Constance NI and Events - replacing Ravensburg

[bebrst]

Konstanz – Constance

National Ideas, Events, and flavour for a new tag instead of Ravensburg

After a discussion with @Paland0 , (https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/foru...s-dhes-and-suggestions.1001758/#post-22686246) we both agreed that Constance deserves to replace the current Ravensburg province, given its influence in the Lake Constance region. The city of Ravensburg was never controlling more than a small territory around the city walls and was, apart from the Ravensburger Handelsgesellschaft, a leading treading company in the late medieval time, never an important actor in Southern German history. The Handelsgesellschaft was partly founded and controlled by merchant families from Constance, thus it would be still represented in game. For a more historic game play I would like to follow the suggestions of @Paland0 and split the current Ravensburg province into one for Constance (which should also have a little part of the current St. Gallen territory (Thurgau – the Constance “hinterlands”) and one for Hohenzollern, one of the most influential and important aristocratic families in German history (the latter “Prussians”). I would first want to introduce my suggestions for Constance and hope someone else would find time to work on Hohenzollern NIs.

There are two possible options for a Constance tag

- The Price-Bishop / Bishopric of Constance

- The Free City of Constance

Hereinafter I created Nationals Ideas and Events for the two options. Both options would add own and unique flavor to the game and would depict the different sides of life in the late medieval time and the beginning modern time.

While the Bishopric of Constance was the largest German Bishopric of the 15th century and in its history one of the most influential ones (Council of Constance, monasteries of Reichenau and St. Gallen), the territories of the Prince-Bishop himself were smaller and he only controlled parts of the city of Constance, but had further territories, both in Southern Germany and nowadays Switzerland (see picture). The Bishopric played an influential role as one of the leaders of the Schwäbischer Bund and in addition also had a vote in the Imperial Diet.

The free city of Constance was a hub for cross-alpine trading, and merchants from Constance were present in Venice, Genoa and Milano. The city became famous for its linen – Italians called it the “Tela di Constanza”. Constance merchant families were described as being (aong) the richest Germans of the early 15th century (Muntprat) and also played a pivotal role in the “Ravensburger Handelsgesellschaft” as founding members and being among the most influential members. At game start, the city of Constance was a free imperial city and had the jurisdiction and territorial influence and control over big parts of the Thurgau in today’s Switzerland, which it later lost in the Schwäbischer Krieg.

For both options the Reformation and counter-reformation are offering very interesting story telling options - from different perspectives with the burghers reforming to Protestantism and being a founding member of the protestant “Schmalkaldischer Bund”, while the Bishop had to flee Constance and settled in Meersburg, but in the end had the upper hand with the support of the Habsburg Empire. The downfall of the Bishopric of Constance is perfectly fitting with the time covered by the game and thus offers another interesting story line.

I cannot really decide which tag, the Bishopric or the Free City of Constance I would rather see in game. Both offer very interesting additions to the game and events and story telling for both are an excellent addition to the game and full of historic flavor.

Spoiler: National Ideas Bishopric of Constance

Bishopric of Constance

Traditions

National Tax Modifier +10% (Ewiger Pfenning)

Provincial Trade Power Modifier +10% (Trans-Alpine Trade)

National Ideas

The Glory of the Council of Constance / +1 yearly prestige

The Councils Diplomats tought us / +1 Diplomatic Reputation

Camino di Santiago – the Schwabenweg and Relics / +0,5 Yearly Devotion

The Swedes are “ante portas” / + 15% Fort Defense

The Kreisausschreibamt / +1 Diplomatic Relation

The Standing Army of the Schwäbischer Bund / -20% Mercenary Maintenance

The Jesuits in Constance / +1 Missionary Strength

Ambition

The Secularization of the Bishopric / +1 Tolerance of Heretics

the other option would be a "Free City of Constance"

Spoiler: National Ideas Free City of Constance

The Free City of Constance

Traditions

Provincial Trade Power Modifier +10% (Trans-Alpine Trade)

Prestige Decay -1% (The Glory of the Council of Constance)

National Ideas

“Tela di Constanza” and Ravensburger Handelsgesellschaft / + Global Trade Power +10%

Blarer and the Reformation / Tolerance of Heretics +1

The Schmalkaldischer Bund / Diplomatic Relations +1

Humanist Ideas / Idea Costs -5%

Sweden “ante portas” / Fort Defense +15%

The Unbending City / Yearly Army Tradition Decay -0,5%

The Secularization of Church Property / Construction Cost -10%

Ambition

Textile Industry / Production Efficiency +10%

 

[bebrst]

This is something being considered - expect a few at least



Of course. Same goes for other duchies if we decide to split them.



