The Hansa mechanic

[t6.28]

Considering that very many cities were members of the Hansa for some and it is very unlikely that they will ever all get conquered by it in one game and also that (if my limited history knowledge is not completely off) the Hansa cities still had lots of autonomy, I don't know if it really makes sense to have it as a nation in the game.
Therefore I would propose the following change: have all the Hansa owned provinces start of as independent nations (Bremen and Hamburg already exist as countries and Lübeck might simply inherit the Hansa ideas) and change the Hansa to be game mechanics instead. It could maybe be like a more loose version of the HRE which is more focused on trade: Nations, if they are small enough and have high trade power can enter the Hansa (and of course leave it again at some point, if they want). The Hansa would then have one leading nation (Lübeck at the beginning) that can enact some reforms (maybe similar to those of the HRE but weaker) and perform some actions on behalf of the the entire Hansa (enact embargoes, transfer trade power). To make the Hansa more attractive for nations to join in, being a member might give more trade power in the trade nodes of other Hansa cities as well as some general trade boni. You could maybe also have all Hansa cities get called into trade conflict wars of other members.

 

[Basileios Makedon]

A new "trade league" mechanic for merchant republics and free cities would be awesome

 

[magnusvejby]

This could be very interesting to have in game, I support your idea.

 

[Montem]

Agreed. I think that Trade Leagues (Hansa, arguabley the Netherlands maybe) would be a better representation than the current "sovreign nation" status. Similar to tribal confederations.

 

[Reverend Belial]

I like this idea. Theoretically it could even have an HRE style reform system or event where they could unite into the Hansa we have now, although that's probably unneccesary.

 

[Mattius]

Maybe it could mesh with the factions mechanic?