We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
In fact, word of Eilif’s wise judgement in the matter soon spread. As his father before him, the people were soon referring to him as Eilif ‘the Just’!
She's awesome! I hope she passes on the quick trait to any offspring they have. By the way, there might be a way of life thingy (life focus or whatever it's called, not the ambition) that increases chance of a heir. Well i still hope Buthli succeeds but Dyre didn't turn out to be what he's supposed to be like so maybe Buthli will also be a flop, in that case I will be hoping for good offspring from Ingrid.
“You are right, Ingrid. Loki played this last trick on father and I must pay for it. But this must stop – we must recover. I will send an emissary to Tuure today.”
But the reason he had been captured in Ingria soon became apparent: he must have been badly wounded in the battle. The new eye-patch might give him some cachet, but he was not a well man.
Oh Odin! I hope he recovers from his ailments and stress, he'll just have to adapt to not having depth vision. He's one of our most loyal and capable vassals. Can we send our (new) doctor to him somehow? What is his heir status?
Ch60 Q1. County Military Organisation.OK, I can never seem to figure this out or remember, but will this have a practical effect (quality or quantity) on troops called up from Ladoga?
As hints of the spring thaw became apparent, some strange news was brought to Eilif. It seemed the behaviour of Saksa of Mari was becoming more bizarre by the year. But his flamboyant nastiness had apparently come at a personal cost: the Queen Mother’s agents reported he was greatly stressed and had taken to potent spirits to seek solace – in the process gaining a reputation as a drunken sot!
Ch60 Q2. Cultural Advance.So, I’m thinking Majesty here for fairly plain reasons. Tolerance could be another option, which would assist with the cultural and religious antipathy in this still largely non-Norse/Germanic realm. If there are any other views of the immediate priority, I’d be glad to hear them.
Ch60 Q3. Raiding Options.As I understand it, without ships Eilif is limited to raiding bordering provinces (no way to get the treasure back if I raid further afield). So, for example a long land trek to raid further to the west or south would be pointless (where it is more lucrative), as I can’t store the dosh. Other than (once again) trying to find ways to get ship access (Dyre got all the shipyards on succession, so I guess trying to oust him if possible would be an option, but I don’t like it much even if it is legal), any thoughts about how to rebuild the treasury and prestige more quickly? Or will I need to start trying to conquer more coastal provinces in the Baltic in due course? I can break the prosperity ambition if I really need to. I feel I’m really treading water at the moment strategically and would like some mid-term objectives set, even if I must lick my wounds for a while yet.
Just a note: I still haven’t got my PC back yet from the repairer so am delayed a bit in playing and writing. But even though the save is Ironman I’m well backed up, so we’ll be back on track reasonably soon, I hope!
Hoping to get it back today. If necessary, I can reboot it on my laptop, but because of version matching it’s just a little more fiddly and I’m hoping to avoid having to.
It has! Machine back with a clean bill of health. May have been periphery device causing problem. Or drive could pack up randomly - but then, they always can. Am now being even more diligent with copying things, so all good. Have to update my HOI3 and Rome AARs first and have a bit on this weekend, so perhaps back to King Eilif & co next week.
Another good and interesting chapter. Have a chaste wife is good and also problematic for produce a heir so fast. I know as Norse portraits were unrealistically but this thing makes me laughs always when I see
Breaking in a new leader is always so hard to do. At least he survived the war. Too bad about the debt and negative prestige. At least he isn't near any of the Big Boys of the game. That could be a problem.
1) You should be able to hover over the proper square on the tech screen for the details. But no improved troops from that, just better attrition and higher retinue cap.
2) I'd agree with majesty. If going to higher levels, tolerance is nice because you can start giving women power, but not yet.
3) That's always been the sticking point on tribal games for me. I've no clue how to make it more interesting.
Majesty is very good opinion buff later on and tolerance is required for many interesting laws, much like legalism is (legalism is still first priority followed by majesty).
County organisation is good but as said above, more a mid to long term buff so long as you keep it.
