An Occultus Faction possibly worked out?

God damn it, i think that the sig is there to cloud our thinking. Best clue that i could see was a positive hint that "it's way off geographicaly" from nabatea, so we can exclude north-eastern africa, fertile crescent and arabia. Then, i think it should be a faction that was, at least to some extent, expansionistic and ifluental. Also, there is IMHO need to balance some factions without much enemies in their neighborhood, such as Sweboz and Sauromatae.
As for history, damn. Not nearly educated enough to make wild-guesses, but some of mine were: 1. Xiongnu, right next to Sakae, at 209bc aready had a solid nomad state, and were aggresive to in some hipotetical way expand to the west, but, they didn't, so i don't think they have a good case. 2. & 3. Proto-slavs & Proto-balts. Way beyond EB timeframe, but certainly were in central-eastern europe in that time, and they surely were numerous enough to be distinct factions, nor did their technology undergo any serious revolution to the time of our first knowledge of them. Also, good way to bring more fun to european steppe scene. But still, their case is on a hear-say basis, and doesn't have a bright EB future as far as i can tell. 4. Central asian nomads, massagetae or someone like them (historians, feel free to unleash your anger if something is blatantly ignorant on my side) 5. Balkan factions: Scordisci, Illyrioi, Bastarnae are all fine, and might be a great way to slow down Getae and Epeiros, with a good historic ground IMO.

I really don't think 1-3 are a possibility. Xiongnu are way to far to the east. In fact, the team already cut the Yuezhi because they were too far out of the timeframe mapwise and they were in fact being pushed west by a series of population shifts potentially started by the Xiongnu expanding westwards.

I know, it was a far fetched guess... Listed them because i've seen a map with their state being in EB map area, a little part of the state, though. Without paying huge attention to the notorious sig, my best guesses would be central Europe, Balkans, and the Steppes, just for the lack of factions there... And as for the sig, damn, it looked like a dragon to me most... Most realistic, IMO, would be a second german faction and some balkan tribe, illyrians perhaps.

I doubt the Xiognu were on the current EB map because it's debatable whether even the Yuezhi were, and the latter were further west. The Yuezhi were actually a faction back in EB 0.7, but were cut partly because they probably weren't on the map and partly because, even if they were, their main activity would have been on the eastern side, fending off the Xiognu. Because of this I doubt they will be returning in EB2. Another one or two central Asian steppe factions have been mentioned as a candidate factions for the final faction slot of EB1, but the Xiognu are definitely out.

Proto-Balts I think unlikely, but hasn't been positively denied. Proto-Slavs are out. The exact origin of the Slavs is anybody's guess, but they can't be identified properly until well after EB's time-frame.

The Xiongnu would only enter our map in any meaningful way in around 175 B.C, after defeating the Yuezhi and some other nomad confederacies and city states in the Tarim Basin. They were, however, never next to the Saka, and in 209, when Motun became their Shan-yü, they were actually a relatively weak confederacy mainly controling land between the northern Ordos and, at most, the Turfan depression.

Can i just check are emergent factions ruled out?

Also how about rebel factions that represent civil war?

There seems to have been a lot ruled out and not much ruled in from what I have seen. Either of the above would open up a lot more options. Also Brennan is promising an "atomic bomb" and either of the above would certainly be unexpected.

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Originally Posted by olly

Can i just check are emergent factions ruled out?

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I think so.

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Also how about rebel factions that represent civil war?

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Just about every faction would've had a civil war at some point were they to dominate. That way madness lies.

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There seems to have been a lot ruled out and not much ruled in from what I have seen.

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It's easier to say no when you know it is a no, then to say yes when you are not sure it will be.

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Either of the above would open up a lot more options. Also Brennan is promising an "atomic bomb" and either of the above would certainly be unexpected.

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Atomic bombs, mental squirrel death rays and other superweapons? Those are a no go, I'm afraid.

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Originally Posted by Tellos Athenaios

Atomic bombs, mental squirrel death rays and other superweapons? Those are a no go, I'm afraid.

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Did you not see the Pritanoi preview? Mental squirrel death rays are in!

But seriously he said that the next preview would be an "atomic bomb" in reference to everyone speculating on the factions being belgae and iberian so I'm expecting a surprise in the next one.......... whenever that is...........................

