Roxolani Melee Ship

Heavy Raider - Steppe Spearmen

Strong warships, constructed to withstand the worst the sea can throw at them.

Spearmen are the backbone of an army; they keep cavalry at a respectful distance.

Most of the northern European tribes were not naval powers, but there were still able seafarers to be found amongst them. Shipbuilding techniques were well understood, so while many vessels were small leather-skinned boats for inland and inshore use, bigger sea-going vessels were also made. Shipwrights used heavy planking for hulls, stitched together and then fastened to a wooden skeleton to create sturdy craft able to cope with Atlantic conditions. Julius Caesar was surprised at the quality of the enemy ships when his fleet clashed with the Veneti from modern-day Brittany. The Veneti vessels had flat bottoms to cope with shallows, but were also of heavy oak construction to cope with rough seas. This made them tough opposition for Roman galleys, and capable of shrugging off a ramming attack. Caesar said that the enemy ships "...were constructed of planks a foot in breadth, fastened by iron spikes the thickness of a man's thumb; the anchors were secured fast by iron chains instead of cables”. When the Romans were forced to board, they faced fearsome warriors used to close-quarters fighting at sea.

(Steppe Spearmen)
Far from being simple, ignorant barbarians, the various steppe tribes had a great cultural wealth. Living in an area stretching from the Caspian Sea to the northern shores of the Black Sea; the Greeks called them 'Scythians' and the Persians 'Saka', while a western group became known as the Sarmatians. Wearing trousers marked them as barbarians as far as the Greeks were concerned, before their tall, pointed caps and swarthy appearances were even considered. Looks apart, they were, however, exceptional horsemen, highly-skilled with composite-recurve bows and deadly hand-to-hand fighters. Grave goods suggest that Scythian women were as warlike as their men, and probably fought alongside them in battle. This may well be the origin of the Greek myths of Amazon warrior women.

Abilities

Heavy Raider

• Row Hard 20
  Increases speed for 20 strokes.
  Ship speed

Steppe Spearmen

• Square
  The unit moves into a close square formation.
  Bracing, morale, melee defence
  Can't move
• Rapid Advance
  Improved unit movement speed over an extended period.
  Speed, acceleration, charge speed
  Exertion: fatigue

Attributes

• Hide (forest)
  This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close.
• Resistant to Cold
  This unit tires less quickly in snow.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Heavy Raider

• Very good hull strength
• Medium crew
• Average speed
• Average ramming
• Very good boarding

Steppe Spearmen

• Average defensive unit
• Low damage but average armour penetration
• Weak attack
• Poor morale

Roxolani Units
General (5)
1.Noble Horse Archers
2.Steppe Noble Lancers
3.Sarmatian Royal Lancers
4.Roxolani Royal Lancers
5.Royal Guard Macemen
Melee Infantry (11)
6.Young Axes
7.Sarmatian Sword Band
8.Sarmatian Axe Marauders
9.Steppe Swordsmen
10.Royal Guard Macemen
11.Siracene Swordsmen
12.Steppe Axemen
13.Steppe Armoured Axemen
14.Sarmatian Royal Swordsmen
15.Sarmatian Axe Band
16.Chosen Sarmatian Infantry
Missile Infantry (2)
17.Steppe Archers
18.Royal Guard Archers
Spear Infantry (7)
19.Steppe Spearmen
20.Tribesmen
21.Chosen Sarmantian Spearmen
22.Royal Guard Spearmen
23.Steppe Armoured Spearmen
24.Sarmatian Veteran Spears
25.Spears of Tabiti
Melee Cavalry (3)
26.Sarmatian Horsemen
27.Sarmatian Riders
28.Sarmatian Light Cavalry
Missile Cavalry (3)
29.Armoured Horse Archers
30.Steppe Horse Archers
31.Noble Horse Archers
Shock Cavalry (6)
32.Steppe Armoured Lancers
33.Steppe Lancers
34.Steppe Noble Lancers
35.Sarmatian Royal Lancers
36.Sarmatian Armored Lancers
37.Roxolani Royal Lancers
Field Artillery (2)
38.Steppe Bastion Ballista
39.Steppe Ballista
Admiral (2)
40.Medium Missile Raider - Steppe Archers
41.Heavy Raider - Steppe Spearmen
Melee Ship (4)
42.Medium Assault Raider - Young Axes
43.Persian Assault Teteres - Steppe Spearmen
44.Heavy Raider - Steppe Spearmen
45.Assault Raider - Tribesmen
Missile Ship (3)
46.Greek Missile Penteres - Steppe Archers
47.Medium Missile Raider - Steppe Archers
48.Missile Raider - Steppe Archers
Artillery Ship (1)
49.Roman Light Artillery Quinquereme - Eastern Ballista (Ship)