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Thread: Factions

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    Post Viking factions




    DAN MARK

    The first significant appearance of Danish tribes took place already in 113 BC, when the Cimbri and Teutones migrated south and inflicted several defeats on both the romans and their allies, in among others the Battle of Arausio, where the romans lost around 100,000 men. The Danish tribes also played a significant role in the over 600 years long battle of Britain. At the time of the fall of Rome, the fierce jutes, angli and saxons, all originating from modern Denmark or nearby areas, were the most successful settlers and conquerors on the island, and established the great kingdom of Englisc.

    Ironically, this kingdom is the main target of the Danish viking raids and conquests around 843 AD. Having resisted the invasion attempts of Charlemagne, the Danes have at this time a great confidence in military matters and, now that the Frankish empire has been divided and in internal fighting, their southern front is clear and they can turn their attention elsewhere.

    The Danish armies, like most viking armies, consist mainly of infantry, including heavily armored huskarles, infamous for their ferocity in combat. Their position far to the south eventually also allowed their armies to be influenced by the Frankish type of warfare, and at the end of this period led to the Danes implementing a better cavalry force than any of the other viking factions - however, these "knights" are by no means comparable to those of France or the Holy roman empire.

    Historically, the Danes among other things established a great kingdom in Britain known as "Danelagen" (the Danelaw), which at it's peak covered much of Britain and even threatened to destroy the kingdom of Englisc. Danelagen was sometimes independent from Denmark, but at one time the king of Denmark came to rule over both Denmark and the Danelaw at the same time. The Norwegians begun their raids and conquests at about the same time, and due to the positions of the two nations, there was also an internal competition between Danes and Norwegians. Whereas the Norwegians had superior sailors, the Danes could muster a large land army and were most successful in Britain. Nevertheless, at the later phase of the period the Norwegians became more dominant - it was Norwegians that founded Normandy, and it was a Norwegian - Harald Hårdråde, that came to compete for the total control over Britain with William the Conqueror and king Harold of the Englisc in 1066 AD.





    NORDMANNALAND




    The first significant appearance of Norwegians comes from the roman era. It's also possible that the phoenicians that travelled to Britain also reached Norway long before the roman period. However, we know for sure that the Norwegians carried out trade with the romans, supplying them with among other things salt fish. The sea became the niche of the Norwegians early. Only by learning how to make excellent ships could the Norwegians keep up contacts with the south, and thanks to their impressive ships in combination with this new technology, the Norwegians were by 843 AD strong enough to become successful raiders and conquerors. However, they shared their area of interest with the Danes, and at the beginning of the period, Norway was divided between several petty kingdoms with internal rivalry.

    They had to take advantage of their superior sailing skills and most early Norwegian raids were directed at areas the Danes couldn't, or didn't want to, reach. Ireland and the northern parts of Britain, as well as later Iceland and Newfoundland, were subject to Norwegian raids while the Danes targeted the Englisc in southern Britain. However, in 872 AD, Harald Hárfagri (Harald Fairhair) united many of the Norwegian petty kingdoms, thus starting a Norwegian age of gold. In 911 AD, a Norwegian siege of Paris forced the French king to give Normandy and a large tribute to Gångerolf (Hrolf the Ganger), and Norwegian vikings also established a strong colony at Dubh Linn (Dublin) and weren't thrown out of Ireland until they were defeated in the battle of Clontarf in 1014 AD - where they initially performed well despite being outnumbered. After a period of several influential kings including Sweyn Tveskegg (Sweyn Forkbeard) and Knud den Store (Canute the Great), a last Norwegian conquest attempt was made by Harald Hårdråde in 1066 AD. In the battle of Stamford bridge, he was defeated by king Harold of the Englisc in his attempt to conquer Britain, but although failing to win the battle, Harald inflicted so many casualties on Harold that William the Conqueror was able to win at Hastings shortly afterwards. In the end, Britain came partly under Norwegian control anyway - the Normans were as much Norwegians as they were franks.

    During the viking age, the Norwegian army consisted predominantly of infantry armed with axes and spears. The little cavalry that was used was mostly for scouting, and horses were more commonly used as transportation TO battles than for actual usage IN battle. Nevertheless, the powerful infantry of the Norwegian viking age army granted them a superiority over many of their opponents - until in the later parts of the period when most armies developed a better cavalry.






    SVEA RIKET



    The first significant appearance of Sweden in world history was perhaps the semi-legendary colonization of the east Baltic area, predominantly taking place at Novgorod, which led to the establishment of the first Russian dynasty. Known as the Rus, or "Gaardariki", those settlers would later around Kiev form a strong empire which grew strong enough to challenge both the Byzantine empire and the Khazars, as well as several other smaller kingdoms in the area.

