The possibility is mentioned of being able to colonize ruins-a mechanic that has never appeared in Crusader Kings, but is a staple of a couple other Paradox strategy franchises. The diary also speaks of new mechanics for ruins, since much of Essos is dominated by them. Thus, you will need The Republic installed to play as them. It's mainly dominated by city-states that arose from the ashes of the old Valyrian and Ghiscari empires, and they will run in the mod using the mechanics introduced in CK2's The Republic expansion. To the casual fan, Essos is the eastern landmass where Daenerys' (that's the white-haired girl with the dragons, if you have as much trouble keeping the names straight as some of my friends) storylines have all taken place so far.
