April 28th Beta Patch - BASTARDS!

unmerged(6777) · Apr 28, 2005

This thread is for feedback on the large number of new bastard events, although some other topics may crop up.

Loosely, this event set is now more or less complete (based on my plans, at any rate) and will result in a considerable amount of intrigue and in-fighting within rulers' courts -- primarily between a ruler's legitimate and bastard children.

What I'd like to know is how you feel about them, whether they are firing too often or not often enough, and whether the odd occasion that results in mesage "spam" is interesting enough to make it worth keeping those effects as part of the series.

Enjoy.

unmerged(42997) · Apr 30, 2005

Hello,
I'm a long time player, first time poster; love the game, etc.

anyway,
I haven't had much chance to observe many bastard events since my rulers seem to be inherently chaste. One thing I've noticed though: The event where a bastard son's business venture gives the father dividends (id=8697) seems to trigger even if the bastard is dead. I guess it's possible the son started this venture before his death (in my case at the age of three), but this seems unlikely.

Casus Belli · May 1, 2005

The bastard events does add a whole new flavour to the game, but i got a bit surprised when i got an event saying

"An emissary arrives from our bastard son's demesme - how nice!", and the only option was "he has ended his vendetta".

Funny enough, the associated prestige change was for the late king, and the "son" in question was (probably) my bastard brother, tho i myself have a bastard or two. :wacko:

Lucky · May 1, 2005

My bastard son decided to flee to another realm. Problem is, he came knocking on my door.

unmerged(7564) · May 3, 2005

Enjoying these events, has added new dimension and flavor to the game.

Got a "tempted while campaigning" type of event and choose to go for it. Sired a bastard.
Not too long after that my lawfully wedded wife comitted suicide.
I actually felt pretty bad for her, but she was barren, so I remarried, and am now producing another set of legitamite heirs.

Also now getting choices as to how to educate and deal with the bastard (went with "he won't cause trouble")

Like I said, adding lots of story and flavor to the game. Haven't had any problems with them yet.

Thanks!

Lord Prime · May 3, 2005

I don't know if it's related to the bastard events set or not but the event when the spymaster reports that the rulers child might be a result of the rulers wife cheating seems to fire quite frequent, perhaps to often. In one game my ruler had the event for 2 of 3 sons.

Nikolai · May 3, 2005

I've not had one?

The Regent · May 3, 2005

I really like those events which make a perfect heir into a bastard. Because of that, I'm now next in line for king.

There is one event that makes the child ill and has about 5 chances for him to die - brutal.

Now, they just need to be generated with better stats. My filthy bastard child can't compete for the throne with his 5-4-4-4 stats, dammit!

unmerged(6777) · May 3, 2005

The Regent said:
I really like those events which make a perfect heir into a bastard. Because of that, I'm now next in line for king. There is one event that makes the child ill and has about 5 chances for him to die - brutal.

Now, they just need to be generated with better stats. My filthy bastard child can't compete for the throne with his 5-4-4-4 stats, dammit!

I think that either you're reading the event text wrong, or there's yet another problem with the way the events are displaying. The event you're refering to is the one that I scripted to "take care" of the issue that bastards' stats are pretty shitty. Here's the complete set.

Code:

############################
# Changes to bastard stats #
############################

character_event = { #Life as a bastard child is often harsh but may also be character-building

	id = 8522

	picture = "event_education"

	trigger = {
		condition = { type = trait value = bastard }
		condition = { type = not value = { type = trait value = illness } }
		condition = { type = not value = { type = age value = 10 } }
	}

	mean_time_to_happen = {

		months = 180

		modifier = {
			condition = { type = trait value = vengeful }
			factor = 0.5
		}
		modifier = {
			condition = { type = trait value = honest }
			factor = 1.5
		}
		modifier = {
			condition = { type = trait value = suspicious }
			factor = 0.85
		}
	}

	action_a = { #This is one of those times of crisis!
		effect = { type = add_trait value = illness }
		effect = { type = random chance = 20
			effect = { type = trigger for = this value = 8523 } #not good
		}
		effect = { type = random chance = 40
			effect = { type = trigger for = this value = 8524 } #okay if he survives
		}
		effect = { type = random chance = 20
			effect = { type = trigger for = this value = 8525 } #good if he survives
		}
		effect = { type = random chance = 10
			effect = { type = trigger for = this value = 8526 } #very good if he survives
		}
		effect = { type = random chance = 5
			effect = { type = death } #he didn't survive
		}
	}
}

character_event = { #The life of a bastard child takes a turn for the worse

	id = 8523

	picture = "event_education"

