In the dense forests of the Bandar realm, apes of uncanny brightness have emerged. Under the influence of semi-divine beings, the apes have evolved intelligence and developed a culture. When the former rulers of Bandar Log returned to their Celestial Realms, the apes were left without leadership. A warlike, hierarchical society was formed with the large Bandar apes at the top. But the influence of the former masters was not forgotten and the blessed White Ones who were gifted with higher intelligence and magical powers were able to keep their influence and power. Bandar Log is a divided society. Small Markatas are at the bottom of the society. Vanara apes of human size are the most common. Large Bandar apes rule most of the society and form the military. Sacred White Ones are trained as sages, priests and holy warriors.

"Bandar Log is a very hierarchical society. Markatas are the smallest of the monkey people and their intellect is barely above that of simple beasts. Markatas are small, noisy, and annoying, especially when met in large numbers. If alone, they can be used as scouts, but when in greater numbers, they quickly become bored and start to make noise and play with each other. They are generally despised by the larger monkeys and apes. They are sometimes given small bows. This pleases them no end, but they still are not very useful soldiers. . . .

Bandar Log, the nation of the monkey people, is inspired by Hindu myths, ancient India and Rudyard Kipling. The Vanara comes from the Ramayana, an epic in which the monkey people aid prince Rama in his struggle against the demon king Ravana. The hierarchical division of the different species of monkeys has parallels in the Hindu caste system. I wanted the Bandar to use the alleged colors of the Indo-Aryan castes: white for priests, red for nobles and black for commoners. Markatas are exempt from the hierarchy and society at large and might be seen as untouchables of earlier times, although I imagine them less vulnerable. Important to the development of the Bandar Log were the semi-divine beings of Hindu myth. With a slight breath of 2001: A Space Odyssey, the Yavanas and Devatas became lords of the monkey people." -Illwinter

If you are considering picking this nation to play, what should you know?

Magic Access	Alt. Access	Unit Summary	Core Abilities	Buildings
4 (Rare 5) 3 (Rare 4) 1 (Rare 2) 1 (Rare 2) 1	Hero 2 Summons See the list below. Astral opens many paths. Blood opens many paths.	Archers, from small apes to large apes Light infantry, from small apes to large apes Elephant Riders Tiger Riders	Animal Forest Survival Reincarnation	Standard Forts

Capitol Gems: 2211

Heat Limit + 1
Order Limit + 1

Prefers Heat Scale + 2

• Celestial Music (Thaumaturgy 6)
  3 for 1
  Commentary here.

• Headdress of the Bull (Construction 5)
  1 and 5
  Commentary here.
• Vajra (Construction 5)
  2 and 10
  Commentary here.

See Magic Access. These guides supplement the summaries at the top.

MA Bandar Log has many summons to break into additional and higher paths. They tend to center on Astral and Blood, so having a pretender with both of those opens up many possibilities. Especially Blood, since MA Bandar Log doesn't have native access to it.

No recruitable access. 5 can Summon Rudra for a 3.

No recruitable access. There are many national summons to get into Air. There are even more if you have Blood access.

2 can Summon Vidyadhara for a 1. 3 can Summon Kinnara for a 2. 4 can Summon Siddha for a 2. 5 can Summon Devata for a 3. 5 can Summon Rudra for a 3.

1 Rishi (1 in 4) is the only Water mage recruitable. No helpful crosspaths.

12, (a 1 Rishi (1 in 4)), can Contact Yakshini for a certain 3 and a 1 in 5 chance of 4.

1 Rishi (1 in 4) is the only Earth mage recruitable. Needs a level of empowerment but may make the unique The Tome of Gaia once it has it.

12, (a 1 Rishi (1 in 4)), can Contact Yaksha for a certain 3 and a 1 in 5 4.

4 Rishi (1 in 4) is the most powerful mage recruitable but a 1 Rishi (1 in 4), with another level in Earth through empowerment or booster, can make a Coin of Meteoritic Iron.

There are many national summons that have the right crosspaths to get to other Astral boosters. Most of those summons require already having a high level of Astral, but getting to extremely high level of Astral is actually useful. Wish requires 9, for example.

No recruitable access. 5 can Summon Rudra for a 3.

3 can cast Forest Troll Tribe for at least 1.

3 Rishi (1 in 4) is the strongest Nature mage available. It can make a Thistle Mace and a Moonvine Bracelet. A 1 Rishi (1 in 4), with an Earth booster or empowerment, may make the unique The Tome of Gaia.

31 can Contact Nagarishi for a 1 in 5 chance of 2.

No recruitable access. 12 can Contact Yaksha for a certain 1 and a 1 in 5 chance of 2. 12 can Contact Yakshini for a certain 1 and a 1 in 5 chance of 2. 21 can Contact Nagaraja for 1. 21 can Contact Nagini for a certain 1 and a 1 in 5 chance of 2. 31 can Contact Nagarishi for a certain 1 and a 1 in 5 chance of 2. 4 can cast Troll King's Court for 1. 3 can cast Forest Troll Tribe for a 1 in 4 chance of 1.

No national access. 5 can Awaken Treelord for a 1 in 3 chance of 1.

How to win as the nation. Feel free to use the following sections, or delete them, or change them.

Different expansion options.

Early game options.

Mid game options.

Late game options.

What are the nation's weaknesses?

Add links to guides or other overviews for this nation here.

Nations
Early Ages	Arcoscephale • Ermor • Ulm • Pyrène, • Marverni • Sauromatia • T'ien Ch'i • Machaka • Mictlan • Abysia • Caelum • C'tis • Pangaea • Agartha • Tir na n'Og • Fomoria • Vanheim • Helheim • Niefelheim • Muspelheim • Rus • Kailasa • Lanka • Yomi • Hinnom • Ur • Berytos • Xibalba • Mekone • Ubar • Atlantis • R'lyeh • Pelagia • Oceania • Therodos
Middle Ages	Arcoscephale • Ermor • Sceleria • Pythium • Man • Eriu • Ulm • Pyrène • Marignon • Mictlan • T'ien Ch'i • Machaka • Agartha • Abysia • Caelum • C'tis • Pangaea • Asphodel • Vanheim • Jotunheim • Nidavangr • Vanarus • Bandar Log • Shinuyama • Ashdod • Uruk • Nazca • Xibalba • Phlegra • Phaeacia • Ind • Na'ba • Atlantis • R'lyeh • Pelagia • Oceania • Ys
Late Ages	Arcoscephale • Pythium • Lemuria • Man • Ulm • Marignon • Mictlan • T'ien Ch'i • Jomon • Agartha • Abysia • Caelum • C'tis • Pangaea • Midgård • Utgård • Bogarus • Patala • Gath • Ragha • Xibalba • Phlegra • Vaettiheim • Feminie • Piconye • Andramania • Pyrène • Atlantis • R'lyeh • Erytheia