Meet your rivals!
Rivals in general
[p]When setting up your game, you can choose up to three rival governors to settle the world alongside you. These other governors come in different “flavours”, as in: some are more peaceful or overall easier to handle, others are aggressive expansionists and yet again others may even prefer to just settle in only one of the provinces.[/p][p]A quick look at the overview screen can tell you a lot about their character and their playstyle: even a advanced-difficulty rival might not be a warmonger but excel in economic and diplomatic matters.[/p][p][img src="https://www.anno-union.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/governor-selection.jpg"][/img][/p][p]Today, we’re taking a look at three of them to use them as examples.[/p][p][/p]Some characters from Latium
[p]Dorian is an athlete, a popular one at that, with statues made after his likeness. He appreciates governors who – like him – emphasize health and cleanliness for their people and construct places of art and competitions, like the theatre or (even better) the giant amphitheater.[/p][p]He’s not the biggest fan of war and would much rather be friends. Importantly, Dorian will only settle in Latium and not expand to the province of Albion. Accordingly, he also isn’t interested in which choices you take on the topic of Romanization.[/p][p] [/p][p]Tarragon is a military veteran of many campaigns, even if now – aged – he really only wants a peaceful retirement: tending fields, taking naps below olive trees and maybe teaching a young governor a thing or two. This makes also one of the easier rivals.[/p][p]While generally a friendly neighbour, if you get on Tarragon’s bad side, he’ll show you that his years in the Praetorian Guard very much still count for something.[/p][p]Concordia is a former vestal virgin, devoted to the Roman gods and therefore places a heavy emphasis on religion and Roman virtues. She’s keen on expanding her already not insignificant influence further while championing her ideals which she would prefer other governors to adapt as well. Excess and luxury as well foreign traditions like those practised by the locals in Albion are a thorn in Concordia’s side.[/p][p] [/p][p]One other character we have already introduced a few weeks ago: Athr, an ambitious Celtic ruler in Albion. Check out this blog to learn more about him.[/p][p]Generally, you can find out much more about each rival by interacting with them, listening to their comments and following each of their story lines.[/p][p][/p]The Diplomacy Screen
[p]Alright, you have found Concordia’s or Dorian’s island, time to open the Diplomacy Menu. Here all governors (and raiders, if present) are listed, as is their current diplomatic status (at war, peace, defensive treaty, …) with you. Upon clicking on one of them, the panel on the right offers you additional information:[/p]- [p]Currently signed treaties[/p][/*]
- [p]Your power balance (military, economic, prestige, …)[/p][/*]
- [p]The character’s lore[/p][/*]
- [p]The character’s difficulty and traits[/p][/*]
- [p]The effects you gain when allying or subjugating the rival[/p][/*]
Interactions
[p]We don’t just want to learn about Dorian’s upbringing, of course, but enter negotiations. This leads us to a new screen that gives you an overview of all available diplomatic actions.[/p][p]The screen is separate into available actions at the top and potential but not (yet) available actions at the bottom. These range from treaties over asking for a loan or offering a loan to declaring war.[/p][p] [/p][p]Hovering over each action gives you a clear breakdown of which reasons influence the character to accept the action, or why it’s not available yet. These reasons are a mix of:[/p]- [p]Personal preferences (e.g. high hygiene for Dorian, high belief points for Concordia)[/p][/*]
- [p]Recent events (e.g. a recent war or you having declined an offered treaty)[/p][/*]
- [p]Already signed treaties (e.g. a trade treaty)[/p][/*]
- [p]Character traits[/p][/*]
- [p]Prestige, which is used for most calculations related to diplomacy[/p][/*]
- [p]Your military power[/p][/*]
Appointing rivals as specialists
[p]You have proven to be not just a competent, but the strongest, most able and certainly also most beautiful governor – so much so, that other governors would bend their knee to you. Let’s take a look at subjugating rivals.[/p][p]To subjugate a rival governor and make them become your vassal you will need to either:[/p]- [p]Have an alliance with the rival in question (finishing their personal quest chain does help a lot) and be stronger than them, or[/p][/*]
- [p]Hold the title of (pro-)consul, bestowed by the Emperor (more on that later), be stronger than the rival and have a significant sum of money ready.[/p][/*]
