![[factions_banner.webp]] `Nov. 7, 2025` · [[Horseapple]] · #Fragment #Factions #Bannerlord > [!quote-custom]+ [[3-heroes-(Bannerlord)]] > “The western third of the Empire is ruled by Garios, a charismatic general who represents a longstanding populist trend in imperial politics. He is deeply loved by his soldiers, both for his solid record in winning battles and for his insistence that his veterans be compensated in land afterwards. He often demands that the 'people' should settle key issues, but in practice this usually means an assembly of his soldiers, where his veterans can be counted on to shut down opposition.” **~ TaleWorlds** ![[western-empire-banner.webp|left|150]]**Who are they, What do they believe, and Why?** The western half of the Imperial Heartlands is a warmish green of oak forests, volcanic outcrops, and decrepit edifices of the old Palaic tribes before or after they were conquered during the Calradic Republic era. While Palaics intermarried with the Calradian colonists, their old languages and customs are mostly forgotten, except in a few hidden-away villages. [^11] > [!tip-custom]- Clans > | **Clan**<br>**Banner** | [![[comnos-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Comnos.md) | [![[varros-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Varros.md) | [![[dionicos-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Dionicos.md) | [![[elaches-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Elaches.md) | [![[lonalion-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Lonalion.md) | [![[sorados-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Sorados.md) | [![[corenios-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Corenios.md) | [![[palladios-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Palladios.md) | [![[maneolis-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Maneolis.md) | | :--------------------: | :-------------------------------------------: | :-------------------------------------------: | :-----------------------------------------------: | :---------------------------------------------: | :-----------------------------------------------: | :---------------------------------------------: | :-----------------------------------------------: | :-------------------------------------------------: | :-----------------------------------------------: | | **Name** | [[Comnos]] | [[Varros]] | [[Dionicos]] | [[Elaches]] | [[Lonalion]] | [[Sorados]] | [[Corenios]] | [[Palladios]] | [[Maneolis]] | | **Tier** | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | | **Leader** | [[Garios]] | [[Apys]] | [[Crotor]] | [[Tynops]] | [[Desporion]] | [[Saratis]] | [[Achios]] | [[Vincantios]] | [[Vipon]] | | **Wealth** | ![[denar.png\|15]]7400 | ![[denar.png\|15]]5400 | ![[denar.png\|15]]3600 | ![[denar.png\|15]]3500 | ![[denar.png\|15]]3400 | ![[denar.png\|15]]800 | ![[denar.png\|15]]900 | ![[denar.png\|15]]1300 | ![[denar.png\|15]]700 | > [!tip-custom]- Settlements > | **Banner** | **Name** | **Town(s)** | **Castle(s)** | **Villages** | | :-------------------------------------------------: | :-----------: | :----------------: | :---------------: | :------------------------------------------------------------------: | | [![[comnos-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Comnos.md) | [[Comnos]] | Jalmarys · Zeonica | Onica-Castle | Aegosca · Alsasos · Dradios · Neocorys · Onica · Tarcutis · Zeocorys | | [![[varros-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Varros.md) | [[Varros]] | Ortysia | Garontor-Castle | Arpotis · Garengolia · Garontor · Lysia · Vinela | | [![[dionicos-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Dionicos.md) | [[Dionicos]] | Lageta | Thractorae-Castle | Gamardan · Montos · Primessos · Thractorae | | [![[elaches-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Elaches.md) | [[Elaches]] | Amitatys | Thorios-Castle | Bergum · Elipa · Phasos · Thorios | | [![[lonalion-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Lonalion.md) | [[Lonalion]] | Rhotae | *none* | Carphenion · Leblenion · Thersenion | | [![[sorados-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Sorados.md) | [[Sorados]] | *none* | Gersegos-Castle | Gersegos-Castle | | [![[corenios-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Corenios.md) | [[Corenios]] | *none* | Veron-Castle | Goleryn · Veron | | [![[palladios-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Palladios.md) | [[Palladios]] | *none* | Oristocorys-Castle | Elvania · Oristocorys | | [![[maneolis-clan-banner.webp\|50]]](Maneolis.md) | [[Maneolis]] | *none* | Hertogea-Castle | Hertogea · Nideon | The Western Empire is an adventurous and risk-taking faction. Who’re primarily militaristic. Hence the sword above the double-headed eagle. [^9] In this land the legions have traditionally been a pathway out of poverty, and many of the most ambitious generals have drawn their most loyal soldiers from this region. The families here have naturally fallen in line with Garios, the partisan of soldiers and their interests. [^11] This faction is ruled by general Garios Comnos. A famous and charismatic figure and a rising star in current imperial history. [^10] Some say he’s a brave man, a strong warrior, and fierce fighter. But some also call him an upstart demagogue or tyrant, depending on who you ask. [^16] What’s uncontested however, is Garios’ reputation as a womanizer. [^13] [^17] For instance, Garios’ first wife was Martira, the sister and new wife of Pharon Leonipardes of the Southern Empire. [^19] They separated after he had been caught cheating on her with another woman, and so Martira left Garios for her own brother: Pharon. *Again it says, apparently…* Garios represents a long running populist trend in Empire politics. The general is deeply loved by his soldiers, for both his incredible track record of victories as well as his insistence that veterans be properly rewarded for their sacrifice. Just like his uncle Pateor, before Lucon and the Senate murdered him, Garios has gone around loudly demanding that the state distribute land to his veterans. Garios’ actions were so disruptive pre-civil war that even the Bureau of Barbarian Affairs, which typically deals with outside threats to the Empire, began watching on Garios. [^18] The