Continued with my 2nd "reality", finally made the Sicilians pay royally some 25 years ago or so, they're down to just Nicaea, Croatia, and Malta now. Took Serbia, Greece and Constantinople, with Constantinople holding nicely against the Eggies who tried to take it.

Finally crusaded to Palestine (lost it) and to Antioch (the reason the Eggies don't like me so much), which I still hold. Just passed 1205, starting to pump out arbs. The HRE decided to attack me, close battle (don't seem to have a lot of stellar generals, lost a few).

The English finished off the French (after I weakened them). Have largest navy, though English just sank some ships (some way to return the favor), time to retaliate next turn. Hope I haven't shipped too many troops out to Constantinople and Antioch as the English might start pressing me soon on the European continent. They hold Ireland, Scotland, Northumbria, Wales, Mercia, Wessex, Normandy, Britany, Aquitaine, Anjou, Ile de France, Champagne, and Toulouse. The HRE are a slim buffer in several places, but very slim as they are pretty weak (peasants only hold up for so long).

Had 12k per turn still coming in before the English backstabbing and over 400k in the bank! Might be time to hire some more friendly mercs...

Yours in warmongering,

GA