Successor game rules, draft one.

[Zim]

Well, as it stands a Count could fight to leave a House and even form a defacto House of new members or fellow deserters, but would lose access to the higher ranks (busted down to Baron).

So said Duke would be giving his title of Duke to the Count? If he dies he can make anybody he wants his heir. I'd be interested in hearing whether people think Dukes should be able to "retire" while still alive and give his title to another.

I definitely think an addition to the rules should be made to allow losing the title through civil war.

The idea is that a Count fights for his right to have a House, but he isn't as strong, but he isn't subjected to the whims of the First Four.

The second part is the idea that a Duke could disown his own House in favor of another, such as said Count above, for his own reasons - thus stripping one of the First Four of it's legitimacy, and granting it to the Counts House, who is now a Duke. This would allow for a dynamic change in the Houses and for some interesting storyline. This would of course be a part of the Dukes will, so death or retirement must come first.

Also, yes, that was also implied - what if a Count defeated a Duke and demanded the title for peace?

[ULC]

Hmmm...you mentioned another rank as a possibility...maybe we should have a rank that a King can bestow, that adds power and prestige to a House, or some other function, that another House would want, creating friction through sucking up and power gain? I keep thinking Archduke or Master of Arms as possible titles.

[Zim]

That might not be a bad idea, although we should take care to keep things from getting too complicated. Maybe the Mast of Arms to lead the King's army (on that note I don't think I gave the king any prioritized units, better fix that).

[AussieGiant]

I'm not trying to be rude here,

but,

I think everyone should just stop talking about more rules.

Just play the damn game and if you want more rules, then do it "In Character" as part of the frame work already created.

That was nearly the single most effect aspect of KotR.

-EDIT- The "egypt" and "balloon" is to ensure those of you that know me well enough realise this is a bit of friendly slapping.

[Zim]

Would you say that the rules are properly balanced right now then? With no rank needed between Duke and Count?

As it is I'd be perfectly happy just making a few minor adjustment before finishing up everything we need to start the game. The main last few changes I'm considering are:

1. Allow Dukes to lose their title through Civil War
2. Prioritized units for the King, something I just forgot writing up that rank.
3. "Possibly" scrapping the somewhat confusing stat influence system for something simpler, one vote per person plus a few titles (Duke, having been Chancellor, King, marrying the Princess) adding a bit of influence.

[ULC]

Would you say that the rules are properly balanced right now then? With no rank needed between Duke and Count?

As it is I'd be perfectly happy just making a few minor adjustment before finishing up everything we need to start the game. The main last few changes I'm considering are:

1. Allow Dukes to lose their title through Civil War
2. Prioritized units for the King, something I just forgot writing up that rank.
3. "Possibly" scrapping the somewhat confusing stat influence system for something simpler, one vote per person plus a few titles (Duke, having been Chancellor, King, marrying the Princess) adding a bit of influence.

Sounds fine to me - a Master of Arms title should be something we should fight over ingame, not pregame I suppose.

and AG, does this mean your in?

[GeneralHankerchief]

Upon a quick read, I like what I see, and I'm in favor of there being fewer ranks as opposed to more. Even the highest-attaining players in LotR couldn't sniff Exarch.

[flyd]

Did you not like the idea to limit expansion and strengthen the legislative body by requring "annexation" votes, which is that each conquered province has to be annexed by an Edict or given back?

[ULC]

Did you not like the idea to limit expansion and strengthen the legislative body by requring "annexation" votes, which is that each conquered province has to be annexed by an Edict or given back?

Could you elaborate on the overall amount of steps for this? To me it sounds as if your saying that each province captured is only captured until the next Chancellor phase unless it is ratified in - considering the King himself gets the provinces this game and then doles them out how he sees fit, that might curb expansion by Houses that do not share good feelings with the King, while allowing another House to literally explode overnight.