Crusader Kings [Concluded]

[johnhughthom]

All QTs updated and pms sent. Phase 3 begins, tourney will be held in Munster, so Munster needs to decide how much to spend. Each Dukedom also needs to decide whether to help Duke to win, or fight fairly.

Two men arrive in Ireland, looking for employment. One is a armoursmith from Naples, the other a lance instructor from Seville. If anybody would like to employ them offer a salary with your orders, the highest bids will get their man.

Phase 3 begins, 48 hours for orders.

[Double A]

Hey, I didn't say it first.

[B-Wing]

Seems like this turn should be over right about now. Still waiting on decisions from certain dukes, JHT?

[johnhughthom]

Few hours to go yet, I'm still waiting on concrete decisions from two Dukedoms.

[johnhughthom]

I had hoped to get everything in tonight and get the write up done immediately but two Dukes haven't posted in their QTs and Centurion's replacement Duke hasn't quite been decided. Results normally take 24 hours, so I'll leave it open and accept orders for another 24 hours and do the writeup right away. So it's not really another extension... I'm guessing it's because of the weekend, might be an idea to have longer phases over the weekend in future.

[Kagemusha]

I must state that i am very disappointed of the lack of effort of the other Duke´s to settle this issue publically. Connaught is very concerned that our neighbouring county has essentially fallen into anarchy and we cant accept that state of affairs to spread into our counties.

[Diamondeye]

I must state that i am very disappointed of the lack of effort of the other Duke´s to settle this issue publically. Connaught is very concerned that our neighbouring county has essentially fallen into anarchy and we cant accept that state of affairs to spread into our counties.

We have the impression that the Church will take Mide under their wings, including the problem of actually bringing in the County. We continue to support the Church through funding, though.

[Kagemusha]

It would be helpful if the Church were to actually say publically something. The problem is that my neighbouring county is at chaos and i cant have that spreading to my lands, so if no one else will help me.Im going to pacify Mide myself.

[johnhughthom]

One hour for orders.

[Beskar]

It would be helpful if the Church were to actually say publically something. The problem is that my neighbouring county is at chaos and i cant have that spreading to my lands, so if no one else will help me.Im going to pacify Mide myself.

I wouldn't be so hasty on being so dismissive of his holiness. He does have the authority of the Pope on his side.

I will give you some information, I believe a Papal army will be entering the province in the name of the church. You might not want to send your forces in and get confused for the enemy. Though if you insist, I suggest making clear your intentions on handling the province to the church.

[Kagemusha]

I have informed his Grace about my intentions. I am not dismissive towards him in any way.I also cant be dismissive towards trouble spreading to my counties either. I dont think any of you can blame me for not trying to settle this issue or can you?

This is something i think would have been nice to know bit earlier. I cant comprehend why the bishop did not tell us about it. Was it not me who originally proposed to give Mide to church and now i am not even being told about an army supposed to march into Mide.Very strange i must say.

[Kagemusha]

As we only have a single Ulster vassal telling us that there is a Church army marching to Mide. We are forced in this uncertain situation to move in as well. Not for our own bidding, but to make sure that the lawlessness will end at Mide.

[johnhughthom]

Round over. I'll get on to the write up and results after Rory McIlroy finishes embarrassing the worlds golfers.

[Jolt]

((Since nobody warned me I had to militarily occupy the province - as such, I presumed it would simply transition from the NPC to me like any inheritance in the game of CK - I didn't bother to send troops. JHT, I would appreciate if I could be briefed on what one has to do rather than having to guess. And I have been staying with my cousins so internet is not plentily found.))

The Church is moving to restore order in the province. Furthermore, the Church's armies are supported by Ulster's Ducal armies to make sure we overwhelm the bandits and utterly dispose of them. Connaught is obviously most welcome to help the Church root out the rebels and hang them like the petty thieves they are.

Further be known, Duke Kagemusha that the Church is not very happy that you, wishing to take advantage of the chaos, decided to move in and unconsiderately besides wanting to unlawfully take control of the province, breaking the agreement you yourself put forth, that you would marry the princess without seeking permission of any religious authority. What a foul deed! I am sure that every other Lord can see through meaning behind your intervention in the lands of Mide. The Eclesiastical Congregation was originally inclined to award to a vassal of the Duke Kagemusha the hand of the maid of Mide, but now seeing your actions in the hindsight has made some of my fellow counselors weary of giving the hand of the maid to Connaught.

As such, whom is the suitable groom will be decided by the Holy Church along with the vassals of Ireland after Mide is suitably established under eclesiastical order.

