Vakken and Minor Factions

In Calradia, not every army fights for a King. Minor factions are independent clans that operate outside the main kingdoms—until they are hired. These include mercenary companies like the Skolderbroda and lawless groups like the Hidden Hand. This guide covers who they are, how to hire them, and their unique strengths.

Who Are the Minor Factions?

Minor Factions are small clans that do not own settlements (mostly). They roam the map, fighting bandits or serving kingdoms as mercenaries. They have unique cultures and troop trees that differ from the main factions.

The Clans List

• Sturgia:

  • Skolderbroda: Elite heavy infantry. Very strong shield breakers.

  • Lake Rats: Marsh-dwellers, decent infantry.

• Empire:

  • Legion of the Betrayed: Heavy infantry styled after the old legions.

  • Eleftheroi: Mounted skirmishers.

  • Hidden Hand: Light infantry, often weak in open battle.

• Aserai:

  • Ghilman: Slave-soldiers, good cavalry.

  • Jawwal: Bedouin-style skirmishers.

• Khuzait:

  • Karakhuzeit: Nomads.

• Vlandia:

  • Company of the Golden Boar: Crossbow mercenaries.

• Battania:

  • Wolfskins: Forest warriors (associated with "Vakken" culture in lore).

Unique Troops

One of the main reasons to interact with minor factions is their unique troops. You cannot recruit these from regular villages. You must either:

1. Take them prisoner and recruit them.

2. Hire the clan as mercenaries (if you are a King).

• Notable Unit: The Skolder Veteran Broda is one of the best shock infantry units in the game.

• Notable Unit: The Ghilman line provides solid cavalry if you are lacking nobles.

Mercenary Work

If you are a King or a Vassal, you can hire these clans to fight for you.

1. Find the Leader: Track down the leader of the minor faction.

2. Offer a Contract: "We would like to hire your company."

3. Cost: You pay them based on the Influence they gain in battle. This is converted to Denars daily.

Tip: Mercenaries are expensive but essential for bolstering your numbers quickly during a war. Just be careful—they often switch sides if you stop paying or if the enemy offers more!

Recruiting Them

Unlike normal clans, you cannot grant fiefs to mercenary minor factions to make them permanent vassals easily (in vanilla). Their purpose is to be hired guns.

For more on building your army, check Troop Recruitment and Development and Kingdom Management.