Crusader Kings III: Northern Lords guide — Viking adventurers, duels, and wars

Establishing the Danelaw, choosing a Personal Deity, and various decisions

After trouncing Alfred, I decided to conquer parts of East Anglia and Mercia as well.

Since I already had the Illustrious rank and I controlled parts of England, I was able to “Negotiate the Danelaw.” This made Orm a King while enacting a 25-year truce between him and Alfred.

Note: Because I had already created a kingdom-rank title, the Varangian Adventure option became null and void.

Choosing a Personal Deity

In any case, there are various decisions in Crusader Kings III: Northern Lords, such as choosing a Personal Deity, forging the Jomsvikings, and holding a Grand Bløt.

Choosing a Personal Deity can be done early in your run and you’ll gain some nifty bonuses:

• Devotee of Odin – +2 intrigue; +0.03 piety per dread/month.
• Devotee of Ullr – +3 martial; +2 advantage and +50% movement speed in provinces affected by winter.
• Devotee of Thor – +2 stewardship; +3 prowess (this was my pick due to how often King Orm was warring with neighbors).
• Devotee of Freyr – +25% fertility; +0.1 control growth/month

Holding a Grand Bløt

A Grand Bløt, a Viking mega-feast, requires 200 prestige. You’ll get boosts to opinion modifiers and you may choose to sacrifice a captive if you wish.

Reforging the Jomsvikings

You’ll be the founder of this Holy Order and an army with 1,500 troops will be stationed in your capital. It does require you to have enough fame (Distinguished), devotion (Faithful), prestige (1,000), and piety (500). Oh, and a county has to be on the southern or eastern Baltic coast.

Note: Other decisions exist such as “Elevate the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles” and “Secure the High Kingdom of the North Sea.” The latter is an empire-level title that counts Denmark, England, and Norway as de jure parts of its territory.

Anyway, let’s talk about trial by combat and duels in Crusader Kings III: Northern Lords.