Bay 12 Games Forum

1114
The new year falls on a realm at war
I lead a large army marching west, towards the coast with the purpose of sailing across the Adriatic to Rome. From there we will take some provinces, win some battles, and claim Parma as a prize.
My sons are marching east into my border province Turnu. They will hold that front against our newest enemy, Karvuna... hopefully.
I am 55, but healthy.
I've even got a child on the way.

Traveling far from home has made my heart long for Irina.
This is a marriage of love.

My sons battle in Turnu
Aldimir has lead 1000 men against my sons.

But he is defeated without casualty
I fear he has intentionally pulled back in an effort to join with his other troops in Constantia.

Toscana has made peace with the Papal State
Her war turned out successful, she is plus one province... I hope to gain some spoils myself.

Annoying pagans are whining about my sons' military presence in Turnu
What do I care?

The Pope offers peace...
I am in the process of sieging Roma. I take a risk and decline...
...and split my troops to take more land faster.

There is a new Papal controller
That means only one thing...
My ally is dead:-/

Aldimir returns in Turnu
This time with 3756 men.

My sons are quickly defeated
I am now rather worried... Aldimir's forces are too numerous for my sons to challenge alone... I disband their regiments to save money.

I don't understand it, but somehow the realm is stable
...despite the 3000 enemy soldiers sieging Turnu and threatening my title.

The Count of Korinthos offers peace
I accept. Two enemies are better than three, at the moment.

I've got another son!
I can only hope I hold the realm intact for him to eventually hold land in it...
Better yet, why leave it to hope when I can act to ensure it...
I offer a white peace to the Pope while re-mobilizing my troops at home
I direct my regiments to Severin.

The Pope accepts my peace
Thank goodness...

Turnu is looted by the enemy
I will have my revenge.

As my forces begin arriving in Severin Aldimir offers peace.
Hell no. Not after looting Turnu and embarrassing my sons in battle, much less forcing me to lose my anticipated territorial gain in Italy. I will come out of this ahead...

Turnu falls
But I remain patient and gather my forces en mass before moving to take the province back.

 
The County of Mecklenburg declared war first. Their liege, the Duke of Upper Lorraine warred in their support. The Duchy of Carinthia joined the war ins upport of their ally, Upper Lorraine. I guess Luneburg hopped in to help Upper Lorraine as well.
this is bad.

I continue with my plan to take back Turnu. My new enemies are far off and I think I can eliminate the Karvuna threat before they get close.
A court of justice is the last thing I care about at the moment...

I am able to take Turnu back after a small fight and a short siege
My next move is to march on Constantia.

My 4579 men engage Aldimir's vassals 3407 strong regiments.

The fighting is vicious
Poor Vysheslav takes a blow to the face, losing some teeth.

But ultimately victory is ours
We set to sieging the province.

How kind
Thats what friends are for! 3000 Greek mercenaries nearly double my current forces.

We take Constantia
I grab a claim on the title Count of Constantia
And demand Aldimir recognize me as the rightful Prince of Samos and Count of Constantia.
He has no choice but to accept
But now I must turn my attention to the west...
Too many enemies... I propose a white peace with Uppser Lorraine
But they decline:-(

1115
A new year at war...
The realm is losing over 80 gold monthly to pay for our armies and we are already over 700 in debt.
I am 56 years old, but still hanging in there...

And fertile
Irina and I celebrated in Constantia before I began west to join the Greek mercenaries.

Here they come
Upper Lorraine's vassals are marching on Belgrade.

There is a major war going on yet I am still pestered by minor issues
I send her off to the court.

We battle in Belgrade

And win

Mecklemburg has had enough
I accept the peace.
With the threat to Belgrade diminished, I march on Karnten.

Luneburg wised up as well
I accept the peace.

My force of 7397 is nearly to Karnten.
Cartinthia has mustered several regiments in defense.

We battle.
7019 of my troops against 6276 of the enemy.

Victory is ours!
I decide to split my troops... I will send some by sea to Padua in an attempt to take land more quickly.

Lazaros is 1.
He will be raised by a local noble in Belgrade.

The war turns against us...
I have but two regiments, the ones in Padua. I offer Carinthia a white peace.

My regiments are forced out of Padua and Carinthia declines my peace
I disband the remaining regiments... They are of no practical use anymore.
I will concentrate on regaining some money and manpower...

