Hi,
I know this issue was broached early in the development process and I believe the developers have since called the addition of any extra tiers (Viscounts and Marquesses) due to the perceived complexity this would bring, and the already added dynamics of Barons and the 4 Emperors.
I have been thinking about this and I wanted to suggest a method of inclusion of an added rank without necessarily adding full tiers, or the use, necessarily, of "prestige ranks" (although it may seem that way) that was discussed in the earlier thread on this issue. I also hope that this suggestion is simple enough that it could be incorporated with relative ease, and that the cost vs benefit of adding these into the game model is acceptable.
I wanted to make a case for the inclusion of Marquesses (England etc.) and Margraves/Marquis (Germany, France etc.).
As that title normally lay between Count/Earl and Duke, it would make sense that it's inclusion would be as a rich man's count/poor man's Duke. Margraves had important roles in continental Europe, being essentially a kingdom's borderland Counts, they would need to be continually more prepared to defend the Kingdom.
My suggestion is that a Margrave/Marquess rank may be granted/created by a Count (at significant cost) to replace his Count title for one of the provinces under his control:
Instead of being the Count of Mecklemburg and Stettin he would now be the Margrave of Stettin and Count of Mecklemburg. (He cold not be Margrave of Mecklemburg and Stettin).
When granted/created, this character gets an added bonus from the county for which he holds a Margravite, this bonus could include increased levy size, increased tax revenues, greater prestige, and a new portrait/Coat of Arms flourish, of course. Other small advantages is that the Margravite would be more expensive for other characters to lay claim. And of course it would increase the loyalty of a Count to which it was granted - hopefully strengthening a realm from all sides.
The other bonus of being a Margrave instead of just a Count, is expansion. Increased demense limit (slightly below that of a Duke), and thus the ability to hold lands of almost the size of a Duchy without penalty. Thus being awarded a Margravite facilitates the promotion to Duke more readily.
Once a Margrave gains a Duchy, the title of Margrave would remain for the one County that it was originally awarded (And thus the levy and income bonus as well, but no added demense limit bonus). (Duke of Mecklemburg, Margrave of Stettin, Count of Mecklemburg etc.).
A Duke without a lower Margrave title would also be able purchase that title to replace one of his Count ranks, to get the added bonuses.
I hope this is a reasonable argument for the added rank and that it adds only a small level of complexity to the coding and the game itself for a nice level of added enjoyment.
A similar system could likely be included to add the Viscount rank to the Baron tier, but that doesn't seem as straightforward to me, and as such, would not be playable anyway.
Any thoughts? I would especially like to know from one of the developers if they believe this to be a feasible/useful addition (if not for the basic game, then an expansion perhaps?)
I know this issue was broached early in the development process and I believe the developers have since called the addition of any extra tiers (Viscounts and Marquesses) due to the perceived complexity this would bring, and the already added dynamics of Barons and the 4 Emperors.
I have been thinking about this and I wanted to suggest a method of inclusion of an added rank without necessarily adding full tiers, or the use, necessarily, of "prestige ranks" (although it may seem that way) that was discussed in the earlier thread on this issue. I also hope that this suggestion is simple enough that it could be incorporated with relative ease, and that the cost vs benefit of adding these into the game model is acceptable.
I wanted to make a case for the inclusion of Marquesses (England etc.) and Margraves/Marquis (Germany, France etc.).
As that title normally lay between Count/Earl and Duke, it would make sense that it's inclusion would be as a rich man's count/poor man's Duke. Margraves had important roles in continental Europe, being essentially a kingdom's borderland Counts, they would need to be continually more prepared to defend the Kingdom.
My suggestion is that a Margrave/Marquess rank may be granted/created by a Count (at significant cost) to replace his Count title for one of the provinces under his control:
Instead of being the Count of Mecklemburg and Stettin he would now be the Margrave of Stettin and Count of Mecklemburg. (He cold not be Margrave of Mecklemburg and Stettin).
When granted/created, this character gets an added bonus from the county for which he holds a Margravite, this bonus could include increased levy size, increased tax revenues, greater prestige, and a new portrait/Coat of Arms flourish, of course. Other small advantages is that the Margravite would be more expensive for other characters to lay claim. And of course it would increase the loyalty of a Count to which it was granted - hopefully strengthening a realm from all sides.
The other bonus of being a Margrave instead of just a Count, is expansion. Increased demense limit (slightly below that of a Duke), and thus the ability to hold lands of almost the size of a Duchy without penalty. Thus being awarded a Margravite facilitates the promotion to Duke more readily.
Once a Margrave gains a Duchy, the title of Margrave would remain for the one County that it was originally awarded (And thus the levy and income bonus as well, but no added demense limit bonus). (Duke of Mecklemburg, Margrave of Stettin, Count of Mecklemburg etc.).
A Duke without a lower Margrave title would also be able purchase that title to replace one of his Count ranks, to get the added bonuses.
I hope this is a reasonable argument for the added rank and that it adds only a small level of complexity to the coding and the game itself for a nice level of added enjoyment.
A similar system could likely be included to add the Viscount rank to the Baron tier, but that doesn't seem as straightforward to me, and as such, would not be playable anyway.
Any thoughts? I would especially like to know from one of the developers if they believe this to be a feasible/useful addition (if not for the basic game, then an expansion perhaps?)
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