Paradox, as you have stated, we will have five major expansions; Islam, Byzantium, hinted Pagans, ??? [Republics?] and ??? [Theocracies?]. But, as you have also clarified, there will be a multitude of minor DLC's, including Sunset Invasion and the Portrait / Music packs. Now, I applaud you for your sheer daring and my faith in Paradox is reaffirmed, but how about we also have historically-grounded DLC's contrasted the ludicrous? What I am proposing is a multitude of minor DLC's in the vein of Sunset Invasion, but instead focusing on improving CKII's historical excellency!
Of course, the problem here is research. Researching the historical inaccuracies is painful, time-consuming and difficult. It probably takes just as much time as coding! So, instead of you doing the work, let us do it! That is the second layer of my proposal. The community in Paradox Forums is made up of enthusiastic history-buffs, and you can tell from the enthusiastic suggestions post Sunset Invasion announcement that they are eager to have some contribution to the game! We can post in a stickied thread *cough* the suggestions and a community member *cough cough* can shift through the suggestions and feature the best on the Original Post *COUGH COUGH COUGH.* This saves you the work of reading through a multitude of idiotic posts, as well as improving Paradox's interaction with the community, which is already awesome, and generating general goodwill towards Paradox! It's a win-win, isn't it?
Here's a few suggestions to get you started;
GO FORTH AND POST.
Of course, the problem here is research. Researching the historical inaccuracies is painful, time-consuming and difficult. It probably takes just as much time as coding! So, instead of you doing the work, let us do it! That is the second layer of my proposal. The community in Paradox Forums is made up of enthusiastic history-buffs, and you can tell from the enthusiastic suggestions post Sunset Invasion announcement that they are eager to have some contribution to the game! We can post in a stickied thread *cough* the suggestions and a community member *cough cough* can shift through the suggestions and feature the best on the Original Post *COUGH COUGH COUGH.* This saves you the work of reading through a multitude of idiotic posts, as well as improving Paradox's interaction with the community, which is already awesome, and generating general goodwill towards Paradox! It's a win-win, isn't it?
Here's a few suggestions to get you started;
- Rurikovich's Rota
This is actually pretty simple. Rota succession would give preference for inheritance to brothers, and when a brother inherits a principality/grand duchy an event fires granting his former primary title to the next youngest brother. Higher ranked duchies, such as Kiev, would have a higher amount of holding slots and tech level.
- Byzantium's Bureucracy
In Byzantium, feudalism never took hold. It rather held up to a Roman-era system where precedence was given to higher court titles rather than landed titles. Themes (the areas the game calls duchies) were appointed titles for military commanders who were called 'strategos' or 'doux.' So, my proposal is for a multitude of court titles to be introduced such as 'Kaisar' (corruption of caesar) which give an opinion boost to the emperor from the appointees, and gives the appointees a large amount of prestige and a huge plot power boost.
Next, landed titles. It could be said that you cannot make themes appointed as it would remove the marriage game and the dynastic focus. However, small land-holdings were hereditary and kept in the dynasty, and those often signified a lot of power within the theme. These 'small' land holdings could be simplified to be at County level, and themes could have a new succession called 'Appointed,' which would be similar to appointing bishops with Free Investiture. Then, usurpation of higher titles [except e_byzantium] could be allowed. This means that once a family becomes so powerful the Emperor's will simply loses power, and the family becomes the de facto ruler of the theme and can usurp the title. Perhaps, once Imperial Authority reaches Autonomy vassals could enact Primogeniture/Gavelkind/Seniority/Elective,
Due to the inability to have vassals at a county level as count, however, either two things need to be done. One, vassals of Byzantium have a modifier increasing demesne limit, or 'viceroys' can be appointed as vassals of regions equal in power to their liege's title. Appointing viceroys could actually expand a lot of the game's area; for example, Dual-Monarchies could appoint a viceroy to rule the second title and avoid the negative vassal opinion for ruling both titles directly.
A number of plots could also be introduced. One could be 'Force Emperor to Recognize Heir as Appointed Successor.' Another could be 'Stage Palace Coup,' allowing a character without a claim to usurp the throne if he is popular enough (as in, has 250%+ plot power or something).
Anyway, this bureacratic system could make Byzantium more historic, immersive and intriguing than it was before.
GO FORTH AND POST.
