Oops - I've killed the Pope

**King Kurt** · 03-14-2006, 10:45

I think I might do a bit of role play here - ruling most of the world doesn't leave many challenges - also the idea of the byzantines returning to their ancestral home of Rome appeals - I have already put a Prince in Naples as part of the Grand Return. Incidently the key part of me retaking Naples was bribing a Scilian prince called Machiavelli - who I rewarded with the governership of Naples. So Mr Pope - bring it on - let us see if you like my Varangians - they will convert you to the path of the true Roman Empire.

**ajaxfetish** · 03-14-2006, 21:26

Depending on the year, you can let the Pope be your fun challenge for the rest of the game. Either don't prepare and then have to mobilize to deal with him every time he comes back, or put a one-stack, elite army in Rome and try to defeat whatever he throws at you without reinforcements every time he comes back. If you're close to end-game, though, you might just get one or two reemergences.

Ajax

**King Kurt** · 03-16-2006, 11:01

As predicted above - good Ole Popey turned up about 10 years after his sad demise. he appeared in Rome and tuscany with 7 stacks mainly FMAA, militia sargents, archers, some dross and some RK. First year my garrisons made a token effort then scurried into their respective castles. Meanwhile I started gathering the Army of retribution in Naples. Next year both castles were stormed and taken - I carried on gathering armies for the counterattack. Next year the Pope's Tuscan force attacked Milian - I carried on building up. the following year I attacked all 3 provinces. Milan - Pope retreats, Tuscany - Pope retreats - the real showdown is in Rome. My army consists of Katanks, Varangians, Lancers, Byzant Infantry, Trezebond archers and Horse archers - all under a 8 star Jedi general and most troops are veterens with reasonable valour - Pope has over 3,000 troops, I have about 2,700 - result he losses 2,500, I loose about 400, Pope scuttles into Castle. Next year I storm Rome, but withdraw all my troops out of Tuscany - result Pope captured - over 11,000 florin ransom, thank you very much. So now the Pope is in Tuscany with a handfull of troops. The next year I made a small error - I invade tuscany to reduce the Pope's army to leave him with virtually no troops, intending to then leave him in tuscany with nothing so he will not come back, but he managed to get himself killed,

So in 10 years I will have to do it all again!!
As an aside, I pulled some troops out of Provence to assist with the Pope, so Aragon - "hey, I've got 1 province" - decides to attack me - "Oh look I control about 70% of the known world" - suffice to say 2 years later his portrait had disappeared from the end of turn sequence. But I am keeping up my record of only attacking catholic factions after they attack me.

**King Kurt** · 03-17-2006, 14:26

Furthur update - he has reappeared again after about 5 years. I have a bit of a rebellion problem as the naval link has been broken by the Italians who are the only other naval power and have declared war on me - shouldn't be a problem in a couple of years.

**Ciaran** · 03-18-2006, 19:51

A rebellious Rome increases the chances for a Pope comeback, as all provinces with a loyalty close to 100 are prone to faction re-emergence (I think I read the reemergence threshold is 120% loyalty, while ordinary rebellions don´t happen unles the loyalty is below 100%)