Post by Administrator on Aug 19, 2008 22:10:44 GMT -5
Barbarian Peasants
light infantry | 60 Men
Expert at Hiding in Forests
Peasants are reluctant warriors, but barbarian peasants are better fighters than most: hard lives produce hard men. Numbers are useful in all armies, and forcing peasants to fight is one way of getting lots of men in the field quickly and cheaply. They have little tactical sense, and even less willingness to fight - they would rather be defending their own homes than be dragged to a battle they neither care about nor understand. They are, however, experts at reading the land and hiding when there is cover.
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Skirmisher Warband
missile infantry | 40 Men
Expert at Hiding in Forests
Can Hide in Long Grass
Skirmishers are lightly armed troops who should break up and harass enemy formations before the main battle lines meet, and act as a screen for heavier troops. Their skills also make them useful in springing tactical ambushes.
Each man is armed with a clutch of throwing spears, a short sword and a small shield, but they do not wear armour preferring speed over protection.
Skirmisher Warbands are often the tribes younger warriors. These men have yet to prove themselves as warriors, so are not necessarily tough enough to stand against a seasoned enemy in hand-to-hand fighting.
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Forester Warband
missile infantry | 40 Men
Elite
Can Hide Anywhere
Very Hardy
A life spent hunting is an excellent training for war. Personal courage, skill and the readiness to take a life can all be learned during a hunt. Foresters are highly skilled men with both the bow and the spear, their preferred weapons. They also each wear good leather armour.
Their hunting skills also stand them in good stead when stalking men instead of animals - these men can hide almost anywhere, taking advantage of every scrap of cover. The ability to spring ambushes as well as fight hand-to-hand makes them a uniquely flexible force for a warlord and one that, unusually, has enough sense to obey all orders. Foresters already know that they are superb hunters and warriors, and do not need to prove their skills to anyone by attacking just because they can.
**********************************************************
Warband
light infantry | 60 Men
Impetuous
Expert at Hiding in Forests
Warbands are bound to the service of a strongman or petty village head. They are the basic unit to be found in many barbarian armies. They fight well as glory and loot are the road to status but are often difficult to control. They care little for discipline and less for restraint, but they can be relied on to fight, and fight hard. In warfare it is up to each man to prove his own bravery and worth, so the savage charge into the enemy is about as sophisticated as they ever want to be.
Each man carries a stabbing spear and a large shield.
**********************************************************
Swordsmen
heavy infantry | 40 Men
Superior
Impetuous
Expert at Hiding in Forests
Swordsmen are steadfast and aggressive warriors, the infantry of the line for barbarian warlords. They are not very disciplined at times, as their sense of honour and bravery can make them eager to get into any fray, but they are uniformly superb swordsmen. They are equipped with good swords and large shields.
Every warlord worth the name makes sure he has a couple of warbands of these hard men under his command.
**********************************************************
Chosen Swordsmen
heavy infantry | 40 Men
Elite
Impetuous
Hardy
Expert at Hiding in Forests
Chosen swordsmen are the best fighting individuals in their tribe, and armed with the finest swords available.
While superbly skilled and extremely tough, they are not naturally inclined to fight as a group. Personal glory and the need to be first amongst the enemy ensure that they are headstrong and ill-disciplined. They are, however, very well equipped with the finest swords that the smiths can make, along with chainmail armour and large shields. They are an intimidating sight for any enemy.
**********************************************************
Naked Fanatics
heavy infantry | 40 Men
Impetuous
Hardy
Expert at Hiding in Forests
There are warriors among the barbarian ranks whose love of battle is such that they live for little else. Clad only in flimsy loincloths, the fanatics whip themselves into a frenzy by chanting, beating themselves and drinking heavily. In this state they make an unnerving sight on the battlefield. They are best sent into battle en masse, shocking the enemy by a ferocious charge, but they should be kept away from enemy cavalry.
They carry just swords and shields and have practically no discipline, but they can cause heavy casualties among most enemies. They fight mostly (if not completely) naked to emphasise their own fierceness and utter lack of fear. Scars and tattoos adorn their skin, and they let their hair grow wild. Only after a kill is their hair cut often with a sword blade while standing over a freshly dead foe.