    Sweden itself remained isolated and divided for a much longer period. Apparently, the forests of Småland and Värmland were more effective than the sea at isolating the Swedish from the empires and kingdoms further south. Sweden remained divided between three major tribes - the Sviar, the Västgotar, and the Ostgotar for a long time. During the viking age, the Sviar formed the most significant tribe, and took part in both raiding, colonization and trade, predominantly in the Baltic area as the Baltic area was the only sea they had easy access to while the gotar tribes blocked southern Sweden. The gotar initially only held a very short part of coastline to the west, and their internal fighting was perhaps worse than to the north, and prevented the Swedish from establishing any bases as starting positions for viking raids to the west.

    Many of the Sviar, as well as many Norwegians, came to serve as mercenaries in the varangian guard in Constantinople. Sviar warriors also put Constantinople under siege at one time, granting them a huge tribute in exchange for liftin their siege of the city.

    By the end of the viking age, the power balance in Sweden changed. The increasing strength of the gotar tribes eventually led to the gotar gaining the upper hand in the inernal fighting in Sweden, and after the viking age came to unite the three major tribes under Folkkungaätten. The increased importance of the gotar tribes depended on many things. First of all, they strengthened the control over their western coastline, granting them better contact with the south. Secondly, they had been forced to resist many Danish invasion attempts, and recieved experience in newer forms of warfare - including cavalry warfare. Thirdly, the Sviar were exhausted by their foreign wars.

    During the viking age, the Swedish army consisted predominantly of infantry armed with axes and spears. The little cavalry that was used was mostly for scouting, and horses were more commonly used as transportation TO battles than for actual usage IN battle. Nevertheless, the powerful infantry of the Swedish viking age army granted them a superiority over many of their opponents - until in the later parts of the period when most armies developed a better cavalry.

    Rus: According to the legend, the Rus dynasty at Novgorod, known as "Gaardariki", was founded by the Swedish viking Rurik in around 860 AD. Although Rurik was viking, most of the early Russian population was already slavic and finno-ugric. The dynasty steadily grew in power and extended their control to Kiev to the south, which started an age of gold which came to last until in 1230 AD, when the mongols overwhelmed Europe.

    During this period, trade routes were established in the Black sea and the Kievan Rus probably carried out trade with both the Byzantine empire, the Khazars, and the Abbassid khaliphate. The Kievan Rus expansions eventually led to the fall of Khazar and the defeat of several other tribes settled east and west of Kiev. The Rus converted to Orthodox faith after their contacts with Constantinople during the missionary race between the Catholic and Orthodox churches.

    The Rus army eventually became a formidable combination of fierce viking infantry supported by traditional steppe cavalry - both lighter horse archers, and heavier cavalry sometimes armed with lance, sometimes with bow. The druzhina, the Rus leader's personal guard, was among the finest cavalry of it's time, and the boyars, the Rus aristocrats, formed a heavy cavalry force comparable to the western feudal knights - but often with greater mobility and an extra strength lying in their bows.
    Last edited by Rodion Romanovich; 08-18-2005 at 18:33.

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    Post Gaelic



    ALBA

    (These screenshots contain units for both Alba and Éire)

    In 843 AD, the ruler of the Scottish kingdom Dal riada, Cinaed MacAilpin, laid claim to the Pictish kingdom of Caledonia, thereby uniting northern Britain into one kingdom - the kingdom of Alba. After a history of internal rivalry between Scots and Picts with neither gaining the upper hand, the viking raiders eventually weakened the Picts so much that Cinaed MacAilpin could claim the throne of Caledonia through bloodlines. The population in modern Scotland is a mix of these Caledonians of Celtic origin, and the Dal riadans of Gaelic origin. Because the ruling dynasty of Alba was Gaelic, the army of the kingdom of Alba consisted mostly of typical Gaelic troops, with limited Pictish influence.

    The gaelic warfare is centered around light and medium spearmen and axemen, often armed with javelins, heavy throwing spears or darts thrown before charging. The use of cavalry and archers is limited, and as a result those troop types have suffered in quality compared to those of other factions. However, the Scots, unlike the Irish, came to implement more and better long-distance missile troops and at the end of the period get access to crossbowmen as well as Gaelo-British Arras, a heavy infantry influenced by both gaelic and British fighting styles.

    The Kingdom of Alba eventually transformed into Scotland, and became further influenced by their neighbors to the south. Eventually, this led to the separation of Highlanders and Lowlanders, with the Highlanders keeping up some of the old traditions and fighting styles, whereas the Lowlanders became more like the other peoples in Britain. However, this development didn't take place until after the ending date of this mod, and the kingdom of Alba is therefore mostly gaelic in terms of culture and warfare.




    ÈIRE

    The Irish at this time use a mix of gaelic troops and at the end of the period more and more viking influenced troops - often as mercenaries. The main weakness of the Irish is their lack of missile troops and heavier cavalry
    Last edited by Rodion Romanovich; 08-14-2005 at 13:36.

