Character decisions

Crusader Kings III

List of Decisions

Character decisions

Ruler decisions

Adventurer decisions

Decisions are unique actions a character can take. Most decisions are unavailable if the character has the  Incapable trait. Decisions are not shown unless the character meets one of the more specific requirements.

Major decisions

Major decisions leave a permanent mark on the world and notify all rulers which may be affected by the decision.

Decision	Effect	Cost	Requirements	Description
Create Cadet Branch	+350 Prestige Creates a cadet branch of the current house	None	Adult House head Court chaplain if faith has the Theocratic doctrine Living ancestor in house One of:  Clan government and independent  Feudal government and not third or closer in succession for one of the house head's titles Administrative government and not third or closer in succession for one of the house head's titles If married must be the dynastic spouse  Devoted  Bastard	It may be time for my family to abandon the legacy of the House and carve its own path in history, with me as the head of this new branch of our great dynasty.
Found Witch Coven	House gains the Witch Coven permanent modifier All children educated by a witch become witches All witches are more successful when converting others to witchcraft	None	House head At least 7 house members  Witch trait or secret Player heir has the Witch trait or secret known by you At least 60% of house members have the Witch trait or secret known by you	Our proud house is united by blood, but the truth divides us. I long for the day when we will no longer live in fear, but be completely open with each other. Our sons and daughter will be raised to embrace their powers and the will of Horned God. May we serve Him well!
Faith Cannibalism	−50% Piety cost to reform or create a faith with the Ritual Cannibalism tenet All close family members become Cannibals All intimidated vassals become Cannibals Gain the Devourer nickname	250	Adult  Cannibal Court chaplain is a Cannibal  Devoted Servant  +40 opinion with head of faith if one exists Faith has the Ritual Cannibalism tenet Can only be done once per faith	Our creator god made us in their image. By imbibing the reflection of the divine we grow closer to [high god name].
Repay Loan	Removes all negative effects associated with holy order loans	Scaled	Borrow Gold from Holy Order decision	To have a debt hanging over me is unbecoming of a [title rank] – the time has come to repay the money I owe.

Minor decisions

The following decisions have a cooldown and do not affect the world at large.

Decision	Effect	Cost	Requirements	Cooldown	Description
Convert to Local Culture	Adopts the culture of the realm capital 20% chance for each vassal to convert to the character's culture	Scaled	Adult At peace Location has a different culture	Lifetime	Truth be told, there is little separating my traditions from those of the people in my capital. We observe the same holy days, the same public feasts, and our language has become almost the same.
Borrow Gold from Holy Order	Gain scaled Gold The holy order will make demands if the loan is not repaid If the character dies the loan is inherited	50	Any holy order with the same faith and enough gold No active loan	15 years	You will borrow money from an available Holy Order
Pet Cat	-10 Stress	None	Pet cat	5 years	It is time to take a deep breath and find my trusted four-legged companion [cat name]. Some people say cats are evil and selfish creatures, but no matter how tough life gets I know he/she will always be there for me!
Pet Dog	One of the following happens: 98% character gains -10  Stress 1% choice between an  Unpressed Claim on a random neighbor title or +20  Opinion with its holder 1% character is injured	None	Pet dog	5 years	It is time to take a deep breath and find my trusted four-legged companion [dog name]. Some people say dogs are base creatures, but no matter how tough life gets I know he/she will always be there for me!
Reject Inheritance	Gain the Gallivanter trait -200 Stress -30 Opinion with every adult family member that can't take the decision	100	If landed character must stand to inherit a higher title At least one of the following:  Content trait Carefree perk Adventurer	30 years	What lure do fresh titles hold for me? Naught but further shackles of duty and unearnt wealth binding the soul tight. When I want such fripperies, I shall simply take them myself.
Meditate in Seclusion	Choose a location to meditate Meditating at home reduces  Stress Meditating outside home can reduce  Stress, give  Learning, or replace a sinful trait with its opposite	None	At least one of the following: Faith has the Asceticism or Inner Journey tenet Have the Sufi Initiate modifier	3 years	Only through meditation can we come to understand the true nature of the universe. Though it means neglecting my other responsibilities, by retreating into seclusion for meditation I may learn more about myself and the universe I inhabit.
Attempt Suicide	-1 Level of Devotion 50% chance the following happen Character dies -1 Level of Splendor -30 Opinion with all vassals	None	Faith has the Ritual Suicide tenet Faith has the Sacrificial Ceremonies tenet One of the following Cancer trait Depressed trait Great Pox trait  Incapable trait Leper trait Lunatic trait Stress Level 3 Best Friend, Soulmate or Child with high Opinion died	5 years	There is only darkness and pain. People tell me it will get better, but how do they know? And what does that help me in this moment? It is time to shed the trappings of this mortal realm. The time has come to depart from this world.
Eat Your Cheese	Destroys Aged Cheese artifact, removing stress equal to its remaining durability	None	Aged Cheese artifact		Your aging cheese is ready to be eaten.
Raise a Runestone	+100 Piety +10 Opinion with vassals of the same faith Character location gains the Runestone permanent modifier	None	Northern Lords DLC Ásatrú faith or Embraced Local Traditions character modifier Dead ancestor	None	Raise a Runestone. The runestone will be destroyed if the county falls to someone outside of your dynasty.
Give your Ancestor a Sky Burial	+250 Piety +20 Opinion with vassals whose faiths have the same doctrine	None	Legends of the Dead DLC Faith has the Sky Burials doctrine Dead ancestor	None	Put your ancestor to rest and gain piety and vassal opinion.