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Originally Posted by olly

Can i just check are emergent factions ruled out?

Also how about rebel factions that represent civil war?

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Yes to both.

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Originally Posted by olly

There seems to have been a lot ruled out and not much ruled in from what I have seen. Either of the above would open up a lot more options.

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That's because the team won't reveal the new factions, but has given reasons against some of the more unlikely proposed candidates. I am not sure how this is a problem.

I'm not saying its a problem that stuff is ruled out and it is good that the team do.

Sorry if it came across that way. I was just trying to explain why I asked about emergent factions and civil wars.

@Olly, if by "Brennan" you are refering to myself then I would like to explain. When I said the next preview would be an atomic bomb I meant that it would make a big impact on the forum purely becuase there hasn't been a preview in a while now. I didn't mean the next preview would contain a faction which no one expects but rather it will receive alot of attention and greatly influence the politically situation on the map if indeed it is a Belgic, Iberian or Germanic faction as within those areas it will curtail the expansion of the factions already present in those regions.

Also I am not a member of the EBII team, in case my post led you to believe I was, thus I have no idea which faction will be revealed.

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Originally Posted by olly

Did you not see the Pritanoi preview? Mental squirrel death rays are in!

But seriously he said that the next preview would be an "atomic bomb" in reference to everyone speculating on the factions being belgae and iberian so I'm expecting a surprise in the next one.......... whenever that is...........................

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Just so everyone is clear on that, Brennus is not a member of the EB team, so his remark is just an educated guess. Unless he has somehow hacked our internal fora... :inquisitive:

In any case, I think that we still have a few surprises in store for you!

EDIT: You beat me to it, Brennus!

Dang, you mean this atomic bomb shelter I've been burrowing for the past two weeks isn't going to be necessary? I guess that I also took him too seriously. But really, it doesn't seem certain to me that the next preview will be of an unrevealed faction. I'm personally really looking forward to a preview for the Bosporan Kingdom, mainly because I have no idea what to expect in terms of their units and government system. Though, if EB1's AoR units are a good representation, they may just be typical Hellenic units, plus a few Scythians and one awesome heavy foot archer unit.

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Originally Posted by Mithridates VI Eupator

Just so everyone is clear on that, Brennus is not a member of the EB team, so his remark is just an educated guess. Unless he has somehow hacked our internal fora... :inquisitive:
EDIT: You beat me to it, Brennus!

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Never underestimate the technical prowess of an archaeologist. I must say I didn't reaise so many of the team worked in lap dancing clubs...

I had quite a laugh reading the above posts. Who knew Brennus was "on the EB team".

*makes quote sign with fingers*

Who dares doubt my modding abilities?

https://i941.photobucket.com/albums/...mios/EBIII.jpg

Any hints from the EBII team as to what the occultus factions are? I'll draw you a pretty picture if you help us out...

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Originally Posted by Brennus

Who dares doubt my modding abilities?

https://i941.photobucket.com/albums/...mios/EBIII.jpg

Any hints from the EBII team as to what the occultus factions are? I'll draw you a pretty picture if you help us out...

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Nice concept art!

Is that a Bartix unit? General's bodyguard, perhaps?

Yes.

I may have got confused.

And sorry for getting your name wrong Brennus.

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Originally Posted by olly

And sorry for getting your name wrong Brennus.

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That's alright.

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Originally Posted by Mithridates VI Eupator

...Unless he has somehow hacked our internal fora... :inquisitive:...

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Oh we all have. In fact we're all playing pirate EB2 now, and just keeping up pretences with all the occultus guessing games.

Its a great mod btw, but the Lugians and Nabataeans are a bit OP (camel riding FMs ftw!) and maybe you could tweak the Western Greek City State Alliance start positions so the Etruscans don't get rolled so easily.

Brennus, you forgot to put the word Occultus over that sig you made. Now everyone can see which faction it is, the Celtibrennus'.

...Ok I think we've shaken the life out of this joke now.

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Originally Posted by Cyclops

Oh we all have. In fact we're all playing pirate EB2 now, and just keeping up pretences with all the occultus guessing games.

Its a great mod btw, but the Lugians and Nabataeans are a bit OP (camel riding FMs ftw!) and maybe you could tweak the Western Greek City State Alliance start positions so the Etruscans don't get rolled so easily.