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    Post Former Frankish Empire


    NORMANDIE


    The Duchy of Normandy, originally a part of France, was in 911 AD granted to the Norwegian viking Hrolf the Ganger as tribute after a several years long siege of Paris. The Duchy was formally controlled by the King of France, but in practise was an independent kingdom. The Normans could, to a greater extent than the Danes, incorporate into their infantry-based viking armies the flexibility in cavalry and missiles of their frankish neighbors. The late Norman armies were extremely flexible and it was for good reason they managed to conquer England from the Saxons in 1066 AD, even though Harald Hardråde of Norway unintentially helped them by weakening the Saxons considerably in the battle of Stamford bridge shortly before.

    The battle of Hastings clearly shows the flexibility of the Norman armies. They used a wise balance between missiles, infantry and cavalry, and by constant missile barrage and fake charges, primarily from their Breton allies, forced the Saxons to break ranks so they could easily be overrun by the Norman knights. Eventually, the Saxons were so weakened that the Normans could launch a full-scale charge up the hill where the saxons were camping and defeat them.

    Historically, the Norman armies also played important roles elsewhere: as rulers of England, as founders of the kingdom of Sicily (which was among the three most important European kingdoms in the 13th century) and as rulers of the later crusader kingdom. The Duchy of Normandy was separated from England in 1087 AD.

    Hrolf the Ganger, the founder of Normandy, was according to the legend son of a Norwegian Jarl, and his cognomen, meaning "the walker", was attributed to him because he was so large that no horse could carry him.



    HEILIGES RÖMISCHES REICH


    After the death of Charlemagne's heir Louis the Pious, the Frankish empire was split up in four parts. The oldest son Lothar recieved the middle and southern parts of the empire. Pepin II recieved Aquitaine, but was under the authority of Charles the Bald, who recieved the rest of the westernmost territories - France. Finally, Louis or Louis the German as he soon became known as, recieved the easternmost part. After years of fighting, in 843 the Verdun treaty settled the borders, giving Lotharingia the most important and economically profitable provinces including Flanders and northern Italy, while Louis the German recieved the second most profitable lands, including many rapidly growing cities, and with great prospects of further expansion into the many smaller kingdoms to the east.

    Historically, the Verdun treaty wasn't the end of the fighting. Lotharingia had the biggest problems - continual pressure from both west and east, as well as the rising Italian city states starting to claim independence - eliminated Lotharingia less than a century after the treaty. This left the eastern Frankish empire as the winners - with Lotharingia gone they now ruled the most economically strong, and most heavily populated, empire in Europe. Although the viking raids begun at about the same time, they caused more problems in France than for the eastern Frankish empire, and exaggerated the eastern Frankish military and economical superiority in the period. The effect was further reinforced by the fall of Great Moravia, which left the eastern front open for easier conquests.

    It was for good reason that the eastern Frankish empire could take over the title "Holy roman emperor" given to Charlemagne by the pope in 800 AD, and it was for good reason that they experienced an age of gold that came to last for several centuries, until in the 12th and 13th centuries, when rivalry with the pope and the rise of France after a weakening period of feudalism changed the power balance in Europe.

    Before that happened, however, the Holy roman empire begun to see itself as the natural followers of the Roman empire, something that could be seen in that they took over the Byzantine imperial eagle as their standard in battle. And truly, the well-coordinated and technologically advanced army of the Holy roman empire was perhaps an as fearsome sight as the roman army once was. With the Frankish heavy cavalry, the heavy disciplined ranks of footmen, and well-equipped missile troops in a balanced combination, they have both flexibility and strength and are not easily defeated.



    FRANCE


    After the death of Charlemagne's heir Louis the Pious, the Frankish empire was split up in four parts. The oldest son Lothar recieved the middle and southern parts of the empire. Pepin II recieved Aquitaine, but was under the authority of Charles the Bald, who recieved the rest of the westernmost territories - France. Finally, Louis or Louis the German as he soon became known as, recieved the easternmost part. After years of fighting, in 843 the Verdun treaty settled the borders, giving Lotharingia the most important and economically profitable provinces including Flanders and northern Italy, while Louis the German recieved the second most profitable lands, including many rapidly growing cities, and with great prospects of further expansion into the many smaller kingdoms to the east. France was left with little profitable land and in a far from strategic position surrounded by several potential and real enemies.

    The French position is problematic - they lack control over the important key provinces of Normandy and Flanders, whose economical importance can't be underestimated. In fact, they have almost no access to the sea at all despite their position. Aquitaine isn't formally under complete French control, and the coastal provinces they do have in the Mediterranean sea can't compete with the rising Italian city states, let alone Constantinople or Jerusalem. The threat from the unfaithful to the west isn't huge, but neither is it unimportant. The buffer zones between France and Al-Andalus are thin. As long as Lotharingia controls both the economical metropols of northern Italy and central Europe, they have a strategical strength that could, if wanted, allow Lotharingia to conquer or at least severely damage the French. There's also the threat of a future united Britain, and there are also rumors of Norsemen raiding coasts mercilessly, sometimes also conquering large portions of even the strongest of kingdoms.

