If you are worried about the pope and need to build troops instead of asassins - attack when your king or the pope hit 65 yrs of age - the excom won t last long and you can hit them with a stick during that time teaching them some respect (and getting some influence/money) - the eggies will jihad you anyways so try to make peace with the current naval power in the med to be able to reinforce. The amount of opponents is odd but I guess you grabbed Provence too soon and italy got nervous.

anyways GL - may the better general win the game ;)



nick