Alright, now that I have a good number of people ready to get started, I'll post the first discussion topic. This centers on the BASE faction list for this entire project. Here is the whole concept regarding factions with this mod:
-Initially there will be a Grand Campaign (what is being developed currently), that will be similar to RTRPE, RS2, XGM, XC, EB and other total conversion mods featuring a bigger map, one roman faction etc. However the difference with this mod is that the 'little factions' are not of extreme importance for the grand campaign. Instead 'super factions' will be regarded as more important. Here is why:
This mod is not mod foldered for a reason. Every faction will eventually have it's own modfolder similar to how RS2 does it. So debating over whether Pergamum, Bactria, Epirus, Arverni, or Celt-Iberians should be in or not is of no use. Eventually they will all be playable in their own mod folder. This 'Grand Campaign' is focused on the BIG PICTURE. However it will be very entertaining to play as, you just won't have the 'one region' factions like Galatia or Pergamum to choose to play as.
-With all that being said let's take a look at what the current faction list will look like for the Grand Campaign.
Start Date: 280 BC
End Date: 4 choices; 107 BC, 30 BC, 14 AD, 117 AD (Something that we can discuss as well)
Current Faction List:
1. Rome - Julii
2. Carthage
3. Antigonids
4. Seleucids
5. Ptolemies
6. Parthia
7. Pontus
8. Armenia
The above eight, represent the 'big boys' of the era at that time. There is no reason for any of them to be changed, swapped or merged. Consider them hard coded.
9. Greek Cities (Would Represent: Athens, Achaean League, Massilia, Byzantium, Rhodes)
10. Greek States - Brutii (Would Represent: Sparta, Aetolian League, Pergamum*, Bosporan Kingdom)
*Pergamum could go to the Hellenic Kingdoms in exchange for Syracuse
The above two would shadow each other and loyalty would be enabled for them.
11. Hellenic Kingdoms - Scipii (Would Represent: Epirus [Including Syracuse], Cyrene, Bactria)
The HK would shadow the Antigonids, Seleucids, and Ptolemies making it a little more interesting if there were to be a revolt. Again loyalty would be enabled.
12. Gauls (Representing: Aedui, Cisalpine Gauls, Noricum)
13. Celtic Tribes - Senate (Representing: Celt-Iberians, Arverni, Galatia)
Again Loyalty Enabled
14. Germans
15. Geto-Dacians (From my research they were the same people)
16. Iberians
17. Sarmatians
The Barbarian Factions will be in but as we all know they were composed of many tribes who were almost never united.
18. Numidia (Or Desert Kingdoms/Eastern Kingdoms) [Representing: Massylii, Cappadocia, Atropatene, Arachosia, Nabataea]
19. Illyria (Or Independent Peopled/Barbarian Kingdoms) [Representing: Ardiaei, Odrysian Kingdom, Royal Scyths, Belgae, Massagetae]
These two could or could not be super factions. Numdia/Illyria are on the bubble so to speak.
- edit, they will stay as Numidia and Illyria, see post #3 for reasoning20. Independent Peoples (Representing: Saba, Ethiopia, Mauryans, Luistani, Britons, Ligurians, Other Greek Cities such as Argos)
21. Rebels (Any state and or kingdom or tribe that was not of enough importance to get a super faction, also revolts like Spartacus)
Basically the Free People faction similar to what RS2 has.
Now these unit rosters will be based off AOR so it will greatly limit the room for expansion, but they will war with each other, trade, act in diplomacy and make things interesting.
So there you have it. Before we say 'Hell no' or 'Hell yes' to this proposition, we would need to do testing since it is only a thesis at this point.
Give me your thoughts!