I've long felt that the Holy Roman Empire and its associated sphere are somewhat lacking in flavor and detail (a somewhat refreshing change from the usual fare where it is the non Western Europeans who get neglected), and this is a general attempt at overhauling this most central and "feudal" of locales. I have a few personal pet peeves playing the earlier bookmarks (and later), among other things the fact that the HRE has Imperial Decay mechanic despite lacking anything like Constantinople's imperial bureaucracy, or for that matter the absence of the Carolingian Empire at 867, despite the fact that Louis II, the "mere" king of Italy, was a crowned Emperor, the fourth in a line originating from Charlemagne, and subsequent rulers of Italy would also attempt to claim the Imperial title prior to Otto's conquest.
This is still something of a work in progress, although I do intend to release a beta prior to Holy Fury. All of this is obviously subject to change and comments and criticisms are welcome.
The first and most obvious change is the introduction of a new Early Feudal Government with the following mechanics:
firstly neither this nor the later feudal government (unlocked by the first level of administration) gain regular taxation from their vassals, but must instead levy a general tax via decision. Feudal lords were indeed exempt from taxation, hence why control of the Church (as represented most famously by the Investiture Controversy- in game, the Free Investiture Law being much better for centralizing power and collecting money from your bishops, but tending to annoy the Pope) and to a lesser extent the cities (see- Barbarossa's ill fated attempt to levy taxes on the Italian cities) were so important. Now you can levy a general tax, as mentioned, but only every few years and it costs you- late feudals must spend prestige, early feudals spend majesty, a new mechanic unique to the Early Feudal government (and meant to be to them what Decadence is to Muslims, or Imperial Decay to the Byzantines).
Majesty is a personal stat calculated at game start and measuring, essentially, how "kingly" you are, by the standards of medieval warlords- being pious, generous, zealous, brave in battle, and capable of enforcing justice with an even hand, are all good things, but being a "tyrant", or worse, weak, is fatal to your image. It starts at 35, is increased or reduced by your traits and crown authority, and is further influenced throughout your rule by your actions (excommunication is bad for your prestige, and regencies are terrible too). 45-55 is considered "normal" and going above or below that increases the bonuses/maluses for every ten points. Majesty applies a factionwide malus or bonus to levies and plot power, as well as to vassal or general opinion. Winning wars, battles, or battlefield duels are all beneficial and will be your largest source of increasing your majesty, as will holding tributaries or being a pious/prestigious and generally capable ruler.
Note that both Iqta and Early Feudal governments are allowed to raid- and raiding will hurt the king looted (since you are not protecting your vassals, which is your first and most basic obligation as a king) and benefit the person looting (since you are a literal warlord). Just as Imperial Decay can be reduced via decision a ruler can also spend piety or prestige to increase their stature.
Aside from the general bonuses Majesty level will also unlock various side effects, positive and negative- at the lowest levels, your vassals will be able to start a pretender faction for your titles even without a claim (or elective monarchy), while higher levels unlock new casus belli and decisions (including, at 55 or higher, the ability to levy taxes on your feudal subjects). Feudal vassals now also must receive enfeoffment from the king/emperor; although hereditary succession was de facto the case, de jure the king was merely "entrusting" the land to a vassal, who was a steward for him (just as the King was, in theory, merely a steward for God/the Emperor). As historically you will be able to levy an inheritance tax as part of this process, one of the only regular means of collecting money from your subject dukes and counts.
As another change, "King" Louis II now has his true title, that of Emperor of the Franks. Of course, although he is de jure lord over all his relatives de facto the empire does not extend very far outside of Italy (and it would not until Otto the Great "revived" it in 962); should Louis or his heirs die while any de jure kingdoms are independent the Empire will be lost. Subsequent rulers of Italy will be able to petition the Pope to revive the title, but be warned that the Imperial Crown is a prize that will attract foreign hostility. Failing to hold an Imperial title, however, will hurt your majesty, as who would be master of Italy if not a Roman Emperor?