And yeah...few raiding options without boats. Can always walk over to the border, switch raid on, go over, take one thing then run away. Rinse repeat on another border and keel going forever.
She's awesome! I hope she passes on the quick trait to any offspring they have. By the way, there might be a way of life thingy (life focus or whatever it's called, not the ambition) that increases chance of a heir. Well i still hope Buthli succeeds but Dyre didn't turn out to be what he's supposed to be like so maybe Buthli will also be a flop, in that case I will be hoping for good offspring from Ingrid.
I couldn't bring myself to accept the inevitable fact but yes, this was what needed to be done.
Oh Odin! I hope he recovers from his ailments and stress, he'll just have to adapt to not having depth vision. He's one of our most loyal and capable vassals. Can we send our (new) doctor to him somehow? What is his heir status?
As far as I know yes.
I hope he rots in hell while Eilif's brother in law breaks the yoke and becomes free again.
Majesty sounds good
Maybe Dyre chooses to build some ships by his free will? If you decide to break the ambition, Uusimaa might be a good target (just as I counceled
Yes, Eilif's wife is top notch. Hope she can produce some decent heirs. Thorsteinn is unlanded - being a commander is his only real status. We'll see if he comes good. The Monster looks like he might self-destruct without to much help from Eilif! Maybe the subjugated chiefs can indeed break free then. Alas, even if Dyre builds ships, I can't use them. I'd need my own shipyards and enough of them to service a reasonable raiding party. And Uusimaa would be a logical target for that purpose.
OK, will push on now and see what can be done! Thanks for being patient during this recent delay - now, back to ninth-century, post-Rurik Gardariki.
Chapter 61: Raiding in the Blood (1 October 890 – 1 August 891)
Previously, on Blut und Schlacht … Peace had been made with the Karelians at great cost and now King Eilif the Just looks to the future; but ‘peace’ does not prevent good honest raiding – which is more of a business pursuit for Norsemen; King Dyre 'the Stranger' of Konugarðr continues to pay for his apostasy and cannot find peace under his new God; and family concerns continue to bubble away for the king, never far below the surface.
ᚔ ᚱᚢᚱᛁᚲᛁᛞ ᚔ
October 890
"The advice from the wise was conclusive, My Liege, and accorded with your own views,” announced Hrörekr, the old Lawspeaker. “It would be best to impress the majesty of the crown on the populace as part of the realm’s cultural bedrock.”
“Thank you, good Hrörekr, your words are always both wise and welcome, whether hard news or good,” replied the King. “I must rebuild the prestige of the crown as well as our treasury. I have opted for a period of peace and rebuilding since my father’s passing. But blood and battle are our heritage and honour. Even without boats, I think we need an expedition to revive morale and get the coin flowing again.”
“I agree, My Liege.”
“Indeed. Gumarich?”
“Yes, King Eilif?”
“Could you please find our Marshal and ask him to attend me? One of Alfgeir’s money-counters too, please, if you would. One familiar with the income of chiefdoms on our western borders.”
“At once, My King.”
ᚔ ᚱᚢᚱᛁᚲᛁᛞ ᚔ
A little later, Marshal Þorfinn and one of Alfgeir’s senior assistants stand with the young king over a map table.
“King Eilif, this map gives an idea of the ‘riches’ in bordering realms. Holmgarðr is one of the richer counties in the region. The rest – slim pickings, I’m afraid, certainly in counties directly on our border, which for raiding without ships is of course all we can manage.”
“We live in a backwater,” mutters the king. Then, more loudly: “What is the best on offer within our range. And we’re steering clear of The Monster to the east and of that charnel house called Könugarðr to the south. And Karelia to the north.”
“Uusimaa is the only really lucrative target in range, with a rich temple that should yield excellent profits. The rest – pretty mediocre.”
The money-counter brings out another map.
