Horsemen Of The Steppe
NEW REVISED HOTS CONCEPT
Introduction.
After spending hours researching I came to conclusion that switching the starting date of HotS with an earlier one could benefit the gameplay. So I would like to present you the concept of the Horsemen of the Steppe settled in time frame 1003-1040 with detailed information on the aforementioned benefits. I would also like to ask you guys your opinion about the revised concept of HotS - please not only take your voice in pool but also write in a few sentences about why you voted what you voted for.
The pool
1. I like the new HotS concept from 1003-1205
2. I prefer the old HotS concept from 1040-1205
3. Both concepts are good, hard to decide.
Horsemen of the Steppe / 1003-1205/
The major new features:
I. Four new factions (The Khazar Khanate, The Emirate of Samanids, The Kingdom of Shahi*, The Emirate of Azerbaijan), another 12 strongly renewed.
* the name will be discussed with a Hindu researcher
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
The new factions.
1. The Khazar Khanate (replaces The Quman Khanate)
This is no doubt one of the most famous steppe factions of early medieval history. It was very distinct, as it was the only state in Judaism was the state religion. The Khazars were also highly advanced - their cities were among the richest of the known world as they dominated the trade on the steppe. But the power of the great Khazar Qaghanate was destroyed by the coalition of the Kievan Rus and Oghuz nomads during a few years campaign circa 965-969. However, the state did not disappear. In a form it survived as a much smaller territory in the lower Volga and was still strong enough to inflict heavy defeats on the invading army of the Shaddadids of Arran and Armenia in 1030. So in 1003 the Khazar state is far away from its glory and faces many problems but this means great gameplay for the player: he must rebuild the once great Khazar Qaghanate.
2. The Emirate of Samanids (replaces The Western Qarakhanid Khanate)
The Samanid Empire was the first state ruled by the Persian Tajiks. The role of the Samanids in the development of Central Asia is hard to overestimate - under their reigns the culture flourished, the cities grew greatly, and the lands enriched themselves. But the great Samanid Empire, due to the intrigues of the Turkish military commanders, collapsed in 999 after being invaded by the Ghaznavids from the south and the Qarakhanids from the East. As a consequence it ceased to exist until, one year later, the famous Persian hero, one of the few surviving members of the Samanid family - Ismail II b. Nuh al-Muntasir (the Victor) escaped from a Qarakhanid prison, gathered many Samanid supporters and started his uneven fight with Qarakhanids, Ghaznavids and Khwarezm in order to restore the Samanid empire. The year 1003 was the time of his greatest successes, as with the help of the Seljuks ally he retook Bukhara and Samarqand, crushing the main Qarakhanid army. This triggered a movement in the surrounding lands - many local Shahs decided to support al-Muntasir. The player will have a unique chance to restore the Samanid empire. It will be a very demanding task but the glory will be all the greater.
3. The Kingdom of Shahi (replaces The Kingdom of Guge)
This was the most powerful Indian state that struggled with the Ghaznavid invasion and the ruler of which was described with the words: "(He) was perhaps the last Indian ruler to show such spirit of aggression, so sadly lacking in later Rajput kings." The Shahis hold a position great importance for HotS gameplay - they are the greatest obstacle for Ghaznavid expansion in the East and they are the only state on HotS map that represent Hindu religion.
4. The Emirate of Azerbaijan (replaces The Shirvan Shahdom).
The emirate was ruled by the Rawadid tribe, which once was Arab but later became Kurdish in culture. This Azeri state was famous for many successful campaigns in Transcaucasia area and for holding off the nomadic Oghuz invaders from the East. They occupy a very suitable land for the gameplay of HotS - in the middle of a great rebellious zone and leave some space for expansion for the Georgians, the Alans and the Khazars while still having a great opportunity for relatively easy expansion in almost all directions.
The revised old factions.
1. The Seljuk Sultanate.
It was around 985, when the legendary Seljuk - the founder of the Seljuks - left the Yagbu of Oghuz and moved to Jend where he adopted Islam and formed a new nomadic association. So the year 1003 is the dawne of the Seljuks, still before its invasion on Khurasan. This is an excellent opportunity for players to start from the very beginning!