	#triggered by 8522

	action_a = { #Life is misery!
		effect = { type = martial value = -1 }
		effect = { type = stewardship value = -1 }
		effect = { type = diplomacy value = -1 }
		effect = { type = intrigue value = -1 }
		effect = { type = health value = -2 }
		effect = { type = fertility value = -2 }
		effect = { type = random chance = 25 effect = { type = martial value = -1 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 25 effect = { type = stewardship value = -1 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 25 effect = { type = diplomacy value = -1 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 25 effect = { type = intrigue value = -1 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 25 effect = { type = health value = -1 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 25 effect = { type = fertility value = -1 } }
	}
}

character_event = { #The life of a bastard child may take a turn for the better if he survives

	id = 8524

	picture = "event_education"

	#triggered by 8522

	action_a = { #That's good!
		effect = { type = martial value = 1 }
		effect = { type = stewardship value = 1 }
		effect = { type = diplomacy value = 1 }
		effect = { type = intrigue value = 1 }
		effect = { type = health value = 1 }
		effect = { type = fertility value = 1 }
		effect = { type = random chance = 25 effect = { type = martial value = 1 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 25 effect = { type = stewardship value = 1 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 25 effect = { type = diplomacy value = 1 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 25 effect = { type = intrigue value = 1 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 25 effect = { type = health value = 2 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 25 effect = { type = fertility value = 2 } }
	}
}


character_event = { #The life of a bastard child will be much better if he survives

	id = 8525

	picture = "event_education"

	#triggered by 8522

	action_a = { #Wonderful!
		effect = { type = martial value = 3 }
		effect = { type = stewardship value = 3 }
		effect = { type = diplomacy value = 3 }
		effect = { type = intrigue value = 3 }
		effect = { type = health value = 2 }
		effect = { type = fertility value = 2 }
		effect = { type = random chance = 25 effect = { type = martial value = 1 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 25 effect = { type = stewardship value = 1 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 25 effect = { type = diplomacy value = 1 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 25 effect = { type = intrigue value = 1 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 25 effect = { type = health value = 1 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 25 effect = { type = fertility value = 1 } }
	}
}

character_event = { #The life of a bastard child will be fabulous if he survives

	id = 8526

	picture = "event_education"

	#triggered by 8522

	action_a = { #Fabulous!
		effect = { type = martial value = 3 }
		effect = { type = stewardship value = 3 }
		effect = { type = diplomacy value = 3 }
		effect = { type = intrigue value = 3 }
		effect = { type = health value = 2 }
		effect = { type = fertility value = 2 }
		effect = { type = random chance = 75 effect = { type = martial value = 2 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 75 effect = { type = stewardship value = 2 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 75 effect = { type = diplomacy value = 2 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 75 effect = { type = intrigue value = 2 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 75 effect = { type = health value = 1 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 75 effect = { type = fertility value = 1 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 15 #amazingly better!
			effect = { type = trigger for = this value = 8527 }
		}
	}
}

character_event = { #A bastard child is revealed as a prodegy!

	id = 8527

	picture = "event_education"

	#triggered by 8526

	action_a = { #Wow!
		effect = { type = martial value = 1 }
		effect = { type = stewardship value = 1 }
		effect = { type = diplomacy value = 1 }
		effect = { type = intrigue value = 1 }
		effect = { type = random chance = 15 effect = { type = martial value = 5 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 15 effect = { type = stewardship value = 3 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 15 effect = { type = diplomacy value = 2 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 15 effect = { type = intrigue value = 4 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 50 effect = { type = health value = 1 } }
		effect = { type = random chance = 50 effect = { type = fertility value = 1 } }
	}
}

Note that the random chance of the bastard dieing immediately are actually quite slim (only 5% - although the sickness could also do him in later) and that the various possible subsequent events are triggered randomly. It's possible for a bastard to get more than one of them too, so a bastard who is exceptionally lucky could actually get #8524, 8525, and 8526 all firing which would make him into a near superman if his subsequent random chances pan out nicely for him.

