Best Karling start in 867?

[breedableboy761]

I'm looking to play a Karling start to reunite the Carolingian Empire, however I am split on which King I should start as, each has their own pros and cons and I'm really not sure who to play as. I've narrowed it down to 3 or 4.

East Francia pros: Form the HRE easier, expansion to the east, son is the king of Bavaria, fairly stable realm, best ruler stats out of the Karling Kings.
East Francia cons: Smaller army, King of Bavaria is ill (potentially die near game start).

Italy pros: Strongest in terms of manpower, heir to the Kingdom of Lothiringia, small expansion south to encompass the rest of the Italian peninsula.
Italy cons: King of Lothiringia also heir to Italy, powerful vassals who want a seat on the council (with horrible stats).

West Francia pros: Fairly stable position (vassals with decent stats), son is King of Aquitane, King is Chaste (reduces fertility, which reduces future gavelkind problems).
West Francia cons: Not many routes of expansion except slow Brittany or the British Isles, cannot expand into Iberian peninsula until Louis the Stammer becomes King (and by that time the Umayyad's might've destroyed Asturias, making expansion into Iberia more difficult).

I've also considered starting as Louis the Stammerer. He is the youngest and if I expand down south, especially with the support of my father's lands once he dies I can take down the Umayyads and become strong. I've never really played the 867 start date and I'm unfamiliar with Gavelkind so correct me if I'm wrong. What do you guys think?

[breedableboy761]

bump

[markdb92]

just pick one and just murder the rest of your family. Pick a young one.

[Pira]

I know this is like a month old but Aquitane sounds nice. As you said, expand into Umayyads and then turn on the other kings.

[Rajiin Terra]

Lothaire of Lothering (or however you spell that middle country.) He has a decent army, is in line of succession of the Italian throne and it's not too difficult to wage war against Ludwig the german to expand your eastern holdings.

[Mr_Faorry]

Throw a dart at your monitor, whichever it lands it is who you're playing as, murder the rest and you'll inherit their lands.