Another son!
Fantastic!

More pagan troubles!
Damn them to hell!

Nephon seems to be having some issues
Probably a result of my having his troops away for so long...

1116
We've managed to make it to the 1116 before the war re-caught up with us.
Upper Lorraine is on the way with 1356 men.
I am still alive and fine, but deeply in debt. War is costly.

Upper Lorraine's army arrives in belgrade.
I held out in my castle while my marshal raised a regiment in Naissus then joined Dorotheos in Vidin. Now they march for Belgrade.

Maximos is 5.
I send him to train in the army. My other sons trained at the court. I sent them their thinking they'd do well as leaders of the realm... but look how they turned out. Dead or depressed or without sons... This one will prosper.
And I have nothing to spare for my wife. She is unhappy with me with regards to my rule...

Dorotheos leads the battle against Berthold, diocese bishop of Carinthia.

An easy victory

I have my son chase and re-engage the enemy
but my marshal is wounded in the following skirmishes...

I continue harassing the enemy regiment, eventually offering peace to Upper Lorraine.
They decline.

A miracle worker offers to heal Vysheslav.
He pays, but becomes ill.

After one last victory while harrying the enemy regiment I finally disband my army.

My steward's lover has left her
That happens to be my son, Dorotheos...
That boy really is a disappointment. Now I doubt he will ever have a son...

Debt is causing trouble...
I try to maintain the current stability... at cost of prestige.

The boy King of Aragon wants an alliance
I accept! This will hopefully act as a deterrent should other states consider warring me while I am weak and tied up in other wars.

An insult in the court led to a claim on the title of Byzantium
I have a feeling this claim will go unfulfilled.

Upper Lorraine is looking for a fight
I will need to raise some troops to engage them.

1117
A new Year.
Belgrade is once again under siege. But I have regiments gathering to strike back.
I am 58.

Some Slavic jerks are getting in my way
We advance and exterminate everybody!
Victory! God was on our side!

Turnu converts to Orthodox!
Maybe that church served a good purpose after all...

Aragon has started a war
I decline to help them. I am too busy engaging wars of my own.

With the enemy close to capturing Belgrade, I am forced to send my troops in before they are fully formed up.
Nephon arrives to battle first with a courtier, William in support. The enemy has them severely outnumbered.

But the tide turns quickly when the rest of my troops arrive

Victory comes quickly

I offer peace to Upper Lorraine
Hopefully they are tired of getting whooped.

Lutbert Duke of Upper Lorraine accepts the peace
Awesome. Now I can concentrate on Carinthia.

Realizing their advantage is gone, and probably regretting their decision to declare war on me ins upport of Upper Lorraine, Carinthia offers peace
I decline.

I already know I can pretty much handle Carinthia on my own, I will punish them for their actions. And I still wouldn't mind a western summer home...
I march on to Karnten.

We battle

A regiment commander, William, takes a wound

A costly victory
Vysheslav is hurt again.

Kaloyan, my youngest, is 1.
He will be raised by a local noble in Belgrade.

We take Karnten!
I divide my forces, sending about half to Padua.

We are engaged in Karnten
We are outnumbered.

But victorious!
I continue to hold Karnten in force while the other half of my army, lead by Vysheslav, siege Padua.

Carinthia wants peace
I am outright pissed at them. I decline. I want land.

We take Padua.
I grab claims on the titles of Karnten and Padua
And order Vysheslav on to Verona.

The Duchess of Carinthia offers a new peace
She will recognize me as count of Karnten and Padua.
I lack the prestige to claim the title of Verona, so continuing the war any long will just put me further in debt to no purpose. I accept.
I have my north Italy summer home...
We are fully at peace again.

Ahah! An opportunity to levy extra taxes.
I charge a harsh tax netting 1382.81 gold. It is a post war recovery tax.
At the expense of stability, I have nearly eliminated the realm's debt.

New Pope

Hrm...
My third son, Dorotheos, is dead.
He was 34. Without son(s), I regain his title.
I have but one adult son left, Nephon
He is 36 and depressed with a stutter, like his now dead younger brother. He is without son(s).
I miss Sabas.

