Factions and units - info and descriptions

[The Wizard]

This is the research I did on the Parthians before the release of the game, but it's not done yet (note the missing cataphracts, for instance )


Iranian Levies /Light Infantry

Strong charge, normal attack, very weak defence, poor morale, large shield

(Spherical Median cap, long curly hair, beard and moustache, grey shirt, baggy grey trousers, tunic over shirt reaching to knees, simple shoes, belt with attached short sword, simple spear, leather-covered cane shield)

These peasant levies from the countryside of Iran were forced into military service at need; hardly trained, they were used as general duties personnel and baggage guards as well as acting as a spear phalanx in battle. They should not be relied on in battle, and should only be used for simple tasks. They can be recruited in all of Iran.



Syrian Archers/Light Infantry [Mercenaries]

Normal attack, weak defence, normal morale, shield, long range

(Cap, long curly hair, short-sleeved tunic reaching to thighs, light brown trousers tucked into short boots, quiver slung over the shoulder hanging on the back, large composite bow, small shield, hatchet hung off hip)

Mercenaries from northern Syria, these men could be found in all armies in the Orient. Their composite bow gives them an advantage in range, and their hatchets can cause more havoc amongst armored troops than one could expect from such lightly armed men! A wise commander will however remember that they cannot be relied on to hold out for long in the melee, and they are best used to pepper enemies with arrows until the heavier troops can engage.



Anatolian Highlanders/Light Infantry [Mercenaries]

Normal attack, fast, hardy, missiles good versus armor, missiles disrupt formations, very weak defence, normal morale, shield, short range

(Cap, long hair, moustache, short-sleeved jacket, striped trousers reaching to the ankles, short boots, belt with attached dagger, small target shield, goatskin pouch containing sling pellets slung over shoulder)

The tough hill men of Western Asia are hired by any powers active in the Orient. Hard to detect in flight, and difficult to dodge, sling pellets could stun, maim or even kill, and were extremely dangerous even to armored troops. These men can only be hired in the Highlands of Anatolia.



Kurdish Hillmen/Light Infantry [Mercenaries]

Weak attack, fast, hardy, missiles very good versus armor, very weak defence, normal morale, shield, long range

(Cap, long hair, moustache, woolen tunic, trousers tucked into short boots, sheepskin jerkin, target shield of stained hide, bunch of javelins, dagger)

These tough hillmen from the western reaches of Iran and Anatolia use javelin-thongs to give their throws greater range and accuracy. Their javelins are powerful weapons facing armored foes, but they should only be used skirmishing, as a melee is not something they should get stuck into. These men can only be recruited in Anatolia and the mountains of western Iran.







Sakae Tribesmen/Light Cavalry [Mercenaries]

Normal attack, fast, very weak defence, strong charge, poor morale, shield

(Long Scythian-style hair, moustache, tunic, baggy trousers, short boots, cowhide round shield which is slung over the back when using bow and equipped when using lance or sword, gorytos with bow slung over the hip, quiver slung over other hip, akinakes, simple saddle, Scythian [and later Mongolian] cut of the horse’s mane, no stirrups)

These tough Scythians from the northeastern frontiers of the Empire are levied from the vassal chieftains of the tribes there. Living a tough life, they learn to ride as soon as they can walk, and they are masterful horsemen. They can fight with lance, bow and sword in equal mastery. However, they are disloyal and cannot be relied on to fill important roles, but they can fill gaps in the line of horse archers in a Parthian army. They can only be hired from the eastern reaches of Iran [Note: if the map stretches that far].



Parthian Horse Archers/Light Cavalry

Good attack, fast, missiles good versus armor, weak defence, normal morale, long range, can perform Parthian shot, can perform Cantabrian circle

(Long parted well-groomed hair, ‘bandana’, moustache, ‘goatee’, kaftan of fine fabric with a felt or leather decorative border, heavily decorated trousers covered by thick, tubular fabric ‘chaps’ slung from the waist, simple shoes, composite bow, quiver slung over the hip, tail of horse tied in a tubular, decorated object)

These cavalrymen are recruited from the minor nobility of the Parthian people, and originally come from the steppes of Central Asia. Although they now live in Iran, they still learn to ride as soon as they can walk like their ancestors. They are expert archers and expert horsemen, being able to shoot a bow accurately from horseback, and they are the masters of the ‘Parthian shot’, being able to shoot backwards at full gallop. They are best used at weakening enemy formations so that the heavy cavalry can finish them off. They can be recruited from any Parthian-held territory.



~Wiz