Reply With QuoteCool, and you have my sword.
It is the 8th of February in the year of our lord, 1129 AD. I was at my father's bed side last night, the doctor said he had been getting worse and worse. His mind had been slipping ever since her formed the empire two years prior. When his mind began to fade, his body was following shortly thereafter. I don't know what was going through his mind in his last years, but with his completion of his mother, my namesake's, dream... it was like his spirit was done, his soul knew it could take a rest in the bosom of the heavenly mother, the sweet virgin. He had so many of us to tend to, and he divided the Empire between us all. But me, I was given nothing in his life. The eldest child, and gained nothing from it.
But on his death bed, he revealed his final thoughts to me, and the doctor, and our gathered family. His children and grandchildren. I was to inherit the throne, and become the Empress.
There was no small amount of anger from my siblings over this. I had a bastard son, I had done the least with my life to this point. But he told me, he had raised me, trained me unto my adulthood, to be ready for this. Thinking back to the times of my youth, it was true. After every campaign, he would have me come to the new castle, the new Dukedom, the new Kingdom. He had me travel with him in war, and in peace. It was his plan. Only my sister, the Antipope, seemed aware of this. She was my truest friend among my sisters and brothers, and perhaps held some degree of sympathy for me, she herself having a bastard son as well, despite her vows to never marry, nor be with a man.
It was late this own evening that we met in my father's Great Hall to speak with our advisers. She told me of all he had done with her, setting her up as a religious head, so as to keep calm the expanding empire. She vowed to serve me as she had our father, that she would not allow the empire to crumble because she was not at its head. My siblings, each among those who remained, had claims and rule in my new empire. The youngest of us, my brother, seemed the most jealous of this, having spent much time in Ryazan with our mother, and their way of doing things. Women would not inherit as men did. My first act was to appease him, by making him my Chancellor, a great adviser. He had his kingdom still, and this position with the Empire, and when our mother is to die, he'll have the Princedom of Ryazan as well.
Maybe my father is right. Maybe I will rule with a just hand, and a level head.
Cool, and you have my sword.
I shall join the armies of Hispamia.
You've got my levies as well.
Spammers will be employed as 'title names' for people. Such as _____ the Fox of ______ and what have you.
Anyway, 2 days have passed.
10th of February, in the year of our lord 1129. A celebration was held for the dual honors of my birthday, and of my acquisition of the imperial throne. There were much festivities, as my brother and sisters came to pay tribute to my station and life. There was a great feast, and many gifts, as, her father would have, the festivities are allowed to pour into the streets. The cities and villages are not only granted to celebrate, but cordially invited to do such. The treasury opens to provide the empire with funds for a party for every loyal subject.
I was pleased to see the turnout, and the massive feast prepared for myself and my family, and my nobles themselves. The food was wondrous as ever, and the entertainment worth every bit of silver given for it. My sister Munia was specially glad at the party. However, after many drinks and hams and birds, she pulled me aside for a talk. She told me about how after the dementia of my father had begun to spread, there were those of the Empire who had begun to ignore her word as a holy figure, made worse by her bastard child. People were beginning to fall in line with the normal Pope in Rome, instead of her. This would be worrying for both her for obvious reasons, but for myself. I could not rely on her as my father did if the Pope is to become official over us.
It was then that she suggested a plot, an assassination of Pope Vitalian II. With his death, there was a chance that she could become the true Pope recognized by all of Europe. She made promises to use this power to help me, and I trust her completely. I have not used my training to date, but I'm sure I can find people to aid me in Italy. Munia herself says there is already much discontent in Rome over the new Pope already. I shall seek to exploit this.
- - - Updated - - -
25th of February in the year of our Lord 1129. Munia wasn't joking when she said there were those in the Papacy that sought the death of the new Pope. Every single mayor and nobleman was willing to throw their lot in with my plot.
You have my...whatever you need.
I feel like I would work best as a Muslim or a Mongol. Or as an Aztec if you've got Sunset Invasions.
You have my sword (or w.e)
Glory Fades
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Originally Posted by Sophistikit and her comic
