(Last edit: 21.5.2014. Slight changes to favored deity suggestion, reworded Romuva and added alternative totemism mechanic to Slavic. In addition, getting rid of favored deities was suggested with simpler mechanics for Romuva/Slavic/Suomenusko and it's been copied to end of this message.)
Hello.
As we all know, when it comes to Pagans, Norse have plenty of things (Fylkir, Blot, runestones, river sailing) and rest of the pagans are pretty much carbon copies of each other. This is my idea for revamping said faiths with a bit more flavor. The goal is not to make them overpowered but merely to make them bit different from each other and give pagan rulers around the world some unique flavor, even if the differences are relatively minor.
Most of these events would simply rename and/or slightly modify existing mechanics in the game, which would mean adding them to should be fairly simple.
I would love to hear your comments and suggestions for further improvement on pagans.
ROMUVA/SLAVIC/SUOMENUSKO
Midsummer fair: All three of these faiths would receive ability to hold Summer Fairs. Edit: Cultural/Religious name given to festival if possible. See below for suggestions. Fluff text & events would be tweaked a bit as many of these festivals were outright fertility festivals rather than summer markets.
Religious festivals: Current pagan festivals would all be solstice festivals (= held around December) and should incorporate events from Great Feast event as right now only thing which occurs is someone puking his guts out. New fluff text and some event tweaking should be done for different religions and cultures, if appropriate, like suggested here. So for example, "duel" event could be re-written slightly as horse race event for Romuva.
Patron/Favored Gods: Historically these religions had many of the same deities and idea, with slightly different names (For example, Perkunas/Perkele). As such, them being similar is justified but best way to give them bit of flavor is patron god & sect mechanic from Indian religions and modify it slightly. Edit: To clarify, this would be "Favored God" and not "Patron god" of Hinduism as such, but mechanics would be the same while fluff would be different. Edit: Suggestion. Pagans could change their patron deity every five years.
Some of the gods had different names in different cultures, especially in case of Slavic deities, so these could be renamed per rulers culture as appropriate. Hindus have six deities to choose from but there is no need to limit ourselves to same if people have ideas for patron deities which would work as +1/-1 modifiers or small bonuses like renamed Smartism (+0.5 piety/month). The ideas below are merely suggestions for patron deities.
ROMUVA PATRON/FAVORED GODS AND ADDITIONAL MECHANICS
Dievas: +5 vassal relations (Vashnavism)
Perkunas: +1 Martial, -1 Learning
Laima: +1 intrigue, -1 martial
Gabija: +1 Stewardship, -1 learning
Bangputys: +1 stewardship, -1 intrigue
Ausrine: +20% fertility (Shaktism)
Short Reign penalty: Romuva rulers would only suffer half of the relation penalties from "short reign" (Reason: Differ Romuva from other pagans with bit more internal stability)
Milda festival: Functions as summer fair
Pusiaužiemis: New name for religious festival
Honorary title: Master of the Horse (Same as catholic title)
SLAVIC PATRON/FAVORED GODS AND ADDITIONAL MECHANICS
Edit: Totemism: When picking favored deity, Slavic rulers would build a totem to show their dedication. This would cost money and give a fixed amount of piety/prestige, depending on your feudal rank.
Svarog: +1 Health (Vayjarana)
Perun +1 Martial, -1 Learning
Veles: +1 intrigue, -1 Diplomacy
Dazbog: +1 Stewardship, -1 Intrigue
Belobog: +1 learning, -1 Martial
Lada: +1 Diplomacy, -2 intrigue, +10% fertility
Increased levies: Unreformed Slavs would have +15% Levy size instead of current +10% (Reason: Most realms border strong Christian realms and this would give them bit more staying power). Reformed Slavs would have 25%
Pust festival: Functions as summer fair
Velja Noc: New name for religious festival. Retains "Jarilo" bonus but you get to pick among your direct vassals who becomes one (Slavic religion vassal of course)
ALTERNATIVE TOTEMISM
This mechanic replace favored deity & increased levies suggestion from above.
Totemism: Slavic rulers are expected and should build totems to honor the gods. Any Slavic ruler can sanction building of a totem every three years. This costs money and gives a fixed amount of piety/prestige, depending on your feudal rank. In addition, when building a totem ruler picks a deity to honor with it and receives associated bonuses.
Svarog: +5% technology spread (all types) for 24 months. Small change to gain technology points in each category
Perun: +5% morale of armies for 24 months
Veles: +10% defensive bonus in home territory for 24 months
Lada: +5 vassal relations for 24 months
Svetovid: +10% tax increase in capital county/duchy, -5% national revolt risk for 24 months
Any Slavic ruler who has not built a totem in five years, gains "Disrespects the gods". This gives -10 vassal relation penalty (-20 for Zealous vassals, -5 for Cynical vassals)
SUOMENUSKO PATRON/FAVORED GODS AND ADDITIONAL MECHANICS
Favored deities: To differ Suomenusko a bit, favored deities grant +2/-2 modifiers, aside from Ukko as Learning is arguably weakest ability available.
