My name is Doux Theodoros Skleros of Athenai, and it is time for a change. I have been known to the lords of the Empire as something of a negotiator, a man of charisma rather than force. Charitable, humble, loyal - content, even. Dismiss any rumours of envy on my part, my concerns are not of my own gain but the Empire as a whole.
The Basileus is dying. The Basilessa already has abused her position, and will continue to do so for as long as he lives. Such corruption cannot be tolerated - a new House must sit upon the Purple Throne. I say we depose this false Basilessa and her kin and return to the glory days of Rome!
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There is no time for additional preparations, we must strike while the iron is hot, the Basileus is still alive and the casus belli valid. I will need funds, but who can I turn to? Nowhere but the scum of the earth, the Jews. Well, I will take their money for now. Who knows? One day I might even repay it.
I have used the Jewish gold to hire the Company of the Hat, let by Sciarra the Fat, an obese Italian with a deadly sense of humour. I watched him play hangman with a disobedient soldier - by the sixth wrong letter, the noose had done its work. When the Basilessa refuses our terms, they will already be marching to Constantinople.
As expected, the Basilessa has offered up her refusal. The war begins. No other Douxes come to our support (even in respose, the old Basileus is too popular), so we are forced to face the might of the Empire alone. The first major battle comes at Gallipoli, where outnumbered we faced but a fraction of the "Radical" horde. We are victorious, but at a Pyhrric cost - half our troops slain in the fight. We have made it to the capital to besiege it, but all may already be lost. I have precious little hope of a popular rebellion assisting me now.
We are at the gates of Constantinople, but no others have come to our aid. We fight for our lives, but once the main army arrives there will be little hope of such. With even twice the men I had to start with I might have won this, but with barely two thousand it is without hope or merit. My only saving grace is that we are as yet undefeated in battle, and the Basilessa knows it. Perhaps she will accept a white peace...
Peace has come, and just as we were fighting to our last. For now, we are safe. For now we have fought it, we have a claim upon the throne. Next time I will plan better. Next time, the Empire will be ours. Next time.
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Topic: Paradox Games (CKII, EUIV etc.) Megacampaign Succession Game (Read 18037 times)