Sacrifice: Total War [WIP]

[Captain Jesus]

This is a rather ambitious project of mine, a total conversion to be set in the world of a series of books I'm writing. I'm doing this for two reasons; 1. to force myself to come up with more details of the setting, and 2. motivate myself to write more of the books.

The setting is a world that for the most part is fairly similar to a medieval world, with two exceptions. One is that there is a group that calls itself "The Scientists" that produces and sells advanced technology- such as rifles, computers, and motorcycles- but only to those that are rich enough to afford them. Technology is far from widespread, but neither is it unknown. The second is that a person's strength of will can manifest itself in magical effects; if you want to badly enough, you can create a fireball. While sufficient strength of will to produce major effects is rare, almost anyone in the world can light a pile of tinder or turn a door handle with their will.

The Major Factions:

Gottika: A recently united nation free from the constraints of the Marrik Empire. Has a deeply entrenched feudal social structure, and shows that in its powerful knights and well equipped nobility. However, its peasants and levy troops are poorly motivated and equipped, which makes them unreliable on a battlefield.

The Marrik Empire: An ancient and mighty empire that has ruled most of the continent for over a millenium, thanks to a strong tradition of maintaining a professional and state equipped military. However, in recent years its lack of cavalry expertise has wounded it, and its refusal to adopt modern financial practices has hurt it more. While still a major power, it is only a shadow of its zenith.

The Church of Hostide: A church that has temporal as well as spiritual power; its Stormguard is currently the largest military on the continent, with garrisons in most of the minor nations and forces kept on hand should the major ones stray from the path of God. The Stormguard has the most consistently powerful troops, although its elite formations can't compare to the guard troops of other nations.

Rasska: Something of a sleeping giant, the suffering people of Rasska are tough and resourceful, a necessity when their king has never been able to maintain control over the entirety of its borders. Despite this, the great cities of Rasska are mercantile titans, and their words have impacts all over the continent. A new king may be able to leverage that into military power...



Minor Factions:
Hakusya
Frankoska
Yinka
Gallika
Berka
Apohka

[Captain Jesus]

As of now, I have completed a custom battle roster for Gottika, although most of the units do not have pictures or full unit cards. I plan on finishing custom battle rosters for all factions, then I will begin making unit pictures, faction symbols, and other graphic details. After that I will begin on the campaign map and making the mod playable in campaign form. Finally, I plan on learning how to model, so that I do not have to use vanilla models for all the units.

I fully expect that this mod in its entirety will take a very long time to complete, as I'm working by myself at my own whims. However, with even a small team I expect it could be finished much quicker. So if anyone has any texture, modeling, or graphic skills that would like to help out, I would be more than happy to accept. Eventually playtesters would be welcome to ensure unit balance. Anyone else who wants to help is welcome to tell me what they'd like to help with, and I'm sure I can find something I could use help with.

[Captain Jesus]

I got the chance to get a lot done yesterday.

The Gottikan Roster:
Melee Infantry:
Peasants
Verahnuvepehvg (Spear Militia)
Verahnuvepehvde (Pike Militia)
Verahnuvediizik (Sword Militia)
Hahnevepehvg (Levy Spear men)
Hahnevepehvde (Pikemen)
Dismounted Kahxtinvedeerant (Knights Errant)
Dismounted Kahxtinveblohdig (Knights of the Blood)
Kahxtinvegohnu (Knights of the Rifle)

Missile Infantry:
Peasant Archers
Peasant Crossbows
Yahgehnshin (Rangers)

Melee Cavalry:
Impoverished Kahxtin
Kahxtinvedeerant
Kahxtinveblohdig
Kahxtinvepehvge (Knights of the Lance)
Hahndevekeetapf (Generals Guard)

Missile Cavalry:
Mounted Yahgenshin

[Hellvard]

Sounds interesting Looking forward for news.

[Captain Jesus]

I apologize for the lack of information in that last post; I was at work and didn't realize I couldn't edit the post later. Here are the descriptions of the units in the Gottikan Roster:

The Militia units are formed in larger towns and cities; the countryside must trust to its local knights and lords for protection. The Spear Militia (Verahnuvepehvg) are for the most part the fresh recruits, and are expected only to stand on top of walls and towers; they aren't to be trusted to stand against any enemy on even terms. The Pike Militia (Verahnuvepehvde) are the next group, those with some experience and training. They can generally be relied upon to hold still and hold a line, as long as they aren't flanked. On the attack, or in a more fluid form of battle, they are horendously vulnerable. The Sword Militia are those rich enough and old enough to be given sword and armor. They are generally used to counterattack breaches in the wall, or hold the walls against the more persistent attackers. While they can't compare to professional soldiers, they are somewhat respectable at least.

