New Faction Preview: The Scythians

FACTION PREVIEW: THE SCYTHIANS

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Units: tone
Historical info: The Roma Surrectum team
Thanks to RTR for allowing permission to use the axe from their Sarmatian heavy cavalry and to EB (particularly Spartan Warrior) for allowing us to use their Sarmatian Early Noble (used for the medium horse archer) and Thureophoroi models.

FACTION OVERVIEW
As many of you know, the next major release of Roma Surrectum will change the starting date of the campaign. As a result we will be removing two of the current factions, which means -- with the addition of the Senate slot -- we’ll be able to add three new factions to the game.

We spent weeks debating which factions to add, and a wide range of worthy contenders were considered. We wanted factions that would offer the player a new experience, and would also impact as many other factions as possible -- creating a 'ripple' effect and changing the way the campaign unfolds across the entire map. Further, we wanted them to be historically significant -- nations or peoples that really did have a impact on events. For that reason we rejected some fascinating options like the Galatians or the Nabataeans.

We finally settled on the three factions which we think will have the biggest impact on the game, and the first of these: the Scythians.

Not the vanilla RTW Scythians, who were actually Sarmatians given the wrong name. In reality the Scythians were quite different from the Sarmatians -- they were a race of Indo-European nomadic horsemen whose military prowess brought them incredible riches, who settled down to rule over a vast kingdom, and who gradually adopted cultural traits of their wealthy Greek neighbors. They became a unique blend of the urban Greek and nomadic steppe cultures -- fierce and warlike, and yet also wealthy, organized and disciplined.

But we've already got the Sarmatians, so why add another steppe faction north of the Black Sea?

For two reasons: their location -- and the impact it will have on the campaign -- and their unique and fascinating culture.

LOCATION -- THE STEPPES

The steppes of the Ukraine and Russia are often misrepresented in RTW as a huge empty space with a few scattered villages, given over to a single faction -- usually the Sarmatians. But in reality the area was a cauldron of competing cultures and a land rich in manpower, grain, and horses. It was not at all an empty wasteland.

With the Bosporan Kingdom, Roma Surrectum took the first step to correctly portray the steppes, but with the Scythians we complete the puzzle: now the civilized Bosporans, the half-civilized Scythians, and the still wild Sarmatians are all battling for control of the steppes.

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And if one of these factions can achieve control of the area, and unite the Greek colonies with the horsemen of the plains, they'll be ready to explode into Asia or Europe and build an empire...

CULTURE -- THE SONS OF HERACLES

“From Scythes son of Heracles comes the whole line of the kings of Scythia.” -- Herodotus, Histories

According to Greek legend, the Scythians were descended from Heracles, who had three sons by the mystical serpent-woman Echidna. Of these sons, only the youngest, Scythes, could bend the bow of Heracles, and so he became king of the Scythians. This legend tells us two things about the Scythians: their love of the bow, and their fearsome reputation.

“Their mastery of the horse and the bow raised them from the obscurity of nomadic stock-raisers of the steppes to the status of a major military power. At different periods they brushed –- hard, and bruisingly –- against the Assyrians, the Medes, the Persians, and the Macedonians.” E.V. Cernenko, The Scythians

In the days when Rome was still a small town paying tribute to its Etruscan overlords, the Scythians were one of the most feared peoples in the known world. Their military exploits ranged from central Europe to Egypt. Their campaigns in the Middle East helped bring down the mighty Assyrian Empire. They are mentioned in the Bible as a fearsome race whose quivers gaped “like an empty grave.” After a hundred years or more spent toppling kingdoms and terrorizing the Middle East, they returned to the steppes north of the Black Sea, their carts laden with immense wealth, leaving the peoples of the Middle East to lick their wounds.

“In the fortresses and towns of Armenia, Syria, Palestine, and even Babylon, the terrible memories of the Scythian war-cries and their whistling arrows were still green.” E.V. Cernenko, The Scythians

Back in their homeland the Scythians continued to thrive, gradually becoming more settled as they traded with their neighbors in the Greek colonies on the Black Sea coast. Their new wealth enabled them to fashion elaborate weapons and armor -- gilded with gold looted from the great cities of Babylonia. Their ruling tribe -- the Royal Scythians -- controlled the slave and grain trade with Greece, which made them wealthier still.