    Historically, the French situation was vastly improved by the fall of Lotharingia, caused by wars with both France and the Holy roman empire and the Italian city states claiming independence. This was enough to allow the French to survive the vikings - although it cost them the important province of Normandy, as well as the later feudalism and rivalry with among others the Holy roman empire. Luckily enough, the Holy roman empire at the peak of it's importance chose to go south rather than west with it's armies, something that drained it's strength before it turned it's attention on France, that had by the time the Holy roman empire lost it's importance become a metropol for trade, and famous for it's universities and open intellectual climate, especially in Paris. In the 13th century the French managed to push back both English and Holy roman influence. The 14th and early 15th centuries saw some new problems with the hundred years war against Britain, but after the introduction of the best artillery in Europe the French could go on the offensive for many of the coming centuries.

    Their army in this period is easily one of the best of it's time, with the same flexibility and strengths in most troops types that the Holy roman empire and Lotharingia possesses.



    LOTHARINGIA


    -
    Last edited by Rodion Romanovich; 08-10-2005 at 20:43.

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    Post Muslims


    ABBASID KHALIPHATE


    In 744 the Umayyad dynasty had ruled the vast Muslim empire for almost a century. Lax Umayyad control had led to unrest in several regions, especially Iraq and Persia. The Abbasids was a family who gained wide popularity among the Muslims. There were many reasons. One important reason was that they claimed kinship to the Prophet through one of his younger uncles Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib, unlike the Umayyads who claimed kinship through Umayya who was married to one of the Prophets daughters. Other two reasons, was that the Abbasids attacked the Umayyad secularity which garnered more support, and perhaps the main reason being that they appealed to non-Arab Muslims, known as mawali, who remained outside the kinship-based society of Arab culture and were at best second-class citizens within the Umayyad empire.

    In the years 744-750 the Abbasids was in open rebellion against the Umayyads, lead by Ibrahim the Imam. They had as aforementioned, much support, especially from the eastern Persian province of Khorasan. The Abbasids made considerable success, although Ibrahim was captured and killed in 747. His brother Abdallah (better known as Abu al-'Abbas as-Saffah) took up the mantle of leadership and in 750 he crushed the Umayyads at the battle of Zab River, and became Caliph. In the next six years, the remaining Umayyads were hunted down and executed. In 756 all but one, were massacred at a dinner party, and the sole survivor Abd ar-Rahman fled to Iberia where he established the emirate of al-Andalus.

    The Abbasids had received much support from the Persians, and now they had to reward them.
    Abu al-'Abbas' successor, al-Mansur, moved the capital from Damascus to the new city of Baghdad and welcomed non-Arab Muslims to their court. While this helped integrate Arab and Persian cultures, it alienated many of their Arab supporters.
    The orientation of Islam also changed. Under the Muslim expansion in the 7th century and the Umayyads Islam had been oriented towards the Mediterranean, but under the Abbasids, Islam got a more eastwards orientation.

    Another issue, was the Sunni-Shia schism. Many Shia muslims had supported the Abbasids, due to their familial connection to Muhammad. However, once in power, the Abbasids embraced Sunni Islam and disavowed any support for Shi'a beliefs. That led to numerous conflicts, culminating in an uprising in Mecca in 786, followed by widespread bloodshed and the flight of many Shi'a to the Maghreb, where the survivors established the Idrisid kingdom.

    The overthrow of the Umayyads and the establishment of al-Andalus as a seperate Muslim state outside the Muslim empire was the beginning of the end of Muslim unity. 50 years after the Umayyad overthrow, the Abbasids had lost control of the provinces west for Libya, and the Abbasids also faced challenges closer to home. The Byzantine Empire was fighting Abbasid rule in Syria and Anatolia, while former supporters had formed a seperate kingdom in Khorasan in Persia.

    During this time, Abbasid armies were raised by provincial commanders, whose soldiers owed their loyalty to them, and not the Caliph. This caused the Abbasids some concern during the tumoultous times, as some commanders revolted and founded their own kingdoms. The caliph al-Ma'mun and his brother and successor al-Mu'tasim decided to create an army of their own, loyal to the Caliph and no one else. This army was mainly made up of Turks of slave origin, called Mamluks, as well as some Slavs and Berbers. This helped them more in quelling rebellions, but in the end the Mamluks ended up gaining more power which lead to much unrest in 10th century when Shi'te dynasties occupied parts of Iraq.

    But Abbasid rule was not only unrest and wars. Under Harun al-Rashid and his succesors, a greate age og intellectual achievemant was fostered. Ancient Greek, Hindu and other pre-Islamic knowledge was translated into Arabic and stored in libraries, and this contributed to making, for example Aristotle known in Christian Europe. In addition the period saw the recovery of much of the Alexandrian mathematical, geometric and astronomical knowledge, such as that of Euclides and Claudius Ptolemy, and these recovered mathematical methods were later enhanced and developed by other Islamic scholars.

