Theocracy

Topic

Government

Government

Monarchy

Republic

Theocracy

Tribal

Theocracy is a form of government where power is held by the religious elite. Theocracies get to designate an heir from a list of candidates (except in a papacy government form). Although the choice does not affect the future heir's monarch skills (set at random), they give the player different effects and events once the heir comes into power.

Devotion

Devotion replaces legitimacy / republican tradition for theocracies and represents the zeal of the faith inside the country. Devotion increases from high stability and pious acts while decreasing from low stability and low religious unity.

When switching to a theocracy from another government form, the starting devotion value is set to the level of the nation's religious unity at the time.

Effects

The effects of devotion are proportional to its value (the table lists the major milestones):

Variable	0%	50%	100%
National tax modifier	−25%	0	+25%
Yearly prestige	−1	0	+1
Yearly papal influence	−1	0	+1
Church power	−12.5%	0	+12.5%

Modifiers

	Conditions
+1.00	Ruler with ‘Pious’ personality
+0.50	Inti after Reform the Cult of Inti reform Stability (per positive point) Defender of the faith Power Projection (at 100%) Loyal Clergy estate (scaling by influence)
+0.25	Crusade Protestant with Legalised divorces aspect
−0.50	Base Value Disloyal Clergy estate (scaling by influence)
−1.00	Stability (per negative point) Religious Unity (at 0%) Target of Sow discontent covert action
−5.00	Excommunicated

	Traditions	Ideas	Bonuses	Policies
+1.0 yearly	Imperial German traditions	Breton idea 1: Legacy of Breton Independence Franconian idea 1: The Duchy Restored Garhwali idea 5: Source of the Ganges Liège idea 3: Religious Devotion Mainzian idea 4: Saint Hildegard of Bingen Mutapan idea 4: Spokesman before the Dead Yi idea 6: Renovate the Skyward Tombs Zambezi idea 5: Centralizing the Mbona Cult	—	Administrative-Aristocratic: The Licensing of the Press Act Diplomatic-Plutocratic: Mandatory Service
+0.5 yearly	Bamberger traditions	Religious idea 4: Devoutness Colognian idea 4: Prime Minister of Cologne Utrecht idea 2: Ex Cathedra Yarkandi idea 4: Empower the Khojas	—	—

List of all theocracies

A list of all available theocracies at the 1444 start date:

Religion	Type	List of countries
Catholic	Clerical State	Augsburg Avignon Bamberg Cologne Liege Magdeburg Mainz Münster Passau Riga Salzburg Strasbourg Trent Trier Utrecht Verden Wurzburg
Catholic	Monastic Order	Livonian Order Teutonic Order The Knights
Catholic	Papacy	Papal States
Sunni	Clerical State	Ajuuraan Sus
Inti	Clerical State	Ichma

Reform tiers

Leadership

Type	Effects	Description & notes
Clerical State	+5% National tax modifier	This state is ruled by the clergy and uses the hierarchy of religious institutions for all government purposes. See below for a list of all available theocracies. Forming Tibet before 1642 may trigger an event turning the country into a theocracy.
Monastic Order	−20% Fort maintenance	This country is ruled by the members of a Monastic Order. The order's hierarchy and rules replaces the need for most laws and administration. Only used by The Knights, the Livonian Order and the Teutonic Order. Heirs and rulers can be generals. Religious unity affects devotion when changing religion Fixed rank: Duchy
Papacy	+1 Tolerance of the true faith +0.33 Prestige per development from missionary +20% Clergy Influence	A political structure where the nation is governed by a spiritual leader, the Pope, the highest ranking office of the Roman Catholic Church. Only possible government for the Papal State. May not designate its heir. A ruler with random stats is generated upon the current pope's death. May not secularize by decision. Fixed rank: Kingdom
Autonomous Swiss Cantons	−50 Governing capacity +1 Free policies +50% Mercenary manpower −30 Maximum absolutism	The Swiss Federation is not a singular nation in itself, it is a federation of independent Cantons with the common goal of maintaining their independence and economic stability. Only available to nations with Swiss as primary culture, but this reform is not lost when changing primary culture.
Crusader State	+15% Manpower recovery speed Permanent casus belli against neighboring heathens and heretics	Our nation exists for one purpose: to reconquer and protect the Holy Land. We will do all in our power to defeat the infidels who would dare blaspheme against God and the Church. Deus vult! Only available to a catholic Jerusalem. Heirs and rulers can be generals.

