This is just a fun idea, playing with the CK2 Animal World randomization. The idea is I would pause periodically, maybe once every 3 months if interesting stuff is happening, as well as when an interrupt (war dec, sabotage, ruler dying types). I would attempt to carry out your plans with my beginner skills. I've played through several games and I'm starting to pick up the ideas, but it will all depend on you.
I generated a Random World with a higher than normal percentage of Female rulers as well as the Animal World setting. So every Empire, Kingdom, Duchy etc. is controlled by animals.
Here are 4 choices. I need to get votes quickly because I will have to leave CK2 open while waiting for the votes, so I can start with the power you picked.
I just bought the Rajas of India DLC, because the Hijalzian empire has that expansion's playstyle. It looks like the Hijalzian Empire is an interesting fusion of Byzantium and India. Maybe it's not Byzantium? The purple color fooled me.
I already had the DLC for the tribal and muslin ruler. I don't have the Jewish ruler expansion. Even though the game randomizes the world, they still show kingdoms as belonging to those different DLCs if their Kingdom follows those rulesets.
I looked for a Horse Empress or Queen. Couldn't find any horses kingdoms for a long time. Just endless kitty kingdoms and duchies. Plenty of Dragons near moony. Dogs. Porcupines (which I played on my first Animal World).
I finally found a High Chief Golden in the way east. You can vote for them if you want.
The old well-flown paths of the New Moon were tiresome to her. She felt a fresh draft, a light heart ready to take a different path.
Her eggs were kept in the most splendorous treasure box of her palace and hidden away in her warming hut. This were her beauties, her lovies, and in a few years her first would be cracking the egg. It was a good hearty egg, so only her true heir could break through.
She could sense that she would have three daughters if they all made their first flights.
Ryujin's family was no one in particular, so she would have made him lay on the eggs all day, but he was cute and he knew how to fight, so for now, he was her war leader. He had been cute, and she loved putting her vassals and family in an uproar by marrying "Low" as they called it.
There would be no council while the moon lay hidden in it's own egg. But the informal council dinner still was where the matters of lesser import were brought. Her vassals would send their representatives.
She had been convinced that an Elephant would make a better diplomat, it was good to look at everything today and see if a new perspective was warranted.
[ ] Choose a Dragon chancellor
[ ] Keep Duke Baal, the Elephant as chancellor
Duke Baal, 19 diplomacy, Elephant
Mayor Fafner, 16 diplomacy, Dragon
Other than your words, you knew how to be observant of the hidden meanings around you. You'd spent enough time with Ryujin in places best not remembered, to hone your skills.
They didn't meet in the traditional manner, since it was a New Moon, but sat on the ground around the vast dinner table which was Dragon sized.
There was murmuring and complaining especially from the ladies of Lusignan and Evraux. They were barely tolerating her at all. Such brave countesses to face her, but she would undo their plans before they began.
"The New Moon has prophesied change to me. A fresh wind blows through our wings. What will be do with this portent. What do we plan for this mooncycle?
Do we show our claws, or strengthen my hoard? The Elephants across the sea? Duke Baal, perhaps you have some claim on them that would be quite a good excuse for some romping?"
"I have no claims beyond Cornwall, my lady liege," the Duke said.
"Then those moon-disrespecting Dragons in my own backyard. Or should we prepare and solidify my hoard, and look to our nests?"
There will be a lot more going on, once all these characters have had a month to do stuff. I'll start with monthly turns since it fit's the Moony theme. If you want to see any other screens just request them.
Vote:
War Footing [ ] Plan for a War
[ ] Work on Peacefully Improving
Lindy's Goal [ ] Goal: Amass a Treasury
[ ] Goal: Have a Son
[ ] Goal: Become Exalted
I think Seduction is unlikely for her character. She's very found of Ryujin, she chose him for a reason. And Theology would only work in a very practical, ritualistic way, but the religion assigned to her doesn't really fit great with the rest of the story pieces.
Extra
[ ] Oust Countess of Evreaux from Commander position
[ ] Do Not Oust Countress of Evreaux
She's one of the two counts that doesn't like you.
Technical:
Law: Absolute Cognatic Gavelkind
I turned on Full Status of Women at the settings screen, because I wanted to have more women leaders.
Religion causes penalties after too long without war, but allows keeping Vassal armies raised with no penalty
Raiding is also allowable.
Please comment on any plans and ideas beyond these votes.
If a topic isn't voted on I'll try to choose what fits with the other votes.
There was almost nothing going on, so I planned to go 3 lunar months until April 8, 867, but we were interrupted before that with a pop up.
There were happenings north of us, a war between Duchess Deathwing and King Morzas.
We were interrupted by Duke Baal on March 25. Minor decision, but the most significant thing happening during this time. March 25 is the day after the full moon.
Ministers:
1. Duke Baal works on Improving Relations with King Typhos of Rainbowscaleine
2. King Ryujin researching military tech
3. Count Draco collects taxes from Saintonge
4. Duchess Norberta stationed in Evreaux to discourage seditious acts and underground faction talk.
5. Chaplain Wyrm in Maine to convert the county to Goldclawish.
1. King Ryujin is Designated Regent for Queen Lindy
Lindy accumulated 27 more gold of treasure for the vaults.
