But if you want to create a unique and interesting character, you can always do so yourself.
Here are some tips for choosing characters in the French region:
- Look at the starting situation. What is the character’s position? What are their goals? How do they interact with other characters?
- Consider the personality of the character. Are they ambitious? Stubborn? Loyal? How do their traits affect their interactions with others?
- Think about how the character would react in different situations. Would they be calm under pressure or would they panic? Would they be decisive or indecisive? Would they be able to think on their feet or would they freeze up in a crisis?
- Finally, consider what kind of personality you want your character to have and then look for a character who matches that description. ..
While the game does suggest a couple of the characters on this list by default, France hides many more gems.
10. Ekkehard Nibelunging, Count of Chalon, 867
The count of Chalon in the 867 starting date is a member of House Nibelunging. It’s a cadet branch representing Carolingian rulers in Burgundy. Distantly related to Carolingian monarchs on the various thrones of Europe, you need to forge your destiny from zero.
This means that you can enjoy all the prestige of the Karling dynasty without having to immediately partake in the power struggle for the Frankish imperial inheritance.
The unification of Burgundy is an open question that will require careful planning from your part.split between three kingdoms, acquiring all the necessary land to finally unite Burgundy will require masterful maneuvering from your part!
9. Philippe Capet, King of France, 1066
In 1066, the adolescent French king, Charles the Bald, couldn’t be present in our list because he was on Crusade.
I contemplated putting him higher up, but I know that a lot of people dislike beginning the game as an already established power.
Your position on the throne is far from stable, as you are not the only one who has to worry about their safety. Your opponents are also looking to take advantage of your inexperience and lack of experience.
Philippe will face factions demanding more rights and even outright independence as he grows older.
After consolidating the realm, you can attempt to recreate the modern French borders by expanding east or crusading with the Pope and establish your dynasty in Jerusalem.
If you’re looking to hone your skills in managing large realms with powerful vassals, then this workshop is highly recommended. ..
8. William de Normandie, Duke of Normandy, 1066
William, the Bastard, is one of the most interesting characters in 1066. He is still known as the Bastard, but he will soon be known as the Conqueror. ..
England’s World Cup-winning captain, Steven Gerrard, is higher up on this list than his team-mate and compatriot, Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney. Gerrard has been in the England team for more years and has won more caps than Rooney. He is also a better player, having won three Premier League titles and two FA Cups with Liverpool.
You start the game in a three-way free for all for the English throne. Successfully overpowering the Anglo-Saxons and the Norwegians will land you on the English throne. All land south of Mercia will be yours to distribute among your loyal followers.
You must embrace English culture and solidify your rule in the north if you want to achieve the French throne. You must keep control of Normandy if you want to expand into France and eventually achieve what middle-age English monarchs always coveted: The French throne.
When you conquer an English Kingdom, its coat of arms and duchies change. If you’re also the King of France, the Kingdom changes again to a mix of the French and English CoA. Try it out! ..
7. Bertrand Bosonid, Duke of Provence, 1066
A young woman walks down a quiet street in the southern part of Burgundy, her eyes scanning the shops and storefronts for something she can’t find. She’s lost her way and is about to give up when she sees a shop with a sign that says “Burgundy wines.” The woman decides to enter, and soon realizes that this is not just any wine shop. This is the wine shop of the king’s brother, who runs it. The woman is surprised to see him there, and he greets her warmly. They chat for a while, and eventually decide to buy some wine.
Bertrand’s peculiarity is that he starts as a vassal of the HRE rather than France. This gives him a distinctively different early campaign than most characters on the list.
Bertrand has consolidated the Burgundy region and can easily conquer the rest through force or guile. Then you can decide to either stay loyal to the German Kaiser or opposing him and achieving independence.
You can go independent after securing the Burgundian lands in the HRE, swear fealty to France, conquer French Burgundy, and then create the kingdom through a unique decision.
Your Mediterranean position gives you the option to crusade either for the Pope or on your own.
6. Eudes Robertine, Count of Anjou, 867
Robert the Strong was a legendary hero of France and direct ancestor of all the future Kings of France. Eudes, son of Robert the Strong, is a powerful and influential figure in French society.
Robert the Bruce died at the hands of Salomon and Haesteinn, two of his own kin.
Eudes has succeeded his father while still a child. You have claims on a lot of land in northern France and familial ties in the eastern parts of the Kingdom.
Your father was killed by your uncle, and you must depose him from the dukedom of Anjou in order to avenge his death. Gather allies and depose your uncle so that you can avenge your father’s death.
Eudes, the first king of the Franks, reigned from 888 to 936. His descendants ruled France for more than a thousand years, until the French Revolution in 1789. Can you follow in Eudes’ footsteps and achieve success like he did? ..