Additionally the Western Roman Empire can now also be revived under certain conditions, either by a sufficiently autocratic Italian (prior to the HRE's existence) maintaining control over Italy and Rome or by a Holy Roman Empire which has centralized and asserted its dominion over all the former Frankish Empire.
This is still something of a work in progress, although I do intend to release a beta prior to Holy Fury. All of this is obviously subject to change and comments and criticisms are welcome.
The first and most obvious change is the introduction of a new Early Feudal Government with the following mechanics:
firstly neither this nor the later feudal government (unlocked by the first level of administration) gain regular taxation from their vassals, but must instead levy a general tax via decision. Feudal lords were indeed exempt from taxation, hence why control of the Church (as represented most famously by the Investiture Controversy- in game, the Free Investiture Law being much better for centralizing power and collecting money from your bishops, but tending to annoy the Pope) and to a lesser extent the cities (see- Barbarossa's ill fated attempt to levy taxes on the Italian cities) were so important. Now you can levy a general tax, as mentioned, but only every few years and it costs you- late feudals must spend prestige, early feudals spend majesty, a new mechanic unique to the Early Feudal government (and meant to be to them what Decadence is to Muslims, or Imperial Decay to the Byzantines).
Majesty is a personal stat calculated at game start and measuring, essentially, how "kingly" you are, by the standards of medieval warlords- being pious, generous, zealous, brave in battle, and capable of enforcing justice with an even hand, are all good things, but being a "tyrant", or worse, weak, is fatal to your image. It starts at 35, is increased or reduced by your traits and crown authority, and is further influenced throughout your rule by your actions (excommunication is bad for your prestige, and regencies are terrible too). 45-55 is considered "normal" and going above or below that increases the bonuses/maluses for every ten points. Majesty applies a factionwide malus or bonus to levies and plot power, as well as to vassal or general opinion. Winning wars, battles, or battlefield duels are all beneficial and will be your largest source of increasing your majesty, as will holding tributaries or being a pious/prestigious and generally capable ruler.
Note that both Iqta and Early Feudal governments are allowed to raid- and raiding will hurt the king looted (since you are not protecting your vassals, which is your first and most basic obligation as a king) and benefit the person looting (since you are a literal warlord). Just as Imperial Decay can be reduced via decision a ruler can also spend piety or prestige to increase their stature.
Aside from the general bonuses Majesty level will also unlock various side effects, positive and negative- at the lowest levels, your vassals will be able to start a pretender faction for your titles even without a claim (or elective monarchy), while higher levels unlock new casus belli and decisions (including, at 55 or higher, the ability to levy taxes on your feudal subjects). Feudal vassals now also must receive enfeoffment from the king/emperor; although hereditary succession was de facto the case, de jure the king was merely "entrusting" the land to a vassal, who was a steward for him (just as the King was, in theory, merely a steward for God/the Emperor). As historically you will be able to levy an inheritance tax as part of this process, one of the only regular means of collecting money from your subject dukes and counts.
As another change, "King" Louis II now has his true title, that of Emperor of the Franks. Of course, although he is de jure lord over all his relatives de facto the empire does not extend very far outside of Italy (and it would not until Otto the Great "revived" it in 962); should Louis or his heirs die while any de jure kingdoms are independent the Empire will be lost. Subsequent rulers of Italy will be able to petition the Pope to revive the title, but be warned that the Imperial Crown is a prize that will attract foreign hostility. Failing to hold an Imperial title, however, will hurt your majesty, as who would be master of Italy if not a Roman Emperor?
Additionally the Western Roman Empire can now also be revived under certain conditions, either by a sufficiently autocratic Italian (prior to the HRE's existence) maintaining control over Italy and Rome or by a Holy Roman Empire which has centralized and asserted its dominion over all the former Frankish Empire.