Hyzhenhok · May 3, 2005

As Catolonia, I gave my son a few counties. One of his children became a bastard via event, though I'm not sure which one.

Fast forward a few years, when that son is now my current ruler and his eldest two sons have come of age. Also have become Kingdom of Aragon by now.

My legitimate son demanded to be made martial above his bastard brother, and I conceded. Then my bastard son felt it wasn't safe so he fled - is this enevitable unless you give bastards court positions? After four days away he came back to my court.

I gave him back his marshal position and later he became a Brilliant Strategist (14 martial!). He then later became un-bastarded. Then, during a long, drawn out war with Castille, I was forced to make several event decisions that led to his loyalty dropping, and he ran away to my Archbishop of Murcia's court. Since he was immediately appointed marshal there, he didn't come back like I hoped

.

Of course, the war for Castille was waged when Sancho Jimenez attacked my third son, who had oddly adopted Arab customs and the name Usama. This Arab Catholic was stricken by Leprosy early as a child, but somehow recovered from it...I eventually made him Duke of Navarra.

The bastards are interesting, but the court-fleeing thing needs tweaking so they don't immediately return. I believe the legitimate-made-bastard and bastard-made-legit events are too common as well.

MichOrion · May 3, 2005

I now have a bastard from my wife's cheating and mine plus a daughter's bastard that I am raising as mine. I think they are great. It seems as though daughters born from these indescresions do not exist?

unmerged(21937) · May 3, 2005

Well, the bastard command creates a male bastard always, most likely because female bastards wouldn't have much effect from gameplay pov.

unmerged(25476) · May 3, 2005

started with Apulia.. where the duke starts with a bastard son... so far I like the events. bastard son came of age and the event poped up to try and assasinate him... took it just to see what would happen and ended up with the duchy disintigrating when I picked up the kinslayer event...

started again, and this time bastard son became a marshal eventually becoming a decent and loyal count...

good job with the MTTH balancing there T.

The Regent · May 3, 2005

MrT said:
I think that either you're reading the event text wrong, or there's yet another problem with the way the events are displaying. The event you're refering to is the one that I scripted to "take care" of the issue that bastards' stats are pretty shitty. Here's the complete set.

That's just too strange. 8522 fired, I remember it because "character-building" and "times of crisis" have stuck in my head, and for some reason I didn't get any of those other events.

I've just tested this out by manually calling the event. I get the same results as last night.

I checked and my events are just like those you posted.

unmerged(21937) · May 3, 2005

The Regent, I think the interface just displays it wrong.

unmerged(6777) · May 3, 2005

Yup. Looks like it.

I put the display/action stuff in my to-do list for Johan (there are some other areas where there is a problem too) but I didn't put it all that high on the priority list...stuff like AI improvements, etc are top of the list and anything below that is quite a bit more likely to take a while before he can get around to making a fix happen.

It will probably be some weeks before we can iron out some of that stuff but I'm pretty confident that it's only the text that's displaying incorrectly and that the actual in game effects are the effects called for by the events. I guess in the interim it's worth taking some of those texts with a grain of salt.

ulmont · May 6, 2005

8631, the "Your son has been revealed as a bastard" event, is firing a bit too often, I think.

During the crusade era, the usual modifiers I will have for this event will be:
Ruler in command (.75)
Cross-religion war (.5)
Spymaster with 10 intrigue + deceitful (.5)
for a total modifier of 3/4 * 1/2 * 1/2 = 3/16 time

Against a baseline of 120 months, the new total is 22.5 months.

It becomes impossible to raise a legitimate heir to adulthood...

-Richard Campbell.

ulmont · May 6, 2005

MrT said:
\The event you're refering to is the one that I scripted to "take care" of the issue that bastards' stats are pretty shitty.

Now, a legitimate child turned bastard can pick up these events too, right? You could theoretically end up with some gods among men that way[1]...

-Richard Campbell.
[1] Might explain William of Normandie's stats.

Cagliostro · May 7, 2005

fyi, it's spelled "prodigy", not "prodegy".

The Regent · May 7, 2005

Cagliostro said:
fyi, it's spelled "prodigy", not "prodegy".

Thank god I wasn't the only one thinking that...

April 28th Beta Patch - BASTARDS!

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