How do I get the AI to accept Pay Ransom?

Accepted automatically in some cases; otherwise the AI weighs it. Its reasons: Clergy acting towards a secular Ruler +20, Relative Level of Devotion, They gets paid Gold +50, They gets paid Gold +25, They gets paid Gold +25, They gets a Hook +50, They has no use for a Hook 0, They wants more Gold 0, The other character is the recipient's Rival -55, The other character is the recipient's Nemesis -300, You are at War -300, The other character is a Prisoner of War -300, The other character is at war with the recipient -300, Weak Hook used +100, Intimidated by you +40, Terrified of you +100, Spending Influence +25, Spending Herd +25 and Spending Herd +10.

Interaction · Imprisonment actions

Pay Ransom

No costAccepted automatically in some cases; otherwise the AI weighs it

Offer to pay the ransom for an Imprisoned Vassal or Courtier

What you need

You

To send it

The character you target:
- If
  Has “imprisoned by diarch” (a variable the game's script sets)
  scope:recipient.var:imprisoned_by_diarch:
  is_diarch_of_target = scope:recipient.liege
  Then
  Cannot take any action that would release former Regent whilst current Regent is in office

To see it in the menu

If
- Is played by the AI
- NOT = { puppeteer ?= { is_ai = no } }
Then
- You have 25

The other character

Is imprisoned by the target
One of these
- Is a direct vassal of you
- or
  Is close family of you
- or
  Their dynasty:
  - this ?= scope:puppet_or_actor.dynasty
- or
  Any spouse:
  - One of these
    Is close family of you
    or
    Their dynasty:
    this ?= scope:puppet_or_actor.dynasty
- or
  Has you as lover
- or
  Has you as friend

Pay Ransom is an imprisonment character interaction in Crusader Kings III. Accepted automatically in some cases; otherwise the AI weighs it. Reasons the AI weighs include Clergy acting towards a secular Ruler (+20), They gets paid Gold (+50), They gets paid Gold (+25) and 15 more. Patch 1.20.1.2, from game/common/character_interactions/00_prison_interactions.txt.

for a guide, post or blog

Quick answers (1)

How do I get the AI to accept Pay Ransom?: Accepted automatically in some cases; otherwise the AI weighs it. Its reasons: Clergy acting towards a secular Ruler +20, Relative Level of Devotion, They gets paid Gold +50, They gets paid Gold +25, They gets paid Gold +25, They gets a Hook +50, They has no use for a Hook 0, They wants more Gold 0, The other character is the recipient's Rival -55, The other character is the recipient's Nemesis -300, You are at War -300, The other character is a Prisoner of War -300, The other character is at war with the recipient -300, Weak Hook used +100, Intimidated by you +40, Terrified of you +100, Spending Influence +25, Spending Herd +25 and Spending Herd +10.

Will they accept?

Accepted automatically when:

They use their Hook on …

Otherwise the AI adds these up and accepts above zero. Reasons in italics are the script's, with no label in the game.

Reason	Amount
Base	0
Clergy acting towards a secular Ruler when Is a member of the Clergy Your faith: Has a Doctrine or Tenet with Clergy gain +20 Interaction acceptance when acting towards secular Rulers The character you target: Is not a member of the Clergy Is a ruler	+20
Relative Level of Devotion when Your Personal Tenets unlock tenet celestial hierarchy interaction acceptance Your faith is the same as that of recipient	varies
They gets paid Gold when One of these The option “gold” is chosen or The option “extortionate gold” is chosen	+50
They gets paid Gold when The option “current gold” is chosen You: `gold >= scope:secondary_recipient.half_ransom_cost_value` `NOT = { scope:recipient.ai_greed >= medium_positive_ai_value }`	+25
They gets paid Gold when The option “extortionate current gold” is chosen You: `gold >= scope:secondary_recipient.half_increased_ransom_cost_value` `NOT = { scope:recipient.ai_greed >= medium_positive_ai_value }`	+25
They gets a Hook when The option “favor” is chosen The target’s top liege is your	+50
They has no use for a Hook when The option “favor” is chosen The target’s top liege is not your	0
They wants more Gold when One of these The option “current gold” is chosen or The option “extortionate current gold” is chosen One of these You: `gold < scope:secondary_recipient.half_ransom_cost_value` or `scope:recipient.ai_greed >= medium_positive_ai_value`	0
The other character is the recipient's Rival when The character you target: Has the other character as rival	-55
The other character is the recipient's Nemesis when The character you target: Has the other character as nemesis	-300
You are at War when The character you target: Is at war with you	-300
The other character is a Prisoner of War when The character you target: Is at War Any primary war enemy › The other character: `liege ?= prev`	-300
The other character is at war with the recipient when The character you target: Is at war with the other character	-300
Weak Hook used when You use a Hook	+100
Intimidated by you when The character you target: Is a vassal (or below) of you `has_dread_level_towards = { target = scope:puppet_or_actor level = 1 }`	+40
Terrified of you when The character you target: Is a vassal (or below) of you `has_dread_level_towards = { target = scope:puppet_or_actor level = 2 }`	+100
Spending Influence when The option “influence send option” is chosen	+25
Spending Herd when The option “herd send option” is chosen	+25
Spending Herd when The option “current herd” is chosen	+10