“We have consulted with the Marshal and produced something a little more specific and maybe useful, sire.” Þorfinn nods at this. “Tax income isn’t an exact indicator of revenues we might get through a raid, but it is a reasonable indicator of wealth. As you can see, of the accessible counties on our western borders, Uusimaa is by far and away the richest. Kalevan would be next, but by a long margin.”
“So Marshal Þorfinn, what do you think? Can we tackle Uusimaa safely enough, such that the cost of a raid would not be greater than the benefits?”
“We have looked into Chief Lalli’s position and it is my judgement that he is ripe for the picking, King Eilif. His levy, even including that of his vassal shaman, would be no real match for ours, even if he was able to summon it in time. He does not have any formal external alliances we’re aware of and we do not believe mercenaries or tribal armies are a big risk. There would be some loot in the countryside and even more in his tribal holding and especially the temple. Well worth it I reckon.”
“Excellent – and sacking one of those heathen temples would please the Gods, too. It is decided: let us summon the levies to meet in Kexholm, then we shall strike swiftly and severely, with fire and axe!”
“It shall be dome, My King. The men will be pleased and willing to venture forth with only a small retainer on the promise of later plunder. Have you decided who you wish to command the raid?”
“Not yet. Summon the men and I will decide once we are gathered. It may not be as exotic as some of my father’s early ventures, but it will be good to once again enjoy some blut und schlacht!”
ᚔ ᚱᚢᚱᛁᚲᛁᛞ ᚔ
November-December 890
The mustering of the levies and getting them to Kexholm, even in the more compact lands Eilif now controlled personally, was still a time-consuming business. While that took progressed, news came in from the south in mid-November. King Dyre had managed to assemble a force large enough (probably with vassal companies now released after earlier peace treaties) to besiege Mozhaysk, which was the focus of the Jarl of Yaroslavl’s claim. Chief Gradimir’s Tverian army was too small to intervene, while Jarl Tyueykezhut’s main force was far to the west, marching from Minsk to Lyubech. Dyre still tried to fight off four border claim wars – a seemingly unending series of debilitating struggles.
And then, as winter began to truly set in, some momentous news came in from far Western Europa. The forces of the young King of Sweden had wrested one of the great Germanic holy sites from the heathen Christians in Zeeland! If it couldn’t be in Garðarikian hands, then Swedish control was the next best thing.
In early December, it became apparent Eilif’s brother, Jarl Dyre of Tver, was assembling his own raiding force. The contingents were many though small, mustering from all his far-flung holdings. What was he up to? He had the advantage of owning several shipyards – much to Eilif’s chagrin. But the king was busy enough with his own raiding preparations, so did not pay close attention at that time. Let Dyre do what he would!
And on 26 December, some disconcerting news was received from his mother’s spy network: Hrolfr of Vladimir had fallen under the sway that trouble-maker Chief Tihomir of Luki (old Svetozar’s successor) and joined the faction aiming to lower tribal organisation in the realm. For now, Eilif let this go – hoping it would come to nothing. To think, such a loyalist to his father King Rurik agitating against one of the old king's rulings handed down just before he died! How times change.
The next day brought triumph for Eilif’s powerful Chancellor, Jarl Tyueykezhut of Yaroslavl: he had finally prevailed in his claim on Mozhaysk! It was now part of his Jarldom – and therefore of Garðariki. For Dyre, while he had lost yet another county, it meant the rest of the land occupied by the Jarl was released and Gradimir’s own claim also became void. Could Dyre now start to reassert his authority over his shrinking Christian kingdom?
Tyueykezhut’s position was now even stronger – of some concern to the new king. And there was something the Chancellor had not said anything about, but that the King happened across when browsing through some papers: the Jarl now had a non-aggression pact with nephew, Buðli Helgisson, now Jarl of Belo Ozero. This was quite separate to the one Tyueykezhut maintained with Eilif’s sister, Asa, who was married to Tyueykezhut’s son. Asa had already given the Jarl one grandchild and was pregnant with another. The king would chase all this court intrigue up in due course – but not yet.
