Byzantium Total War

[edyzmedieval]

Hello all modding freaks and RTW players.

I just want to announce the Byzantium Total War mod for RTW:BI 1.6. The thread will be updated regularly,with the latest progress, screenshots and everything else needed.

Let me present you the mod.

The mod, as you might expect, is about the Byzantine Empire. Asia Minor, Europe, Syria and other parts of Asia and small parts of Africa will compose the campaign map. All the units of BI will have to be removed, because of different starting dates. There will be lots of hard work, and we need skinners and modellers so we can do the mod. The focus of this mod will be the wars with the Muslims, Slavs, Sicilians and other enemies of the Byzantine Empire.

Basically the map is done, we thought about the provinces. The map will be similar to the MTW mod.

We thought about the units and some of the buildings. The Byzantine tech tree will be very detailed so the player will be imersed into the awesome history of the Byzantine Empire. If you wish to see the tech tree, come to our official forum.

The starting date will be 976, the beginning of the reign of the greatest Byzantine Emperor, Vasile II the Macedonian. The ending date will be 1453, when Constantinople finally fell, and it marked the end of the Byzantine empire.

The Factions
===========
Ealry Era

The Byzantine Empire
Norman Kingdom of Sicily
Italian States
Papacy
Seldjuk Turks
Bulgar Kingdom
Cumans
Pecheneg tribes
Hungarian Kingdom
Kingdom of Kiev
Khazar Khaganate
Holy Roman Empire
Polish Kingdom
Crusader States
Fatimid Caliphate
Kingdom of Serbia
Rebels

High Era

Latin Empire of Constantinople
Empire of Niceea
Empire of Trebizond
Norman Kingdom of Sicily
Italian City States
Papacy
Seldjuk Turks
Bulgar Kingdom
Cumans
Kingdom of Armenia
Kingdom of Georgia
Hungarian Kingdom
Kingdom of Kiev
Holy Roman Empire
Crusader States
Polish Kingdom
Mamluk Sultanate
Kingdom of Aragon
Kingdom of Serbia
Rebels

Late Era

Byzantine Empire
Empire of Trebizond
Ottoman Empire
Emirate of Karaman
Norman Kingdom of Sicily
Italian City States
Papacy
Bulgar Kingdom
Kingdom of Serbia
Kingdom of Hungary
Wallachia
Moldavia
Holy Roman Empire
Mamluk Sultanates
Kingdom of Poland
Kingdom of Kiev

Mod progress(will be updated regularly)
=========================
Historical research: about 65%
Planning tech trees: about 60%
Campaign map: 10%
Units: 40%
New factions: 0%
Coding: 15%
Scripting: 0%
Testing: 0%
Multiplayer: 0%

Detailed stuff about our work
====================
Historical research - about 65%
- we have done lots and lots of historical research
- we started researching for the High Era

Campaign map - about 10% done.
-working on the terrain and geological stuff

Units - about 40% done
- we are still searching for more historical resources
- we have about 115 units made

Byzantines: 100% completed
Crusader States: 35-40% completed
Bulgars: 30% completed
Normans: 20% completed
HRE: 5% completed

New factions - we decided on them, have to implement them

Coding - we implemented most of the units we've made

Scripting - testing our unique ideas

Testing - not yet

Multiplayer - fortunately, we might have this thing implemented

We need skinners, modellers and coders.
We need one more modeller, 1 more skinner and 2 more coders. If we get these guys, the team will be complete.

We will need some extended research. If you could help, don't hesitate to post. We need info about the Khazars, Cumans. Pechenegs/// and other nomadic people.

Please visit our official forum, for exclusive screenshots and other exclusive info.
http://s15.invisionfree.com/Byzantiu...ex.php?act=idx

Members
======
Modding team
Main Leader
Edyzmedieval -Project and team leader;
- buildings, campmap and settlement plans
- Public Relations
- Coding

Skinning/Modelling team
Blindfaithnogod - Modeller and skinner; second leader
Palissa - skinner
Lord Rahl - Portraits, graphical tidbits, banners
Polski Orzel - Skinning

Coding team
Swampthing - coder,scripter

Other modding
DARTH VADER - Formations

Research team
therussian91 - Slav researcher, faction descriptions, beta tester, Head of the Research team
Arcabagatur - Bulgar research
Kataphraktos - Military researcher
Nickpes - Byzantium researcher
Digenis - Byzantium researcher
Laran - Reseacher, plates and illustrations

Special thanks
============
Atheist Peace - forums and guiding
Dromikaites - coding and guiding
Dimeolas - banners
Shogo - modeller/skinner for creating

If anyone is interested in joining, post in this thread or PM me.