Ukko +2 Learning
Perkele: +2 Martial, -2 Learning
Antero: +2 Intrigue, -2 Martial
Ilmarinen: +2 Stewardship, -2 intrigue
Ilmatar: +2 Diplomacy, -2 intrigue
Lemminki: +2 Intrigue/Martial, -2 Diplomacy/Learning
Bear hunt: Suomenusko loses Grand hunt event and it's replaced by "Bear Hunt" which functions as Tiger Hunt from Indian religions. (Reason: Finno-Ugrics already received "Peijaiset" event so giving this as flavor would suit well)
Honorary titles: Court bard (same as Muslim Court Poet), Master of the Hunt (Same as catholic title)
Ukon juhla: Functions as summer fair
Jule festival: New name for current religious festival
TENGRI
Tengri is a bit different than other pagan religions, in such way that they suffer less penalties for short reign penalties and are offensive in nature and also they typically get the Altaic culture perks. However, otherwise as religion they lack mechanics. So, I am taking some historical things as well as aspects of it's modern version for inspiration.
Tengri would have no patron deities but lesser deities/spirits could be referred in various fluff texts for “Increase ability” ambitions, such as wise shaman teaching you about Erlik when you improve your learning.
Eternal Blue Sky: Khan journeys to a sacred mountain/lake to ask a blessing from Tengri. Works as pilgrimage/Hajj and ruler gains pilgrim trait (New graphic needed)
Shamanism: Tengri would receive “Seek Guru” event to gain a highly talented shaman to their court.
Hold a feast: Tengri would have ability to have a feast like Christians.
Honorary title: Master of the Horse (Same as catholic title)
Horselords: Essentially a Furusiyaa tournament but instead of removing decadence, it would remove "too long at peace" penalties which you might have so it would essentially count as war
Edit: Not sure if appropriate but would give something unique.
EDIT: Additional idea: Tolerant: "Infidel" penalty between Tengri and other faiths is halved (so default would be -15 instead of -30). Reformed Tengri cannot demand conversion or revoke infidel titles for free.
WEST AFRICAN
West African religion (WAR from now on) is the least fleshed out religion in the game and hence why this section is most detailed. Ideas have been taken from various religions such as Akan as WAR is blanket term for several belief systems. Many religions believed in single supreme deity and “lesser deities”. However, natural world and ancestor worship were equally important. So like Tengri, various minor deities could be featured in “Increase ability” ambitions, such as referring to trickster god Anansi when increasing intrigue.
Sotunde (Wise man returns): Reincarnation mechanic adapted from Indian religions. Child born could be seen either as favored by ancestors or actual rebirth of an ancestor. Existing mechanic would be moved over, with different fluff text.
Nsamanfo festival: This is a festival dedicated for honoring your ancestors. Similar to other pagan festivals (See above), it would grant ruler piety & prestige. Existing mechanic would be used with different fluff text, relating to respecting/disrespecting ancestors which would cause vassal relation penalties (instead of the usual puking event).
Seek answers for the future: Your ruler decides to seek out a wise man to divine his future. This event would be similar to pilgrimage/Hajj, but without any set destination, only indicating the wise man lives “somewhere far away”. However, this variation of pilgrimage trait (renamed: Guided by ancestors) would disappear after 10 years and it could then be done again. For further flavor, there could be chance of acquiring fortunate/unfortunate divination which would give +/- 5 vassal relation for this 10 year duration.
Defensive bonuses: Islam spread to the area faster than Christianity spread to European pagan areas, even if many pagan traditions historically survived. With this in mind, I suggest the following defense bonus for West African religion:
Levy size +10%
Garrison size +20%
Home territory:
All Units Defensive +80%
Garrison size +40%
Attrition
However this attrition would disappear with military technology 2. This would mean Mauretania cannot immediately, at least easily, attack to south but it would not take too long for them to get MO 2 either. If Attrition mechanic is hardcoded to be removed at MO 4, then WAR attrition can be removed entirely and only defensive bonuses added.
Bear in mind, there seems to be conflicting information on whether WAR currently has any defensive features or not. Based on empirical evidence, they do seem to have it already. These changes would still increase their levy size though and give attrition. Increased levies would give them bit more staying power and enable expanding towards north.
Honorary titles: Court diviner (same as Norse Lawspeaker, would require high learning or mystic trait), Court musician (same as Muslim Court Musician), Master of the Hunt (Same as catholic title)
Vodun: Chief Diviner is sent to organize various religious events to province. This would replace "Improve religious relations" ability and work as "Perform charity" for Muslim court imams, with different fluff text of course. Reason: Rather than making WAR too similar to northern pagans with summer fair, this would essentially fill that role.