This now left Dyre defending just two claims – Hrolfr’s, which was quite well progressed, and other by High Chief Tatimir ‘the Old’ of Chernigov, who sought to take Bryansk from his beleaguered neighbour.
ᚔ ᚱᚢᚱᛁᚲᛁᛞ ᚔ
January-February 891
The new year came cold and hard to the north, where the raiding party assembled in Kexholm. They were fully mustered on 2 January. Eilif decided to conjure up images of the ‘good old days’ of bold Garðarikian raiding. He would put the ‘old firm’ back together again – perhaps for the last time. First, Þorsteinn was reappointed to the commander’s position that had remained vacant since his wounding and capture by Tuure of Karelia. The other contenders from within the realm did not come close. The next best military man, Ivar (though in this case he lacked courage, rather than bones) was a non-starter. Another young man who had just come of age might have potential [and I was tempted to have Gandalf on my side!] but he was not yet ready. The old war-horse would have his chance again.
And so the Great Raiding Toggle Ceremony was duly conducted and ‘Þorsteinn’s Raiders’ set off, once more with the one-eyed general in the centre, Hrolfr on one flank and Sverker on the other. It would take just over three weeks to arrive at Chief Lalli’s keep.
They arrived without incident: Lalli had failed to call up his levy, so a siege of his tribal holding commenced straight away. The loot scoured from the surrounding country was sent straight back to the treasury by land, in instalments.
And perhaps this return to action inspired greater feelings of loyalty in Hrolfr: the next day word came through that his brief (one month long) dalliance with Tihomir’s faction had ended. A definite relief, as Hrolfr was now one of the realm's more powerful lords.
As routine siege work progressed in Uusimaa through February, Eilif remained in his capital stronghold of Nygarðr. It was here he received another interesting report from the south. With Hrolfr on duty as a royal commander, one of his regiments had made it all the way to the county of Könugarðr itself. There, they seemed to be besieging a secondary holding, as High Chief Tatimir of Chernigov held the main fort already. Dyre’s small army was in Bryansk and heading further east.
ᚔ ᚱᚢᚱᛁᚲᛁᛞ ᚔ
March-May 891
According to Gumarich der Schreiber, who continued in his role as Secretary to the new king as he had to his father, there had been a deterioration in relations between Eilif and his powerful Chancellor, even as the raid on Uusimaa progressed smoothly. Perhaps the recent victory over King Dyre had boosted Tyueykezhut’s feelings of self-worth, but at this time the spy network revealed he had founded his own faction for independence. It was just him for now, but if it came out it would be embarrassing and if it expanded, dangerous. As with Hrolfr before, Eilif decided not to attempt to force a confrontation he was not confident of winning. He let the matter ride for now.
Ch 61 Q1: Dealing with Factions.I know there are a number of ways of seeking to shut factions down and that the methods chosen, timing and indeed whether to try are all situational. But does anyone think I’m being too stand-offish with these factions? My feel is that unless they start building to critical mass or I have a reason to want to force a confrontation I think I can win (ie to strip someone of their lands, for example), it is not overly dangerous to let plots such as these simmer for a while. Many times they seem to go away of their own volition.
Then two weeks later, more grievous news came through from the court in Yaroslavl. Eilif’s older sister, Asa, married to the Jarl’s heir, Nishkepaz, gave birth to a daughter ... but died in the effort. And it seemed Eilif's new niece and her older brother would be raised in a court that had no kind regard for him. A sad business, but that was life in Garðariki, where blithely happy families were definitely not the norm.
Old Chief Nuyanza of Ingria – that perpetual under-performer, a mediocre leader of a weak county and an unhealthy cripple – had apparently formed an ambition to be promoted to the King’s Council! Eilif’s derisive mutterings when he heard the news were all Gumarich needed to understand the likelihood of that coming to pass!
Towards the end of April, Grimr of Smaleskja, the stalwart Norse supporter of the Rurikid kings, decided one of King Dyre’s counties (released following a recent peace treaty) would suit him quite nicely. He launched a claim war on Vitebsk. Good luck to him, thought Eilif to himself.