Acceptance (ai_accept) (151 lines of game script)

base = 0
celestial_hierarchy_acceptance_modifier = {
	ACTOR = scope:puppet_or_actor
	RECIPIENT = scope:recipient
}
modifier = {
	add = 50
	OR = {
		scope:gold = yes
		scope:extortionate_gold = yes
	}
	desc = GOLD_POSITIVE_REASON
}
modifier = {
	add = 25
	scope:current_gold = yes
	AND = {
		scope:puppet_or_actor = {
			gold >= scope:secondary_recipient.half_ransom_cost_value
		}
		NOT = {
			scope:recipient.ai_greed >= medium_positive_ai_value
		}
	}
	desc = GOLD_POSITIVE_REASON
}
modifier = {
	add = 25
	scope:extortionate_current_gold = yes
	AND = {
		scope:puppet_or_actor = {
			gold >= scope:secondary_recipient.half_increased_ransom_cost_value
		}
		NOT = {
			scope:recipient.ai_greed >= medium_positive_ai_value
		}
	}
	desc = GOLD_POSITIVE_REASON
}
modifier = {
	add = 50
	scope:favor = yes
	scope:recipient.top_liege = scope:puppet_or_actor.top_liege
	desc = FAVOR_POSITIVE_REASON
}
modifier = {
	add = 0
	scope:favor = yes
	scope:recipient.top_liege != scope:puppet_or_actor.top_liege
	desc = NO_USE_FOR_A_FAVOR_REASON
}
modifier = {
	add = 0
	OR = {
		scope:current_gold = yes
		scope:extortionate_current_gold = yes
	}
	OR = {
		scope:puppet_or_actor = {
			gold < scope:secondary_recipient.half_ransom_cost_value
		}
		scope:recipient.ai_greed >= medium_positive_ai_value
	}
	desc = WANTS_MORE_GOLD
}
modifier = {
	add = -55
	scope:recipient = {
		has_relation_rival = scope:secondary_recipient
	}
	desc = RIVAL_TO_ME_REASON
}
modifier = {
	add = -300
	scope:recipient = {
		has_relation_nemesis = scope:secondary_recipient
	}
	desc = NEMESIS_TO_ME_REASON
}
modifier = {
	add = -300
	scope:recipient = {
		is_at_war_with = scope:puppet_or_actor
	}
	desc = IS_AT_WAR_REASON
}
modifier = {
	add = -300
	scope:recipient = {
		is_at_war = yes
		any_primary_war_enemy = {
			scope:secondary_recipient = {
				liege ?= prev
			}
		}
	}
	desc = IS_POW_REASON
}
modifier = {
	add = -300
	scope:recipient = {
		is_at_war_with = scope:secondary_recipient
	}
	desc = IS_AT_WAR_WITH_TARGET_REASON
}
modifier = {
	scope:hook = yes
	add = 100
	desc = SCHEME_WEAK_HOOK_USED
}
modifier = {
	add = 40
	trigger = {
		scope:recipient = {
			target_is_liege_or_above = scope:puppet_or_actor
			has_dread_level_towards = {
				target = scope:puppet_or_actor
				level = 1
			}
		}
	}
	desc = INTIMIDATED_REASON
}
modifier = {
	add = 100
	trigger = {
		scope:recipient = {
			target_is_liege_or_above = scope:puppet_or_actor
			has_dread_level_towards = {
				target = scope:puppet_or_actor
				level = 2
			}
		}
	}
	desc = COWED_REASON
}
modifier = {
	add = 25
	scope:influence_send_option = yes
	desc = INFLUENCE_INTERACTION_ACCEPTANCE_SEND_OPTION
}
modifier = {
	add = 25
	scope:herd_send_option = yes
	desc = HERD_INTERACTION_ACCEPTANCE_SEND_OPTION
}
modifier = {
	add = 10
	scope:current_herd = yes
	desc = HERD_INTERACTION_ACCEPTANCE_SEND_OPTION
}