Perk decisions

The following decisions are unlocked by certain lifestyle perks.

Decision	Effect	Cost	Requirements	Cooldown	Description
Embrace Celibacy	Gain the Celibate trait +60 Stress if the character has the Lustful trait	None	Restraint perk Seducer trait Eager Reveler trait	1 year	A life devoid of carnal pleasures will bring me peace and satisfaction.
Abandon Celibacy	Lose the Celibate trait -35 Stress if the character has the Lustful trait	None	Restraint perk Celibate trait	1 year	I have duties to the realm, and to myself... I can no longer live in celibacy.
Create Travel Itinerary	+150 Prestige Creates a travel itinerary	Scaled	Charts & Itineraries perk Visited a point of interest	5 years	The insights I have collected during my travels can be condensed into an itinerary, for others to follow and admire.

Tenet decisions

The following decisions can only be unlocked by certain faith tenets.

Decision	Effect	Cost	Requirements	Cooldown	Description
Determine Bhakti	Choose or replace a Personal Deity modifier	500	Bhakti tenet Hindu faith	2 years	Every devout [adherent name] should have bhakti, or a devotion to a specific god or goddess who most strongly resonates with their soul. I should contemplate the various divine beings and decide which one calls to me the most.
Determine Personal Deity	Choose or replace a Personal Deity modifier	500	Patron Gods tenet Norse faith	2 years	It is not uncommon for [adherent plural] to single out one amongst the gods who suits their particular tastes and aims in life for special attention. I should contemplate these divine beings and decide which one calls to me the most.
Divine the Stars	Gain a random modifier for 10 years: +2  Diplomacy, +25% Monthly Diplomacy Lifestyle Experience and -2  Martial +2  Martial, +25% Monthly Martial Lifestyle Experience and -2  Learning +2  Stewardship, +25% Monthly Stewardship Lifestyle Experience and -2  Intrigue +2  Intrigue, +25% Monthly Intrigue Lifestyle Experience and -2  Diplomacy +2  Learning, +25% Monthly Learning Lifestyle Experience and -2  Stewardship	None	Astrology tenet	10 years	Our destinies are written in the stars themselves. By studying them I may gain some insight into what the future holds...
Enact Ritual Suicide	Character dies +1 Level of Devotion	None	One of the following tenets Ritual Suicide Sacrificial Ceremonies One of the following 60 years old Health is Near Death or Dying  Incapable trait	None	As the end of my life draws near, I should initiate the Endura ritual to cleanse my soul of sin and move on from this world.
Seek Aid of the Spirits	Choose an offering A large offering gives doubles the chance of positive effect and gives +40  Stress if the character is Cynical or Greedy No offering doubles the chance of negative effect and gives +40  Stress if the character is Generous or Humble 4% chance to gain the Shrewd or Strong trait 36% chance to gain a positive modifier for 20 years +3  Stewardship and +25%  Fertility for 20 years +3  Intrigue and +25%  Dread Gain for 20 years +3  Learning and −25%  Stress Gain for 20 years +3  Martial and +4  Prowess for 20 years +3  Diplomacy and Small Health Boost for 20 years 20% chance a to become Possessed, Ill, Impotent or Infirm	None	Adorcism tenet Possessed trait	5 years	Spirits inhabit the world all around us, some helpful, some malevolent, and some indifferent to human lives.
Take Vow of Poverty	Vow of Poverty +5 Clergy Opinion +2 Monthly Piety -20% Monthly Income Character wears Lowborn clothes Using it for a long time will cause the character to become malnourished +10 Stress if the character has the Ambitious trait +35 Stress if the character has the Cynical trait +60 Stress if the character has the Greedy trait	None	Vows of Poverty tenet	None	Money is the root of all evil. While I cannot feasibly give away everything, I can vow to give a portion of my income away each month.
Renounce Vow of Poverty	Lose Vow of Poverty +10 Stress if the character has the Humble trait +35 Stress if the character has the Zealous trait +60 Stress if the character has the Generous trait	100	Vows of Poverty tenet Vow of Poverty	None	There is no getting around the fact that I need a bigger budget to effectively govern my realm. Pragmatism demands the revocation of my vow of poverty.