And just after that, Eilif’s personal journal recorded something very satisfactory: Jarl Tyueykezhut had clearly had second thoughts about launching a bid for independence. He had disbanded his faction, so the king’s informers revealed! Everyone just acted as if it nothing had never happened. [I know it worked out again, as with Hrolfr, but my earlier question still stands about ‘rules of thumb’ for dealing with factions, especially powerful ones with serious goals such as independence].
The first day of May brought the fall of Lalli’s tribal keep, from which some more coin (though no prisoners for ransom or Blot, alas) was seized. Fortunately, no Garðarikian troops were lost in the exercise. Now on to the temple!
ᚔ ᚱᚢᚱᛁᚲᛁᛞ ᚔ
June-July 891
Again, with any available coin again scoured from the countryside after the fall of the main keep, the siege of the Temple of Porvoo continued. And both the passage of time and the trickle of treasure had begun to slowly refill the treasury and build Eilif’s prestige – which he needed initially at least to help keep his fractious family and vassals in line! Meanwhile, Eilif began to hear sketchy reports of his brother Dyre's adventures, which were taking him to the lands of the Franks, if rumours were true!
And then, the last of the original Chiefs of the old Petty Kingdom of Holmgarðr passed on to the next world – though it was unlikely to be Valhalla for that indolent invalid and old nobody, was Eilif’s harsh but likely accurate private observation. Nuyanza's heir was not much more prepossessing and had no high opinion of his king. Vihavald came into his inheritance while suffering from a nasty bout of dysentery, so Eilif was told.
“Hah!” barked Eilif, in Gumarich’s hearing. “The little serpent gives himself the sh!ts as much as he does me! Hahaha.”
When it soon emerged that Vihavald had formed the same unrealistic ambition as his father, Eilif had more cause for merriment.
“He has no more chance of that than his useless old sire did! Just a seat on his own privy for him – not the Privy Council!” chuckled the amused king.
The next day there was far better news: in Uusimaa the Temple of Porvoo had been sacked, yielding far more gold than the raiders had been expecting! Again, no troops were lost in doing it.
Being home at court, sometimes the mundane matters of everyday life needed resolution – especially if it involved family. One such event was recorded in Eilif’s personal journal. It involved Jorunn – his late half-brother Helgi’s widow – and the stablemaster. Sad really: had Helgi not died prematurely, Jorunn would probably have been Queen of Garðariki by now – or at least the Queen Mother. Now she was quarrelling with stablemen!
At only just 50, recent events must have taken a real toll on poor Jorunn, who had seemingly withered overnight!
Having ensured all available gold had been extracted, the raiders departed Uusimaa after a very pleasant (for them) and lucrative stay. The treasury was now almost back out of debt and Eilif’s prestige was slowly recovering from his humbling concession to the Karelians the year before.
With that venture all wrapped up - bar the march home - Eilif had time to look into some other matters. First, his nephew Buðli’s connection with House Meryavid. It turned out Buðli, who had turned 16 the month before, had become betrothed to one of Tyueykezhut’s daughters some time ago! She was 14, so the marriage would likely be confirmed in a year or two. And Buðli now, naturally, also wanted a position on the Council. Though the appointment he was best suited to – Chancellor – was currently occupied by Buðli’s prospective father-in-law, a man who Eilif could definitely not afford to offend. Buðli might make a middling Spymaster, but Eilif was not about to replace their mother in that role. Buðli was a competent Jarl, but no great star. He would just have to sit and stew a bit for now.
Another matter Eilif had been contemplating for a while, but now took action on, was the matter of finding a suitable concubine, as his brilliant but chaste wife and Seer showed no signs yet of producing the heir he needed. A search was made throughout the known world for a good Germanic Norse woman. Someone young, well accomplished, who preferably did not despise the thought of joining him – and was available. Elin Öysteinnsdottir of Moray in Suðreyjar, of the well-known and respected Yngling clan, was chosen and invited to court. Her lord, Gnupa of Moray, seemed well-disposed to the idea. [The 10% fertility buff as a Grey Eminence will help, too. No geniuses available, but Elin looks pretty good.]