Out of debt and on the road to recovery; I restructure the realm.
Vysheslav Rurikovich, son of Nephon's wife, served me well as marshal during our time of troubles.
He has suffered three battle wounds for me. He was severely wounded resulting in an illness, he lost his teeth, and he almost went crippled in a leg. He is broke and with little personal glory. I will reward him for his service by granting him the titles of Naissus and Vidin. I also grant the title of Turnu to Nephon.
I still hole Belgrade, Constantia, Karnten, and Padua. But my reputation is back to respectable and my demesne efficiency has recovered to 95%.

With the year coming to a close I am presented the opportunity to once again search for the Holy Grail.
I am old and tired, but still adventurous.
I will search for it again. I will go myself (to save money)!

I don't think I found any Holy Grail but I did find my wife's loins

1118
My son Nephon offers his daughter, Kyriake, as a fosterling in my court.
She is already fostered in Nikopolis. I guess he wants her to have more than one foster experience...
I accept.
I am 59 years of age.

With the realm back at peace, and in wealth, I resume productivity spending
A tile-factory will be good for Constantia.

Someone, somewhere made god happy
or, at least made the Pope happy.

Irina birthed a daughter
She will be named Radica

With an income of about 30 monthly, new improvements are easily afforded
Karnten could use a library.

1119
A new Year
I am 60 years old
I have but one adult son left, having lost two. But thank god for my virility, I have three young sons born late in my life.

I spend the taxes as they come in
Padua could use a training-grounds

The replacement marshal has died
He was not very skilled to start, his replacement is no better. But I do not anticipate any wars any time soon.

60 years old and still fertile!
I'm going for a record!

I commission a monastery in Belgrade

Peace and prosperity!

1120
Another year
They just go by so quickly...
I am 61 years of age. Old. Tired.

Lazaros is five.
I send him to train in the army. He will make a good soldier.

My marshal, William, has inherited a grand sum of wealth and some claims
His brother in Corfu died
Good for him, he did lead a regiment in the war before becoming my marshal, so I figure this is an indirect reward for his service, past and present.
I continue spending on provincial improvements
This time a money lender in Constantia.

I propose a marriage between Eirene and Trpimir, the second son of Visarion, Duke of Bosnia
The proposal is accepted

Irina gives birth to a daughter
She will be named Zoe.

With the library done, we build a moneylender in Karnten

I am suffering the effects of age
Old age is catching up with me.

I may be old, but I am also spiteful.
Marko Cherven has a claim on Constantia. That and his family tried to strike me while I was vulnerable in an attempt to take my Prince of Samos title.
I grab his title
I want to end him.
I personally lead a regiment out of Belgrade toward Constantia.

When I arrive in Turnu, I have my marshal raise a regiment in Constantia and I declare war on the Principality of Karvuna.
We march to victory.

One of my daughters is 2.
She will be raised by nannies.

We engage and defeat Karvuna

While sieging the province I learn that Malaria has arrived in Karnten
I won't be vacationing there next summer.

We take Karvuna
I make my demands
Install me as Count of Karvuna and force Mario to recognize me as the rightful Count of Constantia. I will also receive 16 gold in the deal.
Like he had any other choice but to accept.
Normally he'd have been able to reform his Principality out of his vassal in Galaz, but Galaz was lost to Turkish Muslims some time back. Marko is done.
Good riddance.

1121
The years just blend together these days.
I am 62.

I build a tile-factory in Karvuna
It is nice to have two openings to the water.

One of my daughters has died
I am having trouble keeping track of them all... but Irina is sad, so I am sad.

Moneylenders complete in Constantia,
Fishing Wharf comes next!

Oh dear.
Nephon is dead.
My second son... gone.
My three first sons all dead. Never did I expect to outlive a single adult son, much less three of them.
My new heir is Maximos.
I am oddly unmoved by this turn of events. Be it my age or experience, I am calm.

The least I can do is improve Nephon's old holdings
I build a moneylender in Severin.

One of my daughters is a sissy
Aren't they all?

I build a Royal Post in Turnu

I offer my 16 year old daughter Theodote as wife to Rad Trpimirovic, the son of my friend Milos, a courtier in the Duchy of Dalmatia.

The marriage is accepted
While my sons may not last, I sure am spreading my daughters around.

My, I think, youngest, Zoe, is one year old
She will be raised by a local noble.

