Why do Decrees cost nothing?

[Janus]

I have noticed that in particular periods of time in the game the Decrees cost no Authority, but I was not able to understand why / when. Can you tell me?

[astralsilber]

I experienced this during the times of hunger. Some events are reducing the costs of decrees by 25% but it seems the reduction is a fix value, wich is not based on the current costs of decrees but on the base price wich made them sometimes completly free.

[Janus]

That makes sense. Thank you for your answer. Although, I believe the events I had should have changed only the cost for Emergency relief, but I experienced that every Decree was free. It´s maybe a lucky bug.

[astralsilber]

You´re welcome. I guess its also a time of hunger in at least one of your provinces? When the "Great Hunger" spreads from one province to another check out the options connected to the emergency relief, there should be something about the reduction of the decree costs. I consider myself lucky when the great hunger strikes;)

[Janus]

Yeah, I guess it was because of multiple provinces having Famine. In the present playthrough I only have one province with Famine and the cost for all Decrees has been halved. It is kind of funny. Although if they make it that every time you have a crisis a specific Decree costs half the price (for example, in case of revolts Violent suppression costing half the price), then it´s very realistic, conveying the idea of special powers being granted to the Government.