2. The Khwarezm Shahdom
In 1003 the Shahdom is ruled by the native Persian family of the Mamunids (in 1040 by a Turkic family of slave origin), so the army of Khwarezm in 1003 is much more Persian and much less Turkic.
3. The Ghur Shahdom
In 1003 the state is a famous nest of infidels among the Islamic lands (in 1040 it was Islamic).
4. The Ghaznavid Sultanate.
The year 1003 is one of great opportunity for the Ghaznavids, but their greatest conquests are yet to come.
5. The Buyid Shahdom
In 1003 they are in much better shape than they are in 1040 - the strongest members of the Buyid family Baha' al-Daula cocontrolraq, Kerman and Fars are alive and well.
6. The Eastern Roman Empire.
In 1003 they were extremely powerful - the war with the Danube Bulgars was almost won and, in the East, the ERE conquered a big chunk of Syria.
7. The Kingdom of Hungary.
In 1003 the Kingdom was divided, as the Ajtony and Gyula formed separate principalities in southern Pannonia and Transylvania. But in that year the Kingdom of Hungary was ruled by one of the greatest rulers - the famous King Stephen the Great. With such a skilled king everything is possible...
8. The Pecheneg Khanate.
They hold many lands in the east and have many armies at their disposal - more so in 1003 than 1040.
9. The Oghuz Yabgu.
In 1003 they hold more lands in the west, but some eastern provinces had been taken by the fledgling Seljuk state.
10. The Qipchak Khanate
In 1003 the Qumans had not set apart from the Eastern Qipchaks who themselves had just separated themselves from the Kimek Qaghanate. They are a young and ambitious force.
11. The Kimek Qaghanate.
The year of 1003 is a time when the troubles of disintegration of the extensive Qaghanate started. On the western part of the Qaghanate the Qipchak confederation became practically independent, but the Kimeks still posses cities in western Dzhungaria and are able to hold their position.
12. The Qarakhanid Khanate.
In 1003 they are close to the peak of their greatest glory. More importantly, the Khanate is still united.
The old factions with little or none changes:
1. The Great Principality of Kiev
2. The Fatimid caliphate
3. The Emirate of Uqaylids
4. The Emirate of Volga-Bulgaria
5. The Bashkir Khanate
6. The Taiga Khanate
7. The Principality of Perm
8. The Kyrgyz Khanate
9. The Naiman Khanate
10. The Uighur Khanate
11. The Kingdom of Georgia
12. The Kingdom of Alania
13. The Kingdom of Crusaders (emerging in 1098)
14. The Kara Khitan Qaghanate (emerging 1125)
II. Revised map.
A small piece of southern map was cut off and about 8 provinces slots were saved.
With the new concept starting in 1003 there was no need of those southern lands which were mostly rebellious and could spoil the balance and gameplay. These 8 provinces were invested in many points of the map which are now better represented with crucial settlements. Some other settlements swaps were made as well.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
provinces removed:
1. Al Ahsa (map's cut)
2. Hormuz (map's cut)
3. Banpur (map's cut)
4. Kelat (map's cut)
5. Uch (map's cut)
6. Delhi (map's cut)
7. Kathamandu (map's cut)
8. Aydhab (map's cut)
9. Siraf (map's cut)
10. Chu (Qipchaks)
11. Samarra (Uqaylids)
12. Don (Kiev)
13. Kursk (Kiev)
provinces added:
1. Murom (Kiev)
2. Jeletz (Kiev)
3. Novgorod Sieviersky (Kiev)
4. Kanjak Sengir (Qipchaks)
5. Gorgan (Qipchaks)
6. Siraf (Buyids)
7. Arrajan (Buyids)
8. Raqqah (Syria rebels)
9. Uzboy Qala (Oghuz rebels)
10. Qizil Qum Qala (Seljuks)
11. Aswan (Fatimids)
12. Maragah (Azerbaijan)
13. Cutym (Taiga rebels)
III. Longer time frame & more turns to play (474 instead of 330)
IV. Two new religions: Judaism and Hindu
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
V. Stronger Persian culture ( four native Persian factions: The Emirate of Samanids, The Khwarezm Shahdom, The Ghur Shahdom, The Buyid Shahdom - before it were only the latter two).
