So here is my suggestion to add the "Belgium" tag as a formable nation for both flemish and wallonian cultures. Since now flanders, hainaut and brabant exist in the 1444 start it seems like it could be a good idea to have the tag available.
Since their has been discussion in the main forum about the fact that Belgium should or not be in the game because history etc., I'll just point out to the precedent of the United states of Belgium : wiki : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_of_Belgium. It does in my opinion combined with the formation of the current state less then ten years after the end of the EU4 period provide ample justification for the addition of the tag to the game.
Since the name Belgium comes from the roman provinces of Belgica prima and Belgica secunda I don't think it should include the dutch.
Of course the optimal solution would be to have the tag be available only if the netherlands exist since belgium has no other reason to exist than the separation of the low countries into two countries (luxemburg excepted of course) but just having the tag would already be great.
Requirements could comprise owning Brabant, Flanders, Ghent, Antwerp, Hainaut, Namur and Luxemburg as cores, and give a claim on Liege, Limburg and Loon once enacted.
I also added my suggestion for their national ideas :
Traditions : Stability cost modifier -20%, hostile core creation cost on us : +50%
Joyous entry charter : national unrest -1
Humanist center : Cost of ideas -10%
Trade hub : provincial trade power +20% (or national trade income modifier +10%)
Freedom of worship : tolerance of heretics +2
Siderurgy traditions : artillery cost -20%
Buffer state : diplomatic reputation +2
Early industrialization : production efficiency +10% (or goods produced +10%)
Ambition : advisor cost -15%
The values may need to be balanced of course, I tried to emphasize the ones that I feeled were more important. The ideas are based on belgium as it historically developped during the spanish, austrian and french periods, more focused on itself (i considered giving a reduction to development cost also) being a strong productive region with important trade corridors running through (with the champagne fairs to the south, the flemish and dutch ports to the north and the german rhine river states to the east). Giving a focus to external trade (merchants, trade efficiency and trade steering) would not really fit the country neither would focus on exploration or colonization (even though the Ostend Company did exist at a point (wiki : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostend_Company). Military ideas are hard to imagine for Belgium but the artillery cost reduction does in my opinion illustrate the weapon manufacturing traditions of the country (there is even a reference to mons meg in one of the artillery units description).
Here are the texts for each idea, if anyone has a better idea for an idea title or effect they are welcome !
Joyous entry charter : "The joyous entry charters where charters promulgated in the late middle ages and reconducted during the introduction of the new monarch in each city which imposed restrictions on the monarch's powers in exchange for the allegiance of the city. They eventually came to apply to the whole country and served as a guarantee for each citizen against the power of the monarch."
(wiki : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joyous_Entry_of_1356 for the most representative of them).
Humanist center : "During the renaissance and the following centuries numerous scholars and theologians fleeing the religious repression in their home country took residence in the low countries." (Another idea would be to focus on the flemish painters and their cultural impact).
Trade hub : "With important trade corridors running through the region, the cities and their merchants have developed new ways to leverage provincial infrastructure and benefit from the flow of trade."
Freedom of worship (the description from the burgundy Ni would better fit actually) : "Historically the low countries have always been tolerant with new and alternative faiths."
Siderurgy traditions : "The metalworking industry of the country has a reputation for quality especially in artillery fabrication."
Buffer state : "Known as the "battlefield of Europe", Belgium has learned to cultivate its relationships with the surrounding European powers."
Early industrialization : "The quick adoption of new and experimental methods of production has boosted our production of goods and improved our competitivity with the surrounding regions."
I welcome any discussion on the subject, I'm sure I must have overlooked a few things !
Since their has been discussion in the main forum about the fact that Belgium should or not be in the game because history etc., I'll just point out to the precedent of the United states of Belgium : wiki : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_of_Belgium. It does in my opinion combined with the formation of the current state less then ten years after the end of the EU4 period provide ample justification for the addition of the tag to the game.
Since the name Belgium comes from the roman provinces of Belgica prima and Belgica secunda I don't think it should include the dutch.
Of course the optimal solution would be to have the tag be available only if the netherlands exist since belgium has no other reason to exist than the separation of the low countries into two countries (luxemburg excepted of course) but just having the tag would already be great.
Requirements could comprise owning Brabant, Flanders, Ghent, Antwerp, Hainaut, Namur and Luxemburg as cores, and give a claim on Liege, Limburg and Loon once enacted.
I also added my suggestion for their national ideas :
Traditions : Stability cost modifier -20%, hostile core creation cost on us : +50%
Joyous entry charter : national unrest -1
Humanist center : Cost of ideas -10%
Trade hub : provincial trade power +20% (or national trade income modifier +10%)
Freedom of worship : tolerance of heretics +2
Siderurgy traditions : artillery cost -20%
Buffer state : diplomatic reputation +2
Early industrialization : production efficiency +10% (or goods produced +10%)
Ambition : advisor cost -15%
The values may need to be balanced of course, I tried to emphasize the ones that I feeled were more important. The ideas are based on belgium as it historically developped during the spanish, austrian and french periods, more focused on itself (i considered giving a reduction to development cost also) being a strong productive region with important trade corridors running through (with the champagne fairs to the south, the flemish and dutch ports to the north and the german rhine river states to the east). Giving a focus to external trade (merchants, trade efficiency and trade steering) would not really fit the country neither would focus on exploration or colonization (even though the Ostend Company did exist at a point (wiki : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostend_Company). Military ideas are hard to imagine for Belgium but the artillery cost reduction does in my opinion illustrate the weapon manufacturing traditions of the country (there is even a reference to mons meg in one of the artillery units description).
Here are the texts for each idea, if anyone has a better idea for an idea title or effect they are welcome !
Joyous entry charter : "The joyous entry charters where charters promulgated in the late middle ages and reconducted during the introduction of the new monarch in each city which imposed restrictions on the monarch's powers in exchange for the allegiance of the city. They eventually came to apply to the whole country and served as a guarantee for each citizen against the power of the monarch."
(wiki : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joyous_Entry_of_1356 for the most representative of them).
Humanist center : "During the renaissance and the following centuries numerous scholars and theologians fleeing the religious repression in their home country took residence in the low countries." (Another idea would be to focus on the flemish painters and their cultural impact).
Trade hub : "With important trade corridors running through the region, the cities and their merchants have developed new ways to leverage provincial infrastructure and benefit from the flow of trade."
Freedom of worship (the description from the burgundy Ni would better fit actually) : "Historically the low countries have always been tolerant with new and alternative faiths."
Siderurgy traditions : "The metalworking industry of the country has a reputation for quality especially in artillery fabrication."
Buffer state : "Known as the "battlefield of Europe", Belgium has learned to cultivate its relationships with the surrounding European powers."
Early industrialization : "The quick adoption of new and experimental methods of production has boosted our production of goods and improved our competitivity with the surrounding regions."
I welcome any discussion on the subject, I'm sure I must have overlooked a few things !
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