While their reckless courage is not in doubt, they can lack the cohesion and discipline to adapt to setbacks, breaking and running in confusion when subjected to severe pressure.
**********************************************************
Druids
light infantry | 16 Men
Very Hardy
Inspires Friendly Units
Expert at Hiding in Forests
Druids are spiritual leaders with practical fighting skills who instil confidence in nearby friendly warriors. They have a religious zeal that gives them great courage and their mere presence fills nearby believers with confidence. Positioned just behind the battle line druids can also form a powerful reserve, ready to join the fray at a crucial moment.
Equipped with sickle-shaped swords and small shields, the mail-clad druids are excellent fighters. Their good war gear is a reflection of their status as teachers, judges, soothsayers and the focal point of religion and magic among their people. As Celtic cultures lack a written form, they are also the memory of the tribe as well, remembering all the important facts of tribal history.
Historically, the Romans despised and then targeted these men because they practiced particularly savage forms of human sacrifice and because of their cultural importance. When a tribes history was wiped out, it became a little easier to bend the people to the will of Rome.
**********************************************************
Warhounds
heavy handler | 12 Men
Warhounds are bred for a savage nature and great size, but then hunting men is only a little more dangerous than hunting wild boar. The beasts are muscular and powerful. Originally bred for hunting large prey, they are now trained to hunt and attack men. Warhounds are usually unleashed on an enemy to break a line and unnerve opponents. Few men are able to stand steadily in the face of a snarling and partially-starved beast. The dogs are trained to bite and hold on, dragging down their human targets, and hamstringing horses.
Their handlers are brave, foolhardy and not easily intimidated: many have fingers, hands or even chunks of limbs missing.
**********************************************************
Barbarian Cavalry
light cavalry | 27 Men
Impetuous
Can Form Wedge
Barbarian cavalry are lightly armoured and carry spears and shields. They are best used as scouts and in pursuit of fleeing enemies, and ride sturdy, sure-footed ponies with a good turn of speed. Like many barbarian warriors, however, they can lack battle-discipline and be over-keen to enter battle against worthy opponents. Honour and standing come from fighting, and sometimes the urge for glory overwhelms good sense. These men are all good fighters, but find organised, formal warfare goes against the grain. They are unlikely to be very effective against steady infantry unless attacking from an unexpected direction.
**********************************************************
Barbarian Warlord
heavy cavalry | 12 Men
Elite
Hardy
Inspires Friendly Units
Can Form Wedge
A barbarian warlord surrounds himself with fierce warriors as a personal guard. These spear-armed cavalry are an elite reserve for use in a moment of crisis.
Every warlord commands by right of personal courage as much as tactical skill, and must prove himself in battle. He and his guards are equipped as cavalry with spears, mail armour and shields so that they can dash to any point on the battlefield. The warlord can inspire his men to greater efforts just by his presence, and also has enough men to be a significant force should the need arise.
**********************************************************
Barbarian Noble Cavalry
heavy cavalry | 27 Men
Superior
Impetuous
Can Form Wedge
Noble cavalry are an elite in society as well as war, and fight bravely to justify their status. This can lead them to be headstrong, and difficult to restrain before a fight, as personal glory gained in battle is the only true measure of nobility. Their war gear of spears, shields and good chainmail is the very finest that can be provided.
They are best used to break weakened enemy formations, fight against other cavalry and pursue fleeing enemies. While they are brave men and superb horsemen, they lack the cohesion of more civilized cavalry, and may not be as effective in a hand-to-hand fight. Shock and initial impact are their main weapons.
**********************************************************
Barbarian Warlord
heavy cavalry | 12 Men
Elite
Hardy
Inspires Friendly Units
A barbarian warlord surrounds himself with fierce warriors as a personal guard. These spear-armed cavalry are an elite reserve for use in a moment of crisis.