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Well if that is the case this should end the debate on releasing the mod quite nicely. There's no need for us to release anything, since you already got it! :balloon3:

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Originally Posted by Tellos Athenaios

Well if that is the case this should end the debate on releasing the mod quite nicely. There's no need for us to release anything, since you already got it! :balloon3:

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That's ok, sorry we all got impatient. Now which of the four Goidelic factions to play as today, decision decisions. If you need any more high quality concept art just let me know.



As stratigos said maybe best we move on before Ludens comes after us. Is there any chance of the team giving us a clue as to what the occultus factions are?

For some reason I'm feeling the Helvetii. Have they been ruled out?

I had a similar feeling a few weeks ago. Although they were small I think they would be a worthy candidate. After all they were both powerful enough to cause the Romans concern on two occassions and were expansionist (migratory) at at least one point in their history, plus we know how their government functioned and that they employed a phalanx formation (at least in the first century BC).

As the Saba and the Pritanoi have survived as inclusions I think it gives the Helvetii a good chance.

I agree that the Helvetii may be a great guess based on the starting position of the Eleutheroi tribe already in that area in EB1. The other new factions that have been confirmed have stronger than average starting position compared to other eleutheroi tribes in EB1.

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Originally Posted by Brennus

Who dares doubt my modding abilities?

https://i941.photobucket.com/albums/...mios/EBIII.jpg

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I do. :clown:

so does Scorpion :jester::

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__...px-Render2.jpg

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Originally Posted by Brennus

I had a similar feeling a few weeks ago. Although they were small I think they would be a worthy candidate. After all they were both powerful enough to cause the Romans concern on two occassions and were expansionist (migratory) at at least one point in their history, plus we know how their government functioned and that they employed a phalanx formation (at least in the first century BC).

As the Saba and the Pritanoi have survived as inclusions I think it gives the Helvetii a good chance.

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makes sense to me. Now let's wait and see if it will be included.

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Originally Posted by Tellos Athenaios

Well if that is the case this should end the debate on releasing the mod quite nicely. There's no need for us to release anything, since you already got it! :balloon3:

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...except I lost mine again:sweatdrop:.

Pls don't punish me for being a smartypants...

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Originally Posted by Brennus

.... Now which of the four Goidelic factions to play as today, decision decisions...

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Lol the Atlantaeans aren't Goidelic.

It's nice to see that this thread isn't spammed in. At all :clown:

Well, this is my first post, (seeing as I have just registered), but I have been silently watching for a few weeks now, and have been using various programs to try to determine the origin of this secret faction. It has taken A LOT of work in Photoshop and Paint.Net, and I *think* I have figured it out. It took a lot of noise cancellation, gamma manipulation, edge detection and the like, and with my mediocre knowledge of this time period it became something of a chore to look this up - how do you find a symbol that you don't know the name for?

Anyway, without further adieu, I preset to you MY manipulation of the signature, as well as my idea of the Occultus faction. One which NOBODY Expected...

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

http://www.mbd2.com/forum/balloon_An...nquisition.jpg

NOBODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!

;)

They have already been confirmed. Moros and Bobbin are half way through that preview...

Welcome to the forums btw!

So which one of these was the Lugiones?

This one.

https://img12.imageshack.us/img12/9154/logosecret7.jpg

Damn. How in the world were we supposed to figure that out?:laugh4: Now all we need to figure out is Moros'.

Can you guys post the other Occultus´ banners please?

see below:

I think Gamergeek has one of the occultus sigs? Possibly Hax too, bah I can't remember.

It's Moros' one.

https://img513.imageshack.us/img513/...secret6gi7.jpg

Bobbin am I crazy or is your sig slowly getting lighter? Good to see the insanity is slowly kicking in...

On TWC about a province: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...377791&page=32

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Originally Posted by Populus Romanus

Lihyan? Dedan?

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Originally Posted by Moros

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Originally Posted by Populus Romanus

Lihyan?

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bingo!

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Maybe some ideas for the speculation thread.

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Originally Posted by stratigos vasilios

Bobbin am I crazy or is your sig slowly getting lighter? Good to see the insanity is slowly kicking in...

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I'm afraid you are. :no:

Thats the last one Moros?

µNot the last undisclosed faction but the last occultus banner.

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Originally Posted by bobbin

I'm afraid you are. :no:

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Yeah, I must agree, hes right. It is clearly getting darker.

