Excommunication

**Subedei** · 12-20-2006, 10:13

In my HRE game the Pope was always fanboying the Poles....I don´t know, maybe b/c the Vatican does not like the HRE too much for it´s strength and so it wants to favour and strenghten the neighbor [Poland].

Sort of a "my enemy´s enemy is my friend"-thing?!?!?

**sapi** · 12-20-2006, 11:31

^^ There's a negative modifier applied to the HRE's relations with the papacy each turn, as von nanega said.

**Naefen** · 12-20-2006, 11:34

The Papacy suspects that the HRE wants Rome for itself (as it truly does if you check Victory conditions in big campaign).

Hence, you will find the Papacy favouring others more often than not if you play as the HRE.

Keep gifting the Map Info, pay regular tribute of 100-300 pr turn, and keep a Diplomat close to the Papacy in order to be ready for some "emergency" gifting of florins.
I have kept to this "asskissing-strategy" throughout my entire HRE campaign (now in year 1360) and I am shifting through -Perfect- and -Outstanding- relations with them.

It also helps to have a small armada of Priests and Bishops roaming through the Muslim lands and finally acheving Cardinal status. Getting your Cardinals elected Pope will blow your standing with the Papacy through the roof.
Unofficially, I guess its sort of a- "Now take revenge, they will loose status faster than you, my Son" - letter from the Pope. Your Pope

**Scotsmanforlife** · 12-20-2006, 12:10

I'm playing as HRE right now and one of my cardinals was promoted to Pope. Add to that i have another 4 cardinals, so i'm kind of stacked. And mostly all i did to get these guys elected was to send them straight into the territories with the lowest catholic percentage.
As far as relations go with the other countries, not so good. I began the game on a good note, allied myself with everyone that bordered me and opened up trade routes with everyone. Not sure what turn it was but all at one time i was attacked by Venice, Milan, and Sicily. I took it in stride and proceeded to kick their collective butts. Then out of nowhere the poles attack, which promptly got them excommunicated. And that's where i stand right now. Still at war with those four, but winning on all sides. And since my guy got elected Pope he seems to be going on an excommunication spree. 5 nations are excommunicated right now. I'm playing on H/VH.