It would be neat if characters had memories of who used to have such and such a title. For example, my character's father was the Emperor of Britannia, but a rebellion rose up and deposed him. He died and his child and family were forced to flee to his family's holdings in mainland Europe (separate from the Empire title) to escape the sword themselves. Now, most of the feudal lords in the area aligned themselves with the new Emperor, and all of them bent the knee, but it would be nice if some of the families remember my character's father as Emperor more fondly than the current Emperor. Perhaps they might send gifts of gold, or promises to pledge themselves to my banner when their rightful liege lord returns.
Of course, they might expect something upon your return if they do support you. Perhaps they covet a neighbor's county, a neighbor who is less loyal to you than they are. Or perhaps their Ducal Liege Lord helped overthrow you, but they'd never do such a thing if you made them the new Duke when you were reinstated, etc.
Obviously as time passes, as characters age and die, the memory of what things used to be like fades, and these effects go away. Children of your former loyalists who only ever grew up with the new Emperor don't remember the way things used to be. Perhaps a handful might continue to support you because their father or mother did, but even that would be minimal and unlikely. Eventually you're Count of Holland and only vaguely remember the former glories of your house as you sit, grey-haired and friendless before the fire.
On the flip side, if you're the deposer, it would be nice to have a reason to want the sires of the old ruler dead or imprisoned, so that you don't have to worry about them rising up to reclaim their father's land.
A civil war system related to such situations would be nice. "Edward III Plantagenet seeks to reclaim his father's title as Emperor of Britannia, King of England, King of Scotland, and protector of the realm! So-called Emperor Ulfric is a pretender!" Then vassals can choose sides. (Probably with a strong modifier to pick the side of Emperor Ulfric, but those who really hate Ulfric or really love my character could join my side.) Instead of warring against the whole of Britannia, fight against the parts that support Ulfric, and with the parts that support me. Perhaps some of them decide to send some soldiers to Ulfric, but sit it out for the most part until they can support the side that seems to be winning.
Of course, as I said, this would fade over time, and eventually conquering Britannia would require fighting against most or all of it.
Of course, they might expect something upon your return if they do support you. Perhaps they covet a neighbor's county, a neighbor who is less loyal to you than they are. Or perhaps their Ducal Liege Lord helped overthrow you, but they'd never do such a thing if you made them the new Duke when you were reinstated, etc.
Obviously as time passes, as characters age and die, the memory of what things used to be like fades, and these effects go away. Children of your former loyalists who only ever grew up with the new Emperor don't remember the way things used to be. Perhaps a handful might continue to support you because their father or mother did, but even that would be minimal and unlikely. Eventually you're Count of Holland and only vaguely remember the former glories of your house as you sit, grey-haired and friendless before the fire.
On the flip side, if you're the deposer, it would be nice to have a reason to want the sires of the old ruler dead or imprisoned, so that you don't have to worry about them rising up to reclaim their father's land.
A civil war system related to such situations would be nice. "Edward III Plantagenet seeks to reclaim his father's title as Emperor of Britannia, King of England, King of Scotland, and protector of the realm! So-called Emperor Ulfric is a pretender!" Then vassals can choose sides. (Probably with a strong modifier to pick the side of Emperor Ulfric, but those who really hate Ulfric or really love my character could join my side.) Instead of warring against the whole of Britannia, fight against the parts that support Ulfric, and with the parts that support me. Perhaps some of them decide to send some soldiers to Ulfric, but sit it out for the most part until they can support the side that seems to be winning.
Of course, as I said, this would fade over time, and eventually conquering Britannia would require fighting against most or all of it.
