Britannia Divided: Factions

[naut]

Dál Riatans

Difficulty: Fairly Hard

The Dál Riatans, or the Scots, occupy a precarious position of territories found in North Ireland and Western Isles of Caledonia and Pictland. Their lands can not support vast armies and the will have to rely on the lie of the land. However, it would be foolish to attempt to attack more than one enemy at a time.

Initial Strategy:
1. Consolidate and strengthen borders with hostile neighbours.
2. Gain a landlocked province to protect from potential Viking invasions.

Positive:
a. Fearsome infantry
b. Multiple starting Provinces

Negative:
a. Territories are poor
b. Surrounded by enemies
c. May have to fight a war on multiple fronts

Unit List:

Cavalry:

Guirranmor
These are the Dál Riatan equivalent of Knights and are well trained and equipped. The Dál Riatans did not often use heavy cavalry, but they provide an excellent and powerful reserve. Their patron Lord would provide them with the best arms and armour in the land.

Guirran
These men stick to the normal Gaelic way of war, acting as mobile skirmishers harassing enemies with their javelins. They are decently trained and can flank or run down routing enemies.

Ceirrana
These men are not trained cavalry in anyway. They are simply the cavalry of local militias armed with only a club and used for scouting and messenger duties. At best they can flank enemies to provide some use, but cannot be expected to stay in the fight long.

Infantry:

Deaisbard
Deaisbard are the private bodyguard of chieftains, with excellent equipment and training. On top of this they were well-educated to act as aides in peacetime and expected to assist in ceremonies.

Arras
Arras are nobles, but may also be wealthy independent landowners, merchants or traders. They have the money to supply themselves and their followers with good arms and armour. They fought in tight formations, with a longish sword, targe, javelins, mail armour and an iron helmet.

Aumabellu
The men of Alba, who would become the Scots, were famed for their longspears. They took influence from the Schiltrons of their northern neighbours, and applied them to their own professional warriors, combining tight formations, long spears and good armour. They were often the bane of any opposition forced to meet them head on in the foothills of their homeland.

Audheran-Laecha
The Gaels of old would often fight naked, but, this is no longer the case since their conversion to Christianity. However, warrior guilds such as the Audheran-Laecha would continue the old traditions by fighting in nothing but cloaks to allow better mobility and agility in battle.

Clansmen Warband
The Gaelic axe, tua, is a very old weapon with a particularly heavy head designed to smash helmets and shields. Men armed with a axe also carried a targe and a few javelins to throw before charging.

Clansmen Warband
Most Dál Riatan soldiers were armed with a slea (spear), a targe and a few throwing spears, and men armed in this manner often formed the backbone of the army. These men are semi-professional soldiers or mercenaries who either bought their equipment or had it supplied by a Lord, and in return they provided service. These men are apt and can hold the line against all but the best of opponents.

Sleaceitherne
In early Dál Riatan Feudal society Ciorns (later kerns) tended to be near the bottom of society. And without much money or fighting ability they would not have had very good equipment and most of the time they were just men called up to serve in a levy. Armed with what little they could afford, usually a spear and a few small javelins or darts.

Ceitherne
In early Dál Riatan Feudal society Ciorns (later kerns) tended to be near the bottom of society. And without much money or fighting ability they would not have had very good equipment and most of the time they were just men called up to serve in a levy. Armed with what little they could afford, usually a club and a few small javelins or darts.

Missile:

Ranasiarda
Unlike other Irish Kingdoms the Dál Riatans came to value the bow as a weapon of war, as the Picts, Celts and Britons would often use it in battle against them. In response, Dál Riata needed semi-professional soldiery to meet and match the agile bowmen of their rivals, however, these are no infantry and should be kept out of harms way.