Era
Independent Peoples may not grow to the same extent as the fully-fledged Empires of the world, but that doesn't mean they aren't important actors in their own right. Able to develop into single city-state nations, Independent Peoples can play a critical role in your own Empire's successes. Choose your battles carefully--they could be the world's kingmakers.
Era
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Name
|
Type
|
Description
|
|
Wildlife
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Other
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Wildlife
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I
|
|
Peaceful
|
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I
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Akkadians
|
Peaceful
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Legend says that Akkad was founded by Sargon. Under their leader's rule the people have flourished, building roads, irrigation systems, and trade routes.
|
I
|
Elamites
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Peaceful
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The Elamites keep an eagle eye on friend and foe. Masters of timing and diplomacy, they are known to wait, and then strike at the right moment.
|
I
|
Hurrians
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Violent
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Acclaimed for their finely-crafted ceramics and metallurgy, Hurrian goods fetch commanding prices in markets across the known world.
|
I
|
Hyksos
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Violent
|
Rumored to have slowly taken a peaceful stranglehold over the commercial city of Avaris, the Hyksos forge both war and peace with surrounding lands.
|
I
|
Kassites
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Violent
|
Worshippers of the horse, the Kassites have helped spread the animals' popularity as both servants of agriculture and war.
|
I
|
DLC
Together We Rule
Kurus
|
Violent
|
Powerful and prosperous rulers, the Kurus devote great attention to religious practice and rituals.
|
I
|
DLC
Cultures of Oceania Pack
Lapita
|
Peaceful
|
Farmers and fishermen, the Lapita raise small animals and crops in addition to crafting ceramics with distinctive, stamped designs.
|
I
|
Lulubi
|
Violent
|
The rock relief above Luluban depicting King Anubanini trampling his foes pays testament to the fear that the Lulubi engender in their enemies.
|
I
|
Medes
|
Violent
|
The chroniclers of the time contend that the Medes formed from several nomadic tribes of the desert, including a hereditary group of priests, the Magi.
|
I
|
Minoans
|
Violent
|
Towering palaces, sophisticated drainage systems, and stunning frescoes, Minoan culture is affluent and status-driven.
|
I
|
Mitannians
|
Violent
|
Believed to have formed from roaming war-parties who exploited the power vacuum in the region, the Mitannians are a hard, militarist culture.
|
I
|
Nok
|
Peaceful
|
With hardy pearl millet providing a dependable food source, even in drought conditions, the Nok concentrate on their artistic endeavors, notably their terracotta sculptures.
|
I
|
DLC
Cultures of Latin America Pack
Tlatilcans
|
Peaceful
|
With crops of maize, amaranth, squash, and beans, supplemented by fowl and small mammals, the Tlatilcans are well fed, enabling to focus on their ceramic arts.
|
II
|
|
Peaceful
|
|
II
|
|
Peaceful
|
|
II
|
Arverni
|
Violent
|
Characterized by recalcitrance and a refusal to surrender, the Arverni are also known for their excellent weapons and mastery of metallurgy.
|
II
|
Burgundians
|
Violent
|
An offshoot and ally of other Germanic tribes, the Burgundi split off and eventually founded their own homeland.
|
II
|
Cantabri
|
Violent
|
The Cantabrians are a people both fierce and independent; they are known for their rebellious spirit and vigor in defending their lands.
|
II
|
Cherusci
|
Violent
|
A warmongering tribe, there are whispers the leadership is split between policies of allegiance and rebellion with the region's major empires.
|
II
|
Dacians
|
Violent
|
Known for their fortifications and masonry, the Dacians skills in everyday crafts are less well known than their ability to defend their territory.
|
II
|
Etruscans
|
Peaceful
|
A great, if lesser known civilization, Etruscan society is known for its architecture, religious practices, and pioneering administration.
|
II
|
Mochicas
|
Peaceful
|
A group of autonomous settlements that share language and culture, the Mochicas are renowned for their vibrant and high quality copper work, ceramics, and crafts.
|
II
|
Molossians
|
Violent
|
An ancient Greek people mentioned in many epic poems, the Molossians are revered for their skills in Battle and their ability to hold a grudge.
|
II
|
Numidians
|
Violent
|
Hailing from arid and inhospitable lands, the Numidians are a hardy people whose cavalry is widely respected—or feared.
|
II
|
DLC
Cultures of Latin America Pack
Paracas
|
Peaceful
|
Irrigation and water management play an extensive role in Paracas culture, but the people are most famed for their stunning textiles.
|
II
|
Parthians
|
Peaceful
|
Seeking absolute loyalty from their dignitaries and people, the Parthian rulers lead pragmatically, even ready to install outsiders in positions of power.