Slave trade: a new suggestion is on third page of this thread.
New African map by Maraxus:
Province changes
Along with these, province of Timbuktu could be upgraded at ToG start to show it's growing importance. (= let it already have castle town upgrades, etc.).
New events
These events would flesh out the West African region a bit along with pagan revamp.
Slave traders: (who can receive: Independent ruler within de-jure Mali/Mauretania. Once in a lifetime)
“Foreign merchants have arrived in your court, with their slave interpreter. They request your permission to set up a trade route to bring the wealth of Africa up to the Mediterranean but it’s obvious they are mainly interested in slave trade.”
“Guards! throw them out” – Gain “Just” trait.
“No, get out but leave your slave” – Courtier with random culture & religion appears in your court.
“Yes, all trade is good” – Gain gold & "Approves slavers" for 24 months (-2 penalty to Diplomacy) - Idea taken from Jale.
For a ruler with West African culture, religion and Zealous trait, the following is available.
“People are not cattle to be sold! Guards! Seize them!” Gain gold, gain random courtier as above, -5% national revolt risk for 24 months
Sponsor trade (who can receive: Independent ruler within de-jure Mali/Mauretania)
“Demand for our goods has increased, perhaps we should to try to sponsor more caravans to the north?”
“Yes, let us open a new route!”. Lose gold, receive either fortunate caravan or unfortunate caravan event slightly later.
Fortunate: Gain gold (3 x amount invested), +5% national tax income for 24 months.
Unfortunate: No gold gained, severe prestige loss.
“No, it is better to limit availability of our products”. Gain gold, 10% chance to receive Greedy trait.
“I shall lead caravan myself!” – only available for Ambitious or Greedy characters. Lose gold, receive either fortunate or unfortunate caravan event (High stewardship makes it more likely it’s fortunate)
Fortunate: Gain gold (4 x amount invested), +5% national tax income for 24 months, prestige gain
Unfortunate: No gold gained, severe prestige loss. Possibility of dying or being maimed/wounded.
Desert raiders (who can receive: Independent ruler within de-jure Mali/Mauretania.)
“My liege, hostiles tribesmen are raiding our land for slaves and plunder! What shall we do?!”
“Pay them off”: Lose gold.
“Raise levies to guard the lands” –20% demesne levies reinforcement rate for 24 months, -5% national revolt risk for 24 months.
“Rally the men, I sort this out myself!” – only available for characters with high martial score. Tiny chance of dying, small change of being maimed, high chance of being wounded. If no death occurs, receive "Crushed the raiders" for 24 months (Vassal relations improved by +5).
“I have just the person in mind to handle this…” – only available for cruel, deceitful, cynical or arbitrary characters. A random adult courtier/vassal with negative opinion towards you* is sent to deal with this. Courtier/vassal either dies or is maimed/wounded or in unlikely case, gains +1 martial and prestige.
(*or relative with claim on your title who is in your court, even if he has positive opinion towards you)
EDIT: TRADE OUTPOST - representing anything from Finno-Ugric fur traders to Saharan caravan stops. This would replace current "trade post" in provinces and could be built to non-coastal provinces with suitable terrain but would simply act as regular holding that gives further power to person holding said province.
Fluff: Trade outposts help the monarch of remote lands to put all their resources at work in developing the realm. In times of war, the hardy men living in them can be levied to work as guides and outriders.
TRADE OUTPOST I Price: 100 gold Build time: 365 days Effects: +1.0 income, +10 archers, +5 light cavalry Requirements: Non-republic Pagan, Terrain non-coastal Arctic, Desert, Forest or Mountain Tech Requirements: Trade practices 1
TRADE OUTPOST II Price: 250 gold Build time: 547 days Effects: +1.5 income, +0,5 garrison level, +20 archers, +10 light cavalry Requirements: Non-republic Pagan, Terrain non-coastal Arctic, Desert, Forest or Mountain Tech Requirements: Trade practices 2
TRADE OUTPOST III Price: 350 gold Build time: 1092 days Effects: +2.0 income, +1.0 garrison level, +0.5 fort level, +50 archers, +20 light cavalry Requirements: Non-republic Pagan, Terrain non-coastal Arctic, Desert, Forest or Mountain Tech Requirements: Trade practices 3, Castle infrastructure 2
Note: This building would not be destroyed upon conversion or conquest.
ROMUVA/SLAVIC/SUOMENUSKO WITH SIMPLER MECHANICS
Polytheism: Like suggestions for Tengri/WAR in original post, various deities could be referred to in new fluff text when using various “Increase x” ambitions and other events.
Pagan beliefs: Some of the existing events could be incorporated to pagan faiths with new fluff text. Such as Suomenusko having event where people believe an angry spirit haunts a place being a variation of "gates of hell" event.
