Dominant Genes

Uploaded · Published July 6, 2026 · Updated July 15, 2026

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Author: bardurh

Last revision: 6 Jul at 20:47 UTC (1)

File size: 5.61 MB

Description:

This mod lets a house pass down a distinctive, custom-built appearance to its descendants. Using the Dominant Gene Creator, you can define a set of dominant genes for your house, cadet branch or bastard branch — meaning a new cadet or bastard branch can have a completely different look from the rest of your dynasty. Dominant genes are applied per house rather than per dynasty, so each branch keeps its own identity.

Features

The creator covers 50 features, organised into groups you navigate through — pick a group, then a feature, then a value:

Hair: hair colour (full colour grid, 200 shades), hair type, beard removal, body hair (6 styles, 10 intensities each)
Body: skin tone (full colour grid, 200 shades), complexion, height (11 steps from dwarfish to gigantic), body shape (12 presets), aging (6 types)
Ears: size, outward, angle
Eyes: eye colour (full colour grid, 200 shades), size, corner depth, fold shape, upper lid size
Eyebrows: brow curve, forward, inner and outer height, width — plus eyebrow shape (12 templates) and fullness (4 templates)
Nose (two pages): size, forward, height, length, profile, ridge angle and width, tip angle/forward/width, nostril height and width
Mouth: upper and lower lip fullness, profile and width, lower lip pad, philtrum shape and width
Face Structure: cheek forward, height and width, jaw definition, chin forward

Facial features use a 20-step scale spanning the gene’s full range, so every look from one extreme to the other is available. Complexion and eyebrows work in two steps — pick a template, then set its intensity, with each intensity named after its template (Complexion 1a–1j, Complexion Beauty 1–10, and so on).

How to use

Open the Dominant Gene Creator from the decisions panel at any point during a game. Opening the creator clears any dominant genes currently set for your house, so you always start from a clean slate. Entering a feature also resets that feature’s current pick, letting you re-choose freely — the portrait preview shows every change as you make it.

Inheritance

Inheritance behaviour is controlled by a game rule:

House — dominant genes always follow house inheritance when possible.
House Stability — first son and first daughter always inherit; additional children may inherit any available dominant genes.
Mixed — if both parents have dominant genes, the child can inherit from either.

Credits

The strong seed mechanic this mod is built on was created by Vierwood and Dylan. Thanks also to the A Game of Thrones team, whose work this mod builds on.

Compatibility

Crusader Kings III, v. 1.19.

Links for other mods