he was taking everything personally. The Queen helped him develop diligence. At the same time he, and his sister, came of age. Both were now adults. Both had learned the way of intrigue. The brother more so than the sister.

Spoiler: Twins Come Of Age

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Later that month the Queen was alerted by Darya Stazzk of the House of Vijaya that Aaleyaamma of the House of Chola had come to her speaking of heresy. The Queen sent a well written letter to Aaleyaamma. She hoped to bring the woman back to the good side.

Spoiler: Heresy!

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As she waited she proposed that Marzoban of the House of Yopurga marry the female twin Silamata.

Spoiler: Marriage Proposal

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As she waited for THAT reply she got a reply from Aaleyaamma. The woman promised to never stray again. The Queen was somewhat happy about that and rewarded herself by having another marriage.

Spoiler: Marriage!

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Aakeyaamma married the male twin, Varhasb. Many felt this was a bad idea as the woman was a lesbian but the Queen was not aware of that at the time.

In August she got a reply from Marzoban who agreed to marry Silamata. This sent the newly married woman to another court but nobody minded. At least the Queen did not mind.

Spoiler: Another Marriage!

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So we end this chapter after a few marriages and one of her siblings being taken away by death. In other words more babies on the way and another problem taken care of.

**Valley** · 2017-11-26, 12:03 PM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Forty : Friends

Tibetan Norse Guard Pugs

We open this chapter in August, of the year 832 AD, in which the Pala War comes to an end. The Great King had won and forced the Kalinga Ganga Raj to become a Tributary State. The Queen was less than impressed.

Spoiler: The Great King's War Ends

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Later that month her friend Countess Nonna of Tibetan Plateau died while giving birth to her first baby. The Count Yase was less than a year old and now controlled the Tibetan Plateau.

Spoiler: Nonna Dies Giving Birth To Her Son

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This reminded the Queen of her fear of the Count Isaias buying the Title of the Duchy of Sutiya. Till her new Magistros Yudhisthire Gayakasyapesoya pointed out she already HAD that title.

Spoiler: I AM The Duchess Of Sutiya?

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"You got confused because they changed all the symbols?" he said, pointing at her, "Just like a woman! HAAHAHAHA!"

Then the Queen gave him a stare and he wet himself. Then he ran from the throne room calling for his mommy.

Seemed the Magistros was a coward. She decided she needed to cure her Magistros of his cravenness. Maybe pretend to push him off the walls?

Spoiler: Magistros Is Such A Coward

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Sadly it failed and now he was stressed out, fearful that his own Queen was trying to kill him, and disliekd her for it. He was so stressed out that his skills even suffered for it. What a whiner!

On the other hand she gained a friend in Bhikkhu Urak of Domartang through correspondence on many matters and religious subjects. They just seemed to see things the same.

Spoiler: Bhikkhu Urak Is A Friend

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Later that month the Great King Mahendra built a new Trade Post in Laksmanavati.

Spoiler: New Trade Post In Pala

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Soon the death of Nonna hit the Queen. Not only had she been a close friend but a trusted Vassal. But the Queen thought of herself as strong and knew her dead friend would not want her to cry. So she went drinking. Sadly she lost control of her sadness AND of her drinking. In the end she became a drunkard.

Spoiler: The Queen Can't Handle Her Booze

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The heavy drinking meant she was not as effective a land owner as before and she had to give up one of her holdings. So she gave the County of Srihatta to Princess Anastasia so as to keep the holding in the family.

Spoiler: Princess Anastasia Gets Srihatta

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In October the Queen gave birth to a girl which she named Eupraxia. She was sickly but the Queen decided the girl would be left to her own devices and learn to cope on her own. She would survive or not based on her own merits.

Spoiler: Another Princess Is Born

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So we end this chapter with the Queen becoming a hard drinker, losing AND gaining a friend, and having another child.

**Valley** · 2017-11-26, 03:42 PM (ISO 8601)

Dear Readers,

It has come to my attention that many of you may be worried about the Queen being a drunkard. And I just wish to make you aware of the fact that there are drunk foods available for drunkards. So the following will enlighten you to this fact. In fact it is from a YouTube Channel called Facts produced in Ireland. So let it illustrate the fact that even drunks can have a good meal. So please watch Drunk People Taste Test Drunk Food.

Enjoy!

**Valley** · 2017-11-28, 01:20 PM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Forty-One : U-Tsang!

Three Crowns

We open this chapter in October, of the year 832 AD, with the Queen noticing that Duchess Anastasia of Bhutan now had a new Guardian. The Queen, in wishing to make sure that the future Queen developed properly before ascending the throne, requested to become her daughter's Guardian.

Spoiler: Request To Change Guardians

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Her daughter accepted the suggestion later that month.

Spoiler: Request Accepted

Show

The Queen was also notified about a Host running about south of the border. About one thousand seven hundred warriors under Dappula of the House of Lambakanna were moving south along the coast. Funny enough it was not attacking the Kingdom of Pala. It was, in fact, going to attack Lambakanna where her half-sister Theodosia was Queen.

Spoiler: Attack On Brother-In-Law?

Show

In November the Queen decided it was time to create her next big title. She created the Kingdom of U-Tsang! Now she had three crowns to balance on her head.

Spoiler: Kingdom Of U-Tsang!

Show

Of course, her coffers were semi-empty now but she knew she had time to build up the treasury again.

Spoiler: Three Crowns!

Show

At this point she remembered that there was a lost artifact out there, somewhere. Or at least there was a RUMOR of a lost artifact. She selected her one-eyed Sakellarios and Court Physician, Count Wiryasini, to go search for it.

Spoiler: A Lost Artifact

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She also picked a new Regent - the Duchess Yajnavati of the Narikellid Raj. She seemed loyal and that’s all you need in a Regent. And she was the Queen's stepmother after all.

Spoiler: A New Regent

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In late December she noticed a few children needed educational focuses set. She was always surprised how many kids slipped through the educational cracks within her Kingdom. Sad, really.

Karz Faramarzzk of the House of Vijaya was put on the path of a diplomatic education.

Spoiler: Future Diplomatics

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Basillike of the House of Dimapur was put on the same pathway. Always good to have people skilled in diplomacy.

In January, of the year 833 AD, Upadhyaya Serapion Gabras disappeared. It is unknown if he died or just went missing. There are no records from that time period. There were no facts about what happened to him even within some of the private journals.

Spoiler: Aryaraksite Ksmatetkacer

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The Queen picked Aryaraksite Ksmatetkacer of the House Bharuka. A rich old woman without any land or soldiers to her name. But a very knowledgeable scholar.

Spoiler: The New Upadhyayani Is Sent To Work

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She was given the position of Upadhyayani and sent to Bikrampur to continue the job of trying to convert the county to Buddhism.

She also noticed another child needed a educational focus selected. Prabhavatigupta of the House Pavakid was put on the pathway of money and bookkeeping.

Spoiler: A Future Accountant

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A day later she was told that the Great King Mahendra had declared war on Raja Dev Singh to make the man a vassal! Would the Great King win his war? Would the Shantideva Raj become just another county of a larger realm!

Spoiler: The Great King Attacks The Raja

Show

So we end this chapter with the Queen holding three Kingdoms and about to get a front row seat to one of the most interesting, if smallish, wars of the century.

**Valley** · 2017-11-29, 07:25 PM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Forty-Two : Tour Of The Known World - 833 AD

History Time

Welcome my dear readers to another chapter in which we stop time and take a look at the top seven military powers of the known world on the 14th of January in the year 833 AD. Who was the first on our list? Let us head to the Middle East and see?

The Arabian Empire! With the Ruler Caliph Mahdi "The Tormentor". Who was still a lunatic. But a lunatic with over seventeen thousand warriors and over a thousand five hundred gold coins. Which was less soldiers and less money than he had the last time we saw him in 826 AD. And it looked like he had expelled the Jews.

Spoiler: Arabian Empire

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On the other hand he had eight children and his Realm was at peace. True, he was a coward, but has that stopped anybody before? Let us move on to the second power on the list. Just up to the north!

Basileus Eustathios of the Byzantine Empire. Still on the throne this son of "The Usurper" was fighting a totally DIFFERENT revolt to put the SON of the late Prince Christophoro "The Pious" onto the throne. Looks like these two branches of the family are to be fighting about this for the next few centuries. Can't they all get along? No? Oh well.

Spoiler: Byzantine Empire

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He was still a lunatic but at least he now had a child. And seemed to like the Jews. Also, he had secluded himself, and his court, inside his palace. He either hated people or some illness was moving among the populace. Let us move on! We head BACK to India!

The third on the list was Maharaja Begluk "The Conqueror" of Punjab. Up one slot from last time he has over ten thousand soldiers but not a lot of money. He is stressed and in a war with the Great King Traillokyachandra.

Spoiler: Punjab

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At least his four wives are the same four wives he started out with. Must have been true love. Or they were too paranoid to die? Maybe both? Moving right along...back to Europe!

We move to Andalusia (Spain) where we found Sultan Uways of Umayyad Sultanate STILL in charge. But he has been horribly scarred and wears a mask. And only had three wives. What is up with that? Only three! Oh well. He was in a war with King Adalbert of Middle Francia over Aquitaine which the Sultan was winning.

Spoiler: Andalusia (Spain)

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Sadly, for him, he was also lacking funds at the time which meant that his troops could turn on him at any moment. Not a good position to be in. So we move east to Italy.

King Adelchis II "The Monster" of Lombardy was still in charge. With over six thousand soldiers and four wars to fight he wasn't doing so well. He was a coward, not a patient Ruler, AND had expelled the Jews.

Spoiler: Lombardy

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But at least he wasn't insane. And as the most powerful Roman Catholic Ruler on the map I assume the Pope at least liked him. Maybe. NEXT! Once again we go east.

Petros of the Byzantine Revolt was fighting for his right to the throne. With his....eight hundred some soldiers it was unlikely he was going to get that right. Also he was bedridden with gout.