Internal & External Mission

Type	Effects	Description & notes
Internal Mission	+2 Tolerance of the true faith	We must focus our energy on our religious mission within our country, to protect the faithful, feed the poor and fulfill our religious duties.
External Mission	+10% Manpower recovery speed	The spread of our holy faith must be our foremost mission and we cannot rest until we have defeated all enemies of our religion.
Mission to Civilize	-50% Native uprising chance +35% Native assimilation	Our mission is to seek out poor misguided primitives across the world and teach the proper way to align their lives so that they too may join us in our divinity. Available if enabled Exploration or Expansion ideas, or has at least 1 colonist.
Mission on the High Seas	+20% National sailors modifier +25% Naval force limit modifier +33% Chance to capture enemy ships	The seas are filled with heathens and villains plundering the trade and transport ships of the honest followers of our faith. It's become clear that pilgrims will never be safe to visit the holy places under our protection if we do not make it our holy mission to eliminate the piratical menace on the high seas. Available if you have a port in the capital.

Divine Cause

Type	Effects	Description & notes
Safeguard Holy Sites	+1 Yearly prestige	It is our holy duty to look after the holy pilgrimage sites under our control and to protect any pilgrims within our lands.
Combat Heresy	+10% Morale of armies	In the mission to spread the true faith we must never waver in our conviction and be ready to root out heresy wherever it springs up.
Expulsion of Heathens	−5% Development cost	As our state grows so does our exposure to wrongful teachings. We must not tolerate heathens or heretics within our walls. Instead these people can come live in our cities only if they convert to the true faith.
Kingdom of God	+10% Global manpower modifier +1 Yearly prestige +1 Yearly devotion −50% Appoint cardinal cost +100% Papal influence from cardinals	The Papacy has established the Kingdom of God on Earth. The authority of the Church, led by the Holy Father, shall be absolute in both the spiritual and temporal realms. Only available for the Papal State with a special decision. Fixed rank: Empire.

Clergy in Administration

Type	Effects	Description & notes
Subservient Bureaucrats	-0.1 Yearly corruption	Our growing bureaucracy requires loyal officials who will do their duty to the state and trust that we have the best interests of the faith at heart.
Zealous Administrators	−10% Stability cost modifier	Religious conviction must be an integral part of our state in all its parts. When educating administrators among the clergy we must stress that they all get a sold grounding in theology so that they can take the right decisions at all times.
Divine Nobility	+0.25 Yearly army tradition +5% Nobility loyalty equilibrium +5% Marathas loyalty equilibrium +5% Rajputs loyalty equilibrium +10% Nobility influence +10% Marathas influence +10% Rajputs influence	There are those in our realm who are born with divine blood; chosen by the holy forces of this world to lead and rule. Though the leader of our state is a non-hereditary position, we must elevate those born with divine blood to positions of leadership within our nation."
Mercantile Tithe	+5% Global trade power +5% Burghers loyalty equilibrium +10% Burghers influence +10% Rajputs influence +10% Marathas influence +10% Vaishyas influence	Spreading the one true faith is expensive work, and our merchants have heavy pockets that would prove useful to the faith if we were to elevate these rich men to positions of power within the state.
Monastic Breweries	Production of Grains +75% Production of Wine +50% +10% Goods produced modifier	In the Catholic faith, the consumption of alcohol for the clergy is strictly prohibited. So, many Catholic Monasteries fill their treasuries with the profits made from brewing wine, mead, and ale. Only available if the religion is catholic or if the primary culture is Scottish or if the culture group is Gaelic, and if at least one province produces wine or grain.
Integration of the Sohei	+5% Discipline +5% Infantry combat ability +10% Mercenary manpower	Across the Eastern world, there are powerful orders of monks trained both in the ways of prayer and the martial arts. If we allow these monks to build temples within our lands, they would become an integral part of the state and greatly bolster the discipline and conviction of our armies. Only available if the country is in Eastern religion group or if the capital is in the Japan region and the primary culture is Ainu or in the Japanese culture group.
The Guru's Wisdom	+3% Missionary strength +10% Institution spread	All across the Dharmic world, there are men and women alike who fully detach themselves from the material world and live isolated in the untamed countryside to attain enlightenment. To be a Sikh means to be a student, and by learning from these wise men and studying the works of the great Gurus of the Sikh religion, we may spread our enlightened vision across the world. Only available if the country is Sikh.
Permanent Marathas Council	+1 Land leader shock +5% Marathas loyalty equilibrium −5% Nobility loyalty equilibrium +10% Marathas influence −10% Nobility influence	Maratha generals and civic leaders are an important part of the balance of power in our nation. We should formalize their assemblies and establish a permanent council of the Marathas to guide our nation. Only available for countries with theMarathas estate active. Enables the marathas estate privilege Maratha Military Leadership, which grants a maximum of +10% discipline and −15% tax income, scaled by Maratha land ownership.
Governmental Purbias Register	+5% Recover army morale speed +5% Rajputs loyalty equilibrium −5% Nobility loyalty equilibrium +10% Rajputs influence −10% Nobility influence	The state is taking measures to attract elite Rajput warriors from all over India. Steps should be taken to organize these warriors into cohesive regiments upon arrival so that they can be deployed more effectively. Only available for countries with the Rajputs estate active. The rajputs estate privilege Enlist Purbias will give an additional +5% discipline to Rajput regiments.