|
II
|
DLC
Together We Rule
Phrygians
|
Peaceful
|
Famed for their distinctive caps and innovative ceramics, the Phrygians are also skilled musicians and capable warriors.
|
II
|
Picts
|
Violent
|
This Celtic people is known for their fierce desire for independence, waging Battles against unfriendly empires for as long they are present in their lands.
|
II
|
Sabines
|
Violent
|
An ancient tribe with descendants mingling in other major empires, the Sabines are part of many cultures via assimilation or conquest.
|
II
|
Scythians
|
Peaceful
|
A nomadic people originating from central Asia, the Scythians spread their cultural influences across the pontic steppes—primarily from horseback.
|
II
|
DLC
Cultures of Africa Pack
Sirikwa
|
Peaceful
|
Living in connected huts built around saucer-shaped hollows designed to enclose their cattle, the Sirikwa are both master builders and proficient farmers.
|
II
|
DLC
Cultures of Latin America Pack
Tiwanakans
|
Peaceful
|
A site of pilgrimage, people travel vast distances to the Tiwanakan's capital to help build large monuments where they can worship the gods.
|
II
|
DLC
Together We Rule
Tocharians
|
Peaceful
|
Flourishing where desert oases bloom, the Tocharians welcome travelers along trade routes with fine goods and hospitality.
|
II
|
DLC
Cultures of Africa Pack
Urewe
|
Peaceful
|
A sophisticated culture, the Urewe are famed for their craftsmanship. Their skill in ceramics and metalworking is near-unrivalled.
|
II
|
Vandals
|
Violent
|
This Germanic tribe is fearsome enough to suggest it will cause difficulties for the major players in its vicinity.
|
II
|
DLC
Together We Rule
Vascones
|
Peaceful
|
Isolated in rugged terrain, the Vascones are not easy to communicate with; their language is unlike any other across the world.
|
II
|
Zapotecs
|
Peaceful
|
Sturdy buildings, ball courts, and stunning jade jewelry can be found in Zapotec lands. Traders and farmers, they have created a thriving civilization.
|
III
|
|
Violent
|
|
III
|
DLC
Together We Rule
Alans
|
Violent
|
Raiders by tradition, the Alans are preceded wherever they go by their reputation for ferocity.
|
III
|
Armenians
|
Peaceful
|
Cursed or blessed with a location of geopolitical importance, the tenacious and independent Armenian culture has a long history of trade, diplomacy, and war.
|
III
|
Avars
|
Violent
|
An amalgam of horse-mounted nomadic tribes from the Steppes, the Avars use the stirrup to improve their maneuverability and increase the impact of their charges.
|
III
|
Berbers
|
Violent
|
Hailing from a sparsely inhabited wilderness, the Berber traders and warriors have triumphed in both peace and war with much larger powers.
|
III
|
Bretons
|
Violent
|
The traditional motto of this native Celtic people is "Kentoc'h mervel eget bezañ saotreti"—death before dishonor.
|
III
|
DLC
Cultures of Latin America Pack
Chancay
|
Peaceful
|
Sophisticated in the textile and ceramic arts, the Chancay ensure their dead are protected from evil spirits in the afterlife with powerful, magically-infused funerary garments.
|
III
|
DLC
Cultures of Latin America Pack
Chimú
|
Peaceful
|
In Chimú culture, the shell of the mollusk is highly-prized for its associations with the sea, rainfall, and fertility, and free-divers descend great depths to attain them.
|
III
|
Icelanders
|
Peaceful
|
Used to rigor and hardship, in times of war the Icelanders show their Norse roots as they fight with similar weapons and can travel easily on the sea.
|
III
|
Khazars
|
Peaceful
|
This semi-nomadic Turkic tribe rules a great trading empire; its commercial and military power means that it still receives tribute from many other peoples.
|
III
|
DLC
Cultures of Oceania Pack
Kosraeans
|
Peaceful
|
Organized around a powerful monarchy, Kosraeans place their king at the center of complex urban structures out of basalt and coral blocks.
|
III
|
Magyars
|
Violent
|
The Magyars sow terror during their fast and devastating raids; it was once believed that "ogre" was derived from another of their names: "Ungri".
|
III
|
DLC
Cultures of Africa Pack
Makurians
|
Violent
|
Though a literate and highly-cultured people, the Makurians have little hesitation in raiding neighboring lands.
|
III
|
Malinke
|
Peaceful
|
Immortalizing their traditions and hereditary nobility, Malinke storytellers known as "griots" pass their history and mythology verbally from one generation to the next.
|
III
|
DLC
Cultures of Latin America Pack
Marajoarans
|
Violent
|
The earthen mounds of the Marajoarans offer elevated habitations and flood protection, but also serve defensive purposes when raiding parties return home.
|
III
|
DLC
Together We Rule
Mon
|
Peaceful
|
Particularly proficient in cultivating rice, the Mon can boast of their thriving traditions, spreading faith, and excellent cuisine.
