Without Priests and Inams

[xjohnnywas]

I love Total War and Civilisation but I can't get take to the Religious bits of the Strategy

Its not of course that I'm not well aware that much of life in the Middle ages was ruled by powerful religious factions. In England attendance at church was compulsory and the middle ages were we are told an age of religious wars.

However not all historical figures were as devout as they outwardly proclaimed. Many men appear to have been privately sceptical of religious fashions. Henry VIII for example was according to his propaganda a pious man but appeared cynical about the role of the Church in politics. Eventually disestablishing the Catholic church.

The protestants although they were as sectarian and as defensive of their world view as their Catholic neighbours but their teachings were more concerned with interpretation rather than script learning of the bible, servies were in English and they were determined to exclude from religious service "superstition". The idols and penances and statutes and saints days all disappeared (for good or bad).

The Muslims were also varied in their views. They were known for their openess to different ideas and slowly recovered the teachings of ancient greece. Some of which questioned the existence of God (s) and offered more naturalistic views of Science and Philosophy.

So I try to buck the trend but being a Sceptic is difficult.

Not only does the Pope mass armies against non believers but the people demand that churches be buildt.

Playing Russia or Byzantine a least relieves the player from too many demands from the Pope.

I also play Egypt and let the infidels keep Jerusalem. It stopped all end of trouble while I buildt up my economy. Actually Venice are good neighbours (so far).

Any views on how to play without Priests and Inams.

[Eastern Spain]

Yes, the Pope can be a prick, but that is part of the roleplaying of the game. You have to please the Pope and not get excommunicated to avoid rebellion. Any Islamic religion is nice to not have to obey the Pope. It is rather nice to sack Rome.

[Shasqua]

I love Total War and Civilisation but I can't get the Religion

Its not of course that I'm not well aware that much of life in the Middle ages was at the mercy of powerful religious factions. In England attendance at church was compulsory and the middle ages were an age of religious wars writ large.

However not all historical figures were as devout as they outwardly proclaimed. Many great men appear to have been privately sceptical of religious fashions. Henry VIII for example was according to his propaganda a pious man but appeared cynical about the role of the Church in politics. Eventually disestablishing the church. The Popes of the period far from being models of purity were on occasion amongst the most debauched in the Kingdom.

The protestants although they were as sectarian and bloody thirsty as their rivals were more concerned with interpretation rather than script learning of the bible and were determined to exclude from religious service "superstition". The idols and penances and statutes and saints days all disappeared

The Muslims were also more sophisticated than the image sometimes suggested. They slowly restored the teachings of ancient greece which questioned the existence of God (s) and offered more naturalistic views.

So I try to buck the trend but being aSceptic is difficult.

Not only does the Pope mass armies against non believers but the people demand that churches be buildt.

Playing Russia a least relieves the player from too many demands from the Pope.

I also play Egypt and let the infidels keep Jerusalem. It stopped all end of trouble while I buildt up my economy. Actually Venice are good neighbours (so far).

"Who will rid me of this troublesome Priest"

Any views on how to play without Priests and Inams

Edit the export_descr_buildings file and remove the ability to train priests/imams from the churches/mosques. This will also remove the Pope after Gregory dies, make you a bit more vulnerable to heretics and witches, and remove jihads entirely.

[Eastern Spain]

Or you could take out witches too.

[John Doe]

there is a new mod BattleAxe, it removes priest among other things.

[MJDreamWalker13]

Certain leaders might've been sceptical to religion, because they had too much time to think about it.
On the other hand, the masses were pious and kept in check through religion; believing there'll be a better world awaiting them if only they stayed in one line and did what they're told.

So, in my opinion, churches should be build and priests/imams recruitied in order to satisfy common people's needs at the time and therefore 'buck' the real trend.
Leader's and family members' piety is included along with command, loyalty, etc. and excommunication is also there. I think it's fair to say Medieval II guys did their job in this case.

[xjohnnywas]

thanks for the mods.

there was an excellent mod for Rome Total War dealing with 'Julian The Apostate' who was Roman Emperor in the 4th Century and tried to return Rome to pre Christian traditions

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=253

for the time being I will stick to Vanilla.

and play the campaign map on an easier setting than usual

attract and nuture generals with high administration skills.

of course, it will be difficult to secure consent - for good or ill religion inspires strong feelings. so I will probably have to sack Cities to quell dissent and use assassins to kill off foreign priests and heretics.

spam peasants to garrison the towns

build the economy through trade so I can keep taxes low

[beckyolt]

Theres only thing you must know about E.F.M.I.R ( Evil Fat Man In Rome ). HE. LOVES. MONEY. Religion in this game is money ( as it was in those times -.- ) pay lots of gold to EFMIR and he'll be happy.

If you play only in Europe without Priests its ok. But you'll have to give the pope money. Now , if you crusade to lands in the East, your priests are very important.

[Shasqua]

Theres only thing you must know about E.F.M.I.R ( Evil Fat Man In Rome ). HE. LOVES. MONEY. Religion in this game is money ( as it was in those times -.- ) pay lots of gold to EFMIR and he'll be happy.

If you play only in Europe without Priests its ok. But you'll have to give the pope money. Now , if you crusade to lands in the East, your priests are very important.

He also likes it if you build cathedrals, use priests enough for the Pope to make them cardinals, or ally with him. Once you have the most cardinals, the papacy is basically yours.