Inciting Revolts

[Cowhead418]

In my Egyptian campaign, I was looking for a nice portside province without a watchtower or border fort to train my spies and to my surprise I found Constantinople a perfect fit (I have yet to war with the Byzantines because they make great trading partners and I want them to cushion me from the Horde when they come).

Anyway, I have about 15 spies and 8 alims in Constantinople and all the Byzantines have defending is their king (7 stars) and a HA unit. The loyalty is 0% and every turn there is a Muslim revolt but it only consists of some ballistas, mangonels, and about 3 or 4 Hashishan. They've been whittling down the Byzantine king but I've been wondering why there hasn't been a better army revolting than what I've seen. Will the revolt always consist of this crap?

On a second note, my kings and heirs have consistently been crap, they have high dread but few acumen and barely any stars. I never charge my king into battle anymore because the last time I tried 80% of my empire erupted into revolt. Each rebel army had 1000 troops with a mix of Mamluk Cavalry, Saracen Infantry, and Murabitin Infantry, forcing me to save my empire by using the Load feature, which I hate having to do. I've heard heirs are influenced by the King's influence and that is always very high so I don't understand why my heirs are so incompetent.

[Ludens]

Anyway, I have about 15 spies and 8 alims in Constantinople and all the Byzantines have defending is their king (7 stars) and a HA unit. The loyalty is 0% and every turn there is a Muslim revolt but it only consists of some ballistas, mangonels, and about 3 or 4 Hashishan. They've been whittling down the Byzantine king but I've been wondering why there hasn't been a better army revolting than what I've seen. Will the revolt always consist of this crap?

The size of revolting armies depends on the size of the garrison. Since the garrison is very small (but high quality), the revolt will also be small. I don't know what influences revolt quality, but it has to do with the buildings in the province (shouldn't be a problem in Constaninople), garrison size and revolt type.

On a second note, my kings and heirs have consistently been crap, they have high dread but few acumen and barely any stars. I never charge my king into battle anymore because the last time I tried 80% of my empire erupted into revolt. Each rebel army had 1000 troops with a mix of Mamluk Cavalry, Saracen Infantry, and Murabitin Infantry, forcing me to save my empire by using the Load feature, which I hate having to do. I've heard heirs are influenced by the King's influence and that is always very high so I don't understand why my heirs are so incompetent.

Influence makes sure that good kings don't get crap heirs, and that bad kings won't get even worse heirs, but it won't actually improve your royal stock. You need to get out onto the battlefield to do that, though building a lot also helps. Keep in mind that any improvements to the king won't help once his sons have matured.