Link:
http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/board,167.0.htmlNote: Not fully out yet (well it sorta is, but not for the general public use. Have to download TortoiusSVN and get it working that way. Sticky explains how in the forums). It is also singleplayer only.
Also note: Sometimes a new release comes out, where saves aren't compatible (due to certain changes/features being added). Beta is beta ;P
However...the public beta release is due very soon (should be next week...but as always, something may come up)
So onto the mod itself. So, the mod is based on the Medieval ages and takes all of Europe...well...about same scope as Medieval 2 Total War map. Since I bring that up, since this reminds me of it. The map is HUGE. So many factions, cities, castles and everything. On top of that, the map isn't buggy at all from what I've seen. Many large and huge maps in some mods, have been glitchy.
Now some of this may not be in, until the full release...but going through the features...
Buildable castles (upcoming version)
Buildable settlements (upcoming version)
Weather system (upcoming version)
Crusades (join or start one, upcoming version)
Sea battles + Sea travel (sea travel is in, unless it is a different system in the upcoming version. Sea battles I'm not sure are in or not, yet.)
Custom scenes for castles, towns and villages (think it is already partially implemented, not sure.)
Hundreds of new troops (lots of new troops already, probably even more in the upcoming version)
more than a thousand new items
And all that is listed in the upcoming version.
Other things I know are already in...
Lots of new buildings to build. You can build mines, farms and other economy structures (and I think more than just economy, I don't recall everything though) and they appear on the game map. I think this will be similar to buildable castles/settlements that will be coming in the next version...the buildings do cost weekly, but you can also make a profit from them. Lots of new buildings in castles/cities that you control, as well. Each give various bonuses and what not.
There is a different recruiting system (optional, but supposed to be the main option to choose), where in the beginning...you can only hire mercenaries until you have a city/castle/village under your command and become a "lord". Though, there is also an option for normal recruitment of villages. This I guess is supposed to be more realistic, but it does it make it a lot harder in the beginning. Be that a good or bad thing.
Not really a "feature" per say...but there are HUGE wars on the map, and quite often. Things change so much on the map between territory and what not. I once saw an army of 20 (around there, it was a lot) lords rampaging through another faction's territory. But then another faction (an ally?) came in and helped drive them back. Each lord had a large amount of men under their command, as well. I did take part in some of the battles, but I mostly stayed back and watched what happened.
It is a rather epic mod. And even in its current stages, barely buggy at all. And even with how huge the map is (and it is huge), I haven't encountered any weird map graphical glitches or anything. Closest I've come to a Medieval mod I've found in Mount and Blade and most games. It does remind me of Medieval 2 Total War (like I said), but ...well...not a strategy game. Though, the mod does have a lot of strategy-esque stuff in it. With all the buildings and stuff. Even more when castles/settlements can be built.
For screenshots? Just go here, though some may be rather old:
http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,110532.0.htmlI may take some when the mod is released to the public. I stopped playing till its out, because if he puts in certain new features...it won't be save game compatible. I would rather just wait for all the new stuff.