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Originally Posted by Moros

µNot the last undisclosed faction but the last occultus banner.

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Thats what I asked for lawl ty

The symbol seems to have some sort of engraving on it, and is rather stylized. Maybe if we can figure out what "style" of art it is, which will tell us what culture it came from, then we narrow down the options.

i still think its a bull

It looks like it has an Eagle´s head in the left of the symbol ++

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Originally Posted by Populus Romanus

The symbol seems to have some sort of engraving on it, and is rather stylized. Maybe if we can figure out what "style" of art it is, which will tell us what culture it came from, then we narrow down the options.

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Meroitic relief?

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Originally Posted by Populus Romanus

The symbol seems to have some sort of engraving on it, and is rather stylized. Maybe if we can figure out what "style" of art it is, which will tell us what culture it came from, then we narrow down the options.

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Very good thinking but I'm afraid we've already tried that a billion times :laugh4: :embarassed:

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Originally Posted by Gaius Sempronius Gracchus

Meroitic relief?

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No, Meroe is not in, they have been ruled out like a gajillion times.

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Originally Posted by Chuchip

Very good thinking but I'm afraid we've already tried that a billion times :laugh4: :embarassed:

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Maybe if we ask really nicely*, they'll tell us.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

*Really nicely=how much money does it take to bribe Moros? Hehe...hopefully less than $50.

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No, Meroe is not in, they have been ruled out like a gajillion times.

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Yes, I know (culture limitations and all that), I was just remarking as to the style of art question, and the first thing that what little we have reminds me of is the Meroitic reliefs that I have seen. But, bearing in mind that Meroe has been ruled out then.... that sort of art influenced, and was influenced itself, by surrounding cultures. So I would say something in the Babylonian/Syrian area... the Nabatu, perhaps?

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Originally Posted by Gaius Sempronius Gracchus

Yes, I know (culture limitations and all that), I was just remarking as to the style of art question, and the first thing that what little we have reminds me of is the Meroitic reliefs that I have seen. But, bearing in mind that Meroe has been ruled out then.... that sort of art influenced, and was influenced itself, by surrounding cultures. So I would say something in the Babylonian/Syrian area... the Nabatu, perhaps?

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Ding-ding! Doth we haveth a winner? I hope so, Nabatu would be cool.

It's true, they are good candidates. http://www.historyfiles.co.uk/KingLi...icNabataea.htm
Wait and see.

Could Moros' signature be the Arevaci symbol?

It could.

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Originally Posted by Populus Romanus

Could Moros' signature be the Arevaci symbol?

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Can you post Arevaci related symbols so we can ..mmhm...
COMPARE ;P

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...2925%29_01.jpg

That's it! :laugh:

Poor little misguided souls...

Seeing the picture of Zoroaster on EB Twitter gave me the following idea:
How about Media Atropatene? The animal shown could well be a bull - a sacred animal in Zoroastrianism. After all M.A. was an independent kingdom at the time and also regarded as the center of Zoroastrianism...

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Originally Posted by Mithridates VI Eupator

Poor little misguided souls...

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EBIILiez

if it´s a bull then it´s the arevaci´s (did the celtiberians had that kind of art or style?) i mean seriously the arevaci have to be in the game both to block the lusitanii since the carthies are pansies aswell as to represent the iberian peninsula political division just as the eduii and the arverni do in gaul

Maybe this is it? Celtiberian horse.

http://www.thecelticrace.com/wp-cont...ltic-horse.gif

EB team members required to tell us!!!!
Is it?

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Originally Posted by eddy_purpus

EB team members required to tell us!!!!
Is it?

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Don't bother. What ever they say is lies. Whenever a topic comes within 1,000,000,0000000,000 miles of occultus, their word is nigh. For instance, they claimed that the idea bobbin had at the start of this thread was wrong, when it was right. Don't trust them!

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Originally Posted by Populus Romanus

Don't bother. What ever they say is lies. Whenever a topic comes within 1,000,000,0000000,000 miles of occultus, their word is nigh. For instance, they claimed that the idea bobbin had at the start of this thread was wrong, when it was right. Don't trust them!

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That was just a stalling tactic while we put together a preview on that faction. He got it right, and his reward was a preview.

