Slitherine

A search of the forums seems this question hasn't been asked.

What does each of the 4 options actually do for this decision?

you pick up a new attribute with the resultant modifiers.

you can see your current one on the modifiers panel of the nation tab. Basically you swap this out for one of the others. It can be useful, I find that the mid-game if i can swap over to trading that can really ease cash problems at that stage (on the assumption that you have an elite army with a decent military score etc).

so my current faction (Armenia) has aristocratic elite - a few more generals but +10% decadence. If I feel I have reached my feasible borders then this is a good one to swap.

Other times can't be bothered.

Thx Loki.