Quick summary: lots of kiddies, primogeniture, plus a bonus for having a moron for a brother. All will be revealed when I can be bothered writing up
16 23 years worth of OMG.
Duke Ennio of AscalonFebruary, 1191"Mama was keeping a diary in the final years of her life, before she fell from that tower. Nobody really knows how it happened in the end, whether she went up there and... fell herself, everyone says she was a bit loose in the head. Maybe someone else did it... but maybe it doesn't matter? I'm Duke now, I'm sure I can do this... anyway, I will be keeping a journal like her. Maybe it will help her rest?
My brother Gregorio received some Duchy titles that were rightfully mine. I'm the first-born, I should get everything!
Papa has been appointed regent in my place until I reach 16, and I asked him to put Mansur, our marshal, in charge of my education. Mama thinks he was trying to kill her, but she thought a lot of things that weren't true, so I'm sure he's alright.
Count Ottobono has been appointed Steward, and he is collecting taxes in Ascalone."
March, 1191"The Crusade for Jerusalem continues, and our armies are victorious against the Muslims in the Battle of Safed. They managed to capture a noble, who holds a position called Shake, I think. He was called Ismat, and ruled Druz."
November, 1191"I overheard a battle report to the marshal while practicing with the sword. Apparently we were able to decimate a Muslim army with the help of our allies. I hope the Crusade is still going by the time I'm an adult, I would love to fight in the name of the Lord."
"My sister has reached 12, and my father thinks she should focus on stewardship. Given that she prefers her own company and works hard at her studies, I am sure she will make a capable administrator in the future."
March, 1192"The Muslims at Sur have surrendered after a protracted siege. At this rate the Crusades will be over long before I reach adulthood. I never get to do anything fun!"
July, 1192"The Muslims attacked with fewer men into an area in which we had the advantage. A predictable failure. The Muslims were soundly defeated, and we captured two more nobles. Bey Alp was a sickly man, evidently drawn to the fore because other leaders were too cowardly to lead their men. This cowardice was evidenced further by the second prisoner, a cripple mayor from Adinapur. These men were doomed to fail, of course, but they fought in the name of their god. I suppose I can't fault them for that..."
"Father decided to ransom the Muslim nobles we had captured. The Crusade is coming to an end, he said, so we should be looking to profit from their failure. I'm not sure that's the attitude to take into a Crusade, but the realm will surely prosper, anyway."
October, 1192"Pope Benedictus X died, and the cardinals voted to replace him with Hadrianus IV. Long live the Pope!"
December, 1192"I was told by Papa today that he thought I was very stubborn. Once I reach a decision on something, there's no changing
my mind!"
"Papa said that some advancements have been made in economics recently. He said that castle infrastructure will be so much easier to deal with."
January, 1193"I don't know what to think. I found out today that Papa has been stealing from the realm, like a common thief. He's meant to be keeping the realm safe for me, not profiting from my mother's death!"
"I went for a walk so I wouldn't have to be so angry inside the castle, when I saw the most beautiful girl in the world. Maybe she could help calm me down..? We cuddled a little in the barn. I rather enjoyed the warmth of her body... perhaps I should do this more often?" ((don't rightly know how to express it better than that, we became lustful
))
June, 1193"Bishop Barnaba has been raised to the College of Cardinals. By all accounts, this is a ridiculous appointment. The man should be in prison for his habits, not an elector for the highest office on Earth!"
September, 1193"The Crusade continues. Kir-Haseset has fallen to our armies.
Papa is also still stealing from the realm. I don't understand what he thinks he's doing, or why he even thinks he can get away with such treasonous behaviour!"
March, 1194"I don't even know how a man such as he managed to have such a well-rounded child like me.
Spymaster Costanzo caught him plotting to kill some woman in Byzantium, and in response my father tried to kill Costanzo! The man seems almost as mad as my mother! God rest her soul."
April, 1194"Finally the day has come! I am a man, and now my father can no longer threaten the realm. I am sure his removal from this powerful position will temper his dishonour.
Mansur's efforts to teach me all he knows about martial ability have paid off, and I feel I am brilliant in this area. I would be, of course.
I also think it is time to focus on starting a family... I reach out to the count of Oviedo to marry his daughter. My prestige will lessen as I'm apparently marrying below my station, but it is said that anything she touches turns to gold. I would love to see our son grow up to be a glorious leader..."
((became brilliant strategist, and arbitrary :|))
"I never thought this day would come so soon. I am fighting for our Lord in the holy land! I am a Crusader!"
