By Undercovergeek, 17 December 2012

A Crusader Kings II AAR that has reached episode 10. Another dozen or so, and UCG can file for syndication.

click images to enlarge

<

In Part 9 taxes were raised to pay for province improvements, Capua was invaded, and an evil plan to usurp Matilda (may she burn in Hell) was born. In Part 10 the plan is begun, improvements commence and Capua is added to the fold.

The first battle of Capua goes well, the County will soon be ours.

The defeated army retreats to the East. The Neopolitan Army is roused to see what all the shouting is about; I expect an attack from them, but in true Italian style they just watch from afar and then retreat.

Continue reading →

By Undercovergeek, 17 November 2012

A Crusader Kings II AAR, in at least 9 parts. More to come? Stay tuned dear readers.

click images to enlarge

In Part 8 we saw the new Count Oberto start a civil war with his twin Step-Brothers, take back Genoa, and start the slow process towards aiming for the Kingdom of Sicily by fabricating claims on Capua. In Part 9 Oberto takes the first step towards kingship, attempts to steady his new realm, and comes up with a plan to avenge his father.

A son, thank God for that, a male heir steadies the vassals and hopefully should shut down my Step-Mother’s plan to kill me.

In the income box we can see there is no money coming in from the feudal lords. I like everyone to pay their fair share – and it’s always a good excuse to raise taxes.

Continue reading →

By Undercovergeek, 11 November 2012

A Crusader Kings II AAR, in many, many parts. We’re up to number 8. Where have you been?

click images to enlarge

In Part 7 Count Oberto of Parma shuffled off his mortal coil and passed over the reins to his son….. Count Oberto. Having dearly departed with four provinces to his name, Parma, Genoa, Nice, and Corsica, senior Counsellors bound by the rules of the Count’s succession laws have split the land three ways between his remaining sons. The new Count Oberto receives Parma and Nice, his twin sons receive Corsica and Genoa. The tale now switches to the new Count and his plans to get his land back, to avenge his father’s death, and set plots in motion to declare independence and try for the title King of Sicily.

A grand feast – always a chance to get some prestige and win some friends, with the occasional chance to get drunk and annoy our Liege.

There goes Uncle Ghiberto, my Martial’s father and my father’s brother. He’ll be missed(!!) although he was the Steward and a poor substitute now takes his place. The splitting of the provinces has diluted the quality of the council after the twins took a few serving members with them.

Continue reading →

By Undercovergeek, 27 October 2012

A Crusader Kings II AAR, up to part 7. Yes, part 7. You’ve been reading this for a while, y’know.

click images to enlarge

In Part 6 Oberto was dealt a fatal blow in a battle to increase his Leige’s lands in Pavia, a new Martial was appointed, and Nice was taken into the fold of di Palma holdings. Now in Part 7 the succession laws divide the family, the HRE rids itself of plotters, Duchess Matilda gets a beating and a rich crop of knowledge is tapped.

My nephew, the new Martial wants a wife. We find him the Polish Queen Mother. It’s not as bad as it sounds, she’s 29, ginger and chubby, there are special websites for this kind of thing. Courtiers expect to find him dead in his bed, devoid of all bodily fluids in a matter of weeks.

It’s approved – God help him.

Continue reading →

By Undercovergeek, 17 October 2012

A Crusader Kings II AAR, with all the seriousness of a cooler full of lunch meat, but twice the flavor

click images to enlarge

In Part 5 the ‘wrong holding’ issue was finally sorted for Genoa, marriages were arranged with Kingdoms and Oberto looked to add Nice to the di Parma land holdings. In Part 6 Nice is taken, Dad retires and Duchess Matilda brings a halt to any other plans.

My nephew – good Martials are hard to find and now I have a spare one.

Giuditta finally comes of age and the French King comes knocking to remind me of the betrothal. She’s packed off to Paris.

Continue reading →