VARANGIANS

Ah, Sweden, Götaland. When Norway and Denmark went west, the Swedish went east. Most historians agree the ancient Goths originated here, some still claiming themselves as such. Soon, the Swedish tribes splintered into the VARANGIANS and many would splinter east to form the KIEVAN RUS'. (edited)

[5:18 AM] The Rus' rough extent displayed on the map below. (edited)

[5:23 AM]KIEVAN RUS:

Ubba Ragnarson — 05/19/2022 5:46 AM

Leaders: Prince Rurik, Prince Oleg, Prince Igor, Asleik Björnson (Grandson of Ragnar Lothbrok through father Bjorn Ironside) Religion/Culture: Norse and Slavic religions and culture Best Unit: Boyar Konjanica (Roughly, Royal Cavalry), Druzhina (Heavy Axemen Cavalry), Strengths: Field fine heavy infantry and cavalry and capable light troops. Those of the Varangians' are their fiercest units in-game; while they rely on light Slavic (or other eastern) units and levies. The Rus' location makes their survival crucial giving them a bonus for their lumberjacks and sawmills. (or equivalent.) Weaknesses: Their food production is slower than others, but with sea maps come fishermen if they are lucky. Their light troops are not as strong as other factions. Vassals: Magyars (Hungary), Poles (Poland), Balts/Estonians The Rus' conquered so many different Slavic and other local clans that their roster could be diversified heavily. I'd like to see a mix of building for Varangian roots and new Rus' architecture as time goes , as to detail their connection to the homeland and the fact the Varangian tribe lived on in Sweden as well but developing their identity overtime. These could be mercenaries as the Swedes' under Bjorn "Ironside' Ragnarson and descendents ruled Sweden for some time until Christianity took hold, perhaps after. UU Mercenary idea: Kazaks (Nomadic Turkish cavalry; archers and light cav) (edited)

[5:49 AM]Kievan Rus at its height around the 1000ad mark.

Velvetclaw — 05/30/2022 2:10 PM

Heavy units are ready, in the form of Gridny Retainers from Rise of Kings. We also have Boyarniks on hand. Not sure how to do Druzhina - what is the Druzhina armed with?

Ubba Ragnarson — 05/31/2022 10:05 AM

The Druzhina are the closest to the Norse cavalry. My research indicated they were slavs - however they were primarily norse. Is there a possibility for a heavy axemen cavalry?

[11:42 PM]I believe however that horse Druzhina are armed with lances for Project 666.

[11:43 PM]You seem to imply that Kievan Rus should have either Maya or French or Iroquois bonuses.

[11:43 PM]Low food production is not a problem

[11:44 PM]I can restrict thei8r access to Agronomic research, although it will also crutail access to Tier 2 Woodworking.

[11:45 PM]France seems to be the best fit for this faction.

@Ubba Ragnarson

Velvetclaw — 06/03/2022 5:20 PM

Turkish mercs are available in Project 666, many factions recruit them. Balt Spearmen are available as a merc unit. Dunno if it's what you want though. (edited)

Ubba Ragnarson — 06/04/2022 7:15 AM

Balt Spearmen are great for both the Rus, and even the Khazars (?)

[7:15 AM]We would view the map and adjust who can field this mercenary accordingly.

[7:15 AM]The Byzantines hypothetically, but they are strong enough

Velvetclaw — 06/04/2022 3:48 PM

Balts are too far north

[3:48 PM]Slavs, Germans, Turks and Armenians are more likely.

Ubba Ragnarson — 06/05/2022 2:46 AM

Yes I can definitely see that. For example, both the Kievan Rus and the Khazars can pull Kipchak nomad cavalry etc. Vassal tribes (edited)

[2:48 AM]"The Kipchaks, also known as Kipchak Turks, Qipchaq or Polovtsians, were a Turkic nomadic people and confederation that existed in the Middle Ages, inhabiting parts of the Eurasian Steppe. First mentioned in the 8th century as part of the Second Turkic Khaganate." (the Second Turkish Khaganate came before our Turks and are not the Khazars.) (edited)

Velvetclaw — 06/05/2022 4:24 PM

Kipchaks are already present but only as a buildable merc unit from the Kremlin wonder of RKC.

[4:25 PM]I do have pechenegs but it will take some time to get it all together and figure out what needs saving and what needs to be removed.

Ubba Ragnarson — 06/05/2022 4:25 PM

Can we pull them and use other units to represent the Kipchak nomad vassals?

[4:26 PM]This mod is no rush, as we agreed.

[4:26 PM]"perfection" takes time and this will never, with my OCD, be perfect.

[4:26 PM]check my to do list I posted. I am sure there's more to add to it.

[4:27 PM]BTW cities I want to do myself, please, as I already have roughly half the factions' cities listed in my personal documents.

Velvetclaw — 06/05/2022 4:28 PM

Turkish Archers of Project 666 was based on RKC Kipchak unit so yes.

[4:28 PM]but right now your OCD needs to be unleashed on faction bonuses.

[4:28 PM]it is the PRIMARY thing that is holding this entire project back.

Ubba Ragnarson — 06/05/2022 4:29 PM

Have you checked my faction replacement suggestions?

[4:29 PM]Please do, as I am actually working on this exact issue.

Ubba Ragnarson — 06/17/2022 7:46 PM

Researching, the Rus' used a lot of peasantry for their armies, more than I thought. They likely would reflect this with stronger light infantry, once I format it properly as I have for all others.

Velvetclaw — 06/18/2022 2:57 PM

That means a new unit of sorts.

Ubba Ragnarson — 06/18/2022 7:05 PM

Yes (edited)

Ubba Ragnarson — 07/08/2022 11:47 AM

These will be re-formatted. The Mogyer confederation is no longer a Rus' vassal, etc. More research was done and Khazaria is finished, with the Mogyer confederation instead being their client state. (edited)