ROMUVA
Short Reign penalty: Romuva rulers would only suffer half of the relation penalties from "short reign"
Milda festival: Functions as summer fair
Pusiaužiemis: New name for religious festival
Reincarnation: Existing mechanic moved over
Honorary title: Master of the Horse (Same as catholic title)
Comments: This version of Romuva would be most "Vanilla" of pagan faiths that they would not really have much mechanics but in-built stability of organized faith (As Lithuanians persisted for a long time against Christians) with forced gavelkind until reformation plus raiding. Reincarnation mechanic was brought over for a bit more fluff.
Romuva could also only suffer -1 MA for ruler converting and rulers could convert back to paganism at half the cost so simulate religion swapping Mindaugas was known for. This mechanic would most likely only be relevant when starting as pagan at later start date.
SLAVIC
Totemism: Slavic rulers are expected and should build totems to honor the gods. Any Slavic ruler can sanction building of a totem every three years. This costs money and gives a fixed amount of piety/prestige, depending on your feudal rank. In addition, when building a totem ruler picks a deity to honor with it and receives associated bonuses.
Svarog: +5% technology spread (all types) for 24 months. Small change to gain technology points in each category
Perun: +5% morale of armies for 24 months
Veles: +10% defensive bonus in home territory for 24 months
Lada: +5 vassal relations for 24 months
Svetovid: +10% tax increase in capital county/duchy, -5% national revolt risk for 24 months
Any Slavic ruler who has not built a totem in five years, gains "Disrespects the gods". This gives -10 vassal relation penalty (-20 for Zealous vassals, -5 for Cynical vassals)
Pust festival: Functions as summer fair
Velja Noc: New name for religious festival. Retains "Jarilo" bonus but you get to pick among your direct vassals who becomes one (Slavic religion vassal of course)
Further ideas to incorporate.
Comments: Slavic would have arguably strongest mechanic of other pagans, which is quite justified in regards to tough starting positions (in general). As it would give ruler something to do continuously with continued bonus, Slavic as such would probably not need any further mechanics, though their inbuilt defensive bonuses could perhaps be slightly reduced to make them bit different and account for "totemism".
SUOMENUSKO
Bear hunt: Suomenusko loses Grand hunt event and it's replaced by "Bear Hunt" which functions as Tiger Hunt from Indian religions.
Guidance from ancestors: Your ruler decides to seek out help from ancestors and visits a shaman who can connect with spirits of the dead in Tuonela. This would function as suggestion for West African version of pilgrimage.
Ukon juhla: As current religious festival with event triggers from Great Feast event.
Summer fair: As existing mechanic, with different fluff as appropriate.
Honorary titles: Court bard (same as Muslim Court Poet), Master of the Hunt (Same as catholic title)
For the forests are dark and full of terror: Unreformed Suomenusko gain their defensive bonus vs. all pagans, not just organized faiths.
Comments: Suomenusko occupies most worthless provinces in the game. Nonetheless, it's hardly a reason to give them every possible bell and whistle to make up for it. "Tiger Hunt" is just flavor and pilgrimage itself is hardly an overpowered mechanic but would give ruler something to do.
ZUN
Zamin-i dātbar (Land of the justice-giver): Zun rulers, whether unreformed or reformed, only suffer half of the usual short reign penalties of Pagans. So for example, unreformed Zun has -100% penalties instead of -200% as is case with Romuva/Slavic/Suomenusko faiths.
Honorary titles: Zūn-dātbar (justice giver) = works as Norse Lawspeaker. Champion, Master of the blade/bow will be replaced by Zoroastrian honorary titles Shahrwaraz, Pushtigban Salar & Eran Ambaragbed with same bonuses.
County Conquest
Subjugation
Concubines
Raiding
Reformation
Pagan festival (Solstice festival)
Summer fair
MILITARY
Unreformed Zun: Levy size +10%, Garrison size +25% Home territory: All Units Defensive +80%, Garrison size +40%
Reformed Zun: Levy size +20%, Garrison size +15% Home territory: All Units Defensive +80%, Garrison size +40%
Religious Head and Holy Order: (names to be determined) The religious head of Zun (default residence in Kabul) should put priority on following kingdoms: Afghanistan, Balochstan, Punjab, Sindh, Delhi, Persia.
Holy Order composition could be same as with Spirit Warriors or Jormsvikings to differentiate them slightly from Romuva/Slavic/Suomenusko.
So essentially lose female temple holders, have slightly less levy than other pagans, gain lessened short reign penalties and altered honorary titles just to give Zun some flavor over other pagan faiths.
Amara nū sūraja (Immortal Sun): This would be alternative "reformation" for Zun. Upon reformation, religion gets Holy Order and moves into "Indian religions" group. Subjugation Cassus belli is replaced by "Indian subjugation". This would have the downside that Zunist ruler must consider changing his culture if he wants to use it in the Indian subcontinent. This would not be too difficult though, since one holy site is in Multan and changing culture that way is not too much of a problem. Zun would not receive Holy War cassus belli in this case.