1122
Dead Nephon's daughter is 16
And depressed... like her dad was. And uncle...
The realm is vast and secure.
I am 63.

I initiate construction of a training ground in Karnten

Saverio de Morra has insulted me in a tourney!
Just because I am old and slow doesn't give him the right to insult me! I demand immediate compensation!
But nothing comes of it.

My son Maximos is showing promise of becoming a great stateman
Excellent. For he is my heir.

We've shut down a band of highwaymen in Severin
I traveled to watch them hang personally.

The malaria in Karnten is in retreat
At last!

Continuing my realm improvement initiative
I build a  Royal Post in Constantia.

I send my son Kaloyan to train in the army

The diocese bishop has passed

I build a forestry in Karvuna

We shut down the thieves guild in Karnten

And build a library in Severin

1123
A new Year
I cannot believe I am still alive
64 years old and still kicking!

Some peasants in Karnten are making demands
They want no one to be born into serfdom... then where would the serfs come from? I deny the right!

I build a moneylender in Karvuna
Despite the massive demesne penalties I am facing, having all these provinces under my immediate control is nice for I am able to fund improvements in them, rather than leaving it to vassals.
Not to mention I do not trust anyone but blood to be new vassals right now...

My marshal is dead
He was actually quite qualified, he will be missed.

Being married to a woman I love is blissful
It makes me feel so virile!

I fund a monastery in Padua
Is this the life of an old man? Building stuff? I miss my youth.

I've lost my claim on Byzantium
No big deal. I am too old to worry about such things.

1124
What? Its a new year... oh.
People celebrated my 65th birthday
I do not really remember when or where, but I am pretty sure it happened.
My son, Maximos, is 13- they say
Lazaros is 9
and Kaloyan is 8
I get them confused a lot...

My court has decided to build a library in Constantia
Sounds like a fine idea to me. I enjoy reading.

Har, I may be old, but I can still appreciate the futility of the Catholic Crusades
They want Anticheia, this time.

Today was a busy day in the court
Apparently my ally Aragon is involved in some wars and Maximos is having trouble in his training.
There is still time to instruct him at court. Perhaps the mix of experiences will be good for him.
Also, my court says Aragon warred Sozopolis. Then Byzantium and her goons warred Aragon in response.
Bored of sitting in court, I suggested we join the fun, but my court had other ideas... They have convinced me to decline going to war... even though I am pretty sure they declined even without my input.

A library is done in Severin
We are beginning a Royal post next.

A talented merchant offers to teach Maximos his trade if paid well enough
I agree and offer 12 months income and a place in the court to the merchant
At the cost of 587 gold, Maximos improved his stewardship.

The count of Nikopolis wants to marry Kyriake
I accept the offer.

1125
January? Already?
Where did I put my glasses? I'm wearing them? Oh... I guess I am...

Something broke, the court said. I think it was a factory- but my memory is a little shallow

The King of Aragon is getting further involved in wars
I let the court handle the situation. I think they said they would decline involvement.

A band named thieves were hung... or something like that
I guess they played bad music. I'll have to ask someone... what were we talking about again?


The bishop says Severin is Orthodox

A girl named Zoe must have done something wrong, because she is being sent to court.

1126

Irina says I can spend money again
We are no longer in debt...

My son Maximos is 16. He reminds me of Sabas

Irina has helped me find a suitable wife for Maximos
Irina says Theophano is very... something about diplomacy... I don't really remember... but she would be a good wife, Irina says

I went to a wedding today, my son Sabas happened to be there. Irina tried to say he was named Max, but I knew better.

My court was talking about libraries and some place called Karvuna.

I am not sure why Sabas is without land. So, I gave him the titles of some lands
The court took care of most of the process- but I am afraid they may have given the titles to the wrong person- they keep talking about a man named Maximos.

The court will not let me visit Severin
They say there are some peasant troubles.

I discovered I have a marshal named Onorios serving me
Apparently he killed some rebels


1127
Some brother of a count wants to marry my daughter. I've had so many girls I can't keep track of who is who
Irina says I accepted the proposal, but my memory fails me.
Irina says I am 68.
I made it to court today,
but after talk about building things started up I fell asleep in my throne.

Irina says she instructed the court to build a factory out of tiles in Italy
Why not bricks, I don't know.

Ahh, that group of travelling musicians is back
Irina says thats a bad thing, but I think she just doesn't appreciate music.