Story:
Duke Baal (chancellor)
"She could have sent me across the channel to speak well of her Dragoness, but she sends me to King Typhos, the Multi-colored one," Chancellor and Duke Baal said to his servants for the tenth time.
It was hard for him to discern the styling of the dragons, even after all the time he had been vassal of the Dragon queen. It was obvious that Typhos was different. His face was not so different, being red like King Ryujin, but his scales had chromatic colors, that were the distinctive markings of his royal line.
"Your moon queen should have shown her own face here. Did she send you as a morsel to eat? And yet, I cannot eat a Duke, they are bitter tasting. What of your visit?" King Typhos said.
Baal flared his trunk making a sounding retort. "Queen Lindwurm the Magnificent would like to bring our kingdoms into closer kinship. That we would work together, and find common cause against our foes."
"She could have chosen my own kin to make a bond, instead she chose some random farmer or street dragon to make her nest with."
"There are other generations, Lord. My Queen has egg-daughters, three of them. I am unfamiliar with the ways of your kind, but perhaps someday they may be a far choice for your own dragon calfs?"
"Whelps, you Elephant. We are preparing to do battle against the Quillborn southrons. We will not allow them to still hold our favorite hill. It was a good hill of old, suitable for many nests."
"Queen Lindwurm is much fond of hills and nests."
"Perhaps after our war, we will speak to you again, Elephant. For now, begone!"
Duchess Norberta (intrigue)
"Dear Queen, I have seen no signs yet of foul actions from Countess Jesasdess. She is an ardent practioner of that wrong-headed branch of the faith. She has suspicions of me, but nonetheless, I continue my friendly visit with the Countess. The Chaplain has much work to do with the schisms among your vassals."
Queen Lindy
"There is war over Dijon, my husband?" she asked Ryujin.
"Duchess Deathwing is very confident she can challenge King Morzas. It's hard to say how that would go, my fair."
They were perched together in the warming hut, glowing about their eggs and matters around. It was very quite in the Kingdom, too quiet.
"Rainbowscaleine is going against the Quill. I fear for King Typhos' scales, not for his armies," she told him.
"The Southron folk are many. Weak but clever, retorting with more power that they should dare."
The sound of an elephant disturbed their companionship, and Lindy stomped outward.
Duke Baal was back from Rainbowscaleine, and his truck was carrying the vilest of liquors.
"Queen Lindy, let's party. It's the full moon and my thirst is overpowering. King Typhos left me without a drop!"
[ ] Yes. Go Dine and Drink with Duke Baal
[ ] No. Rebuff Duke Baal.
(Had to have some kind of vote because nothing happened but our neighbors warring with other neighbors, and Lindy building her hoard a bit. This interrupt was perfect.)
Tie vote. Roll resulted in saying: "No. Rebuff Duke Baal."
1. Countess Nyx of Sens starts Faction for Elective Succession.
2. Queen Lindy takes care of her heir Princess Deathwing.
3. Count Batyr of Devon tries to seduce Lindy but she says never going to happen. (I don't like how the Seduction events imply that your character is interested, so I implied that Lindy was just trying to determine what the Count was up to. I will omit and modify event descriptions if they don't fit right.)
4. Count Batyr is trying to fabricate a claim on Duke Baal's Haaetheia.
Queen Lindy:
Count Batyr was a disruptive element in her councils. She could tell Duke Baal didn't like his vassal very much and the feeling was mutual.
She was shrewd enough to not let her feelings be known, but instead discern the Count's intentions.
"You are surely much more beautiful that my liegewife Dhriti. Your wings flutter with the grace of the air and all animals know of your might."
She went along with this. "You are solid, Dear Count. Wise and Robust in your leadership. We expect greatness across the channel from you. Is it not the Isle that speaks out your name?"
"If I reign as King, I can think of no greater queen than thee. Let the moon overshadow me, oh Cosmic Egg!" the Count overdid it.
Could he not see that even she must reject such folly as that foreign God. She treasured her eggchildren, but there was not Cosmic Egg looking out for them. Eggs must be protected not worshiped.
"The Five Craftmen fashion the world, Count Batyr. Do you think I am a fool, or you an Elephant with tusk reaching so far? You are mad to think I would ever be interested in your foul impulses. Go, return to your County and be thankful you remain Lord in title if not in deed."
Count Batyr was shameless indeed to go after her like that. The Creed of the Tusk was weird. Those who did not lay eggs worshiped a great Cosmic egg, ridiculous! None who knew of egg-laying would do so.
It was time by the moon charts to begin to speak to her firstborn. To encourage and tutor her that she might break forth. Dearest Ryujin wanted to call her Deathwing, but you knew of counts and dukes and many of that name, and there was even the Duchy of Deathwingia. Perhaps another name would be better.
Vote:
(Choose 1)
[ ] Try to intervene on behalf of Duke Baal against Count Batyr's claim seeking.
