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Thread: Medieval Kingdoms Total War: The Kingdom of Makuria

  1. #1
    Dontfearme22's Avatar Campidoctor
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    Default Medieval Kingdoms Total War: The Kingdom of Makuria




    The Kingdom of Makuria



    Background

    Few medieval kingdoms are more enigmatic than those of eastern Africa. Lack of sources, combined with lack of extensive scholarship and current difficulty to conduct fieldwork has made this region uniquely obscured by history. The Kingdom of Makuria was one of the last bastions of African Christianity at a time when it seemed Islam had long since secured its hold on the continent. The armies of Makuria successfully resisted conquest for centuries, based on a motley blend of tribal warriors, foreign mercenaries, and dedicated warrior aristocrats. The Makurian army will play as a wide-roving force of skirmishers, each unit acting as both a light guerilla and frontline fighters out of necessity. The Makurian player will find themselves continually outclassed, with fewer heavy infantry, heavy horse, and lighter units than almost any opponent. Yet, with resourcefulness they, like the Nubian kings themselves, might still secure victory against superior odds.

    A Note on Ranged vs. Melee Units

    Most Makurian units are both ranged and melee, starting as skirmishers and being able to fight in melee if need be. Hence in this roster dividing units into ranged and melee is a slight misnomer, as most units can fill both roles easily, albeit a little less than units more strongly specialized for one role or the other in other factions.

    * Some units avaliable to multiple tiers. This applies to all Beja units.


    Early Era (WIP)

    General:

    Bucellarii

    The kings of Makuria are ably aided by this cohort of knights, dressed in a eye-catching blend of african and byzantine costume.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    Melee Infantry:

    Nubian Infantry

    The lay infantry of Makuria are lightly equipped and even more lightly armed.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 




    Nubian Quilted Infantry

    Quilted armor is common in the Sudan. It provides good protection against all manner of blows,
    giving these warriors time for their short stabbing spears to cut their enemies to size.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 




    Frontier Guardsmen

    The edges of Makuria are along great tracts of wilderness, bordered by hostile powers and peoples.
    It seems only fitting they should be protected by equally wild men.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 




    Bukna Warband

    Nilotic tribespeoples were common mercenaries in the Sudan, fighting in striking style with large hide shields and short spears.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 




    Arab Infantry

    The relationship between the Arab world and the Nubian one was often contentious.
    Even so, some Arabs took up arms to serve its Christian kings from time to time.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 




    Ranged Infantry:

    Nubian Archers

    Nubia was famed above all else for its archers. It was a poison arrow, fired from a Nubian bow
    that was the gravest fear of both Arabs and invaders of years past.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 




    Beja Tribesmen

    The Beja and Afar peoples of the sun-baked wastes of the eastern Sudan remain to this day a proud warrior people. They fight quickly and lightly, blurring the lines between skirmisher and soldier.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 




    Nubian Slingers

    Slingers remained useful in Africa long after they had waned in the west.
    From Morocco to Somalia, it was a valued aspect of warfare well into the Medieval Period, albeit seen as a weapon of the poor.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 




    Beja Bowmen

    Like other Sudanese peoples, archery was a prized skill among these desert tribesmen.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 




    Melee Cavalry:

    Alodian Horsemen

    Alodia is a fertile region to the south. Its milder climate allowed more body protection than could be easily tolerated in the fiery heat of the north.
    As such, Nubias heaviest horsemen come from this land, coated in great heaps of quilted armor.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 




    Nubian Light Cavalry

    Most Nubians fought lightly. This extended to the prized cavalry core, most of whom rode as lightly as their compatriots on foot, with kilt, cap, and shield being the only sources of protection.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 




    Arab Horsemen

    The only peoples to value horses more than Nubians were their Arab rivals, who could field great quantities of them. These men are a vital middle ground between the lumbering heavy horse and the swarms of semi-nude warriors that otherwise encompass Makurian armies.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 




    Sudanese Sheikhs

    The slow seep of Islam into Nubia accompanied the creation of ever-heavier mounted horsemen. They wear chainmail, a incredible luxury for most in this region, showing their status as men of means. Cavalry similar to these would be recorded in the Sudan well into the Modern period.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 




    Nubian Knights

    Perhaps the greatest sign of Nubias christian faith was its pride in the gallant warrior saint, a mounted knight who smote the enemies of his peoples.
    These warriors personify this ideal, fighting lightly, but full of vigor, with lance and shield. They wear a motley style of armor reminiscent of the Roman ideal but deeply steeped in African norms of dress.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 




    Ranged Cavalry:

    Beja Camel Riders

    The Beja were most famous for their skill as camel herders. In this capacity, they were a important part of the Nubian army, one that made a gruesome impression on the Arabs they commonly faced in battle.

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 




    Credits

    LinusLinuthorax & Alejandro Sanchez for their incomparable store of knowledge on medieval Africa and endless willingness to provide resources.

    the MK1212 dev team for their resources and feedback

    the Ancient Empires team for their excellent model resources, especially their hide shields.

    Toto, for providing the soundtrack to this factions development.

    CA for making the game that makes this possible


    Last edited by Dontfearme22; January 29, 2019 at 11:47 PM.

