Garios Comnos is the Emperor of the Western Empire, the leader of the Comnos clan, and a claimant to the Imperial diadem of the Calradic Empire.
Before the events of Bannerlord, Garios was a soldier in Emperor Drosios Neretzes' legions. After a successful military career, he became a wildly popular general, during which time he began to publicly insist the army, not incompetent aristocrats, should choose the rulers of the Empire. When Emperor Arenicos was later murdered under suspicious circumstances, a large assembly of Garios' soldiers gathered to proclaim him as the new Emperor.
Lucon Osticos and Rhagaea Pethros each contested this claim, leading to the three-way Calradian civil war.
Garios claimed his uncle Pateor, also a veteran soldier, had been beheaded by Lucon after petitioning for veterans to be granted lands by the Senate.
Description[]
The western third of the Empire is ruled by Garios, a charismatic general who represents a longstanding populist trend in imperial politics. He is deeply loved by his soldiers, both for his solid record in winning battles and for his insistence that his veterans be compensated in land afterwards. He often demands that the 'people' should settle key issues, but in practice this usually means an assembly of his soldiers, where his veterans can be counted on to shut down opposition.
According to his Personality Traits, he is Generous (Generosity 1), Devious (Honor -1), Daring (Valor 1), Cruel (Mercy -1), Calculating (Calculating 1). He has a reputation for being loyal to friends, but also cruel and manipulative.
As with all noblemen and women, his Armor, Weapons, Perks, Friends, Enemies, and Attribute Points are all randomized at the beginning of the game.
Skills[]
| Skill | Value |
|---|---|
| One Handed | 190 |
| Two Handed | 180 |
| Polearm | 200 |
| Bow | 120 |
| Crossbow | 90 |
| Throwing | 90 |
| Riding | 190 |
| Athletics | 130 |
| Tactics | 100 |
| Charm | 160 |
| Leadership | 200 |
| Trade | 120 |
| Steward | 140 |
Politics[]
Garios represents the populist faction of the Calradic Empire, and has the backing of most of the former Empire's more esteemed soldiers and commanders. During the waning days of the Empire, he allegedly pushed for key reforms such as veteran land grants and popular trial by assembly. As these policies were likely blocked or gridlocked by the oligarchic forces of the Senate and feudal influences of the aristocracy and former Emperors, his ascendancy as claimant for Emperor is likely a combination of his popularity with the Imperial armies and his populist political agenda.
Claim[]
Garios's claim to unify Calradia as Emperor is based on his own disdain for his predecessors and the Senate. He blames much of the Empire's recent decline on incompetent oligarchs and aristocrats whose ancient laws and traditions keep them in power by right of blood or wealth, rather than merit, intellect or ability. Despite this, though Garios is purportedly opposed to the oligarchic puppet Lucon and the aristocratic agitator Rhagaea, Garios supposedly governs his own third of the Empire by the force of his army, and is described as putting down opposition with his soldiers. Thus, Garios, separate from both Lucon and Rhagaea, who rely on tradition and inheritance respectively, believes in the law of might makes right as his basis for being Emperor.
Istiana, former spymaster of Emperor Neretzes, considers Garios "probably the best fighter" out of the three claimants to the Empire.
Quotes[]
| “ | Yes. We will never forget that day... The day we learned that the old men who claimed they had the right to rule us were doddering incompetents.
I was with the vanguard. Neretzes apparently knew that the Battanians had planned an ambush - the Khuzait scouts had told him. But he never bothered to inform us. So up we went, along a lovely wooded stream, until the Battanian arrows started whooshing in from all sides. We had our shields but you can only point them in one direction at once. So we started to drop, one by one, until the Battanian falxmen came screaming out of the trees. Ordinarily they'd be very vulnerable to archers, but, well, old Neretzes hadn't thought to send any along with us. So they came upon us, chopping and slashing, and we fought until we broke. I ran too. And any man who tells you he wouldn't, in those circumstances, is a liar. When I was sitting in the cold woods later that night, hiding with other fugitives, listening to the barbarians whoop and holler as they chopped off heads as trophies - I promise them that no Calradian soldier should again be led into battle by an emperor who knows so little of war. |
” |
| — on the Battle of Pendraic | ||
| Western Calradic Empire | |
|---|---|
| Monarch: | Claimant: |
| Emperor Garios | Unknown |
| Vassals: | |
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