Suggestions regarding mercenary companies and holy orders

[Sleight of Hand]

First of all, it may be an idea to specify the cultures of the various mercenary companies and holy orders.

From the vanilla 1.07b version of landed_titles.txt, with my amendments highlighted:

# HOLY ORDERS

d_knights_templar = {

	color={ 230 230 230 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }
	
	capital = 138 # Orleans
	
	title = "GRANDMASTER"
	foa = "GRANDMASTER_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	holy_order = yes
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	[COLOR="#FF8C00"]culture = frankish[/COLOR]
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes

	modifier = d_knights_templar_modifier
}

d_teutonic_order = {
	
	color={ 50 50 50 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }
	
	capital = 258 # Lüneburg

	title = "HOCHMEISTER"
	foa = "HOCHMEISTER_FOA"
	
	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	holy_order = yes
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	culture = german
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes

	modifier = d_teutonic_order_modifier
}

d_knights_hospitaler = {

	color={ 180 180 180 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }
	
	capital = 333 # Rome

	title = "GRANDMASTER"
	foa = "GRANDMASTER_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	holy_order = yes
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	[COLOR="#FF8C00"]culture = frankish[/COLOR]
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes

	modifier = d_knights_hospitaler_modifier
}

d_hashshashin = {

	color={ 100 100 0 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }
	
	capital = 693 # Baghdad
	
	title = "GRANDHEADMASTER"
	foa = "GRANDHEADMASTER_FOA"
	
	holy_order = yes

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = shiite
	[COLOR="#FF8C00"]culture = persian[/COLOR]
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_hashshashin_modifier
}

# MERCS

d_sunni_turkic_company = {

	color = { 130 173 70 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 621 # Emba
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = sunni
	culture = turkish
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_muslim_turkic_company_modifier
}

d_sunni_cuman_company = {

	color = { 134 155 30 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 616 # Yaik
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion_group = muslim
			religion_group = zoroastrian_group
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = sunni
	culture = cuman
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_muslim_cuman_company_modifier
}

d_sunni_berber_company = {

	color = { 85 155 33 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	[COLOR="#FF8C00"]capital = 847 # Tharasset[/COLOR]
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = muslim
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = sunni
	culture = maghreb_arabic # Berber, if ever added
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_berber_company_modifier
}

d_sunni_bedouin_company = {

	color = { 45 155 35 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 862 # Halaban
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = muslim
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = sunni
	culture = bedouin_arabic
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_bedouin_company_modifier
}


d_shiite_turkic_company = {

	color = { 135 170 60 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 621 # Emba
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = shiite
	culture = turkish
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_muslim_turkic_company_modifier
}

d_shiite_cuman_company = {

	color = { 130 150 30 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 616 # Yaik
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion_group = muslim
			religion_group = zoroastrian_group
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = shiite
	culture = cuman
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_muslim_cuman_company_modifier
}

d_shiite_berber_company = {

	color = { 90 150 30 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	[COLOR="#FF8C00"]capital = 847 # Tharasset[/COLOR]
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = muslim
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = shiite
	culture = maghreb_arabic # Berber, if ever added
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_berber_company_modifier
}

d_shiite_bedouin_company = {

	color = { 40 150 30 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 862 # Halaban
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = muslim
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = shiite
	culture = bedouin_arabic
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_bedouin_company_modifier
}

d_white_company = {

	color={ 235 235 235 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 72 # Essex
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	[COLOR="#FF8C00"]culture = english[/COLOR]
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_white_company_modifier
	strength_growth_per_century = 0.25
}

d_great_company = {

	color={ 100 100 100 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 361 # Niederbayern
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	[COLOR="#FF8C00"]culture = german[/COLOR]
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_great_company_modifier
	strength_growth_per_century = 0.25
}

d_company_of_st_george = {

	color={ 50 50 200 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 235 # Lombardia
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	[COLOR="#FF8C00"]culture = italian[/COLOR]
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CONDOTTIERO"
	foa = "CONDOTTIERO_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_company_of_st_george_modifier
}

d_star_company = {

	color={ 200 80 200 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 353 # Ferrara
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	[COLOR="#FF8C00"]culture = italian[/COLOR]
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CONDOTTIERO"
	foa = "CONDOTTIERO_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_star_company_modifier
}

d_little_hat_company = {

	color={ 100 200 80 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 354 # [COLOR="#FF8C00"]M[/COLOR]antua
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	[COLOR="#FF8C00"]culture = italian[/COLOR]
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CONDOTTIERO"
	foa = "CONDOTTIERO_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_little_hat_company_modifier
}

d_rose_company = {

	color={ 230 150 150 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 355 # Padua
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	[COLOR="#FF8C00"]culture = italian[/COLOR]
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CONDOTTIERO"
	foa = "CONDOTTIERO_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_rose_company_modifier
}

d_catalan_company = {

	color={ 230 100 100 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 204 # Barcelona
	
	mercenary = yes
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	culture = catalan

	title = "CONDOTTIERO"
	foa = "CONDOTTIERO_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_catalan_company_modifier
}

d_navarrese_company = {

	color={ 150 150 100 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }
	
	title = "CONDOTTIERO"
	foa = "CONDOTTIERO_FOA"

	capital = 152 # Navarre
	
	mercenary = yes
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	culture = basque