THE OLD HOTS CONCEPT 1040-1205
PROLOG
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:Horsemen Of The Steppe is a project of a mod focused on the western steppe in early middle ages. Below I present you the general idea of the project which is still to be discussed if some interested modders join the this initiative. I wish you nice reading.
STORY BEHIND
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
The 1040 year was a breakthrough period. In that momentous time the old empires were falling, and new powers were rising, but nothing was decided yet. The history from 1040 could run many ways. The events that trigger all the changes in the civilized world happened in the heart of the Asia, on the ancient land Khorasan. This rich yet blooded province was desired by two powerful contenders .On one side there was a great Ghaznavid Sultanate in its peak of glory that dominated vast lands from India to Transcaucasia. On the other side there were warlike nomads of the Great Seljuk Sultanate who had just risen into surprising power and made ambitious claims to the lands of Central Asia. And both powers got strong allies, Ghaznavids were supported by the Yabgu of Qghuz from north Aral Sea steppes, while Shahdom of Khwarezm from lower Amu Daria were friendly to Great Seljuks. The conflict had risen through a few years, many heavy battles were already fought with different luck for both sides. In 1040y the conflict reach its peak with its culmination on a plain of Dandanaqan, not far from famous Merv city. A two glorious armies stood facing each other. The Sultan Masud I of Ghaznavids brought army of heavy troops supported by a squad of battle elephants. Toghrďl Beg of Great Seljuks gathered army of lightly armored nomadic horsemen. And they clashed in a bloody battle after which emerge a new empire of Central Asia - the Great Sultanate of Seljuk nomads.
But Masud I survived the battle and started to collect a new army that would challenge the victorious nomads once again. Though he avoided the mountainous region of Ghur of his reign and moved further to India. He never truly yoked those stubborn highlanders who now can take the opportunity of the great fall of Ghaznavids in Dandanaqan and proclaim independent Ghurid Sultanate. Meanwhile the struggle between the Ghaznavids and Seljuks allies is about the final solve. Malik Shah, the ruler of Oghuz Yabgu gathered a massive army on the border of Khwarezm Shahdom and is preparing a great invasion to avenge Ghaznavids defeat. The ruler of Khwarezm - Ismail Khandan expects that but the long wars with Ghaznavids blooded his army which now seems insufficient to repel the nomadic invasion of the Oghuz.
The year of 1040 witnessed also another epoch-making event, the split of Qarakhanids Empire. In the result two independent states appeared. The vast land of eastern Turkestan and steppic Zhetysu is now ruled by Eastern Qarakhanids Khanate. A bit smaller area was taken into possession by Western Qarakhanids Khanate, but those are the richest and most fertile part of Central Asia - Fergana and Transoxiana.
Finally shortly before 1040y third fateful for the steppe event happened. The once glorious Qaghanate of Kimeks suffered disintegration. That greatest steppic confederation of nomadic tribes had been left by two most ambitious groups that migrated south and west in search for new homeland. The first group of nomads marched down to the northern shore of Syr Darya and Lake Balkhash founded Qipchaks Khanate with capital in Syghnaq. The second group took longer trip westwards, crossed the Embe river and crushed the Oghuz who withdrew to dry steppes of Mangyshlak Peninsula. Then they crossed Yaik river further west, where they gained another win, this time over a coalition of Pechenegs and Bashkirs. And they settled here, took into possession this fertile steppe between northern Black and Caspian Seas and founded Qumans Khanate. But the once powerful Kimek Qaghanate still persist, still occupies a vast land, though those are only wilderness inhabited by few nomads that are no threat for anyone now.
