I want to talk about certain aspects of the game, which I personally love, and which I believe are often misunderstood, but work anyway.
Namely the inspiration behind the glorious factions of Bannerlord.
And first thing’s first – let’s start with the Empire. It is needless to say that the Empire represents Byzantium, the whole lot of it. Now I know that some fans wish to believe that the Western Empire is supposed to represent Rome, but I don’t think so, in fact, I do believe, that the Empire in BL represents solely the Byzantine Empire, during the period of early to high period – around 1050 AD. The Western Empire may represent Epirus, but I don’t believe that it represents Rome at all.
Having said that, and hopefully not enraged some of you, dear readers, I continue with Battania. Now it is a well known fact that the Celtic tribes started their migration to the north east, from the hills and plains of Anatolia and the Balkans. There were many representatives of their culture here in the Balkans, and they formed kingdoms like Tylis (modern day Tulovo) and Galatia, which was in Anatolia. It is true also that the Celtic people have close blood with the Dacians and Thracians. And that leads me to my next point Batannians have falxmen. Falxmen! These are not weapons, used in the British Celts, these were exclusively been used by the Thracians, Dacians, and all sort of their tribesmen here. It is a weapon which has its roots since Rome first invaded here in the Balkans. And that is the reason why I believe that Battanians have draw more inspiration from their Balkan Celtic counterparts, and not the British Celts.
Next stop – The Sturgians. They are Kievian Rus, of course, and as we all know, these formed the Varangian Guard in the Byzantine Empire. But not many people know that the Kievians invaded the Balkans around 965-70 AD, so there was actually a Kievian territory here in the Balkans.
And for dessert – The Vlandians. The Vlandians are Normans, according to the DevBlog, so long time ago. However in the early to high medieval period the Normans were all over Europe at that time, so that doesn’t say much. “The Vlandians are mercenaries and warriors from other lands across the sea”, that is what the blog says. So doesn’t that remind anyone of the Latin Empire, from the 4th Crusade, which which was created after the invaders, sieged and looted Constantinople, eventually ruining the Byzantium Empire beyond repair. Don’t tell me that this doesn’t fit perfectly the narrative, here in Bannerlord!
As for the Khuzaits, everyone knows that various Turkic and Mongol tribes invaded Anatolia, as well as the rest of the world. And the Aserai, well Byzantium’s great struggles were exactly with the arabs, where a lot of their armies were engaged. So no surprises here.
And that is all that I wish to say – All of these factions describe the rich colorful palette that is the multicultural heritage of Turkey and the Balkans, which is so diverse and rich that it somehow represents also the whole European scene, but on a smaller scale. And I don’t know about you, but I find this amazing and extremely inspiring!
And I am saying this as a Bulgarian, and I can’t help but feel interconnected with all of this historical symbolism. So well done Taleworlds!
When I see the map of Bannerlord, I see the map of the Balkans and Anatolia, and I very much love it! My respect to the creators of this awesome game and this awesome tale that is Bannerlord.
Whether the Northern Empire has some roots connected to the Bulgarian Tzardom (which was part of the Byzantine Empire at a certain point) I don’t know, I have no idea, but I can hope and I can dream.
So thank you, Taleworlds! You have created a game which will be so very close to my heart, for a long, long time!
I wish you all Happy Holidays and stay safe and healthy!
Kind Regards!
Namely the inspiration behind the glorious factions of Bannerlord.
And first thing’s first – let’s start with the Empire. It is needless to say that the Empire represents Byzantium, the whole lot of it. Now I know that some fans wish to believe that the Western Empire is supposed to represent Rome, but I don’t think so, in fact, I do believe, that the Empire in BL represents solely the Byzantine Empire, during the period of early to high period – around 1050 AD. The Western Empire may represent Epirus, but I don’t believe that it represents Rome at all.
Having said that, and hopefully not enraged some of you, dear readers, I continue with Battania. Now it is a well known fact that the Celtic tribes started their migration to the north east, from the hills and plains of Anatolia and the Balkans. There were many representatives of their culture here in the Balkans, and they formed kingdoms like Tylis (modern day Tulovo) and Galatia, which was in Anatolia. It is true also that the Celtic people have close blood with the Dacians and Thracians. And that leads me to my next point Batannians have falxmen. Falxmen! These are not weapons, used in the British Celts, these were exclusively been used by the Thracians, Dacians, and all sort of their tribesmen here. It is a weapon which has its roots since Rome first invaded here in the Balkans. And that is the reason why I believe that Battanians have draw more inspiration from their Balkan Celtic counterparts, and not the British Celts.
Next stop – The Sturgians. They are Kievian Rus, of course, and as we all know, these formed the Varangian Guard in the Byzantine Empire. But not many people know that the Kievians invaded the Balkans around 965-70 AD, so there was actually a Kievian territory here in the Balkans.
And for dessert – The Vlandians. The Vlandians are Normans, according to the DevBlog, so long time ago. However in the early to high medieval period the Normans were all over Europe at that time, so that doesn’t say much. “The Vlandians are mercenaries and warriors from other lands across the sea”, that is what the blog says. So doesn’t that remind anyone of the Latin Empire, from the 4th Crusade, which which was created after the invaders, sieged and looted Constantinople, eventually ruining the Byzantium Empire beyond repair. Don’t tell me that this doesn’t fit perfectly the narrative, here in Bannerlord!
As for the Khuzaits, everyone knows that various Turkic and Mongol tribes invaded Anatolia, as well as the rest of the world. And the Aserai, well Byzantium’s great struggles were exactly with the arabs, where a lot of their armies were engaged. So no surprises here.
And that is all that I wish to say – All of these factions describe the rich colorful palette that is the multicultural heritage of Turkey and the Balkans, which is so diverse and rich that it somehow represents also the whole European scene, but on a smaller scale. And I don’t know about you, but I find this amazing and extremely inspiring!
And I am saying this as a Bulgarian, and I can’t help but feel interconnected with all of this historical symbolism. So well done Taleworlds!
When I see the map of Bannerlord, I see the map of the Balkans and Anatolia, and I very much love it! My respect to the creators of this awesome game and this awesome tale that is Bannerlord.
Whether the Northern Empire has some roots connected to the Bulgarian Tzardom (which was part of the Byzantine Empire at a certain point) I don’t know, I have no idea, but I can hope and I can dream.
So thank you, Taleworlds! You have created a game which will be so very close to my heart, for a long, long time!
I wish you all Happy Holidays and stay safe and healthy!
Kind Regards!
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