Alliances with rival religions?

**Emperor Leo** · November 24, 2007, 03:49 AM

Does your reputation or relationship with the Papal States / Pope suffer if you ally with factions that support "bad" religions (Eastern Orthodox or Islam), when playing as a Catholic faction?

For example, if I was playing as England, would the Pope frown upon an alliance with Egypt?

**pwijnands** · November 24, 2007, 04:19 AM

No (looked it up in a text file and couldn't find anything about the pope specifically), but I wouldn't ally with Egypt anyways. Causes some problems for you when the pope calls a crusade on Egypt. You'll have to make a choice between making the pope angry or breaking your alliance with Egypt and declare war on them.
An alliance with a rivalling religion is a bit harder to maintain as the game lowers the relationships between rivalling religions by a small amount every turn.

**Lost Crusader** · November 24, 2007, 07:51 AM

I avoid allying with the Muslim factions, because sooner or later the Pope will call a crusade against them, and maybe give you a mission to join. In that case you are either going to obey and break the alliance, loosing some rep, or ignore the mission, worsening the relations with the Pope.

I'm in similar situation right now. The Pope called a crusade against the turks, who are allied with my long-term ally Sicily. If I go to war against the Turks, the alliance will be broken. I haven't made my decision yet. :hmmm:

**Mithrantir** · November 24, 2007, 08:54 AM

In some campaigns of mine (not when i was the Byzantium though, couldn't convince Papal states for an alliance then) i have seen alliances forming between Papal States and the Moors, Byzantine Empire. AI is able to do it but it's harder for the player to achieve it.

**Renco** · November 24, 2007, 10:05 PM

It sucks as Spain or Portugal to finally get ready to take out the Moors (when still on Iberia) and suddenly they ally with Pope. Suddenly, despite full cath pop (almost) they're off the crusade list. Damn the Pope's cultured hide!

**Subaathar** · November 25, 2007, 01:32 AM

Im glad that my first post is to announce the aliance between the mongols and my Hugaria Empire.
Ill see what problems bring in the future, but right now im at war whit the Holy Roman Empire, England, Sicily, Byzantium, Timurids! and the Polish. And spain and Demmarck are in the worst relation possible. I really need a friend in the game!

**J@mes** · November 27, 2007, 01:56 AM

Originally Posted by Subaathar

Im glad that my first post is to announce the aliance between the mongols and my Hugaria Empire.
Ill see what problems bring in the future, but right now im at war whit the Holy Roman Empire, England, Sicily, Byzantium, Timurids! and the Polish. And spain and Demmarck are in the worst relation possible. I really need a friend in the game!

Welcome to TWC, I tryed the aliance thing with the Mongols with trustworthy reputations this just drove the Mongols crazy to attack me and then just ask for a crease fire every 2-3 turns, so i started blocking all thier ports and then they would ask for the alience so i accepted but charged them 5000 for it, This worked out for about 2-3 turns before those b&st&rds attacked me again causing their reputations to be deceitful to cut alot story short they have alliance with the timurids who have now turned on them the next turn lol as both factions showed up in the Holy Lands.

**antaeus** · November 27, 2007, 03:56 PM

i have found that a good relationship with the papal states - a close alliance that is well maintained usually prevents a crusade coming at you. and a bad relationship with the papacy usually encourages one. i more often play as non catholic factions) and when playing as catholics.. a strong alliance with a non catholic faction will only damage your reputation with the pope if it goes against papal states policy (such as refusing to go on a crusade against them, or if they are at war with the faction etc)

however... my way of assuring a good relationship when playing as a catholic (donating 100 gold a turn indefinitely - the pope loves the gold) doesnt work as a non catholic faction... the papacy will often reject offers of a regular tribute.

**Old Geezer** · November 28, 2007, 07:24 AM

It annoys me greatly when the Pope allies with the Moors. How did that possibility ever get in the game? The Pope got really ticked and my Pope meter dropped about 6 levels when I gave Byzantium Sarkel (I was Denmark). On V/H I have found that none of the diplomacy aspects work very well; I always wind up with despicable rep even though I attack no catholic nations but do sack them and exterminate others. I am going back to playing on medium just to have a somewhat more realistic and interesting game.