It's August Anno Domini 1082 when I'm orphaned by my troubled father, God rest his soul. I'm ten years old, a wee litlle kid thrust into the life of politics and responsibility. My father's steadfast loyalty to the king of England has proven the downfall of the Duchy of Northumberland - he faithfully served in William's foolish wars, despite having to witness our family's growing debt, steadily accumulating to support the hosts sent to war.
I vow not to repeat this mistake, to put the good of my family, my name, and my countrymen before that of my liege, so help me God.
Over the next year, I grow more attached to my only brother, as we begin to understand that only by working together can we deliver Northcumberland from seemingly inevitable demise.
The court is wary of a young boy like me, they don't think that I'm cut out for the rule. Some, like rats on a sinking ship seek other rulers' protection. Good riddance I say, you are not fit to be called my subjects. Besides, I'd rather have them go than stay and try to stab me in the back later.
Soon I learn to trust my own instincts, and push with whatever decision I make without second thought, as only then I'm able to command my courtiers' obedience.(lost Parental Upbringing; gained Arbitrary)
Within the first year of rule I've rearranged the court, most importantly relegating my Mother to some less vital position than a Steward. She seems to be blaming me for the death of her husband, a tortured woman as she is, I'd still rather have her leave the court, but she appears to want to stay and watch me fail. I shall not give her this satisfaction.
To ensure that our successor will be as strong as we can make him, I enact a new succession law - the Semisalic Consanguinity(next ruler chosen by martial skill and demesne combined; allows for some tinkering with who will get to succeed you; the semisalic part was a mistake, I didn't know how the inheritance tracing via female line works then).
The King proves once again to be a selfish ruler by raising scutage to unbearable levels. How am I supposed to fix the economy with 1gp income?
I empower the lower estates throughout the realm, for it's the peasantry and the burghers that will provide me with the income needed to pay off the debt.(supposedly, giving power to burghers and peasants increases province income, but I could hardly see any positive change)
My courtiers have been chosen by how loyal they are to my cause - this left me with subpar court, in some cases I had to allow openly disloyal ones to take up the position. The spymaster Aelfryth has a potential of not truning against me in the long run, so I bribe her to stay, despite the miserable state of our treasury.
In the year 1084, I get a rival - the Duke of Lancaster. He's been calling me a pauper openly, and I will not stand it.
The King wages his silly wars with Kingdoms of France and Croatia. I do not care for him, and keep refusing my troops. Eventually, my rebeliousness becomes apparent to everybody(gained Rebellious; gives some nice stat boost, and extra prestige, but some courtiers might like me even less).
In 1085, the King seems to have come to realize that high scutage is tearing his realm apart as he's fighting wars overseas. Finally some modest income can be seen.
Unfortunately, the Duchy of Northcumberland becomes less stable, despite my attempts to stop it.(-1 stability)
Years go by, and my brother grows into an aggressive warmonger. I will need his strong arm to help me rule my domain.
December 1086, my dishonest steward takes bribes from thieves and robbers in Westmoreland to allow them to continue their shady businesses. I will not stand for it, and appoint a new steward from one of the recent arrivals to the court.
In 1087, a rather eventful year, I have managed to befriend the suicidal Duke of Oxford. He's so much fun to listen to.
In the same year, I meet with one of my friends from another Duchy, a steadfast loyalist, and the topic of my rebelliousness comes up. While I was unable to convince him to see my reasons yet, I trust he'll change his mind one day.(Finally managed to lose Suspicious and gain Trusting instead. Intrigue stat suffers, and so does income due to lower efficiency, but the negative loyalty modifier from stats is severly reduced. Quite a few courtiers can be expected to become devoutedly loyal over time.)
In July, our Marshall leaves. Hopefully, my brother will finish his education soon and take the duties himself.
Later that month, I manage to push the clergy somewhat to help me improve the situation in the realm. The Church might like me less now, but the good of the people is paramount.(stability = 0; -40 piety)
I send my sister to be educated at the court - perhaps she'll make a loyal minister.
In September, I meet with my fellow rebellious subject of the king, and we decide to bide our time for now - a wise decision if I may say so.(gained Wise; +1 stewardship certainly helps)
In November I'm finally elligible for marriage. With the coffers in mind, I propose to one Peronelle de Joigny, a courtier in the Duchy of Slavonia, Kingdom of Croatia. She is a lady of remarkable qualities(stewardship 16), and soon after the pleasantries of the wedding are finished, I charge her with administrative duties in my duchy.(income rises to +5,5gp).
Of course, I take duty for this marriage(+40gp).
In December, I finsh my education. What was obvious to me for a long time, is finally named by my teacher - yes, I should've not been sent to be trained in the army. I'm a statesman, I've got a delicate soul! (becomes a Misguided Warrior)
1089 sees me allying with the Kingdom of Leon. Hell if I know what for, as I can't afford sending troops to fight saracens anyway.
The same year, I appoint my brother, and intricate webweaver the Marshall(martial skill = 12).