The levy spearmen are only a short step up from peasants. Unless they are well supported, they will not hold long in the open field. They carry shields and short spears, making their most suited role the defense. Despite this, they are usually only used to fill up holes in the line, for not even they expect they can hold it themselves.

The pikemen are a levy unit as well, but they have some training and more intelligent leadership that understands the value of a pike formation, even if he doesn't truly expect it to hold against real knights in battle. They are semi-professional, but will really only stand up on the defensive.

The Gottikan Knighthood is a three-tier system, before one can rise into the upper nobility on merit. The first tier is composed of the Kahxtinvedeerant, or the Knights Errant. They are the young men, who believe that courage and valor is more than enough to vanquish any enemy. They prove this by charging forth, paying no heed to the enemy. On horseback they do this with lance and shield like the other knights, but on foot they prove their courage with large two handed swords. How better to show bravery than by carrying no shield?

The next step is the Kahxtinveblohdig, the Knights of the Blood. They have proved their calm head and capability in many battles, and have earned their rank by staying alive. On horseback they carry lance and shield, although they aren't quite as prone to recklessly charging like their younger brethren. On foot however, they carry a bow alongside their primary sword. While they don't expect to win the battle with their skill at the bow, they do understand that a few volleys of arrow fire can mean coming home alive.

The final step is split into two. The Kahxtinvepehvge, or the Knights of the Lance, are elite heavy cavalry that has proven its worth in years of vicious and bloody fighting. They have campaigned for over a decade for the most part, and they accept death as long overdue. They are disturbing people to anyone unaccustomed to their ways, but few dare to take offense. Even fewer can resist a formed charge by these deadly knights. The other half is the Kahxtinvegohnu. These are the Knights of the Gun; Knights of the Lance who choose not to see death in battle as inevitable. They carry long, accurate rifles into battle, and learn to use them well. While very slow to reload, they attempt to take out high value targets, and then charge on foot into the fray, hoping to end a battle as soon as it begins.

The Hahndevekeetapf (Guard of Honor) are graduates from the Kahxtinvepehvge who have earned high status with the King, and great riches alongside them. They accompany generals into battle, protecting both their charge, and his loyalty to the king. They ride Uhmakii, motorized steeds that let them travel swiftly and decisively in battle. Any general worth his commission uses that to outflank and destroy nearly anything on the field.

The Peasant archers and Peasant Crossbows are the same as in vanilla; cheap, expendable missile support.

The Yahgenshin, or Jaegers, are freemen in the employ of the great lords. In peacetime they maintain forests and hunting territory, and in war they carry their familiar rifles into battle, sniping enemy artillery crews and officers. They do not have the equipment to stand long in close combat, but they are still a deadly foe. On horseback, they carry cavalry crossbows to better make use of their horses mobility. They can ride in close, fire a volley, and leave before the enemy can react.

[Captain Jesus]

The Marrikan Imperial Army is another feared fighting force across the continent, as it has dominated most of it for more than a thousand years. This is mostly on the strength of their infantry, although the other branches are certainly nothing to laugh at.

Indigenous Units:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Laigun Divanai (Peace Legion)

The standards of training fall slightly when the empire is at peace. While these are the first legions to meet the enemy, they are not the greatest threat to the enemy, as they are generally trained more for policework and road maintenance than military action. Despite this, they are still fearsome opponents. They wear thick plate armor and carry javelins, swords, and shields. They are trained to throw their javelins at an incoming enemy, then charge out to meet him.

Laigun Save

The lighter of the two wartime legionary units. These are equipped with mail and shield, but with the same weaponry as the heavier units. They are well equipped for fighting in rough terrain or flanking actions.

Laigun Sufutai

The heavy wartime legion. They are equipped the same as the peacetime legions, but are trained for true battlefield combat. They are fearsome opponents, well protected and able to mercilessly destroy almost any opponent they come into contact with. Despite this, they are poorly suited for receiving cavalry charges, which has led to some people questioning their continued value in the modern world.

Laigun Pevadai

An experimental type of legionary unit; wearing the same armor as the other legions, these men carry long pikes instead of the usual javelins, swords, and shields. The legionary tradition of discipline and teamwork serves them well, but their lack of familiarity with the weapon does cause trouble.

