New Faction Preview: Pontus
By LostinTransition
*
There was a king reigned in the East:
There, when kings will sit to feast,
They get their fill before they think
With poisoned meat and poisoned drink.
He gathered all the springs to birth
From the many-venomed earth;
First a little, thence to more,
He sampled all her killing store;
And easy, smiling, seasoned sound,
Sate the king when healths went round.
They put arsenic in his meat
And stared aghast to watch him eat;
They poured strychnine in his cup
And shook to see him drink it up:
They shook, they stared as whites their shirt:
Them it was their poison hurt.
—I tell the tale that I heard told.
Mithridates, he died old.
A. E. Houseman
*
Ah, a day in the life of an ancient emperor. Well, life is hard when the shattered remnants of the greatest empire the world had ever known lies just over the next mountain range - and that empire is now hell-bent on reducing the your kingdom to dust.
But in reality the Kingdom of Pontus was more than just an Alexandrian afterthought. Protected by the towering alpine mountains that give the region its name, the Pontic people were a proud and ancient race, and their warrior heritage was reflected in the life of Mithridates the Great, who did more than just sample poison - he carved an out an impressive empire that stretched deep into modern day Turkey.
History repeats itself in the world of Roma Surrectum 2, for the player who is courageous enough to undertake the challenge of ruling Pontus will certainly face a host of powerful enemies. But such courage does not go unrewarded; for if you are willing to accept the challenge of leading Pontus to glory, you will have the opportunity to command an army such as this.
Your Army
*
Archers and Skirmishers
Death strikes at a distance . . .
Akontistai
Inexpensive to hire and practically untrained, these Hellenic skirmishers were often used as fodder to slow an advancing enemy’s army. But don’t underestimate the value of a prolonged javelin attack on rows of advancing spearmen and elephants. Just remember to keep them protected from charging cavalry and heavy infantry!
[Stats: poor moral and poor discipline, cannot form close formations, fast moving, no armor, can swim, decent missile attack, very poor melee ability - inexpensive skirmishers.]
Peltasts
Only slightly better equipped than the Akontistai, Peltasts are best used to harass and weaken the enemy before your infantry attacks. Their larger shields and better armor give them some protection from the enemy, but Peltasts should only be used attack the weakest of enemy units.
[Stats: good moral and good discipline, can form close formations, fast moving, good shield, good missile attack, moderate melee ability - moderately expensive skirmishers.]
Slingers
Unarmored slingers may not look imposing, but then consider the damage caused by a flying rock in the face of an enemy. Slingers best operate from behind a protective wall of infantry - just make sure you aim them carefully! That rock will hurt your men, too!
[Stats: poor moral and poor discipline, cannot form close formations, fast moving, no armor, good missile attack, very poor melee ability - inexpensive skirmishers.]
Archers
The bow and arrow were a common weapon in the ancient world. Archers such as these can be a deadly addition to your army, moving quickly to harass advancing or routing enemy units. But take care: cavalry will mow down your archers like a power mower. Archers are best deployed behind a protective wall of infantry.
[Stats: decent moral and decent discipline, can form close formations, fast moving, no armor, good missile attack, flaming arrows, very poor melee ability - moderately expensive archers.]
Scythian Archers
Mercenaries serving in your army for a few pieces of gold, Scythian Archers bring with them excellent skills but poor morale. As they are often the first the flee the battlefield in a heated conflict, it is best keep them well away from the fighting and out of harms way.
[Stats: decent moral and decent discipline, can form close formations, fast moving, no armor, long range missles, good missile attack, flaming arrows, very poor melee ability - moderately expensive archers.]
Scythian Skirmishers
Like the Scythian Archers, the skirmishers are mercenaries that arrive at your army with a hunger for blood and a thirst for gold. Just don’t underestimate their skills or overestimate their willingness to fight. After all, dead men spend no gold . . .
[Stats: good moral and poor discipline, cannot form close formations, fast moving, no armor, good missile attack, long range missiles, flaming arrows, excellent ambushers, can swim, moderate melee ability - moderately expensive archers.]
Khaldian Mountaineers
Taught by their fathers from birth to hunt with the spear and javelin, Khaldian Mountaineers are the remnants of the ancient Urartian culture and are one of the proudest units in the Pontic army. Their heavy armor and weapons - which haven’t changed in hundreds of years - makes them much more powerful than Peltasts, while their experience and courage make them all the more deadly.
