Ages of darkness III - brainstorming, starting date etc

[Pompeius Magnus]

you can find the list here:
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=199041

Just replace the Bulgari with Avars - then you have the finished list. Factions like Slavs etc. are represented as free rebels.

[Armatus]

Have you thought about adding a Nubian faction like e.g. Makuria?
I know that the various states in Sudan and Ethiopia were Christians and had diplomatic, religious and economic relations with Byzanz and survived the Muslim expansion. Atleast until the late middle ages.

Unfortunately I´m neither a historian nor do I know much else about them, but they would have an interesting position on the campaign map and would fill an empty part.

Makuria would have been part of the Aksumite Empire at this time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Aksum

They were allies of the Romans and traded with everyone, until they faded out in the early 8th century giving rise to Makuria.

[demagogos nicator]

Are you going to include any Slavic faction to AoD III?
This is just my small suggestion: Samos empire
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samo

[Armatus]

Samo's kingdom.

[Constantius]

Slavic factions are very important for this time period, it has been speculated that the fortifications built by Ivstinian, in some respects gave rise to Slavic central authority IE, kings and warlords, rather like the germanic/ pax romana influence, where tribes fought for control of wealth coming and going over border and trade of slaves etc. Samo, who is apparently a Frankish merchant, according to Fredegar a Frankish chronicler, led a revolt of the Wends against the Avar khaganate, and is dated to the fortieth rule of King Chlothars reign (623/4) or possible no earlier than defeat of Qagan outside Konstantinoupolis. Meaning he simple took advantage of local events and seized some sort of authority on the spot, the "Kingdom", only really lasted as long as he personally maintained control over local Wends.

[demagogos nicator]

Yes, all you have mentioned is true. But I suggested him and his kingdom only because he defeated Dagobert, who is considered one of the strongest Merovegian kings, in 631/632 which is close to the starting date of AoD III and if the kingdom survive after his dead (658) could be question of gameplay. Anyway if you will not add this as a faction you can still add Samo as rebel FM. And maybe you can also add his castle Wogastisburg (some prominent historians of my country believes that it was former roman settlement Carnuntum)

[konstantis]

how about a third idea? heraclius has the throne he has trained his army for 2 years and will have to fight his way to judea in order to reconquer his lands and then head to ctesiphon. Avars to the north ready to take constantinople this situation was dire indeed EDIT:dammit im late!

[Pompeius Magnus]

yes mate. The decision is fixed. We will start in 636.

[Alkimachos]

how about a third idea? heraclius has the throne he has trained his army for 2 years and will have to fight his way to judea in order to reconquer his lands and then head to ctesiphon. Avars to the north ready to take constantinople this situation was dire indeed EDIT:dammit im late!

Sounds GREAT!!!

This idea will be in the AoD III???

[Pompeius Magnus]

This idea will be in the AoD III???

AoD 3 starts 636 AD

[Alkimachos]

AoD 3 starts 636 AD

Cool!!!

[Magister Militum Flavius Aetius]

This is to far out of my knowledege frame to be of assistance with, but i could reccomend you speak to the IG team for mount and blade about this.

[Constantius]

This is to far out of my knowledege frame to be of assistance with, but i could reccomend you speak to the IG team for mount and blade about this.

Very kind of you, but assistance in what?

[Armatus]

Research I suppose? And IG is only focusing on a small window of time (say 623-627) due to the differences in campaign between the two games.

But I'll certainly try to help make any suggestions I can.

[Magister Militum Flavius Aetius]

umm... it's a typo i guess. I dunno constantius
honestly the only thing I know about this timeframe besides what i've learned from the IG team is the thematic system changes

[Armatus]

EOR team is doing this very time period for M2K, I should check up on their progress, I heard they are back.

[romano britones]

I think it would be good if we had both options as campaigns; one as a main campaign and the other other as a provincial campaign.

[Aetius1]

provincial campaign? which province you want take?

[romano britones]

I don't mind.

[romano britones]

Possibly Asia Minor.