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_navarrese_company_modifier
}

d_swiss_company = {

	color={ 150 40 40 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	[COLOR="#FF8C00"]capital = 244 # Bern[/COLOR]
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	[COLOR="#FF8C00"]culture = german[/COLOR] # could also be Frankish or Italian, but there are plenty of Italian mercenaries
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_swiss_company_modifier
	strength_growth_per_century = 0.25
}

d_breton_company = {

	color={ 150 40 40 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 102 # Penthievre
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	culture = breton
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_breton_company_modifier
}

d_victual_brothers = {

	color={ 160 160 160 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }
	
	capital = 370 # Marienburg
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion = norse_pagan
			religion = baltic_pagan
			religion = finnish_pagan
			religion_group = christian
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	[COLOR="#FF8C00"]culture = prussian[/COLOR]
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_victual_brothers_modifier
}

d_varangian_guard = {

	color={ 180 180 180 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 290 # Uppland
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = orthodox
	culture = swedish
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	modifier = d_varangian_guard_modifier
	strength_growth_per_century = 0.10
}

d_cuman_company = {

	color = { 160 160 80 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 616 # Yaik
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = orthodox
	culture = cuman
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_cuman_company_modifier
}

d_rus_company = {

	color = { 80 80 160 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 547 # Kiev
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion_group = pagan_group
			religion_group = christian
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = orthodox
	culture = russian

	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_rus_company_modifier
	strength_growth_per_century = 0.25
}

d_pecheneg_company = {

	color = { 100 100 30 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 512 # Belgorod
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = orthodox
	culture = pecheneg
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_pecheneg_company_modifier
}

d_bulgarian_company = {

	color = { 100 50 30 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 508 # Dorostotum
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = orthodox
	culture = bulgarian
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_bulgarian_company_modifier
}

d_turkic_company = {

	color = { 100 50 30 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 621 # Emba
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = orthodox
	culture = turkish
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_turkic_company_modifier
	strength_growth_per_century = 0.25
}

d_lombard_band = {

	color={ 150 60 60 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 235 # Lombardia
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	[COLOR="#FF8C00"]culture = italian[/COLOR]
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CONDOTTIERO"
	foa = "CONDOTTIERO_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_lombard_band_modifier
}

d_swiss_band = {

	color={ 150 40 40 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	[COLOR="#FF8C00"]capital = 244 # Bern[/COLOR]
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	[COLOR="#FF8C00"]culture = german[/COLOR] # could also be Frankish or Italian, but there are plenty of Italian mercenaries
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_swiss_band_modifier
	strength_growth_per_century = 0.25
}

d_breton_band = {

	color={ 150 65 65 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 102 # Penthievre
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	culture = breton
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_breton_band_modifier
}

d_catalan_band = {

	color={ 230 100 100 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 204 # Barcelona
	
	mercenary = yes
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	culture = catalan

	title = "CONDOTTIERO"
	foa = "CONDOTTIERO_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_catalan_band_modifier
}

d_saxon_band = {

	color={ 220 90 90 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 57 # York
	
	mercenary = yes
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	culture = saxon

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_saxon_band_modifier
}

d_cuman_band = {

	color = { 160 160 80 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 616 # Yaik
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = orthodox
	culture = cuman
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_cuman_band_modifier
}

d_rus_band = {

	color = { 80 80 160 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 547 # Kiev
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		OR = {
			religion_group = christian
			religion_group = pagan_group
		}
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = orthodox
	culture = russian
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_rus_band_modifier
	strength_growth_per_century = 0.25
}

d_pecheneg_band = {

	color = { 100 100 30 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 512 # Belgorod
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = orthodox
	culture = pecheneg
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_pecheneg_band_modifier
}

d_bulgarian_band = {

	color = { 100 50 30 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 508 # Dorostotum
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = orthodox
	culture = bulgarian
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_bulgarian_band_modifier
}

d_turkic_band = {

	color = { 100 50 30 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 621 # Emba
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = orthodox
	culture = turkish
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_turkic_band_modifier
	strength_growth_per_century = 0.25
}

d_mamluks = {

	color={ 80 160 80 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 796 # Cairo
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = muslim
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	[COLOR="#FF8C00"]religion = sunni[/COLOR]
	[COLOR="#FF8C00"]culture = turkish[/COLOR] # or Kipchak/Cuman, but definitely not Egyptian
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	modifier = d_mamluks_modifier
	strength_growth_per_century = 0.25
}