Trait decisions

The following decisions are only unlocked by character traits.

Decision	Effect	Cost	Requirements	Cooldown	Description
Expedite Schemes	+2 Advantage to all schemes	None	Impatient trait  scheme in progress Stress level 1 or higher	5 years	Why should I wait forever when I feel ready? Let's try my chance now!
Hold Mystical Communion	+300 Learning Lifestyle Experience Gain the Divine Guidance modifier for 5 years, giving the following effects: +1 Martial +1 Learning -25% Stress Gain +25% Stress Loss 50% change to gain one of the following in 3 days: -20 Opinion with the court chaplain unless faith considers the trait a virtue -20 Opinion with a vassal with the Zealous trait unless faith considers the trait a virtue -30 Opinion with the head of faith and -1 level of devotion unless faith considers the trait a virtue +30 Opinion with a vassal with the Zealous trait +20 Opinion with a vassal, councilor or family member with the same trait Ill trait Ill trait removed	100	Wise Man / Woman trait Adult	5 years	You are the only one who truly knows.
Study the Art of Scheming	+10 Scheme Power and Success Chance for the hostile scheme	None	Deceitful trait Hostile scheme in progress Stress level 1 or higher	3 years	I must consider every angle my scheme might turn to. As the spider weaves its web, I should ensure there are many ways my prey could become ensnared. I will spend some time planning my deception carefully.
Embrace Responsibilities	Lose the Gallivanter trait -20 Family Opinion for 20 years	400 100	Had the Gallivanter trait for 20 years	30 years	I cannot deny that a carefree life suited me once, but the needs of duty yoke us all, given time. Would that I but had a little more of it...
Wipe Slate	Choose a Gallowsbait trait experience track to remove Removes the Gallowsbait trait if at 0 experience in all tracks	Scaled Scaled Scaled	Gallowsbait trait	1 year	Must a man forever suffer for crimes committed in the direst of circumstances? Are not all adherents entitled a path to redemption? With time, energy, and — most importantly — coin, all manner of sins may be forgiven by the world at large.
Write Muwashshah Poem	Choose what to do with the poem Keeping the poem grants a random bonus to the The Double-Moon Tome artifact Distributing the poem grants 75-350  Prestige Selling the poem grants 25-140  Gold depending on the culture era	None	Violet Poet trait	3 years	With all the great minds I keep around me, writing a new poem in the popular Muwashshah style would be fairly simple. With so many eager to read my works, I have multiple options for its final resting place, too.
Found Salon	+300 Renown +350 Prestige Gain the Founded Salon modifier Character's location gains the Poetry Salon modifier for 250 years, giving the following effects: +25% Holding Taxes +50% Development Growth +35 Popular Opinion	350	Violet Poet trait 5 courtiers or followers have the Poet trait	Lifetime	Establish a permanent poetry salon, in order to nurture the best and brightest minds.

Coping actions

Coping actions are decisions available to characters with a coping mechanism trait and reduce  Stress at the cost of various penalties. Each coping action can only be done once every 3 years.

