So, playing with HIP mod. (edit: Also doing Ironman mode)
Started in the first crusade era, because I like playing as Kingdom of Jerusalem and I guess I really like that time period. At least in the game I do. I probably should read more about it since I don't know that much about it. I tend have the most fun playing in that era in CK2 in any case.
So, been playing the game a while. I wanted to vassal with Byzantines (swear fealty), because they are Byzantines. I'd do the same as anyone else
Since I wasn't next to them though. So, I prepared an invasion to Sultunate of Rum. Assassinated the leader's heir (not the leader himself, since I thought he'd be too hard to target directly and he probably die of old age before I'd assassinate him). Then his wife because she was an easy target, and one of his sons. I left him with an heir his vassals all mostly hated and had really crappy attributes. Plus one of his traits gave him tons of negatives.
I could technically have taken them all out, but decided to leave them with a crappy leader (who their old leader I left alone, did in fact die, but in a battle...thought it was funny) instead of it going to someone else.
During that time, I had risen 2 holy orders who were quite strong. Along with 4 retinues of...forgot what they were called, but its the first option and mostly cavalry. So, my army did consist a lot of cavalry than anything. At this point, I wasn't making barely any income...so with my armies built and their dynasty mostly taken out. I declared an invasion (which I was lucky to be able to choose, seems hard to declare invasions) for all of Rum.
Since I was such good friends with the Byzantine emperor, he and one other (don't remember the dutchy name)...joined the war for Rum. With Byzantines doing most of the work (76% to my 23% and the other guy 1%)...it was actually pretty easy to swoop in. Byzantines get HUGE armies, seem bigger than vanilla to me (or is that just me)...they conquered a lot better than they did before anyway. Maybe it was luck, or maybe AI is better in HIP? Or they just have bigger armies. In any case...
As Kingdom of Jerusalem, I now controlled all of Rum. And...a second later...I swore fealty to the Byzantines (as I'd do as anyone
). Which turned all my lands to a nice purplish color.
Hopefully the Byzantine empire holds up and doesn't completely break apart. I'd stick with them in any case to the very end.
Also, the war lasted...I think it came up on the 7 year mark. So not that long actually, but the Byzantines kicked ass on Rum...so that was fun.
Now to slow down on war, give time of peace. Focus more on the diplomacy and character stuff (my personal favorite part)...and...quell any rebellions that pop up. Though, if Byzantines go to war...I'd probably join and help out.
I also decided to stick as Catholic instead of changing to Greek+orthodox. I'd lose my holy orders, which I like a lot and my troops are pretty good to begin with. Cataphracts are cool of course, but I think I'll probably stick as a holy crusader Byzantine.