|
III
|
DLC
Cultures of Latin America Pack
Muisca
|
Peaceful
|
Blessed with rich lands, the Muisca need not seek war to survive, yet they take pride in wrestling and other games of physical prowess.
|
III
|
Normans
|
Violent
|
With a reputation for bravery bordering on foolhardiness, the Normans are known for their martial skills as well as their culture.
|
III
|
Ostrogoths
|
Violent
|
Renowned for their military prowess, this Goth tribe has a terrifying reputation and has sacked cities belonging to much bigger empires.
|
III
|
Somalis
|
Violent
|
Well-organized and powerful, the Somalis use the wealth of their trading empire to maintain their independence and extend their commercial reach.
|
III
|
Thai
|
Violent
|
Born of indigenous revolts against powerful rivals, the irregular Thai soldiers are renowned for fighting in the extreme environments of their native lands.
|
III
|
Toltecs
|
Peaceful
|
An urban center of craftsmanship and architecture, the capital city of Tollan relies on the military orders of Eagle, Coyote, and Jaguar to control its lands.
|
III
|
DLC
Cultures of Oceania Pack
Tuʻi Tonga
|
Violent
|
With warriors equally at home in canoes and on the battlefield, the Tuʻi Tonga can travel far afield in search of conquest and tribute.
|
III
|
Visigoths
|
Violent
|
The Visigoth's warlike heritage is shown notably in their list of military feats. They are less known for their code of laws, which elevates the rights of women.
|
III
|
DLC
Cultures of Latin America Pack
Wari
|
Violent
|
Valorizing military conquest and ritual violence as a proof of submission, the Wari elite foster a warmongering culture.
|
III
|
DLC
Cultures of Africa Pack
Wolof
|
Violent
|
Wolof heirarchy is highly turbulent, and prone to dynastic feuds. Wolof leaders are expected to lead their people to greatness—else be deposed.
|
III
|
DLC
Cultures of Oceania Pack
Yap
|
Peaceful
|
Sophisticated navigators, the Yap transport large stone disks called rai across considerable distances to be used as currency.
|
IV
|
|
Peaceful
|
|
IV
|
|
Violent
|
|
IV
|
DLC
Together We Rule
Baluba
|
Violent
|
Governed by both a king and a council of elders, the Baluba are expert artisans who draw extraordinary riches from the land.
|
IV
|
DLC
Cultures of Africa Pack
Funj
|
Peaceful
|
An enviable economic powerhouse, the cosmopolitan Funj thrive thanks to peace and trade.
|
IV
|
DLC
Cultures of Africa Pack
Himba
|
Peaceful
|
A semi-nomadic people, the OvaHimba relocate their humble homesteads from year-to-year, seeking fertile soil and plentiful water for their crops and herds.
|
IV
|
Kongo
|
Violent
|
Proud and wilfull, the Kongo inhabit a densely settled land whose easily available manpower and resources are controlled by their king.
|
IV
|
DLC
Cultures of Latin America Pack
Lupaca
|
Peaceful
|
With their herds of llamas and alpacas, the Lupaca control the surrounding areas, often employing llama caravans for trade with their colonies.
|
IV
|
Malays
|
Peaceful
|
The sultanate blends established cultural practices with newer Islamic traditions, making thriving, cosmopolitan Malacca an important waypoint on global trade routes.
|
IV
|
DLC
Cultures of Oceania Pack
Ponapians
|
Peaceful
|
Reflecting their highly stratified society, the Ponapians refine their environments to create isolated areas with dedicated functions.
|
IV
|
DLC
Cultures of Oceania Pack
Tahitians
|
Peaceful
|
For Tahitians, music and dance are more than artisitc pursuits—they help make up the rhythms of everyday life.
|
IV
|
Tamils
|
Peaceful
|
A culture with a rich literary tradition, the Tamils achievements are many and varied, and not limited only to the page.
|
IV
|
Tarascans
|
Peaceful
|
In the capital, the fabled city of the hummingbirds, it is reputed that the ceramic marvels are only matched by the iridescence of the hummingbird's wing.
|
IV
|
Tlaxcaltecs
|
Violent
|
Threats from powerful neighbors gave birth to the Tlaxcaltecs famous military might and organization, but if subdued they could become strong allies.
|
IV
|
DLC
Cultures of Oceania Pack
Tuvaluans
|
Peaceful
|
Tuvaluans make use of abundant forest resources in myriad ways, from hewing tree trunks into canoes to braiding coconut fibers into rope.
|
IV
|
DLC
Cultures of Africa Pack
Yoruba
|
Violent
|
With their powerful cavalry and sophisticated administration systems, the Yoruba are a military force as organized as they are deadly.
|