Not sure exactly what I can do to help Duke Baal, but I'll try if this is chosen.
[ ] Pressure Countess Nyx to stop gathering supporters for Elective Succession.
[ ] Fabricate a Claim on lands
- [ ] British Isles holdings
- [ ] French area holdings
We'll work through the details if this is picked. [ ] Other, Write In
[ ] None of the Above.
Name Vote:
Name for Firstborn of Lindy and Ryujin
[ ] Keep the assigned name Deathwing
[ ] Choose a new name: (write in here)
2. I didn't see any overt way to stop Nyx's faction, and Lindy doesn't want to pay her off. She likes her hoard. Since Lindy has intrigue focus, started spying on Nyx.
3. Let the Church pay for their play. My Gold! Didn't stop the voting for this event, as refusing to pay for the Church Miracle play seemed to fit Lindy's character.
4. Event popup. Should we make up something to defame Countess Nyx.
Lindy
"How is Libelle going to be a great Queen without a strong name like Deathwing?" King Ryujin was arguing in his gentle careful way.
"Every dragon around is named Deathwing. If you've got 10 cousins named Deathwing, does that sound intimidating. No, Libelle is unique, she may be a little but her roar will make people take note. I haven't felt the portents one way or another, but I just want my whelp to be amazing!"
Duchess Norberta interrupted them. "What ... do you want .. me to look for?"
She had been waiting after Lindy give her orders that morning.
"Whatever Countess Nyx is doing that makes her think she can get away with cavorting and flying flags of sedition. What can we dig up about her to put this Elective story down?"
Norberta brought her tail down onto the ground. "I do not know .. perhaps Countess Nyx does not have any filth. I will have to look."
Lindy was feeling good about the name Libelle for her firstborn. They were seated looking out over the battlements, watching the sun descending, the summer heat leaving their wings, replaced by night cool winds.
She had not seen Chaplain Wyrm in a long time. He was no one special, but he was smart and trusted by Pope Marinus. He had been busy converting some of her lands from the aberrant Kytrappanist which was a close cousin of Goldclaw according to Wyrm.
Wyrm's dropped from the sky behind Ryujin and her. He did not pause for long but started immediately.
"The dragonkin need the stories of old to be told again and again. There's an old play enacting the play wherein the Five Craftmen cut his arms off, forming the world's parts. The tale of his enemies, and his sacrifice will be sure to motivate the people. We need coin to get started."
Ryujin sensed her mood and launched himself into the sky.
Lindy, get a hold of yourself. Maybe this chaplain is just asking for a few coins, she thought to herself. "How much?"
"Hmm, around 25 gold. It's quite the impressive production plan."
"You want to take a fifth of my hoard for some religious play!?" she shouted, causing a whipping wind with the movement of her wings.
She watched angrily as Wyrm considered whether to say something more.
Norberta
It was soo quiet in Countess Nyx's court. The Countess and her husband (also Chancellor) Wyrm were arguing again. No one was much fond of Nyx but there was little chance of Nyx slipping up as a result.
It was dinners with Nyx's court and conversations with her courtier. Being a real nuisance while official being merely a visitor enjoying Nyx's hospitality. There wasn't any dirt she could find on Nyx, but one the many people not fond of the countess suggested, "I was thinking about spreading the rumor: "She has an imaginary friend called Bappo!"
It wouldn't take long for such a funny and humiliating story to spread. It would do right to ask the Queen herself about how to proceed.
Vote on Event
[ ] Spread the Rumor that Countess Nyx has an Imaginary Friend called Bappo
2. Duke Baal succeeds in improving relations with King Typhos
Duke Baal
What Dragon king wouldn't be out on campaign with his army, but King Typhos was at home.
Half the times Baal saw him, Typhos would snap at him, with a bitter word, or taunt him with flight. But other times, he asked after Queen Lindy.
As a chancellor and Duke, Baal knew that there were several layers of strategies when trying to change someone's opinion. The first layer was the direct. Speaking directly about Queen Lindy's good qualities was the first layer. That had failed, as it did with most shrewd leaders.
The second layer was familiarity and regularity. King Typhos began to ask about Lindy, and Baal supplied true insight. She was uncomfortably honest, but learning to speak with sweetness. She was peaceful, observant of the wider world and interested in the stars and of course the moon and it's portents.
She was centered in her family, even as she operated in the observant mode. She wasn't just a famiy woman though, she brought in her advisors and her circle of contacts into the family life. She was aware of the Kingdom as widely as one person could be. In military matters she defered to her husband near completely.
Baal told King Typhos all of this, and more anecdotes, spread across months, and eventually it was obvious that King Typhos admired her, and was fondly disposed towards the Kingdom of Moony.
Perhaps his next assignment would take him to the British Isles, he would appreciate it.
Vote:
Where should Duke Baal be sent next?
[ ] Duchess Deathwing of Deathwingia (The Duchess is at war with Mortzas)
[ ] King Mortzas of Rackartny Kingdom to the East
[ ] King Nyx of Nyxia Kingdom to the North
[ ] Duchess Jaina of New Ivoria British Isles, near London
