Greetings and salutations!
At last, we have a confirmed Iberia update coming out with 1.28. While this excites me to no end seeing that the long-requested update is now on its way, I do have a few suggestions in regards to Spain/Castile in particular.
Originally, I had a long-winded thread that was going to go into deep historical and mechanic detail, akin to Grand Historian's infamous "Japan" thread. However, it seems as though @neondt does not like this type of the thread as his predecessor did, and in fact prefers to read suggestions that are more concise and streamlined. Therefore, I have condensed a few things from my now-scrapped Spain thread and am sharing these small changes here.
I am hoping that this thread can represent the ideal "Neondt Format" as has been requested by the content designer. If anything needs to be altered or changed in the way it has been presented, or you need me to elaborate on anything further, please let me know and I would be happy to indulge. Now, on to the suggestions.
The Isabel Event
History: I think it is fairly common knowledge who Isabel I is, but for the sake of completion, Isabel de Trastamara was the ruling monarch of Castile during the mid-late 15th century, who both completed the conquest of Granada, ending the long-running Reconquista, and who also married Ferdinand II of Aragon, beginning the long process of unification between the two kingdoms in what later appeared under their grandson, Charles V, as "Spain".
Suggestion: So why bring this up? While Isabel is present in Europa Universalis IV as an event, said event rarely triggers. This is because in order for her to spawn, Castile must have no heir. This is not only unlikely (even if the player disinherits Enrique IV), but also ahistorical. I say this because the real Isabel was never the real heir to the throne to begin with. She actually replaced the existing heir, Joanna "Beltraneja", a supposed bastard of the reigning Queen of Castile. Therefore, I believe this event should trigger regardless of an heir existing or not, as it would make more sense historically and fulfill a better role mechanically for her to replace the existing heir, or be denied and cause a pretender revolt, as the nobles did in fact support her claim to the throne.
For your reference https://eu4.paradoxwikis.com/Women_in_History_events#Isabella_of_Castile
Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba
History: Gonzalo was an important general and military thinker during the reign of Isabel. Not only was he a very talented defensive and siege commander, leading the final war against the Granadan Emirate, but he also created the unit that would eventually become the infamous Tercios. In a way, Gonzalo is essentially a Castilian Gustavus Adolphus, as his military prowess and forward thinking would lead to the creation of the formation that would dominate Western European conflicts for the next century.
Suggestion: An event that grants either a general with suitable shock and siege pips or a military adviser, preferably with a timed modifier for reduced military technology cost. Not only would this represent the growing Spanish military prowess, but would also help Spain keep up in technology cost after having suffered through two consecutive awful rulers.
Cortez and Pizarro
History: Both conquistadors, Cortez and Pizarro, are infamous throughout the New World and Spain itself for having conquered the Aztec and Incan Empires, respectively. Their deeds have become standard curriculum in Native, Spanish, and even American history, and they are well known for toppling the largest Pre-Columbian empires in the Americas
Suggestion: Currently, neither of these conquerors are represented in-game. Both could easily be granted as rewards in the Spanish mission tree (or events) alongside the permanent claims on their respective enemies. While not vital for their inclusion, both would add considerable flavor and give the Spaniards access to the infamous captains who conquered the Mesoamericans in reality.
Enrique IV
History: Isabel's predecessor, Enrique IV was a weak and cuckolded king who the Castilian nobility had little to no respect for. Despite this, he did arrange multiple royal marriages and alliances in Iberia, crushed quite a few rebellions, and did in fact lead Castile into a fairly prosperous economy for the time period.
Suggestion: While by no means a great ruler, Enrique did in fact have his successes. I do not believe it is fair or just to have him represented as a 0/0/0, alongside his descendant Charles II, a known incapable ruler who could hardly chew his food, let alone rule. This is especially evident when considering the inclusion of the nobility estate. I would propose Enrique being raised from a 0/0/0 to a 2/1/1 or something similar. This will separate him from the other drooling idiots represented this way while still not making him overpowered or grossly more capable than reality. Instead, to represent his inadequacies, the nobility estate could be given increased influence and decreased loyalty, in a ruler-specific event akin to the modifier the ruler of the Timurids is given to represent his vassals rebelling.
That's it. Please let me know what you think and I would appreciate any constructive criticism. As said before, I would be happy to change my format as requested by the Content Designer.
Thank you for your time and I hope you have a pleasant rest of your day.
At last, we have a confirmed Iberia update coming out with 1.28. While this excites me to no end seeing that the long-requested update is now on its way, I do have a few suggestions in regards to Spain/Castile in particular.
