This page aims to list interesting characters in the game be it because of the unique challenge they offer, their particular situation or their role in history.
For more interesting starts, check the Crusader Kings 2 interesting characters guide page; most characters; most playable characters in 867 or 1066 on the list are also playable in CK III.
867 Start
Christian - Catholic
England
- Ælla/e, King of Northumbria: Having invited the wrath of the Great Heathen Army on not only yourself but the other kingdoms of England too, it'll take a lot more than a snake pit simply to save yourself from being made into a blood eagle. Can you call the bluff of these glorified bandits and throw them back across the sea, or will the ravening pagans have their vengeance?
- Alfred of Wessex, Count of Dorset: As the Vikings push further South, Alfred will fight numerous battles against the Norseman and put an end to the invasion. When he inherits his brother's throne, he becomes one of the greatest English kings throughout history. Will you fulfill Alfred's great destiny, or be crushed by the Great Heathen Army?
East Francia
- Ludwig the German, King of East Francia: An ambitious man, Ludwig has long sought to conquer the pieces of the Empire he considers his birthright. These ambitions have suffered setback after setback, however, as his various military campaigns have all ended in failure and his rebellious sons have pried away most of his lands from his control. Can you reverse Ludwig's misfortunes and regain the empire for his descendants, or are his sons destined to be relegated to a mere footnote in history?
- Prine Karlmann, Duke of Bavaria: The eldest son of Ludwig the German, Karlmann rebelled against his father and forced him to give control over the lands of Bavaria. He will expand this domain in wars with the Slavs to the east and later on even be elected King of Italy - even though an unfortunate stroke will force him to abdicate the thrones of Bavaria and Italy to his younger brothers. He will die just a few years later. With a little luck, will you be able to avoid Karlmann's unfortunate demise and establish a legacy that will last the ages?
- Werner Salian, County of Klingenburg: You are the ancestor of the Salian Dynasty which would later produce four Emperors.
- Liutbert von Babenberg, Count of Karnten: Maybe someone could reverse the family's fate five-hundred years later?
Italy
- Louis II Karling, King of Italy: As the eldest son of Lothair of Middle Francia (himself the eldest son of Emperor Louis the Pious), Louis II is the rightful successor to the entire Frankish Empire. However, Imperial power has diminished so much by the time Louis was crowned Holy Roman Emperor that the title offered no real authority. Though he managed to reclaim the Kingdom of Provence, Louis' uncles and brother, unburned by any sort of allegiance to the Imperial crown, continue to act as they please. Therefore, he's only the King of Italy: none of the other crowned heads of Europe are likely to let go of their titles without a fight. However, as a member of the Karling dynasty, you start as heir to at least one kingdom and highly placed on the succession to several others, so a few discreet assassinations and well-timed claim wars can eventually make you ruler of a good chunk of Western Europe, from which you can create either the Empire of Francia or the Holy Roman Empire, depending on what route you take. Or you could focus your ambitions southward to a territory outside your family's control and eventually crown yourself Emperor of Italia. Historically, saddled with quarrelsome neighbors and an unstable realm, Louis II will die before siring a son. Can you regain all the lost territories of the Empire and reestablish the Imperial Crown as a real power?
- Lambert Guideschi, Duke of Spoleto: Since the fall of the Roman Empire, Italy has been ruled by a succession of barbarians from the north. Your ancestors may have been among them, but you, at least, have Italianised. You are one of the most powerful of the weak King's vassals, and while he may be able to call in his powerful family if you rise against him, you can fall back on your colleagues who are just as hostile to their foreign King, including your brother-in-law in Tuscany. Or should you wish to avoid spoiling fair Italy with bloodshed, the King has two daughters almost ready to be wed. Either way, with the right factions at the right time, the king will be toppled easily, and the Lombards to the south will make easy pickings for you. From there, you can expand at your leisure, but you should be ever mindful of the Byzantines. Perhaps you can even demonstrate that the Italian Renaissance needs no input from heretical Greeks.