1111
1.11.1111
The realm is at peace.
Every night I wonder if I will wake in the morning in my bed or int he afterlife. I can feel my age.
Although I am still without grandsons, I feel somewhat more secure knowing that my own infant child further secures our dynasty's progression.

I've decided to build a church
It will be in Turnu. It hurts the revenues but makes the peasants, and God, happy. As I age, I am all the more aware of the importance to be on God's good side.

Another daughter needs to be raised and educated
I hand her off to the nannies.

A new governing concept is taking root across the land
Feudalism... Under the Feudal Contract vassals are generally more loyal- but thats because noble power and taxation is favorable to them.
We currently practice Traditional Custom, a relatively fair and even law across the castes.
I am older and I'd like to think I am wiser than I was 28 years ago, back when I introduced Traditional Custom to the realm. Back then everyone followed Traditional Custom... How things change... But today I plan on making an announcement to the court- it will likely be a surprise to most.
I plan on increasing royal power instead of following the feudalism trend
This will reinstitute Royal Prerogative in the realm. I no longer worry about 'following the bandwagon' as I am powerful enough to support my own decisions. I also need not worry about the problems royal prerogative cause with vassals, since my vassals are my sons and I expect undying loyalty form them no matter what. The new law will allow me greater tax freedoms than before, too.

There has been much talk in the court regarding the Principality of Rashka.
They are a neighbor to the south of Belgrade ruled by Stefan Vojislavljvic
His lands are quite nice
He has one vassal, Neda Vojislavljevic (his sister), in Rashka
Altogether he can raise an army of 8582. I can summon 9320 to service. The numbers are close... but Stefan's superior martial skills frighten me. But army sizes aside, I'd still need a claim to do anything. The easiest way to controlling his realm lies in his Prince title(s).
He is Prince of Rashka, Prince of Dioclea, Count of Ragusa, Count of Zeta, and Count of Hum. To grab claims on his titles would take 750, 750, 206, 240, and 318 prestige respectively.
At the moment war with Rashka is not feasible. Our armies are too close, and I'd only be able to take one province... The risks are too great for the reward.

Vysheslav, Nephon's wife's kid, has finished his education.
He actually turned out to be a capable young man. I assign him to act as my marshal.

1112
The years flow like water in a swift stream- quickly.

Constructions finish and start quite frequently now.
I rarely worry myself with them anymore- my court make many decisions for me, allowing me to spend my time on less tedious chores...

...like making babies.
Ide tells me she is pregnant, again.

It seems three years of peace and quite have brought stability back to the realm
or rather, has returned the realm to a more neutral state.

Huh?
It seems my hands-off approach to ruling has come back to bite me in the bum. Somehow Ide is spy master- I could have sworn I removed her from the post years ago. Luckily I didn't even have a claim to lose.

The Pope is sending more men to die
This is the... third? time Jerusalem has been targeted...

My boy Maximos is two years of age
I will have him raised by a local noble.

Turnu's church is complete
Wise of them to finish before the winter gets colder...

1113
  The year has a somewhat poor start
Ide and the child are lost... I am old, but I still have desires... I shall find a new wife
Irina Cherven, the daughter of a marshal in Galaz... she will do well.

My proposal is accepted
I take the duty, 163.55 gold.

I am again with wife and capable spy master

A new Pope
My ally, the Duchess of Toscana remains as papal controller.
Speaking of Toscana... I decide to send my daughter Eirene to the Duchess as a fosterling
And while I'm at it, I will also send Theodote to the Duchy of Bosnia (Visarion Duke of Bosnia is my friend)

Matelda accepts Eirene as fosterling
I hope to strengthen our diplomatic ties with this action.

Visarion accepts Theodote
Maybe my daughters will find some wealthy and powerful princes to marry while away.

Moneylenders completed in Naissus
A Royal Post is next.

Har...
The Templars have proclaimed reign in Hopitalier lands... I laugh.

Provincial improvements continue

I publicly reward my chaplain for his services

New Pope, again
These guys seem to die off quickly.

I didn't know I had it in me
I may be 54, but it seems I am still fertile!