Especially for Taiga Khanate, a misterious state that is hidden in inaccessible and cold forests of the north. Its inhabitants, the Ugric people, are recorded in the annals as forest people, lives in peace far from the greatest centres of civilization and grow their settlements where the Tobol river join the Irtysh. Similarly peaceful life lead their eastern neighbor - Kyrgyz Khanate. Those hardy nomads used to be the mightiest among all steppic tribes, as they crashed the empire of Uighurs exactly 200y ago and dominated the steppes of Central Asia. But since that glorious time they suffered some defeats, retreated to their core land and defend independence from the more powerful neighbors. Like the nestorian Naiman Khanate - an unusual Turkic state of eastern Christians that led nomadic life on the steppes of western Dzungaria. Soth of them lives old foes of the Kyrgyz - the Uighurs who once again built strong state which is now known as Uighurs Idiqut. The nomadic Uighurs are moving away from their roots in their new homeland and now got great fame for their trade and craft skills, while their cities are among the richest in Central Asia. That buddist state maintain peacefull relations with another buddist kingdom placed on the other side of Tibetan plateau - Kingdom of Guge. This small state struggles to hold the independence and religion from the aggressive Muslim neighbors that hug it from the north and south and await an ambitious leader that would bring back the great glory of Tibetan warriors.
In the north-west edges of the Steppe flourish another unusual state - Emirate of Volga-Bulgars. This Sunni state gained independence not far ago after the Russ together with Pechenegs defeated Khazar empire in the second half Xc. Bulgars accepted Islam and similar to Uighurs built prosperous state of numerous cities. Bulgar or Bilyar are famous far away as they attract merchants from all sides of the world who come here to buy the goods of the north and great pieces of Bulgarian craft. Civilization of Volga Bulgarians influence neighboring nations, among them - Bashkir Khanate. Although Bashkirs suffered a defeat in a coalition with Pechenegs when Qumans invaded Volga steppes, they still managed to retain its possessions in the southern Ural mountains area. Similar to their Bulgar neighbor Bashkirs also founded some towns that have slowly gained regard as more and more merchants visit them. Looking further to the north the slopes of the Ural Mountains belong to Finnish peoples of Principality of Great Perm. This relative small state is in loose dependence of the powerful Novgorod the Great. In exchange for moderate gifts the Permians gain a powerful Novgorod military support in case of any threat., which hold Bulgars at bay. Though the Bulgars have to defend themselves more often from another Rus state - Grand Principality of Kiev. The year 1040 is a year of prosperity in the turbulent history of the Kievian state, which stretch authority over the majority of the Rus lands at that time. Kievians has become a local power after together with Qumans in 1038y they heavily crushed Khanate of Pechenegs. After that great defeat situation of the nomadic Pechenegs is dramatically hard. Their military power collapsed, their eastern lands were seized by Qumans, their authority declined. They have nowhere to shelter and their only ally is Kingdom of Hungary. This great catholic state of once nomadic Magyars occupy safe position protected by Carpathian Mountains in the east and broad Danube river on the south. Their army is still more like nomadic horse archers then western knights and is a dangerous threat for its neighbors, including the Greeks empire in the south.
Eastern Romans Empire after the recent subjugation of Danube Bulgars is once again powerful and their territory stretches on vast lands from Thracia in Europe, to Antioch in the South and Armenia in the East. And that great size turns out to be problematic for the empire, as the distant lands tend to rebel against the proud Greeks. The greatest foe of the Romans are Islamic states on the east, like Fatimid Caliphate. The Egyptians of the Caliphate holds not only the Nile and Red Sea coasts, but also rich Levant. And they seem to suffer similar disease like Romans, the distant lands tend to be disloyal. Islam world is divided. Even the great Buyid Caliphate ruled by Buyids dynasty struggle to keep the lands unity. The Iraq province is ruled by Caliph al-qa'ima, while the Iran land is subordinated to the Sultan Abu Kalijar. They are brothers by blood but foes in politic. Though three years ago Sultan besieged Baghdad and force the Caliph to swear loyalty to him, still he can not be sure of the brother's real intention.
