Dynastic Collapse: Succession Crises
When a kingdom or empire passes to a ruler who lacks dynastic, familial, claim-based, or marriage-based legitimacy (=vassal/courtier succession), the realm may fall into a succession crisis.
The mod does not replace CK2 succession laws. Instead, it lets the game transfer the title normally, then checks whether the new ruler looks like a legitimate continuation of the old line. If not, powerful vassals may refuse to recognise the new ruler, declare independence, or advance their own claim to the crown.
What counts as legitimacy? A new ruler is generally considered legitimate if they are from the old ruler’s dynasty, are a close relative, have a claim on the title, are married to a dynastic claimant, or have children from the old ruling line.
This is meant to model medieval succession crises where the extinction or bypassing of a dynasty did not always result in a smooth transfer of power. If the crown passed to an outsider, nobles might accept him, resist him, support a dynastic claimant, or simply break away. Am I the only one who found it pretty dull when Carolingians died out (or were wiped out by you) on the 769 AD start-date and the Empire stayed together, all the dukes and kings being just OK with one of them emerging as the new ruler instead?..
Features:
• Succession crisis after questionable kingdom/empire inheritance
• Powerful vassals can recognise, rebel, or claim the crown
• Dynastic alternatives may receive claims
• Marriage-based legitimacy is recognised
• Opinion maluses and temporary disputed succession modifier
• Manual debug event included
• Lightweight and event-based
Debug console command: event DCS.100 <character_id>
This forcibly starts a crisis on the character’s current primary title for testing.
Compatibility
The mod does not overwrite vanilla succession laws. It uses on_actions, events and scripted triggers, so it should be highly compatible with any basic mods out there. Total conversions or mods that heavily alter succession and realm structure may need minor adjustments.
