Faction speculation thread

[Visarion]

I personally think that either Tylis or the Scordiskoi will be in, but not both. They seem to be equally good candidates at this time period judging from history, so it most likely would come down to archaeology to decide the winner. Anyways, in my researching I also found an excellent source for the Celts in Iberia that hopefully has information for the Arevaci.

I would put my money on the Hellenogalatae because we already have Boii!

[Dr. Croccer]

I would put my money on the Hellenogalatae because we already have Boii!

Wouldn't that make Anatolia very crowded?

[Visarion]

that's the idea isn't it? I mean isn't breaking the Seleucids the general idea of the game?

[Populus Romanus]

EPIC NECRO TIME!!!

Four slots left with the unexpected addition of Takshasila. Revisions must be made.

My guesses:
Arevaci
Kartli
In doubt:
Nabatu
Tylis
Scordisci
Belgae


Let the guessing begin anew!

[Xoxoman]

Nabatu; No.
Tylis; doubt
Scordisci; doubt
Belgae; Yes.

[The Kybrothilian]

Perhaps Thrace makes return. As the Odrysian kingdom.

other guesses are:
-Syracuse
-Belgae
-Celtiberia
-Aethiopia

[F-ake]

I think thath Arevaci, Belgae and a faction close to Saba will be in.

[Future Filmmaker]

Again, there's no such thing as a unified Belgae.

[Populus Romanus]

Yuezhi since the campaign map has been extended east.
Atropatene
Scythia

[XSamatan]

You have to ask yourself if the Yuezhi existed in 272BC on our campaign map as we won't have emerging factions.

XSamatan

[Foot]

Yuezhi since the campaign map has been extended east.
Atropatene
Scythia

Its been extended east by three tiles. Thats not enough to include the Yuezhi.

Foot

[Future Filmmaker]

And it is most probably certain that by proxy, the Xiongnu, would not be a good candidate since the map isn't east enough and they didn't seem to expand westward during the timeframe of the mod. Thus, we only see them as units in the Saka Rauka.

[Casual Tactician]

These could have a good chance imo:
Bastarnai:
- good position on the map: (north-)east of Carphatian mountains and west of the Dnjper; filling the faction-less area between Getai, Sauromatae and Lugiones
- interesting unit roster: they're originally Celtic peoples I guess; likely with Thracian, Skythian/Steppe and Germanic (or is 272BCE to early for contact with G. peoples in that area?) influences I could imagine
An Iberian tribe:
- Arevaci, Gallaeci or maybe Vaccaei
- can't remember any statement by the team opposing a third faction on the peninsula
Maybe a third faction in the Maghreb:
- Maures (less likely the Masaesylians)

Factions I'd find interesting, but that probably only have a slim chance to make it:
Syracuse:
- rich town and good naval capabilities ruled by Hiero II.
- still independent at EB's start date and some military ambitions, as Hiero fought two successful campaigns against the Mamertines only stopped by Carthaginian and later Roman intervention
Galatians:
- I found this the Pergamon preview concerning the Galatians:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Attalos' most famous deed was probably his victory over the Galatians in 237 BC four years after becoming the ruler of Pergamon. The Galatians were Keltoi who had moved into Asia Minor at the behest of the Bithynian King Nikomedes I in 278-277 BC to help him with a dynastic dispute. After this they had settled in central Asia Minor which soon was named Galatia and according to ancient historians their numbers grew quickly due to more Keltoi immigrating from Thraikia. The Galatians had rapidly become the dominant power in Asia Minor exacting tribute from their neighbours to remain calm, although the Galatians still ravaged neighbouring lands it seems. Pausanias writes that Attalos I was the first ruler to refuse to pay the tributes and the Galatians accordingly marched on to Pergamon. At the springs of the river Kaikos the Pergamene & Galatian armies met in a pitched battle (according to Livy) where Attalos won a decisive victory.

Here's a map with the possible starting positions, to get a impression where the four remaining occultus factions could be located. I used CanOmer's paintable map for EB v1.2. Hopefully the 6 new factions are located fairly correct. (the EBII map will be different of course ... anyway)

[medievaldude]

Galatians:
- I found this the Pergamon preview concerning the Galatians:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Attalos' most famous deed was probably his victory over the Galatians in 237 BC four years after becoming the ruler of Pergamon. The Galatians were Keltoi who had moved into Asia Minor at the behest of the Bithynian King Nikomedes I in 278-277 BC to help him with a dynastic dispute. After this they had settled in central Asia Minor which soon was named Galatia and according to ancient historians their numbers grew quickly due to more Keltoi immigrating from Thraikia. The Galatians had rapidly become the dominant power in Asia Minor exacting tribute from their neighbours to remain calm, although the Galatians still ravaged neighbouring lands it seems. Pausanias writes that Attalos I was the first ruler to refuse to pay the tributes and the Galatians accordingly marched on to Pergamon. At the springs of the river Kaikos the Pergamene & Galatian armies met in a pitched battle (according to Livy) where Attalos won a decisive victory.

Here's a map with the possible starting positions, to get a impression where the four remaining occultus factions could be located. I used CanOmer's paintable map for EB v1.2. Hopefully the 6 new factions are located fairly correct. (the EBII map will be different of course ... anyway)

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

From what i can recall, were gonna look forward to a Bithynia-Galatian faction or something like that

[The Kybrothilian]

As I said earlier, the Odrysian kingdom (aka Thrace) could be a good choice. It would serve as an blockade, to prevent Pontos from expanding to Balkans too fast

[fryslan]

another germanic faction i think

[Casual Tactician]

From what i can recall, were gonna look forward to a Bithynia-Galatian faction or something like that

Were the Galatians still allied with Nicomedes in 272BCE? If that's the case, that would be interesting. Having a Thraco-Celitc faction with possibly scripted events or yes/no-decisions to be made later on, when the unruly Galatians decide to "do it their way".

As I said earlier, the Odrysian kingdom (aka Thrace) could be a good choice. It would serve as an blockade, to prevent Pontos from expanding to Balkans too fast

Pergamon also kinda blocks the passage. But if Odrysai is in, then the Galatians (or Bithynia-Galatia) will be out. But as the region there has quite a few factions already, probably both haven't got much of a chance.

another germanic faction i think

Which one the Nervii?

[Valkar]

Bastarnae.., A Germanic faction so close to the greek world is pure fun

Altough Nervii or Remii are cool too, Germanic blood in Celtic outfits...

[Haršurāšaz]

another germanic faction i think

One of the tribes in Scandza, would be awesome

The Gautoz or the Swihoniz

[Casual Tactician]

Bastarnae.., A Germanic faction so close to the greek world is pure fun

Altough Nervii or Remii are cool too, Germanic blood in Celtic outfits...

Wouldn't the Bastarnai rather have been mainly La Tene-Celts in 272BCE? Or had the Germanic culture already spread that far towards the Black Sea?

One of the tribes in Scandza, would be awesome

The Gautoz or the Swihoniz

They're Germanic tribes in Skandinavia* I guess. I doubt they have a chance; they're as isolated as the Pictish tribes, and those have been ruled out by the team afaik. Well, maybe not quite as isolated if I think again. But in EB Skandinavia* was one large province and I'm not sure if that will change, especially after the Taksahila used up one or two provinces that will have to axed somewhere else.

EDIT: *oops... I actually meant the Skandinavian Peninsula here. Even if they were situated in modern Denmark though, I don't think they're very likely. But who knows, I never expected the Taksashila either.