[Stats: good moral and good discipline, impetuous, can form close formations, decent armor, bonus vs. chariots, elephants and cavalry, strong missile attack, excellent ambushers, moderate melee ability - expensive skirmishers.]
*
Infantry and Heavy Skirmishers
The backbone of your army . . .
Thureophoroi (Medium Infantry)
Armed with javelins and spears, the Thurophoroi are a dangerous addition to your Pontic arsenal. Quick and strong, they can weaken an enemy with their javelins before striking in force with their spears. The Thurophoroi are particularly deadly when attacking a phalanx from the flank or rear.
[Stats: excellent moral and excellent discipline, can form close formations, fast moving, good armor, bonus v. chariots and elephants, can form shield wall, inspire nearby units, good missile attack, good melee ability - expensive skirmishers.]
Thorakitai (Medium Infantry)
The Thorakitai are excellent medium infantry and it will serve you well to invest some precious gold in a few of these units. Like the Thurophoroi, they are armed with javelins and spears, but their better armor makes more than a match for all but best enemy units. Thorakitai are particularly deadly against enemy cavalry units.
[Stats: excellent moral and excellent discipline, can form close formations, good armor, bonus v. cavalry, elephants, chariots, can form shield wall, inspire nearby units, good missile attack, good melee ability - expensive medium infantry.]
Elite Thorakitai (Heavy Infantry)
Experience and heavy armor, and a multitude of weapons, make the Elite Thorakitai one of finest units in your Pontic army. Hundreds of years of Hellenic military experience are reflected in these powerful warriors, who fire off a volley of javelins, then close in to finish off the survivors with swords. All but the most courageous warriors will flee in the face of their powerful attack.
[Stats: unbeatable moral and excellent discipline, can form close formations, excellent armor, powerful charge, can form shield wall, inspire nearby units, excellent missile attack, excellent melee ability - very expensive heavy shock infantry.]
Pontic Spearmen (Light Infantry)
Born high in the towering mountains that give Pontus it’s name, these hardy spearmen are taught how to hunt and fight from birth. Strong and quick, but impetuous and undisciplined, these men are best used against light infantry or to flank your enemy's army.
[Stats: good morale but impetuous, can form close formations, warcry improves attack, shield but no or only light armor, good melee ability, impetuous - inexpensive light infantry.]
Thorakitai Hoplites (Hoplite Infantry)
Fighting in the Hellenic tradition, these Thorakitai Hoplites bring excellent training and moral to your army. Armed with hoplite spears and protected by heavy armor, these units are the elite warriors of the Pontic battle line. Count on them to hold their own against almost any enemy infantry unit and to serve up that delicious Pontic delicacy: Seleucid General on a stick!
[Stats: excellent moral and excellent discipline, cannot form phalanx, excellent armor, bonus v. cavalry, inspire nearby units, excellent melee ability - very expensive hoplite infantry.]
Pandotaipoi Phalangites (Levy Phalangites)
Levied from the crowded cities of throughout the Pontic empire, Pandotaipoi Phalangites are the trained to fight as a Macedonian phalanx. While not as well trained or armored as the Chalkispides who make up the brunt of the Pontic phalanx line, these levied units can be used to support your battle line.
[Stats: poor moral and moderate discipline, can form phalanx, poor armor, bonus v. cavalry, long spears, average melee ability - inexpensive levy phalangites.]
Chalkispides (Medium Phalagnites)
Chalkispides are levied from the citizens of the Pontic Empire and are yet another remnant of the age of Alexander. Better trained and better equipped than the Pandataipoi, the Chalkispides bring more morale to the fight, and can be counted on to hold their formation against most enemy units. However, they should not be counted on to stand against elite enemy infantry.
[Stats: good moral and good discipline, can form phalanx, good armor, bonus v. cavalry, long spears, good melee ability - moderately expensive levy phalangites.]
Galatian Heavy Spearmen
Wandering warriors from the Celtic kingdom of Galatia, these mercenaries serve in your army for your gold and the sheer joy of fighting. While these enthusiastic spearmen may fight hard, discipline and organization are not their strong suit. Use them with caution and to support better, more disciplined troops.
[Stats: good morale and poor discipline, can form close formations, warcry improves attack, good armor, bonus v. cavalry, can form shieldwall, good melee ability, impetuous - expensive heavy infantry.]
