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Thread: [Preview] The Sclaveni

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    Deutschland's Avatar East of Rome Mod Leader
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    Icon2 [Preview] The Sclaveni



    THE SLAVS - UNIT PREVIEW

    Welcome to the first unit preview of the new East of Rome team. For a start we would like to present you the new Slavic roster, which will be used partly by the Moravians and partly by another faction, newly integrated into EoR: The Slavic Tribes.



    History of the Early Slavs

    For hundreds of years, the Indo-European peoples (Proto-Slavs) that evolved to become the early Slavs lived unbeknownst to civilised nations in the area north of the Black Sea roughly corresponding to the Pripet rivers, forests and marshes in the Ukraine, though the exact location of their homeland is unknown and controversial.

    During the later period of the Great Migrations, in the 6th century A.D., for numerous and differing reasons, the Slavs started migrating in substantial numbers to the West and the East, where they caught the attention first of the Eastern Roman Empire under Justinian, with historians such as Jordanes and Procopius mentioning new tribal groups under the name of the Antes and Sclaveni (the possible origin of word ‘’Slav’’) amongst many others emerging from Eastern Europe to ‘invade’ the Empire. Thus, the known history of the Slavic peoples commences with the Dark Ages.

    The sudden migration of the numerous Slavs throughout the 6th and 7th centuries, which was probably slower and less numerous than originally thought, can be explained by them no longer being surrounded by the warlike Germanic tribes who oftentimes dominated the ‘Wends’, as they were known to them, in Eastern Europe, and who have now migrated west and south into the richer lands of the former Western Roman Empire. In addition, the nomad Steppe peoples such as the Huns and Sarmatians have recently become much weaker and thus, lost their hegemony on the Slavic tribes, which enabled the former to expand freely out of their hostile homeland, something that would be less pronounced with the invasion of the nomadic Avars in the mid-6th century.

    The Slavic groups who went west and occupied a number of depopulated territories that once belonged to East Germanic tribes in order to fill the empty gap between them, became the West Slavs; the ancestors of the modern Poles, Sorbians, Czechs and Slovaks amongst others. Those who remained in their ancient homeland or that went north and east became the East Slavs; the ancestors of modern Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians, to name a few. The important tribes that went south will be examined shortly. Early Slavic population consisted mostly of farmers, hunters and woodsmen with a small and wealthier nobility that were often warriors and chieftains. Despite this, it is said they had no political structure or personality to lead them and thus, they did as they pleased, although this is highly unlikely and debatable. Armies consisted mostly of peasant levies and the already mentioned warrior class. The number of tribes and overall population grew considerably between the 6th and 8th centuries, outnumbering their neighbours, because of advances in agriculture such as crop rotation and the mouldboard plough.

    The Invasion of the Balkans and Greece and the Southern Slavs

    During the 6th and 7th centuries, an important number of expanding Slavic tribes out of the Danube River migrated south, invading and raiding the lands of the Balkans and Greece, then belonging to the Eastern Roman Empire. Some would even make it to the Peloponnesus of Southern Greece. They would become what is now known as the South Slavs, whose descendants, such as ex-Yugoslavs and Bulgarians, are as numerous and culturally different to this day. This prompted the Romans under Emperor Justinian to rebuild and strengthen their borders on the Danube. However, it did not stop the widespread destruction caused by the newcomers’ settlements and raids in the former provincial territories of Thrace and Greece nor the number of pillaged goods in the latter half of the 6th century. Nothing could prepare them for this coming storm. Slavs in the Balkans quickly assimilated local populations or they were dissolved themselves.




    Please tell us your comments, suggestions etc!



    Slavic Axemen





    Slav Axemen
    These men are masters of guerilla type tactics, employing both axe and javelins in equal measure first to severely weaken the enemy, then to run them to ground with a devastating assault. As with most Slavic units, however, they are unarmored and rely more on speed, surprise and guts. The Slavs were masters of 'guerilla' type warfare, employing hit and run tactics and ambush to their advantage. Perhaps because they are mostly unarmored or they are unarmored because of their preferred type of warfare, which leaves heavily laden men panting in the dust, or worse still unable to do anything anymore, much less pant. These warriors can fight well under most circumstances. Their tactics prevent them from forming in a battle line; against other heavy infantry these men will suffer excess casualties.