Spoiler: Byzantine Revolt

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On top of that he was in hiding. I have a strange feeling this family feud will end with him. What was amazing was NONE of the soldiers were HIS. Let us move on - to India again!

Telingana, also known as the Rashtrakuta Kingdom, was still ruled by Maharaja Sharva "The Fat". With just over four thousand soldiers the Kingdom seemed to be winning the war with the Rashtrakuta Revolt which could be looked at as a good thing.

Spoiler: Telingana (Kingdom Of Rashtrakuta)

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On the other hand the Ruler is also a drunk lunatic with little money in his coffers. A man who murdered his own pregnant wife. This is not a good Ruler. Win or not, this Kingdom is going to have troubles.

So we end this chapter knowing that Europe, and much of the world, is still a big mess. So join us next time when we return back to follow our favorite Buddhist Greek Queen in India-Tibet.

**Valley** · 2017-11-30, 12:22 PM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Forty-Three : A Court Tutor And A Treaty

Words ARE Sometimes More Powerful Than Swords

We open this chapter in January, of the year 833 AD, with the Queen deciding that she was sick of having to educate, or deal with the education of, everybody's children. She wasn't her father who had the patience for such tasks. So she decided to pick a Court Tutor.

Spoiler: Tutor Position

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The person who became the Court Tutor would have to be an adult with great skill at learning. And the Queen would want somebody who was a Buddhist, Greek, loyal, and not an idiot or infirm. So she picked Countess Kyra of Bumthang.

Spoiler: Countess Kyra

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Countess Kyra was all these things and more. Her only flaw was her laziness. And her beauty might help keep some of her young students in line.

Later that month she checked on the Truce she had with the Great King Mahendra of the Pala Kingdom. Sadly, it was still in effect till the 16th of December, 840 AD. That was so far away. Still, that gave her plenty of time to work on her Kingdom. Or Kingdoms.

Some good luck came her way when her Magistros announced he had improved the Queen's relationship with no other then Bhikkhu Isidoros of Para-Lauhitya. The man LIKED the Queen now. It made her wonder if they were putting something in her wine.

Spoiler: Bhikkhu Isidoros Is Happy...???

Show

She decided to play a more active part in making good luck and, in February, sent an offer to her Brother-In-Law Maharaja Mahinda "The Chaste". She asked him if he would like a Non-Aggression Pact. He would not attack her and she would not attack him. Seemed like a sound enough idea to try!

Spoiler: Request For A Pact

Show

Later that month she got a positive reply. She now had a Non-Aggression Pact with a far off Buddhist island.

Spoiler: Brother-In-Law Says Yes

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As she took credit for the new Pact she got reports of movement south of the border. The Great King and Raja, two of her neighbors, were preparing to fight. This war reminded her of one of her other neighbors.

Spoiler: Brothersome Neighbors

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"Now," she said to her Council. "We need to make a treaty with a more powerful, more dangerous realm."

So we close this chapter with a new tutor and a new treaty. Join us next chapter when the Queen deals with the Ming Empire.

**Valley** · 2017-12-01, 10:42 AM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Forty-Four : A Happy Loser

The Ming Dynasty

The tavern was a favorite of many of the Palace's servants, soldiers, and low ranking officials. It had good food, cheap rooms, and even cheaper beer.(1)

It was also a mixed crowd. Many different faces from around the Indian subcontinent, Europe, and now Tibet, filled the main tap room.

So when the one eyed European showed up nobody really took much notice. The man was at least in his fifties and a soldier of some type. He walked up to the counter and ordered a beer.

"Best beer you have," he stated to the bar keep. "I just Lost and I want to celebrate."

"You lost and want to celebrate?" said the bar keep as he poured the man a beer and slid it over the counter top to the old man. "Sounds like a story there. Care to tell it to me?"(2)

"Not at all," said the old man. "Me name is Fortun The Wise. I am a Buddhist who lived far to the west." He sipped his beer and sighed. "I was invited here by the Queen herself. Arminestra II who was also Wise."

He thought a few moments, then leaned forward and said, "But I was not the only one or the first to be invited to India."

"Oh?" replied the bar keep already bored.

"Yes," said the old man leaning against the bar. "First she invited a Sincake Nandesoya of the House of Kroran. He, in fact, arrived on 24th of March. He was looking forward to joining the court." (3)

Spoiler: Sincake Nandesoya

Show

He sipped some of the beer and burped. "Yes. While that was going on her Magistros helped improve relations with the Baron Samudravarman of Numaligarh. I mean, he still disliked her-"

Spoiler: Baron Samudravarman

Show

"Hey, hey, hey," said the bar keep, "don't get lost or sidetracked. Stay on the first story. What about this Sincake guy? And why are you so happy you lost?"

"Okay, okay," said the old man. "You see, the Queen was dealing with the Ming Empire. And the Emperor Dong Zhuangzong liked Eunuchs. So the Queen sent invites to us two because we had some very high skills. The Emperor liked his Eunuchs to be useful to his court." (4)

Spoiler: Emperor Dong Zhuangzong

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"You mean?" said the bar keep forgetting for the moment the cups he was cleaning.

"Yeah," said the old man with a grin. "Sincake WON the position of going to China to join the Emperor's court. They just didn't tell him about the whole get your balls cut off part of the deal."

Spoiler: Sending The Emperor A NEW Eunuch

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"I arrived after he had left for China," added the old man after draining the last of his beer. "It was a long journey. I traveled over hills and plains. Mountains and mole hills. Valleys and dales and river deltas and-"

"Valleys and dales are the same thing," pointed out the bar keep.

"Oh? Well..." He took a sip of his beer and started again.

Spoiler: Fortun The Wise

Show

"I traveled over plans and valleys and mountains. And when I got here I was married, much to my surprise, and received position as a Courtier. Told this was a tradition. Also that I may, in the future, have a position in the Queen's military. Being brave AND a genius and all that."

Spoiler: Fortun's Brand New Wife

Show

"So, poor Sincake guy...he really lost his...you know?" asked the bar keep refilling the empty cup. "On the house," he added when Fortun gave him a questioning glance with his one good eye.

"Thank you," the old soldier said. "Sincake? We received news that the Emperor was very pleased with his new...well, Eunuch."

Spoiler: Sincake's Brand New Life

Show

The old soldier and the bar keep both shared a shiver.

"Anyway," said the old man, "the Queen felt she was now on the good side of the Emperor. And so she requested a Peace Treaty. A truce in other words."

Spoiler: Request Peace

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At that point the old man took a long draw on his cup, draining half of the beer. Then he stood there and seemed to enjoy his buzz.

"Well....?" prodded the bar keep.

"AND she got it." stated the old man with a grin. "Peace with China for the next fifty years. Or whenever the current Dynasty ends."

Spoiler: PEACE!

Show

"So now we have peace between our Wise Queen and the Heavenly Dong," added old soldier.

"And that is why you are a Happy Loser?" stated the bar keep with a tilt of his head. "You lost out on going to China but now have a position in the court, a wife, and a salary."

"Yeah," said the old man finishing his beer. "I shudder to think about what would have happened if I had gotten here first."

Spoiler: The East Is Safe

Show

So we close this chapter on the Peace Truce between the Queen and the Emperor. And a happy old man who will enjoy the remaining years of his life with a younger wife, a steady paycheck, and his balls intact.

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Author's End Notes:

1. Many historians have pointed out that this goes against current knowledge. While taverns were common among roads for travelers they were not found inside towns or cities, acting as pubs or bars, till after the Medieval period. During this time period town folk would have bought beer from a shop and taken it home. If there was a meeting or gathering it would have been held at somebody's home.

2. The beer in question is likely Sura (Surah) a kind of strong beer prepared from grain (millet, barley, or rice) and was drunk by all social groups. It was first used as a anesthetic by surgeons in India around 4 BCE.

3. Sincake? Really?

4. Many historians have pointed out that the Ming Dynasty was, in fact, time invaders from the 14th Century but this has been laughed at as being very silly.

(OOC: The Ming Dynasty was, in fact, in China from 1368 to 1644 AD - so yes, they time traveled. Cheaters!)

**Rockphed** · 2017-12-02, 01:30 AM (ISO 8601)

The guy who lost seems celibate, which I think adds -100% or -1000% to fertility. How do you plan to fix that?

**Valley** · 2017-12-02, 12:11 PM (ISO 8601)

Originally Posted by Rockphed

The guy who lost seems celibate, which I think adds -100% or -1000% to fertility. How do you plan to fix that?

I don't plan to fix it. I really have no plans for any offspring from the marriage.

**Valley** · 2017-12-02, 01:02 PM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Forty-Five : Best Marriage Ever (Maybe)

Little Human Resources

We open this chapter in May, of the year 833 AD, with the Queen receiving a report that the Great King of the Pala Kingdom was about to attack the Raja's army. It would likely be the first, greatest, and last battle of the war. Victory would allow the Great King to lay siege to the county. And once taken that would be it.

Spoiler: Great King Mahendra Marches On Raja Dev Singh

Show

The two armies engaged in June. It became clear that the Pala soldiers, even with all the disadvantages of attacking a dug-in opponent, were going to win.

Spoiler: Engaged

Show

Later that month the Raj army retreated. Right into the Queen’s territory. The Pala soldiers settled in for a long series of sieges. Well, they only had two holdings to take so it would not be THAT long. On the other hand the Great King wasn’t very good at military operations so who knew what would happen?

Spoiler: Run Away!

Show

The tiny war reminded the Queen of the war the Ming Empire was having with the Raja Iracacimman II of Pandya Raj. It looked like the Ming Empire was losing. The Raja DID have a larger army and was fighting in his home territory so it was likely the Chinese were losing because the Raja held all the cards.

Spoiler: Raja Iracacimman II Of Pandya Raj

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The Queen’s attention went back to the Kingdom of Pala. A part of her mind was whispering to her that there were other ways to gain lands and kingdoms. Marriage for example.