Hello.
As we all know, when it comes to Pagans, Norse have plenty of things (Fylkir, Blot, runestones, river sailing) and rest of the pagans are pretty much carbon copies of each other. This is my idea for revamping said faiths with a bit more flavor. The goal is not to make them overpowered but merely to make them bit different from each other and give pagan rulers around the world some unique flavor, even if the differences are relatively minor.
Most of these events would simply rename and/or slightly modify existing mechanics in the game, which would mean adding them to should be fairly simple.
I would love to hear your comments and suggestions for further improvement on pagans.
ROMUVA/SLAVIC/SUOMENUSKO
Midsummer fair: All three of these faiths would receive ability to hold Summer Fairs. Edit: Cultural/Religious name given to festival if possible. See below for suggestions. Fluff text & events would be tweaked a bit as many of these festivals were outright fertility festivals rather than summer markets.
Religious festivals: Current pagan festivals would all be solstice festivals (= held around December) and should incorporate events from Great Feast event as right now only thing which occurs is someone puking his guts out. New fluff text and some event tweaking should be done for different religions and cultures, if appropriate, like suggested here. So for example, "duel" event could be re-written slightly as horse race event for Romuva.
Patron/Favored Gods: Historically these religions had many of the same deities and idea, with slightly different names (For example, Perkunas/Perkele). As such, them being similar is justified but best way to give them bit of flavor is patron god & sect mechanic from Indian religions and modify it slightly. Edit: To clarify, this would be "Favored God" and not "Patron god" of Hinduism as such, but mechanics would be the same while fluff would be different. Edit: Suggestion. Pagans could change their patron deity every five years.
Some of the gods had different names in different cultures, especially in case of Slavic deities, so these could be renamed per rulers culture as appropriate. Hindus have six deities to choose from but there is no need to limit ourselves to same if people have ideas for patron deities which would work as +1/-1 modifiers or small bonuses like renamed Smartism (+0.5 piety/month). The ideas below are merely suggestions for patron deities.
ROMUVA PATRON/FAVORED GODS AND ADDITIONAL MECHANICS
Dievas: +5 vassal relations (Vashnavism)
Perkunas: +1 Martial, -1 Learning
Laima: +1 intrigue, -1 martial
Gabija: +1 Stewardship, -1 learning
Bangputys: +1 stewardship, -1 intrigue
Ausrine: +20% fertility (Shaktism)
Short Reign penalty: Romuva rulers would only suffer half of the relation penalties from "short reign" (Reason: Differ Romuva from other pagans with bit more internal stability)
Milda festival: Functions as summer fair
Pusiaužiemis: New name for religious festival
Honorary title: Master of the Horse (Same as catholic title)
SLAVIC PATRON/FAVORED GODS AND ADDITIONAL MECHANICS
Edit: Totemism: When picking favored deity, Slavic rulers would build a totem to show their dedication. This would cost money and give a fixed amount of piety/prestige, depending on your feudal rank.
Svarog: +1 Health (Vayjarana)
Perun +1 Martial, -1 Learning
Veles: +1 intrigue, -1 Diplomacy
Dazbog: +1 Stewardship, -1 Intrigue
Belobog: +1 learning, -1 Martial
Lada: +1 Diplomacy, -2 intrigue, +10% fertility
Increased levies: Unreformed Slavs would have +15% Levy size instead of current +10% (Reason: Most realms border strong Christian realms and this would give them bit more staying power). Reformed Slavs would have 25%
Pust festival: Functions as summer fair
Velja Noc: New name for religious festival. Retains "Jarilo" bonus but you get to pick among your direct vassals who becomes one (Slavic religion vassal of course)
ALTERNATIVE TOTEMISM
This mechanic replace favored deity & increased levies suggestion from above.
Totemism: Slavic rulers are expected and should build totems to honor the gods. Any Slavic ruler can sanction building of a totem every three years. This costs money and gives a fixed amount of piety/prestige, depending on your feudal rank. In addition, when building a totem ruler picks a deity to honor with it and receives associated bonuses.
Svarog: +5% technology spread (all types) for 24 months. Small change to gain technology points in each category
Perun: +5% morale of armies for 24 months
Veles: +10% defensive bonus in home territory for 24 months
Lada: +5 vassal relations for 24 months
Svetovid: +10% tax increase in capital county/duchy, -5% national revolt risk for 24 months
Any Slavic ruler who has not built a totem in five years, gains "Disrespects the gods". This gives -10 vassal relation penalty (-20 for Zealous vassals, -5 for Cynical vassals)
SUOMENUSKO PATRON/FAVORED GODS AND ADDITIONAL MECHANICS
Favored deities: To differ Suomenusko a bit, favored deities grant +2/-2 modifiers, aside from Ukko as Learning is arguably weakest ability available.