Every warlord commands by right of personal courage as much as tactical skill, and must prove himself in battle. He and his guards are equipped as cavalry with spears, leather armour and shields so that they can dash to any point on the battlefield. The warlord can inspire his men to greater efforts just by his presence, and also has enough men to be a significant force should the need arise.
light infantry | 60 Men
Expert at Hiding in Forests
Peasants are reluctant warriors, but barbarian peasants are better fighters than most: hard lives produce hard men. Numbers are useful in all armies, and forcing peasants to fight is one way of getting lots of men in the field quickly and cheaply. They have little tactical sense, and even less willingness to fight - they would rather be defending their own homes than be dragged to a battle they neither care about nor understand. They are, however, experts at reading the land and hiding when there is cover.
**********************************************************
Skirmisher Warband
missile infantry | 40 Men
Expert at Hiding in Forests
Can Hide in Long Grass
Skirmishers are lightly armed troops who should break up and harass enemy formations before the main battle lines meet, and act as a screen for heavier troops. Their skills also make them useful in springing tactical ambushes.
Each man is armed with a clutch of throwing spears, a short sword and a small shield, but they do not wear armour preferring speed over protection.
Skirmisher Warbands are often the tribes younger warriors. These men have yet to prove themselves as warriors, so are not necessarily tough enough to stand against a seasoned enemy in hand-to-hand fighting.
**********************************************************
Forester Warband
missile infantry | 40 Men
Elite
Can Hide Anywhere
Very Hardy
A life spent hunting is an excellent training for war. Personal courage, skill and the readiness to take a life can all be learned during a hunt. Foresters are highly skilled men with both the bow and the spear, their preferred weapons. They also each wear good leather armour.
Their hunting skills also stand them in good stead when stalking men instead of animals - these men can hide almost anywhere, taking advantage of every scrap of cover. The ability to spring ambushes as well as fight hand-to-hand makes them a uniquely flexible force for a warlord and one that, unusually, has enough sense to obey all orders. Foresters already know that they are superb hunters and warriors, and do not need to prove their skills to anyone by attacking just because they can.
**********************************************************
Warband
light infantry | 60 Men
Impetuous
Expert at Hiding in Forests
Warbands are bound to the service of a strongman or petty village head. They are the basic unit to be found in many barbarian armies. They fight well as glory and loot are the road to status but are often difficult to control. They care little for discipline and less for restraint, but they can be relied on to fight, and fight hard. In warfare it is up to each man to prove his own bravery and worth, so the savage charge into the enemy is about as sophisticated as they ever want to be.
Each man carries a stabbing spear and a large shield.
**********************************************************
Swordsmen
heavy infantry | 40 Men
Superior
Impetuous
Expert at Hiding in Forests
Swordsmen are steadfast and aggressive warriors, the infantry of the line for barbarian warlords. They are not very disciplined at times, as their sense of honour and bravery can make them eager to get into any fray, but they are uniformly superb swordsmen. They are equipped with good swords and large shields.
Every warlord worth the name makes sure he has a couple of warbands of these hard men under his command.
**********************************************************
Chosen Swordsmen
heavy infantry | 40 Men
Elite
Impetuous
Hardy
Expert at Hiding in Forests
Chosen swordsmen are the best fighting individuals in their tribe, and armed with the finest swords available.
While superbly skilled and extremely tough, they are not naturally inclined to fight as a group. Personal glory and the need to be first amongst the enemy ensure that they are headstrong and ill-disciplined. They are, however, very well equipped with the finest swords that the smiths can make, along with chainmail armour and large shields. They are an intimidating sight for any enemy.
**********************************************************
Naked Fanatics
heavy infantry | 40 Men
Impetuous
Hardy
Expert at Hiding in Forests
There are warriors among the barbarian ranks whose love of battle is such that they live for little else. Clad only in flimsy loincloths, the fanatics whip themselves into a frenzy by chanting, beating themselves and drinking heavily. In this state they make an unnerving sight on the battlefield. They are best sent into battle en masse, shocking the enemy by a ferocious charge, but they should be kept away from enemy cavalry.
They carry just swords and shields and have practically no discipline, but they can cause heavy casualties among most enemies. They fight mostly (if not completely) naked to emphasise their own fierceness and utter lack of fear. Scars and tattoos adorn their skin, and they let their hair grow wild. Only after a kill is their hair cut often with a sword blade while standing over a freshly dead foe.
