![[factions_banner.webp]]
`Nov. 14, 2025` · [[Horseapple]] · #Fragment #Factions #Bannerlord
> [!quote-custom]+ [[3-spcultures-(Bannerlord)]]
> “The first Vlandians arrived from overseas, mercenaries and adventurers, *(…)* taking the empire's silver to guard the frontiers *(…)* But cash-strapped officials soon began to pay them with land grants and titles instead of silver, perhaps not the most far-sighted of policies. The Vlandians settled, married, planted farms, and seized nearby imperial fortresses as their own. Now they are an independent kingdom, their traditions drawing from both Calradia and their distant homelands.” **~ TaleWorlds**
![[vlandia-banner.webp|left|150]]**Who are they, What do they believe, and Why?** The emergence of the Vlandians is a bit muddled, having two contradictory narratives. One says they came from overseas, another states they already inhabited Calradia as yet another tribe. It may be that the truth lies somewhere in the middle, as the rule usually goes. So to that end I’ve tried to reconcile the two accounts as much as possible. Therefore, the Vlandians came to Calradia as Nordic seafarers who then intermarried with the local tribes and thus developed their infamous heavy cavalry. *Maybe…*
> [!tip-custom]- Clans
> | **Clan <br>Banner** | [![[meroc-banner.webp\|50]]](dey-Meroc) | [![[cortain-banner.webp\|50]]](dey-Cortain) | [![[arromanc-banner.webp\|50]]](dey-Arromanc) | [![[tihr-banner.webp\|50]]](dey-Tihr) | [![[rothad-banner.webp\|50]]](dey-Rothad) | [![[valant-banner.webp\|50]]](dey-Valant) | [![[fortes-banner.webp\|50]]](dey-Fortes) | [![[molarn-banner.webp\|50]]](dey-Molarn) | [![[gunric-banner.webp\|50]]](dey-Gunric) | [![[jelind-banner.webp\|50]]](dey-Jelind) | [![[folcun-banner.webp\|50]]](dey-Folcun) |
| :-----------------: | :-------------------------------------: | :-----------------------------------------: | :-------------------------------------------: | :-----------------------------------: | :---------------------------------------: | :---------------------------------------: | :---------------------------------------: | :---------------------------------------: | :---------------------------------------: | :---------------------------------------: | :---------------------------------------: |
| **Name** | [[dey-Meroc]] | [[dey-Cortain]] | [[dey-Arromanc]] | [[dey-Tihr]] | [[dey-Rothad]] | [[dey-Valant]] | [[dey-Fortes]] | [[dey-Molarn]] | [[dey-Gunric]] | [[dey-Jelind]] | [[dey-Folcun]] |
| **Tier** | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| **Leader** | [[Derthert]] | [[Ingalther]] | [[Calatild]] | [[Aldric]] | [[Berican]] | [[Servic]] | [[Belgir]] | [[Hecard]] | [[Ospir]] | [[Vartin]] | [[Ecarand]] |
| **Wealth** | ![[denar.png\|15]]7000 | ![[denar.png\|15]]4000 | ![[denar.png\|15]]2800 | ![[denar.png\|15]]5500 | ![[denar.png\|15]]500 | ![[denar.png\|15]]3400 | ![[denar.png\|15]]3700 | ![[denar.png\|15]]4600 | ![[denar.png\|15]]1300 | ![[denar.png\|15]]1200 | ![[denar.png\|15]]500 |
> [!tip-custom]- Settlements
> | **Banner** | **Name** | **Town(s)** | **Castle(s)** | **Villages** |
| :-------------------------------------------: | :--------------: | :-------------: | :--------------: | :--------------------------------------------------------------: |
| [![[meroc-banner.webp\|50]]](dey-Meroc) | [[dey-Meroc]] | Sargot · Galend | Talivel-Castle | Calioc · Etirfurd · Furbec · Meroc · Nogrent · Talivel · Rodetan |
| [![[cortain-banner.webp\|50]]](dey-Cortain) | [[dey-Cortain]] | Charas | *none* | Savinth · Vesin |
| [![[arromanc-banner.webp\|50]]](dey-Arromanc) | [[dey-Arromanc]] | Jaculan | *none* | Arromanc · Mot · Alorstan · Chornad |
| [![[tihr-banner.webp\|50]]](dey-Tihr) | [[dey-Tihr]] | Pravend | Drapand-Castle | Drapand · Rulund · Larnac · Palisont |
| [![[rothad-banner.webp\|50]]](dey-Rothad) | [[dey-Rothad]] | *none* | Usanc-Castle | Usanc |