Ukko +2 Learning
Perkele: +2 Martial, -2 Learning
Antero: +2 Intrigue, -2 Martial
Ilmarinen: +2 Stewardship, -2 intrigue
Ilmatar: +2 Diplomacy, -2 intrigue
Lemminki: +2 Intrigue/Martial, -2 Diplomacy/Learning
Bear hunt: Suomenusko loses Grand hunt event and it's replaced by "Bear Hunt" which functions as Tiger Hunt from Indian religions. (Reason: Finno-Ugrics already received "Peijaiset" event so giving this as flavor would suit well)
Honorary titles: Court bard (same as Muslim Court Poet), Master of the Hunt (Same as catholic title)
Ukon juhla: Functions as summer fair
Jule festival: New name for current religious festival
TENGRI
Tengri is a bit different than other pagan religions, in such way that they suffer less penalties for short reign penalties and are offensive in nature and also they typically get the Altaic culture perks. However, otherwise as religion they lack mechanics. So, I am taking some historical things as well as aspects of it's modern version for inspiration.
Tengri would have no patron deities but lesser deities/spirits could be referred in various fluff texts for “Increase ability” ambitions, such as wise shaman teaching you about Erlik when you improve your learning.
Eternal Blue Sky: Khan journeys to a sacred mountain/lake to ask a blessing from Tengri. Works as pilgrimage/Hajj and ruler gains pilgrim trait (New graphic needed)
Shamanism: Tengri would receive “Seek Guru” event to gain a highly talented shaman to their court.
Hold a feast: Tengri would have ability to have a feast like Christians.
Honorary title: Master of the Horse (Same as catholic title)
Horselords: Essentially a Furusiyaa tournament but instead of removing decadence, it would remove "too long at peace" penalties which you might have so it would essentially count as war
Edit: Not sure if appropriate but would give something unique.EDIT: Additional idea: Tolerant: "Infidel" penalty between Tengri and other faiths is halved (so default would be -15 instead of -30). Reformed Tengri cannot demand conversion or revoke infidel titles for free.
WEST AFRICAN
West African religion (WAR from now on) is the least fleshed out religion in the game and hence why this section is most detailed. Ideas have been taken from various religions such as Akan as WAR is blanket term for several belief systems. Many religions believed in single supreme deity and “lesser deities”. However, natural world and ancestor worship were equally important. So like Tengri, various minor deities could be featured in “Increase ability” ambitions, such as referring to trickster god Anansi when increasing intrigue.
Sotunde (Wise man returns): Reincarnation mechanic adapted from Indian religions. Child born could be seen either as favored by ancestors or actual rebirth of an ancestor. Existing mechanic would be moved over, with different fluff text.
Nsamanfo festival: This is a festival dedicated for honoring your ancestors. Similar to other pagan festivals (See above), it would grant ruler piety & prestige. Existing mechanic would be used with different fluff text, relating to respecting/disrespecting ancestors which would cause vassal relation penalties (instead of the usual puking event).
Seek answers for the future: Your ruler decides to seek out a wise man to divine his future. This event would be similar to pilgrimage/Hajj, but without any set destination, only indicating the wise man lives “somewhere far away”. However, this variation of pilgrimage trait (renamed: Guided by ancestors) would disappear after 10 years and it could then be done again. For further flavor, there could be chance of acquiring fortunate/unfortunate divination which would give +/- 5 vassal relation for this 10 year duration.
Defensive bonuses: Islam spread to the area faster than Christianity spread to European pagan areas, even if many pagan traditions historically survived. With this in mind, I suggest the following defense bonus for West African religion:
Levy size +10%
Garrison size +20%
Home territory:
All Units Defensive +80%
Garrison size +40%
Attrition
However this attrition would disappear with military technology 2. This would mean Mauretania cannot immediately, at least easily, attack to south but it would not take too long for them to get MO 2 either. If Attrition mechanic is hardcoded to be removed at MO 4, then WAR attrition can be removed entirely and only defensive bonuses added.
Bear in mind, there seems to be conflicting information on whether WAR currently has any defensive features or not. Based on empirical evidence, they do seem to have it already. These changes would still increase their levy size though and give attrition. Increased levies would give them bit more staying power and enable expanding towards north.
Honorary titles: Court diviner (same as Norse Lawspeaker, would require high learning or mystic trait), Court musician (same as Muslim Court Musician), Master of the Hunt (Same as catholic title)
Vodun: Chief Diviner is sent to organize various religious events to province. This would replace "Improve religious relations" ability and work as "Perform charity" for Muslim court imams, with different fluff text of course. Reason: Rather than making WAR too similar to northern pagans with summer fair, this would essentially fill that role.
Slave trade: a new suggestion is on third page of this thread.