Naked Fanatics
Another gift of the wandering Galatians, Naked Fanatics are fierce mercenary warriors who prove their heroism in battle by refusing to wear armor. Reinforcing their courage with potent drugs, these warriors can be counted on to attack the enemy with a frenzy! Use them carefully, for they won’t last long in a melee with cavalry!
[Stats: excellent morale but impetuous, cannot form close formations, warcry improves attack, no armor, weakness v. cavalry, excellent melee ability, impetuous - expensive light infantry.]
*
Cavalry
The thunder of hoofs, the scream of horses . . .
Prodromoi
The enduring influence of Alexander and the Macedonian fighting style are clearly visible in the cavalry of Pontus. The Prodromoi are Alexandrian light cavalry - armed with missiles and wearing light armor, they make excellent flankers and are a strong response to the light infantry and cavalry units of the East.
[Stats: good morale and excellent discipline, can form close formations, can form Cantabrian circle, medium armor, good missile attack and melee ability, uses lance - expensive light cavalry.]
Tarantine Cavalry
Another remnant of the army of Alexander, Tarantine Cavalry are excellent skirmishers - armed as they are with the javelins and swords. They can weaken the enemy with their javelins and then, protected by their armor and shields, close in for the kill. However, as with most cavalry units, prolonged engagements with organized spearmen should be avoided.
[Stats: excellent morale and discipline, capable of forming close formations, good armor, excellent ambushers - expensive light cavalry.]
Paphlagonian Cavalry
Hailing from the mountains that surround Pontus, Paphlagonian Cavalry ride hardy mountain ponies and fire javelins from a distance. They are excellent for harassing the enemies flanks, but they should avoid melees with enemy units.
[Stats: good morale and good discipline, cannot form close formations, can form Cantabrian circle, no armor, good missile attack, poor melee ability - inexpensive skirmish cavalry.]
Scythian Horse Archers
Skilled horsemen from a wild nomadic heritage, these Scythian Horse Archers utilize the same hit-and-run tactics which kept their people undefeated until the Battle of Jaxartes. Now they fight for money, but they still pride themselves on the speed of their horses and their skill with a bow.
[Stats: good morale and discipline, cannot form close formations, can form Cantabrian circle, no armor, good missile attack, only average melee ability - inexpensive light cavalry.]
Scythian Nobles
For centuries the Scythians roamed the wide open plains north and east of the Black Sea, living - and fighting - from the back of a horse. While Alexander’s victory at the Battle of Jaxartes brought their independence to an end, these Scythian Nobles still believe that the best way to fight is on horseback and the best weapons for the warrior are the bow and the lance. With better weapons and armor than the horse archers, these nobles will bring their deadly skills to the Pontics' aid - for a price!
[Stats: excellent morale and discipline, can form close formations, can form Cantabrian circle, can use lance, good armor, excellent missile attack, only good melee ability - expensive light cavalry.]
Roxolani Lancers
What Pontus lacks in size, it makes up in cavalry! Roxolani Lancers were fierce warriors who ranged the wide-open steppes north of the Black Sea. The armor of the Roxolani was reputed to be so heavy that once a warrior was thrown from his horse he had difficulty getting to his feet again! This heavy armor, combined with a powerful bow and a deadly two-handed kontos lance, make the Roxolani a force your enemies won't soon forget!
[Stats: excellent moral and discipline, excellent armor, weapons include bow and lance, excellent missile attack, excellent melee attack - expensive heavy cavalry.]
Cappadocian Cavalry
Predecessors to the mounted elite Turkish Cavalry that haunted the Crusaders, the Cappadocian Cavalry are heavily armored bowmen on a horse. Their reputation dates back to the days of Darius, when their two-fold attack (as missile and armored cavalry) helped the Persian king expand his empire. Employ them on the flanks as skirmishers or take advantage of their armor to run over all but the enemies heaviest infantry units.
[Stats: excellent morale and discipline, can form close formations, can form Cantabrian circle, can use lance, excellent armor, excellent missile attack, strong melee ability - expensive missile cavalry.]
Xystophoroi
Xystophoroi are Alexandrian heavy cavalry who are well-trained, well-armored and well-armed. While they may not enjoy the impressive reputation of the Hetairoi, they are no less intimidating to the average retreating Selecuidic infantryman, particularly when faced with the business end of their three meter long lance - the xyston. The Xystophoroi offer a less-expensive but effective alternative to the Hetairoi.
[Stats: excellent morale and discipline, can form close formations, can form wedge, good armor, powerful charge, excellent melee ability - expensive heavy cavalry.]