ᚔ ᚱᚢᚱᛁᚲᛁᛞ ᚔ
1 August 891
Elin duly arrived in Nygarðr on 1 August 891 AD and started to settle into Eilif’s court. The young king was quite besotted with her effervescent personality and was soon assiduously attending to the important official business of finding an heir to the kingdom! Thoughts of invoking Thor and his Mighty Spear were clearly foremost in the king’s fevered mind at this point.
As he looked for his next move – perhaps another raid on one of the small Baltic chiefdoms on his western border this time – Eilif took stock of his current position. First priority was wiping out his remaining debt, which had a serious effect on the morale of his levy when it was mustered and also limited his ability to sustain it financially when it was called. Let alone being able to call on mercenaries in an emergency. He still had just over four years before his ambition to see the realm prosper came to fruition, so more raiding was definitely called for in the meantime. And his prestige was slowly recovering, but still limited his influence as king in dealing with his vassals.
To the south, two new border claims now harassed Dyre the Stranger of Könugarðr. To Grimr’s claim, alluded to earlier, has been added that of one High Chief Yudki of Curonia, who wished to conquer Orsha, in the west of Dyre’s shrinking kingdom. The two more long-standing claims, by Hrolfr and Tatimir, were now both quite well advanced.
But Dyre had managed to call in five of his vassals to assist with those older wars [and they were likely to be called into the new ones too in due course, presumably] and Dyre now commanded a small army of over 650 warriors, which looked like they intended to try to take Bryansk back from Tatimir. Hrolf was besieging Kolona and Tatimir was investing Roslavl at that time. Grimr besieged Vitebsk (his claim objective), while the new entrant, Yudki of Curonia, had yet to make an appearance on the ground.
And the raiding exploits of Eilif’s brother Jarl Dyre were now becoming well known. He had taken his small fleet and raiding force to the heart of Western Europa. First, he had raided in the kingdom of Lotharingia and now he was over in West Frankia. It seemed the name Rurikid and raiding were synonymous!
In Yperen in north of West Frankia, Jarl Dyre found himself in a perilous position. His raiding force was small and lightly armed – and the locals were mustering. Two of their three nearby companies were larger than his and each of them had more heavy infantry than he did, plus light cavalry and pike support.
“Men, we have done all we can here! Let us return to the ships with what we have. Including my balls which, unlike my poor father, I don’t intend to leave behind on foreign soil!”
Dyre’s words were met with a hearty laugh – and alacrity. But it seemed one of the pursuing hosts (with more than double Dyre’s numbers) was due to arrive in just two days’ time – four days before Dyre’s small force could make it to the ships. They may pay a high price before they could escape – if they could escape!
ᚔ ᚱᚢᚱᛁᚲᛁᛞ ᚔ
Question
Just the one specific technical question this time. As always, general comments and advice are very welcome.
Ch 61 Q1: Dealing with Factions.I know there are a number of ways of seeking to shut factions down and that the methods chosen, timing and indeed whether to try are all situational. But does anyone think I’m being too stand-offish with these factions? My feel is that unless they start building to critical mass or I have a reason to want to force a confrontation I think I can win (ie to strip someone of their lands, for example), it is not overly dangerous to let plots such as these simmer for a while. Many times they seem to go away of their own volition.
ᚔ ᚱᚢᚱᛁᚲᛁᛞ ᚔ
Eilif and his brother Dyre may differ on many things, but they are both true Rurikids in their desire for raiding and thirst for blood and battle. “Attack! You all belong to Odin!”
I've never really had a strategy for factions besides maintaining enough of a reserve cash horde to merc them down if they revolt and try to live long enough that everyone loves me
I tend to be rather hands-off with factions - unless I actually want them to rebel (situational) or they start looking troublesome. I mean, if an opportunity arrives to detach a member from a faction I might take it - it just depends.
