Following the release of its smaller-scale Northern Lords DLC earlier this year, Paradox has announced Crusader Kings 3’s first major expansion, The Royal Court, which will be lording over its subjects from atop its throne later this year.
The Royal Court is both the name of the expansion and a new hub area being introduced as part of the paid DLC that, alongside its associated mechanics, will be exclusive to emperors and kings who’ve risen to the peak of their power. It’s intended to give high-level players new challenges and tasks to focus on, alongside their usual duties.
The court itself takes the form of a 3D throne room (visible from different angles and stylised to fit one of four cultures), that serves as something like a bridge between the map and characters. Here, players will be regularly petitioned by vassals and subjects seeking judgments on important matters of government, as well as somewhat pettier matters of person conflict. It’ll be up to players to choose a side in a bid to turn a disagreement to their advantage – perhaps pacifying a conflict or deliberately inciting one to reap the rewards.
One new concept feeding into the Royal Court is Grandeur, inspired by the notion that kings didn’t hoard gold but spent it as a sign of power, using it as clout to strengthen their position. To increase their Grandeur, players will need to hold court and field petitions, requests, and demands, as well as spend gold on amenities that increase the comfort of visitors, such as food, clothing, servants, and lodgings. Rulers that pour their money into buildings and war instead won’t see the political benefits of high Grandeur and will suffer diplomatic penalties.