There is a winner of the Fatimids, Abbasids and Romans weakness, it is the Emirate of Uqaylids. The state gain independence and settled firmly in northern Iraq and Syria. It is ambitious and hungry of more lands. In the contrary the lands of Transcaucasia, north to the Mosul, are weak and divided. There are quite a few independent or partially dependent small states and none of them is more powerful over others. Though it may be Shirvan Shahdom that will unite those lands and hold aggressive neighbor ambitions. Their major rival seems to be not the great powers like Buyids, Greeks or even Mosul, but the freshly united Kingdom of Georgia. Both states are of similar power and the history in Transcaucasia may follow many ways. On the northern side of Caucasus Mountains lay an unusual steppic Kingdom of Alania, the only orthodox state of nomads. Alans are experiencing a period of prosperity, they even managed to found some cities and build some keeps, which is rather rare achievement among nomads. Nonetheless their future is uncertain, despite friendly relations with Georgians. The threat comes from the steppes and got well known yet sinister name of Qumans.
Those are the states the fate of which you may take in your hands. But those are not all the states you will meet on the way of total conquest. As your journey starts in 1040 and will follow up to 1205y, you will also witness two great invasions. First the Europeans of the west lead by their faith will march to the holy land to retake it from the hands of Saracens and to built Kingdom of Crusaders. A few decades later the Kara Khitan Qaghanate will came from the east in search for the new homeland.
BASIC FACTS
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
timeframe:1040-1205
FACTIONS&RELIGIONS
Catholic Christians:
Kingdom of Hungary <Hungary>
Kingdom of Crusaders <Crusaders> invading in 1096y
Orthodox Christians:
The Eastern Roman Empire <Eastern Romans>
Grand Principality of Kiev <Kiev>
Kingdom of Alania <Alania>
Kingdom of Georgia <Georgia>
Nestorian Christians:
The Naiman Khanate <Naimans>
Sunni Islam:
The Great Seljuk Sultanate <Seljuks>
The Ghaznavid Sultanate <Ghaznavids>
The Ghurid Sultanate <Ghurids>
Emirate Of Volga-Bulgars <Volga-Bulgars>
The Khwarezm Shahdom<Khwarezm>
The Western Qarakhanid Khanate<Western Qarakhanids>
The Eastern Qarakhanid Khanate<Eastern Qarakhanids>
The Shirvan Shahdom <Shirvan>
Shia Islam:
The Fatimid Caliphate <Fatimids>
The Buyid Caliphate<Buyids>
Emirate of Uqaylids <Uqaylids>
Tengriism:
The Kimak Qaghanate<Kimak>
The Quman Khanate<Qumans>
The Qipchak Khanate <Qipchaks>
The Bashkir Khanate <Bashkirs>
The Kyrgyz Khanate<Kyrgyz>
The Kara Khitan Qaghanate <Kara Khitan> invading in 1125y
The Oghuz Yabgu <Oghuz>
The Pecheneg Khanate <Pechenegs>
Buddhism:
Kingdom of Guge <Guge>
The Uighur Idiqut <Uighurs>
Paganism:
The Taiga Khanate<Taiga>
Principality of Great Perm <Great Perm>
Hindu
Heresy
MAP DEVELOPMENT
Preview 1: Anatolia + Caucascus.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Wide perspective look:
Anatolian lakes ----------------------- Cilicia ----------------------------- Eastern Anatolia ------------------ Armenian lakes --------------------- Pontus Anatolia
Southern Caucascus ---------------- Central Caucascus ------------- Northern Caucascus --------------- Crimean coastline
Closer look:
Western Anatolia -- ---------------- Anatolia lakes ----------------------- Ankyra --------------------------- Cesarea ---------------------------- Sebastea
Northern Anatolia - ---------------- Smyrna ----------------------------- Tarsus ---------------------- --- - - - Tabriz - ----------------------------- Ardebil
Dvin ------------------------------------ Edessa --------------------------- Khlat - ------------------ -- - -- - - - - - - Alania - --------------------------------- Samandar
Derbent - ------------------------------ Ganja - ---------------------------- Kutaisi - -------------------- - - --- - - - Nicopsia -
Update to Preview 1: Anatolia + Caucascus.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Preview 2: The land of Persia/Iran.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Panoramic view:
Zoom:
Preview 3: Punjab, India, Himalayas, Tibet, southern Tarim basin.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
PANORAMIC VIEW
India/Punjab:
Himalayas:
Tibetan Plateau:
Tarim basin:
CLOSER VIEW
India/Punjab:
Himalayas:
Tibetan Plateau:
Tarim basin:
Preview 4: Qusdar, Sistan, Khorasan, Mavarannahr, Hindukusch, Pamir, Tien Shan, Khorezm, Mangyshlak, Kara Kum, Kizyl Kum .