Over the years, many have tried to conquer the Scythians. The Great King himself, Darius I of Persia, led a great invasion into Scythia in 514 B.C. -– one of the largest campaigns in ancient history. The Macedonians, the Thracians, and the Sarmatians have sought to drive them from their lands. But the Scythians, fierce and proud, defeated all challengers, and remain unconquered.
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But that is in the past.

Now, it is 218 B.C., and the Scythians, still as proud as ever, are sorely pressed. To the east hordes of wild Sarmatians are encroaching on their territory. To the south the Greek Bosporans, once content to remain behind their high walls, now look north with thoughts of expansion. And to the west the multitudes of the Getai watch the prosperous Scythian lands with envious eyes...

What will become of the Scythians, the great horse lords who once received tribute from Pharaoh himself? Will they wilt under these new pressures and vanish from history? Or will they strap on their gilded armor, take up their bows, axes and lances, and ride forth once again to reclaim their glory?

THE SCYTHIAN KING PONDERS...

“Once, we roamed from the western mountains east across the steppes, and south even to the gardens of Babylon. A man could ride for months and never leave our domain. But now we are hemmed in by many peoples, taking away the land that once was ours, while our noblemen grow rich from trade with the Greeks, and our common men fat and lazy on the bounty of our harvests and the luxuries of the south.

But still, the spirit of our forefathers is with us. I myself have seen our banners joined together to repel the raids of the Getai and the Sarmatians. I have seen twenty thousand of my brothers joined as one, our arrows wreaking such slaughter upon our enemies that they turned and ran like dogs. If we could find common cause our armies might sweep across the steppes once more and wipe these wild interlopers from our
lands.

But if we are to rise once more, all our subjects must heed the call, take up their arms, and rally to our banners..."

THE SCYTHIAN HOST GATHERS...

SLAVIC SPEARMEN

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Slavic Spearmen (Light Infantry)
From the farms along the great rivers, and from the forests of the north, a levy of Slavic Spearmen will be called –- poor men, but tough, strong of limb and accustomed to hard work. For many years they have paid us tribute and acknowledged us as their masters. Now their levies will be invaluable. Armed with a basic shield and a stout spear, they are simple warriors, but their numbers will be useful to us, especially if we take the fight into the great forests where they feel most at home.

[Stats: low morale, low discipline, tough, fast, cannot form close formations, good ambushers, good shield but no armor, fair combat skill –- cheap, tough, undisciplined light spearmen.]

SCYTHIAN SLINGERS

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Scythian Slingers
From the foothills to the west come the Scythian Slingers, tough men who fight in loose formation, masters of ambush and rough terrain. They will harass the flanks of our enemies, showering them with stones and lead bullets. While they will be of little use in close-combat, they are a tough lot and will serve us well as missile troops.

[Stats: decent morale, low discipline, tough, fast, used to fighting cavalry, excellent ambushers, cannot form close formations, no armor, small shield, good missile attack, poor melee ability –- inexpensive, tough, undisciplined slingers]

SCYTHIAN SKIRMISHERS

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Scythian Skirmishers
Some of the western hill-dwellers have perfected the art of the javelin, like their Thracian enemies. These Scythian Skirmishers are excellent fighters, some of the best light infantry in the world. Not only can they rain death upon our enemies from afar, but they are skilled close-combat fighters -- although they lack armor, they can deliver powerful attacks upon the enemy’s flanks and rear. These men are pure Scythians, less disciplined but tougher than the urban Greco-Scythians, and are accustomed both to fighting against cavalry and to supporting our own cavalry in the open. Many a Sarmatian warrior will die pierced by a Scythian javelin!

[Stats: good morale, low discipline, tough, fast, used to fighting cavalry, excellent ambushers, cannot form close formations, swimming, no armor, small shield, good missile attack, good melee ability -– moderately inexpensive, very tough but undisciplined light infantry]

SCYTHIAN ARCHERS

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Scythian Archers
It is said that every Scythian is a bowman, and these native Scythian Archers are proof of this. They are rough men, undisciplined, not well-trained as warriors, but excellent hunters and ambushers. Though they cannot fight well in close-combat, they are good bowmen and, if used properly, will be a valuable addition to our hosts.