general believes that the people should settle key issues, although admittedly, Garios specifically means the military. Soldiers have been said to be going around and shutting down opposition. [^10] Milos Elaches says Garios is no democrat, but, quote: “he has faith”. Faith in what? I don’t know. Maybe Garios will turn power over to the citizens of the Empire, maybe not, certainly no one else will. [^16] Rhagaea has said that she actually believes Garios when he claims to fight for his men. [^16] Lucon says that Garios thinks the Senate is corrupt and a block in front of any real change. Garios believing this may be true, as Panalea Phalentes of the Northern Empire had her rights of inheritance dismissed after her husband died. [^14] Panalea’s husband had been another general like Garios, maybe they knew each other, maybe Garios witnessed his death. Nonetheless, after Panalea’s husband’s death, Garios spoke to the Senate on behalf of Panalea on the topic of her right to inherit. Maybe Garios was entangled with Panalea, or maybe he was genuinely trying to help her. In any case, “no” was the Senate’s response, as they voted against it. Jump forward in time to 1082, Arenicos dies in his bed chamber at Lycaron after being poisoned, and Garios learns of the tragedy whilst campaigning on the Battanian frontier. [^12] Garios calls to his captains for his soldiers to spread the word and assemble the armies. As his captains got to work, Garios may have thought to himself: “This Empire will never have peace until it is run by an Emperor whom the soldiers love. What do they want? A ruler who trains them hard, one who fights them hard, one who rewards them generously. I can do that. Heavens know I loved Arenicos. I shed *(my / his)* blood for them. [^15] [^16] But his dream of peace with our neighbors was moonshine. You can have war on the frontiers or at home. I prefer the former. Let the men earn glory, gold, and slaves — and return home with tales for their grandchildren.” With the soldiers now assembled Garios began to speak: “The Corruption of the powerful has sapped out strength, let it be you — the soldiers — who’ve bled for the land, choose it’s next ruler.” [^12] As Garios stood before his assembled soldiers he heard it, they cried out for him to don the purple and become emperor. [^12] Rhagaea and Lucon also united their power-bases and proclaimed their own rulership over the Empire and thus: the Calradian Empire fragmented into what we see in-game, in 1084. Another imperial civil war. Garios' philosophy: “I want everyone in the Empire to know that there is no better way in life to get ahead than to become a soldier. I want to hand out land. I want to give them pensions when they retire. I want them to hold high public office. And they should get to choose the Emperor. I don't know if Arenicos really named Rhagaea as Empress, or if that's one of her lies, and I don't care. What I do know is this: I don't want this empire run by a Padishah's daughter. It needs a soldier-emperor. It needs me.” [^16] Overview of Garios’ / Western Empire’s philosophy: [^16] - Yes — Women can join the Senate. - Yes — Soldiers should be given pensions by the Empire. - *No — Foreigners cannot become citizens.* - Yes — Slaves can buy their freedom. - *No — The Senate won’t 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). See list below counting villages, from the `Cultures > Economy` #fragment > [!economy]- Western Empire Economy | ![[production.png\|17]] | ![[grain.png\|25]] | ![[grapes.png\|25]] | ![[horses.png\|25]] | ![[iron.png\|25]] | ![[silver.png\|25]] | ![[salt.png\|25]] | ![[cattle.png\|25]] | ![[hogs.png\|25]] | ![[sheep.png\|25]] | ![[hardwood.png\|25]] | ![[dates.png\|25]] | ![[olives.png\|25]] | | :---------------------: | :----------------: | :-----------------: | :-----------------: | :---------------: | :-----------------: | :---------------: | :-----------------: | :---------------: | :----------------: | :-------------------: | :----------------: | :-----------------: | | (#) | **9** | **6** | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 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 Western 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 Legionary` **“Skutatoi”** *(footmen)* These professional soldiers are paid by the state and they are excellent close quarters fighters. Imperial commanders used to call them Skutatoi because of the great shields they wield. But the name didn't stick to the proud soldiers who liked to be called Legionaries instead, in honor of the legions of old. [^8] 3. `Imperial Menavliaton` *(spearmen)* Menavlion infantry are trained and entrusted with a 'menavlion,' a deadly polearm with a sharp, long double edged blade for a head and a thick sturdy shaft that is useful for both stabbing and chopping. Usually they stand right behind legionaries and support them and step forward when cavalry comes near or enemy formation breaks. [^8] When it comes to the faction’s suspected army size, the Western Empire could roughly raise 1,800 soldiers in 1 month. > [!tip-custom]- Army Size Estimate Breakdown > - Every clan income put together would be ![[denar.png|15]]27,000 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]]27,000 / ![[denar.png|15]]105 = 257 total army size > - Thus, the they could amass: 257 tier 3 troops each day. > - In Bannerlord, 7 in-game days = 1 month. > - The Western Empire could roughly raise 1,800 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 Western Empire is situated between the Glen of Balasog and the Ilataric Hills. Map from `Geography > Maps > Toponyms` ![[western_empire_region.webp|center|500]] > &emsp;&emsp;<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>&emsp;&emsp; [^8]: [[3-multiplayer_strings-(Bannerlord)]] [^9]: [[Blog_54_Faction_Banners]] [^10]: [[3-heroes-(Bannerlord)]] [^11]: [[3-spkingdoms-(Bannerlord)]] [^12]: [[Blog_42_Empire_Pt.1]] [^13]: [[3-std_sandbox-(Bannerlord)]] [^14]: [[3-lords-(Bannerlord)]] [^15]: [[3-wanderer_strings-(Bannerlord)]] [^16]: [[3-world_lore_strings-(Bannerlord)]] [^17]: [[3-std_story_mode-(Bannerlord)]] [^18]: [[3-Travels-in-Calradia-(DLC)]] [^19]: [[3-lords-(Bannerlord)]] [^24]: [[3-std_common_strings-(Bannerlord)]] [^25]: [[Character-creation-background-choices]]