Okay, Re Beren, giving it a spin. After poking around in it a bit, checking out different factions starts, etc.

I like the slow pace mixed with more management issues. The cost of things relative to income is interesting, and the maintenance issues relative to distance encourage feudalish behavior on the part of armies. For example, I've decided that I will build a small fast Portuguese (mainly jinette) army and beat up on the local rebels for experience with small raids that won't last more than one turn in the field. That also will let me build up general loyalty (I hope). From there work my way up to seiges, though hoping I can attrit the rebels in advance that way too.


One thing that concerns me is the rate of random traits. I think those need trimming back substantially. I looked at the trait file earlier, but didn't really study it. I'm not too concerned with things the player has SOME control over, but concerned about those that are just based on random triggers. If the percentages remain what they are in vanilla, or close, they will come a bit fast for the slow pace of this mod. Again, I don't mind if I can control them with my generals' activities (sitting in a castle versus in the field, using up mps, etc.) The importance of generals as more than army leaders is higher in this mod, it appears, so those traits are more significant. I'm not crazy with seeing them pop up in the first 5 turns on more than one general.

Okay, looking at the file, there's a random chance of the corrupt trait test that's 80% per turn of a chance 1. I've gotten 2 cases of it on 3 generals in about 10 turns played. It may just be bad luck, but, as I said, I don't much like pure random traits. It does make sense to have some that are "acts of god," but those arising from behavior are better tied to the general's (or player's) actual behavior. I can see tying it to accepting a bribe, and a small chance at coming of age or adoption. Even inheritance/role model. And your special events too.

Giving is the generous trait. I see a lot of ways to pick that up that are player-choice based. My comment then remains that I think those sorts of traits are a bit too likely based on the turns per year ratio. I had 2 of 3 generals pick that up in the first 5 turns on two separate starts.


Heh, have to get used to the naming. Took a bit before "Borgonha" ticked into place for me and I speak Portuguese. Oh! House of Burgundy! Going to be more aha moments. A jpg map would be a nice addition to the archive once things are firmed up. Until the player is used to the period/native naming, it's pretty disorienting. I messed with Milan a bit and had no idea what Sicily had morphed into. So the mission to contact them drew a complete blank. Then their princess walked up to Rome. Mystery solved.

I love the naming, however, don't misunderstand me on that point. And the dynastic thrust versus "countries." Does inheritance work? Is there are point to arranging lots of marriages? I married Portugal's heir to Urraca, but that was for the alliance and quick kids more than a hope for a claim. But inheritance of that sort would be sweet and interesting. It would lead to taking some risks and holding off marriage with princesses and heirs in the hopes of setting up a peaceful "coup."

The turn updates are long at turn 1, which is scary. They aren't apt to get shorter. But relatively speaking they will get shorter as one grows one's holdings, so may be bearable. I do understand why they are long. Just commenting on the feel of it.

Oh, a comment on English grammar/word choice: "+1 from popularity" is misleading. Better to use "+1 to popularity" as that works equally well with "-1 to popularity." "From" really only works okay with negative numbers, but even there it's not quite right. I understand you're working with English as a non-native speaker, so this is just meant as a help for clarity. I can accept different usage where it doesn't really bear on substance... like "mobilitate" . I'm sure I do the same in Portuguese and Spanish often. Those even make me think about the word in new ways, which I enjoy.


More comments as they occur to me.