Lands of Sand and Magi (First Crusade Fantasy CK2 Quest)
- Thread starter kızıl sultan
- Start date
- Original
- Location
- Illinois
But think of the madness! Backstabbing, murder, intrigue, all the fun stuff. I mean, yeah, we'd probably last all of a week at court before we get poisoned or defenestrated, but that makes it all the more fun!
- Location
- France
- Location
- Illinois
Though to be serious, it actually would be a pretty good place for us, with how our stats are now. We're high intrigue, and our diplomacy has been one of our focuses throughout the quest. And we'd have two months of time to find out how to train our piety, in the last great city of the old roman empire (which means access to tons of resources from pretty much everywhere, due to how strategic Constantinople is).No thanks, I'll stick to the swords and the prayers
NuclearConsensus
Herald of the Thorned One
- Location
- the Philippines
[X] Take the Boats.
- Location
- New York
Byzantine Court Intrigue is one of the most devious, and deadly, in history.
Lol, those are actually some good ideas.
No thanks, I'll stick to the swords and the prayers
A true Crusader if I ever saw one!
I want to say that if you took the road, you'd be faced with battle, and chances to learn how to fight and give your men experience, as well as meet new people and potential advisors and perhaps even change history.
If you take the boats, you get two months in Constantinople to prepare and take part in some Byzantine shenanigans, as well as meet new people, potential advisors and perhaps even change history.
- Location
- Illinois
Well, we can probably avoid getting too involved in the politics , considering we're just a random peasant as far as the courts concerned, if one who is more clever and pious than average. Either option gives us a lot of interesting choices, but two months in Constantinople to prepare is pretty dang useful, considering it means we get two months of access to Constantinople's markets, which considering it's pretty much the gateway to the east means it's pretty well stocked.
- Location
- I think somewhere. I might be nowhere though
You've convinced me. I changed my vote
Powerofmind
In Madness Fallen
- Location
- United States
He already laid out the advantages of each. The disadvantages of each is that if we're in Constantinople, we have to deal with a court with intrigue so vile it's practically a caricature of typical medieval court life. If we're on the road, someone might try to kill us from the front, in Constantinople we'll just get stabbed in the back.
- Location
- Illinois
The speech was about both, he explained what type of events we'd have each way.
Boats are the diplo/intigue side, with the court and preparation being its draws.
Walking is the martial/piety route, with our troops and us getting experience.
Edit:
Last edited:
- Location
- New York
I'm sorry if I've been persuading anyone to lean towards a specific direction. To be honest a lot of the major choices like these are historical actions (you can wikipedia the People's Crusade for more information) so I'm personally not biased towards either. I don't have an option I personally favor over another, I just don't want people to make a decision because of something I left out, or something another player has said that I could have illuminated further on.
Once again, I'm sorry if I've been giving too much information and thus, have been unintentionally biased in descriptions. I will try to be more neutral in the future.
This is probably the best description of the two options. I just felt that for gameplay purposes I let you know what kind of benefits are weighed in each direction. Maybe that's giving to much away, but this is the first time I'm doing a Quest and I don't think I actually gave that much information in the last chapter, just gave you a choice because grey or gray and told you to pick. Perhaps I should be more vague in the future?
Last edited:
- Location
- Illinois
It's a high risk, high reward thing. We can get huge profits from the courts of the Byzantine Empire, among other things.
For me, there are several draws.
1. This is a really good way to train Diplomacy and Intrigue. Pretty self evident why.
2. We have access to one of the greatest markets in the known world to prepare for the crusade.
3. Learning wise, Constantinople is the last bastion of the old roman empire. They have books that europe can't even dream of. They also know more about our foes than any crusader will.
4. Two month prep time is very useful. Rather than spending so much time marching, we'll be able to train and gather supplies. It's not equal to the exp or martial points we'd gain from the march, but we have more options on how we want to develop our men. (train them as archers, or making our wing focus on logistics, etc...)