    The Abbasid power declined in the 10th century and 11th centuries, especially with the arrival of the Seljuq Turks. The Abbasids remained as figureheads in Baghdad until Hulegu Khan and the Mongols sacked the city in 1258 and killed the caliph. The Abbasids still maintained a feeble show of authority, confined to religious matters, in Egypt under the Mamluks, but the dynasty finally disappeared with Motawakkil III, who was carried away as a prisoner to Constantinople by Selim I.
    Last edited by ScionTheWorm; 07-07-2005 at 15:00.

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    Post Steppe


    MAGYARS


    A Chinese proverb states:. "Even a journey of a thousand miles begins with but a single step." It is very possible that the proto-Magyars wandered not a thousand miles but ten times that distance during the span of many centuries before arriving in their present homeland.

    The Magyars, a people from the Turanian, basin proudly call themselves "the last pure blooded Scythians" and "Cousins of the Huns and Summerians", and for good reason, for these peoples all, in their turn, shook the very foundations of, civilization and in the case of the Huns, brought it crashing down. So now, should not the Magyars, proud and noble sons of Magor, seek to dominate the world?

    From their power base north-east of the Carpathians, the Magyars it would seem, could have the pickings of any land. Yet, this is not so, immediatley to the south and east is the might of the Khaganate of the Khazars, a noble and mighty people, who managed at one point to force tribute from the Magyars. But the Khazars are not the biggest problem, it is the Mighty Bulgarian Khanate that threatens them most, this mighty nation is powerful enough to bring even the Greeks to their knees, this surely is the test of true power? But to the north west, their have been tales told, of vast armies appearing from the misty water like deamons and sweeping all before them in a torrent of blood and smoke, they must be true warriors!

    But under sound leadership, the Magyars, sons of Magor and "the last pure blooded Scythians", have the power to destroy all befor them, shake the world to its core and perhaps even become Gods!
    Last edited by ScionTheWorm; 07-07-2005 at 15:04.

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    Post Byzantine


    ROMAIKI AUTOKRATORIA


    The Byzantine empire was not known as the Byzantine empire by themselves -rather, they called themselves Romans and the term "Byzantine empire" originates from the time after the fall of Constantinople, and any other term than Romans used at the time was invented by Catholics who, in the fierce struggle between Orthodox and Catholic Christians, wanted to strengthen their claims as being the rightful Christian leaders. Still, Byzantine empire is the most used term for the late East roman empire, and is in many ways more correct as it better reflects how the East roman empire had developed to become very little roman and more Greek in it's culture and also - in a way - in warfare.

    The Byzantine empire reached a peak in terms of land ownage in the 6th century during Justinian I with his famous general Belisarius, but the conquests were over-ambitious and couldn't possibly be kept with the resources available to the empire. Most of the land was lost to rebellions, and even more to the Muslim conquerors from 632 AD. The Byzantine bureaucracy and discrimination of among others the Jews meant the Arabs were often seen as liberators, and the Byzantines lost part of Asia minor and temporarily pushed back to Constantinople, where they, thanks to their greek fire and city walls could push back a muslim combined naval and land assault.

    The Byzantines allied themselves to the Khazar khaganate in the fighting against the muslims, and both Khazars and Byzantines eventually managed to stop the expansion attempts. The Byzantines however soon faced another crisis on their Balkans front, losing much land to the Bulgars and ending up having Constantinople under siege. Again, the great walls and the sea access allowing new food to be transported into the city saved the Byzantines.

    The Iconoclasm as well as several other fights made the Byzantines lose much of their foothold in southern and eastern Italy. That, and the pressure from bulgars and muslims, led to the empire being severely weakened. In 843 AD, the bulgars had calmed down, the muslims had learnt that taking Constantinople would be costly, and the Catholic and Orthodox churches had signed a truce, ending the Iconoclasm for a while. This finally gave the Byzantines a chance to rise again, starting a period of greatness that came to last until 1071 AD, when the seldjuk turks defeated the Byzantines at Manzikert and conquered most of Asia, thus making them lose valuable sources of income, grain and recruits for their army. The following necessary reorganization of the army weakened it, and the weakened economy also meant the Byzantines couldn't pay their mercenaries according to their deals. When the fourth crusade in 1204 AD went wrong and ended up storming the walls of the city, all mercenaries except the varangian guard refused to fight.

    The Byzantine army before Manzikert consisted of a tagmata - a centralized standing army, and a themata - a local militia force going to battle only when needed. The Byzantine main weapon in the battlefield was the katapraktos and klibanophoros, heavily armored cavalrymen armed with bows or lances, and maces or swords. Records state that the Byzantines sometimes fought entire battles and campaigns with this heavy cavalry alone - without any infantry support whatsoever. However, the heavy cavalry was most effective when supported by infantry, including the skutatoi - heavy spearmen of high quality, and menavlatoi - pila- and sword-armed footmen of legionary type. If the Byzantine army has a weakness, it would be it's lack of faster, more mobile troops of higher quality. After Manzikert the Byzantines implemented a feudal-style system where proniai (feudal lords) formed the main cavalry force.