d_venetian_navy = {

	color = { 60  175  170 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 356 # Venice
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	[COLOR="#FF8C00"]culture = italian[/COLOR]
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_venetian_navy_modifier
}

d_genoese_navy = {

	color={ 224 161 120 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 233 # Genoa
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	[COLOR="#FF8C00"]culture = italian[/COLOR]
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_genoese_navy_modifier
}

d_hanseatic_navy = {

	color={ 150 150 150 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 262 # Lübeck
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	[COLOR="#FF8C00"]culture = german[/COLOR]
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_hanseatic_navy_modifier
}

d_frisian_navy = {

	color={ 245 80 20 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	[COLOR="#FF8C00"]capital = 84 # Frisia[/COLOR]
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = catholic
	[COLOR="#FF8C00"]culture = dutch[/COLOR]
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_frisian_navy_modifier
}

d_maghreb_corsairs = {

	color={ 174 237 125 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 816 # Mahdia
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = muslim
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = sunni
	culture = maghreb_arabic
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
		
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes

	modifier = d_maghreb_corsairs_modifier
}

d_ghilman = {

	color={ 60 165 80 }
	color2={ 255 255 255 }

	capital = 627 # Kara-Kum
	
	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = muslim
	}
	
	# Parent Religion 
	religion = sunni
	[COLOR="#FF8C00"]culture = persian[/COLOR]
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	modifier = d_ghilman_modifier
	strength_growth_per_century = 0.25
}

I moved the capital of the two Berber companies so as to give the Mandé better access to them. I can't see a problem with this.

Changing the Mamluks can be considered an accuracy and balance fix as they're currently the wrong religion and culture. The Mamluks were (primarily) Circassian, Turkic and Kipchak slaves who were pressed into service under the Fatimids, eventually rising up and replacing them as rulers of Egypt. The main reason they shouldn't be Egyptian (and they weren't anyway, but still) is because Arabs weren't allowed to be slaves and so they used Turkic and Caucasian peoples instead. Anyway, you can look this information up anywhere.

By doing this you should also help to create a little more friction between the Mamluks and Fatimids (their liege) as they're from different culture groups and religions -- the Shi'a and Sunni saw one another as heretical, which is a better way to represent them anyway. The Fatimids are seriously overpowered anyway, so this can't hurt the situation.

Also, the Saxon Band obviously shouldn't exist after the Saxons disappear, so this is what I do. You may disagree, but I think it's a logical suggestion that should work:

d_saxon_band.txt

1066.1.1={
	active = yes
}
1100.11.11={
	active = no
}

d_white_company.txt

1066.1.1={
	active = no
}
1100.11.11={
	active = yes
}

1100.11.11 is the date Saxon culture is replaced by English in the history files, and so by doing this we have the Saxon Band replaced by the (English) White Company. They are then considered mutually exclusive, and so one replaces the other. I think this is fine, and it does look odd having the Saxon Band around in the 14th century.

A final suggestion would be to add something that a great many people have complained about since the game's release, which is Abyssinia's inability to access mercenaries. Well, they can, but they have to survive, conquer land and move their capital -- very difficult and very unfair.

Now, this is from my personal mod, but I only added it because it's logical and genuinely seems to help. I'm going to assume that Paradox aren't going to start re-drawing and re-balancing East Africa at this stage, but this is a relatively simple fix that can seriously help.

NEW:

d_nubian_band = {

	color = { 90 130 50 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 793 # Makuria

	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}

	religion = miaphysite
	culture = ethiopian
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_nubian_band_modifier
	strength_growth_per_century = 0.25
}

d_nubian_company = {

	color = { 60 110 80 }
	color2 = { 255 255 255 }

	capital = 793 # Makuria

	# Hire Trigger
	allow = {
		religion_group = christian
	}

	religion = miaphysite
	culture = ethiopian
	
	mercenary = yes

	title = "CAPTAIN"
	foa = "CAPTAIN_FOA"

	# Always exists
	landless = yes
	
	# Cannot be held as a secondary title
	primary = yes
	
	# Cannot be vassalized
	independent = yes
	
	modifier = d_nubian_company_modifier
	strength_growth_per_century = 0.25
}

static_modifiers.txt

d_nubian_band_modifier = {
	levy_size = 1.5
	light_cavalry = 350
	knights = 75
}

d_nubian_company_modifier = {
	levy_size = 3
	light_cavalry = 350
	knights = 75
}

The Nubians were famed for their cavalry (both light horse and camel), which is the theme I've given their mercenary companies. I've attached a small .zip file with the two flag files.

Feel free to argue or discuss these points here, but please don't just dismiss them out of hand. We all know East Africa has horrible balance issues and that the Baqt isn't represented in any way, so at least this gives the area access to mercenaries and should give them more of a fighting chance against the Fatimids.

 

[Veldmaarschalk]

Has been reported

 

[Bloodmerchant]

Though the Nubians themselves were better known for their foot archers, which helped to stem the tide of Islamic expansion until the 14th century.