Nusantara : Total War

[Cute Wolf]

I've allready made some sketch of Javanese Soldiers:

Both in 2 skin version, for Starting as Muslim dominated factions, and for starting as Hindu-Buddhist dominated factions. One wearing light clothes, and one bare chested and muscled. - In Babad Tanah Jawi, when Fatahillah assault Sunda Kelapa, the Javanese Spearmen on the Pajajaran Side was clearly depicted as fought bare chested, when the muslims depicted wearing shirts.... Even in Negarakertagama, the lowest militia fought bare chested (only said they are wearing kain arround their waist, and trousers, carrying bamboo anyaman shields, armed with bows, goloks and tombak spears)

The Javanese militia usually fought with shortbows and golok (a heavy, thick, long knive, used for agricultural properties), the golok is technically an armor piercing shortsword, because it was heavy enough to dent steel sheet with its sheer weight.


And this is the Spear Militia version, they are actually a very good spearmen that even capable to hold and repel Portugese pikemen when they attack Sunda Kelapa. Oh yeah, and maybe for some variation in skins, the hindu-buddhist may get a light sleeveless cloth (not too bare chested), and the Muslims got koko cloth.


What did u think?

Maybe I'll update with more my unit concept.

About the elite & Nobility's armour, before the arrival of europeans, Hindu-Buddhist nobles fought in Steel and Brass armour, while the Muslims in Aceh fought in Middle Eastern styled chainmail armour. Their contact will eventually bring a bit of crossdressing between them. Movies and Films that depicts the nobility fought bare chested and unaroured are just a myth, because we also have their ancient armour at museum... they only rarely wears helmets, because it was indicate bravery, as well as method of recognition (the Hindu-Buddhist soldiers usually set their hair free, or tie in a topknot, while the Muslims youth mostly cut their hair.