Eagles and Lions/Quest Pro Corona Regni Poloniae/update 10.02.13

[Vladyvid]

1. Kingdom of Denmark
2. Principality of Mecklenburg
3. Principality of Rügen
4. Margraviate of Brandenburg
5. Prince-Archbishopric of Magdeburg
6. Margraviate of Meissen
7. Kingdom of Bohemia
8. Duchy of Pomerania
9. Duchy of Pomerelia
10. Duchy of Wrocław
11. Duchy of Opole and Racibórz
12. Duchy of Greater Poland
13. Duchy of Lesser Poland
14. Teutonic Order
15. Order of Dobrzyń
16. Duchy of Łęczyca
17. Duchy of Sandomierz
18. Prussian Tribes
19. Duchy of Masovia
20. Kingdom of Galicia-Volhynia

Original first post:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

INTRODUCTION
I've been thinking about a historical mod depicting the period of feudal fragmentation of Poland (in particular). Had thought about this first time a couple of years ago but then, for various reasons, never really got myself to do it. I haven't yet seen any such mod and I guess probably won't, unless I make it. Focusing mostly on polish factions but including also a number of german and few other factions - closest thing to compare this idea to would be the teutonic campaign.

The name "Eagles and Lions" is a working title and refers to animals that appear on coats of arms of most factions that I think of for this mod. For now I treat it as an idea in development as I haven't done yet no actual modding for this. I'm busy with other mod and would treat this one as a (small) side project.

I have some modding skills (not very great but just enough) and experience, and I think it would be possible for me to do it on my own. I guess it would be one of those mods that are rather easy to make. It wouldn't require new models or nothing fancy or groundbreaking.

TIMEFRAME AND FACTIONS
At this moment the ideal year for this mod to start in my opinion would be 1228. In that year the territory of Poland was split into quite many independent duchies which were relatively equal to one another. There would still be several quite minor factions but for vast majority would be rather balanced and for that reason making a more interesting campaign in my opinion. End date could be in the 1300s, but exactly I'm not sure.

Second reason is the emerging power of the Teutonic Order (who were invited to Poland in 1226) and so a possibility to build their state practically from the very beginning - as they would still only have the province they had been given two years earlier and not conquered any new lands.

Another reason is another fighting order, which historically (while being ineffective on their own) joined the Teutonic Order (in 1235). Hence, a possibility to develope a crusader state unlike any other. They were known as Fratres Milites Christi de Prussia/Dobrin, Order/Knights of Dobrin (Dobrzyń) or Prussian Cavaliers of Jesus Christ.

While one would like to pick those crusading orders and lead them to greatness, some others would like to fight against the crusaders as baltic Prussians. This mod, unlike any other, would make it possible to take control of that long extinct nation, and fight for their survival, or perhaps even more (conversion to christiany perhaps, etc.).

Ofcourse there could be several other factions to play with, and the following list, while not definitive (some duchies listed below could be split further into smaller ones etc.), can give some more ideas of possible conflicts:

March of Meissen
March of Lusatia
March of Brandenburg
Kingdom of Bohemia
Principality of Rugen
Duchy of Pomerania
Duchy of Pomerelia
Duchy of Greater Poland
Duchy of Lesser Poland
Duchy of Masovia
Duchy of Wroclaw (Lower Silesia)
Duchy of Opoli-Ratibor (Upper Silesia)
Teutonic Order
Order of Dobrin
Prussian Tribes
Principality of Galicia-Volhynia

Now as you can see, one of the campaigns possible would be the development of the Kingdom of Bohemia, which historically benefited from the fragmentation of Poland and managed to conquer most of it in the early 1300s. Otherwise, Bohemia could venture into the (HRE) german marches, providing it another path of conquest.

Another possibility is the emerging faction of the Golden Horde, but I'm not very fond of putting them into this mod. Perhaps they could be simulated in another way as historically they didn't conquer any territories which this mod would cover, it's a thing to consider.

