Challenge/Penalty Mementos

[VCVC]

I’m digging the mementos system right now for the customizability it provides, but I’d love to see the concept taken further, perhaps in the form of “challenge” mementos?

If you’ve played Hades, Darkest Dungeon 2 or other games with similar systems, the idea is pretty similar: mementos with only downsides, which you could equip to intensify the difficulty of your run. I’m comfortable fighting at Deity rn so I’d love more levers to ratchet up the challenge other than increasing AI bonuses even more. Maybe a mod perhaps?

Perhaps in terms of flavor text, whereas most mementos represent more glorious/positive aspects of a leader/history, these challenge mementos could be themed after their low points or great failings? Other than potentially reversing the bonuses of existing mementos, what ideas would y’all have for challenge mementos, both leader-specific and general? I’d love to hear what y’all think.

 

[GeneralZift]

One city challenge could become a memento... Curse of Venice

 

[Banazir864]

Here are some ideas:

De dissensionibus filiorum Ludovici pii (Charlemagne)
The Franco-German hostility is really just sibling rivalry.
Settlements are significantly more likely to revolt during crises, with this effect increased as the crisis intensifies. XP gains doubled.

Defaced Cartouche (Hatshepsut)
Error: Inscriptions not found.
Victory path requirements increased. XP gains doubled.

Frozen Boot (Napoleon)
Found on the road west from Moscow.
Units take damage each turn they spend in enemy territory. XP gains doubled.

Spartan Shield (Xerxes)
The naval battle didn't go so well, either.
Your units' combat strength cannot exceed their opponents' by more than a moderate amount. XP gains doubled.

General note: The XP doubling stacks multiplicatively, so if you use two of these, XP gains are quadrupled.