As written in game/common/character_interactions/00_prison_interactions.txt.

What happens

If they accept

If
- The other character: Is imprisoned by the target
Then
- The character you target:
  If
  Employs a Man-Haggler
  One of these
  The option “extortionate gold” is chosen
  or
  The option “extortionate current gold” is chosen
  or
  The option “gold” is chosen
  or
  The option “current gold” is chosen
  Then
  … Man-Haggler Aptitude: +…
- You:
  If
  Employs a Man-Haggler
  One of these
  The option “extortionate gold” is chosen
  or
  The option “extortionate current gold” is chosen
  or
  The option “gold” is chosen
  or
  The option “current gold” is chosen
  Then
  … Man-Haggler Aptitude: new ransom value
  If
  The prisoner:
  None of these
  Is a vassal of you
  Is your consort
  Is close family of you
  Their dynasty:
  this ?= scope:puppet_or_actor.dynasty
  Any spouse:
  One of these
  Is close family of you
  or
  Their dynasty:
  this ?= scope:puppet_or_actor.dynasty
  Has you as lover
  Has you as friend
  Then
  Stress and fulfillment impact: by trait: Compassionate -15, Generous -30
  Else if
  The prisoner:
  One of these
  Is a vassal of you
  or
  Is your consort
  or
  Is close family of you
  or
  Their dynasty:
  this ?= scope:puppet_or_actor.dynasty
  or
  Any spouse:
  One of these
  Is close family of you
  or
  Their dynasty:
  this ?= scope:puppet_or_actor.dynasty
  or
  Has you as lover
  or
  Has you as friend
  Then
  Stress and fulfillment impact: by trait: Compassionate -30, Generous -15, Just -15
  If
  The prisoner: Has you as lover
  Then
  Stress and fulfillment impact: by trait: Lustful -65
  If
  The prisoner:
  One of these
  Has you as friend
  or
  Has you as lover
  Then
  Stress and fulfillment impact: by trait: Loyal -65
  If
  The prisoner: Is close family of the payer
  Then
  Stress and fulfillment impact: by trait: Family Hierarch -5
  Event char_interaction.0140
- The imprisoner:
  The prisoner:
  If
  a check the game hides
  Then
  If
  The payer: Is played by a person
  The prisoner: Is played by the AI
  Then
  Opinion: Ransomed Recently for 1 year
  If
  Is played by the AI
  Ai honor at least 25
  Ai greed at most 0
  Then
  The payer:
  If
  can_add_hook = { target = scope:prisoner type = favor_hook }
  Then
  Gain a Indebted on the prisoner
  Otherwise
  The payer:
  progress_towards_hook_effect = { CHARACTER = scope:prisoner HOOK_TYPE = indebted_hook }
  The payer:
  Depending on always:
  When always is scope:extortionate gold:
  Pay gold to the imprisoner
  The imprisoner:
  Gain … Prestige
  mandala_trickster_increment_gold_ransomed_effect = { GOLD_AMOUNT = scope:prisoner.increased_ransom_cost_value }
  When always is scope:extortionate current gold:
  Pay gold to the imprisoner
  The imprisoner:
  Gain … Prestige
  mandala_trickster_increment_gold_ransomed_effect = { GOLD_AMOUNT = scope:ransom_saved_gold_value }
  When always is scope:gold:
  Pay gold to the imprisoner
  The imprisoner:
  mandala_trickster_increment_gold_ransomed_effect = { GOLD_AMOUNT = scope:prisoner.normal_ransom_cost_value }
  When always is scope:current gold:
  Pay gold to the imprisoner
  The imprisoner:
  mandala_trickster_increment_gold_ransomed_effect = { GOLD_AMOUNT = scope:ransom_saved_gold_value }
  If
  The option “favor” is chosen
  Then
  If
  The payer is the prisoner
  Then
  Opinion: Demanded a Hook
  The imprisoner: … (more in the script below)
  … (more in the script below)
  … (more in the script below)
- … (more in the script below)
… (more in the script below)