    Slavic Heavy Axemen





    Slavic Heavy Axemen These are some of the best men available to the Slavic tribes. Their armour consists either of leather or metal plates to protect them when they perform their devastating charge. Indeed, few can resist the mighty two-hand axes they wield. The axe is a very common weapon among the Slavs, however, there are differences in quality. The axes of these men are made of finer Germanic, even Roman steel only affordable to richer and more influential members of the Slavic society.



    Slavic Spearmen



    Slavic Spearmen Slavic spearmen are expected to be the backbone of an early Slavic army or warband. Thus, they must be reliable, very motivated and ready to work in coordination with other unit types. They use the most common weapon of the Slavs at that time, the spear. The spear is one of the most primitive of weapons and still the most commonplace because its usefulness during hunting and warfare and simple to make and, it does not need a lot of metal in its making, hence its high production in barbarian societies. If enough of these warriors are used en masse against cavalry, medium or light, they can become very effective. Slavic spearmen are normally a tribal levy of sorts or semi-professional warriors. Slavic spearmen are also very good ambushers, because they are accustomed to the wooded lands of Eastern Europe. When hiding in bushes or behind tress, these warriors can use their javelins to deadly effect on the unsuspecting enemy, though they are not skirmishers in the slightest sense. They still won't refrain from using similar guerrilla tactics. Slavic spearmen are equipped with cloth padded leather armour or just their simple cloths, if less fortunate. Their spears make them very effective against cavalry and weak light infantry, but they are vulnerable to missile fire.These warriors can fight well under most circumstances. Against other heavy infantry these men will suffer excess casualties.



    Slavic Heavy Spearmen



    Slavic Heavy Spearmen These spearmen distinguish themselves not only in terms of armament, but also in terms of fighting skill and experience. They are battle-hardened veterans that either have survived years as basic rank-and-file spearmen or were wealthy enough to buy respectable armour and weaponry. Their are equipped either with leather or metal armour and spears with heads of either Germanic or Roman steel. These men can be expected to hold a battle line for a long time.



    Slavic Bowmen


    Slavic Bowmen Originally experienced hunters and woodsmen from the dark woods surrounding the Pripet marshes, Slavic bowmen are reliable light bowmen who can, in a crisis, fight in hand-to-hand combat. Since they are drawn from among the forest-dwellers and hunting folk, they are experts in using stealth and concealment to close in on their prey. Among a people who favour ambush and hit and run tactics, the ability to strike at the enemy from a great distance is of prime importance, as evidenced the wide use of javelins by the Slavs. Slavic archers use wooden bows with short arrows that are sometimes smeared with a poisonous drug that can be fatal. The Slavic bowmen are also capable melee fighters, employing the Slavic axe to efficient use. Like almost all Slavic warriors, they are unarmoured troops, so they will not survive for long in melee, or when caught by cavalry.



    Slavic Druzhina Infantry



    Slavic Druzhina Infantry The druzhina were the military elite of the early East Slavs. Because of their wealthy background and warrior traditions, they were armed with the best weapons and armoured with whatever armour was available, as compared to most other Slavic warriors using no armour at all. They are well trained and experienced warriors. The druzhina, among the East Slavs, was a detachment of select troops in personal service of a chieftain. They served as bodyguards, tax collectors and as the elite core of the army during military campaigns. These warriors can fight well under most circumstances. They are an elite unit, superbly skilled and extremely tough. They are an intimidating sight for any enemy. Druzhina are equipped with a round wooden shield and an iron breastplate or leather armour, depending on their individual wealth. They are armed with an iron shortsword, a symbol of wealth and power amongst the Slavs. They are also headstrong and can sometimes prove to be undisciplined in battle, resulting in them eagerly charging without orders. As effective and fearsome as they are, they are still vulnerable to heavy and elite cavalry and infantry of other nations.



