More Papal Integration

[Odin]

I kinda like the pope thing but wouldn't you be over-powered? Say you hold a grudge against a certain faction, wouldn't you excom that faction even if he is not 'guilty?'

I do like the idea of inviting other rulers to take the cross. I never play RTW so I don't know how you communicate with your neighbors but I guess in MTW2 agents should do more than just offering cease-fire and alliance. Kings' influence can even play a bigger role here. :)

This is an excellent sentiment. The Kings influence should be a major factor in all diplomacy IMHO. The factors going into that influence should include force structure, holdings, alliances etc, not just how many successful battles you have won against the AI.

The agents should be able to convey that on diplomatic missions, but some agents of course are better then others. Maybe vices for agents might affect how well the kings influence is communicated?

Back to the Pope:

I think vices and virtues for bishops might be a way to go here, a particularly poius bishop with ecclastical traits should have thier own influence (for lack of a better term) gauge. Factors in that might be successful conversions of populace, trying heritics, succesful negotiations on the leiges behalf.

I like the idea of having your agent elected pope, but it should be to someone renonwned for thier accomplishments (as well as thier leiges) and not soely the strongest armed faction. However a challenge should be able to be made if another candidate is suitable and then some election process.

That leaves a lot for the AI, but, hey lets shoot for the moon here...

[Trajanus]

I like the idea of having your agent elected pope, but it should be to someone renonwned for thier accomplishments (as well as thier leiges) and not soely the strongest armed faction. However a challenge should be able to be made if another candidate is suitable and then some election process.

Agreed. So perhaps it should be based upon the catholic bishop from all factions who has the highest "honour" rating, but also that faction must be high up in the Pope's friendly list etc.

Not just the biggest faction or the richest but actually have ways to get your man in as Pope if you are Venice or Milan or even Scotland!

Anything is possible if CA use their imagination with it I believe!