Paradox Development Studio's upcoming Crusader Kings 3 expansion, "By God Alone," will allow players to take direct control of theocratic realms and reshape religious doctrines, including the tenets of the Roman Catholic Church. The expansion, set to launch in late September, introduces mechanics that give players unprecedented influence over religious dogma and its adherence.
Historically, the role of the Pope was a demanding one, especially in the 11th century. "By God Alone" aims to simulate this by granting players, as the head of the church, the power to establish, modify, or forbid religious tenets. Leaders can also adopt personal tenets that offer unique bonuses, such as increased learning speed or enhanced manipulation abilities, though these may diverge from official church doctrine. For instance, a player might choose to adopt polyamory as a personal tenet. While this can be a stress-relieving mechanic, it would initially need to be kept secret by the Pope, as the default Catholic Church doctrine frowns upon it. This secrecy and divergence from established norms can impact the leader's spiritual fulfillment score, a measure of their adherence to the church's perceived morality.
Reshaping Doctrine and Managing Dissent
Players can attempt to make personal tenets part of official church doctrine by pushing the change through an Ecumenical Council. If successful, the tenet could be adopted across different archdioceses, which are now represented as distinct sub-regions on the Crusader Kings 3 map. However, archbishops can choose to reject these changes, increasing their divergence from the central church. This divergence can lead to opposition and challenges to the player's leadership.
To counter such dissent, a player could declare a rebellious order heretical and initiate a holy war. While the Pope does not command personal armies, they can leverage the favor of secular monarchs. Through diplomacy or bribery, players can encourage kings and other rulers to support their cause. If a monarch allied with the Pope wins a holy war against a divergent region, that region will adopt the modified faith. The "By God Alone" expansion also introduces a puppet system, enabling players to exert direct control over secular leaders through strong inducements. These puppets can then be ordered to participate in conflicts like holy wars.
Succession and Political Maneuvering
Ensuring doctrinal changes persist requires careful planning, particularly concerning papal succession. Unlike hereditary monarchs, Popes do not have dynastic heirs. To maintain their chosen doctrines, players must influence the upcoming papal conclave to elect a successor who aligns with their agenda. While chance plays a role, players can actively campaign for their preferred candidate. They can observe potential successors, their stated intentions, and how cardinals are likely to vote. Pressure can be applied to cardinals through offers of positions or by calling in favors. A more direct approach involves stripping opposition candidates of their cardinalships, thereby reducing their influence and potential votes.
With these new mechanics, players can actively shape the future of the Roman Catholic Church, manage internal conflicts, and secure their doctrinal legacy. The expansion promises a deeper level of interaction with religious mechanics, allowing for significant player agency in a pivotal historical institution.