    Slavic Druzhina Cavalry



    Slavic Druzhina Cavalry The early Slavs were not a horse culture and favoured light, unarmoured infantry using ambush and hit and run tactics. Only much later, after contact with other Steppe horse cultures like the Huns, Avars and Bulgars, did they start to adopt cavalry for warfare. The druzhina were the military elite of the early East Slavs. Because of their wealthy background and warrior traditions, they were armed with the best weapons and armoured with whatever armour was available, as compared to most other Slavic warriors using no armour at all.
    They are well trained and experienced warriors. The druzhina, among the East Slavs, was a detachment of select troops in personal service of a chieftain.

    They served as bodyguards, tax collectors and as the elite core of the army during military campaigns. These cavalry units fight with bows and the Slavic axe, but with only padded leather with cloth and a metal helmet as worn armour, more effective against the cold than against weapons.
    Druzhina cavalry is effective against all enemy cavalry and infantry and is very motivated.




    Volkodlaki



    Volkodlaki Among the Slavs, there are the 'Volkodlaki' (wolfmen), strong men who live only off war and battle. They form a distinct warrior elite in Slavic society. They may fight with an axe, but their weapons are dependent on personal taste and are not issued. Volkodlaki often fight bare-chested while only wearing trousers- the cold of Eastern Europe not seeming to bother them. Many of their tactics and fighting styles can resemble those of the Germanic Berserker in certain ways. Like wolves, these men will try to ambush their enemies in the dark forests of their homeland. They can hide almost anywhere. These men are prone to charging without orders and are always the most eager and bravest in a Slavic warrior group, the first to enter battle and the last to leave. Volkodlaki are armed with the Slavic axe, but despite being completely unarmoured, they sometimes wear a helmet and use a shield. They are effective against most infantry types, but vulnerable to missile fire and heavy cavalry.



    Credits

    Auto-Nabishtam, Alkimachos - Unit Modelling & Skinning
    Flieger AD - Research
    Justinius - Informatory Text
    cedric37 - 2D
    TGC team - horses

    Please rep these guys if you like the preview


    Last edited by Alkimachos; July 08, 2013 at 08:50 AM.

  2. #2
    Beorn's Avatar Praepositus
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    Default Re: [East of Rome] The Sclaveni

    beautiful!

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    neoptolemos's Avatar Breatannach Romanus
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    Default Re: [East of Rome] The Sclaveni

    Great preview!!!
    Quem faz injúria vil e sem razão,Com forças e poder em que está posto,Não vence; que a vitória verdadeira É saber ter justiça nua e inteira-He who, solely to oppress,Employs or martial force, or power, achieves No victory; but a true victory Is gained,when justice triumphs and prevails.
    Luís de Camões

  4. #4
    Constantine XII's Avatar Miles
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    Default Re: [EoR - Preview] The Sclaveni

    Nice work!

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    Mausolos of Caria's Avatar Royal Satrap
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    Default Re: [EoR - Preview] The Sclaveni

    Great preview! Your previews alone are always worth the wait with all the information and screenshots you put into them

    Will the Volkodlaki have a Berserk mode like the Germanic berserkers in Vanilla Rome then? Or is it not possible to implement this in MTW?

    And - looking at their unit roster- am I correct in assuming that the Slavs will be quite vulnerable to archers then?

    Again, well done, keep on the good work!
    "Pompeius, after having finished the war against Mithridates, when he went to call at the house of Poseidonios, the famous teacher of philosophy, forbade the lictor to knock at the door, as was the usual custom, and he, to whom both the eastern and the western world had yielded submission, ordered the fasces to be lowered before the door of science."

    Pliny the Elder, Naturalis Historia, 7, 112

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    Alkimachos's Avatar EoR Modeller
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    Default Re: [EoR - Preview] The Sclaveni

    Quote Originally Posted by Mausolos of Caria View Post
    Great preview! Your previews alone are always worth the wait with all the information and screenshots you put into them

    Will the Volkodlaki have a Berserk mode like the Germanic berserkers in Vanilla Rome then? Or is it not possible to implement this in MTW?

