Crusader Kings III Silk & Silver is the next big expansion for Paradox’s medieval strategy RPG, and it finally lets you rule with money instead of a crown. Paradox announced it on October 19 for November 17 at a suggested price of $29.99 (£25.99, €29.99), and it’s also part of the Chapter V expansion pass. Steam lists it for Windows, macOS and Linux. The two headliners are a landless Merchant government and playable Republics like Venice and Genoa.
Playing as a merchant family
The Merchant government puts you at the head of a trading company instead of a realm. You start small and grow by finding profitable Trade Routes for more than 40 trade goods, building up experience in what you trade and the reputation of your company as you go.
You pick one of three paths. Caravaneers move big loads of goods, Creditors lend money to rulers, and Artisans make new artifacts. Each comes with its own bonuses and content. Your base is a Mansion that you upgrade with gold and prestige, and a bigger Mansion means more trade routes.
The fun part is that money still turns into power. You can lobby nobles and royals for patrons, then use that influence to lock up exclusive trading rights in a Market or push everyone else out with a full Monopoly. It’s the kind of quiet scheming Crusader Kings already does well, just pointed at a ledger instead of a throne.
Republics are playable now
The other big addition is the Republic. You run a patrician family where wealth buys power and popularity decides who gets to be doge. Instead of inheriting the top job, you compete with rival houses through law, bribery and votes in the Assembly, which also sets how long leaders serve and how the treasury gets spent.
You can shape what kind of Republic you’re running, whether that’s a seafaring trade power, an expansionist house of nobles or a city-state that answers to the common folk. Trade Posts let you push your influence into foreign counties, and Trade Leagues let you team up with other Republics for trade and military perks.
Two new start dates
Silk & Silver adds two bookmarks. 1066, Channels of Commerce, starts you as one of the famous merchants of the era. 1178, Guelphs & Ghibellines, drops you into the fight for Northern Italy between papal and imperial supporters, a historical conflict that can tip into open war in the new Situation. Republics can also throw civic carnivals to celebrate their own greatness. Paradox’s latest Silk & Silver dev diary digs into the Guelphs and Ghibellines and the new Trade Leagues if you want the details early.
Silk & Silver or Chapter V?
If you already own By God Alone, buy Silk & Silver on its own for $29.99. If you don’t, Chapter V is the better deal at $43.99 on Steam, since it bundles both expansions with two smaller packs.
| What’s in Chapter V | Type | Price on its own (Steam US) |
|---|---|---|
| Silk & Silver | Major Expansion | $29.99 suggested (Nov 17) |
| By God Alone | Core Expansion | $19.99 |
| Songs of the Realm | Music Pack | $4.99 |
| Symbols of Authority | Cosmetic Clothing Pack | Unlocks with Chapter V |
The expansion page is up on Steam now. Crusader Kings III isn’t sold on GOG, so Steam is the main place to get it on PC. Paradox’s recent patch notes also point to an Update 1.21 arriving alongside Silk & Silver, though it hasn’t said yet what that free update includes. If you’re more into strategy on the shogun side, we also covered the shake-up around Total War Shogun 2 Complete Edition.
For anyone who always wanted to be the family bankrolling the crusade instead of fighting it, November 17 is your day.