I find it funny how the theocracies and the republics are what everyone is worrying about for the game (pagans too) when the actual game was made for the purpose of Feudalism- although I'm not going to bother arguing against the assertions that those are important, I feel that the feudal game play in this game could be expanded through using real and existing laws. Additionally, I have a proposed solution for the HRE blob through non-restricting game mechanics. (AKA singling out) and general Blob slaying.
Laws & Crown Authority
First off, I believe there should be something to stop the constant changing of laws- it should cost prestige to move it up based on the size of the empire or kingdom. A failed attempt should cost even more. Also, more laws means more different rebellions and demands. Also, there should be a certain amount of tradition in these laws- people who have been under more oppressive laws for generations would probably be more accepting to work around them.
"Crown Authority" is a very weak and arbitrary term that let's admit- it makes little to no sense at all. It is a very confusing concept, with little rhyme or reason. It is certainly not representing the Byzantine Empire well and fails with the HRE, making it easy to take advantage of game mechanics. I suggest we divide it historically into the following 2 categories:
Crown Authority: I believe that Crown Authority should represent something else entirely, it should represent authority. Historically, the HRE had little authority over it's area (Besides hereditary lands), the French had some authority, but the English had a lot of authority. Source for the following The authority of a kingdom within a de jure empire could be different.
In the HRE, most of the lands sworn to the Kaiser were hardly belonging to him. Only a few managed to actually take advantage of the Emperor title, most of the people had minimal Authority. I believe that this should be called NOMINAL authority level, and should be represented on the map by showing those sworn to a title like this as independent nations rather than as one massive blob. The difference between this and the current system is that war can be declared on a vassal from the outside, and the liege is instead given the option to accept or deny the call to arms. If accepted, all vassals will be sent a call to arms invitation automatically. (I'm certain something could be done to prevent massive vassal spam, like giving a list of acceptances and denials after a month or something. Also, each vassal would be represented as an ally, not as a single unit) If denied, the person will have to fend for themselves. Wars can be declared on the liege without having all his vassals support him. This would make wars much less dependable, and justice could not be served against those vassals.
France was more centralized than the HRE, less like a group of nations than an actual unified nation. In short, this place will have military consistency- it will be more like the current game nations than anything else. Wars from the outside must be declared on the liege. However, fealty will only come from vassals. This should be called Vassal Authority. This had faults with the fact that vassals of vassals were not tied to the king at all- they were totally free from the throne in Paris.
The final model was one brought in by our beloved William the Bastard to England. Apparently pissed off with the above system, he made vassals of vassals swear fealty to the crown as well- Gameplay wise, this means that in the situation of an unsuccessful rebellion, the liege would have a right to not only punish his vassals but also the vassals of that vassal who supported their direct liege-the vassal of vassal would be given a choice in the situation of rebellion who to support. Also, laws like taxes ect. should affect the vassals of vassals as well.
Justice The problem with the current system of justice and revocation is that it actually has very little to do how it worked. In reality, the group of dukes (Along with the king) would decide how someone should get punished for breaking their feudal contract. (Not sending levies, rebelling, ect.) If the liege chooses to act against the will of his vassals, their should be an opinion hit.
The minimal level of this would not allow revocation of titles at all. It would also allow the council of nobles who get to choose what should happen to the family.
The second level would allow revocation of titles, along with the forced delivery of rebels against the crown to the king's court if one of your vassals captures a rebelling vassal.
The third level would place this decision solely into the hands of the king, and while this would have an opinion hit it wouldn't be as heavy as disagreeing with one's vassals.
Laws & Crown Authority
First off, I believe there should be something to stop the constant changing of laws- it should cost prestige to move it up based on the size of the empire or kingdom. A failed attempt should cost even more. Also, more laws means more different rebellions and demands. Also, there should be a certain amount of tradition in these laws- people who have been under more oppressive laws for generations would probably be more accepting to work around them.
"Crown Authority" is a very weak and arbitrary term that let's admit- it makes little to no sense at all. It is a very confusing concept, with little rhyme or reason. It is certainly not representing the Byzantine Empire well and fails with the HRE, making it easy to take advantage of game mechanics. I suggest we divide it historically into the following 2 categories:
Crown Authority: I believe that Crown Authority should represent something else entirely, it should represent authority. Historically, the HRE had little authority over it's area (Besides hereditary lands), the French had some authority, but the English had a lot of authority. Source for the following The authority of a kingdom within a de jure empire could be different.
In the HRE, most of the lands sworn to the Kaiser were hardly belonging to him. Only a few managed to actually take advantage of the Emperor title, most of the people had minimal Authority. I believe that this should be called NOMINAL authority level, and should be represented on the map by showing those sworn to a title like this as independent nations rather than as one massive blob. The difference between this and the current system is that war can be declared on a vassal from the outside, and the liege is instead given the option to accept or deny the call to arms. If accepted, all vassals will be sent a call to arms invitation automatically. (I'm certain something could be done to prevent massive vassal spam, like giving a list of acceptances and denials after a month or something. Also, each vassal would be represented as an ally, not as a single unit) If denied, the person will have to fend for themselves. Wars can be declared on the liege without having all his vassals support him. This would make wars much less dependable, and justice could not be served against those vassals.
France was more centralized than the HRE, less like a group of nations than an actual unified nation. In short, this place will have military consistency- it will be more like the current game nations than anything else. Wars from the outside must be declared on the liege. However, fealty will only come from vassals. This should be called Vassal Authority. This had faults with the fact that vassals of vassals were not tied to the king at all- they were totally free from the throne in Paris.
The final model was one brought in by our beloved William the Bastard to England. Apparently pissed off with the above system, he made vassals of vassals swear fealty to the crown as well- Gameplay wise, this means that in the situation of an unsuccessful rebellion, the liege would have a right to not only punish his vassals but also the vassals of that vassal who supported their direct liege-the vassal of vassal would be given a choice in the situation of rebellion who to support. Also, laws like taxes ect. should affect the vassals of vassals as well.
Justice The problem with the current system of justice and revocation is that it actually has very little to do how it worked. In reality, the group of dukes (Along with the king) would decide how someone should get punished for breaking their feudal contract. (Not sending levies, rebelling, ect.) If the liege chooses to act against the will of his vassals, their should be an opinion hit.
The minimal level of this would not allow revocation of titles at all. It would also allow the council of nobles who get to choose what should happen to the family.
The second level would allow revocation of titles, along with the forced delivery of rebels against the crown to the king's court if one of your vassals captures a rebelling vassal.
The third level would place this decision solely into the hands of the king, and while this would have an opinion hit it wouldn't be as heavy as disagreeing with one's vassals.