    Last edited by ScionTheWorm; 07-21-2005 at 07:57.

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    Post British


    KINGDOM OF ENGLISC



    The Saxons came along with Jutes and Angles and conquered England during the fall of the west Roman empire. They have an army centered around infantry, but their cavalry is also quite good, something that gives them a flexible unit selection. However, their provinces can hardly support a larger cavalry force and the saxon lack of stronger missile troops in practise often makes them - for their commander - dangerously unvaried. The saxons originally based their warfare around spearmen - the fyrdmen and burwaran, a local militia acting as garrisons for local fortifications. The later viking influences led the saxons to incorporate the powerful huscarles into their army - both as mercenaries and as regulars, thus giving them a combination of powerful axemen and spearmen.
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    WELSH


    The Welsh are the remnants of among others the Celtic Silurii tribe that settled in western Britain before the roman occupation. The Welsh remained independent from Rome a little while longer than their southern and eastern neighbors, under the leadership of the famous leader Caradog, who according to the tales showed so much courage when he was eventually captured by the Romans, that the Romans didn't execute him as was the tradition with rebel leaders. Wales remained under Roman control until Rome started withdrawing from Britain, but wasn't of much use to the Romans due to it's lack of fertile farming lands and rough terrain.

    When Germanic invaders conquered most of Britain from the local Celtic tribes, the Welsh managed to resist partly thanks to this nearly impregnable terrain, but the result was that the Welsh people were cut off from their former Celtic neighbors, something that led to the Welsh culture and warfare developing in a completely different way than that of the other Celts. In this period, they converted to Christianity.

    The Welsh warfare soon became centered around mobile, light skirmishers and bows of very high quality, including the longbow which many centuries years later, implemented in the much larger English army, was crucial in battles like Crezy, Poitiers, and Agincourt. Already in it's earliest form, and implemented in such numbers that the Welsh could muster, it was a powerful weapon and more than one king on the island of Britain was killed by Welsh arrows.

    Giraldus Cambrensis, in his 'Descriptio Cambriae', claims that:
    "This light-armed people, relying more on their activity than on their strength, cannot struggle for the field of battle, enter into close engagement, or endure long and severe actions"

    But he also states that:
    "Though defeated and put to flight on one day, they are ready to resume the combat on the next, neither dejected by their loss, nor by their dishonour; and although, perhaps, they do not display great fortitude in open engagements and regular conflicts, yet they harass the enemy by ambuscades and nightly sallies. Hence, neither oppressed by hunger or cold, nor fatigued by martial labours, nor despondent in adversity, but ready, after a defeat, to return immediately to action, and again endure the dangers of war; they are as easy to overcome in a single battle, as difficult to subdue in a protracted war."

    If they have a weakness that can threaten to destroy them, it's the tradition for kings to split their lands between their heirs, so that the Welsh as a people very seldom are united against the dangers that threaten them from the outside. However, from 820 AD there's been an exception from this pattern - the new king Rhodri Mawr, Rhodri the Great, has united the Welsh. In the short term the Welsh longbows and skirmishing tactics can help them remain independent, but in the long term their critical position and lack of economical strength and internal rivalry could turn out very problematic indeed, especially later when their enemies can field a more professional cavalry to ride down their light footmen who are only fast enough to skirmish in comparison to enemy footmen.

    Historically, Rhodri Mawr ruled the kingdom until in 877 AD. Having held off many invasion attempts from vikings and saxons, he was eventually defeated by vikings and had to flee to Ireland, where he stayed for a year before returning and attempting to reestablish his kingdom. However, weakened by the conflicts, he was killed in a battle against the Mercians. Wales only experienced unity occasionally during the coming centuries, partly due to the tradition of dividing the land between heirs, but remained independent from England until in the end of the 13th century.
    Last edited by Rodion Romanovich; 08-14-2005 at 13:29.

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    Post Khazar


    KHAZAR KHAGANATE


    The Khazar khaganate, like the Bulgar khanate, originated from the Gokturk empire which was split up in the early 7th century. The Bulgars were split up between the Volga, Danube and Black sea area, while the Khazars stayed on the steppes a formed a strong united khaganate (which was however unlike Bulgaria eliminated in the long term) between the Black and Caspian seas. According to most sources, the Khazars had a more settled, city-based culture than the other steppe peoples of the time.

    The Khazars were allied to the Byzantines during a long period, during which they aided the Byzantines in fighting many wars: against the sassanids (this gave the Khazars and Byzantines control over the Georgia region), the first Khazar-Arab war (which ended with the Arabs being defeated in a battle outside the Khazar town of Balanjar) and the second Khazar-Arab war (resulting in an attempt to arrange a marriage between the warring parts, but the Khazar bride died or was killed - it's unclear which way it was - and it took some more time until peace was achieved).

