The Bannerman 2027: A Closer Look at Arabia and Neverra (Patreon)

Hello everyone!

First of all, thank you so much to everyone taking part in The Bannerman poll. Voting is still open, so these aren't final results, but you're already giving us a much clearer picture of what you'd like to see. Some of it has been quite unexpected. The relatively low interest in undead elves has surprised us, as has the enthusiasm for ranges we might never have started without your suggestions. Arabia is a particularly interesting example.

Today we'd like to talk about The Bannerman and a couple of questions the voting has raised. You can still vote in the poll here: Vote in The Bannerman poll. The suggestion posts for The Adventurer (ideas for The Adventurer) and The Crusader (ideas for The Crusader) are also open if you'd like to add your ideas for our historical and science fiction ranges.

An Arabian-inspired range gives us a lot to work out. It wasn't something we'd originally planned, but we're certainly willing to explore it. The difficulty is deciding what people mean when they ask for an Arabian army, because we could take it in several very different directions.

One approach would be closer to the familiar Western image of an Arabian army: turbans, robes and the sort of troops shown in this first reference, from the setting of the Reconquista.

That direction draws heavily on al-Andalus and North Africa, with Almohad and Amazigh (Berber) influences. Although these references are often grouped together under an “Arabian” fantasy label, they aren't all the same cultural or historical tradition.

Another possibility would be to look towards the armies of Saladin during the Crusades, as illustrated by this second reference. Personally, I find that a more interesting starting point, even though it may be further from what some of us in the West first imagine when we hear “Arabia”.

And if we drew more specifically on the Arabian Peninsula itself, the result might look quite different from either image. These are just two starting points for the discussion. When you vote for an Arabian-inspired range, what are you picturing? Is either of these close to what you want, or do you have other references in mind?

We'd also like to understand which games and army lists you'd want to use these miniatures with. We haven't found a clear list to base this project on yet. Would you like an Arabian-inspired equivalent of the High Kingdom, covering its troop types and equipment in the same way we're approaching Tsarstvo Leasir, alongside some distinctive units of its own to make a complete army? Or is there a fan-made list you think would give us a better basis? Please share the game, the list's name and a link so we can look at what you mean.

While we're asking, we'd like to hear more from those voting for Neverra Kingdom, too. It's receiving plenty of support, but we feel the existing range is already fairly complete. Which units would you actually like us to add? What do you feel is missing?

From our side, it's getting harder to find room for new units without repeating something we already have or opening up subfactions. If that's the direction you'd like, tell us. Specific suggestions will help us understand what another month of Neverra should bring to your armies.

We'll probably have more questions over the next few days as we work through the results. Thank you again for taking the time to vote and explain your choices.