So I was thinking earlier today how to improve diplomacy and here are some of my thoughts.
Diplomatic Characters
Currently in game the only diplomat is your chancellor. However my suggestion is to make diplomat a title that you give to someone, and then you can tell them who to work on improve relations with. They could even be sent with a particular objective. Of course we are playing characters and this should greatly impact how the diplomacy goes.
So lets say you are Duke Edward of York and you are sent to improve relations for your lord, King William of England, at the court of King Robert of Scotland. Your relation with both William and Robert can greatly determine things. For example say you hate William, and are secretly plotting to overthrow him for his brother Richard. Instead of improving relations for William, you can do some side deals to work out a non-aggression pact for when the coup happens or sell secrets(if you know any). Or lets say Robert hates you and sees you as his rival, well now it might mean worse relations, perhaps it ends with you imprisoned or executed. Of course if William secretly wanted you out of the way so that your more pliable son can take over. Perhaps he deliberately sends you on a suicide mission.
Depending on who you send them to improve diplomacy with could also even satisfy the powerful vassal desires. For example if the Archbishop of Canterbury is a powerful vassal and not on your council, you can appoint him to represent England to Rome. As the pope is the head of the Catholic faith, the archbishop finds this part pleasing enough to satisfy his powerful vassal demands. However sending him to say independent count of Cornwall, won't satisfy this demand.
Diplomatic offers
Right now when you are trying to do diplomacy be it secure an alliance, marriage, or peace, you can't really offer things in exchange. And this should be part of it. By default marriages IMO should offer a non-aggression pact but it should be through trading favors, and other offers, that it becomes an alliance.
So for example say I am the King Robert of Scotland and I defeated the King of England, william when he tried to press his claim to my land. Now since I secured a total peace, I could demand a few things to help ensure that there is peace between England and Scotland. First I have the option of making marriage as part of the peace terms, where his daughter marries my heir. On the other hand, I could demand that his young son is my hostage and stays under my supervision for X number of years.
Similar things could be the for other things. So for marriage I could toss in an alliance, or perhaps you trade favors. Perhaps part of the marriage pact is that you agree to support the king's election to emperor? So on and so on.
Thoughts? suggestions?
Diplomatic Characters
Currently in game the only diplomat is your chancellor. However my suggestion is to make diplomat a title that you give to someone, and then you can tell them who to work on improve relations with. They could even be sent with a particular objective. Of course we are playing characters and this should greatly impact how the diplomacy goes.
So lets say you are Duke Edward of York and you are sent to improve relations for your lord, King William of England, at the court of King Robert of Scotland. Your relation with both William and Robert can greatly determine things. For example say you hate William, and are secretly plotting to overthrow him for his brother Richard. Instead of improving relations for William, you can do some side deals to work out a non-aggression pact for when the coup happens or sell secrets(if you know any). Or lets say Robert hates you and sees you as his rival, well now it might mean worse relations, perhaps it ends with you imprisoned or executed. Of course if William secretly wanted you out of the way so that your more pliable son can take over. Perhaps he deliberately sends you on a suicide mission.
Depending on who you send them to improve diplomacy with could also even satisfy the powerful vassal desires. For example if the Archbishop of Canterbury is a powerful vassal and not on your council, you can appoint him to represent England to Rome. As the pope is the head of the Catholic faith, the archbishop finds this part pleasing enough to satisfy his powerful vassal demands. However sending him to say independent count of Cornwall, won't satisfy this demand.
Diplomatic offers
Right now when you are trying to do diplomacy be it secure an alliance, marriage, or peace, you can't really offer things in exchange. And this should be part of it. By default marriages IMO should offer a non-aggression pact but it should be through trading favors, and other offers, that it becomes an alliance.
So for example say I am the King Robert of Scotland and I defeated the King of England, william when he tried to press his claim to my land. Now since I secured a total peace, I could demand a few things to help ensure that there is peace between England and Scotland. First I have the option of making marriage as part of the peace terms, where his daughter marries my heir. On the other hand, I could demand that his young son is my hostage and stays under my supervision for X number of years.
Similar things could be the for other things. So for marriage I could toss in an alliance, or perhaps you trade favors. Perhaps part of the marriage pact is that you agree to support the king's election to emperor? So on and so on.
Thoughts? suggestions?