[Kagemusha]

We understand if the Church might be irritated about our original plans, but we have lot to thank for the Ulster vassal Beskar who made us aware that something was actually going to happen concerning Mide. Because of his valuable information we had time to adjust our orders in a way that should not irritate your Grace. Had we actually known that your Grace was sending an army to Mide we would have supported you with troops, which we are actually going to do now also.You have to understand that leaving a county plunged into anarchy connected to all our counties would not have been an option for us, but we wellcome this new option to pacify Mide with open arms, like our actions are soon about to show.

[Diamondeye]

I reluctantly have to agree with the Duke of Connaught here; It was not public knowledge that the Church would bring Mide under its wing; I only found out in my private correspondance and was therefore late in warning my fellow Duke in this forum. I am glad that you have been able to make amends to your orders, Duke Kagemusha. As I have stated before, Leinster aims to keep Ireland a peaceful nation.

Diamondeye,
Duke of Leinster.

[johnhughthom]

1072

Desmumu, Ireland.

A great tourney was to be held in the seat of Duke Csargo, the previous winner TheCelticViking was clear favourite for another victory. There was a tense air around this year's tourney with the issue of Mide's succession still to be decided, these next few days would be a distraction from the ongoing crisis.

The preliminary round saw two matches as TheLastDays met Beefy and I-K met Duke khaan, visibly angry at being drawn in a preliminary match. TLD won after 4 runs and khaan defeated his fellow Ulster man in the first run.

The first match in round one saw two home riders face up, defending champion TCV versus Skooma, TCV received a huge cheer from the crowd as he readied himself for what was seen as a simple victory. The two men raced toward each other and the crowd quietened, there was silence for a few seconds as one man went flying off his horse into the grass. Skooma looked as surprised as anybody else to see the defending champion lying in the grass. There was little time for the crowd to draw breath as the next riders took their place. Duke Csargo, resplendent in glorious armour, defeated autolycus on the third run, before B_Ray unseated Double A. Kagemusha was the third Duke up as he was matched against God Emperor, the Duke took an easy victory on the first run. Duke Diamondeye unseated Beskar in the sext match, to make it a clean sweep for the Dukes. Skullheadq defeated Romanic next before A_Dane defeated preliminary winner TLD and the final match saw Duke khaan face best loser autolycus with the Duke winning on the second run.

The topic of Mide was the main subject of the feasting debate that night, there was a lot of discussion on letting the County come under control of the church, no firm commitments were made however. The food and drink flowed all night, a number of defeated competitors stating they were glad to have lost so they didn't have tohold back on their drinking.

Home Duke Csargo unseated Skooma Addict in the first match, before another pairing from the same household with Duke Kage facing B_Ray, another victory for a Duke led to mutterings that the draw was fixed. A third Duke vs vassal quarter final saw much of the crowd appear to lose interest, Skullheadq's victory over Diamondeye on the third run was the match of the day however and reignited the crowd's enthusiasm. Duke khaan's victory over A_Dane was an anti-climax after the previous classic.

With three Duke's still in contention there was much banter during the second night's feasting with bets and proud boasts flying back and forth. Mide was all but forgotten as more men left the tourney and started indulging in the ale and food.

The final day dawned bright, a winner would be crowned today, a new champion. The first semi final was Duke v Duke, Csargo against Kagemusha. A close match saw Csargo reach the final on the second run, his gleaming armour had glanced a seemingly dead on blow on the first run. Next up was Skullheadq against khaan, looking to make it an all Duke final. khaan unseated Skullheadq on the third run to reach the final against Csargo.

As the two Dukes faced each other for the final match there was an excited buzz in the air, as the men of Munster cheered their new Duke, hoping for a second consecutive tourney victory. Csargo certainly looked the part in his new armour and perfectly balanced lance, three consecutive victories and it still hadn't splintered. khaan sat on his horse, quitely confident skill would defeat equipment. It wasn't quite the classic of the previous tourney, but still the match of the week, going to six runs before the Ulster Duke defeated the home Lord. There was a muted response to the victory from the Munster men, the small band from Ulster made up for it with wild celebrations.

A final nights feasting was another noisy affair, before the visiting Dukes departed for home, the question of Mide would be decided individually it would seem.

End of phase three

Chancellors:

Ulster: Ibn-Khaldun.
Connaught: autolycus.
Leinster: God Emperor.
Munster: Romanic.

I'll do each Dukedom and individuals results and events over the next few hours, there's quite a bit to it, most will be in the QTs but a few people will get individual pms. Phase four will begin when it is all done.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

edit: I'm not quite sure what that couple are doing in the castle pic. I only noticed after I'd posted.

[A_Dane]

No glorious victory like last time for me :O

[Csargo]

Congratulations to Duke khaan for besting me in the tournament. It was a well-earned victory.

Also, hello everyone.

