Circenn Melee Ship

Draga - Black Blades

For most of history the only way to move cargoes and people over long distances at any kind of reasonable speed was by water; this remained true until the invention of the railway. Trading vessels carried goods, following the coastlines for the most part, and up navigable rivers. The pattern of settlement and colonisation was almost entirely based on where ships could go. It was also considerably easier to move armies by sea than march them long distances. Trade ships were hired or requisitioned for such tasks, and this was an added incentive for generals to reach a quick conclusion to a campaign: war hurt trade, and used up ships needed for vital food supplies.

(Black Blades)
The early medieval Highlanders of Alba were a cultural mix of Gaelic, Celtic, and other peoples, who had much in common with similar groups in nearby Ireland and northern Britain. Centuries of encounters with invading Romans and the sporadic infighting that followed meant that militarily, they were well-prepared. Organised under local commanders and lords, most males were expected to be ready to fight, but when they were not being called upon to defend their land or clan they farmed and fished alongside their women. Their climate made them particularly tough, readily fighting into the depth of winter when required. Even the Vikings were fearful of the Highlanders of northern Britain by their own accounts – the classic Icelandic saga ‘Islendingasagur’ warns other Norsemen to approach parts of the Scottish coast with caution, lest it cost them their lives!

The warriors of Alba were generally made up of territorial units of fighting men. Historical accounts indicate that when some of their forces fought, they often wielded weapons that were very dark in colour. This must have been particularly alien to foreign attackers, when even a second's hesitation on the battlefield could mean the difference between life and death. Tales from the time speak of warriors with black swords, indicating that blades may have been left unpolished to help with waterproofing against the British weather. This initially unforeseen effect on invaders was soon turned to an advantage by the wily Scots, who capitalised on their ferocious appearance, in combination with the element of surprise, to defeat their opponents.

Unit Name Draga - Black Blades

Main Unit Key shp_sco_black_blades

Land Unit Key sco_black_blades

Naval Unit Key vik_draga

Soldiers 160

Category Heavy Ship

Class Melee Ship

Custom Battle Cost 900

Recruitment Cost 900

Upkeep Cost 200

Hull Strength

└ Ship vik_draga

Speed

Melee Skill 45

Melee Damage 42

├ Melee Weapon vik_sword_elite

├ Melee Base Damage 36

├ Armour-piercing Damage 6

├ Armour Piercing No

├ Attack Against Cavalry 0

├ Attack Against Elephants 0

└ Attack Against Infantry 0

Charge Bonus 30

Melee Defence 75

├ Base Defence 45

├ Shield vik_medium

└ Shield 30

Armour 30

├ Armour vik_scale

├ Armour Defence 30

└ Shield Armour 0

Health 100

├ Man Entity vik_inf_heavy

├ Man Health 100

└ Bonus Hit Points 0

Morale 50

Abilities

• Shield Castle
  "Heads down, lads, things are about to get a little hairy around here!"
  Units cannot move in this formation.

Attributes

• [[col:yellow]]Expert Charge Defence[[/col]]
  This unit’s melee attack and damage are increased against charging enemies.
• [[col:yellow]]Disciplined[[/col]]
  This unit does not suffer a morale penalty when the general dies. It can also rally after routing more often.
• [[col:yellow]]Encourage[[/col]]
  This unit provides a morale bonus to nearby allies.
• [[col:yellow]]Hide (forest)[[/col]]
  This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close.

Strengths & Weaknesses

No Strengths and Weaknesses