She suggested that her newly born Princess Eupraxia enter a matrilineal betrothal with the 13 year old Rajkumar Gopala.

Spoiler: Matrilineal Betrothal Proposal

Show

You see, the boy was a member of the House of Pala. It was unlike the Great King would agree to such a marriage. BUT it was not up to the Great King. It was up to one of his Vassals.

Spoiler: Heir To The Pala Kingdom

Show

In August the Prince’s liege agreed to it. If the girl lived to be an adult. If the Kingdom of Pala did not break the argument. If the boy survived. IF everything went well a branch of the Royal Family would rule Pala. A long shot but worth it.

Spoiler: Agreed!

Show

Later that month the Queen decided she wanted a suit of armor to go with her sword. She spread the word that she needed an armorsmith.

Spoiler: Searching For A Smith

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Later that month the Magistros, once again, announced he had improved relations with Baron Samudravarman of Numaligarh. Which was nice but, the Queen felt, somewhat a waste of time. For the old Baron would die and his son would replace him. And the son still hated the Queen. So what was the point?

Spoiler: Baron Samudravarman Of Numaligarh

Show

The Queen noticed that her Sakellarios was just cooling his heels in the middle of nowhere so recalled him back to the Capital-County of Kamarupanagara to help run the government.

In September she was told that the Spy Master had dirt on Count Kyriakos of Bumthang. The thing was the Count wasn’t doing anything against the Queen and liked her. So she decided to do nothing with the information. Why go kicking wasp nests?

Spoiler: Count Kyriakos Of Bumthang

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In October the Queen started to ponder, deeply, the way of life and the many obstacles placed before her.(1)

Spoiler: Pondering Life

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Later that month she noticed that the Raja’s army had recovered from its defeat but was not willing to launch a counter-attack against the Great King. Looks like the Raja didn’t have the will to keep fighting. Or, to be fair, did not have the men and money to keep fighting.

Spoiler: Army Of Bystanders

Show

Also, for some reason, the Duchess Yajnavati was given the name “The Spider”. It did make the Queen wonder WHAT had being going on behind the scenes for her stepmother to earn such a nickname. But, once again, why go kicking wasp nests?

Spoiler: The Spider

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Near the end of the month the Queen inherited the County of Markam from Count Gopala of Markam who died a natural death. This also left behind the widow Yajnavati (not to be confused with the Duchess).

Spoiler: Count Gopala Died

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The Queen proposed the young 17 year old marry to the lowborn Artemios who WANTED to get married. Of course it would need approval from the man’s liege.

Spoiler: A Young Widow Needs A Husband

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NOW she could deal with the fact that her demesne was too big again. This would cause problems with collecting taxes, troop recruitment, and even generate resentment among her Vassals.

Giving up the County of Markam seemed wrong being that is was on the Trade Road. True, it wasn’t very developed so wasn’t bringing in much money. But if developed fully it could bring in a LOT of money.

Spoiler: County Of Markam

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She would prefer to give up the County of Sikkim. True, it was more developed and produced more of a income but it could not be AS developed as Markam could be. In the long run keeping Markam was the best choice.

Spoiler: County Of Sikkim

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She gave Sikkim to her daughter Princess Anastasia. The future Queen now had another county to deal with.

Spoiler: Duchess Anastasia Of Bhutan

Show

So we end the chapter with some wheeling and dealing which may, or may not, pay off in the long run. Join us in the next chapter in which things DON’T go as well.

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Author's End Notes:

1. Theravada Buddhism defines arhat or arahant as “one who is worthy” or as a “perfected person” having attained nirvana. Think of them as “Saints” or “Sages”. Mara in Buddhism, is the demon that tempted Prince Siddhartha (Buddha) by trying to seduce him with the vision of beautiful women. Mara is associated with death, rebirth, and desire.

**Valley** · 2017-12-06, 08:58 AM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Forty-Six : Queen Ebenezer Scrooge

Medieval Cures For Headaches

We open this chapter in October, of the year 833 AD, with the Queen deciding to build a Castle Town around the Castle of Markam. Developing the Castles and holdings in ones own counties was always a good idea.

Spoiler: Building A Castle Town In The County Of Markam

Show

She also got a reply to her proposal for Yajnavati and Artemios to get married. Or was it Arternios? Whatever.

Spoiler: Another Marriage

Show

In November her Protostrator Kyriakos of Nalrajar Garh brought the Queen news of a armorsmith residing in Monyul. He suggested that the Queen invite the man to work for the Kingdom. She felt that was a fine idea!

Spoiler: Call For The Armorsmith!

Show

Later that month, after checking the man's craftsmanship and background, the Queen received him. He called himself Master Andronikos and asked the Queen what she had in mind? She explained how she wanted armor to go with her sword.

Spoiler: The Need For Armor

Show

As the Queen waited for the armorsmith to show her his wares she received news from her Sakellarios Wiryasini that he needed more funds. Sufficient funds. In fact he wanted over 200 gold coins. She said, to put it nicely, no way in heck.

Spoiler: More Funding? No

Show

When later the armorsmith showed her three sets of armor, three different qualities, she realized that they were all out of her price range. Even the cheapest was around 600 gold coins which would put her in debt. She would be in debt by the tune of over 300 gold coins.

Spoiler: Do I look Like I Am Made Of Money?

Show

"I have changed my mind," said the Queen to the shocked armorsmith. "I need no armor nor an armorsmith."

Andronikos the armorsmith took her at her word and vanished without a trace. There are no records of what happened to him after that encounter.

So now the Queen had neither new armor nor did she have a old artifact.

Spoiler: Spy Master Or Spy Mistress?

Show

Around the same time Maharani Theordosia of the Lambakanna Kingdom became the Spy Master for her husband. Now the Queen was starting to see her half-sister as somewhat dangerous. A woman with claims to the throne with a high intrigue and a powerful husband. Yes, she would need to be watched.

The Queen focused on events closer to home and noticed that the Raja and the Great King were about halfway through their little war. And it looked like the Great King was winning.

Spoiler: The Raja Was Not Doing Too Well...

Show

By December, between the armorsmith disappearing, Sakellarios demanding more money, and the general stress of her life, the Queen developed a headache. A REALLY painful headache.

Spoiler: A Massive Headache

Show

Count Wiryasini examined her and announced she had developed Slow Fever. The Queen had her doubts about that. The only report of any epidemics were coming from Europe and that the Smallpox.

Spoiler: Fasting To Heal?

Show

Still the Count suggested the Queen regain her strength by fasting for half a fortnight (a week). It seemed to help.

Later, as she was feeling better, the Raja Dev Singh lost his war with the Great King and he, and his county, became part of the Kingdom of Pala.

Spoiler: End Of A Bloodline

Show

Then the Queen got news that Amritakala of the House Ramnaid died from the Great Pox. Not only did this break the Non-Aggression Pact the Queen had with Ramnath Ramnaid but it also meant that it was unlikely Rajkumar Andronikos would be producing children anytime soon. And therefore he become slightly less of a threat to future Rulers of the Realm.

Spoiler: Amritakala of the House Ramnaid Died

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Roughly a month later, in January of 834 AD, another son the Mayor Leontios of Yumai finally came of age. The boy had grown up to become a loyal, honest, and virtuous warrior.

Spoiler: A Man Comes Of Age

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The Queen decided to have him wed Mahidevi of the House of Chhinda. A pretty young Hindustani who, while weak, was shrewd and had some good skills and traits.

In February she was alerted to the fact that Count Yase of Tibetan Plateau had formed an alliance with Count Yase of Mainling. Which made perfect sense as the Count of the Tibetan Plateau was the Count of Mainling's son.

Spoiler: A Father And Son Allied

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As this was going on the Queen was notified that an army of the Punjab was ravaging the Kingdom of Bihar. It seems the "Conqueror" was about to defeat the Great King Traillookyachandra in the little war they were having.

Spoiler: The "Conqueror" Was Going To Win

Show

So we close this chapter with the Queen wealthy, semi-healthy, and much wiser. We also close it with the total defeat of the Raja Dev Singh and the end of his blood line as a independent family.

Join us next time when the Queen is visited by three Ghosts! HA! Joking.

**Valley** · 2017-12-06, 09:10 AM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Forty-Seven : Who Is Hunting Who?

"OH! Snacks!"

We open this chapter in April, of the year 834 AD, with the Queen deciding she needed something to take her mind off her headache. A proper tiger hunt. She announced it and sent out the invites. Amazingly all the Vassals agreed to come.

Spoiler: Another Tiger Hunt!

Show

Soon the tents and weapons and cooking gear was all packed. The soldiers and guards and hunters and trackers and cooks and servants and doctors were soon all ready and off they went.

Spoiler: Time To Hunt

Show

When they arrived to the hunting camp they set up the tents, started the camp fires, and posted the guards. As the Queen settled down her sent a order for the County of Kamatapur to start building a Castle Town around the main castle. The county had two castles and would need some development if she wanted it to increase her income.

Spoiler: County Of Kamatapur Needs A Castle Town

Show

As she started hunting for tigers she received news that the Punjab-Bihar Subjugation War had ended and the Great King had lost.

Spoiler: The Punjab-Bihar War Had Ended

Show

During the search the hunting party ran into a tiger. Well, the tiger ran into the party. More of a ambush to be honest, as it leapt out of the thick jungle and ripped apart the Mayor Rambhadra Singh Dev of Sutrapur. It upset the Queen slightly as the Mayor had liked her.

Spoiler: A Death

Show

Still, the Mayor's replacement, Bhogishwar of Sutrapur, turned out to like the Queen even more so it all turned out okay.

Spoiler: A New Mayor

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On the evening of the 18th of April she joined a card game. She decided to play for low stakes. Maybe it was because she did not feel lucky. Maybe it was because of the headache. Or maybe it was because a tiger had killed one of the members of the hunting party.