Lotharangia
- Lothaire II, King of Lotharingia: Although he is in love with his mistress Waldrada, Lothaire's father forced him into a political union with Teutberga. Their union produced no children, and Lothaire's life has been a continuous struggle to divorce his wife and get his bastard children legitimized. Though he never stops trying, Lothaire will go on to die without a legal heir. Can you overcome the machinations of those who plot against you and ensure the continuation of your house?
Sicily
- Gregorios, Count of Neapolis: You are an aging Greek Orthodox one-province count. In 867, you've got Lombards, Franks, and Muslims to deal with, most of them more powerful than you, to say nothing of the fact that most of your sons are celibate. The Pope (and Rome) is just two provinces away! But you know what? You can beat them all. Of course, the easy way out is to swear fealty the ERE or whatever other powerful neighbors you can find, but why should you? There is immense satisfaction in becoming an independent Despot against all the odds.
Wales
- Rhodri 'the Great' Aberffraw, Petty King of Gwynedd Welsh Duke with 8 kids. But who knows, maybe you will be able to make him great? Oh. Nope. He already has 'the Great' nickname...
West Francia
- Charles the Bold, King of France: At the time of Charles' birth, his fully grown half-brothers already ruled their own kingdoms within the Carolingian Empire. Without a crown of his own, he became known as 'the Bald,' though he eventually did inherit Aquitaine and West Francia. In the future, he will even inherit Italy and the Holy Roman Empire itself, but his line will not persevere - his last grandson will die childless just seven years after his own. Can you change the course of history and ensure a long and prosperous line of Charles' descendants?
- Louis II "the Stammerer" Karling, Count of Bellac: Louis II of Aquitaine was a ruler famous, and named so, for his physical weaknesses. He was crowned twice, the second time by Pope John VIII, after succeeding his father's rule of West Francia. Three of his sons would become kings of West Francia, the last known as Charles III the Simple, with a reputation of being straightforward. You start as a count in West Francia. You'll have a lot of decisions to make with Karling Lotharingia to the east, Karling Italy to your south-east, Muslims just across the mountains to the south, and Asturias needs help to your south-west. Just putting your own house in order and maintaining independence will be tough, but you also stand to inherit the Kingdom of West Francia and finally unite France. Then what direction will you focus on? Turn back the Moors? Try to retroactively outdo Napoleon? Who knows?
- Eudes Capet, Count of Chartres: In July of 866, the Viking raider Haesteinn slew Eude's father Robert the Strong. Mere months later, his mother, Adelais, died giving birth to his brother Robert. The world is cruel, and the future might seem uncertain, but the orphan boys are destined to sit upon the French throne. Their descendants, the Capets, will rule France for centuries to come. Can you navigate the treacherous politics of medieval France and fulfill the destiny of the Robertine brothers?
Christian - Coptic
Makuria
- King Zakharias of Makuria: You rule what is easily the most powerful realm in Nubia, with lots of small counties and chiefdoms just waiting to be conquered, with good martial and a young son to match. If you can buy the Tulunids off long enough to take some more land, you might just be able to declare yourself a true king of all Nubia. From there, the world is your oyster. Reestablish Coptic power by invading Egypt? Form the Empire of Abyssinia? You can do anything from here. And all it takes is some money, cunning, and a little bit of luck!
Christian - Nestorian
Socotra
- Denha Yaballahah, Emir of Socotra - Unfortunately, keeping Nestorian Socotra independent for as long as the real Socotrans did will be difficult, to say the least. In-game, your duchy is titular, and Socotra itself is part of the Duchy of Mahra, meaning the Muslims over on the peninsula don't just have a CB against you, they have a choice of CBs against you. Everyone on the mainland has a bigger demesne then you, so you'll have to pick your target carefully and stay on the offensive. If you can survive and grow in the early years, Socotra is effectively the crossroads of the East in CK2, so you can expand wherever you want, Africa, Arabia, India, Persia, or all of the above.
Christian - Orthodox
Byzantine Empire
- Count Leon Phokas, County of Seleukia: You are the father to Nikephoros Phokas the Elder and great grandfather to Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas. The perfect start for the ultimate martial dynasty to lead the Empire back to glory.
Dualist - Manichean
Duchy of Qocho
- Duke of Qocho, Borç Idiqut - Starting as an Uyghur Manichean Duke, your rule is immediately under threat due to a significant amount of your realm being Tocharian Buddhists and the fact you are an easy raiding target for the numerous nomadic clans to the north.