Special thanks to Dimeolas for creating banners for us. Thank you!

Cheers!
The Byzantium TW Mod Team

[caesar44]

GOOD LUCK !!!
Bty , Iustinianus (Justinian) was the greatest Byzantine emperor...

[edyzmedieval]

GOOD LUCK !!!
Bty , Iustinianus (Justinian) was the greatest Byzantine emperor...

No. And I'll tell you why. In a topic in the Monastery. The Forge is not the place to discuss history.

Thanks!

[edyzmedieval]

Although BI is a bit away, I want to be prepared for the release of the expansion pack. So, I have started recruiting members.

Any skinner and modeller not working for any mod and also interested in this mod reply to this thread or PM me or King Henry V.

Don't worry, you will have work to do before BI comes out. You shall create help on creating the new units and buldings and will be implemented directly, if the BI files will be the same.

Any skinner and modeller interested in participating?!

[edyzmedieval]

Anyone?!

Oh well. May I have some suggestions from you regarding buldings?!

We have thought until now of Theme Level 1,2,3,4,5 and the Mercenary Recruitment Centre.
Is there any chance of many regional specific buildings?! I mean, for Constantinople, to make more palaces in the city, like it had.

And also, we need historical info about the units. We already thought about the Byzantines and Turks.
We need info about: Bulgars, Cumans, Khazars, Armenians, Papacy, Venetians and Normans

Can anyone provide this info?!

Any modeller, skinner and coder interested, please join.

[King of Atlantis]

Well sounds great, but as a person who is/was a newbie modder, you need to show some solid evidence first. Your concept is wonderful, but not to many people want to join a mod that isnt already on its way(graphics wise). I wish you guys the best of luvk though, this mod soundes great.

[edyzmedieval]

It's for BI, tha't's why it has no graphics yet. But, since nobody wants to join, we are forced to make some Byzantine models.

And thanks.

[bozkirsovalyesi]

here be new ideas :

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=50113

and some informations:
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showt...4&page=4&pp=30
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=51945




recover A.D. 925 - 1453...
B.İ. periots my recommendations : 925 ..../ 1080 .... / 1205... / 1330...

I know turk factions historys.
but not know english.

I into be turks weapons - titles - names - and other information.
yours what necessary...?

[edyzmedieval]

Thanks for the help.

Yes indeed, we need help with the Turk history.
We need especially the unit info, and illustrations.

Good news for us and our fans. We found our first modeller and skinner.
Let me introduce you Blindfaithnogod.

He'll do the models and skins for us.
We're looking for other modellers and skinners to help Blindfaithnogod with his work.

[Atheist_Peace]

This looks like a really cool mod, good luck.

[edyzmedieval]

Update.

Our excellent modeller, blindfaithnogod, has made us a unit. Dismounted Kataphraktoi. Here are some pics with it.











Hope you like these screens and more are coming up!!!

[Atheist_Peace]

Looking good guys.

[blindfaithnogod]

here are the skoutatoi, enjoy




Thanks to ImageShack for Free Image Hosting

[edyzmedieval]

Excellent job Blindfaithnogod!!! Thank you very much!!!

Yes indeed Atheist Peace, the mod is running well. I am currently searching for more information about the history and recruiting new members.

Anyone who can help Blindfaithnogod, because of the huge number of units, is welcome to the team. We are in need of skinners, modellers and coders.

Also, we need someone who can help us on creating a new campaign map. A new campaign map is needed, because it''s impossible to use the existing RTW map. We'll see what BI will bring on this matter(campaign map).

[Atheist_Peace]

Again that unit looks good, keep up the nice work you guys.

[blindfaithnogod]

more eye candy, this time some kataphraktoi

[Atheist_Peace]

Awesome kataphraktoi, this mod will be very good.

p.s. can you go on msn messenger?

[Kralizec]

Awesome idea!

I already intended to do some reading up on Byzantine history, so maybe I can lend a hand or two when I get around to it.

Are those Kataphractoi "pure" lancers? (they look awesome btw) The way I understood it is that most heavy cavalry were clibanarii, or cataphracts that fought with bow as well as a flexible selection of melee weapons.

I also see some issues with placing the beginning date before Manzikert. Byzantium was extremely powerful back then, possibly the most effective army of all time. It was after Manzikert that the Turkish tribes completely sacked the recruiting grounds for their cavalry in Asia minor that the empire started to decline, IIRC.

[King of Atlantis]

WOW!, Very nice Blind Faith...

[edyzmedieval]

I love you blindfaithnogod!!!!