[TheLastDays]

Welcome!

And congratulations to the new champion, Duke issaikhaan!

[Jolt]

Congratulations to Duke khaan for his valiant victory over the other Lords of the island.

[Diamondeye]

My sincere congratulations to my friend, Duke Khaan. I would have been honored to face you on your way to the finals, but it seems the flip of the coin did not grant me the pleasure... Nevertheless, a splendid and exciting tourney!

((OOC: John, I think she's pleading or thanking him. Not giving him the Lord's Kiss))

[Kagemusha]

Congratulations to the Ulster Duke for victory and nice to make your acquintance new Duke of Munster Csargo!

[seireikhaan]

It was an honor, Duke Csargo.

[johnhughthom]

1072

It had been a dark few years for the people of Mide, the old Count had died without leaving an heir and the power vacuum saw banditry increase, mainly from the dead man's former troops. Nobody had made a move on the region in the previous year, this year would be different. Bishop Jolt levied men from his seat at Tir Connail, he intended simply to root out the bandit problem the moved in to take charge and allow the County to move into church hands. Duke khaan in Ulster sent 700 troops to pacify the area for the church.

That was not all however, as 500 men moved in from Connaught to take the County. It appeared there would be a battle fought over Mide, between Ulster, with Jolt's men and Connaught. That was not to be, as the larger Ulster army retreated back home, and the leaderless church forces also returned north.

Mide was left under Connaught control, their forces garrisoned Mide's castle and outposts and the daughter of the previous Count was brought to the Duke's court. Connaught controlled the manpower and income of Mide, but as yet had no claim on the County title.

[Beskar]

Duke of Connaught illegally seized the territory and threatened the forces of the church? A Bold move.

[seireikhaan]

If the Duke of Connaught does not yield the county of Mide, I will have no other option but to declare war on the usurper. The dignity of the Church shall be protected. I urge the other Dukes to join me so as to halt the uncalled for aggression.

[Kagemusha]

No. My orders were to take Mide and surrender the control of it only to Church representative. Apparently our Bishop were not at Mide, so there was not one to surrender the County to. Apparently Duke of Ulster views that i should have surrendered it to him. This whole episode springs from the fact that open conversation was apparently not in the best interest of Ulster, which i cant but ask why?
I repeat that i offer my sincere thanks to the Ulster Vassal Beskar who´s actions saved the situation from escalating further. Now before my fellow Duke´s start calling me an usurper you should ask yourself why i didnt marry off the lass and take claim to her dead fathers lands?

Simple answer is that i did as i said. I sent troops to pacify Mide. It is not my problem that Ulster forces decided to run back to their lands at the first sight of my men. Now i will repeat my plea for the Duke´s and our Grace the Bishop to publically make judgement who should have Mide.
My personal view is that the girl should go to monastery and our Bishop should rule the land as ecclestial County, for which i already gifted him 30 in gold, so he can build a proper church in there. What say thee?

[johnhughthom]

All results are out. Let me know if I missed anything or you think there's a mistake.

Phase 4 begins, 48 hours for orders.

[seireikhaan]

No. My orders were to take Mide and surrender the control of it only to Church representative. Apparently our Bishop were not at Mide, so there was not one to surrender the County to. Apparently Duke of Ulster views that i should have surrendered it to him. This whole episode springs from the fact that open conversation was apparently not in the best interest of Ulster, which i cant but ask why?
I repeat that i offer my sincere thanks to the Ulster Vassal Beskar who´s actions saved the situation from escalating further. Now before my fellow Duke´s start calling me an usurper you should ask yourself why i didnt marry off the lass and take claim to her dead fathers lands?

Simple answer is that i did as i said. I sent troops to pacify Mide. It is not my problem that Ulster forces decided to run back to their lands at the first sight of my men. Now i will repeat my plea for the Duke´s and our Grace the Bishop to publically make judgement who should have Mide.
My personal view is that the girl should go to monastery and our Bishop should rule the land as ecclestial County, for which i already gifted him 30 in gold, so he can build a proper church in there. What say thee?

My soldiers were not in Mide for combat. If I had wanted to seize Mide, I would have simply marched over your forces and taken it. I had three hundred more men than your forces, but I decided escalating a conflict this early would not be in anyone's best interests. It was not I who behaved rashly.

If you wish the girl to be sent to the Monastery, you should have sent her to the Bishopric, not taken her as a hostage. You claim you want a group consensus on a legitimate claim for Mide, but you march your forces in to take it, and seize the young girl? At the suggestion of the Duke of Leinster taking Mide, you aggressively called the rest of us conspirators. You must make up your mind, Duke of Connaught. Will you be a compromiser, as you claim, or are you the aggressor your armies have shown you to be?