In Crusader Kings, players also have to deal with the feudal lords and bishops that rule the various provinces (which, incidentally, are at a closer scale than in EU). To retain the focus on medieval feudalism and chivalry, merchant republics like Venice, Genoa and the Hanseatic League are not playable nations; neither are the Mongol hordes nor the three Caliphates. The playable nations are limited to Christian monarchies, principalities and empires.