    The Khazars originally had a shamanist religion centered around worship of the sky god Tengri and the less important gods Umay (fertility goddess), Kuara (thunder god) and Erlik (god of death), but they were later also influenced by Confucian ideas from China. Like the Scythians, the Khazar women took part in war and governing and held a high status. Around 800 AD the the former religions were replaced by Judaism. It's disputable how complete the conversion was, but at least the leading members of the Khazar society converted and much suggests that a large portion of the people followed suit.

    The Khazars were lead by the Khagan, who was the formal ruler of the Khazar peoples, but the actual leader in foreign affairs was the Bek, a general elected (based on proven skills) by the leading members of the Khazar society. The Arsiyah cavalrymen of Khwarazmian origin formed the bulk of the Khazar army, which also deployed auxiliary regiments formed by their tributaries. There was also a Khazar royal guard of footmen and a royal cavalry guard for the bek and khagan. The formidable cavalry of the Khazars was perhaps one of the most important reasons why they were so successful militarily, but they also had advanced artillery and could, during their golden era, afford to hire some of the best mercenaries available in the area.

    After the Khazars had halted the muslim expansions, they went on the offensive. The Khazar expansion south was halted in the 9th century, and their further expansion was instead directed to the west. Territory was now extended from the Caspian sea and lower Volga to north shore of Black sea as far as to the Dnepr to the west. It is possible that it was the Khazars that actually founded Kiev, sometime before the 9th century, but at least they for sure had control over the area just east of Kiev at this time. Tributes were recieved after actions against Alans, Magyars, Goths, Greeks of the Crimea and the Volga-Bulgars, and trade routes were secured. The result was a flourishing economy that could support a strong army with many mercenaries, just like the Byzantines (some contemporary sources even list Khazar as one of the three most important empires in the world of the time). However, just like the Byzantines, loss of territories, competion in trade, and loss of tributes and other necessities for a good economy made the system crash when the Pechenegs rose in power and the Kievan Rus established a strong empire around Kiev. A campaign by the Rus Prince Svyatoslav destroyed most of Khazar in the middle of the 10th century. Last remnants of Khazar were wiped out in early to middle 11th century, but small tribes emigrated westwards and survived some centuries more.
    Last edited by ScionTheWorm; 07-07-2005 at 12:44.

  9. #9
    Arbeit macht fleisch Member ScionTheWorm's Avatar
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    Post Asturia

    Asturia
    Last edited by ScionTheWorm; 07-07-2005 at 12:50.

  10. #10
    Arbeit macht fleisch Member ScionTheWorm's Avatar
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    Post Re: Factions

    reserved...
    Last edited by ScionTheWorm; 07-07-2005 at 12:50.

  11. #11
    Jarl of Trøndelag Member Edvinsen's Avatar
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    Default Re: Factions

    ehm, Its Harald Hårfagre to be correct, and his father is Halvdan Svarte ;)

  12. #12
    Shadow Senior Member Kagemusha's Avatar
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    Default Re: Factions

    Why arent there a Finnish faction in the game?After all Vikings could easily raid western Europe but it took them over 500 hundred years to overcome Finnish tribes who even raided Swedish cities many times?
    Ja Mata Tosainu Sama.

  13. #13
    Arbeit macht fleisch Member ScionTheWorm's Avatar
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    Default Re: Factions

    Quote Originally Posted by kagemusha
    Why arent there a Finnish faction in the game?After all Vikings could easily raid western Europe but it took them over 500 hundred years to overcome Finnish tribes who even raided Swedish cities many times?
    i think it's a matter of compromises... max 20 factions allowed, and what the team thought was the most important ones was decided in the beginning of this. From what you say, I think it's a good choice to represent them by rebels, and not near necessary to make them a united faction. I hope we make them unique and resistant as you describe though, as it's a main issue to make rebels hard and expensive to wage war at. We won't be able to conquer finland in the first turn for instance, as we probably would be able to in vanilla rtw.
    I guess they will at least have one unique unit, maybe more. We haven't completed this issue in any way, so if you have a description and justification of an important unit, we should, and probably will, make it for the mod. if not, it's a matter of priority - we are only two skinners/modellers.

  14. #14
    Shadow Senior Member Kagemusha's Avatar
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    Default Re: Factions

    Im sorry.Im too harsh this iron age is just too close to my heart.If i can give you somekind of information ,i will.I think you guyes are doing wonderfull job.
    Ja Mata Tosainu Sama.

  15. #15
    Dungalloigh Brehonda Member Ranika's Avatar
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    Default Re: Factions

    So there is no confusion, I recommended the harp on a blue field as the flag of Ireland because it was Brian Boru's royal seal. Ireland as a whole did have an official royal seal (the modern flag of Munster; three crowns on a blue field), but Brian was the first king in a very long time to actually exert any clout. The blue field-harp did not become the seal at all (aside from Brian's reign) until Henry the 1st made it the official symbol of the kingdom of Ireland (after claiming title), but it wasn't recognized by the Irish chiefs until the 17th century. However, the modern harp isn't quite the same as the harp of Brian, which had a nude female figure on it, but I feel that you may prefer the modern harp, as is used by the Irish government today, and is more recognizable. However, if you'd prefer Brian's harp (and have the patience to change it), you can see a simple image of it at the site I list below; or, if you'd prefer the modern flag of Munster (technically the most accurate, I suppose, as it was the general mark of the High King at the time, and the flag of the Desmumu, the drognan from which Brian came):

    http://www.heraldry.ws/

    I never really elaborated much, and I know it's late to, but it never really came to mind to, and I'm sorry to bring it up so late.
    Last edited by Ranika; 08-27-2005 at 21:35.
    Ní dheachaigh fial ariamh go hIfreann.