They arrived without incident: Lalli had failed to call up his levy, so a siege of his tribal holding commenced straight away. The loot scoured from the surrounding country was sent straight back to the treasury by land, in instalments.
Having ensured all available gold had been extracted, the raiders departed Uusimaa after a very pleasant (for them) and lucrative stay. The treasury was now almost back out of debt and Eilif’s prestige was slowly recovering from his humbling concession to the Karelians the year before.
maybe he can be a seer? I remember Eilif's wife was great but I don't remember how great. by the way I'm surprised, for a grey eminence he only has 11 diplomacy.
are there any "quick" ones? that's also inheritable. it's like genius light i think we can take multiple concubines. oh this concubine business is one of the aspects of this game i love
Ch 61 Q1: Dealing with Factions.I know there are a number of ways of seeking to shut factions down and that the methods chosen, timing and indeed whether to try are all situational. But does anyone think I’m being too stand-offish with these factions? My feel is that unless they start building to critical mass or I have a reason to want to force a confrontation I think I can win (ie to strip someone of their lands, for example), it is not overly dangerous to let plots such as these simmer for a while. Many times they seem to go away of their own volition.
I think just waiting until things are spiralling out of control is good. most of the time the problems are solved themselves. other times it's better they revolt so you can kill them and replace with loyal people. it's only a precarious situation nowadays when we're weak but it'll pass before they get serious.
Just a quick reply on this point: it was hashed out earlier on in one of the Things. Not sure if your game was with an unreformed tribal pagan, but in this one vassals like Dyre are only allies when called up (if they even agree to answer). Unless there’s some mechanic I’m missing and no one has mentioned yet, I can’t use the ships
Just a quick reply on this point: it was hashed out earlier on in one of the Things. Not sure if your game was with an unreformed tribal pagan, but in this one vassals like Dyre are only allies when called up (if they even agree to answer). Unless there’s some mechanic I’m missing and no one has mentioned yet, I can’t use the ships
ohhh now i remember yes we talked about this. on second thought; i was nomadic unreformed pagan with very similar mechanics to tribal (but my vassal was feudal).
the thing is i don't have the game anymore so cannot check which interface i used but i'm guessing if it was there you would've found it by now or somebody would've told about it.
Ch 61 Q1: Dealing with Factions.I know there are a number of ways of seeking to shut factions down and that the methods chosen, timing and indeed whether to try are all situational. But does anyone think I’m being too stand-offish with these factions? My feel is that unless they start building to critical mass or I have a reason to want to force a confrontation I think I can win (ie to strip someone of their lands, for example), it is not overly dangerous to let plots such as these simmer for a while. Many times they seem to go away of their own volition.
I tend to be rather hands-off with factions - unless I actually want them to rebel (situational) or they start looking troublesome. I mean, if an opportunity arrives to detach a member from a faction I might take it - it just depends.
I think just waiting until things are spiralling out of control is good. most of the time the problems are solved themselves. other times it's better they revolt so you can kill them and replace with loyal people. it's only a precarious situation nowadays when we're weak but it'll pass before they get serious.
I am more or less going to second (third?) the consensus here. I'd keep a weather eye on them in case they start gathering momentum, but you can generally leave factions alone as long as they don't cross the "dangerous" threshold -- which, thankfully, will give you a handy notification at the top of the screen, so you don't have to micromanage it too much. Most faction concerns can be preempted by proper care and handling of your vassals in general.
Of note here is that Germanic pagans get hit with more severe "Short Reign" opinion penalties than their "civilized" counterparts, which usually means that your most dangerous years for a ruler (with reference to internal strife) are going to be the first couple years of their reign -- if you can make it past those in one piece, then you're generally set, barring some major upset or catastrophe (which, of course, happens more often than you'd like in CK2, but I digress...)
I agree with the others on factions. I'll sometimes use my councilor to improve relations with different vassals to slowly break them away from factions, but beyond that I don't do much unless they grow in power.