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
PANORAMIC VIEW:
ZOOM VIEW:
FACTION ROSTER concepts
Khanate of Qumans
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Quman Army Characteristic:
Advantages:
- many units of cavalry
- great horse archers
- many warriors within a unit
- high stamina
Disadvantages:
- lack of heavy units
- lack of infantry
- medicore morale
Details:
CAVALRY
name: Shepard horsemen
class: very light
armor: no armor
primary weapon: composite bow
secondary weapon: knife
skills: poor
stamina: standard
morale: low
availability: very good
price: very low
name: Tribal horsemen
class: light
armor: padded
primary weapon: composite bow
secondary weapon: sabre
skills: average
stamina: good
morale: poor
availability: great
price: very low
name: Tribal lancers
class: light
armor: padded + helmets
primary weapon: spear + medium round shield
secondary weapon: light axe
skills: good
stamina: good
morale: average
availability: average
price: average
name: Boarder horsemen
class: light/medium
armor: padded+helmets/partially lamelar
primary weapon: composite bow
secondary weapon: spear + medium round shield
skills: good
stamina: very good
morale: good
availability: average
price: average
name: Camel riders
class: light
armor: padded
primary weapon: composite bow
secondary weapon: sabre
skills: good
stamina: good
morale: average
availability: average
price: average
Name: Javelin horsmen
description: Qumans liked to hunt with javelins, sometimes they used them in battle
class: light
armor: padded + helmets
primary weapon: javelins
secondary weapon: sabre
stamina: good
morale: average
availability: average
price: low
name: Khan horse archers
class: light/medium
armor: padded+helmets/partially lamellar
primary weapon: composite bow, small round shield
secondary weapon: light axe
skills: great
stamina: very good
morale: good
availability: average
price: average
name: Khan lancers
class: light/medium
armor: padded+helmets/partially lamellar
primary weapon: spear, large round shield
secondary weapon: axe
skills: very good
stamina: very good
morale: good
availability: average
price: average
name: Noble horsemen
class: medium/heavy
armor: partially lamellar or mail/full lamellar or mail
primary weapon: composite bow
secondary weapon: mace, medium round shield
stamina: very good
skills: great
morale: good
availability: average
price: high
name: Noble lancers
class: medium/heavy
armor: partially lamellar or mail/full lamellar or mail
primary weapon: spear, medium teardrop shield
secondary weapon: mace, medium teardrop shield
skills: very good
stamina: very good
morale: very good
availability: low
price: very high
name: Khan guard
class: heavy
armor: full lamellar or mail
primary weapon: composite bow
secondary weapon: sabre, medium round shield
skills: great
stamina: very good
morale: very good
availability: general unit
price: -
INFANTRY
name: Shepard archers
class: very light
armour: no armour
primary weapon: composite bow
secondary weapon: knife
skills: poor
stamina: average
morale: poor
availability: very good
price: very low
name: Tribal archers
class: light
armor: padded
primary weapon: composite bow
secondary weapon: sabre
skills: average
stamina: good
morale: poor
availability: very good
price: low
name: Noble archers
class: medium
armor: partially lamellar or mail
primary weapon: composite bow
secondary weapon: sabre + medium round shield
skills: average
stamina: very good
morale: good
availability: average
price: high
name: Tribal spearmen
class: light
armor: padded + helmets
primary weapon: spear, medium round shield
secondary weapon: -
skills: average
stamina: good
morale: average
availability: average
price: low
name: Khan spearmen
class: ligh/medium
armor: padded + helmets/partially lamellar
primary weapon: spear, large round shield
secondary weapon: -
skills: good
stamina: very good
morale: good
availability: average
price: average
name: Tribal axemen
class: light
armor: padded+helmets
primary weapon: light axe + medium round shield
secondary weapon: -
skills: average
stamina: good
morale: average
availability: good
price: low
name: Khan footmen
class: light/medium
armor: padded + helmets/partially lamellar
primary weapon: sabre, medium round shield
secondary weapon: -
skills: very good
stamina: very good
morale: good
availability: average
price: average
name: Noble footmen
class: medium/heavy
armor: partially lamellar or mail/fully lamellar or mail
primary weapon: mace, medium teardrop shield
secondary weapon: -
stamina: very good
morale: very good
availability: average
price: high
Kingdom of Hungary
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
It will definitely be improved, I discuss it with Csatadi and Dome.
