I just got done playing a mod for crusader kings two and even though I had to save scum I just made an eldrich worshipping ruler the king of Gotham! (New jersery and York) as a customer character at the new jersery duke start! I feel badass! Note that Jersey is surrounded by two kingdoms from the start including the confederate empire in the south. 

For notes I started in south jersey and now have complete control of New York, Jersey, and half of Delaware and a small part of Pennsylvania. And for good measure I named most of my children (and I have A LOT of them) after the bat family with my heir being named after dick greyson and the next is Bruce.