Secularization?

Type	Effects	Description & notes
Partial Secularisation	−10% Idea cost +5% Institution spread	Though religion will always be at the heart of our administration, some sectors of our government must be secularized if we are to adapt to this changing world.
Strengthen Religious Head	+1 Yearly absolutism	We must strengthen the rule and abilities of our leader so that we can at all times be certain that the divine will is being carried out in accordance to their designs.
Hereditary Religious Leadership	Change to Monarchy with Feudal Theocracy reform.	Many have come to regard our leaders not only as great spiritual and worldly leaders but as semi-divine beings themselves. Many followers have in fact formed a type of order together for the following of our ruler in all ways that is required. Let us reform our country so that all our subjects are in fact members of our sect. Only available to Muslim countries.
Crowned Ruler	Changes government type to Monarchy. Lose 3 government reforms.	It is time we drop the trappings of religion and make our leader a monarch in own right.
Proclaim Republic	Changes government type to Republic. Lose 2 government reforms.	While we must never stray far from our religious roots it is also important that we allow our state to evolve. Let us create a free republic where the head of state is elected from among the group of valid candidates freely.
Magister Militum Dei	+1 Land leader fire +10% Manpower in true faith provinces	Caedite eos. Novit enim Dominus qui sunt eius Only available for the the Papal State. Rulers can be generals.
Embrace Conciliarism	−50% Appoint cardinal cost	Conciliarism insists that it is the Ecumenical Council, not the Pope, who holds supreme rulership over our country. By accepting this as truth in our faith and administration, we may vastly expand the power of the Cardinals and prevent the Papacy from falling under foreign influence. Only available for the the Papal State.

Separation of Powers

Type	Effects	Description & notes
Clerical Commission	−1 National unrest +1 Diplomatic relations	We should divide the powers of the state between our religious leader and a commission of clerics. This commission will be charged with keeping the peace in our nation, and conducting diplomatic affairs on our leader’s behalf. Not available with Monastic Order reform.
Divine Guidance	+20 Maximum absolutism	The people question if we should divide the power in our nation, but the power is already divided. The true leader of our state is divine in nature, and their will is interpreted by our leader here on Earth. Not available with Monastic Order reform.
Theocratic Democracy	−1 National unrest	We are divinest of all, but we must never forget the inherent divinity found in even the lowliest of commoners. By allowing our peasants to elect their own representatives, we allow them to have their own voice in the court of the divine. Not available with Monastic Order reform or as Jerusalem. Only available if the Nobility estate does not exist or if the Crown owns more lands than the Nobility estate and the Nobility loyalty is equal or higher than their influence. Disables Call Diet Has access to parliament but not to the nobility estate.
Regionally Elected Commanders	−1 National unrest	In our government, the successor to the current ruler is decided by a vote from the warriors who have dedicated their lives to protecting the Faith. By allowing the citizens of the towns and villages under our protection to partake in electing the Commander that represents their interests, we may begin to expand our administration and make those under our protection feel accurately represented in the Court of Commanders. Only available with Monastic Order reform or as Jerusalem. Only available if the Nobility estate does not exist or if the Crown owns more lands than the Nobility estate and the Nobility loyalty is equal or higher than their influence. Unlocks the ability to change government rank. Disables Call Diet Has access to parliament but not to the nobility estate.
Open Public Elections	−10% Stability cost modifier +20 Max absolutism	Many villages under our protection demand representation, and although they are fools who do not understand that the Commander’s rulership is divine, we must grant them some concessions if we are to keep them happy. Traditionally, only Commanders would vote for the new leader of our Order, but by opening elections to the public and establishing two new subdivisions of our Order for the people to vote for, they may feel their interests are represented by the state. Only available with Monastic Order reform or if the country is Jerusalem. Unlocks the ability to change Government rank. Elections held only when ruler dies Does not have Heirs. Enables Militarists and Theocrats mechanics Choice between a Militarist and a Theocrat candidate with random stats and no re-election possible, each side gathering power from the player's choices. You can see their stats before choosing Militarists in power: Theocrats in power: +20% Manpower recovery speed +2% Missionary strength +50% Army tradition from battles +2 Tolerance of the true faith −15% War score cost vs other religions +0.5 Yearly devotion
A Dynastic Order	+1 Land leader fire −20% Harsh treatment cost +0.1 Yearly devotion	Faith will always play a vital role in our state, but it is becoming clear that our government is not adaptable enough to rule vast swaths of land and function in this changing world. There is no reason that our Commanders must swear themselves into celibacy and by reorganizing our state into a Dynastic Order and granting our commanders royal titles, we will become protectors of the faith and the crown, guided by our Commander-King. Only available with Monastic Order reform or if the country is Jerusalem, and with the Aristocratic ideas completed. Unlocks the ability to change Government rank. Does not have heir. Has consort. Allows Royal marriage. A General becomes ruler when the current ruler dies.
Lords of the Sea	+0.1 Yearly devotion +1 Naval leader fire +15% Naval morale	The good work our soldiers have done in securing safe passage for pilgrims across the sea has made our sails a feared sight for pirates and heathens alike. However, it has become clear that the threat pirates pose to our faith go far beyond our small shores, and we must expand our order to become an Empire in itself if we are to properly serve our holy mission. By enacting a series of reforms within our government, we shall vastly expand our administration beyond our borders and our valiant Knights will elect all future commanders based on the number of pirate lords they have brought to kneel before God! Only available with Monastic Order reform or if the country is Jerusalem, with the Maritime ideas or Naval ideas completed and with Mission on the High Seas reform. Unlocks the ability to change Government rank. Does not have heir. An Admiral becomes ruler when the current ruler dies.

