Nicea - Emperor + Heir

[AugustusRoman]

Hi! I would like to provide the moders with few information, that they probably are not aware off (about the Heir of Nicea).
Firstly, we know that in 1212 the Emperor of Nicea is Theodore I Laskaris.
Secondly, his successor is John III Vatatzes (son in law). He should be 20 years old in 1212. After 7 years, his father in law died and he took the throne.

Things you might not know:
Theodore I Laskaris picked Vatatzes as heir, because he saw in him greatness. Theodore I Laskaris managed to minimize the acts and expansion of Latin Empire and cut off the Turks from invading Minor Asia.

Now about the heir. He was a soldier at first. John III Vatatzes is more than a normal Emperor of the Byzantine Empire. He is a Saint of Orthodox Church!! For Hellenics (Greeks) he is one of the best Emperors that they ever had. He is the ruler that every nation would desire!! Why? Lets take a quick look at his life.

He took an Empire that was strong because of the Laskaris I. He had money, but he did not take a single coin from the treasury! He worked in the fields almost every day to provide to himself and his family what they needed. One day his son bought a very expensive item.The son took the money from the treasury. His father when saw his son did not talk to him anymore. When the son asked "Why father u are not talk to me anymore?" he replied "You took money from the treasury, these money belongs to the state and to the people, return the money and I will speak to you as before".

He was fair with all his people. When the "capitalists" (rich men) of him time were blackmailing the poor farmers he protected them. Not only he free the poor from their debts, but he also gave them land and lower the taxes by a lot! Moreover, he taught the rich and poor how to make more money!! His mind was a combination of Economics and Business. He knew how to make money even from pigeons!!! True story!!

He forbid with laws to import goods that they empire could provide. For instance, if the empire had a lot of olive you could not import olive. You had to buy it from the local farmers. Therefore, the people could have stable prices for the goods and they were sure that they will sell all their goods!! There was almost no corruption during his reign!!

Diplomacy: Secure and expand the Empire. The strange thing (for that period) is that he did it without really fighting!! He annex Epirus + Thessaloniki + Thracia (he took back Constantinople). He supported in secret the rebellion of Crete against the Venecia. He was peaceful. Btw, he insult the Pope with one letter, in which pretty much he says to the Pope "Repent you are a heretic!! I am not like the other kings of europe, I am a Hellenic, Emperor of the Easter Roman Empire, you should fear me!!" Who could talk to the Pope like this back in time!!

A good event for the game could be the following: In some point the Turks could not feed their people (famine). He made a deal with Turks - to give them food (so they will not die) but he asked a lot of money. The money was given to the state and people!!! He took nothing for himself! The people in his time were rich!!! So the event could give you money + public order +extra taxes.

Now the most interesting thing about that Saint is the following: It is a Legend for Hellenics (Greeks) and a prophecy for the Orthodox Church. Btw we are not sure that the prophecy is about him, but we assume that he is the person that the prophecy is speaking about. That Emperor never actually died!! They buried him for 2 years but his body was not destroyed. After a period of time Hellenic-Orthodox unbury the grave to take the bones. The point is not to have big graveyards. However, he body was as it was 2 years ago!! It was like he was sleeping!!Even his clothes were as they were 2 years ago!! His body was given to a monastery by the next emperor and it is lost from then! They proclaimed him a Saint. They named him John Vatazes the Merciful Emperor of Nicea.

The prophecy, which starts from 4century AD says that this: One day the Empire would fall, but God will send one with the name John to restore the Empire (Hellas + Anotolia + Cyprus) and that emperor will come after the World III. He will defeat all the nations in the east (muslims) and will send priests to all the places of the Earth to spread the Word of God (orthodoxy church). He will rule for 30-35 years. I could provide you with more information, but I do not think it is relevant.

According to the above he should have: A soldier trait + diplomacy boosts + minus 80%corruption + 20%extra income + minus 95% from trade aggrement (he did not import, only what the empire could not produce by itself).

All hail the Saint John Vatatzes the Merciful Emperor of Easter Roman Empire!!
Let me know what do you think and if u will add these in the mod!

[FrozenmenSS]

The only way to add John III Doukas Vatatzes is to be part of the Other Nobles party with a Starting Army.And yeah he was 20 years old and wasnt part of the .Theodore I Laskaris's family yet.Its debatable is it 1212 or 1216 when he married the daughter of Theodore.

[jan_boruta]

It depends on the date we would assume John married Irene Laskaris. I suppose there would be little harm in making him married to Irene from the game start and designated as heir - particularly so the AI has him set as an heir all the time. But if it's an issue, he could indeed be in the Other Nobles group, and Irene - being single (with a deceased husband portrait) - could be married to him if the player takes direct action. (I suppose widows can be re-married in Attila. I once sent one of my Suebi widows to the Saxons, and when her new husband died, she was sent off by the Saxons to the Geats, at least my family tree showed me that)

But personally I don't think that a character that might not become emperor (if controlled by the AI for example, or if the player chooses another heir) should be given such defined and drastic traits, seems counterintuitive to gameplay. Especially the trade income reduction to pretty much nothing - in a game such as Total War, it would be a crippling trait that would bring forth the immediate downfall of Nicaea.

[FrozenmenSS]

It depends on the date we would assume John married Irene Laskaris. I suppose there would be little harm in making him married to Irene from the game start and designated as heir - particularly so the AI has him set as an heir all the time. But if it's an issue, he could indeed be in the Other Nobles group, and Irene - being single (with a deceased husband portrait) - could be married to him if the player takes direct action. (I suppose widows can be re-married in Attila. I once sent one of my Suebi widows to the Saxons, and when her new husband died, she was sent off by the Saxons to the Geats, at least my family tree showed me that)

But personally I don't think that a character that might not become emperor (if controlled by the AI for example, or if the player chooses another heir) should be given such defined and drastic traits, seems counterintuitive to gameplay. Especially the trade income reduction to pretty much nothing - in a game such as Total War, it would be a crippling trait that would bring forth the immediate downfall of Nicaea.

Irene Laskarina - daughter - 12 years old.Its Speculated when Irene first married the general Andronikos Palaiologos, and after his death became the wife of Theodore's designated successor, the future John III Doukas Vatatzes - 1212 or 1216.So I went with 1216. 1 of the reasons is that you cant marry a 12 years old girl in Attila.It needs to be at least 16-18 years old to do it. And the wild card is Andronikos Palaiologos when he died 1212 or 1216.And after he died John III Doukas Vatatzes got maried with Irene Laskarina.I see no problem the player in the first few turns to do just that to simulate the situation. Same is the story where I gave Tzar Boril Of Bulgaria 4 political enemies in the Other Nobles party due to the historical Complexity in the Family tree of Asen dynasty.All 4 were Cousins of Boril close to his age.There were some missing members that are unknown but were there as a link So I went for this aproach for God Sandbox Gameplay and let the player who to political enemy to adopt and introduce it to the family tree... This is the best Compromise.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...en_dynasty.png