Contracts, Vassals, Tributaries, etc.

[Arcvalons]

So we're less than a month from release (woo!) and still no word or anything about tributaries. I think it's safe to assume they didn't make it for release, which is a shame, as the idea was great. Which means they will probably be re-added at some point later. However, their implementation in CK2 was obviously incomplete, as you had no way of creating tributaries other than declaring war on an independent realm and forcing tributary status upon them, and then you could not do anything else with them.

Individual contracts in CK3, however, present an opportunity to expand on this when they are added back. For example, any interaction which in CK2 would result in you vassalizing another ruler could, in CK3, instead make it a tributary first, and eventually, after fulfilling some requirements, the liege could change the contract to increase the ties between the tributary and the overlord, eventually ending up with it as a vassal. Essentially, vassalization would be a multi-step proces now. This would help inmensely with blobbing, as a realm subjugating another smaller one would have to go through the steps of: exact tribute (breaks after rulers death) > make tributary state (breaks only if overlord is weak)> vassalization with great autonomy > full vassalization.

So what do you think? Do you think individual contracts and tributaries will be tied like that? Or maybe not?

 

[ShadyGuy_SuspiciousGoal]

I can live with it. Slap in a cooldown, and make it only available for titles you don't have a claim for or something. And option for people to skip the tribulation and go straight to vassalization if they want to with maybe an opinion hit on the receiver. Maybe tribulation is only for when you don't have enough prestige or something to vassalize someone. I don't know. I just think that it's not very immersive if the Irish can do it you know. It's kinda a Mongol or Hun thing.

 

[Tanis.UK]

I'm pretty sure, we'll still have tributary wars on release, but I like the idea of having a contract like the vassals do, maybe with a few options for length 25yrs, 50yrs, 100yrs, until ruler dies, percentage of troops demanded 25%, 50%, 75%, maybe a few yes/no options like forcing a regent from your realm or allowing missionaries, or educating their heir, something like that would be cool

 

[Alenarae118]

I'm pretty sure, we'll still have tributary wars on release, but I like the idea of having a contract like the vassals do, maybe with a few options for length 25yrs, 50yrs, 100yrs, until ruler dies, percentage of troops demanded 25%, 50%, 75%, maybe a few yes/no options like forcing a regent from your realm or allowing missionaries, or educating their heir, something like that would be cool

omg yes, that would be really awesome and would make getting tributaries more fun and interesting to interact with.

 

[Malcolm Linair]

I'm in favor of anything that expands on the non-combat methods of empire building, so I think Tributary Contracts sound great.

 

[Froggie]

I'm in favor of anything that expands on the non-combat methods of empire building, so I think Tributary Contracts sound great.

I'd also.like to see an option to absorb a tributary vassal if they are "under your control" for a very long time.

 

[Riamus]

Sounds similar to Stellaris, with advancing a less advanced race. Not quite the same, but similar. It isn't a bad idea, but I'd really want to see it implemented well. I can just see having to go through this multi-step system anytime I conquer someone rather than getting the territory immediately and that would get annoying fast. In Stellaris, the delay wasn't so bad because it only affected the few systems that had less advanced races, so it had minimal impact on you. If this is just one option for war and you still have all other options available to you, then I don't mind having an option that might give me a chance to expand (slowly) where I might not be able to under normal situations (no casus belli, etc).

 

[Tuo]

The problem with tying tributary mechanics into feudal contracts would be that only feudal realms have feudal contracts - for clans and tribes, would the tributary on being vassalized cease to have an individual contract, but only change type for feudal realms? Locking out tribes and clans from making tributaries would be simply quite ridiculous.

 

[Chlodio]

I'm pretty sure, we'll still have tributary wars on release, but I like the idea of having a contract like the vassals do, maybe with a few options for length 25yrs, 50yrs, 100yrs, until ruler dies, percentage of troops demanded 25%, 50%, 75%, maybe a few yes/no options like forcing a regent from your realm or allowing missionaries, or educating their heir, something like that would be cool

I reckon tributary states shouldn't be anything like vassals, rather they should be characterized as something you have few interactions with and something that can easily slip away. I'd do this by making tributes annual instead monthly, with the ability to refuse each time (which would trigger a revolt), and instead of contributing troops like vassals, they would be called to arms as allies.