The Nature of Our Faith

Type	Effects	Description & notes
Church and State	+1 Free policies	The faith and the state are the two pillars that hold up the world. Our laws are holy laws and they cannot be questioned. Not available if the country is in Pagan religion group.
Soul and Body	+2 Max promoted cultures	We must never forget that the barriers of culture and language are merely an illusion. We are all mere souls inhabiting a shell. It does not matter what language we speak, only that we service the divine in the proper way. Must have either enabled Humanist ideas or be in Pagan religion group.
God and Man	+1 Missionaries +1% Missionary strength	The only relationship that matters is that between lowly mortals and the immortal holy spirits. Our state exists merely to remind people of the proper ways to devote themselves to prayer. Not available if the country is in Pagan religion group.
Organize Our Faith	+1 Yearly devotion +1 Yearly absolutism	We are a highly organized state oriented around a faith that is itself highly disorganized. By attempting to enact an official hierarchy for our religion, we may begin to convert more followers to the true ways of the Gods. Only available if the country is in Pagan religion group.

Our Faith and the World

Type	Effects	Description & notes
One State Under God	−30% War score cost vs other religions	Our faith and our state have become totally synonymous with each other. We are our religion, and any who devote themselves to the divine, must also devote themselves to the state. Not available if the country is in Pagan religion group.
The Global Crusade	Access to the Great Holy War CB −40% Cost of enforcing religion through war	This world is full of heretics, heathens, sinners, and blasphemers! We must seek to correct heretics and heathens alike, and spread our peaceful ways through force! Not available if the country is in Pagan religion group or is the religion is Confucianism.
The Many Fingers of God	+2 Tolerance of heretics +2 Tolerance of heathens	We believe that there is only one God, by whom we live and by whom we die, and for whom we have an upright heart. But as God gives us the different fingers of the hand, so he gives to men diverse ways to approach him. Must have enabled Humanist ideas.
Priestly Autonomy	+250 Governing capacity	No priest should hold power over another priest, with the exception of our ruler. Each realm shall be fully autonomous, and priests will remain free to interpret the will of the Gods in any way that is true to them. Only available if the country is in Pagan religion group.
Proclaim Religious Head	−25% War score cost vs other religions +1 Diplomatic relation	We have organized our faith and now we are ready to emulate the heathens across our borders by proclaiming the leader of our state to also hold supreme leadership over our entire faith! Only available if the country is in Pagan religion group and if no other country with the same religion has passed this reform.
All Under Tengri	+15% Cavalry combat ability +25% Cavalry to infantry ratio	All that is under the sky is under Tengri, and all that is under Tengri belongs to us. With the great eagle soaring high in the heavens, we will not rest until the entire world is brought to kneel before Tengri! Only available if the religion is tengri.

References

Mechanics

Customization

Nation designer • Random New World

Ages and Institutions

Ages • Institutions

Innovativeness and Technology

Innovativeness • Technology

Defense

Fort • Zone of control