Saxoni (Empire Divided) Melee Ship

Heavy Raider - Gedriht Swordsmen

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

They have sworn to fight and die for the chief.

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.

(Gedriht Swordsmen)
While not as disciplined as Roman Legionaries, Rome's attempts to incorporate Germania into its empire left its mark on Germanic armies, particularly the various tribal factions settled along the borders, who served as a buffer and fought as foederati for the Romans. Surely influenced by Rome's burgeoning Legions, the Saxoni developed remarkable military organisation for a northern Germanic tribe. Warriors were grouped into warbands, each with its own chief, and were further categorised into classes. Of these, the Gedriht were the personal retainers of the chief, who swore an oath to die with their leader. The Geoguth were the youngest warriors, who formed the bulk of a warband and fought on the frontline. The Duguth were older, veteran warriors, who had earned their positions but may not have been as swift as their younger counterparts. Naturally, the best equipment was reserved for the Gedriht, while the other two classes shared what little weapons and armour were left - metal and metalworking skills were uncommon in Germania at this time. The elite warriors were also responsible for starting the baritus, the infamous, terrifying Germanic war-chant.

Abilities

Heavy Raider

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

Gedriht Swordsmen

• Shield Screen
  The unit raises their shields in a static defensive formation.
  Bracing, melee defence, shield strength
  Can't move
• Frenzied Charge
  Increases the effectiveness of the unit's charge for an extended period. The unit will suffer a large fatigue penalty after the charge is over.
  Charge speed, charge damage, acceleration
  Melee defence, fatigue

Attributes

• Encourage
  This unit provides a morale bonus to nearby allies.
• 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

Gedriht Swordsmen

• Very good attack
• Average defence
• Average damage but low armour penetration
• Good morale

Saxoni (Empire Divided) Units
General (3)
1.Gedriht Spearmen
2.Gedriht Swordsmen
3.Noble Saxoni Cavalry
Melee Infantry (7)
4.Armoured Germanic Swords
5.Germanic Axe Warriors
6.Duguth Swordsmen
7.Gedriht Swordsmen
8.Gedriht Swordsmen
9.Geoguth Warriors
10.Saxoni Raiders
Missile Infantry (5)
11.Germanic Hurlers
12.Germanic Skirmishers
13.Elite Saxoni Javelinmen
14.Germanic Archers
15.Saxoni Bows
Pike Infantry (1)
16.Germanic Pikes
Spear Infantry (7)
17.Germanic Spear Masters
18.Germanic Spearmen
19.Spear Levy
20.Duguth Spearmen
21.Gedriht Spearmen
22.Gedriht Spearmen
23.Geoguth Spearmen
Melee Cavalry (4)
24.Germanic Mounted Warband
25.Noble Saxoni Cavalry
26.Noble Saxoni Cavalry
27.Saxoni Mounted Warband
Missile Cavalry (1)
28.Germanic Horse Skirmishers
Shock Cavalry (1)
29.Germanic Lancers
Fixed Artillery (2)
30.German Giant Ballista
31.German Bastion Scorpion
Field Artillery (6)
32.German Ballista
33.German Bastion Ballista
34.German Scorpion
35.German Heavy Onager
36.German Onager
37.German Bastion Onager
Special (1)
38.Savage Dogs
Admiral (3)
39.Heavy Raider - Gedriht Swordsmen
40.Heavy Raider - Armoured Germanic Swords
41.Medium Missile Raider - Saxoni Bows
Melee Ship (7)
42.Assault Raider - Saxoni Raiders
43.Assault Raider - Geoguth Warriors
44.Heavy Raider - Armoured Germanic Swords
45.Heavy Raider - Gedriht Swordsmen
46.Heavy Raider - Armoured Germanic Swords
47.Medium Assault Raider - Germanic Axe Warriors
48.Medium Assault Raider - Duguth Spearmen
Missile Ship (4)
49.Medium Missile Raider - Germanic Hunters
50.Medium Missile Raider - Saxoni Bows
51.Medium Missile Raider - Saxoni Bows
52.Missile Raider - Germanic Hurlers