DESCRIPTION
This mod aims to create an unique Byzantine Experience for Crusader Kings 3 with the introduction of new systems, vassal contracts, character interactions, a brand new government type and much more.
What's in the mod right now:
IMPERIAL AUTOCRACY
Unlike feudal Western Europe, the Roman Empire employed a complex bureaucratic system which emphasized that all land, ultimately, belonged to the Empire. Hold both castle and city holdings like you once did in CK2!
Exarchate: In the civil administration of the Byzantine Empire an exarch was the imperial governor of a large and important region of the Empire. The Exarchate system was a response to weakening imperial authority in faraway provinces and constitued part of the overall process of unification of civil and military offices, initiated in early form by Justinian I. Currently brings major military bonuses to a vassal with this contract.
Themes: The vastness of the Empire may also be its greatest weakness. The thematic system was implemented in order to allow for quick responses to the various threats to its existence. While subject under a Theme, the vassal may be called to external defensive wars in aid of the Basileus, but provide an opinion malus.
Pronoia: While the Theme System had its merits of saving the Empire from the brink of extinction, it led to the creation of a strong nobility capable of opposing Constantinople. The Pronoia System was a late attempt to take back control by leasing tax grants instead of land. You can use this to massively weaken your vassals and take most of their levies.
Men-at-Arms: The armies of the Empire were mostly consisted of professional soldiers than raised levies. We're still not sure how to reflect this in the game without making Byz more OP than it should be, but for now it enjoys a reduced MaA maintenance costs and can create bigger regiments at the expense of a massive penalty to vassal levy contribution.
IMPERIAL ELECTION
Down to its fall in the fifteenth century the Empire remained elective, and the election rested with the Senate and the army. Either the Senate or the army could proclaim an Emperor, and the act of proclamation constituted a legitimate title. As a rule, the choice of one body was acquiesced in by the other; if not, the question must be decided by a struggle. Any portion of the army was considered, for this purpose, as representing the whole army, and thus in elections in Constantinople it was the troops stationed there with whom the decision lay. But whether Senate or army took the initiative, the consent of the other body was required; and the inauguration of the new Emperor was not complete till he had been acclaimed by the people. Senate, army, and people, each had its place in the inaugural ceremonies. (J. B. Bury - History of the Later Roman Empire)
As of launch, the election system in CK3 is very primitive.To make elections more fun, this mod adds some localization scripts and modifiers present in the base game that aren't currently used (probably upcoming in a DLC). It also implements some modifiers of my own, such as making electors closer to Constantinople more influential.
Adoption - In the Roman Empire, adoption was widely accepted as means of perpetuating power when the Basileus had no male issues. Provided you're the Dynastic Head, and leader of the Byzantine Empire, you're able to adopt any sons-in-law who are married matrilineally to one of your daughters and are of the same faith and culture as you. This interaction costs tons of Renown and Prestige and will flip the recipient to your dynasty. Adopted sons are viable heirs, so the high cost is more than worth it to bring a genius into your inbred family.
Co-Emperor: One of the reasons the Emperorship was considered closer to a Monarchy rather than a 'Republican Office' was the fact that succession was normally cheated by the designation of a Co-Emperor, who would take over after the reigning Emperor passed away. In this mod, you can set someone eligible to succesion as your Caesar, which gives a massive +100 bonus to the candidate and adds half of his skills to yours. Beware! It may be advantadgeous to promote talented nobles for their skills but this costs prestige and could end up also costing you the throne in an untimely death.
Seize Domains: No subject of the Empire is a sovereign of their lands. Spend Prestige to revoke a county without tyranny penalties or revolt chance. Use this interaction consecutively to completely unland a character!
TO COME IN THE FUTURE:
Senate - The Senate in the Middle-Ages Byzantine Empire wasn't as powerful as it was back during Ancient Rome, but still functioned as a supportive council. We'll figure out a way to implement this in the game.
Imperial Council - Minor Titles - Missing the ability to hand out minor titles in CK2? Well we're working to add them here and make it so they're more than an opinion bonus and have actual interactions with your Imperial Council!
And much more! Please provide your feedback and suggestions so that together we may Make Byzantium Great Again.
TRANSLATORS:
PENGUINMAN - Korean Translation
-- COMPATIBILITY ISSUES --
CoW2: This mod does not change the existing governments, but CoW adds a new holding type that makes it obligatory to change the governments to include it as a valid or invalid holding. As such I can't make it compatible without a separate build, but if you want to play both at once I think it'll work if you change the RHOMAIOI_government_type file in the mod to include whatever holdings CoW adds in the byz government.
CHANGELOG
vv0.7a - Released 2020-10-01
vv0.5b - Released 2020-09-16
vv0.5a - Released 2020-09-16
vv0.5 - Released 2020-09-14
vv0.3 - Released 2020-09-07
REQUIREMENTS
Crusader Kings III
Full game
FORUM LINKS