| [![[valant-banner.webp\|50]]](dey-Valant) | [[dey-Valant]] | Rovalt | Caleus-Castle | Alantas · Halisvust · Caleus · Deriat |
| [![[valant-banner.webp\|50]]](dey-Valant) | [[dey-Fortes]] | Ocs-Hall | Verecsand-Castle | Mareiven · Oritan · Fregian · Verecsand · Marin |
| [![[molarn-banner.webp\|50]]](dey-Molarn) | [[dey-Molarn]] | Ostican | *none* | Horsger · Cananc · Remental |
| [![[molarn-banner.webp\|50]]](dey-Molarn) | [[dey-Gunric]] | *none* | Tirby-Castle | Tirby · Sirindac |
| [![[jelind-banner.webp\|50]]](dey-Jelind) | [[dey-Jelind]] | *none* | Hongard-Castle | Hongard · Ferton |
| [![[folcun-banner.webp\|50]]](dey-Folcun) | [[dey-Folcun]] | *none* | Ormanfard-Castle | Ormanfard |
Over a century ago, Nord-seafarers began living in the back alleys of Ostican, [^23] a port-city in the Calradian Empire, just below the tip of Gandig’s Point. These seafarers likely came from Nordland, although they are called “Waland” seafarers. [^2] “Waland” is likely a corruption of Nordland, but could also be Balion. What’s more, Balion is said to be across the Western Ocean, [^22] which is noted to be where the future Vlandian warships continuously assaulted and supposedly came from. [^21] It may be that in the **Mount & Blade** universe, the Normans — aka Vlandians [^5] — conquered England first, then carved out Normandy later, instead of the other-way round. “Balion” being an anagram of “Albion”, an old name of Britain. [^24] In any case, the Nords were relatively unknown and seen as just another tribe.
The seafarers must’ve sent word back to their people about the wealth the Empire displayed, as eventually warships landed on western Calradia’s shores. First as traders, speaking the tongues of many lands, and when they saw just how true the rumors were, of the Empire’s wealth, they decided to return again as mercenaries and adventurers. The Nord seafarers were hired to guard the Empire’s frontiers against the unsubdued tribes of the interior. [^4] This is around the time “Vlandian” was first used to refer to the Nord seafarers, as their warlord ‘Wilund the Bold’ translated to called “Valandion” in Calradic.
The Vlandians fought almost exclusively as footmen against the tribes, [^6] those tribes likely being: *Massa*, [^11] Palaic-Battanian-relatives in Sargot from which the famed scholar Galerian came from. [^19] *Ialoi*, [^23] another Palaic-Battanian-relative from Galend. And *Battanians* living on the land of what is now Ocs Hall. [^20] Now at some point, maybe through: mingling, marrying, assimilation, with the captive tribesmen, a new class of mounted warriors emerged from within the Vlandians. [^6] These mobile units greatly helped in dominating the western parts of Calradia. Their steeds were strong, dependable, who — while not agile — possessed otherworldly toughness and courage. These horses road headlong into the thick of battle. [^6] Today the descendants of those remarkable Nordic chieftains have become feudal lords and are now renowned for their skills as heavy cavalry. [^3]
Soon the Empire’s silver payments began to dry up, still seeing how rich the land was, the Vlandians decided to take all of western Calradia in an invasion. They allied with the Massa tribe, who had recently been displaced from their land of Sargot, [^11] and fought the Calradian Empire. [^11] [^17] The Vlandians were led by a cadre of warlike nobles who preferred fighting with spear or lance on horseback. [^7] Back then, the early Vlandians would even go as far as to capture the emperor at one point, Emperor Vortios. [^18] The Empire failed to thwart the Vlandian incursions, so instead tried turning them into imperial clients. Granting them estates, land grants, and titles. The Vlandians settled, married, planted farms, and built fortresses — or otherwise seized them from the imperials. [^4] [^8] The Massa, for some reason, “moved on” from the land of Vlandia, which was now taking shape.
