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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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I know my grandma could never forgive the sweeds. Either way number of holdings isnt enough and the number of holdings in Bohemia sucks when with fuedalisation all counties get 3 holdings in scandinavia. Off the top of my head Bohemia has

5 built holdings in prague
4 in 3 other counties
3 in 4 counties

Now each can build 1 or so holding extra but that isnt major. Frankly it isnt enough.

Ok quick summary Sweden 1066 and max holding 37 and 68
Bohemia 1066 and max is 26 and 36
Norway is 42 and 63

I think Sweden is just underpowered as you should also count lapland which has 5 and 10

Basically I think currently Norway is OP and Bohemia is underpowered.

Not in SWMH which I use.

Bohemia/Moravia has the following:

Praha - 5 holdings
Doudleby - 5 holdings
Hradec - 5 holdings
Olmuc - 5 holdings
Litomeric - 4 holdings
Plzen - 4 holdings
Brno - 4 holdings

Whenever I play as Bohemia, I always make it a point to own the first four provinces..that's one seriously strong power base as the ruler of Bohemia. In SWMH, Sweden doesn't even touch Bohemia....they might be able to compete if they acquire Skaane which includes a 5 holding and a 4 holding province.

Which is a major reason one of the first things I do when I start out as a Gautr is to acquire Skaane. It doesn't hurt that the Denmark province right across from Skaane is also a five holding province to boot - not to mention being the site of a holy site for the Norse faith.

In my opinion, SWMH does a better job of balancing the different kingdoms/duchies than vanilla does. Which is why I use it.
 
not always. For instance if previously a king of Norway was fine with holding 4 provinces and it made him far stronger than any of his vassals, now with the same amount of provinces he might be just as powerfull as his internal rivals and therefore these rivals can challenge his power... making him actually weaker rather than stronger.
Internal stability of the realm is one thing, the ability to fend off foreign invasions (or to succesfully invade your neighbours yourself, to that matter) is something different. And foreign threats tend to be more intimidating for your dinasty, in my opinion.
the only diffence can be tech.
...which is even easier to level up.
Really, instead of such hidden buffs for Scandinavia, Finland and Rus, I personally would prefer them to finally do something about endless nomadic empires in the northern forests (which is not just ahistorical or unbalanced, but simply absurd).
 
I am Norwegian. I'm just trying to weaken the Swedes.

No :)

If you read Swedish history you realize that the Svealand / Gotaland distinction was quite substantial in the early period. There never arose a lasting state that was purely Geatish and encapsulated all the Geatish lands. But there could easily have been one.

This isn't more "fantastical" than an Anglo-Saxon England in the 1350's or a Muslim conquered Europe, but both those are possible in the game.
And it is far less unrealistic than an Aztec invasion if you know what I mean.
 
this dev diary is absolutely not allowed. Go enjoy your vacation, we'll be here when you get back!
 
Internal stability of the realm is one thing, the ability to fend off foreign invasions (or to succesfully invade your neighbours yourself, to that matter) is something different. And foreign threats tend to be more intimidating for your dinasty, in my opinion.
Which is what I described in the post just above the one you reacted to.
The strength of each kingdom depends on more things than just count of holdings and provinces - the structure of how the land is controlled has great influence...

and as to foreign invasions versus internal rivals/challenges: Sure you are right that foreign threats can be more intimidating, but I remember quite a few games when a strong alliance of vassals can be as threatening as foreign aggression. Especially these kingdoms in question, particulary Norway are perfect example of kingdoms which can very well be destabilized by giving them more provinces. If you have strong vasals who don't like you, having more land in your kingdom under those vasals can make you weaker.

Dear Paradox Devs,
I love the dedication to the community - especially to the lonely island in the corner.....
But guys, I already did it.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1374875659&searchtext=

Just take the mod and spend your time on better things.
Please.
Yours truly,
Rechran.
As author of few mods, I must disagree. The fact that there is a mod doesn't mean the devs doing the same work is waste of their time. Sometimes mods intentionally increase power of some areas etc., while the dev work on the same area has to be more ballanced.
I - on the contrary to you - was always happy to see that the devs have looked to my work and improved the area targeted by my mods. I always sought the ultimate goal of my mods being that those mods are no longer necessary because the devs have incorporated them or took them as inspiration