In october, York finally shakes off the dysentery. Income soars! (+6,7)
1090 AD is the year when I had to sell the hillfort in Durham to pay off some of my debt.
In late summer, the King of England is deposed by one Etienne, a frenchman of little skill and fame.
My brother marries Ingrid Sverkeratten, daughter of the Duke of Ostergotland. She's an Elusive Shadow, and I chose her intriguing persona(intrigue stat = 21) because I begin to fear that my wife will not bear me any children(it's been three years!), and she might need removing one day.
She becomes the Spymaster, of course.
It's November when I pass the -1000gp mark in debt.
In July of 1091, my wife finally gets pregnant. Took her a while.
1092, February. Unfortunately, it's a girl. I name her Elfleda, and dust off my assasination plans.
To add insult to injury, King of Scotland decides to invade! He must be thinking that I'll be too depressed to defend myself.
The war sees many rapid advances in warfare technology - we discover Light Crossbows, and later on Battering Rams and Siege Ladders, all of which prove to be immensely helpful.
Me and my brother defend Northumberland from the besieging forces of my rival, Duke of Lothien, Count of Berwick. We march from battle to battle, dead enemies littering the battlefields. Having repealed the initial wave of invaders, I declare war on the Duchy of Lothien, and lay siege to their only province of Berwick, lying just northwards from the County of Northcumberland.
Mother choses this moment to say good bye to her son and leaves for some far away court. She won't be missed.
As we are engaged in Berwick, some Scotsmen lay siege to our lands, capturing Westmoreland. Luckily, Etienne, the new King of England decides to take and active part in the war, and takes care of the invading forces, while I depose the Duke of Lothien, capturing Berwick to which we had a legitimate claim.
Prestige soars(340), and we march on the Scottish capital.
By the end of the next year, Scotland is defeated, and we force them to relinquish all the claims on our lands. The war was costly in our situation, as we spent probably more than 200gp, but our prestige is now over 600, ensuring practically all of our courtiers' loyalty.
After the war, I reward my brother with Counties of Westmoreland and Durham. These provinces are dirt poor, and are only causing the rest of my Duchy to suffer, as I can't manage such a large demesne.
As a result of raising efficiency and the acquisition of Berwick, our income is now in the range of +9gp.
Oh, and I keep my brother's wife on my court. She will still have to help me kill Peronelle.
1094. Having the soft heart that I've got, and seeing how Etienne so handily helped me against the Scots, I decide to show my loyalty(lost Rebellious gained Loyalist).
The same year, I ally with the Duke of Albany, who got some land in the Scottish war too.
Late Autumn sees a bishop arrive on the request of the Pope. He's a lustful sceptic, he'll fit right in.
In January of 1095, under the influence of my friend, I become rebellious again. I mean, the king is an incompetent fool, the realm is in duress, and I need not having my income lowered by any scutage.
And so, in June of 1095, an opportunity arises to become independent, which I grab. Luckily no war is involved.
Now, our economy can recuperate unobstructed.
By the end of 1096 we pass -700gp mark.
In March if 1099, it's -500gp.
In January of 1101, just as I begin to calculate when exactly will I be able to afford killing off my wife, there's a murder in the court, and she is the suspect! Well, the evidence wasn't really that good, and in any other situation I would've be more forgiving anyhow, but the barren witch had to die, and so I beheaded her. So I'm a bit cruel, so what?
A week later I'm happily married to Ingebjorg Freysey, a 17 year old prodigious daughter of the Magistrate of Jamtland. She's got plenty of living siblings, so I assume she's fertile enough to bear me a heir. She's also a good steward(16) and a brilliant diplomat(23). Since I still need money, she takes up the managerial duties after her predecessor.
We take duty, which brings us to -218.
The new wife has got a mellowing influence on me, and I become Amiable.
Actually, I think I might be in love with her.(gained chaste, friendship with the wife)
In 1102, I had to expend some of my abundant prestige to maintain stability.
I notice that the French are losing bad in the war against England.
The begining of March Anno Domini 1103 sees our coffers having +2gp. There is much rejoicing.
Over the next few years, I strive to improve the infrastructure of my Duchy. Roads, Courts and Royal Posts are built. My brother manages to improve his county in a similar fashion.
In 1106, my wife bears a stillborn child. I come to realise that it might be me who's infertile.
Same year, one Gilpatrick, a newcomer's son finishes his martial education and becomes my new marshall(martial skill = 19). I know for a fact that he and my brother's wife have an affair. Such a nice lad.
Having the debt off my mind, I can afford to appoint my wife the Chancellor, and give stewardship to some slightly less gifted individual.
Soon enough, my wife improves my standing with my peers(+50 prestige).
In 1108 I marry my daughter to Gilpatrick, taking the duty myself.
November the 9th of 1108 is the day when my first son is born. I name him Burgred.
With courts of justice built across my demesne, I can afford to squeeze my burghers a litlle bit more.
It is 1110, August, and the future doesn't look so grim. However, the English king Etienne is looking greedily at our lands.
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Topic: Crusader Kings Succession game! (Read 5469 times)