Control and Opinion are two fundamental mechanics that dictate the stability and loyalty of your realm. High control ensures your counties function efficiently and generate maximum income and levies, while high opinion from your vassals prevents rebellions and fosters cooperation.
Understanding Control
Control represents the level of order and adherence to your laws within a county. It is influenced by several factors:
- Vassal's Control: The control level of the direct vassal holding the county is the primary driver of county control.
- Development: Higher development levels in a county generally lead to higher base control.
- Buildings: Certain buildings, such as Courts of Law or Garrisons, can increase control.
- Recent Raids or Wars: Counties that have recently been raided or experienced significant warfare will have their control severely diminished.
- Ruler's Stewardship: Your ruler's Stewardship skill has a passive effect on control in their direct domain.
- Cultural Acceptance: If the culture of the ruler differs from the dominant culture of the county, control may be lower.
Low control in a county leads to reduced tax income, fewer levies, and a higher chance of peasant revolts. To increase control, focus on improving buildings, ensuring your vassals maintain high control, and potentially using the "Increase Control" council task.
Understanding Opinion
Opinion represents how much a character likes or dislikes another. For vassals, a high opinion is crucial for loyalty. Opinion is influenced by:
- Vassal Type: Different vassal types (e.g., Barons, Counts, Dukes) have different base opinions and expectations.
- Ruler's Diplomacy: Your ruler's Diplomacy skill directly impacts their ability to sway opinions.
- Vassal Obligations: Fulfilling or breaking vassal contracts significantly impacts opinion.
- Character Traits: Traits like "Just," "Generous," or "Honest" can improve opinion, while "Cruel," "Deceitful," or "Arrogant" will worsen it.
- Gifts and Bribes: Sending gifts or bribing vassals can temporarily boost their opinion.
- Titles and Land: Granting titles or land to vassals generally improves their opinion.
- Cultural and Religious Differences: Significant differences in culture or religion can lead to opinion penalties.
- Faction Membership: Vassals who are part of factions against you will have a negative opinion.
- Events: Various events can present choices that affect vassal opinion.
A high opinion from your vassals means they are less likely to join factions, rebel, or refuse your requests. Regularly check your vassals' opinions and address any grievances before they fester into outright rebellion.