Oh man... to say that I'm really engrossed in the Medieval intrigue/diplomacy/economy/war simulator that is Crusader Kings 3 would be a huge understatement! There is just so much to devour here, and all the emergent stories that are coming out with the leading of my Irish dynasty are just so amazing... the small stories of adultery and backstabbing by those closest to me, the betrayal of vassals... and the slow vengeance wreaked in return upon descendants!

I will have a proper review of the game out soon... when I can tear myself away from the game! Promise!

Well... this game has be completely hooked, just like Stellaris had me in it's clutches a year or so ago... and a staple of these games is the After Action Report (AAR) where players share their evolving experiences with their empires (or humble backwaters)... which reminds me, my Stellaris game is STILL going and hasn't seen the light of day for a few months!

So, here is my first AAR for my current game of Crusader Kings 3... I'm now into the 4th heir of my dynasty and currently still bound by the Catholic adherence to Male succession only... It is one of my goals to change that when I can, I've had some great female characters in my families... but they have had to sit it out... or act as alliance enablers. Some of those could have been great rulers... and some of the "rulers" would have made better wedding chattel.

So, my High King Artucan is the reigning King of Ireland after his grandfather created the Kingdom of Ireland and installed himself on it... and swayed the vassals of the various counties and earldoms to his banner (and smashing those who didn't see the light). Artucan's father passed away after discovering a murder plot against him... there was some doubt about the legitimacy of his rule as his parentage was subject to a bit of a dark secret.

However, all of that is in the past as Artucan is now the unchallenged ruler of the Irish Island and also a little bit of Scotland as well. Arctucan has some allies by marriage and diplomacy on the mainland of Europe (Zeeland, German States and Castille)... but these alliance as are fleeting, lasting only as long as the people who embody them survive the machinations of the royal courts.

Speaking of Castille... it might be time to dump them as allies as they seem to be continually fighting for survival against the Kingdom of Leon and the Moorish kingdoms that occupy the Spanish Peninsula. I've had several trips down there with my armies to bail them out... and it is starting to get quite tiresome! I am considering switching to the support of Leon or Aragon... or just staying out of it all!

In the North, the Scottish Kingdom has some claims on the Earldoms that "persuaded" away from their lands.... it will be a constant threat until I put them down. However, they are cowed at the moment as I have a much stronger military backed by a web of alliances that they can not hope to beat. So, if push comes to shove... I will push quite hard!

Meanwhile, I am toying with the idea of crushing a religious awakening in the nearby Welsh kingdoms. A Heretic ruler has started the idea of Messaliaanism... which is a order of Christianity which prizes the worship of God via the satisfaction of carnal lusts! All of which is anathema to my ruler's Catholic sensibilities (Crusader Kings 3 highly encourages the roleplay of your ruler's preferences with the Stress mechanic)... It might be time soon for a religious war to put these heathens to the torch... and to expand my kingdom a little bit as well!

However, this will take some preparation... my economy isn't really in good shape at the moment, and it will require a few decades to set things on a more even footing. I'm a bit concerned that many of my Councillors are completely useless in the running of a country. I think I will need to recruit some more useful people into my court! Or change people's minds about the skill of female leaders... forcefully change if neccessary!

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