Hetairoi
Heirs-apparent to the Companions of Alexander the Great, the Hetairoi are expensive . . . but well worth the gold. A lifetime of training and discipline blended with a level of military confidence second to non make the Hetairoi the best cavalry unit at your disposal. A single Hetairoi charge can crush an enemy line.
[Stats: unbeatable morale and discipline, can form close formations, powerful charge, can form wedge, excellent armor, excellent melee ability - very expensive heavy cavalry.]
*
Chariots
Death races ahead on razored wheels . . .
Galatian Chariots
Light and fast, these Galatian Chariots feature the double deadly combination of the speed of light chariots and the all-out enthusiasm for warfare the Galatians bring to every battle. With their speed and quickness, and the fear they inspire, these chariots are excellent for attacking missile units and light infantry.
[Stats: excellent morale, incapable of forming close formations, can charge light units, frightens missile units, weak against spearmen and heavy infantry, expensive.]
Scythed Chariots
Originally invented in Ancient India and perfected by the Persians, Xenophon records the power of the scythed chariot when he noted: "the chariots dashing into Greek ranks, broke up their formation." Combining heavy armor with a forest of blades, these are a powerful - albeit expensive - weapon in your arsenal to wreck the enemy lines. But beware: these chariots cannot form a close formation and will not survive a prolonged engagement with organized spearmen.
[Stats: excellent morale, incapable of forming close formations, powerful charge, frightens infantry, excellent armor, very expensive.]
*
Your General
Honor, glory and victory be his on this day . . .
Fearless. Crafty. Resourceful. It takes a special kind of general to lead the people of Pontus against an empire ten times bigger than theirs. Are you that general?
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A Few Days In the Life of the Pontic Army
[Note from the RS2 team: What follows is yet another moment of aimless mental gymnastics that so often constitute the opinion of Lost In Transition. This is only an opinion and it does not necessarily represent the opinion of the RS2 team. In fact, it’s a good bet it doesn’t represent our opinion at all. Or anyone else’s opinion. In fact, we barely know this person. He just showed up one day and we took pity on him. So there - don’t say we didn’t warn you . . . ]
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Waiting . . .
"Hmmm . . . I could have sworn the Number 9 bus came past here . . .
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Wild-Eyed Northern Boys . . .
"Need to kill something . . . soon . . . or . . . eat something . . . yeah, that's it . . . need to eat something . . . like a Big Mac . . . or maybe . . . kill a Big Mac . . then eat it . . . need to stop . . . eating those funny . . . red berries . . .
*
Dendadois of Pontus Meets a Celebrity
"Hey, don't I know you? Fighting for the Seleucids . . . hiding your face behind a mask . . . hey . . . aren't you the Elephant Man?"
"Jeeze . . . not again . . . I can't go anywhere . . "
*
Theodonius Talks Some Trash . . .
"You want some of this, Seleuci boy?"
"Que?"
"You know what I said, metal face."
"Que?"
"I'm gonna kick you and your elephant's butt."
"Que?"
"Then I'm gonna kick your momma's butt."
"Que, que? Un hombre loco . . . debe parar el comer . . . bayas rojas divertidas . . ."
*
Demetrius the Driver Gets Some Really Bad Advice
"Okay, no ducking behind the chariot this time, buddy. Stand tall like the rest of us. Besides, you're not even carrying a weapon . . . no one's gonna shoot at you . . ."
*
Antonius Has a Thought . . .
"Must be carefull . . . I could poke someone's eye out with this thing . . . "
*
A Moment of Inspiration
While waiting to engage the enemy Endorius suddenly has a vision of a strange device, not unlike a reflection in the water, upon which a person could play strange games for hours on end (including an amazing game involving flaming pigs!) and never have to accomplish anything!
Unfortunatley, at that exact moment, Endorius was struck in head with a rock hurled by a Seleudcid Slinger. He suffered a severe concusion and died a few days later, depriving his family of immeasurable wealth and setting civilization back several thousand years . . .
*
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= CREDITS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
tone: Models and skins
Antiochus Epiphanes: Models and skins
Spirit of Rob: Pontic General, other model and skin elements
sleighr: Elements of phalangite models (thracio-attic helmet and others)
Europa Barbarorum Team: Thurephoroi, Thorakitai and Roxolani lancer models
RTR Team: Scythed chariot model
RS Team: Historical Research
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Originally Posted by Squid
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