Struggles
Princes of Darkness uses the mechanic introduced in the Fate of Iberia DLC, the Struggles, to depict some of the key contested areas of the World of Darkness. As with everything else in the mod, we have our own take on it so this page will help you understand their inner workings.
A House Divided
What is it?
The Banu Haqim have ruled over Persia since their legendary founder, Haqim, founded Alamut. To the outside eye, there has been nothing but perfect unity between them since that time but the truth is very different. Factionalism threatens to break down the Children of Haqim's vaunted discipline from the inside. The arrival of a new Eldest, the controversial Nakurtum, might be the boiling point. While a civil war is not -yet- seemingly possible, each group is now sharpening their daggers to make sure that they, and they only, will shape the future of the Banu Haqim. The main contenders for this victory are the Web of Knives, a secretive cult of deadly fanatics, the Ashirra, who favor bringing the clan closer to Islam, the Council of Scrolls, who represents the moderates and conciliators, the Silsila, an elitist group of Zoroastrian old guards and finally the Lost Tribe, a mysterious cult of heretical worship.
Where? When?
This Struggle happens in Persia (de jure empire of Alamut) in the 1230 bookmarks.
Who?
Cultures involved : Egyptian, Persian, Baranis, Levantine, Ashkenazi, Butr, Assyrian, Armenian, Bedouin, Sindhi, Maghrebi, Turkish, Kurdish, Afghan, Greek, and Ethiopian
Faiths involved : Road of Agra Mainyu, Road of Ahura Mazda, Cult of Zilah, Via Anima, Tariq el Sama, Tariq el Umma, Tariq el Harb, Tariq el Bedouin, Tariq el Alaam, Tariq al Lail, Sheperds of Islam, Tariq el Haqim, Path of Righteousness
How?
The main difference between a House Divided and a regular struggle is the use of factions mechanics.
The House Divided Struggle is won by influence. During most phases, you won't even be able to declare war on the other involved characters. As such, you have to monitor (with a minor decision) the influence of each faction and work towards your chosen ending condition (each requires some specific amount of influence for specific factions). You can interfere on factions' influence at any time by paying a large sum of resources via the same minor decision, or during the various events that will happen within the Struggle.
Endings
An United House :
Available to characters not on the Zoroastrians or Path of Righteouness roads.
Requires the Web of Knives influence to be non existent. Requires either the Council of Scrolls or Ashirra influence to be absolute. More than 2000 prestige and piety.
Rewards: Dynastic Prestige. “United Alamut” modifier for the Alamut county. A choice of a modifier for every Assamite character: A/ Path of the Zealot (prowess, same faith opinion). B/ Path of the Diplomat (diplomacy, general opinion). C/ Päth of the Sorcerer (learning, learning lifestyle XP, learning per prestige). Get the Alamut empire title if not already held. All Assamite characters will now accept vassalization.
A God Dreams :
Available to characters on the Path of Righteouness road.
Requires the Web of Knives influence to be absolute. Requires the Council of Scrolls influence to be non existent. More than 2000 prestige and piety.
Rewards: Personal prestige. Most Assamite characters convert to Righteousness. Most users of Blood Sorcery worldwide are killed (Assamite are excluded). Get the Alamut empire title if not already held. All Assamite characters will now accept vassalization.
Children of Zilah :
Available to characters on the Cult of Zilah road.
Requires the Lost Tribe influence to be absolute. Requires all other influence to be non existent. More than 2000 prestige and piety.
Rewards: Personal prestige. Most Assamite characters convert to Cult of Zilah. A lot of resonance XP. Get the Alamut empire title if not already held. All Assamite characters will now accept vassalization.
The Center Holds :
Available to characters on the Road of Agra Mainyu or Ahura Mazda.
Requires the Silsila influence to be absolute. Requires the Ashirra and Lost Tribe influence to be non existent. More than 2000 prestige and piety.
Rewards: Personal prestige. You get the ability of forge claim on artifacts at half the price. Get the Alamut empire title if not already held. All Assamite characters will now accept vassalization.
The Struggle can also end if an outsider ruler controls enough of Persia and enach the "Dawn over Persia" major decision.
Shadow Reconquista
What is it?
Since the fall of the Roman Empire the Lasombra have reigned supreme in Iberia. But this age is coming to a bloody end, as the mortal religious strife in the peninsula has finally crossed over to the night world. The Lasombra civil war broke out officially in 1172 with the fall of Murcia and, since then, firebrands from both sides such as Ambrosio Luis Moncada and Badr have fawned the flames of war for their own interests. Iberia is now in chaos, and as mercenaries, outsiders and opportunists flock to one side or another, it remains to be seen who (if anyone) will emerge victorious from this crucible.
Where? When?
This Struggle happens in Iberia in the War of Princes bookmark. It happens in the other 1230 bookmarks if you are playing a vampire which capital starts in Iberia.
Who?
Cultures involved : Basque, Castilian, Catalan, Portuguese, Galician, Asturleonese, Aragonese, Andalusian, Bedouin, Levantine, Maghrebi, Baranis, Visigothic, Punic, Roman, and Egyptian
Faiths involved : Via Equitum, Via Vindicta, Via Noctis, Via Regalis, Apostles of the Third Caine, Via Humanitatis, Path of the Heavenly Abode, Via Prometheus, Via Caeli, Via Cain, Via Christi, Tariq el Sama, Tariq el Umma, Tariq el Harb, Tariq el Bedouin, Tariq el Alaam, Tariq al Lail, Sheperds of Islam, Tariq el Haqim, and Path of Righteousness
How?