My ally is at war
...This is an interesting situation... It seems Toscana warred Orbetello, the reason is unclear to me. Orbetello is a vassal to the Papal State, as such the Papal State warred Toscana in defense of their vassal. To make things more interesting Duchess Matelda is the Papal Controller... This seems like one big mix up...
Matelda came to my aid back in '99 during my war with the Pechenegs. Her support was crucial and actually, I believe, the key to my victory and ability to get Turnu and Severin back...
This war is much different with regards to my possible involvement. I will be unable to lose lands unless the enemy holds or takes claims on the titles- which limits the risks.
I feel it is my duty to return the favor to The Duchess of Toscana and go to war in her support.
Belgrade is at war again.
I mobilize the troops of my demesne. I am pretty sure Toscana has superior forces than the Papal State even without my help, so it is not necessary to send everything I can muster. It will also be cheaper...
We rally in Belgrade.

Oh the humor
A new Pope... still controlled by Matelda, the Papal enemy...

Just before my entire army arrives in Belgrade I receive an offer of peace from the Pope
210 gold he offers... a grand sum, but in the end it would just return me to my wealth prior to mobilizing troops. Toscana has taken Orbetello
The Papal threat is not very great...
I decline the peace... I have greater plans...

My men all arrive in Belgrade. But just as we are about to march on, I learn that my chancellor is stressed
It must be the pressure of maintaining foreign diplomatic relations during a war with the Pope...
I plan on making this war worthwhile... I set my sights on Parma...
It would be nice to have a summer home in Northern Italy... I have the means to grab the title- in prestige and military backing...

Ut oh
While marching towards the coast (I figure I'll take the closer enemy provinces first) I receive news of a new war... a war against me.
The Principality of Karvuna, my neighbor, started it
Their ally, the County of Korinthos declared in their support
And to make things all the more dangerous... Aldimir Cherven, the Prince of Karvuna has a claim on my title
I raise my sons' armies to defend the home front
Aldimir has 1080 men out of Constantia alone... My sons have fielded 1393 men between the two of them. I hope this goes well...

Could be one of those marriages where they do everything they are "supposed to" in public and around each other but behind the scenes do everything they can to hurt one another.

Thats a really good explanation!



On a complete (kind of) off topic side note I have a suggested reading list:
At the moment I am reading the Arthurian trilogy by Bernard Cornwell (known most for his Sharpe books). They are good. I just finished the second book, Enemy of God, today. I plan to buy the third tomorrow. The trilogy starts with The Winter King.
It is about Arthurian Britain- but written as historical fiction, a genre I really enjoy.

Another book series, A Song of Ice and Fire, starting with A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin is suggested by me. It reminds me of CK's dynasties in a slightly more fantastical world. I have read all the books and eagerly await the next one. I actually read the entire WoT series
(up to but not including A Memory of Light) as a distraction while waiting for the next Ice and Fire book... but that was... years ago. I still eagerly await the book:-) A Dance with Dragons better be good:-)

If anyone else has any historical fiction (medieval/similar) books that you think are good, let me know. Once I finish up Cornwell's Arthur trilogy I'll probably try out his Saxon Trilogy then I'll need something else...

This is either a disturbingly cunning plan, or she's just one horny bitch.

I like to think that Nikephoros is just forcing himself on her in retaliation for her actions.... Cuz I just can't believe we'd be stupid enough to put our guard down anywhere near her...
I will try and get the next update written up soon today.

November 26, 1104
I build a sawmill in Belgrade. Tax revenues are high, and a sawmill will only increase them (by 5%, to be exact).

The year closes peacefully while I recoup from the past war and allow my manpower to build up. At the moment I've got 5711 men available. That number grows every month.

1105
A new year!
It seems some catholic lord made the pope happy, bringing the crusade to an end. Whatever.
My reputation is still slightly tarnished and my sons are still without sons.

Ide went into labor and the midwife emerged to declare the child a girl.
We name her Theodote.

On the international front, it seems my deceased sister's son is the King of Hungary
That makes me the King of Hungary's uncle. Our relation is poor regardless.

My daughter Theodora's husband's dad is in toruble
It seem King Bela Arpady was not happy when he tried to leave the kingdom. I guess the chances of my daughter being a Duchess are slim. Luckily the Count of Csanad (my daughter's husband) is not involved in the war- so she should be safe...

Maximos, my diocese Bishop has passed.
He lived to the ripe age of 64. Sadly I have no one to replace him.