Spoiler: Card Game

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Either way she won as much as she lost so it turned out all balanced out in the end. In May she was notified that her Magistros, who was doing pretty well for a coward and a man crippled by depression, had improved relations with Mayor Jayanarayan of Mahasthangarh.

Spoiler: Mayor Jayanarayan of Mahasthangarh

Show

Later on, as the camp started to pack up and prepare to leave, the Queen decided to send Sakellarios to Kamatapur to help with the building of the Castle Town. The faster it was built the faster she would make back all the money spent to build it.

Spoiler: Sakellarios Sent To Work

Show

On the way back home she was alerted to the fact that the Great King Mahendra of the Pala Kingdom had declared war on Great King Traillokyachandra "The Wise". It seems Mahendra WANTED the Kingdom of Bihar. Who knew?

Spoiler: A Family War?

Show

The Queen and her party returned to the Palace having failed to find a tiger. At least they had a new Mayor out of the journey. Unfortunate about the lack of a new tiger skin. The old ones were getting a tad worn.

Spoiler: The Hunting Party Returns To The Palace

Show

As she got comfortable in her throne she reviewed what was happening just outside her borders. By numbers alone it looked like the Pala Kingdom would be winning this war. Which was great. As sooner or latter the Pala Kingdom would have a new dynasty on the throne. Her dynasty.

Spoiler: An Overview

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"Dance, my puppets," the Queen said to the map on her wall, "Dance!"

So we close this chapter with an Uncle being attacked by his Nephew while the Queen laughed evilly in her throne room and scared the servants.

**Valley** · 2017-12-10, 12:52 PM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Forty-Eight : Marriages And Pacts

Weddings ARE Pacts

We open this chapter in May, of the year 834 AD, when the Queen noticed there were two positions available among her military for Commanders.

Spoiler: Empty Military Positions

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Fortun "The Wise" and Varshasb Sangramazk of the House Vijaya were both selected to fill the empty positions. They were not as well skilled as she would have liked but baggers can't be choosers.

Spoiler: NEW Commanders

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Later that month she received news that the great and all powerful Ming Dynasty had been defeated by Raja Iracacimman II of the Pandya Raj. So the Chinese military had failed. The Queen filed that away for later.

Spoiler: China Defeated

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She also was notified of some excellent news. Her oldest son, Prince Andronikos, had returned to the Kingdom of Kamarupa with the death of his foreign wife. He was now a Commander in his father’s court in the County of Medog. Which meant that when her husband died her son would inherit the county and become a Vassal of the Queen. It was a small thing but pleased her. Having a strange colored county within her Kingdom would have driven her nuts.

Spoiler: Prince Andronikos Back In The Kingdom

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Of course he needed a new wife and she selected Revati Ptompiletkacer from the House of Urabo. Her son would lose some prestige but the woman would make a good wife.

Spoiler: New Wife?

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While waiting for the new bride to arrive in June the Queen heard the news that Raja Dharmarstha “Ironside” of the Somavamsi Raj had answered the Great King Taillokyachandra’s call to war. He would be bringing in another thousand warriors and some skills.

Spoiler: "Ironside" Joins The War

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In the middle of July the Queen found Count Serapion when his wife died. It turned out the man had just disappeared, not died, when he had become bedridden. Which is why he had left the council.

Spoiler: There Is Count Serapion!

Show

Later that month Andronikos and Revati were married. They both seemed happy enough.

Spoiler: Royal Wedding

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Looking over the Dysnomia Family Tree she noticed that her niece, Dionysia, had given birth to two children.

Spoiler: House Of Dysnomia

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Sadly, this niece felt she should get the throne. Luckily, she was wife to a low-ranking Noble in a far off land.

Spoiler: Dionysia Dysnomia

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On the other hand it DID give her a Non-Aggression Pact with Dionysia’s husband and father-in-law. In fact the Queen had 12 Non-Aggression Pacts, many with family members or in-laws. This was good. Fewer people attacking but nobody asking her to join into a conflict. SHE wanted to decide when to go to war and not go to war. There was nothing more annoying than being pulled into a war when you’re not in the mood.

Spoiler: Pacts

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Then in August the Queen received the news that the Great King Traillokyachandra “The Wise” had declared war on the Rani Rani “The Chaste”. Now he was in two wars. Didn’t seem very “Wise” to the Queen to be honest.

Spoiler: Great King Traillokyachandra "The Wise" Starts A Civil War

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So we close this chapter with the Queen still with a headache but in a happier mood. And we also have the Pala Family War having grown in size as more players joined in. Who would win? Did it really matter to the Queen?

**Valley** · 2017-12-12, 11:09 AM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Forty-Nine : Powerful Females And Trade Posts

Concubines Of India

We open this chapter in August, of the year 834 AD, with the birth of a son to Haripaladeva Haripaladevid and Hoysaladevi Pandya Alupa. The boy was named Anantadeva and the Queen decided he would become somebody with a mind for money and profit.

Spoiler: Anantadeva Haripaladevid

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In September the County of Markam the Castle Town was finally finished. The Queen checked the coffers and realized there was plenty of money still available. So why not use SOME of it?

Spoiler: Castle Markam Now Has A Castle Town

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The next day she ordered the City of Mangling to build a Town Market. It would take a year to finish but she understood these things took time.

Spoiler: City Of Mangling Needs A town Market

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In October she was notified that Eupraxia Neapolites was plotting to kill Count Yase of Tibetan Plateu. Of course the Spy Master sent a request that the woman drop her plotting and she, in the end, did so. If she had REUSED to stop she could have been arrested.

Spoiler: Plotting?

Show

Later that month she received a report that Prince Himerios had built a Trade Post in Lhasa. This delighted the Queen. Income, income, income!

Spoiler: A New Trade Post!

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In November the County of Kamatapur reported the completion of the Militia Training Grounds.

Spoiler: A New Militia Training Grounds

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A few days later, once again, she received wonderful news, that Princess Anastasia had built a Trade Post in Paro. The Queen was so pleased with the future Queen that she almost forgot her headache.

Spoiler: Another Trade Post?

Show

She decided to celebrate the new Trade Posts with a seasonal feast. She sent out the invites to all her Vassals. None refused to come to the party. She also decided, once again, to pick out nice cape for her husband.

Spoiler: Party, Party, Party!

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Before the party had time to start she received news that Ituk Zhetysu, the son of her niece Dionysia Dysnomia, had died a sickly infant. Sad but it was one less future enemy to worry about.

Spoiler: Kind Of Sad News...

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Near the end of November the Castle was ready, the staff were all decked out, and the food was prepared. Soon the guests started to appear.

Spoiler: Starting The Feast

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At this point she received GOOD news. Count Wiryasini "The Wise", her Sakellarios, was making steady progress in his search for the lost artifact. She was also made aware that the Count had a young concubine. Must have been a new addition to his household.

Spoiler: Count Wiryasini "The Wise" And The Lost Artifact

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When, in December, she presented the cape to her husband he was very pleased. Both had become lovers by now and any sign or display of affection were always welcome.

Spoiler: The Gift Cape

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But the Queen also noticed a very young woman hanging around with the Despot. Then she realized the young lowborn was her husband's concubine. She got the impression that the woman was not pleased to be her husband's "other" girl.

Spoiler: Her Husband's Concubine

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Still, she was in a good mood when the height of the festival came about. The lamps and candles were lit and the people enjoyed the sweet foods and chilled drinks. Hope beat back the darkness.

Spoiler: Hope And Light

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It was a wonderful celebration. But all good things come to an end and in the end everybody had to go home to deal with their hangovers and real life.

So we close this chapter with the Kingdom having two new Trade Posts and many public projects in the works.

**Valley** · 2017-12-14, 03:39 PM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Fifty : Death And Marriage

Pikemen

We open this chapter in the month of December, in the year 834 AD, when the Queen decided to add more troops to her Retinue in the form of extra Archers and Pikemen. This would double the amount of the final number of Archers. A wonderful idea for a pre-gunpowder army.

Spoiler: Growing Royal Retinue

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On the 28th of December the Queen was notified that Count Isaias of Kunggar was fabricating a claim on the Republic of Lhasa which was owned by his Liege, one of the Queen's sons, Prince Himerios.

Spoiler: Count Isaias Causing Trouble

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Of course he was told to stop it and a few days later he did so.

In February the Great King Traillohyachandra "The Wise" of Bihar died from depression. His son took over the throne and inherited the position of being a Tributary to Raja Dharmarstha "Ironside". The boy also inherited the war with the Pala Kingdom. The Civil War, started by the Great King, cancelled out with his death.

Spoiler: A New Great King

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At this point the Queen declared that ONLY SHE would have final say on who her children would get to marry. She didn't want them going rogue when it came to who got to join the Royal Family.

Spoiler: None Of The Children Marry Without The Queen's Say So

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Sadly, she missed one.

Spoiler: Broken Betrothal

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Later in February, 835 AD, was when Princess Anastasia of Kamarupa BROKE the betrothal she had with Sutasome Cagrisoya. Seems nobody had told the girl that the Queen had final say in the matter of marriages.

Spoiler: Broken Pacts

Show

The Queen was a tad put out. Didn’t the Princess know how hard it would be to find a man of noble blood of one of the Houses to become her Despot? Did she not understand the Pacts she had broken? Yes, the future Queen WAS showing a backbone and maybe she wanted a better marriage - but she was NOT Queen yet!

As she tried to make sure all her children were alerted to this new policy she received news from the Kingdom of Bihar. There was a Catholic Uprising!

Spoiler: Catholics Are Coming!

Show

"This is what happens when you let the people make up silly religions. One God. Really?” stated a somewhat confused Queen. “Why would anybody just want one God? So restricting. And more Gods mean more Holidays. Am I right folks?”

The Council, of course, agreed. Because it sounded logical. And because none of them wanted to be pushed off the Palace walls.

