Better Archduchies
Love the idea of creating an Archduchy in your playthroughs, but don’t actually want to play in Austria? Well now you can! This mod adds a decision that allows you to create an Archduchy out of any duchy title as long as you are a direct vassal of the HRE. The requirements allow the player to potentially create the title as early as the 867 start, but discovering and implementing higher crown authority makes it easier. Only one Archduchy can be created.
Based on the 1358 Austrian forgeries known as the Privilegium Maius, which elevated Austria to the title of Archduke, taking the decision will enact gameplay changes that reflect the privileges granted to Austria in the 14th century. Becoming an Archduke comes with special concessions that The Emperor can accept or deny based on their personality and opinion of you. You then have the option to push for one or all of the privileges in a short event chain, risking antagonizing the emperor into a feud or even being arrested on the spot. These include:
- Primogeniture succession
- Expanded de jure territory (every neighboring duchy you own)
- The right to display symbols of rule (permanent renown modifier)
- Creating an Archduchy also allows you to create a powerful historically inspired Habsburg themed artifact, The Archducal Hat, which gives the owner (not just the wearer) the promising prospects perk (+50 marriage acceptance for yourself)
The decision is similar to the unique Austria decision included in vanilla, and has additional but more flexible requirements. It’s no longer absolutely necessary to have a strong hook on The Holy Roman Emperor. To take the decision you need to have 3 of the 4 following requirements:
- A usable strong hook on The Emperor
- Have high or very high crown authority
- Be a councillor of the HRE
- Have a weak hook on at least 3 powerful vassal of the HRE (or 2 if you are a powerful vassal yourself)
- ****Considering adding for 3/5 (easier)**** Your level of fame is ‘legendary figure’
Tested in singleplayer, but not multiplayer.
This mod also takes advantage of the unused game definition ewe_opinion by overwriting the localization, any conflicts regarding that are likely related to this mod.
This mod also uses k_austria and will likely conflict with any mod that relies on that.
The artwork for the artifact is from a painting by an unknown artist of the archducal hat of Joseph II, currently in the Schatzkammer museum
This is my very first mod so let me know about any bugs or issues.
Revisions:
Old revisions of this mod are available below. Click the link to download.
