While looking at the new Event Pack and recently having my first ERE playthrough I realized that one potential court position, that is currently missing, could be of great interest for many players: The Co-Ruler.
In my opinion it should give the Co-Ruler himself Prestige and a bit of Money (More Prestige and less Money than other positions though) and cost the ruler of the realm some prestige per month. Not a huge amount but still a certain amount. Also there could be some additional events around the position itself.
In the history some emperors and kings had a co-ruler or young kings on their side and it would be an interesting position as well as you could fill it to utilize following:
So what are your thoughts about the Co-Ruler. I think that this would be a welcome addition strategywise as well as on the roleplaying side.
In my opinion it should give the Co-Ruler himself Prestige and a bit of Money (More Prestige and less Money than other positions though) and cost the ruler of the realm some prestige per month. Not a huge amount but still a certain amount. Also there could be some additional events around the position itself.
In the history some emperors and kings had a co-ruler or young kings on their side and it would be an interesting position as well as you could fill it to utilize following:
- Prepare your heir for the reign: If you place your heir or potential candidate on this position he would gain some experience that culminates in more prestige and a reduced short reign hit at the start of his regin and some events around this position (espescially when the old ruler seems to kick the bucket soon). You also don't have to appoint your direct heir and can choose the second or third in line (which would anger the ones before him in succession and with enough skills from you and your co-ruler you could even appoint him as the primary heir without the renown/prestige hit or sole heir after primogeniture is researched).
- Have a powerful vassal on it: If your position is threatened or a vassal with more military power and the right personality offers you to be your co-ruler you can appoint a powerful vassal as your co-ruler. He then is less likely to join Liberty factions and supports you against them. But beware, if someone like that is too long on this position and you are not able to stabilize the realm or sway him, he could see it as his right to become king or emperor (of course you could do the same against AI-rulers)
- Appease other Cultures/Faiths in you realm: If large parts of your kingdom are of a different culture or religion and you have problems to hyberdize the culture or convert the faith you could utilize a co-ruler of their culture and faith to appease the nobles and commoners alike. This could be either a vassal or even an unlanded character. But beware, after a certain time some rulers and commoners of that region could favor him as a ruler over you and decide that their lands need an own king.
- Position a friend/best friend/loyalist/wife to help you out until an heir has reached the age for it: Of course you could also position a friend or spouse of yours as a co-ruler to help you out. If they are a vassal they will support you against liberty factions and if they are for example your spouse they could utilize some of their ties to get you help (not only the alliance that you have directly, but also other parts of their family that you wouldn't get immediately).
So what are your thoughts about the Co-Ruler. I think that this would be a welcome addition strategywise as well as on the roleplaying side.
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