Succession

[Spurius Brontosaurus]

Hi guys: Have been following this mod keenly from before Rome:TW was released, and am getting excited that you are getting closer to release. I had a question on civil wars/succession (which I posted earlier, but the post was deleted - not entirely sure why since I searched the FAQ and previous threads, and did not find anything directly addressing it).

The question is this: can we use traits/scripts to simulate the delicate situation that typically succeeded a transition of faction leadership? For example, a weak ruler succeeding the seleucids or ptolemies may cause rebellion, and a particularly strong/weak 'leader' for the Carthaginians or Romans may prompt the same. This could be simulated by much higher unrest for a certain number of turns after the succession

[Thaatu]

I think there was some thread like this somewhere, but it was too optimistic and died. My opinion is, for what it's worth, that there should definitely be some script to simulate internal struggle accompanying succession of power. Just some script, almost any script is better than nothing. Just as long as there is something...

[Spurius Brontosaurus]

@ Thaatu: Yes, I remember several threads debating scripted historical rebellions (which are not part of EBs philosophy), rebellions based on complex triggers like lack of payment to mercenaries or social conditions (which are near impossible to do) and the spawning of specific 'pretender' rebel armies (not sure how this one panned out).

More than likely the 'unrest' approach I suggested is too naive (I freely admit that as far as scripting and traiting goes, I am completely unencumbered by the facts).

Perhaps we could tag potentially contentious leaders with a trait (for example those who are too powerful, too weak, or those whose ethnicity or family background could cause discontent).

If a character with such a trait then became a faction leader, we would trigger increased unrest (either through placement of unrest related buildings, award of unrest related traits to other faction characters, or other brilliant approaches that the scripting could come up with)

That would be cool indeed

[Teleklos Archelaou]

How do you script a rebellion (not talking about one city, but in cities dependent upon these factors for any faction in any province)? Causing unrest in cities and such is quite difficult. I don't know that this sort of thing can easily occur in RTW. I think in MTW2 it is easier but from what I've seen it is not a simple script or process to implement.

[Kralizec]

I made a similar suggestion in this thread:

Is it possible to add a trait file that each family member gets when a new faction leader takes the trone, wich causes a +1 or +2 unrest penalty? The trait would represent the difficulties associated with a new monarch/princeps/whatever being accepted as the new king. The trait would be temporary, of course. Say, 4-6 seasons.
Something like:

Restless people
The new Basileus isn't hailed equally by all his subjects. Some of the more discontent members of the upper strata are probing the water for a chance to rebel. It will be some time before the Basileus' authority is truly consolidated.
Game effects: +2 unrest

decrease in cost of bribe would also make sense, I think.

[Teleklos Archelaou]

Can you give traits to all generals when a new faction leader takes the throne? I don't think we have any currently like that - which makes me think it's not possible, though I certainly am no trait expert.

[Imperator]

Maybe a "Weak Ruler" trait that increased unrest...by a lot. That way if you have a weak ruler in a city more rebels would pop up and the whole city might revolt from you.