Also an option.



Why not both?

Konstanz confirmed?

 

[Caligula Caesar]

I couldn't possibly comment. But if, hypothetically, you guys were to do further brainstorming in this thread, I would certainly keep an eye on it

 

[bebrst]

I couldn't possibly comment. But if, hypothetically, you guys were to do further brainstorming in this thread, I would certainly keep an eye on it

We might hypothetically do just that

 

[Hawkslime]

I made an idea set some time ago. Admittedly, It is worse overall, because I don´t have such a deep knowledge of city´s history, but some ideas might be worth picking up:

Spoiler: My NI set

Traditions: +1 missionary
(the city was formerly under bishop´s rule)
+10% production efficiency
(to represent the city of Konstanz)

Free city of Konstanz: +10% global trade power

Legacy of Konstanz council: +1 missionary strength, +1 diplomatic reputation
The Council of Konstanz was a great event in the history of our state. The awkward situation of 3 popes claiming their title was solved, and the heretic Jan Hus was burned. The legacy of this council will never be forgotten

The Konstanz bridge: +10% national tax modifier

The Konstanz theatre: -1% prestige decay, -5% idea cost

Trade on the Lake Constance: +10% trade efficiency

Battles on the Lake Constance: +10% land morale, because 10% naval morale would be completely useless

Between the Swiss and Habsburgs: +15% improve relations

Ambition: -0.025 local autonomy

And a bit of a self-promoting, giving the link to the rest of new suggested HRE tags:
https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/foru...2-new-potential-hre-tags-compilation.1159876/

 

[Niro_95]

@Niro_95 vielen Dank for your contributions to the thread! You are very welcome to add, corecct and comment on any part of my suggestions. I'm happy if Konstanz gets depicted as good as possible
I did from time to time guided tours for the university in Konstanz too. Mostly for the erasmus students good old times, missing the beautiful lake...

@bebrst Well, we are pretty much in the same boots then, I also study at the university at the moment
Although I do the tours for normal tourists, Erasmus students are a little bit more fun I guess
If you ever come back to the lake, I'll be happy to give you a tour for free, even if you know most of the stuff already.

I couldn't possibly comment. But if, hypothetically, you guys were to do further brainstorming in this thread, I would certainly keep an eye on it

That's great news
I will post an idea set, culture, trade good, developmet etc in the next few days (maybe even today, if I find the time). Events will take a little bit longer though. Then we can discuss.

 

[Niro_95]

Well, I found time today:


I already made myself clear on the topic why I would prefer Constance as a free city tag.

On that base; here are my suggestions (When I have the time I will compare it to the already existing tags to make a maybe more balanced suggestion from a game perspective. And I will certainly improve the flavor texts, as well as a little more research, as I have to do it anyway ):

1. Flag

2. Trade:
Constance should be a center of trade at the same level as Frankfurt for example. If you consider to add more trade nodes in the HRE, Constance is a viable Option, like it’s already one in the “Voltaires Nightmare” Mod. Not just historically but also from a game perspective this could be a good option, as Constance is pretty much in the middle of 3 trade nodes already present in the game.

3. Culture:
That is a question to discuss, it could be either Swiss or Swabian. While today it’s clearly Baden culture (Swabian culture in the game), in 1444 the picture isn’t that clear.
You could say that Constance wanted to be in the Swiss confederation but many circumstances didn’t allow this to happen. Before the Schwabenkrieg (1499) Constance had the jurisdiction over the Thurgau region and were the de facto Capital. So you could argue in each direction, personally I would prefer Swabian, but the Swiss-Constance history is complicated and has much potential for additional flavor events and maybe even some mechanics, if the swiss confederation will be implemented more diverse in the game.

4. Development
I need a little bit more time to compare it to the tags already present in the game.

5. trade good
If they don’t add any new trade goods in the upcoming Update, this should be a no-brainer: Cloth, as Constance is most famous for his linen “Tela di Constanza”, spreading their export from England to Syria.


