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IW Concept Presentation
CONCEPT PRESENTATION
As the demo version of the mod will include the Ilsamiri, the Mekathenain and the Southern Kingdom we (our concept artist Kataphraktoi and myself) have decided to focus on these factions before the others. To that end we've got a couple of new concepts to show today and a few descriptions to go along with them.
(The original plan for the demo included only the Ilsamiri and the Mekathenain, but by adding one more faction we will be able to show more variety, both in tactical gameplay and design.)
A - Harrier
Harriers are typically men who have shown certain special skills during their time in the archer regiments of the Kingdom. They are given special training for closer range skirmishing and are often used in ambushes for which they wear specially camouflaged quilted leather tunics.
The bows they carry are short (3 feet in length when strung), but still powerful and accurate, when used at an appropriately short range. Their armour is lighter than most of that worn in the South, but it is still heavy enough to stand up to fierce fighting in close quarters. They carry straight swords in reserve.
B - Peasant Levy Soldier
As in most societies the peasant classes will be called on in times of dire need to bolster the professional army. The men of these levies are equipped, as they have traditionally been, with quilted leather armour and a stiffened leather hat, much like those worn by the men when they are farming.
They carry varying weapons, depending on their usual vocation, which can range from hoes to pitch-forks and from wooden mallets to axes.
A - City Guardsman
These dedicated volunteers are provided with basic equipment, in the form of sword and shield, but, as a rule, augment this gear with higher quality weapons and armour which they purchase themselves.
The regiments of city guard are usually maintained from the coffers of the Knight Chiefs and the High Merchants, though should the King wish to employ them in war away from their home province it will cost him considerably as these men have agreed to defend their own homes rather than fight in defence of others.
Typically the City Guard operate as a kind of all-purpose law enforcement and fire service, usually functioning on a roster - this allows its members to pursue other trades when they are off duty.
B - Militiaman
Drawn from the poorer sections of society, Ilsamir militia wear leather armour, often emblazoned with the crest of their home city, and carry spears and swords, both of which are mass-produced and distributed as and when danger should arise.
While these men are extremely useful in times of great hardship, they are neither well trained nor well equipped and are best used as either a cheap alternative to professional soldiers or in the flanking and pursuit of other enemy infantry.
C - Pikeman
These are the lowliest professional soldiers of the Ilsamir army. The rank of pikeman is the lowest for a professional soldier, and it is where most of the men of the army begin, except those gifted enough to enter the ranks of the officers or the more celebrated regiments.
Pikemen carry a very long spear and wear a metal cuirass and helmet, though they have little other protection. Should an enemy close to an uncomfortable range they will fare badly without support for they lack the fuller armour of other troops. They are armed with swords however, and an experienced unit of pikemen has been known to hold its own even after their spiked wall has fallen.