May, 1194"The Crusade is successful! The Pope decided that Duke Bela II of Nyitra should be granted the lands in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. I find myself proud that we achieved this, and profoundly jealous that I was not granted the land..."
December 1194"I AM FURIOUS WITH FATHER! He had my Spymaster murdered! Stealing from the realm is one thing, killing a servant of it is another thing entirely!
I have him arrested, and thrown in a dungeon. Then put under house arrest instead. He is my father, after all..."
June, 1195"Teresa is pregnant. I am not sure if I am the father..."
July, 1195"I'm just being ridiculous.
Of course I'm the father."
January 1196"My son and heir, Fiorello Orsini, is born. I am so happy this day has come!"
May, 1196"i have been feeling so awful for days now I dont know how long i can take this"
April, 1197"I have been feeling much better recently. I hope that means this
year long illness has passed me by."
June, 1197"Steward Ottobono was killed while collecting taxes from the rabble. What an idiot."
November, 1197"I decided to hold a feast, during which Bishop Corrado insulted my hospitality!
I won't have him killed because the rest of the feast went off without a problem."
January, 1198"My new steward wants to build a monument in my honour. All he needs is the money.
I grant it to him, because everybody needs to know how great I am, and I'm sure he's the man to let them know!"
April, 1198"I lay the groundwork to an alliance with the Holy Roman Empire by having my sister marry the Emperor's bastard Landolf. All the children will have her name, too."
May, 1198"Barely more than a week after they're married, and the Kaiser requests I join him in his war against rebels. He works quick, doesn't he? I'll just say I agree to this, no need to send over any of my men."
September, 1198"It's my brother's birthday today. I think we'll celebrate by declaring war on Hadrianus for my brother's lands. That'll teach the cretin for stealing my titles when mama died! Kaiser Gunzelin has promised he will provide us aid. I'm certain he will come through with that, despite me not lifting a finger to help him defend his land."
"We win a few battles, take a few prisoners, the Pope takes a few castles; too close to call so far."
January, 1199"Steward Ezzelino revealed the statue he had commissioned in my honour. Everybody thought it looked great. He did a good job. What's more, a famous writer decided to chronicle my family history. I gave him some money to do so. My family may have their issues, but everybody deserves to know how great we've been to them."
January 1200"My wife gave us the best start possible to the new century by saying we'll be bringing new life into the world before the end of the year. Excellent!"
August, 1200"My second son, was born today. I'm sure he'll get along fine with his older brother. I'm so proud!
I named him after my father, Gregorio. He will set a new standard for the name, instead of being the thieving murdering bastard that is my father."
November, 1200"That bastard Landolfo gave up the ghost and died on us. Our alliance with the Kaiser is broken.
Just what I need, to find another husband for my stupid sister in the middle of a war!"
December, 1200"I marry her to the King of Abyssinia, and ally with him. I have reservations because he's a Miaphysite, but his armies could make the difference between victory and defeat in my war against the Pope."
February, 1201"The Duke of Siciliy declared war on me today! What a fool."
April, 1201"The war is not going my way. The Pope produced a massive army on the shore of my land in Ascalone, and proceeded to decimate my largest army. I had no choice but to offer him a White Peace. To save him the embarassment, of course.
The Duke of Sicily realised that continuing the war for a single county would not be a good idea, and called his armies back."
July, 1201"Some jealous fool has been slandering me, and my liege believes it! He could decide to arrest me based on this![/i]"
December, 1201"My heathen sister is trying to have me killed! She's lucky nobody in
my court would listen to a heathen like her, else I'd have to do something about it!"
January, 1202"My heir Fiorello is old enough to focus on certain aspects of his character. I suggested his tutor concentrate on the service he can provide the realm, as I think he is very good with people. I'll make a leader out of him yet!"
May, 1203"Teresa is pregnant again. Goodness, we're building quite the litter here!"
November, 1203"Pope Hadrianus IV died, and you'll never guess who the bloody cardinals elected to be the next Pope. Go on, have a guess.
That's right, they named Barnaba, that lecherous oaf, the next Pontiff! Not only do they have no morals, now I have to replace my Court Chaplain!"
December, 1203"Evidently Pope Alexander's elevation to the highest office has done nothing to temper his proclivities. Everyone knows he's immoral, nobody's going to do anything about it though..."
"In better news, my third son Sergio was born today. I could start my own army, soon."
January, 1204"Ever since Sergio was born, I've been feeling so close to Teresa. I think I may be falling in love with her <3"
July, 1204"We're going to have another baby!"
