So today started with good news and bad news.

The bad news, my only granddaughter, and firstborn of my heir, died of Pneumonia, severing the tie between my family and that of King William the Conqueror. Damn, there goes that alliance.

The good news is I now understand events. Time to throw a feast. “Come to Thormond to have a great feast and cele- *ahem* commemorate the death of my granddaughter.” Murchad is pretty heartless at times.

The next few days are spent making repairs to the castle, and preparing for the feast. I cut no corners, and pay the full costs. This is going to be the greatest feast my men will ever witness.

Invites are sent out to all 3 of my vassals, and all agree to come. All three enjoy the feast greatly, and I get a massive +7 to my diplomacy for a year! And to general relations as well!

However, two things occur. Firstly, Mayor Iacob of Limerick refused my offer of wine, lowering my opinion of him. Ah well.

Secondly, the Earl of Ormond, my other territory, praised the food to the other guests, so now we both have 100 as our opinions of each other. That’ll make diplomacy with him easy.

Speaking of Diplomacy, apparently Early Tagd was wounded while hunting and died last year, being replaced by his brother Cormac. I hadn’t noticed.

I set my spymaster to try and kill this Earl, to see if he fares better. Just to be on the safe side I hire one of his courtiers to help me.

Of course, nothing happens. Because my spymaster is useless.

Meanwhile, I arrange a betrothal between my grandson Murchad and the daughter of the Hungarian King, Salomon. That’s about five Royal families I can now call to help me if I go to war. Or alternatively, families I can refuse to go help because by the time my levies reach their country the war will be over. Of course, I wonder how many of them will say “Nah, I’m good thanks.” when I ask for help. Probably most of them.

That in mind I check how my assassination attempt is coming along. Still not dead. Shame. I know, I’ll get someone else in on it, that’ll work! I invite Cellachan Mac Carthaigh into my plot. Within a week he’s revealed it in a drunken stupor. Cormac now hates me, but apparently nobody else cares.

Suddenly, I notice something. There’s a revolt going on in Ormond! Apparently a heretic fortress slipped past my notice and now they’re trying to take control.

I send in my army. It’s promptly crushed. Huh, didn’t expect that.

I go for plan B: Mercenaries. I hire a band of 1200 soldiers, who promptly drive off the rebels. I banish the guy who was leading the heretics, and end the mercenaries’ contract, thanking them for their help.

Sadly, my close friend and trusted ally, the Earl of Ormond, dies due to severe stress. His son inherits. That’s okay, the son also thinks I’m amazing. I check out his character page.

He has the highest intrigue out of anyone in my court, 2 more than my current spymaster. I see a plan coming on. I retire my current spymaster and hire Olav.

Three things happen. Almost immediately he discovers a spy, who I behead. He also discovers a plot on his own life. I imprison the plotter, and then forget about her.

The third thing that happens, Earl Cormac of Desmond dies suddenly in an “accident”. It took me nearly 20 years to kill those two brothers. But now the ten-year-old son inherits. Surely he’ll be more open to my offer of vassa- nope. No dice.

Okay, I’m bored of this. I have more men than him, and I have now got two claims on his land, since apparently I married my spymaster, you know, the one who spent four years trying to kill him, to one of his court.

I go with the De Jure claim, and raise my army. I call for allies, just in case. They all say “Nah, I’m good thanks.”

The war is going quite well. I take the capital, Cork, in under a month, and move on to the city and bishopric.

And then I die. Of natural causes, but it’s still quite a nuisance, I must admit.

My firstborn, Brian, takes over.

Brian is, understandably, not too happy about his father’s death. Blaming the young Earl’s refusal to surrender Desmond peacefully for his father’s death, he puts out a contract on him. On a ten-year-old. Where Murchad was vengeful, but restrained, Brian is not going to rest until he sees the whole of Ireland bow to his father’s family name.

Rallying the army, he crushes the last defenses of Desmond, and brings the War Counter up to 100%.

The Earl takes the hint and surrenders the land.

Desmond belongs to Ua Briain.

Brian disbands the armies, apologising to his vassals for having them out so long. Thankfully, they still like him. Well, the Bishop hates him less than when he took the throne, he’s gone from negative to slightly positive. That’s something, I guess.

Brian considers leaving the hit out on the Earl, as a warning to those who would oppose his family, but decides better of it. He’s only a child. He can stay as Earl, too. But if he tries anything he goes straight to the chopping block.

He may be a child but he’s the reason Brian’s father didn’t live to see his dream of uniting Munster come to pass.

Brian kneels by the tombstone, placing his fathers sword across the grave.

“We did it dad. We finally did it. Desmond aknowledges our rule. I know it’s not Ireland… but it’s a start right?”

Climbing to his feet, he turns to leave.

“But don’t worry. I will finish what you started. Ireland will belong to the Au Briains. I’ll make you proud, father.”