Originally, I had a long-winded thread that was going to go into deep historical and mechanic detail, akin to Grand Historian's infamous "Japan" thread. However, it seems as though @neondt does not like this type of the thread as his predecessor did, and in fact prefers to read suggestions that are more concise and streamlined. Therefore, I have condensed a few things from my now-scrapped Spain thread and am sharing these small changes here.
I am hoping that this thread can represent the ideal "Neondt Format" as has been requested by the content designer. If anything needs to be altered or changed in the way it has been presented, or you need me to elaborate on anything further, please let me know and I would be happy to indulge. Now, on to the suggestions.
The Isabel Event
History: I think it is fairly common knowledge who Isabel I is, but for the sake of completion, Isabel de Trastamara was the ruling monarch of Castile during the mid-late 15th century, who both completed the conquest of Granada, ending the long-running Reconquista, and who also married Ferdinand II of Aragon, beginning the long process of unification between the two kingdoms in what later appeared under their grandson, Charles V, as "Spain".
Suggestion: So why bring this up? While Isabel is present in Europa Universalis IV as an event, said event rarely triggers. This is because in order for her to spawn, Castile must have no heir. This is not only unlikely (even if the player disinherits Enrique IV), but also ahistorical. I say this because the real Isabel was never the real heir to the throne to begin with. She actually replaced the existing heir, Joanna "Beltraneja", a supposed bastard of the reigning Queen of Castile. Therefore, I believe this event should trigger regardless of an heir existing or not, as it would make more sense historically and fulfill a better role mechanically for her to replace the existing heir, or be denied and cause a pretender revolt, as the nobles did in fact support her claim to the throne.
For your reference https://eu4.paradoxwikis.com/Women_in_History_events#Isabella_of_Castile
Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba
History: Gonzalo was an important general and military thinker during the reign of Isabel. Not only was he a very talented defensive and siege commander, leading the final war against the Granadan Emirate, but he also created the unit that would eventually become the infamous Tercios. In a way, Gonzalo is essentially a Castilian Gustavus Adolphus, as his military prowess and forward thinking would lead to the creation of the formation that would dominate Western European conflicts for the next century.
Suggestion: An event that grants either a general with suitable shock and siege pips or a military adviser, preferably with a timed modifier for reduced military technology cost. Not only would this represent the growing Spanish military prowess, but would also help Spain keep up in technology cost after having suffered through two consecutive awful rulers.
Cortez and Pizarro
History: Both conquistadors, Cortez and Pizarro, are infamous throughout the New World and Spain itself for having conquered the Aztec and Incan Empires, respectively. Their deeds have become standard curriculum in Native, Spanish, and even American history, and they are well known for toppling the largest Pre-Columbian empires in the Americas
Suggestion: Currently, neither of these conquerors are represented in-game. Both could easily be granted as rewards in the Spanish mission tree (or events) alongside the permanent claims on their respective enemies. While not vital for their inclusion, both would add considerable flavor and give the Spaniards access to the infamous captains who conquered the Mesoamericans in reality.
Enrique IV
History: Isabel's predecessor, Enrique IV was a weak and cuckolded king who the Castilian nobility had little to no respect for. Despite this, he did arrange multiple royal marriages and alliances in Iberia, crushed quite a few rebellions, and did in fact lead Castile into a fairly prosperous economy for the time period.
Suggestion: While by no means a great ruler, Enrique did in fact have his successes. I do not believe it is fair or just to have him represented as a 0/0/0, alongside his descendant Charles II, a known incapable ruler who could hardly chew his food, let alone rule. This is especially evident when considering the inclusion of the nobility estate. I would propose Enrique being raised from a 0/0/0 to a 2/1/1 or something similar. This will separate him from the other drooling idiots represented this way while still not making him overpowered or grossly more capable than reality. Instead, to represent his inadequacies, the nobility estate could be given increased influence and decreased loyalty, in a ruler-specific event akin to the modifier the ruler of the Timurids is given to represent his vassals rebelling.
That's it. Please let me know what you think and I would appreciate any constructive criticism. As said before, I would be happy to change my format as requested by the Content Designer.
Thank you for your time and I hope you have a pleasant rest of your day.
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If you haven't seen it (and don't mind reading subtitles if you don't speak Spanish), Isabel, La Reina is a fantastic series akin to the Tudors which, while obviously taking some creative liberties, is fairly historical and a fun watch.