The Vlandians would go on to rebel, and so the Calradian Empire fought them once more. [^17] This was during the most recent interregnum when Calradian governance was weak. A warlord named “Osric Iron-Arm”, sometimes called “Osrac”, declared himself ‘King of Vlandia’. The emperor of that time, likely a Neretzes ancestor, sent Osric a golden crown as a goodwill gift and the price for peace. [^13] [^12] Still, Osric seized the lands of the western coast. Including the old imperial capital, Pravend, originally called “Baravenos” as well as “Paravenos”. [^4] [^14] Osric negotiated Pravend’s surrender with the local imperial senators. [^11]
With the Empire gone, and Oca, another warlord having just kicked the Battanians from the land which later becomes Ocs Hall, [^11] Vlandia was now fully conquered. And so Osric got to work. He turned to his companions, recognizing them as barons and counts. Osric granted them suzerainty over given lands in exchange for rallying to his banner in war. [^12] By this time, Vlandia finally took form into what we see in 1084, controlling the river valleys and pastures that were once some of the Calradian Empire's wealthiest lands. [^2] The people, known for steel-forging and their horses, and their armored riders who’re a constant menace to the Empire's western marches. [^17] A wholly unique kingdom drawing their traditions from both Calradia and their distant homelands. [^8]
The land, which is now Vlandia, is said to be pleasant. The south is warm and welcoming, with lush green grasses and the occasional red poppy field to break up the monotony. There are also fine pastures, where Vlandia’s renowned horses are bred and raised. [^11] Moving northward, you will find cool winds to greet you, blowing in from the Western Ocean. In places, sheep graze, either overlooking sea-cliffs or in thick woodlands which almost creep down to the shore. [^14]
Vlandia is tied to many aspects of a warrior culture — soldiers being elevated to knighthood by proving one's fighting skill: their valor, their cunning, and also one’s courage. [^16] This is why the Kingdom of Vlandia’s symbol is a lion, as these people not only fight ferociously, but also with strength, courage, and military might. [^5] Vlandia’s colors also signify meaning, via their banner’s color choice of a saturated and bloodlike red, meaning power and aggression.
Speaking of aggression, Vlandia’s current ruler: Derthert, is quite unlike his predecessors. In Derthert’s early days, he’d have fit the Vlandian king mold exactly, but in his more aged years the king has come to value peace. The king was worn down by year after year of struggle against his own vassals who swore fealty to his family, only to break their oaths, time and time again. [^17]
In his youth, Derthert dreamt of glorious conquest, just like his father who spent his life in the saddle. [^13] But instead, Derthert spent most of his reign simply putting down revolts, quashing pretenders, and keeping his fractious barons in line. When it was possible, Derthert preferred to rule by arbitration. Either through law, [^13] or by simply persuading his vassals to set aside claims to each other's lands and enjoy what they have. [^10] And so, in 1084, the warrior peoples of Vlandia finally have a more peaceful king — *and they couldn’t be less enthusiastic…*
Derthert dey Meroc is a cunning but weary man whose trying to retain his compassion. [^17] The Vlandian people regard their ruler as a decent man, if a tired one. There’s even a short poem the children of Vlandia sing: “The foes of Vlandia came a-plundering. King Derthert summoned his men to the keep! They rode to his muster with their hooves a-thundering. But Derthert had already gone to sleep.” [^9] Still, Derthert’s family sees the common-folk as a counterbalance to the nobility, and have sought to elevate them to offices of authority where they reasonably can.