You've been pretty good about clarifying things, especially since wikipedia wasn't too clear on what happened with the people in the boats. And your explanation was balanced, since you only explained what each choice was going to lead to.
- Location
- .
[X] Take the Boats.
- Location
- in the trash
[X] Take the Boats
Let's go meet Alexios Kommenos. It'll be interesting.
Let's go meet Alexios Kommenos. It'll be interesting.
- Location
- Too Deep in the Midnight Sea
[X] Ask Peter to Swap with another wing.
- Location
- New York
Voting his closed. Here is the tally. [X] Take the Boats: l l l l l l l l l
[X] Ask Peter to Swap with another wing: l l l l
Constantinople here we come.
Chapter 4.0
- Location
- New York
Chapter 4.0 Cologne to Constantinople
You decided it best not to go against the wishes of the Venerable Peter, since he is the leader of this Crusade and knows whats best for you. All things considered, it was probably his wishes to keep you out of harms way. Out of the jungle and into the pit of snakes. Very far out of harms way.
When you returned to your Wing, the men were elated. They were given a free ride to Constantinople. A good nights rest and in the morning the road was yours for the taking. The Army was split evenly down the middle, with half going with Peter to Constantinople, and the other half marching through Hungary under the leadership of Walter the Penniless and William the Carpenter.
The ride was swift, but you weren't a fan of being on a boat this long, and it was the first time you've ever been on one in your life. Lots of men were struck with an illness, expelling the contents of their bellies over the sides of the ship. However, once the small fleet left the Delta of the Danube, Constantinople was only a days sail away. And when you saw it, you knew why people called it the City of Worlds Desire.
The city was overwhelming, and even more so when you'd actually docked and set foot on it. The docks were filled with clattering shipping crates and barrels, sailors moving to and fro. You never thought you'd ever be here in your life, and yet here you stood, in the last City of the Romans.
+2 Piety for making it this far.
As soon as your men departed, a crowed of the locals formed around them. The City Guard, also known as the Varangian Guard, was the first official greeting from the Emperor. Peter was told his men were to camp outside of the first of the Theodosian Walls, while he and his entourage were called for an audience with the Emperor. Now that Walter and William weren't here, Peter looked for pious men to replace them. Two Brothers from different Wings were called up, as well as yourself, to join the Venerable to his audience with the Emperor.
+2 Piety for making it this far.
As soon as your men departed, a crowed of the locals formed around them. The City Guard, also known as the Varangian Guard, was the first official greeting from the Emperor. Peter was told his men were to camp outside of the first of the Theodosian Walls, while he and his entourage were called for an audience with the Emperor. Now that Walter and William weren't here, Peter looked for pious men to replace them. Two Brothers from different Wings were called up, as well as yourself, to join the Venerable to his audience with the Emperor.
The Circus of the Emperor, the terrace depicted is where you first meet Alexios.
"The Venerable Peter." Alexios boomed from his throne as you entered the massive chamber. The room was long and large, and the acoustics aided an already impressive voice.
"Your Imperial Majesty.", Peter bowed. Your group continued to approach the throne after bowing in conjunction. You had no idea what was being discussed, but you did understand when to follow social cues.
"You have arrived much earlier than my messengers had initially led me to expect." The Emperor started.
"My Emperor, we were blessed with a small fleet of vessels by a most generous Archduke of Austria. It was a sign from the Lord that we were destined to be here." Peter smiled.
"So be it. You will have to camp outside of the first walls, I hope you understand I have no room for all of your men in the city. You may be honored guests in my palace if you wish." Alexios offered.
"Thank you, our majesty, but the land you have given us to camp in is more than generous and will be enough." Peter continued. "Thank you for your generosity. Our men are tired from the journey, and initial preparations must be made while we set up camp for the arrival of our brothers-in-arms."
"I understand. There is an event at the circus, you and your entourage are more than welcome to join me in my viewing terrace, if you wish." Alexios generously obliged.
[X] Take Alexios up on his offer.
or
[X] Go with Peter to help the Pilgrims set up camp.
