Units Preview: Illian (screens included)

[Myrddraal]

Here are just SOME of the units...

Companions:

See pic at top

In the history of Illian, no group of soldiers has distinguished themselves as much as the Companions. These men have a storied history of gruelling training followed by herioc battlefield exploits, and as such are famed in legend for their resolute bravery and almost god-like battlefield prowess. This elite cavalry unit forms the solid core around which the Illianer army is based. Although these heavily armed and hard-hitting soldiers are primarily the King’s bodyguard, in times of war and peace, they are also mobile, disciplined and highly effective troops. In any conflict, the Companions can always be found where the fighting is thickest, ready to give their lives for their King, whom it is their sworn duty to protect. They are not only superb soldiers, they are also expert bodyguards, protecting their King from assassination in its many guises.

It is a matter of national pride to see that these men are equipped with the best weapons and armour that money can buy, and their steel breastplates, helmets, gauntlets and greaves are visibly the finest in the land, bought directly from the King’s vast treasury. They are armed with a heavy thrusting spear, a cavalry sabre, a large shield and extreme patriotism. On foot they fight as heavy infantry, carving a gory path through enemy formations and grinding firm pike lines into bloody messes. Their prowess and discipline means that on foot as well as on horseback they are a match for almost any unit in the known world.

Royal Armsmen:

When a monarch comes to power, he or she will want to ensure military superiority over any contenders to the throne, namely other major houses. With this in mind, monarchs usually create their own private armies drawn from the ranks of their House Armsmen. These men receive the best equipment, training and, crucially, wages.

The fact that they are drawn from trusted House Armsmen combined with their excellent pay ensures their loyalty and a monarch will be certain to keep them close at hand in the eventuality of unrest or civil war.

Illian has a strong martial tradition, and is widely recognized as one of the most powerful militaries in the Westlands. Its citizens and soldiers know this and take pride in their heritage, and will always try their best to live up to it on the battlefield.

Armoured Pikemen:

Armoured pikemen are a step up from regular pikemen. They are often a fully professional unit which forms part of the standing army. Their good training and regular drill allows them to stand firm against most enemies, and their heavy armour allows them to withstand arrow fire and gives them durability in prolonged fighting.

Although many nobles still shun them on the basis that they fight on foot, a wise commander knows the value of their solid discipline and good defensive abilities. They are often used to provide anchorage on the flanks to protect a battle line from cavalry or are deployed in a central block to push forward attacks. These soldiers play less of a support role than regular pikemen and are quite capable of forming the disciplined core of an army.

In Illian however, the eternal quarrels with Tear have stimulated the development of the pike to counter the strength and power of Tairen cavalry. Illianer pikemen tend to be well-schooled in dealing with mounted enemies and have learnt not to rout or scatter in the face of a cavalry charge. Illian also has a strong martial tradition, and is widely recognized as one of the most powerful militaries in the Westlands. Its citizens and soldiers know this and take pride in their heritage, and will always try their best to live up to it on the battlefield.

Sailors:

Illian is a maritime nation and has not only a standing army but also a well-manned and funded navy, equal to that of Tear and second only to the Sea Folk. Illianer Sailors, in times of need, can be pressed into service on land, and nobles are usually keen to include them in their armies. They are well-disciplined and trained, and their light composite bows are accurate and capable of piercing most armour, although they lack the range of crossbows.

Their light equipment and loose formation makes them good skirmishers, and although they are unarmoured, their shortswords and cutlasses, combined with their extensive training, makes them more than a match for levied peasants in hand-to-hand fighting.

Levy:

In times of war nobles and monarchs will raise levies as needed. These troops are not a standing army as such, but are a step above the hastily formed militias and local watches. These troops normally show up with a spear, bill or equivalent farm implement, and the occasional axe. Few, if any, can afford any kind of armour; the majority make do with a padded or leather jerkin. They carry long knives as a secondary weapon, although these are more likely to be used for cutting bread and cheese than anything else.

They are not uniformly equipped or armoured, rarely even with weapons of the same length and balance. Levy are really just organised peasants, lacking proper training and discipline. They will hold against light cavalry, militia or true peasantry, but will stand no chance against a determined assault by armsmen or heavy cavalry.

Illian has a strong martial tradition, and is widely recognized as one of the most powerful militaries in the Westlands. Its citizens and soldiers know this and take pride in their heritage and will always try their best to live up to it on the battlefield.

[Myrddraal]

Please excuse the lack of transparency on the Royal Armsmen pic.

Also note that the lighting isn't great on these pics and some patches seem black. This isn't the case in - game.

The units don't look their best in these pics, but the vote seems to show that you'd rather I got on with the other nations than sort them out, and I couldn't agree more

[al'Callaendor]

very good.

[cdaulepp]

nice! Thanks.

cdaulepp

[Lanfire]

very sexie indeed

[al'Callaendor]

sexie???

[Steppe Merc]

Why no cavalry? The Companions aren't worth much if they aren't mounted, nor is any soldier, really.

[Andreas]

Because this is the 3DMAX modles, and mount and soldier are modelled differently. We will have horses too, trust me. (else I quit, that's one thing that is sure;))

[al'Callaendor]

I have 3ds max 7, but i have difficulties to model...

[Andreas]

Read some guides, learn it and maybe you could become a team member:)

[Steppe Merc]

Because this is the 3DMAX modles, and mount and soldier are modelled differently. We will have horses too, trust me. (else I quit, that's one thing that is sure;))

Right, I know that. But were the Companions max rendered as well? I assume so... and I though it was possible to render a guy on a horse in max, even though they have seperate models. But as long as you have horses, it's all good.

[Myrddraal]

it is possible, I just couldn't be bothered

[Geoffrey S]

Ouch. Completely missed the update; a delayed congratulations on the good work, then!

[Ripipip]

very nice models!!! I have just started to learn how to model and my first unit is soon finished. But when I see those picture I realize how much more work I had to do before i can model properly...

[4th Dimension]

They are good.

[GreatOnee]

Are these models included in the Alpha version Elqen posted.Anyone with the data on this mod, please upload it.Filefront would be the best, so I can continue the work on this mod.Also if anyone is interested, PM me, or post