Distance, Emperors, Pope, Republics

[Valynor]

Just some thoughts.

One thing I feel lacking in CK2 (let alone the interface for a moment, that could be better), is the absence of the distance factor.
In a great empire, long absence of the Emperor should rise the rebellion chance. Preferably the formation of lower authority factions.
I mean if you nominally reign from Denmark to Sicily you have to show yourself everywhere once in a while, or you'll be forgotten.
The same goes for Empires stretching from Croatia to Egypt.
Big empires must be very difficult to mantain.

Somewhat related to this subject, I think that we need a more clear fight between Papacy and HRE.
Via excommunication and intrigue the Pope should try to keep the HRE authority low, and Papal investiture.
I think that he could start a faction in the HRE too. On the other hand, high authority and some travels in Italy should give the Emperor a word on the papal election.

Dreaming, if we had a Republic DLC after a religious DLC, the secular and spiritual factions could have an effect in them too.
Yes, I'm thinking Guelphs and Ghibellines, but it can be generalized.
Maybe the number of episcopal schools against that of uiniversities could have a role.

I know that dinasties are key in the game, as it should be. But the environment was different with many other actors in it.

Sorry for the bad english

 

[ziamatt]

Distance already does increase vassal rebelliousness though.

 

[monsterfurby]

Distance already does increase vassal rebelliousness though.

Although that effect has been nerfed somewhat with the inclusion of factions.

 

[Pallen]

I am pretty sure distance is a factor, as far as joining in on wars and alliances go. This might have been changed, but I am pretty sure it did have an impact.

 

[Valynor]

However, distance from the Capital matters, not from the Emperor himself, AFAIK.

 

[unmerged(458333)]

I always assumed that characters do tour their realm to some extent. Spouses ruling from different locations are able to have legitimate children without manually visiting each other.

 

[Prime624]

Your English is 100% good.

I like your point about the HRE-Papacy relationship, but about all your other points, look at the posts above.

 

[Minrog]

The same goes for Empires stretching from Croatia to Egypt.

Just wanna say that Croatia and Egypt are linked together by the Great Roman Lake (tm) and it's only a few days or weeks to go between (depending on the era). I hope the distance from capital penalties are reflecting the sea connections cause it's dumb to assume you're walking through Asia Minor.

 

[Hackworthy]

I think instead we should stymie the flood of constant "make [insert tedious factor here] more tedious" threads and instead focus on fixing those destabilizing factors that already exist. Such as factions.

 

[Valynor]

I think instead we should stymie the flood of constant "make [insert tedious factor here] more tedious" threads and instead focus on fixing those destabilizing factors that already exist. Such as factions.

I see what you mean, so I tell you where my first idea comes from.
In one of my first EU3 games, I became Emperor very early and very unwillingly (by electoral mission), with a little country, Nederland I think.
For a hundred years and more, my main army had to run from east to west, from north to south, defending emperor's borttherlands and gaining emperor authority.
It was a lot of fun, abruptily ended when I transformed the emperor in one massive state.
I think that forcing the emperor itself doing something like that, moreso century before EU3, can be fun and the key to get rid of the unhistorical grey blob that never collapses.
Factions per se don't seem to me particularly fun yet, but all can be obviously improved. An emperor struggling in Italy should have great risk of massive revolts in Central Europe. It's unbelievable almost as the sunset invasion (obviously a fun only scenario though) that every Emperor could descend in Italy with an overwhelming quantity of troops, such that no italian power can resist and with no consequences at all everywhere.

Maybe it's me, but my understanding is that the powerful innovative force (talking from an european pow, of course) between 1050 and 1200 isn't the HRE at all, but the catholic church, since Ildebrand to Innocenzo the third. And changing its lack of initiative could balance the things a little.

I'm enjoyng the game anyway, but I try to stay away from the grey monster