Islam - Ibadism
Tahert
- Emir Aflah Rustamid. You are the Berber Emir of Alger, an adherent of a Muslim sect that predates the Shia-Sunni schism, and you represent the group of them that fled to North Africa. Your neighbors are the Sunni Aghlabid sultans of Africa to the East, the Shia Idrisid sultans of Mauretania, and to the North just across the sea, the Umayyads and the Karlings. All of the above are more powerful than you, and they can all declare Holy War on you... Can you claim Mecca and Medina for your creed and establish your Caliphate?
Islam - Ash'arism
Arabian Empire
- Al-Mu'tazz, Badshah of Abbasid (Arabian) Empire & Sunni Caliph Theoretically, Al-Mu'tazz should be the most powerful man in the Islamic world. But the youngest Caliph since the establishment of the institution is an indulgent wastrel: greedy, cynical, arbitrary, lustful, and callous. He is beset by powerful vassals, ready to rebel, including his half-brothers Al-Muwaffak and Al-Mu'tamid. Historically, he was one of the Caliphs who ruled during the "Anarchy at Samarra." His reign (and the reigns of his two predecessors) were marked by a tremendous loss of power by the Caliphs to regional emirs. Can you turn around the historical decline of the Caliphate? Alternatively, you can play as one of Al-Mu'tazz's arguably more deserving brothers, Al-Muwaffak or Al-Mu'tamid, and try to overthrow your corrupt ruler and claim the Caliphate for yourself. Note: May not be as easy as it looks.
- Aarif Dofharid, Chief of Dhufar You start as an independent tribal chief on the shore of the Indian Ocean, and your neighbors, the Ibadi tribe of Mahra, are ripe for conquest. That’s enough to form the Duchy of Mhara, but beware: you’ll have to contend with the Abbasids, the Abyssinians, and potentially even the Pratiharans.
Judaism - Haymanot
Abyssinia
- Dawit I Gideon, Duke of Semien
Judaism - Kabarite
Khazaria
- Manasseh II Bulanid, Khan of Khazaria
Pagan - Bori
Hausaland
- Daurama Daura, Countess of Daura: As the last Magajiya of Daura, Daurama is a symbol of the old ways of the Hausa people. Her new husband, Bayajiddah (originally from Iraq), represents change, as more and more outsiders flock to Hausaland, bringing their strange faiths and cultures with them. Daurama is set to go down in history as the last Magajiva, but does she have to be?
Pagan - Norse
Brittany
- Haesteinn, Chief of Nantes: Through cunning and courage, Jarl Haesteinn has become a rich man. After leading a lucrative raid through the Mediterranean together with Bjorn Ironside, Haesteinn has settled in Brittany. The Franks have coffers ready for picking, and a mighty Viking warrior makes a great ally in times of political turmoil. Fortune does not come without enemies, however. Will Haesteinn's greed get the better of him, or will his dynasty prosper under your guidance?
Denmark
- Holmger Hammer, Chief of Bornholm (Burgundaholmr) Note: officially has the best dynasty name.
- Sigurdr 'Snake-in-the-Eye,' Duke of Sjaelland: AS his brothers sailed off to England to exact their revenge, Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye stayed behind to rule his father's lands. Ragnarr Lodbrok has left him some very large boots to fill. Sigurd's descendants will be kings of Denmark, Norway, and England for well over a century. Can you fulfill the destiny of his dynasty?
England
- Halfdan Whiteshirt: The first wave of the invasion has gone very well for Halfdan Whitesirt. With his brother Ivar's help, he has wrestled the control of York from King Aella's hand. And he will take so much more. Will you follow history's footsteps and have your vengeance, or stake out a new claim for Halfdan?
Iceland
- Garðar Svavarsson, Chief of Austisland Note: Can one man (literally) build an empire from the far corner of the world?
The Isles
- Ketill Flatnefr, Chief of Mann
- Ivar the Boneless: Rumors say he is weak of body, but no one can say he is weak of mind. Through cunning and confidence, he has united many Norse warbands underneath his banner and won many victories on these foreign shores. But not even the great Viking can cheat death. In 870, Ivar will fade from history forever... Can you win Ivar's wars and keep him alive for many years to come?
