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Philo32b

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Nov 27, 2011
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At first I made this suggestion as a joke, but the more I think about it, the more it seems like a good idea to make a Monophysite Holy Order. As the game is currently set up, occasionally you will be surprised and see Abyssinia or Axum rise up against the raging infidel masses all around them. But that is rare (and usually brief). Usually they are just quickly crushed.

There is not much love for the Ethiopians:

  • Except for Nubia, they are are heretic Orthodox, so no help from others.
  • No available mercenaries to hire.
  • Their tech starts at 0 surrounded by Muslims with very high tech.
  • Muslims in Egypt have lots of horse archers, which easily destroy the light stuff the Ethiopians have at their command.
  • The biggest problem is that there are massive numbers of infidels all around, just waiting to do an easy Holy War on helpless Monophysites.

A Monophysite Holy Order would add some strategic depth and make playing Abyssinia more than just an exercise in the tragic. (See my AAR for a blow-by-blow example of such an exercise.) Having an Ethiopian HO with heavy cavalry like knights in armor would be absurd, of course, but why not just have it be light infantry, light cavalry, and archers? (Maybe horse archers too?) Basically, the head of one of the last Monophysite rulers calls up a summons of all the people capable of picking up a weapon to fight against infidel invaders. The strength then would not be in the type of troop, but in the sheer numbers that answer the call--I'll throw out 15,000 men, just for kicks. They come pouring out of the mountainous and arid countryside, eager to defend their faith or die trying.

Possible objection: wouldn't this unbalance the Muslims, because now Ethiopians can easily sack Egypt? In order to prevent this, we could have the HO carry massive maintenance costs... which of course wouldn't have to be paid if you are defending against infidels.

As Monophysite ruler, ensuring your heirs are very pious would be of the utmost importance (make them humble, chaste, zealous, etc. through tutoring). And this would also add strategic depth and flavor.

A Monophysite HO would seem to help, then, ensure the Ethiopians could stay in the game longer and be a viable player option.
 
Mod this into the game, and see how it works for the ai.
 
In my mod I have Monophysites and Nestorians as their own non-heretical branches of Christianity, and whilst neither have unique holy orders they do gain full access to plenty of mercenaries as I have reworked them. I'm not trying to steal your thunder but by all means try my mod if you'd at least like to see what I've done and how I've done it. You could always use it as a base for your own ideas.
 
Maybe we should just make them outright stronger. Should have the same results, but we won't have to add HO's that seem sort of weird in this sort of situation (I can't really imagine ethiopian holy orders, but feel free to correct me if they existed). We could just have them start with better holdings or something.
 
This will sort out your mercenary problem, and I've also promoted the Varangian Guard to an Orthodox Holy Order:

Code:
# HOLY ORDERS

d_knights_templar = {
	color={ 230 230 230 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }
	
	capital = 138 # Orleans
	
	title = "GRANDMASTER"
	foa = "GRANDMASTER_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	holy_order = yes
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	modifier = d_knights_templar_modifier
}

d_teutonic_order = {
	
	color={ 50 50 50 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }
	
	capital = 258 # Lüneburg

	title = "HOCHMEISTER"
	foa = "HOCHMEISTER_FOA"
	
	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	holy_order = yes
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes

	modifier = d_teutonic_order_modifier
}

d_knights_hospitaler = {

	color={ 180 180 180 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }
	
	capital = 333 # Rome

	title = "GRANDMASTER"
	foa = "GRANDMASTER_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	holy_order = yes
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes

	modifier = d_knights_hospitaler_modifier
}

d_varangian_guard = {

	color={ 180 180 180 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 496 # Byzantion

	title = "GRANDMASTER"
	foa = "GRANDMASTER_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	holy_order = yes
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = orthodox
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	modifier = d_varangian_guard_modifier
}

d_hashshashin = {

	color={ 100 100 0 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }
	
	capital = 693 # Baghdad
	
	title = "IMAM"
	foa = "IMAM_FOA"
	
	holy_order = yes

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = shiite
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_hashshashin_modifier
}

# MERCS

d_sunni_turkic_company = {

	color = { 130 173 70 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 621 # Emba

	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion = sunni
			religion = nestorian
			religion = monophysite
			religion = zoroastrian
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = sunni
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_muslim_turkic_company_modifier
}

d_sunni_cuman_company = {

	color = { 134 155 30 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 616 # Yaik
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion = sunni
			religion = nestorian
			religion = monophysite
			religion = zoroastrian
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = sunni
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_muslim_cuman_company_modifier
}

d_sunni_berber_company = {

	color = { 85 155 33 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 833 # Atlas
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion = sunni
			religion = nestorian
			religion = monophysite
			religion = zoroastrian
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = sunni
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_berber_company_modifier
}

d_sunni_bedouin_company = {

	color = { 45 155 35 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 862 # Halaban
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion = sunni
			religion = nestorian
			religion = monophysite
			religion = zoroastrian
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = sunni
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_bedouin_company_modifier
}

d_shiite_turkic_company = {

	color = { 135 170 60 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 621 # Emba