New African map by Maraxus:
Province changes
Along with these, province of Timbuktu could be upgraded at ToG start to show it's growing importance. (= let it already have castle town upgrades, etc.).
New events
These events would flesh out the West African region a bit along with pagan revamp.
Slave traders: (who can receive: Independent ruler within de-jure Mali/Mauretania. Once in a lifetime)
“Foreign merchants have arrived in your court, with their slave interpreter. They request your permission to set up a trade route to bring the wealth of Africa up to the Mediterranean but it’s obvious they are mainly interested in slave trade.”
“Guards! throw them out” – Gain “Just” trait.
“No, get out but leave your slave” – Courtier with random culture & religion appears in your court.
“Yes, all trade is good” – Gain gold & "Approves slavers" for 24 months (-2 penalty to Diplomacy) - Idea taken from Jale.
For a ruler with West African culture, religion and Zealous trait, the following is available.
“People are not cattle to be sold! Guards! Seize them!” Gain gold, gain random courtier as above, -5% national revolt risk for 24 months
Sponsor trade (who can receive: Independent ruler within de-jure Mali/Mauretania)
“Demand for our goods has increased, perhaps we should to try to sponsor more caravans to the north?”
“Yes, let us open a new route!”. Lose gold, receive either fortunate caravan or unfortunate caravan event slightly later.
Fortunate: Gain gold (3 x amount invested), +5% national tax income for 24 months.
Unfortunate: No gold gained, severe prestige loss.
“No, it is better to limit availability of our products”. Gain gold, 10% chance to receive Greedy trait.
“I shall lead caravan myself!” – only available for Ambitious or Greedy characters. Lose gold, receive either fortunate or unfortunate caravan event (High stewardship makes it more likely it’s fortunate)
Fortunate: Gain gold (4 x amount invested), +5% national tax income for 24 months, prestige gain
Unfortunate: No gold gained, severe prestige loss. Possibility of dying or being maimed/wounded.
Desert raiders (who can receive: Independent ruler within de-jure Mali/Mauretania.)
“My liege, hostiles tribesmen are raiding our land for slaves and plunder! What shall we do?!”
“Pay them off”: Lose gold.
“Raise levies to guard the lands” –20% demesne levies reinforcement rate for 24 months, -5% national revolt risk for 24 months.
“Rally the men, I sort this out myself!” – only available for characters with high martial score. Tiny chance of dying, small change of being maimed, high chance of being wounded. If no death occurs, receive "Crushed the raiders" for 24 months (Vassal relations improved by +5).
“I have just the person in mind to handle this…” – only available for cruel, deceitful, cynical or arbitrary characters. A random adult courtier/vassal with negative opinion towards you* is sent to deal with this. Courtier/vassal either dies or is maimed/wounded or in unlikely case, gains +1 martial and prestige.
(*or relative with claim on your title who is in your court, even if he has positive opinion towards you)
EDIT: TRADE OUTPOST - representing anything from Finno-Ugric fur traders to Saharan caravan stops. This would replace current "trade post" in provinces and could be built to non-coastal provinces with suitable terrain but would simply act as regular holding that gives further power to person holding said province.
Fluff: Trade outposts help the monarch of remote lands to put all their resources at work in developing the realm. In times of war, the hardy men living in them can be levied to work as guides and outriders.
TRADE OUTPOST I Price: 100 gold Build time: 365 days Effects: +1.0 income, +10 archers, +5 light cavalry Requirements: Non-republic Pagan, Terrain non-coastal Arctic, Desert, Forest or Mountain Tech Requirements: Trade practices 1
TRADE OUTPOST II Price: 250 gold Build time: 547 days Effects: +1.5 income, +0,5 garrison level, +20 archers, +10 light cavalry Requirements: Non-republic Pagan, Terrain non-coastal Arctic, Desert, Forest or Mountain Tech Requirements: Trade practices 2
TRADE OUTPOST III Price: 350 gold Build time: 1092 days Effects: +2.0 income, +1.0 garrison level, +0.5 fort level, +50 archers, +20 light cavalry Requirements: Non-republic Pagan, Terrain non-coastal Arctic, Desert, Forest or Mountain Tech Requirements: Trade practices 3, Castle infrastructure 2
Note: This building would not be destroyed upon conversion or conquest.
ROMUVA/SLAVIC/SUOMENUSKO WITH SIMPLER MECHANICS
Polytheism: Like suggestions for Tengri/WAR in original post, various deities could be referred to in new fluff text when using various “Increase x” ambitions and other events.
Pagan beliefs: Some of the existing events could be incorporated to pagan faiths with new fluff text. Such as Suomenusko having event where people believe an angry spirit haunts a place being a variation of "gates of hell" event.