6. National ideas with flavor texts

Spoiler: National Ideas and flavor texts for Constance

Traditions:

+1 missionary strength OR +10% tax modifier due to the past as a Bishopric and important pilgrim target

+10% trade efficiency, due to its tradition mainly as a center of trade, as you already suggested

Ideas:

The neutral city: +1 Dip Rep OR +15% improve relations
We are considered a “neutral ground” as we hold diplomatic relations to many nations. We worked up our reputation as a trustworthy and honest city over the last centurys. This and our convenient location in the middle of Europe has given us the status of a mediator and often the seat of peace negotiations. Our greatest achievement in this regard is the “Peace of Constance” (1183), the most important treaty in the reign of Emporer Frederick I. “Barbarossa”. We have to keep this reputation.

The Council of Constance: +1 Prestige per annum OR -1% Prestige decay
There was a great council between 1414 and 1418 in our city, held to end the great occidental schism once and for all. Visitors from all over the Christian World praised our hospitality and the glory of our city. Constance held the only accepted conclave north of the Alps and Pope Martin V. was elected. Several Imperial Diets were held and Jan Hus was burned for his faith. Constance was the center of the world for 4 years and this will shine on our future for centurys to come.

Tela di Constanza: + 10% Production efficiency OR +10% Global trade power
We are famous for our ability to produce the finest linen. To keep our high quality standards, we invented a seal of quality; the “Tela di Constanza”. By now, it is known near and far for it’s good reputation. Our trade partners span from England to Syria and we can improve this further!

Blutgerichtsbarkeit (I don’t know, how you properly translate this into English, wiki says high justice, but I’m not sure if this is the proper fit, I recon we could use “ius gladii”): -1 National unrest
King and later Emperor Sigismund gave us the right of “ius gladii” in 1417. This the highest penal authority, including capital punishment, as held by a sovereign—the blood bar in our coat of arms symbolize this. In the early HRE, high justice was reserved to the king. But in the last century this principle was softened up, as high vassals were also given this right. And now we have it, as a mere free city. This will strengthen our authority among our citizens greatly.

Schmalkaldischer Bund (Schmalkaldic League, alternatively you could use the Swabian League, as Constance played a bigger role in it compared to the Schmalkaldic League): +1 diplomatic relations OR +1 dip rep
The Schmalkaldic League was a military alliance of Lutheran princes within the Holy Roman Empire founded in 1531. Although originally started for religious motives soon after the start of the Reformation, its members later came to have the intention that the League would replace the Holy Roman Empire as their focus of political allegiance. We are one of the founders and will defend our new faith against everyone, especially the mighty emporer. But we can’t do this alone. Luckily, we have allies, who share our values.

The power of faith (I also like the name you gave it; Unbending City, but the fact that Constance surrendered at the end puts this into another light. I will do a little research, if there is a more fitting name. Alternatively the Siege of Constance by Sweden, but to this time Constance wasn’t independent anymore and the fight against the Habsburgs is more iconic ): +5% discipline
The Schmalkaldic League lost the war. But we will fight on. One lonely last stand against the might of the Habsburgs, the combined force of Spain and Austria, but with god on our side we will be victorious! And we actually did it. In 1548 we pushed them back over our Rheinbrücke. But the casualties were hefty and our citizens want peace. So we will surrender, but never loose in the field.

Jesuit College: -10% idea cost (this is a little bit problematic, as it would be, if you implement it in the historical order, one of the last ideas, but by then -10% idea cost would be pretty useless. You could implement it earlier or use something like -10% construction cost for buildings).
In 1604 a Papal bull founded a Jesuit college in our city, mainly to be the re-education motor behind the Counter Reformation in Constance. But it became quickly one of the most advanced education institutions in the region, using the most progressed didactic technique we know: the theatre.
This theatre will one day be the oldest nonstop played theatre in all of Europe.


Ambitions: whether you choose production efficiency or global trade power on the “Tela di Constanza” idea, you can add the other option here.

Well, these are my thoughts, I think on this base we can discuss a little bit
Our suggestions are already fitting in many parts.

 

[Niro_95]

I couldn't possibly comment. But if, hypothetically, you guys were to do further brainstorming in this thread, I would certainly keep an eye on it

Thanks for the great news, Konstanz will be in the game
I hope you find this thread still useful for the NIs of Konstanz.