Laigun Umai

An average quality, if well equipped, cavalry unit. These soldiers do not have the inborn skill at mounted warfare that the noble soldiers of other nations can boast, but they are solidly trained and well motivated. Their tactics are similar to other heavy cavalry, although they carry long two handed lances instead of the more usual lance and shield combination.

Laigun Umai Sagitai

A lighter version of legionary cavalry, these men carry saber type swords and short hunting bows instead of a lance. They are trained to support the heavier cavalry with missile fire, then charge into fleeing enemies. While not as skilled as the Hakusyan Auxiliaries, they are reliable and solid men.

Laigun Sagitai

Legionaries equipped with bow and short sword, alongside well crafted mail armor. They are better in melee than most other archers in the world, but lack the bow skill of those who have used the bow since youth. Still, they will acquit themselves well.

There will also be a large pool of auxiliary units available to them, at least one from each other culture. This supplements the poor variety of their usual legionary soldiers. In the campaign, I hope to allow the player to only recruit these auxiliaries in territory that nominally belongs to the appropriate culture. But that's something for the future.

And thank you Hellvard, the encouragement means a lot to me.

[Bu11seye00]

I suggest you finish the roster for a small number of factions, say 2, then work on making unit cards, faction symbols, campaign map, and modelling units for them. It will create much more interest for your mod and be far easier to motivate yourself to finish this sub-goal than just creating countless rosters that will likely never amount to anything. Goodluck!

[Captain Jesus]

I've actually been thinking of doing that. So for now, I think I'm going to finish the 4 major factions then work on more of the other parts of the mod. Thanks for the advice

Progress report:
I've finished the Marrikan Imperial Army and started working on the Stormguard, the army of the Church.

The Marrikan army has been expanded by including auxiliary troops, most of which are more specialized than the legionary troops, but might have less armor or secondary skill. Examples include Yinkan light cavalry, Hakusyan horse archers, Frankoskan pikemen, and Gottikan Knights. I combined existing models to create the heavy legionary troops, giving plate armored troops a javelin and sword combination. Not without errors, but they are usable.

Planned Church Roster:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Shortbow Hunters: Skilled Woodsmen that can track and stalk enemies without revealing themselves. However, their shorter bows make it difficult to take on well armored troops.

Longbow Hunters: Line archers that carry much longer bows. They can threaten heavily armored troops, but cannot hide themselves as easily.

Hazachi: A hybrid missile/melee troop. Doesn't wear much armor, but carries a shield. Uses javelins and a sword as well, to make themselves useful in both roles.

Heavy Hazachi: A better equipped version of Hazachi. Can't hide as effectively, but wears armor and carries a spear in case of cavalry attacks.

Snipers: Small unit of riflemen. Not as stealthy as the rifle troops of other armies, but very accurate and reliable.

Guard of Pike: The most numerous of the guard companies. Wears 3q armor and carries a long pike to defend against frontal attacks.

Guard of Sword: A guard company equipped with sword and shield. Better able to break defensive lines and take settlements.

Guard of Spear: Armed with spear and shield. Similar role to Guard of Pike, but more flexible and can be used to hold walls.

Guard of Halberd: Somewhat elite formation that uses halberds. Excellent against nearly any target, but expensive and difficult to train. Ineffective on walls as well.

Stormtroopers: The eponymous unit of the Stormguard. Heavily armored, carry heavy repeating crossbows. Lays down withering fire against the enemy line. Powerful, but lacks range and melee capability.

Carabinii: Light armored cavalry armed with pistols and a sword. Can harass enemy positions and withdraw, as well as hold their own in melee against other light troops.

Pevagazhi vi Katafuroka (Cataphracts with spears): Heavily armored assault cavalry. Not as powerful on the charge as knight type cavalry, but extremely well protected and armed.

Mugazhi vi Katafuroka (Cataphracts with bows): Heavily armored horse archers. They make up for the lack of speed by being difficult to kill, and their ability to fight back should anyone catch them.

Mugazhi vi Uzarî (Hussars with bows): Lightly armored horse archers. Quick and nimble, they also make excellent scouts.

Pevagazhi vi Uzarî (Hussars with spears): Lightly armored cavalry. Specialized in dealing with missile units, so carries a large shield.

Their militia units are superior to those of other nations in general, but they also have a few special units.

The Protoguard: The elite guard of the Protopriest. Wears powered heavy plate armor, and carry massive two handed weapons. Can crush nearly any enemy.

Fire Priests: A small collection of priests that can launch jets of holy flame at the enemy.

[k/t]

Bows don't threaten heavily armoured troops.

