Bastion is a completely fictitious faction, imagined by Talek Do'Lorn (TDL), as an ICTC entry. It is not playable in-game. You are welcome to discuss Bastion with its author.

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Motto
"Free like the wind"



Facts and Traits
Also known as: The Nomads, Free Humans of the East (title is faction-dependant -- for further explanation please scroll down)
Associated colors: Tan and Beige
Worship: Sylath, the Dragon of Air, Patron of Freedom (commonly referred to as the Patron of Free Will)
Core philosophy: "We are no servants and no masters… We bow to no rulers… We are subject to no restraints…"
Country / kingdom: Northeastern Plains of Ranaar
Capital city: None (for further explanation please scroll down)
Key symbols: Stallion, standing on his back legs; flying falcon

Other Facts
Faction Alignment: Neutral (though considered evil by its neighbouring western factions)
Rival Factions: Haven and Academy
Friendly Factions: - (Sylvan folk can be considered friendly, as they have some common beliefs)
Travel/Mount: Pegasus (explanation pending as necessary, pegasus is different from its concept)
Home Terrain: Grass

Description
A completely independent and liberal human nation rallied under one flag due to same principles of life and faith. Nomads arepeaceful people, due to their lust for freedom and absolute despise of those trying to achieve power. Wanderers of thethe steppes, pathfinders of the wastelands, civilized barbarians, inconsolable folk. Believing nothing may restrain them, theyworship Sylath for they believe he is the Patron of Freedom, not bound by any earthly boundaries. A man's freedom is as wideas the sky itself.

Politics
Internal / Social Organization:
Nomads live a rather loose life, freedom praised above all other values. Each nomad has a purpose of life, as infrastructure is based upon sections where nomad lifestyles branch off. Nomads are free to choose his lifestyle, although dedication towards the community is burnt into one's heart, thus he nevers lives too loosely. Even if one decides to roam the lands and dedicate to nomadic principles, nomad's party serves as a scout troop, as the guard or as the explorers, searching for artifacts. Nomad women have exactly the same rights and duties, except that women are not allowed to become shamen/oracles. Women are regarded equal, though their life is reminiscent of more feminine way of life.

The nomadic community consists of many tribes that roam the steppes in between the larger settlements called bastions and their permanent residents and guardians. While there are numerous tribes and settlements within the realm, each living their own life, according to their own principles, the primary deals of the society are focused around bastions where the temples can be found. Harvesting, mining and other economical issues are being sorted out by the institutions, entrusted with the job within the bastions. Nomads organize into groups to assure the job gets done. Furthermore, each tribe plays its role as from time to time, the members of the tribe voluntarily pay a tribute for Sylath.

A big fraction of the life of a nomad society is the strengthening of the bond to Sylath. Religious nomads often become future shamen or tamers. Tamers are often referred to as "beastmasters" as the bond to a certain being is as strong as of the elf to the nature. Bastions' tamers go to the wilderness to inspect new species as each species found and tamed works as a step towards the better of the nomadic community and front line. Shamen, however, usually lean towards politics and the needs of the society and their tribal community.

Though fighting against all oppressors, nomads hardly move a finger if a rebellion to take power is to take place. Any attempt to subjugate the society and take power results in the guilty being expelled from the community. Although very imminent, the danger of civil war is loosely considered as the tight-knit community is quick to react when their security and balance of power is endangered.

International:
Regrettably, when it comes to handling affairs of the folk outside the steppes of the nomads, things are quick to change and situation is much worse. Handling with outsiders is a hardship to be avoided at all costs. Bloodlust and rage fill up the heart of seemingly every nomad. Distrust and precaution follow each step in the tight-knit community. Historical events are a sensitive topic, therefore any foul word about the nomads or their deity Sylath in public may result in being permanently expelled from the society.