Decision	Stress	Cost	Required trait	Description
Confess	-20	Expose a secret if the character has any Gain the Disturbing Confession modifier for 2 years if the character has no secrets, giving the following effects: -5 General Opinion	Contrite	Few things brings such release and freedom as a confession. By voicing my secrets and faults I can calm my mind.
Consume Hashish Cakes	-20	Gain the Hashish Stupor modifier for 2 years, giving the following effects: -1 Stewardship -2 Learning	Hashishiyah	Just a few bites, and the stress seems to flow from my body. My mind begins to fog, and a sense of peace and restfulness overcomes me. There is nothing that is quite as relaxing as good hashish!
Donate to Charity	-20	Scaled	Improvident	There are many who need my gold more than me. It might not directly solve my own issues, but it lightens the mind to give.
Flagellate	-40	Gain the Wounded trait If already Wounded, gain the Severely Injured trait If already Severely Injured, gain the Brutally Mangled trait If already Brutally Mangled, character dies +50 Piety if faith has the Exaltation of Pain tenet	Flagellant	Nothing cleanses the mind like the catharsis of pain. I will apply the whip to my own back until my mind clears.
Indulge in Drink	-20	150 Prestige Chance of forming a friendship with a vassal or liege that also has the Drunkard trait	Drunkard	The camaraderie found in the company of fellow patrons of the drinks, the calm that the fog grants... The time has come to indulge in a drinking binge!
Indulge in Food	-20	Scaled	Comfort Eater	When everything seems a bit too much I can always count on food to put my mind at ease – a full stomach leads to an empty and calm mind.
Lash Out	-20	50% Chance to gain the Lashing Out modifier for 1 year, giving the following effects: -10 Direct Vassal Opinion 50% Chance to lose -40 Opinion with a vassal Friend vassals will only be insulted if the character has no other vassals	Irritable	To let go off all this anger and irritation I have been holding in... Oh, there's nothing better than it to clear the mind! Next time an opportunity arises I will not stop myself.
Seclude Yourself	-20	150 Prestige	Reclusive	To truly center my mind and clear it of thoughts and concerns I have to be left to my own devices. Alone I can focus and heal.
Shun Food	-20	Gain the Famished modifier for 3 years, giving the following effects: -1 Prowess Moderate Health Penalty	Inappetetic	I have too much on my plate at it is, even without counting the literal food sitting there! By skipping meals I can focus on the issues that actually matter to the realm.
Talk to Confidant	-20	-10 Opinion with all courtiers except one	Confider	To truly be listened to is a rare treat. Nothing eases the mind like a good conversation with someone you can trust, and it usually makes problems seem much smaller!
Visit a Brothel	-40	Scaled 20% chance to gain the Lover's Pox trait 5% chance to gain the Great Pox trait 5% chance to be suspected of adultery	Rakish	Nothing relieves the mind like some carnal relief.
Visit the Market	-20	Scaled	Profligate	Something new, something shiny, something rare... Nothing centers me like a new purchase, and the local market holds many treasures!
Work Off Some Stress	-20	Gain the Sweaty Stench modifier for 1 year, giving the following effects: -5 General Opinion	Athletic	Nothing eases the mind like a raised pulse and a healthy sweat! I will work my body until my mind is more at ease.
Write Thoughts Down	-20	Gain the Occupied Writing modifier for 1 year, giving the following effects: -2 Diplomacy	Journaller	I will put my thoughts and burdens down in writing. Nothing clears the mind like some ink and paper can!

Struggle decisions

Struggle decisions are only available to characters who are present within the Iranian Intermezzo region if their head of faith is the Sunni Caliphate and allow them to determine their stance in the struggle. They can only be taken at peace and if the character is a ruler they must be either independent or their liege must use the lowest Crown Authority law. All of them cost 250 Piety and grant 150  Prestige.

Decision	Effect	Requirements	Description
Announce Opposition to Caliphate	-40 Opinion with every Involved character in the Iranian Intermezzo with the Supporter of Caliphal Authority trait Replace the Supporter of Caliphal Authority trait with Detractor of the Caliphate Gain the Name Read in Friday Prayer modifier for 20 years, giving the following effects: +2 Diplomacy -20% Title Creation Cost +5% Monthly Piety per Powerful Vassal on the Council	Supporter of Caliphal Authority trait Allied with Head of Faith Emphasized Submission to Caliph modifier unless Sunni Caliph died Head of Faith	The Friday Prayer is the most important religious ceremony of the week, ending with a recitation of the realm's spiritual and temporal sovereigns. By removing the caliph's name from this list, I declare to all the Ummah that I consider myself the foremost master of my domain.
Become Caliphal Supporter	-40 Opinion with every Involved character in the Iranian Intermezzo with the Detractor of the Caliphate trait Replace the Detractor of the Caliphate trait with Supporter of Caliphal Authority Gain the Emphasized Submission to Caliph modifier for 20 years, giving the following effects: +2 Learning +20 Head of Faith opinion +1 Diplomacy per Level of Devotion	Detractor of the Caliphate trait Name Read in Friday Prayer modifier unless Sunni Caliph died Murdered the Head of Faith	The Friday Prayer is the most important religious ceremony of the week, ending with a recitation of the realm's spiritual and temporal sovereigns. By emphasizing the preeminence of the caliph at the start of this list, I publicly mark myself as a loyal vassal to the hierarch of Sunni orthodoxy.
Declare Stance in the Iranian Intermezzo	Choice to get one of the following:  Supporter of Caliphal Authority trait and Emphasized Submission to Caliph modifier for 20 years  Detractor of the Caliphate trait and Name Read in Friday Prayer modifier for 20 years	Involved in the Iranian Intermezzo  Detractor of the Caliphate trait  Supporter of Caliphal Authority trait	The Friday Prayer is the most important religious ceremony of the week, ending with a recitation of the realm's spiritual and temporal sovereigns. By altering who is read in the list in my realm, and where they place, I can announce where my true loyalties lie.