October, 1204"Barna... I mean, Pope Alexander took his sweet time. He offered me the position of Marshal today. I accepted it, as I'm only the best person in the realm who can do the job."
February, 1205"Teresa gave birth to another boy today. I'm beginning to get a little tired of all the boys we're having... I named him Ennio, after myself. With what I have planned, he's so unlikely to get any power that it's only right he gets a good strong name as a consolation."
September, 1205"Teresa's pregnant again. I can barely keep up with the other four, what am I going to do with a fifth one?"
April, 1206"I... I have a daughter, but Teresa died during childbirth. I don't know what to do... I feel so lost without my wife. I think the best thing to do will be to move on quickly... I need to make sure the boys have women in their lives too."
"I am betrothed to Aline. I need the void filled in my life. She is young, so she will provide me with more children, maybe the cacophony of screaming babies will keep my mind off losing my wife.
The boys, though. I searched far and wide, and managed to find four girls that are smarter than the Lord is good. I am hopeful these little geniuses will provide enough stimulation for them that they'll be unable to think about the loss of their mother..."
Lots of stuff, apologies. I did leave some stuff out too 
Will finish the rest tomorrow.September, 1206"Gregorio must be tutored in his duty to the realm. His brother will need him at his side when he rules our lands."
November, 1206"I am still reeling from the loss of Teresa, and I fear for the boys if something were to happen to me. The best use of my tactical mind is from behind the front line. Far, far behind."
February, 1207"Aline and I are married, to little fanfare. Well, she's no Teresa, is she?
Advancements are made in military organisation - a good thing, since it makes my job as commander easier - and people think the ruling class is more majestic. How could they not know this already?
Given my new found resolve for leading the army as a whole, I have decided to focus more on War than my Family. They need me, but I have a responsibility to the soldiers under my command to give them my best, so that's what they will receive."
August, 1207"Aline is pregnant. Evidently my fertility has not dropped since Teresa's death..."
January, 1208"Fiorello is becoming a man now, and I urged his tutors to give him a diplomatic education. I plan to give him a larger realm to rule over than I had from mama. Given his new education, I thought it would do well if I introduced him to court. Long, boring days were sure to build character.
I receive a few offers to tutor the boy in areas that he is weak, in return for a favour. I accepted.
Fiorello did manage to grossly insult Bishop Ascanio, but he managed to really impress Mayor Marsiglio. Perhaps he was just put off by Ascanio's rumoured habits?"
March, 1207"
Teresa Aline provided me with another boy. At least Fiorello won't be short of well-trained advisors when he inherits."
"Sergio needs to learn more etiquette to be of use to his brother, and Ennio needs to be more like his father. I suggest to his tutors they merely watch over him to keep him safe. Learning on his own will do the boy good.
I also taught Fiorello the virtue of patience... at the cost of my own, the little brat."
June, 1211"Apparently a new Khan seems to think he can unite his scattered people and rule the world. Good luck with that, horse-lover!"
October, 1211"My mentor and marshal, Mansur, has died. I replace him with the man that taught Fiorello the ways of war, Mayor Callisto, who requests money to perform experiments with exotic weapons.
The man nearly died in an explosion from some screaming arrows!"
January, 1212"Fiorello is a man. He applied himself to his studies, and his tutors think he could be something called a Grey Eminence. I knew my son would make a great heir, I just knew it!
He marries Amalberga, who has developed into a fine woman.
Gregorio is to receive training in the church. He will make a fine spiritual advisor some day. My daughter, Flora, is a prideful young thing. I'm sure her learning from the noblemen in my realm will turn her into a great woman like her mother."
May, 1213"My idiot brother died today. In battle. The man didn't even know what end to hold a sword from!
He was so stupid, he died unmarried and heirless! All his lands go to me! I even inherited a small retinue he had. This is wonderful news.
Well... I am sorry my brother is dead. Mostly.
The Byzantines also usurp one of my duchy titles. Idiots.
Oh yes, Aline is pregnant again."
March, 1214"Aline provides me with another
mouth to feed baby girl. So proud.
I forgot to tell Costanzo's tutors what I want, so he's out fighting other children. I don't really have a problem with that."
August, 1214"For the first time since my dearly departed brother reached the age of majority, we are at peace.
I celebrate by enacting Primogeniture succession for my boy Fiorello, as well as giving him the right to rule Acre. The Duchy of Murcia is created to replace the one the Byzantines stole from me."
