Alright, its time to discuss some converter design stuff. Specifically, sliders. There's been some discussion before (
1 2 3 4 ), but no consensus.
Here are my thoughts (feel free to argue with me):
Centralization/Decentralization
DasGuntLord01 had a nice-looking equation a while back:
centralisation = 5 - ( crown_authority * (ruler_titles / total_realm_titles) )
He pointed out that it tends to produce low numbers. Maybe weighting titles by level can help. Looking at the normal number for starting nations, this can range from -5 to 5, with an average of 2.18. It's usually OPMs that get the low numbers. In any case, I can probably put that equation into the converter and see what we get number wise.
Aristocracy/Plutocracy
Rho had suggested the relative power of Dukes and Mayors. I like this, especially since the normal start has Kingdoms towards aristocracy (average -2.75) and republics towards plutocracy (average 2.92). Theocracies go either way. With the republics, administrative republics are the most extreme, so maybe that government type gets pushed that way.
Serfdom/Free Subjects
The average is -2.10. There are a number of nations on the free subjects side, though fewer than on the serfdom side. The only suggestion for this one is taxes. I have no clue, myself.
Innovative/Narrowminded
Rho suggests that
free investiture and universities should step towards innovative, whereas papal investiture, numbers of bishoprics, having prince bishops or higher, and monastic schools should all step towards narrowminded
, which sounds good to me.
This ranges from -4 to 4, with an average of 0.93.
Mercantilism/Freetrade
The consensus seems to be to use taxes. XRW suggested that republics should become more mercantilistic as they become larger. Perhaps the more trade posts in a nation, the more mercantilistic it should become, period.
Numbers range from -5 to 4, with an average of -2.12
Offensive/Defensive
The only idea here was Rho's proposal of countering 'offensive' and 'defensive' buildings. DasGuntLord01 counters the idea, but it's all we've got, as far as I can see.
-5 to 5, average 0.33
Land/Naval
Rho suggests the ratio of ports to the total number of provinces. As far as I can tell, that's all we've got to work with.
-5 to 4, average -0.68
Quality/Quantity
Rho suggests increased levies laws should push this towards quantity, increased numbers of cultural buildings (I'd add in training grounds, too) push it towards quality.
-5 to 4, average 0.20