Excellent work.

Now, who wants to join the team?!

[Atheist_Peace]

edyzmedieval, i tried to talk to you on msn about your mod and you just signed off...

[edyzmedieval]

Sorry for that.

Anyways, I'm so happy that this mod is going excellent. I am so happy that people like the mod, and a big thanks to blindfaithnogod.

[Atheist_Peace]

Byzantium TW's new official forum is here: http://s10.invisionfree.com/Imperium...ex.php?act=idx

Great to have you guys on board.

[edyzmedieval]

Awesome idea!

I already intended to do some reading up on Byzantine history, so maybe I can lend a hand or two when I get around to it.

Are those Kataphractoi "pure" lancers? (they look awesome btw) The way I understood it is that most heavy cavalry were clibanarii, or cataphracts that fought with bow as well as a flexible selection of melee weapons.

I also see some issues with placing the beginning date before Manzikert. Byzantium was extremely powerful back then, possibly the most effective army of all time. It was after Manzikert that the Turkish tribes completely sacked the recruiting grounds for their cavalry in Asia minor that the empire started to decline, IIRC.

Strijder,

Kataphraktoi are only lancers.
Klibanophoroi are Kataphraktoi with bows and swords.

[blindfaithnogod]

thanks for the kind words guys, im working on an infantry unit right now. hopefully it wont be to much longer and i can show you guys some more of my work.

[edyzmedieval]

Guys,

Check our forum. I have updated everything, and our main work is there. Information, screenshots and other stuff.....
Thanks again to the Imperium TW team for hosting us.

We will be updating on this thread when we can, but we will not leave the Guild, because it has the tutorials, to help us make this mod.

Here's the link:
http://s10.invisionfree.com/Imperium...p?showforum=40

[Rosacrux redux]

Strijder,

Kataphraktoi are only lancers.
Klibanophoroi are Kataphraktoi with bows and swords.

Awesome models blindfaith, - I like the kataphraktoi and the skutatoi very much.

But edyzmedieval, you got it the other way around. Klivanophoroi* (or - in the Roman term - Klibanarii and the hellenized equal Klivanarii) are the ultra-heavy all-armoured kondos-weilding shock cavalry and kataphraktoi are - at least in most occassions - the armored bow-lance-sword or mace all-arounders of the Byzantine army.

The confusion is of course very common, since kataphraktoi means excactly "all armoured" (or "all sealed", more precisely), so one'd expect them to be the ultra-heavies, but that's not the case. There is a great confusion with the Byzantine armies all over the ages, especially because they faired for so many years (words mean something today, another thing tommorow, a different thing 300 years later) and also they preserved many roman names (most of them hellenized, like Klivanarii, Skutatoi, Foideratoi etc.) in their military terminology and also had the corresponding Greek names and it all ends up in quite a messy situation.

Actually, both terms were never used to describe a particular military unit or even warrior type in most occassions. They were known mostly as tagmatic, thematic, scholae, vukelarii, in the later periods stratiotes etc. etc. More than one "type" of cavalry was employed under each of those terms - as I said, very confusing.

But, if you need help with the creation of the byzantine units, just say so. By help I don't mean anything in the graphical-modelling department, you are doing a formidable job there is nothing I can do to help you - I am a history buff and Byzantium buff for that, so that's what I can to help you.

*An explaination on the term: Klivanophoroi means "those who wear the klivanion". Klivanion was the heavy lameral shirt they wore. I am still not getting the connection between klivanion and klivanos (oven, in the later Greek dialects) but there must be something there.

[edyzmedieval]

Rosacrux,

You're welcome to the team. Go to our forum, and you will find topics that we need historical help on.

Klibanophoroi were the ultra-armoured-very powerful- heavy cavalry, and the Kataphraktoi were their less powerful brothers.

Kataphraktoi used swords, lances, maces... Klibanophoroi used all of them, plus bows.

Anyway, it's not the place to discuss this. Our forum is the best place for history and modding.

[Advo-san]

Out of topic but what the heck...:
1) Klibano-phoroi: Klibanos=in modern greek, the oven. In medieval greek, a sealed iron box. Phoroi=plur. of -phoros, in greek, the wearer. So Klibanophoroi, the ones that wear iron boxes, the iron-plated dudes.
2) Kata-phraktoi: Kata= Total, phraktos= Fortified. So Kataphractoi, the dudes that are fully, totally fortiried.

[edyzmedieval]

Ok Advo-san.

How's about coming to our forum to discuss this?!

Update: We have done some research, and blindfaithnogod is making some more eye candy. Epirote Greek Soldier and Cuman mercenary.