Companion Chamberlin and other questions

[CEO]

Heya guys,

A few questions/items that I'm hoping someone can share some advice on:

1) Is there any way to have a non-companion chamberlin? Currently the role is filled for me by Marnid, but I'd really like him in my party and i feel like, at one point, the role was filled by a non-companion like the constable and financial guy. When i ask him to rejoin he only gives me a list of option for replacement based on my current companions (who are all too important to my skills or battle capabilities to be without).

2) Getting over the 2 castle hump. I recently started my own nation and have taken two Vaegir castles. Now the Vaegirs are on the verge of being wiped out as it is by Kergits and Nords (Rivacheg and 2 other castles left) but they constantly choose to war me. Due to the recruiter instant death bug (i think only in OSP&Diplomcy) i have a hard time getting enough troops to defend consecutive attacks ... it seems like i killed the entire Vaegir army once only to have the same people come back 4 days later with a brand new army (lower tier troops, but 1000 vrs 160 is not sustainable every four days to me... not to mention the crappy castle i have doesnt even have a ladder; they can just walk right in and overwhelm my superior troops with weight of numbers and there are no good archer areas, bad design).

I've given Alayen one of the castles but he cant raise an army quick enough to defend it without my help, so we are constantly seriously outnumbered. I dont have time to recruit now that the Nords have decided to jump on me as well. How do i grow my kingdom further when i cant recruit as fast as my competition (who has 20 lords who all seem to have brand new armies every 4-5 days)?

3) Does anyone know if there is a good combo mod (or a easy, non-programmers way to do it myself) that combines Diplomacy, companions and a good item pack?

Thanks!

 

[Caba`drin]

1) Is there any way to have a non-companion chamberlin? Currently the role is filled for me by Marnid, but I'd really like him in my party and i feel like, at one point, the role was filled by a non-companion like the constable and financial guy. When i ask him to rejoin he only gives me a list of option for replacement based on my current companions (who are all too important to my skills or battle capabilities to be without).

You mean minister, not chamberlain. Two options, both which could have been found with out too much trouble. 1) Get a wife and stick her with the job. 2) Pick up a companion you don't need, bring them to your hall and swap them with Marnid.

I've given Alayen one of the castles but he cant raise an army quick enough to defend it without my help, so we are constantly seriously outnumbered. I dont have time to recruit now that the Nords have decided to jump on me as well. How do i grow my kingdom further when i cant recruit as fast as my competition (who has 20 lords who all seem to have brand new armies every 4-5 days)?

Use your constable to recruit a ton of new troops, stacks of 50, while you camp at the castles and train them up...and beat back the Nords.

 

[Badger0]

As for getting attacked by other kingdoms. If you have low Right to Rule, they seem to attack you far more often, especially if you hold some of their lands. I know that wasn't really one of your questions, but it might you make peace with the other factions, to give you time to raise a proper army/recruit new lords.

 

[CEO]

Thanks Caba,

Bummer on the marriage thing ... i may have to restart. I made a female character this go of it and marriage is quite a bit harder for the ladies it seems. I feel like, once upon a time, the minister (thanks for the correction) could be a recruted like the constable. Must have been an earlier version.

I think i'll have to download a new version since the constable doesnt work for recruiting in Diplo + OSP (there is a bug where the recruiter dies instantly). Really want more companions too so i may just go ahead and try the "More Companions" (forget the name) + Diplo mod. Wish it came with more items too tho. I like some of the new helms, horses and tabards! =)

Thanks Badger ... definitely trying to make peace. my RTR is in the 70s i think. What is considered good?

 

[ripple]

Not meaning to go-off topic, but I wander what would be involved in implementing a court diplomat position to be assumed by a companion who then leaves the party (semi-)permanently the same way one does when s/he becomes the minister. I wonder if this might be a 'work-around' for the bug that some people have experienced with companions never returning after being sent on diplomatic (and other) missions. The companion does not necessarily have to 'leave' the court when there are active diplomatic missions, it can be merely assumed that this companion is now responsible for administering duties traditionally associated with companion diplomatic missions and perhaps delegate to his/her own subordinates.

 

[Badger0]

Thanks Badger ... definitely trying to make peace. my RTR is in the 70s i think. What is considered good?

I'd consider that good. I think that's what mine was around, and nobody were going to war against me. Which actually got a little annoying, because none of my lords liked me much so I couldn't start one myself. Anyway, I never tried your other problem, but are you able to send a companion out as an emissary? I find that it's easier to make peace that way, than talking to the opposing kings yourself.

 

[CEO]

Ya, I could send the emissary but unfortuantely it wont save me. The nords picked my main castle (160 top tier troops) and have about 1100 or so troops and the Vaegirs are hitting my secondary one for the third time in 4 days with seemingly fresh troops again. I only have about 40 guys left there, Think I'm going to lose them both.

I would have a chance to save the main castle but it is the one by Rivacheg on the coast and the design is horrible (might just be with OSP) ... there is no ladder, they can just walk right in through a VERY large gate. They crush me with numbers there. Normally i can take 7 or 8 times my number in a decent castle. In this one it is hard to survive 4 times with good troops as the just end up surrounding my men.