I think loot being a smaller share of income is a good thing in general. If you wanted to cheat it you could simply make it so AI pay less wages durring peace time.
Or the Lords collect a portion of town caravan icome during peace given caravans do better in peace? Just a spit ball if you want to do something inside the economy rather than my suggested cheat.
Also
Tests 1.5.7
Faction | Clans YR0 | Fief Score YR0 | Clans YR20 | Fief Score YR20 |
Aserai | 9 | 25 | 11 | 22 |
Battania | 8 | 18 | 11 | 44 |
Khuzait | 9 | 21 | 12 | 39 |
N Empire | 9 | 21 | 10 | 16 |
S Empire | 9 | 22 | 3 | 0 |
Sturgia | 9 | 22 | 8 | 10 |
Vlandia | 11 | 24 | 8 | 6 |
W Empire | 9 | 20 | 15 | 36 |
Below is some observation of Clans movements at end game
Aserai + 2 clans : 1 vland 1 emp
Battan +3 clans : 2 emp 1 sturgia
Khuzait +3 clans: 2 vland 1 vland rebel
N empire +1 clan: 1 vland rebel
S empire -6 clans
Sturgia -3 clans +2 sturgia rebel
Vlandia -3
W empire +6 2 Sturgia 3 empire 1 emp rebel
5 Total Rebel clans consolidated
Broad observations: Clan defections didnt seem to be the deciding factor or further nudge in snowballing any given conflict. The majority of defections occur when a faction is majority wiped out. These defections would however make a comeback more difficult, but they dont appear to add a huge amount of momnetum in face of what is established by the already rolling snowball. The deffections just secure the decline of already pummelled factions.
The wars in this one were quite fun to watch. Sturgia pushed into the North Empire early then got double teamed and swept out. Khuzaits swooping like vultures. Battania and vlandia traded sargot 6 or so times then vlandia actually won out and pushed into battania taking 2 of their towns, Vlandia then got on a multifront war and ended up losing to Battania despite almost having them on the ropes. Western empire went no where in a war with asarai early, sat at peice for a while, then found its success fighting enemies that were already at war. Securing territory in the north and south that had been heavily traded.