[Stats: good morale, low discipline, tough, fast, cannot form close formations, no armor, good missile attack, poor melee ability -– moderately inexpensive, moderately tough, undisciplined archers]

GRECO-SCYTHIAN SLINGERS

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Greco-Scythian Slingers
From the towns and cities along the coast we can call upon Greco-Scythian Slingers, men called to service by their city elders and drilled in basic formations. Unarmored but disciplined, they fight best from behind walls -- we shall use them to garrison our towns and forts. These are either settled Scythians or descendents of Greek colonists. They are not as tough as the native Scythians, but more disciplined.

[Stats: good morale, moderate discipline, not used to fighting cavalry, can form close formations, no armor, good missile attack, very poor melee ability –- inexpensive, moderately effective, disciplined slingers]

GRECO-SCYTHIAN HOPLITES

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Greco-Scythian Hoplites
When they came north and established their colonies, the Greeks brought their hoplites -- a capable type of fighting man, recognized the world over. As part of our host, we shall use Greco-Scythian Hoplites -- a levy of the best citizens of the local urban centers, they are well-armored and armed, and often drill in formation. These are the heaviest infantry we can put in the field, and will prove an excellent compliment to our missile troops and cavalry. While not as heavily armed as the ‘pure’ Greek hoplites of the south, they are more mobile. They are relatively rare among our people, however, so we must use them carefully...

[Stats: good morale, good discipline, used to fighting cavalry, can form close formations, good armor, good melee ability –- expensive, disciplined heavy infantry]

GRECO-SCYTHIAN THUREOPHOROI

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Greco-Scythian Thureophoroi
Those Greeks, such a strange people; they spend much of their time arguing about nonsense, but they do know how to make war -- at least on foot. The cities and towns in our domain are training a new type of warrior, the Greco-Scythian Thureophoroi -- not unlike their hoplites, but with lighter armament. It is said they were first raised to protect the flanks of their phalanx, but here on the steppes they have proven particularly useful. Their mobility, combined with their armament, makes them a valuable force to oppose the brutish skirmishers of the Getai, and their ability to close ranks allows them to fend off Sarmatian cavalry. In some ways, they may be the most useful infantry in our army. It is a pity they are so rare, we could use more of these men.

[Stats: good morale, good discipline, can form close formations, good armor, good missile attack, good melee ability –- expensive, effective, disciplined light infantry]

SCYTHIAN GUARDS

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Scythian Guards (Heavy Foot Archers)
If the Scythians are the greatest of all men – and who can deny that? – then the Royal Scythians are the greatest of all Scythians. They are a small tribe, true, but their men are bred to war and leadership. They commission the best weapons and armor from the Greek metal smiths, and their bravery is legendary. While most Royal Scythians fight on horseback, in the manner of our ancestors, the Guards are drilled to fight on foot. These men are trained to confront the horsemen of Sarmatia. On foot, they use their composite bows to deadly effect, and when the enemy cavalry charge they close ranks and fend them off with long spears. But more than this, these men are born leaders -- their status as members of the Royal tribe inspires confidence in their brother Scythians.

[Stats: excellent morale, excellent discipline, can form close formations, good armor, excellent missile attack, excellent melee ability, inspires nearby troops –- very expensive, effective, disciplined foot archers/spearmen]


SCYTHIAN LEVY HORSEMEN

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Scythian Levy Horsemen (Light Horse Archers)
While it is true we have lost some of our old ways, even now many a common Scythian man is raised on horseback, with a bow in his hand. When the need arises, we shall call upon the Scythian Levy Horsemen. While they have no armor and are not trained to fight in formation, they are numerous, and they are expert bowmen. As long as these men are kept out of close-combat, they will do us great service, raining clouds of arrows upon our hated enemies!