CAVALRY
name: Inseg horsemen
description: poor tribal horse archers
class: light
armor: padded
primary weapon: composite bow
secondary weapon: sabre
skills: average
stamina: standard
morale: average
availability: very good
price: low
name: Boseg horsemen
description: richer tribal horse archers
class: light/medium
armor: padded+helmets / partially lamellar or mailed
primary weapon: composite bow
secondary weapon: spear, small round shield
skills: very good
stamina: good
morale: very good
availability: good
price: high
name: Jobbagyur cavalry
description: ruler's elite unit
class: medium / heavy
armor: partially mailed or lamellar / mailed or lamellar
primary weapon: composite bow
secondary weapon: sabre, medium round shield
skills: very good
stamina: very good
morale: very good
availability: very low
price: very high
name: Black Magyars horsemen
description: tribal cavalry originated in turkic allied tribes (like Kabars)
class: light/medium
armor: padded + helmets/partially mailed or lamellar
primary weapon: composite bow
secondary weapon: mace, small round shield
skills: good
stamina: good
morale: good
availability: average
price: average
name: Szekelys horsemen
description: famous horse archers settled in mostly boarderland areas
class: light/medium
armor: padded + helmets/partially mailed or lamellar
primary weapon: composite bow
secondary weapon: sabre, small round shield
skills: very good
stamina: very good
morale: very good
availability: average
price: high
name: Pecheneg horsemen
description: Pechenegs refugee which served Hungarian king
class: light
armor: padded+helmets
primary weapon: composite bow
secondary weapon: mace
skills: good
stamina: very good
morale: average
availability: average
price: average
name: Croat cavalry
description: Slavic horsemen from Slavonia
class: medium
armor: partially mailed
primary weapon: spear, teardrop shield
secondary weapon: axe, teardrop shield
skills: good
stamina: good
morale: average
availability: average
price: average
name: Mounted servientes
description: the knights that appeaed in Hungary with Christianity adoption were assisted by them
class: light/medium
armor: padded+helmets/partially mailed
primary weapon: spear, teardrop shied
secondary weapon: axe, teardrop shied
skills: average
stamina: average
morale: average
availability: very good
price: average
name: Feudal knights
description: late unit', feudalism spred very slowly in Hungary, but as the time passed more and more native knights appeared in Hungarian army
class: heavy
armor: fully mailed, barded horse
primary weapon: spear, kite shield
secondary weapon: sword, kite shield
skills: very good
stamina: very good
morale: very good
availability: average
price: very high
name: German knights
description: those are knights from Swabia and Bavaria which were invited and settled by Hungarian ruler
class: heavy
armor: fully mailed
primary weapon: spear, large kite shield
secondary weapon: sword, kite shield
stamina: very good
skills: great
morale: very good
availability: low
price: very high
name: Royal guard
description: general bodyguards
class: heavy
armor: fully mailed
primary weapon: spear, large norman shield
secondary weapon: sword, large norman shield
skills: very good
stamina: very good
morale: very good
availability: general unit
price: -
INFANTRY
name: Varjobbagy archers
description: castle soldiers of mostly Slavic origin, non noble freemen
class: light
armour: padded+helmets
primary weapon: composite bow
secondary weapon: sabre, shield
skills: good
stamina: good
morale: good
availability: good
price: low
name: Inseg archers
description: poor tribal archers
class: light
armor: no / padded
primary weapon: composite bow
secondary weapon: dagger
skills: average
stamina: average
morale: average
availability: good
price: low
name: Boseg archers
description: richer tribal archers
class: light
armor: padded + helmets / partially mailed or lamellar
primary weapon: composite bow
secondary weapon: spear, small round shield
skills: good
stamina: good
morale: good
availability: average
price: high
name: Varjobbagy javeliners
description: castle soldiers of mostly Slavic origin, non noble freemen
class: light