Administrative decisions

The following decisions are available for characters with Administrative government, whether they are landed or not.

Decision	Effect	Cost	Requirements	Cooldown
Change Imperial Aspirations	-1000 Acclamation Succession candidacy score +10% Stress Loss if applying the effect to the character House Heads can apply the effect to the house instead -5% Monthly Influence if applying the effect to the house Can be canceled at any time	None	Adult Realm has Acclamation Succession law Top liege	None
Gather Faction Support	Faction gains 20 Discontent If a civil war starts gain an army of 450 Levies and 200 Light Footmen	300	Adult At peace House Head Joined a faction	25 years
Adopt State Faith	Convert to the State Faith +250 Influence +500 Piety +30 Vassal Opinion +30 Opinion with the liege if they follow the state faith	100	Faith is different from the State Faith	None
Foster Integration	Gain the Integration Promoter modifier for 15 years, giving the following effects: Increased Appointment Succession score +0.5 Monthly Influence -25% Domicile Building Construction Time The country where the estate is located has its culture converted more easily for 10 years +25 Liege Opinion	200	Adult At peace House Head Liege has a different culture from their realm capital 75+ Cultural Acceptance between the two cultures	20 years
Embrace Heresy	+150 Influence Gain the Heresiarch trait Unlocks the Push State Faith Change decision Choose to convert to a Hostile faith that's part of the same religion as the state faith and present in at least 3 counties in the realm	None	Adult Top liege Liege is head of faith State faith is Eastern  Learning lifestyle	50 years
Push State Faith Change	If liege agrees the state faith becomes the character's faith	None	Adult Top liege Liege is head of faith State faith is Eastern Embrace Heresy	10 years
Establish Silk Production	House gains the Silk Production Rights modifier	Scaled	House head Estate is located in the Byzantine Empire or Roman Empire  Emperor or a hook on them and Controlling level of influence	None

Estate building decisions

The following decisions are unlocked by having a certain building or upgrade in the estate.

Decision	Effect	Cost	Requirements	Cooldown
Manipulate Grain Market	Gain the Manipulating Grain Market modifier for 10 years, giving the following effects: +0.1 Monthly Gold per Grain Field domicile building level +0.1 Monthly Gold per 10 Control in the country there the estate is located +0.2 Monthly Gold if estate is located in a realm capital +0.5 Monthly Gold if estate is located Farmlands or Floodplains terrain	350	Storage Barn level 4 building	20 years
Hire Agents	Gain the Hired Agents modifier for 15 years, giving the following effects: -2 Days Hostile Scheme Phase Length per Level of Influence +3% Hostile Scheme Potential per Level of Influence +3% Hostile Scheme Growth per Level of Influence	100	Adult Servant's Quarters level 2 Villa upgrade	15 years
Bolster Estate Security	Gain the Security Detail modifier for 15 years, giving the following effects: +2 Days Enemy Hostile Scheme Phase Length per Level of Influence -4% Enemy Hostile Scheme Success Chance per Level of Influence	100	Adult Guardhouse level 3 building	15 years
Commission Icon	Creates an Icon artifact	100	Level 4 or higher Monastery Shrine building Faith has the Monasticism tenet	5 years
Commission Silk Regalia	Gain a Fine Silk Regalia artifact	Scaled	Mulberry Copse level 4 building	5 years

Escape from Prison

If a character is in prison, almost all decisions are disabled but the Escape from Prison decision becomes available. The success chance depends on the character's  Prowess against the jailor's  Intrigue. The success chance is decreased if the character has the  Craven,  Weak,  Delicate,  Frail or  Feeble or if the character is in the dungeon. The decision will also give -30  Opinion with the jailor for 10 years.

If the escape attempt fails the character will either get a moderate  Health penalty for 5 years or get wounded.

If a  Friend,  Best Friend or close family member over the age of 10 is imprisoned by the same jailor, taking the decision has a chance to make them escape regardless of whether the character's escape attempt is succesful or not.

Mechanics