West Seaxe Melee Ship

Draca - Royal Companions

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.

(Royal Companions)
In the years following the departure of the Romans from Britain, many communities had to organise their headship – at least in part – for the purposes of war. In many places, the constant threat of invasion or absorption by hostile expanding neighbours meant that the links between social organisation and martial organisation were close and integral, which was reflected in the hierarchy. Every social or family group had to look to their own security to defend their rights and interests, and it was no different for the ruling elite. The function of kings and chiefs was, above all, to provide war leadership. In many parts of Britain, leaders of tribal descent used loyalty systems which granted the best warriors the greatest rewards when in service of their households as companions or bodyguards, which extended onto the battlefield. A similar system existed in Celtic Ireland and Scotland, where martial leaders presided over small and ever-changing kingdoms alongside nobles and royal followers who fought in their direct service. The Welsh, although less influenced by feudalism, also operated under similar systems of the ‘teulu’ – the individual princes’ and chieftains’ personal bodyguards – who typically went to war alongside larger numbers of freemen who made up the bulk of the armies.

Unit Name Draca - Royal Companions

Main Unit Key shp_eng_royal_companions

Land Unit Key eng_royal_companions

Naval Unit Key vik_draca

Soldiers 100

Category Heavy Ship

Class Melee Ship

Custom Battle Cost 1000

Recruitment Cost 0

Upkeep Cost 100

Hull Strength

└ Ship vik_draca

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 90

├ Base Defence 45

├ Shield vik_reinforced

└ Shield 45

Armour 12

├ Armour vik_leather

├ Armour Defence 12

└ 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