5. Boudewijn Vlaanderen, Duke of Flanders, 1066
Baldwin of Flanders has control over a rich realm at the border of France and the HRE. With both his sons ruling nearby counties in the HRE and his daughter married to William de Normandie, he has already set-up the stage for greatness.
Your dynasty will have to use cunning and guile to further its lands in the borderlands between two powerful realms.
If you have heirs who are strong claimants to the French throne, there are multiple options for the future.
Secure a powerbase in the lowlands and eventually unite them in an independent kingdom or usurp the French throne for your dynasty.
If you’re looking to take your game to the next level, then this is the guide for you.
4. Herbert Karling, Count of Vermandois, 1066
Herbert is the direct descendant of Charlemagne, and the only ruler of the senior branch of the Carolingian dynasty. ..
Your father, King George, and Queen Elizabeth are all in attendance.
As any count-to-emperor campaign does, this one plays out as a competition to see who can amass the most power. There are no claims to any titles, so you’ll have to ascend the feudal ladder the old-fashioned way. ..
The shoes you need to fill are not big. They are gigantic. ..
Secure your powerbase, dethrone the pretenders in France and Germany, and restore the Carolingian empire to its days of glory. ..
Luxembourg and Wigeriche can be powerful allies. Use these dynastic ties to your advantage. Aachen is not far away either. ..
Aachen is a great place to rule from, and I suggest seizing it for your own benefit.
3. Antso Vasconia, Duke of Gascogne, 867
Basque is the language of Gascogne, and as such, the duke of Gascogne is Basque. This makes him one of the most important people in that region, and it’s clear that he has a lot to contribute to the community.
Antso or Sancho was a Basque hero who valiantly fought in the Reconquista and against Viking incursions into Gascony.
The Muslim ruler of Navarre, Sancho I, called him the terrible.
Antso declared himself de facto independent from the Carolingian rulers to the north and his family ruled the region until the 11th century.
Basque separatists have all the tools at their disposal, including a strong military and government, to fight back against any invaders.
The Basque lands north of the Pyrenees eventually fell under the control of the Ramnulfid House of Poitou.
Basque separatists have long dreamed of becoming the global center of their culture, and they’re not going to stop until they do. Can you make everyone Basque in your glory?
I’m sorry, Basque. I don’t understand what you’re saying. ..
2. Hæsteinn Hæsteining, Count of Montaigu, 867
Hæsteinn, the Icelandic player who begins the game in France, had to be included in this list.
Hæsteinn is different from any other ruler on this list because he is a great leader.
He’s a man who is said to have raided all the way to Italy! He’s a legendary Viking hero who is said to have raided all the way to Rome!
This is what makes the game so unique.
He has the Whole of Body trait, meaning he is going to live longer than most. Having excellent stats and an heir he shares the Quick trait with, his position is particularly unique. He follows an unreformed religion but starts as feudal.
You can literally do anything and go anywhere starting as Hæsteinn. Varangian adventure your way all the way to the Mediterranean? Easy.
There is a good chance that you can travel to India during the lifetime of the person you are talking to. ..
I’ve been able to unlock a lot of my achievements by becoming him.
Due to this, you will usually start as Hæsteinn and do something whacky. Exactly because his start has no real ties to France, I decided to not put this fan favorite at position #1 – but #2 is great too.
1. Ramnulf Poitiers, Duke of Aquitane, 867
In our latest ranking of the most powerful men in Europe, Ramnulf of Poitou comes out on top. This influential nobleman has been a major player in French politics for many years, and his influence is only growing. He has a strong track record of delivering on his promises, and his policies have helped to improve the economy in his region. Ramnulf is a highly respected figure in France and abroad, and he will continue to be a major player in European politics for years to come. ..
The 1066 start with the same house is also a bit easier, but it’s still fun.
In both start dates, the house of Poitiers is in a position to claim the Kingdom of Aquitaine for themselves. By controlling most Aquitanian counties, they can quickly consolidate their domain and move against the French king.
In 867, your future liege, Luis the Stammerer is your vassal! ..
This is a unique situation that is rarely (if ever) a thing in campaigns.
This start can be one of the most overlooked options for entrepreneurs. With so many options available, it can be hard to know where to start. This is a great opportunity to explore some of the less known options and find what works best for you.
You can embrace either of the two main cultures in your homeland: the Occitan culture and the Basque culture. You can also convert to the pagan Basque faith, meddle in Iberian affairs, or consolidate the kingdom of Aquitaine.
I enjoyed securing Aquitaine for myself and then placing my family members in various thrones in the Mediterranean. Eventually, I switched into a Crusader campaign in the Middle East.