Nomads are a neutral faction, despite the everlasting feuds with neighboring and opposing factions, Holy Griffin Empire being a particular enemy. Grudge against the nomads from times when the community dissolved into two religious branches with their own principles and faith invokes wrath upon "the infidels". Though not directly opposed, the Dragons of Air and Light are regarded as rival deities, thus events of the past ascertain the common folk that the truth claimed by their spiritualleaders intellectual leaders is true. As a result, everlasting intense relationship among the nations remains, accented by malevolent acts in public, abuse (the nomads were referred to as "barbarians", "infidels", the citizens vice versa - "oppressors")

Lesser rivalries are also witnessed, though never regarded as a major problem among the magi of the Seven Cities (later, the Silver League) and the nomadic community. Ignorant of their beliefs and lifestyle, the sole cause for rivalry is the supposed acceptance of orcs into the nomad ranks and the hatred towards the slave-driving cult of the magi. Though long forgotten, the events etched painful scars in their hearts and resulted in consistent battles between the two factions. However, as new ages dawn, both factions seem to have forgotten the ill-suited ways of one another.

The common term for the nomads among the other factions is the "castawas" term, due to neutrality declared towards their factions. Solely, the chaotic Infernal faction occasionally execute treacherous attacks on the nomads. Elves, who have most in common due to their connection to nature, often refer to them as the "beastmasters" for their unique skills of mastering the mythical creatures. Dwarves are ignorant of the affairs and only intercept them as "pacifiers". Necropolis has no relation to them whatsoever.

Warfare
Cavalry - The Front Line:
Fighting with discipline like no other except for the dwarves', nomad warriors use their endurance and swiftness to muster against their foes. Featuring the best cavalry and offensive frontline, they storm the foes, careless of the back of their army. Though caution is vital due to low defensive capabilities, nomads gain lead through quickness, numbers and stamina, rather than their strength. As well, "the beastmasters" rely on their "rides" and "scouts", the beings of Sylath, that endeavour to "serve" the allies as best as possible, possibly sacrificing their lives. On the whole, it is told that a nomad's life ends when his "ride" dies - a great part of the nomad disappears into the shadows of grief and sorrow, as the bond is never to be restored.

Pride is taken when fighting on their native steppes where their bastions are erected. Bastion is often the main settlement of the nomad folk as greatest temples of Sylath, as well as major training grounds, are built there. No cavalry is trained better to use every opportune moment to strike, as well as to form tight defensive barrier to defend themselves in the open. Being not far from their homes, nomad warriors are overtaken by zeal and lust to defend what is rightfully theirs. Freedom shall not be restrained.

As spellcasting and ranged fighting are nothing nomads are overly keen on, very rarely does one become a mage or a ranger. Simplest rovers train to throw piercing knifes only to fend off their attackers, whereas the only skilled shooters are the very same magicians. Battle mages, following their innate dedication to and mastery of the element of their deity, rather than working with opposing elements, primarily work on concentrating and "taming" the power of the wind to knock back enemies before they fall upon supposedly "unsuspecting" victims.

The most devoted nomad warriors and heroes of the steppes strongly bond to the kindred of pegasi, due to flexibility and fidelity. Pegasi are easy to maneuver and allow the nomads to reach destinations far beyond the reach of inflexible cavalry. However, a pegasus is neither a distant breed of the horses, nor has any connection with the unicorns whatsoever. Magical as they are, the pegasi are considered siblings and far descendants of Sylath whose capability to fly is an ability to compete with. To be exact, the pegasi are direct descendants of nightwings, dark mysterious beings of the enchanted steppes farther than the plains of Ranaar. Nightwings, being more savage and stubborn, are only tamed by the strongest of heroes, thereby, rarely are they seen mounted, rather fighting the foes on their own.

A Summary
Nomads never featured in the heroic series, yet, the co-ordial barbarian faction was always in. Nomads were single, neutral, might-oriented creatures and never focused on one faction, loosely based on their principles. However, it should be subject to change in Heroes 5 as with the Fortress and the Dwarven faction.

Based loosely on the concept of nomads, stacked with the present, yet missing elemental Dragon of Air, Sylath, the nomad faction is presented for your pleasure. The concept can be mainly compared with the Rohirrim in the Lord of the Rings book series and the Heroes V prequel's Rampart's concept, though with Ashan's spices and a complete new background.

The Bastion is directly opposed to Haven, for the storyline ties these factions with a bond (missing in the original game; place for my storyline to fill), yet with Academy as well, being its second adversary from times already forgotten.

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Dearest and special thanks go to: Alcibiades for consulting and eager discussions on abilities, GenieLord for some help and support, and Daystar for creating the visuals for the Bastion. Other pictures are taken from various sites (hero portraits are screenshots from copyrighted Gothic 3 game by Piranha Bytes) - deepest appreciation and respect.