Foot

Foot = God
Foot = God
Foot = God
Foot = God
Foot = God

Sooo...
Will the next preview be an Occultus Faction :3?

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Originally Posted by eddy_purpus

Foot = God
Foot = God
Foot = God
Foot = God
Foot = God

Sooo...
Will the next preview be an Occultus Faction :3?

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Sly attempt, but your chances of getting any information are rather dwindeling with such behavior...

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Originally Posted by ziegenpeter

Sly attempt, but your chances of getting any information are rather dwindeling with such behavior...

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Ziegenpeter=God
Ziegenpeter=God
Ziegenpeter=God

sooo...will the next preview be an Occultus faction?

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Originally Posted by Populus Romanus

Ziegenpeter=God
Ziegenpeter=God
Ziegenpeter=God

sooo...will the next preview be an Occultus faction?

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Why would that help?
Ziegenpeter is not even an EB teammember.

Stop spamming and try to come up with some clever ideas for Occultus factions instead.

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Originally Posted by Mithridates VI Eupator

Why would that help?
Ziegenpeter is not even an EB teammember.

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Or am I? An occult member maybe...

I think with the Boii already revealed, there will be maximum one more barbarian faction

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Originally Posted by Mithridates VI Eupator

Stop spamming and try to come up with some clever ideas for Occultus factions instead.

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Especially since we're out of ideas. I mean porting EB 2 to Shogun II and adding naval battles really was a bit desperate. It's nice to play, but it lacks Occultus factions to tease you with.

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Originally Posted by ziegenpeter

I think with the Boii already revealed, there will be maximum one more barbarian faction

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I would guess there will be another two barbarian factions revealed, with the Aedui and Averni beginning EBII with only Bibracte and Gergovia that means there is alot of vacant space left in Western Europe not to mention the large area of Iberia which are currently unoccupied. Personally I am willing to bet we will see the Arevaci (definately) the Suessiones/Bellovaci/Nervii (likely) and maybe a second Germanic tribe (unlikely but nice).

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Originally Posted by Mithridates VI Eupator

Why would that help?
Ziegenpeter is not even an EB teammember.

Stop spamming and try to come up with some clever ideas for Occultus factions instead.

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don't you see? they're trying to bribe/be sycophantic to anyone who might know, so they feel flattered enough to say if their answer was right. you see, they did all the thinking even if it was all that of a jellyfish :clown:

anyways: I demands an Arabian faction! where is the preview to the Nabatu? I had a songbird perch by the window that told me all about it! songbirds are a sign of the truth!!! :clown:

ok, srsly: I really do think there may well be a Nabatu/other north Arabian faction: here's why:

1-the area above (northern Arabia) is not well factioned
2-I'm sure someone in EB would be interested to work on it-especially as a few members are also members of the Asia Ton Barbaron mini-mod (apologies to that group for not starting on some of those models: RL). Nabatu was one faction there.
3-they were-sorta-expansionistic. certainly more so than the Saba'yans.
4-there's enough research from archaeologists on the area; I'm too lazy to make a faction case thread though :clown:
5-a songbird really did perch by the window and say so. :clown:

if only clownfaces would be a mean to make factions happen...

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Originally Posted by Tellos Athenaios

Especially since we're out of ideas. I mean porting EB 2 to Shogun II and adding naval battles really was a bit desperate. It's nice to play, but it lacks Occultus factions to tease you with.

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Oh, well then, what do you say we just agree that EB2's already got enough factions, and you guys can go ahead and release it? :laugh4:

If there must be an Occultus faction to be added, though, I would strongly suggest... the Kretans. You might be able to form that Occultus signature into a Minoan bull if you work it right. I'm afraid I don't have quite enough information to build a proper Faction Proposal thread, but I do recall this passage from the Bible: "Even one of their own men, a prophet from Crete, has said about them, 'The people of Crete are all liars, cruel animals, and lazy gluttons.' This testimony is true." - Titus, chapter 1
So, you know, you can start with that. And hey, there's already a unique archer unit for them! Starting territory shouldn't be a problem, either.

:turtle:

(yes, I'm joking)

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Originally Posted by ziegenpeter

if only clownfaces would be a mean to make factions happen...

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I never intended it to make factions "happen".

though in all seriousness, I do suspect that Nabatu is a faction that may be in the game.

That would make the whole region a lot more interesting, imho.