Trying out an Italian count game.
Very strange.
I manage to secure my independence, but realized my dreams of having the Kingdom of Sicily is nigh impossible with the Byzantine owning a few pieces while the African Muslims control another third.
With that in mind, I decided remaining independent Duke is a bad decision and swore fealty to the richest man in the planet: the Pope.
What followed is several years of patient development and constant war to defend my holdings against the African Muslims and greedy Byzantines. Thankfully the Pope is spending his coins on the mercs - allowing ourselves a measure of 20,000 defensive army between us.
Once we've beaten that African Sultan, I decided the time is ripe to turn the tables and hired 10,000 mercs to land on Africa.
Cue the crowning of Steve in Tunis. The Pope had to let me go cause we are of equal stature.
Months after the coronation, the Pope decided enough is enough, the Umayyads must pay for their transgression in Spain.
Hence, five knightly orders were established, it was my chance. I seized it. All five chapters under me, and I immediately set forth upon the newly Ummayad's unwilling demesne, Aquitane to deal some damage. Thankfully the Chapters are willing to forgo payment when I join a defensive war against the dirty Mudslims. The force of 30,000 templars were too much for the 20,000 strong Umayyads to repel. Their liege hired mercs in panic, but could do nothing as city after city falls, as every banner is lowered, his treasury redlined into debt. He capitulated and was forced to pay a huge severance.
This is his weakest moment, the Pope immediately called upon a Crusade, therefore solving the issue of payment to the Templars, once more I joined willingly, as Aquitane is retaken at a rapid rate.
With the retaking of Aquitane, the decline of Umayyads is inevitable, I sent the 15,000 strong templars to Barcelona first. Capturing it within a year. Knowing I have the extreme advantage, I broke another truce and seized Valencia.
Immediately I crossed southwards and attacked another Muslim kingdom, this time Marrakech. I'm running on a deficit so I have to hurry. Once prosperous Marrakech is done, I halted my army from marching into Mali, preferring to continue eastwards into the northern coast of Africa, there the divided Muslims stood little chance in stopping our zealous army.