	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion = shiite
			religion = zoroastrian
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = shiite
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_muslim_turkic_company_modifier
}

d_shiite_cuman_company = {

	color = { 130 150 30 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 616 # Yaik
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion = shiite
			religion = zoroastrian
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = shiite
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_muslim_cuman_company_modifier
}

d_shiite_berber_company = {

	color = { 90 150 30 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 833 # Atlas
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion = shiite
			religion = zoroastrian
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = shiite
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_berber_company_modifier
}

d_shiite_bedouin_company = {

	color = { 40 150 30 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 862 # Halaban
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion = shiite
			religion = zoroastrian
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = shiite
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_bedouin_company_modifier
}

d_white_company = {

	color={ 235 235 235 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 72 # Essex
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_white_company_modifier
	strength_growth_per_century = 0.25
}

d_great_company = {

	color={ 100 100 100 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 361 # Niederbayern
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_great_company_modifier
	strength_growth_per_century = 0.25
}

d_company_of_st_george = {

	color={ 50 50 200 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 235 # Lombardia
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CONDOTTIERO"
	foa = "CONDOTTIERO_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_company_of_st_george_modifier
}

d_star_company = {

	color={ 200 80 200 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 353 # Ferrara
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CONDOTTIERO"
	foa = "CONDOTTIERO_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_star_company_modifier
}

d_little_hat_company = {

	color={ 100 200 80 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 354 # Mantua
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CONDOTTIERO"
	foa = "CONDOTTIERO_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_little_hat_company_modifier
}

d_rose_company = {

	color={ 230 150 150 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 355 # Padua
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CONDOTTIERO"
	foa = "CONDOTTIERO_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_rose_company_modifier
}

d_catalan_company = {

	color={ 230 100 100 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 204 # Barcelona
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic

	mercenary = yes

	title = "CONDOTTIERO"
	foa = "CONDOTTIERO_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_catalan_company_modifier
}

d_navarrese_company = {

	color={ 150 150 100 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 152 # Navarre
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic

	mercenary = yes

	title = "CONDOTTIERO"
	foa = "CONDOTTIERO_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_navarrese_company_modifier
}

d_swiss_company = {

	color={ 150 40 40 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 239 # Geneve
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_swiss_company_modifier
	strength_growth_per_century = 0.25
}

d_breton_company = {

	color={ 150 40 40 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 102 # Penthievre
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_breton_company_modifier
}

d_victual_brothers = {

	color={ 160 160 160 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }
	
	capital = 370 # Marienburg
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion = catholic
			religion = norse_pagan
			religion = baltic_pagan
			religion = finnish_pagan
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_victual_brothers_modifier
}

d_cuman_company = {

	color = { 160 160 80 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 616 # Yaik

	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion = orthodox
			religion = nestorian
			religion = monophysite
			religion_group = pagan_group
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = orthodox
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_cuman_company_modifier
}

d_rus_company = {

	color = { 80 80 160 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 547 # Kiev
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion = orthodox
			religion = nestorian
			religion = monophysite
			religion_group = pagan_group
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = orthodox
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_rus_company_modifier
	strength_growth_per_century = 0.25
}

d_pecheneg_company = {

	color = { 100 100 30 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 512 # Belgorod

	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion = orthodox
			religion = nestorian
			religion = monophysite
			religion_group = pagan_group
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = orthodox
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_pecheneg_company_modifier
}

d_bulgarian_company = {

	color = { 100 50 30 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 508 # Dorostotum

	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion = orthodox
			religion = nestorian
			religion = monophysite
			religion_group = pagan_group
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = orthodox
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_bulgarian_company_modifier
}

d_turkic_company = {

	color = { 100 50 30 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 621 # Emba