[Stats: decent morale, poor discipline, cannot form close formations, no armor, good missile attack, poor melee ability –- inexpensive, undisciplined horse archers]

SCYTHIAN MOUNTED SKIRMISHERS

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Scythian Mounted Skirmishers (Light Cavalry)
Some of our common men are a bit more experienced in battle, having fought off Thracian raids or battled Sarmatian interlopers. These men, while still lacking discipline, are more used to closing with the enemy. They throw javelins with expert skill, and are able to chase down enemy infantry with their spears. They go into battle bare-chested, as proof of their bravery, and to display their tattoos to the enemy. As long as the opponent is not too skilled, or too heavily armored, our Scythian Mounted Skirmishers can be counted upon to chase them from the field.

[Stats: decent morale, poor discipline, cantabrian circle, cannot form close formations, no armor, good missile attack, average melee ability –- inexpensive, undisciplined light cavalry]

SCYTHIAN HORSE ARCHERS

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Scythian Horse Archers (Medium Horse Archers)
As the Scythians are a people forever at war, there is a group of brave men in each tribe who are constantly called upon to fight. While not “professional” soldiers, in the sense that the peculiar Greeks use the term, they are lifelong warriors, and their bravery is beyond question. These Scythian Horse Archers are accustomed to battle and are better equipped for close combat than our Levy Horsemen. Indeed, the Greeks themselves say that these are some of the best horsemen in the world -- excellent
archers, raised in the saddle, fearless and bred for battle. Pound for pound, these may be the most effective of all Scythian warriors. They form the greatest part of our armies, and only by using them properly shall we triumph over our enemies.

[Stats: good morale, good discipline, can form close formations, cantabrian circle, linen/leather armor, excellent missile attack, decent melee ability –- moderately expensive, disciplined horse archers]

SCYTHIAN RIDERS

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Scythian Riders (Medium Cavalry)
When the Scythian horse archers have disrupted the enemy with their clouds of arrows, the job of charging in and breaking up their formations is left to the Scythian Riders –- these are wealthier native Scythians, fast and lightly armored, but well-trained and experienced warriors. They ride close to the enemy and launch a volley of javelins, and then pull forth their armor-piercing axes and charge with brutal ferocity. Their large shields give them good protection, while their skill at close combat makes them dangerous indeed.

[Stats: good morale, good discipline, can form close formations, linen/leather armor and good shield, excellent missile attack, very good melee ability -– expensive, disciplined medium cavalry]

ROYAL SCYTHIANS

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Royal Scythians (Heavy Cavalry)
The elite of the elite –- the nobles of the Royal Scythian tribe ride forth upon the best horses, bearing the highest quality weapons and armor, and convinced above all else of one thing: that they cannot be defeated in battle. These men train for war every day of their lives. They are expert bowmen, and even better lancers. They do not know fear. Their horses are armored and well used to battle. Like the Scythian Guard, their status as Royal Scythians is an inspiration to all nearby troops. When
everything hangs in the balance, when the battle seems lost, the charge of the Royal Scythians will turn the tide in our favor.

[Stats: unbeatable morale, excellent discipline, impetuous, can form close formations, can form wedge, excellent armor, excellent missile attack, excellent melee ability, inspires nearby troops –- very expensive elite heavy archer cavalry]

GENERAL'S BODYGUARD

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General’s Bodyguard (Heavy Cavalry)
The hand-picked elite guard of Scythian noblemen, the General’s Bodyguard are unmatched horsemen. Well-armed and well-armored, riding the best steeds available, they are sworn to protect the life of their general, or die trying.

[Stats: unbeatable morale, excellent discipline, can form close formations, excellent armor, excellent melee ability –- very expensive elite heavy cavalry]

SCYTHIAN GENERAL

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Scythian General
There are few of us, we who lead the Scythian people. But our bravery and wisdom will, I am sure, be enough. For through our veins flows the same blood that toppled Assyria, brought Babylon to its knees, forced tribute from the Pharaoh, and defied the Great King himself. If ever a people has been great, it has been ours. And we are the great of the great.

Now, the time has come to shake off our lethargy, to put down the goblet and take up the sword, and once more ride to battle...

Sweet, look forward to trying this faction out when the next patch/add-on comes out.:rtwyes: