Mildly annoyed Norsmen, Reskinned and expanded Norse rooster [WIP]

[Snelhest]

MILDLY ANNOYED NORSEMEN
Reskined and Expanded Norse unit rosters for Stainless Steel 6.2 And Realrecuitment/realcombat[WIP]
by Snelhest

This mod is intended to reskin most Norse units in Stainless Steel, that is Norwegian and Danish units. Bear in mind that this is still work in progress or [WIP] in short, so it's not finished yet, however I'm getting close to my first release so I thought I would post this.

My goal is to create a more historically correct unit rooster for the previously mentioned factions. No norse spears wtf?! When it is known that the spear was the most common weapon in the north, is just one example. These units will have mostly kite shields as these were the most common during the time frame of the game, instead of the older styled round shields on current units.
Another point of interest is throwing weapons, these were also very common but sadly we have no such units, throwing axes is something I'm working on implementing. If I can use the animations that the TATW team uses for throwing axes these will be in. Otherwise I might go for spears instead as I'm a poor animator.
Everything seen here is of my own make, apart from throwing axe animations if I can get to use those from the creators.

What Versions is this for?
I'm planing in making this for SS 6.2 and up, as well as RR/RC.

Apart from that it is also intended to improve the look of many units, at least from my perspective.
These screens are not rendered with normal maps so they will look quite a bit better when in game.
Maya doesn't run normal maps natively and making a displacement map for just a quick render, well I suppose I could do it but it would be a waste of time.

Images



Viking landsmen/Norse swordsmen, completely new model and texture here, 90% done with textures.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Höggspjothirdsmen, a completely new unit armed with a höggspjót, a polearm kinda like a mixture between a sword and a spear. Similar in function to a halberd.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Update: 16th May.
Some varieties of helmets, will add some different colored versions for some diversity.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Update: 18th May.
First Ingame image! Viking raiders Light mail( Only half the units have the texture() rest have an oldcloth texture but never mind that. Heads are still to be rextextured and shields replaced with kite shields.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Update: 19th May.
Light mail texture finished, this skin should fit perfectly with the RR/RC "partial light mail" upgrade. Note the shield textures are not mine and credits go their creators. Though as said earlier they will be replaced before release. Currently acting as place holders.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

And a new version of it, better look at least I would say, mixture of mail, scale, and leather.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Update: 29th June
Long time since last update, but getting near now. This is very close to the way I want it to look. Just a few small tweaks.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Update.
Round shield for poorer quality infantry, thought these would use a old styled round shield. Might post some texture variations on this, Norwegian textures are about done, doing Danish and neutral versions.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Update.
A finished variation of the Landsmen/Hirdsmen.


Pretty much finished spear man.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Completed
- Light mail textures.
- Heavy mail
- Shields
- Facial textures/other body parts
- New helmets.
- Landsmen/Hirdsmen modells
- Weapons.

In the works.
- Unit cards
- Unit descriptions
- Implement into game!
And relase!



Hope You like what you see. First version will be only with units shown above, and newer versions will come as I complete the units.

[Mega Tortas de Bodemloze]

Wow, phenomenal project. Thanks for your passion and lot's of luck with this, it should be very popular......+Rep

[Gorrrrrn]

Look forward to seeing these.
don't forget units for later eras - up to 1500

[Snelhest]

Late era units, thats an excellent suggestion. I hadn't thought about that.
I will most likely start working on those once I finish the early ones.
Studying for exams in thermodynamics currently and thats taking up a lot of time, but when thats done the work will progress fast. Especially as it looks as I will unemployed for most of the summer.

[Ozzmosis]

expanded Norse rooster

wow. poor rooster!
Good work though!

[Snelhest]

Heavy mail textures finished today. Just need some variations of heads and shields and importing into the game before releasing these first models/textures.
First time I've textured something as complex as a human, but now that I have some experience and stuff to work from it is going much faster.

Hmm maybe it is a Norse roster and not a rooster, or perhaps both.

[Snelhest]

Added a small update today, work going forward.

[PerXX]

Excellent project! I'll be keeping an eye on this.
The helmets look awesome, very nice! The throwing axe could use some work though - the handled should be far longer, atleast 3-4 times the lenght of the axe head. Also, the top corner of the edge should probably be more pointy, not as flat, since it's an obvious point of impact. Oh, and a round handle ofcourse
Rather than throwing axe-men I'd suggest adding a few throwing axes to the Viking Raiders - much like the Lithuanian Noble Sons, with their javelins.

[Snelhest]

Thanks for the feedback, nice to see that people are positive to this.
I've remodeled the throwing axe based on what you said, and will post it in my next update with some textures to boot.

[Harðurāðaz]

I like the units!!


Will the Hǫggspjóthirðmenn be like an early form of Swordsstaff Militia??

also Vikings did not use throwing axes, they throwed javelins/spears instead

I can help you with old norse names for units if you which

[Snelhest]

Yes they are intended to function similarly as the swordstaff militia. The main difference is earlier unit so lighter armor, and better quality otherwise such as morale as they are professional warriors of sorts.

No throwing axes eh? Well Could have sworn I had read something about that, and other germanic people of the time used them. Throwing spears were as you say though used and I think I will go with them, will solve the animation problem as well. Excellent nice with feedback!

Some slight modifications of the throwing axe into a close combat one and the viking raiders have a weapon, time not wasted.

[PerXX]

Some slight modifications of the throwing axe into a close combat one and the viking raiders have a weapon, time not wasted.

Resourceful thinking!
Also the Huskarls axes - they could definatly use an upgrade too!

[Harðurāðaz]

No throwing axes eh? Well Could have sworn I had read something about that, and other germanic people of the time used them. Throwing spears were as you say though used and I think I will go with them, will solve the animation problem as well. Excellent nice with feedback!

The merovingian Franks and early anglo-saxons used throwing axes "Franciscas" but that was during the dark age.

[soulson]

Looking forward to this. Have you had the chance to see the Norsemen in Ferrum Aeternum? They look excellent.

[Snelhest]

The merovingian Franks and early anglo-saxons used throwing axes "Franciscas" but that was during the dark age.

The fransisca was just the weapon I was thinking off! Any way as I wrote earlier throwing spears shall be the way to go.

I havn't seen the Ferrum norse units. though there is a folder in SS called Ferrum if those are the same units well then maybe I have, they are pretty nice, but still some units left to do.

Leather/Light mail for lower quality units textures are in the works, hopefully I can finish those and post some images in an update on the weekend. Though Milkshake refuses to cooperate properly forcing me to export models in one mesh, five heads stacked upon one another. If I can get it working I could probably pull off a in game screenshot or two.

[mongrel]

Excellent

[Haakon]

Vikings did not use throwing axes, they throwed javelins/spears instead

They did.

It seems unlikely that axes were routinely used as throwing weapons. One of the few example from the sagas where an axe was thrown is in chapter 33 of Harðar saga og Hólmverja. In a battle, Þorvaldr drove a spear through Sigurðr, who had been fighting with an axe. Sigurðr threw his axe at Þorvaldr, hitting him in the head. They both fell down dead. The sense of the story is that the axe was Sigurð's normal battle axe, rather than a specialized throwing axe. In chapter 64 of Laxdæla saga, Helgi Hardbeinsson received a serious wound in a fight. Turning to the others, he said, "This old fellow still dares to face others," and he threw his wood axe at Þorgils, causing a serious wound.

The battle at Stiklastaðir (which occurred on 29-July-1030) is described in chapter 226 of Óláfs saga helgi. The saga says that large numbers of armed men fought on each side. Men in the front rank used their swords, while those in the next rank thrust with their spears. Men in the rear shot arrows and javelins and threw stones and hand-axes (handöx) at the opposite side.

[Point Blank]

Looks great mate

[Harðurāðaz]

Nice Update!

- Norse Spearmen (Possible other name for this would be welcome)

Karlar = Freemen, Men

Liðsmenn = Men of one's army/ Warriors

or

Leiðangrslið = Levied army

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[Snelhest]

Excellent suggestions, thanks! I will go with either leiðangrslið or liðsmenn.