Crusader Kings 3: Why You Can’t Use Blood Boys in the New By God Alone DLC

With the highly anticipated Crusader Kings 3: By God Alone expansion launching on September 30, players are eager to finally step into the shoes of the Pope. While the game is famous for its historical depth and occasional bizarre mechanical antics—yes, you can technically eat the Pope—there is one macabre feature you won’t find in this update: the ability to harvest blood from ‘blood boys’ to prolong your character’s life.

The Legend of the Blood Boys and Historical Accuracy

The rumor involving ‘blood boys’ stems from an apocryphal tale regarding Pope Innocent VIII in 1492. As the legend goes, three young boys were sacrificed in a failed attempt to save the ailing Pope through early, misguided transfusion efforts. While this story persists in historical curiosity as a precursor to modern anti-aging obsessions, it is widely considered propaganda and scientific fiction.

When asked if this dark mechanic would make its way into the game, the developers at Paradox Interactive provided a definitive ‘no.’ While the team had to pause to discuss the technical possibility, they ultimately decided against it for reasons of historical realism rather than moral censorship.

Why Paradox Said No to the Ritual

Paradox PR manager Jesse Henning clarified that the omission comes down to strict adherence to the game’s timeline and tone. The practical hurdles for implementing such a feature include:

• Timeline Discrepancies: The Pope Innocent VIII incident falls at or beyond the end of the traditional Crusader Kings 3 timeline.
• Historical Context: Including a feature based on a debunked myth would blur the line between the game’s grounded historical simulation and supernatural fantasy.
• Development Focus: The team prioritized the complex mechanics of the papacy and the political maneuvering that defines the By God Alone experience.

The Paradox Philosophy: What You Can Actually Do

While blood rituals are off the table, Crusader Kings 3: By God Alone still promises the classic high-stakes political gameplay the series is known for. Players can expect deep, emergent narratives where the decisions of the Papacy ripple across the map.

In a game where you can already engage in cannibalism or depose monarchs through intrigue, it is telling that the developers draw the line at historical myths that don’t fit the established timeline.

Ultimately, while you cannot chase immortality through the blood of others in the new expansion, you will have plenty of other tools to secure your legacy—and perhaps, if you choose, you can still find a way to eat the Pope instead.

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