  2. #2
    Dontfearme22's Avatar Campidoctor
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    Default Re: Medieval Kingdoms Total War: The Kingdom of Makuria

    High Era (WIP)

    General:

    Kings Bodyguard

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Melee Infantry:

    Nubian Tribesmen (High)
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    Nubian Footmen (High)
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    Arab Tribesmen (High)
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    Ranged Infantry:

    Nubian Archers (High)
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Nubian Slingers (High)
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Melee Cavalry:

    Sudanese Heavy Cavalry (High)
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

    Arab Horsemen (High)
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    Last edited by Dontfearme22; January 29, 2019 at 11:42 PM.

  3. #3
    Dontfearme22's Avatar Campidoctor
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    Default Re: Medieval Kingdoms Total War: The Kingdom of Makuria

    Late Era (WIP)

    General:



    Sultans Bodyguard


    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 





    Melee Infantry:

    Nubian Tribesmen (Late)


    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Sudanese Footmen


    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Arab Tribesmen (Late)


    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 



    Ranged Infantry:


    Nubian Archers (Late)
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    Melee Cavalry:


    Sudanese Heavy Cavalry (Late)
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 


    Arab Horsemen (Late)
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
    Last edited by Dontfearme22; January 29, 2019 at 11:46 PM.

  4. #4
    paleologos's Avatar You need burrito love!!
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    Default Re: Medieval Kingdoms Total War: The Kingdom of Makuria

    Great work, mate!

  5. #5

    Default Re: Medieval Kingdoms Total War: The Kingdom of Makuria

    Looks cool.

    I am honestly curious how the next tiers will turn out.

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  6. #6

    Default Re: Medieval Kingdoms Total War: The Kingdom of Makuria

    Well, I was not very interested in Makuria before, but with this roster you made me curious. Please, more!

  7. #7
    Teutonic's Avatar Ordinarius
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    Default Re: Medieval Kingdoms Total War: The Kingdom of Makuria

    Reminds me of the good old days playing the Broken Crescent mod.

  8. #8
    gary's Avatar Domesticus
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    Default Re: Medieval Kingdoms Total War: The Kingdom of Makuria

    Quote Originally Posted by Teutonic View Post
    Reminds me of the good old days playing the Broken Crescent mod.
    Broken Crescent! I spent days weeks months, years playing that mod...... best mod I played for M2TW. And S.S
    My Granfather Frederick Avery.Battalion Boxing champion. Regiment.The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. dorcorated D.C.M. M.M.
    campaigns

    (India.1930) (Norway 1940) (Fontenay le Pesnil) (North-West Europe1944-45) (Argoub Se!lah)
    (Sicily, 1943 Salerno) (Minturno) (Anzio Gemmano Ridge)
    "Burma, 1942"
    My grandfather was a hero, modest, quiet and wounded twice, in hand to hand combat at Casino Italy.

  9. #9

    Default Re: Medieval Kingdoms Total War: The Kingdom of Makuria

    Excellent work for this faction (and the others also).
    But the only important thing that is incorrect is the way Beja and Ethiopian people are represented: the skins (taken from Ancient Empires mod I guess) don't match correctly with the actual look of Bejas and Ethiopians. I mean only the faces (all the rest is perfect, especially hair styles). The faces more look like Europeans' ones colored in black, rather than real Bejas or Ethiopians' faces (I mean the great majority of them). It would be more accurate to use the skins of Axum in Attila total war, which are much more correct to represent these people (I'm only talking about Bejas and Ethiopians, not Nubians who are perfectly represented). Some people might think that what I'm saying is a small detail, but in fact it's of much importance if you devs want the mod to be historically immersive and accurate while playing these factions.
    If you any help to improve this particular subject, I would be pleased to give you advice (I am the creator of the mod "Garamantians reskin" in ATW and "Better Looking African Units" in R2TW, which are released but still in progress).

  10. #10
    Dontfearme22's Avatar Campidoctor
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    Default Re: Medieval Kingdoms Total War: The Kingdom of Makuria

    Unfortunately, making new custom skins is very difficult, and the custom aksumite skins from Attila look like Toy story characters, so I had to compromise and use the eastern skins. Its not perfect but I think its the closest solution reasonably achievable.

  11. #11

    Default Re: Medieval Kingdoms Total War: The Kingdom of Makuria

    Quote Originally Posted by Dontfearme22 View Post
    Unfortunately, making new custom skins is very difficult, and the custom aksumite skins from Attila look like Toy story characters, so I had to compromise and use the eastern skins. Its not perfect but I think its the closest solution reasonably achievable.
    I hear your point of view. I admit that some of the aksumite skins from Attila may seem a bit odd but that is not so shocking in my opinion. That being said, I find that the best compromise is to use aksumite skins (except those there: c01, c02, c03 that do not look like Beja skins, but may be suitable for some Ethiopian units) because they are more representative of these peoples than the "black painted" eastern skins (the latter being perfect for North African units). I would like to talk about all this privately if you agree.

  12. #12
    Jurand of Cracow's Avatar History and gameplay!
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    Default Re: Medieval Kingdoms Total War: The Kingdom of Makuria


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