Spoiler: Nobody Plotting Against Nobody

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In March she was also notified that the Magistros Zymt of Banbar wanted to kill another Councilor, Wanwans. She didn’t really care - not that she could anything about it anyway.

Nothing happened for the longest time. The Queen tried to deal with her headache by getting drunk. Which didn’t work. So she tried some more booze. Which also did not work. Go figure.

The wars raged outside her borders. They were interesting but in the end they didn’t really affect her. SHE would decide when she was going to take ACTION. Not others.

The Queen calmed down and remembered that the City of Mangling in the Count of Markam was building a Town Market. So she sent Sakellarios to oversee the operation and help it along.

Spoiler: Working On The Town Market

Show

So we close this chapter with the Queen having a headache, a hangover, and kids who were making their own decisions.

**Valley** · 2017-12-16, 05:32 PM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Fifty-One : Hearts And Minds

Following Buddha

We open this chapter in April, of the year 835 AD, with the Queen being informed that a Trade Post had been built in Magadha by the Great King Srimanta of Bihar. It was likely it had been started by his father. Still impressive when you take into account that the Kingdom was in two different conflicts.

Spoiler: A Trade Post Built Where Now?

Show

Now the Queen was a shrewd person, a woman with a sharp mind, and she decided it was time to show a softer side. A more spiritual side. So in May she joined the Savaka-Sangha.

Spoiler: Joining The Savaka-Sangha

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Later that month she lost her Spy Master, Mayor Bosporios of Pragyotisapura. He died a natural death and Chrysogonos, his replacement, took over a Mayor. The young man wasn't really a good replacement but what could she do?

Spoiler: Death Of A Spy Master

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And now the Queen had to pick a new Spy Master to protect her, her family, and her Royal Court. She selected Bhikkhu Tonke of Cuowa.

Spoiler: New Spy Master

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He was not the best at being an Agent of the Shadows but he was one of the most loyal of those on the top of the list and the least powerful. She ordered him to scheme in the Capital-County.

Spoiler: Save The Elephants

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In June the Queen was approached by a priest from the local temple who was worried about the Holy Elephants. They were all sick BUT he had heard about a healer who could help. But the man was very pricy. Still the Elephants were signs of strength and if they were to die due to illness that would be horrible and reflect badly on her. So she paid over 90 gold coins to have them taken care of. Much to the delight of the priest and the people.

Spoiler: Great King Mahinda II Died

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Sadly, in June, Great King Mahinda II of the Lambakanna Kingdom died of cancer. The new Great King had no ties with the Queen and, therefore, the Non-Aggression Pact dissolved. The Queen was slightly upset but only slightly. The island wasn't that important to her and her future plans. Maybe one day Lambakanna would be a point of interest but not today.

Spoiler: A New Great King For The Lambakanna Kingdom

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In July the Queen gave 100 gold coins to the Savaka-Sangha for charity and they were very pleased with her. The Queen felt that she was really racking up the points with the society...er...I mean she felt she was doing good work for her fellow-Buddhists.

Spoiler: Charity

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In August Count Avyaman of Gyantse died and was replaced by his son, Varazak. The boy was young but seemed to already have a good opinion of the Queen. The Queen didn't foresee any problems with the new Count. At least not until he became a man.

Spoiler: A New Count Of Gyantse

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In October she was made aware that the search for the Lost Artifact was slowing down. The Count Wiryasini suggested that there were many promising leads but he needed more men to investigate them all. The Queen agreed to this.

Spoiler: More Men Are Needed For The Artifact Hunt!

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Even though it meant that a large part of her men would be tied up in searching for a artifact and not be available for war. But the Truce was to last till after October 840 AD so she HOPED she would not need her men till then.

Spoiler: Less Men Than Normal...For Awhile

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In November the Queen recalled the Protostrator from training county troops to doing military research back in the County-Capital. Maybe he could find ways for her to increase the numbers she had now or invent a weapons to make those she had stronger and more dangerous?

Spoiler: Military Research

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Later that month her headache disappeared. And now all she had to deal with was the drinking and the stress.

Spoiler: Pain Free

Show

So we close this chapter with the Queen feeling much better outside of the hangovers.

**Valley** · 2017-12-17, 10:01 AM (ISO 8601)

Dear Readers,

With the addition of the Jade Dragon to the game I have peeked at the settings for the DLC. I have not touched them as they looked okay to me. I figured you folks might want to see them too before starting your own games. There they are:

Chinese Invasions : ALL
So everything from massive invasions to Chinese Adventures.

Chinese Interactions : Within Range
Only people within Diplomatic Range can interact with China. This seems to include much of the Silk Road so it is, in fact, a lot of people.

Border Dispute Wars : On
So you can try to grab a Border County if you are willing to pay the price.

New Casus Bellis : On
Adds more ways to declare war in the game. I have not checked them all out.

Due to the last two NEW additions there is likely going to be a increase in the number of wars per Ruler. The DLC just makes it easier to find a reason to attack somebody now. May also mean a lot more wars just in general between other Realms - so you may wish to take that into account before downloading the DLC. Up to you and your style of play.

**Valley** · 2017-12-17, 05:28 PM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Fifty-Two : Buddha, A Beggar, And A Brat

Alms, Alms For The Poor!

We open this chapter in December, of the year 835 AD, with the Queen gaining a new friend in the form of a religious pen-pal. It seems her good deeds had impressed a LOT of people lately.(1)

Spoiler: A Pen-Pal...

Show

Rajendranarayan had become very impressed by the Queen's actions and was soon one of her best friends. He was a lowborn and was likely to die from old age soon, but so what? Allies could be found in all walks of life.

Spoiler: ...Becomes A New Friend

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The War of the Pala Family, which the Queen liked to call India's "Family Feud", seemed to be somewhat of a draw so far.

Spoiler: Great King Srimanta of Bihar Is NOT A Warrior

Show

It didn't help that Great King Srimanta of Bihar was in two wars and losing both. Even with Raja Dharmarstha of the Somavamsi Raj on his side he was, SLOWLY, getting his butt kicked. He had neither the numbers nor the skills to defend himself. On the other hand he WAS only 7 years old.

In January greed made the Queen do something terrible. She took coins from a beggar's bowl. It was embarrassing and made her think about her life and her soul. It forced her to dive deeper into the teachings of Buddha.

Spoiler: Greed

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Later that month the Queen decided that the Castle of Pundravardhana needed a Town.

Spoiler: Building A Castle Town In Pundravardhana

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The Sakellarios, who had finished helping build the Town Market in Mangling, was in the County of Markam just relaxing. He was now called to help build the Castle Town in Pundravardhana.

Spoiler: Sakellarios Sent To Oversee New Building

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In February the Queen noticed that Lazaros was, once AGAIN, the Guardian of Duchess Anastasia of Bhutan. The Queen was confused on how THAT had happened but, once again, requested SHE be the Guardian of the future Queen. She knew the man would be upset but she really didn't care - this was about the FUTURE of the Kingdom and her Dynasty!

Spoiler: A Request Sent A Second Time

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Then the Queen was notified by a alarmed servant that the Waldensian heresy had appeared in the County of Nyingchi!

Spoiler: Oh No! Wait...

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"Oh by Buddha NOOOO! Hey...wait...what is Waldensian Heresy?" The Queen didn't know if she should be horrified or not.

The Council explained that the Waldensian Heresy was a Christian movement that believed in Apostolic poverty. In other words they attempted to live their lives without ownership of lands or the accumulation of money. Kind of like Christian Buddhists. The problem was the movement challenged the Roman Catholic Church, suggesting that the Church was corrupt by the very lands it owned and great wealth it had collected, and therefore the movement was popular among the poor but not with the Pope.

Spoiler: Upadhyayani Sent To Convert The...Whatever They Are

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The Queen thought about it for a few minutes and then recoiled in horror. Not that she had anything against the movement. But what if the Pope - whoever he was - decided to launch a crusade or something like that against the movement? She had enough trouble with the people in Tibet without European Knights stomping about. She sent her Upadhyayani to the County of Nyingchi to deal with the movement.

She was then notified that, once AGAIN, she was the Guardian of her oldest daughter.

Spoiler: The Duchess Is The Queen's Ward AGAIN

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Now it was time to try to pick her daughter's future husband again. This time the Queen found a great one. Umur Aydinoglu of the House Aydin. He didn't like the Queen but who cared - the young man would make a great warrior!

Spoiler: Umur Aydinoglu of the House Aydin

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Later that month the Khagan Aydin "Slayer of the Uyhur" approved of the betrothal between his son and the Duchess.

Spoiler: Betrothal Approved!

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Always good to have friends among the Horse Lords. And any man who was nicknamed "Slayer" was somebody you wanted as a friend. Not an enemy.

Spoiler: Future Friend!

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In March she was told that her daughter had, ONCE AGAIN, broken the betrothal. That was the second time she had thought for herself. The Queen was enraged.

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

Show

"Is she TRYING to PISS me OFF?" shouted the Queen as she stomped about her private quarters. "Does she know that every time she breaks a agreement that people REMEMBER IT? That they remember her as a breaker of oaths and promises?!?! By the time she is Queen half the Rulers will distrust her completely! How will she find the husband then? Did she bother to THINK about that? Stupid brat and her stupid free will!"

The Queen in April, once again, turned to Buddha to try to find peace. She REALLY needed peace. The booze helped her forget but only for the evening. By the next morning she would remember why she was stressed out AND have a hangover on top of that. Buddha and his teachings helped her a lot.

Spoiler: Help Me Buddha!

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Later that month she decided another way to deal with stress was to go out and kill things in the wild. She decided to become a Hunter.

Spoiler: The Queen Decides To Go Kill Poor, Helpless, Animals

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So we close this chapter with the Queen wanting to spank her bratty young Duchess with a paddle and relying more on Buddha than ever before.

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Author's End Notes:

1. This can seem a tad confusing to most historians as the man did not seem to have a high opinion of the Queen.

**Valley** · 2017-12-19, 12:49 PM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Fifty-Three : The Queen Calls A Council Meeting

Did Somebody Remember To Bring The Coconut Filled Gujiya?