Lotharingia
- Hrodulfr Akra, Count of Ostfriesland: You are the only Pagan vassal in the kingdom of Lotharingia. Your uncle, Hrorekr, is, as the Duke of Holland, your liege. Hrorekr has betrayed The Old Gods already and is Catholic. They call you the black sheep of the family. Can you show them what you are worth?
Norway,
- Haraldr Fairhair, Chiefdom of Vestfold: Play as Harald Fairhair Jarl of Ostlandet, he is considered to be the man who unified the Kingdoms of Norway into one. Harald Fairhair was the first king of Norway, which he united to marry the woman he loved (the daughter of chieftain Eirikr of Hordafylki, not in-game); that is what the sagas tell. Take the challenge yourself and see if you can follow the sagas of the Norse king, who would not shave his hair until he ruled over Norway.
- Chieftain Grjotgard of Lade, Chiefdom of Namdafylki: The Jarls of Lade ruled over all Trondelag. They allied Harald Fairhair and remained the true power in Northern Norway. During the later conflicts with Denmark over the Norwegian Crown, the Jarls of Lade would play kingmakers.
Novgorod
- Rurik, Petty King of Holmgarðr (Novgorod): Few have risen from nothing to greatness like the great Rurik! Together with his brothers, he brought order to the Eastern wilderness, and since their deaths, he is the lone ruler of a great Chiefdom. Yet, this is only the beginning. The vast lands of Russia and the Baltic are open for conquest, and there are many paths you could take. Play the famed Varangian chieftain Rurik, and begin your journey to unite the Slavic lands of Rus under your dynasty. One day, Rurik's descendants will found the Tsardom of Russia. Or will they? Will your dynasty stay true to your Nordic roots and unite your homeland, or will you or your descendants fall sway to the Perun worshippers' preachings (as your son and heir has) or even the Christ-God of Miklagarðr? The legacy of this great dynasty rests in your hands.
Ruthenia
- Dyre "the Stranger", Petty King of Konugarðr (Kiev): The first Norse ruler of Kiev remains a mystery to historians. The Norse coming from Holmgard settled Kiev to have better access to the Black Sea and the riches of Miklegardr (Constantinople). Historically Askold and/Dyre were slain by Helgi the Seer (son of Rurik of Holmgardr), and Konungardr would become the center of the Rus territory whose rulers would go on to raid Constantinople before converting to Orthodoxy. As a Norse petty king, your targets for raiding are limited. However, when you do get a port, Crete, Cherson, and Cyprus will make easy pickings. You have a son, and you are a genius. But the vast lands of Russia and the Crimea (especially after the Magyars settle) are open for conquest, and there are many paths you could take.
Sweden
- Rikulfr Ulfing, Chief of Ostergotland - Note: Not Beowulf's dynasty, but a member of a dynasty who makes an appearance in the saga. Still, one of the only two Geatish dynasties in the game (along with House Gautske).
- Bjorn Ironside, Duke of Uppland: Bjorn has lived a True Norseman's life of adventure. A fearsome raider, he has pillaged across France, Iberia, and Italy, together with his friend Haesteinn of Nantes. Now the forces of Scandinavia gather together to assault British shores once more. Though Bjorn is promised to avenge his father's death in England, his descendants will rule Sweden for the next two centuries. On which side of the North Sea does your destiny lie?
Pagan - Slovianskan
Poland
- Piast, High Chief of Greater Poland: The semi-legendary founder of the Polish state. Consolidate the Polish and Pomeranian tribes and then take the battle to the Romuva Balts to the east to form the Wendish Empire. Will you Christianize your people, or unite all the Slavs under a reformed pagan faith?