If they refuse

Event char_interaction.0141

Options when sending

Owe a Hook
Demand Influence
Use a Hook

Events it fires: char_interaction.0140, char_interaction.0141

• the game's own tooltip text · ◦ our reading of the script line · code the script where neither exists

Who can use it and sees it (is_available, is_shown) (37 lines of game script)

is_shown = exists = scope:recipient
exists = scope:puppet_or_actor
scope:puppet_or_actor ?= {
	trigger_if = {
		limit = {
			is_ai = yes
			NOT = {
				puppeteer ?= {
					is_ai = no
				}
			}
		}
		gold >= 25
	}
}
scope:secondary_recipient ?= {
	this != scope:puppet_or_actor
	is_imprisoned_by = scope:recipient
	OR = {
		liege ?= scope:puppet_or_actor
		is_close_family_of = scope:puppet_or_actor
		dynasty ?= {
			this ?= scope:puppet_or_actor.dynasty
		}
		any_spouse = {
			OR = {
				is_close_family_of = scope:puppet_or_actor
				dynasty ?= {
					this ?= scope:puppet_or_actor.dynasty
				}
			}
		}
		has_relation_lover = scope:puppet_or_actor
		has_relation_friend = scope:puppet_or_actor
	}
}
scope:puppet_or_actor != scope:recipient

As written in game/common/character_interactions/00_prison_interactions.txt.

Can be sent when (is_valid…) (12 lines of game script)

scope:secondary_recipient = {
	custom_description = {
		text = currently_being_tortured
		NOT = {
			has_character_flag = is_being_tortured
		}
	}
}
cannot_release_former_regent_whilst_old_regent_holds_power_trigger = {
	PRISONER = scope:recipient
	REGENT = scope:recipient.var:imprisoned_by_diarch
}

As written in game/common/character_interactions/00_prison_interactions.txt.

Effects (on_send, on_accept, on_decline) (213 lines of game script)