The Queen entered the Meeting Chamber or the Council's Meeting Room. A dining room that her Grandmother had picked for her first war meeting with her Councilors. It had changed little in the half-a-century it had been used. The walls have different tapestries and many of the chairs had been replaced but the table was the same and the room was just as secure and sound proof as before.

The first Councilor to enter the room was Magistros Yudhisthire Gayakasyapessoya who bowed but had a hard time making eye contact. He was scared of the Queen. He disliked her and felt she was deceitful. The fact that she was cruel and a drunk didn't help much either. At least he was early.

He sat as far away from her as he could, placing his scrolls onto the table, and grabbing a pastry to munch on while waiting for the others. She wondered who kept putting food on the table before each meeting? It had become a tradition somehow but she wasn't sure whose job it was to supply the sweets. Sweet Fairies? Kitchen Gnomes?

The next Councilor to enter was Count Kyriakos of Bumthang, her Protostrator, who had been researching military technology. He nodded to the Queen and sat on her left. He also placed his scrolls and papers on the table but ignored the pastries. It was rumored he hated when pieces of food got trapped in his beard.

The Protostrator was very loyal. The fact that she had given him a county AND had given him public praise at one point had never been forgotten by him. He was so trusted that he was the Queen's Cupbearer which was a title he was also very proud of.

The last Councilor to enter the room was her Mystikos, the Spay Master, Bhikku Tonke of Cuowa. He nodded to her and sat down between the two other Councilors. He was close to the Queen but also close to the door. He was wary but not paranoid. He was not just a religious leader but also a Baron - a title she had given him. He also approved of her charity and her recent good deals.

He, like the Protostrator, didn't touch the pastries. Maybe he worried about poison?

Spoiler: The Meeting With The Three Councilors

Show

"Greetings my Councilors," said the Queen. "This meeting is about our future war with the Kingdom of Pala. The others could not be here as they are not in the capital and their work is too important to call them home."

"More important than the future conflict?" stated Count Kyriakos with a tilt of his head.

"I doubt the Sakellarios or the Upadhyayani would have anything to add," replied the Queen. "This is about blood and death. Not about taxes or Buddha."

The Magistros looked pale and peeked under the table as if looking for a trap.

"Let us set the stage," said the Queen. "We have a truce with the Great King Mahendra of the Pala Kingdom that ends on the 16th of December of the year 840 AD. At which point we can go to war."

Spoiler: Under The Truce

Show

"One out of every four of your men are off searching for a Lost Artifact," grumbled Count Kyriako.

"They will be back before the Truce ends," pointed out the Queen. "And I have over four thousand men still available in case of...problems."

"We could attack the Kingdom of Bihar NOW," pointed out the Spy Master Tonke. "He is knee deep in two wars and it can only get worst for him."

"And get involved in a three way war in which any side can attack our armies?" stated the Queen. "No thank you."

She pulled out a small map and unrolled it. She placed it on the table and pushed it to the middle. "This will be our target in four years."

"We already have a claim on it," she added as the Councilors leaned forward to look at the map of Kotivarsa.

Spoiler: County Of Kotivarsa

Show

The Magistros was the first to speak, much to the Queen's amusement, as they looked over the information.

"IF developed that county will make the Kingdom a lot of money," he pointed out.

"A border county," said the Count Kyriakos. "Easy to get out and defend."

"One problem," said the Spy Master. "The middle man."

"Middle man?" inquired the Queen. She was confused but also happy. She didn't like problems but she preferred that problems were pointed out to her BEFORE they happened. She liked her Councilors honest - she hated "Yes" men.

"The county has not just a Count but a Vassal between the Count and the Great King," explained the Spy Master. "Our good friend Raja Dev Singh of the Shantideva Raj is alive and well. And he is the Count of Kotivarsa's Liege."

Spoiler: Two Enemies In One War?

Show

"So if we go to war over the County," said the Queen, "we have two military forces to deal with."

"Over five thousand troops," added the Spy Master.

"We have about four years," said the Queen after a few minutes of silence. "We can work on building up our funds AND our military infrastructure."

The Queen sat back and said, "Any questions?"

"The Kingdom of Bihar is NOT the only other Realm we could target in that time," stated the Spy Master.

"But we both know a war can be short or years long," inserted the Count Kyriakos before the Queen would respond. "And it takes time to recover funds and men afterwards. The Kingdom of Pala will be powerful. It was a tough nut to crack last time. We should focus on one war at a time. Work one problem at a time."

Both the Spy Master and the Magistros nodded in agreement. It seemed three of her Councilors were on the same page.

"Good," said the Queen. "This meeting has come to an end. I will alert the other two Councilors about what we have decided and that we will now focus on having war with the Kingdom of Pala once the Truce ends."

And so we close this chapter with the knowledge that within four years the House of Pala and the House of Dysnomia will be at war, again.(1)

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Author's End Notes:

1. Dysnomia is a Greek Deity whose name translates to "Lawlessness"

Spoiler: Dysnomia

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Also Known As "Discord"

**Valley** · 2017-12-20, 11:51 AM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Fifty-Four : A Royal Marriage!

Artist's Impression Of the Duchess of Bhutan Just Before Her Marriage

We open this chapter in April, of the year 836 AD, shortly after the meeting the Queen had with the three Councilors.

The Queen decided to focus on building up her military forces. If she wanted more men to fill the ranks she needed to expand the support systems needed to handle them.

She ordered the first of many projects of the year when she paid for a Barracks to be built in the Castle of Kamarupanagara. It would take MORE than a year but that was okay - they had four years to finish it.

Spoiler: Barracks To Be Built

Show

She didn't really have to worry too much about income. Luckily for her, the Trade Income she was getting was huge. And most of her Vassals liked her. In fact only one disliked her enough to decrease the income he was passing onto the Queen.

Spoiler: Baron Ratnapala Of Nalrajar Garh

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Baron Ratnapala of Nalrajar Garh didn't have a high opinion of her for many reasons. One was her religion and another was her gender. He wasn't even happy with the fact that the Queen had a female heir. Too bad - on paper he seemed like such a good Vassal.

But the Queen ignored him. She would inherit the title when he died. The irony was as a Hindu Ruler he refused to pass on the title to either of his daughters. The Queen pondered who she would give it to. A Female Buddhist Courtier of the Court very likely.

In June the Queen ordered the building of a Militia Training Ground in the Castle of Markam. This project would take slightly less than a year.

Spoiler: Building A Militia Training Ground

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In July the Queen was alerted to the fact that the County of Goalpara was becoming crowded as more peasants were moving into it. The Sakellarios suggested the Queen pay for new roads as it would make travel easier and would end up paying for itself in the long run. The Queen agreed even though it would cost her almost 50 gold coins!

Spoiler: Building New Roads

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That same day her daughter turned 16 years of age.

Spoiler: The Young Duchess Finished Her Education

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Not only had she finished her education in the ways of intrigue but she was now old enough to MARRY!

Spoiler: A Fully Grown Duchess

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"This time she can't back out!" grumbled the Queen as she called for her scribes and record keepers. She wanted information on all the available men in India and beyond. At least those who would be willing to be a Despot to a future Queen.

She found what she wanted in a 20 year old man by the name of Izsak Konradfi of the House of Somogy. He was a just man and skilled the ins and outs of stewardship. He even WANTED to marry. He was a Hungarian and the son of Somogy Konrad Laszlofi of Konrad's Band. In other words the son of a Captain of hired swords. No land or soldiers to his name. Perfect!

Spoiler: A Landless Noble?

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True, he was a Pagan of the steppe peoples. Their major god was Tengri - a creator God who ruled the skies. The Queen didn't really care what he believed in as long as the kids were proper Greek Buddhists and didn't eat off the floor like animals.

The Queen made the matrilineal marriage proposal as soon as she realized he was the best man for the job...er...position of marrying her daughter.

Spoiler: A Proposal

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While waiting for a response she received news from her Spy Master that Prince Andronikos was plotting to kill his sister, Princess Anastasia.

The Queen thought it was a joke until she was brought solid evidence of the plot. She was too surprised to be angy.

Spoiler: A Plot?!?!

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"Does he THINK that he would become the next ruler of the Kingdom of Kamarupa with her death?" the Queen said aloud in amazement. "He would be arrested and hung. Tell him to knock it off."

On the 7th of July she received an answer to her marriage proposal. It was a "Yes" from Somogy Konrad "The Lionheart". The son delivered the acceptance letter himself and the Queen married them on the spot before anybody could change their minds.

Spoiler: Finally Married!

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A day later she received the sad news that Count Serapion of the County of Nedong had died. She had inherited the County. The man had died of cancer at the age of 69. Hopefully this ended his suffering.

Spoiler: Count Serapion Dies

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This gave the Queen direct control of the county and she decided to keep it for now. Maybe she would have to give it up one day but it would give her just a little more income per year. And she needed every coin she would squeeze out of her Kingdom for her plans.

Spoiler: County Of Nedong

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On the 9th of July she heard rumors that the Duchess Anastasia of Bhutan wanted to acquire another title.

Spoiler: Duchess Anastasia Wanted More!

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“Good,” said the Queen to herself upon hearing the news. “Shows she has the right spirit. I picked the right offspring for the position.”

So we close this chapter with the eldest daughter of the Queen FINALLY getting married and one of the Queen's favorite Ex-Councilors passing away.

**Valley** · 2017-12-21, 09:07 AM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Fifty-Five : Building Up The Foundation

Men At Work

We open this chapter in July, of the year 836 AD, with the Queen being told that her son had given up his plot of murder his sister.

Spoiler: No Known Plots

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"Good," stated the Queen. "He wishes to live. Unlike our late uncle."

Later that month the Castle Town was finished in the County of Pundravardhana.

