
Hello

This document is an explanation of when/how/if a character can declare a vendetta, as written in the code.



### What happens when a vendetta is declared?
The declarer will establish a rivalry with the target character, marking them as enemies of each other. This includes a major opinion malus.
The declarer also receives a 5-year modifier providing a boost to intrigue, plot strength and combat skill.
The modifier will persist until 5 years has passed, but will be lost sooner if the character no longer has any rivals.
The declarer will be unable to declare any further vendettas while the modifier persists.
The declarer will be able to duel the target to the death through the diplomacy menu.


### Who is allowed to declare a vendetta?
The declarer must be:
1	older than 13
2	either Count tier or the relative of a player
3	though no trait limit is applied to the player, an AI will not be able to declare if they possess
		any trait that renders them incapable or inaccessible
		any ascetic trait (nuns, monks, etc.)
		any kinslayer trait
		any of content, craven, dull, kind, trusting, spiritualist
		or do not belong to any dynasty (in the case of inland republics)

The reason the AI is more limited is because the AI will constantly be checking if they can take the decision. Locking many AI characters out of the decision is a way of keeping the game running at a reasonable speed. Similarly, the AI will only check if they can take the decision once every 50 months.


### What is the reason for the vendetta?
Vendettas can be declared against any character who is the known cause of violent death against anyone close to the declarer. The game signifies this with a red death skull on the victim's portrait. Causes of death include:
1	murder
2	sacrifice
3	execution
4	berserker rage

Neither dying as result of a duel nor wasting away in a dungeon is a valid reason for a vendetta. The first is a choice, the second is technically natural causes.

Characters can declare a vendetta on behalf of any victim who dies to the aforementioned causes if the victim's relation to the declarer is any of the following:
1	a child
2	a sibling
3	a spouse
4	a parent
5	a grandchild	
6	a pibling (aunts and uncles)
7	a nibling (nieces and nephews)
8	a dynasty member from the court of the declarer

More distant relations (such as cousins) can only be avenged my family members closer to them, assuming those family members pass the above conditions.


### Under what conditions can a vendetta be declared?
Again, the AI is more limited than the player.
The AI can only declare a vendettas against characters within the same realm (based on their top liege) or characters in the same society.
Players, and close relatives of players, can declare freely across the entire world if they have a justification. 
Likewise, the AI can declare freely against the player and close relatives of the player if they also have a justification.

Furthermore, some characters simply can't be declared against. Vendettas cannot be called on any character whose relation to the declarer includes:
1	a member of the same dynasty
2	another close relative
3	a prisoner of the declarer


### What is the likelihood that the AI will declare a vendetta?
The AI is coded to be more likely to declare if are bloodthirsty, dislike the target, or if the player is somehow related to either character.
The AI is less likely to declare if they are level-headed or like the target.
These calculations are not mutually exclusive, so having any reason NOT to declare a vendetta may not stop them if they have MORE reason to do it.


### What do I do once I've called a vendetta?
Typically you'll have five choices:
1	You can plot to have them murdered.
	If you succeed, and are discovered, a relative of the victim may declare a vendetta on you too.
	If you succeed, and aren't discovered, nobody has any reason to hate you for it.
2	Declare a Rivalry war, if they're a ruler.
	Depending on your regnal circumstances, you might get the casus belli for a Rivalry war. Winning doesn't gain you land, but does imprison your rival ruler.
	What you do with them once they're your prisoner is up to you. Executing or sacrificing them will justify a vendetta against you too. 
3	Duel them normally.
	Can be risky, but high enough combat skill might be worth the risk.
	Killing your rival in a duel will not justify a retaliatory vendetta against you, so it's a safe way to avoid a possible cycle.
	Depending on installed DLCs, game rules or character circumstances, the option to duel may not be available.
4	Challenge them to a Vendetta duel.
	This is specific to the mod. 
	If they accept, the duel will last 3 rounds - the winner is whoever has the most combat skill at the end.
	If you win, you'll get to select a way to execute the target and be rewarded with a permanent modifier.
	If you lose, you'll either be blinded for the attempt or outright killed depending on your wounds. 
	Win or lose, the vendetta is considered resolved.
	All methods used to kill the target are executions, and can be justification for a vendetta against you.
5	Simply do nothing.
	You don't actually need to act on it. 

Bear in mind that killing your rival in any manner mentioned as a justification for a vendetta may result in a vendetta called against you. This could spark an inter-dynastic war lasting generations (similar to Romeo & Juliet or Dune), but that might also be the sort of thing you're looking to do. 

