Livonia
- Nalka Läänemaa, High Chief of Livonia: Have a solid plan to consolidate your power, or you'll be soon forced to contend with stronger rivals both to the East and South and even to the West across the sea. Will you unite the lands of Finland and become the true King of the North? Or will you find yourself lured into the endless power-struggles of the Norse-ruled East and make a bid for dominance? Will you perhaps subjugate the potentially rich coast of the Baltic and eradicate the false-pagans of Lithuania? Or are you going to carry out the Will of God and save your people from eternal damnation and join the Kaiser and his Schwertbrüder in His noble quest to bring Light to these darkest reaches of the World? Or perhaps the promise of bountiful gold instead of naive ideals will bring you to control the trade of the Western Sea and beyond? As Livonia stands at the crossroads between East and West on the edge of the North, so will you have many paths to walk down and claim your destiny from.
Pagan - Taltoism
Magyars
- Almos Arpad, King of the Magyar Confederation: When the seven Hungarian tribes united to elect a supreme leader, their votes fell on the brave Almos. One day his son Arpad will pick up the mantle - but only Hungarians can keep their independence. Danger looms on the Eastern horizon. Can you defend the Hungarians and lead them to greatness? This is your chance to retell the adventures of the Arpad dynasty.
Pagan - Tengri
Hungary
- Baghatur Khunzakhal, Duke of Visegrad: Your lands are the last remnant of the Avar Khaganate, the most feared power in the region some 200 years earlier. Reduced to a mere vassal of the Christian Bulgars, you can take advantage of the Magyar invasion to secure your independence. Then outrace and outfight the new invaders to dominate the Pannonian Basin and reform the Khaganate.
Zoroastrian - Mazdayan
Daylam
- Vandad Karen, Marzoban of Gurgan: Your family claims lineage dating back to the Parthian Empire of old, but those glory days are long gone. Your family has been driven to the fringe of Persia, and the Muslim rulers to the south grow more entrenched with every passing day. However, you possess some powerful tools to turn the tide and rekindle the flames once more. You're surrounded by unfriendly Muslim realms who will not hesitate to invade if you look like a soft enough target. Will you stay on the offensive and become the one who brings benefit, or will you be holy warred into oblivion?
- Rostam Bavandid, Sheikh of Tabaristan A Zoroastrian count vassal of a Shia ruler in the mountainous region of northern Persia. Rostam starts with three counties in his demesne, which makes him thrice as big as the neighboring Justanids. Even if he can overthrow his liege, he is stuck between the regional Muslim powers. Can you make him rise to power, drive out the Mohammedans, and lead the Persian Empire to a new golden age?
- Wahsudan Justanid, Marzoban of Gilan Starts right next to the Caliphate so survival will be a struggle. Still, the weak Alavids are right next door, and you can always try to swear fealty to the Caliphate and destroy it from within. According to legend, it was Wahsudan who built the future Hashshashin stronghold of Alamut.
Hinduism - Shaivite
Afghanistan, Kingdom of
- Kallar Shahi, Satrap of Kabulistan: Bordered by Muslim nations it could become difficult quickly enough. It’s an interesting character to play Indian, but outside of India. The Shahis are possibly also descendants of the Hephthalites.
Jainism - Yapaniya
Maharastra, Kingdom of
- Amoghavarsha Rashtrakuta, Maharaja of Rashtrakuta: the 6th and greatest ruler of the Rashtrakuta dynasty. Already an old man will you continue his legacy as his successors of a cultural powerhouse expanding only through marriage, or will you form a lasting Jain empire across all of India by the sword?
Unlanded Characters
Unlanded characters may vary between courts upon starting the game. Although their home may not be pre-defined, these characters have a historical basis and will appear in every game.
- Wifredo de Barcelona: The founder of the House of Barcelona, he has historically granted the County of Barcelona (the Duchy, in-game) after siding with Charles and his son Louis against a faction of noble rebels, among them the previous Count of Barcelona, Bernard of Gothia (Bernard Gellones in-game). He's the founding father of the independent Catalan counties and maybe the main hero in medieval Catalan folklore. A legend tells that the Arms of the House of Barcelona (which became the Catalan national flag) were created by Emperor Louis, who gave him a golden shield and blotted it with the blood of his wounded vassal.
- Hussayn ibn Ahmed Fatimid: It is not safe being an adherent of the Shi'at Ali (Party of Ali) at this time. Hussayn claims direct descent from the Prophet Muhammad himself, through the line of the Prophet's daughter Fatima and Ali ibn Abu Talib. The blood of the great Shia martyr Husayn ibn Ali flows through your veins as distant kin. How long will you let Al-Mu'tazz and the other pretenders usurp the Muslim community? It is time to unite the people once more under the family of the Prophet.