Spoiler: The Castle Town In Pundravardhana Was Complete

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She was also notified that her daughter, the Duchess of Bhutan, had started to reorganize by centralizing her power over the Duchy. She also noticed that Count Wiryazini, her Sakellarios, was just cooling his heels in the Pundravardhana after helping with the town.

Spoiler: The Duchess Was Working Hard And The Sakellarios Was Not

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So he was sent to Markam to help with building the Militia Training Ground.

Spoiler: The Count Wiryazini Was Sent To Markam

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In August Rajkumar Gopala of the Pala Kingdom came of age. He was 16 years old and STILL had not broken off his arranged marriage with Princess Eupraxia of Kamarupa. Amazing! Did the Great King, his father, not understand that this could be the end of his bloodline within the Kingdom of Pala? FOOL!

Spoiler: Rajkumar Gopala Comes Of Age

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Later that month she received a report of a battle between the Kingdom of Bihar, and their allies from the Somavamsi Raj, and the Catholic Rebels. The Rebel forces were crushed and the victors lay siege to the holdings to liberate them.

Spoiler: The Rebellion Rages On

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Next her Spy Master came with her stating he had some dirt on her husband. It could be used to keep him on the straight and narrow. She felt that using it was not needed. He wasn't doing anything to threaten herself of her Dynasty. He was trusting, honest, and a tad lazy. But most importantly, he was content with his life and position. Why would he join a faction or start a plot?

Spoiler: The Queen Decides NOT To Blackmail Her Husband

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After that the Duchess Yajnavati "The Spider", the Queen's stepmother, died and left her the Duchy of Varendra.

Spoiler: "The Spider" Dies

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On the day of the woman's death the Count Harendranarayan of Madhupur started to seek to claim the Duchy for himself.

Spoiler: Count Harendranarayan Is Told To Stop Plotting

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"Tell him to back off unless he wants to end his life also," stated the Queen to her servants. It was later reported he backed off.

Of course now she had too many Duchies to her name and the Vassals started to grumble almost at once. The Duchy of Varendra held the counties of Madhupur, Pundravardhana, and Suvarnagram but the new Duchess or Doux would not control them all. She went over the people in her court and found Uppalavarna of the House of Arsi. The woman was married but had no children and was 63 years old. She wasn't a very skilled steward but the Queen really just needed her to hold the title. She didn't really need to DO anything with it.

Spoiler: The New Duchess Of Varendra

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So the Queen made her first the Countess of Suvarnagram and then the Duchess of Varendra. By then the Duchess had a VERY high opinion of her Liege.

Near the end of August she ordered that a Barracks be built in the Castle of Goalpara. Like many projects it would take about a year.

Spoiler: Barracks To Be Built In Goalpara

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In September there was some alarm as a army was sighted on the northern border. But most of the Queen's spies and informants stated that the army was likely involved in some internal conflict that had nothing to do with India or Tibet.

Spoiler: Trouble On The Border?

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Also in September the Duchess of Varendra also had her Council pass the Title Revocation Law. She was tightening her control over her Vassals. The Queen approved.

Spoiler: The NEW Duchess Tightens Her Grasp On Power

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In October she was told that the Sakellarios was making steady progress in the search or the Artifact. This pleased her. Maybe she would get her men back soon?

Spoiler: The Great King Of Bihar Sends His Mother To China?

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Near the end of October the Great King Srimanata's mother left for China to travel. Or was she forced to go? Nobody could tell the Queen which it was. The boy was only 8 years old. It seemed unlikely he was so ruthless at such a young age.

In November the Catholic Rebels seemed to be alive and well. A army of over a thousand of them were trying to un-liberate the holdings that had been freed.

Spoiler: The Catholic Uprising LIVES!

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Near the end of November she ordered THREE more Castle Walls built. One in the County of Kamatapur, one in the County of Haruppeswara, and one in the County of Kundina.

Spoiler: Three New Projects Are Started

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In December she got a report from Markam that the Militia Training Ground had been finished.

Spoiler: The Militia Training Ground In Markam Was Finished

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[CENTER[img]https://i.imgur.com/G4xQc4T.png[/img[/CENTER

So we close this chapter with the Queen carrying out a series of projects designed to strengthen the Kingdom.

**Valley** · 2017-12-22, 12:49 PM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Fifty-Six : Known World Tour

Year Of Revolts?

In this chapter we plan to visit the top seven military powers of the known world on the 1st of January, 837 AD. After that I plan to give you, my dear readers, some bonus material. Let me warn you ahead of time that this list is...interesting. The world seems to be aflame with rebellions!

Our first power was in the Middle East. The Arabian Empire was on top. Let us be honest, it normally was near the top most of the time so this isn't a surprise. Caliph Mahdi "The Tormentor" was still in charge and only had one war in progress. He was still cruel, zealous, and insane. With almost twenty thousand soldiers and over a thousand gold coins he could be as crazy as he wanted to be. Or maybe we should call him "eccentric"?

Spoiler: Arabian Empire

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The war he was involved in wasn't about him or his territory. He was helping Sultan Mu'awiya of the Umayyad Sultanate (in Spain) try to defend his throne against Abdul "The Seducer". We will meet this "Seducer" farther down the list. For now let us leave the Arabian Empire for one of its neighbors to the north.

The Byzantine Revolt was next! With Nikarete of the House of Laloudios fighting to put Princess Ioulanana on the throne. I don't even know who that was....anyway, she had about eighteen thousand soldiers and was not bad in the military department.

Spoiler: Byzantine Revolt

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Not a great Ruler due to her many flaws but she seemed to be winning. She was a follower of the Orthodox Faith and seemed to be well liked by her Vassals. At least liked enough to have eighteen thousand soldiers!

Next we kind of stay in the same spot and just shift a little. Welcome to the Byzantine Empire! Ruled by the 7 year old Basileus Niketas II, son of Basileus Eustathios who was murdered, and Grandson of "The Usurper". In other words he was from the Branch of the Imperial Family nobody seemed to like. He had a respectable number of soldiers - over thirteen thousand of them - BUT he was in debt. By one gold coin. Also he really had no skills or political clot.

Spoiler: Byzantine Empire

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On top of all that he was in two wars to boot (one of which was the Revolt). I don't picture this going well but you never know. We could be surprised! Next on our list was Punjab! So back to India we fly!

The Great King Begluk "The Conqueror" had over twelve thousand soldiers and was at peace. There really wasn't that much to say. The 65 year old Ruler was tough, with a lot of military skills, and still had plans for the rest of India if we were to judge by his list of claims.

Spoiler: Punjab

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He also had a fully grown son as his Heir which isn't a bad thing at his age and kept fit with hunting. As he was Hindu he even had some advantages when it came to warfare. The kind of Ruler you wouldn't mind having on your side. Maybe even having a drink with in the local shop. As long as you don't talk about religion (he was a zealous Hindu). Now we go back west to Europe. To Italy!

King Adelchis II "The Monster" of Lombardy was having a little problem. A religious revolt. It was likely not his fault as the Roman Catholic Church was weak and had lost much of its authority (See Bonus Material). And he was also fighting off Arni of Arni's Host. He had over four thousand troops though records show that he could have had up to eight thousand if he had been liked by his Vassals.

Spoiler: Lombardy

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But he was craven, cruel, ambitious, and had expelled the Jews. And then there was the Lollard Uprising, a form of Christian Heresy, which had likely come about because of the weakness of the Pope and his Church. Or maybe the whole "Monster" thing had something to do with it?

Now we fly to our next Realm in sunny Spain! Abdul "The Seducer" of the Umayyad Revolt had over six thousand soldiers and was a known adulterer. And nobody, including his wives, seemed that upset about it. Maybe because he was a "Master" at it? A Lady's Man who also had the skills for warfare, as he was currently winning against the Sultan of the Umayyad Sultanate.

Spoiler: Umayyad Revolt

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For a 39 year old man he seemed to have a LOT adult children. Maybe that's just me? Oh well. Let us head over to India to see the last Ruler on our list!

Shivaraja "The Drunkard" of the Ayudha Revolt at first glance seemed a pretty worthless Ruler. He was a hedonist who threw wild parties and liked to get drunk. He was also pretty suborn and not very good with his money.

Spoiler: Ayudha Revolt

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BUT he was quick and was winning his war against the Great King Tejapala of the Ayudha Kingdom. He had ALSO kowtowed to the Emperor of China and, it seemed, had gained some Treasures from China! By bowing to the Emperor he had taken a hit in his prestige but, in return, may have gained some advantages in his dealings with the Ming Dynasty. And he seemed to have a interesting taste in women.

That is our list and before I continued with the bonus material I feel I most point out how weird it was to see so many Revolts on the list. Is this a sign of the End of Times? Or just a new Age as new Bloodlines replace the old Dynasties? We must wait and see. But now, onto the bonus material! Religious stuff!

First a nice map of the religions of the known world. At first it kind of looks bad for the Catholics. You can barely find them. But the map is territory not numbers.

Spoiler: Religious Map

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Next, a list of the Religions based on size. As you can see, below, the Catholics are in fact the largest of the Religions. I can only assume this is because many of the Catholic counties are small and smushed together. So they have a large number of them in a smaller area. But the Church's Authority is low.

Spoiler: Top Religions

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A Religion's (Moral) Authority is a combination of a religion's strength, unity and respect. When it is high it increases the speed and success of conversions of individuals and counties. Low authority means heresy and confusion and dogs marrying cats. You get the picture.

As you can see from above, the Roman Catholic Church is big but weak. Like a giant pillow. Full of bedbugs...er...heresy. Sunni, on the other hand, while second on the list, is likely the most powerful Religion when looking at both numbers and authority.

Not saying it isn't looking bad for the Christians. They are still outnumbered, rocked with heresy, and seem to be attacked on all sides. But I'm Buddhist so I don't care. Buwahahahahaha!

Let us look at some of our smaller neighbors to the north of Tibet, ones you may remember from earlier chapters! That's right, bonus-bonus material! You didn't see that coming, did you?