Anselme de Gaillac
Age: 20
Diplomacy: 6 (You're getting better at talking your way out of problems, but you're no silver-tongued devil yet.)
Martial: 3 (You can defend yourself. No one ever said you were any good at it, though.)
Stewardship: 3 (You don't do well with money. It's why you're poor.)
Intrigue: 10 (Living the life of a pauper, you have become very crafty, and thus know how to get yourself into and out of trouble very well, much to your own benefit.)
Learning: 1 (You are Illiterate.)
Piety: 34 [You rolled a critical success here, and that will be noted] (You are one of the most pious of the Pilgrims. Surely this will be noticed by those higher up the echelon.)
Money: 150 fl
Traits:
Blessed by God: ???.
Pious: Your piety and strength of faith is noticed by others who share the same inclination, +5 Relations to Same Trait.
Blessing of the Bishop of Worms: +5 to Diplomacy on Speech Rolls if you beat your opponent on a Piety Roll
Blessing of Athanasius: +4 to Learning (You can now understand German, and may attempt to learn to read. If you find someone to teach you.)
Invested: You have official authority over the Pilgrims within your assigned Wing.
Items and Statuses:
Peter's Stone: ???
Entourage:
Age: 20
Diplomacy: 6 (You're getting better at talking your way out of problems, but you're no silver-tongued devil yet.)
Martial: 3 (You can defend yourself. No one ever said you were any good at it, though.)
Stewardship: 3 (You don't do well with money. It's why you're poor.)
Intrigue: 10 (Living the life of a pauper, you have become very crafty, and thus know how to get yourself into and out of trouble very well, much to your own benefit.)
Learning: 1 (You are Illiterate.)
Piety: 34 [You rolled a critical success here, and that will be noted] (You are one of the most pious of the Pilgrims. Surely this will be noticed by those higher up the echelon.)
Money: 150 fl
Traits:
Blessed by God: ???.
Pious: Your piety and strength of faith is noticed by others who share the same inclination, +5 Relations to Same Trait.
Blessing of the Bishop of Worms: +5 to Diplomacy on Speech Rolls if you beat your opponent on a Piety Roll
Blessing of Athanasius: +4 to Learning (You can now understand German, and may attempt to learn to read. If you find someone to teach you.)
Invested: You have official authority over the Pilgrims within your assigned Wing.
Items and Statuses:
Peter's Stone: ???
Entourage:
Gaucer de Gaillac
Age: 21
Diplomacy: 6
Martial: 4
Stewardship: 1
Intrigue: 7
Learning: 1
Piety: 8
Age: 21
Diplomacy: 6
Martial: 4
Stewardship: 1
Intrigue: 7
Learning: 1
Piety: 8
Abraham of Worms
Age: 45
Diplomacy: 7
Martial: 1
Stewardship: 10
Intrigue: 2
Learning: 7
Piety: 10
Age: 45
Diplomacy: 7
Martial: 1
Stewardship: 10
Intrigue: 2
Learning: 7
Piety: 10
Status of the all the Pilgrims in the Crusade:
40,000 Strong.
Morale is High.
Status of your Wing:
195 Pilgrims
250 "Repentant Jews"
Poor Armor for 50 men.
Poor Arms for 75.
Morale is High.
Relationship with Brother Jacob (Order of St. John): 7/10
Relationship with Brother Thomas (Order of St. John): 7/10
Relationship with Brother Friedrich (Order of St. John): 1/10
Relationship with Vindicator Gunther: 1/10
40,000 Strong.
Morale is High.
Status of your Wing:
195 Pilgrims
250 "Repentant Jews"
Poor Armor for 50 men.
Poor Arms for 75.
Morale is High.
Relationship with Brother Jacob (Order of St. John): 7/10
Relationship with Brother Thomas (Order of St. John): 7/10
Relationship with Brother Friedrich (Order of St. John): 1/10
Relationship with Vindicator Gunther: 1/10