armor: padded + helmets
primary weapon: javelins
secondary weapon: round shield + light axe
skills: good
stamina: good
morale: good
availability: average
price: average
name: Crossbow militia
description: late unit originated in mostly non-Magyar town's western settlers
class: light
armor: padded + helmets
primary weapon: xbow
secondary weapon: sword
skills: average
stamina: average
morale: average
availability: low
price: high
name: Varjobbagy spearmen
description: castle soldiers of mostly Slavic origin, non noble freemen
class: medium
armor: padded + helmets/partially lamellar or mailed
primary weapon: spear, round shield
secondary weapon: -
skills: good
stamina: good
morale: good
availability: good
price: average
name: Spear militia
description: late unit originated in mostly non-Magyar town's western settlers
class: medium
armor: padded+helmets / partially mailed
primary weapon: spear, teardrop shield
secondary weapon: -
skills: average
stamina: average
morale: average
availability: good
price: average
name: Feudal footmen
description: late unit, rich feudals could afford own castles and footmen that garrison them
class: light / medium
armor: padded + helmets / partially lamellar or mail
primary weapon: axe, teardrop shield
secondary weapon: -
stamina: average
morale: average
availability: average
price: average
name: Dismounted knights
description: late unit, knights sometimes fought on foot
class: heavy
armor: full mailed
primary weapon: sword, large norman shield (kite)
secondary weapon: -
stamina: very good
morale: very good
availability: low
price: very high
name: Varyag axemen
description: Hungarian rulers similar to neighbours like ERE, Kiev or Poland recrutited famous norse warriors
class: medium/heavy
armor: partially lamellar or mail/fully lamellar or mail
primary weapon: 2h axe
secondary weapon: -
stamina: very good
morale: very good
availability: very low
price: very high
THE HotS TEAM
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
HOTS MODDERS
(in alphabetical order)
Akar - 2d artist
hyretic - 2d artist
Ilmrik - scripter, coder, 2d artist
Rus-Bey - 2d/3d artist (irregular fellow-worker, as he is busy with other project too)
Silesian_Noble - leader, mapper, scripter, researcher and who knows what more
Wudang_Clown - scripter, coder (irregular fellow-worker, as he is BC leader at first place)
demand:
All kinds modders, but especially:
- scripters
- coders
- 2d/3d artists
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOTS RESEARCHERS
(in alphabetical order)
ALFAJI- Mosul, other Arabic
atalay1988- Qumans, Kyrgyz, Western Qarahanids, Eastern Qarakhanids, Volga-Bulgars, Khwarezm, Seljuks, Oghuz, Pechenegs, Uighurs
Boztorgai_Khan - mostly Qipchaks, Qumans, Kimaks
Csatádi - Hungary
Eisberg- Shirvan
mahmood95 - Khwarezm
matmohair1- Abbasids, Fatimids, Mosul
Russian Gondor - Thaiga, Great Perm, Kiev, Kyrgyz, Kimaks.
Tatarasei - Kara Khitan, Ghaznavids
Tureuki - Oghuz, Seljuks, other Turkish
demand:
All kind, but especially:
- northern factions: Kiev, Great Perm, Taiga, especialy with an access to great Russian sources
- south-east factions: Ghurids, Ghaznavids, Kashmir, Guge
- Caucasian factions: Georgia, Alania
- Eastern Romans
- KoJ
- Kara Khitan
EPILOG
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
What you have seen here is a project in the early stage of its development. I'm looking for modders and researchers interested in the medieval steppe idea in order to make it real. Despite the Horsemen of the Steppe is a project that can be classified as epic, it should not be that hard to create it, as there is plenty sources of scripts, units or 2d stuff - HotS project already received many permissions from other mods to use their stuff. Most of the factions can be borrowed from other mods (after little adjustment to steppic vision of the game world), but there are a few completely unique one that needs creation form basic. I believe we can make this mod within several months, but the HotS team need support of all kind. If you are interested - please don't hesitate to join
Thank you for your attention
HOTS BANNERS FOR SIGNATURES
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by tibu17
