Right now, food is probably the most monotonous thing in the game. Yes, it’s possible to starve a province, and the consequences of that are pretty bad, but if a kingdom is even remotely active, that’s never going to happen in or out of war.
So, I suggest that the rate of consumption of food be adjustable, and have bonuses and penalties for changing it. The more food the population is given, the better off each person in the province seems to function.
Food consumption level:
No rations (0 bushels/pop/day): Your province automatically diverts to this if it has 0 food.
.5% of your population dies each day (includes soldiers, wizards, military, and peasants)
-20% defensive thievery and magic
-20% gains on attacks
ME immediately drops -5% and will drop more each day approaching -15% if the starvation continues.
No science research
Partial rations: (.15 bushels/pop/day):
-10% defensive thievery and magic
-25% birth rates
-5% land gains from attacks
no access to science above limited
Normal rations (.25 bushels/pop/day):
No bonuses or penalties
Extra rations (.35 bushels/pop/day):
+10% defensive magic and thievery
+15% birth rates
+10% income in war
ME increases daily approaching +3%
Double rations (.5 bushels/pop/day):
+20% defensive magic and thievery
+25% birth rates
+5% attack gains (after 24 hours of continuous double rations)
+20% income in war
ME increases daily approaching +5%
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OOW, I think normal rations are the best option still, but it’s possible to run a province on partial if the extra farm space is needed. Some might go the other way and add more farms to get the extra ME/attack gains.
In war, it becomes a much more interesting thing. Rob the granaries, vermin, and greater arson (on farms) become useful ops. A province running on double rations, while very useful in war, becomes vulnerable to starvation if left unchecked (because food leaves at twice the speed). A province can easily be forced down to extra or normal with enough vermin and greater arson.
Bonuses for rations would only change on the tick, except for ME changes, which would change slowly, just like with military wages, and the extra attack gains, which would only occur after 24 hours of constant double rations.
ADJUSTMENTS:
-The science modifier for food would have to drop from 8 down to 3-5 with these changes.
-The place to choose your food consumption level would by under the growth menu. An opponent’s level can be observed through a survey, if you’re too lazy to cast another CB on the hour change to check it.
-Some new spells or ops could be added to specifically target food.
-shepards would get a lower bonus.
Obviously, the bonuses can be changed for balance.
What do you think? Should we try it on Genesis?