These being the words of Duchess Ermenegilda of AlexandriaThe reign of Glitterhoof is over. At last, I, Ermenegilda of the Orsini, rule in my own right. I've not dared put these words to paper before, but I've always felt like that horse was not entirely capable for his task.
The realm's regent leaves me with unrest, debt and enemies all around, a situation only made worse by half of my rightful inheritance going to my sister. My spymaster kindly informs me Glitterhoof has already set in motion a plan to smother my sister in her crib, which I must applaud him for.
My spymaster is a man in his prime. With threats lurking in every shadow, I saw every reason to guarantee his loyalty in a way that, I believe, proved satisfactory to both of us in the end.
It seems the Holy Father is displeased with reign already. Apparently, he refuses to believe a horse could be responsible for all the wickedness and unrest in the realm, so has chosen to blame it on me, instead! I am now excommunicated, cast out from the light of God. It is... inconvenient.
The birth of my firstborn was a draining affair - a difficult labor, coupled with the fact my Greek fool of a husband stormed in the middle of it to confront me about my relationship with Piotr! As if he has any say in the business of a Duchess! Needless to say, he had to wait a long time to get to see his son after that.
My enemies finally tried to act, and in doing so, revealed themselves. I could smell the poison they put in my wine from across the room. Amateurs. It offered me an excellent chance to clean house, but it's clear I still can trust only very few in my court.
My sister has married, and so my chances of inheriting the lands she stole from me grow ever slimmer. She is so loved and good few will aid me in my plot to end her wretched life, so I am forced to take matters into my own hands. If she will not die peacefully, I will take what is mine by force.
Piotr came to me today with a somewhat unsettling proposition. 'A bastard can cause a lot of trouble,' Piotr whispered in my ear, and offered a way to be rid of Augusta... for good. That the man would be callous enough to kill his own daughter does speak highly of his ruthlessness and loyalty, but the girl is still my daughter. I told him it was never going to happen, and legitimized her soon after, just in case. My husband complains, but I usually just tell the guards to lock him in his quarters.
My husband's father, the Emperor of the Greeks, died today. Unfortunately, and understandably, the Emperor's court had chosen my brother-in-law Raphail to serve as the next Emperor instead of my husband. He is now entirely useless to me, and I enjoy tormenting him about the fact whenever opportunity presents itself.
Matteo was born today. He seems a healthy, strong boy, surely destined for greatness. I hope he does not grow to resent his older brother too much.
My sister has surrendered, and I now rule a realm twice the size as before - my rightful inheritance. I must take measures to ensure this does not happen again, though the realm, as things are, will not accept primogeniture easily. My dear sister is now my vassal, Countess of some desolate Spanish plot of land. It is only right - now no-one can claim she is the better of us.
I have another daughter, who Piotr insists also be named Augusta. I humor him.
My court chaplain, though old, is invigorating company. I tell him I've never had a Cardinal for a lover before, and, well, one thing leads to another...
My husband catches smallpox. My prayers for his death are not answered, but seemingly just to spite me, he spreads the filthy disease into my children as well! If they perish...
My entreaties and sucking-up to the Holy Father have finally been answered, and the imbecile has finally agreed to lift my excommunication. There's one thing my enemies can no longer use against me.
I have a third son. I fear for the future of the realm - is it to be split into three, left vulnerable for the vultures to pick clean? I love my sons, but the House of Orsini will not fall further into decay. Ottavio must inherit all!
It is as if I am punished for my words, for my hope. Ottavio, my firstborn son, dies of the wretched disease given to him by his worthless father. I let Hypatios know he is no longer welcome anywhere near my quarters. I make sure he knows he is to blame. If I am in luck, he will take his own life and rid me of his poisonous company.
I hear of some mad Venetian who has travelled far beyond the lands of the Tatars, into the Kingdom of Cathay. It's a bizarre and imaginative tale, so I'm certain it is yet another Venetian con. Only fools would believe such ridiculous tales.
The Holy Father has proclaimed a crusade to free England from the Aztec scourge. It is a fool's venture, I am sure, but here there is only quiet and memories of Ottavio. Like my forefathers once did to liberate Jerusalem, I now pledge my banners to the crusade.
As I gather the realm's forces, my vassals deliberate a proposal I have been waiting to put forth. Some opponents I bribe over, others I let waste away in my oubliette, but at last - the law once more guarantees the practice of primogeniture.
On the eve of our departure, the physician comes to me with ill news. My son Nino is tortured by a cancerous growth, some punishment from God. It seems the Almighty is not satisfied with taking just one son from me. I pay for every treatment known to man.
It's not enough. When I should be there to comfort him in his final days, I am across the world, on some pointless invasion of a heathen empire.
The Holy Father passes. In a strange twist of fate, my lover, Cardinal Silvestrio, is elected Pope. His new position does not allow us to continue our relationship, but I have an ally on the Seat of St. Peter nevertheless.
Our fleet approaches England, but I hear worrying news. The Aztec army is said to number in the hundreds of thousands, a vast horde of bloodied heathens with strange powers. I no longer know why I am embarked upon this venture, but it is too late to turn back.
It is over. The armies of Christendom are defeated, swallowed up by the endless Aztec hordes. My army is gone, destroyed to the last man. Only my closest retainers remain with me now, and in the corner of my eye, there is a shadow. I can feel the touch of Death on my shoulder. Shall I die here, in this foreign land? I hope so. I believe I will burn in Hell for what I have done, but life never held much light for me. I leave behind a stronger realm, but my son, if you ever read this chronicle - there are enemies in every shadow. They will not rest until the House of Orsini is cast down from our rightful place.
Be strong, my son. The crown of Egypt awaits.
Save!---
Matteo has pretty good stats/traits already, so he might go far. If you can outlive the problem of the army being totally wiped out at the very start of your reign, you should be fine. I also have no idea who the regent is except a vague memory I just threw the title at somebody.
Apologies for the huge-ass pictures sometimes - Imgur was not cooperating in resizing and I couldn't be bothered to re-upload the whole batch.
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Topic: Crusader Kings II Dynasty Succession Game (Persus13) (Read 46661 times)