This is the Main Map, where all the action happens. The crisp, clean
layout allows you to view the map while providing easy access to all the
many, many interface screens you will need. In order to scroll around
the Main Map itself, you just need to move your mouse to the edge of the screen
and the map will scroll in that direction. To zoom the map image in and out,
you can spin your mouse wheel or click the magnifying glasses on the Toolbar.
Throughout the rest of this section, we are going to look at all the useful
information and tools you have at your fingertips directly from this Main Map
interface.
Before we do that, though, let’s take a moment and talk about hints. When
you first launch Crusader Kings II, you will see this little dialogue box:
This is one of the hints to help you get the hang of the game. These appear
the first time you click on any of the buttons and when you first access the various
interfaces within the game.
Don’t just click past these hints, even if you are familiar with other Paradox
games! These hints contain some valuable tips and suggestions to help you
learn and really understand what is happening in the game.
In fact, in many ways, you could say they are far more valuable than any user
manual, since they pop up right when you need them most. Indeed, you could
even say that a user manual is redundant and useless when these great hints
are built right…Hey! Wait a minute! Just ignore these hints, people! They are
no good for you! Focus only on this manual!
I jest. These hints are very valuable, and you really should pay attention to them.
Later on, when you are a grizzled veteran of many a campaign, you can disable
them, but for now, read, learn, and enjoy.
Even if you are not using the hints, you can still make use of the tool tips
which are associated with virtually every element of the game. If you don’t
know what something is or does, or you don’t understand why your gold reserves
are decreasing, hover your mouse pointer over it and you will doubtless
see a pop-up explaining what is going on.
That being said, it is time to look at this Main Map and all the different elements
it contains, because there is a lot of information you can access from the
Main Map Interface.
We’ll start with:
Along the top row is a series of buttons. These will take you to the
various interfaces which you will use throughout the game. Those
will be discussed in greater detail further on, but let us take a moment
to discuss what they are and how to get to them. On the far left is the
Council button, which takes you to the Council Interface where you can
view and edit your Court. Next is the Laws button, from which you can view
the Laws Interface. There, you can view your heirs, Succession Laws, and
the laws of your domain. The Technology button brings up the Technology
Interface, where you can set your research priorities. The Military button
leads to the Military Interface, which is where you can view and raise your
armies and navies, and manage your military force. From the Intrigue button,
you can see the Intrigue Interface, where you can set your Ambitions
and view your prisoners and any plots or threats against your realm. From
the Diplomacy button, you can access the Diplomacy Interface, where you
interact with the other nations and dynasties. From the Religion button, you
can view your relationship with the current Pope and your ecclesiastical vassals
in the Religion Interface. Finally, the Characters button brings up the
Character Interface, where you can view all the characters within the game.
To the left of the Quick Links, you will see
the portrait of your handsome and dashing
character. The framing of your portrait and
the crown mounted on top of the Coat of Arms
shows your current title. The Coat of Arms
of your highest title appears in the lower left.
Clicking on him will bring up the Character
Interface where you can view all sorts of character
information, such as family, friends, enemies,
heirs, and vassals. Your character’s traits, stats, and attributes can
also be seen from this interface.
On the top-right of
the Main Map, you will
find the Information
Bar. The Information Bar holds
several icons which tell you a lot about the state of your realm and your ruler.
The number under the pile of gold coins, the Wealth icon, is how much gold
you have on hand. The Crown icon tells you your ruler’s level of Prestige,
which is how he is viewed by other lords. The Cross icon tells you how you
are viewed by the princes of the church. The Demesne icon represents your
Holdings – the baronies, cities, and temples that are direct fiefs of your ruler.
The number on the right is the maximum number of Holdings your ruler can
comfortably control directly. This is referred to as the Demesne Limit. The
Realm icon shows the total number of Holdings your realm contains, whether
directly or through vassals; it also lists those vassals. Finally, the Score icon
adds up the Prestige of all your rulers at their time of death. This running tally
is a good way to judge your game, and it is used to determine your rank at the
end of the game.
The date is displayed beneath the icons, and clicking on it pauses and unpauses
the game. Game speed can be adjusted by clicking the plus or minus signs
next to the date. This can also be accomplished by pressing the Space Bar to
pause the game and pressing the + or – keys to increase or decrease game speed.
If you hover your mouse pointer over these icons, pop-ups will give you valuable
information about how much Prestige you are gaining monthly, how close
you are to the Demesne Limit, and how much Piety you are gaining each month.
Between the Information Bar
and the Quick Links Bar is some
open map space, also known as
the Alerts Zone. When something is going
on that you need to be aware of, this
space will fill up with buttons providing
information about the problem, and if you
hover over these buttons, you will get information on the issue. If you click on them, you will be taken to the interface
where that problem can be resolved. Some of the issues and warnings that you
may see include:
Just to the south of the
Information Bar, tucked snugly
along the right edge of your
screen, is the Message Dialogue.
When messages are ready for your
review, there will be a number under
the relevant envelope. The top ones
are ‘urgent,’ meaning they directly
affect your dynasty. The bottom
ones are ‘regular,’ which are usually
important, but not directly so. Click
on an envelope, and the message will
pop out for your perusal.
Under the envelopes is a pop-out
dialogue box which allows you to
customize what type of messages you will receive and how often you will
receive them.
These messages are great ways to keep up with the goings-on in your
domain and the courts of your friends and enemies, but if you are a fan of
unpleasant surprises, you can disable most or all of the messages from this
dialogue box.