Quote Originally Posted by Caravel
The rebel faction doesn't construct buildings but it does seem to train all units except agents, crusades/jihads and ships. The problem is that it usually never has enough money and doesn't adjust taxes.

Sorry if my newbie post here somewhat contradicts a veteran's observations, but I'm certain that the AI rebels do build buildings, and that their tax rates always seem to be at Very High but they don't ever seem to deviate from 100% loyalty. It may be that I always start off campaigns by bribing Sweden and other quiet defensible corners I can get my hands on, so they get a monetary boost early on and can therefore afford the new buildings, but they do build them. In my current campaign the rebel Norway is steadily building a nice little army to defend the port/castle/military building facilities they've built up over the years, it's interesting to watch them grow even if they do raids on occasion. They have to be getting money from other provinces and/or my bribes, there's no way the 78 florin income of Norway is going to support even a fraction of what they've produced. I haven't yet seen rebel fleets or emissaries, though.

One somewhat related thing I can't figure out: is there any way to ever get out of a state of war with the rebels, aside from destroying every one you have a border with and hiding away all your fleets from the coasts? I'm playing as the Byz now, and pulling out doesn't seem to even be an option unless I'm crazy enough to retreat everyone to Naples and the islands, or invade lots of useless low income steppe provinces I'd rather let Novgorad and Poland take (but they never seem to want to expand). It'd be great if they'd once in a while build an emissary willing to sue for peace - it's not like I've ever done anything to them but give them money to get some of their cool troops. Those rebel docks look like perfect trade partners.