Olvia, once a mighty foe, now a simple pawn entangled in a war with Pereyaslavl.
At the moment they are weak. I feel son may be the time to strike and enact some revenge for the death of my son. I hold the Penechegs responsible for Sabas' death. He suffered a mortal wound, ultimately resulting in an early demise during war with them.
In Spring. I will war them when spring comes. In the meantime I will save my tax revenues and continue building my manpower...

Excellent. Nephon's wife is with child
I hope to have a grandson. The runt, Dorotheos is still childless.
He needs to get over his depression and start making babies. Perhaps the making babies part should come first, surely that will make him happier.

I receive some... troubling news from the north.
The Pechenegs have captured Pereyaslavl. Now they can devote their full force to the defense of their vassal, the Chiefdom of Olvia...

I have the opportunity to invite a bishop to my court
We've been without a proper diocese bishop for many months. I accept him in my court and appoint him the realm's diocese bishop.

1106
A fresh new year.
My reputation has recovered and I am still earning a healthy 16 gold every month. The realm's manpower has grown to over 7300, and my treasury is bloated at 237.
I am blessed with good health despite my age. I am still without grandson(s). Nephone's wife gave birth to another daughter,
and Dorotheos is still without child.
Olvia is recovering from war, and with the potential support of their liege, the cheifdom may be able to muster 6961 men. My manpower sits at 7339. I will see how things look come spring.

Progress in Belgrade!
My clerks report that the sawmill is complete. I could fund another project, but I decide to hold off until the decision to wage or abandon war with Olvia is certain.

Spring has arrived.
I've gathered all of the intelligence I have available about Olvia and the Pechenegs.
They can muster around 7100 men. I can raise an army of 7500.
The chief of Olvia has a formidable combined martial skill of 19
The High Chief of Pechenegs has an impressively amazing combined martial skill of 27
My combined martial skill is 19.
After much deliberation with my court and marshal I decide to call of plans for war.
The sides are too close.

With the war plans abandoned I have reconsidered my provincial improvement spending.
We will build a glass-works in Belgrade.

My youngest, Theodote, will be raised by nannies.

1107
Another year has gone, and another year has come.
Our realm has been at peace for what, 4 years now?
The realm is strong and our treasury is bursting with gold. I can muster a strong army of over 7800. I am well, my sons are healthy enough (Dorotheos's depression is a little ... depressing.) but I am still without a grandson.

My ally, the Duchy of Toscana has been attacked.
I will go to war in her support. The Bishopric of Firenze is weak and small. I do not plan on even bothering to raise my armies.

The glassworks is completed in Belgrade.
I will wait to build my next provincial improvement. I have great things in mind.

Now that my treasury has surpassed 500 gold coins, I will devote them to the construction of a small castle in Belgrade.
It will take 29 months to build but shall be a glorious achievement as well as a sound defensive investment.
Oh, and on a side note, that war with Firenze ended swiftly several months back. My ally destroyed them.

And speaking of my ally...
The Duchess of Toscana is the new papal controller. This is the first time since Geza's control that I've cared who it was. I think I can rest soundly knowing no religious wars will be declare don me by the catholics.

1108
I feel like it was the turn of the century just yesterday...
It is hard to believe 8 years have already passed in the 1100's.
I am still without a grandson. I may soon offer a gold reward for the first of my sons to spawn a male heir...

Ahh! I've been attacked!
No, not the realm, but me personally! I managed to make it through the ordeal without wound or injury, but I have startling evidence to suggest that my wife was somehow involved in the plot!
This is the last back stab (literally, in this case) I will let her perform. I remove her as my spy master and replace her with an unfortunately poor substitute. But, I'll take a weaker spy master than a rival wife as a spy master any day.

Eirene is 5.
She will study at the court.

That whore!
This is how she gets back at me for removing her as spy master huh?
Whats so special about this Silvester guy. huh?
I'll exile him, that'll teach her.

We have an odd relationship...

A new pope.






(I have 1109-1111 played already... I probably won't write them up until tomorrow cuz I must get ready for a new years party... but, as a little taster I will write two words: "War" and "Boy". )

I know I know I am falling behind.
Its tough with the holiday- I am off my normal schedule and have been busy doing... holiday things...
Like, I spent most of today preparing for a new years party and stuff.
I honestly have not played any game in the last several days...
I've taken off work the whole week too, yet somehow I feel like I have less time than normal

replayability.

If its only fun one time around, it (obviously) won't be fun years later.
That's all.
(in my opinion)