While their reckless courage is not in doubt, they can lack the cohesion and discipline to adapt to setbacks, breaking and running in confusion when subjected to severe pressure.
**********************************************************
Druids
light infantry | 16 Men
Very Hardy
Inspires Friendly Units
Expert at Hiding in Forests
Druids are spiritual leaders with practical fighting skills who instil confidence in nearby friendly warriors. They have a religious zeal that gives them great courage and their mere presence fills nearby believers with confidence. Positioned just behind the battle line druids can also form a powerful reserve, ready to join the fray at a crucial moment.
Equipped with sickle-shaped swords and small shields, the mail-clad druids are excellent fighters. Their good war gear is a reflection of their status as teachers, judges, soothsayers and the focal point of religion and magic among their people. As Celtic cultures lack a written form, they are also the memory of the tribe as well, remembering all the important facts of tribal history.
Historically, the Romans despised and then targeted these men because they practiced particularly savage forms of human sacrifice and because of their cultural importance. When a tribes history was wiped out, it became a little easier to bend the people to the will of Rome.
**********************************************************
Warhounds
heavy handler | 12 Men
Warhounds are bred for a savage nature and great size, but then hunting men is only a little more dangerous than hunting wild boar. The beasts are muscular and powerful. Originally bred for hunting large prey, they are now trained to hunt and attack men. Warhounds are usually unleashed on an enemy to break a line and unnerve opponents. Few men are able to stand steadily in the face of a snarling and partially-starved beast. The dogs are trained to bite and hold on, dragging down their human targets, and hamstringing horses.
Their handlers are brave, foolhardy and not easily intimidated: many have fingers, hands or even chunks of limbs missing.
**********************************************************
Barbarian Cavalry
light cavalry | 27 Men
Impetuous
Can Form Wedge
Barbarian cavalry are lightly armoured and carry spears and shields. They are best used as scouts and in pursuit of fleeing enemies, and ride sturdy, sure-footed ponies with a good turn of speed. Like many barbarian warriors, however, they can lack battle-discipline and be over-keen to enter battle against worthy opponents. Honour and standing come from fighting, and sometimes the urge for glory overwhelms good sense. These men are all good fighters, but find organised, formal warfare goes against the grain. They are unlikely to be very effective against steady infantry unless attacking from an unexpected direction.
**********************************************************
Barbarian Warlord
heavy cavalry | 12 Men
Elite
Hardy
Inspires Friendly Units
Can Form Wedge
A barbarian warlord surrounds himself with fierce warriors as a personal guard. These spear-armed cavalry are an elite reserve for use in a moment of crisis.
Every warlord commands by right of personal courage as much as tactical skill, and must prove himself in battle. He and his guards are equipped as cavalry with spears, mail armour and shields so that they can dash to any point on the battlefield. The warlord can inspire his men to greater efforts just by his presence, and also has enough men to be a significant force should the need arise.
**********************************************************
Barbarian Noble Cavalry
heavy cavalry | 27 Men
Superior
Impetuous
Can Form Wedge
Noble cavalry are an elite in society as well as war, and fight bravely to justify their status. This can lead them to be headstrong, and difficult to restrain before a fight, as personal glory gained in battle is the only true measure of nobility. Their war gear of spears, shields and good chainmail is the very finest that can be provided.
They are best used to break weakened enemy formations, fight against other cavalry and pursue fleeing enemies. While they are brave men and superb horsemen, they lack the cohesion of more civilized cavalry, and may not be as effective in a hand-to-hand fight. Shock and initial impact are their main weapons.
**********************************************************
Barbarian Warlord
heavy cavalry | 12 Men
Elite
Hardy
Inspires Friendly Units
A barbarian warlord surrounds himself with fierce warriors as a personal guard. These spear-armed cavalry are an elite reserve for use in a moment of crisis.
Every warlord commands by right of personal courage as much as tactical skill, and must prove himself in battle. He and his guards are equipped as cavalry with spears, leather armour and shields so that they can dash to any point on the battlefield. The warlord can inspire his men to greater efforts just by his presence, and also has enough men to be a significant force should the need arise.