The Shadow Reconquista is an adaptation of the Fate of Iberia struggle. As such, it mainly uses the same mechanics. Take notice that some Iberia mechanics and events are locked behind the Fate of Iberia DLC. The Shadow Reconquista Struggle will still happen and work without it, but the FoI DLC will add some content to it.
Endings
The Shadow Reconquista :
Available to: Lasombra characters not of an Ashirra faith
Requirements: Completely controls Iberia. No vassals of an Ashirra faith (barons don’t count).
Rewards: You usurp or create the Sea of Shadows title. Dynastic prestige. “Hostile Shadows” character modifier for 100 years. Permanent access to the Clash CB and a house modifier.. The Shadow Reconquista Struggle ends.
Iberia after Midnight :
Part of the Shadow Reconquista Struggle.
Available to: Ashirra characters
Requirements: Completely controls Iberia. No vassals of the Via Noctis.
Rewards: Personal prestige. A pressed claim on the Ashirra caliphate. Free conversion of some Iberian counties to your faith. Your capital gets the “Relic of Al Andalus” modifier. The holder of the Sea of Shadows gets the “Broken Authority” modifier. Permanent access to the Clash CB and a house modifier. The Shadow Reconquista Struggle ends.
The Third Way :
Part of the Shadow Reconquista Struggle.
Available to: Non Lasombra characters of a non Ashirra faith
Requirements: Hold and completely control two de jure kingdoms of Hispania. Completely control at least 2 of the important Iberian duchies (Galicia, Toledo, Barcelona, Valencia, Cordoba)
Rewards: Personal prestige. Lasombra rulers get the Broken Authority modifier for 50 years. Heir of Yzebel modifier. Permanent access to the Clash CB and a house modifier. Gain access to the Invasion CB for half price. The Shadow Reconquista Struggle ends.
The Struggle can also end if an outsider ruler controls enough of Persia and enact the "Dawn over Iberia" major decision.
A Fractured France
What is it?
Vampiric France was once ruled by one of the most influential Ventrue, Alexander. He was seconded by the Toreador Courts of Love, a group of powerful Queens ruling from the major French cities and giving him advice and support. But the old Ventrue's callousness and isolation finally was his downfall in 1222 when he was ousted by a coup d'etat fomented by the most powerful Queen of Love, Salianna, and his own childe, Geoffrey.\nSalianna then assumed power, but such a brutal change after more than 600 years of status quo has plunged France into chaos. A chaos worsened by the ongoing Albigensian Crusade, the divide between Occitan and French and the encroaching of England and Germany in the realm. Will vampiric France survive the troubled times ahead?
Where? When?
This Struggle happens in Francia (de jure empire of Courts of Love) in the War of Princes. It happens in the other 1230 bookmarks if you are playing a vampire which capital starts in France.
Who?
Cultures involved : french, occitan, norman, breton, frankish, visigothic, greek
Faiths involved : via equitum, via vindicta, via noctis, via regalis, path of the eightfold wheel, via humanitatis, via cain, via prometheus via caeli, via christi, eternal senate, via tyrannus, via consuasor, via redemptio, tremere code, via mithras, via adversarius, via anima, via communitas, via mercator, via penaculum
How?
The French struggle focuses on gathering support from the major power players of Cainite French politics. This support can also be used to support the encroaching German and English empires if one so wish.
Endings
France Restored :
Available to characters of the French, Frankish, Norman, Breton, Occitan, Visigothic and Greek cultures.
Requires the holders of Paris, Sable, Rethel, Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Poitiers to endorse you (75 or more opinion). Or that you hold these cities yourself. The Fiefs of the Black Cross and the Baronies of Avalon must control less than 20% of de jure Francia.
Rewards: Masters of France house modifier. You gain the Court of Love empire title if you didn't already have it. The counties of Sable, Rethel, Lyon, Bordeaux and Poitiers gain a Court of Love special building.
The English Yoke:
Requires the holders of Paris, Sable, Rethel, Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Poitiers to endorse you (75 or more opinion). Or that you hold these cities yourself. The Fiefs of the Black Cross must control less than 20% of de jure Francia. The Baronies of Avalon must control more than 30% of de jure Francia.
Rewards: Masters of France house modifier. You gain the Court of Love empire title if you didn't already have it. The counties of Sable, Rethel, Lyon, Bordeaux and Poitiers gain a Court of Love special building. Most rulers in Francia convert to your religion.
The German Yoke:
Requires the holders of Paris, Sable, Rethel, Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Poitiers to endorse you (75 or more opinion). Or that you hold these cities yourself. The Baronies of Avalon must control less than 20% of de jure Francia. The Fiefs of the Black Cross must control more than 30% of de jure Francia.
Rewards: Masters of France house modifier. You gain the Court of Love empire title if you didn't already have it. The counties of Sable, Rethel, Lyon, Bordeaux and Poitiers gain a Court of Love special building. Most rulers in Francia convert to your religion.