  16. #16

    Default Re: Factions

    Where is Polanes??

  17. #17
    Arbeit macht fleisch Member ScionTheWorm's Avatar
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    Default Re: Factions

    not here, that's for sure... (max 20 factions)
    Last edited by ScionTheWorm; 07-20-2005 at 11:49.

  18. #18

    Default Re: Factions

    So when BI will release you can make Polanes.
    in BI won`t be limit faction.

  19. #19

    Default Re: Factions

    We have the Rus faction in, and i found this: In the 10th century, the term "Polans" was virtually out of use and exchanged for "Rus".

    So i guess their in afterall.

    -Skel-

    Age of vikings and fanatics: Total War

  20. #20
    dictator by the people Member caesar44's Avatar
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    Smile Re: Factions

    The Vikings landed also in Spain and Italy , so ? they are going to be rebels too ?
    Last edited by caesar44; 07-22-2005 at 16:00.
    "The essence of philosophy is to ask the eternal question that has no answer" (Aristotel) . "Yes !!!" (me) .

    "Its time we stop worrying, and get angry you know? But not angry and pick up a gun, but angry and open our minds." (Tupac Amaru Shakur)

  21. #21
    Arbeit macht fleisch Member ScionTheWorm's Avatar
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    Default Re: Factions

    not asturia and al andalus

  22. #22
    Gentis Daciae Member Cronos Impera's Avatar
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    Default Re: Factions

    Will there be a romanian faction in-game. I've counted fifteen factions so far and RTW enables twenty factions. There has to be five spare faction slots. The Magyars fought with romanian states for control of Transylvania. Romanian resistance was so intense that diplomacy and marriage ware necesary for the Arpadian dinasty to take hold of the province. Before Manzikert romanians ( known as vlahs at that time rebelled with bulgarian assistance and formed an Bulgaro-Romanian state in the Balkans): Stefan si Dussan ware the names of the two vlah leaders. Can you create a vlah factionat the northern friges of the Byzantine empire covering a part of Thessalia and the Bulgaro-Romanian space?
    " If you don't want me, I want you! Alexandru Lapusneanul"
    "They are a stupid mob, but neverless they are a mob! Alexandru Lapusneanul"


  23. #23
    Arbeit macht fleisch Member ScionTheWorm's Avatar
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    Default Re: Factions

    See introduction thread, there are 20 factions. The ones that's not listed here, we have yet to make factiondescriptions to

  24. #24
    Bopa Member Incongruous's Avatar
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    Default Re: Factions

    The Vlach were not a cohhesive nation at the time, and were easily overun by the Bulgars and Magyars.

    Sig by Durango

    Now that the House of Commons is trying to become useful, it does a great deal of harm.
    -Oscar Wilde

  25. #25
    Hound of Ulster Member Fianóglach's Avatar
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    Default Re: Factions

    Hey guys, excellent looking mod, I can;t wait! I just have one little thing to point out. the fadda on the E in Éire should be like that, not the backwards Scots way ;) if you guys need any help with the Irish faction PM me or MSN me (dabluedonkey@hotmail.com)

  26. #26
    Dungalloigh Brehonda Member Ranika's Avatar
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    Default Re: Factions

    For the Scots, perhaps Sgaothaich; it's essentially just the equivalent of 'Scotsmen', but it'd be appropriate both as the kingdom of Dal Riada and as Alba.
    Ní dheachaigh fial ariamh go hIfreann.


  27. #27
    Bopa Member Incongruous's Avatar
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    Default Re: Factions

    We need to have a discussion about the starting date, because any earlier than 880 would mean no Danelaw and no Kingdom of the Englisc

    Sig by Durango

    Now that the House of Commons is trying to become useful, it does a great deal of harm.
    -Oscar Wilde

  28. #28
    Arbeit macht fleisch Member ScionTheWorm's Avatar
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    Default Re: Factions

    you're really torn apart by this... 843 ad is fine by me. pros/cons?

  29. #29
    is not a senior Member Meneldil's Avatar
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    Default Re : Factions

    Before 843, no Western and Eastern Frankish Empire, no Lotharingia, no Rus, etc.

  30. #30

    Default Re: Factions

    Surely the "scots" in this period would be "Fir nAlban". And yeah, 843 means no "Englisc" but rather "Northhymbre", "Mierce", "Wesseaxne", "Easeaxne", Suseaxne" and so on.

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