Iron Age Cultures - 27/3 Updated Germanic Preview

[Dude with the Food]

I'm planning a complete overhaul of Total War Attila to bring a world without clear time distinctions. It started with CA releasing the Celtic factions with Nordic rosters but I'm not starting a DLC rant now. I was researching Celtic armies of the time for a smaller mod but I only really decided Briton warfare was interesting/diverse before or after the Attila time frame. I started drawing up rosters of a Dark Ages realm with the Gaels/Romano-British and early Anglo-Saxons. Then I decided why not make the whole map interesting? This mod aims to bring the most diverse and varied cultures from the start of R2TW to the beginning of the Medieval period.

With 85 planned factions from 27 cultures, it's not going to be an easy accomplishment but hopefully it will be worth it to watch Marian's legions fight the Ostrogoths while Belisarius' legions face the Diadochi states and actual real Vikings terrorise the coastlines. Not only that but every faction will have 18+ units with their own unique units - even between simple tribes.

Planned faction list

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Gaelic

• Picts
• Scots
• Ui Neill
• Gwynedd
• Dumnonia

Saxon

• Northumbria
• Mercia
• Wessex
• Anglia

Gothic

• Visigoths
• Ostrogoths
• Gutones
• Gepids**
• Vandals**

Suebi

• Gallaecia
• Quadi
• Marcomanni

Greek

• Corinth
• Knossos
• Cimmeria
• Cyrene
• Syracuse

Hellenistic

• Macedon
• Seleucid Empire
• Epirus
• Egypt
• Pontus

Latin

• Rome

Byzantine

• Byzantine Empire*

Italian

• Samnites
• Etruscan League

Celtiberian

• Cantabri
• Arevaci
• Celtici

Iberian

• Lusitani
• Vettones
• Turdetani

Phoenician

• Carthage

Baltic

• Samogitians
• Lithuanians
• Prussians

Sarmatian

• Roxolani
• Alani
• Budini

Bulgar

• Bulgaria
• Avars
• Volga Bulgars

Eastern

• Sassanid Empire
• Parthia
• Dahae

Arabian

• Rashidun Caliphate

Norse

• Denmark
• Sweden
• Kievan Rus

Gallic

• Vivisci
• Arverni
• Aedui
• Allobroges
• Galatia

Khazars

• Khazaria

Germanic

• Frisii
• Cimbri
• Cherusci
• Chatti
• Thurinians
• Rugii
• Harii
• Teutones

Successors

• Allemagne
• Burgundy
• Frankia
• Lombards

African

• Kush
• Aksum

Berber

• Garamantia
• Mauri
• Gaetuli

Caucasian

• Armenia
• Kartli
• Colchis
• Arran

Hunnic

• Sabirs
• Huns

Dacian

• Bastarnae
• Getae

*I know they should be the Eastern Roman Empire but this is hardly historical in the first place
**Probably not Goths but were very heavily influenced by them

In terms of progress, 37 units are in game already but variants/unit cards/stats will come slowly.
If anyone can help me with 2-D work (unit cards/UI/faction symbols etc) or cultures/adding factions/startpos then I'd be very grateful but this is at a very early stage and I won't need a lot of it for possibly months depending on progress.

I have unit rosters for all listed factions already but I'm willing to listen to suggestions for any units that should be in for any factions. Specifically, I'm looking for help on Justinian's army, Khazaria and the 3 Bulgar factions but any advice is welcome.

I'm also looking for naming suggestions for the mod (see poll).

[Dude with the Food]

Germanic Preview




Faction List

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Frisii
Inhabiting the coastal lands just north of the Rhine, the Frisii are a strange and mysterious people. There land is thickly forested wherever it is not marsh yet they make a living from hunting and raiding their neighbours. The eternal swampland creates a perfect environment for any man to become a supreme hunter and it is only natural so many of their numbers have chosen to do so.

The Cimbri
One of the larger Germanic tribes by both strength and stature, the Cimbri are new to their current region. They have only recently migrated southwards from the far north although the severe cold has only hardened their people over many generations and they are ever ready to war with their neighbours.

The Teutones.
Similar to the Cimbri, the Teutones have migrated south in recent years and may be inclined to do so again in the near future. They fear no man, beast or diety and will face any foe to the last, however numerous or powerful. After all, what is glory without tragedy?

The Rugii
Inhabiting the northen reaches of Germania, the Rugii have had little to no dealings with the great nations of this world. However, they have witnessed the passing of the Goths to the south and now also the comings of the Cimbri and Teutones. Maybe it is time for a migration of their own.

The Harii
The Harii are one of the strangest German nations. They do not fight by daylight but choose to launch devastating ambushes only in the deadest of night. They paint themselves black to avoid unnecessary attention when launching a raid. The enemy's eyes are always conquered first.

The Thuringii
A true Germanic people, the Thuringii live beneath the trees of a previous nation having left for southern riches. They inhabit a large portion of central Germania left empty by the migrating Alemanni and it may not be a long time before they too step out from under the shadows.

The Cherusci
Meaning "sword bearers", the Cherusci are one of the most numerous Germanic nations. Their use of swords comes not from preference but their geographic proximity to Gaul. Their trade connections to the south offer a unique advantage over most of the lesser nations.

