Just wondering. Seems like a campaign built for co-op.
Also, don’t think RoR will have DLC but if it does the Dacians (from missions 2 and 3) would be cool.
In Romae ad Bellum they play similar to AoE2’s Romans:
The Dacians were related to Thracians but not the same people (spoke different langauges, different gods, different system of government, etc).
Originally starting with 8 gods (similar to Thracians) by 100 BC they developed into a monotheistic religion (just like Christianity) and started to believe in immortality (just like Christianity). But they weren’t just like Christinaity, they were just like Christianity on ##################
The Dacians had a faith in their god Zamolxis and belief in immorality on the border of fanaticism, and sometimes crossing the border.
Due to their religion, the priests of Dacia had an uncommon political influence, they were often able to make or break the authority of a ruler. In a way the Kingdom of Dacia was more of a theocracy than a kingdom.
They believed, according to Zamolxis’ teachings, that the soul is immortal and they cannot really die, when they are killed, the soul simply changes location. The people on the brink of death were said to be able to speak with Zamolxis directly.
Because of this, the Dacians were renowned in Greece for their fighting power, who believed that their god of war, Ares, was born in Dacia. The Dacians were ferocious opponents in death as they had no fear of death since they didn’t view it as the end of their existance but merely a step.
“The Dacians are the most law-abiding and the bravest of the Thracians. They believe they are immortal, forever living in the following sense: they think they do not die and that the one who dies joins Zalmoxis, a divine being” - Herodotus, about the Dacians.
We have conquered even these Dacians, the most warlike of all people that have ever existed, not only because of the strength in their bodies, but, also due to the teachings of Zamolxis who is among their most hailed. He has told them that in their hearts they do not die, but change their location, and, due to this, they go to their deaths happier than on any other journey." - The Emperor Trajan of the Roman Empire, who conquered Dacia in 106 AD.
“due to this, they go to their deaths happier than on any other journey.” - good luck fighting that one.
Oh yeah, and they were one of the few Barbarian nations capable of building siege engines.
As a unique unit, if we were to go for AoE2 style, I would say the Flaxman. Infantry unit using a Flax weeapon. Especially effective against armored units. Historically the Flax was so effective at piercing Roman helmets that Trajan ordered a new Roman helmet design just for this war.
Dacian Mythology:
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In their language, the “Dacian” called themselves “Daoi” meaning “Wolves” or “one with the wolves”, their clothes resembled that of the wolves and their culture and mythology revolved around the wolves. They believed that the wolves are good spirits that will protect them in time of war, and that they only attack evil and dishonorable men. One of Zamolxis’ generals was the Great White Wolf, a former man that became wolf and would call out all other wolves to unite when Dacia was under threat by a foreign invader.
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Dacians draw their name from a god or a legendary ancestor who appeared as a wolf.
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The name of their god, Zamolxis, comes from the ###### #### for “earth” which is “zamol”.
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Dacian Priests: They are found under three names: kapnobatai, polistai and ktistai. The term kapnobatai means “those who walk through the clouds”. This name corresponds to the fact that these priests lived on the high peaks always covered by clouds and fog. Polistai translates as “founders of cities” which might mean that this priestly cast could be a teacher. Ktistai, the “founders of the nation”, could be a priestess priest who practices medicine. It is also known the existence of a priestess caste which was preached with the small courage and actively participated in the battles, Vezina being a famous example of the priest present on the battlefield. (The Dacians had AoE2 monks before it was cool)
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Kogaionon, the Mythical Mountain: The mountain which was the seat of the Dacian high priest. Graved by the Greeks, the mountain was not identified. The assumptions have brought to light famous mountain peaks such as Gugu, Ceahlaul, Gradistii Hill, Man, each with pros and cons. Also the Sphinx in Bucegi seems to have a special significance.
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The Werewolf as a protector of the Dacians: The Legend of the Great White Wolf states that in lost times, a high priest of Zamolxis was roaming through Dacia’s forests in order to help the needy. Zalmoxis realizing the potential of his servant, called him into the mountains to be close to him. Far beyond human territory, the beasts of Dacia considered him their leader, wolves appreciating him the most. After some time Zalmoxis summoned him and asked him to serve in another way, and with his approval, the deity transformed him into a large and mighty White Wolf, the most respected and feared beast from all of Dacia. His purpose was to gather all the wolves from the forests and protect Dacia when needed. Whenever the Dacians were in danger, the wolves came to their aid when they heard the howl of the Great White Wolf.
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The international adaptation of the werewolf is of a negative character, because of its negative role in other cultures, although according to the Dacian mythology this creature has a divine role of man’s protector.
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The Dacians used to call themselves “daoi”, a word inherited from the ancient Phrygian language, daos, meaning wolf, as they had a strong connection to these animals. Their battle flag called Draco was formed out of a wolf’s head with its mouth wide open alongside the body of a dragon, symbolizing the spirit of this vivid animal guardian.
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Thus, the basic legend of the Great White Wolf has its origins in the Dacians’ respect for the wolf and from this picture the werewolf idea came to life. However, its purpose was a noble one, as the werewolf was protecting the Dacian people in times of war.
Dacians or Getae? Make your pick, both are good.
The Dacians are a split group of the Thracians, related but different, like Italy and France. The Dacians and the Getae however, had the same langauge, customs and same gods. For practical purposes culturally they were the same people. Historians debate whether there is a difference Dacian & Getae or these words were just used interchangeably. In the Ancient Greek writings they were known as Geta or plural Getae, while in the Roman doccuments they were known as Dacus or plural Daci but also Getae on sevaral occasions. Getae and Dacians were interchangeable terms, or used with some confusion by the Greeks. Latin poets often used the name Getae. Vergil called them Getae four times, and Daci once, Lucian Getae three times and Daci twice, Horace named them Getae twice and Daci five times, while Juvenal one time Getae and two times Daci.
EDIT: Ah yes, and gold.
The reason Trajan was so keen on conquering Dacia, besides the shameful peace treaty after Domitian’s Dacian War in 88 AD, was because the Dacians were very rich in gold. The Dacians had a gold mine at Rosia Montana, which after the Roman conquest became the most profitable gold mine in the empire.
Dacians already used gold on their armor so it was no secret they had plenty, but after he defeated Dacia, Trajan brought back to Rome 700.000.000 sesterces. And every year after that, Dacia would supply Rome with 7.000.000 sesterces until Aurelian’s retreat.
In total, the Rosia Montana mines in Roman Dacia supplied Rome with 15 tons of gold, on the second place being the Las Medulas gold mine in Spain with 5 tons of gold and the Welsh mines with 1.3 tons of gold. The Dacian gold also had a high purity of 917 parts or 22 karat aka 91% gold.