It sounds like you're basing each faction on a real "faction". Try to get a different flavour for each then. You can talk to Eothese (he's written a book and made a mod set in its world) and The First O'Neill (he made a very similar mod to yours) for advice.

[Captain Jesus]

Isn't the entire point of longbows that they threaten heavily armored troops? Not destroy certainly, but damage.

Yeah, each faction is based on either a single historical nation or a mixture of such. I expect more differences will emerge as I write and develop more, however. I might seek out advice on the cultures and flavors eventually, but I'll wait until my own imagination is finished with it.

[Captain Jesus]

I'd also like to say that I've finished the Stormguard roster (by which I mean all the units are named and in-game. They aren't balanced at all, and they all use vanilla models and skins.).

I'm beginning work on the Rasskan roster now. The idea for Rasska is that they are a barely civilized nation. The great cities are islands of the modern world in an ocean of wilderness and the unknown. In their military, well equipped merchant troops contrast against the ferocious but ill-financed nobility, and against the dark peoples from the forests and swamps. The King of Rasska will have a diverse army, one that only lacks cohesiveness.

Planned Roster:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Light Infantry:

Risen Peasants: A cheap and ill equipped unit of peasants. Despite their lowly status, their hard lives and brutal nature make them surprisingly effective.
Wildmen: A unit of men who were unsuited for village life, and so made their way into the forests and marshes. They wield axes and light shields, and specialize in savaging the enemy in ambushes.
The Lost: A unit of former nobility who have lost their patents to upstart merchants. They feel as though they have little to lose, and with the sword and shield that is all they have left, they can cause great damage.
Confessed Brigands: Former bandits that have been granted a second chance. They are skilled with spear and shield, and use the experience of their previous employment to hunt down cavalry.

Heavy Infantry:
Wild Nobles: A reasonably well armored unit of nobles wielding large axes. Ferocious and brutal, but vulnerable to missile fire and cavalry.
Merchant Company: A well equipped unit of spearmen. Lacks motivation, but armor, shield, and spear make for a decent unit against cavalry.
Merchant Pikes: Trained and equipped by merchants and mercenaries, these pikemen make up for the lack of motivation with their ability to destroy enemy cavalry.
Marsh Nobles: Wears mail armor, and carries axe and shield. Well suited for ambush attacks and savage charges.

Missile Infantry:
Wild Archers: Marsh Hunters who have turned their bows against human prey. Carries shortbows, but good for ambushing.
Forest Hunters: Hunters who use longbows out of necessity against large wild animals. Can hide as well.
Merchant Crossbows: Armored crossbowmen with a large shield. Well equipped but poorly motivated and skilled.

Light Cavalry:
Plains Nobles: The nobility of the plains learn to ride at a young age. Fights with axe and shield, but little armor.
Mountain Nobles: The nobility of the mountains are also skilled riders, but fight with bow and arrow primarily.
Mounted Confessed Bandits: Their lances are specialized against cavalry, and these bandits are eager to prove their new loyalties.

Heavy Cavalry:
Merchant Men at Arms: Well equipped professional soldiers that use lance and sword. Not as dedicated as knightly cavalry, but useful.
Royal Cavalry Guard: Not as heavily armored as other guard troops, but vicious and experienced. Uses axe and shield instead of a lance.
Guild Cavalry Guard: Heavily armored and experienced heavy cavalry. Not as motivated, but just as skilled as knightly cavalry.

Special Units:
Marsh Bombardiers
Mounted Rifle Patrol

[BarnicleBill1]

Very interesting, what are your concepts for a map?

[Captain Jesus]

Sorry for the map; it's the only one I've made for the entire continent so far. There's a chance that if I ever get this continent mostly finished, I'll add more of the world.

I'd say it'd be around the size of Western Europe in the Vanilla game, at least to begin with. I want to make it so a faction's units can be only recruited in it's original territory. Mapping is something I'm going to have to learn from scratch as I go on with it though, so I have no idea how long that will take. I wouldn't mind if anyone wanted to help, but I understand if no one's particularly interested, at least until I get something playable that's worth working on in the sea of excellent mods already available.

[BarnicleBill1]

Well it looks pretty cool so far, I'll be watching this mod.

[Captain Jesus]

I finished the Rasskan roster (in the same manner as I've finished the others.) and I'm beginning to work on changing faction symbols and the like. Once I've finished that and made an honest attempt at balancing the armies I believe I'll upload it as version 0.1, in the hopes of getting feedback on the army balance and on how fun/boring the armies are to play with.