Malus to relations within the HRE for adding non-German provinces.

[WeissRaben]

The Holy Roman Empire (of the German Nation) was seen by the Princes, Electors and most of the Emperors as a mainly (obviously) German affair; the one Emperor who tried to change that (Frederick II Hohenstaufen) had to start up the decay of the Empire in concessions to the nobles in order to have it accepted, and it still didn't stick beyond his life. As such, while it is well and good that the AI should play like a player, adding Serbian/Castillian/Hungarian provinces to the Empire should be met with open scorn, not joy (and increased authority), even when the player does it. As such, I propose to have a -5 or -10 (stacking) relations penalty with the German princes per each non-German, non-Dutch, non-Czech province added to the Empire. Adding vaste swaths of lands would then become counterproductive: the Electors would like you less for that.

I...honestly can't remember if Bestow Imperial Graces (spend IA to give a bonus to relations with a nation) is still in the game, but it could well be: making those angry electors turn the other cheek would require concessions, which works pretty well with spending IA.

 

[klingonadmiral]

What is with the Wallonians? They aren't in the German group, but quite a few of their provinces are in the HRE if I recall correctly? Also, what is that the Italians? Rome for the Roman Empire, I say.

I stilll like the idea though, as it doesn't really change the main purpose of adding provinces to the Empire, at least for me: push the last (two) reforms through. Happy electors aren't important there any more.

 

[zedyue]

Just saw this in the other forum section +1 I think it's a great idea provided that the AI does make some sort of calculation on if they want to be careful with relations. The emperor would want to do it if they have good relations and need IA but wouldn't want to do it if they had bad relations and already had IA etc etc.

 

[TheChronoMaster]

I would also like to support this -- perhaps the AI could be willing to take the malus up to a point when adding new provinces, but keep a safety net? Beyond that, I feel like adding a province to the Empire should carry with it a cost on the province for a short time -- 5 years or so? -- of 'integration'.