The Art of Murder Schemes
Murder schemes are a dark but often necessary tool in the arsenal of a cunning Crusader Kings III ruler. Whether you need to eliminate a rival claimant, remove a troublesome vassal, or silence a dangerous enemy, a well-executed murder scheme can be the solution. To initiate a murder scheme, you must first select your target. Then, from the character interaction menu, choose "Start Scheme" and select "Murder Scheme."
Once the scheme is active, you will need to recruit agents to help you carry it out. Agents are characters who have a reason to dislike your target or who can be bribed or blackmailed into participating. The success of your scheme depends on several factors, including your Intrigue skill, the Intrigue skill of your agents, the target's Intrigue skill, and the number of agents involved. Each agent you recruit will have a "Scheme Power" contribution, and the target will have a "Scheme Resistance." Your goal is to have your Scheme Power significantly outweigh their Scheme Resistance.
Throughout the scheme, you will receive event pop-ups detailing the progress and potential complications. These events will present you with choices that can either increase your scheme's success chance, decrease it, or even lead to its discovery. For example, you might have an opportunity to bribe a guard, spread rumors about your target, or even directly confront them. Be aware of the risks; if your scheme is discovered, you could face imprisonment, a loss of prestige, or even a declaration of war. Using the "Find Secrets" council task on your target or their close associates can often reveal hooks that can be used to recruit agents or blackmail them into joining your scheme.