    And - looking at their unit roster- am I correct in assuming that the Slavs will be quite vulnerable to archers then?

    Again, well done, keep on the good work!
    Volkodlaki have a taunt mode if i remember well... And yes, they'll be a nice target for the enemy's archers the Slavs as they lack of armor some of them...

    East of Rome Co - Leader / Modeller of Asia ton Barbaron / Ex beta tester of Roma Surrectum

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    Mausolos of Caria's Avatar Royal Satrap
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    Default Re: [EoR - Preview] The Sclaveni

    Quote Originally Posted by Alkimachos View Post
    Volkodlaki have a taunt mode if i remember well... And yes, they'll be a nice target for the enemy's archers the Slavs as they lack of armor some of them...
    Ah okay, like the warcry? Okay I suppose that will do

    Okay good, thanks for the quick answer. Seems like you have to attack and overcome the enemy as soon as possible then when playing the Slavs.
    "Pompeius, after having finished the war against Mithridates, when he went to call at the house of Poseidonios, the famous teacher of philosophy, forbade the lictor to knock at the door, as was the usual custom, and he, to whom both the eastern and the western world had yielded submission, ordered the fasces to be lowered before the door of science."

    Pliny the Elder, Naturalis Historia, 7, 112

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    Giorgios's Avatar Campidoctor
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    Default Re: [EoR - Preview] The Sclaveni

    Great preview!

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    Vipman's Avatar Protector Domesticus
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    Default Re: [EoR - Preview] The Sclaveni

    very nice, really great preview

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    tomySVK's Avatar Campidoctor
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    Default Re: [EoR - Preview] The Sclaveni

    Great preview, it looks like a very promosing mods.

  11. #11
    Alkimachos's Avatar EoR Modeller
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    Default Re: [EoR - Preview] The Sclaveni

    More to come...

    East of Rome Co - Leader / Modeller of Asia ton Barbaron / Ex beta tester of Roma Surrectum

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    Mausolos of Caria's Avatar Royal Satrap
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    Default Re: [EoR - Preview] The Sclaveni

    Quote Originally Posted by Alkimachos View Post
    More to come...
    Another preview soon?
    "Pompeius, after having finished the war against Mithridates, when he went to call at the house of Poseidonios, the famous teacher of philosophy, forbade the lictor to knock at the door, as was the usual custom, and he, to whom both the eastern and the western world had yielded submission, ordered the fasces to be lowered before the door of science."

    Pliny the Elder, Naturalis Historia, 7, 112

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    Alkimachos's Avatar EoR Modeller
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    Default Re: [EoR - Preview] The Sclaveni

    Not exactly, you will see sth good soon i believe...

    East of Rome Co - Leader / Modeller of Asia ton Barbaron / Ex beta tester of Roma Surrectum

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    Stath's's Avatar Protector Domesticus
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    Default Re: [EoR - Preview] The Sclaveni

    Very nice, Great. Waiting for the release..


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    Legio's Avatar EMPRESS OF ALL THINGS
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    Default Re: [EoR - Preview] The Sclaveni

    Awesome; I love Slavs!

  16. #16
    Murfmurf's Avatar Primicerius
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    Default Re: [EoR - Preview] The Sclaveni

    Lovely

    Westeros: Total War Unit-Maker
    Check out our previews here!


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    Default Re: [EoR - Preview] The Sclaveni

    you made my day +rep

    The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.
    Niccolo Machiavelli

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    Alkimachos's Avatar EoR Modeller
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    Default Re: [EoR - Preview] The Sclaveni

    Thanks my old friend Mark...

    East of Rome Co - Leader / Modeller of Asia ton Barbaron / Ex beta tester of Roma Surrectum

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    Bernardius's Avatar Decanus
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    Default Re: [EoR - Preview] The Sclaveni

    very great units!!! cant wait to play with them!!!
    EB II is finally out! ...NOW!!!...

  20. #20
    Kabeloko's Avatar Biarchus
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    Default

    sweet preview!
    congratulations!
    Last edited by Alkimachos; June 04, 2012 at 12:00 PM. Reason: Double Post

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