on_accept = if = {
	limit = {
		scope:secondary_recipient = {
			is_imprisoned_by = scope:recipient
		}
	}
	scope:secondary_recipient = {
		save_scope_as = prisoner
	}
	scope:recipient = {
		save_scope_as = imprisoner
		if = {
			limit = {
				employs_court_position = person_haggler_camp_officer
				is_asking_for_gold_in_ransom_trigger = yes
			}
			random_court_position_holder = {
				type = person_haggler_camp_officer
				save_scope_as = haggler
			}
			custom_tooltip = has_person_haggler_increase_ransom_cost
		}
	}
	scope:puppet_or_actor = {
		save_scope_as = payer
		if = {
			limit = {
				employs_court_position = person_haggler_camp_officer
				is_asking_for_gold_in_ransom_trigger = yes
			}
			random_court_position_holder = {
				type = person_haggler_camp_officer
				save_scope_as = haggler
			}
			scope:prisoner = {
				save_scope_value_as = {
					name = new_ransom_value
					value = haggler_ransom_cost_modifier
				}
			}
			custom_tooltip = has_person_haggler_decrease_ransom_cost
		}
		if = {
			limit = {
				scope:prisoner = {
					NOR = {
						is_vassal_of = scope:puppet_or_actor
						is_consort_of = scope:puppet_or_actor
						is_close_family_of = scope:puppet_or_actor
						dynasty ?= {
							this ?= scope:puppet_or_actor.dynasty
						}
						any_spouse = {
							OR = {
								is_close_family_of = scope:puppet_or_actor
								dynasty ?= {
									this ?= scope:puppet_or_actor.dynasty
								}
							}
						}
						has_relation_lover = scope:puppet_or_actor
						has_relation_friend = scope:puppet_or_actor
					}
				}
			}
			stress_and_fulfillment_impact = {
				compassionate = minor_stress_impact_loss
				generous = medium_stress_impact_loss
			}
		}
		else_if = {
			limit = {
				scope:prisoner = {
					OR = {
						is_vassal_of = scope:puppet_or_actor
						is_consort_of = scope:puppet_or_actor
						is_close_family_of = scope:puppet_or_actor
						dynasty ?= {
							this ?= scope:puppet_or_actor.dynasty
						}
						any_spouse = {
							OR = {
								is_close_family_of = scope:puppet_or_actor
								dynasty ?= {
									this ?= scope:puppet_or_actor.dynasty
								}
							}
						}
						has_relation_lover = scope:puppet_or_actor
						has_relation_friend = scope:puppet_or_actor
					}
				}
			}
			stress_and_fulfillment_impact = {
				compassionate = medium_stress_impact_loss
				generous = minor_stress_impact_loss
				just = minor_stress_impact_loss
			}
		}
		if = {
			limit = {
				scope:prisoner = {
					has_relation_lover = scope:puppet_or_actor
				}
			}
			stress_and_fulfillment_impact = {
				lustful = major_stress_impact_loss
			}
		}
		if = {
			limit = {
				scope:prisoner = {
					OR = {
						has_relation_friend = scope:puppet_or_actor
						has_relation_lover = scope:puppet_or_actor
					}
				}
			}
			stress_and_fulfillment_impact = {
				loyal = major_stress_impact_loss
			}
		}
		if = {
			limit = {
				scope:prisoner = {
					is_close_family_of = scope:payer
				}
			}
			stress_and_fulfillment_impact = {
				family_first = miniscule_stress_impact_loss
			}
		}
		if = {
			limit = {
				OR = {
					exists = scope:current_gold
					exists = scope:extortionate_current_gold
				}
			}
			save_scope_value_as = {
				name = ransom_saved_gold_value
				value = scope:payer.current_gold_value
			}
		}
		trigger_event = char_interaction.0140
	}
	hidden_effect = {
		scope:prisoner = {
			send_interface_toast = {
				type = event_toast_effect_good
				title = ransomed_by_someone
				left_icon = scope:payer
				show_as_tooltip = {
					scope:imprisoner = {
						ransom_interaction_effect = yes
					}
				}
			}
		}
		scope:prisoner = {
			if = {
				limit = {
					liege ?= {
						is_ai = no
						NOR = {
							this = scope:payer
							this = scope:imprisoner
						}
						OR = {
							is_close_or_extended_family_of = scope:prisoner
							is_consort_of = scope:prisoner
							has_relation_lover = scope:prisoner
							has_relation_friend = scope:prisoner
						}
					}
				}
				liege = {
					save_scope_as = prisoner_liege_scope
					send_interface_toast = {
						type = event_toast_effect_good
						title = ransomed_by_someone_third_party
						left_icon = scope:payer
						right_icon = scope:prisoner
						custom_tooltip = ransomed_by_someone_third_party_desc
					}
				}
			}
		}
	}
	scope:imprisoner = {
		send_interface_message = {
			type = interaction_prison_ransom
			title = recipient_released_from_prison
			right_icon = scope:prisoner
			left_icon = scope:imprisoner
			ransom_interaction_effect = yes
		}
		if = {
			limit = {
				any_character_struggle = {
					involvement = involved
					activate_struggle_catalyst_secondary_character_involvement_involved_trigger = {
						CATALYST = catalyst_ransom_important
						CHAR = scope:prisoner
					}
				}
			}
			every_character_struggle = {
				involvement = involved
				limit = {
					activate_struggle_catalyst_secondary_character_involvement_involved_trigger = {
						CATALYST = catalyst_ransom_impor
# … (cut here; the rest is in the file)

As written in game/common/character_interactions/00_prison_interactions.txt.

Category: Imprisonment actions
In the menu: under More…
ID: pay_ransom_interaction

Source: game/common/character_interactions/00_prison_interactions.txt and the English localisation, Crusader Kings III 1.20.1.2. “You” is the character who sends it (scope:actor, or a puppet acting for you); “the character you target” is the recipient.