Welcome to the WotN teams second Baltic release preview. Today, as always, we have some new units to show you, this time we have not just Vikings, but Slavs and Continental Saxons too! We will be previewing two Slavic units created by IVIarkI2I called Lučnici and Voje, the two Viking units Berserkir by Haedar and Bogmenn by Vikingr, and the Continental Saxon unit called Frilingi Warriors by Vikingr. We also have an early preview on the map during summer! Sound good? Then keep reading.
Also, a big thanks to Beowulf47, Polak966 and Sivilombudsmannen for their unit descriptions. Another big thanks to MADTAO and everyone at the Lithuania mod for allowing us to use various models and textures from their units.
Lučnici
The bow was perhaps the most widespread weapon used among Slavic infantry. The shape of these steel arrow-heads varied, from original shapes to others adapted from the nomadic archers. The Slavs were famous for their ambushing tactics, and the Byzantines described many different strategies they used to avoid open battle. Among these was the use of guerrilla warfare, keeping to forested areas where combat was made easier for and preferred by the warrior-bands, to even hiding in lakes by using reeds as snorkels. Another feature of Slavic archers was the use of poison-tipped arrowheads, mentioned in the Strategikon.
Lacking any form of armour such lighter troops would be armed with axes or knives as a secondary weapon.
Voje
The axe was a favourite weapon among the tribal warriors. Cheap but devastating,
the Slavs made good use of domestic axes (topor) and specialized battle-axes (bordy) of varying
weight and blade shape. The wide use of such a weapon made the Slavic warrior a terrifying force
on the battlefield, and combined with the military traditions and hot-headedness of these peoples
this ensured the varying success that powerful political bodies like Byzantium and Frankland had
fighting against these new invaders from the east, who in the example of the former often found
Slavic armies with Avar support pounding on the gates of Constantinople itself.
The equipment of these men would be persistent with the norm; absence of armour, with only
the defence provided by one’s shield.
Berserkir
Who can say what Odin's intentions are with mankind? All that is known is when Fenrisulfr is cut from his bonds and the world serpent swallows the sun, the berserkirs will stand against Odin's foes. Berserkirs are great and terrible things, neither fully human nor beast, unmoved by fear or pain, pity or love. The battle wrath, the bloody mist that clouds their vision is unperturbable, save by death, and even this even this is not for certain.
The Berserkirs throw all safety to the winds plunging into the fray unarmored and carving a grim wound into the enemies' lines, glutting the ravens with their corpses. The singleness of purpose and the unbridled rage of the Berserkir is frightening to those unfamiliar with them and terrifying to those who are not.
The wise warlord knows that the Berserkir is a double edged blade and that while they may wreak great havoc on his adversaries, they are not easy to control, and under the sway of the berserkergang, they pursue their own dark ends.
"It fits not young Fridgeir
To fight with this warrior,
Grim gnawer of shield-rim,
By his gods who doth curse.
I better may meet him,
May rescue the maiden;
Full fearsome he stareth,
and fey are his eyes."
- Chapter LXVII, Egil's Saga
Bogmenn
Where the are winters long, the growing season short and the soil poor and often frozen, people must find other means to eat. Hunting is as good a method as good as any. A felled boar or deer, if preserved and rationed, can get a family through much of the hungry winter months. Thus the peasants and freemen of our lands know how to use a bow with some skill.
These are not true war bows, and as such their range and penetrative power is limited, and in all but the best of circumstances will not inflict massive casualties. They are, however, capable of manning the walls and towers, provoking rash and unwise actions among our foes, and causing injury to man, beast, and spirit.
Like all peasants, Bogmenn can be fielded cheaply and quickly, are lightly equipped, and are happy to run away if given half an opportunity. But if used correctly they can be a valuable asset to any Viking host.
"But blind Hoder stood sorrowfully away from the others, and did not join in any of their sports. Loki, seeing this, went to him and said, -
'Brother of the gloomy brow, why do you not take part with us in our games?'
'I am blind,' answered Hoder. I can neither leap, nor run, or throw the lance.'
'But you can shoot arrows from your bow,' said Loki."
- The Story of Siegfried
Frilingi Warriors
Frilingi Warriors are hardy peasants of Saxony, banding together in units from their local district, called Gô(Gau). These untrained Saxons are armed with the tools of their trade and a weary round-shield. Their class in Saxon society leaves them with little to no armour, and they will rather not compromise what little fabric there is, for brute flexibility. However, despite their low station, they are more then capable of defending their vulnerable independence, should the Frankish wet dream become a reality. Frilingi are the true Saxon patriots, who will bow their heads to no catholic despot.
They are led by the nose of the Saxon nobles called Edlinging, the fighting elite. Frilingi, the second class, are poor freemen: paying taxes to no lord and working their land as they see fit. Orginating from auxiliaries, gives them the right to move freely and carry arms at all times. They are also a distinguished class from the half free Lassi, who are serfs working the land of the lords. In spite of their decentralised and strict segregated society, they are all strongly united in times of war.
The Map (WIP)
Warrior One: Map Creation
gigantus: Map resizing, help and advice
Vikingr: Terrain textures
This map is a work in progress, obviously the names of settlements need to be edited. There will also be coastal smoothing done in the future and the terrains are not complete.
The Baltic Release: 2nd Preview
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Silesian_Noble
there are gonan be just 4 units at first release voje(warriors), lučnici (archers), konica (horsemen) and Borcje (heroes) so really nothing special with slavs 
Awesome map. guyes! Can't wait to see the final version! 