- Vechkas Meshcheravid: Historical leader of the dwindling and displaced Meshchera people, can you prevent the historical extinction and assimilation of your people? Can you keep Moscow out of Russian hands?
- Keykhosraw Daroot: One of the few Khurmazta characters in the game.
- Hrolfr de Normandie: A famous Viking warrior and the great-great-great-grandfather of William the Conqueror. Historically, he settled in Normandy and founded the dynasty that would one day take England's throne. The character Rollo in the History Channel television show Vikings is based on Hrolfr.
1066 Start
Christian - Catholic
England
- Countess Eadgyth 'the Fair', County of Bedanford: Lover of king Harold, mother of his three legitimized sons and last of the Swanneshals dynasty. At 41 years old, time is running out to have children of your own dynasty. Will your dynasty survive the Norman and Norwegian invasions? How will you handle the 3 Godwins before you in the partition? Plenty of room for charm, intrigue and maybe even darker plots.
France
- Count Raimond de Toulouse, County of Rouerge: Raymond de St Gille (or Raymond of Toulouse) was one of the leaders of the the first crusade. He would be the only Crusader to refuse to take an oath of loyalty to the Byzantine Emperor and would form a rivalry with Bohemund of Antioch. At the end of the Crusade he became the count Tripoli.
- Count Geoffroy of Anjou, County of Anjou: The ancestor of the Angevin kings of England and the Plantagenet dynasty.
Holy Roman Empire
- Count Friedrich von Hohenstaufen, County of Ravensburg: The Hohenstaufen dynasty would bring the Holy Roman Empire its greatest Emperors: Frederick I Barbarossa, Henry VI and Frederick II. For the moment, you are only a count though. Historically, Frederic was close to the emperor and when his liege Rudolf von Rheinfelden revolted, he was made Duke of Swabia.
- Count Werner von Habsburg, County of Aargau: The Habsburg dynasty played a major role in European history: they would rise to be Archdukes of Austria and Holy Roman Emperors and wear a good number of crows across Europe. For now, you are just a small count though, so remember the motto: 'Bella gerant alii, tu felix Austria, nube, Nam quae Mars aliis, dat tibi regna Venus' (Leave wars to other, you happy Austria shall marry, for the realms Mars gives to others, Venus grants to you).
- Duke Conrad von Luxemburg, Duchy of Luxemburg: Another great imperial house the Luxemburgs would struggle with the Habsburgs and Wittelsbach for the Imperial Crown after the fall of the Hohenstaufen. Only a small Duke in 1066, the Luxemburgs would become Margraves of Brandenburg and Kings of Bohemia and even Hungary. Their most famous member is emperor Sigismund.
Poland
- King Boleslaw Piast, Kingdom of Poland: You are a strong King with the HRE to your west and Pagan heathens to your east. You have lots of expansion options for a Catholic and several endgame options including the Wendish Empire and Slavic Kingdom.
Sicily
- Count Roger de Hauteville, County of Messina: Although Robert was the 'Terror of the World' it was Roger's line who founded the Kingdom of Sicily. A bold warrior and great statesman he is remembered as 'The Great Count'. His son would be the first true 'Sicilian' and King of Sicily.
- Duke Richard Drengot, Duchy of Capua: The Hauteville may be the strongest power in southern Italy but you were there first. Historically the Drengot family came from Normandy and became the first landed Norman in southern Italy. Although they were not match for the Hautevilles, they often served as a counterpower. Richard's son Jordan will play a key role in the struggle between the sons of Robert Guiscard by supporting Bohemund.
Sweden
- Prince Erik II 'The Heathen' of Sweden, Jarldom of Uppland: Erik's historicity is debated and quite uncertain. He is the last great Norse pagan ruler and has a shot a taking the throne in Sweden for the Old Gods.
Christian - Orthodox
Byzantine Empire
- Doux Alexios Komnenos, Duchy of Boukellarion: Arguably the last great Emperor in the East, he took power and saved the empire more than once. He is also directly responsible for the Crusades.