ROMUVA
Short Reign penalty: Romuva rulers would only suffer half of the relation penalties from "short reign"
Milda festival: Functions as summer fair
Pusiaužiemis: New name for religious festival
Reincarnation: Existing mechanic moved over
Honorary title: Master of the Horse (Same as catholic title)
Comments: This version of Romuva would be most "Vanilla" of pagan faiths that they would not really have much mechanics but in-built stability of organized faith (As Lithuanians persisted for a long time against Christians) with forced gavelkind until reformation plus raiding. Reincarnation mechanic was brought over for a bit more fluff.
Romuva could also only suffer -1 MA for ruler converting and rulers could convert back to paganism at half the cost so simulate religion swapping Mindaugas was known for. This mechanic would most likely only be relevant when starting as pagan at later start date.
SLAVIC
Totemism: Slavic rulers are expected and should build totems to honor the gods. Any Slavic ruler can sanction building of a totem every three years. This costs money and gives a fixed amount of piety/prestige, depending on your feudal rank. In addition, when building a totem ruler picks a deity to honor with it and receives associated bonuses.
Svarog: +5% technology spread (all types) for 24 months. Small change to gain technology points in each category
Perun: +5% morale of armies for 24 months
Veles: +10% defensive bonus in home territory for 24 months
Lada: +5 vassal relations for 24 months
Svetovid: +10% tax increase in capital county/duchy, -5% national revolt risk for 24 months
Any Slavic ruler who has not built a totem in five years, gains "Disrespects the gods". This gives -10 vassal relation penalty (-20 for Zealous vassals, -5 for Cynical vassals)
Pust festival: Functions as summer fair
Velja Noc: New name for religious festival. Retains "Jarilo" bonus but you get to pick among your direct vassals who becomes one (Slavic religion vassal of course)
Further ideas to incorporate.
Comments: Slavic would have arguably strongest mechanic of other pagans, which is quite justified in regards to tough starting positions (in general). As it would give ruler something to do continuously with continued bonus, Slavic as such would probably not need any further mechanics, though their inbuilt defensive bonuses could perhaps be slightly reduced to make them bit different and account for "totemism".
SUOMENUSKO
Bear hunt: Suomenusko loses Grand hunt event and it's replaced by "Bear Hunt" which functions as Tiger Hunt from Indian religions.
Guidance from ancestors: Your ruler decides to seek out help from ancestors and visits a shaman who can connect with spirits of the dead in Tuonela. This would function as suggestion for West African version of pilgrimage.
Ukon juhla: As current religious festival with event triggers from Great Feast event.
Summer fair: As existing mechanic, with different fluff as appropriate.
Honorary titles: Court bard (same as Muslim Court Poet), Master of the Hunt (Same as catholic title)
For the forests are dark and full of terror: Unreformed Suomenusko gain their defensive bonus vs. all pagans, not just organized faiths.
Comments: Suomenusko occupies most worthless provinces in the game. Nonetheless, it's hardly a reason to give them every possible bell and whistle to make up for it. "Tiger Hunt" is just flavor and pilgrimage itself is hardly an overpowered mechanic but would give ruler something to do.
ZUN
Zamin-i dātbar (Land of the justice-giver): Zun rulers, whether unreformed or reformed, only suffer half of the usual short reign penalties of Pagans. So for example, unreformed Zun has -100% penalties instead of -200% as is case with Romuva/Slavic/Suomenusko faiths.
Honorary titles: Zūn-dātbar (justice giver) = works as Norse Lawspeaker. Champion, Master of the blade/bow will be replaced by Zoroastrian honorary titles Shahrwaraz, Pushtigban Salar & Eran Ambaragbed with same bonuses.
County Conquest
Subjugation
Concubines
Raiding
Reformation
Pagan festival (Solstice festival)
Summer fair
MILITARY
Unreformed Zun: Levy size +10%, Garrison size +25% Home territory: All Units Defensive +80%, Garrison size +40%
Reformed Zun: Levy size +20%, Garrison size +15% Home territory: All Units Defensive +80%, Garrison size +40%
Religious Head and Holy Order: (names to be determined) The religious head of Zun (default residence in Kabul) should put priority on following kingdoms: Afghanistan, Balochstan, Punjab, Sindh, Delhi, Persia.
Holy Order composition could be same as with Spirit Warriors or Jormsvikings to differentiate them slightly from Romuva/Slavic/Suomenusko.
So essentially lose female temple holders, have slightly less levy than other pagans, gain lessened short reign penalties and altered honorary titles just to give Zun some flavor over other pagan faiths.
Amara nū sūraja (Immortal Sun): This would be alternative "reformation" for Zun. Upon reformation, religion gets Holy Order and moves into "Indian religions" group. Subjugation Cassus belli is replaced by "Indian subjugation". This would have the downside that Zunist ruler must consider changing his culture if he wants to use it in the Indian subcontinent. This would not be too difficult though, since one holy site is in Multan and changing culture that way is not too much of a problem. Zun would not receive Holy War cassus belli in this case.
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