How.. Interesting. So have the bandits behave somewhat similiar to how the pirates behave in SoASE. I'd vote the hell out of that idea.

As for the new trait, that is rather groovy, more or less. Though we all have to remember that this idea was the best/most voted for of the community submitted ideas. These are just traits, nifty little perks that should be more fluff than function imo, instead of giving some grand tactical/strategic advantage. So I'd suggest that for the next contest.. If you have an idea that you believe is good, yet not OP or moot, then post it and let it come to a vote.

What purpose does fluff have if it serves no function?

It has no purpose and is completely forgettable. When was the last time you picked lint from your pocket and pondered about casting it aside or keeping it for some other need?

...and game forum communities are obviously noted for their deep insight and intelligence?

In all seriousness it's not a bad trait but as other people have said it adds nothing new to the game. Some of the other options were innovative game changers that would add new dimensions and expand existing parts of FE, but Outlaw Connections is as bland as paper flavored oatmeal.

I mean my first thought after reading all the contest entries was WOW these are way over done. There is no chance that 95% of these ridiculous 4 page, empire destroying, completely game reworking traits are going to be included. I actually thought the devs did alright picking out the ones they did. So I guess I blame the community(Yes You), I mean we did vote and stuff. This is just another reason why I favor monarchy over democracy.

I'm "hyping" this up because someone won the contest regardless if you or the supposed 95% disagree.  

I think this is mildly uncalled for, as island dog is really just trying to give congratulations to someone for winning a contest. While some of us may not agree with the choices of that contest, I am pretty sure being rude to the developers doesn't strength their relationship with the community. In all honesty, I feel like this trait would be better made into a faction trait similar to the green civic in SMAC allowed you to recruit mindworms.

faction starts with own bandit emittin camp?

ohh... & congrats, I did vote for this one

Immersion. Something a little extra to draw you into the game world, or something to help you out a little early on. Not a "Hey, I can have my whole army move at warp speed with this little trait, damn..better get that one if I want to be a real winner. Right? Right?" ...Traits should be minor things imo, not something that can make or break you.

 Purpose is open to the interpretation of the viewing individual. I do not think what I do or do not do with my lint is of any consequence. And as for fluff content being completely forgettable.. Maybe to you, but certainly not to myself. I like seeing a game world come to life, and the fluff helps that happen. But anywho, that is my opinion on traits.

Allowing your hero to add bandits to his group is interesting? I'm sorry but I find it to be utterly unoriginal: now instead of just being able to hire from one group of people (heroes) you can hire from two!

what about hiring... Fallen heroes eh? that's something we currently don't have, all you can hire for heroes is... humans... er or as the Fallen call them... Manlings.

And... yes... we have mods that allow us to hire Fallen Heroes but it just seems to me... that the idea of Fallen Heroes slipped past the developers when they were thinking up the whole hire-able hero mechanic of the game, and yeah sure... this would make even more sense if humans/kingdom could only hire human/manling heroes and Fallen/Empire could only hire fallen heroes.

oh here's another...

taming wild creatures eh? you see all these monsters/creatures roaming around, well... what if you had a trait that allowed you to tame them, but of course you would likely have to defeat them and at the end of the battle you have a by X% chance of actually capturing and taming the beast.

Edit:

hrm... just realized maybe I should have taken time aside to actually put these idea into play... by actually submitting them, eh oh well. Maybe the developers will still put in more traits later on and might actually take the ideas that others are putting forward. Of course certainly won't expect to be notified or commended for coming up with the idea.

Granted... the current one... the one the developers chose or rather the community voted for was the best that someone could come up with and all others weren't just as attractive. Luck of the draw eh? I didn't follow the contest so I have no idea what other possibilities for traits there could have been.

Congrats to the winner and rotten eggs in the faces of the sore losers!

Congrats!!!

I'm so disapointed... I think it wasn't the most interesting trait [e digicons]:'([/e]

Oh well, Congrats xmorg

I wished the list was better too!

Grats xmorg, really nifty concept!