MAP AREA
Quite understandably, most of the map would cover the area of present day Poland, but also territories east of river Elbe (in present day Germany) and larger part of Bohemia. Beside that, in the east of map, there would be the Principality of Galicia-Volhynia occupying what is now eastern Poland and parts of Ukraine and Belarus. I wouldn't like including Lithuania as it would only be a very minor part of it, and quite insignificant in history of that part of Central Europe at that time. Lithuania was focused more on the east - busy fighting numerous russian states and the Golden Horde.

[IVIarkI2I]

I love this idea, if you finish the map and do roster research I may be thinking about helping out

[Silesian_Noble]

I used to have a similar idea (earlier period, but mod focused on Poland as well) and even started to work on it with Thrashing_Mad, but when Thrashing dropped modding I also quit the idea. Anyway, good luck mate.

[Vladyvid]

I love this idea, if you finish the map and do roster research I may be thinking about helping out

I'm glad to see you like this idea Making the map is not much of a problem. Doing the research for the map and factions rosters will surely take much more time, but I have some useful sources for the map already. I haven't yet even thought about the rosters. They would be sort of 'typical' feudal style, with knights, militias, levies and mercenaries I guess, preferably with many regional units (like different knights for every/most map province - different mostly cause of wearing different colours). I would first start simple then look into more details. I guess it could be cool to have very limited availability for the knights but then have in your army all different units of them each looking different/unique. So it would mean huge number of skins - probably the largest part of the actual modding. Then each knight unit would in my opinion have a named general, so they would be similar in terms of weaponry (though could ofcourse be some differences not all the same) but at the same time all unique. That would aim for historical flavour of that colourful feudal period when knights of every duchy or province waved their own banners and wore their own colours. Militias, levies and mercenaries would be similar to most factions (at least in their looks). Ah, I'm talking too much for someone who haven't done no real research of it yet. If you will be checking on the status of this mod from time to time, and still be interested to assist with something, then let me know. Right now, I'll be mostly researching/reading stuff to develope ideas etc.

I used to have a similar idea (earlier period, but mod focused on Poland as well) and even started to work on it with Thrashing_Mad, but when Thrashing dropped modding I also quit the idea. Anyway, good luck mate.

Thank you. Any earlier period would mean no Teutonic Order and no Order of Dobrin and I would like to include both in the time when they were just getting started.

Also earlier, there would be fewer (and larger) factions and I prefer to see many smaller ones. Like for instance Lesser Poland could be split into three duchies. Its a bit confusing as some of the provinces were on one hand unified, but then each of its duchies was often ruled by a separate duke, who often later on separated to become independent (sometimes for a short time, sometimes for longer).

There's that dillema of game/factions balance vs. historical accuracy vs. personal preferences. I don't fool myself that everything can be done historical, as for example the (pagan) Prussians were not united as one faction but to represent them as 10 or so separate tribes would be quite impossible. So there will be situations where the gaming experience will have to ruin some bits of history, but I don't really have a problem with that.

[Vladyvid]

I worked on the faction roster and the map a bit. Have a first working version in development. The first post is updated with a faction map. Things will change ofcourse, this is just something to begin with. The map area will change a bit aswell, as I adjust the map borders on each side depending on the final faction roster.

[Silesian_Noble]

So far looking good. If only you had a few unit makers...

[Vladyvid]

So far looking good. If only you had a few unit makers...

Well, but I dont. Maybe should learn modelling myself, but I always thought its too complicated.

so far looking good +rep

That's nothing really, but thanks!

[IVIarkI2I]

so far looking good +rep

[MrrRandomDude]

Modeling isn't that Hard. I mean when I joined the Tamriel TW Team I posted my first Time Models. I guess if you have the right sense or just the right Music to listen too. Time flys. Its more of a hobby. If you don't like doing it then i wouldn't recommend doing it all on your own. It will just lead to thoughts of "Why am I even doing this.." And such.