	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion = orthodox
			religion = nestorian
			religion = monophysite
			religion_group = pagan_group
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = orthodox
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_turkic_company_modifier
	strength_growth_per_century = 0.25
}

d_lombard_band = {

	color={ 150 60 60 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 235 # Lombardia
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CONDOTTIERO"
	foa = "CONDOTTIERO_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_lombard_band_modifier
}

d_swiss_band = {

	color={ 150 40 40 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 239 # Geneve
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_swiss_band_modifier
	strength_growth_per_century = 0.25
}

d_breton_band = {

	color={ 150 65 65 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 102 # Penthievre
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_breton_band_modifier
}

d_catalan_band = {

	color={ 230 100 100 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 204 # Barcelona
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic

	mercenary = yes

	title = "CONDOTTIERO"
	foa = "CONDOTTIERO_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_catalan_band_modifier
}

d_saxon_band = {

	color={ 220 90 90 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 57 # York
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic

	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_saxon_band_modifier
}

d_cuman_band = {

	color = { 160 160 80 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 616 # Yaik

	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion = orthodox
			religion = nestorian
			religion = monophysite
			religion_group = pagan_group
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = orthodox
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_cuman_band_modifier
}

d_rus_band = {

	color = { 80 80 160 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 547 # Kiev
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion = orthodox
			religion = nestorian
			religion = monophysite
			religion_group = pagan_group
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = orthodox
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_rus_band_modifier
	strength_growth_per_century = 0.25
}

d_pecheneg_band = {

	color = { 100 100 30 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 512 # Belgorod

	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion = orthodox
			religion = nestorian
			religion = monophysite
			religion_group = pagan_group
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = orthodox
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_pecheneg_band_modifier
}

d_bulgarian_band = {

	color = { 100 50 30 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 508 # Dorostotum

	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion = orthodox
			religion = nestorian
			religion = monophysite
			religion_group = pagan_group
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = orthodox
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_bulgarian_band_modifier
}

d_turkic_band = {

	color = { 100 50 30 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 621 # Emba

	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion = orthodox
			religion = nestorian
			religion = monophysite
			religion_group = pagan_group
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = orthodox
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_turkic_band_modifier
	strength_growth_per_century = 0.25
}

d_mamluks = {

	color={ 80 160 80 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 796 # Cairo
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion = nestorian
			religion = monophysite
			religion = zoroastrian
			religion_group = muslim
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = sunni
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	modifier = d_mamluks_modifier
	strength_growth_per_century = 0.25
}

d_venetian_navy = {

	color = { 60 175 170 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 356 # Venice
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_venetian_navy_modifier
}

d_genoese_navy = {

	color={ 224 161 120 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 233 # Genoa
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_genoese_navy_modifier
}

d_hanseatic_navy = {
	color={ 150 150 150 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 262 # Lübeck
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_hanseatic_navy_modifier
}

d_frisian_navy = {

	color={ 245 80 20 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 84 # Frisia
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_frisian_navy_modifier
}

d_maghreb_corsairs = {

	color={ 174 237 125 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 816 # Mahdia
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion = nestorian
			religion = monophysite
			religion = zoroastrian
			religion_group = muslim
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = sunni
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_maghreb_corsairs_modifier
}

d_ghilman = {

	color={ 60 165 80 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 627 # Kara-Kum
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion = nestorian
			religion = monophysite
			religion = zoroastrian
			religion_group = muslim
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = sunni
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	modifier = d_ghilman_modifier
	strength_growth_per_century = 0.25
}
 
A problem with this idea is that I'm not sure how feasible it would be for heretics to have their own holy orders. At the very least you'd probably need to make them their own religion.
 
I'm going to try that out, do I need to add anything to the static modifiers to get this to work?
No, but in my mod I gave the Varangian Guard more troops and more variety of them. In the latest patch the Varangian Guard were nerfed (troop numbers cut) so remember that. If you're doing what I do and using them as a Holy Order then you'll probably want to give them some more troops.

Code:
d_varangian_guard_modifier = {
	levy_size = 8
	heavy_infantry = 800
	light_infantry = 300
	pikemen = 150
	knights = 300
	archers = 200
}
 
oh so now we're pulling fictional holy orders out of our rear ends.
 
The main problem with this area of the world in vanilla is that there is nothing to represent the Baqt, the non-aggression pact (for want of a better phrase) between the Fatimids and Nubia. This is the main reason East Africa remained largely intact -- and Christian.
 
The main problem with this area of the world in vanilla is that there is nothing to represent the Baqt, the non-aggression pact (for want of a better phrase) between the Fatimids and Nubia. This is the main reason East Africa remained largely intact -- and Christian.

I agree. And the reason that this occurred is because the Muslims were not able to conquer Nubia. So they decided to trade and live in peace. Kind of hard to imagine in game Nubia ever being able to garnish any type of peace through combat. A holy order or some mercenaries would help that.
 
Anything to give Abyssinia better chances to survive. It's one of the most interesting christian kingdoms.

But at the moment, it's just mindboggingly hard. Pretty much no way to survive in its own right