Today, Paradox Interactive announced its latest expansion for Crusader Kings II, its hit medieval grand strategy role-playing game, Monks and Mystics. The expansion is said to players to further explore the religious aspect with new mechanics and character associations that "can tie a faith closer together, or render it asunder."

The major feature of Monks and Mystics is the additions of Societies (secret or otherwise). Characters will be able to join monastic orders, secret cults, and Gnostic heresies. As a society gains members, it gains power and prestige for its leaders. As you would expect, societies open new actions for characters, and can lead you down new event paths.

Here's a more detailed rundown of everything the expansion will feature, courtesy of Paradox:

• Monastic Orders: With lay offices available to non-clerical characters, monastic orders will increase your character’s piety - but they have expectations.

• Cults: Gnostic heresies may flourish and its is rumored that the worship of Satan continues in the darkened fringes of the world

• Climb the Ranks: Characters work their way up the ladder of Societies, unlocking new abilities and triggering new event chains

• Hunt for Heretics: Send your chaplain out to find secret societies that undermine the holy church and your realm. But what if the hunter is guilty himself?

• Other New Councillor Actions: Your councillors have a fourth action that will make them more powerful and integral to sound rulership

• And much more: Assassins, archaeological expeditions, holy relics, great treasures and more

A release, nor a price point was divulged. Crusader Kings II is currently available on PC. Below you can check out the expansion's announcement trailer: