![[factions_banner.webp]]
`Nov. 25, 2025` · [[Horseapple]] · #Fragment #Factions #Bannerlord
> [!quote-custom]+ [[3-heroes-(Bannerlord)]]
> “The southern third of the Empire is ruled by Rhagaea, widow of the murdered emperor. For her, politics is personal: *(…)* some Calradians who believe that the endless squabbling and civil wars can only be overcome by a king, or, if necessary, by a queen.” **~ TaleWorlds**
![[southern-empire-banner.webp|left|150]]**Who are they, What do they believe, and Why?** The lands that are now the Southern Empire were once ruled by proud independent city-states controlling trading routes over the Perassic Sea and the steppe. They invited the Empire into their internal feuds and one by one they were absorbed. Some by treaty, some by conquest. Calradian aristocrats intermarried with merchant princes and nomad chiefs, many of whom claimed descent from the kings, champions, and demigods of eastern legends. In recent generations, as these towns grew to become some of the richest and most populous in the continent, many Senatorial families elsewhere became suspicious that the southerners would someday try to make one of their own into a hereditary monarch. The southern nobility's support for Rhagaea, an unapologetic advocate of the dynastic principle, would seem to confirm these fears. [^14]
> [!tip-custom]- Clans
> | **Clan**<br>**Banner** | [![[pethros-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Pethros.md) | [![[mestricaros-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Mestricaros.md) | [![[leonipardes-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Leonipardes.md) | [![[Hongeros-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Hongeros.md) | [![[julios-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Julios.md) | [![[vizartos-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Vizartos.md) | [![[avlonos-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Avlonos.md) | [![[vetranis-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Vetranis.md) | [![[priencos-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Prienicos.md) |
| :------------------------: | :---------------------------------------------: | :-----------------------------------------------------: | :-----------------------------------------------------: | :-----------------------------------------------: | :-------------------------------------------: | :-----------------------------------------------: | :---------------------------------------------: | :-----------------------------------------------: | :------------------------------------------------: |
| **Name** | [[Pethros]] | [[Mestricaros]] | [[Leonipardes]] | [[Hongeros]] | [[Julios]] | [[Vizartos]] | [[Avlonos]] | [[Vetranis]] | [[Prienicos]] |
| **Tier** | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| **Leader** | [[Rhagaea]] | [[Oros]] | [[Pharon]] | [[Turiados]] | [[Baranor]] | [[Sichanis]] | [[Serandon]] | [[Satros]] | [[Abalytos]] |
| **Wealth** | ![[denar.png\|15]]7900 | ![[denar.png\|15]]5600 | ![[denar.png\|15]]4500 | ![[denar.png\|15]]3700 | ![[denar.png\|15]]3900 | ![[denar.png\|15]]1700 | ![[denar.png\|15]]8200 | ![[denar.png\|15]]1100 | ![[denar.png\|15]]700 |
> [!tip-custom]- Settlements
> | **Banner** | **Name** | **Town(s)** | **Castle(s)** | **Villages** |
| :-----------------------------------------------------: | :-------------: | :-------------: | :---------------------------------: | :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------: |
| [![[pethros-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Pethros.md) | [[Pethros]] | Lycaron · Onira | Sestadaim-Castle · Chanopsis-Castle | Amycon · Canterion · Chanopsis · Lanthas · Lartusys · Parasemnos · Popsia · Sagora · Sestadaim |
| [![[mestricaros-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Mestricaros.md) | [[Mestricaros]] | Danustica | Odrysa-Castle · Lavenia-Castle | Caira · Erebulos · Ethemisa · Lavenia · Odrysa · Polisia · Tegresos |
| [![[leonipardes-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Leonipardes.md) | [[Leonipardes]] | Poros | *none* | Canoros · Tevea · Zestea |
| [![[Hongeros-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Hongeros.md) | [[Hongeros]] | Vostrum | *none* | Alision · Avalyps · Gorcorys |
| [![[julios-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Julios.md) | [[Julios]] | Syronea | Corenia-Castle | Corenia · Metachia · Psotai · Vargornis |
| [![[vizartos-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Vizartos.md) | [[Vizartos]] | Phycaon | *none* | Saldannis · Spotia |
| [![[avlonos-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Avlonos.md) | [[Avlonos]] | *none* | Melion-Castle | Melion-Castle |
| [![[vetranis-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Vetranis.md) | [[Vetranis]] | *none* | Jogurys-Castle | Eunalica · Jogurys |
| [![[priencos-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Prienicos.md) | [[Prienicos]] | *none* | Morenia-Castle | Atphynia · Morenia |
The Southern Empire, much like its leader: Rhagaea Pethros, is noted for its stability and nobility. [^9] Rhagaea is the niece of the second-to-last emperor: Drosios Neretzes. [^20] But it is only blood they share, as Rhagaea did not capture the late emperor’s stubbornness. Instead, Rhagaea is a soft-spoken and courteous woman, whose reported to have “searching eyes” and to be a pretty clever ruler. [^13] [^19]
Rhagaea is often labeled “half-foreign”, “foreign”, or even *erroneously* “foreign-born” because — regardless of her being birthed in Calradia — Rhagaea was raised abroad in Darshia. She was taken in by her blood relative, a petty king from the lands of the east: the Darshi Padishah. And then, in 1063, Arenicos married Rhagaea to shore up an important trade route through the Devseg Plateau, formerly known as “Transtanaesia” before the Khuzait horde displaced the inhabitants. [^21]
Flash forward to 1082, or before then, and Arenicos is assassinated. He was supposedly poisoned in his chambers at Lycaron. Arenicos had complained about a headache after returning from the Battanian-Imperial border and asked for time alone to nurse it. Hours later, one of the emperor’s Nordic mercenaries, the Vaegir Guard, found him dead in a pool of his own blood. [^22] [^23]
Arenicos had a good reign, all told, but there lay one shadow over it. Arenicos was reluctant to choose his successor. While Arenicos’ only child Ira is a girl, there have been ruling empresses in the past, only Ira has a streak for irreverence. Nonetheless, Ira’s right to rule has been pushed forth by her mother Rhagaea, saying: “If we unite in loyalty to the imperial family, the civil wars will stop.” [^10]
Rumors spread throughout the capital, Lycaron, of Arenicos’ passing and it was Rhagaea who confirmed them. Raising his blood to the crowds and proclaiming her vengeance on those who stole his life. Simultaneously, both Garios and Lucon were convening with their own supporters and making their own declarations. War was brewing. The Calradian Empire then shattered into what we see in-game, one final imperial civil war.
Rhagaea claims that Arenicos named her as his heir. But both Garios and Lucon state this could be a lie, and Lucon even goes on to say that if she is telling the truth then this is merely proof that even good emperors — like Arenicos — can be overcome by bouts of madness. [^15] [^18]
As for Rhagaea’s thoughts on Lucon and Garios, she has this to say: “The Senate are a bunch of greedy squabbling rich old men, and there is good reason why the people no longer accept them as their masters.” and “I will pursue policies that I believe to be sensible, such as persuading the Aserai and the Khuzait to accept imperial citizenship and join us rather than harass our frontiers.” [^15]
Rhagaea is unwavering in her pursuit of re-uniting the Empire, and is willing to risk her life for it. However she acknowledges that wars are always paid primarily by civilians, saying “Whoever wins this war, landlords will cheat tenants, city guards will demand bribes from merchants, warriors will rape farmers' daughters, husbands will beat wives. The plague and the flux will take more lives than all the evils of man put together. I will strive to be a good queen, but I can offer no guarantee that my heir, or my heir's heir, will not be a monster.” Rhagaea goes on to say: “I could marry Lucon or Garios, and save thousands of lives. But men are willing to fight for me, though it gains them nothing, for no other reason that the throne is my right. I will not betray these men. If I win, in centuries to come, people will think back on my victory and think, ‘Heavens smile on those who fight for their rights.’ That is all one can do.” [^11] [^17]
Many senators, generals, archons, and lords stand in Rhagaea’s way for one reason or another. A big one being that Ira is thought to be mad, and so Rhagaea taking the throne makes it one easy-step for her daughter to inherit it. [^16]
Overview of Rhagaea’s / Southern Empire’s philosophy: [^18]
- Yes — Women can join the Senate.
- *No — Soldiers should not be given pensions by the Empire.*
- Yes — Foreigners can become citizens.
- *No — Slaves cannot buy their freedom.*
- *No — The Senate chooses the next emperor.*
**How does their economy and military work?** First, the policies immediately active for this faction are: *Senate* (All lords have a formal role on the council) and *Royal Privilege* (There is a long list of reasons why a ruler can reject a law passed by the council. A ruler does not need to search long to find an excuse for a veto).
See list below counting villages, from the `Cultures > Economy` #fragment
> [!economy]- Southern Empire Economy
| ![[production.png\|17]] | ![[grain.png\|25]] | ![[sheep.png\|25]] | ![[salt.png\|25]] | ![[silk.png\|25]] | ![[clay.png\|25]] | ![[horses.png\|25]] | ![[silver.png\|25]] | ![[fish.png\|25]] | ![[hardwood.png\|25]] | ![[flax.png\|25]] | ![[hogs.png\|25]] |
| :---------------------: | :----------------: | :----------------: | :---------------: | :---------------: | :---------------: | :-----------------: | :-----------------: | :---------------: | :-------------------: | :---------------: | :---------------: |
| (#) | **8** | **5** | **5** | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
> (*Note*: Finally, when it comes to the military-makeup of each vying faction in the imperial civil war, I chose to differentiate them through focuses. And so for the Southern Empire, their “strategos’” [^24] [^25] or commander’s / general’s armies are made up primarily of three main troop types.)
1. `Imperial Infantryman` *(skirmisher)* The core of the empire's armies are its professional infantry and heavy cataphracts, but today's hard-pressed imperial commanders will usually bring along a sizeable force of volunteer auxiliaries to pad out the numbers. They're expected to stay out of melee, flank the enemy and pelt them with javelins. [^8]
2. `Imperial Archer` / `Imperial Crossbowman` *(bowman)* The empire's neighbors sometimes deride its city-dwellers as pampered and weak, but this can't be further from the truth. The Empire is surrounded by enemies and citizens willingly join their town militia to learn to defend its walls, usually specializing in archery. Commanders will often take them on campaign, where they serve as bowmen or arbalests depending on the need. [^8]
3. `Imperial Palatine Guard` *(archer)* The imperial palace guard has its pick of the Empire's armies to serve in the guard, offering high wages and one of the most prestigious posts available. They are expected to set an example to the other units, both with their fighting prowess and with their sense of duty. As one never knows what use the Emperor will have for them, they are expected to master both bows and close-quarters combat. [^8]
When it comes to the faction’s suspected army size, the Southern Empire could roughly raise 2,486 soldiers in 1 month.
> [!tip-custom]- Army Size Estimate Breakdown
> - Every clan income put together would be ![[denar.png|15]]37,300 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]]37,300 / ![[denar.png|15]]105 = 355 total army size
> - Thus, the they could amass: 355 tier 3 troops each day.
> - In Bannerlord, 7 in-game days = 1 month.
> - The Southern Empire could roughly raise 2,486 soldiers in 1 month.
**When did this faction begin?** It is currently impossible to know the exact date of when the Imperial Civil War began and when each faction seceded from the Calradian Empire proper. However, we can certainly make an educated-guess. Mine is that this current imperial civil war, and Arenicos’ tragic poisoning, occurred in 1082 in May of Late Spring
As for my rationale… *well uh*, the “Travels in Calradia” by Asaios in the DLC to Bannerlord is recounted just before Arenicos’ assassination and carries on afterward. And while the scribe doesn’t explicitly mention any year, he does mentioned the seasons as they progress. That said, Arenicos dying in May could be any May after 1077, and before 1083 – 1084. I chose 1082 as it’s closest.
> [!tip-custom]- Civil War Start Date Breakdown
> - Drosios Neretzes dies in 1077 - Arenicos crowned
> - Asaios started working with Istiana 1-year ago in March of Early Spring
> - — 28-months ago
> - Arenicos dies 2-months later and Empire shatters in May of Late Spring
> - — 26-months ago (2-years and 2-months ago)
> - Asaios begins his journey in March of Early Spring
> - — 16-months ago
> - Journey ends in Late Autumn or Fall, in November and Vostrum captured
> - — 8-month gap
> - Bannerlord begins in Early Summer of June in 1084
**Where are they located?** The Southern Empire is located between the Aris Valley and the start of the rolling Akkan Hills.
Map from `Geography > Maps > Toponyms`
![[southern_empire_region.webp|center|500]]
>   <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>  
[^8]: [[3-multiplayer_strings-(Bannerlord)]]
[^9]: [[Blog_54_Faction_Banners]]
[^10]: [[Blog_42_Empire_Pt.1]]
[^11]: [[3-companion_strings-(Bannerlord)]]
[^12]: [[3-heroes-(Bannerlord)]]
[^13]: [[3-lords-(Bannerlord)]]
[^14]: [[3-spkingdoms-(Bannerlord)]]
[^15]: [[3-wanderer_strings-(Bannerlord)]]
[^16]: [[3-world_lore_strings-(Bannerlord)]]
[^17]: [[3-world_lore_strings-(Bannerlord)]]
[^18]: [[3-world_lore_strings-(Bannerlord)]]
[^19]: [[3-std_story_mode-(Bannerlord)]]
[^20]: [[3-spclans-(Bannerlord)]]
[^21]: [[Blog_42_Empire_Pt.1]]
[^22]: [[3-std_sandbox-(Bannerlord)]]
[^23]: [[Blog_42_Empire_Pt.1]]
[^24]: [[3-std_common_strings-(Bannerlord)]]
[^25]: [[Character-creation-background-choices]]