Meritocracy is a fraud

[SKull]

Because it doesn't work. You're most definitely NOT allowed to appoint heirs at all under gavelkind, which you're stuck with for ages if you're pagan. No point reforming at all if it's going to work this way.

[Marik]

It's a bit silly that your elders will just appoint random idiots if they don't like you. I'd assume they care for the realm, but no. They'd rather all see it burn in a personal vendetta against the ruler.

[Azunai]

tried it once and it worked under gavelkind. it's bugged and doesn't work if you don't have rajas of india i think (maybe the first patch addressed that already - haven't checked).

and it doesn't work at all in elective systems (including elective gavelkind). don't confuse gavelkind and elective gavelkind. despite the similar name, the 2 systems have very significant differences.

once you reformed, you are no longer stuck with elective gavelkind any more. only unreformed pagans are stuck with it. you can switch to hereditary gavelkind after the reformation.

[Zsrai]

It still works with Gavelkind AFAIK, it's just that you choose your primary heir; your realm will still split and other children still get other titles. It doesn't stop that from happening, since that's still how Gavelkind works.

Originally posted by Marik B.:

It's a bit silly that your elders will just appoint random idiots if they don't like you. I'd assume they care for the realm, but no. They'd rather all see it burn in a personal vendetta against the ruler.

This has nothing to do with the OP, but sure. Eldership can be really good, or at least interesting, but it's not a system that you can just leave be and get what you want. You have to bribe, sway, give (honorary) titles, carouse, etc. a lot to make the Elders like you and have them vote who they want. Otherwise they are cranky ass old people who would rather vote in someone they like who will give them gifts or whatever. They are ♥♥♥♥♥♥ elder people who can't see anything past the short term. Sounds realistic to me; have you ever met a cranky old ♥♥♥♥?

[salatrin]

Originally posted by Zsrai:

It still works with Gavelkind AFAIK, it's just that you choose your primary heir; your realm will still split and other children still get other titles. It doesn't stop that from happening, since that's still how Gavelkind works.

Originally posted by Marik B.:

It's a bit silly that your elders will just appoint random idiots if they don't like you. I'd assume they care for the realm, but no. They'd rather all see it burn in a personal vendetta against the ruler.

This has nothing to do with the OP, but sure. Eldership can be really good, or at least interesting, but it's not a system that you can just leave be and get what you want. You have to bribe, sway, give (honorary) titles, carouse, etc. a lot to make the Elders like you and have them vote who they want. Otherwise they are cranky ass old people who would rather vote in someone they like who will give them gifts or whatever. They are ♥♥♥♥♥♥ elder people who can't see anything past the short term. Sounds realistic to me; have you ever met a cranky old ♥♥♥♥?

If you were at the age where every night you go to sleep could be your last, you wouldnt be thinking much of long term either :P