The Chatti
Located on the Rhine, the Chatti straddle both the northern and southern banks. This offers security from larger nations though thid does not they are timid people. Their warriors train from childhood and killing a foe in melee combat is not so much a feat but a rite of passage for any young man.

Units

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Infantry

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Club Levy - The lightest type of warrior, fighting in the defence of their homes rather than for glory.
Axe Brothers - Aggressive light infantry capable of dealing many deaths quickly but will not survive for long unless fighting very light enemies.
Shield Brothers - The defensive core in comparison to axe brothers who can ward off most assaults easily.
Sword Masters - Every Germanic noble learns to fight and the richest import swords from Gaul.
Sword Brothers - (Cherusci) An upgrade on the standard Axe Brothers, these men can easily dispatch most opponents.
Chatti Youths - (Chatti) A semi-skirmishing unit who deal good damage in melee but will not withstand continued melee fighting.
Seaxmen - (Thuringii) Very light raiders adept at killing weakened enemies with ease but little else.
Wolf Warriors - (Rugii) Skilled warriors adept at raiding and shock tactics.
Harii Warriors - (Harii) The elite of the Harii tribe who paint themselves black and only fight by night.
Teutone Fanatics - (Teutones) Though most Germans are prepared to fight, the Teutones will die without any fear.
Bloodsworn - (Cimbri) When a man dedicates his life to war, he can develop a particular passion for blood.
Ambrones Swordsmen - (Cimbri) A tribe of Celts who migrated into Germania, the Ambrones became firm allies with the Cimbri.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Chauci Raiders - (Frisii) Like most Germanic tribes, the Chauci raided their neighbours though they became reknowned for their seamanship.

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Germanic Tribesmen - Any man may take up arms when he believes he must.
Spear Levy - Though inexperienced to war, these men are hardened by their lifestyle and will fight for their kin.
Spear Brothers - The men who use spears emulate the strength and endurance of the ancient trees they fashion their weapons from.
Spear Masters - Not wealthy enough to own a sword, these men have dedicated their lives to a more common weapon - the spear.
Wodanaz Spears - (Thuringii) Servants of the Allfather, these men will lay down their lives for glory.
Harii Raiders - (Harii) Whenever the Harii march to war, the eyes are the first to be conquered.
Cimbri Berserkers - (Cimbri) The warrior elite of the Cimbri, these ferocious warriors boast a savage power, inconcievable to mere mortals.
Spear Wall - Where warfare is dominated by spears, it is safest to have the longest one.

Missile

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Germanic Youths - Tribal youths not yet trusted for front line combat, these youths will still fight as men.
Horse Runners - The fastest of each tribe run with the cavalry, offering and recieving protection and providing a formidable force.
Axe Throwers - (Chatti) Ancestors of the Franks, these men fight just as well from distance as close up.
Germanic Slingers - A sling is an easy weapon to master and provides saftey from wild animals too.
Bow Levy - Most men can use bow and while they may never master archery, it is a necessary skill to have.
Germanic Hunters - The greatest of Germanic marksmanship combined with animalistic tracking abilities, these men are an asset to any force.
Frisii Hunters - (Frisii) Frisia offers a wealth of inhospitable terrains but these men have learnt to conquer them all.
Harii Bowmen - (Harii) These hunters operate at the dead of night and their lethal accuracy is a credit to their vision.
Teutone Bowmen - (Teutones) Tribal archers, these tribesmen will defend their lives to the last.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Cavalry

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Germanic Scouts - The lightest men will struggle to survive combat but they fight from distance with javelins and are excellent hunters.
Germanic Riders - Tribesmen who are lucky enough to ride will. These men are and do.
Axe Riders - Medium cavalry who will give themselves credit in any fight though are suited for their speed rather than ability.
Noble Riders - The nobility of the tribe are supreme warriors and these men are not mounted to be exceptions.
Usipi Riders - (Cherusci) On the of the Suebi tribes, the Usipi are feared riders for their unnatural horsemanship and skill.
Wild Riders - (Rugii) Horsemen from the far north, to these men killing a man is no different from any of nature's more primitive beasts,

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Batavi Lancers - (Frisii) The Batavi tribe live in close proximity to the Belgae tribes though if anything, this has sharpened their spears and deepened their scars of war.

[Arthalion]

hi, nice work, where do you find the quiver?

[Dude with the Food]

hi, nice work, where do you find the quiver?

All the models and textures so far are used from Rome 2 or Attila. Most likely the quiver is the one used by the longbow hunters or Celtic hunters but I'm not completely sure.

[Linke]

Interesting mod

[Prince of Judah]

I'm confused. Is this an Iron Age II mod or a Late antiquity mod? if It is an Iron Age II mod I would like to lend my services as a researcher. But I'm not sure what you are doing.

[Dude with the Food]

It's a mod that incorporates many different cultures throughout the antiquity roughly corresponding to the timeframe of the Roman Republic - beginning of the Medieval period. It's anachronistic so there will be factions like Carthage/Iberians/Gauls alongside Vikings/Anglo-Saxons and Bulgars. I've responded to you and I'd welcome any research at all because I'm on my own but if it's not your area of expertise/interest then that's fine.

[Denco]

I like the idea. I encourage you to stick with it

[kochukhan]

Look nice Work and Good job