A WARRIOR'S GUIDE TO REBUILDING REGIONS
Since a few of our regions are in poor repair after the enemy raids, I thought I might put together a quick guide on rebuilding regions.
When we deal with regions and their people we are looking at four factors, ordered by priority: realm control of the region, peasant loyalty, peasant morale, and region production.
Realm Control > Loyalty > Morale > Production
Realm control is the single most important factor to consider. This is because if the realm does not assert its authority, all manner of rebels and independence fanatics will spring up, sowing dissent and reducing loyalty and morale, as well as reducing production by thievery and sabotage.
Thus let region lords look to their control of their regions first before considering other factors. Core control is ideal, Main is tolerable, anything less than that is unacceptable under most circumstances. The best ways to increase realm control are police work and harsh courts. Hanging rebels should only when the situation is dire and morale is extremely high, or if morale is already extremely low. It is highly effective, but causes great resentment among the peasantry, so softer measures are usually better.
Loyalty is the next most important factor. High loyalty helps control over the region, although this is not always enough. The best way to increase loyalty is holding just courts. Police work and heroes telling tales among the people sometimes help, but not consistently.
Morale is the third most important factor. The happiness of the peasantry is not always our highest concern, as our control over them and their loyalty to us is more important, however it does have an effect on production. Showing mercy in holding court will often make the peasants very happy, but will sometimes embolden rebel groups and cause problems. Thus merciful courts should be used sparingly and always balanced with measures to keep control high. Civil work and heroes telling tales are very good when trying to raise peasant morale, as they can have an effect on both morale, and production and loyalty respectively, without causing rebel problems.
Once these factors are handled we will have a much easier time with repairing and maintaining the production of a region. Civil work will raise production and sometimes morale.
As a side note, the more men you employ in your unit, the more effective they will be at civil and police work (also raiding and taking over regions).
As you all know, Courtiers and Diplomats can have a great effect when rebuilding regions, however, they fall outside the scope of this writing and have not been included.
I hope this brief guide is of benefit to some of you.