This peace which Derthert preserves is anathema to the many mercenary companies who roam Vlandia. Comprised of men who never really took well to a victory or truce, ending a war. Instead of going home to their families, like the Vlandian aristocracy, sipping their Battanian white wine so popular among the upper class, [^11] many Vlandian footmen stay in the field, and Vlandia’s famed crossbowmen are no different. Typically found in such roaming mercenary companies, Vlandia’s crossbowmen are highly valued in throughout Calradia for their skill. [^15]
**How does their economy and military work?** First, the policies immediately active for this faction are: *Castle Charters* (Nobles are encouraged to fortify their estates, and can requisition labor and materials to do so) and *Feudal Inheritance* (States with strict and formal laws of inheritance make it more difficult to revoke land).
See list below counting villages, from the `Cultures > Economy` #fragment
> [!economy]- Vlandia Economy
| ![[production.png\|17]] | ![[olives.png\|25]] | ![[grain.png\|25]] | ![[flax.png\|25]] | ![[horses.png\|25]] | ![[fur.png\|25]] | ![[grapes.png\|25]] | ![[fish.png\|25]] | ![[iron.png\|25]] | ![[hogs.png\|25]] | ![[sheep.png\|25]] | ![[silver.png\|25]] | ![[hardwood.png\|25]] | ![[clay.png\|25]] |
| :---------------------: | :-----------------: | :----------------: | :---------------: | :-----------------: | :--------------: | :-----------------: | :---------------: | :---------------: | :---------------: | :----------------: | :-----------------: | :-------------------: | :---------------: |
| (#) | **7** | **6** | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
1. `Vlandian Recruit` / `Vlandian Footman` *(light infantry)* Every Vlandian village is expected to supply a levy of troops for its feudal lord, and if the quota isn't met the lord will come around and take away some fresh-faced youths at sword point. Rarely do the lords waste much time or money giving them equipment or training. But still a crafty peasant will find ways to survive by looting enemies (and comrades) and by staying with more experienced allies. [^1]
2. `Vlandian Sergeant` *(heavy infantry)* Vlandian sergeants are commoners who found they have a knack for bloodletting. Often they've served time in a mercenary company, or drift from lord to lord. They're famous throughout Calradia for their tenacity and professionalism. They are the anvil part of a Vlandian force's ‘Hammer and Anvil’, the hammer of course being the knights. [^1]
3. `Vlandian Voulgier` *(shock infantry)* Among the peasant levy's biggest, meanest and the quickest are selected and trained to become the feared Voulgiers. These polearm wielding soldiers serve Vlandian armies as shocktroopers and lay waste to enemy infantry. [^1]
4. `Vlandian Levy Crossbowman` *(light ranged)* Vlandian warlords discovered that while levying peasants is a necessary evil, they can get the most out of it by giving them crossbows and teaching them how to point and shoot properly with it. Using this machine, which in essence is a handheld version of the feared Calradic ballistae, Vlandian arbalests can punch a hole through even the heaviest of the armor of the day. [^1]
5. `Vlandian Sharpshooter` *(heavy ranged)* The picturesque pastoral heaven that is southern Vlandia has a tradition of training the best arbalests in all of Calradia. They are highly sought after as mercenaries or trainers for other arbalests throughout all of Vlandia. These folk know their business very well and they are ready for everything, be it an incoming knight on the charge or a longbowman shooting from behind battlements. [^1]
6. `Vlandian Vanguard` *(light cavalry)* Vanguards are usually sons and daughters of wealthy burghers, minor nobility or anyone who can afford a horse. They make up the mainstream light cavalry of the Vlandians. They serve as vanguards, scouts, out flanking flankers — *or* — they are used when knights don't want to bother chasing down routed troops, or faster moving light / ranged cavalry. [^1]
7. `Vlandian Banner Knight` *(heavy cavalry)* Vlandian knights who train for war for almost every day of their lives, they are truly are a force to be reckoned with. When they appear on the battlefield they strike fear into their enemies. When they start their charge, even the ground trembles under their heavy thundering hooves. [^1]
When it comes to the faction’s suspected army size, the Kingdom of Vlandia could roughly raise 2,300 soldiers in 1 month.
