Setting of the Holy Roman Empire

Some History:

While being a relatively recent Empire, the Holy Roman Empire is the heir of a legacy that dates all the way to Antiquity. In fact, the title of "Imperator" was created by the Romans, originally designating the holder of emergency powers, and ultimately becoming the name of the ruler of the Empire. In 476, the western part of this Empire falls to the barbaric Odoacer. The shock this provoked in western europe is indescriptible. With the Dark Ages settling in, the Empire became a symbol of peace and stability, and the absence of one a symbol of war and chaos.

The next turning point of european history is the year 800, as this is the year of the coronation of Charlemagne, by the Pope himself. He was a claimant to the Roman Empire, as he had united much of its core territories. Despite being an heir of the Franks, a tribe which was considered barbaric in roman times, integration of the frankish rulers with the gallo-roman populace and wars against the barbaric Lombards and Saxons made him a legitimate heir to Rome in the eyes of the Pope. This event was thought to finally bring back stability and peace to his Empire, but his will to follow the Salic law fractured the Empire at his death, resulting in his dynasty being subjected to the same faith as the Merovingians. In 888, the death of Charles tha fat, the last recognized Carolingian Emperor, marked the end of Charlemagne's Empire.

As the years went by, the now fractured Carolingian dynasty gradually lost power in each of its Kingdoms. In East Francia, in 911,  with the death of Louis IV the Child, the most influential Lords of the Kingdom elected one of them to replace him, beginning a tradition that would last centuries. This is when the name of the realm slowly shifted from East Francia, which is a reference to the now long gone Frankish Kingdom, to Kingdom of Germany, or Kingdom of the Germans. In 936, Otto I inherited this Kingdom, giving him an already powerful Kingdom on which he could build his prestige. And that's what he did, namely defending it against Magyar invaders, who then followed the Taltosist fatih, therefore making in the eyes of his equals a defender of the Christian faith. In 951, he invaded the Kingdom of Italy, which had been until then plundged in chaos and instability, due to several claimants fighting for the throne. Having united much of the historical Carolingian lands, even though not controlling the Kingdom of France, he was crowned by the Pope Emperor of the Romans in 962, thus marking the beginning of the Holy Roman Emperor.

More than a century later, it is clear the the Empire has passed the test of time, in great part thanks to the princely elective law, which allowed the realm not to fracture upon succession. Additionally, this law meant the heir to the Empire had already ruled a smaller Duchy before being crowned Emperor. However, this system exacerbates the rivalries between vassals, as the rise of power of a relatively weak family is far easier. Conflict also arised in the Empire's border regions, which lead to the creation of various marches. But the most important tension is undoubtedly the one with the church. In fact, Kaiser Heinrich IV has recently implemented the free investiture law, therefore liberating the realm from the temporal influence of the Pope. This would lead to a fracture which will be a determining factor of Imperial politics in the centuries to come.

Your role in this:

In this roleplay game you will be playing as a character either in the Holy Roman Empire or a Character that has heavy influence in the realm. There is no such thing as "Winning" in Roleplay, and you will rather set your own goals, taking in consideration what your characte's traits and personality are, for example, an ambitious and brave character will be more likely to undertake a risky war than a shy and patient one.

The Holy Roman Empire uses an elective succession system, which means that if you are playing as an elector, you can together with your fellow electors decide the future of the Empire. On the other hand, if you are not an elector, you are still able to influence in various ways.

With that said, the goal in this Holy Roman Empire setting isn't to expand your realm in size by force, but rather to try to make your realm and dynasty the strongest in the Empire, by either building tall or diplomatically expanding, per say succession or marrying and maiding off your house members. 

Historically, Lords in the Holy Roman Empire tried to resolve issues diplomatically, which we recommend you do in Crusader Kings too. Even though wars are allowed, they have to be justified. In the Modern day we can look back on the dynasties that ruled the world, and they have 2 things in common:

 1. Many of them originate from the Holy Roman Empire. 

2. Many of them were born during the High Medieval Period.

You are set up for making a glorious dynasty, the only thing that can stop you is your competitors...

Thank you for reading this whole thing, and I wish you a Merry Roleplay!