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Dev Diary #90 - Splendid Scandinavia

As most of the team enjoys the summer, I thought I’d try to write a couple of smaller rogue Dev Diaries to get us through the summer. I will mostly discuss smaller additions, rather than the big sweeping features in these Diaries.

For the first one, it seems the vikings have pillaged a cartographer and found some more defined maps of their own homes, of all things.

We will start with the most important of the viking Kingdoms, Norway. What is that? What do you mean Norway stopped being a Kingdom in the late Middle Ages? Sounds like Swedish and Danish propaganda to me, they are just jealous of our mountainous glory.

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The previous map of Norway always had certain issues with the western coast being quite the slog to move through, and the Kingdom feeling split by the mountain range. With a bit more definition to it, as well as a way to move between the two parts, we have found the region to be a lot more interesting of a place to hang out. In mainland Norway, 6 New Provinces and 2 New Duchies have been added.

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Far to the north-west, Iceland has been updated a little bit as well. We have increased the province count from 2 to 4, though knowing that Iceland was far from the most populated of places, we have made sure that they haven’t gotten too strong.

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In Sweden, we have increased the definition of southern Sweden somewhat, breaking up some of the provinces to try to show the relevance of the Geatish areas. This should hopefully help somewhat in rivaling the powerhouse of Uppland. 6 New Provinces and 1 New Duchy have been added in Sweden.

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And finally, in Denmark we have new pathway across the islands and added Lolland as its own island. Both Jylland and Holstein has been split up and reorganised somewhat, to increase the definition of these areas and show their relevance in the era. In all, there has been 5 New Provinces added and 2 New Duchies.

We hope these changes to Scandinavia will be an interesting addition to all of the updates made to Pagans in Holy Fury, and make certain parts of the region a better experience. Next week, we will take a look down south, towards the changes around the Alps.
 
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The next one will focus on the changes made to the Kingdoms of Burgundy, Bavaria and Italy, so not touching upon Bohemia and Moravia.
Will there ever be one? At least tell me, it's not looking like in the stream.
 
Iceland will be settled by Irish monks in 769. When the Viking Age starts, all the vikings will get a new decision to settle Iceland.

How will that work? Will it be an instant "Press the decision and get one or more counties in Iceland" thing, or will it start a war, create an adventurer, etc.?
 
Real happy about the improved situation with Iceland! I wonder if it'll be possible to go totally ahistorical and play as Irishmen fighting off colonization by the Norse. Of course, with those new exclave rules, maintaining both Iceland and Ireland simultaneously could be problematic...
 
That's exactly what we were asking for, now Scandinavia will have some balance and will be more challenging to conquer and hold before moving outside. I finally may even play as a Dane.

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The Norwegian one (Temple of Mære) has been moved from Naumadal to Nidaros. As I moved Nidaros and Naumadal further north, to fix the borders of these two provinces, it made sense to move Mære to Nidaros as that is the province best fitting.

I think the Danish one should be moved to the Isle of Fyn. Correctly if I'm wrong, but isn't the sanctuary of Odin in Odense the most important pagan religious site in all of Denmark?
 
Real happy about the improved situation with Iceland! I wonder if it'll be possible to go totally ahistorical and play as Irishmen fighting off colonization by the Norse. Of course, with those new exclave rules, maintaining both Iceland and Ireland simultaneously could be problematic...
Not really remember this
[QUOTE="
  • Off - The default option, no removal.
  • Limited - Exclaves of Independent Rulers at peace will be removed on succession unless they are connected to the Capital area with gaps no larger than one County, via a naval path or part of the characters primary De Jure territory.
  • Limited (Naval) - Exclaves of Independent Rulers at peace will be removed on succession unless they are connected to the Capital area with gaps no larger than one County, via a limited naval path (1000 distance units) or part of the characters primary De Jure territory.
  • Significant - Exclaves of Independent Rulers at peace will be removed on succession unless they are connected via a naval path or part of the characters primary De Jure territory.
  • Harsh - Exclaves of Independent Rulers at peace will be removed on succession unless as they are connected via a limited naval path (1000 distance units) or part of the characters primary De Jure.
  • Total - Exclaves of Independent Rulers at peace will be removed on succession unless as they are connected via a limited naval path (1000 distance units). Disables Achievements.[/QUOTE]
 
Not really remember this
[QUOTE="
  • Off - The default option, no removal.
  • Limited - Exclaves of Independent Rulers at peace will be removed on succession unless they are connected to the Capital area with gaps no larger than one County, via a naval path or part of the characters primary De Jure territory.
  • Limited (Naval) - Exclaves of Independent Rulers at peace will be removed on succession unless they are connected to the Capital area with gaps no larger than one County, via a limited naval path (1000 distance units) or part of the characters primary De Jure territory.
  • Significant - Exclaves of Independent Rulers at peace will be removed on succession unless they are connected via a naval path or part of the characters primary De Jure territory.
  • Harsh - Exclaves of Independent Rulers at peace will be removed on succession unless as they are connected via a limited naval path (1000 distance units) or part of the characters primary De Jure.
  • Total - Exclaves of Independent Rulers at peace will be removed on succession unless as they are connected via a limited naval path (1000 distance units). Disables Achievements.

I do, but I intend to play with Limited (Naval) settings. Is Ireland within 1,000 distance units of Iceland?
 
I think the Danish one should be moved to the Isle of Fyn. Correctly if I'm wrong, but isn't the sanctuary of Odin in Odense the most important pagan religious site in all of Denmark?

There is some academic debate between archaeologists and historians as to the importance of Odense in an official religious capacity. While there's undeniably religious Norse roots there, it's firmly established that Roskilde served as an official centre for worship, or at least veneration, so it's more appropriate to use it (located on Sjælland) as a holy site.
 
Wicked! Looks like I can revisit my plan of playing as the oldest Christian democracy. Gave up when I realised it would be a bit boring playing elective with only two provinces...
 
Iceland will be settled by Irish monks in 769. When the Viking Age starts, all the vikings will get a new decision to settle Iceland.
Ooooh, now that's interesting!
 
I see Dithmarschen. I suppose it would be too much to ask to be able to play as the first glorious commune?