> [!tip-custom]- Army Size Estimate Breakdown
> - Every clan income put together would be ![[denar.png|15]]34,500 total daily income.
> - While a well-rounded army has all 4 types of troops (ie. infantry, archers, horsearchers, and cavalry) each one, noble-born or commoner, actually costs the same at tier 3.
> - Also, despite there being 5 - *sometimes 6* - tiers in a troop tree, let’s choose tier 3 as it’s closest to the middle.
> - Each tier 3 troop costs ![[denar.png|15]]100 denarii to recruit, and ![[denar.png|15]]5 more in daily wages. That’s ![[denar.png|15]]105.
> - ![[denar.png|15]]34,500/ ![[denar.png|15]]105 = 328 total army size
> - Thus, the they could amass: 328 tier 3 troops each day.
> - In Bannerlord, 7 in-game days = 1 month.
> - The Kingdom of Vlandia could roughly raise 2,300 soldiers in 1 month.
**When did this faction begin?** The Kingdom of Vlandia was founded in 882, when the Calradian Empire granted Uthor, a warlord of the ‘Waland Seafarers’ who had long ravaged the western coasts, the title: ‘Dux of the Sea’. But since then, Vlandia has declared itself an independent kingdom, controlling the river valleys and pastures that were once some of the Empire's wealthiest lands. [^2]
**Where are they located?** From the tip of Gandig’s Point down to the bottom where the Gulf of Shariz, aka Charas, is where Vlandia lies.
Map from `Geography > Maps > Toponyms`
![[vlandia_region.webp|center|400]]
>   <br> [![[Encyclopedia_Calradica_Logo_2.png|center|400]]](Calradica.md)<br>
>“A massive **Mount & Blade** wikipedia!” <br> [— About Calradica](Calradica.md) <br>[— About Project](Project.md) <br>[— About Author](Horseapple.md) <br>  
[^1]: [[3-multiplayer_strings-(Bannerlord)]]
[^2]: [[3-world_lore_strings-(Bannerlord)]]
[^3]: [[Blog_7_Imperial_Declines]]
[^4]: [[Blog_34_Vlandia]]
[^5]: [[Blog_54_Faction_Banners]]
[^6]: [[Blog_100_Horse_Breeds]]
[^7]: [[3-module-strings-(Bannerlord)]]
[^8]: [[3-spcultures-(Bannerlord)]]
[^9]: [[3-std_sandbox-(Bannerlord)]]
[^10]: [[3-heroes-(Bannerlord)]]
[^11]: [[3-settlements-(Bannerlord)]]
[^12]: [[3-spkingdoms-(Bannerlord)]]
[^13]: [[3-world_lore_strings-(Bannerlord)]]
[^14]: [[3-Travels-in-Calradia-(DLC)]]
[^15]: [[3-std_common_strings-(Bannerlord)]]
[^16]: [[3-Travels-in-Calradia-(DLC)]]
[^17]: [[3-spclans-(Bannerlord)]]
[^18]: [[3-comments-(Bannerlord)]]
[^19]: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Galen
[^20]: [[3-settlements-(Bannerlord)]]
[^21]: [[3-module-strings-(Bannerlord)]]
[^22]: [[2-strings-(Warband)]]
[^23]: [[3-settlements-(Bannerlord)]]
[^24]: https://www.britannica.com/place/Albion-island-Europe