Slight problem with my heirs as Sicily

**Kaidonni** · 05-24-2007, 11:34

Hi again, long time no post. I've been playing XL recently, and have gotten into a bit of a tight spot.

I'm playing Sicily/Early/Hard/GA, and the year is 1123AD. My first king, King Roger I, died at the ripe old age of 71. I thought this was great, my king had lasted forever, no worries about dropping loyalty, etc, due to a new king with lower influence, etc.

Unfortunately, King Roger II is in his mid-forties, and the next heir, Prince William, is only a year or so younger. And King Roger II only just got married. I'm worried somewhat about what happens if he can't get any sons - of age - in enough time before he dies. Prince William isn't married either...

Am I in serious trouble? I mean, would the uncles be able to stand in for control over my empire instead, allowing me to continue playing? What problems would that cause? King Roger II's influence is 5, King Roger I had 6 influence when he died, if that makes any difference.

I currently own Sicily, Malta, Naples and Provence. I plan to invade Tunisia and Algeria (I think it's Algeria...I mean the province to the left of Tunisia), taking them from the Almoravids who do not have ample naval power...mine is superior.

I'm wondering if there might need to be a little 'accident' or two with some of the current older heirs...?

**macsen rufus** · 05-24-2007, 12:38

Do you have any younger princes or just William? And are the "uncles" still princes or pensioned off as royal-blooded generals now? It sounds like it could be a risky time to start bumping off princes just because they're getting on a bit

At least wait til you have someone younger to fall back on. I find that my kings generally find conquest to be bit of an aphrodisiac (I often get a "your wife has given birth" message after taking a new province or two), so that may be worth a try

**Kaidonni** · 05-24-2007, 13:24

Oh, these 'uncles' are still princes at the moment. One is 32 (if I remember correctly) and the others are in their mid to early twenties.

I'm just worried because I'm not entirely certain how the heirs system works, and I keep thinking that once King Roger II dies...the next guy in line will be pretty old and the other princes might be relegated to being uncles at that point...and without an heir of age, it might cause me a serious problem.

**Ironside** · 05-24-2007, 14:01

Basically if your kings get children they'll be the next in line, but if your king dies when the son hasn't yet come of age, his younger brothers will take the throne until a son has come of age.

So if the king dies childless and his brother produces a child and then dies, the third brother will take over until the second brother's child will come of age.
If the third brother would have children, his children will get in the royal line before the second brother's son if both sons should be old enough to get throne before the third brother dies iirc.

Basically the only time the royal line is in real danger is if you run out of hiers on the hier list and your king dies. You'll either get a civil war or game over.