Remember Khotan? Likely not. They were a tiny Kingdom at the start of the story with a grumpy old man as the Ruler. Well, now they have grown. Mostly from marriages and a few wars. At one point the "Deadbeat Dad" Sangrama Anantazk had inherited the Throne before being knocked off it. The Ruler Shah Kanak "The Usurper", the man who had done the knocking, was now in charge of the Kingdom of Khotan. The Realm was about five times its the original size. In fact much of the holdings used to belong to Kroran.

Spoiler: Khotan

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What happened to the Kingdom of Kroran? Well, now they are ruled by Shah Vaisravane "The Tormentor". Not that he has much in the way of a country to torment. He seemed to have a lot of claims - which makes sense as he lost a lot of land to the Khotan.

Spoiler: Kroran

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Now onto Urabo, where "You -Know-Who" was poisoned so long ago but we don't talk about "You-Know-Who" any more. The Shaykhah Ampratasene "The Unfaithful" Of Urabo is 61 years old and seems to be doing well for herself. She has been around for a very long time, even having helped in the murder of "You-Know-Who" when she was only 19 years old.

Spoiler: Urabo

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Now let us skip over to Aksu, once known as Bharuka, a tiny Realm with a very active history. Mostly of Civil Wars as family members had a habit of invading it with Hosts. The current Ruler is Count Makarious of Aksu, son of the Count Anktsas, and Grandson of Shaykhah Tarma. Remember Tarma's Host? The one that made the Queen's father, the Despot, hide under the bed? Good times.

Spoiler: Aksu

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So now dear readers as I blow out the oil lamp and carefully clean the ink out of my pens I wish you happy memories, a good winter solstice, and a joyous new year.

Spoiler: Enjoy The Buddha Cookies

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**Valley** · 2018-01-05, 09:39 AM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Fifty-Seven : A Private Plot And Public Projects

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!

We oepn this chapter in January, of the year 837 AD, with the Queen receiving news that Mayor Andronikos of Kyichu was seeking to kill Ramtish Anantazk. This made no sense that anybody could see as the only really threat Ramtish could bring about was launching "Claims" on his family's lands OUTSIDE the Queen's borders. And unless he was given a ton of gold and a Host of warriors it was unlikely any of that was going to happen.

Spoiler: A Plot "Within" The Family

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The only person backing this known plot was the Countess Theodosia of Xainza of the House Euforbenos. His mother. And one of the Queen's good friends. As the Spy Master told Mayor Andronikos to stop plotting the Queen asked her friend to withdrew her support for the murder. The Countess was very loyal but also very depressed and not very smart. There was a chance she might refuse to back down.

Spoiler: Countess Theodosia Is Asked To Back Out

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The Queen wanted the plot cancelled - it would look bad to have such infighting while preparing for a future war. Ramtish was also married into the family and this made the whole plot a plot against a family member. Well, an in-law and that still counted according to the Queen's journal.

Spoiler: Count Bome Switches To Count Taktse

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Around this time, for some reason, Count Wiryasini "The Wise" of Bome had made the County of Taktse his primary title. Maybe he just preferred that County over the other?

In February the Queen noticed that the Councilor was idling again and sent him to the County of Goalpara to help finish the Barracks.

Spoiler: No Idle Hands!

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It was also around this time that the Spy Master Bhikkhu Tonke was able to announce that there were NO Known Plots inside the Court. The Queen felt some relief.

That same month she also decided to start another project. This time at the Castle of Yungbulakang, in the County of Nedong, she decided they needed more Barracks. She could really never have enough barracks among her holdings.

Spoiler: More Barracks!

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In March her agents notified her that Mayor Hougu of Gonjo was running about her Tibet territories trying to pick up a claim for his liege, the Count Qudug Yanxi of Lhatok.

Spoiler: The Mayor Hougu Is Up To No Good

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Later on that month the Mayor was able to create a Claim on Markam for his liege. The Queen laughed. The Count would need more than a hundred and fifty soldiers to press it.

Spoiler: Got A Claim On Markam? So What?

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In April the Queen joined the other members of Savaka-Sangha as they visited a monastery. They fulfilled their duties as required and in the evening the Abbot gathered all of the lay members to show them a great treasure stored within the walls. A great relic centuries old.

Spoiler: A Great Relic

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The Queen fought the impulse to steal it and it is said she become more content with her life and her position in life.

Spoiler: Stop Fighting Greed And Start Fighting Booze

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She also decided to stop fighting greed. She had been trying to reject it for years and had failed.

Spoiler: Greed Is Good

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Also, there was a slight advantage to being greedy. A greedy person was able to squeeze every single coins out of the populace. The shiny rarely escaped her grasp. So she decided to devote her time to fighting her harmful, and out-of-control, drinking. Being a drunk had NO advantages. None.

Spoiler: The Society Needs Money

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She was also asked to help her Society with some funds. About a 100 gold coins to help fuel their charitable functions.

Spoiler: The Queen Is A Giver

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The Queen handed the gold over, as was her duty, which pleased the Society and, in the general, much of the religious populace. Ironically this action cured her of her greed!

The Queen was not bothered by the loss of the funds as the Kingdom of Kamarupa had a healthy income of almost 460 plus gold coins a year at this point. Mostly coming from her Demesne and Trade Income.

Spoiler: The Kingdom Was Very Wealthy

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Her actions had also made her a better Buddhist and by May the Court records and private journals of the Courtiers showed that the Queen was no longer thought of as deceitful!

Spoiler: The Queen Is Not Longer Deceitful

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We close this chapter with the Barracks in Goalpara finally being finished and the Queen no longer being greedy or deceitful.

Spoiler: Barracks In Goalpara Finished

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She was very content with life while at the same time had an army that was almost four and a half thousand warriors. Her coffers that would surely be weighed down with gold before the next war started. True, she was a tad stressed but she was also working hard to solve her bad drinking habits and was doing a fairly good job at keeping her family in line.

**Valley** · 2018-01-07, 09:43 AM (ISO 8601)

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter One Hundred-Fifty-Eight : Neighborhood Gossip

Never Enough Levies

We open this chapter in May, of the year 837 AD, with the Queen being told that Raja Dev Singh of the Shantideva Raj, Chancellor of the Pala Kingdom, had started a Faction to increase the Council's Power within the Kingdom.

Spoiler: A Power Struggle Within The Kingdom Of Pala

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Seems that putting defeated enemies in power turned out to be a BAD idea. Who would have known?

Spoiler: Religious War Continues Inside Bihar

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The other branch of the Pala Family, in the Kingdom of Bihar, was still having problems in June as the Catholic Rebels continued to march about and act ill mannered. Over a thousand of the Christians were in Lhatse laying it to siege.

Spoiler: New Doux Of Para-Laugutya

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On the 17th of June Bhikkhu Isidoros of Para-Laugutya passed away and left all his titles to Bhikkhu Gabriel. The new "Doux" had a very positive opinion of the Queen, mostly due to her charity and other religious works. And he seemed to be perfect for the job of running a Duchy and tax farming its people.

The Queen decided to take a peek at the Bishop Sabas of Zaring to see how the Catholic was handling his religious holding.

Spoiler: Buddhist Bishop?

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Turned out the man had converted to Buddhism since his appointment. And he seemed very pleased with his position in life and the Kingdom. Nothing to complain about there.

Spoiler: The Chaste

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Later in June the Great King Mahendra became known as "The Chaste". This greatly pleased the Queen. The Great King's own Queen was too old to produce any more offspring and he had no concubines. He had only ONE son who was going to marry her youngest daughter. And all their offspring would be of her Dynasty. How amusing it would be once her daughter became Queen of the Kingdom of Pala!

Spoiler: A NEW Player?

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Near the end of June a rumor suggested that Thakur Hariyamandal of Radha, of the House Pala, brother to the Great King, took over leadership of the Faction to increase the Council's Power. The Raja was now just a member of the Faction. Looked like some of the members of the Pala Family were willing to weaken the Kingdom in order to strengthen their own individual power.

In August the Protostrator Kyriakos told the Queen that the peasants of Bikrampur were having problems with animals and robbers. He suggested a series of outposts to protect the roads.

Spoiler: Build Outposts

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She agreed and paid over 50 gold coins to help with the project. Safe peasants were happy peasants who DID NOT revolt and paid their taxes.

Spoiler: Barracks Finished In Kamarupanagara

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Less than a day later the Barracks were finished in Kamarupanagara. Which meant more men to join the levies! The Queen's goal was to get as close to five thousand men as possible in her private levies before the war started with the Kingdom of Pala.

She also noticed that her Sakellarios was idle in Goalpara (as the barracks had been finished last year) so she sent Count Wiryasini to Nedong to help finish the Barracks being built there.

Spoiler: Count Wiryasunu Sent To Work In Nedong

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Later that month Basillike of the House Dimapur came to her with alarming news. One of the male Courtiers, Haripaladeva Haripaladevid, had tried to turn her away from Buddha! The Queen stayed calm and decided to write the young man a series of letters, to try to bring him back to the light and hope of Buddhism.

Spoiler: Heresy!

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She also noticed Basillike, a perfectly good female Buddhist Greek, was unmarried and hitched her up to Karz of the House Vijaya. A good marriage. Maybe not a great one but a good one.

Spoiler: A Marriage

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Haripaladeva replied to her series of letters by promising never to stray again. This was all well and good, but his wife and only son were both Hindu. The wife could refuse to convert but the child could still be saved.

Spoiler: A Promise

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The boy, Anantahdeva Haripaladevid, was being educated by the Court’s Tutor - a Greek Buddhist. By changing his educational focus to Faith the boy would learn Buddhism from his educator.

Spoiler: A Child Saved

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So we close the chapter with one project done, some still going on, and the Queen still firmly in control of her Kingdom. While watching the rest of India slowly fall apart in flames and distrust.

Thread: Let's Play Road of Queens - CKII India AAR

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